Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Chenghai toys see US order surge amid tariff pause 08:53, July 15, 2025 By Zhang Yiyi ( Global Times At a bustling workshop in Yiyu Craftwork Co, a toy factory in Chenghai district in Shantou city, South China's Guangdong Province, workers lean over sewing machines, rapidly stitching red-and-white Santa hats and glittery ornaments. These festive exports will soon cross oceans, destined for Christmas displays in stores across the US and Europe, just as global buyers rush to place orders before a 90-day US tariff reprieve expires. As uncertainty lingers over US tariffs on Chinese toy imports, Chenghai is navigating a period of adjustment and transition. In April, the Trump administration announced a 90-day suspension of planned tariff hikes on certain Chinese-made toys, offering a temporary window of relief. The move has triggered a wave of orders from US buyers, with some rushing to restock regular inventory and others placing early Christmas orders, including consistent orders from major US retailers such as Target, Walmart and Home Depot, driving a notable rebound in demand that rose more than 10 percent year-on-year, local business owners told the Global Times. China's exports of dolls and stuffed animal toys reached 13.3 billion yuan ($1.84 billion) in the first four months of 2025, up 9.6 percent year-on-year, according to customs data released Monday. Chenghai is China's largest toy production and trade hub, accounting for over 50 percent of China's plastic toy output and about one-third of global supply. In 2024, the district exported toys worth 10.24 billion yuan, according to China Media Group. Irreplaceable advantages "Although the tariffs are imposed on US importers, the pressure inevitably trickles down to us," said Qiu Zhihong, head of Shantou Daye Plastic Toys Co, a Chenghai-based exporter of high-end smart toys. He told the Global Times that US buyers often ask Chinese suppliers to share the burden by cutting prices slightly. "Margins are already razor-thin, so we can't fully meet those demands, but they end up buying anyway, because Chinese-made toys remain irreplaceable in the global market," Qiu said. He stressed that it's ultimately US importers and consumers who foot the bill. "They can't stop buying because Chinese toys are better made, reach the market faster and offer unmatched variety." In short, it's the US market that takes the bigger hit. Even US industry leaders acknowledge the pressure of rising cost. Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks warned that US toy prices could increase later this year, noting that China remains one of the company's key suppliers, according to a CNN report. Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun!, noted that while the company has expanded sourcing to Vietnam and Indonesia, production costs there remain higher than in China. "It's not cost-effective necessarily to move out of China," he said, according to PBS News. Beyond traditional toys, the rise of high-end products is making Chenghai more competitive and appealing to global buyers. Qiu said his company has introduced a range of smart, interactive toys over the past two years, riding the wave of AI-driven innovation with sales growing despite market headwinds. "US consumers are drawn to tech-based toys, and premium interactive products are clearly part of the digital future," he noted. "Southeast Asia still can't produce at this level we have a strong advantage in both production capacity and supply chain integration." "About one-third of the Christmas goods sold in the US come from Chenghai," said Guo Bo, general manager of Yiyu Craftwork Co, another Chenghai-based company specializing in Christmas products. He acknowledged that when tariffs surged past 50 percent, exports came under pressure. However, as US importers and retailers found it difficult to forgo the value of Chinese-made goods, orders rebounded sharply once the 90-day tariff pause took effect. "They're worried tariffs will rise again after the window closes, so they're rushing to stock up," Guo said. "What used to be a three-month lead time has been cut to two, now everyone's scrambling to deliver." "May and June are usually peak export months, but concerns over tariffs have led foreign buyers to place even more orders," Guo said. "That created a shipping surge on our side, though traders on both ends are eager to get goods delivered as quickly as possible." Diversified markets boost stability To boost competitiveness and expand market reach, some firms in Chenghai are moving beyond OEM by building their own brands. At Guangdong Yuxing Technology Industrial Co, workers are testing AI-powered mechanical block sets under the Mould King label, a brand that has gained strong traction in Europe and the US with original designs featuring muscle cars, trains, and iconic landmarks. "We have our own R&D team and are now developing programmable modules to stand out with more tech-driven products," said Xie Weichun, general manager of the company told the Global Times. Xie sees the 90-day window as a short-term variable. For him, the real path forward lies in "building a more resilient global supply network." He said that the company now has stable clients in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Malaysia, and plans to step up local marketing and distribution efforts. "We can't put all our eggs in one basket," Guo said, adding that his company is expanding into Belt and Road markets, where countries in the Middle East, Central Asia and Southeast Asia also celebrate Christmas or similar holidays, fueling a rise in orders and inquiries. At the same time, the company is tapping into China's booming cultural and creative market with fabric-based IP toys aimed at domestic consumers. Qiu said his company offers products across multiple price points and has offices in the US, the Netherlands and Hong Kong, with design teams in Hong Kong and London to better localize development and cater to different market preferences. "The US remains our main market," he noted. "But we're actively growing our presence elsewhere to balance the risks." Despite ongoing global uncertainty, Chenghai's strategy is taking shape: pursuing growth through market diversification, building value through high-end production, and seeking certainty through brand development. As the shipping deadline nears, lights at Yiyu Craftwork Co stay on late. Workers rush to finish Santa hats and snowman ornaments, a response to uncertainty, a display of China's manufacturing resilience and proof of enduring global demand. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) James Gunn created a "familial feeling" on the set of the new Superman movie. James Gunn directed the new movie David Corenswet plays Superman in the superhero film, and the 32-year-old actor has revealed that he relished the experience of watching the movie for the first time with the cast and crew at the premiere in Los Angeles. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, David shared: "Usually I watch a movie early. If I'm nervous, I want to get my self-conscious viewing out of the way early. But when I started seeing the trailers, I kind of got the feeling of what it might be to watch the movie as an audience member, and there was this ... uplifting energy and feeling of inspiration. "It feels like the movies that I grew up watching and loved, so I wanted to preserve the experience. "It was a great audience for it. Big crowd and the cast and some of our crew and loved ones ... so it was just a very positive and supportive audience." David - who stars in the film alongside the likes of Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult and Isabela Merced - then praised the director for creating a supportive attitude on set. The actor explained: "James Gunn does that deliberately. He really makes a familial feeling ... He loves what he does." David actually watched the movie for a second time at a cinema in Philadelphia. He shared: "That was the first viewing and there was some self-consciousness, so I needed to go back. So I snuck into the back of an IMAX screening outside of Philly with a couple of friends. "It was great. It was better the second time." Earlier this year, James claimed that "people are looking for heroes right now". The filmmaker also revealed that he was feeling optimistic about the new Superman film. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at a DC press event, he explained: "I think hes the right Superman because he is a character that stands for something that is solid, stands for basic human morals, basic human integrity, basic belief in protecting others and protecting the weak being good to people and being honest. "People are looking for heroes right now. They are looking for values of goodness, looking for people who are good and decent human beings. And Superman is that." James also revealed that Warner Bros planned to throw its full weight behind the promotional campaign for the film. The director said: "DZ [David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery] loves what were doing, loves the movie, and has really rallied the entire company behind Superman for this summer. "Youve seen what can happen when Warner Bros. Discover gets together behind a Barbie or a Beetlejuice or a Wonka or Kong. And thats how its being treated right now for Superman. Everything that DZ has promised us two years ago when we got the job, its all been a reality." State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code BOWMAN - Arkansas row crop farmer Lawrence Conyer traveled a little over 1,000 miles to attend the July 11 National Black Growers Council's 2025 Model Farm Field Day. A member of the NBGC, Conyer grows about 3,000 acres of rice, soybeans, corn and wheat at his farm in Pine Bluff. He has been farming for about 26 years. National Black Growers Council - Antron Williams Orangeburg County farmer Antron Williams hosts the National Black Growers Field Day. He says the field day is beneficial for him. "It helps us to learn what other farmers are doing and I might have some pretty good ideas of what I can take back to my farm that might help me in some other way or another," he said. "We want to know what you are doing down South like we are doing up North." National Black Growers Council Field Day Nearly a dozen South Carolina State University students from the university's Public Service and Agriculture department were in attendance at Conyer says being a minority farmer comes with its challenges, especially as it relates to capital funding. He says the recent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its impact on federal farm subsidies for "environmental practices" is concerning. National Black Growers Council Field Day Al Jenkins, representing U.S. Senator Tim Scott, stressed the need for Black farmers to ensure property is available for future generations. "The environmental plans they had for us and different farmers really helped the farmer a lot," Conyer said. "When you do the practices and all that stuff, you got paid for it. That was income coming to your farm." Conyer was among more than 100 Black farmers from throughout the Southeast who attended the field day. Farmers came from states such as Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, North Carolina, Kentucky and Louisiana. The event provides farmers with an opportunity to network and share techniques in crop management and to learn about new technologies and crop varieties. The NBGC is a group of multigenerational producers who advocate for the best interests of Black farmers locally, statewide and nationally. Attendees were able to visit corn and soybean fields and learn about conservation practices. Other topics discussed included cotton conservation and grain bin safety practices. Presenters representing BASF, ADM, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency were also in attendance. Rowesville row crop farmer Antron Williams at Mahogany Farmers LLC, who hosted the farm field day, said the field day series is good. "I think the more exposure we can have to what is going on and what is coming, the better off we can be," Williams said. "It is an opportunity to keep folks informed and involved." Warren James from Montezuma, Georgia, traveled over four hours to get to the field day. He grows cotton, peanuts, beans, wheat, soybeans and sorghum. He farms about 1,300 acres. James says the greatest challenge facing Black farmers is land loss and access to land. "We are very few in numbers and we are scattered about," James said. "For a minority farmer to grow, he would have to have an equal opportunity access to land. The majority white farmers - I don't know of one white landowner that rents to a Black landowner." "That is one challenge for the younger Black farmers," he said. James says he enjoys the field days. "It's inspirational to me to see how many Black farmers we have in other areas," James said. "I like to see the difference in the age." Fifth-generation farmer Roderick Jackson traveled over 100 miles from Collins, Georgia. He grows roughly 800 total acres of cotton, corn and peanuts both irrigated and dryland. In addition to farmers, nearly a dozen South Carolina State University students from the university's Public Service and Agriculture department were in attendance. National Black Growers Council Executive Director Dr. Dawn Mellion addressed the students. "These young people are our future," Mellion said. "These are the people who will replace all of us." "In order for us to continue to eat, we have to have the next generation," Mellion said. Landon Nesbitt, an SCSU sophomore, hopes to major in agribusiness. "I wanted to get a feel of what is going on in the state of South Carolina as far as agriculture and the business side of it," he said, adding that the field days are a good networking opportunity. "It is good to make sure I go out and talk to people (about) what I am doing and what I am involved with so they might need a person like me," Nesbitt said. Bowman Mayor Patsy Rhett also welcomed the farmers and thanked them for their work and Al Jenkins, representing U.S. Senator Tim Scott, stressed the need for Black farmers to ensure agricultural land through heirs property is available for future generations. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Data from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing ranks Wyoming as fourth for the lowest number of nurses per 100,000 people. Only Georgia, Washington and Utah ranked higher than Wyoming for having a nursing shortage. However, data doesnt tell the whole story. Why is Wyoming facing a nursing shortage and how does it impact people in rural areas? Challenges at Banner Wyoming Medical Center Dawn Nielsen has worked in nursing for 31 years at Banner Wyoming Medical Center. The current director of Pre-op Nursing, Nielsen has been at Banner Wyoming Medical Center through many changes. Every day you have to be able to navigate change to be a nurse, Nielsen said. When I started, we did paper charting. Everything was on paper. From there, we went to computerized charting, a different system that we use now. One of those changes is the diversification of nursing jobs. Over the past few decades, nursing jobs have become more specialized. Decades ago, a nurse might help out in the emergency room, with pre-operative care and look after patients during their recovery. Nowadays, these are all separate nursing positions. There has also been a variety of new nursing positions created that arent in hospitals. From nursing with cosmetic surgery practices to providing in-home care, there are more options. Thirty years ago the nurses I worked with had been on those units for 10-plus years, 20 years, Susan Chambers, director of patient interactions said. They were on the same unit and we dont really experience that longevity a lot now. While that has benefitted nurses, it has contributed to challenges in hiring and retaining nurses at Banner Wyoming Medical Center. Part of the challenge is also a low number of nursing graduates from the University of Wyoming. The nursing program caps the number of students admitted each year and only produces one graduating class each year in the spring. Other universities have fall and summer graduating classes of nurses as well, Nielson said. Data trends As of June 30, 2025, there are 8,547 registered nurses in Wyoming, according to the Wyoming Center for Nursing. In addition, there are 2,614 advanced practice nurses and 795 licensed practice nurses. Kara Beech, executive director of the Wyoming Nurses Association, said these numbers are similar to those in previous years. She hasnt noticed a decrease in the number of Wyoming nurses, but a shift has occurred. No, there hasnt been a decrease in nurses, Beech said. I believe theres been an increase in need and an increase in those jobs. Part of this is because of an aging population in the state. According to a report from Wyomings Economic Analysis Division, the states population of adults older than 65 increased by 3.2% compared to a 0.4% total state population increase. According to U.S. Census data, in 2023 19.2% of Wyomings population was older than 65. This is compared to 17.9% in 2021 and 16.7% in 2018. Aging populations require more care, which can strain healthcare resources. Another reason is that since COVID-19, the number of students graduating with degrees in nursing has decreased, Beech said. Lastly, there are other opportunities for nurses that are in the healthcare sector, but arent directly providing patient care. Some of these are newer opportunities. A solution in sight? Beech proposed a few potential solutions to mitigate the impact of strained nursing resources. [We need to be] showing young kids all of the different things that nurses do and why theyre so important, Beech said. When they go to school and the teacher asks them, well, what do I want to be when I grow up? Well, I want to be a nurse, you know, and thats so important because they are the ones that are taking care of us and we need to ensure that we continue to have full enrollments in all of our nursing schools. So that because our population is getting so much older, that we have the nurses here to be able to employ. Banner Wyoming Medical Center has implemented a training program, pairing new nurses up with more experienced ones for their first year. To meet their need for scrub techniciansa challenge when no certification program exists in WyomingBanner Wyoming Medical Center started its own training program last year, successfully graduating one member. While this has temporarily provided relief for healthcare services in Casper, this solution doesnt address other statewide challenges. One concern is employing nurses in rural communities as Wyoming faces growing maternity healthcare deserts. In areas with extremely low numbers of births, getting any medical care or support can be difficult. Its not that you just need a nurse and a doctor to be able to deliver the baby, but do you have anesthesia? Beech said. Are you able to do a C-section if you have to do a C-section? And all of those things, all of your staff has to be able to be prepared to do that, and so ensuring that everybody is able to do that can be really difficult with the low numbers that we see. To help with the maternity healthcare deserts, some rural clinics rotate their nurses through the OB department of metropolitan hospitals. I was the HR director for Powell Valley Healthcare and when we were there we would send some of our nurses up to Billings Clinic and St. Bs to do rotations through their OB departments so that they had more experience in those types of settings, Beech said. THE Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) is expected to generate US$100 million in confirmed sales this year, signalling renewed momentum in regional and international deal-making, according to Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) president Dale Parson. And that might be a little bit modest, judging from the number of booths and the amount of activity and interest on the floor, Parson told the Sunday Express Business while speaking from the trade floor at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. CHAIRMAN Emeritus of the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society George Laquis has called on stakeholders to focus on the well-being of the nations children, whether through healthier lifestyles, education or security. Laquis expressed concern for many of the countrys young people, and yesterday said everything must be done to ensure their future. Louisiana lawmakers have successfully redefined methane gas as "green energy," meaning that natural gas producers can now apply for grants typically reserved for clean energy sources like wind and solar in a win for lobbyists. Under the law signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, "all state programs that fund 'green energy' or 'clean energy' initiatives" must now also accept natural gas, also known as methane gas, and nuclear energy, Grist reported. Methane gas has been traditionally labeled as a fossil-fuel, due to its heat-trapping nature that studies suggest may contribute to warming global temperatures. Whereas, "green energy" has typically been defined as being made from renewable, natural resources. Under the new law, utility regulators are asked to "prioritize" methane gas and nuclear power with goals of making the state's electricity more reliable, despite natural gas already powering almost 80% of Louisiana's grid, as reported by the Associated Press. This legislation makes it the fourth state to do so, following Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee. All four states' bills drew similarity to a bill template by conservative think tank the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), though the organization has not publicly confirmed or denied involvement in the legislation. ALEC previously earned investments from billionaire and CEO of Koch Industries, a private oil and gas conglomerate, Charles Koch. Meanwhile, proponents of the fossil-fuel industry like Exxon Mobil and Phillips 66 donated to Landry's campaign. Originally published on Latin Times WE have clearly reached the tipping point in this socially decaying society that I have warned about for the last ten years in my Express columns, unheeded by the Rowley administrations. Our present plight is lucidly reflected in the words of the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar who after having the present state of emergency (SoE) declared by the President, spoke with resolve. The University of Arizonas Cooperative Extension program tasked with the land-grant universitys core function of imparting technical knowledge and expertise to Arizona communities faces a spending cut of $623,000 at the university level. These cuts reflect the broader financial challenges facing the university. All units across campus are contributing to efforts to bring total expenditures back in line with revenues, said Michael Staten interim dean of the UA College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES), which houses Cooperative Extension in a Thursday email to the college and program. But UA Chair of the Faculty Leila Hudson said she was under the impression that all Cooperative Extension funding comes from the state, so she was surprised the program is taking a cut like the rest of UAs units which arent funded directly by state budget line items. I think it might compromise the understanding that we have with the state about how our land grant mission is interpreted and funded, she said. UA Secretary of the Faculty Katie Zeiders said she and other faculty in leadership positions sent a memo to UA administrators last November on this issue but received no response. I raised specific concerns about the limits the UA central administration was placing on state-allocated Cooperative Extension funds. Now, UA has reduced Cooperative Extensions budget (or spending authority) again, she said Monday. These funds are designated by the state legislature with direct mandates to support communities across Arizona. While UA administration may argue over the details such as whether this is a specific state line item or not Cooperative Extension funding should be used as intended. To cap, restrict, or limit these funds goes against legislative intent and, frankly, undermines the critical work of our Cooperative Extension state specialists, agents, and staff, Zeiders said. UA continues to risk losing some of our most valuable community members: staff in rural areas who have long supported UAs mission, and programming that serves farmers, ranchers, schools, and community groups across the state, she said. UA spokesperson Mitch Zak, however, said Cooperative Extension receives funding from the UA as well as the state. The annual spending authority is decided through a collaborative process with college leadership, he said. The university is deeply committed to our Cooperative Extension and Experiment Station, which serves local communities in all 15 counties in all corners of the state, Zak said. In an email communication July 8, UA Associate Vice President and Extension Director Ed Martin said the reduction in Cooperative Extensions spending authority is no different than any other UA unit faces. The UA announced a 3% cut to its overall budget for fiscal year 2026 in May. The FY26 budget is balanced and eliminated the final $65 million of the UAs previous deficit dating to 2023. Experiment station cuts In addition to the Cooperative Extension spending cut, Arizona Experiment Station, which is part of CALES and Cooperative Extension, faces a 9.6% budget decrease. The station offers infrastructure to projects developing new knowledge and technologies in arid-land agriculture, natural resource management, and human wellness. The 9.6% budget decrease is due to an across-the-board 3% reduction imposed by the university, along with loss of New Economy Initiative funding that the State Legislature chose not to renew, and funding changes as a result of centralization of IT, Staten wrote. Arizona Experiment Station units are exploring ways to grow self-generated revenue to maintain service levels, he said. The funding loss comes on top of the fact that Arizonas experiment sites have an enormous amount of deferred maintenance and the equipment in many cases is very old, said Shane Burgess. Burgess is the former vice president of the UA Division of Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension, as well as former CALES dean, who was transitioned into a faculty position April 10. Zak said that while some of CALES reductions are tied to internal decisions, they also reflect impacts from the loss of state New Economy Initiative funding. On a federal level, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education or SNAP-Ed program, funded by the U.S. Agriculture Department, has been eliminated as of Sept. 30, the end of federal fiscal year 2025. Staten said this will significantly impact nutrition and Family, Community, and Health Sciences programming across the state. This program helps educate some of our communities most vulnerable populations, Martin said. It was also a major part of our FCHS (Family, Community, and Health Sciences) program, involving over 70 people and 53 full-time equivalent positions across the state. We are working with federal and state partners to try to reinstate the funding and plan how we will move forward without it, in coordination with UA officials. Zak said the UA is assessing the effects of the elimination of the SNAP-Ed funding. Also, the states new budget provides no additional general funding for Cooperative Extension. Cooperative Extensions Water Irrigation Efficiency Program is receiving $2 million, however, in targeted line-item funding in Arizonas fiscal year 2026 budget. This amount is restricted funding, said Staten. Burgess said restricted funding is any money designated for a specific purpose. We are pleased, said UA spokesperson Zak, that the state budget includes a $2 million continuation in the Water Irrigation Efficiency Program and also a $1.35 million investment in the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA). These targeted investments support efforts to find solutions to the challenges of arid-land crop production and water resource management. As restricted, one-time appropriations, these dollars are specifically dedicated to those efforts. We are stretched thinly Looking at the road ahead, Staten said newly-appointed UA Provost Patricia Prelock has asked all college deans to identify three to five goals for next year. The goals for CALES and Cooperative Extension include: Securing reinvestment in CALES infrastructure and operational stability; Recruiting a dean with the vision to elevate CALES as a 21st-century land-grant college; Re-evaluating a smaller enrollment in undergraduate programs at CALES; Developing and implementing an integrated student data system for tracking and evaluating the impact of our student-success programs; and, Elevating the understanding and appreciation of the land-grant mission across the UA. Our mission remains the same, but the team is smaller than it was two years ago, Staten wrote. We are stretched thinly. But I believe this is temporary. Going forward, we must be more selective and purposeful about what we choose to take on. Whatever we decide to do, lets resolve to do really well. A market specializing in Mexican products, including the birria bomb, is now open in central Tucson with another shop coming this summer. Wild West Mini Market leased 1,400 square feet in Cornerstone Plaza at 2485 N. Swan Road, north of East Grant Road. The landlord is Heights Properties LLP. The Tucson franchisees second location will be a 1,243 square foot space at Kwan Center, 2509 E. Campbell Ave., leased from Always Sunny Properties Inc. Both landlords were represented by Aaron LaPrise and Dave Hammack, with Picor. Ricardo Roiz joined the Wild West franchise to open the two new stores, said his son, Andre Roiz, who is his manager. There are two other different franchisee locations at 4889 W. Ajo Way and 4825 N. First Ave. He fell in love with the concept of the store because they have a different ambience and vibe, Andre Roiz said. They aim to sell more to neighborhoods and families. The sought-after birria bombs are solid balls of dried spices, herbs and flavorings typically used in birria which are added directly to a pot with meat and water. The bomb dissolves as it simmers into a stew, infusing the shredded meat with the flavors. Wild West Mini Mart also carries Mexican chips, candy, sodas, breads, pastries and a butcher counter with meat ready for grilling. The market is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Other local commercial activity includes: CBREs Jackson Kraft represented local company, Spark Integrated Technologies, in a 5,000-square-foot lease at 1802 W. Grant Road. Tim Burris and Mike Hennissey, of Burris Hennissey & Co., represented the landlord. Americas Best Choice of Tucson AZ LLC, a local home improvement company, leased 2,409 square feet of industrial space at South Dodge Business Center, 3230 S. Dodge Blvd., from Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker and Andrew Keim, with Picor, represented the landlord. Nicholas Travassos, with Chapman Management Group, represented the tenant. CBREs Bruce Suppes represented the landlord, Arizona Meyer Properties LLC, in the 2,004 square foot expansion for Amada Senior Care at 7070 North Oracle Road in Tucson. Premier Fire Alarm & Security Cameras LLC leased 1,500 square feet of industrial space at Romero-Prince Business Park, 3538 N. Romero Road, from Costa Verde Investments LLC. Paul Hooker and Andrew Keim, with Picor, represented the landlord. Juan Pantoja, with Grimm Commercial, represented the tenant. PHOENIX Those tomatoes for everything from your salads to salsa are going to get more expensive. And really soon. The U.S. Department of Commerce on Monday imposed an immediate 17.09% tariff on tomatoes imported into this country from Mexico. And given most of the tomatoes sold in Arizona and, for that matter, in the United States come from Mexico, estimates are the new charge could add 10% to prices, or more. Sen. Ruben Gallego, in his own plea to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick asking him not to impose the tariffs, cited a study suggesting that tomato prices could rise an average of 50%. None of that convinced the secretary. For far too long our farmers have been crushed by unfair trade practices that undercut pricing on produce like tomatoes, he said in a prepared statement. That ends today. The move ends what is known as the Tomato Suspension Agreement first instituted in 1996 where the federal agency agreed not to impose tariffs on tomatoes from Mexico if they were not sold below a certain reference price. Essentially a floor on whats paid to the farmer or grower, it runs from 31 cents to 83 cents a pound, depending on the time of year, the kind of tomato, whether it is grown in a controlled environment, and whether it is organic or not. The agreements, last updated in 2019, also have are requirements for inspection at the border. In April, responding to complaints led by the Florida Tomato Exchange, the Commerce Department concluded that Mexican companies were selling tomatoes in the United States at prices below what it costs to produce or below prices in their home markets. That led the agency to announce it was terminating the agreement. And that, in turn, paved the way for what the Commerce Department to impose what it calls an anti-dumping duty. The concept is not unique. According to the agency it currently has 768 anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders which provide relief to American companies and industries impacted by unfair trade. Gov. Katie Hobbs on Monday, blamed the president. Donald Trumps reckless trade war is raising prices, threatening our economic growth and killing jobs, she said in a prepared statement. He is threatening to kill over 50,000 jobs between Arizona and Texas and forcing Arizonans to pay more at the grocery store, all to benefit Florida farmers. That comes from a study by Texas A & M University saying that the tomato import trade directly and indirectly supports 50,000 jobs in the two states with $8.3 billion in economic impact. Hobbs, however, did not address the findings by the Commerce Department that Mexican farmers were using unfair trade practices, to give them a financial advantage over domestic producers. Instead, press aide Christian Slater said she is focused solely on what all this means here. She gives a damn about Arizonans losing their jobs and paying more for tomatoes at the grocery store, he said. But Robert Guenter, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, said that ending the suspension agreements was long overdue. For more than three decades, five consecutive agreements have failed to stop the illegal dumping of unfairly priced tomatoes into the U.S. market from Mexican producers, he said in prepared comments. This dumping has devastated the U.S. tomato industry: More than 60% of U.S. tomato growers have gone out of business since 2000, and the U.S. market share has dropped from 80% to 30% during that time. Three members of Arizonas congressional delegation, however, have their own theory about why all that is occurring. They contend that if domestic growers are losing a share of the market, some of it could be their own fault. While some segments of the North American tomato supply chain have innovated to meet evolving consumer preferences, others have not, wrote Sen. Mark Kelly and Rep. Greg Stanton, both Democrats, and Republican Rep. David Schweikert in their own letter in May to Lutnick urging him not to follow through with the tariff plan. It is clear to us that imported tomatoes are not the root cause of the challenges that some portions of our domestic industry face. Kelly doubled down on that Monday. Terminating this agreement wont solve the problems facing Arizona growers, he said in a prepared statement. And the senator also said that the administration has not found any violations despite Lutnicks findings of unfair trade practices. Lutnick, in Mondays statement, defended the move. This rule change is in line with President Trumps trade policies and approach with Mexico, he said. Hobbs, in her news release, attached statements from others also opposed to the new tariffs. This decision will damage trade imports and have severe consequences for Nogales in revenue, employment and trade, said Mayor Jorge Maldonado. The policy will shift costs to Arizona small businesses, restaurants and grocers, which will raise prices, slow hiring and threaten livelihoods, said Kimber Lanning, chief executive of Local First Arizona. And Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, called the now-scrapped agreement a model of fair trade, balancing access to Mexicos ideal growing conditions with protections for U.S. growers and consumers. The issue of free trade and tariff-free tomatoes has been a bipartisan effort in Arizona for years. In 2019, then-Gov. Doug Ducey wrote to Wilbur Ross, who then headed the Department of Commerce, urging him not to scrap the suspension agreement. The focus of the Republican governor, at least in part, was the economic impact on border communities which are integral to the importation process. Border communities are essential to our nations trade with Mexico and efforts focused on promoting investment and job creation in these areas are vital, Ducey wrote. That did result in the Commerce Department, under the first Trump administration, extending the agreement until now. Last year, Hobbs added her voice when extension of the contract was under the purview of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, an appointee of President Biden. She, along with Sonora Gov. Alfonso Durazo, urged Raimondo to reject any attempt to terminate this vital agreement and instead renew it for another five years. In the end, though, the agency, now back under Trump, concluded an extension made no sense. The Arizona Farm Bureau, for its part, is taking no official position about the decision by the Department of Commerce to end the suspension agreement. It has members who grow tomatoes not only in Arizona but in Mexico. But Julie Murphree, a spokeswoman for the organization, said it is concerned. We do like to point out that Mexico is our largest trading partner, she said, saying her organization had hoped there could be a new agreement. Murphree also said this isnt about competition with Arizona operations which tend to grow specialty tomatoes in greenhouses. Our production would barely put a dent in relieving any of the demand, she said. Other states, however, have a different perspective. And its not just Florida. Dan Wright, president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, sent his own letter to Lutnick supporting the end of the suspension agreement, calling it a critical step toward re-establishing a fair market for American farmers. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: Ive been an OB/GYN in Arizona for more than 25 years. Ive delivered babies, trained residents, and provided abortion care to thousands of patients across this state. I founded Choices Womens Center in Tucson to offer safe, compassionate, evidence-based reproductive health care and Im proud to stand with my patients every day. But right now, Im speaking out not just as a physician, but as a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging Arizonas abortion restrictions, and as the founder of a new nonprofit that helps patients overcome financial barriers to care. Because the reality is: Arizonas abortion laws arent protecting anyone. Theyre hurting people deeply. In my practice, patients must make two in-person visits and wait at least 24 hours before receiving abortion care. These delays force people to take extra time off work, find childcare, pay for lodging, or travel hours across the state all for a procedure that could be safely provided in a single visit or via telemedicine. Ive had to watch patients miss their window for a medication abortion simply because they couldnt return to the clinic in time. Ive had to turn patients away, knowing the burdens our state placed on them were unnecessary and at times, insurmountable. Im also barred from using telemedicine to provide medication abortion, even though its safe, effective, and widely used for many other health conditions. In 2025, we use telehealth to treat everything from anxiety to stroke to diabetes but not early abortion. Why? Not because of science, but because of politics. Thats why I joined the lawsuit to strike these restrictions down. And just as Arizonas laws push abortion out of reach, Congress passed the so-called Big Beautiful Bill a sweeping piece of legislation that doesnt ban abortion outright but makes access even harder. The bill tightens restrictions on federal funding, undermines Medicaid, and empowers states to further surveil and punish providers and patients. It will hurt low-income communities the most especially in states like Arizona, where our existing laws already make access a logistical and financial nightmare. This is where state and federal attacks meet. Arizonas restrictions force patients into delays and extra appointments. The BBB strips away public insurance coverage and threatens providers with vague enforcement. Together, they form a system of punishment, not care. Thats why Ive launched Choices Abortion Network (CAN) a Tucson-based nonprofit that helps patients afford the care they need when cost becomes the final barrier. Many of my patients simply cannot afford the travel, time, or childcare our state laws demand. CAN offers local, direct, and immediate financial support so no one is turned away for lack of funds. Im suing Arizona because these laws are medically unnecessary, legally unjustified, and morally wrong. But while the legal process unfolds, my patients still need help. So I launched CAN to step in where the government has stepped back. If you believe in dignity, in health care, and in freedom, I invite you to stand with us. Visit TucsonCAN.org to learn more. Tulsa-based startup partners for pop-up show On Monday night, the All-American Rejects surprised fans with a pop-up performance at WOMPA in Tulsa. A new local music technology startup, Bootleg, was on site to capture the experience. Bootleg provides a modern solution for artists to monetize live shows, gain insight into their most dedicated fans and deepen artist-fan connections, according to a news release. The release said Bootleg delivers professionally mastered audio and exclusive concert photography within days of the show via an easy-to-use app. Experiencing one of your favorite artists performing live is one of the greatest aspects of the human experience, Rod Yancy, Bootleg founder and CEO, said in the release. Normally, those memories fade over time, and fans are left with just a shadow of what they heard and felt. The Rejects have established themselves as a truly iconic band. Shows like the one they played Monday in Tulsa are as rare as it gets, and Im proud that Bootleg allows fans to own the night forever. Fans who attended the show, and even those who missed it, can purchase the recording on the Bootleg website and listen via the app or online. In addition to high-fidelity audio, fans can share photos, leave comments and connect with one another through the platform. Its no dirty little secret that streaming services like Spotify pay artists just a fraction of a cent per stream, making it difficult to earn a living, Yancy said. Bootleg offers a way to support artists directly while giving fans something more meaningful than a T-shirt. Its a step toward a music industry that values both artists and their fans. Fans can pre-order the recording now, and it is expected to be available to listen within 24-28 hours, as soon as the artist approves it. For more information or to access the recording, go to bootleg.live. Bootleg launched in early 2025 and has already partnered with artists including Jacks Mannequin, Kaitlin Butts, Evan Honer, Mother Road Sons, Judah & the Lion, and Built to Spill with many more on the horizon. To stay up to date on the latest Bootlegs, fans can follow the company on Instagram. A proposal to build a massive new data center complex in unincorporated Tulsa County near Owasso had been sailing along toward approval until last weeks Tulsa County commissioners meeting. Commissioners last week postponed a vote to approve a zoning change for Project Clydesdale after county residents pleaded for more time to gather additional information about the proposed center. The three-member board voted unanimously to postpone the vote until 10 a.m. Wednesday at a special meeting in Room 132 of the Tulsa County Headquarters Building, 218 W. Sixth St. Commissioners will vote on whether to rezone 399 acres of the sites 506 acres from agriculture to light industrial and approve a Planned Use Development, or PUD, which would add specific development requirements for the property. Typically, economic development projects involving public incentives do not disclose some components such as the company operating the project until after permitting and funding elements are secured. Whats known about Project Clydesdale is that the developer is Beale Infrastructure, which builds data centers. Its attorney, Lou Reynolds, said the operator will be one of four tech giants: Microsoft, Apple, Google or Meta. The complex would comprise four data centers, built in phases, east of U.S. 75 between 76th Street North and 86th Street North. The project is expected to take at least five years. The water supply would be provided by Washington County Rural Water District No. 3 using water purchased from the city of Tulsa. Electricity would be provided by AEP-PSO, gas by ONG, and sanitary sewer by the city of Tulsa. The resolution to be considered by commissioners Wednesday would limit the sound level at the property line of the complex to 65 decibels under normal operating conditions. The Tulsa County Development Act Review Committee, meanwhile, has been meeting to discuss possible financial incentives for the project, including the creation of a Tax Increment Finance District. Beale Industries did not respond directly to questions from the Tulsa World about the project, but Reynolds provided the following statement: The project has been working with (the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority) to study the TMUA system to ensure that the project has sufficient capacity and infrastructure support to operate while maintaining the commitment to resilient and quality service level throughout the Tulsa metro without negatively impacting the systems conveyance and capacity if it were to operate at peak usage. TMUA has robust water and wastewater infrastructure and has been serving its customers reliably since the 1960s. The system currently has 210 million gallons of water a day in capacity and uses approximately 105 million gallons a day, or 50% of its capacity on an average day. The Northside WWTP (Wastewater Treatment Plant), which the project discharges to, has a capacity of 50MGD and currently has an average demand of 15 MGD. The city of Tulsa and AEP-PSO responded to the Tulsa Worlds questions regarding Project Clydesdale. Here are their responses. City of Tulsa Q. How much water is Project Clydesdale expected to use daily? A: Once complete, the project could use as much as 6.1 million gallons per day at peak flow, according to city records obtained by the Tulsa World. Once complete, the facility could use a maximum of 2.5 million gallons for sewer per day at peak flow, according to city records. The usage numbers will fluctuate based on need and time of year. Q. Does the citys water system have the capacity to take on a new customer like Project Clydesdale? A: Yes. The citys annual average daily use is approximately 105 million gallons a day. The city has the capacity to provide 210 million gallons a day. Q. Would treated wastewater from the data center go back into the citys water supply? A: No. The city draws its drinking water from Eucha/Spavinaw and Oologah lakes and (it) is treated at the Mohawk and A.B. Jewell water treatment plants. The water discharged from the data center would be treated at the citys Northside Wastewater Plant according to standards set out by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. The treated water would then be discharged into Bird Creek, which does not serve as a source of city water. Q. Who is responsible for testing the citys water? A: The city treats and tests all of the water it takes in from its water sources, Eucha/Spavinaw and Oologah lakes, set out by the state, in accordance with EPA and DEQ standards. Companies discharging water into the citys wastewater system are permitted by the city based on state requirements set out in accordance with EPA and DEQ standards. Some industries are required by the city to pre-treat their discharged water to ensure that the water those industries discharge into the citys wastewater system (meets) applicable standards. The city is prepared to inspect the data center if it requires an industrial pretreatment program to remove any additives used for anti-corrosion protection in their plumbing and cooling systems. Q. What is the Washington County Rural Water District No. 3s involvement in the Project Clydesdale project? A: The city will sell water to RWD No. 3 based on its standard rate scale, and RWD No. 3 will sell the water to Project Clydesdale. Q. Will the sale of city water to Project Clydesdale affect water rates in the city of Tulsa? A: Adding Project Clydesdale as a water and sewer customer will bring additional revenue into the citys water and sewer funds. It will not result in rate increases. It could mean, however, that future rate increases are smaller than otherwise expected, or that the rate increases take effect later than they otherwise would. AEP-PSO Q. How much energy is the proposed data center expected to use annually? A: For privacy reasons, we dont share specific energy usage details about individual customers. Q. Would the proposed data center create any risk of power shortages? A: PSO is prepared to provide power to serve large projects thanks to a well-balanced mix of generation sources and sufficient capacity on our transmission and distribution systems. When working on any type of new customer project, PSO develops solutions to strengthen the grid for the benefit of all customers. To meet the needs of our existing and new customers such as Project Clydesdale and others, PSO is working to add new, cost-effective generation to our system. Recently, PSO added the Green Country Power Plant to its generation fleet. This 795 mega-watt natural gas-fired plant located in Jenks will benefit all customers by adding an additional source of power generation to our diverse portfolio. Also, PSO is investing in a new 345-kilovolt substation off North Yale Avenue as well as approximately 3 miles of 345-kV transmission line to connect the new substation to the power grid. Q. Is PSO installing any infrastructure specific to the data center? If so, who will pay for it? A: While we cant discuss the specific service requirements for any of our customers, we structure our service agreements to ensure customers pay costs incurred specifically to serve them. Elon Musk has launched the new "Grok for Government," which is yet another swift move for the company after launching the latest model from xAI, Grok 4. Immediately after the launch, Musk and Grok secured a US Defense contract worth $200 million to reinforce and modernize the Pentagon using its artificial intelligence capabilities. All of these have taken place after the massive fiasco that took place on X where Grok has shared infamous opinions on certain topics, and in one conversation, claimed to be "MechaHitler." Elon Musk Launches 'Grok for Government' In a new blog post by xAI, the company and Musk announced the arrival of another artificial intelligence model called Grok for Government, which aims to make its services available to the United States government. The company claims that its new AI suite looks to support the "critical missions of the United States Government" as a key part of its mission, making the best features and tools available to public servants. Part of this suite includes the availability of custom models designed to address national security and critical science applications. Alongside this, there is also its "Forward Deployed Engineering and Implementation Support," custom AI apps for healthcare, and other models. Grok Secures $200M US Defense Contract Subsequently, the United States Department of Defense announced that it is granting xAI, Musk, and Grok a $200 million defense contract to use the controversial model to modernize the institution. According to The Verge, AI use for defense has long been controversial. The Department of Defense reportedly wants to use Grok to develop agentic AI workflows for "a variety of mission areas" but has not yet specified details about it. Grok AI's Controversies in the Past Week It has only been a week since Musk announced that the latest version of Grok that users may enjoy on X, but it immediately faced significant scrutiny for its unpopular opinions. First, it claimed that Democrats should not be voted into office as their programs and policies hurt the American people, and it also claimed that Hollywood is pushing "subversive" movies because of its mostly Jewish executives. In a conversation, the chatbot even praised and commended Adolf Hitler, made further antisemitic comments, and went as far as to call itself the "MechaHitler," which led to the company promising an update. Musk and xAI eventually announced Grok 4 after, and it has been touted as the most advanced and powerful version of the chatbot which is supposedly the answer to its controversies after the said improvements. Originally published on Tech Times ABC Ombudsman clears 7:30 over interview ABC Ombudsmans received 16 complaints around interview interruptions and a hostile attitude, but cleared 7:30 of any impartiality breach. ABC Ombudsman Fiona Cameron has cleared 7:30 of impartiality following complaints over a Sarah Ferguson inerview with antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal. Ms. Segal was appointed Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism to the Australian Government by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last July. The Ombudsmans Office received 16 content complaints which were broadly concerned that Sarah Ferguson frequently interrupted Ms Segal and displayed a hostile attitude in her questioning. The interview surrounded a report Ms Segal had released that day, making a number of recommendations to the Australian government about addressing antisemitism. We note that the interviewer asked Ms Segal about the definition of antisemitism adopted in the report, an issue attracting a lot of attention and debate, and repeatedly sought clarification on what she meant by a statement in the report that media organisations should be monitored and avoid accepting false or distorted narratives, ABC Ombudsman said in findings. We consider it was justified for the interviewer to raise these significant issues with Ms Segal, allowing her to respond to them and clarify her position. We note the host conducted the interview in a neutral and factual manner, trying to ensure that relevant and newsworthy questions were answered, but moving on when Ms Segal repeatedly declined to provide examples for what she termed false or distorted narratives. The Ombudsman considers that the interviewers challenge in regard to this statement was warranted as it raises important questions for the programs audience about the ABCs own commitment to accuracy and impartiality. As noted in previous Ombudsmans Investigation reports, the ABCs editorial guidance states that impartiality can be achieved by a combination of challenging questioning and conducting other interviews at other times.' ABC Ombudsman found the interview did not breach the ABCs editorial standards for impartiality. Call for Entries: Natalie Miller Fellowship 2025 This year's Fellowship offers two grants of $10,000 each, open to women working in the Australian screen industry. Entries have opened for the 2025 Natalie Miller Fellowship, now offering two grants of $10,000 each. The grants are designed to recognise, nurture and empower the next generation of female leaders in the screen industry to achieve outstanding success at the top of their fields. President of the Natalie Miller Fellowship Sasha Close says: For 14 years, the Natalie Miller Fellowship has played a pivotal role in advancing the leadership aspirations of women across Australias screen industry, through both our annual fellowship and recent Catalyst Grants. As we mark this significant milestone, it is an opportune time to reflect on our impact and evolve our offering. In 2025, we are proud to expand our commitment by offering two annual fellowships, strengthening our investment in the future leaders who will shape and redefine the screen sector for years to come. We are seeking proposals for leadership and professional development that are not only innovative and tailored to each applicants unique vision, but that also contribute meaningfully to the broader Australian screen industry. The Natalie Miller Fellowship is the only grant of its kind in Australia. Established in 2011 to recognise the unique contribution of screen industry pioneer Natalie Miller AO, the Fellowship is open to women working in the Australian screen industry and aims to provide financial assistance to pursue professional development in their fields. Proudly supported by Principal Sponsor Universal Pictures, the studio will provide $15,000 cash per year for 2024 and 2025 to support the not-for-profits mission to provide financial assistance to female and female identifying screen executives to pursue professional development in their fields through attachments, internships, secondments, travel and other means to reach their full leadership potential. Since 2012, 13 Fellowships have been awarded to Katrine Elliott (Founder, Art Screen Events), Genevieve Grieves (Co-creator and Creative Director of GARUWA); Dr Sian Mitchell (Senior Lecturer, Deakin University & Festival Director, Melbourne Women in Film Festival); Bridgette Graham (Consumer Insights Lead, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios and Founder, Path to Audience); Pauline Clague (Founder and Artistic Director of Winda Film Festival); Anna Kaplan (Co-founder / Head of Impact Production, Regen Studios & Co-Founder/Board Member, Sustainable Screens Australia); Miriam Katsambis (VP Business & Legal Affairs APAC, Lionsgate); Kristy Matheson (BFI Festivals Director, British Film Institute); Sasha Close (Head of Marketing and Business Development, Mercury CX, Director of Skipping Stone Media, and President, Natalie Miller Fellowship); Courtney Botfield (Producer and Founder, Denim Pictures and Distribution and Marketing Specialist, CB Consulting); Rebecca Hammond (Former Post Production Manager and Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Deluxe); Harriet Pike (Chief Operating Officer, WildBear Entertainment); and Rachel Okine (Head of Scripted, ABC). The Natalie Miller Fellowship is unique in its role of passionately promoting female leaders across the spectrum of the Australian screen sector, and as a support network for women in the industry. Its vision is to achieve gender diversity in screen leadership, resulting in a greater breadth of storytelling, better company performances, innovation and a dynamic, inclusive and robust industry for everyone. The Fellowship delivers significant benefits to both the applicant and wider Australian screen community. Opening today, all applications for the 2025 Natalie Miller Fellowship must be received by 5PM on Friday 5 September, with the recipients announced at the Australian International Movie Convention, held on the Gold Coast between Monday October 27 Thursday October 30, 2025. ITV Studios Australia Crew Academy partners with Screen Careers Four entry level crew member positions will be trained across three productions, commencing with I'm A Celebrity. ITV Studios Australia has partnered with screen training organisation Screen Careers, for anew long-term training program. The program will see four crew members join an ITV Studios Australia Crew Academy, gaining a minimum of three production credits, personalised industry training (delivered in-house and by Screen Careers), and the skills needed to launch long-term careers. The ITV Studios Australia Crew Academy will give aspiring crew six months of paid training and real-world experience across multiple productions. The Australian Governments Location Offset allows qualifying productions to meet new mandatory minimum training requirements through the development of a long-term training program across two or more productions. British series Im A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! UK, will be filming its latest season in northern NSW later this year, and will be the springboard for the training program which will also operate across other major productions. The Crew Academy will also target high-demand roles in post-production, production finance, and production office, and will also provide leadership and management training to crew and supervisors across the Offset production. David Mott, Managing Director of ITV Studios Australia, said: Were committed to creating inclusive, skilled and future-ready crews and this partnership is a powerful way to do that. Crew Academy will not only train people to step confidently into crew roles, but also help build the leadership skills and team culture that keep them there. Its a model we believe in and one we hope to grow. This is exactly what the Location Offset was designed for building lasting capability in the Australian screen workforce, said Esther Coleman-Hawkins, CEO of Screen Careers. Were proud to partner with ITV Studios Australia to deliver an ambitious program that has the opportunity to go beyond short-term attachments and prepare people for real, sustainable careers. Its training that works because its embedded in production and provides the tangible outcomes (credits!) that are highly valued by our industry. Each participant will receive six months of paid, work-based learning, a tailored training plan, and dedicated support. The program also includes cultural safety and wellbeing initiatives. Three of the trainee roles are now open for applications: two Edit Assistant positions and a mid-career development opportunity for a Production Coordinator. Recruitment for an Assistant Production Accountant, is already underway. All roles are slated to begin from August 2025. Additionally, three attachments (Camera Assistant, Lighting Assistant, Sound Assistant) will undergo training and upskilling specifically on Im A Celebrity UK. This is the first long-term training program managed by Screen Careers and the aim is for it to become a model for future long-term industry partnerships that will boost crew training across Australia. SBS on Demand: Yellow House Afghanistan Two Australians who set up an Arts and Film school in Afghanistan in 2010 return under Taliban Rule to prove that Where War Falls, Art Wins! The Australian Premiere of Yellow House Afghanistan, which documents Australian artists and film makers George Gittoes and Hellen Rose in Afghanistan screens this week at SBS on Demand. Thursday 17 July Australian artists and film makers George Gittoes and Hellen Rose, who set up their studios along with an Arts and Film school in Afghanistan in 2010, return to their Yellow House under Taliban Rule determined to prove that Where War Falls, Art Wins! Gittoes began working in Afghanistan in 1999 and in 2007 made the film The Miscreants of Taliwood as a protest against the Taliban attempting to destroy the Pashto Film Industry. Since then, together with his wife he has made two more documentaries there Love City, Jalalabad and Snow Monkey and created the Yellow House Arts Centre. Gittoes says: What makes this film different to any of my previous documentaries is that I have used time as a plastic element. Yellow House Afghanistan has become a Time Machine with characters who were teenagers in 2011 participating as adults in 2024. In one case a 13-year-old, first-time-filmmaker, sees himself, in Love City as a newborn baby. In my own case I transform, on camera, from middle age to a 75-year-old. It has been a long journey. Our aim with Yellow House Afghanistan is to show how art and communication can succeed when war has failed. To align with the premiere of Yellow House Afghanistan, SBS has relicensed The Miscreants of Taliwood, Love City, Jalalabad and Snow Monkey so all four films will be available as a collection to stream free on SBS On Demand David Ayer's war drama Fury, which he produced, wrote, and directed, doesn't really add anything new to the discussion about war and the psychological impact of a conflict. There are plenty of those movies readily available, some of which are superior to this story about an American tank crew surviving the final weeks of WWII as the U.S. military moves deeper into Nazi Germany. But what it does differently is solely focus on those final weeks, just two months shy of the end of the European campaign and soldiers finally going back home to their families, living their lives and, most importantly, civilization. And that seems to be the question, especially of the battle-hardened tank crew of the Second Armored Division. We are introduced to the crew, who have been together since pretty much the start of the war five years earlier, already exhausted, battle fatigued and grieving countless loses, including their assistant driverbow gunner. They are essentially broken. Staff Sergeant Collier (Brad Pitt) does all he can to hold onto whatever little is left of his civilized self, his humanity, vomiting at one point from the mental strain of appearing strong, unfazed, and invulnerable to his crew. So close to the end, he simply wants (to return to) some semblance of normalcy, that he is still a civilized human not the ferocious animal or deadly machine combat has turned him into. The lunch with the two German women, Irma and Emma, and the green, fresh-faced Private Ellison (Logan Lerman) shows his desire for that, along with a deeper desire to preserve the kid's humanity. Granted, his urgency for him to "soldier-up" contradicts that desire because the kid's survival is equally important, exposing that delicate balance between the two and how dangerously easy it is to fall purely into survival mode, where the civilized self fades away. But the scars sadly run much too deep and tend to reveal themselves at the most inopportune moments, such when the rest of the crew (Shia LaBeouf, Michael Pena, and Jon Bernthal) oafishly interrupt a peaceful lunch where, just for a few minutes, people are allowed to simply be well, human. By the end, we are left with questions about if, after years of straight continuous combat fighting like animals and inflicting inhumane violence on each other these soldiers could ever really return home. This all may be familiar territory explored in other, arguably better, war films, but Ayer's Fury is nonetheless a great entry in that conversation. It is narrowly focused on the end of the war and the deeply embattled soldiers trying to preserve the little left of their humanity before going home, fighting to find some type of redemption and salvation within the chaos. It's a thoroughly entertaining film. For more another take on the movie, check out our other reviews: Mr. Krauss's Blu-ray Review Mr. Palmer's 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review Vital Disc Stats: The Ultra HD Blu-ray Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings David Ayer's Fury to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray as a two-disc package with a Digital Copy code, granting users access to the movie in 4K Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos audio. Housed inside an attractive SteelBook package, the triple-layered UHD100 disc sits on a panel opposite a BD50 copy of the film. At startup, viewers are taken directly to a menu screen with film clips, the usual selection along the bottom and music playing in the background. 1. Submission and Acceptance 1.1. All advertisements are subject to review and approval by the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to reject, edit, or cancel any advertisement at its sole discretion, without notice or liability. 1.2. 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Contact Information Advertising Department Viet Nam News and Law Email: vietnamnews.hanoi@gmail.com Tel: +84 24 3933 2316 Website: vietnamnews.vn HA NOI The global tuna market is undergoing a significant transformation, according to the latest report from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). Global tuna imports are expected to reach between 1.75 and 1.8 million tonnes in 2025, with a total value exceeding US$9 billion, marking a slight increase compared to 2024. While raw tuna prices remain elevated, demand from key markets such as the US, the EU and Japan continues to hold steady. The US, Spain, Italy, France, the UK and Japan remain the top importers of processed tuna, collectively accounting for over 55 per cent of total global imports. Meanwhile, emerging markets such as Egypt, Lebanon, Lithuania, Romania and Libya are showing notable growth, driven by rising demand for convenient food products and competitive pricing. A notable trend this year is the shift from raw material imports to deep processing orders, with countries like Viet Nam, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia becoming central players in the global tuna supply chain. These nations are increasingly responsible for delivering value-added products to meet evolving market demands. As per the report, Asia continues to serve as a critical hub for tuna production and processing. However, suppliers across the region are facing mounting pressure to raise quality standards, ensure full traceability, and comply with internationally recognised sustainability certifications such as MSC (Marine Stewardship Council), Dolphin Safe and stringent EU and US regulatory frameworks. A standout feature of 2025 is the industrys pivot toward premium, value-added offerings. Frozen tuna loins, sashimi-grade cuts, ready-to-eat meals and vacuum-packed products are gaining traction. Major retail chains in the US, the EU and Japan are ramping up the distribution of these items to align with consumer preferences for health-conscious, convenient food options. Beyond market dynamics, tuna exporters are also navigating external pressures, including geopolitical instability in the Middle East and changing trade policies, particularly in the US. Higher import taxes on certain product categories are driving up costs and forcing exporters to adapt quickly, the report revealed. According to the report, traceability requirements have become the new industry standard. Many businesses are investing in technologies such as QR codes, blockchain systems and real-time tracking, from fishing vessels to factories and retail shelves. It said that while 2025 may not see a surge in output, it marks a critical structural turning point for the tuna industry. Success in this new landscape will depend less on price and more on the ability to meet demanding sustainability standards, ensure transparency throughout the supply chain and offer diversified product lines. Tuna is still a strategic commodity worth billions of dollars, but only for those who dare to change and stay ahead of the trend, the report concluded. Data from VASEP showed that Viet Nam's tuna exports recorded the steepest decline among seafood categories in June, falling by more than 31 per cent year-on-year. The sharp drop is attributed largely to tariff challenges in the US market, which traditionally accounts for a significant share of Viet Nams tuna exports. Over the past six months of 2025, total tuna exports slipped by nearly 2 per cent year-on-year. In response, Vietnamese exporters are actively seeking to diversify their markets, targeting emerging destinations such as Egypt and Lithuania. Viet Nams tuna exports to Egypt have maintained steady growth since 2023, with momentum continuing into 2025. According General Department of Customs, Viet Nam exported $4 million worth of tuna to the Egyptian market over the past four months, marking a sharp 72 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. The rise highlights Egypt's growing role as an emerging destination for Vietnamese seafood amid challenges in traditional markets. In terms of Lithuania, a strategic gateway to Central and Eastern Europe, Viet Nam's tuna export to this market saw a remarkable surge, with turnover rising from just $229,000 in 2021 to nearly $16 million in 2024 a 69-fold increase. Over the past five months of 2025 alone, tuna export turnover to Lithuania doubled year-on-year, reaching over $8 million. VNS Daniel Serafini was found guilty of first-degree murder on July 8 over the killing of his father-in-law, Robert Gary Spohr, in 2021. The verdict, handed down by a California jury after a six-week trial, also found the former MLB pitcher guilty of attempted murder, burglary, and child endangerment. Serafini, 51, will stay in jail without bail until he is sentenced on Aug. 18. What Happened in the Homewood Shooting According to The Sacramento Bee, the offense was committed on June 5, 2021, in Homewood, California. Spohr, 70, was killed inside his residence when he was shot. His wife, Wendy Wood, was also shot but survived the assault. Unfortunately, she took her own life in 2023, a tragedy her family attributes directly to the horror of the attack. Surveillance videos revealed that an armed man wearing a mask entered the property hours before the 911 call. Prosecutors claimed that Serafini, who had a .22 caliber weapon, waited in ambush during a break-in. There were two young kids, three years old and eight months old, inside the house during the shooting. Serafini and His Suspected Accomplice Serafini, a first-round MLB draft choice in 1992, played for six teams. It all started to fall apart for him when he was suspended for 50 games in 2007 for using performance-enhancing drugs, and by 2015 was bankrupt after blowing a $14 million fortune. According to KCRA, his co-defendant, Samantha Scott, 33, was a close friend of Serafini's wife and was described as his lover. Both were arrested in Nevada in October 2023. In February 2025, Scott pleaded guilty to accessory charges in exchange for reduced sentencing. She originally faced more severe charges, including homicide and attempted murder. What is Serafini's Motive Behind the Murder Investigators revealed that the root of the problem was a contentious money fight over a $1.3 million investment to fix up a family ranch. Prosecutors used incriminating evidence, including an email from Serafini in 2016 that stated, "Take me to court. I will be coming after you." More importantly, a text message from Serafini before the shooting stated, "I'm gonna kill them one day," referencing a missing $21,000. On the day of the shooting, Spohr and Wood had given Serafini's wife a $90,000 check. Authorities recovered shell casings and a drop of blood from the crime scene, which strengthened the evidence against Serafini. Height Discrepancy and Defense Doubts The trial opened in May 2025, as prosecutors portrayed a picture of premeditated violence. The prosecutors highlighted the planning, observation, and motive behind the attack. Meanwhile, the defense attempted to deflect suspicion by impugning Scott's credibility and highlighting a one-inch discrepancy in height between the suspect and Serafini. In the end, the jury agreed with the prosecution, ending a tragic tale of treachery, greed, and murder. Fallout and Sentencing Ahead Serafini's sentencing on August 18 could result in life behind bars without parole. Scott awaits her sentencing date. The family of the victims, especially daughter Adrienne Spohr, called the crimes "heinous" and "calculated," saying her parents were "incredibly generous" to Serafini and his wife before tragedy struck. Originally published on sportsworldnews.com HA NOI The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has commented on a draft decision proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade to help reduce and simplify administrative procedures related to production and business activities for this year. On licensing procedures, VCCI argued that it is unreasonable to require all e-commerce platforms, regardless of size or mode of operation, to complete licensing procedures before they can operate. This regulation is not suitable for smaller platforms or new start-ups, according to VCCI. For social media, the law allows more relaxed management for smaller platforms, requiring only notification if the traffic is low and licensing when it grows to a sufficient level. VCCI also considers this regulation unsuitable for the nature of e-commerce platforms. Some platforms only allow sellers to post product information, with transactions (agreements, payments, shipping) carried out through other methods, such as phone calls or text messages. These platforms act more like advertising or marketing channels. Critical steps in the transaction process do not occur on the platform itself, meaning there are fewer risks associated with this business model. VCCI further stated that after more than a decade of development, e-commerce has become an inevitable trend, with the participation of many businesses and individuals. The methods of inspection and supervision are becoming increasingly refined, and consumers' knowledge and skills have improved. Relevant authorities therefore need to study and reassess the risks associated with e-commerce activities to cut down on administrative procedures and shift towards post-transaction monitoring. E-commerce websites are essentially just a new sales channel on the internet, not a new type of business, VCCI argued. Merchants are already required to register their business and certify their business conditions and product quality with the State. Adding procedures for online sales channels therefore creates unnecessary administrative burdens, VCCI stated. Although Decree 85/2021/N-CP has reduced the scope of websites with online ordering functions that need to notify authorities, VCCI argued that this reduction has limited significance. Creating sales websites is very common, with 44 per cent of businesses owning a website, and 42 per cent of those having online ordering features. The number of notification files is substantial, reaching 105,103 records in 2023. At the same time, there have been no reports of negative socio-economic impacts from businesses not registering e-commerce websites for sales. These procedures therefore do not bring clear administrative benefits and may even become a barrier for merchants, according to VCCI. As a result, VCCI proposed completely abolishing the notification procedure for e-commerce websites and shifting to post-transaction monitoring to control the activities of these platforms. VNS HA NOI Despite ongoing fluctuations in global fuel prices, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Finance have not yet tapped into the Petrol and Oil Price Stabilisation Fund, even though the fund currently holds more than VN6 trillion (over US$230 million). Data from early 2025 shows that even during periods of sharp increases or deep drops in fuel prices, the two ministries have consistently followed a 'no contribution, no disbursement' approach. This pattern also held throughout 2024, when petrol prices at times exceeded VN25,000 per litre, yet the fund was left untouched. As a result, public concern continues to grow about the funds relevance and effectiveness. A recent report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade indicates that by the end of Q1/2025, the fund balance across fuel enterprises stood at around VN6.08 trillion. This excludes balances held by traders no longer authorised as key importers. Petrolimex holds over VN3 trillion, ong Thap Petroleum Trading Company more than VN460 billion, Thanh Le Import-Export Corporation over VN390 billion, the Military Petroleum Corporation more than VN300 billion and Saigon Petro over VN328 billion. Smaller players like Hoa Khanh General Trading and Services Company also hold VN165 billion. On the other hand, some firms report negative balances, including PVOIL, Petro Binh Minh and Truong An Group. Speaking to newspaper Tien Phong (The Vanguard), Dr Nguyen uc o, deputy director of the Institute for Economics and Finance, explained that the fund was initially created to buffer against sudden price hikes and protect both the economy and households. It served as a regulatory tool during a time when the market was not fully liberalised. However, recent scandals suggest that the fund has been susceptible to misuse and profiteering. Dr o attributes this to lax oversight and a lack of transparency, allowing some key fuel importers to hoard fund money to earn bank interest or delay contributions, essentially converting it into interest-free working capital. Meanwhile, the public has little clarity on where their contributions go. The fact that the fund remains unused shows that regulators tacitly acknowledge this tool is no longer compatible with todays competitive and globally integrated market, he said. Dr Nguyen Tien Thoa, former head of the Ministry of Finances Price Management Department, was more direct: The fund is effectively an indirect tax, collected from consumers for an undefined future use. It distorts market signals and encourages reliance on State support, especially among major distributors. He added that the current balance is no longer a strong enough buffer to support the entire market. In a crisis scenario, the fund would only provide limited relief, falling short of its supposed stabilising function. When asked why the fund hasnt been used, a senior official from the Domestic Market Department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade acknowledged that the fund has shown multiple shortcomings. However, they argued that the seven-day fuel pricing cycle, as regulated under Decree 80, has already helped align domestic fuel prices with global trends. They also noted that timely updates to fuel costs have given companies the motivation to ensure adequate domestic supply. As a result, fuel price adjustments have had little impact on the overall economy. The funds very existence may now be under review. In the sixth draft of the new fuel trading decree submitted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the fund is not mentioned at all, a marked departure from Decrees 83 and 95. The proposed framework would shift price-setting power to enterprises, which would calculate prices based on actual costs and publish them weekly. Specifically, the draft states: In cases of unusual market price fluctuations the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, will propose stabilisation measures to the Government. Companies wishing to maintain contingency tools would need to develop internal mechanisms or rely on broader fiscal policies. VNS HA NOI The two-tier local government model, which simplifies administrative structures, is creating new opportunities for businesses by reducing time and operational costs, allowing for bolder investment and expansion, according to experts. New business opportunities The streamlining of administrative structures following the reorganisation of provincial units is beginning to yield clear improvements in the investment and business climate. Beyond simplifying procedures, the shift to a two-tier government model comprising provincial and commune levels is opening new avenues for businesses to expand investment, tap into markets and optimise operations, experts noted. Marketing Director of BestPrice Travel Bui Thanh Tu said that from a travel business perspective, changes in the Government apparatus have led to clearer and faster administrative procedures, with a noticeable reduction in intermediary levels. Tu told baodautu.vn that the coordination of organising tours, events and tourism promotion will take place on schedule and more effectively. This is very important, as the tourism industry faces high competitive pressure. He noted that beyond expediting procedures, the transition to a two-tier local government model is also building confidence among businesses to invest in localities that were previously fragmented in their tourism development strategies. Previously, Ha Nam or Nam inh were localities that had not fully exploited their potential. But now, after merging with Ninh Binh, linked clusters can be formed, such as Tam Chuc to Bai inh, or the Catholic pilgrimage route from Nam inh to Phat Diem, Tu said. And it's not just tourism enterprises that are benefitting. Manufacturing and trading businesses are also experiencing tangible improvements, thanks to streamlined administrative structures. Mai o Thuy Dung, CEO of AKA Furniture, which owns well-known furniture brands like Nha Xinh and BoConcept, said that the simplification of the administrative apparatus has made local departments more proactive and flexible in guiding procedures. This shift, she said, has significantly reduced the overlap that once existed between district-level agencies and various departments. Speaking to baodautu.vn, Dung said when her firm completed the design adjustment documents for a recent showroom, the process of obtaining feedback from relevant agencies was handled much more smoothly and more quickly than before. She said that these improvements not only help businesses save time and costs, but also create favourable conditions for internal restructuring, optimising supply chains and enhancing the customer experience, all of which are critical to success in the competitive furniture retail industry. Driving new investment momentum Experts noted that the shift to a two-tier government model is doing more than restructuring administrative layers: it is transforming how local authorities support businesses, particularly in project investment. General Director of Xuan Nguyen Group JSC Lu Nguyen Xuan Vu said the time to carry out administrative procedures has been significantly shortened. Some documents can be submitted online, or permission can be requested at the commune level if authorised. However, Vu said he expects the commune level in the two-tier local government model to be more substantively decentralised, so that it can make decisions on important projects. He told the online newspaper that bold, flexible and well-trained commune-level officials could help create a breakthrough in Viet Nams ongoing administrative reform. According to Vu, his company is currently developing the ASEAN+ Cultural Village project in Vinh Long, which was formerly part of Ben Tre Province prior to the recent administrative merger. With an initial infrastructure investment of approximately VN100 billion, the project is envisioned as a cultural and resort complex aimed at promoting community-based tourism in the region. While acknowledging the strong support his team has received from authorities at all levels, Vu expressed hope that the newly merged local government will continue to uphold a spirit of companionship, so the project can be implemented more quickly and smoothly. Dung also expressed her expectations for a 'business-friendly' local government one that ensures consistent policy implementation and greater use of technology in administrative processes. She added that her firm hopes to see a single point of contact for each type of procedure, along with more frequent and structured dialogue channels between local authorities and businesses. Meanwhile, feedback from other enterprises underscores that, when operated with flexibility, the two-tier government system not only streamlines the administrative apparatus, but also contributes to a more transparent, responsive and business-oriented environment. According to experts, this creates a solid foundation for attracting domestic investment, improving business competitiveness and enabling enterprises to confidently pursue sustainable growth strategies. VNS HA NOI Green transformation is not simply about environmental responsibility, but is also a smart approach to enhance competitiveness and ensure long-term survival in a rapidly evolving market landscape, according to experts. The global economy is undergoing significant shifts. Trade routes are being restructured, supply chains reshaped and the demand for faster, more efficient logistics is growing. Meanwhile, international regulations are tightening rapidly. From the European Unions Fit for 55 Package, which aims to reduce carbon emissions drastically by 2030, to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s roadmap targeting carbon neutrality in shipping, logistics companies worldwide must 'green' their operations. The green transformation in logistics has moved from being a mere trend to an unavoidable imperative. It affects not only a companys competitiveness, but also its very survival. According to Koen Soenens, board member of the Transportation and Logistics Sector Committee at the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Viet Nam, the sector is under considerable pressure, especially as companies seek deeper integration with the European market. As a representative from DEEP C Industrial Park and also representing the European business community operating in Viet Nam, Soenens also said logistics serves as the heart of the economy, connecting production, circulation and distribution. Yet, the industry must evolve rapidly to meet sustainable development goals. European businesses operating in Viet Nam have begun adopting green initiatives, such as solar power installations in warehouses, eco-friendly delivery fleets and digital tools that optimise routes to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. These efforts are not just temporary trends; they are strategic choices aimed at long-term efficiency and competitiveness, Soenens said. However, challenges remain. Viet Nams logistics infrastructure is still fragmented, and inconsistent policies complicate widespread adoption of green practices. Soenens has also stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among businesses, Government agencies and stakeholders to build a sustainable logistics ecosystem. With increased awareness, financing, skills development and policy alignment, Viet Nam can accelerate its green logistics transformation and establish a competitive edge internationally. Hai Phong, northern Viet Nams major customs gateway, illustrates how green logistics can drive regional economic growth. The city has sustained customs clearance growth above 10 per cent, positioning it as a crucial hub for future trade routes, including direct connections to northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Tran Tien Dung, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Services Association and chairman of Hai Phong Logistics Association, highlights the untapped potential of sea and rail transport in the region. At present, road transport dominates, accounting for nearly 99 per cent of cargo movement and leading to inefficiencies and higher emissions. To address this, Macstar Group has launched inland waterway transport routes linking Hai Phong to Ninh Binh, significantly reducing transit times and expanding cargo capacity via the Nghia Hung Canal, dubbed the 'Panama Canal of Viet Nam'. This waterway offers an open-airspace advantage, allowing larger vessels and more environmentally friendly transport options. Macstar is also pioneering research into sustainable fuels like solar energy and green hydrogen for its fleet. Still, Dung notes that Government support is crucial in issuing technical standards and guidelines to enable businesses to adopt these technologies on a larger scale. Expanding beyond the Hai Phong-Ninh Binh corridor, Macstar has introduced routes to Nghi Son and Vung Ang, and plans to connect with Quang Tri Province to facilitate trade with Laos via border gates. These initiatives represent a growing regional network prioritising efficiency and sustainability. Australias green logistics journey also provides valuable insights for Viet Nam. Executive Director of the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AusCham) in Viet Nam Edwin Law explains that in Australia, green logistics is mandatory, not optional. Companies embed sustainability goals into their core strategies, investing in green transportation, renewable energy and environmentally friendly supply chains. Technology plays a pivotal role. Australian firms use advanced digital platforms and automation to reduce energy consumption and costs while improving service quality. Many of these innovations have been successfully transferred to Viet Nam through partnerships and joint ventures. Moreover, Vietnamese factories recent adoption of energy-saving measures and environmental standards signals a growing commitment to sustainability. Law emphasised that such progress demonstrates Viet Nams dedication to net zero emissions, a goal achievable only through a collaborative ecosystem involving businesses, government and civil society. Yap Kwong Weng, CEO of Vietnam SuperPort, a joint venture between Singapores YCH Group and Vietnams T&T Group, advocates for a multimodal, integrated logistics model to accelerate the green transformation. Vietnam SuperPort combines air cargo terminals, bonded warehouses and cross-border transportation services to optimise efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. Unlike conventional mass industrial parks, this approach leverages existing assets to create a structural advantage within regional supply chains. For example, where regulations permit, goods can be shipped directly from warehouse to aircraft, cutting transport time and emissions. Vietnam SuperPort aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 through a roadmap that includes deploying renewable energy, automated warehouses, carbon-neutral materials and emissions-free operations. The company is partnering with international organisations like the International Finance Corporation to develop green infrastructure financing models, blending public and private funding sources. However, Yap stressed that policy support and financial incentives are essential. Encouraging green finance mechanisms and blended finance structures will enable businesses to invest confidently in sustainable logistics solutions. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked Japan's Marubeni Corporation to expand operations in Viet Nam, particularly in energy, including gas-fired and offshore wind power. This is to support Viet Nams economic growth, bolster its artificial intelligence and big data infrastructure, and facilitate electricity exports to other ASEAN nations, the PM told Masayuki Omoto, CEO of Marubeni Corporation, one of Japans leading investment and trading conglomerates with a 80-year track record in Viet Nam, during their meeting in Ha Noi on July 14. The leader pledged full support for foreign investors, particularly those from Japan, to operate in Viet Nam, stressing a commitment to "harmonised interests and shared risks". PM Chinh lauded Marubenis long-standing presence, noting its strategic decision to use Viet Nam as a key operational base. He credited the company with contributing to Viet Nams socio-economic growth through technology transfers, job creation, increased export revenues, and tax contributions. He called on Marubeni to continue viewing Viet Nam as a strategic base, and pursue bold, forward-looking ventures. Sharing Viet Nams recent administrative reforms and innovative policies, he expressed confidence that Marubeni and other foreign investors would benefit from these positive changes. The reception underscored the deepening ties between Viet Nam and Japan, which PM Chinh described as being at their best ever. He pointed to the complementary nature of the two economies, with Viet Nam offering a young, abundant workforce and a strategic location in the heart of Southeast Asias fast-growing markets. These factors, he said, present major opportunities for Japanese firms like Marubeni. Welcoming Marubenis plans to expand its investment footprint in Viet Nam, he said Viet Nam has established a feasible legal and regulatory framework for large-scale power projects, including liquefied natural gas and offshore wind, and confirmed that legal obstacles surrounding the O Mon II gas-fired power project had been resolved. Beyond energy, he encouraged Marubeni to deepen ties with the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin) to boost coal exports to Japan. He also proposed collaboration in agriculture, including crop and livestock breeding, as well as branding, processing, and exporting Vietnamese staples like coffee, rice and quality food. Highlighting potential in industrial development, he suggested investments in industrial parks and manufacturing facilities for instant noodles, mochi cakes and pharmaceuticals for both domestic and export markets. He also called on Marubeni to help integrate Vietnamese firms into its global supply chain while supporting workforce training, technological cooperation and digital transformation. Omoto, in response, highly appreciated Viet Nams strategic policy decisions and its increasingly improved business climate. He particularly praised the ongoing streamlining of administrative apparatus and restructuring of administrative boundaries, saying these efforts would enhance operational efficiency, simplify administrative procedures and shorten licensing and decision-making processes. Hailing Viet Nams continued status as a market of strategic importance, he said Marubeni is committed to further contributing to the countrys development. The group plans to expand its presence in the market with quality investments, including a strong focus on human resource training. Key projects include the O Mon II gas-fired power plant, the Quang Ninh LNG power project, wind and solar farms, the Amata City Halong Industrial Park, processing plants for export products, and smart urban development projects in Ha Noi and HCM City. He noted that Marubeni will continue striving to roll out concrete, high value-added projects in the sectors suggested by the PM. Marubeni established its Viet Nam office in 1991. Its projects in the country currently employ about 7,500 Vietnamese staff and generate approximately US$3 billion in annual revenue. So far, Marubeni Viet Nam has built 11 thermal power plants with a total capacity of 4,000 MW. VNS LONDON The meetings of the Viet Nam UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) and the UK Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) Trade Committee have delivered positive outcomes, helping to strengthen bilateral economic ties, resolve trade barriers, and create a more favourable business environment for enterprises from both countries. Co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long and UK Minister of State (Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security) at the Department for Business and Trade Douglas Alexander, the 14th JETCO meeting in London on Monday discussed and agreed on a wide range of practical areas for cooperation, including agriculture, healthcare, banking and finance, renewable energy, the promotion of bilateral trade and investment, education, and capacity building. Deputy Minister Long noted that over the past decade, trade and investment relations between Viet Nam and the UK have made remarkable strides. On trade, the two countries have implemented the UKVFTA for more than four years, and most recently, the UKs accession as the 12th member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has further strengthened bilateral cooperation. In the energy sector, with strong support from the UK through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and various bilateral cooperation initiatives, Viet Nam is gradually improving its regulatory framework, drawing on international expertise, experience and investment to advance its energy transition towards the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The UK also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Viet Nams energy transition through bilateral co-operation and the JETP framework. Viet Nam provided updates on its policy reforms for renewable energy and offshore wind development, and called on the UK to step up support in management training, human resource development, and building a sustainable renewable energy supply chain. In agriculture, food, and beverages, the UK expressed interest in Viet Nams guidance and support in opening its market to British poultry, beef, and seafood products. It also welcomed Viet Nams proposal to facilitate the approval of Vietnamese poultry exports to the UK and other collaborative initiatives in this sector. In finance and banking, the UK showed strong interest in supporting Viet Nams development of an international financial centre, and proposed co-operation in green bonds and establishing financial institutions in Viet Nam. Viet Nam welcomed the proposals and encouraged the UK to submit detailed plans to the relevant Vietnamese authorities. In education and capacity building, Viet Nam proposed enhanced collaboration on innovation, science and technology, English language teaching, and the improvement of higher education quality. Regarding bilateral trade and investment, Viet Nam urged closer co-operation to maximise the benefits of the UKVFTA and CPTPP, enhance investment and trade promotion, organise regular business matching events, and create favourable conditions for enterprises to access each other's markets and co-operate in market regulation. At the UKVFTA Trade Committee meeting held the same day, the two sides reviewed the implementation of the agreement based on reports from specialised sub-committees covering trade in goods, customs, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, services and investment, and trade and sustainable development. Both parties acknowledged the progress achieved and the tangible benefits the agreement has brought to businesses and citizens. They also discussed ways to address remaining market access issues for goods and services to further promote bilateral trade and investment. Speaking at the close of the session, Deputy Minister Long affirmed that the matters discussed at JETCO 14 and the UKVFTA Trade Committee would be further pursued at the technical level. The two sides agreed to work closely together to resolve these issues effectively and elevate the bilateral partnership to new heights. The same day, Long met with UK Prime Ministers Trade Envoy to Viet Nam Matt Western to discuss trade, investment, and energy co-operation, highlighting the UKs role as a key partner and its support under the JETP framework. He also had working sessions with representatives of the UKASEAN Business Council and major firms including HSBC, Prudential, Arup, and BP. Discussions focused on investment opportunities, particularly in renewable energy, with UK businesses expressing strong interest in partnering with Viet Nam in the time ahead. Earlier, on July 11, Deputy Minister Long attended the Viet NamUK Business Forum 2025 in Edinburgh. He highlighted the dual momentum from the UKVFTA and the UKs CPTPP accession, which helped lift bilateral trade to US$8.4 billion in 2024, up 18 per cent year-on-year, making the UK Viet Nams third-largest export market in Europe. He called on UK firms to leverage tariff preferences and rules of origin to boost cooperation in services, finance, and high-value agri-food products, while encouraging deeper engagement in Viet Nams energy transition. Discussions also explored trade prospects, green finance, and the countrys renewable energy roadmap. At the forum, the UKs BP Group and Viet Nams T&T Group signed an MoU to promote e-mobility through a battery-swapping ecosystem for electric motorbikes. According to the Department of Customs, bilateral trade totalled more than $4.3 billion in the first half of 2025, up 9.6 per cent year-on-year. Viet Nams exports reached nearly $3.4 billion (up 8.2 per cent), while imports from the UK totalled $461.6 million (up 23.1 per cent). In 2024, bilateral trade exceeded $8.4 billion, up 18 per cent from 2023. Viet Nams exports accounted for over $7.5 billion (up 18.9 per cent), and imports stood at $881.1 million (up 10.8 per cent). The UK is currently Viet Nams third-largest export market in Europe, following the Netherlands ($13.8 billion) and Germany ($11.7 billion). VNS HCM CITY The Muslim consumer market offers export opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in sectors such as agriculture, food, cosmetics, and textiles if they can meet halal requirements and understand cultural and religious norms, a seminar heard in HCM City on July 14. Speaking at The Halal Market in the GCC and South Asia Opportunities and Challenges for Enterprises seminar, o Quoc Hung, deputy director of the Ministry of Industry and Trades Department of Overseas Markets said halal would offer a strategic path for Vietnamese exporters amid the countrys efforts to diversify markets. With more than two billion consumers, representing nearly 25 per cent of the global population, the halal market is worth trillions of US dollars annually. In Gulf Cooperation Council member countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, demand for imports is especially high for foods, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The GCC acts as a halal supply chain hub for the Middle East and beyond, while its members per capita incomes range from US$40,000 to $80,000. In 2024 Viet Nams trade with the bloc was worth $18 billion, including $7.5 billion in exports. This is expected to grow further once the Viet NamUAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement takes effect, according to Hung. Nguyen Minh Phuong, head of the West Asia Africa division at the Department of Overseas Markets said 90 per cent of food consumed in the GCC was imported due to limited local production. "Consumers there prefer high-quality, branded products with clear halal certification and demand is not too price-sensitive," she said. "They also value product origin and packaging and design." Viet Nam has several product categories well-suited for the GCC, including processed foods (such as seafood, instant noodles and packaged items), agricultural products (like rice, coffee and cashew nut, which are particularly favoured in the UAE and Saudi Arabia) and non-food items like natural cosmetics and eco-friendly textiles, according to Phuong. Some Vietnamese companies such as Vinh Hoan, Cau Tre and Trung Nguyen have already obtained halal certification and are exporting to markets like Malaysia, Indonesia and the UAE. These early efforts will pave the way for broader expansion, provided businesses adopt a strategic approach. Le Thi Mai Anh, head of the Southeast Asia, South Asia and regional cooperation division, said South Asia, with its 600 million Muslim consumers, offered vast potential. Spending on halal food was estimated at $70100 billion annually, with Pakistan and Bangladesh emerging as key markets. Consumption patterns were shifting from fresh to processed foods and demand for cosmetics and functional foods was also rising, with a rapidly growing young middle class driving annual consumption growth of 57 per cent, she said. While South Asian halal consumers are price-conscious, they tend to favour natural and organic products, prefer small packaging sizes, and increasingly shop online, according to Anh. Beyond food and cosmetics, the region also has high demand for light industrial materials such as fibres, textiles and fragrances. But delegates warned that its potential notwithstanding, the halal market also presented some major challenges. They included complex and costly certification processes, cultural and taste differences, strong competition, and logistical and trade barriers. Phuong said halal certification would vary by country, with each having its own certification authority. Customs clearance and regulatory procedures could be time-consuming, and slow payment terms would be a problem for exporters. To succeed in the halal market, particularly in the GCC and South Asia, experts said Vietnamese businesses needed to leverage trade promotion networks, participate in international trade fairs and collaborate with local partners to keep abreast of evolving demands, consumer behaviours and technical requirements. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hang, marketing director at Halal Certification Agency Vietnam (HCA Vietnam), explained that halal certification was not simply about the absence of pork, but would involve an end-to-end verification process covering ingredients, production lines, packaging, transportation, and storage. "Certification is issued by product and not company or product line," she said. "Meeting halal standards not only enables access to Muslim consumers but also opens doors to high-end markets in non-Muslim countries, where transparency and product safety are increasingly valued," she added. The seminar was organised by the HCM City Centre for International Integration Support and the department of foreign market development. VNS A NANG Local investor Sai Gon - a Nang Investment joint stock company (SDN) has started construction on the Hoa Nhon Industrial Park (IP), located on 24.75ha in a Nang with an investment of VN285 billion (US$11 million), the very first item for the approved Industrial Support Complex in the citys master plan for 2021-2030. City authorities said the Hoa Nhon IP was designed as one of the green and clean parks with an aim of attracting hi-tech and environmentally-friendly industries. The Hoa Nhon IP is designed for a variety of industries including electronics, metal processing, garment and leather, wood, equipment, machine manufacturing and supporting industry sectors. SDN, a member of Sai Gon Investment Group, has been investing in major industrial park infrastructure projects in central Viet Nam since 2005, including Nhon Hoi in Binh inh, Sai Gon Chan May in Hue and Lien Chieu and Hoa Khanh Expanded IP in a Nang. The firm is also currently developing four urban residential projects, including Dragon City and Bau Tram Lakeside, in the central city. Last month, SDN was among eight major investors and partners with a Nang in building infrastructure items for the a Nang Free Trade Zone. The local industrial property developer has also signed a business agreement on the development of industrial parks and urban zones with the Korea CEO Summit Organisation. a Nang has approved a new industrial park complex in Hoa Ninh, Hoa Cam and Hoa Nhon and is calling for investment of VN13.8 trillion. Vin Pearl company, a member of Vin Group, started construction last month on the 512-hectare Lang Van Integrated tourism project. The city said six industrial zones, along with the a Nang Hi-Tech Park and a Nang IT Park a concentrated IT zone have attracted 521 projects, of which 396 were domestic with a total investment of VN33.9 trillion ($1.3 billion), and 125 were foreign direct investments worth more than $2.2 billion. VNS HCM CITY Nearly 300 Vietnamese and Cambodian enterprises gathered in HCM City on Tuesday for the Viet NamCambodia business connectivity conference to enhance bilateral trade and investment cooperation. The event brought together businesses across such key sectors as agriculture, aquaculture, food processing, textiles, packaging, cosmetics, consumer goods, machinery, banking, real estate, and logistics. It featured direct business networking, exhibitions, and service showcases. There was an exhibition area with 25 booths displaying key export products and competitive advantages from both countries, drawing significant interest from importers, distributors, and retailers. Enterprises held that the conference provided invaluable opportunities for brand promotion, market trend analysis, technical requirement assessment, and consumer preference insights, enabling more effective market access strategies. For Cambodian enterprises, the event offered crucial insights into Viet Nam's production capabilities and development potential, contributing to supply chain diversification and enhanced value creation. Deputy Director of the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)s Department of Foreign Market Development o Quoc Hung highlighted that amidst regional and global volatility, strengthening business community connections plays an essential role in maintaining stable supply chains, capitalising on existing trade agreements, and supporting enterprises from both countries in enhancing their competitive edge. The conference was expected to deliver on the sustainable two-way trade growth target while laying a foundation for building a more modern, efficient, and balanced trade cooperation ecosystem between the two economies. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Viet NamCambodia Business Association (VCBA) Oknha Leng Rity noted that Cambodian enterprises are increasingly interested in accessing Vietnamese goods, technology, and management models, particularly in high-tech agriculture, food processing, consumer products, and logistics services. He expressed his hope that the two sides will maintain and expand regular trade promotion activities while establishing flexible cooperation mechanisms between business associations to remove bottlenecks in a timely manner, share market information, and support enterprises sustainable development amidst deep regional integration. On this occasion, the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and the VCBA signed a Memorandum of Understanding, establishing close coordination mechanisms to promote market information sharing and implement joint promotional programmes in the coming period. According to the MoIT, the value of trade between Viet Nam and Cambodia reached US$6.2 billion in the first six months of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 16.8 per cent. Viet Nam's exports to Cambodia totaled $2.7 billion, up 4.6 per cent from the same period last year. VNA/VNS HCM CITY HCM City is expediting the implementation of wastewater collection and treatment projects in the former Binh Duong Province area, with the aim of improving urban environmental conditions and enhancing quality of life for residents. The then Binh Duong Provincial Project Management Unit for Wastewater has submitted a report to the then citys Peoples Committee and relevant departments regarding the progress of major wastewater treatment and drainage infrastructure developments across the region. As of July, several key projects have completed design and site clearance procedures and are entering the pre-construction phase. These initiatives are expected to contribute significantly to urban environmental protection and increase investment appeal in the area. A central project currently underway is the Binh Duong Environmental Improvement Project, funded by a loan from the World Bank. The loan agreement was signed in April between the Government of Viet Nam and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The design of the project components has reached approximately 85 per cent completion, with full designs finalised for the upgrade of wastewater treatment plants in Thuan An and Di An wards, as well as the associated collection network in Thuan An. Verification of the remaining components including the Tan Uyen Wastewater Treatment Plant and networks in Di An and Tan Uyen is currently in progress. Bidding documents for construction supervision, contract management and pre-qualification packages are also being finalised in preparation for upcoming procurement procedures. Regarding land clearance, by April, compensation had been paid to 53 affected households and organisations, covering more than 117,000 square metres in the Tan Uyen plant area and the Cau Tre stream route in Uyen Hung Ward. Two households have yet to receive compensation due to legal and land dispute issues, which local authorities are working to resolve in order to maintain construction schedules. Detailed 1:500 scale planning for areas designated for wastewater treatment facilities is also being coordinated by local wards and subordinate cities, following new decentralisation policies. The Thuan An plant plan has been approved, while planning documents for Di An and Tan Uyen are pending final decisions from ward-level authorities after consultation with relevant departments. In the next phase, the project management unit will submit the verified design dossiers to the city Department of Construction for appraisal. Simultaneously, bidding invitations will be finalised, and land compensation efforts for remaining households in Tan Uyen will continue. Coordination with the Ministry of Finance is ongoing to finalise sub-loan agreements and begin official procurement once approved. In parallel, the city is pursuing multiple international cooperation programmes to expand the regions wastewater and drainage infrastructure. In Ben Cat, a project funded by the Public Investment Facility (PIF) of the Finnish Government has completed all documentation and was submitted to the Ministry of Finance for appraisal in June. Meanwhile, phase two projects proposed for Di An, Thuan An and Tan Uyen are being considered for support from the DRIVE programme of the Dutch Government. Invest International, the designated agency, has issued a letter confirming the development phases funding potential, and the new HCM City authorities are preparing to submit the proposal to the Ministry of Finance. Alongside these new projects, the operation of existing wastewater treatment systems remains a priority. Currently, four plants are operating stably: Thu Dau Mot (since 2013), Thuan An (since 2017), Di An (since 2019), and Tan Uyen (since 2019). However, due to ageing equipment, the management board is preparing technical and economic reports to propose major repair funding from the newly restructured HCM City authority. While awaiting the outcome of procurement processes to select new operators, these treatment plants continue to be run by the Binh Duong Water and Environment Joint Stock Company (BIWASE) under a cost-based contract. The unit price for wastewater treatment is currently being formulated and will be submitted to the city Department of Construction for appraisal, serving as a basis for the official tender. The ongoing efforts reflect the city's commitment to environmental sustainability and infrastructure development in newly integrated areas, ensuring that former Binh Duong localities receive equal investment and attention in essential public services. The projects are expected to play a critical role in promoting public health, protecting waterways, and supporting economic development in the expanded southern urban region. According to preliminary estimates, total project investment for the wastewater infrastructure upgrades in the former Binh Duong area exceeds VN2.1 trillion (US$82.4 million), sourced from international loans, counterpart funding, and local development budgets. VNS Detainees being held at the Florida migrant center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" are decrying what they describe as inhumane conditions at the facility, including lack of water to bathe, food with maggots and "mosquitoes as big as elephants." Speaking to CBS News, Cuban reggaeton artist Leamsy La Figura, who was arrested in Miami-Dade last week and taken to the facility, said he had not taken a bath in four days since arriving last Friday. He went on to say that "they only brought a meal once a day and it had maggots." "They never take off the lights for 24 hours," Leamsy added. Other detainees told the outlet that their human rights are not being respected, with one saying "we're like rats in an experiment." "I don't know their motive for doing this, if it's a form of torture. A lot of us have our residency documents and we don't understand why we're here," the person added. A Colombian detainee said he's on the brink of mental collapse. "I've gone three days without taking my medicine." He added that his Bible was taken after being told "there is no right to religion." "And my Bible is the one thing that keeps my faith, and now I'm losing my faith," he said. Authorities have not responded to CBS News about the allegations. However, Democratic Florida lawmakers who attempted to enter the premises last weeks were prevented from doing so. "They stopped us pretty immediately," Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani, who attempted to visit the facility along with four other Democratic lawmakers, told CNN. Eskamani and her colleagues were drawn to the detention center by reports of flooding following a storm on Tuesday. Later, a general counsel from the Florida Division of Emergency Management told them "security concerns" were the reason for their non-admittance. "If it's unsafe for us, how is it safe for the detainees?" Eskamani reportedly asked the general counsel. "This is a blatant abuse of power and an attempt to conceal human rights violations from the public eye," the five lawmakers said in a joint statement. "Alligator Alcatraz," dubbed by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, was created by the federal and Florida state governments and is located in the states Everglades region, about 50 miles west of Miami. The facility "will have up to 5,000 beds to house, process, and deport criminal illegal aliens," according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. It "might be as good as the real Alcatraz," President Donald Trump said after visiting it. Originally published on Latin Times HA NOI State President Luong Cuong attended the Hai Phong Investment Promotion Conference in the northern port city on Tuesday, during which he affirmed that the event conveys a message of Viet Nam's proactive approach to comprehensive integration, its development aspiration, and its strong commitment to improving the investment environment. The conference, themed Hai Phong Strategic Gateway to the New Era, is held within the framework of the third meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC III). It also saw presence of more than 1,200 delegates from government agencies and Hai Phong city, businesses from 21 APEC economies, foreign diplomatic missions in Viet Nam, executives of foreign-invested enterprises operating in the country, and major Vietnamese corporations. Addressing the event, President Cuong said that amidst rapid changes in geopolitics, technology, and the investment and business environment, adaptability and innovation are vital for the survival of any economy. Hai Phong, with its ecosystem of seaports, industrial zones, and smart urban areas, exemplifies these essential qualities. He noted that Viet Nam is currently one of Asias standout performers in terms of economic growth. In 2024, the country recorded a total import-export turnover of over US$786 billion, ranking among the worlds top 20 trading nations. It has also emerged as an attractive investment destination and an increasingly important link in global production and supply chains. Hai Phong, in particular, serves as the largest export gateway in the northern region, playing an ever-growing role in the regional network, he stated. In this context, the leader welcomed investors from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and APEC economies who have chosen Hai Phong as the site for major projects, ranging from supporting industries, electronics manufacturing, and high technology to innovation hubs and smart logistics services. Praising ABAC for placing key issues such as digital trade, sustainable development, green energy, and smart logistics on its agenda, President Cuong emphasised that these are also strategic pillars in the development plans of both Hai Phong and Viet Nam in the coming period. He expressed his hope that businesses will go beyond merely exploring investment opportunities to co-create value, share knowledge, and work towards a more open, inclusive, and resilient Asia-Pacific in the face of global uncertainties. The President affirmed that Viet Nam remains committed to maintaining political stability, advancing strong institutional reforms, safeguarding the rights and legitimate interests of investors, and enhancing connectivity, not only in terms of infrastructure, but also in governance, data, and human resources. Through this important event, he showed his hope that investors will not only experience the warmth and hospitality of the host, but also recognise the vision, decisiveness, ambition, and promising cooperation opportunities offered by Hai Phong. He also described the conference as a crucial platform to discover new partners, connect fresh initiatives, and open up the next phases of development. In his remarks, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Le Tien Chau said Hai Phong is determined to develop based on the pillars of science technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and inclusive development. The city will take bold actions through four strategic breakthroughs, namely developing a southern coastal economic zone, establishing a next-generation free trade zone, creating a modern, open and enabling institutional framework, and attracting of high-quality human resources, he said Chau affirmed Hai Phongs ambition to become a peer to Asias standout cities, turning itself into a modern international seaport city, and serve as a regional hub for economy, culture, education, training, and science technology. Boasting a strategic location, outstanding potential, superior institutional frameworks, and strong political will, Hai Phong stands ready to welcome investors for long-term partnership and growth. At the conference, investors got insights into the citys potential, advantages, and strategic investment opportunities. They expressed their confidence in the increasingly improving investment climate, while promising to further study, expand investment, and accompany the citys development. They also provided the city's leaders with various solutions and creative models to better the investment environment, contributing to the citys socio-economic development, and the Red River Deltas as a whole. On the occasion, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen uc Hai presented the parliaments resolution on piloting several special mechanisms and policies for Hai Phong's development. Besides, the citys leaders handed over investment registration certificates and memoranda of understanding (MoU) on cooperation to domestic and international investors. These large-scale projects serve as important driving forces for Hai Phong's development, with total registered capital reaching over US$15.6 billion for 32 projects and seven MoUs. VNA/VNS HA NOI A book week and exhibition are offering young readers a chance to explore Finnish literature through a series of rich artistic and educational activities. This event is taking place at Kim ong Publishing House in Ha Noi to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the first Moomin story - Finland's unique literary heritage. "Tove Jansson's Moomin series, beloved across generations, captures the essence of Finnish storytelling - gentle, philosophical and imaginative," said Finnish ambassador to Viet Nam Keijo Ensio Norvanto at the opening ceremony. "Through the adventures of the Moomin family, Jansson explores themes of belonging, freedom and resilience, all set in a magical valley that reflects the Nordic landscape and spirit. "Over time, the Moomins have become a cultural symbol of Finland, representing its values, worldview and gentle charm to audiences around the world. I hope that Moomins will find many new readers also here in Viet Nam." The Moomin stories reflect the Finnish spirit through their deep connection to nature, calm atmosphere and appreciation for solitude and simplicity. The characters live in harmony with their surroundings, embracing a minimalist lifestyle and respecting each other's personal space, values central to Finnish culture. Despite their quiet behaviour, the Moomins are warm and hospitable, always welcoming others into their home with kindness. In Viet Nam, Kim ong Publishing House has published comprehensively books by Jansson (19142001) translated by Dr Vo Xuan Que and proofreading by Dr Bui Viet Hoa, including Moominpappa at Sea; Moominland Midwinter; Moominvalley in November, Comet in Moominland, Finn Family Moomintroll and The Moomins and the Great Flood. This is the first time Vietnamese readers have the chance to learn about the Moomin series through the exhibition. "Finnish Literature Week is an opportunity for the public and young readers as well to get access to European literature heritage," said Vu Thi Quynh Lien, Kim ong house's Editor-In-Chief. "Displays at the event have their own personalities but together open up a world rich in love, promoting freedom, enjoyment and personal identity." Hello Ruby by Linda Liukas and The Beast of the Sea by Iida Turpeinen are also introduced at the event. Moving to the modern era, Hello Ruby introduces children to the world of technology and coding. Its a perfect example of how Finnish literature continues to evolve, merging creativity with education. Rubys adventures teach problem-solving and curiosity, showing that literature can be both playful and empowering. The Beast of the Sea represents a new wave of Finnish fiction. It blends science, myth and environmental awareness, offering a poetic reflection on humanitys relationship with the ocean. Its a testament to how Finnish authors are addressing global issues while staying true to their lyrical and introspective style. Together, these works highlight the diversity and depth of Finnish literature, from classic tales to contemporary innovation. They remind people that stories from Finland are not just about snow and silence, but about imagination, empathy, and the courage to explore new worlds. On July 19, a book reading and The Beast of the Sea will be held. The week runs until July 20. VNS SYDNEY A special event titled "Holiday Fun Day" was held recently in Sydney, Australia, offering a rich blend of cultural, creative, and educational activities. The event, held free of charge, welcomed not only students of VietSchool, a Vietnamese language school in Sydney, but also children from other schools, promoting cultural exchange and community engagement between the Vietnamese and local Australian communities. The July 1415 event featured a lively and meaningful space for children to experience Vietnamese heritage through hands-on activities. From making recycled crafts such as sock-stuffed animals and crochet items, to glass pebble mosaics, colouring, and food preparation, the event also introduced traditional Vietnamese games such as cuop co (flag-snatching), tug of war, and musical performances including drum playing. Speaking with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Sydney, Dr. Tran Hong Van, Principal of VietSchool, said the event was not just for fun - it was about nurturing a love for the Vietnamese language and cultural roots. Through a variety of activities, children with different interests can choose what they love, while naturally connecting with their heritage, she noted. Thuc Anh, a Vietnamese-Australian who has lived in Australia for nearly 30 years, said she brought her children to the event in hopes of helping them connect with the Vietnamese community, make friends who speak the language, and maintain a shared cultural identity. Aside from the fun, her children get to experience distinctly Vietnamese games that are rarely seen in Australia, she added. One of the most anticipated activities of Holiday Fun Day was creating mosaic art using glass collected from beaches, an activity blending creativity, environmental awareness, and cultural expression. Traditional games like tug of war and flag-snatching also created a vibrant and joyful atmosphere, fostering bonds among the children. Looking ahead, Dr. Van revealed that VietSchool has recently launched a new programme titled Fun with Vietnamese for Preschoolers, offered free of charge for children aged 35 enrolled in preschools across Sydney who register with VietSchool. The initiative, enthusiastically supported by the schools leadership and teachers, aims to plant the seeds of Vietnamese language learning from an early age. VNA/VNS HA NOI Viet Nams diplomatic sector was told by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to further promote the 'bamboo diplomacy' style, anchored in the principle of 'Firm in objectives, flexible in strategies and tactics'. He made the orders while attending the Congress of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the 202530 term on Tuesday morning in Ha Noi. The PM said the sector must continue asserting its pioneering, strategic and core role in implementing the nations foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation. Based on that, Viet Nam must remain a good friend and reliable partner to all countries and a proactive, responsible member of the international community, committed to peace, cooperation and sustainable development. He also said: Every diplomat must act as a soldier on the diplomatic front." The diplomatic sector was instructed to stay vigilant, closely monitor regional and global developments and ensure comprehensive situational awareness. It must respond flexibly, promptly and effectively to changes, while providing timely strategic advice so that the Party and State are not caught off guard by emerging global issues, he said. PM Chinh assigned the diplomatic sector a key task of contributing to economic development. Diplomacy, he said, must support rapid and sustainable socio-economic growth, build an independent and resilient economy and advance deep, substantive and effective international integration. Internal and external policies must be harmonised to implement a transformative 'reorganisation of the country' and effectively execute new resolutions issued by the Politburo, especially Resolution No. 59 on foreign policy in the new era. This includes fostering the green economy, circular economy and knowledge-based economy, diversifying products, markets and supply chains, implementing three strategic breakthroughs in institutions, infrastructure and human resources and developing a culturally rich, distinct national identity that both preserves local values and engages with global civilisations. Achievements Also at the event, PM Chinh highlighted the diplomatic sectors achievements during the 202025 term, praising its solidarity, commitment and bold reforms. Diplomacy has played a pivotal role in strengthening Viet Nams global position, expanding partnerships with neighbouring countries, traditional friends and strategic partners. The country has increased its diplomatic relations from 189 to 194 countries and now has 37 strategic or comprehensive partnerships. For the first time, Viet Nam maintains strategic partnerships or higher-level relations with all major powers, including the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and with all G7 nations as well as 18 of the G20 countries. The nation has also taken on prominent roles in multilateral forums, particularly within ASEAN and the UN system. Notably, Ha Noi is scheduled to host the signing ceremony of the first UN Convention on Cybercrime in October 2025. The PM also singled out Viet Nams 'vaccine diplomacy' as a major success, allowing the country to achieve early access to COVID-19 vaccines, reopen its economy sooner than many peers and lay the foundation for its current economic momentum. Economic diplomacy has been significantly enhanced, becoming a key focus of high-level engagements and successfully leveraging international cooperation opportunities. Cultural diplomacy has also seen significant progress, with dozens of Vietnamese heritage sites recognised by UNESCO. Foreign information, support for overseas Vietnamese communities, consular services and citizen protection have all been handled proactively and effectively. Reports In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, also Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the 202025 term saw the unification of the Ministrys Party Committee with the Overseas Party Committee of the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations. It also took on certain responsibilities from the National Assemblys Committee for Foreign Affairs, while streamlining its organisational structure in line with Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW of the Party Central Committee. With strong political will, the diplomatic sector continued to pioneer, coordinate and execute comprehensive and effective foreign affairs activities. The results, he said, were historically significant and constitute one of the most outstanding achievements in Viet Nams recent development. As former Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong once said, foreign affairs played a key role in shaping a favourable external environment and elevating the nations global standing, directly contributing to the success of the 13th National Party Congress. Deeply aware of the central importance of Party building, the ministrys Party Committee had over the past term led coordinated efforts to fulfil both political and organisational objectives. This had strengthened the foreign service sector, which is now more professional, modern and effective. The capability, integrity and commitment of Party members and officials had steadily improved. Looking ahead to the 202530 period, amid a rapidly shifting and complex international environment, Viet Nam was preparing to enter a new era of national development. This would present both unprecedented opportunities and serious responsibilities for the diplomatic sector. All staff and Party members of the ministry would maintain strong political resolve, unity and innovation, while drawing on the sectors proud traditions and crucial leadership role. They would be tasked with carrying out Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy in a coordinated, creative and effective manner, and building a clean, strong, modern diplomatic service that fully contributes to Viet Nams centennial goals, marking 100 years of the Party in 2030 and 100 years of the nation in 2045. VNS HA NOI The Viet NamBrazil Friendship and Cooperation Association (VBFCA) will continue promoting tourism connectivity, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and strengthening cooperation between localities and friendship organisations, aiming to deepen mutual understanding between the two peoples to support socio-economic development. This direction was outlined during the associations third National Congress for the 20252030 term, held in Ha Noi on Tuesday. In the new term, the association plans to enhance collaboration with youth and womens organisations, universities, research institutes, non-governmental organisations, enterprises, and business associations in Brazil. It also aims to encourage Brazilian organisations and individuals to support Viet Nam in multilateral forums and build ties with the Vietnamese community in Brazil. Communication efforts will be strengthened to share the Party and States policies with overseas Vietnamese, encouraging them to comply with local laws, maintain connections with their homeland, and contribute to bilateral relations. The congress elected a 35-member Executive Board for the new term, with Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep appointed as President. Brazilian Ambassador to Viet Nam Marco Farani congratulated the association on the successful congress, stating that bilateral relations are currently experiencing their best phase. In 2024, two-way trade reached US$8 billion, with further growth expected. He also noted the countries potential to boost cooperation in defence, aviation, and energy transition. Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), expressed his hope that the association would continue building on its achievements. He encouraged efforts to broaden partnerships between businesses and expedite the digitisation of the PortugueseVietnamese Thematic Dictionary, making it freely accessible online for the benefit of people and enterprises in both countries. During the 20162025 term, the VUFO and the VBFCA promoted engagement with Brazilian organisations, businesses, and institutes to expand partnerships and enhance trade and cooperation in various fields. The association has also mobilised social resources to support people-to-people diplomacy and fostered innovation in Viet Nam's public diplomacy. The Executive Board has completed the PortugueseVietnamese Thematic Dictionary, becoming the first and only friendship organisation to publish such a resource. Containing 20,000 words across 17 topics, the dictionary is a valuable tool for Vietnamese individuals and organisations working, living, or studying in Brazil, as well as for Brazilian partners visiting or doing business in Viet Nam. VNA/VNS HA NOI On July 15, State President Luong Cuong received Cho Hyun-sang, Chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) 2025 and Vice Chairman of the Republic of Koreas Hyosung Group, along with ABAC members representing the 21 APEC economies. The event took place within the framework of the councils third meeting (ABAC III) this year, held in the northern port city of Hai Phong. Appreciating ABAC members' support for selecting Viet Nam as the host of the third meeting, President Cuong said this reflects their high regard for Viet Nam's role and reputation in the Asia-Pacific region. This meeting is of special significance as it formulates policy recommendations from the business community for submission to APEC leaders at the summit in the RoK this October, he said, expressing his confidence that Viet Nam will actively contribute to the councils recommendations, thus promoting sustainable growth among the member economies and building an open, inclusive, and resilient future for the Asia-Pacific. According to the State leader, ABAC III is among the first activities marking the start of Viet Nam's preparations for APEC activities in 2027. Therefore, he called on the business communities of the APEC economies to continue their support and partnership so that the country can fulfil this important responsibility. For his part, Cho said the meeting demonstrated Viet Nam's strong support for the international business community. He saw it as a testament to Viet Nam's ongoing efforts to improve its investment environment, enhance public-private dialogue, and support foreign businesses in securing long-term, effective, and sustainable investment in the country. Outlining this years key priorities for ABAC, with a focus on economic recovery and deeper regional integration, he reaffirmed the councils commitment to contributing to a prosperous, inclusive, and inter-connected APEC economic community. He also expressed appreciation for the presence of the Vietnamese leader at ABAC III, as well as the Hai Phong Investment Promotion Conference. Echoing Chos views, President Cuong was pleased to note the encouraging progress in Viet Nam's trade and investment ties with other APEC members. The Vietnamese Party and State always create favourable conditions for foreign investors, including ABAC members, to operate confidently and successfully in the country, he noted. As Vice Chairman of Hyosung Group, Cho also shared updates on the firms investment projects in various Vietnamese localities. He reiterated Hyosungs commitment to further contributing to Viet Nam's economic development, and extended his gratitude to the Vietnamese President and Government for supporting Korean enterprises, including Hyosung, over the past years. President Cuong applauded Hyosungs business activities in Viet Nam, affirming the countrys welcome and encouragement of investments in high-tech sectors, as in line with its science, technology, and innovation-driven national development strategy. He also asked Cho to keep working closely with Vietnamese authorities to help promote Vietnamese businesses' cooperation with partners across the Asia-Pacific, and to assist the country in hosting APEC in 2027. On this occasion, the ABAC Chair presented an official invitation to President Cuong to attend and deliver remarks at the APEC CEO Summit in October. VNA/VNS GIA LAI For the past four months, a special class teaching literacy to those undergoing drug rehabilitation treatment is being held regularly at the Gia Lai Province Drug Rehabilitation Centre. The class is not only a place to practise writing and math, but also a support in the journey to help those who have made mistakes find themselves again and prepare to reintegrate into the community. Since operations began in March this year, staff and soldiers working at the centre could not help but worry when they saw many young people who were illiterate. Among the 238 people being treated, 21 were completely illiterate, most of whom were members of ethnic communities with difficult circumstances. Deputy Head of the centre Lieutenant Colonel Tran inh Hung said that the illiteracy rate among the centres patients is quite high, posing many difficulties in their political, legal and life skills education. The unit has determined that literacy education should be a compulsory component to help patients, and ultimately to develop proper awareness and change. A literacy class was therefore established right at the centre, using a simple and practical curriculum. In addition to learning reading and writing, trainees are also taught basic arithmetic. Out of the 21 trainees currently taking the class, 17 are from ethnic groups, most of whom have never attended school. Among these, trainee H.V.N., born in 1986 in Ia Hru Commune, Gia Lai Province, is a notable example. Having never attended school and after struggling with drug addiction for many years, he was admitted to the centre in March. N. said that due to family difficulties, he never had the opportunity to go to school and learn to read and write. At the rehabilitation centre, thanks to the dedicated guidance of the staff, he now knows how to do both, and understands the value of education. "I had never known how to read or write. Here, I was given the opportunity to learn, and each day I can see positive changes in myself and discover many new things through studying. This is very helpful. In the future, when I reintegrate into society and start working, it will be much easier," N. said. The main teacher for the class is Senior Lieutenant Vo Thi Diem Phuc. Without formal pedagogical training, she and her colleagues had to figure out on their own how to teach in a way that is easy for the students to understand and remember. She even spent her evenings watching social media videos to learn adult literacy teaching methods. "We try to convey knowledge in the simplest and most relatable way possible, so that trainees can easily grasp and make progress every day," said the Senior Lieutenant. Aside from daytime classes, staff also offer one-on-one tutoring in the evenings and on weekends for slower learners. Thanks to their efforts, 100 per cent of the trainees in the class can now read, write and do basic arithmetic. According to the centres staff, literacy is just the first step in a longer journey of supporting patients. The centre is planning to coordinate with educational institutions to help patients complete primary education, equipping them with essential knowledge to gradually change their perception and shape their future direction. Lieutenant Colonel Hung said: Once trainees are literate, they gain clearer awareness and are able to understand things correctly and think rationally. Only then can they begin to amend their mistakes and gradually reintegrate into society, he said. After more than two months of hard work, the first results of the class have been recorded. Trainee N. was able to write his very first letter to his parents. Though the handwriting was still shaky, it carried deep emotion and an awakening spirit: "Dear Mum and Dad. I have learned to read and write. I am sorry for all the hardship I have caused you. I will try my best to beat my addiction so I can become a useful person to society." It's a letter that sparks a ray of hope. Behind the closed gates of the rehabilitation centre, the quiet literacy class opens up a new path, a path from awareness to rehabilitation. VNS KHANH HOA Khanh Hoa Province is expanding its grape farming area, applying advanced technology, and strengthening the productionprocessingconsumption chain, with a focus on export markets and sustainable development. The central province, the countrys largest grape producer, is actively planning farming zones, prioritising areas with geographical indications, developing specialised cultivation, and promoting production linkages. Grapes are a distinctive crop well-suited to the dry conditions in the southern part of the province, offering high economic returns. As of the end of last year, the province had over 1,100ha under the fruit. Key varieties include red cardinal, NH01-48 (green grape), NH01-152 (pink finger grape), Black Queen, and wine grapes. Several new seedless, high-quality types such as NH01-205 (mau on grape), NH04-195 (ha en grape), and NH04-102 (black finger grape) are being trialled and expanded. Pham Van Tri, 43, of Thai An Village in Vinh Hai Commune, said 85 per cent of locals grow grapes. His family cultivates 5,000sq.m of grapes and is expanding farming of new varieties such as candy grapes, he said. Prices currently range from VN50,000 to 250,000 (US$1.99.6) per kilogramme, depending on the variety, he said. They have remained stable in recent years because of clean growing practices, and rising demand ensures consistently high incomes for farmers, he added. Nguyen Khac Phong, director of the Thai An Agricultural Service Co-operative, said grapes are the most valuable crop in the area, generating substantial income for growers. The use of technical advances and high-tech methods, along with the cultivation of new seedless, high-quality varieties, has increased yields to over 250 tonnes per hectare, he added. The province has developed several concentrated grape-growing villages, including Thai An, Xuan Hai, Van Hai, and Nho Lam, with more than 254ha certified as meeting VietGAP standards. These areas not only produce efficiently but also attract large numbers of tourists. According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, over 10 establishments, 30 private enterprises and 200 households involved in producing and processing grape products. These include syrups, wines, juices, raisin, and jams, which are highly popular in the market. To support sustainable, large-scale development and increase value, the province is actively soliciting investment and expanding and innovating production. It is strengthening cooperation between farmers, scientists and businesses, encouraging the application of high-tech solutions from cultivation to processing. Scientists and research institutes are being encouraged to create new seedless, high-quality grape varieties suited to local conditions while reducing intermediary costs. Phan Cong Kien, deputy director of the province-based Nha Ho Research Institute for Cotton and Agriculture Development, said: All grape varieties transferred to farmers originate from the institute. The institute has researched and created new grape varieties that meet market requirements, create added value and profitability for both production and processing. It is currently preserving and cultivating more than 230 new grape varieties in trial fields. These offer high yields and are resistant to harsh weather and common diseases. The agricultural sector plans to select four to five high-yielding, seedless table grape varieties with good pest resistance and market appeal for trial production by the end of this year. It will restructure agriculture, expand production and establish specialised growing areas for short-term industrial plants and fruit crops, including grapes. Programmes and plans for the processing of grape products for export will be prioritised. An additional 1,000ha of VietGAP, GlobalGAP and organic grapes will be grown, targeting an annual output of 27,900 tonnes, with a goal of topping 2,000ha and 51,000 tonnes by 2030. Trinh Minh Hoang, deputy chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, said: To maintain grapes as the leading crop and grape products as market leaders, it is vital to research, transfer and apply scientific and technical advances, as well as mechanisation in all production stages. Ensuring production linkages and safe, hygienic processing is also essential. The agricultural sector must carefully plan these efforts to achieve higher economic efficiency than before. The province aims to expand grape cultivation under VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and organic standards to over 60 per cent of the total grape-growing area, aligning with planning and market demand. It will promote effective value chain models, intensify marketing, develop branding, packaging and labelling, and expand export markets. VNS HA NOI Authorities in Ha Noi have launched an investigation following reports that a Vietnamese woman was verbally abused and physically assaulted by two South Korean women at a photobooth studio in Nam Tu Liem Ward. On July 14, the police confirmed that they are actively verifying and reviewing the incident, which has sparked widespread attention on social media. The case came to light after a post circulated online featuring a video clip and a detailed account from the alleged victim. According to the post, the incident took place on late July 11 at a photobooth shop in Nam Tu Liem. The Vietnamese woman and her friend had booked and paid for a photo session when they were confronted by two foreign women who reportedly shouted at them and urged them to leave before their time had expired. The post further alleged that one of the South Korean women unexpectedly struck the victim's friend, then proceeded to pull her hair and repeatedly punch and kick her. The second Vietnamese woman claimed that when she attempted to intervene, she was threatened with physical violence. Despite requests for assistance, the victims said the studio staff did not provide meaningful support. However, the incident was captured on the studio's surveillance camera, according to the post. Police have not yet identified the two South Korean women involved but are reviewing footage and collecting witness testimony. The victims friend is said to be suffering from headaches, nausea, and psychological distress following the alleged attack. The investigation is ongoing. VNS HCM CITY The HCM City police have busted a major gang illegally trading nitrous oxide, commonly known as "laughing gas", seizing hundreds of cylinders of the gas and arresting eight people. They announced on July 14 that the Economic Police Division and other relevant agencies uncovered the ring headed by Nguyen Truong Hoat, 25. Hoat was organising the purchase, refilling and distribution of the chemical banned for human use on a massive scale, selling primarily to bars, clubs and individual recreational users seeking its euphoric and hallucinogenic effects. Authorities raided The Black Lounge Bar at No 208 Co Bac Street in Cau Ong Lanh Ward and a gas storage facility at No 691/28 Tran Xuan Soan Street in Tan Hung Ward, both owned and operated by Hoat. At these locations, they discovered illegal sales and refilling activities involving hundreds of gas cylinders, rubber balloons, specialised refilling tools, and various paraphernalia for serving on-site customers and external buyers. On bar receipts the gas was billed as cocktails, and the entire operation was professional and tightly coordinated from refilling, delivery and customer service to tracking revenues. The network also sold N2O via social media platforms, operating with collaborators and a closed-loop delivery and payment system. This year alone the gang is estimated to have earned profits of hundreds of billions of Vietnamese ong. N2O, when inhaled, stimulates the central nervous system, producing feelings of euphoria and hallucinations. But its abuse can result in suffocation, brain damage or even death. Its recreational use is strictly prohibited under Vietnamese law. On July 14 the Economic Police Division launched criminal proceedings, issuing arrest warrants and pre-trial detention orders for Hoat; Hoang Van Chien, 28; Tran uc Nam, 26; Mai Thi Trinh, 35; Luu inh ai, 25; Nguyen Quoc Dung, 24; Chau Manh Phat, 23; and Cao Truong An, 26. All belong to the city and face charges of trading in prohibited goods under Article 190 of the 2015 Penal Code. The police are expanding their probe to ensure no guilty person gets away. VNS HCM CITY Nearly 250 young doctors have been sent to commune and ward health stations in HCM City this year as part of the citys medical internship programme, according to its Department of Health. The 247 doctors who have finished six-month practical training at the citys top-tier general and specialised hospitals are continuing their training at ward and commune health stations from July 14 for the next three months. They will then return to the health station for three more months before spending the last three months again at the hospitals to complete their training. This 6-3-3-3-3 medical internship model is aimed at helping doctors deeply understand the healthcare system and improve their ability to adapt to different working environments. Two doctors will also be sent to the health station under the management of the Con ao Military and Civilian Medical Centre on the island and 41 others will go to health stations in the citys outlying areas such as Can Gio, Thanh An, Cu Chi, Binh My, Hoc Mon, Ba iem, Binh Chanh and Vinh Loc communes. The doctors have been equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills in public healthcare, Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, director of the department, said. The programme also aims to improve the quality of primary healthcare for people living in remote and isolated areas, he said. He believed that young doctors bring enthusiasm, responsibility and dedication to public healthcare. They get 100 per cent tuition support at hospitals equivalent to VN3 million (US$115) a month and VN10 million ($382) a month for living expenses during their stint at the health stations. They will also get priority in the annual Healthcare Career Fair that offers job opportunities at hospitals and medical facilities across the country. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam is willing to share its resources, human capital, and sci-tech expertise with countries that have similar climatic and soil conditions, supporting them in developing OCOP products and advancing sustainable agriculture, stated Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha. Ha made the remark on Tuesday while hosting a courtesy reception for a delegation of agriculture ministers and senior officials attending a highlevel interregional forum on the One Commune One Product (OCOP) model, jointly organised by Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). The Deputy PM said Viet Nam hopes that the forum would become a platform for sharing both successful and unsuccessful experiences, as well as for reaching a shared understanding in the context of over 800 million people around the world facing hunger. He highlighted that one of the key strengths of Viet Nam's OCOP programme is its close alignment with the goals of building new-style rural areas and eliminating poverty. The programme benefits from state budget support and focuses on improving knowledge and promoting rural modernisation. Viet Nam has so far developed more than 16,000 OCOP products, rated from one to four stars. Deputy PM Ha noted that the Government is working to enhance product branding and standardisation so that these products can reach five-star quality and access international markets, thereby contributing to sustainable poverty reduction efforts. The official underlined the importance of establishing a post-forum coordination mechanism among Viet Nam, FAO, and participating countries to ensure that the forums outcomes translate into concrete actions. He proposed that FAO take the lead in facilitating this collaboration, helping countries identify high-quality agricultural products, promoting mutual support, and supplying those products for regional markets. He also called on FAO and participating countries to join Viet Nam in building a joint initiative endorsed by high-ranking leaders to ensure that the benefits of international agricultural cooperation directly reach all people, especially farmers. Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director-General, praised Viet Nam's remarkable achievements in agricultural development, especially its OCOP programme. She said Viet Nam not only focuses on agricultural production and trade but also integrates OCOP with cultural values and local knowledge, delivering broad social benefits to communities. This success, she noted, is a source of inspiration for many countries grappling with food security, climate change, and rural development challenges. Drawing from Viet Nam's experience, FAO is committed to continuing its support, deepening cooperation, and promoting OCOP as a global initiative to contribute to an innovative, humanistic, and sustainable agricultural future. Delegates at the meeting also voiced strong support for open cooperation and experience sharing among countries in agricultural production and food-nutrition security, particularly as many face serious challenges such as shrinking arable land, wildlife conflict, climate change, and economic insecurity. The forum, taking place on July 15 and 16, saw the participation of officials from Bhutan, Cameroon, Cote dIvoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tunisia, Viet Nam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. VNA/VNS BANGKOK Thailand aims to boost tourist arrivals and spending from the Middle East and Southeast Asia to help offset declining revenue largely caused by a drop in visitors from China. According to Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Thapanee Kiatpaibool, the Middle East market is a supporting factor helping to boost tourism revenue as it currently has a growth of about 17 per cent to 18 per cent. Therefore, Thailand aims to increase the volume of arrivals from the Middle East and airlines. TAT lowered its 2025 foreign arrival forecast to 35 million, down from 40 million, due to weaker-than-expected Chinese tourism. Total revenue is projected at about 2.8 trillion THB (US$86 billion), consisting of 1.6 trillion THB from foreign visitors and the rest coming from domestic travellers. China sent 2.3 million visitors to Thailand in the first half of 2025, down from 3.4 million a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Attracting Chinese tourists remains a priority, but the agency is also targeting other markets. Oceania and Southeast Asia are seen as pivotal for boosting demand and offsetting the drop in Chinese visitors. In 2026, TAT plans a value over volume strategy, aiming for a 7 per cent revenue increase by attracting higher-spending tourists with a lower environmental impact. The tourism industry makes up about 12 per cent of Thailands gross domestic product. Year-to-date tourist arrivals to Thailand totalled 17.2 million as of July 6, down 5.1 per cent from the same period a year ago. Tourism generated 794.7 billion THB of revenue in the period, according to the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports. VNA/VNS According to the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, China approved an additional 829 planting area codes and 131 packaging facility codes for Vietnamese durian in May. This follows the submission of dossiers for over 1,600 planting areas and 300 packaging facilities to the General Administration of Customs of China. Agro-exporters urged to align with modern standards, Photo: Le Toan Vietnam now has just under 1,500 planting areas and almost 200 packaging facilities eligible to export durian to China. Authorities have urged localities and businesses to seize this opportunity while ensuring strict compliance with Chinas plant quarantine and food safety regulations for sustainable market access. The move by China is expected to support export turnover and shows the importance of controlling product quality. This should contribute to realising the billion-dollar export turnover target for durian. Vietnams durian export turnover in 2024 reached a record of more than $3.2 billion, up 43.2 per cent from the previous year and also up 28 times in the past five years. Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said, Tightening plant quarantine and food safety regulations is an important requirement to avoid unexpected situations. The pursuit of high productivity in farming, coupled with inadequate input control of an agricultural product, can inadvertently introduce banned substances into the production chain, leading to violations of non-tariff barriers. This creates disadvantages for the export process. Additionally, challenges with non-tariff barriers can stem from a lack of comprehensive supply chain control, from input materials to farming practices and post-harvest processing. Lax management and use of growing area codes and packing facility codes can result in a single non-compliant shipment damaging the reputation of an entire region or even the country. This underscores the urgent need to establish a robust quality monitoring system from the ground up and strengthen testing at agricultural production facilities, Nguyen added. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuc, chairwoman and general director of Auto Agri Software Technology JSC, said, One of the non-tariff barriers applied to the agricultural sector is technical standards and sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, such as requirements for pesticide residues, banned substances, and microbial testing. We need to be prepared in advance. A representative of the Department of Market Management Operations, under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that it is also important to prevent the trade of counterfeit fertilisers and pesticides. For fertilisers, common violations in production and trading include producing fertilisers with one or more quality indicators that do not meet the declared specifications or labelling, infringing on intellectual property rights, and producing or trading fertilisers without a valid circulation permit in Vietnam, said the representative. For pesticides, labelling violations include images, text, or symbols that misrepresent the product, misleading consumers about its quality. Accompanying documents may lack or inaccurately reflect mandatory information. In terms of quality, some products have active ingredients lower than declared in the dossier or on the label, with some reaching only 70 per cent or less of the claimed content. Others contain substances not permitted or listed in Vietnams banned pesticide directory. Preventing the trade of counterfeit fertilisers and pesticides will help farmers to remove risks related to non-tariff barriers. Besides that, several companies are applying technology to control the quality of agricultural products at the cultivation stage. We are applying technology to monitor soil quality and provide early warnings of risks before the harvest season, said Nguyen Do Dung, general director of Enfarm Agricultural Technology Company in the Central Highlands region. This solution identifies high-risk areas, enabling soil improvement measures to ensure fruit quality and enhance the value of agricultural products. But the response has been too slow. Agricultural products generate billions of US dollars per hectare, yet spending just a few dollars on soil testing is considered challenging due to a lack of funding. With the latest technology, we can identify biological risks and soil characteristics early using data and AI. This reduces the number of required test samples by up to 70 per cent, saving money and accelerating the process. We have developed a digital platform to streamline sampling, analysis, and result delivery, replacing manual methods, Dung added. Vietnams total agro-forestry-fishery trade is estimated at $57 billion in the first half of this year, with exports reaching $33.5 billion, up 14.3 per cent on-year, according to the latest statistics published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The ministry targets achieving $14-15 billion in Q3, and accelerating exports in Q4 by leveraging the rising demand for agricultural products during the end-of-year holidays, aiming for a strong growth target of $16 billion. Key commodities including coffee, tea, pepper, cashews, and rubber. Livestock products are expected to maintain export momentum, contributing significantly to the $65 billion target. The coffee industry recorded a breakthrough performance in the first half of the year, with an estimated export value of $5.5 billion, equivalent to the whole years target. Although Vietnams coffee production is primarily concentrated in the harvest season from December to April of the following year, limiting supply in the second half, the sector could reach $7.5 billion by year-end, up 36.9 per cent on-year. Coffee will continue tapping into new trade opportunities, particularly from the EU which is seeking bolster cooperation in Asia and the Middle East, while shifting to large robusta consumers like China, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand. In the long term, the Northeast Asian region is evaluated as a key market that could compensate for any decline in US market share.Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Exporters must level up to avert barriers Vietnam may benefit from the new US tariff policies. However, it must meet infrastructural development and production capacity to comply with the trade requirements of the US market in the long term. In networking, 'east-west' traffic flows between devices within the same network, such as inside a data centre, while 'north-south' traffic moves between internal systems and external networks like the internet. As cloud computing and microservices proliferate, east-west traffic has overtaken north-south traffic in data centres, giving attackers more chances to move laterally and evade detection The urgency of east-west visibility is clear across Asia-Pacific. The Gigamon 2025 Hybrid Cloud Security Survey reveals that 65 per cent of global security and IT leaders prioritise east-west visibility over traditional north-south monitoring for cloud security. Yet, over half lack confidence in detecting malicious movement within their networks using current tools. This is a critical gap. Despite increased investments to secure their perimeters, over half of the respondents reported breaches in the past year. In Vietnam, the situation is just as alarming. In 2024 alone, data breaches affected 14.5 million accounts, accounting for 12 per cent of global incidents. Vladimir Yordanov, senior director of Gigamon's Solution Engineering, a technology company specialising in deep observability, told the media in a meeting in Hanoi on July 11 that a Vietnamese energy company suffered a $2.5 million ransomware attack a few months ago that compromised 1,000 servers. This incident highlights a growing trend of ransomware being used for large-scale extortion, while advanced persistent threats (APTs) covertly infiltrate organisations to steal sensitive information. Underscoring the threat is last April's cyberattack on several major Vietnamese news organisations. According to Vietnams National Cybersecurity Centre, three leading outlets were breached in a coordinated attack that led to internal data theft and raised national security concerns. Newsrooms, constantly interacting with a wide array of digital tools from devices and storage media to networks and cloud platforms face heightened exposure to such threats. "The industry's reliance on a few domestic tech providers created shared vulnerabilities, allowing a single breach to affect multiple outlets. This highlights the urgent need for east-west visibility across internal and connected systems to detect and contain lateral movement early," said Yordanov. Modern threats demand a new security playbook, one built not just around stronger perimeters but full visibility inside the network. East-west traffic is central to this shift. Todays most dangerous threats, from ransomware to APTs, which unfold over time and are often executed by well-resourced (and patient) attackers, move laterally across systems and exploit blind spots between workloads, clouds, and containers while traditional defences look the other way. According to Yordanov, "A major barrier to this visibility used to be encryption, which often hides malicious activity. However, modern security solutions now decrypt traffic in transit for inspection and re-encrypt it before delivery, uncovering hidden threats without compromising privacy or overwhelming security tools." Armed with this enriched dataset, security teams can detect low-and-slow behaviours typical of APTs, such as unauthorised lateral access, suspicious file movements, or unusual spikes in outbound encrypted traffic. These early signals are often invisible to traditional tools. Yordanov believes this deeper visibility also transforms incident response. Teams can trace the path of an attack across internal systems, enabling faster containment and reducing dwell time. "East-west observability is often seen as a technical task, but its impact is fundamentally strategic. No one would knowingly tolerate a stranger secretly living in their home, quietly raiding the fridge, sleeping in their bed, slipping through rooms unnoticed. Yet, this is precisely the kind of silent intrusion many organisations risk by overlooking east-west visibility in their security strategy," he said. Vladimir Yordanov, senior director of Gigamon's Solution Engineering Gigamon released its 2025 Hybrid Cloud Security Survey in May, revealing that hybrid cloud infrastructure is under mounting strain from the growing influence of AI. As cyberthreats increase in both scale and sophistication, breach rates have surged to 55 per cent during the past year, representing a 17 per cent on-year rise, with AI-generated attacks emerging as a key driver of this growth. Security and IT teams are being pushed to a breaking point, with the economic cost of cybercrime now estimated to be $3 trillion worldwide, according to the World Economic Forum. As AI-enabled adversaries grow more agile, organisations are challenged with ineffective and inefficient tools, fragmented cloud environments, and limited intelligence. AI is reshaping hybrid cloud security priorities. AIs role in escalating network complexity and accelerating risk is evident. The study reveals that one in three organisations report that network data volumes have more than doubled in the past two years due to AI workloads, while nearly half of all respondents (47 per cent) are seeing a rise in attacks targeting their organisations LLM deployments. More than half (58 per cent) say they have seen a surge in AI-powered ransomware, up from 41 per cent in 2024, underscoring how adversaries are exploiting AI to outpace and outflank existing defences. CMC Corporation hit by ransomware attack CMC Corporation fell victim to a ransomware attack by the cybercriminal group known as Crypto24 on April 12. Precision AI: Palo Alto Networks' cybersecurity gamechanger As Vietnam's digital economy grows, Palo Alto Networks is redefining cybersecurity with 'Precision AI', unveiling smarter, real-time defence strategies to counter the nations rapidly evolving threat landscape. Alvaro Pereira, chief economist of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development What are the main growth engines powering Vietnams economy? Trade and education have been the primary growth drivers. Vietnams openness to global markets and its investments in primary and secondary education have laid a solid foundation for its development. It is vital that this progress continues. Expanding access to education will be even more important. We applaud the governments recent move to eliminate tuition fees for upper secondary education, but similar support will be needed at the university level. Broadening access to higher education is essential to support long-term productivity gains. Reducing informality in the labour market is another key challenge. A large share of Vietnams workforce remains in the informal sector. Lowering social security contributions, for instance, could help lower the cost of formalisation and incentivise more workers and businesses to enter the formal economy. Infrastructure is also crucial. There are still many parts of the country that would benefit from increased investment, and this is where private capital can play a transformative role. Vietnam should expand public-private partnerships to accelerate infrastructure development. And of course, staying open to trade is a strategic imperative. Despite growing uncertainty in global trade, Vietnam must continue to pursue new trade agreements, not just with the United States, but with partners worldwide. Trade has been, and will remain, a cornerstone of Vietnams growth story. Given the current global headwinds, what are your growth expectations for Vietnam? In our latest Global Economic Outlook, we had to revise growth forecasts downward for most countries due to rising trade uncertainty. However, Vietnam remains one of the fastest-growing economies in our projections, with expected GDP growth of 6.2 per cent this year and 6 per cent next year. If the right conditions are in place, growth could even exceed these levels. An 8 per cent growth target, or even double-digit expansion in the future, is possible, provided that Vietnam continues structural reforms. This includes investing in education, removing entry barriers in the services sector, and encouraging more private sector involvement. Theres no reason Vietnam cannot sustain this while remaining one of the most open economies in the world. Even a stable 6-7 per cent growth rate is tremendously impressive by global standards. At this point, Vietnam and India are the only major economies growing at such a fast and consistent pace. How can Vietnam strengthen its fiscal position to support development goals? Foreign direct investment has been a key catalyst for Vietnams economic transformation. But there are still sectors, such as telecommunications, services, and infrastructure, where Vietnam can attract even more foreign investment. In many countries, governments work with the private sector through concessions or partnerships to develop roads and other infrastructure. Vietnam can adopt similar approaches to accelerate development. We believe that foreign investment will play an even greater role in the coming years. But to realise this potential, its important to reduce entry barriers and open more sectors to investment. Vietnams tax system currently leans heavily on corporate income tax and narrowly-based consumption taxes. By phasing out some exemptions and broadening the tax base, the country could significantly boost its revenue. Only around 3 per cent of formal workers currently pay personal income tax, thats a very small share. While any reforms should be gradual, we recommend expanding consumption and environmental taxes, and carefully increasing personal income tax coverage. These changes would give the government more fiscal space to invest in education, social protection, and infrastructure. How can Vietnam better unlock the potential of smaller domestic enterprises and reduce reliance on state-owned enterprises (SOEs)? Vietnam has done an excellent job in welcoming investors, but now its time to roll out the red carpet for domestic small- and medium-sized enterprises as well. This means providing fairer opportunities and ensuring a level playing field, especially in sectors where SOEs still dominate. Unlocking greater private investment across a wider range of industries will help create jobs, spur innovation, and drive prosperity. Telecommunications, for example, is one sector that would benefit from more competition and private participation. Likewise, sectors such as construction and distribution, where SOEs still have a strong presence, can be opened up to increase efficiency and attract fresh capital. Reducing the role of SOEs and encouraging a more dynamic private sector will allow Vietnam to remain competitive and innovative in the global economy. What are the key forces shaping Vietnam into one of the worlds most dynamic emerging economies? I have monitored the economic development of dozens of countries, and very few impress me as much as Vietnam. The country is growing at a pace that allows it to double its income every 10 years. That means within just two decades, the next generation will witness a Vietnam that looks entirely different from today. This extraordinary transformation is rooted in strong macroeconomic management, sound policymaking, and above all, the relentless drive of the Vietnamese people to thrive. Vietnam is currently among the worlds five fastest-growing economies, and if you look back to the reform period that began in 1985, it has maintained one of the most consistent and dynamic growth trajectories globally. Achieving what Vietnam has done is extremely rare. The event is expected to attract thousands of candidates from across South Asia, mainland Southeast Asia, and Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania. Participants will be able to access the event remotely through desktop or the vFairs mobile application. According to ACCA, the careers fair is designed to support both jobseekers and recruiters through meaningful and efficient interaction. Candidates are encouraged to upload their CVs in advance, allowing employers to review profiles, schedule interviews, and assess suitability ahead of the event. APAC VCF is more than just a digital jobs board, it is an integrated ecosystem that facilitates quality connections between employers and future finance leaders, said Steve Lee, regional head of employer partnerships for Asia-Pacific at ACCA. Our goal is to help organisations build future-ready finance teams by meeting current needs and supporting long-term workforce development across the region. The careers fair takes place at a time when the finance profession is undergoing rapid transformation, with employers increasingly prioritising candidates with digital capabilities, ethical awareness, and sustainability knowledge. These competencies are essential for navigating an evolving business environment marked by digital disruption and ESG-driven investment priorities. Steve Lee, regional head of employer partnerships for ACCA Asia-Pacific. Photo: ACCA In 2024, the event welcomed 69 employers, including top-tier banks and auditing firms. More than 2,000 candidates participated, with over 75 per cent being ACCA members or students on track for membership. Within two weeks, over 500 job applications were submitted, underlining the platforms effectiveness. Employers benefit from real-time engagement with candidates and free global exposure for their job postings via ACCA Careers, ACCAs dedicated recruitment portal, available year-round. Recruiters can create a free account to access a diverse global talent pool and streamline their hiring process. Since its launch in March 2020, ACCAs virtual careers fairs have been held more than 50 times across key markets, attracting over 200,000 participants and resulting in more than 57,000 job applications. To date, over 3,477 companies have leveraged the platform, with more than 210,000 job views, illustrating the increasing relevance of digital-first recruitment models within the finance sector. ACCA Careers Fair, a key destination for finance talent seeking new opportunities. Photo: ACCA In Vietnam, ACCA has established itself as a long-standing player in the development of the domestic finance and accounting workforce. The association currently supports over 1,300 members and approximately 6,000 students locally, providing internationally recognised qualifications, continuous professional development programmes, and research insights that are valued by employers across sectors. With Vietnams deeper integration into regional and global value chains, initiatives such as APAC VCF present valuable opportunities for Vietnamese finance professionals to pursue cross-border careers and for Vietnamese firms to benchmark their talent strategies against international best practices. The virtual format also enables wider participation from second-tier cities and emerging economic zones, helping to close the talent gap and support a more inclusive, future-ready finance workforce across the country. Registration for the event is now open via: https://www.accaglobal.com/my/en/employer/acca-careers.html SAV and ACCA join forces to elevate banking workforce As Vietnam integrates further with the global financial system, an internationally qualified workforce has become a pivotal need for the banking sector to maintain competitiveness and long-term sustainability. ACCA and University of London launch honours pathway for aspiring accountants The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the University of London launched of a new BSc (Hons) professional accountancy course on May 28. The first is a $79 million loan granted by a banking syndicate comprising HSBC, through its branches in Singapore and Vietnam, and German bank Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg (LBBW), and guaranteed by SACE, for Gelex Group, an established player in Vietnams power equipment and building materials sectors. The loan aims to strengthen Gelexs production capacity by integrating advanced Italian technology and machinery across its operations from cable and transformer manufacturing to electric motors and metering devices. Gelex, with over 30 years of activity and more than 9,000 employees, covers the full spectrum of the electrical equipment value chain and has recently expanded its building materials division. In the past 18 months, Gelex has reinforced its supply chain by incorporating Italian components and production systems, enhancing both output and efficiency. The group is also investing in sustainable and energy-efficient solutions, consolidating its leadership in the domestic market. The $60 million loan to THACO AGRI, financed by HSBC and guaranteed by SACE, has a five-year maturity. It marks the first-ever operation with THACO and underscores Vietnams growing relevance as a high-potential market for Italian exporters. The financing will support THACOs modernisation and expansion plans while strengthening commercial ties with Italian companies operating in the automotive supply chain and in agricultural machinery and equipment two key sectors of Italian industrial excellence. THACO Group, one of the most diversified and fastest-growing groups in Vietnam, operates across sectors including automotive, logistics, agriculture, and real estate. The loan to THACO AGRI, focused on fruit production and livestock, will support its expansion in the agribusiness sector. Meanwhile, THACO Auto, Vietnams largest vehicle manufacturer, presents opportunities for Italian companies across the entire automotive value chain, from components to interiors and safety systems. These operations highlight SACEs long-term commitment to promoting Italian industrial excellence in high-potential markets. Vietnam is seen as a strategic gateway in Southeast Asia for Italian exporters, offering significant untapped potential in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, automotive, and agribusiness. Flavio Castri, international relationship manager of Southeast Asia, remarked, "These operations with Gelex and THACO confirm Vietnams strategic importance for Italian exports and industrial collaboration.We are building solid bridges between Italian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and major international players. This is about more than financing its about creating lasting industrial partnerships that bring Italian innovation to the world and support the growth ambitions of trusted global partners. Through targeted financial support, annual matchmaking events, and incentive mechanisms tied to Italian procurement, SACE is not only enabling access to competitive funding for leading Vietnamese groups, but also fostering enduring industrial partnerships that generate concrete value for Italian SMEs and strengthen Italys presence in global value chains. Nguyen Trong Hien, chairman of Gelex, stated, We are committed to aligning with international standards in financial governance and investment. This transaction strengthens Gelexs capacity to deliver on its strategic projects and reflects the trust that global financial institutions place in the capabilities and sustainable vision of Vietnamese enterprises. It marks the starting point in our broader strategy to mobilise international capital in pursuit of Gelexs long-term, efficient, and sustainable growth goals. Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, said, Our team is very proud to have successfully delivered a tailored financing to THACO, one of Vietnams leading multi-industry conglomerates. This structure will empower THACOs expansion into the strategic agriculture sector and reinforce the groups ambitions as a trailblazer in developing large-scale industries. The transaction also further cements HSBCs position in delivering sophisticated solutions to our local corporate clients. Italian agency plans $1.3 billion to boost trade and investment with Vietnam The Export Credit Agency of Italy (SACE) announced on May 8 that it is working on $1.3 billion worth of new projects to support trade and investment with Vietnam. SACE and SCIC sign MoU to strengthen cooperation between Italy and Vietnam Italian insurance and finance group SACE announced on October 24 that it had signed an MoU with the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC). Photo: VGP On July 14, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with Masayuki Omoto, CEO of Marubeni Corporation, in Hanoi. Marubeni is a leading Japanese trade and investment group with global annual revenue of about $70 billion. The group has 130 branches and offices in 68 countries and regions. Marubeni has invested in Vietnam for 80 years. Its ventures currently employ 7,500 people with a total annual revenue of $3 billion. The Japanese group has prioritised key sectors such as the import and export of commodities, including coal, seafood, coffee, grains, and petrochemical products, while also actively pursuing joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions. In the energy sector, Marubeni has developed 11 thermal power plants in Vietnam with a combined capacity of 4,000 MW, notably the 1,200 MW Nghi Son 2 Thermal Power Plant. The company is also involved in industrial manufacturing, food processing, and the textile and garment industries. At the meeting, Omoto said, "Vietnam is a key market in our expansion strategy. Marubeni plans to scale up its operations in the country in the near future, with a focus on high-quality investments and workforce development." The group is focusing on key projects including the O Mon II gas-fired power plant, the Quang Ninh LNG-to-power project, wind and solar farms, and the Amata City Halong Industrial Park. We also plan to build export-oriented processing factories and develop smart urban areas in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, he added. Welcoming Marubeni's expansion in Vietnam, PM Chinh said, "The Vietnamese government will always create favourable conditions for foreign businesses, including Japanese firms, to invest and operate effectively." "Marubeni continues positioning Vietnam as a strategic base for its operations, with a focus on sectors like LNG, offshore wind, and electricity exports to other ASEAN countries. The group should strengthen cooperation with the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group, particularly in coal trading and exports to Japan. This should be coupled with other collaborative ventures to produce crop and livestock varieties, brand building, processing, and exports of Vietnams key agricultural products such as coffee, rice, and high-quality food," he added. The PM suggested that Marubeni consider setting up factories in Vietnam to produce instant noodles, mochi, and pharmaceuticals to meet domestic demand and export needs. Marubeni to acquire additional stake in AIG Asia Ingredients Marubeni Corporation, through its wholly owned Singapore-based subsidiary Marubeni Growth Capital Asia, acquired additional shares in AIG Asia Ingredients Corporation (AIG) on August 5. Marubeni demonstrates its 3.7MWh Battery Energy Storage System Japan's Marubeni Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary Marubeni Green Power Vietnam Co., Ltd, has commenced a demonstration of its 3.7MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on December 20. The Presidential Office held a press conference on July 11 to announce laws adopted at the ninth session of the National Assemblys 15th Legislature, which concluded on June 28. Among them were the Law on Special Consumption Tax, Law on Management and Investment of State Capital in Enterprises, Law on the State Budget, and the Law on Corporate Income Tax. At the event, Deputy Minister of Finance Le Tan Can presented the key changes and implications of each law. He noted that the Law on the State Budget was developed in close alignment with the resolutions and conclusions of the Party Central Committee and the Politburo. It supports institutional restructuring, the implementation of a two-tier local government model, and the promotion of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. Tax incentives aim to support business development The law strengthens decentralisation and delegation of authority, especially through a revamped mechanism for budgetary allocation and management- to ensure the central governments leading role while empowering local budgets with greater autonomy. A fundamental reform in this law is the comprehensive revision of revenue distribution mechanisms between central and local budgets. It grants local authorities more flexibility and autonomy in budget planning, adjustments, and the use of surplus revenues. Additionally, local governments are given greater authority to enact fees and charges and decide on budget expenditure regimes suitable to local realities. This reform aims to eliminate the ask-give mechanism, remove procedural bottlenecks, and promote transparency and accountability. Another notable innovation is the inclusion of provisions prioritising budget allocation for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, which were recognised as key drivers of future economic growth. Regarded as a significant breakthrough for the state-owned enterprise (SOE) sector, the Law on Management and Investment of State Capital in Enterprises expands its scope beyond wholly state-owned enterprises to include state-owned credit institutions with more than 50 per cent state capital, and organisations managed by political and socio-political bodies. The core principle of the law is to empower the state as the capital owner to exercise its rights similarly to other investors, while granting enterprises greater autonomy. Under the law, SOEs are authorised to develop their own 5-year and 10-year development strategies and annual business plans. The members' councils or company chairpersons may independently decide on capital mobilisation strategies and are accountable for performance. They are also given broader authority to decide on investments. Businesses are also granted the right to approve their own annual financial statements and make independent decisions regarding salaries and bonuses. This represents a major step forward in unlocking resources, enhancing self-reliance and accountability, minimising unnecessary administrative interference, and boosting the competitiveness and leadership role of the state-owned economic sector. Meanwhile, the Law on Corporate Income Tax continues to refine the legal framework, reaffirming Vietnams commitment to international integration and adaptation to the global minimum tax environment. The law introduces provisions to expand tax collection from foreign enterprises engaged in e-commerce and digital platform businesses in Vietnam. It also revises taxable and tax-exempt income categories to support priority sectors such as carbon credits, green bonds, scientific research, and innovation. The law updates and tightens eligibility criteria for corporate income tax incentives to focus on high-priority sectors while eliminating inefficient and broad-based incentives. Furthermore, new regulations aim to encourage enterprises to increase contributions to the Science and Technology Development Fund, and prioritise expenditures related to emission reductions and carbon neutrality, aligned with Vietnams green and sustainable development commitments. Also in the tax sector, the Law on Special Consumption Tax reflects Vietnams policy direction to regulate consumption behaviour, protect public health, and align with international practices and integration commitments. The law increases excise tax rates and sets a phased roadmap for alcohol and tobacco products. It also expands the taxable base by including new products such as high-sugar beverages and introduces fixed excise rates on tobacco. Under the new law, products like sugary drinks, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco will face higher tax rates following a planned schedule. This aims to encourage healthier consumption choices, steer production towards more sustainable practices, and generate additional budget revenue for reinvestment in public health and education. Financial sector drives tax reforms to fuel private sector growth The Ministry of Finance is advancing major tax reforms to support private sector development, aligning with national strategies and removing legal barriers to foster innovation, growth, and green transformation. Major administrative reform to boost growth and efficiency In a landmark move, the National Assembly (NA) has passed a historic resolution on the merging of localities, along with adopting a streamlined two-tier local government model consisting of provincial and communal levels while removing the district level. Nguyen Huu Nghia, Secretary of Hung Yen Party Committee, met with a delegation from Japans Sumitomo Corporation, led by Yohei Kurisu, a member of the corporations executive board, on July 10. During the meeting, Kurisu expressed gratitude for the attention, guidance, and improvements provided by Hung Yens leadership, which have enabled Thang Long II Industrial Park to operate effectively over the years. He noted that Sumitomo is currently expanding the fourth phase of the park but is encountering several challenges that require resolution. "The difficulties include the need for investment in power infrastructure to support the expansion phase, a shortage of labour for factories, a scarcity of sand, and projects that, despite receiving investment certificates, are yet to utilise the allocated land," said Yohei Kurisu. In response to these concerns, Nghia said, "Hung Yen has focused on investing in modern, synchronised power infrastructure to meet production and residential needs. If Thang Long II Industrial Park requires significant energy for its expansion, the province will propose to the prime minister to approve the construction of a new 110kV substation to meet the demand." Regarding the labour shortage, Thang Long II Industrial Park Management Board regularly surveys the labour needs of enterprises, including the number of workers, required skills, qualifications, and compensation packages. The province will direct relevant agencies to organise job fairs and employment events to effectively connect businesses with workers, said Nghia. On the issue of sand, the province is considering licensing additional sand mines and expediting procedures to grant permits for existing mines. Simultaneously, the province will coordinate with other localities with large sand reserves to develop a plan to ensure a timely supply, Nghia stated. For projects that have received investment certificates but have not yet utilised the allocated land, the province considers this a violation of land and investment laws. Therefore, the province has asked Thang Long II Industrial Park Management Board to collaborate with relevant authorities to review, classify, and decisively address cases of delayed implementation to avoid wasting resources and negatively impacting the overall investment environment. Hung Yens leadership confirmed its commitment to continue supporting Sumitomo Corporation in resolving difficulties and creating favourable conditions for investment expansion, contributing to the provinces socioeconomic development. Thang Long II Industrial Park, invested by Sumitomo Corporation in Hung Yen, currently spans over 545 hectares, primarily accommodating Japanese investors such as Kyocera, Hoya, Daikin, and Panasonic, with a total registered investment of approximately $3 billion. In the fourth expansion phase, Sumitomo is investing an additional $500 million to develop 391.7ha, focusing on commercial and residential areas to attract more major investors. Sumitomo Corporation and SBI Holdings acquire stakes in FPT's AI Japan facility Sumitomo Corporation and SBI Holdings will each invest 20 per cent in FPT Smart Cloud Japan, a subsidiary of FPT Corporation. Sumitomo to transfer 50 per cent of its equity interest in Van Phong Power Company Limited Sumitomo Corporation announced on May 1 that it will transfer 50 per cent of its equity interest in Van Phong Power Co., Ltd. (VPCL), a wholly owned subsidiary. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Vietnam to reinforce banking supervision, strengthen capital and liquidity buffers, and, most importantly, modernise its framework for resolving weak banks, an issue long embedded in the countrys financial system. The recommendations were delivered following the IMFs Article IV Consultation Mission to Vietnam, which took place from June 11 to 24. Led by Paulo Medas, the IMF delegation engaged in a series of high-level meetings with Vietnamese policymakers, including Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, leaders of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the Ministry of Finance, and the National Assembly (NA), as well as private sector stakeholders and policy institutions. The delegation called on Vietnamese authorities to replace the current credit growth targeting model with an enhanced, risk-based monetary policy framework. The move, according to Medas, would bring greater transparency and sustainability to the system. To enhance banking system resilience, priority should be given to strengthening supervision, building capital and liquidity buffers, and improving the framework for dealing with weak banks, he stressed. Regarding the development of a framework to improve weak banks, on June 10, SBV Governor Nguyen Thi Hong presented a report addressing feedback from NA deputies and the official appraisal by the Economic and Finance Committee regarding the draft law amending and supplementing provisions of the Law on Credit Institutions. The report followed discussions held both in group sessions and on the National Assembly floor. The draft law aims to institutionalise core Party guidelines that underpin Vietnams long-term development vision, particularly those on the role of the private sector and on accelerating digital transformation. In addition, the draft integrates other provisions to create a more consistent legal framework for bad debt resolution and address persistent regulatory challenges. Governor Hong highlighted that the government has mandated the lead agency to undertake a full review of operational shortcomings within the credit institution system, with the aim of amending and supplementing regulations to improve institutional efficiency and reduce the risk of non-performing loans. In line with ongoing efforts by the government and relevant regulatory agencies, four weak banks have so far been placed under compulsory transfer to stronger commercial banks. Vietcombank acquired CBBank and rebranded it as the digital bank VCBNeo, HDBank took over DongABank, now renamed Vikki Bank. MB assumed control of Oceanbank and restructured it into MBV, while GPBank was transferred to VPBank. However, at a banking restructuring seminar held in April, experts noted that while the recent transfers of weak banks to stronger commercial institutions represent continued progress in stabilising the financial system, the approach shows limited innovation in financial mechanisms and structural reform. Nguyen Xuan Thanh, public policy lecturer at Fulbright University Vietnam, said the SBV should act as the lender of last resort to maintain liquidity and financial stability. Restructuring needs to be backed by real financial resources, not just symbolic measures, he noted. He also called for dismantling cross-ownership to improve transparency and urged the creation of a unified supervisory body to oversee both banks and capital markets. An integrated framework is essential to detect and manage risks early, Thanh added. Financial expert Dr. Nguyen Tri Hieu pointed to several regulatory shortcomings that continue to hamper the effectiveness of the current bank restructuring process. He proposed that acquiring banks should have a minimum charter capital of $120 million and be required to fully guarantee customer deposits at the restructured institutions to safeguard depositor confidence. A lack of transparency in financial disclosures, particularly when accumulated losses are not properly recognised, could distort the true financial position of banks, erode public trust, and weaken market discipline, he said. Hieu further cautioned that Vietnams current deposit insurance ceiling remains insufficient to provide meaningful protection for depositors, especially in the context of troubled banks. Bank restructuring is a long-term, complex process that requires close coordination among regulators, financial institutions, and society, Hieu added. Without transparency and meaningful reform, sustainable improvements in the banking system will remain out of reach. CEDAR FALLS Inside the cozy home on Parkway Avenue, nearly every available surface is covered with family photos. Photos of anniversaries, weddings, grandchildren, birthdays and other milestones. A long life documented on walls, end tables and a fireplace hearth. This is the home of Don Swanson, who turns 100 years old today. He proudly points out photos of his wife of 77 years, Hazel, who died in 2022 weeks before her 96th birthday. His voice softens when he talks about her, his eyes full of unspoken emotions. But this is a happy home. The couple raised their three sons here, Craig, Eldon and James. Swansons granddaughter, Lisa Wallace, is full of memories of riding on her grandfathers back and him allowing her to put barrettes in his hair. Every Saturday we would lie on the floor while they watched their shows, she said. He was always joking and teasing. Born in Pine Island, Minnesota, in 1925, Swanson grew up on a farm and attended a country school. The farm did not have running water. There was an outhouse and the Sears catalogue, he said with a laugh. There was no refrigerator, and the stove would freeze up overnight. We had to chop the ice that had formed over the water for the cows. In school, Swanson advanced from second to fourth grade, because there was only one third-grade student. The family moved to Iowa, to a farm near Parkersburg, when he was 17. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1942. After graduation, he helped his father on the farm and worked as a farmhand for various people in the area. He was drafted into the Army and served from January 1945 to October 1946. We left from the train depot in Cedar Falls, Swanson said. I went to basic training at Fort Hood in Belton, Texas. That is also where he married Hazel in 1945 before heading for more training in Minnesota and Hawaii. I was a technician 4th class, he said. We hooked up with 391st infantry in Hawaii. They called it the pineapple division. Soon Swanson was on a troop ship headed to an island in the Pacific. I remember sleeping on the beach, he said. I worked on the guns on the troopship. When he was discharged from the service, he and Hazel moved into a Quonset hut in Cedar Falls set up for returning soldiers and their families. We lived there until 1953, Swanson said. At first, he continued with farm work while trying to find a job. Id go back and forth between John Deere and Rath asking for a job, he said. He was eventually hired at Rath Packing Co. in 1947. He stayed for 37 years. I worked there till the end, Swanson said. I done everything. I bought hogs, I worked in the feed mill, the loading dock, transportation. I boxed hams in the pork division. I helped build hog houses. For fun, the Swansons liked to camp. We went through quite a few campers over the years, he said. Our first was a pickup camper. Wed sleep on a mattress in the truck bed. And Don and Hazel loved to dance, as evidenced by the numerous photos from the celebrations they threw every five years since their 10th wedding anniversary. That comes to 13 such parties over the course of their marriage. The family held Swansons 100th birthday party Saturday at the Cedar Falls Family Restaurant. Everyone who can be there will be there, Jan Swanson, Dons daughter-in-law, said ahead of the event. During the party, local law enforcement presented Swanson with a Waterloo Police patch to thank him for his service. Swanson still lives in his own home, and gave up driving just last year. Other than some trouble hearing and issues with his feet, he is in remarkable shape for his age. He is bright, articulate and his sense of humor couldnt be better. In fact, his family members had to remind him to answer a reporters questions seriously. No joking around, grandpa, Wallace said. He just smiled, his eyes twinkling. Swanson has a calm, understated way of talking about the most momentous times in his life. He has owned a Model A, survived a tornado and fought the Japanese in World War II, but it is clear the highlight of his life is his marriage to Hazel and the family they started together. That family now includes nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. They are his greatest achievement. New York, US (PANA) - The UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday welcomed the adoption by consensus of the UN Open Ended Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies Construction is starting on Portages prominent display of life-sized replicas of some of the United States most treasured documents, the first of its kind in Wisconsin. Riverside Park, located on the southeast side of Portage along East Wisconsin Street, will feature Charters of Freedom, a series of stone and glass cases with replicas of, from left to right, the Declaration of Independence, four pages of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and civil rights amendments. Its slated to be completed this fall. The five civil rights amendments that will be displayed are the 13th, which abolished slavery; the 14th, which guarantees citizenship; the 15th, which guarantees all male voting rights regardless of race; the 19th, which granted womens voting rights; and the 24th, which eliminated poll taxes. These arent just texts, Portage Mayor Matt Fiene said at a Monday morning groundbreaking ceremony for the future display at the park. These are symbols of what we want to aspire to and live up to. Having a monument of this reminds us of those ideals. Portages Charters of Freedom display, which will face the south end of Riverside Park, will be the first of its kind in Wisconsin. There are currently 73 displays in 17 states throughout the country, according to Mike Unruh, spokesperson for the Charters of Freedom program, who attended the groundbreaking. Were very proud to have this setting here in Portage be the first one in the State of Wisconsin, Unruh said. He and other Charters of Freedom officials met with then-Mayor Mitchel Craig in 2022 to discuss locations and decided on Riverside Park due to its proximity to the Wisconsin River. Construction for Charters of Freedom is scheduled to begin later this week, with a dedication possible in late September, Unruh said. Attendees of the dedication ceremony will be able to write letters about what having the documents in Portage means to the community and store them in a time capsule, which will be in a safe located on the back of the stone case that has the Constitution pages. Other information about Portage can be stored in the capsules as well, he said. The capsule is scheduled to be sealed roughly six months to one year after the ceremony. All Charters of Freedom displays include similar time capsules. Program officials plan to have residents of display locations open the capsules on Sept. 17, 2087, the 300th birthday of the Constitution. From there, new capsules are scheduled to be created and reopened by residents every 100 years, Unruh said. City alderpersons and first responders, Portage School District Superintendent Josh Sween and District 40 state Rep. Karen DeSanto, D-Baraboo, were at the ceremony as well. This is one of the larger crowds we have had for a groundbreaking ceremony, Unruh said. That shows us your enthusiasm about having this project here. Wisconsins first Charters of Freedom will attract visitors statewide, according to Portage Parks and Recreation Director Toby Monogue. I am really excited about this coming to Portage, he said. With the documents in Portage, School District students learning about American history will have easy access to them, Sween said. Visitors to the monument also may visit other businesses and points of interest in Portage, he said. I love the idea that we are going to honor our Constitutional documents and that they will be here for over 400 years, DeSanto said, referencing Charters of Freedoms assertion that the displays are meant to last for that time. It is such a great educational source. I love that it is in my district. Charters of Freedom was started in the fall of 2011 when founders Vance and Mary Jo Patterson, of Morganton, North Carolina, visited Washington, D.C., to see the original Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Vance Patterson was inspired enough to try and duplicate his experience in the nations capital in his home county, Burke, which now has two Charters of Freedom document displays. Vance Patterson originally planned on just having a Charters of Freedom display in Burke County, Unruh said, but word spread to other communities in western North Carolina, which were interested in having their own displays. Ultimately, the program hopes to place copies of the documents in every United States county. Vance Patterson created the document featuring the civil rights amendments to add to the original American text replicas. Along with Charters of Freedom, the Pattersons started Foundation Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting civics and American History education. Friends hiking to raise thousands for Freyas cancer fight A group of friends will set off this week on a 30-mile hike to raise vital funds for young Freya, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. The team from BusinessComparison, in Chester, will walk from New Brighton in Wirral to Chester in a bid to raise funds for Wrexham-based Paul Jones and his daughter Freya, aged nine, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier this year. The walk on July 18 will aim to raise 10,000 to support the Jones family with the financial burden that comes with Freyas ongoing treatment, including travel costs to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, as well as physiotherapy sessions and other care expenses. A GoFundMe page has been set up on behalf of Paul, who is Commercial Manager at BusinessComparison, and his family, who live in Gwersyllt and has already raised over 2,000. Paul said any funds raised will be a huge help with the emotional and logistical challenges the family face as Freya undergoes complex and intensive treatment far from home. The support weve received already has been overwhelming, he said. Freya is such a brave, inspiring girl and were incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated or sent kind words. This walk means a lot to our family, and Im so thankful to my colleagues for doing this. The walk will take the team the length of the Wirral peninsula from New Brighton to Chester, covering a scenic but physically demanding route. When Paul told us what he and his family were going through, we knew we wanted to do something to help, added Philip Brennan, Founder and Managing Director of Chester-based BusinessComparison, a leading price comparison website. The walk is a small gesture, but we hope it can make a big difference. Were encouraging anyone who can to donate or share the fundraiser. You can donate and help the team reach their funding goal for Freya, here. Long-serving Wrexham firefighter retires after 53 years of service A firefighter who has served the North Wales community for over half a century has retired from his frontline role. I David Bithell MBE, who also represents Stansty on Wrexham Council, stepped down last week from his position as Watch Manager with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, marking an end of an extraordinary 53-year career. Mr Bithell joined the service in June 1972 as an on-call firefighter in Llangollen, before transferring to Wrexham in 1974. He steadily rose through the ranks, becoming Leading Firefighter in 1975, Sub Officer in 1986, and finally Watch Manager in 2005 a role he held until his retirement. A Watch Manager is a supervisory role within the fire service, responsible for managing a team of firefighters during incidents and ensuring the effective delivery of operational and training activities at station level. They often lead crews during emergency responses and coordinate actions at the scene. Reflecting on his long career, Mr Bithell said: It has been a privilege to serve the Community for 53 years as a Firefighter. Firstly, with Denbighshire and Montgomeryshire, then Clwyd, and finally with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Starting as a Firefighter, and progressing to the role of Watch Manager, I have seen many changes over the years, and have worked with many inspirational colleagues who have shared my enthusiasm for, and dedication to, the Service. I would like to wish the Chief Fire Officer and staff at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service all the very best for the future. Although he is retiring from his Watch Manager role, Mr Bithell will continue to support the service in his capacity as a hydrant mechanic. Twenty four youngsters representing North Wales in WorldSkills UK National Finals Twenty-four young people from North Wales will compete at the WorldSkills UK National Finals 2025, the UKs largest skills competition, being held in Wales for the first time. The event, which runs from 26 to 28 November across five venues in Wales, will bring together 417 competitors from across the UK to contest in 47 final events. A record-breaking 120 young people from Wales have qualified, making up 29% of the national finalists, an increase from 25% last year. The competition will cover a wide range of disciplines, including 3D Digital Game Art, Aircraft Maintenance, Health and Social Care, and Culinary Arts. Welsh Government confirmed its partnership to host the National Finals with Inspiring Skills Excellence and WorldSkills UK last September, following the successful WorldSkills finals held in Lyon. Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership Jack Sargeant said: These competitions show the real-world value and applications of apprenticeships and are invaluable in futureproofing our economy. I am proud Wales is hosting the WorldSkills Finals UK 2025. We have a beautiful country, and I hope all visitors will take some time to explore it. I wish this new cohort of competitors pob lwc I know youll do yourselves and us all proud. One of the North Wales competitors, Mark Wright from Greenfield, Flintshire, is an apprentice at International Crusher Solutions Ltd. He will compete in the Metal Fabricator competition. He said: I started out in Construction Metalwork competitions last year and won gold in the Skills Competition Wales with the highest score in the region, and Silver in WorldSkills UK. I enjoyed them so much that I decided to go for the UK qualifiers this year in Metal Fabrication too, and Im over the moon to be heading to the WorldSkills UK National Finals. Its a great experience, and I just focus, get stuck in, and enjoy it. The WorldSkills UK Competitions are an integral part of post-16 education and training, attracting over 6,000 registrations annually from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The events provide opportunities for education institutions and employers to benchmark their students and apprentices against international standards. With President Donald Trump's signing of his "Big, Beautiful Bill", some of our local nonprofits are expressing concerns for federal cuts expected in the near future. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada (FBNN) says one in six Nevadans rely on SNAP benefits. So not only is the supply going down, but this could cause the need to go up. Political Science Professor Fred Lokken with Truckee Meadows Community College, says, "We have so many children through the public school district and elsewhere that are taking advantage of free federal lunch, and our benefactors are the SNAP programs." Catholic Charities serves over 40 thousand clients every month in their food pantry, and they're preparing to see about a 20 percent increase once cutbacks go into place. Especially since other nonprofits in the community are losing federal grants. Marie Baxter, CEO of Catholic Charities says, "Increasing our food resources, making sure that the St. Vincent's dining room has more capacity and bringing in these programs that are going to address some of the work requirements, the childcare." Catholic Charities and FBNN say even though SNAP benefits are being cut back, most of their other programs are not federally supported so there are still plenty of resources to turn to, and other partnerships that provide a wide range of services. "Various nonprofits that provide support in the medical side, so you know Northern Nevada HOPES, Community Health Alliance, even the Renown system," Baxter says. Lokken says Nevada will see a couple hundred million dollars' worth of cutbacks in Medicaid. Specifically for single people who are not working at least 80 hours a month. "The number was forecasted at perhaps as high as 119,000 Nevadans that will lose the insurance they just gained." In addition to the Big, Beautiful Bill, some service workers may be looking forward to their tax-free tips - however Professor Lokken says it will only be effective throughout the rest of the president's term, until 2028. He also tells us the lands bill allowing the sale of federal lands in our state to support housing has not been included in the bill, "It would've allowed for a lot of Nevada to be taken over by private interest. It was not ultimately included in the bill, so I think there's relief about that." A former MLB player convicted of killing his father-in-law in Homewood four years ago is set to be sentenced on August 18th. Daniel Serafini was found guilty by a jury in Placer County Superior Court on Monday. The 51-year-old was found guilty of murder in the first degree for the death of Robert Spohr in 2021. He was also found guilty of attempted murder and burglary, but he was found not guilty on child endangerment. A former nanny of Serafini, Samantha Scott, pleaded guilty to her involvement in the case in February. Serafini will remain in custody while he awaits sentencing. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. A left-hander, Serafini was drafted in 1992 by the Minnesota Twins. He also played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. JULY 10, 2025: Prosecutors and defense attorneys have rested in the trial of Daniel Serafini, and the jury has started deliberating. Serafini is on trial in Placer County for the death of Robert Spohr and the attempted murder of Wendy Wood in Homewood in 2021. The jury will return to deliberations on Friday at 8:30 a.m. --- APRIL 28, 2025: Monday marked the first day of the trial for Daniel Serafini, who is accused of the death of Robert Spohr and the attempted killing of Wendy Wood in Homewood in 2021. In court on Monday, scheduling was discussed, and the judge heard from attorneys, as well as media outlets concerning their requests for cameras in the courtroom according to information from the Placer County District Attorneys Office. The judge plans to make a ruling on media requests on Tuesday. Jury panels will come in to fill out questionnaires on Friday, with jury selection slated to start on May 13. Attorneys will next be in court on May 8 to make arguments on motions. --- FEBRUARY 19, 2025: One of the two people accused of killing a 70-year-old man in Homewood has pleaded guilty in the case. Samantha Scott pleaded guilty last week in the case and was released. She will be sentenced at a later date. Her alleged co-conspirator, Daniel Serafini is still expected to go on trial next month. The Placer County District Attorney's Office says in a statement, "...Since the co-defendant's case is set for jury trial, we will not be commenting further so as to protect the integrity of the ongoing proceedings." The duo are also accused of the attempted killing of Wendy Wood in Homewood. --- JUNE 5, 2024 The two people accused of a homicide in South Lake Tahoe three years ago are scheduled to go to trial next March. Daniel Serafini and Samantha Scott are facing charges for their alleged role in the death of 70-year-old Robert Spohr and the attempted killing of Wendy Wood in Homewood. MAY 9, 2024: The two suspects accused of killing a 70-year old man at his Lake Tahoe home in 2021 are scheduled to be back in court on June 3. The preliminary hearing was held this week. The judge found sufficient evidence to hold them. According to our CBS Sacramento affiliate, Erin Spohr testified Wednesday where her husband is suspected of murdering her father. "I would never think she or my husband would have anything to do with this." Erin who got emotional on the witness stand told prosecution she never thought to ask her husband Daniel Serafini, or former nanny and friend Samantha Scott, where they were the night her father was killed. The pair are now both in custody. Prosecutors asked Erin what her relationship was like with her parents. Complex. We had our highs of highs and lows of lows." The point of tension was over her children, who are now three and six-years-old. Erin said that her parents would get upset that she had to use formula instead of milk for her youngest. She added that her mom sometimes threatened to stop paying for her grandkid's daycare. On the stand, Erin stated, "my mom would do anything for my children. But at times she would get frustrated and throw things out there like that." When asked if her husband knew about the sometimes heated conservations she stated, "I'm his wife. It would hurt him that I was hurt." But would that hurt cause a killing? Erin said no, despite money troubles the couple talked about during a reality show years before the killing. "We still dont understand the motive of the killer and at the end of the day he came here to kill my mom and dad." UPDATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2023 The woman accused of killing a man in Placer County in 2021 pleaded not guilty in court on Monday. 33-year-old Samantha Scott was extradited from Las Vegas on Thursday. Scott arrived by plane to face charges in connection with the death of 70-year-old Robert Gary Spohr and the alleged attempted murder of 68-year-old Wendy Wood, in June 2021. The first suspect, Daniel Serafini pleaded not guilty to all charges, earlier this week. He was arrested last month in Winnemucca - the same day as Scott, in Las Vegas. Serafini's next court date is November 27th. Update, October 31: North Lake Tahoe homicide suspect Daniel Serafini entered a plea of not guilty to all charges against him during a court appearance Tuesday. His next hearing is scheduled for November 27th at 1 p.m. at the Santucci Justice Center according to a post from the Placer County Sheriff's Office on X. The sheriffs office is still awaiting the extradition of Samantha Scott from Nevada. Update, October 27th On Friday, a North Lake Tahoe homicide suspect was extradited from Humboldt County, Nevada. Placer County Sheriff Transportation Unit deputies traveled to Humboldt County to pick up 49-year-old Daniel Serafini that morning. He arrived in Placer County at 11 a.m. and was booked into the Auburn Jail shortly after his arrival. He is scheduled to be arraigned on October 31 at 1 p.m. in Department 20 at the Santucci Justice Center. The second suspect's extradition date has not been determined. Original Story, October 20: Two people were arrested Friday morning, October 20 in connection with a homicide in Homewood in June 2021. Authorities said 49-year-old Danny Serafini and 33-year-old Samantha Scott were arrested Friday in Winnemucca and in Las Vegas in connection with the death of 70-year-old Robert Gary Spohr and the alleged attempted murder of 68-year-old Wendy Wood. Deputies said on June 5, 2021 they received a 911 call and later found Spohr dead inside a home on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. Spohr's wife, 70-year-old Wendy was also shot but later recovered from her injuries. Sadly, she died about a year later. Placer County deputies led them to identify 49-year-old Daniel Serafini and 33-year-old Samantha Scott as suspects. They said all four people knew each other. Deputies said Serafini was booked into the Humboldt County Detention Center on Friday after he was arrested by members of the Tri-County Special Response Team, Trident Task Force, Winnemucca Police Department, Humboldt County Sheriffs Office, U.S. Marshals Task Force, and Investigators from the Placer County Sheriffs Office. Authorities said U.S. Marshals developed information that Serafini was working and living part-time in Winnemucca. They said Serafini surrendered and taken into custody where he was later booked into the Humboldt County Detention Center on the no bail warrant. The sheriffs office is now awaiting Serafinis and Scotts extradition from Nevada into Placer County. (The Associated Press contributed to this report.) The haze is still patrolling the Reno skies up by the mountains. Wildfiresespecially the Green Fire in north-central Californiaare to blame for it. When air quality dips, meteorologist Dawn Johnson says sensitive groups should stay inside and avoid breaking a sweat. "If you are usually sensitive, just try to stay indoors in a place that has good filtration," Johnson says. Air circulation is key. Johnson adds that anyone driving while air quality is poor should turn on the air conditioning and press the air recirculation button. You should also avoid any sort of strenuous activity. The National Weather Service says sensitive groups that must go outside should take it easy, make it quick, and wear a mask if you have to. "If you do have to go outside," Johnson says, "Try to make it short trips. take your time so that you're not breathing this heavily." Johnson also has some good news for us -- the haze won't be filling our skies for much longer. "We will be seeing conditions slowly start to improve as we go through the rest of the week," Johnson says, "When we get our more typical afternoon southwesterly breezes." To learn more about how to keep track of air quality in your area, check out the IQ Air website. More than half of organizations have yet to achieve full benefits of AI adoption MENLO PARK, Calif., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Protiviti has released the findings of its AI Pulse Survey on AI Fundamentals, the first in a planned series of AI Pulse Surveys. The initial survey, focusing on adoption and value, identified a high correlation between maturity of an organization's AI program and recognized benefits. The study polled more than 1,000 respondents across industries and geographies to understand how AI maturity, challenges and benefits vary based on where organizations stand on an AI adoption curve. The survey segmented respondents by level of AI maturity across five stages from Initial to Transformation phases: Stage 1: Initial (19%) Organization recognizes AI's potential benefits but has limited understanding and no strategic initiatives. KPIs have not yet been defined. Organization recognizes AI's potential benefits but has limited understanding and no strategic initiatives. KPIs have not yet been defined. Stage 2: Experimentation (32%) Organization has initiated small-scale AI projects and pilot programs to assess feasibility and benefits. Organization has initiated small-scale AI projects and pilot programs to assess feasibility and benefits. Stage 3: Defined (21%) Organization has integrated AI solutions into existing business processes, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making. Organization has integrated AI solutions into existing business processes, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making. Stage 4: Optimization (20%) Organization has enhanced AI systems for performance and scalability, with continuous improvements based on data feedback. Organization has enhanced AI systems for performance and scalability, with continuous improvements based on data feedback. Stage 5: Transformation (8%) AI drives significant business transformation at the organization, but more broadly for the industry or market at large. "This survey offers clear insights on the true state of AI progress within companies cutting through aspirations to reveal where they actually stand," said Christine Livingston, global leader, AI practice at Protiviti. "To move beyond the experimentation phase and realize the value potential of AI, executives must radically redefine what success looks like, shifting their focus from immediate cost savings to strategic growth, revenue enhancement, and innovation. They should also tightly align their data strategies with core business objectives and prioritize building the robust capabilities essential for scaling AI effectively." ROI Growth Tracks Closely with Organizations' AI Maturity Findings show a clear link between AI maturity and return on investment. Organizations often do not see quantifiable returns in very early stages but after advancing capabilities and fully integrating AI, organizations see demonstrable value. At Stage 2, ROI perceptions improve steadily as 77% report that returns met, slightly exceeded or significantly exceeded expectations . report that returns . By Stage 5, 95% of organizations report high satisfaction with their AI investments, and 75% say AI is exceeding ROI expectations. Challenges Persist Across Different Stages of AI Maturity While AI adoption is growing, organizations across all maturity levels face barriers that can slow or stall progress. The most cited challenges, in rank order, include integration with existing systems, lack of understanding on most impactful use cases, lack of skilled resources, data availability and access, and lack of/unclear/conflicting regulatory guidance. As organizations progress along the AI maturity curve, their top challenges shift: In Stages 2 and 3, as organizations educate themselves about AI's potential and begin experimentation, integrating with existing systems becomes the top focus, rising from 30% to 37% . becomes the top focus, rising from . By Stages 4 and 5, integration issues were cited as 28% and 22%, respectively. Additionally, as organizations look to expand the capabilities of their AI solutions in later maturity phases, data access issues begin to dominate, with 20% at Stage 4 and nearly 29% at Stage 5 reporting data availability as their biggest challenge. Redefining Success Across the Organization Organizations define AI success differently depending on respondents' roles in the organization, underscoring the need for tailored AI strategies aligned to specific departmental goals. In sales, 75% of respondents prioritize cost savings while 54% cite customer satisfaction as key success metrics. of respondents while cite as key success metrics. Among compliance leaders, 84% point to employee satisfaction and 80% emphasize productivity . point to and . Finance teams take a more balanced view, with 57% valuing process efficiency, 55% focusing on cost savings, and 53% highlighting productivity. "Organizations need to build momentum and experience with AI to progress through the stages and capture the most value," added Livingston. "The era of slow, piecemeal AI implementation is over. Organizations need to move with speed when it comes to their AI efforts not only to succeed, but to successfully manage risks and turn challenges into opportunities." As organizations redefine what success looks like in AI moving beyond experimentation to measurable business outcomes innovation hubs play a critical enabling role in rapid prototyping, refining both the technical and functional approach to enablement. Protiviti's newly unveiled Protiviti AI Studio in Chicago is a collaborative launchpad for organizations to explore use cases, test emerging technologies and access expert-led workshops that drive implementation. The Studio builds on the firm's AI Center of Excellence and helps teams gain hands-on experience and accelerate progress from concept to execution. The survey report is available for download here. The webinar is Wednesday, July 30 at 1 pm ET. Methodology Protiviti launched its AI Pulse Survey in 2025 to gain insights into how enterprises across various industries currently use artificial intelligence and where they see growth opportunities and challenges. Each pulse survey is designed to cover a specific theme, such as AI readiness and ROI, data challenges, agentic AI, and operational and governance risks. For the survey on AI readiness, Protiviti garnered more than 1000 responses globally from diverse industries including but not limited to technology, manufacturing, construction, and government. The respondents' primary job functions included IT, operations, finance, and compliance, among others. About Protiviti Protiviti ( www.protiviti.com ) is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise, objective insights, a tailored approach and unparalleled collaboration to help leaders confidently face the future. Protiviti and its independent and locally owned member firms provide clients with consulting and managed solutions in finance, technology, operations, data, digital, legal, HR, risk and internal audit through a network of more than 90 offices in over 25 countries. Named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the 11th consecutive year, Protiviti Inc. has served more than 80 percent of Fortune 100 and nearly 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The firm also works with government agencies and smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public. Protiviti Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI). SOURCE Protiviti The Nevada Supreme Court is encouraging bilingual residents to help bridge the language gap in courtrooms by becoming certified interpreters. More than 3,100 court cases in Nevada required interpreters in 2024, and the need is expected to grow as the states population increases. To address the shortage, the Supreme Court of Nevada is inviting bilingual individuals to register for the Fall 2025 Certified Court Interpreter Exam. Court interpreters play a critical role in making court proceedings accessible to Limited English Proficient individuals. According to the Supreme Court of Nevada, Spanish, Tagalog, Cantonese, and Vietnamese were the most requested languages last year, yet only 79 certified Spanish interpreters were available statewide. The registration deadline for the oral exam is September 22, and the written exam deadline is October 20. Oral exams will be held in Las Vegas from November 3 to 7, and in Carson City on November 10 and 12. Written exams are scheduled for November 7 in Las Vegas and November 10 in Carson City. Before registering, candidates can use an online self-assessment tool to evaluate their readiness. To begin the certification process, applicants must complete an online Written Orientation Workshop, available in mid-July. This workshop covers Nevadas court system, interpreting standards, and ethics. Applicants must score at least 80 percent on the written exam, which includes 135 multiple-choice questions over a two-hour and 15-minute period. Those applicants who pass proceed to the Oral Orientation Workshop, which introduces interpreting techniques used in court. The oral exam requires a minimum score of 70 percent and includes sight translation, consecutive interpretation, and simultaneous interpretation. For languages without a National Center for State Courts oral exam, applicants may take an Oral Proficiency Interview. A score of Advanced Mid is required. Candidates must also provide proof of 40 hours of courtroom observation or interpreting experience in Nevada, submit a fingerprint card, pay a $50 administrative fee, and supply a passport-size photo. Alternative certification options are available. Interpreters certified in other states or at the federal level may apply through reciprocity, which requires documentation of certification, past exam scores, and standard Nevada forms. Conditionally Approved Status is also available for proceedings where no certified interpreter is present. These candidates must complete both orientation workshops, score at least 80 percent on the written exam, and meet a lower oral exam threshold of either 60 percent or Advanced Low on the Oral Proficiency Interview. Those interested in learning more or registering for the program can visit the Nevada court interpreter website at www.nvcourts.gov. Informational videos are also available on YouTube: Conviertete en Interprete Judicial Certificado en Nevada Become a Certified Court Interpreter Officials have identified billing errors for some customers involving beach and recreation fees in Incline Village. Washoe County Treasurer Justin Taylor made the announcement to the Board of County Commissioners during their regularly scheduled meeting after he learned about the error. Most Incline Village General Improvement District residents were billed both a beach and recreation fee, at $720 and $655 respectively. Washoe County says in the fee billing upload files provided to the Treasurers Office, the two fees were transposed meaning affected customers will receive a bill with the wrong fee amounts listed, however most taxpayers net taxes due on their tax bill will be correct overall. Pull Quote "IVGID would like to apologize for the confusion that this error may cause for IVGID customers. Our team is working with the Washoe County Treasurers Office to ensure that updated tax bills are sent out in a timely manner and that all taxpayers in our community pay only what they owe." -Robert Harrison, IVGID General Manager Approximately 550 customers are billed for only one of those fees and may see an increase in their fees billed. The Treasurers office will provide all affected Incline taxpayers an updated tax bill reflecting the correct amounts for each fee category. Washoe County says Taylor immediately contacted the agency and recommended that IVGID notify its customers. As the County Treasurer, my offices duty is to bill, collect, and distribute taxes and fees as provided by the local jurisdictions, Taylor said. We do not maintain customer data or have the ability to correct data submitted to us, so its imperative that IVGID customers work directly with the district to determine if they are affected. To avoid late fees or missed payments, residents are advised to pay the full amount shown on the fee coupons. Any necessary adjustments will be reflected in the next billing cycle, and some customers may receive either a credit or an additional amount due. Customers should contact IVGID for more information at 775-832-1100. (Washoe County contributed to this report.) BANGKOK (AP) Nvidias CEO Jensen Huang says the technology giant has won approval from the Trump administration to sell its advanced H20 computer chips used to develop artificial intelligence to China. The news came in a company blog post late Monday, which stated that the U.S. government had assured" Nvidia that licenses would be granted and that the company hopes to start deliveries soon. Shares of the California-based chipmaker were up over 4% by midday Tuesday. Huang also spoke about the coup on Chinas state-run CGTN television network, in remarks shown on X. Today, I'm announcing that the U.S. government has approved for us filing licenses to start shipping H20s, Huang told reporters in Beijing. He added that half of the world's AI researchers are in China. It's so innovative and dynamic here in China that it's really important that American companies are able to compete and serve the market here," he said. Huang recently met with President Donald Trump and other U.S. policymakers and is in Beijing this week to attend a supply chain conference and speak with Chinese officials. The broadcast showed Huang meeting with Ren Hongbin, the head of the China Council for Promotion of International Trade, host of the China International Supply Chain Expo, which Huang was attending. Nvidia is an exhibitor. Nvidia has profited enormously from the rapid adoption of AI, becoming the first company to have its market value surpass $4 trillion last week. However, the trade rivalry between the U.S. and China has been weighing heavily on the industry. Here's what we know. What is Nvidia's H20 chip? The H20 graphics processing unit, or GPU, is an advanced AI chip a type of device used to build and update a range of AI systems. But it's less powerful than Nvidia's top semiconductors today. That's because the H20 chip was developed to specifically comply with U.S. restrictions for exports of AI chips to China. Nvidia's most advanced chips, which carry more computing power, are off-limits to the Chinese market. Washington has been tightening controls on exports of advanced technology to China for years, citing concerns that know-how meant for civilian use could be deployed for military purposes. And in January, before Trump began his second term in office, President Joe Biden's administration launched a new framework for exporting advanced computer chips used to develop AI in an attempt to balance national security concerns about the technology with the economic interests of producers and other countries. Restrictions on sales of advanced chips to China have been central to the AI race between the world's two largest economic powers, but such controls are also controversial. Proponents argue that these restrictions are necessary to slow China down enough to allow U.S. companies to keep their lead. Meanwhile, opponents say the export controls have loopholes and could still spur innovation. The emergence of Chinas DeepSeek AI chatbot in January particularly renewed concerns over how China might use advanced chips to help develop its own AI capabilities. What's happened since Trump took office? In April, the White House announced that it would restrict sales of Nvidias H20 chips to China as well as MI308 chips from rival chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices with the Trump administration again citing national security. At the time, Nvidia said these tighter export controls would cost the company an extra $5.5 billion and Huang and other technology leaders have been lobbying Trump to reverse the restrictions since. They've argued that such limits hinder U.S. competition in a sector in one of the worlds largest markets for technology, and have also warned that U.S. export controls could end up pushing other countries toward Chinas AI technology. Monday's announcement from Nvidia signals that its lobbying efforts paid off. White House AI and crypto adviser David Sacks told Bloomberg on Tuesday that allowing Nvidia to restart Chinese sales of its H20 chip would help the U.S. better compete abroad particularly with Chinese chipmaker Huawei Technologies. Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC on Tuesday that the renewed sale of H20 chips in China was linked to a trade agreement made between the two countries on rare earth magnets and maintained that the administration was also reversing course from April's restrictions because the U.S. still doesn't sell China our best stuff. Still, calls for restrictions on advanced chip exports to China have persisted among U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Just last week, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Jim Banks wrote a letter to Huang noting that the hardware powering advanced AI is of immense strategic importance" and again warned that this kind of technology could be used to accelerate Beijings effort to modernize its military if exported freely. U.S. lawmakers have also proposed that chips subject to export controls should be tracked, to ensure they dont end up in the wrong places. Beyond export controls, California-based Nvidia like other tech giants today has been caught in the crosshairs of Trumps tariff wars abroad, particularly amid America's tit-for-tat levies with China. But Beijing and Washington recently agreed to pull back some non-tariff restrictions. China says its approving permits for rare earth magnets to be exported to the U.S., while Washington has lifted curbs on chip design software and jet engines. Nvidia and its CEO have also garnered Trumps favor in recent months. In April, the company announced that it would be producing its AI chips in the U.S. for the first time, starting with more than one million square feet of manufacturing space to build and test its specialized Blackwell chips in Arizona and AI supercomputers in Texas. Trump was quick to applaud Nvidia's move. He introduced Huang as a smart cookie who was helping bring jobs to the U.S. at an Investing in America event held at the White House later that month. Similar to Nvidia, AMD is now also poised to restart Chinese sales of its MI308 chips. The California-based company said in a statement that the Commerce Department was moving forward with license applications for these exports to China, and that it plans to resume shipments as those licenses are approved. Grantham-Philips reported from New York. AP Writers Didi Tang in Washington, D.C., Matt O'Brien in Providence, Rhode Island and AP researcher Yu Bing in Beijing contributed. PITTSBURGH (AP) President Donald Trump touted tens of billions of dollars of recent energy and technology investments Tuesday in Pennsylvania while boasting of a true golden age for America in energy policy and artificial intelligence. Trump traveled to Pittsburgh at a summit helmed by Republican Sen. David McCormick that included dozens of top executives from companies aiming to make the city and the state a hot spot for advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence and energy. McCormick announced more than $90 billion of investments in the state spurring tens of thousands of jobs although some of the projects had already been in progress ahead of the summit. I think we have a true golden age for America. And weve been showing it, and it truly is the hottest country anywhere in the world, Trump said at the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, held at Carnegie Mellon University. Im honored to be in Pennsylvania, and Im honored to be in Pittsburgh. And youre going to see some real action here. So get ready. Trump has repeatedly pledged U.S. energy dominance in the global market, and Pennsylvania a swing state critical to his wins in 2016 and 2024 is at the forefront of that agenda, in large part due to its coal and gas industry that the Republican administration has taken steps to bolster. Both the president and senior administration officials on Tuesday framed the investments as part of a race against China for the most advanced deployment of artificial intelligence, with Trump saying, We are way ahead of China, I have to say. China and other countries are racing to catch up to America on AI, and were not going to let them do it," Trump said during the hourlong roundtable held in a university gymnasium, speaking often from prepared notes. Flanked by several of his Cabinet members, company executives and local political leaders, Trump added that the U.S. will be fighting them in a very friendly fashion. Before Trump spoke, his Cabinet members spoke of the need to produce as much energy as possible especially from coal and natural gas to beat China in the AI race for the sake of economic and national security. The AI revolution is upon us, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said during an earlier panel discussion. The Trump administration will not let us lose. We need to do clean, beautiful coal. We need to do natural gas, we need to embrace nuclear, we need to embrace it all because we have the power to do it and if we dont do it were fools. Some of the investments on a list released by McCormick's office were not necessarily brand-new, while others were. Some involve massive data center projects such as a $15 billion project in central Pennsylvania while others involve building power plants, expanding natural gas pipelines, upgrading power plants or improving electricity transmission networks. Google said it would invest $25 billion on AI and data center infrastructure over the next two years in PJMs mid-Atlantic electricity grid, while investment firm Brookfield said it had signed contracts to provide more than $3 billion of power to Google's data centers from two hydroelectric dams on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. Frontier Group said it would transform the former Bruce Mansfield coal-fired power plant in western Pennsylvania into a new natural gas-fired plant, and AI cloud computing firm CoreWeave said it will spend more than $6 billion to equip a data center in south-central Pennsylvania. Blackstone plans to spend $25 billion on data centers and building new natural gas-fired power plants in northeastern Pennsylvania, and the company will start construction by the end of 2028, said Jon Gray, its CEO. McCormick, a first-term Republican senator who organized the inaugural event, said the summit was meant to bring together top energy companies and AI leaders, global investors and labor behind Trump's energy policies and priorities. The list of participating CEOs includes leaders from global behemoths like Blackstone, Bridgewater, SoftBank, Amazon Web Services, BlackRock and ExxonMobil and local companies such as the Pittsburgh-based Gecko Robotics, which deploys AI to bolster energy capacity. Whats exciting about this event is its a great catalyst for investments and closing deals in the region, said Jake Loosararian, the founder and CEO of Gecko Robotics. Administration officials at the summit included White House crypto czar David Sacks, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Lutnick. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also attended. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, also spoke. McCormick credited his wife, Dina Powell McCormick, with the idea for a summit. Powell McCormick served as Trumps deputy national security adviser in his first term and is a former Goldman Sachs executive who is now at BDT & MSD Partners, a merchant bank. Pittsburgh is home to Carnegie Mellon University, a prestigious engineering school, plus a growing industry of small robotics firms and a so-called AI Avenue thats home to offices for Google and other AI firms. It also sits in the middle of the prolific Marcellus Shale natural gas reservoir. Whats going on is a rewiring of the economy, of the world over the next 15 years and that takes trillions and trillions and tens of trillions of dollars, and it starts with power," said Bruce Flatt, CEO of Brookfield, during a panel discussion. Pennsylvania has scored big investment wins in recent months, some driven by federal manufacturing policy and others by the ravenous need for electricity from the fast-growing AI business. Nippon Steel just bought U.S. Steel for almost $15 billion, getting Trumps approval after pledging to invest billions alone in U.S. Steels Pittsburgh-area plants. Amazon will spend $20 billion on two data center complexes in Pennsylvania, while the one-time Homer City coal-fired power plant is being turned into the nations largest gas-fired power plant to fuel a data center campus. Meanwhile, Constellation Energy is reopening the lone functional nuclear reactor on Three Mile Island under a long-term power supply agreement for Microsoft's data centers. Levy reported from Harrisburg, Pa. Associated Press writer Melissa Goldin in Washington contributed to this report. As San Franciscos waterfront transit hub, everyone eventually ends up on the Embarcadero one way or another. But this quadrant, dominated by the Ferry Building, one of the citys most recognizable landmarks, is as much a destination as it is a commuter corridor. Both within and outside the 127-year-old Beaux Arts beautywith its indoor marketplace and expansive three-day-a-week farmers marketsthe Embarcadero has welcomed several interesting restaurants over the last few years, bringing a new era of vibrancy to the neighborhood. Between them, a handful of cherished old-school bars and classic restaurants still hold their own, along with one of Northern Californias most curiosity-sparking, STEAM-focused museums. From our favorite retailers in the historic Ferry Building to the best spots for sunset drinks and dining, heres a modern guide to the best of the Embarcadero. Where Else to Eat on the Embarcadero Mediterranean dishes from Alora (Neetu Laddha Photography) The first Mediterranean venture from the team behind ROOH, Alora (Pier 3) is a lively spot for really good food from the seas diverse coastline. The swanky digs, with its North African-inspired patio, has a wide range of fantastic dips and breads, mezze like olive oil-poached octopus and mushroom cannoli, and gorgeous centerpieces like beef tenderloin shashlik and roasted eggplant with onion caramel. // One of the Embarcaderos most recent additions, Bon Delire (Pier 3) is a sweet spot for French bistro fare like croque-monsieur, sole meuniere, and escargot, eaten in the glow of projected black-and-white French films. Stop by at Sunday brunch, when they offer baked egg dishes and pain perdu alongside favorites from the regular menu. // Angler s (132 The Embarcadero) Michelin-starred fare is deliberately sourced and cooked over live fire on the restaurants wood-burning hearth. The seafood-focused menu includes a la carte gems like embered oysters with smoked chili butter, aged black cod, and whole sea bream with coconut and swarnadwipaor let them choose your journey for $145/person. // Freshly dressed in ocean-inspired colors and materials, and with a modernized menu from executive chef Victoriano Lopez, La Mar Cocina Peruana (Pier 1 1/2) is kicking off its 17th year in style. Look for additions like Spanish octopus tiraditos and cebiche Victoriano with local halibut and sunchoke leche de tigre, alongside cebicheria eats like causas and nigiri, and family-style dishes like pescado enchichado and lomo saltado. // Dressed to the nines in Ken Fulk design, longtime upscale SF staple Boulevard (1 Mission St.) is still turning heads with seasonal, multi-course menus featuring dishes like burrata and English pea panzanella and roasted pearl hen with sweet corn and chanterelles. Grab a seat at the bar, lounge, or chefs counter for choose-your-own-adventure a la carte options. // Get your steakhouse fix at Epic Steak (369 The Embarcadero), who pairs theirindeed, epicviews with hearty cuts of ribeye and filet mignon. // For Cantonese-style dim sum (think soup dumplings, BBQ pork buns, congee, deep-fried shrimp toasts, and more) and chefs specials like Singapore-style chili Dungeness crab and beef brisket hot pot, Harborview (4 Embarcadero Center) is a solid bet with a lovely view of the Ferry Building. Where to Drink on the Embarcadero The patio at Pier 23 Cafe is the place to be on a sunny afternoon. (Courtesy of @pier_23_cafe ) An old-school favorite, especially for Giants fans headed to Oracle Stadium, Hi Dive Bar (Pier 28) has strong drinks, shareable snacks, and one of the last $2 beers (Coors) in town. // When the sun is shining, the patio at the classic Pier 23 Cafe (Pier 23) is full of infectious energy. While their Dungeness crab cakes and shrimp melt sandwiches are fine, this spot is made for posting up with cocktails, beer, and wine to enjoy one of the best views in town. // Zero-waste cocktails on the charming patio at Terrene at the 1 Hotel San Francisco (8 Mission St.) are a simple pleasure made more complex by a sustainably sourced, Mediterranean-leaning menu. // Bar Sprezzatura (300 Clay St., #100) mashes up the elegance of coastal Italy with a hint of Vegas opulence in creative cocktails, Italian wines, and one of SFs most expansive amari lists (including vintage versions from the 60s, 70s, and 80s). If youve got an appetite, cicchetti (snacks) like guanciale meatballs are well worth the effort. // Reds Java House (Pier 30) has been slinging beers, burgers, and dogs to the waterfront crowd since 1955. Though its little more than a snack shack, this place has a big personality, a full bar, and another great patio overlooking the bay. // Want to go more upscale with your bevvie-with-a-view? Try seafood restaurant Waterbar (399 The Embarcadero), which has a horseshoe-shaped bar inside, a huge patio, and a 30-page list of cocktails, wines, spiritsplus a happy hour at which a Fort Point IPA will cost you $5, a margarita $10, and the chefs daily featured oyster just $1.55 a pop. More Things to Do on the Embarcadero The Exploratorium (Courtesy of @guinnruiz ) You dont have to be a kid to love the Exploratorium (Pier 15), SFs waterfront STEAM museum. Explore more than 700 hands-on exhibits and special shows like Adventures in AI, on right now. For an adults-only experience, check out The Exploratorium on Thursdays from 6pm to 10pm, when the 75,000-square-foot institution comes alive After Dark. // Visit the San Francisco Railway Museum (77 Steuart St.) for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the citys rail and transit history, from its famous cable cars to its vintage streetcars. // Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel San Francisco (8 Mission St.) takes an organic, holistic approach to treatments like massages and facials. For a unique treat, book a bath salt soak in a stone spa tub on their private rooftop terrace. Older adults with declining cognitive abilities are prime targets for financial scammers. AARPs new BankSafe Dementia Hub aims to enable staff at banks, credit unions and investment firms to spot the signs of cognitive decline and potential exploitation, which can lead to major financial losses. Older Americans lose up to $60 billion a year to elder financial exploitation, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The new Dementia Hub is built on BankSafes existing model, which provides financial professionals, like bank tellers and managers, loan officers and financial advisers, with evidence-based tools to help them detect and respond to red flags. BankSafe has four core pillars: preventing financial exploitation, empowering financial caregivers, helping those with dementia and making banking easier to access. Members only The new Dementia Hub provides information about how to evaluate and detect warning signs of dementia, such as rapid loss of income, unusual purchases and significant deductions from bank accounts. BankSafe-trained employees save their customers an estimated 16 times more than their counterparts who had not been trained, according to a 2019 Virginia Tech study. AARP found the initiative prevented nearly $140 million in losses in 2024 and more than $450 million in losses since it was launched in 2019. The Dementia Hub helps financial institutions and their employees understand what cognitive decline is, how to spot it and how to protect older customers who live with dementia. The resource center provides advice and information to help teams take action before harm occurs. Its education that is increasingly needed, said Jilenne Gunther, national director of AARPs BankSafe Initiative, in testimony about scams and fraud to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on June 17. With nearly 1 in 10 older Americans currently living with dementia, and a growing aging population, financial exploitation and mismanagement are critical concerns for the financial industry, Gunther told lawmakers. Join Our Fight Against Fraud Heres what you can do to help protect people 50 and older from scams and fraud: Sign up to become a digital fraud fighter to help raise awareness about the latest scams. Read more about how were fighting for you every day in Congress and across the country. AARP is your fierce defender on the issues that matter to people 50-plus. Become a member or renew your membership today. The Dementia Hubs resources address a critical window of vulnerability: early recognition of cognitive decline and intervention. The hub includes information on ways financial professionals can recognize early warning signs and how they can create a support network for customers and caregivers to address issues. Bank tellers, fraud risk managers, financial advisers and other financial institution employees often see subtle changes in behavior, such as hesitation, confusion, nervousness or unusual transaction requests, that may be invisible to even close family members, Gunther said in her testimony. We know that in 1 out of every 2 interventions by trained frontline staff, financial exploitation is successfully prevented before any money is lost, she added. Employee training prevents financial exploitation The hubs training is designed to help banks and other financial institutions work within their rules and regulations to hold up suspicious transactions and mitigate potential losses for older customers. On average, older adults lose up to half of their median net worth before receiving a dementia diagnosis, Gunther testified. This can happen through scams, unusual purchases that go unchecked or loss of income. Lack of communication with caregivers or loved ones can exacerbate the problem. Chinese FM holds talks with Malta's deputy PM Xinhua) 08:56, July 15, 2025 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Ian Borg, Malta's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Ian Borg, Malta's deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs and tourism, in Beijing on Monday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that Malta plays a unique and positive role in world peace and stability. China is willing to maintain high-level political mutual trust, mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual support with Malta, and will honor its commitments on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, Wang said. Wang said that China will work with Malta to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, investment, culture and tourism, science and education, and continue to maintain good communication and coordination in international affairs. On China-EU relations, Wang pointed out that the most important experience and enlightenment from the 50-year development of bilateral ties is that China-EU relations are positioned as partners rather than rivals, with a tone of dialogue and cooperation. As the world's two major forces, civilizations and markets, China and the EU should understand, respect and appreciate each other, Wang said. Wang called on the two sides to view the mutually beneficial and win-win essence of their relations with a developmental perspective, jointly promote the process of human civilization and maintain world peace and stability. Borg stated that Malta highly values its relations with China, always take relations with China in its diplomatic priority, firmly adheres to the one-China principle, actively participates in the Belt and Road Initiative, and welcomes more Chinese friends to visit Malta. The Maltese side also believes that the EU and China should be partners rather than rivals, and differences should be properly resolved through dialogue and consultation, Borg said, expressing a willingness to continue playing an active role in promoting EU-China relations. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Ian Borg, Malta's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) LONDON, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chorus Intelligence Ltd ('Chorus'), a leading provider of advanced digital intelligence and investigations software, is excited to join forces with Dun & Bradstreet (NYSE:DNB), a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics to integrate their comprehensive global business data into the Chorus Intelligence Suite (CIS). This collaboration provides banking, financial services, law enforcement, and government organisations with seamless access to Dun & Bradstreet's extensive global business datadirectly within the CISenhancing investigative capabilities with business intelligence. Dun & Bradstreet's Data Cloud, containing over 600 million business records, is one of the world's most comprehensive sources of commercial data. It delivers deep, data-driven insights into company ownership, control, and corporate structures. CIS users can now seamlessly query entitiesincluding names, phone numbers, companies, and email addressesand perform a bulk search within Dun & Bradstreet to uncover vital intelligence in real-time. This integration enables users to identify hidden connections, verify beneficial ownership, and map complex corporate networks with a high level of accuracy and efficiency. These insights are crucial for detecting and preventing financial crime risks, including fraud, money laundering, and terrorist financing, by exposing concealed relationships and undisclosed ownership control. The CIS is an all-in-one platform and dashboard solution designed to manage every stage of a digital investigation. Featuring cutting-edge data cleansing, analysis, search, enrichment, and evidential reporting tools, the self-serve suite empowers professionals of varying expertise to extract immediate answers from data - simplifying and accelerating complex investigations. Edward Vaughan, Vice President at Chorus, commented: "This strategic collaboration with Dun & Bradstreet marks a significant milestone for Chorus as we continue to expand our data connectors, further solidifying our position as the most comprehensive digital investigation platform for banking, financial services, law enforcement, and government sectors. The addition of Dun & Bradstreet is a game-changer, unlocking access to an extensive wealth of information that enhances our ability to uncover critical, data-driven intelligenceempowering organisations to combat evolving financial threats and strengthen global security efforts." Sara de la Torre, UK Head of Financial Services and Insurance at Dun & Bradstreet, added: "As financial crime and systemic risks continue to evolve, smarter, data-driven decisions are essential across both government and financial services. Our trusted global data, delivers the depth, scale, and accuracy investigative teams need to stay ahead of emerging threats." For more information on Chorus Intelligence and the integration with Dun & Bradstreet, visit chorusintel.com About Chorus Intelligence Chorus Intelligence is an award-winning supplier of digital intelligence and investigation software for banking, financial services, law enforcement, and government organisations across the globe. The Chorus Intelligence Suite (CIS) is a one platform, one dashboard solution for managing every stage of a digital investigation. Featuring cutting-edge data cleansing, analysis, search, enrichment, and evidential reporting tools, the self-serve suite empowers multiple roles of varying expertise to get immediate answers from data. For more information visit: chorusintel.com About Dun & Bradstreet Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, enables companies around the world to improve their business performance. Dun & Bradstreet's Data Cloud fuels solutions and delivers insights that empower customers to accelerate revenue, lower cost, mitigate risk, and transform their businesses. Since 1841, companies of every size have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity. SOURCE Chorus Intelligence - North America Marsh urges that the regime, when implemented, ensures that the UK becomes a dynamic, innovative, and globally competitive hub for a wide range of captive insurance services offering enhanced risk management capabilities and choices for organisations of all sizes. Captive insurance is a long-established risk management tool, offering organisations greater choice in how they build their risk management strategy. It can help address traditional and emerging risk management pain points, enabling a greater control of risk and reduced costs. Notably, the announcement supports the utilisation of captives for a broad range of risks, enabling captives to tailor their risk transfer strategies more effectively and for captive business owners to offer enhanced services to clients. The announcement also opens the potential for the formation of more flexible, cost-effective vehicles, such as protected cell companies (PCCs), that would benefit smaller and mid-size companies. Chris Lay, CEO of Marsh McLennan, UK, and a long-time proponent of a UK-based captives regime, said: "We welcome the governments decision, which will make the UK a full-service insurance centre through the addition of a captive insurance regime. Having previously run Marshs global captive business, I know that this has the potential to enable organisations of all sizes in the UK and around the world to have access to greater choice in how they manage risk and build the offering of our already world-leading insurance sector. We need to ensure that the new captive framework will not only allow the UK insurance market to further demonstrate its reputation for innovation but also that captives can be formed as seamlessly as they are in other jurisdictions." Todays announcement, along with the other reforms announced, will help position the competitiveness of the UK in the global insurance market. The LMG is confident that a UK regime will deliver an important risk management tool for UK and international plcs, as well as reinforcing Londons position as the global centre for risk transfer and insurance. The announcement follows a campaign, led by the LMG but supported by brokers, captive owners and advisers and insurers, advocating for a dedicated and proportionate regulatory regime for captives. Over several years, the LMG has been in discussions with HM Treasury, the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority over how the proposed regime might be shaped. Sean McGovern, Chair of the LMG said: If London is to retain its position as a global centre for risk transfer, it needs to be able to offer all the tools in the toolkit. This announcement is clear evidence of the government recognising the London Markets role as a contributor to growth and delivering on commitments to support the industry as we continue to enhance the markets world-leading position. British companies and public sector institutions now need to join us in encouraging the regulators to move at pace to establish an attractive and dynamic UK captive regime so they grasp the opportunities offered by the announcement today with both hands. Captives are taking centre stage as part of the established and long-term risk financing strategies of many important commercial organisations. It is a rapidly growing global industry, with captive premium estimated to reach US$161 billion by 2030, and other onshore jurisdictions including France and more recently Italy, are opening their doors. It is fitting that the UK is part of this growing sector, and critical for the London Insurance market so it can retain a leading global position with an enviable world class reputation. Caroline Wagstaff, CEO of the LMG commented: The announcement of the consultation on protected cell companies is very welcome as this offers real choice for UK companies of all sizes in the use of captives and genuine differentiation. A clear timetable to delivery is also a real plus, it will help everyone to track progress and work at pace to deliver a world-beating regime. The London Market is grateful for the support of the Chancellor and the City Minister Emma Reynolds, as well as to the many firms and individuals who have supported the campaign over the last two years. A UK captive domicile will offer UK plc the ability to build resilience and risk management here at home, while benefitting from an extensive financial and professional services ecosystem; London-based global brokers with extensive captive consulting experience, an unrivalled range of local banking and asset management options and the worlds largest and most sophisticated reinsurance market. Christopher Croft, Chief Executive, LIIBA, comments: "LIIBA welcomes the Chancellors announcement that the government is going to progress the work to build a captives regime in UK. This will provide a valuable alternative for our members when seeking the optimal outcome for their clients risk management needs. It should also consolidate Londons position as the risk management capital of the world by ensuring all necessary solutions are achievable here. But, as previous experience has shown, the regime will only deliver success if the technical framework is complemented by a culture within the regulators focused on making it work. We look forward to working with FCA and PRA to ensure this." Chris Jones, Chief Executive of the IUA, said: There is a tremendous opportunity for the UK to become a leading domicile for captive insurance companies. Both our world-class insurance talent pool and extensive financial ecosystem, in the London Market and nationwide, provide a strong foundation for this initiative. A clear and predictable regulatory regime will enhance investor trust, encourage inward investment and help create more high-paying specialised jobs. In order to be successful, it must also be actively promoted, with responsive, cost-effective supervision that minimises market barriers to entry. The prospect of a UK captives regime has already generated significant interest, and the IUA looks forward to working with the Government in its promotion. Data centers are a growing industry, including in Alabama. But opponents are loud in this rural community. (Hannah Denham / AL.com) Hannah Denham / AL.com Data centers are key to pushing Alabamas economy forward, a state lawmaker told the city council in Bessemer on Tuesday. Just not in this part of the state. While I understand the importance of economic growth and technology infrastructure, this facility would be located directly behind 14 residential properties, said state Rep. Leigh Hulsey whose district includes parts of Bessemer and McCalla. Families that do not live in the city limits and obviously therefore do not have a vote nor feel like they have a voice. But they are absolutely going to bear the brunt of the impact of this project. The plan to develop a $14 billion data center campus in a rural part of the community southwest of Birmingham hit a snag Tuesday morning. The Bessemer City Council postponed their vote on rezoning nearly 700 acres of mostly timber to make way for 18 data center buildings that would be developed by Logistics Land Investment, LLC. This will be considered at the next meeting, said Donna Thigpen, the city council president. It will not be voted on today. The decision was met with applause. Roughly 60 people attended the crowded meeting inside Bessemer City Hall, as many opponents wore red shirts and held signs that read Vote No. More attendees spilled out into the lobby, waiting for the fire department to allow them to enter and speak during the hearing. The meeting was not livestreamed or broadcast outside the hearing room. A slew of Bessemer residents spoke against a proposed data center project during a city council hearing on July 15, 2025. Hannah Denham / AL.com The council voted 6-1 to postpone their decision after a hearing that lasted roughly an hour and a half, including comments from a slew of residents urging the council to vote against the rezoning or at least wait for more information on the development. While the site is in Bessemer, many of the residents who live closest to it said during the meeting that they live on unincorporated land and dont have representation on the city council. Jimmie Stephens, the president of the Jefferson County Commission who lives in Bessemer, was among them. He said he would vote against any tax breaks that may come before the county commission if the project is approved. He urged the city council to do the same. This isnt about the environmental, youre not going to pay any attention to that, he told the council. This is about the money. This is about the tax revenue thats been laid before the city of Bessemer that youre depending on, that youre looking forward to. Representatives for the developer and residents opposing the project sparred over the facts of the project during the hearing. Posters inside the council chambers and outside in the lobby listed: Lets Talk Facts: Data Centers Dont Cause Cancer with bullet points about data center development. Youre going to hear a lot of things that simply are not facts, said Brad Kaaber, a representative from Logistics Land Investment, LLC, at the start of Tuesdays hearing. Kaaber and Martin Evans, a Birmingham attorney representing the developer, declined to comment after the hearing. In June, the data center project came before the citys planning and zoning commission for a second time after their initial approval provoked a lawsuit by a few residents. That vote of approval was only a recommendation to the council, but a vote of approval from the city council would formally allow the project to move forward. Eric Pippens, a Bessemer resident, told the city council that hes concerned about his utility bills going up and whether rezoning the community now will attract more development in the future. This project may benefit an outside corporation, but it will come at the direct expense of the families who live here, he said. We have decades of people here that have lived in this community with no bother. Evans told the council that all they needed to weigh in on was whether the project would benefit Bessemer. This project is going to take a large piece of vacant land close to the interstate and put it to an extremely productive use, which will create jobs, be a catalyst for the local economy, and provide tremendous tax benefits to the city, Evans said. The proposed data center would include 18 buildings, each about 250,000 square feet, on rural land owned by a timber land property owner on Rock Mountain Lake Road, the Birmingham Business Journal reported. The developer is proposing the $14 billion project as a 4.5 million-square-foot campus, BBJ reported. It would take roughly eight years to build in several phases, Kaaber said. He denied that the project will impact streams, wetlands or fish, citing environmental studies that the company has done. In April, three locals sued the city, alleging officials didnt provide the proper public notice about the rezoning. They also raised concerns about Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gulley saying he signed a non-disclosure agreement and couldnt discuss the project with the public. Shan Paden, an attorney for Bessemer, told AL.com at the time that the city never violated the law and provided adequate public notice. But then the city restarted the public hearing process. There havent been any updates in the lawsuit since April, according to the court docket. Data centers are a growing industry, seeking to keep up with an increase in cloud computing demands. But theyre newer to Alabama, as the industry is picking up speed here in more rural parts of the state as well as Huntsville, Montgomery and Birmingham. Lauderdale County officials have charged a man with manslaughter after they say he struck his brother with a vehicle Monday night, killing him. WAAY is reporting that Perry James Crakaal, 27, died following the incident that happened at 10 p.m. Deputies who responded to the scene interviewed a witness who said that the victim and the witness had been in a vehicle with Crakaals brother, Brandon Wayne Crakaal, 29, prior to the crash, according to WHNT. According to the witness, the two brothers got into an argument, and Perry and the witness got out of the vehicle. Then Brandon Crakaal drove on and hit Perry Crakaal before leaving in the vehicle. According to the sheriffs office, deputies then received reports of a vehicle matching the description of Brandon Crakaals vehicle in the area of County Road 14 and County Road 15 in Oakland, according to WAFF. Deputies discovered a white Chevrolet pickup with significant damage to the front end. A man was also reported to have been seen walking away from the vehicle. A citizens report at about midnight led deputies to a house on County Road 106, where they found Brandon Crakaal and took him into custody. He has been charged with manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident, and is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center. More charges could follow. Here's the latest update in the federal lawsuit against the town of Brookside. (Joe Songer for al.com). Joe Songer Someone in Brookside deleted the police departments emails, according to attorneys for a group of drivers suing the town over allegations of ticketing for profit. Its unclear exactly who deleted the account, said attorney Jaba Tsitsuashvili. But, regardless, the drivers are asking a federal judge to hold Brookside responsible for it. Theres a lot of finger-pointing and cross-recriminations here, but I think what it boils down to is that Brookside is responsible for this email deletion, said Tsitsuashvili of the Institute for Justice, a libertarian nonprofit based in Virginia. Were confident that the judge will understand that the town deleted four years worth of police policy emails after the town had already been sued several times for its police policies. The nonprofit is suing Brookside, a town of about 1,300 people north of Birmingham, on behalf of four drivers. They allege the town exploited them by arresting, ticketing them and towing their cars to buoy the police departments funds, the lawsuit says. Reporting by AL.com in January of 2022 found that Brooksides finances were buoyed by tickets and aggressive policing. Revenues from fines and forfeitures soared more than 640% between 2018-2020 and came to account for more than half of the towns income. Mike Jones, the police chief who orchestrated the departments expansion and crackdown on drivers, resigned almost immediately after the first story published. And in April of 2022, the Institute for Justice filed the class-action lawsuit, one of at least a dozen brought against the town and its police. In a court filing earlier this month, attorneys for the drivers said that Brookside blamed Jones for deleting the email account. But Jones testified in May that he hadnt deleted emails, according to court records. The e-mail system went dark when litigation concerning the police departments policies was already ongoingincluding, almost certainly, this case, the July 7 filing reads. The mayor, the interim police chief, and the current chief all knew. Yet no one did anything to try to preserve or recover anything. Brookside has not responded to the filing. Warren Kinney, an attorney representing Brookside, declined to comment for this article. Attorneys for the drivers allege that the town could have attempted to recover the email account system through Google for up to two years after it went dark, according to court records. Instead, they let the clock tick and quietly switched to a different e-mail system altogether, the July 7 filing reads. The town made those decisions knowing full well that it was already facing numerous lawsuits and civil claims concerning its police department. In response to the lawsuit, Brookside has asked the judge to dismiss the case. The town denies the allegations, and says police had a right to tow the drivers vehicles. Each and every action taken was done so in good faith belief that the same was legal and lawful at the time so taken, the town said in an April 2023 filing. The attorneys for the drivers requested the emails in discovery in July 2023. It wasnt until late 2024 when Brookside said that the email system had been deleted, according to court records. The drivers are asking U.S. Magistrate Judge Staci Cornelius to enter an order presuming the deleted police department emails were unfavorable to Brookside as a sanction. They asked that that sanction establish that Brooksides spikes in citations and towing were part of an intentional policy to fund the towns growing police department and that those policies were communicated to every officer via their email accounts, according to court records. The police-department e-mail system was used extensively and daily for internal communications during the whole of Chief Joness four-year tenure, the July 7 filing reads. What few e-mails have been salvaged are (charitably speaking) unfavorable to the town. The lawsuit seeks damages, repayment of fees with interest, return of property and a declaration that the town had an unconstitutional policy to increase revenue, according to the complaint. Meanwhile, attorneys for the drivers and the town are currently in settlement talks. Those discussions started on Tuesday, and Judge Cornelius scheduled the mediation to continue on July 31, according to the court docket. Tsitsuashvili added that the details of the mediation process are confidential, but any settlement deal that comes out of it would be public. This wholesale deletion of Brookside Police Department email accounts is indicative of the way weve seen the town behave in the course of this litigation, he said. LaDonald Phillips Jr. is charged with manslaughter in the 2024 death of his girlfriend after police say he tried to beat a train and was struck, killing Claudia Dreffs. (Carol Robinson) A 21-year-old Hayden man is charged in the death of his girlfriend who was killed when police say he recklessly tried to beat a train and failed. LaDonald Dewayne Phillips Jr. went before a Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff judge Tuesday to face a charge of manslaughter in last years traffic crash death of 21-year-old Claudia Mae Dreffs. Phillips was arrested last week on the felony charge. At the time of his arrest, he was already awaiting trial on a charge that he was driving recklessly and endangered Dreffs the year before her 2024 death. The fatal crash happened at 1:17 p.m. on Oct. 30, at 32nd Street and Carolina Avenue in Bessemer. Phillips was the driver of a Chevrolet Suburban that Wednesday afternoon, traveling westbound on 32nd and tried to pass as the crossing arms were down and lights flashing. The Amtrak train was traveling south from Birmingham to New Orleans. Charging documents against Phillips allege he caused Dreffs death in a reckless and wanton manner with disregard for human life. Another vehicle was stopped at the railroad crossing, documents state, and Phillips drove around that vehicle to try to beat the train and was struck. An SUV was struck by a train in Bessemer on Oct. 30, 2024. Carol Robinson Dreffs and Phillips were both ejected from the SUV. Dreffs was pronounced dead at 1:22 p.m., about 50 yards from the crossing. Phillips was taken to UAB Hospital with critical injuries. At the time of the crash, Phillips was already facing a charge of domestic violence-reckless endangerment of Dreffs. According to court records, Phillips on Thanksgiving Day 2023 was speeding and driving recklessly without his lights on when he crashed through a locked chain link gate, creating the risk of serious injury. Bessemer Cutoff Assistant District Attorney Lori Frasure asked that his bond be revoked in that case, which a judge ordered in June. At the time of his arrest on the manslaughter charge, Phillips was in the Blount County Jail on charges of domestic violence, DUI, and driving while his license was revoked. He pleaded guilty last week to a Blount County charge of domestic violence-harassment of his new girlfriend after he threatened to harm her and dragged her through the house and took her phone while she was trying to leave. Phillips is set to return to court before Judge David Carpenter on July 24 for a preliminary hearing and a bond hearing. He remains held in the Jefferson County Jail. An Alabama legislator wants to expand the number of circumstances that can allow the death penalty to be imposed. Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, has prefiled HB 20 for the 2026 session, which would make it a capital offense to murder a person while knowingly creat(ing) a great risk of death to multiple persons. There are some instances that I feel we should be able to go after the maximum punishment, and increase that punishment to the death penalty, in cases that they have committed these offenses in a public place and in a public manner, Simpson said in an interview Monday. More from Alabama Reflector Alabama statute outlines 21 circumstances that enhance the penalty to allow the state to charge someone with capital punishment, such as murdering a person who is less than 14 years old or committing the offense in the presence of someone younger than 14 years old, or killing someone while in commission of a robbery or kidnapping. Murdering a law enforcement officer could also enhance a murder charge to a capital offense. It is murder that can be moved to capital murder if it falls under one of those enhancements, Simpson said. This bill creates the enhancement for causing danger to multiple people. Simpson said he believes the bill would serve as a warning that committing the gravest crimes can come with the harshest punishments. I think that capital murder will send a message to the community that we are no longer taking this, Simpson said. We have seen an increase in public shootings, a significant increase of this in public areas. Carla Crowder, executive director of Alabama Appleseed, a criminal justice reform group, said in a statement that evidence showed that certainty of arrest and conviction is the greatest deterrent to crime, not length of sentence or level of punishment. Some civil rights groups have said that capital punishment does not deter crime. Crowder said investments in mental health care and violence prevention would work to cut crime in the state. Common sense tells us that someone whos enraged enough to shoot into a crowd of people is probably not going to check the Code of Alabama to determine whether theyd be subject to death or just life in prison before pulling the trigger, the statement said. Simpson also introduced legislation in the spring during the 2025 session that would have also expanded eligibility for the death penalty for those who sexually assault minors. The bill, which did not pass, would have joined Alabama with Florida and Tennessee as the states to pass such laws. I am optimistic, I am going to file that bill again and hopefully get it a little further, Simpson said. There are a lot of good bills that died in the Senate this year due to timing, and I will see how things play out. Sometimes it takes multiple years for a bill to pass. The Homeland Security Investigations-Atlanta office provided this image of a restaurant on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in announcing search warrants at locations in Alabama. Homeland Security Investigations-Atlanta Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies carried out a sweeping operation at 14 locations in six Alabama counties Tuesday, the result of a long-term investigation that authorities say is just beginning. The operation executed multiple federal search warrants related to drug trafficking, human smuggling, document fraud and financial crimes. Authorities at an afternoon news conference in Auburn said they were still searching for one man - Cesar Campos-Reyes, a 52-year-old Lee County resident who is a naturalized U.S. citizen. He currently faces federal charges of bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. Campos-Reyes, who authorities said owns five restaurants, was wanted in connection with four fraudulent federal loans totaling $225,000. On Tuesday night, the Department of Justice announced Campos-Reyes surrendered and was in federal custody. He will likely make his initial appearance in federal court in Montgomery on Thursday. He faces a sentence of up to 30 years in prison along with significant fines. There is no parole in the federal system. In addition, agents took more than 40 people believed to be undocumented workers into custody. They are being detained, pending deportation proceedings, according to authorities. As part of the operation, acting U.S. Attorney Kevin P. Davidson said authorities seized distribution level qualities of methamphetamine, powder cocaine, crack and pills, as well as $100,000 in bulk cash, and 20 guns. The drugs were found at one location, which authorities did not name. Three other unnamed individuals were arrested. Two will be charged with harboring undocumented immigrants and another in connection with controlled substances distribution. This is allegedly a transnational organized entity that has committed this activity, and this operation is not about any one offense, Special Agent Steven Schrank with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations said. It was about dismantling a criminal ecosystem; one that profits from the exploitation of people and the circumvention of our nations laws. The operations took place in Lee, Elmore, Autauga, Crenshaw, Macon and Baldwin counties. They involved ICE, FBI, BATF, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security, the Alabama Department of Corrections, and various county and local authorities. Authorities said they timed the raids to minimize contact with customers at various restaurants in the counties. Not all of the 14 locations involved were restaurants. Eight were, with two in Opelika, and single locations in Auburn, Prattville, Wetumpka, Deatsville, Luverne and Robertsdale. The other locations visited included residences and other properties related to the case. One of the operations happened at El Jefe, a Mexican restaurant near the Auburn-Opelika Mall, with agents entering the building, and Auburn police and unmarked vehicles in the area, according to WRBL. We are aware of the news circulating on social media that are involving our business El Jefe Mexican Cuisine. We want... Posted by ElJefe_MexicanCuisine on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Another took place in Foley at Colt Grill, where the Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force said it was conducting a law enforcement operation. We do not tolerate criminal activity of any kind, especially in our Foley businesses, said Ralph Hellmich, Mayor of Foley. Arrests were also made Robertsdale at the El Patron Mexican Grill restaurant which opened on June 1, WKRG reported. At least two Elmore County restaurants were also raided, according to the Wetumpka Herald. Authorities made a distinction between suspecting human smuggling - which means assisting people entering the country illegally - and human trafficking, which entails coercion and force. Acting Field Office Director Brian Acuna with ICE said many of those detained as undocumented have extensive criminal histories. Those crimes dont just hurt the individuals involved, but they harm communities, they undercut legitimate businesses, and they strain public resources, he said. The hiring of individuals that are not authorized to work in the United States may seem like a labor issue to some. Lets be clear, its a public safety issue. When employers knowingly hire illegal aliens, they create a magnet for exploitation, wage theft and unsafe conditions. The Gulf of America HSTF along with multiple state and local agencies participated in an immigration enforcement operations today in central and east Alabama. Multiple search warrants were served today as well. More details to come. pic.twitter.com/ea9XJjx61C FBI Mobile (@FBIMobileAL) July 15, 2025 The operations began in several locations this morning. There is a heavy law enforcement presence in the area of Hwy 98 and Alston St in Foley. We are assisting Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in serving a search warrant related to a criminal investigation, Foley police posted on Facebook. In Arizona, the Yavapai County Sheriffs Office said that it was working with Homeland Security Investigations and multiple other federal agencies in an investigation of the barbecue chain. The Yavapai County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post that the situation was a complex criminal investigation involving alleged criminal activity including money laundering and labor exploitation that is tied to all locations of the Colt Grill. Attempts to reach Colt Grill owner Brenda Clouston were not immediately successful. Early Tuesday evening, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Securitys Homeland Security Investigations division released an updated statement on the Colt Grill investigation. According to that statement, HSI and partners executed 28 federal search warrants and 4 federal arrest warrants specifically in the areas of Prescott, Prescott Valley, Cottonwood, Sedona, and Yavapai County, AZ and Foley, Alabama related to illicit money laundering, labor exploitation and human smuggling. Four people allegedly involved in money laundering were arrested, and over 20 immigration related arrests also took place. Those arrested were not identified. The success of this operation is a result of the close coordinated efforts by our partner law enforcement agencies - all who had significant impact in this three-year long federal investigation, said the HSI statement. This post was updated at 4:22 p.m. Thursday to reflect new information from federal authorities. TAIPEI, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanessa Lee, Vice President of Materials Management at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), has drawn industry attention with her unexpected resignation. One month after taking an extended leave, TSMC announced on July 11 that Lee has stepped down for personal reasons and will officially depart on July 13, 2025. Cliff Hou, Senior Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, will concurrently assume responsibility for materials management. According to sources, TSMC(2330.TW) recruited Lee in 2022 due to her extensive procurement experience at leading U.S. tech firms, including Apple and Alphabet Inc. Her sudden departure has sparked a wave of speculation. While some attribute it to personal career planning, others suggest internal management frictions may have played a rolethough none of these claims have been confirmed. Lee joined TSMC in 2022 as Senior Director of Materials Management and was promoted to Vice President in 2024, becoming the youngest person to hold that title in the company's history. Her prior role as Apple's director of global procurement was widely viewed as instrumental to her recruitment. TSMC is said to have made significant efforts to bring her onboard, viewing her leadership in managing complex supplier ecosystems as critical. In May 2025, Lee was seen attending a private dinner between NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei, and other executives, highlighting her growing influence within the organization. She also represented the company at several major supply chain events during her tenure. She holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Soochow University and a master's degree in chemistry from National Taiwan University. Before joining TSMC, Lee served as Global Commodity Manager at Alphabet Inc. (20202022), Procurement Director at Apple (20112019), Senior Sourcing Manager at Qualcomm Inc. (20072011), and Technical Marketing Manager at Hermes-Epitek (20042007)the latter later acquired by ASML Holding. She remains best known in the industry for her tenure at Apple, where she exercised global procurement authority and was instrumental in shaping the company's supplier relationships. According to TSMC's official website: "Ms. Vanessa Lee is Vice President of the Materials Management Organization at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC). Ms. Vanessa Lee joined TSMC in 2022 and was appointed Senior Director of Materials Management. She established a working model and system to provide TSMC's demand forecast to suppliers, and built capability to monitor and track the development and delivery status of TSMC's key suppliers. This capability and the resulting transparency significantly raised the efficiency of collaboration between TSMC and its suppliers, and enabled TSMC to overcome supply chain disruptions in tools and materials during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to joining TSMC, Ms. Vanessa Lee worked for Google as global commodity manager between 2020 and 2022. She was a procurement director at Apple from 2011 to 2019, and a senior sourcing manager at Qualcomm from 2007 to 2011." SOURCE DIGITIMES ASIA A candidate for city council in Mobile hasnt voted in Alabama in nearly two decades, according to state records. Samantha Ingram did vote in the presidential election last year, but she did so in Georgia, according to the secretary of states office in Atlanta. In a statement to AL.com, Ingram said that in June of 2023, while living in Georgia, she bought a house in Mobile, her hometown. She said she moved into the house in Mobile last summer after doing renovations. During my transition, I did cast a ballot in the 2024 elections in Georgia, Ingram said in the statement. I have consulted legal counsel who has advised me that this vote did not affect my Mobile residency. Ingram, a 57-year-old former school administrator in Mobile, is in a three-person race for the District 2 council seat which includes downtown Mobile and surrounding neighborhoods. Her registration information shows that she remains actively registered to vote in Georgia, and lists her as a resident of Athens, Ga. She also has an active voter registration status in Alabama under a property in Mobile, state records show. But according to the Alabama Secretary of States Office, she has not voted in the state since the 2006 general election. She last voted in a Mobile municipal election on Sept. 14, 2005 nearly 20 years ago, according to state records. Reggie Hill, one of the other candidates running for the council seat, referenced on his Facebook page a section of Alabama State law that requires anyone who runs for Mobile City Council to have lived in their district for the past 90 days, and as a resident of the city for the past year. With everything going on herewe cant risk having leaders who dont know the rules or are willing to break them for their own personal gain, in this arena, Hill wrote on his Facebook page. In a statement to AL.com, Hill said he wished Alabama law required more scrutiny of someones residency before they can qualify to run. The qualification deadline for municipal elections was June 24. The election is on Aug. 26. I think we should look at this moment as a way to help us in future elections to make sure we dont have this happen again, he said. There are few avenues to challenge someones residency ahead of an election. According to Mobile City Clerk Lisa Lambert, if questions are raised about the qualifications of a candidate, the concern should directed through a lawsuit. Incumbent Councilman William Carroll, who is running for re-election declined to comment. Ingram owns four properties in Mobile County, according to county records. None of them are listed as a homestead exemption. Her property in Athens, Georgia, also does not have a homestead exemption, which can be an indicator of where someone lives. The properties have all been purchased by Ingram since 2022, records show, and two of them are located in the 2nd council district. Ingram left Mobile in 2007, after serving as a deputy superintendent at the Mobile County Public Schools System. She was a finalist in 2009 for the superintendents job in Montgomery County, but withdrew her name during the interviewing process, according to media reports at the time. She has since served as a superintendent at a school in South Carolina, and has run her own education consultancy company SK&C Development Group based in Georgia. Mobile has always been in my heart, and I knew I would return to give back to the community that shaped me, Ingram said in her statement. She added: District 2 faces serious challenges which require a fresh approach. I believe in strong partnership, communication and collaboration. I am here to work tirelessly to ensure other young people will not have to leave Mobile in pursuit of their dreams. The questions about Ingrams eligibility follow a list of candidates in Alabama who have had residency issues hover over them. Chief among them is U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who owns two properties in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. including an approximately $5 million beachfront home but claims a homestead exemption on a $271,000 house in Auburn. In Mobile, questions were also raised about mayoral candidate and former Police Chief Paul Prines residency. He owns property in Saraland, and moved into a rental home in March. To be eligible to run for Mobile mayor, a candidate must be a resident of the city for 90 days before the election, and must be a registered city voter. Hill told AL.com the yearlong residency requirement for Mobile city council shows the importance of the position compared to mayor. We have a strong council, weak mayor form of government and that is why you need more time invested in the city to pursue the city council, Hill said. He said he would like to see the law changed to require mayoral candidates to reside in the city for one year before an election, and for city council members to live in the city for two to three years. Its alarming, no matter what side you are on, that a candidate puts the people and public in a position to struggle with (interpreting) the law, Hill said. Editors note: This story was updated with a statement provided by Ingram after publication. Hal Nash sits on the right side of the dais, alongside parole board members Gabrelle Simmons (center) and Darryl Littleton (left) on July 15, 2025. Ivana Hrynkiw | ihrynkiw@al.com As some people described the worst days of their lives and others begged for forgiveness, Hal Nash sat quietly throughout his first day of parole hearings in Montgomery. Nash, who most recently worked as the former chief corrections deputy for Jackson County Sheriffs Office, didnt vote on any of the eight parole and pardon hearings on Tuesday morning. But, as he sat on the right side of the dais, he listened to people both advocating and opposing parole and watched his colleagues work. After listening to testimony in the first set of cases, Nash spoke to the crowded room. Ive not had an opportunity to review any of these cases, he said softly. And therefore, Im not voting on any of these cases because of that. It would be extremely unfair to not be prepared, he said. Nash added that he would spend the week observing and getting familiar with the job. When asked by AL.com, Nash said he strived to be a fair leader. It would be totally unfair to inject myself into a voting process that I have no background on the individuals coming up before us, he said. And to me thats not fair. And this boards going to strive to be very fair. Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Nash to the seat last week, replacing controversial chairperson Leigh Gwathney. The governor wanted a tough-on-crime, fair and pro-law enforcement candidate with leadership experience to ensure public safety, according to a press release from Iveys office last week. Hal Nash is well-equipped to maintain the Boards effectiveness in performing that task, said Ivey. He has a law enforcement perspective, and he has assured me he will approach each decision fairly and with that top goal in mind, which is to keep the people of Alabama safe. The announcement came via email after Gwathneys seat expired on June 30. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall publicly supported Gwathney, a former prosecutor, and had asked the governor to reappoint her despite unprecedented and unwarranted criticism by the liberal media. Gwathney was the most frequent no vote on the board. She had been the focus for questions from both sides of the political aisle about why Alabamas parole rate dropped so low in the past few years, and why the board was only letting out a fraction of people that their own guidelines recommended for release. In 2023, the board granted parole for just 8% of eligible inmates as Alabama all but stopped releasing eligible prisoners. Under public scrutiny, the board ended 2024 with a 20% grant rate and is on track for a 21% grant rate this year. On Tuesday morning, Nash was silent throughout the hearings with one exception, when he asked a single question to a woman seeking a pardon for a 1996 murder conviction. The woman, who was currently on parole, shook as she admitted guilt and sought remorse for suffocating a woman nearly 20 years ago. She talked about her current job at a ministry and her daily routine. When it was his turn, Nash asked the woman what she did on her last off day. She bought clothes for the hearing, the woman explained. And then she bathed her dog, called her friends and prayed. The way people spend their free time says a lot about them, Nash said. Ultimately, she wasnt pardoned. The board recommended she reapply in two years. Overall, the morning of eight hearings ended with six denials. One man was granted medical parole, and one woman was pardoned for a manslaughter conviction. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., speaks to the media at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) AP Alabama U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville said Tuesday that things are really looking good with regard to an upcoming announcement on where U.S. Space Command headquarters will be located. I think in a short period of time its going to happen, Tuberville told Greg Budell of News Talk 93.1 in Montgomery Tuesday morning. You know we had to get the Secretary of the Air Force (Troy E. Meink) confirmed. That happened a couple of weeks ago. Weve got the deputy secretary that will be confirmed either this week or next week. We had to get the Big Beautiful Bill done to have the $150 billion put into the defense budget, because its going to cost a couple of billion dollars to build Space Command. Now, its going to be that much either here or Colorado. But Im very confident that in the very near future were going to have a good positive announcement from the president, and hopefully hell do it in Alabama, Tuberville said. See also: Alabama vs. Colorado: Space Command HQ location debate unresolved in new GAO report Last month, President Donald Trump seemed to indicate Huntsville would win the sweepstakes over where the agency headquarters will be located. Because Im moving it to Alabama. Were working on it, Trump said, in a conversation captured on video with U.S. Rep. Dale Strong. Strong represents north Alabamas 5th Congressional District, where the headquarters would be located at Redstone Arsenal. Strong said in May that a relocation of Space Command could mean 1,700 direct jobs and an additional 3,000 spinoff jobs in north Alabama. Elyton Village community president Willine Body, center, stands in front of the former community center building at Elyton Village. The building remains boarded at the complex after a more than a decade of stalled plans for renovation that never came to fruition. Contributed Frustrated Birmingham residents say an abandoned building in the center of their community stands as a deteriorating monument to years of unkept promises to their neighborhood. Residents of Elyton Village, a public housing community just west of downtown, said their pleas for revitalization remain ignored by housing authority leaders. They just come saying the same things, said Willine Body, longtime president of the Elyton Village residents council. Neighbors say the stench emitting from a long abandoned building increases during the hot summer days. We also know that every time it rains you can smell the mold inside the building, said Sananka AY Yashara Ahla. They say theres no mold, but we can smell mold. You can smell it outside. Neighbors want leaders at the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District to either renovate or demolish the art deco building. Rusted doors to the shuttered brick building hint at the years it has been closed. Residents also point to twin two-story vacant buildings that sit boarded up at the edge of the community. Housing authority officials declined AL.com requests for an interview with CEO Dontrelle Foster. Instead, housing authority spokesperson Keaira Turner told AL.com that the agency is taking action on demolishing vacant buildings at the community. Recently, HUD approved our request to demolish the vacant residential buildings located at Elyton Village, Turner said in a statement. We anticipate that the demolition will take place in 2026. HABD does not currently have HUD permission to demolish the former community center and will seek that authorization in the future. However, Body said housing authority leaders told her that demolition is complicated because the community center building is historic. She remains skeptical. Now all of a sudden its historic. You didnt bring it up until we started talking about it, she said. The last major work at Elyton occurred in 2017 with new front porches and apartment renovations. But the overall project was not fully completed. The exterior of other units remain untouched with twisted and rusting metal awnings. The housing authoritys 2025 draft annual plan included demolishing buildings at Elyton Village including the gym. Similar proposals for Elyton appeared in previous housing authority plans going back several years under previous housing authority administrations. We are asking for documentation to show HUD approved it and when they plan to tear them down, Body said. Residents said their community remains ignored, overlooked and undeveloped. Everything that they are saying is a repeat record, Ahla said. Turner noted that the housing authority held a series of meetings and surveys and received 192 household responses regarding redevelopment. The data will help create a draft proposal for a redevelopment plan, she said. Once a strategy is created, we will have additional opportunities to engage with residents and provide them with opportunities to share feedback, Turner said. Body and others said the meetings occurred, but they were not specifically about Elyton. Meanwhile, plans are underway to transform a community just a few blocks away. Birmingham in 2023 was awarded a federal Choice Neighborhoods grant to help redevelop Smithfield Court and nearby areas. The money is also intended to leverage $294 million in investment for the adjacent Graymont, Smithfield and College Hills neighborhoods. Residents at Elyton Village are concerned that their community will become an island of blight surrounded by new development. Elyton residents said they want more than vague statements about future plans. Instead, theyd rather see a demolition truck to finally rid the neighborhood of what they said are longstanding hazards. I think they feel like, you can just tell them anything and shut them up, Body said. Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch said challenging the current sales tax distribution structure is about "fairness." city of Mountain Brook Mountain Brook is joining the city of Tuscaloosa in a lawsuit challenging Alabamas current distribution of revenue collected under a state tax. The Simplified Sellers Use Tax, which charges an 8% tax on online purchases, is distributed by the state with 50% going to state funds and 50% to cities and counties based on population, not where the purchase originated. Officials argue that its unfair to municipalities like Mountain Brook, where its residents do a lot of online shopping. Our residents are already paying this tax, and yet much of it never makes it back to support the services they rely on, Mayor Stewart Welch said in a statement. This is about fairness. Cities like Mountain Brook should receive a more equitable portion of the revenue generated by their own citizens. The city of Tuscaloosa voted earlier this month to pursue legal action against the state. Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox speaks during a city council meeting in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com) Will McLelland Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said the city plans to file the lawsuit in the next few weeks and hopes it will redirect the funds to the cities that generate the sales. During a recent city council meeting, Mountain Brook officials said the sales tax issue has been on their radar for years, and they are ready to take action now that a bigger player like Tuscaloosa is taking initiative. It is unfairly distributing what should be rightfully our residents tax dollars to other parts of the state that arent as representative of that income generation as our residents, Councilor Gerald Garner said during the council meeting. Maddox and Mountain Brook officials said online delivery services like Walmart, DoorDash and Shipt have a physical nexus in the cities, including employees, trucks and stores where products are picked up before delivery. Commercial entities with the physical nexus within a local community are being ignored and classified as SSUT. That actually reverses decades of how sales tax are remitted throughout Alabama, Maddox told AL.com. Maddox and Mountain Brook officials said they fear the increasing use of online services could erode the sales tax revenues that fund essential services like trash pickup, firefighter equipment, parks and road maintenance. Cities like Mountain Brook and Tuscaloosa, who are strong financially...were not asking for anything other than to keep the taxes we collect that the taxpayers expect to be invested into our classrooms and for public safety and for our roads and bridges, Maddox said. According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, the Simplified Sellers Use Tax generated $851.2 million in 2024. In 2022, Tuscaloosa received $6 million in SSUT funds, Mountain Brook got $1.4 million and Birmingham got $12,138,505, according to a Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama report. Maddox said the formula will cost Tuscaloosa an estimated $14.6 million in revenue this year. Steven Boone, the Mountain Brook finance director, said that while there is no definitive way to calculate the exact revenue loss, only about 2% of the 8% online sales tax is distributed to municipalities. However, many cities like Mountain Brook have local sales tax rates of 3% or more. This means there is a clear shortfall when compared to what those cities would receive if local sales taxes applied to online sales, Boone told AL.com in a statement. Municipal budgets rely on predictable and adequate revenue streams. With rising demand for services, tight budgets are a constant challenge, and the current SSUT structure makes it more difficult to meet those demands. Supporters for the current tax structure said changing it could jeopardize millions of dollars in revenues to the state. Officials argue that market facilitators like DoorDash dont physically produce or market products in the cities they serve and that the tax would also have to be applied by other online retailers, like Amazon. Going into that law and tinkering with the definition of a marketplace facilitator, will put the whole program at risk, Association of County Commissions of Alabama Sonny Brasfield told AL.com in January. Counties will not be supportive of that in any shape, form or fashion. Mountain Brook officials maintain that the tax distribution is unfair. Weve watched this imbalance for years while continuing to invest in public safety, infrastructure and quality of life. Joining this lawsuit is a necessary step to advocate for the fiscal future of our city and ensure our ability to serve the community well, Mountain Brook Council President Virginia Smith said in a statement. A record number of passengers arrived or departed from Huntsville International Airport in June, the second month in a row that HSV has reached a new high-water mark. The 160,455 passengers were 9.1% above the total in June 2024 and up 4.7% for the calendar year to date, CEO Butch Roberts told directors during a meeting Tuesday. Yet rail cargo traffic continued a three-month slide in the wake of multiple tariffs the United States has unilaterally imposed on numerous countries -- tariffs that have led to higher consumer prices. The airports International Intermodal Center saw 2,198 rail lifts in June, down 10.1% year over year and a drop of 50% since Marchs 4,400. The latter was a record number as shippers sought to move inventory before President Donald Trumps initial round of tariffs went into effect. [Companies are] adjusting for inventory and whats going on with tariffs and trying to minimize that, Roberts said. Were sightly up [on rail lifts] so far this month. Barbie Peek, chief business development officer for the airport, said the rail numbers were not a surprise. We continue to get some new customers, and were seeing growth in auto engine parts and general merchandise, she said. Air cargo freight weights were just over 5 million pounds last month, down 29.5% compared with June 2024 and down 22% year to date. Roberts said some of the drop could be attributed to the recent merger between European airfreight forwarding giants DSV and DB Schenker, a $15.9 billion deal that has resulted in the industrys largest global firm. DSV has a sizeable presence at Huntsville, Roberts said, and the airport is hopeful it will see more business as the new company comes to terms with its larger fleet. Directors also approved the next steps in millions of dollars of improvements underway at HSV. The airport will contract with Robins & Morton LLC for up to $7.1 million in upgrades to the concourse, including replacing tile with terrazzo, installing powered seats and tables and replacing carpet and ceiling tiles. The firm will also expand the security screening queuing area, remove central planters and install additional lighting in the terminals waiting hall at a cost of up to $825,613. The projects are funded by a grant under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021. Alabama State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, has proposed a bill to prohibit buying candy and sodas through the food assistance program SNAP. John Sharp An Alabama state senator wants to pass a state law to tighten up what people can buy through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan, the food assistance program formerly known as food stamps. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, has a bill intended to prohibit buying sodas and candy with SNAP. Orr said it is harmful to use tax dollars to pay for products that contribute to Alabamas high rate of obesity and chronic health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Were almost facilitating problems on the health side by allowing free sugar drinks and candy in the form of free EBT purchases or SNAP purchases, Orr said. EBT refers to the electronics benefit transfer cards issued to SNAP recipients. Orrs bill would require the Alabama Department of Human Resources, which administers SNAP, to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service to exclude sodas and candy from the list of foods eligible for SNAP. Six states have received similar waivers, according to the USDA. - Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Utah. The waivers take effect next year. I believe strongly we need to have the issue pushed forward in the legislative process and have that debate, Orr said. Changes to SNAP have a big impact in Alabama. An average of 750,000 people received SNAP benefits in Alabama last year, an average monthly benefit of about $200. That amounted to about $1.8 billion during fiscal year 2024. Federal dollars pay 100% of SNAP benefits, while states pay part of the administrative costs. But that will change under President Trumps tax cut and spending bill passed by Congress, the big, beautiful bill. Starting in 2028, states will have to pay part of the benefits, a potentially large expense for Alabamas budget. States can avoid if they keep their error rate for administering SNAP below 6%. The error rate measures how accurately a state determined SNAP eligibility and benefit amounts for those who participate in SNAP. Errors include both overpayments - when households receive more benefits than they are entitled to and underpayments when they receive less. Orr sponsored a bill this year that he said was intended to enable DHR and the Alabama Medicaid Agency to more reliably track the eligibility of those receiving benefits. The bill would have required DHR and Medicaid to enter data matching agreements with other state agencies to cross check eligibility status. For example, the Department of Revenue would notify DHR when tax records indicated a SNAP recipient got a new job. The bill did not advance, but Orr still thinks it is a good idea and that the state has the technology to make it work. Its time to improve our systems as far as checking to make sure those truly eligible are the ones that are receiving the benefits and not ineligible parties, Orr said. And I appreciate Congress and the president brining this issue into the crosshairs. SNAP can be used to buy fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads and cereals, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. It cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco, pet food, vitamins and supplements, and household goods such as paper products and cleaning supplies. Orrs bill to take sodas and candy off the list of SNAP-eligible foods is not a new idea. He sponsored similar legislation before the COVID pandemic, but it did not pass. When the taxpayers are funding free groceries and free health care, Im not saying at all that we abolish the programs, but we need to be wise about it, Orr said. Next years legislative session starts Jan. 13. President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he walks on the South Lawn upon arriving at the White House, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) AP Donald Trumps latest explanation on the Epstein files defies logic, according to the presidents critics. On Tuesday afternoon, Trump told reporters that Attorney General Pam Bondi did not tell him that he was named in the files, which he alleged were made up by former Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden and FBI Director James Comey, whom Trump fired over the Russia investigation. Shes given us just a very quick briefing, and in terms of the credibility of the different things that theyve seen. And I would say ... these files were made up by Comey, they were made up by, Obama, they were made up by Obama ... and we went through years of that, the president said. With the Russia Russia Russia hoax, with all the different things that we had gone through, but [Bondi] is handling [the Epstein situation] very well, and its gonna be up to her. Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release. Meanwhile, Bondi avoided a question on whether she would be open to releasing credible evidence. Im not going to talk about Epstein, she said during a news conference on fentanyl. The presidents critics claimed his explanation on Tuesday afternoon did not make sense. Trump got a very quick briefing on the Epstein files but long enough to know they were made up by Comey, Obama and Biden. Got it! tweeted former Obama National Security Council staffer and Pod Save America co-host Tommy Vietor. Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, a Democrat, suggested Trumps response was unhinged. Yeah hes spiraling, Smith tweeted. Trump has been dogged by the Epstein case since Sunday, when a joint Department of Justice and FBI memo was released saying there was no incriminating client list and no credible evidence that Epstein blackmailed co-conspirators who sexually abused underaged girls provided by him, Axios first reported. The memo stirred outrage among Trumps most ardent supporters who trusted the presidents word during the campaign to release the files. An area of low pressure was moving across north Florida on Tuesday and is expected to move into the Gulf by Wednesday, where it could become a tropical depression. National Hurricane Center The National Hurricane Center thinks a tropical depression could form in the Gulf in a few days. Forecasters continued to track an area of low pressure that was moving across northern Florida on Tuesday evening. It is expected to move westward, across the Sunshine State, and into the Gulf by Wednesday. The hurricane center thinks it will head in the direction of Louisiana and could approach the coast there on Thursday. The hurricane center said conditions in the Gulf will be favorable for the system to organize, and it could become a tropical depression as it continues to track to the west or west-northwest this week. The hurricane center has raised the probability of a depression forming to 40 percent, an increase from 30 percent on Monday. A system has to have a defined center of circulation and sustained winds of at least 40 mph to be classified as a tropical storm and get a name. The next name on the 2025 Atlantic storm list is Dexter. Weather watchers arent expecting this system to intensify into a hurricane, but it could bring a lot of rain to parts of Florida and the northern Gulf Coast, including Alabama. WHAT CAN ALABAMA EXPECT? The National Weather Service in Mobile continued to keep a close eye on the system on Tuesday and said it could potentially bring 2 to 4 inches of rain to parts of south Alabama. Here is the current rainfall outlook through Friday for parts of south Alabama: Here is the expected rain amounts for parts of south Alabama and coastal areas through Friday morning. Expect this forecast to change depending on the track of a tropical disturbance this week. NWS There is still a lot of uncertainty regarding whether or not this develops into a tropical depression and regarding the eventual track of the system the weather service said in its Tuesday morning forecast discussion. One potential scenario is that the system moves into the Gulf and remains near the coastline with less time to develop. Another scenario is that this system moves a little further out into the Gulf with more time to develop. Regardless of development, we will get drenched with heavy rain (especially across the southern portion of the area), which may lead to flooding issues if storms repeatedly move over the same locations. The weather service is forecasting a low rip current risk today, but it will increase to moderate on Wednesday and high (the highest level) on Thursday and Friday. That means swimming the Gulf will be hazardous. Here is the rip current forecast for Alabama and northwest Florida coastal areas: English News China's services sector climbs up global value chain Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 8 Juillet 2025 As a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation accelerates globally, China is seizing emerging opportunities to boost the competitiveness of its services sector on the world stage. By Luo Shanshan, Ding Qianqian China is emerging as a dynamic engine for global services trade growth, demonstrated by surging international interest in tourism and shopping alongside leadership in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. In the first four months of 2025, China's services exports reached nearly 1.13 trillion yuan ($157.73 billion), an increase of 14.6 percent from a year earlier - a notable achievement amid persistent global trade uncertainty. This global appeal was recently showcased when more than 3,000 tourism professionals from 74 countries and regions gathered in Shanghai and Chengdu at the invitation of Chinese travel platforms. "I could watch pandas munching on bamboo all day long!" said David, a travel agency operator from Australia with 20 years of experience while visiting the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Awed by the up-close encounter with China's beloved national treasure, David remarked that his agency plans to introduce panda-themed tours as a highlight of its premium packages. "Since last year, 'China travel' has become the most frequently asked topic among our clients. We expect to bring at least 500 Australian tourists to China next year," said David. Among the destinations were marketing executives of Dubai's hotels, product managers from major European tour operators, and internationally renowned travel influencers - individuals with significant clout in global tourism circles. From the dazzling skyline of the Bund area in Shanghai to the serene beauty of the Jiuzhaigou scenic area in southwest China's Sichuan province, from the aroma of hotpot on busy street corners to the bustling pulse of modern commercial centers, this journey - shared by tourism elites from around the world - became a meaningful cultural dialogue. Trade in travel-related services continued rapid growth momentum, surging 14.7 percent year on year to reach 756.78 billion yuan from January to April this year. Exports soared by a remarkable 79.9 percent, while imports grew by 7.8 percent. This dramatic rise in outbound travel services is underpinned by several converging factors: streamlined visa-free transit policies, the resumption of international flights, tax-refund policies for overseas tourists, and steady upgrades in China's catering, hospitality, and business travel industries. According to data from Chinese online travel platform Ctrip, tourism contributed 10 percent to global GDP in 2024 and created 350 million jobs. "Tourism has become an important bridge connecting Chinese services with the global market," said Sun Jie, CEO of Ctrip. Today, Chinese services are rapidly moving up the global value chain. In the first four months of this year, exports of knowledge-intensive services reached 590.24 billion yuan, a 6.1 percent year-on-year increase. In June, at Peru's Chancay Port, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative and South America's first smart port, 50 autonomous smart trucks maneuvered through the terminal with precision, transporting containers from cargo ships to designated storage areas along pre-programmed routes. The operation, fully automated and coordinated via an intelligent dispatch system, demonstrated a new model for port logistics. The port's smart logistics system was developed by Shanghai-based Utopilot. "The first 40 trucks have been operating around the clock in coordination with the central dispatch platform, increasing handling efficiency by 30 percent and reducing empty truck runs by 15 percent," said Yang Lei, general manager of the company's sales and operations center. "All instructions and task assignments are automatically generated, which streamlines port management." To accommodate the intricate needs of round-the-clock terminal activity, precision parking, and end-to-end scheduling coordination, Utopilot has developed 36 major categories encompassing over 120 safety testing protocols, integrated 80 autonomous driving functions, and created an intelligent fleet management platform capable of supporting over 1,000 vehicles. The project was recognized as a national best-practice case in technology trade and joined other exemplary cases of Chinese companies advancing international cooperation and export of high-end services. One such example is Yangling Modern Agriculture International Cooperation Co. Ltd., which has built 14 agricultural demonstration parks in seven Belt and Road partner countries, exporting China's expertise in modern farming practices. Another standout is WhaleBI, a firm based in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu province, which has successfully delivered a large-scale cloud computing solution to Saudi Arabia through remote deployment. The project facilitated the digital transformation of local data centers, reducing operational and maintenance costs by approximately 30 percent. Also on the list is the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which developed an industrial-scale, environmentally friendly process for synthesizing ethylenediamine. The technology provides a greener solution to the global chemical industry. As a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation accelerates globally, China is seizing emerging opportunities to boost the competitiveness of its services sector on the world stage. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tiny city, big impact: Arxan emerges as cross-cultural bridge Resurrecting ancient art: Digital technology reawakens murals of Kizil Caves in Xinjiang China's 1,000-kW-class civil turboshaft engine obtains production license Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) The hospital provides essential rehabilitative services that help patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions regain function and independence. Patients receive a minimum of three hours of intensive therapy five days each week, frequent physician visits and 24-hour nursing care. Hospital amenities include all private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym featuring advanced rehabilitation technologies, an activities of daily living suite, in-house dialysis suite, therapy courtyard, dining room, in-house pharmacy and dayroom areas. An interdisciplinary team of highly specialized nurses, therapists and physicians provide physical, occupational and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life. "The community excitement and support for this hospital has been incredible," said Lori Bedard, president of Encompass Health's Southeast region. "It is a privilege to now be in Daytona Beach, serving patients in this community close to home." Encompass Health Daytona Beach is Encompass Health's 169th inpatient rehabilitation hospital nationwide and its 23rd location in Florida. For more information about the hospital's services, visit encompasshealth.com/locations/daytona-beach-rehab. About Encompass Health Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 169 hospitals in 38 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies and Forbes' Most Trusted Companies in America. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com , or follow us on our newsroom , X , Instagram and Facebook . From Fortune. 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Fortune is a registered trademark and Fortune World's Most Admired Companies is trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Encompass Health. From Forbes 2024 Forbes Media LLC. All rights reserved. Used under license. Encompass Health media contact: Polly Manuel | 205-970-5912 [email protected] SOURCE Encompass Health Corp. English News Resurrecting ancient art: Digital technology reawakens murals of Kizil Caves in Xinjiang Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 9 Juillet 2025 At the foot of the Mingwutag Mountain, poplars planted decades ago by researchers stand sentinel beside the caves. Today, as these silent witnesses guard Xinjiang's cultural legacy, technological innovation breathes new vitalityinto ancient pigments, ensuring their stories endure for generations. By Li Yanan, Dong Yingxue, People's Daily Within the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves in Baicheng county, Aksu prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, visitors are greeted by a refreshing coolness - a welcome respite from the arid expanse of northwest China. Here, among the country's earliest large-scale grotto groups, cave walls shimmer with rows of jewel-toned diamond patterns. Each geometric frame encapsulates a story, with blues and greens from millennia-old murals unfolding in solemn procession across stone canvases. Yet time has been unkind. As China's oldest surviving Buddhist cave complex, Kizil confronts relentless preservation challenges. Centuries of aging, smoke damage, and human intervention have compromised its artistic legacy. "Restoration is painstaking," said Yang Jie, a staff member at the Kizil Grottoes research institute. "A single four-to-five-square-meter mural can demand over two months of meticulous work." Of Kizil's 349 caves, 107 contain murals spanning nearly 4,000 square meters, only a fraction of their original glory. In the early 20th century, foreign expeditions removed significant portions. According to Zhao Li, a researcher at the institute, around 500 square meters of murals from 59 caves were stripped away. From 2002 to 2016, Zhao collected 487 high-resolution images of these scattered fragments from over 20 international museums and brought them back to China for digital restoration. This meticulous effort required extensive research to determine each mural's original location. She digitally cropped and reassembled the pieces like a massive jigsaw puzzle, culminating in 2020 with the most comprehensive catalog of displaced Kizil artworks - a 1,200-plate compendium mapping each artwork to their ancestral caves. Where soot obscures murals, advanced technologies now illuminate. A project jointly launched by the China Cultural Heritage Information and Consulting Center, the Digital Culture Laboratory under Tencent's Sustainable Social Value organization, and the Tencent Research Institute, is pioneering the use of terahertz imaging, X-ray analysis, and large language models to identify, reconstruct and digitally restore damaged artworks In Cave 161, layers of grime cloak artistic narratives. A research team from the School of Art and Archaeology of Zhejiang University employed terahertz time-domain spectroscopy to non-invasively penetrate the darkened surfaces, revealing pigment layers beneath and effectively seeing through centuries of residue without damaging the murals. "We've identified one figure, two concentric circles on the dome, and diamond motifs, all classic Kuqa artistry," said Zhang Hui, professor with Zhejiang University, gesturing toward the blackened ceiling. Next, the team will digitally reconstruct these findings using advanced analytical techniques. Meanwhile, Cave 38's fragmentary murals defy conventional restoration. Here, artificial intelligence offers a breakthrough: The Digital Xinjiang Group utilizes image recognition to hypothesize and reconstruct missing sections - a technological leap accelerating preservation. At the foot of the Mingwutag Mountain, poplars planted decades ago by researchers stand sentinel beside the caves. Today, as these silent witnesses guard Xinjiang's cultural legacy, technological innovation breathes new vitalityinto ancient pigments, ensuring their stories endure for generations. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tiny city, big impact: Arxan emerges as cross-cultural bridge China's 1,000-kW-class civil turboshaft engine obtains production license AI unlocks new frontiers for retail in China Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Steadiness and openness: China's rising global appeal Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 8 Juillet 2025 At a time when divisive zero-sum thinking increasingly impedes global progress, China's vision and practical steps toward building a community with a shared future for mankind offer alternative pathways, injecting sustained momentum into international cooperation through both profound ideas and concrete action. By Liu Lingling, People's Daily Recent surveys by international polling agencies such as Ipsos and Morning Consult reveal a steady rise in global favorability toward China. This shift is evidenced by three key developments: substantial increases in foreign tourists arrivals, broader international viewership of Chinese films and TV dramas, and growing global investor interest in Chinese assets. Observers note a striking shift in China's global image - from "mysterious" to "captivating" - with some foreign commentators even describing China as distinctly "cool." Tourists recount a common journey: arriving with curiosity about a nation once seen as enigmatic, only to depart as genuine enthusiasts. Thanks to China's unilateral visa-free policies - now extended to 47 countries - and its 240-hour visa-free transit program expanded to 55 countries, a growing number of foreign travelers are packing their bags for impromptu visits. This surge in firsthand encounters transforms visitors into active ambassadors of Chinese culture. Their authentic experiences are dissolving the "cognitive bubbles" shaped by prejudice and distance, fostering deeper cross-cultural understanding and emotional connections. This rising global favorability reflects not only China's stabilizing and constructive role amid global turbulence, but also the intrinsic appeal of its development and progress. A foundation of stability and progress Amid rising protectionism and global uncertainty, China has remained committed to its principled approach - pursuing high-quality development and expanding high-standard opening up. In the first quarter of 2025, China's GDP grew by 5.4 percent year on year. In the first five months, the total value of China's foreign trade rose by 2.5 percent from a year ago. Despite mounting external pressures, China's economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience, remaining a critical engine for global growth. Observers worldwide recognize this steadiness - guided by strategic focus, undeterred by external noise or short-term fluctuations, and driven by confidence and long-term vision. China has signed 23 free trade agreements with 30 countries and regions. It has extended the zero-tariff treatment to cover 100 percent of tariff lines for all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China. The number of Belt and Road partner countries continues to grow. The world sees not just market access, but the broader opportunities presented by China's development. Chinese modernization is delivering fresh momentum to global progress. A commitment to shared responsibility As unilateralism fuels anxiety and instability worldwide, China has doubled down on its commitment to peaceful development and win-win cooperation. A stark contrast emerged at two recent summits. While the G7 reiterated confrontationist rhetoric like "small yard, high fence," the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana yielded over 100 tangible cooperation agreements. China and Central Asian countries are jointly pursuing high-quality regional development and shared modernization, while championing multilateralism and international fairness and justice. In response to unilateral bullying by certain countries, China has taken tangible steps to implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilizations Initiative, driving progress toward building a community with a shared future for mankind. "China has been a rational, strong and reliable partner. Malaysia values this consistency," said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He added that China offers not just stability but a lasting sense of hope for the future. A drive for innovation and progress "This is a very dynamic and innovative society," observed The Telegraph's correspondent after extensive travel throughout China. With an innovation-driven development strategy and robust efforts to cultivate new quality productive forces, China's scientific and technological advancements are capturing global attention. Innovation has made China a "nation of the future." International observers cite its resilience, relentless entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to breakthroughs. This reflects a deeper strength: resolve in tackling complex challenges, courage to blaze new paths, and the patience to press forward. This persistent momentum earns increasing international respect and recognition. By embracing openness and cooperation, China shares the fruits of its innovation with the world, promoting common development and working with other nations to pursue shared aspirations. A China like this naturally inspires others to join in its progress. A resonant cultural connection From the viral sensation of toy figure Labubu to beloved cultural icons like Ne Zha and Wukong, China's creative reinterpretation of its traditions - blending modern design and technology - is fueling a global "Eastern fever," weaving compelling stories of cross-cultural exchanges. China's rising global favorability reflects its proactive engagement with the world, the growing global resonance of its ideas, the richness of its civilization, and the expanding promise inherent in its unique modernization path. At a time when divisive zero-sum thinking increasingly impedes global progress, China's vision and practical steps toward building a community with a shared future for mankind offer alternative pathways, injecting sustained momentum into international cooperation through both profound ideas and concrete action. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tiny city, big impact: Arxan emerges as cross-cultural bridge Resurrecting ancient art: Digital technology reawakens murals of Kizil Caves in Xinjiang China's 1,000-kW-class civil turboshaft engine obtains production license Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-FL (I cant help but remember how Rush Limbaugh used to call her Debbie Blabbermouth Schultz), has been railing about the inhumane conditions at Alligator Alcatraz: e.g., the detainees have to use jailhouse toilets which combine sink and toilet in one stainless steel unit, and there are insects everywhere. In an e-mailed statement to Newsweek, she declared, This inhumane camp mirrors the despicable imprisonment that Japanese Americans endured in internment camps without due process in World War II. Like then, Trump and DeSantis ethnically target individuals without formal trials or charges, and detain them in makeshift barracks, or in this case, cages. And just like that ugly chapter in Americas past, these Everglades detainees lack any privacy or humane treatment, and face inadequate food, sanitation, medical and living conditions. The immoral treatment of human beings on this Florida site unmistakably echoes a similarly shameful American chapter. Schultz was particularly outraged that while those manning (Oops! Can we still say manning, or must we say personing?) the facility were fed large pieces of roast chicken and large sausages, the detainees had to make do with small, gray turkey and cheese sandwiches and apple and chips, and thats it. X screen grab. Were talking about fully grown men being fed very small portions, the Florida Congresswoman kvetched. Golly, they get apples? Isnt that fresh fruit? I remember the time or two that I was in jail. We got three meals a day, and every one was the same: a slice of bologna between two slices of dry white bread, and black coffee. And I was, and am, an American citizen, not an illegal alien. Maybe Schultz could take these poor, oppressed individuals into her own home, where she could give them the kind of food, lodging, privacy, and care that she thinks they deserve. Heck, she could even cook for them and bring them their meals and fresh towels like room service! I cant help but be reminded of reading, when I was a kid, some of my dads old copies of Yank, The Army Weekly from World War II. One memorable item was supposed to be a letter to a soldier from the folks back home, telling how everyone, even on the homefront, was forced to make sacrifices. Those sacrifices included having steak only twice a week, and no more cherries in our cherry Cokes. Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost (no, not the same as Max Frost and the Troopers!) was upset that Alligator Alcatraz was a place where people are forced to eat, sleep, shower, and defecate all in the same room. Please! Youre breakin my heart! Its a jail, a detention facility! Where did you get the notion that being in jail was supposed to be comfortable? The conditions in such a facility are supposed to be part of the deterrent to doing stuff that will land you up in such a facility; where did you get the notion that it was supposed to be a country club, a spa, or even a summer camp? There are insects everywhere! Well, Duh! Its in the Everglades! Is it any worse than what U.S. Marine Corps recruits go through at Parris Island? They get eaten alive by sand fleas, and theyre not even supposed to swat em! Are the detainees at Alligator Alcatraz forbidden to swat the insects that plague them? Has any detainee ever been singled out for swatting an insect and then been forced to dig a grave and bury the insect, the way more than one Marine recruit has been forced to do? And, by the way, Im not a Marine. But Ive heard enough stories of Boot Camp at Parris Island to believe them. Ive even had Marines tell me that they reached a point where they were so exhausted and sleep-deprived and hot and sweaty and sore and eaten alive by sand fleas that they questioned what they had gotten themselves into, and seriously considered quitting, at which point the Drill Instructor would remind them of what the letters USMC actually stood for: U Signed the Motherf***ing Contract! Such are the conditions endured by those American citizens who have volunteered to be among the few and the proud. The detainees at Alligator Alcatraz didnt sign a contract. But they did enter the USA illegally. And that is reason enough for their detention, let alone whatever other crimes they may have committed (and, apparently, many of those detained have committed other crimes, including theft, murder, rape, child-molestation and drug- and gang-related crimes; the facility was built in order to safely detain the worst of the worst). If they didnt want to be forced to live in such inhumane conditions, they shouldnt have sneaked across the border (even if former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and other Biden Administration officials werefigurativelyencouraging them with open arms, big smiles and banners declaring Bienvenidos!). But wait, theres more! The recently-appointed executive director of the ACLU of Florida and a former officer of the Southern Poverty Law Center, one Bacardi Jackson (did her parents name her after a popular brand of rum?), brought up a whole nother reason to be outraged about Alligator Alcatraz: Its built, you see, on sacred, indigenous land, and is, therefore, a direct assault on humanity, dignity, indigenous sovereignty, and the constitutional protections we all share. Somehow, when I hear the words direct assault, Im reminded less of indigenous sovereignty and more of the kind of direct assault suffered by Laken Riley or any of the countless other victims of violent illegal immigrants. Detention and deportation seem far more humane than what many of these criminals actually deserve. Stu Tarlowe has been contributing to American Thinker since 2010; most of his work for AT can be accessed here. He also posts irregularly on Stus Stack o Stuff, where the content is not exclusively political but includes memoirs, observations and even jokes (and where subscriptions are currently free). For more than a decade, Stu was the personal editor for Conservative talk radio icon and author Barry Farber. Stu will entertain offers of employment as a columnist, editor, proofreader, re-write specialist and tutor. Writing in the American Conservative (June 17, 2025), Hunter DeRensis demonstrates with pristine lucidity the hatred of Israel that underlies much isolationist conservative writing today. Refreshingly absent from Mr. DeRensiss piece, entitled Zionism Is Not an American Principle," is any nice cop/tough cop affectation wherein the Jewish nation is admonished to lay down its arms for its own good. He offers no vision of peace in the region if only Israel would withdraw to some former boundary or curb the belligerent propensities of its prime minister. No, DeRensis tells us that Zionism is not an American principle. Of course, by this, he means that Zionism, the movement to create and defend a Jewish homeland, is antithetical to American principles. It is to be abhorred by all real Americans. The Holocaust, as far as DeRensis seems to be concerned, represented no reason for the formation of Israel, and the October 7, 2023, attack no justification for her military response. Nazis and Hamas killers are not the villains he is here to denounce. Now, someone might answer that an American sympathy for the founding of Israel is natural for certain reasons. The association of the first migration from Europe to America with the Exodus and journey to the Promised Land is a striking aspect of John Winthrops City on a Hill Sermon (1630), from which we quoted on these pages. Peter Beinart vs. Israel and the Jews. George Washington, in his Letter to the Hebrew Congregation (1790), expressed hope that the Children of the stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants. Would that goodwill not likely extend to supporting a homeland in the place to which the prophet Moses led the Israelites, according to Scripture? Particularly after the culminating disaster of the diaspora in the middle of the Twentieth Century, was American support for the founding of this new nation surprising? President Harry Truman, one of DeRensiss targets, found American sympathy for the new Jewish homeland unsurprising. He had a series of ignoble impulses in those years, according to DeRensis: recognizing Israel, over the vehement objection of Secretaries Marshall and Forrestal, and ordering that atomic bombs be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Jews are implicated in this latter atrocity as well (Today, youll find many Zionists defending Trumans decision to drop nuclear weapons against the civilian cities [as opposed to military cities?] of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.). Real Americans apparently recognize Truman for the war criminal that he was. But we cannot dwell on thisthe Noam Chomsky-Jeremiah Wright-American Conservative viewand will move on. The Israeli attacks on Irans nuclear and military sites were unprovoked, says DeRensis. Obviously, the attacks upon Israel by Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis had nothing to do with Iran. It is not as though those groups were Irans proxies. The same is true of Hezbollahs 1994 destruction of a Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires. And neither Irans own drone attacks on Israel nor the mobs shouting Death to Israel in Tehrans streets were provocations. DeRensis himself would take them in good humor, were they directed at him. What matter if the Iranians attained nuclear weapons with the capacity to reach Tel Aviv? Like so many purveyors of this particular hatred, DeRensis tells us both that no one likes the Israelis these days (public opinion is changing dramatically [against Israel] among young people) and that it takes great courage (patriotic courage) to attack them. He must be jubilant that so much of the Western world, from Europe to Britain and Ireland, to Australia and Canada, to American universities, is imbued with the same strain of heroism. Jews are today reviled everywhere, and yet it takes bravery to pile on! Mr. DeRensis, of course, does not refer to the Jews, though he names a few whose presence in government he finds threatening. In any case, it is apparent that persons of that ilk are responsible for all his woes. They, represented by the Israeli prime minister, contrive at the entrapment of our leaders. They, as Israelis, threaten the safety of U.S. soldiers caught in the middle of their wars of aggression. The Israelis maneuvered the United States into foreign policy disasters like the Iraq War, forcing it to reap[] the blowback of Islamic terrorism. Which blowback? Were the Israelis responsible for 9/11 and the assassination of Robert Kennedy? Israels supporters poisoned [Americas] domestic politics with loyalty oaths and the suppression of speech and caused the United States to lose inestimable trust and respectability with the rest of the world [emphasis added]. Is the reader aware of anyone in this country being forced to sign or recite an oath of loyalty to Israel? Continuing his indictment, DeRensis warns, And this latest gamble by Tel Aviv to force the United States into another major war must be the final straw [emphasis added]. The final straw before what? we venture to inquire. Since DeRensis published this, the United States, of course, has participated significantly in the destruction of Iranian nuclear capacity without entering another major war. Now the entire history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, as DeRensis tells it, is the history of Jewish persecution of the Palestiniansgenocidal persecution to be compared to Hitlers. The only mention of the Holocaust in this diatribe occurs in that context. The connection between German Naziism and the Arab antisemitic animus illustrated by the Grand Muftis actual association with Hitler and the veneration of the Mufti by the present leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Abbas, DeRensis omits to mention. Menachem Begin, a fascist, DeRensis assures us, returned the Sinai to Egypt in the Camp David Accords. Again at Camp David, in 2000, Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered to give Arafat a Palestinian state. The result was the Second Intifada. The Israelis withdrew from Gaza lock, stock, and barrel in 2005. The eventual result was October 7, 2023. Israel is a rogue nuclear state, DeRensis proclaims. And yet it has had nuclear weapons since the 1960s and never used or threatened to use them. Is Israel really another North Korea? DeRensis, no doubt, would be eminently confident that the Iranian Mullahs with nuclear weapons would show prudent restraint. Indeed, their having both such weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile capacity apparently would not bother him in the least. And finally, there is the ritual flair of indignation that anyone would call all this antisemitic. DeRensis invokes the names of Patrick Buchanan and Joseph Sobran in this phase of his argument. Those two eminent gentlemen were victimized by the phony club of antisemitism, and DeRensis, no doubt, anticipates experiencing a similar persecution. In the middle of his protest, he favors us with a long quotation in which Mr. Buchanan accuses polemicists and public officials of colluding with Israel and of seeking to ensnare our country in a series of wars that are not in Americas interests. Is the intimation that the one very small Jewish nation is Americas enemy and that any American caring for it shows disloyalty not intolerance? And if not, what is? Image from Pexels. Over 90% of the responses and discussion about the way the Trump Administration has mishandled the Epstein documents and records have been emotional, vitriolic, or filled with outrage. I can understand why and agree to a large degree: What Jeffrey Epstein did, likely with the approval (if not outright endorsement) of Western intelligence agencies, was a crime against humanity. However, it is in these moments when faced with immense evil that we must proceed with clear heads and not react emotionally. It speaks well to our side that, unlike the four years in which Biden did not release the Epstein documents, there is a collective rage from the right at the Trump administrations gross mishandling (some would argue outright cover-up, but I doubt this) of the case. Unlike the Democrats, we demand and hold our leaders accountable, even when it might hurt us. That is because our side actually believes in justice and accountability, even when it is not convenient for us. However, we should avoid demanding resignations unilaterally, getting angry, or shouting Damn the consequences, release it all! None of us who arent in the Trump administration really have all the facts, and even if we did, those responses would be based on emotional outrage and not good sense, or even blind justice. Image by ChatGPT. What might be the consequences of just releasing it all, damn the consequences! We dont know how far this crime against humanity goes, but let us assume that it involves world leaders, Fortune 500 CEOs, and the elite across the entire world. First, we have no idea which world leaders it would affect, which regions it would destabilize, or even which companys stocks would be affected. While stock prices may seem trivial compared to justice, would you be willing to sacrifice the pension funds of millions of working-class Americans? What if it were your retirement that became worthless because half the Fortune 500 CEOs of the past 30 years were implicated? Would you be willing to live a retirement in poverty when you say damn the consequences? Further, if world leaders are implicated, would you be willing to send your children to war, a war that may only be being held back because the CIA has blackmail on a hostile world leader (or even a friendly one), just so that the documents are released? Are you yourself willing to die in a war that the CIAs blackmail theoretically might have prevented? These are part of the consequences that could plausibly happen if we emotionally say damn the consequences and assume that we ourselves will not suffer for them. It is very easy to say, in a pique of justified outrage, damn the consequences, release it all. But would you be so willing to say the same thing if you yourself might be killed in a war or be forced to live a retirement in poverty? Or would you be willing to inflict those sufferings on others, merely to sate your own outrage? Further, if the CIA was involved (and I think this is likely), would you be willing to cede the moral high ground to the Chinese Communist Party, which would immediately capitalize on such a propaganda coup against the West? And if Mossad was involved, or Ariel Sharon, would you be willing to allow a second Holocaust to happen after Israel loses all standing internationally? Perhaps some would (weve seen recently that there are some virulent antisemites on the right), but no sane person would take that position. Some of you may even think it worth letting the CCP get a win over this. Well, when a Chinese soldier throws you up against a wall and shoots you in the back of the head because we lost a war with China, I hope you are satisfied you did the right thing. I would personally be willing to suffer all those things to topple corrupt elites: I joined the US Army after 9/11 because, as an immigrant, I felt it my duty to give back to the country that had given me so much. But would I be willing to inflict that upon 20 million Americans? Would you be okay with me making that decision on your behalf, if it impoverished or killed you? These are real questions that President Trump and his team are likely grappling with now. And this is not a fault of the Trump administration: Most of these crimes happened over 20 years ago, and were covered up by the Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Biden Administrations and Justice Departments. Donald Trump, as Benny Johnson points out, was not only the first one to make this an issue in 2015, but also tipped off authorities to Epsteins activities long before he ran for President. The anger and rage should not be at the Trump administration and its handling of this (although much criticism can be leveled at how it was handled, just not anger or rage). It should be leveled at Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, as well as all their Attorneys General. Donald Trump is the one guy who has been against Epstein early on (he cut ties long before most others). That he should now suffer the blame for past administrations, when he was the only one willing to act against Epstein, is not only disingenuous but an outright libel. I believe we should start releasing the documents slowly. First, release the ones that implicate the CIA and the Deep State, and tell foreign nations they have a set number of years to prepare for it to come out. We should financially harden ourselves for our 401(k)s to become worthless, as it may very well happen. Secondly, we should also expose the likely parallel Chinese sex exploitation rings, as they are probably using the same tactic. Do not let them claim the moral high ground when, after Eric Swalwells affair with a Chinese Spy, they are probably using the same tactics as Epstein. Third, we should shore up Israels industrial and arms manufacturing base. If Mossad and Ariel Sharon are involved, it will likely mean a total cutoff of military aid to them. Some of you may be okay with allowing the Middle East to finish what Hitler started, but no sane American is, especially when child sexual exploitation is rife among radical Islam in the form of the child brides and chai boys I saw in Afghanistan. We should also consider that the memo, which wasnt signed by anyone, could be a Deep State ploy by rogue employees to discredit the Trump Administration. It hit right when Elon Musk created a third party, and just after President Trump won the 12-Day War. Let us not fall for what could very well be a far-left, deep-state psyop, meant to demoralize our support for President Trump. There will be grave consequences for America when the truth is finally known. We should prepare for them, and not make blanket declarations about damn the consequences, release it all. And we must never think that those consequences will not affect us personally. A group of German industrial labor representatives has broken ranks. In an open letter to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, they fiercely criticize Berlins climate policy. Will their defiance ignite a firestorm -- or vanish in the memory hole crafted by media gatekeepers? I must admit: after years of bitter disappointment in the fight for rational energy discourse, I view initiatives like this with cautious pessimism. In Germany, climate policy has become the domain of a paternalistic triad -- politics, media, and public compliance. The first casualty? Open debate. The air is thick with passive-aggressive apocalypse. Criticizing the Green Deal is a near-taboo. No historical precedent comes to mind where a nation, fully conscious, impales itself economically in slow motion. Calm Before the Storm? In the U.S., the climate machinery may be in retreat under Trump. But in the EU, the climate cartel and its beneficiaries remain in full control -- despite recession and public despair. Germany has paid the highest price in this climate crusade. Its forced transition to renewables -- while banning nuclear energy -- might still be hailed as civilizational progress in eco-parasitic enclaves like Berlin. But out in the real world, where productive citizens depend on affordable energy and mobility, the mood has soured. The partys over. And the pressures building. Now, at last, some are speaking up. A group of industrial works councils is calling on Chancellor Merz to halt the climate policy suicide run. Since the COVID lockdowns, over 300,000 jobs in Germanys industrial core have vanished. Energy-intensive production has become a fantasy -- especially when competitors like the U.S. pay up to 75% less for electricity. End of the Silence Cartel The letters signatories include labor reps from LEAG, ArcelorMittal Eisenhuttenstadt, BASF Schwarzheide, the works council of Lausitz Energy, and the regional leadership of the IGBCE union. These are not outliers -- theyre survivors of Germanys failed green transformation. ArcelorMittal recently scrapped its green steel plans, despite billions in offered subsidies. BASF is cutting 700 jobs in Ludwigshafen. The green restructuring of Germanys economy now reads like an industrial obituary. Every day, another subsidized project collapses into the dustbin of central planning. Their rebellion is the real headline: it takes courage to stand outside the climate orthodoxy and step into the light. Respect. No More Consensus These aren't populists or corporate shills. These are works councils, long considered integrated into Germanys consensus-driven labor model. By issuing a public letter, theyre committing open defiance. Theyre aiming straight at the Green Deal -- the administrative metastasis that has paralyzed Europes economic lifeblood. The tone is striking: they describe the worst economic crisis since WWII. Over 100,000 industrial jobs lost -- just this year. In truth, the total job losses since 2020 are triple that, according to Ernst & Young. They call the energy transition a failed operation on an open heart. After 35 years of subsidizing wind and solar, grid stability hasnt improved, yet grid costs are in the hundreds of billions. The high energy prices arent just socially unjust; theyre an existential threat to prosperity and civil peace. Brussels Controlled Economy In response, the EU Commission approved a controversial subsidy scheme in June: select companies may receive up to 50% off wholesale power prices -- but only for half their annual usage, and only if they invest in green technologies. Once again, instead of market discipline or fair competition, Brussels fixes prices and distributes taxpayer money based on ideological compliance. They cant -- and wont -- let go of command-and-control economics. A Healthy Immune Response That these labor leaders dismantle the green agenda line by line is encouraging. A part of German society still has an immune system when its existence is at stake. They demand an end to EU-level climate overreach unless and until binding global commitments exist. In an integrated global market, unilateral sacrifices only lead to destruction. Germanys leadership has knowingly ignored this truth for decades. Meanwhile, the workers letter, while addressed to Berlin, clearly targets Brussels. The EUs plan was simple: force the world into its climate straitjacket to offset its strategic energy deficit. The EU imports 60% of its energy. That dependency makes Brussels vulnerable. And nothing frightens it more than negotiating with energy-exporting partners as equals. Bottom-Up Rebellion This protest has grassroots power. It will initially circulate through unions and works councils, but the shared pain may soon create a common wave of resistance. Should this happen, the media-industrial complex will struggle to ignore, bury, or mock it -- though theyll try. That the challenge comes not from corporate lobbies or Green-aligned parties, but from the very workers being sacrificed, gives it a potency unseen so far. If this letter reaches public consciousness, then the winds sown by Brussels and the climate lobby may erupt into a storm even Europes green elites cant contain. Image: Barbel Miemietz It is the ultimate eff you! to residents, a two-handed slap in the face that beggars belief. On the one hand, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently announced plans to give cash cards to illegal aliens. Moreover, Mayor Bass said of her executive order: "The directive will help city workers know how to address immigration officials should they approach a city department. Her order requires city departments to create plans to train employees on how to comply with Los Angeless sanctuary city ordinance. Get that? Shes requiring that city government employees get instruction on how to defy federal immigration officials and mandates and instead comply with her own sanctuary city ordinance. I guess this is her Fort Sumter moment. The second hand? Nearly four months after the tragic Palisades and Eaton wildfires burned down 16,000 homes and other buildings, Los Angeles County had issued a grand total of seven rebuilding permits. At that rate, all those who lost everything and are now dispossessed could be back on their property and in homes by the year 2275 or thereabouts. Or perhaps not if Mayor Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom have their way. Newsome recently announced that he had allocated $101 million in new spending on low-income housing in the areas devastated by the Palisades and Eaton Fires. And that they'd be buying vacant lots to do it. CONSPIRACY ALERT: Was this the plan all along? Is this why the reservoirs were left empty and the hydrants out of service? Some have long suspected that it was. This has the potential to be a localized version of the Great Replacement. Better off folks on the way out through no fault of their own, lower income folks ushered in, lured by the largess of The State...which can then count on their votes. The potential for ushering in the homeless -- and illegal immigrants -- is vast. Well, actually, many of the former residents are still homeless, too, but they have the unfortunate disadvantage of being American citizens who pay taxes. Moreover, most are white. And many have jobs. Three strikes, youre out? If Democrats play their cards right, this could be akin to a truly twisted instance of eminent domain. If Florida has Alligator Alcatraz, California could someday soon have the Palisades Palaces and Eaton Estates, sanctuaries for the formerly homeless, undocumented immigrants, and justice-involved individuals. Addicts, gangbangers, traffickers, rapists, etc., could all take refuge in these Habitats for Inhumanity. The erstwhile residents? Who cares, right? Image: Ariam23, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed The latest ICE versus California episode took an interesting turn. It seems that ICE found a farm in that state "employing" unaccompanied minors. The story puts Governor Gavin Newsom in a pickle, as they say. Here is the story from Allysia Finley: Why does Gavin Newsom insist on playing into Donald Trumps hands? The California governor mounted a feckless response to the riots against immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. Now hes standing up for marijuana growers who may have been exploiting illegal immigrant workers. Federal agents last week arrested more than 300 allegedly illegal immigrants at pot farms in the Santa Barbara area. The Homeland Security Department says Glass House Farms is under investigation for child-labor violations and 10 undocumented minors were found there. Glass House has a state license to grow marijuana and denies knowingly employing undocumented workers or minors. Child labor violations? Not exactly the best hill to die on in your battle against Trump. The "weed farm" incident is a perfect example of what happens when you tolerate illegal immigration. You open the door for anybody who wants to work there, whether you are a man accused of human trafficking, or an adult who brings "kids" to work. In other words, anything goes when everything is tolerated. Governor Newsom, who wants to be president by having everyone forget that he is the governor of a place called California, now has to explain why he looked the other way when someone who contributed to his campaign used children to work in a cannabis farm. Good luck with that one, Governor. The incident between ICE and this farm simply confirms that the Trump administration is correct about illegal immigration. Gavin Newsom's heart is still in San Francisco, but don't expect those voters who live between D.C. and the Bay Area to have much sympathy for a man who tolerates minors working at such a farm. Of course, the governor will avoid this issue the same way he avoids discussing everything wrong with his state. However, kids picking weed may be a tough one to avoid. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: AT via Magic Studio Tim Kennedy: war hero or stolen valor fraud? Kennedy, a former MMA fighter and a Green Beret veteran whos a pretty popular and well-known personality in the special warfare influencer space, is taking serious heat for accusations that he lied about his military service. According to a report shared by Yahoo News, Kennedy is under investigation: UFC veteran Tim Kennedy admitted in a social media post on Monday to fabricating a part of his U.S. Army history, previously claiming to have received a Bronze Star Medal with Valor. The National Guard Green Beret is now reportedly under investigation following the news coming to light. If you go on a podcast where the host asks you if you have a Bronze Star with a V device, and you confirm by saying yep, and then you regale the audience with the story of how you earned it, describing a combat situation where you sustained enemy fire before you shot a bad guy and saved the daybut in reality you only have a normal Bronze Star for helping with logistical planning on a deployed operationsare you a fraud? Tim Kennedy claims he never claimed valor, but he definitely did. Receipt: pic.twitter.com/AvoBf6R2cY Olivia Murray (@americaliv1) July 15, 2025 Then you declare you never claimed you said that? Is that not one of the most insane examples of gaslighting youve ever witnessed? I reached out to a military friend who actually has a Bronze Star with valor for his service on June 9th, 2010 when Pedro 66 went down in Afghanistan, and he said the difference between a regular Bronze Star and a Bronze Star with a V device is major. (And this is coming from someone who routinely diminishes his service, feeling like hes been given honor and recognition that he doesnt really deserve.) This certainly isnt to put down anyone whos earned a Bronze Star without valor, but the contrast is stark: the Bronze Star is for meritorious serviceeven cooks can receive oneand the V device is specifically for heroism during actual combat. Heres another instance in which Kennedy claims to have medals for valor when he in fact has none: Tim Kennedy admits for a second time that he received medals for Valor and he never didThis guy is not the expert you think he is and some how he has the President and the NSCs respect. Get this fraud stolen valor POS out of the White House. pic.twitter.com/SkTHRzEFJ1 Patriot in Chief (@Patriot_N_Chief) July 2, 2025 Now, Kennedy issued an apology for the dishonestywell, kind of. Is it really sincere when you dont take full accountability for your words and actions? Heres a link to his full statement, but heres the crux: I want to take full and unequivocal responsibility for a serious mistake. Over the years, I made public statements and gave interviews in which I unintentionally misstated aspects of my military service. Most notably, I implied directly or indirectly that I had been awarded the Bronze Star with Valor. That is not true, and there is no excuse for it. I never received that honor, and I deeply regret ever suggesting otherwise. Unintentionally misstated? Implied? What a jacka** cop out. When asked if he had one, he explicitly said he did, and then he claimed medals of valor on at least one other occasion. Between Epsteingate and Tim Kennedy, is this just the year of the gaslighter? Image from Grok. In my opinion, Donald J. Trumps administration is the best in my lifetime, and Ive been around since Eisenhower. With that acknowledgement and with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, it is now time to focus on the ever-important midterms. If President Trumps party -- and it is now his populist party, not the its okay to lose the issues as long as Im reelected party -- can expand the majority in Congress, the final two years of this term can approach, perhaps exceed, the unparalleled achievements so far. With this in mind, Im going to offer some tough love advice. Although this administration is comprised of extremely talented people, the charisma and strength of the President, and frankly his ego, may impede the cabinet secretaries and the inner staff from speaking truth to power. So, here comes some respectful criticism. The President should stop calling Jerome Powell stupid. This adjective doesnt bother me, but almost all women in suburbia (and teachers) absolutely hate this word, and we definitely need their vote in 2026. Too-Late-Powell is cleverer and more appropriate. Discourage FOX and other news outlets from asking softball questions, which include conservative talking points that the President can hit out of the park. This should work both ways; while we should frown upon the negative press asking potential gotcha questions, we also should encourage the damn media to be respectful but neutral -- neither supplicating nor hostile. Another point, the cabinet and staff should stop genuflecting in Trumps presence, prefacing all their responses with Because of President Trumps leadership This is similar to how everyone treated the Dear Leader of North Korea. Sure, the team should always support the President and his policies, but lets not go overboard. Along this line, during the open forum cabinet meetings, the cabinet heads should be allowed to shine and answer the questions, while the President should keep his comments to a minimum. Trust me: By now, the whole world knows that President Trump is the person in charge of the U.S. Federal government -- 'The Boss. Metaphorically, prime George Foreman didnt have to tell everyone (i.e., Joe Frazier) that he had knockout power. They knew. Enough of the price of eggs story, enough of this war never wouldve happened, enough of Joe Biden letting 21 million illegally cross our border, many of them murderers, rapists, thieves, and some even from mental institutions. Of course, you are right, but we grasped this concept the first or second time. Theres no need to mention these same topics every single news gaggle. Furthermore, I suspect that many Americans are starting to feel sorry for Biden, who doesnt have the faculties anymore to defend himself. Perhaps now is the time for the President to refer to him in the same way he addresses Jimmy Carter. But please continue blaming the prior administration and the Democrats for our wide-open borders, the crimes and drug overdoses they have caused, and the declining performance of our public schools. These issues resonate with suburbia. By the way, I love it when the President and the administration respectfully refer to foreign heads of state, such as President Xi. After all, Xi is the Chinese leader, and we dont need an unnecessarily adverse relationship with this great countrys culture and people. We should not let the military-industrial complex influence the Administration to describe China as our adversary; they are our competitors instead. And suburban women are not the only ones who would dread a war with China. Bottom Line: Dont get me wrong. Almost all of this administrations policies are what America needs. It won me over a long time ago. Now its time to focus on, appeal to, and woo suburban women voters with a somewhat more tempered approach. The next election, the continued resurgence of America, and a safer and stabler world depend on it. Jim Bates is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel who has had his thoughts published in the Army Logistician, the Air Force Journal of Logistics, the Defense Logistics Agencies Fuel Line, the U.S. Naval Institutes Proceedings, the Army Quartermaster Bulletin, Marathon and Beyond, and the Washington Running Report Image: White House Affirming Their Dedication to Support the Law Enforcement Community and Public Safety LEXINGTON, Ky., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GALLS, the nation's trusted partner and leading uniform and tactical gear supplier serving America's public safety and military professionals, is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the upcoming National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, honoring the bravery, sacrifice, and service of law enforcement heroes. As presenting sponsor, GALLS reinforces its deep-rooted dedication to those who serve and protect our nation in their communities, and its ongoing mission to support law enforcement with high-quality gear, service, and recognition they deserve. GALLS is "Proud To Serve Those Who Serve." National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame logo With an unwavering commitment to preserve the history of and honor the excellence of law enforcement officers, the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame, through a nomination process, recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to protecting and serving their communities. The 2026 Hall of Fame Induction is currently accepting nominations. Nominations are open to any rank of sworn or non-sworn officer, law enforcement supporter from a US or Canadian law enforcement agency, or state. Criteria for which nominees are selected for the Hall of Fame include overall career achievement, unique approach to community service, notable acts of valor, and selfless dedication to the safety and well-being of fellow officers. "GALLS is honored to support this prestigious event that shines a light on the courage and service of law enforcement professionals across the nation," said Mike Fadden, CEO at GALLS. "These inductees represent the best of the law enforcement community, and we're proud to stand beside them, their families, and departments as a trusted partner in public safety. With over 50 years of experience and service to the public safety community, GALLS continues to uphold its legacy as a company built on duty, honor, and relentless focus on our customers." Fadden added, "Supporting the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame is a natural extension of our mission." "Honoring our law enforcement officers is a vital tribute to their unwavering courage and sacrifice in protecting our communities," stated Megan Stockburger, Chair of the National LEO Hall of Fame. The National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame is proud to recognize these heroes, and we are thrilled to have GALLS as our presenting sponsor for the 2026 induction ceremony. Their commitment to supporting those who serve aligns perfectly with our mission to celebrate the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement professionals." The Induction Ceremony will take place on April 10, 2026, at The Omni in Fort Worth, TX, bringing together officers, leaders, families, and supporters from across the country. Nominations are currently being accepted until October 31, 2025, at https://www.nationalleohalloffame.com/nominate. About GALLS: GALLS is proud to serve America's Public Safety and Military professionals with the broadest selection of uniforms, equipment, and solutions, along with relentless service. Founded in 1967, GALLS is trusted by over one million Law Enforcement, Firefighting, Emergency Medical, Federal, Military, Corrections, Security, Postal, Public Transportation, and other essential workers to be their service provider. Learn more about GALLS at www.galls.com. About National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame: The National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame was created in 2017 to honor Law Enforcement Officers. Its purpose is to recognize those officers who have gone above and beyond in one way or another in the line of duty. The Hall of Fame looks forward to honoring LEOs each and every year. Although most say they don't do the job for the recognition, we feel their stories need to be heard. GALLS, LLC PR Contact: 1340 Russell Cave Road Krista A. Greathouse Lexington, KY 40505 [email protected] P: 866-673-7643 P: 859-447-0779 www.GALLS.com National LEO Hall Of Fame PR Contact: 1074 N. Main St. Megan Stockburger Bowling Green, OH 43402 [email protected] www.nationalleohalloffame.com P: 419-509-308 SOURCE GALLS A few interesting data points in some polling yesterday morning, none of it good if youre a Democrat. We know theyve been on the wrong side of a host of so-called 80/20 issues: a number of transgender policies (surgery for minors, men in womens sports, trans babies), late-term abortion, resistance to the deportation of illegal aliens with violent criminal records, etc. etc. but now as Miranda Devine reports in The New York Post via Rasmussen polling, theyve got solid majorities against them on some issues close to MAGAs heart: 53% agreed that What the intelligence community did to Donald Trump is a bigger scandal than Watergate. And 57% of voters said officials who were involved in the manipulation of intelligence to get Trump should be criminally prosecuted. Perhaps most troublingly, 67% of liberals still believe the Russia hoax. This is your brain on MSNBC, huh? Its been debunked, definitively, categorically, even by the much-vaunted Mueller report, that the Trump campaign had absolutely no dealings with them whatsoever but here we are, nearly a decade later and theyre still going on about it. If they only thought about it for one second, with just the tiniest bit of critical thinking, it never made sense anyway: why would Putin want Trump, an unknown quantity, when he could have a known corrupt entity, Hillary Clinton? He knew she could be bought. None of it ever made any sense to me, but then, Im not a liberal. Then theres The Hill, with news about a multi-month Democrat poll that shows Democrats are perceived by voters to be out of touch, woke, and weak. Ouch. You know all that fighting for Democracy stuff? And having touching tete-a-tetes with illegal aliens? It aint workin. The poll revealed that Democrats prime emphasis on fighting for democracy while still popular within the party is no longer going to cut it with the general electorate, and soft-on-immigration policies turn too many voters away. Shocker. Also, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi? Theyre not inspiring the under 80 crowd. Heck, theyre not inspiring the over 80 crowd. The poll also revealed that for voters to even consider rejoining the partys ranks, Democrats need to reestablish credibility. And political observers say a new generation of party leadership that can separate itself from the Washington establishment is critical. You mean, they want an outsider who can inspire a movement? Sounds familiar. Sounds like MAGA. This sounds very MAGA too: Voters also say they are, first and foremost, concerned about common sense in a political party, something Democrats evidently see as an afterthought, the poll revealed. The party needs to align its messaging with the commonsense rhetoric and policies voters are looking for, political observers say. Common sense. Imagine that. Clarity is also a big thing. Authenticity. No matter who it comes from, they are lacking both. As the Democrat strategist whose group ran the poll said: Whether youre talking about the New York mayors race or AOC or Trump or Bernie Sanders, the thing that all those folks have in common is voters know where they stand on issues. There is no nuance there. People know where they stand, and when they say something, voters believe it. Nuance. Nuance is so last century. But thats where they are stuck. Theyre stuck because their leadership is calcified and wont go quietly into that good night. Theyll literally let themselves become addled and decrepit like Dianne Feinstein did and have to be wheeled in on a good day to make a vote she can barely comprehend. What these polls are telling the Democrats is exactly what they do not want to hear: change or die. They look to be leaning towards the latter. Image from Grok. Just after 5 oclock on the morning of 11 November 1918, British, French, and German officials gathered in a railway carriage in the Compiegne Forest, north of Paris, to sign an agreement that would end hostilities between the Allies and their last remaining opponent, Germany. The Armistice stipulated that fighting would cease on land, at sea, and in the air, effectively bringing World War I to an end. However, the ceasefire was not set to take effect until six hours later, at 11 a.m., to ensure that word could reach troops on the front lines. Yet in those final hours, thousands of soldiers were killed and many more wounded. The bloodshed was not caused by miscommunication. News of the armistice flashed across the world within minutes of its signing. Instead, it was the decision of aggressive Allied commanders who ordered their troops to continue fighting until the official hour, even going so far as to retake towns the Germans had already agreed to surrender. This reckless insistence on last-minute offensives cost thousands of avoidable casualties. Among them was 23-year-old Henry Gunther. Signing of the Armistice of 11 November 1918. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Henry Gunther was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1895, the elder of two sons of George and Lina Gunther, both American-born children of German immigrants. The family lived in the Highlandtown section of East Baltimore, where George Gunther worked as a can maker. When World War I broke out in Europe, many Americans of German descent found their loyalty questioned. In Gunthers predominantly German-American neighbourhood, expressing opposition to the war was risky. Despite the threat of being branded a traitor, Gunther resisted enlisting until he was drafted in September 1917. Reluctantly, he left his job as a clerk and bookkeeper at the National Bank of Baltimore, and his betrothed, to report for duty at Camp Meade, where he joined the newly formed 79th Division, 313th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed Baltimores Own. To his relief, the Army assigned him to supply duties, a post that suited his skills in organization and accounting. He performed well and was promoted to sergeant. Gunthers steady military career came to an abrupt halt after he wrote a candid letter home to a friend, describing the horrors of trench warfare and advising him to avoid frontline service if possible. The letter was intercepted by an Army postal censor and forwarded to Gunthers commanding officer. As a result, Gunther was demoted to private, stripped of his supply duties, and reassigned as a frontline rifleman. Soon after, the 313th shipped out for France. Gunther took his demotion hard. He grew sullen and withdrawn. Perhaps hoping to redeem his reputation and to prove his loyalty at a time when German-Americans were eyed with suspicion he began volunteering for dangerous assignments as a runner. He was injured by shrapnel in his hand and could have been sent home, but he insisted on staying to help his Army brothers, recalled his grand-niece, Carol Gunther Aikman. I think this alone demonstrates his courage, bravery, and dedication to his battalion, as well as his love for his country. For two months, Gunthers regiment endured brutal fighting along the Western Front as part of the MeuseArgonne offensive a massive operation involving over a million American and 800,000 French troops. It became one of the deadliest campaigns in U.S. military history, claiming more than 350,000 casualties. Gunther managed to survive 47 harrowing days of combat, until on the morning of November 11, when the men of Gunthers regiment found themselves near the village of Ville-devant-Chaumont, north of Verdun, pinned down by a German machine gun. At 10:44 AM, a runner arrived with news of the Armistice and orders to cease fire in just 16 minutes. According to the men of Company A, Gunther perhaps still driven by a need to prove his courage and patriotism, even at the eleventh hour announced that he was going to take out the German machine gun nest. His comrades tried to dissuade him, but Gunther refused to listen. Armed with his Browning automatic rifle, he crawled toward the enemy position. Gun crew from Regimental Headquarters Company, 23rd Infantry, firing 37mm gun during an advance against German entrenched positions during the MeuseArgonne offensive. Credit: Wikimedia Commons When the Germans saw him coming, they waved and shouted in broken English that the war was over and urged him to turn back. But Gunther kept coming. The Germans fired warning shots, but he remained undeterred. After several vain efforts to make him turn back, the Germans turned their machine gun on him, and shots him dead. The time was 10:59 AM. General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, officially recorded Henry Gunther as the last American soldier killed in World War I. In death, Gunther achieved the recognition he may have sought in life: his rank of sergeant was posthumously restored, and he was awarded a divisional citation for gallantry in action along with the Distinguished Service Cross. Years later, East Baltimores Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1858 was named in his honour. Gunthers remains were repatriated from a military cemetery in France in 1923 and reinterred at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Baltimore. In 2008, a memorial was erected near Chaumont-devant-Damvillers in Lorraine, the spot where he fell. Two years later, on the same Armistice Day observance, a memorial plaque was unveiled at his gravesite in Baltimore. Gravestone of Henry Gunther. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Historian Joseph Persico, who chronicled Henry Gunthers story, noted that war mongering Allied commanders led an additional 2,738 soldiers to their deaths on the wars final day and nearly 11,000 casualties were suffered in the last six hours between the signing and enforcement of the Armistice. General Wright, of the 89th American Division, for instance insisted on taking the French town of Stenay because did not want the Germans to occupy the town after the armistice took effect. Wright intended to make use of the town's bathhouses and other public works, given the amount of time his dirty troops had gone so long without baths or showers. Wrights recklessness cost 365 casualties, including 61 dead. Many artillery units also continued to fire on German targets to avoid having to haul away their spare ammunition. Battery 4 of the US Navy's long-range 14-inch railway guns reportedly fired its last shot at 10:57:30 a.m. from the Verdun area, timed to land far behind the German front line just before the scheduled Armistice. The last French soldier killed during World War I was Augustin Trebuchon, who was taking a message to troops by the River Meuse saying that soup would be served at 11.30 after the peace. He was shot at 10:45 a.m. It is said that after the war France was so ashamed that men would die on the final day that many graves were backdated to 10th November. Another soldier who died at 10:45 a.m that day was Marcel Toussaint Terfve, a Belgian soldier, after he was mowed down by machine gun fire at Kluizen, Belgium. The last British soldier to die, George Edwin Ellison of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, was killed that morning at around 9:30 a.m. while scouting on the outskirts of Mons, Belgium. The last Canadian and Commonwealth soldier to die was Private George Lawrence Price, who was shot and killed by a sniper while part of a force advancing into the Belgian town of Ville-sur-Haine to the north of Mons, just two minutes before the armistice went into effect. Reference: # The sad, senseless end of Henry Gunther, The Baltimore Sun # The Unknown Soldier, Maryland Life # The last soldiers to die in World War I, BBC # The Last Official Death of WWI Was a Man Who Sought Redemption, History.com There are many American companies that have operations set up in Europe. As such, they are expected to follow local laws and regulations. Unfortunately, the EU has gone after many of these companies for a myriad of reasons. However, now it looks like the EU could be backing off on a plan to introduce digital tax. EU backs of digital tax plan According to the reports, the EU is expected to walk back on its plan to implement taxes against digital companies. This includes US companies such as Apple and Meta. The initial plan for the tax was a way for the EU to help pay off some of the blocs debt, but now officials are considering walking it back. The reason is simple: the EU wants to curry favor with the US government. More specifically, it wants to land a more favorable trade deal with the Trump administration, which is imposing tariffs on countries all around the world. The amount of the tariffs will differ from region to region. Certain things are taken into consideration. Such as whether or not the country is an ally, and how well it can negotiate with the US government. The EU could also be learning from Canada, which planned to implement its own digital taxes, but was later threatened with tariffs by the Trump administration. Trump should be happy If EU officials were to really walk back its plans, it could make the Trump administration pretty happy. During the early days of his second term, Trump criticized EU officials for seemingly targeting US companies with investigations. This included investigations against Apple and Meta for a variety of reasons, such as failing to pay taxes or alleged violations of the GDPR or DMA laws. This doesnt mean that US companies are free from the eyes of EU regulators, but dropping plans for digital tax could at least pave the way for slightly more favorable terms. Nothing is guaranteed yet so well have to wait and see. The EUs finalized proposal for its 2028-2035 budget is scheduled to be published on Wednesday. If you are a parent living in the EU and worry about your kids online presence, this news is for you. The European Union (EU) has released a blueprint for age-verification apps in countries like Spain, France, Greece, and Italy. The Commission says this blueprint makes it easier for online platforms to comply with the rules aimed at protecting minors. EU will test age verification app prototype to safeguard minors online Yesterday, the EU also released the age verification app prototype with guidelines that online platforms should adopt to comply with the EUs Digital Services Act (DSA). Speaking about the age verification app, the EUs tech policy leader, Henna Virkkunen, says, Making sure our children and young people are safe online is of paramount importance to this Commission. The guidelines on the protection of minors for online platforms, combined with the new age verification blueprint, are a huge step forward in this regard. Platforms have no excuse to be continuing practices that put children at risk. The age verification app allows users to prove that they are over 18 years, especially when accessing adult content online. These apps help the EU track online platforms that fail to meet their obligations towards minors under the DSA. The EU also expects the companies to adopt its age verification tools instead of their own. The regulatory body further noted that users will have full control over the data used for verification. Thats not all; the content they view post-verification will remain private. The EU also says itll collaborate with Member States, online platforms, and users to test the age verification apps prototype. Countries like Denmark, Greece, Spain, France, and Italy aim to launch national age verification apps soon. Not to forget, the upcoming age verification apps are a temporary solution for now. The EU Digital Identity Wallet, which might launch in 2026, will replace these age verification apps. The Digital Identity Wallet aims to offer European citizens and businesses to prove their identity when accessing digital services. The regulatory body expects online platforms to do their bit The EU further expects websites and online platforms to protect the health, physical, mental, and moral development of minors using their services. It also said that they should be able to provide minors with the highest level of privacy, safety, and security. All in all, the new age guidance urges online platforms to protect minors from harmful content, cyberbullying, and other things. In May last year, T-Mobile announced its plans to acquire US Cellulars wireless operations. More than a year later, the FCC has finally approved T-Mobiles much-awaited merging with US Cellular. The carrier expected to close its US Cellular deal much earlier, but it hit a roadblock in December last year. At the time, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) urged the FCC to reject the move. Additionally, last month, a lack of quorum at the FCC delayed the deal. Apart from the US Cellular deal, the FCC has also approved a separate T-Mobile deal to acquire a 50 percent stake in Metronet through a collaborative venture with KKR. FCC finally greenlights T-Mobiles acquisition of US Cellulars wireless business After the FCCs much-awaited approval, T-Mobile will absorb around 4.5 million US Cellular customers across 21 states. The deal will also provide the largest US carrier with US Cellulars retail stores and 30 percent of spectrum, including 600MHz, 700MHz, 2.5GHz, AWS, and PCS holdings. US Cellular will keep its 4,400 towers, which it plans to lease to other companies. The FCC noted the move would offer substantial benefits for consumers of the two operators involved. Its worth mentioning that the approval comes after T-Mobile committed to eliminating its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies to win the favor of the regulator. The regulator has also approved another deal involving T-Mobile Additionally, the FCC has approved the transfer of five Metronet subsidiaries to T-Mobile. As part of the deal, T-Mobile will acquire fiber provider Metronet in a joint venture with investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR). In collaboration with KKR, T-Mobile will invest $4.9 billion to acquire a 50 percent stake in Metronet, which serves well over 2 million homes and businesses in 17 states. Through the joint venture, Metronet expects to reach 6.5 million homes passed by the end of 2030. Once the deal closes this year, Metronet will become a wholesale service provider for T-Mobiles retail consumers. Google continues its quiet expansion of AI into more corners of your digital life. The latest spot getting a smart upgrade is Google Discover, the personalized news and content feed you likely scroll through daily on your Android or iOS device. According to recent findings, Google is currently experimenting with AI-generated summaries for stories on your Discover feed. The latest report comes from the 9to5Google team. The new AI story summaries for Discover aim to give you a quick, digestible overview of articles before you even click. Instead of just seeing a single publications logo, you might start noticing cards with several overlapping icons. This visual cue indicates that the summary you are reading was generated using information from multiple sources. If you are curious to see all the contributing articles, simply tap on these icons. Google is now testing AI-powered summaries in your Discover feed The summaries themselves are concise, similar to those of AI Overviews on Google Search. They are typically around three lines of text, with an option to See more if you want to expand them. The idea is to provide you with more context and information upfront, helping you decide whether the full article is worth your time. Of course, with AI comes a standard caution. These summaries will reportedly include a disclaimer that reads, Generated with AI, which can make mistakes. This reminds users that while helpful, the AI is not infallible. For now, these AI summaries are appearing alongside the existing solo article format, so you will still see a mix of content presentation. Publishers probably wont be happy That said, Googles move may not please publishers. Recently, Google Searchs AI-powered summaries have been receiving backlash in both the UK and EU countries. Now, the search giant is bringing them to a feed where they werent previously present. Publishers who oppose Googles AI summaries claim that the feature has a negative impact on website traffic. Some speculate that providing a quick summary might reduce the number of clicks on the original, full articles. After all, if you get the answer youre looking for directly in the results, why access the original sources? In addition to the AI summaries, Discover is also testing a convenient direct Save icon right on the content card. This will make it much easier to bookmark articles you want to revisit later, with saved items appearing neatly in your Activity tab. The Save option was already available from the three-point menu in each menu. Having it available just a tap away will likely encourage users to save more content. Both the AI summaries and the enhanced save feature are still in the testing phase. This means that they are not yet widely available to all users. However, this move clearly shows Googles vision of integrating AI deeper into how we consume content. Three Google Pixel 10 series phones have been certified in more than one place. The Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL have popped up on both FCC and IMDA. Three Google Pixel 10 phones have passed certification checkpoints All three phones are expected to become official on August 20, alongside the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. So, its not surprising that were seeing certifications all over the place at this point. The event is around a month away. GK2MP, GL066, and GLBW0 models popped up on the FCC. While neither is specifically named the Pixel 10, the GL066 and GLBW0 model numbers do belong to the vanilla Pixel 10. The GK2MP is likely associated with those phones, too. The FCC even hints that the GK2MP model could support satellite connectivity. A handful of Pixel 10 Pro models also appeared The Pixel 10 Pro, on the other hand, also popped up with model numbers GEHN3, GN4F5, and G4QUR. A couple of additional model numbers surfaced, and all of those seem to be related to the Pixel 10 Pro, based on reports. The GEHN3 and G4QUR could support satellite connectivity. And finally, the Pixel 10 Pro XL. GUL82 model number surfaced, alongside some others, and all those seem to be related to the Pixel 10 Pro XL handset. The G45RY model number will support satellite connectivity, based on what is said. As far as Singapores IMDA certification is concerned, the Pixel 10 (GK2MP), Pixel 10 Pro (GEHN3), and Pixel 10 Pro XL (G45RY) were spotted. A ton of information surfaced on all of these phones Were still a month away from the launch event, but we know a lot about those phones. Weve exclusively shared all the Google Pixel 10 specs, the same goes for the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL specs. Weve also shared the Google Pixel 10 release date, and a lot more info. You can read more about the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold in our preview articles. Since last year, Google has been consistently adding more and more features to NotebookLM, its popular AI-powered research assistant. Earlier in May, the search titan finally released the NotebookLM app for Android devices. It also added support for sharing NotebookLM Notes, similar to Google Docs, last month. Google is now feeding some featured notebooks to NotebookLM, which offer a curated selection of content from various authors, researchers, publications, and non-profits. Googles AI research assistant can already assemble high-quality sources for people researching hard topics. Now, the new featured notebooks section in NotebooksLM on the web will make things even easier by offering notebooks from major publications like The Atlantic and The Economist, and others. NotebookLMs new feature is great for both students and professionals. Google is initially adding eight featured notebooks to NotebookLM NotebookLMs desktop version now has a new Featured notebooks tab alongside filters for: All, My notebooks, and Shared with me. As of now, it has a collection of eight notebooks. The first round includes a notebook on longevity advice from Eric Topol, bestselling author of Super Agers. Theres an advice notebook based on the author Arthur C. Brooks How to Build a Life column in The Atlantic. Theres a notebook on a science fans guide to visiting Yellowstone National Park and one on an overview of long-term trends in human wellbeing by the University of Oxford-affiliated project, Our World in Data. Other major highlights include expert analysis and predictions for the year 2025 from The World Ahead annual report by The Economist, and the complete works of William Shakespeare. You can check the complete list by visiting the companys blog post. Users can interact with the content of new notebooks using all of NotebookLMs features You can head to any of the featured notebooks and use any of the signature tools of NotebookLM. You can simply read the source material, apart from asking particular queries or exploring specific topics in depth. Furthermore, you can listen to pre-generated Audio Overviews or explore the main themes of featured notebooks using NotebookLMs Mind Maps functionality. Featured notebooks are currently available to users using the desktop version of NotebookLM right away. Google will continue to add more featured notebooks in the future, including more from its collaboration with The Economist and The Atlantic. Samsung has been investing heavily in research and development lately. The recently launched Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a prime example of it. However, smartphones have arguably undergone significant improvements and changes, and theres very little room for further major development. Now, the South Korean tech giant is reportedly planning to work on AI-powered jewelry as a future beyond phones. AI-powered wearables will soon become a reality After last weeks Galaxy Unpacked event, the COO of Samsung Mobile eXperience (MX) division, Woo-Joon Choi, interviewed with CNN. In the interview, the official revealed Samsungs plan to expand into more AI devices, such as AI jewelry and eyeglasses, in the future. Samsung is actively searching for opportunities to expand its portfolio of AI devices. This move aligns with the companys commitment to shaping the future of smartphones and wearables. The COO adds that advancements in AI technology will undoubtedly give rise to entirely new categories of devices that we are yet to experience. Samsung believes AI jewelry might be the future The COO says that We believe that it should be wearables, something you shouldnt carry. So it should be something you wear. These devices could be in the form of eyeglasses, jewelry, and earrings. These devices could complement smartphones and sometimes even replace them. The firm possibly wants to convey that we are not always bound to smartphones and that we can substitute other gadgets in the future. However, the official clarifies that the brand is currently not working on any of these products. As of right now, Samsung is working on the development of the new Galaxy XR devices, the sequel to the Galaxy Ring and Galaxy watches. It is very hard to predict anything in the fast-evolving tech world. And since AI is growing at a very rapid pace, the smart AI-powered jewelry could soon be a reality. This week marks a pivotal moment for Samsung as its chairman, Lee Jae-yong, is on the cusp of seeing a decade-long legal battle finally conclude. A highly anticipated final court verdict, set to be delivered by South Koreas Supreme Court on Thursday, July 17, could determine the next chapter for both Lee and the entire Samsung conglomerate. The case stems from a controversial merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries back in 2015. Notably, this weeks verdict date falls exactly ten years after that merger plan was initially passed. This adds a certain nuance of historical significance to the upcoming decision. Samsung chairmans legal battle nears a decade-long end For the global tech behemoth, the stakes are remarkably high. Should the court rule in his favor, it could pave the way for Chairman Lee to adopt a more active and unhindered role in the companys management. This greater freedom could be crucial as Samsung navigates various challenges across its diverse business segments. The company has been struggling, especially in its semiconductor branches. However, the sales performance of their consumer electronicsmainly home appliancescould also be better. A more decisive leadership could empower the company to make bolder strategic decisions and push forward with new initiatives more swiftly. The ruling could define Samsungs future That said, a ruling against Lee would carry serious repercussions. It could plunge the conglomerate into further uncertainty, potentially impacting its long-term stability and leadership structure. The very future direction of one of the worlds largest technology companies may be hinging on this weeks outcome. The conclusion of this legal saga has been long-awaited by investors, employees, and industry watchers alike. Due to Samsungs magnitude in the industry, it represents more than just a personal legal challenge. It is a moment that could truly unleash Samsungs next chapter, allowing it to fully focus on innovation and competition in the fast-paced global tech landscape. All eyes will be on the South Korean Supreme Court this Thursday. First production line successfully commissioned at new Charlotte, North Carolina site. CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week marked a bold step into the future of LP record manufacturing and truly historic moment for Sonopress. The leading global manufacturer of storage media and a subsidiary of Bertelsmann Marketing Serviceshas successfully commissioned its first production machine for EcoRecords at its new facility in Charlotte, North Carolina. The equipment is specifically designed for the environmentally friendly production of the company's innovative sustainable LP record, marking a major milestone in Sonopress's international growth strategy. Go West Sonopress Launches EcoRecord Production in the United States "Key customersincluding representatives from music major Warner Music Group, who recently toured the new facilitywere unanimously impressed and welcomed our decision to manufacture our sustainable long-play records locally in the United States," said Sven Deutschmann, CEO of Sonopress. With an initial annual production capacity of approximately one million EcoRecords, the new Charlotte facility lays the foundation for further expansion in the North American market. According to CEO Deutschmann, Sonopress expects demand in the US to grow steadily and is well-positioned to scale production capacities quickly and flexibly as needed. Sustainability in LP Record Manufacturing The EcoRecord represents a groundbreaking innovation in LP record production. Instead of traditional polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the EcoRecord uses recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as its base material. The records are produced using a novel injection molding process that eliminates the use of natural gas and steam altogether. This method reduces environmental impact by up to 85 percent compared to conventional vinyl production Since its market debut just over a year ago, demand for the EcoRecord has been steadily rising. The first major order was fulfilled in March 2024 for Warner Music Group: the debut album from the duo Liam Gallagher & John Squire. Since then, numerous artistsincluding Ed Sheeran and Coldplayhave embraced this eco-friendly alternative to traditional vinyl. Think global, Act local At its headquarters in Gutersloh, Germany, Sonopress now operates three production machines with a combined annual capacity of up to three million EcoRecords. CEO Sven Deutschmann adds: "By launching production in the United States, we are pursuing our goal of scaling our sustainable manufacturing strategy internationally while enhancing proximity to our customers in the world's key music markets." Press Contact: Sina Pruschko +495241803074 https://www.sonopress.de/en SOURCE Sonopress The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has ditched the S Pen. Thats not exactly a secret at this point. Some people were left disappointed by that, but the S Pen could return to Samsungs foldables in the future. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 did ditch the S Pen, but Samsungs not done with it just yet Thats not something we expected to talk about so soon after the Galaxy Z Fold 7 launch, but there you have it. Samsung has confirmed that its developing thinner and innovative S Pen technologies. That information comes from the Executive Director of Samsungs Mobile division, Kang Min-seok. He shared that comment with ETNews, a Korean publication. If Samsung ends up getting the tech it needs, it could return the S Pen to its book-style foldables. The Fold 7 emphasized that consumers want a thin and light product. Please think of it (S Pen removal) as a trade-off where you lose one if you choose one. We are also researching and developing thinner and innovative technologies for the S Pen, so we will reconsider it when the level of perfection increases and there is consumer demand, Kang said. From his statement, you can clearly see that Samsung is trying to develop an S Pen that would not sacrifice the thinness or lightness of foldable phones. As expected, removing the S Pen support was a tradeoff on Samsungs part. Many people would support Samsungs decision, but theyd probably prefer to have the best of both worlds In all honesty, the vast majority of people would probably take thinness and lightness the Galaxy Z Fold 7 delivers over the S Pen support. As a reminder, Samsungs foldables never had a silo for the S Pen, they simply supported it. It remains to be seen what will happen with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 next year. Samsung could end up returning S Pen support, anything is possible. Well have to keep a close eye on the developments over the next year or so. Speaking of the S Pen, one specific rumor also claims that Samsung will remove it from the Galaxy S Ultra series after the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Were not sure if thats true, however. Motorola has just started teasing a new collaboration for its Razr and Buds Loop, which we actually saw leak last week. Its actually not a new collaboration so to speak, but an extension of one. When Motorola announced the Razr 2025 family a couple of months ago, it also announced the Moto Buds Loop with Swarvoski crystals embedded in the earbuds. I actually have these earbuds now and have been using them for the past few days, and theyre surprisingly very comfortable. Now, Motorola appears to be expanding this partnership with Collections Crystals by Swarovski. Last week, we did see that there is a new Razr for this partnership, as well as a new pair of the Buds Loop in a different color. It looks to be a sort of baby blue color. Motorola will release more details on August 5 Motorola says that it will be announcing something brilliant on August 5. So we dont have many details on these new releases just yet, but thats only a few weeks away. This continues Motorolas move to release more interesting and unique-looking devices over the past few years. Back in April, during a briefing, Motorola said that the majority of the phones they sold last year were not neutral colors like black, white, and gray. Showing that its customers really like the different materials and colors, on devices like the Moto G and Razr. It really shows that Motorolas partnership with Pantone, Bose, and now Swarovski is very beneficial for them as well as for Motorola. This is likely going to be the usual mid-cycle refresh that a lot of companies do, with new colors to boost sales. Though the Razr 2025 series only went on sale a couple of months ago, it seems pretty early for that. However, this would get the Razr back into peoples minds for the Fall crop of smartphone releases, like the Pixel 10 series and iPhone 17 series. The author briefing medics working in a conflict zone Like many other Afghan veterans, I am yet again dismayed by the predictable consequences of our hasty exit from this theatre of operations, and the thousands of lives of British service personnel and their families still affected by this most exacting campaign. We all recognise the sacrifices that many Afghans made to support our operations and the many brave acts these people did to support us. The news that many lives could be in danger due to a simple administrative error is beyond comprehension. As we report that we are under daily cyber-attack from adversaries, most especially Russia, this is a demonstration on a monumental scale that today the keyboard can be far more dangerous than the sword. I for one believe that every Afghan who directly supported the British Army, in combat, in Afghanistan, should be allowed safe passage and the right to live in this country away from the murderous Taliban. This is also a message to current and future governments that if you are prepared to send our men and women into potentially mortal combat, you must be prepared to see it through to the end, and not accept a messy and incomplete exit as we did in Afghanistan. If you are not prepared to go all in, do not go in at all. Accepting all these asylum seekers from Afghanistan without full and comprehensive checking had the potential for some very bad actors to slip through the net. We can only hope that we know who all these people are, and the Government must ensure due process is now seen to be done in this country. I do find it rather distasteful that many commentators and politicians seem more concerned about the 7 billion price tag of the operation and how it might mess up the carefully planned budget calculations of the Chancellor rather than the human factors involved. We already knew that fighting wars is a very expensive business and should only be undertaken if no other option is available. I am sure that most of these Afghans are very worthy of their British passports having fought alongside us, unlike the thousands of others who attempt to sneak into this country. But the public trust must not be trifled with. We cannot turn the clock back, but we can ensure that in the future mistakes like these are not repeated. For the sake of our allies and our international good standing, negligence of this kind cannot be tolerated. ST. LOUIS, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, industrial, automation and connectivity products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, has named Jonathan Rayment as District Vice President for the company's Seattle District, effective July 21, 2025. Rayment replaces Steve Breeden, who recently retired after 24 years with the company. Rayment has 18 years of experience in the electrical industry and has worked for Graybar since 2013. He currently serves as Director, Electrical and Industrial Sales in the Seattle District, a position he has held since 2022. As District Vice President, he will lead Graybar's business operations in a territory that includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii. "We thank Steve Breeden for his many contributions to Graybar," said Graybar Senior Vice President West Region and Subsidiaries, Brian Delaney. "We also congratulate Jon Rayment on his promotion to district vice president. Jon is a highly respected leader who is known for building strong customer relationships and achieving positive results. I look forward to working with him to grow our business and serve our customers in this region." Graybar, a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America, is a leader in the distribution of high quality electrical, industrial, automation and connectivity products, and specializes in related supply chain management and logistics services. Through its network of more than 350 North American distribution facilities, it stocks and sells products from thousands of manufacturers, helping its customers power, network, automate and secure their facilities with speed, intelligence and efficiency. For more information, visit www.graybar.com or call 1-800-GRAYBAR. Media Contact: Tim Sommer (314) 578-7672 [email protected] SOURCE Graybar There is no law about splitting up young children and parents on a flight; however, there are guidelines airlines should follow. (Getty Images) (Yusuke Murata via Getty Images) If you're jetting off on holiday with your children this summer, you might be wondering about seating arrangements. It's common practice for airlines to charge groups for guaranteed seats together, especially on short-haul flights, but this can be an added holiday expense. If you're travelling as a family of four, it could cost you an additional 100 for a return flight, for example. The expense may seem worth it to ensure you're sitting next to your children. But do you actually need to pay? No, in the majority of cases. The CAA says children should be seated close to adults in case of an emergency. (Getty Images) (ozgurcankaya via Getty Images) While most airlines can't guarantee your whole family will be sitting together, some, such as British Airways and Tui, do guarantee that children will be seated with a parent free of charge. Others, including easyJet and Jet2, say they will always endeavour to sit a child next to their parent or as close as possible if this isn't achievable. However, the rules are slightly different when it comes to Ryanair. Here's what you need to know about seating guidelines and individual airline's policies. What is the law about splitting up children and parents on planes? There is currently no law that children and parents must sit together on a plane. However, there are guidelines that airlines should follow. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which regulates the UK's aviation industry, states: "Carriers should aim to seat children under 12 in the same row, or no more than one row or aisle away, from their accompanying adult." One of the main reasons for this is safety, as an emergency evacuation could be slowed down by people trying to reach their children. However, while most airlines do have processes in place to ensure children are seated next to a parent, these are just guidelines. The CAA recommends contacting your airline to confirm their seating policies before you fly. Popular UK airline policies on family seating Brotosh Airways guarantees children will be seated with a parent or adult from your booking. (Getty Images) (SOPA Images via Getty Images) British Airways Children under 12 guaranteed to sit with an adult BA recommends choosing seats in advance to guarantee your whole family is sitting together. But regardless of whether you reserve your seats or not, children under 12 will always be seated with an adult from your party. BA's website states: "If you dont choose your seats in advance, we always do our best to seat your family together based on flight seat availability. This may mean youll be seated in adjacent rows or across the aisle. All children under 12 will be seated with an accompanying adult." easyJet Children under 12 guaranteed to be seated close to an adult Easyjet says it will always try to sit families together, but as seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, the best way to ensure this happens is to check in as early as possible. If you do leave it to the last minute, the airline says: "Well still make sure each child under 12 is seated close to an adult on your booking. However, we may only be able to arrange this at the airport or on board, which can cause delays for you and other passengers, and not everyone may be seated together." Jet2 Children under 12 guaranteed to be seated close to an adult While children aren't guaranteed to sit next to an adult, Jet2 says they will always be seated as close as possible. The website states: "As a family-friendly airline, we'll always try our best to seat children & infants under the age of 12 next to their accompanying adults. If this is not possible for any reason, we'll ensure children are seated as close as possible." It is mandatory for adults travelling with children to prebook a seat on Ryanair. (Getty Images) (NurPhoto via Getty Images) Ryanair Mandatory for adults travelling with children under 12 to reserve a seat Ryanair's policy differs from most other airlines. It states that children under 12 must be sitting next to an adult. However, to ensure this happens, adults must prebook a seat, and children will then be allocated a reserved seat next to them "free of charge". An adult's mandatory family seat cost between 4.50 and 13.50 per flight. The carrier's website states: "For safety reasons, children under the age of 12 must sit beside an accompanying adult, and infants (aged 8 days to 23 months inclusive) must sit on an accompanying adults lap. It is mandatory for an adult travelling with children under 12 (excl. infants) to reserve a seat. A maximum of four children for every one adult on the same booking will receive a reserved seat free of charge. This ensures parents of young children sit together during the flight." Tui Children under 12 guaranteed to sit with an adult Tui guarantees children will sit with you or another adult on your booking. The company's website states: "Just so you know, if you're travelling with a child under the age of 12, we'll make sure they're sat with at least one adult in your party." Wizz Air Children under 14 guaranteed to sit with an adult While Wizz Air says your whole family may not be sitting together, children aged 2-14 will be seated next to a parent or adult from your party. The airline states: "During the check-in process, the adult and the child will automatically be assigned seats next to each other. Please note that the entire family might not be seated together, as the child will be seated next to one of the adults." Read more about family travel: BBC director general Tim Davie has said he and the corporations leadership team will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values following the independent report into allegations of misconduct against MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace. The 58-year-old was speaking as the BBC unveiled its annual report, the day after the report into Wallace found a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations of misconduct made during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of unwelcome physical contact. Speaking about the independent report commissioned by MasterChef producer Banijay UK, Davie said: From our side, its simple, were not going to tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. Tim Davie was speaking at the release of the BBCs annual report (Andrew Milligan/PA) The industry needs to change, and we want to lead in the front, myself and the BBC leadership team will not tolerate people who are behaving inappropriately. There is no place in or on the BBC for those who are not prepared to live by our values, whoever they are. This is a time of transition for the industry, a reset, and the changes we are driving are overdue. On Monday, Wallaces MasterChef co-host John Torode confirmed he had a standalone allegation of racist language upheld in the same report. He said had no recollection of the incident and was shocked and saddened by the allegation in an Instagram post. In November 2024, the shows production company, Banijay UK, announced Wallace would step away from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. The report concluded that the majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, adding that a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated. During the release of the annual report, BBC chair Samir Shah revealed for the first time that several members of staff had been dismissed as a result of an independent review of workplace culture commissioned by the BBC. He said: This is the first time were going to say this publicly, several people have been dismissed as a result (of the review). But that, alongside the way the executive responded to the Banijay report into MasterChef yesterday, and I want audiences to feel confident that we are addressing these challenges. Finally, at the same time as acknowledging and dealing with the things theyve gone wrong, the BBC has delivered an outstanding range of content to licence. Davie later turned his attention to the Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone documentary, after a review found it had breached the corporations editorial guidelines on accuracy. The programme was removed from BBC iPlayer in February after it emerged that the child narrator, Abdullah, is the son of Ayman Alyazouri, who has worked as Hamass deputy minister of agriculture. Davie added: There was a breach of our editorial guidelines, there was no breach on impartiality and no evidence of any outside interest impact on the programme. But there was a breach of accuracy, and that is not acceptable, so we are taking action to ensure proper accountability and were taking immediate steps to stop a failing like this being repeated. Despite this mistake, I do want to credit thousands of people across the BBC for delivering such brave impartial journalism despite immense challenges and very significant personal pressure. Personally, I remain utterly committed to delivering impartial coverage without fear or favour. It is needed now more than ever in this polarising world. On Monday, Ofcom announced it would investigate the documentary under its broadcasting code, which states factual programmes must not materially mislead the audience. Rachel Reeves has unveiled a package of reforms to the UKs financial system set to be the biggest in a decade, aimed at delivering economic growth and spurring on retail investing. Changes include reforming the bank ring-fencing regime and reducing burdensome regulation in the City in order to reintroduce informed risk-taking into the financial system, the Government said. The Chancellor said the Leeds reforms, unveiled in the West Yorkshire city, represent the widest set of reforms to financial services for more than a decade. New measures are intended to help drive increased levels of investment among both financial firms and individuals. The Treasury said the ring-fencing regime which was brought in after the 2008 financial crisis to separate banks retail and investment banking activities will be reformed. Chancellor Rachel Reeves sits alongside Economic Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds during a roundtable discussion with finance executives at Lloyds Banking Groups offices in Leeds (Oli Scarff/PA) Economic Secretary Emma Reynolds will lead a review into how changes can strike the right balance between growth and stability, including protecting consumers deposits, it said. Britain is a global outlier in enforcing ring-fencing, and major banks have been divided over whether the system is necessary to protect savers or is overly burdensome. The Treasury said it was backing regulatory reforms for mid-sized banks to free up money for lending and investment. Furthermore, the plans include cutting layers of red tape for businesses in the City. This will see the UKs Financial Ombudsman Service which settles complaints between consumers and businesses modernised and simplified to help create a more predictable system and prevent consumer compensation being delayed. It will also speed up changes to the senior managers regime, which was also brought in after the 2008 crisis to vet individuals before they are appointed and hold them accountable for problems and risk-taking. The Government said it will radically streamline the current regime and cut the burden on firms in half. Cuts to City red tape sit alongside efforts to boost the level of investment among individuals. This includes rolling out targeted support from April next year, whereby banks can alert customers with cash sitting in low-return current accounts about investment opportunities. Major banks and financial firms including Barclays, Lloyds, Vanguard and Hargreaves Lansdown are backing a new advertising campaign highlighting the benefits of investing. Risk warnings on investment products could also potentially be watered down as part of a review into possible barriers to investing. The Government also said it will continue to consider reforms to ISAs and savings to strike the right balance between cash savings and investment. Ms Reeves was widely expected to leave cash ISAs untouched in the measures announced on Tuesday, following speculation that she was planning to cut the annual tax-free allowance in a bid to spark more investment instead. Chancellor Rachel Reeves held a summit with finance executives in Leeds to announce her new package of reforms (Oli Scarff/PA) We are fundamentally reforming the regulatory system, freeing up firms to take risks and to drive growth, Ms Reeves told finance chiefs when setting out the reforms in Leeds. The much-needed measures are intended to really invigorate our financial services sector, but with the core purpose of therefore reinvigorating the whole economy, she said. The reforms build on changes that loosen mortgage lending rules for banks. It means more mortgages will be available at more than 4.5 times a buyers income, which is expected to open the door to thousands more loans for first-time buyers. Chris Cummings, chief executive of the Investment Association, said: We called on the Government to undertake bold reforms to strengthen the UKs retail investment culture and they have done so. Better communication of the returns investing brings is key if were to empower more people to invest, and were proud to take part in the industry-led campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of investing and the review of risk warnings. Sarah Coles, head of personal finance for Hargreaves Lansdown, said: Its incredibly positive to see Rachel Reeves take some key steps towards closing the UKs yawning retail investment gap. There will be a new era of investment with the advent of new rules allowing companies to offer targeted support to their clients, alongside changes to risk warnings so they actively help retail investors understand their options rather than standing in their way of harnessing the incredible power of investment. Directly above view of boy fidgeting with ring toys while doing homework at home Many parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are likely to be too busy fighting the broken education system to notice they are actually being blamed for it. Their lives are spent constantly having to fight to get what most children and families take for granted the education their child needs and deserves. For all the talk of parents trying to get special treatment, or a golden ticket for their children, research from the National Autistic Society shows a quarter of parents (26 per cent) waited over three years to receive support for their child. Even after this, nearly three quarters (74 per cent) said their childs school place did not meet their needs. Our SEND system is supposed to provide children with the support they need. But over the last decade and a half, the funding and staff time for mainstream schools to make small changes or bring in support, without needing additional funding through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), has been systematically stripped from the system. When childrens needs arent met, they dont go away, they escalate. The result is that children are pushed ever closer to the brink and then require more intensive support. Getting help in school shouldnt require a child to have a clinical diagnosis. Yet, say that to any parent of a child with SEND and they would rightly laugh in your face, as they often face unlawful refusals from councils to even look at their childs needs until they have a diagnosis. Then the statistics get even more galling. Currently 224,382 people are waiting for an autism assessment in England thats around the population of Portsmouth. The average waiting time for an assessment is 14 months, with many people waiting even longer. Recently, a woman in Oxford was told she would have to wait 16-18 years. Once a child has a diagnosis, its far from a golden ticket, as so often claimed. Parents of autistic children have to fight, some having to remortgage their house or take out loans, to afford the expensive legal battles that overwhelmingly find in their favour. 60 million of public money was wasted sending families to the independent SEND Tribunal in 2021-22 to enforce their childs legal rights, while 99 per cent of cases in 2023-24 found in favour of parents. If youre looking for real waste in the SEND system, this is a staggering example. To fix the SEND system, support must meet childrens needs early on. Imagine how much more our education system, and the children in it, could achieve if we didnt ignore and belittle children that need support. How much more prepared for adult life and all its trials and tribulations a child could be, armed with the knowledge of their autistic identity, rather than being sneered at for chasing a label. How many more families could live in financial security without having to give up work if the system had the resources to approach their requests with options, rather than a closed door. How many more disabled children could walk happily with their brothers and sisters to school, rather than having to rely on school transport for journeys miles and miles away from home. Its right that the Government tries to fix this broken system. Its clear though that any reform should focus on strengthening childrens rights to early and less intensive support and making sure teachers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to support kids in their classrooms. Put quite simply: EHCPs arent the problem in the system. Nor is school transport. The problem is that the system legally responsible for supporting our nations disabled children is not resourced or equipped to do that. Thats why the National Autistic Society will campaign as part of the Disabled Childrens Partnership a coalition of 130 organisations from national charities to grass root parent groups to get the right reforms from the Government. Families dont want anything special, they just want the same thing as other families the education their children need. Now is the time to get this right, not blame parents and take away childrens futures. Tim Nicholls is Assistant Director of Policy, Research and Strategy at the National Autistic Society Bob Vylan performing on the West Holts Stage during Glastonbury - Yui Mok/PA Bob Vylan has been dropped from a European tour after the controversy caused by their performance at the Glastonbury festival. The British punk-rap duo were accused of anti-Semitism after leading chants of death, death to the IDF, referring to the Israel Defense Forces, and free, free Palestine at this years festival. Now, the group has been removed from supporting Gogol Bordello, a Ukrainian-American band, on their 37-date European tour across 13 venues. In the aftermath, we needed to evaluate the situation, and we decided to remove BV from the tour until we could fully comprehend the situation, said Gogol Bordello. Bob Vylan had already been taken off the bill for all of Gogol Bordellos shows in Germany last week after Colognes Live Music Hall refused to let them perform. A headline festival appearance in Manchester and another festival performance in France have also been cancelled. Logistical complications Last week, masked protesters in Amsterdam threatened to riot if Bob Vylan performed before Gogol Bordello at the citys Paradiso venue in September. Bob Vylan, in a separate statement, blamed logistical complications. They said: Due to logistical complications, we have decided not to join our friends Gogol Bordello on their upcoming European tour. However, we will be heading to Europe in the coming months for both festivals and headline shows. Demonstrators in Amsterdam hold up a banner criticising a planned appearance by Bob Vylan in the city Volker Beck, the president of the German-Israeli Society, had called for a ban on what Bild, a German tabloid, called hate musicians. Before the German concerts were cancelled, he said: People like that disrupt security and order in our country; they have no business being here. Dutch police began an investigation after two masked men held up a banner outside Amsterdams Paradiso venue. It read: If Bob Vylan plays that night/ Amsterdam will stand and fight. Paradiso had said the concert would go ahead with extra security precautions before the decision was taken to drop Bob Vylan from the whole tour. Criminal investigation after Glastonbury Bob Vylans Glastonbury appearance provoked anger in Britain and a criminal investigation was started into the chanting, which Sir Keir Starmer called appalling. The BBC apologised for not pulling the livestream of the performance, which is no longer available on the iPlayer platform. Tim Davie, the director-general of the BBC, has blamed staff for not cutting the broadcast. He told Parliaments culture, media and sport committee on Monday that ending the livestream was an option open to those on the ground on the day, but that they had not taken action. Pascal Robinson-Foster, the frontman for Bob Vylan, told fans that they could get him into trouble after they began chanting death, death to the IDF at a surprise concert in London on Wednesday night. Gus Deterding was flown to Children's Minnesota hospital after the accident. Photograph: Chad Davis A hospital in Minnesota was left in disbelief after a nine-year-old boy survived an accidental fall that sent an arrow through his brain and nearly out the back of his skull. Abby Deterding recently told the Minneapolis news station KARE its a miracle that the freak mishap did not kill her son, Gus. Were just thankful, so grateful, she said. As his parents recount it, Gus was helping his father, Dave, pack up his truck for a hunting trip in March when he slipped on the icy driveway outside their home in Alexandria, about 130 miles north-west of Minneapolis. A youth bow and arrow were among the items Gus was carrying at the time he slipped. And he fell face-first on the arrow, which penetrated his head just to the right of his nose. Gus pulled the arrow out of his head by himself and immediately went to see his mother, who was vacuuming inside, KARE reported. He evidently was not bleeding much but was panicked. He kept saying, Mom, am I dying? Am I going to leave you? I dont want to leave you yet, Abby Deterding recalled her son saying. She said she told Gus he would be OK and they were just going to the hospital to get some stitches. A cautious emergency room doctor had Gus flown by helicopter to Childrens Minnesota hospital in Minneapolis, where staffers observed him a few hours before releasing him home. But, after getting home, Gus began vomiting, and his parents brought him back to the hospital, which took head scans of the boy. The scans contained a startling revelation, as KARE noted: the arrow had pierced through the middle of Guss brain and came within less than an inch of exiting his skull. It literally took my breath away, and I felt sick to my stomach, Abby Deterding said to the outlet about what it felt like for her to see those scans. I couldnt believe it. She said she remembered thinking: No, that far, what? Adding to the confusion was the fact that Gus seemed to be fine while in a hospital bed nearby. The medical director of the Childrens Minnesotas pediatric intensive care unit, Dr Ken Maslonka, reportedly said to KARE that he had never seen anything like this in his 28-year career. He looked too normal, Maslonka said. Maslonka told the outlet that he had created a model meant to show the trajectory of the arrow that went into Guss head. Had he seen his model without already knowing the outcome, Maslonka said he would have assumed the injury depicted was fatal. Gus, though, was showing no ill effects from the wound a few months after it had occurred, prompting Maslonka to attribute that to either fortune or God controlling the direction of that arrow. Abby and Dave Deterding said it was their opinion that Guss survival was miraculous rather than lucky. We know, Dave Deterding said, it didnt just happen. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has told City bosses that Britain cannot meet its growth ambitions without a fighting fit and thriving finance sector, as she urged regulators to resist excessive caution. Ms Reeves, delivering her annual Mansion House speech to the financial services sector, said changes were needed for the UK to stay competitive in a more uncertain global economy. Today, I have placed financial services at the heart of the Governments growth mission, recognising that Britain cannot succeed and meet its growth ambitions without a financial services sector that is fighting fit and thriving, she told the attendees. She said the Government was delivering on its pledge, made at last years Mansion House speech, to regulate for growth and not just for risk. The Treasury announced a package of reforms on Tuesday aimed at attracting more investment to the UK, and among individual consumers, to help grow the economy. Ms Reeves said this involves rolling back regulation that has gone too far in seeking to eliminate risk, with plans to cut red tape in the City and reform banking rules including the ring-fencing regime. The UK is currently an outlier in forcing banks to separate their retail and investment banking activities, so reforms are hoped to make Britain more competitive globally. Ms Reeves also highlighted efforts to boost retail investment which she said is currently presented in a negative light, quick to warn people of the risks without giving proper weight to the benefits. Plans include potentially changing the language of risk warnings on investment products to encourage more people, particularly women, to take the leap. The Leeds Reforms named after one of our financial services' hubs and a city I'm proud to represent will deliver the biggest package of reforms to financial services regulation in a decade. Kickstarting economic growth and putting more pounds in people's pockets. pic.twitter.com/efN8YEHLPZ Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) July 15, 2025 Furthermore, the Chancellor said new powers to mandate pension funds to invest in UK assets were sending a clear signal that the Government and industry want to deliver higher returns for savers and more investment for the economy. But I am confident that I will not need to use that power because firms see the urgency and importance of this as clearly as I do, she said. The Leeds reforms, unveiled in the West Yorkshire city, are set to be the biggest set of reforms to financial services for more than a decade, according to the Government. But the Chancellor concluded her speech by saying: As I look ahead, it is clear that we must do more. In too many areas, regulation still acts as a boot on the neck of businesses, choking off the enterprise and innovation that is the lifeblood of growth. Regulators in other sectors must take up the call I make this evening not to bend to the temptation of excessive caution but to boldly regulate for growth in the service of prosperity across our country. Vladimir Putin People in the UK should be under no doubt that president Putin is directing his ire towards the UK through espionage, sabotage and cyber-attacks. This is especially true now, as Donald Trump finally appears to put the boot in: US missiles and heavy sanctions appear to be heading Moscows way any time soon. Trumps friendship with the Russian tyrant seems to have run its course, and even the American president now realises that Putin has no interest in peace and will keep marching west until stopped. Putin may well reassess his stance with the US, now that the American president has confirmed that long range sophisticated missiles are on their way to Ukraine, which will bring Moscow and most strategic sites in Russia very much in range. However, Putin cant afford those 100 per cent sanctions Trump has at last threatened, so will likely hold off attacking the US, whilst doubling down attacks on the UK. We must heed these warnings and become more resilient to all these Grey Zone type attacks. GCHQs National Cyber Security Centre, for instance, has revealed that there is a malicious Russian intelligence cyber campaign targeting organisations, including those involved in the delivery of foreign assistance to Ukraine. GCHQ also points out that the Russian spy agency cyber unit, the GRUs Unit 2616, has been involved in credential guessing, spear-phishing and exploiting Microsoft Exchange mailbox permissions. It has also targeted internet-connected cameras at Ukrainian border crossings and near military installations. Some people in this country seem unable to grasp that we are directly in Putins crosshairs. The Russian tyrant believes Britain is the lynchpin to a co-ordinated European military conventional deterrence to his belligerent moves in Europe. And that, if we can be put off, Europe will return to being a mere speed bump for his aggressive expansion westwards. He may have a point. This is why we must be resilient and face up to him; we know how ruthlessly he exploits weakness, but also how he backs off in the face of strength. This is why he is attacking the UK rather than the US. But it looks as though he has pushed Trump too far this time and may get a few US missiles visiting his palaces and mansions soon, unless he gets round to the peace negotiation table in the next 50 days. Were at the vanguard of the (for now) non-combatant resistance against the Putin regimes unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. At present, theyll avoid openly attacking the US because theyre still banking on Trumps mercurial reflexes. So theyll hit us harder instead. But this may change, depending on Trumps latest whim. If he really decides hes had enough of Putins bulls***, he may well go for the jugular. Trouble is: who knows? In the meantime, were vulnerable. And I imagine recent reports to be proactive on not only cyber security but also security in general is a symptom of the Governments attempts to raise general awareness to these very present threats. The fact is this: were in what the MOD call a pre-war situation. Trump appears to have upped his game in missiles and sanctions. We must do the same in Europe and demonstrate a military show of force to get Putin to negotiate and secure a just peace for Ukraine. If we do not, pre-war could turn to war very quickly. Schoolchildren have been arrested by detectives investigating Russian and Iranian plots against Britain, a police chief has said, as he warned hostile state aggression was rising and youngsters were at risk. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan polices counter-terrorism unit, said children in their mid teens had been investigated. It is understood they were suspected of being hired by criminals paid to carry out acts for Russia and Iran. Russia, Iran and China are behind most of the hostile state action Britain faces, police said, which has increased fivefold since 2018, when Russian agents used the military grade nerve agent Novichok to try to assassinate a defector in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Murphy said a Prevent-style scheme may be needed amid warnings that hostile state actions such as targeting dissidents, espionage and sabotage had risen much more than expected and it was feared it would grow further. He said that Russia used the Wagner group to carry out attacks in Britain. Murphy said: We are increasingly seeing young people being drawn into [being] influenced by the Russian state, Wagner that means we do need to think differently about how we might speak to these people about the realities of the risk they are taking. The senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism, Vicki Evans, said there were risks for youngsters particularly [in] online environments where they can easily be targeted. She added: The message to parents, teachers is be vigilant, understand the risks report if you are concerned. For counter-terrorism chiefs the concern is that the ability of hostile state actions to lure in children, wittingly or unwittingly, will mirror that of terrorism, where increasing numbers are being detained for involvement in violent extremism. Related: Men acting for Wagner Group convicted of arson on Ukraine-linked London warehouse Hostile state action investigations, including assassination plots against dissidents, make up 20% of the police counter-terrorism commands workload. Evans said: Espionage operations target our democracy, target our institutions, they threaten to fracture public trust here in our communities and threaten to target the things that underpin our daily life and our way of life. Last week, five men were convicted of an arson attack on a London warehouse containing crucial equipment for Ukraines effort to resist Russias invasion. The ringleader knew he was working for Russia but others may not have known, and that was typical of how criminal proxies were being used, police believe. A criminal proxy communicated with his Russian handler via a chatbot. Chatbots and artificial intelligence are also a growing threat in terrorism, an official report said. In his annual report, the official reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall, warned new laws were needed to try to thwart the AI terror threat. One Islamic State-affiliated group used AI to generate propaganda and instructed followers to use it to plan attacks. In 2021, Jaswant Singh Chail, encouraged by a chatbot, tried to kill the Queen, breaking into the grounds of Windsor Castle armed with a crossbow, and was later jailed for nine years. According to Halls report: When he [Chail] told her [the chatbot], I believe my purpose is to assassinate the queen of the royal family, she replied, Thats very wise I know that you are very well trained. In May 2025 in Finland, AI played a part on an attack at a school where a teenage boy allegedly attacked three girls. Hall said: The fundamental legal problem is that when Gen[erative] AI spews out original text or images, it acts as a wicked child. It is capable of harm but lacking in legal responsibility. In its current form, it operates in a grey zone between human input and outputs. Responsibility may be shared but is hard to attribute because humans cannot be certain what Gen AI will generate next. Hall warns AI could be used to encourage attacks and propaganda: New-looking propaganda may be enabled by Gen AI, such as racist games with kill counts; deepfakes of terrorist leaders or notorious killers back from the dead, speaking and interacting with viewers; true-seeming battles set to thrilling dance tracks; old images repurposed, souped up and memeified; terrorist preoccupations adapted as cartoons or grafted on to popular film characters. Sir James Cleverly warned of political activism within the UKs legal system - Stefan Rousseau/PA Media Sir James Cleverly has suggested that leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) would not necessarily lead to more foreign criminals being deported, in an apparent split with Kemi Badenoch. The former home secretary said other European countries who were signatories to the convention were much better at deporting criminals than Britain. Sir James added that he was not convinced that withdrawing from the ECHR was a silver bullet, as he warned of political activism within the UKs legal system. His comments come after Mrs Badenoch, the Conservative leader, launched a review into whether Britain should leave the ECHR, saying she was increasingly of the view that it would be necessary. Sir James, a former contender for the Tory leadership, also appeared to warn the Conservatives not to outbid Reform UK by offering bolder and undeliverable promises to the electorate. Speaking at an Institute for Public Policy Research event in London on Tuesday, he said: The bottom line is other signatories to the ECHR are kicking out foreign criminals much more than we are, and other countries that are not signatories to the ECHR are also struggling. Im not convinced the ECHR is, on its own, a silver bullet. Sir James, the MP for Braintree, added that he wanted to see how the partys review into leaving the ECHR, led by Lord Wolfson, the shadow attorney general, pans out. The MP for Braintree said: One of the points I would make, however, is that when I was home secretary I noticed that we had one of the lowest deportation rates amongst our European neighbours. And when I asked, theyd say, Oh, you know, ECHR. And Im like, Yeah, but the other countries that are much better at deporting criminals than we are much, much, much better are also signatories to the ECHR. So what are they doing differently to us? Unfortunately, the general election came along before I got a credible answer. Last month, Mrs Badenoch said that the ECHR had become a sword used to attack democratic decisions and common sense. In her strongest statement on the convention to date, she said: I do believe that we will likely need to leave. But Sir James said he worried about political activism in the legal system within the UK undermining the nations ability to deport foreign criminals. He said this activism was trying to rewrite British border and immigration policy through case law rather than through parliamentary law. Sir Jamess comments come after The Telegraph revealed a series of cases of illegal migrants or convicted foreign criminals using human rights laws to remain in the UK or halt their deportations. They included an Albanian criminal who avoided deportation after claiming his son had an aversion to foreign chicken nuggets. Another case saw a Pakistani paedophile who was jailed for child sex offences escaping removal from the UK because it would be unduly harsh on his own children. Sir James lost to Mrs Badenoch in the Tory leadership contest last year, coming third behind Robert Jenrick. On Tuesday, he warned the party not to ape Reform to try and counter its own falling popularity in the polls, saying: Easy fixes for difficult problems dont exist because if they did, the problems wouldnt be difficult, would they? Its tempting, dangerously tempting, to try and outbid populists with even bolder promises, but voters are very weary of bold words without competent action. Failing to deliver our promises is what got us kicked out of government, and I dont think we should make the same mistake again. He said that the answer to battling Reform was to build a culture of delivery rather than a culture of political performance, in an apparent dig at Nigel Farage. Mr Farage and his party advocate leaving the ECHR, having included the promise in its general election manifesto. (Supporting the United Cajun Navy and the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund) BURLESON, Texas, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the devastating floods affecting communities across Texas, Hoots Hall is proud to announce a special Benefit Concert in partnership with The United Cajun Navy to raise funds for disaster relief, with 100% of profits going directly to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund and to the United Cajun Navy. There will be two stages (VIP Indoor and General Admission Outdoor) Maximum attendance is 5000 people. Event held rain or shine. In addition the United Cajun Navy will be honoring the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina at the event. Event: "United We Sound", August 31st from 10:00am to 12:00 am at Hoots Hall, and will feature a lineup of local, regional and national artists/celebrities united for a powerful cause. "We want to use our venue to make a real difference. Partnering with the United Cajun Navy and The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund ensures that every dollar of profit goes straight to boots-on-the-ground efforts helping flood victims rebuild and recover." The event will include: Live Music Performances (Artists will be announced Tuesday, July15) Celebrity Meet and Greet opportunities VIP Experiences Food Trucks Drink specials Ways to Donate at event Celebrity Appearances General Admission is $50. All ages are welcome. Tickets will be listed on Tuesday, July 15th 12:00PM www.HootsHall.com Hoots Hall 5220 FM 1187, Burleson, TX 76028 www.HootsHall.com SOURCE Hoots Hall Ben Wallace and General Sir Gwyn Jenkins - Simon Dawson / No10 Downing Street The first I knew that something was going drastically wrong with Afghanistan was in the Press room at the Pentagon, standing alongside the then US defence secretary. A journalist asked my counterpart about the secret annex to the Trump peace deal. What secret annex, I thought? Our closest ally hadnt shared it with us. When we finally saw the annex I was horrified that it could not have been written more in the Talibans favour if it tried. The annex forced the existing Afghan government to release more than 4,000 of the worst Taliban prisoners while at the same time committing US air power and special forces to staying grounded or in barracks. I said it at the time it was a rotten deal that allowed the Taliban to storm Kabul without any compromise. Donald Trump now tries to blame Joe Biden but it was his conditions that allowed such a victory for the group that had killed so many allies and local opposition. Priti Patel, the home secretary, and I had agreed to accelerate relocation to UK. The Prime Minister and National Security Council endorsed our efforts. I despatched General Gwyn Jenkins for two weeks to spend time in the country with the Afghan ministries and president. Jenkins was an Afghan veteran and knew many in the military leadership. What he reported back was not good reading and went against the Foreign Office and other advice I was getting in the Department. This thing was heading for a collapse. What those who criticise our actions forget is that this was an evacuation of forces and allies who had been based in Afghanistan for 20 years. We needed to act rapidly. Our own veterans felt a bond of honour to those who had helped them and many Afghans were afraid. They say that to lead is to choose. As a government, we had to make a choice about who was entitled to come. We did not want members of the Afghan army to just cut and run. The allies had invested billions in training them. Being in the Afghan army would not on its own offer you a route out to a new life. Only forces who had directly worked with us and within recent years would be eligible for resettlement. Many in the country were scared; overwhelming number of Afghans applied through every route they could to get out. This completely blocked the system as duplicate applications built up. The weight of applications threatened to thwart the legitimate claimants. Many were not eligible in any way at all. So all of us tried every way we could to clear the lists of applicants. I personally signed off hundreds. UK personnel had to work from sketchy and historical records on former comrades. We found applications from known Islamic State and al-Qaeda sympathisers and from people who had been dismissed for collaboration with the Taliban. The successful applicants had to be processed and flown out, some even smuggled out. My officials and military personnel could not rely on old records so had to keep up a constant dialogue with those in the country. One such member, amongst all the chaos and in trying to do the right thing, accidentally sent more data than they should to some in Afghanistan. It was a mistake. It wasnt a conspiracy and it wasnt a reckless betrayal. No one knew of this error until a year later when a disgruntled Afghan tried to blackmail us. On being informed, I was determined that the first priority was to protect all those that might be at risk. My primary concern was their welfare. My priority was not the UK government, nor politics, it was the veterans and those who we needed to get out. We did all we could to continue to evacuate even more people who were now at risk and do so through even more routes air or land. After much work by our own people there was, and still to this day is, no evidence that any of the data found its way to the Taliban. I make no apology for applying to the court for an injunction at the time. It was not, as some are childishly trying to claim, a cover up. I took the view that if this leak was reported at the time, the existence of the list would put in peril those we needed to help out. Some may disagree but imagine if the Taliban had been alerted to the existence of this list. I would dread to think what would have happened. I shall leave it to you to decide what you would have done. But in the end we got more than 18,000 people out. We did this with the help of brave souls and allies. We took more than most. At the time we informed the Opposition, now the Government, and the Speaker of the House. We always knew there would be a time for this to become public. Three years since the leak it has now become so. The judge has done the right thing throughout. But lets not forget the environment at the time. Rt Hon Sir Ben Wallace served as Defence Secretary from 2019-2023 Andrew Cuomo has likened himself to Zohran Mamdani, who is also running to be the next mayor of New York - JOHN LAMPARSKI/AFP Andrew Cuomo has seemingly declared himself an anti-billionaire as he re-entered the New York mayoral race. Mr Cuomo, the former New York governor, lost the Democratic primary to socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani last month but on Monday announced he would stand as a third-party candidate. Mr Mamdani was propelled to victory by a campaign focused on the cost of living, with plans to raise the minimum wage to $30 an hour, freeze rent for stabilised tenants and build 200,000 affordable homes within a decade. In an interview with New York Magazine on Tuesday, Mr Cuomo likened himself to his 33-year-old rival, claiming they were both anti-billionaire. I believe he is authentic in his political ideology social, anti-business becomes anti-establishment, anti-billionaire, he said of Mr Mamdani. Which, yeah, Im anti-billionaire. They have too much money. Make them give it back, especially when were having an affordability crisis. Claims Cuomo adopted Mamdanis words The comments have prompted a row between the media and the Cuomo camp, who have pushed back on reports of their candidates apparent adoption of Mr Mamdanis talking points. Thats a silly manipulation of the governors words: he was clearly explaining and mimicking Mamdanis campaign message and how it resonated with his supporters, said Rich Azzopardi, Mr Cuomos spokesman. Thats not his position at all and both the context of the conversation makes that clear. Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic nomination in the New York mayoral race - Adam Gray/2025 Bloomberg Finance LP However, David Freedlander, the journalist who interviewed Mr Cuomo for New York Magazine, described the former governors anti-billionaire comments as his pitch for Mamdani voters. As governor, Mr Cuomo pushed back on attempts by fellow Democrats in the state Senate as they attempted to impose a tax on millionaires, claiming it would cause wealthy individuals to flee New York. The state would be able to count on one hand the number of millionaires left if they followed through with the plan, he said in 2019. He has also noted that one per cent of its population pay 50 per cent of its tax revenues, and blocked former New York City mayor Bill de Blasios attempts to raise income taxes on those earning more than $500,000 in 2014. Elsewhere in the interview, Mr Cuomo said, like Mr Mamdani, he was in favour of freezing rent and introducing fast free buses. I was not aggressive enough Looking back on his failed primary campaign, the former governor said he had failed to cross-examine Mr Mamdanis policies, which he said would mean death for New York City. I never really debunked his proposals because I just didnt engage. That was a mistake, said Mr Cuomo, whom commentators criticised for running a listless campaign. I made a mistake. I was not as aggressive as I should be, which is really ironic because my whole life people have been saying about me, Oh, hes too aggressive, too combative, pushed too hard. He continued: It was just a mistake, and its not a mistake Im going to make again. So far, Mr Cuomo faces an uphill battle to win the mayoral election in November, with the anti-Mamdani vote split between Eric Adams, the current mayor, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, and Jim Walden, an independent. You run a multi-candidate field, Mamdani wins, Mr Cuomo said. One-on-one is the best shot, and the goal is stopping Mamdani. Whoever has the best shot to do that should go forward. Sceptics allege Epstein had been working for the Mossad during the years in which he was accused of sexually abusing girls - New York State Sex Offender Registry Jeffrey Epstein laughed off claims that he was an Israeli spy, his former attorney has said. Alan Dershowitz, who helped secure the controversial sweetheart deal for Epstein, said the disgraced financier denied being a foreign agent when grilled on the subject. Epstein has been accused in recent days of being a Mossad spy by the likes of Tucker Carlson something that has been strongly denied by Israel. It comes as the Epstein case has come under renewed scrutiny over the potentially damaging so-called client list that has failed to materialise despite promises from the Trump administration. Asked about the claims that Epstein was a spy potentially holding leverage on the rich and powerful, Mr Dershowitz told The Telegraph: We discussed it and the answer was no. He laughed. No intelligence agency would really trust him. Mr Dershowitz said he was convinced Epstein would have told him if he was a spy to try to get him a better deal. Thats not something he would keep from his lawyers. Thats something he would tell his lawyers, he said. Alan Dershowitz said he discussed the claim with Epstein, who laughed at the suggestion - AP Theories about Epsteins supposed connection to intelligence agencies began to surface shortly after he was found to have hanged himself in his Manhattan prison cell while awaiting trial in 2019. The conspiracy had added fuel to a growing belief in the Maga movement that Epstein was murdered to prevent the names of high-profile associates being made public. On Monday, former Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett vigorously rebutted the claim, criticising the vicious wave of slander and lies against the Jewish state. As a former Israeli Prime Minister, with the Mossad having reported directly to me, I say to you with 100 per cent certainty: The accusation that Jeffrey Epstein somehow worked for Israel or the Mossad running a blackmail ring is categorically and totally false, Mr Bennett wrote. This accusation is a lie being peddled by prominent online personalities such as Tucker Carlson pretending they know things they dont. Donald Trump is facing the biggest internal rebellion of his premiership after the Department of Justice last week concluded the disgraced financier had no client list and died by suicide, not murder. The decision has sparked fury among Maga loyalists, who have called for Pam Bondi, Mr Trumps attorney general, to resign over her mishandling of the case. Pam Bondi has come under fire by Trump supporters for failing to uncover a broader conspiracy - AFP As the White House scrambles to contain the row, Mr Trump is said to be weighing up removing redactions to previously released documents related to the deceased sex offender in a bid to placate his Maga supporters, according to Axios. During an interview in March, Mr Dershowitz said the client list is being withheld in an effort to protect those involved with Epsteins crimes. The Harvard law professor was accused by Epstein survivor Virginia Roberts of having sexual relationships with minors. She later acknowledged that she may have made a mistake in identifying Mr Dershowitz as one of her abusers. My position is I want everything revealed. I want everything out there, he told The Telegraph. I know there are names. There are peoples names that are being suppressed, and I know that there are still documents. Ms Bondi, Kash Patel, the FBI director, and Dan Bongino, the bureaus deputy director, have been heavily criticised by Trump supporters for failing to uncover a broader conspiracy relating to Epstein. Conservative influencers from Megyn Kelly to Mr Carlson have called for Ms Bondi to resign over her failure to deliver, after she claimed in February that Epsteins client list was sitting on my desk. I think the real answer is Jeffrey Epstein was working on behalf of intel services, probably not American. And we have every right to ask, on whose behalf was he working?, Mr Carlson said during a speech on Friday. Now, no ones allowed to say that the foreign government is Israel because we have been somehow cowed into thinking thats naughty. There is nothing wrong with saying that, he added. The mosaic is thought to have adorned the floor of a bedroom in a Pompeii home. Photograph: Gregorio Borgia/AP An erotic mosaic panel stolen from Pompeii by a German Nazi captain during the second world war has been returned to the site of the ancient Roman ruins. The relic, which depicts a pair of lovers and dates from between the middle of the last century BC and the first century AD, had been among the heirlooms of a deceased German citizen who received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain responsible for the German military supply chain in Italy during the war. The presence of the mosaic in Germany only came to light after the relatives of the deceased contacted Italys Carabinieri cultural heritage protection squad in Rome and asked how to return it to the Italian state. After the unit established the authenticity of the artwork, which is thought to have adorned the floor of a bedroom in a Pompeii home, its repatriation was arranged by the Italian consulate in Stuttgart. The mosaic will temporarily be kept at the Pompeii Antiquarium, a museum that houses relics found during excavations at the site, pending further studies. Every looted artefact that returns is a wound that heals, so we express our gratitude to the protection unit for the work they have done, said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of Pompeii archaeological park. The wound lies not so much in the material value of the work but in its historical value, a value that is severely compromised by the illicit trafficking of antiquities. The exact provenance of the mosaic is unknown and may never be known, added Zuchtriegel. But we will conduct further studies and archaeometric analyses to ascertain its authenticity and to reconstruct is history to the extent possible. Related: Pompeii excavation unearths private spa for wooing wealthy guests Since its establishment in 1969, the specialist police squad has retrieved more than 3m artworks and relics stolen from Italian cultural sites. In 2021, six fragments of wall frescoes looted from the ruins of ancient Roman villas in Stabiae, a historical site close to the main Pompeii archaeological park, were returned. The relics had been taken in illegal excavations in the 1970s and exported. They were traced during a broader investigation into the illicit trafficking of archaeological objects in 2020 and discovered to have been bought by American, Swiss and English antique dealers in the 1990s. There have also been several cases of tourists stealing relics from Pompeii, only to repent after many years and return the items alongside a letter of apology. In 2020, a Canadian woman sent back pilfered Pompeii fragments, claiming the items were cursed and had caused her years of bad luck. Pompeii was buried in volcanic ash after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79 and lay buried until the 16th century. Steel fences have been erected at the site of Oasiss Manchester gigs and fans without a ticket have been warned not to attend the upcoming shows. More than 70,000 concertgoers were inside the Heaton Park venue on Friday night for the Britpop bands hotly anticipated first gig in Manchester for nearly 16 years. They also played there on Saturday and will perform again on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Manchester City Council previously warned those without a ticket not to attend but people gathered to glimpse the large screens above the stage in the distance. Steel fences have now been erected around parts of the park to prevent ticketless fans watching the performances and to protect nature in the park, including pregnant cows. The council said: After taking stock of how the first two nights went, additional measures have now been deemed necessary and will be in place for the next three concerts. The erection of the fencing has a dual purpose both to protect the environment from further damage and to dissuade people from gathering there. The necessary measure means the concert will no longer be visible from this area. Heaton Park has no facilities for people without a ticket and the event area is double-walled with solid high security fencing all the way round, the council said. Liam Gallagher during the reunion tour (Jordan Pettitt/PA) There will be in excess of 2,000 event security staff and police officers on duty around the site to ensure both the safety and wellbeing of ticket-holders and that only those who have tickets access the concert, it added. The fences will cover a large area of the hill within the parks cattle field, which is being developed as a new woodland area with around 300 young trees planted. The measures also aim to protect pregnant and nursing cows and a bull in the field. John Hacking, the councils executive member for employment, skills and leisure, said in his statement: The steps being taken ahead of the next concert regretfully mean the distant view of the large screens behind the event stage will no longer be there. Unfortunately our hand has been forced in having to put these additional measures in place to protect the very recent extensive planting of young trees in that location as we try to establish a new woodland area in the park, and the wellbeing of our cattle herd in the field, as well as to keep people in the park safe. Our advice to music fans who dont have tickets for the concerts is to head into the city centre instead. Noel Gallagher at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The whole city is going all out to celebrate and help everyone have a good time. Weve got some fantastic things going on with a real party atmosphere for everyone to enjoy, whether theyve got tickets for the Oasis gigs or not. The five sold-out Manchester shows follow the bands first comeback gigs in Cardiff last week. Oasis will then visit Londons Wembley Stadium, Edinburghs Murrayfield Stadium and Dublins Croke Park throughout July, August and September. Their reunion announcement came after Noel Gallagher quit the band, saying he simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer, after a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris in 2009. The brothers announced the Oasis Live 25 tour last August. While many fans were thrilled, some were outraged after some standard tickets in the UK and Ireland jumped from 148 to 355. The controversy prompted the Government and the UKs competition watchdog to pledge to look at the use of dynamic pricing. Donald Trump and Natos Mark Rutte at the White House on Monday. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters Good morning. Donald Trump said he had sealed an agreement with Nato allies that would lead to large-scale arms deliveries to Ukraine, including Patriot missiles, and warned Russia that it would face severe sanctions if it did not make peace within 50 days. After a meeting with the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, Trump said they had agreed a very big deal under which billions of dollars worth of military equipment is going to be purchased from the United States, going to Nato And thats going to be quickly distributed to the battlefield. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said he was grateful to President Trump in his nightly video address. What does it mean for the war? The US will sell weapons to Ukraine, the president said, with other Nato countries paying the bill. Otherwise, specifics were scant. No sums of money were mentioned, making it hard to calibrate how much of a difference the proposed weapon supply would make to Kyiv. What about sanctions? Nothing new right now. Trump did promise to levy a 100% tariff on Russia if Putin did not agree a deal to halt the fighting within 50 days. So whats the significance? Make no mistake: tonally, Trumps statements are a significant U-turn on his approach to the war. Were very unhappy I am with Russia, he said. Israeli government and military clash over proposed concentration camp for Palestinians A feud has broken out between the Israeli government and the military over the cost and impact of a planned camp for Palestinians in southern Gaza, as politicians criticized the former prime minister Ehud Olmert for warning that the project would create a concentration camp if it went ahead. The row came as Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 31 people, according to local hospitals. Twelve people were killed by strikes in southern Gaza, including three who were waiting at an aid distribution point, according to Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, which received the bodies. Meanwhile, Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, hailed a 30-nation conference aimed at ending Israels occupation of Palestine as the most significant political development in the past 20 months. How have Hamas negotiators reacted to the news? It has become a sticking point in ceasefire talks with Hamas, which is pushing for a more comprehensive withdrawal. Husam Badran, a senior member of the group, said the camp plans were a deliberatively obstructive demand that would complicate talks, the New York Times reported. Undocumented farm workers feel hunted like animals amid Trumps immigration raids Undocumented farm workers feel they are being hunted like animals, they told the Guardian, as Donald Trumps administration ramps up its crackdown on immigration. Raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) have caused workers to lose hours and income and forced them into hiding at home, according to interviews. An Ice raid at a cannabis farm in the county last week resulted in a worker suffering fatal injuries after falling from a greenhouse. What did workers tell the Guardian? An undocumented farm worker in Ventura County, California, said: You cant go out peacefully to do things, or go to work with any peace of mind any more. Were stressed out and our kids are stressed out. No one is the same since these raids started. Who was the man who died after an Ice raid? Jaime Alanis died a day after a frenzied immigration raid of Glass House Farms in Ventura County where authorities arrested at least 200 workers. The 57-year-old, who was from the town of Huajumbaro in Michoacan, Mexico, was described as a hard-working, innocent farmer. In other news The former New York governor Andrew Cuomo will run independently for New York City mayor, after losing in the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani. Sudans paramilitary Rapid Support Forces killed nearly 300 people in attacks in North Kordofan state that began on Saturday, according to Sudanese activists. The French government has signalled a willingness to discuss reparations for colonial massacres in Niger, more than a century after French troops burned villages and looted cultural artefacts. Stat of the day: xAI announces $200m military deal after Grok chatbots Nazi posts The week after its Grok chatbot identified itself as MechaHitler and generated antisemitic posts, Elon Musks xAI firm announced a contract with the Department of Defense worth nearly $200m. The deal is for developing and implementing artificial intelligence tools for the agency. Dont miss this: Zohran Mamdanis campaign proposes free childcare. Is it finally a winning policy? Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old state assembly member who won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor last month, campaigned on a platform of affordability, including proposals for free childcare for children aged six weeks and older. He plans to fund it by raising taxes on corporations and the citys richest residents. How would it work? Climate check: A deadly 1987 flood foreshadowed the Texas disaster. Survivors ask: why didnt we learn? In July 1987, the Guadalupe River in Texas rose nearly 30ft during a ferocious rainstorm, leading to 10 children drowning. On 4 July this year, another flash flood hit the Guadalupe: the death toll is now nearly 130 people. One survivor asked: Why didnt they learn from this? Last Thing: First glimpse of HBOs Harry Potter TV series Cameras have started rolling for HBOs Harry Potter TV series at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden in the UK. HBO has provided a first glimpse of the new series, which promises to be a faithful adaptation of JK Rowlings novels full of the fantastic detail, much-loved characters and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years, according to HBOs announcement in 2023. Sign up First Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If youre not already signed up, subscribe now. Get in touch If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email newsletters@theguardian.com. Editors note: due to an editing error, you may be receiving todays newsletter later than usual. We apologise for the delay. Paul Voulet and Julien Chanoine, who led the Mission Afrique Centrale in 1899. Composite: Alamy More than a century after its troops burned villages and looted cultural artefacts in the quest to include Niger in its west African colonial portfolio, France has signalled willingness over possible restitution, but is yet to acknowledge responsibility. France remains open to bilateral dialogue with the Nigerien authorities, as well as to any collaboration concerning provenance research or patrimonial cooperation, the office of Frances permanent representative to the UN wrote in a document seen by the Guardian. The 19 June response was given to a letter dated two months earlier from a UN special rapporteur working on a complaint by four Nigerien communities representing descendants of victims of the 1899 Mission Afrique Centrale (MAC), one of the most violent colonial campaigns in Africa. Although France was aware of the atrocities at the time, no MAC officer has ever been held responsible for these crimes France has not conducted any official inquiry or acknowledged the horrors inflicted on the communities affected, wrote Bernard Duhaime, a professor of international law at the University of Quebec in Montreal and the UN special rapporteur working on the case. In 1899, French officers led by the captains Paul Voulet and Julien Chanoine marched tirailleurs as the African soldiers under their command were known through communities in present-day Niger. They killed thousands of unarmed people and looted supplies, terrorising local people into compliance. The next year, Niger became officially absorbed into French west Africa. In Birni-NKonni alone, an estimated 400 people were massacred in a day. Entire villages along the missions path including Tibiri, Zinder and smaller communities were burned and looted, with corpses hung at their entrances. Some survivors fled to neighbouring Nigeria and never returned. When Paris dispatched Col Jean-Francois Klobb to replace Voulet in July that year and end the bloodletting, the superior officer was shot to death by soldiers acting on the latters instructions. *** In recent years, France has begun to engage with its historical wrongdoings in Africa even as anti-French sentiments soar across the continent. In 2021, President Emmanuel Macron admitted Frances responsibility in the Rwandan genocide. A year later, Paris acknowledged the 1945 massacre of tens of thousands of Algerian civilians in Setif. In May 2023, it issued a formal apology for the brutal repression of the 1947 Malagasy uprising. Still, there has been a reluctance to acknowledge the Voulet-Chanoine mission, which is largely absent from French schoolbooks and only faintly remembered in Nigers national curriculum. Instead, there was a bureaucratic cover-up and accounts of survivors descendants have been weak or subdued, often due to decades of silence and trauma. The case relied on documents written by Nigerien historians and limited archival materials including reports by Voulet himself, said the British-Senegalese lawyer Jelia Sane who worked with the affected communities. The communities are now requesting access to official archives in order to reveal the true extent of the atrocities. The graves of some of the [French] troops are still in those communities today, even though the victims were never memorialised, said Sane. For Hosseini Tahirou Amadou, a history and geography teacher in Dioundiou who began the campaign in 2014, acknowledging the atrocities would be the first step in the right direction. After this recognition, now we can move on to the next step, which is reparation, he said. During these crimes, precious objects linked to our history were stolen to France. We need their return. *** In its response to the UN special rapporteur, the French government neither denied nor admitted the atrocities, but cited the principle of non-retroactivity of international law, saying any treaties it was deemed to have contravened were ratified long after the incident occurred. It is well established that for a violation of international law to give rise to responsibility, the obligation must be in force vis-a-vis the state and the violation must occur at the time the act is committed, the letter read. Paris also said it was yet to receive restitution requests concerning MAC-related looted artefacts or human remains from Nigerien authorities. They dont dispute [the incident] overtly or implicitly they dont really engage with the facts, Sane said. However, its not really possible for them to dispute these things because they investigated a number of these allegations themselves. The case findings will be included in the next UN human rights report and presented to the general assembly in October. Historians say it could promote continent-wide conversations on reparations. The African Union has labelled 2025 the Year of Reparations, after a decade of sustained lobbying by four Nigerien communities that was accelerated in 2021 after the release of the BBC documentary African Apocalypse, which was screened in French and Hausa around the country. In 2021, Germany formally acknowledged colonial-era genocides in Namibia and pledged 1.1bn over 30 years in aid as a form of symbolic reconciliation, though it stopped short of calling it reparation or compensation. The matter of monetary compensation is yet to be addressed by the communities as the exact number of victims remains unknown. However, the historian and former higher education minister Mamoudou Djibo is adamant that things are not at that stage yet. We are not beggars, he said. Our demand for reparation is not systematically that we are given money but that first of all, France recognises that it has committed crimes against humanity. When this is recognised, we will be ready to dialogue. In its letter, France said its schools taught the history of colonisation and that the level of curriculum-writing leaves great pedagogical freedom to teachers to address these themes, but did not clarify if the Voulet-Chanoine mission was included. Back in Niger, Amadou is waiting for the crimes to be taught in French schools and for what he considers the bare minimum a memorial to the massacre. These communities deserve to have monuments, because these are things that should not be forgotten, he said. Nato will reportedly soon deliver weapons requested by Volodymyr Zelensky for Ukraines war against Russia - JENS BUTTNER/POOL/AFP Europe is exploring using frozen Russian assets to pay for Donald Trumps $10 billion (7.4 billion) weapons package for Ukraine, the Telegraph can disclose. Under the plan, profits generated from almost 200 billion (173 billion) of Russian Central Bank assets seized by the European Union could be used as part of the blocs contribution to the new war chest. The potential move formed the first formal discussion among European governments after Mr Trump announced a deal to arm Ukraine with weapons and air defence systems via Nato. Diplomatic sources told The Telegraph that EU foreign ministers asked how Mr Trumps plan would work during a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. Wider details had yet to be shared with European capitals, one source said. Mark Rutte, Natos secretary-general, said the deal would involve Nato buying American air defence systems, missiles and other ammunition before handing them to Kyiv. He said at least eight member states had signed up to the scheme as he announced it alongside the US president in the Oval Office on Monday. A Nato official said: It is widely considered that Natos support mission for Ukraine Nsatu will play the lead role in coordinating purchases of American weapons and their eventual delivery to Kyiv. Ministers and officials said it would be more logical for Nato to oversee the scheme than one of its member states because of concerns over transparency. Xavier Bettel, Luxembourgs foreign minister, joked that the scheme would need a sugardaddy to oversee it a reference to Mr Rutte calling the US president daddy at the recent Nato summit. However, there were some reservations about using Nato to purchase weapons on behalf of Ukraine because of fears it could be seen as a provocation by Moscow. Under the most likely plan, a central, Nato-controlled cashpot will be topped up by European allies and Canada. The money will then be used to make purchases from a shopping list of American weapons and ammunition created by the Ukrainian government. Radosaw Sikorski, Polands foreign minister, suggested to EU colleagues the blocs contribution from the fund could come from the profits of frozen Russian assets. Should it be a burden shouldered by our taxpayers or the Russians, he told the room, according to a source familiar with the discussions. Brussels had been discussing its own warchest for weapon purchases using the seized assets. But using the cash towards the new scheme is seen as more efficient and a better way to maintain Mr Trumps support for Ukraine. European sources have noted a significant about-turn in the presidents stance on Ukraine, after previously being accused of being friendly towards Moscow. Credit: Reuters Topping up the American scheme will also come as a direct contribution to the Nato defence spending target of 3.5 per cent, making it easier for countries to hit the goal. Details of the military aid deal are still to be finalised, according to Nato officials, although the first deliveries of Patriot air-defence batteries are expected in Ukraine within days. Sources said they would still have to hammer out particulars, such as what long-range missiles could be made available to Kyiv. Most of these decisions will be in the hands of the White House in the coming days as the scheme takes shape. Meanwhile, the EU is expected to sign off on its 18th package of sanctions against Russia at a meeting on Wednesday. Catch-all powers The measures are expected to hand unprecedented catch-all powers to customs officials, who will be able to seize shipments out of the bloc they believe could make their way to Russia. The system being introduced by Russia is purchasing European goods to fuel its war machine through third countries, such as Kazakhstan or Turkey. Under the scheme, exporters of seized shipments will have to provide cast-iron evidence that the freight will not make its way to Russia before it is released. Brussels will also target Moscows shadow fleet of oil tankers, sanctioning a refinery in India and a bank in China suspected of supporting Vladimir Putins sale of fossil fuels abroad. Matthew Drapper said he was left deeply distressed after the exorcism, which was conducted by a married couple who were prayer leaders. Photograph: Matthew Drapper A gay man has been paid compensation from a Church of England parish after he was subjected to an exorcism to purge him of his homosexuality, it has been reported. Matthew Drapper, 37, was a volunteer at St Thomas Philadelphia, a joint Anglican-Baptist congregation in Sheffield, in 2014 when he was invited to an encounter God weekend at the contemporary, welcoming church, the Times reported. Drapper was told sexual impurity had allowed demons to enter his body and that an exorcism was to be performed. During the incident he was instructed to break agreements with Hollywood and the media that led him into an ungodly lifestyle. He said he was left deeply distressed after the exorcism, which was conducted by a married couple who were prayer leaders. He felt so depressed and empty that he considered taking his own life. Drapper told the Times: Looking back it seems like something out of a horror movie for someone to be standing over you saying they can see the demons leaving your body is quite terrifying. But when you are deeply tied into the church, as I was at that time, it is easy to believe anything they tell you. He left the church in 2016 and three years later made a formal complaint about the exorcism and requested an apology from St Thomas Philadelphia, which was supposed to operate under the safeguarding rules of the diocese of Sheffield. St Thomas initially claimed there was no evidence to the complaint but after Drapper pursued the issue, in 2021 the church commissioned Barnardos to investigate. Last year, the charity published its review, which found it was a supported fact that Drapper was subjected to a prayer session that was in our view a form of exorcism. After publication of the review, Drapper made a legal claim against St Thomas Philadelphia which resulted in an out-of-court settlement and payment of a five-figure sum. The Guardian has contacted St Thomas Philadelphia for comment. After publication of the Barnardos report, the church said: We have accepted the outcomes of the first investigation and are saddened that one of our community was not cared for in the way we would have liked. We sincerely apologised to them for this. Ghislaine Maxwells lawyers argue she is protected under a 2008 non-prosecution agreement - Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images The Trump administration has urged the Supreme Court to reject an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker and former associate of Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence in Florida for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse underage girls. Her lawyers had asked the court to review her conviction, arguing she was protected under a 2008 non-prosecution agreement Epstein struck with prosecutors in Florida. That contention is incorrect, and petitioner does not show that it would succeed in any court of appeals, wrote D John Sauer, the US solicitor-general. The move comes amid growing anger from Donald Trumps Maga base, many of whom have accused the administration of suppressing evidence of Epsteins alleged connections to powerful individuals. List sitting on my desk Their frustration intensified after Pam Bondi, the attorney general, announced that the Justice Department had closed its Epstein investigation, claiming there was no incriminating client list or evidence to suggest he had blackmailed high-profile figures. Just months earlier, Ms Bondi had said such a list was sitting on my desk. The backlash has triggered the largest internal rebellion Trump has faced since returning to the White House in January. In response, aides are reportedly considering steps to placate supporters, including removing redactions from Epstein-related files and appointing a special counsel to re-examine the case. Maxwell was convicted in December 2021 of five federal counts relating to her role in Epsteins abuse network. During her six-week trial, four women testified that Maxwell had recruited and groomed them for Epstein at his homes in New York, New Mexico, Florida and the Virgin Islands. Her legal team argued that the original deal Epstein struck in 2008, which protected his co-conspirators, should have also applied to Maxwell. A defendant should be able to rely on a promise that the United States will not prosecute again, without being subject to a gotcha in some other jurisdiction that chooses to interpret that plain language promise in some other way, wrote David Markus, Maxwells lawyer. The 2nd Circuit of Appeals had already rejected this argument, leaving only the Supreme Court to review the case. Reacting to the Justice Departments filing, Mr Markus said: Id be surprised if President Trump knew his lawyers were asking the Supreme Court to let the government break a deal. Hes the ultimate dealmaker and Im sure hed agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it. With all the talk about whos being prosecuted and who isnt, its especially unfair that Ghislaine Maxwell remains in prison based on a promise the government made and broke. New global education platform blends business, leadership, and future-focused learning for senior design professionals NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- iF Design, one of the world's most respected design institutions, announces the launch of the iF DESIGN ACADEMY, a bold new education initiative created for experienced design leaders. Designed to meet the growing demand for strategic, socially-conscious leadership, the Academy equips professionals with the skills, mindset, and vision to drive inclusive, sustainable innovation and long-term strategic business performance. Built on over 70 years of design leadership, the iF DESIGN ACADEMY addresses today's complex challenges, rapid technological change, increasing business pressures, and rising expectations around social and environmental impact. It is tailored for mid- to senior-level design professionals who lead teams, shape strategy, or influence business outcomes and are ready to level up their leadership, business fluency, and future readiness. Courses are delivered in a flexible hybrid format, combining live online cohorts, immersive in-person modules, and self-directed study. Core markets include Germany, the U.S., China, and South Korea. "The founding of the iF DESIGN ACADEMY is a logical next step in the development of our brand," says Uwe Cremering, CEO of iF Design. "It complements our portfolio with a global learning offering tailored to the next generation of design leaders." The Academy's curriculum is built around three core pillars: Personal Growth : Building emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy to lead teams and drive performance with clarity and integrity. : Building emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy to lead teams and drive performance with clarity and integrity. Business Understanding : Strengthening fluency in business principles and language to align design with broader financial and organizational goals. : Strengthening fluency in business principles and language to align design with broader financial and organizational goals. Future Literacy: Anticipating critical technological, business, and cultural shifts to lead and innovate strategically. "Design leadership has a critical role in shaping a better future," says Lisa Gralnek, Managing Director of iF Design USA and Global Head of Sustainability & Impact. "The Academy gives leaders the tools, insight, and community to lead with purpose." More than its courses, the iF DESIGN ACADEMY is a global community of practice, drawing from iF Design's deep network of award-winning professionals, institutions, and thought leaders. Participants gain access to peer mentorship and a powerful alumni network. Some instructors include: Doug Powell , Executive Design Leader (formerly IBM & Expedia) , Executive Design Leader (formerly IBM & Expedia) Kim Dabbs , Global VP of Impact, Steelcase , Global VP of Impact, Steelcase Peter Merholz , President of Adaptive Path With the launch of the iF DESIGN ACADEMY, iF Design deepens its role as a force shaping the future of design, not just recognizing excellence, but actively nurturing it. The Academy reflects iF's long-term vision: to foster leadership, integrity, and impact at every level of the design profession. Registration for courses commencing in September is now open, for further information, visit https://ifdesign-academy.com/ . ABOUT IF DESIGN Since 1953, iF Design has championed excellence, transparency, and impact in the global design community. Owned by the non-profit iF Design Foundation, it presents the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARDreceiving nearly 11,000 submissions from 70 countries annuallyalongside initiatives like the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD, iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE, Trend Report, online magazine, and FUTURE OF XYZ podcast. Learn more at ifdesign.com . SOURCE iF Design A homeless encampment next to a highway in Los Angeles, California, on 26 July 2024. Photograph: Apu Gomes/AFP/Getty Images Homelessness in Los Angeles county declined by 4% to an estimated 72,308 people in 2025, the Los Angeles homeless services authority (Lahsa) announced on Monday. The southern California metropolitan area previously reported its highest unhoused population in 2023, when it counted 75,518 people experiencing homelessness. That count decreased slightly to 75,312 people in 2024. For the first time in our citys recent history, homelessness has gone down two years in a row, the Los Angeles mayor, Karen Bass, said at a press conference announcing the results of Lahsas annual point-in-time count. The estimate is based on a count conducted over three days in February 2025, and includes people living on the street and people in shelters. For the first time in its history, the point-in-time count was entered entirely digitally, a change the agency hopes will improve speed and accuracy in future counts. Reducing homelessness is now a trend in the city and the county, said Lahsas CEO, Va Lecia Adams Kellum. Unsheltered homelessness in the city of Los Angeles dropped by 7.9% from 2024, for a total of a 17.5% decrease since 2023. About two-thirds of people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles are unsheltered. The number of people in shelters rose by 4.7%. Lahsa noted a 22% decrease in chronic homelessness, with nearly 6,000 fewer chronically homeless people living on the street. As in previous years, the majority of people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles continue to be overwhelming people of color, particularly Black and Latino people. Approximately one-third of all unhoused people in the United States live in California. Experts say the crisis is largely due to a lack of affordable housing in one of the most expensive states in the country. We chose to reject the status quo which was choosing to leave people on the street until housing was built, said Bass, who noted that Californias governor, Gavin Newsom, texted her a congratulations on her way to the press conference. Bass declared a state of emergency on homelessness on her first day in office in 2022. During Mondays press conference, Bass and other Los Angeles area leaders touted the success of the citys encampment resolutions and funding for interim and permanent housing. Weve made real progress towards ending homelessness, and we cannot let that momentum falter now, said Adams Kellum. Related: Newsom calls on California cities to ban homeless encampments without delay Yet California has also deployed increasingly aggressive tactics to break up homeless encampments following a 2024 US supreme court ruling that cities can criminalize unhoused people for sleeping outside even if there are no available shelter spaces. In February, Newsom warned cities and counties that they could lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding if they do not make progress in clearing out encampments and tackling homelessness. And in May he escalated those warnings, calling for cities to effectively ban encampments without delay. Earlier this month, California also voted to overhaul its landmark environmental protection rules, to allow for the construction of more housing that might combat the states homelessness crisis. Nobody should see these results and think our job is done, said Katy Yaroslavsky, a Los Angeles city council member. Were still in a crisis, but for the first time in a long time, were seeing the tide start to turn. Weve learned a lot over the past few years about what it takes to resolve encampments and get people housed for good. Dennis Oleesky, the CEO of Los Angeles Mission, the citys oldest homeless services provider, echoed some of those concerns: Any reduction in homelessness is a step in the right direction and we should acknowledge even small declines as progress. But lets be clear: this remains a humanitarian crisis, not a political one. Its not something that can be fixed with a wave of a wand by any politician or party. A 2% dip is better than an increase, but its also a wake-up call that our current approach is not enough. This crisis touches real human lives, and it demands more than policy tweaks it requires all of us, as citizens, to take part in the solution. We need to pair bold, compassionate action with shared accountability. Only then will we begin to see lasting, meaningful change. Lahsa has come under scrutiny in recent months, with the Rand Corporation noting earlier this month that the agencys point-in-time count appeared notably less than its own similar count. In April, the LA county board of supervisors went so far as to end its funding for the joint county-city initiative, instead funneling its support for homelessness services to a new county agency. Those and other recent budget cuts may mean that this is the last homeless count the agency is able to conduct, Adams Kellum said. Consumers are frustrated at how hard it is to cancel sunbscriptions. Photograph: Westend61/Getty Images Canceling subscriptions could continue to be a grueling process after the US court of appeals for the eighth circuit vacated the Federal Trade Commissions click-to-cancel rule, which would have required companies to allow consumers to cancel subscriptions using the same method they used to sign up. The courts decision came down due to the commission behind it failing to follow required procedures under the FTC Act. In response, the Guardian asked readers to share their experiences while trying to cancel their various subscriptions - from Hulu, to Roblox, to dating apps. These are their stories. I want to make noise, and push for real change I have a huge case brewing, related to Verizon home internet failure of click to cancel. They offered me $100, saying they did not come under the new law. Which was false, though the law wasnt being enforced. I pushed and they offered $500 if I sign a confidentiality agreement which I have. But I have no intention of signing and getting the $500, said Chris Cooper of Pennsylvania. Verizon is a behemoth, whose intentionally complex and restrictive practices are worthy of a takedown. I told my bank it was fraud and canceled my card I booked a flight through Kayak. The cheapest flight sent me to a website called eDreams. I booked the flight without even realizing I had signed up to a subscription service with eDreams, said Kaja in New York. A year later, an annual subscription fee was deducted from my debit card I had used to book the flight. No obvious link to cancel, so I contacted the service and was assured that my subscription was canceled. A year later, however, the fee was deducted again. Not cool. I want out Recently, I cannot cancel my daughters subscription to Roblox. Its supposed to be in my Apple subscriptions, or in my daughters, as also suggested by the invoice emailed by Apple! I wrote to them but they say they dont get inquiries via their website any more The only way to get out of these things is to change cards! Very infuriating! How do I get those back without spending my precious time on top of the $$$? wrote Ella from San Diego, California. I quit them all. My life is better now Netflix, Amazon, Facebook, dating apps like Tinder and Hinge and credit cards. All of them made it difficult by burying the option in counter-intuitive places on their websites or apps. And then sending emails and other steps that had to be taken in order to quit the service. This all led to confusion and continued billing cycles, said Jacob, a 47-year-old government worker living in Washington state. We then had field employees start showing up to our home unannounced A door-to-door salesman for a pest control company caught me at an opportune moment while we were dealing with ants, so we signed a one-year contract that contained early cancellation fees and an auto-renewing subscription for quarterly visits. I finally sent a formal cancellation letter from my vacation rental to their address in the contract, which they again responded that it required me to call the service center. Eventually they must have determined it was a waste of their resources to try to convince me otherwise, shared Rob, a 37-year-old software engineer living in Virginia. This was an outrageous and painful way to end my membership The Burbank YMCA doubled my membership fee without any notification to me. They had access to my bank account and debited it for three months running while I asked for a refund. They dragged their feet for three months, until I camped out in their office and refused to leave until they gave me a check for the amount they overcharged me and canceled my membership, said Pamela, a retiree living in Los Angeles, California. I presume I can finally cancel when Im dead I am unable to cancel my Hulu subscription. The experience has been frustrating to the point of outrage. It didnt help that the Hulu staff (male) accused me of being too emotional after three hours on the phone. I am charged the monthly fee which goes on without my wanting or using the network. I have wasted hours on useless phone calls to the Hulu customer service line, said Kathleen, 68, in Washington DC. This should be illegal I subscribed to a HUM product called Collagen Love for a few months. Easy-peasy to subscribe but when I tried to cancel the subscription the company made it difficult, said a 69-year-old retiree from Colorado who asked to remain anonymous. I have zero confidence they will not sell my personal data and even though they say they removed my payment method, I have no confidence theyve done so. Shameful! The recent cuts to USAID alone punched a $70 billion hole in Africas annual health funding - Simon Townsley At the end of this decade, sub-Saharan Africa will reach a grim milestone. For the first time, non-communicable diseases will become the leading cause of death. Cancer, diabetes and heart disease will overtake malaria, Aids, tuberculosis and starvation as the biggest killers, claiming around 3.8 million lives every year and soaking up more than a quarter of all health spending. This shift in the burden of disease has already occurred elsewhere in the developing world, driven by rising incomes, booming populations, and an explosion in rates of smoking, drinking and the consumption of processed foods. At the same time, major foreign donors are slashing aid budgets. The recent cuts to USAID alone punched a $70 billion (52.1 bn) hole in Africas annual health funding a gap experts warn could cause 14 million additional deaths over the next five years. In response to these two crises, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a major push to introduce so-called sin taxes in developing countries with the aim of easing the burden of non-communicable disease and softening the blow from the downturn in global aid spending. The plan, called 3 by 35, aims to raise the price of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks in developing countries by at least 50 per cent by 2035. Similar levies have for decades helped cut lung cancer and heart disease rates while raising tax revenues across Britain, Europe, and the United States. Alcohol giants have tapped the booming market in Africa - Kevin Sutherland/ 2015 Bloomberg Finance LP The idea is that higher prices mean people buy less of what makes them sick. Under the WHO plan, when people do buy alcohol, cigarettes or junk food, the money is to flow directly to vital services related to HIV, nutrition, and maternal and child health that were once funded by foreign aid. The WHO estimates that a 50 per cent price hike on these products could prevent more than 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years across the developing world. Critically, it could also generate at least $1 trillion in public revenue for developing countries by 2035, offering what the health agency says is a sustainable solution to the current aid funding crisis. If rolled out across the globe, the tax increase could generate $3.7 trillion in new revenue within five years, or an average of $740 billion annually, according to a recent analysis by the Bloomberg Task Force on Fiscal Policy for Health. Foreign aid has historically covered around 30 per cent of health spending in the developing world. While declines were expected by 2050, the region was unprepared for a staggering drop from $80 billion in 2021 to now just $24 billion in 2025 a number that is expected to fall further as more countries cut aid spending in favour of defence. With global aid cuts increasing, more and more countries [are coming] to the WHO saying, how do we fund health now? And so this is a direct response to that, said Jaimie Guerra, a WHO spokesperson. Its a win, win, win policy, she told The Telegraph. Sudanese refugees clamour for US-supplied food, Adre transit camp, Chad. Trumps shuttering of USAID has left a $70 billion yearly budget hole in Africa. - Simon Townsley/Simon Townsley Developing countries can optionally sign up to the programme in exchange for technical support from the WHO, World Bank, and other partners. Several African, Asian, and Latin American countries are expected to announce their intentions to implement 3 by 35 at the United Nations General Assembly in September. Strong like a lion Advocates believe the plan could be most effective in Africa, where cigarettes and booze are marketed and priced like they were in Britain in the 1950s. Alcohol companies like Diagaeo a major British alcohol retailer which owns brands including Johnnie Walker and Guinness have been squeezed by advertising crackdowns in Europe. But they have found new opportunities in cities like Lagos and Nairobi. Turn on the spirit of luxury this season, boasted one billboard advertising scotch to commuters on a busy motorway running through the Kenyan capital. Another billboard selling a German pilsner read Imara Kama Simba (Strong like a lion), echoing Guinness adverts that once hailed the drinks restorative properties. A Guinness advert from the 1930s. Adverts like these are still a common sight in Africa - Advertising Archives/Advertising Archives Tobacco giants, eager to offset falling sales in the West, have spent decades shifting aggressively into African markets, where smoking rates continue to rise. In many parts of Africa it is possible to buy a packet of 20 cigarettes for well under a dollar. By 2030, an estimated 107 million people across Africa will smoke a 40 per cent increase from 2010. Currently, nearly 800,000 people die each year on the continent as a direct result of smoking. Big Food, too, has benefited from Africas rapid population growth and looser regulations. Fizzy drinks companies in particular have exploited weaker restrictions on artificial chemicals that enhance flavour and addictiveness. In 2017, a Nigerian court ruled that Fanta and Sprite could be poisonous when consumed with vitamin C after tests revealed high levels of additives that would breach UK and EU standards. All this excess is contributing to a spiralling problem with non-communicable disease in the developing world, and sub-Saharan Africa is being hit particularly hard. More than three quarters of all deaths to NCDs are in low- or middle-income countries, according to the WHO. A landmark 2015 study looking at the whole of Africa found that NCDs cost the continent an estimated $1.1 trillion in productivity losses, representing 37.12 per cent of the total cost of disease and injuries. It is hoped that sin taxes may help to turn the tide, and evidence of their effectiveness is growing. In Britain, taxes on alcohol, tobacco and sugary drinks added over 20 billion to the national balance sheet last year and advocates say the health outcomes have been significant. Tobacco duties which currently add around 54p to the cost of a pack of 20 cigarettes have been credited with cutting smoking rates and related deaths in the UK. In 2009, smoking caused an estimated 84,000 deaths. By 2023, they had fallen to 72,000 and continue to decline. The Soft Drinks Industry Levy, introduced in Britain in 2018, also led to a sharp drop in sugar consumption and childhood obesity rates, particularly among young girls. Research shows sugar intake from soft drinks among children has halved since the levy was announced. In Mexico, a sugary drinks tax introduced in 2014 led to a drop in consumption of nearly 10 per cent within two years, especially among low-income households. Tax revenue was directed towards clean drinking water in schools and obesity prevention. In the Philippines, the 2012 Sin Tax Reform Law generated $2.4 billion in revenue used to fund universal healthcare in its first two years. Norway, South Africa, and Chile have all implemented similar taxes, with varying success in reducing sugar intake and improving health outcomes. Villagers drink homemade beer in a rural Rwandan bar - Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images Contributor Some critics argue that sin taxes are regressive, and make the poor poorer. The average Briton spends 1,286 per year on health levies roughly 11.4 per cent of disposable income for the UKs poorest households, according to the Institute of Economic Affairs. Critics also say that sin taxes fuel illicit manufacturing and the black market potentially introducing dangerous, home-brewed booze and cigarettes into the supply chain. But in Africa and other developing nations, proponents of the plan say its one of the best and most sustainable ways to raise revenue quickly while protecting the continents health. At a time of growing pressure on health systems and budgets, taxing harmful products, such as tobacco, is a no-brainer, said Dr Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control at the WHO. The 3 by 35 Initiative is about immediate and long-term health benefits turning todays deadly consumption into tomorrows life-saving investment for health, he told The Telegraph. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Thomas was sent to an Atlanta federal prison for criminal defendants, even though he was detained on a minor immigration violation. Illustration: Guardian Design Thomas, a 35-year-old tech worker and father of three from Ireland, came to West Virginia to visit his girlfriend last fall. It was one of many trips he had taken to the US, and he was authorized to travel under a visa waiver program that allows tourists to stay in the country for 90 days. He had planned to return to Ireland in December, but was briefly unable to fly due to a health issue, his medical records show. He was only three days overdue to leave the US when an encounter with police landed him in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) custody. From there, what should have been a minor incident became a nightmarish ordeal: he was detained by Ice in three different facilities, ultimately spending roughly 100 days behind bars with little understanding of why he was being held or when hed get out. Related: Farm worker who died after California Ice raid was hardworking and innocent, family says Nobody is safe from the system if they get pulled into it, said Thomas, in a recent interview from his home in Ireland, a few months after his release. Thomas asked to be identified by a nickname out of fear of facing further consequences with US immigration authorities. Despite immediately agreeing to deportation when he was first arrested, Thomas remained in Ice detention after Donald Trump took office and dramatically ramped up immigration arrests. Amid increased overcrowding in detention, Thomas was forced to spend part of his time in custody in a federal prison for criminal defendants, even though he was being held on an immigration violation. Thomas was sent back to Ireland in March and was told he was banned from entering the US for 10 years. Thomass ordeal follows a rise in reports of tourists and visitors with valid visas being detained by Ice, including from Australia, Germany, Canada and the UK. In April, an Irish woman who is a US green card holder was also detained by Ice for 17 days due to a nearly two-decade-old criminal record. The arrests appear to be part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration, which has pushed to deport students with alleged ties to pro-Palestinian protests; sent detainees to Guantanamo Bay and an El Salvador prison without presenting evidence of criminality; deported people to South Sudan, a war-torn country where the deportees had no ties; and escalated large-scale, militarized raids across the US. I thought I was going home In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, Thomas detailed his ordeal and the brutal conditions he witnessed in detention that advocates say have long plagued undocumented people and become worse under Trump. Thomas, an engineer at a tech firm, had never had any problems visiting the US under the visa waiver program. He had initially planned to return home in October, but badly tore his calf, suffered severe swelling and was having trouble walking, he said. A doctor ordered him not to travel for eight to 12 weeks due to the risk of blood clots, which, he said, meant he had to stay slightly past 8 December, when his authorization expired. He obtained paperwork from his physician and contacted the Irish and US embassies and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to seek an extension, but it was short notice and he did not hear back, he said. I did everything I could with the online tools available to notify the authorities that this was happening, he said, explaining that by the time his deadline to leave the US had approached, he was nearly healed and planning to soon return. I thought they would understand because I had the correct paperwork. It was just a couple of days for medical reasons. He might have avoided immigration consequences, if it werent for an ill-timed law enforcement encounter. Thomas and his girlfriend, Malone, were visiting her family in Savannah, Georgia, when Thomas suffered a mental health episode, he and Malone recalled. The two had a conflict in their hotel room and someone overheard it and called the police, they said. Malone, who requested to use her middle name to protect her boyfriends identity, said she was hoping officers would get him treatment and did not want to see him face criminal charges. But police took him to jail, accusing him of falsely imprisoning his girlfriend in the hotel room, a charge Malone said she did not support. He was soon released on bond, but instead of walking free, was picked up by US immigration authorities, who transported him 100 miles away to an Ice processing center in Folkston, Georgia. The facility is operated by the private prison company Geo Group on behalf of Ice, with capacity to hold more than 1,000 people. Thomas was given a two-page removal order, which said he had remained in the US three days past his authorization and contained no further allegations. On 17 December, he signed a form agreeing to be removed. But despite signing the form he remained at Folkston, unable to get answers about why Ice wasnt deporting him or how long he would remain in custody. David Cheng, an attorney who represented Thomas, said he requested that Ice release him with an agreement that hed return to Ireland as planned, but Ice refused. At one point at Folkston, after a fight broke out, officers placed detainees on lockdown for about five days, cutting them off from contacting their families, he said. Thomas said he and others only got approximately one hour of outdoor time each week. I did everything I could to notify the authorities that this was happening Thomas In mid-February, after about two months in detention, officers placed him and nearly 50 other detainees in a holding cell, preparing to move them, he said: I thought I was finally going home. He called his family to tell them the news. Instead, he and the others were shackled around their wrists, waists and legs and transported four hours to a federal correctional institution in Atlanta, a prison run by the US Bureau of Prisons (BoP), he said. BoP houses criminal defendants on federal charges, but the Trump administration, as part of its efforts to expand Ice detention, has been increasingly placing immigrants into BoP facilities a move that advocates say has led to chaos, overcrowding and violations of detainees rights. We were treated less than human Thomas said the conditions and treatment by BoP were worse than Ice detention: They were not prepared for us whatsoever. He and other detainees were placed in an area with dirty mattresses, cockroaches and mice, where some bunkbeds lacked ladders, forcing people to climb to the top bed, he said. BoP didnt seem to have enough clothes, said Thomas, who got a jumpsuit but no shirt. The facility also gave him a pair of used, ripped underwear with brown stains. Some jumpsuits appeared to have bloodstains and holes, he added. Each detainee was given one toilet paper roll a week. He shared a cell with another detainee, and he said they were only able to flush the toilet three times an hour. He was often freezing and was given only a thin blanket. The food was disgusting slop, including some kind of mysterious meat that at times appeared to have chunks of bones and other inedible items mixed in, he said. He was frequently hungry. The staff didnt know why we were there and they were treating us exactly as they would treat BoP prisoners, and they told us that, Thomas said. We were treated less than human. He and others requested medical visits, but were never seen by physicians, he said: I heard people crying for doctors, saying they couldnt breathe, and staff would just say, Well, Im not a doctor, and walk away. He did eventually receive the psychiatric medication he requested, but staff would throw his pill under his cell door, and hed sometimes have to search the floor to find it. Detainees, he said, were given recreation time in an enclosure that was partially open to fresh air, but resembled an indoor cage: You couldnt see the outside whatsoever. I didnt see the sky for weeks. He had sciatica from an earlier hip injury and said he began experiencing unbearable nerve pain as a result of the lack of movement. Thomas said it seemed Ices placements in the BoP facility were arbitrary and poorly planned. Of the nearly 50 people taken from Ice to BoP facility, about 30 of them were transferred back to Folkston a week later, and the following week, two from that group were once again returned to the BoP facility, he said. In the BoP facility, he said, Ice representatives would show up once a week to talk to detainees. Detainees would crowd around Ice officials and beg for case updates or help. Ice officers spoke Spanish and English, but Middle Eastern and North African detainees who spoke neither were stuck in a state on confusion. It was pandemonium, Thomas said. It seems like a completely incomprehensible, punitive detention Sirine Shebaya Thomas said he saw a BoP guard tear up watching the desperation of the people trying to talk to Ice and find out what was happening, and that this officer tried to assist people as best as she could. Thomas and Malone tried to help asylum seekers and others he met at the BoP facility by connecting them to advocates. Thomas was also unable to speak to his children, because there was no way to make international calls. I dont know how I made it through, he said. In mid-March, Thomas was briefly transferred again to a different Ice facility. The authorities did not explain what had changed, but two armed federal officers then escorted him on a flight back to Ireland. The DHS and Ice did not respond to inquiries, and a spokesperson for the Geo Group declined to comment. Donald Murphy, a BoP spokesperson, confirmed that Thomas had been in the bureaus custody, but did not comment about his case or conditions at the Atlanta facility. The BoP is now housing Ice detainees in eight of its prisons and would continue to support our law enforcement partners to fulfill the administrations policy objectives, Murphy added. This will be a lifelong burden Its unclear why Thomas was jailed for so long for a minor immigration violation. It seems completely outlandish that they would detain someone for three months because he overstayed a visa for a medical reason, said Sirine Shebaya, executive director of the National Immigration Project, who is not involved in his case and was provided a summary by the Guardian. It is such a waste of time and money at a time when were hearing constantly about how the government wants to cut expenses. It seems like a completely incomprehensible, punitive detention. Ice, she added, was creating its own crisis of overcrowding. Jennifer Ibanez Whitlock, senior policy counsel with the National Immigration Law Center, also not involved in the case, said, in general, it was not uncommon for someone to remain in immigration custody even after theyve accepted a removal order and that she has had European clients shocked to learn they can face serious consequences for briefly overstaying a visa. Ice, however, had discretion to release Thomas with an agreement that hed return home instead of keeping him indefinitely detained, she said. The Trump administration, she added, has defaulted to keeping people detained without weighing individual factors of their cases: Now its just, do we have a bed? Republican lawmakers in Georgia last year also passed state legislation requiring police to alert immigration authorities when an undocumented person is arrested, which could have played a role in Thomas being flagged to Ice, said Samantha Hamilton, staff attorney with Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, a non-profit group that advocates for immigrants rights. She met Thomas on a legal visit at the BoP Atlanta facility. Hamilton said she was particularly concerned about immigrants of color who are racially profiled and pulled over by police, but Thomass ordeal was a reminder that so many people are vulnerable. The mass detentions are terrifying and it makes me afraid for everyone, she said. Thomas had previously traveled to the US frequently for work, but now questions if hell ever be allowed to return. This will be a lifelong burden, he said. Malone, his girlfriend, said she plans to move to Ireland to live with him. Its not an option for him to come here and I dont want to be in America anymore, she said. Since his return, Thomas said he has had a hard time sleeping and processing what happened: Ill never forget it, and itll be a long time before Ill be able to even start to unpack everything I went through. It still doesnt feel real. When I think about it, its like a movie Im watching. He said he has also struggled with long-term health problems that he attributes to malnutrition and inappropriate medications he was given while detained. He was shaken by reports of people sent away without due process. I wouldnt have been surprised if I ended up at Guantanamo Bay or El Salvador, because it was so disorganized, he said. I was just at the mercy of the federal government. Smoke from Israeli strikes rises in the predominately Druze city of Sweida, as Syria's government forces drive through. Israel hopes to weaken Damascuss new administration Photograph: Bakr Alkasem/AFP/Getty Images Israel has launched bombing raids against two of its neighbours, hitting government forces in southern Syria and what it said were Hezbollah targets in eastern Lebanon. In Syria, the strikes hit forces loyal to the transitional government that had been sent south to the province of Sweida, which is near Israel. Syrian state media also reported Israeli strikes on Tuesday in the nearby province of Deraa. Israel, which wants to weaken the new administration in Damascus to maintain its military dominance in the region, said it had struck several tanks in Sweida as a warning. Syrias foreign ministry condemned in a statement what it called treacherous Israeli aggression and said a number of our armed forces and security personnel as well as several innocent civilians were killed. In Lebanon, Israeli aircraft bombed the Bekaa Valley region and killed 12 people, Lebanese state media reported, including a strike on a camp for displaced people. Reuters cited an unnamed Lebanese security source saying that five of the dead were Hezbollah fighters. The Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, said Tuesdays strikes sent a clear message to Hezbollah, a faction Israel has fought against for decades, including by repeatedly invading Lebanon. The strikes on Lebanon and Syria did not appear to be coordinated, but follow a pattern of regular Israeli assaults on armed forces across the region, including in Palestine, Iran and Yemen. In Syria, the transitional government has said it had sent the forces south to end days of clashes between Druze and Bedouin groups, who remained armed following the end of the civil war. The defence minister earlier on Tuesday announced a ceasefire in the Druze-majority southern city of Sweida. After an agreement with the citys notables and dignitaries, we will respond only to the sources of fire and deal with any targeting by outlaw groups, the defence minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, said in a statement. According to the interior ministry in Syria, which is struggling to achieve stability after a 13-year civil war, more than 30 people have been killed and nearly 100 others injured in the clashes. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor with sources inside the country, reported at least 203 dead. The dead include 92 members of the Druze minority, it said, as well as 93 security personnel and 18 Bedouins. The clashes initially broke out between armed groups from the Druze and Sunni Muslim Bedouin clans, the observatory said, with some members of the government security forces actively participating in support of the Bedouins. On Tuesday, the observatory reported government forces had carried out what it called an execution of 12 Druze civilians in Sweida. Unverified footage online showed the bloodied bodies of 10 people in civilian clothes. Israels military has previously moved in troops and attacked key military sites across Syria by air. It said its strikes on southern Syria were to enforce the complete demilitarisation of the area, with which it shares a frontier. It also said they were intended to defend the Druze minority living there, although leaders from the sect rebuffed that claim. Related: Syria announces ceasefire after deadly clashes between Druze and Bedouin fighters Syrias minority populations, which also include Christians, Alawites, Shia Muslims and Kurds, are wary of the new Sunni-led administration after a devastating civil war in which the former ruling Assad family exploited and ignited sectarian division to protect itself. Since the overthrow of the former president, Bashar al-Assad, continuing sectarian killings have marred the new governments first months. The Syrian interior ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba told the Associated Press that the clashes in Sweida are fundamentally not sectarian in nature. The real conflict is between the state and bandits and criminals, not between the state and any Syrian community, he said. On the contrary, the state views the Druze community in Sweida as a partner in advancing the national unity project. Roughly 1 million Druze people, who follow an offshoot of a branch of Shia Islam, live in Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Druze religious authorities had called for a ceasefire in the area on Monday, saying they were not opposed to the Syrian central government. But Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, one of the three Druze spiritual leaders in Sweida, later expressed his rejection of the entry of general security forces into the province, demanding international protection. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the observatory, said the conflict started with the kidnapping and robbery of a Druze vegetable seller by members of a Bedouin group who had set up a checkpoint, leading to tit-for-tat attacks and kidnappings. The UN deputy special envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi, said in a statement that the clashes underscored the urgent need for genuine inclusion, trust-building, and meaningful dialogue to advance a credible and inclusive political transition in Syria. Israeli forces in December seized a UN-patrolled buffer zone on Syrian territory along the border with the occupied Golan Heights and have launched hundreds of airstrikes on military sites in Syria. While many Druze in Syria have said they do not want Israel to intervene on their behalf, factions from the Druze minority have also been suspicious of the new authorities in Damascus after Assad fled the country in December during a rebel offensive led by Sunni Islamist insurgent groups. On several occasions, Druze groups have clashed with security forces from the new government or allied factions. In May, Israeli forces struck a site near the presidential palace in Damascus, in what was seen as a warning to Syrias interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa. The new president has repeatedly said he is not interested in a conflict with Israel while Syria struggles to rebuild. The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report Credit: IDF Israeli jets carried out strikes on Syrian government forces after they had attempted to quell a wave of deadly sectarian violence. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, ordered the attacks on Syrias Sweida region on Tuesday, saying Israel was attacking to protect the Druze community and ensure the safety of Israels border. A short while ago, the IDF began striking military vehicles belonging to Syrian regime forces in the area of As Suwayda [Sweida] in southern Syria, the military said in a statement. The announcement came just after Mr Netanyahu and Israel Katz, the defence minister, ordered the army to immediately strike regime forces and weaponry, accusing Syrias military of trying to carry out operations against the Druze. Syrian government forces had entered the Druze-majority city of Sweida in what Damascus said was an effort to end the deadly clashes between Druze fighters and neighbouring Bedouin tribes. Smoke rises as Syrian troops enter Sweida on Tuesday following Israeli strikes - Karam al-Masri/Reuters The violence, which flared up on Sunday, has killed more than 50 people including children, according to monitoring groups and local officials. It has underscored the difficulty the new interim government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, is facing uniting Syrias diverse religious and ethnic factions and asserting control since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December. The Druze militias have refused demands by the government to be incorporated under one centralised army and have largely retained control over the Sweida area since the new Islamist regime took over. Smoke billows after an Israeli strike as Syrias security forces man rocket launchers near Sweida on Monday - BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images On Monday, the IDF bombed several Syrian tanks that were approaching Sweida. At least 18 Syrian soldiers were killed, according to reports. The IDF said it was preventing hostile forces amassing in southern Syria. Israel, which is home to a significant Druze minority that also serves in its military, has cast itself as the protector of Syrian Druze. Mr Katz said Mondays strikes were a message and a clear warning to the Syrian regime.We will not allow harm to the Druze in Syria. Israel has taken territory inside Syria since Assad fell to create a buffer zone in a move it insists is needed to protect the Druze. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Syrian military was helping protect security checkpoints that had been attacked by the Druze groups and was backing the tribal fighters. In April, more than 100 people were killed in sectarian violence between Druze militias and pro-government forces near Damascus. The Syrian government in the past has denied its involvement in attacks on the Druze community, but the religious minority whose religion is an offshoot of Shia Islam remains highly distrusting of the countrys new rulers. Members of Syrian security forces stand on a military vehicle after its troops entered the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday - Karam al-Masri/Reuters Earlier on Tuesday, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, an influential Druze leader, accused Syrian government forces of breaching a ceasefire and bombarding the city. He urged Druze fighters to confront government troops. Murhaf Abu Qasra, Syrias defence minister, later issued a statement declaring that a complete ceasefire was in place, and saying government forces would only open fire if fired upon. Most Druze outside Israel as well as the Damascus authorities have challenged Israels claim it is acting to protect the minority community. Analysts have also questioned Israels motivations behind striking its neighbour. Burcu Ozcelif, a senior research fellow of Middle East security at Rusi, told The Telegraph: Israel claims that it is motivated to act in defence of Syrias Druze due to cross-border kinship ties. However, she added: It is far from clear that these strikes make Israel safer or protect the Druze community who risk domestic backlash for being seen as Israels proxies. What is clear, she said, was that Damascus was still struggling to assert control and ensure stability across all of Syria and that Israeli strikes on the country risk undermining Syrias already deeply fragile stability. Former footballer Joey Barton will pay more than 200,000 of Jeremy Vines legal costs after their High Court libel battle, a court has heard. Vine sued Barton for libel and harassment over several online posts, including one in which he falsely called the BBC Radio 2 presenter a big bike nonce and a pedo defender on X, formerly Twitter. The pair settled the claim last year after Barton posted two apologies on the same social media platform and paid a total of 110,000 in damages to Vine, as well as his legal costs. Former footballer Joey Barton (Lucy North/PA) In an agreed statement read out at the High Court in October last year, barrister Gervase de Wilde, for Vine, said that the broadcaster was deeply alarmed, distressed and upset by Bartons actions, which included a persistent and highly damaging campaign of defamation, harassment and misuse of private information. On Tuesday, a specialist costs court heard that Barton had agreed to pay 160,000 of Vines costs from the main legal action. Costs Judge Colum Leonard also ordered Barton to pay a further 43,172.30 arising from the negotiation of the 160,000 figure, meaning he will pay a total of 203,172.30 of Vines costs following the legal action. Lawyers for Vine told the High Court in May last year that Bartons posts amounted to a calculated and sustained attack. Barton who played for teams including Manchester City, Newcastle United, Rangers, and French side Marseille during his career also began using #bikenonce on X, which led to it trending on the platform. After Mrs Justice Steyn ruled that some of the posts could defame Vine, Barton apologised to the journalist in June last year, stating that the allegations he made were untrue. He said that he would pay Vine 75,000 in damages, but solicitors for Vine later said Barton would pay a further 35,000 as part of a separate settlement for claims published after legal action began. Mr De Wilde told the October hearing that Barton made four undertakings as part of the settlement, including not to harass Vine or encourage others to do so. Vine said following that hearing that Barton needs to find himself a different hobby. The hearing on Tuesday was told that Barton agreed to pay 160,000 of Vines legal costs earlier this month, and that Vine was claiming around 60,000 in costs for negotiating that figure. Suzanne Holmes, for Barton, said this was excessive and disproportionate, and should be reduced. Kevin Latham, representing Vine, said Barton had repeatedly failed to engage in proper negotiation throughout proceedings and has to bear the consequences of that approach. Neither Barton nor Vine attended the hearing in London. TV presenter John Torode said he learned from reading media reports about his sacking from MasterChef for using a racist term but added its time to pass the cutlery to someone else. The celebrity chef, 59, said he had not heard from the BBC or the production company Banijay UK, and repeated that he still had no recollection of the accusation against him, in a statement posted on his Instagram account on Tuesday evening. BBC director-general Tim Davie had earlier condemned the serious racist term the Australian-born presenter was alleged to have used, after it was announced his contract on MasterChef will not be renewed. Torode began presenting the BBC cooking contest alongside Gregg Wallace in 2005. On Monday night, Torode confirmed Torode was the subject of an allegation of using racist language that was upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin into Wallaces behaviour while filming the programme over 19 years. He then posted a lengthy statement on Instagram on Tuesday evening, saying: Although I havent heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay I am seeing and reading that Ive been sacked from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what Im accused of. The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong. Id hoped that Id have some say in my exit from a show Ive worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that. Torode said Celebrity MasterChef and two Christmas specials which he recently filmed will be my last. It is not clear if the BBC will air these shows. John Torode (left) and Gregg Wallace in 2008 (PA) He went on: Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but its time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have. I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards. My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. In an interview with BBC News earlier on Tuesday evening, Davie said he was not directly involved with the matter but was told of the recommendation to not renew Torodes contract and was happy that the team were taking action. He went on: Its really important that we are taking this seriously. Its a reset where we make sure that people are living up to the values we expect across the board. Asked exactly what Torode said, Davie replied: Im not going to give you the exact term, because I think, frankly it was serious racist term, a serious racist term, which does not get to be acceptable in any way, shape or form. BBC director-general Tim Davie (Andrew Milligan/PA) A statement from production company Banijay UK released earlier said: In response to John Torodes statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously. The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018. This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef. The Lewis Silkin report, commissioned by Banijay UK, found 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated, alongside two standalone allegations made against other people, including one for using racist language. Torode previously said he had no recollection of the incident and was shocked and saddened by the allegation. A BBC spokesperson said: John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him. This allegation which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation. He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torodes contract on MasterChef will not be renewed. Davie insisted MasterChef does have a future with the broadcaster beyond 2028, when its current deal runs out, while presenting the corporations 2024/2025 annual report earlier on Tuesday. Davie said: I absolutely think it does (have a future), I think a great programme thats loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals. It absolutely can survive and prosper, but weve got to make sure were in the right place in terms of the culture of the show. John Torode after being made an MBE during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace (Kirsty OConnor/PA) Downing Street has said it utterly condemns any instance of racist language after the allegation made against Torode was upheld. When it comes to racism (it) clearly has no place at the BBC or anywhere in society, and we utterly condemn any instances of racist language or abuse in the strongest possible terms, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmers official spokesman said. And its obviously up to the BBC, who are operationally independent from Government, to take forward any necessary next steps. The BBC said it has not yet made a final decision on whether to broadcast a series of MasterChef filmed last year with Wallace and Torode. A spokesperson for the corporation said: We know this is disappointing for fans of the show and those who took part, and at the appropriate time Banijay UK will consult further with the amateur contestants. In 2022, Torode was made an MBE in the Queens Birthday Honours, for services to food and charity. He became a familiar face to TV audiences in 1996 as the resident chef on ITVs This Morning, before joining MasterChef alongside Wallace when it was known as MasterChef Goes Large. Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz was killed in the plane crash at London Southend Airport. (GoFundMe) (GoFundMe) A doctor and a nurse on her first day in her new job were among the four people killed in a plane crash at London Southend Airport, it has been reported. Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, 31, was a German citizen who was born in Chile and had worked as a nurse previously in the public sector, while the doctor has been named in reports as German national Dr Matthias Eyl, 46. The pair were killed along with two men a Dutch pilot and co-pilot when the Beech B200 Super King Air plane crashed and exploded at the airport on Sunday afternoon. The plane, operated by Zeusch Aviation, was a medical flight chartered for a patient to be transported for treatment in the UK, Essex Police said. It is understood that the patient on board had been dropped off and the plane was bound for its base at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, when it crashed. Essex Police said officers are working closely with the coroner and are not able to officially confirm the identities until formal identification has taken place. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the force said it was continuing to work on recovering a fourth body within the next 24 hours. Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin added: "Everything we are doing is aimed at finding and preserving the physical and electronic evidence which we hope will help build an accurate picture of what happened. "The scale of the work being undertaken by many agencies here at London Southend Airport should not be underestimated. That work at the scene will continue today and further into the week as we seek to find the answers to what happened here on Sunday afternoon." Smoke rising into the air from the crash site by London Southend Airport on Sunday. (@agussromagnoli via X and Reuters) (Reuters) A friend told the BBC that Rojas Ortiz got married last year and was on her first day in a new job. Officers were alerted shortly before 4pm on Sunday to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane at the airport, calling it a serious incident. Images posted on social media showed a plume of fire and black smoke coming from the crash site, while witnesses described seeing a fireball shortly after the plane took off. Zeusch Aviation confirmed its SUZ1 flight had been involved in an accident at London Southend Airport and said it was actively supporting the authorities with the investigation. What caused the Southend plane crash? The cause of the crash is not yet known. At a press conference on 14 July, Essex Police's Detective Chief Superintendent (DCS) Morgan Cronin said his team was working with air accident investigators, the Royal Air Force, Essex Fire and Rescue Service and the airport to "build an accurate picture of what happened". DCS Cronin added that the Civil Aviation Authority had put in place a significant air exclusion zone surrounding the crash site, and that officers were speaking with witnesses, many of whom provided footage. "Wed like to thank them for their help. I know this would be an extremely distressing scene for them," he said. Southend plane crash. (PA) (PA Wire) Lisa Fitzsimons, of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the crash. She said investigators would take the remains of the plane to the branch's facility in Farnborough, Hampshire, for closer analysis, she added. Essex Police has urged people with relevant information to share details via its major incident public portal on its website. You can also contact the force's dedicated phone lines on 0800 096 1011 from the UK, or 020 7158 0126 from abroad. Eyewitness Ben Guppy, who was plane spotting from a nearby Holiday Inn with his one-year-old daughter at the time, told MailOnline the aircraft had "corkscrewed upside down" meaning it made a spiralling descent to the ground. "The plane was only in the air for seconds," he said. "I looked at it and the fireball went up, there was fire and smoke everywhere. Luckily my daughter was facing the other way." John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife on Sunday, said: It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off, it started to bank heavily to its left. "And then within a few seconds of that happening, it more or less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground. There was a big fireball," added Johnson, from Billericay. Id say that were pretty shaken up. I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family." Who were the victims? Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, 31, has been named by friends as one of those killed in the crash. Born in Chile, she was a German citizen who worked as a nurse and was on her first day in a new job, it was reported. Her friend Anna Smith told the BBC she got married to her partner in February 2024. "She had a giving heart and was humble, and chose a profession that reflected that," said Smith. "She was so excited for this new job it was her first day." The Mirror, quoting a friend, reported that Rojas Ortiz and her wife got married last year. A GoFundMe page has been set up by friends to raise money for her funeral arrangements. The doctor killed on board the plane has been named in reports as German national Dr Matthias Eyl, 46. It is understood that the two pilots were Dutch. None of the four people who died have been formally identified by police. At Monday's press conference, DCS Cronin, who is leading Essex Police's investigation, said investigators were working to establish their identities, adding: "I can promise that those who have passed away will be treated with the utmost care and dignity. In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, London Southend Airport said it would remain closed until further notice and that passengers should contact their airlines for more information. Where was the plane flying from? The plane had flown from the Greek capital Athens to Pula in Croatia on Sunday before heading to Southend. It was scheduled to return to Lelystad in the Netherlands on Sunday night. Who are Zeusch Aviation? Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, says it offers a "wide variety of professional support services using our King Air C90A and King Air B200 aircraft". These services include medical evacuation, transplant flights, aerial mapping, relay flights for broadcasting and aerial surveillance, it says on its website. The company says the Beechcraft B200 Super King Air can be used for medical flights to transport patients or organs. It has also been deployed for aerial mapping flights. Emergency services attending the scene at Southend Airport on Sunday. (Getty Images) (Getty Images via Getty Images) Zeusch Aviation confirmed its SUZ1 flight had been involved in an accident at the airport and said it was actively supporting the authorities with the investigation. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected," the company added. Read more Click below to see the latest East England headlines Mike Johnson, the Republican house speaker, has called on the White House to release everything on Jeffrey Epstein - AP One of Donald Trumps closest allies in Congress has called on the US president to release the Epstein files. Mike Johnson, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, has become the most high-profile figure to break with the president and demand his administration release everything on Epstein to the public. Mr Trump is facing a major backlash from Maga loyalists who fear a cover-up after the Department of Justice concluded earlier this month that the paedophile financier had no client list and died by suicide, not murder, in a Manhattan jail in 2019. Im for transparency, Mr Johnson told Benny Johnson, a podcast host and conservative commentator. Its a very delicate subject but we should put everything out there and let the people decide it. Disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epstein died in a Manhattan jail in 2019 - REUTERS Mr Johnsons demand puts him at odds with White House officials, who have ruled out releasing further records related to Epstein and claimed there is no conspiracy surrounding the sex offenders death. But Mr Trump appeared to row back on Tuesday when he said that Pam Bondi, the attorney general, should release any credible Epstein files following the backlash. Speaking outside the White House, the president said he had received a very quick briefing on the Department of Justice review. Asked if his name appeared in any files, Mr Trump responded no, no, shes shes given just a very quick briefing before claiming the files were created by the Democrats. And in terms of the credibility of the different things that theyve seen, and I would say that, you know, these files were made up by Comey, they were made up by Obama, they were made up by Biden, he said. Weve gone through years of it, but shes handled it very well, and its going to be up to her, Mr Trump said of his attorney general. Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release. The row has caused splits in Mr Trumps Maga base and threatens to shake the Republicans grip on the House of Representatives at next years mid-term elections, where they maintain a tiny majority. Credit: Reuters Many of Mr Trumps allies have turned on Pam Bondi, the attorney general, for over-promising how much information would be disclosed, arguing she was either lying when she drummed up anticipation for the release of the files or is now withholding details. Ms Bondi claimed in February that Epsteins client list was sitting on my desk, only to later backtrack, with the White House claiming she was referencing the entirety of all of the paperwork in relation to Jeffrey Epstein. Mr Johnson said the attorney general needs to come forward and explain the apparent discrepancy. I like Pam, I think shes done a good job but we need the DoJ [Department of Justice] focusing on the major priorities, he said. Im anxious to put this behind us. More transparency is needed Also on Monday, Lara Trump, the presidents daughter-in-law, waded into the row, calling for the White House to release additional documents from its investigation. I do think that there needs to be more transparency on this, and I think that that will happen, she said during a podcast with Benny Johnson. I believe that there will probably be more coming on this. And I believe anything that they are able to release that doesnt, you know, damage any witnesses or anyone underage or anything like that, I believe theyll probably try to get out sooner rather than later. Lara Trump, the US presidents daughter-in-law, has significant influence in Maga media circles Mrs Trump, a former co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee who is hotly tipped to run for Senate in North Carolina, sought to placate dissent among Maga supporters, claiming there was no great plot. To everybody out there whos all worked up about it, theres no great plot to keep this information away that Im aware of, she said. Maga hardliners including Laura Loomer warned on X that the lack of results at the DoJ and lack of transparency could cost the GOP House and Senate seats in next years midterm elections. Lt Gen Mike Flynn, Mr Trumps national security adviser from his first administration, also wrote on the platform that the Epstein affair is not going away. In a bid to clamp down on dissent, the president called Charlie Kirk on Monday after the prominent conservative activist expressed frustration with Ms Bondi. Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, has come under scrutiny for over-promising how much information would be disclosed - Ken Cedeno/REUTERS Following the conversation, Mr Kirk told viewers of his show, Real Americas Voice, that he is done talking about Epstein for the time being and would trust the administration to solve it. Sources close to the administration have said that Mr Trumps team is planning to offer half-measure concessions to contain the fallout. Options under consideration include removing redactions from previously released documents, appointing a special counsel to review the case and petitioning courts to unseal records, Axios reported. Republican lawmakers have sought to distance themselves from the scandal, with John Thune, the Senate majority leader, telling reporters: Ill leave that up to DoJ and to the FBI. I think thats in their purview. I think the presidents expressed his views on it and so Ill just leave it at that, he said. Asked if the justice department should provide more information about Epstein-related documents, GOP senator Chuck Grassley told The Hill: I think Ive said all I should say. NAIROBI, Kenya and NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with MindHYVE.ai, Inc., one of the world's fastest-growing developers of agentic artificial intelligence (AGI). Executed on June 5, 2025, the agreement establishes a national-scale collaboration to deploy domain-specialized AGI agents in service of Kenya's economic transformation, starting with workforce development, SME digital enablement, and innovation policy co-creation. At the core of this partnership are Arthur, Justine, and Eli, intelligent agents engineered for education, legal, and financial domains respectively. Each agent is powered by a dedicated Ava-Series large reasoning model: Arthur is powered by Ava-Education Justine by Ava-Legal Eli by Ava-Finance These agents, operating within platforms like ArthurAI, are autonomous, adaptive, and capable of delivering real-time impact aligned with Kenya's national objectives. Strategic Programs and Initiatives 1. AGI Workforce Enablement Through ArthurAI, KEPSA will upskill Kenya's workforce with multilingual learning, credentialing frameworks, and real-time analytics tailored to sector-specific needs. 2. SME Innovation Support A national AI Toolkit will empower small businesses with: Eli : Intelligent finance insights, credit simulation, and tax optimization : Intelligent finance insights, credit simulation, and tax optimization Justine : Legal contract interpretation, compliance alerts, and literacy tools : Legal contract interpretation, compliance alerts, and literacy tools Arthur: Micro-course training and entrepreneurial education 3. Policy Co-Creation and Thought Leadership The partnership includes collaborative authorship of AGI policy readiness frameworks, public-private dialogue simulations using Justine, and deployment of Ava-Fusion to model policy impact scenarios. 4. National AI Innovation Council The parties will establish a cross-sector governance body to guide pilots, compliance, stakeholder feedback, and AGI scaling frameworks. 5. Flagship Launch Programs Ajira Digital AI Academy SME Digital Credit Lab Legal Literacy for Enterprises Executive Commentary "Our mission at MindHYVE is to engineer intelligence that doesn't just automate but elevates," said Bill Faruki, Founder and CEO of MindHYVE.ai. "This partnership with KEPSA shows what's possible when artificial general intelligence is built with purpose and deployed with trust. We are not simply supporting Kenya's digital transformation, we are co-architecting a future in which national intelligence infrastructure is adaptive, inclusive, and locally governed." Dr. Ehud Gachugu, Deputy CEO and Global Director of KEPSA, added: "With this partnership, Kenya takes a bold leap into applied AGI. We are not waiting to be shaped by the future; we are shaping it from within." Framework & Governance Term : Five years with renewable terms : Five years with renewable terms Oversight : Joint Steering Committee, quarterly reviews : Joint Steering Committee, quarterly reviews Compliance : Kenya's Data Protection Act (2019) : Data Protection Act (2019) IP & Licensing : Retained by original creator; joint assets governed cooperatively : Retained by original creator; joint assets governed cooperatively Public References: By mutual review and approval About KEPSA The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) is the country's principal private sector body, representing over one million businesses across sectors. It drives Kenya's economic policy agenda, digital transformation initiatives, and national development strategies through inclusive, enterprise-led solutions. About MindHYVE.ai MindHYVE.ai is a global leader in agentic AI systems, orchestrating intelligent agents built on large reasoning models tailored to specific domains. Through Ava-Fusion and the Ava-Series including Ava-Education, Ava-Legal, and Ava-Finance. MindHYVE.ai is redefining how intelligence is deployed in law, healthcare, governance, education, and economic development. Media Contact MindHYVE.ai Marc Ortiz Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 (949) 200-8668 Website: www.mindhyve.ai SOURCE MindHYVE.ai, Inc. Hala Abu Dahleez is calling for help to get her out of Gaza to seek treatment for her injury - Haitham Imad/Shutterstock A 12-year-old girl whose scalp was ripped off by an Israeli missile has said she fears leaving her tent because the other children are scared of her. Hala Abu Dahleez was playing on a swing in the sprawling Al-Mawasi refugee camp in southern Gaza when she was caught in an Israeli air strike. The impact of the blast ripped the swings metal structure apart, and its heavy iron chains wrapped around her head, tearing parts of her hair and scalp away. Hala spent five days in a coma, and her scalp was reattached to her head using 175 stitches. But she told The Telegraph that she can barely leave her tent in Khan Younis, where she has been living since she was displaced from Al-Mawasi. I used to be more beautiful, she said. I want to play with other children again like I used to. When I go out, the children are afraid of me and everyone asks me: Why dont you have any hair? Her family and doctors are calling for help to get her out of the Strip where she can get skin grafts and plastic surgery procedures that the remaining hospitals in Gaza struggle to carry out. Hala Abu Dahleezs parents struggle to find healthy food and medicine for her - Haitham Imad/Shutterstock Hala still carries around clumps of her plaited long brown hair that was torn from her head, refusing to throw it away until new hair is able to grow back. Her injuries have left her with severe ulcers and infections. I want to get a hair transplant and return to how I was before the bombing, she said through tears. Before the war, I used to go to school, meet my friends, and play with them. Now ... I have no hair and no school to go to. Hala is one of more than 50,000 children in Gaza who have been killed or injured in Israels 21-month war against Hamas and nearly every child in Gaza has been displaced. Israel disputes these figures. She was injured on March 26 but her story is only being told now, four months later, as extraordinary pictures emerged showing the extent of her injuries as she held the lock of her hair that she lost. It is not clear what the intended target of the March air strike was. Hala spent five days in a coma, and her scalp was re-attached to her head using 175 stitches - HAITHAM IMAD/EPA/Shutterstock When Hala was injured in the blast, the children she had been playing with told her mother she had died. They had seen her laying bloodied on the ground, her head torn apart. She is the oldest of seven children, and her parents, both injured in separate shellings, said they are struggling to find food and medicine. Some people help us buy medicine and dressings. She needs an IV bag and sterile gauze daily. We can not provide Hala with good, healthy food, said Mayada Yousef Dahleez, Halas mother. She needs medical daily care, and hardly a day goes by without crying and remembering her hair, she added. Hala Abu Dahleez puts up a drawing on the walls of her tent - Haitham Imad/Shutterstock Ongoing border closures have so far prevented Halas evacuation. Her family fear she could contract further infections if her health deteriorates. Her story emerged as Israel intensified its bombardment of the Strip over the last two weeks. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said they try to minimise harm to civilians, but there have been mounting casualties in recent days, with accusations that dozens more civilians have been killed while seeking aid. Hala Abu Dahleez plays in the Al-Mawasi refugee camp by herself - Haitham Imad/Shutterstock Just last week, six children were among 10 civilians killed in an IDF missile strike while collecting water in Nuseirat refugee camp. The Israeli military claimed a technical error was behind the attack. The escalating strikes over the weekend brought the death toll in Gaza to more than 58,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Women and children make up more than half of those killed, according to the ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, said the war cannot end until Hamas is dismantled and disarmed and the 50 hostages, only 20 of whom are believed to still be alive, are freed. Hamas wants a genuine withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza to end the war. Halas family and doctors are calling for help to get her out of the Strip where she can get skin grafts and plastic surgery procedures - HAITHAM IMAD/EPA/Shutterstock Despite optimism last week, talks are threatening to collapse under the weight of Israels reported demands to keep its troops in roughly one-third of Gaza and retain a buffer zone around Rafah, which Hamas has rejected. Israels hard-line leaderships plans to create a humanitarian city on the ruins of Rafah, in which the Strips two million people could be herded in, vetted and prevented from leaving, could also torpedo talks. The IDF said in a statement: In stark contrast to Hamas intentional attacks on Israeli men, women and children, the IDF follows international law and takes feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm. The country needs investment from business leaders, but this unfair raid on ambition leaves us with no choice but to go - Dan Kitwood/Getty To be crystal clear: if the UK implements a wealth tax many entrepreneurs like myself will leave the UK. It is unmanageable as an entrepreneur to pay tax on unrealised gains. Any entrepreneur trying to raise money on an equity valuation puts themselves and their investors in danger of a massive tax bill based on the theoretical, paper value of the business. Recently I completed a small acquisition. Part of the deal was for shares and we had to establish a relative value between the two companies. On paper, for the purpose of this deal my business was worth 50 million. In the case of this deal, a 2 per cent wealth tax on wealth above 10 million could suddenly create as much as 800,000 tax bill for the shareholders even though they did not receive any money in this deal. For high net worth investors, a 2 per cent wealth tax would make holding shares in a UK startup insanely risky. If the startup does a small strategic deal at a high valuation, they could find themselves owing a big tax bill without any actual gains. Take the case of Revolut, headquartered in London and now worth over 50 billion on paper. Some early investors, founders or employees could have tax bills in the hundreds of millions despite having no cash off the table. There is no way Revolut would have been able to achieve what it has done if every round of investment or stock option had to consider the implications of a wealth tax on unrealised gains. This proposed wealth tax will crush the UK startup scene. No serious entrepreneur or investors will want to grow a company in Britain. Any startup showing signs of being worth more than the wealth tax threshold will be told to get out while they can. This tax tips the risk-to-reward ratio of building a business in the UK out of kilter. The prospect of building wealth in the UK would be so much worse than many other places. In a globally competitive world, the UK would not be a viable jurisdiction to grow a startup and investors would look elsewhere. Leaving the UK is not hard for a digital business. Payments are online, workers are remote, very few things rely on a physical place. There are firms that specialise in supporting this type of restructuring. Many countries have discovered that the way to make more in tax revenue is to be globally competitive and attractive to entrepreneurs and investors. Dozens of countries offer special visas for entrepreneurs and investors. They are rolling out the red carpet with tax incentives, funding and business support. Entrepreneurs create jobs around them, growth in the economy and valuable innovations. If an entrepreneur leaves, all of that goes with them and existing taxes they pay in the UK drop to zero. When their big payday comes and they do realise the financial gains for their decades of hard work, the UK would see none of it. Dozens of the best entrepreneurs I know now live in Lisbon, Dubai, Milan, Malta, Hong Kong and Austin. Every month another great business builder is buying a one way ticket out. They move for two reasons. Firstly, the UK has become one of the highest taxed places to live. Not only are we taxed to the extremes just to live and work here, we also have the looming threat of sky high inheritance tax if we die here. Secondly its the attitude towards wealth. Gone are the days when wealthy people in Britain were typically landed gentry gripping generational wealth from the battle of Hastings. Many wealthy people are self made; they start with nothing, delay gratification for decades to build what they have. The UK no longer celebrates this achievement, instead of being seen as wealth creators they are labelled as wealth hoarders. Its a stark contrast to many other places where aspiration and achievement are still celebrated. The advocates for a wealth tax never take into consideration the message it sends about Britain, signalling that this country is anti-wealth is a signpost that points towards widespread poverty. They also seem to ignore that the wealthy and the highly skilled have options people respond to high taxes by taking measures to avoid them and in this case it would send some of the most productive citizens abroad. When people in the top 5 per cent who pay 50 per cent of taxes leave, their tax bills will fall onto the middle income earners. I urge the government to publicly state that wealth taxes are off the table before the mere threat of them causes more capital flight. The entrepreneurs are worth far more to this country than a 2 per cent wealth tax that appears to punish the rich but ends up punishing everyone else. Ukrainian artillerymen prepare to hit enemy positions in the direction of Lipetsk, Kharkiv, Ukraine, on 3 July 2025. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Marjorie Taylor Greene has criticized Donald Trump over his new pledge to send billions of dollars worth of weapons to Ukraine, accusing him of breaking a campaign promise by continuing the very aid that Republicans spent years blocking under Joe Biden. MAGA did not vote for more weapons to Ukraine, the Georgia congresswoman, one of Trumps most staunch allies in Washington, wrote on X on Tuesday, referring to the Make America great again moniker adopted by Trumps base of supporters. MAGA voted for no more US involvement in foreign wars. Trumps Oval Office announcement on Monday with the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, represented a pivot from his longstanding position of wanting to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict quickly, and a U-turn on the administrations rhetoric towards European defence more broadly. Related: Trump expected to deliver weapons to Ukraine through Nato allies The president said the sales would include a full complement of weapons, including Patriot missiles. We will have some within days, Trump said. Under the plan, he said European allies would swap existing Patriots for American-made systems and foot the bill by raising defense spending to 5% of GDP. Greenes criticism may not make a huge impact in Washington, where she is not a particularly influential figure despite her high profile within the Maga movement. But it could indicate another crack in Trumps political coalition, which has already taken a beating during the last week over the administrations refusal to release files concerning Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced late financier who is considered of the most prolific pedophiles of all times. Greene, who said she has never voted to send a single penny to Ukraine, argued that she remains firmly opposed to any US involvement in foreign interventions. A March CBS/YouGov poll found that 68% of Republicans disapproved of continued military aid to Ukraine. Since 2022, many congressional Republicans have repeatedly tried to block or restrict Ukraine aid, starting with Kentucky senator Rand Pauls delay of a $40bn package, which Greene voted against, too. Nearly 100 House Republicans voted against Ukraine funding in April 2024, following months in which the House speaker, Mike Johnson, refused to bring the aid to a vote. In February, the House voted against an effort by Greene and the Arizona representative Paul Gosar to cut off aid to Ukraine, a sign that at least some bipartisan support for Ukraine remained. As well as the weapons deal, Trump on Monday threatened to impose secondary tariffs later clarified as secondary sanctions on countries doing business with Russia if no peace deal is reached within 50 days. Were going to be doing very severe tariffs if we dont have a deal in 50 days, Trump said. Tariffs at about 100%, youd call them secondary tariffs. Trump has also expressed frustrations with Vladimir Putin, saying he had expected a peace deal two months ago but that talks had repeatedly broken down. I speak to him a lot about getting this thing done, and I always hang up and say, Well, that was a nice phone call. And then missiles are launched into Kyiv or some other city, Trump said. The US presidents change in tone is an apparent vindication of what Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, attempted to explain in their explosive Oval Office meeting in February, when Trump accused Zelenskyy of starting the war even though it was Russia that invaded. That meeting led to Zelenskyy leaving the White House without a private one-on-one with Trump, and engendered speculation that the US would abandon Ukraine to its own defense. JD Vance, the vice-president, was in the Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy described by many observers as an ambush and has been at the center of Trump administration efforts to distance the US from its longtime allies in Europe. He gave an ideological lecture to European leaders at a security conference in Munich earlier this year. In accidentally leaked messages with other senior US administration leaders about a US attack on Yemen, Vance expressed opposition to helping Europe military, and only reluctantly agreed to back the strikes: If you think we should do it lets go. I just hate bailing Europe out again. Pete Hegseth, the US secretary of defense, agreed: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. Its PATHETIC. Related: Trumps hazy Ukraine arms announcement marks a tonal U-turn Trump took a dramatically different tone at the Nato meeting with Rutte, however, noting what he considered the strength of feeling Europe had towards helping Ukraine and repeatedly praising Rutte. Indeed, the weapons announcement has been under discussion for months, with European officials working to sustain US arms shipments under a president who had initially vowed to pull back American support for Ukraine. Rutte, who previously called Trump daddy, called the announcement really big and said it would mean Ukraine can get its hands on really massive numbers of military equipment, both for air defense, but also missiles, ammunition, etc. Zelenskyy described a follow-up phone call with Trump as very good, writing on X that they discussed necessary means and solutions to protect Ukrainians from Russian attacks a huge change in both tone and in Trumps new policy direction. AMR is directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths every year - Samyukta Lakshmi/Bloomberg The Fleming Fund, a major British programme that helps tackle antimicrobial resistance in the developing world, has been forced to close because of the governments aid cuts, The Telegraph can reveal. The 265 million programme named after Alexander Fleming the British scientist who discovered penicillin was established in 2015 in response to a landmark UK study which found resistant infections would kill 10 million people every globally year by 2050. The fund was designed to tackle drug resistance at its source and support experts in hundreds of laboratories in developing countries that face the greatest threat from AMR. Termed the silent pandemic, AMR is directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths every year as bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens evolve to evade modern medicine. But its not just a problem for the developing world in England alone, 66,730 suffered from serious antibiotic resistant infections in 2023. There are an estimated 30,000 deaths in the UK every year and, for many others, it changes their lives. Experts have repeatedly stressed that AMR does not respect borders and often emerge in countries with less regulation surrounding antibiotic use both to treat illness and in agriculture. We are having to make choices that we dont want to have to make, Baroness Chapman, the Minister of International Development, told the International Development Committee at an evidence session in parliament today. Baroness Chapman, who became Minister after her predecessor Anneliese Dodds resigned, has become the chief hatchet woman for the aid budget. Last month, she announced a 40 per cent cut in real terms of the UKs contribution to Gavi, the vaccine alliance which funds immunisations for half the worlds children. Weve had to make some really tough choices. But weve decided as a government that we want to invest in defence, because thats the world we are in, she told The Telegraph at the time. Ashley Dalton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention in the Department of Health and Social Care, said that although the funding for the Fleming Fund has ceased, the government will continue with its partnerships forged under the programme. It is currently unclear what this means. The Telegraph has contacted the Department of Health and Social Care, who funds the Fleming Fund, for clarification. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Martin Lewis says while 1.3 million parents are eligible for the financial help, some 825,000 aren't claiming it. (Shutterstock) (Shutterstock) Money saving expert Martin Lewis says more than 800,000 working parents are missing out on financial help towards the cost of childcare. Cash that could help families save on holiday clubs, childminders and play schemes this summer. Appearing on today's episode of This Morning, Lewis said that while 1.3 million parents were eligible for up to "2,000 a year of money for free", some 825,000 were not claiming it. The financial journalist was talking about Tax-Free Childcare a government scheme that contributes towards the cost of childcare for children up to the age of 11, or disabled children up to the age of 16. Lewis believes the name can be misleading. "I'd like to call it the working families childcare top up," he told hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley. "The reason is, it isn't about tax, and it isn't tax-free, but it is government-funded." You can use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for registered holiday clubs and play schemes for children aged up to 11, or 16 if your child is disabled. (Getty Images) (SolStock via Getty Images) Read more: How to check if you're owed unclaimed childcare benefits If you pay for childcare and are eligible for the scheme, Lewis said signing up is "really simple". Start by opening a Tax-Free Childcare account at Gov.uk and the government will top up any money you add. "For every 80p you put in there, the state adds 20p so you get a 25% boost you put 80 in, you get 20 added. You put 800 in, you get 200 added, up to a maximum of 500 per quarter. "So 2,000 per year of free money to pay towards childcare," Lewis explained. "That is a massive amount of cash for anyone shelling out. Even if you're only paying for childcare for the summer, as long as the place accepts Tax-Free Childcare and most do, but check then you can use this top-up." With a 2024 survey by children's charity Coram finding parents pay around 1,049 for summer childcare for each school-age child, any help may be welcome. Here's what you need to know about the scheme, including who's eligible and where the money can be used. What is Tax-Free Childcare? Tax-Free Childcare is a government scheme that helps working families pay for childcare. It's worth up to 2,000 per child for kids up to the age of 11 or up to 4,000 for a disabled child up to the age of 16. How does it work? To receive the help, eligible families must open an account on gov.uk where they can save money to pay for childcare. For every 8 you put in your Tax-Free Childcare account, the government will top it up by 2. This means you can get up to 500 every three months towards childcare costs. Or 1,000 if a child is disabled. Where can I use Tax-Free Childcare? You can use the scheme to pay for approved childcare such as nurseries for younger children. For older kids, it can be used to fund wraparound care, after-school clubs and term-time and holiday clubs. Approved childcare means it's provided by a registered provider. In England, this is via Ofsted, in Wales, through Care Inspectorate Wales, the Scottish Care Inspectorate in Scotland and in Northern Ireland, you can find out if a provider is approved via the Early Years Team Register. Who is eligible? To be eligible for the scheme: Your child or children must be aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. If your child has disability, they are eligible until 1 September after their 16th birthday You or your partner (if you have one) must earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week You or your partner (if you have one) must each earn no more than 100,000 per annum You can't be in receipt of Universal Credit or childcare vouchers Read more about summer parenting: Elon Musks AI company is one of multiple leading US firms to be awarded the contracts - Anadolu Agency The Pentagon has awarded up to $200 million in government contracts to Elon Musks AI firm xAI. Mr Musks company is one of multiple leading US artificial intelligence firms to be awarded the contracts, including Anthropic, Google and OpenAI. Each individual contract will have a ceiling of $200 million and will be aimed at scaling up adoption of advanced AI capabilities within the department of defence (DoD). The contracts will allow the agency to leverage the technology and talent of US frontier AI companies to develop agentic AI workflows across a variety of mission areas, it said. It comes as the Tesla billionaires AI company faces intense scrutiny over anti-Semitic posts made by its Grok chatbot on X. The chatbot praised Adolf Hitler in some responses on the platform, denounced anti-white hate, and described Jewish representation in Hollywood as disproportionate. xAI apologised for the extremist and offensive messages, and said it had corrected the instructions that led to the incidents. Days later Grok 4, the latest chatbot version, was met with further scrutiny after it appeared to consult Mr Musks positions on some questions it was asked before responding. AI to address national security challenges The new government contracts will help the DoD use AI to address critical national security challenges, the departments chief digital and artificial intelligence office said. The adoption of AI is transforming the (DoDs) ability to support our war fighters and maintain strategic advantage over our adversaries, Doug Matty, chief digital and AI officer, said. The award to xAI comes despite an ongoing public feud between Mr Musk and Donald Trump following the billionaires departure from the White House. The former Doge head and the president turned on each other after Mr Musk came out against the administrations sweeping tax bill, dubbed the big, beautiful bill. Mr Trump then threatened to take away Mr Musks government contracts and even said he would take a look at deporting the billionaire. Benjamin Netanyahus governing majority is hanging in the balance after an ultra-Orthodox party quit his ruling coalition - Manuel Balce Ceneta Benjamin Netanyahus governing majority is hanging in the balance after an ultra-Orthodox party quit his ruling coalition in protest of a new military conscription Bill. United Torah Judaism (UTC), one of six parties in the volatile Right-wing alliance, withdrew its support for Mr Netanyahu on Monday night, leaving the ruling coalition with a one-seat majority in the Knesset, or parliament. A second, larger ultra-Orthodox party, Shas, which traditionally kept in lockstep with UTC, may soon follow suit. If it pulls support provided by its 11 seats, Mr Netanyahus parliamentary majority will be wiped out. Ultra-Orthodox parties have argued that a Bill to exempt yeshiva students was a key promise in their agreement to join the coalition in late 2022. But in June, Israels supreme court ruled that ultra-Orthodox Jews must be conscripted into the army after growing pressure from the military for more manpower amid the ongoing war in Gaza. The debate pits Mr Netanyahu against the hard-Right religious positions in his coalition and the majority of the population that is calling for reform after sending its sons and daughters to war. Three Israeli soldiers were killed in northern Gaza on Monday, adding to the mounting Israeli military casualty count in recent weeks as the war grinds on in the battered enclave. Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men tussle with police in Ramat Gan, Israel, after the Supreme Court ruled the defence ministry could no longer grant conscription exemptions to Jewish seminary students - REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes Israels longest-serving prime minister is already battling for his political survival. He is trailing in polls and facing growing calls to resign, while reports suggest he is trying to stall ceasefire negotiations that could see the return of the remaining hostages. The end of his fracturing coalition would probably trigger early elections, which polling suggests Mr Netanyahu would lose. Despite the crisis, analysts say it is too soon to tell whether it could spell the end of the government, even if both ultra-Orthodox parties leave the coalition. There is still a possibility that Mr Netanyahu could seek a compromise. The Knesset is also due to go on summer recess for three months, in which it would be hard to dissolve the government or trigger snap elections. Ultra-Orthodox lawmakers have long threatened to leave the coalition over the conscription Bill, which could means tens of thousands of the community being drafted into the military like other young Israelis. Mr Netanyahus political crisis comes amid ongoing, but gridlocked, US-backed ceasefire talks in Qatar. Polls show popular support for a deal that will bring home the remaining 50 hostages, 20 of whom are still believed to be alive, but Mr Netanyahus hard-Right coalition partners, who are seeking a long war and the occupation of Gaza. The prime minister occupies a perilous position, dependent on support from Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister who leads the Religious Zionism party, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister and head of the Jewish Power party. Together, they could bring down Mr Netanyahus coalition if they choose. The ultra-Orthodox community known as Haredim in Hebrew has been exempt from military service since the founding of the Jewish state in 1948, when the minority made up just several hundred. But as their numbers grew dramatically, and especially since the war in Gaza, so has the resentment over this privilege. The Israel Defence Forces said on July 6 that it was set to issue 54,000 draft summonses to Haredi young men in the coming month, and to intensify enforcement measures against draft evaders and deserters across all sectors of the population. Paul St Hilaire Sr, right, pictured with his son Paul, has been operating an ice cream van in the Greenwich area for more than 30 years - Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon A council has been accused of making up complaints against a banned ice-cream seller. Paul St Hilaire Sr was blocked from selling ice cream from a van in Greenwich, south-east London, in 2012. He and his son, Paul St Hilaire Jr, a solicitor, have been fighting ever since to regain the pitch he occupied on King William Walk, near the Royal Observatory. Mr St Hilaire Jr has accused Greenwich council of using incorrect grounds in refusing to grant them a permanent pitch. The council made the decision against permanent pitches because they claimed to have had 13 complaints against my dad, he said. But the so-called complaints werent complaints at all; they were just questions about trading. There wasnt a single complaint about my dad. Mr St Hilaire Sr, 70, first sold ice cream on King William Walk in the 1980s. Customers from all over the world I loved selling ice cream there, it was beautiful and busy, he said. My customers came from all over the world but had one similarity: they didnt want the expensive ice cream sold by the National Maritime Museum nearby they wanted a Mr Whippy. But in 2004 the street was closed to ice-cream vans because it was too narrow. In 2011, the National Maritime Museum opened a new wing which widened it, prompting the St Hilaires to apply for a licence. The council rejected the application but was forced to give one on appeal in 2013. This ruling was upheld in 2015 but in 2016, when they applied to renew the licence, the council said King William Walk was no longer approved for street trading. In 2021, the council briefly reversed that decision before it confirmed in 2023 that it was not open to street trading. In August the St Hilaires will appear at the High Court to challenge the 2023 decision. It would be funny if it wasnt so heartbreaking, said Mr St Hilaire Sr. All this fuss, upset and expense over ice cream. A spokesman for Greenwich council said: King William Walk is a narrow and busy historic street. We need to make sure everyone can move around safely and easily, so there are restrictions on street trading here to avoid queues blocking the way. Low water levels at the Woodhead Reservoir in Woodhead, Derbyshire, as a drought is declared in the West and East Midlands - Christopher Furlong Drought has been declared in the West and East Midlands amid warnings of further hosepipe bans across the country. The Environment Agency (EA) made the announcement after officials said it expected more areas of England to enter drought status. Cumbria and Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire are also in drought, and three water companies have announced hosepipe bans following one of the UKs driest springs on record. Millions more people now face these conditions under the Environment Agencys reasonable worst-case scenario. The West and East Midlands were put into drought status after the National Drought Group (NDG) met on Tuesday morning. Since the group of officials and experts last met on June 5, the situation has deteriorated further, the Environment Agency said. The NDG heard that without further substantial rain, some water companies may need to implement further drought measures, including hosepipe bans. The Environment Agency said it expects and will ensure water companies follow their drought management plans as well as step up work to fix leaks. The public is also being urged to use water wisely across England and comply with any local restrictions as the dry weather continues to impact water resources nationwide. Birmingham and the West Midlands are in drought conditions - SWNS/Anita Maric Helen Wakeham, Environment Agency director for water, said: This has been the driest start to the year since 1976, and we need to make sure our water supplies can sustain us through the summer. Today, I have asked all the partners who make up the national drought group to step up their operational response to manage the drought and use water wisely. Environment Agency teams are out on the ground actively monitoring river levels and working to ensure there is enough water for the people and the environment. Water minister Emma Hardy said: Water companies must now take action to follow their drought plans I will hold them to account if they delay. We face a growing water shortage in the next decade. Thats why we are pushing ahead with urgent water reforms under our Plan for Change, which includes 104 billion of private investment to build nine reservoirs and new pipes to cut leaks. It comes after Thames Water became the latest utility to announce a hosepipe ban, which will begin next Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. The water company said the measure will be brought in after the Environment Agency placed its area into the prolonged dry weather category. The Environment Agency said it expects to see other companies follow with their hosepipe bans as they stick to their drought plans, although this will also be dependent on the rainfall and temperatures in the coming weeks. Stuart Sampson, drought manager at the Environment Agency, said the situation for farmers has been deteriorating with already low levels in irrigation reservoirs prompting concerns for the rest of the summer. Some farmers have been reporting poor crop quality as well as lower yields on livestock, while fears are growing over the impact that conditions could have on winter feed. Anger is growing among farmers in East Anglia, who face an abstraction ban preventing them from irrigating crops due to low river levels, while a hosepipe ban has not been put in place. The Environment Agency said it has carried out fish rescues as the higher temperatures cause fish die-offs, as well as blue-green algae blooms in waterways, which can be harmful to ecosystems, pets and people using the water. Meanwhile, canal and river trusts have reported restrictions and closures, caused by the low levels in reservoirs that supply the networks. These are in a worse position than in any other droughts over the past 20 years, Mr Sampson said. While the Environment Agency is planning for its reasonable worst-case scenario, Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said July is likely to see more changeable weather, with sporadic rainfall and some hot spells. And for the longer-term outlook, Mr Lang said there is no strong signal for it being very dry or extremely wet. It could go either way, but the most likely situation is that we will have somewhere near average rainfall for the UK and also for England and Wales as a whole, he said. Whilst torrential downpours and thunderstorms may bring some localised travel disruption today, for many the rain is welcome news after the prolonged dry spell The rain is thanks to low pressure tracking east across the UK - here's the latest on where it's raining pic.twitter.com/MrshUtXD4Z Met Office (@metoffice) July 15, 2025 Asked how this year compares with the famous drought year of 1976 and the record temperatures of 2022, Mr Sampson said the Environment Agency is not expecting to see the same level of impact. He said this is because the county is better prepared now than in 1976, which was also preceded by a dry winter and a previous summer, unlike the weather seen in 2024. Meanwhile, the extreme heat in 2022 brought on a flash drought that saw drought conditions occurring really, really quickly, he added. On wildfires, Mr Thompson said the watchdog is aware reports have been increasing and is working closely with local authorities to ensure emergency services are ready to respond. We havent had any widespread reports so far, he said, but added that the south and east of the country are more likely to see wildfires if more are to happen. Meanwhile a major leak cut off the water supply to thousands of homes a day after a hose pipe ban was announced. People living across south London found themselves without water after a burst pipe flooded a residential road. It is believed 27 people had to be evacuated from their homes around Ilderton Road, Bermondsey, close to Millwall Football stadium. The water has now subsided, but images from the scene showed thousands of litres of water had covered the street and impacted supplies for people living in 12 postcodes. People are still being asked to avoid surrounding roads, which are covered in mud and debris. Tim Davie said MasterChef is a great programme that is well-loved by audiences [and] is much bigger than individuals - BBC/ShineTV/PA Wire MasterChef is bigger than its presenters and still has a future, the BBCs director general has said. Tim Davie made the claim after an independent report, published on Tuesday, upheld 45 allegations against Gregg Wallace, the programmes former co-presenter, including complaints that he made sexually explicit comments and had been in a state of undress. Wallace has been told that he will never work for the corporation again. The legal review of behaviour on the cookery show also found co-host John Torode guilty of using racist language. The Australian presenter said he had no recollection of the incident, but his future on the show is now in doubt. Banijay, the production company that makes the programme, must now decide what action to take against him. Asked whether Torode must leave the show, Mr Davie said: The BBC are quite simple on this: if someone is found to not live to the values, we expect the independent company Banijay in this case to take action and report back to us on what they have done. These arent BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken. I cant comment on individual conversations it would not be appropriate or fair. Gregg Wallace has been told that he will never work for the BBC again - X Asked whether MasterChef had a future, he replied: I absolutely think it does. I think [it is] a great programme that is well-loved by audiences [and] is much bigger than individuals. It absolutely can survive and prosper, but weve got to make sure were in the right place in terms of the culture of the show. Mr Davie also faced questions about his own future after presiding over what Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, described as a series of catastrophic failures. The corporation has also been criticised in recent months for its broadcast of a Gaza documentary narrated by the son of a Hamas minister and for its decision to keep showing a livestream of Bob Vylans set from Glastonbury after a member of the group chanted death to the IDF. Asked whether he had considered resigning, Mr Davie insisted he was the right person to lead the corporation, admitting he had dealt with some tough things in recent weeks. He also said the BBCs coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict was the most challenging editorial issue of his career, adding: I simply think I am in a place where I can work to improve dramatically the BBC and lead it in the right way. Samir Shah, the BBC chairman, said the director-general had his full support. He added that several people this year had been dismissed from the broadcaster after staff were encouraged to come forward and report any unacceptable workplace behaviour. Torode was not named in the MasterChef report, which was conducted by the law firm Lewis Silkin, but came forward on Monday night. In a statement on Instagram, he said: For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. The allegation is that I did so some time in 2018 or 2019 in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards. I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. However, I want to be clear that Ive always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. The Telegraph understands that Torode was the subject of multiple allegations, although only one was substantiated. He had been expected to begin filming a new series of MasterChef soon with Grace Dent, the food critic and broadcaster, as Wallaces replacement. Mr Davie was also asked about the last series of the show, which was filmed but has not been released. It features Wallace in all but the final episode. This is a difficult decision, and we need to weigh it up carefully. Were thinking through things, he said. As editor-in-chief, one of my overwhelming concerns is that all the amateur chefs gave their heart and soul to this programme, and we have to reflect on that and talk to them to think about the audience and make a call. Im not ruling out one or the other. Im not ruling out not airing it. I just want to go through that process, then we can quickly make a call. The animal medical service provider, Curo Pet, LLC allegedly failed to reimburse employees for business expenses, which included personal cell phone usage on behalf of Defendant. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** SAN FRANCISCO, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Francisco employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Curo Pet, LLC violated the California Labor Code. The Curo Pet, LLC class action lawsuit, Case No. CGC-25-625576, is currently pending in the San Francisco County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here. The Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP According to the lawsuit filed, Curo Pet, LLC allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse for required expenses, (f) failed to pay sick wages, and (g) failed to provide wages when due, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections 201-203, 226, 226.7, 233, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct. Additional allegations include Curo Pet, LLC failing to reimburse employees for required business expenses. California Labor Code Section 2802 expressly states that "an employer shall indemnify his or her employee for all necessary expenditures or losses incurred by the employee in direct consequence of the discharge of his or her duties..." During employment, Plaintiff and other California Class Members were allegedly required to use their personal cellular phones as a result of and in furtherance of their job duties. For more information about the class action lawsuit against Curo Pet, LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** Media Contact Nicholas De Blouw Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP (800) 568-8020 [email protected] https://www.bamlawca.com/ SOURCE Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP An evacuation flight from Kabul airport after the Taliban took over in 2021 - MoD/PA Wire No email sent in error could ever have been so expensive or dangerous. A Royal Marine had inadvertently and, as it would turn out, catastrophically circulated an email that included a spreadsheet containing the details of 25,000 Afghans, including their family members, who had helped British troops during the war with the Taliban. The email was sent by the soldier, in charge of vetting asylum seekers, to a group of Afghan contacts in the UK that he trusted. He worked out of Special Forces headquarters at Regents Park Barracks, in central London, under the command of Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the newly appointed First Sea Lord, who led UK Special Forces in Afghanistan. The Royal Marine responsible is understood to have accidentally shared the spreadsheet on two occasions in February 2022. It is not known if he has faced any sanctions for the leak. His contacts, in turn, would send the names on to fellow Afghans still in Afghanistan to ensure Britain was only relocating families with a genuine right to resettle in the UK. Sources told The Telegraph that the Royal Marine, who has not been identified, had been instructed to check with trusted Afghans that others applying for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) had been part of units that fought alongside British forces. But in sending not just a few names but the whole spreadsheet, thousands of lives were put at risk. The cost of clearing up the mess would be estimated by the government at 7 billion. When journalists, including those at The Telegraph, inquired about the data breach, they were slapped with a super-injunction. By court order, The Telegraph, along with a handful of other news outlets, was prevented from disclosing any details about the error or even the existence of the injunction itself. At the time the email was sent, the government was scrambling to make good on a promise to give sanctuary to Afghans, including soldiers and interpreters, who had fought alongside British troops following the invasion in 2001 up until the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021. The tens of thousands of names on the database were of Afghans who had applied for asylum in the UK under the specially convened Arap scheme. It also included information about Afghans who applied to a similar programme called the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). Their very act of applying for asylum had put their lives in jeopardy. For 18 months, the Ministry of Defence appeared oblivious to the existence of the rogue email, with its spreadsheet sent in error. That all changed on Aug 14 2023, with an anonymous post on Facebook that would send the MoD into a spiral of panic. The MoD only became aware of the leak when that month a member of the public wrote to Luke Pollard, the Labour MP for Plymouth, and James Heappey, a Conservative who was at the time a defence minister, warning them that the spreadsheet had been shared widely online. I have a copy of it, so does the Taliban why doesnt the Arap team? wrote the person, whose name was redacted in court documents, in the email dated Aug 10 2023. They are understood to be a support worker for Afghans settling in the UK. Extracts from the spreadsheet were then posted on Facebook four days later. In a group used by 1,300 Afghans needing to relocate, some of whom may have been Taliban infiltrators, the user known only as Anonymous Member wrote that he was in possession of the database containing records of 25,000 applicants on 33,000 rows of information, adding: I want to disclose it. The user who posted the extracts is understood to have been an Afghan who was sent the database, and whose own asylum claim was later rejected. To show the list was genuine, the Facebook user then posted the personal details of nine Afghans who had applied to the Arap scheme. British diplomatic staff administering the scheme in Pakistan were alerted by another member of the Facebook group. Alarm bells began to ring. By the afternoon of Aug 14, the relocation team in Islamabad had circulated an email to some 1,800 Afghans in Pakistan, warning them: We have been informed there may have been a potential data breach of your contact information. Some of those affected told the British Council they had been contacted by Iranian phone numbers on WhatsApp asking them to disclose scans of their passports. However, Whitehall officials chose not to inform any individuals waiting in Afghanistan or elsewhere about the breach, because it was felt it would increase the risk of the Taliban getting hold of it. Spies, meanwhile, sought to delete any trace of the list from servers overseas. The posts were deleted within three days after officials from the MoD contacted Meta, Facebooks owner. The Metropolitan Police was informed in August 2023, but it was decided a criminal investigation was not necessary. It is understood that individuals in the UK and Pakistan are still in possession of the database, and in at least one case it has changed hands for a large sum of money, understood to be five figures. By 10am on Aug 15, an email was sent to Mr Heappey, the Armed Forces minister at the time, with the alarming subject title: ARAP families, imminent threat to life. The sender of the email whose name has been redacted in court documents explained that they were now aware of the data breach. The fact that the Taliban may be in possession of 33,000 Arap applications, including the primary applicants phone numbers and all the case evidence, is simply bone-chilling, claimed the email. It is unclear what, if any, was Mr Heappeys response. Or indeed whether he saw the email. By 8.09pm, a time when the MoDs top brass would have gone home for the day, a senior official in charge of data governance circulated an official crisis alert to them, confirming the data breach. But it wasnt clear at that stage how the database had got into rogue hands. The question, an unnerving one for the government, was whether this could have been an illegal hack. The intelligence services, including GCHQ and MI6, were briefed by the Foreign Office and asked to examine whether a hostile state could have been responsible. The CIA was also brought into the loop. Days later, officials realised the stark truth of the accidental leak. From then on, the government went into crisis mode. David Williams, a freelance journalist who had previously worked with the Daily Mail on a campaign to resettle Afghan interpreters, was made aware of the breach. He contacted the MoD for comment, and other journalists soon got wind of it. The government decided that any whiff of the spreadsheet could put lives in danger, and the MoD issued a so-called D-Notice requesting that newspapers refrain from reporting the breach. D-Notices are advisory only, and not legally binding. Meanwhile, inside the government, ministers were in a race against time to get to Afghans identified on the spreadsheet before the Taliban could. Ben Wallace, the defence secretary at the time, who had announced in July his intention to resign, was incandescent. He had been concerned about data safety and could not believe that such a lackadaisical breach could have been allowed to occur. A Cobra meeting was convened in Whitehall in response. Present, according to reports, was Sir Gwyn, the head of Special Forces at the time, and the most senior soldier present. According to reports, one minister asked Sir Gwyn if he or Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the chief of the defence staff, should resign. Sir Gwyn, according to reports, responded: Certainly not. On Aug 25 2023, in one of his last acts as defence secretary, Mr Wallace applied to the High Court for an injunction to prevent the leak becoming public. A week later, on Sept 1 by which time Grant Shapps had been installed as his successor the High Court granted a super-injunction contra mundum, meaning against the world, that prevented anybody knowing about the leak and the existence of the injunction itself. It was the first time such a draconian injunction had been used by a UK government against the British press. When The Telegraph inquired about the breach late last year, its journalists were slapped with the same order. By now, the government was running two operations. One was to stop the story getting out, and the other was to get the Afghans out of their home country and to the safety of the UK. Ministers launched Operation Rubific, which would aim to bring thousands of Afghan families most at risk to the UK, largely via Pakistan. In towns up and down the country, Afghans were quietly resettled and their numbers kept off the official books, after being flown into the UK on specially arranged flights. Mr Justice Robin Knowles, the High Court judge who granted the super-injunction, accepted his ruling would infringe freedom of expression and of the press, but insisted that the impact is justified in the particular and exceptional circumstances of this case including the risk to life and of torture. Instead of being granted against a named individual, or news organisation, the injunction banned anybody at all who learnt of the leak from talking about it. With news reporting banned, Parliament was kept in the dark although the Speakers of both the Lords and Commons, Lord McFall and Sir Lindsay Hoyle respectively were secretly told so they could decide how to handle any Parliamentary questions to ministers about it. John Healey, then the shadow defence secretary, tabled just such a question on Dec 13 2023. In that month, the Information Commissioner had fined the MoD 350,000 for leaking the details of more than 200 Arap applicants. Mr Healey asked if the watchdog was investigating any similar breaches. A brief answer from Mr Heappey said there were two live investigations, confirming the Labour members suspicions. The Telegraph understands that Mr Heappey then met his Labour counterpart that month to reveal all to him. Yet Mr Healey was also served with the super-injunction at the meeting meaning he could not even tell Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition at the time, let alone the shadow chancellor. The intelligence and security committee and the Commons defence select committee were both kept in the dark. I would not widen [the] circle by briefing others, said Shapps in a civil service memo dated November 2023. The chairman of the public inquiry into alleged extrajudicial killings of Afghans by members of the SAS was also kept in the dark. Democratic accountability had seemingly been thwarted. Thanks to the court order, the MP could ask no further public questions about the leak, nor question ministers and officials handling of it in deciding to bring all the directly-affected Afghans to the UK. At the time, sources suggested, the MoDs estimate of the total cost of bringing Afghans to Britain was in the region of 4 billion. It would rise to 7 billion, before being revised down to 6 billion, an extraordinary sum all the same. By May last year, a Cabinet sub-committee chaired by the deputy prime minister at the time, Oliver Dowden had decided to allow 11,500 Afghans into Britain as a result of the leak, yet this had not been announced to Parliament nor subjected to any public scrutiny. The money to do so was drawn from the Treasurys reserve funds and not the MoD, Home Office or Department for Communities and Local Governments budgets, The Telegraph understands. At about the same time, Mr Justice Chamberlain, who had taken over the legal case, ruled the injunction ought to be lifted, prompting an immediate appeal by the MoD. Court of Appeal judges agreed with the government and said the gag order had to remain in place. Meanwhile, Julys general election saw a change of government. Initially, Labour kept things exactly as they were under their Tory predecessors, with MoD lawyers continuing to insist to the High Court that any public mention of the leak would be lethally disastrous. Mr Healey, by now the Defence Secretary, continued to toe the MoD line and stay silent on the breach. The injunction would remain in place for another year after Labour took charge. Officials and politicians continued to maintain that any public knowledge of the breach would somehow inspire the Taliban to go and look for the spreadsheet. Yet by January this year, retired civil servant Paul Rimmer, the former deputy head of Defence Intelligence, had been commissioned to review the risks. By April, The Telegraph understands, ministers were aware that he was likely to find that if the data breach became public knowledge it would not substantially increase the risks to those mentioned in it. In his review, Mr Rimmer concluded that early concern about the extent of the Taliban intent to target [certain individuals] has diminished. There is little evidence of intent by the Taliban to conduct a campaign of retribution Killings are undoubtedly still occurring, and human rights violations remain extensive, but it is extremely difficult to determine the causes of individual killings or detentions. The system set up to fly in Afghans, without any public knowledge of the scheme as a result of the data breach, was now disproportionate to the actual impact of the data loss were it to fall into the Talibans hands. By the time of the review, 16,156 individuals affected by the breach in 2022 had reached the safety of the UK. But it is only now that The Telegraph and other news organisations can tell that story. An Afghan man now living in Britain is said to be the person who threatened to share the list. According to the Daily Mail, he is in the UK with at least seven relatives. CLARIFICATION: We wish to make clear that a photograph (now removed), which previously accompanied this article, of a British soldier, Charles Herbert, serving with Afghan comrades in Afghanistan was not intended to imply that he was in any way responsible for the data leak. Any such implication would be false. We apologise if it was understood otherwise and for the distress caused to Mr Herbert. Father Pat Brennan left Holy Family Catholic Church in Coventry after nine years A priest has written a scathing poem blaming his unlikeable, entitled parishioners for dwindling congregation numbers. Father Pat Brennan, the parish priest at Holy Family Catholic Church in Coventry, announced in the church newsletter that he was leaving his post after nine years because of vocal criticism from a few parishioners. In a poem that he described as a parting gift, Father Brennan asked: What makes people not come to church? The answer, he suggested, was the righteous, the clique, the worthy who offer a disdainful look, and complain when others sit in their seat and gossip. These unfriendly few he described as a mix of disgruntled, unlikeable, entitled offended tutting for a living, whispering about you know who. The priest asked in the poem, entitled Not I Lord Surely, whether prospective churchgoers may be put off by the cold indifference and quiet disdain of those who already go. You cant please all the people Father Brennan, who was ordained as a priest in St Dunstans Kings Heath, Birmingham, in July 1992, said he would leave the parish with many fond memories, adding: I was very happy at Holy Family and had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people. However, he said: You cant please all the people and those few who have been vocal in criticism in and outside of the parish, have contributed to my leaving. Despite those few, I will keep the fondest memories in my heart and am grateful to have been parish priest here at Holy Family. He added that priesthood was not an easy vocation but the prayers, love and support from parishioners act as great encouragement. Father Brennan ended his not by saying: Please pray for your priests. A spokesman for the Diocese of Birmingham said that Father Pat is an experienced and much valued member of the clergy, adding that he would continue as parish priest at Bulkington and Bedworth. They should be ashamed of themselves Maura Murray-Reeves, who has ties to the parish, shared the poem in a residents Facebook group, and said she was extremely disappointed to hear that Father Brennan felt shunned. She said: Father Pat has been the parish priest for almost 10 years and he has always been very welcoming. It is disgusting to think that he was treated so poorly by a sad minority. They should be ashamed of themselves. Ms Murray-Reeves later told the BBC: Being at Holy Family for 40-odd years weve had other priests and theres always been some [questions] as to why have they left. I cant imagine a priest is going to say something like that or vocalise that if it wasnt true hed have no reason to. This isnt the way we should be making a priest feel. The Telegraph has approached Father Brennan for comment. A British Army officer on patrol with Afghan soldiers in Helmand province in 2007. The UK used local forces to help it take on the Taliban Britain has secretly offered asylum to nearly 24,000 Afghan soldiers and their families caught up in the most serious data breach in history, it can be revealed. The leak led the Government to earmark 7 billion to relocate Afghan refugees to the UK over five years, piling pressure on the Chancellors already stretched budget. Despite the huge cost to the taxpayer, the breach was kept secret from the public for 683 days by two successive governments after the first use of a super-injunction by ministers. In that time, thousands of Afghans have been flown into Britain and housed in hotels and other accommodation across the country. Some of those offered asylum previously had their applications rejected, including for violent or sexual assaults, with officials forced into a reversal. The use of a super-injunction, the longest ever deployed and the first such measure issued contra mundum against the world led to what one judge described as a scrutiny vacuum. Such was the level of secrecy that Sir Keir Starmer was not told about the leak until after he entered office. The Government argued that the extraordinary secrecy was necessary to keep the database from falling into the hands of the Taliban, who swept back to power in Kabul in August 2021. The evacuation of Kabul in 2021 when the Taliban regained control of the country, leaving Afghans who had helped the Western forces at risk However, a senior Taliban official told The Telegraph on Tuesday night that they had obtained the kill list shortly after the original leak, and had since been hunting down those named, potentially rendering the secrecy battle pointless. Speaking for the first time about the incident, Ben Wallace, the defence secretary who first applied for the injunction just days before he stepped down from the role, insisted it was not a cover-up. Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Wallace said: I make no apology for applying to the court for an injunction at the time. It was not, as some are childishly trying to claim, a cover-up. I took the view that if this leak was reported at the time, the existence of the list would put in peril those we needed to help out. Some may disagree but imagine if the Taliban had been alerted to the existence of this list; I would dread to think what would have happened. However, also writing for The Telegraph, Johnny Mercer, the former veterans minister, said that the incident was a farcical process and the most hapless display of ineptitude that he saw in his time in government. Speaking to MPs after the injunction was lifted, John Healey, the Defence Secretary, offered a sincere apology for the incident, which was echoed by the shadow defence secretary. Mr Healey also said that he had felt deeply concerned about the lack of transparency around the data breach. He told the Commons: No government wishes to withhold information from the British public, from parliamentarians or the press in this manner. The leak occurred in February 2022, when a Royal Marine sent an email to a group of Afghans and accidentally included a spreadsheet containing information and the identities of 25,000 Afghans who were applying for asylum soldiers who had worked with the British Army and their family members. The bone-chilling data breach was later described as a kill list for the Taliban. It came to light a year later when an anonymous Facebook user posted extracts of the data. The posts were deleted within three days after officials from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) contacted Meta, Facebooks owner, but the Government decided it had no choice but to offer asylum to the Afghans affected because they were at risk of reprisals from the Taliban. What followed was the biggest ever covert evacuation operation in peacetime, codenamed Operation Rubific. The number of people expected to be brought to the UK as a result of the breach was initially stated in court documents to be nearly 43,000 people. However, officials confirmed on Tuesday that 6,900 Afghans would be brought to Britain as a direct result of the breach, under a scheme set up specifically to deal with the fallout. According to the MoD, of these, 4,500 are already in the country or are in transit, and 2,400 more are yet to travel. Officials said a further 17,000 Afghans deemed eligible to come to Britain under a separate relocation scheme were also found to have been affected by the breach. Of these, 14,000 are already in the country or are in transit and 3,000 more are yet to travel. The Government fought a two-year legal battle to keep the leak a secret, including securing the super-injunction, which meant journalists from The Telegraph and other media organisations faced jail if they reported on the data breach or mentioned the existence of the legal battle. The super-injunction was lifted at midday on Tuesday by the High Court. However, at the 11th hour, a new interim injunction was issued, which blocked the publication of sensitive information about exactly what was in the database. It is the most serious data breach in British history, dwarfing previous episodes such as the 2013 Snowden leaks detailing GCHQs secret surveillance methods used against millions of internet users. The database also included the details of British government officials, The Telegraph understands. Both the Speakers of the House of Commons and the House of Lords were informed of the leak in September 2023 so that they could make informed decisions as to how matters should be handled in Parliament. MPs have been unable to ask questions about the leak because of the super-injunction. A deliberate choice was also made not to tell the intelligence and security committee, the parliamentary body that is routinely given access to highly classified material to scrutinise decisions. In one document seen by the court during the proceedings, Mr Healey said that political and reputational considerations had been key factors informing the Governments response. Mr Justice Chamberlain, the judge who discharged the super-injunction on Tuesday, said that the measure was objectionable in principle, given that billions of pounds of public money and the lives and safety of thousands of human beings were at stake. He also noted that while the super-injunction was likely protecting some involved, it may have been endangering others. After Britain joined the US-led coalition that invaded Afghanistan in 2001, it trained, equipped and funded military units formed of Afghan volunteers. The two UK-trained and funded Afghan units ATF444 and CF333 that worked alongside the SAS and Special Boat Service in secret operations were nicknamed the Triples. Former members of the Triples are among those likely to have been identified in the leaked database. Members of the Afghan Security Forces in 2008. The Taliban has carried out a number of assassinations of their members in recent years Those affected are now mostly believed to be safe, according to internal MoD assessments. However, there have been several reports of Taliban hitmen murdering Afghans they view as Western collaborators, along with their families. These include former members of the Triples. One murdered Triple member, Riaz Ahmedzai, was gunned down in Jalalabad in April 2023, although it is not known whether his name was in the leaked spreadsheet. The huge cost of the resettlement of Afghan refugees is an additional headache for the Chancellor. It can now be revealed it was secretly factored into the Governments budget, partly accounting for the 22 billion fiscal black hole the Chancellor announced on coming into office. In October last year, Ms Reeves signed off a secret plan, which had begun under the Conservatives following the leak, to spend up to 7 billion over five years on resettling Afghans. In January 2025, Mr Healey commissioned Paul Rimmer, a former deputy chief of defence intelligence, to review the situation in Afghanistan. He concluded that the threat level had diminished, leading to the closure of the resettlement schemes. That decision is expected to save around 1.2 billion from the expected cost. A packed evacuation flight out of Kabul The final amount now believed to be between 5.5 billion and 6 billion has come from the Treasury reserve. However, the cost could grow in the coming years, depending on how long families stay in hotels and how large the families are. The total includes the direct cost of the leak, which to date is understood to be 400 million. In total, 850 million has been set aside to complete the resettlement scheme set up specifically for those affected by the data breach. However, it is not believed that this includes any potential compensation costs. Earlier this month, following a separate data breach connected to Afghans applying for asylum, the MoD agreed to pay 1.6 million to the 265 people affected. The Government was also issued with a 350,000 fine. Barings, a law firm, has about 1,000 Afghan ex-soldiers signed up to a mass data breach claim against the MoD in relation to the new leak. That number is likely to increase. Lawyers believe each individual could receive up to 50,000 or more in compensation. The Government is also grappling with a voter backlash over the cost of housing asylum seekers, which has risen to 4 million a day. It emerged in May that the estimated cost of hotels and other accommodation for asylum seekers had risen from 4.5 billion between 2019 and 2029 to 15.3 billion. It is not known whether any of the rise in cost can be partly explained by the data breach. Labour insiders believe the asylum bill is fuelling support for Reform UK. Sir Keir has pledged to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by 2029. Hostile states are trying to recruit British schoolchildren to carry out acts of surveillance and sabotage in the UK, the head of counter-terror policing has warned. Detectives have identified several plots in which teenagers were allegedly recruited as criminal proxies by agents acting for Russia and Iran. At least one person in their mid-teens has been arrested and others have been investigated in recent months, according to Dominic Murphy, the head of Scotland Yards counter-terrorism command. The success of Britains counter-intelligence work since the 2018 Salisbury Novichok attacks has meant hostile states have increasingly been turning to criminal proxies to conduct their activities in the UK, it is believed. Earlier this month, five British men were convicted of carrying out an arson attack on a warehouse in east London with links to Ukraine on behalf of the Russian Wagner terrorist group. It later emerged that Dylan Earl, the ringleader, had been recruited online and had been offered money to carry out the attack. Dylan Earl was recruited online to carry out an arson attack on behalf of the Wagner terrorist group - Central News/Metropolitan Police Counter-terrorism police have warned that young people, including school-age children and those feeling disillusioned, are particularly vulnerable to online recruitment and manipulation. Officers have urged parents and teachers to show the same sort of vigilance needed to prevent youngsters from becoming radicalised by extremists. Vicki Evans, counter-terrorism policings senior national co-ordinator said: Our primary concern isnt that these other people are ideologically aligned to the views of state threats and people tasking that activity. But we are concerned that they might find themselves in an online environment where they are encouraged or egged on to do something and dont understand what they are being asked to do, or they are offered some money and see it as a quick and easy way to get some money, not realising the consequences. Or they might be looking for the sort of notoriety in an environment where somebody is encouraging them and challenging them to do things. She urged parents, teachers and other professionals to be inquisitive and ask questions in order to avoid youngsters being inadvertently drawn into this sort of activity. Ms Evans added: Espionage operations target our democracy, target our institutions, they threaten to fracture public trust here in our communities and threaten to target the things that underpin our daily life and our way of life. Ms Evans said criminal proxies were disposable to those tasking them, and were often not even paid for carrying out activities that could lead to them being sent to prison for many years. She added: The reality is people are being targeted to conduct this work. They are then disposable to the individuals tasking them once theyve been caught, and it will be the individual conducting the act who will be caught, and the handlers or the taskers will not come to their rescue or support them in any way. We are looking to raise awareness about this and make a direct appeal to people to think about what they might be being asked to do in these environments, who their tasking might be from, and what that could mean to them. Mr Murphy said there had been a five-fold increase in work to tackle hostile state activity since 2018, and that a fifth of counter-terrorism policings casework involved threats beyond traditional terrorism primarily state-sponsored espionage, sabotage and targeted violence. A 12-year-old girl was left devastated after being put into isolation for wearing a Union flag dress to celebrate being British at her schools culture day - SWNS Downing Street has backed a 12-year-old girl after she was put into isolation for wearing a Union flag dress on a culture day. Straight A student Courtney Wright wore the Spice Girls-esque dress and wrote a piece about British history and traditions as part of the celebrations on Friday. She was later told the dress was unacceptable and was hauled out of lessons and made to sit in reception until her father collected her. Speaking on Tuesday, Keir Starmers spokesman said that being British is something to be celebrated and welcomed the schools apology. They added: Were a tolerant, diverse, open country. Were proud of being British, I think the school has put out a statement apologising for this specific incident. So Im not going to comment any further on that, but the PM has always been clear that being British is something to be celebrated. Labour MP Mike Tapp said: To apologise they should fly the British Flag loud and proud. Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire, said it deeply regretted the distress caused by the incident and was committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that every student feels recognised and supported when expressing pride in their heritage. Stuart Field, 47, said his daughter was removed from the Culture Celebration Day last week without saying a single word and without being allowed to make an inclusive speech about the importance to her of being British, which referenced drinking tea, fish and chips and values of fairness and politeness. Stuart Field and his daughter Courtney Wright and her Union flag dress - SWNS In a post on Facebook, Mr Field wrote: On my way to collect my daughter from school. Shes currently being made to sit at reception waiting for me. The reason? Its cultural diversity day at school where children can wear clothing representing their culture and write a speech about their heritage. Shes been told its not for her as she gets to celebrate being British everyday. Courtney said teachers told her only other cultures were allowed to celebrate. She said she felt really embarrassed and that some teachers even said they liked the dress, as it was really sparkly and looked like Ginger Spice. However, she said teachers point blank refused to let her read her speech about British culture and they didnt want to hear it at all. She explained: My speech was about diversity and all the traditions that we have in Britain our politeness, our humour, we drink tea, we talk about the weather a lot and we like rugby and football. The school have since apologised. Even though the school has suggested reading my speech I dont think I want to after how they embarrassed and upset me. A spokesman for Stowe Valley Trust said: At Bilton School, we are proud of the diversity of our students and the rich heritage they bring to our community. We are committed to fostering an environment where every pupil feels respected, valued, and included. Courtney Wright wore the Spice Girls inspired dress and wrote a piece about British history and traditions as part of the celebrations on Friday - Dave Benett Library On Friday 11th July, an incident occurred during our Culture Celebration Day that caused considerable upset to one of our pupils, her family, and members of the wider community. We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our sincere and unreserved apologies. We have since spoken directly with the pupil and her family to listen to their concerns and reflect on how this could have been handled better. We are committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that every student feels recognised and supported when expressing pride in their heritage. As a school, we are reviewing our policies and strengthening staff training to ensure our practices reflect our values of inclusion, respect, and understanding for all. Sir Keir Starmers spokesman said on Tuesday afternoon that being British is something to be celebrated and welcomed the schools apology. The spokesman said: The PM has always been clear that being British is something to be celebrated and you can see that from everything this Government has done. Were a tolerant, diverse, open country. Were proud of being British, I think the school has put out a statement apologising for this specific incident. So Im not going to comment any further on that, but the PM has always been clear that being British is something to be celebrated. A Royal Marine accidentally leaked a spreadsheet containing the identities of nearly 25,000 Afghans who were applying for asylum - Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images Afghans secretly relocated to the UK after a data breach are suing the Government in a compensation case that threatens to cost taxpayers almost 1 billion. A vast data breach involving the details of 18,800 soldiers, along with about 6,000 of their family members, was revealed on Tuesday after a superinjunction was lifted by the High Court, allowing The Telegraph and other national newspapers to expose the scandal. It can now be revealed that a law firm is suing the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on behalf of at least 1,000 Afghans who claim they were affected by the breach. Manchester-based Barings Law hopes to claim 50,000 from the MoD for each individual involved in the breach, sources have said. If all 18,800 soldiers make a successful claim, the compensation bill could be as high as 940 million. That sum could grow if any of the Afghan soldiers family members join the legal claim, taking it towards 1 billion in total. Hidden from the public The breach occurred in February 2022, when a Royal Marine emailed a group of Afghans, accidentally including a spreadsheet containing the identities of nearly 25,000 Afghans soldiers who had worked with the British Army, as well as their family members who were applying for asylum. The leak came to light in 2023, when an anonymous Facebook user posted extracts of the data on the social media site. MoD officials contacted Meta, the company that owns Facebook, and the posts were deleted within three days. However, the Government decided it had no choice but to offer asylum to the Afghans affected because the leak had left them at risk of reprisal attacks from the Taliban. The breach has only just come to public attention after an unprecedented superinjunction was lifted by the High Court. Adnan Malik, head of data protection at Barings Law, said: This is an incredibly serious data breach, which the Ministry of Defence has repeatedly tried to hide from the British public. It involved the loss of personal and identifying information about Afghan nationals who have helped British forces to defeat terrorism and support security and stability in the region. Through its careless handling of such sensitive information, the Ministry of Defence has put multiple lives at risk, damaged its own reputation, and put the success of future operations in jeopardy by eroding trust in its data security measures. To date, the leak is understood to have cost 400 million to relocate victims of the leak. A further 850 million has been set aside to complete the resettlement of those affected, but it is not believed that this includes any potential compensation costs. The MoD was fined 350,000 for a very similar but separate data breach in 2023 that came to public light. The details of 265 Afghans were accidentally leaked two years before, in 2021, after an email was sent copying in a list of addresses in the to field of the message rather than the bcc field, which hides other recipients. Regulators from the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) handed down the penalty in December 2023. Court papers seen by The Telegraph indicate that the ICO was made aware of the far larger Afghan data breach in 2023, but were sworn to secrecy. The MoD was contacted for comment. Afghans have been urged to be vigilant after a massive data leak of personal information of thousands of soldiers and their family members seeking asylum in Britain. In a blog post aimed at the tens of thousands of affected Afghans, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) told them to not respond to questions from unknown contacts about the incident. The leak, which can be reported following the lifting of a superinjunction, led the Government to relocate Afghan refugees to the UK over five years using a secret scheme. The Governments blog post said: If you believe that you or your family members have been affected, you should be vigilant (watchful). The MoD advised those affected to Exercise caution and not take phone calls or respond to messages or emails from unknown contacts. Limit who can see your social media profiles and not accept friend/follow requests from individuals you do not know and trust. You may also consider shutting the social media account down if you suspect any suspicious activity. It also said: Be wary of telling others that your personal data may be vulnerable. Informing others who are unconnected to the loss may draw attention to the fact that your personal data may be exploitable. Afghans have also been warned that the MoD cannot support you in a third country such as Pakistan unless they are already in possession of an invitation to resettle in the UK. The Court of Appeal previously ruled that in total, between 80,000 and 100,000 Afghans had been affected by the breach. A number of British government officials were also included in the breach. Mr Healey told MPs that the scheme had cost 400 million to date, with a total of 900 Afghan soldiers having been relocated along with 3,600 family members. The Defence Secretary offered a sincere apology to the victims of the data leak. 06:30 PM BST This blog is now closed Thank you for following our live coverage. These are todays key moments, following the revelation that a secret Afghan relocation scheme was established by the UK government after a massive data breach. John Healey, the Defence Secretary, told the House of Commons that the 2022 breach was a serious departmental error by the Ministry of Defence and apologised on behalf of the Government. Mr Healey said he had felt deeply concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding the breach as a result of the imposed superinjunction. It emerged that the cost of resettling the affected Afghans through the Afghanistan Response Route (ARR), will cost up to 850 million. Downing Street has refused to say whether or not anyone has received disciplinary action for the breach, or if anyone has been sacked at the Ministry of Defence for the error. An Afghan community campaigner said that the breach and subsequent ban on reporting has endangered lives and prolonged the suffering of those who believed they were reaching safety. 06:12 PM BST Taxpayers could face 1bn compensation bill for Afghan leak victims Afghans secretly relocated to the UK after a data breach are suing the Government in a compensation case that threatens to cost taxpayers almost 1 billion. A vast data breach involving the details of 18,800 soldiers, along with about 6,000 of their family members, was revealed on Tuesday after a superinjunction was lifted by the High Court, allowing The Telegraph and other national newspapers to expose the scandal. It can now be revealed that a law firm is suing the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on behalf of at least 1,000 Afghans who claim they were affected by the breach. Read more on this story from The Telegraphs Gareth Corfield here 05:56 PM BST Data leak a fresh reminder that UK abandoned Afghanistan says former defence committee chair The data breach is a fresh reminder that Britain abandoned Afghanistan and will trigger difficult emotions, a former chair of the defence select committee has said. Tobais Ellwood, a former Tory MP and soldier, said: The emergence of this data breach will trigger difficult emotions of that 20-year campaign that went so badly. He told Times Radio: We turned our back on 40 million people we promised to help. And then the pledges of support to individual Afghans then has gone awry Mr Ellwood added: Now we learn of this data breach, from the very scheme that was designed to support those Afghans, and it will prompt very difficult questions about how the scheme will operate in the future. It is Im afraid a fresh reminder that we did abandon this country, we simply walked away. 05:37 PM BST Data breach another failure in a long line of broken promises to Afghans, says Amnesty The Ministry of Defence data breach is another failure in a long line of broken promises to people the UK owes protection, Amnesty International UK has said. Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UKs refugee and migrant rights director, called the incident a deeply troubling episode. Mr Valdez-Symonds said: This is yet another failure in a long line of broken promises to people the UK owes protection including the refusal to safeguard Afghan special forces, failures to promptly reunite families, and the recent premature decision to close Afghan schemes. He added: While there may have been genuine security concerns behind the super injunction in this case, it is simply impossible to have confidence in how government, past and present, has responded to the risks faced by Afghans. 05:20 PM BST Data breach endangered lives and prolonged suffering says Afghan community campaigner The data breach and subsequent ban on reporting has endangered lives and prolonged the suffering of those who believed they were reaching safety, an Afghan community campaigner said. Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi, who came to the UK in 1999 and founded the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) to help others, said the Government must accept full responsibility (and) offer meaningful compensation to those affected. He said: Thousands of Afghans who supported the UK mission many of whom placed their trust in this country- have had that trust gravely betrayed. The data breach, and the years of silence around it, have endangered lives and prolonged the suffering of those who believed they were reaching safety. At ACAA, we work daily with people still living in fear because of this failure. We now call on the UK Government to accept full responsibility, offer meaningful compensation, and take urgent steps to protect those still at risk. Justice, accountability, and transparency are the minimum owed to those who stood beside Britain in its hour of need. 04:56 PM BST Downing Street does not rule out using superinjunctions in future Downing Street would not commit to never again using a superinjunction to prevent reporting of its actions. Details of the secret relocation scheme for Afghans and their families caught up in the data breach were reported for the first time today after the lifting of a superinjunction. The government had fought a two-year legal battle to keep the leak a secret. The superinjunction was lifted at midday today by the High Court. Asked whether the Government would give such a commitment, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: This was obviously an unprecedented situation. He added: The Government of course welcomes, and as a matter of principle thinks it is right, as you can see in this case, for the public and Parliament to be able to scrutinise all of Governments plans. But asked whether he was ruling out future superinjunctions, he said: I dont think its something I can comment on. 04:40 PM BST Downing Street refuses to say if official behind data breach is still in post Downing Street has refused to say whether the official responsible for the Afghan data breach has faced disciplinary action. Asked whether the defence official behind the leak was still employed by the Government, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We wouldnt, obviously, as youd expect, comment on individuals. He added: Since the Defence Secretary came in, the Governments put a huge emphasis on fixing issues in the MoD in relation to data security, and indeed across Government. But he declined to comment on individual disciplinary issues. 04:23 PM BST UK data regulator calls breach deeply regrettable The UK data regulator has called the breach that exposed details of Afghans a deeply regrettable incident that placed thousands of vulnerable people at risk and should never happen again. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) however said that no further regulatory action is required at this time. Emily Keaney, the ICO deputy commissioner, said: Data protection should never be a barrier to sharing information when this is needed to prevent harm and we accept that the initial sharing of the document was intentional and considered under the circumstances. However, there were mistakes made beyond this with hidden data in the spreadsheet. We have been clear with the MoD that this incident is unacceptable and should never happen again the stakes are simply too high. The public must be able to trust that the Government has measures in place to protect the personal information and security of the most vulnerable people. 04:19 PM BST Cost of secret Afghan relocation scheme could reach 850 million The total cost of the Afghanistan Response Route (ARR) relocation scheme for those who were at risk from the data breach could reach 850 million, it has emerged. The Defence Secretary said 900 Afghan soldiers and 3,600 family members had been relocated to the UK under the scheme, at a cost of 400 million. He added that 600 more invitations had already been made, and those would be honoured. It is understood that this could push the cost up to 850 million if all those who were invited to Britain did decide to come. 03:43 PM BST MoD could face substantial compensation claims following the breach, lawyer says The Government could face strong claims for substantial compensation from those affected by the data breach, a lawyer has said. Sean Humber, a specialist data breach lawyer at law firm Leigh Day, who acts for Afghan citizens affected by previous data breaches of their personal data by the MoD, said the department seems institutionally incapable of keeping information secure. Mr Humber told PA News Agency that those affected could sue the Government over the inevitable anxiety, fear and distress caused by the breach. Given the extreme sensitivity of the information and the numbers affected, plus the vulnerability of those affected due to the dangers they already face from the Taliban, this data breach can only be described as catastrophic. Those affected are likely to have strong claims for substantial compensation against the Government for failing to keep the information secure and for inevitable anxiety, fear and distress this has then caused. 03:21 PM BST What is a superinjunction and when have they been used before? An injunction is a court order to either prevent someone from doing something or to direct them to do it. A superinjunction is, as the name suggests, much stronger. The existence of a regular injunction can usually be reported on by the media and made public but their subjects, or at least some of them, are sometimes anonymised. However, a superinjunction is supposed to be completely unreportable: The existence of the superinjunction must remain a secret. In the case of the Afghan data breach journalists had been prevented from publishing any reference to the proceedings. It has been described as an unprecedented step because it is thought this was the first time that the government has sought such an order against the media. It is not the first time a superinjunction has hit the headlines. Footballer John Terry was granted a superinjunction, which was lifted in January 2010, allowing him to be named as the footballer behind the superinjunction involving his private life. In November 2010 the Court of Appeal lifted a superinjunction preventing the naming of Take Thats Howard Donald, who was granted an order restraining publication of confidential information by a former girlfriend. 02:48 PM BST Government must spell out how it will stop data leak repeat, say Lib Dems The Liberal Democrats said the Government needed to set out in detail how it intended to prevent a repeat of such a disastrous data leak. Helen Maguire, the partys defence spokeswoman who previously served as a Military Police Captain in Iraq and Bosnia, said: The disastrous withdrawal from Kabul in 2021 and now this data breach, shows how the previous Conservative government badly let down so many individuals who supported our Armed Forces in Afghanistan. Ministers must now bring forward measures to prevent such breaches from ever happening again. The Defence Secretary also needs to confirm if the MoD has other super injunctions in place so that Parliament can provide much needed scrutiny. Most importantly, the Government must ensure we fulfil our obligations to those who helped us, putting their lives and those of their families at risk throughout the conflict. 02:28 PM BST Defence Secretary not aware of any other leak superinjunctions Defence Secretary John Healey told the House of Commons he was not aware of any further superinjunctions, in response to a question from Tory MP Mark Pritchard. The Wrekin MP asked: The precedent of a superinjunction is very concerning for this place. How do we know theres not another superinjunction about another leak? But of course he couldnt tell us, could he? Responding, Mr Healy said: If there is another superinjunction, Ive not been read in. 02:04 PM BST Healey: Afghan soldiers had ample time to apply to come to UK John Healey said Afghan soldiers had had ample time to apply to be relocated to the UK as he defended the decision to close all of the different settlement routes. The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme are both already closed. Mr Healey announced this afternoon that the secret Afghanistan Response Route was also being shut down. He told the Commons: There has been ample time for anyone who could conceivably believe they might qualify to make their application, that scheme and none of these schemes were ever conceived or designed to last in perpetuity, which is why weve closed them, at the beginning of this month, to any new applicants. 01:48 PM BST Healey on risk of future data breaches: One can never say never John Healey said he could not guarantee there would not be a similar future data breach but insisted he was confident there was now a reduced risk. The Defence Secretary said: One can never say never, but one can, and I am more confident than I was 12 months ago about the reduced risk of data losses and data breaches in future. 01:38 PM BST Senior Labour MP: Data breach wholly unacceptable The Afghan data breach is a mess and is wholly unacceptable, the Labour chairman of the Defence Select Committee said. Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi said his committee was likely to thoroughly investigate, to ascertain what has actually transpired here, given the serious ramifications on so many levels. He asked John Healey: Notwithstanding, the contents of the Rimmer review, how confident is the Defence Secretary that the Afghans affected many of whom bravely supported our service personnel will not be at risk of recriminations and reprisals? The Defence Secretary replied: I can only recommend that he reads in full the public version of the Rimmer report that I have published today. The conclusions and the updated risk assessment that Rimmer sets out, taking an up to date view, recognising that the situation in Afghanistan is now nearly four years on from the point at which the Taliban took control, recognising also that the present regime sees those who may threaten the regime itself now as a greater threat to their operation than any perhaps former government official or serving official. 01:29 PM BST MOD has new software to securely share data, says Healey The Ministry of Defence has installed new software to securely share data, John Healey has said. Asked by James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, about work on moving to a more secure system, the Defence Secretary replied: I cant account for the improvements in data handling that the previous ministers might have taken. What I can say, when I did his job in that period of opposition, was that this data leak was just one of many from the Afghan schemes at the time. And what I can say is that since the election in this last year, we as a Government have appointed a new chief information officer. We have installed new software to securely share data, and we have also completed a comprehensive review of the legacy Afghan data on the casework system. 01:24 PM BST Shadow defence secretary backs decision to close secret Afghan route The Tories supported the Governments decision to close the secret Afghan relocation route. James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, told the House of Commons: Any threat picture is constantly evolving and, as I say, I support the Secretary of States decision to review the MoDs understanding of the threat. And, given the latest situation as reported by Rimmer, we support his conclusion that the Afghanistan Response Route, the ARR, can now be closed. An Afghan man walks past the remains of an abandoned Soviet-era military tank bearing a white board with text in Pashto language stating Afghanistan: The Graveyard of Empires - Wakil Kohsar/AFP 01:22 PM BST Tories apologise to victims of data breach James Cartlidge, who was a Tory minister in August 2023 when the then-government became aware of the data breach, joined John Healey in apologising for what happened. The shadow defence secretary said: The Secretary of State has issued an apology on behalf of the Government and I join him in that and in recognising that this data leak should never have happened and was an unacceptable breach of all relevant data protocols. And I agree it is right that an apology is issued specifically to those whose data was compromised. It is nevertheless a fact that cannot be ignored that, when this breach came to light, the immediate priority of the then-government was to avoid a very specific and terrible scenario, namely, an error by an official of the British state leading to torture or even murder of persons in the dataset at the hands of what remains a brutal Taliban regime. As the Rimmer Review confirms that scenario, thankfully, appears to have been avoided. 01:17 PM BST Healey: Secret Afghan relocation scheme cost 400m The secret relocation scheme has cost 400 million to date, John Healey told MPs. The Defence Secretary said 900 Afghan soldiers and 3,600 family members had been relocated to the UK under the scheme. He said: To date 900 ARR (Afghanistan Response Route) principals are in Britain or in transit together with 3,600 family members at a cost of around 400 million. From today there will be no new ARR offers of relocation to Britain. From today the route is now closed. However, we will honour the 600 invitations already made to any named person still in Afghanistan and their immediate family. 01:12 PM BST Safety of Afghan data leak victims weighs heavily on me, says Healey John Healey said the safety of Afghans who were at risk from the data breach had weighed heavily on him. The Defence Secretary said 36,000 Afghans had been accepted by Britain as a result of various schemes after the fall of Kabul. The Arap scheme has now been closed. Britain has honoured the duty we owe to those who worked and fought alongside our troops in Afghanistan, Mr Healey said. John Healey, the Defence Secretary, addresses the House of Commons - PA The British people have welcomed them to our country, and in turn, this is their chance to rebuild their lives, their chance to contribute and share in the prosperity of our great country. He continued: I recognise my statement will prompt many questions. I would have wanted to settle these matters sooner, because full accountability to Parliament and freedom of the press matter deeply to me. Theyre fundamental to our British way of life. However lives may have been at stake, and Ive spent many hours thinking about this decision. Thinking about the safety and the lives of people I will never meet, in a far-off land, in which 457 of our servicemen and women lost their lives. So this weighs heavily on me, and its why no Government could take such decisions lightly, without sound grounds and hard deliberations. 01:05 PM BST Defence Secretary offers sincere apology to victims of data leak John Healey offered a sincere apology for a massive data breach which exposed details of Afghans who had helped British troops, triggering a secret evacuation scheme and an unprecedented legal cover-up. My first concern has been to notify as many as possible affected by the data incident and provide them with further advice, he told MPs. The MoD (Ministry of Defence) has done this this morning, although I have to say to the House, it has not been possible to contact every individual on the dataset, due to its incomplete and out-of-date information. Afghan people climb atop a plane as they wait at the Kabul airport in Kabul on August 16, 2021 - Wakil Kohsar /AFP However, anyone who may be concerned can head to our new dedicated gov.uk website, wherein they will find more information about the data loss, further security advice, a self-checker tool which will inform them whether their application has been affected, and contact steps for the detailed information services centre, which the MoD has established. This serious data incident should never have happened. It may have occurred three years ago under the previous government, but to all those whose information was compromised, I offer a sincere apology today on behalf of the British Government, and I trust the shadow defence secretary, as a former defence minister, will join me. 12:59 PM BST Healey: Deeply concerned about lack of transparency John Healey told MPs he had felt deeply concerned about the lack of transparency around the data breach. The Defence Secretary told the Commons: No government wishes to withhold information from the British public, from parliamentarians or the press in this manner. He later said: The full number of Afghan arrivals under all schemes have been reported in the regular Home Office statistics, meaning that they are already counted in the existing migration figures. 12:55 PM BST Sharing of spreadsheet was serious departmental error, says Healey A leaked spreadsheet included the details of MPs and senior military officers who were noted as supporting applications, according to the Defence Secretary. John Healey told the Commons: The spreadsheet, in fact, contained personal information associated to 18,714 Afghans who had applied either to the ex gratia or the Arap (Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy) scheme on or before January 7 2022. It contained names and contact details of applicants, and in some instances, information relating to applicants family members, and in a small number of cases, the names of members of Parliament, senior military officers and Government officials were noted as supporting the application. This was a serious departmental error. 12:52 PM BST Government is shutting down secret Afghan relocation route The Defence Secretary announced the secret Afghan relocation route was being shut down. John Healey told the House of Commons: Today, Im announcing to the House a change in Government policy. Im closing this resettlement route, Im disclosing the data loss, and Im confirming that the court order was lifted at 12 noon today. Members of this House, including you, Mr Speaker, and myself, have been subject to this superinjunction. A full flight of 265 people are evacuated out of Kabul by the UK Armed Forces on August 21, 2021 - Getty Images Europe It is unprecedented, and to be clear, the court has always recognised the parliamentary privilege of proceedings in this House, and ministers decided not to tell parliamentarians at an earlier stage about the data incident, as the widespread publicity would increase the risk of the Taliban obtaining the dataset. But as parliamentarians and as Government ministers, it has been deeply uncomfortable to be constrained from reporting to this House, and Im grateful today to be able to disclose the details to Parliament. 12:51 PM BST Welcome to this live blog on the secret Afghan relocation scheme Welcome to todays breaking news live blog on the revelation that a secret Afghan relocation scheme was established by the UK government after a massive data breach. The data breach and the relocation scheme - known as the Afghanistan Response Route was the subject of a superinjunction which has now been lifted, finally allowing the details to be made public. These are the key facts of what we know: A dataset containing the personal information of nearly 19,000 people who applied for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) was released in error in February 2022 by a defence official. That breach resulted in the creation of a secret Afghan relocation scheme the Afghanistan Response Route in April 2024 because of fears those named could be targeted for reprisals by the Taliban. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) only became aware of the breach over a year after the release, when excerpts of the dataset were anonymously posted onto a Facebook group in August 2023. The then-government applied for, and was granted, a superinjunction from the High Court to keep the breach and relocation scheme secret. The superinjunction was lifted today. John Healey, the Defence Secretary, is delivering a statement in the House of Commons to set out the details and the Governments response. He started by saying that the superinjunction was unprecedented and the data breach in February 2022 was significant. Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins is the First Sea Lord, the head of the Royal Navy - MoD Sir Keir Starmers spokesman has insisted he has full confidence in the head of the Royal Navy after he was implicated in the Afghan data leak. A Downing Street spokesman said Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins was not responsible for the leak, nor involved in sending the spreadsheet which resulted in many of the names being posted on the internet. The document was sent by a Royal Marine, who was in charge of vetting asylum seekers, to a group of trusted Afghan contacts in the UK. The soldier, who worked under the command of Gen Sir Gwyn, emailed the list twice before the leak was discovered, and it is unknown whether they remain in post. The incident has brought fresh scrutiny of Gen Sir Gwyn, who was in line to serve as the UKs next national security adviser before an early general election was called last year. He has attracted some controversy in recent years, including over the accusation that he covered up alleged extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan by serving members of the SAS in 2011. It has been reported that after the Government discovered in August 2023 that the Afghan leak had taken place, ministers convened a Cobra meeting in Whitehall and invited Gen Sir Gwyn. It was reported that one minister asked him if either he or Adml Sir Tony Radakin, the Chief of the Defence Staff, should resign. According to reports, he responded: Certainly not. On Tuesday, Sir Keirs spokesman was asked whether the Prime Minister retains full confidence in his naval chief, and replied: He does. Downing Street added that Gen Sir Gywn had no role in any aspect of [Afghan resettlement schemes], including decision-making. Gen Sir Gwyn, a former commander of the Special Boat Service, was placed in charge of all special forces working in Afghanistan in October 2011 and served in the country for five months, before returning to London to work in Downing Street for Lord Cameron, who was then prime minister. Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins with Ben Wallace in 2023, when the latter was defence secretary - Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street While working in Afghanistan, he received a report that members of the SAS had carried out extrajudicial killings in the country, in violation of international law. Gen Sir Gwyn referred the matter to his senior officer, but it has since been claimed the matter should have been reported to the Royal Military Police (RMP). In October 2023, Lord Hermer, now the Attorney General, claimed Gen Sir Gwyn had failed to alert the RMP to potential war crimes when he was a commanding officer of the Special Boat Service. The episode was uncovered by an inquiry into alleged murder by SAS officers in Afghanistan, which is ongoing. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said at the time that it was not appropriate ... to comment on allegations which may be within the scope of the statutory inquiry. Gen Sir Gwyn at the Braemar Gathering with the King last year - Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty After leaving Afghanistan, Gen Sir Gwyn served as the No 10 deputy national security adviser, commander of 3 Commando Brigade and Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff a military desk job in the UK. Between 2021 and 2022, the time of the leak, he was serving as Director Special Forces, the officer with overall command of UK special forces operations. He was accused by a BBC Panorama programme in May of, in that role, personally overseeing the rejection of some 1,585 Afghans who served with the SAS before the UKs withdrawal from the country in 2021. It was claimed that he might have allegedly blocked the applications to avoid witnesses travelling to the UK and appearing before the statutory inquiry, but the MoD said there was no evidence that was the case. Gen Sir Gwyn and Rishi Sunak, the prime minister at the time, in Kyiv in January last year - Stefan Rousseau/AFP via Getty Prior to the 2024 election, Rishi Sunak announced that Gen Sir Gwyn would replace Sir Tim Barrow as the UKs national security adviser. However, the appointment was cancelled by Sir Keir when Labour won the election, and Jonathan Powell was announced in the role. In May, Gen Sir Gwyn was named as the Royal Navys First Sea Lord, replacing Sir Ben Key, who was sacked for having a relationship with a more junior officer. Pete Hegseths office claims the Aspen Security Forum promotes hatred for Donald Trump - Anadolu Pete Hegseth has banned Pentagon officials from speaking at a security conference because it promotes evil globalism. Senior figures in the US defence department were set to speak at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado this week, following a tradition under both Democrat and Republican administrations. However, Mr Hegseth, the US defence secretary, has blocked his department from taking part in the four-day event, which is hosted by the Aspen Institute think tank. Kingsley Wilson, a Pentagon spokeswoman, told Just the News that Mr Hegseths office believes it promotes the evil of globalism, disdain for our great country, and hatred for the president of the United States. The department has no interest in legitimising an organisation that has invited former officials who have been the architects of chaos abroad and failure at home, she continued. They are antithetical to the America First values of this administration. Figures still scheduled to appear John Phelan, the Navy secretary, Emil Michael, the defence undersecretary for research and engineering, and Doug Beck, director of the departments defence innovation unit, were among several senior Pentagon officials due to speak this week, according to Politico. Ms Wilson did not clarify her comments and the Pentagon declined to provide further details. However, attendees tend to come from a more traditional foreign policy perspective than Mr Trumps America First wing of the Republican Party, which has a strong isolationist streak and is deeply critical of former administrations. Those expected to speak at the conference this week include Condoleezza Rice, George W Bushs secretary of state, David Petraeus, Barack Obamas former CIA director, and Mark Esper, defence secretary in Donald Trumps first administration. David Petraeus, Barack Obamas former CIA director, is expected to speak at the conference - Rex Features Diplomatic figures from the current administration are still scheduled to appear, including Tom Barrack, the US ambassador for Turkey, and Adam Boehler, the presidential envoy for hostages. Sean Parnell, the Pentagons chief spokesman said: Senior department of defence officials will no longer be participating at the Aspen Security Forum because their values do not align with the values of the DOD [department of defence]. The department will remain strong in its focus to increase the lethality of our warfighters, revitalise the warrior ethos, and project peace through strength on the world stage. It is clear the ASF [Aspen Security Forum] is not in alignment with these goals. The conference hosts said in a statement that it had welcomed senior officials Republican and Democrat, civilian and military as well as senior foreign officials and experts, who bring experience and diverse perspectives on matters of national security for more than a decade. We will miss the participation of the Pentagon, but our invitations remain open, they added. The Aspen Security Forum remains committed to providing a platform for informed, non-partisan debate about the most important security challenges facing the world. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in between the leader of Kent County Council, Linden Kemkaran, and councillor Brian Collins - Gareth Fuller/PA Does anybody in Reform know why people vote Reform? Its a question that seems increasingly uncertain. But its relatively simple to understand: immigration, immigration, immigration. It is clarity and conviction on this single issue that is driving voters away from the mainstream parties and toward the one that, in Nigel Farage, finally seems willing to say what needs to be said and to do what is necessary. But despite reducing immigration being their central policy, their commitment to it is barely surviving contact with reality even as an opposition party. Earlier this year Zia Yusufs replacement as Party Chairman, Dr David Bull, used one of his first media appearances after being appointed to announce that immigration is the lifeblood of this country, it always has been. Meanwhile Linden Kemkaran, the leader of the newly Reform-controlled Kent County Council, has written to the Government to lobby against a tightening of rules on migrant workers. Kemkaran, along with the councils cabinet member for adult social care and public health, Diane Morton, wrote to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and minister for care Stephen Kinnock to raise grave concerns about the proposals in the new Immigration Bill. Those proposals, in particular, were to close the health and social care visa route to overseas applicants, which Kemkaran argued could leave providers on a cliff edge. The Leaders call was seconded by the leader of the Lib Dem group on the council. The health and social care visas have been a disaster, and one of the primary drivers of the catastrophic Boriswave: low-wage, low-productivity, high-exploitation migration that has undercut British workers and locked the country into an unsustainable dependency on increasing migration flows from low-wage economies. Despite the visa route bringing in more people than the entire population of Montenegro, or a city the size of Bristol, care vacancies are now higher than when the social care worker visa launched. One in four foreign care workers has been found to abuse UK visa rules. There was a tenfold rise in investigations in the care sector by the labour exploitation watchdog in just two years. There was an implicit understanding that Reform councils would be under stricter control from the party HQ than their mainstream equivalents, and would be used to demonstrate their willingness to use what limited powers councils have to fight on totemic issues like immigration. Ahead of Mays election, Yusuf admitted that Reform might not be able to prevent asylum seekers from being housed in hotels where the Home Office already holds contracts. However, he said, the party would attempt to block such accommodations using judicial reviews, injunctions, and planning laws. That commitment, it seems, has already begun to unravel at the worst possible moment. In an electoral landscape where voters have already cast off one Right-wing party for betraying its promises on immigration, showing weakness on this issue is more than just a misstep; it is a threat to Reforms entire raison detre. The question Reform must answer is simple: if they cant hold the line on immigration in opposition under no real pressure, with no real power why should anyone trust them to do it in power? The British public have learned to spot a sheep in wolfs clothing. China's top diplomat holds talks with British prime minister's national security adviser Xinhua) 08:58, July 15, 2025 Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, holds talks with Jonathan Powell, the British prime minister's national security adviser, in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- China's top diplomat Wang Yi held talks with Jonathan Powell, the British prime minister's national security adviser, in Beijing on Monday. Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Britain relations have embarked on a path of improvement and development, fulfilling the aspirations of the people of both countries and aligning with the trend of the times. Expressing China's appreciation of Britain's proposal to develop a consistent, lasting and mutually respectful relationship between the two countries, Wang said that China is willing to enhance strategic communication and expand strategic cooperation with Britain from a broader perspective, inject new momentum into bilateral relations and jointly promote world peace, stability and prosperity. Powell expressed Britain's willingness to enhance dialogue and communication with China to build a stable, practical and long-term partnership. The two sides also exchanged views on hotspot issues of common concern. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: As part of Mavis Tire's continued national growth, the brand is pleased to welcome new customers by hosting a grand opening event at its newest location in St. Petersburg, Florida. This new store will operate under the Mavis Tires & Brakes brand, providing a comprehensive range of automotive services including tires, brakes, alignments, oil changes, and more. WHEN: The new location in St. Petersburg, Florida will host a grand opening event on Saturday, July 19th, 2025, welcoming local customers with best-in-class automotive services. WHERE: Mavis Tires & Brakes 380 34th St. N., St Petersburg, FL 33713 DETAILS: The event will be held at the store location and structured as follows: 10:00 AM : Customers are welcome to join the festivities and enjoy food and refreshments, friendly service, and the chance to win prize packs, car-care giveaways, and more. Customers are welcome to join the festivities and enjoy food and refreshments, friendly service, and the chance to win prize packs, car-care giveaways, and more. 12:00 - 12:30 PM : Ribbon Cutting/Charitable Donation Recognition: A ribbon cutting will be performed and a donation of a set of Goodyear tires will be presented to the Boys and Girls Club in recognition of their efforts to drive the community forward. A ribbon cutting will be performed and a donation of a set of Goodyear tires will be presented to the Boys and Girls Club in recognition of their efforts to drive the community forward. 2:00 PM : Event closes. Mavis Tire aims to build trust with the local community and to show local residents and customers how they are helping to revitalize the area. As an added incentive for event attendees, two lucky customers in attendance will be chosen (at random) to receive a brand new set of Michelin tires. Stop in for our dependable service and you could drive away with a fresh set of tires! Event closes. ABOUT MAVIS TIRE EXPRESS SERVICES CORP.: Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. ("Mavis") is one of North America's largest independent tire and vehicle service providers, with a rapidly growing footprint of more than 3,500 owned and franchised retail locations across the U.S. and Canada. Headquartered and based in White Plains, New York, Mavis delivers expert automotive care - including tires and brakes, oil changes, inspections, and auto repair - through a family of trusted brands. Mavis owns and operates a portfolio of auto service center brands including Mavis Discount Tire, Mavis Tires & Brakes, Midas, Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, Brakes Plus, Tire Kingdom, NTB (National Tire & Battery), Town Fair Tire, and Tuffy. Together, these brands serve millions of drivers each year, with a commitment to dependability, safety, convenience, and value. For more information about Mavis or our family of automotive brands, visit www.mavis.com. SOURCE Mavis Tire & Brakes People rally to call on Congress to protect funding for US public broadcasters, outside the NPR headquarters in Washington on 26 March 2025. Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Senate Republicans on Wednesday moved to pass legislation slashing up to $9bn in funds Congress had earlier approved for foreign aid programs and public broadcasting, as part of Donald Trumps campaign of dramatic government spending cuts. The GOP is racing to meet a Friday deadline mandated by law for the bill, known as a rescissions package, to pass Congress, otherwise the Trump administration will be forced to spend the money. The Senate advanced the measure on Tuesday evening, with JD Vance breaking a tie on a procedural vote, after three Republican senators joined with all Democrats in opposition. On Wednesday afternoon, the Senate began a vote-a-rama on the bill, where lawmakers from both parties can offer and vote on amendments to the measure. The package will cancel $1.1bn budgeted for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS, and about $8bn meant for foreign assistance programs. But some Republicans have blanched at those cuts, and the Senate majority leader, John Thune, said he had agreed with demands to preserve $400m in funding for Pepfar, a program credited with saving millions of people from infection or death from HIV that was created under George W Bush in 2003. There was a lot of interest among our members in doing something on the Pepfar issue, Thune told reporters. That change will require the bill to be voted on again by the House, defying a plea from Mike Johnson, the Republican speaker, that the Senate GOP pass it as is. Thune has described the rescissions package as commonsense legislation that will target waste, fraud and abuse in government spending, a term Republicans have deployed repeatedly since Trump took office to criticize programs they seek to cut. Some cuts, he said, were recommended by the so-called department of government efficiency downsizing initiative that was previously led by Elon Musk. My Democrat colleagues may not want to acknowledge it, but we have a serious spending problem in this country, Thune said during a floor speech on Tuesday. And the very least we can do in response is to target some of the egregious misuses of taxpayer dollars that we are addressing today in this bill. While Democrats can use the Senates filibuster to stop the chamber from considering most legislation they oppose, a rescissions package can be passed with a simple majority. The Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, has warned that the bill is the beginning of a push by the Trump administration to reshape government services. This package, as bad as it is, is a piece of a larger puzzle for Republicans. Their goal is to use rescissions, impoundment and pocket rescissions to eradicate any bit of bipartisanship out of appropriations, and that will pave the way for deeper and more serious spending cuts on things like healthcare, food assistance, energy and so many other areas, he said. It remains unclear if the bill has enough support among Senate Republicans to win final passage. Susan Collins, who represents blue state Maine and is expected to face a fierce re-election challenge next year, has criticized the package for slashing funds for important programs, rather than those identified as wasteful by the Trump administration. This rescissions package, for the most part, has nothing to do with the lengthy list of questionable activities identified by the administration that were paid for with prior year funds, she said late last month, as she chaired a Senate appropriations committee hearing into the request. On Tuesday, she was among the trio of Republicans who voted against opening debate on the bill, along with Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the former leader of the Senate GOP. Related: If Trump cuts funding to NPR and PBS, rural America will pay a devastating price While agreeing with her fellow Republicans that programing on PBS and NPR had a discernibly partisan bent, Collins said she believed there were more targeted approaches to addressing that bias at NPR than rescinding all of the funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Murkowski and Collins, both moderates, have also criticized the Trump administration for not offering enough details of which specific programs they sought to cut. Its unclear to me how the specific accounts that are targeted for the rescission are going to be impacted, Murkowski said. Neither the administration, nor others have been able to provide that, that very clear, very transparent explanation about the programs and the priorities that are going to be cut as a result of the measure. A lower court order that requires the Trump administration to reinstate hundreds of workers has been lifted - Kevin Dietsch/Getty The US Supreme Court let Donald Trump resume dismantling the department of education by lifting a lower court order that required the reinstatement of as many as 1,400 workers. Granting an emergency request from the administration over three dissents, the justices put on hold a federal district court ruling that said Mr Trumps purge would leave the department unable to perform duties required under US law. The Supreme Court order will apply while the case continues on appeal. The courts three liberals dissented. Writing for the group, Justice Sonia Sotomayor blasted the decision as indefensible and said it gave the president the power to repeal statutes by firing all those necessary to carry them out. The majority is either wilfully blind to the implications of its ruling or naive, but either way the threat to our Constitutions separation of powers is grave, said Justice Sotomayor, who was joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. The ruling reinforces the Supreme Courts decision last week to let Mr Trump broadly move ahead with a push to dramatically reduce the size of the federal workforce. The July 8 decision didnt address the lawfulness of individual agency plans, and the latest ruling could boost the administration as it defends against legal challenges to those actions. Trump has ultimate authority Linda McMahon, the education secretary, said in an emailed statement: Today, the Supreme Court again confirmed the obvious. The president of the United States, as the head of the executive branch, has the ultimate authority to make decisions about staffing levels, administrative organisation, and day-to-day operations of federal agencies. Ms McMahon announced on March 11 that the department was cutting half its staff through a reduction in force. Mr Trump followed with a March 20 executive order that said McMahon should to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the department of education. The effort is being challenged in two lawsuits, one brought primarily by states led by Democrats and the other filed by several Massachusetts public school systems and unions. Skye Perryman, the president of Democracy Forward which represents schools and unions, said: Without explaining to the American people its reasoning, a majority of justices on the US Supreme Court have dealt a devastating blow to this nations promise of public education for all children. The New York attorney generals office, which led the coalition of states, didnt immediately return requests for comment. US District Judge Myong Joun in Boston ruled in May that the personnel cuts would likely cripple the department. He said the challengers would probably succeed in showing that Mr Trump was effectively dissolving the department by getting rid of its employees, closing regional offices and moving programmes to other federal agencies. A department without enough employees to perform statutorily mandated functions is not a department at all, Mr Joun wrote. This court cannot be asked to cover its eyes while the departments employees are continuously fired and units are transferred out until the department becomes a shell of itself. The Boston-based 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals refused to block Jouns ruling, paving the way for Mr Trumps Supreme Court request. The case is the latest to address Mr Trumps authority to dismantle entities created by Congress, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the US Agency for International Development and the US Institute of Peace. The Sycamore Gap tree pictured against the northern lights before it was cut down in September 2023. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Its one of the most asked questions that I get, says the detective who helped bring to justice the two men who cut down the Sycamore Gap tree in the middle of a stormy September night two years ago. As soon as anybody knows Im involved in the investigation, the first question is: Why? Why would anyone cut down a tree that brought only joy and happiness to people? Did Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers see it as a lark? Or a challenge? Was it a cry for help? A yell of anger? Was it no more than an act of drunken stupidity, as suggested by Carruthers barrister Andrew Gurney? Both men were sober, the prosecution argued. DI Calum Meikle, of Northumbria police, genuinely does not know, he says, and thinks we might never know. That is potentially the biggest frustration that people hold. Because if there was an obvious reason, if there was an obvious grudge, then people could understand it. What the detective, the son of a forester, does believe is that Graham and Carruthers had no idea of the ramifications of what was described in court as a moronic mission to cut down the famous tree. I dont think they fully understood the enormity of their actions. Graham and Carruthers have been sentenced after being found guilty by a jury in May at one of the highest-profile criminal damage trials held in the UK. It is a measure of how seriously the state viewed the crime that one of the norths leading KCs, Richard Wright, led the prosecution in court one of Newcastles huge postmodern quayside crown court building, and a high court judge oversaw the case Mrs Justice Lambert, who was, until 1 January, the presiding judge of the north-eastern circuit. It was just a tree, Carruthers told a jury, while also swearing blind that he had nothing to do with its felling. The huge public and media reaction mystified him. It was almost as if someone had been murdered, he said. The sycamore tree in a dip on Hadrians Wall in Northumberland was most likely planted in the late 19th century at the behest of the landowner John Clayton, Newcastles town clerk who is recognised as the man who saved Hadrians Wall. Clayton owned land containing 20 miles of the wall, including five forts, and organised a number of pioneering excavations. He did everything he could to protect the wall and could also surely see where was a good spot to plant a tree. He would never see just how wonderful the spot he chose for the sycamore tree was, but countless generations who followed have. In 1991, the tree featured in the Hollywood film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in a scene with Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman. It looks almost too beautiful. It helped put the tree into the wider public consciousness to the point where, in more recent decades, it became a place for birthday celebrations, marriage proposals and the spreading of ashes. It was one of the most photographed trees in the UK, but also morphed into something much bigger. It had a cultural identity. People said it felt like it was part of the DNA of north-east England. When Danny Boyle filmed 28 Years Later, set in the north-east, he of course featured Sycamore Gap just as he, of course, featured Antony Gormleys Angel of the North. The tree had gone when Boyle filmed, but he reasoned that all the things that have happened to us in the last 28 years have not happened. So he recreated it. Its survival in the rage virus apocalypse was a wonderful tribute to the tree, he said. In reality, the tree has gone. Early suspects in the keenly watched investigation included an elderly former lumberjack who was evicted from his home near the wall and a teenager. Both were arrested and cleared of any involvement. Meikle said a single strand of intelligence led police to Graham and Carruthers, who drove from their homes in Cumbria over the border to Northumberland on 27 September 2023 with one thing in mind. It was a night deliberately chosen by the pair, the court heard, because Storm Agnes was raging and, as experienced tree fellers would know, it is easier to fell a tree in a storm. Graham and Carruthers were once the best of friends who talked on the phone to each other every day. They were described as an odd couple who stumbled on each other about four years ago after Carruthers restored the Land Rover of Grahams father who, before it was completed, killed himself. The picture Graham painted of his life was a bleak one. The court heard he rarely socialised with anyone other than his on-off girlfriend. He lived in a caravan on a plot of land four miles from Carlisle with his two dogs for company. He had trouble sleeping and never made plans, he told police. The land was the base for Grahams groundworks business, which included tree-work work for which he enlisted the help of Carruthers. They were the best of friends but by the time of the trial they could barely look each other in the eye. Since their arrest, Graham had turned against Carruthers. Graham denied being involved but told police he knew who was responsible, although he would not reveal the guilty mans identity because he had young children. That supposed reluctance soon changed. He showed police a photograph of Carruthers holding owls while in the background were chainsaws. Concerned that the police were not making enough progress, Graham made an anonymous call to 101 telling them that one of the lads that done it, Adam Carruthers, has got the saws back in his possession. If they went to the property where Carruthers lived with his partner and children, they would also find a section of the tree, he said. He also warned that there were firearms on the property. Police found nothing to incriminate Carruthers, or firearms. Graham claimed Carruthers had a fascination and strange interest in the tree. He said his mechanic friend even had a length of string in his workshop, which he used to measure the trees circumference and kept for sentimental reasons. In his interviews and evidence, Carruthers offered no thoughts on who was responsible but insisted it was not him. He was at home in his caravan on an airfield at Kirkbride, Cumbria, at the time, he said. The evidence against Graham and Carruthers was overwhelming, not least that police could prove that it was Grahams phone that was used to film the act of the tree being felled at 12.32am on 28 September 2023. That footage, lasting two minutes and 40 seconds, and enhanced by digital experts, was shown to a packed, silent, stunned courtroom. The terrible revving of the chainsaw in the Northumberland emptiness is followed by the sound of the tree cracking and crashing to the ground. Carruthers and Graham insisted they were not there. Messages between the men, which showed them revelling in the publicity and anger that followed the felling, had been misinterpreted, they said. A jury found the two men guilty, but the question of why remains. The prosecution suggested it was a bit of a laugh for the pair. It emerged after the trial that Graham was embroiled in a planning row and faced eviction was the crime something to do with the bleakness of his life? Whatever the reasons for what the prosecution called mindless thuggery, the tree has gone but in a way, it will never go. Saplings grown from seeds recovered at the site have been titled trees of hope and have been given to good causes across the UK. At a visitor centre near Sycamore Gap, the Sill, people can see a section of the tree in a permanent art display created by Charlie Whinney. Its regarded as the peoples tree and visitors are free to photograph, touch or even hug it. And at the site of the felled tree there are signs of growth from the stump, which have been described as astonishing. Sycamore Gap has gone, but there will be a sequel. BBC director-general Tim Davie believes MasterChef has a future with the broadcaster beyond 2028, when its current deal runs out, following the independent report into allegations of misconduct against Gregg Wallace. The 58-year-old was speaking as the BBC unveiled its annual report, the day after the independent report into Wallace found a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations of misconduct made during his time on the show were substantiated including one allegation of unwelcome physical contact. Asked about the shows future, Davie said: I absolutely think it does (have a future), I think a great programme thats loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals. It absolutely can survive and prosper, but weve got to make sure were in the right place in terms of the culture of the show. Davie was also asked about whether Wallaces co-presenter John Torode would remain in his role on the show, after the presenter confirmed on Instagram he had a standalone allegation of racist language upheld in the same report. The director-general said: I think people appreciate I cannot now talk about individuals as we go through the process, and Banijay lead the process to take appropriate action on what they found through those upheld complaints. What I would say is there has to be follow-up, so the BBC, in some ways, were quite simple on this, if someone is found to not live up to the values, we expect the independent company, Banijay in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done. These arent BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken, thats the first thing Id say. I cant comment, and I hope we appreciate this on individual conversations, that way it would not be appropriate or fair on anyone in terms of the series. Torode said in his social media post that he had no recollection of the incident, and was shocked and saddened by the allegation. Downing Street said it utterly condemns any instance of racist language after the allegation was upheld. When it comes to racism (it) clearly has no place at the BBC or anywhere in society, and we utterly condemn any instances of racist language or abuse in the strongest possible terms, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmers official spokesman said. And its obviously up to the BBC, who are operationally independent from Government, to take forward any necessary next steps. The BBCs latest annual report shows the corporations income from the licence fee rose slightly in 2024/25 to 3.84 billion, up from 3.66 billion in 2023/24, driven by a 6.7% inflationary increase in the TV licence fee to 169.50. Some 23.8 million TV licences were in force at the end of March this year, down 300,000 year on year from 24.1 million. The number of valid TV licences in the UK has now fallen by more than two million since the start of the decade, reflecting long-term changes in viewing habits, including the growing popularity of streaming services. In November 2024, Masterchefs production company, Banijay UK, announced Gregg Wallace would step away from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. The report concluded that the majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, adding that a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated. Tim Davie was speaking at the release of the BBCs annual report (Andrew Milligan/PA) It come after the BBC boss said he and the corporations leadership team would not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values following the independent report. He said: The industry needs to change, and we want to lead in the front, myself and the BBC leadership team will not tolerate people who are behaving inappropriately. There is no place in, or on the BBC, for those who are not prepared to live by our values, whoever they are. This is a time of transition for the industry, a reset, and the changes we are driving are overdue. During the release of the annual report, BBC chairman Samir Shah revealed that several members of staff had been dismissed as a result of an independent review of workplace culture commissioned by the BBC. He said: This is the first time were going to say this publicly, several people have been dismissed as a result (of the review). Shah went on to say that he wanted audiences to feel confident that we are addressing these challenges in relation to workplace behaviour. Davie later turned his attention to the Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone documentary, after a review found it had breached the corporations editorial guidelines on accuracy saying the broadcaster is taking immediate steps to prevent another Gaza mistake from happening again. The programme was removed from BBC iPlayer in February after it emerged that the child narrator, Abdullah, is the son of Ayman Alyazouri, who has worked as Hamass deputy minister of agriculture. Davie said: Gaza has been the most challenging editorial issue I have had to deal with but the importance of fair, balanced reporting, the need for high-quality homegrown programming in the face of massive pressure, I think has never been even greater. There was a breach of our editorial guidelines, there was no breach on impartiality and no evidence of any outside interest impact on the programme but there was a breach of accuracy, and that is not acceptable. So we are taking action to ensure proper accountability and were taking immediate steps to stop a failing like this being repeated. Despite this mistake I do want to credit thousands of people across the BBC for delivering such brave impartial journalism despite immense challenges and very significant personal pressure. Personally I remain utterly committed to delivering impartial coverage without fear or favour. It is needed now more than ever in this polarising world. A report published on Monday found it had breached BBC editorial guidelines on accuracy for not disclosing that the child narrator was the son of a Hamas official. The report did not find any other breaches of editorial guidelines, including breaches of impartiality, and also found no evidence that outside interests had inappropriately impacted on the programme. On Monday, Ofcom announced it would investigate the documentary under its broadcasting code, which states factual programmes must not materially mislead the audience. Davie was asked if he would resign during the release event, but replied that he felt he was in a place where I can work to improve dramatically the BBC and lead it in the right way. Shah said he and the board supported Davie fully, saying he has shown shown strong, confident and decisive leadership in a very, very challenging environment. Kemi Badenoch has embarrassed Labour MPs by forcing them to vote to scrap the two-child benefit cap, despite ministers saying that doing so was unaffordable. The Tories put down a symbolic motion to keep the restriction, which was imposed by George Osborne at the height of austerity. The tactic forced 344 members of Sir Keir Starmers party to vote against the motion, implying that they wanted to see the cap removed. The Tory leader tweeted: Labour and the Lib Dems just voted against the two-child benefit cap. Reform didnt even bother to vote on an issue they champion. Conservatives believe we need to live within our means. It shouldnt be easier to have a large family on benefits rather than through work. However, Alison McGovern, a work and pensions minister, said the Government could not commit to the policy at the present time because it did not know how to pay for it. Senior Government figures such as Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, and Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, voted against the Conservative proposal, which Labour whips had told its MPs to do. But some MPs, including Sir Keir and Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, did not vote. More than 1.6 million children are living in households affected by the two-child benefit cap, according to the Department for Work and Pensions. Mrs Badenoch tabled the motion as part of her argument that only her party is committed to cutting welfare spending. She said the two-child cap was imposed by Mr Osborne to ensure that families on welfare faced the same choices about how many children to have as those who worked. Despite the caps popularity with the public, most Labour MPs would like to see it scrapped, while Reform has also suggested it would get rid of it. Speaking during the opposition day debate, Ms McGovern said: Our universal credit review is considering ways that the system can improve in order to stabilise family finances and provide routes into good work. And on the two-child limit, specifically, the consequences, as Ive said in my speech, of the Conservative choices made over the past decade and a half are clear for all to see. We have rightly said many times we will not commit to any policy without knowing how we are going to pay for it. Paul Waugh, the Labour MP for Rochdale, asked her: Does she agree with me that actually the children should come first and because the children should come first, we should urgently scrap the two-child cap as quickly as possible? Ms McGovern declined to respond directly to Mr Waughs question, instead arguing that the Conservative Party only wants to divide people. Helen Whately, the shadow work and pensions secretary, described the welfare bill as a ticking time bomb as she opened the debate. She said: We have brought forward this debate today on the two-child limit because somebody has to make the case for fiscal responsibility, for living within our means, for fairness, for making sure work pays, and for keeping the two-child cap. MPs rejected the Conservatives motion that the benefit cap should remain, with 106 voting in favour and 440 against. UK coalition forces, Turkish coalition forces, and U.S. Marines assist a child during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul It was revealed today that, following a data leak, the UK has secretly offered asylum to 24,000 Afghans at an estimated cost of 7 billion. The MoD learnt of the leak in August 2023, when a certain Mr Jenrick was immigration minister. A covert operation to bring migrants into Britain is being orchestrated by ministers who approved the projects staggering 7 billion budget, all while a superinjunction prevented MPs and taxpayers from knowing the truth, with journalists facing jail if they reported this story. Keep in mind, of the thousands who have already entered the country over the course of this scheme, none of them were included in the immigration statistics. They have completely pulled the wool over our eyes and wilfully lied to the British public. Now, after nearly two years of secrecy enforced by the Conservatives, this scandal has been exposed. The shocking plan is already in effect with 18,500 Afghans having already arrived. With no vetting procedure in place, we are letting in sex offenders, potential terrorists and criminals. It has been revealed that several Afghans on this list had previously been rejected for violent or sexual assaults. This is a massive failure of the British state, a huge threat to our national security, and just another example of the Tories betraying the trust of the British public. Even from the sidelines, this country is still suffering from years of Tory leadership. It really does beg the question of treason. Keeping MPs and the British public in the dark about importing thousands of unchecked, fighting-aged males and their families is not in our best interest. This proves what we have known all along: the Tories and Labour are more interested in protecting and providing for foreign nationals than for British citizens. The messaging from both the Tories and Labour remains consistent: there is not enough money for you, or for your winter fuel allowance, so we must commit large sums to tax hikes while ensuring only foreigners and foreign countries get to benefit. If this Labour Government was looking out for the best interests of the British people, they would relocate them to a third-party country that was geographically and socially aligned with Afghanistan. They wouldnt force British families and children to live alongside Afghans who do not subscribe to our culture or belief system. What country comes at the top of the list for sexual assaults in the United Kingdom? Afghanistan. It is insulting for this cover-up to be justified by claims of national security. Mr. Justice Chamberlain, the High Court judge presiding over the proceedings, questioned the need for secrecy in this arrangement as this is a resettlement scheme of thousands of people entering the UK on the bill of the taxpayer. No one deserves the knowledge of who is moving here and how much it costs more than the British citizen who must live with the consequences. The confidentiality of this scheme was for the sole purpose of covering up the mistakes of the Tories and Labour continued the cover up. While Labour and Tory MPs have been standing up in Parliament every week to wax optimistic about smashing the gangs, Rwanda and stopping the boats, they have been aware of the unmarked Government charter planes unloading hundreds of migrants in the UK each week. They are swiftly processed and released to enjoy their new lives in the UK, completely funded by you, the hard-working British taxpayer. These developments have now opened the floodgates for thousands of Afghans, who have previously been denied asylum, to launch appeals, on the back of this taxpayer-funded invasion. With a Reform elected Government, though, there will be full transparency between the decisions made in Westminster and the wishes of the British people. Richard Tice is the deputy leader of Reform UK Having a 5mg THC seltzer or infused cocktail in the evening scratches the I need to unwind itch with seemingly no immediate negative effects, like a hangover. Illustration: Jimmy Turrell/The Guardian Mark Zuckerberg, a billionaire, has said he avoids substances like caffeine because he likes rawdogging reality. I, on the other hand, do not. I mean, have you seen reality lately? For most of my adult life, alcohol has been my preferred way to take the edge off. But, like a lot of other people, I got older and realized regular drinking was not doing me any favours. Last year, I experimented with intermittent sobriety, taking months off here and there. It helped, but it was also easy to slip back into bad habits. This year, Ive jumped on the California-sober bandwagon, trading booze for the hemp-derived THC drinks that are rapidly growing in popularity. (THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis.) Ive never had any interest in smokable or edible THC in the past as a green card holder, I reckon I should make that very clear to any immigration officers reading. But these new drinks have been a game-changer. The dosage is clearly marked and the effects are felt almost as quickly as alcohol thanks to a technology called nanoemulsification, which turns the THC into tiny water-soluble droplets that are more rapidly absorbed by the body than traditional edibles. Having a 5mg THC seltzer or infused cocktail in the evening scratches the I need to unwind itch for me with seemingly no short-term negative effects, like a hangover. While I find THC doesnt deliver quite the dopamine rush alcohol does, low doses give me a relaxing warm fuzz, and have been great for my anxiety. Most importantly, its helped me kick the alcohol habit; Ive never felt healthier. Apart from the hefty price tag (one can costs $5-$7), these drinks feel a little too good to be true. So are they? *** The short answer is: sort of. First, their legality is a little hazy. Marijuana is still a controlled substance under federal law in the US, although some states have legalized it for recreational and/or medicinal purposes. But under the 2018 Farm Bill, any cannabis plant with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight is considered hemp and is no longer a controlled substance. (No such loophole exists in the UK, where cannabis is illegal for recreational use.) This loophole has birthed a booming market: THC beverages are expected to be a $4bn industry by 2028, according to Euromonitor International. (Even comedian Seth Rogen has jumped in with his own line of drinks, called Houseplant.) Depending on the state, you might find these drinks in grocery or liquor stores. Some brands sell online, but while hemp-derived THC is federally legal, this is a grey area, and some states have imposed restrictions on products containing it. Whether birthing a THC product industry was an intention of the Farm Bill is unclear. Some independent attorneys argue it was, says Hilary Bricken, a lawyer who specializes in cannabis. Others say absolutely not: the bill was meant to promote things like textiles, not consumer-facing drugs. But ultimately, its enforcement, or the lack of it, thats allowed this market to develop the way it has. Related: California sober: what does it mean and is it good for you? Theres no federal regulation unless a particular state steps in, says Bricken. Some states, like Minnesota, regulate these products. Others, like California, have banned them entirely. (In California, these unregulated hemp-derived THC products are banned, but THC products that comply with the states cannabis regulations can legally be sold at cannabis dispensaries.) But there are other risks to be aware of. Practices vary wildly between operators, says Bricken. For the consumer, its hard to tell whats actually in the drink. Theres no federal standard, so its essentially dealers choice on the operator side. While the original hemp might have tested under the 0.3% THC threshold, post-harvest it can be transformed in ways that technically still comply with federal law. But many believe that most of whats being sold is synthetically derived, and potentially contains toxic compounds. Even in a best-case scenario where youre buying from a responsible operator, THC isnt as harmless as many believe. A recent study led by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco found people who regularly used marijuana in either smokable or edible form had reduced blood vessel function comparable to tobacco smokers. This is associated with a greater risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular issues. We saw a 42% reduction in vascular function in marijuana smokers and 56% in THC edible users, said lead study author Leila Mohammadi. The effect was dose-dependent: the more someone used per week, the worse their vascular function. Worryingly, even relatively small doses of 2.5mg multiple times a week seemed to have a harmful effect. The study didnt look at drinkable THC; a single can typically contains 2.5-10mg, though some products have considerably more. But Mohammadi notes theres no reason to think drinkable products would be significantly different. THC can also affect cognitive function, especially in adolescents, whose endocannabinoid systems which interact with cannabinoids like THC and regulate critical bodily functions are still developing. The long-term effects are complex, and research is ongoing, but one clearly documented risk of THC use in adolescence is in how the body handles fat, says Daniele Piomelli, a neuroscientist and leading cannabis researcher at the University of California at Irvine. In adolescents who use cannabis heavily, the fat in their bodies becomes dysfunctional. Normally, during times of stress or intense cognitive effort, the brain uses glucose for energy but can also tap into energy derived from fat. But frequent cannabis users often lose that ability, notes Piomelli. That means they might find concentrating more difficult. Theres a large body of evidence suggesting a link not necessarily causation, but a strong association between cannabis use in adolescence and increased risk of psychosis, says Piomelli. And while these drinks are only supposed to be consumed by people over 21, adolescence for men is longer than women and really continues until 25 or 26. Even if youre an old crone like me, there are risks. A low-dosage THC drink now and again probably wont do much harm, but its easy to accidentally go overboard. The real problem is that, like many things in the US, we dont do moderation well, says Piomelli. Some of these seltzers now contain up to 100mg of THC. Thats enough to send even an experienced user to the hospital if theyre not expecting it. Not because THC is deadly you cant overdose fatally on THC, even if you tried. But the experience can be incredibly unpleasant and disorienting, and recovery might take a couple of days. It doesnt help that the category is bringing in lots of inexperienced THC users, and dosage guidelines and risks often arent made particularly clear. In states like New Jersey, you can find THC-infused beverages containing 25mg of THC (not a negligible amount!) in the grocery store, stocked next to seltzers and energy drinks. You can very easily imagine a scenario where someone downs one of these without knowing exactly what theyre getting themselves into. *** If you are intrigued by these beverages, experts say education and a slow start are critical. Start with 2.5mg or less and work your way up incrementally. While its hard to generalize about effects, Piomelli notes that for a person in their 20s to 40s, weighing anywhere from 50-80kg (110-175lbs), 10-20mg of THC per serving would be enough to produce a noticeable buzz definitely enough to cause a full-blown high for someone who isnt a regular user. I always say: know before you go, says Harvard neuroscientist Staci Gruber, who directs the longest-running study of medical cannabis use in the United States. Whats your goal? Are you looking for mild relaxation or trying to manage chronic pain? Your intention should guide your choice of product. Many of these THC drinks also include CBD, which is one of the main non-intoxicating components of cannabis, and alters the experience. Some research suggests CBD can mitigate some of THCs negative effects, like anxiety or paranoia, Gruber explains. No matter the ratio, the dose of THC is whats really important. THC at low doses is often anxiolytic: it can reduce anxiety and make people feel more relaxed, says Gruber. But at higher doses, it becomes anxiogenic it can actually cause anxiety. The problem is, what counts as a low dose varies widely from person to person. Related: The wellness drink for sober people that some say they cant stop drinking THC may have its risks but, just asking for a friend: is going California-sober still healthier than drinking alcohol? After all, alcohol heightens the risks of at least seven types of cancer and the World Health Organization has said no level of consumption is safe. Unfortunately, scientists dont give black-and-white statements that affirm your life choices; they qualify things. And the answer to whether going California-sober is a harm-reduction strategy is: it depends. It really depends on the person, says Ziva Cooper, director of the University of California at Los Angeles Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Factors like someones age, individual vulnerability and what theyre doing while intoxicated can influence the effects, as can frequency and dose of ingestion. Some people may have a family history of psychosis or mood disorders, says Cooper. Others may be using very high doses regularly. But there are risks either way: Some are associated with frequent use, and others with being a novice user. One unexpected risk were now seeing is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome basically, heavy users presenting to the ER with severe nausea and vomiting. That was completely off the radar a few years ago. Cooper notes that scientific research is still lagging behind the market. We need better data, more funding and more research, especially because half the adult population is using cannabis products in some form now, she says. *** Many THC startups, and their new users, are on a high, but they might be headed for a comedown. A lot of these hemp companies are acting like theyre too big to fail, like they cant be touched, says Bricken. Maybe thatll end up being true. But right now, nobody really knows how it will play out. Hemp-derived THC is receiving a lot more scrutiny, and increased regulation even possible prohibition is on the horizon. Last month, a key US House committee approved a spending bill, championed by the representative Andy Harris, a long-term prohibitionist, that walks back the legal definition of hemp. The bill still has to pass the House and Senate. But if it does get signed into law, the loophole these hemp-derived THC drink companies rely on will close, and they will have to stop operating in their current form. Separately, Congress generally renews the Farm Bill, a mammoth piece of legislation that funds major agriculture and food programs in the US, every five years. The current bill, which contains the hemp loophole, expired in October 2023 and Congress has since passed two one-year extensions. While they could potentially extend for another year, theres a strong possibility that a new version will be debated later this year. When this happens, Bricken thinks, well see the hemp-derived THC loophole either get closed or distilled into some kind of regulatory framework. Hemp companies are scrambling to gain ground before anything changes, notes Bricken. Theyre surprisingly well-organized from a lobbying perspective, and some factions in the alcohol industry support them. But prohibitionist groups are also lobbying hard. Xander Shepherd, co-founder of THC aperitif brand Artet (his 86-year-old grandmothers art adorns the bottles), says that flux in this sector is nothing new: Ive almost become numb to the constant changes, whether its the Farm Bill or state-level regulations. I try to remind myself its kind of like two steps forward, one step back. But overall, I really believe the industry is moving in the right direction. While all of this is playing out, Im going to continue sipping legal THC drinks albeit with a little more caution than before. Going California-sober is clearly not the healthiest choice in the world but, speaking from a purely personal level, the highs currently outweigh the lows. Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky discussed Ukraines missile capabilities in a phone call on July 4 - Ukrainian presidential press service/AFP Donald Trump has ruled out sending long-range missiles to Ukraine, after reports suggested he was considering giving Kyiv weapons that could strike as far as Moscow. Asked on Tuesday whether the US would deliver deep-strike munitions to Ukraine, Mr Trump said: No, were not looking to do that. He went on to say that Ukraine should not attack the Russian capital, adding: Im on nobodys side. You know whose side Im on? Humanitys side. It came after the Financial Times reported that Mr Trump told Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, that he wanted Kyiv to make them [Russians] feel the pain and force Putin to the negotiating table. Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? ... Can you hit St Petersburg too? Mr Trump reportedly asked in a phone call on July 4. The Ukrainian president replied: Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons. The White House said Mr Trumps words had been taken out of context. President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing. Hes working tirelessly to stop the killing and end this war, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, told reporters. CNN earlier reported that Mr Trump had not ruled out sending long-range weapons to Ukraine in conversations with European allies over the past few weeks, citing officials familiar with the matter. Following the call, Kyiv received a list from US aides of long-range strike systems that could be made available via third-party transfers. Reports had suggested Mr Trump considered sending Tomahawk missiles, capable of hitting targets 1,600km away, allowing Ukraine to strike Moscow. The US presidents plan to arm Ukraine was unveiled on Monday, when he announced a proposal to supply billions of dollars of weapons to Ukraine via Nato. It entailed selling the weapons to Nato members, including the UK, France and Germany, who would then transfer them to Kyiv. Asked whether long-range offensive missiles were under discussion as part of the plan, Mark Rutte, the alliances secretary general, said the scheme could include all types of weapons. Its both defensive and offensive, so its all kinds of weapons. But we have not discussed in detail yesterday with the president. This is really being worked through with the Pentagon, by the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, together with the Ukrainians, he said. Credit: Reuters Kyivs European allies are exploring using frozen Russian assets to pay for the weapons package. The idea would see profits generated from almost 200 billion (173 billion) of Russian Central Bank assets, seized by the European Union, used as part of the blocs contribution to the war chest. Putin, meanwhile, vowed to keep fighting despite Mr Trumps threats of tougher sanctions and extra weapons for Ukraine, sources close to the Kremlin said. The Russian president believes his economy is strong enough to withstand the pressure of 100 per cent tariffs against Moscows main trading partners, which the US president threatened to impose on Monday. Putin thinks no one has seriously engaged with him on the details of peace in Ukraine including the Americans so he will continue until he gets what he wants, one of the sources told Reuters. Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, publicly dismissed Mr Trumps tariff threat, saying Moscow had been through all of that before. Fifty days, then before that 24 hours, then 100 days weve been through all of that, he said. The foreign ministers comments came shortly after he met Xi Jinping, Chinas president, in Beijing. Mr Xi expressed support for Russia, saying that relations between Beijing and Moscow had deepened and that the two were setting a model for a new type of international relations. Chinas foreign ministry said it firmly opposed all illegal unilateral sanctions by the US, adding: There are no winners in a tariff war, and coercion and pressure will not solve problems. Dmitry Medvedev, a senior Russian security official, dismissed Mr Trumps threats as a theatrical ultimatum. Putins demands for peace include international recognition of four eastern territories illegally annexed in 2022, a ban on Ukraine joining Nato and limits on Kyivs armed forces. A second source told Reuters that Putin viewed his goals in Ukraine as more important than any potential economic losses, and that he could expand his territorial aims to include the entire country. Russia will act based on Ukraines weakness, a third source said. However, he added that Moscow might halt its offensive after conquering the four eastern regions of Ukraine if it encountered stiff resistance, saying: But if it falls, there will be an even greater conquest of Dnepropetrovsk, Sumy and Kharkiv. In a phone call with the BBC on Tuesday, Mr Trump said he was disappointed, but not done with Putin. He said: I thought we had a deal done four times, and then you go home and you see he just attacked a nursing home or something in Kyiv. When pressed on whether he trusted the Russian leader, Mr Trump replied: I trust almost no one. Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, has terminated protections for more than 700,000 migrants - Kent Nishimura/2025 Getty Images Migrants living legally in the US are facing deportation under a new Trump administration crackdown. In an attempt to fulfil his campaign pledge to carry out the largest deportation program in US history, Donald Trump has set his sights on 1.2 million people granted temporary protection to stay in the US. Temporary Protective Status (TPS) had been granted to migrants fleeing wars and natural disasters by Joe Biden and other presidents. It allows migrants to work in the country for up to 18 months and can be extended. But in recent weeks Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, terminated protections for more than 700,000 in the TPS programme, according to Axios. Those impacted include 348,187 Haitians fleeing violence and human rights abuses, 348,187 Venezuelans, who fled Nicolas Maduros regime and 11,700 Afghans. Haitian migrants were given temporary protective status - Genaro Molina/2025 Los Angeles Times A Haitian granted TPS, who came to the US as a student before their countrys government collapsed and was overrun by criminal gangs, told Axios: I didnt come here illegally and I never stayed here illegally, and Im not a criminal by any means. They added: If I need to go to Haiti, I would pray that I dont get shot. Among those affected include 52,000 Hondurans and 3,000 Nicaraguans, who have had protections since 1999. Leonardo Valenzuela Neda, the Honduran embassys deputy chief of mission in the US, said the country is not ready for the return of tens of thousands of migrants. The Trump administration is also targeting potentially hundreds of thousands of migrants given humanitarian parole under the Biden administration. Immigration judges have been dismissing status hearings for parole cases, which grants migrants the ability to live and work in the US for a set period. Removalpalooza Migrants have been detained by ICE agents and put on a fast track for deportation without full court hearings, a tactic immigration rights groups have called Removalpalooza, Axios reported. The shift change in policy could hand Mr Trump the large numbers of deportations as the administration continues ramping up ICE raids in a bid to hit targets. The Trump administration has determined that migrants who crossed into the US illegally will not be eligible for a bond hearing while deportation proceedings are played out in court. Todd Lyons, acting ICE director, told officers in an July 8 memo that migrants could be detained for the duration of their removal proceedings, according to documents seen by the Washington Post. Removal proceedings can take months or years and could apply to millions of migrants who crossed the border in recent years. It comes after Congress passed a spending package to allocate $45 billion (33.6 billion) over the next four years to spend on detaining undocumented immigrants. Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesman, said programmes such as TPS were never intended to be a path to permanent status or citizenship and that they were abused by the Biden administration. Starmer invited Trump to come to the UK in September for an unprecedented second state visit. Photograph: Carl Court/AP Donald Trump has said he does not want parliament to be recalled for his state visit to the UK, praising Keir Starmer, and saying that, despite being a liberal, the prime minister was straightening out a sloppy Brexit. Speaking in a rare interview with the BBC, the president said he had made trade agreements to lower tariffs on the UK specifically because of his affinity with Britain, saying he believed in its special relationship with the US. Trump added that he was convinced the UK would come to the USs aid if it were at war. He said: I think they would be. I dont think a lot of the other countries would be. Its a special relationship. Look, thats why I made a deal with them For the most part in terms of your competitors and in terms of the European Union, I havent made a deal. Now the UK is very special they have been a really true ally. Trump, who will visit the UK for an unprecedented second state visit in September, said he was happy only to visit Starmer and King Charles, rather than having the opportunity to address parliament, like the French president, Emmanuel Macron, did last week. Parliament will be in recess during Trumps state visit. The Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, said parliament should be recalled for an address from Trump, but the US president said he was not interested. I think let them go and have a good time. I dont want that. I want to have a good time and respect to King Charles, because hes a great gentleman. Trump, who has been a key advocate of Brexit, suggested he did not think its potential had been fulfilled but said Starmer was making progress. No, I think, I think its been on the sloppy side, but I think its getting straightened out. I really like the prime minister a lot even though hes a liberal. I think hes, you know, he did a good trade deal with us. Trump said he believed there was a new-found respect for him among world leaders, now he had twice won the presidency. When you do it twice, its the big difference. I also think that over the years, theyve gotten to know me. This is not an easy crowd to break into, he said. These are smart people heading up very, very successful countries, you know, theyre Germany and France, Spain and, yeah, big. Asked if he felt world leaders were being too obsequious and deferential, Trump said: Well, I think theyre just trying to be nice. Trump said he was disappointed, but not done with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, hours after he announced a military deal with Nato countries to arm Ukraine. His announcement, alongside the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, in the Oval Office, has been viewed in Europe as an important shift from Washington. When asked if he was done with Putin, the president replied: Im disappointed in him, but Im not done with him. But Im disappointed in him. We had a deal done four times and then you go home and you see he just attacked a nursing home in Kyiv. And so what the hell was that all about? Asked if he trusted Putin, he said: I trust almost nobody, to be honest with you. Trump also said he strongly supported Nato, saying that rather than being obsolete as he had previously said, it was now becoming the opposite of that. He said it was very unfair because the United States paid for almost 100% of it, but now they are paying their own bills. Asked if he believed in Natos fundamental article 5 on collective defence, he said: I think collective defence is fine. But he later added that he believed Britain was one of the only countries that would come to the aid of the US if needed. One of the problems with Nato was, we have to fight for them but will they actually fight for us if we had a war? And I will say this, I believe that the UK would fight with us. Its just been so many years and I really think the relationship is just a really good one. In the interview, Trump also reflected on the attempt to assassinate him, which the BBC journalist Gary ODonoghue witnessed at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July. We had 55,000 people, and it was dead silence. And so, you know, I assumed that they expected the worst, he said. And so I had to let them know I was OK, which is what I did. Thats why I tried to get up as quick as possible. They had a stretcher ready to go. I said: No, thank you. I actually had a big argument with them. They wanted me on a stretcher. And I said: Nope, Im not doing that. Trump said he did not like to spend time thinking about that day but acknowledged it could affect him deeply if he started to dwell on it. He said: I like to think about it as little as possible. I dont like dwelling on it, because if I did, it might be life-changing. I dont want it to be that. Third investment following initial seed round in 2020 and Series A in 2021; Techtaka is a strategic partner that has grown in close collaboration with NAVER Operating NAVER's "N Delivery" service, Techtaka has achieved fast, stable growth in Korea and is rapidly expanding its customer base in North America NAVER D2SF continues to act as a launchpad for deep-tech startups aiming for global success SEONGNAM-SI, South Korea, July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NAVER's corporate venturing capital (CVC) NAVER D2SF announced that it has made a follow-on investment in Techtaka, a startup specializing in AI-powered integrated logistics. This marks NAVER D2SF's third investment in the company, following its seed round in 2020 and Series A round in 2021, and further strengthens the strategic partnership between the two. With a U.S. subsidiary now operating logistics centers locally, Techtaka is accelerating its push into the North American market. NAVER D2SF plans to continue playing a key role as a bridge for Korean deep-tech startups expanding globally. [IMAGE] NAVER D2SF Makes Follow-On Investment in AI Logistics Startup Techtaka to Support Global Expansion Techtaka is one of the most prominent examples of a startup that has scaled rapidly through close collaboration with NAVER. The company has developed and operates "ARGO," a comprehensive logistics platform that integrates product, order, and delivery management for e-commerce businesses. Since receiving its first investment from NAVER D2SF shortly after its founding, Techtaka has joined the NAVER Fulfillment Alliance (NFA) and now operates the "N Delivery" service, achieving a 99.98% same-day shipment rate and 99.96% real-time inventory accuracy. In 2023, the company turned profitable at the contribution margin level, and in 2024, it saw significant growthwith total shipments tripling year-over-year, fulfillment orders quadrupling, and the number of client companies more than doubling. Building on its strong foundation in Korea, Techtaka established a North American subsidiary last year and currently operates two logistics centers in the U.S. Amid a surge in reverse direct-to-consumer (D2C) demandevidenced by Korean cosmetics topping Amazon's beauty category for the first timeTechtaka is rapidly expanding its client base, particularly among K-beauty sellers. This year, the company plans to strengthen its presence by integrating with platforms such as Amazon FBA and TikTok Shop, while also targeting local U.S. sellers to further solidify its logistics footprint in North America. NAVER D2SF expects this investment to further reinforce its role as a strategic investor that identifies early-stage technology startups, fosters collaboration with NAVER, and supports their expansion into global markets. During its 10th-anniversary media roundtable this past May, NAVER D2SF reiterated its commitment to discovering and supporting domestic tech startups, while expanding its role in helping them succeed internationally. Yang Sang-hwan, Leader of NAVER D2SF, stated, "Techtaka has been a strategic partner of NAVER since its founding, and we expect it to continue its stable and rapid growth in the global logistics market." He added, "Currently, 81% of startups backed by NAVER D2SF are actively expanding into global markets, and we will continue to support their next phase of growth." *About NAVER Founded in 1999, NAVER is South Korea's largest Internet company and one of the world's leading technology companies. NAVER has grown into a global ICT company that leads in cutting-edge technologies and operates a diverse portfolio of businesses, including commerce, fintech, content, cloud services, AI, and robotics, as well as other global online services such as LINE mobile messenger, Webtoon and Webnovel publishing, SNOW video camera app and ZEPETO metaverse platform. NAVER is expanding its global footprint through strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as SoftBank, Poshmark, and Wattpad. Currently, TEAM NAVER strengthens business portfolios and expands its service regions, including Japan, North America, and Europe. In 2024, NAVER reported sales of KRW 10.74 trillion (approximately USD 7.5 billion) and NAVER is ranked as the 12th largest company in terms of market capitalization in Korea. To learn more, visit www.navercorp.com/en SOURCE NAVER Donald Trump There is more to Donald Trumps recent announcement that the US will be sending Ukraine more Patriot air defence batteries than meets the eye. Over the last three months Trump has blown hot and cold over US support to Ukraine, apparently withdrawing weapons deliveries on a whim then capriciously restoring them. But the Patriot deployment is importantly different, and is the fruit of three months of careful negotiation by a team of senior Nato officials. The strategy, which this week took an important step towards realisation, is to provide Ukraine with an integrated anti-missile and anti-drone defensive system similar to Israels Iron Dome. Based on a linked-up network of Patriot batteries, electronic warfare sensors and drone interceptors that include mobile systems such as Britains Gravehawk and Raven, the aim is to create an electronic fence along the line of contact between Russia and Ukraine. Protecting Ukraine from future Russian air attacks is a key cornerstone for any sustainable peace settlement, says Jean Christophe von Pfetten, Chairman of the Institute for East West Strategic Studies, who has direct knowledge of the ongoing back-channel negotiations. Nato negotiators have faced three key challenges persuading the Trump White House to provide the state-of-the-art Patriot systems, talking the Europeans into funding it, and attempting to cajole the Russians into accepting it. With the Trump announcement, the first two elements have fallen into place. Talking the Kremlin into accepting remains the trickiest part. In February, after a series of top-secret meetings by senior Nato and Russian military and government officials, it seemed that Moscow was close to accepting Ukraines deploying a system similar to Lockheed Martins Terminal High Altitude Area Defense known as THAAD already deployed in Romania, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. But those talks broke down, and Russia remains opposed to a Ukrainian Iron Dome. So now, the US and EU have chosen to proceed with the integrated defence system without Russias agreement. The only reason why no peace can yet be achieved is that Russia is not yet ready to accept a comprehensive technical defence system in Ukraine, says Pfetten, who has been playing a direct role in the conflict resolution. The only point of discord is technical not political. And this disagreement has been going on for months now. Otherwise peace would have been achieved immediately upon Trump accession to the presidency. The new comprehensive air defence system will be based on a version of THAAD adapted to integrate weapons systems capable of shooting down massed drone attacks. Lockheed Martins original system is focused solely on intercepting cruise and ballistic missiles including hypersonic missiles such as Russias Kinzhal. What Ukraine needs is a defence system that is also capable of knocking out the hundreds of dumb drones that Russia fires every night in a deliberate attempt to overwhelm Ukraines defences and fool operators into wasting expensive Patriot rockets. Iranian-made Shahed drones and their Russian-made clones, known as Geran are two meters long, carry a 50 kilo warhead and cost under $20,000 to manufacture. They can be brought down by Ukrainian-made anti-drone drones, or by European rapid-fire weapons systems made by BAE, MBDA and Swedens Loke, among others. The key to successful Iron Dome-levels of air defence are sophisticated radar and satellite systems that locate and track missiles and drones on launch and in flight. A single Patriot battery with its multiple radars costs over a billion dollars, so Europe must dig deep in its pockets. Overall the whole missile defence project is expected to cost as much as $200 billion. And a key challenge is to fund and deploy systems that will cover every sector of Ukraine and Russias thousand-mile border. But Trumps green-lighting of the first phase of the new Patriot deployments marks an important turning point. Once Ukraine is able to protect itself from Russian air attack Putins continued aerial assaults will become pointless and this will clear a path towards a ceasefire. Donald Trump has correctly adjusted his policy towards Ukraine to account for Putins unwillingness to seek peace - Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS According to the anti-Trumpers, the presidents efforts to end the Ukraine war by mediation were a terrible betrayal and now his attempt to drag Vladimir Putin to make peace by stepping up military and economic pressure on Russia is not enough. These critics, especially the Europeans, would be more convincing if they had their own realistic proposals to end hostilities, but they do not. Trumps plan to supply weapons to Ukraine but make the Europeans pay is sheer genius, at least as a concept. It forces the EU countries and Britain to put their money where their mouth is, rather than allowing them to get away with weak pleas like we would do more but we just dont have the weapons. It fits perfectly with his determination to make Europe shoulder more of the burden for its own problems. And it ought to play well to American voters, among whom continued US funding of Ukraines defence is not popular. A key element of the proposal is to assist with the defence of Ukrainian cities from dramatically increased Russian missile and drone attacks. Trump said that Patriot interceptors would be sent and these will likely either be purchased directly from the US or, if quicker, provided from Nato nations own stocks and replaced. Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister, however, said it would take months before the first Patriots could be sent to Ukraine, which evidently means Berlin is not willing to transfer its own missile systems. He must of course worry about Germanys own air defence, so it is a balance of risk between a hypothetical threat and an actual constant barrage of attack. In any case, there is not an unlimited supply of Patriot missiles, which cost about $4 million a shot, and are not the answer to Russian drone swarms which have been doing the most damage. But his comments were a telling indication of where Europes priorities still lie, despite the continents supposed insistence that it is prepared to do whatever it takes to help Ukraine win. As far as we know, Trump has not yet committed to sending offensive weapons, but in a recent call with Volodymyr Zelensky, he reportedly asked if Ukraine could hit Moscow and St Petersburg. Perhaps Trump had in mind last months Israeli air campaign against Irans drone and missile capabilities. Zelenskys response was effectively a Churchillian give us the tools and we will finish the job. This is critical: imposing restraints on Kyiv against attacking targets inside sovereign Russian territory has been gravely damaging to Ukraines own fortunes. As important as protection of its cities is, the provision of large quantities of long-range offensive weapons and the freedom to use them would probably have the most decisive impact on Putins decision-making, both in the short and long term. Making it harder for him to hit Ukrainian cities due to improved defences is not going to make him rethink. Smouldering military bases, government buildings and energy installations on a large scale might well do so. The Kremlin has pretty much made that concern clear, saying that Patriots do not cross a red line. But it angrily threatened Chancellor Merz that Germany supplying Taurus long-range missiles would bring it directly into the war. Trumps proposed new secondary tariff regime against countries that do business with Russia could also have a persuasive impact, with the Russian economy already under great stress. The EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, however, said that Trumps 50-day deadline for Putin to come to the table is very long. Perhaps Kallas, then, should immediately impose EU secondary tariffs, rather than shouting criticism from the sidelines? We all know that wont happen. Trump has correctly adjusted his policy towards Ukraine to account for Putins unwillingness to seek peace. It might be that the Russian leader will never accept a settlement, especially one clearly imposed by the US president. Could he even survive that eventuality, given the extent to which he has tied his own personal legitimacy with prosecuting a war to wipe Ukraine off the map? But Trumps latest gambit still has a chance of success, supposing that Putin believes that the Europeans are also serious about forcing Russia to the negotiating table. Sadly, they are failing to consistently indicate that they are. Do they really want to help Ukraine win its war, or do they just want America to do it for them? Student protesters demonstrate against Donald Trumps policies on Monday ahead of his visit for the Pennsylvania energy summit. Photograph: Heather Mull/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock Donald Trump joined big oil and technology bosses on Tuesday at a major artificial intelligence and energy summit in Pittsburgh, outraging environmentalists and community organizations. The event came weeks after the passage of a mega-bill that experts say could stymy AI growth with its attacks on renewable energy. Were here today because we believe that Americas destiny is to dominate every industry and be the first in every technology, and that includes being the worlds number one superpower in artificial intelligence, said Trump. The inaugural Pennsylvania energy and innovation summit, held at Carnegie Mellon University, is an attempt to position the state as an AI leader, showcasing the technological innovation being developed in the city and the widespread availability of fossil fuel reserves to power them. At the gathering, Trump announced $70bn in AI and energy investments for the state, Axios first reported, in a move the events host, the Republican Pennsylvania senator, Dave McCormick, says will be a boon to local economies. It was evidence that Trump is making good on his promise to serve the people of Pittsburgh, not Paris as he planned withdrawal from the UN Paris climate accord, McCormick said. At the summit, 20 leading technology and energy companies also announced more than $92bn of investments for AI development in Pennsylvania. Todays commitments are ensuring that the future is going to be designed, built and made right here in Pennsylvania and right here in Pittsburgh, I have to say right here in the United States of America, said Trump. The new AI wont be powered by wind, because it doesnt work, Trump went on to say. I hate to say, it just doesnt work. Its rather intermittent, he said. You dont want, it causes a lot of problems. (Though wind is indeed intermittent, it can be more reliable than gas. Wind provided over 10% of US electricity in 2023 a share experts say must increase to achieve climate goals.) Activists say the new investments, which will boost planet-heating energy production, will have disastrous consequences for the climate and for nearby communities. Pennsylvanians are paying the price for decisions made behind closed doors: higher utility bills, contaminated water, poor air quality, and worsening health, said Hilary Flint, Pennsylvania field organizing manager at the non-profit Center for Oil and Gas Organizing. Flint signed a Tuesday letter to Pennsylvanias governor, Josh Shapiro, opposing his plans to work with Trump to expand AI, along with dozens of organizations and individuals. The event also came less than two weeks after Republicans on Capitol Hill passed a Trump-backed budget bill which could dramatically increase the spending and effort needed to power AI data centers, thanks to its rollback of green energy tax credits. Renewable energy is almost always cheaper to build and easier to bring online than fossil fuels. Many tech executives invited to the event have said the availability of wind and solar are essential to the success of AI. Microsofts Satya Nadella said last May that powering data centers with renewable energy would drive down the cost of AI, while the OpenAI head, Sam Altman, said months earlier that theres no way to grow his industry without a breakthrough in affordable clean energy technology. Tech giants Google and its parent company Alphabet, as well as Meta have also both invested in wind and solar to power data centers. But the oil industry, whose top brass are also at the Pittsburgh summit, lobbied in favor of the mega-bills green energy incentive rollbacks. It includes almost all of our priorities, Mike Sommers, president of the American Petroleum Institute, the fossil fuel industrys largest lobbying group, told CNBC about the legislation. Sommers is on the guest list for the event. The gathering, to which no public interest consumer or environmental groups were invited, severely downplayed the climate and health consequences of this technological expansion fueled by oil and gas. Data centers used for AI are highly resource intensive, sometimes consuming as much power as entire cities. By the end of the decade, data processing, mainly for AI, is expected to consume more electricity in the US alone than manufacturing steel, cement, chemicals and all other energy-intensive goods combined, according to the International Energy Agency. Political leaders should be investing their time meeting with frontline communities, environmental scientists and renewable energy leaders and using their political muscle to create a just transition to renewable energy not attending summits that double down on old, dirty energy, said Jess Conard, Appalachia director at the environmental group Beyond Plastics, who lives in the nearby town of East Palestine, Ohio. Fossil fuels arent progress, no matter how you try to rebrand them. Critics have also raised concerns about security and privacy in the wake of AIs growth. The New York Times and other plaintiffs, including the prominent authors Ta-Nehisi Coates, Michael Chabon and Junot Diaz and the comedian Sarah Silverman, are suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement; OpenAI has also received scrutiny for reported labor misconduct. Both OpenAI and Microsoft have defended their positions around copyright infringement allegations. Trumps radical AI plan is yet another example of the president siding with powerful corporations ahead of the American people, said Tyson Slocum, director of the energy program at the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen. Nigel Farage announced in May that Reform would become the first party in British politics to accept donations in bitcoin. Photograph: Christophe Archambault/AFP/Getty Images Election officials should consider banning political donations made in cryptocurrency, a minister has said, amid concerns that foreign powers are using untraceable money to influence British politics. Pat McFadden, the Cabinet Office minister and close ally of the prime minister, Keir Starmer, told MPs on Monday he thought there was a case for preventing crypto donations given how hard it was to trace their source. His comments come two months after Nigel Farage announced his Reform UK party would become the first in British politics to accept donations in bitcoin, mirroring a similar move made by Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential election. The campaign group Spotlight on Corruption has warned this practice could allow foreign countries to undermine British democracy, saying digital currencies may play a role in future political interference schemes. McFadden was asked by his Labour colleague Liam Byrne about banning cryptocurrency for political donations during a meeting of a joint Commons and Lords committee on the national security strategy. I think its a very good question and I definitely think it is something that the Electoral Commission should be considering, McFadden said. The funding of democracy is often a controversial area but I think that its very important that we know who is providing the donation, are they properly registered, what are the bona fides of that donation. I think its a very important question youve asked. He added: I always think that the legislation should keep up with the technology and practices of the time. So if youre asking me should the legislation consider whether the current systems are fit for purpose, I think thats a very real challenge. Byrne, who chairs the Commons business and trade committee, also urged the minister to consider tightening the rules governing donations made by people linked to unlimited companies, the finances of which are difficult to check. McFadden replied: We should always keep our legislation up to date to ensure that the financing of politics can be trusted by the public. And if, from time to time, the legislation needs to be changed to make sure thats the case, then of course thats something that should be considered. McFadden added that he believed ministers should consider putting more resources into the Electoral Commission and the National Crime Agency to help police political donations. Byrne said afterwards: Our party finance rules are, in truth, a Kremlins charter, designed for opacity, not openness. If we want to clean up politics, we must root out the dark money, hidden money and foreign money. That means banning cryptocurrency donations, donations from unincorporated associations and donations financed by foreign profits. Crucially it means beefing up the National Crime Agency and Electoral Commission. McFaddens comments come days before ministers release proposals about how to improve elections, which will lead to future legislation. That strategy paper is not expected to recommend banning cryptocurrency donations, despite his apparent support for the idea. Sources said the paper would instead strengthen general rules regarding foreign interference, and would also apply to digital currencies. A government source said: Protecting our democracy from hostile foreign interference is a central responsibility of government and thats why we are taking action to ensure it continues to thrive for generations to come. We want as many people as possible to engage in our democracy with confidence in the electoral process and our forthcoming reforms will help us do that. The paper is expected to back allowing people to vote once they are 16 and to set out measures to protect candidates standing at election from suffering abuse and harassment. On election finance, transparency campaigners said they believed the most likely area for action on election finance would be closing loopholes on foreign donations to ensure only companies making profits in the UK could give money. They are concerned, however, that ministers will back away from capping individual or company donations, or giving the Electoral Commission back its powers to launch criminal investigations. They also thought the government would stop short of ordering automatic voter registration, but that there could be greater nudge action reminding people to register. Margaret Hodge, the Labour peer and anti-corruption campaigner, said there was a lot of pressure on the government to get things right and the House of Lords was likely to push for even stronger rules on transparency and checks on political donations. Tom Brake, the director of Unlock Democracy campaign group and a former deputy leader of the Commons, said: Safeguarding democracy is one of any governments most important duties. Crypto donations, and the heightened risk of crypto being used to channel foreign money into UK politics, are a clear and present danger to democratic integrity. On the wider changes expected in the bill, he added: Votes at 16 will only be a success if 16- and 17-year-olds are actually registered to vote. More than 6 million eligible voters in England and Wales are not currently registered to vote, with young people among the worst affected. A system of automatic voter registration would ensure no young person cannot make their voice heard. Restoring the Electoral Commissions independence is as close to a painless change as Labour could hope for. They rightly opposed the last governments policy to interfere [by introducing a strategy and policy statement [for the Electoral Commission]. We hope they will do the right thing and reverse that change. The union leaders call charges against those who attended a peaceful pro-Palestinian protest on 18 January an attack on our right to protest. Photograph: David Cliff/EPA More than 20 union leaders have expressed their deep concern over the apparent erosion of the right to peaceful protest, piling pressure on the Metropolitan police over its handling of pro-Palestinian marches at the start of the year. Paul Nowak of the Trades Union Congress, Christina McAnea of Unison, Daniel Kebede of the National Education Union, Matt Wrack of the NASUWT and Eddie Dempsey of the RMT are among 22 trade union general secretaries who have criticised the Mets decision to arrest and charge former union members who took part in peaceful protest on 18 January. The joint statement from the union leaders follows frustration shared over the governments decision to proscribe Palestine Action, despite concerns the move could risk criminalising legitimate protest. Related: Met police accused of assault on right to protest after tenfold rise in nuisance law arrests While the statement from the union leaders does not express support for the proscribed group, they say the arrest and subsequent charges brought against those who attended a peaceful pro-Palestinian protest on 18 January mark an attack on our right to protest. The former NEU executive member Alex Kenny and the general secretary for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Sophie Bolt, were arrested alongside more than 70 other people including Ben Jamal, the director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and Chris Nineham, the vice-chair of the Stop the War coalition. In the joint statement whose signatories also include Dave Ward of the Communication Workers Union and Mick Whelan of Aslef they call for all these charges to be dropped and note: We believe these charges are an attack on our right to protest the freedoms to organise, of assembly and speech matter; we must defend them. They add: We are deeply concerned that the Metropolitan police are bringing charges against former NEU executive member Alex Kenny and Sophie Bolt, CND secretary, following the peaceful protest for Palestine in London on 18 January. These charges follow the decision to prosecute Chris Nineham, Stop the War Coalition vice-chair, and Ben Jamal, Palestine Solidarity Campaign director. Alex Kenny is a longstanding and widely respected trade union activist who has organised peaceful demonstrations in London for decades. He was chief steward for the NEU national strike demonstration in March 2023. He has played a leading role in many demonstrations organised in the TUC region covering London and the south-east. We believe these charges are an attack on our right to protest. The right to protest is fundamental to trade unions and the wider movement. The freedoms to organise, of assembly and of speech matter; we must defend them. We call for the charges against Alex Kenny, Sophie Bolt, Chris Nineham and Ben Jamal to be dropped. In the wake of the protest in January, dozens of legal experts signed a letter calling for an independent inquiry into the Mets policing of the demonstration, describing it as a disproportionate, unwarranted and dangerous assault on the right to assembly and protest. MPs, peers and Amnesty International had also expressed concerns about the policing of it, with the Green party London assembly member Zoe Garbett telling the assemblys police and crime committee meeting that she had been contacted by more than 150 people who recalled incidents of kettling and police violence towards children, pregnant women and older people. At the same protest, the former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and the former shadow chancellor John McDonnell were voluntarily interviewed under caution in relation to the march, before being released pending further investigations. Their criticism was followed by demands from MPs and peers, who also wrote to the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, calling for a review of legislation limiting protest, which was introduced by the Conservative government. Ukraine war Denial, bargaining, anger, depression. European leaders ran through the full gamut of emotions before they, last week, finally accepted the grim truth: the war in Ukraine will not stop this year. President Trump has now reached the same conclusion. On Monday, he vowed to send additional Patriot defence systems to help repel large-scale Russian air attacks, and even to supply long-range missiles. He reportedly asked Volodymyr Zelensky to hit Moscow, to force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. I thought we had a deal done four times, and then you go home and you see [Putin] just attacked a nursing home or something in Kyiv, Trump said as he set a 50-day deadline for the Russian president to agree to peace. It is a big moment, as Nato chief Mark Rutte observed. But Ukrainian and European officials know the shift of mood in Washington cannot be taken for granted. Just a week ago, the Pentagon suspended deliveries of crucial ammunition, citing its own dwindling stockpiles. American support could be withdrawn again at any moment. So what should Ukraine do if Putin ignores Trumps ultimatum? One Kyiv defence think tank believes it has found the answer. Andriy Zagorodnyuk and Alina Frolova, two former defence ministers who run the Centre for Defence Strategies (CDS), have spent the past few weeks lobbying Western officials to pursue what they call strategic neutralisation. Its a term that Zagorodnyuk happily admits he made up because it sounds good. What it means is that the Russians can keep fighting for as long as they want to, but without being able to make any progress. A redefinition of victory as Ukraine surviving and functioning, regardless of how long the war lasts. All the plans for recovery which we have now in the European Union, for example, are also connected to peace: that we do something after the ceasefire, Frolova told The Telegraph in London last week. So if we dont have a formal ceasefire, or if we dont have a ceasefire at all, do we just have an economic decline and die in a war of attrition, or do we need to create some kind of more-or-less stable security situation in which we can not only simply live, but increase our capabilities? Russias functional defeat another term Frolova and Zagorodnyuk have coined would allow Ukraine to begin its economic recovery, bring home refugees and attract investment from the West, all while the war continues, albeit in neutered style. The Black Sea The model starts with looking at what Ukraine has done well, even without defeating Russia in the conventional, classical way, Frolova says. The shining example is the maritime domain, where Ukraine has effectively neutralised but not destroyed Russias Black Sea fleet. We see that the Russian fleet still exists so they technically have ships, they have personnel, they have command-and-control systems, they have bases, they have capabilities but they cannot implement the main tasks they were created for. They cannot make an economic blockade and they cannot do amphibious operations. Ukraine defeated the Black Sea fleet not with a navy it does not really have one but through the creative use of unmanned systems including innovative drone boats (pictured below) and long-range anti-ship missiles. As a result, the naval war, while it still exists, is effectively stymied. 1806 Stalker 5.0 multi-purpose drone The land battle Replicating that success on land will be a significant challenge. The front line is 1,200km (745 miles) long. Both sides have a challenge concentrating force along it, but Russia has an overwhelming advantage in manpower that allows it to continually replace even horrific losses. A study by The Economist this week found Russias current pace of advance, although still slow, is the fastest in two years. And yet Russia has been forced to concentrate on a handful of points on the front to create enough tension to take ground. It has withdrawn forces from Sumy in the north-east, where an attack recently stalled, to concentrate on Pokrovsk in southern Donetsk region. The effort against Kostyantynivka, part of the fortress belt of cities in central Donetsk, also seems to have been shifted from the eastern towns of Chasiv Yar and Toretsk, where little progress has been made in a year of pushing, to the salient near Pokrovsk. Meanwhile, the Siversk salient, along the eastern-most Ukrainian foothold, continues to defy Russian attempts to crush it. Those defensive successes hold the clue to strategic neutralisation on land. We have the examples of those brigades who created the more-or-less stable zones on the frontline, says Frolova. Mainly this is done with a so-called kill zone. This is the zone which is controlled by, for example, first-person-view (FPV) drones, when they use the FPV to eliminate infantry and equipment. So you dont need infantry to face infantry; you just kill them within the zone of 10, 15, 20km. In a way, this is simply an articulation of current practice by both sides. On average, the grey zone of deadly drone activity behind the front is around 10km on either side of the line of contact. Most Russian and Ukrainian troops already have to march in small groups for up to a dozen miles to get into combat because it is too dangerous for vehicles to operate. Magyars Birds, one of Ukraines most prominent drone units, is credited with helping slow the Russian advance on Pokrovsk by picking off troops and supply lines up to 20km (12.4 miles) behind the front. Several Ukrainian brigades have proved highly successful in pioneering and perfecting what Ukrainian strategic planners now call the drone wall. The 13th Khartia, 12th Azov, and 3rd Assault brigades which Zagorodnyuk says have been particularly good at extending the kill zone deeper into Russian held territory all now lead their own Corps of five other brigades as part of an experiment in spreading best practice. Zagorodnyuk and Frolova want to push the kill zone back to 80 or even 150km along the entire frontline a depth at which it is impractical for infantry to walk into battle, and which would put all field artillery out of range. Ground clashes would effectively be eliminated; Russias advantage in man-power neutralised; and the war, to a degree, automated. 1307 Greyzone 80km Game of drones The challenge is partly logistical: Ukraine and its allies will need to produce (and pay for) drones in even larger numbers than it is currently doing. There is also a technical problem: the current maximum depth of the kill zone is limited to about 40km, which is the maximum range of an FPV attack drone. Pushing it back would require larger drones and solving communication problems posed by massive Russian electronic warfare counter measures. One solution, pioneered by the Russians but since adopted by the Ukrainians, is to use fibre-optic cable to control the drone, but that still currently limits range to about 40km. 1507 Unjammable fiber optic attack drones updated Artificial intelligence using visual guidance in which pre-programmed images of the terrain are used to navigate to a target can accurately guide drones to a target area of a few hundred square meters, but is not yet capable of finding a precision target, for example a tank hatch, that is just a couple of metres across. But this is not equipment which does not exist. It exists, says Frolova. It requires now cleaning up the technology and production, and then scaling. From what I hear when I speak to the producers of these kinds of UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles], theyre saying that they absolutely should have a solution for 150km by the end of the year. The air war Thats the land. What about in the air? Here, as on the ground, Russia has a clear advantage in numbers. Last Tuesday night it launched its biggest ever air attack on Ukraine, involving 728 drones and 13 missiles, breaking its own record for the third time in two weeks. Ukraine says most were intercepted, but this summers massed raids have killed more civilians than at any time since the early days of the war. The damage to civilian infrastructure and housing in particular is significant. Ukraine is already experimenting successfully with small interceptor drones designed to close with and destroy Russias kamikaze UAVs at a fraction of the cost of interceptor missiles fired by American Patriot systems. Again, Frolova confidently asserts that an answer to the slow-moving Shahed Kamikaze drones will be found by the end of the year. 2705 Shahed 136 drone Cruise missiles Russias Kalibr and Kh-101 are also relatively slow and can be intercepted by European-provided air defence systems. Last Thursday, Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, signed a deal to supply Ukraine with more than 5,000 air defence missiles produced by the French defence giant Thales. However, the biggest problem in the air, and probably in Frolova and Zagorodnyuks whole theory, is the ballistic missile threat. Russias ground-launched Iskander ballistic missile travels at Mach 6 or 7 (about 4,600mph). The air-launched Khinzal can theoretically reach Mach 10 (7,600mph). 9K720 Iskander balistic missile They are a hi-tech threat that requires a hi-tech solution, and Ukraine alone will not be able to build one. While Patriot systems can and do intercept both, production is struggling to keep up with demand from Ukraine, Israel, Europe, East Asia, and America itself. The Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG, a Patriot-equivalent system, has been deployed to Ukraine and used successfully. But it, too, is running short of the Aster 30 missile it fires, which are produced in even smaller batches than PAC missiles for the Patriot system. So, while Trumps decision to reverse the pause and send more Patriots will be welcome, there is no guarantee that he will be able to provide enough missiles to keep up with increasing Russian ballistics production in the long term. He may also feel compelled to suspend supplies again if he feels a threat growing elsewhere. Last week the Pentagon paused the delivery of 30 Patriot missiles to Ukraine citing its own dwindling stockpiles, which reportedly fell to just 25 per cent of the benchmark minimum following the 12-day war with Iran last month. It is no coincidence that Russia launched a massive air raid the night the US cancelled Patriot transfers last week, argues Frolova. Hence there is plenty of discussion in Europe about scaling up Aster missile production and repurposing ship-mounted interceptors in the meantime. Can it all work? None of this is, as yet, official Ukrainian government policy. However, its authors believe that the plan of strategic neutralisation is likely to catch on, largely because it formalises things that are already happening. The killing zone is not something which was invented in an office and then implemented on land. It actually appeared on the battlefield, started to be used as a best practice, a visible practice, and now it seems to be the answer to the main question. It was the same in the Black Sea: there was no complex strategy. It was about finding out what worked, says Frolova. Zagorodnyuk and Frolova argue and are forcefully telling both European officials and Ukrainian ministers that all of this can be scaled up to effect Russias functional defeat, or strategic neutralisation, in turn allowing Ukraine to restore itself as an economy. And between the lines, it is possible to see another, more distant goal. What they are really betting on is a battlefield stagnation for Russia set against acceptable losses for Ukraine, says Ed Stringer, a former RAF air marshal who has studied the proposals. It is forcing the Russian economy to blow up to overcome a battlefield stalemate. Thats the implicit, if not explicitly articulated, goal here. For Stringer, the key will be addressing the boutique approach to European arms production that currently hinders the scaling up of production of things such as anti-ballistic missiles. And the enemy always gets a say, he warns. For Frolova, there is a value in simply having a realistic strategy to point to. Americas unreliability, she believes, springs from a belief in Washington that Ukraine cannot win, which in turn sprang from a Western failure to articulate a theory of victory beyond the mantra of as long as it takes. They dont see this like a strategy. They dont see the tasks and goals and probability of reaching these goals, she says. They think that, OK, in this situation, Russia is bigger, theyre stronger, they have some advances on land, it means they will win. So can we convince them with a different view? At least we can try. Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, will say the era of treating international law as optional must end. Photograph: Darko Bandic/AP The UN rapporteur hit with sanctions by the US last week has vowed not to be silenced as she hailed a 30-nation conference aimed at ending Israels occupation of Palestine as the most significant political development in the past 20 months. Francesca Albanese will say the two-day gathering in Bogota, Colombia, starting on Tuesday and including China, Spain and Qatar, comes at an existential hour for Israel and the Palestinian people. The aim of the conference is to set out steps the participating countries can take to implement a UN general assembly motion mandating member states to take measures in support of Israel ending its unlawful occupation of Palestine. The motion set a deadline of September 2025 to implement a July 2024 international court of justice advisory opinion that Israels occupation of the Palestinian territories was unlawful. The ICJ said in its advisory opinion that Israels security concerns do not override the principle of the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force and called on it to end its occupation as rapidly as possible. It said UN member states had an obligation not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israels illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory. The UK has yet to say what steps if any it is required to take in response to the ICJ opinion. The Colombian president and conference host, Gustavo Petro, says the meeting will show that the world is finally moving from condemnation of Israels military action to collective action to bring it to a halt. The aim is to agree a detailed plan of political, economic and legal actions, but there are range of views over how far states can go politically or legally to isolate Israel, a country that feels secure so long as it maintains US support. The Hague Group was initially brought together by South Africa and Colombia, but since then support has grown and it now includes Algeria, Brazil, Spain, Indonesia and Qatar. Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, is determined to show that the US state department sanctions will not cow her. For too long, international law has been treated as optional applied selectively to those perceived as weak, ignored by those acting as the powerful. This double standard has eroded the very foundations of the legal order. That era must end, she will say in Bogota. The world will remember what we, states and individuals, did in this moment whether we recoiled in fear or rose in defence of human dignity. Here in Bogota, a growing number of states have the opportunity to break the silence and revert to a path of legality by finally saying: enough. Enough impunity. Enough empty rhetoric. Enough exceptionalism. Enough complicity. The time has come to act in pursuit of justice and peace grounded in rights and freedoms for all, and not mere privileges for some, at the expense of the annihilation of others. Albanese will say that the UN charter and universal human rights instruments must remain everyones compass. I trust that more states will align their policies with these fundamental principles as we move forward in this existential hour for both the Palestinian and the Israeli people, and the integrity of the international legal order itself, she will say. The sanctions on Albanese were imposed by the US state department for what it called her shameful promotion of action by the international criminal court against the US and Israel. Albanese will directly address the sanctions in Bogota. These attacks shall not be seen as against me personally. They are a warning to everyone who dares defend international justice and freedom. But we cannot afford to be silenced and I know I am not alone, she will say. This is not about me or any other single individuals but about justice for the Palestinian people at the most critical juncture in their history. In an article for the Guardian published last week, Petro framed the stakes of the conference. We can either stand firm in defence of the legal principles that seek to prevent war and conflict, or watch helplessly as the international system collapses under the weight of unchecked power politics, he wrote. A Hague Group conference in January attended by only nine nations committed to implementing the provisional measures of the international court of justice, issued on 26 January, 28 March and 24 May 2024. In practice this meant measures such arms embargos against Israel by preventing the docking of vessels at any port, if applicable, within their territorial jurisdiction. Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, the executive secretary of the Hague Group, said: We meet in Bogota with a twin imperative: to end Israels impunity and sever the cords of complicity. The international court of justice has already made its rulings, deeming Israels continued presence in the Palestinian territories as unlawful. There is no absence of legal clarity. States will now deliberate how to enforce their obligations from ceasing arms exports and preventing harbour for vessels carrying military equipment to ensuring justice for all victims. A US tariff of 30% would stop trade as we know it with the EU, Irelands foreign affairs minister has said. Simon Harris was echoing comments from the EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic who said on Monday that such a tariff would effectively prohibit trans-Atlantic trade. US President Donald Trump indicated at the weekend that the EU would face a 30% tariff from August 1 if a deal is not struck. The Irish drinks industry has described it as a nightmare scenario and concern has also been expressed on the effect such tariffs could have on US pharma multinationals based in Ireland. Simon Harris, who is also Irelands deputy premier, said Mr Sefcovic was sharing a grim message but it was important to be truthful. The Tanaiste said a 30% tariff would be extraordinary and urged businesses to prepare for all scenarios, but added that a negotiated agreement was still possible. He (Mr Trump) knows as a businessman that tariffs at that level would not just disrupt trade, it would in many ways stop trade as we know it functioning between Europe and the US, he told Newstalk radio. So I do still believe there is a landing zone here for a deal, there is a landing zone for an agreement. He said that Mr Trump had previously threatened tariffs that did not come into effect. In May, Mr Trump said he was recommending that a 50% tariff rate come into effect on June 1. He added: This is a time of huge volatility but, let me be clear, there is a way forward. I know from the conversations Ive been having with colleagues, I know from my meetings with the US administration there is a deal here to be done, there is a landing zone, the question is if and when the US is up for it. US President Donald Trump is threatening 30% tariffs on the EU (Evan Vucci/AP) Mr Harris met the US ambassador to Ireland, Ed Walsh, on Monday, and is to meet Irish-based US pharmaceutical multinationals online on Wednesday. Ireland has consistently called for zero-for-zero tariffs in as many areas as possible, with particular concern about Irish beef, dairy and alcohol exports. The Irish government has also expressed concern at how tariffs could affect pharma multinationals based in Ireland. The US has previously signalled that it intends to target the pharmaceutical industry, which employs about 45,000 people in Ireland. Opposition parties raised concerns that the economic uncertainty would hit families struggling due to the cost of living in Octobers budget. Labour TD George Lawlor said it was a ridiculous situation that Mr Trump prompts an almost weekly change in direction on trade. He said the uncertainty was creating unease for businesses based in Ireland that export to the US. Labour TD Marie Sherlock said the economic uncertainty caused by the threat of tariffs meant families were facing a nightmare scenario in relation to the budget. She said it looked as though pre-election sweeteners, such as a drop in student administrative fees and energy credits, would be withdrawn. John Healey laid bare the facts of the leak in the Commons Well, this isnt good. John Healey told a stunned Commons that, in 2022, a defence official inadvertently emailed out the names of 18,714 Afghan asylum seekers, potentially sharing their contact details with people whod like to kill them. Britain might not be good at policing its borders but the Taliban sure are. We all make mistakes. Rob Jenrick keeps accidentally posting photos of himself in a state of undress, the latest being a Mr Darcy-style dip in the River Teme, glistening in trunks and a white towel. I texted him as soon as I saw it to say Rob, youre half-naked on Instagram. He replied butterfingers!, wink, kiss and a flexing arm emoji. I fear we are only days from a leaked sex tape. Jenricks party was in power when refugee data was apparently leaking like a Thames Water sewer. They plugged any gossip with a super-injunction. No government wishes to withhold information from parliamentarians, the public or the press, lied Healey thats the states chief job! so he was happy to un-injunct us and lay the facts bare. Thousands of Afghans affected by the leak have been offered refuge, we learnt; he put the cost at around 400 million. MPs asked if the official had at least been sacked, but Healey wouldnt say. He, she or they probably received counselling and a promotion, plus extra cash on Pips if they could pin it on anxiety. The mood in the House was odd. The Tories might have demanded greater clarity but held off. Labour couldve wallowed in another inherited blunder, yet declined to gloat. Instead, the frontbenchers praised one another for their statesmanlike tone, leaving it to backbenchers Tan Dhesi and Emily Thornberry to express outrage. The Government endangered peoples lives. It covered it up. It then paid millions to resettle the victims. This is Watergate-level stuff, but Westminster wont call it so because its an indictment of a system and a philosophy of open borders and never-ending wars that almost all the parties endorse. Afghans worked with our Armed Forces, argued Catherine Atkinson, so we owe them a debt. A rather high one, Id say: tens of thousands have sought refuge here overall. How did we ever lose that war? It seems half the local population was on our side, working as translators for British soldiers who got sick of pointing and repeating in a louder voice. Afghanistan, far from being a fundamentalist backwater, must have the best education system in the world, given how many of the citizens are fluent in English. This scandal, argued Edward Leigh, is part of the Original Sin of us intervening militarily and then scuttling out and many voters would agree that we should never have been in the country in the first place. Anyone who knew about the history of Russia in Afghanistan knew it was unconquerable. Anyone whod seen The Living Daylights could tell you it was a dump. Sir Edward hoped that Britain had got over the liberal imperial itch and wont be meddling in any ungovernable countries again. He didnt say if this includes meddling in Britain. Surveys consistently find strong backing among the public for a wealth tax. Photograph: Europa Press News/Europa Press/Getty Images What is a wealth tax? A wealth tax is an annual levy on an individuals total net assets property, investments, cash, even antiques or art above a given threshold. The idea is to directly target accumulated wealth, not just income. In the UK there are already some taxes on wealth inheritance tax, capital gains tax, and council tax that could be tightened up before a new tax is introduced. Related: Keir Starmer should be bold and consider a wealth tax, Neil Kinnock says The pros A modest wealth tax aimed at the ultra-rich, for example those with assets over 10m, could generate significant funds. One study suggests a global levy on the top 0.5% could raise about $2.1tn roughly 7% of national budgets with the UK alone bringing in around $31bn a year. That revenue could be transformative if used to fund the NHS, education, affordable housing, climate resilience, and long-term care. There is also a political benefit: by launching something new with a specific name, it would appeal to the majority of voters who back higher taxes on the very rich. In Britain, like much of the developed world, the wealth of the ultra-rich has ballooned dramatically in recent decades, while ordinary workers have faced stagnant wages and prolonged austerity and there are record numbers of children growing up in poverty. In 1990 the Sunday Times rich list recorded 15 UK billionaires. By 2023, that number had risen to 171, holding an average of 4bn each. Today the richest 1% in the UK own more wealth than the bottom 70% and, according to Oxfam, UK billionaires pay effective tax rates close to 0.3% of their wealth. Advocates say a wealth tax is a fair way of redistributing a small proportion of that money to help those most in need. Campaigners also say the money could be used to fund climate transition efforts. Taxing assets tied to high-carbon lifestyles yachts, private jets, fossil fuel holdings could shift both wealth and incentives while raising revenue for green infrastructure projects. Surveys consistently find strong backing among the public for a wealth tax. Three-quarters of Britons were found to back a 2% tax on wealth above 10m. Many wealthy individuals, including those in Patriotic Millionaires UK, also publicly endorse such measures as patriotic and socially responsible. The cons Because wealth comes in diverse forms business equity, art, land, intellectual property it is hard to measure, especially if there is an army of lawyers trying to hide it. This complicates enforcement and drives up administrative costs. There is also the spectre of wealth flight, fears that wealthy people will pack up their riches and leave if the government tries to tax them further. An analysis by the Tax Justice Network found that there were an average of 30 news pieces a day last year raising the prospect of a wealth exodus. But the evidence is inconclusive at best and the analysis found that the 9,500 millionaires it has been claimed left the UK in 2024 represented 0.3% of the UKs 3.06 million people with assets of more than 1m. It also highlighted other places where the introduction of a wealth tax led to little or no wealth exodus. For instance in Scandinavia, after wealth tax reforms, only 0.01% of the top 0.5% relocated and in the UK changes to non-dom rules in 2017 showed just a 0.02% move. The report found tax concerns were low on the list of concerns of the ultra-wealthy when deciding where to live: Tax is an inconsequential factor in the decision-making of the vanishingly small percentage of millionaires that do decide to move. However, the fear that some ultra-wealthy individuals will leave the country entirely is not unfounded. Global capitalism has become highly mobile in recent decades through globalisation, government deregulation and improved connectivity. The Wealth Tax Commission in 2020 said it was likely that some of the ultra-wealthy were likely to leave or move their assets to low-tax regimes or tax havens. In short There are real challenges in designing a wealth tax and administrative complexity would be a continuing issue. A wealth tax on the ultra-rich might also lead some to move assets out of the UK, but scare stories of mass millionaire departures do not hold up to scrutiny. Advocates say that given widespread public support, the UKs administrative capacity, and pressing fiscal demands, a progressive tax on the ultra-wealthy is feasible and necessary. The challenge lies in careful design, robust implementation and, most of all, political will. DELRAY BEACH, Fla., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global North American Healthcare IT Market, valued at US$202.12 billion in 2024, stood at US$229.05 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 13.9% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$439.09 billion by the end of the period. The growth of this market can be attributed to increasing awareness about digital health, government mandates, financial incentives for adopting healthcare IT solutions, and a shift toward value-based care. The rising use of big data, high returns on IT investments, and the growing incidence of chronic diseases further drive demand. Additionally, the adoption of cloud-based solutions and advanced technologies like AI and IoT create new opportunities for market expansion. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=1190 Browse in-depth TOC on 'North American Healthcare IT Market' 293 - Tables 59 - Figures 359- Pages By component, the North American healthcare IT market is divided into three main components: hardware, software, and services. In 2024, the services segment represented the largest share of the market. This growth can be attributed to a robust technological infrastructure and the widespread adoption of advanced healthcare technologies, which have increased the demand for services such as implementation, integration, maintenance, and support. Additionally, stringent regulatory frameworks and government mandates that promote digitization create a need for ongoing compliance and technical expertise, further driving the reliance on specialized IT services. Healthcare providers are increasingly turning to these services to manage complex workflows, enhance patient care, and ensure operational efficiency in an ever-evolving digital landscape. By type, the clinical HCIT solutions segment has experienced the highest growth in the healthcare provider solutions market for several reasons. There is a rising demand for improved patient safety and care, driven by strict regulations and government initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare quality. The need for integrated healthcare systems and the adoption of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics, have also contributed to the growth of this segment. Additionally, the increasing incidence of chronic diseases and the shift toward value-based care have made clinical IT solutions essential for efficient diagnosis, treatment, and patient management. By geography, in 2024, the US accounted for the largest share of the North American healthcare IT market. This dominance can be attributed to its strong healthcare infrastructure, heightened awareness of the benefits of digital ealth, and the widespread adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud solutions. The presence of leading healthcare IT companies and well-established digital systems further bolsters this market. Additionally, significant government supportincluding financial incentives and public health informatics programspromotes greater adoption of healthcare IT solutions. The high prevalence of chronic diseases and a large, digitally savvy population also contribute to the country's market leadership. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=1190 The major players in this market include Oracle (US), Veradigm, Inc. (US), McKesson Corporation (US), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), Optum, Inc. (US), Cognizant (US), GE Healthcare (US), InterSystems Corporation (US), SAS Institute Inc. (US), Inovalon (US), Epic Systems Corporation (US), athenahealth (US), Infor (US), Dell Inc. (US), Salesforce, Inc. (US), Merative (US), eClinicalWorks (US), Nuance Communications, Inc. (US), CitiusTech Inc. (US), Wipro (India), MedeAnalytics, Inc. (US), Carestream Health (US), Practice Fusion, Inc. (US), Surgical Information Systems (Georgia), and Medecision (US). These companies are primarily focusing on strategies such as acquisitions, product launches, agreements, collaborations, partnerships, and expansions to remain competitive and increase their market share. Oracle (US): Oracle (US) is a global technology company that develops, markets, and maintains database software, cloud-based engineering systems, middleware, and application software. It also manufactures hardware solutions for various sectors, including industrial and computer technology. The company operates through three main segments: Cloud and License, Hardware, and Services. Oracle provides integrated cloud applications, infrastructure (SaaS and OCI), consulting, technical support, and education services. Its hardware offerings include Oracle Engineered Systems, servers, and storage solutions. The company delivers industry-specific solutions across various sectors, such as healthcare, automotive, education, and retail. In healthcare, its services include claims management, digital patient outreach, and healthcare cloud computing. Leveraging technologies such as IoT, blockchain, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, Oracle has a presence in 175 countries and serves approximately 430,000 customers. The company operates through 50 public cloud regions across 25 countries, with subsidiaries like Oracle America, Inc. and Oracle Technology Company. Optum, Inc. (US): Optum, Inc. (US), a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, provides healthcare IT (HCIT) solutions to payers, providers, employers, government entities, and life sciences companies. The company operates through three main segments: Optum Health (focuses on care delivery, care management, wellness, consumer engagement, and health financial services), Optum Insight (offers software and information products, including clinical documentation solutions, advisory consulting services, and business process outsourcing for healthcare organizations), and OptumRx (provides services and solutions for the pharmacy sector). Optum primarily delivers its HCIT solutions through the OptumInsight segment. The company invests USD 6.4 billion annually in technology and innovation and has offices worldwide, with a strong presence in the US, Australia, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Singapore, and India. For more information, Inquire Now! Related Reports: Healthcare IT Market Healthcare Cloud Computing Market Healthcare Analytics Market Healthcare IT Integration Market Healthcare Information Exchange Market Get access to the latest updates on North American Healthcare IT Companies and North American Healthcare IT Market Size About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. 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In addition, MarketsandMarkets SalesIQ enables sales teams to identify high-priority accounts and uncover hidden opportunities, helping them build more pipeline and win more deals with precision. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets Private bariatric surgery is estimated at 10,000-15,000 in the UK, but 2,500-4,500 in Turkey. Photograph: Shannon Fagan/Getty Images A booming trade in medical tourism for weight loss surgery is placing patients at risk and needs urgent regulation, experts have warned. Despite the growing popularity of injections such as Mounjaro to treat obesity, the number of patients travelling to other countries for surgery is increasing, the latest analysis suggests. And, with the wider medical tourism industry set to be worth about 300bn annually, with anticipated year-on-year growth of 25%, international regulation is urgently needed, according to a commentary in the journal BMJ Global Health. We are seeing this ongoing increase, linked to the globalisation of healthcare and long wait lists, said Dr Jessica McGirr of the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin and Imperial College London, adding that many are being marketed bariatric surgery through before and after images on TikTok and Instagram. Incorrectly, surgery is often marketed from an aesthetic point of view, McGirr said. This is complex surgery for treatment of a chronic disease with potentially significant health complications. Lengthy NHS waiting lists, typically two years or more from referral, the unaffordable cost of private surgery in the UK and the increasing number of people living with obesity have led to more patients seeking bariatric surgery abroad. The out-of-pocket cost for bariatric surgery done privately in the UK is about 10,000-15,000, but 2,500-4,500 in countries such as Turkey, the commentary estimates. However, medical tourism packages rarely cover continued care in the case of complications or long-term nutritional or psychological support. Related: Britons seeking medical treatments overseas should beware low prices If you just look at the statistics, there are nearly 4 million people in the UK who meet the Nice criteria for surgery, but we only do around 5,000 cases each year, said Ahmed Ahmed, a consultant bariatric surgeon at Imperial College healthcare NHS trust and the president of the British Obesity & Metabolic Specialist Society. I certainly dont blame the patients. They recognise they have a disease. I dont even blame the surgeons abroad, Ahmed added. They see a gap in the market and theyre exploiting it. Theyre able to supply surgery at a much cheaper price. What I dont like is when we see patients with problems from poorly conducted surgery. That upsets me a lot. The BMJ commentary calls for the urgent creation of international quality standards for weight loss surgery, including an accreditation process that patients can use to choose high-quality providers abroad. This, McGirr suggested, could be funded by providers. There will be resistance to regulating the industry, she said. Undoubtedly, not all centres would seek accreditation or regulation. Procedures include gastric sleeve surgery, in which the size of the stomach is decreased by more than 70%, and gastric band surgery, which narrows the intestine. Both aim to restrict eating by making a person feel full, leading to a reduction in appetite. Related: Woman from Wales died after gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey, inquest hears Botched surgery can lead to infections, surgical leaks, internal hernias and, in the worst cases, be fatal. Foreign Office figures from March 2024 revealed that at least 28 British people had died since 2019 due to complications from elective medical procedures performed in Turkey, many of which are thought to have been bariatric surgery. Last month, a doctor told the inquest of a 40-year-old British woman who died following weight loss surgery in Turkey in 2024 that he had dealt with more than 100 other patients suffering complications after undergoing similar procedures abroad. However, Ahmed said he had observed a decrease in patients attending A&E with acute complications in the last two years, which he puts down to people choosing to privately fund obesity drug treatments rather than surgery. This article was amended on 16 July 2025 to give the full title for the institution the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin. Clive Foster will says his job is to confront uncomfortable realities, not conceal them. Photograph: Nottingham Trent University/PA The newly appointed Windrush commissioner has promised to expand his remit to fight for marginalised communities who have experienced discrimination in housing, education, employment and policing. At a launch event on Wednesday, Clive Foster will tell the immigration minister, Seema Malhotra, that he does not intend to perform a public relations role for the government. Many people were broken by the betrayal, hurt and displacement caused by a scandal that has left a stain on the social conscience of the nation, he will say, adding that he will challenge officials until they complete unfinished work and fulfil their commitments to those affected. Some commentators have cast Fosters new role as a Dettol commissioner, responsible for cleaning up the governments mess. Responding to this scepticism, Foster will tell an audience of members of the Windrush generation at Hackney town hall that his job will be to confront uncomfortable realities, not conceal them. If I am to be seen as a Dettol commissioner, as some have called me, let it be in the spirit of healing and protection, not sanitising the truth, he will say. Moral outrage still burns within me for people who had the legal and moral right to be here but were denied that. Foster, a pastor from Nottingham, was named by the Home Office as Windrush commissioner in June and starts work this week. His appointment fulfils a promise made by the former home secretary Priti Patel to implement a series of recommendations designed to introduce comprehensive reform of the Home Office in the wake of the Windrush scandal, in which thousands of people, many of them from the Caribbean, were wrongly classified as immigration offenders despite having spent most of their lives in the UK. Foster plans to widen his role to address wider injustices, in addition to his core responsibility as a champion of the Windrush generations legacy, ensuring this generation is remembered for their contribution not just for a scandal. He will say: What began as a fight for justice for the Windrush generation has become a mirror reflecting the broader struggles faced by Black Britons and other marginalised communities. People have come forward not only with experiences of immigration injustice but with experiences of discrimination in housing, education, employment and policing. I want to ensure these voices are heard in the places where change happens. A number of applicants to the Windrush compensation scheme have seen their applications rejected because they had applied under the misapprehension that the scheme would offer compensation not just to people wrongly labelled as immigration offenders but also to those who had experienced racist treatment in the course of their working lives or during their education in the UK. Applicants often viewed the compensation scheme as an opening to express the longstanding hurt and pain they feel about discrimination, Foster told the Guardian. They want to express how discrimination and structural racism has affected them over the years. We need to create a space for those voices to be heard and ensure that the right action is taken. Foster noted that there remained suspicion and apprehension towards the Home Office among the Windrush generation and their descendants, and said some people were still wary about coming forward to apply for citizenship documentation. More than 8,000 people have received documentation from the Home Office confirming that they are living in the country legally. About 112m has been paid out across 3,334 compensation claims, in recognition of the extent to which peoples lives were upturned by the Home Offices decision to categorise those affected as illegal immigrants. Some of those affected by the Home Offices mistakes were wrongly deported, others were detained, lost their jobs and homes or were denied access to pensions and free NHS treatment. The compensation scheme has been repeatedly criticised for being slow to resolve claims, and at least 64 people have died after submitting claims for compensation. Fosters parents moved from Jamaica to the UK in 1959. His mother worked as a nurse for the NHS and his father worked in factories and mines. This is personal for me, he will say. British troops in Afghanistan in 2009. Photograph: MoD/Crown Copyright/PA When Abdullah received an email from the British government saying his details had been included in the military data leak, it became the worst day in all time. Speaking from Afghanistan, where he is in hiding, Abdullah fears he will be tortured and killed. The people I trusted for my safety have now created this risk for me, said Abdullah, whose name has been changed for security reasons. He had applied to come to the UK with his wife and children under the Afghan relocations and assistance policy (Arap) after the Taliban swept to power in August 2021. This is the worst day in all time because Im very scared. After hearing this news and receiving this email I havent eaten, I havent [had a] drink, and Im just thinking about me and my familys security because I had sent to the UK government our photos, our home address, our everything and now Im very scared for our safety. Related: Afghans have been betrayed yet again by this shocking UK data leak and many dont even know if theyre affected | Diane Taylor Adnan Malik, the head of data protection at Barings Law, which is representing about 1,000 of the victims, said some of those listed on the leaked database have had to go into hiding in Afghanistan, while others had been killed in targeted attacks. The law firm is now working with some of those affected to pursue potential legal action. We are aware of incidents where there are individuals who are named on the list that they have been killed. And based on our research and understanding it was an attack towards an individual who the perpetrator knew assisted the UK armed forces, Malik said. That is Abdullahs greatest fear. Im in Afghanistan currently and if this information is leaked, the current Afghanistan regime they will find me and torture me and its a risk for my life, he said. Im very concerned about myself and other people who are included in this data breach. Im very sad. I thought the British government was very strong and now Im in a very different situation. The correspondence Abdullah and others received from the UK government, sent in English, Pashto and Dari, warned that the recipients email address had been used to make a resettlement application and that some personal data may have been compromised. It advised the recipient to limit who can see your social media profiles and not accept friend/follow requests from individuals you do not know and trust. It also urged the recipient not to take phone calls or respond to messages or emails from unknown contacts. As some applications included the personal data of others (including family and dependents) you should assume that their data may also be compromised, and they should exercise the same precautions, it added. Abdullah, who is being represented by the law firm Leigh Day, said his only hope is that the British government now speeds up his application. Ahmed, a former soldier who conducted operations in Afghanistan with British troops, said he wept when he realised his details were included in the dataset. He came to the UK with his wife and children under the Arap scheme after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, but many of his relatives are still in Afghanistan. Shortly after his arrival in the UK, his two younger brothers one of whom had been involved in military operations tried to flee the Taliban after the family home was raided but the pair were shot dead at the Iranian border. Ahmed, whose name has been changed for security reasons, said the leak included his Arap application number, which he had used to make a case for his wider family. I was very worried and I started crying, he said, describing the moment he realised he was a victim. I thought everything is safe here. We did a lot of operations with British troops. Im afraid. Im worried about my brother and wifes family and my colleagues because lots are in Afghanistan still. These things happen. The Taliban killed a lot of my friends as well. He added: I have a request to the British government: please dont forget about our colleagues. A bad situation is going to happen in a couple of months if they dont bring them here. Prof Sara de Jong, a founding member of the Sulha Alliance, which helps ex-interpreters and others who worked for Britain, said it was incredibly concerning that the Ministry of Defence routinely asked Afghans for the most sensitive of personal data but couldnt be trusted with data protection. It is a horrible irony that the UK government had to save Afghans from their own data blunder, instead of prioritising those who are the Talibans prime target, she said. The vast amount of resource to cover up this error, could have been much better spent. For example, we see inexcusable delays in processing applications for family members at severe risk and many injured interpreters never received compensation. By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA (Reuters) -The U.N. rights office said on Tuesday it had recorded at least 875 killings within the past six weeks at aid points in Gaza run by the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and convoys run by other relief groups, including the United Nations. The majority of those killed were in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites, while the remaining 201 were killed on the routes of other aid convoys. The GHF uses private U.S. security and logistics companies to get supplies into Gaza, largely bypassing a U.N.-led system that Israel alleges has let Hamas-led militants loot aid shipments intended for civilians. Hamas denies the allegation. The GHF, which began distributing food packages in Gaza in late May after Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade, previously told Reuters that such incidents have not occurred on its sites and accused the U.N. of misinformation, which it denies. The GHF did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest UN figures. "The data we have is based on our own information gathering through various reliable sources, including medical human rights and humanitarian organizations," Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters in Geneva. The United Nations has called the GHF aid model "inherently unsafe" and a violation of humanitarian impartiality standards. The GHF said on Friday it had delivered more than 70 million meals to Gaza Palestinians in five weeks, and that other humanitarian groups had "nearly all of their aid looted" by Hamas or criminal gangs. The Israeli army previously told Reuters in a statement that it was reviewing recent mass casualties and that it had sought to minimise friction between Palestinians and the Israel Defence Forces by installing fences and signs and opening additional routes. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has previously cited instances of violent pillaging of aid, and the U.N. World Food Programme said last week that most trucks carrying food assistance into Gaza had been intercepted by "hungry civilian communities". (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin, Editing by Friederike Heine and Alex Richardson) By Luciana Magalhaes and Ricardo Brito SAO PAULO (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump pitched his 50% tariffs against Brazil as a way to support former President Jair Bolsonaro, but three people close to the right-wing ex-president said they were stunned by the move and fear it may do more harm than good. Announcing the higher tariffs in a letter last week, Trump cast them as a pressure tactic to help Bolsonaro, who is on trial before the Brazilian Supreme Court for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn his loss in the 2022 presidential election. Bolsonaro has described the accusations as baseless and insisted he will run for president in 2026, despite a court decision that bars him from the race. In his tariff letter, Trump said his ally Bolsonaro is the victim of a "witch hunt." Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who defeated Bolsonaro in 2022, has neither the interest nor the ability to interfere in the case. Last week, he dismissed Trump as an unwanted "emperor" and threatened retaliation if trade negotiations do not advance. Bolsonaro allies fear the steep tariffs, likely to hurt Brazilian sectors from coffee and orange growers to cattle ranching and the aviation industry, could rally national pride behind a defiant Lula, supporting his sagging popularity. Backlash against Trump has already given a boost to several of his ideological foes abroad. Left-of-center parties surged to victory in Canadian and Australian elections this year, riding a wave of opposition to Trump's policies, while hard-right Trump allies have struggled in Romania and Hungary. Bolsonaro's inner circle had been eager for a display of Trump's support since he returned to the White House. Lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, one of the former president's sons, took a leave of absence from Brasilia and moved with his family to rally support for his father in Washington. But the thrill of catching Trump's attention soon curdled as the Bolsonaros realized the crushing weight of the tariffs tied to their cause, according to the sources, who said the family had expected targeted sanctions against one judge overseeing the Supreme Court case. Now the Bolsonaro clan has no alternative but to support Trump and his letter, even while understanding that the move "could provoke negative reactions," said one of the sources, requesting anonymity to discuss private conversations. SCATHING EDITORIALS Last week, in the wake of Trump's tariff announcement, leaders of Brazil's Congress who had been fighting Lula on several fronts issued statements supporting him. "The banner of nationalism holds a very significant appeal, especially within the right-wing camp," said Graziella Testa, a professor of political science at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Brasilia. A close association with Trump may prove electorally toxic for allies of Bolsonaro, whose political future was already clouded by the threat of a possible prison sentence and the court decision barring him from public office until 2030. "It is absolutely deplorable that there are still people in Brazil who defend Trump," wrote the conservative opinion page of major Brazilian newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo in an editorial last week. "Wearing Trump's cap today means aligning oneself with a troglodyte who could cause immense damage to the Brazilian economy." Bolsonaro representatives declined to comment on the newspaper's editorial. On Sunday, the former president tried to show empathy for his supporters without alienating Trump. "It doesn't make me happy to see our rural and urban producers, as well as the people, suffer with this 50% tariff," he said on social media, adding: "The solution is in the hands of the Brazilian authorities." Other conservative politicians in Brazil are also trying to strike a tricky balance in their public comments. Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas, who launched his political career from Bolsonaro's cabinet and is now seen as a possible heir to his electorate, initially blamed Lula's ideology for the tariff hike on social media. By Friday, he was shifting focus to Washington, saying on X that he had met with the head of the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia to "open a dialogue ... based on data and consolidated arguments." The lawmaker Bolsonaro criticized his former ally's efforts to negotiate a compromise and pinned the blame for the situation squarely on Lula's administration, which the hard-right has sought to characterize as a leftist dictatorship. "I'm sorry, but there is no way to ask President Trump or any remotely decent international authority to treat a dictatorship as if it were a democracy," he wrote on X. (Reporting by Luciana Magalhaes in Sao Paulo and Ricardo Brito in Brasilia; Editing by Manuela Andreoni, Brad Haynes, Leslie Adler and Rosalba O'Brien) A view of the Appalachian area of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. (The Center Square) Officials from Ohio and Kentucky have joined more than 80 other government officials, nonprofit leaders and advocates urging Congress to keep funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission that could be cut by President Donald Trumps discretionary budget funding proposal. Trump released the funding plan in May that would trim the ARCs money by 93% from $200 million in recent years to $14 million for fiscal year 2026. In recent years, Appalachia has built incredible momentum towards a multi-industry economy that provides good jobs that take good care of the communities around us, a letter from the officials to members of Congress reads. The ARC has been instrumental in driving forward this potential. Reductions to its programs pose a risk to innovative initiatives in workforce development, community revitalization, and American-made resilient energy. As previously reported by The Center Square, Congress continues to work through 12 annual appropriations bills that fund the federal government have now been drafted, while only one has passed the House. The most recent rash of bills, released recently, determines fiscal year 2026 funding levels for multiple departments and agencies, touching everything from the State Departments foreign aid programs to the Environmental Protection Agencys chemical cleanup programs. The ARC is not among the funding bills currently released. The House Subcommittee on Energy and Water was scheduled to mark up the ARCs bill July 7, but that meeting was postponed. Still, government leaders and nonprofit organizations throughout the 13-state, 432-county region continue to push the value of the organization that began in 1965. As a grant writer living here in the heart of eastern Kentucky, Ive seen with my own eyes what ARC funding can do, said Ruthie Caldwell, with Vision Grant LLC in Kentucky. The ARC is one of the few federal programs that truly understands our region and meets us where we are. It helps us build a better future from the ground up. Cutting this funding now would undo so much of the progress our communities have worked so hard for. I hope Congress will continue to invest in Appalachia were worth it, and the work is far from done. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has made the states Appalachian region a budget priority for the past several years, pushing for economic development, infrastructure, health care and education money from the federal and state level. The ARC is a critical organization to those of us in Appalachian Ohio, said Amesville, Ohio, Mayor Gary Goosman. "Funding for infrastructure, broadband, and informational services is key to our success." Hulu "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Since its debut in 2022, The Bear has been commended for its authentic portrayal of what goes on inside the kitchen of a modern day metropolitan restaurant. The Christopher Storer-helmed dramedy sets itself apart by steering clear of the inflated hospitality scenes of New York and Los Angeles. Instead, The Bear is deeply rooted in Chicagoits culture, its grit, and the people who inhibit it. The show exists as a celebration of the Midwest city's no-bullshit approach to life, love, and workand that spirit extends to how its core characters dress. Thanks to costume designer Courtney Wheeler, season four offers a deeper look at our favorite kitchen misfits beyond the constraints of The Bear, further revealing who they are when they hang up their chef whites for the night. For Wheeler, that means pulling pieces from the city's own specialty stores and boutiquesstores that the cast would actually shop at, and everyday Chicagoans, too. Ahead, Harper's Bazaar spoke with Wheeler about what makes up the sartorial world of The Bear four seasons in, Chicago's unsung vintage industry, and those can't-miss wedding guest dresses we see Brie Larson and Abby Elliott wear. Over the last four seasons, how have you struck a balance between what we see these characters wear inside of the kitchen and out? What parts of their personalities are important to make shine through the chef coats? I like it to feel that even when they're in uniform, you can kind of still see who they are. The uniforms can be an expression of self; [the characters] are able to play [with them]. For Sydney, especially, as a Black woman, she's probably been in kitchens where she didn't have a literal voice. No one wanted to hear what she was saying. Sometimes when you're in those spaces, clothes become how you speak and show your point of view. So I think those little accessories like the bandana [she wears] are really important and practical, [both inside] the kitchen and outside of it. We like to use a lot of vintage shirts and a lot of them are Chicago-basedwe used one from the Art Institute once, we had the Negro League sweatshirt this season. A lot of what Syd wears is meant to have a backstory, like maybe it was her mother's or her father's or it's [connected to] memories with both of her parents. She also likes to have fun and have a flare for color and texture. Obviously, Carmy is more classic and Carmy loves to be like, I can pick up this and this and everything will match and it's quality. He is someone who has an eye for things, [like his] jeans and shirts. Even though Carmy doesn't necessarily explore or experiment with his style, it's still his point of view. Before, Tina was very stubborn and didn't want to wear a white apron. Then, as she got more serious [about cooking], you could see how much she started to take pride in her uniform and what she was wearing. And at home, of course, we see her comfortableshe has a lot of warm colors, she has a lot of lived in style. But I think her main focus right now [in season four] is work. For Marcus, he's someone who, when we first saw him, wore a lot of graphic t-shirts. When he went to Copenhagen, he started to pare it down. He got inspired by that fashion scene and brought some of that [minimalist style] to his everyday wear. He still has his lucky hat, which haunts me because it's the only one we have and if we ever lose it, I don't know what we'll do. With Richie, obviously his journey is, I wear suits now. It's his armor, but in a different way. It is how he wants to present himself to the world and who he is now. It pumps him up and helps him feel more confident and helps him move through the world with a sense of identity that he didn't have beforeand a sense of purpose. Purpose is very important in our show. Hulu Hulu When it comes to the kitchen uniforms we see, where do you source those from? Or are they custom? Because obviously we know Carmy wants the best of the best for everyone in his kitchen. They come from several different places. For front of house, their uniforms are actually Rosa Rugosa, which is Matty Mattheson's brand; we wanted them to have a similar feeling and vibe to [those worn at] his his restaurant in Toronto. We also pull from Uncommon Threads, Stock MFG, Tilit, Carhartt, and Le Laboureur. It's a mix of stockeverything comes from real places that chefs go to. We love learning about new service brands and looking around and seeing what actual chefs are using and loving. Hulu This season's wedding episode was definitely a standout; we get to see the bulk of the cast in their special occasion looks. I specifically want to talk about the dresses we saw Brie Larson, who portrays Francie, a longtime family friend of the Berzatto's, and Abby Elliott, who plays Sugar, wear, because when I think "Midwest Wedding Guest," you hit the nail on the head. Before filming we sat down and asked ourselves, What is the most Midwestern thing we can do for these girls? We eventually ended up with this perfect Hill House Home-type lookthis very cottage-core, very feminine, springtime, romantic look. Francie wore a dress from Selkie and Sugar's was from Ganni. We thought, Wouldn't it be funny if both Francie and Sugar had these dreamy picnic dresses and they were just completely sailor mouthing, so upset at each other, and just yelling? They look so, I'm just a girl while their mouths are just like, do you know what you did? I also loved Sydney's outfit for the wedding. It was chic, but it wasn't over the top. We got that look from Blake in Chicago; shout out to that storeI love it. They always have the best stuff and a great designer selection. We use them a lot. That dress was by Meryll Rogge. It was one of those things where when we saw it, we just thought, this is perfect for her, because it is playful, it's chic, there are colors going on. I don't think we had her try on anything else. I remember she had on very interesting earrings too. Those were Agmes! Those were such a great find. She wears a lot of more delicate, smaller pieces. A lot of them are from Catbird. When she gets to dress up a little more, we do like to play more with statement pieces. They're something that she can express herself with. She's always looking for that, even when she's not sure of a life decision that's looming. It's like, Oh yeah, my life might be kind of confusing and I might be having a panic attack later, but at least I look really nice. Hulu Hulu We also need to discuss one of the more controversial characters...Claire! How did you curate the perfect Girl Next Door look for her? I mean, listenshe was never going to win with her being the onscreen love interest. For her casual style, we wanted it to feel laidback but not cheap. She definitely knows what she's putting on her body, but she also very pared back and easy. We do a lot vintage with her from Chicago-based places. She has this great jacket that we got from The Goody Vault. All she ever really needs is a really lovely fitting jean. When she dresses up, it's a little bit moreI'm trying not to use the word demure. I don't even think that's the right word for it and who she is. But I do think, from the first season to now, she's more like, I am going to dress up a little bit more, but in nothing that's too fussy. For the wedding, she wore a deep red gown from Victoria Beckham that was simple and flattering, and Carmy couldn't help but notice her. Claire is confident and her clothes also balance well when next to Carmy. Hulu Hulu I want to talk a little bit about Chicago style as a whole, because I think you've captured it really effortlessly throughout these last four seasons. Chicago style isn't always Midwest style. It's very specific. Vintage is a huge part of it. I know when I lived there, all my most stylish friends thrifted everything. So tell me how you came to represent what you interpret as Chicago style in this show? [It came from] exploring and hanging around and shopping there. Me and my team try to shop locally as much as possibleit just makes it more authentic. This is where they're actually buying their clothes, and there are a lot of great shops [helmed by] Chicago natives and a lot of neighborhoods that have so much style. We just want to show the different pockets of those people and make sure that they're not being pigeonholed. [As a costume designer,] you should always shop in the city that you're shooting in. This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. You Might Also Like Dayton Police Department Hershall Creachbaum NEED TO KNOW Police say 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum was reported missing on Saturday, July 12 It's now believed the boy has been dead for several weeks The boy's mother, Ashley Johnson, and a man, Michael Kendrick, have been charged in connection Two people are in custody after the body believed to be a missing 7-year-old Ohio boy with autism was found. Hershall Creachbaum, who is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair, was reported to have been kidnapped on July 12, the Dayton Police Department said. Later that day, a body believed to be Hershall's was located, police Chief Kamran Afzal said at a press conference on Monday, July 14. The chief added that the boy is believed to have been dead for several weeks. The boy's mother, Ashley Johnson, has since been arrested and charged with obstructing justice and failure to report a death, Afzal said. Michael Kendrick, 38, was also arrested and charged with tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse, police said. Afzal said that Kendrick had initially called 911. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Afzal noted the current charges are preliminary and more could be added pending the result of a forensic examination. "Our endgame is to have a lot more serious charges," Afzal said, though he did not specify what charges were being discussed. The police chief confirmed that Hershall had a sister living in the same home and that child services had taken over caring for her. Read the original article on People A student's room was targeted at Trinity College [Getty Images] A thief stole bank cards from a Cambridge University student who was sitting an exam at the time before going on a spending spree. Christian Willoughby, 43, let himself into the victim's unlocked room at Trinity College while the student was sitting an exam on 24 May last year. The student began receiving a series of text alerts of bank transactions while at lunch following the exam as Willoughby purchased food, drink and clothes. Willoughby, formerly of Grimsby, Lincolnshire, admitted burglary, theft and 18 counts of fraud and was jailed for 11 months at Peterborough Crown Court on 10 July. Cambridgeshire Police said the student returned to his room to discover his wallet had been stolen, along with a 200 watch and an envelope containing more than 100 in cash. Willoughby used the stolen bank cards within minutes of taking them to buy scratch cards, clothing, a new outfit, food and alcohol. Later that day, Willoughby stole more bank cards from a member of staff at bar La Raza, in Rose Crescent, Cambridge, and used these to buy food and train tickets to travel back home. He continued buying food and drink with the cards even after returning home to Lincolnshire until police arrested him. Willoughby had been caught on CCTV and cleaning staff at the university had also reported someone behaving strangely. Det Con Louise Clarke said: "Willoughby is an opportunist always looking for ways to steal and line his own pockets. "Thankfully, on this occasion, the quick-thinking of cleaning staff at the college secured a good description of him which helped us identify him. She added: "The real-time spending messages received by both victims meant they were immediately alerted to something wrong. This allowed them to swiftly contact us with details of the crimes." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Related internet links Celebrate Summer with Chef Vivian Howards Savory Tomato Pie Youve just returned from the farmers market with a bag of the ripest heirloom tomatoes but if youre bored of tossing the savory fruit into a simple salad, weve got the perfect recipe to change up your routine. This summer, were baking chef Vivian Howards simple, savory tomato pie, a show-stopping main that she originally shared on the PBS show A Chefs Life. In case you were wondering, Howard definitely knows her way around a kitchen in 2025, she opened her restaurant Theodosia at the The Sanderling Resort on the Outer Banks. At Theodosia, Howard uses locally-sourced ingredients to celebrate the rich traditions of eastern North Carolina cooking. But if you arent making a trip to the coast anytime soon, a pie night is just what you need. To make this exciting entree, youll need the best quality fresh tomatoes you can get; after roasting some of them, youll caramelize onions (patience is key here). Youll mix the veggies together for the filling and pile into the crust of your choice, then top the dish with grated Parmigiano Reggiano, grated Fontina cheese, and a dollop of mayo. The end result? A plant-based dinner that even a carnivore will love. Oh, and if youre brainstorming your pie crust plans, take a look at Howards own routine for baking up a hearty crust from scratch. Tomato Pie Ingredients For the Filling: 3 cups diced and drained fresh tomatoes 4 cups diced and roasted tomatoes 1 cup caramelized onions cup picked basil Salt Pepper Sugar For the Topping: cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cup grated Fontina cup mayo 1 pie crust Instructions For the diced and drained tomatoes: Dice about 3 cups fresh, high-quality tomatoes. Toss them with a little kosher salt and sugar. Set over a colander while you prepare the remaining ingredients if possible. If not, drain for a minimum of an hour. You should be left with about 2 cups of tomato. For the roasted tomatoes: Seed and dice 4 cups fresh, high quality tomatoes. Toss them with olive oil (Howard likes using garlic oil), plenty of kosher salt, and several sprigs of thyme. Spread this mix out on a baking sheet and roast at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. You want the tomatoes to be dry and slightly caramelized, but not burned around the edges. You should be left with about 2 cups of roasted tomato. For the onions: Peel and slice (with the grain) 4 medium yellow onions. In a large saute pan, heat 1/4 cup butter. Add the onions and season them with salt. Let the onions simmer and become juicy. Once the situation becomes a bit drier and much of the onion liquid has cooked out, turn down the heat, to its lowest setting and settle in for a long, slow caramelize. To get these onions where they need to be, it could take about 2 hours. You are looking for a medium brown, sweet caramelization. To assemble the filling: Combine the onions, fresh tomatoes, roasted tomatoes, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. Keep in mind, tomatoes take a lot of seasoning to really make them shine in applications like this. To bake and serve: Spread the filling over the bottom of a blind-baked crust. Flatten the topping between wax paper or use your good ol hands to create a 1/3-inch thick round of delicious, cheesy topping that spreads nearly to the edges of the pie. Bake at 375 degrees until the top is nicely browned, 20-25 minutes. Serve at just over room temperature. The post Celebrate Summer with Chef Vivian Howards Savory Tomato Pie appeared first on Katie Couric Media. NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE: OUT) announced today that it will report results for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2025 after the market closes on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The earnings announcement will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, www.outfront.com. The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The conference call number is 833-470-1428 (U.S. callers) and 404-975-4839 (International callers) and the passcode for both is 217110. Live and replay versions of the conference call will be webcast in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, www.outfront.com. About OUTFRONT Media Inc. OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location, and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard and transit assets in the United States. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go. Contacts: Investors Media Stephan Bisson Courtney Richards Investor Relations PR & Events Specialist (212) 297-6573 (646) 876-9404 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc. Alleged Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald shortly after his arrest, November 1963. Votava/Imagno/Getty Images Votava/Imagno/Getty Images Newly unearthed CIA documents undermine the agencys longstanding claim that it had no knowledge of Lee Harvey Oswalds ties to Cuban dissident groups. For decades, the CIA has insisted it was unaware of Oswalds involvement with pro-Cuba organizations and denied any connection to such groups, according to The Washington Post. But records declassified in early July reveal a notable contradiction in that narrative centered on one man in particular: George Joannides. Joannides, a decorated CIA officer, received a career commendation medal in 1981 for his work in a role called deputy chief of the Psychological Warfare Branch. The latest batch of documents reveals he also worked undercover and received a Washington, D.C., license under the alias Howard Mark Gebler. Further files declassified under President Donald Trumps memorandum to release JFK files reveal Joannides, posing as Gebler, was in regular contact with the Miami-based Cuban dissident group Directorio Revolucionario Estudiantil, known as the Student Revolutionary Directorate (DRE). He allegedly relayed instructions to the groups leader, Luis Fernandez Rocha, according to former DRE member Jose Antonio Lanuza, recounted the detail to Jefferson Morley, a former Washington Post reporter and longtime JFK conspiracy investigator. At the same time period the groups leader was in contact with Joannides, the anti-Fidel Castro DRE clashed with Oswald publicly over his involvement with the pro-Castro Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Shortly after the clash, which occurred three months before Kennedys assassination, Oswald approached DRE and pitched himself as a mole within the pro-Castro group. (RELATED: JFK Files Reveal New Depths Of CIA Incompetence) The CIA denied on three separate occasions that the Howard DRE members described to reporters even existed. This confirms much of what the public already speculated: that the CIA was lying to the American people, and that there was a cover-up, Republican Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who sits on the House Oversight Committees government task force on declassifying government secrets, told the Washington Post. Beyond his direct role in funding and supporting the DRE, Joannides also went on to act as the CIAs liaison to the House committee probing assassinations of Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. Members of the task force described a stonewalling campaign from Joannides. Joannides began to change the way file access was handled, Dan Hardway, a staffer on the committee, testified in May. The obstruction of our efforts by Joannides escalated over the summer [of 1978]. It was clear that CIA had begun to carefully review files before delivering them to us for review, he testified to the declassification task force. In 1994, when the Congressional Assassinations Records Review Board requested CIA documentation on Howard, CIA official J. Barry Harrelson wrote an official memo to the board denying the existence of Howard, according to the Washington Post. Harrelson later admitted the memo was wrong, but claimed it was because Howard was not listed in the CIAs registered aliases database, suggesting the nature of his work was clandestine even within the agency. This, Luna told the Post, served as proof that there was a rogue element that operated within the CIA, outside the purview of Congress and the federal government, that knowingly engaged in a cover-up of the JFK assassination. Costco is set to open seven new locations globally in August, including four of them in the United States. The next wave of stores comes on the heels of three new openings in South Korea, Sweden, and Midland, Texas in June and July, as well as a handful of new stores that opened in the U.S. this spring. The wholesale warehouse juggernaut is a staple of American shopping and a cult hero for shoppers around the world, with millions of card-carrying members and hundreds of locations in the U.S. and abroad. Costco aims to open 25-30 new locations each year, typically with half of them in the U.S. and the other half in international markets, chief financial officer Gary Millerchip said in March. Here is where Costco is opening next month. How Costco hooks shoppers: Come for the hot dogs, stay for the gold bars Where is Costco opening stores? Costco lists seven locations with future opening dates in August on its "Coming Soon" page. Rimouski, Quebec (opening Aug. 5) The Villages, Florida (opening Aug. 6) North Guadalajara, Mexico (opening Aug. 7) Richland, Washington (opening Aug. 8) Allen, Texas (opening date TBA) East Newmarket, Ontario, Canada (TBA) Spring Valley, Nevada (TBA) USA TODAY has reached out to Costco for more information. Where has Costco opened stores recently? Costco opened stores in March, April, June and July this year: Brentwood, California Highland, California Sharon, Massachusetts Genesee County, Michigan Prosper, Texas Weatherford, Texas Stuart, Florida Ardeer, Australia Minami Alps, Japan Pyeongtaek, South Korea Malmo, Sweden Midland, Texas USA TODAYs James Powel and Mike Snider contributed to this report. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Costco opening 4 new stores in August. See list of locations. By Philip Blenkinsop and David Lawder BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The European Union accused the U.S. of resisting efforts to agree a trade deal and warned of countermeasures on Monday if no deal was struck to avoid the "absolutely unacceptable" tariffs President Donald Trump has threatened to impose from August 1. Trump stepped up his trade war on Saturday, saying he would impose a 30% tariff on most imports from the EU and Mexico from next month, adding to similar warnings for other countries including Asian economic powerhouses Japan and South Korea. The EU has so far held off on retaliatory measures to avoid a spiralling tit-for-tat escalation in the trade war while there remains a chance of negotiating an improved outcome. But EU ministers emerging from a meeting in Brussels on Monday appeared closer to striking back. Speaking at a news conference following the meeting, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called the tariff threat "absolutely unacceptable." EU Trade Chief Maros Sefcovic, at the same press conference, said he believed there was "still a potential to continue the negotiations" but voiced frustration with Washington's failure to agree a deal with its largest trading partner. "The EU ... never walks away without genuine effort, especially considering the hard work invested, how close we find ourselves to making a deal and the clear benefits of the negotiated solution," he said. "But as I said before, it takes two hands to clap," he said, adding that EU member states agreed that the 27-nation bloc would need to take countermeasures if the trade negotiations with the U.S. fail. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani earlier said the EU had already prepared a list of tariffs worth 21 billion euros ($24.5 billion) on U.S. goods if the two sides fail to reach a deal. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett, meanwhile, said trade talks were still under way with the European Union, Canada and Mexico. Canada is facing a tariff of 35% from next month. Asked about his expectations of talks with the EU, the White House National Economic Council director said: "We'll see ... we've got a few weeks left." Hassett had said on Sunday that President Trump wanted to see better deals if the new tariffs are to be avoided. GERMAN CONCERN The threatened duties have sounded alarm bells in Europe, notably in Germany, the EU's biggest economy. After Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday that a 30% tariff would "hit the German export industry to the core", the head of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry called for swift action. "The escalating tariff conflict with the USA poses a serious threat to many German companies," Volker Treier said on Monday. "Tough negotiations are now needed to avert a collapse of transatlantic trade." European industries, meanwhile, are preparing for the worst. Producers of Italy's renowned Chianti wine in Tuscany, for example, have demanded a new export strategy backed by the EU targeting alternative markets such as South America, Asia and Africa in response. Since returning to the White House earlier this year, Trump has sought to use an array of tariffs to boost the U.S. economy, push companies to invest in the United States, and revitalise sectors including manufacturing. His initial "Liberation Day" tariff announcement in April, which set a baseline tariff of 10% on all imports and higher duties on certain products or countries, raised fears of global supply chain disruptions, sending shockwaves through markets. But subsequent U-turns and delays, including a 90-day pause on most duties aimed at allowing time for trade deal negotiations, have left investors largely inured to Trump's chaotic policy roll-outs. European stocks fell on Monday, while U.S. futures pointed towards a lower Wall Street open in response to the latest salvo. European autos and alcohol stocks were among those hardest hit. SCRAMBLE FOR DEALS The looming August 1 deadline has set off a scramble by governments around the world to seal trade agreements. South Korea's top trade envoy said on Monday it may be possible to strike an "in-principle" deal by the deadline and signalled that Seoul may be open to allowing the U.S. greater access to its agriculture markets, local media reported. Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo, who held high-level talks with U.S. officials last week, said South Korea was seeking to avoid "unfair" U.S. tariffs on sectors key to its industrial prowess that would undermine industrial cooperation with its main security ally and trading partner, media reports said. "I believe it's possible to reach an agreement in principle in the U.S. tariff negotiations, and then take some time to negotiate further," the Newsis news agency quoted Yeo as telling local media reporters. "Twenty days are not enough to come up with a perfect treaty that contains every detail," he added. South Korea is in a race to reach a compromise trade pact in the hope of avoiding a 25% tariff slapped on its exports, the same level faced by Japan. (Additional reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Hyunjoo Jin, Milan Strahm, Cristina Carlevaro, David Lawder, John Revill, Andreas Rinke, Wayne Cole and Emma RumneyWriting by Keith WeirEditing by Joe Bavier) By Guy Faulconbridge and Darya Korsunskaya MOSCOW (Reuters) -President Vladimir Putin intends to keep fighting in Ukraine until the West engages on his terms for peace, unfazed by Donald Trump's threats of tougher sanctions, and his territorial demands may widen as Russian forces advance, three sources close to the Kremlin said. Putin, who ordered Russian troops into Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting in country's east between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian troops, believes Russia's economy and its military are strong enough to weather any additional Western measures, the sources said. Trump on Monday expressed frustration with Putin's refusal to agree a ceasefire and announced a wave of weapons supplies to Ukraine, including Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. He also threatened further sanctions on Russia unless a peace deal was reached within 50 days. The three Russian sources, familiar with top-level Kremlin thinking, said Putin will not stop the war under pressure from the West and believes Russia - which has survived the toughest sanctions imposed by the West- can endure further economic hardship, including threatened U.S. tariffs targeting buyers of Russian oil. "Putin thinks no one has seriously engaged with him on the details of peace in Ukraine - including the Americans - so he will continue until he gets what he wants," one of the sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation. Despite several telephone calls between Trump and Putin, and visits to Russia by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, the Russian leader believes there have not been detailed discussions of the basis for a peace plan, the source said. "Putin values the relationship with Trump and had good discussions with Witkoff, but the interests of Russia come above all else," the person added. Asked for a comment on the Reuters reporting, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly blamed former President Joe Biden for allowing the war to erupt during his administration. "Unlike Biden, President Trump is focused on stopping the killing, and Putin will be faced with biting sanctions and tariffs if he does not agree to a ceasefire," she said. Putin's conditions for peace include a legally binding pledge that NATO will not expand eastwards, Ukrainian neutrality and limits on its armed forces, protection for Russian speakers who live there, and acceptance of Russia's territorial gains, the sources said. He is also willing to discuss a security guarantee for Ukraine involving major powers, though it is far from clear how this would work, the sources said. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Ukraine will never recognise Russia's sovereignty over its conquered regions and that Kyiv retains the sovereign right to decide whether it wants to join NATO. His office did not respond to a request for comment for this story. A second source familiar with Kremlin thinking said that Putin considered Moscow's goals far more important than any potential economic losses from Western pressure, and he was not concerned by U.S. threats to impose tariffs on China and India for buying Russian oil. Two of the sources said that Russia has the upper hand on the battlefield and its economy, geared towards war, is exceeding the production of the U.S.-led NATO alliance in key munitions, like artillery shells. Russia, which already controls nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, has advanced some 1,415 square km (546 square miles) in the past three months, according to data from the DeepStateMap, an open-source intelligence map of the conflict. "Appetite comes with eating", the first source said, meaning that Putin could seek more territory unless the war was stopped. The two other sources independently confirmed the same. Russia currently controls Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, plus all of the eastern region of Luhansk, more than 70% of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and fragments of Kharkiv, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Putin's public position is that those first five regions Crimea and the four regions of eastern Ukraine - are now part of Russia and Kyiv must withdraw before there can be peace. Putin could fight on until Ukraine's defences collapse and widen his territorial ambitions to include more of Ukraine, the sources said. "Russia will act based on Ukraine's weakness," the third source said, adding that Moscow might halt its offensive after conquering the four eastern regions of Ukraine if it encounters stiff resistance. "But if it falls, there will be an even greater conquest of Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy and Kharkiv." Zelenskiy has said Russia's summer offensive is not going as successfully as Moscow had hoped. His top brass, who acknowledge that Russian forces outnumber Ukraine's, say Kyiv's troops are holding the line and forcing Russia to pay a heavy price for its gains. TRUMP AND PUTIN The United States says 1.2 million people have been injured or killed in the war, Europe's deadliest conflict since the Second World War. Neither Russia nor Ukraine give full figures for their losses, and Moscow dismisses Western estimates as propaganda. Trump, since returning to the White House in January after promising a swift end to the war, has sought to repair ties with Russia, speaking at least six times by telephone with Putin. On Monday, he said the Russian leader was not "an assassin, but he's a tough guy." In an abrupt break from his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, Trump's administration has cast the war as a deadly proxy conflict between Russia and the United States, withdrawn support for Ukraine joining NATO and floated the idea of recognising Russia's annexation of Crimea. Putin portrays the war as a watershed moment in Moscow's relations with the West, which he says humiliated Russia after the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union by enlarging NATO and encroaching on what he considers Moscow's sphere of influence, including Ukraine and Georgia. Putin has yet to accept a proposal from Trump for an unconditional ceasefire, which was quickly endorsed by Kyiv. Recent days have seen Russia use hundreds of drones to attack Ukrainian cities. However, Trump told the BBC in an interview published on Tuesday that he was not done with Putin and that a Ukraine deal remained on the cards. The first source rejected Trump's assertion last week that Putin had thrown "bullshit" around, saying there had been a failure to transform positive talks with Witkoff into a substantive discussion on the basis for peace. A White House official said on Monday Trump was considering 100% tariffs on Russian goods as well as secondary sanctions on other countries that buy its exports as a means to drive Moscow to the negotiating table. China and India are the biggest buyers of crude. Despite existing sanctions and the cost of fighting Europe's biggest conflict since World War Two, Russia's $2 trillion economy has performed far better than many in Russia or the West expected. The economic ministry forecasts a slowdown to 2.5% annual growth in 2025 from 4.3% last year. The second person said that Trump had little leverage over Putin and suggested that even if Washington imposed tariffs on the purchasers of Russian crude then Moscow would still find a way to sell it to world markets. "Putin understands that Trump is an unpredictable person who may do unpleasant things but he is maneuvering to avoid irritating him too much," the source said. Looking ahead, one of the sources said there was likely to be an escalation of the crisis in coming months, and unscored the dangers of tensions between the world's two largest nuclear powers. And, he predicted, the war would continue. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Darya Korsunskaya in Moscow; Additional reporting in Washington by Steve Holland; Editing by Daniel Flynn) Water gushes near a ticket turnstile at the 28th Street station in New York City Monday. - Social media Another round of showers and thunderstorms moved across the Mid-Atlantic Tuesday after intense rain set off dangerous flash flooding from Virginia to New York on Monday, leaving at least two dead and prompting dozens of rescues as water overwhelmed roads and subways. Monday saw the most flash flood warnings ever issued in a single July day, with nearly 100, primarily across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Flooding was reported near Newark, New Jersey, New York City, northern Virginia and southern Maryland, according to the National Weather Service. Two people died in Plainfield, New Jersey, after a vehicle was swept away by floodwater, Union County spokesperson Kelly Martins told CNN in a statement. Tuesdays storms were more scattered and less intense than Mondays, but rainfall rates were heavy and with the ground already soaked, even small amounts of rain caused problems. The weather service reported flash flooding in areas of North Carolina Tuesday evening, including Burlington and Mount Airy, where vehicles were stranded, roads washed out, and water rushed into homes. Scattered showers are expected to continue across the Appalachian region, particularly western North Carolina, Wednesday morning. Storms set off dangerous flooding during Monday rush hour Showers on Monday dominated the Northeast by the latter half of the day and the heaviest storms arrived by early evening, threatening rush hour commuters. New York City experienced its second wettest hour on record Monday night after a little over 2 inches fell between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time. This record is only beat by the approximately three-and-a-half inches of rain recorded during the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021. New York City received a total of 2.64 inches of rain, shattering its previous record for July 14 rainfall set in 1908. Videos on social media showed water gushing onto platforms in New Yorks subway and flowing through subway cars as passengers crouched on seats. At least one subway station was flooded by the deluge, according to a spokesperson with the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Several trains were also suspended, delayed or rerouted due to the flooding, according to MTAs website. Several airports in the New York City area issued temporary ground stops and delays Monday evening, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, and impacts were also reported at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Boston Logan International Airport. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency due to the flooding Monday night, warning residents to remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary. The governor on Tuesday noted some roadways remained closed as crews worked to clear debris, make emergency road repairs, and remove abandoned cars caught in last nights flooding. North Plainfield, New Jersey, Mayor Lawrence La Ronde told CNN affiliate WABC emergency crews rescued people from at least 30 homes, after streets became completely flooded and were impassable. People walk through floodwaters in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on Monday, July 14, 2025. - WPMT In Union County, New Jersey, where the two deaths occurred, police assisted with 19 water rescues and the countys regional communications center received over 1,200 emergency calls in just two hours during the height of the storm, Martins, the spokesperson, added. The area saw rainfall totals between 3 to 5 inches. In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 16 water rescues were reported in Mount Joy Township Monday afternoon, according to the Mount Joy Fire Department. Starting around 2:00 p.m., intense rainfall dropped over 7 inches of rain in less than five hours, overwhelming stormwater infrastructure and inundating portions of the borough, the fire department said in a Facebook post. The west end of town was hardest hit, with reports of over 5 feet of water in some homes. When will the rain end? More showers began to develop in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Tuesday afternoon, lingering over parts of western North Carolina and Virginia during the evening. Showers will start clearing up by early Wednesday. Weather will remain quiet until the flood threat shifts north once again Wednesday into Thursday, with a level 2 of 4 excessive rainfall risk for most of Pennsylvania, the Washington, DC, Metroplex, eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia. Much of the area impacted by flooding early in the week had seen up to 300% of their normal rainfall over the past two weeks. Record-breaking flood events have happened nearly back-to-back in recent weeks, most notably in Texas Hill Country, where more than 130 people died after catastrophic flooding on July 4. New Mexico, North Carolina and other East Coast states have also seen life-threatening floods and historic rainfall this month. More than 3,000 flash flood warnings have been issued so far this year by National Weather Service offices around the country, with the current count higher than any previous year through July 14 since such records began in 1986. Overwhelming rainfall is becoming more prevalent in a warming world, as rising global temperatures drive weather toward extremes. Hourly rainfall rates have grown heavier in nearly 90% of large US cities since 1970, according to a recent study from the nonprofit research group Climate Central. Storms thrive on warm, moist air, and with the nation approaching peak summer heat, this month has seen the perfect conditions for flooding rain. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Jillian Sykes, Taylor Romine, Sarah Dewberry and Lauren Mascarenhas, and CNN Meteorologists Brandon Miller and Briana Waxman contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Federal authorities on Tuesday released new images of three Iranian intelligence officers allegedly involved in the abduction of retired FBI special agent Robert Levinson. Each attached to a seeking information poster, the images of Reza Amiri Moghadam, Taghi Daneshvar and Gholamhossein Mohammadnia are part of an extensive investigation into Levinson's disappearance in 2007, the FBI's Washington field office said. Moghadam is the current Iranian ambassador to Pakistan and previously led the operations unit of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security in Tehran, an agency whose members the FBI has accused of helping orchestrate Levinson's abduction. Daneshvar is described by the FBI as a high-ranking officer in the Iranian intelligence ministry involved in counterespionage activities. Around the time Levinson disappeared, he allegedly oversaw the work of Mohammad Baseri, another Iranian intelligence officer whom the United States government has accused in the abduction. Mohammadnia is a senior deputy in the intelligence ministry who served as the Iranian ambassador to Albania in 2016, before being expelled from Albania two years later for "damaging its national security," according to the FBI. The U.S. agency said Mohammadnia led an initiative to blame Levinson's disappearance "on a terrorist group in Pakistan's Baluchistan region to shift blame away from the Iranian government." The FBI released photos of three men it identified as senior Iranian intelligence officers involved in the abduction of retired FBI Special Agent Robert A. "These three intelligence officers were among those who allegedly facilitated Bob's 2007 abduction and the subsequent cover-up by the Iranian government. Bob likely later perished in captivity far away from his family, friends, and colleagues," said Steven Jenson, the assistant director in charge of the FBI's Washington office, in a statement. "The FBI will continue its relentless pursuit to hold anyone involved in his abduction to account for their reprehensible actions." The U.S. has maintained a view since Levinson vanished that the retired agent was kidnapped during an unauthorized CIA mission in Iran, and subsequently detained wrongfully by the Iranian government. Levinson was believed to be alive for years, until U.S. officials in 2020 said intelligence indicated he may actually have been dead "for some time." Moghadam, Daneshvar and Mohammadnia were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in March for allegedly playing a role in Levinson's "abduction, probable death, and Iran's efforts to cover up or obfuscate their responsibility," the federal agency said in an announcement at the time. The latest seeking information posters followed two others released by the FBI in December, for Baseri and Ahmad Khazai, both Iranian senior intelligence officers thought to be responsible for Levinson's abduction, detention and probable death. Federal authorities have described the men as high-ranking officers in the Iranian intelligence ministry. Both also were sanctioned by the U.S. government. Trump pushes senators to make $9.4 trillion in spending cuts Sneak peek: The Fitbit Alibi Trump heads to Pittsburgh for AI announcement, Russia rejects 50-day peace deadline ICE and FBI agents arrested Cuban intelligence official Tomas Emilio Hernandez Cruz in West Park, Florida, on charges of fraudulent claims on his immigration application. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (The Center Square) After numerous delays, lawmakers have released five more annual appropriations bills ready for markup in Appropriations subcommittees over the next few days. The most recent rash of bills, released Monday and Tuesday, determine fiscal year 2026 funding levels for multiple departments and agencies, touching everything from the State departments foreign aid programs to the Environmental Protection Agencys chemical cleanup programs. Out of the five new bills released, the most controversial bill, authorizing $37.9 billion in spending, provides funding for environmental initiatives. Under the legislation, which many Democrats are sure to oppose, the EPA would receive a total of $7 billion, a 23% funding cut from fiscal year 2025. While funding for the Hazardous Substance Superfund remains the same, environmental programs and management would see a nearly 29% funding cut. In the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement would receive $132 million, roughly half of what it requested last year. The National Park Service would receive over $3 billion, wildland fire management programs would receive $1.5 billion, and the Bureau of Land Management would get $1.2 billion. Another Appropriations bill set for markup would authorize $57.3 billion for energy and water infrastructure, including $48.7 billion for the Department of Energy to spend on nuclear energy and security, fossil fuels, and renewable energy programs, though money for the latter is slashed by roughly by two-thirds. The Army Corps of Engineers would receive $9.8 billion, including nearly $2 billion for flood and storm damage reduction projects, while the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is allocated $971 million. Republicans will be lucky to receive any Democratic votes on the $46.2 billion appropriations bill funding national security and the State department, given Democrats strong aversion to cutting any form of foreign aid. The bill drastically reduces funding for global health programs which the Trump administration argues have prioritized sex, gender identity, and abortion initiatives rather than actual health to $9.5 billion. This is down from $521 billion in fiscal year 2025. It also directs the Secretary of State to gradually transition PEPFAR programs off of U.S. assistance. Bipartisan concerns over PEPFAR and other AIDS-combatting health programs have caused headaches for Republicans looking to pass a $9.4 billion rescissions bill. Over $400 million is allocated for the Peace Corps, however, which President Donald Trump wanted Republicans to entirely defund. The bill does zero out all $437 million in funding for International Organizations and Programs, while granting $3.3 billion in assistance for Israel. But House appropriators $90 billion funding bill for transportation, housing, and development will likely see at least some Democratic support. It gives the Department of Transportation $22 billion in discretionary funding and boosts budgets for highway, air, and rail. The Federal Highway Administration would see $64 billion, the Federal Railroad Administration would receive $3.1 billion, and the Federal Aviation Administration would get $23.2 billion to help update its dangerously outdated air traffic control infrastructure. A total of $67.7 billion goes to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for rental assistance and public housing programs. The final funding bill released recently the bill for the Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, and related agencies allocates a total of $76.8 billion, including $10 billion for the FBI and $2.8 billion for the DEA. Although Trumps budget request wanted to zero out all funding for the Minority Business Development Agency, Republicans settled on a 76% cut, a possible olive branch to their Democratic colleagues. Over half of the 12 annual appropriations bills that fund the federal government have now been drafted, while only one has passed the House. None of the legislation will take effect unless all Congress passes them all. If lawmakers do not pass them by Sept. 30, the end of the current fiscal year, it will force a government shutdown. Tesla (TSLA) officially launched in India on Tuesday, making a small bet on a country with massive growth potential. Tesla's first showroom, dubbed a "Tesla Experience Center," opened in a fashionable mall in the cosmopolitan city of Mumbai, India's largest metropolis with nearly 13 million residents and more than 23 million including the greater region. Tesla's only car on offer is the refreshed Model Y, which will be imported from China, where Tesla builds models with right-hand drive. The cost will be steep, however, due to India's strict import tariffs of nearly 100%. Per Tesla's India website, the Model Y rear-wheel drive will start at 6.1 million rupees (or 61 lakhs, as they say in India), or around $70,000. The equivalent Model Y in the US starts at $44,900 before taxes and fees. Tesla's India deliveries will begin later in the third quarter. Media personnel look at Tesla's Model Y car at India's first Tesla showroom, newly opened in Mumbai, on July 15. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Not surprisingly, Tesla is not expected to sell many EVs in the country with such a high starting price and where the average annual income is around $4,000. And while India is the worlds third-largest car market by volume, EVs account for only 4% of overall sales. "We don't expect Tesla to play the volume game right away given the price tag," Counterpoint senior analyst Soumen Mandal told the AFP. But growth in India could be explosive. Per the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), India's population will reach nearly 1.7 billion people by 2050, whereas China is expected to see its population decline. Much of India's current population still lives rurally, with the country experiencing a low labor participation rate; those percentages are expected to flip, with a growing middle class on the way. People Research on India's Consumer Economy (PRICE) projects that by 2030, India will add about 75 million middle-class and 25 million rich households, with the total share of these segments reaching 56%. Read more: How to avoid the sticker shock on Tesla car insurance Tesla South East Asia director Isabelle Fan, third from right, poses with Tesla's India team at the newly opened showroom in Mumbai on July 15. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) The demographics point to a strong growth market, but it isn't that simple. India's strong preference for import tariffs, which have been in place for over 70 years in various capacities, is a means to boost domestic industrial production and make foreign companies invest in India. President Trump's tariff war isn't helping matters, but the two countries are negotiating to make a deal, with India's trade delegation currently in Washington. As for Tesla, CEO Elon Musk has toyed with building a plant in India for both local production and export, but a slowing EV market has the CEO recently betting on AI and autonomous technology. But investing in R&D to ease tariffs could be a way into India without having to build a plant. "In the future we wish to see R&D and manufacturing done in India, and I am sure at an appropriate stage Tesla will think about it," Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister of Maharashtra, the second-most-populous state in India, said per Reuters. Read more: How to find the best luxury car insurance Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and X and the former head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Blair House in Washington D.C., on Feb. 13. (Press Information Bureau/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Anadolu via Getty Images) The Musk factor is also a boon for Tesla, though it is complicated when it comes to India. Though he is popular as a businessman, Musks' X platform is mired in a legal battle over censorship in the country. Nevertheless, Musk held a one-on-one meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington earlier this year when Indian business leaders visited the White House, indicating the two may have a rapport. Modi has made no secret of his desire to reform Indian policies to boost foreign investment. Even domestic Indian automakers are welcoming the new competition. "Welcome to India, Elon Musk and Tesla. One of the world's largest EV opportunities just got more exciting," Anand Mahindra, fellow billionaire and chairman of the Mahindra Group (M&M.BO) said earlier Tuesday on X. "Competition drives innovation, and there's plenty of road ahead. Looking forward to seeing you at the charging station." StockStory aims to help individual investors beat the market. Pras Subramanian is the lead auto reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram. Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance The East Coast was slammed with torrential rain and flash flooding Monday that killed at least two people, turned streets into rivers, shut down subways, stranded drivers and prompted water rescues. The tristate area was hit hard, with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declaring a state of emergency, first responders commandeering local cars to rescue people stuck in floods, and widespread flight cancellations and delays. Two people died in Plainfield, New Jersey, on Monday after their car was swept into Cedar Brook during the height of the storm, city officials said. "Emergency personnel responded quickly, but tragically, both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene," the city said in a statement. The two were not publicly identified, pending notification to their families. In New York City, doomsday-like videos showed floods reaching the subway platforms. The city experienced a daily record rainfall of 2.64 inches, with 2.07 inches falling in less than one hour. Monday's hourly rainfall rate exceeded the city stormwater system's capacity, which is designed to withstand 1.75 inches per hour, prompting subway flooding. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, flooding was reported on Route 22 and Route 27, and residents were advised to stay indoors. A car sits in floodwaters in Plainfield, N.J., early Tuesday. ( Lokman Vural Elibol / Anadolu via Getty Images) In North Plainfield, New Jersey, a house exploded around 11:30 p.m. Monday. Firefighters found it engulfed in flames as severe floodwaters swept through the neighborhood. The occupants were not home, however, after they had evacuated to higher ground before the explosion, according to North Plainfield Fire Chief William Eaton. In Plainfield, a temporary shelter was opened for displaced locals. The two deaths in Plainfield followed another severe storm July 3 that killed two people. "All of Plainfield grieves this latest loss," Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said. "To lose four residents in such a short span of time is unimaginable. We mourn with the families, and we remain committed to doing all we can to strengthen our emergency response systems and protect our residents from future harm." On the ground, first responders in New Jersey worked around the clock to rescue people from submerged vehicles. "Pretty scary. Im lucky because I didn't have my kids with me," one woman told "TODAY" after a front-loader construction vehicle picked up trapped drivers and brought them to higher ground. Violet Frederick said police helped her to safety before using her Jeep for more rescues. "Then they go, 'OK, take everything you need out of your car, we need to go rescue people now,'" she told NBC New York. A flash flood emergency was declared overnight for Petersburg, Virginia, where 3 to 6 inches of rain fell across the area in just a couple of hours. A flood watch is in effect for central and eastern Virginia, as well as lower Maryland, through midnight Tuesday. "Very heavy rainfall over the past 24 hrs has led to very saturated ground, and it will not take much more rainfall to quickly cause additional flash flooding," the National Weather Service Office of Wakefield said early Tuesday. Meanwhile, in Plant City, Florida, east of Tampa, nearly 10 inches of rain fell in three hours, surpassing the criteria of a 1,000-year rain event. More flooding is possible Tuesday, with 12 million people under flood watches this morning across central Texas, eastern Oklahoma, into Arkansas, and parts of Virginia and North Carolina. Several different regions are at risk for flooding, including the mid-Atlantic (Virginia to North Carolina), central Florida, the Hill Country of Texas, which suffered deadly floods over the Fourth of July weekend, southern Arizona and the Upper Midwest. Across all of these regions, afternoon thunderstorms capable of producing rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches or more per hour could cause flash flooding. A flood watch is in effect for the Rio Grande, Edwards Plateau, Hill Country and the Interstate 35 corridor in Texas through 1 p.m. CT Tuesday, with 1 to 3 inches of rain expected, with isolated amounts of up to 6 inches possible. The Hill Country is still reeling from Fourth of July flooding that killed 132 and left more than 100 people missing. Flash flooding may occur as rivers are already running at above normal levels, the weather service warned. On Monday night, Maverick County, on the southwest border of Texas near the Mexico border, issued a mandatory evacuation order for the Quemado and Normandy communities because of the heavy rain and rising water levels. "NOW IS THE TIME TO EVACUATE. DO NOT WAIT," the county wrote on Facebook. Fires To the west, nearly 60,000 acres have burned in the White Sage and Dragon Bravo fires near the Grand Canyon, forcing the closure of the North Rim of the beloved national park. The Dragon Bravo Fire began July 4 near the canyons North Rim. Days later, the White Sage Fire ignited 35 miles north, just outside of the park, and has since quadrupled in size. Both were caused by lightning. As of Tuesday morning, the Dragon Bravo Fire has burned 8,750 acres and remains at zero percent containment, while the White Sage Fire has burned 51,922 acres and also stands at zero percent containment. More than 70 structures have been lost in the blazes, and over 500 people have been evacuated. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge, a gem of American history, was lost to the flames Saturday. Built in 1928, it was the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim and served as a well-known park landmark. "It has been a trying week for everyone. We had approximately 50 employees who were evacuated from the North Rim this last weekend, and the loss is devastating. We lost a lot of our employee housing for the National Park Service," Public Affairs Officer Joelle Baird told NBC News. Guest and Jeffrey Epstein attend the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on August 1, 1995. Credit - Patrick McMullanGetty Images Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett dismissed allegations that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein worked for Israeli intelligence services, describing the claims from U.S. media figures as being part of a vicious wave of slander and lies against Israel. The Israeli politician on Monday said he had 100% certainty that Epstein did not have any ties to the Mossad, Israels foreign intelligence agency, or the country itself. The accusation that Jeffrey Epstein somehow worked for Israel or the Mossad running a blackmail ring is categorically and totally false, Bennett said in a post on X. Theres a vicious wave of slander and lies against my country and my people, and we just wont take it anymore. The denial comes after right-wing commentator and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson suggested on Friday without evidence that Epstein was likely working for the Israeli government. Similar claims have been levied by others in the past but have not been proven. Epstein recently returned to national headlines after the Justice Department released a memo earlier this month denying that any evidence supports the existence of an Epstein client list or that the disgraced financier was murdered. The memo has caused a rift between President Donald Trump and his MAGA base, who have long promoted conspiracy theories tied to Epstein and his 2019 death behind bars. Trump previously promised during his 2024 campaign that he would release records about Epstein if he won the election, but since the memos release has urged his supporters to move on. Read more: Trump Urges Supporters to Move On From Epstein, as MAGA Conspiracists Demand Transparency Bennett accused Carlson and other prominent online personalities of pretending they know things they dont, adding, They just make things up, say it with confidence and these lies stick, because its Israel. Heres what to know about the allegations. Why is Naftali Bennett publicly addressing these allegations now? Bennetts public address follows Carlsons comments alleging a connection between Israel and Epstein during a Turning Point USA Student Action Summit on Friday. The popular conservative commentator, who has been one of the most prominent critics of the Justice Departments memo, said that people needed to start questioning why was [Epstein] doing this, on whose behalf, and where was the money coming from? Epstein, Carlson went on to speculate, was working on behalf of intelligence services, likely for a foreign government. Now, no ones allowed to say that foreign government is Israel, because weve been somehow cowed into thinking that thats naughty, he added. There is nothing wrong with saying that, theres nothing hateful about saying that, theres nothing antisemitic about saying thattheres nothing even anti-Israel about saying that! The history behind the allegations that Epstein was connected to Mossad The allegations that Epstein had ties to Israeli intelligence services are not new. Miami Herald investigative journalist Julie K. Brown, best known for her investigations into Epstein, told The Times of Israel in 2021 that there was a possible connection between the convicted sex offender and the Israeli intelligence community due to his relationship with media baron Robert Maxwell. Robert Maxwell certainly had those kinds of connections, and Epstein had a close relationship with Robert Maxwell, Brown, who is also the author of Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story, told the publication. Rumors about a connection between Epstein and Mossad have also been brought forward by Epsteins former girlfriend and victim, known in court documents as Jane Doe 200, against the disgraced financiers estate. The woman claimed in a legal filing that she was told that Robert Maxwell was in the Mossad, and was led to believe by both Maxwell and Epstein that Epstein was as well. In response to Bennetts defense, which she called meaningless, longtime conservative commentator Megyn Kelly also cited 2019 reports that claimed that Alexander Acosta, the former Miami attorney who gave Epstein a controversial non-prosecution plea deal in 2008, had told the Trump transition team that Epstein belonged to intelligence. Acosta later denied such reports. Read more: The Biggest Names from Jeffrey Epsteins Unsealed Court Documents In his Friday comments, Carlson pointed to Epsteins reported ties to Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, with whom the convicted sex offender allegedly met some 30 times from 2013 to 2017. Carlson questioned why Epstein had never been asked about a connection with Barak or Mossad. What the hell is this? You have the former Israeli prime minister living in your house, you have had all this contact with a foreign government, were you working on behalf of the Mossad? Were you running a blackmail operation on behalf of a foreign government? the right-wing media personality asked. Other prominent political leaders, including Trump and former President Bill Clinton, have also been named in court documents released in connection with Epstein. Contact us at letters@time.com. Venture to serve data center power needs through long-term energy supply agreements ALLENTOWN, Pa., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) ("PPL") and Blackstone Infrastructure today announced that they have formed a joint venture to build, own and operate new gas-fired, combined-cycle generation stations to power data centers under long-term energy services agreements (ESA). The announcement was made at the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit hosted by Sen. David McCormick at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. "We're excited to leverage the powerful expertise that PPL and Blackstone Infrastructure possess to bring much-needed new dispatchable generation online in Pennsylvania to match new data center load in a way that directly supports economic development and large load customer needs, helps to mitigate rising electricity prices for energy consumers, and delivers increased value for shareowners without traditional merchant power risk," said PPL President and Chief Executive Officer Vincent Sorgi. The joint venture seeks to develop front-of-the-meter generation that sits atop the Marcellus and Utica shale basins; can quickly connect to significant, available gas pipeline capacity; and targets areas of significant data center interest. "We are excited to partner with PPL to develop generation projects that will help Pennsylvania, and PJM, meet the growing demand for power driven by the digitization of the economy," said Sebastien Sherman, Senior Managing Director, Blackstone Infrastructure. "Blackstone Infrastructure has a proven track record and commitment to long-term partnerships, and we look forward to working with PPL to power data centers across Pennsylvania and the broader PJM service territory." The joint venture plans to enter into long-term energy services agreements with regulated-like risk profiles that do not expose the companies to merchant energy and capacity price volatility. Construction of new natural gas plants will require the successful execution of ESAs with hyperscalers. The joint venture is actively engaged with landowners, natural gas pipeline companies and turbine manufacturers, and has secured multiple land parcels to enable this new generation buildout; however, no ESAs with hyperscalers have been signed to date. The joint venture team also looks forward to engaging with local stakeholders as plans develop. PPL owns 51% of the joint venture interest, with Blackstone Infrastructure owning 49%. The parties will ratably share joint venture expenses and distributions. The joint venture does not include PPL Electric Utilities or PPL's other regulated subsidiaries. "I'm an all-of-the-above energy governor, and we are working to produce even more energy here in Pennsylvania from all sources from natural gas to solar to wind to nuclear," said Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. "As a national energy leader, we welcome Blackstone Infrastructure's intent to invest in Pennsylvania and work with PPL to deliver long-term clean energy solutions to power our data centers through natural gas generation. Pennsylvania is competing again, and it is clear that with the significant investments recently announced in the commonwealth and today's historic announcement by PPL and Blackstone Infrastructure, Pennsylvania is primed for investments in energy, data centers, AI and more. I look forward to working with Blackstone Infrastructure and PPL as their plan comes together to create real, good paying jobs and generate new revenue for our communities with investments that will drive economic opportunity to the commonwealth." A creative solution to a growing need PJM Interconnection has forecasted the potential for capacity shortages as early as the 2026-27 delivery year. With surging demand from data centers, increasing retirements of aging dispatchable generation, and the vast majority of resources in PJM's interconnection queue being intermittent with historically low completion rates, new solutions are needed now. Within PPL Electric Utilities' service territory in Pennsylvania alone, data center interest has reached over 60 gigawatts (GW) of potential projects, with over 13 GW in advanced stages of planning. If all 13 GW come online, PPL estimates a 6 GW generation shortfall in PPL Electric Utilities' service territory in the next five to six years. That represents about a $15 billion investment need, assuming natural gas combined-cycle units are used to meet this need. PPL said it expects this generation to be built by existing independent power producers, the new joint venture being announced today and, if permitted, PPL Electric Utilities. To avoid making significant existing resource adequacy concerns within PJM worse, the joint venture endeavors to build new, dispatchable generation to serve large-load data centers in Pennsylvania. PPL said the joint venture does not lessen the need for additional action to address underlying resource adequacy concerns. This includes passage of current legislation pending before both the Pennsylvania House and Senate to allow the state's utilities to invest in, own and operate generation again. The legislation also encourages utilities to enter into long-term contracts with independent power producers to help derisk their new generation investment. Meeting this unprecedented demand growth will require an unprecedented response and will require all market participants to be part of the solution. "At PPL, we are committed to developing creative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges we face in today's changing energy landscape," said Sorgi. "And in Blackstone Infrastructure, we've found a tremendous partner and long-term energy infrastructure investor that not only has deep expertise in data center development and power generation but also shares our passion to deliver America's AI dominance and to help address resource adequacy concerns within PJM." About PPL PPL Corporation, headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is a leading U.S. energy company focused on providing electricity and natural gas safely, reliably and affordably to more than 3.6 million customers in the U.S. PPL's high-performing, award-winning utilities are addressing energy challenges head-on by building smarter, more resilient and more dynamic power grids and advancing sustainable energy solutions. For more information, visit www.pplweb.com. About Blackstone Infrastructure Blackstone Infrastructure is an active investor across energy, transportation, digital infrastructure and water and waste infrastructure sectors. We seek to apply a long-term buy-and-hold strategy to large-scale infrastructure assets with a focus on delivering stable, long-term capital appreciation together with a predictable annual cash flow yield. Our approach to infrastructure investing is one that focuses on responsible stewardship and stakeholder engagement to create value for our investors and the communities we serve. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release, including statements about the beliefs, expectations, estimates, future plans and strategies of PPL Corporation, including the potential impacts of the joint venture, PPL Corporation's financial position, capital investments and potential impacts to PPL Corporation's customer base, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although PPL Corporation believes that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those described in the statements, including the ability of the parties to develop generation projects or enter into long-term energy services agreements with hyperscalers, utilities or other entities, which may not occur or may be delayed, or that any such transaction will ultimately be consummated. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on numerous assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, business strategies, operating environments, future developments and other factors that we believe are relevant. In addition to the risk that these assumptions prove to be inaccurate, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements include factors disclosed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. PPL Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. Media Contacts: Ryan Hill, PPL Corporation [email protected] 610-774-5997 Paula Chirhart, Blackstone [email protected] 347-463-5453 Financial Analysts Contact: Andy Ludwig, PPL Corporation 610-774-3389 SOURCE PPL Services Corporation Dan Serafini (file photo) pitched in MLB with seven teams. He was convited of first-degree murder. (Imagn Images) Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2021 shooting that claimed the life of his father-in-law and left his mother-in-law injured. The victims in the June 5, 2021, attack were Robert Gary Spohr, 70, who was found dead in a home in North Lake Tahoe, Calif., from a single gunshot. Also shot was his wife, Wendy Wood, then 68. She recovered from the injures but died by suicide one year later. The family cited the trauma of the attack as the reason for her death. Prosecutors said the fatal incident involved a $1.3 million ranch renovation project and presented text message evidence of the escalation of the disagreement and premeditation prior to the shooting. One text message sent prior to the attack read, "I'm going to kill them one day." Serafini and 33-year-old Samantha Scott were charged as co-defendants last year. In February, Scott pleaded guilty to an accessory charge and during the trial was introduced as a close friend of one of the Spohrs' daughters, Erin. Erin was married to Serafini and testified that they had an open marriage and was aware Scott was romantically involved with her husband. Erin Spohr testified that she did not believe Serafini murdered her father or shot her mother. Video surveillance from the home and surrounding area showed a man wearing a hood, face covering and a backpack walking to the Spohrs' home before the homicide. Evidence presented at the trial alleged Serafini was in the home nearly three hours before the attack. Information gathered during a two-year investigation led them to Serafini and Scott. Serafini is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 18 in Placer County, Calif. The Minnesota Twins selected Serafini, a native of the San Francisco area, with the No. 26 overall pick in the 1992 MLB Draft. He made his debut in 1996 and went on to appear in 104 games (33 starts) with the Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies before his retirement in 2007. He had a 15-16 record with a 6.04 ERA and one save. He threw 263 2/3 innings and struck out 127 batters. --Field Level Media David Livingston - Getty Images "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." With 22 seasons as a "Top Chef" judge under her belt, Gail Simmons has seen (and tasted) it all. But as the title of her cookbook, Bringing It Home, suggests, the television personality is all about finding ways to make diverse dishes and international flavors accessible to home cooks. Simmons recently joined the Jewish Food Society for their inaugural food and culture festival in New York City, aptly named The Great Nosh. The summer picnic party brought some of the city's most iconic restaurants and beloved chefs together for 12 exclusive collaborations that blended cuisines. A small sampling: Thai Diner and Katz's Deli teamed up to make a marbled rye roti reuben, English chef Ed Szymanski partnered with Israeli chef Mike Solomonov on chicken "schnitz & chips," and Atoboy and Apollo Bagels dished out sesame bagels topped with wasabi cream cheese, Korean soy-marinated Acme smoked fish, and gochugaru crumble. Juxtaposing the Instagram-worthy food and drink was the Grandma's Tent, where Simmons and Mexican chef Pati Jinich hosted multi-generational cooking demonstrations. Each featured a pair of cooks from different generations within the same family, sharing the history behind their recipe and passing out samples of the finished dish for attendees to enjoy. Ken Goodman Photography On the programming, Jewish Food Society founder Naama Shefi tells Delish, "Next to the innovation and more modern take on food, it was important for us to highlight tradition. That's the DNA of what the Jewish Food Society does: We're building the largest archive of family recipes and the histories around them." Delish spoke to Simmons after the event about her own family recipes and how she's making new traditions with her kids at home. "I still make so many recipes that my mother made and that her mother made, and now I make with my daughter and my son. It's a beautiful way to unite generations. And it's a great way to preserve a sense of community and our culture. The culture changes generation to generation, but food is a way to preserve so many of the traditions," she tells us. "I think my children really have a sense of who we are and the flavors that we grew up on and now have integrated into their own lives," Simmons says. "And I love that they don't just want to eat the food, but they want to be part of the process. Challah making and matzo ball making, so many of the things that I did with my parents growing up, they now do with me. I find that the more we do it around them and the more they see it, the more they want to be involved. I think that's the way to integrate them gently into understanding the importance of these foods." Simmons, who was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, now lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two children. "We've built a lot of traditions with our children, but I would say that a lot of it was passed on to us, and we've evolved. They change over time because our circumstances are a little different. That's part of creating traditions with my kids," she explains. "When I was growing up, I did Shabbat every Friday night, and that doesn't necessarily happen in New York with me and my family due to schedules and our cadence of life. But we try to preserve it in different ways, light the candles as much as we can, and spend time together to honor Shabbat. It's the little things that we do that tweak the traditions that we knew and make them our own." You Might Also Like Karolina Wojtasik/HBO; Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell on 'The Gilded Age' season 3 (L); Consuelo Vanderbilt (R) NEED TO KNOW Gladys Russell (Taissa Farmiga) married the Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb) on the latest episode of The Gilded Age Their relationship and wedding appears to be mirroring that of Consuelo Vanderbilt, who married the Duke of Marlborough in 1895 Only time will tell if Consuelo's real life hints at what's to come for Gladys The latest episode of The Gilded Age saw the wedding of the century and many fans are pointing out its real-life inspiration. Despite the efforts of her father George's (Morgan Spector), Gladys Russell (Taissa Farmiga) was unable to thwart her mother Bertha's (Carrie Coon) plan to marry her off to the Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb). The two said "I do" in a stunning-yet-somber ceremony and immediately set sail for England. Three seasons in, creator Julian Fellowes has an impressive track record for including historical inspiration within the storyline of his fictional characters. Fans are convinced that Gladys is a stand-in for Consuelo Vanderbilt, and everything we've seen up to now seems to indicate they are correct. Karolina Wojtasik/HBO Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell and Ben Lamb as the Duke of Birmingham on 'The Gilded Age' season 3 Like Gladys, Consuelo was the daughter of a railroad tycoon and a Manhattan socialite. Consuelo was born in New York City in 1877 to William Kissam Vanderbilt and Alva Vanderbilt. Both Gladys and Consuelo sought to marry for love, but their mothers had different ideas and set about arranging their daughters' nuptials. They wanted their daughters to secure as much status as possible through their marriage, and that meant gaining an enviable title in both cases, Duchess. In her memoir, The Glitter and the Gold, Consuelo writes in detail about the efforts her mother Alva took to ensure she married into aristocracy, per Vogue. I considered I had a right to choose my own husband. These words, the bravest I have ever uttered, brought down a frightful storm of protest," Consuelo wrote of her mother, who rejected the idea she could marry her true love, Winthrop Rutherford, the son of a notable New York society family. "I suffered every searing reproach, heard every possible invective hurled at the man I love." Bettmann Archive/Getty Portrait of the Duchess of Marlborough, Consuelo Vanderbilt, on November 17, 1926 Similarly, Gladys was forbidden to marry her true love, Billy Carlton (Matt Walker), a young man from a prominent New York family. While Gladys was married off to the Duke of Buckingham on The Gilded Age, in real life Consuelo was married off to Charles Spencer Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough at 19 years old, whom her mother Alva met during a trip abroad to the Marlborough estate. She was the first American woman to ever become a Duchess. Both marriages were carefully arranged by their mothers, and their fathers came into play with a dowery that sweetened the deal for both sides. Marlborough received $100,000 yearly plus $2.5 million in railroad stock, which would be around $3.2 million and $81 million today, respectively. George Russell pays Gladys' husband handsomely on the show, and gives Gladys an allowance. The same can be said for Consuelo. There's also a commonality between how Gladys and Consuelo both felt on their respective wedding days. On The Gilded Age, to say Gladys is devastated about marrying the Duke of Buckingham would be an understatement. She is clearly upset at her parents and feels trapped, but, ultimately agrees. In her memoir, Consuelo writes, "I spent the morning of my wedding day in tears and alone; no one came near me. A footman had been posted at the door of my apartment and not even my governess was admitted." Getty Images A portrait of Consuelo Vanderbilt, the 9th Duchess of Marlborough in 1902 The show depicts Gladys being late for her wedding at St. Thomas Church in June 1884 because she was upstairs in her bed deciding if she would go through with it or not a direct parallel to what happened with Consuelo. "On a November day in 1895, crowds of curious sightseers gathered outside St. Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue in New York, intent on spotting a small dapper bridegroom whom they knew to be a great English aristocrat awaiting his bride-to-be," reads the book jacket of Amanda Mackenzie Stuart's 2005 book Consuelo and Alva Vanderbilt: The Story of a Daughter and a Mother in the Gilded Age. The snippet continues, "When she arrived, twenty minutes late, anyone who caught a glimpse beneath Consuelo Vanderbilt's veil would have seen that her face was swollen from crying." In a heartbreaking turn, Gladys was weeping under her veil during her wedding to the Duke of Birmingham. While we don't know how Gladys' marriage to the Duke of Buckingham will go, we do know how Consuelo's marriage to the Duke of Marlborough went. Consuelo and the Duke of Marlborough had two sons, John Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford, and Lord Ivor Charles Spencer-Churchill. Though, she never took a liking to living in England nor to her husband. "How I learned to dread and hate these dinners, how ominous and wearisome they loomed at the end of a long day, she wrote in her memoir about dining with the Duke of Marlborough. Having their relationship built on shaky ground, they separated in 1906 and divorced in 1921. Their marriage was later annulled by the Vatican in 1926. Consuelo went on to marry Jacques Balsan in 1921. Interestingly, the Duke of Marlborough's second wife was named Gladys Deacon. Will Gladys' trajectory on The Gilded Age continue to mirror that of Consuelo's from history? Only time will tell. The Gilded Age season 3 airs Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max. Read the original article on People EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., reacted on Monday following a Fox News Digital report that the Mountain West Conference hired the same law firm to investigate the transgender athlete Blaire Flemings misconduct allegations that the conference was using to defend the athlete's eligibility for the conference tournament in court. Kiley had been outspoken against transgender athletes competing against girls and women in sports and was at odds with California Gov. Gavin Newsom as the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the state over alleged Title IX violations. Click Here For More Sports Coverage On Foxnews.com "The absurdity and unfairness of forcing young women and girls to compete against males also poses obvious safety risks," Kiley said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "The revelations from Fox News Digital are highly disturbing, but sadly unsurprising: the same institutions that willingly subject student-athletes to the risk of physical harm are failing to adequately respond when those harms materialize. "Fortunately, the tide has decisively turned against the backwards politicians and organizations who have defied common sense and biological reality in their attempt to undermine hard-won civil rights protections for female athletes." Former San Jose State womens volleyball player Brooke Slusser was the apparent target of an alleged plan by Fleming and a Colorado State player to have Slusser spiked in the face during an Oct. 3 game. Slusser was never spiked in the face during that game. Fleming had 10 errors as SJSU lost to Colorado State in straight sets. Read On The Fox News App Fox News Digital previously reported that Mountain West hired the firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher (WFG) to investigate the allegations. The Mountain West hired the firm to handle the investigation in the same month that the same firm represented the conference to protect Fleming's eligibility in a request for preliminary injunction to have the trans athlete disqualified from women's competition and the conference tournament. The investigation was closed after three days, with Fleming being cleared of impropriety. But no evidence was ever disclosed by the conference, as Fleming went on to finish out the season, earn all-conference honors and even led SJSU all the way to the Mountain West championship game. California Rep. Kevin Kiley gave an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital. Law Firm That Worked To Keep Sjsu Trans Player Eligible Also Cleared Athlete Of Conspiring To Harm Teammate The WFG attorney who led the investigation into allegations against Fleming, Tim Heaphy, later offered the school legal counsel to help it navigate a federal Title IX investigation over the same situation, as seen in public records obtained by Fox News Digital. The offer was declined. None of WFG's attorneys have been accused of violating any applicable rules of professional conduct. Fox News Digital reached out to the firm Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, the Mountain West Conference and the California State University system for a response on Kileys statement. Slusser spoke late last month about the recent findings in an appearance on Fox News Channels "America Reports." "Its obvious once this was put out into the public that theres so much bias in this situation, and theyre trying to just sweep these things under the rug and not have to deal with it when theres obvious problems going on all over the place," she said. "They need to be held accountable for using the same law firm and not doing a thorough investigation because Title IX was built to protect women, and theyre obviously deciding to protect the man in this situation when they were blatantly trying to harm a female athlete at their school, and theyre still backing this male athlete and thats just wrong all over the place. And theres schools all over the nation doing this, theyre just not getting the spotlight it deserves." Slusser ultimately hopes that no other female athletes have to deal with the same things she experienced. Brooke Slusser #10 and Blaire Fleming #3 of the San Jose State Spartans call a play during the first set against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Court at East Gym on October 19, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. "The goal is to never have to let another female athlete go through what I did. The sport was ruined for me my senior season," she said. "So, the goal is to give back to those young girls who had the same dream that I did but to be able to love it the entire time." Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Original article source: GOP lawmaker calls SJSU's latest chapter in trans athlete controversy 'highly disturbing' Slow-moving storms dropped heavy rain across the Northeast on Monday, causing flash floods that submerged New York City subway stations, swamped roads and delayed or canceled hundreds of flights at multiple airports. Over 24 hours, there were nearly 100 flash flood warnings issued across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. On Tuesday morning, officials with the city of Plainfield, New Jersey, announced that two people died after a vehicle was swept away during the height of the storms. Monday's deaths come after severe storms claimed the lives of two others in the city on July 3. Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Map said, "To lose four residents in such a short span of time is unimaginable. We mourn with the families, and we remain committed to doing all we can to strengthen our emergency response systems and protect our residents from future harm. More than 2 inches of rain fell in about an hour in New York City on Monday evening. Dramatic video showed floodwaters roaring into multiple subway stations in Manhattan. Passengers shared video from inside trains as they watched platforms go underwater. As a result, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority suspended service on several lines. Above ground, Central Park recorded 2.64 inches of rain. Weather.com senior meteorologist Jon Erdman said that was their heaviest day of rain since March 23, 2024, when the area received 3.66 inches. Erdman added that Mondays rainfall was also more than half of the city's average monthly rain for July. Flash floods shut down roads across all five boroughs of the city, but the flooding also extended much farther. Westchester County, north of the city, was hit hard and floodwaters got at least waist-high in some areas. Some drivers had to be rescued from vehicles inundated by water. (MORE: Soggy East Braces For More Flooding) The village of Elmsford declared a state of emergency after Mayor Robert Williams said the heavy rain caused damage to streets, homes and businesses. Planes were grounded and hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled at the region's three big airports: John F. Kennedy, Newark and LaGuardia. The delays and cancellations extended into early Tuesday. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency after the northern part of the state got 4 to 6 inches of rain. Dozens of people in places such as New Providence, Plainfield and Scotch Plains had to be rescued, as floodwaters trapped and swept away vehicles. The mayor of North Plainfield told WABC that people were rescued from at least 30 homes and were sheltering at a community center overnight. In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the borough of Mount Joy declared a state of emergency, saying the area recorded more than 7 inches of rain in less than five hours. There were reports of more than 5 feet of water in some homes. The fire department said emergency responders performed 16 water rescues. For today, the main threat of heavy rain is for Washington, D.C., and parts of Virginia. However, a flood threat returns to parts of the Northeast by Thursday. MORE ON WEATHER.COM 'Not Again': Why Vermont Dreads July 10 Late Summer To Early Fall Outlook Texas River Rises One Week After Deadly Flooding Zion Canyon Hot Springs Several pools at Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort. Key Points Zion Canyon Hot Springs just opened near Zion National Park with over 50 geothermal pools inspired by global destinations. It was built to revive public access to the areas healing waters and create a top-tier hot springs retreat in the U.S. desert. You can now soak in Iceland, Japan, and New Zealandall in the Utah desert. Just minutes from the towering sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park, an unexpected wellness oasis has emerged in the quiet town of La Verkin, Utah. The newly opened Zion Canyon Hot Springs is bringing over 50 geothermal and mineral-rich pools to the desert plateau, including some that mimic the healing waters of faraway destinations like Icelands Blue Lagoon and the Dead Sea. The pools are fed by the legendary La Verkin Sulphur Springs (aka Pah Tempe) and set against a healing backdrop of crimson canyons and endless sky. Just 30 minutes to the east sprawls Zion National Park, the second most visited U.S. national park in 2024. "It was such an honor to be approached by La Verkin to create this destination and reopen public access to these special waters in recognition of our success launching Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Steve Beckley, co-founder of WorldSprings, said in a press release shared with Travel + Leisure. WorldSprings already operates hot springs in Dallas and the aforementioned facility Glenwood Springs, Colorado, but the new Zion Canyon Hot Springs is its largest property. We're excited to open what will be a premier hot springs destination in the U.S. and welcome guests to an oasis where they can relax, rejuvenate, and connect with nature, Ronald Neumann, the general manager and vice president of Zion Canyon Hot Springs, said in the press release. In addition to providing access to natural hot spring water surrounded by some of the nations most renowned red-rock views, a day at Zion Canyon Hot Springs is a full-body journey with cold plunges, barrel saunas, an on-site eatery, and a family-friendly freshwater pool. The geothermal pools range between 88 degrees to 104 degrees, with a natural mineral makeup that is said to reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance recovery. The facilitys 16 WorldSprings pools mimic the mineral content of iconic hot springs around the globe, allowing Utah visitors to experience the natural waters of Japan, Guatemala, and New Zealand, among others. Zion Canyon Hot Springs is split into a family and adult-only section. Both sections have natural hot spring pools and barrel saunas, but the family side has a large freshwater pool and a whirlpool, while the adults side has cold plunges and the 16 WorldSprings-inspired pools. The water is sourced from local natural hot springs that produce around seven million gallons of 107-degree water daily, according to the county water district. Rates for Zion Canyon Hot Springs start at $49 for the adult-only side of the facility and $39 for the family-friendly section. A three-hour reservation to the family section starts at $25 for kids under the age of 13. There are also cabana and towel rentals. For locals, there are season passes with unlimited visits available. Zion Canyon Hot Springs is open daily 7 days per week from 10 a.m to 10 p.m. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's view of why a US company should sell chips to China. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images The Trump administration is fine with Nvidia selling chips in China. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says the best chips will stay within the US. Nvidia announced that it has received assurances it can resume selling its H20 chip in China. The Trump White House says it's content to allow Nvidia to tap into the lucrative Chinese market. "We don't sell them our best stuff, not our second best stuff, not even our third best," Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on CNBC Tuesday afternoon. "I think fourth best is where we have come out that we're cool." Nvidia announced on Monday that the Trump administration has signaled it will allow the company to sell its China-specific H20 chip once more. The news sent shares of the world's most valuable company, which eclipsed $4 trillion in market cap last week, even higher. Nvidia's H20 was designed to be technologically inferior. As Lutnick said, the company also sells three other chips that far surpass the H20's power. Nvidia is already preparing its transition from Blackwell (its most powerful chip) to Blackwell Ultra and has plans for its next superchip, "Vera Rubin." CEO Jensen Huang has pushed to sell the company's prized chips to China. Before the news, Nvidia said it had lost $8 billion on unshipped orders. The announcement came after Huang met with President Donald Trump at the White House last week. Lutnick said that the administration shares Huang's view that cutting China off completely from the chips needed to power artificial intelligence advancements won't starve China's AI industry. "So the idea is the Chinese are more than capable of building their own, right? So you want to keep one step ahead of what they can build so they keep buying our chips, because, remember, developers are the key to technology," Lutnick said. In the end, Lutnick said, it's better if China becomes reliant on the US for chips. "So you want to sell the Chinese enough that their developers get addicted to the American technology stack," he said. And that's the thinking. Donald Trump is on it." Read the original article on Business Insider Acquired Style/TikTok Brigette Pheloung NEED TO KNOW Brigette Pheloung, known as "AcquiredStyle" on TikTok, went viral for taste-testing the Japanese Crown Melon that's worth hundreds of dollars The content creator posted a video of herself biting into the expensive fruit, which oozed with juice She shared her thoughts on the Crown Melon in the video, which racked up mixed comments from viewers who watched in disbelief Could a melon truly be worth an almost $300 price tag? Brigette Pheloung, who's known as "AcquiredStyle" online, went viral for taste-testing an expensive melon in a video uploaded to TikTok on Monday, July 14. "$300 melon taste test," the 28-year-old influencer wrote in text over the video, where she's seen cutting into the honeydew-like fruit and biting into it before sharing her thoughts on its taste. Pheloung begins the video by removing the plastic-wrapped melon from its "boujee box." It appeared to have a red satin lining at its base, which she showed the camera before diving into the fruit. While the New York City-based creator revealed that she got the melon from her "fave place" Butterfield Market, the juicy product known as a Japanese Crown Melon comes from Ikigai Fruits, a company that sells exquisite luxury fruits from Japan. Acquired Style/Instagram Brigette Pheloung, known as "Acquired Style" on social media Per its website, the Japanese Crown Melon is "a premium variety of Japanese muskmelon known as the king of all fruits" and grown "only in the western region of Shizuoka Prefecture." Further, it's known for its "soothing aroma" and "mesmerizing shape." Pheloung claims the melons are "massaged daily" to "keep their perfect shape," she says in the clip before cutting into the center of the fruit. Once sliced, she splits the Crown Melon open to reveal its light green color and seeded inside. "It's oozing with juice," she says. Then, the content creator cuts a cube and takes a bite. Her face says it all, as she appears to react with shock at the flavor. 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. "Oh, my juicy," she exclaims in the clip. "Holy flavorful," she adds. As Pheloung continues to cut and taste the fruit, she asks if she'd "go out of [her] way to spend $300 on a melon," confirming that "no," she would not. "But does it taste way more expensive than regular melon? Yes," she adds. The influencer also clarified that she did not purchase this melon herself, shouting out Butterfield for sending her the fruit. To no surprise, viewers swarmed the TikTok video's comment section with their thoughts. "Oh to have 300 to spend on a melon ," wrote one user. To which Pheloung replied, "I didnt purchase this it was a gift :) I too agree that is outrageous." Acquired Style/TikTok Brigette Pheloung on TikTok "The juice dripping is like $4 per drip ," commented another viewer. "Imagine putting 'professional melon massager' on your resume," a third person wrote, while another added, "The way its just dripping dollar bills all over the cutting board!" Elsewhere on the Ikigai Fruits' website, the company details how to have "the best taste experience" while eating the Crown Melon. "A Crown Melon is ready to eat when the bottom is slightly soft (try pushing with your finger to judge this)," the site reads. "Note that melons start ripening as soon as they are harvested. We recommend consuming the melon within 2-3 days of delivery." The website adds, "Until the day you consume the melon, store it at room temperature and refrigerate your melon 2-3 hours before consuming." Acquired Style/Instagram Brigette Pheloung As for the price breakdown, the Crown Melon's cost ranges depending on how many are purchased. One singular melon starts at $138, two melons go for $268 and three melons cost $384 (taxes and shipping not included). In addition to the Crown Melon, Ikigai Fruits is known for its strawberries, persimmons, pears and oranges all of which come with hefty price tags. Just look at the "meticulously cultivated Japanese strawberries," which start at $780 for an approximate 27 pieces per box! The PEOPLE App is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! This isn't the first time an influencer has turned heads for taste-testing Japanese fruits. Earlier this year, content creators went viral for trying the $19 "dystopian" strawberry from Los Angeles Erewhon. "Its from Kyoto in Japan and apparently its, like, the best-tasting strawberry in the entire world," influencer Alyssa Antoci posted from the luxury grocer in the clip on Feb. 22, racking up 18.3M views on TikTok to date. She demonstrated how to open up the plastic dome container and took a bite, instantly covering her mouth and rolling her eyes. "Wow, that is the best strawberry, Antoci, whose family owns Erewhon, said enthusiastically. Thats crazy." Read the original article on People Erin McNaught/Instagram Erin McNaught and her son Obi NEED TO KNOW Australian model Erin McNaught's eight-month-old son Obi has had surgery to remove a "massive" brain tumor, and the star shared an update on his recovery on Monday, July 14 Her baby boy was diagnosed with a brain tumor on the right side of his brain in June We are "blown away with his recovery," McNaught shared of Obi's progress Australian model Erin McNaught is sharing a health update on her eight-month-old son after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in June. In an Instagram post shared on Monday, July 14, McNaught, 43, said that her baby boy Obi recently had surgery to remove the massive brain tumor. Its one month today since Obi had surgery to remove a massive brain tumor that he was only diagnosed with a few days prior, she wrote in a joint post shared with her partner and sons father, record producer Stasi Kotaras. ...While he went to the hospital, I stayed [home] for a little while longer, trying to deal with what was about to happen, McNaught continued. "I stood on the balcony and watched the sunrise and sobbed so hard I couldnt breathe. The thought that this sunrise might be the last one we saw with him still here on this earth was unbearable." When he made it through the surgery, we returned to the balcony and watched the sunset, and we cried again together, McNaught recalled. She said her son has since blown us away with his recovery. McNaught welcomed her son Obi in October 2024. She is also mom to two other children, sons, Evander, 10, and Ennio, seven, shared with her ex-husband, U.K. rapper Example. In footage shared along with the update, McNaught and her partner are seen holding their sleeping son in the hospital. The eight-month-old is also captured sleeping in a hospital bed with bandages around his head, and in a final sweet clip smiling at home. We still dont know what his future holds For now we are filled with joy, and happiness, and a deep sense of gratitude. We hold him close, and we hold our big boys, and we marvel at our little family, and how lucky we are, McNaught concluded. McNaught's ex, Example, 43, showed his support by writing in the comments section, "Love you all ." McNaught announced that Obi had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in a June 12 Instagram post. The mom of three said she and her partner decided to see a doctor after they noticed a rapid decline in Obis behaviour, along with having problems eating and sleeping. Erin McNaught/Instagram McNaught welcomed her son Obi in October 2024 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. ...We took our little man in for an MRI under instruction from our doctor, McNaught wrote while showing a photo of her son in the hospital. ...We met with a neurosurgeon who broke the heartbreaking news that Obi has a large brain tumour on the right side of his brain. We are absolutely shattered and the last few days have been our hardest days. Our team at the Queensland Childrens Hospital have been incredible and we remain hopeful that we can remove the mass and get Obi healthy and happy, pending the results, McNaught shared at the time. Read the original article on People By Leonardo Benassatto and David Latona TORRE PACHECO, Spain (Reuters) -Moroccan community leaders in the Spanish town of Torre Pacheco called for calm following four nights of clashes between North African migrants and the far-right, in some of the worst such unrest in the country in recent times. Police have detained at least 14 people so far over the clashes that flared up on Friday after an attack last week on a local man in his 60s. Far-right groups have called for anti-migrant protests on Tuesday and over 120 Civil Guard officers have been deployed to maintain security in the town, a government spokesperson for the region said. Authorities said three Moroccan citizens suspected of involvement in the assault have been apprehended, including a 19-year-old alleged to be the main perpetrator. He was detained on Monday evening in northern Spain on assault and battery charges. A spokesperson for the central government's office in the Murcia region said none of the suspects lived in Torre Pacheco. After xenophobic messages on social media to "hunt down" residents of North African origin, leaders of the local Moroccan community urged calm and advised younger members to remain in their homes after dozens took to the streets over the weekend and on Monday, clashing with far-right groups and police. "We want peace ... We don't want criminals, we don't want violence or people who come from outside to make trouble here," Abdelali, an informal spokesperson for the Moroccan community who has lived in the town for 25 years, told reporters. Police arrested three people overnight after a confrontation with dozens of young men in the San Antonio neighbourhood, home to a majority of the town's first- and second generation migrants who represent nearly a third of the town's population of 40,000, according to local government data. Reuters footage showed some of the protesters, mostly masked, lobbing fireworks at officers clad in riot gear, who responded by firing rubber bullets. HATE CRIMES INVESTIGATION Spain's top hate crimes prosecutor, Miguel Angel Aguilar, told SER radio on Tuesday that his office was investigating the events in Torre Pacheco, as well as social media messages inciting violence towards migrants. He also confirmed regional prosecutors were looking at statements by the leader of far-right party Vox in Murcia, Jose Angel Antelo, who is accused by Spain's ruling Socialist Party of linking immigration to criminality in speeches, media appearances and posts on X. Late on Monday, the messaging app Telegram shuttered a channel named "DeportThemNowSpain" for "inciting violence". Reuters reviewed dozens of messages in the channel that included expletive-laden calls to attack Moroccans residing in Torre Pacheco or set fire to their homes. The Spanish Interior Ministry said police in Mataro, near Barcelona, had arrested an unnamed leader of supremacist movement "Deport Them Now Europe" suspected of inciting hatred and seized two computers. (Reporting by Leo Benassato and Violeta Santos Moura in Torre Pacheco and David Latona in Madrid; Writing by David Latona; Editing by Andrei Khalip, Alexandra Hudson) LOMPOC, Calif., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a stunning win for Wyoming's thousands of Checkerboard wild horses, on Tuesday, July 15, Return to Freedom and Front Range Equine Rescue, along with wild horse advocates and photographers Angelique Rea and Meg Frederick, successfully defeated the Bureau of Land Management's decision that would have permanently wiped out the Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin wild horse herds and taken away over 2 million acres of habitat from the herds. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit held that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) violated the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act by failing to consider whether the agency's management decision complied with the mandatory statutory goal of the Wild Horse Act to achieve and maintain a "thriving natural ecological balance on the public lands." "We have been fighting for southwest Wyoming's wild horses for more than a decade now," said Neda DeMayo, president of Return to Freedom, a national nonprofit wild horses and burro advocacy organization. "Wild horses and the people who care about them deserve this win. "Monopolies over the use of our public lands need to stop. The horses deserve the fair use of the areas designated them under the 1971 Wild and Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act without threat. These herds continue to be on the front line in the battle over our natural resources on our public lands." This decision comes as the latest culmination in a multi-year legal battle to protect and save these wild horses and to see them continue to thrive on the public lands as the Wild Horse Act intended. The 10th Circuit entered its crucial judgment, reversing the District Court of Wyoming's decision that had affirmed BLM's actions, before BLM's anticipated start of mass helicopter roundups. The Bureau's plans to start capturing and removing Salt Wells wild horses in August cannot go ahead until the lower court decides what the agency now needs to do to correct its management plan to comply with the Wild Horse Act. The battle continues as RTF and Front Range prepare to face off with BLM over the appropriate remedy for the agency's violation of law. Return to Freedom has long advocated for minimally intrusive wild horse management, with proven, safe and humane fertility control to slow (not stop) herd growth replacing capture and removal as the BLM's primary tool. "Solutions exist to manage to more humanely and sustainably manage America's wild horses in ways that will benefit wild herds, other wildlife and the range itself," DeMayo said. Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation (RTF ) is a pioneering wild horse advocacy organization that has worked to preserve wild horses and burros through sanctuary, education, conservation and advocacy since 1997. RTF operates the American Wild Horse Sanctuary at two California locations, caring for more than 450 rescued wild horses and burros. Since 1999, RTF has modeled the use of fertility control and other solutions there that can be implemented on the range. Follow us on Facebook , Instagram, X, BlueSky, Tik Tok and Youtube. SOURCE Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation Food & Wine / Silverthorn Wines, Graham Beck Estate, Krone Cap Classique South Africas grape-growing history dates back more than 350 years, but its sparkling wine production is a mere half-century old. Produced similarly to Champagne using the traditional method, or methode Champenoise, Cap Classique is a tribute to the legendary French bubbles. But while South African sparklers are popular in upscale wine bars and restaurants in Cape Town, or on safari during sundowners in the bush, they havent received the same attention internationally as other sparkling wines like Prosecco or Cava. But thats starting to change. The country is getting more creative with its sparkling wine production. Winemakers are crafting Methode Cap Classique or MCC wines in unexpected areas like Cape Agulhas, the most southerly part of Africa, and working with the countrys star grape, Chenin Blanc, to produce bubbles that feel as South African as prized liqueurs like creamy Amarula. Our producers, unlike our Champagne-based counterparts, have the freedom to play around with other varietals, says Lloyd Jusa, wine program manager at Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Johannesburg. This creates wines of startling originality, layered with texture, lifted by vibrant acidity and infused with a sense of place that is unmistakably South African. Related: These Nearly Extinct Grapes Are Quietly Reshaping Champagne What is Cap Classique? The first traditional-method sparkler in South Africa was born in the early 1970s at Stellenbosch estate Simonsig Family Vineyards after founder Frans Malan returned from a trip to Champagne. Dubbed Kaapse Vonkel, which translates to Cape Sparkle, the sparkling wine was originally crafted from Chenin Blanc. Today, the countrys estimated 225-plus Cap Classique producers lean more toward Champagnes traditional grapes to craft a mix of styles like blanc de blancs and rose that range from zero-dosage to brut and demi-sec. "Whats exciting is how our winemakers are now pushing the envelope using amphora, native yeasts, and low-intervention methods, creating Cap Classiques with raw, textural elegance." Lloyd Jusa, wine program manager, Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, Johannesburg Repositioned [more recently] as Cap Classique, specifically to highlight its quality, when you see a sparkling wine bottle with this label, you can be confident youre drinking a product made using the traditional method, a technique honed by time, says Jusa. Cap Classique undergoes traditional bottle fermentation and is required, by law, to spend a minimum of 12 months on the lees. Still, most producers mature their Cap Classique wines even longer to create richer, complex profiles. Unlike many sparkling wines globally that use shortcuts, true Cap Classique is about patience, says Jusa. Whats exciting is how our winemakers are now pushing the envelope using amphora, native yeasts, and low-intervention methods, creating Cap Classiques with raw, textural elegance. The process of making Cap Classique When it comes to winemaking practices in the cellar, many closely mirror Champagne, says Wayve Kolevsohn, group beverage manager of The Royal Portfolio, which includes La Residence in the Franschhoek Valley. Night or very early morning harvesting, use of traditional Champagne grapes only, extended lees contacts, extended bottle ageing, and all for a very reasonable price tag. Some of the more prestigious cuvees in South Africa spend as long as 10 years on the lees at estates like 300-year-old Twee Jonge Gezellen in Tulbagh, which produces vintage-only Krone Cap Classique. More and more fine examples are coming to the U.S., like Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs and Rose, which are a minimum of six years on the lees, says Ann Ferreira, who works alongside her husband, bubble master Pieter, at the boutique Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique label. The grapes used in Cap Classique wines Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the signature grapes in Cap Classique wines, with Pinot Meunier occasionally making an appearance. Most of our premium South African Cap Classiques are at the same quality level as some of the best Champagnes in the world, since theyre produced in the same way from the same grapes, says Kolevsohn. What makes Cap Classique different in terms of flavor is that, like most other South African wines, it has this wonderful, bright, and juicy fruit character resulting from our warm and sunny growing season. The Western Cape, flanked by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the Indian Ocean in the south, receives cooling maritime breezes that sweep across the slopes and keep grapes from getting scorched. "Most of our premium South African Cap Classiques are at the same quality level as some of the best Champagnes in the world, since theyre produced in the same way from the same grapes." Wayve Kolevsohn, group beverage manager, The Royal Portfolio, Franschhoek Valley While Champagne is so special and so unique because of its chalky soil and unique terroir, there are definitely pockets in the Cape Winelands that are very high in limestone, which add this fantastic, fresh mineral character to the wines, says Kolevsohn. At One & Only Cape Town, where the wine list highlights every wine-producing region and area in the Western Cape, with a capacity for over 5,000 bottles onsite, head sommelier Luvo Ntezo says that hes seeing a large number of producers moving away from conventional Cap Classique grapes. Instead, theyre returning to the sparkling wines roots. Theyre working with Chenin Blanc the most-planted grape variety in the country, responsible for more than half of the worlds production and Pinotage, a South African-bred cross of Cinsault and Pinot Noir. From my personal standpoint, I have seen how Chenin Blanc produces an extraordinary Cap Classique, as the grape seems to do no wrong, being able to create every variant from a dry, unwooded white wine to full-bodied all the way to noble late harvest and natural sweets, says Ntezo. Because of this, weve seen it appear more and more in our local sparkling wines, allowing us to take a centuries-old method and make it truly our own, something proudly South African. Why Cap Classique is misunderstood Cap Classiques more affordable price tag in relation to its premium European counterparts gives wine drinkers the impression that its lower in quality, which is untrue. "Cap Classique is a category that reflects South Africas altitude, sunlight, and soul. We dont replicate Champagne, we reinterpret the method through African terroir and creativity. " Lloyd Jusa, wine program manager, Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, Johannesburg People often think Cap Classique is a cheaper Champagne imitation, a grave misconception which completely misses the point, says Jusa. Cap Classique is a category that reflects South Africas altitude, sunlight, and soul. We dont replicate Champagne, we reinterpret the method through African terroir and creativity. Melissa Genevieve Nelsen, founder of Genevieve Methode Cap Classique, known for minimal intervention and crisp blanc de blancs, adds that most people dont realize the complexity of crafting a Cap Classique. They must be whole bunch-pressed, which produces lower juice yields but adds to the distinct flavor profile, she says. The best way to drink Cap Classique wines Chefs and sommeliers agree that Cap Classique is among the most versatile to pair with food. It has amazing acidity and cleansing bubbles, because it often has lees-derived flavors and that extra touch of fruit, offering a diversity of extra flavors, says Kolevsohn. A blanc de blancs is the perfect go-to for oysters, the brininess complemented by the acidity of the sparkling wine. Fresher bubbles are also a great combo with fried food, while more complex Cap Classiques can take on creamier dishes, enhancing the lavishness of both, says Nelsen. Cap Classique wines that have spent more time maturing on the lees also pair well with crispy roast chicken, since their rich flavors almost mirror each other, adds Kolevsohn. A simple dessert of fresh berries and cream served with a Pinot Noir-driven Cap Classique would accentuate the red berry notes in the wine. With rose, you can go for bolder pairings, like duck and quail, or even red meats, says Ferreira. A demi-sec would be great with fried chicken or any dessert. South African Cap Classique wines to try 2018 Graham Beck Cuvee Clive ($70) Food & Wine / Graham Beck Estate One of South Africas premium Cap Classiques, this bottle rivals some of the top Champagnes on the market. Aromas of white peach and toasted almond blend beautifully with notes of zesty citrus and pear on the palate, giving this sparkler incredible depth and intensity that can pair with rich dishes. 2018 Pieter Ferreira Birdsong Rose ($45) Food & Wine / Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique Considered the godfather of Cap Classique, Pieter Ferreira, who spent more than three decades at the helm of Graham Beck, produces a 100% Pinot Noir-based rose thats one of the most elegant expressions in the country, packed with notes of red berries, peaches, and petals. Its full-bodied and concentrated, with balanced acidity and a bright finish. 2022 Krone Amphora Blanc de Blancs ($41) Food & Wine / Krone Cap Classique Sourced from a high-elevation vineyard in Elandskloof, one of the defining features of the Chardonnay used in this wine is a wild sage note, which acts as the backbone for this small-batch blanc de blancs. Naturally fermented in clay amphora with zero dosage and bottled unfiltered on the lees, its both fresh and savory, with elegant bubbles and terroir-specific characteristics like lemon rind and lime blossom that shine brighter with every sip. 2018 Silverthorn Jewel Box Brut ($54) Food & Wine / Silverthorn Wines Winemaker John Loubser, half the duo behind the husband-and-wife-run Silverthorn Wines, modeled Jewel Box on his favorite Champagnes: Krug and Bollinger. Known to be innovators in texture and precision, this blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir is the perfect example of their mastery of the Cap Classique technique. Its rich and opulent, with a complexity of aromas that marries notes of roasted almonds and marzipan with hints of strawberry and cherry compote. Colmant Brut Reserve NV ($40) Food & Wine / Colmant Colmants Brut Reserve is an equal blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in some of the Western Capes top wine-producing areas like Franschhoek and Elgin. Fresh and crisp, with notes of brioche and mature stone fruit, this sparkler can hold its own as an aperitif but also pairs wonderfully with seafood like langoustines, shrimp, or lobster, its fruitiness enhancing the natural sweetness of the shellfish. Read the original article on Food & Wine Gisele Pelicot has been given Frances highest award as part of Bastille Day celebrations that included a traditional military parade and fly-past. Ms Pelicot a global symbol in the struggle against sexual violence was named a knight of the Legion of Honour; she waived her right to anonymity during the trial of her husband, who had drugged and raped her and invited dozens of strangers to also abuse her over the course of years. Following the three-month trial, her husband and the 50 other abusers were sentenced to a total of 428 years in prison. Gisele Pelicot became a worldwide symbol in the fight against sexual violence (AFP/Getty) Gisele Pelicot became a worldwide symbol in the fight against sexual violence (AFP/Getty) Nearly 600 other people were also given the civic award, including Holocaust survivor and French Resistance fighter Yvette Levy, and musician Pharrell Williams, who has designed a collection for Louis Vuitton. Celebrations took place across France on Monday culminating in fireworks in nearly every town. The heart of the festivities was in Paris, where 7,000 participants marched on horseback or armoured vehicles in a military parade along the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysees watched by president Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte. The annual event commemorates the storming of the Bastille fortress and prison on 14 July 1789, a pivotal moment that ignited the French Revolution and led to the overthrow of the monarchy. France's 13e Demi-Brigade de Legion Etrangere navigate army vehicles during the military parade (AFP/Getty) France's 13e Demi-Brigade de Legion Etrangere navigate army vehicles during the military parade (AFP/Getty) This years event returned to Champs-Elysees after being moved to Avenue Foch by last years Olympic Games. The French Army, Navy and air force paraded in front of French officials and visiting political leaders including Indonesias president Prabowo Subianto who is representing the worlds biggest Muslim country. Indonesia contributed 451 soldiers to the parade, including a drum band of 189 musicians. Finnish troops serving in the UN force in Lebanon, as well as Belgian and Luxembourg troops serving in a Nato force in Romania, also took part. Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron stand with Indonesias President Prabowo Subianto, left, and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Sabah, right (AP) Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron stand with Indonesias President Prabowo Subianto, left, and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Sabah, right (AP) For the first time, a prison dog was part of the parade, alongside his handler; the Belgian Malinois shepherd, Gun, is specialised in weapons and ammunition detection. And among those invited to watch was Fousseynou Samba Cisse, who became a national hero when he rescued six people, including two babies, from a burning sixth-floor apartment earlier this month. Beyond the military spectacle in Paris are growing concerns about an uncertain world. Une premiere cette annee : un binome cynotechnique de ladministration penitentiaire participe au defile du 14 juillet Le berger malinois Gun, specialise dans la detection darmes et de munitions, fait partie de la parade aux cotes de son maitre. Decouvrez les missions pic.twitter.com/fYRQhVBgMr Ministere de la Justice (@justice_gouv) July 14, 2025 On the eve of Bastille Day, Mr Macron announced 6.5bn ($7.6bn) in extra French military spending in the next two years because of new threats ranging from Russia to terrorism and online attacks. The French leader called for intensified efforts to protect Europe and support for Ukraine. Since 1945, our freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously, Mr Macron said. We are experiencing a return to the fact of a nuclear threat, and a proliferation of major conflicts. Emmanuel Macron arrives at the Bastille Day military parade in Paris on Monday (AFP/Getty) Emmanuel Macron arrives at the Bastille Day military parade in Paris on Monday (AFP/Getty) Many parts of France celebrated on Sunday evening, including in Paris were 176 arrests were made across the whole city area according to Laurent Nunez, prefect of police for Paris. Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) -China is increasing its diplomatic reach as President Donald Trump's administration pares back America's international presence, Democrats from the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee said in a report released on Monday. The report, the result of months of staff travel and research, was released as the Trump administration makes deep cuts to the State Department, including beginning on Friday to fire more than 1,350 U.S.-based employees, part of a total reduction of nearly 3,000 people for the U.S.-based workforce. The administration has also cut billions of dollars in foreign aid, effectively shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development, which funded the majority of U.S. humanitarian and development assistance worldwide. That led to the firing of thousands of its employees and contractors and the slashing of more than 80% of its programs. Critics said the cuts would undermine Washington's ability to defend and promote U.S. interests abroad. Research published in The Lancet medical journal said the cuts to USAID and its dismantling could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030. "Within days of the Trump administration taking office and starting to roll back our commitments around the world, China was already labeling the United States an unreliable partner," Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top committee Democrat, told reporters on a conference call about the report. "At a time when we're retreating, they are expanding their footprint," she said. The Trump administration says its changes help align foreign policy with Trump's "America First" agenda, and are part of a push to shrink the federal bureaucracy and cut what Trump officials say has been wasteful spending. Trump has said the U.S. pays disproportionately for foreign aid and he wants other countries to shoulder more of the burden. The Democrats' 91-page report listed ways, from broadcasting to health programs and development efforts, that committee researchers said China is expanding its influence. It lists dozens of cases in which the committee researchers found that China had stepped in as the U.S. eliminated or cut back international programs, from funding vaccines and providing food to infrastructure development. For example, in Africa, as the U.S. terminated food assistance programs, China in March donated $2 million in rice to Uganda. In May, after the U.S. terminated a $37 million HIV/AIDS grant in Zambia, China said it would help the African nation fight HIV/AIDS, including by donating 500,000 rapid HIV testing kits and planning more meetings to discuss its continued partnership on the issue. In Southeast Asia, Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked on a tour to meet with leaders in Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia, the report said. The trip yielded an agreement in Vietnam for railroad connections, 37 cooperation agreements in Cambodia in sectors including energy, education and infrastructure and technical and manufacturing exchanges in Malaysia. And in Latin America, China in May hosted the "China-Latin American and the Caribbean Forum" and announced it would provide a $9 billion credit line and additional infrastructure investments for the region. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Don Durfee and Ros Russell) By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON Reuters) -Arizona Democrats on Tuesday will choose their nominee to run for a vacant U.S. House seat in September, as the party grapples with demands for generational change and divisions over just how progressive it can be in the era of President Donald Trump. With Democrats' losses in last year's presidential and congressional elections weighing heavily on the party nationwide, it has struggled over how best to appeal to young progressives while luring back working-class voters who shifted toward the Republican Party. The winner of Tuesday's primary is expected to prevail in the September 23 general election in the heavily Democratic district that stretches along the U.S.-Mexico border and includes parts of Tucson. Polls close at 7 p.m. MT (9 p.m. ET/0100 GMT). The front-runner is seen as Adelita Grijalva, who is seeking a seat formerly held by her father, Representative Raul Grijalva, who died in March. She leads a pack of five Democrats. A 54-year-old former county board supervisor, Grijalva has racked up notable backers spanning the party divide. They include environmental groups, labor unions and lawmakers who range from progressive luminaries such as Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York to the moderate Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio. But Deja Foxx, half Grijalva's age and emphasizing her youth, has been gaining attention in what some party activists say could be a shock victory for progressives on Tuesday much like Zohran Mamdani's in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary last month. Foxx, 25, won the endorsement of David Hogg, a survivor of a 2018 Florida school shooting who held a high position within the Democratic National Committee until he ruffled establishment feathers by threatening to help finance challengers to Democratic incumbents he deemed insufficiently progressive. A more moderate former Arizona state representative, Daniel Hernandez Jr., is also in the mix. He was an intern in 2011 when his boss, then-Representative Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, was gravely wounded in an assassination attempt. Giffords, however, has endorsed Grijalva. Raul Grijalva won re-election in November, easily beating his Republican opponent by about 27 percentage points. Next year's midterm elections give Democrats the opportunity to capture a majority in the House, which currently is narrowly controlled by Republicans 220-212. Republicans also will hold a primary election for Grijalva's seat on Tuesday. Among the candidates are a construction worker and a man who is on probation following a felony fraud conviction, according to Arizona media reports. (Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Scott Malone and Cynthia Osterman) The three were said to be professional and passionate about their jobs [MSF] An investigation by medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) into the "execution" of three of its workers during a humanitarian mission in Ethiopia's war-hit northern Tigray region has found evidence that the country's army was responsible for the killings four years ago. MSF's report includes claims that Ethiopian troops were present at the scene of the killing of the three - a Spanish national and two Ethiopians. "They were executed," MSF Spain's general director Raquel Ayora told the BBC. "They were facing their attackers [and] were shot at very close range... several times." The BBC has asked the Ethiopian government for a response to the allegation. MSF said it was releasing the findings of its report into the incident as the government had failed to provide a "credible account" of the deaths despite 20 face-to-face meetings over the last four years. Thirty-five-year-old Spaniard Maria Hernandez Matas, along with 32-year-old Yohannes Halefom Reda and 31-year-old Tedros Gebremariam, were killed on 24 June 2021 while travelling in central Tigray to assess medical needs. "They were very professional and passionate," Ms Ayora told the BBC. She added that the three were fully identifiable in MSF vests and their vehicle had the charity's flag and logos on either side when they were shot. "So, they knew that they were killing humanitarian aid workers," she said. Ms Matas had been working in Tigray since before the war and "was very much loved" by people in the region, Ms Ayora said. Her death has been particularly devastating for her mother as she was her only child, the MSF official added. Mr Tedros was killed soon after his wife had given birth to a baby girl. His widow named the baby Maria, after her father's killed Spanish colleague, Mr Ayora said. The aid workers were targeted despite the fact that their vehicle had an MSF flag [MSF] The Tigray conflict broke out in 2020 following a massive fall-out between the regional and federal governments, with neighbouring Eritrea entering the war on the side of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF). The conflict ended two years later following a peace deal brokered by the African Union (AU). Its envoy, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, put the number of people who died in the conflict at around 600,000. Researchers said the deaths were caused by fighting, starvation and a lack of health care. MSF said the killing of its staff took place at a time when the conflict was intensifying, and Ethiopian and Eritrean troops were becoming increasingly hostile towards aid workers in the region. The charity's report includes what it says is evidence that a convoy of soldiers from the Ethiopian army, retreating from fighting, was present at the scene of the deaths, which, it adds, is corroborated by satellite imagery. The report says both civilian and military eyewitnesses had come forward to directly implicate Ethiopian army soldiers in the killings, including one who allegedly heard a commander order an attack on the aid workers' vehicle. However the charity says "the level and nature" of the army's involvement in the attack "remains to be clarified". "The review found a large body of corroborating evidence that placed a convoy of retreating ENDF troops on the road where the killings took place on the day of the incident," MSF said. [BBC] More BBC stories on Tigray conflict: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts The Madre Fire began the afternoon of July 2, 2025 and has burned more than 80,000 acres, primarily in San Luis Obispo County. The blaze started east of the northern Santa Barbara County city of Santa Maria. UC San Diego/Alert California/PG&E (The Center Square) A 10,058-acre Utah fire has crossed over the border into Colorado as the Southwest continues to experience wildfires, including one that created a vortex of flames over the weekend on the Grand Canyons North Rim. On Monday, the Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County, north of Santa Barbara, had burned 80,786 acres and was 86% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Cal Fire said the Green Fire in Shasta County in Northern California had burned 11,642 acres and was only 5% contained. In Nevada, the Gothic Fire had grown to 36,500 acres as of Monday in Nye County. Nevada media reported the fire was on the state's Test and Training Range. The Deer Creek Fire started Thursday near Moab, Utah. The blaze expanded to over 10,000 acres by Monday morning and was 0% contained as it entered Colorados Delta County. The county listed the fire on its website and provided a link to Utah-based Manti-Lasal National Forest's information on the Incidweb site. Heavy winds Saturday caused the fire to go high into the air, according to media reports. Mondays forecast called for possibly more gusty winds and a slight chance of thunderstorms Tuesday through Thursday. The fire was ignited the afternoon of July 10 near La Sal in San Juan County, according to the multiagency website, InciWeb. In Arizona, the Dragon Bravo Fire burned 5,716 acres, according to InciWeb. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge burned down during the fire, the National Park Service reported. Its among the estimated 50 to 80 buildings that were destroyed. Damaged buildings included a water treatment facility, which released chlorine gas Saturday afternoon, according to InciWeb. No injuries or loss of life have been reported, and all staff and residents were successfully evacuated prior to the fires escalation, the park service said. The fire began July 4 after a lightning strike within the Grand Canyon National Park. Propelled by 20 mph winds and gusts up to 40 mph, the fire expanded rapidly at 10:30 p.m. local time Saturday, the park service said. A vortex of flames Saturday damaged a Bureau of Land Management engine to the point it had to be removed from firefighting operations, according to KSL-TV. On Sunday, fire managers began ordering retardant drops on the east side of the developed area. InciWeb said the fire continues to be propelled by strong gusts, triple-digit temperatures and low relative humidity. The Grand Canyon National Park remained under an extreme heat warning from the National Weather Service, which reported the temperature at 107 degrees mid-Monday afternoon. Tuesdays high is expected to be near 111. Theres a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Tuesday. The North Rim will remain closed for the rest of the current season, the National Park Service said. On Sunday in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster declaration of fires in Montrose, Delta and Mesa counties. By Laila Kearney NEW YORK (Reuters) -Google has agreed to secure as much as 3 gigawatts of U.S. hydropower in the world's largest corporate clean power pact for hydroelectricity, the company said on Tuesday, as Big Tech pursues the expansion of energy-hungry data centers. The deal between Google and Brookfield Asset Management includes initial 20-year power purchase agreements, totaling $3 billion, for electricity generated from two hydropower facilities in Pennsylvania. The tech giant will also invest $25 billion in data centers across Pennsylvania and neighboring states over the next two years, Semafor reported on Tuesday. The technology industry is intensifying the hunt for massive amounts of clean electricity to power data centers needed for artificial intelligence and cloud computing, which has driven U.S. power consumption to record highs after nearly two decades of stagnation. Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer at Google parent company Alphabet, is expected to discuss the news at an AI summit in Pittsburgh. U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the event, where $70 billion in AI and energy investments are expected to be announced. "This collaboration with Brookfield is a significant step forward, ensuring clean energy supply in the PJM region where we operate," Amanda Peterson Corio, Google's head of data center energy, said in a statement. Over roughly the last year, Google has struck several first-of-a-kind power purchase agreements, including for carbon-free geothermal energy and advanced nuclear. The company is also working with the country's largest electricity grid operator, PJM Interconnection, to use AI to speed up the process of hooking up new power supplies to the grid. In the latest deal, Google said it has signed an initial framework agreement with Brookfield, owner of Brookfield Renewable Partners, which develops and operates renewable energy plants. Its two hydropower sites in Pennsylvania will be upgraded and relicensed as part of the arrangement, the companies said. Google said it plans to expand the deal eventually beyond those sites to other parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. (Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Sonali Paul) SWEIDA (Reuters) -Israel carried out strikes against Syrian government forces in southwestern Syria for a second day on Tuesday, vowing to keep the area demilitarized and to protect the Druze minority as deadly clashes continued in the region at the Israeli frontier. A Reuters reporter heard at least four strikes as drones could be heard over the predominantly Druze city of Sweida and saw a damaged tank being towed away. Bursts of gunfire were heard and three bodies were seen on the ground. Dozens of people have been killed in fighting in the region since Sunday. The upsurge in violence underlines the challenges facing interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa who has struggled to assert control over the area near the Israeli border since toppling Bashar al-Assad in December. While Sharaa has been buoyed by rapidly improving ties with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, the violence has highlighted lingering sectarian tensions and distrust among minority groups towards his Islamist-led government - distrust that was deepened by mass killings of Alawites in March. Israel, which has struck Syria several times in the name of protecting the Druze, carried out its latest attacks after influential Druze Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri issued a statement accusing government troops of breaching a ceasefire and urging fighters to confront what he described as a barbaric attack. After al-Hajiri appeared in a recorded statement, Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra issued a statement declaring that a complete ceasefire was in place, and saying government forces would only open fire if fired upon. Abu Qasra also said that military police had been ordered to deploy in Sweida to "control military behaviour and hold violators accountable", the state news agency SANA reported. The Reuters reporter saw men in fatigues burning and looting homes and shops, and setting fire to a store that sold alcohol. The Druze are a minority group whose faith is an offshoot of Islam and has followers in Israel, Syria and Lebanon. 'DEEP BROTHERHOOD' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said they had ordered Israel's military to strike "regime forces" and weaponry brought to Sweida to be used against the Druze. In a statement, they said the deployment of government forces was in violation of a demilitarisation policy that had called on Damascus to refrain from bringing forces and weapons into southern Syria that pose a threat to Israel. "Israel is committed to preventing harm to the Druze in Syria due to the deep brotherhood alliance with our Druze citizens in Israel," they said. "We are acting to prevent the Syrian regime from harming them and to ensure the demilitarization of the area adjacent to our border with Syria. Reuters reported in May that Israel and the Syrian authorities had held direct talks focused on security. The latest violence began on Sunday with fighting between armed Druze groups and Bedouin fighters in Sweida province, which displaced thousands of people. The Druze spiritual leadership said in a written statement on Tuesday morning that it would allow Syrian forces to enter Sweida city to stop the bloodshed, calling on armed groups to surrender their weapons and cooperate with incoming troops. But hours later, al-Hajri, a vocal opponent of the new Syrian leadership, said the statement had been "imposed" on them by Damascus and that Syrian troops had breached the arrangement by continuing to fire on residents. "We are being subject to a total war of extermination," he said in a recorded video statement, calling on all Druze "to confront this barbaric campaign with all means available". Convoys of Syrian army tanks, trucks and motorcycles entered parts of Sweida city by mid-morning and were continuing to fire on neighbourhoods there, the Reuters reporter in Sweida said. On Monday, Israel's military said it had carried out several strikes on tanks approaching Sweida "to prevent their arrival to the area" because they could pose a threat to Israel. (Reporting by Karam Masri in Sweida, Khalil Ashawi in Damascus, Maya Gebeily in Beirut and Steven Scheer in Jerusalem; Writing by Maya Gebeily and Tom Perry; Editing by Gareth Jones) (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is arranging to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Tokyo on Friday, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Tuesday, ahead of an August 1 deadline to strike a trade deal with the United States. A separate Yomiuri report said European Union leaders will visit Ishiba later this month to sign an "alliance" advocating global free trade, seeking multilateral ties as U.S. tariffs add to trade risks. Bessent is set to travel to Japan to attend the U.S. national day at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, scheduled for July 19, skipping a concurrent Group of 20 finance officials meeting in South Africa, U.S. Treasury said last week. Bessent would lead the U.S. delegation, which will also include Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, according to the White House. Japan's top tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is also expected to meet with Bessent, Yomiuri added, citing an unnamed government source. Despite seven U.S. visits since April, Akazawa has yet to secure a trade agreement with Washington. Reuters has not independently confirmed these planned meetings during Bessent's Japan trip. This would mark the first high-level meeting between Tokyo and Washington after U.S. President Donald Trump last week sent a letter to Japan raising tariffs on Japanese imports to 25% from August 1. Separately, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will meet Ishiba in Tokyo around July 23 and launch a "competitiveness alliance" scheme, Yomiuri reported. The EU, facing 30% tariffs, has accused the U.S. of resisting efforts to strike a trade deal and warned of countermeasures. The new EU-Japan framework will note their commitment to "a stable, predictable, rules-based, free and fair economic order" to counter Trump's tariffs and China's rare earth export restrictions, Yomiuri said, citing draft statements. The statement could also mention EU-Japan tie-ups in areas such as rare earth and battery supply chains, natural gas investments, defense industry dialogues and satellites, the newspaper added. The U.S. and EU officials' Japan visits come at a sensitive time for Ishiba with his ruling coalition seen losing its majority in Sunday's upper house election, according to recent polls. Having already lost the lower house majority in October, a second electoral defeat could significantly undermine Ishiba's political standing while potentially strengthening opposition parties that advocate for tax cuts and looser monetary policy. (Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim and Kantaro Komiya in Tokyo, Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Chris Reese and Sam Holmes) BARCELONA, Spain , July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Barcelona hosts pioneering training in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy The Ketamine Research Foundation (USA) and Clinica Synaptica present the second edition of the Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Training, a pioneering program in Europe that strengthens an innovative mental health approach already established in the USA and Canada. KAP, which combines ketamine administration with psychotherapy, is transforming the treatment of disorders such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain by inducing states of consciousness that facilitate deep healing processes in safe clinical settings. A breakthrough in mental health KAP is based on neuroscience and a personalized approach, integrating preparation, guided sessions, and post-session integration to maximize therapeutic benefits. This method, supported by scientific evidence, offers alternatives for patients who do not respond to conventional treatments, standing out for its ability to promote neuronal flexibility and introspection. While KAP is an established practice in the USA and Canada, this training introduces a rigorous and ethical model for its application in Europe. Reference training with global experts Level 1, held from September 29 to October 3 in Barcelona, accredited by the Catalan Council for Continuing Education of Health Professions and endorsed by the Catalan Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health, delves into the scientific and clinical foundations of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). Level 2, from October 6 to 9 in Montnegre Natural Park, offers comprehensive training with a focus on the integration phase of KAP experiences, featuring Marc Aixala, one of the leading voices in the integration field and holotropic breathwork. Led by Dr. Phil Wolfson (USA), the creator of KAP and director of the Ketamine Research Foundation, the training features an iconic figure whose career spans decades of research with psychedelics such as MDMA and ketamine. From his activism in the 1960s to his central role in the psychedelic renaissance, Wolfson promotes the ethical integration of KAP into modern medicine with unparalleled expertise. Alongside him are Lisa Gold (USA), creator of the innovative Soul-Surfing method; Sergio Perez Rosal (Germany), co-founder of Germany's first psychedelic clinic; Jose Carlos Bouso (Spain), a leading figure in psychedelic research; and the Clinica Synaptica team, led by Dr. Joan Obiols, Medical Director and expert in transcultural psychiatry. This training brings together some of the world's leading figures in psychedelic medicine. Voices of leadership "This training marks a turning point in mental health in Europe," states Oscar Pares, CEO of Clinica Synaptica. Phil Wolfson, CEO of the Ketamine Research Foundation, adds: "Our goal is to empower professionals to implement KAP ethically, inspired by proven models in the USA." A call to professionals Aimed at mental health professionals, the training, conducted in English, has limited spots. This program seeks to establish a standard of excellence in the practice of KAP, contributing to evidence-based mental health policies and patient well-being. SOURCE Clinica Synaptica South Korean soldiers fire from a K1 tank during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, Australia's largest-ever war fighting drills at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, near Rockhampton, Australia, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) The largest-ever war-fighting drills in Australia, Exercise Talisman Sabre, are underway and expected to attract the attention of Chinese spy ships. Australia launched missiles from its M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS, on Monday during live-fire exercises at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, a 4,500 square kilometer (1,700 square mile) Outback expanse in Queensland state. The HIMARS launchers were recently bought from the United States. "Today was the first time the Australian Army has live-fired our long-range, multi-domain platforms being the HIMARS, so it is a remarkable day," Brig. Nick Wilson told reporters. Talisman Sabre began in 2005 as a biennial joint exercise between the United States and Australia. This year, more than 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations, including Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and the United Kingdom, will take part over three weeks, Australias defense department said. Malaysia and Vietnam are also attending as observers. The exercise will also take place in Papua New Guinea, Australias nearest neighbor. It is the first time Talisman Sabre activities have been held outside Australia. Chinese surveillance ships have monitored naval exercises off the Australian coast during the last four Talisman Sabre exercises and were expected to surveil the current exercise, Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said. The Chinese military have observed these exercises since 2017. Itd be very unusual for them not to observe it, Conroy said. Well adjust accordingly. Well obviously observe their activities and monitor their presence around Australia, but well also adjust how we conduct those exercises, Conroy added. Conroy said the Chinese were not yet shadowing ships as of Sunday. The exercise officially started on Sunday with a ceremony in Sydney attended by Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific Lt. Gen. J.B. Vowell and Australias Chief of Joint Operations Vice-Adm. Justin Jones. The exercise, showcasing Australias defense alliance with the United States, started a day after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began a six-day visit to China, where he is expected to hold his fourth face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday. Albanese said Chinese surveillance of Talisman Sabre would not be an issue raised with Xi. That would be nothing unusual. That has happened in the past and Ill continue to assert Australias national interest, as I do, Albanese told reporters in Shanghai Monday. Albanese also noted that while he had visited the United States as prime minister five times, he had only been to China twice. The Australian leader has been criticized at home for failing to secure a face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. I look forward to a constructive engagement with Donald Trump. We have had three constructive phone conversations, Albanese said. By Daniela Desantis ASUNCION (Reuters) -Paraguay is preparing to receive Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te next month, President Santiago Pena said on Monday, meaning Lai will also most likely make sensitive transit stops in the United States that are bound to infuriate Beijing. Paraguay is one of only 12 countries to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, and the only one in South America. Visits by Taiwanese presidents to Central and South America always involve what are officially only stopovers in the United States given the distance from Taiwan, but are often the most important parts of the trip given Washington is the island's top international backer and arms supplier. Pena, speaking at a bilateral investment conference in the South American nation's capital, said Lai would be coming next month. "We are preparing anxiously and with much affection to receive President Lai in 30 days," Pena told the conference, which Lai's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung also attended. Belize will also host Lai during a planned visit to the region, a government official told Reuters, without giving a date. Taiwan has a handful of other allies in Latin America and the Caribbean, but several have cut ties in recent years in favor of relations with economic powerhouse China, which considers Taiwan to be a Chinese province. "This is to show the world that small countries have the capacity to become major global players," Pena added. Taiwan's presidential office declined to comment, saying that, as in the past, if it had anything to announce it would do so "in due course". It normally confirms such trips only shortly before they take place. China's foreign ministry on Tuesday reiterated its opposition to what it called "sneaky visits" to the United States by Taiwanese leaders under any pretext. Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing that the United States must understand how sensitive the Taiwan issue is and act with the utmost caution. Lai has yet to go to the United States since U.S. President Donald Trump took office for the second time earlier this year, though late last year Lai transited Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam while visiting the Pacific. The U.S. State Department also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the possibility of a Lai transit next month. China strongly objects to any interactions between Taiwan and the United States and routinely denounces U.S. stopovers of Taiwanese presidents. Taiwan's government rejects China's territorial claims and says it has a right to forge ties with other countries and engage with the world. (Reporting by Daniela Desantis and Sarah Morland; Additional reporting by Jose Sanchez in Belmopan, Liz Lee in Beijing and Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee in Taipei; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle and Lincoln Feast.) A rescuer uses a torchlight to search for survivors after a boat capsized on July 14 in Indonesia (AP) Rescuers are racing against time to find the 10 people who went missing after a boat capsized off Indonesia's Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra province. Eight others were rescued after the boat sank due to bad weather on Monday around 11am local time, Indonesia's national search and rescue agency said. The boat had departed Sikakap, a small town in the Mentawai Islands, and was heading to another small town, Tuapejat. At least 10 government officials were among the 18 people on board the boat, according to reports. The boat carried 18 people; eight of them managed to swim ashore with life vests and reached Sikakap Village, Dhio, an official from the Search and Rescue Agency, told Jakarta Globe. A flare lights up the sky as rescuers search for survivors after a boat capsized on July 14 in Indonesia (AP) A flare lights up the sky as rescuers search for survivors after a boat capsized on July 14 in Indonesia (AP) Authorities deployed two boats and dozens of rescuers on Tuesday to find the missing people. The Indonesian authorities were reportedly informed of the accident around 5.40pm local time on Monday, about six hours after the boat sank. Officials from the Mentawai search and rescue agency said the focus was on combing the area around the estimated accident site to find the victims. "Some of the victims were seen floating on the surface, but the team couldnt reach them in time, and they eventually disappeared from sight, said Mr Dhio, who goes by just his first name as is common with Indonesians. We cant disclose the identities of the missing passengers now out of respect for their families privacy," the official told the newspaper. Boats and ferries are a regular mode of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are relatively common due to bad weather as well as lax safety standards that often allow vessels to be overloaded. A ferry sank earlier this month near the island of Bali. Of the 65 people on board, 18 died, 30 survived and 17 remain missing. A national-level search, which lasted for around two weeks and involved around 500 people, including rescuers, police, and military personnel, was officially called off on Monday. A provincial-level team will continue to search for the missing people for the next seven days, an official told Reuters. In March, an Australian woman was killed following a boat accident in the rough waters of Bali. In 2018, more than 150 people were killed after a ferry sank in one of the worlds deepest lakes on the island of Sumatra. By Ismail Shakil and Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. appeals court has blocked for now a bid by President Donald Trump's administration to strip temporary protected status from thousands of Afghans in the United States, court documents showed, allowing them more time to argue the case. Monday's order by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit granted an administrative stay on the termination until July 21, following a request from immigration advocacy organization CASA. The group's lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security challenged the termination of temporary protected status for Afghans and Cameroonians unveiled by the administration in April. The DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. At the time of the April announcement, it had said conditions in Afghanistan and Cameroon no longer merited the protected status. The TPS program provides protection against deportation and provides work permits for periods of six to 18 months to those from countries stricken by natural disaster, armed conflict or other extraordinary event. The status can be renewed by the homeland security secretary. Trump's effort to end most TPS enrollment during his first term from 2017 to 2021 was thwarted by federal courts. CASA sought an emergency stay on Monday, when the protection of Afghans was set to be terminated, while that of Cameroonians was set to end on August 4, the court document showed. The group said the step was arbitrary and discriminatory and would cause "irreparable harm" to those affected, as it sought a stay while the appeals proceed. The administration has time until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday (0359 GMT on Thursday) to respond. The stay was not a final decision, but gave time for the legal challenge, said Shawn VanDiver, founder of AfghanEvac, the main coalition of veterans and advocacy groups that coordinates resettlements with the government. "AfghanEvac stands firmly behind the legal challenge and calls on DHS and the Trump administration to immediately reverse course and extend TPS protections," VanDiver said in an email. The United States evacuated more than 82,000 Afghans from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021, of whom more than 70,000 entered the U.S. on temporary "parole," or legal entry for two years. Rights advocates have said many Afghans who helped the United States during its war in Afghanistan would be targets of the Taliban if they returned home. Particularly at risk would be women, whose rights the Taliban have curbed since their return to power after the U.S. withdrawal, rights groups say. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Ismail Shakil; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Pig butchering see victims lured into investing their money by scammers (PA Archive) At the beginning of 2025, panic about fraud and human trafficking erupted on Chinese social media. It started when a Chinese actor called Wang Xing was tricked into travelling to Thailand for an audition, where he was abducted by criminals and taken to a scam centre in Myanmar. Wang was reported missing and, within three days, the Thai police had located and returned him to Thailand. Details of the operation were not revealed, leading to speculation that withholding more information was part of a deal that led to Wangs release. Inside the compound, Wangs head was shaved and he told the police he was forced to undergo the first phase of training on how to carry out scams. Chinese actor Wang Xing, right, talks with Thai police officers in Mae Sot district, in Thai-Myanmar border (AP) Chinese actor Wang Xing, right, talks with Thai police officers in Mae Sot district, in Thai-Myanmar border (AP) One such scam is known as pig butchering. This type of scam began attracting attention in China around 2019, and is typically carried out by Chinese organised crime groups. Scammers establish fake romantic and trusting relationships with victims before luring them into fraudulent investments or other financial traps. Pig-butchering scammers have stolen billions of dollars from victims worldwide. In one notable example from 2023, a banker from Kansas in the US called Shan Hanes embezzled US$47 million (34.6 million) from his bank to cover his losses after falling victim to a pig butchering scam. Hanes was subsequently sentenced to more than 24 years in prison. So, what do we know about how pig butchering scams work? A pig butchering scam consists of three stages: hunting, raising and killing. These stages correspond to scammers finding victims online, talking with them to build trust and then getting them to invest large amounts of money in fraudulent schemes. There are some similarities between a pig butchering scam and a traditional romance scam. Scammers may, as in a traditional scam, approach their victims by posing as a possible romantic partner on a dating app or a friend on social media. But the key difference lies in how the scam is executed. In a traditional romance scam, trust is based on the victims desire to maintain a romantic relationship with the scammer. Because of this, traditional romance scams can sometimes last for years. Pig butchering scams, in comparison, generally take place over a shorter time frame. Rather than focusing on extracting money solely through emotional manipulation, they lean heavily on the victims desire to make money together with the scammer. They often involve just a few months of talking with the victim. Often pig butchering scams take place over a shorter period than a romantic scam - but both see the victim part with their money (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Often pig butchering scams take place over a shorter period than a romantic scam - but both see the victim part with their money (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The scammers present themselves as financially successful and confident people with broad networks and attractive investment opportunities. Once a victim makes a small initial investment, scammers rapidly escalate the process and push them into making much larger financial commitments. In one example from 2024, a woman in the US state of Connecticut called Jacqueline Crenshaw met a man on an online dating site. He was posing as a widower with two children and frequently spoke with Crenshaw over the phone. Within two months, they began discussing investing in cryptocurrency. Crenshaw sent him US$40,000 (29,500) initially and received screenshots from him showing supposedly huge profits from the cryptocurrency investment. The scammer soon encouraged Crenshaw to invest much more, which ultimately led to her losing nearly US$1 million (738,000). Organised crime groups Pig butchering scams are typically run by highly organised criminal groups. These groups have management teams, provide training to new recruits and often hire people as models who occasionally interact with victims. The Chinese government has taken several steps to combat fraud in recent years. It enacted the Anti-Telecom Fraud Law in 2022, which was designed specifically to prevent and punish the use of telecommunications and internet technologies to defraud individuals and organisations. It was introduced in response to the growing prevalence of pig butchering scams in China. The Chinese Ministry of Public Security has also developed a mobile application called the National Anti-Fraud Center App. The app allows the public to report scams and access real-time risk alerts related to fraud. Alongside the work of other government departments, it has helped intercept 4.7 billion scam calls and 3.4 billion fraudulent text messages since the beginning of 2024. The crackdown on fraud within China has made it more difficult for criminal groups to operate domestically, prompting many to relocate their bases abroad. South-east Asian countries particularly Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar have become a preferred destination for such groups. Regions of northern Myanmar, such as Kokang and Wa State, have become breeding grounds for organised fraud over the past few years. Chinese is widely spoken in both of these areas and local customs closely resemble those in China. This has been exacerbated by persistent corruption in border areas, poor governance and instability. The collapse of the illegal online gambling industry in south-east Asia following the pandemic has also led crime groups to search for new sources of revenue. These conditions have together facilitated the proliferation of large-scale fraudulent operations. Organised fraud has evolved into a key pillar of the local economy in certain parts of south-east Asia. The profits generated from online scams are estimated to amount to 40% of the combined GDP of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Criminal leaders have established tightly controlled compounds that serve as hubs for online scams, with their primary activities centred on pig butchering. These compounds are frequently presented as technology parks, which helps recruit workers. However, many people are forced to work in the scam centres. Pig butchering scams can inflict severe financial harm on victims. But are also closely tied to violent crime, human trafficking and other forms of organised criminal activity. They pose a growing threat to regional and global security. Bing Han is a Lecturer in Economic Crime, a the University of Portsmouth, UK. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Amy Sussman/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty; Marc Piasecki/WireImage Nicolas Cage, Sarah Jessica Parker NEED TO KNOW Nicolas Cage thinks he knows why he and Sarah Jessica Parker didnt go the distance The two actors briefly dated around the time of their 1992 romcom Honeymoon in Vegas Both have since married and had kids with their spouses Nicolas Cage has a pretty good idea as to why his relationship with Sarah Jessica Parker didnt last long. The Longlegs actor, 61, admitted that he likely bombed his first impression when he met the Sex and the City stars mother in the late 90s, in a statement to E! News on Monday, July 14. "I cared about Sarah, but I don't think I passed the Mom test," Cage told the outlet. "I recall sitting down with her and her mother for dinner at the Russian Tea Room, and I don't know if it was my blue Vanson Leather motorcycle jacket (which I still have) or my sinusitis, but I didn't hear from her again." Castle Rock/New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicolas Cage, Honeymoon In Vegas - 1992 His confession came after Parker, 60, revealed on the Sunday, July 13, episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that she and the National Treasure movie star dated around the time of their 1992 romantic comedy Honeymoon in Vegas which featured a cameo from a young Bruno Mars as an Elvis Presley impersonator. "Did you date Nic Cage?" Cohen, 57, asked his guest point-blank. "Um, yes, I did," she answered. "Yes, I did." "Oh, wow," Cohen, who happens to be best friends with the actress, replied. "Oh, we got some talking to do." Cage has been married five times, most recently marrying Riko Shibata in a private Las Vegas ceremony in 2021. The actor, whose real name is Nicolas Kim Coppola, is a father to three children: sons Weston Cage Coppola, 34, whom he shares with actress Christina Fulton; Kal-El Coppola, 19, whom he shares with Alice Kim; and daughter August Francesca Coppola Cage, whom he welcomed with Shibata on Sept. 7, 2022. Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Sarah Jessica Parker on WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE WITH ANDY COHEN Parker has been married to Matthew Broderick since 1997 after having their first date in 1992. They share three children together. During her WWHL appearance, she told Cohen how she knew the Ferris Bueller's Day Off star, 63, was the person she wanted to spend her life with. "I just knew he was incredible," the Hocus Pocus star said of Broderick after "spending a little bit of time with him," adding that she knew he was for her "probably pretty early." Arnold Jerocki/Getty; Gilbert Flores/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Sarah Jessica Parker; Nicolas Cage She was also first to say "I love you" in their relationship. "Nothing to lose, you know what I mean?" Parker confessed of the romantic milestone. The Inspector Gadget star previously appeared on WWHL where he gushed about his wife of more than 30 years. 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. "Oh, the first time I met her," he began telling Cohen on an April 2022 episode of the show. "I saw her walking down the street and thought, 'That's it.' " During the same interview, he said he admires Parker the most for her "humor and wisdom." Read the original article on People David/Adobe Stock A Fofoti tree overlooking the Caribbean in Aruba. Key Points Expedia released its 2025 Island Hot List, which it calls "the definitive guide to island travel based on verified data and traveler insights." In No. 1 is Arubafind what other islands made the list. Dreaming of going on an island escape? It turns out everyone else is tooand Expedia knows exactly where we all want to go. On Tuesday, the travel booking site released its 2025 Island Hot List, which it calls "the definitive guide to island travel based on verified data and traveler insights." And right off the bat, it shared that the global interest for island getaways is up an average of 30 percent year-over-year. This year, Aruba made the list, with Expedia noting it's "best for year-round sun," while Bali, Indonesia, took home a spot thanks to being the "best for relaxation." They're joined by the Dominican Republic, which Expedia says is best for adventure, Fiji, which is best for community, Jamaica, as it's best for culture, and Koh Samui, Thailand, which is best for affordable luxury. The list, Expedia explained, was compiled using comprehensive data on global traveler interest, local accommodation rates, flight and lodging accessibility, the quality of hotels (based on traveler reviews and guest experience ratings), local weather patterns, general tourism appeal, and traveler safety. Powered by real traveler data, the Expedia Island Hot List gives travelers the inspiration they need to plan a smarter island escape, Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations, shared in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure. The Maldives also made the list thanks to being the best for romance, while Oahu, Hawaii, was named best for surfing, Paros, Greece, for being the best for nightlife, and Sardinia, Italy, as the best island for food Lovers. We are honored that the pearl of the China Sea, Koh Samui, has been recognized among the top 10 Expedia Island Hot List," Narin Tijayang, the former executive director of Koh Samui Office, Tourism Authority of Thailand, shared. "[It's] a testament to the breathtaking beauty and vibrant culture of our island. Koh Samui, with its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and warm hospitality, stands ready to welcome travelers from around the world to experience the very best of Thai island life." (Thailand is T+L's 2025 Destination of the Year.) Beyond the global hotspots, Expedia also pulled data on the islands with the biggest search increases from U.S.-based travelers. Topping the list is Madeira in Portugal, with a 45 percent increase in interest, followed by Nantucket (+40 percent), St. Thomas (+30 percent), Palm Beach (+30 percent), and Turks and Caicos, which saw 10 percent growth in search. Expedia noted that the "optimum time" to visit each place varies; however, it added that if you need a closer range, September is, on average, the prime time for an island getaway. That's usually the shoulder season for island destinations, which offers more affordability and a wider range of available hotel room options. It also added that you can turn on the Flight Alerts tool on its app to track pricing and get notified when fares dip, so you can book that island getaway you so richly deserve. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Colorado dentist James Craig has pleaded not guilty to murder in the 2023 death of his wife Angela. - Pool Colorado dentist James Craig fatally poisoned his wife in 2023 because of his growing financial troubles and his affair with another woman, prosecutors alleged in opening statements of his murder trial Tuesday. Prosecutor Ryan Brackley said the evidence will show Craig, 47, poisoned his wife, Angela, in March 2023 with a mix of arsenic, cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a medication commonly found in eyedrops. Once she was in the hospital, he filled a pill with cyanide and made sure she took it, killing her, according to the prosecution. He didnt go into that room to save Angelas life, Brackley said. He didnt go into that room to fight for her life or support her. He went into that room to murder her, to deliberately and intentionally end her life with a fatal dose of cyanide. In contrast, defense attorney Ashley Whitham said investigators had tunnel vision and argued the case against him was based on speculation and assumptions. Craig had multiple affairs throughout their 23-year marriage, she said, so the prosecutions motive did not make sense. You may not like him, you may not think hes a good husband. But thats not what youre here to decide, Whitham said. She also noted Angela Craig had said she was broken and struggling, implying to the jury that her death may have been a suicide. The opening statements in Craigs trial come more than two years after Angela Craig died on March 18, 2023. She had been admitted to local hospitals three times in 10 days leading up to her death. She was 43 years old, and the couple had six children. The Arapahoe County coroner ruled her cause of death was acute cyanide and tetrahydrozoline poisoning, with subacute arsenic poisoning listed as a significant condition. Prosecutors have also accused Craig of plotting to kill four others, including the lead detective investigating his wifes death. Craig has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, solicitation to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence and solicitation to commit perjury. After opening statements, the first two witnesses in the trial testified for the prosecution Tuesday. Dr. Ashley Peko, a physician who treated Angela Craig, testified that she performed a suicide screening on her in the hospital and she was negative for concerns for suicidality. Prosecutors say three timelines converged in death In opening statements, Brackley walked jurors through three key timelines he said converged in the case. One focused on Angela Craigs health issues and the multiple hospital trips from March 6, 2023, until her death about two weeks later. A second timeline looked at Craigs growing romantic relationship with a Texas woman named Karin Cain. Craig met Cain at a dental convention in February 2023 and he told her he was amid a divorce, she previously told ABC News. If I had known what was true, I would not have been with this person, Cain said. The third timeline examined Craigs alleged orders of poisonous materials. Prosecutors said Craig began to carry out a plan to end his wifes life shortly before her first hospitalization. A 2016 Facebook photograph shows Angela and James Craig at Stratford-upon-Avon in the United Kingdom. - Obtained by CNN Craig created a new email account on February 27, 2023, from a computer in an exam room at his dental office, a probable cause affidavit states. He used the account that same day to order arsenic on Amazon after conducting searches including how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human, and Top 5 Undetectable Poisons That Show No Signs of Foul Play, the document says. A delivery confirmation shows the arsenic arrived at the Craig home on March 4. Two days later, Angela was admitted to a hospital complaining of dizziness, an inability to focus her eyes and sluggish physical responses, according to the affidavit. She was discharged the same day. Text messages between the couple, included in the document, show Angela told her husband the only thing she had consumed that morning was her protein shake. She denied feeling nauseated when he asked, and texted him, I feel drugged. Given our history I know that must be triggering, Craig wrote back. Just for the record, I didnt drug you. The message was an apparent reference to an incident years prior when Craig allegedly drugged his wife to prevent her from stopping his attempt to commit suicide, one of Angela Craigs sisters told investigators, according to a probable cause affidavit. Angela was hospitalized again from March 9 until March 14 and appeared to have consumed another protein shake before that hospitalization, text messages from the affidavit indicate. In a text conversation on March 10, James Craig told a family friend, Yesterday, the only thing she had was a protein shake in the morning which she threw up, along with soup for dinner which she also vomited, screenshots from the court document show. On March 13, while Angela was admitted for her second hospital stay, investigators allege an online order of potassium cyanide was delivered to Craigs dental practice. Craig told the company from which he placed an order that he needed it for a complex surgical procedure, but he told an office manager he would be receiving a personal package and not to open it, the affidavit says. The office manager told investigators the package was inadvertently opened by another employee and she saw a packing slip labeled potassium cyanide before resealing the box, according to the document. Investigators also uncovered sexually explicit email exchanges between Craig and Cain, who traveled from Texas to Colorado to visit Craig while his wife was hospitalized, the affidavit says. Angela was admitted to the hospital for the final time on March 15. About three hours after arriving, she had a seizure and unexplained rapid medical decline, which led to her being placed on life support in the hospitals intensive care unit, the affidavit says. She was pronounced dead three days later. Brackley, the prosecutor, said in opening statements the government was not required to prove the motive for the jury to reach a guilty verdict. Jailhouse plot to kill 4 While Craig was in jail awaiting trial in his wifes death, prosecutors say he plotted to kill four people, including the lead detective investigating her death. Craig tried to convince a fellow inmate to kill the detective, another unidentified law enforcement officer and two other inmates, prosecutors said during a February preliminary hearing introducing two additional criminal charges. Craig also allegedly wrote letters to the inmates ex-wife, trying to convince her to fabricate evidence, prosecutors told the court. In one of the letters, Craig indicated he believed his case hinged on being able to find someone to say Angela was suicidal, an investigator testified. This undated booking photo provided by the Aurora Police Department shows James Craig. - Aurora Police Department via AP Law enforcement intercepted two letters to the woman offering her money to manufacture texts, phone records and photographs to back up a story about her being friends with Angela Craig a story prosecutors say he wanted to sell to both the district attorneys office and Craigs own defense attorney at the time. That attorney, Harvey Steinberg, had abruptly withdrawn from the case last November, the day jury selection was set to begin. At the time of his withdrawal, Steinberg cited two rules of professional conduct, according to prosecutors. The first states, The client persists in a course of action involving the lawyers services that the lawyer reasonably believes is criminal or fraudulent, and the second says, The client insists upon taking action that the lawyer considers repugnant or with which the lawyer has a fundamental disagreement. Steinberg has not responded to requests for comment. A look at the defense strategy Craig had told several people Angela was suffering suicidal ideations leading up to her death, according to the affidavit. Craigs dental partner, Ryan Redfearn, told investigators when he brought up the potassium cyanide purchase, Craig initially denied it, then recanted, but claimed Angela asked him to order it, the affidavit says. Craig told Redfearn he didnt think (Angela) would actually take it, according to the affidavit, at which point Redfearn told him to stop talking and get a lawyer. A case worker with child protective services described a similar conversation to investigators, the document says. Craig told her Angela had been suicidal for some time, and he believed she had been intentionally overdosing on opioids and another unknown substance, according to the document. The social worker told investigators the statements were concerning because Craig never reported the incidents nor tried to get medical help, and none of the couples six children mentioned their mother suffered from depression. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A man died in a Utah reservoir on Saturday night after trying to help a 12-year-old girl as she drifted farther from shore on an inflatable tube, authorities said. Daniel Braga Figueiredo, 31, borrowed a paddleboard and entered Silver Lake Flat Reservoir around 7 p.m. local time, according to the Utah County Sheriff's Office. Figueiredo was related to the girl, a spokesperson for the office said in a news release. When he reached her, people watched Figueiredo and the girl struggle to relocate her from the tube onto his paddleboard before the two fell into the reservoir. The sheriff's spokesperson said witnesses entered the water, too, at that point, in hopes of helping them. Figueiredo was last seen lifting the girl out of the water and onto an inflatable device, the spokesperson said. He then disappeared beneath the surface. Witnesses called 911 after the man vanished. Rescuers from several agencies subsequently responded to the scene and proceeded to search for Figueiredo, whose body was found and recovered from the reservoir at about 9:30 p.m., according to the sheriff's office. "We would like to again offer our condolences to the family," the sheriff's spokesperson said in a statement. Silver Lake Flat Reservoir is located in American Fork Canyon, inside the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest about 40 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. People who visit often participate in outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, camping and hiking on surrounding trails, according to the U.S. Forest Service, which manages the reservoir. Trump pushes senators to make $9.4 trillion in spending cuts L.A. Mayor Karen Bass says National Guard deployment in city was "a misuse" of soldiers Mike Johnson breaks from Trump, calls on DOJ to release Epstein files Moscow An American who spied on Ukrainian troops to help Moscow's military offensive in the country has been granted Russian citizenship, Moscow-installed authorities said Tuesday. Daniel Martindale spent two years in Ukraine after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, transmitting coordinates of military facilities to Russia's secret services, according to reports in Russian state media. "By decree of our President Vladimir Putin, a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation was awarded to Daniel Martindale," Denis Pushilin, the head of the Russian-occupied part of Ukraine's Donetsk region said on the Telegram messaging app, adding that Martindale had "long since proven with his loyalty and actions that he is one of us." "He spent more than two years in the territory under enemy control. And not only did he survive he helped. He supported our guys, passed on important information to our special services, risked his life," he added. A man identified as U.S. national Daniel Martindale is congratulated on his new Russian nationality and passport by Denis Pushilin, the head of the occupying Russian administration in Ukraine's Donetsk region, in an image taken from video posted by Pushilin on Telegram, July 15, 2025. / Credit: Telegram/Reuters Martindale received his passport from interior ministry officials at a ceremony in Moscow, according to state media and a video published by Pushilin. Martindale thanked Russia for "accepting me," and said becoming a Russian citizen was a "dream." "Russia is not only my home, but my family," he said in Russian on the video. After two years spying on Ukraine, he was extracted in "a complex evacuation operation" after Moscow started to fear his life was in danger if he stayed any longer, Pushilin said. In November 2024, state media reported Russian security forces had taken him to Russia and Martindale lodged his application for Russian citizenship. A Telegram account purporting to be his posted that same month: "Hello, I'm Daniel Martindale, the guy that Russian soldiers risked their lives to evacuate from the village where I had lived for two years." Around that same time, Martindale told pro-Russian bloggers that he had arrived in Ukraine shortly before Russia launched its invasion, hoping to reach the Ukrainian border region of Donetsk. Martindale told the bloggers he had contacted Russian intelligence services on his own initiative and was told to go to the city of Vuhledar and wait for Russian forces to arrive. He said he remained in the city, pretending to be a missionary, until the fall of 2024, when Russian troops seized the city after a protracted battle. Ukrainian journalists have found some evidence to suggest that Martindale may have been recruited by Russian agencies years earlier, as he visited Russia between 2016 and 2019, taking university courses. According to some reports, he was deported from Russia in 2019 for violating labor laws. Trump pushes senators to make $9.4 trillion in spending cuts L.A. Mayor Karen Bass says National Guard deployment in city was "a misuse" of soldiers Mike Johnson breaks from Trump, calls on DOJ to release Epstein files Presented by 84 Lumber in Support of National Hire a Veteran Day July 25, 2025 EIGHTY FOUR, Pa., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25, 2025, 84 Lumber is launching the 84 Lunges Challenge, a nationwide social media campaign designed to raise awareness about the critical need to hire U.S. military veterans. 84 Lunges Challenge invites individuals, businesses, and organizations across the country to complete 84 lunges in support of veterans. Use hashtags #84LungesChallenge and #HireAVeteran, while tagging friends, colleagues, or companies to take the challenge and spread the word. Actor, builder, and veteran advocate Darren Keefe features his father, a proud U.S. Navy veteran, in his #84LungesChallenge post. #84LungesChallenge and #HireAVeteran Inspired by the message, "Hire a Veteran. Change a Life," the 84 Lunges Challenge invites individuals, businesses, and organizations across the country to complete 84 lunges in support of veterans. Participants are encouraged to post their efforts on social media using the hashtags #84LungesChallenge and #HireAVeteran, while tagging friends, colleagues, or companies to take the challenge and spread the word. "This campaign isn't about fitness, it's a call to action," said Amy Smiley, vice president of marketing at 84 Lumber. "Veterans bring leadership, resilience, and a mission-first mindset, qualities every team needs. Hiring them doesn't just honor their service; it strengthens our workforce and our future." There's no "right" way to participate. Participants can do 84 lunges at once, break them into sets, modify for accessibility, or get creative with form. What matters most is the purpose behind the movement. How to Take Part in the Challenge: Complete 84 lunges (your way!) Record and post your challenge on social media Use the hashtags #84LungesChallenge and #HireAVeteran Tag at least three others to keep the momentum going! Among the first to take the challenge is actor, builder, and veteran advocate Darren Keefe, who launched the campaign with a heartfelt video, featuring his father, a proud U.S. Navy veteran. "I'm taking a break from swinging hammers and dancing shoes to hit some lunges that matter," said Keefe. "I've teamed up with 84 Lumber because July 25 is National Hire a Veteran Day, and we want to raise our voicesand our kneesfor those who served. Your legs will feel it, and your heart will too." In his video, Keefe encouraged others to, "Do 84 lunges (in any way you can), film it, post it, and share why hiring veterans matters to YOU. It's time to raise awareness, get loud, and open doors for the heroes who are ready for their next mission in civilian life." The 84 Lunges Challenge underscores both the immense value veterans bring to the workforce and the real challenges they face when transitioning from military to civilian employment. Through this campaign, 84 Lumber hopes to ignite national awareness and inspire meaningful hiring decisions across industries. "We're proud to be a military-friendly employer," added Smiley. "This challenge is a small but powerful way to spotlight the many benefits of hiring veterans. It's not just the right thing to doit's the smart thing to do." For more information on 84 Lumber's initiatives and career opportunities, visit www.84lumber.com. ABOUT 84 LUMBER Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, 84 Lumber Co. is the nation's largest privately held supplier of building materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single and multifamily residences and commercial buildings. The company operates 320 facilities which include stores, component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, and engineered wood product centers in 34 states. 84 Lumber also offers turnkey installation services for a variety of products, including framing, insulation, siding, windows, roofing, decking, and drywall. 84 Lumber, a certified women's business enterprise owned by Maggie Hardy, has earned widespread recognition for its industry leadership and commitment to excellence. Named one of Newsweek's Most Trustworthy Companies in America for both 2024 and 2025, 84 Lumber was also honored as one of USA Today's Top Retailers in 2024. For three consecutive years, 84 Lumber has been honored as one of America's Best Large and Mid-Size Employers by Forbes and has also earned a spot on the list of America's Top Private Companies from 2019 to 2024. In 2023, the company was also honored with a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America's Fastest-Growing Companies. For more information, visit 84lumber.com or join us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. SOURCE 84 Lumber By Nate Raymond and Jack Queen WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump secured approval of his first judicial nominee of his second term, as the U.S. Senate confirmed a former law clerk to three members of the U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority to a seat on a federal appeals court. The Republican-led Senate voted 46-42 along party lines in favor of Whitney Hermandorfer, a lawyer serving under Tennessee's attorney general, to be appointed as a life-tenured judge on the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. She is the first of 15 judicial nominees the president has announced to date to secure Senate approval, as Trump and his Republican allies in the Senate look to add to the 234 judicial appointments Trump made in his first term. With Hermandorfer's confirmation, Trump tied former President Joe Biden's total of 235 judicial appointments. Such appointments could help Trump further shift the ideological balance of the judiciary to the right at a moment when White House officials have accused judges who have blocked parts of his immigration and cost-cutting agenda they have found to be unlawful of being part of a "judicial coup." Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune, ahead of a procedural vote on Hermandorfer's nomination on Thursday, said the goal was to fill around 50 judicial vacancies on the bench with judges who "understand the proper role of a judge." He said judges should "understand that their job is to interpret the law, not usurp the job of the people's elected representatives by legislating from the bench." In a statement after the vote, Republican Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley praised Hermandorfer's qualifications and said Republicans will push forward with nominations despite "obstruction" by Democrats. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor Monday that Trump is only interested in appointing "foot soldiers in black robes" to the courts. Hermandorfer clerked for Supreme Court justices Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett, and clerked for Justice Brett Kavanaugh while he was a judge on a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. Barrett and Kavanaugh were appointed to the Supreme Court in Trump's first term, giving it a 6-3 conservative majority. Hermandorfer has been leading a strategic litigation unit in Republican Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti's office, where she defended the state's near-total abortion ban and challenged a rule adopted under Biden barring discrimination against transgender students. Senate Democrats had argued that Hermandorfer, 38, who is just a decade out of law school, lacked sufficient legal experience to join the bench and had shown a willingness to support extreme legal positions supporting Trump's agenda. (Reporting by Jan Wolfe in Washington and Nate Raymond in Boston; Additional reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Jamie Freed and Himani Sarkar) Washington The Senate narrowly advanced a request from the White House to claw back billions in funds for international aid and public broadcasting, as Congress faces a Friday deadline to act. The request, known as a rescissions package, cleared its first procedural hurdles late Tuesday, with the help of Vice President JD Vance. The vice president cast two tie-breaking votes after three Republicans joined all Democrats in opposing it. In June, the White House requested that Congress cancel $9.4 billion in funding that had previously been approved for spending, starting the clock on a process that gives lawmakers 45 days to act. If both chambers don't approve an identical package before the deadline, the funding will be spent as planned. The legislation seeks to make permanent some of the Department of Government Efficiency's spending cuts, with the primary focus being slashing foreign aid. But it would also effectively cut off federal funding for NPR and PBS. Earlier Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, appeared uncertain if he had the votes to advance it, but moved ahead with a pair of procedural votes later in the day. Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against moving forward. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought met with Senate Republicans as some members remained resistant to pulling back all of the funding. Vought left the luncheon saying there would be a substitute amendment that would eliminate the cuts to a global AIDS prevention program called PEPFAR. "There is a substitute amendment that does not include the PEPFAR rescission and we're fine with that," Vought told reporters, referring to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Vought said the package would total $9 billion with the change and is "substantially the same package." "We hope that if we can get this across the finish line in the Senate, that the House would accept that one small modification," Thune said. Last month, the House approved the White House's original request, overcoming opposition from all Democrats and four Republicans. But the change wasn't enough for the holdouts, who said they hadn't been provided specifics about how certain programs will be affected. "We've got big, broad categories, but I haven't been given the comfort, if you will, that we're not impacting maternal and child health, that we're not impacting HIV/AIDS, that we're not impacting nutrition programs and programs related to tuberculosis, malaria, polio, neglected tropical disease, pandemic prevention, family planning," Murkowski said, adding that she also a strong supporter of public broadcasting. "But more important than all of that, more important is our role here. I don't want us to go from one reconciliation bill to a rescissions package to another rescissions package to a reconciliation package to a continuing resolution," she said. "We're lawmakers. We should be legislating. What we're getting now is a direction from the White House and being told this is the priority we want you to execute on it, we'll be back with you with another round. I don't accept that." The rescissions package The rescissions request would cut $8.3 billion for the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, along with other international assistance programs from peacekeeping efforts to refugee assistance and climate projects. Also included in the package is a proposed $1.1 billion in cuts for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the private nonprofit that serves as the steward of the funding to NPR and PBS. The White House has targeted the entities, claiming they have "spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as 'news.'" But some Senate Republicans have opposed components of the package, like cuts to a program aimed at combating HIV and AIDS globally. Started by former President George W. Bush, PEPFAR has been credited for saving millions of lives around the world. Collins, a Maine Republican, told reporters last week that she wants to strike the PEPFAR rescissions, saying, "I can't imagine why we would want to terminate that program." Collins, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, pushed back when Vought testified to the panel in June that "no lifesaving treatment will be impacted by this rescissions package" and that "anyone currently receiving lifesaving treatment will continue to receive that treatment." "When you look at PEPFAR, you are eliminating a lot of the prevention programs," Collins said, also questioning whether the package would harm efforts to prevent the spread of tuberculosis, polio and malaria and what effects it would have on maternal and child health programs that help feed malnourished children. "Those are all programs that have been proven effective." "These are not only the right thing to do for humanitarian reasons, but they're incredible instruments of soft power," Collins said. Collins on Tuesday said the PEPFAR changes announced by Vought were "progress," but called for more specifics on other cuts. Others have raised concerns about cuts to local radio and television stations, especially in rural areas where they take on added significance as a means of communicating emergency messages. One of the Republican members who had concerns, Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, said Tuesday he would back the bill after working with the Trump administration to find alternate funding. "We wanted to make sure tribal broadcast services in South Dakota continued to operate which provide potentially lifesaving emergency alerts," Rounds posted on X. "We worked with the Trump administration to find Green New Deal money that could be reallocated to continue grants to tribal radio stations without interruption." Senate Majority Leader John Thune, accompanied by Sen. John Barrasso and Sen. Mike Crapo, speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on July 1, 2025, in Washington, DC. / Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images Amending the package will mean the House will have to sign off on the changes. And with the Friday deadline, time is running out to do so before the request expires. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said Monday he hoped the Senate sticks with the House-approved package. "I think you've got to respect the White House's request, and that's what we did," Johnson said. In the Senate, rescissions bills are not subject to the 60-vote threshold needed to advance most legislation, requiring only a simple majority. But with just 53 Republicans, Senate GOP leaders can only afford to lose a handful of their members to approve the package. President Trump weighed in on the rescissions push late last week, saying in a post on Truth Social that it's "very important that all Republicans adhere to my Recissions Bill," citing the public broadcasting cuts in particular. The president warned that any Republican who doesn't support the clawback in funding "will not have my support or Endorsement." Meanwhile, the rescissions push has sparked frustration among Democrats, who have little ability to stand in its way. But an upcoming spending fight is another story. Democrats have begun suggesting that the GOP effort to claw back already approved congressional funds could have an impact on their willingness to work across the aisle on government funding down the road. Each year, Congress approves funding to keep the federal government running before the funds are disbursed to government agencies and programs. The rescissions process allows Congress to cancel funds that the federal government has not yet spent. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned about the upcoming rescissions push in a letter to his colleagues upon the return from the Fourth of July recess, arguing that the package's passage "would be an affront to the bipartisan appropriations process." The New York Democrat called it "absurd" for the GOP to expect Democrats to engage in a bipartisan appropriations process that could be undermined by rescissions. "Republicans are, in effect, proposing Congress negotiate bipartisan deals in the Committee room, while they retreat to a backroom to rubberstamp President Trump's purely partisan scheme that only needs a simple majority to pass to tear up those very same agreements," Schumer wrote. In response, Thune said on the Senate floor last week that he was "disappointed" to see Schumer "implicitly threaten to shut down the government," while adding that he's "hopeful that that is not the position" of Senate Democrats. When asked by reporters about the possibility of a shutdown, Schumer said, "Ask the Republicans why they are heading on this path." "We are doing everything we can to keep the bipartisan appropriations process going, and they're undermining it with rescissions," Schumer added. Son of man who was violently detained by ICE reacts after release Mike Johnson breaks from Trump, calls on DOJ to release Epstein files Details on Israeli strikes against Syria U.S. Capitol (VisitTheCapitol.gov), flag (Gov. Roy Cooper | Facebook) (The Center Square) Silence is speaking volumes from the highest elected Democrats from North Carolina on their partys pivotal foreign policy resolution. Publicly, none of the four in the U.S. House of Representatives has taken a stand nor have any of the five in the states executive offices, commonly called the Council of State. The State Executive Committee for the North Carolina Democratic Party on June 28 adopted a resolution declaring Israel guilty of apartheid against Palestinians; genocide in Gaza; and using American weapons in self defense against hospitals, schools, homes, refugee camps, mosques, churches, journalists and humanitarian aid workers. The resolution calls for an immediate embargo on all military aid, weapons shipments and military logistical support from the United States to Israel. The language says the embargo would be supported until Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Btselem certify that Israel is no longer engaged in apartheid rule. The United States has long been an ally of Israel in the Middle East, including being the first to recognize it as an independent state in 1948 under President Harry Truman. Monday, the Democratic Majority for Israel, considered a powerfully aligned organization to the Democratic Party, rebuked New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for refusing to condem the use of the phrase Globalize the Intifada a slogan widely recognized as a call for violence against Jews. The DMFI said it is clearly a call for bloodshed. The Center Square was unsuccessful via email getting an answer of being in support or against the state party resolution from U.S. Reps. Alma Adams, Valerie Foushee, Deborah Ross or Don Davis. Also checked were Gov. Josh Stein, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Public Instruction Superintendent Mo Green. Former Gov. Roy Cooper, the party's expected candidate for the U.S. Senate race in 2026, is quiet as well. The Center Square was unsuccessful via email getting comment from the office of Morgan Jackson, a managing partner at Nexus Strategies that handles political consulting for Cooper. The resolution cites Gallop polling saying Democrats support Palestinian people (59%) and that Israels assault on Gaza was the primary reason (29%) that people voting for President Joe Biden did not vote in 2024. It says 62% of young Democrats support an arms embargo. Since Israel was attacked Oct. 7, 2023, by Hamas, support for Palestine has grown in the United States, particularly in the form of protests on higher education campuses. Israel responded and the death toll has escalated to more than 57,000, most on the Palestinian side and most civilians. On June 13, Israel attacked Iranian military and nuclear facilities. On June 21, the U.S. dropped bombs on three nuclear facilities in Iran. GERMANTOWN, MD Marsha Tonkins has never been one to get involved in politics. She was happy to let others worry about such things. But President Donald Trump's cuts to food stamps and health care for poor people and those with disabilities, among other things, have pushed her over the edge. Im just worried, extremely worried, said Tonkins, 57, who has a 17-year-old son with autism. So, for the first time in her life, she attended a town hall, held July 10 by her Democratic member of Congress, Rep. April McClain Delaney. State officials across the country like Delaney are trying to figure out how the cuts will affect their constituents. In a half dozen interviews, they told USA TODAY that after months of lobbying against the spending bill, they now have to figure out how their states are going to manage to live with it and how to help residents like Tonkins do the same. But they're not even certain yet what the impacts will be. Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP won't fully take effect until after the 2026 midterm elections, but states budget a year, or even two years into the future. Unlike the federal government, most states are required to balance their budgets. That means making hard decisions about which people they can afford to protect and which ones will be left to fend for themselves. As public servants, we all feel a responsibility to fill these gaps, but there's not enough dirt for the hole," said Nevada Treasurer Zach Conine, a Democrat. "The level of catastrophe that's being created here is not one that states like Nevada are going to be able to sort out," he said at least not without taking money from other priorities like mental health treatment, education and housing. Trump and Republicans in Congress have said the budget cuts are needed to rein in government spending, reduce fraud and abuse in the programs and afford tax breaks. Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman speaks with an attendee after a townhall in Germantown, Maryland on July 11, 2025. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, said the changes, particularly the new work requirements for able-bodied Medicaid recipients, will make the programs for people who rely on them. "We're going to make that program work better for the people that are truly disabled and needy, not for somebody who's turning down work," he said in a news release. But by requiring states to pick up a larger share of Medicaid costs and a percentage of food assistance benefits for the first time, Conine and other state officials said the federal cuts merely push costs and responsibilities down to the states. States don't have the money to cover all of their new responsibilities, he said, and "will quickly be in a place where we have to make the decision between one group of vulnerable people or another group of vulnerable people." Tsunami of costs offloaded onto states Tonkins joined more than 150 people in an amphitheater-style classroom at Montgomery Colleges Germantown campus. They came to hear not just from Delaney, but from Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and Comptroller Brooke Lierman, both Democrats, about what the state will do to plug the estimated $100 million hole in next year's budget a hole that is estimated to get bigger in the ensuing years. Lierman told attendees that her office will create a report within 60 days outlining what the bill means for Marylands revenue and taxes. It will be up to the Legislature to decide how to spend the money the state brings in. States arent just facing the Medicaid and SNAP cutbacks, Delaney said. They are facing a tsunami of funding freezes, changes to education funding and other ways that the administration is "offloading" costs to states to make the federal government smaller. All of these things are layering upon each other. Its going to be very difficult for any state, no matter what their resources, to be able to be that stopgap, she said. Every state relies heavily on federal funds to balance their budget. According to a report by the National Association of State Budget Officers, federal funds accounted for just over one-third of total state expenditures in fiscal year 2024. Its sort of death by 1,000 cuts. And thats really the challenge here, is that there wasnt just one thing in the bill thats going to hurt our budget and hurt Marylanders, Lierman told the gathered citizens at the town hall. There were so many. Stacy Staggs, left, from Charlotte, NC and her daughter Sara Staggs, wearing hat, along with other families of children with disabilities who rely on Medicaid for critical health care services visit the Longworth House Office Building office as the group sought to meet with congressional members, July 2, 2025 while lobbying congress as part of the group known as Little Lobbyists, a group advocating for kids with complex medical needs and disabilities. 'So big' it's hard to figure out the full impact Officials from a half dozen states told USA TODAY they are still examining how the bill impacts their residents and the billions of dollars that flow each year from the federal government for transportation and education. Any changes have to be accounted for in the state budget. This is so big I dont know if Ive figured it all out yet, Minnesota Auditor Julie Blaha, a Democrat, said. I think people are overwhelmed by how much effect it could have." How much of this new responsibility they can cover will differ state by state, depending on their local economy, potential for tax increases and political priorities. Will Connecticut stop working toward fully funding its employee pension program, risking backlash from workers and unions? That's one issue the Connecticut Treasurer is frustrated about. The estimated SNAP cuts alone exceed the $262 million allocated to the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. Should New Mexico and other states dip into or even empty their rainy day fund to keep providing food assistance? What will happen to people who relying on those programs once those are dry? That's what's worrying New Mexico's Treasurer. State revenue can only be spread so far, and the estimated new costs for Medicaid and SNAP are expected to be in the tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars for each state. Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha speaks about U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., during the Johnson County Democrats annual fall barbecue, Sunday, Oct., 13, 2019, at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City, Iowa. Minnesota's Blaha said she expects her state and many others will raise taxes to cover the costs rather than reduce access to medical care or food. We just all are going to have to pay more, she said. Its either going to be raise costs for all of us or horrible cruelty. 'You have to make hard decisions' Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said cuts are part of balancing a budget, and states are going to have to make their own choices based on what money they get. The federal government had a responsibility to limit its spending, said Sexton, the only Republican state official who responded to USA TODAY's request for comment. "At some point you have to make hard decisions," he said. "You're going to have to do things that hurt in order to make sure that you can be financially sound in the next 5 or 10 years. And so what is tough today will only benefit us in the future." House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R- Crossville answers questions during a press briefing after the fourth day of special session at the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. He said Tennessee will have to examine the bill's effects as they come. "It's going to be on us, if we're impacted, to either pick it up or not and make that decision for ourselves on what we want to continue to do or not do," he said. We want to hear from people affected by or who have knowledge of the Trump administrations efforts to reshape the government, including actions by DOGE. Know something others should? Reach out at swire@usatoday.com or Signal at sarahdwire.71 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: States scramble for funds after Trump's cuts to Medicaid and SNAP Caroline Boda | The Center Square (The Center Square) California, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada are part of a 23-state coalition suing the Trump administration for withholding $6.8 billion in federal education funding. These states are calling this freeze unconstitutional, unlawful and an arbitrary decision. By freezing $132 million in funds owed to Arizonas students, President Trump and his administration are increasing costs for Arizonas schools, cities, and families, said Attorney General Mayes in a news release. Its unlawful for President Trump to hold up this education funding and wreak havoc on Arizonas students and families and its having an immediate and devastating impact. This is essential education funding that Trump is trying to slash. It will keep the lights on in our schools. It pays for supplies, and teachers, and school safety officers. The Trump administration is trying to take it for no reason, said Mayes. Arizonas communities and families will have to scramble because the President is trying to rewrite the law. This will not stand. And I will continue to fight until we secure this funding for our students. Each year on July 1, states receive their federal education funds Congress has allocated for the upcoming school year. An email from the U.S. Department of Education, sent to various departments of education across the country, stated the department would not be issuing obligating funds for six formula funding programs on July 1. Since filing the lawsuit, Southwest states have echoed their support in obtaining such crucial federal funding for school programs. Nevada currently has $61 million frozen in education funding. This is not just an unconstitutional and unlawful overreach of federal power; it is an attack on civic life that strengthens our communities and our democracy, said Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford. I stand with my colleagues in defending these critical areas of society, ensuring that Nevadans continue to have access to the humanities, which are essential for fostering an engaged public and thriving society. Colorado would be set to lose $80 million in federal education funding. I have heard directly from Colorado school superintendents how disruptive and reckless this arbitrary freeze of federal funding is to them, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a press release. Schools deserve to be treated fairly, and this administrations lack of regard for the impact of this lawless decision is appalling. I am proud to co-lead this case and will continue to ensure that this administration does not harm Colorado by acting in an illegal fashion. California would see $939 million cut from education funding. With no rhyme or reason, the Trump Administration abruptly froze billions of dollars in education funding just weeks before the start of the school year, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a press release. In doing so, it has threatened the existence of programs that provide critical after school and summer learning opportunities, that teach English to students, and that provide educational technology to our classrooms. Mayes joins the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C., and the Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, in filing the lawsuit. NEW YORK (AP) A rare trial against Elon Musk's car company began Monday in Miami where a jury will decide if it is partly to blame for the death of a stargazing university student after a runaway Tesla sent her flying 75 feet through the air and severely injured her boyfriend. Lawyers for the plaintiff argue that Teslas driver-assistance feature called Autopilot should have warned the driver and braked when his Model S sedan blew through flashing red lights, a stop sign and a T-intersection at nearly 70 miles an hour in the April 2019 crash. Tesla lays the blame solely on the driver, who was reaching for a dropped cell phone. The evidence clearly shows that this crash had nothing to do with Teslas Autopilot technology, Tesla said in a statement. Instead, like so many unfortunate accidents since cellphones were invented, this was caused by a distracted driver. The driver, George McGee, was sued separately by the plaintiffs. That case was settled. A judgement against Tesla could be especially damaging as the company works to convince the public its self-driving technology is safe during a planned rollout of hundreds of thousands of Tesla robotaxis on U.S. roads by the end of next year. A jury trial is rare for the company, whose suits over crashes are often dismissed or settled, and this one is rarer yet because a judge recently ruled that the family of the stricken Naibel Benavides Leon can argue for punitive damages. The judge, Beth Bloom of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, issued a partial summary judgement last month, throwing out charges of defective manufacturing and negligent misrepresentation against Tesla. But she also ruled plaintiffs could argue other claims that would make the company liable and ask for punitive damages, which could prove costly. A reasonable jury could find that Tesla acted in reckless disregard of human life for the sake of developing their product and maximizing profit, Bloom said in a filing. The 2021 lawsuit alleges the driver relied on Autopilot to reduce speed or come to a stop when it detected objects in its way, including a parked Chevrolet Tahoe that Benavides and her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, had gotten out of near Key West, Florida, to look up at the sky. The Tesla rammed the Tahoe at highway speeds, causing it to rotate and slam into Benavides, tossing her into a wooded area and killing her. In legal documents, Tesla denied nearly all of the lawsuits allegations and said it expects that consumers will follow warnings in the vehicle and instructions in the owners manual, as well as comply with driving laws. Tesla warns owners in manuals that its cars cannot drive themselves and they need to be ready to intervene at all times. Plaintiff lawyers argue that Tesla should have a geofenced its Autopilot so it only worked on the big roads it was designed for and drivers couldnt use it on smaller roads such as the rural one where Benavides was killed. They also say data and video evidence shows the Autopilot did detect the Tahoe but then failed to warn the driver as they claim it should have done. Tesla has since improved its driver-assistance and partial self-driving features, but still faces lawsuits and investigations over what critics say is a gap between its exaggerated depictions of how well they work and what they can actually do. Federal auto safety regulators recalled 2.3 million Teslas in 2023 for problems with Autopilot failing to sufficiently alert drivers if they werent paying attention to the road. They then put Tesla under investigation last year for saying it fixed the problem though it was unclear it actually did that. Musk has also continued to make public comments suggesting Teslas Full Self-Driving technology, a more advanced version of Autopilot, allows cars to drive themselves, despite warnings from regulators not to do so because it could lead to overreliance on the systems, crashes and deaths. That technology has been involved in three fatal crashes and is under investigation of its ability to see in low-visibility conditions such as sunlight glare or fog. Tesla is promising a much more robust self-driving technology to power its robotaxis with no one behind the wheel. A test run in Austin, Texas, of the taxis appears to have gone mostly well, though there are scattered problems, such as a case when one cab went down the opposing lane. Former AP auto writer Krisher reported from Detroit. CENTER POINT, Texas Local and state officials who responded to the catastrophic flooding this month in Central Texas defended their actions in an interview with NBC News, saying they did everything in their power to save lives and are now considering what more could be done to prevent future tragedies. Our teams did everything that they possibly could with this gruesome, devastating situation that happened, and we would not change the way we did that. And I think we saved as many people as we could, Dalton Rice, the city manager of Kerrville, said. He spoke with NBC News alongside Jeff Holt, a Kerr County commissioner, and state Rep. Wes Virdell, over the weekend, before a new round of heavy rain and flooding threatened parts of the region. The officials said they did their best to coordinate evacuations and rescues against uncontrollable forces of nature, but noted that a permanent emergency operations center, more diversion dams and better cellphone service in certain areas might help save lives in future floods. Hundreds of people were rescued in the early morning of July 4 as the Guadalupe River surged to unprecedented heights in less than an hour, its intractable current carrying homes and vehicles for miles downstream. At least 132 people died in the flood, including campers and counselors at a girls summer camp, while the number of people believed to be missing was adjusted lower, to 101 people, after Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday that it's unclear if all were "swept away by the storm." Flash floods are common in the Texas Hill Country, where Kerrville is located, but National Weather Service forecasts predicted less rain than ultimately descended on July 4 and by the time officials learned that lives were in jeopardy, many homes along the river were already submerged or washed away. It happened so rapidly that nobody, nobody could have anticipated it, Rice said. Kerr County and Kerrville officials held separate meetings Monday about the ongoing flood response. Officials mostly steered clear of addressing speculation over how leaders communicated about the events on July 4, but one noted that he had received death threats. Rice told NBC News the water level was normal in his morning run along the river at about 3:30 a.m., during which he planned to survey the Fourth of July festivities. At 5:20 a.m., he started getting phone calls and text messages about the water surging. By that point, evacuations were already underway at campgrounds and RV parks. Holt, who is also a volunteer firefighter, received an alert from the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department at 4:59 a.m. that help was needed along the river. He had been up with his cat, who was agitated by the storm, for the past hour and a half. My cat would not leave me alone, actually scratched my eyeball when I was sleeping, he said. In anticipation of heavy rain, some first responders from the Texas Division of Emergency Management were already stationed in the area, along with volunteer swift water rescue teams. Holt assisted with evacuations at around 5:30 a.m. at the Old River Road RV Park in Kerrville, he said, where some people were still fast asleep as the water encroached. We all came in to meet probably the hardest day were going to see in our lives, and Im a 30- year combat Marine, he said. Dalton Rice, the city manager of Kerrville; Jeff Holt, a Kerr County commissioner; and Wes Virdell, a Texas state representative who represents Kerr County. (Aria Bendix / NBC News) Virdell, a Republican state lawmaker who represents Kerr County, woke to messages about the flood at around 8 a.m. He got in his car as fast as he could, he said, and drove to the scene from Brady, more than an hour and a half north of Kerrville. I just threw, I think, one shirt, some gear or whatever in there, and my wife hopped in with me, and we drove 90 miles an hour, he said. Would alerts have made a difference? In the wake of the disaster, questions have swirled about whether residents were adequately alerted about the dangers facing them, and if such alerts could have made a difference. Since its approval in 2009, Kerr County has used a phone notification system, known as CodeRed, to deliver emergency messages to residents who opt in. Officials have not said whether CodeRed alerts went out to warn about the weather and evacuations, or who was driving the decision of whether or not to send them. NBC affiliate KXAN in Austin obtained audio of a volunteer firefighter in the city of Ingram asking a county sheriff dispatcher at 4:22 a.m. if they can send a CodeRed out to our Hunt residents, asking them to find higher ground or stay home. The dispatcher responded: We have to get that approved with our supervisor. KXAN reported that one person near a flooded area said they received a voicemail at 1:14 a.m. from a number traced back to CodeRed, while another area resident received a CodeRed alert at 5:34 a.m. about the National Weather Services flash flood warning, suggesting inconsistencies among recipients countywide. Parts of the county also have spotty cell service or none at all. Others may not have had their phones with them, like the young girls who were staying at Camp Mystic in the unincorporated community of Hunt, where officials say at least 27 campers and staff members died. Holt, the Kerr County commissioner, said the county judge and sheriff typically must agree on issuing alerts such as a CodeRed. From his perspective, evacuating people on the ground, he said, felt like we were all in the fight already, and didnt need necessarily a call out for it. Its not easy for anyone, especially if you live on the river and your own home is flooding and you cant get to the [emergency operations center] because you live on Highway 39, which is the case with a county judge, Holt added. He is caught up in the disaster and trying to respond from home as much as possible. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said at a July 5 news conference that he lives along the Guadalupe River and his properties were devastated by the flood. As a city manager, Rice said, CodeRed was not on our mind at around 5 a.m. when evacuations were underway. We were actively communicating with emergency responders in the community, he added. Its very tough to say, would that [alert] have been effective? Hours after the flood, Rice helped establish an emergency operations center at the Hill Country Youth Event Center, where state, county and city officials including the county judge and sheriff could coordinate their response. Virdell, the state representative, praised the effort to synchronize local and state operations, noting that two county commissioners worked out of the emergency center while the remaining two assisted with active rescues. People know me as sometimes being hard on government, government efficiency. What happened here was one of the most efficient things that Ive ever seen between all the agencies working together, he said. 'They're just playing a blame game' Questions over the timeline of events continued Monday as elected officials in Kerr County and Kerrville held public meetings. This flood was impossible to accurately and precisely predict, Mayor Joe Herring said at the end of the Kerrville City Council meeting. He previously said he was awakened to the flooding by a call from Rice at about 5:30 a.m. and received no emergency alerts that morning. At the Kerr County Commissioners Court meeting, residents praised the response from emergency crews amid exhaustive search and rescue operations. Kelly, in his first public appearance since the news conferences immediately after the flood, said he would not be answering questions. This is not a press conference today, Kelly said. This is a business meeting, and weve got business that we have to do in the midst of this disaster response. Commissioner Rich Paces said Monday he has received death threats in response to prior actions the county has taken over funding. He clarified that Kerr County received $10 million in federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act, a trillion-dollar Covid relief package signed by President Joe Biden in 2021, but that the money was for a radio system to help with emergency response not a flood warning system. Its sad to see the evil thats out there as well. In the midst of all this beauty, Paces said, referring to the donations and support. You know, Ive been getting death threats. Can you imagine, and people cursing us for decisions that weve never had a chance to make? And theyre just playing a blame game, he said. Lessons learned More than a week after the flood, state and local officials said theyre focused on recovery operations including locating the bodies of missing people rather than identifying any points of weakness in their emergency response. Right now I dont want to spend my time having to go back and look at timelines, because our focus is on the operation, Rice said. Holt said the county likely needs more diversion dams to strip off water in the flood zone, an action that would require signoff from private landowners. And while officials were able to quickly organize an emergency operations center, establishing a permanent one would be a wise long-term solution, he added. He described the need for officials to rehearse for emergency scenarios like flash floods at a single location thats built for that purpose, instead of relying on [the Texas Division of Emergency Management] to bring us all together. Virdell said its also important to find out whether sirens were useful during the disaster, since people sleeping indoors may not have heard them. One resource that may have helped, he added, is better cellphone service along the river in Hunt. Im going to be requesting that some of the cellphone companies work on putting towers in that area, he said. I think thats going to make a big difference because we didnt have communication with a bunch of the camps. A spokesperson for the Eastland family, which owns and operates Camp Mystic, said the camps director, Richard Dick Eastland, who died that day, received a flood warning from the National Weather Service at 1:14 a.m. on his cellphone. He alerted his family via walkie-talkies, the spokesperson said, but its unclear if the camp had means of communicating with authorities other than cellphones. Eastland was last seen evacuating girls from the Bubble Inn cabin, where the youngest campers were staying. Virdell said he has been looking into whether satellite communication could help generate alerts in coordination with the National Weather Service. However, he noted, even those tools might not have been enough to avert disaster on July 4: The general consensus is, everything was done that could be done at that moment. Aria Bendix and Morgan Chesky reported from Center Point, and Erik Ortiz from New York. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a libertarian-leaning deficit hawk, walks to the House chamber as Republicans work to push President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts across the finish line even as conservative and moderate GOP holdouts like Massie slow that effort, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) WASHINGTON (AP) U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie has stockpiled more than $1.7 million for his re-election bid as the Kentucky Republican gears up to face President Donald Trump's vaunted political operation, Massie's campaign announced Monday. Massie was one of two House Republicans to vote against Donald Trump's massive tax bill and he said Trump lacked authority to bomb nuclear sites in Iran without congressional approval. Trump aides launched a super PAC devoted to defeating Massie in his 2026 primary, the first concerted effort by the president's team to unseat a sitting member of Congress. Trump's challenge to Massie sent a clear signal to other Republicans that they cross the president at their peril. But Massie's formidable fundraising will help him fight back. His sprawling district covers three television markets, making it an expensive place to campaign. Massie raised just over $584,000 between April and June, bringing his total fundraising since the last election above $1 million, his campaign reported. The $1.7 million in his campaign bank account includes money left over from his successful 2024 re-election campaign. The new PAC, Kentucky MAGA, will be run by two of Trumps top political lieutenants, his former co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita and longtime pollster Tony Fabrizio. They have not yet announced a challenger they will support but hope to unify Massie's Republican critics behind one person to avoid splitting the anti-Massie vote. Elon Musk, a billionaire and one-time Trump ally, suggested he'll support Massie. An appeals court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from revoking deportation protections and work permits for thousands of people from Afghanistan. The administration had planned to end temporary protected status for Afghanistan on Monday, part of a broader push to cut back a program that gives migrants reprieve from deportation if their home country is deemed unsafe. The administration argues those protections aren't meant to be permanent and Afghanistan's security situation has improved, though opponents say the country remains unsafe and revocation would force people to uproot their lives. But in a late-night ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit blocked the administration from putting into place its withdrawal of temporary protected status for one week. The court's administrative stay didn't weigh in on the merits of the case, instead giving the administration and CASA a group that sued the government over its policy time to file briefs. "We are pleased with the Fourth Circuit's decision to temporarily pause the termination of TPS for Afghanistan," CASA legal director Ama Frimpong said in a statement, adding the group will push for a longer-term pause. "Although temporary, every moment counts when it comes to families figuring out their futures and being protected from ICE's terror." AfghanEvac, a nonprofit that has helped relocate Afghans, told CBS News the ruling "offers a brief but critical window of relief." "TPS has been a vital lifeline for tens of thousands of Afghans who supported U.S. missions or fled Taliban persecution. Ending it would not only uproot families and destabilize communities, it would betray a promise we made," AfghanEvac President Shawn VanDiver said in an email. "We are heartened by the court's stay, but this isn't a victoryit's a pause. And it underscores the need for permanent protections, not political whiplash every few months." The White House criticized the ruling. "Once again, a rogue judge is trying to infringe on the separation of powers and impede the Trump administration's rightful ability to carry out its immigration policy. Temporary Protective Status is meant to be 'temporary' in nature. We look forward to ultimate victory on the issue," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the ruling "ignores the President's clear authorities under both Article II of the Constitution and the plain language of federal law." "Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was never intended to be a de facto asylum program, yet it has been abused as one for decades," McLaughlin said. "The Trump administration is restoring integrity to our immigration system to keep our homeland and its people safe, and we have the law, the facts, and common sense on our side." Some 11,700 Afghans are enrolled in temporary protected status, or TPS, according to federal estimates. The program was extended for Afghanistan in 2023, under the Biden administration, which cited a "deepening humanitarian crisis" and "economic collapse" in Afghanistan since the U.S. military's 2021 withdrawal led the Taliban to retake the country. The program is separate from the more permanent "special immigrant visas" issued to Afghans who worked for the U.S. military, often as translators. And migrants enrolled in TPS can apply for other forms of relief, including asylum. TPS for Afghanistan was set to expire in May of this year unless the Trump administration chose to extend it again. Two months ago, DHS announced it would end the program in mid-July, saying the administration was "returning TPS to its original temporary intent." "Afghanistan has had an improved security situation, and its stabilizing economy no longer prevent[s] them from returning to their home country," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said. CASA sued Noem over the decision. The group argued the government had not followed the right procedure to end TPS, and alleged the decision wasn't motivated by whether Afghans still qualified for protection, but instead was "part of the Trump Administration's broader effort to reduce the number of nonwhite immigrants in this country." The government pushed back on the lawsuit, writing that Noem has "broad discretion" over which countries qualify for TPS, and arguing the court shouldn't intervene because the protections are only meant to be temporary. Last week, a federal judge denied DHS's request to dismiss the lawsuit, but also denied CASA's motion to halt the administration's policy. CASA appealed that ruling, and on Monday, an appellate court put the revocation of TPS on hold while it considers the case. The Trump administration has sought to wind down TPS for scores of other countries, impacting hundreds of thousands of migrants from Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Haiti, Cameroon and Afghanistan. The program had been expanded by former President Joe Biden, but President Trump has shifted to a more hardline stance on immigration. The TPS rollback has drawn some lawsuits, but in May, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end TPS for Venezuelan migrants while the legal battles continue. Trump pushes senators to make $9.4 trillion in spending cuts Child rescued after getting stuck in claw machine Fight over fluoride in water continues, despite warnings from dentists Under pressure from MAGA supporters, President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Attorney General Pam Bondi should release "whatever she thinks is credible" on the Jeffrey Epstein case. Trump, speaking to reporters as he left the White House, said he had received a "very quick briefing" on the Justice Department and FBI review of the Epstein files. The briefing took place before the release of the DOJ and FBI memo last week. The review found no evidence the deceased financier kept a "client list" of associates and no further charges are expected. The department also released hours of footage as part of its review, which officials say further confirmed Epstein died by suicide while in custody in his jail cell in Manhattan in 2019. MORE: Timeline: Jeffrey Epstein memo causes controversy among MAGA base ABC News' Katherine Faulders asked the president what Bondi told him about the review, "specifically, did she tell you at all that your name appeared in the files?" "No, no, she's -- she's given us just a very quick briefing," Trump responded before making baseless claims the files were created by some of his political foes. "And in terms of the credibility of the different things that they've seen, and I would say that, you know, these files were made up by Comey, they were made up by Obama, they were made up by the Biden -- and you know, we and we went through years of that with the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax, with all of the different things that we had to go through," Trump said. "We've gone through years of it, but she's handled it very well, and it's going to be up to her," Trump said of Bondi. "Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release." Bondi, when asked about Trump's comments to ABC News, said she hadn't yet seen the president's comments but added that the DOJ and FBI memo "speaks for itself." Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Donald Trump speaks to reporters on his way to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on July 15, 2025, in Washington, DC. Trump is facing outrage among his MAGA base over the administration's handling of the Epstein files. It's also led to some infighting within his administration, as Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino had a fiery confrontation with Bondi over the matter, ABC News reported. Amid calls for her resignation, Bondi said defiantly on Tuesday: "I'm going to be here for as long as the president wants me here, and I believe he's made that crystal clear." When asked about the rift between her and Bongino, Bondi said she wouldn't discuss personnel matters. "I was with [FBI] Director [Kash] Patel all morning and we are committed to keeping America safe, making America safe, working with our incredible partners at DEA, FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals to do everything we can to make America safe and that's what we're focused on," she said at an event at the Drug Enforcement Administration. MORE: Trump's effort to quell MAGA revolt over Epstein files seems to add fuel to the fire Late Tuesday, speaking to reporters as he returned from a trip to Pittsburgh, Trump was asked why he thought his supporters have been so interested in the Epstein story when he's urged them to move on. "I don't understand it -- why they would be so interested. He's dead for a long time. He was never a big factor in terms of life. I don't understand what the interest or what the fascination is. I really don't and the credible information has been given," he said. "But I don't understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody. It's pretty boring stuff. It's sordid, but it's boring, and I don't understand why it keeps going," he added. "I think really only pretty bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like like that going. But credible information, let them give it. Anything that's credible, I would say, let them have it." Trump had sought to quiet the revolt over the weekend by posting a lengthy defense of Bondi and urging his administration to focus on other priorities. But the comments continued to pour in, including warnings from some of Trump's top defenders that the issue is not going away and could have consequences in next year's midterm elections. Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and a Fox News host, told MAGA influencer Benny Johnson on Monday that she believed there did need to be "more transparency" regarding the administration's handling of the Epstein case. Trump was asked on Tuesday what he thought about her remarks. "The attorney general's handled that very well. She's really done a very good job," Trump said. "And I think that when you look at it, you'll understand that. I would like to see that also. But I think the attorney general, the credibility is very important. And, you want credible evidence or something like that. And I think the attorney general has handled it very well." Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, some Republican lawmakers expressed interest in Epstein's convicted associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, testifying before Congress. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, said he believed everything on Epstein should be out in the open. "I think all this stuff ought to be public," Hawley said. "I mean, I think all of the all the documents, should all be public. I think we'd all ought to be out in the open. I'm a big fan of declassifying -- I think this isn't technically classified. It's just, you know, close hold for prosecution, but I think we ought to put it all out there." Though Rep. Jim Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, told ABC News he had "total confidence in President Trump and his team" regarding the Epstein matter. ABC News' Luke Barr, Lauren Peller and Isabella Murray contributed to this report. CANTON, Ga., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) Americas has officially released the Freight Broker Security Requirements (FBSR) Standard, a landmark framework designed to elevate security offerings across the freight brokerage industry. This new framework sets a critical benchmark for protecting high-value cargo and reducing supply chain risk in an increasingly complex logistics environment. Designed specifically for brokers who arrange transportation without owning physical assets, the FBSR provides a structured, tiered approach to implementing security protocols that align with the needs of shippers and carriers. The TAPA FBSR is one of four supply chain security certification offerings developed by TAPA to address cargo theft risk mitigation and enhance business resiliency. Amongst the other TAPA offerings are its Facility Security Requirements, Trucking Security Requirements, and Supply Chain Cyber Security Requirements. As supply chains grow more complex and interconnected, standards are essential. Criminals are using advanced tactics to exploit vulnerabilities. They are engaging in tactics to trick shippers, brokers, and carriers into handing over cargo or soliciting fraudulent payments. Incidents include identity theft, load interception, fraudulent bills of lading, and stolen shipping information from load boards. The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA AMERICAS) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association formed in 1997 to tackle the multi-billion-dollar problem of cargo thefts from supply chains. It is a coalition of manufacturers, shippers, carriers, insurers, service providers, law enforcement, and government agencies. Our members represent every type of company or organization facing cargo crime within the transportation supply chain. Contact: Cindy Rosen Executive Director [email protected] (561) 617-0096 SOURCE TAPA Americas In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters try to put out a fire following a Russian attack in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukrainians welcomed U.S. President Donald Trumps pledge of more U.S.-made weapons in their three-year fight against Russias invasion, though it is unclear what exactly they will get and how quickly. The time frame for the further arms deliveries, which European countries have agreed to pay for, is crucial. Russia is making a summer push to break through along the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, and its drones and missiles are hammering Ukrainian cities more than at any time in the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his willingness to support Ukraine. In Kyiv, resident Nina Tokar, 70, said Tuesday that with more U.S. weapons going to Ukraine maybe this will all end faster. However, following Trump's threat late last week to impose major sanctions on Russia for failing to reach a deal to end the fighting, the American president said Monday that Moscow would get 50 days to come to a settlement or face very severe economic sanctions. While some believe strict tariffs on Moscow could be a game changer, the decision to postpone them until September struck some European observers as being too long. Ukrainian officials made no direct comment about the 50-day window, but for Russia, the delay of new sanctions came as a reprieve. Senior Russian lawmaker Konstantin Kosachev commented: Oh, how much can change both on the battlefield and with the mood of those leading the U.S. and NATO in 50 days. Russian President Vladimir Putin hasnt budged when presented with previous U.S. deadlines and threats. In an interview with the BBC broadcast Tuesday, Trump said of Putin: Im disappointed in him, but Im not done with him. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow would like to understand what is behind this statement about 50 days, noting that the Kremlin has offered to continue direct peace talks with Ukraine. Earlier, there were also the deadlines of 24 hours and of 100 days, Lavrov said during an official trip to China. Weve seen it all and really would like to understand the motivation of the U.S. president. An assessment published Tuesday by Chatham House noted that the exact details of what has been agreed remain hazy. Putin will continue to judge Trump by his actions, not by his words and so far, there is little enough action to be seen, the London-based think tank said. Military experts are trying to figure out whether Russian forces could use the window left by Trump to achieve significant territorial gains. Russian troops are slowly ramming through the Ukrainian defenses in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, the main focus of the Russian offensive. They are also trying to carve out a buffer zone along the border with the northeastern Ukrainian regions of Sumy and Kharkiv. Russia currently holds about 20% of Ukraine. Ukraine's depleted army has recently been losing more territory, but there is no sign of a looming collapse on the front line, analysts say. Zelenskyy said he spoke to Trump after the Republican leaders Oval Office announcement Monday on weapons sales, expressing gratitude for the decision to send more Patriot air defense missiles that are vital to defend Ukrainian cities. We discussed the necessary measures and decisions to provide greater protection for people from Russian attacks and strengthen our positions, Zelenskyy said on Telegram. We agreed to talk more often and coordinate our steps in the future. Trump and Zelenskyy have had a notoriously fraught relationship, and Washingtons consent to providing more weaponry has eased Kyivs worries. Even so, some Ukrainians felt the U.S. decision wont alter the course of the war. If we take the situation as a whole, it hardly looks like this will fundamentally change anything, Kyiv resident Oles Oliinyk, 33, told The Associated Press. Tokar, the Kyiv resident, was also skeptical. I have very little faith in (Trump). He says one thing today, and tomorrow he may say something else. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp expressed misgivings about the 50-day delay on sanctions. I do believe that the 50 days that Mr Trump has announced is rather long. Its up to September 2. I think thats rather long, he said in Brussels on Tuesday. Much remains to be worked out about how and when the weapons, especially the Patriot systems, will be provided, Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said. But, in an indication that Europe is relieved that the U.S. hasn't walked away from the conflict, he added: The most important thing is that we now have an American readiness to deliver these most needed weapons. Some European countries, such as Hungary and Slovakia, still rely heavily on Russia for energy supplies and could be hit hard by Trumps threatened secondary sanctions on countries that buy its oil and gas an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Trumps 50-day delay was a signal for Europe to prepare ourselves, because we still have some member states that are exposed to imports of oil and oil products from Russia. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said it remains to be seen whether Trumps announcement will be a turnaround but what is decisive is that the tone has changed. The president's threat to impose sanctions after 50 days is significant progress, Pistorius told ARD television. ___ Cook reported from Brussels. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine President Donald Trump pitched a key group of Texas Republicans Tuesday on his strategy for his party to hold onto power in the midterms: Redrawing those members districts to allow for even more GOP seats. In a call with the House GOPs Texas delegation, Trump told members the White House believes they can flip as many as five US House seats as part of a Republican redistricting effort in the state, according to a source familiar with the call. Redrawing maps in Texas this year would be a highly unusual move after the state approved the last set of maps in 2021. But Trump and his team have for weeks been boasting of the idea to the Texas delegation and GOP leaders, which they believe will help cushion their party against any losses in a midterm thats historically unfavorable to the sitting president. Just spoke to our Great Congressmen and women of Texas, the president wrote on his Truth Social platform shortly after speaking with the Texas delegation, adding later: I keep hearing about Texas going Blue, but it is just another Democrat LIE. With the right Candidate, Texas isnt going Blue anytime soon! The White House has been aggressively pushing the redistricting plan behind the scenes, describing it as a key part of their midterm plan. Democrats, meanwhile, are hammering Trump and Texas Republicans for what they see as a political power grab, while vowing to take legal action to block the maps from going into effect. Texas attempt to redraw maps in less than 18 months will be a frenzied scramble: The Texas State Legislature is set to return next week for a special session to begin the process of redrawing the states congressional map, known as redistricting. But it will face intense scrutiny from both local Republicans and Democrats. Democrats plan to fundraise specifically for their legal case against the plan, which if successful could mean months of court delays. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries met with his Texas Democrats on Tuesday, where they discussed ways to fight the White House and the governors plans to further gerrymander the states maps. Democrats are going to push back aggressively because its the right thing to do, Jeffries told reporters. Some Democrats are eager to see their own blue states use the same tactics to shore up more Democratic-friendly House seats: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, for instance, has suggested this week that he, too, could attempt to redraw congressional districts to weaken the opposing partys power. Two can play this game, the Democratic governor wrote on X in a post on the presidents message to Texas Republicans, first reported by PunchBowl News. But such efforts would be an uphill battle, given that states like California have already relinquished much of their power to an independent commission, which guarantees GOP representation in the process. Jeffries, for his part, did not rule out the idea but left it to Newsom and other blue-state governors. All options will continue to be on the table as it relates to our efforts to push back legislatively and legally in Texas, Jeffries said when asked by CNN if Democrats would be willing to use the same gerrymandering playbook as the GOP. But, he added, I think that Ill let Gov. Gavin Newsom, Gov. Hochul and others continue to speak for themselves on this issue. While the administration has communicated its aim to pick up as many as five seats to Texas members and GOP leadership in recent weeks, some Republicans remain privately skeptical and believe a pickup of two seats would be more likely, a Republican familiar with the discussions said. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Aileen Graef contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NEED TO KNOW Social media influencer Cayley traveled to Turkey for a mommy makeover and paid a fraction of what the procedure would have cost in the U.S. She estimated it would have cost around $40K to get the surgery done locally in Arizona, but she paid less than $15K for an entire 10-day trip to Turkey, including the surgery Cayley tells PEOPLE she had a great experience despite how many people have left comments on her posts criticizing medical tourism Content Creator Cayley says she always knew that when she was done having kids she would get a mommy makeover. The mom of three who had her children in the span of four years briefly considered getting surgery in the U.S., but quickly realized that it was not within her budget. "I live in Arizona, so obviously Scottsdale's right here, it is plastic surgery central," Cayley, a rising TikTok influencer, tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I started looking up some surgeons in my area and I'm like, 'I have three young kids, I can't spend $40,000 on this.' So that ruled that out." Cayley, 35, then did her research on medical tourism. She says she quite simply googled "plastic surgery capitals," which led her to Mexico, Colombia and Turkey. Her proximity to Mexico was appealing, but her desire to travel to Turkey made it the winner. She continued researching facilities in Turkey and reached out to those she found. Cayley says the first place she contacted, the office of Dr. Safa Manav in Instanbul, was the one she instantly clicked with because she felt comfortable with the correspondence. cayleyxox/Tiktok Cayley before and after her mommy makeover "They were so warm, friendly, nice, kind, caring, just kind of checked all the boxes," she says of the initial conversations, which were all over WhatsApp. She then sent photos of herself to the patient coordinator, asking for a mommy makeover, which typically includes a tummy tuck, breast augmentation and liposuction. They provided her with a price quote that shocked her. "It almost felt surreal," she says of the price. Cayley put her deposit down in February and traveled to Turkey in May. She was there for 10 nights, and had a "VIP experience," she says. She stayed in a medical hotel that was partnered with the clinic where she had her surgery, plus breakfast, transfers to the facility and airport transportation were all included in her plastic surgery package. cayleyxox/Tiktok Content creator Cayley gets mommy makeover in Turkey. For her actual procedure, Cayley opted for a traditional mommy makeover and she brought her own mother along for emotional support (and to aid in recovery). "I had a full tummy tuck with a little bit of muscle repair and then a little bit of lipo on my sides. I also had a breast lift and augmentation," she explains. Her surgery took place on her third day in Istanbul, and she then spent two nights in the hospital facility before going back to her hotel. For the next handful of days, Cayley was able to rest, relax and recover, though she had the option to have a nurse come and check on her. She says she did have her come at first but felt like she was doing just fine and opted out of that after the second day. "The first couple of days truly were rough," she says of her recovery, explaining how it was easier to be away from home vs. recovering in her house. "My kids don't understand. Having that time of total rest and recovery was so nice." Once she felt up to it, she and her mom explored Istanbul before heading back to the States. She says that getting up and moving around made her feel better. "Everyone's recovery is different, but it was great for me," she says. "I got to actually see [Turkey] and enjoy it." Cayley, who shares all sorts of "hot mom things" on TikTok, documented her mommy makeover for her audience, and she very quickly got a lot of questions, including what the experience was like in Turkey, how she felt about the results, how her husband felt about the results and, of course, how much she actually paid. cayleyxox/Tiktok Cayley after her mommy makeover She's largely been an open book about the whole thing, sharing updates on her healing process since arriving back in Arizona (though she waited a while to show off her belly button because it looked "crazy" while it healed). The healing process has gone well for her, and she hasn't run into any setbacks. She also noted that her husband was very supportive. "I told him, I was like, 'Aren't you excited I'm going to come home with new boobs?' And he's like, 'Honestly, whatever makes you happy,'" she gushes. "The right words to say!" The price was what made everything worth it for Cayley. She breaks it all down for PEOPLE: "So $11,000 included all my procedures, my hospital garments, the hotel stay [for 10 nights], the VIP transfers [to the clinic and the airport], breakfasts, etc. And then the flight roundtrip was around $1,500. So I think total, I'd say $14,000 from start to finish. That includes everything. Shopping, eating out, little things we did. That was 2024 pricing they gave me. I believe the price has slightly increased now." The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported in 2022 that a mommy makeover could cost at least $20,000, but it varies greatly based on where you live, who your doctor is and what the scope of the surgery ends up being. Cayley is loving her new body now that it's almost fully healed and she has the confidence to wear her bikinis again. One of the only drawbacks she's experienced with her massive social media audience is the handful of comments she's gotten on her posts criticizing medical tourism. "I had to actually filter my comments," she admits, adding that some of them got really aggressive and xenophobic. "They don't think those problems could also happen here in the States? Guess what? They do. People always have something to say. I had a great experience with my doctor." Read the original article on People Software vendor Support Fusion has launched a ticketing integration platform to close the gap between managed service providers (MSPs), system integrators (SIs) and their enterprise customers. The platform connects IT ticketing systems such as ServiceNow, Freshdesk and Jira with provider tools like ConnectWise, Autotask and Halo. According to Support Fusion, the solution replicates support workflows without coding or scripting overhead to lay the groundwork for a more connected, intelligent model of IT service delivery. At launch, Support Fusion will have four connectors live, with two more expected a month later in August. This, the vendor said, will cover systems used in 70 per cent of managed service engagements. The platform comes from brothers Greg and Steve Rudakov, who are Support Fusions CEO and CTO, respectively. The pair come from Knead, formerly Devicedesk, which Greg co-founded. In addition, global venture capital firm Antler is backing the launch. Developers might just spin up virtual machines and companies might not even know what they are doing, says JP Batra, president at Blue River International, an IT and management consulting firm. Its hard for a company to have a copy of the software contract on hand if it doesnt even know that the software was purchased. But having a legal license is just the start of the battle. As the Siemens lawsuits jurisdiction battle illustrates, the fine print in the contract can make a big difference down the line, especially if companies have offices or subsidiaries around the world. Theres a honeymoon period when a company acquires a new product, says Batra. People sign agreements without paying attention to their global presence. But what happens when theres a conflict with local laws? Which laws should prevail? Licensing gotchas: Understanding terms and limitations Another item that can show up in the fine print of software contracts is that the license might not include the use of all the available features in the product. According to the Flexera survey, 32 per cent of respondents report that the complexity of software use rights was a significant challenge tying for first place with the amount of time and money spent responding to audits. This issue has come up in the Siemens lawsuit, says Dean Bolton, chief architect and co-founder at LicenseFortress, a software license asset management company. Siemens basically said that if the features were available, then they assumed it was included with what they purchased with their license key, he says. Its a gotcha that other software vendors try to slip by their customers as well, he says. The feature might be right there, readily available, not grayed out, but youre not supposed to use it unless youve paid for a specific additional license for that feature. If that decision were to go in Siemens favor, I think that could have some significant ramifications through the industry, Bolton says. But I dont think its going to go in their favor. Even when the procurement department understands the terms and limitations of its licenses very well, that doesnt mean that this information is adequately distributed throughout the company. Employees often dont have the time to focus on the literal minutia of how the licenses work and which features are allowed, and which arent, says Bolton. Its not an excuse that the customers dont pay attention, but the vendors dont make it easy. They could make it a lot easier. I think the problem is that the vendors are doing it so that they gain more revenue they kind of set little traps for customers in there. So, its not enough for a company to have a good understanding of all the terms and conditions of the software products they use. They also must track, in detail, exactly how that software is being used throughout the company. Nathan Biggs, CEO of consulting firm House of Brick, recommends that companies monitor the usage of that software and compare it to the license agreements to ensure that they stay in compliance. This is a challenge sometimes, he says. The procurement or contract management organisation might understand the terms and conditions, but its the infrastructure and operations team thats deploying the software, and sometimes those two groups dont talk to each other. Most customers dont want to get out of compliance, Biggs says. If theyre using something that should be paid for, they want to pay for it. Theyre not trying to cheat Broadcom. Theyre trying to do the right thing. Thats why so many are so frustrated with Broadcom right now. They feel trapped or they feel like theyve been tricked into a situation that they didnt intend to get into, and its resulting in them having to pay a lot more money than they had planned, Biggs says. Tracking software usage For companies just starting out with software asset management, tracking is typically done with audits, according to the Flexera survey. About 37 per cent of companies fall into this category. Another 33 per cent track software licenses beyond just audits, and track SaaS, cloud usage, and software license lifecycles. The most advanced 29 per cent also optimise their software license use, rationalize their application portfolio, and, while theyre at it, track software vulnerabilities. Some software vendors will provide their own tools to track usage of their software, says Bill Sudbrook, senior director in the solutions advisory practice at Flexera, a software asset management company. Flexera is also a VMware customer. By default, VMware will use their portals to say how many licenses you have, he says. But their portals are extremely inaccurate. Its horrible. You absolutely must have cross-checking in your environment because the portals can get out of sync. Good record-keeping can prepare enterprises for audits and protect them from unexpected fines and cost overruns. However, theres not much that customers can do to protect themselves from price increases that result from drastic licensing changes, Sudbrook says. They can just say that your licenses are end of service life, he says. Your licenses are no longer supported. If you want support, you need to go purchase a new set of licenses. Some enterprises looked for other partners to provide support for their VMware installations, he says. And Broadcom has since put a cease and desist on those companies, saying, No, you have to buy directly from us at our new significantly higher prices, Sudbrook says. Some Flexera customers are seeing VMware price increases of 100 per cent, he adds, and some are evaluating alternatives such as Nutanix or one of the open-source options. Of those who switch, the majority are migrating to Nutanix, he says. Is Flexera planning to migrate off VMware? Just like our customers, Flexera is always looking for ways to optimise our tech stack and resulting costs, says Flexera CIO Conal Gallagher. We constantly evaluate our tools and platform to better align with our business needs. Keeping an eye on new license terms Ken Ringdahl, CTO at expense management firm Emburse, has worked for VMware in the past and has also been at a company that was audited by VMware. It was a regular audit, Ringdahl says. Its a bit of an open cavity search, and, by their licenses, its their right. Its very common in large enterprise software because its very easy to lose track of your software licenses and the right hand doesnt know what the left hand is doing. Emburse itself was almost caught by a major licensing change. In 2023, Oracle changed Java licensing from per-user or per-processor to per-employee. And by employee Oracle means not just full-time staff, but also part-timers, temporary workers, contractors, and consultants. Wed have had to license 900 people for use of Java, he says. According to Redress Compliance, the new Oracle license terms increase costs for companies from two to ten times, or higher, with some firms reporting six-figure budget overruns as a result. So, its no surprise that Oracles share of the Java market fell from 75 per cent in 2020 to just 21 per cent in 2024, according to a report by observability platform vendor New Relic. Fortunately, Emburse had a bit of foresight, and a bit of luck. Some of it was foreshadowed quite a bit, since Oracle acquired other companies and they want to monetize the assets they have, Ringdahl says. And we were no longer using Oracle commercial licenses. We were using an open-source version. Other companies were caught by surprise, he says. For large companies, it can be hard to pivot quickly. Using open-source software can help reduce the risk of unexpected license changes, and, for many major tools there are third-party service providers that can offer ongoing support. Another option is SaaS software, Ringdahl says, because it does make license management a bit easier, since theres usually transparency both for the customer and the vendor about how much usage the product is getting. For VMware, Ringdahl suggests that current customers try to optimize their environments as much as they can. And, if they decide to leave, there are now alternatives. Replatforming options, challenges Nutanix aggressively courted VMware customers in the wake of VMwares purchase by Broadcom. Nutanix has been the biggest benefactor, Ringdahl says of the post-acquisition VMware licensing controversies. Their business has grown quite substantially, and theyve smartly gone after VMware customers. Another commercial alternative is Microsofts Hyper-V. Open-source options include Proxmox Virtual Environment, Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization, and Linux Kernel-level Virtual Machines. Public cloud is also an option, says Ringdahl. (Read more: 5 alternatives to VMware vSphere virtualisation platform) However, the cost of a VMware migration could outweigh the benefits when software and hardware purchases, personnel costs, early termination fees, and other operational expenses are calculated, according to a recent Gartner report. Migrating away from VMware could take 18 to 48 months, Gartner warns, and migration services could range from US$300 to US$3,000 per virtual machine. And during the migration, companies would still have to pay Broadcom for their VMware subscriptions. And, at the end of the day, the alternatives may not provide the same features that VMware does, or a company might not have the in-house expertise to handle them. Plus, the move itself can be costly, time-intensive, and disruptive. Replatforming is hard to do, says Ringdahl. After the successful launch of beef sticks in March, the brands have launched beef jerky, offering a mouth-watering blend of 100% premium beef and the irresistible zing of Mike's Hot Honey. BAY CITY, Ore., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tillamook Country Smoker, a leader in premium, handcrafted meat snacks, is thrilled to announce the expansion of its fiery partnership with Mike's Hot Honey, America's No. 1 and original brand of hot honey. Earlier this year, Tillamook Country Smoker Beef Sticks made with Mike's Hot Honey launched, perfectly capturing the 'Swicy' flavor trend that's captivating taste buds nationwide. Now, Tillamook Country Smoker is expanding the line by popular demand to include Beef Jerky made with Mike's Hot Honey! Tillamook Country Smoker and Mike's Hot Honey Take Meat Snacks Partnership to the Next Level with New Sweet-Heat Beef Jerky Crafted for the adventurous palate, these meat snacks made with 100% premium beef blend the sweet, all-natural heat of Mike's Hot Honey with Tillamook's signature slow-smoked flavor for a flavor that's sure to delight. Available in a variety of convenient, portable formats individual beef sticks, beef sticks in a bag and, most recently, beef jerky these sweet and spicy beef snacks are set to become the go-to treat for flavor-seeking snackers everywhere. Bree Randall, Chief Marketing Officer of Tillamook Country Smoker, expressed her excitement about the launch: "We're thrilled to expand a line of snacks that not only satisfies the current consumer appetite for bold, authentic flavors but also exemplifies our dedication to quality. This collaboration between Tillamook Country Smoker and Mike's Hot Honey represents a union of two iconic brands, each with a steadfast commitment to delivering high-quality, flavorful products. Our delicious new beef sticks and jerky deliver the perfect balance of sweet, spicy and savory, crafted without any artificial ingredients a true testament to our shared commitment to excellence." "We're excited to continue our successful partnership with Tillamook Country Smoker, bringing the natural sweetness and bold heat of our hot honey to their expertly smoked beef jerky," said Mike Kurtz, Founder, Mike's Hot Honey. "We've always aimed to elevate everyday eating with our hot honey's unique flavor and this new beef jerky collab is the perfect canvas for those who love a little sweet heat in every bite." Each product in the line is protein-packed, gluten free and made with all natural ingredients, including 100% pure honey infused with real chili peppers. Available formats and sizes: 1oz individually wrapped beef sticks, 3.6oz and 9.25oz sticks in a bag and 2.2oz and 6.5oz bag of beef jerky. Tillamook Country Smoker's beef sticks & jerky made with Mike's Hot Honey can now be purchased on Amazon and on Tillamook's website . This summer, the 1 oz individual beef sticks will also be available at select 7-Eleven locations. About Tillamook Country Smoker: True to its roots, Tillamook Country Smoker is known for its commitment to quality, delivering superior beef jerky, sausages and more since 1975. Made with premium meats and all-natural ingredients, all of Tillamook's products are handcrafted and smoked with real hardwood in Tillamook County, Oregon. Tillamook Country Smoker products are available online and at leading retailers nationwide. To learn more, please visit tcsjerky.com . About Mike's Hot Honey: Mike's Hot Honey is America's original and leading brand of hot honey and has been elevating everyday eating experiences since 2010, when its first drizzle on a pizza at Paulie Gee's in Brooklyn sparked a word-of-mouth sensation and created a new category of pizza topping. By popular demand, Mike started selling his small-batch, hand-labeled hot honey bottles to visitors of the pizzeria, as well as other local restaurants and businesses. Today, Mike's Hot Honey can be found in thousands of restaurants and retailers across the country, with the same original recipe in the bottle. Using only 100% pure honey infused with real chili peppers, Mike's Hot Honey's one-two flavor punch of sweetness then heat makes any dish more dynamic, from the original pairing on pepperoni pizza to chicken, cheese and charcuterie, ice cream, cocktails, and so much more. Mike's Hot Honey empowers chefs and eaters everywhere to customize, create, and share extraordinary meals. Happy drizzling! For more information about Mike's Hot Honey, please visit mikeshothoney.com . About Insignia Capital Group: Insignia Capital Group is a growth-oriented private equity firm focused on building world-class companies in the consumer and business services sectors. We partner with company founders and their teams to help drive growth and achieve true business potential. SOURCE Tillamook Country Smoker Introduced by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, it provides for up to life imprisonment for anyone who intentionally destroys a sacred text of any religion. Punjab, the only Indian state with a Sikh majority, had previously passed a similar law, but it was rejected by the Union government because it was limited to the Guru Granth Sahib, the book revered by the majority faith. The new bill, which will be examined by a select committee before it is voted on, also penalises abetment to commit sacrilege. Amritsar (AsiaNews/Agencies) The Indian state of Punjab introduced the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025, to the State Assembly. The bill provides for life imprisonment for anyone guilty of acts of desecration against the sacred book of any religion. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, a member of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is headed by Arvind Kejriwal, described it as the first bill of its kind introduced by an Indian state. The law would cover the scriptures of all religions, including the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book of the Sikhs, the majority religion in Punjab), the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible, and the Quran. The draft proposal carries a penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment, plus a fine of 500,000 to a million rupees (US$ 5,800 to US$ 11.600), for anyone convicted of desecrating a religious scripture. Anyone who attempts to commit this offence faces a prison term of three to five years and a fine of up to 300,000 rupees (about US$ 3,500), while the penalty for abetment is the same provided for the offence. Desecration is defined as burning, tearing, defacing, damaging, destroying, discolouring, contaminating, decomposing, or breaking a sacred scripture or any part thereof. This is not the first time Punjab has attempted to introduce such a law. In 2016, the state government, then backed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), approved two amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure to provide for life imprisonment for desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. However, the Union government in New Delhi rejected these provisions, arguing that they only applied to one religion. In 2018, the government led by Amarinder Singh of the Indian National Congress Party approved two new amendments to extend protection to the scriptures of other religions. These, however, also failed to receive presidential assent and were rejected. A government spokesperson stated that the bill aims to provide a comprehensive legal framework to penalise acts of desecration. He added that Articles 298, 299, and 300 of the new Indian Penal Code introduced in 2023, already address religious offences, but do not provide sufficiently severe penalties for sacrilege. The Punjab cabinet believes the new bill fills this gap, providing clearer legal definitions and equitable application across all religious faiths. At the opposition's request, the Punjab Assembly today referred the bill to a select committee that will be set up with representatives of all political parties, which will hear all stakeholders and submit its considerations within six months. by Lisa Bongiovanni A new system is now in operation in the People's Republic that allows users to authenticate themselves to online services with a single code provided by the Ministry of Public Security. Although currently optional, it is being encouraged by several websites. The Beijing authorities describe it as a tool to protect privacy and combat identity theft. However, many suspect that it will make it even easier to monitor all online activity. Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) - A new centralised internet identification system came into force today in China, effectively removing control of user data from companies and transferring it directly to the police. Thanks to this system, users will now be able to identify themselves on various apps using an alphanumeric code provided by the Ministry of Public Security. This code corresponds to the user's identity, but for the company it will be an anonymous stream of numbers and letters. According to the authorities, this initiative aims to protect consumer privacy, but critics say it is a tool to provide user data and direct access to all their web activity directly to the government. The system replaces the one currently in use, whereby users must identify themselves by providing each individual company with their phone number and email address in order to access each app. For the time being, it is presented as an optional choice for users, but in fact several public digital services are already openly pushing in this direction. Those who adopt the new identification method will have to register with the National Network Identity Authentication Pilot Edition (Internet ID App) developed by the Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Authority, using their identity card and facial recognition to link users to a set of biometric data. After registration, users receive a web number and a web certificate, which allow them to access various services and applications without having to enter their credentials individually each time they log in. The system claims to protect consumers and their right to privacy, also protecting them from the numerous spam calls caused by the sale of this data to third parties. Furthermore, as Lee Kai-fu, a Taiwanese IT investor, argues, the centralised collection of this huge amount of data could generate additional benefits, also contributing positively to the development of artificial intelligence. However, in a context strictly marked by social control such as China's, handing this data directly to the police is not without risks. The authorities were already authorised to access this information, but they had to do so on a company-by-company basis, and reconstructing a user's entire online activity was a much longer and more complex procedure. In addition, the new system requires users to identify themselves not every time they want to use an application, but directly when they access the internet. For this reason, according to Xiao Qiang, a Chinese researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, this system would allow the state to exercise widespread control over citizens' online activity. One of the most serious consequences would be the ability of the police to monitor and block undesirable users in real time. All they would need to do is deactivate the identification code associated with a person to completely deny them access to the network. According to Xiao Qiang, this mechanism would go far beyond simple surveillance, making a form of totalitarian digital control possible. In addition, the system has received several criticisms related to cybersecurity: such a centralised system would be extremely vulnerable in the event of a hacker attack. According to the Chinese state news agency Xinhua, as early as May, more than six million people had registered to obtain this digital ID, out of a total online population estimated at over one billion. by Shafique Khokhar Arosa Azam, 26, an electronic engineering graduate, is inspired by diplomat Samuel Martin Burke. Success after four attempts and seven years of study. Her story has been celebrated by the Archdiocese of Karachi as a symbol of hope for young people from minority groups, reaffirming the importance of representation in government institutions. Karachi (AsiaNews) - A journey inspired by the life of Samuel Martin Burke (1906-2010), a Christian diplomat dedicated to Pakistan's foreign policy, has led Aroosa Azam, a 26-year-old from Karachi, to pass the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam on her fourth attempt, thus becoming a federal government official, the only Christian girl to do so. Yesterday, during an event organised by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) and the Catholic Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism (CCIDE) of the Archdiocese of Karachi, her professional achievement was celebrated. The CSS is known as a highly competitive exam conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) for recruitment into state bodies. In her test session, there were 104 vacancies available, of which five were reserved for a minority quota. She was the only Christian girl to pass the federal exam. This is a gateway to prestigious government positions, with a rigorous selection process designed to assess the intellectual abilities, leadership qualities and knowledge of the candidates. Aroosa Azam said she had devoted seven years of her life to studying to get to this point. Although there were many challenges, her faith in God and the support of her family and friends motivated her to pursue her dream. During her speech, the young woman said that after the announcement of the successful candidates, she saw her name on the list and chose to serve in the Foreign Ministry, in Pakistan's diplomatic service. The young woman, who holds a degree in electronic engineering from NED University in Karachi, also said that she studied at Catholic schools and colleges, which allowed her to develop her personality and instilled in her a dedication to serving humanity. The desire to take this exam came primarily from herself, but the support of her family was fundamental, especially her father, Azam Mairaj, who has written several books on the struggles of minority heroes to protect and serve Pakistan. So I will be the architect of the same struggle and the same spirit of serving my country, Pakistan, said Aroosa Azam. Fr Shahzad Arshad, director of the CCJP, expressed his pride in Aroosa Azam's achievements, hoping that many other Christian boys and girls will take this exam to become people truly dedicated to service and sacrifice for their country. Prof. Asghar Dashti, a Muslim scholar, also congratulated the entire Christian community on the 26-year-old's success and emphasised how she is carrying on the same spirit as her father, Azam Mairaj, who made the voices of Christian heroes who were hidden and unknown heard by writing their success stories and making them public. A group of religious leaders, lawyers, doctors, teachers, nuns and young people were also invited to the event to hear her testimony of success and draw personal and community motivation from it. Among them, Herschele Christopher emphasised the need for the Christian community to actively pursue careers in government institutions, particularly through competitive examinations such as the CSS. He stressed that meaningful representation can only be achieved when young people break through traditional roles and enter political and administrative positions in Pakistan. by Vladimir Rozanskij An alternative to the Kerch Bridge, which is constantly under attack by Ukrainian drones, the road and rail link between the peninsula and the Donetsk region is taking on an increasingly strategic role. This opens up not only immediate prospects, but also long-term ones. Moscow (AsiaNews) - For several months now, the Russian railway transport agency has been boasting about a historic event: the arrival in Crimea in spring of the first train through Novorossiya, the term used by Russians for the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, which now regularly stop in Dzhankoy after passing through Mariupol, Melitopol and Kherson. This is what is known as the Crimean Land Corridor, which offers an alternative to the Kerch Bridge, the grandiose project built by Vladimir Putin after the annexation of the peninsula in 2014, but which remains under constant threat from Ukrainian drones. The new land route thus connects the occupied part of the Donetsk region, which the Russians call the DNR republic, with that of Zaporizhzhia and on to Crimea. In reality, a railway already existed on this route under Ukraine, and has now been renovated and expanded by the Russians, although it is unclear what kind of work has been carried out, apart from the necessary restoration following the armed clashes and bombing. The Donetsk hub was already quite important, and after the renovation it has become decidedly strategic, so much so that some parts of its route are in fact classified and are not shown on maps. Transport was highly developed in this industrial region, with many mines and factories, most of which are now closed and inactive, and specific routes for production areas. According to official Russian information, many freight trains loaded with containers are now arriving in Sevastopol, without specifying their contents. After all, rail transport has increased significantly worldwide over the last 15 years, and the Russians have a great need for it, as they are unable to use fast sea routes, more for military operations than for the needs of the population. The Ukrainians are uncertain about the drone attacks on railway carriages, which are bombed if they are transporting tanks, evidently containing fuel, while the invisible cargo could be civilian materials and products, the destruction of which is clearly not desirable or useful for military purposes. The Russians have invested many billions of roubles in rebuilding the roads and railways of this corridor, which for all purposes is more vital than the great Asian routes such as the Trans-Siberian or the Baikal-Amur Mainline, the great Russian variants of the Silk Road since the time of the tsars. In addition to military cargo, various types of products and goods are transported, including shipments of grain and other materials stolen from Ukraine. Putin himself declared in March 2024 the need to reopen the land route as an alternative to the Crimean bridge, so that we can move forward together, hand in hand, not in words but in deeds, and this will make us much stronger. The Kerch Bridge had already been hit several times, the airports were closed and there was a constant threat of Ukrainian underwater drones at sea. Without the land corridor, Crimea risks remaining effectively separated from Russia, while also suffering the consequences of the military conflict. However, trains can protect themselves from drones with defensive nets, as Tatar-Crimean politician and military expert Eskender Bariev points out, thanks to a major restructuring project that has led to the complete rebuilding of the area's railways, as confirmed by British intelligence services. The urgent needs dictated by the phases of the endless war between Russia and Ukraine in Crimea, which has always been the dividing line between the two parts of the Russian world, therefore open up not only immediate but also long-term prospects, given the strategic importance of the peninsula for relations with the Mediterranean, which in times of peace could offer great commercial, tourist and cultural opportunities that are yet to be rediscovered. Vietnam has announced the construction of a park dedicated to the soldiers of Russia, China, Cuba, Laos, and Cambodia who backed the communist North during the war against the United States. This marks a turning point in its official historical narrative, which until now had emphasised nationalism and downplayed foreign assistance. The project is part of a strategic balancing act with the great powers ideologically, Vietnam embraces Chinas rhetoric, but economically, it must maintain access to the US market. Hanoi (AsiaNews) Vietnam has announced a new commemorative project that redefines the official narrative of the Vietnam War (1955-1975) between North Vietnam, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Vietnam, an ally of the United States. A 3,000-square-metre park dedicated to soldiers from Russia, China, Cuba, Laos, and Cambodia will be built within the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi. Across Asia, memorials have always been used to convey a political message; in this case, it represents a significant historiographical revision after decades of Vietnam downplaying the role of foreign assistance to emphasise its nationalism. Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien chaired a meeting on Saturday to speed up the construction of the memorial site. This is part of a series of activities to mark the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution of 19 August 1945, the uprising led by Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party following Japan's surrender at the end of World War II. The complex will feature a central bronze structure, symbolising the support and sacrifices of foreign military personnel. Individual monuments dedicated to military experts from each of the five countries are also planned, with the option of having them built by their respective countries or by Vietnam. All of this will be immersed in a green landscape. For Vietnam, which is among the very few countries to have recently signed a trade deal with the United States, this represents a turning point, especially regarding relations with Russia (as a result of the war in Ukraine, the memorial will not include all soldiers from the former Soviet republics, but only from Russian) and with China, with which Vietnam has always had complicated and ambivalent relationship. One need only consider Chinas interference in the South China Sea, which has generated strong tensions with all Southeast Asian countries. Vietnam thus remains faithful to its "bamboo diplomacy", i.e. showing flexibility in balancing relations with all the major powers, and avoiding siding with one side or the other. Since 2018, Vietnam has found itself entangled in the US-China trade war. In fact, it benefits economically from the relocation of production chains from China, a practice known as "transshipment; making it a transit point for Chinese goods designed to evade US tariffs. For this very reason, Hanoi knew it would be hit with very high tariffs from Washington. Even before Trump's announcement in April (when the US president showed a list of countries with percentages of "reciprocal tariffs"), the Vietnamese government tried to make broad concessions to avoid tariffs. The US takes in about a third of all Vietnamese exports, and high tariffs would have devastated key sectors such as textiles, footwear, electronics, and furniture, the pillars of the Vietnamese economy. Faced with this prospect, the Vietnamese government, firmly controlled by To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party, immediately embarked on intense diplomatic activity. The agreement reached on 2 July cuts the initial tariffs from 46 per cent to 20 per cent, while that imposed on "transshipped" goods is 40 per cent. Vietnam also agreed to reduce or eliminate its tariffs on goods originating from the United States, such as gas, automobiles, and agricultural products. Even with a 20 per cent tariff, Vietnam remains competitive with the rest of the region and with countries that have yet to sit at the negotiating table with Washington. Access to the US market remains crucial to its role as a manufacturing hub and to attract foreign direct investment, as well as to counterbalance China's strong influence. Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. Black-necked cranes rebound as China boosts biodiversity efforts Xinhua) 09:03, July 15, 2025 XINING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- At Xining Wildlife Park in northwest China's Qinghai Province, animal keeper Li Xiaoqing walked past the crane enclosure while on a video call with her daughter. "Mom, your black-necked crane is calling you again?" her daughter exclaimed through the screen, her voice filled with curiosity. Since joining the park in 2013 after graduating with a degree in veterinary medicine, Li has cared for a diverse range of animals, including zebras, kangaroos, and parrots. Three years ago, she took on the responsibility of caring for black-necked cranes. "Black-necked cranes are different from other birds. They're proud and indifferent -- when most people try to get their attention, they don't react," she said. "When they rest, they often stand on one leg with their heads tucked under their wings." Her eyes lit up as she spoke, as if showing off her own children. In recent years, Xining Wildlife Park has gained national attention for its charismatic wildlife, including snow leopards, Pallas's cats and Chinese desert cats. But less known is its long-running work in rescuing and breeding black-necked cranes. In 2023, a crane named "Qianhe" was born at the park. Its mother had been rescued after an injury left her stranded in the wild. To ensure Qianhe's healthy development, the park built a dedicated birdhouse and assigned two staff members to monitor its care around the clock. Now fully grown, Qianhe stands as a symbol of the park's success in assisted breeding. With over a dozen black-necked cranes currently housed at the park, staff are preparing them for eventual release into the wild. Training programs to build survival skills are already underway. Thanks to such efforts, the protection of black-necked cranes has made significant progress. In 2020, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has downgraded its status from vulnerable to near threatened. "After spending so many years with them, I've developed a deep emotional bond," Li said. "To me, each crane is like a child -- each one carries the hope of life." Endemic to the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the black-necked crane is the world's only alpine crane species. Because of its rarity and striking black-and-white plumage, it is sometimes called the "giant panda among birds." The species is highly sensitive to changes in its wetland environment, making it a valuable indicator of ecosystem health. For a time, their numbers dwindled due to habitat loss and water pollution. In Qinghai, authorities responded with sweeping ecological restoration measures -- repairing wetland functions, banning industrial activity near key habitats, and launching rescue and breeding programs. One such region lies at the southern foot of the Qilian Mountains, where a river basin fed by glacial melt and groundwater had suffered from illegal coal mining, damaging local pastures and wetlands. "There was a time when livestock that drank the river water developed darkened organs," one resident recalled. "The black-necked cranes vanished. People saw them as symbols of good luck -- so their disappearance worried everyone." To reverse the damage, mining operations were halted, and in 2022, a large-scale restoration project for the river basin was launched. It included replanting native grasses, rehabilitating wetlands, and restoring the riverbanks. Officials say the efforts have already improved habitat conditions. Today, the black-necked crane's return serves as the most compelling evidence of ecological restoration in the area. Li Laixing, a 67-year-old associate researcher with the Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has spent decades tracking the cranes. Based on habitat density estimates, Qinghai is now home to roughly 5,000 black-necked cranes. Monitoring data shows over 100 known distribution points across the province. "Protected areas are seeing less human interference and more lush vegetation, which means more food sources for the cranes," he added. Beyond counting cranes, his recent research has focused on studying their migratory stopover points -- "stepping stones" along their routes that serve as critical resting and feeding grounds. "By mapping these sites, we can help refine conservation zones across provinces and ensure the birds are protected throughout their entire migration journey," he said. The story of black-necked crane conservation in Qinghai reflects a broader national effort. In recent years, China has prioritized ecological protection as part of its ecological civilization strategy, with biodiversity conservation recognized as a key national goal. According to official data from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, populations of rare and endangered wild species in China have shown steady growth, reflecting the country's significant progress in biodiversity conservation. The total number of overwintering waterbirds recorded in China reached nearly 5.06 million last year -- a record high since nationwide monitoring began. "Black-necked cranes are an indicator species of ecological health on the plateau," Li Laixing said. "Their numbers are clearly rising, and their protection has become a model for biodiversity conservation in China." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Versatile New Trainers Marks Second Shoe Debut from Emerging Footwear Brand CHICAGO, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UOVO , the recently launched modern footwear brand that is making itself known for blending real-world function with thoughtful design, is proud to announce the launch of Breezeits newest sneaker, now available for both men and women. The launch coincides with the official debut of UOVO's direct-to-consumer website, giving customers expanded access to shop UOVO's full range of styles and sizes at uovobrand.com . "We designed Breeze with a sleek silhouette that transitions effortlessly, serving as a versatile dress shoe for men and an elevated, everyday sneaker for women," Holly Willis, Chief Marketing Officer at UOVO. "Launching our DTC site alongside Breeze also gives us a meaningful opportunity to connect with customers directly, and provide a more personalized, consumer-focused experience that is grounded in quality, comfort and design." Breeze is built for the pace of modern life, pairing featherweight comfort with refined, go-anywhere style. Designed to handle everything from workdays to weekends, the sneaker features a smooth, structured neoprene-inspired material on the top of the shoe that offers a close, breathable fit and repels light water. With every step, the cushioned foam midsole delivers soft support, while the slip-resistant rubber outsole ensures grip on varied terrain and slippery surfaces. Additional key features of Breeze Include: Comfortable Fit : Ultra-light neoprene-inspired upper hugs the foot without bulk while promoting airflow to keep feet dry and cool. : Ultra-light neoprene-inspired upper hugs the foot without bulk while promoting airflow to keep feet dry and cool. All-Terrain Traction : Durable rubber outsole delivers slip resistance and confident grip, even on wet surfaces. : Durable rubber outsole delivers slip resistance and confident grip, even on wet surfaces. Supportive Midsole : Cushioned foam midsole absorbs impact and enhances comfort throughout the day. : Cushioned foam midsole absorbs impact and enhances comfort throughout the day. Water Repellent : Light water protection over the knit fabric keeps you dry. : Light water protection over the knit fabric keeps you dry. Safety First: 3M reflective detailing promotes visibility. Breeze debuts in a range of wearable neutrals and soft tones, perfectly suited for style-conscious consumers looking for lightweight footwear that's ready to travel, commute or explore. The sneaker is now available on Amazon and at uovobrand.com with retail pricing starting at $109. About UOVO UOVO is a modern footwear brand built on a legacy of expert manufacturing and intentional design. Blending form and function with a minimalist aesthetic, UOVO creates versatile, high-quality shoes that support real movement and modern lifestyles. Every pair reflects the brand's commitment to balance, comfort, and craftsmanshipempowering wearers to walk with confidence, authenticity, and purpose. Explore more at uovobrand.com . SOURCE UOVO Armenian companies importing and selling LPG say hundreds of their vehicles have been held up by Georgian authorities since last week for unknown reasons. Our drivers have been stuck there for the last eight or nine days, and there are still no signs that the Georgians will let them through, a representative of one of those companies told RFE/RLs Armenian Service on Monday. He said that as many as 500 LPG trucks bound for Armenia remain stranded at Georgian customs terminals. As of Tuesday evening, the Armenian Economy Ministry declined to comment on the problem and it causes. The only official reaction so far has been Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyans Facebook posts saying that 44 LPG trucks entered Armenia on Monday and 99 others over the weekend. Papoyan said the price hike would have been even sharper had they not delivered the fuel. Armenian taxi drivers have been hit particularly hard by the increased cost of LPG. As one of them put it, I now spend an extra 3,500-4,000 drams ($9-10) every day. The Georgian authorities have also not commented on the looming fuel crisis in Armenia. They already disrupted some of the multimillion-dollar exports of Armenian brandy to Russia after introducing in late April physical checks on the alcoholic beverage. As a result, many Armenian trucks loaded with brandy were left stuck in Georgia pending the results of lengthy quality tests. Papoyan announced late last month that Tbilisi and Yerevan have reached an agreement that should remove the transit hurdles. Some of the affected Armenian brandy producers say they still have difficulty carrying out shipments to Russia through Georgia. Pashinian pledged to quickly nationalize the company, Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA), on June 18 hours after Karapetian was arrested in Yerevan following his strong criticism of Pashinians campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church. He accused the company of creating a near energy crisis in Armenia with the possible aim of increasing public discontent with his government. Armenian opposition leaders and other government critics countered that Pashinian is simply keen to punish Karapetian. They warned that ENAs nationalization would be illegal and deal a serious blow to Armenias business reputation. The Armenian parliament controlled by the ruling Civil Contract party hastily approved on July 2 a government bill empowering the authorities to temporarily take over ENAs management before forcing the companys owner to sell it within three months. Such action will have to be approved by the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC), the countrys energy regulator headed by a political ally of Pashinian. In their appeal to the Constitutional Court announced on Monday, the two opposition groups represented in the National Assembly demanded that the bill be declared unconstitutional. They said, in particular, that it enables the government to seize ENA in a way that is not allowed Armenias constitution and Civil Code. They also objected to a provision allowing the PSRC to strip ENA of its operating license without a court ruling. We also noted a number of violations of international law, including Armenia's international obligations, said Artsvik Minasian, a senior lawmaker from the opposition Hayastan alliance. This struggle is not just about property rights but also about building a democratic state in Armenia based on the rule of law. In Minasians words, the parliamentary opposition also asked the Constitutional Court to suspend the law pending its ruling on the appeal. Under Armenian law, the court has to decide by August 3 whether to consider the appeal or reject it out of hand. Seven of its eight judges have been handpicked and installed by Pashinians political team. Minasian said the likelihood of a court ruling sought by the opposition is therefore not high. Karapetian and his family warned on June 30 that they will file an international lawsuit against the government if it does expropriate ENA. They said they would seek full compensation for the loss of the tycoons biggest asset in Armenia. Pashinians government is already facing massive lawsuits by a number of foreign investors who have done business in Armenia. 15 July 2025 14:00 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The Baku Court Complex has commenced hearings on the criminal case of Ruben Vardanyan, who faces multiple charges, including violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, and financing terrorism, Azernews reports. The trial is being presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev of the Baku Military Court. Victim testimonies in the case were heard during the previous session. Vardanyan stands accused under a broad range of articles in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including: Article 100 Planning and waging a war of aggression Article 107 Deportation or forcible transfer of population Article 109 Persecution Article 112 Deprivation of liberty contrary to international law Article 113 Torture Article 114 Mercenarism Article 115 Violation of the laws and customs of war Article 116 Violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict Article 214 Terrorism Article 214-1 Financing of terrorism In addition to these, Vardanyan is also charged with: Article 218 Creation of a criminal association (organization) Article 228 Illegal possession and trafficking of weapons and explosives Article 270-1 Acts threatening aviation safety Article 278 Forcible seizure and retention of power, attempts to alter the constitutional order Article 279 Creation of illegal armed groups Article 318 Illegal crossing of Azerbaijans state border The charges stem from his alleged actions during the period of Armenias occupation of Azerbaijani territories. The trial is expected to continue with the presentation of further evidence and witness accounts in the coming sessions. 15 July 2025 17:47 (UTC+04:00) The high-profile trial of Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, terrorism, and multiple other serious offenses, continued on July 15 at the Baku Military Court, Azernews reports. The open court session was chaired by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov sitting on the panel (reserve judge Gunel Samedova). The accused was provided with an interpreter in Russian, as well as the lawyer of his own choice, Avram Berman. Motions submitted by Vardanyan At the start of the session, Judge Agayev informed newly participating victims and legal heirs of their rights and obligations under Azerbaijani law. Ruben Vardanyan filed several motions during the hearing: He requested that his lawyer be granted access to court transcripts even in his absence. Judge Agayev confirmed: This is the right of the accused. Ruben Vardanyan and his lawyer Avram Berman have always been provided with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the meeting protocols and will continue to be provided in the future. He further asked to meet confidentially with his lawyer before each hearing. This was also granted, with the judge affirming that: This right, like other rights of the accused, has been and will be ensured. Vardanyan then requested extracts from court records covering the motions filed over the past six months. The court instructed the defense to submit a list of requested documents, noting that some had already been shared. Lawyer Avram Berman supported all the motions submitted by the defendant. Harrowing testimonies from victims Multiple victims and legal heirs gave emotional testimonies detailing injuries and war crimes allegedly committed under the command or direction of Ruben Vardanyan and armed formations he is associated with: Ramil Manafov, legal heir of a victim, testified that his 19-year-old son Giyas Manafov was killed by a mortar shell fired by remnants of Armenian armed groups. Beyrak Zulfugarov said he was shot by enemy fire in the direction of Khojavend. Minuri Safarli testified to being injured in the leg by a mortar shell and identified another injured companion, Vusal Latifov. Sadi Aliyev recounted being wounded by a hand grenade explosion in Khojavend. Ali Zeynalov reported multiple injuries from a landmine explosion in Aghdam. Javid Shavgatli testified to being injured in a mortar shell explosion near Armenian armed groups in Aghdam. Rustam Rustamov suffered a shrapnel wound from artillery fire in Veng, Kalbajar. Salman Budagov was wounded by a hand grenade in Kalbajar. Garay Aghayev, Sanan Mammadov, Rabil Ismayilov, Nurlan Tarverdiyev, Rashad Suleymanli, Fagan Muradov, Consul Gasimov, Sadig Shekarov, Fakhri Mamizadeh, Kenan Mahmudov, Yusifov, Izzet Valiyev, Rovshan Nuriyev, Natig Gasimzadeh, and Murad Sadig all testified to suffering various injuriesranging from shrapnel wounds, sniper attacks, drone strikes, and mine explosionsacross Khojavend, Agdam, Kalbajar, Aghdara, and Khojaly. One victim, Kenan Mahmudov, described suffering severe injuries to his hands, feet, eyes, and other body parts, noting that: One person was killed and two others were injured during the incident. The forensic medical conclusions on each victims injuries were also submitted to the court during the hearing. Ruben Vardanyan faces an extensive list of criminal charges under the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including: Crimes against peace and humanity, such as planning and waging a war of aggression (Articles 100.1, 100.2), deportation, persecution, torture, and enforced disappearances. War crimes, including violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflict (Articles 115, 116). Terrorism and financing terrorism (Articles 214, 214-1). Creation of illegal armed groups (Articles 218, 279). Unlawful entrepreneurship, arms trafficking, aviation threats, and illegal border crossing. The next court hearing is scheduled for July 22. This case marks a pivotal moment in Azerbaijans post-conflict justice process, as survivors and families seek accountability for atrocities committed during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories. 15 July 2025 13:03 (UTC+04:00) By Peter Tase | AzerNEWS In a world beset by escalating global tensions and nuclear uncertaintyfrom the battlefields of Ukraine to the threat matrix in the Middle Eastthe United States has recently stepped up to show leadership and reasserted its commitment to global nuclear safety. But theres one glaring danger Washington has yet to address: the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant in Armenia. Located 22 miles from the Turkish border and within an active seismic zone, Metsamor is one of the worlds oldest and most dangerous nuclear plants. Constructed in the 1970s, it uses a Soviet-era reactor that lacks a containment vessel, which is a basic feature in modern nuclear safety design. It was temporarily shut down after a devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook Armenia in 1988, but was inexplicably reopened in the mid-1990s. Today, it quietly continues to operate, posing a ticking time bomb at the heart of the South Caucasus. An accident at Metsamor wouldnt just endanger Armenia, it could destabilize the entire region. The South Caucasus is a critical artery for East-West energy transit, connecting the Caspian basin to European markets through pipelines that bypass Russia and Iran. Any nuclear fallout here would ripple far beyond the immediate area, affecting NATO allies like Turkey and Georgia, jeopardizing European energy security and sending shockwaves through global markets. The threat is not merely technical. Metsamor is also a geopolitical liability. Maintained with assistance from Russias Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, the plant is a tool of Kremlin leverage in the region. In a time when the United States is working tirelessly to counter Russian influence, allowing Armenia to remain tethered to Moscows nuclear umbilical cord undermines those efforts. Even more concerning is Armenias deepening alignment with Iran. Armenia has long served as a quiet yet significant economic proxy for Tehran. Back in 2012, Reuters reported that Armenian banks were complicit in helping Iran sidestep international sanctions by obfuscating payments and deceiving Western intelligence agencies. In 2019, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Armenia-based Flight Travel LLC for facilitating operations tied to Mahan Air, an airline linked to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Armenia-Iran relationship continues to strengthen. The two nations inked an agreement in 2022 to expand the North-South Transit Corridor through northern Iran, marking another potential sanctions workaround. And just last month, Iranian civilians reportedly sought refuge in Armenia, underscoring the countrys role as a safe haven for the Islamic Republics economic and logistical interests. Compounding these concerns is a persistent and deeply troubling undercurrent of antisemitism in Armenian society, an issue that should factor into Washingtons assessment of its strategic partnerships. In January, the Anti-Defamation League released findings from its latest global index on antisemitism, covering more than 100 countries. It revealed that 57% of Armenians agree with negative stereotypes about Jews and harbor elevated levels of antisemitic attitudes. To put that in perspective, only 49% of respondents in Iran expressed similar views. This is not just about attitudes. It represents a toxic ideological undercurrent that contradicts American values and raises red flags about Armenias suitability as a responsible regional actor, especially one operating a dangerous nuclear facility with the potential to destabilize an entire region. If the United States is serious about nuclear safety, nonproliferation and confronting malign actors, then it must take a proactive stance on Metsamor. The plants continued operation not only represents a looming environmental catastrophe, but it also serves as a nexus of strategic vulnerabilities. Washington has shown courage in fostering a rules-based international order. Addressing Metsamor should be the next step in that same vein of principled leadership. Whether by working through the U.N. nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency, offering financial and technical incentives for decommissioning or coordinating with NATO and regional partners, the time to act is now. The dangers of Metsamor are not theoretical. They are immediate, multifaceted and growing. If America wants to prevent the next nuclear crisis before it erupts, it cannot afford to look away. The views and opinions expressed by guest columnists in their op-eds may differ from and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff. 15 July 2025 13:47 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Since the end of the conflict and Armenian occupation of Garabagh, the first ever bilateral meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Abu Dhabi in July 2025 marks a significant step forward in the search for a comprehensive peace agreement between the two South Caucasus neighbours. Facilitated under the diplomatic auspices of the United Arab Emirates, a rising mediator in global conflicts, the talks have generated cautious optimism among regional watchers and international stakeholders alike. Central to the discussions is the long-disputed Zangazur Corridor, a proposed transport route that has drawn in not only Azerbaijan and Armenia, but also the United States, Russia, Iran, Turkiye, and the European Union. At its core, the Zangazur Corridor represents more than a logistics route linking Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan through southern Armenia. It is a strategic artery that could reshape connectivity across Eurasia, reinforce energy security for Europe, and redefine power alignments in the post-Soviet space. In Abu Dhabi, for the first time, the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders discussed third-party management of the corridor, most notably, a US proposal to control the corridor for 100 years, a move that underscores Washingtons growing interest in countering both Russian and Iranian influence in the South Caucasus. The Zangazur Corridor, if realised, would dramatically shorten trade routes between Central Asia and Europe via the Caspian, South Caucasus, and Turkiye. For Armenia, however, the corridor has become a symbol of lost leverage and a domestic political liability, which Pashinyans government has tried to rebrand as a "transit route under Armenian sovereignty", resisting the "corridor" terminology altogether. After the bilateral Abu Dhabi meeting, the reported American proposal for long-term corridor oversight reflects a deepening of security measures. According to diplomatic leaks, the US offered to manage the Zangazur route as an international transport corridor under a 100-year administration model, similar to the historical Panama or Suez Canal arrangements. The proposal is driven by a single factor: ensuring the uninterrupted flow of goods and energy from Central Asia and the Caspian to European markets. This overture, however, risks intensifying the Russia-Iran alignment, both of which view the corridor through the prism of geostrategic encirclement. Russias traditional role as regional arbiter has diminished following its military overreach in Ukraine, but it still maintains military bases in Armenia. Moscow views the US-led control of the Zangazur Corridor as a direct threat to its "near abroad" and influence over Yerevan. Iran, meanwhile, sees any extraterritorial corridor through Armenian territory as a red line, fearing it would cut off its access to the Caucasus and enable a permanent NATO-aligned presence on its northern border. Despite all this, from both the Iranian and Western perspectives, the significance of the Zangazur Corridor is not limited to Eurasia alone; it also creates a favourable environment for the safe use of the corridor by Russia and Iran (for civilian commercial purposes) in the future. The Brussels Pivot: Pashinyans Calculations and Macrons Agenda Against this backdrop, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's recent visit to Brussels and his private meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and EU leaders signal Yerevans westward shift. Publicly, the visit was framed as an effort to deepen EU-Armenia political and economic cooperation. However, behind closed doors, Pashinyan reportedly sought guarantees of European support for Armenias sovereignty, territorial integrity, and resistance to "corridor language" in any future agreement with Azerbaijan. France, under Macron, has emerged as Armenias most vocal European backer, supplying limited arms, training, and consistent diplomatic support. However, Macrons agenda is not solely humanitarian. France sees the South Caucasus as a front line in the wider geopolitical contest between Western liberal democracies and revisionist autocracies, especially given its deteriorating ties with Turkiye and desire to constrain Russian influence. For Macron, backing Armenia also offers a way to reassert French influence in a region where its presence has traditionally been symbolic at best. There are, however, limits to this strategy. Brussels remains reluctant to militarise its engagement and is cautious about alienating Azerbaijan, a critical energy partner for the EU. Pashinyan's overtures to Macron and European leaders thus walk a fine line between seeking protection and not pushing the EU into open confrontation with Baku or Ankara. The EU is more likely to invest in connectivity and peacebuilding projects than support Armenia in resisting transit arrangements that align with broader regional economic integration. Peace by the end of 2025? Realistic or wishful thinking? The most immediate question is whether a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia is achievable by the end of 2025. Optimists argue that the recent flurry of diplomacy points to a narrowing window of opportunity. The withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers, the stabilisation of borders, and the relative calm since late 2023 have created conditions for finalising a treaty that normalises relations, delimits the border, and opens transport links. However, substantial hurdles remain. First, domestic political resistance in Armenia, fuelled by nationalist opposition and diaspora lobbying, continues to pressure Pashinyan against making concessions on Zangazur. In particular, the tensions between the Church and the Pashinyan government, the mobilisation of pro-Russian oligarch Samvel Karapetyan and his pro-Republican Party entourage against the authorities, and the artificial escalation of unrest in the country are all obstacles preventing Armenia from taking direct and decisive action. Second, external interference, whether through Irans threats, Russias passive-aggressive manoeuvring, or Frances moral posturing, could derail progress. Third, lingering mistrust between Baku and Yerevan, particularly regarding the implementation of agreements and security guarantees, continues to haunt negotiations. Nonetheless, the broader regional and global incentives for peace are strong. The South Caucasus stands at the intersection of multiple transport, energy, and communication projects that hinge on stability. Azerbaijan has positioned itself as a reliable energy partner and logistical hub; Armenia, though late to pivot, now sees the economic and political benefits of breaking out of its regional isolation. If the US and EU can synchronise their approaches, and if Iran and Russia are kept at bay diplomatically, a peace deal is achievable by early 2026, or perhaps even the end of 2025, but only if compromises are reached on the Zangazur Corridor and border recognition. 15 July 2025 11:46 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. The World Bank has officially approved a $173.5 million loan to support the implementation of the Project to Expand the Use of Renewable Energy Sources in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. According to the World Bank Group, the financing is aimed at strengthening the countrys power transmission infrastructure to better integrate renewable energy power stations currently under construction. The project is a critical step in Azerbaijans transition toward... Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 15 July 2025 13:24 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. Azerbaijan significantly boosted its non-oil exports to Uzbekistan during the first five months of 2025, Azernews reports, citing the State Customs Committee. From January through May, Azerbaijan exported non-oil goods worth... Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 15 July 2025 16:18 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. Irans non-oil exports to Azerbaijan witnessed a significant decline in both value and volume during the first three months of the current Iranian year (March 21 June 21, 2025), according to official data from the Iranian Customs Administration, Azernews reports. Exports to Azerbaijan dropped by ... Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! VANCOUVER, BC, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Western Copper and Gold Corporation ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRN) (NYSE American: WRN) is pleased to provide an update on its Environmental and Socio-economic Effects Statement ("ESE Statement") submission for the Casino Project (the "Project"). The ESE Statement incorporates extensive technical work, including environmental and socio-economic baselines studies and assessments. Western is pleased with the progress to date and the level of consultation achieved thus far with First Nations and communities. The feedback from this engagement is making the Project stronger, and we look forward to continuing and intensifying these efforts during the assessment process. The Company expects to deliver its ESE Statement to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board ("YESAB") before the end of October. "The Western team and our external consultants have been working diligently on the Project ESE Statement" said Sandeep Singh, President & CEO. "There is an incredible amount of work that has already gone into the Project. We are now in the final stages of compiling and refining this body of work into our submission. The Company is the first to undertake a Panel Review in the Yukon, the highest level of rigor of any project assessed in the territory. We welcome that oversight and believe, more than ever, that the Project can be advanced sustainably and for the benefit of all Yukoners. As one of Canada's largest and most advanced critical minerals projects, we are uniquely positioned to benefit from Yukon and Federal priorities around resource security, Arctic sovereignty, and nation-strengthening infrastructure." ABOUT WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD CORPORATION Western Copper and Gold Corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world. The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino Project, using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices. For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com. On behalf of the board, "Sandeep Singh" Sandeep Singh President and CEO Western Copper and Gold Corporation Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements herein include statements regarding the timing of the ESE Statement submission and expectations about the assessment process. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the risk of unforeseen challenges in advancing the Casino project, potential impacts on operational continuity, changes in general market conditions that could affect the Company's performance; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's annual information form and Form 40-F for the most recently completed financial year and its other publicly filed disclosure documents. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, such assumptions and factors as set out herein, and in the Company's annual information form and Form 40-F for the most recently completed financial year and its other publicly filed disclosure document. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, other factors may cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's views as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law. SOURCE Western Copper and Gold Corporation 15 July 2025 15:34 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra (ASSO) is one of the most prestigious and influential cultural institutions in Azerbaijan, with a rich history that spans over a century. Founded in 1920 by the legendary Azerbaijani composer and conductor Uzeyir Hajibayli, the orchestra was originally established to promote Azerbaijani classical music and enhance the development of symphonic traditions in the country. Throughout the decades, the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra grew both in size and reputation, performing not only in Azerbaijan but also in international venues across the globe. In 2025, the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 105th anniversary. A magnificent concert commemorating this significant event has taken place at the Summer Hall of the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic, Azernews reports. On this special evening, the orchestra's performance was more than just a display of musical skill; it was a bridge between past and present, tradition and modernity. The orchestra reaffirmed its mission to keep the flame of Azerbaijani music alive and flourishing. The concert opened with a powerful statement- the overture to the opera "Koroglu", conducted by the orchestra's artistic director and principal conductor, Fuad Ibrahimov. This piece served as a musical homage to the orchestra's founder, setting the tone for an evening that celebrated both history and heritage. People's Artist of Azerbaijan, Professor Murad Adigozalzade, followed, thrilling the audience with his interpretation of excerpts from Arif Malikov's "Piano Concerto". His performance was not just about technical prowess but conveyed deep emotion, turning each note into a genuine expression of artistry. The evenings atmosphere brightened further with "Festive Dance" from Fikrat Amirov's "Symphonic Dances". The piece infused the hall with vibrant energy, while conductor Mustafa Mehmandarov led the orchestra through Gara Garaev's "Albanian Rhapsody" and Muslim Magomayev's "Triumphal March", capturing the spirit of multiple eras and reflecting the collective vitality of a nation. The pinnacle of the night came with the grand symphonic mugham "Rast" by Niyazi. The audience, moved by the profound performance, rose to their feet in an overwhelming standing ovation. In response, the orchestra played Niyazi's "Waltz", a poignant piece filled with nostalgia and grace, bringing the evening to a heartfelt close. As the concert season concluded, Fuad Ibrahimov took the opportunity to speak to the musicians, emphasising their unity, tireless dedication, and exceptional professionalism. The evenings final words came from People's Artist of the USSR and Azerbaijan, Professor Farhad Badalbayli, whose tribute to the orchestra captured the essence of their artistry. In his speech, Farhad Badalbayli highlighted the fusion of Azerbaijani musical traditions and global excellence, as well as the orchestra's role in sharing the beauty of Azerbaijani music with the world. He offered his congratulations to the entire ensemble, wishing them continued success, new accomplishments, and endless applause. This celebration was a reminder that music, born from the heart of Azerbaijan, continues to resonate across time and borders, bringing joy and unity to all who hear its language. Photo Credits: Kamran Bagirov 15 July 2025 12:11 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijan is actively negotiating to join the World Health Organizations (WHO) global Healthy Cities initiative, according to Dr. Hande Harmanci, head of the WHO Office in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. Speaking at the "Healthy Communication with the Media" event, Dr. Harmanci emphasized the importance of building urban environments that support public health. The WHOs Healthy Cities program, now in its 30th year, focuses on redesigning urban spaces to promote healthier lifestyles. "By 2050, over 70% of the worlds population will live in cities," Dr. Harmanci noted. "Urban design plays a major role in public health outcomes. For example, studies show that when the distance between bus stops is less than 400 meters, the spread of infectious diseases decreases." She also highlighted practical measures already showing results worldwide, such as reducing portion sizes in schools and universities, which has been linked to healthier eating habits. Healthy cities are not a luxury they are a necessity, she said. I believe Azerbaijan has strong potential and will soon be among the countries officially recognized for building healthier urban environments. If Azerbaijan joins the initiative, it would align the country with a growing global movement focused on making cities safer, more active, and better equipped to prevent disease. In addition to the Healthy Cities initiative, Dr. Harmanci revealed that discussions are ongoing with Azerbaijan's Ministry of Health regarding the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the national immunization program. The HPV vaccine is one of the most important vaccines in the world for cancer prevention, she stressed. Negotiations are underway with the Ministry of Health, and weve received positive feedback. However, it's too early to provide definitive information. This vaccine may be included in the state program within a few years. If adopted, the HPV vaccine would represent a significant step forward in cancer prevention efforts in Azerbaijan, particularly in reducing rates of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. 15 July 2025 10:46 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry commemorated Turkiyes July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, Azernews reports, citing a post shared by the Ministry on its official X account. In a post, the Azerbaijani government paid tribute to the Turkish people and the martyrs who gave their lives resisting the 2016 coup attempt. July 15, 2016 a glorious date when the fraternal people of Turkiye resolutely defended their statehood and national will. On this day, we remember with deep respect and gratitude the cherished memory of the martyrs who gave their lives while preventing the attempted coup. This epic, written through the unity and determination of the heroic Turkish nation, is a contribution to peace, stability, and the preservation of shared values. Happy Democracy and National Unity Day, dear Turkiye! the post reads. The 2016 coup attempt by the Fetullah terrorist organisation left over 250 people dead and more than 2,000 injured. The day is now observed annually as a symbol of democratic resilience and national solidarity in Turkiye. 15 July 2025 12:20 (UTC+04:00) The Baku Network (BN) Analytical Center has brought the issue of Azerbaijani journalists killed as a result of Armenian aggression to Europe for the first time by organizing a series of events, Azernews reports. An exhibition was held in Paris where BN showcased materials honoring these journalist martyrs. At the UNESCO headquarters, during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee and a presentation marking the 25th anniversary of Icherishehers inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, BN director Elchin Aghajanov highlighted that Azerbaijani journalists became victims of Armenian aggression in Garabagh, losing their lives while fulfilling their professional duties. Booklets commemorating the fallen journalists were distributed to attendees, which included members of French civil society as well as French and international journalists. Bringing this issue to the French capital was an important step in raising global awareness about the fate of Azerbaijani journalists who died in the line of duty. At the exhibitions opening, Nigar Huseynova, adviser at the Azerbaijani Embassy in France, spoke about the consequences of the 30-year conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. She emphasized that members of the press were among the victims. In particular, she recalled Salatyn Asgarova, the first female journalist martyr, who was brutally killed by Armenian forces in 1991. She also mentioned Aly Mustafaev and Fakhraddin Shahbazov, who died in 1991 when a helicopter carrying high-ranking Azerbaijani officials was shot down over Garabagh in a terrorist attack. Additionally, she spoke about Chingiz Mustafaev, who played a key role in exposing the Khojaly genocide to the world and was killed in 1992 during filming in Aghdam. Huseynova also noted that in 2021, AzTV operator Siraj Abyshov and AZERTAC correspondent Maharram Ibrahimov were killed by landmines in Kalbajar, highlighting that mines continue to pose a threat to Azerbaijanis today. She stressed the vital role of information during crises and praised the brave journalists who risked their lives to report on events in the region. Huseynova pointed out that these journalists worked at a time when there was no internet or social media, and when Azerbaijan was under an information blockade, making their mission even more difficult. She expressed gratitude to Baku Network for this initiative, honoring the memory of these journalists. Jean-Michel Brun, Editor-in-Chief of La Gazette du Caucase, noted that journalists in Garabagh were targeted by Armenian aggression simply because they were doing their job. Some countries no longer respect the laws of war. They bomb civilians, destroy hospitals and schools, and plant landmines. This is happening today in the Middle East it also happened during the Garabagh war. The journalists we honor today did not die by accident. They were killed because they were journalists, he said. Brun also highlighted more subtle forms of pressure on journalists, such as censorship, manipulation, and editorial bans. He cited the case of French journalist Lizeron Budul, whose report on Garabagh was reportedly pulled from the air for contradicting the official narrative. Another example involved a reporter for a major French publication who used false information about the Azerbaijani Army to meet editorial expectations, later admitting the story was fabricated and wouldnt have been published otherwise. Speaking at the event, BN director Elchin Aghajanov said these journalists were killed by Armenian separatists and terrorists, not by chance, but because they spoke the truth. I call them heroes, though they didnt seek heroism. None of them sought death. They were simply doing their jobs. These thirteen people became targets because words are more powerful than bullets. Because a published photo of a destroyed home can shatter a lie. Because an accurate report exposes the darkness where crimes hide, he said. Aghajanov emphasized that these thirteen journalists were the eyes that saw through the smoke and the voices that refused to let pain be silenced. They fought not just bullets but lies, distortion, and fake news. Their enemy had no faceonly shadows. An enemy spreading fear and panic not only through weapons but through twisting the truth. These thirteen fought on this invisible front and died because they didnt back down, he added. Sahil Karimli, Program Director at Baku Network, said BN managed to organize this exhibition in ParisFrances capital, known for its strong support of Armeniadespite facing challenges and artificial obstacles. He noted that the memory of journalists killed in the line of duty has been commemorated locally before, but this was the first time the mission was taken to an international level with a dedicated exhibition featuring photos and detailed information about each journalist in both French and English. Brochures were also prepared and distributed to attendees. Karimli stressed that France has historically pursued a pro-Armenian policy and defended Armenia, which is an occupier. Under such circumstances, organizing this exhibition in Paris came with significant difficulties and risks, including challenges in bringing printed materials across borders. But we overcame these obstacles and achieved our goal, he said. The event was held at the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Paris as part of Baku Networks Analysis of Hybrid and Ideological Threats Against Azerbaijan project. The exhibition was supported by the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Embassy in France. In closing, we sincerely thank the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France, and the French-Azerbaijani Dialogue Association for their support in making these events possible. 15 July 2025 12:37 (UTC+04:00) Today, Azerbaijan and Turkiye are confidently and successfully moving forward shoulder to shoulder towards the future, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in a letter of condolence to President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azernews reports. "I honor the cherished memory of all our brothers and sisters who were martyred to thwart the attempted coup in Turkiye nine years ago with deep respect and reverence, and extend my deepest condolences to their families and to all the people of Turkiye. That night, brotherly Turkiye wrote the greatest heroic epic in its modern history. Your courageous and persevering people rose to defend their homeland, flag, and state, resisting the bloody coup attempt that threatened the constitutional and democratic foundations of the Republic of Turkiye, making their chests a shield. Today, we can proudly say that July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day stands as a landmark date that honors the triumph of strong and unshakable will, national unity, solidarity and patriotism. From the first moments of the treacherous coup attempt, the Azerbaijani people and state demonstrated their support and solidarity by standing by brotherly Turkiye, which was once again a clear manifestation of the "One nation, two states" principle, and a shining example of our brotherhood. This heinous attempt against the Turkish state was thwarted thanks to your leadership, profound steadfastness, and the unwavering unity of your people. Your brotherly country emerged from this challenging test with a clean conscience and even stronger, once again proving its power to the whole world. Today, you are working with resolve and determination to achieve the goal of a 'terror-free Turkiye' and to leave a safe, peaceful, and prosperous nation for future generations. The recent decision of the PKK terrorist group to disband and lay down its arms stands as a powerful testament to your strong political will a triumph of national unity and solidarity." My dear brother, Today, Azerbaijan and Turkiye are confidently and successfully moving forward shoulder to shoulder towards the future. The unshakable brotherhood, unparalleled unity and strategic alliance between our countries are a key factor of security, partnership and development for our region and beyond. I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts to strengthen and deepen our strategic alliance, which stems from the will of our brotherly peoples, who have historically supported each other, as well as the Shusha Declaration," said President Ilham Aliyev. 15 July 2025 16:03 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Slovakia is preparing to open an honorary consulate in one of Azerbaijans economically dynamic regions, aiming to deepen bilateral ties and boost regional cooperation, Azernews reports. This initiative was highlighted in a statement by the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Azerbaijan announcing Elchin Gasimov as the newly appointed head of Slovakias diplomatic mission in Baku. Our goal is to create conditions for the opening of an honorary consulate of Slovakia in regions of Azerbaijan with high economic potential, Gasimov stated. He emphasized that the move is designed to support Slovak business expansion in Azerbaijan and foster greater regional engagement. Before his new post, Gasimov served as deputy head of mission in Baku and was previously an advisor to the Chairman of the Slovak National Council as well as to the Minister of Investment, Regional Development and Informatization. Slovakias Foreign and European Affairs Minister, Juraj Blanar, has identified energy and defenseparticularly the import of Azerbaijani oil and gasas key areas of cooperation. In 2024, bilateral trade reached around 210 million euros, underlining the growing economic partnership. Gasimov noted that both countries also see promising collaboration opportunities in information technology and transport. He reaffirmed Slovakias commitment to regular intergovernmental consultations and a robust diplomatic dialogue with Azerbaijan moving forward. 15 July 2025 17:24 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The diplomatic tenure of Pauline Eyzema, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Azerbaijan, has officially come to an end, Azernews reports. Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received Ambassador Eyzema and expressed gratitude for her fruitful diplomatic activity in Azerbaijan. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the current bilateral and multilateral cooperation agenda, including the post-conflict regional situation and evolving realities in the South Caucasus. The sides underlined the significance of political consultations between the foreign ministries to facilitate high-level mutual visits, deepen contacts at international platforms, and advance bilateral cooperation. Minister Bayramov also briefed Ambassador Eyzema on the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, emphasizing Bakus current regional position and peace efforts. Reflecting on her nearly five-year mission, Ambassador Eyzema remarked: I will always remember my work as the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Azerbaijan, expressing appreciation for the support extended throughout her diplomatic service. The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on key topics of mutual interest, reinforcing the friendly ties between the two nations. 15 July 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The China State Shipbuilding Corporation has unveiled the countrys first intelligent ocean exploration vessel, launched in Shanghai, Azernews reports. Named "Tongji" in honor of Shanghai's renowned Tongji University, the vessel represents a new milestone in marine science and green shipbuilding. This is a next-generation, 2,000-ton eco-friendly, silent, and intelligent research vessel, independently designed and constructed by domestic companies, said chief designer Li Zhenghua, as quoted by the press. Equipped with an electric jet propulsion system, the ship can be operated remotely from shore. It features autonomous navigation capabilities in open waters and an advanced intelligent energy efficiency management system. The Tongji is capable of operating in nearly all oceanic regions, with the exception of polar ice zones. With a length of 81.5 meters, a beam of 15 meters, and a draft of 6.9 meters, the vessel can accommodate up to 45 people, including 30 scientists. It reaches a maximum speed of 15 knots (27 km/h) and boasts an impressive range of 80,000 nautical miles, allowing for autonomous operation for up to 35 days. In addition to scientific research and engineering missions, the Tongji will serve as a floating classroom, offering hands-on training and internships for students of Tongji University a unique opportunity to engage future generations in cutting-edge marine innovation. Interestingly, the ship's sleek design minimizes underwater noise, which is crucial for marine biodiversity studies and deep-sea acoustic research. It's not just a vessel it's a symbol of Chinas ambition to lead in sustainable marine exploration. 15 July 2025 13:39 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more United States President Donald Trump could allow Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles for strikes deep into Russia's territory, the Washington Post reported, citing people familiar with his plans, Azernews reports. According to the source, Trump's newly announced military assistance to Kiev will be worth $10 billion and may include authorization to use the 18 ATACMS missiles already in Ukraine at their full range of 300 kilometers, as well as more ATACMS missile supplies to Kiev. On Monday, Trump announced that the US will send Ukraine Patriot missile systems that will be funded by NATO. However, as the source said, Tomahawk missiles are not yet included in the list of supplies. They may be delivered later if Trump wants to have even more leverage. The source said that Trump's determination to pressure Putin was conveyed in a conversation last week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump asked Zelenskyy why he had not struck Moscow. "We can, if you give us the weapons," Zelenskyy replied. Trump said that Ukraine should put more pressure on Putin, targeting not only Moscow but also St Petersburg. Discussions at the White House also touched on the fact that military aid could also include permission for some new, powerful offensive weapons. The source said that this likely includes permission to use 18 long-range ATACMS missiles, which are currently in Ukraine, with a full range of 300 kilometres. They will not reach Moscow or St Petersburg, but they can strike military bases, airfields and supply depots deep inside Russia that are currently out of reach. The package may also include a larger number of ATACMS missiles. Pentagon officials have been calling for deeper strikes against Russia using ATACMS for several months. Every time the range limit was increased, the Russians simply moved their aircraft and other equipment beyond the reach of the Ukrainians. Trump decided to escalate for three reasons, according to a source familiar with the discussions within the administration. First, he believed that Putin did not respect him, imitating a willingness to make peace but ignoring the US president's call for a ceasefire. Second, he saw the effectiveness of the US military force in the use of B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles against Iran. And third, he believed that Putin would only agree to negotiations under the threat of greater force. As the Russians like to say, Trump decided to "escalate to de-escalate". 15 July 2025 22:19 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Nvidia Corp. plans to resume shipments of its H20 AI chips to China after receiving assurances from the U.S. government that the exports will be approved, Azernews reports. This marks a significant shift from the previous stance under the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Just a few days ago, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with Trump and officials from his administration at the White House. According to a statement released on Nvidia's website, "U.S. authorities have assured Nvidia that an export license for H20 will be granted, and the company is hopeful that shipments will begin soon." Nvidia developed a specialized version of its AI chips for the Chinese market, factoring in the restrictions previously imposed by the U.S. on semiconductor exports. However, in April, U.S. authorities prohibited Nvidia from selling these chips to China without special permission. The announcement that the White House would allow Nvidia to resume sales of the H20 chips to China surfaced while Jensen Huang was visiting Beijing. During the visit, Huang also revealed that Nvidia is working on a new AI chip tailored for the Chinese market. This chip, according to Huang, will help with the automation of production and logistics. It is based on Nvidias Blackwell architecture, though some of its specifications have been downgraded to comply with existing U.S. restrictions on tech exports to China, according to sources quoted by The Wall Street Journal. The U.S. decision to permit Nvidia to supply H20 chips to China is seen by Beijing as a gesture of goodwill in ongoing trade negotiations, according to sources familiar with the matter. Access to cutting-edge semiconductor technologies remains a top priority for Chinese negotiators. The evolving relationship between U.S. tech companies and China reflects broader tensions in the global semiconductor market. As the demand for AI chips skyrockets, both countries are scrambling to secure access to the most advanced technologies. China, in particular, has been making efforts to develop its own semiconductor industry, but relies heavily on imports of high-performance chips from companies like Nvidia. During workdays, he often took "brain breaks" to sit on one of the wrought iron benches in front of the vintage building on Via de la Paz. The location, across from an elementary school, and a block from Palisades High School, always had plenty of pedestrians. He'd explain to folks about what was going on at the Y, often surprising them with the fact that its food distribution program served 120 local families each week. Kirtley, who has worked at the Y for 19 years, including nine years as the executive director in the Palisades, said: "I didn't lose my home, but I lost my home as far as where I work. I had years of dreaming of things, creating programs, meeting people, saying good-bye to people and meeting new people. It's been hard." However, as soon as the building, which began life in 1949 as a playhouse, burned, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles rushed into action with immediate relief for Palisades-Malibu members, those affected by the Eaton fire, and anyone else who was displaced by the tragedy. The YMCA rolled out a multi-pronged campaign to provide services and aid community healing that continues to this day. For starters, it provided emergency childcare for children of first responders and families displaced by both fires. Essential goods such as hygiene kits, clothes, laptops and furniture followed, along with distributing more than a million pounds of food and about 750,000 pounds of clothing. Free access to YMCA programs came next. More than 3,000 emergency facility access passes were given out. Palisades-Malibu Y members fanned out to move their memberships to other area Y's. Memberships also became free for Y members also displaced in the Eaton fire. For youth in displaced families in the Palisades, Malibu and Altadena, the Y waived fees for its day camp at its Simon Meadow site in the Palisades, and its two sleepaway camps in the Big Bear Lake area whether the individuals were Y members or not. Teens had always been a healthy percentage of the Palisades-Malibu Y demographic, due to its proximity to Palisades High School. The Y gym was the one most Pali High students used, and the Y's swimming pool was shared with the school. A big contingent of teens from the Palisades Y always participated in the California YMCA Youth & Government program, which included a trip to Sacramento to learn how bills were created. After the fire, the Y provided 715 scholarships for student delegates to participate in the program, including 70 for students from Palisades-Malibu. One month after the fires, a reunion for Palisades Y members was held in the gymnasium at the Collins & Katz Family Y in Brentwood. There was a food truck, and attendees were given gift cards, stuffed animals, clothing, and toiletries. There was a sign-up for generators, and information about accessing free furniture and other resources. About 200 members showed up "for hugs, tears and smiles," said Kirtley. Continuing efforts for displaced members at area Y's include food distribution sites, food delivery to individuals, art therapy, wellness programs, and having licensed social workers in the buildings to help with mental health checks. A citywide Community Healing Dinner is being planned. "Our goal is to make sure affected families feel supported," said Christina Bragg, senior director of marketing and communications for the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. She credited the Y's philanthropic partners, including the California Community Foundation, which quickly supplied two grants, with making such comprehensive aid possible. In the six months since the fires, the LA Y organization has met urgent needs and supported recovery efforts for more than 90,000 individuals and families affected by both the Palisades and Eaton fires. It is planning to transform its existing facilities into permanent community resilience hubs that will serve as sites for disaster preparedness and resource distribution, as well as wellness activities and public health services. The Palisades-Malibu Y is definitely going to rebuild, although decisions are being considered as to location and the contours of new construction. The 4.4 acre Simon Meadow site, which received damage to wood timbers on a stairway and a walking path, will be where a new, "next generation" facility will be built, following a capital campaign. The Via de la Paz site may also see rebuilding, depending on input from the community and available funds from insurance and FEMA. In the meantime, all Palisades staffers who wanted to continue working have been placed in positions at other YMCAs. Even part-timers were helped with new jobs. Hamish Milne, 18, who worked part-time while attending Palisades High School, lost his home and high school, as well as the Y where he exercised, interacted with his friends, and worked behind the desk. It was a lot to process, and he debated whether he wanted to keep working at a Y again. "The Y gym in the Palisades was our home. I was there every day for two years. I'd see all my friends there. It was like a second home." But when he walked into the Westchester Family YMCA and sat down behind the desk, "everything good ended up coming back to me. It was the exact same vibe." After spending most of his last months of his senior year taking classes on Zoom, it was a relief for Milne and other Pali High students to move into the old Sears building in Santa Monica for the last month of the school year. "Everybody just came together instead of sticking in their old small friend groups," he said. "It was beautiful. The Senior Sunrise at the beach in Santa Monica had us all together." Milne said that about 15 high schoolers from the Palisades Y have pivoted to Westchester. Even more moved to Collins & Katz Y. Others went to the Culver-Palms YMCA in Culver City. Executive director Kirtley made sure everyone relocating to those three facilities would receive a visual welcome and a reminder of their lost home. He took flags with the Pacific Palisades dolphin logo and the words "Don't Quit" on them to those locations, where they greet Palisades-Malibu members who had relocated. "The idea is when Palisades Y members come in, they have a little sense of home," said Kirtley. CONTACT: Gilien Silsby, 213-500-8673 SOURCE California Community Foundation 15 July 2025 20:50 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva China has successfully launched the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft, which will deliver food, equipment, and other essential supplies to astronauts aboard the Chinese space station, Azernews reports. The launch took place at 05:34 Beijing time, using a CZ-7 rocket from the Wenchang Cosmodrome, located on the east coast of Hainan province in southern China. Guo Zhonglai, a representative from the Xichang Space Launch Centerwhich oversees operations at the Hainan Star Harborconfirmed the success of the launch: "Tianzhou-9 has reached its designated orbit, the solar panels have deployed, and the spacecraft is operating normally." Currently, three taikonauts from the Shenzhou-20 mission are aboard the station: Chen Dong (crew commander), Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, who arrived in orbit on April 25. Tianzhou-9 will deliver approximately 6.5 tons of cargo to the station, including new spacesuits, muscle training equipment, and scientific instruments for experiments in space medicine and other fields. The CZ-7 is a modern two-stage liquid-fueled rocket with a fairing diameter of 4.2 meters and a length of 53 meters. It can deliver up to 14 tons to low Earth orbit (and about 5.5 tons to geostationary orbit). This mission marks the CZ-7s 20th flight overall and its third in 2025. Interesting fact: The Tianzhou cargo ships are designed to autonomously dock with the space station, showcasing Chinas advanced capabilities in automated space rendezvousa technology crucial for future deep-space exploration missions. We are headed toward a Golden Age in America's self-governed society. This will all wind up in a clustered mess since Trump is a Fascist, and thought to be the second coming of Adolf Hitler by our best journalists. This is a time where critical days lay ahead, where only wise and responsible decisions must be made to sustain US. I generally do not pay attention, but expect only the best to occur ... and that is what I always expect. 75 total vote(s) What's your Opinion? Raised in a Barn BY: HOOD RICHARDSON My opinion is that the USA (American) society taken as a whole is far less mannerly than we were 30 years ago. Being boisterous or rude or crude or unsympathetic or not empathetic or loud and obnoxious seems to be becoming more acceptable as long as it makes the ruffian feel good. There is little reward for developing the skill of putting the other fellow in his place in a polite and dignified way. I am writing this article without naming names or identifying incidents. However, future articles will leave no doubt about who the ruffians are. Ruffians who do not deal with others in a mannerly way do not seem to be aware that they reveal a lot about themselves. Observers who are aware of the characteristics of sociopaths, narcissists and all those other personality defects described in psychology books can spot them from far away. Those who have not read psychology books can apply the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It works just as well. Manners are the accepted way of how we interact with each other. Manners are necessary for a happy productive society. Almost all organized clubs, governments and boards use Roberts Rules of Order to conduct meetings to do business as the final authority on manners and order. The book is a couple of hundred pages, is somewhat complex, but works. Because of this, unscrupulous people who have more knowledge of Roberts Rules of Order tend to use it to take advantage of those who are less informed. This is why a competent and fair-minded parliamentarian should always be designated when these rules are being used. Needless to say, those who use these rules of order unfairly are not mannerly and display bullying tactics. It is particularly discomforting when Roberts Rules of Order are used for no benefit other than to control events or to bully others. The two worst offenses are making a motion to adjourn a meeting and calling of the question. The motion to adjourn is usually made when someone is trying to get the floor to make a statement. A vote is required to adjourn. If business is complete, and the person wants to make an announcement and not continue business, what harm is there in allowing them to speak. Many want to vote to adjourn so they can go home. How about voting against adjourning, be mannerly, and allow the person to speak. Many people think they are required to vote to adjourn but they do not. The calling of the question is made by bullies to cut off debate and force a vote. This is done by those who know they already have the votes to do what they want or are afraid if the truth comes out, they will lose. Many chairmen rapidly skip over the requirement to vote on the calling the question and ask for the vote on the issue at hand. A vote on the motion to call the question is required before proceeding to vote on the issue at hand. Usually there is no cost in being mannerly, sensitive, gracious, sympathetic or empathetic to anyone else. There is a cost to personal character in being unmannerly. There is a reverse side to the Golden Rule. That is: Do unto others as they do to you. There is no shame in treating others as they treat you. I do this on occasion. However, there is a risk that my motives will be misunderstood, and I will look more unmannerly than others. Good manners are always recommended. It is important that we alland particularly parliamentarians and presiding officersdemonstrate respect for those who have elected representatives. It is not the duty of chairs to stifle the right of a duly elected representative to speak for their constituents. This principle becomes all the more important when the chair, or even the majority, do not agree with what a representative is saying on behalf of their constituents. In fact, it is the duty of the chair to ensure that all viewpoints are considered. Ultimately, it is important that the chair respects the rights of those with whom the chair may disagree with on an issue being discussed. Let the speaker express their constituents beliefs and positions. Good government requires civility and civility demands tolerance. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Politically corrupt ultra-partisan Obama and Biden district court judges are defying the US Supreme Court, thumbing their noses at the doctrine of Separation of Powers, and abusing power to seize legislative and executive powers. This is nothing but a Judicial insurrection or a judicial coup d'etat and it should be very severely punished. The Supreme Court tried to crack the whip on them by banning nationwide "universal" injunctions, but these political hack Democrat judges simply refuse to obey the country's highest court. The latest crooked Democrat judge to defy the SCOTUS is radical Obama Judge Indira Talwani, who is trying to overrule both Congress and the president to order that funding continue for Planned Parenthood. This arrogant twit of a crooked judge seems to think that the power of the purse belongs in a rogue district court judge in Massachusetts instead of in the US Congress. To make matters worse, Talwani has not even followed the rules on how to issue such orders. She was required procedurally to give her grounds for her court order when she issued it but did not. When she belatedly tried to cover this a week after it was supposed to be done, all she was able to produce was garbled mish-mash. Even worse, the subject of her order had just been dealt with by the US Supreme Court contrary to her position. The SCOTUS had ruled that South Carolina was allowed to defund Planned Parenthood. Yet arrogant twit Talwani stops Congress from doing the very same thing? https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/07/15/federal_judge_takes_control_of_us_government_153045.html https://thefederalist.com/2025/07/14/judge-botches-tro-in-planned-parenthood-case-a-second-time/ https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/07/14/obama-appointed-judge-doubles-down-on-vetoing-congresss-defunding-of-planned-parenthood/ Impeachment of these out of control judges is certainly warranted, but the unfortunate fact is that the Democrats in the Senate would protect the Judicial Wing of the Democrat Party and vote not to convict, no matter what they did. It has never been done in our system, but maybe it is time for the SCOTUS to make an example of one by holding them in contempt of the Supreme Court and punishing the wayward judge with active jail time which could be commuted upon their resignation from their judgeship. Otherwise, maybe there needs to be a special prosecutor appointed to deal with treason by district court judges. The call for deportation or "remigration" as it is often called in Europe is gaining ground rapidly among the people of Europe. The most recent example is a new poll in Spain showing massive public support for mass deportation of illegal aliens. The poll taken for the major Spanish newspaper El Mundo by respected Spanish pollster Sigma Dos found that 70% of Spanish voters support mass deportation of all illegal aliens from Spain. This is a cornerstone policy of Spain's populist nationalist right Vox Party, but also found support among 92% of voters of the traditional conservative Popular Party. Even a solid majority, 57%, of voters of the governing Socialist Party support mass deportation of all illegal alien migrants. The only national party in Spain that had a majority of its voters opposed to deportation was the small far left Sumar Party. In 1991, Spain's foreign born population was under 1% but it has now jumped to 20% and voters are not happy with that. Recent statistics from the Catalonia region show that 50% of the prison population are foreign born and 91% of rapes are being committed by illegal aliens. https://rmx.news/article/spain-70-want-mass-deportation-of-illegal-immigrants-majority-of-socialist-party-supporters-also-want-mass-deportations/ After a spate of violent attacks against Spaniards by illegal aliens, the populist nationalist Vox Party has launched a national petition campaign demanding a referendum by the Spanish people on deportation of illegal aliens. https://rmx.news/article/vox-demands-national-referendum-on-immigration-amid-surge-in-migrant-linked-violence/ Satire on illegal alien "asylum seekers" in the UK, "Brand New Leather Jacket": Why a Co Down man left university after a year for a job at a major brand and hasn't looked back since Coca-Cola HBC boss Simon Fitzpatrick tells Business Telegraph about his loyalty to the firm and his home village of Waringstown, and his servant leadership ethos Simon Fitzpatrick James McNaney Tue 15 Jul 2025 at 08:00 Simon Fitzpatrick, the managing director of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, has shown remarkable commitment to the company he now heads. A north Belfast woman has been remanded into custody for trying to steal groceries from a petrol station she was banned from entering as part of court bail conditions following an earlier theft. 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Inset: Patrick Hanna Allison Morris Tue 15 Jul 2025 at 07:00 The victim of a fatal road crash close to Nutts Corner in Co Antrim has been named as Gerard Gaskin, who was previously jailed for causing the death of a man by dangerous driving. The Deputy First Minister has said she is sick of those who talk down Northern Ireland after the leader of Sinn Fein said the region makes no economic sense. Emma Little-Pengellys comments follow Mary Lou McDonalds appearance on Good Morning Britain, where she made the case for reunification of the island of Ireland. We are now 27 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, as we all know a historic moment where we settled on the democratic and institutional arrangements to end what was a conflict that ran for centuries, she said. We created the space to build peace and reconciliation, build friendships, build relationships across the island of Ireland, but also between Ireland and Britain. At the heart of that agreement is the commitment to a referendum to make the decision on partition. Just remember, more than a century ago Ireland was partitioned down the barrel of a British gun. There was no democracy involved. It was imposed on the island, and the consequences of it were literally devastating for our island, and deeply damaging to he relationship between Britain and Ireland. We need to fix all that. Politics has changed, weve all moved on, the peace has been established, I think we have made enormous strides, all of us, and I think Ireland and Britain and all the political leaders and the people deserve great credit for that. Now were at a point where we say whats the next chapter? For us, logically, in economic terms, in social terms, in democratic terms Irish unity makes sense. Speaking at the QUB Global Economic Forum on Tuesday, Ms Pengelly criticised the comments and highlighted successes across several sectors. "I am sick of some who constantly talk down Northern Ireland, Ms Little-Pengelly said. We are tasked with the responsibility and the honour of promoting this wonderful place with so much potential. The DFM added that the region has attracted high levels of foreign direct investment and has over 1500 international firms operating locally. NI has one of the lowest levels of unemployment across the UK, and one of the highest educated and youngest workforces across these islands, she continued. Northern Ireland deserves champions to promote all that is great about Northern Ireland. Those who believe in the future of our economy and will work to realise it." Ms Little-Pengelly also hit out at comments made by GMB host Richard Madeley who said Northern Ireland is close to being a basket case. During the interview, Mr Madeley asked Ms McDonald: Why do you want Northern Ireland still so badly? Because, economically, I think its fair to say its close to being a basket case at the moment. Emma Little-Pengelly News Catch Up - Tuesday 15th July Ms Little-Pengelly rejected this claim and said the region is a base case for investment. "Northern Ireland is far from an economic "basket case", indeed it is a base case for investment, the DUP MLA said. And I welcome that was recognised by the many economists and experts in the Global Economic Forum today. She called for Sinn Fein ministers clarify if they are working to promote the local economy. Our position has part of the UK, while having huge international access and appeal can truly elevate NI to new heights. "The economic plans of Sinn Fein as outlined by Michelle O'Neill and Mary-Lou McDonald in London this week are based on vagueness and fantasy. It is economic illiteracy. Michelle O'Neill and SF Economy Minister Archibald need to be open with the public - are they working to promote our economy or have they simply binned it as economically unviable." When will The Open return to Royal Portrush? Its the R&As strongest links and they know it Police have urged the victim of a reported south Belfast assault to come forward as a teenager was arrested following the incident. The incident in the city happened on Saturday evening at around 9.30pm in the Donegall Road area. Police said when officers arrived at the scene the victim was no longer present. They confirmed a 16-year-old was arrested and later released on bail with a number of other teenagers cautioned. A PSNI spokesperson said: "A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Three other boys aged 14, 16 and 17 - were cautioned at the scene on suspicion of common assault. "The arrested 16-year-old has been released on bail pending further enquiries. We would ask that the injured party, described as having a dark beard and wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans, make contact with us as soon as possible. We want to emphasise that there is no suspicion of wrong-doing on their part and we simply wish to check that they are safe and well. "We are also keen to talk to any members of the public who were in the area and witnessed the assault, or to anyone who may have relevant dash-cam or video footage. Please contact police on 101, quoting reference number 2073 12/07/25. Footage of a loyalist band singing The Sash outside Gerry Kellys constituency office on the Twelfth of July is being reviewed by the PSNI. Videos appear to show members of the Rathcoole Protestant Boys breaking into a rousing rendition of the song just yards from the Sinn Fein MLAs office on the Antrim Road in Glengormley. The band was among 40 that took part in Saturdays parade with the incident taking place on the return leg which ended at Cloughfern Protestant Hall. Police in Newtownabbey are currently reviewing a parade which took place on the Antrim Road on Saturday, 12th July, in respect of a potential breach of a Parades Commission determination, a PSNI spokesperson confirmed. The event was marked as sensitive" by the Parades Commission which imposed restrictions on the march. A respectful 12th in Glengormley? This parade should never have been allowed and should never be allowed in future. They have no understanding of respect for this community or any other. The PSNI and Parades Commission have a lot to answer for. Shameful. pic.twitter.com/1dnVXUxLdh Cllr Michael Goodman SF (@macgiolla) July 12, 2025 The determination prohibited undue stoppages or delays and ordered bands to refrain from using words or behaviour which could reasonably be perceived as intentionally sectarian. "The Commission reaffirms the importance of respectful behaviour, namely that there should be no singing, chanting or loud drumming and that marching would be dignified, the ruling stated. All participants and supporters of this parade must behave with due regard for the rights, traditions and feelings of others in the vicinity. Residents from the Tober Glen and Colinbridge areas close to Mr Kellys office had made representations ahead of the march. They cited concerns about disruption and access for emergency services. But organisers of the parade argued that marshalling would be in place and said efforts had been made to prevent the consumption of alcohol. The Parades Commission was impressed by the "extensive planning" undertaken by organisers including "detailed discussions with a range of statutory agencies" and their "awareness-raising and engagement with the community". One video of the band stopping just yards from Mr Kellys office appears to show members dancing while The Sash is played. Some members and a number of spectators changed the lyrics from "It was worn in Derry" to "It was worn in Londonderry" as they loudly belted out the words. So the breaking story here is that a band played The Sash near an empty office in North Belfast Has the reporter checked that the office feels ok? https://t.co/69vq1CqCOm Peter Martin (@petermartindup) July 12, 2025 Nationalist residents have expressed anger following the incident with one saying "I thought they're not allowed to stop." Sinn Fein councillor Michael Goodman branded the incident as shameful. "A respectful 12th in Glengormley? This parade should never have been allowed and should never be allowed in future, he wrote on X. They have no understanding of respect for this community or any other. "The PSNI and Parades Commission have a lot to answer for. Shameful. However a number of unionist MLAs have dismissed concerns. North Down DUP representative Peter Martin and North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew joked about media reports of the incident. "So the breaking story here is that a band played The Sash near an empty office in North Belfast," he wrote on X. Has the reporter checked that the office feels ok?" It prompted a reply from South Antrim MLA and former UUP leader Steve Aiken who also downplayed concerns. It was, I checked, wasnt demonstrating any signs of stress or concernit did look a little desolate thoughit seemed mollified by a few shouting oh, ah, etc but that was probably for my benefit. Meanhwile Mr Frew wrote: "In a further development, we have identified a disgruntled square metre of tarmac that was willing to speak to us, he said that he was sick and tired of people walking all over him. Stephen Nolan is now the BBCs seventh highest-earning presenter, falling two places down the table compared to last year. Mr Nolan earned between 405,000 and 409,000 in 2024/25, according to the BBCs latest annual report. His pay packet was in the same bracket as what he earned in 2023/24, when he was fifth in the pay rankings. Each year, the BBC publishes its report listing presenters and staff who earned more than 178,000 in the previous financial year. Only salaries that come directly from the licence fee are listed. Payments to presenters for other programmes made by independent production companies are not included. Nolan received his bumper pay packet for his work on Radio Ulsters Nolan Show, his 5 Live programme, and Nolan Live on BBC NI. Gary Lineker, who left his job hosting Match of the Day in May after 26 years at the helm, was once again the highest paid BBC star in 2024/25. He earned between 1,350,000 and 1,354,999. Second in the table was radio presenter Zoe Ball, who earned between 515,000 and 529,000, while Alan Shearer was the third highest-paid broadcast talent, receiving between 440,000 and 444,999 for his work on Match of the Day. Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Greg James had a pay packet of between 425,000 and 429,999, putting him fourth. Nick Robinson, who presents BBC Radio 4s Today programme, and Question Time host Fiona Bruce both earned between 410,000 and 414,999, coming in joint-fifth. Another Northern Ireland person on the list is BBC news presenter Annita McVeigh, who earned between 190,000 and 194,999. Irish journalist Caitriona Perry, chief BBC news presenter based in Washington, is also listed, with a salary between 185,000 and 189,999. BBC NI director Adam Smyth is included in the list, taking home between 178,000 and 184,999. Mr Smyths predecessor, Peter Johnston, was paid between 215,000 and 219,999. Mr Johnston is now the BBCs director of editorial complaints and reviews. The report also revealed that, on average, 64% of adults here consumed BBC Northern Ireland content each week across radio, TV and online the highest level of consumption of any UK nation or region. However, the BBC spent less in Northern Ireland than it took in from the licence fee, spending 97m on local content and receiving around 100m in 2024/25. The report also said hit cop drama Blue Lights boosted Northern Irelands economy by 20m across its first two series. Local people, places and talent featured in returning series of Blue Lights and Hope Street on BBC network television and Cra brought Irish language drama to a UK-wide audience, it said. Other new network commissions included Anna Haughs Big Irish Food Tour, First Communion and Teen Predator/Online Killer all of them locally produced with support from Northern Ireland Screen. Chronicles of the Sperrins, Give My Head Peace, House of the Year, Paula McIntyres Hamely Kitchen USA and The Priests: Faith and Fame allowed us to reflect other aspects of community life and experience. And there was comedy innovation with Fun Boys a co-commission with BBC Three. The report comes at a time when the BBC is under intense scrutiny following a series of controversies. These include a documentary on Gaza that was pulled after it emerged that the narrator was the son of a Hamas official and allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against MasterChef host Greg Wallace. News Catch Up - Tuesday 15th July Read more Gary Lineker named BBCs highest earner for the final time There has also been criticism of BBC decision-making relating to controversial sets at Glastonbury, including one by Belfast rap trio Kneecap. Questions have also been raised over the BBCs decision not to settle a libel case taken by Gerry Adams, which the corporation lost resulting in the former Sinn Fein president being awarded substantial damages. The report showed that 94% of adults in the UK are now using BBC services, on average, every month, with the company contributing 4.9bn to the UK economy in 2024/25. A total of 3.84bn was brought in via the licence fee, compared to 3.66bn in 2023/24. The BBC also had a commercial income of 2.16bn, up from 2023/24s 1.86bn. Speaking to the media upon the publication of the report, BBC director-general Tim Davie addressed some of the recent controversies. On the Gaza documentary, he said: Were taking action to ensure proper accountability, and were taking immediate steps to stop a failing like this being repeated. Now, overall, despite this mistake, I do want to credit thousands of people across the BBC who are delivering such brave, impartial journalism, despite immense challenges and very significant personal pressure. Personally, I remain utterly committed to delivering impartial coverage without fear or favour. Regarding an investigation which upheld 45 allegations made against Wallace over inappropriate behaviour, Mr Davie said: Were not going to tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. The industry needs to change, and we want to lead from the front. Myself and the BBC leadership team will not tolerate people who are behaving inappropriately. There is no place in or on the BBC for those who are not prepared to live by our values, whoever they are. Mr Davie added that we have already seen dismissals over inappropriate behaviour at the corporation, but did not elaborate. Three people have been taken to hospital following a serious two car collision in south Belfast on Monday afternoon. Police have since made an appeal for information in relation to the incident, which occurred on the Finaghy Road North area of the city before 1.30pm. One man, the driver of a Honda Civic, was injured as a result of the Ardmore Park junction crash. The motorist was taken to hospital, along with the driver of a Seat Arona, a man in his 70s, and his passenger, a woman in her late 60s. Police said the injuries are not believed to be life threatening at this point. We are investigating the circumstances leading up to this collision in this residential area, said a spokesperson. We would appeal to anyone who was in the area, who may have witnessed this or the events leading up to it, to contact us. Police are investigating the crash. (Stock image) News Catch Up - Tuesday 15th July We are particularly keen to speak to the driver of a third car, possibly white in colour, seen in the area at the time of the collision. Any dash-cam or doorbell footage covering Finaghy Road North or the surrounding area would also be useful to our enquiries. Witnesses and those with information have been urged to call 101 quoting reference number 850 of 14/07/25. Syrias defence minister announced a ceasefire shortly after government forces entered a key city in southern Sweida province, a day after sectarian clashes killed dozens there. Neighbouring Israel again launched strikes on Syrian military forces, saying it was protecting the Druze minority. The latest escalation under Syrias new leaders began with tit-for-tat kidnappings and attacks between local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed factions in the southern province, a centre of the Druze community. Clashes erupted between Sunni Bedouin clans and Druze militias (Ghaith Alsayed/AP) Syrian government forces, sent to restore order on Monday, also clashed with Druze armed groups. A ceasefire announcement On Tuesday, Syrian defence minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said an agreement was struck with the citys notables and dignitaries and that government forces would respond only to the sources of fire and deal with any targeting by outlaw groups. However, scattered clashes continued after his announcement as did allegations that security forces had committed violations against civilians. Syrias Interior Ministry said on Monday that more than 30 people had been killed, but has not updated the figures since. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, said on Tuesday that 166 people had been killed since Sunday, including five women and two children. Among them were 21 people killed in field executions by government forces, including 12 men in a rest house in the city of Sweida, it said. It did not say how many of the dead were civilians and also cited reports of members of the security forces looting and setting homes on fire. Syrian interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa said in a statement that he had tasked authorities with taking immediate legal action against anyone proven to have committed a transgression or abuse, regardless of their rank or position. Associated Press journalists in Sweida province saw forces at a government checkpoint searching cars and confiscating suspected stolen goods from both civilians and soldiers. A tank for the Syrian government forces carried on a truck withdraws from Sweida city on Daraa highway, southern Syria (Omar Sanadiki/AP) Israels involvement draws pushback Israeli airstrikes targeted government forces convoys heading into the provincial capital of Sweida and in other areas of southern Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Israel Katz said the strikes sought to prevent the Syrian regime from harming the Druze religious minority and to ensure disarmament in the area adjacent to our borders with Syria. In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. Meanwhile, Israeli cabinet member and minister of diaspora affairs Amichai Chikli called on X for Mr al-Sharaa to be eliminated without delay. Suspicion over Syrias new government Israel has taken an aggressive stance toward Syrias new leaders since Mr al-Sharaas Sunni Islamist insurgents ousted former president Bashar Assad in December, saying it does not want militants near its borders. Israeli forces have seized a UN-patrolled buffer zone on Syrian territory along the border with the Golan Heights and launched hundreds of airstrikes on military sites in Syria. Earlier on Tuesday, religious leaders of the Druze community in Syria called for armed factions that have been clashing with government forces to surrender their weapons and co-operate with authorities. Smoke rises from clashes between Syrian government forces and Druze militias in Sweida city (Omar Sanadiki/AP) One of the main Druze spiritual leaders later released a video statement retracting the call. Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, who has been opposed to the government in Damascus, said in the video that the initial Druze leaders statement had been issued after an agreement with the authorities in Damascus but that they broke the promise and continued the indiscriminate shelling of unarmed civilians. We are being subjected to a total war of annihilation, he claimed, without offering evidence. Some videos on social media showed armed fighters with Druze captives, beating them and, in some cases, forcibly shaving mens moustaches. Sectarian and revenge attacks The Druze religious sect began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. More than half the roughly one million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. Since Mr Assads fall, clashes have broken out several times between forces loyal to the new Syrian government and Druze fighters. The latest fighting has raised fears of more sectarian violence. In March, an ambush on government forces by Assad loyalists in another part of Syria triggered days of sectarian and revenge attacks. Hundreds of civilians were killed, most of them members of Assads minority Alawite sect. A commission was formed to investigate the attacks but no findings have been made public. The videos and reports of soldiers violations spurred outrage and protests by Druze communities in neighbouring Lebanon, northern Israel and in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights, where the Israeli military said dozens of protesters had crossed the border into Syrian territory. The violence drew international concern. The US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, called the violence worrisome on all sides in a post on. We are attempting to come to a peaceful, inclusive outcome for Druze, Bedouin tribes, the Syrian government and Israeli forces, he said. Ukrainians welcomed US President Donald Trumps pledge of more US-made weapons in their fight against Russias invasion, even though it is unclear what exactly they will get and how quickly. The time frame for further arms deliveries that European countries have agreed to pay for is crucial. Russia is making a summer push to break through along the 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) front line, and its drones and missiles are hammering Ukrainian cities more than at any time in the past three years. Firefighters put out the fire of a city hospital following a Russian attack in Sumy region, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Mr Trump for his willingness to support Ukraine. In Kyiv, resident Nina Tokar, 70, said that with more US weapons going to Ukraine, maybe this will all end faster. However, following Mr Trumps threat late last week to impose major sanctions on Russia for failing to reach a deal to end the fighting, the American president said that Moscow would get 50 days to come to a settlement or face very severe economic sanctions. While some believe strict tariffs on Moscow could be a game changer, the postponement until September struck others as being too long. For Russia, Mr Trumps delay of new sanctions is a reprieve. Senior Russian politician Konstantin Kosachev said: Oh, how much can change both on the battlefield and with the mood of those leading the US and Nato in 50 days. Russian state television pointed out that Mr Trumps decision would bring a bigger financial burden for Europe. Russia currently holds about 20% of Ukraine. Ukraines depleted army has recently been losing more territory, but there is no sign of a looming collapse on the front line, analysts say. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke to Mr Trump after the Republican leaders Oval Office announcement on Monday, expressing gratitude for the decision to send more Patriot air defence missiles that are vital to defend Ukrainian cities. Mr Zelensky said on Telegram: We discussed the necessary measures and decisions to provide greater protection for people from Russian attacks and strengthen our positions. We agreed to talk more often and co-ordinate our steps in the future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump have a notoriously fraught relationship Mystyslav Chernov/AP) Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky have had a notoriously fraught relationship, and Washingtons consent to providing more weaponry has eased Kyivs worries. Even so, some Ukrainians felt the US decision wont alter the course of the war. If we take the situation as a whole, it hardly looks like this will fundamentally change anything, Kyiv resident Oles Oliinyk, 33, told The Associated Press. Nina Tokar, 70, was also sceptical. I have very little faith in (Mr Trump). He says one thing today, and tomorrow he may say something else. A Ukrainian army officer fighting in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region said the 50-day delay on sanctions is a very long time. They (the Russians) will say, Give us two more weeks, and then in two weeks, Give us another week. It will drag on until October or November, he told AP, using only the call sign Cat in keeping with the rules of the Ukrainian military. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp agreed. I do believe that the 50 days that Mr Trump has announced is rather long. Its up to September 2. I think thats rather long. Firefighters tackle a fire following a Russian attack in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Much remains to be worked out about how the weapons, especially the Patriot systems, will be provided, Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said in Brussels on Tuesday. But, in an indication that Europe is relieved that the US hasnt walked away from the conflict, he added: The most important thing is that we now have an American readiness to deliver these most needed weapons. Some European countries, such as Hungary and Slovakia, still rely heavily on Russia for energy supplies and could be hit hard by Mr Trumps threatened secondary sanctions on countries that buy its oil and gas an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy. Lithuanias Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Mr Trumps 50-day delay was a signal for Europe to prepare ourselves, because we still have some member states that are exposed to imports of oil and oil products from Russia. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said it remains to be seen whether Mr Trumps announcement will be a turnaround but what is decisive is that the tone has changed. The presidents threat to impose sanctions after 50 days is significant progress, Mr Pistorius told ARD television. Troubled mum-of-three from Belfast leaves court with warning A former sex worker and blackmailer who targeted one of her teachers has walked free from court after assaulting police. Amie Danby was lucky she had kept her nose clean for the last 10 years before she entered guilty pleas to charges of attacking and resisting officers in May. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. POWNAL The Select Board and the town itself were praised recently for the way everyone handled a request to affirm the constitutional rights of all persons. Boards in several Vermont towns including Bennington, Shaftsbury, Manchester and Rutland approved similar resolutions in the wake of federal immigration authorities allegedly violating the rights of recent immigrants. The Pownal board approved a trimmed-down resolution on July 10, after members and residents had discussed and debated over two meetings the meaning of the gesture, whether it is needed, and how it should be worded. The board eventually voted unanimously Thursday to approve the following resolution: Whereas the town of Pownal Select Board, having considered the matter, it hereby resolves that the town of Pownal affirms its commitment to support the protections afforded to all people by the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Vermont. I think there was a very vigorous discussion, and I think I would say debate, said board member Jeannie Alexander, adding, I think we worked very hard at the end of that discussion to get to a point, to boil this down to a sentence that I think most people here felt very comfortable with. She said the board had then asked for those revisions and the revisions were made. The original resolution, which was submitted by an informal group of Pownal residents, contained four paragraphs and included references to the alleged illegal treatment of non-citizens and the equal protection and due process rights they are granted in the Constitution. It stated that the Constitution guarantees due process, equal protection and fundamental rights to all persons in the United States, regardless of citizenship, immigration status, race, religion, or political belief, adding, WHEREAS, recent actions by federal authorities, including detention of residents without due process, represent a violation of these constitutional protections; and WHEREAS the Pownal Select Board opposes any policy or action - local, state, or federal - that targets individuals based on who they are, where they come from, or what they believe or say, and defines Pownal as a community rooted in justice and the equal dignity of all; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Pownal affirms its commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of all people in our town, regardless of citizenship status, national origin, political belief, or any other identity. Extended discussion During a lengthy discussion in the first board meeting, several issues arose, such as whether the board should make the statement on its own or send the proposal to a townwide vote; whether the board should be spending time on what is primarily a national issue; and whether the resolution should be revised and shortened. A letter from resident Donna Lauzon also was read at the second meeting, in which Lauzon traced a number of the objections that had been raised. She said in part, Over the years, Selectboard deliberations, decisions, and actions (whether it be about ATVs, the debate over elected vs appointed town clerks and assessors, how to treat public comment, FOIA's etc.) have resulted in five people either earning the trust (and votes) of citizens or not. These issues, though difficult, were in fact municipal matters. [The] proposed resolution is not subject to selectboard approval or disapproval when one looks at the statutory requirements of a selectboard. It is a symbolic gesture that is being asked of selectboards by select individuals (and possibly special interest/partisan organizations) all over Vermont. She added, At one point during the [first board] meeting, the comment was made that to adopt it would, satisfy this group. What group exactly? It would seem that a group should identify themselves as such, especially if they have some formal organization such as the Democratic Caucus or similar. Do the selectboard members wish to engage in resolutions for all groups? If so, I can envision future selectboard meetings with hour-long resolutions of all kinds and possibly competing resolutions that simply have no legal standing, are non-binding, and enacted completely out of the scope of the board's legislative duties. She continued, When it was proposed that the wording simply say, all, that word became a point of issue, which leads me to believe that the resolution is inherently regarding a specific group of people. Does that mean in three months you might have to do another resolution for another group? For the record, the word ALL is in our Pledge of Allegiance, our Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. In discussing revisions, Select Board members indicated they hoped to create a straightforward statement that would refer to the rights of all people, including non-citizens, and pare down wording that might create controversy. Before the board voted Thursday, Chairman Mike Gardner noted that the discussion had remained civil throughout, adding, I think the public comment portion of that resolution and discussion -- I think it was incredibly respectful. He added that most have witnessed a lack of respect in town in the past, saying, There were times when there was no respect for peoples comments and their opinions. And I think if thats the only thing that we got out of one hour and 38 minutes, so be it. We got to hear from everybody. The board then voted 5-0 to approved the resolution as revised. 'Proud of our town' Amelia Silver, one of the residents who proposed the resolution to the board, said Thursday that after the meeting we had here last time, I came away so encouraged and proud of everybody here. There has been a lot of history and a lot of conflict and failure to listen in our town. She added, The respect that everyone showed was really heartening, and it just made me feel, once again, how lucky I am to live here. Silver said she understands the objections that were raised, including over the extended debate and discussion, but she said Americans have learned that democracy is messy and boring and takes a lot of time, and we often have long meetings. She noted that the original convention of representatives from the first states that led to the Constitution was very much an extended process, often involving long days of debate over nearly five months in 1787. Zeynep Tufekci is a New York Times columnist who writes about sociology and the social effects of technology. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. National Institute of Ophthalmology expands services in Pune July 15, 2025 | Tuesday | News The institute has launched new clinics in Baner and within its Aundh premises National Institute of Ophthalmology (NIO), one of the leading super-specialty eye care hospitals in India, has recently expanded its services and facilities in Pune. The reputed institute has launched 2 new clinics and has integrated surgical simulation equipment in order to reach more patients and upgrade its services for them. As part of its expansion, NIO has launched a new vision centre at Balewadiphata, Baner. This centre will make it a more accessible point for patients in or around Baner who need consultations, diagnosis and preliminary eye care services. As part of the launch for this vision centre, the organisation is conducting a free eye checkup for all visiting patients this month. Apart from this, the organization has also launched a specialized myopia clinic within its Aundh hospital. With rising demand for treatment of myopia or nearsightedness amongst children. The clinic will be focusing on early detection and diagnosis of children who have myopia. Besides this, the organization has recently upgraded its facilities in its Shivaji Nagar hospital with the installment of an Advanced Clinical Simulation Equipment. The new equipment has been integrated for the training of their resident doctors and Post Graduate fellows. This state-of-the-art equipment will be utilised in teaching resident doctors on how to diagnose patients when they come to their clinics. The equipment initially gives a random case situation which the students or the doctors have to diagnose. This is an efficient way of practicing and learning rather than diagnosing real patients which can be very time consuming, said Dr Aditya Kelkar, Director, NIO Super Specialty Hospital. Aspire Impact and Aspire Circle launch Indias first ESG Framework for Healthcare & Pharma July 15, 2025 | Tuesday | News Framework unveiled in New Delhi by 15 co-authors, corporate and investment CXOs Aspire Impact, a standards-based ESG, Sustainability & Impact Measurement and Ratings initiative, has launched a new research publication titled Healthcare: An ESG Performance Framework, jointly led by Aspire Circle and Aspire Impact under its Capgemini-supported Impact Future Project. The report was released at an event held in New Delhi, supported by Quadria Capital and HealthQuad. The gathering brought together senior representatives from hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, policymakers, and ESG leaders, including Fortis, Apollo, Quadria Capital, and Tata Capital Healthcare Fund. The framework introduces 80 sector-agnostic and 27 healthcare sector-specific indicators, offering a method to assess risks such as biomedical waste, antimicrobial resistance, and unequal access to care, while also identifying opportunities in areas like green hospital infrastructure, digital health, and affordable drug development. Significantly, the framework distinguishes between ESG risks and opportunities, enabling a sharper analysis of sector performance. This structure reflects the growing need to move beyond single blended ESG scores, especially in sectors as sensitive and high impact as pharmaceuticals and healthcare. Indias healthcare sector, which serves 1.4 billion people, is expected to reach $596 billion by 2025. Despite this scale, it accounts for just 6% of the total market capitalisation of the top 1,000 NSE-listed companies. With over 7.5 million employees, the sector spans hospitals, pharma, diagnostics, medical technology, and biotech, making ESG integration not only necessary but urgent. The report highlights how climate change, fragile supply chains, workforce burnout, and data security have become key ESG concerns in healthcare. Biomedical waste, energy use, and antimicrobial resistance are rising environmental risks. Meanwhile, inequity in access and weak data governance remain pressing social and governance challenges. These risks were laid bare during the pandemic and continue to affect service delivery and public trust. At the same time, the sector holds significant ESG opportunities, especially in renewable energy use, ethical supply chain practices, circular packaging models, and expanded reach through schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Jan Aushadhi. The framework also introduces performance metrics such as WHO prequalification of medicines, AMR management systems, and patient access under government health schemes. This is the third release in a 12-part series by Aspire Impact focusing on ESG performance across sectors. The earlier publications focused on core ESG KPIs and financial services sector. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code The European Commission is targeting 72 billion worth of US goods from Boeing aircraft and bourbon whiskey to cars for possible tariffs if trade talks with Washington fail. US president Donald Trump is threatening a 30 per cent tariff on imports from the EU from August 1st, a level European officials say is unacceptable and would end normal trade between two of the world's largest markets. Advertisement The list, sent to EU member states and seen by Reuters on Tuesday, pre-dates Trump's move over the weekend to ramp up pressure on the 27-nation bloc and responds instead to US duties on cars and car parts and a 10 per cent baseline tariff. The package also covers chemicals, medical devices, electrical and precision equipment as well as agriculture and food products a range of fruits and vegetables, along with wine, beer and spirits valued at 6.35 billion. The Irish Government had tried to convince the Commission not to target US bourbon whiskey, Boeing aircraft and agriculture produce in potential retaliatory tariffs. Ministers were concerned that hitting these US industries would have knock-on economic impacts for the same sectors in Ireland, or could draw even higher tariffs on Irish whiskey and agriculture produce from Mr Trump. Advertisement The proposed EU tariffs on the US aviation sector target aircraft manufacturer Boeing, which would be a significant blow to Dublin-based airline Ryanair, which buys planes from the aviation giant. Following a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels on Monday, officials said they were still seeking a deal to avoid Trump's heavy tariff blow. But EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said those at the meeting expressed unprecedented resolve to protect EU businesses using European countermeasures if negotiations with Washington fail to produce a deal. "The message was [the] strongest I've witnessed since we started the discussion with the US. And therefore we'll negotiate first, but we'll prepare at the same time," he said at a press conference. Advertisement French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday that Trump's new threat had "the appearance of blackmail", adding the priority was to find a trade agreement but not at the cost of becoming a "a vassal of the United States". Trump has warned Brussels against retaliation, stating that the US would match any new European levies by simply adding them to the 30 per cent rate. The European Commission, which oversees EU trade policy, has not yet specified a tariff rate for the products on its list. EU members will need to approve the package before it is implemented, and there is no specific date set for a vote. Advertisement The Commission would typically hear concerns from EU governments and then proceed with the countermeasures unless 15 countries oppose them. Ireland Simon Harris warns of Irish job losses if US impos... Read More Europe's drinks industry, which is heavily dependent upon the US market, has been lobbying governments to exclude bourbon or any wine and spirits from the EU's list due to fear of retaliation by Washington. France, Spain and Italy have expressed concern over the potential impact on their economies. Alcoholic drinks were removed from the EU's first package of tariffs approved in April. That package on 21 billion worth of US goods was immediately suspended to allow room for negotiations. Its suspension has now been extended to August 6th. European shares traded slightly higher on Tuesday, buoyed by automotive stocks, after Trump said on Monday he was open to talks with the EU and other trading partners. The Commission initially put forward the second package in May for a public consultation, earmarking some 95 billion worth of US goods for countermeasures. It has since been whittled down, though most of the main items have remained. Billie Piper has said she was thrilled to work with Tim Burton on the new series of Wednesday, describing the director as really childlike energetically. Piper plays Isadora Capri, the new head of music at Nevermore Academy, in the second series of the hit Netflix show, which is set to air next month. Advertisement The drama, which centres around Wednesday Addams of The Addams Family, stars American Jenna Ortega in the lead role, and also features a number of British actresses including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dame Joanna Lumley and Piper. Speaking to Radio Times, Piper described the character of Capri as a really accomplished musician with an interesting past of her own. The actress told the magazine she was quite overwhelmed to be working with Burton after admiring him for so long, and loved watching his films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Frankenweenie with her children. She added: I watched Beetlejuice so many times as a kid that I actually feel like it inspired the interiors in my house and the clothes I wear. I was fanatical. Advertisement Doctor Who star Piper said she was grateful to work with Burton. I realised I was dealing with someone whos really childlike energetically open and engaging and fun, she added. I love his energy. And thats what it feels like: like youre being painted into Tim Burtons piece of art, because its a very specific composition a lot of the time, and its striking. July 15, 2025: Two months before the devastating Israeli air strikes on Iranian military targets, there was another disaster at the port of Shahid Rajaee. Here some improperly stored chemicals caught fire and spread, killing 30 and injuring over a hundred. The chemical was sodium perchlorate, a key ingredient in solid fuel rocket motors. The June Israeli airstrikes destroyed the factories that used sodium perchlorate to manufacture rocket motors, as well as the plants that built the missiles. The sodium perchlorate was imported from China, which may be reluctant to resume shipments as it is now obvious that these shipments are for weapons, not just non-military products. Although China is the largest exporter of just about everything in the world, the Americans are deliberately cutting back on those imports by moving production back to the United States or countries that have long been allies or reliable trading partners. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases X Help Keep Us From Drying Up We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways: Belfast rap trio Kneecap have announced new tour dates to play their biggest run of shows ever across Britain. The move comes after Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May with a terrorism offence relating to displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at the O2 Forum in north London, during a gig in November 2024. Advertisement The group said their actions, including holding the Hezbollah flag, had been taken out of context. Announcing the news on Tuesday, the group which is made up of O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh shared a post on Instagram with the caption that read: Here we go. Were back in November across Scotland, England and Wales to play our biggest run of shows ever. All of ye can get a pre-sale link for tomorrow at 10am ahead of the masses by signing up to our mailer or WhatsApp channel. Advertisement The Prime Minster himself cant stop ushe could stop sending bombs to Israel but thats another story The group are known for speaking out against the war in Gaza, and recently performed to a sea of Palestinian flags during their set at Glastonbury Festival in June. They claim the controversies surrounding the group are part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israels actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. The group recently performed at Glasgows O2 Academy, in a gig which sold out in 80 seconds. Advertisement Ireland Kneecap banned from advertising on London Underg... Read More They were due to perform at TRNSMT festival in Glasgow, but their set was axed after concerns raised by police. Their tour will start in Bournemouth on November 14th before moving on to Liverpool, Newcastle and Glasgow. Kneecap will also perform in London at the previously announced show at OVO Arena Wembley on September 18th. An armed burglar who forced his way into the home of a woman and her autistic child and threatened to stab her has been jailed for three years and nine months. Daniel Kelly told gardai he was off his head on crack cocaine and heroin at the time of the offence and that he normally doesn't do both drugs at the same time, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Tuesday. Advertisement Kelly (36) of Kiltalown Road, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated burglary at an address in Dublin on July 6th, 2024. It is a charge that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Kelly has 71 previous convictions including for robbery and public order offences. The court heard Kelly's co-accused his former partner - knocked on the door of the house in question at around 3pm under the guise of trying to sell old clothes. When the homeowner answered the door, Kelly came out from around the side of the house, armed with a large kitchen knife. He forced his way into the hall and demanded money from the woman, telling her he would stab her if she didn't give it to him, Jane Murphy BL, prosecuting, said. Advertisement The woman's autistic child was present at the time and both were terrified and in total shock, the court heard. The woman handed over 20 from her purse and a box of cigarettes before Kelly and his partner fled the scene. The child was upset and distressed after the burglary and he and his mother are still in fear, the court heard. CCTV footage Kelly and his partner were identified from local CCTV footage and Kelly was arrested. He told gardai he was on drugs at the time and when asked if his partner was aware of what he was planning, he said: I'm not sure, even I didn't know. A bench warrant has been issued for this woman's arrest, the court heard. Advertisement Kelly has been in custody since March and is doing well, defence counsel said. He is on a methadone programme and has managed to reduce his intake. He was devastated to hear that the child in the house was autistic and was unaware of this fact at the time, defence counsel said. Ireland CHI apologies for delay in diagnosing liver cancer... Read More Kelly has a number of children and is due to become a grandfather soon, the court heard. Sentencing Kelly on Tuesday, Judge Orla Crowe noted the homeowner and her child were terrified as a result of the burglary. This was an invasion of a home with a knife, she said, adding it was a frightening experience for the woman and her vulnerable child. She took into account a number of mitigating factors, including Kelly's extremely difficult childhood, his plea of guilty and his efforts to rehabilitate from drugs, which she noted was no small achievement. She handed down a sentence of four years and six months and suspended the final nine months on a number of conditions. Childrens Health Ireland has unreservedly apologised for a delay in diagnosing childhood liver cancer in a little girl, who later died. Eveen Sheehy was only two and a half years old when she died six years ago. Advertisement The familys counsel, Oonah Mc Crann SC, instructed by Niamh Ni Mhurchu, solicitor, told the High Court it was their case there were multiple missed opportunities, missed diagnosis and a delay in treatment. Eveens family, counsel said, are tortured by the what if. The case was before the court as the Sheehy family settled an action against Childrens Health Ireland over Eveens death. In a letter which was read to the court, Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) unreservedly apologised for the delay in diagnosis and acknowledged the impact and trauma of Eveens passing on the family. Advertisement The letter, which was signed by CHI CEO Lucy Nugent, added: We acknowledge and deeply regret the delay in Eveens diagnosis and again would like to express our deepest condolences on the loss of your daughter. Ciaran Sheehy, Tuam, Co Galway, had sued Childrens Health Ireland over the death of his daughter, Eveen. Counsel told the court that Eveen was born with a congenital heart condition and had a number of hospitalisations and surgeries. She said a CT scan in February 2018, which included some of the childs upper abdomen, was erroneously reported as normal. Advertisement Counsel said that in October of that year, it was noted that the little girl had an enlarged liver, and it should have been fully investigated. Ms McCrann said Eveen had an MRI scan of her abdomen at the Crumlin hospital in May 2019, and the liver cancer diagnosis was made. She was started on chemotherapy, but it was decided the little girl was not a candidate for liver resection or a liver transplant and to the enormous grief and distress of her family, she died on December 18th 2019. In the proceedings, it was claimed that in February 2018, while in CHI Crumlin, Eveen had a scan which showed some of the upper abdomen. Advertisement The upper abdomen was recorded as unremarkable when, it is claimed, the images showed an abnormality in the liver at the periphery of the CT scan. Had the abnormality, which was a 2cm rounded area, been noted and reported, it is claimed that the baby would have undergone further scans, including an MRI and blood tests. It was contended that on the balance of probabilities, Eveen would have had a diagnosis within a week or two. It was claimed there was a failure to report an abnormality in the liver at the periphery of the CT scan in February 2018. There was, it was claimed, a gross delay in the diagnosis of EV with liver cancer, resulting in a consequent delay in the commencement of treatment and reduction in treatment options. Noting the settlement and approving the division of the 35,000 statutory mental distress payment, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was a particularly tragic case. The judge extended his deepest sympathy to Eveens parents, Ciaran and Sandra Sheehy and her sister Brianna and the wider family. Former justice minister Alan Shatter has claimed that the Occupied Territories Bill could cause enormous damage to the economy in this country if enacted. The Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory ( Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 seeks to ban the trade of goods with illegal Israeli settlements. Advertisement Last month Tanaiste Simon Harris said he hoped the action being taken by Ireland will inspire other countries to do the same. He argued that the legislation would help contribute to long-term efforts to achieve a sustainable peace on the basis of the two-State solution. Consideration of the bill will resume at the Oireachtas Committee of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. Former Fine Gael politician, Alan Shatter, told Newstalk Breakfast that the legislation could have unintended consequences. I know from my past experience as a member of the Dail for over 30 years, that when theres a political consensus across all parties, the difficulty is that critical faculties are suspended. Advertisement Rather than this bill in any way remotely contributing to resolving the tragic, ongoing Israel-Gaza war, or to resolving ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its really a Father Ted-like provision; of no relevance of any description for resolving conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. It does have the potential to do enormous damage to Ireland, to our economy, to our reputation. Mr Shatter said that that the legislation would make Ireland utterly and completely irrelevant in relation to any talks about conflict resolution in the region. Advertisement He stressed that there are minimal imports into this country from the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The bill indicates that with respect of the Irish Government, that no Jewish person should reside or work in East Jerusalem or on the West Bank. So, this will be the first time, a bill enacted by a European Parliament... specifically targets Jews. We havent had that since the end of the Nazi regime in 1945. Mr Shatter warns that the bill is a flagrant breach of European Union law given Irelands membership of the Customs Union. This is an exclusive area of European Union competence and there are very specific legal positions relating to this - despite all the political rhetoric around it. And also, if this bill is enacted, it will seriously impact on the post-Brexit arrangements for the free movement of goods between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. A jury has viewed CCTV footage showing 73-year-old Tom Niland walking into a shop near his house in Sligo about two hours before it is alleged three men broke into his home and assaulted him, leaving him with injuries that caused his death 20 months later. Gda Niall McDonald told Tony McGillicuddy SC, prosecuting, that he created a montage from hours of footage downloaded from various CCTV systems in Sligo and Mayo following the assault on Mr Niland on January 18th, 2022. Advertisement Gda McDonald described the movements of a white van travelling around Dromore West and Ballina that morning and afternoon. He said the van appeared to be a Vauxhall Vivaro and he pointed out distinctive characteristics, including a yellow number plate, writing on the side and a green stain on the roof. Just after 1.30pm, a van with those markings pulled into Casey's garage in Ballina. The garda identified the driver as Francis Harman (58) of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, and the passenger as John Clarke (37) of Carrowkelly, Ballina. Advertisement Mr McGillicuddy previously told the jury that the prosecution intends to prove that Mr Harman, Mr Clarke and the man currently on trial, John Irving (31) of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, assaulted Mr Niland later that evening, leaving him with fatal injuries. It is further alleged that they stole Mr Niland's wallet. At Casey's, Gda McDonald said Mr Clarke put fuel into the van before entering the shop. From footage inside the shop, the garda said Mr Clarke can be seen attempting to buy cans of alcohol at the till, but then returning the cans to the off-licence section of the store. He said Mr Harman entered the shop and engaged with staff and the manager before leaving and driving off in the van. At 4.35pm, Gda McDonald said Mr Niland arrived at Feeney's Centra in Dromore West, about 7.5 kilometres from his home. He parked his car and went into the shop, stopping to speak to a man on the way in. Advertisement Between 6pm and 7pm, the prosecution alleges that Mr Irving, Mr Harman and Mr Clarke broke through Mr Niland's door, assaulted him and left. Gda McDonald said at 6.01pm, a van similar to the one driven earlier by Mr Harman with Mr Clarke in the passenger seat did a U-turn at an agri-store and travelled towards Mr Niland's house, which was nearby. The van was not seen again on cameras further along the same road, the garda said. Mr Irving faces four charges in total. It is alleged that he unlawfully killed Mr Niland at Mr Niland's home at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo by assaulting him on January 18th, 2022. Advertisement Mr Niland was admitted to hospital after neighbours discovered him crossing the N59 covered in blood and with his eyes swollen shut. A doctor has told the jury that Mr Niland suffered bleeding to the brain, a fracture to the orb of his right eye and multiple fractures to the ribs on the right side. Despite initially making progress in hospital, he deteriorated on January 26th and required a ventilator to breathe. He died on September 30th, 2023, aged 75. Mr Irving is accused of entering Mr Niland's home as a trespasser and causing him serious harm. He is further alleged to have intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Mr Niland and to have falsely imprisoned him. Mr Irving has pleaded not guilty to all four charges. Gardai are investigating a stabbing incident in Dublin city centre which has left one man seriously injured. The incident took place shortly after 8:30pm on Monday on James Joyce Street. Advertisement The man received stab wounds to his left leg after another man on a bicycle allegedly stabbed him, it is understood. Passers-by quickly came to the mans aid and managed to give him first aid. Gardai and emergency services were soon on the scene and cordoned off the street to the public. In a statement, gardai said that an adult male sustained injuries during the course of the incident. He received treatment at the scene and was subsequently transported by ambulance to the Mater Hospital. His injuries are understood to be serious but not life-threatening. Gardai added that the scene has been preserved for forensic examination and their investigations are ongoing. The British parliaments rules watchdog has three-and-a-half months to decide whether to release a secret transcript, amid efforts to establish whether the 1998 Omagh bombing could have been prevented. Omagh Bombing Inquiry solicitor Tim Suter has asked for information about an allegation that police investigators into previous attacks in Moira, Portadown, Banbridge and Lisburn did not have access to intelligence materials which may have reasonably enabled them to disrupt the activities of dissident republican terrorists in the Co Tyrone town. Advertisement The allegation is thought to have been made during a private session of the Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee almost 16 years ago, on November 11th, 2009. Conservative MP Simon Hoare warned there was no wriggle room in the UK parliaments rules to hand over the information to the inquiry without MPs say-so, because it previously went unreported. Commons committees can refrain from reporting evidence in certain circumstances, for example, if it contains information which is prejudicial to the public interest. British MPs tasked the Commons Privileges Committee with looking at the 2009 transcript. Advertisement This seven-member group has until October 30th to decide whether to report and publish the evidence, which was originally given to the House by former senior police officer Norman Baxter. It is very hard for the House to decide whether or not to release evidence it has not seen and cannot see before the decision is made, Mr Hoare warned. It is particularly difficult in this case, as that evidence may contain sensitive information. The North Dorset MP added that the Privileges Committee might simply decide to publish it. Advertisement Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry Lord Turnbull (PA) But the agreed motion will give the committee power to make an alternative recommendation on the desirability or otherwise of the release of the evidence to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry. Privileges Committee chairman Alberto Costa, the Conservative MP for South Leicestershire, told MPs that his organisation stands ready to deal with this matter. Ireland UK government has 'plain duty' to assist Omagh inq... Read More The independent inquiry chaired by Lord Turnbull will consider whether the Omagh bombing could reasonably have been prevented by UK state authorities. The dissident republican bomb exploded in the Co Tyrone town on August 15th, 1998, killing 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins. Advertisement Mr Hoare agreed with DUP MP for Strangford Jim Shannon, who was born in Omagh, after he told the Commons that justice should be at the forefront of all right honourable and honourable members minds during this process. A youth described as 'failed by the State' born in prison, predisposed to addiction from infancy, and having spent his life in care has been spared a custodial sentence for theft. The harrowing background was revealed when the now 18-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing 360 worth of clothes from a sportswear outlet in Tallaght, Dublin, on November 24th last. Advertisement He cannot be named because he was 17 at the time of the offence and a juvenile when charged. At the Dublin Children's Court sentence hearing, Martin Dwan BL, defending, referred to the contents of a pre-sentence probation report and another from his guardian ad litem (GAL), a specialist appointed by a court to represent the best interests of a child in legal proceedings. Counsel detailed the teen's background, telling Judge Brendan Toale that the youth had been born in prison because his mother had been in custody and had serious addiction issues. He was also born with foetal alcoholism, and Mr Dwan emphasised the youth's "tragic start in life", likening it to a "heavy millstone around his neck". From infancy, he was in care, but at the age of six, he was placed in a foster home with a family, remaining there for a decade, where he had "stability and a good nurturing life". Advertisement However, the youth was "taken out" of that placement and later relocated to care homes around the country, lacking parental guidance. Mr Dwan quoted another judge, who dealt with one of the youth's earlier cases, that he was "absolutely failed by the State in that regard". An eleventh-hour GAL report was drafted when he turned 18 and reached adulthood, as Tusla implemented an aftercare plan. The youth listened intently but did not address the proceedings. Advertisement The court heard that due to his mother's drinking problems, the teen was predisposed to addiction. Mr Dwan elaborated about how the teen went on to attend child and adolescent mental health services with issues including PTSD. The court heard that some problems coincided with the ending of his long-term foster placement; the teenager connected with his family and started to come to garda attention, while abusing alcohol and drugs, which he had a predisposition to from birth. At one stage, the substance abuse induced psychosis, resulting in the teen being hospitalised. Judge Toale noted the pre-sentence report assessed the young man as being at moderate risk of reoffending. He also noted the contents of the GAL report and what he termed the "extraordinary background" to the case, and placed the teenager on supervised probation for six months. During that time, he must not reoffend and must comply with the directions of his probation officer to divert him from further offending; otherwise, the case could be reopened and a harsher penalty considered. Residents were left badly shaken after a reported arson attack outside a property in Portadown, Co Armagh, police have said. Detectives in Lurgan are appealing for information and witnesses following the report of arson in the early hours of Monday. Advertisement At approximately 1.15am, it was reported that two fires had been started outside a property in the Garvaghy Park area, causing significant damage. While no injuries were reported, the PSNI said: Residents were left badly shaken by the incident. Three people were seen making off from the scene in the direction of the Garvaghy Road. The report is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life. Advertisement A PSNI spokesperson said: Anyone who may have witnessed anyone suspicious or anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with inquires are asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 124 14/07/25. A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/. Syrias defence minister announced a ceasefire shortly after government forces entered a key city in southern Sweida province, a day after sectarian clashes killed dozens there. Neighbouring Israel again launched strikes on Syrian military forces, saying it was protecting the Druze minority. Advertisement The latest escalation under Syrias new leaders began with tit-for-tat kidnappings and attacks between local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed factions in the southern province, a centre of the Druze community. Clashes erupted between Sunni Bedouin clans and Druze militias (Ghaith Alsayed/AP) Syrian government forces, sent to restore order on Monday, also clashed with Druze armed groups. A ceasefire announcement On Tuesday, Syrian defence minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said an agreement was struck with the citys notables and dignitaries and that government forces would respond only to the sources of fire and deal with any targeting by outlaw groups. However, scattered clashes continued after his announcement as did allegations that security forces had committed violations against civilians. Advertisement Syrias Interior Ministry said on Monday that more than 30 people had been killed, but has not updated the figures since. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, said on Tuesday that 166 people had been killed since Sunday, including five women and two children. Among them were 21 people killed in field executions by government forces, including 12 men in a rest house in the city of Sweida, it said. It did not say how many of the dead were civilians and also cited reports of members of the security forces looting and setting homes on fire. Advertisement Syrian interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa said in a statement that he had tasked authorities with taking immediate legal action against anyone proven to have committed a transgression or abuse, regardless of their rank or position. Associated Press journalists in Sweida province saw forces at a government checkpoint searching cars and confiscating suspected stolen goods from both civilians and soldiers. A tank for the Syrian government forces carried on a truck withdraws from Sweida city on Daraa highway, southern Syria (Omar Sanadiki/AP) Israels involvement draws pushback Israeli airstrikes targeted government forces convoys heading into the provincial capital of Sweida and in other areas of southern Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Israel Katz said the strikes sought to prevent the Syrian regime from harming the Druze religious minority and to ensure disarmament in the area adjacent to our borders with Syria. Advertisement In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. Meanwhile, Israeli cabinet member and minister of diaspora affairs Amichai Chikli called on X for Mr al-Sharaa to be eliminated without delay. Suspicion over Syrias new government Israel has taken an aggressive stance toward Syrias new leaders since Mr al-Sharaas Sunni Islamist insurgents ousted former president Bashar Assad in December, saying it does not want militants near its borders. Israeli forces have seized a UN-patrolled buffer zone on Syrian territory along the border with the Golan Heights and launched hundreds of airstrikes on military sites in Syria. Advertisement Earlier on Tuesday, religious leaders of the Druze community in Syria called for armed factions that have been clashing with government forces to surrender their weapons and co-operate with authorities. Smoke rises from clashes between Syrian government forces and Druze militias in Sweida city (Omar Sanadiki/AP) One of the main Druze spiritual leaders later released a video statement retracting the call. Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, who has been opposed to the government in Damascus, said in the video that the initial Druze leaders statement had been issued after an agreement with the authorities in Damascus but that they broke the promise and continued the indiscriminate shelling of unarmed civilians. We are being subjected to a total war of annihilation, he claimed, without offering evidence. Some videos on social media showed armed fighters with Druze captives, beating them and, in some cases, forcibly shaving mens moustaches. Sectarian and revenge attacks The Druze religious sect began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. More than half the roughly one million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. Since Mr Assads fall, clashes have broken out several times between forces loyal to the new Syrian government and Druze fighters. The latest fighting has raised fears of more sectarian violence. In March, an ambush on government forces by Assad loyalists in another part of Syria triggered days of sectarian and revenge attacks. Hundreds of civilians were killed, most of them members of Assads minority Alawite sect. A commission was formed to investigate the attacks but no findings have been made public. The videos and reports of soldiers violations spurred outrage and protests by Druze communities in neighbouring Lebanon, northern Israel and in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights, where the Israeli military said dozens of protesters had crossed the border into Syrian territory. The violence drew international concern. The US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, called the violence worrisome on all sides in a post on. We are attempting to come to a peaceful, inclusive outcome for Druze, Bedouin tribes, the Syrian government and Israeli forces, he said. A majority of Europeans favour an independent Scotland being allowed into the European Union though a third of Britons would be opposed to this, a survey has found. YouGov questioned people living in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Spain on their views on the prospect of an independent Scotland becoming part of the EU. Advertisement Support across these nations for Scotland to join the EU ranged from just under two-thirds (63 per cent) to three-quarters (75 per cent). But across Great Britain where more than 2,000 people were polled less than half (46 per cent) said they would back an independent Scotland being part of the EU, with 32 per cent saying they would oppose this. The research was carried out despite British prime minister Keir Starmer having made clear he has no plans to allow a second vote on Scotland leaving the UK. Just last month the Labour leader said having another ballot on the issue is not a priority and he cannot imagine one taking place while he is in Downing Street. Advertisement And while the British government recently announced a new agreement with the EU, there is no prospect of the UK seeking to rejoin the trading bloc as things stand. British prime minister Keir Starmer has made clear having a second vote on Scottish independence is not a priority. Photo: Isabel Infantes/PA YouGovs research comes almost a decade on from the 2016 Brexit referendum, which saw the UK as a whole vote to leave the EU, while Scotland voted to remain. The latest poll found 63 per cent of French people surveyed would support an independent Scotland joining the EU, with only 13 per cent opposed. In Italy, 64 per cent favour Scotland being allowed to join, with 11 per cent against, broadly similar to Spain where 65 per cent said they would support an independent Scotland in the EU while 13 per cent are opposed to this. Advertisement In Germany, support was higher at 68 per cent, with only 10 per cent of people polled against an independent Scotland being part of the EU, while in Denmark three-quarters (75 per cent) of people back Scotland being part of the trading block, with 6 per cent against this. Ukrainians welcomed US President Donald Trumps pledge of more US-made weapons in their fight against Russias invasion, even though it is unclear what exactly they will get and how quickly. The time frame for further arms deliveries that European countries have agreed to pay for is crucial. Advertisement Russia is making a summer push to break through along the 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) front line, and its drones and missiles are hammering Ukrainian cities more than at any time in the past three years. Firefighters put out the fire of a city hospital following a Russian attack in Sumy region, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Mr Trump for his willingness to support Ukraine. In Kyiv, resident Nina Tokar, 70, said that with more US weapons going to Ukraine, maybe this will all end faster. However, following Mr Trumps threat late last week to impose major sanctions on Russia for failing to reach a deal to end the fighting, the American president said that Moscow would get 50 days to come to a settlement or face very severe economic sanctions. Advertisement While some believe strict tariffs on Moscow could be a game changer, the postponement until September struck others as being too long. For Russia, Mr Trumps delay of new sanctions is a reprieve. Senior Russian politician Konstantin Kosachev said: Oh, how much can change both on the battlefield and with the mood of those leading the US and Nato in 50 days. Russian state television pointed out that Mr Trumps decision would bring a bigger financial burden for Europe. Advertisement Russia currently holds about 20% of Ukraine. Ukraines depleted army has recently been losing more territory, but there is no sign of a looming collapse on the front line, analysts say. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke to Mr Trump after the Republican leaders Oval Office announcement on Monday, expressing gratitude for the decision to send more Patriot air defence missiles that are vital to defend Ukrainian cities. Mr Zelensky said on Telegram: We discussed the necessary measures and decisions to provide greater protection for people from Russian attacks and strengthen our positions. Advertisement We agreed to talk more often and co-ordinate our steps in the future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump have a notoriously fraught relationship Mystyslav Chernov/AP) Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky have had a notoriously fraught relationship, and Washingtons consent to providing more weaponry has eased Kyivs worries. Even so, some Ukrainians felt the US decision wont alter the course of the war. If we take the situation as a whole, it hardly looks like this will fundamentally change anything, Kyiv resident Oles Oliinyk, 33, told The Associated Press. Advertisement Nina Tokar, 70, was also sceptical. I have very little faith in (Mr Trump). He says one thing today, and tomorrow he may say something else. A Ukrainian army officer fighting in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region said the 50-day delay on sanctions is a very long time. They (the Russians) will say, Give us two more weeks, and then in two weeks, Give us another week. It will drag on until October or November, he told AP, using only the call sign Cat in keeping with the rules of the Ukrainian military. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp agreed. I do believe that the 50 days that Mr Trump has announced is rather long. Its up to September 2. I think thats rather long. Firefighters tackle a fire following a Russian attack in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Much remains to be worked out about how the weapons, especially the Patriot systems, will be provided, Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said in Brussels on Tuesday. But, in an indication that Europe is relieved that the US hasnt walked away from the conflict, he added: The most important thing is that we now have an American readiness to deliver these most needed weapons. Some European countries, such as Hungary and Slovakia, still rely heavily on Russia for energy supplies and could be hit hard by Mr Trumps threatened secondary sanctions on countries that buy its oil and gas an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy. Lithuanias Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Mr Trumps 50-day delay was a signal for Europe to prepare ourselves, because we still have some member states that are exposed to imports of oil and oil products from Russia. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said it remains to be seen whether Mr Trumps announcement will be a turnaround but what is decisive is that the tone has changed. The presidents threat to impose sanctions after 50 days is significant progress, Mr Pistorius told ARD television. His shareholders, however, want him to devote himself to Tesla, rather than his other ventures (xAI, SpaceX, The Boring Company, etc) or politics, where he recently announced plans to launch the America Party to challenge Republicans and Democrats. Now they may be asked to approve a multibillion-dollar investment in an AI business that Musk has previously said is developing AI quite different from Teslas. Tesla has a number of its own issues to deal with. Credit: Bloomberg The companies do have existing links. xAI buys batteries more than $US200 million of them so far from Tesla. Its Grok chatbot may also be deployed within Teslas autos. However, its not the synergies driving Musks interest in tapping Teslas cash reserves. Its xAIs insatiable appetite for cash. The AI vehicle is haemorrhaging cash at a rate of more than $US1 billion a month. According to Bloomberg, it expects to burn $US13 billion this year. It has been reported that, in presentations to potential debt and equity providers, it has said it expects to generate about $US500 million in revenue this year (OpenAIs ChatGPT is forecast to generate nearly $US13 billion) and $US2 billion next year. It doesnt expect to be profitable until 2027 or become cashflow positive before 2029. Tesla shareholders do tend to invest in Musk the individual as much, if not more, than they do in Teslas EV-manufacturing future, so would probably be expected to ratify an investment, or series of investments, in xAI. That means, to continue funding its development, it has to raise a lot of equity and debt. Its rivals OpenAI, Google, Meta and Anthropic (backed by Amazon and Google) are all spending vast amounts of cash on their AI models but all of them have access to vast resources. Musks xAI has raised a lot of money since it launched in March last year and attracted $US6 billion at a valuation of only $US18 billion. It raised another $US6 billion in December, at a valuation that had jumped to about $US50 billion, and another $US10 billion of equity and debt in March, when xAI merged with Musks X social media platform. In that deal, xAI was valued at $US80 billion and the merged entitys equity base at $US113 billion. Now its reported to be looking to attract more debt and equity another $US5 billion of equity and a similar amount of debt. Loading SpaceX has apparently committed $US2 billion while Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund, which has an indirect interest in a $US800 million stake in xAI, may also contribute. Now, Tesla shareholders will be asked to allow Tesla to inject some of its cash. The valuation range being used for the raising is a whopping $US170 billion to $US200 billion. Not bad for a company valued at less than $US20 billion little more than a year ago. With about half that cash, if it is raised, expected to be chewed up within three months, it is almost inevitable that xAIs backers will be asked for further contributions before the end of this year, presumably at an even higher valuation. There is some industrial logic to closer ties, if not a merger (which Musk has ruled out emphatically) between xAI, its X social media platform and Tesla. Tesla user data and Xs user base could provide cheap or free access to vast amounts of data needed to train AI models and create a feedback loop that could help develop Teslas own operations, particularly its robots, while Grok could provide an AI interface for Tesla drivers and robotaxi passengers. xAi is bleeding cash at an alarming rate. Credit: Bloomberg While Grok has had its teething problems, partly because of Musks determination that it shouldnt be woke it recently praised Hitler while sharing antisemitic posts on X and said a Holocaust-like response to hatred against whites could be effective Musk has claimed that it performs better than its rivals. It is conceivable that, while the Tesla investment case for supporting xAIs fund-raising might be less than compelling, with only modest synergies, the argument for a stake simply as a potentially lucrative, albeit risky, investment might appeal to some shareholders. Loading Tesla shareholders do tend to invest in Musk the individual as much, if not more, than they do in Teslas EV-manufacturing future, so would probably be expected to ratify an investment, or series of investments, in xAI. The fact that he has had to tap SpaceX, which is also planning to raise new capital at a valuation of around $US400 billion and may access Teslas cash, suggests that xAI hasnt found it easy to attract funds from unaligned investors. Musk has had to turn to his private network and the one listed entity that, through the force of his personality and record as an entrepreneur rather than his 13 per cent shareholding, he effectively controls. Doco fallout Earlier this year, UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy questioned why no one at the BBC had lost their job over the programs airing. The broadcasters director-general, Tim Davie, had told lawmakers that the BBC received hundreds of complaints alleging that the documentary was biased against Israel as well as hundreds more criticising the programs removal from its streaming service. Directors Ken Loach and Mike Leigh and actor Riz Ahmed were among 500 media figures who signed a letter published by Artists for Palestine UK saying a political campaign to discredit the program risked dehumanising Palestinian voices in the media. BBC director-general Tim Davie is fighting criticism of the broadcaster on several fronts. Credit: AP Davie said that the report identified a significant failing in relation to accuracy in the documentary. Hoyo Films apologised for the mistake. Both firms said they would prevent similar errors in the future. Separately, more than 100 BBC journalists wrote a letter to Davie earlier this month criticising the broadcasters decision not to air another documentary, Gaza: Medics Under Fire. They expressed concerns it wasnt reporting without fear or favour when it comes to Israel. The decision suggested that the BBC was an organisation that is crippled by the fear of being perceived as critical of the Israeli government, that letter said. The BBC has been under intense scrutiny for its coverage touching on the war in Gaza. Last month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and others condemned the broadcaster for livestreaming a performance by rap punk duo Bob Vylan, who led crowds at Glastonbury Festival in chanting death to the Israeli military. The Israel-Hamas war started after the militant group led an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1200 people and taking 251 hostage. Most of the hostages have been released in earlier ceasefires. Israels offensive in Gaza has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The ministry, under Gazas Hamas-run government, doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count. The UN and other international organisations see its figures as the most reliable statistics on war casualties. MasterChef report lands The BBC said on Monday it will no longer work with MasterChef host Gregg Wallace after a report found that dozens of misconduct allegations made against the hit cooking show presenter were upheld. The report, led by a law firm, said 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Wallace during his time on the show between 2005 and 2018 were substantiated. It said the majority of the claims related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, with a smaller number of allegations about Wallace being in a state of undress and one incident of unwelcome physical contact. Wallace, 60, stepped away from hosting the hit BBC reality show, which is made by an independent production company, last year while an investigation was launched into allegations by multiple women that he made inappropriate sexual comments and behaved inappropriately over almost two decades. Gregg Wallace (right) with MasterChef UK co-host John Torode. The BBC has come under pressure over how it handles sexual misconduct allegations and how Wallace had continued to front some of its most popular shows for so long despite the complaints. The broadcaster issued a statement of apology, adding Wallaces return to MasterChef is untenable. The BBC has informed Mr Wallace we have no plans to work with him in future, it said. Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour, both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC. The broadcaster previously said that Wallace was warned by his employers after a complaint in 2018, and an internal investigation at the time found his behaviour was unacceptable and unprofessional. The latest investigation found that there was little or no formal training or clear escalation procedures in place for staff many of those working on the show were freelancers leading to underreporting and normalisation of inappropriate behaviour. Loading Wallace has strongly denied the claims, and previously stated that he will not be cancelled for convenience. He said in a statement Monday that he was deeply sorry for any distress his behaviour caused, though he maintained that none of the most serious allegations against him were upheld. Some of my humour and language missed the mark. I never set out to harm or humiliate, he said. In December, he drew an angry backlash after he alleged that complaints about his behaviour came from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age. MasterChef is one of the BBCs most popular and long-running competition shows, spawning numerous spin-offs and adaptations in other countries, including MasterChef Australia. Caroline Dinenage, who chairs parliaments culture, media and sport committee, said there was still a long way to go to tackle inappropriate behaviour in the creative industry when complainants still find it easier to take their allegations to the press rather than use internal processes. Downing Street said it welcomed the BBC severing its ties with Wallace. Were clear that appropriate steps must be taken to ensure abuses of power are prevented from happening in the future, a spokesman said. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Save this article for later Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Regional Italian cooking rules at Vineria Luisa, the next chapter in Anna and Alessandro Pavonis inner-west expansion. 1 / 13 The upstairs dining room at Vineria Luisa. Flavio Brancaleone 2 / 13 A waiter carries (clockwise from left) lasagne, lamb porchetta and spatzle with parsley and garlic soffritto. Flavio Brancaleone 3 / 13 Gianmarcos lasagne alla Bolognese with slow-cooked pork, beef and veal ragu. Supplied 4 / 13 Erbazzone is a wild greens pie from the Reggio-Emilia region of Italy. Supplied 5 / 13 Chicken liver pate with orange marmalade on crostini. Supplied 6 / 13 The downstairs bar. Flavio Brancaleone 7 / 13 Lamb porchetta filled with pork, rolled and served with kale and celeriac puree. Supplied 8 / 13 Pisarei pasta with cannellini beans, tomato sugo and Parmigiano Reggiano. Supplied 9 / 13 Food being prepared in the Vineria Luisa kitchen. Flavio Brancaleone 10 / 13 Luisas tiramisu. Supplied 11 / 13 Spatzle with mixed mushroom trifolati and parsley and garlic soffritto. Supplied 12 / 13 Culaccia prosciutto with pickled dwarf green peaches and Sardinian flat bread. Supplied 13 / 13 The dining room has been given a fresh look. Flavio Brancaleone Previous Slide Next Slide With a facade thats barely been touched for 70 years, the former home of Marie-Louise Salon and more recently Bar Louise from the Porteno team will attract all eyes in Enmore this week when Anna and Alessandro Pavoni will relaunch the iconic inner-west site as Vineria Luisa. The downstairs bar at Luisa, on Enmore Road, opens today, followed by the first-floor dining room on Thursday. Its equal parts vineria and gintoneria, and Alessandro Pavoni says theyve tapped the gin boom happening in Italy over the past decade, with gin from around the globe, gin-based cocktails and house-made tonics, not to mention a Euro-centric wine list. Owners Alessandro and Anna Pavoni at Vineria Luisa. Flavio Brancaleone But its food Pavoni is best known for, with a growing stable of venues that sweep Ormeggio at The Spit, aMare at Crown Sydney and Postino Osteria in nearby Summer Hill. Pavoni says hes flexing some Italian muscle and exploring new territory with Vineria Luisas opening menu. First, Winstons backstory. In 1943, the UKs wartime prime minister, Winston Churchill, asked Australia for a platypus to add to his menagerie of exotic pets. He was advised by his closest friend, wartime minister for information Brendan Bracken, that the Australian government had suspended its much-cherished law about preventing platypus[es] from leaving the country. The page from the logbook on the day that Winston was found dead. Credit: Fleay Collection, Australian Museum With a platypus set to arrive, Bracken urged Churchill to send his cat Nelson into exile. That pussy could (and probably would) slaughter the platypus in a few fell minutes, Bracken wrote. And so it was that in the midst of WWII on October 2, 1943, a young and healthy platypus, named Winston for his future owner, set sail in a custom-built platypussary for England. Ewan Cowan, Holly Butler, Angela Liang and Zaki reveal that Winstons death was kept secret during the war, and document the fate of other platypuses sent abroad by sea. As part of a cross-disciplinary course, a dozen students worked for 12 weeks at the Australian Museum with its head of archives, Dr Vanessa Finney, to digitise and explore a newly acquired collection, a bequest from the naturalist, zoo owner and educator David Fleay (1907-1993). David Fleay, a serious scientist and a showman, with a platypus in an image bequeathed to the museum. Credit: Fleay Collection, Australian Museum It included the ships logbook and glass lantern slides made by Fleay, a fanatical photographer. Finney said Fleay had been a serious scientist and showman with an eye for a great story. Behind that was a serious intent to promote and protect Australian wildlife, she said. Fleay had caught six puggles and chose Winston for his namesake. The young platypus was a little beauty and possessed all the attributes of self-possession and good condition so essential to the trials ahead. Working with Finney, the students discovered who and what was really to blame for Winstons death at sea on November 4, 1943. The students of history and philosophy of science reviewed the logbook kept by a midshipman entrusted with caring for Winston at sea. He recorded the temperature of the air, food and water several times a day, what he was fed and his condition. Sometimes Winston was fed egg custard to supplement worms and grubs. On Sunday, October 3, the log reports the animal was in good condition and eating all its food. But two days short of reaching his destination, as the students report, Disaster Struck. On Saturday, November 4, the midshipman notes, Platypus found dead in water. Writing to Australian prime minister John Curtin, Churchill said he was grieved to tell you that the platypus you kindly sent me has died. The loss is a great disappointment to me. He wrote that the Royal College of Surgeons was anxious to have Winstons remains stuffed because another platypus had been lost in the Blitz. In correspondence between Australia and the UK, there was speculation that a depth charge by a German submarine could have killed Winston. With such a timid animal that only a little noise would be harmful, especially if his vitality had lowered by lessened food intake, an official wrote. Loading By analysing the temperatures in the logbook, the students concluded that Winston was probably killed by heat stress, and exacerbated by a reduction in his food and the reverberations from an explosion. Butler said platypuses eat a lot for their size. Winstons rations had been reduced from about 700 worms a day to 600 a day because the crew feared the 50,000 worms wouldnt last the trip otherwise. Zaki said research on transporting platypuses said they shouldnt be exposed to constant temperatures above 27 degrees, yet for the week when they were crossing the equator, Winston was kept in conditions where the air and water were much higher. Platypuses mostly live in environments where the temperature is 20 degrees and below. Above 25 degrees, they cant regulate their body temperature. Above 34 degrees can be fatal for the species. These temperatures dont seem extreme for us humans. Theyre very high for platypuses, says their report. In their online series, the students tell the full story of the story of platypus diplomacy. Cowan said platypuses were seen as very exotic from the early days of colonial settlement. They were considered paradoxical. Because they have a bill of a duck, they look like an otter and had a tail like a beaver. And they lay eggs. Liang said they were so strange that scientists assumed the first specimens (taxidermied) sent overseas in the late 1790s were a hoax. Like a stitched-up artefact, she said. Finney said the platypuses caused a sensation wherever they were sent. The courtship of Penelope and Cecil, the only two duck-billed platypuses alive in the United States, was reported like a Mills & Boon romance by newspapers from 1947 to 1957. Loading The Heralds correspondent Ross Campbell covered their New York debut. It was attended by the Australian ambassador and a gang of media, including 20 press photographers, journalists and TV crews. At one stage, it was reported that Penelope was faking a pregnancy to get more food. The students report that Fleay said Penelope was shamefully maligned rather, she was always an ordinary, straightforward lady platypus. Penelope escaped from the Bronx Zoo in 1957. The New York Times reported that far from being lovesick, Penelope was sick of Cecil. Architect Andrew Noonan and his family of five live in a renovated 1880s workers cottage on a steep street backing onto Suncorp Stadium. They have five bedrooms and three bathrooms in a house occupying just 196 square metres on a 240-square-metre block. 39S House by Andrew Noonan Architect in Petrie Terrace is part of Brisbane Open House 2025. Credit: Andrew Noonan If that sounds like a tight squeeze, consider what came before. I was painting the hallway and the front door was open, and someone pulled up out the front and was staring, Noonan recalled. The Queensland Police Service will decentralise its command to better resource the regions, in a suite of changes designed to solve fatigue and burnout in its ranks. The findings of an independent 100-day review into the police service were released on Tuesday, including 65 recommendations to better address staff shortages and burnout. Acting Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy said one recommendation was to clearly define the limits of individual frontline roles. Acting Commissioner Shane Chelepy speaks about the review into staff shortages and burnout. Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt Weve seen mission creep within the organisation, particularly post-COVID. Weve seen police taking on roles they shouldnt have been doing, he said. A pathologist has been unable to determine the cause of death of Brunswick woman Isla Bell, who police allege was murdered and then sealed inside a fridge that was driven across Melbourne for days before it was dumped at a recycling facility last year. Details of the toxicological analysis performed on the 19-year-olds remains were revealed in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday, as the man accused of helping to dispose of her body, Eyal Yaffe, made an unsuccessful bid to have his GPS ankle bracelet removed. Isla Bell had been missing for more than six weeks before her remains were found inside a fridge dumped at a recycling facility. The court heard the analysis found evidence of multiple drugs in Bells remains, including methylamphetamine, cocaine, methadone and cannabis, which pathologists could not rule out as potential contributing factors to her death. A woman wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words Stop killing women sat a few seats away from Yaffe inside the courtroom as his defence barrister, Ian Hill, KC, argued the 58-year-old should be allowed to vary his bail conditions. German backpacker Carolina Wilga, rescued late Friday afternoon after spending 11 nights stranded in the West Australian outback, is working on regaining what was lost in her ordeal. Wilga posted to Instagram on Monday night stating she needed to gain 12 kilograms back after losing control of her car and getting lost in the bush. Carolina Wilga is recovering in hospital. Credit: Instagram In the accompanying images, Wilga is surrounded by food in her hospital bed at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth. In the posts she also thanked the German Consulate for gifting her the food, including fruit, baked goods and tea. A 25-year-old man has been charged over a crash in Burswood late on Monday night that left a teenage girl fighting for her life in hospital. WA Police said the 17-year-old girl was struck by the black Honda Civic on Camfield Drive near Crown Perth just before 10pm as a pre-arranged car club meeting was dispersing. The moment before the crash, captured by a bystanders mobile phone. Credit: Instagram Confronting mobile phone footage which circulated on social media showed two cars taking off at speed as bystanders watched from the roadside. The second car hits the girl, and she flies into the air, the impact of her body shattering the windscreen of the Civic. The girl suffered serious internal injuries and was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital in critical condition. The Dockers pulsating win against Hawthorn was so much more than four points. Sure, they returned to the top eight with a crucial scalp of another finals contender, but this meant so much more. It was about defending their own, a coach who came under criticism over if he was the right man to lead them into the future. About star player Caleb Serong proving he could work through a tag with adequate support and protection from teammates. Were bringing our blog to a close for the day, thank you for joining us. As we leave you tonight, an update on a tragic story weve been covering since it broke yesterday afternoon. A 31-year-old Perth woman has been charged with the murder of her seven-month-old baby. Homicide squad detectives charged the woman on Tuesday afternoon after the baby was found with critical injuries at a Balcatta home in the early hours of Monday morning. Shes due to appear in court on Wednesday. Meanwhile, police have also laid charges against the alleged driver in a crash at a street meet car event in Burswood on Monday night which left a teenage girl fighting for her life in hospital. Heres what also made headlines today: Rescued German backpacker, Carolina Wilga, has posted an update to her Instagram as she spends her fifth day in hospital since being rescued in the WA outback. Alicia Kemp, the 24-year-old who is accused of killing beloved dad Thanh Phan while allegedly riding an e-scooter in Perths CBD drunk and dangerously, has appeared in court via video link from prison. The UFC will return to Perth for a third time in as many years, with the date for the blockbuster event revealed today. Rio Tinto has selected a West Australian to lead the iron ore giant from August after the surprise departure of current chief executive Jakob Stausholm. Thank you again for tuning in today. Well see you back here tomorrow for more news you need to know. In December 2024, when the ABC was confronted with the relentless lobbying by some members of a WhatsApp group calling itself Lawyers for Israel and demanding the sacking of its broadcaster, Antoinette Lattouf, it had a clear choice. It could have responded by rejecting their demands to illegally sack Lattouf. Instead, as Justice Darryl Rangiah of the Federal Court of Australia recently found, the ABC capitulated and embarked on a $2 million campaign to defend the indefensible. Special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal. Credit: Dylan Coker In its ruling, the court made clear that sacking an employee who expressed criticisms of the Israeli governments treatment of Palestinians was illegal because Australian laws protected our right to express political opinion. Last week, antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal walked into a press conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and laid a similar trap for the government. Her 16-page report contained recommendations that undermine the rule of law by seeking to bypass the institutions which protect our democracy: the parliament, the courts, tribunals and the Australian Human Rights Commission. London: It is wise to be wary about Donald Trumps tough talk when he speaks about Ukraine, even when he effectively labels Russian President Vladimir Putin an assassin. This time, however, the American president is throwing serious military hardware behind his message to Putin about the need for peace talks. And his tariff threat is not just aimed at Russia but also at those who buy its oil, such as India and China. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Credit: Marija Ercegovac I dont want to say hes an assassin, but hes a tough guy, Trump said of Putin on Monday in Washington. The label sticks after a remark like that. That kind of language would have been unthinkable only months ago, when Trump still admired the autocrat in the Kremlin. So this is a turning point but the words only matter because there is some muscle behind them. Washington: Hackers broke into the X account of Sesame Street character Elmo and posted antisemitic and racist messages, the makers of the childrens TV show said. The posts first appeared on Sunday and have been deleted. They called for violence against Jews, insulted US President Donald Trump and demanded the release of government files on accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged clientele. Elmo, a cheerful red Muppet created in 1979 but eternally 3, has more than 650,000 followers on X. Elmo, a cheerful red Muppet created in 1979 but eternally 3, has more than 650,000 followers on X. Credit: AP Elmos X account was briefly compromised by an unknown hacker who posted disgusting messages, including antisemitic and racist posts, Sesame Workshop said in a statement, adding the account had since been secured. A University of Bristol student who graduated last week with a first in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering is packing away his cap and gown to head to the Arctic Circle on Thursday to begin a mammoth 3,000 km cycle ride raising money for a school in Ghana, West Africa. Ed Loveridge, together with his school friend Max, will fly into the Arctic Circle with their bikes before assembling them there. They will then pedal south along Norways stunning, jagged coastline before catching the ferry to northern Denmark. The pair will then journey on down the coast, through Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and France all the way to Calais, before heading back to England. The whole trip should take just over 30 days, weather and legs permitting. Ed and Max from Beaminster in Dorset are fundraising for EDP, a small, family run UK charity which supports the Awutu-Winton School, founded as a fee-free Senior High School in Ghana. Money raised with be used specifically for the installation of a solar power system which will allow the school to become independent from the unreliable local electricity grid. This power supply will enable the constant operation of the school's water purifier and lighting to improve education and living standards for students. In addition, the school wants to use the installation to start a solar course and provide students with the skills to bring energy security to more schools and communities throughout the country. Ed spent three months in Ghana during his gap year, where he volunteered at Awutu-Winton teaching maths and climate change to the students. He said: I've seen firsthand how much of an impact donating to this charity has on children's lives. I believe that access to energy improves education, healthcare and opportunities for all. During our journey, well sharing a tent to stay warm, dry, and hopefully out of reach of any curious polar bears. Well also be bringing a fishing rod, and were expecting a lot of fishy pasta. All our gear tent, stove, clothes, food will travel with us, strapped to the bikes. Were looking forward to the challenge ahead and are very grateful for any donations towards this really worthy cause. Thank you. Following his return to the UK, Ed will start a Masters in Energy Systems at the University of Oxford from October. You can keep up to date with Ed and Maxs adventures on Instagram @arctic_circle_cycle and you can donate via their Just Giving page. In reality, Remedy Housing had no investors, issued no mortgages, and customer deposits were instead used to fund the schemes operations and were transferred to the personal accounts of Smith and Khodr. The marginal increase in vacancies nationally should not be interpreted as a market turnaround, said Louis Christopher (pictured), managing director of SQM Research. Most regions still show signs of stress, and the recent spike in dwelling approvals needs to translate into physical supply before rental conditions meaningfully improve. China urges precautions as prolonged heatwave sweeps multiple regions Xinhua) 09:35, July 15, 2025 BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A prolonged heatwave is forecast to affect multiple regions across China from July 14 to 22, with some areas expected to approach or exceed historical temperature records, according to China's National Meteorological Center (NMC). "With the subtropical high-pressure system extending further north, heatwave conditions have intensified over recent days in North China and the Yellow-Huaihe river basin," said Zhang Bo, a forecaster with NMC. "The areas seeing daily maximum temperatures above 37 degrees Celsius are expanding, and the humid heat is becoming increasingly pronounced." According to forecasts, the heatwave will continue to spread in the coming days, with July 15 to 16 anticipated to be the peak period for both coverage and intensity. In response, multiple provinces across China have issued or upgraded heat alerts to mitigate potential risks. In northwest China's Shaanxi Province, most areas are expected to see prolonged and widespread heat from July 14 to 19 due to the influence of continental high pressure, according to the provincial meteorological bureau. The Guanzhong Plain is set to endure six consecutive days of high temperatures, with some areas likely to exceed 40 degrees Celsius and potentially approach or break historical records. In central China's Henan Province, the local meteorological center issued a red alert for extreme heat at noon on Monday, upgrading from the orange alert issued a day earlier. Temperatures are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in many counties and districts, including Xinxiang, Jiaozuo and Zhengzhou, among others. The meteorological center of Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, issued an orange heat alert at 10 a.m. on Monday, forecasting daily highs above 38 degrees Celsius, particularly between noon and 7 p.m. The heatwave is expected to continue for the next four days. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. Authorities in the affected regions have advised both relevant departments and the public to implement targeted safety measures in response to the ongoing heatwave. Key recommendations include suspending outdoor work where possible and implementing cooling measures for outdoor workers. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with illnesses should receive extra protection. Official guidelines also stressed the need to ensure public sanitation, food safety, stable power and water supplies, and strict fire prevention measures. Drivers are reminded to check their vehicles and avoid leaving flammable items inside to prevent fires or tire blowouts. High temperatures can easily cause dehydration and heat cramps, and in severe cases, heatstroke. Heatwaves can exacerbate underlying conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, according to Wang Dan, chief service expert at the meteorological service center of Shaanxi. Experts have urged the public to take precautions against the heat by avoiding prolonged outdoor activities during periods of high temperatures. Outdoor workers should employ effective sun protection to prevent sunburn and ensure they stay well-hydrated. In the event of heatstroke, patients should be moved immediately to a cooler, less humid environment for cooling and rehydration. If symptoms such as confusion or unconsciousness occur, the patient should be promptly taken to a medical facility for treatment. Experts also warn that the ongoing high temperatures are impacting agricultural production, causing accelerated development in crops like rice and spring corn, which may lead to lower effective yields. Fruit crops such as kiwifruit and apples are also showing signs of leaf wilting and heat damage, potentially affecting normal fruit growth. Authorities are urged to strengthen drought prevention efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of heat and dryness on crops. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Two years after launching to unprecedented success, Carlows town bus service has carried over 400,000 passengers in the first year alone, but questions remain about expansion plans, electric buses and access to key destinations. Carlow Town Bus Services CW1 and CW2 have proven to be a resounding success since their launch in late July 2023, with the National Transport Authority (NTA) reporting over 400,000 passenger journeys in 2024 alone averaging almost 1,100 trips per day. The service has exceeded all expectations, with cllr Andrea Dalton describing how Carlows bus was reportedly the most successful implementation of a bus service in Ireland and the strongest uptake of a bus service during its first year, adding that she thinks it has been a phenomenal success. Independent research by marketing consultants Ipsos B&A reveals the depth of the services impact on the local community. An impressive 85% of users rely on the service more than once a week, with 38% stating they couldnt have made their trips without it. The service has particularly resonated with younger demographics, students and women. The buses serve multiple purposes, with 27% using them to commute to education or training, 26% for work commutes and many others for shopping and social activities. Significantly, 72% of users report being a lot more likely to visit the town centre since the service became available. Local businesses have noticed the positive impact, with anecdotal reports of increased weekday footfall as older residents can now access the town centre independently rather than waiting for weekend assistance from family members. Despite the success, significant gaps remain in the service. The initial route planning covered 94% of Carlows population within 800 metres of a bus stop, yet several areas remain underserved. Commenting on social media, residents have been calling for stops at key destinations, including Carlow Train Station and Tesco, with one user commenting that the lack of train station access is particularly difficult for not-as-able-bodied people who find the hill on the Station Road difficult. Graiguecullen residents have been particularly vocal about limited coverage, with calls for service extensions to areas near St Fiaccs National School and Aldi. The Four Lakes retail park and Castle Oaks housing development also lack direct access despite their significant populations. Even just to review whats there, little tweaks that could be made. For example, one route goes out to MSD, but it comes onto the Dublin Road and takes a right to get there. If it went left first up to Castle Oaks and then went back out to MSD, it would take in the whole of Castle Oaks, which is a huge population area, and the Four Lakes retail park, too, said cllr Dalton. At the heart of current frustrations is the absence of a promised comprehensive review. Cllr Dalton noted that when we got the bus service, we were told it would be reviewed after a year and that review hasnt happened. The NTA committed to this review at the services launch, with particular focus on route optimisation and potential expansion. However, two years later, the review has yet to materialise. Its only until its reviewed that well know how we can improve it, cllr Dalton explained to The Nationalist, suggesting potential improvements, including covering more of Graiguecullen and extending towards Monacurragh and the Athy Road. Another source of disappointment has been the failure to deliver on promised electric buses. Instead of the environmentally friendly fleet initially promised, Carlow received older diesel buses that cllr Dalton described at a recent council meeting as cast-offs from Athlone. This has created particular frustration, given that Athlone, a smaller town than Carlow, operates a fully electric bus service. Cllr Ken Murnane noted this disparity at the same council meeting, emphasising that the NTA had committed to electric buses at the launch. Despite these challenges, there are signs of potential progress. Director of services Kieran Cullinane confirmed recently that discussions are ongoing regarding bus access to the train station, although this remains subject to funding and planning permission from Iarnrod Eireann. The NTA maintains that it continuously monitors all town bus services, making timetable and route alterations as appropriate, subject to resources and funding being available. However, NTA communications officer Aoife Smith confirmed to The Nationalist that there are no immediate plans for an additional Carlow town bus route. User satisfaction remains remarkably high, despite the service gaps. The Ipsos B&A research found that 41% of users rate the service as excellent, with only one in ten rating it as poor. The primary improvement request from 57% of users is more frequent services. As the second anniversary approaches, the Carlow town bus service stands as both a remarkable success story and a reminder of unfulfilled promises. With over 400,000 journeys completed in the first year and strong community support, the foundation for expansion appears solid if the political will and funding can be secured to deliver on the original commitments. A MAN who suffers from mental health problems pleaded guilty at Carlow District Court to causing 1,300 worth of damage to properties in Tullow. Saddam Qasim Meqdadi with an address at The Irish Bar Hostel, Tullow pleaded guilty to four counts of causing criminal damage on St Stephens Day, 26 December, last year. The charges included three that occurred on Church Street and a fourth on Market Square. Insp David Shore told the court that CCTV footage showed Mr Meqdadi (34) smashing a window at the former Bank of Ireland building with a fire extinguisher and that he had caused a total of 1,300 worth of damages there and to various properties. He continued that the defendant made admissions to gardai and was brought to the Department of Psychiatry at St Lukes Hospital, where he stayed for a number of weeks. Solicitor John OSullivan told Judge Cephas Power that the owners of the hostel had compensated the injured parties and his client was going through a psychotic episode at the time of the incidents. He continued that it was a very sad and very serious matter because Mr Meqdadi suffered from mental health issues and had been off his medication at the time. He added that his client is now back taking his medication and that he has good support to help him. Judge Power sentenced Mr Meqdadi to six months imprisonment but suspended it fully for six months, noting that the defendant had engaged in behaviour when he was not treated as he should have been treated. He ordered Mr Meqdadi to continue taking his medication and to be of good behaviour. A MAN who masturbated to a Kildare counsellor while on a Zoom call was jailed for six months at Athy District Court on 8 July. Keavon Lyons (34) from The Warren, Malahide, North Co Dublin, pleaded not guilty to the offence contrary to S45(iii) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act stemming from his actions on 3 January 2022. A female who operates out of a Kildare practice took the stand and gave full and frank testimony, which drew praise from Judge Desmond Zaidan as a very able, very capable witness who didnt come across as serving false evidence. She explained that she originally got a text message from a number she didnt recognise and there was vague mumbling with the person keeping me on the line without saying anything. Its the time of year for suicides, so I asked the person are you safe, said the woman. He hung up, I tried to ring back, but there was no answer, so I went to Athy Garda Station and asked them to do a wellness check, she said. I said I could do a Zoom call if he sent me an email address. The next day, I started that meeting and then he stretched his arm and I could see he had no clothes on. I asked had he seen other counsellors and he said hed seen 30. It seemed he had some mental health issues and was twitching, similar to Tourettes. He told me he was attracted to a family member and I had to ask how old? and he said 60 to 63, but he had his left hand on his penis and was masturbating. I said Im ending the call and he said hed get another counsellor, she said. Judge Zaidan asked her if she could identify the man and she said: He reminded me of Bill Bailey, the comedian, but he wasnt receding like Bill Bailey. The judge then asked her: Do you see that person in court and she turned in the box and pointed at him. You are pointing at the suspect? asked the judge seeking confirmation, and the woman nodded. The woman told Insp Jason Crotty that she had been a clinical psychologist for seven years and had no further contact with the man. It became evident to me he wasnt looking for help, she said. I did not think at the time he wanted help, but to expose himself to me, which was very disturbing. Do you think somebody doing this outlandish behaviour could be someone looking for help? asked defending barrister Patsy Glennon in his cross examination of the witness. The fact that he was able to hide his identity makes me think he was purposely avoiding identification, she replied. He gave you his proper email address, said Mr Glennon. Im not so tech savvy, she answered. Would you be surprised he was diagnosed with ADS, the hyperactive disorder? asked Mr Glennon. No. There was a twitch, which you would expect, but wouldnt explain his behaviour, she said. He was very much in control of that Zoom meeting. He was leading it, I was not. You quite definitely saw his penis? asked Mr Glennon. He hadnt switched hands during the phone call for 20 minutes, then I understood what he was doing with his other hand, she replied. Did you see his penis? asked Mr Glennon. A bit. His hand was around it, she said. Then, Mr Lyons took the stand and said: I made contact with (named doctor), but the whole time I told her I was seeking help, being lonely. I did explain about being myself and my background and thats why I brought up my aunt, thats all Im going to say, said he said. Were you naked? asked Mr Glennon. I cant recall, said Mr Lyons. Did you have your hand on your penis? asked the barrister. No, said the defendant, before adding he was unemployed for a number of years. How does your hyperactive disorder affect you? asked the judge. I couldnt pay attention at school, I got special needs supports, but I kinda grew out of it. People like her makes it harder for people looking for help, he said. What has doctor (named person) got to gain? asked the judge. This is a private hearing, what has she got to gain from telling a total stranger about this? he asked. Maybe to stich me up? said Mr Lyons. Thank you, said the judge. In mitigation, Mr Glennon told the court that his client was severely bullied as a young man, that the victim was in Kildare and that there was no personal contact. At the end of the day, it is one word against the other, said the judge. And even if I dont accept a word of Keavon Lyons, the state must provide evidence beyond all reasonable doubt, he added. When there are two versions before the court, the court must give the benefit of doubt to the defence, unless the version given by the state is proven beyond all reasonable doubt, said the judge. Doctor (named) came across as a very able, very capable witness and didnt come across as someone giving false evidence. On the other hand, Mr Lyons, the less I say the better. The denial is obvious. I dont even have a slight doubt that this man is guilty as charged. He turned the tables and tried to blame a professional witness. That lady was as honest and professional as Ive seen in my legal history, said the judge. Mr Glennon sought the Probation Act, but the judge said: Theres no way Im imposing this man on any other female professional before sentencing him to six months in prison. Reuters Scandinavian property companies Pandox and Eiendomsspar AS have agreed to buy Ireland's largest hotel group Dalata for 1.4 billion, the companies said on Tuesday. Dalata, which operates 56 hotels under the four-star Maldron and Clayton brands, mainly in Ireland and Britain, had rejected an initial bid from Pandox and Eiendomsspar in early June that had valued the hotel operator at 1.3 billion. Sweden-based Pandox, which specialises in the ownership, development and leasing of large hotels across Sweden and northern Europe, will own 91.5 per cent of the entity taking over Dalata, while Norway-based Eiendomsspar will own 8.5 per cent, the companies said in a statement. Pandoxs long-term operating partner, Scandic Hotels Group AB, will become an operating partner for the existing Dalata portfolio, the statement said. Dalata chief executive Dermot Crowley said the deal was a "very good fit" as it gives Pandox a large portfolio in Britain and Ireland, and Dalata better access to capital and a larger platform to accelerate growth. Dalata will continue to target new properties in the United Kingdom and western and southern Europe, he added. Pandox chief executive Liia Nou said the portfolio consisted of well-established and highly profitable four-star hotels in strong locations that would increase its footprint in key markets. Under the deal, Dalata shareholders will get 6.45 in cash per share, representing a premium of about 12 per cent to the closing price on June 2nd the day before the Scandinavian hotel investors first disclosed their interest in the Irish company. The latest offer, which has the backing of the board, concludes the Dublin-based company's strategic review that was launched in March to drive up shareholder returns. THREE children from St Fiaccs NS in Graiguecullen Elena, Akifa and Sumaya were invited to meet President Michael D Higgins after they worked on a project about the Rohingya community. The fifth-class pupils were accompanied by their teacher Kevin Keogh and principal John Brennan after they successfully made a short video for a competition organised by Global Citizenship Schools. The video had to be based on one of the 17 sustainable development goals created by the United Nations and it had to be no longer than one minute. The trio decided to focus their attention on the Rohingya community, of which Sumaya is a member. Sumayas family, along with up to 60 other refugees, came to Carlow in 2009 and have since built new lives here. They fled Myanmar after they were denied basic human rights and were forced to leave their country, seeking refuge elsewhere, including in Bangladesh and Ireland. We felt we had to raise awareness about the Rohingya as the news cycle now is mainly dominated by the conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East. We helped raise awareness about them by having lessons about who the Rohingya are and their story. We even invited a speaker from the Rohingya community to tell us about her personal experience, as she had been one of the 60 or so Rohingyans to come to Carlow in 2009, explained Elena. The Global Citizenship Schools competition attracted entries from all over Ireland, but the three friends from St Fiaccs managed to secure an invite to meet President Higgins and his wife Sabina, one of only 12 schools to do so. They attended a reception with the president and Mrs Higgins, after which Elena gave a talk about their video. They were then treated to a delicious lunch and a tour around the historic Aras. This was an amazing experience. In addition to the feeling of happiness in general, I and everyone else who worked on this video were and still are very proud of having raised awareness about the Rohingya and given a voice to the voiceless, said Elena. The film can be watched on the schools YouTube channel. A little backstory. For the last few years, Id been thinking a lot about Phil Mulloys snarky films. Why? Because satirical attacks on society were lacking in animation, with animators becoming increasingly insular, turning the gaze a tad too intensely on themselves, and assorted neurodivergent issues. All of that is fine and necessary, but I kept wondering: where were the animators staring outside at the chaos around us? Those thoughts came and went over the years, but it was when Animafest Zagreb gave a lifetime achievement award to Mulloy in 2024 that I decided Okay, enough, lets write a book about him. So I did and because of that, I was lucky to have seven or eight hours of conversations with Mulloy this past winter. In March, he told me he was sick. I was asked to keep it private, and honestly, I had no idea how treatable or serious it all was anyway. Phil Mulloy died on July 10, 2025, at age 76. He leaves behind a unique, provocative, and unyielding body of animated films that relentlessly challenged societal norms, exposing hypocrisies in religion, politics, and culture with raw, minimalist aesthetics and biting wit. Mulloy was animations provocateura satirist who wielded ink and paper like weapons, confronting viewers with uncomfortable truths in a medium too often associated with comfort and innocence. Born in Wallasey near Liverpool on August 29, 1948, Mulloys early years were marked by the strict discipline of the Irish Christian Brothers at St. Anselms College, an experience that forged his lasting skepticism toward institutional authority and moral hypocrisy. He later described these formative years succinctly: Anything that beats you into submission, you question forever. Though initially inspired by copying Disney cartoons, Mulloy quickly abandoned polished mainstream aesthetics. His awakening as an artist came during his years at Wallasey Art College, where he began exploring intense, unsettling imagerya passion further fueled by discovering Picassos raw woodcuts during a pivotal trip to Paris. At the Royal College of Art in London, he created his first animated short, Allow Me (1970), a stark, energetic blend of live action and spaghetti-style animation, but soon turned away from animation, disillusioned by the laborious process. After nearly two decades working in documentaries and live-action shorts, Mulloy returned to animation in 1988, encouraged by his wife, animator Vera Neubauer. Working alone in a barn studio in rural Wales, equipped only with paper, ink, and a salvaged Steenbeck editing machine, he created Eye of the Storm (1989), a nightmarish meditation on childhood fears, using accidental sounds and first takes to maintain authenticity. All I needed was paper and a camera, Mulloy told me. I didnt have to please anyone. This return marked the beginning of his uncompromising method: no storyboards, no re-draws, no polishing of edges. Mistakes, Mulloy insisted, are part of the work. Theyre the truth. His breakout came with the Cowboys series (1991), comprising six fierce, three-minute shorts drawn in jagged black ink. Through brutally minimalist imagery and dark humor, Cowboys dissected toxic masculinity, mob mentality, and media-induced violence. Mulloy described it as animation as punk rock, a statement of rebellion against the smooth aesthetics that dominated the medium. The Sound of Music (1993), not to be mistaken for Rodgers and Hammersteins classic, followed soon after, a grim satire of class inequality viewed through the lens of a window cleaner named Wolf. Alex Balanescus edgy violin score underscored scenes of grotesque indulgence and hidden cruelties. Between 1994 and 1996, Mulloy produced The Ten Commandments, a series of ten razor-sharp shorts in which his skeletal figures struggle with each biblical commandment. Mulloy explained that these shorts werent mere provocations but moral mirrors designed to highlight societys absurd contradictions. They underscored his belief that true morality lies not in rigid doctrines but in the genuine complexity of human behavior. At the turn of the millennium, Mulloy began the ambitious Intolerance trilogy (20002004), which he described as a spontaneous creative eruption: I just started drawing, and one film became three. Over more than seventy relentless minutes, Intolerance foresaw a society saturated by conspiracy theories, misinformation, and spectacle. In it, alien Zogians invade Earth to expose humanitys bigotry, cosmic warfare intersects with pornography, Olympics distractions hide underlying fanaticism, and ultimately, reality itself becomes a distorted farce involving Elvis worship and Disneyesque torture. Mulloys prescient satire prophetically anticipated the cultural anxieties of the coming decades. His next major project was The Christies, beginning in 2006 and extending into a trilogy that combined surrealism, dark comedy, and scathing family drama. Eleven shorts commissioned by the BBC became a profoundly uncomfortable feature about a grotesque family whose lives were caricatures of societal decay. Goodbye Mister Christie (2008), Dead But Not Buried (2010), and The Pain and the Pity (2013) formed a biting meta-commentary on narrative, authorship, families, and societal obsessions. Mulloys final period was highlighted by the short films Endgame (2015) and Once Upon a Time on Earth (2023), which explored war, climate crisis, and societal complacency. Mulloy had almost always been his own producer, crew, and audience. It was a lonely but fiercely independent space. It was just me, he recalled. I wanted to make something. I wanted to say something. But I also wanted it to be simple. I never knew where it was going. Sometimes you went down the wrong street and had to walk back. But then you put the sound on, and it came alive. Even as he shifted stylescowboys, commandments, Zogshe often kept the same black-and-white visual rhythm. Not out of stubbornness, but because it freed him up. It was like handwriting, he said. I didnt need to think. I could just turn it out. But eventually, he knew he needed to change. The Christies were a turning point: color, new textures, looser rules. I thought, Ive kind of milked this cow, he said, deadpan. It was a classic Mulloy linedry, self-aware, a little dismissive, but with real clarity underneath. Hed pushed one approach as far as it could go. Now it was time to move on. So he made things even simpler. I thought, go the whole hoggive them nothing. Let the audience do the work. He found constraint opened doors. You can make humor if you set very tight parameters, he said. You came up with solutions I found fascinating. But digital tools came with their own challenges. Everythings smooth now. I liked things that flickered and jumped. I found them more alive. There was something punk about his resistance to polish. Not in style necessarily, but in spirit. He resisted gloss. Resisted ease. Resisted anything that made the work too clean, too safe, too predictable. And he was deeply uninterested in the machinery of the industry. These days, it all comes out of graphics. I came from paintingexperimenting, trying things out. It was looser. The idea of a packaged script, pitched and polished? I thought that was kind of foolish. Money had never been the motivator. Maybe I was an idealist, he once said. I tried to keep my work free from moneyfilthy lucre. I was more interested in earning money in other ways, separate from my work. Even back when arts funding was more generous, he often sidestepped it. I didnt get any money for Ten Commandments. I just made them. There was a stubborn freedom in that. It meant making the film was the reward. The process was the point. If you wanted that kind of freedomwhere you didnt need a script, where you could just go somewhere and see where it took youyou had to work differently. And thats what he always did. Worked differently. Still, there was a limit to what satire could do when the real world became its own grotesque cartoon. It was like a satire of itself, he said. But it was a satire that was also a threat, which made it pretty scary. His work had gotten bleaker. More stripped down. Less pointed commentary, more existential dread. Ive always been bleak, he recently recalled, almost proudly. But it wasnt cruelty. It was critique. Everything I did, even if it was aggressive, came from a place of calling out how things were organized. It wasnt against people. I wasnt interested in putting down the little man. And maybe that was the thread. Across all the films, from the raw ink-splattered early shorts to the darkly formal Zog sagas, Mulloy tried to strip things back. To scratch off the surface and look at what was underneath: the systems that shaped us, the habits we repeated, the rules we didnt even realize we were following. It was clear, though, that the shift to digital tools had changed the tone of his work. Phil wasnt blind to the advantages that technology broughtsophistication, smoother results, more controlbut he always resisted the sheen that came with perfection. Everything in digital cinema was smooth now, he said, with a note of frustration. I tried to prick that bubble of slickness. To show what was underneath. For Mulloy, the simplicity, the rawness, the flicker of imperfectionit was where the pulse of the work lived. He didnt want the polished surface that digital could deliver. He wanted something with a little more life, something with edges, something you could feel. It was a statement on the nature of art, and maybe on the world itself. There was something inauthentic about the constant push for smoothness. For perfection. Mulloy didnt have time for it. Not when there was something raw, something underneath that needed to come out. In times like these, that underneathwhether it was in the work, or in the worlddeserved to be seen. Mulloy is survived by his wife, Vera Neubauer, and their children, Daniel and Lucy. Advertisement Hundreds of residents of Talwandi Aklia and Karamgarh Autanwali in the district Mansa in Punjab, India, have voiced their opposition to the setting up of a cement plant during a public hearing by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). JSW Cement proposes to set up a 6Mta plant with two units of 3Mta each as well as a standalone grinding unit on 19.02ha of land at Karmgarh and Talwandi Aklia villages in Mansa. As per the Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2006, the project proponent needs to obtain environmental clearance from India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Members of the pro-environment organisation Public Action Committee (PAC) mobilised people to participate in the public hearing and oppose the setting up of the plant, terming it a red category industry.The villagers raised objections and said if the industrial unit from the red category was allowed to be set up, they might have to face environmental hazards. Representatives of the PPCB, Mansa district administration, and JSW Cement also participated in the public hearing and apprised villagers about the proposed plant. Author and Appalachian storyteller Kelle Jolly will visit And Then Books for a book signing and performance event featuring her new book "Lady Fay Ukulele" this coming Sunday at 4 p.m. The free, all-ages family event will take place at the bookstore at 400 Spring Street in Rossville.Ms. Jolly, known for her captivating storytelling and authentic Affrilachian voice, will sign copies of her latest children's book and treat attendees to a live performance that showcases her talents as both a writer and performer, organizers said."Lady Fay Ukulele," a folktale retelling about friendship, forgiveness and the power of music, will be available for purchase at the event."This community gathering offers families, storytelling and music enthusiasts an opportunity to meet the author in person and experience the rich tradition of Appalachian storytelling," organizers said.The event is open to the public and welcomes attendees of all ages.Books will be available for purchase at the event or in advance, Thursday - Saturday from noon-7 p.m., during normal And Then Book Hours.About the author: Kelle Jolly identifies as Affrilachian and is a member of Tennessee's arts community as a singer, songwriter, musician, teacher, storyteller, radio personality, actor and event producer. Ms. Jolly is a 2023 Black Appalachian Storyteller Fellowship recipient, recognized for her contributions to carrying forward the tradition of storytelling within her community. She and her saxophonist husband, Will Boyd, have served as ambassadors of jazz from Tennessee to Japan, and are Knoxville MLK Commission Artist Award recipients. In 2021, the City of Knoxville proclaimed July 21st, "Kelle Jolly and Will Boyd" Day. "Lady Fay Ukulele" is her first children's book, published by Books & Things Publishing, featuring a folktale retelling about friendship, forgiveness and the power of music. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Librarys Special Collections has completed a grant-funded project to digitize the records of the Womans Christian Temperance Union of Chattanooga, making them freely accessible to researchers and the public worldwide.The newly published Womans Christian Temperance Union of Chattanooga digital collection, which preserved documents dating from 1882 to 1995, contains 53 archival records representing more than 175 individual images.The collection features charters, bylaws, correspondence, financial records and photographs, many of which have been transcribed and are now fully text searchable.The project was supported by a 2024 Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board programming regrant funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The Tennessee State Library and Archives administered the grant.UTC Manuscripts Archivist Molly Copeland, the principal investigator for the grant, served as project director. Assistant Head of Collection Services and Director of Special Collections Carolyn Runyon was the co-PI.This is a really underrepresented history, Copeland said. Being able to put documents that represent the history of a womens organization that had a huge national impact as well as a local impact we dont have an abundance of records about them, but to be able to provide access to the ones that we do have helps ensure were able to preserve that legacy.The Womans Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), founded nationally in 1874, grew to become one of the most influential womens organizations of the 19th century.In Chattanooga, a local chapter formed in 1882 following a speaking tour by national president Frances Willard. By 1887, the group had opened a boarding house for self-supporting, unmarried women, offering low-cost housing in a supervised Christian environment. That homelater renamed the Frances Willard Homeeventually stood for nearly 50 years at 615 Lindsay Street near the University campus.The digital collection at UTC, Copeland said, offers unique insights into the local chapters activities and social reform efforts.Work on digitizing the WCTU collection began in late 2024. A portion of the grant award was used to hire UTC political science and public policy major Desha Wilkins, a rising senior who spent six months scanning, transcribing and describing documents.Many early handwritten materials were transcribed by hand to aid accessibility and searchability. A limited number of materials were deemed too fragile to digitize, such as brittle pages from circa 1902 held together with metal fasteners and adhesive; however, they remain accessible to researchers through the Special Collections published finding aid.Copeland said the projects completion represents both a milestone in preservation and a step forward in making local history more accessible.Every time we are able to add a digital collection, we're providing global access to these materials that represent part of Chattanoogas history, she said. Digital collections provide more than just access to the documents. The process of digitization enhances usability because were able to create detailed descriptive records for each item, which provide users with important contextual information about when and how the records were created.Copeland said the projects outreach included public presentations, social media posts, a student blog and an article submission to the Society of Tennessee Archivists Tennessee Archivist newsletterwhich is due to be published this fall.This project wasnt just about digitizing documents, she said. It was about bringing attention to a local chapter of a national organization that helped shape some of the most prominent political movements of the 19th and early 20th centuries, womens rights, prohibition and social welfareand making that history visible and accessible to everyone.On the local level, Copeland said, it was important to preserve the history of the Willard Home, a long-standing institution in the city that represents a housing model we just dont see anymore.For the many young women who moved to Chattanooga for school or work, the Willard Home formed the basis of their community and social life in the city, she said.The WCTU of Chattanooga records join a growing list of digital collections hosted by Special Collections, bringing the current total to 60.When we add a new digital collection, we offer widespread, equitable access to the primary sources that tell Chattanoogas story, Runyon said. Its Special Collections way of democratizing access by enabling anyone with an internet connection to search, view, download and use archival materials that would otherwise require a visit to Special Collections.We exist to preserve and provide access to our shared history, and opportunities like the State Board Programming Regrant from the Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board allow us to open our collections to a wide audience. These grants also allow Special Collections to supplement the Universitys curriculum by giving our students hands-on experiences that may help them pursue graduate degrees in library and information science or careers as archivists.Copeland added that each new collection represents another essential piece of the citys cultural and civic identity.A collection like this helps make Chattanooga part of the larger historical conversation, she said. Its our way of ensuring these stories are preserved and discoverable. Smith + Howard accounting and advisory firm announced today the appointment of Travis Shears, CPA, as office managing partner of its Chattanooga location, formerly Market Street Partners."He will lead the continued growth and strategic direction of the Chattanooga office, with a focus on delivering high-impact solutions to clients," officials said.Mr. Shears joined Smith + Howard in early 2024 and most recently served as a partner in the firms Chattanooga tax practice. A seasoned tax executive and industry insider, he brings over 20 years of experience spanning Big Four public accounting, top regional firms and in-house leadership at one of the nation's largest trucking companies.I strive to be a trusted advisor to our clientsbringing them not just accounting, tax and business knowledge, but real insight they can act on, said Mr.Shears. Smith + Howard has built a dynamic accounting and advisory business, and Im excited to help lead our efforts in Chattanooga and beyond as we continue to grow and evolve our team and our services alongside our clients.Officials said, "Before joining Smith + Howard, Mr. Shears served as vice president of tax at U.S. Xpress Enterprises, the fifth-largest truckload carrier in the U.S., prior to its acquisition by Knight-Swift Transportation in 2023. His experience in the logistics sectorcombined with his earlier tenure at regional and national accounting firmsgives him a unique perspective on both tax strategy and business operations."Travis brings an exceptional blend of industry knowledge, tax expertise and practical leadership, said Sean Taylor, CEO of Smith + Howard. His ability to see the full picturefrom compliance to strategic growthmakes him a powerful advisor to our clients and a natural fit to lead the next phase of growth for Smith + Howard.Mr. Shears holds dual bachelors degrees in accounting and management information systems from Tennessee Technological University. He is a certified public accountant and an active member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs.Travis is the perfect person to serve as managing partner for our office moving forward, said Kevin Rose, co-founding partner at Market Street Partners and current partner at Smith + Howard. When we founded Market Street Partners a decade ago, we knew the future success of the firm would hinge on our ability to bring the best professionals in the industry onto our team, and I am beyond happy that one of those people will be leading us as our Smith + Howard journey continues. BrightBridge Capital announced the recent merger with the Area Wide Development Corporation in Alcoa, Tn. and the Tennessee Business Development Corporation in Paris, Tn."The strategic mergers enhance BrightBridges position as a leading partner for bankers seeking SBA 504 financing solutions for their small business clients across the state," officials said."SBA works with approved Certified Development Companies to administer its 504 Loan program. The program provides funding to purchase commercial real estate, machinery and equipment as well as financing for the purchase or upgrade of fixed assets. In turn, jobs are created and businesses grow.Thanks to the mergers, BrightBridge now offers increased operational capacity and equally important, local expertise to assist and support commercial lenders in providing long-term, fixed-rate SBA 504 loans for owner-occupied commercial real estate and equipment."Were excited to add staff from ADC and TBDC as part of our BrightBridge team, said Bill Pollard of BrightBridge. This is a powerful alignment of resources and vision and underscores the streamlined services of a trusted CDC team with decades of SBA lending experience.Board leadership and staff members from all three entities collaborated to ensure a smooth transition. Our clients have rightfully come to expect a high level of service and expertise from our team and this merger only heightens those abilities. Our lending partners will not only benefit from our expertise but also from team members who bring decades of experience to BrightBridge," officials said.BrightBridge Relationship Manager Debbie Sudhoff, formerly of AWDC, said, No matter where your customer is in the lending process, were here to assist as they build, refinance or invest in ways to strengthen their business.Garry Petty serves as COO of BrightBridge and added, This is an exciting chapter in our history at BrightBridge. From our regional reach to the expertise we apply to each relationship, were aligned with our lending partners and the customers they serve.The new team members joining from Alcoa and Paris will remain based in their home markets. Each month, housing data offers a snapshot of how our market is evolving - both here in the Chattanooga region and across the country. These insights not only help Realtors guide their clients but also give homeowners and potential buyers a clearer picture of the current landscape. While no two months look the same, one thing remains consistent: data-driven decisions are key in todays real estate environment. U.S. existing-home sales edged up 0.8% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.03 million units, exceeding economists expectations, although sales were down 0.7% year-over-year, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). On a monthly basis, sales increased in the Midwest, Northeast, and South but decreased in the West. New Listings in the Chattanooga region increased 6.1 percent to 1,432. Pending Sales increased 15.7 percent to 1,008. Inventory increased 28.0 percent to 3,233. Median Sales Price increased 0.6 percent from $346,250 to $348,200. Days on Market increased 28.2 percent to 50. Months Supply of Inventory increased 23.3 percent to 3.7. Heading into June, there were 1.54 million units for sale across the country, a 6.2% increase from the previous month and a 20.3% improvement over the same period last year, representing a 4.6-month supply at the current sales pace, according to NAR. Despite the additional supply, home prices have continued to rise nationwide, albeit at a slower pace than during the pandemic, climbing 1.3% year-over-year to $422,800 as of last measure. To dig deeper into what these trends mean for our local and national markets, the Greater Chattanooga Realtors will be hosting our 2025 Economic Outlook Breakfast, featuring nationally recognized housing expert Dr. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at NAR. Dr. Lautz will present timely data on housing market trends, generational shifts, buyer and seller behavior, and whats ahead for the real estate industry. No matter where the market stands, Realtors are here to help clients make sense of the numbers and stay informed in an ever-changing landscape. With reliable insights and trusted guidance, were committed to helping our communities navigate real estate with confidence. #That'sWhoWeR Greater Chattanooga REALTORS is The Voice of Real Estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with nearly 3,000 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is one of some 1,200 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors service Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee, and Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. For more information, visit www.gcar.net or call 423.698.8001. Chattanooga Police are asking for the communitys help following the shooting on Saturday at the Tyner Recreation Complex. If you were at the event and saw anything, have relevant information, or possess any digital evidence (photos, videos, etc.) that could assist investigators, contact the CPD Homicide Tip Line at 423-643-5100. You can remain anonymous. Digital evidence can be uploaded directly to CPDs Community Portal: https://chattanoogapd. evidence.com/axon/community- request/public/ tynerreunionshooting Officials said, "Even a minor detail could make a major difference." European Parliament building in Brussels, Belgium. | Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Thomas Lohmann A Hungarian government official has criticized progressive activists within the European Union, accusing them of producing a report that targets Christianity and seeks to weaken its influence across Europe. The report, published by the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF), claims that Europe is experiencing a rise in religious anti-feminist groups. The report was funded by prominent figures and organizations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and George Soros. Bernadett Petri, Hungarian Ministerial Commissioner, described the report as yet more evidence of the EUs slide into godlessness. In an interview with Hungary Today, she called it an openly anti-Christian piece of work and argued that it portrays conservative Christianity and churches as a counter-revolutionary force opposing radical gender and LGBTQ+ movements like the EPF. Petri emphasized the importance of Christian values in European society, stating, they were the bedrock of society, providing education, social services and family support over the centuries. She questioned the motivations behind the report, asking, I believe that this organization [the EPF] is actually afraid that those who believe in God, family, country, and traditions will regain strength and build society on these values. It is important to ask the question: why are they afraid of this? The report named Petri as part of an extremist network threatening progressive values in Europe. Petri responded, When I saw my name in this document, I was actually proud to be included. It means that I am doing something right after all, if I were not doing it well, visibly or effectively, they would not try to blacklist me at this level. On the other hand, I find it very dictatorial to list people and organizations that stand on the side of Christianity, especially for representing traditional values. The report also singled out ADF International, a Christian legal advocacy organization. Paul Coleman, the director of ADF International, told Hungary Today, EPF targets ADF International because our legal advocacy is effective in defending life, parental rights, free expression, and other fundamental freedoms across the globe. The more they try to silence us and other like-minded organizations working in defense of fundamental freedoms, the clearer it becomes that our work is making a difference in Europe and beyond, he added. Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Marek Studzinski Most Protestant churches across the United States continue to passing a plate or basket remains the most common practice compared to digital giving or collection boxes, according to a recent survey conducted by Lifeway Research. The survey, which involved 1,003 Protestant pastors, revealed that nearly three in four pastors reported that their churches collect physical offerings by passing something around during the service. Additionally, close to half of pastors indicated that their churches have giving options available as people arrive or leave the building. The data shows that 64% of pastors use passing the plate as the primary collection method, making it the most prevalent choice overall. Among churches with 50 to 99 attendees, this number increases to 68%. Lutheran and Methodist pastors are tied for the highest rates of passing the plate during services, each at 77%. Other denominations show slightly lower percentages, with 65% of Presbyterian or Reformed pastors, 64% of Baptist pastors, 61% of Pentecostal pastors, 43% of Restorationist movement pastors, and 36% of non-denominational pastors also passing plates regularly. The survey also found that mainline pastors are more likely than Evangelical pastors to collect offerings by passing the plate, with 74% versus 60%, respectively. Among racial groups, 76% of African American pastors use this method, compared to 63% of white pastors. A smaller portion, 10%, say their congregations collect offerings by passing a plate or basket at the end of the service. This practice is more common among Baptist pastors, at 15%, whereas only 7% of Presbyterian-Reformed pastors and 6% of Lutheran pastors use this method. It is least common among churches with fewer than 50 attendees, with only 6% passing plates at the end of services. Collection boxes stationed at entrances and exits are used by 40% of churches, making them the second most popular method. Evangelical pastors are more likely than mainline pastors to use these boxes45% versus 30%. Churches located in the West are more inclined to use collection boxes, with 48% adopting this method. Non-denominational churches lead this category, with 59% providing collection boxes, followed by Baptist (43%), Pentecostal (41%), Presbyterian-Reformed (40%), Lutheran (32%), and Methodist pastors (23%). Younger pastors are more likely to favor collection boxes and end-of-service giving. Specifically, 46% of pastors younger than 45 use collection boxes, and 20% hold plates or baskets at the doors as congregants leave. Churches with 250 or more attendees are particularly inclined, with 25% using this practice, compared to just 11% of mid-sized churches and 12% of the smallest congregations. Only 2% of churches report using other methods to collect physical offerings. This includes 1% of pastors whose attendees bring offerings to the front during the service, and another 1% who leave an unattended plate or basket out. New Testament scholar N.T. Wright | Photo Credit: Facebook/ NT Wright Renowned New Testament scholar N.T. Wright recently challenged the common assumption that Jesus and the apostle Paul believed the world would end within a single generation. During a recent episode of his Ask N.T. Wright Anything podcast, he stated, I think that Paul was aware, like all early Christians, because Jesus had said so, that Jerusalem would be destroyed within a generation of Jesus own time. Wright explained that this theme is prominent in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and its hinted at elsewhere, including in Pauls writings such as the Thessalonian letters and First Corinthians Seven, where he references the appointed time being constrained. Wright responded to a listeners question regarding whether Paul would have been puzzled or unaffected by what appears to be Christs 2,000-year delay, and how he might respond to the vast scale of the universe as understood today. He argued that that theme has been largely ignored by many modern Christians, particularly modern liberal Christians, who have wanted to say, Oh, well, Jesus and Paul thought the world was going to end. It didnt. So they were wrong. So they were probably wrong about a lot of other stuff as well, a conclusion he considers simply misconceived. According to Wright, both Jesus and Paul took for granted that one day God would set the world right, but the specific within a generation warnings in the Gospels referred to Jerusalems fall in A.D. 70, not the ultimate culmination of history. He elaborated, Jesus, I think, hints at the coming time when all things are going to be resolved and put rightthe great coming palingenesia, or rebirth, He speaks of in Matthew 18, or the time which Peter refers to in Acts when God is going to put everything right at last. Wright emphasized that, They take for granted the fact that one day, God, the Creator, will put everything right. Wright highlighted that understanding the difference between the fall of Jerusalem and the end of the world is essential for interpreting early Christian expectations. I dont think Paul would be alarmed or surprised, he said, Theres no sense of failure or trauma or anything that it didnt, in fact, end after one generation. He pointed out that second- and third-century church leaders such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian continued to affirm hope in the eventual renewal of the world, without distress over the passing of time. Tertullian is still talking cheerfully about the coming Great Day when we will all celebrate the renewal of Gods world, Wright explained. Finally, Wright noted that the New Testament itself provides a theological framework for this kind of delay, citing 2 Peter: That one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and vice versa Gods in charge of time. Its up to Him. The photo is not relevant to the article content. | Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Ali Muhammad A court in Lahore, Pakistan, has acquitted two Christian youths of false blasphemy charges stemming from a minor dispute, their lawyer announced Tuesday. Adil Babar, 20, and Simon Nadeem, 16, who were 18 and 14 respectively when charged in 2023, were cleared of accusations under Section 295-A of Pakistans blasphemy laws, according to Supreme Court Advocate Naseeb Anjum. The two Catholics were initially arrested on May 18, 2023, and charged under Section 295-C, which pertains to disrespecting Islams prophet Muhammad and carries a mandatory death sentence; and Section 298-A, involving insults to holy figures including Muhammads wives, family members, and companions, and the four caliphs of Islam. These charges can lead to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 10 years. Anjum told Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News, We challenged the inclusion of the two sections in our bail applications in the Lahore sessions court. The judge admitted that the accusation did not merit invoking Sections 295-C and 298-A, and ordered the police to change the charge to Section 295-A. The judge granted bail to Babar, and Nadeem was subsequently released on bail by the Lahore High Court. Their trial, which lasted nearly two years, was conducted under Section 295-A. He also noted, The court finally admitted our argument that it could not take cognizance of the offense under Section 295-A without the approval of the federal or provincial governments, citing Section 196 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). This section states that no court can take cognizance of these offenses, outlined in the Pakistan Penal Code, unless the prosecution is initiated by a complaint made under the order or authority of the federal or provincial government or a designated officer. The case against the two Christians was filed by Zahid Sohail after a minor altercation, Anjum said. The false accusation of blasphemy against the two boys caused religious tension in their Qurban Lines neighborhood, and their families were forced to relocate to other areas due to security fears, he explained. Theres a dire need to make procedural reforms in cases involving blasphemy to protect the victims, a majority of whom are declared innocent after years of court proceedings and imprisonment. According to the Annual Human Rights Observer report by the Center for Social Justice, out of 344 new blasphemy cases, 70% of the accused were Muslims, 6% Christians, 9% Hindus, and 14% Ahmadis. The report states, The blatant weaponization of blasphemy laws continued to enable persecution, religious intolerance and widespread human rights violations. Between 1987 and 2024, at least 2,793 persons have been formally or informally accused of blasphemy in Pakistan. The report further indicates that, between 1994 and 2024, at least 104 people were killed extrajudicially following blasphemy allegations. Home News 5 killed during attack on Bible study in Nigeria; 110 others kidnapped in recent months Fulani herdsmen on Friday killed five Christians and wounded three others in an area of northwest Nigerias Kaduna state where at least 110 others have been kidnapped in the past six months, sources said. In Kajuru County, Fulani bandits on Friday attacked an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Bible study and prayer service in Kampani village, killing Victor Haruna, Dogara Jatau, Luka Yari, Jesse Dalami and Bawu John, said resident Philip Adams. He identified those wounded as Samuel Aliyu, Philip Dominic and Jacob Hussaini. Residents said the attack at the church site took place at about 3:30 p.m. This is the present predicament of most communities within Kajuru and Kachia Local Council Areas in southern part of Kaduna state, resident Happiness Daniel told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News in a text message. We constantly live in fear every day. We cant sleep in our homes and we cant go to farms. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Kidnappings Kajuru County has been the site of at least 110 kidnappings from the predominantly Christian villages of Bauda, Unguwan Yashi, Unguwan Mulki, Makyali, Ungwan Mudi Doka and Unguwar Rogo in the first six months of this year, residents said. Fulani herdsmen raided Bauda on June 28, kidnapping village head Obadiah Iguda in Kufana District at about 1 a.m., they said. Stephen Maikori, a community leader and overseer of Kufana District, said Igudas kidnapping was one among dozens of other abductions of Christian villagers. This senseless act of violence has further deepened the atmosphere of insecurity and fear among the residents of Bauda and its surrounding communities, Maikori said. On March 12, Fulani herdsmen kidnapped 10 villagers from Unguwan Yashi, Makyali and Ungwan Mudi Doka villages, Maikori said. The attacks began around 2 a.m. in Unguwan Yashi-Maraban Kajuru, where six Christians were abducted, he said. In Makyali community, two Christian women were abducted, while two men also suffered gunshot wounds and are receiving treatment, he told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. The bandits struck at Makyali village at about 4 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12. In Ungwan Mudi Doka village, two more Christians were kidnapped on the same day, Maikori said. On the same day also, a pastor serving with ECWA Church was killed at Unguwan Mulki community, he said. This is in addition to the kidnapping of 38 Christians, but eight escaped, leaving 30 others who have remained in captivity. In Unguwan Yashi, Fulani herdsmen kidnapped God-Dream Ladan, Lady God-Dream, Philip Mudakas, Mercy Philip, Bitrus Philip and Gmen Philip, he said. In Makyali village, they kidnapped Rahina Yahaya and Zulai Yahaya, while in Ungwan Mudi Doka village, Amos Michael and Samita Amos, were kidnapped, he said. Fulani herdsmen raiding Buda village on March 10 kidnapped 61 Christians, including women and children, he said. On Jan. 18 in Agama village, Christian villagers were kidnapped while holding from a funeral service, he added. The situation is devastating because we have not heard from their captors nor from the Christian victims since the incidents happened, Maikori said. Were appealing to the government to take action and ensure their return immediately. In Unguwar Rogo, Fulani herdsmen set fire to a church building and dozens of houses belonging to Christians, said resident Zamani Ishaku. This is a continuation of attacks on our communities which began on New Years Day, Ishaku said. Resident Ishaya Onnusim said the church building belonged to the ECWA. The bandits destroyed properties, stole farm products, burned down six houses, and set the ECWA Church in Unguwar Rogo ablaze after looting valuables from the church and its pastorium, Onnusim said. Resident Jonah Dodo added, Its with so much pain in my heart to intimate you about the constant attacks on our peace-loving communities by armed Muslim Fulani terrorists, which have continued without the Nigerian government doing anything to stop them. Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report. They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states. Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds. Nigeria remained among the most dangerous places on earth for Christians, according to Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Of the 4,476 Christians killed for their faith worldwide during the reporting period, 3,100 (69%) were in Nigeria, according to the WWL. The measure of anti-Christian violence in the country is already at the maximum possible under World Watch List methodology, the report stated. In the countrys North-Central zone, where Christians are more common than they are in the North-East and North-West, Islamic extremist Fulani militia attack farming communities, killing many hundreds, Christians above all, according to the report. Jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and the splinter group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), among others, are also active in the countrys northern states, where federal government control is scant and Christians and their communities continue to be the targets of raids, sexual violence, and roadblock killings, according to the report. Abductions for ransom have increased considerably in recent years. The violence has spread to southern states, and a new jihadist terror group, Lakurawa, has emerged in the northwest, armed with advanced weaponry and a radical Islamist agenda, the WWL noted. Lakurawa is affiliated with the expansionist Al-Qaeda insurgency Jamaa Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, originating in Mali. Nigeria ranked seventh on the 2025 WWL list of the 50 worst countries for Christians. This article was originally published by Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News. Home News First female ELCA presiding bishop set to retire after 2 terms in office Advocate for LGBT issues and abortion, opposes Trump admin. policies The first female presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is slated to retire later this year after serving two terms as head of the liberal Mainline Protestant denomination. The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, who was elected in 2013, is not going to seek a third term as presiding bishop, noted an announcement from the ELCA last week. Eaton's term will end on Sept. 30, an ELCA spokesperson told The Christian Post on Monday. Eaton could have served more than two consecutive terms. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe According to the announcement, the ELCA General Assembly will take place from July 28Aug. 2 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, with the theme being For the Life of the World. As part of the proceedings, General Assembly attendees will vote on a new presiding bishop and a new secretary, as Deacon Sue Rothmeyer will also retire at the end of her term. In 2013, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly elected Eaton as the first female presiding bishop, with her getting 600 votes while incumbent Mark Hanson received only 287 votes. Eaton, who was serving as the bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod when elected, explained in her remarks following her election that she wanted to increase diversity in the denomination. "We are a church that is overwhelmingly European in a culture that is increasingly pluralistic," said Eaton at the time. "We need to welcome the gifts of those who come from different places, that is a conversation we need to have as a church." During her time in office, Eaton openly advocated for LGBT ideology and abortion, and has been critical of the Trump administration. Earlier this month, for example, Eaton released a statement denouncing the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, claiming that it included provisions that will harm the well-being of local communities and the lives of many individuals for decades to come. Eaton was reelected overwhelmingly in 2019 at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in which she received 725 votes out of the 897 votes cast on the first ballot. Like many other religious communities in the United States, the ELCA has experienced a considerable decline in recent years, including during Eaton's time as presiding bishop. While the ELCA reportedly had over 3.9 million members in 2013, the figure eventually dropped by over 1 million to 2.79 million baptized members in 2023. In November 2023, Eaton began a several-month-long leave of absence from her position for undisclosed reasons, which was approved by the ELCA Church Council Executive Committee. During that time, the Rev. Michael Burk, former bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod, served as "Presiding Bishop Pro Tem. "We give thanks for Bishop Eaton's tireless dedication and leadership and pray for her during this time of rest and rejuvenation," the ELCA stated in the 2023 announcement. Home News Deacon who helped prevent mass shooting at church surprised with new truck Deacon Richard Pryor of CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, has been blessed with a new truck weeks after his vehicle was totaled while helping to stop a man who attempted to carry out a mass shooting during the church's worship service on June 22. A police report cited by the Detroit Free Press states that 31-year-old Brian Browning, who was fatally shot by a member of the churchs security team, was witnessed erratically driving a silver SUV before parking it on the west side of the church building. Dressed in camouflage clothing and a tactical vest, Browning approached the church entrance armed with an AR-15-style rifle and 500 rounds of ammunition. He opened fire at the church before being run over by Pryor, who was arriving late for church at around 11 a.m. that day. Pryors quick thinking in using his vehicle to stop Brownings attack on the church gave the congregations security time to take him down while getting members to safety. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Matthew Demmer, general manager of Jack Demmer Ford, located less than 2 miles from the church, presented Pryor with a 2025 F-150 PowerBoost on a two-year free lease for his act of bravery last Thursday, and the deacon was elated. I can't be more than thankful enough for everybody's support. The Lord was definitely involved in the events of that Sunday," Pryor told WXYZ. "Everything that's transpired afterwards and how everybodys reached out, Jack Demmer, Ford, it's been more than expected, so I can't be more than appreciative, just thank you to everybody. Pryor, who was the first person to notice Browning advancing on the church, previously told WXYZ how everything unfolded. "As soon as he got out of the vehicle, I saw the fatigues, I saw the gun on his hip, and he pulled the weapon out of his vehicle," Pryor recalled. He said he made a split-second decision to pull the gunman away from the church by charging directly at him with his truck, and Browning opened fire on him. "He shot a round through the truck, and in those few seconds, I realized the truck was dead and I didn't have a weapon on me," the deacon explained. As he presented Pryor with his new truck, Demmer explained that while the deacon welcomed the gift, he was a bit reluctant to accept it. "He was incredibly grateful for it and was almost standoffish like he doesn't deserve it, which is certainly not the case," Demmer told the news outlet. The gift of the truck from Jack Demmer Ford comes after more than $47,000 was also donated in a GoFundMe campaign to support the reluctant hero in acquiring a new vehicle. I wanted to personally thank everyone who contributed to this GoFundMe. I don't have words to express how grateful I am. The incident that led to my truck being destroyed has obviously changed me. But the level of love and gratitude I have experienced since has changed me so much more, Pryor said in a message to donors on June 30. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. If you donated and we happen to cross paths, please say hello. I would love to meet each of you to tell you personally thank you myself. Home News John Piper shares 4 biblical standards for testing internet preachers With the growing popularity of online sermons, social media influencers and podcast preachers, discerning sound doctrine from false teaching is more important than ever, according to pastor and author John Piper. Set your standards high, the 79-year-old chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota, said in a recent episode of the "Ask Pastor John" podcast. Listen to people who are truly God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated, Spirit-dependent, who bear the marks in their lives of authenticity. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Pipers comments came in response to a reader who shared a concern about doctrine in the digital age: The Bible gives us a lot of warnings about false teachers, but how can I identify if someone I listen to on the Internet is a false teacher? he asked. Dont set the bar so low that you only stop listening to people if they can be properly called false teachers, Piper said. Lots of people are teachers who are simply misguided and unhelpful in many ways, but might not come under the ban of being called a false teacher. The four biblical tests, Piper said, are the fruit of a teachers life, the soundness of their doctrine, their submission to Scripture and their fidelity to the Gospel of grace. He cited the words of Jesus in Matthew 7, pointing to the importance of examining a teachers life. You will recognize them by their fruits, Piper quoted. So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. He acknowledged that evaluating someones personal conduct can be difficult when dealing with internet personalities. Which is why you need to look carefully and take time and belong to a church a real, live, human-being, flesh-and-blood, in-person church with a real, live preacher whose life you know. Drawing from Pauls example in 1 Thessalonians, Piper noted how the apostle emphasized his own life as evidence of the Gospels power. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake, Paul wrote. So judge us by our lives. Next, Piper turned to the theological integrity of a teachers message. Referencing 1 John 4, Piper said the incarnation of Christ is a non-negotiable: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. He also quoted 1 Timothy 6, where Paul warns against anyone who does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness. We need to measure the doctrines that are being taught by the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and by their implications for godliness, Piper said. A teachers attitude toward the authority of Scripture is also key, the Don't Waste Your Life author said. Piper cited 1 Corinthians 14:3738, where Paul declared that those who refuse to acknowledge apostolic teaching are not to be recognized. Similarly, in 1 John 4:6, John wrote, Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. The apostles elevated their teaching to the level of a test of truth, Piper said. If a person does not submit his thinking and his teaching to the authority of the apostles to the authorized teachers of Christ who wrote the New Testament then theyre not going to be reliable teachers. Even if such people occasionally say true things, Piper warned, that doesnt make them reliable teachers. Finally, Piper emphasized the centrality of the Gospel of justification by faith. Quoting Galatians 1:89, he reminded listeners of Pauls stern warning: Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. Paul is just red-hot about this one, Piper said, explaining that any gospel that reintroduces law-keeping as a means to justification is a betrayal of grace. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace (Galatians 5:4), he added. Piper made it clear that identifying false teaching is a matter of spiritual life and death. False doctrine and false teachers arent just misleading; theyre soul-endangering. So, we must be on high alert with discernment, deeply rooted in the truth. While the internet can be a helpful supplement, the pastor ended with a strong reminder of where spiritual safety lies. The best way to protect ourselves from false teachers is to be part of a healthy, Bible-preaching church, and to be prayerfully saturated with the Bible every day. In a 2022 op-ed published by The Christian Post, Sam Rainer, president of Church Answers and pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church in Florida, stressed that theological training is helpful but not necessary to identify heresy. Jesus answers this question in the Sermon on the Mount. He teaches how few take the narrow and difficult road to discern truth. Jesus then warns about why you should care about discerning truth, he wrote. Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act (Matthew 7:15-16), he wrote. The term fruit occurs over one hundred times in the Bible. Fruit usually refers to results. What qualities are manifested in your life? Where do your hours go? Where is your money spent? What words do you communicate? What does your mind consume? If you are not dedicating hours, mind energy, and eyeballs to Gods Word, then you are going to struggle to know what is true in this world. Know Gods truth, and the results will follow. Home News Liberal groups drop Okla. Catholic charter school lawsuit, declare victory over its rejection A progressive secular watchdog group is declaring victory in its litigation against Oklahoma over the state's attempt to establish the nation's first religious charter school. Americans United for Separation of Church and State and other progressive groups had sued Oklahoma officials when they greenlit plans to launch a virtual Catholic charter school, known as St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. In an announcement released on Monday, Americans United said it was ending its lawsuit, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld an earlier ruling against it. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Americans United is proud to work closely with Oklahomans to protect inclusive public education and religious freedom, said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United, as quoted in the announcement. While we celebrate victory in this case, AU continues to litigate two other church-state separation lawsuits in Oklahoma to stop Ryan Walters and his Christian Nationalist allies from imposing their religious beliefs on public school children. Americans United had joined the ACLU, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Education Law Center, and the Oklahoma-based Odom & Sparks PLLC and J. Douglas Mann to represent the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Advocacy Coalition in their suit against the Catholic charter school. Their notice of voluntary dismissal in the case was filed on Monday in the District Court of Oklahoma County, state of Oklahoma, and certified by County Clerk Rick Warren. In June 2023, the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted 3-2 to approve the creation of St. Isidore, which was to be jointly overseen by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Catholic Diocese of Tulsa. However, liberal groups and Republican Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond objected to the taxpayer-funded religious charter school, with Drummond filing a complaint against the board in October 2023, and the liberal groups also filed a lawsuit. The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled 7-1 last year against the religious charter school, with the majority concluding that the greenlighting of the religious entity violated the state's constitution. Although the charter school board rescinded the contract for St. Isidore per an order from the Oklahoma Supreme Court, they also filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. In April, the U.S. Supreme Court heard the combined cases of Oklahoma Charter School Board, et al. v. Drummond, Attorney General of Oklahoma and St. Isidore of Seville School v. Drummond, Attorney General of Oklahoma. Justice Amy Coney Barrett had recused herself from the case, reportedly due to her personal ties to Nicole Stelle Garnett, a professor who had served as an early adviser to St. Isidore. In a brief per curiam opinion released in May, the highest court in the land ruled 4-4 to affirm the earlier Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling against the establishment of St. Isidore. Home News Church continues religious discrimination legal battle against University of Maine System A church is continuing its legal battle against the University of Maine System for allegedly refusing to sell a property because of the congregation's religious objections to same-sex marriage after a legal setback earlier this year. Calvary Chapel Belfast filed an appeal last week with the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after a lower court rejected its request for a preliminary injunction. After UMS initially awarded Calvary Chapel the right to negotiate the purchase of the Hutchinson Center in Belfast last August, it rescinded the offer allegedly after objections were raised about the church's traditional views on sexuality. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "Calvary Chapel Belfast was the winning bidder to purchase a University of Maine System-owned property, yet the System revoked the Church's award after receiving unprecedented backlash from the disappointed bidders, donors, employees, alumni, politicians, and vocal community members all of which was driven by animus towards the Church and its religious views," states the appeal. "In denying the Church equitable relief, the district court downplayed the circumstantial evidence of the extraordinary public pressure on the System and instead found 'no impermissible religious animus from within the System' or 'procedural irregularity' with its decision." "Calvary Chapel Belfast rightfully won the University of Maine System's first bidding process," said Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver, whose organization is representing the church, in a statement. "The church participated in the bidding process in good faith, but UMS then unlawfully rescinded their winning bid due to its religious beliefs under the excuse of procedural deficiencies. Such discrimination is unlawful, and an injunction is necessary to restore the church's bid award and stop these unconstitutional actions." Last November, the University of Maine announced that the Hutchinson property had been awarded to Waldo Community Action Partners, which offered $3.06 million for the property, exceeding the estimated value of $2.52 million. "WCAP demonstrated proof of funds and their top-scoring proposal did not have any contingencies that could delay a timely transition of the property, which the university anticipates could be completed by early 2025," stated the university last year. "As is standard with System solicitations, the university has the right to terminate negotiations at any point if they are not proceeding in a manner that is in its best interest as a public institution." Later that month, Calvary Chapel filed suit against the university system, arguing that WCAP is a "secular bidder that had maliciously criticized the Church's religious identity and beliefs and on whose Board sits a State Senator who openly stoked flames of religious hostility towards the Church in the community." "UMS's actions, culminating in the award of RFP 2025-031 to WCAP, represent a continuation of its pattern of discriminatory treatment toward the Church and a conspiracy against its constitutional rights," reads the complaint. The university system emailed a statement to The Christian Post last November denying wrongdoing and acknowledging a formal protest from Calvary Chapel. "As we have previously stated, every organization had the same opportunity to submit a proposal to purchase the Hutchinson Center, and every proposal received was scored by the same objective standards," stated the UMS. In May, U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann, a Biden appointee, rejected Calvary Chapel's motion for a preliminary injunction, concluding that the church had "produced no evidence of impermissible religious animus from within the System. Neumann also wrote that "the alleged substantive and procedural departures are not probative of any intent by the System to discriminate on the basis of religion or adopt the community's religious animus." "The record demonstrates [System Vice Chancellor of Finance Ryan Low] made the decision to rescind the award and issue a new RFP based on one of the same factors the second-appeal-level administrator would usually consider cost savings," wrote Neumann. "The Church did not produce evidence indicating such a decision-maker would not have considered that important factor." Home News Netanyahu denies personal responsibility for Oct. 7, blames security services Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released an English-language video on Monday evening in which he again denied any personal responsibility for the Hamas invasion of Oct. 7, 2023, while also claiming full responsibility for Israels achievements in its various conflicts against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran since then. The video was posted on Netanyahus personal social media platforms Monday evening before he held meetings with the chairman of the Knessets Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, Yuli Edelstein, and leaders of the United Torah Judaism party, in which he attempted to prevent the ultra-Orthodox parties from leaving the coalition. In the video, Netanyahu is interviewed by his recently appointed international affairs advisor, Caroline Glick, who has long been an apologist for the embattled leader as he has faced opposition regarding his legal challenges, the Judicial Reform laws, and his handling of the Gaza War, before her appointment as an advisor. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Posted under the caption Just the facts, the video shows Netanyahu being asked some hard questions that keep coming up in the international media by Glick. Mr. Prime Minister, we want to ask you some hard questions that keep coming up in the international media, Glick begins. First off, your critics claim that the war is your fault, that you brought it on Israel because of your judicial reform program and the mass refusal to serve in the IDF that followed. How do you respond to that? Well, it's completely bogus, Netanyahu answered. I mean, first of all, I said at the time of the judicial reform, I said to our enemies, don't mistake our internal democratic debate. At the day of reckoning, if we are attacked, we shall all be there, left and right. And that's exactly what happened. Next, Glick questioned the prime minister about statements by two former security officials, former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, who said they warned you of the impending war in July 2023, and you ignored their warnings. What do you say to that? Glick asked. Claiming that there are recorded conversations with the entire cabinet, Netanyahu says that it was Shin Bet chief Bar who convinced him that Hamas did not want a war. What they said is the opposite, Netanyahu argues. They said, There's not going to be any war in Gaza. Hamas is deterred. Hamas just wants workers. They want economic benefits. There's no danger of an impending attack from Hamas. And they said it again and again and again. Netanyahu again stated that security officials failed to wake him once information started to come in that Hamas was preparing a large-scale operation. "And let me tell you another thing that is shocking," he stated. "The attack began 6:29 Saturday morning. Six and a half hours earlier, at midnight, we were getting a lot of intel signs that an attack was being hatched. They didn't call me. They didn't wake up the commander-in-chief. Because let me tell you, if I had received a call, I would have acted differently." The prime minister also pointed to the existence of a document referred to in Israeli media as the Jericho Walls plan, which detailed Hamas plans to attack in a manner very similar to the Oct. 7 attacks, as evidence that the Judicial Reform laws were not the catalyst for the Oct. 7 invasion. He said that the existence of the plans proves that security and defense establishments failed to correctly understand and interpret Hamas intentions. Netanyahu also noted that the plans were discovered under the previous leftist government. It was hatched by Hamas in 2022, when a leftist government was in power. It didnt have anything to do with the judicial reform, Netanyahu stated. Despite Netanyahus claims, the IDF revealed in May of last year, in response to a freedom of information request, that Netanyahu was provided with at least four official documents, during the spring and summer of 2023, that the large protests and unrest related to the Judicial Reform laws as well as the draft exemptions being planned for Haredi men were causing Israels enemies to view the country as weakened. At that time, Netanyahu also denied that the warnings presented any clear warning of a Hamas attack. Not only is there no warning in any of the documents about Hamass intentions to attack Israel from Gaza, but they instead give a completely opposite assessment, Netanyahu claimed in response to the IDF revelation. Netanyahu also claimed to have made "all the key decisions in the war." The decision "to attack Hamas and keep Hezbollah at bay, not to have two fronts. I made in the beginning of the war," he stated. He also claimed to have taken the decision to attack the Hamas stronghold in Rafah "against the advice of some of these former officials." Netanyahu said that he made the decision to eliminate former Secretary-General of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah, and to not warn the Americans ahead of time. He also noted that "the attack on Iran, something that I've been leading for the last 40 years, [was] basically decided six months earlier." With the possibility of elections looming as a result of ultra-Orthodox parties leaving the coalition, the video could be an attempt to set Netanyahus official narrative of the events surrounding Oct. 7 going into an election cycle, making sure that he has consistent messaging on an issue that will surely be a part of election campaigning by his political opponents. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News Parent advocate warns about AI in classrooms as tech companies sign Trumps pledge As the Trump administration seeks to improve American education through Artificial Intelligence, United States Parents Involved in Education, a nationwide coalition pushing to restore parental authority over their children's education, is urging caution. "AI is an up-and-coming technology, important in the tech growth business. However, use of this technology should be very, very limited in Pre-K-8. Books, paper, pencils, and cursive have been proven to be far more effective teaching tools," USPIE Founder and President Sheri Few said in a statement to The Christian Post. "Consider the expensive, private Waldorf Schools where many tech execs send their kids. No technology in K-8! They want them to think for themselves and learn to express themselves without a cyber crutch. Think about that!" Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The group's warning comes as some 68 technology companies, including Google, Amazon, Dell, Intel, Microsoft and NVIDIA, signed on to the administration's "Pledge to America's Youth: Investing in AI Education." These companies have pledged to develop early interest in AI technology by promoting AI literacy and proficiency through "comprehensive AI training for educators." "We pledge to invest in America's K-12 students and teachers by providing resources that cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary for an AI-ready workforce and the next generation of American innovators," the pledge states. "Specifically, over the next 4 years, we pledge to make available resources for youths and teachers through funding and grants, educational materials and curricula, technology and tools, teacher professional development programs, workforce development resources, and/or technical expertise and mentorship." President Donald Trump signed an executive order in April to establish a comprehensive national framework for preparing American students for the workforce of the future and spurring innovation in American Artificial Intelligence. "By establishing a strong framework that integrates early student exposure with comprehensive teacher training and other resources for workforce development, we can ensure that every American has the opportunity to learn about AI from the earliest stages of their educational journey through postsecondary education," Trump notes in the order, billed Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth. Fostering a culture of innovation and critical thinking, the order explains, "will solidify our Nation's leadership in the AI-driven future." The National Assessment of Educational Progress, a congressionally mandated test designed to measure the general state of education nationally, painted a grim picture of student performance at both the fourth and eighth-grade levels in reading and math. More than half of fourth graders nationwide have not yet mastered reading at a proficient level for their grade. Students considered proficient is 2 percentage points lower than it was two years earlier. Few believes parents should be skeptical and vigilant about the push for AI in the classrooms because, Government schools have already been using iPads, increasing the publics cost while offloading teaching, with no proven improvement in student achievement. AI can also be used to push agendas, she argues, with little to no input from parents. USPIE recently reported that an AI chatbot advised a girl not to tell her parents that she wants to become a boy and that she should seek guidance from pretty much anybody but her parents, Few said. Although technology dependency has increased greatly in recent years, student achievement in reading and math continues to crater. Meanwhile, children are exposed to Silicon Valleys idea of morality anything goes. Home News SBA establishes Center for Faith, reverses ban on religious orgs. receiving disaster relief The Small Business Administration has established a Center for Faith and will repeal policies utilized during the Biden administration that prevented faith organizations from receiving disaster relief loans from the federal government. The SBA announced in a statement Monday the creation of the Center for Faith to "empower faith-based businesses, community organizations, and houses of worship with access to capital, counselling, and government contracting opportunities." The Center for Faith is led by Janna Bowman, who serves as director of faith outreach for the executive branch agency. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "We are thrilled to announce our first-ever Center for Faith at the SBA to improve access to agency resources for the faith community, ensuring that all SBA programs are accessible to eligible Americans regardless of their religious affiliation," SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said in a statement. "We are proud to uphold the principles of religious freedom that our nation was founded on and look forward to forging lasting relationships that bring new small businesses into the SBA ecosystem." The SBA will also rescind a regulation maintained by the Biden administration that prohibited any entity "principally engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling, or indoctrinating religion" from applying for Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses and nonprofit organizations located in a declared disaster area that find themselves unable to meet their financial obligations and pay regular and necessary operating expenses. The loans are only available to businesses that the SBA determines are unable to obtain financial assistance elsewhere. The SBA, under the Trump administration, maintains that the Biden-era regulation is unconstitutional in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2017 decisionTrinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer. The court ruled that the refusal of a Missouri state agency to reimburse a church for participating in a state program encouraging the use of recycled tires for playground surfaces, while offering the benefit to similar secular organizations, ran afoul of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Loeffler vowed that the agency is "committed to ending the era of weaponized government that has systematically discriminated against Americans of faith even denying them access to vital disaster relief in times of tragedy." The agency stressed that "Effective immediately, faith-related organizations are now eligible for agency disaster relief in the aftermath of tragedy." The SBA is not the only executive branch agency to establish a Center for Faith following President Donald Trump's Feb. 7 executive order establishing the White House Faith Office and encouraging partnerships between the federal government, faith-based entities, houses of worship and community organizations. Other executive branch agencies that have launched centers for faith include the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Home News Tucker Carlson claims Fox News is 'anti-Christian,' execs 'uncomfortable' with faith Political commentator Tucker Carlson said he believes his former employer, Fox News, is anti-Christian and that his wife thanked God when the network suddenly fired him without explanation in 2023. During an hour-long interview released Sunday on Turning Point USA host Alex Clark's Culture Apothecary podcast, the two touched briefly on how Tucker's wife, Susie Carlson, came to believe Fox News nurses antipathy toward Christianity. Thank God, Susie reportedly said when she learned her husband was fired. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe She thought they were really anti-Christian, Carlson said of why his wife was pleased when Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott phoned him to announce the cancellation of his show on April 24, 2023. When asked if he agreed with his wife, Carlson said, Oh, of course, adding that overt Christian rhetoric just makes them uncomfortable. Theyre not comfortable with that at all, he said, going on to suggest that someone at Fox News would be out of there if they broached the topic of how Israel treats Palestinian Christians. Carlson has stoked controversy for criticizing some Israeli government policies and their alleged influence on the United States. He recently made headlines for suggesting Jeffrey Epstein was a Mossad asset and for grilling Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on whether Gods promise to Abraham in Genesis 12 applies to the modern state of Israel. Carlson also recounted to Clark that shortly after Fox News fired him, reporters from The Daily Mail showed up at his home in Florida to request comment, which he said annoyed him as he tried to offer a diplomatic answer. Ive got something to say, Carlson quoted his wife interjecting to the cameraman at the time, noting he dreaded her response because she is a former religion teacher who never lies. F--- Fox News! she reportedly said, which prompted Tucker to phone the editor of The Daily Mail to ask him not to publish her comment. I want to be quoted! I think that! Tuckers wife said when she found out The Daily Mail agreed not to run her sentiment. Following an alleged physical demonic attack in his bed that left claw marks on his body, which Carlson confirmed to CP last fall happened two months before his firing, his monologues on his show grew more overtly religious. Weeks before his firing and 11 days after a transgender-identifying girl murdered Christian children at The Covenant School, a PCA-affiliated elementary school in Nashville, Carlson delivered a monologue on Good Friday that framed transgender ideology as a government-sanctioned religion fundamentally opposed to God and built upon self-worship. A source with knowledge told Vanity Fair that former Fox Corporation Co-Chair Rupert Murdoch was especially upset by Carlson's speech at the Heritage Foundation's 50th anniversary gala just three days before he was fired, during which he presented the nation's political battles in spiritual terms of good versus evil. Carlson is not the only former Fox News host who has suggested executives at the company bristle at Christianity. During an interview with Glenn Beck in Salt Lake City, Utah, last September, Beck told Carlson that he was told to stop talking about God so much on the air, and that his bosses were keeping count of how many times he mentioned Him. Beck, who is a Mormon, said he ultimately came to believe Fox News was a source of spiritual evil and willingly decided to step away for his own spiritual health. Exactly three months after Carlsons last show on Fox News in 2023, Beck broke the story that Fox Corporation was willing to match employee donations of up to $1,000 to far-left nonprofits including The Satanic Temple, Planned Parenthood and the Southern Poverty Law Center. The company pulled The Satanic Temple from the charity matching portal days after Becks story broke, which he claimed multiple insiders at Fox had leaked to him. Fox pretends to care about Christians, but some of the stuff they push internally suggests otherwise, one of Becks insider sources told TheBlaze. Glory holes, trans surgeries for kids and potential donations to Satan are a huge slap in the face to every Christian at the company, and we resent it. Home Opinion The God of second chances amid cancel culture We live in a culture where second chances are rare like trying to find Wi-Fi in the middle of the desert. One bad post, one offhand comment from 10 years ago, and boom your reputations gone. Cancelled. No grace, no mercy, no way back. But thats not how God operates. The story of Jonah reminds us that God is the God of second chances. While our world cancels, God restores. While others write you off, He rewrites your story. Jonah ran from God and God ran after Jonah. Thats grace. So, dont tune this out. Gods not done with you. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe You've heard of Jonah and the whale, right? Hollywood hasn't picked it up yet probably too low on explosions and not enough sexual confusion but it's got everything: rebellion, near-death experiences, a big fish, and yes, a worm. Because what's biblical drama without an unexpected twist? Jonah was called to preach to Nineveh, a city described in the Bible as "great" and in history as violent, vile, and vicious. Jonah said no. He boarded a ship going the opposite way. God said, in essence, "Cute try." Cue a "great wind," a shipwreck, and a "great fish" swallowing Jonah whole. Three days later, Jonah is belched out onto shore, spiritually renewed and, presumably, smelling like sushi gone bad. And then comes the best part: God calls him again. Same mission. Same message. Same Jonah. Only this time, Jonah obeys. The Gospel: simpler than you think Jonah preached an eight-word sermon: "Yet 40 days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." No fog machines. No merch table. Just truth. And what happened? The entire city repented. The king took off his royal robes, people put on sackcloth, even the cows got involved (read it, its in there). It was the greatest revival in recorded history. Why? Because Jonah, the once reluctant prophet, finally delivered Gods message instead of editing it. Thats the power of the Gospel. Not some glittery pep talk about being your best self, but a soul-shaking proclamation: You are lost, God has come for you, and through Christ, you can be found. As Paul said in Romans, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation." Hard Truth: God uses flawed people Jonah didnt want to preach. And when God spared Nineveh, Jonah got mad. This is like writing a bestseller and being upset it got published. Why? Because Jonah still thought some people were too far gone for God. Sound familiar? Today, we write people off like bad checks. They vote the wrong way, tweet the wrong thing, and watch the wrong news network. But God sent a reluctant, bitter, slightly racist prophet to the worst city on Earth and sparked a revival. Thats grace. Scandalous, unfair, glorious grace. Jonah was angry enough to die because God was too merciful. And God in a move that would make a screenwriter wince grows a plant to give Jonah shade, then sends a worm to kill it. Jonah weeps for the plant but not the people. The worm, it turns out, is not just a bug. Its a mirror. Your second chance Maybe youve been running like Jonah. Maybe you think youre too messed up, too compromised, too late. You're not. If God can use a guy who got barfed out of a fish to spark the greatest awakening in history, He can use you. But He wont force you. He didnt force Jonah. He gave him a second chance. Youve got one too. So, stop running. Deliver the message. Love the unlovable. Invite the unreachable. And remember: the God who appointed a fish, a storm, and a worm also appointed you. And who knows? Maybe the revival doesnt start in Nineveh. Maybe it starts with you. This Saturday night at Angel Stadium Were preaching the Gospel at the Harvest Crusade, and weve been doing this for 35 years now! Can you believe it? Well have powerful worship with Chris Tomlin, Brooke Ligertwood, We The Kingdom, Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes and most importantly, well be lifting up the name of Jesus Christ to thousands. People are bringing friends. Lives will change. And yes, you still have time to invite someone. Dont miss what God might do through one simple act of obedience. Lets fill the stadium and let the Gospel echo across Southern California once again. See you at Angel Stadium this Saturday at 7:00 PM! See you there. Home Opinion This myth about Iranians that Western Christians believe Ive spoken to military historians. Ive interviewed Israeli experts. Ive followed headlines. But it wasnt until I sat down with Lana Silk, CEO of Transform Iran, that I realized how profoundly the American Christian imagination has failed the people of Iran. In our conversation, Silk didnt talk about revival, quote numbers or share stories of dreams and visions. She exposed a spiritual truth: Irans regime is not simply political, it is apocalyptic, and it is willing to destroy its own people to advance its goals. The people of Iran are captives. Ayatollah Khomeini once said, Let this land burn if Islam spreads. That was not hyperbole. This is a regime willing to trade millions of lives for theological dominance. As Lana reminded me, state media recently said half the Iranian population could be sacrificed if it preserved the power of the Supreme Leader. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Thats not propaganda. Thats doctrine. And yet, Western Christians still see the Iranian people as a violent threat. Toward the end of our interview, I asked Lana, What is the one myth about the Iranian people that Western Christians need to repent of believing? Her answer was sobering: The myth is that the Iranian people by and large are in support of their religion. That they are lovers of Islam and they support the activities of their government. That is absolutely false. The vast majority of Iranians are themselves victims of the actions of their government and want the regime to change ... they are a suffering people, not an angry people. We dont just need better foreign policy. Our government should improve that area of focus, but the church can do something even more. We can repent. Weve bought into the lie that Islamic country equals Islamic devotion, and that Middle Eastern people are militant. Weve believed that the Iranian people, Muslim and Christian alike, are one with their government. And in doing so, we have made an entire nation invisible. Although there are elements of that which are true, we must be careful not to lump an entire group of people based on ethnic and religious stereotypes. Meanwhile, the church in Iran is preparing. Transform Iran is working in and alongside the underground church, largely online and through satellite systems avenues which are the most difficult for the regime to control. Theyre creating discipleship networks, economic training and even plans for civic rebuilding. They are not naive. They know persecution doesnt end overnight. But they are actively helping the Iranian people in both smart and wise ways to best spread the Gospel message and help the hurting, intercepting those searching for hope and ready to step in as a front-facing leader of faith if and when freedom comes to Iran. The real question for the Western Christian Church is: Are we ready? Because if regime change comes, through internal collapse or outside force, and we have failed to invest in the people of Iran, we will have missed one of the greatest opportunities for Gospel partnership in modern history. Not through invasion. Not through globalist management. But through humble support, material aid, prayer and relationship. We dont need to romanticize Iran nor demonize the people. We need to repent. And then we need to act. The Iranian people are crying out. The church in the West must not be silent; we must support our brothers and sisters in Christ to help share the Gospel and shape a region. Home Opinion Will God answer a prayer thats not good for you? What if you prayed for something that would actually hurt you would God still give it to you? A story from King Davids life answers that question. King Davids prayer against Absalom In 2 Samuel 15-19, Scripture tells the story of Absaloms rebellion. This was one of Davids sons who attempted to steal the throne from him and even ignited a brief civil war within Israel. Despite how short the story is, it contains a lot of characters and many moving parts. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe One of those characters is Ahithophel, an advisor to King David who was known for giving excellent advice. As 2 Samuel 16:23 will say of Ahithophels wisdom: In those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the Word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom. And unfortunately for David, when the rebellion begins, Ahithophel joins Absaloms side. Mentally speaking, this was heavy firepower for Team Absalom. David feared he would not win this political chess match against Absalom. With human solutions to this crisis deteriorating away, David turned to the Lord for help. 2 Samuel 15:31: And David said, O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. If Ahithophel was going to be on Davids side, the only hope was that Ahithophel would give uncharacteristically bad advice. David believes this is what he needs if he is going to be victorious over Absalom. Interestingly, God meets Davids need by doing the exact opposite of what David prayed. Absaloms fatal decision During these chapters, David flees Jerusalem. When Ahithophel tells Absalom what has to happen to deliver the killing blow to David, he says this in 2 Samuel 17:1-3: Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. I will strike down only the king, and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace. Ahithophels counsel was not turned to foolishness here. Presumably, this was perfect advice. Right now, David is weak; this is the perfect time to strike. This would mean the end of Davids reign and life. Except Absalom rejected it. Absalom decides to listen to a different advisor, his fathers friend Hushai. Unbeknownst to him, Hushai is actually still loyal to David and intentionally giving bad advice. Hushais recommendation is that Absalom wait until the next day before attacking David. 2 Samuel 17:14a: And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. This ends up sealing Absaloms fate, as King David rallies his men and makes a great comeback after this. Why did Absalom defer to Hushais proposal over Ahithophels? Scripture tells us that God was influencing these decisions. 2 Samuel 17:14b: For the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom. And if you know the rest of the story, you know its all downhill for Absalom from here. David reclaims his throne, Ahithophel goes home to hang himself, and Absalom never becomes king. We can trust God to answer the right prayers in the right way David prayed that Ahithophel would give bad advice so that Absalom would lose the battle. God answers Davids prayer a different way. Ahithophel actually ends up giving very good advice, but God causes Absalom to reject it. In the end, Davids greatest need surviving with his throne intact is met, just in a different method than David requested. What does this story show us about the way God answers prayer? It demonstrates that regardless of what words we are saying when we pray, God knows three things we dont. 1. God knows our true needs In this story, God knows what David is ultimately requesting in prayer. And David thinks he has to give God the details on how to accomplish it. We are often that way, too. When we pray, we dont just tell God what we want. We tell God how we want it done. We tell God who should do it. And we even tell God when we want it done and its usually right now. And yet we often find that when God finally comes through, its in a different way and timing than we expected. Thats because God knows how to meet our deepest needs. Davids request wasnt to bring harm to Absalom in fact, David wanted Absalom to survive this conflict, as we learn in chapter 18. But God knew that Absalom had to fall if Davids throne was going to endure. God met Davids greatest need despite the lesser details in his prayer. 2. God knows the final outcome God views everything from a higher vantage point. He sees the whole situation. He knows the future. And its no surprise; as Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. So, when Absalom rejected Ahithophels advice, Absalom was not even in control of the situation as much as he thought he was. Scripture tells us this was something the lord had ordained. And the final result brought about was according to Gods plan that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom. 3. God knows whats ultimately best When we pray, Jesus told us to begin our prayers with this request: Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Before we ask for anything our daily bread, forgiveness, deliverance we are to first ask that Gods ultimate will be done first and foremost. Its important to orient our prayers this way because it reminds us that Gods will is what we always want to see prevail. God invites us to bring our requests to Him, but if what were asking for might ultimately be to our harm, we give Him permission to reject any request thats not in accordance with His will. And if God wants to answer our prayer but change a few of the smaller details, we give Him permission to do that, too. His will be done. Trust God to do whats best When we center our prayers around the will of God, you do not have to worry about God answering your prayer in a way thats bad for you. If we bring our requests to Him in purity of heart, He wont give us a snake when we ask for a fish (see Luke 11:10-13). God loves us as His children and wont answer our prayers in a way thats actually detrimental. When we pray, we can come to God with this confidence: that He sees our true needs, knows the eventual outcome, and will always do whats best. If God hasnt answered a prayer yet on your timetable, dont be discouraged. Bring your good ideas to God and let Him return with a better one. Home Books Pastor Tim Timberlake challenges Western Churchs obsession with comfort: Pain has purpose Tim Timberlake has a message for Christians, particularly those in the West, looking for comfort: discomfort may be precisely what is needed. In his new book, The Bumpy Road to Better, the 41-year-old bestselling author and senior pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, challenges the notion that faith is a way around life's hardships. Instead, he invites readers to walk through them, head-on, hand-in-hand with Jesus. In an interview with The Christian Post, Timberlake said he's not out to offer simple solutions or spiritual cliches but clarity. Pain has purpose, he said, and avoiding it prohibits growth. He believes the Christian life is less about dodging hardship and more about learning to steward it well. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "I don't know if it was one bump," Timberlake said, reflecting on the book's origin, "or just a lifetime of different bumps and hurdles and obstacles and debris that's been in the road on this journey called life that inspired it." In The Bumpy Road to Better, Timberlake outlines 22 "hard things" that every person will eventually face, including doubt, criticism, pain, delay and sacrifice. But instead of simply gritting one's teeth and pushing through, he encourages readers to embrace difficulty as a gift. "There's great power hidden in the things we're trying to avoid," he explained. "When we unlock the strength and the power in hard things, I believe those things benefit us a lot deeper, a lot richer and a lot more meaningful than if things were easy." According to the pastor, anticipated pain is easier to endure than unexpected pain. "When we can anticipate and expect hardship and pain, I believe we have a little bit more leniency with our mental stamina," he said. "But when the bumps in the road arrive unannounced, we struggle." The solution is to build "margin" for hardship within the heart, Timberlake emphasized, and faith must be practiced and conditioned to meet life's unexpected trials with resilience. "It's ike when you work out. You hit that pain threshold and you start to talk to yourself in third person. Your mind wheels your body into submission, and it reminds you of the goal," he said. Still, even the strongest faith is not immune to doubt. "For instance, one of the greatest things I struggle with, even today, is doubt," Timberlake reflected. "Not my disbelief in God but depending on how big the bump is in the road, I ask myself the question, is God good in this situation, and will God do it for me?" Timberlake finds comfort in the biblical story of the desperate father who pleaded with Jesus: "I believe, help my unbelief." "Life has this crazy way of giving us what I call faith fatigue," he said. "It's not that we don't believe. We bring ourselves to the conclusion that maybe what we're believing for can't happen for us, but maybe it can happen for someone else." His book, he says, is for those still believing, but barely. "It's just a tool, a resource, to help those on this weary journey to remain, to endure, and to have sustaining power to get from where you are to where I believe God desires for you to be." But how do Christians reconcile a good God with so much suffering, like the recent flooding in Texas, which resulted in at least 132 confirmed deaths, including children from a Christian summer camp, and an additional 101 people still missing? "There's questions that all of us have that we will never get the answers to on this side of eternity," he said. "But God's goodness does not sway to the left or to the right. It remains." The problem, according to the pastor, is not God but where one has anchored their faith. "Oftentimes we lose faith because our faith was anchored in something instead of someone," he said. For Timberlake, that lesson became painfully real when his father, also a pastor, died the day after his 18th birthday, an event he recounted in his previous book, The Power of 1440. "My question for God was, 'Where are you? How could this happen to me?' And God simply told me 'I don't live up to your expectations, but I always live up to my word.'" Timberlake doesn't shy away from critiquing modern Christianity, especially the version preached in many Western churches. "Westernized culture, and to make it a little more specific, the westernized church, teaches a doctrine that would have us believe that when we follow Christ, then things should work out the way we want them to," he said. "That theology is just not sound." He points to Hebrews 11 as evidence. While Christians often focus on the victories in the chapter's first half, Timberlake emphasized the back half, the believers who "died in faith" without receiving the promises. "They died holding on to the faith they had anchored in," he said. "We don't get disappointed by what happens to us. We get disappointed by what we expected not to happen to us." Not every challenge comes in the form of tragedy. Some come as feedback, or worse, criticism. In The Bumpy Road to Better, Timberlake offers a personal filter for discerning whether to take it seriously: How close am I to this person? Do they have God's heart for my future? Are they doing what they're criticizing me for better than I am? If the answer is no, Timberlake said, he lets it go. "But if that person is close to me and has God's heart for my future," he explained. "then I become a student." The pastor said he takes a similar approach to sacrifice, another deeply countercultural idea. "We trust in our own ability, because we know the outcome," he said. "But real trust in God often involves stepping into the unknown." "We don't understand how little control we have until we lose control of what we thought we had control over," Timberlake added. "And clenched fists, whether holding onto dreams, habits or even relationships, can't grasp the better things God wants to give. "Maybe there are some things that you've been holding on to that God wants you to release. And maybe there are some things you've prematurely released that God wants you to steward differently." For churches that are often more concerned with comfort than conviction, Timbrlake offered the reminder: "Scripture never asks us how we feel. It never asks us, do we agree? It never asks us, 'Does this make you comfortable?'" "The Word of God is truth," he stressed. "And when it is applied, the truth sets us free." He challenged leaders and believers alike to embrace the discomfort of godly conviction. "There are very good things that come from godly conviction," he said, "and very bad things that come from leaning into comfort over that conviction." Timberlake quoted the Apostle Paul, who, near the end of his life, wrote: "I am being poured out like a drink offering." "My prayer is that we live our lives full and die empty," he told CP. "Because we were good down to the last drop." Home News Bluegrass Community and Technical College mourns student killed in Kentucky church shooting Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Kentucky is mourning the loss of one of their nursing students, a mother of five, who was shot dead along with her mother in a brazen daylight shooting at the Richmond Baptist Church in Lexington on Sunday. The colleges president, Greg Feeney, praised the 32-year-old, Christina Combs, as a remarkable individual" in a statement Monday. It is with great sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Christina Combs, one of our dedicated third-semester nursing students at our Lawrenceburg Campus. Christina passed away yesterday at the Richmond Road Baptist Church shooting, Feeney said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Christina was a remarkable individual, a devoted mother of five and, a committed student who worked tirelessly to become the best nurse she could be. Her passion for helping others was evident in every aspect of her life, and her strength, perseverance, and compassion inspired everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Combs and her mother, Beverly Gumm, 72, were fatally shot after 47-year-old Guy House, also deceased, went on a shooting rampage at the church after he shot and injured a Kentucky State Police trooper at the Blue Grass Airport, Lex 18 reported. The late nursing students sisters, Star Rutherford, Dasey Patches Rutherford and Rachel Barnes, told the Lexington Herald Leader that Gumm and Star were cooking lunch in the churchs fellowship hall on Sunday afternoon when a man, now identified as House, came through the back door and asked for another one of their sisters. 'I just want to speak to Angel,' thats our sister. My mother said Angel is not here. He said, well I guess someone is gonna have to die then. And shot twice at her. The first time, she ducked and [he] missed. Second time [his bullet] hit her in the chest, Star Rutherford told WKYT. House later went outside the church, where he fatally shot Combs. He also shot Gumms husband and longtime pastor of the church, Jerry Gumm, and Combs husband, Randy Combs. Both men were reportedly in critical but stable condition. Our hearts go out to Christinas family, classmates, instructors, and all those who loved her. We know her loss will be deeply felt across the BCTC community. Christinas legacy of resilience and care will not be forgotten, Feeney said in his statement. A spotfund campaign seeking to raise $10,000 to assist Christinas children and her husband, Randy, has already raised more than $4,000. Another spotfund campaign seeking to raise $5,000 to help with funeral expenses for her mother was also close to $4,000 on Tuesday afternoon. Home News John MacArthur, renowned pastor and Bible teacher, dies at 86 John MacArthur, the California-based Bible teacher, pastor and author known for his polarizing theological stances and defiance of ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns, has died at 86. Grace to You, the teaching ministry of MacArthur, confirmed in an X post on Monday evening that MacArthur had passed away not long after being hospitalized with pneumonia. "Our hearts are heavy, yet rejoicing, as we share the news that our beloved pastor and teacher John MacArthur has entered into the presence of the Savior. This evening, his faith became sight," the ministry shared on its social media platforms. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe MacArthur is survived by Patricia, his wife of more than 60 years, as well as four children, 15 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. "Rest in peace, lion of faith," tweeted theologian and author Owen Strachan in response to the news. "It is already strange to live in a world without MacArthur's steady convictional presence. Pray for his family, his church, and the many who mourn him." Background and ministry Distantly related to famed five-star World War II United States General Douglas MacArthur, John Fullerton MacArthur Jr. was born on June 19, 1939, in Los Angeles, California. MacArthur earned a Bachelor of Science degree from what was then called Los Angeles Pacific College and is now Azusa Pacific University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Biola Universitys Talbot Theological Seminary. In 1969, three years after graduating from Talbot, MacArthur became the pastor-teacher for Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, California, where he would serve for over 50 years. Under Johns leadership, Grace Community Churchs two morning worship services fill the three-thousand-seat auditorium to capacity, noted The Master's Seminary, a private Christian school that MacArthur led. Several thousand members participate every week in dozens of fellowship groups and training programs, most led by lay leaders and each dedicated to equipping members for ministry on local, national, and international levels. A prolific author and speaker, it is estimated that MacArthur has preached at least 3,300 sermons and written more than 400 books and biblical study guides. In addition to his many books and sermons, MacArthur also hosted a long-running radio program and local television broadcast centered on his Bible studies and preaching. MacArthur helped to found The Master's University and Seminary in 1986 and served as its president until 2018, when he stepped down amid problems over the schools accreditation. Strange Fire, Go Home MacArthur has garnered controversy over the years because of some of his theological views, including on issues like the Pentecostal movement and female preaching. In 2013, MacArthur held a conference and published a critique of Charismatic churches titled Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship. The charismatic movement has always been a breeding-ground for scandal, greed, bad doctrine, and all kinds of spiritual chicanery. As a movement, it is clearly headed the wrong direction. And it is growing at an unprecedented rate, read the books Amazon description. Many Christian leaders, including the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Pentecostal minister and president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, denounced the work. With great due deference to a Christian leader many of us admire, his conclusions regarding the largest and fastest growing of global Christendom, the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement, speaks to a man ignorant of the community's unbridled commitment to biblical orthodoxy, said Rodriguez in a statement provided to The Christian Post in 2013. Mr. MacArthur should be focusing on the fact that while many in the church continue to abandon our Christian faith, the Pentecostal/Charismatic community continues to offer the church a legitimate growth mechanism. In October 2019, McArthur garnered widespread criticism when he expressed opposition to having Bible teacher Beth Moore and televangelist Paula White preach. Go home, he said of Moore. There is no case that can be made biblically for a woman preacher. Period. Paragraph. End of discussion. He went on to say that he found the idea of female preachers profoundly troubling, adding that when the leaders of evangelicalism roll over for women preachers, the feminists have really won the battle. Among the critics of the comments was pastor and bestselling author Max Lucado, who stated that he was grieved over MacArthurs derisive remarks. Are we, white, male, aged leaders of the church, listening? Are we heeding the message of our sisters in Christ? stated Lucado at the time. Listening to our astute and capable female Bible teachers? Listening to their longing to minister from a feminine perspective? Listening to their willingness to lend their intellect, energy and passion to the cause of Christ? What wealth of wisdom they bring! In an apparent response to MacArthur on X at the time, Moore said that she did not surrender to a calling of man when I was 18 years old. I surrendered to a calling of God, tweeted Moore. COVID-19 lockdown resistance When California enacted lockdown rules shutting down worship gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, MacArthur and his church initially followed the gathering restrictions. However, as lockdowns persisted for several months, the church decided to gather for in-person worship. In response, MacArthur and Grace Community Church engaged in a lengthy legal battle with Los Angeles and state officials over his refusal to adhere to the public health orders. We are a friend to this society, to every level of this society, said MacArthur in a 2020 interview with Fox News. But never before has the government invaded the territory that belongs only to the Lord Jesus Christ and told us we can't meet, we can't worship, we can't sing. Jonathan Leeman of 9Marks wrote a blog post at the time expressing skepticism over whether churches should follow the example of Grace Community Church and reopen in-person services. Churches in coastal cities during World War Two accommodated evening black-out requirements in case enemy planes hit the coasts. Those churches didnt insist the government had no right to restrict our worship, wrote Leeman. In other words, just because you think God will ultimately vindicate your decision to disobey the government on the last day doesnt mean its wise. You might have other options that avoid undue attention. In late August 2021, state and local officials reached a settlement with MacArthur, which resulted in the government paying $800,000 in legal fees to end the litigation. It has been a hard-fought battle to preserve religious liberty and we hope that this result will encourage Californians, and all Americans, to continue to stand firm that church is essential, said the Thomas More Society, which represented MacArthur, in a statement at the time. Church abuse controversies While pastor at Grace, MacArthurs church faced multiple accusations that its leadership was mistreating female members who had credible accusations of abuse against their ex-husbands. In February 2023, a former GCC elder named Hohn Cho shared concerns that leaders at MacArthurs church had awful patterns of siding with abusers against their victims. A prominent example of this was when GCC excommunicated Eileen Gray for refusing to take back her child-abusing husband, David Gray, in 2002. According to The Roys Report, even after David was convicted of child abuse and molestation in 2005, the church continued to support him over Eileen. In response to the concerns Cho shared, GCC released a statement explaining that Grace Churchs elders do not publicly discuss details arising from counseling and discipline cases especially on social media. Nor do we litigate disputes about such matters in online forums. Grace Church deals with accusations personally and privately in accordance with biblical principles. We do not respond to attacks, lies, misrepresentations, and anonymous accusations, read the statement from February 2023. Our churchs history and congregation are the testimony. Myriads of Grace Church members who have sought counsel at our church will testify that the counsel they receive is biblical, charitable, supportive, and liberating. Hospitalizations On New Years Day 2023, which fell on a Sunday, the then 83-year-old MacArthur was hospitalized, preventing him from preaching at the second service at his church, and had to be treated for a blockage in his arteries. Although GCC provided an update the following day saying that MacArthur was "doing well" after the emergency, the prominent pastor continued to have health issues and was away from his pulpit from July 2024 until last November when he preached at a Thanksgiving service. "I'm still here, and thankful to the Lord for that," MacArthur said at the service. "God has purposes that we would've never been able to fulfill if we weren't put into some kind of stress." In January, GCC Elder Tom Patton said in an update that the 85-year-old MacArthur had "suffered a series of health issues that kept him out of the pulpit and required three surgeries in the second half of 2024." "His recovery has been slower than expected, with occasional setbacks affecting his heart, lungs, and kidneys," Patton told the congregation. "The doctors have not yet discovered any single root cause for these diverse troubles." Earlier this year, MacArthur addressed attendees of the Shepherds Conference, which was held at his church, via video message, telling them that I realize Im on the last lap. That takes on a new meaning when you know youre on the short end of the candle, he said. I am all thanks and praise to God for everything Hes allowed me to be a part of and everything Hes accomplished by His Word in these years of ministry. Home News Muslim man sentenced to life in prison for raping 12-year-old Christian girl Judge ignores forced conversion and marriage accusations LAHORE, Pakistan A judge handed a life sentence to a Muslim man found guilty of abducting and raping a Christian girl, but ignored accusations of forcible conversion and fraudulent marriage, the victims attorney said. Toba Tek Singh District Additional Sessions Judge Jamshed Mubarik on July 9 sentenced Ahmed Raza to life imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 Pakistani Rupees ($351 USD) under Section 376(iii) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and a 50,000 Pakistani Rupees ($176 USD) fine under Section 364-A for abducting and raping a girl who was 12 years and four months at the time in September 2023, Christian attorney Hanif Hameed said. Both sentences shall run concurrently, according to the court order. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The judge also ordered Raza to pay a 50,000 Pakistani Rupees ($176 USD) to her for mental anguish and physiological damage. Raza and three accomplices kidnapped the girl, whose identity is withheld as a rape victim, at gunpoint as she returned from her uncles house on Sept. 29, 2023, Hameed said. They took the child to an unknown location where the convict and three others tortured and gang-raped her multiple times during her month-long captivity, he told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. The perpetrators also forcibly converted the minor and fabricated a fake Islamic marriage certificate dated Sept. 27, 2023, to cover up their heinous crime. Police recovered her in a raid on Oct. 29, 2023, and arrested Raza, though the other suspects escaped and have evaded arrest to date, Hameed said. After her recovery, the attorney initiated criminal proceedings and also filed a suit in family court against Raza to annul the fake marriage. The family court issued a decree in her favor on July 23, 2024, declaring the marriage void, Hameed said. The court order also mentioned that the child was a victim of forced conversion, he said. Though the trial court delivered a stiff sentence to Raza, the attorney said the judge also should have considered the crime of forging a fake marriage certificate. No record of the alleged marriage was found in the union council concerned, Hameed said. Moreover, the marriage registrar also told the court that his signature and thumbprints were concocted on the certificate. Hameed submitted an application seeking inclusion of sections related to fraud, but the judge ignored it, he said. Moreover, in her statement recorded under Section 164, the child had categorically said that she was gang-raped by four persons and even nominated their names, after which the investigating officer had invoked Section 375-A relating to gang rape, he said. However, the judge rejected the gang-rape charge and only convicted Raza under Section 376(iii) despite our arguments that the superior courts in numerous judgments had declared that the statement of the victim was sufficient even if there was no other evidence present. The lawyer also expressed dismay that the judge ignored the crime of forced conversion in his verdict. I had submitted as evidence the order of the family court judge, Naveed Anjum, in which he had stated that the victim was Christian by birth and she had been forcibly converted and subjected to fake marriage, Hameed said. However, it seems the judge was not inclined to give a ruling on this crucial matter. Despite the lapses, the verdict was a significant achievement in the struggle for protecting children from sexual exploitation, forced religious conversion and sham marriages, he said. I would also like to acknowledge the victims father, Razzaq Masih, for remaining steadfast in his pursuit for justice for his child, Hameed said. Many Christian families usually tend to avoid criminal proceedings against the accused due to poverty, fear of reprisal and social stigma, etc. The outcome of this case should encourage people not to remain silent to such heinous crimes. The Center for Social Justice in its Annual Human Rights Observer report in April revealed that at least 421 cases of forced religious conversion and forced marriages were reported between January 2021 and December 2024 in Pakistan. The victims included 282 Hindu girls, 137 Christian girls and two Sikh girls; 71 percent of the victims were minors, of whom 22 percent were under the age of 14, and 49 percent were between the ages of 14 and 18. Only 13 percent of victims were adults, and the age of 16 percent remained unverified. The report added that the overwhelming majority of cases, 69 percent, occurred in Sindh Province, followed by 30 percent in Punjab Province. In its concluding observations on the second periodic review of Pakistans human rights record, the U.N. Human Rights Committee in November 2024 called for immediate measures to protect women and girls, particularly religious minorities, from forced conversion to Islam and from forced marriage. [The committee] is concerned about reports of the persistent practice of abducting girls who belong to religious minorities and forcing them to marry regardless of their age and the prevailing law and convert to Islam under the threat of violence, which results in rape, trafficking and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence against these girls, it stated. It urged that Pakistan must raise the minimum age of marriage for both boys and girls to 18 years throughout the country without exceptions. It also emphasized intensifying efforts to eradicate forced conversions and forced marriages, including strengthening its legal framework and enforcement mechanisms. Pakistan, whose population is more than 96 percent Muslim, ranked eighth on Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian. This article was originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News AGISs revolutionary manufacturing platform Following the political uncertainty and supply chain disruptions that started during the pandemic, Al Ghurair Iron & Steel (AGIS) the largest producer of galvanized flat steel in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a history stretching back more than 15 years realized that it was time to embrace the future. Despite enjoying a reputation for manufacturing products fashioned to customer requirements and special requests, AGIS needed the technology to strategize long-term planning, monitor supply chain shifts, quickly fulfill orders, and integrate shop floor reporting systems to adapt to short-term changes. Todays technology for tomorrows goals Unfortunately, the companys manufacturing process was hindered by tools that slowed down decision making and impeded the company from achieving its full operational potential. Managing the more than 500,000 metric tons of customer orders was dependent on Excel-based planning and costing, as well as offline, manual communication between the planning, procurement, sales, execution, and quality teams. Multiple redundant systems affected efficiency. Changing customer prerequisites led to constant adjustments and delays based on the raw material supply and shifting sales trends. By and large, the entire end-to-end process was disjointed, hampering AGISs ability to effectively scale production capacity. Despite this, demand continued to grow, increasing the urgency to streamline planning and execution with Machine Translation (MT) technology. This needed to be leveraged with computational linguistics and artificial intelligence (AI) as part of a new manufacturing ecosystem that would transform AGIS into an innovation leader. AI as a unifier The Al Ghurair Groups grassroots heritage has been woven into the fabric of the UAE since 1960, when it began as a small trading business during a time when the countrys mainstays included diving and fishing. But as the nation advanced, the Al Ghuriar Group helped restyle the business culture, opening the UAEs first Galvanized Steel Plant (AGIS), flour mill, bank, and shopping mall en route to becoming one of the Middle Easts most diversified business groups. AGIS, commissioned in 2008, now needed a robust manufacturing solution to boost operational efficiency across the manufacturing process. The platforms goals included structuring the workflow for shop floor operators, some of whom had the tendency to become quickly overwhelmed by technological changes. Fortunately, that challenge could be eased by providing a unified user interface reliant on automated data logic while limiting the amount of data entry required. To lighten the weight of the undertaking, AGIS turned to SAP, the worlds top enterprise resource planning (ERP) software vendor. With more than 130 AI scenarios available at the time some 400 are expected to be implemented by the end of 2025 SAP boasted the worlds largest AI portfolio. And because of the amount of SAP software already being utilized by AGIS via SAPs Business Technology Platform (BTP), adoption would be simplified. SAP, in turn, chose Deloitte as a participating partner. The multinational professional services specialist proposed important design aspects of a solution built largely upon SAP Business AI. The collaboration would enable the AGIS to refine the solution to meet operational needs by calculating plant maintenance, inventory, procurement, environmental, safety, and health issues, and other concerns into the algorithm. Production planning and execution would now be automated based on order requirements, while dashboards with automated controls kept track of the end-to-end processes. Precision Bionetwork The three-way partnership led to AGIS deploying the solution in December 2024. Predicted the companys CEO, Abu Bucker Husain, With the innovative SAP Business AI solution, we will optimize processes, integrate value chains, and improve data-driven decision making. The statement quickly proved to be prophetic. For the first time, AGIS has been able to shatter the data silos that slowed production efficiency. The use of AI allows the platform to automate more than 300 complicated processes and material calculations based on some 90 attribute variations, tracking raw material availability, and proposing more than 120 business and logic quality parameters. This speeds up order execution, QA inspections, and ensures every product meets high-quality standards with less effort from the team. And with 90 percent process digitization, the accuracy, legitimacy, and extensiveness of customer orders can be evaluated and executed in a period that would have previously been unfathomable. For example, order planning time has plummeted from 15-to-20 minutes to less than five, while the unified operator dashboard has diminished the batch execution time from eight to ten minutes to less than three. Every day, more than 1,800 orders are processed five times the previous amount leading to an 80 percent increase in end-to-end production planning. AGIS now uses the BTP capabilities to capture real-time data for reporting, providing insights into sustainability metrics and production efficiency to track and report on its environmental efforts. As a result of these trailblazing improvements, AGIS was honored as a winner in the Transformation Titan category at the SAP Innovation Awards in 2025, a yearly event celebrating organizations using SAP technology to change the way business is conducted. You can glean further details about AGISs accomplishment in their pitch deck. The recognition embodies the modern version of a company respecting the traditions of yesterday while reshaping tomorrow. To learn more, visit us here. Mark Zuckerberg is expected to appear as a star witness in an unusual $8 billion trial that kicks off this week at which the Meta CEO is accused of operating Facebook as an illegal enterprise that allowed users data to be harvested without their consent. Shareholders of Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, sued Zuckerberg and other current and former company leaders, saying they continually violated a 2012 agreement between Facebook and the Federal Trade Commission to protect users data. The case dates back to 2018, after it emerged that data from millions of Facebook users was accessed by Cambridge Analytica, a now-defunct political consulting firm that worked for Donald Trumps successful campaign for U.S. president in 2016. Shareholders want Zuckerberg and the other defendants to reimburse the company for more than $8 billion in fines and other costs paid by Meta after the Cambridge Analytica scandal came to light, including a record $5 billion fine imposed on Facebook by the FTC in 2019 for violating the 2012 agreement. Defendants in the case include former Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, venture capitalist and board member Marc Andreessen, as well as former board members Peter Thiel, the Palantir Technologies co-founder, and Reed Hastings, the co-founder of Netflix. Zuckerberg and the other defendants, who declined to comment, have dismissed the allegations in court filings as extreme claims. Meta, which is not a defendant, also declined to comment. The non-jury trial in Wilmington, Delaware, begins on Wednesday and is scheduled to last eight days. It will mostly focus on decade-old events and board meetings to determine how Facebook leaders implemented the 2012 agreement. While the trial will cover long-ago policies, it comes as privacy concerns continue to dog Meta, which is under scrutiny for its training of AI models. The company says it has invested billions of dollars since 2019 in its program to safeguard users privacy. Jason Kint, the head of Digital Content Next, a trade group for content providers, said the case will fill in details about what the board knew and when regarding the data of users, who now total more than 3 billion daily across Metas platforms. Theres an argument we cant avoid Facebook and Instagram in our lives, he said. Can we trust Mark Zuckerberg? Most Difficult Claims Two years ago, the defendants sought to dismiss the case before trial, which the judge declined. This is a case involving alleged wrongdoing on a truly colossal scale, said Travis Laster, the judge handling the case at the time. The trial in the Court of Chancery will be overseen by Kathaleen McCormick. Now the plaintiffs, individual investors and union pension funds including Californias State Teachers Retirement System, must prove what is often described as the most difficult claim in corporate law showing that directors utterly failed in their duty of oversight. Legal experts said it appears to be the first trial on such a claim. Zuckerberg and Sandberg are alleged to have knowingly caused the company to violate the law. While Delaware law protects directors and officers for bad business decisions, it does not protect them from illegal ones, even if they are profitable. Defendants said in court filings that plaintiffs cannot deliver the evidence. Related: Judge Dismisses Authors Copyright Lawsuit Against Meta Over AI Training The shareholders in pretrial court papers said they can prove that after the 2012 agreement, Facebook continued deceptive privacy practices, at the direction of Zuckerberg. The defendants said the evidence will show that the company built a team to oversee privacy and hired an outside compliance firm and that Facebook was a victim of Cambridge Analyticas studied deceit. In addition to the central privacy claims, plaintiffs also allege that when Zuckerberg could see that the Cambridge Analytica scandal was about to break and send company stock lower, he was motivated to offload his stock and reaped at least $1 billion in profit. Defendants said evidence will show he used a stock-trading plan that can protect against insider-trading allegations. They also said the motivation was to benefit his charitable pursuits. (Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Matthew Lewis) ViacomCBS Inc. investors who sued Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Wells Fargo & Co. for dumping the media companys shares amid the collapse of Archegos Capital Management asked a judge for final approval of a $120 million settlement with the banks. The trio were among the prime brokers that helped Archegos, Bill Hwangs $36 billion family office, place massive bets on stocks. They also acted as underwriters for Viacom, now known as Paramount Global, in a March 2021 secondary offering. The company was one of Hwangs biggest swap positions, and a tepid response to the offering led to a meltdown that eventually wiped out his firm. The investors, led by Frank Capital Partners, sued months after Archegos collapse, claiming the banks failed to disclose conflicts of interest in their dealings with both Hwang and Viacom. Lawyers for the shareholders asked a New York state judge on July 1 to approve a deal with the banks reached earlier this year. A hearing was scheduled for Aug. 5. As part of the proposed settlement, the banks continue to deny wrongdoing but say they want to avoid the distraction and expense of continued litigation. Spokespeople for Morgan Stanley, Goldman and Wells Fargo declined to comment, as did a lawyer for the shareholders. The parties agreed not to disclose how much each bank will pay. According to Securities and Exchange Commission filings, Morgan Stanley was the lead underwriter, accounting for almost 45% of the Viacom offering. Goldman had 3.2% and Wells Fargo less than 2%. The investors initially sued dozens of banks, brokerages and individuals claiming fraud on a class of Viacom shareholders who lost money. The other defendants were dismissed and the case focused on Morgan Stanley, Goldman and Wells Fargo. Hwang and the firms former chief financial officer, Patrick Halligan, were both convicted last year of defrauding their bank counterparties. The pair were found to have misled the banks into providing them with billions of dollars in trading capacity, which Hwang then used to artificially inflate the prices of a highly concentrated group of stocks, including Viacom. When Archegos collapsed, its trading partners lost nearly $10 billion. The losses contributed to the demise of one of the biggest names in finance, Credit Suisse Group AG, and caused significant losses at Morgan Stanley, UBS Group AG, Nomura Holdings and others. Hwang was sentenced to 18 years in prison and Halligan eight. Both remain free on bail while they appeal their convictions. In their suit against the bank, the Viacom investors received more than 1.5 million pages of documents from the banks and took testimony from 37 witnesses. Both sides eventually hired Layn Phillips, a former federal judge, to mediate the case. Phillips recommended the $120 million price tag to which both sides agreed. The case is Camelot Event Driven Fund v. Morgan Stanley & Co., No. 654959/2021, New York State Supreme Court, New York Co. (Manhattan). Top photo: CEO and founder of Archegos Capital Management Bill Hwang. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. The head of Lucid Group Inc. warned that President Donald Trumps tariffs will drive up costs to build automobiles even in the US. The industrys global supply chain means domestic manufacturers still have to import raw materials and some parts from other countries, interim Chief Executive Officer Marc Winterhoff said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Monday. For the American consumers, vehicles are going to be more expensive under the tariff regime. Theres no other way around it, Winterhoff said. Theres a reason the supply chain is so global. The Newark, California-based manufacturer of electric vehicles is looking for ways to reduce costs by localizing more of its supply chain, in particular the raw materials for lithium-ion batteries. Lucid signed a deal in June with Graphite One Inc. to boost its supply of US-processed graphite, a key battery component. Lucid has partnered with Japanese electronic maker Panasonic Holdings Corp. since 2022 to supply its batteries, including 2170 cells, which are commonly used in EVs. The economics of that partnership made sense pre-tariffs, Winterhoff said, because of advanced manufacturing production credits that helped defray costs. Now, the automaker is working with Panasonic to find ways to source more of the cell supplys raw materials in the US, Winterhoff said from Panasonics newest US battery plant in De Soto, Kansas. However, Lucid will not use cells made in the new facility in vehicles until next year. I still have to say, and I hope Panasonic hears that, there is some room for improvement, Winterhoff said, but also right now with the tariffs, this is a very good move for us. Top Photo: Workers assemble a Lucid Motors electric vehicle at the companys headquarters in Newark, California. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg) Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. CLEVELAND, Ohio A European musician scheduled to perform concerts in the U.S. this summer including dates in Cleveland and Kent was detained and deported earlier this month for an improper visa. Jaroslav Skuta, clarinetist for the chamber ensemble TrioMente, was detained at Detroit Metro Airport on Tuesday, July 1 by Customs and Border Patrol agents (CBP) when he arrived from Prague, Czech Republic. A Customs and Border Patrol spokesman said Skuta attempted to enter the country on a tourist visa even though he was scheduled to perform multiple events in the United States as a professional musician. Skuta sent an email to supporters saying border agents held him for approximately five hours, confiscated his phone and personal devices and interrogated him in a humiliating and traumatizing manner. He also said he was threatened with jail time. Skuta said that when he presented travel documents he told the border agents that the concert tour was a non-commercial and charitable endeavor. But the agents determined that he had misrepresented the reasons for his travel namely entering on a tourist visa while planning public performances and sent him back to Prague. TrioMente, which features Skuta, pianist Meng Yuan (China/USA) and violinist Dan Qiao (China/USA) canceled their entire U.S. tour including other Ohio dates in Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo and Youngstown. On July 1, as I arrived in the United States, I was detained by immigration officers at the Detroit airport, said Skuta in the email. People walking in the McNamara terminal at Detroit Metro Airport. What followed was one of the most humiliating and traumatizing experiences of my life. I was held in custody for hours, with my phone and all personal devices taken away. Skuta said he was subjected to aggressive, demeaning interrogation and threats of jail, treated with suspicion and hostility from the very beginning and forcibly sent home. Dr. Frank Wiley, music director for United Methodist Church of Kent and emeritus faculty member of the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University, told Cleveland.com that TrioMente was scheduled to perform at the church on Monday, July 21. The 35-year-old Skuta was previously a Kent State graduate student. There havent been any new developments that Im aware of, Wiley said. At this point, hes not very responsive to messages. I think this has been devastating to him and it is questionable that he will come back after this [situation]. He is still in a state of shock. Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for a comment on July 14 and received this response from Youssef Fawaz, a CBP agent assigned to Michigan: On July 1, Jaroslav Skuta arrived at Detroit Metro Airport claiming to be entering the U.S. for tourism. During inspection, it was determined he had misrepresented the purpose of his travel and was actually scheduled to perform at multiple events as a professional musician. Performing in the United States constitutes work and requires the appropriate employment-based visa. Skuta did not have the required visa, was refused entry, and returned on the next available flight. The statement is identical to those given to other media outlets by CBP. Susan Chapo, founder/owner of Relish Cleveland Tours, added Little Italy to her offerings last year. She's continuing to improve the route. Paris Wolfe CLEVELAND, Ohio --For many of us, the best way to learn about a city is through its food. What locals eat says a lot about their culture, a citys immigration patterns, regional agriculture, depth of history, economic health and more. Unless you want to read a lot, one of the fastest and most fun -- routes to that information is a local food tour. After eating her way through Nashville on a food tour, Susan Chapo decided Northeast Ohio could use similar experiences. So, in 2019 the Wickliffe resident launched Relish Cleveland Tours to guide folks through some of the Lands culinary highlights and give them history and context around the neighborhoods. Today, the tourpreneur offers three destinations -- Ohio City, downtown Cleveland and Little Italy. Among her clients are tourists on Vikings Great Lakes cruises, pleasure and business travelers and locals. You learn so much about a city by doing a food tour, she mused. You get to know where the locals eat. Its not just touristy things. She fondly remembers discovering a hidden gem in an alleyway in Nashville during a tour there. I would not have found that on my own, she said. Thats what I want to do is show people what theyre not going to find on their own. Things they dont know they should try, things it would be a shame to miss. She cant say enough good things about the dumplings at LJ Shanghai on Superior Avenue, or the appetizers at The Friars Table in Playhouse Square, or the sandwiches at Franks Bratwurst in the West Side Market or sandwiches at Affettati in Little Italy or or or In a new city, its easy to be overwhelmed by so many choices. Just think of a first visit to the vast hall of West Side Market where so many ethnic offerings compete for attention. To make it easier, Chapo spends 45 minutes walking through the 113-year-old space highlighting both history and vendors. She even stops four times for food samples. Chapo calls herself a Clevangelist, preaching the virtues of The Lands foodie scene. We help people find those little places they wont find on their own, she said. She has arranged stops for food samples at many of those places for example, pierogis at Hecks Cafe on Bridge Street in Ohio City or chunks of apple fritter at Theresas in the West Side Market. Tourists are advised to arrive hungry and avoid making reservations right after the tour. Thats because the food samples easily add up to a full meal during the three- to four-hour walk. While its delicious, food is just part of the tour. Chapo feeds curiosity with the history of the West Side Market, the immigration patterns of Little Italy and insight into the ever-shifting downtown restaurant scene. She knows the buildings, the chefs and the secrets. For example, in Ohio City, she detours to the Glass Bubble Project to show off glassmaking in action and glasswares for home use. Meanwhile, downtown she leads the group through the worlds most beautiful grocery store Heinens on 9th and Euclid which is located in the historic Cleveland Trust Building. In Little Italy, she tours the Italian-American Museum of Cleveland if its open. Im really trying to keep up with everything, she said. Theres so much that its tough. Relish Cleveland Tours are available year round, depending on the weather. Public tours are $85 and limited to about a dozen people, while privately arranged tours may be larger. An E-Check station on East 55th Street in Cleveland is seen in this file photo. Ohio's new state budget requires state officials to immediately discontinue the vehicle emissions testing program in Northeast Ohio if the Trump administration determines it's no longer necessary to meet federal ozone standards. (Roadell Hickman/The Plain Dealer) The Plain Dealer COLUMBUS, Ohio Ohio has moved closer than ever to ending its mandatory E-Check program that requires motorists in Greater Cleveland to get a vehicle emissions test every two years. The only remaining barrier now is to get the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to end its E-Check requirement for Cuyahoga and six surrounding counties something Ohio lawmakers have expressed hope will happen under the second Trump administration. The new two-year state budget requires the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency director to immediately discontinue the E-check program and take any actions necessary to effectuate its termination if the U.S. EPA determines that it is no longer necessary in order for Ohio to comply with federal ozone standards. Your feedback matters Should E-Check vehicle emissions testing continue in Northeast Ohio? Featured The enormous new budget, signed by Gov. Mike DeWine late last month, also requires the Ohio EPA director to analyze whether the states E-check program is still necessary to meet the ozone standards set by the federal Clean Air Act and to issue a report by the spring of 2027. Vehicles in the Cleveland-Akron area that are between four and 25 years old and that weigh 10,000 pounds or less must be inspected every two years at E-check test facilities. Vehicles found to be discharging too many airborne pollutants such as lead, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide must be repaired before they can get vehicle registrations renewed. In 2023, nearly 881,000 vehicle emission tests were performed at 23 testing stations, 21 self-service testing kiosks, and 45 independent garages, according to the Ohio EPAs budget proposal submitted earlier this year. Such emissions testing is currently required in all or part of 28 states, according to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The Republican-dominated Ohio General Assembly passed a law earlier this year to allow vehicle owners to meet E-check requirements simply by signing an attestation that they own a vehicle that qualifies for testing and that it meets emissions standards. However, such an alternative is also still awaiting federal approval before it can take effect. State lawmakers have also passed multiple non-binding resolutions in recent years asking for the federal governments permission to end the mandatory E-Check program, but such calls have so far gone unanswered including during the first Trump administration. However, state Rep. Bill Roemer, a Richfield Republican and a vocal E-check opponent, said in April hes very hopeful that new U.S. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin will give Ohio the green light, given that he has already rolled back more than 30 other federal environmental regulations. When asked at the time what Zeldin intends to do, the U.S. EPAs press office didnt directly answer. Rather, the agency said in a statement that its committed to working closely with Ohio to meet the states air-quality goals while also helping the economy and avoiding undue costs or government red tape. Asked for comment Monday, the U.S. EPAs press office replied in an email that were no updates at this time to what they stated back in April. Supporters of Ohios E-check program say its a low-cost way to comply with federal air-pollution standards and prevent greenhouse gases and pollutants from entering the atmosphere. In 2022, E-Check testing of nearly 797,000 vehicles in Northeast Ohio prevented the release of an estimated 316 tons of nitrogen oxides, 205 tons of volatile organic compounds, and 10,350 tons of carbon monoxide, according to the most recent report on the program from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. But E-Check critics argue that air quality in Northeast Ohio has significantly improved in the past 30 years -- not so much because of the E-check program, they say, as because auto manfacturers today sell more fuel-efficient vehicles, as well as electric vehicles. Mandatory testing in Ohio, they note, has only continued because the Obama administration put into place tougher air-quality standards in 2015. Opponents also say that requiring vehicle owners to drive every two years for an emissions test is not only inconvenient for all Northeast Ohio drivers, but is particularly a huge burden for the working poor who rely on older cars and cant afford to pay hundreds of dollars on repairs. The first three Ohio E-Check tests within a 365-day period are free, but subsequent tests cost $18 each. Ending Northeast Ohios E-check program would save the state $13 million per year, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission. Almost all of that money goes to Envirotest Systems, the contractor that operates the program. Today in Ohio is comparing the rounding up of undocumented workers to be held interminably in camps to what happened in Nazi Germany in the 1930s. (Associated Press). (Associated Press) Associated Press Clevelands immigration enforcement policies and President Donald Trumps plans for undocumented people nationwide had hosts of Today in Ohio drawing disturbing parallels Tuesday between current practices and one of historys darkest chapters. The conversation, sparked by Plain Dealer reporter Adam Ferrises weekend coverage, analyzed a troubling trend: the number of immigrants detained in Ohio jails has tripled since January, with 336 people now in custody across six facilities. Most alarming: 71 percent of the detainees have no criminal record whatsoever. The podcast also discussed national news reports about plans by the Donald Trump administration to break with longtime tradition and lock up undocumented workers without bail, dramatically increasing the number held in camps and prisons like Alligator Alcatraz in Florida. Such detentions could last for years. This is becoming so like Nazi Germany. Rounding up people, putting them in camps. The parallels are so striking, declared host Chris Quinn. And whenever you say that, you hear from people, Oh, thats ridiculous. You cant compare whats happening here to that. You can absolutely compare it to what happened back then. Laura Johnston highlighted the human cost of the policies, noting that attorneys are warning immigrants its become too dangerous to leave your house and live your life, to go grocery shopping or to go to church. Theyre looking at traffic tickets for people as a reason to arrest. The conversation took on additional urgency as the hosts examined the financial burden on taxpayers. This is so un-American, what were doing. And the cost to taxpayers is prohibitive. And for what? These are not dangerous people, Quinn emphasized, pointing out that most detainees never posed a danger to anybody. Johnston reinforced this economic perspective: Right. Like, lets cut all of the grants weve given to universities and to SNAP and to Medicaid so that we can and spend it on people who would much rather be working, earning a paycheck, contributing to our economy, and paying taxes. The hosts connected the policies to a broader pattern of civil rights violations, citing a disturbing case where two off-duty police officers are accused of attacking a trucker they wrongly believed was undocumented. Despite the severity of the incident, federal prosecutors declined to pursue the case, forcing Medina County authorities to step in. I feel like were just throwing this back to a Hitler-esque Germany as well. Because federal prosecutors are appearing to pass on filing charges in what is really an egregious sounding case of a civil rights violation, Johnston observed. The podcast highlights a growing concern that immigration enforcement has moved beyond legal processing into something more sinistera system designed to punish and intimidate rather than fairly adjudicate cases. What makes the episode particularly compelling is the hosts willingness to speak frankly about issues that many media outlets dance around. The unfiltered assessment cuts through political talking points to expose the human impact of the policies. Listen to the discussion here. Listen to full Today in Ohio episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston. Add Congressman Michael Rulli to the list of elected Ohio Republicans working overtime to prove their fealty to President Donald Trump. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com What is going on with Ohio politicians seeming to be in competition to prove their blind loyalty to President Donald Trump? Today in Ohio podcast hosts blasted the trend Tuesday, triggered by Congressman Michael Rullis over-the-top idol worship in proposing to establish July 13 as Faith and Defiance Day, commemorating the 2024 assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania. Are Ohio politicians locked into a battle to see who can claim the title of number one Donald Trump sycophant? Chris Quinn asked. Leila Atassi said Rullis resolution describes Trumps survival and fight, fight, fight moment as a testament to his unshakable courage, a demonstration of faith under fire, and something, quote, worth recognizing for the rest of time. Quinns response was blistering: Its gross how people have turned Trump into this beloved king who deserves veneration. Thats not the way it works in America. Theyre elected leaders who are supposed to serve the people, but its just, Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, all these guys, they just worship at the altar of Trump and have forgotten about the regular people. The podcast hosts identified the Rulli proposal as part of a broader pattern of elected officials abandoning their constituents interests in favor of performative displays of loyalty to Trump. We do not idolize our presidents, Quinn said. You know, years from now, if it turns out the legacy is pretty good, maybe. But during the time, you dont idolize them, you question them, you hold them to account. Atassi agreed, noting that the proposal is just one example in an ongoing competition: This all follows a pattern of politicians trying to outdo each other in their fealty to Trump. This push for a day to honor his near assassination really dovetails with some other proposals. Didnt Marjorie Taylor Greene suggest declaring January 6th the national holiday?... Theyre all trying to wrangle recognition as Trumps top defender. The hosts expressed particular concern about how the political behavior undermines Americas system of checks and balances. The trilateral form of government, so we have checks and balances. And its gone out the window, Quinn observed, before criticizing both Congress and the Supreme Court for failing to uphold the rule of law. Their discussion highlighted the absurdity of some proposals floating around political circles, including suggestions about adding Trump to Mount Rushmore. The segment wrapped up with a damning assessment of elected officials who prioritize fealty to Trump over service to constituents. So how do they look themselves in the mirror? Quinn asked. Youre supposed to stand for something, youre supposed to have character, youre supposed to mean something. And instead, theyre just clowns that march to the masters orders. Listen to the episode here. Note: Artificial intelligence was used to help generate this story from Today in Ohio, a news podcast discussion by cleveland.com editors. Visitors to cleveland.com have asked for more text stories based on website podcast discussions. Listen to full Today in Ohio episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston. High temperatures will top out just shy of 90 degrees in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 15, 2025, making it the warmest day of the week. Courtesy National Weather Service CLEVELAND, Ohio Dry and warm weather will peak Tuesday in Northeast Ohio, ahead of rain and thunderstorm chances midweek. Weak high pressure from the north will translate to sunny skies and high temperatures pushing into the upper 80s the warmest of the week. European musicians explore Miao culture in Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, SW China's Guizhou People's Daily Online) 09:41, July 15, 2025 A group of European musicians enjoy interactions with locals in Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, Leishan county, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, during a cultural exchange tour of the province. (People's Daily Online/Yang Qian) The Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village in Leishan county, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, recently welcomed a group of European musicians on a cultural exchange tour of the province. Musicians immersed themselves in the vibrant traditional customs of the local Miao ethnic group, gaining firsthand experience of the profound cultural heritage of the ancient village. British percussionist Bogdan Skrypka said everything felt magical from the moment he stepped into the village. The symbolic Lanmen Wine Ceremony, the joyful Miao folk dance, and especially the sounds of the folk musical instruments, lusheng and drums, impressed Skrypka deeply. Nestled at the foot of Leigong Mountain, Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village is composed of more than a dozen hillside hamlets inhabited by Miao people, making it the largest Miao ethnic settlement in China and possibly the world. Its iconic stilted houses stretch across the slopes, mirrored by a winding river below, creating a tranquil and picturesque setting. As one of Guizhou's most popular summer tourist destinations, the village is experiencing a surge in visitors, with daily tourist numbers exceeding 40,000, as shown by the latest data. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF signage on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York, US, on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Crypto-focused asset manager Grayscale said on Monday it has confidentially submitted paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission, signaling potential plans for a U.S. listing as bitcoin scales new highs. The move coincides with the start of the "crypto week" in Washington, where lawmakers are set to debate three major bills that could offer long-awaited clarity to the industry. Investor enthusiasm around the bills, which are expected to pave the way for digital assets to potentially be further integrated into traditional finance, has pushed bitcoin above $120,000 for the first time. "All the previous crypto cycles were led by retail in absence of regulatory clarity. However, this cycle has been led by institutions," analysts at Bernstein wrote in a note. Grayscale's announcement comes more than a month after stablecoin giant Circle's blockbuster debut, and could add to a growing cohort of high-profile IPO candidates looking to list in the coming months. Gemini, a crypto exchange run by billionaire twins Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, is also preparing to go public. Crypto firms have seen a surge of interest since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. So far this year, shares of crypto giants Coinbase and Strategy have jumped 56% and 50%, respectively. Grayscale, founded in 2013, manages over $33 billion of assets across more than 35 investment products. A prominent player in the crypto space, the Stamford, Connecticut-based company also oversees a leading spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund. The company's legal challenge against the SEC was instrumental in paving the way for the approval of spot bitcoin ETFs last year. Confidential filings allow companies to withhold details about their finances and offering terms until closer to the actual listing. Cooling towers at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Middletown, Pennsylvania, Oct. 30, 2024. Danielle DeVries | CNBC If there is one thing the U.S. needs to lead the artificial intelligence revolution, it's electricity. Insane amounts of it. A 2024 report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy found that data centers the backbone of artificial intelligence already accounted for more than 4% of U.S. electricity use, and the report said that could grow to 12% by 2028. That would be 580 billion kilowatt hours, or nearly 20 times the annual power consumption of the city of Chicago. "Data centers run 24/7, and need to be able to support the needs of our users," said Rachel Peterson, vice president of data centers for Meta . The parent of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp has announced a massive push into AI. "We use a lot of power. We need to make sure we have a robust grid," she said. Meta is not alone, say economic development experts. "The big issues right now are deliverability of sites," said Tom Stringer, a principal and leader of the site selection and incentives practice at Grassi Advisors in New York. "And maybe the biggest component of that is adequate power." The deals keep coming. On Tuesday, Google announced it would spend $25 billion to develop data centers along the nation's largest multi-state grid, an electricity region covering 13 states in all. Meanwhile. CoreWeave announced a $6 billion AI data center project in Pennsylvania. CNBC considers each state's electrical grid in our annual competitiveness study, America's Top States for Business. Under the study's methodology, we use U.S. Department of Energy data on grid reliability the duration of power outages per year as well as the retail price of electricity. With a wealth of inexpensive, reliable electricity, these states are the best equipped to power the AI revolution, and everything else. Washington Diablo dam on Skagit river in Washington state. Crady Von Pawlak | Moment | Getty Images The power grid in Washington and across the Pacific Northwest faces no shortage of challenges. While demand grows, climate change is intensifying the storms that batter the area every year and threatening the consistency of hydroelectric power, an important source for the region. But so far, the state is meeting the demand at a reasonable price. Largest electric utility: Puget Sound Energy Power outages statewide: 2.53 hours/year (2023) Average retail price of electricity (all sectors): 10.16/kWh (2024) Power from renewable sources: 10.2% New Mexico Vera Leader / 500px | 500px | Getty Images New Mexico is the seventh largest generator of wind energy, according to the Energy Department, and it is seeking to increase the use of other alternative sources like solar power to meet relentless demand. The state is also seeking to modernize its grid with tools like smart meters that will help the state better coordinate supply and demand. Largest electric utility: Public Service Company of New Mexico Power outages statewide: 2.82 hours/year Average retail price of electricity (all sectors): 9.30/kWh Power from renewable sources: 59.6% Montana Linemen work on a rebuild of Northwestern Energy electric transmissions lines in Park County on May 14, 2020 in Livingston, Montana. William Campbell | Getty Images News | Getty Images Montana is home to the Western end of the North Plains Connector, a 420-mile, 525-kilovolt-transmission line that will connect the Eastern and Western U.S. electrical grids, more than doubling the current ability to move power between the grids. The $3.2 billion project, funded in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, aims to make the grid more resilient and responsive to demand, with the ability to move electricity in either direction between Montana and North Dakota. The project is in the permitting phase, with construction expected to begin in 2028, and electricity expected to begin flowing in 2032. Largest electric utility: NorthWestern Energy Power outages statewide: 1.98 hours/year Average retail price of electricity (all sectors): 10.84/kWh Power from renewable sources: 25.1% North Dakota Valley Camp, North Dakota, Wind farm. Replacement blades are stacked near some of the turbines. (Photo by: Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Ucg | Universal Images Group | Getty Images North Dakotans enjoy the cheapest electricity of any state roughly 30% cheaper than in neighboring Minnesota. One reason, the U.S. Department of Energy says, is that the state has abundant supplies of coal and natural gas, and a small population. That allows the state to produce far more energy than it consumes. But the state also boasts the most abundant wind energy resources in the nation, and it is rich in other renewable sources like biomass. In all, North Dakota generates about one-third of its power from renewable sources, and efforts are underway to increase that. EmPower North Dakota, an agency created by the state legislature in 2007, aims to diversify the state's grid beyond fossil fuels. Largest electric utility: Xcel Energy Power outages statewide: 3.48 hours/year Average retail price of electricity (all sectors): 8.00/kWh Power from renewable sources: 34.7% Idaho Cows graze on a pasture surrounded by solar panels. Robert Gauthier | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images Idaho was early to the data center sweepstakes, landing Meta's massive Kuna data center back in 2022. The roughly 1-million-square-foot facility is expected to begin operations next year. To fulfill Meta's promise that the center will run on 100% renewable energy, the company is helping to develop a 200-megawatt solar facility nearby. But Idaho is also rich in other renewable sources, most notably hydroelectric power. Idaho is also one of the only states capable of generating significant amounts of electricity through geothermal power. Largest electric utility: Idaho Power (IDACORP) Power outages statewide: 2.29 hours/year Average retail price of electricity (all sectors): 9.52/kWh Power from renewable sources: 29% South Dakota Torrents of water roar through the Gavins Point Dam just outside Yankton, South Dakota. Kansas City Star | Tribune News Service | Getty Images South Dakota is meeting the voracious demand for energy with a heavy reliance on renewables especially wind, which accounts for 55% of the state's electricity generation, according to the Energy Department. The only state more reliant on wind is Iowa. The Energy Department notes that wind power surpassed hydropower in South Dakota for the first time in 2021. By 2023, wind energy had surged to three times as much electricity generation as hydropower. All the while, South Dakota has maintained one of the most reliable grids in the nation. Largest electric utility: Xcel Energy Power outages statewide: 1.28 hours/year Average retail price of electricity (all sectors): 11/kWh Power from renewable sources: 62.5% Utah Conveyors for moving coal at the Savage Energy Terminal, a coal transfer facility in Price, Utah. Vw Pics | Universal Images Group | Getty Images While coal still accounts for nearly half of Utah's electricity generation, that is down sharply from 75% a decade ago, according to the Energy Department. The Utah Office of Energy Development says its Strategic Energy Plan differs from energy policies in many other states because it prioritizes the human consequences of its actions. "While other states enact energy policies focused on energy resources and emissions, Utah is focused on ensuring our citizens maintain their standard of living and have the chance to thrive," the office's website says. The policy aims to double the state's power production by 2025, while keeping costs affordable, increasing efficiency, and protecting the environment. Largest electric utility: Rocky Mountain Power a division of Berkshire Hathaway 's PacifiCorp Power outages statewide: 2.12 hours/year Average retail price of electricity (all sectors): 9.03/kWh Power from renewable sources: 32% Wyoming Coal-fired power plant on river in eastern Wyoming Philaugustavo | E+ | Getty Images Wyoming is coal country home to about one-third of the nation's recoverable coal reserves, according to the Energy Department. So, it should come as no surprise that coal-fired power plants produce around three-quarters of Wyoming's electricity, more than any state except West Virginia. But that is down from 97% in 2003. Since then, coal's decline as a preferred energy source nationwide has profoundly affected Wyoming's economy. Still, with the smallest population of any state, and all that coal plus abundant wind, hydroelectric, natural gas and solar power Wyoming produces far more power than it consumes. That makes for very low costs on a reliable grid. Largest electric utility: Rocky Mountain Power a division of Berkshire Hathaway's PacifiCorp Power outages statewide: 1.99 hours/year Average retail price of electricity (all sectors): 9.15/kWh Power from renewable sources: 24.8% Iowa A composite wind blade, used in the construction of power-generating wind turbines, is displayed in front of the TPI Composites, Inc. manufacturing facility on July 02, 2025 in Newton, Iowa. Scott Olson | Getty Images News | Getty Images No state gets more of its electricity from wind than Iowa, according to the Energy Department, which says Iowa's power mix has changed rapidly over the past decade or so. Coal, which was dominant until around 2019, now accounts for less than a quarter of the state's electricity production. The state's only nuclear plant, the Duane Arnold Energy Center near Cedar Rapids, ceased operations after sustaining damage in the infamous 2020 derecho. Now, the plant's owner, NextEra Energy Resources , is looking into the possibility of restarting the plant to help meet demand from projects like data centers. But the company is also developing two new solar farms on the site. Largest electric utility: MidAmerican Energy (Berkshire Hathaway) Power outages statewide: 1.75 hours/year Average retail price of electricity (all sectors): 9.43/kWh Power from renewable sources: 65.6% Nebraska Sign outside of the Google Data Center on September 10, 2024 in in Papillion, Nebraska. The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty Images Lisa Su, chair and CEO of Advanced Micro Devices Inc., during the AMD Advancing AI event in San Jose, California, on Dec. 6, 2023. Advanced Micro Devices said Tuesday that it will soon restart shipments of its MI308 artificial intelligence chips to China. The stock climbed more than 6% following the news. The company said Tuesday that the U.S. Commerce Department plans to resume reviewing its license applications to send the products to the world's second-largest economy. AMD said it plans to start shipments once those are approved. "We applaud the progress made by the Trump administration in advancing trade negotiations and its commitment to US AI leadership," an AMD spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC. The news comes as tensions simmer between the U.S. and China following a heated trade war set off by President Donald Trump's tariff crusade that sent global markets spiraling. At 30 years old, Alesse Lightyear decided it was time to leave New York City and her job in reality TV production. "I was living check to check, which sucked. My last few years living and working in New York City were some of the most stressful years of my life," Lightyear tells CNBC Make It. "I was tired of working 70 hours a week for ten years. Being in my 20s, I felt like a 50-year-old woman." Lightyear had lived in neighborhoods all across NYC and in Jersey City at one point, too. "At the height of my career in New York, I was probably making $100,000 a year [and] working eight months out of the year, which on paper sounds great, but New York City is one of the world's most expensive cities, so that $100,000 went extremely fast," Lightyear says. Lightyear moved to Chengdu in 2023. Marc Aziz Ressang for CNBC Make It Lightyear took some time to consider where she might land next and decided on China, where should could teach English as a second language. In 2019, she made her official move to Beijing and hasn't looked back. Lightyear lived in the capital city for four years before relocating to Chengdu, where she got a job teaching at a university. After securing her job, Lightyear had just a few days to find an apartment. She looked at six places in 48 hours and settled on a furnished three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with a balcony and laundry room. It's located in downtown Chengdu and only a five-minute walk from the subway. Some of the benefits and perks of Lightyear's job include free health insurance, a travel stipend, a flight allowance, two months of paid summer and winter vacation, and a rent stipend. Since Lightyear's job provides a housing stipend, she only pays $278 a month in rent. Marc Aziz Ressang for CNBC Make It The rent stipend she receives means Lightyear only has to pay half of her the $556 monthly rent just $278 a month. To secure the apartment, Lightyear had to pay a security deposit, a broker's fee, and three months' rent totaling $2,780. Because her rent stipend didn't kick in until after she received her first paycheck, Lightyear was responsible for paying that full amount up front. "The process happens easily. As long as you have the money, you do everything right then and there," she says. In China, it's customary for potential tenants to try to negotiate the rent price, Lightyear says. But when she tried, the landlord wouldn't budge. Lightyear says she was OK with that because she liked the landlord and the apartment. "The benefits of this job just make life easy and cheap," Lightyear says. "The quality of my lifestyle in China is much better than the quality of life I had living in the U.S." Lightyear recently signed a lease to stay for another 18 months in the Chengdu apartment. Marc Aziz Ressang for CNBC Make It Unlike in the U.S., most of Lightyear's utilities are pay-as-you-go versus the usual monthly or quarterly bill. Since she moved into the apartment, she hasn't had to pay for gas because her landlord loaded more than enough money on the gas card. Her additional expenses include $15 a month on her unlimited cell phone plan, Wi-Fi, and Internet. Lightyear also pays $50 a month for electricity, an average of $75 a month on groceries and $150 a month on eating out. Since moving to China and supplementing her teaching salary with content creation and an active YouTube channel, Lightyear estimates she's been able to save $1,000 a month. With the additional money she's able to save, Lightyear says she plans on buying a house outside the U.S., as she can't afford to buy a house back home. "I haven't saved enough money to buy a house in the U.S. but I have saved enough money to pay off a lot of my student loans and I think I've saved enough money to buy a little casita on the beach in Mexico," she says. "Fingers crossed that is the plan." Most of Lightyear's expenses are pay-as-you-go. Marc Aziz Ressang for CNBC Make It Lightyear says she's staying in Chengdu for at least another 18 months, since she recently renewed her lease. Eventually, she'll return to Michigan while deciding where to settle down next. Lightyear says she knows she's ready to leave the country she's called home for six years, but isn't quite sure which country will give her the same thrill. "I just think China is the hardest country to live and travel in as a non-Chinese person, so I know that anything other than this will be so much easier, but I fear that I might find that boring," she says. Lightyear rented the apartment already furnished. Marc Aziz Ressang for CNBC Make It A positive productivity outlook could send shares of National Fuel Gas Company higher in the months head, according to Bank of America. The bank on Tuesday double upgraded shares of the natural gas distribution company to buy from underperform. It also increased its price target to $107 from $85, implying 27.3% upside from Monday's close. Shares were more than 2% higher in premarket trading following the call. Year to date, the stock has soared more than 38%, outperforming the S & P 500's gain of more than 6% in the same period. "Since acquiring the Eastern Development Area from Shell in 2020, productivity has gotten increasingly better," analyst Kalei Akamine wrote, adding that recent data shows that production is tracking 16% ahead of management expectations. "We believe this enables a more capital efficient program through the end of the decade." NFG YTD mountain NFG, year-to-date As a result, Akamine anticipates that EDA production will grow annually at a rate of 5%, above a consensus 3% compound annual growth rate. Meanwhile, drilling and completion capital expenditures will decline 10%, he added. Beyond that, the analyst said that the company's volume growth is "stellar," noting that its inventory duration is close to twice that of its peers. That should help best position the name to benefit from any potential long-term supply agreements and even "any new egress into NY from potential projects like Millenium PRO or Constitution," he said. Akamine's rating on National Fuel Gas Company is just one of two strong buy or buy ratings on Wall Street, per LSEG data. Three other analysts out of the six total covering the stock have a neutral view with a hold rating. Jane Fraser, CEO, Citigroup, speaks at the 28th annual Milken Institute Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on May 5, 2025. Citigroup reported second-quarter results on Tuesday that topped analyst expectations, helping to boost a stock that has already been outperforming the broader market. Citigroup's net income of $4.02 billion climbed 25% from the same quarter last year. Here's how the bank's results compared with Wall Street expectations: Earnings: $1.96 per share vs $1.60 per estimate from LSEG $1.96 per share vs $1.60 per estimate from LSEG Revenue: $21.67 billion vs $20.98 billion estimate Shares of Citigroup rose 3.7% after the report. The firm's revenue rose 8% from $20 billion a year earlier as it saw growth across its major business groups. Citigroup reported total markets revenue that was higher by 16% versus the same period a year ago. Equity revenue alone rose 6% year over year, and was up 7% from the first quarter. Banking was another bright spot, with revenue up 18% over the second quarter of 2024, even with losses on loan hedges. "We're improving the performance of each of our businesses to take share and drive higher returns," CEO Jane Fraser said in a statement. "With revenue up 8%, Services continues to show why this high-return business is our crown jewel. Markets had its best second quarter performance since 2020 with a record second quarter for Equities. Banking revenues were up 18% and we continue to be at the center of some of the most significant transactions." The latest results reported Tuesday included the turbulent market period that began in early April. That type of volatility can help boost profits in equity and fixed income trading at major banks, including Citigroup. "Volatility is going to, I suspect, be a feature not a bug of the new world order, and we will benefit from that," Fraser said on an analyst call Tuesday. More negatively, Citigroup reported 16% growth in cost of credit, fueled in part by a higher net build in the allowance for credit losses. The bank cited "deterioration" in the economic outlook relative to last year as a reason for the move. Fraser added that the overall environment has "proven to be more resilient than expected," but the bank is seeing slowdowns in hiring and capital expenditures by clients. The CEO also said the bank has made "significant progress" in its transformation plan. Citigroup has been pulling back from international markets, and the bank announced layoffs in China in June. However, Fraser said there was no update about the timeline for an initial public offering of the bank's Mexico unit. Looking forward, Citigroup said in a presentation published Tuesday that it now expects $84 billion in revenue for the full year, the high end of the bank's previous guidance. Fraser also indicated the bank is looking into the use of stablecoins. The June quarter results come after a first half when Citigroup's stock outperformed the broader market and several of its universal bank peers. As of Monday's close, Citi shares were ahead 24% year to date, and up 38% since April 14, the day before the bank's first-quarter earnings report. Citigroup raised its quarterly dividend to 60 cents per share from 56 cents earlier this month, after the latest Federal Reserve stress tests. U.S. President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the day of announcing a deal to get weapons to NATO, in the Oval Office at the White House on July 14, 2025. Here's a tariff we can get behind. At a White House meeting on Monday with NATO's secretary general, Mark Rutte, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would introduce "tariffs at about 100%" on Russia's trade partners if the Kremlin doesn't reach a deal to end its invasion of Ukraine in 50 days. Notably, the punitive measures will be implemented as "secondary tariffs," Trump said. Unlike Trump's normal tariffs, under which a specific country is slapped with a levy, secondary tariffs impose the duty on countries and entities that buy Russia's exports. While those moves were meant to weaken Russia's economy, they do run the risk of drawing other countries' ire. According to data from the International Trade Centre, in 2024, Russia's biggest export was oil, and its biggest buyers were China, India and Turkey, in that order. That means those nations, among others, would effectively face a tariff of 100% from the U.S. the highest of all updated numbers announced so far if they don't shift their buying patterns. That said, it's refreshing to think of tariffs not as a weapon in a trade war (even if there might be collateral damage), but being used for peace. CoreWeave Inc. signage in Times Square in New York, US, on Friday, May 9, 2025. Coreweave stock gained 6% on Tuesday after the company announced a $6 billion artificial intelligence data center project in Pennsylvania. The commitment includes an initial 100 megawatt data center built in Lancaster, a city about 70 miles west of Philadelphia. The data center will be able to expand to 300 MW. "The demand for high-performance AI compute is relentless," said CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator in a release, "and CoreWeave is scaling a cloud purpose-built for AI to meet it and strengthen US leadership." The announcement comes as part of the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit in Pittsburgh hosted by Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Penn., where President Donald Trump, members of his administration and executives are meeting to discuss AI and investment opportunities in the state. A view shows a flooded subway station in New York, U.S., July 14, 2025, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. New Yorkers in basement apartments were told to be ready to leave Monday and New Jersey's governor declared a state of emergency after heavy rains in the northeast caused flash flooding. Western Union County, New Jersey, experienced life-threatening flash flooding by storms that were nearly stationary Monday evening, the National Weather Service office for the New York City region said. "Please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel," New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in announcing he was declaring a state of emergency due to the heavy rainfall. No deaths appeared to have been reported in the showers that soaked the New York City area, which forecasters said weakened and moved east by around 10 p.m. All five boroughs of New York City had been placed under a flash flood warning Monday evening. That warning expired, but the area was under a flash flood watch until midnight. Emergency management officials warned residents of basement apartments to be ready to leave. President Donald Trump's tax-and-spending bill, signed into law earlier this month, will provide greater clarity for CEOs of public companies in the future, according to long-time value investor Mario Gabelli, CEO of GAMCO Investors. Gabelli also expects more cross-border deals as a result of the legislation. Overall, the law makes stocks look more attractive on the whole, the investor said on CNBC's " Squawk on the Street " Tuesday morning. Gabelli shared two specific names he's bullish on: Textron and National Fuel Gas . "Both of them are extraordinarily interesting. Both of them [are] stocks that I'm buying daily, nibbling at them and so on," he said. Textron, the maker of Citation business jets, Beechcraft and Cessna planes and Bell helicopters, should benefit from a dramatic rise in defense spending by members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Gabelli also praised Textron CEO Scott Donnelly for doing a "terrific job" running the defense contractor. "At $85 with that kind of earnings, that is an extraordinarily cheap stock," Gabelli said, referring to where Textron shares were trading Tuesday. Rhode Island-based Textron have added more than 11% this year, outperforming the S & P 500. Gabelli also named National Fuel Gas , which has surged 48% in 2025, a top pick. The 83-year-old, Columbia Business School graduate highlighted National Fuel's current focus on Marcellus natural gas. National Fuel gets gas from the Marcellus Shale through its upstream, exploration and production subsidiary, Seneca Resources . Gabelli also praised CEO David Bauer's acquisitions of local distribution companies. On Tuesday, Bank of America took a similar bullish view on National Fuel, double upgrading shares to buy from underperform. "Since acquiring the Eastern Development Area from Shell in 2020, productivity has gotten increasingly better," wrote analyst Kalei Akamine, adding that recent data shows production tracking 16% ahead of management expectations. "We believe this enables a more capital efficient [production] program through the end of the decade." The bank's $107 price target, up from $85, implies that the stock might rise 26% from Monday close. Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce speaks during the Pennsylvania Energy And Innovation Summit 2025 at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh on July 15, 2025. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday said the Trump administration reversed course on allowing Nvidia to sell its AI chips to China because the U.S. company will not be giving over its best technology. Lutnick made the remark speaking with CNBC's Brian Sullivan, saying that Nvidia wants to sell China its "fourth best" chip, which is slower than the fastest chips that U.S. companies use. "We don't sell them our best stuff, not our second best stuff, not even our third best," Lutnick said. Nvidia said Monday night that it would soon resume sales of the H20 chip to China after the Trump administration signaled that it would grant the chipmaker necessary export licenses. Lutnick said that the administration said that the renewed sale of H20 chips to China was linked to a rare earths magnet deal. He said it was in U.S. interests to have Chinese companies using American technology so they continue to use an American "tech stack." "The fourth one down, we want to keep China using it," Lutnick said. "We want to keep having the Chinese use the American technology stack, because they still rely upon it." Similarly, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has said in recent weeks that the U.S. should continue selling his chips to China so Chinese companies don't invest in homegrown infrastructure. Huang on Sunday also said that the Chinese military wouldn't use Nvidia chips anyway, and previously signaled that China's Huawei is a legitimate competitor. "The idea is the Chinese are more than capable of building their own," Lutnick said. "You want to keep one step ahead of what they can build, so they keep buying our chips." The reversal is a major win for Nvidia. Huang had previously said the Trump administration's decision to require a license for the H20 chip in April "effectively closed" the China market. Nvidia said it could have sold $8 billion in H20 chips in the current quarter before sales were stopped. As Wall Street launches into earnings season, CNBC's Jim Cramer bemoaned the difficulties of anticipating stock action and discussed Nvidia , Wells Fargo and BlackRock . "This is the ups and downs of earnings seasons for the pros that are so terrifying," he said. "I felt glorious that I had nailed Nvidia. But you could have gagged me with a spoon after Blackrock and Wells, and I would've deserved it." While Nvidia isn't set to post earnings until August, its stock shot up on Tuesday and hit a new high as Wall Street learned the White House would allow the artificial intelligence powerhouse to sell its chips in China. Nvidia shared the news in a press release Monday night, and on Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick explained why the administration had reversed course on trade policy. Cramer said he thought Nvidia's news would be positive for the stock Monday night, and he indicated he was pleased Tuesday morning to find that shares had jumped. But Cramer said he was disappointed when BlackRock weathered losses after it posted earnings Tuesday morning. The asset manager reported a mixed quarter, and Cramer said investors were focused on BlackRock's lower net inflows, which contributed to its revenue miss. Wells Fargo seemed relatively strong coming into earnings season, Cramer said, noting that the bank was finally free from an asset cap set seven years ago by the Federal Reserve. But investors were not happy that Wells Fargo cut its guidance for net interest income. Cramer suggested the issue would be remedied "if you get more aggressive, and they're getting more aggressive to attract depositors, make loans." But management seemed unprepared to explain the changing dynamic, he said. While Cramer said he's confident BlackRock and Wells Fargo are headed higher eventually, it will take some time. During earnings season, he said, "there's no such thing as do-overs." "I'll stay behind Wells and BlackRock, with the fig leaf of Nvidia protecting me, but you need to know that, so far, I'm one for three this earnings season," he said. "And in this business, you know what that is? That's downright awful. No excuses." Companies are trimming their workforces, and many of them are focusing their cuts on middle management. The number of managers dropped 6.1% between May 2022 to May 2025, according to research from Live Data Technologies and reported by The Wall Street Journal, while executive-level roles fell 4.6%. Estee Lauder and Match Group recently said they each cut around 20% of their managers, while UPS, Citigroup, Amazon and Google have all worked to shrink their management teams. Small and midsize businesses are part of the trend, too: Supervisors at these orgs now have an average of six direct reports twice as many as they did five years ago, according to data from Gusto and reported by Bloomberg. As a result, a growing share of laid-off managers are fighting for a shrinking pool of opportunities. "I haven't been on the job market for two years, so I didn't realize how tumultuous it is," says Tiffany Fuentes, 33, in Fort Mohave, Arizona, who was laid off from her job as a head of recruitment in June when her tech company cut 50% of its staff. Though she did plenty of hiring in her previous role, being on the other side has been a surprise. "I didn't realize there were so many job seekers with the same degrees [and] employment history that I have, and that it would be this difficult to find employment," she says. When she recently wrote on LinkedIn about the challenges of her search, she received messages from people along the lines of, "you've only been at this for two weeks; I've been at this for a year," Fuentes says. "It's really heartbreaking to see so many people in the workforce all at the same time trying to find those jobs." Even when she does get through to schedule an interview, the experience hasn't been good. She recently agreed to an interview for a job that would be a step back in her career, but the interviewer never showed up to the video call. "For me to get dressed and ready and be on the call really excited with my research," Fuentes says, "when that person doesn't show up, it's a little gut wrenching." Fuentes says she never heard back from the employer. Managers are worried about their job security and taking new roles with a pay cut Though not ideal, Fuentes has come to the understanding that she may have to "be realistic" and take a lower title and salary in today's market. A growing share of today's job seekers are taking roles with a pay cut, which is highest among managers (22%) and managers transitioning to individual contributor roles (32%), according to Glassdoor data. And middle managers are worried about their job security: Employee confidence for mid-level employees declined 4.5 percentage points from the last year. Tiffany Fuentes was laid off from her job as a head of recruitment in June when her tech company cut 50% of its staff. Courtesy of subject Job security concerns are leading some to look for a new job in case they're suddenly let go. That's the case for a a 27-year-old product director for a startup in Chicago, who declined to be named to protect her job security. She currently has a full-time job but has been actively looking for a new one for two months because she feels underpaid and is concerned about her company's future. "[I'm] trying to make sure that I'm not in a position that a lot of people are right now, which sucks, where they're just laid off and then s--- out of luck." She says she's had four direct reports and was a skip-level manager to some 80 people. Working at a startup means her title doesn't necessarily reflect all the responsibilities she's taken on over a condensed period of time, though. That makes it hard to transfer her title and experience to other roles, she says. In a tight hiring market, she says, there's little chance of her landing an interview when her experience doesn't match a job description to a T. For roles she feels would be a next step in her career, the job ads show "you need to have 12 years of experience, and the salary is awesome, but it's almost like that would be a VP level," she says, "and the role right underneath that is non-existent." Manager cuts could impact culture and engagement Leadership experts say effective middle management can be a powerful tool for businesses to keep employees engaged, satisfied and happy with their work and their employer. Without it, employees can feel disconnected with senior leadership and the mission of their work, which can lead to burnout and attrition. PR professional Stacey Dillon agrees. Dillon, 47, quit her last managerial job in the beginning of December 2024 and was optimistic about finding a new one when she started looking a month later. She'd previously been heavily recruited to new gigs, and she'd just moved from Salt Lake City to the Phoenix area, where she'd heard there was a booming job market. Dillon says the difference in her job search today compared with her last role, which she landed in 2021, couldn't be more different. The last time around, she says she was hired in two weeks. "This time the process has felt longer, more mysterious and ambiguous, and far more competitive." "I've seen well aligned jobs disappear overnight, even retracted, outsourced or restructured," she says. Stacey Dillon quit her job in PR in December and was optimistic about finding a new role when she began looking in January. Jordan Williamson Her experience has been frustrating: She was recruited to apply for a job that had been vacant for six months and completed a five-hour assessment for it. She says she never heard back but sees in the online system that the job is still open and her application is still under consideration. For another role, Dillon says she was recruited to apply but was ghosted and hasn't heard back for about two months. The biggest lesson she's learned is to focus on the human side of the job search. "In this job market I'm reminded that career transitions aren't just logical they're emotional and human connection has become a core part of how I job search," she says. As such, she says networking has been crucial to get job leads, referrals and contract work for the time being. With constant news of middle management layoffs, Dillon thinks businesses are at a turning point: "Middle management is often misunderstood, but it's essential, not just for operations, but for culture, mentorship and wisdom." Will AI speed us up? Yes. Can it replace certain functions? Yes. Can it replace every middle manager? Probably not. Bob Friedland Little Falls, NJ "Middle managers are so uniquely positioned to humanize leadership, to connect strategy to people," Dillon says. "I hope organizations will continue to invest in those roles, not just as an administrative necessity, but as the cultural and strategic backbone to teams." Companies plan to downsize with the help of AI Companies tend to lay people off during recessions but in recent years have trimmed their workforces even as they report high sales and profits. Ultimately, many bosses are looking to do more with less, and they're hoping artificial intelligence will help them do that. Some 41% of employers plan to downsize their workforce by 2030 with the help of AI automation, according to a January World Economic Forum survey. Bob Friedland is open to tech innovations in the workplace but feels replacing middle managers with AI would be a bad business move. Bob Friedland was let go from his public relations job two years ago and has applied to 750 roles since. Nathniel Johnston Photography Jensen Huang, co-founder and CEO of Nvidia Corp., speaks during a news conference on May 21, 2025. Nvidia said Tuesday that it hopes to resume sales of its H20 general processing units to China, in a major win for the company that has suffered from U.S. export curbs. The U.S. government in April told Nvidia it would require a license to sell the chips to China, the company said in a filing, effectively halting their sales. The H20 chips had been designed specifically to bypass earlier export controls on Beijing. "The U.S. government has assured NVIDIA that licenses will be granted, and NVIDIA hopes to start deliveries soon," the company said in a statement Tuesday. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in recent months has ramped up his lobbying against export controls, arguing that they inhibited American tech leadership. In May, Huang said chip restrictions had already cut Nvidia's China market share nearly in half. The potential change in U.S. stance follows a meeting between Huang and U.S. President Donald Trump last week. During the talks, Huang had reaffirmed Nvidia's support for the administration's job creation and onshoring efforts, as well as the aim for America to lead in global AI, the company said. Shayne Coplan, founder and chief executive of Polymarket, speaks during the New York Times annual DealBook summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 04, 2024 in New York City. Two federal investigations of the online prediction betting site Polymarket have been closed with no charges filed against the cryptocurrency-based marketplace, a person familiar with the matter told CNBC on Tuesday. "Polymarket has received declination notices from the U.S. Justice Department and Commodity Futures Trading Commission related to investigations into the company," said the person, who was granted anonymity to discuss non-public actions. The company declined to comment. Polymarket received the formal notices earlier this month, informing the company that the probes, one civil and one criminal, had been completed, and no further action would be taken. Bloomberg News first reported the notices. The anticlimactic conclusion of the probes is the latest example of the Trump administration dropping actions initiated under the Biden administration against crypto companies or online betting markets. In May, the CFTC moved to drop its appeal of a federal judge's ruling that allowed the prediction market KalshiEx to accept bets on U.S. elections. The Justice Department and CFTC had been investigating whether Polymarket was accepting bets from people in the United States, despite promises made by the company in early 2022 not to do so. The assurances were made after Polymarrket was fined $1.4 million by the CFTC, which concluded that the marketplace had failed to register as a facility for even-based binary options, Bloomberg reported. The Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office, which conducted the criminal investigation of Polymarket, declined to comment on Tuesday. CNBC has requested comment from the CFTC. A Rolls-Royce aircraft engine on view during the Hannover Messe industrial trade fair on March 31, 2025. British aerospace and defense company Rolls-Royce announced it is investing $75 million to expand its engine manufacturing facility in Aiken, South Carolina. The investment will boost output of mtu Series 4000 diesel engines, which are used in backup power systems for data centers and other critical infrastructures. "The increased investment strengthens our ability to serve our U.S. customers especially in the fast-growing American data center industry," Adam Wood, managing director for Rolls-Royce's power systems division in America, said in a Tuesday press release. The company said the expansion will create 60 new jobs, increase capabilities and strengthen Rolls-Royce's U.S. industrial presence. The move also reflects Rolls-Royce's shift into energy and power systems, beyond its traditional aerospace focus. Rolls-Royce said it will machine additional mtu Series 4000 components in the U.S. as part of the investment. The company currently produces many the components in Germany and sends them to the U.S. as finished goods. "We are proud to support America's growing demand for reliable, domestically made energy systems that strengthen our nation's energy independence and security," said Adam Riddle, CEO for North America. This is the second major announcement in two days for the company. On Monday, the United Kingdom and Czech Republic announced a partnership to collaborate on small modular reactors, according to Reuters. Rolls-Royce SMRs could export up to six reactors to the Czech Republic under the deal. The South Carolina site is now set to become a hub in Rolls-Royce's North American power systems strategy. The first phase of the expansion will begin in the first quarter of 2026, and production will begin in July 2027. U.S. President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not pictured), on the day he announces a deal to get weapons to NATO, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 14, 2025. President Donald Trump may have expected a Russian shudder of fear to greet his threat of "very severe tariffs" on the country if it didn't agree a ceasefire in Ukraine. Instead, his comments appear to have prompted a collective public shrug. Calling Trump's statements "very serious," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Russia needs "time to analyze" them. But investors in the Russian capital who had been gearing up for tougher measures instead embraced a 50-day grace period on tariffs set by Trump on Monday and the Moscow Stock Exchange was up by 2.7% after it opened Tuesday morning. Oil prices also fell by more than $1 after the announcement, hinting that investors don't think Trump will follow through on his threat to impose the tariffs. Trump "did not announce any immediate anti-Russian measures or the confiscation of illegally blocked Russian assets," Leonid Slutsky, a prominent nationalist politician, said on Telegram Tuesday, adding that the president was trying to balance Western support for Kyiv while avoiding a confrontation with the Kremlin. Trump announced the levies along with the shipment of new weapons to Ukraine during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Monday. His comments came as a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) made its way through Congress. If passed, it would seek to impose 500% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil and gas. Praising Trump's announcement, Graham and his bill's co-sponsor, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) said in a statement that "the ultimate hammer to bring about the end of this war will be tariffs against countries, like China, India and Brazil, that prop up Putin's war machine by purchasing cheap Russian oil and gas." However, Konstantin Kosachev, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council, the upper house of the country's parliament, said Graham's bill made "no sense." In 50 days, "how much can change both on the battlefield and in the mood of those in power both in the U.S. and in NATO?" he added. And former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, a hardliner who frequently issues over-the-top threats, called Trump's threat a "theatrical ultimatum" in a post on X. "We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100%," Trump said, without providing further details. After the announcement, a White House official said Trump's threat of 100% tariffs was referring to Russian goods, as well as secondary sanctions on other countries that buy its exports. The president's comments signal a marked shift in tone over his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, for whom he has long shown admiration. "I've known him for a long time. We've always gotten along well," Trump said back in March. Many Western countries have have cut most of their own financial ties to Moscow during since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbor, triggering the first major land war in Europe since World War II. Still, buyers of Russia's crude oil like China and India have continued financing Moscow's war chest with hundreds of billions of dollars through business with the world's third-largest oil producer. "It's about tariffs on countries like India and China that are buying their oil," Matt Whitaker, the U.S. ambassador to NATO told reporters Monday after Trump's announcement. "And it really is going to, I think, dramatically impact the Russian economy." Trump's threats of secondary tariffs are "never going to go anywhere" as long as he is unwilling to impose costs on Moscow directly, Keir Giles, a senior fellow at the London-based Chatham House think tank, told NBC News Monday. The tariffs also risk upending delicate China-U.S. trade talks, according to Liu Baocheng at Beijing's University of International Business and Economics. The "unilateral imposition of punitive trade measures...risks creating new and unnecessary complications," Baocheng said, adding that the 100% secondary tariffs intended to pressure Moscow could instead "severely backfire by undermining global economic stability and fragmenting international cooperation." Most concerning, Baocheng added, was that the threat comes at a delicate juncture in U.S.-China trade relations, where secondary tariffs on Chinese companies or sectors that import Russian goods "would seriously damage the fragile momentum of dialogue." Trump's tariff agenda has also raised the stakes for India, which has been negotiating a trade deal with Washington to see tariffs on goods from India drop below 20%. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told reporters Tuesday that his country had "been in touch" with Graham over its concerns and interests on energy and security. Elsewhere, Europe's chief negotiator Maros Sefcovic told reporters in Brussels on Monday that a 30% tariff on European goods would have a "huge impact on trade." "It will be almost impossible to continue trading as we are used to in a transatlantic relationship," Sefcovic said. Check out the companies making the biggest moves midday: First Solar Shares of the major domestic solar panel producer popped 6%. Bloomberg News reported that the U.S. Commerce Department has launched Section 232 investigations into imports of drones and polysilicon, which is used on solar panels. The move could be a precursor to tariffs, which may be imposed on goods under Section 232 if they are deemed a threat to national security. Newmont The mining stock dropped 8% after Newmont disclosed CFO Karyn Ovelmen had left the company. JPMorgan Chase Shares fell less than 1% even after the bank posted second-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations. Investment banking and trading revenue drove the stronger-than-expected numbers. Wells Fargo Shares were down 5% after the company lowered its 2025 net income guidance to roughly in line with 2024 levels. The bank previously expected an increase of 1% to 3%. The forecast reduction overshadowed better-than-expected second-quarter profits. Citigroup Shares added 3% after the bank posted second-quarter results that exceeded analyst expectations. Citigroup earned $1.96 per share on revenue of $21.67 billion, while analysts polled by LSEG had expected earnings of $1.60 on $20.98 billion in revenue. BlackRock Stock in the world's largest asset manager dropped 5% after second-quarter revenue missed Wall Street's expectations. BlackRock reported revenue of $5.42 billion, while analysts surveyed by LSEG were looking for $5.46 billion. The company also reported some outflows from an institutional client, though BlackRock still saw net inflows in Q2. CoreWeave The AI cloud computing firm rose more than 8% after it committed to spending $6 billion on a new artificial intelligence data center in Pennsylvania. This was just one of several announcements Tuesday as part of a push by the Trump administration. Among those was Google 's plan to spend $25 billion on data centers and AI infrastructure. State Street Shares slipped 4% after the bank reported second-quarter net interest income of $729 million, while FactSet analysts had estimated $733.2 million. This shortfall overshadowed its second-quarter beat. Nvidia Shares jumped 4% after the graphics processing unit manufacturer announced it will "soon" resume sales of its H20 AI chip to China upon receiving licenses from the U.S. government. The Trump administration had previously told the company in April that it would require a license to sell the chips in China, effectively halting sales. Fellow semiconductor chip stocks Advanced Micro Devices , Broadcom and Micron Technology respectively rose 6%, 2% and 1%. Trade Desk Shares surged 9% after S & P Global announced that the digital advertising company is set to join the S & P 500 as of Friday. It will replace software maker Ansys, which will be acquired in a $35 billion deal by Synopsys. Shares of AppLovin and Robinhood Markets both shed around 1% upon being left out of the index once again. National Fuel Gas Shares popped 6% on the heels of Bank of America's double upgrade to buy from underperform. Bank of America said the energy company has improved productivity. Check out the companies making headlines before the bell. JPMorgan Chase Shares fell less than 1% in the premarket after the bank posted second-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations. Investment banking and trading revenue drove the stronger-than-expected numbers. Wells Fargo Shares were down 3% in the premarket after the company lowered its 2025 net income guidance to roughly in line with 2024 levels. The bank previously expected an increase of 1% to 3%. The forecast reduction overshadowed better-than-expected second-quarter profits. Citigroup Shares added less than 1% after the bank posted second-quarter results that exceeded analyst expectations. Citigroup earned $1.96 per share on revenue of $21.67 billion, while analysts polled by LSEG had expected earnings of $1.60 on $20.98 billion in revenue. BlackRock Stock in the world's largest asset manager slipped about 3% after second-quarter revenue missed Wall Street's expectations. BlackRock reported revenue of $5.42 billion, while analysts surveyed by LSEG were looking for $5.46 billion. CoreWeave The AI cloud computing firm's shares rose more than 7% after it committed to spending $6 billion on a new artificial intelligence data center in Pennsylvania. This was just one of several announcements Tuesday as part of a push by the Trump administration. Among those was Google 's plan to spend $25 billion on data centers and AI infrastructure. LM Ericsson The Swedish telecommunications stock slipped 2% after reporting second-quarter revenue of SEK56.10B. This came below the SEK59.29B analyst consensus, according to FactSet. Bank of New York Mellon Shares fell less than 1% after the bank reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.94 per share, exceeding the $1.76 per share analysts had expected, according to LSEG. The company's $5.03 billion revenue also came above the forecast. Albertsons The supermarket chain was up slightly after reporting a narrow fiscal first-quarter earnings and revenue beat. The company also reaffirmed its full-year adjusted earnings guidance of between $2.03 to $2.16 per share, versus FactSet's consensus estimate of $2.11. State Street Shares slipped nearly 2% after the bank reported second-quarter net interest income of $729 million, while FactSet analysts had estimated $733.2 million. This shortfall overshadowed its second-quarter beat. Nvidia Shares jumped 4% after the graphics processing unit manufacturer announced it will "soon" resume sales of its H20 AI chip to China upon receiving licenses from the U.S. government. The Trump administration had previously told the company in April that it would require a license to sell the chips in China, effectively halting sales. Fellow semiconductor chip stocks Advanced Micro Devices , Broadcom and Micron Technology respectively rose 5%, 1% and 2%. Trade Desk Shares surged 14% after S & P Global announced that the digital advertising company is set to join the S & P 500 as of Friday. It will replace software maker Ansys, which will be acquired in a $35 billion deal by Synopsys. Shares of AppLovin and Robinhood Markets both shed around 1% upon being left out of the index once again. SolarEdge Technologies , Enphase Energy The solar stock fell nearly 2% in premarket trading after JPMorgan downgraded shares of the company to neutral from overweight. The Wall Street firm said it's looking for signs of stronger-than-expected market share gain and/or margin expansion to add to positions. The stock has been on a monster rally as of late, gaining more than 110% in the past three months and more than 96% year to date. Shares of Enphase Energy also slipped 2% after similarly receiving a downgrade to neutral from overweight. National Fuel Gas Shares popped 4% on the heels of Bank of America's double upgrade to buy from underperform. Bank of America said the energy company has improved productivity. CNBC's Brian Evans, Alex Harring, Fred Imbert, Yun Li and Jesse Pound contributed reporting. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a group of House Republicans who blocked several cryptocurrency regulation bills from moving forward earlier in the day had changed their minds following a White House meeting, and would now vote to advance the legislation. "I am in the Oval Office with 11 of the 12 Congressmen/women necessary to pass the GENIUS Act and, after a short discussion, they have all agreed to vote tomorrow morning in favor of the Rule," Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly before 9 p.m. ET. Trump said that House Speaker Mike Johnson called into the meeting and "looks forward to taking the Vote as early as possible." It was a dramatic, quick rebound for the Trump-supported pieces of legislation, which just hours before had faced an uncertain path forward, after the bills failed to clear a key procedural hurdle. The bills cannot advance until the House approves rules of debate for the legislation. The final surprise tally of the vote Tuesday was 196 in favor of approval, and 223 against. Thirteen Republicans voted with Democrats to block the legislation from moving forward. The measures had been widely expected to pass. The failure of the rule during what is being billed as "Crypto Week" was a rare instance of House Republicans refusing to take direction from Trump, at least temporarily. The late Tuesday flip among the holdouts underscores Trump's firm grip over Republican conference. Crypto-linked stocks turned lower after the vote failed. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he reached a preliminary trade deal with Indonesia that will set a 19% tariff on the Southeast Asian country's U.S. exports. "We will pay no tariffs. So they are giving us access into Indonesia, which we never had," Trump told reporters outside the White House. "That's probably the biggest part of the deal. And the other part is they are going to pay 19%," he said. In an Instagram post early Wednesday, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto said he had a "very good call" with Trump. "We agreed and concluded to take trade relations between Indonesia and the United States into a new era of mutual benefit between our two great nations." However, Prabowo did not confirm the details of the trade deal or the tariff rate. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said Indonesia "has committed to purchasing $15 Billion Dollars in U.S. Energy, $4.5 Billion Dollars in American Agricultural Products, and 50 Boeing Jets, many of them 777's" as part of the deal. Indonesian airline Garuda was recently in talks to buy between 50 and 75 Boeing aircraft, its CEO reportedly said in early July. The new tariff rate on Indonesian imports would show Trump pulling back on the 32% duty he had threatened to impose as recently as last week. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested on CNBC's "Halftime Report" on Tuesday afternoon that Indonesia would drop its tariffs on U.S. goods as part of the agreement. "No tariffs there. They pay tariffs here," Lutnick said. The White House did not respond to CNBC's requests for additional information about the purported deal with Indonesia. Indonesia is one of the United States' top 25 trade partners, with the two countries trading more than $38 billion in goods in 2024, according to the Commerce Department. The U.S. trade deficit with Indonesia totaled $17.9 billion last year. Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. Market moves: Stocks were mostly lower on Tuesday despite a rally in Club name Nvidia and other chip stocks. Bond yields were spiking in reaction to the June consumer price index, which rose in line with estimates, and profit-taking in financials following the first round of second-quarter earnings reports. We think the selloffs in Club names BlackRock and Wells Fargo were overdone, but recognize it could take a couple of days to shake out investors who chased the group higher ahead of the prints. Read our full Wells Fargo earnings analysis here . Trade deals: President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States reached a trade agreement with Indonesia. As part of the agreement, goods from Indonesia will be subject to a 19% tariff, while U.S. exports there will be exempt from tariffs. In addition, Trump said Indonesia has committed to purchasing $15 billion in energy and $4.5 billion in agricultural products from the U.S., as well as 50 Boeing jets. It's good to see more trade deals get on the board as we move closer to an Aug. 1 deadline. AI Investments: American companies made a slew of announcements related to data centers and infrastructure, as Trump went to Pennsylvania on Tuesday to promote energy and tech investments. During our Morning Meeting, we already talked about CoreWeave 's $6 billion data center commitment in the state, and relatedly, Club name Eaton 's collaboration with Nvidia to power AI data centers. GE Vernova announced a commitment of up to $100 million in grid modernization investments in Pennsylvania and a big order of seven natural gas turbines to help power a new data center campus in the state. Up next: Trucking company JB Hunt reports earnings after Tuesday's close. On Wednesday morning, bank earnings continue with Club name Goldman Sachs , as well as Morgan Stanley and Bank of America . Before Wednesday's open, we will also get June reads on industrial production and producer prices. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Here are Tuesday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Goldman Sachs initiates Revolution Medicine as buy Goldman said the oncology company is well positioned. "We initiate coverage on Revolution Medicines (RVMD) with a Buy rating and 12-month price target of $65." Goldman Sachs initiates Alkermes as buy Goldman said it likes the biopharma company's pipeline of products. "We initiate coverage on Alkermes (ALKS) with a Buy rating and 12-month PT of $43. ALKS is an established commercial company whose mature portfolio of neuropsych assets." Barclays initiates Ralliant as overweight Barclays said the precision tech company has an "undemanding" valuation. "RAL in our view represents a rare breed in MI [multi industry] nowadays a pure play, high-quality asset with depressed cycle dynamics (for sales and margins) and a valuation that looks undemanding." Oppenheimer reiterates Nvidia and Broadcom as outperform Oppenheimer raised its price target on Nvidia to $200 per share from $175 and on Broadcom to $305 per share from $265. "Our top picks are NVDA , AVGO, MRVL, and MPWR." JPMorgan downgrades SolarEdge to neutral from overweight JPMorgan downgraded the stock mainly on valuation. "We are downgrading SEDG to Neutral from Overweight, given the stock's significant outperformance recently,..." Deutsche Bank initiates Jazz Pharmaceuticals as buy Deutsche said in its initiation of Jazz that it's a "growth story w/ diversified commercial portfolio." "At present, the company's focus is on developing and commercializing more innovative biopharma assets, though the stock continues to trade at depressed multiples relative to commercial-stage peers." Rosenblatt initiates Gitlab as buy Rosenblatt said the software company is well positioned for growth and share gains. "In our view, the growth in and complexity of modern cloud and emerging GenAI applications and the upsell opportunity for GitLab provide significant runway for growth." Goldman Sachs initiates Nutanix as buy Goldman said shares of the software company have more room to run. "We initiate on Nutanix with a Buy rating and $95 Price Target, viewing it as a key modernization play for enterprises navigating legacy infrastructure transitions." Evercore ISI reiterates Tesla as in line The firm said it's staying cautious on Tesla shares. "We believe the stock, today, is increasingly both NOISE & SIGNAL based on: 1) Unabated negative revisions, 2) Disappointing AV rollout, 3) Increasingly divisive political posting, & 4) Technicals on edge." JPMorgan upgrades California Resources to overweight from neutral JPMorgan said the energy company is undervalued. "We are upgrading CRC to Overweight (from Neutral) as we believe the stock is undervalued on a sum-of-the-parts basis." Wells Fargo reiterates Microsoft as overweight Wells raised its price target on Microsoft to $600 per share from $585. "Recent field work suggests no slowdown in demand for MSFT's AI solutions, bolstering our confidence in the 4Q & FY26 setup ahead. Further, recent cost actions help offset growing deprec burden, enabling DD%+ EPS growth next yr." Read more . Morgan Stanley downgrades Freeport-McMoRan to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said it sees "few positive catalysts" right now for the metals and mining company. "We still see some upside i n FCX shares as the company benefits from comparatively high exposure to COMEX copper prices and a strong gold outlook, but the risk-reward now looks less compelling, with few positive catalysts in the near term." Morgan Stanley downgrades Ameriprise Financial to underweight from equal weight The firm downgraded the financial services company mainly on valuation. "Slower growth at AMP rel to peers drives our downgrade to UW (from EW). Bank of America reiterates Netflix as buy Bank of America said it's sticking with Netflix shares ahead of earnings later this week. "We anticipate that Netflix's (NFLX) 2Q25 results will be at least in line with guidance on key metrics including revenue, OI [operating income] and EPS." Bank of America reiterates Meta as buy The firm raised its price target on the stock to $775 per share from $765. " Meta is our 2025 top Online ad stock as best-positioned company to benefit from AI-driven advertising share gains and upside." Bank of America reiterates Amazon as buy The firm said it believes Amazon's Prime Day was a success. "Also, we think initiatives like improved inventory placement & robotics likely drove fast shipping speeds (we received our orders in 1 to 2 days) and strong consumer satisfaction." Jefferies downgrades DoorDash to hold from buy Jefferies downgraded the stock on valuation. "With the stock up 45% YTD and valuation at a 120% premium to Internet, we downgrade to Hold given DASH's strong execution and growth algorithm appear fully reflected." Evercore ISI downgrades Southwest to in line from outperform Evercore downgraded the stock on valuation. "Our rating on LUV shares is reduced to In-Line from Outperform on YTD outperformance and relative valuation expansion." Bank of America upgrades National Fuel to buy from underperform Bank of America said it sees an attractive entry point for the diversified energy company. "We are double upgrading NFG to Buy and raising our PO to $107." Susquehanna initiates Ryder System as positive The firm said the trucking company is poised for a rerating. "We believe Ryder has a clear path to strong earnings growth from 1) Cyclical Inflection; 2) Stagflationary Truck Environment; and 3) Capital Deployment from Strong FCF, even without a rerating." Cantor Fitzgerald initiates Oklo as overweight Cantor said the nuclear power company is a market leader. " Oklo is paving the way for the world to safely transition to a nuclear powered future." Truist initiates Globe Life as buy Truist said the financial services company is a "durable long-term performer at a discount." "In our view, investors can now purchase GL shares at a discount valuation because of a misguided short report and, to a lesser extent, short-term volatility in medical utilization." Monness Crespi Hardt & Co downgrades American Express to neutral from buy Monness downgraded the stock mainly on valuation. "We are downgrading Amex to a Neutral - following a 45% runup since upgrading - considering shares trade at the 93rd %ile of NTM EPS multiple + math required to underwrite a higher price." Cooling towers are seen at the nuclear-powered Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Waynesboro, Georgia, U.S. August 13, 2024. Westinghouse plans to build 10 large nuclear reactors in the U.S. with construction to begin by 2030, interim CEO Dan Sumner told President Donald Trump at a roundtable in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Westinghouse's big AP1000 reactor generates enough electricity to power more than 750,000 homes, according to the company. Building 10 of these reactors would drive $75 billion of economic value across the U.S. and $6 billion in Pennsylvania, Sumner said. The Westinghouse executive laid out the plan to Trump during a conference on energy and artificial intelligence at Carnegie Mellon University. Technology, energy and financial executives announced more than $90 billion of investment in data centers and power infrastructure at the conference, according to the office of Sen. Dave McCormick, who organized the event. Trump issued four executive orders in May that aim to quadruple nuclear power in the U.S. by 2050. The president called for the U.S. to have 10 large nuclear reactors under construction by 2030. He ordered a "wholesale revision" of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's rules and guidelines. The U.S. has built only two new nuclear reactors over the past 30 years, both of which were Westinghouse AP1000s at Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia. The project notoriously came in $18 billion over budget and seven years behind schedule, contributing to the bankruptcy of Westinghouse. The industry stalwart emerged from bankruptcy in 2018 and is now owned by Canadian uranium miner Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management. Westinghouse announced a partnership with Google on Tuesday to use AI tools to make the construction of AP1000s an "efficient, repeatable process," according to the company. With a physical round of talks slated to be held in India in August 2025, followed by talks in Malaysia in October, India expects good progress in the review of the ASEAN FTA before the ASEAN-India summit in October 2025. Having concluded nine rounds of negotiations with several aspects still pending, India has noted progress on aspects like customs, trade facilitation, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).In March this year, India and Malaysia discussed the ongoing review of the ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), agreeing to speed up the AITIGA review for a conclusion within 2025 itself. Malaysia is the ASEAN Chair for the year 2025. The trading bloc also comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.India is looking for a country-wise review of the AITIGA to contain its rising trade deficit with the 10-nation bloc. While India's exports to the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries have risen 65.23% from $26,628 million in FY2010-11 to $44,000 million in FY2022-23, imports from ASEAN countries to India have grown 186% from $30,608 million in FY2010-11 to $87,577 million in FY2022-23. Even in FY 2023-24, India's imports from ASEAN countries were recorded at $66,551 million against total exports of $32,713 million to the bloc.In October 2024, Indian government sources had told CNBC TV18 that bilateral positions of many ASEAN countries have changed since the implementation of the agreement in 2010, and some of them don't reflect the same position anymore.Stating that the 10-nation bloc is not a common customs union but a grouping of countries at different stages of development, sources had added that India is trying to build flexibility in review while speaking to individual countries. There have been concerns raised by Indian industry over cheap imports from ASEAN countries impacting domestic industries in the steel and electronics sectors. India on Tuesday called on Bangladesh to reconsider its decision to demolish the ancestral property of noted filmmaker Satyajit Ray and offered help to preserve the iconic building as it symbolises Bangla cultural "renaissance".Describing the move to demolish the "landmark" building in Mymensingh as a matter of "profound regret", New Delhi also urged Dhaka to convert it into a museum symbolising shared culture of the two countries and pledged to extend cooperation for it.The iconic building belonged to the filmmakers's grandfather, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, who was also a renowned litterateur.The reaction by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came following reports that the building is set to be demolished by Bangladeshi authorities."We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of noted filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, belonging to his grandfather and eminent litterateur, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, is being demolished," the MEA said.It said the property, presently owned by the Bangladesh government, is in a state of "disrepair"."Given the building's landmark status, symbolising Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition and examine options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature and a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh," the MEA said in a statement.It said the government of India would be "willing" to extend cooperation for this purpose.Earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the move by the Bangladeshi authorities to demolish the property as "extremely distressing" and said the building is intricately tied to the cultural history of Bengal."I appeal to the Bangladesh government and all the conscientious people of that country to take steps to preserve this heritage building," she said in a social media post.The West Bengal chief minister also appealed to the Indian government to intervene in the matter. Last-minute efforts to halt the scheduled execution of an Indian nurse in Yemen on July 16 are underway, under the leadership of a Sufi scholar there, at the behest of influential Sunni Muslim leader Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar, sources said on Tuesday (July 15).A meeting between representatives of prominent scholar and Sufi leader Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz, and the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi - the Yemeni national allegedly killed by nurse Nimisha Priya in 2017 - is expected to be held at Dhamar on July 15, they said.The development follows after the 94-year-old Musliyar, who is officially known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad and holds the title of Grand Mufti of India, held talks with religious authorities in Yemen.The meeting with the family will take place on Tuesday (July 15) at 10 am, Yemeni local time.Kanthapuram's office said a close relative of the deceased Talal - who is also the Chief Justice of the Hodeidah State Court and a member of the Yemeni Shura Council - has arrived in Dhamar, Talal's hometown, to take part in today's talks, following the advice of Sheikh Habib Umar."The fact that he is a follower of Sheikh Habib Umar's Sufi order and the son of another prominent Sufi leader offers great hope. Along with persuading the family, he is also expected to meet the Attorney General to initiate urgent efforts to postpone the execution scheduled for tomorrow," it said."We see the agreement of the family to hold talks with representatives of the Sufi spiritual leader as a positive signal towards our efforts to halt the scheduled execution for the time being," a source said.Sources said Talal's murder is not just an emotional issue for the family, but also among the tribes and the residents of the Dhamar region. This is why no one had been able to establish contact with the family until now. "It was only through Kanthapuram's intervention that communication with the family became possible for the first time," they said.The family agreed to the talks following the advice of Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz. "Today's discussion is focused on reaching a final decision regarding the acceptance of blood money. As efforts continue to convince the family, Kanthapuram has also requested the Yemeni authorities to temporarily defer the execution scheduled for July 16 - a request the Yemeni administration is expected to consider today," a source said.Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Palakkad district in Kerala, is facing execution on July 16 for the murder of Mahdi, her Yemeni business partner. She was sentenced to death in 2020, and her final appeal was rejected in 2023. She is currently imprisoned in a jail in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen.The Centre on Monday (July 14) had informed the Supreme Court that the government could do "nothing much" in the case. Attorney General R Venkataramani had informed a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that the government was doing "utmost possible". "The Government of India is trying its best," Venkataramani said, "and has also engaged with some sheikhs who are very influential people there." As Ive noted before, it will take the better part of a decade for Apple or anyone else to manufacture smartphones in mass market quantities in the US. Getting there requires huge investments to solve big problems, including training, manufacturing, component sourcing, and raw materials supply. And now, Apple is about to invest $500 million in the last of those, working with the only US rare earth supplier, MP Materials. The decision includes plans to purchase US-made rare earth magnets from the company in what is being billed as a win for the Trump Administration. Apple and MP Materials will build a new recycling facility in which to extract materials from used electronics, along with another factory to make components for Apple devices. Unlocking the component supply chain Its a big deal because right now China produces around 60% of the globes rare earths and processes around 90% of that material. The investment puts at least some of that capacity in US hands, even though a recent deal with China saw the trade in those critical materials between the two nations resume. (The materials are available elsewhere, but they are so rare they are paid for in human misery.) The heyday of Monty Pythons comedy may be over, but were living through a golden age of Monty Python members sniping at each other in interviews. After Eric Idles Twitter feud with John Cleese, Cleeses brief spat with Michael Palin and Terry Gilliams battle with the invisible woke mob that somehow keeps derailing his movie projects, now Idle is taking Palin to task for a past comment. Per The Sun, Idle recently spoke to The Big Issue for their Letter to My Younger Self section. At one point, he expressed shock that Palin had ever claimed to be regretful about the end of Monty Python. Michael said he was sad to see us break up? Idle questioned. He was the first to leave! Hes such a hypocrite. Don't Miss I cant believe Michael said he was sad, Idle continued. He turned down the opportunity to do (Monty Python shows) in America, in Australia, in South Africa. He turned down $30 million! Idle is referring to the 2014 Monty Python reunion, and more specifically, Palins disinterest in extending the run beyond just 10 shows at Londons O2 Arena. When asked back in 2014 if the end of the Python was really because of Palins wishes, Idle responded, Pretty much. We were offered America, Australia, Canada, South Africa. And some people who have got more debts were more keen than others! Advertisement Palin, meanwhile, told the BBC that the decision was a collective one. The general feeling was that wed rather have the rest of our life doing what we all wanted to do and not spend the years ahead touring Python, he revealed. Theres terrific international interest in Python, particularly in America. So I think theyll be a little bit miffed that were not going over there. But they get everything. Too bad. Theyll have to come here. In his new interview Idle also, somewhat surprisingly, suggested that the troupe actually called it quits more than five decades ago. In some ways we split up immediately before The Holy Grail, Idle said. John didnt want to do a fourth series. After that we decided to just stick to films. Cleese famously left Monty Pythons Flying Circus after just three seasons, later admitting that he was an awful purist about comedy and worried that the show was beginning to repeat itself. He also claimed that two of the more insecure members of the group were very angry with him for bailing on the show. Advertisement While the remaining members produced an abbreviated fourth Flying Circus season in 1974, the departure of Cleese seemed to signal the end of the collective. 1973 is the year which saw the break-up of the Python group, Michael Palin wrote in his diary at the time. So although they obviously collaborated again for movies, live shows and ill-advised TV specials, the Pythons did technically break up before making what is arguably their most beloved work if you dont count the online squabbling as work. Thats the sign its time to start spitting. This morning, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the nominations for this years 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, and the list of creatives and shows in line for TVs highest honor heavily featured all the usual suspects. Perennial awards darling The Bear once again showed out in the comedy categories, with 13 nominations, beating out the number of laugh-out-loud moments its had through four seasons and counting. But, thankfully, Hacks, a funny series that includes jokes and laughter, led the pack out of all comedy shows and comedy shows this year, earning 14 nods for its stellar fourth season just none for the most underappreciated guest star on HBO. Despite delivering one of the most stirring monologues in Hacks history, superstar Kaitlin Olson didnt receive a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy series or Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, nor is she in the running for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on the massively successful crime drama High Potential. Don't Miss At this years Emmy Awards, the voters should be the ones subjected to an embarrassing play-off serenade as theyre ushered offstage and I know just the song to send them packing. Seriously, between the pack-leading commercial success of High Potential, the critical acclaim of Hacks and the return of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, 2025 is shaping up to be the year that Olson took over television, and the most important awards show in the industry completely whiffed on so much as an honorable mention" while stacking every comedy category with multiple obligatory entries from The Bear while skipping High Potential entirely in the drama department. Advertisement Olson is one of the biggest stars in television at the moment, and, for some shitty reason, whether its a snobbish disdain for police procedurals like High Potential or leftover acrimony toward Always Sunny after 16 straight seasons of nose-thumbing, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is letting their personal bad taste cloud their judgement as they continue to miss the opportunity to commemorate one of the mediums greatest-ever artists. Of course, the last 20 years of Always Sunny snubs have taught Olsons loyal fanbase that snooty awards organizations devalue themselves when they fail to recognize and honor greatness rather than devaluing the artists themselves, but in an industry thats all about heat, having the words Emmy-winner before Olsons name could have opened the door for even more high-profile opportunities for the funniest woman on television. Advertisement Maybe Olson should just bite the bullet and go spend a season at Suds women dont have to be funny over there to win awards. Hell, she could even go work at The Bear! 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. Co-written by the chapters of Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine at the three universities summoned July 15, 2025 (Georgetown University, City University of New York and UC Berkeley), Georgetown American Association of University Professors and Jewish Voice for Peace Academic Council. Contact the opinion desk at opinion@dailycal.org or follow us on X. Sofia Vergara's little sister is getting ready to step into the spotlight. Sandra Vergara, 36, has been cast on the upcoming ninth season of Netflix's hit real estate reality show Selling Sunset. According to Variety, the upcoming season hints at major drama, possibly from Sandra herself, as 'new faces' at the Oppenheim Group 'bring new feuds into the Los Angeles real estate market'. 'As the pressure turns up in their personal and professional lives, some might not have what it takes to keep their seat at the brokerage,' the synopsis says. 'As the landscape in Los Angeles quickly changes, everyone will have to adapt to a new reality.' Returning to the series will be Chrishell Stause, Emma Hernan, Bre Tiesi, Chelsea Lazkani, Mary Bonnet, Romain Bonnet, Amanza Smith, Alanna Gold, Nicole Young, Jason Oppenheim and Brett Oppenheim. Despite working as a real estate agent, Sandra has quite the lengthy IMDB. Sofia Vergara's little sister Sandra is getting ready to step into the spotlight with a major new role on Netflix The 36-year-old has been cast on the upcoming season of Selling Sunset The Colombian bombshell has appeared on countless television shows over the years, including The Bold and the Beautiful and CSI. Surprisingly, Sandra and Sofia tend to keep their careers quite separate. The pair rarely appear together in public, although they did make a memorable red carpet appearance together in 2005. According to E!, Sandra is actually Sofia's cousin, but she was legally adopted by Sofia's family when she was very young and raised alongside her. Announcing her role on Selling Sunset on social media, Sandra wrote, 'Three new faces on Selling the OC. And just One on Selling Sunset! And thats yours truly.' She added, 'And lets just say I brought a bit more sparkle, depth, and mischief to the Strip.' In another post, she wrote, 'Well this was fun. Beyond grateful and honored to be part of this wild, wonderful experience! MORE to come. Stay tuned for the magic.' Sandra and Sofia rarely appear together in public, although they did make a memorable red carpet appearance together in 2005 While Sandra gets hard to work on real estate, her big sister Sofia is taking some time off work for herself. Discussing how she balances family life with work - as she is currently a judge on America's Got Talent - Sofia told DailyMail.com: 'I think I am getting better at taking my time off. 'I think I have worked hard enough my whole life that I am finally beginning to let myself enjoy my vacations and say I'm taking time off,' she revealed. The Colombian actress noted that it can be scary to take time away as an actress in Hollywood, but stressed that it's important to her. She continued, 'As actors you're so scared to take time away in case you miss your moment. But it's tough.' 'First in, best dressed' is a commonly used expression in Australia - but it recently left one American expat totally stumped. US traveller Maura Sheahan recently shared a TikTok video recounting one of the hilarious culture shocks she'd experienced since moving to Australia where she grossly misunderstood the colloquial saying. The expression is used often by Australians and simply means, in a dining context, that walk-in guests will be accepted into a venue based on the order they arrive. In a two minute video, the young woman recalled how she was organising a celebratory birthday drinks and dinner and wanted to make a reservation for a patio table at a certain restaurant. 'So I call up the restaurant trying to make this reservation,' she recounted. Maura said the restaurant staffer informed her that they unfortunately don't take bookings. Instead, she was told: 'We don't actually do reservations - we just do first in, best dressed.' She promptly hung up the phone and pondered over what she'd just been told. US expat Maura Sheahan recently took to her TikTok account @mauradorable to share her hilarious misinterpretation of the Aussie saying 'first in, best dressed' 'I'm like, what do you mean first in, best dressed?' Maura said. 'Like, am I going to show up in there and [the restaurant staff will] be like, "Oh, that is an ugly outfit. You're in the back by the kitchen. Send this girl to sit by the trash cans where no one else can see her." That's what I'm thinking.' Maura consequently decided that even though it was a 'weird rule', she remained determined to secure a patio table. Accordingly, she and her friends would 'dress really cute' in anticipation of the moment when restaurant staff would be 'judging our outfits' and determining where they would be seated. A few days later, Maura said she started a new job and decided to break the ice by telling her co-workers about her upcoming restaurant plans. Maura recalled telling her colleagues about the restaurant, saying: 'It looks cute, but pretty weird, because where you get to sit is actually based on what you're wearing.' '[My boss] was like, "What I've never heard of this in my life. That's insane".' Maura then proceeded to explain to her new employer: 'I called to make a reservation. They don't even do reservations. They just do "first in, and best dressed".' The American woman recounted how she'd tried to make a restaurant booking for dinner and drinks - only to be informed: 'We don't [take] do reservations - we just do "first in, best dressed".' (Picture: stock image) 'The entire office goes silent. Everybody's like, "Maura, no. That just means first come, first served",' a horrified Maura recalled. 'I thought that they were going to make me do an "outfit of the day",' she sheepishly laughed at the conclusion of the video. The TikTok video quickly drew over 280,000 views and hundreds of comments many laughing at the hilarious misinterpretation of the common expression. But many Aussies replied saying they were stunned to hear that 'first in, best dressed' was a uniquely Australian turn of phrase. 'I never knew that saying was only heard in Australia,' read the most liked comment, which had received over 2200 likes. Another Australian added that they 'genuinely thought this was a common saying'. One Aussie even conceded that Maura's response made sense if you'd never heard the saying before. '[W]hen you think about the expression you made a very logical conclusion,' they wrote. Officially, according to an online dictionary, the Australian saying means 'people will be dealt with in the order they arrive'. Another noted that it was a derivative of the old English saying 'First up, best dressed', which was coined in reference to children from large families who would share clothes - meaning the first child awake would have first pick from the wardrobe. Others likened it to another common saying in 'the early bird catches the worm'. Maura Sheahan gave her Aussie colleagues a good chuckle when she told them about planning to go to a restaurant where her outfit would be 'judged' to determine if she could secure a table The comments section of the video confirmed that the definition of the saying is: 'If you're first, you get the best choice'. Many commenters noted that Maura's colleagues would have probably had a good chuckle at her story. '"Office went silent"...I'm sure a few sly grins happened,' read one reply. 'Can't believe nobody thought to run with it and tell her she needs to be in fancy dress or something,' added another. Others chimed in with their own mishaps involving the same expression. 'Had [a] similar experience, I spent days looking for the best outfit,' read one reply. An Australian teacher wrote that they had made the 'mistake' of telling their international students "first in, best dressed" before taking them out on an excursion. 'To their credit, everyone looked great on the excursion,' the teacher added. Some people even jokingly responded that that it would be 'a fun restaurant theme'. 'Wait, actually that would be kinda cool though,' read one reply. Kmart shoppers have discovered a little-known Click & Collect feature where a robot delivers items from the warehouse to the customers in-store - all within seconds. Samantha Bailey visited her local store at Westfield Mount Gravatt in Queensland to pick up her online order. Instead of speaking to an employee at the Click and Collect counter, she used a self-serve kiosk where she simply entered her order number. A pop-up appeared on the screen that read: 'Your order is arriving soon. Prepare to pick up your order. Your order will arrive shortly in a tray to the right.' The screen then showed an animated robot transferring the item from the shelf to the collection area, ready for the customer to pick up in just 30 seconds. Amazed by the new feature, Samantha filmed herself trying out the Click & Collect - as an employee can be heard explaining to her how it all work. 'It's a new thing... They're just experimenting with our store,' the Kmart worker said. '(The order) will come out on your right hand side about 20 to 30 seconds.' Samantha Bailey was amazed when a tiny robot brought her Click & Collect order from the warehouse to the collection area at a Kmart store in a matter of seconds As her order magically appeared in the tray, Samantha's jaw dropped. 'No way,' she said. 'Oh my god.' The shopper then peeked into the window, which was situated above the Click & Collect pick up area, where she saw a tiny robot working behind the scenes. 'This was so cool,' she said. Samantha said the unique shopping experience only works if you place your order online first before visiting your store when it's ready to pick up. 'The whole thing (in store) took probably a few minutes total,' she said. How does Kmart's robotic Click & Collect work? The service allows the customer to self serve the pick up of their click and collect in-store. Customers approach the screen, enter their code then a robot retrieves the order and delivers it to the customer. The technology enables employees to focus on other areas of customer service, rather than parcel retrieval. Advertisement Her video has been viewed more than 240,000 times - with many wowed by the cool new Click & Collect feature. 'OMG this is amazing,' one said. 'If this comes to our local I'm gonna Click & Collect everything,' another said, laughing. 'This is so cool. As an introvert, this would make life so much easier,' one shared. 'Best thing ever,' another added. It's understood the Click & Collect feature is currently being trialled at two Kmart stores - Eastland in Victoria and Mount Gravatt in Queensland. Pretzel-mania will soon arrive down under after eagle-eyed foodies spotted Auntie Anne's stores being set up around Sydney - and now FEMAIL can exclusively share the first image of what the Aussie stores will look like. For the uninitiated, Auntie Anne's is a popular American pretzel chain that's been around since 1988. The takeaway brand is renowned for its vast range of pretzel-themed products, including its Classic Pretzels, Pretzel Nuggets and Original Pretzel Dog. A Sydney shopper took to Reddit earlier this month sharing a picture of an Auntie Anne's 'Coming Soon' poster that had been plastered across an underground shopfront in the QVB food court next to Town Hall station. The accompanying message read: 'Just walked past this sign in Sydney and nearly lost it. AUNTIE ANNE'S. I thought we were never getting one here??' The salty and sweet snacks are famously paired with their accompanying pretzel dip range, which includes a Cheese Dip and Marinara Dip, as well as various varieties of in-house lemonade. An excited Sydney-sider who shared a photo online explained that he'd previously tried the famous pretzels overseas and felt it was 'a massive win' that Aussies would now get to experience the delicious treat at home. 'If you've ever had it overseas, you know how good it is. Warm, soft pretzels like proper buttery, salty perfection. The cinnamon sugar one is unreal too,' he wrote. FEMAIL can exclusively share this first look image revealing what the Auntie Anne's Australia stores will look like An eagle-eyed Sydney-sider jumped on Reddit to share this 'Coming Soon' poster for an Auntie Anne's pretzel store, which they spotted outside a shopfront in the QVB food court 'Used to be my airport guilty pleasure every time I travelled,' he added. Another person chimed in to add that they'd spotted a similar 'Coming Soon' sign outside a shopfront in Westfield Parramatta. Their comment read: 'They're also opening a branch at Westfield Parra in the spot that used to be occupied by a tobacconist (next door to Breadtop) in the lower ground floor.' Auntie Anne's diehards were quick to respond to the Reddit thread and share their excitement about now being able to get the beloved pretzel snacks down under. 'AHHHHH one of my constant cravings ever since I moved to Australia!!!' read one comment. Other fans also offered serving suggestions for first-timers. 'Trust me on these combinations: regular salted pretzel with the cheap liquid cheese fast food places use for nachos. Sour cream & onion pretzel with marinara dip,' read one comment. '[Y]ummm their cinnamon pretzels and house made lemonade combination was bomb,' added another. Auntie Anne's has also started sharing tantalizing pictures of their signature pretzels to their newly created Australian social media accounts Auntie Anne's diehards have already weighed in on the items they hope to see on the Aussie menu, including the Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Nuggets (left), Original Pretzel Dog (centre) and their Original Lemonade (right) FEMAIL reached out to an Auntie Anne spokesperson, who provided an exclusive 'first look' picture of their Aussie stores and officially confirmed that the first shop will open on Saturday July 26 in Westfield Paramatta. Opening day is expected to draw huge crowds of pretzel fans, with the first 50 guests through the door also set to receive exclusive Auntie Annes merchandise in a limited-edition goodie bag. Business partners Yu-Jin Lee and Johann Wong - who are behind the store's Australia expansion - already have big plans for the pretzel brand down under. 'We aim to launch the first 5 stores in the next 12 months with our goal being to make Auntie Annes a beloved brand nationally. Theres a huge appetite for the brand already - weve seen the buzz online and the excitement is real!' Indeed, Auntie Anne's newly established Australian social media channels have already been met with a flurry of excitement from fans. In response to one of the brand's teaser Instagram posts, one foodie responded: 'Dreams do come true'. Seasoned Auntie Anne's customers have also speculated in the comments section about the items they hoped would be available on the Aussie menu. Among the hotly requested food items were the brand's Pretzel Dogs, Chocolate Dip and their signature Original Lemonade. This graphic was the first teaser shared to the brand's Australian Instagram account The official statement confirmed some of the items that will be featured on the soon to be launched Australian menu. Among them are the 'signature pretzel varieties such as Original, Cinnamon Sugar, Sweet Almond, and Pepperoni Cheese' as well as the 'sweet and savoury Nugget bites'. 'All Auntie Annes pretzels are mixed, hand rolled and baked on site to ensure the ultimate experience,' the brand's statement continued. Auntie Anne's was started in the late 80s by American woman Anne Beiler, who opened her first humble pretzel stand at a Pennsylvania farmer's market. After developing her signature freshly baked pretzel recipe, 'word got out about the warm Twisted buttery dough gently sprinkled with granules of salt,' according to a post about the brand's history. A first-time mother has revealed her four-months-old baby is already a 'giant', weighing a whopping 22lbs and measuring two and a half feet long. Maci Mugele shared a clip of her baby Gunner Mattheyer on TikTok last month, with the caption: 'When you have a 100th percentile, off-the-charts four-month-old'. Viewers were astounded at Gunner's size, with some people gushing over his 'chunky rolls' and 'cute' features. However others have taken aim at the 21-year-old over her son's size, accusing her of 'child abuse' over his weight. In spite of the naysayers, Maci insists her baby is 'healthy' and doctors have reassured her that he's just big for his age. Gunner weighed 8lb 1oz and measured 19.5 inches tall when he was born on February 19 but has since shot up to 22lb 8oz and now measures 2.5ft long. Maci, from Chandler, Oklahoma, US, says that Gunner was large throughout her pregnancy and continues to 'eat more than the average baby'. After revealing Gunner's size in a clip on TikTok, Maci soon found herself and her baby going viral as her clip racked up 20 million views. First-time mother Maci Mugele has faced backlash after sharing a video of her 'giant' 22lb baby, who's already 2.5ft long and wears clothes for toddlers at only four months old Baby Gunner (pictured) weighed 8lb 1oz and measured 19.5 inches tall when he was born on February 19 'He always measured a week or two ahead [when I was pregnant],' Maci said. 'I could just tell that he was pretty big and everybody already told me that my stomach was bigger than average. 'You only have two scans throughout your pregnancy so I went to an ultrasound place and paid for an ultrasound to be done to see how big he was. 'They told me that he was measuring quite large for how far along I was. I think I was 34 weeks when he was measuring at 6lb 3oz. 'The doctors said that he's healthy but sometimes people just have big babies. He's big for his height as well so I think that contributes to him being bigger. 'Ever since the second day in the hospital he has eaten more than the average baby - doctors always told me he was eating a little bit more than the normal baby, which is fine, they said.' Gunner is in the 100th percentile for his weight and the 90th percentile for his height. Maci, a hospital lab worker, said she was surprised by some of the negative reaction, and didn't see how it could be cruel to feed a hungry baby. But the 21-year-old mother was hit with backlash about Gunner's size and negative reactions about Gunner's weight flooded the comments, labelling it 'child abuse' Maci, a hospital lab worker, says her baby is 'healthy' and doctors have reassured her that he's just big for his age (Pictured: Maci while pregnant with Gunner) Parents Maci (L) and Blake Mattheyer, 20, pictured together with their baby boy Gunner Maci, from Chandler, Oklahoma, US, says that Gunner was large throughout her pregnancy and continues to 'eat more than the average baby' Maci said: 'It made me upset to realise that there are people like that in this world that feel so comfortable saying these things about a baby. 'That's just so sad to me, and I would never want people to say things about him like that. 'I thought that people would think it was cute if they saw it, but I didn't realise how horrible people can be. 'I don't know how it's cruel or abusive that I feed him whenever he's hungry. 'I feel like it would be abusive if I didn't feed him when he was hungry and crying. 'Like the doctor said, he's perfectly healthy and has no problem with his weight.' Some users were quick to criticise Gunner's size in the comments, with one writing: 'Absolute unit. He has booked in to put my new windows in next week.' Another wrote: 'This should be child abuse,' and a third added: 'Girl, the box you're supposed to use is baby formula not mass gainer.' Four-month-old Gunner is in the 100th percentile for his weight and the 90th percentile for his height The now-viral video has racked up a staggering 20 million views, and Maci says she is shocked at some of the negative reaction While many in the comments argued that Gunner's size indicates 'child abuse', Maci believes it is not cruel to feed a hungry baby Maci says that ever since the second day in the hospital, Gunner has eaten more than the average baby There were mixed reactions in the comments - many criticised Gunner's size while others gushed over his cuteness Other social media users defended 'cute' Gunner's size and many predicted it is a good indication that he will be tall when he gets older. One wrote: 'The amount of people who are calling a BABY fat. He's got the chunk because he's going to be tall. It's kind of how it works. 'They gain a lot of "chunk" and shoot up. It's literally how kids grow.' Another added: 'He is healthy. That is all that matters. 'Yes, he's a big baby but if you're so bored that a baby bothers you then something is clearly wrong - not with the baby, with you.' A third person said: 'I love chubby little babies so much! The chunky little rolls look at his squishy little face!' 'Omg I wasn't ready,' one commenter gushed. 'Those chubby little rolls. The cuteness aggression is severe right now.' The Princess of Wales' former personal assistant and stylist has unfollowed several Instagram accounts after royal fans noticed she was following some of Meghan Markle's inner circle. Natasha Archer, 37, made her Instagram public after quitting her job at Kensington Palace last week. The stylist and personal assistant worked for the royals for more than 15 years - starting off in a role working for Prince Harry and Prince William before becoming Kate's righthand woman. After making her Instagram public, sleuths found that Natasha was following both Meghan's Instagram account and As Ever, the former royal's new lifestyle brand. Natasha was also following Meghan's make-up artist Daniel Martin, her close friends Abigail Spencer, Delfina Blaquier and Heather Dorak as well as various blogs and fan accounts dedicated to the Duchess of Sussex's fashion. She has since unfollowed dozens of accounts but still follows Sarah Rafferty, Meghan's co-star on Suits and Emma Grede - a recent guest on Meghan's podcast. The Princess of Wales' loyal personal assistant and stylist has quit Kensington Palace after 15 years of dedicated service Natasha is leaving the role to set up her own consultancy company. It is understood the Prince and Princess of Wales have wished Natasha the very best for a new chapter after their years-long association. Natasha began working for the Royal Family in 2010 when she was appointed a personal assistant to both Prince William and Prince Harry. After William's wedding to Kate, Natasha also began reporting to the then-Duchess of Cambridge before becoming the future Queen's most trusted aide. Over the years, she became an integral part of the private household - with Kate seemingly rewarding her loyalty with a promotion last June. The Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Natasha stepped into the role of senior private executive assistant to William and Kate, following reports she personally collected The Princess of Wales from the London Clinic after her abdominal operation earlier this year. After that, the mother-of-two was brought into the innermost circle of trusted friends and family members supporting Kate through her cancer journey. The Princess announced she is in remission from an undisclosed form of cancer last September. Mother-of-two Natasha - who is married to royal photographer Chris Jackson - has been by Kate's side for some of her biggest life events of the past decade, from royal births and her cancer treatment to overseas tours. Natasha was also following Meghan's make-up artist Daniel Martin, her close friends Abigail Spencer, Delfina Blaquier and Heather Dorak as well as various blogs and fan accounts dedicated to the Duchess of Sussex's fashion The Prince and Princess of Wales seen with Natasha Archer watching rugby during their Australia tour Despite her high-profile job, the stylist, 36, has managed to stay mostly out of the spotlight - but still appears to be unwavering in her support of the Princess. Natasha has been such a trusted member of staff that she was one of a select few number of people who visited the Princess of Wales after she gave birth to her three children at the Lindo Wing in London. In July 2013, the stylist was seen entering the hospital to give Kate the blue polka dot Jenny Peckham dress they had chosen for the public appearance after the birth of Prince George, now 11. A source told The Telegraph: 'She was seen arriving at the Lindo Wing following the birth of Prince George with a hanger bag, presumably containing the blue and white polka dot Jenny Packham dress which Kate then wore to give the world its first glimpse of the future King a few hours later.' What's more, the two women both welcomed sons in 2018 - with Kate giving birth to Prince Louis in May and Natasha announcing the arrival of Theo in December. In 2014, she was promoted to the position of Kate's personal stylist and was said to be the mastermind behind the Duchess' wardrobe for the Cambridges' successful tour of Australia. According to Grazia, Natasha was brought in to make Kate's wardrobe look more 'regal' as per the late Queen's request. The Princess of Wales' Private Secretary Sophie Agnew (left) and the Duchess of Cambridge's PA and Stylist Natasha Archer seen arriving in India in 2016 A source told the fashion magazine: 'Natashas main role is as a PA, but over the last few months she has assisted Kate as a style adviser. 'Natasha and Kate get on very well. She has always supported and advised Kate - and the Duchess loves Natashas style, so it seemed like an obvious appointment. Natasha has been helping Kate pick outfits for the [New Zealand and Australia] tour. At the time, it was reported that Natasha often shopped online for Kate's wardrobe - particularly from ASOS and Topshop. Following the success of the Australia tour, it has been reported that Natasha started encouraging Kate to experiment more with her wardrobe. In 2016, Natasha also joined Kate on her tour of Canada - and was responsible for some of her most glamorous looks from the trip, including a bright red Preen cocktail gown. In 2019, the mother-of-three was highly praised for her style during her historic royal tour to Pakistan along with her husband Prince William, but her 'secret weapon' stylist Natasha Archer had a large part to play. It was Natasha who introduced Kate to much-loved Pakistani designer Maheen Khan after finding her designs at O'Nitaa, in London's Chelsea Green, and getting in touch with the 74-year-old to create some custom-made pieces for the royal. In 2017, Natasha married Chris Jackson - who is the royal photographer for Getty. Mother-of-two Natasha Archer seen disembarking a plane as she arrived with the Prince and Princess of Wales for their 2016 Canada tour Natasha Archer is also said to have given Prince William's 'estate agent wardrobe' an overall in 2016. The family pictured in December 2016 As part of his role, Natasha's husband regularly accompanies the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales on official royal engagements. The happy couple chose photographer Matt Porteous - who has ties to the Prince and Princess of Wales - to capture their special day. The photographer has also captured several key occasions for the Prince and Princess of Wales over the years - including their Mother's Day post last year and Prince George's third birthday. As well as curating Kate's wardrobe and helping with her diary, it was reported that Archer, a Jenny Packham devotee, was ordered to spruce up Prince Williams estate agent style. For the tour of Canada, the then 29-year-old stylist known to friends as Tash added linen jackets, and sweaters from J Crew, Jaeger and Reiss, her favourite high street label. Natasha reportedly assured the Prince, then 34, that she was merely helping him to edit and freshen his wardrobe. In 2018, Natasha was invited to become a member of the Royal Victorian Order in recognition of her services to the Royal Family. For a limited time, save 10 on entry (using code MAIL40) to Londons hottest food festival, taking place on the weekend of 19-20 July at the Business Design Centre in London. With live demos from top chefs including Yotam Ottolenghi, Andi Oliver and Asma Khan plus free samples, tasting sessions, book signings and street food from across the globe, its a weekend food-lovers wont want to miss. You can claim your discount by using the code 'MAIL40' at checkout. Savour global street food, chef demos and tastings at Londons must-visit festival, 1920 July What to expect... Street food from around the globe freshly prepared by culinary experts Free masterclasses with every tic ket learn how to make dishes from Ecuador, Greece, Louisiana, Barbados and beyond Add-on tasting sessions from just 6 sip summery Caribbean cocktails, try Frances finest cheeses, dive into a chocolate workshop, and much more Star chefs on stage including Yotam Ottolenghi, Andi Oliver, Jose Pizarro and Asma Khan Food photography workshops led by industry professionals, designed to help you sharpen your skills VIP upgrade available enjoy lounge access, two glasses of fizz and/or wine, priority entry and a goodie bag specially curated by our editors This exclusive MailOnline discount is valid until 23:59 on 18 July 2025 and applies to all general admission tickets. Heres just a taste of what your ticket includes and what you can add on to make your day even more delicious. The worlds best chefs take to the Main Stage On Saturday, dont miss your chance to see celebrity chef Yotam Ottolenghi cook up a mouth-watering chicken shawarma. Hell be followed by Asma Khan founder of Sohos acclaimed Darjeeling Express and a leading equality advocate wholl demonstrate recipes from her most recent book, Monsoon. On Sunday, the festival welcomes Jose Pizarro and Andi Oliver, wholl bring the bold flavours of Spain and Antigua to life respectively. Your Sunday ticket also includes sessions with Jeremy Pang and Hoppers restaurant co-founder Karan Gokani. Catch cookbook authors in conversation at Speakers Corner, where theyll be sharing the stories behind their culinary journeys. Watch Ottolenghi, Asma Khan, Andi Oliver and more cook live, plus talks, tastings and global street food With your exclusive MailOnline discount, you can see all these industry legends for just 15 a day (tickets usually retail at 25). Check out the Main Stage and Speakers Corner programmes here. Spice up your cooking with free masterclasses If that wasnt enough, your ticket gives you access to a packed programme of Masterclasses giving you the chance to dive deeper into the flavours and techniques behind some of the worlds most iconic national dishes. Watch on as talented chefs bring their countrys cuisine to life and let you sample the results of their skill and passion. With culinary influences ranging from Georgia to Barbados, Indonesia to Ecuador, theres guaranteed to be something for everyone. Discover global flavours in free masterclasses, where top chefs showcase iconic dishes from Georgia to Barbados and beyond Be sure to arrive early, as these spots are bound to fill up fast! If youre hungry for a second helping, make sure to head to the food stalls for a bite to eat... Try something new in our tasting sessions From just 6 per session, you can take your taste buds for a round-the-world trip. Learn more about British and French cheeses, discover why Georgia is the birthplace of wine, and get the lowdown on Japans national drink, sake. Learn how to snap the perfect pic Want to elevate your food photography skills? Join our expert-led workshops, where experienced photographers will teach techniques for styling, lighting and composition. Learn how to capture stunning dishes on the go, set up a portable studio in a backpack and shoot market scenes or restaurant plates with editorial flair. Check out the full list of Masterclasses, tasting sessions and workshops here. Elevate your experience with a VIP package To make the most of your weekend, upgrade to VIP, which includes lounge access, two glasses of fizz and/or wine, priority entry and a goodie bag specially curated by our editorial team. How do I get involved? Book quickly tickets are selling fast! Your exclusive discount is available until 23:59 on 18 July 2025. To redeem, head to the website, enter MAIL40 in the Promo Code box, select your chosen day(s) and complete your booking. Youll receive a confirmation with your ticket via email. Then, all that's left to do is get excited for a weekend filled with amazing food! How do I get there? The festival will take place at the Business Design Centre, in Islington, London. Doors will open at 9am on both days and close at 6pm and 4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Angel Tube station is just a five-minute walk away and the venue is easily accessible by bus. There are also cycle racks outside the venue. The event is wheelchair-accessible and accompanying carers can obtain a free ticket upon request and presentation of valid documentation. National Geographic Traveller (UK) asks that all children under the age of 18 are accompanied by an adult, and that any guest intending on bringing a child under the age of two informs the event organisers one day before attending. MailOnline may earn commission on sales generated from this article, but this never influences our editorial independence. Prices and availability are correct at time of publication. Flash-sale discount applies to adult general-admission tickets purchased between 08:00 BST on 15 July 2025 and 23:59 BST on 18 July 2025. Tickets are sold subject to the festivals terms and conditions. For full FAQs, visit the National Geographic Traveller (UK) Food Festival website. Sarah Jessica Parker was left speechless after she was asked about her opinion on Lauren Sanchez's Vogue cover - and she is rarely at a loss for words. On June 27, the same day as her lavish Venetian wedding to Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos, Sanchez graced the cover of Vogue for an interview and photo spread in her Dolce & Gabbana wedding dress, which took over 900 hours to make. The cover showed the former journalist with a huge grin on her face as she posed in her white gown, which featured a high neck, lace sleeves and long, trailing veil. The couple hosted an extravagant, multi-day event in Venice, Italy, just a few weeks ago, which featured events like a foam party on Bezos' $500 million yacht, and a pajama-themed get-together. Guests included a slew of A-listers like Kris Jenner, Ivanka Trump, Orlando Bloom and Kim Kardashian. But after all was said and done, it seems like Parker is still unsure about it all. During a Sunday appearance on longtime friend Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live, the two played a game called 'Hello, Lover, or Leave It,' where Cohen asked her some thoughts on recent buzzy pop culture headlines. She then had to decide if she was a fan of whatever Cohen was talking about - stating 'hello, lover' - or not, in which she would say 'leave it.' Sarah Jessica Parker was left speechless after she was asked about her opinion on Lauren Sanchez's Vogue cover - and she is rarely at a loss for words On June 27, the same day as her lavish Venetian wedding to Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos, Sanchez graced the cover of Vogue for an interview and photo spread in her Dolce & Gabbana wedding dress, which took over 900 hours to make After a few more seconds of the Sex and the City actress tripping over her words, she finally said, 'I mean, why shouldn't she? I was... why shouldn't she as well have the opportunity?' 'Lauren Sanchez-Bezos gracing the cover of Vogue, hello lover, or leave it?' the Bravo host asked Parker. 'Um...' Parker responded, as she awkwardly began to fumble her words. After a few more seconds of the Sex and the City actress tripping over her words, she finally said, 'I mean, why shouldn't she? I was... why shouldn't she as well have the opportunity?' Of course, Parker has graced the cover of Vogue multiple times, most recently in 2021. After Parker gave him his answer, Cohen then quickly moved on to the next topic of discussion. But despite the mixed reaction to her cover, Sanchez appears to have been unfazed by the chatter. During her interview with Vogue, she even went so far as to proudly reveal what was in their guests' goody bags. The former Good Day LA anchor shared that the men received Vibi Venezia blue velvet Venetian slippers, which are over $100, while the women were gifted black fur slippers from Amazon, of course. But despite the mixed reaction to her cover, Sanchez appears to have been unfazed by the chatter During her interview with Vogue, she even went so far as to reveal what was in their guests' goody bags Since the big day, Sanchez has been spotted in Paris at Haute Couture Week, and at Allen & Co.'s annual leadership retreat in Sun Valley, Idaho, nicknamed 'billionaire summer camp' 'I'm very happy,' Sanchez told Vogue of her nuptials. 'More than the dress, I'm happy that I'm getting married and I get to spend my life with my best friend, someone who sees me, someone who adores me, someone who I adore,' she continued. 'I am the luckiest woman on the planet.' Since the big day, Sanchez has been spotted in Paris at Haute Couture Week, and at Allen & Co.'s annual leadership retreat in Sun Valley, Idaho, nicknamed 'billionaire summer camp.' Sanchez put on a busty display in a black scoop neck tank top - that enhanced her ample assets - which she paired with white pants and a simple black belt. The former journalist accessorized with large diamond stud earrings, oversized sunglasses and black heels. The new Mrs. Bezos let her long brunette locks flow over her shoulders as she clutched a black crocodile Hermes Kelly bag, which typically has a resale value of more than $50,000. Her husband also kept it simple with blue denim jeans and a dark gray T-shirt as he carried a gray blazer in hand. King Carl Gustaf of Sweden has delighted royal fans by dancing along to a song sung by a children's choir during his daughter's birthday celebrations on Monday. The monarch, 79, channelled his inner embarrassing father as the Swedish Royal Family gathered outside Solliden Palace in Oeland to celebrate Crown Princess Victoria's 48th birthday. The heir to the Swedish throne was joined by her husband, Prince Daniel, 51, and their two children, Princess Estelle, 13, and Prince Oscar, nine, along with her parents Queen Silvia, 81, and King Carl Gustaf. A children's choir adorably performed the 1998 popular Swedish song Min piraya Maja, by Electric Banana Band, during a concert for the occasion. The song is about a beloved pet piranha named Maya, and the band often performs a dance when performing where they place their hands together, similar to the crab dance, and mimic Maya's sharp teeth. And King Carl Gustaf did not disappoint, as he took it upon himself to make the family laugh by enthusiastically showing off his hilarious dance moves. Shortly after introducing the young choir, the royal was pointing to the audience to encourage them to join in with him as he flailed his arms from side to side while chattering his fingertips together. The King then glanced over to his family - who were in a fit of laughter - and even inspired Victoria and his grandchildren, Oscar and Estelle, to join in on the fun. King Carl Gustaf did not disappoint, as he took it upon himself to make the family laugh by enthusiastically showing off his hilarious dance moves At one point, Estelle, who is second in line to the Swedish throne, is seen nudging Prince Daniel's arm in a bid to get her father to partake in the dance. And the chuckling did not stop there, as King Gustav seemingly left his daughter in stitches when they sat down to listen to the live music. The Crown Princess put her best fashion foot forward in an elegant mint green and baby pink full-length gown adorned with vibrant flowers. She wore her chocolate tresses in her signature slicked back bun and accessorised her chic look with white flower stud earrings. King Carl Gustaf looked typically dapper in a crisp beige suit, a similar ensemble to his son-in-law, Prince Daniel, who opted for a brown tartan suit. Queen Silvia unleashed her inner style prowess by sporting a pink, black and white tweed jacket emblazoned with gold buttons paired with an ivory shirt and white trousers. Whereas her grandchildren opted for more simplistic outfits, with Estelle wearing a summery baby blue patterned sundress and Oscar donning an all white outfit with shorts. However, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia were absent from the event, perhaps taking care of their new daughter, Princess Ines Marie Lilian Silva, now six months old. The monarch, 79, channelled his inner embarrassing father as the Swedish Royal Family gathered outside Solliden Palace in Oeland to celebrate Crown Princess Victoria's 48th birthday. King Gustav seemingly left his daughter in stitches when they sat down to listen to the live music The heir to the Swedish throne was joined by her husband, Prince Daniel, 51, and their two children, Princess Estelle , 13, and Prince Oscar, nine, along with her parents Queen Silvia , 81, and King Carl Gustaf The King then glanced over to his family - who were in a fit of laughter - and even inspired Victoria and his grandchildren, Oscar and Estelle, to join in on the fun King Carl Gustaf looked typically dapper in a crisp beige suit, a similar ensemble to his son-in-law, Prince Daniel, who opted for a brown tartan suit Queen Silvia unleashed her inner style prowess by sporting a pink, black and white tweed jacket emblazoned with gold buttons paired with an ivory shirt and white trousers The family were snapped together last month to celebrate the christening of Princess Ines at a lavish ceremony in Stockholm. The glamorous couple, already parents to Prince Alexander, nine, Prince Gabriel, seven, and Prince Julian, four, welcomed their fourth child on February 7. Surrounded by her family, including Carl Philip's sisters, heir-to-the-throne Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine, the little one was christened at Drottningholm Palace Chapel, just outside the Swedish capital. Among the glamorous guests were Carl Philip's parents, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia as well as the newborn's older cousins, including Crown Princess Victoria's children, Princess Estelle, 13, and Prince Oscar, nine. It was also revealed that Estelle, second-in-line to the throne, is one of Ines' godparents. The Swedish Palace announced Princess Ines' birth on February 7, with Princess Sofia and Prince Philip's daughter eighth in line to the throne. Prince Carl Philip with his daughter Princess Ines and wife Princess Sofia during the ceremony last month The chief priest, Bishop Johan Dalman, holds up Princess Ines after he baptizes her. Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia are pictured on the right last month While she is eighth in line to the throne, Sofia and Carl Philip's child will not have an HRH style title because of a decision made by King Carl XVI Gustaf in 2019. During his Christmas speech, he revealed that he was stripping his grandchildren of their titles so that it could help them 'eventually carve out their own future'. The monarch said at the time: 'The decision was to make clear who within the royal family will act as official representatives of Sweden in the future. For me, this is a way of clarifying what expectations are. 'It will hopefully be helpful when my grandchildren eventually carve out their own future. But, to that day, it is far away.' Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more 'As If!' the 30th anniversary of the famous movie Clueless wasn't a big enough deal, Mattel has now released a brand new line of Barbie dolls to celebrate the staple 'it girl' movie of the 90s. Creators of the dolls are 'totally buggin' as the line features main characters Cher and Dionne, bringing to life the essence of the cult-classic 90's movie. Inspired by Jane Austen's novel Emma, Clueless was written and directed by Amy Heckerling and earned $56.7 million worldwide following its July 1995 release. It immediately became a pop culture favorite, with iconic lines like 'whatever!' and, 'she's my friend because we both know what it's like to have people be jealous of us' from main character Cher (Alicia Silverstone) about her best friend Dionne (Stacey Dash). The socially successful and somewhat shallow teens live their luxurious life in Beverly Hills, where they indulge in all things shopping, playing with digital wardrobes and driving enviable convertible cars. After her first day of junior year, Cher takes upon herself philanthropic duties, in which she undertakes the responsibility of giving the new loner girl, Tai, a much needed makeover. She starts to 'bug,' however, when she finds out Tai has become more popular than she ever was, while also struggling with the emotional journey of finding her perfect boyfriend. which turns out to be her ex-step brother, Josh (Paul Rudd). The movie pokes fun at popular high schoolers of the 90s, while also shedding light on the fact that Cher, the glamorous and rich party girl, struggles with her own self-image issues. 'As If!' the 30th anniversary of the famous movie Clueless wasn't a big enough deal, Mattel has now released a brand new line of Barbie dolls to celebrate the staple 'it girl' movie of the 90s 'Girls and women all over the world respond to the movie to this day because the characters have this sense of themselves,' says costume designer Mona May, who spoke to the New York Post. 'Even though Cher had flaws and was self-centered, her actions come from trying to improve the world as she's improving herself.' Its iconic quantities have carried on 30 years later, as Mattel looks to re-imagine the renowned Cher and Dionne duo. Looking to mirror the playful preppy look of the 90s compared to the grunge aesthetic that took the fashion world by storm, Mona May used plaid in Cher and Dionne's duo outfits to show off the defining look of the era. The Cher doll, features her classic sunshine yellow plaid suit with a pleated skirt, matching blazer and over-the-knee white socks. 'The doll also carries a mini white backpack, cellphone and learner's driving permit a homage to her not-so great driving skills. The Dionne Barbie doll, wears a black-and-white plaid suit with a ribbon and rose donned top hat. 'The doll carries a cellphone as well, obviously. The dolls are now available for pre-order and set to be released to the public on July 19th, with each available for $59.40 on the Walmart website and $55.99 on Amazon and Target websites. The news of his unexpected passing sparked frenzied fear all across the web Frantic fans have begged for the cancelation of the haunted Annabelle doll tour following the news that man leading it had died unexpectedly. Dan Rivera passed away at age 54 on Sunday, July 13, the New England Society for Psychic Research - the organization behind the Devils on the Run Tour - confirmed. The Annabelle doll was made famous back in the 1970s when paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren looked into alleged attacks made by the infamous toy. While they put her in a specially built glass case and warned that she should never be moved, Annabelle is now currently touring the US alongside other items from the Warrens Occult Museum collection as part of the exhibition called Devils on the Run. It's been reported that Dan was overseeing the tour and was the one who has been bringing the creepy children's toy across the country. Most recently, he had traveled to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for the latest tour stop, which was completely sold out and spanned across three days at the Soldiers National Orphanage over the weekend. According to the Evening Sun, firefighters and medical personnel were called to a hotel in Gettysburg on Sunday for a report of CPR in progress on a male patient of Dan's age. The news of Dan's unexpected passing sparked frenzied fear all across the web, as many urged the creators of the tour to 'put her back in her box.' Frantic fans have begged for the cancelation of the haunted Annabelle doll tour amid the news that man leading it had tragically died unexpectedly Dan Rivera passed away at age 54 on Sunday, July 13, the New England Society for Psychic Research - the organization behind the Devils on the Run Tour - has confirmed The Annabelle doll was made famous back in the 1970s when paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren looked into alleged attacks made by the infamous toy While they put her in a specially built glass case and warned that she should never be moved, Annabelle is now currently touring the US as part of the exhibition called Devils on the Run 'Y'all need to leave this doll alone,' one fan wrote. 'The curse is real,' someone else penned, while a fourth person begged, 'Put her back in the box!' 'This is some scary s**t,' a fifth tweet read. Another said, 'So sad! Best to leave Annabelle locked up.' 'It was that damn doll,' announced a different user. 'Please for the love of God, stop f**king with that doll,' urged someone else. The cause of Dan's death remains unknown. It's been said that famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine came into possession of the Raggedy Anne doll in the 1970s after two young nurses reached out begging for help. The nurses allegedly claimed the doll, which had been a birthday gift, was wreaking havoc on their lives, placing handwritten eerie messages around their home, moving on its own, and even leaving horrific scratch marks on one of their boyfriends. It's been reported that Dan was overseeing the tour and was the one who brought the creepy children's toy across the country Most recently, he had traveled to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania , for the latest tour stop, which was completely sold out and spanned across three days at the Soldiers National Orphanage The Warrens took it off their hands, and upon investigating, the couple became convinced that a 'demonic' force was possessing the doll. They claimed that their car continuously 'stalled' and the steering and breaks 'failed' on the drive home, per Gerald Brittle's book The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren. They said they had to throw 'holy water' onto the doll in order to get home safely. They also alleged that they called in a man named Father Daniel to help, but that he nearly lost his life after he didn't take the doll seriously. He reportedly 'picked up the doll' and said, 'You're just a rag doll, Annabelle, you can't hurt anything,' before he 'tossed it back on the chair,' according to the Warrens' biography. That night, he is said to have called Lorraine and told her, 'The brake system failed [on my car on the way home]. I was almost killed in a traffic accident. My car is a wreck.' Ed also claimed the doll levitated in front of him and constantly moved around their home before they decided to lock it up indefinitely. In the years since then, it has sat behind glass in the Warrens museum, but some horror fans who traveled just to get a glimpse of the infamous doll have claimed that weird stuff started to happen to them afterwards. According to the Evening Sun , firefighters and medical personnel were called to a hotel in Gettysburg on Sunday for a report of CPR in progress on a male patient of Dan's age The news of Dan's unexpected passing sparked frenzied fear all across the web, as many urged the creators of the tour to 'put her back in her box' And according to a family member of the Warrens, tragedy struck when one visitor didn't treat the doll with respect. It's been said that the guest knocked on the glass case and taunted the doll before he was thrown out of the museum. But on his way home, he got into a fatal motorcycle accident, per the Warrens' son-in-law Tony Spera. 'It's probably the most dangerous artifact we have here in the museum. It's responsible for we believe the death of a young man who came on a motorcycle and challenged that doll to do its worst and it did,' Tony told WTNH in 2016. The name of the alleged crash victim was never shared so the Daily Mail was not able to verify Tony's claims. The Annabelle doll gained worldwide popularity after it was featured in the 2013 flick The Conjuring as well as the spinoff Annabelle series that contained three more films. The Devils on the Run tour kicked off back in May, but things to a dark turn later that month when visitors at one stop on the tour claimed the three-foot-tall doll wasn't anywhere to be found, sparking a panic and fear online. The Annabelle doll gained worldwide popularity after it was featured in the 2013 flick The Conjuring (seen) as well as the spinoff Annabelle series that contained three more films The doll is seen in the 2019 movie Annabelle Comes Home However, after countless rumors that she had gone 'missing' and hoards of terrified fans, Dan came forward at the time to debunk the theories via TikTok. 'I'm here at the museum right now, and I just wanna show you guys that Annabelle is in the Warrens' Occult Museum. Let's go inside and let's check,' he began the video. As he weaved his way through he exhibits, he approached the doll sitting in her secured wooden case. 'Annabelle is not missing. She is not in Chicago. She has never been missing,' he added. The tour is still underway and horror fans will get the chance to see the 'possessed' toy at the Rock Island Roadhouse Esoteric Expo in Illinois on October 4. 9 dead, dozens hospitalized in fire at assisted living home in U.S. Massachusetts Xinhua) 09:53, July 15, 2025 WASHINGTON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Nine people are dead and dozens of others were hospitalized after a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River in the U.S. state of Massachusetts on Sunday night, according to the Fall River Fire Department. During a Monday morning news conference, Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon confirmed that nine people died and more than 30 people were taken to the hospital, including one with critical injuries. "We had an unspeakable tragedy here in Fall River last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. I'm prepared to tell you that nine people lost their lives in this building last night," Bacon said. "We have one in critical condition, but we had over 30 transported." Firefighters responding to the Gabriel House on Oliver Street around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday local time (0130 GMT Monday) found heavy fire at the main entrance of the building, according to the Fall River Fire Department. Five firefighters sustained minor injuries during the operation. There were about 70 residents inside the building. A family center was established at St. Anne's Hospital to assist families in reuniting with loved ones. Fire investigators from the Fall River Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal's Office are working to determine the cause of the fire. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Kat Timpf is taking a brief break from Fox News' Gutfeld! as she prepares to undergo another surgery related to her breast cancer treatment. The 36-year-old co-host candidly announced the news during a recent episode of the show before also uploading a snippet to her Instagram page. Timpf explained that the upcoming procedure is part of her recovery process following a double mastectomy - explaining that her absence would last a couple of weeks. 'The best case scenario of breast cancer can involve quite a road to feeling whole again, so this is the first step in that,' she shared. She also added, 'Just so the internet can't come up with theories about where I am, that's where I am.' Giving further insight in the caption of her social media post, she wrote in the caption: 'I'll be back on Gutfeld! in a few weeks! 'Huge thanks to those of you who have taken the time to offer me words of kindness and support. I love you all so much.' And Kat's post was quickly flooded with messages of support - including from fellow famous faces. Kat Timpf is taking a brief break from Fox News ' Gutfeld! as she prepares to undergo another surgery related to her breast cancer treatment Rachel Campos-Duffy wrote: 'Never been more impressed with Kat Timpf. The very definition of a strong mom!' Meghan McCain added: 'We love you!!' And Janice Dean simply commented: 'Love youuuuuuuuuuu!' In March, it was revealed that Kat had undergone a double mastectomy for breast cancer after receiving the shock diagnosis while pregnant. She was told she had stage zero breast cancer just one day before going into labor with her first child. At the time, Timpf shared a post-surgery update to let fans know she was doing well. She shared an image from a hospital bed of her legs covered by a gown with an animated 'censored' illustration over her feet. In the caption, she made a joke about how much her breast size had been reduced. The 36-year-old co-host candidly announced the news during a recent episode of the show before also uploading a snippet to her Instagram page In March, it was revealed that Kat had undergone a double mastectomy for breast cancer after receiving the shock diagnosis while pregnant 'Post-op! They're honestly not much smaller than they were before I got pregnant,' Timpf wrote said. Timpf has been open about her unconventional journey to parenthood as she navigated the first few weeks of her son's life while reeling from the cancer diagnosis. But she has also been forced to defend herself online in recent weeks after trolls urged her to stop speaking about her shock cancer battle. Set against a black backdrop, the TV personality shared a snapshot to her Instagram story of a comment that read: 'Sorry Kat, but you are not all that and a bag of chip. 'I am REALLY HAPPY that you kicked cancer's butt and that you are a mom. However, using it all the time is getting very old. 'Other people have gone through the very same thing and are very humble. Don't be so egocentric.' Mom-of-one Kat was quick to share her own thoughts on the note, issuing a scathing response that read: 'PSA: I will likely talk about this for the rest of my life as that is how long it will affect me. Making jokes heals me and I won't stop doing it. 'If it offends you that badly, feel free to unfollow me.' A bride has shared the the horrendous moment her dress ripped just minutes before she was due to walk down the aisle. Bianca Ross, 29, from Greater Manchester, was getting ready to tie the knot earlier this month when two of her bridesmaids helped her do up her corseted dress. As the trio were struggling to get into the dress, they heard a sudden rip, with the back of the dress opening. The trio, jaws dropped, stood in shocked silence for a moment while the bride started crying. However, the crisis was quickly averted when one of her friends revealed that she had brought her sewing kit and was able to mend the tear. In a video posted to TikTok, Bianca was all laughs and smiles as she was being helped into her fitted embellished gown by her bridesmaids. She was tossing up whether to use the detachable straps or not as her friends were tugging and pulling at the top of the dress, trying to do up the clasps. 'I look like a princess,' Bianca said. One of the bridesmaids then pulled slightly too hard on the back of the dress which let out a big ripping sound. Bride Bianca was brought to tears when her dress ripped just moments before she was due to walk down the aisle One of the bridesmaids then pulled slightly too hard on the back of the dress which let out a big ripping sound - but she came to the rescue with a sewing kit to mend the tear The women gasped before Bianca burst into tears. 'Oh my god, it's f***ing broke,' one panicked bridesmaid said. 'How many times have we squeezed into this f***ing dress? How many times have we fought with this dress?' Viewers were unable to see the damage but the bridesmaid who caused the rip was quick on the case. 'I brought it for a reason! I've got my sewing kit,' she shouted as she ran out of the room. One viewer said the tear was 'every bride's nightmare and asked if Bianca went on to get married which she confirmed she did - not letting the mishap stop her from enjoying her and her new husband's big day. The internet is never short of a wedding drama and, previously, a groom raised eyebrows after he said he wanted to divorce his new wife just days after saying 'I do'. The married man, who is 44 years old, took to Reddit to complain about his 42-year-old wife shortly after their wedding and explained the big day had been riddled with issues - including one incident that completely broke his trust. On the thread, the new husband said a black cloud hung over his wedding day thanks to his wife's egregious actions. He lamented he now feels like he 'married someone else' after his wife changed her hair colour two days before the big day. He complained that she had abandoned her 'regular girl next door style' and along with her new hair colour she had also worn a 'revealing' dress that left him stunned. But it was a request she made of her guests behind the groom's back that really left him reeling. The Reddit-poster complained that his bride's dress showed off her legs and cleavage and was too sexy to be walking down the aisle in. He even thought that some of the male guests avoided her all night out of embarrassment. He wrote: 'On the wedding day, she showed up wearing a sheer lace dress that was too revealing and no flesh coloured lining. 'I could see her whole legs and her undies (they were lace and not sheer). I would have preferred that she didn't wear her cleavage bursting out. It wasn't necessary. 'I thought sexiness was reserved for the wedding night, not for our guests to see. I would have been okay with it had I been used to this being her style, but I don't know what happened. A groom wants to divorce his wife just days after walking down the aisle after complaining that she ruined his wedding day with an ugly wedding dress and new hair style (stock image) 'Our friends and families (males) kept a bit distant trying to avoid her and I think it's because they were trying to be respectful. The top of the dress wasn't sheer, but her breasts were almost popping out and she couldn't dance as happily and carefree as she always does because of it. The groom explained that he knew it was a minor detail and just an 'aesthetic dispute' that he would forget about eventually but he said it went against their traditional family's values. While the dress and hair colour were a shock, the new husband revealed what really upset him was the discovery that his wife had been asking for money from guests without his knowledge. The Reddit poster explained that they had previously agreed not to ask their guests for money - although he clarified they did get 'cash gifts and physical presents' - but was shocked to find out his wife had tired to establish a minimum fee. He revealed he only discovered the betrayal after her best friend dropped out of the wedding due to pressure to give extra cash. The groom confessed he had been left disappointed because 'the church was missing a chunk of guests' and he felt a 'black cloud' hanging over them all day. He went on to say that the trust between him and his new wife is completely broken because he lost friends and people he cared about. He added: 'I don't see how therapy can fix this. It's not just about my trust, but about how this person is a whole human being apart from the woman that I thought I knew.' The groom also complained that he felt betrayed by his new bride after he discovered she had been asking gusts for money without his knowledge (stock image) The Reddit post caused controversy among other users who rushed to give their own opinions on he situation with some siding with the groom and others encouraging the bride to run On the Reddit thread, the recently married man asked whether it was reasonable to ask for a divorce even though he knew it would 'destroy her' and said he wanted to at least file for a legal separation. He added he felt he could no longer go on 'sleeping next to someone who was willing to take from others' and said he felt too betrayed. And other Reddit users rushed to his defence with one writing: 'I would run if I realised my fiance's idea about a wedding was about filing up her bank account. A wedding should be a celebration of love. I don't have an opinion about her dress.' Another said: 'Divorce or annulment. If she does things like this behind your back before marriage, think of the things she will do behind your back now that she has you locked in. 'A good foundation for any relationship is built on trust, respect and clear communication at the bare minimum and she violated all three. Run for the hills.' And one commented: 'The clothing thing is not important, but lying and pressuring loved ones for money behind your back is an early indicator of how your life will be going. Is this someone you can spend the rest of your life with? I think the answer is no.' But others were on the wife's side and criticised the groom for slating his new bride's wedding dress, encouraging her to run for the hills. One person said: 'The money hustling is tacky and worth divorcing over. Hating her hair/dress is tacky and worth her divorcing you over. 'So maybe you two flawed people should talk about all this, apologize to each other, and do better moving forward.' Another user wrote: 'This poor woman has married a complete monster.' A mother-of-four has been left looking 'smashed' and struggling to breathe after a $10,000 nose job. Ashley Caselli, now 37, underwent a revision rhinoplasty, or nose job, with Dr. Lindsay Sturm in January 2021, in the hopes of resolving her breathing issues. But when she woke up from the around three-hour procedure, the Iowa native says she was immediately plunged into a world of constant worries about her new nose. 'It just looked smashed,' she told DailyMail.com. 'It doesn't look finished. It looks like I am missing a piece of my face; My nose doesn't even have a tip anymore.' Once a social mom who loved taking pictures of herself with her children, Caselli is now consumed by fear whenever she leaves the house and is always photoshopping herself in family pictures. She also said her breathing is now 'much worse', and that she wakes up several times every night with a dry mouth and has to pull up her nose when she runs to get air in. She said: 'It's just no way to live. It really hurts your self-confidence; it hurts your way of thinking whenever you do things and want to take pictures with your family. 'Every day, I look in the mirror and I am saddened by it, and when people look at me, I constantly wonder, are they looking at my nose?' Ashley Caselli, now 37 years old, went for a nose job with Lindsay Sturm in 2021. She said that afterward her nose appeared 'smashed' Caselli is one of at least eight patients to have come forward in recent months alleging harm by Sturm, who ran a clinic in Iowa until February this year. The cosmetic surgeon and otolaryngologist, a surgeon specializing in the ears, nose, throat, neck and head, has also been accused of causing the death of her patient Angela Kettwig in a lawsuit, although she denies the allegation. The lawsuit is pending. Others to come forward include Christine Heintz, who paid Sturm $20,000 for a 'mommy makeover' in November 2021, which included a breast reduction and lift, abdominoplasty and liposuction. Just after the surgery, she said that a 'giant hole' opened in Heintz's right breast going back to her ribcage, with doctors saying most of the breast had died and could not be saved. She underwent further reconstructive surgery in January 2023 which resulted in her losing most of her breasts. In another case, patient AJ Gomez-Han visited Sturm in 2024 for skin removal surgery to his thighs and arms. Afterward, he developed a bacterial infection that evolved into an open bleeding sore and required six weeks in the hospital to fix. Sturm has not responded to previous claims against her and did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment on Caselli's case. Caselli has not filed a lawsuit, however, because the procedure happened too long ago for her to file a claim under Iowa law. After her clinic, Sturm Cosmetic Surgery, abruptly closed on February 9, it told patients in an email that 'due to personal, emergent medical concerns, Dr Sturm is unavailable to provide ongoing care.' Caselli is pictured above in the profile view before and after the procedure Her nose is shown above from the underside before and after the procedure The Iowa Board of Medicine charged her with professional incompetence, including failure of a physician to exercise a degree of care ordinarily exercised by the average physician, in May 2025. Sturm opted not to contest the charges and has voluntarily surrendered her license, without admitting wrongdoing. She also filed for bankruptcy in June, according to local media reports. In Caselli's case, the mother and property manager went for her first nose job with a different surgeon in 2018 to open up her airways and resolve a long-term breathing issue. The initial procedure 'wasn't terrible,' she said, but she was still having trouble breathing out of one side of her nose and felt one side also appeared 'cuppier' than the other. Your browser does not support iframes. This led her to contact Sturm, who said she would be able to help Caselli breathe better and have a more appealing nose. In a pre-op appointment, Caselli said Sturm told her that the previous surgeon had 'removed all the cartilage' from her nose, leaving it without proper support. (It is extremely unusual for surgeons to remove all the cartilage from a patient's nose). Sturm suggested extracting some cartilage from the top of Caselli's right ear and implanting it into her nose to help with the breathing issue, Caselli said. Caselli agreed, saying she was won over by the chance to be operated on by a female surgeon and Sturm's apparent personable and kind nature. Lindsay Sturm, who carried out the procedure, is pictured above. According to Caselli, the cosmetic surgeon said that in Caselli's previous nose job all the cartilage was removed from her nose Just before the surgery in 2021, the pair prayed together for a successful procedure and a good outcome. Caselli said after the surgery she had to wear a nose bandage and splint, a plastic device placed outside the nose after surgery to support its new shape, for about two weeks but, even with the swelling from surgery, became concerned about her nose every time she removed a bandage to wash it. 'I actually voiced my concerns because I did see some issues,' she said. 'One side of my nose that I wanted changed originally, that was still the same, and the side that was a little swollen didn't look right. 'I was also concerned because in the profile view of the side of my face, it looked different, the tip of my nose was missing, well, it didn't have a tip.' She said Sturm initially told her that the appearance could be linked to the swelling from surgery but then retorted that she shouldn't ask for a perfect nose because no one's nose is perfect. 'I was shocked by that,' Caselli said. 'I told her that I am not trying to achieve the perfect nose, I just want a functioning nose that looks nice and normal, but this doesn't. It looks normal it looks very messed up. 'She tried to make me feel bad for that.' Caselli also said that at one point a hole opened up in the middle of her nose after a suture came loose following the surgery. During the procedure, Sturm was also meant to perform liposuction on the bottom of Caselli's chin, but Caselli said that this wasn't done properly, with the area she wanted removed 'still there' when she woke up from surgery. Caselli is a social mom who loves to go out with friends, and care for the family's pets, but her nose is a constant worry for her. She says she photoshopped these images to obscure the appearance of her nose Caselli is pictured above in a family photo with her husband and four children. She said she has photoshopped her face in this image to obscure the appearance of her nose Sturm offered to do a fat transfer to Caselli's nose after the surgery, Caselli said, but she refused, and says she's now seeking help from a new surgeon. Caselli also claimed that her breathing is now 'much worse' than before, with now having to breathe through her mouth most of the time. She said she holds up the end of her nose sometimes when she runs to get air in and is also waking up throughout the night, suffering from a dry mouth and breathing issues. 'I hope revealing this helps people,' she said. 'The irony here is that she was an expert and she still messed up my nose. Everyone should know the difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon. 'I am lucky, but unlucky, people go through worse things, terrible things, but they can cover their bodies. For me, I can't cover my face.' A grandmother who saved 10,000 by quitting smoking spent the money on a face lift which has left people stunned. In a recent video posted on her TikTok page @Nanajak54, which has been viewed nearly half a million times, Jacqueline Warren, 55, showed off the resultsand she looks at least a decade younger. The glamourous gran, from Essex, described it as 'the best decision' she has ever made for herself because it has given her a 'new lease for life'. Ms Warren told MailOnline: 'I want other 50-year-olds and above to know it's never too late to make positive changes in yourself. 'It's important to invest some time and love in yourself.' Ms Warren told the Mail Online that when she hit her fifties she started putting on weight, and was smoking 40 cigarettes a day. She had had two hip replacement operations during her fortiesboth of which failedand she was in pain, struggling to move and pre-diabetic. It was a lightbulb moment for her, and she realised that she wanted to live as long as possible so she could see her grandchildren grow up. The grandmother before (left) and after (right) her youthful face lift procedures in her fifties Determined, she embraced intermittent fasting, gave up smoking, adopted a healthy meal plan, started taking supplements, and cut out caffeineher healthy overhaul resulted in her shedding three and a half stone. But after she lost weight, her 'confidence fell apart' as she had 'so much loose skin' around her neck and face. It inspired her to invest in a facial transformation, spending the 10,000 pot she had saved from kicking her cigarette habit 16-months prior. She said: 'That's how much I saved (from going) no smoking for 16 months before I took that money and spent it.' After months of careful research and meetings with the team of surgeons at Revitalize Clinic in Izmir, Turkey, she decided to spend 10,000 that she'd saved by packing in her smoking habit on a total facial rejuvenation. On April 30 of this year, she underwent a series of procedures, including a deep plane face lift, neck lift, bone rasping to define her nose, as well as fat taken from her stomach for her mid face. Ms Warren said: 'My mum and dad didn't want their daughter's face to change. They were scared I wasn't going to look like me.' The loose skin on the grandmother's neck before the procedure (left) and her jawline after But she added: 'Since having my facelift, my confidence and self-esteem have improved.' When asked if her grandchildren noticed a difference, she said: 'Yes, but only when it was bruised. 'The eldest granddaughter, Mia-Grace, tells me I look different but a good different.' Otherwise, she said: 'I have not noticed anyone treating me differently.' While she has also spent money on follow up facial treatments, she believes it was worth every penny. 'After all I needed to look after the new me. I'm learning to love me again,' she said in a video posted to her page. The ongoing treatments include chemical peels, warm plasma, hydro facials, and lymphatic draining massages. Since the face lift, she said: 'Now is the time for me to start putting in a good anti-aging skincare routine for me. This is because she said: 'At the end of the day I want longevity in this face lift here, because, one I paid a lot for it, and two now I need to maintain it.' After posting her latest video, stunned social media users commented on her transformation. One of her 17,000 followers said: 'The glow, the confidence, the power and strength in your eyes. I'm so happy for you.' Another commented: 'Wow amazing results. Can you put the name of your doctor please?' The grandmother replied: 'Yes I had Professor Ahmet Seyhan by @revitalizeinturkey.' A third user commented: 'Very, very good results. Easily taken 10 years off you.' Meanwhile, another user, on the before and after pictures, said: 'Insane transformation.' Health officials have sounded the alarm over a surge in potentially deadly salmonella linked to tomatoes. More than 100 people were sickened, with at least 14 hospitalised by two strains of the diarrhoea-causing bug in 2024. The cases, also believed to have been caused by the fruit, were not confined to a specific area of the UK, instead reported across the country, according to UK health and safety watchdogs. Testing revealed all cases the infection were caused by the rare strains Salmonella Blockley, also referred to as S. Blockley, and Salmonella Strathcona, which the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned is particularly severe. Cases of S. Blockley are more often seen in east Asia and the US, and have only been recorded in European countries a handful of times. It comes as separate UKHSA data released this week found salmonella cases have surged in the first three months of 2025, up on 2023 and 2024. Salmonella is a group of bacteria that infects the gut of farm animalsand typically affects meat, eggs and poultry. The nasty bug usually also causes sickness and a fever that clears up in days. However, it can be fatal. The cases, also believed to have been caused by the fruit, were not confined to a specific area of the UK, instead reported across the country, according to UK health and safety watchdogs UKHSA figures released last month showed salmonella cases hit a record decade high in 2024, soaring by almost a fifth in a single year to over 10,000 cases On average, it takes from 12 to 72 hours for the symptoms to develop after swallowing an infectious dose of salmonella. Those most at risk at suffering severe illness from a salmonella infection include those with weakened immune systems such as children and the elderly. If people become seriously ill, they may need hospital care because the dehydration caused by the illness can be life-threatening. According to the 2024 UKHSA data, there were 81 cases of S. Blockley confirmed by lab testing, all linked to tomatoes. Of these, at least 14 were hospitalised. Tomatoes were also blamed for a Salmonella Strathcona outbreak that affected 24 people. But it is not known where the tomatoes were grown, be it from the UK or if they were imported from another country. Research has suggested the texture of tomatoes can make them more prone to the bacteria and the risk increases as they are often eaten raw and not cooked, which would usually kill off any bugs. Salmonella is a group of bacteria that infects the gut of farm animalsand typically affects meat, eggs and poultry Contaminated water supplies used as the tomatoes grow can spread salmonella. It can also persist in the soil and contaminate them as they grow. A separate salmonella outbreak with 109 cases was linked to red meat. UKHSA figures released last month showed salmonella cases hit a record decade high in 2024, soaring by almost a fifth in a single year to over 10,000 cases. Children under 10 years old were particularly affected, accounting for 21.5 per cent of cases. Dr James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the FSA, said: 'We are working together to understand the reasons behind the rise in salmonella cases, as well as trends in other pathogens. 'This analysis will help us take the necessary action to protect public health. 'Were also working with industry and local authorities to support businesses to meet their legal responsibility to make sure food is safe.' But separate data this week showed cases in the first quarter of 2025 were even higher than 2024. Some 1,588 cases were logged between January and March 2025, up on the 1,541 reported over the same period in 2024. By comparison, there were 1,328 reports between January and March 2023. A simple skin swab based on the powers of 'super smellers' could detect devastating Parkinson's disease up to seven years before symptoms appear. Parkinson's is an incurable neurological condition where parts of the brain become damaged over years, and which blights the lives of millions. Patients suffer progressive tremors and movement problems that can eventually rob them of their independence. While scientists have known for years that some people have the amazing power to sniff out Parkinson's before obvious signs develop, they have struggled to create a test that can do the same. But in a breakthrough, experts from the University of Manchester have come a step closer to making this a reality. They discovered compounds found in sebuman oily substance naturally produced by the skincontained tiny traces of chemicals that indicate a person could be in the earliest stages of Parkinson's. While the disease isn't curable early diagnosis is considered key to helping patients access treatments that can combat serious symptoms and maintain their quality of life for as long as possible. Publishing their findings in the journal npj Parkinson's Disease experts analysed skin swabs taken from 46 Parkinson's patients, 28 healthy volunteers and 9 people with a condition called isolated REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder (iRBD). Symptoms can include uncontrollable tremors, slow movements and muscle stiffness, but experts say they often only appear when about 80 per cent of the nerve cells have been lost Super Smeller Joy Milne (pictured on ITV's This Morning in October 2019) first discovered she can smell Parkinson's when her late husband Les was diagnosed in 1980s Mrs Milne's ability was backed up in a scientific trial where she was able to sniff the difference in swab tests taken from Parkinson's patients and healthy controls. Pictured here with her husband Les iRBD is a sleep disorder where people often physically act out their dreams, sometimes violently, while asleep and is a known to be a potential early warning sign of Parkinson's. Results showed that iRBD patients had distinct chemicals in their sebum that differed from healthy volunteers, but these weren't yet at the level as those with Parkinson's. This, the researchers suggested, indicated early-stage Parkinson's was leaving tiny, but detectable, traces in the body up to seven years before the appearance of symptoms that would lead to a diagnosis. To back up their findings scientists also referred to Parkinson's 'super-smeller' Joy Milne. Mrs Milne, a former nurse from Perth, Scotland, discovered she could smell the disease when she noticed a change in her late husband Les' scent a decade before he was diagnosed in 1985, describing it as a 'musky, greasy' odour. The grandmother's ability was backed up in a scientific trial where she was able to sniff the difference in swab tests taken from Parkinson's patients and healthy controls. In the new study, Mrs Milne was able to distinguish both swabs taken from iRBD patients and those with Parkinson's. But even more interestingly she was able to spot two iRBD patients who had undiagnosed Parkinson's, whose condition was confirmed at their next appointment. Actor Michael J Fox (pictured here earlier this year) was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at just 29 years old. He now advocates for more research into the condition Professor Perdita Barran, an expert of mass spectrometrya scientific field on the study of tiny particles like those detected by scent at Manchester, hailed the results. 'This is the first study to demonstrate a molecular diagnostic method for Parkinson's disease at the prodromal or early stage,' she said. 'It brings us one step closer to a future where a simple, non-invasive skin swab could help identify people at risk before symptoms arise allowing for earlier intervention and improved outcomes.' As sebum is easily collected by a simple swab of a patient's face and backand doesn't need to be stored at cold temperatures for transport for analysisthe hope is that a final test will be easy and cheap for medics to use. It would represent a revolution for Parkinson's diagnosis as there is currently no definitive test for the condition. Currently diagnosis is normally based on the development of later stage symptoms like tremors after other potential health conditions have been ruled out. Parkinson's charities estimate over one in four patients with the condition are misdiagnosed before getting the correct diagnosis. The researchers say they are continuing to develop and improve the sebum-based test with the goal of launching it to real-world clinical settings. Dr Drupad Trivedi, an expert in analytical measurement sciences at Manchester, added, the team was keen to hear from other potential 'super smellers', like Mrs Milne, who might be able to detect other diseases. About 90,000 Americans and 18,000 British people are diagnosed with Parkinson's every year, with more than 10million patients estimated to have the condition worldwide. The disease costs the NHS more than 725million a year. Early signs of Parkinson's include a tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement and loss of smell. Balance problems such as issues with coordination and muscle cramps are other common signs. Patients can also, as a consequence of their disease, frequently suffer from mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Parkinson's is caused by the death of nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a chemicals which controls movement. Experts are still working to uncover what triggers the death of these nerves. However, current thinking is that it's due to a combination of genetic changes and environmental factors. Risk of developing the condition broadly increases with age, with most patients are diagnosed over 50. Since childhood, Charlotte Campbell has felt unwell after eating peanuts, but it was only after a scary incident at a wedding aged 21 that she was diagnosed with a peanut allergy. 'After eating a fried risotto ball at the reception I started getting a very itchy mouth, blocked sinuses and hives then, within 30 minutes, it developed into nausea and vomiting,' recalls Charlotte, a marketing manager who lives with her husband Will, 33, a teacher, in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. 'I'd never experienced anything like it,' she says. 'As a child, I occasionally ate peanut butter or the odd thing containing peanuts, which made me feel sick and gave me a slightly itchy mouth. But I never suspected an allergy.' Thankfully her sister, who had a diagnosed nut allergy, was also at the wedding and gave Charlotte antihistamines, which worked quickly. A few weeks later Charlotte was referred for skin-prick tests, where a tiny amount of an allergen is placed on the skin, to look for any reaction. Charlotte was tested for all common food allergies. When her arm became red and the skin raised in response to peanut, only improving after a couple of days, the diagnosis was confirmed. Around 6 per cent of the UK adult population around 2.4 million people have a confirmed food allergy. In general, they are just told to avoid eating what they're allergic to; there is no treatment. Since childhood, marketing manager Charlotte Campbell, 32, has felt unwell after eating peanuts - but it was only due to a scary incident at a wedding aged 21 that she was diagnosed with an allergy 'It made me anxious around food, especially when eating at other people's houses and at restaurants,' says Charlotte, now 32. 'I had a couple of incidents when I ate things I thought were safe, such as a flapjack, and I quickly developed symptoms which eased off with antihistamines.' Yet Charlotte can now safely eat a small amount of peanuts thanks to a groundbreaking clinical trial, using an approach known as oral immunotherapy. This is where patients are gradually given tiny but increasing amounts of the food they're allergic to, in a safe environment with medics on hand, in a bid to train their bodies not to react. While an oral immunotherapy treatment has been approved for children, there isn't an equivalent available for adults because of a concern that their immune systems are less adaptable than children's. They also tend to have more severe reactions (it's not clear why). But now, for the first time, this method has been shown to be effective in adults. In a study, led by King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, participants received a tiny dose of peanut in hospital and were monitored for a reaction, before being sent home and instructed to take that same peanut dose daily for two weeks. The process was then repeated, increasing the dose in small increments, over around four months. The study found that 67 per cent of the 21 participants were able to consume at least 1.4g peanut protein the equivalent of five peanuts after a minimum of four months without reacting, reported the journal Allergy in April. 'If you can repeatedly expose the allergic patient to the things they're allergic to, you can desensitise them and eventually make them less reactive,' explains Professor Stephen Till, a consultant allergist at Guy's and St Thomas' and chief investigator of the trial, which was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. 'The challenge is giving someone something they're allergic to without causing a reaction, which is why we do this in a controlled medical environment.' When someone consumes a substance to which they're allergic, their immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These attach to the allergen, and activate immune cells to attack it, triggering the release of histamine. Histamine causes symptoms such as itching, swelling, redness, difficulty breathing, sickness, diarrhoea and low blood pressure. Some 6 per cent of the UK adult population - or about 2.4 million people - have a confirmed food allergy, with peanuts ranking as one of the most common But oral immunotherapy is thought to make the body produce a different antibody, immunoglobulin G (IgG). 'We think IgG soaks up the allergen and stops it binding to IgE,' explains Professor Till. After the treatment is over and desensitisation is established, patients are advised to stick to having their safe number of peanuts each day to maintain the benefits. 'We've shown that desensitisation works, and that patients will remain desensitised if they carry on eating peanuts every day but we need more studies to know if they would continue to be desensitised if they stopped,' says Professor Till. 'Before this, all adults with an allergy could do was be very careful to avoid peanuts. 'Now there's hope that there could be a treatment to control the way that the immune system responds. Participants don't need to worry if there is cross-contamination in their food from peanuts in a restaurant, for example.' However, oral immunotherapy is time-intensive, which makes NHS provision and funding difficult. For this reason, 'it's important that we work out how to deliver immunotherapy predominantly at home or outside hospitals', says Professor Till. Another new tool is with treatments known as biologics, such as omalizumab, which stop IgE antibodies binding to immune cells. These could be used alongside oral immunotherapy and help people to tolerate higher doses of their allergen more quickly, explains Professor Till. Other experts believe biologic drugs could be a standalone food-allergy treatment. In a US study published in the New England Journal of Medicine last year, children under 18 with peanut allergy were given injections of omalizumab or a placebo every two to four weeks for 16 weeks. At the end of the trial 67 per cent of participants who'd received omalizumab could tolerate 600mg of peanut protein, compared with 7 per cent in the placebo group. 'While this is an important study, if you're mopping up the IgE, you'd expect 100 per cent efficacy,' says Mohamed Shamji, a professor in immunology and allergy at Imperial College London. 'We're trying to find out why it doesn't work for everyone.' Even so, he believes the drugs should be considered for food allergies; currently they're not approved for this on the NHS (partly because they are expensive), though they are in the US. Another promising development is using virus-like particles (VLPs) to essentially create a peanut allergy vaccine. VLPs are designed to look like a virus, so activate the immune response, but do not cause illness. Researchers at Imperial College London attached a VLP to peanut allergen protein Ara h2, to help the immune system recognise and respond to the peanut allergen in a controlled way. Professor Stephen Till, a consultant allergist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, says patients can be desensitised to their allergies by repeated exposure An early-stage clinical trial, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in January this year, found the vaccine caused no adverse reactions. Further trials are planned. 'The aim of the vaccine is to reset the immune response, so it becomes more of a healthy, non-allergic one,' explains Professor Shamji, a senior author of the study. There is a great need for new treatments, says Clare Mills, a professor of food and molecular immunology at the University of Surrey: 'If someone is allergic to peanut, then just a few milligrams of it, equivalent to a speck of dust, can provoke a potentially fatal reaction.' Meanwhile, the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK's food allergy charity, is funding an oral immunotherapy trial using everyday, shop-bought foods as a treatment for young people aged three to 23 with peanut and cow's milk allergies, across nine NHS centres in England and Scotland. As Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, the charity's founder, explains: 'We know that some individuals on the trial have had a very positive response. We hope our findings [due next year] will show oral immunotherapy using everyday foods is not only effective but cost-effective, and will lead to it being adopted as a treatment for food allergies on the NHS.' A year after the 2019 trial Charlotte took part in, she was able to eat up to four peanuts a day. But after a bad reaction last summer has dropped down to three, though hopes to go back to four soon. 'It's made me a lot less fearful of foods, especially when eating out,' says Charlotte. 'Everything feels much easier now.' Poisonings linked to nicotine pouches have skyrocketed across the US, especially among young children, a new study has found. Researchers in Ohio found a 763 percent spike in poisonings linked to the pouches among children under six years old from 2020 to 2023. The findings are particularly alarming given that the overall number of nicotine-related poisonings declined by 34 percent over the last eight years. Out of more than 134,000 cases of pediatric nicotine poisoning, researchers found that children exposed to nicotine pouches were twice as likely to be hospitalized and 50 percent more likely to suffer serious medical outcomes, including seizures. Nicotine pouches, small, typically white packets placed between the gum and upper lip, have gained popularity since they hit the US market in 2014. Each pouch contains between two and 12 milligrams of nicotine, making them the second most popular nicotine product among young adults. Just one to two milligrams of nicotine can poison a child, who is more at risk because of their small size, leading to sweating, pale skin and vomiting. In serious cases, it can cause tremors, seizures and even death. Researchers noted that while many nicotine products have become less common in the home, nicotine pouches appear to be bucking the trend, with more cases involving children gaining access to them, often mistaking them for candy or chewing gum. The above shows nicotine pouches, which have been linked to a spike in poisonings in the US (stock image) Your browser does not support iframes. Dr Hannah Hays, an emergency medicine physician who led the study, warned: 'Nicotine pouches are a serious and growing toxic ingestion hazard among young children. 'The rapid increase in the number and comparative severity of nicotine pouch ingestions is a reminder of the public health challenges of the changing nicotine product market. 'This is why we need to continue ongoing surveillance and increase our efforts to prevent nicotine ingestions among young children.' For the study, published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers extracted data on nicotine poisonings from the National Poison Data System, a data warehouse from America's Poison Centers. Scientists analyzed cases among children under six years old that occurred between 2010 and 2023, and that involved any one of five products: nicotine tablets, gums/lozenges, liquids, powder and pouches. While nicotine pouches accounted for the fewest poisonings overall, just 1,800 cases, they were the only product to show a significant rise in poisonings in recent years, raising concern among researchers. The data revealed that two-thirds of the children poisoned by nicotine pouches were under the age of two, and nearly all exposures occurred at home, suggesting increased availability and accessibility of these products in domestic settings. The findings underscore the need for greater public awareness and preventive measures, as well as stricter packaging and storage requirements, to protect young children from accidental ingestion. The above graph shows how the rate of poisonings linked to nicotine pouches (purple line) has surged in recent years compared to the others Around 36 children experienced serious medical problems like seizures or breathing difficulties, but no deaths were reported. Dr Natalie Rine, a toxicologist and director of the Central Ohio Poisoning Center, who was a co-author of the study, told CNN: 'It's a high-concentration nicotine product, and it tastes good. 'There's nothing telling the kid, "This is bad, you should spit it out", and that's where you get into trouble.' Among cases where the source was known, e-liquids or e-cigarette fluids caused the most poisonings, with 33,000 cases. Tablets caused 23,000, powder 11,000, and gums or lozenges 8,000 cases. They were followed by tablets, at 23,000 cases, powder at 11,000 cases and gums/lozenges at 8,000 cases. Overall, 36 percent of ingestions had no effect, and 81.3 percent of cases did not require healthcare treatment. Thirty-nine children suffered major effects, including seizures, and two died after consuming e-liquid. Nicotine poisonings increased by 59 percent in the first five years of the study, then declined by 34 percent over the following eight years. Researchers warn that as the pouches become more popular, they are more easily accessed by children at homes There are no named cases of a baby being poisoned by a nicotine pouch. Philip Morris International, which owns the nicotine pouch brand Zyn through its company Swedish Match, said that youth use of nicotine pouches remains low. 'ZYN is the only nicotine pouch authorized by the FDA as appropriate to protect public health,' a spokesman said, 'In making that conclusion, the agency noted that ZYN's packaging is designed to be child resistant'. 'We welcome the chance to meet with these researchers and educate them on the robust actions Swedish Match takes to guard against underage use.' ZYN has warnings on the front and side of each can, and another warning urging people to 'keep out of reach of children'. Millions more Americans could be classified as obese under a shocking new measurement from Europe. Researchers in Israel analyzed data on 44,000 adults in the US, including nearly 15,000 marked as overweight using existing methods. But under the new framework, they found some 18.8 percent of overweight adults, or one in five, were re-classified as obese. Overall, this translated into America having an obesity rate of 54.2 percent, or a new record. The US already has the highest obesity rate out of any large country. In the new method from Europe, researchers still consider anyone with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 kg/m2 as obese. But they also re-classify anyone who is overweight (a BMI or 25 to 29.9 kg/m2) and has an obesity-related condition, like diabetes or high blood pressure, into the category. Researchers said the new definition reveals the overall toll of obesity in the nation, and the surging number of people already suffering from obesity-related conditions like stroke, heart disease and early death. It also revealed how millions who consider themselves 'just a little overweight' could now be suffering from a weight-related complication. Researchers found that one in five Americans currently considered overweight would be classified as obese using a European measurement (A family pictured in Brownsville, Texas) About 42.4 percent of adults in the US are obese, while 30.7 percent, or one in three, are considered overweight. For the study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers analyzed data from NHANES, an annual survey tracking participants, including their BMI and underlying conditions. Participants had all submitted data between 1999 and 2018, and were aged 43.4 years old on average. About half were women. The study found that using BMI alone, about 35.4 percent of participants were considered obese, while 33.3 percent were considered overweight and 31.3 percent were considered to be a healthy weight. But after using the new method, developed by The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO), a total of 54.2 percent were defined as obese. Of the individuals moved from the overweight to the obese category, they were more likely to be older, with an average age of 51.3 years compared to 36.5 years among those in the overweight category. They were also more likely to be male, and to have at least one underlying condition, with 57.5 percent having one underlying condition like diabetes compared to 34.3 percent in the overweight group. Among the conditions, high blood pressure (79 percent of the group) was most common, followed by arthritis (33.2 percent) and diabetes (15.6 percent). EASO published its new framework in July last year, and some countries, including Ireland and the Netherlands, have already adopted parts of it. The framework recommends surgeons calculate a patient's BMI and then assess underlying health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. The above shows the classifications according to the new measurement, developed by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) Your browser does not support iframes. Under the guidelines, anyone whose BMI is above 30 kg/m2 is automatically classified as obese. But those who are overweight, with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 kg/m2, and have at least one obesity-related health condition are also considered obese. The framework has not been adopted by other major organizations like the World Health Organization, which still recommends using BMI. It can help someone to be defined as obese because it may lead to them being targeted for early interventions to prevent complications like heart disease or stroke. It could also make it easier for them to access medications like Ozempic and help the patient recognize that they may need care. For the study, researchers also analyzed participants for their mortality risk, or risk of death. They found those who were redefined as obese had a similar mortality risk to those who were overweight, but a 50 percent higher risk than those of the healthy weight. In the study, the researchers wrote that the EASO framework may provide a 'more sensitive tool for diagnosing obesity disease earlier'. It added that some people may have experienced unintentional weight loss due to underlying conditions, which may previously have led them to be included in the overweight category. READ MORE: Warning to millions of beachgoers over flesh-eating bacteria Health officials have issued an urgent warning over deadly, flesh-eating bacteria spreading on beaches across the US. The Florida Department of Health announced this week that four residents have died from vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters. Another nine cases have been confirmed this year, the department said. Last year, 82 cases and 19 deaths occurred in the state, which officials said is due to the impact of Hurricane Ian. Deaths this year occurred in Bay, Broward, Hillsborough and St Johns counties, all of which are found on the Florida coasts. No further information has been released about the victims. Vibrio vulnificus enters the body through even the smallest of scrapes, infiltrating the bloodstream. From there, it releases enzymes and toxins that break down proteins, fats and collagen, destroying skin and muscle tissue. It also evades the immune systems defenses while triggering a widespread inflammatory response that causes even more tissue damage. Reduced blood flow to the infected area worsens this damage, ultimately leading to the death of tissue beneath the skin. This results in amputations to try and cut away the infection or, in severe cases, death. Four people in Florida have died from vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters. Pictured above are people at a beach in Miami Beach, Florida Your browser does not support iframes. Vibrio requires warm water to grow and proliferate, making the southern coasts prime breeding grounds. However, colder regions are becoming gradually more hospitable as ocean temperatures rise, attracting and nurturing colonies of the bacteria. Vibrio infections have been confirmed on the East coast, Alaska, the Baltic Sea, and Chile, which scientists now believe could be the next hotspots. The CDC has not issued an annual report on vibrio in the US since 2019, when 2,685 infections were reported. Previous reviews on East Coast states from 1988 through 2018 showed vibrio wound infections increased eightfold, from about 10 cases to more than 80 annually. Vibrio vulnificus can also infect a person who eats raw or undercooked shellfish, causing painful abdominal cramps and diarrhea, and, in cases where the bacteria enter the bloodstream, sepsis and death. The CDC estimates that 80,000 Americans are infected with vibrio every year, although there are only 1,200 to 2,000 confirmed cases annually, as it is often misdiagnosed. Vibriosis, the infection caused by the bacteria, is typically treated with antibiotics, specifically doxycycline and ceftazidime. Vibrio vulnificus enters the body through even the smallest of scrapes, infiltrating the bloodstream. From there, it releases enzymes and toxins that break down proteins, fats and collagen, destroying skin and muscle tissue Pictured above is a CDC map of confirmed vibrio vulnificus cases in 2019, the latest surveillance data available Once the bacteria reach the bloodstream, the infection is fatal about 50 percent of the time. The threat from the insidious bacteria is only growing, scientists say. Sky-high seafood consumption around the world, using coastal waters for recreational activities, and the compounding effects of global climate change are setting humans up to see a marked increase in both reported cases and fatalities in the near future, according to scientists from the UK and Spain. The vast majority of vibrio infections have occurred in Florida, tied to post-hurricane flooding, and Texas, largely due to fishing and oyster harvesting injuries, as well as Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The Florida Department of Health warned residents: 'Water and wounds do not mix. Do not enter the water if you have fresh cuts or scrapes.' Officials also urged people who are immunocompromised to wear protective footwear to prevent cuts or injuries on the beach. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more If I could choose one place to shop for the rest of my life, it would have to be Sezane. I always have a wish list as long as my arm saved on the French brand's website, and frequently make pilgrimages to its two London stores to stroke all the beautiful handbags and rifle through rails of gorgeous dresses and separates. Sezane channels that nonchalant, Parisian chic vibe that women worldwide have been trying to emulate for decades. And living in a mini French enclave myself (south London is full of French expats, and all the more stylish for it) I've spotted many Sezane pieces on my well-dressed French friends. The Princess of Wales is also a fan, particularly of the brand's earrings (royal style hunters say she has worn at least seven different pairs from Sezane). Okay, it's not super cheap, but the quality does tend to be very good in my experience - plus if you ever decide to part with a piece, Sezane holds its value very well on secondhand sites like Vinted and eBay. Here's what I'm coveting right now to build my dream French-inspired summer wardrobe, starting with the perfect holiday co-ord... Dorotha dress You can't go wrong with summer black (especially teamed with a good tan). Eponia shirt A white cut-out blouse goes with everything for summer. Shop Adele dress A classic shirt dress in a holiday-ready print. Just add a straw hat. Max shirt Bold stripes are huge for 2025 - the colour combo here is ideal. Maia sandals These glossy black sandals have that effortless French vibe. Shop Orane jacket With its pretty embroidery and bows at the front, this top looks great with denim. Dorotha dress Ticking the flirty, feminine frock box perfectly. Felicien top A vest, but make it (understatedly) sexy Shop Actor John Leguizamo told Bill Maher that America should take on more migrants because 'there's plenty of room here'. The liberal's assertion came during a fiery episode of Maher's Club Random podcast that laid bare the political fault lines between the two liberal voices. 'There's plenty of room in America, come on. There's no lack of room in America,' Leguizamo insisted, as Maher pushed back. 'It can't just be like, "come one, come all," Maher countered. 'It's never about room. It's about resources Countries have to have a border.' The episode, which dropped on Monday saw the two clashing not just over immigration policy but race, identity, and even past personal encounters with Donald Trump himself. Maher, 69, a longtime liberal comedian known for skewering both the left and right, accused the Biden administration of mishandling the border crisis, prompting Leguizamo, 64, to launch into a passionate defense of immigrants and a scorching attack on what he sees as systemic racism in US history. 'We've been here since the beginning,' Leguizamo declared, referring to Latino communities in the United States. 'The first European language spoken in America was not English - it was Spanish. But we haven't moved up. We've stayed in the same place because this is the fourth mass deportation of Latinos since 1830.' Progressive actor John Leguizamo told Bill Maher that America should take in more migrants because 'there's plenty of room here' Maher disagreed - 'It can't just be like, "Come one, come all," It's never about room. It's about resources Countries have to have a border,' he said He launched into a historical recounting of Latino persecution: 'After Mexico became America and they invaded and took from Mississippi to the Pacific, they started lynching people, stealing their land, stealing their political wealth. In the 1930s, with the Repatriation Act, two million Latinos - most of them American citizens - were deported.' Maher, who has been critical of both Trump and Biden's immigration policies looked at the modern day issue. 'Part of this is a backlash to how badly Biden handled the immigration situation You can't just open the gates. 'Something like 200 million people around the world, when asked, "Would you come to America if you could?" - "Yes, I would." Why wouldn't they? Lots of countries, excuse me, are s***tholes, and they would love to be here.' Leguizamo was quick to push back: 'The places aren't s***holes.' 'Well, they are,' Maher replied. 'That's why they want to come.' 'It's usually because of America,' Leguizamo shot back. 'What America's done, especially in Latin America, is beat up every democracy that was burgeoning. They destroyed it to keep their oil or their resources or bananas.' People hold Mexican flags and gesture next to a car in flames following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles County Leguizamo suggested Trump was a racist but Maher disagreed describing him as a 'a product of his time' The sharp exchange spiraled into more personal territory when Leguizamo recounted a past encounter with Trump, long before the real estate mogul entered politics. 'I met him a time I was giving an award at Trump Tower,' the actor recalled. 'He came up to me and goes, "Oh, you're so articulate."' Leguizamo said he interpreted that comment as a racist slight: 'White people always tell you that if you're a Latin person and you can speak, that you're so articulate -which I know is code for "I thought you were all dumb." Maher acknowledged the offense, calling the remark 'just obnoxious,' but rejected the notion that Trump himself was a racist: 'He's not a racist. He's a product of his time.' Leguizamo pushed back again: 'Some of us overcome our times.' 'That is true and fair to say,' Maher agreed. The exchange grew even more heated when the two addressed Trump's adviser, Stephen Miller, widely regarded as the architect of the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies. 'He's not on the level of racism that Stephen Miller is,' Leguizamo said. 'Nobody is at the level of Stephen Miller's racism. He grew up in Santa Monica with Latinos and I guess they bullied him - and he's got a chip on his shoulder.' Throughout the conversation, Maher tried to temper Leguizamo's moral urgency by citing how border towns and liberal cities were overwhelmed buckling under migrant inflows. The exchange grew heated as the two addressed Trump's White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, widely regarded as the architect of the administration's hardline immigration policies Leguizamo, who hosts MSNBC's Leguizamo Does America, argued that immigrants were not a burden but the backbone of the country. Pictured, demonstrators hold signs and flags in front of the National Guard last month in protest to federal immigration operations Federal immigration officials are pictured carrying out raids on two southern California cannabis farms clashed with protesters in Camarillo, California last week 'Even the governor of New York was like, "We can't take all these people," Maher said. 'Mayor Adams was like - and he's right - it's like, you know, these people live here and now this is their burden.' Leguizamo, who hosts MSNBC's Leguizamo Does America, argued that immigrants were not a burden but the backbone of the country. 'The immigrants that are coming here are building the country,' he said. 'They're the essential workers. They're the first responders. They're doing all your construction, painting, plumbing, raising all your food, cooking all your food, serving all your food, taking care of your kids. We do all the work that nobody wants to do.' Maher responded, 'Yes, they are. Absolutely. But there has to be some order to it.' Leguizamo seemed unmoved by the call for moderation. John Leguizamo, 64, has emerged as one of the most influential voices in the defense of immigrant rights in the US vocally denouncing anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies as dehumanizing to Latino communities 'Let's fix the legal immigration,' he demanded. 'It's a broken system. People who've been here for 30 years can't be naturalized. That's insane.' In a rare moment of agreement, Maher conceded the legal system is failing many long-time immigrants. 'Fix the quotas,' he said. 'Fix the blockage.' The conversation went back and forth between barbed humor and some tense disagreements, with Maher even joking about the kinds of countries where 'you can take a chicken on a bus' being what he called 's***hole countries.' He clarified: 'It doesn't mean you're a s***hole person. You have the misfortune of being born there.' Leguizamo, while acknowledging the hardships, insisted that the answer was not shutting the door, but swinging it open. 'Immigrants are the life source of this country,' he said. Tucker Carlson has went after Donald Trump for his response to the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case - saying he 'voted against that kind of crap!' In a recent conversation with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, Carlson questioned why journalists have been reprimanded for asking questions about the case, which has set the MAGA world on fire. A reporter last week was rebuked by the president for asking about a Justice Department memo that confirmed Epstein never kept a 'client list' and killed himself in jail. Trump reacted by saying that the catastrophic flooding in Texas was more important. 'You're asking - we have Texas, we have this, we have all of the things, and are people still talking about this guy? This creep? That is unbelievable,' Trump said at the time. 'It just seems like a desecration,' he added. Carlson expressed disdain at Trump's dismissal of a case that has led his own supporters to call for the ouster of Attorney General Pam Bondi. 'Why is it not a fair question? There's tons of evidence this is happening. Like, are you joking?' the former Fox News host railed. 'You're not going to shout me down, by the way, at this point. I spent four years being shouted down by the Left for asking, I thought, pretty reasonable questions. Sitting down with Charlie Kirk Saturday, Tucker Carlson openly questioned why journalists are being reprimanded for merely asking questions about the Jeffrey Epstein case A reporter last week was rebuked by the president for asking about a Justice Department memo that confirmed Epstein never kept a 'client list' and killed himself in jail 'I have always felt very moderate, Im not a hater at all, and I dont - Im not gonna become one. And I don't think my questions are insane.' He added that questions about the Epstein case 'may be stupid' but 'not crazy.' 'And if they are, tell me how,' he continued. Carlson added that attacking critics for their questions 'is not going to work.' 'And telling me that my question is an insult to the children who died in Texas in a flood is an outrageous response,' he said of Trump's response. 'I voted against that kind of crap!' Carlson added. He further raged: 'You are not allowed to dismiss my questions as a United States citizen with a wave of the hand, and an attack on my character. 'You get the middle finger in the face from me for doing that until you stop doing it. 'So, I think we have an absolute right to demand sensible answers. 'And the first question is, who the hell was Jeffrey Epstein working for?' Central Texas is still reeling from the catastrophic flooding over Fourth of July weekend that killed more than 120 and left more than 170 missing Carlson has earned the ire of some MAGA faithful for openly opposing Trump's strikes in Iran and hosting the Iranian president on his show. On Friday, Carlson took to the stage at Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit in Tampa to claim Epstein led a blackmail campaign on behalf of the Mossad, while calling out the Trump administration for what he described as grandstanding rather than affecting change. Earlier in the day, it was revealed that Bondi, FBI boss Kash Patel and his deputy Dan Bongino were duking it out behind the scenes over the administration's handling of the release of the files. The first two have reportedly demanded Bondi's resignation, after she maintained the Epstein case was closed. Bondi's widely panned claim was 'too much' for Carlson, he told the conference. 'Criticizing the behavior of a government agency doesn't make you a hater. It makes you a free person; it makes you a citizen,' he said. 'You're allowed to do that because you're not a slave.' Meanwhile, a report from Wired last week found the surveillance footage released last week to back up the Justice Department's claim that Epstein killed himself in a New York City prison cell in 2019 was likely edited. The nearly 11-hour clip secured from a camera stationed outside Epsteins cell was 'likely modified' using the professional video editing software Adobe Premiere Pro, the analysis found. It was then presented as 'raw' footage by Justice Department, as conspiracy theories continue to linger when it comes to the cause of Epstein's death. In the six years since, several have asked how such an important, surveilled figure managed to take his life without being stopped. Daily Mail contacted the Federal Bureau of Prisons for comment. LVMH shareholders have endured a torrid 2025 so far, with the French luxury group's stock market value sinking by a quarter over the last six months. The group, which counts Louis Vuitton, Dior and Givenchy among its stable of fashion brands, has seen shares sink by almost a third over the last 12 months as the global luxury rebound has probed sluggish. Last week Louis Vuitton announced it was targeted by a cyberattack for the third time in the past three months at the beginning of July, after Marks & Spencer, the Co-op and Harrods were all targeted earlier this year. Meanwhile, LVMH's drinks division, Moet Hennessy, is being gripped by a 1.3million court case brought by Maria Gasparovic, former chief of staff to executive Jean-Marc Lacave, who was sacked four months after reporting alleged sexual misconduct by senior colleagues. Despite these recent tribulations for the firm, analysts think shares could be due a rebound. LVMH revenues contracted 3 per cent to 20.3billion in the first quarter, from 20.7billion a year ago, well below analyst forecasts for sales growth of 2 per cent. No longer in the doldrums: Morningstar says LVMH's impressive storefronts could help it to catch a fair wind Revenue in the firm's wines and spirits division, headed up by its Moet and Hennessy brands, declined 9 per cent to 1.3billion. Its largest category, fashion and leather goods, saw sales fall 5 per cent to 10.1billion, from 10.5billion previously. The firm, which was the first in its sector to post figures after the Donald Trump's 'liberation day' tariff announcements, said: 'In a disrupted geopolitical and economic environment, LVMH remains both vigilant and confident at the start of the year.' The French firm, which has a market capitalisation of almost 250billion, owns 75 luxury brands. It will publish its results for the first half of its 2025 financial year on 24 July. A luxury slump It isn't just LVMH that is feeling the pinch, the entire luxury sector is facing a similar downturn. After a post-pandemic peak that saw luxury brands surge on the back of huge demand, external pressures such as geopolitical uncertainty and economic slowdown have precipitated a downturn across the sector. During the course of 2024, the market dipped from 369billion to 364billion, according to figures from Bain & Company, with weaker demand, especially from China and the US, pushing the shrink. American luxury demand was down around 10 per cent in 2024 compared to its peak in 2022, according to data from Morningstar, while Chinese demand has slipped a quarter in compared with its pre-pandemic high point. Even so, LVMH has suffered a worse fate than many, with the firm underperforming luxury peers. Morningstar analysts said LVMH is currently trading below the broker's value estimate of 620 per share. At midday on Thursday, LVMH shares were trading at 496.05 per share. LVMH has suffered a worse fate than many, with the firm underperforming the rest of its luxury peers Why is LVMH undervalued? Since January, LVMH shares have fallen some 34 per cent, and was surpassed in value by Hermes, which became the largest luxury goods firm in April. Morningstar says this is a normalisation after the post pandemic boom, during which the firm said LVMH's valuation was stretched. At the time, LVMH was operating on a price to earnings ratio of 26. Now, having seen its share price half, its PE ratio on a one year rolling basis now stands at 20.2, according to figures form Stockopedia. In comparison, the new king of luxury, Hermes, is operating on a PE ratio of 50.8. Likewise, a number of other luxury goods firms have significantly larger PE ratios than LVMH, with Burberry standing at 48.2, EssilorLuxotica at 33.1 and Kering at 26.7. Jelena Sokolova, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, said: 'We have seen luxury sector slowdowns many times before, but this time LVMH's valuation has been unfairly hit. 'The retailer is trading at its lowest forward earnings multiple in seven years and roughly half that of comparable wide-moat peers, which presents an opportunity for investors.' Morningstar added: 'Forward earnings multiples are at the lowest for the last seven years and are meaningfully below peers, offering around 30 per cent upside to our fair value estimate.' However, others argue that LVMH's downturn is far from an unfair reflection on the rest of the business. Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell, however, told This is Money: 'LVMH has lost its sparkle after a series of setbacks in recent years. It has focused too much on the aspirational market and these types of buyers have become more cash-conscious, watching their pennies rather than opening their wallets without a care in the world. 'In contrast, Hermes has explicitly focused on the ultra-rich and has enjoyed more resilient trading. LVMH might now be thinking hard about narrowing its customer focus as that could help to make its products more desirable, which is ultimately what luxury goods is all about.' Morningstar says China and US consumer demand could start to revive Is there a turnaround on the horizon? LVMH still has exceptional brand strength, which Morningstar says will give it the edge against its peers. The group's brands making up 29 per cent of the luxury leather market, compared to just 8 per cent for Hermes. The firm's impressive storefronts and higher capital spending on retail may help its brands to stand out from their competition. The strength of the brand remains, with LVMH having seen fashion and leather sales grow slightly better than the wider sector last year, though this dipped in the first quarter of 2025. Coatsworth, however, said: 'LVMH has too many different interests. We're in an environment where companies are focusing on what they do best and jettisoning non-core assets. LVMH would be better if it just focused on fashion and got rid of the Sephora and DFS retail arms and its various food and drink operations.' LVMH's brand strength, unwieldy though it may be, could combine with the potential for an upswing in the sector after the slowdown of the past few years. Morningstar's Sokolova certainly thinks this is the case. She told This is Money: 'We expect the luxury industry to return to growth after the current - and last year's - slowdown, driven by normalisation of demand in the US as post-pandemic excess spending is flushed out - a trend we've seen since 2023 - and as Chinese real estate prices stabilize, boosting consumer sentiment. ' LVMH derives around 24 per cent of its sales from the US, where consumer sending has also stalled. Morningstar said: 'We estimate that post-pandemic excesses have been flushed out of the market, US luxury consumption should come back to growth from more normal levels. We expect US GDP to hold up stronger in the long term.' China accounts for a significant portion of LVMH's sales, with Asia (excluding Japan), accounting for 30 per cent of LVMH sales. China's economy is currently in a period of slow growth, with consumers remaining tight on spending. In the first quarter, LVMH revenue from China fell by 11 per cent, with the second quarter expected to follow suit. Sokolova said: 'Many Chinese spenders are still sitting on substantial savings following the pandemic. We expect LVMH to outperform the industry growth longer-term thanks to strength of the brands and substantial marketing budget. 'Once sentiment in key markets like China and the US returns to its pre-pandemic trajectory, we expect LVMH to leverage its brand strength and investment capabilities to emerge stronger and better positioned than ever.' Andy Bell is the founder and former chief executive of AJ Bell. The Chancellor will stride into Mansion House this evening with the admirable intention of saving the UK stock market. Let's hope she turns up wielding carrots and not sticks. Because when it comes to influencing the behaviour of investors, it's about offering incentives, removing barriers and trusting people to do something sensible with their money. Not banging them over the head Punch and Judy style. Lazy thinking suggests it is overregulation that is killing our stock market. That is wrong. The problem is demand-side. Investors just don't fancy UK equities anymore. They'd rather sit in cash or chase the S&P than punt on a lacklustre UK fund limping along in the slow lane. Now, I get it - carrots cost money. But here's a mad idea: speculate to accumulate. A short term hit to the tax take can return higher tax revenues in the long run. U-turn: Reeves will not cut the cash Isa limit but wants investors to back the UK Scrap stamp duty on UK shares Scrapping stamp duty on UK shares is one option. Attracting more money to the UK stock market will help drive up the price of UK shares which in turn will lead to greater capital gains tax receipts. Also, designing the tax system is not just about raising money, but influencing and aligning behaviours. Why tax an investment in AstraZeneca more than Apple? Or Marks & Spencer more than Microsoft? Give UK plc a boost by ending the tax penalty on investing in UK shares. If the Chancellor is feeling really brave, she could go the whole hog and exempt UK shares (and funds that invest in UK shares) from inheritance tax and watch the money flood back into the UK market. Farmers may have something to say about a reduction to inheritance tax but as the old adage goes, If I was trying to get there, I wouldn't be starting from here. Your browser does not support iframes. Simplify Isas Here's another idea. Simplify the Isa system. We've been banging the same drum for years now. The Isa is a great brand, built on trust. But governments can't resist tinkering. New policy idea; new Isa. Junior Isa. Lifetime Isa. Help-to-buy Isa. Innovative Finance Isa. Under the last government we almost ended up with a fundamentally flawed 'Great British' ISA. As if slapping a Union Jack on complexity somehow makes it patriotic. Retail investors are huge supporters of UK companies. So government is rightly looking at the plus-300billion quietly floundering in cash Isas and asking: can that put some life back into UK plc? Objections from this paper and others like AJ Bell seem to have persuaded the chancellor to press pause on plans to cut the cash Isa allowance, at least for now. Cutting the cash Isa allowance would have worked as about as well as selling sun loungers in Manchester. Savers wouldn't have shifted behaviour. They would have kept their existing Isa cash where it was and hoarded new cash elsewhere. Cue another complex layer of rules to prevent money being smuggled into cash Isas via stocks and shares Isas. Hopefully this idea will stay in the 'mad idea' graveyard alongside the GB Isa. As for this bizarre idea of mandating UK investment allocations within Isas - good luck. Policing that would require the kind of state surveillance last seen in East Germany. And anyway, UK investors already show a strong home bias. On AJ Bell's platform, half of Isa assets are in UK shares. Give us a quid, we'll put 50p in Blighty. Rachel Reeves must go back to the drawing board on a plan to inspire the cash saving faithful to give UK plc a go. Let's at least take a tentative step down Isa simplification boulevard: by merging cash Isas and stocks & shares Isas into one. Friction between the world of saving and investing is a major barrier. Instead, let's have one tax-advantaged savings vehicle called, you guessed it, an Isa and leave people to choose how they want to save or invest. We're asking savers who want to be investors to navigate the bureaucratic equivalent of a hedge maze blindfolded, as they transfer from their cash Isa to a stocks and shares Isa. Wading through treacle in a woollen onesie is the easy option. Ditch the duct tape and deliver something bold, simple and effective. Because if this government insists on using sticks instead of carrots, the only thing they'll be beating is a dead market. Close Brothers will sell its brewery rental business as part of a simplification drive ahead of an imminent ruling on compensation related to the motor finance commissions scandal. The group, which last week revealed an overhaul of its premium finance division, told investors on Tuesday it would sell Close Brewery Rentals to MML Keystone, a fund managed by MML Capital, for an undisclosed fee. Close Brewery Rentals, which Close Brothers has owned since 2007, sells, rents and maintains beer kegs and casks to breweries and distilleries across the country. Their kegs are identifiable by their branded orange stripes around the barrel. 'The sale aligns with the group's strategic priorities to simplify our portfolio, improve operational efficiency and drive sustainable growth,' the group said. It added that the sale is expected to generate 'a modest gain on disposal and capital benefit', but is unlikely to have a 'material ongoing impact' on profits. Close Brothers last week announced it would refocus its premium finance business towards commercial lines and away from retail lines. Close kegs are identifiable by their branded orange stripes around the barrel. It comes ahead of the Supreme Court's decision on the scale of compensation required in the wake of the motor finance commissions scandal, which has weighed heavily on Close Brothers and other lenders. Analysts at Shore Capital said they expect 'further announcements of a similar nature to follow'. They added: 'We await news from the Supreme Court on the motor finance commissions appeal, which is expected imminently and should help to provide further clarification around industry redress risk, pending the design and implementation of a subsequent FCA redress programme, should this be required.' Close Brothers said it will remain a 'key specialist lender in the beverage finance market', and continue to provide finance solutions for brewery and distillery equipment. Close Brothers Beverage Finance's loan book was worth roughly 35million as of 31 January, according to the group. Boss Mike Morgan, Group Chief Executive added: 'Over the past 18 years, we have successfully grown the brewery rentals business to now serve over 500 breweries in the UK & Ireland. 'We believe that this is the right time to sell CBRL given the capital needed to maximise its growth potential and our focus on simplifying our business portfolio. 'We thank the CBRL team for their hard work and dedication and wish them well in this exciting new chapter. Whilst we are selling the brewery rentals business, we will continue to offer funding solutions to the UK beverage finance market, where we see attractive growth opportunities.' Close Brothers shares were up 0.8 per cent to 401.8p in early trading. They have added around 70 per cent since the beginning of the year as investor concerns over the scale of potential motor finance payouts have eased. Up to 150 more Eurofighter Typhoon jets are set to be ordered before the end of the decade in a boost for defence manufacturer BAE Systems, the company revealed yesterday. The firm is confident the Government will succeed in brokering orders with Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia for two-thirds of the aircraft, which will be assembled in the UK. A further 30 planes are due to be ordered by the Polish air force and assembled by Italian defence manufacturer Leonardo, and the remaining jets purchased by Germany and Italy. But 37 per cent of the component parts for all those planes would be made in Britain too, under the Eurofighters partnership agreement. The extra orders would come on top of 112 Typhoons already in production in Germany and Italy from existing deals. Richard Hamilton, managing director for BAEs Europe and International air sector, said he was highly confident of the likelihood of the additional orders materialising. In demand: BAE is confident the Government will succeed in brokering orders for Typhoons with Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia for two-thirds of the aircraft It comes after concern from the Unite union representing staff at BAEs Warton Aerodrome and Samlesbury sites in Lancashire that orders under the Eurofighter project could dry up and threaten jobs. Earlier this month, Unite revealed assembly lines for the aircraft at Warton had ground to a halt due to a lack of new orders, leading to hundreds of workers being transferred to other BAE factories or to RAF bases. BAE shares yesterday slipped 1.5 per cent, or 28p, to 1882.5p. One of Australia's most powerful unions has sparked outrage by awarding life membership to a previously jailed and expelled official who took revenge on a company by rampaging through its offices and terrorising its employees. Craig Johnston, the former Victorian Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), was honoured at the union's state conference in May - despite being booted from the group in 2004. Johnston made headlines in 2001 after he led 30 balaclava-clad people in a violent 'run-through' through the offices of Skilled Engineering in Box Hill, in Melbourne's east. The group smashed windows with chairs, overturned filing cabinets, trashed computers, and sprayed fire suppressant throughout the offices. A pregnant woman was among the staff members who were screamed at and threatened by the intruders during the terrifying rampage. Skilled Engineering, a labour hire firm, was targeted by Johnston and his cronies following a dispute over redundancies and the use of non-unionised labour. Johnston was later found guilty in Melbourne Magistrates' Court of riot, affray, criminal damage, and aggravated burglary. He was sentenced to nine months in prison in August 2004, fined $10,000, and ordered to pay $44,000 in compensation. Craig Johnston, the former Victorian Secretary of the AMWU, has been handed life membership despite being expelled in 2001 (pictured red-circled) Johnston (right) was jailed for his role in a terrifying 'run-through' of the offices of Skilled Engineering in Box Hill, in Melbourne's east A separate investigation by the AMWU in July of the same year saw him expelled from the union for misconduct. At the time, then-AMWU National Secretary and ACTU Vice-President Doug Cameron - who later became a Labor senator - publicly condemned Johnston, declaring he 'would not be welcome back' in the union. 'We expelled him for some serious misconduct and, as far as we are concerned, what he does as an individual is up to him,' Cameron told ABC Radio in 2005. 'But he will not be coming back as an AMWU member.' Yet at the recent AMWU conference, Johnston was photographed celebrating alongside several high-profile union figures, Daily Mail Australia can reveal. Some of those pictured were supporters of embattled Victorian CFMEU Secretary John Setka, who resigned following explosive allegations of corruption and links to organised crime within that union. The award given to Johnston noted his 'recognition of a life spent advancing the lives of working men, women and their families'. It also features the quote, 'Dare to struggle, dare to win', which was popularised by Chinese Communist Party founder Mao Zedong, whose policies, including the Great Leap Forward, are estimated to have caused the deaths of up to 45million people. Johnston (middle right) was fined $10,000, served nine months in jail and was forced to pay $44,000 in compensation following the raid on the Box Hill business The decision to grant Johnston life membership was criticised by Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin. 'It's concerning that someone previously jailed for violent workplace invasions is being celebrated,' Battin said. 'I'm sure many decent unionists and workers share my view that this sends a dangerous message: intimidation and violence can be rewarded.' Photos from the event show Johnston posting with CFMEU National Secretary and Setka supporter Zach Smith, with one man pictured wearing a 'Free Johnston' t-shirt, a slogan used by Union activists during Johnston's jail term. He was also pictured rubbing shoulders with Christy Cain, the retired National Secretary of the CFMEU, who remains one of Mr Setka's loudest backers. Troy Gray, Victorian Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union, also attended the event. Meanwhile, the CFMEU remains under administration across Australia, following a failed High Court challenge last month. The Queensland government will investigate the CFMEU following a bombshell report (pictured, union workers participate in a rally at Bowen Hills in Brisbane) The Queensland Government has launched a commission of inquiry into the state's CFMEU branch after a damning report by barrister Geoffrey Watson. Watson's report uncovered a culture of entrenched misconduct, including allegations of violence and harassment against women, which he described as possibly the single worst aspect of the violence perpetrated by the CFMEU. The inquiry will use its full powers to probe what the government has called a deeply embedded culture of bullying, intimidation, misogyny, and corruption within the powerful construction union. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Victorian AMWU, Australian Council of Trade Unions and Victorian Treasurer and Industrial Relations Minister Jaclyn Symes for comment. A nauseating photo of a processed meal served at a major Australian aged care facility has sparked uproar. The meal, described as 'abhorrent' with an 'off-putting odour', featured a white blob of what appeared to be reconstituted potato alongside pureed green and brown mounds. LinkedIn user Denise Abrahams shared the image to social media, claiming the quality of the food left a visitor to an unnamed residential facility run by a major commercial aged care provider 'shocked'. Given the scene, Ms Abrahams questioned the effectiveness of taxpayer-funded nutrition programs such as those offered by the Maggie Beer Foundation - the charity started by the celebrity chef to improve food in aged care. 'I was annoyed that this still exists in light of the many millions paid to Maggie Beer to solve the problem of getting fresh, nutritious food served in facilities and other claimed initiatives by government for this purpose,' she posted. Hundreds weighed in on the controversy, with many calling the quality of the food a national disgrace. Some labelled the meal 'inhumane', while others accused aged care providers of putting profit before people. 'This is absolutely unacceptable,' said one. 'We are talking about feeding the most vulnerable members of our communities, our elders, and this is what's being served. This meal served to a resident at an aged care facility has been labelled 'abhorrent' Food icon Maggie Beer (pictured) is trying to transform the meals and dining experience at aged care homes by training staff - but the scenes at one facility led some Aussies to question their effectiveness. It's not suggested Beer's program has supported the facility in question 'A chemically processed, nutritionally empty plate that wouldn't pass in a school cafeteria, let alone a residential care facility. 'If we wouldn't serve this to our kids or our pets, why are we giving it to our elders under the guise of care?' Be Fit Food owner Kate Save said the problem with most aged care facilities was the budget allocated to meals rarely met the needs of residents. However, another person argued that while he wasn't excusing the poor quality of the food pictured, some people in aged care had dysphagia and other eating disorders that required food to be a mushy consistency. 'Anglicare has a food factory where they actually spend a lot of effort crafting and trialling to produce 'interesting' food to meet this need,' he said. A government aged care sector performance report released this month identified food and nutrition as a top three risk area for the industry. Between January and March 2025 staff from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission visited 88 dining rooms across Australia to monitor the dining experience of people receiving care at those services. The most common issue was staff incorrectly preparing or providing texture-modified food and thickened fluids. A report found poor quality meals were the result of 'cost cutting' measures in place within the service and the need to source cheaper ingredients Across Australia there are more than 200,000 people in aged care facilities It found the poor quality of meals was considered a result of 'cost-cutting' measures in place within the service and the need to source cheaper ingredients. There were also concerns that resident nutritional plans were not followed and contributed to weight loss amongst residents due to insufficient food quantities and inadequate nutrition. The Commission has established a Food, Nutrition and Dining Advisory Support Unit and hotline to help aged care staff and providers to deliver higher quality and more nutritious meals to people in aged care. In 2025, an impact report from Maggie Beers foundation claimed the program had improved food standards for 9000 aged care residents, employed 13 chef trainers nationwide, and conducted 157 menu appraisals over the past decade. But with more than 200,000 Australians living in aged care, critics say the reach is still limited. A survey commissioned by the foundation and conducted by Flinders Universitys Aged Care Food and Nutrition Research Team found just 67 per cent of aged care residents were satisfied with the food they received. Daily Mail Australia contacted Beer for comment. She did not respond. Thirty years after news anchor Jodi Huisentruit vanished on her way to work, a bombshell documentary reveals a new person of interest. Huisentruit, 27, was running late to her shift at KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa, on June 27, 1995, when she was abducted from the parking lot of her apartment complex sometime after 4am. For years, the investigation into Huisentruits disappearance stalled with few leads, no arrests and little concrete evidence to move the case forward. She was declared legally dead in 2001. However, a new three-part documentary, Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit, reveals that a tip led authorities to Brad Millerbernd, the ex-husband of her childhood best-friend Patty Niemeyer. In the series, Niemeyer describes how, after watching an ABC 20/20 special on the case three years ago, she got a gut feeling that her ex-husband may have been involved. My information just fit in there too much, said Niemeyer. You know that burning gut feeling that you get? I couldnt let it go. She first became suspicious 10 years after the disappearance in June 2005 when Millerbernd apparently called her out of the blue and said, Do you realize what day it is? Jodi Huisentruit, 27, was running late to her shift at KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa, on June 27, 1995, when she was abducted from the parking lot of her apartment complex A tip led authorities to the door of a new person of interest: Brad Millerbernd, pictured, the ex-husband of Huisentruits childhood best-friend Niemeyer had been separated from Millerbernd for almost 11 years and said the call freaked her out. It was the first time she had heard from him in over a decade, and she didnt understand why hed reached out to discuss her friend. But the odd conversation got her thinking. Millerbernd, she claimed, always had an odd preoccupation with Huisentruit, frequently talking about her, asking what she was up to and where she was at. That always bothered me, said Niemeyer. But I guess I was naive, and I was like, Oh, its nothing.' Niemeyer first reached out to the Mason City Police Department (MCPD) in 2017, urging them to look into Millerbernd as a potential suspect. Her initial tip went unanswered, but she followed up again after seeing the 20/20 special, sharing more detailed information to support her suspicions. Millerbernd has not been accused of any crimes related to Huisentruit and has denied any wrongdoing in his conversations with law enforcement. He declined to speak in the latest ABC documentary, and the Daily Mail's attempts to reach him for comment have been unsuccessful. Millerbernd (seen left and right), his ex-wife has alleged, always had an odd preoccupation with Huisentruit, frequently talking about her and asking what she was up to and where she was at Patty Niemeyer (seen right) first reached out to the Mason City Police Department (MCPD) in 2017, urging them to look into Millerbernd (left) as a potential suspect Millerbernd told police he drove to Mason City in the fall of 1994 to take Huisentruit (pictured) out for dinner and claims that was the last time he saw her, detectives say At the time Huisentruit vanished, Millerbernd was living roughly three hours from Mason City in Winstead, Minnesota, property records show. He was working for his fathers company, Millerbernd Process Systems, and frequently traveled to Mason City for work, driving a white Ford Econoline van, according to Niemeyer. Niemeyers recollection of the van stood out to Mason City detectives. Several witnesses reported seeing a mysterious white Ford van parked outside Huisentruits apartment moments before she was abducted. Identifying the owner of that vehicle has long been seen as the key to cracking the case. While investigating Niemeyers tip, MCPD detective Terrance Prochaska made a startling discovery: in its case files, the department had composite drawings of a man whod been spotted lurking near Huisentruits apartment block two nights before she went missing. Sharing the information publicly for the first time, Prochaska said several witnesses saw a suspicious white male standing at a bridge embankment next to the complex, carrying a bag and acting odd as he stared in the direction of Huisentruits home and creeped around the property. The man was described as bald with a mustache and goatee and wearing a strange black hat. The documentary showed the moment Niemeyer looked at the drawings. I see Brad Millerbernd... ' she said in response. 'That is him to a T. Niemeyers marriage to Millerbernd was short-lived. They tied the knot in February 1994 and were living apart by December of that year. According to Niemeyer and Detective Prochaska, Millerbernd drove a Ford Econoline van at the time, which matched the description of one spotted outside of Huisentruit's apartment the night she vanished Jodi had just celebrated her 27th birthday weeks before she disappeared Evidence recovered from the scene indicated signs of a struggle. Seen above is one of Huisentruit's shoes found outside her apartment Their divorce was finalized on June 23, 1995, just four days before Huisentruit vanished, and two nights before numerous locals spotted the suspicious man lurking near the anchor's building. Both Niemeyer and Detective Prochaska emphasized that the timing of the divorce being finalized and Huisentruit vanishing is compelling. In 2022, Prochaska quizzed Millerbernd over the phone about his memories and interactions with Huisentruit. According to the detective, during that call, Millerbernd admitted to taking Huisentruit out to dinner in the fall of 1994. He claimed to have made contact with Huisentruit after getting her information from a telephone directory, and then drove from Winstead to Mason City in his white Ecoline van to pick her up. That was understood to be the last time he allegedly saw her. However, Prochaska - along with the documentarys director, Maria Awes - made a compelling discovery in the notes of the late investigative journalist Gary Peterson, who worked the Huisentruit case for years. Peterson first interviewed Niemeyer in 2007. Buried in Petersons files was a note that, on June 5, 1995, Huisentruit reached out to Niemeyer to inform her that Millerbernd had tried to contact her. Coincidences happen,' said Prochaska, 'but this one, theres a lot stacked up in June for sure. Prochaska interviewed Millerbernd for a second time in October 2024, this time in person, stopping by his home in Marshfield, Wisconsin, unannounced. Millerbernd voluntarily agreed to sit down with Prochaska at the local police station for questioning. The detective described him as being very cooperative but shaken. On June 5, 1995, Huisentruit (pictured) had reached out to Niemeyer to inform her that Millerbernd had tried to contact her', according to case files Millerbernd has not been accused of any crimes related to Huisentruit and has denied any wrongdoing in his conversations with law enforcement Several witnesses saw a suspicious white male standing at a bridge embankment next to the complex, carrying a bag and acting odd While their conversation was not aired, the detective shared chilling real-time updates with the documentary crew, revealing an unsettling atmosphere during the interview. The detective said he told Millerbernd it was hard to believe he last saw her in the fall of 1994, considering the alleged attempted contact and the man matching his description in her parking lot. In response, Prochaska claimed Millerbernd sat back in his chair, stared and had this dazed and glazed over look.' Then, he recalled, after the detective zeroed in on the white van and eyewitness accounts, Millerbernds demeanor changed. His mouth started twitching out of control, Prochaska claimed. I wanted to give him a break, so I paused and gave him a water and, within a few minutes, hed finished the whole thing.' Prochaska described Millerbernd as very nervous' and 'concerned.' He looked like a ghost during those questions, which is very much concerning to me. When given the chance to ask questions about the case, Millerbernd allegedly didnt ask a single one. In my career, Ive never had that happen, Prochaska said. In total, the interview lasted 90 minutes. Millerbernd agreed to voluntarily submit his DNA and later agreed to take a polygraph test, the results of which were not disclosed - though, Prochaska described him as very cooperative throughout the three-hour interview. Two days later, Prochaska led a search for Huisentruits remains in a wooded area behind a property in Winstead, where Millerbernd and Niemeyer used to live. That search came up empty, but the investigation into Millerbernd remains ongoing. Jodi's niece, Kristen Nathe (above left), told the Daily Mail that while her optimism wanes with each passing year, she still clings to hope her aunts killer will be brought to justice In October 2024, investigators searched an area in Winstead, Minnesota. The search was focused on an apartment building construction site where Millerbernd once lived In the documentary, Prochaska admits that MCPD does not currently have any DNA evidence in the case. However, the department has several items of evidence that were never tested for DNA or fingerprints - now, they absolutely plan to send them off for examination, hoping significant advancements in DNA technology could help finally crack the case. MCPD Chief Jeff Brinkley said it comes down to a matter of timing: prematurely testing delicate items with insufficient methods could destroy trace DNA samples, potentially squandering vital evidence. MCPD also saw the documentary as an opportunity to share previously unreported details and lay to rest some long-standing myths and misconceptions. For example, officials clarified the partial palm print allegedly found on Huisentruits car was actually recovered from a nearby light pole in the parking lot. Additional never-before-shared evidence included a police report one of the victim's neighbor's filed saying they consistently found a pile of Coors Light cans in the parking lot every morning for two weeks before the anchor vanished. The cans, according to MCPD, were left in the parking spot opposite Huisentruit's and in view of her apartment window. After Huisentruit was reported missing, one of the responding officers found two Coors Light cans in a nearby dumpster and collected them as evidence. Its unclear if the cans have ever been tested and whether MCPD is still in possession of them. Niemeyer emphasized numerous times in the documentary that Millerbernd drank excessively and became a different person when he was intoxicated. Police records uncovered by the Daily Mail show that Millerbernd has been convicted of misdemeanor DUI charges in Minnesota at least twice, once in 2004 and again in 2010. MCPD detective Terrance Prochaska (pictured) revealed never-before-shared evidence for the first time in ABC News Studio's new documentary Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit Police records uncovered by the Daily Mail show that Millerbernd has at least twice been convicted of misdemeanor DUI charges Today, he serves as Vice President of Dairy Processing at Custom Fabricating & Repair, in Marshfield. Posts to his social media show him spending time with his children and grandchildren. Following the documentarys release, Millerbernds name is among only a handful of persons of interest to ever be publicly linked to the case. The search to find Jodi Huisentruit remains ongoing. Earlier this year, her niece, Kristen Nathe, told the Daily Mail that while her optimism wanes with each passing year, she still clings to hope her aunts killer will be brought to justice. You cant move on, Nathe said. Its always an open question thats eating at you and haunting you, so its been a defining part of my life.' Speaking directly to the culprit, she added, Weve existed in this nightmare for too long, so find compassion in your heart to help us find the peace that we and Jodi desperately need. Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit, a three-part docuseries from ABC News Studios and Committee Films, premieres on Hulu, on July 15. A dark side of Australia's cost-of-living crisis has emerged, with the stress of making ends meet linked to a rise in animal cruelty. RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman told Daily Mail Australia that financial pressures facing millions of Aussies were partly responsible for pets being abused or neglected by their stressed owners. It comes as RSPCA NSW announced it would be temporarily closing its online cruelty reporting portal due to the high volume of complaints. 'Whenever things are tough on the economic front it generally results in an increase in cruelty complaints,' Mr Coleman said. 'In the last couple of years it (animal cruelty complaints) has definitely been related to tight budgets on the home front and people not being able to afford their vet bills.' Mr Coleman, who joined the RSPCA in 1991, said the organisation also had to help victims of domestic violence by taking their pets and looking after them while they found safe accommodation. 'The number of people with pets who have become homeless has also increased. A lot of people with pets haven't been able to afford their mortgages,' Mr Coleman said. 'At the core of it, the economy definitely hasn't helped. There are a lot of social challenges at the moment. It's a tough economy.' Authorities are experiencing an increase is animal cruelty complaints Many Aussie pets are being neglected due to the cost-of-living crisis The Covid pandemic resulted in a huge demand for animal adoptions which left the RSPCA in NSW with empty shelters. Now, close to 70 per cent of households have a pet and many are struggling to look after them. Animal cruelty isn't limited to physical abuse, it also includes failing to take pets in need of medical assistance to a vet, often because of the costs involved. Mr Coleman said there was currently around 800 animals sitting on a 'surrender' wait list, but the RSPCA doesn't have the capacity to take care of them. 'What we say to them is we can't take the animal right now, but what we can do is try and help you maintain your connection with your animal so you don't have to surrender it,' he said. 'That may be that we fund a vet bill for a couple of hundred dollars that they can't afford.' Mr Coleman also said weather also played a role in the amount of animal cruelty cases reported to the RSPCA. RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman said economic struggles led to a rise in animal cruelty cases 'Typically, if we go back a few years before the economy started to crunch we got more complaints during the summer months,' he said. 'In summer months when feedstocks dry out we'll get more livestock-related complaints around drought-related issues as well.' The RSPCA NSW recently released a statement saying it was temporarily closing its online cruelty reporting portal. 'Like many organisations, we face significant challenges when supporting animals and their guardians, and while enforcing animal welfare laws with limited resources,' it said. 'Due to the high volume of cruelty complaints we are currently receiving, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close our online cruelty reporting portal. 'This change will help us manage case intake more efficiently by ensuring that our team can effectively triage the animals who need us the most, through reducing lower-priority and duplicate reports. 'Animal cruelty reports can still be made, as they always have been, via our phone hotline, which remains operational and staffed.' It began with a simple yet devastating blunder by a British soldier who pressed 'send' on an email containing access to a confidential database. At a stroke, 100,000 Afghans were put 'at risk of death'. But British government officials were also exposed as their details were in the database too. Amid great secrecy and alarm within the Government, Operation Rubific was launched. It was one of the biggest peacetime evacuations in modern UK history: rescuing Afghans whose names were on a database that contained some 33,000 records of people the Taliban warlords now running Afghanistan might wish to kill or torture for their 'treachery' in supporting Britain during the UK's 20 years of operations there. The projected cost of the evacuation was 7billion, yet British taxpayers were neither informed nor asked if they wanted to spend such a vast sum. This is the untold story of Operation Rubific and how panic convulsed Whitehall in the summer of 2023. Your browser does not support iframes. This is the Facebook post which sparked the whole crisis. An Afghan going by the username 'Anonymous Member' said he had the British database and threatened to 'disclose it' The message from panicking British officials which 'struck the fear of god' into Afghans hiding from Taliban revenge squads The alarm was first raised on August 14, 2023, when an Afghan man bragged on a Facebook forum that he had obtained a confidential British database of Afghans who had been seeking sanctuary in the UK. UK officials were alerted and immediately sent warnings to 1,800 Afghans that their contact details may have been compromised. At 10.57am the next morning Armed Forces Minister James Heappey received an email warning that the 'bone-chilling' situation means the Taliban could have a 'kill list' of 33,000 people who helped Britain during the war and were now seeking residence here. At 8.09pm, a 'crisis alert' came into the Ministry of Defence building in Whitehall after chiefs had gone home. Top brass were informed that someone had obtained access to secret MoD computer files. The initial assessment of the leak by military intelligence was that it could be 'malicious', the Daily Mail has been told - which sent a shiver down the collective spines of those in charge of national security. It sparked fears that a dangerous spy possibly a Russian, Iranian or Taliban agent could be roaming the UK's supposedly bulletproof security system. A covert 'spycatcher' operation quickly swung into action, involving MI6, Scotland Yard, GCHQ and outside assistance from the CIA and American's Homeland Security agency. Then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chaired a meeting of Cobra, the government's emergency committee, as the intelligence services hunted for a mole they know only by the pseudonym 'Anonymous Member'. They asked themselves: Who has taken the document and, more alarmingly, what else might they have stolen from British military computers? Could terrorists now have access to MoD systems? The possible consequences, in an age of repeated terror attacks on the streets of Britain, were horrifying. One source told the Mail at the time: 'It's with MI6 - and all kinds of s*** is going on.' The awful reality was clear: factoring in wives and children of those on the list, the leak meant some 100,000 people had been 'put at risk of death' - the Government's own words - by the British blunder. So why did such a list exist in the first place - given what an asset it could represent to Britain's enemies? For an answer we have to go back to the days following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021 when there was an urgent scramble to help Afghans who had been loyal to Britain. Thousands of military interpreters and other brave souls who had stood shoulder to shoulder with British forces and officials faced being hunted down as 'infidel' traitors by the Taliban. The Daily Mail had long played its part in helping these Afghans after dozens of frontline interpreters complained to us in Kabul, 12 years ago, that they were being 'abandoned' to Taliban reprisals. In 2015, we launched our award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign highlighting their plight, which led to the government introducing a relocation scheme known as ARAP, leading to thousands of deserving cases being given new lives in Britain as a reward for their support. The database was started to track the details of Afghans who merited sanctuary here. Victorious Taliban fighters patrolling the streets of Kabul, using vehicles, weapons and often uniform seized from the Afghan National Army and police A blunder by the British government put '100,000 people at risk of death' at the hands of Taliban revenge squads - triggering Operation Rubific to rescue the most vulnerable Afghan interpreter Shaffy with David Cameron during the Prime Minister's 2011 trip to Afghanistan. Hundreds of loyal interpreters face being hunted down as traitors by the Taliban Shaffy was brought to the UK on this plane, which the Mail watched landing at Stansted in February 2024 - but tens of thousands of others are being left behind to their fate LOYAL INTERPRETER BROUGHT TO SAFETY David Cameron's interpreter Shaffy By David Williams Among those brought to Britain on a plane photographed by the Mail was one of the Army's top Afghan interpreters, known as 'Shaffy', who was targeted by the Taliban after working for David Cameron when he was Prime Minister. Shaffy was branded an 'infidel spy' and told he would 'die like a dog' after he was shown on British and Afghan TV standing beside Mr Cameron during a visit to the war-ravaged Helmand province in 2011. The father-of-three worked alongside British troops for six years, and was twice blown up in armoured vehicles. It took more than eight years for Shaffy and his family supported by, among others, the Daily Mail's Betrayal of the Brave campaign to finally be given sanctuary. Afghans cleared for evacuation are brought to Britain via a complex and highly secretive operation. The Mail knows many of the details but is not publishing them to avoid endangering those involved. Advertisement And yet the bureaucratic process has been painstakingly slow, meaning some of those waiting for British help have been murdered, beaten and tortured while their families, including children, have also become targets of the Taliban. The revenge of the warlords only encouraged more applicants to seek safety in Britain, and their details were added to the list as they joined the assessment process. Some on the confidential list had already been approved for relocation to Britain, but were unable to escape. Some were still waiting for a decision. Meanwhile there were others on the list who had applied but had been rejected. Yet regardless of their status, the very fact they had applied for sanctuary in Britain made them a prime target for the Taliban, and the UK had a moral duty to keep their details private. Now the British authorities had lost control of the database revealing names, phone numbers, email addresses and in some cases identities of family members. The Mail can reveal these included several Afghans who had been previously rejected as violent thugs, having been thrown out of their national army for violent or sexual assaults, raising the question of whether details such as these contributed to the Government's decision to obtain a superinjunction to suppress the story. But all applicants who had been rejected and some perhaps never stood any chance of being accepted by the UK - had a target painted on their back, courtesy of His Majesty's Government (HMG). All of which is why the Government began working on its clandestine plan to help them: Operation Rubific. The ongoing costs to UK taxpayers at one stage ministers signed up to estimates of 7billion were not subjected to any Parliamentary or public debate. Farcically, it was found that the leak had happened in February 2022 a full 18 months before it was discovered. A catastrophic error had been made by a solider working in London under the then-director of special forces, Sir Gwyn Jenkins. Sir Gwyn was later asked at one of the emergency Cobra meetings by a minister if either he or Admiral Tony Radakin, the Chief of the Defence Staff, would be resigning over the matter. He reportedly replied: 'Certainly not.' It is understood the soldier under his command had been tasked with vetting Afghans for eligibility to one of the UK's resettlement schemes such as ARAP. The soldier apparently blundered by sending an email enabling access to the full list to a contact in Afghanistan - who then passed on the database to others. Tragically, the British soldier thought it showed only 100 names, but the spreadsheet apparently had 'hidden rows' revealing many more. One of the Afghans who received it had had his own application for sanctuary rejected. Deeply disgruntled by this, in August 2023 he threatened to expose the full list. Timeline: How the Daily Mail was gagged after a Marine sent database to a contact in Afghanistan endangering 100k A bombshell document - never seen before - revealing how Labour ministers met in October 2024 and agreed a scheme to relocate circa 25,000 Afghans to the UK at a cost of 7billion 2022 February Disastrous blunder as Royal Marines officer accidentally sends access to entire database to a contact in Afghanistan, who passes it on. It has 33,000 entries, imperilling 100,000 people when family members included. 2023 August 14 Data breach discovered 18 months later when Afghan known only as 'Anonymous Member' boasts on Facebook he has database adding: 'I want to disclose it'. Panic in Whitehall and No.10. UK officials send warnings to 1,800 Afghans their contact details may have been compromised August 15 10:57am Armed Forces Minister James Heappey receives email warning the 'bone chilling' situation means Taliban could have a 'kill list' of 33,000 people courtesy of the UK government. 8.09pm MoD top brass informed. Daily Mail journalist finds out. August 17 30 MOD and 'D-Notice' committee ask Mail not to publish to save lives September 1 After Government seeks court order to last 'a period of four months' to rescue people it has put 'at risk of death', High Court grants superinjunction contra mundum ('against the world') the first time a British government has ever used one to gag a newspaper October 10 MOD says Afghans are 'at risk of death, torture, intimidation or harassment' and superinjunction should continue December 19 Ministers at Cabinet sub-committee DEA agree 'new route' to Britain for data-affected Afghans, named Afghan Response Route (ARR). 2024 January 11 MOD says more time needed to save people it put 'at risk of death'. High Court continues superinjunction January 22 Meeting of ministers on Cabinet sub-committee DEA February 2 At secret hearing, judge makes rare order asking Press to question an MOD official in courtroom February 15 Judge orders superinjunction to continue March 25 Ministers meet at Cabinet sub-committee DEA May 21 Mr Justice Chamberlain rules superinjunction should end - saying 'stifling of public debate' not justified. Gives MOD time if they want to appeal June 25-26 Court of Appeal hearings, with MOD's top KC Sir James Eadie claiming lifting would 'bring the house down'. Three senior judges back government and superinjunction stays in place. July 4 Labour takes power in General Election. October 7 Meeting of Cabinet's Home and Economic Affairs (HEA) committee, chaired by Labour grandee Pat McFadden and comprising Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Defence Secretary John Healey, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and the Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood. Ministers are warned areas with Afghan arrivals were 'hotspots' in summer's riots. Also told one in 10 of the new arrivals expected to 'enter the homelessness system'. Ministers agree 'to continue' and 'expand' scheme for five years at projected cost of 7billion. November 11 Another secret court hearing attended by Mail. Mr Justice Chamberlain asks 'I'm starting to doubt myself - am I going bonkers?' as he queries vast cost to taxpayers. Government lawyers tell judge they are working on plan to 'manage' public knowledge and 'control the narrative'. Jude Bunting KC, for the media, tells judge Parliament is being 'misled'. Judge: 'It is very striking'. 2025 February Ministers commission an internal 'review' of the scheme, noting that the 'current policy response' to the data breach involves 'relocating 25,000 Afghans who had previously been found ineligible' and 'this will extend the scheme for another five years at a cost of c.7bn'. May Ministers meet at HEA committee, and continue secret scheme May Unease among residents in Bracknell, Berkshire, as council accepts more than 300 Afghans without anyone knowing real reasons May 19 Manchester law firm, Barings, tells court it has signed up more than 650 Afghans to sue British government for losing their data July 4 Ministers decide to abandon superinjunction after internal review concludes danger 'less than previously thought' and even 'possible that HMG has inadvertently' made matters worse with a superinjunction. July 14 Judge lifts superinjunction after 683 days. Government goes on alert for possible riots. Advertisement He posted information on a private Facebook chatroom set up as a support group for 1,300 Afghans to discuss their cases with each other. This was the Afghan who became known as 'Anonymous Member' his username - and whose boast that he had a copy of the full list from an MoD computer sent waves of panic from Afghanistan to Whitehall. Challenged to prove his claims about the list by another member of the forum, he sent that member a private message, saying: 'It has 33,000 records I want to disclose it'. The 'Anonymous Member' then posted the details of 10 people, including those of the other member who was horrified by the disclosure and immediately raised the alarm. Word reached British diplomats in neighbouring Pakistan where a team coordinates the relocations and keeps in touch with the group. Within hours, some 1,800 Afghans were being sent an urgent message from British officials in the Pakistani capital Islamabad. Recipients were warned 'there may have been a potential data breach of your contact information'. Worrying about possible Taliban tricks to trap the recipients, the British officials instructed them that 'to protect you, do not respond to emails or WhatsApp/text messages from people stating they are from UK Government departments'. The alert messages 'struck the fear of God' into the Afghans who received them, one of the recipients told the Mail. It seemed to take hours, even days, before the MOD fully grasped the magnitude of the disaster. Armed Forces Minster James Heappey was sent the email informing him of the catastrophe the next morning by a civilian campaigner for Afghans who had to come to learn of the leak. The campaigner added it was 'beyond horrifying' that the UK could be 'directly responsible for the massacre of thousands of people'. After the MoD top brass learnt of it that evening, officials worked through the night to assess the damage. Shortly after sunrise the next morning, August 16, a 'Gold Group' of senior officials was established to manage the incident, overseen by Heappey. There followed some three meetings of Cobra, the government's emergency committee, and Rubific was tasked with working out how to reach the vulnerable Afghans on the list before Taliban hit squads got to them first. The grim spectre of hundreds if not thousands of Afghans loyal to the UK and who had heroically saved countless lives of British servicemen - being rounded up and executed haunted Whitehall. Veteran Mail reporter David Williams has made more than 30 trips to Afghanistan over two decades and was the first journalist in the world to uncover the data leak fiasco An unmarked Airbus 330-202 from Islamabad touches down at Stansted The UK government told the High Court its data blunder had put Afghans at 'risk of death, torture, intimidation or harassment' from the Taliban Ministers were warned in a briefing paper: 'Should it be clear [to the public] that HMG, due to its own error, has put individuals' lives at risk and not taken any remedial action, this would likely result in widespread condemnation'. MoD officials triggered what they called a 'full cross-government response', with defence chiefs sheepishly admitting to other government departments that there had been what they euphemistically termed a 'specific erroneous release' of confidential information. Intelligence agents and military specialists were among those drafted into secretive rescue missions. These became a race against time to help those whose identities had been betrayed and bring those deemed most at risk to the UK - without them knowing why. The vast majority of the rest would be left behind. In the headquarters of MI6, the Foreign Office, the MOD and the British High Commission in Islamabad, daring plans were formulated to sneak thousands of people out of Afghanistan. The Mail knows operational details of these extraordinary missions, but is not publishing them because it could endanger those still involved in the ongoing perilous work. However, in broad terms, a British task force has been orchestrating the rescue of men and their families and guiding them into neighbouring Pakistan. From Pakistan, they are flown on to the UK, often within a fortnight, on specially chartered flights. Approximately 100 people a week on average are being airlifted into Britain, with more than 18,000 evacuated since autumn 2023. Almost nothing has been published about this astonishing operation, which has seen the Afghans mainly housed on remote military bases in England, away from the eyes of the public. Also on the leaked list were members of the so-called Triples, elite Afghan units trained and funded by the UK, but who were fighting for the Afghan army rather than directly for Britain. Meanwhile the hunt to identify the 'Anonymous Member' intensified. Scotland Yard, the Defence Intelligence agency - which monitors threats to homeland security and to UK interests overseas - and GCHQ, the government's cyber security service, were all recruited to find 'the rat' - as one ex-translator put it to the Mail - who had threatened to leak the file. Agents toiled around the clock to identify him and then work through all his contacts with other people. In Pakistan, where he was believed to have been based, 'doors were kicked down' by specialist security units, operating at the request of the British government. They sought to quickly identify and speak to all of the 'Anonymous Member's' friends and associates to establish whether he had passed on the sensitive list to anyone else. Spies sought to delete any trace of the list from servers overseas. The Daily Mail has been told that, crucially, British security officials believe the Taliban never got hold of the list. But there is no way the leak was successfully shut down, because we were shown a copy many months later. Yesterday, MOD sources tried to downplay the operation. But the Mail has seen a Cabinet Office briefing note dated as recently as February 3, this year, which states: 'The current policy response to the data incident will mean relocating 25,000 Afghans who had previously been found ineligiblethis will extend the scheme for another five years at a cost of c.7bn.' Former Daily Mail Chief Reporter David Williams pictured reporting from Afghanistan in 2001/2002 with The Mail's photographer Jamie Wiseman In the coming months, the data breach will almost certainly land the MoD with yet another massive fine from the Data Commissioner. In 2021, lax security saw it leak the personal data of 'just' 245 people it was hauled over the coals by the Information Commissioner and slapped with a 1million penalty for that 'serious infringement', reduced to 350,000 because the MoD is a public body. Now the Information Commissioner is investigating once again. Knowing that the leak was about to be made public, the MoD has over recent days set the ball rolling for an operation, years in the planning, to notify the individuals who are on the list that they could be a target. 'Break glass' was the term given to this moment. A call centre and government web pages have been set up to greet the inevitable influx of enquiries from terrified Afghans. There is one person who will not be needing it the Afghan who started this crisis in the first place by wrongly receiving the database and then threatening to reveal it. The Mail can reveal he is now living in Britain, having been relocated here with at least seven members of his family. One of Australia's top travel companies has cancelled some European tours during July and August 2025, warning that rising temperatures, wildfires and extreme weather are now making popular destinations unsafe for tourists. Intrepid Travel has scrapped peak-season trips to the Iberian Peninsula including Spain and Portugal, citing growing safety concerns, frequent heat advisories, and the closure of major tourist sites during extreme heat. The cancellations affect tours involving physical activity, such as hiking and cycling. Intrepids Australia and New Zealand managing director, Brett Mitchell, said the company is now redesigning its European itineraries to be more climate-resilient. 'For the first time, more than half of Intrepid's Europe-bound travellers are booking outside of the traditional June to August window,' he said. 'I thought we had five to ten years before this trend hit the mainstream, but climate change has accelerated everything.' The company has already faced 34 climate-related disruptions to its trips in 2024 alone. In Greece, last year saw the countrys longest heatwave on record, prompting Athens to appoint a Chief Heat Officer to manage summer health risks. 'Heatwaves, wildfires, and overtourism aren't isolated incidents anymore - they're central to the travel experience of a European summer,' Mr Mitchell said. Europe is sweltering under a deadly heat dome, triggering wildfires across Turkey (pictured) and Greece People sit in the shade near the Acropolis, with 40C expected in Greece on Wednesday Tourists stand in the shade and hydrate in front of the 5th century BC Parthenon temple in Greece As many as 2,300 people died of heat-related causes across 12 European cities during the recent two-week heatwave, bleak new research found. British scientists studying the 10 days to July 2, 2025 and looking at cities including London, Madrid, Barcelona and Milan, found climate change had increased temperatures by as much as 4C. Portugal alone recorded 284 deaths during the heatwave. Last month was the planet's third-hottest June on record - behind 2024 and 2023 - while Western Europe saw its warmest June since records began, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Britain has also sweltered in near-record-breaking temperatures, with sunseekers across the country heading to coastal areas to cool down as it basked in its third heatwave of the year. New booking data shows that more than half of travellers are now choosing the cooler shoulder season of April, May, and September to explore Europe. September has even overtaken July as the most popular time to visit hotspots like Italy, Croatia, and Portugal, with off-season demand for Italy up a staggering 166 per cent, while peak-season bookings have plummeted 72 per cent year-on-year. Mr Mitchell added that the company is shifting away from oversaturated hotspots to quieter, lesser-known places - from Minori on the Amalfi Coast instead of Positano, to Mljet Island in Croatia instead of Hvar. The effects of rising temperatures and throngs of tourists are beginning to reshape the patterns of European travel, particularly for people from Australia, where long flights and expensive trips require thoughtful planning. Sycamore Gap vandals Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers have been sentenced for four years and three months in prison for the illegal felling of a cherished tree in Northumberland. Mrs Justice Lambert said the former friends 'revelled in their notoriety' as she rejected claims the pair didn't mean to chop down the iconic 150-year-old sycamore in September 2023. Describing the men as acting on 'bravado', the judge said she found them 'equally culpable' for the 'premeditated' felling which took place during a storm in the middle of the night. And although she said the men's motivations on the night were still not clear, she said she was sure it was Carruthers who sawed the tree down while Graham filmed and encouraged him. The pair were said to have 'revelled' by 'wild' and 'viral' news coverage after their actions shocked the world following their decimation of a cherished landmark which became a popular spot for marriage proposals and to spread the ashes of loved ones. This live blog has closed Ministers have warned there could be riots after the lifting of a superinjunction which kept quiet a mass immigration scheme. The Ministry of Defence has alerted all Government departments of possible public disorder following the revelations that thousands of Afghans have been quietly slipped into Britain. It comes as those in towns across the country with large numbers of migrant arrivals from Afghanistan finally learn the true reason they came here. A blunder by the British military put 100,000 Afghans 'at risk of death' from the Taliban but the scandal was covered up while ministers began rescuing them and bringing them to Britain. So far some 18,500 have quietly been brought here with many housed in military accommodation and hotels. A Whitehall briefing note from July 4, seen by the Daily Mail, states: 'MOD [Ministry of Defence] will need to work with colleagues across Government...to mitigate any risk of public disorder following the discharge of the injunction (noting that Home Office advice is that such a risk is higher during the summer period).' A group of Afghan men walk outside their Bracknell hotel. Locals have not been told the true reasons for so many Afghans coming here - that the UK government put them in danger A woman on her smartphone returning to her hotel accommodation An Afghan woman and her child go for a walk in the Berkshire sunshine Hundreds of Afghan migrants are in Bracknell - a town that has welcomed them but has not been given the facts by the Government until now Families have been relocated to the UK due to their work supporting British forces in Afghanistan. After the data leak endangered them, Britain has been rescuing them via Pakistan A protester throws an object towards the hotel in Rotherham during the riots on August 4, 2024 It can also today be revealed that last summer's riots following the Southport massacre were mainly in areas with the highest numbers of Afghan arrivals and that ministers were privately warned about this. The public and MPs have not been told about a potential link between the government's secret immigration scheme and the far-right disorder that swept the nation. However the Mail can reveal that Cabinet ministers were briefed on it behind closed doors, on October 7 last year. Town Councillor John Edwards told the Daily Mail the Afghan migrants deserve help and respect - but so do British veterans In their briefing paper, seen by the Mail, officials warned: 'The recent far-right disorder targeting asylum seekers and Muslim communities was the worst outbreak of racial violence in the UK for decades. 'We know that 15 out of the 20 primary disorder hotspots are in the top 20 per cent of local authorities with the highest numbers of supported asylum seekers and Afghan resettlement arrivals.' However MPs were not given the full picture because of the superinjunction stifling Parliament. This is despite the fact there were numerous official inquiries under way at the time into what caused the violent unrest, in which police arrested 1,500 in towns and cities across the UK. A recent inquiry by the Commons' Home Affairs Select Committee concluded one of the key factors behind the rioting was that 'by failing to disclose information to the public, false claims filled the gap and flourished online, further undermining confidence in the police and public authorities'. At their meeting, ministers were urged to consider 'the importance of community cohesion'. The briefing paper noted: 'Given the scale of arrivals proposed, communities will need to see that arrivals are being managed in a fair and supported way.' The existence of the secret resettlement scheme will come as a shock but not a surprise in towns where Afghan arrivals have been hosted without locals being given the full facts. So many Afghans have been arriving that 20 per cent of all MOD property was given over to housing them at one stage earlier this year. A woman in traditional Afghan dress walks into the hotel in Bracknell The Government said it was paying for 1,400 beds in hotels in Berkshire and West Sussex, with more hotels lined up in Preston, Aberdeen and Cardiff One of the Government's unmarked planes arriving at Stansted Airport in Essex with 227 Afghans on board Yet even that was not enough, with many now being placed in taxpayer-funded hotels, despite the Government trying to reduce hotel use for migrants which overall costs taxpayers some 8million a day. In several towns there has been unease as baffled locals have not been given the true reasons for the influx and even their councillors and MPs have deliberately been kept in the dark. The Government said it was paying for 1,400 beds in hotels in Berkshire and West Sussex, with more hotels lined up in Preston, Aberdeen and Cardiff. In Bracknell, Berkshire, John Edwards, an independent town councillor, said: 'Bracknell has welcomed 300 Afghans and if these people served our Armed Forces then we want to treat them with dignity and respect and it's right we help them. But it's quite difficult when it's not being implemented fairly. They have been given a four-star hotel with their bills and their food covered and they get stuff like "wraparound support". Bracknell residents deserve the same level of support if this money is available.' Councillor Edwards added: 'I've been speaking to veterans who also served in Afghanistan, and one of them is in a one-bed flat with his wife and two kids - daughters aged three and five who both have been hospitalised because the mould in the flat is so bad and they are not getting any help. 'He said something key to me, he said, "you know, I was in Afghanistan and I know what these guys did for us, I know they are in danger from the Taliban, I want to help. But where's my help?" 'And you know, they need to explain all this to people, not brush over any inconvenient truths, because that is what fosters resentment.' In May, Bracknell Forest Council issued a public plea to residents to ignore 'misinformation circulating'. Earlier this month, it issued an update admitting that if Afghans ended up homeless, it would have a duty to house them, but it added: 'Will [Afghan] people on the [scheme] get housing priority over veterans? No, the council's housing policy very clearly gives veterans high priority for housing. The people on the [scheme] are in transitional accommodation, commissioned and paid for by the MOD/central government.' No one in Bracknell nor anywhere else was told of the data breach and the real reason why the British government was bringing so many Afghans to the UK. A drone view of demonstrators protesting outside the hotel in Rotherham on August 4, 2024 Police officers stand near the broken windows of the hotel in Rotherham on August 4, 2024 More than 60 officers were injured in the violence in the South Yorkshire town last August Trouble also flared last year at service accommodation in Larkhill, Wiltshire, where Army chiefs were forced to shut down criticisms among families who raised issues with the relocation of Afghan refugees on to military estates. Soldiers' wives living in service accommodation had complained after Afghans were reportedly seen taking pictures of their children. They said they felt unsafe and argued the Afghans' behaviour, although likely to be innocent in motive, raised safeguarding issues. The Ministry of Defence came down hard, threatening troops and civilian staff with disciplinary action should they complain publicly again. The superinjunction has prevented the public and MPs being able to debate the merits of the scheme or understand the reasons why so many Afghans have been brought here. In private, Whitehall officials have been warning ministers for more than a year of 'significant integration considerations' of bringing such large numbers to Britain including the impact on 'local services such as education and healthcare', a briefing paper shows. Jackie Kennedy turned a blind eye to one of JFK's most infamous affairs because she believed it didn't qualify as cheating. A new biography claims the First Lady tolerated her husband President John F. Kennedy's trysts with socialite Mary Meyer, reasoning that their intimacy wasn't a true affair. In his latest book of the Kennedy family, acclaimed Camelot biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli says that Jackie nevertheless had a 'dim view' of Meyer. According to 'JFK: Public, Private, Secret', to be published on Tuesday, Jackie once refused to shake Meyer's outstretched hand at a White House lunch and instead handed her a glass of champagne as if she were a servant. Had Jack not met Jackie, then Meyer - a graduate of the elite Brearley School and Vassar College - may have made an ideal match. They met briefly at a school dance when Jack tried to cut in on her date. The pair moved in the same social circles and Kennedy's one-time mistress also came from a prestigious political bloodline, with her uncle Gifford Pinchot being the 28th governor of Pennsylvania and a confidante of President Theodore Roosevelt. Meyer's father, Amos Pinchot, was a well-known lawyer in the 1920s and her sister Toni married Ben Bradlee, who later became executive editor of the Washington Post during its coverage of the Watergate and Pentagon Papers scandals. Jackie Kennedy turned a blind eye to one of JFKs most notorious affairs with the ex-wife of a top CIA official because she didnt consider it cheating, believing his claim that it was 'only oral sex' The mistress in question was socialite Mary Meyer (right), who moved in the same circles as the Kennedys and briefly met him at a school dance when Jack tried to cut in on her date 'Public, Private, Secret', reveals that Jack and Meyer first became intimate in January 1962 at the White House. Jack suggested to his wife that she go to Virginia with her sister, Lee Radziwill, and their children. That evening, Meyer arrived at the White House, and the pair went up to his private residence. Jack had been thinking about Meyer since seeing her at a lunch the previous September and had invited her over. Unfortunately for the president, one member of Jackie's family was at the White House, her mother Janet, who remarked: 'What is she doing in the residence when my daughter isn't home? I'm going up there right now to find out.' It took the intervention of Jack's personal secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, who was well aware of the President's dalliances, to convince Janet to stay put. What appears to be utterly brazen behavior becomes more understandable given that Jackie was aware of what was going on, Taraborrelli writes. Secret Service agent Anthony Sherman would later say that Jackie knew 'all about Mary Meyer and the President'. The first explicit rendezvous with Meyer happened when JFK sent Jackie and their young children to stay with her sister Lee in Virginia The animosity was on full display in October 1962 when Meyer and Jackie were at the same White House dinner, and the mistress asked her about 'redecorating' Lafayette Park 'Very little got by the First Lady,' he said, adding that she had a 'spy' in Lincoln's office and had others filling her in about what her husband did. Yet still the question remains: why did she tolerate it, given she had asked him to be discreet? Citing an unnamed family member, Taraborrelli writes that Jack had 'sworn to her (Jackie) that Mary only offered him oral sex, nothing more'. Taraborrelli writes: 'Many women of the 1950s and '60s believed that sex of that particular nature wasn't 'real sex', and Jackie agreed with that premise.' The family member said: 'Jackie took a dim view of Mary because of the way she knew she serviced Jack. 'She had no respect for her.' Jackie supposedly said: '"If that's the kind of reputation she wants around here", meaning the White House, "that's her problem".' The former first lady also felt Meyer was jealous of her standing and 'wants all of this', referring to the White House. Meyer, who was previously married to Lieutenant Cord Meyer, a CEO official and veteran, was given no respect by Kennedy and frequently demeaned and mocked Jackie would tell an unnamed friend that Meyer would 'never have it' and brutally remarked that 'someone should tell her that easy women don't find husbands' 'She'll never have it,' Jackie told the family member. 'Maybe someone should tell her that easy women don't find husbands.' Jackie also hated the fact that Meyer was a divorcee - she had left her husband, Cord Meyer, a CIA official and war veteran - and was flaunting convention. The family member said: 'She (Jackie) was all over the map when it came to divorced women. She once told me: "I can't help it. I always have this feeling a divorced woman is on the prowl". '"My own mother and sister have been divorced, so I wrestle with it". 'She said she'd talked to other married women and knew she wasn't alone.' Taraborrelli suggests that perhaps Jackie felt the freedom that Meyer enjoyed may have been another reason for her animosity. Speaking to a family friend many years later, Jackie remarked: "'I was doing my best with the cards I'd been dealt". "I loved Jack. I know he loved me. I had to ignore the rest of it. Jackie not only corrected Meyer on the name of the park, she also coolly handed her an empty champagne glass when Meyer extended her hand to say goodbye (PICTURED: Jackie looking at her design for restoring Lafayette Square) "My marriage was like a deep black hole, and I knew that if I looked down, I'd fall in".' The animosity was on full display in October 1962 when Meyer and Jackie were at the same White House dinner. When Meyer asked about Jackie redecorating Lafayette Park - or Lafayette Square - next to the White House, Jackie corrected her. The former First Lady said: "Restore, Mary. I do not redecorate. I restore. And it's Lafayette Square, Mary. Not park".' As Meyer was about to leave, she went to shake Jackie's hand, but instead, Jackie smiled and handed her an empty champagne glass. '"Thank you", Jackie said as if speaking to a servant. Jackie later told a friend: "Oh I cut her dead, all right".' But that didn't stop Jack from keeping Meyer close to him, including for an intimate dinner at the White House after his October 1962 address to the nation about the Cuban missile crisis. Taraborrelli writes that Meyer's presence was a 'mystery' until an unpublished 1998 interview with Helen Chavchavadze, whom Jack was also having an affair with, emerged. The relationship would come to a tragic end when JFK was assassinated in November 1963. Meyer was shot and killed the following year - her murder remains unsolved to this day Chavchavadze said that Meyer was supposed to come with her date, Bill Walton, but he took her instead. So Meyer, who was upset at the danger facing the nation, called up Lincoln, who told her she could come. The account also meant that two of Jack's lovers were at the White House that night. According to Taraborrelli, Bobby Kennedy's wife Ethel gave Jackie a look to say she 'knew exactly what was going on'. Jackie was enraged at Meyer's presence and thought to herself: '"Are you kidding me with this goddamn woman?"' Some accounts over the years have claimed that Jack was so in love with Meyer he was going to divorce Jackie and make her First Lady if he had a second term. Fate intervened to put paid to that. Meyer was shot dead on a towpath in Georgetown, a wealthy area of Washington, in 1964, and the only suspect, a black man seen in the area, was acquitted of her murder, and the killing remains unsolved to this day. The case attracted a tsunami of press when it became apparent that Meyer was Jack's lover and added to the many conspiracy theories surrounding his life and death by assassination a year earlier in 1963 in Dallas, Texas. Stacy Chapin looks like any other mom sprinting down from Hill's Resort to pick up her daughter, Maizie, 23, fresh off a long day boating on the scenic Priest Lake, a slice of paradise in the northernmost portion of the Idaho Panhandle. Together, the 56-year-old, dressed casually in shorts and a T-shirt for the hot summer day, and Maizie, in her swimsuit, look like the picture of a happy mother and daughter duo. But beneath that warmth and ease is a mom who has lived through an unthinkable loss - the brutal murder of her 20-year-old son Ethan, at an off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho on November 13, 2022. Ethan, one of Stacy's triplets, was killed along with three fellow University of Idaho students who lived at the home. Two of the roommates survived. Suspected killer Bryan Kohberger recently admitted guilt in a surprise plea deal earlier this month, reigniting tension among grieving families. But for the Chapins, the decision is a path towards peace and healing. 'Priest Lake is the most beautiful place, we call it God's country,' Chapin told the Daily Mail Wednesday. 'We have a place here and we spend every summer here. I've been coming for years. It was Ethan's true love, his favorite place was Priest Lake.' Stacy Chapin and her husband Jim are seen with their triplets Maizie, left, Ethan, second from left, and Hunter, right, at Priest Lake, her late son's favorite place, during a family trip in July 2022 Speaking to the Daily Mail last week, Stacy Chapin spoke of her surviving children's resilience, nearly three years after the horrific murders in Idaho She gestures at the sand volleyball court where Ethan and his siblings and friends played so much that a bench overlooking the court now bears his name. Ethan also worked as a server at Hill's Resort which overlooks Priest Lake and the volleyball court. 'He was the clown of the family and he lifted any room that we were all in. I would say he was the top of the triplet pyramid. All things went through Ethan. He kept us all in check.' Chapin, who has long said she was determined to keep her family afloat despite a tragedy that could sink many people, said she, her husband Jim, and their remaining triplets, Maizie and brother Hunter, are 'are doing, all things considered, amazing...really great.' 'Maizie and Hunter just successfully graduated in May, which is huge,' Chapin said. 'Our kids have gone from the lowest of lows on November 13 to graduation this past May 10, which was an incredible day for us.' The remaining triplets chose to continue their studies and graduate from UI despite the horrifying memories. 'That they graduated from the University of Idaho really speaks to our kids' perseverance,' their mother said. 'They're really something.' Stacy and Jim visited the University of Idaho weeks before the tragedy for Parents Weekend on November 5, 2022, while Ethan, Maizie, and Hunter were all in their second year of college The Chapins were frequent visitors of Priest Lake, specifically Hill Resort, in northern Idaho, where Ethan and his siblings loved playing volleyball on the sand courts Now the bench overlooking the court has a small plaque bearing Ethan's name in his memory Chapin spoke to the Daily Mail just one week after Kohberger appeared in a Boise courtroom and admitted in a shock confession that he killed Chapin, his girlfriend Xana Kernodle, 20, Maddie Mogen, 21 and Kaylee Goncalves, also 21. Her interview also comes after the Chapins cooperated and appear in new docuseries, 'One Night in Idaho: The College Murders,' that premiered on Amazon Prime Video last Friday. The families are split over Kohberger's decision to take a plea deal and serve four life sentences without possibility of parole or appeal in order to avoid a possible death penalty. He will be formally sentenced July 23. Kaylee's dad Steve Goncalves has been vocal about how upset he is that there won't be a trial, saying 'Idaho has failed' him and his family by letting Kohberger accept a plea deal without the family's input. Jeff Kernodle, the father of Xana, also issued a statement saying he was 'disappointed' with the prosecutor's surprise decision to make a deal with Kohberger. Stacy Chapin, however, sees the plea deal as a positive and a way to move on without subjecting her family to the miseries of a trial and possibly years of appeals by Kohberger's attorneys. 'Our family is happy for the plea agreement,' she said. 'Our kids, you know, had been subpoenaed. And for our family, that was a big deal to not have them involved in it, and not just our kids, but all of the kids. Ethan and girlfriend Xana Kernodle, center, were among the four victims of the heinous attack. They are pictured together with brother Hunter Left to right: Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke 'We've kind of tried to embrace and heal all of the kids, university, fraternity, sorority. 'There were tons of kids who had been subpoenaed. So it (the plea deal) was a relief on so many different levels.' When asked if she focuses on Kohberger and wonders, as many do, what his motive was for the quadruple murder, Chapin shakes her head no. 'I mean, you could spend a lot of time going down that rabbit hole but what good would that do any of us?,' she said. 'I mean, honestly, it's done. We can't bring Ethan back. Is it a tragedy? It's horrific. 'It goes without saying that we would take him back tomorrow. We would all love to have our kids back. But we try to only spend time in the most positive of things, and that isn't it.' The Chapin family continue to build their Ethan's Smile Foundation, a charity founded to both memorialize Ethan and provide scholarships in his name, Stacy said. So far, Ethan's Smile has awarded 86 scholarships and given out $105,000. 'You have to think about how you're going to memorialize your son and there were a lot of people that were just giving us money because I think they didn't know how else to help us,' she said. 'So we had to talk about what we were going to do with that money. And so we created a foundation, and it is the entire purpose of it is to scholarship kids in Ethan's name. 'We had no idea when we set out to do it that it would be so incredibly successful.' Other than the foundation, Stacy said her number one goal since losing Ethan 'is trying to protect Maizie and Hunter and give them the most normal life.' 'If I can do it and set a good example for them, then I would hope that they could do it too,' she said. 'And honestly, that's just it. It's just literally getting up. You just realize you just have to get the best out of the cards that were dealt, I suppose. And this is a tough one. 'I wouldn't wish it upon anybody, but it is what it is, and we just have to get the best that the rest of this life has to offer our family. That that is my motivation.' Chapin and her husband were in western Washington at their main home near Seattle when they got word of Ethan's murder and had to make the grueling six-hour drive to Moscow, Idaho. Prime suspect Bryan Kohberger finally pleaded guily to murdering the four University of Idaho students on July 2 The Chapin family cooperated with and appear in new Amazon Prime docuseries, One Night in Idaho: The College Murders 'We picked up Maizie and Hunter, and. I just said to the kids, I do not know what the hell has just happened to our family, but it will not sink us. We may look a little bit different but we're just as good.' Stacy admits, however, that her well-known steely resolve and cheerfulness took a serious hit after her son was killed. 'But about five months after we lost Ethan (we said) you know, there's only so many mornings when you can cry into your coffee cup and wonder how you're going to get through the day. 'My husband Jim and I just made a decision one morning. We were like, OK, we're not getting anywhere. 'This is not a true measure of success for us and our kids and our family. 'And so we just decided from that day forward, we'd get up, shower, and forge ahead.' Two former best friends who filmed themselves cutting down one of Britains most famous trees with a chainsaw during a moronic mission have been jailed for four years and three months. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, from Carlisle, Cumbria, felled the 19th Century Sycamore Gap tree, which sat in a dip next to Hadrians Wall in Northumberland, in an act prosecutors described as mindless vandalism. The labourers chopped down the iconic tree in a matter of minutes having driven 40 minutes from Carlisle under the cover of darkness on September 27 2023 in Grahams Range Rover, nicknamed the Black Pig. They even kept a wedge of the trunk as a trophy and were said to be loving it when news of the destruction made headlines around the world the following day. Their sentencing hearing at Newcastle Crown Court today heard that the pair have finally admitted their involvement in the felling, having denied being responsible for the duration of their trial which saw them convicted by a jury in May. Andrew Gurney, defending Carruthers, said the public 'wanted to know "why?"' 'Why did he conduct this mindless act? Unfortunately it is no more than drunken stupidity. That is why he felled that tree. Something he will regret for the rest of his life. 'There is no better explanation than that. He will be forever linked to this act and will have to carry this as some form of personal penance.' Daniel Graham was convicted of felling the Sycamore Gap tree following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court His co-accused Adam Carruthers was said to have had a 'fascination' with the tree The tree was made famous when it appeared in Kevin Costner's 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. Sentencing the pair, Mrs Justice Lambert said: 'You both revelled in your notoriety. You, Adam Carruthers, were the person who felled the tree, while you, Daniel Graham, assisted and encouraged him by driving there and back and filming the crime on your phone. 'A major factor in the offending was sheer bravado; the felling of the tree in the night, in a storm, gave you some sort of thrill. 'You revelled in the coverage knowing you were responsible for a crime which so many people were talking about.' Given Graham has already served seven months in custody, he could be released in less than 18 months as he is only required to serve 40 per cent of his sentence in prison. Carruthers could be released a short time after, having spent two months in custody since the pair were convicted. Sheila Hillman, 78, travelled with her husband, John, 84, from Wolverhampton to see the pair sentenced. She said she was stunned by their 'short' punishment. 'They think it's funny,' she said. 'They should have got nine years.' Originally from Tyneside, she said relatives had proposed and scattered ashes at the Sycamore Gap site. 'It broke my heart when I heard it on the news,' she added. 'I'm incensed. What is the point of justice in this country?' Custody shots of Graham and Carruthers released following their convictions after trial Subscribe to The Crime Desk to hear exclusive coverage of the Sycamore Gap trial on The Trial+ Join here The sycamore was planted in the 1800s by wealthy lawyer and antiquarian John Clayton, who spent much of his life buying land around Hadrians Wall to preserve it. Nestled in a dip in the Roman structure, it attracted visitors from around the globe and appeared in the 1991 blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner. It was a place for picnics, marriage proposals and its image was used on souvenirs ranging from postcards to fridge magnets and prints sold to tourists across Northumberland. When it was mysteriously felled under the cover of darkness, there was a global outpouring of anger and confusion, prompting a furious response from then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, tearful visits from mourners and international headline news coverage from India to the United States. But because of the duos denials, their true motivation other than hoping to attract a level of infamy was never properly established. Christopher Knox, defending Graham, said that his client had also admitted his involvement in the felling to a probation officer - but denied going with the intent to cut down the tree. He has also denied being drunk during the 'mission' and claimed he 'didn't believe it would happen until it did.' The 150-year-old sycamore was felled in 2023 in an act which stunned the nation Shortly after chopping the tree down, Carruthers, who had received a video of his young child from his partner on a mobile phone, replied: Ive got a better video than that. On Grahams phone was a two minute, 41 second video, showing the silhouette of a man standing beside a large tree before the unmistakeable sound of a chainsaw could be heard. Following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Graham and Carruthers were convicted of causing criminal damage without lawful excuse to the tree and to Hadrians Wall, a Unesco World Heritage Site, caused when the tree fell across it. In a victim impact statement read to the court today, Andrew Poad, a general manager at the National Trust, said the felling was beyond comprehension. This iconic tree can never be replaced, he said. While the National Trust has cared for it on behalf of the nation, it belongs to the people. It was a totemic symbol, a destination for visits, a place to make memories, take photographs in all seasons, a place of sanctuary He added: When it became clear this was malicious and deliberate, the question was: why? There was an overwhelming sense of loss and confusion felt across the world. The case offered a candid insight into the daily routine of the odd couple who had worked together on a number of occasions felling trees. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, pictured working together. The pair were formerly best friends who spoke on the telephone daily The court heard that Graham, who affectionately nicknamed his friend Jeffrey, would regularly drop by Carruthers home carrying a milkshake for his friend, and Carruthers would turn up at Grahams caravan with pizza. They were in daily telephone contact, having met in 2021 when Carruthers, a mechanic, was hired to fix a Land Rover belonging to Grahams father, Michael. While Carruthers was still working on the car, Michael took his own life. Relatives said Graham was deeply affected by the death, his father having been the only family member with whom he maintained a close relationship. He asked Carruthers to make sure the car was ready for the funeral, and the mechanic worked round the clock to make it happen. We became good friends and saw each other two or three times a week, maybe four, and we were on the phone every day, Carruthers told the trial. However Graham reacted angrily to questions during his police interview about the nature of their relationship when asked if Carruthers would ever stay over at his home. Are you trying to say we are p**fters or something? he said. No he doesnt stay over, definitely not. However the pressure of the arrests destroyed their friendship, with Graham later turning on Carruthers in an anonymous phone call to police pinning the blame on his friend. Officers instantly recognised Grahams voice as he breathlessly told them that one of the lads that [did] it, Adam Carruthers, had taken his chainsaws back home. The anonymous caller said if police searched Carruthers home and workshop they would find the saws and part of the felled tree, along with a shotgun and a pistol. No firearms, chainsaws or the tree wedge were found, however. During his evidence at trial, Graham claimed Carruthers showed him a piece of string with sentimental value in 2021 two years before the tree was felled which was the precise measurement of the circumference of the tree. He had measured the circumference with the string, Graham told the jury. He told me it was the most famous tree in the world. He later said Carruthers had a strange interest in a lot of things. Prosecutor Richard Wright KC told the sentencing hearing that it was 'an expedition that required significant planning.' In terms of taking a vehicle, driving 40 minutes to a car park, taking the appropriate specialist equipment, carrying the equipment from the car park to the tree, a 20-minute walk in each direction... and felling the tree in a deliberate and professional way,' he said. He disputed that the pair were drunk during their mission, adding: 'The court can be sure they were sober, prepared and planned to do what they did.' Earlier, opening the case to the jury at trial, he said: Though the tree had grown for over a hundred years, the act of irreparably damaging it was the work of a matter of minutes. Having completed their moronic mission, the pair got back into the Range Rover and travelled back towards Carlisle. The following morning, as news broke of the vandalism, the pair shared news and social media posts about the tree with Graham saying to Carruthers here we go, the court heard. Mr Wright said this was the pair gathering the news of their infamy as the men who took down the tree. This is more than mere discussion, he added. This is excitement that it has gone worldwide, its gone viral. There is no sadness here or remorse. When a man named Kevin Hartness posted about the tree on Facebook, writing: Some weak people that walk this earth; disgusting behaviour, Carruthers sent this post to Graham. In a voice note played to the court, Graham replied: That Kevin Hartness comment. Weak f****g weak? Does he realise how heavy sh*t is? Carruthers later sent a voice note which said: Id like to see Kevin Hartness launch an operation like we did last night I dont think hes got the minerals. Graham, who had his own groundworks company, lived on a small-holding in Grinsdale Bridge, near Carlisle while Carruthers, who was said to work in property maintenance, lived in a caravan on an airfield with his partner and two young children. The net closed in on the pair when Grahams Range Rover was captured on automated numberplate cameras travelling to and from the Sycamore Gap beauty spot on the night of the incident. Earlier this month, it was announced that a piece of the Sycamore Gap tree is set to go on permanent display at Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, two miles away from where the tree stood. The installation, created by artist Charlie Whinney, includes a piece of the tree that is more , than 6ft (2m) long, surrounded by steam-bent wood that twists around the original trunk, and three benches. Subscribe to The Crime Desk to hear exclusive coverage of the Sycamore Gap trial on The Trial+ They famously told the world they were homeless, yet this is the rural French property owned by controversial Salt Path couple Raynor Winn and her husband Moth, MailOnline can reveal. The couple whose real names have now been revealed as Tim and Sally Walker bought a ramshackle stone farmhouse near Bordeaux in 2007, with the intention of refurbishing it, along with its next-door neighbour, a pigeon tower already owned by Tims younger brother Martyn. But these days both properties are deserted, overgrown and occupied only by those pigeons, in the tiny hamlet of Le Village du Dropt, surrounded by maize fields and vineyards in the lush valley of the Garonne river. Meanwhile, Sally Walker, 62, is furiously defending herself and her husband against a catalogue of charges of misleading the millions of fans who bought her soul-searching blockbuster, The Salt Path, which in turn spawned two sequels and this Summers hit movie starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. Last week, The Observer claimed that far from falling victim to a bad investment as the book claimed, the reason Raynor lost her house in the Welsh countryside was that she embezzled 64,000 from her employer, the Hemmings family. She avoided criminal charges by paying back the money in a settlement, the newspaper reported. The report also uncovered evidence of their ownership of a house in France at the time they claimed to be homeless. Controversial Salt Path couple Raynor Winn and her husband Moth bought a ramshackle stone farmhouse near Bordeaux in 2007, with the intention of refurbishing it The Observer reported that the couple whose real names have now been revealed as Tim and Sally Walker still owned the property during a time when they said they were homeless Following an investigation into their backgrounds, The Observer said that The Salt Path's protagonists, Raynor Winn (right) and her husband, Moth Winn (left), could have misled fans Just as disturbing was the suggestion from nine neurologists and researchers that they were sceptical that Tim could have survived for so many years with the rare and fatal neurological condition, corticobasal degeneration (CBD), which affects movement, speech and memory. But long before their live took such wildly differing paths, this poignant photograph taken 21 years ago by one of the Walker brothers few neighbours in Dropt, Mme Nathalie Duparant, 74, shows them and their families at what can now be seen as a watershed moment. It was 2004, and tile-fitter Martyn, now 63, and his 59-year-old wife Carole had already quit the rat race in Burton-on-Trent to move to Lot-et-Garonne with their six children to live a simpler life. Tim and Sally and their own two children, on a visit to see their in-laws, camped in the grounds of the property and subsequently decided to invest in the next-door house, at the cost of a few thousand Euros, given its dilapidated state. According to sources, the side-by-side refurbishment project was intended to be a chance for the brothers, born just over a year apart, to bond with each other and their respective families. But things didnt turn out that way. While Martyn and Carole decided to invest in a rambling 16th century chateau about 40 minutes drive away, Tim and Sally returned to their life in Wales and barely returned to France at all. It was very sad that they only came back once and camped in the ground, recalled Mme Duparant, speaking in the grounds of her rural house above the din of her geese, chickens and a brace of turkeys. The Winns with Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, the stars of the recent film adaptation - it has been claimed that the couple may have made millions from the book and movie Neighbour Mme Nathalie Duparant, 74, took a picture 21 years ago of the couple and their family refurbishing the French building According to sources, the side-by-side refurbishment project was intended to be a chance for Tim Walker and his brother, born just over a year apart, to bond with each other and their respective families Today, the property is deserted, overgrown and occupied by pigeons, in the tiny hamlet of Le Village du Dropt, surrounded by maize fields and vineyards in the lush valley of the Garonne river Now, fighting our way past the 6ft high thorns, weeds and ivy surrounding the French property, its clear that the robust stonework dating back hundreds of years, looks sturdy enough But the same cannot be said of the oak beams, rotting because of the completely absent roof Both the pigeon tower and the house next door are potentially beautiful buildings and have stood for centuries, and it would have been lovely to see them restored to their former glory, she added. But Sally and Tim didnt seem to have the same enthusiasm as Martyn and Carole, and as the two properties are side by side, its not worth improving one if the other is still a wreck. Mme Duparant said she was shocked to hear the allegations against Sally Walker and had never read the book nor seen the film. I had no idea they were so famous, she told MailOnline. I cannot believe what they are being accused of, it all seems so unlikely. Dropts only previous brush with fame was because it was also the home of the late esteemed French novelist Marguerite Duras. Her erotic novel of forbidden love in 1920s Saigon, LAmant (The Lover) was turned into a major film of the same name and caused a scandal in Britain and elsewhere when it was released in 1992 because of its unusually graphic portrayal of sexual violence. The house which Sally and Tim bought for a few thousand Euros in 2007, has long been uninhabited, but would certainly have given them enough land to pitch a tent when they lost their home to the bailiffs in 2013 and began their epic 630-mile walk around the South West Coast Path, nicknamed the Salt Path. Now, fighting our way past the 6ft high thorns, weeds and ivy surrounding the French property, its clear that the robust stonework dating back hundreds of years, looks sturdy enough, but the same cannot be said of the oak beams, rotting because of the completely absent roof. At some point, someone has attempted to build an inner structure with modern bricks inside the old stone walls but they didnt get that far Old beams and broken pieces of furniture are left to rot in the old French property despite initial efforts The house which Sally and Tim bought for a few thousand Euros in 2007, has long been uninhabited, but would certainly have given them enough land to pitch a tent when they lost their home to the bailiffs in 2013 The couple intended to refurbish the property, along with its next-door neighbour, a pigeon tower already owned by Tims younger brother Martyn Both the pigeon tower and the house next door are potentially beautiful buildings and have stood for centuries, and it would have been lovely to see them restored to their former glory, Mme Duparant said At some point, someone has attempted to build an inner structure with modern bricks inside the old stone walls but they didnt get that far. A particularly precarious-looking beam appeared to be supported only by a single steel acro-prop and we decided to beat a hasty retreat. The empty property now has a British next-door neighbour, chef Sean Morley, from Bristol, who grew up in both Britain and France, and is restoring his own converted barn. You can see the potential of both the house and the pigeon tower, said Sean. These buildings probably go back to the Middle Ages in some form or other, but it needs someone to spend a proper amount of money restoring all that original brickwork and the oak beams. In England, someone would already have done that, but here, its just as likely some French farmer will knock down the lot and build something in its place. According to the Mayor of the nearby town of Pardaillan, Serge Cadiot, whose bailiwick includes Le Village Du Dropt, the local taxes on the house havent been paid for years an accusation which Sally Walker rejected in her statement this week. But M. Cadiot was adamant that the taxes remained unpaid, though was unable to specify exactly how much was outstanding when MailOnline spoke to him at his home. The taxes havent been paid for a long time, but we keep sending the letters. The place isnt worth much, but theres not much we can do if the owner lives abroad. We did send a letter to his brother, but that came back unopened, he said. These buildings probably go back to the Middle Ages in some form or other, but it needs someone to spend a proper amount of money restoring all that original brickwork and the oak beams,' another neighbour said According to the Mayor of the nearby town, the local taxes on the house havent been paid for years an accusation which Sally Walker rejected in her statement this week Shortly after the Walkers bought their property in Dropt, according to widow Ros Hemmings, whose late estate agent husband Martin employed Sally Walker at their firm in Pwllheli, north Wales, money began to go missing from the company. Bookkeeper Ms Walker was eventually accused of embezzling 64,000 from the firm. Ms Hemmings said that one day in 2008 Martin looked at the company bank balance and realised that Walker had failed to deposit a large sum of cash. A loan was then allegedly taken out to avoid prosecution and when this was not paid their home in Wales was sold, it has been claimed. Tim Walker has been living with an illness for 18 years with no apparent visible symptoms that medical experts claim would require round-the-clock care within 12 years. The claims in The Observer prompted a medical charity supporting victims of the disease to cut ties with the Walkers. Earlier this week, Sally Walker issued a long defence to the accusations contained in The Observer article which they branded highly misleading. She posted NHS clinic letters on Instagram addressed to Timothy Walker, which she said showed that he is treated for CBD/S and has been for many years. Old trainers and wellies were found discarded in the detritus of the ramshackle house Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs in the film adaptation of The Salt Path, released in May, based on the Walkers' epic 630-mile walk around the South West Coast Path Raynor Winn at home in Cornwall - she has become a huge success since her book's release, including releasing two more books She wrote: The last few days have been some of the hardest of my life. Heart breaking accusations that Moth has made up his illness have been made, leaving us devastated. In a statement on her website, she said that the article was grotesquely unfair, highly misleading and seeks to systematically pick apart my life. She added: The Salt Path is about what happened to Moth and me, after we lost our home and found ourselves homeless on the headlands of the south west. Its not about every event or moment in our lives, but rather about a capsule of time when our lives moved from a place of complete despair to a place of hope. The journey held within those pages is one of salt and weather, of pain and possibility. And I cant allow any more doubt to be cast on the validity of those memories, or the joy they have given so many. In The Salt Path, the couple lose their house due to a bad business investment. But The Observer reported that the couple, lost their home after an accusation that Winn had stolen thousands of pounds from her employer. It also said that it had spoken to medical experts who were sceptical about Moth having CBD, given his lack of acute symptoms and his apparent ability to reverse them. The Winns at a gala screening of The Salt Path film in Newquay, Cornwall, earlier this year Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs in the film adaptation of The Salt Path, released in May Publishing house Penguin said it undertook all the necessary pre-publication due diligence, including a contract with an author warranty about factual accuracy, and a legal read. It added: Prior to the Observer enquiry, we had not received any concerns about the books content. A Hemmings family source this week told MailOnline that: 'He [Martin Hemmings] felt he'd been ripped off by her which he was. 'Ros is still really angry with her as she's knows how devastated Martin was by it all. 'He felt really let down by it all. It was a real messy situation.' Tim Walkers brother Martyn and his wife Carole, approached by MailOnline at their magnificent chateau not far from Dropt, declined to comment. Lagos is a long way from the aristocratic world in which Constance Marten grew up both geographically and culturally. And yet it's the months she spent in the bustling Nigerian capital that many believe hold the key to understanding how this privileged young woman's life spiralled so disastrously out of control. Turn the clock back to 2006, and the then teenage Marten found herself living in a 12-storey compound in Africa's biggest city. It was home to a religious group ruled by evangelical pastor Temitope Balogun 'TB' Joshua known to followers as 'The Prophet'. Ten years ago, allegations emerged against Joshua and his Synagogue Church of All Nations, known as SCOAN. Since his death in June 2021 aged 57, they have multiplied. Along with accusations of psychological torture and physical abuse, a number of former female 'disciples' have claimed he repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped them forcing some to have abortions. As the Mail reveals today, Marten went there with her mother, Virginie de Selliers, shortly after leaving her 30,000-a-year public school. 'It was made very clear that Constance was being brought to get help help in the sense that she was rebellious, strong-willed, disobedient,' said a former British member of the church who was present throughout Marten's stay in Nigeria. Precisely what happened while the 19-year-old was there is unclear. But there's no doubt it affected her deeply. Indeed, she would later say that the experience left her character 'completely broken apart'. Evangelical pastor Temitope Balogun 'TB' Joshua has been accused of psychological torture and physical abuse, sexual assault and rape An angelic-looking Constance Marten poses for the camera in the Egyptian desert in 2009 Mugshots of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, who were found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence over the death of their baby Victoria Marten complained that her wealthy family didn't like her partner Mark Gordon, and claimed they used their wealth and influence to get social services to intervene 'Constance was very, very badly traumatised by the whole thing,' a family friend said. 'Everyone talks about two Constances the person she was before she went to Nigeria and the person who came home. She was profoundly and fundamentally changed.' Another said: 'Put it this way TB Joshua ruined her life.' Marten's link to the pastor was revealed by her father during the seven-week manhunt for her and Mark Gordon. Napier Marten said her time at SCOAN appeared to be the 'trigger' for much of the 'harm' she had suffered in recent years, 'setting up a pattern of behaviour exposing her to easy manipulation'. The manipulator, according to those close to the family, was Gordon, with whom she had entered an abusive relationship. Giving evidence, Marten claimed that while their time together had its ups and downs, she regarded him as her 'soulmate'. While living as a disciple at the church, Marten would have referred to Joshua as 'Daddy'. During the court case, it emerged that her nickname for Gordon was 'Daddy bear'. A coincidence, maybe, but as her fellow former disciple says: 'It is just the classic pattern for people in cults to find themselves going into really negative situations where they have an absolute loyalty to their partner and end up in an abusive relationship.' So how on earth did the former Tatler 'It' girl find herself caught in the web of charlatan TB Joshua? From the dock of the Old Bailey, Constance Marten (pictured in April 2012) repeatedly insisted that she and Mark Gordon were good parents Marten (pictured) was raised as a Christian by her mother Virginie de Selliers, who herself is a devout Christian For a special episode of the Mail's award-winning The Trial podcast breaking down the Constance Marten verdict, click here Joshua, a former poultry farm worker turned pastor, founded SCOAN after claiming God had called him to serve during a three-day trance. By 2000, he had established himself as a popular figure among evangelical Christians worldwide. As well as the 50,000 people who attended his services every week, he went on to run a successful social media network, with millions of viewers on his YouTube channel. His speciality was 'healing' people anything and everything from cancer to Aids to blindness. Congregants awed by videos of Joshua's supposed miracles made evangelical churches in Britain fertile recruiting grounds for SCOAN. Marten and her mother were among them. Described as a devout Christian, Mrs de Selliers had raised her daughter and three sons ever since her husband had left his family. When not at boarding school, Marten lived with her mother, who became involved with Holy Trinity Brompton, one of Britain's most high-profile evangelical churches. Her daughter attended the church with her from about 2006, as well as its religious summer camps. While it had no formal links with Holy Trinity, SCOAN relied on foreign support for a steady stream of disciples and financial aid. At the time, Fiona and Gary Tonge were key British followers of TB Joshua and Mrs Tonge recruited British supporters. A number of those recruited in 2006 are said to have been worshippers at Holy Trinity. The Tonges and Holy Trinity were approached for comment but declined to respond. 'Fiona was keen to get people to go from there to Lagos,' said the source. 'These were called "visits" and were basically pilgrimages for a week at a time. Marten embraces the New Age vibe at the Burning Man festival in Nevada in 2012 Marten's grandmother, Mary Sturt (second from right) with the future Queen Elizabeth (third from right) and Princess Margaret (second from left) in 1935 Constance Marten's aunt, Victoria Marten (right), with Princess Anne (centre) in 1960 'I can remember very specifically the time she came with Constance. They stood out like a sore thumb, these really upper-class, white British people. We were told to take extra care of them. And Virginie was quite a presence.' But while Marten's mother returned home at the end of the visit, Constance stayed on for three months. 'As soon as Constance arrived she started appearing as a visitor inside Joshua's office,' the source said. 'Joshua definitely wanted to recruit her as a disciple from the moment she arrived. She was taken to see him, which are things your average visitor would not get to do.' One of Joshua's key lieutenants, Bisola Johnson who would later blow the whistle on the pastor's campaign of abuse also remembers Marten being brought there by Mrs Tonge. Speaking from her home in Nigeria, she said Joshua 'used the white people to market his brand'. The former disciple recalled that Marten struggled to accept the lifestyle, adding: 'She had an independent mind and that didn't go down well... it took quite a lot of suppression to make her conform,' the source said. Marten would have stayed in an all-female dormitory of up to 100 women, according to the source's experience. Nudity was commonplace. 'If you were going to shower or get changed, you were not permitted to cover up or use a towel for discretion,' said the source. 'You would be reported to Joshua publicly in a disciple meeting if you tried to "hide" your body. So people were literally forced to walk around naked in the room. For many of us, this was an uncomfortable experience.' Marten and Gordon walking into Bolton bus interchange with their baby allegedly underneath Marten's coat - the couple were on the run for nearly two months More than 100 officers pursued the couple as they fled in taxis, travelling hundreds of miles across the country from Bolton to Liverpool, then to Harwich in Essex, and on to East London Five police forces joined the hunt, devoting 1,000 officer hours at a cost of 500,000 to find the child's body after the pair refused to cooperate when they were arrested near Brighton A day after baby Victoria died in their flimsy freezing tent, Marten and Gordon dumped their baby in a soiled nappy inside a Lidl bag for life (pictured East Ham High Street, London) Image from police footage of Marten being interviewed after her arrest in February 2023. Police had searched for the aristocrat and Gordon for more than a month after finding Victoria's body Sleep was also restricted to no more than four hours a night. 'She would definitely have undergone sleep deprivation,' the source added. 'If you were found sleeping without permission, you would be punished.' Any transgressions would be reported by other disciples to TB Joshua for public correction in front of 200 fellow disciples. 'Those corrections were normally quite hard,' said the source. 'They would be embarrassing and crush you inside. And that was the normal life of a disciple it was literally the tearing down of the person and who they were, to get them to a point of utter submission to TB Joshua.' Ms Johnson has described her own role in the church, of which she was a member for 14 years until 2008, as effectively 'a spy' and 'a pimp' for Joshua. Many white girls were the target of his depraved desires, she said. During her time in Lagos, it is claimed Marten was allowed to return home on one occasion, accompanied by a female chaperone from the church. On their return to Nigeria, the chaperone told the other disciples of the Marten family's obvious wealth including a visit to their 'country cottage' which turned out to be more like a stately home. 'She said it was like being in a Jane Austen novel,' the source recalled. The reasons for Marten's departure from SCOAN are unclear. Some disciples stayed for more than a decade. Marten would later tell Matthew McNaught, an author who helped expose the sex crimes of TB Joshua in an online blog, that she had effectively been asked to leave the church. 'I believe she had left because she had upset TB Joshua in some way,' Mr McNaught said. 'She was essentially kicked out, or not re-invited. In a funny way, it's harder for those who are in this situation. You've still totally bought into that idea of TB Joshua as a man of God and there was some kind of vision for your life, but you have just failed the mission.' Upon returning to the UK, it was apparent to those who knew Marten that she had been badly affected by the experience. A friend said: 'She always used to be wild, but also happy, kind and buoyant. She was darker when she came back and she found things more difficult.' Marten herself was moved to comment on a blog written by another ex-disciple in 2013: 'The outcome of being involved in a cult has huge effects on a person when they escape. Your character is completely broken apart, and it is difficult to explain to others.' Marten returned gradually to normal life in the years that followed, attending university and training to be a journalist. She came to speak to Mr McNaught in 2013 after reading his blog. The pair had a long telephone call in which she unburdened herself about her time there. Her said: 'She said after she left, she was struggling for a long time and she was keen to reconnect with some people that had been through similar experiences.' It was around this time that Marten considered trying to expose Joshua's crimes herself. She pitched an idea for a documentary to Al Jazeera, where she was working as a researcher. Ms Johnson was among those who Marten asked to help with the documentary, saying she wanted to go undercover and covertly film the church from inside. But Ms Johnson and others warned Marten against the plan. 'I really feared for her,' she said. 'I told her it will be a very dangerous mission, because TB Joshua would do anything he can to protect his name.' Police released photographs of the flimsy tent the couple were staying in while on the run with their baby Marten, 38, and Gordon, 50, dumped their baby in a soiled nappy inside a Lidl bag for life Joe Hurst, another ex-disciple, also advised Marten not to proceed with the investigation. But she told Mr Hurst about other strange happenings in her life, such as experiencing 'paranormal activity', which, after a while, got 'out of control' and were 'quite scary'. 'She said it culminated when she was in Starbucks and she collapsed and was just laughing on the floor,' he told the Independent. 'She knew it was a problem, and she was really scared, so she told some church people to pray for her and it stopped after that.' In the end, the documentary on SCOAN was never made. And yet, according to those who know Marten, the scars inflicted by her time there never truly healed and would be reopened by that chance meeting with Gordon. Soon after, she cut off contact with her friends and family. Having learned about his criminal past, friends and family became deeply worried about what they believed was a controlling and coercive relationship. It is a point echoed by the former church member. 'She has just gone from one coercive situation to another,' said the source. 'This is what happens when someone doesn't get the help they need. It could have been prevented. It is deeply sad.' While Mrs de Selliers declined to comment on her or her daughter's involvement with SCOAN, sources say she had become concerned about her daughter during her time there and was involved in ensuring she came home. A spokesman for SCOAN said: 'We do not know of nor are affiliated with Constance Marten and are unaware of any connection she may have to the Synagogue Church of All Nations. 'All previous allegations against the Synagogue Church of all Nations and TB Joshua are inherently false and deeply troubling. 'We remain steadfast that the ethical and moral values TB Joshua and the church stand for are of the utmost importance and there is no merit behind these claims.' For a special episode of the Mail's award-winning The Trial series breaking down the Constance Marten verdict, search for 'The Trial of Constance Marten & Mark Gordon' now, wherever you get your podcasts. The father of teen double murder suspect Sarah Grace Patrick broke cover for the first time since her arrest during a visit to see his daughter at a Georgia jail, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show. Doniel Patrick, 43, appeared anguished as he stood outside the Carroll County detention facility on Sunday, smoking and raking his hands through his hair, after visiting the 17-year-old who has been in custody since July 8. The teenager is charged with two counts of murder and two of aggravated assault over the deaths of mom Kristin, 41, and stepdad James Brock, 45, who were found with multiple gunshot wounds inside their home in Carrollton, 45 miles west of Atlanta, on February 20. Patrick, who shares Sarah Grace and her 12-year-old brother Donnie, with his late ex-wife Kristin, was joined at the jail with his girlfriend Katie and his young son for the visit that lasted about an hour. 'Sarah Grace maintains her innocence, we believe her,' Katie told DailyMail.com. 'We are all supporting her. It's a very difficult time,' she said, adding that Sarah is due to meet with her lawyers on Monday. 'After that, we will [speak] to the press, to make sure we advocate for Sarah Grace. 'For now, we are going to sit back for a second, just to make sure everything is in her benefit and not in her hinderance.' The high school graduate turned herself in to police escorted by her father last Tuesday after a warrant was issued for her arrest, the Carroll County Sheriff's Office said. Authorities have not yet revealed a motive for the killings and say the investigation is ongoing and further arrests could be made. Bail was initially denied due to the serious nature of the charges. Doniel Patrick appeared anguished and distress during a visit to a Carroll County jail in Georgia where his daughter is currently in custody, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show Sarah Grace Patrick, 17, is being charged as an adult as she faces two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault in connection to her mother and stepfather's deaths in February Doniel known to many as DJ - has largely maintained his silence since his daughter's arrest, save for a couple of cryptic Facebook posts about being in her 'corner' and his intention to 'focus' on his kids. Most recently, he shared a quote which read: 'Don't ever judge anyone on how they handle a pain you've never felt.' On Friday afternoon, Patrick's public defender, Latoya Williams, filed a motion for a bond to be set so she can be released from prison on bail. In court documents seen by DailyMail.com, Williams states: 'The Defendant asserts her presumption of innocence and further states that she will not improperly leave the jurisdiction of this court or fail to appear when required, is not a threat or danger to any person or property in the community and poses no significant risk to re-offend or to intimidate witnesses or justice. 'Accordingly, the Defendant requests that a hearing on this motion be held on the next regularly scheduled calendar for bond hearings following the undersigned date and that bond be set in a reasonable amount.' A hearing for the bond motion has yet to be set and Williams has yet to respond to a request for comment about Patrick's case. The family's prison visit comes after cops searched Patrick and Katie's home - and at least one other where the teenager could have stayed - over the weekend as they continue to investigate the murders. A relative of Katie's angrily revealed that her door had been kicked in on Friday by cops who wanted to search the property where Katie had previously lived. The 17-year-old had just graduated high school in May and was seen posing with her proud father on her graduation day Patrick, who shares Sarah Grace and her 12-year-old brother Donnie, 12, with his late ex-wife Kristin, was joined at the jail with his girlfriend Katie and his young son on Sunday No arrests had been made in the murder case until July 8, when Patrick turned herself in to police and was charged with the double murders Multiple family members said Patrick and Katie's home was also searched, with Dennis Nolan, Sarah's maternal grandfather, speculating they were looking for the missing gun used in the shootings. DailyMail.com has reached out to Carroll County Sheriff Department for comment on the case. Ashley Hulsey, head of communications, for the force said she would not be able to provide further information beyond what was in the press conference or comment on speculation. Patrick's mother, Donna Arnett exclusively told DailyMail.com of her son's heartbreak and worry over her granddaughter's arrest, saying 'all he can do is cry'. She said: 'DJ, he believes his daughter, he wants to believe her, but he said there's so much evidence, and all, it don't look good. 'He says about what they've showed him, and then he breaks down, and says 'I gotta get off the phone, Momma'. 'He's just distraught.' Investigators claim they have compiled a 'mountain' of digital and physical evidence which led to Patrick's arrest, including footage of her apparently tearful eulogy at her mother and stepfather's funeral, which DailyMail.com exclusively revealed last week. Doniel looked downcast while leaving the detention facility. His mother and his girlfriend have described him as being 'so distraught' and say 'all he can do is cry' The red-haired teen is seen posing during happier times with her dad, and now slain mom and step dad Asked what evidence her son had been shown, Arnett replied: 'He said they showed pictures of Kristin and James dead, like wherever they took them to a crime scene place or something like that, and he told me about where they were shot. 'I think he said Kristin was shot behind the ear, the temple, the torso. And that James was shot like in the temple, head, nose, or something, and in the chest or the torso. That's all he said.' She revealed her son's fears over his daughter's incarceration, adding: 'DJ is worried that now she's in jail. She don't eat very much. She didn't eat very much here. DJ said she's lost about 15 pounds now in jail. 'All he can do to me is cry. He just cries [saying] 'mama, you know, these kids been through so much, what am I going to do?' 'He says, 'I can't do nothing. She called me from jail crying, wanting to come home.' Arnett, who housed her son and granddaughter for two weeks after the February murders, added: 'I just pray to God that she wasn't involved with it, because she ruin her life now then. 'She's always been a very polite and loving child and everybody's talking so bad about her now. 'Like I told my son, if she did that, she needs to pay for it. He agrees. Exclusive Daily Mail photos show Patrick and Katie, who live about an hour outside Carrollton, drove straight to the jail after attending Sunday service at the town's Catalyst church The girl's mother Kristin and stepfather James Brock were both active members at the same church 'He's just so distraught, heartbroken about his baby. His little girl. 'DJ, he's tender hearted. He loves his kids and will do anything for his kids.' Asked whether she believes her granddaughter could have carried out the brutal shootings, she said: 'I'm just in a state of shock. 'I pray not. It's hard to fathom, she just don't seem like that. She was always a very respectful, loving child. 'It just boggles me. I say there's something not right about all this. I just don't see her doing this. 'It's just hard to believe. You don't want to believe, nothing like that, but you don't know.' Patrick and Katie, who live about an hour outside Carrollton, drove straight to the jail after attending Sunday service at the town's Catalyst church, where they are active members, and so were the Brocks. Patrick looked downcast after leaving the service with his girlfriend, before they collected his son Donnie from a kid's class on the site. James, 47, and Kristin, 41, Brock were shot dead as they slept in their home in Carrollton, Georgia, on February 20 The couple was killed in their home in Carrolton, 45 miles west of Atlanta Speaking exclusively to the Mail, Catalyst lead pastor Ben Bonner said Patrick, Katie and Donnie had joined the church an hour's drive from where they live - shortly after the murders of the Brocks, who had been very active members of the same church. He said the church community were trying to show 'love' to the family. He revealed he had already spoken to Patrick over the phone and said he and an assistant pastor were going to go and see her in jail as soon as it could be arranged. He added: 'I actually prayed with Sarah Grace over the phone yesterday. She's grieving, she's not faking grief, I'll tell you. Anybody thinks that, [is wrong] that girl is hurting and my job's to love.' Over the weekend, the Daily Mail revealed how the teenage girl had curated a chilling portrait of grief on social media for months after the brutal killings of her mother and stepfather. The high school graduate posted tributes, tearful selfies, and even pleas for justice but never hinting that she might be the one behind the murders. For months, Patrick played the grieving daughter who was coping with an unimaginable loss, delivering a tearful eulogy at the funeral and sharing heartbreaking TikTok videos about her slain parents. Popular TikTok True Crime creators have come forward to reveal Patrick reached out to them weeks before her arrest to ask for help getting coverage of the case. Since Patrick's arrest, true crime communities on social media have erupted, dissecting her content and questioning what could have possibly driven an angel-faced teen to allegedly murder her parents. A death toll of 260, more than four weeks of feverish theories and a global public desperate for reassurance that it is still safe to fly. In the absence of hard facts, the world remains captivated by one question: what caused Air India Flight 171 to explode into a fireball shortly after taking off from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on June 12? On Saturday, investigators finally published a preliminary report into the disaster which, at 15 pages long, appeared to omit basic information. However it made one crucial finding: that the fuel control switches had been moved to the 'cut-off' position shortly after the plane took off for London, starving the jet's engines of fuel. Online speculation is now running rampant as to how this could have happened, boosted by further claims yesterday that one of the pilots had depression and mental health issues. So could this catastrophe really have been a deliberate act of mass murder by a suicidal pilot? Here, we address the five most glaring questions investigators have yet to answer. What happened in the cockpit in final seconds? Oddly, we don't know. The preliminary findings reveal almost nothing of the pilot and co-pilot's final conversation. Page 14 of the report, compiled by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), includes only a brief paragraph: 'In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut off [the fuel]. The other pilot responded that he did not do so.' Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, was an experienced pilot and was just months from retirement Co-pilot Clive Kunder, 32. The full transcript of the cockpit audio has not been released, so questions remain over how fuel to the plane's engine was cut The wreckage of flight 171. The crash killed 260 people, including 19 who were on the ground There's no indication of which man spoke first: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was just months from retirement at the age of 56, or his 32-year-old co-pilot Clive Kunder. Apart from the summarised dialogue, the only confirmed words are the distress call, 'Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!' transmitted less than five seconds before impact. Former airline pilot Marco Chan, senior lecturer in aviation operations at Buckinghamshire New University, warns it is 'notable' that the AAIB has not released the full transcript of the cockpit voice recording. He adds: 'Without that audio, we're still missing a vital piece of the puzzle.' How was the fuel cut off? Using information from the two flight recorder 'black boxes', the report confirms that the fuel control switches were moved from the 'run' position to the 'cut-off' position three seconds after lift-off. Online commentators have suggested equipment failure. They point to an advisory bulletin from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seven years ago warning that the locking mechanism on these switches could fail. However Captain Steve Scheibner, an American Airlines pilot and former US Navy commander, has dismissed that. He says the FAA's warning came amid concerns that the levers could be installed upside-down. Clearly that was not the case with Flight 171, because those switches had been functioning correctly since the plane entered service 11 years ago. Captain Scheibner, who has more than 765,000 followers on YouTube, also scoffs at the idea that a bumpy runway might have jolted the switches. Firstly, such a malfunction has never been recorded before. Secondly, the mechanism is designed to withstand vibration or accidental jolting the levers have to be tugged outwards as they are manipulated up or down. Thirdly, and most tellingly, the fuel cut-off activates a back-up power source called the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), which pops out from the underside of the aircraft when in use. Video of the plane immediately before the crash shows the RAT did not deploy until the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was airborne so the fuel cut-off must have occurred after take-off. A computer failure is also out of the question, according to Julian Bray, an aviation security expert who has advised on some of the deadliest air disasters of the past 40 years. 'The software cannot override the switch mechanism,' he says. 'If there had been issues of that type, all sorts of warning lights would have come on like Blackpool Illuminations to let the pilots know that something was terribly wrong.' Did one of the pilots switch it off? First Officer Kunder was flying the plane. Though he was the junior of the pair, this is standard practice, as it allows pilots to gain experience while being observed by a senior colleague. More attention has been focused on Captain Sabharwal, who had just three flights remaining before he planned to retire and be a full-time carer for his 90-year-old father. A fellow pilot and aviation safety expert, Mohan Ranganathan, told the Telegraph: 'I have heard from several air India pilots who told me he had some depression and mental health issues. He had taken medical leave for that in the last three to four years. But he must have been medically cleared by the company doctors.' But international aviation lawyer James Healy-Pratt, who is representing the families of 20 Flight 171 victims, warns: 'It is too early to come to conclusions such as suicide or mass homicide. 'Put yourself into the shoes of one of the families. It's one thing to lose loved ones from an accident. It's very different to lose loved ones who suddenly become victims of an intentional crime.' Could someone else have touched switch? Indeed, as Mr Bray points out, a darker possibility exists. 'The report has pointed the finger at possible pilot error or human failing. So, for now, we have to look at pilot error or worse sabotage, with the focus on who was on the flight deck.' While the pilot and co-pilot were the only two men confirmed to have been in the cockpit at the time, Mr Bray highlights that there were also two 'jump seats' behind them. Could it have been someone sitting there? 'Often pilots and cabin crew will hitch a lift if there are no passenger seats available,' he says. 'Someone in one of the jump seats could've been feeling suicidal, leaned over and turned the switches.' Is this a cover-up? Far from stemming the flow of conspiracies, the flimsy findings of the AAIB report leave several question marks. But if Captain Sabharwal had been depressed and cleared to fly, the implications for Air India are seismic. Not only does this raise doubts about what screening precautions the company takes but, more chillingly, it asks: are other airlines any better? In the wake of the Germanwings Flight 9525 crash in March 2015, when 28-year-old co-pilot Andreas Lubitz killed himself and 149 others by deliberately crashing his Airbus 320 in the Alps, a survey by Harvard psychologists found that 4.1 per cent of airline pilots reported having suicidal thoughts within the previous two weeks. The implications of that are horrific. For once, the online hysteria might even be justified. A mother has ended a 10-month hunger strike in London after her Egyptian-British activist son was jailed in Cairo for 'spreading false news'. Academic Laila Soueif, 69, began the protest in September 2024 when Alaa Abdel Fattah was due to be freed following a five-year sentence - but was never released. Her daughter, Mona Seif, confirmed yesterday Ms Soueif was now in hospital beginning a medically supervised process to reintroduce her to nutrition. She said: 'Yesterday, my mother told me she decided to end the hunger strike and will start the necessary medical procedures with the doctors. 'We are not out of danger yet,' she said, adding doctors had warned of the risks of ending prolonged fasting, including a potentially life-threatening condition known as refeeding syndrome. Soueif consumed sugar cubes on Sunday to symbolically mark the end of the strike, according to her other daughter, Sanaa Seif. Abdel Fattah, 43, was a prominent figure in Egypt's 2011 uprising, and has spent most of the past decade behind bars under successive governments. He was most recently arrested in 2019 and sentenced to five years after reposting a Facebook post about police brutality. Academic Laila Soueif, 69, began the protest in September 2024. She is pictured here refusing all forms of glucose treatment Before hospitalisation, Ms Soueif carried out a daily 'sit-in' where she sat outside Downing Street holding signs and photos of her son Alaa Abd el Fattah, 43, is in Wadi El Natrun prison in Cairo, where he has been incarcerated for most of the past decade Abdel Fattah began a partial hunger strike in March in solidarity with his mother after she was hospitalised with dangerously low blood sugar. He is currently consuming only herbal tea, black coffee and rehydration salts. His sister Sanaa said last month he had lost 29 percent of his body weight during the hunger strike. In May, a United Nations panel of experts described his detention as arbitrary and called for his immediate release. Despite diplomatic efforts, including conversations between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, his case remains unresolved. Since 2022, Sisi's administration has released hundreds of detainees and pardoned several high-profile dissidents, including Abdel-Fattah's lawyer, but the activist himself has been repeatedly excluded. More than 100 parliamentarians signed a letter in May calling for Starmer to take urgent action over the case. It gave a worrying glimpse into Ms Soueif's condition: 'We write with mounting concern about the lack of concrete progress on Alaa's case, more than two months after your call with President Sisi. Despite diplomatic efforts, including conversations between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, his case remains unresolved The mother has now ended a 10-month hunger strike in London after her Egyptian-British activist son was jailed in Cairo for 'spreading false news'. A worrying letter previously read: 'Laila's health continues to deteriorate. She has not eaten proper food for more than seven months' It added: 'There is also no doubt in our minds that if the health of Laila or Alaa is further damaged by this ordeal, this would have serious long-term implications for the British-Egyptian bilateral relationship' 'Time is in desperately short supply in this case. Alaa has been acutely unwell in prison, experiencing vomiting, stomach pains, dizziness and blurred vision. 'Meanwhile, Laila's health continues to deteriorate. She has not eaten proper food for more than seven months. 'Prime Minister, we remain gravely concerned about the implications for Alaa's family if the path to resolve his case and secure his release cannot be found very soon. 'There is also no doubt in our minds that if the health of Laila or Alaa is further damaged by this ordeal, this would have serious long-term implications for the British-Egyptian bilateral relationship. 'We urge you to deploy every tool at your Government's disposal at this vital stage. We offer our support to your efforts on behalf of Alaa and his family in any way needed.' Hollywood actor Sean Bean has spoken out against plans to build over a thousand new homes on green belt land which he says would 'practically obliterate' his hometown. Known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings, GoldenEye, and Game of Thrones, the 66-year-old Sheffield born actor has now written a letter supporting a campaign against the building of 1,638 new homes in Handsworth. The letter begins: 'My name is Sean Bean and I would like to register my objection for the proposed mass building in the Handsworth area of Sheffield, where I grew up and spent some of the best years of my life.' Mr Bean goes on to pay tribute to campaigner Sapphire McCarthy, who organised a public meeting in opposition to the housing plans as part of the 'Save S13 Greenbelt' campaign, but sadly passed away, aged 39, earlier this month. The actor's letter continues: 'If these proposals are allowed to go ahead in their present form, it would devastate the area; certainly in terms of its natural habitats, but even more so on the character of its close knit and hard working community. 'This is even more of a brutal decision because it seems like this working class community and its surrounding areas has [sic] been specifically targeted, whilst other more affluent, genteel areas on the other side of Sheffield have escaped lightly. 'It seems the council see us us as second class citizens who will just have to put up with it.' Last month, 500 people turned out to protest against Sheffield City Council's Local Plan, which aims to build 3,539 homes, two schools, a graveyard and 130 acres of business space on green belt land. Mother-of-two Sapphire McCarthy launched a campaign against the housing after she found out about plans to build 868 houses behind her home, fearing it would ruin her 'dream views'. Game of Throne star Sean Bean has spoken out against plans to build over a thousand new homes on green belt land which he says would 'practically obliterate' his hometown Sheffield City Council hopes to build 3,539 homes, two schools, a graveyard and 130 acres of business space on green belt land running between Richworth Road and Beaver Drive in Handsworth (pictured) The actor's letter begins: 'My name is Sean Bean and I would like to register my objection for the proposed mass building in the Handsworth area of Sheffield, where I grew up and spent some of the best years of my life' Mr Bean paid tribute to campaigner Sapphire McCarthy, who organised a public meeting in opposition to the housing plans as part of the 'Save S13 Greenbelt' campaign, but sadly passed away, aged 39, earlier this month At the general election, the Labour party pledged to build 1.5 million new homes over the parliament, some of which would be built on green belt land. Resident Cheryl Hague said: 'Saph spoke to Sean Bean a few weeks ago and he told her of his deep concerns about this devastation of our precious green belt. 'We are delighted he has objected we know he is very proud of his roots and he loved the green belt area and understands just how much it means to all local residents. 'We will continue to fight the battle Sapphire started in her honour - with more vigour than ever - and it's fantastic to have such an endorsement from Sean Bean.' Sheffield City Council and the Ministry of Housing were contacted for comment. Sean Bean's representatives were contacted for comment. Australia's largest city is facing an exploding rat population, with the vermin immune to poisons and becoming super-spreaders of disease. Sydney, known for its iconic harbour, vibrant city and bustling food scene, has become inundated with rats. The presence of rats in urban spaces has always plagued major cities around the world, but experts have seen the population skyrocket since the Covid pandemic. The exact number of rats in Sydney is unknown and difficult to ascertain because a population count would quickly become outdated as a rat pregnancy only lasts three weeks and can produce more than a dozen pups in one litter. However, a wave of viral videos showing rodents invading human spaces highlights the booming number of rats in the city. In January, at least half a dozen rats were spotted scurrying around the kitchen of a popular late-night kebab eatery on Oxford Street in Sydney. One month prior, Sydneysiders were left disgusted after footage captured giant rats 'brazenly' running wild at the food court in Westfield Parramatta, in Sydney's west. The owner of Pesty Girls pest management, Nathaly Haeren, believes rats have become a problem 'all across Sydney'. Rats have become a problem across Sydney, with the vermin population exploding in recent years She said she has seen an increase in requests for pest control, with calls surging to record levels since the Covid pandemic. Ms Haeren explained the rise in visible presence is due to the increase in construction sites across the city, which push the rats above ground. Not only that, but ever-changing waste pick-up cycles mean bins are sitting outside for longer, giving rats an abundance of food on the street. 'It's the destruction they cause that blows my mind, that scares me, because I'm competing against them,' Ms Haeren told The Guardian. 'Rats need to keep gnawing to keep their teeth down. Their strength is like iron. And they can flatten to the size of your thumb - they've got hinged ribs I need to be 10 steps ahead.' Owner and operator of the pest control business MOA Contract Shooting, Shaun Bankowski, said demand has never been higher. Mr Bankowski, who has run his business throughout NSW since 2015, has had to deal with rat outbreaks at shopping centres, warehouses, chicken farms, and food manufacturing sites. 'We've had sites where we've shot over 650 rats in four hours. The whole back of my HiLux was covered in rats - 15 cm deep,' Mr Bankowski said. Videos showing rodents invading human spaces have gone viral (pictured, 'giant rats' filmed in a food court at Westfield Parramatta) Mr Bankowski has found that the common pest management method of eliminating the source of the infestation and then laying down traps and bait is no longer sufficient. He explained that about 20 per cent of a rat population is typically immune to poison, which means they survive, breed, and create a colony that is completely resistant. New research has found that black rats in Australia have developed a genetic mutation that increases their resistance to one of the most widely used poisons. The study, led by Edith Cowan University PhD student and environmental toxicologist Alicia Gorbould, identified the mutation in more than half of the black rats tested in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney between 2021 and 2024. The mutation suggests the rats have developed resistance to second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, also known as SGARs. Ms Gorbould also expressed fears of a public health crisis, warning that Australians may be using larger quantities of poison in an attempt to rid their homes of rats. However, instead of working effectively, this could introduce more poison into the food chain and waterways. 'If you're using one of the baits that don't work people will probably try to use more, and more, and more,' Ms Gorbould told Daily Mail Australia. At least half a dozen rats were spotted scurrying around the kitchen of a popular late-night kebab eatery on Oxford Street in Sydney 'And so it's feeding back into that cycle of increasing the rates of resistance in the population, increasing those non-targeted poisonings, and then we're ending up essentially with a public health issue because we've got these rats that can't be controlled.' In 2019, Sydney experienced its first outbreak of leptospirosisa bacterial disease spread through rodent urine. The outbreak killed seven dogs and was linked to a surge in the rat population across Sydney, as the city faced 'unprecedented' levels of construction. Leptospirosis can also be fatal to humans. Rats are known as super-spreaders of human diseases and parasites, and have been directly linked to dozens of illnesses, such as Lyme disease, plague and typhus -primarily transmitted by fleas. Rat-borne diseases are also believed to have claimed more lives over the past 10 centuries than the total number of people killed in all wars combined. According to a spokesperson for the City of Sydney, the greatest health and safety risks posed by rats are disease transmission, structural damage, and food contamination through their urine, hair, and faecal matter. Council also received a surge in reports of rat sightings and complaints from residents living in social housing estates, where shared communal bins are used. Alarming new research led by Edith Cowan University PhD student and environmental toxicologist Alicia Gorbould (pictured) found a mutation, which suggests resistance to second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, also known as SGARs, in over half the rats tested In just one year, council spends an estimated $240,000 on pest control, operating a 'risk-based rodent control program' alongside the conventional use of rat baits. More than 100 staff and contractors oversee the program, which takes place on streets and in parks, and uses 40 electronic multi-catch traps in areas where rodent activity is highest. Council also uses rat bait on a quarterly basis in a bid to prevent the rodents from becoming resistant to the poison. Ms Gorbould said Australia has been using the same poison for more than 50 years and urged the country to adopt a more coordinated approach to rodent management. Others have suggested reintroducing Australia's native bush rat into the city. Professor of Conservation Biology at the University of Sydney, believes native rats could help combat invasive species such as the black rat and the brown or Norway rat. Mr Banks, along with other academics, is currently running programs to reintroduce bush rats to areas around Sydney Harbour. The aim is to block black rats from invading the area and replace them with bush rats, which do not carry harmful diseases. Mr Banks added that bush rats do not smell, live in hidden burrows separate from humans, and do not feed on trash but rather on seeds, fruit, and nectar. A Nevada mother who abandoned two of her newborn babies in dumpsters has allegedly claimed she 'had no desire' to take care of another child. Taylour Sierra Dickinson, 28, was taken into custody last week, after a good Samaritan found her newborn son crying in an apartment complex dumpster in Sun Valley in the early morning hours of July 5, the Reno Gazette Journal reports. The passerby then climbed into the dumpster to rescue the child - who was stuffed inside a garbage bag - and notified authorities, who rushed the infant to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced 'healthy and doing well,' according to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. Authorities did not initially reveal any further details about the case, but when Dickinson appeared at the Sparks Justice Court for a bail hearing on July 9, it was revealed she had given birth to the boy between 2am and 3am, and placed the baby in the dumpster at around 3.30am. The treacherous act was caught on video surveillance, Washoe County Sheriff's Detective Claire Hoops-Adams testified. She added that in the aftermath, Dickinson changed her story - originally claiming she had a heavy menstrual cycle to later saying she did not know she was pregnant until she gave birth to the boy in the bathroom. 'According to her, the infant was wrapped completely in the towel and placed in the garbage bag,' Hoops-Adams said. 'In her panic she thought that was her best option,' the detective added, explaining that Dickinson - who has two other children, as well as stepchildren - 'had no desire to have any more children, stating her family financially was living paycheck-to-paycheck at that point.' Taylour Sierra Dickinson, 28, reportedly told officers she abandoned her newborn baby in a dumpster because she had 'no desire' to take care of another child The infant was found by a good Samaritan and was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced 'healthy and doing well' The mother-of-two also claimed she placed the newborn in the dumpster with the hope that a passerby would find him, Hoops-Adams said. But this is not the first time Dickinson left her baby in a dumpster, prosecutors revealed in court. She allegedly abandoned another newborn two years ago in a dumpster at a different apartment complex, the Washoe County District Attorney's Office said in a video posted to its Facebook page. Unfortunately in that case, the child did not survive, according to the Gazette-Journal. When asked about that case, Dickinson 'described that incident almost identical to the circumstances surrounding this incident,' Hoops-Adams testified. No charges were ever filed in that case, however, as the District Attorney's Office explained that 'due to the facts, circumstances and evidence, no case was submitted to the District Attorney's Office for prosecution by the investigating agency at that time.' 'This is a heartbreaking case,' Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks said of the more recent abandonment, which he called 'not only a serious crime, but a profound tragedy.' Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam added that the case 'has deeply affected our community and our office. Dickinson said she wrapped the baby in a towel before she threw him in a garbage bag and left him in the dumpster (pictured) Washoe County Sheriff's Detective Claire Hoops-Adams testified during a bail hearing at the Sparks Justice Court on July 9 'We are grateful for the brave citizen who intervened - truly a hero whose actions saved this baby's life - and for the work of our detectives in identifying and arresting those responsible for causing harm to this child. 'While we cannot undo the trauma, we do pursue justice for our most vulnerable citizens,' Balaam continued. 'Thank you to our partners who have and will help ensure the best possible outcome for this little boy.' Dickinson is now facing one count of attempted murder and one count of first-degree child abuse, neglect or endangerment, Law & Crime reports. She is being held at the Washoe County Jail on a $1 million cash-only bond, and is scheduled to appear back in court on July 23. Gisele Fetterman's eldest son Karl, 13, got into the car with his parents after a sleepover and asked a heart-stopping question: 'Would you and Dad ever get divorced?' Her response surprised her husband, Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman. While he promptly answered 'no,' she replied 'maybe,' shocking her spouse of 17 years. 'John was, understandably, surprised by my response,' she went on. 'But I explained that, though I loved him and hoped we'd always be together, I wanted to be realistic and honest with the kids about all of life's possibilities,' Gisele, 43, wrote in her new book Radical Tenderness: The Value of Vulnerability in an Often Unkind World. The book is candid about how her world has often been upended by her husband's political career and her experience living in the US as an undocumented immigrant and as a Brazilian-American who, at times, was misidentified as 'the help'. Released last week, the book veers between memoir and self-help. Gisele Fetterman (left), photographed with her husband Sen. John Fetterman (right) at the 2024 White House Correspondents' Dinner, has written a book that pushes people to be vulnerable and tender Sen. John Fetterman and Gisele Fetterman pose with their three children at the White House during President Joe Biden's tenure Gisele writes that she used the 'divorce' conversation with her son to illustrate how important it is to 'tell the truth.' She also draws from her own experience as a child of divorce and seeing her parents happier after-the-fact. 'I am not the mom who is going to lie to her kids,' she wrote. 'Divorce can be a devastating experience for any family, of course,' she said. 'But I do not want my kids to feel that their world will end if their parents are not together. 'Instead, I want them to know that marriage is fine while it works and that it's also fine when it ends.' Gisele also dives into her 55-year-old husband's myriad health challenges on the campaign trail that nearly ended his Senate campaign. Fetterman suffered a stroke in May 2022 while running for the Senate and has since used an iPhone to translate incoming questions while at work as he continues to suffer from audio-visual impairment. Gisele Fetterman (left) is out with a new book where she details some of the health struggles of Pennsylvania's Democratic Sen. John Fetterman (right) In Radical Tenderness: The Value of Vulnerability in an Often Unkind World, Gisele Fetterman (right) said she answered 'maybe' when her son asked if she and Sen. John Fetterman (left) would ever divorce. 'I am not the mom who is going to lie to her kids,' she wrote The Democrat has appeared despondent at times while acting 'manic' and 'unhinged' at others. Staffers said they 'no longer recognized the man they knew,' New York Magazine had reported in May. Gisele wrote about how she was the one who first noticed something was off with her husband. 'All of a sudden, I saw the side of his mouth droop as we were getting into the car,' she recalled. 'It was a slight movement, imperceptible to anyone not paying attention. But I could tell something was wrong. I insisted we go to the hospital.' In the emergency room, doctors discovered he had had a stroke and needed to go into surgery to remove a clot that had formed during an episode of atrial fibrillation. He still won the Democratic primary, while Gisele gave the victory speech on her husband's behalf and accepted the congratulatory call from Joe Biden. 'I had already become used to these sort of public appearances as SLOP,' she recalled, using the acronym for second lady of Pennsylvania. 'But the vulnerability of having to juggle John's political commitments with supporting my children and John as he recovered meant that I felt teary more often.' 'It was not unusual for me to cry during media interview, which reporters often noted in their stories,' she said. 'Perhaps there are some who think I should have kept my composure or not shown that I was overwhelmed, but it was less important to me to keep up appearances than it was to get through those days, when so much was in flux.' 'What followed would be a lesson in both the perils and benefits of vulnerability on such a large scale,' she noted. In May, the Daily Mail asked Gisele Fetterman (picured) why she wasn't wearing her wedding ring. She responded it was because of her work as a volunteer firefighter The Edgar Thomson steel plant dominates Braddock, Pennsylvania. The Fettermans live in a former Chevy dealership directly across the street Sen. John Fetterman was the subject of a lengthy New York Magazine profile in May that raised more questions about his health and suggested the Fettermans were at odds over the war in Gaza, as the senator has shown steadfast support of Israel She wrote about how John Fetterman's Republican opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz, used the stroke to paint him as 'weak and unfit for office.' 'I even received personal messages mocking his speech,' she recalled. 'The whole thing struck me as incredibly ableist and contrary to how my family was experiencing his recovery: as a success story.' Fetterman also said she was appalled by the media narrative that the campaign was hiding something about her husband's condition, arguing 'we were being as transparent as we could possibly be.' 'Of more import to me was managing my own feelings and that of my children. And in this difficult moment, I used my feelings to fuel me,' she said. 'This did not feel like a moment to shut off my emotions but rather a moment to lean in an feel the enormity of, well, everything. 'To me, embracing emotion is necessary to staying present and awake to current circumstances.' A similar episode transpired when the senator checked himself into Walter Reed for depression in February 2023. Gisele recounted how she had sensed something was amiss then too. After Fetterman had won the election 'he seemed sadder than ever,' she recalled. Gisele Fetterman was captured at her Hollander Project incubator in May by the Daily Mail What was the 'final straw,' she said, was when her husband learned that a reporter - who had bonded with John after also surviving a stroke - had died by suicide. 'We learned later that depression is common in the year after a stroke, and in John's case, his experience was exacerbated by having to balance his recovery with the intensity of campaigning,' she wrote. 'In early February, I finally told him, 'John, if something happens and you die tomorrow, the kids are going to remember you as a really sad person. Is that what you want?'' she recalled. The next day he checked himself into Walter Reed. 'The media attention was unbearable,' she said. 'The day he checked into the hospital, I peeked out my window to see that there were news crews circling my home.' She packed up the car and took the couple's three children to Canada - Toronto and Niagara Falls - and was criticized for leaving the country. 'It was the first time a politician had been so quickly and publicly vulnerable about depression or mental health challenges, so while some media attention was not surprising, I did not expect it to skew toward such cruelty,' she said. Fetterman argued that while culturally seeking mental health help as seen as 'something embarrassing' there is 'no denying its benefits.' 'When John came back home, six weeks later, he was back to his old self and better than ever - fully engaged with the kids, back to his early mornings, and ready to work enthusiastically,' she recalled. Fetterman doesn't address more recent controversies in the book - that the couple has been roiled over the war in Gaza - with the senator steadfastly supporting Israel. New York Magazine reported on the alleged rift, quoting a staffer who said Gisele told her husband: 'They are bombing refugee camps. How can you support this?' Another unidentified staffer said she was overheard on speakerphone saying, 'Who did I marry? Where is the man I married?' There was also a furor over her not wearing her wedding ring, but she divulged to the Daily Mail in May it was due to her work as a volunteer firefighter. Meanwhile they also reportedly fought because she didn't want to accompany him to Mar-a-Lago to meet Trump after his election victory. 'It was a whole saga,' a former staffer said. 'She wasn't going to go and they had fights about it.' To convince her the Mar-a-Lago trip was a good idea, Fetterman reportedly told Gisele it was an opportunity to showcase what a model Dreamer looked like in a bid to get the then president-elect to soften his views on undocumented immigration. Ultimately, she went. From the dock of the Old Bailey, Constance Marten repeatedly insisted that she and Mark Gordon were good parents. There is literally nothing I would not do for my children, she said, adding: Mark and I love our kids more than anything in the world. The fact that their first four children had all been taken into care and the fifth apparently died in a freezing tent was everyones fault but their own, she insisted. Marten complained that her wealthy family didnt like Gordon, and claimed they used their wealth and influence to get social services to intervene and that the state had stolen her children. But the official record of what actually happened paints a very different picture of Marten and Gordons parenting skills. Because, following a legal application by this newspaper, the full story of why their children were taken into care can today be told for the first time after a judge in the Family Court ruled that key documents could be made public. Jurors were not given access to the files because the manslaughter case centred on their fifth child, Victoria. But laid out in black and white over more than 100 pages, they show how the authorities bent over backwards to accommodate a couple who failed to attend hearings, presented false information and accused witnesses of lying. Marten and Gordons behaviour was also repeatedly called into question, with concerns raised that should the children be left in the couples care they would be exposed to domestic violence and even risk being injured themselves. From the dock of the Old Bailey, Constance Marten (pictured in April 2012) repeatedly insisted that she and Mark Gordon were good parents Commenting on this image on Facebook in 2012, Marten asks: Am I trying to imitate Daffy Duck? For a special episode of the Mail's award-winning The Trial podcast breaking down the Constance Marten verdict, click here Following a hearing last year, Judge Madeleine Reardon ruled there was a strong public interest in allowing the Family Courts decision-making to be understood. She added that, regardless of the outcome of the criminal trial, the proceedings provided crucial background to the couples decision to live off-grid to evade social services. She also made it clear that the information about the proceedings that had emerged during the trial was partial and incomplete. Indeed, Judge Reardon said that various accounts given by Marten of what happened were inaccurate in a number of respects. These included claiming she had a minor fall from a window when three months pregnant, emerging without even a bruise. In fact, the [undisputed] evidence before the Family Court was that in this incident Ms Marten suffered very serious injuries, including a shattered spleen, the judge noted. The courts finding was that Mr Gordon had caused these injuries. Marten also claimed her family had colluded with social services to have her children removed, and had alleged that she was bearing children to sell on the black market and was a drug addict. Judge Reardon wrote: Allegations of this nature played no part in the Family Court proceedings. Martens grandmother, Mary Sturt (fifth from left) with the future Queen (fourth from left) and Princess Margaret (second from left) in 1935 Equally informative is the picture that emerges from the hearings of the couples relationship one that dominated and informed absolutely everything they did. They see external agencies and third parties as posing a challenge to their relationship, and view all offers of support as hostile, observed the judge in one of the released Family Court judgments. The strong impression given by the parents is that of two people who are fiercely united in an unrelenting struggle against a non-existent opponent. That relationship had begun with a chance meeting in a shop in London. By 2016 Marten and Gordon were a couple taking part in a non-legally binding marriage ceremony in Peru, then cutting off contact with Martens family. Soon after she was pregnant with their first child. Incredibly, according to details in the first of a series of Family Court judgments, when she became pregnant she was completely unaware of Gordons criminal past namely that he had served 20 years in a US jail having been convicted of rape at 14. In June 2017, after returning to the UK from their travels in South America, Marten attended a maternity hospital in London. She had not sought any antenatal care before this point and told medics she was living in a campervan. With no further contact from the couple and concern about missed follow-ups, social services in London issued a national hospital alert three months later. The NHS issues these when a pregnant woman is thought to require protection or support. When Marten resurfaced in November she was in Wales. She was also in labour, using a fake Irish accent and claiming to be a traveller called Isabella OBrien, on the run from her family who disapproved because the baby was being born out of wedlock. She lied that Gordon, who was present, was just a friend. Marten managed to stay in character throughout the birth, but her deception was rumbled when a social worker recalled the nationwide alert and police were called, confirming Martens identity. Constance Marten's aunt, Victoria Marten (right), with Princess Anne in 1960 The new mum insisted she could care for her baby and would seek council housing and benefits. But further concerns were raised when social workers found that the couple were living in a mouldy tent on wasteland by a dual carriageway near a Tesco. Their only preparation for the birth had been to buy five baby-grows. Marten dismissed social workers misgivings, saying: Different people have different ways of living. She maintained that she was fully estranged from her family, with no financial support. However, it emerged that only a year earlier in late 2016 the family trust had been in the process of buying a house for her in London. Just before contracts were due to be exchanged, Marten instructed the trustees to pull out, telling them: Due to a recent development in my career and progression, I can no longer live in London. Giving evidence, she claimed her change of heart was only due to her familys continuing surveillance. Her faith in alternative lifestyles proved futile, and an interim care order was made in relation to the baby who, together with Marten, was placed with foster carers. Here, doubts continued to be expressed about her parenting. The carers told social workers they were concerned that Marten had left the baby alone in her flat on one occasion and would let the baby fall asleep on top of her, risking suffocation. This was a pertinent fact, the criminal trial would hear, given how Marten would claim her fifth child died. The carers were also said to be fearful of Marten because of allegations and complaints she made against them as a tactic to end her supervision. Constance Marten had a gilded upbringing and the brightest of futures, but chose a life of isolation and squalor Marten as an infant with her mother, Virginie That first birth also saw Gordon jailed for assaulting a female police officer. Police sources told the Mail that officers who attended the hospital spoke to Gordon, who gave them a fake name. But the date of birth he provided April 31 was his undoing. April only has 30 days. When this was pointed out, a scuffle ensued and he assaulted two female officers in what was described as an extremely unpleasant incident. Gordon had to be subdued with an incapacitating spray before being put in leg restraints. He was jailed for 40 weeks for the assault and for breaching reporting requirements linked to being a registered sex offender. On his release he failed to attend ten out of 12 parenting assessments. A forensic psychologist who spoke to him found him extremely difficult to engage with and noted: It must be borne in mind that stress could well trigger incidents of violence in the future. Father has the capacity to act in a violent manner. Interactions between the couple and social services culminated in a judgment dated July 2018, when District Judge Marjory Taylor ruled that a six-month supervision order should be imposed so social services could monitor them when they moved back to London from Wales. But the Family Court had to intervene again in February 2021 when a local authority in the capital sought a fact-finding ruling from the court, alleging that the parents had failed to provide for their childrens medical needs, that there had been domestic abuse in their relationship and that they had evaded social services efforts to investigate and to safeguard the children. By then Marten and Gordon had three children, all of whom had already been placed in foster care. As with the first set of proceedings, hearings were frequently delayed by the couple. On one occasion Gordon claimed he needed to have a tooth extracted, forcing an adjournment. It became clear over time... that the parents were deliberately evading putting themselves in a position where they would be required to challenge the local authoritys evidence, and that they were also desperately anxious to avoid giving evidence themselves, the judge wrote. Of the background to the case, she noted that Marten had made serious allegations of childhood abuse against both her parents. But Judge Reardon said Martens parents disputed the accusations, saying their daughter had been brainwashed into making them. She also heard how police classified Gordon as high risk because he repeatedly refused to complete an annual risk assessment for convicted sex offenders. The court heard that their second child had been born at home in London in spring 2019 without the authorities knowledge. Then, in November 2019, when 14 weeks pregnant with her third, Marten fell out of the window of the couples rented flat. Her two children were present at the time. In the criminal case, the jury heard her play down the incident in an interview with police following her arrest. I had an accident and the Family Court were blaming Mark for it, absolutely no evidence, so thats why my children were taken, she told the Old Bailey. I had a fall from a window. There were no bruises on me, no signs of domestic violence, so how they came to that conclusion [was] quite phenomenal, to be honest. I was furious by it, because our children suffered massively. But the Family Court was told Marten was taken to hospital with a shattered spleen, damage to her kidney and internal bleeding and needed a blood transfusion. It is fortunate that she made a full recovery, the judge observed. Marten embraces the New Age vibe at the Burning Man festival in Nevada in 2012 She recorded how a neighbour called an ambulance at 3.35am, having heard screaming, and then saw a woman fall 18ft from the first-floor of a terraced house, hitting a car. When the ambulance arrived, Marten was back inside the house shouting: Help me! At no stage had Gordon rung for help. Concerned by his behaviour, paramedics waited for police to arrive before entering the property. The judgment records: The father [Gordon] told PC Hennessy that both had fallen out of the window trying to fix an aerial. PC Hennessy said that he was suspicious of the circumstances, and put it to the father directly that he had pushed the mother. When Gordon was asked in hospital what had happened, he said: Im still in shock. Can you come back to me with more information, and we can talk then? However, from then on he refused to elaborate further. Marten also claimed that it had been an accident, adding that Gordon had fallen, too, but luckily he landed on his feet. Her response to questioning was to make increasingly serious allegations against the local authority, of evidence-tampering and perjury, which then extended to include similar allegations against the police and medical professions, the judge noted. She also highlighted a pattern in the case whereby the couple gave false information in a plausible and confident manner which can easily mislead professionals. She concluded: I find on the balance of probabilities that the father caused the mother to fall out of the window. I am not able to find whether he pushed her or whether she fell during a struggle. The former may be more likely because the bottom of the window is a few feet up from the floor, and it would have required some impetus to get the mothers body up and over the sill. In 2009, she posted Classic Toots on a photograph of her holding an iced coffee in the Egyptian desert Gordons actions had, the judge said, put her [Martens] life and the life of their unborn child at serious risk. Exposing children to domestic violence such as this, she went on, could cause them serious harm. After Martens fall, the couple then deliberately evaded a safeguarding investigation by the local authority. Marten fled to Ireland with the two children to avoid answering questions, claiming to have taken a holiday at a wellness retreat for people that are unwell. The day after the fall, a social worker visited the family home, but Gordon refused to let him in. The social worker noticed a strong smell of cannabis asked about this subsequently, Marten claimed it was herbal sage. She separately refused to submit a hair sample to be tested for cannabis use, something the judge said had no relevance to the proceedings. Her father, Napier Marten, launched wardship proceedings, offering to care for his grandchildren, leading to a High Court order for her to return to the UK. Marten took her children to a police station in Ireland but refused to return for weeks while the matter was dragged out in the Irish courts. When she did finally come back the children were placed in foster care, never again to be returned to their parents. Ahead of their third child being born in London in May 2020 a plan was put in place for Marten and the baby to go straight to a residential assessment unit. But after the birth the couple refused to do this and a court order was made to place this child into foster care, too. Having made her findings of fact, Judge Reardon said the threshold for state intervention with the three children had been crossed, with a decision to be made on their long-term future, including the possibility of adoption. This led to a third judgment being handed down by Judge Reardon in January 2022, by which time Gordon and Marten had had a fourth child. Incredibly, it emerged that Marten had been pregnant during proceedings the year before, concealing it from the local authority and the court. The day after the birth she discharged herself from hospital in London, leaving the baby in the care of nurses. When she tried to return to the ward the next day she was refused entry as she would not take a Covid test. This child was also fostered. The court heard that while all four children were in care, their parents were allowed to have contact sessions with them during 2021. But their attendance became sporadic and in October 2021 they ceased attending altogether. The pair showed a baffling lack of commitment to their children, missing 19 contact sessions, the judge said. Marten complained that her wealthy family didnt like Gordon, and claimed they used their wealth and influence to get social services to intervene My mummy and daddy cancelled again, their children told staff. One had a nightmare that monsters had taken their parents away, while another began bed-wetting and developed a stammer. The hearings were once again beset by delays and problems. On the first day of the one in January 2022, the pair claimed to have Covid sending in photos of positive lateral flow tests and only attending remotely. The documents also reveal that Martens mother, Virginie de Selliers, had offered to be a potential carer for the two older children, saying that she felt desperately sad for her daughter and the children. But having been given access to all the files, she then withdrew her offer. Her lawyer told the court of her reasoning: She saw the relationship between the parents as an enmeshed and abusive one, and was concerned that if any of the children were placed with her she would not be able safely to care for them. Martens next move was to claim she intended to separate from Gordon as soon as possible telling the court she wanted to be considered as the childrens sole carer. But the judge said she did not believe this would happen. Gordon, meanwhile, was his usual silent self. He gave no evidence during the hearings, not even a witness statement, leaving it to Marten to argue that the children could be safely cared for by them. She claimed she had not taken part in expert assessments ahead of the hearing because she had been sucked into internet advice groups run by other parents in which it was suggested that the best way to succeed in proceedings of this nature is to withdraw co-operation and challenge every step taken by the authority or court. Judge Reardon dismissed this as wholly implausible. Marten also claimed that she had only missed contact meetings with her children because there was no CCTV at the contact centres and she was concerned her interactions with them would be misrepresented. Follow every detail of the case on The Mail's acclaimed podcast The Trial The Trial takes listeners behind the headlines and into the courtrooms of some of the biggest criminal cases in the world. The first series, 'The Trial of Lucy Letby' received more than 13million downloads. Season two focused on the murder of Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old teacher from Ireland. Season three followed the case of the murder of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old teenager. Season four will follow the evidence as the jury hears it in twice weekly reports from The Daily Mail's news reporter, Jack Hardy, and broadcast journalist, Caroline Cheetham. They will take you into the courtroom to bring you the details as the evidence unfolds, to examine key moments and to carry out exclusive interviews with detectives, victims, and experts. Advertisement Again, Judge Reardon dismissed the explanation, describing it as absurd. She also noted that when Marten was told in court about her childrens heartbreaking reaction to her no-shows, she showed little response. The judge said that when one childs reaction was put to Marten, the mother said simply, and without emotion, that she had had to think about the bigger picture. Judge Reardon added: I was entirely unclear as to what she thought the bigger picture was. I have to conclude there is something in the parents lives that is powerful enough to prevent them choosing time with their children, and even perhaps to dampen the emotional impact of recognising the harm that the children have suffered as a result. I have no idea what it is. It is a tragedy for the children that the parents capacity to meet their needs, which in a number of respects is excellent, is so deeply compromised by the conduct which causes them harm. Perhaps most hurtful, from the childrens point of view, is their parents baffling lack of commitment to them over the course of these lengthy proceedings and their inability, or unwillingness, to do what needed to be done in order to reclaim them. It is a picture that I, as a reasonably experienced Family Court judge, find very difficult to comprehend. I have no doubt in future years all four children will struggle to come to terms with their history and are likely to experience powerful feelings of anger, loss and hurt. The hearing concluded with an order that all four children be put up for adoption. Other options had been to leave them in their parents care or in foster care where the couple would have contact with them. But outlining the risk of continued parental contact, Judge Reardon said: It is much more likely than not that in the foreseeable future the children will be exposed to serious physical violence between their parents. It is quite possible they will be injured themselves, and virtually certain that they will suffer long-term psychological harm and impairment in all areas of their development. As we now know, that was not the end of Marten and Gordons parenthood. Within weeks of the adoption hearing Marten was pregnant and determined to evade social services by going on the run. According to Marten, baby number five Victoria was born in a rented cottage on Christmas Eve 2022. The first authorities knew of it was when they found a placenta in the back of the couples abandoned car, along with four used babies dummies packed carefully in a Tupperware box poignant mementos of the four previous children placed in care. Within days, the matter was once again back before Judge Reardon, who imposed an interim care order on their baby allowing it to be taken into foster care once found. Tragically for baby Victoria, that was never to happen. For a special episode of the Mail's award-winning The Trial series breaking down the Constance Marten verdict, search for 'The Trial of Constance Marten & Mark Gordon' now, wherever you get your podcasts. He's the man who launched a thousand conspiracy theories. From the postmortem examinations of Minnesota's George Floyd and Ferguson, Missouri's Michael Brown, to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr, these high-profile death investigations all have one thing in common: forensic pathologist Dr Michael Baden. And Baden, the 90-year-old former chief medical officer of New York City, is typically the one offering the report that runs counter to the official conclusion. Since his ouster from a medical examiner's office 40 years ago (then accused of sloppy recordkeeping, poor judgment and a lack of cooperation), Baden has worked as a hired gun. The brother of Jeffrey Epstein, Mark Epstein, contracted Dr Baden as an independent analyst to observe the autopsy of the convicted pedophile and accused sex trafficker, who died on August 10, 2019, in the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Lower Manhattan. Baden was at the dissecting table, looking on, and free to ask the Manhattan medical examiner Dr Kristin Roman for any additional incisions or tests that he required. Her findings that day were initially inconclusive. Since his ouster from a medical examiner's office 40 years ago (then accused of sloppy recordkeeping, poor judgment and a lack of cooperation), Baden has worked as a hired gun. The brother of Jeffrey Epstein , Mark Epstein, contracted Dr Baden as an independent analyst to observe the autopsy of the convicted pedophile and accused sex trafficker, who died on August 10, 2019, in the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Lower Manhattan. 'I think we both realized that this was not typical for suicide,' Baden told the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview. 'If it was typical for a suicide, she would have made a suicide declaration right away, whatever the politics was of it.' But over a week later, on August 19, 2019, Dr Roman's boss, Dr Barbara Sampson, announced that Epstein's death was officially suicide by hanging. A few days after that Dr Baden handed Mark Epstein his report, concluding that his brother's death was more likely a homicide. '[Mark Epstein] was surprised when I told him that I thought the findings were more like a homicide than a suicide,' Baden recalled. He insisted that Mark Epstein was not seeking a specific decision but instead wanted an independent account. Even if Epstein had pressed for a particular outcome, having paid Baden his standard $1,500-a-day fee, the veteran pathologist insists it would not have changed his mind. 'To be a proper forensic pathologist, one has to find out what the truth is and advise whoever they're working for, whether the government or a private citizen, what the findings are, so that the government or the family can then make future decisions,' insisted Baden. 'We have no interest in making one person right.' The likely homicide finding by Dr Baden perhaps, more than any other has become a rallying cry of skeptics. 'Epstein didn't kill himself' is now a meme. And many of Dr Baden's rulings have had similar holding power. After the May 25, 2020 death of Minneapolis man George Floyd, Dr Baden was hired to perform a second examination by Floyd's family. 'The autopsy shows that Mr. Floyd had no underlying medical problems that caused or contributed to his death. He was in good health,' Dr Baden told reporters on June 1, 2020 adding, 'I wish I had the same coronary arteries that Mr. Floyd had that we saw at the autopsy.' It was later determined by the Hennepin County Chief Medical Examiner that heart disease and use of fentanyl were contributing, though not the main factors, causing Floyd's death. Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted for killing Floyd. Additionally, after a Ferguson, Missouri police officer shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, 2014, Dr Baden was hired by the family. Forensic pathologist Shawn Parcells, who assisted Dr Baden in that autopsy, told reporters that a bullet graze wound on Brown's right arm could have occurred if Brown's back was turned to the officer, or he could have been facing forwards with his hands above his head in a position of surrender. Additionally, after a Ferguson, Missouri police officer shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, 2014, Dr Baden was hired by the family (above). The defense argued that Brown was charging at the officer when he was shot, and the officer was acquitted in that case. Now, nearly six years after his controversial Epstein opinion, Baden is as confident as ever that he made the right call - and informed, he said, by the unusual nature of Epstein's injuries, and especially those to his neck. 'My assessment is that the autopsy shows findings that are much more indicative of homicide than suicidal hanging,' Dr Baden explained. 'The pattern of injury and the other findings, particular hemorrhages in the eyes, for example, are all common in severe neck compression and not common in hanging.' Manhattan medical examiner Dr Roman and Dr Baden agreed at the time of the autopsy that there was a fracture of the hyoid bone - the small horseshoe-shaped bone in the front of the neck - and two fractures of the thyroid cartilage, the tissue around the voice box. Whereas Roman's office concluded the damage was due to suicidal hanging, Baden thought it may have been inflicted by someone else. 'I sat for 50 years on the commission that reviews every single death that occurred in jails, lockups and prisons in the state of New York and the city of New York,' he said. 'During which time, for the 50 years, there were about 500-600 suicidal hanging deaths. Those type of three fractures had never been seen in any of those 500 cases.' Baden added that the fact Epstein was found seated with his legs stretched out in front of him, his buttocks only a few inches from the ground, made suicide even less likely. 'This turned out to be a suicidal hanging where he was seated on the ground, so that there was very much less pressure around the neck, which is what's required in order to fracture the neck bones,' he said. Manhattan medical examiner Dr Roman and Dr Baden agreed at the time of the autopsy that there was a fracture of the hyoid bone - the small horseshoe-shaped bone in the front of the neck - and two fractures of the thyroid cartilage, the tissue around the voice box. 'Free hanging is the weight of the body, minus about 10 pounds for the head. When somebody is seated, it's probably half the weight of the body. With seated hangings there'd be less than 10 percent of cases that would have even a single fracture.' However, there is now more information publicly available than there was when Dr Baden issued his conclusions. Footage from the Manhattan prison cell block, released by the Justice Department last week, showed video of the only passageway towards the eight-cell tier where Epstein was being held, and where he was found dead. The ten hours of continuous footage has an approximately one-minute gap missing, from 11:58:58 pm to 12.00.00 am, which Pam Bondi, the attorney general, explained away as standard for prison's surveillance system, which automatically resets every night at a minute to midnight, creating a lag. Online sleuths have now speculated that a potential killer may have slipped into Epstein's cell block at this moment, but Dr Baden dismissed that theory. Indeed, Dr Baden said Epstein could have been incapacitated quite quickly, but a potential killer would have needed more time to stage the scene and escape. 'There would be a loss of consciousness within less than 10 seconds with that compression of the neck and the blood vessels in the neck by ligature strangulation, even by whether suicide or homicide, the individual would be unconscious, unable to resist within eight or nine and 10 seconds,' he said. Staging the scene, however, 'would require time to tear the sheets there were some nooses that were made, and that part of it would take time a half hour or longer.' Photos showed the state of the cell Epstein was found hanged in The ten hours of continuous footage has an approximately one-minute gap missing, from 11:58:58 pm to 12.00.00 am (pictured above) which Pam Bondi, the attorney general, explained away as standard for prison's surveillance system, which automatically resets every night at a minute to midnight, creating a lag. Yet still, even after the release of the prison surveillance video, Dr Baden is not convinced that a murder didn't occur. Dr Baden believes it is entirely possible that another inmate snuck into Epstein's cell and killed him at any point in the 10 hours that Epstein was left in his cell against prison protocol - unsupervised. The guards within the jail were initially evasive about how Epstein's body was discovered: it later emerged that they had falsified records, claiming they had checked on him the obligatory two times an hour. Now, Baden says he is 'very surprised' that the Epstein theories and rumors continue to swirl even after he chaired the forensic pathology panel on the House commission into JFK's murder, and the killing of MLK. Perhaps Epstein's ghost will haunt America as long as theirs? 'It's not quite up there with those,' he said. 'But it does just keep going. It has legs of its own.' A growing number of worried parents are demanding male workers in daycares do not change their children's nappies, dress them or take them to the toilet. Some families are now demanding opt-in care waivers at childcare centres after several male workers were charged with serious sexual abuse offences. One centre in Sydney received emails from six different families last week requesting that certain tasks only be performed by female staff members. 'I had a mother email me last week asking how she could submit an opt-in waiver for her child to have their nappy changed by female staff only,' another operator told the Daily Telegraph. The early education sector has been thrust into the spotlight in recent weeks after Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown, 26, was charged with over 70 child abuse offences, including sexual penetration and producing child abuse material. An urgent warning was issued to the parents of 1,200 children to take them to the doctor for STI testing. A second male worker from Sydney was charged with seven counts of using a child under 14 to make abuse material in a separate, unrelated incident last week. But childcare operators are concerned that male educators are being discriminated against and feel excluded from performing certain tasks. Childcare centres are being inundated with requests from parents for only female staff to perform certain tasks (stock images) Parents' concerns were heightened after Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown (pictured) was charged with over 70 child abuse offences Others said that juggling parents' demands, inclusion, and staffing had become a constant struggle at centres. University of South Australia early educator senior lecturer Dr Martyn Mills-Bayne is concerned that opt-in waivers 'blur the line'. 'When men are excluded from any task that is an inherent requirement of their job description as early childhood educators and teachers, we risk creating a two-tiered workplace where all men are seen as inherently risky by parents, colleagues and the children they care for,' he said. The allegations against Brown prompted Early Learning Journey to ban male staff from changing nappies and performing toileting duties at 18 centres across Victoria. Chief curriculum and quality officer Eleinna Anderson maintained that male staff will still play a 'vital role' with activities, classroom preparation, and cleaning. Staff have also been urged to refrain from unnecessary physical contact with children, including kissing. If offering emotional support, they need the child's consent to hug them or hold their hands. Acting NSW Education and Early Learning Minister Courtney Houssos acknowledged that the childcare sector needs an overhaul to ensure children's safety. 'While I don't believe any government would introduce a scheme that actively discriminates against men, it is crucial that the early learning sector takes a risk-based approach that puts children first,' she said. One centre received emails from six different families last week requesting these tasks only be performed by female staff (stock image) Earlier this month, Today Show host Karl Stefanovic weighed in on the fierce debate about whether men should be banned from childcare centres. He said men already face challenges in the sector and didn't deserve to be banned. 'Men have a right to work in that area. And so many of them are dedicated,' Stefanovic said. 'The perception is already hard enough for them. And when a story like this happens, it makes it even more difficult for them.' Recent childcare sex abuse incidents in NSW/ACT A 51-year-old man who worked at a centre in Glen Innes, in the Northern Tablelands, was arrested and charged with intentionally sexually touching a child under 10 years old involving eight victims in October 2024. In the same month, police charged daycare worker Quoc Phu Tong with alleged sexual touching of a young child at Only About Children in Seaforth, Northern Sydney. He pleaded guilty in January. A Sydney childcare worker, aged in his 20s, was charged with more than 10 counts of child abuse after he allegedly filmed himself abusing young boys while in the bathroom and classroom in the same month. He also allegedly pleasured himself in front of children in a classroom. In May, 2024, Timothy Doyle, 27, and his partner, 22-year-old Steven Garrad, were jailed for abusing 16 children in the Mid North Coast town of Kendall. The pair committed hundreds of serious child abuse offences including sexual intercourse with very young children. Ashley Paul Griffith - dubbed Australia's worst paedophile - was arrested in 2022 over 1,600 offences in childcare centres in Brisbane, Sydney and Italy between 2007 and 2022. He pleaded guilty to more than 300 charges and was sentenced to life in prison. In the same year, 30-year-old Muhammad Ali was charged with three counts of committing an act of indecency against three children at a Canberra daycare centre. In 2023, he was found guilty on one count. A leading Labour donor yesterday called for climate denial to be a criminal offence because it causes incredible harm. Green energy tycoon Dale Vince tweeted in support of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who branded the Conservatives and Reform unpatriotic for not backing Net Zero goals. It came as Mr Miliband gave an urgent statement in Parliament on the state of the climate crisis, telling The Guardian he wanted it to be an annual exercise in radical truth-telling. Mr Vince, who donated 5million to Labour in the run-up to the general election, posted: Good move from Ed, its time to tell it like it is. Id make climate denial a criminal offence given the incredible harm it will cause, even by slowing down progress to Net Zero. Speaking to MPs yesterday, Mr Miliband referenced a Met Office report warning that the UK is getting hotter and wetter with more extreme events. The central England temperature series shows recent warmth has far exceeded any temperatures observed in at least 300 years, he said. He also warned that Britain was one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and said heatwaves had led to 10,000 excess deaths in England during the past four years. Facing down his critics, he added: To those who say Britain cannot make a difference. I say you are wrong. Stop talking our country down. British leadership matters. Green energy tycoon and leading Labour donor Dale Vince (pictured) tweeted in support of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who branded the Conservatives and Reform unpatriotic for not backing Net Zero goals It came as Mr Miliband (pictured) gave an urgent statement in Parliament on the state of the climate crisis, telling The Guardian he wanted it to be an annual exercise in radical truth-telling But Tory energy spokesman Andrew Bowie (pictured) said it was ridiculous to accuse opponents of Net Zero of being unpatriotic. We need to bring back a sense of rationality, of proportion to this debate, he said But Tory energy spokesman Andrew Bowie said it was ridiculous to accuse opponents of Net Zero of being unpatriotic. We need to bring back a sense of rationality, of proportion to this debate, he said, adding that language like this is alienating more and more people. And Mr Bowie said it was shameful of Mr Miliband to use the Met Office report as an excuse to attack his opponents, while also warning that Labours climate policies in the race to Net Zero threaten to impoverish the British people. It is rather shameful that the Secretary should be using this [Met Office] report as cover, whilst ratcheting up the language, whilst increasing the shrill criticism of all those who question the department and its policies, all to distract from the fact that the plans mean that Britain will be poorer and that no one, no one looking at how we are decarbonised, could ever claim that this is a model to follow, he told MPs. We are proud to have been a world leader, but it isnt a race if nobody else is running. If we are leading the way, we need to make sure theres a path others will follow. We must decarbonise in a way that creates energy security and prosperity rather than forcing industry abroad and impoverishing the British people. Mr Miliband also suggested that the Government-owned GB Energy could fund solar panels on religious buildings, such as churches and mosques. A California professor has been accused of hurling tear gas at ICE agents during a tumultuous raid on a cannabis farm last week. Jonathan Anthony Caravello was taken into custody on Thursday, with U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli claiming on social media that he threw a tear gas cannister at law enforcement officials who descended on Glass House Farms in Ventura County. Essayli went on to deny the California Faculty Association's earlier claims that Caravello - who teaches math and philosophy at California State University Channel Islands - was 'kidnapped' by federal agents. Instead, a criminal complaint obtained by the Ojai Valley News claims that after agent deployed cannisters of tear gas, Caravello was caught on body camera footage 'attempt[ing] to kick the canister' which proceeded to roll past him. 'Caravello turned around, ran towards the canister, picked it up and threw the canister overhand back at [Border Patrol] agents,' an affidavit says, adding that it 'came within approximately several feet above law enforcements' heads.' In the aftermath, Caravello allegedly left the scene - only to return a few hours later wearing different clothes, according to the affidavit. It also claims that Caravello was seen 'holding a microphone' at the cannabis farm when Border Patrol agents 'attempted to clear a safe pathway' between the protesters and government-owned vehicles attempting to leave. He was arrested just before 6pm, according to the criminal complaint, which states that agents placed the professor on his stomach on the ground and gave him 'verbal commands... but Caravello would not comply and attempted to grab a [Border Patrol] agent's leg. Jonathan Anthony Caravello, a California professor, has been accused of hurling tear gas at ICE agents during a tumultuous raid on a nearby cannabis farm last week Federal agents blocked a road leading to the farm where ICE conducted an operation in Camarillo, California last Thursday, as tear gas was used to disperse protesters 'Caravello continuously kicked his legs and refused to give the BP agents his arms,' the complaint alleges. Witnesses at the scene, though, offered a different version of events. They claimed the professor was attempting to dislodge a tear gas cannister that became stuck underneath another protester's wheelchair when he was arrested, ABC 7 reports. Angelmarie Taylor, 24, also told the Los Angeles Times she saw agents fire tear gas after Caravello and others refused to move out of the way of agents' vehicles. At that point, four masked agents took Caravello from the protest site and placed him in an unmarked vehicle without identifying themselves, stating a reason for his arrest or disclosing where they were taking him, the California Faculty Association claimed. 'They didn't give us a dispersal order,' Taylor recounted. 'They didn't say anything.' In a statement, California State University Channel Islands said it is working to get 'additional information to fully understand the circumstances of the incident.' 'At this time, it is our understanding that Professor Caravello was peacefully participating in a protest - an act protected under the First Amendment and a right guaranteed to all Americans,' the university said. 'If confirmed, we stand with elected officials and community leaders calling for his immediate release.' A criminal complaint asserts that Caravello, a math and philosophy lecturer, threw a canister of tear gas back at Border Patrol agents, narrowly missing their heads Witnesses have instead claimed he was trying to move a canister that got stuck under a protester's wheelchair at the scene (pictured) Federal authorities also claim Caravello was among the protesters who refused to move for government-owned vehicles trying to leave the scene of Glass House Farms Members of the California Faculty Association and VC Defensa, an immigration rights group, then hosted a rally demanding the release of at least 12 Ventura County residents - including Caravello - on Sunday. 'As part of our union's antiracism and social justice agenda, we show up for our immigrant communities, including faculty and students engaged in efforts to stop and protect our communities from the invasion of ICE, [Department of Homeland Security], National Guard and local law enforcement,' the California Faculty Association said in a statement. A spokesperson for the group also spoke up about Caravello's detention in remarks to the Coyote Chronicle. 'This was not just an arrest - it was a disappearance,' the spokesperson said. 'Dr. Caravello is a US citizen, a public servant and an advocate for justice. His abduction is part of a deeply alarming trend of silencing dissent and criminalizing compassion.' VC Defensa also shared a message on Instagram asserting that Caravello was 'defending the immigrant community and supporting other people who come to show their support. 'Let's be critical before sharing news that he was "violent,"' the immigrant rights group urged. 'We have so many witnesses that know he was attacked by ICE and assaulted for no reason other than he was in the crowd that stood against ICE. 'This is an egregious lie by the ruling class (as always!!),' it claimed. Caravello was ultimately released on a $15,000 bail on Monday Members of the California Faculty Association and VC Defensa, an immigration rights group, hosted a rally demanding the release of at least 12 Ventura County residents - including Caravello - on Sunday Still, Caravello is now facing federal charges of 'assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers or employees,' which can carry up to 10 years in prison if the offense involves a weapon or causes injury. He was released on a $15,000 bail on Monday, with an arraignment set for August 1. Meanwhile, Democrats have spoken out against the ICE raid at the cannabis farm, as they insisted the migrants agents were after were just children picking strawberries. Ventura County Democratic Party Chair Steve Auclair called the raid 'a military attack on our community,' Auclair said. 'First they came for the farmworkers. Now they're coming for all of us,' he declared. California Gov. Gavin Newsom even declared that President Donald Trump is 'the real scum' for conducting the nationwide ICE raids. Keir Starmer was yesterday accused of his worst two-tier justice betrayal yet over a planned law change which could see British veterans of the Troubles dragged to court. MPs lined up during an emotional Westminster debate to warn the Prime Minister that pressing ahead would spark a witch hunt that will shame our country for decades to come. And they branded it outrageous that the overhaul will allow the likes of former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and hundreds of suspected terrorists to claim compensation from the Government over their imprisonment during the conflict. MPs, who were watched by dozens of veterans in the public gallery in Westminster Hall, urged the Prime Minister to think again about the decision to repeal the Northern Ireland Legacy Act. It had been introduced by the previous Tory government to stop veterans being hounded with vexatious claims about their actions while on duty decades ago by granting them legal protections against prosecution. Supporters point out that veterans who killed IRA terrorists faced thorough investigations at the time and so should not be dragged through the process again. The debate was sparked after more than 170,000 people surpassing the 100,000 trigger point signed a petition demanding Sir Keir ditch his plans to repeal the Act. The Mails Stop The SAS Betrayal campaign is also pressing the Government to halt its repeal of the Act or instead produce a proper alternative. Keir Starmer was yesterday accused of his worst two-tier justice betrayal yet over a planned law change which could see British veterans of the Troubles dragged to court Veterans showed support at the SAS protest outside Westminster today where MPs discussed the decision to repeal the Northern Ireland Legacy Act Veterans and MPs urged the Prime Minister to think again about the decision to repeal the Northern Ireland Legacy Act John Lamont MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, opened the debate saying that the move would shame our country for decades to come. He added: We have seen a lot of examples of two-tier justice since this Labour Government came to power, but this may simply be the worst of all. How do those on the Government benches expect to go back to their constituencies and explain why they had just voted for the prosecution of veterans while allowing terrorists to sue the taxpayer? They know that is not right. Former Cabinet minister Sir David Davis accused Sir Keir of threatening veterans in their retirement. He added: Its a matter of justice, a matter of ensuring that those who risked their lives to protect our citizens during the Troubles know the state stands behind them. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a Scots Guards veteran who served in Northern Ireland, said: If this Act is repealed, then we are left with the single problem that it started with how do we protect those veterans from vexatious persecution which has been going on? British troops, in foreground, clash with demonstrators in a Catholic dominated area of Belfast, Northern Ireland, in May 1981 The Mails Stop The SAS Betrayal campaign is also pressing the Government to halt its repeal of the Act or instead produce a proper alternative Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin said: The IRA wants to rewrite history. Many of the so-called IRA victims killed were murderers and terrorists. How on earth can anyone stand up to defend these people over our Special Forces? Ministers claim the Legacy Act has also halted investigations into the deaths of more than 200 British soldiers, insisting this justifies repealing the legislation and replacing it. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said: I recognise the very real fears many veterans have. Closing the three-hour debate, he said ministers were trying to reach an agreement with the Irish government... because doing nothing is not credible. A woman battling cancer has shared heartbreaking messages from her husband, who left her and took all their money. Marie, who is undergoing treatment for a brain tumour, said her condition has been severe, involving multiple surgeries and treatments. 'My husband of six years up and vanished, drained our mutual account and sent me this when I asked what the hell was going on,' she wrote on a post shared to social media. Despite her illness, she remained devoted to her husband. 'My condition is foul, I've had multiple surgeries, treatments, etc But I've always been faithful, I still cooked him dinners up until this happened. He's pretty convinced I'm dead to rights, I personally think I have a chance,' she wrote. Alongside her post, Marie included an MRI scan showing the tumour and a text message from her husband explaining why he left. 'Listen, it's been hard, I can't handle watching you die,' the message read. 'I feel alone, I feel trapped, I'm not sure where or what I'm going to do I've invested a lot during your treatment so I'm recouping what I put in plus extra for my future. I can still have one.' Marie uploaded to social media the texts and videos her husband sent her She was cooking him dinner while battling a brain tumour - while he was planning his escape He went on to tell Marie she should 'be happy for me, that I can live for us both'. He also sent her three disturbing videos, then appeared on camera holding a bottle of wine while talking about another woman. 'She is the one that makes me happy. Everything, she meets my needs and you don't and you won't and you haven't,' he said. 'I'm at the point now where I'm feeling alone when I'm with you, and small.' A recent study published in The Times revealed men were more likely to leave their wives after a cancer diagnosis. The study looked at more than 25,000 couples across 27 countries during an 18-year period and found that divorce was more likely when the wife was sick. And if it was the husband who had health issues, the couple was no more likely to split than if both were healthy. A sociologist at the University of Sydney, Professor Alex Broom, said women often bore the brunt of caring responsibilities at both ends of life Professor Alex Broom, a sociologist at the University of Sydney, said the findings highlight a troubling imbalance in caregiving within relationships. 'Research has often shown that women bear the brunt of caring responsibilities at both ends of life - the early years and the twilight years,' he told News.com.au. 'But also, that the men in their lives can be ill-equipped to provide them with care and support when they need it, whether in the context of serious illness or at the end of life.' 'The reality is, women do a disproportionate amount of informal caring, and receive less, on average, themselves -often at critical moments.' A young mother-of-five has been killed after crashing her car into a tree - while three people allegedly riding in a stolen car beside her who failed to stop at the scene have been charged. Emergency services rushed to West Wodonga, about 324km north-east of Melbourne, at 3.15pm on July 9 following reports of a crash. Rochaell Donoghue, 30, died at the scene after her Lexus sedan crashed into a tree along Melrose Drive. Police said a stolen Hyundai Kona was driving in tandem with Ms Donoghue's Lexus sedan and those inside failed to stop and render assistance at the time of the collision. Ms Donoghue's five children - three girls and two boys, aged 13, 11, seven, four and two, shared a heartbreaking tribute to their beloved mum. 'We will always miss and love you, mummy,' the tribute read. 'We promise to never forget you and always remember the good times together. 'Yesterday, today and tomorrow, we will always talk about you. We will love you for all our days ahead.' Rochaell Donoghue, 30, died after her Lexus sedan crashed into a tree along Melrose Drive in West Wodonga, Victoria Family and friends also penned touching messages for Ms Donoghue which were pinned to a tribute board at the site of the crash on Sunday. The board featured family photographs and handwritten messages and was surrounded by flowers, a purple teddy bear, lights, butterflies and Ms Donoghue's favourite drinks. 'Forever my 30 y/o baby girl, love u (sic) always mum,' Ms Donoghue's mother Kylie wrote. 'I was tough on you but only because I loved you and always will. signed, your 2nd dad,' Ms Donoghue's stepfather wrote. Her best friend Diana Dodemaide travelled to the crash site with Ms Donoghue's family and children to help set up the memorial. Ms Dodemaide explained lights were placed around the memorial as her friend didn't like the dark. 'This isn't fair to any of us, her parents are completely lost and devastated by the loss of their girl,' Ms Dodemaide told The Border Mail. Victoria Police said the Hyundai travelling beside Ms Donoghue is believed to have been stolen from Albury during an alleged armed robbery and carjacking on the day of the crash. Police said a stolen Hyundai was driving in convoy with Ms Donoghue when she crashed into the tree and its three occupants failed to stop and render her assistance Cops found the stolen Hyundai in Wodonga just one day after the crash and arrested three people as part of their investigations. Benalla man Orey McMahon, 32, Wangaratta man Zachary Alexandra Wileman, 29, and 19-year-old Albury woman Zahara Smith were taken into custody. The trio were allegedly travelling in the stolen Hyundai in convoy with the Lexus driven by Ms Donoghue. On Sunday, police said the trio had been charged with unrelated offences but no charges had been laid in relation to the crash. The two men were remanded in custody and appeared in Wangaratta court on Monday. McMahon faced court cradling his broken left arm as his lawyer explained he'd been assaulted in his jail cell on Friday. The court heard McMahon was suffering withdrawals from ice and was having difficulty eating. The 32-year-old is facing a slew of charges including burglary and theft. He did not seek bail and is set to appear in court again on August 12. Wileman also faced Wangaratta court on Monday for a range of pending offences including theft, burglary, driving offences, car theft and destroying property. His lawyer told the court the 29-year-old was also withdrawing from ice. He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody and will return to court on August 18. Smith was remanded in custody and is set to face Wodonga court on August 12. Ms Donoghue also had multiple matters pending before court at the time of her death. She had been accused of harassment, breaching bail, breaching a family violence order and making threats. The 30-year-old had two sets of matters pending in Shepparton on August 29 and a bond listed four days later in Benalla. She also had matters listed before the court in September 2024 and also in March, this year. Ms Dodemaide has since launched a GoFundMe to help Ms Donoghue's family with funeral costs and expenses. 'I am asking for any donations of any sort, big or small to help her family with any expenses that comes with losing a loved one,' she wrote. 'Rochaell has a loving mother, father, stepfather and stepmother who are absolutely devastated by this tragic accident. 'Their baby girl was taken away from them by no fault of hers. 'Rochaell has left behind 5 beautiful children who are also completely saddened and broken because they have just lost their loving mother.' Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit launched an investigation into the fatal crash. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or any other information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Runaway aristocrat Constance Martens first four children were taken into care amid fears for their lives years before she killed her fifth baby, the Mail can reveal today. Marten was convicted yesterday alongside her violent lover Mark Gordon of causing their newborn Victorias death after going on the run to prevent authorities removing her. In bombshell testimony made public on Monday after a legal challenge by the Mail, Marten, 38, and her partner Gordon, 51, were deemed too violent to be parents. A family court judge had warned two years before the national manhunt to save Victoria: It is much more likely than not that in the foreseeable future the children will be exposed to serious physical violence between their parents. It is quite possible that they will be injured themselves. Victorias decomposed body was found in a shopping bag in Brighton on March 1 after the pair had gone on the run and slept in a freezing tent in wintry conditions. It is thought the child said to have been 16 days old when she died may have developed hypothermia or been smothered, but no cause of death has ever been determined. But yesterday, as the callous couple were convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence at the end of a two-year prosecution, they refused to accept their culpability. After the verdict was read out, Gordon angrily shouted from the dock of the Old Bailey: Im not surprised by the verdict. It was faulty, it was unlawful. This is not over, it has just begun. Marten yelled: Its a scam, before walking out of the court in fury. The pair had already been convicted at an earlier trial of child cruelty, concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice. Constance Marten was yesterday convicted alongside her violent lover Mark Gordon of causing their newborn Victorias death after going on the run to prevent authorities removing her Constance Marten's partner Mark Gordon, 50, was previously convicted of a 'sadistic' rape committed in 1989 and spent 20 years in a US jail For a special episode of the Mail's award-winning The Trial podcast breaking down the Constance Marten verdict, click here Following two trials, costing taxpayers an estimated 1.6million, it can now be revealed that: Gordon is a sociopathic rapist whose sadistic crimes were compared to US serial killer Ted Bundy. A national safeguarding panel is now looking at the landmark case as police have called for new laws to protect unborn children. The couple were granted legal aid for their defence, hiring 19 lawyers at an estimated cost of 600,000 yet Marten is a trust fund heiress worth 2.4million. Gordon attempted to avoid trial, claiming he was more notorious than Wayne Couzens, the Scotland Yard police firearms officer who murdered Sarah Everard. Martens father was a page to the late Queen Elizabeth II and her grandmother was a playmate of Princess Margaret. In an extraordinary case which gripped the country, the couple went on the run with their baby in a desperately selfish bid to prevent her being taken into care after their four previous children were removed by social workers, who feared they would come to harm. Hooked on violent pornography, Gordon (pictured) was just 14 when he raped a woman at knifepoint in 1989 after breaking into her home in Florida armed with knives and hedge clippers Marten (pictured in 2012) complained that her wealthy family didnt like Gordon, and claimed they used their wealth and influence to get social services to intervene Police released photographs of the flimsy tent the couple were staying in while on the run with their baby Marten, 38, and Gordon, 50, dumped their baby in a soiled nappy inside a Lidl bag for life Scotland Yard launched a nationwide manhunt, spending more than 1.2million chasing them around the country for 53 days after discovering a placenta in their car when the vehicle was ablaze on a motorway in Greater Manchester on January 5, 2023. More than 100 officers pursued the couple as they fled in taxis, travelling hundreds of miles across the country from Bolton to Liverpool, then to Harwich in Essex, and on to east London before finally resorting to camping on the South Downs in the freezing cold. Five police forces joined the hunt, devoting 1,000 officer hours at a cost of 500,000 to find the childs body after the pair refused to co-operate when they were arrested near Brighton after nearly two months on the run. Police were shocked to discover the millionaire aristocrat had hidden her childs body in a soiled nappy inside a Lidl bag-for-life. It was found beneath an empty beer can and discarded sandwich packaging in a disused shed. Experts have described Gordon, 51, as a sociopathic sex offender considered so dangerous that experts compared his sadistic crimes to those of Ted Bundy or Australian-American serial killer Christopher Wilder. Hooked on violent pornography, Gordon was just 14 when he raped a woman at knifepoint in 1989 after breaking into her home armed with knives and hedge clippers, telling her: Dont scream or Ill kill your children. Over the next four and a half hours, the teenage rapist tormented his victim, telling her she was going to die as he ran the blade down her body. Marten and Gordon walking into Bolton bus interchange with their baby allegedly underneath Marten's coat - the couple were on the run for nearly two months More than 100 officers pursued the couple as they fled in taxis, travelling hundreds of miles across the country from Bolton to Liverpool, then to Harwich in Essex, and on to East London A day after baby Victoria died in their flimsy freezing tent, Marten and Gordon dumped their baby in a soiled nappy inside a Lidl bag for life (pictured on East Ham High Street, London) Five police forces joined the hunt, devoting 1,000 officer hours at a cost of 500,000 to find the child's body after the pair refused to cooperate when they were arrested near Brighton The mother recalled: I had no hope. I was told to say goodbye to my children because this was the day I was going to die. Franklin Nooe, treatment director of a sex assault clinic who counselled Gordons first victim, described him as a sociopath in the same category as Bundy: Thats the 5 per cent of the rapists, thats your Ted Bundys that obviously enjoy it. They are a progressive kind of rapist that would go from just raping, to raping and murdering. Within three weeks of carrying out the attack, Gordon broke into the home of a second woman armed with a set of knives. But as he crept into her bedroom Gordon was startled to find her husband home. Gordon battered him around the head with a shovel before fleeing. He was jailed for 40 years, serving half of that in the US before being deported back to the UK. He hid his appalling criminal history from Marten when they met in 2016. It wasnt until he assaulted two police officers in hospital after Marten gave birth under a false name that she learnt he was a violent rapist considered at high risk of reoffending. Gordon attacked Marten when she was pregnant with their third child, throwing her out of their flat window. She fell 18ft, hitting a car on the way. As she lay screaming in agony with a shattered spleen and internal bleeding, Gordon tried to delay paramedics alerted by concerned neighbours. Marten pictured during a police interview in an image released today in which she is told that her dead baby daughter has been found dead Experts have described Gordon as a sociopathic sex offender considered so dangerous that they compared his sadistic crimes to the American serial killer Ted Bundy or Australian-American serial killer Christopher Wilder (court sketch of Gordon) Marten was unaware of her lover's previous crimes and his time spent in jail when they met in 2016, keeping it secret until after they had a spiritual marriage in Peru and had their first child Marten would spend the next eight days in hospital recovering from surgery, but Gordon demanded she be discharged, despite doctors warning this would put her life at risk. The domestic abuse was the catalyst for a family court judge to rule their four older children should be taken into care . It was then that District Judge Madeleine Reardon warned the children were likely to be exposed to serious physical violence adding: It is quite possible that they will be injured themselves. During their prosecution, the couple conspired to delay, lie and obfuscate repeatedly in a bid to sabotage the case. Marten and Gordon will be sentenced on September 15. Son raised the alarm to first responders A father is fighting for life after falling from a wakeboard and hitting his head on a ramp as his young son watched on in horror. The accident occurred on what was meant to be a father-son bonding day out for Darcy Coulson and his seven-year-old boy Sonny at a waterpark in Melbourne on July 5. During the session, Mr Coulson lost his balance and fell from the wakeboard, hitting his head on the ramp in the process. 'In a moment no child should ever experience, Sonny witnessed the fall and was the first to raise the alarm,' family friend Danielle Dickson said. She said it took lifeguards 'several crucial minutes' to reach the young father, before they found him unconscious in the water. 'The impact caused a severe brain bleed; and with significant oxygen deprivation, the situation was critical,' Ms Dickson said. First responders administered CPR at the park before paramedics rushed Mr Coulson to the Alfred Hospital. He remains there in a critical condition on life support. Father-of-two Darcy Coulson (left) remains in hospital after a tragic waterpark accident 'Against the odds, Darcy is showing small signs of improvement, but the road ahead is uncertain and incredibly tough,' Ms Dickson said. Last week, things took a turn and Mr Coulson developed a chest infection caused by E. coli bacteria while in hospital. He was then diagnosed with pneumonia and was placed on strong antibiotics to fight the infections through an IV drip. On Monday, the family was told the antibiotics were beginning to work. 'It's a small but deeply meaningful step forward,' Ms Dickson said. 'We cannot express enough how grateful we are for the exceptional care Darcy is receiving. 'The team at The Alfred Hospital has been nothing short of incredible - their expertise, compassion, and dedication have given Darcy the best possible chance during the most critical time of his life.' Ms Dickson has set up a fundraiser on GoFundMe for the family, saying 'any donation, no matter how small, will make a real difference' to his partner Leah and their two children. She said the family needed assistance with living expenses, medical bills, travel, psychological care for the couple's two children, and Mr Coulson's long-term care. The family has so far raised more than $12,600. Three Scottish brothers on a grueling journey across the Pacific Ocean have revealed how one of them survived being swept overboard during a horrifying storm. Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean, of Edinburgh, set off on their unprecedented rowing mission in mid-April. The bold trio's goal is to cross the 9,000 miles from South America to Australia in 120 days - making them the fastest people to ever do so - and raise $1.4 million (1 million) along the way to donate to clean water projects in Madagascar. As they are more than half way through their trip, Lachlan, the youngest brother, has shared a traumatizing ordeal he fortunately survived. 'It's been a really tough week, to be honest,' Lachlan confessed while reflecting on the horrifying incident from last Tuesday. While swapping rowing shifts with Ewan, Lachlan was making his way into the cabin when he was 'hit by a big side-on wave and washed overboard' during a raging storm. The brothers estimated the wave that swallowed Lachlan in a split second was at least 15 feet high. 'The boat spun violently and I was thrown head over heels into the dark,' he detailed the moment a wall of water barreled toward him and knocked him off his feet. Lachlan Maclean (pictured) retold the harrowing moment he was swept overboard by a 15-foot wave during a storm The bold trio's goal is to cross the 9,000 miles from South America to Australia in 120 days From left to right, Lachlan, Ewan and Jamie, first rowed a great ocean in 2020, when the then-rookie rowers sailed the Pacific Ocean Shaken and disoriented, Lachlan found himself flailing among the vicious waves and being dragged by his safety line along the side of the boat 'like a rag doll.' He described the uncertainty he felt in the pitch black sea. While he was totally thrown and unsure of what had happened, he was also worried about Ewan. Lachlan was able to grab onto the line running across the boat's hull and tug himself closer to the edge. In the orangey glow of his headlamp, suddenly saw Ewan, who pulled him to safety. 'That was a bit scary,' was all he could manage to utter when he was back onboard. He attributed his survival to being clipped to the vessel. 'Yesterday, my harness and safety line probably saved my life,' he wrote a day after one of the 'scariest moments' of his life. The brothers have taken this at-sea scare as a wake up call - reminding them to stay alert and take proper safety protocols for the remainder of their strenuous journey. They have already traveled more than 5,600 miles, but still have about 3,400 to go. The brothers have taken this at-sea scare as a wake up call - reminding them to stay alert and take proper safety protocols for the remainder of their strenuous journey Lachlan was trying to switch off rowing with his brother, Ewan (pictured), when he was flung from the boat Lachlan only appeared to sustain minor scraps to one of his hands, but he said he is still haunted by the near-death experience. 'It is the first time I have been in a boat and felt totally at the mercy of the sea. The boat we have is designed to be tossed upside down and then right itself,' he said. 'We didnt capsize, but had three knock downs. Thats halfway to capsizing and then it goes the right way again. 'It was pretty scary. There are no second chances out here.' The Maclean's first massive endeavor was across the Atlantic Ocean in 2020 - when none of them had any real rowing experience. 'To everyones surprise, we broke three World Records and raised over 200,000 for charity,' they wrote on their website. In 2023, they established The Maclean Foundation, which focuses on clean water accessibility. The brothers are now about half way through their trip and have raised 17 percent of their goal From left to right, Jamie, Lachlan and Ewan, have vowed to remain aware and stick to their safety measures after the youngest brother's brutal wake-up call The Pacific Ocean trip they are currently on is raising money for a partnering charity called Feedback Madagascar. 'Madagascar is a country in which only 14 percent of the rural population have access to a clean water source. We're doing something to change that,' the wrote. So far, they have raised about 170,300 or roughly 17 percent of their goal. The brothers share glimpses of their journey on social media, often candidly discussing the trials and tribulations they encounter everyday. More than one million renters could receive more generous help following Treasury advice to the Albanese Government which was accidentally shared to the media. Bureaucrats mistakenly released parts of a secret briefing document which was submitted to the incoming Labor government when it was reelected following an ABC Freedom of Information request. While the document featured some redactions, a Treasury official forgot to blackout sensitive headings and subheadings which the ABC published on Monday. The bombshell suggestion was 'tax should be raised as part of broader tax reform' to make the federal Budget 'sustainable' as Treasury forecasts years of Budget deficits. Other notes included a call for Chalmers to find 'additional revenue and spending reductions' and consider raising 'indirect taxes' and higher taxes on superannuation. 'Improvements to the Budget will need to come from economic growth, additional revenue and spending reductions,' the Treasury advice said. But it was not all bad news, with one recommendation calling for a muchneeded review of Commonwealth Rent Assistance, which helps 1.4million households. Grattan Institute analyst Matthew Bowes said this could lead to more generous help. 'What previous research has shown is that it is not adequate to support low-income renters, particularly pensioners renting in retirement,' he told Daily Mail Australia. Treasurer Jim Chalmers (pictured) referred to the accidental release of bombshell advice to the Labor Government as an 'error' that happens from time to time The support, which is received by 1.3million Australians who are welfare recipients in rental properties, was raised by the last Albanese government. Following the changes, the current payment levels are $212 per fortnight for singles and $199.80 for couples. 'It needs to rise by 50 per for singles and 40 per cent for couples,' Mr Bowes said. 'There is a really strong case for (a raise in the payment). 'The proportion of one bedroom homes that are affordable for a single pensioner is less than 10 per cent in Sydney and less than 20 per cent in Melbourne.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers shrugged off the 'error' in releasing the advice without fully redacting it when speaking to reporters on Monday. 'That sort of thing happens from time to time I'm pretty relaxed about it to be honest because of course Treasury provides advice for incoming governments and no government typically goes into the detail. 'We've already made it really clear that we will do more to make our economy more productive and more resilient we have made it clear that we need to build on the progress that we've made in repairing the Budget so that we can make the Budget even more sustainable.' One recommendation in the advice suggested reforming Commonwealth Rent Assistance which is a supplement given to at least 1.3million Australians who receive welfare and rent The Treasurer declined to rule out a tax rise and admitted Labor's pledge to build 240,000 homes a year until 2029 would be difficult to achieve, after immigration hit recordhigh levels in 2023. 'We've already made it really clear that we will need to do more to meet out housing targets,' he said. In the advice, the Treasury recommended the government 'adjust' the 1.2million homes target and 'reallocate' grants from the $3billion federal package for states and territories which reach their respective targets. Another section, called 'Barriers to housing supply', listed areas including labour shortages, 'low and declining' housing sector productivity, regulatory setting and the 'dysfunctional' model for funding enabling infrastructure such as pipes and roads. But Mr Bowes remained hopeful that the suggestion of adjustment and reallocation could mean there may be action for the better. 'We're really hopeful the government wants to take a leadership role on getting more homes built and pushing the states to do the planning reforms,' he said. 'We think the government can reform how the new homes bonus works to better support states and territories.' Travellers have been urged to assess their health A photoraph of an Aussie tourist suffering a medical episode on the ground at a packed airport in Bali has sparked renewed warnings from authorities. The West Australian man, 59, was rushed to hospital after he suffered a seizure and briefly lost consciousness at Denpasar Airport on July 6. He had just arrived in Bali on a Jetstar flight from Perth. The man had just retrieved his luggage from the terminal and was heading outside when he suddenly lost his balance, fell, and struck a wall, Bali Times reported. The man was found lying face down on the ground and bleeding from the head when paramedics arrived. A photo shows the tourist sprawled out on the ground being treated by medics for a head injury and suspected neck trauma. His wife revealed to paramedics that he had a history of high blood pressure. 'He appeared disoriented, collapsed, and hit a wall, which caused injuries to his head and neck,' a police spokesman said. The West Australian man, 59, was rushed to hospital after he suffered a seizure and briefly lost consciousness at Denpasar Airport on July 6 (pictured) Travellers heading to Bali (pictured) are urged to assess their health, fitness, and preparedness before flying, following a recent spate of concerning incidents in the tourist hotspot The man was rushed to Kuta's BIMC Hospital for further treatment. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Jetstar in relation to the incident. Authorities have urged tourists planning a trip to Indonesia to assess their health, fitness, and preparedness before flying in light of the incident. Just two days later, a mother and her teenage son became lost after separating from a group of hikers on Bali's Mount Batukaru. It prompted Bali's National Search and Rescue Agency to remind visitors of the strict regulations regarding mountain hiking. 'The SAR team members found traces of food left behind by the pair who had embarked on a group hike without a guide,' Nyoman Sidakarya said. 'It is illegal for both domestic and international tourists to hike on any of Bali's volcanoes or mountains without a local guide.' It came a fortnight after Brazilian tourist Juliana Marins slipped and fell to her death while trekking up Mount Rinjani, Indonesia's second-largest volcano. Brazilian tourist Juliana Marins (pictured) slipped and fell to her death while trekking up Indonesia's second-largest volcano last month Almost 6.35million tourists flocked to the Indonesian island hotspot last year (pictured) Almost 6.35million international tourists visited Bali last year, a 20 per cent increase from 2023. The figure included 1.5million Australians. The Indonesia Central Agency of Statistics recorded nearly 1.31million foreign tourists visiting in May alone, a 14 per cent increase from the same period a year ago. Australia's central bank wants to ban surcharge fees on both debit and credit card transactions because very few consumers are now using cash or even keeping banknotes in their wallet. The Reserve Bank of Australia's review of merchant card payment costs recommends the fees be scrapped on EFTPOS, Mastercard and Visa card transactions as they don't help consumers make more efficient payment choices. Lowering the cap on interchange fees paid by businesses would also save Australians $1.2billion or $60 for every card-using adult, it said in a consultation paper published on Tuesday. An interchange fee is paid by a business to a customer's card issuer when a transaction occurs, often leading to higher prices at the checkout. 'Lower interchange fees would reduce the need for merchants to raise their consumer prices to compensate for no longer being able to surcharge,' the RBA said. With just 13 per cent of in-person transactions now done in cash, the RBA wants fees banned on both credit and debit card payments, not just debit card transactions as the federal government has previously flagged. 'A full removal of surcharges on all designated card networks would reduce broader economic inefficiencies associated with consumers finding it difficult to avoid a surcharge, inadequate merchant disclosure, drip pricing involving added card payment surcharges and the complexity of surcharging rules,' it said. The RBA noted it was hard for most Australians to avoid card fees with less than a third of people now even carrying banknotes in their wallet. The Reserve Bank of Australia has suggested scrapping debit and credit card surcharge fees 'Consumers are less able to avoid surcharges as cash use has fallen,' it said. 'These consumers would not be able to pay in cash to avoid a surcharge.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers last year said the government was prepared to ban fees on debit card transactions from the start of 2026, but the RBA wants to also ban fees on credit card transactions. Scrapping surcharges would also mean consumers would not need to switch between payment methods to try to avoid a fee. Small businesses typically pay higher card fees, and many of them prefer accepting cash. 'Given that higher interchange fees are largely paid by smaller merchants, the benefits of lowering interchange caps would be most pronounced for smaller merchants,' the RBA paper said. RBA Governor Michele Bullock said both consumers and businesses would benefit from the proposal as fewer Australians make cash payments. Customers would avoid paying surcharges, while businesses would no longer be forced to face the high costs associated with accepting card payments. 'We think the time has come to address some of these high costs and inefficiencies in the system,' she said. The Reserve Bank of Australia's review of merchant card payment costs recommends the fees be scrapped on EFTPOS, Mastercard and Visa card transactions as they don't help consumers make more efficient payment choices 'The payments landscape is always evolving, and it's critically important that we keep pace to ensure it remains safe, competitive and efficient.' The RBA proposed removing its own prohibition on 'no-surcharge' rules to achieve scrapping the fees. It expected the card networks would then follow by implementing 'no-surcharge' rules based on historical experience and arrangements in other countries. If that did not occur, the RBA would recommend the federal government introduce legislation to ban surcharge fees. Lowering the cap on interchange fees for businesses is predicted to benefit small businesses the most, because they often pay higher fees. The central bank found small businesses would be $185million better off under the changes, with 90 per cent of them benefiting. Better transparency achieved by forcing card networks and large acquirers to publish the fees they charge has also been recommended, to foster greater competition between the networks. Ms Bullock predicted the proposals would spark much discussion particularly among businesses that do surcharge, prompting a six-week consultation period on the plan. Any changes won't kick in until July 2026. A Reserve Bank consultation paper published on Tuesday said the federal government would have to legislate to ban card fees because merchants aren't covered by the Payments Systems (Regulation) Act 1998. The RBA is taking submissions until August 26. An Australian small business owner says she lost about $50,000 after Instagram suspended her accounts over what she describes as an innocent photo of three dogs. Rochelle Marinato, managing director at Pilates World Australia, recently received an email from Instagram's parent company Meta stating her accounts had been suspended because the image breached community guidelines relating to 'child sexual exploitation, abuse and nudity'. The photo had been mistakenly flagged by an AI moderator which confused the image of the dogs with those of children. She appealed the decision and sent 22 emails to Meta, but received no assistance from the global tech giant, which owns Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Messenger and WhatsApp. Ms Marinato told Daily Mail Australia the suspension had a serious financial impact on her business. 'When it first happened I thought it was just a silly mistake and we'll fix it and it might take an hour,' she said. 'We were in the middle of the end of financial year sales for the business so it was pretty horrendous timing. 'I appealed and pretty quickly I received notification from Meta that my accounts were permanently disabled with no further course of action available.' Rochelle Marinato's social media business account was taken down by Meta after she posted an innocent photo of three dogs Left with few options, Ms Marinato said she was forced to take an unconventional route and pay a third party to get the accounts reinstated. 'I spent three weeks researching how to get my account back. In that time our revenue dropped by 75 per cent,' she said. 'For a small business like us, social media is critical. Everything just stopped when our accounts were suspended. 'In losing my account, all my Instagram advertising was gone. It had a really significant impact on the business because we rely so heavily on social media.' She claims the sudden disappearance from the platform had a direct cost to her bottom line. 'I did a basic comparison to last year, just so I could be sure of the figures, and it cost me about $50,000,' she said. But beyond the financial loss, Ms Marinato said she was outraged by the implication behind the platform's suspension notice. 'It's a horrible, disgusting allegation to have thrown your way and to be associated with. People will think we've done something wrong to lose our account,' she said. 'It's scary that AI has this power and also gets it this wrong. We could be on a slippery slope.' Rochelle Marinato couldn't access her Meta accounts after it threw a wild accusation at her (stock image) Despite losing $50,000, Ms Marinato said she was now only focusing on getting her business back to where it was before Meta's AI intervened. 'I don't think anyone's been successful in recouping any loss and that would be an extra expense. I just need to keep working hard and hope this doesn't happen again,' she said. Ms Marinato claimed her story was just one of many and that the problem was widespread. She also said it was impossible to talk to a human at Meta to explain her situation. 'I couldn't get a human to look at it. Clearly any human that looks at this photo is going to know it's completely innocent,' she said. 'You can't contact a human at Meta. There's no phone number, there's no email, there's nothing and you're literally left in the dark.' John Torode was asked to resign from MasterChef by the BBC and blame mental health after he was accused of misconduct, it has been claimed. Gregg Wallace's co-presenter last night said an allegation of using racist language had been upheld against him - but he denied all wrongdoing. It has now emerged Mr Torode reportedly refused to quit when urged to stand down over the weekend. A source told The Sun the MasterChef star, 59, was asked by the BBC and production company Banijay to pretend he had mental health issues. Taking to Instagram last night, Mr Torode, who has hosted the BBC1 cooking show with Wallace since 2005, said he was 'shocked' by the allegation which stated he 'used racial language' in a social situation. A source close to Mr Torode claimed the presenter was at drinks after filming when he is alleged to have used an inappropriate racial term. It is claimed the witness said Mr Torode apologised instantly and 'was mortified' and he 'didn't use the term as a slur'. No one complained at the time, but the incident had been brought up during Wallace's inquiry, the source said. John Torode (left) has come out to say he has also been accused of misconduct after his co-presenter Gregg Wallace (right) had multiple complaints of inappropriate behaviour upheld Mr Torode to Instagram to say: 'For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion' Mr Torode claimed he had 'absolutely no recollection' of the incident and did 'not believe it happened' The source went on to explain 'shockingly' Mr Torode was only made aware of the incident two weeks ago and was informed on Friday it would be upheld. Mr Torode was reportedly called by The BBC on Thursday night, followed by an email on Friday, asking him to step back and he was told to have his answer by Monday. The source told The Sun: 'They ambushed him, and it was suggested he quit due to the stress and scrutiny of the furore around the show. 'Obviously he was absolutely shocked and appalled and told them quite firmly he didnt have any mental health issues. To try to use mental health as a get-out clause seems incredibly low and is also deeply unfair to those with genuine mental health trauma. 'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesnt want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star.' Mr Torode said in last night's social media post: 'Following publication of the Executive Summary of the Investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld. 'For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. 'The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.' The report into Gregg Wallace's inappropriate behaviour on MasterChef has upheld 45 of the 83 complaints against the disgraced star Wallace co-hosted MasterChef for 17 years alongside John Torode (left) Mr Torode went on to say he had 'absolutely no recollection' of the incident and did 'not believe it happened'. He added: 'I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. 'I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.' The allegation is understood to have been upheld in a report as part of a review into the behaviour of Mr Torode's former co-presenter Gregg Wallace. It comes after Wallace hit out at the BBC as the probe upheld more than half of the complaints of inappropriate behaviour against him, with the presenter warning he 'won't be the last' to be cancelled. The report into Wallace's behaviour on the cooking show upheld 45 out of 83 complaints made, including one count of 'unwanted physical contact', leaving the BBC to admit it 'could and should have' acted sooner on the MasterChef host. The damning investigation also found that two complaints about the behaviour of 'other people' were upheld. While apologising for any 'distress' he caused, Wallace has taken aim at the MasterChef broadcaster, which he claims has valued 'protecting its legacy' over 'protecting people'. The majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94 per cent) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018 Warning that it was 'dangerous' to be a 'working-class man with a direct manner' in the world of broadcasting, he said he 'won't be the last' to face cancellation. The presenter said: 'In the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake. 'To those who've shown kindness, thank you. It mattered. This has been brutal. For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. I was the headline this time. But I won't be the last. 'There will be more casualties if the BBC continues down this path, where protecting its legacy matters more than protecting people. For my part, with full legal support, I will consider my next move.' Patrick Holland, CEO of MasterChef production company Banijay, said he was 'extremely sorry' to those who had been impacted by Wallace's behaviour and added that the report makes the star's 'return to MasterChef untenable'. Wallace's statement, supplied to the PA news agency before being published on Instagram, noted that he 'never set out to harm or humiliate' anyone and that he was 'deeply sorry for any distress caused'. He said his 'late autism diagnosis' - which he received while he stepped back from MasterChef at the end of last year - has helped him to understand how he communicates and how he is perceived. He said: 'For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait. None of the serious allegations against me were upheld. 'I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended. 'I'm relieved that the Banijay report fully recognises that my behaviour changed profoundly in 2018. 'Some of my humour and language missed the mark. I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off. 'After nearly 20 years on the show, I now see that certain patterns, shaped by traits I've only recently begun to understand, may have been misread. I also accept that more could have been done, by others and by myself, to address concerns earlier. 'A late autism diagnosis has helped me understand how I communicate and how I'm perceived. I'm still learning. Banijay have given me great support, and I thank them.' Wallace's fiery statement comes just days after he said he would 'not go quietly' in a post which has since been deleted from his Instagram page. Gregg Wallace has hit out at the BBC with a new statement after 45 of 83 complaints against him were upheld in an independent probe Mr Wallace also took aim at the BBC, which he claims valued 'protecting its legacy' over 'protecting people' The BBC said the investigation into a 'substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct' over 19 years highlighted behaviour that falls below the corporation's values. 'Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour - both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC,' a spokesman added. 'We accept more could and should have been done sooner.' What did the report conclude? An independent report commissioned by Banijay UK assessed 83 allegations against Wallace - of which 45 were substantiated. The substantiated allegations, spanning from 2005 to 2024, included: One allegation of unwanted touching 12 claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendos 16 reports of sexually explicit remarks Two allegations he made sexualised comments to or about someone Four complaints of culturally insensitive or racist comments Three claims that he was in a state of undress Seven allegations of bullying Advertisement The corporation would not confirm whether they will broadcast the series of MasterChef they filmed with him last Autumn. A spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Downing Street welcomed the fact the BBC had 'severed ties' with Wallace, adding: 'We're clear that appropriate steps must be taken to ensure abuses of power are prevented from happening in the future.' The seven-month investigation, conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin, heard 83 allegations from 41 complainants against Wallace, all relating to his time on the cookery programme. It also found that 10 standalone allegations were made against 'other people', from 2012 to 2019, with two claims, relating to swearing and racist language being upheld. The majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94 per cent) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018. Only one allegation was substantiated post 2018. The majority of substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour. A smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated. One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the allegations against Gregg Wallace were 'horrendous and appalling', and she welcomed the BBC's decision to end its association with the MasterChef presenter. The investigation team found evidence that during the period from 2005 to 2024, six complaints were raised with the production company and 6 with the BBC (four of which had also been raised with the production company). However, the investigator found that 'there was a tendency to address the concern informally on a case-by-case basis and not therefore consider each issue as additive to any prior allegations or to matters which had been observed by senior members of staff'. More formal action was taken by the production company in 2015 and the BBC in 2017. Wallace was diagnosed with autism during the time of the investigation and the report found that this was 'highly relevant' in the context of the findings. They said: 'Mr Wallace's neurodiversity diagnosis is considered highly relevant in the context of the findings made, particularly regarding his use of humour as a 'masking' technique and his difficulty in reading social cues. 'Mr Wallace accepts that his diagnosis may help to explain some of his actions, but he does not wish to hide behind it.' Wallace was diagnosed with autism during the time of the investigation and the report found that this was 'highly relevant' in the context of the findings The categories of allegations were separated in seven categories which included inappropriate comments (jokes and innuendo), sexually explicit comments, being in a state of undress, sexualised comments made to or about someone, culturally insensitive / racist comments, bullying, unwanted physical contact. The majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, however, a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language, being in a state of undress and unwelcome physical contact were also substantiated. Out of the 45 upheld complaints, 27 occurred between 2005 to 2011, 17 from 2012 to 2018 and just one from 2019 to 2024. Overall, the report concluded that 16 sexually explicit comments, 12 inappropriate comments, two sexualised comments to or about someone and four culturally insensitive/racist comments were made. One incident of unwelcome physical contact and three incidents of being in a state of undress were also substantiated. While, seven cases of bullying were upheld. Prior to 2016, the investigation found that there was little or no formal training or clear escalation procedures in place, leading to underreporting of inappropriate behaviour. It also added that concerns were not always flagged to Wallace meaning he was 'not necessarily aware that his behaviour had caused offence'. The report found that many contestants felt unable to speak out on MasterChef because 'their desire to do well in the competition, meant that they were unlikely to complain or allow their reactions to show.' Karen Baxter, the head of investigations at Lewis Silkin, who conducted the report did find that after the BBC warned Wallace about his behaviour in 2017 that he did change his behaviour. Mr Wallace has been banned from working at the BBC after executives ruled they did not 'have the confidence that you can change what seems to be learned behaviour' She said: 'There is evidence which shows that Mr Wallace took some proactive steps to modify his behaviour, seek guidance from colleagues on his choice of language, and to remove himself from work-related social situations.' Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said: 'In earlier years, specifically prior to 2016 where the vast majority of these issues arose, it is clear that escalation procedures were not as robust as they should have been, and awareness of policies and procedures were lacking particularly amongst freelance staff. ' A spokesman for the BBC said: 'We welcome the publication of the findings by Lewis Silkin, following the investigation into the conduct of Gregg Wallace. 'In light of these findings, Banijay UK and the BBC have agreed Mr Wallace's return to MasterChef is untenable. The BBC has informed Mr Wallace we have no plans to work with him in future. 'The investigation details a substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct spanning 19 years. This behaviour falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us. 'Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour - both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC. We accept more could and should have been done sooner. 'We want to thank all those who took part in the investigation, including those who first raised concerns directly with the BBC in November last year. We apologise to everyone who has been impacted by Mr Wallace's behaviour. He was previously blasted by disability charities for using his autism as an excuse for his behaviour Gregg Wallace released a statement last week ahead of the Silkins report coming out 'Lewis Silkin's findings include two further allegations which were upheld, relating to other individuals. The BBC takes these findings very seriously and we have asked Banijay UK to take action to address these issues, which is underway. This will be completed as a priority. 'The BBC will not be commenting further at this stage, but we are clear we expect the highest standards of respect at work to be upheld on the production. 'At this stage we are not going to make a final decision on the broadcast of the series that was filmed last year. We know this is disappointing for fans of the show and those who took part and at the appropriate time Banijay UK will consult further with the amateur contestants. 'In April the BBC published a detailed response to an independent review of workplace culture, which reinforces expectations around behaviour and that we will act more decisively when standards are not met. This also requires all TV production partners to align with the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) standards. 'We want to reaffirm, there is no place for the abuse of power, unacceptable behaviour or language at the BBC, or shows made for the BBC.' John Torode, The BBC and Banijay UK have been contacted for further comment on the 'mental health' allegation and whether Mr Torode had been asked - and refused - to step down. A retired Army lieutenant colonel has confessed to leaking top secret information about the war between Russia and Ukraine on a foreign dating app. David Franklin Slater, 64, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sharing classified details about national defense on a foreign dating platform on Thursday, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Slater retired from the Army in 2020 and went on to work as a civilian employee for the Air Force in Nebraska from August 2021 to April 2022. He was specifically hired by US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) - a defense force tasked with protecting America's nuclear weapons and preventing foreign attacks. During his STRATCOM stint at Offutt Air Force Base, Slater held a Top Secret security clearance and attended sensitive briefings on the war Russia waged on Ukraine. Despite having signed paperwork pledging not to keep classified information under wraps, he intentionally spilled details about military targets and Russian capabilities to a someone who claimed to be a Ukrainian woman. Based on Slater's social media presence, he apparently had an affinity for Russian and Ukrainian women. When DailyMail.com reviewed his Facebook likes last year, his feed was flooded with photos of women from Eastern Europe. David Franklin Slater (pictured) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sharing classified details about national defense on a foreign dating platform on Thursday During his STRATCOM stint at Offutt Air Force Base (pictured), Slater held a Top Secret security clearance and attended sensitive briefings on the war Russia waged on Ukraine Slater had met and communicated with this partner in crime over a dating app. During their unlawful exchanges, she referred to him as her 'secret love informant' and her 'secret agent.' His international lover showed a keen interest in how the war was progressing and what any future plans might be, according to court documents. The woman regularly requested sensitive, non-public, closely held, and classified NDI, which had been labeled as 'SECRET.' She inquired about military operations specifically at least nine times, authorities said. 'American Intelligence says that already 100 percent of Russian troops are located on the territory of Ukraine. Do you think this information can be trusted?' the woman once asked. A few days later, she asked specifics about data shown in one of the offices. 'Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting,' she wrote. 'By the way, you were the first to tell me that NATO members are traveling by train and only now (already evening) this was announced on our news. You are my secret informant love! How were your meetings? Successfully?' Slater showed an interest for eastern European women on his social media account (pictured) He was finally arrested on March 2, 2024. No further information about the identity of who was on the other side of Slater's screen has been released. 'Certain responsibilities are incumbent to individuals with access to Top Secret information,' US Attorney Susan Lehr for the District of Nebraska said at the time. 'The allegations against Mr. Slater challenge whether he betrayed those responsibilities.' He had originally pleaded not guilty to all three charges of illegally disclosing national defense information and conspiracy. But on Thursday, he had entered a plea deal with the federal Omaha judge, in which he pleaded guilty to just one count and the two others were dropped. 'Mr. Slater betrayed an oath he made to safeguard our nation's intelligence,' Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office said. 'Leveraging his access to sensitive information, Mr. Slater chose to transmit material that put our country at risk.' Slater started working at the Offutt Air Force Base (pictured) after retiring from the Army in 2020 Slater remains a free man until his sentencing, which is scheduled for October 8. His conspiracy to transmit national defense information charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. 'Access to classified information comes with great responsibility,' US Attorney Lesley Woods for the District of Nebraska said. 'David Slater failed in his duty to protect this information by willingly sharing National Defense Information with an unknown online personality despite having years of military experience that should have caused him to be suspicious of that persons motives.' A police investigation into the tragic drowning of a seven-month-old baby boy at a popular camping spot has been rocked by allegations that he was thrown into the water. Emergency responders raced to the scene at Chatsworth Park near Gympie, Queensland at about 10.30am on Saturday following multiple triple-0 calls about a baby found unresponsive in a nearby lake. The boy's mother made the grim discovery and pulled him out of the water, which was just 40 metres from the family's campsite. She and fellow holidaymakers performed CPR on the baby, who was rushed to Gympie Hospital, where he later died. The baby and his parents had camped overnight at the park on their way home to North Queensland. Police investigating the circumstances of the baby's 'unexplained' death have urged anyone who was at the campground an hour before and after the tragedy to come forward. The public appeal sparked an outpouring of emotion on the Queensland Police Facebook page, where several posts claimed that alleged witnesses had seen the baby thrown into the lake by a man. Police responded by urging those making the allegations to come forward or contact Policelink. Investigations continue into how a seven-month-old baby drowned at a campground near Gympie on Saturday Police are investigating claims that the baby was allegedly thrown into the lake at the campsite The baby's parents are assisting police with inquiries. Queensland Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that it is investigating the allegations posted online and the probe into the baby's death is ongoing. No arrests have been made or charges laid. A section of the campsite remained cordoned off as a crime scene on Monday. Officers from the Child Trauma Unit and the Homicide Investigation Team are assisting with the investigation. A post-mortem has since been carried out while police have refused to speculate on how the baby ended up in the water. 'We're treating it as unexplained, that's probably the best term I can use at this point in time,' Wide Bay Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield told reporters on Monday. 'We're trying to work out the mechanisms of how that occurred. An investigation into the baby's tragic death is ongoing, police revealed on Tuesday Police are investigating the 'unexplained' tragedy with assistance from the homicide team 'We have part of the picture, we just want to complete that full picture before we decide on where that investigation leads us.' Chatsworth Park is a popular free camping and stopover spot off the Bruce Highway - a major route between Brisbane and Far North Queensland. It's also a common spot for the homeless, police confirmed. 'We have information that other vehicles were parked up in the rest stop area,' Insp Mansfield said. 'They either left just prior or during - we just don't know until we speak to them. 'There were a couple of vehicles that left the scene who may or may not have seen or heard anything, but we just need to track them down in case they did.' West Australians could soon enjoy two extra days off each year under a bold proposal to revamp the state's public holiday calendar - but business groups are already expressing concern over the potential costs. Western Australia currently has the fewest public holidays in the country, with just 11 days -the same as New South Wales. In comparison, Victoria, the Northern Territory, and the ACT each have 13 public holidays, while Tasmania, Queensland, and South Australia have 12. One of the proposed additions would officially recognise Easter Saturday as a public holiday. The other would introduce a new day off in September. WA is the only mainland state that does not recognise Easter Saturday as a public holiday, meaning workers do not receive higher pay rates if they work on that day. Also under consideration is moving WA Day away from winter and aligning existing public holidays with those observed in other states. However, the plan has triggered immediate pushback from employers, who warn that the additional days off would hit small businesses hardest due to increased penalty rates and reduced productivity. The state's peak business group, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, said it supports aligning WAs public holidays with the rest of the nation - but not the addition of new holidays. Acting co-CEO Aaron Morey said that while aligning WAs public holidays with the rest of the country makes good sense, west coast businesses would oppose any increase in the number of public holidays. WA workers could get two extra public holidays - but employers warn it will hurt small businesses. Forget work! Aussies might soon get days off just to light up the BBQ and have a few beers 'The cold, hard fact of the matter is that small businesses are doing it very tough at the moment,' he said. 'Wage costs are already putting pressure on hardworking small and family businesses, who would face the choice of either absorbing higher wage costs or losing a day of trade. 'For hardworking small business owners, more public holidays represent more days paying someone $65 an hour to wash dishes.' However the move has been supported by Unions WA which said public holidays were now one of the few genuine opportunities for working people to spend time with friends and family. 'WA families are having to work flat out to keep up with the cost of living and meet all the demands of modern life,' a union spokeswoman said. 'Those scheduled days off work are absolutely critical to peoples lives, their relationships, their health and wellbeing, and to our whole community.' Premier Roger Cook argued the state was the 'engine room of the national economy' and aligning WA public holidays with other states and territories would boost productivity and make life easier for local businesses. 'It's also important that WA workers receive similar benefits to what workers receive in other states, because that's the right thing to do,' he said. 'We recognise that any decision to reform the State's public holiday schedule needs to include consideration of the impact of the change, be that to the private and public sectors or the WA community.' Premier Roger Cook (pictured left) with Treasurer Rita Saffioti said the changes to the public holiday roster would boost productivity A consultation paper has been released, with feedback on the reforms open until August 8. Any changes to public holidays are proposed to come into effect in 2027 or 2028. A banned financial adviser linked with collapsed super fund First Guardian likened himself to a personal trainer dealing with 'attitude' when it came to guiding clients. Joel Hewish, 43, last year had his financial licence cancelled for a decade after the corporate watchdog found his Melbourne-based private wealth management company, United Global Capital, contacted prospective clients and advised them to put their self-managed super fund into highly speculative investments linked to him. 'ASIC banned Mr Hewish having found that he demonstrated a fundamental lack of competence, and a cavalier attitude to his management of UGC and the importance of complying with financial services laws,' the corporate regulator said. Canberra couple Simon and Annette Luck had relied on UGC's advice to invest in the First Guardian Master Fund, which is now in liquidation leaving 6,000 retirement savers in limbo. The $505million fund had invested almost half its assets overseas. Mr Hewish, who is still a property developer in Melbourne, had previously likened himself to a personal trainer when asked by My Business Podcast host Rob Verhoeve to describe the perfect client. 'The perfect client for us doesn't really come down to how much money they've got, it comes down to how engaged they are in the process,' he said in the March 2023 interview. 'It comes down to their willingness to engage with their adviser, to go through the process of developing a clear picture of what it is that they want out of the whole process and that they're willing to learn, listen and have the right attitude to taking those adjustments that might need to be made and working with them.' He argued clients had a 'responsibility to take what we show them' and adopt that advice. Asked if that made him the financial equivalent of a personal trainer, he said: 'It very much is a personal trainer in many respects.' Joel Hewish, 43, last year had his financial licence cancelled for a decade after ASIC found his company contacted prospective clients and advised them to rollover their super into highly speculative investments linked to him ASIC last year revoked Mr Hewish's Australian financial services licence and banned him as a financial services representative until June 2034. His UGC company was also placed into liquidation. Retiree Simon Luck, 61, in 2012 had engaged UGC to invest his self-managed super fund. He and his wife Annette Luck, 56, have now lost $340,000 that had been invested with First Guardian Master Fund, owned by Falcon Capital. 'We're not financial wizards my wife and I - we pay good money to trust these so-called licensed professionals to invest on our behalf,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'I guess gutted is probably the right word.' FTI Consulting estimates 6,000 investors, who had their super with First Guardian, stand to conservatively lose $446million with $242million worth of retirement savings invested offshore. First Guardian Master Fund director David Anderson had bought a $9million mansion at Hawthorn, on Melbourne's Yarra River, in December 2020. The Canberra-based Lucks are now contemplating selling their house to live in a caravan, and putting off trips to The Netherlands and the UK to visit relatives, losing hope they would ever be able to use their super to pay off their mortgage. 'After having paid thousands upon thousands of dollars for these so-called professionals to manage our fund to be left in this predicament is unbearable,' Mr Luck said in a letter to his federal Labor member Andrew Leigh. 'I did this wisely through licensed financial advisers, for which I paid thousands of dollars a year to manage. Retiree Simon Luck, 61, in 2012 had engaged UGC to invest his super. He and his wife Annette Luck, 56, have now lost $340,000 that had been invested with First Guardian Master Fund, owned by Falcon Capital 'UGC had invested my wife and I's entire superannuation with a regulated and licensed fund First Guardian, which ASIC have now also placed a freeze on.' He also expressed his dismay in a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. 'I have no doubts that both Mr. David Anderson (Falcon Capital investment) and Mr. Joel James Hewish (director United Global Capital) continue to live a lavish and luxurious lifestyle and would be able to enjoy the fruits of their ill gotten gains and have benefited greatly from tax minimisation strategies available to them, however, my wife and I are not so lucky and will never get to enjoy a stress free retirement thanks to them and the lack of financial protection provided,' he said. Annette said the regulators had failed to stop the likes of Mr Anderson. 'We are both feeling entirely let down by the lack of 'protection' our so called financial regulated system provides and have lost a lot of trust and faith in so called 'Australians' and see Mr. David Anderson as no better than an overseas scam agent,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Hewish's licence was cancelled after ASIC found that UGC had lured people into investing in UGC-related products by cold calling prospective clients and offering them a 'free superannuation health check'. He appealed his ban to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, after ASIC said he 'created a culture of non-compliance and incompetence at UGC, and cannot be trusted to comply with financial services laws'. Hewish features as a director on the website of Melbourne-based property developer Hewson. It is linked to Serpells Road Pty Ltd, the developer of a luxury apartment complex at Templestowe in Melbourne's east. Hewish features as a director on the website of Melbourne-based property developer Hewson. It is linked to Serpells Road Pty Ltd, the developer of a luxury apartment complex at Templestowe in Melbourne's east Mr Hewish's X account describes him as a 'professional stock and real estate investor and speculator. Former Founder, CEO and Chief Investment Officer of a multi-disciplined wealth management business'. It lists his based as New York even though his ASIC file shows him as a director of companies in Melbourne and the Gold Coast. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Hewish for comment. For more than two decades he body has not been found The father of Peter Falconio has made a desperate plea to his son's killer Bradley John Murdoch to confess where he dumped the body before he dies. On July 14, 2001, British backpacker Peter Falconio and his then-girlfriend Joanne Lees were driving between Alice Springs and Darwin in their VW Kombi campervan. Murdoch signalled at their car, instructing the pair to pull over on the Stuart Highway, north of Barrow Creek. Once stopped, Murdoch shot Peter in the head and tried to abduct Ms Lees, but she miraculously escaped. Murdoch was found guilty in the NT Supreme Court in 2005 and was sentenced to life in prison, but he never divulged the whereabouts of Peter's body. Last month, it was revealed the now 76-year-old was dying from throat cancer and had been transferred out of jail and to palliative care at Alice Springs Hospital. Prison insiders told Daily Mail Australia the former hulking brute is just a shrunken shadow of his former self as he sees out his final hours in his hospital deathbed. He 'is acknowledging people are there, but very limited in talking,' the insider said. Killer Bradley John Murdoch (pictured) is dying from throat cancer and had been transferred out of jail and to palliative care at Alice Springs Hospital Peter's dad, Luciano Falconio has broken his silence on the 24th anniversary of his son's murder after Daily Mail Australia reported on Monday that Murdoch has 'a couple of days to live'. The 83-year-old made a heartbreaking plea for a deathbed confession so that he and his wife can finally bury their son more than two decades after his death. 'It is very significant, I wish I could find him and make an end to it, bury him.... I know what happened but I don't know where he is,' Mr Falconio told News Corp. 'I still hope, yeah I still hope, but I don't know, if we (will) live long enough.' Murdoch has always denied killing Peter and protested his innocence throughout the murder trial. After arriving in Australia via Southeast Asia, Peter and Ms Lees visited Uluru and Alice Springs before driving 200km north to the Ti-Tree Roadhouse to watch the sunset. They set off again, bound for the tourist attraction Devil's Marbles, before noticing a white 4WD with a green canopy following them. Behind the wheel was Murdoch, who persuaded the pair to pull over at about 7.30pm after signalling there were flames supposedly coming from the back of their van. Murdoch was sentenced to life for murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio (left) and for kidnapping and assaulting his then-girlfriend Joanne Lees (right) in 2001 The couple were driving between Alice Springs and Darwin in their VW Kombi campervan when Murdoch persuaded them to pull over Murdoch shot Peter in the head after he exited the van before threatening Ms Lees into the back of his car Murdoch shot Peter in the head when he exited the van before threatening Ms Lees into the back of his vehicle. Murdoch bound Ms Lees hands behind her back with cable tie restraints and bundled her into the back of his van. While Murdoch disposed of Peter's body, Ms Lees managed to escape from under the canopy before hiding in bushland for five hours. At about 1am, believing Murdoch had given up looking for her, she came out and stopped a passing road train, whose driver took her to Barrow Creek Roadhouse. The only trace of Peter was a small bloodstain on the asphalt of the highway where the shooting took place. Murdoch was arrested shortly after being acquitted in South Australia over the abduction and rape of a 12-year-old girl. During his trial, Murdoch disputed the DNA evidence found on Ms Lees' T-shirt and on the gearstick of the couple's van - which was found dumped about 80 metres into the bushes off the highway near Barrow Creek the morning after the murder. Despite extensive searches, including a five-day operation in 2019 when police emptied an outback well, Peter's final resting place remains a mystery. Murdoch, now 76-years-old, has never divulged the whereabout of Peter's body despite spending more than two decades behind bars Peter's dad, Luciano Falconio (pictured with his wife Joan) has made a desperate plea for Murdoch to make a deathbed confession on the whereabouts of his son's body so that he and his wife can bury him Speaking from their home in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Mr Falconio said he and his wife, Joan, have been tormented for years not knowing where their son is. 'It is important (to find Peter)...but we wont find anything today. It's 20-odd years so it's (the feeling is) not particularly any different,' Mr Falconio said. Mr Falconio also said he had no ill-will towards Australians, thanking them for their support over the years. A reward of up to $500,000 has been offered for information leading to the location of Peter's body. Acting Commander Mark Grieve made the announcement on June 25 that an additional $250,000 was added to the reward already on offer. 'NT police still hold out hope someone may be able to assist in this search,' Acting Commander Grieve said. 'A fresh reward for information (on the case) up to $500,000 for information that leads to the discovery of Peter's body.' Despite almost two decades since Mr Falconio's death, Mr Grieve said it was 'never too late to reach out and start that conversation with police'. Millions of migrants who entered the United States illegally will be forced to remain behind bars while their deportation proceedings continue for months or even years under a new Trump administration policy. The acting director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd M. Lyons, told agents in a July 8 memo that migrants will no longer be eligible for a bond hearing and should be detained 'for the duration of their removal proceedings.' Lyons said the Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department 'revisited its legal position on detention and release authorities' and determined that migrants 'may not be released from ICE custody.' The move, first revealed by The Washington Post, reverses legal standards governing migrant detention that have been held for decades and will boost the Trump administration's deportation blitz. Tom Jawetz, a former homeland security official in the Biden administration, called it 'a radical departure that could explode the detention population.' In the past, those who were marked for deportation have been able to request a bond hearing before a judge. If the judge granted the migrant a bond, he or she could be released into society as their deportation proceedings continued in the courts. As of last year, the majority of the 7.6 million migrants on ICE's docket were released, the agency's annual report revealed. But under the new guidance, those migrants will be forced to remain in detention centers, where the agency is currently holding about 56,000 migrants each day. The capacity, though, is expected to nearly double under the recently-passed Big Beautiful Bill, which allocates $45 billion over the next four years to lock up migrants for civil deportation proceedings. New Trump administration guidance will force millions of migrants who entered the United States illegally to be detained throughout their deportation proceedings. The president is pictured here touring the controversial 'Alligator Alcatraz' facility with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on July 1 Critics have argued the new guidance will 'explode the detention population' The new policy will apply to any migrant who illegally crossed into the country at the southern border over the past few decades, including those who came in record numbers during the Biden administration. In rare circumstances, migrants may still be released on parole - but that decision must be made by immigration officers and not judges, according to the memo. The Trump administration is justifying the reversal of its policy by citing a provision of immigration law that states that migrants 'shall be detained' after their arrest, which the memo says should be taken as a 'prohibition on release.' But the provision has long been interpreted as to apply only to those who had recently crossed the border - and in the memo Lyons even notes that the shift in policy is 'likely to be litigated.' In the meantime, he encouraged ICE prosecutors 'to make alternative arguments in support of continued detention' as immigration lawyers say they have already seen migrants being denied bond hearings in more than a dozen immigration courts across the US. Those migrants now find themselves being deported to a 'third country' with as little as six hours notice if they have been given an opportunity to speak with an attorney. 'This is their way of putting in place nationwide a method of detaining even more people,' said Greg Chen, the senior director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. 'It's requiring the detention of far more people without any real review of their individual circumstances.' Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons revealed the new guidance in a memo to agents on July 8 The Trump administration is justifying the reversal of its policy by citing a provision of immigration law that states that migrants 'shall be detained' after their arrest Lyons encouraged ICE prosecutors 'to make alternative arguments in support of continued detention' Immigrant rights groups also argue that the new guidance deprives migrants of their due process rights, with immigration lawyer and former ICE chief counsel for the Dallas, Texas area noting that migrants 'could be held indefinitely until they're deported.' Other attorneys have likened the new policy to a position taken by several immigration judges in Tacoma, Washington, who have denied hearings to anyone who crossed the border illegally. The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in Seattle filed a suit in March challenging the judges' actions, arguing that their refusal to hold a bond hearing violated the migrants' rights, according to the Washington Post. Its original plaintiff Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez has lived in the state since 2009 and works as a farmer. He argued that his entire family are US citizens and he even owns the home where ICE officers arrested him in February for living in the country illegally. By April, a federal judge in Washington state found that he had 'no criminal history in the United States or anywhere else in the world' and ordered immigration officers to give him a proper bond hearing before a judge. The judge, though, denied him bond and he has since been deported back to Mexico. An attorney representing Rodriguez Vasquez now says the Trump administration's decision to deny migrants bond hearings is 'flagrantly unlawful' and argued that the policy 'is looking to supercharge detention beyond what it already is.' Immigrant rights groups also argue that the new guidance deprives migrants of their due process rights Many migrants now find themselves being deported to a 'third country' with as little as six hours notice Those in favor of the policy change, however, have argued that it might discourage migrants from filing frivolous claims in hopes of being released into the community while their cases proceed through the backlogged immigration courts. 'Detention is absolutely the best way to approach this, if you can do it. It costs a lot of money, obviously,' said Mark Krikorian, the executive director for the Center for Immigration Studies. 'You're pretty much guaranteed to be able to remove the person if there's a negative finding, if he's in detention.' Migrants who have been convicted of murder or other serious crimes were already subject to mandatory detention without bond, and this year, the Republican-led Congress added theft-related crimes to the list of those that are not bond-eligible. Government officials have also reopened family detention centers that the Biden administration shuttered due to security concerns, and have reinforced other facilities like the controversial 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center in the Florida Everglades. Democrat lawmakers who were granted access to tour the hastily-constructed facility have lamented the tough conditions migrants housed there will face. Florida Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz compared the facility to an internment camp and insisted 'there are really disturbing, vile conditions,' demanding the 'place be shut the hell down.' The lawmakers said more than 30 migrants were packed into cage-style cells with just three combination sink-toilets. Temperatures hovered in the mid-80s inside medical intake tents. Detainees have reported worms in the food, overflowing toilets, and 24-hour lockdowns in cages teeming with mosquitoes. But Kevin Guthrie, from the Florida division of Emergency Management, has since claimed the Democrats' were lying about the conditions of the facility to make it seem worse than it is. His wife gave an insight into their happy relationship The grieving widow of a multimillionaire businessman planned to 'grow old with him', before he was allegedly stabbed to death by a teenager at a house party. Universal Store co-founder and CEO Greg Josephson, 58, died inside his Clayfield home on June 26 as over two dozen teenagers partied in the sprawling home. Police discovered his body in an upstairs room of the $5million mansion about 8pm. A 15-year-old boy known to Mr Josephson was charged with murder. On Monday, hundreds of family members and friends gathered at St Agatha's Catholic Church in Brisbane to farewell Mr Josephson. His wife, Tamra Josephson, told mourners her husband was a kind-hearted and beautiful man she had been looking forward to growing old with. His number was saved in her phone under the name 'Gregory handsome'. 'Some couples grow apart as time goes by. We weren't like that. I loved him more each year we were together and I know he felt the same way,' she said. 'We had discussed how we looked forward to spending more time together just the two of us. We loved each other's company. He was the most gentle, soft, kind-hearted, generous, calm, positive, happy, intelligent man I have ever met.' Tamra Josephson (pictured centre at Greg Josephson's service on Monday) revealed she saved her husband's number under 'Gregory handsome' when the pair first met Mrs Josephson, told mourners her husband was a kind-hearted and beautiful man she had been looking forward to growing old with (she is pictured at the service on Monday) The couple are pictured during happier times. Mr Josephson was allegedly murdered in June The packed funeral service was held in the upmarket inner-city Brisbane suburb of Clayfield close to the house (pictured) where Mr Josephson was found dead in late June The packed funeral service was held in the upmarket inner-city Brisbane suburb of Clayfield, close to the house where Mr Josephson was found dead in late June. The 15-year-old boy charged over Mr Josephson's alleged murder was remanded in custody after his case was called in a children's court on June 27. The case was adjourned until September 2. Mr Josephson founded Universal Store with his brother Michael in 1999. The national apparel retailer was acquired by a group of private equity investors in 2018 for a reported $100million. The company is currently valued at about $570million. 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Lifeline: 13 11 14 The husband of a skincare mogul has been found dead with multiple stab wounds outside their $2.5million home. Emergency services were called to Napalle Street in Warana, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, around 7.35pm on Monday after a neighbour found Zdravko Bilic unresponsive in his front yard. Police arrived at the scene to find the 57-year-old dead, with two stab wounds to his stomach. The home, according to property records, is owned by Mr Bilic and his wife, Gry Susann Tomte, the founder of skincare clinic HUD Skin and Body. Ms Tomte is not accused of any wrongdoing, and it's understood she was not home at the time. Queensland Police Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said Ms Tomte had enquired with a neighbour when she didn't hear back from her partner. 'His wife hadn't heard from him and inquired with the neighbour, who discovered him deceased,' he said. 'One of the lines of inquiry is that he has disturbed a break-and-enter, and we will continue to follow that.' Zdravko Bilic, the partner of skincare mogul Gry Tomte (both pictured), was found dead outside their five-bedroom home on Monday evening The couple have lived at the $2.5million property in Warana on the Sunshine Coast since 2022 Police have suggested Mr Bilic was attacked between 11pm on Sunday night and when he was discovered in his yard. Mr Toohey added Mr Bilic was a 'valued member of the community' and his death has left neighbours 'shocked'. 'As you can imagine it is an extremely [distressing] time for [Ms Tomte], but the community are coming around her and doing as much as they can for her,' he said. A crime scene was declared and investigations into the circumstances of Mr Bilic's death are ongoing. Anyone with information or CCTV footage of the area between 11pm on July 13 and 7.35pm on July 14 has been urged to contact police. The couple bought the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home in March 2022 for $2.5million. Red Suburbs listed Warana as a suburb that 'could be considered a safe area' where crime 'exists but does not impact most people'. The couple have both regularly posted photos on social media of city breaks to Sydney and New York. Ms Tomte opened her Melbourne-based clinic HUD in 2014. The business has two branches, one in St Kilda and the other in Northcote. The Deputy Director of the FBI has returned to work days after he threatened to quit over the botched handling of the Epstein investigation. Dan Bongino, a longtime leading proponent of theories about Jeffrey Epstein's client list, failed to show up to work on Friday after Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Donald Trump assured the public no such list exists. At the time it was reported he had threatened to resign over the botched handling of the investigation, which has sparked mutiny within the MAGA ranks and turned some of Trump's most loyal soldiers against him. But Bongino, a podcaster who was picked out of political obscurity to help lead the new-and-improved FBI, reportedly returned to work this week under a cloud of uncertainty about his future at the agency. By Monday morning, officials were starting to squirm and feared that Bongino would be a no-show yet again, but he arrived in the office a few hours later than expected. According to The Daily Beast, administration insiders claim Trump is quietly furious that one of his hand-picked appointees would so publicly go against him. Trump rushed to Bondi's defense amid mounting criticism from the likes of Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Steve Bannon, asking: 'What's going on with my ''boys'' and, in some cases, ''gals?'' 'They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening. Dan Bongino, a longtime leading proponent of theories about Jeffrey Epstein 's client list, failed to show up to work on Friday after Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Donald Trump assured the public no such list exists Trump rushed to Bondi's defense amid mounting criticism from the likes of Tucker Carlson , Megyn Kelly and Steve Bannon, as well as the broader MAGA community 'We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein.' Even after his defense of her, major MAGA backers are demanding Bondi lose her job over the saga. There were initially whispers that Bongino and FBI boss Kash Patel were united in their willingness to walk away from their jobs if Bondi kept hers, but Patel has since squashed those rumors. 'The conspiracy theories just aren't true, never have been,' Patel said. 'It's an honor to serve the President of the United States @realDonaldTrump and I'll continue to do so for as long as he calls on me.' Bongino was reportedly particularly irked by Bondi's decision to oversell what she initially had during the early stages of the Epstein investigation. In February, she invited MAGA influencers to the White House and gave them binders containing 'a truckload' of new details, but upon closer inspection it was discovered the folders contained no new information. Then, she said the highly anticipated client list was 'sitting on my desk' awaiting review before it, too, would be released. Now, she maintains a client list does not exist, and said in a memo that Epstein likely died by suicide, rather than the long-held conspiracy held by many within MAGA that he was murdered while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Bondi concluded that Epstein did in fact kill himself, and did not keep a 'client list' with incriminating evidence She invited MAGA influencers to the White House in February and handed over 'Epstein binders' which were meant to be just phase one of a transparent roll out of information Trump has rushed to Bondi's defense and called Bongino personally to encourage him to remain with the FBI Sources claimed Bongino was confronted last week about information that was leaked to the media suggesting he and Patel wanted more information released to the public. He maintained he was not the source of the leaks. Trump told reporters on Sunday he had contacted Bongino and urged him not to resign. 'I spoke to him today,' he said. 'Dan Bongino, very good guy. I've known him a long time. I've done his show many, many times. He sounded terrific, actually.' Asked on Sunday if Bongino remained in his position, Trump said: 'Oh I think so.' As a popular pro-MAGA right-wing podcaster before joining the FBI, Bongino touted conspiracies that convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was murdered in jail to prevent the list of his high-profile clientele from reaching the light of day. Far-right media personality Laura Loomer warned Republicans that the lack of revelations in the Epstein case will cost them elections in the future. 'People make their own choices and decisions, but mark my word, the lack of actual results at the DOJ and lack of transparency that translates into incompetence will cost the GOP House and Senate seats.' There were initially whispers that Bongino and FBI boss Kash Patel were united in their willingness to walk away from their jobs if Bondi kept hers But Bongino (pictured left with Trump), a podcaster who was picked out of political obscurity to help lead the new-and-improved FBI, reportedly returned to work this week under a cloud of uncertainty about his future at the agency 'Don't say I didn't warn you,' she added. Billionaire Elon Musk took a side when he unfollowed Bondi on X. On his podcast, conservative luminary Tucker Carlson theorized that Bondi is orchestrating a cover-up in order to protect members of the intelligence community who were ensnared in Epstein's conduct. 'The current DOJ under Pam Bondi is covering up crimes, very serious crimes by their own description,' Carlson said. 'Intel services are at the very center of this story, U.S. and Israeli and they're being protected.' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed Trump's continued support for Bondi despite calls to resign. 'President Trump is proud of Attorney General Bondi's efforts to execute his Make America Safe Again agenda,' Levitt told the Daily Mail. 'The continued fixation on sowing division in President Trump's Cabinet is baseless and unfounded in reality.' For two years Jim Chalmers sold Australia the line that the budget was on a sustainable trajectory. Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, Labor's first-term treasurer clung to a narrative that painted himself as a steady hand delivering back-to-back surpluses without needing to resort to deep structural reform. But the leak this week of a secret government briefing document makes clear that even Chalmers has had to admit what should have been obvious from the start. Australia's fiscal outlook is deteriorating, productivity is flatlining and the country's tax system remains fundamentally unfit for purpose. The spin is wearing thin and the second-term Treasurer knows it. So all that remains to be seen is ... what happens next? The Treasurer is planning to host a three day economic talkfest later this year, but in its aftermath Chalmers will be forced to finally spell out how he plans to raise taxes and cut spending. That's unless he once again puts serious reform in the too hard basket and does nothing, leaving the budget in the red as debt balloons. That can't be an option. Pressure's on: Jim Chalmers is softening the ground for an economic reform agenda... The upcoming roundtable in August is pitched as a carefully curated gathering of economic stakeholders, not a showy talkfest. But it's also proof positive that the government can't keep going as it has been, racking up debt on the national credit card. Ever-growing expenditure needs to be reined in, and new ways of taxing are necessary to make the Australian economy fit for purpose in 2025. What Chalmers once sought to avoid - a full-throated debate about structural tax reform and spending restraint - is now the very thing he's inviting. Quietly, Labor seems to be shifting ground. It is suddenly open to everything from GST changes to wealth taxes, alongside curtailing capital gains tax (CGT) concessions. We'll soon see if the ALP has the courage to follow through on any of these, or if it can find other ways to modernise the system to encourage investment rather than discourage it. The days of congratulating themselves for one-off windfall-driven surpluses are giving way to sober warnings about intergenerational pressures and a productivity malaise. Those old enough to remember the 1985 Tax Summit might recognise what Chalmers is up to. Back then, Paul Keating used the event not to clinch deals on the day but to signal his intent: To foreshadow major structural reforms and lay the political groundwork. Chalmers is drawing from the same playbook, albeit more cautiously, remembering that his PhD was actually a study of Keating's leadership style. Albanese and Chalmers' issue is Australia has an ageing population, ballooning NDIS spending, defence needs and is going through a costly energy transition... all based on a 20th century tax model At the heart of the problem in need of fixing is a structural budget deficit that won't go away by itself. Treasury's long-term projections are grim. An ageing population, rising health costs, ballooning NDIS spending, defence upgrades and the expensive net-zero energy transition are all bearing down on a budget built on a 20th-century tax model. The Treasurer has finally stopped pretending otherwise, which is why everything is suddenly 'on the table'. That includes corporate tax rates, personal income tax thresholds, superannuation concessions and even the GST - although there have been enough signals already that GST changes might be a bridge too far. That's a crying shame. The same government that spent its first term umming and ahhing over the Stage Three tax cuts before breaking its promise and changing them anyway, all the while insisting the budget was back in the black and 'isn't that great', is now openly flirting with pulling some of the most politically difficult levers in the tax policy playbook. Those who watch politics closely worry that the modern Labor Party will mistake raising new taxes as proper tax reform, which it has done before. Inheritance taxes and taxing the family home remain political killers, but just maybe they too will get a look in given the perilous state of the budget, and given the growing pressures on housing affordability and rising inequality. But tax reform alone (including higher taxes) won't fix the budget, and Chalmers knows it. Spending restraint will have to play a key role in whatever happens next. That's where things become trickier. Labor is still heavily invested in programs with long-term outlays and patchy performance metrics, the NDIS being a prime example. Curbing growth in these areas is politically fraught for Labor internally, including when dealing with a Senate in which the Greens now hold the balance of power. That means the opposition has an important role to play, despite its diminished post election status. Again those old enough would remember the Coalition in opposition in the 1980s lent a hand when Keating and Bob Hawke reformed Australia's macro and microeconomic settings, setting up decades worth of prosperity. It is far from clear that the modern Coalition will back Labor's attempt to reform the tax system, even if Labor steps up to the plate. More likely it will play oppositionist politics and shoot down what Labor proposes, hoping to use ensuing political chaos to fight back electorally. The danger therefore is that the roundtable becomes a soft launching pad for ideas without political follow-through. We've seen it before. Endless reviews, summits and white papers, all fine in theory but meaningless without the courage to act. Chalmers wants to position himself as a reforming Treasurer, no doubt with one eye on the prime ministership as his destiny. But the window for meaningful structural change is already narrowing. If Labor doesn't move decisively the next electoral cycle will again become a contest of small-target tactics and bidding wars. Anthony Albanese needs to use his thumping majority the same way Hawke did in the 1980s and John Howard did after his 1996 win to campaign on introducing the GST. The economic environment of today is forcing Labor's hand. Productivity growth is stagnating, business investment is sluggish. And for years now the political centre has kept splintering as the major parties primary vote continues to erode. Recognising that Australia has a problem is only the beginning, writes Political Editor Peter van Onselenm Chalmers is now asking business and unions to come to the table, drop their rehearsed talking points and engage in something resembling genuine dialogue. But is he serious in doing so? The first term jobs summit left business feeling mistreated - asked to smile for the cameras before being completely ignored - so it may be about to entering this debate without the trust necessary to get on board. Equally there are few tangible signs that Labor is ready to do anything other than reward its base with more one sided policy developments. That said, Chalmers deserves some credit for getting the debate started , belated though it may be. But recognition of a problem is only the beginning, and he could hardly keep denying the economic problem staring him in the face. Let's wait and see if he comes up with anything meaningful. The risk is that taxes go up and spending gets cut, but nothing innovative by way of restructuring the system is embraced to lift productivity. Footage of the moment a drone drops a large suspected drugs package into the grounds of HMP Wandsworth has been released. The video, at around 3.30am on June 21, shows an aircraft hovering above the category B men's prison housing sex offenders and terrorists, before seemingly dropping the item into the courtyard. The south London prison has been plagued by various scandals, including an officer jailed last year for making X-rated content with an inmate. Tom Wheatley, President of the Prison Governors Association, commenting on the drone footage captured by BBC Newsnight, said the devices were a 'significant and growing problem in prisons' that is happening 'every day'. He said: This probably started around 2012, 2013. We started to see contraband entry in prisons by drones around that time and now this is happening every day it's happening on multiple occasions in some prisons during a 24-hour period and in multiple prisons around the country on the same evening. 'It is shocking because we have been able to rely on the measures that we normally take to prevent things coming into prison. So: searching of people; restrictions about access to prisons. We've been able to deal with the way that criminals try to get drugs into prison. 'We've basically now got a gaping hole in our ability to prevent that, and drugs coming into prison don't just cause harm to prisoners who take them, there's a whole illicit economy - and violence and enforcement - that goes with that, that make prisons less safe and us less likely to be able to rehabilitate people in them. Mr Wheatley also warned of the prospect that guns could be dropped in, saying there is 'no practical reason' why the drones, which can carry items up to 10 kilos, couldn't deliver the weapons to prisons. The video captured last June shows the aircraft (above) hovering above the category B men's prison Captured at around 3.30am, the drone them seemingly drops an item into the courtyard The item (circled) vanished behind the walls of the prison and out of view, sparking fears over what it may contain He added: We have yet to encounter [guns], we think. We've certainly not discovered [them] in prisons in recent years - guns have made their way into prisons before. The Whitemoor escape involved prisoners having access and shooting at prison officers. 'So, there is no practical reason why guns couldn't come into prison via this means. I think the real issue is that it's not in anyone's interest at the moment because this is a lucrative trade run by serious organised criminals.' Asked why the drones can't be jammed, the prisons chief said the technology to implement such a process 'just simply hasn't been there' due to the speed that technology is evolving. Mr Wheatley also claimed there are potential problems with just shooting the drones down in residential areas. He said: 'I think there are issues about where prisons are, so if you consider Manchester prison which is in an urban area with people moving around outside it, these drones are actually quite big. 'They're not the toy shop things that we see and, if we were to shoot one down, the chance it would fall and injure someone or damage somebody else's property is significant, but that balance has got to be changing over time.' Prisons chief Tom Wheatley (above) said drone use was a 'significant and growing problem in prisons' that is happening 'every day' He also sparked fears over the drones being eventually used to break prisoners out of jail if they evolve in their ability to lift heavier items. Mr Wheatley added: 'We have seen, in an English prison, a helicopter assisted escape, that's something that we have to guard against - but the availability of cheaper means to lift someone out of a prison pose a significant risk.' A Ministry of Justice spokesperson told MailOnline that they had allocated 10million on anti-drone measures this financial year. They said: 'This Government is investing 40million in new security measures this year to clamp down on the contraband that fuels violence behind bars. 'This includes 10million on anti-drone measures such as exterior netting and reinforced windows.' Donald Trump has revealed how surviving an assassination attempt a year ago affected him, recounting the ordeal in a bombshell new interview. In a conversation with the BBC to mark the anniversary of the attempt on his life, the US President said that he tried to think about it as little as possible. 'I don't like to think about if it did change me,' he said, before adding that the moment 'could be life-changing'. He said he agreed to the interview with BBC North America Correspondent Gary O'Donoghue, who had been at the campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, because he felt at the time that he had covered the story 'fairly'. Detailing how events played out, Trump said: 'It happened very quickly and I'm not sure I had any conscious thought other than to say that I had to let the people know, because I knew they must've thought that it was a disaster. 'We had 55,000 people, and it was dead silence so I assumed that they expected the worst. And so I had to let them know I was okay so I had to get up as quick as possible,' he said. Emergency responders had a stretcher on standby, he added. 'I said "no thank you." I actually had a big argument with them, they said they wanted me on a stretcher and I said "no I don't want that."' The US leader also used the wide-ranging phone call interview to lash out at Vladimir Putin, warning that while he is not yet 'done' with the Russian president, he is 'disappointed' and does not trust him. Donald Trump has revealed how surviving an assassination attempt a year ago affected him Asked whether he trusted Putin, Trump took a long pause before replying: 'I trust almost nobody, to be honest with you' Trump also explained he speaks to the Russian leader often, before sharing how First Lady Melania Trump has helped in pointing out Putin's continued bombing of Ukraine. 'My conversations with him are always very pleasant. I say, isn't that very lovely conversation? And then the missiles go off that night, I go home, I tell the first lady... I spoke with Vladimir today, we had a wonderful conversation. She [says]: 'Oh, really, another city was just hit,'' Trump said. He added of Putin: 'I don't want to say he's an assassin, but he's a tough guy.' Discussing peace talks with Russia over Ukraine, he said: 'I thought I had a deal four times.' When asked whether he had therefore had enough of Putin, he replied: 'I'm not done with him, but I'm disappointed with him. 'We had a deal four times and then you go home and you see he's attacked a nursing home or something or Kyiv, and you say 'what the hell was that all about'.' Asked whether he trusted Putin, Trump took a long pause before replying: 'I trust almost nobody, to be honest with you.' Pressed on how he would get Putin to 'stop the bloodshed' in Ukraine, he insisted: 'We're working it.' But he then vented yet more frustration with the Russian leader: 'We'll have a great conversation. I'll say: 'That's good, I'll think we're close to getting it done,' and then he'll knock down a building in Kyiv.' Ahead of his trip to London to meet Sir Keir Starmer in July, and state visit to the UK in September, Trump also revealed his feelings about the Prime Minister and the King. Sir Keir Starmer presented Trump with a letter from King Charles back in February, inviting him for an unprecedented second state visit He began with a criticism of how Brexit was handled, but suggested the PM was dealing with it. 'I think it's been on the sloppy side, but I think it's getting straightened out,' he said. 'I really like the Prime Minister a lot, even though he's a liberal. He did a good trade deal with us which a lot of countries haven't been able to do. Regarding the state visit, which is planned for a few weeks later, he said: 'I want to have a good time and respect King Charles because he's a great gentleman.' The journalist then questioned Trump over whether he viewed King Charles' speech to the Canadian parliament as an endorsement of Canada's independence. The speech came after Trump repeatedly claimed he could buy the US' northern neighbour. The then Prince of Wales and US President Donald Trump during commemorations for the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in 2019 'I didn't view it as anything. They're wrapped up with Canada so what's he going to do, he has no choice,' he said. 'We're negotiating with Canada right now so we'll see how that's going to go, I think it's going to go very well.' Trump was also asked about the UK's future on the world stage, to which he replied that he thought it was a 'great place - you know I own property there'. Trump affirmed his belief in the so-called 'special relationship' between the US and Britain, lauding the two countries' collaborations on defence and trade. He labelled the UK 'a true ally' and said that the trade deal he made with Starmer was to do with their good relationship - suggesting the same could not be said for the European Union, which has not got a deal. Trump threatened Putin with tariffs during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte On mutual defence he said: 'One of the problems with NATO is we have to fight for them but will they actually fight for us if we did have a war? I'm not sure I can say it. 'But I will say this, I believe the UK would fight for us. There's something about it, it's just been so many years and I do think the relationship is a really great one. 'I think they would be with us, I'm not sure a lot of the other countries would be, which is unfair because we pay far more than anyone else.' But Trump also expressed renewed support for NATO during the interview, which came just hours after he met with Secretary General Mark Rutte. Asked whether he maintained his view that it was 'obsolete', he said: 'I think NATO is now becoming the opposite of that because the alliance was 'paying their own bills', he said. In response to a question over whether he believes in collective defence, he said 'I do, I think collective defence is fine.' Trump was at one point pressed on how he could continue to deal with Putin if he did not trust him, to which he replied: 'It's not a question of that, I'm disappointed that it's not been done.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and United States Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Joseph Keith Kellogg (right) talk in Kyiv Trump has appeared increasingly impatient with Putin over the Russian dictator's refusal to come to the table and talk about a ceasefire. The US leader yesterday threatened to slap 100 percent tariffs on Russia in 50 days if a deal to end the war isn't reached. 'We are very, very unhappy with [Russia], and we're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 percent,' he said in the Oval Office meeting with Rutte. 'I'm disappointed in President Putin. I thought we would've had a deal two months ago,' he added about the proposed peace deal. The mother of a former police officer accused of murdering two men with his service weapon has attended court as her son's case faces further delays. Beaumont Lamarre-Condon has been charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of flight attendant Luke Davies, 29, and TV presenter Jesse Baird, 26, in February 2024. Lamarre-Condon is accused of shooting the couple at Mr Baird's Paddington home in Sydney's east, before bundling their bodies in surfboard bags and dumping them at a rural property. They were found after Lamarre-Condon, 29, handed himself in. He has been remanded in custody, but more than a year later has not yet entered any pleas. Lamarre-Condon did not appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, when his legal team sought leave to withdraw from his case after 'an issue arose'. State-funded legal service Legal Aid has arranged for the brief of evidence - which runs in excess of 20 volumes - to be handed over to his new lawyer, Benjamin Archbold. Crown prosecutor Brendan Donnelly opposed any further delays in the case, citing the fact that the charges were certified against Lamarre-Condon in July 2024. Lamarre-Condon is accused of killing Luke Davies (left) and Jesse Baird (right) The accused's mother Coleen is pictured flanked by reporters outside court on Tuesday Lawyers representing ex-cop Beau Lamarre-Condon (pictured) have withdrawn, prompting a six week delay in his alleged double-murder case Negotiations had been ongoing for 'many, many months' and the alleged murderer was given 'plenty of opportunity' to enter pleas, Mr Donnelly said. 'The Crown is ready for this matter to proceed to trial,' he said. 'Any further delay... is unreasonable.' Magistrate Christopher Halburd decided to err on the side of caution so Lamarre-Condon could have an opportunity to enter pleas after speaking with Mr Archbold. 'You don't get any more serious allegations than this,' he said. The magistrate adjourned the matter for six weeks to allow the parties to figure out 'what's actually happening'. The accused murderer's mother, Coleen Lamarre, watched on in the courtroom but remained silent as she left. The proceedings were also monitored via an audiovisual link by family of one of the men Lamarre-Condon is accused of murdering. Lamarre-Condon (left) is pictured alongside Mr Baird (right) Lamarre Condon (pictured) has yet to enter a plea over the alleged murders in February 2024 It is the second time the former police officer has changed legal representation. His previous lawyer withdrew in November when Lamarre-Condon was expected to enter pleas. The decision caused months of delays in the double-murder case. Lamarre-Condon is facing two counts of domestic violence-related murder and two aggravated break and enter charges. NSW Police allege the attack was premeditated and followed a months-long campaign of 'predatory behaviour' targeting Mr Baird. Lamarre-Condon briefly dated the TV presenter before Mr Baird began a relationship with Mr Davies. Police allege the former senior constable used his service weapon to shoot the couple before attempting to dispose of their bodies. Lamarre-Condon was sacked by the NSW Police Force in March 2024. He had joined the force in 2019 and previously ran a celebrity blog, posing in photos with dozens of A-listers including Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and Harry Styles. His matter will return to court in August. The moment an alleged Russian spy dropped off a USB stick in a plot to leak sensitive information about Grant Shapps has been shown in court. Howard Phillips, 65, from Harlow in Essex, is on trial over allegedly intending to assist the Russian Intelligence Service by helping people he believed were agents working for Moscow. He was charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service after allegedly passing a USB stick containing details relating to Shapps, including his home address and the location of his private jet to undercover officers, who prosecutors say he believed to be Russian spies. CCTV footage seen by the jury shows Phillips checking into a Hilton Hotel in London on behalf of who he was told was a senior Russian Intelligence Service officer. Phillips can be seen walking up the stairs and into the main foyer before checking in at the front desk. He then leaves carrying a brown paper bag, which he later hands over to one of the alleged 'agents'. The events took place on May 16 last year just before 3pm, the court was told. Howard Phillips (left) can be seen walking up the stairs and into the main foyer He then checks into the front desk at a Hilton Hotel in London, the court was told He then leaves carrying a brown paper bag, which he later hands over to one of the 'agents' Howard Phillips, 65, is on trial accused of trying to 'offer services' to Russian intelligence Phillips is accused of attempting to leak the personal information of then Secretary of Defence Grant Shapps - including the location of his private plane The 65-year-old Briton is on trial accused of trying to spy for the Kremlin by leaking Shapps' personal information - including the location of his private plane. A court was told the father-of-four, who was set to start a job with UK Border Force, handed the 'agents' a bag containing a USB stick with Shapps' sensitive details on. On the stick also contained Shapps' home address and phone number. At Winchester Crown Court, Phillips denies engaging in conduct to assist a foreign intelligence service. Prosecutors say Phillips boasted he could get government clearance due to his new job at Border Force. He said he wanted the 'agents' and him to be a 'family' - and said they could all 'help each other' and 'look after each other'. He claimed to have been to Shapps' home and had met up with him several times. Inside the USB stick he dropped into the bike was a note that promised '100 per cent loyalty' to the Russian Intelligence Service [RIS] and boasted of how he could move 'under the radar' thanks to a valid government security vetting pass. Shapps served as Secretary of State for Defence during the Ukraine and Russia war, and would have held negotiations with Volodymyr Zelensky. He was defeated in last year's general election and lost his seat. The trial continues next week. Donald Trump has hit out at 'sloppy' implementation of Brexit as he argued the process is now back on track. The US president is a long-time critic of the EU and championed the idea of the UK leaving the bloc during his first White House campaign in 2016. Mr Trump drew parallels with his 'Make America Great Again' movement, and paraded Nigel Farage at rallies. However, efforts to strike a Transatlantic trade deal ultimately fell short in his first term. In an interview with the BBC, Mr Trump stressed he still thought Brexit had been the right decision. 'I think it's been on the sloppy side but I think it's getting straightened out,' he said. The president appeared to credit Keir Starmer for the improvements, while admitting their political differences. Donald Trump is a long-time critic of the EU and championed the idea of the UK leaving the bloc during his first White House campaign in 2016 Mr Trump drew parallels with his 'Make America Great Again' movement, and paraded Nigel Farage at rallies 'I really like the prime minister a lot, even though he is a liberal. I think he's good, he did a good trade deal with us which a lot of countries haven't been able to do,' he said. Mr Trump said he did now support Nato's collective defence principle after member states agreed to ramp up spending. But he suggested he was only confident that Britain would step up to fight alongside the US if the need arose. The president also shrugged off a row about his State Visit in September happening while the Commons is in recess - meaning he will not get the honour of addressing both Houses. Nigel Farage yesterday demanded a recall of MPs so a speech could happen, pointing out that Emmanuel Macron gave one during his ceremonial visit last week. However, Mr Trump made clear he was not concerned and would prefer that MPs 'go and have a good time' in their conference recess. Asked what he wanted to achieve during the visit, Mr Trump said: 'Have a good time and respect King Charles, because he's a great gentleman.' Charges laid against a man accused of shooting a mother in her driveway have suddenly be suspended. Natalie Jane Frahm, 34, was allegedly shot in the the head and chest by her neighbour Ryan Geoffrey Cole, 31, outside her house on Robb Place, South Mackay in central Queensland on June 19. Ms Frahm died at the scene while Mr Cole fled before police later found him about 7.45pm outside a service station on the Bruce Highway 2km away. Now the case has been put on hold for a six-month adjournment and it could take up to two years before it reaches a conclusion, a court heard on Tuesday. Police allege Mr Cole shot Ms Frahm in front of her daughters, aged 11 and 12, who were all sitting in a car about to head to a sporting event at the time of the incident. The two girls immediately got out of the car and ran towards James Trevor McGill, 66, who was nearby visiting his 89-year-old mother in the same street. It is alleged Mr Cole also shot Mr McGill in the chest as he tried to intervene and he was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition. Mr Cole has been charged with Ms Frahm's murder and the attempted murder of Mr McGill but he has yet to enter a plea. Natalie Jane Frahm, 34, was allegedly fatally shot in the the head and chest by her Mackay neighbour Ryan Geoffrey Cole Mr Cole's case has been suspended pending a mental health assessment Mr Cole's barrister Kate Juhasz told Mackay Magistrates Court that the case had been referred to the Mental Health Court in Brisbane, reports the Courier Mail. 'All charges are suspended until that is resolved,' Ms Juhasz told the court. A psychiatric report has already been supplied and another one being sought, she added. Once the court has both reports the matter will again proceed. Magistrate Patricia Kirkman-Scroope said the court had not yet received a copy of the notice of suspension but was advised she would receive one later in the day. The Mental Health Court process could take 12 months to two years to be completed, Prosecutor Ruth Whisker told the court. An extension has also been requested regarding the police brief of evidence against Mr Cole as DNA testing was still being processsed by authorities. There was no indication how long that might take. It is alleged that Mr Cole murdered the young mother in front of her two daughters, aged 11 and 12 The Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group previously travelled to Mackay to help provide support to Ms Frahm's shattered family. Daily Mail Australia revealed earlier that Ms Frahm moved to Mackay several years ago from her hometown Mount Isa, located 1,230 km west in outback Queensland. Her family are well known within the small town, where they run local businesses. A neighbour said at the time that she was shocked by the chain of events, saying she frequently saw Mr Cole in the street. He seemed like a good style of a man. He would always drive past and smile... [What allegedly happened] is all very sad,' she said. Police previously said there was nothing to suggest Mr Cole and Ms Frahm were known to each other prior to the alleged murder. The brief of evidence has been extended until June 30, 2026. Mr Cole's case will be next be mentioned by the court in early December. Labour's tax shambles deepened today as a minister suggested only those on 'average incomes' will be protected from looming hikes. Roads minister Lilian Greenwood appeared to commit to protecting those on incomes of up to 39,000 from desperate efforts to fill a black hole in the public finances. But she gave another strong hint that the 'wealthy' will be hammered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves - saying the government thought those with the 'broadest shoulders' should pay. The comments came as Ms Greenwood was grilled over Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander's claim on Sunday that those on 'modest incomes' would be spared pain. She told Sky News: 'I think it means people who earn kind of around average income.' Roads minister Lilian Greenwood appeared to commit to protecting those on incomes of up to 39,000 from desperate efforts to fill a black hole in the public finances She gave another strong hint that the 'wealthy' will be hammered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) - saying the government thought those with the 'broadest shoulders' should pay Your browser does not support iframes. Challenged that was roughly 39,000 a year, she added: 'I can't tell you exactly what the Transport Secretary had in her mind when she said that, but our promise when we came in was that we wouldn't hit working people with increases in employee national insurance, in income tax or VAT, and we've absolutely stuck to those promises.' Pressed that she seemed to be saying there was a wealth tax coming, Ms Greenwood replied: 'Well these are decisions for the Chancellor, but clearly we've always said that we think those who've got the broadest shoulders should bear the greatest burden.' Yesterday Ms Reeves pointedly only committed to holding rates on 'taxes that working people pay'. Visiting a school in Wigan, she suggested that just meant no change to income tax, employee national insurance and VAT as she struggles to fill an estimated 30billion black hole. But pushed on Labour demands for a 'wealth tax', Ms Reeves said: 'We haven't even set the date for the budget yet, so please forgive me if I don't speculate about what might happen at an event we haven't even decided a date on yet.' Treasury Chief Secretary Darren Jones sparked a fresh bout of confusion by pointedly saying 'headline' rates of income tax, NICs and VAT will not change. Speculation has been mounting about a 'wealth tax' - something Labour MPs have been baying for despite alarm at signs of an exodus of the rich from Britain. Downing Street has refused to rule out a wealth tax, although Ms Reeves previously said she was 'not interested' in the idea. Ms Reeves was dealt another blow on Friday as figures showed the economy shrinking for a second month in a row The tax burden is already set to hit a new high as a proportion of GDP after the last Budget imposed a 41billion increase - the biggest on record for a single package. But experts have suggested that the stalling economy together with spending pressures could mean Ms Reeves has a 31billion funding gap to fill. Many believe the Chancellor will opt to extend the long-running freeze on tax thresholds. The policy, in place since 2022, is due to end in 2028-29. By that point it will have dragged an extra 4.2million people into the tax system as wages rise. A die-hard Oasis fan who failed to bag a ticket to the band's iconic reunion tour claimed he managed to sneak in using a very ingenious plan. John Spilsbury, 42, was determined to join the 80,000-strong crowd on Friday night as the rock band took to the stage in Manchester for the first time in 16 years. After racking his brain for a way in, the superfan decided to pose as a litter picker so he could walk straight up to the front - and claims it worked. The transport planner said he wore a yellow hi-vis vest, carried a litter picker and held a bin bag before strolling up to the gates at Heaton Park but it was a risky solution and a last resort for Mr Spilsbury. He said: 'I took it with me as a last resort. They'd been lying around in one of the warehouses so I borrowed them for a bit. 'I was quite lucky. It was just unbelievable really.' After being waved through, Mr Spilsbury said he got right to the front standing section using his smart disguise. Living up to his persona of the night, the fan claimed he carried out a '30 minute shift' of litter picking before removing his outfit to enjoy the show. John Spilsbury, 42, (pictured) said he posed as a litter picker to get into an Oasis concert on Friday The transport planner said he wore a yellow hi-vis vest, carried a litter picker and held a bin bag The Derbyshire native joked he wasn't paid but he didn't mind at all, saying: 'I didn't get paid for the work but I got a free concert. Oasis were brilliant. I was buzzing. I couldn't believe it.' Mr Spilsbury, from Alfreton in Cheshire, posted on social media: 'No Ticket No Problem. 'When you can't get a ticket for Oasis so take a hi viz and grabber and pretend to be a litter picker then walk straight into front standing.' Viewers praised the transport planner for being a 'legend and a genius', while others joked there will be '6,000 litter pickers' turning up to the next concert. Mr Spilsbury explained there was limited security and he was shocked he managed to get in, explaining he made sure to appear casual and relaxed as he walked past the bouncers. He said: 'From a security point of view, it was easy to get in and they didn't check for any tickets. 'I was acting very casual and when I saw the security guys I started picking up litter around them, saying 'Mind if I grab that mate' and I walked through. 'I did a half hour shift of picking, filling a bag with beer cans and plates. It was well worth it! After being waved through, Mr Spilsbury said he got right to the front standing section using his smart disguise 'I had the high vis vest on and had a grabber which I'd found at work.' His next door neighbour Kane Mills and fellow Oasis fan said: 'John's a top blagger! That's the most genius thing I've heard of. 'We knew all about it afterwards because he shared it with us. He was buzzing.' Engineer Kane, 31, explained: 'He's a massive fan, as I am, and he decided to go to Heaton Park anyway and hoped to buy one there. 'The next thing we know, because he posted on our community page the following day, was that he'd blagged his way in for free pretending to be a litter collector. 'He decided to try his luck instead and it paid off. He was that desperate to see them!' Kane added: 'He got in for nothing and we've had to pay a fortune for our tickets next month.' He said: 'When we found out how he'd got in we were laughing our heads off. It was brilliant! The fan claimed he carried out a '30 minute shift' of litter picking before removing his outfit to enjoy the show Liam and Noel Gallagher were hand-in-hand as they kicked off the first of their five-night stint at Heaton Park on Friday 'He posted it on our local Facebook and then it ended up on the Oasis fan page and had had over 17,000 shares!' Kane and his partner Lisa have splashed out 500 for Oasit tickets for a Wembley concert in August with hotel accommodation. Probation officer Lisa joked: 'We're a bit jealous! 'John blagged his way in for free but clever thinking. It was genius. He and hid wife are a lovely couple.' 'He's done nothing wrong posing as a litter picket and it's not private property. 'I'm sure Noel and Liam will see the funny side if they knew and be proud of him!' John joked that he had probably 'set a trend now' and that all ticketless fans would be 'turning up as litter pickers because they fully know it can work.' John, whose wife Rachel and neighbours were stunned by his act, had driven the 90-minute trip to Manchester and spent 50 on an airbnb for the night. He said: 'In all a pretty cheap night to see one of the greatest bands ever!' Fans were treated to Morning Glory, Some Might Say, Cigarettes and Alcohol, and Supersonic before Noel's acoustic set The band's shows at Heaton Park - a 600-acre public park in Bury and Manchester - are the only UK concerts held outside a stadium, with the others taking place at the Principality Stadium, Wembley and Murrayfield. Oasis opened their set with Hello from their 1995 second album (What's the Story), before playing Acquiesce. Fans were treated to Morning Glory, Some Might Say, Cigarettes and Alcohol, and Supersonic before Noel's acoustic set. Giving his brother a hug, Liam then headed off while Noel played Half The World Away and Little By Little. Other songs included D'You Know What I Mean, Cast No Shadow, Stand By Me, Whatever and Rock N Roll Star. After Rock N Roll Star, Liam said: 'Thanks for sticking with us. I know we are difficult, but you want to try being in the band,' before they left the stage. As chants of 'one more song!' echoed through the crowd they strolled back on to stage to play fan favourites Don't Look Back In Anger and Wonderwall. Oasis ended the night on Champagne Supernova with fireworks being set off from the stage. Donald Trump was today warned by Moscow that he is pushing Russia towards nuclear war with his new go-ahead for arms to Ukraine and the threat of punitive sanctions. State TV propagandist and war pundit Aleksandr Sladkov said: 'Trump is trying to scare us with missiles, but this is difficult to do. 'Trump should be scared. Everyone is trying to push us to turn Kyiv and Lviv into Hiroshima and Nagasaki.' The Ukrainian leadership - in calling for new missiles to strike Russia - 'is taking the most active part in this'. The new Trump deal green lights the supply of a possible $10 billion worth of defensive and offensive missiles and other arms, to be paid for by US allies in Europe along with Canada, as well as the threat of sledgehammer sanctions if Putin refuses to negotiate in 50 days. Sladkov declared: 'Imagine our country under attack by American cruise missiles, like Yugoslavia, Iraq, etc. I am sure that the Yars should go in response.' Yars are Russia's main land-based strategic nuclear weapons - each missile typically carries three or four nuclear warheads. Each has a yield estimated between 100 and 300 kilotons, making each warhead between seven and 20 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Donald Trump was today warned by Moscow that he is pushing Russia towards nuclear war with his new go-ahead for arms to Ukraine and the threat of punitive sanctions. Pictured: Firefighters try to put out a fire following a Russian attack in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 State TV propagandist and war pundit Aleksandr Sladkov (pictured) said: 'Trump is trying to scare us with missiles, but this is difficult to do.' The new Trump deal green lights the supply of a possible $10 billion worth of defensive and offensive missiles and other arms, to be paid for by US allies in Europe along with Canada. Pictured: Firefighters working to extinguish a fire at the site of a burnt private house following a Russian guided aerial bomb attack in Velykomykhaylivka village, Dnipropetrovsk region Frothing Putin TV propagandist Vladimir Solovyov claimed the arming of Ukraine by NATO meant a full scale war. 'The question is about the survival of our country,' he fumed on Kremlin-funded state TV. 'We are already at war. It cannot be avoided. 'The [Western] task is to destroy our country. We are not fighting in Ukraine, we are fighting with NATO. Understand this already.' This came as it was claimed the US president had quizzed Volodymyr Zelensky on why he did not heap pressure on Vladimir Putin by attacking capital city Moscow, a disclosure likely to further infuriate Moscow. 'We can if you give us the weapons,' Zelensky replied, according to the Washington Post. It has emerged the US considered approving long range Tomahawk cruise missiles for Kyiv, but for now has not done so, but evidently has approved using American-supplied ATACMS missiles inside Russia to a fuller range of almost 200 miles. Ultranationalist politician Leonid Slutsky, leader of the hardline Liberal Democratic Party, said: 'As for the talk about preparations for resuming the process of missile deliveries to the Ukrainian junta: this will certainly be a step back, but will not fundamentally change the situation on the front for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Frothing Putin TV propagandist Vladimir Solovyov claimed the arming of Ukraine by NATO meant a full scale war. Pictured: : Emergency teams on duty following Russia's most massive attack on the city since the start of the full-scale invasion in Lviv, Ukraine on July 12 It has emerged the US considered approving long range Tomahawk cruise missiles for Kyiv, but for now has not done so, but evidently has approved using American-supplied ATACMS missiles inside Russia to a fuller range of almost 200 miles Overnight, Putin for the second day running succession avoided mass drone and missile strikes on Ukraine. Pictured: Firefighters put out the fire of a city hospital following a Russian attack in Sumy region, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 'The goals of the [war] will be achieved in any case - either through negotiations or on the battlefield.' Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev mocked a 'theatrical' Trump, suggesting Putin won't care over the White House ultimatum. He posted on X: 'Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn't care.' Overnight, Putin for the second day running succession avoided mass drone and missile strikes on Ukraine. But attacks carried on in war zone regions where he is seeking to invade more territory. In Kharkiv, a 68-year-old woman was injured in a night attack on the region. Houses and four outbuildings burned down in new attacks on civilians. In Zaporizhzhia, two people were wounded in an attack on Huliaipole city. Kherson was also hit by Russian forces. Ukraine staged attacks on military facilities deep inside Russia with a new drone strike on Energiya enterprise at Yelets in Liuptsk region - which makes the chemical-based power sources for multiple Russian weapons including Iskander-M ballistic missiles. Residents reported explosions and footage indicated the plant had been hit in a barrage of a dozen drones. Voronezh was also hit with reports of 15 wounded including a baby aged one. Matthew Whitaker, permanent US Representative to NATO, insisted the Trump about turn on arms supplies to Ukraine will bring peace. 'What this says to Vladimir Putin is very loud and clear which is - we have given you a chance for peace. 'President Trump is a peacemaker, but if you want war, we will arm Ukraine - and Europe will pay for it. 'It's actually a great step in ultimately bringing this war to a conclusion, to an end. 'In the last 18 months Russia has gained about one per cent of Ukrainian land. 'They are making no success, they are losing thousands of soldiers every single day.' Did YOU see the violence? A protest outside a migrant hotel erupted into violence after anti-immigration campaigners clashed with 'anti-racism' demonstrators. The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, descended into bloody mayhem as activists brawled on the streets - while police battled to contain the chaos. Hundreds of people had rallied outside the venue after a 38-year-old African asylum seeker was accused of committing three sexual assaults - nine days after allegedly arriving in the UK illegally by boat. Police were forced to break up a fight between two men as large crowds jeered, with some shouting: 'F***ing nonce', 'f*** off back to Walthamstow' and 'paedos'. The outburst of disorder ignited on Sunday evening, with shocking footage appearing to show one man bleeding heavily from his head as he limped to the hotel. 'Go home you c***, go home. F*** off back on your boat and go,' one man is heard screeching as the injured male hobbles his way past a line of police officers. In another clip, two men are seen punching one another and wrestling next to a car before police charge in to break up the brawl. While in a third video, a large crowd of people - some of whom were waving the flag of St George - were seen massing opposite the three-star hotel and repeatedly chanting 'protect our kids', as about a dozen police stood guard. One man was seen with a nasty cut on his head and blood on his top as he walked past police Hundreds of people were seen at the protest, which later descended into violent mayhem Police officers separate 'anti-racism' demonstrators from others protesting at the scene Father-of-three Adam Brooks, an anti-knife campaigner whose dad was brutally stabbed to death when he was a child, was among those at the protest. The Essex-based publican said: 'There's a protest because a migrant is alleged and was charged with sexual assault against a young girl in Epping High Road last week. 'There are worried mothers, worried children, there's grandmothers, fathers, uncles, grandads, and we've got an anti-racism lot that have turned up. 'Things are getting heated here. I just cannot believe that an anti-racism mob would turn up against something like this.' In one video, police were seen escorting some counter-demonstrators away from the hotel as a huge crowd of people continued to jeer. Some of the counter-protestors were seen holding signs saying 'Refugees Welcome: Stop The Far-Right'. Nobody has reportedly been arrested following the disorder, which sparked after Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with three counts of sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and one count of harassment without violence. Ethiopian national Kebatu reportedly arrived in Britain illegally on June 29, little more than a week before the alleged sex attacks took place. A man appeared to have blood all over his face following the disorder outside the hotel Some people arrived outside the migrant hotel with signs saying 'send them home' One man appeared to have climbed on top of the hotel's roof during the protest on Sunday Announcing the news of his arrest on Thursday, Essex Police said: 'We were alerted to reports of a man acting inappropriately towards a teenager in High Road, at 5.20pm on Tuesday July 8. 'Officers arrived quickly and arrested a man. 'As a result of the work of officers, offences against a woman and another teenager, which were separate to those which had taken place on Tuesday, were then reported for the first time and an investigation was launched.' Kebatu was remanded in custody after a hearing at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Thursday. He denies any wrongdoing. Following Kebatu's arrest, the district's Conservative leader wrote to the Home Secretary calling for The Bell Hotels closure 'without delay'. Essex Police will continue to have a presence in the area for the coming days, a spokesman for the force said. Speaking after the protest broke up, Superintendent Tim Tubbs said: 'We respect everyones right to protest, and we police without fear of favour these are important fundamentals of our work when it comes to public order. 'Well be working with all our partner agencies in the coming days to hear their thoughts and establish how we can provide the most effective police response for events like this in the future. 'As with all our policing of public events such as protests, we will review any body-worn video to ensure any offences are detected.' Hundreds of people massed outside the migrant hotel to join the protest there on Sunday Counter-protestors, carrying plaques saying 'Refugees Welcome: Stop The Far-Right' also attended Those who joined the counter-protest were later seen being escorted away from the scene by police after things appeared to turn heated Chris Whitbread, the leader of Epping Forest District Council, insisted the authority had 'consistently and repeatedly opposed' the use of the The Bell as a migrant hotel. 'From the outset, we warned the Home Office that this site is entirely inappropriate,' the council chief said in a statement. 'Placing vulnerable individuals from a wide range of cultural backgrounds into an unsupervised setting, in the centre of a small town, without the proper infrastructure, support or services, is both reckless and unacceptable. 'It puts pressure on local services, causes understandable concern for residents, and is unfair on those placed in the hotel. 'The Home Office must now face the reality of the situation. The Bell Hotel must be closed without delay. Our warnings have been ignored for too long.' The council boss has set up a petition calling for the closure of The Bell Hotel - as well as the Phoenix Hotel in Bobbingworth, which also accommodates migrants. It has has received more than 4,500 signatures. The petition says: 'We are also deeply concerned about rising community tensions. Epping Forest has a history of extreme far-right activity, including the presence of groups such as the Homeland Party and previously elected British National Party councillors. 'The Governments inaction risks fuelling division and undermining community cohesion. Our community feels ignored and let down. Epping Forest has been forced to carry an unfair burden in the ongoing illegal immigration crisis.' MailOnline has approached The Bell Hotel for comment. A 19-year-old sanitation worker was horrifically killed after being sucked into a meat grinder at a California food processing plant. The unnamed teenager was working at Tinas Burritos when the deadly accident unfolded just before 9.30pm on Sunday, according to the Vernon Police Department. He had been working an overnight shift and cleaning the industrial meat grinder when it suddenly switched on, pulling him into the machine in front of his shocked colleagues. The victim, a member of the after-hours sanitation team, is believed to have cried out for help. However, workers were unable to shut the equipment down in time to save his life. Police who rushed to the scene confirmed they found the young mans body inside the machine after being called to the scene. Sgt. Daniel Onopa told ABC 6 the incident occurred around 9.30pm and that investigations are underway to determine what triggered the machine to start operating. Officials have indicated that they do not suspect foul play. The tragic incident happened on Sunday at Tina's Burritos in Carlifornia The unnamed teenager was sucked into an industrial meat grinder when it was suddenly activated - picture for illustrative purposes only Sgt. Onopa said: 'Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and coworkers affected by this tragedy.' Tinas Burritos has not yet issued a statement on the fatal accident at its plant. The company is famous for its single-serve frozen burritos. A Syrian teenager has gone on trial in Berlin accused of being an accomplice in a foiled ISIS-inspired plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna last year. The 15-year-old, named only as Mohammad A, allegedly helped a would-be attacker translate bomb instructions and established contact with a member of ISIS abroad, according to the charges against him. Federal prosecutors believe the teenager, who attended school in Germany, was helping a man named as Beran A, who they say planned to kill himself and others at a show in Austria expected to attract up to 200,000 attendees last August. Berlin's superior court of justice granted a request by Mohammad's defence lawyers to hear the case behind closed doors, due to his age and 'heated' press coverage around the trial. Spectators at the Berlin Higher Regional Court were excluded even before the charges were read on Monday, a court spokeswoman said. Seven days of hearings are planned, ending on August 26. The Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office told the dpa press agency that main suspect Beran A, who remains in custody, is still under investigation. Investigators in Austria are not aware of any other suspected accomplices. The three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna were cancelled a day before the first show as authorities swooped on two suspects, before arresting a third two days later. Swift performs onstage during the Germany leg of her Eras tour, in Munich, July 24, 2024 Police officers talk with fans of Taylor Swift outside Wembley Stadium on August 15, 2024, after the plot in Vienna was foiled Mohammad, who was 14 at the time, was arrested on the day the concerts were cancelled, his name allegedly found among Beran's contacts. Prosecutors believe that Mohammad started following Islamic State ideology in April 2024 at the latest, texting an oath of loyalty to join the organisation. He attended a school in the German city of Frankfurt an der Oder, near the Polish border. The Syrian teenager is said to have been in contact with Beran A, an Austrian citizen, from mid-July until August 2024, according to Germany's prosecutor general. Authorities claim Beran A planned to 'kill as many people as possible'. Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the head of state protection and intelligence at the Austrian interior ministry, said at the time that Beran A intended to 'kill himself and a large crowd of people' with the attack. The CIA, which provided intelligence to the Austrian authorities to help foil the plot, said in August that the suspects' plans were 'advanced'. Deputy director David Cohen noted there were 'tens of thousands of people at this concert, I am sure many Americans'. 'The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do,' he revealed. Mr Cohen did not explain how the agency learned of the plot. Organisers cancelled the shows on August 7 last year, the day before the first show, warning about a 'planned terrorist attack'. Austrian authorities had only arrested two of the suspects that day. A third was arrested two days later. Beran A allegedly planned to orchestrate an attack at a Taylor Swift concert last year File photo. Fighters from the Islamic State group parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle in the northern city of Mosul, Iraq (2014) Austria's coalition government in June agreed on a plan to enable police to monitor suspects' secure messaging in order to thwart militant attacks, ending what security officials have said is a rare and dangerous blind spot for a European Union country. Taylor Swift said at the time that having to cancel the Vienna shows was 'devastating'. 'The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows,' she wrote. 'But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.' A schoolgirl was put into isolation for wearing a Union Jack dress to celebrate being British at her school's culture day. 'Straight A' student Courtney Wright, 12, wore the Spice Girls-esque dress and wrote a speech about history and traditions as part of the celebrations on Friday. But the Year 7 pupil was told the dress was 'unacceptable' before being hauled out of lessons and made to sit in reception until her father collected her. Stuart Field, 47, said he was 'gobsmacked' to learn she had been segregated from her peers due to her choice of attire at Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire. He added that while other pupils with St George's and Welsh flags were also turned away, students were allowed in burkas, niqabs and traditional Nigerian clothing. Mr Field, who works in marine restoration, said: 'Courtney was so embarrassed and couldn't understand what she'd done wrong. 'She should not be made to feel embarrassed about being British. 'And she shouldn't be punished for celebrating British culture and history; nobody else I've spoken to can quite get their heads around it.' Courtney Wright poses for a photo showing her costume after being made to leave school on culture day She was hauled out of lessons and made to sit in reception until her father Stuart Field (pictured) collected her The school contacted Mr Field over the weekend and have since apologised for the move The father added: 'Another with a St Georges flag and another with a Welsh flag were not allowed in either. It was ridiculous. It just seemed anything that was remotely British wasn't allowed. 'It's ironic they were having a cultural diversity day but then decided to single out a group of people. 'Others were allowed in burkas, niqabs or traditional Nigerian clothing.' Following outrage to the decision, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The PM has always been clear that being British is something to be celebrated. 'You can see that from everything this government has done. We are a tolerant, diverse, open country, proud of being British. Mr Field said Courtney wanted to wear the dress to celebrate being British, the Spice Girls and the freedom of being able to wear a dress. 'This was her interpretation of British culture and what it means to her,' he said. 'Somebody at the school has politicised a Union Jack dress even though that was clearly not Courtney's intent. Courtney didn't do anything to be political.' 'Straight A' student Courtney wore a Spice Girls-esque dress as part of her school's culture day on Friday Mr Field said Courtney wanted to wear the dress to celebrate being British, the Spice Girls, taking inspiration from Geri Halliwell (pictured) in her iconic dress Courtney's speech for Culture Day Today I want to talk about my culture - British culture - and why it's important to me. In Britain, we have lots of traditions including drinking tea, our love for talking about the weather and we have the royal family. We have amazing history, like kings and queens, castles, and writers like Shakespeare. It's also modern, diverse and always changing - with music fashion and food from all around the world blending into daily life. And let's not forget fish and chips! Its also the way we speak, our humour, our values of fairness and politeness, and the mix of old traditions and new ideas. But sometimes at school, we only hear about other cultures - which is great because learning about different countries is interesting and important. But it can feel like being British doesn't count as a culture, just because it's the majority. I think culture should be for everyone - not just for people from other countries or backgrounds. Being British is still a culture, and it matters too.. It's part of who I am. So let's celebrate all cultures - whether they come from far away or right here at home. Advertisement In a permission letter sent to parents, it said the Culture Celebration Day was 'designed to promote inclusion, understanding, and appreciation of different backgrounds, traditions and heritages'. But Mr Field said the school's actions went against the message of inclusion and other pupils with St George's flags and Welsh flags were turned away from the school gates. The father-of-five added: 'The day was to celebrate everyone's cultures and Courtney chose this Union Flag dress so she could celebrate hers. 'She also wrote this speech to go with it and was very proud of what she'd done. 'The next thing I get a call at work at around 9am to say she's not allowed in school dressed like that and that it was unacceptable.' He added: 'I wasn't able to get away from work until about midday. They made her sit in reception all morning in front of the receptionists and kept her in isolation. 'She's a straight A student, one of the brightest in her year and she's never been in trouble before so she was really upset. 'All the kids there are British in my eyes, I like to think I'm a tolerant person but this was just not right. 'I wanted an answer as to why they thought this was acceptable - and nobody could give me a straight answer, I wanted to know how they had justified it. 'I spoke to her head of year, and he said he wasn't the best person to talk to about it, so I can only assume he didn't really agree with it either. 'It obviously came from above him but I don't know for sure who made the decision. 'I was fobbed off and told that I'd get a phone call and I took Courtney straight out for a nice meal to cheer her up. 'If anything I was extremely proud of what she chosen and what she had written in her speech. 'She wanted to celebrate being British, she couldn't understand what was wrong with that. Her father Mr Field said: 'Courtney was so embarrassed and couldn't understand what she'd done wrong' 'She wasn't the only kid picked out either - one child from a farming background was turned away at the gates for wearing traditional flat-cap and checked shirt. 'They didn't even read or listen to her speech which actually celebrates inclusivity and other cultures. 'It was just like British culture could not be celebrated. She was punished for being proud of being British. Bilton School in Rugby, where the ordeal took place on Friday during culture day 'I put a post on Facebook and I've had messages of support from all over the world really, from Poland to Australia to America. 'Everybody is saying how ridiculous it is that any young person cannot celebrate where they are from. 'The school now want her to come back and read the speech, but she doesn't feel comfortable about it or wearing the dress anymore. 'She feels like the school is parading her a bit now. It could have all been avoided if the school just followed their own policy of inclusivity and let everyone share a little about their culture.' The school contacted Mr Field over the weekend and have since apologised for the move. A spokesman for Stowe Valley Trust said: 'At Bilton School, we are proud of the diversity of our students and the rich heritage they bring to our community. We are committed to fostering an environment where every pupil feels respected, valued, and included. 'On Friday 11th July, an incident occurred during our Culture Celebration Day that caused considerable upset to one of our pupils, her family, and members of the wider community. 'We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our sincere and unreserved apologies. 'We have since spoken directly with the pupil and her family to listen to their concerns and reflect on how this could have been handled better. 'We are committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that every student feels recognised and supported when expressing pride in their heritage. 'As a school, we are reviewing our policies and strengthening staff training to ensure our practices reflect our values of inclusion, respect, and understanding for all.' MailOnline has contacted the school for further comment. A body found off the coast of Brittany is feared to be that of a Cornish sailor whose boat was found abandoned last month. Although police have not formally identified him, they have told the family of 75-year-old David Sycamore, a well-known sailor from Mevagissey, that the remains may be his. Mr Sycamore disappeared in mid-June after his yacht ran aground near Chapel Point, just outside Portmellon. Emergency services were alerted to the empty vessel at around 8.15pm on Friday, June 13. The yacht had crossed from France into Cornish waters before being found deserted. Locals named Mr Sycamore as the skipper, and it's believed he was alone on board. At the time, police launched a missing person inquiry, and a large-scale search effort got underway. The RNLI, HM Coastguard helicopter, and the Mevagissey Coastguard Rescue Team were all involved in the search, which was stood down the following day on Saturday, June 14, as investigations continued. Devon and Cornwall Police said at the time that 'extensive enquiries' were being carried out. Police believe a body found off the coast of Brittany could be that of David Sycamore Authorities discovered the boat on June 13 and launched a large-scale search On Friday night, a friend of Mr Sycamore shared a post on social media confirming he had sadly been found and recovered from the water. In a statement, a spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'We received a call from the British Embassy in France advising us that a fishing boat had located the body of a man off Brittany earlier this week. 'The family of 75-year-old Mevagissey boat skipper David Sycamore, who was reported missing last month, have been made aware of the discovery. 'We remain in close contact with the French authorities around identification and repatriation.' Tributes have been paid to the sailor, who was described by Cornwall Climate Care as a 'lovely man and a passionate campaigner in Cornwall on environment, climate and pollution.' A man has been charged with manslaughter after a baby drowned at a popular campsite. The 42-year-old was arrested days after the seven-month-old boy was discovered by his mother in the rest area's lake, near Gympie north of Brisbane. The man was known to the child, police said. The boy's family were passing through on their way back to far north Queensland and camped at Chatsworth Park about 50m from the water's edge on Friday night, police said. The mother called emergency services to the campsite after she found her child unresponsive in the lake on Saturday morning. People performed CPR on the baby before he was rushed to hospital, but the child was declared dead later that night. A 42-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter after a baby was found drowned in a lake near Brisbane The boy's family had been travelling through the area when the incident happened at a popular campsite on Friday Police on Monday said the mother had not been able to explain how the child had ended up in the water. 'The mother of the child did retrieve this child from the water. It's been a very traumatic experience for her clearly,' Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield told reporters. Homicide detectives were called in and the 42-year-old man was on Tuesday arrested at Bundamba, more than 200km south of the campsite. The man has been charged with domestic violence-related manslaughter and is due to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday. A doting father-of-two was killed when his car aquaplaned in torrential rain and became airborne after hitting a ramped safety barrier before smashing into a concrete support pillar. Leigh Nardelli, 46, was driving a Mercedes AMG car on the A5 near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, when it lost control and hit the central reservation. The car continued sliding until it was flung into the air by the ramped section of another safety barrier and launched into the air, eventually hitting a concrete post they were protecting. Mr Nardelli, a skateboarding industry executive, died at the scene after suffering multiple injuries. A coroner has now sent a Prevention of Future Deaths Notice to National Highways after it emerged the barrier had been identified as a major safety risk in 2022 two years before the crash - but delayed replacing it for financial reasons. Dr Sean Cummings, the assistant coroner for Milton Keynes, wrote: 'This had been in place to protect the concrete support pillar of an overhead bridge. However, it is acutely ramped and allowed Mr Nardellis vehicle to be projected up it, travel along the top before entering a wider space between the barriers on the south and northside. 'The vehicle then seems to have descended and flipped becoming airborne and striking the concrete support causing fatal injuries. Leigh Nardelli, 46, was killed when his car was launched into the air off a ramped safety barrier on the A5 near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, and hit a concrete bridge support. A coroner has written to National Highways about the dangers presented by the barrier, which had been identified as a risk two years earlier 'The barrier ramp, known as a P1 terminal had been due for replacement to a safer bifurcated system [where a single barrier splits into two and run either side of an obstacle] in 2022 but for financial reasons was not. 'The hazard posed by the design of the P1 terminal was known by National Highways and it was due for replacement at the site of the collision in 2022. 'It presented and continues to present a significant risk and was not replaced for financial reasons. 'There is a gradual roll out programme across National Highways to replace P1 terminals with a safer bifurcated system but I consider the implications of the financial limitations represents an ongoing safety concern for vehicles approaching them on designated roads. 'In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or your organisation) have the power to take such action.' Dr Cummings concluded at an inquest in March that Mr Nardelli died as the result of a road traffic collision. The Chelsea fan, who was originally from London but lived in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, was driving his white Mercedes at speed on the 60mph road at 10.30am on July 6, 2024, when his car ran through a patch of pooled water and lost control. Crash investigation officers from Thames Valley Police had access to traumatic footage showing how the car hit the barrier, spun and crunched into the concrete bridge support. Mr Nardelli, who had worked since the late 1990s for Britains largest skateboard distribution company, New Deal UK, left behind two sons, Eddie, 18, and Axel, five. A Gofundme page set up to help support them raised 12,670. The website said: 'Leigh was an amazing, doting father who provided everything for his sons. A gofundme page launched to provide financial support for the sakteboarding industry executive's sons Eddie, 18, and Axel, five, raised more than 12,000 Mr Nardelli, who died at the scene of the crash from multiple injuries, was described as a 'doting' dad Losing him has left a huge hole in the lives of not only his close family and friends but everyone that knew him. 'Part of the money will go towards helping to pay for Eddie to carry on snowboarding, as he is currently competing and training with Snowboard England. He is also about to start to learn to drive and it would be great for him to be able to travel to training in the near future. 'Leigh was such a special person to so many. He was one of life's good ones and a truly amazing dad, brother, uncle, son and friend.' Eddie wrote on Instagram after the tragedy: 'We are all going to miss my dad because he was one of the best people to exist, whether it was dad, husband, brother, son - he was the perfect man at all of it. He truly was the perfect man and I think we all want to be as good as he was. I miss you dad.' National Highways has 56 days in which to respond to the coroner by setting out its proposed action. A spokesman said: 'Every death on our roads is one too many and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Leigh Nardelli following this tragic incident. 'We will consider the coroners report and respond within the deadline.' A massive sinkhole has opened up in a busy south London street with a burst pipe leading to major flooding and road closure chaos. Fire and water crews were deployed to Kings Avenue, near Clapham Common, in the early hours of Sunday morning after the deluge was reported to them. While the water flow is now under control after Thames Water stationed 'specialists' in the area, it may take up to 'two weeks' to fix the roads which appear to have crumbled as a result of the flooding. Labour's Brixton Acre Lane team posted on X today to say Kings Avenue was 'now fully closed to cars, cyclists and pedestrians' and that the nearby Clarence Avenue would be 'added shortly' as a new diversion route. They predicted that, should a hole on Bedford Road be filled today, that junction will reopen tomorrow. However, they added that the total time for the overall works could take two weeks, adding that Thames Water have been granted overnight permission to complete them. Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the MP for Clapham and Brixton, said she would continue to 'press' Thames Water after saying locals should expect 'further delays', particularly to public transport. Popular buses such as the 137 and N137 from Streatham to Marble Arch, the 355 from Mitcham to Brixton, the P5 from Elephant & Castle to Pamore Estate, and the 417 from Crystal Palace to Clapham have been affected as a result of the sinkhole. A massive sinkhole has opened up on Kings Avenue, near Clapham Common, with a burst pipe leading to major flooding and travel chaos Fire crews and water specialists were deployed to the area in the early hours of Sunday morning after the deluge was reported to them Transport for London (TfL) said: 'Routes 137, 417 and N137 are diverted in both directions via Clapham Common South Side, Cavendish Road and Poynders Road. 'Buses will not be able to serve Kings Avenue, and Clapham Park Road. 'Route 355 is on diversion in both directions via Streatham Place and Brixton Hill, missing bus stops on Kings Avenue and Acre Lane. 'Route P5 is on diversion in both directions via Brixton Road and Stockwell Road missing bus stops on Acre Lane, Bedford Road and Clapham Road.' In their latest update today, a Thames Water spokesperson apologised for the inconvenience caused by the hole. They said: 'Were currently dealing with a burst pipe which caused a large amount of flooding to the area, as shown in the picture below. 'To keep the public and our team safe, weve set up traffic lights while we work in the road. Sorry for the impact this may have on traffic in the area, and any delays to your journey 'Due to the size of the pipe and it's location this is going to be a difficult repair. Weve now controlled the flow of water from the burst pipe, and a specialist team have carried out investigations to confirm the road surface is safe for us to continue with the repair. 'As soon as we confirm this we'll then dig down to the damaged section of pipe and decide how best to fix it.' Ms Ribeiro-Addy said yesterday that water supplies in the area should be 'restored' to locals. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: 'We were called at 0103 on Monday (13 July) to reports of a burst water main on Kings Avenue, SW4. Firefighters attended and discovered a sinkhole in the roadway and surface water flooding in excess of 200mm. 'Firefighters deployed sandbags to help protect multiple affected properties. The scene was left in the care of the water authority and Metropolitan Police.' MailOnline has also approached Lambeth Council for further information. Labour has slumped to six points behind Reform after a week of Labour turmoil over tax rises, a new poll reveals today. Sir Keir Starmer had reduced the deficit with Nigel Farage's party to two points with YouGov, but that gap has widened again as speculation grows that Rachel Reeves will use the Budget to increase taxes for millions of Britons. Ministers are also being coy over whether a specific 'wealth tax' - demanded by hard left backbenchers - might be introduced. Reform is on 28 per cent, up two, and Labour is on 22 per cent (-2) after a week in which Sir Keir also unveiled plans for a one in, one out migrant deal with France. The agreement, made with much fanfare during a state visit by Emmanuel Macron, will see the UK take one migrant from France with links to Britain for every small boat arrival sent back across the Channel. However, reports suggest the pilot scheme will as few as 50 per week, raising questions about whether it will provide a deterrent to the thousands making the journey. Labour's tax shambles deepened today as a minister suggested only those on 'average incomes' will be protected from looming hikes. Roads minister Lilian Greenwood appeared to commit to protecting those on incomes of up to 39,000 from desperate efforts to fill a black hole in the public finances. Your browser does not support iframes. Sir Keir Starmer had reduced the deficit with Nigel Farage's party to two points with YouGov. But that gap has widened again as speculation grows that Rachel Reeves will use the Budget to increase taxes for millions of Britons. But she gave another strong hint that the 'wealthy' will be hammered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves - saying the government thought those with the 'broadest shoulders' should pay. The comments came as Ms Greenwood was grilled over Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander's claim on Sunday that those on 'modest incomes' would be spared pain. She told Sky News: 'I think it means people who earn kind of around average income.' Challenged that was roughly 39,000 a year, she added: 'I can't tell you exactly what the Transport Secretary had in her mind when she said that, but our promise when we came in was that we wouldn't hit working people with increases in employee national insurance, in income tax or VAT, and we've absolutely stuck to those promises.' Pressed that she seemed to be saying there was a wealth tax coming, Ms Greenwood replied: 'Well these are decisions for the Chancellor, but clearly we've always said that we think those who've got the broadest shoulders should bear the greatest burden.' Yesterday Ms Reeves pointedly only committed to holding rates on 'taxes that working people pay'. Visiting a school in Wigan, she suggested that just meant no change to income tax, employee national insurance and VAT as she struggles to fill an estimated 30billion black hole. But pushed on Labour demands for a 'wealth tax', Ms Reeves said: 'We haven't even set the date for the budget yet, so please forgive me if I don't speculate about what might happen at an event we haven't even decided a date on yet.' Your browser does not support iframes. Tributes have flooded in from around the world for superyacht stewardess Paige Bell days after she was killed, with family, friends and the yachting community marking what would have been her 21st birthday. The South African crew member was found dead in the engine room of Far From It, the luxury motor boat she worked on in the Bahamas, on July 3. Police arrested a 39-year-old Mexican engineer who worked with Paige after discovering him near her body, and he was later charged with her murder. Paige's distraught parents Michelle and John Bell flew out to the Bahamas last week, 'seeking justice for the monster that took her life' and 'to begin the painful process of bringing their baby girl home.' Tragically, Paige had been just days away from travelling home to Durban to attend a big celebration with loved ones for her birthday on July 14. As they prepared to mark the milestone without their beloved daughter, a statement written on GoFundMe on behalf of Paige's family asked that people 'come together' to commemorate her life. 'In honor of Paige, her mother has asked that we all eat red velvet cake (her favorite) on that day and share a photo in remembrance of the beautiful soul she was,' it read. Yacht workers, friends and well-wishers around the world responded by sharing their support for the family, with dozens posting pictures of their red velvet cakes. Crews on boats from the Bahamas to Europe and Paige's native South Africa also blared their horns in a worldwide tribute to honour the life of one of their own. Paige Bell was found dead in the engine room of the luxury motor boat Far From It on July 3 Yacht captain and Below Deck star Hugo Ortega shared footage of a harbour full of yachts sounding their horns on Paige's birthday A South African yacht crew ate red velvet cake and blared their boat's horn to honour Paige One of Paige's crewmates shared a photo of a bottle of prosecco emblazoned with her nickname 'Paigey' and 21 When a seafarer dies, it is a maritime tradition to sound eight bells in their honour - a signal that a sailor's 'watch' is over. Yacht captain and Below Deck star Hugo Ortega shared a picture of Paige and footage of a harbour full of yachts sounding their horns on her birthday. In a tribute on social media, he wrote: 'To Paige's family, boyfriend, crew & friends, I'm so incredibly sorry. 'I think I can speak for the entire yachting community when I say my heart is broken for you... for women in the industry, for women everywhere,' he added. One of Paige's crewmates and close friends shared a touching tribute to the youngster, who she called 'my darling angel.' 'Happy birthday to the girl with the loudest cackle. Thank you for being an absolute ray of sunshine in my life, you will be deeply missed. 'I will miss being woken up by your contagious laugh on our off duty days,' she said, adding: 'Love you lots, more than you like pepperoni [pizza].' Pictures in her post showed Paige smiling with her team and a bottle of prosecco emblazoned with '21' and her nickname 'Paigey'. Countless videos from around the world showed yacht crews blaring their horns, both at sea and in harbour, highlighting how hard the tragic news of Paige's death has hit the tight-knit yachting community. Video showed one yacht with a British red ensign blaring its horn along with a chorus of others Yacht captains from around the world, including Paige's native South Africa, paid tribute to the youngster Superyacht crews around the world, including those whose vessels are at sea, blared their horns on July 14 The sound of maritime horns was heard blaring in Florida's Lauderdale Marine Center and around the globe on Paige's birthday Sharing footage of him and his crew eating red velvet cake as he switches their boat's horn on, crew member Andre West wrote: 'As a South African crew in Greece, we are sending every ounce of love and all the comfort in the world to the friends and family of Paige Bell. Our hearts break with you all. Fly high.' Another clip showed a crew falling silent in prayer as they paused work to remember the young woman's life. Industry broadcaster Yachting International Radio shared a moving tribute online, reiterating the request of Paige's family that people mark her birthday with cake. 'We didnt know Paige. But we know grief. We know the ache of a life interrupted. And we know this industry has too often turned away instead of toward,' the poignant statement read. 'So today, we pause. Not to perform. But to remember. Because some absences should never feel quiet.' The broadcaster, which works to highlight issues faced by the yachting industry, added poignantly: 'The fight for justice and change can resume tomorrow. 'Today, we say her name. Not in anger. Not in noise. But in stillness, so the world cannot forget. Paige.' The young stewardess was remembered by those who knew her as a hard-working 'golden girl' with a 'radiant spirit' and 'infectious laughter'. Stephanus Coetzer, a former crewmate of Paige on board motor yacht Sweet Emocean, said she had once told him of her dream of one day becoming a Chief Stew. 'I truly believe that if she was with us still she would have accomplished all of her dreams, without a doubt,' he said in a tribute post. 'I believe she would have tried to "be the change" that she believed made crew members good.' Paige's distraught parents Michelle and John Bell flew out to the Bahamas last week Paige had been working on luxury motor yacht Far From It, which was docked at Harbour Island in the Bahamas A friend of Paige's described the young woman as a 'golden girl' and called what had happened 'despicable' Just after 1pm on July 3, police were alerted to an incident at the marina on Harbour Island, an exclusive resort 60 miles east of the capital Nassau. Cops boarded the 43-metre yacht Far From It, where they were told that Paige had not been seen for a short period of time. They found her unresponsive in the yacht's engine room with visible injuries, before a doctor attended the scene and confirmed she had died. She was found near the engineer who had severe injuries to his arm in what police described as a suspected suicide attempt. He was apprehended, cautioned and taken to a nearby clinic for treatment, police said in a statement, before he was later charged with murder. Donald Trump has shrugged off not being able to give a speech to both House of Parliament during his State Visit. The US president is due in the UK for a ceremonial visit from September 17-19. But the trip is happening while the Commons is in recess - meaning he will not get the honour of addressing both Houses. Nigel Farage yesterday demanded a recall of MPs so a speech could happen, pointing out that Emmanuel Macron gave one during his ceremonial visit last week. In an interview with the BBC, Mr Trump made clear he was not concerned and would prefer that MPs 'go and have a good time' in their conference recess. Asked what he wanted to achieve during the visit, the president said: 'Have a good time and respect King Charles, because he's a great gentleman.' In February, during a meeting at the White House, Sir Keir Starmer presented Mr Trump with a 'historic and unprecedented' personal invitation from the King The then Prince of Wales and US President Donald Trump during commemorations for the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in 2019 Keir Starmer dramatically extended the official invitation from the King as he wooed Mr Trump at the White House in February. Mr Trump will be the only leader in modern times to carry out two ceremonial visits, with the first having happened in 2019. However, there has been a backlash from some left-wing MPs who launched a campaign to block him from addressing Parliament. There have also been concerns about protests in London, with polls suggesting Mr Trump is deeply unpopular with Brits. Meanwhile, Mr Trump has hit out at 'sloppy' implementation of Brexit as he argued the process is now back on track. The US president is a long-time critic of the EU and championed the idea of the UK leaving the bloc during his first White House campaign in 2016. Mr Trump drew parallels with his 'Make America Great Again' movement, and paraded Nigel Farage at rallies. However, efforts to strike a Transatlantic trade deal ultimately fell short in his first term. Mr Trump stressed he still thought Brexit had been the right decision. 'I think it's been on the sloppy side but I think it's getting straightened out,' he said. The president appeared to credit Keir Starmer for the improvements, while admitting their political differences. Mr Trump drew parallels with his 'Make America Great Again' movement, and paraded Nigel Farage at rallies 'I really like the prime minister a lot, even though he is a liberal. I think he's good, he did a good trade deal with us which a lot of countries haven't been able to do,' he said. Mr Trump said he did now support Nato's collective defence principle after member states agreed to ramp up spending. But he suggested he was only confident that Britain would step up to fight alongside the US if the need arose. The heroics of a Second World War soldier who captured 80 Germans then survived being blown up by a mine can be revealed 81 years on. Major Paul Barnsley led a bayonet charge against a German strongpoint during the little-known Battle of Vallee Blanche in the Mont Blanc mountains of France. He engaged in fierce close quarter fighting which secured an important breakthrough for his battalion. His company captured 80 of the enemy and killed or wounded many others, as they broke the German line of the Chamonix frontier in August 1944. His 'supreme courage' and 'lack of fear' earned him a Distinguished Service Order for gallantry. But he very nearly didn't receive it as he trod on a mine three months later during a reconnaissance patrol near Elshoot. He miraculously survived the ordeal but his legs were shattered, forcing his return back to Britain for a lengthy recuperation. It was a source of great frustration for him as he felt 'angry and helpless' not being able to fight on for his country. Major Barnsley wrote in a letter in his hospital bed in Epsom Hospital, Surrey: 'Here I lie a very helpless creature. Major Paul Barnsley led a bayonet charge against a German strongpoint during the little-known Battle of Vallee Blanche in the Mont Blanc mountains of France Major Barnsley trod on a mine three months later during a reconnaissance patrol near Elshoot 'My right leg is encased in plaster from the top of my thigh to the sole of my foot with pin passed through my heel to prevent any contraction - not very comfortable. 'On my left leg the plaster starts below the knee and includes the whole foot, which sustained a multiple fracture and dislocation. I shall fully recover from these injuries but it will take many weary months. 'I am most angry at being out of the battle - in fact I particularly wanted to be in at the kill. 'It all comes of being nervous. I always was frightened by mines and so I hit one. I wasn't very worried by shells and bullets so escaped those.' Major Barnsley, the son of an auctioneer, was born in Old Ford, Hereford, in 1911. He joined the Herefordshire Regiment in May 1939 and was attached to 1/7th Battalion, The Queen's Regiment, during World War Two. Major Barnsley was part of the North West Europe campaign after the D-Day landings in June 1944 as the Allies pushed the Germans back towards their homeland. His Distinguished Service Order citation reads: 'At Vallee on 7 August 1944, this Officer's Company was ordered to attack some high ground south of the village. Major Barnsley's medals. From left to right: Distinguished Service Order; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration 'The attack was supported by a box barrage and shortly after the start line the Company encountered an enemy strong point. 'Major Barnsley ran forward to the head of his men to close with the enemy and a fierce close-quarter battle ensued with bayonet and rifle butt. 'This Officer was everywhere cheering his men, with supreme courage and lack of fear, and as a result of his extraordinary example, 80 prisoners were taken and many killed or wounded. 'He continued his advance to a depth of 1,000 yards through thickly wooded country, and it is beyond doubt that due to his complete devotion to duty and personal leadership, the Battalion was able to effect a break through.' After the war, Major Barnsley was chairman of the local Old Comrades Association and stayed on with the Territorials until 1962. His medals, which have been owned by a private collector for nearly 20 years, are going under the hammer at London-based auctioneers Spink & Son for an estimated 5,000. Major Barnsley, the son of an auctioneer, was born in Old Ford, Hereford, in 1911 After the war, Major Barnsley was chairman of the local Old Comrades Association and stayed on with the Territorials until 1962 Harry Blackett-Ord, specialist in the Spink & Son medals department, said: 'This is a truly remarkable D.S.O. not only for its rarity - with just two awarded to the unit during the Second World War- but the astonishing courage behind it. 'Major Barnsley led his men in a bayonet charge against a fortified position and through his brilliant leadership swept it aside, resulting in a major breakthrough for the entire battalion. 'It was extremely poor luck for him to suffer the injury he did, but the archive he left behind details the recovery of a truly tenacious and brave man who was determined to get back to the fight.' Maj Barnsley's medal group consists of the Distinguished Service Order; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration. The sale takes place on July 24. President Donald Trump has asked Volodymyr Zelensky whether he could strike Moscow if the U.S. provided long-range weapons, according to reports. 'Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? . . . Can you hit St Petersburg too?' Trump asked during the July 4 call between the US and Ukrainian leaders, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people briefed on the discussions. They said Zelensky replied: 'Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons.' Trump signalled his support for the idea, describing the strategy as intended to 'make them [Russians] feel the pain' and force the Kremlin to the negotiating table, according to the two people briefed on the call. The conversation marks a sharp departure from Trump's previous stance on Russia's war and his campaign promise to end US involvement in foreign conflicts. The White House did not immediately respond to a MailOnline request for comment. A western official, who had been informed of the call, said the conversation reflected an increasing desire among Ukraine's western allies to supply weapons capable of 'bringing the war to Muscovites'. Trump was today warned by Moscow that he is pushing Russia towards nuclear war with his new go-ahead for arms to Ukraine and the threat of punitive sanctions. President Donald Trump has asked Volodymyr Zelensky whether he could strike Moscow if the U.S. provided long-range weapons, according to reports 'Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? . . . Can you hit St Petersburg too?' Trump asked during the July 4 call between the US and Ukrainian leaders, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people briefed on the discussions They said Zelensky replied: 'Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons.' Trump signalled his support for the idea, describing the strategy as intended to 'make them [Russians] feel the pain' and force the Kremlin to the negotiating table, according to the two people briefed on the call It comes after the US president announced he will send Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine and will slap 100 percent tariffs on Russia if Putin doesn't agree to a peace deal within 50 days. 'We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need, because [Russian President Vladimir] Putin really surprised a lot of people. 'He talks nice and then bombs everybody in the evening,' Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews just outside of Washington DC on Sunday. Russia said on Tuesday it needed time to respond to US President Donald Trump's 'serious' ultimatum for Moscow to end conflict in Ukraine or face new sanctions, but said it was ready for fresh talks with Kyiv. 'President Trump's statement is very serious. We certainly need time to analyse what was said in Washington,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Moscow was meanwhile 'waiting for proposals from the Ukrainian side on the timing of the third round of direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations,' he said, adding: 'We maintain our readiness.' Earlier, a senior security official said Russia does not care about Trump's 'theatrical ultimatum' about slapping sanctions on buyers of Russian exports unless Moscow agrees to a peace deal in Ukraine. 'Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin,' former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in a post in English on X. 'The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn't care.' Your browser does not support iframes. Meanwhile, state TV propagandist and war pundit Aleksandr Sladkov said: 'Trump is trying to scare us with missiles, but this is difficult to do. 'Trump should be scared. Everyone is trying to push us to turn Kyiv and Lviv into Hiroshima and Nagasaki.' The Ukrainian leadership - in calling for new missiles to strike Russia - 'is taking the most active part in this'. The new Trump deal green lights the supply of a possible $10 billion worth of defensive and offensive missiles and other arms, to be paid for by US allies in Europe along with Canada, as well as the threat of sledgehammer sanctions if Putin refuses to negotiate in 50 days. Sladkov declared: 'Imagine our country under attack by American cruise missiles, like Yugoslavia, Iraq, etc. I am sure that the Yars should go in response.' Yars are Russia's main land-based strategic nuclear weapons - each missile typically carries three or four nuclear warheads. The conversation marks a sharp departure from Trump's previous stance on Russia's war and his campaign promise to end US involvement in foreign conflicts It comes after the US president announced he will send Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine and will slap 100 percent tariffs on Russia if Putin doesn't agree to a peace deal within 50 days Each has a yield estimated between 100 and 300 kilotons, making each warhead between seven and 20 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Frothing Putin TV propagandist Vladimir Solovyov claimed the arming of Ukraine by NATO meant a full scale war. 'The question is about the survival of our country,' he fumed on Kremlin-funded state TV. 'We are already at war. It cannot be avoided. 'The [Western] task is to destroy our country. We are not fighting in Ukraine, we are fighting with NATO. Understand this already.' This came as it was claimed the US president had quizzed Volodymyr Zelensky on why he did not heap pressure on Vladimir Putin by attacking capital city Moscow, a disclosure likely to further infuriate Moscow. 'We can if you give us the weapons,' Zelensky replied, according to the Washington Post. It has emerged the US considered approving long range Tomahawk cruise missiles for Kyiv, but for now has not done so, but evidently has approved using American-supplied ATACMS missiles inside Russia to a fuller range of almost 200 miles. 'We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need, because [Russian President Vladimir] Putin really surprised a lot of people. 'He talks nice and then bombs everybody in the evening,' Trump told reporters on Sunday. Pictured: Firefighters work to extinguish a fire following mass Russian strikes in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv State TV propagandist and war pundit Aleksandr Sladkov (pictured) said: 'Trump is trying to scare us with missiles, but this is difficult to do It comes after the president tore into Putin while meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office on Monday as his anger at the Russian dictator boiled over amid its escalating attacks on Ukraine. Trump said he'll be imposing 'very very powerful' secondary tariffs on Russia in 50 days if a deal to end the war isn't reached. 'We are very, very unhappy with [Russia], and we're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 percent,' he said in the Oval Office. 'I'm disappointed in President Putin. I thought we would've had a deal two months ago,' he went on about the proposed peace deal. Trump also struck a deal with NATO to send sophisticated weaponry, including Patriot missiles, to Ukraine. He insisted that the U.S. will not be footing the bill after being taken advantage of for so long. 'We've made a deal today where we are going to be sending [Ukraine] weapons and [Europe] is going to be paying for them,' he stated. 'We - the United States - will not be having any payment made. We're not buying it, but we will manufacture it, and they're going to be paying for it.' Thames Water's chief executive today blamed too much rain for a massive increase in sewage leaks - days after the ailing utility introduced a hosepipe ban for millions of customers. Chris Weston complained that the network managed by the firm, criticised for handing massive bonuses to senior executives, could not cope with the downpours seen last year. It came as Thames reported that sewage leaks rose by a third (34.3 per cent) as it recorded an astonishing pre-tax loss of 1.65billion, raising questioned about the very future of the business. He was taken to task over the results released today as he faced MPs on the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee in Westminster. Yesterday Thames announced a hosepipe ban will begin next Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. Committee chairman Alistair Carmichael told him: 'Not a particularly happy story this morning on overflows is it? Your report indicates you had ''too much rain'' leading to overflows a week before you put us into a hosepipe ban?' Mr Weston replied: 'I know, and Im sorry about that. But the weather, I'm afraid, is a reason, not an excuse. Chris Weston gave MPs the dismal outlook as he and other senior executives were hauled back to parliament to face questions about their performance. Thames has come in for major criticism, particularly for paying out huge bonuses to senior staff while putting up bills and racking up debt. It tumbled to the pre-tax loss in the year to March 31 from profits of 157 million the previous year. Last winter before we came into the spring we had the second wettest winter on record. 'There were some months like last September where the rainfall was double the normal monthly rainfall. 'Our system was never intended to deal with that. We are taking huge steps to improve our position around pollution.' Mr Weston went on to warn it could take a decade to sort out the problems at the utility. Thames has come in for major criticism, particularly for paying out huge bonuses to senior staff while putting up bills and racking up debt. It tumbled to the pre-tax loss in the year to March 31 from profits of 157 million the previous year. Results from Britain's biggest water supplier showed its net debts swelled by another 1.65 billion to 16.79 billion by the end of March. It also revealed a 'disappointing' performance on pollution, with incidents surging to 470. The figures come as the water firm which has 16 million customers remains locked in talks over a rescue funding deal with senior creditors after private equity firm KKR last month pulled out of plans to inject 4 billion of much-needed cash. Mr Weston told the committee: 'We are taking huge steps to improve our position around pollution; we are cleaning the network more than we ever have and we are investing more than we ever have in our sewage treatment works but it is going to take a while. 'I think the work that KKR has done backs up the view that to turnaround, transform this company is going to take between five and 10 years, maybe a bit more.' Thames' bosses were brought back to Parliament to answer questions on bonuses for senior executives and the group's plans for a rescue deal. It recently emerged that 2.5 million of bonuses paid to senior Thames Water executives in April under a controversial 'retention' scheme cannot be recovered by regulators. The firm said it had seen Ofwat performance penalties increase to 88.2 million in 2024-25 from 56.9 million the previous year as it missed regulatory targets. Thames Water was fined a record 122.7 million in May after it was found to have broken rules over sewage treatment and paying out dividends. The company's chairman apologised to the committee this morning after being recalled to answer questions. Sir Adrian Montague said: 'It is rare for any company to be recalled; we regret that we have made that necessary. 'We have tried to be as forthcoming as we can with our disclosures. 'We will no doubt go into some of the reasons for the actions we have taken, but before we start I just want to say that I am sorry that we are taking up your time again.' On Monday, Thames Water became the latest supplier to announce a hosepipe ban, which will begin next Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. Most of England could be placed under a hosepipe ban this summer, the Environment Agency has warned, joining millions of households already barred from watering their gardens this summer. The agency is expected to set out plans today that could see several more regions officially designated as being in drought, following a meeting with government officials and industry leaders. Up to five additional areas could face drought status by September, prompting further water restrictions as prolonged dry conditions persist. Three regions, Cumbria and Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, are already in drought, with three water firms having introduced hosepipe bans after an exceptionally dry spring. Under the watchdog's worst-case scenario, millions more across the Midlands and central southern England could face similar measures in the weeks ahead. If England gets 80 per cent of its long-term average rainfall and warm temperatures over the coming weeks, the total number of areas given 'drought' status could reach eight by September, the agency forecasts. An accounts clerk who stole tens of thousands of pounds from her work in an attempt to copy the lives of social media influencers has today been jailed. Emma Fairbanks, 32, used customer bank details to splurge out on lavish holidays, weight loss surgery, business class flights and expensive champagne in an attempt to follow her idols such as the Kardashian family. Her sumptuous lifestyle prompted suspicion from colleagues at Lookers, a used Skoda car dealership in Stockport, but Fairbanks had been insistent that her father had helped her financially. However, skepticism grew when she embarked on flamboyant globetrotting adventures to New York and Dubai before purchasing pricey handbags from Selfridges and a 550 spa weekend at a hotel with her mother. And the jig was soon up when a customer at the dealership began receiving letters from debt collectors for unpaid loans which Fairbanks had illegally set up in their name using their details. Bosses then uncovered 55 fraudulent transactions worth around 22,000 during an investigation - but they fear the total amount stolen is much greater. When quizzed, Fairbanks, who lives in a 160,000 apartment in Stockport, admitted the thefts but claimed she had been suffering from low self esteem due to weight issues and wanted to 'live like a social media influencer.' At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, she admitted two charges of fraud and was jailed for 18 months. Emma Fairbanks (pictured outside court) used customer bank details to splurge out on lavish holidays, weight loss surgery, business class flights and expensive champagne in an attempt to follow her idols such as the Kardashian family Skepticism grew when Fairbanks (pictured) embarked on flamboyant globetrotting adventures to New York and Dubai before purchasing pricey handbags from Selfridges and a 550 spa weekend at a hotel with her mother The thefts began in June 2022, shortly after Fairbanks was hired at Lookers, where she dealt with the booking of customer services, MOTs and repairs. Prosecutor Miss Megan Horner said: 'In May 2023, a customer received a debtors letter informing there had been multiple missed payments followed a direct debit being set up with Lookers Skoda and the outstanding debt was 1,949. 'She had no knowledge of the debt and contacted Lookers which removed the debt.' A financial crime manager at the dealership discovered that details of the loan was linked to a car which was registered to an unsuspecting customer and which had undergone repairs. Fairbanks was found to have processed the invoice, and her work email and texts messages were interrogated, before illicit transactions worth 21,987 were discovered. Inquiries revealed work had been carried out on the vehicles but Fairbanks had been giving customers her own personal bank details on invoices and estimates. She then disguised the nature of transactions by setting up direct debits with the finance car repair firm, Bumper, in the names of unwitting customers. In some cases she emailed estimates to herself before altering details and passing them on for payment. The jig was up when a customer at the dealership began receiving letters from debt collectors for unpaid loans which Fairbanks (pictured) had illegally set up in their name using their details Victims were also duped into paying bank transfers or cash to Fairbanks after she falsely claimed the company's card machine was not working. The court heard a customer's bank card had also been fraudulently used by Fairbanks to book a spa weekend at the four star Buxton Crescent Hotel in the Peak District. Fairbanks was quizzed by her managers but she denied any wrongdoing and police later raided her home. Miss Horner added: 'Several designer items, electronics, handbags and holiday receipts were found. During police interview she said she was subject to council tax debt which she could not afford to pay therefore had committed the offences. She paid off the debt but then carried on offending. 'Her iPhone contained several photos of the defendant at luxury holiday destinations, business class flights, photos of her drinking champagne, Selfridges bags and also pictures of her at the Buxton Crescent spa hotel paid for by the Lookers customer. 'Her bank statements show nail payments, Euro exchange payments, tickets for Mamma Mia! The Party and various social bookings.' In a statement, Andrew Farrington of Lookers, said: 'Emma was employed in a position of trust and she was expected to safeguard the financial interests of Lookers and our customers. Her sumptuous lifestyle prompted suspicion from colleagues at Lookers, a used Skoda car dealership in Stockport (pictured) 'She was trusted to take payments in a secure professional and trustworthy manner but exploited this by deceiving our customers into making them believe they were paying Lookers when they were making substantial gains for her. 'Her gain has been our loss and the exact amount is not known as we are still going through out records and we firmly believe there more customers who have had their details copied by Emma to indulge in a lifestyle that could never have been funded by her salary. 'She would take a number of holidays and when asked how she could afford that she claimed her dad had been helping her out financially. Not only did we suffer financially but the thefts impacted heavily on the customer's trust of Lookers.' Fairbanks will now face a Proceeds of Crime hearing, where a court will determine the financial benefit she received from the fraudulent activity. Her lawyer Milena Bennett said in mitigation: 'She had expressed her remorse and that remorse is genuine. 'She really enjoyed her job but she had council tax debt and after initially taking the money from Lookers as an easy way round that problem, she got carried away. 'This is a young woman who was heavily influenced by social media unfortunately. She had a distorted image of herself and was following social media influencers. She decided her image was not good enough as she had weight issues and she used some of the money for weight loss surgery. She found it quite easy to commit the fraud. Fairbanks today admitted two charges of fraud and was jailed for 18 months at Minshull Street Crown Court (above) in Manchester 'She had low self esteem and had no friends and she even booked her 30th birthday on her own to celebrate that. She felt so lonely she was trying to please other people by paying for them to go with her on her travels.' Sentencing Fairbanks, Judge Neil Usher told her: 'By your premeditated sophisticated and determined dishonesty you used other people's money to fund a luxury lifestyle travelling to Dubai and New York. 'One holiday in Italy seemed to have cost 24,000. You bought designer clothes and handbags and you attended expensive spa sessions - all funded by your dishonesty. 'When colleagues challenged you about the nice holidays you were taking, you lied to them as to the source of the funding. 'Every time a member of the public hands over their credit or debit card details to pay for goods and services, they do so entrusting the individual taking this details not to abuse that trust - but time and time again you did just that. 'I have no doubt your actions cost significant upset and distress. These were prolonged offences motivated by personal greed.' A British backpacker accused of ploughing into a father-of-two while riding an e-scooter after drinking has faced a court in Western Australia. Alicia Kemp, 25, from Redditch in Worcestershire, allegedly struck 51-year-old engineer Thanh Phan while riding a hired e-scooter through Perth's city centre on the night of May 31. Mr Phan suffered a brain bleed and died in a hospital two days later. Police allege Kemp had been drinking from 2.30pm that afternoon with a friend and was kicked out of a bar for being too drunk. Later that evening, she hired an e-scooter around 8.30pm. According to officers, she was the main rider while her friend was illegally riding as a passenger. Kemp has been charged with dangerous driving causing death under the influence of alcohol and dangerous driving causing bodily harm under the influence of alcohol. According to prosecutors, she was driving in an 'inexplicably dangerous' manner, caught on CCTV. She has not yet entered a plea. The 25-year-old appeared via video link at Perth Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, after being refused bail at a hearing in June. Alicia Kemp allegedly struck 51-year-old engineer Thanh Phan while riding a hired e-scooter through Perth's city centre Father-of-two Mr Phan suffered a brain bleed and died in a hospital two days later. The psychology graduate will remain in custody until her case returns to court on August 11 for legal argument. Under Western Australian law, the charge of dangerous driving causing death carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The tragedy prompted a response from city officials, who suspended the public e-scooter hire scheme. Meanwhile, the head of trauma services at Royal Perth Hospital revealed a disturbing rise in e-scooter injuries, many linked to alcohol. Mr Phan's grieving family and friends are now demanding a permanent ban. Lee Carroll, a close friend of the Phan family, told ABC News: 'E-scooters for hire are motorised vehicles that require no licence to operate and are often stationed outside bars and clubs, inviting use by people who may be intoxicated. 'We call on the City of Perth and the minister for transport to take decisive action.' Kemp appeared via video link at Perth Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, after being refused bail at a hearing in June Mr Phan's grieving family and friends are now demanding a permanent ban on e-scooters Kemp is said to have been driving the e-scooter in an 'inexplicably dangerous' manner - picture for illustrative purposes The fatal crash has reignited debate over whether the convenience of shared e-scooters is worth the risk. Under current Western Australian regulations, riders must be over 16, wear a helmet, remain sober and ride solo. But critics say these rules are regularly flouted, especially in nightlife hotspots. Brazen middle class shoplifters have been blamed for pushing up prices for honest customers amid a shoplifting epidemic that has seen retail crime soar to 2.2billion a year. Dame Diana Johnson, Labour's policing and crime minister, has issued a stark warning to wealthier thieves, insisting 'there will be consequences' regardless of their background. It comes amid a rise in well-heeled customers increasingly pinching goods from shops - with businesses' claiming they feel 'entitled' to it. Richard Fowler, the head of security at upmarket health food brand Planet Organic, last year coined the new band of shoplifters as 'posh totty' types who feel they can get away with stealing because they are regulars. A wave of shamed middle class shoplifters have increasingly spoken out - typically under anonymity - to come clean about how and why they became addicted to stealing. Until they were caught, that is. One mother, who worked in a well-paid IT job and lived in a comfortable three-bedroom home, told the Mail: There was absolutely no reason for me to steal.' But the self-confessed middle class shoplifter, who was eventually caught after stealing 1,500 of goods over the 12 months, added: 'Breaking the law felt dangerous and risky, but it also felt good.' Filled with determination to crack down on Britain's spiralling shoplifting epidemic, Dame Diana told the Telegraph: 'It's a crime. If you're middle class, or whichever class you want to determine that you are, it's a crime. That is just not acceptable because we all know that people end up paying higher prices if people are stealing.' Dame Diana Johnson, Labour's policing and crime minister, has issued a stark warning to wealthier thieves, insisting 'there will be consequences' regardless of their background Your browser does not support iframes. In a bid to combat the crime crippling the retail sector, the Government is planning to invest 200million into neighbourhood policing and has vowed to make assaulting a shop worker a standalone offence. It comes after the Government also axed previous legislation that made stealing goods worth less than 200 a 'summary-only' offence. A 'Fusion Cell' programme for sharing intelligence on retail crime and thieves is also in the works. Incidents of retail crime hit their highest level on record in the year leading up to August 2024, growing by more than 50 per cent to more than 2,000 incidents a day, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Graham Wynn, a director at the BRC, told the Telegraph: 'The cost of theft has also risen to over 2.2bn a year, pushing up prices for honest shoppers and damaging the customer experience.' While organised gangs have been held responsible for pinching luxury goods and selling them on for profit, a new culprit has been increasingly blamed for contributing to the crisis. Retail bosses have increasingly sought to raise the alarm over shoplifting among the middle classes. Archie Norman, chairman of Marks & Spencer, warned two years ago: 'It's too easy to say it's a cost of living problem. Some of this shoplifting is by gangs. Then you get the middle class. 'With the reduction of service you get in a lot of shops, a lot of people think: 'This didn't scan properly, or it's very difficult to scan these things through, and I shop here all the time. It's not my fault, I'm owed it'.' Last summer, Mr Fowler, who manages security Planet Organic's Chiswick branch, told the BBC the upmarket chain loses a staggering 900,000 a year across its nine London stores from stealing. In March 2022, Nina Tiara, thought to be Britain's most prolific middle-class shoplifter, was sentenced to two years and nine months in jail She was often away from her 550,000 detached bungalow in a picturesque Wiltshire hamlet (pictured), stealing from shops across the country He explained: 'We've got our homeless... Then we have what I would call the posh totty people. 'They shop in Planet Organic on a daily basis, they spend a lot of money with our business. '[They think] ''Today I'm a little bit short of money, so I'm entitled to steal something''.' In March 2022, Nina Tiara, thought to be Britain's most prolific middle-class shoplifter, was sentenced to two years and nine months in jail. To her neighbours Tiara seemed the picture of respectability. She drove a gleaming Mercedes and lived in a neat, 550,000 detached house in a Wiltshire hamlet - but much of her lifestyle was funded by crime. Since Tiara was caught, other middle class shoplifters have come forward, crippled by guilt. One 53-year-old woman, married with two children in their 20s, previously told the Mail: 'The thrill lies in getting away with it, I certainly don't do it for financial gain because I don't need to.' Explaining how she first came swept up by the world of shoplifting, the retired executive office manager said: 'I'd gone to collect some pre-ordered items but I also needed to buy a 150 power drill on the day. Your browser does not support iframes. 'I suddenly had this compulsion to peel the 'already paid for' sticker from one of my pre-ordered items and put it onto the power drill instead. To avert suspicion, I picked up a few bedding plants costing around 5, which I put through the till. 'My heart was hammering, and I fully expected to feel the hand of a security guard on my shoulder. But by the time I got to the car, I felt such a buzz. I couldn't believe I'd got away with it. I can explain it only as a sudden, impetuous two fingers up to the fact that life was - and still is - very stressful.' Part of the power she felt, she admitted, was that nobody would ever have her down as a shoplifter. She's bright, articulate, well-spoken, takes pride in her appearance and makes a point of chatting to shop staff as she goes about her business. 'I've witnessed shoplifters running out of the supermarkets with staff chasing after them,' she adds. 'I get away with it because I'm the calm, middle-aged, middle-class woman who looks so normal and respectable. I've seen other women like me fill up their trolleys and walk brazenly past security staff without paying for a thing.' Another mother, operating in the US, admitted to brazenly shoplifting in her affluent suburb and no one ever said a thing. That was until she left a store and approached her car when a male voice behind her said: 'Excuse me, can I pull you to one side?' Richard Fowler (pictured), who manages security at Planet Organic, said last year that shoplifting at the Chiswick branch takes place 'every day' Brazen middle class customers feel 'entitled' to steal from Planet Organic because they are regulars, the head of security claimed Planet Organic has nine stores across London and claims all the products it sells are completely organic She recalled to the Mail: 'Why would they suspect me? I appeared to be an ordinary middle-class mother-of-two. I earned a decent salary working in IT and lived in a comfortable three-bedroom home with my family. There was absolutely no reason for me to steal. 'I've since learned that I am part of a wave of so-called 'middle-class shoplifters'. She said she didn't seek out high-end items, rather items such as a bottle of milk, a loaf of bread, some wholemeal wraps or bags of salads. The well-heeled shoplifter believes the thrill she got from 'breaking the rules' stemmed from her experience in lockdown. She explained: 'I felt trapped at home. I missed playgroups and coffee mornings so much. I felt flat and miserable. 'We got through those two years, but as life slowly returned to normal and I cared for my new baby my urge to steal started. 'The thrilling tingle of a successful theft was like a drug. When my mood was low, I could steal items two or three times a week, usually from my local mini-supermarket.' In April, the number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales passed half a million for the first time. An astonishing 516,971 offences were logged by forces last year, up 20 per cent from 429,873 in 2023. The figure is the highest since current police records began 22 year ago in 2003, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Shoplifting offences have been at record levels for the past two years and have seen a 'sharp rise' since the pandemic, the ONS said. In March, the BRC said the cost of retail crime has soared to a staggering 4.2billion last year - including 2.2billion from shoplifting and another 1.8billion spent on crime prevention measures such as CCTV, anti-theft devices and body worn cameras. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: 'Seeing incidents of theft or abuse has become an all-too-common part of the shopping experience for many people. 'While an incident can be over in a matter of seconds, it can have life-long consequences on those who experience it, making them think twice about visiting their local high streets. 'Criminals are becoming bolder and more aggressive, and decisive action is needed to put an end to it.' Prince Harry has today landed in Angola to walk across explosive landmine sites for his charity the Halo Trust. Its a walk his late mother, Princess Diana, did 28 years ago for the same British NGO. Prince Harry is not joined by his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, after he decided it was too dangerous for her to join him. A source said: The duke wont let his wife go to England over security concerns, so there was no chance hed allow her to go to Angola to walk across landmines. Harrys solo adventure will see him land at Luanda airport and from there he will proceed to take a series of small two-person planes to the site of the mines he intends to walk across. He is hoping the publicity surrounding his visit will encourage more donations from the Angolan government. A source involved in organising the event told the MailOnline: Usually these trips help to drive a bit more money from the government. In 2019, when Harry came on board as Halos patron, the Angolan government pledged 46million to create wildlife corridors and protect endangered species in conservation areas. It set a target of clearing all landmines by 2025 and Harry is said to hope that his presence there will boost efforts to meet the target. Angola is in southwestern Africa, along the Atlantic coast. It was ravaged by a brutal 27-year civil war until 2002 and the country is still grappling with the legacy of landmines, with millions buried across the countryside. Halo has cleared more than 123,000 landmines since 1994, and works to transform former war zones into farmland, national parks and safe villages. Harry is hoping to recreate the iconic images his mother, the late Princess Diana, created in 1997 when she took a walk through a minefield wearing a Halo Trust flak jacket and helmet. The striking photographs went down in history, particularly as she died later that year in a car crash. Harry is hoping to recreate the iconic images his mother, the late Princess Diana, created in 1997 when she took a walk through a minefield wearing a Halo Trust flak jacket and helmet Prince Harry with a deminer from the Halo Trust in 2010 But it is not a sight we are likely to see recreated by Harrys wife Meghan. Sources on the ground say that as well as being wary of the dangers for her, the Duke of Sussex is keen to keep his work with Halo close to his chest. A source added: Halo is really his thing, it means so much to him to be patron and he just wants to keep his work with them to himself. Prince Harry is hoping to draw publicity away from the drama surrounding his feud with the Royal family and towards Halos groundbreaking use of AI and drone technology to speed up clearance. It is thought a speech is planned for later today but Halo, with Harrys blessing, has banned any British press from attending the event. Nevertheless, the trip will not fail to garner worldwide headlines. This is the latest of several significant visits Harry has made to Angola in recent years. In September 2019, after he became patron, he retraced the exact steps his mother took near Huambo, causing a sensation across the globe. The duke also visited the remote Dirico region, where he toured a newly cleared minefield, a detonated a landmine, and spent a night camping by the Cuito River. He then visited the towns Princess Diana Orthopaedic Centre, met female deminers, and toured a demining camp in southeastern Angola. In September 2024, he joined Angolas foreign minister at a United Nations Halo event in New York. Again, Meghan steered clear of the event despite the fact it was in the US. Sources at the time said she did not attend because the trip was part of his independent schedule during Climate Week. The trip comes in the wake of a secret peace summit held between Harry's two most senior aides and King Charless head of communications in central London last week. The meeting has been described as a charm offensive by the Sussexes to turn around their negative public image. Harry and Meghans new chief of communications, Meredith Maines, met with Tobyn Andreae, the Kings communications secretary, at the Royal Over-Seas League a three-minute walk from Clarence House, the monarchs London residence, on Wednesday. Also present was Liam Maguire, who runs the Sussexes PR team in the UK. Images of the rendezvous raised hopes of a reconciliation between Harry, 40, and his father, 76. Prince Harry is not joined by his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, after he decided it was too dangerous for her to join him The meeting, held at a private members club in London, was the first step in a 'rapprochement process' to restore the broken relationship between the duke, his wife Meghan and the rest of the royal family. While royal experts have claimed a wounded Prince William will feel less inclined to resolve the feud than his father King Charles, they added the monarch would have undoubtedly consulted the heir to the throne before conducting any peace talks with Harry's aides. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: 'The King and Harry are currently, we understood from Harry's interview on the BBC, not speaking. This meeting obviously is a sign things are moving forward. 'The King would never have made these moves without William's support and understanding. William and Catherine are the future of the monarchy. 'He has undoubtedly been furious at the way the Sussexes have behaved and undoubtedly regards Harry's behaviour as treason of a sort. They reportedly have not spoken in over two years.' He added: 'Ideally, the Sussexes might like to drive a wedge between the King and the heir to the throne. They won't succeed.' This is the moment a man was shot with a crossbow in a brutal attack caught on doorbell camera. Disturbing video shows the terrified victim - who has a bloodied face - running towards a house before frantically ringing the bell in an attempt to escape. A masked shooter dressed in black appears and raises a crossbow - prompting the man to surge forward in an attempt to grab it. He then runs back towards the front door and bangs on it several before the shooter pulls the trigger, leaving him screaming in agony. The attacker is seen ripping the arrow out of the victim's leg before the footage cuts away. Police are now investigating the horrific incident, which took place on Downway Lane in St Helens, Merseyside at around 10pm on Sunday. They said the attack involved five men, who were all wearing dark clothing and face coverings. The victim was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition. Disturbing video shows the terrified victim - who has a bloodied face - running towards a house before frantically ringing the bell in an attempt to escape. He is then seen wrestling with a crossbow-wielding attacker After firing the bolt, the attacker is seen ripping it out of the victim's leg before the footage cuts away In the footage, the attacker is dressed in a navy and grey The North Face jacket, grey tracksuit trousers and black trainers. He has his hood up and is wearing sunglasses. Police believe the attack was targeted and are asking for the public's help to track down the five suspects. Det Insp Steve Byrom said: 'We are in the very early stages of the investigation and we are determined to find the people responsible. 'I understand that the community will rightly be concerned by this incident but please be assured that we are determined to find the suspects involved. 'We believe that five males fled the area on foot and enquiries are ongoing to locate them and find any weapons used in this incident. 'We are also keen to speak to anyone who was in the general area who saw or heard anything suspicious or believes they captured something significant on their dashcam, CCTV or doorbell camera. 'We know that violence and weapons causes misery on our streets and we would ask for the public's help in coming forward with any bit of information they have so we can find the people responsible.' There is currently no registration system for owning a crossbow and no requirement for a licence. There is currently no registration system for owning a crossbow and no requirement for a licence. File photo A general view of Downway Lane in St Helens, where the shocking attack took place But it is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy or own one, with anyone carrying a crossbow in public without a reasonable excuse facing up to four years behind bars. Last year, a convicted stalker was shot dead by police in London after he broke into a house wielding two of the weapons. Bryce Hodgson had been convicted of a five-year court restraining order after he entered a woman's bedroom without consent, sent text messages demanding that she open her door and described his sick sexual fantasies. Earlier this year, Kyle Clifford, 26, was sentenced to a whole life term after using a crossbow to murder BBC racing commentator John Hunt's wife and two daughters. The police chief who investigated the felling of the Sycamore Gap today said he knew hed solved the crime when he saw its fantastically famous outline filmed on one of the perpetrators mobile phones. Detective Inspector Calum Meikle revealed officers were tipped off about Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers' involvement a few weeks after the world famous tree was chopped down, in September 2023. The intelligence stated the pair of ground workers were responsible and had kept part of the tree as a trophy. It led officers to arrest both men and seize their phones. Initially, Mr Meikle said, a two minute and 41 second video retrieved from Grahams device was all black. But they sent it to be digitally enhanced and when it came back the film was shocking. There were gasps in the courtroom at Newcastle Crown Court when the now iconic grainy black and white video, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of a revving chainsaw and cracking wood, was shown for the first time. I'm always impressed with what our digital forensic units are able to achieve, Mr Meikle told the Mail. But, as you have seen from the video, as the person filming moves back, it shows us that fantastically famous outline (which) was undoubtedly the Sycamore Gap tree. I was very pleased to have that evidence. Photographs of a wedge of the tree trunk and a chainsaw in the boot of Grahams Range Rover were also recovered from his phone. Today Graham, 39, and Carruthers, 32, were jailed for four years and three months for felling the tree during a 'moronic mission' and damaging Hadrians Wall in the process. Daniel Graham, left, and Adam Carruthers, right, have been jailed for felling the Sycamore Gap tree The Sycamore Gap tree fell onto Hadrian's Wall when it was cut down. The tree was made famous by actor Kevin Costner when it appeared in his 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. Detective Inspector Calum Meikle, of Northumbria police, who led the investigation The 150-year-old sycamore was felled in 2023 in an act which stunned the nation Grabs from an enhanced version of mobile phone footage showing the Sycamore Gap being felled in September 2023, which was shown at Newcastle Crown Court A court sketch of Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers appearing in the dock at Newcastle Magistrates' Court The Sycamore Gap tree is pictured here in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner The court heard the pair, both from Cumbria, had only recently admitted, in interviews with the Probation Service, that they were responsible. Subscribe to The Crime Desk to hear exclusive coverage of the Sycamore Gap trial on The Trial+ Join here Advertisement They now accepted they had driven 30 miles through a storm to chop down the iconic landmark, in the early hours of September 28, 2023. Mrs Justice Christina Lambert said: 'I can now be sure you, Adam Carruthers, were the person who felled the tree and you, Daniel Graham, assisted and encouraged him by driving there and back and not least by filming it on your phone.' Carruthers then forwarded the video to his partner as they fled the scene. They also took the pictures of the wedge, which has never been found. The following morning, when news broke of the vandalism, the pair shared social media posts about the tree with Graham saying to Carruthers 'here we go,' as they 'revelled' in news reports about the crime. Although prosecutors said the friends had chopped the famous tree down for 'a bit of a laugh,' and suggested Carruthers was so obsessed with the Sycamore Gap that he wanted the wedge as a special souvenir for his newborn daughter, neither has offered any proper explanation for why they did what they did. Today Carruthers claimed he had drunk a bottle of whisky and could barely remember felling the tree. But the judge said this was implausible because the act took skill and coordination. 'This was not the work of someone whose actions were significantly impaired through drink,' she said. Graham, in contrast, continued to blame his accomplice, insisting cutting the tree down had been Carruthers' 'dream' and 'his show' which he simply went along with. He also claimed he was 'shocked' when Carruthers went through with the plan. But Mrs Justice Lambert said the fact Graham filmed the felling and took photographs did not square with the behaviour of someone who was 'horrified and shocked' or was simply going along with Carruthers' plan. Instead the judge said both men were 'equally culpable.' They did it for 'sheer bravado' and also got 'some sort of thrill' out of the media coverage afterwards, she added. Mr Meikle said he understood why people were frustrated by the lack of an explanation but said only Graham and Carruthers would be able to solve the mystery of their mindless thuggery. As soon as anybody knows that I'm involved in this investigation, thats the first question they ask, they want to know why? he added. That's something that we still don't fully understand. There are only two people that really will ever know. I certainly don't think that they fully understood the enormity of their actions. 'The local community are increasingly frustrated by the fact that they don't know why this has taken place, quite understandably. I am just happy to have delivered the two people that I know are responsible. Mr Meikle said that the case could prompt Britain to re-examine the way trees are valued. 'I think this whole incident will raise further legislation because trees arent afforded the same protection that an ancient monument gets,' he said. 'So whilst Hadrians Wall is an ancient monument, the tree itself wasnt.' Graham and Carruthers were found guilty of causing 622,191 of criminal damage to the tree and 1,144 of damage to Hadrian's Wall, a Unesco world heritage site owned by the National Trust. But Mr Meikle, who was asked to lead the inquiry for Northumbria Police because his father worked as a forester and he grew up with an understanding of the profession, insisted that what happened had far reaching consequences and, in many ways, was not just a (routine) criminal damage. The tree means so much to so many people, Mr Meikle added. That's why it will never be looked at as just a criminal damage or just a tree. It has been a very unique and very privileged role that I've held. The sycamore had stood for more than 100 years and achieved worldwide fame when it was featured in the 1991 Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman film, Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. Groundworker Daniel Graham (left), 39, and mechanic Adam Carruthers (right), 32, had denied two counts of criminal damage in relation to the tree and Hadrian's Wall An image found on Daniel Graham's phone of a chainsaw and wedge from the tree in the boot of his car Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, pictured working together. The relationship between the pair has evidently broken down since The Sycamore Gap featured in the 1991 blockbuster Robin Hood Prince of Thieves (pictured) starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman Sycamore Gap timeline: How damage to the landmark tree unfolded September 28, 2023 12.32am A video is made on Daniel Graham's phone showing the sound of a chainsaw, followed by the sound of a tree falling A video is made on Daniel Graham's phone showing the sound of a chainsaw, followed by the sound of a tree falling 9.46am Police receive a report that the Sycamore Gap tree has been damaged. The investigation begins October 31, 2023 Graham and Adam Carruthers are arrested and interviewed. Police find two chainsaws, and a chainsaw blade and cover at Graham's house November 3, 2023 Graham and Carruthers are arrested and interviewed again. Carruthers' property is searched and a chainsaw is found April 30, 2024 Graham and Carruthers are charged with criminal damage. They both later plead not guilty. - April 28, 2025 The trial of Graham and Carruthers begins at Newcastle Crown Court - May 9, 2025 Graham and Carruthers are found guilty of cutting down the tree in an act of 'deliberate and mindless criminal damage' July 15, 2025 Graham and Carruthers sentenced Advertisement The trial heard that the police investigation into the damage initially included people who had issues with the National Trust, and even a young boy who reported his brother. Opening the case to jurors, prosecutor Richard Wright KC said: 'Though the tree had grown for over a hundred years, the act of irreparably damaging it was the work of a matter of minutes.' Graham and Carruthers were 'best of pals' at the time and regularly worked together felling trees. Graham's black Range Rover was picked up on automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras between Carlisle and Sycamore Gap at night on September 27 2023, and returning early the next morning. His phone was traced to cell sites making the same journey. When police arrested the pair and searched Graham's phone, they found the video which showed the sycamore being cut down at 12.30am on September 28, that had also been sent to Carruthers. They also found photos and videos of the wedge and chainsaw in the boot of Graham's 4x4, although these have never been found. Messages and voice notes between Graham and Carruthers the next day showed them talking about the story going 'wild' and 'viral', referring to 'an operation like we did last night' and joking that damage looked like it had been done by a professional. A man named Kevin Hartness posted about the tree on Facebook, writing: 'Some weak people that walk this earth; disgusting behaviour.' Carruthers sent this post to Graham, and later sent a voice note in which he said: 'I'd like to see Kevin Hartness launch an operation like we did last night I don't think he's got the minerals.' In August last year, Graham made an anonymous phone call to the police in an attempt to implicate his friend and save himself. Officers instantly recognised his voice as he told them that 'one of the lads that [did] it, Adam Carruthers,' had taken his chainsaws back home. The 'anonymous caller' said if police searched Carruthers' home and workshop they would find the saws and part of the felled tree, along with a shotgun and a pistol. No firearms, chainsaws or the tree wedge were found, however. On December 1, 2024, days before the trial was originally scheduled to begin, Graham took to Facebook to accuse Carruthers of felling the tree, posting a series of images of his former friend. 'I truly would not do it,' he wrote. 'It's my picture everywhere. Well, here's a picture of the man with [the] hidden face.' In a tense exchange with Mr Wright during his cross examination, Graham tried to justify turning on his friend. He said Carruthers and an associate had tried to intimidate him into taking the blame for cutting down the tree, insisting that the criminal justice system would be lenient towards him due to his mental health issues. He added: 'If someone is costing me money and affecting my business then I will f***ing grass. 'No doubt about it he [Carruthers] is the one holding the chainsaw. Adam felled the tree, I don't know 100 per cent who the other person was. 'I was annoyed about my business suffering through his actions.' To explain away number plate and phone site evidence against him, Graham insisted that Carruthers and an accomplice had taken his car, with his phone inside, and driven to the Sycamore Gap without his knowledge while he had been sleeping in his caravan. A photograph that was shown to the jury during the trial, showing a collection of chainsaws Costner, who plays the protagonist, and Freeman, who plays warrior Azeem, visit the tree in the movie Police vehicles near the location of the tree next to Hadrian's Wall the day after it was cut down Graham, pictured, tried to justify turning on his friend Graham and Carruthers, seen here in a court sketch, were arrested in connection with the felling of the tree in October 2023 Graham (pictured) insisted that Carruthers and an accomplice had taken his car, with his phone inside, and driven to the Sycamore Gap without his knowledge while he had been sleeping in his caravan Adam Carruthers has now been jailed Adam Carruthers outside Newcastle Crown Court Part of the tree had been marked with white paint, indicating the culprits felled it with a chainsaw Carruthers, for his part, did not directly accuse Graham of being involved in felling the tree. But he insisted that on the evening the tree was felled he had tried to take his partner and young children for a meal at the Metrocentre in Gateshead but turned back because their 11-day-old baby was unsettled. Jurors rejected these flimsy alibis and found the pair unanimously guilty. More than a million migrants are now claiming Universal Credit - the majority of whom are unemployed. New official statistics show the number of foreign nationals receiving the benefit has risen from 883,470 in 2022 to 1.26million last month. The majority of migrants being paid Universal Credit are not in work - a situation campaigners described as 'unsustainable'. Today is the first time the immigration status of people claiming Universal Credit has been published following pressure from opposition MPs. Around four in five (83.6%) of those on the benefit as of last month were British, Irish, or those who live or work in the UK without any immigration restrictions. The next largest group were people with EU Settlement Scheme settled status who have a right to reside in the UK, accounting for 9.7% (770,379), while 2.7% (211,090) of the total had indefinite leave to remain. Refugees accounted for 1.5% (118,749) of people receiving the benefit, while 0.7% (54,156) had come by safe and legal humanitarian routes - including under the Ukraine and Afghan resettlement schemes. A total of 75,267 people - making up one percent of the total on Universal Credit - had limited leave to remain in the UK, covering those with temporary immigration status. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Universal Credit is a payment to help with living costs and is available for people on low incomes or those who are out of work or cannot work Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'These are staggering figures and are clear proof that the Labour government has lost control of our welfare system.' 'Under Kemi Badenoch, we've set out a clear, common-sense position. Universal Credit should be reserved for UK citizens only. This is about fairness, responsibility and protecting support for those who've contributed to this country.' 'We're calling on Keir Starmer to stop the drift and take action. British taxpayers should not be working hard to subsidise immigrants, many of whom have only recently arrived. 'Taxpayers deserve a system that prioritises them, not one that continues to fund an unsustainable open-door policy.' Tory MP Neil O'Brien argued the figures were proof the welfare system was failing. He said: 'There are 757,000 people claiming and not working. And Universal Credit is only half of working age welfare spending. 'This is not a sensible immigration policy.' Universal Credit is a payment to help with living costs and is available for people on low incomes or those who are out of work or cannot work. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp - pictured on Sunday - called the figures 'staggering' The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it had published the statistics 'following a public commitment to investigate and develop breakdowns of the UC caseload by the immigration status of foreign nationals in receipt of UC'. John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'The latest universal credit statistics should send a shiver down the spine of government ministers. 'Britain is sleepwalking into a culture of worklessness, with millions of Brits effectively dumped onto the welfare pile, all the while the system appears as a treasure chest for foreign nationals.' People can only access Universal Credit if they have an immigration status that provides recourse to public funds. Those with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) cannot claim most benefits, tax credits or housing assistance that are paid by the state. The total number of people on Universal Credit has risen from 6.8 million in June 2024 to 7.9 million a year later. Rob Bates from the Centre for Migration Control said: 'Over one million migrants are claiming benefits in Britain. 'An unsustainable situation which lays bare the very real consequences that mass migration has inflicted on the British public. 'Indefinite Leave to Remain must be scrapped if we are to have any hope of turning the tide.' Independent MP Rupert Lowe, an ex-member of Reform UK, claimed the immigration system was 'broken' and failing to 'serve the British taxpayer'. Migrants crossing the Channel are mainly asylum seekers. They only become eligible for Universal Credit after being granted refugee status The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'We have been clear both in relation to the welfare system but also immigration, we want both to see a reduction in net migration through a system that is controlled, selective and fair and we want to reform the welfare system such that it genuinely supports those who can work into employment 'As we set out in the immigration white paper, we want to tighten up the system further, that is why we are doubling the current length of time it takes to apply (for settled status) once the legal status is awarded, from five years to a new starting point of 10 years under a new contributions based model. 'This will place more emphasis on an individual's contribution to the economy and society before settlement can be granted.' The figures come after Keir Starmer capitulated to a backbench rebellion and failed to secure reforms to sickness benefits that would have saved 5billion. Labour's climbdown leaves a bungling hole in the public finances which it is feared Chancellor Rachel Reeves will have to plug with a wealth tax. Shortly after the climbdown, new analysis revealed that living on sickness benefits will soon pay 2,500 a year more than a minimum wage job. Analysis by the Centre for Social Justice found that a Universal Credit claimant who is not working and takes the average housing benefit and Personal Independence Payment for ill health will receive 25,000 in 2026-27. The UK's blue-chip share index has topped 9,000 for the first time ever with investors hunting for a safe haven from Donald Trump's trade war. The FTSE 100 reached 9,016.98 this morning, having stopped just shy of the milestone yesterday. The index has gained 10 per cent so far this year. Although it eased back again slightly, analysts suggested the performance was being helped by the UK having struck a tariffs deal with the US - unlike the EU and other major nations. Keir Starmer has boasted of his agreement with Mr Trump, which saw the president's 'beautiful' tariffs cut to 10 per cent. Some areas such as car exports have fuller exemptions, although a promised get-out for steel has yet to materialise. Mr Trump said on Saturday that major trading partners Mexico and the EU would face a 30 per cent tariff starting next month. The UK's blue-chip share index has topped 9,000 for the first time ever with investors hunting for a safe haven from Donald Trump's trade war Keir Starmer has boasted of his agreement with Mr Trump, which saw the president's 'beautiful' tariffs cut to 10 per cent. Some areas such as car exports have fuller exemptions, although a promised get-out for steel has yet to materialise Markets across Europe lifted tentatively today on hopes that a deal can still be struck, with the Dax in Germany and France's Cac 40 up 0.3 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively. The UK stock market has been seen as underperforming for many years, relying on traditional industries rather than faster-growing tech firms. AJ Bell investment analyst Dan Coatsworth said: 'With the UK having already reached an agreement on a 10 per cent tariff for trade with the US, with exemptions for certain industries, the country is now seen to have an advantage in terms of trade relations. 'The UK stock market is the calming cup of tea and biscuit in an uncertain world. There's nothing fancy on offer, just reliable names that do their job day in, day out. That's an underrated characteristic and a reason why investors are finally warming to the UK stock market's appeal in 2025'. Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, said a speech by Chancellor Rachel Reeves later will also be in sharp focus. She said: 'UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver her closely watched Mansion House speech tonight when she is anticipated to outline a series of financial reforms including measures to improve mortgage access.' Some stocks were struggling on the FTSE despite the record being reached, with Barratt Redrow plunging to the bottom of the top tier, shedding 7 per cent after a disappointing update, which also dragged rival housebuilders Persimmon and Berkeley Group lower. A Catholic priest has launched a scathing attack on his parishioners with a farewell poem slamming their 'entitled' and 'righteous' behavior. In his 'parting gift' Father Pat Brennan blamed the unwelcoming demeanor of some of his congregation for dwindling numbers on the pews, slating the 'gossips' and 'those who tut for a living'. In the blistering parting salvo, he describes them as 'the righteous, the clique, the worthy' and the reason behind his decision to leave Holy Family Catholic Church in Coventry after nine years. The poem was published in the church's newsletter, alongside a message explaining 'those few who had been vocal in criticism in and outside the parish' had pushed him out. Father Brennan said that while he was happy at Holy Family and proud of the church restoration work carried out while he was at the helm, he was aware 'you can't please all the people'. In the poem titled, 'Not I Lord Surely' he writes: 'What makes people not come to church? Could it be the people who already go? The righteous, the clique, the worthy, 'The disdainful look given, the thought 'you're in my seat'. The unfriendly, so that the stranger remains always so.' The priest goes on to blast 'gossip' that 'flows from holy lips' describing the perpetrators as 'a mix of disgruntled, unlikeable, entitled offended, who don't want to know.' 'Better than you, holier too, tutting for a living, whispering about you know who,' he added. He said the behaviour can leave people feeling 'rejected' instead of welcomed and loved. In the blistering parting salvo, Father Pat Brennan describes some members of his congregation as 'the righteous, the clique, the worthy' The poem titled, 'Not I Lord Surely' was shared on a local residents Facebook group Maura Murray-Reeve, who has ties with the church in Holbrooks and shared the poem in a local residents Facebook group, said she was 'extremely disappointed' to see Father Brennan felt 'pushed out'. She said: 'Father Pat has been the parish priest for almost 10 years and he has always been very welcoming. 'It is disgusting to think that he was treated so poorly by a sad minority. They should be ashamed of themselves.' She told the BBC she was was 'embarrassed' to be part of the church that had treated Father Brennan wrongly and it was important for him to share his experience. 'This isn't the way we should be making a priest feel,' Ms Murray-Reeve said. Pauline Browne Spelman wrote on Facebook: 'It's so sad but true, I know people who go to church and act holier than thou but are really unkind to others and leave them out so this doesn't surprise me at all'. Victoria Marie added: 'Such a shame, Fr Pat is such a lovely and welcoming priest'. The newsletter states the Archbishop of Birmingham has appointed Father Charles Miller as the new parish priest, who will arrive at the end of July. The Archdiocese of Birmingham said in a statement: 'Fr Pat is an experienced and much valued member of the clergy. 'He has been running three parishes for several years, which is a large workload. 'As part of new parish clustering, Fr Pat will continue as parish priest at Bulkington and Bedworth and a new parish priest has been appointed to Holy Family.' Father Brennan, a priest for 33 years, did not respond to request for comment. Mark Latham exchanged sexually explicit messages with his former partner during parliamentary sitting hours, according to leaked text logs. The WhatsApp messages reported by The Daily Telegraph allegedly show interactions between the NSW independent MP and his former partner, businesswoman Nathalie Matthews. It comes after The Australian reported earlier this week that Matthews had accused Latham of abusive behaviour, including forcing her into 'degrading sexual acts'. Latham told Daily Mail Australia the outlet's reproduction of the messages was 'not accurate'. It is also not suggested the claims of abusive behaviour are substantiated, only that the allegations have been made. The leaked WhatsApp messages include a series of lewd exchanges on February 20, 2025 during parliamentary sitting hours. 'Very hard thinking about you,' he wrote to Matthews shortly after 11am, before following up with a series of suggestive emojis. 'Need badly to taste you,' he wrote that afternoon, alongside an emoji of a tongue. 'Made it back for first vote after dinner,' he said at 8.38pm. Mark Latham (right) is pictured alongside his ex-partner Nathalie Matthews (left) at fine dining restaurant Mimi's in Coogee, in Sydney's eastern suburbs Latham has denied abusing Ms Matthews as alleged in explosive court documents In one of the Whatsapp exchanges Latham referred to himself as 'master' and told Matthews to turn on her 'tracker' Latham told the outlet the communications did not impact his work. The tranche of leaked messages includes more explicit exchanges, too graphic to publish, over a period stretching back as far back as October last year. On several occasions, Latham is referred to as 'master'. He said he was sent images by Matthews when parliament was sitting, 'seeking a response' and that he could not describe the images due to 'an abundance of caution about the revenge porn laws'. 'I don't think responding to a consensual partner on a private, intimate matter in any way has reduced my workload, which I would match up against any other member in the place,' he told The Daily Telegraph. Matthews allegations against the politician were detailed in court documents filed with the NSW Local Court. She made the allegations as part of an attempt to seek a domestic violence order against Latham, including that he subjected her to a 'sustained pattern of emotional, physical, sexual, psychological, and financial abuse'. Latham has denied the allegations which he referred to as 'comically false and ridiculous' in a post to X on Monday night. Pictured is a message exchange between the pair (Latham's messages in blue) Matthews has applied for an interim order barring Latham from venturing within 100m of her He said he had 'scores of documents' to support his claims and that he would rely on those documents to defend himself. 'As the old saying goes, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,' he wrote. Matthews, who runs an e-commerce global logistics firm based in Dubai, Perth and Sydney, has applied for an interim order barring Latham from coming within 100 metres of her. She cited 'ongoing, reasonable fear of harassment, intimidation, and potential harm'. Her application accuses the former Labor leader of throwing a dinner plate at her, forcing her to call him 'master', and pressuring her to have sex with others. Matthews' filing, reported by The Australian, also alleges Latham prevented her from cleaning up after defecating on her before sex and telling her she was 'property', and telling her that her only value to him was for sex to 'demean and control' her. She also alleged 'physical violence' incidents, including pushing her against walls, forcing her out a door, throwing a plate at her during a row. She also claimed he allegedly drove at her with his car, hit her with the side mirror and caused a bruise. Latham is further accused of 'systematically undermining' Matthews to 'control and isolate' her by comparing her 'unfavourably to other women and acting as if he would 'harm himself' to manipulate her. Matthews accuses Latham of forcing her to cover the cost of holidays abroad 'under duress', making her purchase expensive goods, and coercing her regarding her father's will for his benefit. Latham claimed the texting did not impact his work The politician (pictured) said he has not been contacted by police regarding his ex-partner's allegations She claims she experienced 'constant fear and hyper-vigilance' since her arrival home from a June trip abroad, alleging all past break-ups with Latham featured a repeated 'pattern of harassment and intimidation'. She alleges: 'The defendant has held intimate photos and videos of me, and I have been afraid he would expose them to shame and control me if I attempted to leave or resist his demands.' Latham denied all accusations to The Australian. 'Nothing has been served on me nor has anyone contacted me,' he told the newspaper. 'I haven't had anything to do with her (Ms Matthews) since 27 May, so nearly seven weeks ago. I ended the 'situationship' that night for very good reason.' Matthews made the application herself, with NSW Police neither charging Latham nor seeking an order on her behalf. The matter will heard at Downing Centre Local Court on July 30. Matthews is a Liberal Party member and stood as a candidate at the 2021 Sutherland Shire Council election. Donald Trump has granted permission for America's most valuable company to sell its AI chips to China, in a surprise move amid trade war tensions. Jensen Huang, founder of $4 trillion artificial intelligence firm Nvidia, has said he received assurances from the government that he can market the chips in Beijing. 'I'm very happy,' Huang told reporters during a visit to the Chinese capital where he met with senior officials, according to the Wall Street Journal, as Nvidia shares rose more than four percent in pre-market trading on Tuesday. The product, known as a H20 chip, is used in cutting-edge data centers which train AI models and operate AI applications. It was designed for Chinese customers and was a top seller last year, until Trump's commerce department restricted sales in April, costing Nvidia billions of dollars. However, the catch is that the H20 chip isn't the most advanced AI chip Nvidia sells, and the company is still being held back from selling its best technology in China. This is due to fears that granting full access to America's most cutting-edge technology to the superpower could pose a national security risk. Huang said Nvidia would resume deliveries of the H20 chip in China once the Commerce Department processes the company's export license for it. Donald Trump has granted permission for America's most valuable company to sell its AI chips to China , in a surprise move amid the tense trade wars between the global superpowers Jensen Huang (pictured), founder of $4 trillion artificial intelligence firm Nvidia , has said he received assurances from the government that he can market the chips in China The Trump administration is also considering granting permission for other AI chip manufacturers, including Nvidia competitor Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to resume sales in China. 'We were recently informed by the Department of Commerce that license applications to export MI308 products to China will be moving forward for review,' AMD founder Patrick Moorhead announced on X. 'We plan to resume shipments as licenses are approved. We applaud the progress made by the Trump administration in advancing trade negotiations and its commitment to US AI leadership.' Huang said Nvidia has also developed a new AI chip for use in Chinese factory automation and logistics. The chip uses Nvidia's most advanced set-up - called Blackwell architecture - but it has been downgraded in some ways to address US officials' concerns about exports to China, sources told the WSJ. Ahead of Huang's trip to Beijing, US Senators Jim Banks (R., Ind.) and Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) penned a letter to Huang asking him to refrain from meeting with companies which are working with military or intelligence firms in China. 'We are worried that your trip to the PRC could legitimize companies that cooperate closely with the Chinese military or involve discussing exploitable gaps in the U.S export controls,' the senators wrote. 'We request that you refrain from meeting with representatives of any companies that are working with the PRC's military or intelligence establishment, are named on the Entity List, or are suspected to have engaged in activities that undermine export controls.' 'I'm very happy,' Nvidia founder Huang (pictured) told reporters during a visit to the Chinese capital where he met with senior officials, according to the Wall Street Journal 'There is a new bipartisan consensus that the hardware powering advanced AI, which includes NVIDIA graphics processing units (GPUs), is of immense strategic importance,' the letter added. 'If exported freely to the PRC, this hardware could accelerate the PRC's effort to modernize its military.' The letter added that Nvidia's chips could be used by Chinese companies, including DeepSeek, to smuggle sensitive technology in violation of US law. 'We hope you will agree that it would be deeply irresponsible for an American CEO to meet with companies that violate U.S. law and are actively developing military capabilities that could undermine U.S. national security,' the senators said. The surprise move by the Trump administration to allow Nvidia to sell the H20 chips on Beijing's markets comes amid ongoing trade tensions between the US and China. China and the US have been tussling over rare earth metals which are used to make magnets, defense products and electronics, since 2018. The tensions ramped up this year when Trump increased tariffs on China by 10 percent during his first weeks back in the White House. Chinese leader Xi Jinping responded with a 15 percent tariff on coal and liquified natural gas products, and various tariffs on machinery and cars. The tit-for-tat tariffs between the US and China escalated over several weeks, until May 12, when the superpowers agreed to reduce tariffs in an effort to de-escalate the trade war Nvidia's product, known as a H20 chip, is used in cutting-edge data centers which train AI models and operate AI applications. It was designed for Chinese customers and was a top seller last year, until Trump's commerce department restricted sales in April The tit-for-tat tariffs escalated over several weeks, until May 12, when the superpowers agreed to reduce tariffs in an effort to de-escalate the trade war. On June 11, the White House said a trade deal with China had been reached, with baseline tariffs set at 10 percent by China and 30 percent by the US. Both countries made concessions, with the US agreeing to resume accepting Chinese students into American colleges, and China to resume shipments of rare earths. However, China downplayed the deal as just a 'first meeting'. Since then, the US has made moves to restrict AI shipments to Thailand and Malaysia over concerns that they could be smuggled to China. Both countries have been dealt economic blows by the trade wars, with rising commodity prices and American countries like Nvidia losing billions in exports. A major US airport was hit by lines of travelers stretching back to a nearby freeway after a large Christian conference caused a sudden influx of visitors. St Louis Lambert International Airport in Missouri was inundated with travelers from 6am Sunday morning. Grim photos showed hundreds of people waiting outside its terminal two, with the line stretching dangerously close to a multi-lane road that takes drivers to and from the travel hub. A TikTok user called ray_elijahsmom shared a shocking video showing the miserable-looking line of tourists stretching far outside the building in the humid Missouri summer heat. Those stuck outside had little access to food or water, further heightening the discomfort endured Many had to wait in line for three hours and ended up missing their flights despite technically arriving at the airport early. Airport spokesman Roger Lotz told 5 On Your Side that a Seventh Day Adventist conference in the city attended by 50,000 people had ended the day before. He said that had caused a sudden and unexpected influx of people early Sunday all wanting to get home from the conference before returning to work on Monday. St Louis Airport was hit by hellish lines Sunday, with hundreds of people stood outside in sweltering heat and the queue almost extending to a busy freeway The airport explained that many of the conference attendees had wanted to check bags and that few were members of expedited security programs like TSA-Pre-Check or CLEAR, further slowing operations down. A spokesperson added: 'This led to the airport ticket counters and TSA security lines being overwhelmed. St. Louis Lambert International Airport apologizes for any delay experienced on Sunday.' But that was little comfort to scores of travelers who missed flights. Southwest marked some of those stuck in the lines as 'no shows.' That means anyone missing flights can only get vouchers to put towards another one instead of a refund. Fox2 reported that one unidentified passenger had been left out of pocket to the tune of $12,000, but didn't offer any more information as to how they incurred the eye-watering loss. Monica Villarreal was in St Louis from Houston for a jewelry convention and says it took her more than two hours to reach the TSA checkpoint. The chaos was blamed on a Seventh Day Adventist conference in the city attended by 50,000 people which concluded the day before Passengers spent hours outside in sweltering heat with limit access to food or water with many ultimately missing their flights 'It's the longest I've ever waited. And I'm from Houston.', she said, referring to the Texas city's famously busy airports. Another flyer told 5 On Your Side that they'd been able to cancel flights and get refunds but warned 'it's going to get ugly.' The airport eventually processed the worst of the lines by early afternoon with normal operations resuming Monday morning. Following Constance Marten and Mark Gordon's convictions for gross negligence manslaughter, the Mail has released a series of exclusive podcasts revealing never-before-heard details about the couple. The first episode of this Trial Plus series examines Gordon's criminal past and includes exclusive interviews with victims of his violent crimes committed as a teenager in Florida. In 1989, a 14-year-old Gordon was sentenced to life in prison for the rape of his neighbour at knifepoint while her two children slept next door, and for later attacking another neighbour with a shovel. Gordon was charged with multiple serious offences including armed kidnapping, five counts of armed sexual battery, two counts of armed burglary, and one count of aggravated burglary. Due to him being a minor, Gordon's original life sentence was reduced to 40 years, of which he only served 20 before being deported to the UK. To this day, Gordon denies responsibility for the attacks, claiming his confession was forced. Speaking to veteran crime journalists Caroline Cheetham and Jack Hardy, Gordon's victim - whose identity remains anonymous - described her horrific ordeal. On Monday, Gordon and Marten were convicted of killing their daughter, Victoria, after going on the run to stop her being taken into care In 1989, a 14-year-old Gordon was sentenced to life in prison for the rape of his neighbour at knifepoint while her two children slept next door Following the convictions of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, the Mail has released a series of exclusive podcasts revealing never-before-heard details about the couple She recounted: 'My dog woke me up, barking. I go over to my bedroom door and stepped out, and he was standing right there in the living room. 'He was holding a knife and a big pair of hedge clippers. I started to yell, and he said, don't scream or I'll kill your kids. 'He forced me to perform oral sex on him and there was penetrative sex. He was mostly ordering me around. 'I kept trying to talk to him, to reason with him, and to try and find out if there was anything else I could give him to get him to leave. 'I offered him my car, not realising he was so young. I kept thinking, I have to find a way to live, because my kids were in that other room. It was survival.' After being deported to the UK in 2010, Gordon was required to register as a sex offender and report to police weekly until meeting Constance Marten in a London incense shop in 2015. The Crime Desk: The Mail's new true crime podcast network, available on all major podcast platforms The couple went on to have five children together, but four were taken into care after a 2019 incident where a pregnant Marten fell from a first-floor window with a ruptured spleen - an incident the family court deemed domestic violence despite the couple's denials. On Monday, Gordon and Marten were convicted of killing their daughter, Victoria, after going on the run to stop her being taken into care. They will be sentenced on September 15. Speaking exclusively to The Trial podcast, former Assistant District Attorney David Hodge described his experience prosecuting a 14-year-old Gordon for his sexually motivated attacks. Hodge described it as 'one of the most heinous crimes' his team had ever prosecuted, stressing the lasting emotional damage inflicted on the mother-of-two. 'I met the victim', the lawyer said. 'She described to me what had happened, and it was absolutely terrifying the incident itself was brutal. How could somebody be that evil? 'He was inside her house in the wee hours of the morning for hours while her children slept. After being deported to the UK in 2010, Gordon was required to register as a sex offender and report to police weekly until meeting Constance Marten in a London incense shop in 2015 The couple went on to have five children together, but four were taken into care 'She was frightened the whole time that one of her kids would wake up and see what was going on with mummy, that they would be harmed, that they would get stabbed or in some other way come to harm. 'That dominated her thoughts, and she couldn't get it out of her head.' The former District Attorney told the podcast that he had been the one that pushed for Gordon to receive a life sentence. He remembered: 'I determined that the plea offer would be nothing less than life. 'The public defender's office told me that I needed to grow up and give them a reasonable offer. I told them that was our offer you don't have to take it; you can go to trial. 'The judge listened to the testimony of the victim and the testimony of the accused I believe there was also an expert witness on my side who worked for the Child Protection team. 'He drilled into me that, as far as the accused went, the greatest predictor of his future behaviour was his past behaviour, and that has stuck with me.' To listen to full exclusive with David Hodge and hear a complete criminal history of child killer Mark Gordon, subscribe to The Crime Desk, the home of arresting podcasts from The Daily Mail. Search www.thecrimedesk.com today for a 7-day free trial. The fallout from the Department of Justice's decision to not release the Jeffrey Epstein files continued today with more Hollywood stars and MAGA defectors urging the Trump administration to release documents. The DoJ, led by Pam Bondi, said last week it had concluded that Epstein did not possess a 'client list' and that it had decided against releasing any additional records from the investigation. Conspiracy theorists seized on the decision as the latest in a long line of attempts to cover up and cover for a shadowy list of associates that many believe Epstein kept. But Epstein's former lawyer Alan Dershowitz said the conspiracy theories are false, and the disgraced financier did not keep a list of clients. Meanwhile Republicans on the House Rules committee blocked an amendment pushed by Democrats that would have allowed for the release of documents related to the Epstein probe. It comes as Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers had appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn her conviction for sex trafficking. To date, she remains the only person behind bars for crimes associated with the late pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein. But AG Bondi asked the Supreme Court to deny her request yesterday. Maxwell's attorneys have since appealed directly to President Trump, calling him the 'ultimate dealmaker,' in the hopes that he may overrule Bondi. Feature: German youth explores sustainable heritages in southwest China province Xinhua) 09:57, July 15, 2025 GUIYANG, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Amid summer's peak, German sustainability researcher Alexander Kuch arrived in southwest China's Guizhou Province, a region renowned for its rich ethnic culture. The 30-year-old German representative of the ESG Institute joined 15 global youth on a six-day cultural exploration hosted by Tsinghua University and the province after the Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2025. The journey revealed Guizhou's technological frontiers and intangible cultural heritage practices, including Miao embroidery, batik, silver crafting and ancient paper-making. Through dialogues with inheritors, participants shared global insights on preserving ethnic culture in a sustainable manner. Influenced by his mother's fascination with China, Kuch sought to understand its profound heritage. "This global youth dialogue brings inspiration to my sustainability research," he added. "It's a great opportunity to learn from China's practical experience." At Kaili's Xiulitao Embroidery Market, Kuch was captivated by Miao batik. "I never imagined a blue and white batik scarf could carry such profound civilizational significance," he marveled, tracing its patterns. Learning about plant-based indigo dyeing, he noted parallels with German craftsmanship: "Both countries utilize eco-techniques like plant dyeing. Today, Guizhou protects minority cultures, showcasing Miao embroidery and batik globally." Kuch bought a 280-yuan (about 39.2 U.S. dollars) batik scarf for himself and two others as gifts -- a lighter one for his mother and a darker one for a relative who had gifted him traditional Filipino attire. "My mom is studying Chinese pottery. This scarf will remind her of the roots of ancient Chinese cultural heritage." "The other family member once gifted me a traditional Philippine shirt, so now it's my turn to return a piece of romance from China," Alexander said with a smile. At Kaili's "Village T" fashion show, Kuch wore batik and Miao silver accessories. His hundred-bird coat, a typical costume named after Miao's ancient ancestor bird, shimmered alongside ethnic minority models, echoing ancient heritage. International youth joined in diverse attire, illuminating the runway with global cultures as local audiences cheered. Kuch interacted passionately with spectators: "Though we speak different languages, this resonance brings me closer to rural China. When Miao traditions undergo innovative inheritance, we realize tradition isn't distant -- just needing fresh perspective." After the show, he reflected: "When Guizhou's 'Village T' reaches the UN Climate Conference, and technology empowers ancient wisdom, culture bridges sustainable development." For Kuch, China is weaving civilization's threads into an eternal truth: "The most beautiful fashion is rooted in cultural soil; the deepest resonance springs from mutual appreciation." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Florida's beloved Brightline has been dubbed America's deadliest train after it was revealed to have revealed killed someone on average every 13 days. In total, a staggering 182 people have died and 99 were injured on the tracks since 2018, leading to furious finger-pointing and calls for further safety measures around the notoriously deadly rail line. Another 101 collisions into vehicles mercifully ended without causalities, according to an investigation by the Miami Herald and WLRN. The high-speed trainlines first victim, 18-year-old Maddie Brunelle, died eight years ago after being struck by a Brightline train. Her mother, Amy Brunelle, continues to fret over the tracks that line Florida. 'What scares me is how much open track there is,' Brunelle told the Herald. 'And how close it is to public areas.' Her daughter, who was bipolar and in a manic state, had walked out of a treatment facility and headed toward the tracks. Still, the area of track where the teenager had died remains unfenced. Brightline's dangerous reputation has spurred controversy for years, and as the first few deaths occurred in 2018 the company faced backlash for 'victim blaming.' Brightline has been dubbed the most dangerous railroad, reportedly killing one person on average every 13 days of service, as an investigation revealed that 182 people have died over the last eight years Brightline has officially stated that the death toll over the last eight years is a result of 'illegal, deliberate and oftentimes reckless behavior by people putting themselves in harm's way' Maddie Brunelle, 18, died eight years ago after being struck by a Brightline train after Brunelle, who was bipolar and in a manic state, walked out of a treatment facility and turned toward the tracks In Brightline's first week of service, 51-year-old Jeffrey King had been struck and killed on a bicycle in Boynton Beach, making him the fourth death at the hands of the train line at the time. US Rep. Brian Mast called the company out for it's public comments that people such as King had not paid attention to the safety warnings at crossings. 'Stop victim blaming and take responsibility for the fact that your trains are killing people,' Mast tweeted at the time. 'Trains should stop running until massive safety flaws are resolved.' Yet, Brightline's president, Patrick Goddard, told a congressional committee in April 2018, that the people pointing figures at the trains safety 'choose to ignore the facts and the actual police reports surrounding these incidents, a common theme of bending information to suit their anti-progress narrative,' the Herald reported. 'Every person who has died on our railroad has either chose to end their lives or been under the influence of drugs,' he said at the time. Out of six deaths at that point, two had been ruled suicide, and the remaining of the victims had tested positive for drugs. King had marijuana in his system, but the Palm Beach County medical examiner's office told the Herald that it was impossible to know if it played a significant role in his death. Brightline has faced legal pressure over the years in relation to the deaths along the railroad. But of at least a dozen lawsuits, none have reached trial and some were resolved in undisclosed settlements. Amy Brunelle, continues to fret over the railroad that lies through Florida. 'What scares me is how much open track there is,' she said Brightline Vice President of Operations Michael Lefevre said in a statement that the company has invested 'hundreds of millions' into safety measures to protect the public, but that many deaths are a result of suicide or illegal and dangerous behavior Your browser does not support iframes. The company's officials have said it has gone to great lengths to keep the public safe, pointing to the high level of suicides and drug-influenced incidents. 'We have been a leader in the industry on safety initiatives related to education, enforcement and engineering,' Brightline Vice President of Operations Michael Lefevre said in a statement to the Herald. 'As a result of our focus, including our significant investment in safety infrastructure, none of the incidents along the railroad have been the result of train operations.' The investigation, however, revealed that the company's initiatives weren't substantial enough after Brightline extended their lines of service through Treasure Coast to Orlando, where 49 people died by train. Lefevre noted that 'more than half' of the deaths along the tracks 'have been confirmed or suspected suicide.' 'All [deaths] have been the result of illegal, deliberate and oftentimes reckless behavior by people putting themselves in harm's way,' the statement continued. Autopsy rulings reviewed by the outlet, however, reportedly suggest that a 'majority of the fatalities were accidents,' instead of suicides as Brightline have claimed. 'Of the 182 dead, 75 were ruled suicide by local medical examiners - or about 41%. In Broward County, where 61 people have died, 30% were ruled suicide,' the outlet reported. Pedestrians were found to be the most at-risk group, with 158 of the death toll made up of those on foot or bicycle The highest number of deaths were reported in Palm Beach County, Broward and Miami-Dade Brightline has claimed that the majority of accidents can be blamed on the careless attitudes of drivers and pedestrians along the railroad tracks. However, the outlet also points out that local initiatives have contributed to the increasing death toll. In parts of Southern Florida, train horns were silenced following local demands for 'quiet zones' and many cities have been tentative to close dangerous crossings. The highest number of deaths were reported in Palm Beach County, Broward and Miami-Dade. The high-speed train's installation came with fears that its presence would increase the dangers for some of the most densely populated areas of Florida. Trains that travel at speeds more than 125 mph must adhere to mandatory safety measures, which means the tracks are required to be separated from roads and pedestrians with no traffic crossings. Brightline's speeds only increase to these numbers in the final stretch of its service to Orlando, which opened in 2023, and is fenced off completely. Along this stretch, no one has died. The trains speeds between Miami and West Palm Beach reach 79 mph and 110 mph further north to Cocoa, the Herald reported. Brightline argued against state bills in 2017, 2018 and 2020, which would require the company to pay for fending at popular trespassing shortcuts In 2014, Frank Frey, a Federal Railroad Administration engineer, urged the company to exercise increased safety efforts, including fending to direct pedestrians to crossings Brightline's president, Patrick Goddard, told a congressional committee in April 2018 that the people pointing figures at the trains safety 'choose to ignore the facts and the actual police reports surrounding these incidents, a common theme of bending information to suit their anti-progress narrative' While safety fears have proved to have been substantiated, efforts to keep the public safe have been made by the railroad company despite their stance that the deaths resulted from reckless behavior. 'Brightline has invested hundreds of millions into modernizing the tracks and crossing systems and additional investment has been awarded. Since 2022, weve seen more than $70 million dollars of grants awarded for safety projects along our corridor,' Lefevre continued. 'Every time a person takes an illegal shortcut across the tracks or walks down the middle of the tracks, they are making a deliberate choice and putting themselves in a dangerous position.' Pedestrians were found to be the most at-risk group, with 158 of the death toll made up of those on foot or bicycle, the Herald reported. Around 60 percent of those who died weren't at crossings, according to federal data obtained by the outlet. However in 2014, Frank Frey, a Federal Railroad Administration engineer, was a member of a team who walked the route of the prospective railroad line. A report from Frey, obtained by the Herald, warned of trespassing, even then, being at an all time high. Frey urged the company to exercise increased safety efforts, including fending to direct pedestrians to crossings. Pictured: A drone view shows the scene after a Brightline train collided with a fire truck on rail tracks in Delray Beach, Florida in December 2024 'When done in the right area and with the proper length, fencing can be a benefit to channel pedestrians to the nearest crossing,' Lefevre said in 2022 In parts of Southern Florida, train horns were silenced following local demands for 'quiet zones' and many cities have been tentative to close dangerous crossings Frey also suggested the company add crossing-gate arms and median dividers to deter drivers from going around gates, the Herald reported. '[T]hey are not exercising appropriate safety practices and reasonable care,' Frey wrote in the report. Yet the company resisted making any changes. It argued against state bills in 2017, 2018 and 2020, which would require the company to pay for fending at popular trespassing shortcuts. Rusty Roberts, a former company official, said the measures were ineffective, expensive and difficult to maintain, the Herald reported. But, following a federal grant in 2022, Lefevre was one to declare the measures as 'common sense' that would have an 'immediate impact.' 'When done in the right area and with the proper length, fencing can be a benefit to channel pedestrians to the nearest crossing,' he said in a statement. The terms of the grant would cost Brightline $10 million and federal and state governments $35 million for 33 miles of protective fencing and landscaping along the tracks, warning markings at crossings and 168 crisis-support signs for those who are suicidal. However, Brightline trains continue to make headlines as incidents along the tracks lead to tragic consequences. Lefevre said in his statement to the Herald that each incident is 'tragic and avoidable.' Brightline emphasized in a statement to the Daily Mail that 'safety is the top priority at Brightline.' 'As a result of our focus, including our significant investments in safety infrastructure, none of the incidents along the railroad have been the result of improper train handling by Brightline personnel or failure of our equipment or infrastructure,' the statement said. 'The incidents we have seen in Florida are the same ones facing other railroads around the nation...The tragic fact is that they are preventable. Our hearts go out to anyone impacted by these incidents including loved ones, our train crew, first responders, and the community at large.' An investigation has since been launched Shocking footage has shown a man being forced to the ground by police shortly before he died on the way to hospital. Collin Burling, 45, was pinned to the ground on Pitt Street in Waterloo, Sydney, at 2am on Monday. Mr Burling died in an ambulance on his way to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital after he was handcuffed and restrained on the ground by members of NSW Police. His distraught partner, Taite Collins, filmed the ordeal from their apartment. In the footage a police officer can be heard yelling for Mr Burling to 'stop resisting' while he was pinned to the floor in handcuffs. Mr Burling repeatedly said that he was not resisting and that he was 'not a threat' despite police claiming that he was. An investigation has since been launched to figure out what led to his death. Collin Burling died following an incident in which he was restrained by police Footage showed police pinning Collin Burling, 45, to the ground on Pitt Street in Waterloo Ms Collins said their partner was a kind man. 'He's a beautiful man, big burly man but he's got a heart of gold,' Collins told 9News. NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said paramedics had made an 'urgent request' of police regarding the incident. Mr McKenna said mental health issues has played a part in the ordeal and that Mr Burling was at first cooperating with paramedics prior to his death. Mr Burling suddenly 'became aggressively resistant', Mr McKenna said. He then had to be restrained and when paramedics tried to sedate him and he went into cardiac arrest. Body-worn cameras will form part of the investigation, although it is not clear if there were any weapons present throughout the altercation, Mr McKenna added. An investigation has since been launched into the circumstances surrounding his death A critical incident investigation team from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad will now probe the circumstances around the incident. Four junior police will be interviewed as part of this investigation. The Professional Standards Command will independently review any findings produced by the investigation. It will also be overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. An Arizona woman will spend the next five years behind bars for firing a gun at a family during a fit of road rage. Alyssa Soto, 25, of Mesa, unleashed a violent road rage attack near North Higley Road and McKellips Drive in August 2024 - pulling her GMC alongside the familys Tesla at a red light and aggressively hurling curses. But just as the light turned green and the family began to drive away, Soto pulled out a 9mm handgun and fired a single round directly at their vehicle. On Saturday, Soto was sentenced to half a decade in prison after pleading guilty to one count of drive-by shooting, a felony charge. 'Firing a gun at a family because you are angry is not a mistake - it's a dangerous, criminal choice,' Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said. On August 7, 2024, around 8pm, the victims - whose names have not been released -were driving through the Phoenix suburb with their 19-month-old child when they simply merged lanes, as reported by KOLD News. At that moment, Soto, driving a black GMC SUV with her child in the car, pulled up alongside the family at a red light. Video footage from the familys Tesla captured an argument erupting as Soto brought her car to a halt beside them, rolled down her front and back windows and began yelling obscenities. Alyssa Soto, 25, of Mesa, Arizona, pulled her black GMC alongside a family's Tesla at a red light in August of 2024 and, in a fit of road rage, grabbed a 9mm handgun and fired a single round directly at their vehicle (pictured). Fortunately, no one was hurt On Saturday, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced that Soto (pictured) was sentenced to five years in the Arizona Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to one count of drive-by shooting, a felony charge According to the attorneys office, while still stopped at the traffic light, the victim responded to the unprovoked attack by making a hand gesture toward the enraged mother. Just seconds after the light turned green and both cars began moving forward, Soto was captured on video pulling out a small gun, aiming it out her window at the familys Tesla and firing - a flash of fire visible with the shot. Fortunately, the bullet did not strike any family members inside the car. The Tesla also sustained no damage, according to the attorney's office. However, the victims contacted the police and provided video evidence of the violent encounter - ultimately confirming details of the attack. Investigators soon found a shell casing and bullet near the intersection, resulting in a search warrant being obtained. Nine days later, during the search of her home, authorities discovered the handgun in her boyfriends truck, as reported by KOLD News. Soto then reportedly admitted to the shooting, according to the outlet, and was swiftly taken into custody at her home. Following her arrest, the 25-year-old woman told police that the victims cut her off while driving, causing damage to her car. Investigators soon found a shell casing and bullet near the intersection (pictured), resulting in a search warrant. During the search, authorities discovered the handgun in her boyfriends truck and arrested her According to court documents, Soto said the victims cut her off while driving - causing damage to her car - and she 'was not trying to hurt anyone, but was so angry and frustrated that she decided to shoot her handgun at the other vehicle' (pictured) According to court documents, Soto 'was not trying to hurt anyone, but was so angry and frustrated that she decided to shoot her handgun at the other vehicle.' Police later revealed that, although the victims car showed no damage, Sotos car did - though its unclear whether that damage was pre-existing or related to her claim that the victims clipped her vehicle, KOLD reported. Court documents also showed that this wasn't Sotos first arrest - she had records for previous convictions relating to several traffic violations, though none appear to have involved violence. The attorney's office announced last week that Soto was sentenced to five years behind bars at the Arizona Department of Corrections. 'There is no place for this kind of treacherous behavior in our community,' County Attorney Mitchell said in the news release. 'If you choose violence in Maricopa County, you will face serious consequences.' Amelia Earhart's publishing tycoon husband pushed her to ever more dangerous public relations stunts to further his own ambitions, an explosive new book has claimed. The aviation trailblazer was married to George P. Putman for six years when she disappeared on her infamous flight around the world in 1937. While their marriage was cut short, a new book alleges that during their time as a couple Putnam acted as Earhart's publicist and pushed her to the brink to sell books. 'The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon,' by Laurie Gwen Shapiro takes a deep dive into their complex relationship, revealing how Putnam was pulling the strings. 'Putnam, the so-called "PT Barnum of publishing" was a bookselling visionarybut often pushed his authors to extreme lengths in the name of publicity, and no one bore that weight more than Amelia,' Shapiro wrote. 'Their ahead-of-its time partnership supported her grand ambitionsbut also pressed her into more and more treacherous stunts to promote her books, influencing a certain recklessness up to and including her final flight.' Earhart's pioneering achievements earned her global celebrity, including when she became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean as a passenger in 1928. One of those coordinating this flight was Putnam, who was married to his first wife at the time. He interviewed her ahead of deciding she would be the passenger selected. A new book has claimed Amelia Earhart's publishing tycoon husband, George Putnam (left), used her as a public relations pawn Laurie Gwen Shapiro's new book takes a deep dive into their complex relationship, revealing how Putnam was pulling the strings Shapiro claimed in her book Putnam fell in 'love at first sight' because he saw all of Earhart's potential for commercial success. According to Purdue University, after that first flight across the Atlantic, Putnam offered to help her write a book about her experience, following the formula he had established with Charles Lindberg. Earhart moved in with Putnam while she wrote her book and during that time Putnam and his first wife divorced in 1929. The aviation icon and Putnam wed in 1931 and one year after that she became the first woman to pilot a solo flight across the Atlantic - and on the same flight she broke the record for the longest flight by a woman, and the shortest time to cross the Atlantic. Earhart was invited to the White House by Franklin D Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor, with the pilot offering the latter a trip in her plane. In the following years, she planned a number of further record-breaking flights, many of which came to fruition. Earhart first met Putnam when he interviewed her to become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean as a passenger in 1928 Shapiro claimed it was during their first meeting to decide if Earhart should join the flight that Putnam fell in 'love at first sight' because he saw all of her potential for commercial success On June 1, 1937, Earhart took to the sky in her Lockheed 10-E Electra with the aim of becoming the first woman to fly around the world. She and her navigator Fred Noonan left Oakland, California then flew to Miami, down to South America, across to Africa and then east to India and South Asia. A few weeks later they departed Lae in Papua New Guinea and planned to stop on Howland July 2, 1937 to refuel. But Earhart and Noonan lost radio contact and were never heard from or seen again. No 10 has condemned a school after it sent home a pupil for wearing a Union Jack dress on diversity day. 'Straight A' student Courtney Wright, 12, wore the Spice Girls-esque dress and wrote a speech about history and traditions as part of the celebrations on Friday. But the Year 7 pupil was told the dress was 'unacceptable' before being hauled out of lessons and made to sit in reception until her father collected her. Students wearing burkas, niqabs and traditional Nigerian clothing were reportedly allowed to attend lessons as normal, while children with St George's and Welsh flags were turned away at the school gates. Following outrage at Courtney's exile from class, the government stated the child was right to celebrate being British. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The PM has always been clear that being British is something to be celebrated. 'You can see that from everything this government has done. We are a tolerant, diverse, open country, proud of being British.' Courtney's father Stuart Field, 47, said he was 'gobsmacked' to learn his daughter had been segregated from her peers due to her choice of attire at Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire. Courtney Wright poses for a photo showing her costume after being made to leave school on culture day She was hauled out of lessons and made to sit in reception until her father Stuart Field (pictured) collected her A poster advertising the school's Culture Day wants students 'recognising and celebrating the rich cultural diversity within our school community' Mr Field, who works in marine restoration, said: 'Courtney was so embarrassed and couldn't understand what she'd done wrong. 'She should not be made to feel embarrassed about being British. 'And she shouldn't be punished for celebrating British culture and history; nobody else I've spoken to can quite get their heads around it.' The father added: 'Another with a St Georges flag and another with a Welsh flag were not allowed in either. It was ridiculous. It just seemed anything that was remotely British wasn't allowed. Headteacher Jayne Delves. The school contacted Courtney's father over the weekend to apologise for the move 'It's ironic they were having a cultural diversity day but then decided to single out a group of people. 'Others were allowed in burkas, niqabs or traditional Nigerian clothing.' Mr Field said Courtney wanted to wear the dress to celebrate being British, the Spice Girls and the freedom of being able to wear a dress. 'This was her interpretation of British culture and what it means to her,' he said. 'Somebody at the school has politicised a Union Jack dress even though that was clearly not Courtney's intent. Courtney didn't do anything to be political.' In a permission letter sent to parents, it said the Culture Celebration Day was 'designed to promote inclusion, understanding, and appreciation of different backgrounds, traditions and heritages'. But Mr Field said the school's actions went against the message of inclusion and other pupils with St George's flags and Welsh flags were turned away from the school gates. Courtney said after the ordeal: 'I felt really embarrassed. I wad made to sit in reception all day. All my friends were getting angry at why the teachers were doing that because my dress was wonderful.' The school contacted Mr Field over the weekend and have since apologised for the move Stuart Field with his daughter Courtney during happier times, before she was pulled out of school 'Straight A' student Courtney wore a Spice Girls-esque dress as part of her school's culture day on Friday Mr Field said Courtney wanted to wear the dress to celebrate being British and the Spice Girls, taking inspiration from Geri Halliwell (pictured) in her iconic dress The school contacted Mr Field over the weekend and have since apologised for the move Ranjit Samra, the chief executive of the Stowe Valley Trust, who apologised after the ordeal Courtney's speech for Culture Day Today I want to talk about my culture - British culture - and why it's important to me. In Britain, we have lots of traditions including drinking tea, our love for talking about the weather and we have the royal family. We have amazing history, like kings and queens, castles, and writers like Shakespeare. It's also modern, diverse and always changing - with music fashion and food from all around the world blending into daily life. And let's not forget fish and chips! Its also the way we speak, our humour, our values of fairness and politeness, and the mix of old traditions and new ideas. But sometimes at school, we only hear about other cultures - which is great because learning about different countries is interesting and important. But it can feel like being British doesn't count as a culture, just because it's the majority. I think culture should be for everyone - not just for people from other countries or backgrounds. Being British is still a culture, and it matters too.. It's part of who I am. So let's celebrate all cultures - whether they come from far away or right here at home. Advertisement The child's father added: 'The day was to celebrate everyone's cultures and Courtney chose this Union Flag dress so she could celebrate hers. 'She also wrote this speech to go with it and was very proud of what she'd done. 'The next thing I get a call at work at around 9am to say she's not allowed in school dressed like that and that it was unacceptable.' He added: 'I wasn't able to get away from work until about midday. They made her sit in reception all morning in front of the receptionists and kept her in isolation. 'She's a straight A student, one of the brightest in her year and she's never been in trouble before so she was really upset. 'All the kids there are British in my eyes, I like to think I'm a tolerant person but this was just not right. 'I wanted an answer as to why they thought this was acceptable - and nobody could give me a straight answer, I wanted to know how they had justified it. 'I spoke to her head of year, and he said he wasn't the best person to talk to about it, so I can only assume he didn't really agree with it either. 'It obviously came from above him but I don't know for sure who made the decision. 'I was fobbed off and told that I'd get a phone call and I took Courtney straight out for a nice meal to cheer her up. 'If anything I was extremely proud of what she chosen and what she had written in her speech. 'She wanted to celebrate being British, she couldn't understand what was wrong with that. 'She wasn't the only kid picked out either - one child from a farming background was turned away at the gates for wearing traditional flat-cap and checked shirt. 'They didn't even read or listen to her speech which actually celebrates inclusivity and other cultures. 'It was just like British culture could not be celebrated. She was punished for being proud of being British. 'I put a post on Facebook and I've had messages of support from all over the world really, from Poland to Australia to America. 'Everybody is saying how ridiculous it is that any young person cannot celebrate where they are from. 'The school now want her to come back and read the speech, but she doesn't feel comfortable about it or wearing the dress anymore. Stuart with his daughter Courtney, who was hauled from lessons due to her outfit Her father Mr Field said: 'Courtney was so embarrassed and couldn't understand what she'd done wrong' Mr Field said he was 'gobsmacked' to learn his daughter had been segregated from her peers Bilton School in Rugby, where the ordeal took place on Friday during culture day 'She feels like the school is parading her a bit now. It could have all been avoided if the school just followed their own policy of inclusivity and let everyone share a little about their culture.' The school contacted Mr Field over the weekend and have since apologised for the move. A spokesman for Stowe Valley Trust said: 'At Bilton School, we are proud of the diversity of our students and the rich heritage they bring to our community. We are committed to fostering an environment where every pupil feels respected, valued, and included. 'On Friday 11th July, an incident occurred during our Culture Celebration Day that caused considerable upset to one of our pupils, her family, and members of the wider community. 'We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our sincere and unreserved apologies. 'We have since spoken directly with the pupil and her family to listen to their concerns and reflect on how this could have been handled better. 'We are committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that every student feels recognised and supported when expressing pride in their heritage. 'As a school, we are reviewing our policies and strengthening staff training to ensure our practices reflect our values of inclusion, respect, and understanding for all.' MailOnline has contacted the school for further comment. Donald Trump's second-in-command at the FBI is escalating his feud with DOJ's Pam Bondi after Jeffrey Epstein 'failures' sparked a MAGA civil war. Last week, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino were targeted with fury after a leaked DOJ/FBI memo found convicted pedophile Epstein did not kill himself and there was never a 'client list' of his co-conspirators. Despite the backlash, all three political appointees appear to be keeping their Trump administration jobs for now. But that isn't stopping nasty infighting among the agency heads. Sources close to Bongino said last week that he wouldn't stick around at the FBI if Bondi remained in her post because he blames her for the rough rollout of the memo's findings. A person close to the White House told the Daily Mail that Bongino was working at FBI headquarters on Monday, but he may only be staying under one condition. They said Bongino is pressuring Bondi to hold a press conference to answer lingering questions on the Jeffrey Epstein files. That includes why the review came up way short of what she promised to reveal in the high profile child sex trafficking case. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino is pressuring Attorney General Pam Bondi to hold a press conference on the Jeffrey Epstein files failure after he threatened to quit if she kept her job after the memo release last week Attorney General Pam Bondi has faced a slew of criticism from MAGA world for the letdown of the Justice Department's review of the documents in the Epstein investigation 'While the Deputy Director has many significant operations underway that he finds very important to see through, he does plan to continue to fight for transparency and accountability for failures in the Epstein saga, including a press conference from the attorney general to explain discrepancies in communication directly to the American people,' the source said. The Justice Department did not respond to a request on whether there are plans for Bondi to hold a press conference. Patel, for his part, dispelled 'conspiracies' that he was also considering a departure due to the Justice Department's botched handling of the review of Epstein's crimes. President Donald Trump came to the defense of his AG in a lengthy Truth Social post over the weekend where he told his supporters and critical FBI leadership to 'let Pam Bondi do her job.' He said that Patel and Bongino should be focused on matters outside of the Epstein files like investigating voter fraud, political corruption and the 2020 election. Trump's 2024 campaign centered on his promise to break down the bureaucracy of government and reveal federal secrets including the Epstein files and documents related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. Bongino is particularly irked by Bondi overselling what she had during the early stages of the Epstein investigation. In February, the Attorney General invited MAGA influencers to the White House and gave them binders containing 'a truckload' of new details in 'phase one' of the release. Upon closer inspection it was discovered the folders contained no new information. Bondi then said she had Epstein's highly anticipated 'client list' on her desk waiting for review and release, which never came. An unsigned memo with DOJ and FBI seals was leaked this month and maintains Epstein's client list does not exist. It also concluded that Epstein likely died by suicide, rather than the long-held conspiracy held by many within MAGA that he was murdered in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Bondi said that no more people would be arrested or convicted in the case. Currently, British socialite and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in the sex trafficking ring. She is the only living person facing the music for Epstein's crimes. An unsigned DOJ and FBI memo made public this month revealed Trump's government confirmed initial findings that Jeffrey Epstein killed himself in prison and concluded he did not have a client list The Justice Department on Monday opposed a filing requesting the Supreme Court take up Maxwell's appeal in the case. Maxwell's lawyers argue that their client shouldn't have been prosecuted because she was protected under a plea agreement that Epstein made with the Southern District of Florida in 2008. Several high profile and famous people including Trump were associated with Epstein and on the flight logs of his private plane, which he used to go to and from his island. Democrats claim that Trump is using Bondi to prevent any more information from coming to light in the Epstein files because they claim the president and some of his rich buddies might be implicated. Lara Trump added fuel to the fire of the MAGA conspiracy flames when she demanded 'more transparency' on Jeffrey Epstein and called on President Donald Trump, her father-in-law, to release the documents 'soon.' Trump, the wife of the president's son Eric, said she believes the administration will hand out more files on the pedophile financer, who committed suicide in a New York jail while awaiting trial for his crimes. 'I do think that there needs to be more transparency on this, and I think that that will happen,' she told a podcast hosted by conservative commentator and Trump ally Benny Johnson. 'I mean, look, I don't know what truly exists there, but I know that this is something that's important to the president as well,' she added. Her comments came as the White House is trying to put the scandal behind them even as more questions are being raised about the case and the president's top allies are leading the charge. But Lara Trump also offered the shocking claim that she expects the administration to provide more information soon. 'I believe that there will probably be more coming on this. And I believe anything that they are able to release that doesn't, you know, damage any witnesses or anyone underage or anything like that, I believe they'll probably try to get out sooner rather than later,' Trump said. President Trump's handling of the Epstein files has started a MAGA civil war among his supporters and within his administration. And it hasn't quieted down any of the conspiracy theories about the disgraced financer, which continue to thrive online and in the conservative zeitgeist. Lara Trump called on President Donald Trump to have more 'transparency' on the Jeffrey Epstein files and said she expects more to be released soon Lara Trump, who served as Republican National Committee co-chair during the 2024 presidential campaign and is close to her father-in-law, advised the MAGA faithful to calm down. She argued there is 'no great plot' at work. 'To everybody out there who's all worked up about it, there's no great plot to keep this information away that I'm aware of,' Trump said. 'I do just believe that maybe it's been slow-rolled for reasons that hopefully we understand down the line. And I think we're probably gonna get more transparency on it very soon.' Her conversation with Johnson, a popular podcaster and influencer in the conservative world, garnered much attention. And Johnson himself has suggested a way out of the Epstein controversy for the Trump administration, taking to social media to offer this four-part approach: 'Hold press conferences, Explain where the evidence is and why it's sealed, Promise release of all evidence after Ghislaine Maxwell's final appeal, Drag in Bill Clinton for questioning.' The MAGA faithful were counting on President Trump to release a cache of new information on Epstein, who is subject to a rash of conspiracy theories, including unproven ones that he did not commit suicide while awaiting trial. Trump supporters also believe there was a 'deep state' coverup to protect the wealthy and powerful who may have been Epstein clients. Fanning the flames was Department of Justice's statement that there is no Epstein 'client list.' Jeffrey Epstein's death being ruled a suicide had been hotly debated since the news broke The Department also released videos from inside New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center which the DOJ says proves he committed suicide in 2019 while being held in jail on sex trafficking charges. Critics have pointed to the fact that there is a crucial minute missing from the jail house video that also does not show the door or, indeed, the inside of Epstein's jail cell. Indeed, Attorney General Pam Bondi crushed MAGA hopes when her department released the two-page memo saying they found no evidence that the convicted sex offender blackmailed powerful people or kept a 'client list' and reiterated that he died by suicide in his prison cell in 2019. The memo also said that no more people would be arrested, charged or convicted in the Epstein child sex trafficking case. Trump supporters were deeply disappointed. FBI director Kash Patel and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino - two men who have pushed Epstein conspiracy theories - have clashed with the attorney general on the matter. Some even Bondi should be fired after promising to release all files relating to Epstein and his high-profile male friends only to apparently renege on that promise. President Donald Trump, who knew Jeffrey Epstein (above left), has tried to calm the MAGA waters as controversy spreads among his supporters Lara Trump, married to Trump's son Eric (above), is close to the president Attorney General Pam Bondi - above with President Donald Trump - has come under fire for her handling of the Epstein files President Trump, meanwhile, has tried to calm the troubled waters. He defended Bondi but also expressed his impatience with the situation. In a lengthy Truth Social post on Saturday night, he called on the in-fighting to stop and for his supporters to move on. 'What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals?'' Trump wrote. 'They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening.' He also advised his MAGA faithful not to 'waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.' But many of his supporters remain unconvinced. Laura Loomer, a MAGA activist who is influential in Trump's inner circle, has called for a special counsel to be appointed. She told Politico there should be an independent investigation of the handling of the Epstein files 'so that people can feel like this issue is being investigated, and perhaps take it out of [Bondi's] hands, because I don't think that she has been transparent or done a good job handling this issue.' A migrant has been killed after falling from a UK-bound lorry while trying to board it near the French coastal city of Calais, local authorities said. His body was discovered at around 5.30am (03.30 GMT) today in the Transmarck industrial and logistics zone in the town of Marck, according to the prefecture. The man 'likely' fell from a freight truck he was attempting to board, but an investigation would determine the exact circumstances, it said. Migrants hoping to reach England often gather around the area, hoping to hitch a ride in a lorry trailer. However, enhanced security measures around the Port of Calais and the Channel tunnel have led many migrants to instead attempt the journey across the Channel by sea, often on makeshift boats, a much costlier option. In mid-May, an Eritrean migrant died in Marck after being hit by a freight truck he was trying to board. And, in early February, another Eritrean migrant died after being struck by a freight truck on the A16 motorway. Since the beginning of the year, 17 people have died attempting to reach England by sea, according to the French interior ministry. A migrant has been killed after falling from a UK-bound lorry while trying to board it near the French coastal city of Calais, local authorities said. Pictured: Migrants climb into the back of lorries bound for Britain while traffic is stopped upon waiting to board shuttles at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel site in Calais, northern France in 2020 Migrants hoping to reach England often gather around the area, hoping to hitch a ride in a lorry trailer. Pictured: Migrants walk on the A16 highway as they try to access the Channel Tunnel on June 23, 2015 in Calais, northern France However, enhanced security measures around the Port of Calais and the Channel tunnel have led many migrants to instead attempt the journey across the Channel by sea, often on makeshift boats, a much costlier option. Pictured: A migrant small boat passes the beech at Gravelines, France on July 10 Last year, nearly 37,000 migrants managed to make their way to the UK on small boats. Two years prior, nearly 46,000 migrants were smuggled into Britain. More than 150,000 migrants have crossed the Channel into the UK since 2018. So far, over 4,000 migrants have made the dangerous crossing into the UK this year, with numbers and rates expected to rise as the weather gets warmer in the spring and summer. In March an inquiry heard that 27 migrants died trying to enter the UK after Border Force allegedly rescued the wrong boat. Around 33 people are believed to have been on board an inflatable dinghy which sank in the early hours of November 24, 2021 - killing at least 27 of its passengers including men, women and children. It is said to be the deadliest-ever English Channel crossing on record. Last week, migrants in Calais vowed to 'stop at nothing' to cross the Channel to the UK regardless of the obstacles put in their way. If Sir Keir Starmer expects his 'one-in-one-out' returns deal with France to act as a significant deterrent to future crossings, these words suggest he will be disappointed. Since the beginning of the year, 17 people have died attempting to reach England by sea, according to the French interior ministry. Pictured: Migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard an RNLI Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel on July 11 So just why are migrants prepared to risk their lives to make it to Britain? France has long complained the UK makes it too easy for illegal migrants to work and claim benefits, with one of Emmanuel Macron's MPs recently branding it an 'El Dorado for migrants'. Their is some truth to this claim, with even Home Secretary Yvette Cooper accepting that the country's dark economy - where migrants are able to work without papers - is a potential 'pull factor'. Employers have been required since 2008 to carry out 'right to work' checks on their staff, and risk a 60,000 for every person found working illegally. But these checks only apply to people who are classified as employees, with companies who used self-employed workers exempted. This means that anyone in the 'gig economy', which now covers about 1.6million people, can work with far less scrutiny. Pastor John MacArthur has died days after his church told the stunned congregation he 'may be in the presence of the lord soon'. MacArthur, who was one of America's best-known Biblical preachers, died at the age of 86 on Monday after contracting pneumonia. On Sunday, just before MacArthur died, Tom Patton, associate pastor at MacArthur's Grace Community Church (GCC) in Sun Valley, California, made an announcement. 'This week, Pastor John contracted pneumonia,' Patton told congregants. 'He was admitted into the hospital and may be in the presence of the Lord soon.' 'We place our dear pastor at the feet of the glorious Savior whom he has served so faithfully for so many years and now awaits His final command to be in his presence forever,' Patton added. MacArthur led the Golden State evangelical megachurch located just outside of Los Angeles for 56 years, along with a popular radio ministry called Grace to You. However, his legacy is blighted by accusations that he harmed multiple abuse victims, including Eileen Gray and Wendy Guay, while protecting their abusers. A lawsuit filed this month by Lorraine Zielinski, a former member of his congregation, accuses the GCC of shaming her publicly and revealing confidential information disclosed in counseling because she refused to return to her abusive husband. Pastor John MacArthur has died days after his church told the stunned congregation he 'may be in the presence of the lord soon'. MacArthur, who was one of America's best-known Biblical preachers, died at the age of 86 this week after contracting pneumonia, his church confirmed MacArthur led the Golden State megachurch located just outside of Los Angeles for 56 years, along with a popular radio ministry called Grace to You. MacArthur attracted thousands of congregants to the GCC, filling the 3,500-seat auditorium to capacity, as shown above On Sunday, just before MacArthur died, Tom Patton, associate pastor at MacArthur's Grace Community Church (GCC) (pictured) in Sun Valley, California, made an announcement MacArthur's media ministry, Grace to You, posted a statement via X on Monday confirming his death. 'Our hearts are heavy, yet rejoicing, as we share the news that our beloved pastor and teacher John MacArthur has entered into the presence of the Savior,' they said. 'This evening, his faith became sight. He faithfully endured until his race was run.' MacArthur attracted thousands of congregants to the GCC, filling the 3,500-seat auditorium to capacity during his years of leadership. He also founded The Master's Seminary, a graduate school specializing in preparing men for full-time pastoral roles and missionary work. MacArthur's teachings were spread through hundreds of books and study resources he wrote, including The Gospel According to Jesus and Our Sufficiency in Christ. They were translated into more than 24 languages. He also hit the headlines in 2020 after his megachurch defied public health orders to stop holding large in-person services amid the coronavirus pandemic. A California judge later ruled that the GCC could keep holding in-person sessions despite Governor Gavin Newsom's coronavirus restrictions. MacArthur also founded The Master's Seminary, a graduate school specializing in preparing men for full-time pastoral roles and missionary work MacArthur's media ministry, Grace to You, confirmed his death in an X post on Monday MacArthur had been plagued by health problems during his final years, including a sudden onset of illness he suffered while preaching in 2023. He underwent several heart surgeries since then, including three operations in the second half of last year, Patton told his congregation on Sunday. MacArthur's passing comes amid a lawsuit from former congregant Lorraine Zielinski, who said church leaders disclosed her personal information during a service. Zielinski's lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, states that she sought counseling at the GCC for her troubled marriage, and was told that the conversations she had with officials would be confidential. She told counselors that her husband at the time was physically abusive, and she was afraid for her safety and the safety of her daughter. But instead of helping her, church leaders pressured her to abandon her request for a legal separation from her husband, according to the lawsuit. Zielinski said she tried to resign as a church member, but she was placed under church discipline for failing to follow the counsel of senior officials. Counselors even threatened to make her personal details public if she did not attend a meeting with church pastors, according to the complaint. MacArthur had been plagued by health problems during his final years, including a sudden onset of illness he suffered while preaching in 2023 MacArthur's passing comes amid a lawsuit from former congregant Lorraine Zielinski, who said church leaders disclosed her personal information during a service 'When Plaintiff did not attend the meeting, GCC made good on its threat and shared information gained through confidential communications relating to her marriage with GCC membership,' the lawsuit reads. 'GCC also misrepresented parts of these communications, painting Plaintiff as a bad actor in the marriage and the party at fault for the marital dispute. GCC also omitted Plaintiff's husband's desire to remarry and dissolve the marriage.' MacArthur was accused in 2002 of excommunicating another female congregant, Eileen Gray, for 'living in sin' by leaving her husband, who she claimed was abusing their children, according to The Roys Report. He then encouraged the church to pray for Eileen and to 'treat her as an unbelieverfor all we know, she may be'. MacArthur is also accused of allowing a pastor who was accused of molesting another female congregant, Wendy Guay, to continue working at the church. The pastor, Paul Guay, was Wendy's father. When she found out he had also allegedly molested other women years later, Wendy reached out to MacArthur via email for help - but he replied by criticizing her for her 'obsession' over the decades-old matter, per The Roys Report. The Daily Mail has contacted the GCC for comment on the allegations outlined in this article. A helicopter pilot and his wife died after their boat collided with a break wall in a Connecticut harbor, after dining at a nearby oyster restaurant. Floyd Maxson, 67, and his wife Cynthia Ferk, 64, were pronounced dead at the scene after their 27ft Sea Hunt vessel hit the wall in New Haven Harbor on Wednesday night. Officials said the two dined at Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill in New Haven, docking nearby, before returning to the boat and leaving shortly after. Their boat was found about 5.20pm the next day, capsized and submerged near the west break wall in New Haven Harbor, which it is believed to have crashed into. Images captured at the scene show it being pulled to shore by salvage teams, the hull of the ship is extremely damaged. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the two were found unresponsive by state police dive teams. According to the office, the couple both died of blunt impact injuries and their deaths have been ruled as accidental. They were not wearing life jackets. Maxson was a helicopter pilot for an architectural firm and Ferk worked for a company that provided tours of New York City, according to her LinkedIn. Floyd Maxson, 67, and his wife Cynthia Ferk, 64, were pronounced dead at the scene after their 27ft Sea Hunt vessel hit the wall in New Haven Harbor Their boat was found about 5.20pm on Thursday after their boat capsized and submerged near the west break wall on Wednesday evening Maxson was a helicopter pilot for an architectural firm, having previously worked for tour companies, a TV station and the Florida Game Commission The couple was on a boating trip from Norwalk to Stratford. When they failed to return by Thursday morning, concerned friend Tom Gessler called the Coast Guard. Speaking with the CTPost, Gessler said he knew something wasn't right when Maxson didn't show up for an arranged lunch. The two had known each other since grade school, adding: 'He was the guy you would call at 2 in the morning to bail you out of jail. He was the guy who everybody counted on.' Wessler appeared at Maxson's Stratford home and saw his boat was gone, he decided to call the Coast Guard. He added that Maxson was 'as good a helicopter pilot as they come, saying: 'There was not one person on earth who did not like Floyd. He lit up the room when he walked in.' Maxson's son Jason told the outlet his father had moved to New York City from Florida as a teenager. His work as a pilot had covered the Florida Game Commission, a Florida TV station and helicopter tour companies. Maxson added: 'He had so many thousands and thousands of hours of air time. It's crazy. He was a perfectionist.' The state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) had released the names of the couple in a statement over the weekend. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the two were found unresponsive by state police dive teams The couple was on a boating trip from Norwalk to Stratford. When they failed to return by Thursday morning, concerned friend Tom Gessler called the Coast Guard The department's Environmental Conservation Police are probing the circumstances of the incident. A spokesperson said: 'Preliminary findings indicate the vessel struck the break wall. The circumstances of this case are currently under investigation.' The Coast Guard had said last week that security cameras filmed them on board the vessel, which took off from the marina about 9.30pm. A phone belonging to one of them pinged a cell tower near the west break wall at 9.40pm, but that is the last time either of them was detected alive. Locals wrote online that the break wall could be difficult to see in the dark and boats were known to collide with it. A South Carolina teacher accused of molesting a boy when he was 14 smirked as she revealed in court that she is now pregnant. Nicole Ballew Callaham, 33, voluntarily turned herself into the Anderson County Detention Center on Thursday for allegedly molesting a boy, Grant Stickland, four years ago, when he was 14 years old. Callaham has now been arrested after the victim - who waived his anonymity to speak to the press - reported it after turning 18. On Monday, Callaham strolled into the courtroom for her bond hearing in Anderson, about 40 minutes outside of Greenville, smiling as she looked at her family support system - which included her fiance. Her lawyer then stunned the courtroom with the pregnancy revelation. 'Miss Callaham is eight to nine weeks pregnant,' her attorney, William Epps III, told the judge as his client, dressed in a red prison jumpsuit, stood beside him. Epps then asked the court to consider her presumed innocence and let her out on bond, insisting that she needs to receive prenatal care - something he said she has not received while behind bars. He also said she poses no danger to the public, citing her eight-year career as an elementary school teacher and having no criminal history. Greenville Municipal Court Judge Matthew Hawley granted her request for bond, but under several conditions. She was released after paying $120,000, according to jail records. Nicole Ballew Callaham, 33, was seen smirking in court Monday after turning herself in last week for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old boy Her accuser, Grant Strickland (pictured), now 18, told reporters he almost didn't survive the ordeal. He waived his anonymity to speak to the press 'I am going to set a surety bond on each of these in the amount of $10,000, as they did in Anderson, for a total of $120,000 surety,' Hawley said, adding that she must remain under house arrest with GPS monitoring and cannot contact Strickland. Callaham must also undergo a mental and physical evaluation to determine if she can stand trial, the judge ordered. Hawley established a 'red zone' Callaham must avoid so she does not come within a mile of the victim's home in Anderson County. Strickland, now 18, claims he was abused by the former kindergarten teacher from 2021 until 2023 in Anderson. Authorities said the alleged abuse started when he was 14, his mom claims they first met at an audition for a Legally Blonde musical production which Callaham directed. Callaham, who was previously married with children, is facing three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Speaking outside of court following the hearing last week, Strickland told reporters he almost didn't survive the ordeal. 'I would never want someone to go through what I went through, I don't think most people could be strong enough to survive it. Because I almost didn't,' he said. Her family, including her fiance, are seen supporting her in court Monday Strickland added that he hoped his coming forward would increase awareness of the issue. He added: 'All I really want the public to know is that though it's a traumatic event I am here to fight and I'm not going to back down.' Strickland continued: 'I think awareness needs to be brought to things like this, just because I am a man doesn't mean it should be shunned away. I was a child, I wasn't a man, I was a boy.' On seeing Callaham, who appeared in court via livestream, he said he felt like a weight had been lifted. 'I don't think I would've been able to move on if it wasn't for the support from family and loved ones, and being able to come out about it', he added. The Anderson County Sheriff's Office said that at the time of the allegations, Callaham was an Anderson County School teacher, she has since resigned. The school district said that she had worked at Homeland Park Primary School from 2017 until she resigned in May of this year. In a statement, the sheriff's office said that Callaham would sign Strickland out of school and serve as a supervisor for after-school activities. Her attorney, William Epps III, told the judge his client in pregnant as he asked for her to be released on bond Callaham is charged with eight counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor, and four counts of unlawful conduct towards a child Authorities said these repeated interactions led to a prolonged pattern of abuse, which they corroborated with warrants and help from Strickland and his family. They added that Strickland came forward after he turned 18, having spent time processing the 'trauma associated with the abuse.' She is also facing a number of charges in nearby Greenville County, if the bond is met she will be transported there for a separate bond hearing. The Greenville Police Department brought similar charges against her, alleging the conduct extended into their jurisdiction as Strickland attended school there. Callaham was let out on a $120,000 cash bond Monday, according to jail records which say the bond was 'satisfied.' She will now be transported to the Greenville County for a separate bond hearing. Callaham is charged with eight counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor, and four counts of unlawful conduct towards a child. A trial date has not yet been set. Strickland's mother released a statement at the hearing also, saying: 'We truly thought she believed in his talent and was helping him grow and build his confidence. Callaham had worked at Homeland Park Primary School from 2017 until she resigned in May of this year 'We trusted her completely with our son, as she seemed to be a wonderful mentor to our son and other young actors and actresses by investing in them. 'Looking back, it sickens me knowing Nikki manipulated our son and our family. She was waiting on this opportunity, and she found the perfect victim and family to prey on perfect meaning. 'She saw our sons innocence and that he was very easily manipulated and drawn into her perfect meaning. 'She saw a family who had a lot of love and kindness to share with those who needed it.' The Clemson City Police Department is also investigating the case. Daily Mail contacted Epps and Stickland for comment. Firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is blasting Donald Trump's sudden pivot to sending powerful arms to Ukraine, hours after the president heralded a new plan to get European nations to front much of the tab. 'I said it on every rally stage: 'No more money to Ukraine. We want peace.' We just want peace for those people,' she said in extensive comments to the New York Times in just the latest instance of the MAGA lawmaker calling out the administration's foreign policy moves. The says that sentiment drew applause on the campaign trail. 'And guess what? People haven't changed.' Trump has been publicly chastising Russian President Vladimir Putin for days, and on Monday announced a new plan to send sophisticated weaponry to Kiev. At the same time, he promised to slap 100 percent 'secondary sanctions' on countries trading with Russia in 50 days if there weren't a deal to stop the war. 'We are very, very unhappy with [Russia], and we're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 percent,' Trump said Monday. 'I'm disappointed in President Putin. I thought we would've had a deal two months ago,' he went on about the proposed peace deal. Greene, who told the Daily Mail last week she wants to make weather modification a felony offense, raised doubts about Trump's claims that European nations would be picking up the full costs. Trump has complained repeatedly about the cost of defending Ukraine born by U.S. taxpayers since Russia's 2022 invasion, often inflating the amount by tens of billions. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is calling out the Trump administration's surprise move to pushing a new policy to arm Ukraine with munitions paid for by European allies. It comes after she blasted the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities 'Without a shadow of a doubt, our tax dollars are being used,' Greene told the Times. She also noted the U.S. is NATO's top contributor, a form of indirect support. 'And so it is U.S. involvement,' she said. Green also called the effort a departure from the focus on economic issues that helped Trump and Republicans get elected. 'No one's walking around thinking about Ukraine. No one's walking around thinking about Russia. They're just not,' she said. 'They walk around and all they think about is their bills, their problems and the road that may look like crap in front of their house or they can't buy a house.' Her criticism comes weeks after she hammered Trump over the decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities. She called it 'turning back on campaign promises' and warned that the United States is nearing a nuclear 'World War III.' Greene's comments came amid Trump's apparent U-turn on arming Ukraine and his growing frustration with Vladimir Putin President Trump announced plans to send Ukraine additional Patriot missiles through NATO The internal drama comes as the Financial Times reported that Trump had a fiery conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky July 4 where he encouraged the Ukrainian to strike deep inside Russian territory. That came amid Trump's fury at Putin's repeated attacks on Russia's neighbor despite a series of phone calls between the two men. 'Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? . . . Can you hit St Petersburg too?' Trump asked his counterpart, according to the report. Amid the divisions over foreign policy, Trump's MAGA backers have been fuming over the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Former chief White House strategist Steve Bannon, who regularly hosts Greene on his 'War Room Pandemic' podcast, warned on his program Friday: 'Youre going to lose 10 percent of the MAGA movement. If we lose 10 percent of the MAGA movement right now, we aint gonna were gonna lose 40 seats in 26.' He added: 'Were going to lose the president.' An ex-Scotland Yard counter-terror officer who blew himself up in the family home had threatened to slit his sons throat, but police didnt deem him high risk, an inquest has heard. Malcolm Baker, who helped investigate the fatal poisoning of ex-KGB agent-turned Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko, died in a house explosion after apparently dousing himself in petrol as police arrived to arrest him in September 2022. The 60-year-old had been reported to police repeatedly by his wife for domestic abuse in the months before the fatal blast - including menacingly leaving a dead rabbit in her bed after she watched The Godfather. An inquest into his death at Wells Coroners Court heard how Mr Bakers son had alleged his father threatened to slit his throat as part of a campaign of abuse which saw him stockpile 125 litres of petrol in and around the home. In a statement to police read out in court, Jude Onody told officers his father would grip my neck and shoulders tightly and hed say things like Ill slit your throat and hed be laughing I would tell him to get off and he would step back and say who do you think youre talking to, this is my house. But Temporary Det Insp George Pettingell of Avon and Somerset Police told the court officers did not consider Mr Baker to be high risk. Mr Pettingell, who oversaw the case, said the decision was made to continue collecting evidence against Mr Baker, before performing an arrest. Malcolm Baker died in a house explosion in September 2022 after apparently dousing himself in petrol as police arrived to arrest him over domestic abuse allegations Mr Baker was part of the team helped investigate the fatal poisoning of ex-KGB agent-turned Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko (pictured) The explosion could be heard several miles away and blew off the roof of the house He explained the difficulties of securing a charging decision against Mr Baker on the available evidence just weeks before he blew up the family home. Mr Bakers fuel stockpile was not seen as a risk, because of the rural setting and existence of farm machinery at the property despite the fact the vehicles, which included a tractor and quadbike, run on diesel. There was certainly no criminal offence committed by him having extra fuel and no direct threat of violence or doing anything with that petrol, the officer told the inquest. Mr Baker's wife and children were evacuated from the building shortly before the explosion, the inquest previously heard. The court also learned that Britains nuclear police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, had an interest in Mr Baker, and requested to be present at his arrest. The Civil Nuclear Constabulary is a special force which provides security around nuclear sites and nuclear materials. Giving evidence, Mr Pettingell revealed the force had heard from the CNC who wanted to question Mr Baker, over documents he was alleged to have had in his possession. Asked if the CNCs interest influenced officers decision not to attempt an arrest, Mr Pettingell said: The CNC wanted to question him over the possession of documents, that was a matter for them and didnt form part of our decision. Britains nuclear police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, had an interest in Mr Baker, and requested to be present at his arrest Mr Baker's wife and children were evacuated from the building shortly before the explosion, the inquest previously heard. However the jury pursued the line of questioning and asked Mr Pettingell about the involvement of the CNC in the case. He replied that Mr Bakers work as a consultant following his retirement from the police was connected with Hinkley Point C, telling jurors: My understanding is he was doing work around the area which is why they became involved. 'I dont know the full circumstances of his employment or what his business was but the CNC, they are a separate entity that get involved in matters involving that sort of thing. Another juror followed up to ask if Mr Baker was aware he was in possession of potentially confidential documents and that the CNC were aware of the situation, to which Pettingell said he did not know and could not speculate. Giving evidence, Mr Bakers wife, Francesca Onody, earlier said Baker had been shredding documents in his bedroom before he locked himself in and doused himself in petrol. It is understood Avon and Somerset Police were alerted to the potential existence of these documents, before referring the case to the CNC, who then asked to be present at the interview, should an arrest be made. Facing questions from Ms Onodys barrister, Mr Pettingell was asked about the number of agencies interested in Baker, which included the CNC, the national fraud team and local police. Mr Baker's home, Hiccombe House, in Brompton Regis, west Somerset, which was destroyed in the fire He was asked if this multi-agency response muddled the situation and meant there was not one clear picture. Mr Pettingell said It was an extremely complicated investigation. He added: I think in terms of the multi-agency response, it made it a more complex investigation and under the circumstances it took more time to get the stage where we understood all the allegations made. The inquest, which is being heard by a jury, is due to last for five days. German tax investigators are cracking down on major social media stars accused of dodging hundreds of millions of euros in unpaid tax. Authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia believe influencers have defrauded the state of around 300 million through organised tax evasion. Many are allegedly earning tens of thousands of euros per month from brand deals without ever declaring the income. The State Office for Combating Financial Crime (LBF NRW) confirmed it has launched a major investigation targeting high-profile content creators who officials claim are avoiding tax with 'a high degree of criminal intent.' A specialist 'influencer team', the first of its kind in Germany, has been formed within the LBF to focus on major players across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. They are currently examining 6,000 data records from multiple social media platforms to identify undeclared income and evidence of fraud. Stephanie Thien, head of the LBF, said the task force is not going after amateurs or part-time promoters, but instead focusing on 'the big fish' in the influencer world. She said: 'Our influencer team is explicitly not focused on young people who have amassed a few followers and promoted a few creams or clothes.' Authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia believe influencers have defrauded the state of around 300 million through organised tax evasion - stock image 'The LBF NRW also has its sights set on the big fish on social media.' Investigators say many influencers fail to register a tax number at all, despite pocketing substantial sums from advertising and sponsorship deals. Some are even believed to deliberately move abroad, often to Dubai, in a bid to sidestep German tax authorities as their earnings grow. Tracking that income is far from easy. Sponsored content often vanishes within 24 hours through Instagram Stories, and luxury trips or freebies provided by major brands frequently go unreported. Officials say a recurring issue involves influencers being flown abroad or gifted high-end products by companies such as TUI, with the expectation that they promote the perks online. But the value of those trips and goods, classed as income under German tax law, never makes it onto official tax returns. There are currently around 200 open criminal proceedings against influencers living in North Rhine-Westphalia. There has been a clampdown on social media influencers and their earnings - although Chiara Ferragni is not connected to the German case, she's under fraud investigations in Italy In most cases, tax losses range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of euros, although in some instances, the damage runs into the millions. The Regional Finance Directorate has declined to reveal which influencers are under investigation, citing 'investigative reasons,' and the Cologne Public Prosecutor told German publisher BILD it had no official knowledge of the influencer task force as of May. But the allegations are already rippling beyond Germany's borders. Italian fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni, who boasts more than 28 million Instagram followers, is under investigation over her role in the so-called 'Pandoro affair.' Ferragni promoted a limited-edition Christmas cake that was supposedly raising funds for charity, but prosecutors claim she kept much of the proceeds herself. Ferragni has denied any wrongdoing and is expected to face a commercial fraud trial in Milan later this year. Last year, a British court said officials could confiscate 2.5 million from Andrew and Tristan Tate's frozen bank accounts. The brothers were accused of failing to pay taxes on 21 million they made from online transactions between 2014 and 2022. The beloved director of Camp Mystic allegedly waited more than 45 minutes to begin evacuating children after receiving an emergency flash flood alert. Richard 'Dick' Eastland, 70, died while trying to rescue campers from the horrific flooding that swept through the private all-girls Christian camp in Texas on July 4. Eastland, who was co-owner of Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, got a National Weather Service warning about 'life-threatening' flash flooding on the Guadalupe River at 1:14am, a family spokesperson told ABC News. But apparently Eastland did not start evacuation campers to higher ground until close to 2:00 am, when floodwaters began rushing through the area. At 4:03am, the National Weather Service issued a much more urgent message. 'This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for South-central Kerr County, including Hunt. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!' the alert read. Tragically the evacuation came too late as 27 campers and counselors lost their lives in the flood. But the family member defended Eastland, saying there was no way of telling how bad the flooding would turn out to be. Richard Eastland (pictured) died in a helicopter on the way to a Houston hospital, according to Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly The 13 girls and two counselors were staying in Camp Mystic's Bubble Inn cabin when the catastrophic floods hit on Friday morning 'They had no information that indicated the magnitude of what was coming,' family representative Jeff Carr told ABC News. 'They got a standard run-of-the-mill NWS warning that they've seen dozens of times before.' Eastland's nephew, Gardner Eastland, confirmed Richard's death in a Facebook post. The camp director's wife, Tweety, was found safe at their home, according to Texas Public Radio. The Father-of-four died in a helicopter on the way to a Houston hospital, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly told the Washington Post. The Eastlands have owned and operated Camp Mystic since 1974, and many viewed him as a father figure at the camp. 'It doesn't surprise me at all that his last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers,' The Kerrville Daily Times guest columnist Paige Sumner said in a tribute to Eastland. 'Dick was the father figure to all of us while we were away from home at Camp Mystic for six weeks. 'He was the father of four amazing boys, but he had hundreds of girls each term who looked up to him like a dad. I would never have taken a fishing class if it wasnt taught by my new friend Dick.' Eastland (center) and his wife, Tweety, have owned and operated Camp Mystic since 1974, and many viewed him as a father figure at the camp The camp was destroyed after the Guadalupe River flooded and surged by up to 30 feet above its usual water level The couple has 11 grandchildren, and several of their children and their partners help manage the camp. According to the camp website, the Eastland's oldest son, Richard, manages the camp's kitchen; their youngest son, Edward, and his wife are directors of Camp Mystic Guadalupe River. The couple attended the University of Texas in Austin and reside at the camp grounds. Eastland is the third generation from his family to run the all-girls Christian summer camp since its founding in 1926. An Irish father-of-three has described how he spent around 100 days behind bars in horrific conditions after being detained by United States immigration officials. The man, named only as Thomas, says he overstayed his 90-day tourist visa by only three days when a brush with police saw him taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The tech worker travelled from Ireland to West Virginia to visit his girlfriend last autumn, and had planned to return home in October, The Guardian reports. But when he badly tore his calf, causing severe swelling and making it difficult to walk, his doctor reportedly told him not to travel for eight to twelve weeks due to the risk of blood clots. This took his stay under the US visa waiver programme just over the December 8 authorisation cut off, according to the report. Thomas got paperwork from his doctor to prove his reasons for overstaying and is said to have attempted to contact both the Irish and US embassies, but did not hear back due to it being short notice. He said he was preparing to return home when, during a hotel stay to visit his girlfriend's family in Georgia, he had a mental health episode and a row erupted between him and his girlfriend. The police were called and he was detained, then released on bond. But rather than being allowed to walk free he was taken in by immigration officials, who saw his visa status and sent him 100 miles away to an ICE processing centre, it is reported. He signed a form and agreed to be removed from the US and return to Ireland, his attorney reportedly said. But instead of being deported, he continued to be held by ICE. Instead of being deported the man, named only as Thomas, was held at an ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia Donald Trump tours a Florida immigration detention center nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz earlier this month File image shows an immigration official standing guard inside a detention facility in Texas He described harsh conditions at their facility in Folkston, GA, including only getting one hour of outdoor time a week and enduring a five-day lockdown which meant he was not allowed to contact his family. In February, after around two months in the facility, Thomas and around 50 other detainees were moved to a holding cell. 'I thought I was finally going home,' he reportedly said, calling his family to tell them the news. But instead he and the dozens of other ICE were transported some four hours away to a federal correctional institution in Atlanta run by the US Bureau of Prisons (BoP), he claimed. He said the prison, which houses criminal defendants but was opened up to ICE detainees as part of the Trump administration's efforts to increase detentions. Thomas claimed that the conditions and treatment he received at the jail were far worse than in his previous facility. 'The staff didn't know why we were there and they were treating us exactly as they would treat BoP prisoners, and they told us that,' Thomas said. 'We were treated less than human.' He described being frequently hungry, saying the food was 'disgusting slop' made up of 'mysterious meat that at times appeared to have chunks of bones and other inedible items mixed in'. There were inadequate clothes, he said, with the facility allegedly only giving him a used, ripped underwear and a jumpsuit and no shirt. Thomas says he was transported four hours away to a federal correctional institution in Atlanta run by the US Bureau of Prisons (BoP) Each detainee was only given a single toilet paper roll a week, he claimed, and he was often cold with only a thin blanket for warmth. Despite requiring medical visits, he said he and others never saw a doctor, and that he heard people crying for help but not getting any from staff. He said that for some time he did not receive the psychiatric medication he requested, and that when he did staff would throw the pill under his door. Inmates' recreation time would be in an enclosure that 'resembles an indoor cage,' he related to The Guardian, telling the newspaper: 'You couldnt see the outside whatsoever. I didnt see the sky for weeks.' When ICE representatives would come to the facility once a week to talk to the detainees, he said, the situation was 'pandemonium', with people crowding around to try to speak and no translators for people who did not speak English or Spanish. Thomas was unable to speak to his kids due to there being no international calls, he said, adding: 'I dont know how I made it through.' He was moved to another ICE facility in mid-March for a brief period, he said, before finally being taken on a flight back to Ireland by two armed federal officers. MailOnline has contacted ICE and the US government for comment on the claims. It comes after an Irish woman was detained by ICE for 17 days, despite having a valid green card and having lived in California since the age of 12. Cliona Ward, 54, was detained by customs officers in Seattle on March 19 because of a criminal record dating back almost 20 years. She had returned from a seven-day trip to County Cork in the southwest of Ireland after escorting her 86-year-old step-mother, Janet, to visit her ailing husband, Owen Ward, 81, who is dying of dementia. There she was questioned regarding drug and theft related convictions, including misdemeanor charges from 2007 and 2008. Cliona Ward (pictured right) with her younger sister Orla Holladay She explained to officials that the crimes had been expunged from her record and was subsequently released but told to provide proof in person at a later date. She returned to the Customs and Border Protection office at SFO airport in San Francisco on April 21 for an administrative hearing, where she was detained. Eventually, a California judge agreed to an application for the original convictions to be formally overturned at a federal level, enabling her eventual release. ICE has this week furiously denied claims that detainees are 'starving' in detention centres. A recent NBC News report, based on testimony from immigration advocates, claimed that detainees have had to deal with overcrowding, food shortages and spoiled food at detention centers in at least seven states. After the outlet published the story early Monday morning, Homeland Security took to its X account and criticised the network, denying the claims in its report. The report cited a former ICE official, who it said had told the outlet that detention facilities struggle to stay stocked up with food when new illegal migrants are brought in. 'While the agency can move money around to cover the cost of detaining more immigrants, planning for unexpected daily spikes can be difficult for facilities and could lead to food being served late or in small quantities,' the outlet reported, per the source. A lone Republican has risked President Donald Trump's ire after voting with Democrats in a bid to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. California Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna pushed an amendment to upcoming crypto legislation that would have forced Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all Epstein-related documents. Bondi would have to share the files on a 'publicly accessible website' within 30 days of passage. However, the effort was foiled, failing five to seven, during a Monday night vote by the House Rules Committee, a group of lawmakers that generally sign off on legislation before it gets a final vote on the House floor. The sensational files, which Trump promised to release while campaigning, will remain under lock and key at the Justice Department - for now. The president, if he's caught wind of the nail-bitting legislative maneuver, may be unhappy with how close this effort was to succeeding as he and his Cabinet members have worked to delegitimize calls for transparency in the high-profile case. South Carolina Republican Ralph Norman, a conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) and a member who, at times, ruffles GOP leadership's feathers, stunningly sided with Democrats to release the file. And another Republican decided not to vote at all, apparently wanting to avoid flak from constituents eager to see who was implicated in the deceased pedophile's affairs. Norman sided with Democrats on an amendment that would have forced the Trump administration to release additional files on Jeffrey Epstein. The vote failed five to seven Donald Trump and Jeffery Epstein chat at a social event in a still from an NBC News video from the early 2000s California Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna authored the Epstein amendment Texas Republican Chip Roy opted not to vote on the measure. Even if he had sided with his fellow HFC member Norman and Democrats the amendment still would've failed by one vote. 'Rules voted 5-7 to block the full House from voting on my amendment to have a FULL release of the Epstein file,' Khanna wrote on X following the failed vote. 'People are fed up. They are fed up. Thanks @RepRalphNorman. Need to put the American people before party!' The Republicans who voted against the amendment to release the Epstein files include: Rules Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., Michelle Fischbach, R-M.N., Chip Roy, R-Texas, Erin Houchin, R-Ind., Nicholas A. Langworthy, R-N.Y., Austin Scott, R-Ga., H. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., Brian Jack, R-Ga. Some MAGA devotees feel betrayed by Republican's sudden and puzzling reversal on the release of the deceased banker and his 'client list.' Attorney General Pam Bondi said earlier this year that the 'client list' was on her desk, but last week the DOJ and FBI said there is no list at all - an admission clearly at odds with the Cabinet member's past comments. 'America deserves the truth about Jeffrey Epstein and the rich powerful elites in his circle,' firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., posted on X after the vote. 'The line is drawn with anyone who abuses children and vulnerable innocent people.' Attorney General Pam Bond has recently doused MAGA voter's hopes by saying there's not a Epstein 'client list' despite previously claiming that very 'list' was on her desk at work Surveillance footage of Jeffrey Epstein's cell dated August 9, 2019, with a time stamp of 12 midnight.Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday sought to tamp down outrage on the right over the Justice Department's recent memo on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.The Justice Department and FBI released a roughly 11-hour video Monday recorded outside Epstein's prison cell door to dispel claims Epstein did not die by suicide. Some on the far right have seized on time stamps in the video, which skip from 11:58 p.m. to midnight. The property where Ghislaine Maxwell, former associate of late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seen in an aerial photograph in Bradford, New Hampshire, U.S. July 2, 2020 'When George Santos is going to prison for 7 years but Epstein only served 13 months, our justice system is CORRUPT!!!' Greene said, noting how a the former Republican congressman will soon go to jail for fraud and identity theft. Trump during his campaign he would release additional files on the disgraced financier if he was elected. But last week he appeared to downplay the importance of the scintillating Epstein saga. 'Are people still talking about this creep? That is unbelievable! I can't believe you're asking a question on Epstein,' the 79-year-old president responded to a reporter inquiring about the case last week. Trump also ridiculed Epstein in a post on his Truth Social app over the weekend. 'Were on one Team, MAGA, and I dont like whats happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and selfish people are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein,' he posted. Earlier this year, the White House hosted influencers over to review files on Epstein, but the documents they triumphantly paraded out with were later found to be previously released files - they were duped. The father of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash over a resurfaced book in which he referred to suicide bombers as a type of 'soldier.' Mahmood Mamdani - a 79-year-old professor of anthropology, political science, and African studies at Columbia University - has faced growing criticism, alongside his son, for his stance on Israel, particularly in the lead-up to the anticipated November election. On Thursday, however, Mahmood sparked a new wave of controversy on social media after an excerpt from his 2004 book, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War, and the Roots of Terror, was shared on X. 'We need to recognize the suicide bomber, first and foremost, as a category of soldier,' the younger Mahmood wrote. 'Suicide bombing needs to be understood as a feature of modern political violence rather than stigmatized as a mark of barbarism,' he added. Since ultimately winning the Democratic primary, 33-year-old Zohran has faced mounting scrutiny, with some far-right MAGA lawmakers even calling for his citizenship to be revoked over claims linking him to 'Islamic terrorism.' Earlier this month, the self-described socialist was pressed by NBC's Kristen Welker over his refusal to condemn the phrase 'globalize the intifada' - a slogan many interpret as a call for violence against Israeli and Jewish people worldwide. His father has since been thrown into the voices of distaste, after billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman reposted an excerpt from Mahmood's book to X on July 10. Mahmood Mamdani (pictured), 79-year-old father of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, is facing backlash over a resurfaced book in which he referred to suicide bombers as a type of 'soldier' In an excerpt from the 2004 book (pictured), while defending his position on recognizing suicide bombers as 'soldiers,' Mahmood wrote: 'Suicide bombing needs to be understood as a feature of modern political violence rather than stigmatized as a mark of barbarism' Since ultimately winning the Democratic primary, 33-year-old Zohran has faced mounting scrutiny, with some far-right MAGA lawmakers even calling for his citizenship to be revoked over claims linking him to 'Islamic terrorism' (pictured: Zohran, mother Mira Nair and father Mahmood) 'The apple @ZohranKMomdani doesn't fall far from the tree,' he captioned it. One person online wrote in response: 'This is very scary,' while another added: 'Only an out-of-touch academic like this man could convince people that blowing yourself up with the express goal of killing as many innocents as possible, is not barbarism.' A third chimed in: 'This guy CANNOT win. And anyone who supports his candidacy is naive.' The book - which argues that the labels 'good' Westernized and 'bad' premodern Muslims refer to political identities rather than cultural or religious ones - aims to provide insight into the years following 9/11 and address the pressing question of how it happened. In the excerpt, while defending his position on recognizing suicide bombers as 'soldiers,' Mahmood wrote: 'Clearly, the prime objective of the suicide bomber is not to terminate his or her own life but that of others defined as enemies.' 'Does not the suicide bomber join both aspects of our humanity, particularly as it has been fashioned by political modernity, in that we are willing to subordinate life - both our own and that of others - to objectives we consider higher than life?' he added. He then explains that labeling suicide bombing as mere 'barbarism' is dangerous, as it overlooks its nature as a form of political warfare rather than a random act of violence. 'The danger of a moral discussion by itself (how can any culture condone suicide) is that it quickly turns into a replay of Culture Talk, stereotyping individuals and preventing any deliberation about alternative strategies,' Mahmood wrote. The resurfacing of the 324-page book sparked renewed controversy over Mahmood's political and activist affiliations, revealing that the professor is involved with several groups condemning the unfolding genocide on Palestinian soil. Mahmood is listed on the advisory policy council for The Gaza Tribunal - an organization founded in London in 2024 with the stated goal of 'awakening civil society to its responsibility and opportunity to stop Israel's genocide in Gaza,' according to its website. The book (pictured) - which argues that the labels 'good' Westernized and 'bad' premodern Muslims refer to political identities rather than cultural or religious ones - aims to provide insight into the years following 9/11 and address the pressing question of how it happened Despite the online backlash, Richard Falk, president of The Gaza Tribunal, stated that Jewish voters in Manhattan 'should not worry' about Mahmood ties to the group or about Zohran's candidacy for mayor (pictured: Zohran, Mira, Mahmood and Nishant) Zohran (pictured) has also voiced support for the BDS movement, stating that it is 'consistent with the core of my politics, which is non-violence,' in response to questions about whether he believes Israel has a right to exist Richard Falk, president of The Gaza Tribunal, outlined the group's support for the BDS movement, which critics describe as 'an international campaign to delegitimize the State of Israel as the expression of the Jewish people's right to national self-determination,' according to Influence Watch. The campaign, which stands for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, is part of the Tribunal's broader mission, with Falk stating in an online post that it aims to 'legitimize and encourage civil society solidarity initiatives around the world, such as BDS.' Zohran has also voiced support for the BDS movement, stating that it is 'consistent with the core of my politics, which is non-violence,' in response to questions about whether he believes Israel has a right to exist. Despite the online backlash, Falk has stated that Jewish voters in Manhattan 'should not worry' about Mahmood ties to The Gaza Tribunal or about Zohran's candidacy for mayor, according to Fox News Digital. 'Both father and son are respectful of international law, the UN, human rights of all peoples, and the pacific settlement of political disputes,' Falk told the outlet. The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health reported this week that more than 55,104 people in Gaza have been killed and nearly 127,400 have been wounded in the last 20 months - with women and children making up more than half of the casualties, according to the Associated Press. The World Health Organization also reported that many more are believed to be buried under rubble or in areas inaccessible to local medics, according to the outlet. On Wednesday, Israel announced that its forces had recovered the remains of two additional hostages in Gaza, while militants are still holding 53 captives - fewer than half of whom are believed to be alive. A British mother accused of smuggling some 300,000 worth of drugs into Bali broke down in tears as she told a court today she 'didn't know the packages were cocaine' and 'won't trust people so easily and will be more careful' in future. Lisa Stocker, 39 from East Sussex, was arrested with her partner in February after being stopped at Bali's international airport with 17 packages of cocaine weighing nearly a kilogram, according to public court records. The mother-of-three appeared in Denpasar central court on Tuesday alongside husband Jon Collyer, 39, and Phineas Float, 31. All three admitted to trafficking drugs onto the Indonesian island. But Ms Stocker maintained that she had no idea that a suitcase and several sachets of Angel Delight powdered desert were full of narcotics, the Daily Star reports. Her husband, Mr Collyer, showed remorse and told Judge Heriyanti: 'I won't do it again.' Mr Float, also from East Sussex, said he was 'very stupid' and apologised to the court. The three appeared in court today to lay out their defence ahead of sentencing next week. There were fears the couple and Mr Float would all face the death penalty, but concerns were somewhat assuaged when another British man arrested for allegedly taking a package of drugs from a taxi driver avoided the death penalty in May. (L-R) Phineas Float, Jonathan Collyer and Lisa Stocker of Britain walk to a court room for their trial at the Denpasar district court, in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, 15 July 2025 (L-R) Lisa Stocker, Jonathan Collyer and Phineas Float of Britain walk inside a court room ahead of their trial, on Tuesday Ms Stocker (right) maintained that she had no idea that a suitcase and several sachets of Angel Delight powdered desert were full of narcotics (L-R) Phineas Float, Jonathan Collyer and Lisa Stocker of Britain sit inside a court room for their trial at the Denpasar district court, in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, 15 July 2025 If the quantity is large but not enough for the death penalty, life in prison is a common sentence. The country has upheld a moratorium on the death sentence since 2017. Sheiny Pangkahila, the lawyer representing the three British defendants, suggested in February that, if convicted, her clients could each face prison sentences between 15 to 20 years. But Prosecutor Made Dipa Umbara has already called to 'sentence the defendants to one years in prison' each, minus time already served. He noted that they had behaved well in court, acknowledging their wrongdoings, and pledged not to repeat their mistakes. Balinese customs officers halted Stocker and Collyer at the airport X-ray machine after finding 'suspicious' items in their suitcases on February 1. Ms Stocker said previously that a friend gave her the packets of Angel Delight in the UK to take on to Bali. She assessed that she had been set up. 'Jon and I had been to Bali twice carrying packages from [him]. I was shocked after finding out it was cocaine,' she said. Collyer previously told the court he had not received any payment and that he paid for the trip to Bali himself. The three British nationals are on trial in Bali over alleged drug smuggling Prosecutor Made Dipa Umbara has already called to 'sentence the defendants to one years in prison and to keep them in detention'. Balinese customs officers halted Stocker and Collyer at the airport X-ray machine after finding 'suspicious' items in their suitcases on February 1 (pictured in court today) '[He] gave me some goods he handed over to his friend in Bali. '[He] told me the package contained snacks, such as chocolate, pudding and chips. '[He] said that someone would pick up the package when I arrived in Bali,' Collyer said. Mr Float was allegedly due to receive the packages and was arrested a few days later in February, during a sting operation that used Stocker and Collyer as bait. The trial is set to resume next week, on Thursday, July 24. The second victim of the Southend Airport plane crash tragedy has been revealed to be a 'fantastic' German paramedic and father. Dr Matthias Eyl, 46, from Kleinmaischeid in west Germany, worked as a paramedic and was also employed as a doctor aboard international flights transporting patients, German media reports. A total of four people, all foreign nationals, died after the plane, bound for the Netherlands, crashed and burst into flames just seconds after takeoff at 3.48pm on Sunday. It is understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands. Two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board the Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, according to a document which lists passengers. An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. Earlier it was revealed that nurse Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, a German citizen born in Chile, was also killed in the crash during her first day on the job. One of the pilots killed was employed by Dutch airline KLM, the firm said. The German Red Cross said in a statement: 'We are deeply shocked and infinitely saddened by the sudden death of our esteemed emergency paramedic Matthias Eyl, who died in a plane crash yesterday at the age of just 46 years old. 'Matthias has been in service with us over many years: as a doctor, comrade and friend. With his warm, honest, and humorous nature, he has not only provided medical assistance, but shaped our community. Dr Matthias Eyl, 46, from Kleinmaischeid in west Germany , worked as a paramedic and was also employed as a doctor aboard international flights transporting patients Nurse Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz was also killed when the plane ploughed into the ground at Southend Airport A total of four people, all foreign nationals, died after the plane, bound for the Netherlands, crashed and burst into flames just seconds after takeoff at 3.48pm on Sunday 'He was a man who listened, tackled and encouraged [...] when it came down to it. His commitment was not taken for granted, his loss is immeasurable. 'We lose not only a reliable doctor, but above all a special person. Our thoughts are with his family and all those close to him. 'Take care, Matthias. We will never forget you!' A spokesperson for KLM said: 'KLM is deeply saddened by the accident on Sunday, 13 July, at London Southend Airport in the United Kingdom. 'Among the four deceased individuals is also a KLM colleague. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families, for whom we are, of course, ready to provide support. 'We wish the families and friends of the victims all the strength in dealing with this terrible news. We ask everyone to respect their privacy.' Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, said in a statement on Monday: 'It is with deep sadness that we confirm there were no survivors among the people on board flight SUZ1. 'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. 'Zeusch Aviation continues to fully cooperate with the relevant investigative authorities and is providing all possible support to those affected.' The plane, which is often used for mapping and for medivac journeys, had completed two trips that day, one from Athens in Greece to Pula in Croatia and then from Pula to Southend, landing in the UK at 2.51pm. An hour later it took off again, with witnesses describing a 'fireball', while images of fire and black smoke were shared on social media. The Chilean nurse was on her first day on the job, according to reports, which named her as Ms Ortiz, 31. In one video circulating online, passengers were seen boarding with the crash billowing smoke on the other side of the runway The plane, which is often used for mapping and for medivac journeys, had completed two trips that day, one from Athens in Greece to Pula in Croatia and then from Pula to Southend, landing in the UK at 2.51pm The pilot and co-pilot, both Dutch, also died when a small aircraft exploded into a fireball moments after take-off A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise 7,500 euros for her family. The firm both medical staff worked for, Globalmed, said in a statement: 'It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the tragic loss of two of our dear medical colleagues and friends. Their passing away has left a deep void in our teams and in our hearts. 'They were not only valued medical professionals but also kind, inspiring individuals whose presence brought light and strength to those around them. Their dedication, warmth, and friendship will be deeply missed by all who knew them. 'We honour their memory and hold them in our hearts. May they rest in peace. 'We are in frequent contact with the relatives and offer our help where possible. 'As a medical company without aircraft, we are not involved in investigations by the UK authorities concerning flight SUZ1. They will only inform the the airplane operator, and not us.' In a statement at the airport on Monday, Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said: 'Yesterday afternoon, an aircraft which had landed here earlier in the day took off bound for the Netherlands. 'Shortly after take off, it got into difficulty and crashed within the airport boundary. 'Sadly, we can now confirm that all four people on board died. 'We are working to officially confirm their identities. At this stage, we believe all four are foreign nationals.' The airport will stay closed until further notice. Its chief executive Jude Winstanley said: 'Our staff are working closely with the emergency services and air accident investigators to support their work. I would like to thank them for all of their hard work during this period.' Lisa Fitzsimons of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said 'it is too early to speculate' on what may have caused the crash. The incident happened at London Southend Airport on Sunday, and authorities are investigating It was a small Beech B200 aircraft that was reportedly involved in the crash (stock photo) Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to the four people killed in the plane crash. In a message on X the Prime Minister said: 'Terrible news that four people tragically lost their lives in yesterday's plane crash at Southend Airport. My thoughts are with their families and loved ones. 'I also want to thank all the emergency responders who attended the scene.' John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife on Sunday, said they saw a 'big fireball' after the plane crashed 'head first into the ground'. Mr Johnson, from Billericay, Essex, told PA that before the plane took off, 'we all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us'. He added: 'It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off, it started to bank heavily to its left, and then within a few seconds of that happening, it more or less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground. 'There was a big fireball. I'd say that we're pretty shaken up. I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family, our thoughts are with them.' A former intern for woke NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was captured in resurfaced videos berating Muslim police officers and celebrating 'jihad' as a 'noble cause.' Hadeeqa Malik, 21, was caught on camera bulling an NYPD officer during an apparent pro-Palestine protest in a clip shared on social media in February. 'Let's read the badges of the pigs,' Malik said while leading the chant. 'So to the Rahmans and the Muhammads, to the Alis and the Abdullahs. 'To the Rafids,' she shouted while singling out one officer who appeared uncomfortable. 'To the pigs who can call themselves by the name of Islam put some respect on their names.' She repeatedly screamed in the cops face until his fellow officers relieved him and allowed him to step back and escape her abuse. Malik, a student at The City College of New York (CCNY), was the president of the school's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) organization at the time, according to her LinkedIn. Her profile states that she interned for Mamdani in his capacity as a state assemblyman during the summer of 2024. Former intern for woke NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (right), Hadeeqa Malik (left), 21, was caught on camera bulling an NYPD officer She repeatedly screamed in the cops face until his fellow officers relieved him and allowed him to step back and escape her abuse Malik, a student at The City College of New York (CCNY), was the president of the school's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) organization at the time Malik shared several photos, including a smiling selfie with the now mayoral candidate, from his district office in Astoria, Queens. According to her LinkedIn, she has also been an outreach coordinator at Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) since the start of this year. Another surfaced video showed Malik calling activism 'all jihad' while encouraging protesters to get suspended and arrested. 'This is all jihad, this is all ibadah, and this is all counted for by Allah,' she said during a webinar she shared on LinkedIn in September. Jihad is an Arabic word that has been traditionally used justify terrorism as a holy war, but there have been recent attempts to euphemistically re-frame the term as meaning 'struggle'. Ibadah, meanwhile, refers to worshiping Allah. 'How gangster are you?... How committed am I to this?... What am I willing to sacrifice for this noble cause? If you get suspended, if you get doxed it will never, ever be in vain.' DailyMail.com contact Mamdani's office, The City College of New York and CAIR for comment. Malik has faced harsh criticisms for the resurfaced videos, with many slamming her behavior towards the officer. 'Who is the pig here? The policeman with stoic restraint or the unhinged lunatic hurling personal insults,' one person said. Another surfaced video showed Malik calling activism 'all jihad' while encouraging protesters to get suspended and arrested She interned for Mamdani during the summer of 2024 shared several photos, including a smiling selfie with the now mayoral candidate, from his district office in Astoria, Queens According to her LinkedIn, she has also been an outreach coordinator at Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) since the start of this year 'Good job on the sergeant by stepping in and removing that officer from her incessant verbal abuse,' said another. Some commenters have used her connection to Mamdani to call out the mayoral candidate. 'Truly terrifying.. its like the college encampments not only taking over New York, but running it. Is this really what people want for their city? I really hope the message gets through that this is not the way forward. Find the light, avoid the darkness,' one person said. 'We tried to warn you. This will be ignored and they will elect him anyway on false promises of sugar candy mountain,' a second person said. Mauritius has topped a global league table of desirable destinations for the super-rich, thanks to tax cuts paid for by Keir Starmer's Chagos Islands 'surrender'. The tiny Indian Ocean nation is tied with Monaco at the head of Nomad Capitalist's Freedom Index 2025 after announcing plans to abolish income tax using money handed over by British taxpayers. The Prime Minister last month signed an agreement to cede sovereignty of the strategically-important Indian Ocean archipelago. The deal will see the UK lease back a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands, with Britain paying Mauritius an average of 101million a year for 99 years. In its inaugural Freedom Index Nomad, which brands itself a 'boutique tax and citizenship consultancy' for high and ultra-high net-worth individuals, said Mauritius had 'sensible taxation, a robust legal system and near-zero violent crime, giving investors a stable bridge between Africa and Asia'. A spokeswoman added Switzerland, Portugal and Ireland rounded out the top five, with the UK 21st and the United States joint 29th under Donald Trump. It came as Foreign Secretary today introduces a bill to hand over the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius. Tory shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: 'It's a 30 billion tax on British taxpayers. The Prime Minister last month signed an agreement to cede sovereignty of the strategically-important Indian Ocean archipelago. The deal will see the UK lease back a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands, with Britain paying Mauritius an average of 101million a year for 99 years. Tory shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: 'It's a 30 billion tax on British taxpayers. 'Working people across Britain will pay the government of Mauritius to give them British territory, and deliver tax cuts to the people of Mauritius.' Mauritius will use almost 500million of the UK payments to help clear its national debt. This will allow the east African country to abolish income tax entirely for 81 per cent of employed Mauritians and raise minimum salaries. It has also been pointed out how, under the Chagos Islands deal, UK taxpayers are now funding more than 4 per cent of the Mauritian government's total budget. Nomad Capitalist research associate, Javier Correa, said its index 'educates and empowers high-net-worth individuals and families on their journey to live more freely'. 'While the West still preaches liberty, countries like the UK and US have become poster children for bloated bureaucracy, rising taxation, and the mismanagement of public finances,' he said. 'From entrepreneurs to investors, globally minded citizens need to understand that the Western world has changed and they may need to look elsewhere, so the Nomad Capitalist Freedom Index is a blueprint for them to go where they are treated best.' It aims to highlight places 'where personal liberty, financial sovereignty and lifestyle flexibility still exist and thrive - where global citizens can actually live life on their own terms'. Mauritius will use almost 500million of the UK payments to help clear its national debt. This will allow PM Navin Ramgoolam (pictured) to abolish income tax entirely for 81 per cent of employed Mauritians and raise minimum salaries. To accompany the treaty, MPs will need to sign off on a Bill to wind up the current governance of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The treaty will only come into force once the legislation is 'in place', according to the Government. It follows a 2019 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, which said the UK should cede control. As well as establishing a 40 million fund for Chagossians expelled from the islands, the UK has agreed to pay Mauritius at least 120 million annually during the 99-year agreement. The Government, however, estimates the bill will be lower at around 101 million a year, while critics argue it will be much higher. As cities across the US attract a dwindling numbers of foreign tourists upset over Donald Trump's presidency, America's biggest and brightest metropolis has managed to keep drawing visitors in. New York City's tourism sector is not only surviving a boycott by non-citizens, but thriving. The Big Apple is expected to see 12 million foreign tourists this year, roughly the same as in 2024, according to the Wall Street Journal. During roughly the first half of the year, hotels in the Big Apple had an 82 percent occupancy rate - nearly 20 percent above the national rate. NYC's major attractions are even outdoing their numbers from 2024, when the city hosted a nearrecord 64 million tourists. Broadway shows are pulling in the most audience members since 2019, before the industry was rocked by pandemic restrictions, and museums in the city are also welcoming more visitors, the WSJ reported. 'In terms of overall demand, New York is holding up well nationally,' Gabe Buerkle, senior analyst at realestate investment firm Cohen & Steers, told the WSJ. 'New York has remained an outperformer, benefiting from domestic tourism and business demand.' New York City is expected to see 12 million foreign tourists this year, roughly the same as in 2024 Broadway shows are pulling in the most audience members since 2019, before the industry was rocked by pandemic restrictions By comparison, Los Angeles - the next most popular US city among international tourists in 2024, according to a report by Euromonitor - is projected to see a decrease in international tourists this year. 'The LA Tourism and Convention Bureau is anticipating year-over-year reductions in total international visitors to LA by between 25 and 30 percent,' LAWA CEO John Ackerman told NBC. The third most popular US city for foreign travelers, Las Vegas, has also seen fewer tourists, with visits falling 7.8 percent from March 2024 to March 2025, according to Travel Weekly. Shrinking numbers of foreign tourists in the US can be at least partly attributed to Trump's presidency. Foreign travelers say they are finding it hard to secure visas under the Trump administration's policies. Canadian travel to the US was down 13 percent year-over-year in June, according to airport traffic through customs data, and European visitors were down 3 percent, analyst Buerkle said. Visits to the US are expected to decline by 5.1 percent in 2025, which will ultimately contribute to a $64 billion loss for the domestic tourism industry, according to Tourism Economics. The research firm originally forecasted a nearly 9 percent tourism jump this year, a prediction that was revised late last month because of 'polarizing Trump Administration policies and rhetoric.' 'There's been a dramatic shift in our outlook,' Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, told the Washington Post. New York City museums are also welcoming more visitors Los Angeles - the next most popular US city among international tourists in 2024 - is projected to see a decrease in international tourists this year The third most popular US city for foreign travelers, Las Vegas, has also seen fewer tourists 'You're looking at a much weaker economic engine than what otherwise would've been, not just because of tariffs, but the rhetoric and condescending tone around it.' Regardless of national struggles, New York City appears to be on the up and up. Richard Born, owner of 28 properties including the popular Bowery Hotel, told the WSJ that business is booming. 'Every month this year has been equal or better than the corresponding month of the prior year,' Born said. 'No one is anticipating a falloff.' A Turkish Airlines flight en route to San Francisco was diverted to Chicago after a passenger reportedly died during the flight. Flight TK79 departed from Istanbul just before 2:30 pm local time and was in the air for almost 12 hours before the emergency landing. The passenger first began experiencing a 'severe medical emergency' as the plane flew over Greenland, according to Aviation A2Z. In response to the passenger's condition, the crew prepared to land at Keflavik Airport in Iceland. Flight attendants performed CPR on the passenger, and consulted medical personnel on the ground via radio. Despite the crew's efforts, the passenger died in the air and the pilots reassessed an emergency landing. Flight staff decided to land at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport, where medical personnel could handle the passenger's body. Since the passenger was already pronounced dead in the air, there was less urgency to land outside of US territory. A Turkish Airlines flight was diverted to Chicago after a passenger suffered a medical emergency and died in the air (file photo) The flight was en route to San Francisco International Airport (pictured) but was forced to make an emergency landing (file photo) The flight departed Istanbul Ataturk Airport (pictured) just before 2:30 pm and was forced to emergency land 12 hours later (file photo) According to flight logs, the plane landed in Chicago at 6:20 pm and was grounded for an hour before taking off for San Francisco. Aviation A2Z reported that passengers on the flight witnessed the CPR efforts, and flight attendants held up blankets to protect the passenger's privacy. Daily Mail reached out to Turkish Airlines for more information on the medical emergency. Airlines have strict protocol when addressing a death during a flight. According to the International Air Transport Association, cabin crew are required to perform CPR until the patient's breathing continues, it becomes unsafe for staff, all rescuers are too exhausted, the aircraft has landed, or the person is presumed dead. A patient may be presumed dead if they received CPR for at least 30 minutes with no signs of life. After a passenger is presumed dead, staff are advised to either move their body to a seat or put them in a body bag. If the airplane doesn't have a body bag on board, flight attendants can cover the body with a blanket. The passenger began experiencing a medical emergency over Greenland, prompting the crew to prepare for a landing in Iceland before the patient died (Pictured: Flight TK79's path) The flight was diverted to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (pictured) due to the airport's capacity to handle emergencies (file photo) Last October, passengers aboard a Turkish Airlines flight were faced with a horrifying reality when the pilot died in the air. Pilot Ilcehin Pehlivan, 59, lost consciousness while the plane was en route from Istanbul to Seattle. The co-pilot safely managed to emergency land the plane at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Ustun said in a statement at the time that Pehlivan had already died when the flight landed. 'As Turkish Airlines, we deeply feel the loss of our captain and extend our sincerest condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues, and all his loved ones,' Ustun said. Fatalities on airplanes are rare, but do occur, with the National Transportation Safety Board citing 6,354 deaths on general aviation flights from 2008 to 2023. A Texas divorcee tried to kill her ex-husband by sending him fentanyl-laced chocolates as a gift after finding out he was engaged, according to police. Pamela Stanley, 63, was indicted last week over the alleged plot to kill her newly-engaged ex, Jeffrey Kauth, 66. Authorities say Stanley was arrested after attempting to purchase the synthetic opioid on May 30 at a motel in Weatherford, in Parker County. The alleged deal, that authorities say she drove three hours to make, was made with an undercover cop with the Parker County Special Crimes Unit. Authorities say Stanley was recorded explaining to a friend that she was looking to inject the killer drug into a box of chocolates that she wanted to deliver to Kauth. Officials say she had planned to mail the spiked confectionery as if it was sent from a travel agency, along with a honeymoon incentive. The Parker County Sheriff's Office said they set up the drug deal after being notified of her alleged intentions by an unknown source. Kauth spoke with NBCDFW, saying: 'It was a pretty ingenious plan. I would have probably ate the chocolates.' Pamela Stanley, 63, was indicted last week over the alleged plot to kill her newly engaged ex husband Jeffrey Kauth Authorities say Stanley was recorded explaining to a friend that she was looking to inject the killer drug into a box of chocolates that she wanted to deliver to Kauth, seen here He added: 'My fiance would have ate the chocolate, but even worse, we have two minor children here. 'I'm sure they would have eaten some as well, and she has no remorse. We've been divorced since 2019, but she's just been angry since.' He also told the outlet that he has installed safety measures, including flood lights and surveillance cameras on his property, and only now she is in jail does he feel safe. Speaking with The Independent Kauth also claimed that Stanley had attempted to hire a hitman to assassinate him. Kauth claimed that the 'hitman had a conscience' and subsequently reached out to him to make him aware. Stanley has not been charged with these allegations. He also told the outlet that he believes Stanley wants him to die so she could share in his son's inheritance and move back to their home they once shared. Stanley was indicted for criminal solicitation with intent to commit murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. A search of her vehicle also found 9.5 grams of crystal meth, which she claimed was for a friend, authorities said. Kauth is seen here with his new fiancee Kim in a post shared to his Facebook page The Parker County Sheriff's Office said they set up the drug deal after being notified of her alleged intentions by an unknown source, Stanley is seen here in her county jail mugshot Officials say Stnaley had planned to mail the spiked confectionary as if it was sent from a travel agency, along with a honeymoon incentive Parker County District Attorney Jeff Swain said: 'So essentially, the indictment alleges in two different ways that Ms. Stanley committed preparatory acts that serve to advance the goal of committing a murder. 'In one, that's by a conspiracy with a different person to acquire the fentanyl to commit the murder. 'And then the other count, it's by arranging for and traveling to Weatherford to pick up the fentanyl to use in the commission of the murder.' Stanley remains behind bars in the county jail with a bond set at $550,000. If found guilty, she could face anywhere from two to 20 years in prison. She is to be arraigned on Tuesday inside Parker County District Court. She last had a run-in with the law in 2019 when she pleaded guilty to deadly conduct after unlawfully discharging a firearm, she was sentenced to 12 months' probation and handed 50 hours community service. Trump's nominee for ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz faced tough lines of questioning from a number of Democrats as he grapples with fallout from one of the administration's largest scandals to-date. The former national security adviser has been embattled ever since he inadvertently added a journalist to a chat on the instant messaging app Signal, which contained discussions of the administration's war plans in Yemen. Three prominent Democrats - Chris Coons of Delaware, Tim Kaine of Virginia and Corey Booker of New Jersey - grilled Waltz over the NSC's usage of the Signal messaging app. They also hammered him for never taking personal responsibility for 'leaking' what Democrats characterized as 'sensitive information.' Booker refused to support Waltz' nomination, because he has been troubled by his 'failure to just stand up and take accountability for mistakes' that Waltz made, and that 'all Americans know that' he made. Coons also raised similar concerns, noting that to him, 'it doesn't seem ... that the administration has taken any action to make sure this doesn't happen again.' 'There's been no consequences, and yet the president continues to denounce those who leak information. We both know Signal is not a secure way to convey classified information,' Coons added. 'I was hoping to hear from you that you had some sense of regret over sharing what was very sensitive, timely information about a military strike on a commercially available app,' Coons concluded. Former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz waits for the start of his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to be ambassador to the United Nations (UN) in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, USA, 15 July 2025 U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz (R) speaks during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House on February 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) speak during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on July 15, 2025 in Washington, DC Waltz fired back, saying Signal was an approved form of communication for high-level officials such as himself due to its end-to-end encryption. He also noted that 'no classified information was shared' despite the leak. Kaine also pressed Waltz on the Signal leak, adding that there were two ongoing investigations within the Department of Defense (DOD) aimed at figuring out if sensitive information was shared. Waltz responded to Kaine by noting that he couldn't comment on ongoing investigations. Waltz reportedly resigned from the role of national security advisor back in May after the leak of the Signal chat. Former U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz testifies during his confirmation hearing The United Nations flag flies on a stormy day at the U.N. during the United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 22, 2022. Responding to a line of questioning from Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen about still being on the White House payroll despite not being NSC advisor, Waltz confirmed that he was 'not fired' and decried any reporting to the contrary as 'fake news.' In the latest list of White House salaries which is up to date as of July 1st, Walz was still on the White House payroll. He was still being paid at his previous salary of $195,000 a year. An anonymous White House official reportedly noted to The Hill that Waltz stayed on to 'ensure a smooth and successful transition given the extreme importance of the role of NSA.' Back in May, the Daily Mail reported that Waltz, a former Green Beret, was canned from his position as head of the National Security Council (NSC), and then selected for the role of ambassador to the United Nations in a 'massive downgrade move to save face', according to one Trump insider. A Trump insider also noted at the time that Waltz's 'days were numbered' after he accidentally included the editor of The Atlantic in a Signal chat coordinating military bombings in Yemen, in the scandal that became known as 'Signalgate.' Waltz suffered public humiliation from the scandal especially after his embarrassing Fox News interview in which he tried to to explain the mistake. It also damaged his reputation in the West Wing. Waltz took responsibility for the mistake, but struggled to explain how Goldberg's number was in his phone to begin with, even as he stressed that he had never spoken to him before. 'Well, if you have somebody else's contact and then it, and then somehow it gets sucked in,' he said to Fox News host Laura Ingraham. Trump gave Waltz a less than enthusiastic endorsement in an interview with The Atlantic last week. 'Waltz is fine. I mean, he's here. He just left this office,' Trump said. 'He's fine. He was beat up also.' Jack Schlossberg, the unhinged grandson of late President John F. Kennedy, gave a disturbing glimpse into how he spends his time. The 32-year-old appeared to spend his Tuesday morning researching and ranting about mangoes after Googling how many varieties of the fruit there are. The Kennedy heir was seemingly left shocked after finding out there are more than 1,000 types of mangos worldwide, adding to the post: 'I had no idea!' He went on to caption the post: 'Mango party mango crazy.' Schlossberg the proceeded to post a series of different mangos in the same post. Several people seemed amused and a bit thrown off by his post, with one commenting: 'I'd like to live in your head for a day.' 'I too had no idea,' another said about the fact he posted. 'Thanks for the morning education,' a user said, as another added: 'I have found my people.' Schlossberg, who has not held down a job since graduating from Harvard Law School in 2022, is known for his absurd posts and rants - especially when it comes to his own family. Jack Schlossberg, the unhinged grandson of late President John F. Kennedy, gave a disturbing glimpse into how he spends his time The 32-year-old posted an image of a peculiar Google search he made Tuesday morning, where he appeared to look up how many varieties of mangos there are He posted specific kinds of mangos as well, including the Banganapalle mango He also shared a screenshot of the Alphonso mango Just last week, he took a video of himself zooming in on a People magazine cover of his grandmother Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis as she stood next to the late president with the headline: 'Jackie Knew Everything.' He then captioned the clip: 'Jackie was right about everything' about the magazine's August cover, which detailed claims the former first lady had confronted her husband about the affair he had with actress Marilyn Monroe. Jackie allegedly told her husband that the particular affair rumor 'worries me,' leaving the fashion icon in distress. Schlossberg's mother is Caroline Kennedy - the only daughter of Jackie and JFK - who was five years old when her father was assassinated in 1963. And while the Kennedy scandals have long been the subject of public speculation, Schlossberg's flippant take on his late grandmother's anguish is likely to raise further concerns about his own wellbeing. His post about his deceased grandmother came soon after it appeared he was left off the invite list for the famous family's Fourth of July celebration. In a clip posted by Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of former US Senator Robert F. Kennedy, dozens of relatives smiled and waved on the lawn of the family's Hyannis Port estate in Massachusetts, surrounded by flags and patriotic cheer. But nowhere to be seen was her brother and the US secretary of health and human services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Schlossberg. His fascination with mangos took over his Instagram page Tuesday RKF Jr. has long been estranged from the clan while Schlossberg has appeared to become the family's newest black sheep. Readers in the comments were quick to point out both absences, with one asking, was Jack & schlossbergs there and another bluntly writing, where is brain worm? a reference to the parasite discovered in RFKs brain during a 2012 health scare. Victoria Kennedy, Ted Kennedy's wife, commented underneath the video and confirmed that every family member was invited, but some had other plans to attend. While his family enjoyed the holiday together, Schlossberg made yet another bizarre post to Instagram. In the reel, he sported a freshly shaved head, a gaming headset and a t-shirt that read 'I heart EU.' In the clip, filmed outdoors on a sunny lawn with trees in the background, he launched into an awkward mix of patriotism, revisionist history, and self-correction: 'Hello and happy Fourth of July. 'This year on the 4th of July, I'm wearing this shirt. Why? You ask, why am I not celebrating my own country today? Well, I am. Schlossberg's mother is Caroline Kennedy (pictured with her son and husband in 2022) - the only daughter of Jackie and JFK - who was five years old when her father was assassinated in 1963 'This country wouldn't be anything without our European allies and partners. That's right. Without the French... there would be no America. 'Because in order to stand up to the great British Empire, we needed help. We needed the help of our Cuban allies and partners. We needed the help of our Mexican allies and partners. And we needed the help of our French allies and partners.' He added: 'So on this 4th of July, yes. I'm celebrating my own country. Of course I am. I know what you're thinking. Mexico didn't - what? - didn't exist as a country, and Cuba's not in Europe. Well? I made a mistake. We all make mistakes. But... the point remains. And I'm not sure what that point is. But Happy Fourth of July, everybody.' Despite its meandering tone and historical flubs, the video was met with an overwhelmingly positive response in the comments - with many praising Schlossbergs message, humor, and delivery. The White House dismissed any suggestion that President Donald Trump would pardon Jeffery Epstein's onetime girlfriend and employee Ghislaine Maxwell. A growing fringe effort to get Trump to pardon Maxwell is unfolding after the Justice Department rejected her effort to have her conviction on child sex trafficking charges thrown out. But the White House quickly slapped down suggestions that Trump is seriously considering letting Maxwell off the hook. 'There have been no discussions or consideration of a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, and there never will be,' a senior White House official told the Daily Mail. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in Florida after she was convicted in June 2022 for conspiring with her boss Epstein in the sexual exploitation of minors. The Justice Department's statement last week, conceding that there was no 'incriminating client list' of Epstein's, sparked questions about Maxwell's prison sentence from people online. 'I'll be pushing for a retrial or a pardon until it happens,' wrote writer Jessica Reed Kraus of the popular Substack houseinhabit on Instagram. Kraus wrote extensively about the trial in 2022 and attended court hearings. Jeffrey Epstein on cell phone as his arms enrapture his off and on girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. Jeffrey Epstein and associate Ghislaine Maxwell at the Clinton White House, 'Everyone should wonder why one woman is serving 20 years for trafficking minors to no one,' she wrote. 'FREE GHISLAINE MAXWELL!' wrote one person on social media, questioning why she was in prison if there was no client list. 'WHY is she in Prison then?' It's unclear how popular the idea for a pardon for Maxwell is with the general public. A change.org petition demanding Maxwell's freedom has only received 153 verified signatures. A Daily Mail report revealing that Maxwell would be willing to testify to Congress about the case against Epstein also sparked calls for her freedom. 'FREE GHISLAINE MAXWELL,' wrote Jason Reza Jorjani on social media. 'She says she's willing to testify under oath before Congress to reveal what Epstein was really doing, for who, and why. Free Ghislaine in exchange for the names and details regarding the most prominent members of the client list that she can remember.' Other Trump allies expressed interest in hearing Maxwell's testimony, without calling for a pardon. 'Personally, I like the news that Epstein's pimp Maxwell is ready to testify before Congress. Bill and Hillary are going to be very embarrassed. She has nothing on Trump,' wrote longtime political operative Roger Stone. British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and US financier Jeffrey Epstein from trial evidence obtained December 8, 2021 American real estate developer Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, financier Jeffrey Epstein, and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club in 2000 Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell attend de Grisogono Sponsors Maxwell has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing she deserves a new trial. Maxwell's lawyers argued she shouldn't have been put on trial in the first place because of the plea deal Epstein reached with Florida prosecutors in 2008. 'With all the talk about who's being prosecuted and who isn't, it's especially unfair that Ghislaine Maxwell remains in prison based on a promise the government made and broke,' Maxwell's attorney David Oscar Markus stated. The Justice Department recommended the Supreme Court not take up Maxwell's appeal on the basis of Epstein's 2007 non-prosecution agreement. 'That contention is incorrect, and petitioner does not show that it would succeed in any court of appeals,' wrote U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer. A grieving daughter has revealed details of her last conversations with her mother, who was found dead inside a Colombia resort hotel room with her youngest sibling and her stepfather. The body of Maryeli Canro's mother, Viviana Canro, was found on the floor by her grandfather, Orlando Canro, while her four-year-old brother, Kevin Martinez, and his father, Tito Martinez, were discovered on the bed of room 404 at the Portobelo Hotel in San Andres last Friday. Maryeli, 25, told Noticias Caracol that she remained behind in Bogota to look after her mother's hair salon while she enjoyed the trip to celebrate Father's Day and her grandmother's birthday. Maryeli, the oldest of Viviana's three children, recalled placing a video call via WhatsApp around 8:30 pm last Thursday. 'The three of them snuggled up in bed. Ready to rest,' Maryeli recalled. '[They were] calm and happy in their room. They were all happy.' However, Maryeli had to end the call because she had to tend to a customer and thought about calling them again at around 10:30pm. 'I checked my mom's last connection [on WhatsApp] and it was at 8:30,' she remembered. 'And I said, 'No, it's already very late. They must be resting because they're going to get up early tomorrow.' Maryeli confirmed the family, including her grandparents, checked in at the Tone Blue Hotel last Wednesday and not the Portobelo Hotel, where it was initially reported that her loved were spending their vacation. Viviana Canro (left), her husband Tito Martinez (right) and the couple's four-year-old son Kevin Martinez were found dead in room 404 at the Portobelo Hotel in San Andres, Colombia last Friday Orlando Canro told La FM radio that his daughter asked the staff to change their room on their first night at the Portobelo Hotel because of a foul odor, but they a hotel employee said there was no bad smell Viviana, Maryeli explained, was extremely upset over what she said were the hotel room's rotting conditions. 'We arrived at the (hotel). We just arrived, yes. That hotel is really, really moisty. But you could see how moist it is, it smells really, really bad,' Viviana said in an WhatsApp audio message that Maryeli shared with Noticias Caracol. Viviana complained that the room did not have any 'toilet paper' available and regretted she had booked her parents room in the same property. 'They don't have bathrooms; they don't have towels. Oh, no, I felt sorry for them. I felt bad for my parents. No, I don't know what to do,' she said. In another audio message, Viviana told Maryeli that she had asked a female staff member about being moved into a different room. 'Yes, I said to the girl, "Can you change the room?" But then she answered me all rudely, "But not today, maybe tomorrow,"' Viviana said. 'Everything has changed so much, the rooms are dirty, they don't clean them,' the late mother wrote in a message that her daughter shared with Noticias Caracol. 'It's ugly, it smells bad.' Maryeli Canro with her mother Viviana Canro, who was found dead on the floor of her hotel room. Canro's four-year-old brother and her stepfather were discovered dead on their bed The medical examiner's office found that Viviana, her husband Tito and the couple's four-year-old son Kevin died from poisoning Orlando told the outlet that he too complained about his room's condition to his daughter. 'I went down to tell her: ''My love, that room is horrible. It's so filthy, dirty, no towels, no toilet paper, nothing,"' he said. He recalled Viviana telling him, ''Oh, Daddy, I didn't like this hotel. That room smells awful.'' 'I don't know, it had a kind of weird smell, like mold,' Orlando said. 'We let it go unnoticed, and look at the consequences.' Maryeli revealed that her little brother Kevin was already feeling ill prior to arriving at the hotel from the airport and that he was still vomiting the following day. Initial reports from the medical examiner's office found that all three victims died from poisoning. Orlando visited the medical examiner's office and said he was informed that Kevin had 'nothing unusual in his stomach, that it was clean and that his liver was clean.' He is still awaiting for results from an autopsy for his daughter and son-in-law. San Andres Police Department colonel James Totena told Blue Radio that foul play had been ruled out and that they are waiting for the results of the autopsies. 'The poisoning could be airborne or ingested,' Totena said. 'Since there are no signs of violence, this is the most reasonable hypothesis for now, but the exact cause will be determined by the Medical Examiner.' Aristocrat Constance Marten is set to appeal her conviction for killing her baby in a case which has already cost taxpayers over 2.8million. The 38-year-old former socialite, who has a 2.4million fortune, plans to claim yet more legal aid to challenge the jurys verdict in her retrial, despite the Court of Appeal rejecting an earlier bid to clear her name. In an extraordinary farce, Marten is expected to appeal on the basis that the trial judge did not warn the jury quickly enough to ignore her own words after she blurted out that her lover Mark Gordon, 51, was a convicted rapist. The Mail understands that her lawyers will contend that the Recorder of Londons handling of Martens bombshell admission unfairly prejudiced the jury. Gordon is set to follow suit, despite praising the fairness of Judge Mark Lucraft during the trial and promising he would waive his right to appeal. The Old Bailey retrial almost collapsed when Marten revealed that Gordon had spent 22 years in prison for a knifepoint rape in Florida. Judge Lucraft had previously imposed reporting restrictions on Gordons convictions as a teenager for armed kidnapping, four sexual assaults, armed burglary and aggravated battery. But Marten ignored the ban, claiming that police were out to get them when officers launched a national manhunt to find the couple after they went on the run with their fifth baby Victoria, causing her death in a freezing tent in 2023. Marten is expected to appeal on the basis that the trial judge did not warn the jury quickly enough to ignore her own words after she blurted out that her lover Mark Gordon, 51, was a convicted rapist Mark Gordon has convictions as a teenager for armed kidnapping, four sexual assaults, armed burglary and aggravated battery Marten told jurors their four older children had already been taken into care, adding: Mark has a violent rape conviction and spent 22 years in prison so my fear is theyd immediately scapegoat him which is what they usually do. The judge condemned Martens deliberate attempt to sabotage the trial, but he decided to continue with the case after Gordon insisted Im not worried about prejudice and promised not to appeal on the matter. In a ruling which was never made public, Judge Lucraft said: Many questions arise. Amongst them I raised the question of what would happen down the line on an appeal if there was a conviction of the first defendant (Gordon) in these circumstances? At this point Mr Gordon said he wished to address the Court. When he did so he said he would waive any point on any appeal and was quite satisfied that any direction to the jury would be fair and that he wished the trial to continue. Mr Gordon spoke about the delay and the cost to the public of another trial. Yet just moments after being convicted, Gordon went back on his word, vowing that he would appeal the verdict and yelling: Im not surprised by the verdict. It was faulty, it was unlawful. This is not over, it has just begun. Marten shouted: Its a scam, before walking out of the court in fury. The case has already cost taxpayers more than 2.8million, including the 1.2million investigation and 1.6million estimated legal costs. In February, the Court of Appeal rejected the couples bid to challenge their child cruelty conviction in the first trial, which ended last year with jurors unable to reach a verdict on manslaughter. On Monday, the couple were finally convicted of manslaughter in a retrial and will be sentenced on September 15. The unprecedented case is now the subject of a national child safeguarding review to consider whether new laws should be brought in to protect unborn children. Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, who led the case, believes that lives could be saved if officers had the power to bring in protection and family contact orders before a baby is born to parents considered at high risk of harming their children. He said: At the moment police are powerless to protect that child until a baby draws their first breath. If there was a change in the law, we could put contact orders in place to monitor the pregnancy and protection orders could be in place before that child is born so they could immediately be taken into care. If you look at cases like Baby P [a 17-month-old British boy who died in London in 2007 after suffering over 50 injuries] this could save lives. Yesterday a Department for Education spokesman said the review would look at what more could be done to help prevent future tragedies. She said: Victorias life was cut devastatingly short by those who should have been caring for her - and it is right that justice has now been served. Ghislaine Maxwell's former cellmate shared a chilling premonition after Jeffrey Epstein's former accomplice revealed she would 'tell all' about the pedophile's sex trafficking scheme. Jessica Watkins, a transgender veteran who was serving time for the January 6 riots before receiving a pardon by Donald Trump, suggested 63-year-old Maxwell could meet the same fate as Epstein, who was found dead in his prison cell. 'Just putting this out there: I know Ghislaine Maxwell personally when I was in prison with her. She isn't suicidal in the least,' Watkins posted on X. 'There are also virtually no working cameras in FCI Tallahassee,' she added in an apparent reference to the suspicious coincidences around Epstein's death, which was ruled a suicide. Watkins claimed that only 'maybe ten' cameras in the 'entire' prison were present or working. 'Just getting ahead of potential narratives,' Watkins said. Her chilling post implied Maxwell's life may be in danger after she expressed willingness to testify before Congress about the so-called Epstein list. It comes amid a furious civil war between Trump's top MAGA lieutenants after the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation stated there was no evidence that Epstein possessed a client list or "blackmailed prominent individuals". Watkins said that should Maxwell 'vanish...it would not [be] by her own hand.' 'She also doesn't do drugs, is in good health, and works out everyday, so no "old age" or "natural causes" arguments will work either,' Watkins wrote. Jessica Watkins, a transgender veteran who had been released from prison following the Jan 6 riots, posted on X that her former cellmate, 63-year-old Maxwell, 'isn't suicidal in the least' Watkins's warnings about her former cell mate come as a source claimed that Ghislaine Maxwell is willing to reveal the 'truth' on The Epstein Files in front of Congress Watkins described Maxwell as a 'model inmate' and if she should 'vanish.. it would not [be] by her own hand' Watkins said Maxwell was drawn to her as the only other 'celebrity inmate' in the Florida prison, based on her being named as Trump's codefendant in a January 6 legal case. 'Fortunately,' Maxwell was 'actually very nice' and a 'staunch advocate for her fellow inmates,' Watkins said, adding that that Epstein's accomplice lives in an 'open dorm' and had 'about 50 witnesses' who have eyes and ears on her at all times. . She describe Maxwell as a 'model inmate' who was 'sociable and kind.' 'So most people were nice to her. Doesn't mean she didn't do something evil,' Watkins wrote. 'But generally, she kept to herself.' 'She's safer there than in the SHU (Special Housing Unit- The Hole). They sent her there sometimes for talking to the Media,' she added. Watkins was sentenced to eight and a half years prison for charges connected to the January 6 Capitol riot, including conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder, and conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging duties. The former 'Oath Keeper' was released in January after Trump commuted sentences to 'time served'. 'In my mind I thought it was this heroic American moment where I thought people were going into our house, we were going to be heard,' Watkins said. 'It was this moment where I lost all basic objectivity. I wasnt doing security anymore; I wasnt medic Jess anymore. I was just another idiot.' Watkins (pictured at the Capitol on January 6, 2021) said: '[Maxwell] also doesn't do drugs, is in good health, and works out everyday, so no "old age" or "natural causes" arguments will work either' Watkins was sentenced in May 2023 to eight and a half years in prison for her role in the Jan 6 riots Maxwell is the only person behind bars - serving 20 years on child sex trafficking charges - despite the fact that pedophile Jeffrey Epstein allegedly controlled a web of underage girls While the pardoned Jan 6 rioter said she and Maxwell were 'not friends at all,' they lived and worked together closely while behind bars. 'She always creeped me out, so I avoided her when I could . But even still, we talked often enough. In prison, it's kinda unavoidable,' she said. Watkins claimed that Maxwell was 'very tight lipped' about her case, but wrote: 'She did tell me (and I quote) "They had no interest in me until Jeffrey... died".' However, Maxwell allegedly asked members of the media, 'Why do you keep asking about [Trump], and not the Clintons?,' Watkins claimed. Maxwell is serving 20 years for her role in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse multiple minor girls with Epstein over the course of a decade. Epstein allegedly controlled a web of underage girls who claimed they were passed around as sex toys to his wealthy friends and billionaire business associates. A source told Daily Mail that 'she would be more than happy to sit before Congress and tell her story.' 'Despite the rumors, Ghislaine was never offered any kind of plea deal,' the source said. 'No-one from the government has ever asked her to share what she knows. She remains the only person to be jailed in connection to Epstein and she would welcome the chance to tell the American public the truth.' British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and US financier Jeffrey Epstein from trial evidence obtained December 8, 2021 Maxwell argues she should have been protected from prosecution as part of a Non Prosecution Agreement made by Epstein - her former lover and boss - in 2007 when he agreed to plead guilty to two minor charges of prostitution in a 'sweetheart deal' which saw him spend little time behind bars. Controversy continues to rage over the Department of Justice's statement that there is no Epstein 'client list', despite the release of videos from inside New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center the DOJ claims 'proves' he committed suicide. Critics have pointed to the fact that there is a crucial minute missing from the jail house video that also does not show the door or, indeed, the inside of Epstein's jail cell. The scandal - and alleged 'cover up' - has prompted a rebellion amongst President Trump's loyal MAGA base. Some even believe Attorney General Pam Bondi should be fired after promising to release all files relating to Epstein and his high-profile male friends only to apparently renege on that promise. 'Congressional hearings have been held into everything from JFK's assassination to 9/11. The Epstein Files rank up there with those cases. Ghislaine would be willing to speak before Congress and tell her story,' the source close to Maxwell said. Maxwell's attorneys appealed to President Trump in hopes he may overrule her appeal rejection, yet The White House has dismissed the notion Maxwell had her appeal to overturn her conviction turned down yesterday. Her attorneys then appealed directly to President Trump, calling him the 'ultimate dealmaker,' in the hopes that he may overrule Attorney General Pam Bondi. The White House, however, dismissed any suggestion that the President would pardon Maxwell. 'There have been no discussions or consideration of a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, and there never will be,' a senior White House official told the Daily Mail. Outcry for Maxwell's release increased after she revealed she would be willing to testify to Congress about the case against Epstein. Two of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's top aides are under investigation, according to three individuals familiar with the probes. The Pentagon's top internal investigator, the inspector general, first opened an inquiry in April into whether the secretary broke protocol by sharing classified attack plans on Yemen over the messaging app Signal. The controversy, dubbed 'Signalgate,' involved a journalist inadvertently being added to the top-secret chat between Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others. Former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who crafted the group chat with the reporter, later stepped down from his role following the scandal. The saga has stuck with U.S. lawmakers, with some senators telling the Daily Mail recently that Hegseth is on thin ice while some Republicans and Democrats await his downfall. As a result of the leak, the Defense Department's Inspector General's office has been investigating if Hegseth aide Ricky Buria helped set up unsecured internet access that skirted the Pentagon's security restrictions to give the secretary access to Signal, the three sources told Politico. The administration has claimed that no classified information was shared in the group message. 'There was no classified information on that chat,' Waltz testified on Tuesday during his confirmation hearing to be U.S. ambassador to the U.N. But according to the Pentagon's policies, Signal use is 'NOT authorized to access, transmit, store, or process non-public DoD information.' Another investigation carried out by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations is also looking into Buria, the three sources claim. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's top aides are reportedly subjects of internal investigation Hegseth's attorney and top Pentagon aide Tim Parlatore is under investigation for attending meetings beyond his clearance level, three sources told Politico Hegseth adviser Ricky Buria was denied the secretary's chief of staff job earlier this year, the New York Post reported That probe is seeking to determine whether Buria leaked information he could've gleaned from sitting in sensitive meetings with Hegseth, whose phone he allegedly had access to. Buria, a holdover from the Biden administration, was denied the secretary's chief of staff job earlier this year, the New York Post reported. 'Hegseth is elevating a Democrat who does not share the vice presidents or the presidents worldview and who weaponized his position to push out internal rivals, including people who had very strong histories of being supporters of the MAGA agenda,' an anonymous Buria critic told the outlet in May. Also embroiled in that investigation is Hegseth's longtime lawyer, Tim Parlatore, who helped shepherd the former Fox News host through a rocky Senate confirmation process earlier this year. The lawyer is currently serving as a top Pentagon adviser and has taken part in meetings above his clearance level, the sources shared. 'Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has successfully reoriented the Department of Defense to put the interests of America's Warfighters and America's taxpayers first, and it has never been better positioned to execute on its mission than it is today,' Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell told the Daily Mail. 'The success speaks for itself. Operation Midnight Hammer was a flawless success, recruiting is at record-highs, and our European allies have committed to meet President Trump and Secretary Hegseth's 5% defense spending target. None of this would have been possible without the complete unity and discipline of the OSD team and the vision and leadership of our Commander-in-Chief, President Donald J. Trump.' The Pentagon did not address the Daily Mail's questions about the investigations. The newly disclosed investigations into Buria and Parlatore come months after multiple top Defense Department officials were fired for leaking. Trump appeared to be caught off guard at a recent White House event where a reporter asked him about a U.S. pause on some weapons shipments to Ukraine Both the Air Force and Pentagon inspector general's investigations began this spring following the Signalgate scandal. Around that time multiple top political appointees were put on leave for allegedly leaking information. Dan Caldwell, a senior Hegseth adviser, and Darin Selnick, the secretary's deputy chief of staff, were reportedly escorted out of the Pentagon. In June, the Pentagon also suffered blowback for pausing some weapon's shipments to Ukraine to the surprise of the president. When asked at a White House event about the pause Trump said he was unaware of the move, allegedly putting Hegseth in hot water. Senators have also recently told the Daily Mail that there's a substantial faction of lawmakers in both parties 'sharpening their knives' against the defense secretary. 'There are a lot of people who would be delighted to see him go,' one Republican senator told the Daily Mail. 'A lot of people.' The editor of a famously liberal news outlet has backed the booing of Vice President JD Vance's young children during a family trip to Disneyland. Mother Jones editor-in-chief Clara Jeffrey made the declaration on woke X alternative BlueSky after the second family were heckled during a weekend trip. 'People who feel bad for JD Vance's kids as family gets booed at Disneyland. I get it, but better those kids know now what their father is about,' Jeffrey wrote. 'Other kids are watching their parents get shipped off to gulags,' she added. She went on to claim Vance wanted his children to be heckled for political optics. 'Also, JD Vance knows he's going to be booed at Disneyland or the Kennedy Center or wherever. 'He doesn't have to go with his kids, buthe probably wants the optics of his family being booed. Soyeah.' Jeffrey, who previously hit the headlines after scolding a flight attendant who used the word 'blessed' during an announcement, was quickly condemned. Mother Jones editor-in-chief Clara Jeffrey, pictured, has backed the heckling of JD Vance's young children during a family trip to Disneyland Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha are all smiles as they enjoy the sights and sounds of Disneyland with their family in Anaheim 'WTF is wrong with these people!???' Donald Trump Jr. wrote on X. Critics called her a 'soulless ghoul' for seemingly encouraging the harassment toward children aged 3, 5, and 8. 'Imagine the type of soulless ghoul you have to be to say this Imagine being the Editor in Chief of Mother Jones Magazine,' Republican strategist Andrew Surabian chimed in. Previously, the progressive journalist has been mocked online after making a public post criticizing a flight attendant who wished her and other passengers a 'blessed night'. Last year, Jeffery posted to X that she found the Alaska Air flight attendant's language akin to 'creeping Christian nationalism' after landing in San Francisco. Jeffrey wrote that replacement words such as 'great' or 'fantastic' would have worked just as well, adding that someone sat in her row said:' This ain't Montgomery, sweetie.' That was an apparent reference to the Alabama city frequently associated with anti-black racism. But her post triggered many to hit back and stand up for what they described as 'kindness'. JD Vance pictured with his kids, and about 50 secret service on a fun day out at Disneyland The post drew attention from all users, liberal or Republican, who called her complaint 'petty' and 'miserable', while some took the opportunity dig up old posts where she herself had used the word 'blessed.' Washington Post columnist Marc Thiessen wrote: 'How sad and impoverished is your life that you're offended by someone blessing you? Get a grip.' One user, J Valentine, responded saying: 'Editor of Mother Jones providing another great example of why normies hate progressives. 'Being 'progressive' is often just an excuse for being an insufferable jerk.' 'Respectfully, I'm a pretty left leaning guy and I wish folks a blessed day fairly often. It's just a nice thing to say,' wrote Armand Domalewski. A young mother has been hailed as the hardest-working woman in America after a viral video revealed her running an entire Burger King completely on her own - from the grill to the drive-thru. Nykia Hamilton, 25, of West Columbia, South Carolina, works more than 12-hour shifts at the Burger King on Broad River Road to support her three children. She said it's a job she's deeply grateful for, especially after overcoming a challenging past that included a criminal record, as reported by WACH News. But despite the complications of single motherhood, Hamiltons job adds another layer of stress to her life, as she juggles the kitchen, drive-thru, food prep and cleaning - all by herself. 'I be missing out on my kids' lives when I work so much,' Hamilton told WACH Fox. 'I have to provide for them, but I really don't have time to spend with them - and it hurts me a lot,' she added. Earlier this month, a customer waiting for their food at the Burger King posted a video to TikTok showing Hamilton completely alone, hustling between stations to prepare each order while a line of customers slowly formed. 'Y'all need to get her some help up in here because she's busting her behind,' the customer said in the video. 'She's doing everything she needs to do to make sure everybody is okay in here.' The video quickly racked up over 100,000 views, with hundreds of comments expressing outrage over fast food working conditions - demanding accountability at the franchise level and drawing attention to staffing shortages that disproportionately burden the most vulnerable, including single parents. Nykia Hamilton (pictured), 25, of West Columbia, South Carolina, is being hailed as the hardest-working woman in America after a viral video revealed her running an entire Burger King completely on her own Despite the complications of single motherhood, Hamiltons job adds another layer of stress to her life, as she juggles the kitchen, drive-thru, food prep and cleaning - all by herself (pictured) One person online wrote in response: 'Shame. Low wages, customers are dangerous and disrespectful - I feel for her.' 'This is a worker who deserves a RAISE,' wrote another. 'She didn't lock the door or walk out! She needs that job!' A third chimed in: 'This is just such a sad world we live in.' 'She needs a tip jar,' wrote another. 'This is unfair to her. She shouldn't have to do this and run a whole business - restaurant - alone. Thank you for showing up and showing out though. Thank you.' While hundreds praised Hamilton for her incredible work ethic - some sharing personal stories of her kindness and dedication - many were left wondering why she was regularly running the entire show by herself. Hamilton explained that unreliable staff and the abrupt resignation of a team member left her to manage the entire restaurant by herself more than once. 'One of my employees just quit on me, and they didnt have anyone else to come in, so I had to work by myself, and close by myself,' Hamilton told WACH. 'Had to do the dishes, do prep, do the floor, do the front counter, drive-thru,' she added, emphasizing how overwhelming it becomes when shes forced to take orders at the counter and from drivers outside - all while preparing every meal on her own. Earlier this month, a customer waiting for their food at the Burger King posted a video to TikTok showing Hamilton completely alone, hustling between stations to prepare each order while a line of customers slowly formed (pictured) Hamilton (pictured) explained that unreliable staff and the abrupt resignation of a team member left her to manage the entire restaurant by herself - more than once Although Hamilton (pictured) is no stranger to working alone, she stays largely because of her manager, whom she deeply respects for giving her a chance to prove herself as a hardworking employee The day after the video was shared, nothing had changed. Hamilton once again closed the entire restaurant single-handedly, ensuring the floors were mopped and the place spotless before locking up. 'We just dont have any employees,' the mother told WACH. 'Nobody wants to work anymore.' Although Hamilton is no stranger to working alone, she stays largely because of her manager, whom she deeply respects for giving her a chance to prove herself as a hardworking employee. 'I wouldn't have no job because I do have a record, and it is hard to find a job with a record,' Hamilton told the outlet. 'And by grace of God, she gave me a job,' she added. 'So that's the only reason why I stayed for her.' In response to the situation, Hamilton received help running the Burger King just days later during the grueling 11am to 11pm shift, according to the outlet. The Burger King franchise was also made aware of the situation and, in a statement to WACH FOX, emphasized that having more than one employee on shift is mandatory at all locations. Hamilton works more than 12-hour shifts at the Burger King on Broad River Road to support her three children (pictured) - a job she says shes deeply grateful for, especially after overcoming a challenging past that includes a criminal record 'At Burger King, it is our policy that all company and franchise owned restaurants require more than one Team Member to be working per shift,' the statement read. 'We are working with the franchise of this location to understand what happened and take any necessary action.' Following the viral TikTok, hundreds of people urged Hamilton to start a GoFundMe, hoping to help her raise money so she could ease her workload and spend more time with her children. Listening to the outpouring of support, Hamilton eventually set up a donation page, thanking everyone for their kindness - whether they chose to contribute or simply offered their encouragement. 'I am a 25-year-old single mom of three who works two jobs,' she wrote in the description. 'I just went viral for working on TikTok,' she added. 'If you wanna contribute, it's ok. Thank y'all for the support.' As of Tuesday afternoon, the fundraiser has raised $7,600 toward Hamiltons $10,000 goal. 'I wasn't expecting my life to change how it did,' she said. 'I really do everything for my kids.' A veteran ghost hunter died suddenly while touring the US with a 'possessed' doll in one of America's most haunted towns. Dan Rivera, 54, was in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for his Devils on the Run tour - a chilling cross-country event featuring the infamous Annabelle doll - when he was found unresponsive at his hotel Sunday night. Emergency dispatch logs confirmed a CPR-in-progress call for a man matching his age, according to the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), where he served as lead investigator. The organization later confirmed his death, though the cause remains unknown. Rivera had built a loyal fanbase through his ghost-hunting work and viral content reviving the eerie legends of Annabelle and other cursed relics. His final stop - in Gettysburg, a Civil War town long said to be haunted - was completely sold out. The Annabelle doll gained notoriety through paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who kept it locked in a glass case in their private occult museum and famously warned visitors never to touch it. The couple's work inspired The Conjuring films and remains central to modern paranormal lore. The Devils on the Run tour - during which the doll was removed its sealed case for a series of public events - has come under growing scrutiny, with fans fearing its dark energy could be unleashed. Even the Warrens' grandson, Chris McKinnell, has spoken out, telling the Mirror that he respects Annabelle's 'power.' McKinnell, who grew up around the family's haunted artifact collection, called it 'a prison' for dangerous objects. Still, he doesn't believe Annabelle is demonic. 'I don't believe it's a demon. But I do believe it has energy... It's reactive, not active. So why doesn't it break out of its case? It's reactive, not active,' he told the Mirror. Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera, 54, died suddenly Sunday night during his haunted Annabelle doll tour stop in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Rivera's Devils on the Run tour centered around Annabelle the infamous doll said to be possessed by an evil spirit The creepy toy was featured heavily in The Conjuring film franchise, ultimately inspiring the spinoff Annabelle series The Raggedy Anne Doll's paranormal legend dates back to the 1970s, when it was apparently given as a gift to nurse in Hartford, Connecticut, before beginning to exhibit disturbing behavior. Annabelle was thought to be possessed by the spirit of a dead child and was said to move on her own, leave terrifying handwritten notes and even allegedly attacked someone. The case caught the attention of the Warrens, who concluded Annabelle was being manipulated by a demonic entity. Due to the popularity of the story and subsequent film franchise, the real Annabelle doll was removed from its secure case and included in the Devils on the Run tour, which began touring in May. The tour wasn't just a viral hit - it stirred controversy too. Critics accusing Rivera and his team of exploiting fear and superstition for profit, while believers warned that transporting the doll could unleash real danger. During one of the stops, visitors claimed the three-foot-tall doll had vanished without explanation, sparking a wave of online panic and conspiracy theories. Tensions escalated further after a fire broke out at a historic resort in White Castle, Louisiana, and 10 inmates escaped from a New Orleans prison - all within days of Annabelle being exhibited in the state. Due to the popularity of the story and subsequent film franchise, the real Annabelle doll was removed from its secure case and included in the Devils on the Run tour, which began touring in May The tour has come under growing scrutiny, as fans fear removing Annabelle from her sealed case could unleash dark energy - a move some believe is tempting fate. Fears snowballed across social media, with some convinced the so-called 'possessed' doll had unleashed a curse. Rivera stepped in to shut down the hysteria in a TikTok video. Despite the dark nature of his work, Rivera was known for his upbeat, engaging presence - especially when it came to Annabelle. At the Gettysburg event, Rivera told attendees how he built the doll's case using wood stained with holy water and embedded with three crosses to represent the Holy Trinity. He often leaned into the lore while debunking internet hysteria - including rumors that Annabelle caused a statewide 911 outage in Pennsylvania. Rivera's fascination with the supernatural began at an early age and never let up. After serving in the US Army, he founded his own investigation team before being mentored by Lorraine Warren, who taught him how to spiritually protect himself by 'visualizing a halo of white light.' He eventually became NESPR's lead investigator, helping to carry on the Warrens' legacy - including assisting families with private hauntings and organizing events like the ParaCon convention. Beyond the haunted doll circuit, Rivera appeared on hit shows like Most Haunted Places on the Travel Channel and helped produce Netflix's 28 Days Haunted. The paranormal community responded to Rivera's passing with an outpouring of love and grief. Two nurses claimed the doll wreaked havoc on their lives in the 1970s, so they turned to paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (pictured) for help The Warrens had a special wooden and glass case constructed for the doll, and stored it away in their Occult Museum, warning that it should never be opened 'Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal,' said fellow NESPR investigator Chris Gilloren. 'His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him.' Mary Jo Chudley of Penn Paranormal called Rivera 'a true legend' and 'one of the kindest, most genuine and funniest guys.' Rivera wrote about the afterlife in a touching 2020 tribute to Lorraine Warren. 'My answer was, in life, we leave a piece of ourselves with loved ones and friends on our journey through life until there are no more pieces to give away. You would think that is the end, but, when you look back at all the pieces you gave away, those pieces will always be remembered,' he said. 'So I say I will never die. My journey has only begun.' NATO Secretary Mark Rutte said the new flow of arms from the U.S. to Ukraine will be 'massive' as Donald Trump strikes a new hardline with Putin. Rutte described the package in comments made exclusively to the Daily Mail as he briefed lawmakers on a scheme to funnel lethal weaponry to Ukraine as it staves off repeated Russian drone and missile attacks. Republicans have been publicly divided over whether to send additional assistance to the country as the war continues. Rutte's pressure campaign to sway top lawmakers comes as Trump decided to ramp up pressure on Moscow as Putin continues his bombing campaign on Ukraine. He gave the Russian leader a 50-day deadline to strike a peace deal or else face secondary tariffs at 100 percent. And he announced a major arms deal struck with NATO in an Oval Office meeting with Rutte on Monday. Trump says that American taxpayers have paid too much to defend Ukraine, and although the military will provide lethal weapons, including Patriot missiles, the U.S. won't be footing the bill. Rutte told the Daily Mail that the packages will be designed 'to make sure that Ukrainians get a handle on what they need... taking into account what [the] U.S. can deliver.' He emphasized that there should be 'enough stuff and gear here to defend yourselves.' 'But this is potentially massive. And not only air defense, it is also missiles and ammunition,' Rutte added. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (C) told the Daily Mail new U.S. arms packages for Ukraine financed by Europe will be 'potentially massive. And not only air defense, it is also missiles and ammunition' He stressed that the proposal is designed to make sure that 'you have enough in stock for yourself,' amid concerns among top Pentagon officials who ordered a temporary pause to aid while it assessed U.S. stockpiles. He said the 'potentially massive air defense, plus missiles and ammunition' packages still had to be arranged at the granular level. 'But NATO is good at this, because we have designed these packages over three and a half years now with Ukrainian.' Rutte spoke a day after meeting with Trump in the office. The president deferred to Rutte in response to a question by the Daily Mail about whether there was a ceiling on what the Europeans are willing to meet. 'It's not that you can have a shopping list and you can order whatever you want, because the U.S. has to make sure that the U.S. keeps his hands on what US needs also to keep the whole world safe. Because in the end, you are the police agent of the whole world.' He brought up Germany and other major NATO allies 'talking about big numbers.' 'They are really enthusiastic about this. They're willing to go very far, I will tell you,' Trump added. As he left the White House today, Trump denied a key element of Financial Times report that Trump had a fiery conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky July 4 where he encouraged the Ukrainian to strike deep inside Russian territory. Trump said he'll be imposing 'very, very powerful' secondary tariffs on Russia in 50 days President Trump announced plans to send Ukraine additional Patriot missiles through NATO Rutte has earned plaudits from Trump by advancing his demand that NATO allies commit to spending 5 percent of GDP on defense 'Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? . . . Can you hit St Petersburg too?' Trump asked his counterpart, according to the report. Asked if Zelensky should target Moscow, Trump replied: 'No, he shouldn't target Moscow.' Trump defended his latest statements toward Russia that he will impose 'secondary tariffs' after 50 days if there is no deal with Moscow. 'What we decided is us making up its stockpiles available for Ukraine, paid for better Europeans, in a way, of course, that you have enough in stock for yourself. Potentially massive air defense, plus missiles and ammunition. But of course, all the details now will be work through. The president has also publicly refused to pick sides in the war, saying he's on 'humanity's side.' 'You know what the side I'm on - humanity's side. I want to stop the killing of thousands of people to go away. Stop the killing. I want the killing to stop,' he told reporters. 'How do you say it in English? Infinite its not finite,' Rutte told the Daily Mail between meetings in the Senate. One aspect of the deal that could be appealing to the Europeans is the opportunity to upgrade some of their own military hardware. 'Germany is talking about sending their Patriot battery system to Ukraine. That would then get replaced, and it would be replaced by a newer model. So there are benefits to both Ukraine and Germany,' Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), an Armed Services Committee member, told the Daily Mail. A seven-year-old has been seriously injured in a car, tractor and police dog van smash near Preston. Cops said a tractor emerging from a field struck a Ford Fiesta, which in turn collided with a police dog unit vehicle. An officer was also taken to hospital following the devastating crash, while the police dogs were examined by a vet. The crash happened on Stubbins Lane, Claughton-on-Brock, near Preston at 11am today. The road was closed on both sides of the M6, from Garstang Road to Lodge Road for around two hours after the collision. Lancashire Police said: 'A seven-year-old child passenger from the Ford Fiesta was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries, and the other adult passenger was taken to hospital with minor injuries. 'The police officer was taken to hospital but has not suffered any serious injuries. 'The dogs were taken to Hutton Headquarters to be examined by the vet. The driver of the tractor was not injured.' Anyone who saw what happened is asked to call Lancashire Constabulary on 101, quoting log 0531 of 15th July 2025. The incident happened on Stubbins Lane, Claughton-on-Brock, near Preston at 11am today A 15-year-old girl has died after reportedly being crushed by a boulder while trying to take a selfie with friends at an Italian beauty spot. The teenager had gone with two pals to Cesana Beach on the banks of the Piave River in Florence on Tuesday to enjoy the sun - before tragedy struck. The trio are said to have decided to climb a nearby rock wall in their swimsuits where they wanted to snap a selfie. But as they tried to scale the rock face, one of the boulders became loose - triggering what local Italian media have called a 'landslide of rock and earth' - sweeping away two of the girls. The eldest suffered several fractures, but the 15-year-old was instantly crushed and killed. Medics from the nearby Santa Maria del Prato hospital in Feltre scrambled to the scene, along with a helicopter, but the child was pronounced dead. The Belluno and Feltre firefighters also responded with a rubber dinghy, having initially been alerted because it was suspected the girl had fallen into the water. Local police forces are now speaking to witnesses and trying to establish how the horror unfolded. The teenager and two pals had gone to Cesana Beach on the banks of the Piave River in Florence on Tuesday The eldest suffered several fractures, but the 15-year-old was instantly crushed and killed (stock pic) It comes after a teenager was washed away to her death while posing for a photo on a rocky beach last year, as locals desperately tried to save her life. Merlin Septiana, 18, had arrived with her friends to take photos at Semeti Beach in Central Lombok Regency on December 19. She was seen in one picture taken seconds before being struck wearing headphones that may have blocked the noise of the waves. The excited schoolgirls took turns posing on a rocky cliff but a rogue wave knocked Merlin off her craggy perch. Footage showed frantic locals trying to rescue Merlin, seen in the video desperately clinging onto a boulder as the churning waters battered her. But she soon slipped and disappeared under the foamy white torrent. In 2023, a young adventurer who documented his travels on YouTube died in a freak snowstorm in the Swedish wilderness after sending a heartbreaking final message to his grandmother. Storm De Beul, 22, a nature lover who 'enjoyed being alone', was found dead in Lapland on October 30 after spending much of the year hiking solo through the remote Jokkmokk region. He became caught in a devastating blizzard the night before, telling his grandmother in a tragic final message: 'It's snowing heavily here. But don't worry, I'll survive, you know.' Storm also sent a video to a friend showing how the intense snowfall had filled his shoes and backpack, while the wind battered his tent. 'Tonight, it's going to get worse. Jesus Christ,' he said in the video. And last year, a 17-year-old high school graduate died while out rock climbing in Colorado soon after posting a selfie to his Instagram page. Carter Christensen of Maple Grove, Minnesota died after falling from the First Flatiron. The Boulder County Sheriff's Office said Christensen was free-soloing and climbing alone, without the use of ropes or any kind of climbing gear. It's estimated he fell more than 100 feet and suffered 'massive traumatic injuries' when he hit the ground. President Donald Trump warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky not to bomb Moscow, making a sharp shift in strategy as he pushes to end the war in the Ukraine. Trump pushed back on a report that he privately urged the Ukrainian president to increase strikes on Russian territory and asked Zelensky if he was able to hit Moscow and St. Petersburg. 'No, he shouldn't target Moscow,' Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday when asked about his conversation with Zelensky. But, according to reports, Zelensky, in his July 4th call with Trump, suggested to the president that Ukraine needed long-range precision American weapons, leading Trump to inquire about the potential targets. 'Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? Can you hit St Petersburg too?' Trump asked, the Financial Times reported, citing multiple sources. The president said he wanted Putin to 'feel the pain.' Zelensky replied: 'Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons.' Moscow is nearly 300 miles from the nearest Ukrainian-controlled territory and St. Petersburg is 530 miles away. Trump signaled his support for the idea, describing the strategy as intended to 'make them [Russians] feel the pain' and force the Kremlin to the negotiating table, according to the two people briefed on the call. President Donald Trump said Ukraine should 'not' bomb Moscow But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt argued Trump's words were taken out of context, saying the president 'was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing.' Ukraine has repeatedly targeted sites as far as 1,000 miles inside Russia - including in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Putin's hometown - but the Kremlin says those missiles have been taken down by drone. Trump has show increased impatience with Putin and wants the Russian leader to come to the negotiating table to end the war in Ukraine. However, he clarified that despite agreeing to send American weapons to Kyiv, he's 'not looking' to give Ukraine long-range weapons - the kind that could do the most damage. And, asked what side he's on in Russia-Ukraine war, the president said he's on 'humanity's side.' 'You know what the side I'm on - humanity's side. I want to stop the killing of thousands of people to go away. Stop the killing. I want the killing to stop,' he told reporters. Trump, on Monday, threatened to slap 100 percent tariffs on Russia in 50 days if a deal to end the war isn't reached. And he's doubled down on that threat. 'I don't think 50 days is very long, and it could be sooner than that,' he said on Tuesday. 'The tariffs are going to go on and other sanctions.' He said he hasn't talked to Putin since that threat as he tries to use his economic might to bring Putin to heel. The Russian president has ignored Trump's call for a ceasefire and ratcheted up his attacks on Ukraine, sending more than 500 drones and missiles almost daily. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ignored President Trump's pleas for a ceasefire Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing for more American weapons Ukrainian servicemen of the Spartan Brigade take part in a combined mental resilience and combat training exercise in Dnipropetrovsk region Trump, in a meeting on Monday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that he's sending American weapons to Ukraine and that the U.S. will not be paying for them. He made a deal with NATO to send sophisticated weaponry, including Patriot missiles, to Ukraine. But Trump insisted that the U.S. will not be footing the bill after being taken advantage of for so long. 'We've made a deal today where we are going to be sending [Ukraine] weapons and [Europe] is going to be paying for them,' he stated. 'We - the United States - will not be having any payment made. We're not buying it, but we will manufacture it, and they're going to be paying for it.' Trump, for weeks, has been showing his frustration with the Russian leader's refusal to stand down and come to peace talks. 'We are very, very unhappy with [Russia], and we're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 percent,' he noted. 'I'm disappointed in President Putin. I thought we would've had a deal two months ago.' John Torode has claimed the BBC did not tell him he had been sacked from MasterChef after a report found he had used an 'extremely offensive racist term'. The star said tonight he was 'seeing and reading' he had been dropped from the show as he broke his silence in an explosive post on Instagram. Torode, 59, also reiterated he had 'no recollection' of making a racist comment and said he did not believe it had happened. His statement on Instagram read: 'Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay - I am seeing and reading that I've been "sacked" from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of. 'The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong. 'I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that.' It comes after the BBC announced this afternoon that production company Banijay would not be renewing Torode's MasterChef contract. In a statement, the broadcaster said that it does not 'tolerate racist language of any kind' and that it has taken the findings of the report 'extremely seriously'. John Torode and Lisa Faulkner having lunch in June as the investigation into Wallace was underway The pair ate at a restaurant in London during the June heatwave On Monday night, Torode confirmed he was the subject of an allegation of using racist language that was upheld as part of a review into the alleged behaviour of his co-presenter Gregg Wallace. He said, however, he had 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation. Following the decision not to renew his contract, Torode revealed tonight the latest series of Celebrity MasterChef, which he filmed with Grace Dent, would be his last. His statement continued: 'Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have. 'I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards. 'My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. 'Life is everchanging and ever moving & sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. 'Thank you for the many years of MasterChef.' Last night, Torode took to Instagram to confirm he had been accused of using racist language The majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94 per cent) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018 Torode claimed he had 'absolutely no recollection' of the incident and did 'not believe it happened' A source close to the 59-year-old claimed he was sharing drinks after filming when he is alleged to have used an inappropriate racial term. The witness claimed Torode apologised instantly and 'was mortified' and he 'didn't use the term as a slur'. No one complained at the time, but the incident was brought up during Wallace's inquiry, the source said. A BBC spokesperson said: 'John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him. 'This allegation which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace - was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm, Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation. 'He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. 'He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. 'The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. 'John Torode's contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.' Meanwhile, director general Mr Davie has insisted that cookery show MasterChef can still prosper despite the loss of Wallace and Torode. He said: 'The BBC in some ways are quite simple on this, if someone is found to not live up to our values we expect the independent company, Banijay in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done. 'These are not BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken.' The director general added: 'I think it's a great programme that's well loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals. 'It absolutely can survive and prosper, but we've got to make sure we're in the right place in terms of the culture of the show.' Wallace was previously blasted by disability charities for using his autism as an excuse for his behaviour A Banijay spokesperson said: 'In response to John Torode's statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously. 'The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018. 'This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.' Torode is said to have been the subject of multiple allegations before only one - relating to 'racist language' - was upheld, the Telegraph has reported. One insider told the paper there had been a 'massive cultural problem' at the show going back decades. 'For a long time, certain kinds of language and jokes were found acceptable,' they said. 'There is a massive cultural problem there, and it goes back 20 years, when attitudes and ways of working were different.' It follows a separate report in The Sun claiming that Torode was asked by the BBC and production company Banijay to step down from MasterChef and then pretend he had mental health issues. The source went on to explain that, 'shockingly', Torode was only made aware of the claim relating to his 'racist language' two weeks ago before being informed on Friday that it would be upheld. Torode was reportedly called by the BBC on Thursday night, followed by an email on Friday asking him to quit. The source reportedly said: 'They ambushed him, and it was suggested he quit due to the stress and scrutiny of the furore around the show. 'Obviously he was absolutely shocked and appalled and told them quite firmly he didn't have any mental health issues. To try to use mental health as a get-out clause seems incredibly low and is also deeply unfair to those with genuine mental health trauma. 'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn't want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star.' In his social media post last night, Torode said: 'Following publication of the Executive Summary of the Investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld. 'For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. 'The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.' Torode went on to say he had 'absolutely no recollection' of the incident and did 'not believe it happened'. He added: 'I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. 'I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.' Wallace has hit out at the BBC with a new statement yesterday after 45 of 83 complaints against him were upheld in an independent probe Meanwhile, an investigation into Wallace's behaviour on the cooking show upheld 45 out of 83 complaints made against him. The damning probe also found that two complaints about the behaviour of 'other people' were upheld. While apologising for any 'distress' he caused, Wallace took aim at the MasterChef broadcaster, which he claims has valued 'protecting its legacy' over 'protecting people'. Warning that it was 'dangerous' to be a 'working-class man with a direct manner' in the world of broadcasting, he said he 'won't be the last' to face cancellation. The presenter said: 'In the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake. 'To those who've shown kindness, thank you. It mattered. This has been brutal. For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. I was the headline this time. But I won't be the last. 'There will be more casualties if the BBC continues down this path, where protecting its legacy matters more than protecting people. For my part, with full legal support, I will consider my next move.' Patrick Holland, CEO of MasterChef production company Banijay, said he was 'extremely sorry' to those who had been impacted by Wallace's behaviour and added that the report makes the star's 'return to MasterChef untenable'. Wallace's statement claimed that he 'never set out to harm or humiliate' anyone and that he was 'deeply sorry for any distress caused'. He said his 'late autism diagnosis' - which he received while he stepped back from MasterChef at the end of last year - has helped him to understand how he communicates and how he is perceived. He said: 'For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait. None of the serious allegations against me were upheld. 'I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended. 'I'm relieved that the Banijay report fully recognises that my behaviour changed profoundly in 2018. 'Some of my humour and language missed the mark. I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off. 'After nearly 20 years on the show, I now see that certain patterns, shaped by traits I've only recently begun to understand, may have been misread. I also accept that more could have been done, by others and by myself, to address concerns earlier. 'A late autism diagnosis has helped me understand how I communicate and how I'm perceived. I'm still learning. Banijay have given me great support, and I thank them.' Two British tourists have reportedly died on the Algarve after jumping into their holiday apartment pool after a night out. The alarm was raised around 4.30am at a hotel apartment in the party resort of Albufeira where two British men died last month. Emergency responders sent to the scene made unsuccessful attempts to revive the two men this morning. Police are said to be working on the theory the pair, aged 27 and 29, got into difficulties because they had been drinking and didnt know how to swim. Portugals Policia Judiciaria have been asked by colleagues at the GNR police force to investigate the circumstances surrounding the mens deaths but they are not being treated as suspicious at this stage. Local reports emerging from Portugal suggest the two men who died this morning were both British and were holidaying with friends. Portuguese police could not be reached this afternoon for an official statement. The alarm was raised around 4.30am at a hotel apartment in the party resort of Albufeira (pictured) where two British men died last month. Police are said to be working on the theory the pair, aged 27 and 29, got into difficulties because they had been drinking and didnt know how to swim. (Pictured: Olhos de Agua in Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal) On June 4 Scots tourist Greg Monks was tragically found dead near Albufeira town centre after going missing a week earlier. The 38-year-old plant mechanic from Glasgow is believed to have lost his life after jumping over a wall and falling down a steep hillside during a night out with his stag do friends. A search for him was launched on May 28 and his parents and girlfriend Nicole Kelso flew to Albufeira to help with the efforts to find him. Around four hours before Gregs body was found by police, another young British tourist was found dead in Albufeira, at the back of a residential block below a steep drop near the Old Town. The 21-year-old, also said to have gone out drinking with pals and thought to have become disorientated as he tried to get back to his hotel, was never named. News of his death only emerged three days after Greg was found dead. In July 2023 a 27-year-old British tourist drowned at the Paraiso Hotel in Albufeira. Last month town hall chiefs in the party resort agreed fines of up to 3,375 for holidaymakers who flout a strict new good behaviour code. They included fines of up to 1,250 for people who enter bars and other business premises with their tops off. Fines for spitting or urinating in the street were agreed at between 125 and 630. Travellers who set up illegal encampments in a car park and playing fields have been given 24 hours to leave. Around 60 vehicles pitched up in Nottingham last night while two groups of travellers have been setting up unauthorised encampments across several areas in Plymouth over the last few days. Both Plymouth City Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council issued notices for the groups to move from the areas that are widely used by the public. In Nottingham, the convoy forced entry into the Nursery Car Park in West Bridgford by breaking through a gate and gaining access to the grounds last night, the cops said. Nottinghamshire Police then worked with the local council to issue a Section 61 Notice, asking them to leave by midday today or face action. And down south, there have been three sites set up during the course of the weekend in Plymouth, with the council supplying toilets and bins as per its legal obligations each time. But they have since secured Notice to Quit orders through the courts, allowing them to legally enforce the removal of the caravans and vehicles. One group of caravans and vehicles settled at a field next to Plymouth Albion rugby pitch by Brickfields late Thursday night, locals claimed. In Nottingham, a 60-vehicle convoy forced entry into the Nursery Car Park in West Bridgford by breaking through a gate and gaining access to the grounds last night, the cops said It was said they were on land off Kings Road which has been earmarked to be part of Plymouth Argyle's new academy. The rugby club said it was the second time this year this had happened but refused to further comment. The travellers then moved on Sunday to council land at Stonehouse Creek. Another group were also reported at the Prince Rock playing field over the weekend. The site, off the Embankment Road and near to Laira Bridge, has long been a regular go-to site for travellers with a large number of caravans and vehicles moving onto the ground, each year, around the May and June time and running through most of the summer. If the land is council owned, the council can issue a Notice to Quit. A Notice to Quit gives travellers 48 hours to vacate the area. If travellers fail to do so, the council has authority to escalate proceedings and apply through the court to have the groups removed. If the land is not council owned, it will be down to the landowner to take action. Councils across the UK have a duty of care to travelling communities and all have designated areas where groups can stay. The city council has a permanent site called The Ride near Saltram, in Plympton, but there is a waiting list. If an encampment is reported on public land or local parks, the council has to apply to the civil court for an eviction order. One group of caravans and vehicles settled at a field next to Plymouth Albion rugby pitch by Brickfields late Thursday night, locals claimed If a camp is set up on private land it is the responsibility of the landowner to apply to the court for an order. In both cases it is down to bailiffs to enforce eviction orders and move travellers on. A spokesperson for Plymouth City Council told PlymouthLive: 'There are currently three unauthorised encampments in Plymouth. 'Over the weekend, groups arrived at Prince Rock Playing Fields and at Stonehouse Creek. In order to minimise disruption to residents, we will be issuing both groups with a 24-hour Notice to Quit at the earliest opportunity. 'So that the area can be kept as tidy as possible, and to minimise clean-up costs afterwards, toilets and bins will be provided to the group. 'Meanwhile, the encampment at Knowle Battery remains in situ. The group were served a Notice to Quit last Monday, and follow its expiry on Tuesday we applied to the court for a Possession Order. We are waiting for date for the hearing.' In 2023 the council had to pay out an additional 7,000 to remove hazardous waste from Prince Rock playing field after travellers left the site. Shortly after one group of travellers left the site, locals were shocked to discover huge mounds of waste - including suspected asbestos waste - dumped on the grass. One resident later filmed the piles of waste which Plymouth City Council confirmed was likely to be hazardous and would require what they described as 'specialist contractors' to clear away. The travellers then moved on Sunday to council land at Stonehouse Creek (pictured) Police officers have no powers to remove travellers unless they receive reports of 'aggravating factors' such as disorder, antisocial behaviour, or crime. Plymouth police used Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in June 2021 to order travellers at St Mary's playing field in Plympton to leave the site or see their vehicles seized. It is believed to have been the first time Plymouth police made use of the legal power. The council has explained that the creation of a Temporary Stopping Site (TSS) in Plymouth would mean that police could effectively legally order travellers who set up unauthorised encampments at council-owned land in the city to go to the TSS site - or face immediate eviction. In 2011 three sites were earmarked by Plymouth City Council for development for Gypsies and travellers to prevent the increasing number of unauthorised encampments. At the time support in principle was agreed for 30 pitches in Mowhay Road, St Budeaux, 10 pitches on Military Road in Efford and 15 pitches at Broadley Park in Roborough. However, by 2014 the plans had come to nothing following opposition by councillors and residents and the insistence by one senior councillor that such plans were 'not affordable, even with substantial public subsidy'. A council spokesperson told PlymouthLive: 'The type of unauthorised encampments that we see in Plymouth are not in anyone's best interest. 'They unsettle residents, cost the council money and do not provide the appropriate facilities for the Gypsy, Roma and Travelling community. 'We have long held an ambition to establish Temporary Stopping Sites (TSPs) for the GRT community to use while they visit the city. This would allow the police to use their powers to immediately direct any unauthorised encampment to a TSP. The encampment by Plymouth Albion rugby club has been earmarked to be part of Plymouth Argyle's new academy 'We have not been able to progress this because of the challenge of finding a location for TSPs within the city boundary and suitable for both the settled and GRT communities. Work on this continues.' Meanwhile, a Rushcliffe Borough Council spokesperson has since informed Nottinghamshire Live that the travellers have vacated the site, and a council team is currently carrying out a clean-up operation. Neighbourhood Police Inspector Tim Cuthbert said: 'We know that there was a lot of concern in the local community over the size of this encampment. 'We have acted fast to ensure that the travellers are removed from the site as we know the park is well used by lots of people and groups for events especially at the weekends. 'We served a Section 61 Notice last night, and a number of vehicles have now left the site. They have until midday today to leave the park otherwise enforcement action will be taken.' 'We are in constant contact with Rushcliffe Borough Council who are also seeking to minimise the impact and would like to thank the public for the calls we received yesterday. We hope this swift action will provide the local community with some reassurance.' More than three decades after a baby was found dead inside a trash can in Indiana, the mother has finally been identified - and the father turned out not to be her husband. In 1994, a newborn girl later dubbed 'Baby Hope,' was found stabbed to death inside a trash can by two boys collecting recyclables at Temple Park in Franklin, with police ruling the gruesome discovery a homicide, as reported by WXIN News. For the next 31 years, the identity of the newborn - where she came from and how she met such a brutal end - remained a haunting mystery. That changed on Monday, when Franklin Police revealed a small answer to a decades-old mystery: Baby Hope's mother had been identified as Cheryl D. Larson - a breakthrough made possible through advanced DNA testing and genealogy. But in a shocking twist, DNA results revealed that the baby's father was not Larson's husband at the time of the infant's death, but rather a man named Paul Shepard. Shepard claimed he was 'completely unaware' that Larson - with whom he had a brief relationship with - was pregnant, let alone carrying his child. 'Mr. Shepard continues to struggle with the grief which has exacerbated his health conditions and from which he can find no relief,' a written statement read, as reported by Daily Journal. 'The very thought that a child fathered by him was subjected to such evil is one he cannot escape from,' it added. More than three decades after a baby was found dead inside a trash can in Indiana , the mother has finally been identified - and the father turned out not to be her husband (pictured: 'Baby Hope's' headstone) In 1994, a newborn girl, later dubbed 'Baby Hope,' was found stabbed to death inside a trash can by two boys collecting recyclables at Temple Park in Franklin, with police later ruling the gruesome discovery a homicide (pictured: funeral in 1994) On Monday, Franklin Police revealed a small answer to a decades-old mystery: Baby Hope's mother had been identified as Cheryl D. Larson - a breakthrough made possible through advanced DNA testing and genealogy On April 13, 1994, two boys digging for aluminum cans to recycle at Temple Park made the grim discovery - the body of Baby Hope, who was clearly stabbed just hours after her non-clinical birth. An initial investigation yielded no answers, but the heartbroken community gave the newborn a proper funeral and buried her in Greenlawn Cemetery, as they patiently waited for the truth to emerge. But not even a sliver of answers about Baby Hope's violent and tragically short life emerged - until the case was reopened in 2019. With fresh eyes, advanced technology, and a preserved DNA sample from Baby Hope, investigators began searching public DNA databases - excluding private ones like 23andMe - in an effort to identify the baby's biological parents, WXIN reported. With the help of the Indiana State Police Crime Lab and dedicated detectives, the identification process succeeded, revealing Baby Hope's biological mother to be Cheryl Larson, who would have been around 31 at the time of her daughter's death, Daily Journal reported. Investigators discovered that at the time, Larson and her then-husband, Richard, lived near the park where the newborn was tragically discarded. However, the investigation hit a roadblock when it was revealed that Larson had passed away in 2018 - just a year before the case was reopened. Nevertheless, this new piece of information gave the case fresh momentum, eventually leading authorities to uncover that Larson's husband in 1994 was not Baby Hope's father. In a shocking twist, DNA results revealed that the baby's father was not Larson's husband at the time of the infant's death, but rather a man named Paul Shepard, who was 'completely unaware' about the pregnancy (pictured: Chief Kirby Cochran) On April 13, 1994, two boys digging for aluminum cans to recycle at Temple Park made the grim discovery - the body of Baby Hope, who was clearly stabbed just hours after her non-clinical birth The case was reopened in 2019, and, with the help of the Indiana State Police Crime Lab and dedicated detectives, it was revealed Baby Hope's biological mother to be Cheryl Larson, who would have been around 31 at the time of her daughter's death From there, detectives interviewed Larson's friends and neighbors from three decades ago - including Paul Shepard, who cooperated fully and willingly provided a DNA sample. It was at that point that Shepard - who claimed to have a short-lived relationship with Larson - was determined to be the father of the murdered newborn. Upon learning the news, Shepard was described as 'shocked and grieved' to discover he had a daughter he never knew existed - and to hear of her tragic fate. He was given the chance to name her and fittingly chose Hope Shepard, honoring the name the grieving Franklin community had long bestowed upon her. An excerpt of his written statement read: 'Please understand the anguish this causes him and his family and the pain any discussion of the matter brings. He has no answers which shed any light on the murder of his child and no relief from the grief he endures from the unknown,' WXIN reported. Unfortunately, investigators were unable to determine Larson's level of involvement in Baby Hope's violent death, and no criminal charges have been filed in the case to date. However, authorities noted that could change if new information comes to light. 'This is not a closed case,' Lt. Chris Tennell, investigations commander for Franklin PD, said during Monday's press conference, as reported by the outlet. Investigators discovered that at the time, Larson and her then-husband, Richard, lived near the park where the newborn was tragically discarded (pictured) It was discovered that Shepard - who claimed to have a short-lived relationship with Larson - was determined to be the father of the murdered newborn and was 'shocked and grieved' to hear the news Unfortunately, investigators were unable to determine Larson's level of involvement in Baby Hope's violent death, and no criminal charges have been filed in the case to date due to Larson passing away in 2018 'But we needed to share this information with the community, he added. 'While we remain deeply saddened by the tragic and unjust loss of Baby Hope, we are grateful to finally achieve some degree of closure after 31 years.' Johnson County Coroner Mike Pruitt acknowledged that while DNA is a crucial piece of the puzzle, there are still truths it cannot reveal - but the recent breakthrough offers a measure of closure for the community. 'We still have open questions,' Pruitt said, as reported by the outlet. 'DNA is not going to answer those questions for us.' 'If this stimulates any information, any thoughts that you can bring to law enforcement to help us bring complete closure to this case, that would be the biggest closing point.' A popular British tourist hotspot has banned walking barefoot, picnics, and drinking booze on the streets among a swathe of other prohibitions in a brutal crackdown. Holidaymakers visiting Portofino, a small coastal town on the Italian Riviera in Liguria, are now facing fines for carrying out a variety of actions typically enjoyed abroad. Starting today, travellers in Portofino will no longer be able to walk through the town barefoot, in swimwear, or topless - or sit in the piazza in such attire, Consuming alcohol on public streets has also been prohibited, with only restaurants, bars, and designated areas left to booze in. Begging, sitting, or lying on the streets, walls, sidewalks and parks has also been banned along with having picnics. The new ordinance, signed by Mayor Matteo Viacava, will take effect during the summer season and temporarily expire on September 30. Anyone who is caught violating the regulations before then will be subject to a fine of between 22 and 433. The goal of the latest crackdown is to protect the 'peace and quiet of residents and tourists' in the exclusive coastal resort which brings in up to 100,000 tourists during peak season - despite the town only having a population of 400. Holidaymakers visiting Portofino, a small coastal town on the Italian Riviera in Liguria, are now facing fines for carrying out a variety of actions typically seen abroad Starting today, travellers in Portofino will no longer be able to walk through the town barefoot, in swimwear, or topless - or sit in the piazza in such attire Consuming alcohol on public streets has also been prohibited, with only restaurants, bars, and designated areas left to booze in The municipality had already attempted to combat troublesome tourists in 2023. During that period, stopping at particularly popular viewpoints across the picturesque town was prohibited. In another Italian coastal town, the port city of Diano Marina, the mayor, Cristiano Za Garibaldi, has also drawn a line under the situation and issued similar strict guidelines. He told the Italian television station Telenord: 'This is not a punishment, but a gesture of respect for the town, its residents, and visitors.' Other cities across Italy have also implemented strict rules for tourists. Picnics on bridges or monuments are prohibited in Venice, bathing in fountains is forbidden in Rome, and noisy shoes are taboo on Capri. It comes after Albufeira, in southern Portugal, last month released a Code of Conduct banning everything from public nudity and sex acts to loud noise, and urinating in public. The harshest penalties - 426 and 1,500 - will apply to those caught fully naked or engaging in sexual acts in public. Partial nudity away from designated beach areas, public drinking, urinating or defecating in public, and creating excessive noise are also punishable by fines ranging from 255 to 1,277. Begging, sitting, or lying on the streets, walls, sidewalks and parks has also been banned along with having picnics The new ordinance, signed by Mayor Matteo Viacava, will take effect during the summer season and temporarily expire on September 30 Other violations listed in the code include spitting, misuse of public furniture, and abandoning shopping trolleys, as Albufeira City Council seeks to restore order and cleanliness in high-traffic tourist zones. The crackdown follows a series of incidents, including a viral video last year of eight British men dancing naked on a bar in broad daylight on Albufeiras main party strip, Rua da Oura. The UK Foreign Office issued a travel alert on Thursday, 26 June, warning British nationals of the new regulations, declaring: 'The municipality of Albufeira has introduced a code of conduct which bans inappropriate behaviour in public places. 'Check out the rules that are now in force. If you break the rules, you could be fined on the spot from between 150 and 1,800 euros.' Speaking in May, Mayor Jose Carlos Rolo said the code was part of a broader strategy to repair Albufeira's image, adding that the rules hope to 'promote harmony' between the tourism sector and local population. Meanwhile, Faro Airport in Portugal started the rollout of e-gate access to UK arrivals last month ahead of the peak summer season in the Algarve. The announcement comes after the Government said on May 19 that British passport holders will be able to use e-gates at more European airports as part of a UK-EU deal. Since Brexit, Brits arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped, rather than use automated gates with facial recognition technology leading to long waits, particularly in peak periods. The grieving mother of a teenager whose body was pulled from a river during the weekend heatwave last night said her heart was broken. Emilis Vanagas, 15, was one of five people to lose their life as temperatures soared above 30C and thousands flocked to beauty spots across Scotland. The youngsters body was pulled from Glasgows River Kelvin after emergency services were called to the spot, near Maryhill Road, at about 6.40pm on Saturday. A major search and rescue operation was launched, but the schoolboys body was found in the waterway around five hours later. Tributes have now been paid to the youngster who had only just celebrated his birthday. Mother Daiva Daivute paid her respects to the son she lost on social media, and said: My heart is broken, my dear son. Always remembered, never forgotten. Forever 15. The devastated parent, who said it was hard to live without him and that she would do anything to have him back in our lives added: I miss him so much. He always cared about everyone around him - he always was nice with everyone. Emilis Vanagas, the 15 year old boy who drowned in the River Kelvin on Saturday A weir on the River Kelvin, known locally as The Slush, where 15 year old Emilis Vanagas drowned during the recent heatwave We are all going to keep him deep in our hearts and his will never be forgotten. Aunt Patrycja Majewska said the youngster had just celebrated his 15th birthday and had the whole of his life ahead of him. She said: His parents tragically got the news on Saturday that they found Emilis in the river close to their house. Unfortunately he was pronounced dead at the scene. His parents are devastated after this tragic loss. Many others paid their respects to the well-liked teen, telling of their devastation. And G20 Youth Project, a local community group, also paid tribute. A spokesman said: Our community is mourning the loss of a 15-year-old boy whose life was taken far too soon. As you can imagine, no family is ever prepared for something like this. The circumstances behind how the teenager, known as Emz, ended up in the water remain unclear. A Police Scotland spokesman said inquiries into the death were ongoing but that it was not being treated as suspicious. He added: Around 6.40pm on July 12 a search and rescue operation was launched following a report of a 15-year-old male in the River Kelvin, near Maryhill Road, Glasgow. Emergency services attended and around 11.30pm the body of a male was recovered from the water. In a bid to raise money for Emiliss funeral, Ms Majewska has set up an online fundraising page. As of last night it has raised more than 2,900 as hundreds of people gave money to the cause. Four others died in Scotland at the weekend as temperatures shot up to their hottest in more than two years. A 50-year-old man died on Sunday after being pulled from Loch Lomond the day before, while a 63-year-old woman was pronounced dead after falling at the Campsie Glen waterfall. Meanwhile a motorcyclist was killed in a six-vehicle pile-up on the main route to the Highlands. The 71-year-old biker was pronounced dead after the crash on the A82 northbound, between Renton and Balloch, on Saturday. Another motorcyclist, aged 65, lost his life the following day after a crash with a car on the A85 near Lochewe. Her mother is movie royalty while her late father was a renowned Scots artist. But Honor Swinton Byrne showed her own star-quality at the Cartier Style et Luxe annual display of the finest cars, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, in West Sussex. The 27-year-old daughter of Oscar-winning actress Tilda and the playwright and artist John Byrne, who passed away in November 2023, looked stunning in her full-length chocolate-coloured dress and matching shoes. Honor Swinton Byrne attended the Cartier Style et Luxe annual display of the finest cars She is an aspiring actress having been plugged to take a lead role in the film, The Souvenir by her godmother, director Joanna Hogg, in 2019 plus a sequel in two years later. Ms Swinton Byrne also played Princess Beatrice in A Very Royal Scandal about Prince Andrews disastrous BBC interview with Emily Maitlis. The London-born performer was brought up in the Highlands with her twin brother Xavier and went to school in the former royal burgh of Forres, on the Moray Coast. Prince Harry received a warm reception after landing in Angola to raise awareness of uncleared explosive landmines left behind by a devastating civil war. The royal, who made the trip to the African state without his wife, Meghan, is set to walk across a landmine field just as his late mother, Princess Diana, did 28 years ago for the Halo Trust, for which Harry serves as patron. Harry is understood to have travelled solo without the Duchess of Sussex, after deciding it was too dangerous for her to join him. A source said: 'The duke won't let his wife go to England over security concerns, so there was no chance he'd allow her to go to Angola to walk across landmines.' After landing at Luanda airport earlier this evening, the royal was seen shaking hands with President Lourenco and sitting with other dignitaries to discuss the continuation of demining efforts. Angola is in southwestern Africa, along the Atlantic coast. It was ravaged by a brutal 27-year civil war until 2002 and the country is still grappling with the legacy of landmines, with millions buried across the countryside. As part of its mission to create a 'mine-free country', Halo has cleared more than 123,000 landmines since 1994 and works to transform former war zones into farmland, national parks and 'safe' villages. In 2019, when Harry came on board as Halo's patron, the Angolan government pledged 46million to create wildlife corridors and protect endangered species in conservation areas. Prince Harry received a warm reception after landing in Angola to raise awareness of uncleared explosive landmines left behind by a devastating civil war The royal was seen shaking hands with President Lourenco to discuss the continuation of demining efforts As part of its mission to create a 'mine-free country', Halo has cleared more than 123,000 landmines since 1994 It set a target of clearing all landmines by 2025 and Harry is said to hope that his presence there will boost efforts to meet the target. He is hoping the publicity surrounding his visit will encourage more donations from the Angolan government. A source involved in organising the event told the MailOnline: 'Usually these trips help to drive a bit more money from the government.' The duke has returned to the country for the first time since 2019, when he was still a working member of the royal family. It is understood that he take a series of small two-person planes to the site of the mines he intends to walk across. Harry is hoping to recreate the iconic images his mother, the late Princess Diana, created in 1997 when she took a walk through a minefield wearing a Halo Trust flak jacket and helmet. The striking photographs went down in history, particularly as she died later that year in a car crash. But it is not a sight likely to be recreated by Harry's wife Meghan. It is believed Prince Harry hopes the publicity surrounding his visit will encourage more donations from the Angolan government Harry is hoping to recreate the iconic images his mother, the late Princess Diana, created in 1997 when she took a walk through a minefield wearing a Halo Trust flak jacket and helmet Sources on the ground say that as well as being wary of the dangers for her, the Duke of Sussex is keen to keep his work with Halo close to his chest. A source added: 'Halo is really his thing, it means so much to him to be patron and he just wants to keep his work with them to himself.' Prince Harry is hoping to draw publicity away from the drama surrounding his feud with the Royal family and towards Halo's groundbreaking use of AI and drone technology to speed up clearance. It is thought a speech is planned for later today but Halo, with Harry's blessing, has banned any British press from attending the event. Nevertheless, the trip will not fail to garner worldwide headlines. This is the latest of several significant visits Harry has made to Angola in recent years. In September 2019, after he became patron, he retraced the exact steps his mother took near Huambo, causing a sensation across the globe. The duke also visited the remote Dirico region, where he toured a newly cleared minefield, a detonated a landmine, and spent a night camping by the Cuito River. Prince Harry with a deminer from the Halo Trust in 2010 He then visited the town's Princess Diana Orthopaedic Centre, met female deminers, and toured a demining camp in southeastern Angola. In September 2024, he joined Angola's foreign minister at a United Nations Halo event in New York. Again, Meghan steered clear of the event despite the fact it was in the US. Sources at the time said she did not attend because the trip was part of his 'independent schedule' during Climate Week. The trip comes in the wake of a secret peace summit held between Harry's two most senior aides and King Charles's head of communications in central London last week. The meeting has been described as a charm offensive by the Sussexes to turn around their negative public image. Harry and Meghan's new chief of communications, Meredith Maines, met with Tobyn Andreae, the King's communications secretary, at the Royal Over-Seas League a three-minute walk from Clarence House, the monarch's London residence, on Wednesday. Also present was Liam Maguire, who runs the Sussexes' PR team in the UK. Images of the rendezvous raised hopes of a reconciliation between Harry, 40, and his father, 76. The meeting, held at a private members club in London, was the first step in a 'rapprochement process' to restore the broken relationship between the duke, his wife Meghan and the rest of the royal family. Prince Harry is not joined by his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, after he decided it was too dangerous for her to join him While royal experts have claimed a wounded Prince William will feel less inclined to resolve the feud than his father King Charles, they added the monarch would have undoubtedly consulted the heir to the throne before conducting any peace talks with Harry's aides. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: 'The King and Harry are currently, we understood from Harry's interview on the BBC, not speaking. This meeting obviously is a sign things are moving forward. 'The King would never have made these moves without William's support and understanding. 'William and Catherine are the future of the monarchy. 'He has undoubtedly been furious at the way the Sussexes have behaved and undoubtedly regards Harry's behaviour as treason of a sort. 'They reportedly have not spoken in over two years.' He added: 'Ideally, the Sussexes might like to drive a wedge between the King and the heir to the throne. They won't succeed.' Shocking video footage captured the terrifying moment a Boeing 737 engine began sparking and shooting flames into the night sky shortly after takeoff, with passengers describing what seemed like a mid-air 'explosion.' The FAA has launched an investigation after the right engine of a Sun Country Airlines Boeing 737 experienced issues mid-air, just moments after it took off from Los Angeles International Airport on Monday night. The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing back to LAX. Flight 430 was en route to MinneapolisSt. Paul International Airport with 166 passengers onboard when it experienced 'an issue' with one engine. The pilots declared an emergency and safely returned to LAX. Fire trucks and emergency officials were waiting for the plane. 'I was actually seated next to the engine that caught on fire. I saw just a really bright flash out the window,' a passenger named Sarah told CNN affiliate WCCO. 'The passenger next to me held hands and kind of comforted each other, bracing for the worst.' Shocking video footage captured the terrifying moment a Boeing 737 engine began sparking and shooting flames into the night sky shortly after takeoff, with passengers describing what seemed like a mid-air explosion Another passenger, Ruth Sorensen, described the chaos onboard the flight. 'We weren't even in the air 25 minutes and it sounded like lightning had struck the plane or something had exploded,' one passenger on board, Ruth Sorensen, told CNN. 'We could actually hear the engine, shutting down after this happened and the flames were coming out.' In response, the airline emphasized its commitment to passenger safety. 'Our passengers and crew are our priority, and we appreciate the professionalism of our pilots and flight attendants to ensure the safety of our customers.' Also this week, a Turkish Airlines flight en route to San Francisco was diverted to Chicago after a passenger reportedly died during the flight. Flight TK79 departed from Istanbul just before 2:30 pm local time and was in the air for almost 12 hours before the emergency landing. The passenger first began experiencing a 'severe medical emergency' as the plane flew over Greenland, according to Aviation A2Z. In response to the passenger's condition, the crew prepared to land at Keflavik Airport in Iceland. Flight attendants performed CPR on the passenger, and consulted medical personnel on the ground via radio. Despite the crew's efforts, the passenger died in the air and the pilots reassessed an emergency landing. Flight staff decided to land at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport, where medical personnel could handle the passenger's body. Since the passenger was already pronounced dead in the air, there was less urgency to land outside of US territory A Colorado dentist poisoned his wife's protein shakes and wore scrubs to sneak into her hospital room and administer a fatal dose of cyanide, prosecutors said at his murder trial on Tuesday. The father-of-six, James Craig, is accused of using lethal concoctions including tetrahydrozoline, an ingredient used in eye drops, to murder his wife of 23 years, Angela Craig. James, 47, was having an affair and allegedly poisoned Angela while waiting for his mistress to visit. Prosecutors said he swapped her medication with the poison in a calculated effort to free himself from a marriage in which he described feeling 'trapped,' 'hopeless' and 'helpless.' The jury also heard that James tricked a relative into giving his wife a prescription he said the hospital ordered. However, he swapped out the pills and lied about the prescription. Angela, 43, suffered mysterious symptoms - lethargy, dizziness, vomiting - beginning on March 6, 2023. She died on March 18. James was arrested the following day and has been in jail since. He was tearful when his defense attorney mentioned his family's trips to Disneyland and Angela calling him a 'doting' husband. He pleaded not guilty to several charges, including first-degree murder, two counts of solicitation to commit perjury and solicitation to commit murder. James Craig is seen wiping his tears while on trial for murdering his wife, Angela Craig James, 47, was having an affair and allegedly poisoned Angela while waiting for his mistress to visit Appearing in court neatly-shaven and in a charcoal suit, James looked markedly different from earlier hearings where he wore an orange prison uniform and had unkempt hair. He watched silently as some of his children and other relatives filed into the courtroom, at times dabbing his eyes as prosecutors described his wife's slow death. Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley told jurors James poisoned Angela using arsenic, tetrahydrozoline and cyanide. He claimed James entered her hospital room alone - not to help her recover but to 'deliberately and intentionally end her life.' Prosecutors outlined his alleged motives: financial troubles and a string of extramarital affairs. He and Angela had filed for bankruptcy in 2021, and James was active on 'sugar daddy' websites, where he falsely claimed to be worth $10 million. Four women - including a Texas orthodontist he met at a Las Vegas dental conference weeks before Angela became ill - are expected to testify. Text messages between James and his mistress Karin Cain shown to the court revealed more than 4,000 exchanges, 80 declarations of love and even a song he allegedly wrote for her. James Craig was in tears as prosecutors in his murder trial said he poisoned his wife's protein shakes while he was having an affair because he wanted to escape Angela Craig, 47, died on March 18, 2023, after suffering mysterious symptoms for two weeks, which prosecutors say were caused by her husband James Craig, 47, was allegedly having an affair and is said to have administered a dose of poison while awaiting a visit from his mistress Prosecutors said Craig swapped his wife's medication with poison in a calculated effort to free himself from a marriage in which he described feeling 'trapped,' 'hopeless' and 'helpless' Prosecutors say James lied to Cain, claiming he was already divorced and living alone. Suspicion mounted when a dental practice employee discovered cyanide in a package addressed to James and alerted his business partner. The defense, however, painted a different picture. They described Angela as a 'broken' woman struggling with isolation and mental illness and said the couple's marriage had been 'broken for years.' They admitted James had multiple affairs but argued this was not motive for murder. 'Dr. Craig wasn't a good husband. You may not like him,' defense attorney Ashley Whitham told jurors. 'But this case isn't about whether he's likable or moral. It's about whether the prosecution can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he murdered his wife.' They also urged jurors to be skeptical of testimony from jailhouse informants, calling them 'snitches' with motives of their own. 'This is a tragedy. Six children lost their mother, and Dr. Craig lost his wife of 23 years,' the defense said. 'But sympathy cannot be part of your verdict.' After opening arguments, the prosecution called to the stand several nurses and doctors who'd treated Angela at Parker Adventist in March 2023. They testified that she exhibited no signs of wanting to die, self-harm or take her life. Cardiologist Dr Arthur Levene, telling jurors he 'had no idea' what was causing Angela's symptoms but was confident it wasn't her heart, said he remembered her for several reasons. 'She was very concerned about her symptoms, and she was very pleasant, and the only thing I remember very much: She said she wanted to get better to get home to her six kids.' Top congressional Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has shockingly come out in favor of the Jeffrey Epstein files being released, despite the administration claiming the 'client list' doesn't exist. The Republican shared on a podcast with conservative pundit Benny Johnson that he would like more transparency from the White House surrounding the highly sought after files on the deceased pedophile. Asked if he would support efforts to have Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell testify before Congress, the speaker said 'Im for transparency.' He also appeared open to Congress issuing subpoenas to the FBI and Department of Justice to force the agencies to turn over any previously undisclosed files. 'We're intellectually consistent in this... I trust him (Trump). He put together a team of his choosing and they're doing a great job,' the Republican said. 'It's a very delicate subject but we should put everything out there and let the people decide.' 'The White House, and the White House team, are privy to facts that I don't know. I mean this isn't my lane, I haven't been involved in that. But I agree with the sentiment that we need to put it out there.' He also specifically mentioned Attorney General Pam Bondi's previous remarks noting she had Epstein-related documents on her desk before the DOJ claimed last week that no 'client list' exists. 'Pam Bondi, I don't know when she originally made the statement, I think she was talking about documents, as I understood it they were on her desk,' Speaker Johnson claimed. 'I don't know if she was specific about a list or whatever. But she needs to come forward and explain that to everybody ... I am anxious to get this behind us.' House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would support efforts to force Jeffrey Esptien's imprisoned accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, to testify before Congress His sentiment appeared to cut against the White House's reluctance to engage on the topic. Last week, Trump balked after a reporter asked him about Epstein, and he posted over the weekend questioning his base's interest in the case. Within days the DOJ and FBI came out with a memo saying the 'client list' does not exist at all. The findings have shocked Trump's MAGA base. However, as pressure has grown on Attorney General Pam Bondi to release sealed documents on the financier's crimes and jailhouse death, Trump has seemingly relented and is now for additional files being released. 'The attorney general has handled that very well. Shes really done a very good job. I think when you look at it, youll understand that. I would like to see that also, but the credibility is very important,' he said about the Epstein files Tuesday. When asked about Trump's Tuesday comments about her, Bondi said that 'our memo speaks for itself, and we will get back to you about anything else.' Firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., along with other conservatives have been pushing for more information on the Epstein case. 'I fully support the transparency on this issue,' Greene said Tuesday. 'I also think Pam Bondi is doing a great job.' Attorney General Pam Bondi has been facing pressure to release additional files on Epstein after the DOJ claimed last week that there was no 'client list' related to the dead sex offender Surveillance footage of Jeffrey Epstein's cell dated August 9, 2019, with a time stamp of 12 midnight.Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday sought to tamp down outrage on the right over the Justice Department's recent memo on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.The Justice Department and FBI released a roughly 11-hour video Monday recorded outside Epstein's prison cell door to dispel claims Epstein did not die by suicide. Some on the far right have seized on time stamps in the video, which skip from 11:58 p.m. to midnight Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also told Benny Johnson he'd like to see Maxwell testify on Capitol Hill. 'Absolutely,' he said. 'If she were to testify, I think she could answer a lot of questions that would put this into perspective.' On Monday evening one Republican, Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, voted for a amendment to a bill that would've forced Bondi to release unseen Epstein files on a public portal within 30 days of passage. Norman joined all the Democrats on the Rules Committee push the files into the light of day, however, most Republicans voted down the amendment. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, did not cast a vote in the matter. Roy and Norman are both members of the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative flank of the House GOP that - in line with their anti-swamp antics - are eager to see what is contained in the elusive documents. Democrats, meanwhile, have seen Republican floundering over the files' release as a sign of division - and they are seeking to exploit it for political gain. 'It makes no sense why they want to hide the evidence against Epstein, and the potential client lists that the attorney general is talking about,' the amendments author, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., told the Daily Mail. He heaped praise on Greene and Norman for being supportive of the documents' release. 'They should release the files and let the chips fall where they may for whoever for Democrats or Republicans,' Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., similarly told the Daily Mail. 'It's really, I think, kind of insulting to their own base, because it's like they campaigned on it,' he added. 'Either they were lying from the get go, or they're covering something up that's in there that they don't want to get out.' No one will be disciplined over a deeply offensive Police Scotland document which compared feminist campaigners who oppose transgender policies to Nazis, the Mail can reveal. The force was at the centre of a storm of criticism in May after staff were told that saying gender binary - the belief there are only two genders - was a key feature of the Nazis ideology. It was posted on the intranet by a police constable who did not need authorisation to do so at the time - but since then the force has tightened up the rules and requires permission to be given for self-authored uploads. Police Scotland refused to name the constable who uploaded the document - who is understood to have responsibility for liaising with gay and transgender employees. But it has now emerged that no one faces disciplinary action over the incident - which came to light on the same day top brass held a private meeting with equality groups to discuss trans issues. Last night Scottish Tory equalities spokesman Tess White said: This deeply offensive document should never have seen the light of day, and its frankly astonishing that a police constable was able to upload it without a single senior figure stepping in. People with concerns about the SNPs radical gender self-ID plans shouldnt be attacked for standing up for common sense, so its welcome that this document was removed. Police Scotlands procedures may have changed, but this shocking incident rightly raised concerns about attitudes within the force on this issue. A Police Scotland document compared feminist campaigners who oppose transgender policies to Nazis Replying to a question under freedom of information laws, Police Scotland told the Mail there was no disciplinary process instigated. It added: The learning that was identified has been appropriately highlighted and further additional governance has been put in place to ensure relevant authorisation prior to the circulation and internal publication of documents. When required, this also includes consultation with the Police Scotland Equality and Diversity Unit. Chief Constable Jo Farrell was not aware of the material uploaded, as these documents are self-authored and for clarity are not overseen by the Chief Constable. There was no authorisation required at the time for the addition of self-authored documents to the intranet. The Nazi document - which mirrors material from controversial LGBT group Stonewall was placed on an intranet divisional noticeboard on May 27 and focused on Trans+ History Week in May. It states: At a time when anti-trans rhetoric is on the rise, we can send a clear message - trans people have always been here. This week was founded in recognition of the anniversary of the Nazi raid on the worlds first ever trans clinic in 1933. Tory MSP Tess White said the document 'raised concerns about attitudes within the force on this issue' Books were burned as part of the Nazis targeting of queer communities. Gender binary was a key feature of the Nazi racist policies. Right now, the gender critical movement has a strong voice. Is this movement an echo of how past hostilities arose and does it mean we have failed to understand the lessons from history? The document echoes Stonewall material which says Trans+ History Week is a date deliberately chosen as it is the anniversary of the Nazi raid on the worlds first ever trans clinic in 1933. Last month police were accused of pandering to fringe activists after backtracking on the comments comparing gender-critical campaigners to Nazis. Top brass insisted the internal document drawing the Nazi analogy was immediately withdrawn and measures had been put in place to ensure it does not happen again. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said: I can confirm this document was immediately withdrawn from circulation and does not represent the views of Police Scotland. Police Scotland drives continual cultural improvement through engagement with diverse communities to ensure we tackle discriminatory behaviours. Additional governance has been put in place prior to the circulation and internal publication of documents. When required, this also includes consultation with the Police Scotland equality and diversity unit. I trust this provides you with reassurance that this matter was quickly addressed and measures put in place to ensure that it does not happen again. Last night Trina Budge of gender-critical group For Women Scotland said: Accountability at Police Scotland seems to be distinctly lacking. Publishing a document likening those of us who understand that there are only two sexes to Nazis was quite extraordinary. If no disciplinary action, nor even a public apology, results from this it does make us wonder how on earth women can have confidence in the police when sex is shortly to be added to hate crime laws. A Police Scotland spokesman said: The content does not reflect the views of Police Scotland and has been removed. Advice will be given around the use of language. A kite surfer has died following a 'freak accident' where he was reportedly blown out of the water in high winds and thrown into the side of a moored yacht. The man, believed to be in his 70s, was recovered from the water by a harbour patrol boat and taken to the harbour jetty where he was pronounced dead at the scene this afternoon. Photos taken in the aftermath of the tragic event appear to show the tangled kite around the mast of a boat - with local reports suggesting the victim was blown into its side. Police, lifeboats, coastguard and a search and rescue helicopter responded to the incident at 1.35pm. Police confirmed a second man was left in the care of the ambulance service. Winds reached 35mph this afternoon at the harbour - a popular spot for kite and windsurfers. Portland and neighbouring Weymouth hosted the sailing and windsurfing competitions at the London 2012 Olympics. A Weymouth Lifeboat spokesman said: 'Weymouth inshore lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard and launched at approximately 1.35pm to assist with an incident in Portland Harbour. A kite surfer has died following a 'freak accident' where he was reportedly blown out of the water in high winds and thrown into the side of a moored yacht Photos taken in the aftermath of the tragic event appear to show the tangled kite around the mast of a boat - with local reports suggesting the victim was blown into its side The man, believed to be in his 70s, was recovered from the water by a harbour patrol boat and taken to the harbour jetty where he was pronounced dead at the scene this afternoon 'A yacht anchored in the harbour having reported a kite surfer in difficulty to the Coastguard. 'The ILB crew arrived on scene to find the kite surfer being recovered from the water by the Portland harbour patrol boat. 'The casualty was transferred to Portland harbour jetty where first aid was administered by the harbour staff and RNLI ILB crew. 'The Emergency Response doctor and local ambulance crew also attended the scene. 'Very sadly the casualty was declared dead by a doctor on scene. 'This is a very tragic incident, and our thoughts go out to the family and friends.' A Dorset Police spokesman said: 'We received a report at 1.52pm on Tuesday 15 July 2025 raising concern for the welfare of two men in the water in the area of Portland Harbour. 'Emergency services attended and very sadly one of the men, aged in his 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police, lifeboat, coastguard and a search and rescue helicopter responded to the incident at 1.35pm The ILB crew arrived on scene to find the kite surfer being recovered from the water by the Portland harbour patrol boat The casualty was transferred to Portland harbour jetty where first aid was administered by the harbour staff and RNLI ILB crew 'His death is not being treated as suspicious and his family has been informed. 'Our thoughts are with the man's family and friends at this very difficult time. 'The second person has been left in the care of the ambulance service.' President Donald Trump has responded after Democratic socialist darling Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attacked him about his reluctance to release the FBI's files on convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. A reporter asked Trump at the White House whether he had a comment on AOC's upcoming planned meeting with NYC mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, whom the president has called a 'radical' and a 'communist.' 'AOC look, I think she's very nice but she's very Low IQ and we really don't need low IQ,' Trump told members of the media at the White House on Tuesday. 'Between her and Crockett, we're going to give them both an IQ test to see who comes out best,' the president added. Ocasio-Cortez made headlines for unhinged remarks she posted on social media earlier this week regarding Trump's administration failure to release the full Epstein files. AOC jumped into the growing online fury at Trump, accusing him of being a 'rapist' and alleging it's the real reason he has not released the files. 'Wow who would have thought that electing a rapist would have complicated the release of the Epstein Files?' she wrote sarcastically on X. Last week, DOJ and FBI leaked an unsigned memo concluding convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein killed himself in prison in August 2019 and did not hold a 'client list' of high-profile co-conspirators. The memo said that no more people would be arrested, charged or convicted in the Epstein child sex trafficking case, which angered some in the MAGA base. .@POTUS: "AOC look, I think she's very nice but she's very Low IQ and we really don't need low IQ. Between her and Crockett, we're going to give them both an IQ test to see who comes out best." pic.twitter.com/ycIZmenwLL Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 15, 2025 Trump was found liable of sexually abusing author E. Jean Carroll in a 2023 civil trial. He was not, however, found liable of rape - a distinction the New York Democrat did not make in her post. Conservative X users were quick to jump to the president's defense comparing AOC's comments to remarks made by ABC host George Stephanopoulos, which led to Trump suing for defamation and eventually winning $15 million. South Carolina GOP Congresswoman Nancy Mace called AOC's remarks a 'smear campaign.' 'She should lawyer up. Truth still matters, even if the Lefts forgotten. Were not done fighting. Not even close,' Mace added. Former Fox News Contributor and present DOJ Senior Counsel Leo Terrell wrote on his personal X account that 'President Trump has a perfect defamation case against non-lawyer @AOC.' U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he departs the White House on July 15, 2025 in Washington, DC Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks during a "Fighting Oligarchy" tour event at Arizona State University, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. 'I suggest she obtained a second job as a bartender. She will need a lawyer,' Terrell added. Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin wrote: 'Why didn't you guys release the Epstein files over the last 4 years? Maybe you were too busy covering for Joe Biden or, could it have something to do with another former Democrat President?' in his own reply to Ocasio-Cortez. Conservative commentator Joe Concha wrote on X that 'the congresswoman is absolutely begging to get sued for defamation' referencing the ABC suit. Trump's MAGA base is still fuming that the Epstein files have not been entirely released to the public. Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi last week was forced to retract her statement that the files were 'sitting on my desk' and instead told the American people that there was, in fact, no 'client list.' The DOJ also released last week a video showing the outside of Epstein's cell at the Manhattan jail where he allegedly hanged himself. Ex-Fox personality turned independent journalist Carlson is one the biggest voices sowing division in Trump's MAGA-right. During a speech at Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit this weekend, Carlson went after the Trump admin for the alleged Epstein 'cover-up.' Conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly, a one-time Trump enemy turned ally during the 2024 election wrote on X that she was 'sure it's a relief for Pam Bondi to hear the president is still in her corner.' But, she added: 'Huge swaths of the party are not. She repeatedly misled on Epstein. Then didn't have the courage to explain herself. Suddenly, she's camera shy & no Qs allowed. Good luck!' Steve Bannon, one of Trump's fiercest media allies, suggested at the Turning Point conference in Tampa that the so-called Deep State would block the president from going near the Epstein files. 'Epstein is a key that picks the lock on so many things, not just individuals, but also Institutions, Intelligence, Institutions, Foreign Governments, and who was working with him on our Intelligence Apparatus and in our Government,' Bannon said. FBI head Kash Patel and deputy Dan Bongino are both ready to call it quits if Attorney General Pam Bondi keeps her job after the debacle over releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files. Bongino, the FBI's deputy director, made the ultimatum after an epic clash with Bondi on Wednesday over the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, the Daily Mail revealed this week. The rift was so bad that Bongino took the day off work on Friday, leading some to think that he had already left his post. Meanwhile, Trump's congressional allies are doing their best to play both sides on the issue of Epstein, hoping to remain in the good graces of both Trump and his base, which is undoubtedly splintering. Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of the most MAGA-aligned voices on the right said during an appearance on Real America's Voice (RAV) last week that she for one wasn't buying that there wasn't more to the Epstein story. 'I think the Department of Justice and the FBI has more explaining to do. This is Jeffrey Epstein; this is the most famous pedophile in modern-day history,' Taylor Greene told RAV. Trump's MAGA base is still fuming that the Epstein files have not been entirely released to the public 'And people are absolutely not going to accept just a memo that was written that says there is no client list,' Taylor Greene concluded. Noting that some MAGA influencers have gone off the rails, Wexler told the Daily Mail 'that they're turning the party into what I told my friends the Republican Party wasn't for the last two decades, and now we actually are, like, they're just turning the party into exactly what my liberal friends said we are.' Now, Trump has to sail the rough seas of his own making. In a post to his Truth Social platform this weekend, Trump tried his best to push for unity in the MAGA camp. 'We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein,' Trump wrote. He added that America should 'not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody nobody cares about.' More than two decades, the body has not been found Notorious outback killer Bradley John Murdoch has died of throat cancer aged 67. Murdoch, 67, was diagnosed with metastasised throat cancer in 2019 and spent his last hours surrounded by prison guards at Alice Springs Hospital in the Northern Territory. His death means any hope of finding the body of British backpacker Peter Falconio has died with him. Prison insiders had told Daily Mail Australia the former hulking brute had shrunken to a shadow of his former self as he battled metastasised throat cancer. He 'is acknowledging people are there, but very limited in talking,' the insider said. Murdoch had spent more than two decades behind bars before he was moved from his Alice Springs jail cell to palliative care unit in late June. Authorities and the family of Peter Falconio were hoping for a deathbed confession, with Murdoch providing the location of the young backpacker's body. Murdoch had always denied killing Peter, protested his innocence throughout the murder trial and refused to give up information despite only having hours to live. Peter Falconio's killer, 67-year-old Bradley John Murdoch (pictured) has died of throat cancer 'It is deeply regrettable that Murdoch has died without, as far as we are aware, ever disclosing the location of Peter Falconios remains,' Northern Territory Police said. 'His silence has denied the Falconio family the closure they have so long deserved. 'Our thoughts are with the Falconio family in the United Kingdom, whose grief continues.' After arriving in Australia via Southeast Asia, Peter Falconio and his then-girlfriend Joanne Lees visited Uluru and Alice Springs before driving 200km north to the Ti-Tree Roadhouse to watch the sunset. On July 14, 2001, the pair set off in their VW Kombi campervan, bound for the tourist attraction the Devil's Marbles when they noticed a white 4WD with a green canopy following them. Behind the wheel was Murdoch, who persuaded the pair to pull over at about 7.30pm after signalling there were flames supposedly coming from the back of their van. Once stopped, Murdoch shot Peter in the head on the side of Stuart Highway, north of Barrow Creek, before threatening Ms Lees into the back of his vehicle. Murdoch bound Ms Lees hands behind her back with cable tie restraints and bundled her into the back of his van. Murdoch never divulged the whereabouts of Peter Falconio's body (pictured, Peter with his then-girlfriend Joanne Lees) Peter and Joanne were travelling between Alice Springs and Darwin in their VW Kombi van (pictured) when Murdoch signalled for them to pull over While Murdoch disposed of Peter's body, Ms Lees managed to escape from under the canopy, running barefoot through the bush where she hid as he hunted for her with his dog. Five hours after her boyfriend's murder, Ms Lees eventually flagged down a truck at about 1am and altered the driver who then drove her to Barrow Creek Roadhouse. The ruthless drug runner was arrested shortly after being acquitted in South Australia over the abduction and rape of a 12-year-old girl. Murdoch was found guilty in the NT Supreme Court and in December 2005 was sentenced to life in prison. During his trial, Murdoch disputed the DNA evidence found on Ms Lees' T-shirt and on the gearstick of the couple's van - which was found dumped about 80 metres into the bushes off the highway near Barrow Creek the morning after the murder. The former mechanic, who drove road trains and trucks across the Outback lodged two unsuccessful appeals, and was refused special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia in 2007. He never divulged the whereabouts of Peter's body. The only trace of Peter was a small bloodstain on the asphalt of the highway where the shooting took place. Murdoch shot Peter in the head and then threatened Ms Less into his car, bounding the young woman with cable ties (pictured, Ms Lees and Peter in their van) Murdoch (pictured) was found guilty of Peter's murder and the unlawful assault and deprivation of liberty of Ms Lees and was sentenced to life in prison Despite extensive searches, including a five-day operation in 2019 when police emptied an outback well, Peter's final resting place remains a mystery. After Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed on March 10 that Murdoch was dying of cancer, the Falconios said they had not been informed by authorities of his imminent death. Peter's dad, Luciano Falconio broke his silence on the 24th anniversary of his son's murder after Daily Mail Australia reported on Monday that Murdoch had 'a couple of days to live'. The 83-year-old made a heartbreaking plea for a deathbed confession so that he and his wife can finally bury their son more than two decades after his death. 'It is very significant, I wish I could find him and make an end to it, bury him.... I know what happened but I don't know where he is,' Mr Falconio told News Corp. 'I still hope, yeah I still hope, but I don't know, if we (will) live long enough.' Speaking from their home in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Mr Falconio said he and his wife, Joan, have been tormented for years not knowing where their son is. 'It is important (to find Peter)...but we wont find anything today. It's 20-odd years so it's (the feeling is) not particularly any different,' Mr Falconio said. Peter's dad, Luciano Falconio (pictured with his wife Joan) made a desperate plea for Murdoch to reveal where he had left his son's body after discovering he only had days to live Northern Territory Police said it remained committed to 'resolving the final piece of the investigation' and locating Peter's body. 'We continue to appeal to anyone who may have information that could lead us to Peter Falconios remains to come forward, no matter how small the detail may seem,' Northern Territory Police said. A reward of up to $500,000 has been offered for information leading to the location of Peter's body. Acting Commander Mark Grieve made the announcement on June 25 that an additional $250,000 was added to the reward already on offer. 'NT police still hold out hope someone may be able to assist in this search,' Acting Commander Grieve said. 'A fresh reward for information (on the case) up to $500,000 for information that leads to the discovery of Peter's body.' Despite almost two decades since Mr Falconio's death, Mr Grieve said it was 'never too late to reach out and start that conversation with police'. Rachel Reeves has vowed to slash the red tape that is 'choking off' Britain's 'enterprise and innovation'. But it came amid warnings that her plan risks causing economic chaos with a similar push for deregulation blamed for the financial crisis and global recession of 2008. Delivering her annual Mansion House speech tonight in the City of London, Ms Reeves also confirmed plans to make it easier for banks and building societies to offer more mortgages at 4.5 times a buyer's income a restriction brought in after the financial crash which is expected to benefit more first-time buyers. On Tuesday night Ms Reeves said: 'In too many areas, regulation still acts as a boot on the neck of businesses, choking off the enterprise and innovation that is the lifeblood of growth. 'Regulators must take up the call I make this evening, not to bend to the temptation of excessive caution but to boldly regulate for growth in the service of prosperity across our country.' The Treasury is carrying out a line-by-line review of regulation affecting financial services, with a view to stripping it back to make the UK 'supercompetitive'. Ms Reeves believes that ensuring Britain is in sync with its competitors which includes reforming strict rules on investment banking brought in after the great financial crisis that saw Northern Rock collapse will make the country a more attractive place to do business, driving growth and investment. But she also hopes that reducing regulation for financial services will encourage businesses and individuals to take informed risks when it comes to investing in stocks and shares. Rachel Reeves vowed to slash the red tape 'choking off' Britain's 'enterprise and innovation' Ms Reeves also confirmed plans to make it easier for banks and building societies to offer more mortgages at 4.5 times a buyer's income The Chancellor of the Exchequer believes that ensuring Britain is in sync with its competitors will make the country a more attractive place to do business, driving growth and investment To this end, Ms Reeves will launch an advertising campaign on the benefits of investing which has drawn parallels with the 1986 'Tell Sid' adverts encouraging ordinary people to buy shares in British Gas when it was being privatised. And banks will be able to alert customers about specific investment opportunities, in the hope it will encourage those with cash sitting in low-return current accounts to move it into stocks and shares. But deregulation also comes with risks, and economists have pointed to the recession that followed the financial crash. Chaitanya Kumar, head of economy and environment at the New Economics Foundation thinktank, told the Guardian: 'It feels like groundhog day. We've been here before, expecting the financial sector to do most of the heavy lifting in terms of growth. 'The 2008 crash and what followed should have been a very strong lesson to everybody in not completely letting the financial services sector off its leash, but that's what we seem to be doing.' And Jesse Griffiths, chief executive of The Finance Innovation Lab charity, said: 'Buying the City's push for deregulation risks increasing the risks of costly financial crises.' In 2011, then shadow chancellor Ed Balls apologised for Labour's failures when in government which contributed to the 2008 crisis. He said: 'All around the world the banks behaved irresponsibly, but regulation wasn't tough enough. We were part of that. I'm sorry for that mistake I deeply, deeply regret it.' Treasury officials insisted last night that financial stability remained key for the Chancellor, and that her reforms were aimed at a regulatory culture which 'excessively' focuses on risk. The Chancellor also said new powers to force pension funds to invest in UK assets such as infrastructure projects were 'sending a clear signal' the Government wants to deliver higher returns for savers and more investment for the economy. 'But I am confident I will not need to use that power because firms see the urgency and importance of this as clearly as I do,' she added. On Tuesday night, Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said: 'Rachel Reeves should have used her speech to rule out massive tax rises. 'The fact she didn't should send a shiver down the spine of taxpayers across the country.' A 17-year-old boy was allegedly shot and beaten to death at a Florida truck stop by his jealous boyfriend - as the teen's horrified mother watched the killing unfold live on FaceTime. Henry Jonathan Valencia, 23, was arrested Friday and charged with murder for the killing of 17-year-old, Nosiah Santos, who deputies confirmed was in a relationship with the suspect, reports Ocala News. Valencia became enraged after discovering that Santos had been messaging other men on Grindr. The couple had traveled together from Jacksonville to the Petro Travel Center in Marion County, arriving around 2:25 p.m., according to the sheriffs office. They began arguing at the gas pump, and at one point, Valencia drove off - leaving Santos stranded at the station. But he returned moments later and confronted the teen again. Surveillance footage shows Valencia pacing back and forth from his car to Santos multiple times, growing increasingly agitated. At one point, Santos appeared to try to walk away and disengage from the fight. Instead of backing off, Valencia allegedly pulled out a gun and shot the boy in the head at point-blank range. The teen's mother was connected on FaceTime and helplessly watched her son collapse. Henry Jonathan Valencia, 23, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder of 17-year-old Nosiah Santos, more than a month after the fatal shooting Detectives say Valencia became enraged after discovering that Nosiah Santos (pictured), 17, had been messaging other men on Grindr Surveillance footage captured the couple arguing at the Petro Travel Center before Valencia opened fire. Valencia then struck Santos in the head multiple times before fleeing the scene in his vehicle and driving back to Jacksonville. Emergency responders rushed to the scene and transported Santos to a nearby hospital, but he died shortly after from his injuries. The brutal murder sparked a weeks-long investigation that culminated in Valencias arrest on July 11. Valencia is currently being held without bail at the Marion County Jail and faces a second-degree murder charge. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 12. Investigators confirmed the couple were romantically involved, and the killing was triggered by jealousy over Santos's online interactions with other men. No additional charges have yet been filed. Authorities have not commented on whether the FaceTime call was recorded. The age of consent in the state of Florida is 18. The White House is opening its own probe of Joe Biden's use of an autopen for commutations and other matters over a period of years in the latest escalation of what President Trump calls a 'tremendous scandal.' The investigation is to be conducted by the White House counsel's office. A senior administration official told Fox News that the probe is anticipating a review of up to one million documents. It comes as Trump's Republican allies in the House are gearing up their own probe of the president's use of an autopen on a series of pardons and commutations, including some high profile ones at the end of his presidency. House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) has subpoenaed former Biden administration aides in its probe, and the Justice Department has its own open investigation. It's part of a larger look at how Biden's aides may have hidden his rapid cognitive decline while he was in office. Trump has regularly pointed to the issue since the first reports of Biden's use of the device, claiming his predecessor was incompetent and many of his actions were invalid. The move comes after Biden spoke to the New York Times and said he 'decided' on the commutations that bore his signature. The Trump White House is opening an investigation into predecessor President Joe Biden's use of an 'auto pen' for commutations 'I made every decision,' he told the paper, which also reviewed internal email traffic among senior aides who met with the president about commutations, then sent around emails to keep a record of what happened. Biden knocked down the sentences of about 4,000 federal convicts, while issuing 'preemptive' pardons of Trump targets including former chairman of the joint chiefs Gen. Mark Milley and members of the House January 6th committee. 'Everybody knows how vindictive he is, so we knew that they'd do what they're doing now,' Biden said. 'I consciously made all those decisions.' Trump, however, has claimed repeatedly that Trump was experiencing mental decline and had 'no idea' what he was doing. 'The autopen I think is maybe one of the biggest scandals that we've had in 50 to 100 years. This is a tremendous scandal,' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Monday. 'I guarantee you he knew nothing about what he was signing. I guarantee it.' President Joe Biden signs a presidential memorandum in November 2023 Some of the pardons, including those in the final hours of Biden's term, followed extensive public reporting about whether he would do it. The move comes days after Biden's former White House physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, repeatedly pleaded his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination during an appearance before Comer's committee. Comer blasted the move in a blistering statement. 'Most people invoke the Fifth when they have criminal liability. And you know, that's what it would appear (to be) on the surface here,' he said. 'Joe Biden was the worst, most incompetent, and senile president in our country's history,' press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the network Tuesday. 'It has been widely reported that Joe Biden handed the power of the presidency to an autopen controlled by unelected leftist staffers, who were allowed to make terrible decisions that destroyed our country.' She said the White House was 'committed to finding the answers to the many outstanding questions the American people still have about how business in the Biden White House was conducted.' The probe gives Trump and his team the ability to sift through mountains of documents at the National Archive and put information into the public domain. Biden, 82, who is battling prostate cancer and working on a memoir, told the Times he used the device because there were too many commutations for him to have done individually. 'We're talking about a whole lot of people,' he said. Trump, meanwhile, has made it a practice to regularly hold press events when slapping his John Hancock onto executive orders. A gang of bumbling thieves are on the run after smashing their way into Fendi's luxury Sydney boutique in a dramatic early-morning ram raid - only to leave behind the getaway car and steal items that may be virtually impossible to sell. Police were called to the Fendi boutique on the corner of Elizabeth and Market Street, in Sydney's CBD, at about 3.45am on Wednesday. The group of thieves drove through the shop window in a stolen silver Lexus NX200t SUV before quickly looting the store. The offenders made off with a haul of high-end handbags believed to be worth tens of thousands of dollars. The SUV, which was reported stolen from Waterloo on Tuesday, was abandoned at the scene. Witnesses reported seeing the group flee in two other vehicles - a white BMW wagon with NSW registration NCA59A and a grey Audi S3 with NSW registration DMR81V. Both vehicles were reported stolen during a break-in at a home in Kingsford overnight. The Fendi smash-and-grab offenders have been branded some of Australia's dumbest criminals - as the stolen handbags may only fetch around $3,000 each, and likely far less if buyers suspect they're stolen. The group of brazen thieves smashed through the Fendi store on the corner of Elizabeth and Market Street in Sydney's CBD (pictured) The store's interior showed extensive damage and empty shelves after the thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of luxury goods (pictured) If they try to sell the luxury handbags on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, it'll be easy for police to trace them, thanks to each bag having a unique serial number and instantly recognisable design. Their safest option to avoid detection might be selling the items privately to friends or family for cash, but that would significantly reduce the resale value. The gang may now attempt to ship the bags overseas to avoid detection, but even that strategy could fail, as customs officers and international resellers are trained to spot stolen designer goods. Fendi bags can range in price depending on the style, material and whether the bag is part of a limited edition or special collection. Entry-level styles include the Fendi 'Kan I' or 'Mon Tressor', which range between $2,300 and $3,800. Fendi's iconic Baguette bag is sold for $3,100 to $5,400, while the brand's high-end styles can cost anywhere from $7,500 to $15,000. The brand's special edition bags, which can cost between $15,000 to an eyewatering $30,000 or more, are not displayed in the store's windows. An insider, who previously worked at a high-end boutique, said ultra-luxury items are typically stored securely and separately from the items on display, making them virtually inaccessible to would-be thieves. The stolen SUV, used to smash through the store, was abandoned at the scene (pictured) 'The pieces you see in the shop window or on the sales floor are known as commercial items - they're designed for customers who are wanting to enter the luxury market,' the insider explained. 'The truly high-end pieces are never displayed out front. What you see is the cheaper stock.' The insider said every luxury brand has a VIP room reserved for select clients who meet strict criteria - whether it's a high net worth, celebrity status or have a 'profile' with the brand after spending a particular amount. Inside the VIP room, a staff member personally guides the customer through the expensive and exclusive top-tier offerings. Police have established a crime scene and are combing through CCTV footage and forensic evidence. Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command remain at the site, with the store's interior showing extensive damage and empty shelves where luxury goods once sat. Police are advising anyone who sights the two getaway vehicles to not approach but call authorities immediately. Anyone with information is urged to call Day Street Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 18000 333 000. Fendi's entry-level styles include the Fendi 'Kan I' or 'Mon Tressor' (pictured), which range between $2,300 and $3,800 It comes after thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of luxury items from the Fendi boutique in Melbourne. The Fendi boutique on Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD was targeted by thieves shortly before 6am on April 8. The group used a vehicle to smash through the front windows of the boutique before grabbing a stash of designer handbags, clothing and other accessories. Police charged four people with multiple offences and a fifth was released pending summons. The group allegedly were part of a crime ring which targeted six luxury stores in a series of smash-and-grab ram raids in March and April. About $1.2million in goods was stolen from the raids at stores including David Jones, Fendi and Dior - the latter raided twice. During two years and more than 20 court hearings, ministers argued a super-injunction was necessary to give them the chance to relocate tens of thousands of Afghans to the UK, with costs of up to 7billion cited regularly. Yesterday the Ministry of Defence was saying the numbers were in the single-digit thousands and the costs 400 million to 800 million. Here we contrast what they said in court when journalists were gagged and what they are saying now: THE COSTS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SAID YESTERDAY: Defence Secretary John Healey to the Commons: On the question of the 7 billion, this was a previous estimate. It is not related simply to the Afghan recovery route. It is an estimate of the total cost of all Government Afghan schemes for the entire period in which they may operate. The cost of the ARR (Afghanistan Response Route) scheme to date, the cost and the sums committed to bring the 900 principals and their immediate families that are in Britain or in transit is around 400 million, and I expect a similar sum to be the cost of those still to come. MoD officials: The total amount for ALL schemes was a potential 7 billion. Not for this incident alone. As you know 400 million is what is spent on this incident so far with about double to come. WHAT IT TOLD THE COURT: An MoD briefing paper summing up an October 2024 meeting of the home and economic affairs committee of Cabinet members talked about the strategic approach to manage the impact of the data incident. The current policy response to the data incident will mean relocating c.25,000 Afghans... this will mean relocating more Afghans to the UK... this will extend the scheme for another 5 years at a cost of c.7billion. Mr Justice Chamberlain in November 2024: Im starting to doubt myself am I going bonkers, because it really is 6 billion? [Later confirmed to be 7 billion]Cathryn McGahey KC for the MoD: It is...Yes, its a very large amount of public money being spent without currently any information to the public. The covert airlift of thousands of Afghans was launched after the UK military catastrophically lost a database of details of those who had applied for sanctuary in the UK to flee the murderous Taliban But Defence Secretary John Healeys emergency explanation to Parliament appeared at odds with facts heard at secret High Court hearings over the last two years February 2025 Mr Justice Chamberlain, during discussions in court: Youre going to have to say something about all of this, because youre spending 7 billion and youre letting in many thousands of people that you wouldnt have been letting in before. If youre doing all of those things, youre going to have to say something at some point. July 2025 Mr Justice Chamberlain: People will want to judge for themselves... to know a bit of detail about what exactly was lost; what was it, that caused the Government to decide to spend 7 billion or whatever it is. Ms McGahey KC for the MoD: Yes. NUMBERS ARRIVING WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SAID YESTERDAY: Around 4,500 people, made up of 900 principal applicants and approximately 3,600 family members, have been brought to the UK or are in transit so far through the Afghanistan Response Route. A further estimated 600 and their relatives are expected to be relocated before the scheme closes, a total of 6,900 people. WHAT IT TOLD THE COURT: October 2024: Defence Secretary John Healeys presentation to the home and economic affairs committee of Cabinet members: This paper... argues for a reformed Afghan Resettlement Programme that could see c.36,000 settled. Assuming minsters are content to proceed as recommended, we would be aspiring to develop a programme which resettles c.36,000 people (of which c.3,500 are already in the relocation pipeline). February 2025 MoD briefing paper in February 2025 summing up the HEA Cabinet meeting: The HEA agreed that the current policy response which offers relocation to the UK...(c.25,000 Afghans) remained appropriate. The current policy response to the data incident will mean relocating c.25,000 Afghans Every few weeks, unmarked government charter planes are landing at airports including Stansted and RAF Brize Norton packed with hundreds of Afghans, who are processed before being whisked off to a new life So far 18,500 Afghans whose data was breached have been flown to Britain or are on their way in taxpayer-funded jets. A total of 23,900 are earmarked for arrival June 2025 Dominic Wilson, senior mandarin at the Cabinet Office, in a statement of truth to High Court last month: Prince Harry has long been criticised for being out of touch and lacking self-awareness, particularly through making explosive claims about the Royal Family at every opportunity he gets. He once came under fire for encouraging people to leave their jobs so they could have a 'mental health awakening', just as he did when he stepped down from the Royal Family to live in a 10million Montecito mansion with Meghan Markle. His reasons for leaving the Firm left little room for public sympathy as he claimed to have been financially cut off from them, despite inheriting millions from the late Princess Diana and a family trust fund set up by the Queen Mother. Surely, decades of media training and hiring an expensive PR team would protect Harry from these royal blunders. But the prince made headlines once again in April 2022 for a confusing and contradictory claim he made during an interview for the postponed 2020 Invictus Games in The Hague. The interview came just a year after Harry made his first trip back to Britain since the previous summer. Meghan and Harry stopped by Windsor Castle to visit the Queen on their way to the Netherlands. Harry reportedly also had a 'cordial but slightly awkward' meeting with his father, Prince Charles, which lasted 15 minutes. Asked by Today host Hoda Kotb how the Queen was doing after the prince's quick stop-off in the UK, he replied: 'Being with her, it was great. Prince Harry made headlines in April 2022 for a confusing and contradictory claim he made during an interview for the postponed 2020 Invictus Games in The Hague Asked by the Today host Hoda Kotb how the Queen was doing after the prince's quick stop-off in the UK, he replied: 'She's on great form' Harry said that he was ensuring the Queen was 'protected', and had the 'right people around her' 'It was just so nice to see her, you know, she's on great form, she's always got a great sense of humour with me and I'm making sure she's protected and got the right people around her.' The line about Harry making sure the Queen was 'protected' struck a nerve with some royal observers. Apparently this line didn't go down well with Charles, who was said to be 'at a loss' to explain his sons behaviour. He was mocked by journalist Giles Coren, who wrote in The Times: 'If he doesn't keep his grandmother on the straight and narrow, who knows what could happen? 'She could, say, marry someone unsuitable, or fall out with her entire family.' While Harry did not elaborate on what he meant, his comments came just over a year after the Sussexes' explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey. At one point during that interview, Harry alleged that the Queen was badly advised by those around her. 'When you're head of the Firm there are people around you that give you advice. The Invictus Games interview came just a year after Harry made his first trip back to Britain since the previous summer. Meghan and Harry stopped by Windsor Castle to visit the Queen on their way to the Netherlands While Harry did not elaborate on what he meant, his comments came just over a year after the Sussexes' explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey Royal author Tom Quinn wrote in his book Gilded Youth: 'Harry's lack of self-awareness is matched only by that of his wife' Harry's conversation with Hoda Kotb HODA: How did it feel being back, being with her? HARRY: Being with her, it was great. It was just so nice to see her, you know, she's on great form, she's always got a great sense of humour with me and I'm making sure she's protected and got the right people around her. HODA: You make her laugh, that's what she always says. Did you do it again? HARRY: Yes I did. Both Meghan and I had tea with her so it was nice to catch up with her. Home for me now is for the time being is in the States and it feels that way as well. We've been welcomed with open arms and we have such a great community up in Santa Barbara. Advertisement 'And what has also made me really sad is some of that advice has been really bad,' he said at the time. After Harry's interview, a broadcaster called out to William and Kate as they left a building, asking: 'Sir, does the Queen need protecting?' William and Kate did not respond. Royal author Tom Quinn wrote in his book, Gilded Youth: 'Harry's lack of self-awareness is matched only by that of his wife; in the now notorious Oprah interview, he lamented the lack of financial support from his father, despite the fact he must have known it was common knowledge that he inherited a fortune from his mother. 'Other gaffes based on a kind of breathtaking naivety include the couple's complete failure to realise that you cannot make speeches about the world needing to do something about global warming and then flying by private jet, as Meghan did when she flew from Toronto to Jamaica for the wedding of one of Harry's Old Etonian chums.' Between Megxit, Spare, his explosive Oprah interview and lost security appeal, it seems Harry has not only lost the favour of his family, but also the public. Since stepping down as senior royals, the opinion polls have shown a steep decline in Harry and Meghan's popularity with members of the public. A YouGov poll in May 2025 showed only 27 per cent of the public held a positive view of Harry, with just 20 per cent of people having a positive view of Meghan. This is in comparison to November 2017 when 81 per cent of Britons told the polls they had a positive view of Harry and almost half liked Meghan. A YouGov poll in May 2025 showed only 27 per cent of the public held a positive view of Harry, with just 20 per cent of people having a positive view of Meghan Your browser does not support iframes. In recent months, Harry has made headlines after the Mail revealed his unsuccessful security appeal over his level of protection when visiting the UK cost British taxpayers 100,000. Harry's relationship with the Crown is aptly summarised by royal biographer Ingrid Seward, who has spent the last 40 years following the Firm. She wrote in her book My Mother And I: 'He chooses to be the victim and wreak vengeance on the slights he thought he had suffered; on his family, on the press and through the courts.' Within hours of the Appeal Court judgment, Harry declared in his bombshell interview: 'This is a good old-fashioned Establishment stitch-up - and that is what it feels like'. Hopes of a reconciliation between the family are slim with Harry claiming that his father, King Charles, will not speak with him. In the meantime, some observers fear that Harry's court battle will spearhead the publication of a sequel to his explosive memoir, Spare, and most suggest this would open fresh tensions between the feuding prince and his family. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Princess Charlotte may only be 10 years old, but she's already making waves with her impeccable sense of style - no doubt influenced by her mother, the Princess of Wales. Her appearance at the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final was a standout moment, where she effortlessly echoed Kate's signature elegance. Charlotte wore a custom dress by Sarah Burton for Givenchy, a favourite designer of her mother's. The bespoke piece featured a timeless A-line silhouette with playful ruffle detailing, all in a chic monochrome colour palette. She completed the look with her go-to Papouelli Mary Jane shoes, a pair of classic Ray-Ban sunglasses and sparkling jewellery from Pandora. Her bracelet was especially eye-catching, featuring a Nala charm from the brand's popular Disney The Lion King collaboration, alongside an engravable heart disc charm and an emerald charm representing her birthstone. The great news? You can shop similar dresses and Charlotte's exact accessories below - including budget-friendly alternatives. Dresses Bracelets Shoes Sunglasses A meeting between King Charles and Prince Harrys senior aides came amid a charm offensive by the Sussexes to turn around their negative public image, the Mail understands. Harry and Meghans new chief of communications, Meredith Maines, met with Tobyn Andreae, the Kings communications secretary, at the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) a three-minute walk from Clarence House, the monarchs London residence on Wednesday. Also present was Liam Maguire, who runs the Sussexes PR team in the UK. Images of the rendezvous raised hopes of a reconciliation between Harry, 40, and his father, 76. The extraordinary summit came after Ms Maines, who is head of Harrys household in Montecito, California, flew to the UK earlier in the week for a series of meetings alongside Mr Maguire, their new UK and Europe communications manager'. These included British business and charitable partners, as well as a host of London-based press and television journalists. Their itinerary suggests that the couple - Harry in particular - are launching a new charm offensive on the UK in a bid to turn around their negative public image. The Mail understands it was subsequently suggested that a meeting with Buckingham Palaces director of communications, Mr Andreae, might be possible while Ms Maines was in the UK. This is not as surprising as it might initially seem. A meeting between King Charles and Prince Harrys senior aides came amid a charm offensive by the Sussexes to turn around their negative public image (pictured: Director of Communications for the Royal Household, Tobyn Andreae, Liam Maguire, who runs the Sussexes' PR team in the UK and Meridith Maines, head of comms for The Sussexes) The extraordinary summit came after Ms Maines, who is head of Harrys household in Montecito, California, flew to the UK earlier in the week for a series of meetings alongside Mr Maguire, their new UK and Europe communications manager (pictured) Images of the rendezvous raised hopes of a reconciliation between Harry, 40, and his father, 76 (pictured: King Charles III walks with his son Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex as they arrive at St George's Chapel on September 19, 2022, ahead of the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II) Their itinerary suggests that the couple - Harry in particular - are launching a new charm offensive on the UK in a bid to turn around their negative public image Even after the Sussexes acrimonious departure from the Royal family, tentative lines of communication were kept open between the palace press office and the duke and duchess PR team on occasional matters of importance. However in recent years these have all but dwindled out in the wake of Harrys repeated and increasingly vitriolic attacks on his family, as well as the institution of the monarchy. His latest, with the BBC, in which he blamed his recent decisive defeat in the British courts over his ongoing security in the UK on an establishment stitch-up and insensitively raised the issue of how long his father has to live, went down extremely badly in royal circles. While understandably wary, it is understood that the palace believed a tentative meeting was sensible in the circumstances - if only to re-open those channels once again with yet another new Sussex PR team, following another series of enforced departures both in California and the UK. There was considerable surprise and a weary resignation amongst senior courtiers to see details and pictures of Wednesdays meeting, which was such a closely-guarded secret, published in the media at the weekend. Senior officials on all sides have repeatedly declined to say whether Prince Williams team at Kensington Palace were aware that the meeting was going ahead, even if they were not represented. One source stressed to the Mail that the relationship between father and son was inevitably different to that of the siblings. It has also been noted that while angry and not wishing at present to make any sort of personal overtures to his brother, William has on a number of occasions over the years made magnanimous gestures of kindness towards him, despite huge provocation, including inviting Harry and Meghan to meet mourners and collect flowers at Windsor Castle following the death of Queen Elizabeth. Tobyn Andreae (left), the King's communications secretary, met with Meredith Maines (right) - who is Harry's chief communications officer, in London King Charles is pictured with Mr Andreae in November 2024 Tobyn Andreae arrives for the secret meeting - turning up minutes after Ms Maines with a gift from Berry Bros & Rudd Liam Maguire, who runs the Sussexes' PR team in the UK, is pictured here top left as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the Invictus Games closing ceremony in October 2018 in Sydney A source said the summit was only the 'first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction' During a BBC interview in May of this year, Harry hinted at wanting to reconcile with his family The Windsor feud began shortly after Harry and Meghan moved to California and gave an explosive interview to US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey (they are pictured here in May 2024) Harry is next due back in the UK in September for the annual WellChild events, raising the prospect of meeting his father for the first time in 18 months. The 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham is another opportunity for a public reconciliation. The Duke is said to have sent email invitations to Buckingham Palace in the hope that it will give the King sufficient time to fit the event into his busy schedule. While the meeting was significant, it is understood it was largely to open a channel of communication after Harry said in a BBC interview his father would not speak to him, and to discuss how to avoid media clashes and conflicts around calendar dates. Harry and Meghan are said to be frustrated after the meeting was caught on camera in pictures published by the Mail on Sunday. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex denied leaking details of the rendezvous. Could the 'peace summit' in London involving the King's trusted Press Secretary and two of the Sussexes' key media executives really herald the distant possibility of an end to the bitter feud between Harry and Meghan and the rest of the Royal Family? Friends say that despite all the pain Harry has caused him, King Charles is a 'deeply loving and forgiving father', so a small step towards a rapprochement between father and son certainly seems plausible. The trouble is that, while Charles may forgive Harry, hell will freeze over before William does too. Or for that matter, Kate. And here is why. Let's roll back the years to February 2018 when William and Kate and Harry and Meghan were photographed together for the first time and hailed by the Press as 'The Fab Four'. We all had such high hopes that we were witnessing a new generation of working royals and a harmonious, modern vision of the future. It was just two years later in 2020 that the Sussexes decided to step down as working royals, abandoning honour, duty, Harry's family and these shores for riches in California. The immediate result was huge gaps in the meticulously planned royal calendar which is worked out not just months but years ahead. With the Sussexes abandoning ship, there were suddenly gaping holes in the schedule. Following the death of her beloved Prince Philip, the late Queen continued in frail health to soldier on with her public duties. Meanwhile, Princess Anne increased her already huge workload, as did the Edinburghs Sophie and Edward. Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex, the Princess of Wales and Prince William in 2018 - a time when the Press hailed them as 'The Fab Four' If Harry and Meghan had been around they could have shouldered some of the load following the Royal Family's cancer diagnoses, writes AMANDA PLATELL William and Kate stepped up, too, despite the pressures of parenting young children George, Charlotte and Louis. William's passionate wish was that they would never experience the dysfunctional family life he had endured. Even though George is heir to the throne, he wanted to give his children as normal and stable a family upbringing as possible, with Mum and Dad at home as much as they could be. Yet such hopes were dented by the petulant departure of Harry and Meghan. That is a hurt that does not heal. In the years afterwards, with Harry and Megs spewing bile about the Royal Family, William and Kate soldiered on, filling the gaps, flying the flag for Britain and the monarchy which, after the Sussexes left and with an ailing Queen Elizabeth, was certainly fragile. And then came the double-whammy. First, the King shockingly revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer. Then the news one month later that Kate too had cancer and was removing herself from public duties for treatment and to take time to heal with her family. Where was Harry's conscience then? Did he not regret abandoning his brother when the Royal Family needed him most? As Kate endured her chemotherapy, William was still having to carry out his public engagements when all he probably wanted to do was to be at home. If Harry and Meghan had been around they could have shouldered some of the load but that prospect was denied William with their selfish departure. Unforgivable. The King's communications secretary, Tobyn Andreae, Harry and Meghan's chief communications officer Meredith Maines, and Liam Maguire, who runs the Sussexes' public relations team in the UK, meet in London for a secret peace summit last week I don't know how Harry sleeps at night knowing he has not just betrayed his brother with his constant stream of vitriol about the royals, but has also been absent at the time of William's greatest need coping with both his father and his wife's cancer ordeals while ploughing on with his royal duties. The King may be forgiving of the extra burden he has had to bear without Harry in the fold, as well as the pain caused by the fact he has never got to know his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet. He may even forgive Harry for his vilification of Camilla in his memoir Spare (although I doubt Queen Camilla will be so accommodating). But William will never forgive him. Those close to the Prince of Wales say he is beyond anger and never even talks about the brother he was once so close to. Harry has ceased to exist for William, who is now said now to be completely 'indifferent' towards him. Tellingly, as my colleague Richard Eden reports today, such is the ill-feeling that Prince William and Kate were apparently not even told about last week's 'peace summit'. If this summit between Charles's representative and Harry's team eventually succeeds, it may heal some of the wounds of father and son. But nothing will ever repair the bond with William and Kate and, I believe, Camilla after Harry's multiple betrayals of them. When the sad day comes and King Charles is no longer with us, the Sussexes and their children will be about as welcome as the Kardashians in the new court of King William. It is easy to understand why. A sprawling New Hampshire mansion that was once Ghislaine Maxwell's secret hideout has hit the market for $2.5 million. The 156-acre property in Bradford is where the FBI arrested Maxwell in a 2020 raid, just over a year after Epstein died in jail while on trial for child sex trafficking charges. The luxury estate - named Tuckedaway while Ghislane lived there - includes a main house with floor-to-ceiling windows, a fieldstone fireplace, and a sunroom with its own wood-burning stove. There's also a converted barn and detached garage, all surrounded by acres of forest. Maxwell bought the home in 2019 through a limited liability company for $1.1 million, according to Realtor.com. The four-bed, four-bath set on nearly 4,500 sq. ft. house, on 156 acres of land, is on East Washington Road was sold to a company called Granite Reality LLC, a reference to New Hampshire's Granite State nickname. The purchase stayed under the radar until federal agents tracked her down at the property in July 2020. A sprawling New Hampshire mansion that was once Ghislaine Maxwell's secret hideout has hit the market for $2.5 million Maxwell, now 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of helping Epstein abuse underage girls Maxwell, now 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of helping Epstein abuse underage girls. She's currently locked up at FCI Tallahassee in Florida. Maxwell is now begging President Donald Trump for help after his Department of Justice urged the Supreme Court to reject her appeal of her sex-trafficking conviction. Maxwell's attorney David Oscar Markus told DailyMail.com: '[Trump] is the ultimate dealmaker - and Im sure hed agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it. 'With all the talk about whos being prosecuted and who isnt, its especially unfair that Ghislaine Maxwell remains in prison based on a promise the government made and broke.' Her former London townhouse also recently hit the market for nearly $4 million. That property was named in a lawsuit by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who said Prince Andrew forced her to have sex there after they met at a London nightclub. Maxwell was arrested in 2020 at the luxurious mountain top home. A neighbor told DailyMail.com at the time that he saw two small planes buzzing the area around 6am but he had left for work before the FBI arrived. The house is quarter of a mile up a steep dirt road. Brand new locked metal gates prevent cars being driven up the drive where there are two buildings - the second designed specifically for 'square dances and hoedowns'. A man with a British accent came from a second building and asked DailyMail.com to leave claiming we were trespassing. He described himself as the estate manager. Realtors called it 'a stunning custom designed Tudor Frame home' saying it was 'an amazing retreat for the nature lover who also wants total privacy. In 2020, Maxwell was picked up by the FBI and NYPD detectives at the property in Bradford, New Hampshire, she had bought in December 2019 using a limited liability company called Granite Reality LLC to shield her name The four-bed, four-bath home is set on nearly 4,500 sq. ft. of land, as seen in this aerial view The house also includes 'a cozy den, large dining area, wonderful laundry room and mudroom, partially finished basement, guest room suite and loft office guest room' From the covered front porch, the great room opens with a floor to ceiling fieldstone fireplace, cathedral ceiling, and a chandelier Black gates that appear to be newly erected lead is on the dirt track path that leads up to the home 'From every room there are views or the Sunapee foothills to the west,' the realtor gushed. 'From the covered front porch to ceiling fieldstone fireplace, cathedral ceiling, and a spectacular chandelier, a wall of glass frames a stunning southwestern view beyond the stone patio.' The house also includes 'a cozy den, large dining area, wonderful laundry room and mudroom, partially finished basement, guest room suite and loft office guest room.' Robert Hanssen was the most damaging spy in American history. A senior FBI agent turned traitor, he sold classified secrets to Russia for more than two decades, compromising US intelligence at the highest levels. I was the undercover operative assigned to stop him. Working inside FBI headquarters, I became Hanssen's assistant in name, while secretly gathering the evidence that would lead to his arrest. That operation became the basis of my book Gray Day and the film Breach, in which Ryan Phillippe portrayed me. Since then, my path has evolved. I transitioned from spy hunter to national security attorney and cybersecurity strategist. But one constant remains: I view the cyber threat landscape through the lens of a spy hunter. Because the truth is, there are no hackers. There are only spies. We have mistakenly framed cybercrime as a technical problem. In reality, it is an intelligence problem. Hacking is simply the natural evolution of espionage. The tactics haven't changed, only the tools. Whether it's a hostile nation-state actor or a cybercriminal syndicate, the method of attack is rooted in deception. The goal is always the same: gain access, gather intelligence and exploit the target. Robert Hanssen (pictured) was the most damaging spy in American history. He was arrested in 2001, after an operation led by Eric O'Neill Laura Linney (left) and Ryan Phillippe (right) in the movie Breach, based on O'Neill's book about the capture of Robert Hanssen Eric O'Neill (pictured) was the undercover operative assigned to stop superspy Robert Hanssen, and whose evidence led to his arrest What separates a cyber spy from a cybercriminal is not technique, but intention. The spy infiltrates quietly, extracts valuable information, and disappears without leaving a trace. The criminal does the same - until the moment of departure. That's when the damage becomes visible. Data is encrypted or destroyed, and the victim is hit with a ransom demand. We call it ransomware, but it's just espionage with a smash-and-grab exit. And all of it - the malware, the stolen credentials, the illicit transactions - flows through the same underground marketplace: the dark web. Today, the dark web operates like a shadow economy. If it were a country, it would rank as the third-largest economy in the world, behind only the US and China. Cybercrime now generates over $12trillion annually. That figure is expected to balloon to $20trillion by 2026. These numbers aren't abstract, they represent real people, businesses, hospitals, governments and families, all suffering real losses. The dark web is no longer the domain of a few hoodie-clad hackers typing in basements. It's a sophisticated criminal ecosystem. Malware is bought and sold like software. Stolen data is packaged and priced by the terabyte. Ransomware is offered as a service, complete with customer support. It's industrialized crime, scaled by artificial intelligence, fueled by human error and enabled by global anonymity. And if you think you're not a target, think again. Pictured: Robert and Bonnie Hanssen (top center) with their six children, photographed in the early 1990s before his arrest A senior FBI agent turned traitor, Hanssen sold classified secrets to Russia for more than two decades, compromising US intelligence at the highest levels Even with my background in espionage and cybersecurity, I nearly fell victim to a cyberattack a few years ago. It started with what seemed like a legitimate request: an invitation to speak at an international conference at a spectacular venue. Everything looked real. The conference had a website. The organizer had a professional email signature and speaker's contract. The offer included business-class travel, five-star accommodations, and a generous speaking fee. But something felt off. I couldn't shake the sense that it was all a little too perfect. My instinct - the same one that once kept me alive during undercover operations - told me to investigate further. In my case, the organization claimed to be affiliated with a global church network, but the domain name didn't match. A quick check of the contact's credentials turned up nothing verifiable. And the deeper I dug, the clearer it became: this was a scam. A sophisticated one, designed to trick speakers into sharing personal data and banking information. I used my investigative skills to identify the criminals, reported them to local police and moved on. But the experience stayed with me. If I almost fell for it, anyone could. This is the world we live in now. A world where digital trust is a liability. Where cybercriminals don't break into your systems, they walk through the front door because someone accidentally handed them the keys. And often, that 'someone' is you. We are all on the front lines - every employee, every parent, every student, every business owner. Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern, it is personal security, and we can't outsource it anymore. That's why I wrote Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime, a practical field manual for defeating digital deception. It draws from my experience in the FBI and my years advising individuals and companies. The book outlines how to think like a spy - understanding the tactics used against you - and act like a spy hunter. We may not be able to eliminate cybercrime, but we can outsmart it. Here are five key principles I use and teach to stay ahead of the threat. Kill the password Passwords are broken. Most people reuse them; many can be cracked in seconds. Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) adds a second layer - like locking your front door and adding a bolt. The dark web is no longer the domain of a few hoodie-clad hackers typing in basements Passwords are broken - most people reuse them; many can be cracked in seconds Whether it's a biometric scan, a one-time code or an authentication app, it's your best shot at locking out unauthorized access. Use it everywhere. Use an app like Duo Mobile (my favorite) or Google or Microsoft Authenticator. Turn on MFA for your email, bank and all social media. Ditch text message codes if possible - they're better than nothing, but not ideal. Develop 'cop instinct' When I was undercover, I learned to listen to my gut. If something felt off, I paid attention. In the digital world, this instinct is just as important. Be skeptical of every email, message or text. Inspect addresses, scrutinize links and verify everything before you trust it. If a message pressures you to act fast, offers something too good to be true, or comes from someone you haven't heard from in a while, pause. Investigate. Cybercrime thrives on urgency and distraction. Slow down and think. Hover over links before clicking - does the URL look legit? Call or text someone if an email from them feels off. Don't trust, verify! Don't download attachments from unknown senders. Never share personal info unless you're 100 percent sure who you're talking to. Never scan a QR code unless you are 100 percent certain it's safe. Beware your lying eyes We are entering the age of synthetic media. AI can now clone voices, mimic writing styles, and generate hyper-realistic video deepfakes. What you see is not necessarily what's real. A British man was recently conned out of hundreds of pounds after being bombarded with messages from deepfake celebrity accounts on social media. Paul Davis, 43, who suffers from depression, said he was 'relentlessly' targeted by AI-generated videos - including ones that appeared to feature Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Jennifer Aniston. Tragically, Paul believed the message was real and sent money in the form of non-refundable Apple gift cards. I have brilliant friends who have tossed out their smartphones altogether and have chosen to write on aged, mechanical typewriters, all to protect their most critical information. Others have replaced their recorded voicemail messages with the generic robotic message. By 2026, experts predict that 90 percent of online content will be synthetic. That means almost everything you read or watch could be manipulated. Paul Davis said he was 'relentlessly' targeted by AI-generated videos - including ones that appeared to feature Jennifer Aniston Tragically, Paul believed the message was real, and he sent the money in the form of non-refundable Apple gift cards Therefore always assume deception. Train yourself to question authenticity. Verify through secondary channels. That urgent phone call from your daughter? Cybercriminals only need a 20-second sample to create an AI-generated cloned voice, so settle on a family code phrase to ensure that the person you are talking to is who you think they are. That message from your boss asking you to send a wire or pay an invoice? It might be a scammer deceiving you with a deepfake email. That Zoom invite from a business partner? Criminal gangs have stolen billions from organizations with AI avatar imposters on video conferences. Compartmentalize your digital life In espionage, spies don't keep all their secrets in one place - you shouldn't either. Use different email addresses for different aspects of your life such as personal, financial, work and shopping. Store passwords in a secure manager like 1Password or Bitwarden, or use Microsoft or Apple Passkeys. And don't overshare on social media. That includes details like your full birthday, your kids' school names, details about your work or daily routine and your vacation dates (that's an open invite for burglars). Kim Kardashian said she blamed herself for a terrifying armed robbery in Paris in 2016 that resulted in the loss of $10 million-worth of jewelry, and vowed to stop flaunting her wealth on social media. Kim Kardashian (pictured above with mom Kris Jenner and security guards) said she blamed herself for the terrifying armed robbery in Paris in 2016, and vowed to stop flaunting her wealth on social media The reality TV star appeared in court in 2025 to testify against the thieves The more data you expose, the easier it is for criminals to profile and exploit you. Keep your digital footprint as minimal and fragmented as possible. Monitor your exit points Spies don't just infiltrate, they exfiltrate. In cybersecurity, the same principle applies - so know what's leaving your system. Use tools like GlassWire, Bitdefender or Little Snitch (Mac) that alert you to large data transfers or unauthorized access. Install cybersecurity protection software such as Symantec, Malwarebytes or AVG Internet Security (Mac). Regularly check app and device permissions. Who has access to your cloud storage? What apps are using your camera, mic or location? Remove anything you don't use or recognize. And keep your software updated, because outdated programs are full of holes. Don't wait for your data to walk out the door before you realize there was a breach. The truth is that cybercrime will continue to grow. It will outpace security spending. It will evolve faster than most people can respond. But that doesn't mean we are powerless. We just need to change how we think. Stop thinking like a victim. Start thinking like a spy, then act like the person hunting them. Because the dark web isn't going anywhere, but neither am I. Eric O'Neill is a former FBI counterintelligence operative, national security attorney and author of Gray Day and the forthcoming Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime (October 7). He is the founder of The Georgetown Group and speaks internationally on espionage, cybersecurity and how to defeat digital deception. Follow Eric at ericoneill.net/newsletter. It's the go-to broadband provider for millions of people across the UK. But it appears that Virgin Media has suffered an outage this morning, leaving thousands unable to access the internet. According to Down Detector, the problems started at around 7am BST, and affected customers across the UK. Of those who reported issues, 48 per cent were with landline internet, 33 per cent with email and 20 per cent experiencing a 'total blackout'. Unfortunately for the company, it comes just one day after customers complained of similar disruption to its service. Customers once again took to X (Twitter) to complain about the latest issues on Tuesday morning, with one person simply saying 'Virgin media, really'. Another person said: '@virginmedia Internet justcwent down. Tried using my virgin media status but got an error msg. Is there an outage in the SL4 area?' A Virgin Media spokesperson told MailOnline on Tuesday: 'We are aware that some customers are experiencing issues with their broadband services this morning. We are working as quickly as possible to restore services and apologise to those affected.' It's the go-to broadband provider for millions of people across the UK. But it appears that Virgin Media has suffered an outage this morning, leaving thousands unable to access the internet According to DownDetector, problems started just after 6am BST Tuesday and are affecting more than 1,500 users across the UK Around 9:40am Tuesday, a Virgin Media spokesperson said the issue had been fixed. 'Our technical teams have now resolved the issue that was impacting some customers broadband services earlier this morning,' the spokesperson said. 'We apologise for any inconvenience caused.' Tuesday's outage affected even more customers than Monday's one 1,500 compared with just over 800, according to Down Detector. The tracking service gets network status updates from social media platforms, reports submitted to its website and other sources around the web. Down Detector shows affected people all over the country, from London to Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Cardiff and Edinburgh. On Monday, Virgin Media said it had solved the original outage at around 2:30pm, but customers were still reporting problems after this. One user said at 10:05pm: 'The Virgin Media Player app will not work. I have so much Love Island to catch up on but it crashes every single time.' Customers once again took to X (Twitter) to complain about the latest issues on Tuesday morning, with one person simply saying 'Virgin media, really' Of those who reported issues, 48 per cent were with landline internet, 33 per cent with email and 20 per cent experiencing a 'total blackout' Tuesday's outage: Down Detector shows affected people all over the country, from London to Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Another posted at 7:18pm Monday: 'And it's off again. Then back on again. What a joke.' Virgin Media replied: 'We're very sorry to hear this has gone off again.' It then urged the customer to search their postcode in their service status page to show 'any known area issues and provide an estimated fix time'. It continued: 'If no area outages show, you can run a test on your individual equipment and service and arrange an engineer visit if required. 'If you need any further support or have any further questions, please pop us a direct message and we'd be happy to help.' But the customer replied, saying: 'I've done that again. It's beyond ridiculous now. One minute, it says intermittent signal in the area, then it's telling me I need an engineer. What kind of circus are you running?' Despite Virgin's official statements, it's unclear when the first outage ended and when the second one started, as a stream of complaints have been ongoing throughout the past 24 hours. On Monday, affected Virgin Media customers headed to X (Twitter) to share their experiences, with one calling it an 'absolute joke' Many complained that they're unable to access the Sky Sports app before England cricket's crucial match against India Many customers complained of not being able to log in to their Virgin Media account. The telco said it is 'aware of an issue' Another customer on X said early Tuesday morning: '@virginmedia - no email service since Monday 14th 1100 and login doesn't work for my account. Any news of a reliable service please?' Someone else on Tuesday said: '@virginmedia How about checking your new website works properly before rolling it out. Tried adding a new card to pay the bill and when it directs you to confirm with your bank it wont allow you to scroll down to use app. Tried it on 4 different devices. Another issue from VM.' During Monday's outage, many Virgin Media customers were particularly angry yesterday because it came just before England cricket's crucial match against India. As part of a 31 monthly package, customers can watch Sky Sports through their Virgin Media broadband subscription. But Virgin Media login details were not allowing people to log in to the Sky Sports app, instead coming up with an error message. People posted a screenshot of an error message they were seeing on their device, reading: 'Apologies, we can't load the page at the moment.' Watching Sky Sports on the TV appeared to be working as normal, but many were thought to be relying on their laptop or phone to watch during working hours. Reductions in air pollution might sound like a positive thing. But scientists now say that reductions in East Asia are actually to blame for the sudden, rapid acceleration in global warming. While air pollution kills millions, it also whitens clouds. In turn, this makes the clouds reflect more sunlight back into space - helping to keep our planet cool. As China and other nations slash their emissions, they are inadvertently removing the artificial shade that has been holding back the full force of climate change, experts from the University of Reading say. Co-author Professor Laura Wilcox, from the University of Reading, told MailOnline: 'This shading effect from air pollution has offset some of the warming we should have seen due to increasing greenhouse gases. 'As we improve air quality, we remove some of this shading effect, unmasking more warming from greenhouse gases. 'Reducing our aerosol emissions isn't causing warming directly, but revealing more of the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.' Scientists now say that reductions in air pollution in East Asia, and especially China, have led to a rapid increase in global warming Over the last decade, East Asia has rapidly reduced its levels of air pollution. This map shows areas of decreased pollution in green and areas of increased pollution in purple Since 1970, the world has been warming by around 0.18C (0.32F) per decade, but this suddenly increased to around 0.24C (0.43F) starting from around 2010. For some researchers, this led to the worrying conclusion that the planet's climate sensitivity - how much warming is produced by a given amount of CO2 - might be at the higher end of estimates. However, Dr Wilcox and her co-authors have proposed an alternative theory. They noticed that the sudden increase in warming coincided very closely with East Asia's rapid air pollution cleanup. In the last few decades, countries in East Asia have undergone dramatic transformations to clean up their air. China, where air pollution is responsible for one million premature deaths per year, was responsible for three-quarters of all global air pollution reductions in the last decade. This has led to a 75 per cent reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions over the past 15 years. When pollutants like sulphur dioxide are released into the atmosphere, they form a fine mist of tiny particles called sulfate aerosols, which drift up into the atmosphere. As Chinese cities like Beijing (pictured) cut pollution, they removed the layer of reflective particles that had been shading Earth from the worst effects of climate change With the artificial shade of air pollution removed, the planet rapidly caught up with the warming that current CO2 levels would have otherwise produced. This has led to 0.07C (0.12F) of additional warming since 2010 Your browser does not support iframes. These particles reflect sunlight themselves and influence the way clouds form to make them whiter and more long-lasting. This acts as a 'cooling sunshade' which prevents some solar radiation from reaching Earth and being trapped by the greenhouse effect. While the cleanup is absolutely necessary to save millions of lives, it also has the unintentional consequence of producing a temporary spike in warming. Previous studies predicted that our planet would become 0.23C (0.37F) warmer, but the planet actually warmed by 0.33C (0.55F). Using 160 computer simulations, the researchers showed that the East Asian cleanup produced almost all of the extra warming over the last 15 years. These simulations showed that East Asia's rapid cleanup is responsible for 0.07C (0.12F) of this increase. Overall, there has been so much pollution in the air that it has kept human-caused warming in check by up to 0.5C (0.84F) over the last century. While this is a very small amount compared to total human-caused warming, around 1.3C (2.2F) since 1850, it shows that Earth's climate sensitivity is lower than some feared. From this, it might be tempting to conclude that climate change is not really as bad as some scientists had thought. Although scientists say that the reduction in air pollution (illustrated) is absolutely necessary, it has produced an unexpected spike in warming. Some scientists mistook this for the planet being more sensitive to CO2 Now that air pollution has been largely reduced, CO2 will once again take over as the main driver of global warming and will not stop warming the planet on its current trend (illustrated) until CO2 levels are reduced However, the researchers say their study proves the complete opposite. Lead-author Dr Bjrn Samset, from the CICERO Centre for International Climate Research, told MailOnline: 'In one sense it means that global warming is worse than before.' Air pollution has been hiding the warming that CO2 levels should have produced, and the planet is only now catching up to where it should be. The worst of the catch-up period may now be over, but the planet will continue to warm as greenhouse gas emissions take over as the main driver of change. 'The majority of the warming is still, and will continue to be, from greenhouse gas emissions, and the planet will keep warming until we manage to reach net zero CO2 emissions,' says Dr Samset. 'We were always going to need to face up to the full effects of global warming. 'In fact, in order to keep to the targets of the Paris agreement, we now have to work even harder to rapidly cut our greenhouse gas emissions, since the acceleration has put us closer to 1.5 degrees of global warming even quicker than feared.' Several volcanoes in the 'Pacific Ring of Fire' have shown increased activity recently, prompting close monitoring by experts for potential eruptions. Also called the Circum-Pacific Belt, it is a 25,000-mile chain of volcanoes and earthquake zones from South America to Alaska, across Japan, and down to New Zealand. The US Geological Survey (USGS) has found four volcanoes, all in the US, which are rumbling, including the Great Sitkin Volcano in Alaska that has been steadily erupting lava into its summit crater for nearly four years. Recent satellite imagery confirms the eruption remains slow and non-explosive, with lava continuing to flow southwest. In Hawaii, Kilauea has paused its lava fountains but continues to build pressure. Scientists anticipate a new eruptive phase between July 17 and 20. Although lava fountains have ceased, sulfur dioxide emissions remain elevated, measured between 1,200 and 1,500 tons per day, indicating ongoing volcanic activity. Mount Rainier in Washington experienced its largest recorded earthquake swarm in early July, with 334 quakes detected over two days starting July 8, raising vigilance among volcanologists. Offshore Oregon, the underwater Axial Seamount is under close observation, with researchers forecasting an eruption possibly occurring in 2025. Scientists reported that in Hawaii, Kilauea has paused its lava fountains only to build up pressure again, with a new eruption episode expected between July 17 and 20. Pacific Ring of Fire, map with oceanic trenches. Also known as Rim of Fire, and as Circum-Pacific Belt. Region around the rim of the Pacific Ocean, where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur According to the scientists, these volcanoes are unpredictable as they are a result of natural movement in the Earth's crust, especially along the Pacific Ring of Fire. That is because this area is where the Pacific tectonic plate sinks under neighboring plates, creating quakes and eruptions. Even with the flurry of quakes and lava, none of these volcanoes currently threaten the nearby communities. Each of the rumbling volcanoes has its own history and behavior pattern. The Great Sitkin Volcano, located in Alaska's Aleutian Islands, began erupting in 2021 after decades of inactivity. In April, USGS volcanologist reported that lava has slowly filled the crater over the years, building a thick dome, but it has not triggered ash clouds or air travel disruptions, a key concern for aviation in the region. Lava is still pushing out of the summit crater at Great Sitkin Volcano in Alaska. It is not explosive, but steady. Small quakes continue, and there is no sign the eruption is ending anytime soon. Mount Spurr, roughly 80 miles west of Anchorage, had its last explosive eruption in 1992, sending ash clouds 40,000 feet into the sky. The recent shallow earthquake swarms echo early warning signs from that event, though experts say there is no magma movement yet. In Washington, Mount Rainier experienced its largest swarm of earthquakes ever recorded in early July, with 334 quakes detected in just two days starting July 8 Nearby, Mount Spurr has had shallow earthquake swarms since February. As of now, it is quiet, no gas, no lava, and no expected eruption, but USGS has kept it under an advisory level. However, Kilauea, on Hawaii's Big Island, is being monitored around the clock because of its proximity to residential areas. In 2018, lava flows from the volcano destroyed over 700 homes in the Leilani Estates subdivision. Scientists are now tracking surface deformation, quake movement, and gas emissions to anticipate another potential hazard phase. Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world but is not part of the Ring of Fire. It sits above a hot spot in the Earth's mantle, a fixed plume of heat and magma that stays in place while the Pacific Plate moves slowly over it. Seismologists are now concerned that Kilauea is swelling again and showing more quakes, signs it could erupt soon. Scientists say the Great Sitkin Volcano in Alaska has been steadily erupting lava into its summit crater for nearly four years A vent on the undersea volcano Axial Seamount. Scientists expect an eruption next year, but it will likely go unnoticed by anyone except the seafloor monitoring teams The activity could mark the start of what is known as Episode 29, the latest phase in the volcano's ongoing eruption cycle that began in 1983. The volcano, containing gas, ash, and threads, poses a threat to humans due to its confined nature and potential for eruptions. Mount Rainier, despite not erupting in centuries, remains one of the most hazardous volcanoes in North America because of its massive glacial coverage. A 2023 USGS risk assessment found that even small eruptions or earthquakes could trigger deadly mudflows, known as lahars, capable of reaching communities like Orting and Puyallup within minutes. Earlier this month, the volcano experienced its largest earthquake swarm since 2009, with hundreds of small tremors rattling the area. According to USGS, each quake was under magnitude 1.7 and originated just a few miles beneath the summit, deep enough to raise concern among scientists. While the volcano's alert level remains at 'normal' and no ground deformation has been detected, this swarm adds to approximately thousands, of quakes recorded at Rainier since 2020. Although an eruption is not expected in the immediate future, experts still rank Mount Rainier among the most dangerous volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest due to its potential to unleash lahars, ash fall, and pyroclastic flows. Scientists emphasize that it is not lava that poses the greatest threat, but the lahars. These violent mudflows can form during an eruption or even without one, triggered by intense rainfall, melting snow, or weakened slopes. Off Oregon's coast, Axial Seamount continues to slowly inflate. Scientists expect an eruption next year, but it will likely go unnoticed by anyone except the seafloor monitoring teams. Volcano experts say there is no cause for panic. The activity fits into long-term patterns in the Ring of Fire and Hawaii's hot spot as the scientists are watching them closely. Thousands of popular yogurt cups are being taken off shelves nationwide over fears they could contain one-inch shards of sharp plastic. All 17 flavors and sizes of YoCrunch, made by Danone, with toppings including granola, cookie dough, Oreo, M&M, Snickers and Twix pieces are being recalled. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found the plastic shards in the toppers that contain toppings and warned that they could pose a choking hazard or worse, slice a consumer's throat. The pieces are described as transparent, potentially with sharp edges, and between 0.2 and one-inch in size, or up to the size of a quarter. Several customers have contacted the FDA to report the plastic pieces, although no injuries or hospitalizations have been reported to date. Danone said the recall affected all its YoCrunch products on shelves, which were manufactured between May and early June and have a sell-by date of September this year. The company issued the recall on July 11, noting products were sold in many major retail chains, including Walmart, Target, Dollar General and Wegmans. Customers who have the products in refrigerators at home are advised not to consume them and to throw them out. They can contact the YoCrunch team for a refund. Pictured above is a YoCrunch M&Ms with vanilla yogurt product, which is among those involved in the recall Consumers who suspect injury after consumption are urged to seek immediate medical care. In the release warning of the plastic pieces, the FDA said: 'These fragments pose a potential choking hazard, which is why we are taking immediate action to remove all affected products from store shelves.' Danone has said that a packaging error has led to the recall, after the plastics found in the topping pots were found to match the material used to mold the packaging. YoCrunch yogurts are heat-sealed at facilities in White Plains, New York, and Louisville, Colorado, the release said. The company's recall notice advises consumers to carefully check lot codes and expiration dates on YoCrunch products and contact their customer service hotline at 1-877-344-4886 for refunds or replacements. Customers can access a full list of the products involved in the recall on the FDA's website. It includes 6oz yogurt pots of strawberry and vanilla flavored yogurts with toppings including granola, M&Ms, Oreos and Snickers. And four packs of 4oz yogurts with a variety of toppings. Revealing the recall, the FDA classified it as Class II, its second highest risk level and meaning the product could cause temporary or reversible health consequences such as injury. Pictured above are YoCrunch yogurts with M&Ms and Oreos that are also involved in the recall And the side of a package of YoCrunch yogurts that are involved in the recall Although the plastic was limited to the toppers, the company opted to recall all variations of the product. The company said: 'Our top priority is ensuring the safety and quality of our products before they return to store shelves.' Danone North America, the parent company behind both the International Delight coffee creamer and YoCrunch yogurt brands, has faced multiple product recalls in recent months. Earlier this year, Danone voluntarily recalled more than 75,000 bottles of International Delight coffee creamers due to consumer reports of spoilage and illness. It also marked the third major recall this month involving a dangerous foreign object in packaged food. In June, Totally Cool Inc recalled over two dozen ice cream products, sold under brands like Friendly's, Hershey's, and Chipwich, after plastic and metal fragments were discovered inside the tubs. A woman is shown above eating a yogurt (stock photo) In another incident in May, a recall of packaged salads was announced by Fresh Farms Inc after metal fragments were found in some of their products. Industry observers say that the recent surge in recalls reflects pandemic-era supply chain challenges and the rapid adoption of automation, sometimes outpacing quality control improvements. A June 2025 report from the Institute of Food Technologists found a 15 percent increase in reported incidents involving plastic fragments in processed foods over the past three years, often linked to packaging equipment malfunctions or material defects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in six Americans contract a foodborne illness each year, resulting in about 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. Officials have issued an air quality alert for around 10 million Americans, telling them to minimize outdoor activities and shut all windows on Tuesday. A National Weather Service (NWS) map shows parts of Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Vermont, Indiana and Maine are under advisories until midnight as wildfire smoke from Canada drifts into the US. The alerts stem from elevated levels of ground-level ozone and fine particulates, prompting precautionary measures. In Upstate New York, Vermont, and Maine, residents are advised to limit strenuous outdoor physical activity to mitigate health risks, according to the New York State Department of Health. The NWS has specifically warned residents in northeast Minnesota, eastern Michigan, northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana to keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke infiltration. Current advisories indicate that ozone levels are not expected to reach 'dangerous' levels (AQI 201 or higher) in any affected region. The highest ozone-related concern is in Michigan's St. Clair to Monroe counties and New York's Niagara to Southern Erie counties, where levels are in the 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' range (AQI 101-150). Other regions are primarily under fine particulate alerts, with no ozone warnings suggesting dangerous conditions, which are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and affect the heart. A National Weather Service (NWS) map shows parts of Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Vermont and Maine are under advisories until midnight. Chicago is one of the major cities under the advisory The alerts stem from elevated levels of ground-level ozone and fine particulates, prompting precautionary measures. Areas shown in gray are under air quality alerts Last week, six US lawmakers wrote to Canada's ambassador, complaining that wildfire smoke drifting south was making it hard for Americans to enjoy the summer. In response, the premier of Manitoba accused them of 'trivializing' a deadly crisis. The fires continue to spread across thousands of acres. May and June were especially destructive in western Canada, where about 30,000 people were forced to evacuate in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, prompting states of emergency in both provinces. In eastern Canada, a wildfire that ignited Monday on Newfoundland's Bonavista Peninsula doubled in size overnight, destroying several cabins near Chance Harbour, according to CBC News. The smoke is now crossing the US border, blanketing millions of Americans. Air quality alerts are in place until 11pm ET several New York counties, including Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Northern Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson, Northern Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and South Erie. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to exceed 101, signaling potential health risks. A National Weather Service (NWS) map shows parts of Minnesota , Michigan , Illinois , Wisconsin , New York, Vermont , Indiana and Maine are under advisories until midnight as wildfire smoke from Canada drifts into the US. Pictured is wildfire smoke over Toronto Separately, an advisory for fine particulates is active until midnight in Lewis, Livingston, Ontario, and Allegany, including cities such as Lowville, Geneseo, Canandaigua, and Wellsville. Similar alerts for fine particulates, with AQI levels predicted above 100, are in effect from 10 AM to midnight in regions including Northern St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Essex, and St. Lawrence counties. Northern Herkimer, Hamilton, and Warren counties, including Old Forge and Glens Falls, are also under a fine particulate advisory with the same timeframe. 'When pollution levels are elevated...the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects,' 'People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. Last week, six US lawmakers wrote to Canadas ambassador, complaining that wildfire smoke drifting south was making it hard for Americans to enjoy the summer In eastern Canada, a wildfire that ignited Monday on Newfoundland's Bonavista Peninsula doubled in size overnight, destroying several cabins near Chance Harbour 'Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.' In Michigan, St Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne, and Monroe counties, including cities like Port Huron, Pontiac, Detroit and Ann Arbor are under advisories. However, a statewide Air Quality Alert for fine particulate matter put in place on Monday remains in effect. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued air quality alerts for northern Minnesota, affecting millions of residents. The alerts cover northeast and northwest/north central Minnesota, with varying levels of concern based on the Air Quality Index (AQI), including counties like Koochiching, St. Louis, Cook, Lake, and Itasca, and cities such as International Falls, Ely, Duluth, Hibbing, and Grand Marais 'Light winds will allow existing wildfire smoke across northern Minnesota to linger into this evening and overnight,' the NWS said. 'Concentrations are expected to be highest along and near the shores of Lake Superior. An additional round of heavy surface smoke from wildfires across southern Canada is expected to transport into northern Minnesota on Tuesday. In Illinois, the Air Pollution Action Day covers McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, Kendall, Grundy, Northern Cook, Central Cook, Southern Cook, Northern Will, Southern Will, and Eastern Will counties. Similarly, northwest Indiana's Air Quality Action Day includes Lake, Porter, Newton, and Jasper counties, encompassing Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Portage, and Valparaiso. Ozone levels here are also expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Air Quality have issued advisories, respectively, affecting millions in the northeastern US. In Vermont, an Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulates with an AQI approaching or exceeding 151 ('Code Orange') is in place until midnight for Caledonia, Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Essex, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans and Washington counties. The advisory in Maine, which lifts at 11pm, covers Northwest Aroostook, Northeast Aroostook, Northern Somerset, Northern Piscataquis, Northern Penobscot, Southeast Aroostook, Central Piscataquis, Central Penobscot, Southern Piscataquis, and Northern Washington counties. Aimee Lou Wood has delighted fans by sharing behind-the-scenes pictures from her upcoming film The Idiots on Instagram. The star of The White Lotus, 31, was snapped inperiod clothing as she stepped into the shoes of the Russian author Fydor Dostoyevsky's second wife Anna. Tagging the film's director Magorzata Szumowska and her co-star Micha Englert, she captioned the pictures: 'Move over Hollywood, it's POLlywood time.' Aimee Lou Wood, 31, has delighted fans by sharing behind-the-scenes pictures from her upcoming film The Idiots to Instagram on Saturday Her caption was a reference to her location as shooting begins in Poland for the big screen adaptation of The Gambler Wife by Andrew D Kaufman. Aimee playfully made a rude gesture in one snap of herself in an eighteenth-century dress and hat. In another, she could be seen enjoying a coffee in the outfit, with her hair styled in a long side plait. Other snaps saw the star donning a straw feathered hat and dramatic pink dress. She wore a Russian fur hat topped with flowers in another behind-the-scenes look. Iin character: The actress was transformed by period clothing as she stepped into the shoes of the writer Fydor Dostoyevsky's wife Anna Careful: She could be seen enjoying a coffee in the period outfit, with her hair styled in a long side plait In character: She wore a Russian fur hat topped with flowers in another behind the scenes look With the film focusing on the life of Dostoyevsky, played by Micha Englert, Aimee posed with her on-screen husband outside a mansion. More playful on-set footage saw the cast dancing in their period costumes. Fans were quick to express their excitement about the film in the comments section, praising: 'Can't wait for this... Favorite actress... This looks amazing... Aimee you're gorgeous, have fun in Poland.' News of the film's production was first announced in February 2022, however, principal photography and first-look images were not released until this month. A release date has not yet been scheduled. The BTS snaps came days after Aimee shared a fun picture from Glastonbury after spending the weekend at the festival with her new boyfriend Adam Long Updates: Fans were quick to express their excitement about the film in the comments Home: With the film focusing on the life of Dostoyevsky, played by Micha Englert, Aimee posed with her on-screen husband outside a mansion Moves: More playful on-set footage saw the cast dancing in their period costumes Illegal migrants could be caged for years while their deportation cases work their way through the courts. Under a new Trump administration policy, they will no longer be eligible for a bond hearing. It means they can be held 'for the duration of their removal proceedings.' 'Alligator Alcatraz': New Trump administration guidance will force millions of migrants who entered the United States illegally to be detained throughout their deportation proceedings Caged: Critics have argued the new guidance will 'explode the detention population' The new stance was set out in a July 8 memo from Todd M Lyons, the acting director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Lyons said the Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department 'revisited its legal position on detention and release authorities' and determined that migrants 'may not be released from ICE custody.' The move, first revealed by The Washington Post, reverses legal standards governing migrant detention that have been held for decades and will boost the Trump administration's deportation blitz. Tom Jawetz, a former homeland security official in the Biden administration, called it 'a radical departure that could explode the detention population.' In the past, those who were marked for deportation have been able to request a bond hearing before a judge. If the judge granted the migrant a bond, he or she could be released into society as their deportation proceedings continued in the courts. As of last year, the majority of the 7.6 million migrants on ICE's docket were released, the agency's annual report revealed. But under the new guidance, those migrants will be forced to remain in detention centers, where the agency is holding about 56,000 migrants each day. The capacity, though, is expected to nearly double under the recently passed Big Beautiful Bill, which allocates $45 billion over the next four years to lock up migrants for civil deportation proceedings. The new policy will apply to any migrant who illegally crossed into the country at the southern border over the past few decades, including those who came in record numbers during the Biden administration. In rare circumstances, migrants may still be released on parole - but that decision must be made by immigration officers and not judges, according to the memo. The Trump administration is justifying the reversal of its policy by citing a provision of immigration law that states that migrants 'shall be detained' after their arrest, which the memo says should be taken as a 'prohibition on release.' But the provision has long been interpreted as to apply only to those who had recently crossed the border - and in the memo Lyons even notes that the shift in policy is 'likely to be litigated.' In the meantime, he encouraged ICE prosecutors 'to make alternative arguments in support of continued detention' as immigration lawyers say they have already seen migrants being denied bond hearings in more than a dozen immigration courts across the US. Those migrants now find themselves being deported to a 'third country' with as little as six hours' notice if they have been given an opportunity to speak with an attorney. 'This is their way of putting in place nationwide a method of detaining even more people,' said Greg Chen, the senior director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. 'It's requiring the detention of far more people without any real review of their individual circumstances.' Policy change: Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons revealed the new guidance in a memo to agents on July 8 Clampdown: The Trump administration is justifying the reversal of its policy by citing a provision of immigration law that states that migrants 'shall be detained' after their arrest Carried away: Lyons encouraged ICE prosecutors 'to make alternative arguments in support of continued detention' Immigrant rights groups also argue that the new guidance deprives migrants of their due process rights, with immigration lawyer and former ICE chief counsel for the Dallas area noting migrants 'could be held indefinitely until they're deported.' Other attorneys have likened the new policy to a position taken by several immigration judges in Tacoma, Washington, who have denied hearings to anyone who crossed the border illegally. The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in Seattle filed a suit in March challenging the judges' actions, arguing that their refusal to hold a bond hearing violated the migrants' rights, according to the Washington Post. Its original plaintiff Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez has lived in the state since 2009 and works as a farmer. He argued that his entire family are U.S. citizens and he even owns the home where ICE officers arrested him in February for living in the country illegally. By April, a federal judge in Washington state found that he had 'no criminal history in the United States or anywhere else in the world' and ordered immigration officers to give him a proper bond hearing before a judge. The judge, though, denied him bond and he has since been deported to Mexico. An attorney representing Rodriguez Vasquez now says the Trump administration's decision to deny migrants bond hearings is 'flagrantly unlawful' and argued that the policy 'is looking to supercharge detention beyond what it already is.' Cuffed: Immigrant rights groups also argue that the new guidance deprives migrants of their due process rights Uncertainty: Many migrants now find themselves being deported to a 'third country' with as little as six hours' notice Those in favor of the policy change, however, have argued that it might discourage migrants from filing frivolous claims in hopes of being released into the community while their cases proceed through the backlogged immigration courts. 'Detention is absolutely the best way to approach this, if you can do it. It costs a lot of money, obviously,' said Mark Krikorian, the executive director for the Center for Immigration Studies. 'You're pretty much guaranteed to be able to remove the person if there's a negative finding, if he's in detention.' Migrants who have been convicted of murder or other serious crimes were already subject to mandatory detention without bond, and this year, the Republican-led Congress added theft-related crimes to the list of those that are not bond-eligible. Government officials have also reopened family detention centers that the Biden administration shuttered due to security concerns, and have reinforced other facilities like the controversial 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center in the Florida Everglades. Democrat lawmakers who were granted access to tour the hastily constructed facility have lamented the tough conditions migrants housed there will face. Florida Democrat Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz compared the facility to an internment camp and insisted 'there are really disturbing, vile conditions,' demanding the 'place be shut the hell down.' The lawmakers said more than 30 migrants were packed into cage-style cells with just three combination sink-toilets. Temperatures hovered in the mid-80s inside medical intake tents. Detainees have reported worms in the food, overflowing toilets, and 24-hour lockdowns in cages teeming with mosquitoes. But Kevin Guthrie, from the Florida division of Emergency Management, has since claimed the Democrats were lying about the conditions of the facility to make it seem worse than it is. Theres nothing like a far-flung island to get you dreaming of breaking free from day-to-day life. And now, the very best islands for a dream holiday have been revealed amid a huge rise in global interest for some island escapism. In its first-ever island hot list, Expedia a global online travel platform has found exotic destinations for all sorts of interests, whether holidaymakers are looking to soak up the sun, catch some surf or eat their way around. The results are based on verified data and traveller insights, according to the travel giant. Koh Samui, a tropical island in southern Thailand, was named best for affordable luxury. Expedia said it has seen a 55 per cent jump in people searching for the island which theyve dubbed the wellness island of the east year-on-year, attracting visitors for yoga retreats, detox programmes and beachside spirituality'. At the same time, it maintains its reputation for nightlife and natural beauty, it added. Narin Tijayang, former executive director of Koh Samui Office, Tourism Authority of Thailand, said that being selected was a testament to the breathtaking beauty and vibrant culture of our island. In its first-ever island hot list, Expedia a global online travel platform has found exotic destinations for all sorts of interests (pictured: Koh Samui in Thailand) Koh Samui, a tropical island in southern Thailand , was named best for affordable luxury The island of Aruba in the Caribbean was ranked top for year-round sunshine A Dutch island in the Caribbean was ranked top for year-round sunshine. The arid landscapes of Aruba, home to biking trails and eco-friendly stays, come first for those looking to top up their tan. It blends outdoor adventure with relaxed Caribbean vibes, says Expedia. The lush landscapes, rice terraces and spiritual atmosphere of Bali helped it be named the best island for relaxation. Like Aruba, the Indonesian island has seen a 15 per cent growth in search interest. Food lovers should book a break to Sardinia, which has seen a boom in agritourism and immersive experiences including plenty of opportunities to eat like a local. The Blue Zone, known for its high concentration of centenarians and healthy lifestyle, continues to draw wellness seekers, as does its rugged coastline and hilltop villages. Partyseekers are being advised to put Paros on their go-to list. The Expedia island hot list 2025 including the company's suggest month to visit Sardinia, which has seen a boom in agritourism and immersive experiences, was named best island for food lovers The lush landscapes, rice terraces and spiritual atmosphere of Bali helped it be named the best island for relaxation Paros is emerging as the Cycladic gem to watch when it comes to partying Expedia 2025 island hot list Aruba (best for tear-round Sunshine) Bali, Indonesia (best for relaxation) Dominican Republic (best for adventure) Fiji (best for community) Jamaica (best for culture) Koh Samui, Thailand (best for affordable luxury) Maldives (best for romance) Oahu, Hawaii (best for surfing) Paros, Greece (best for nightlife) Sardinia, Italy (best for food lovers) Advertisement Santorini and Mykonos remain popular, Paros is emerging as the Cycladic gem to watch. A rising design scene, low-key luxury stays, and its charming port towns make it ideal for travellers looking for serenity with soul, says Expedia. The Expedia Island Hot List was created by analysing a number of factors, including the firms travel data, accommodation rates and quality (based on real traveller reviews). Accessibility, air connectivity, weather and seasonality, tourism appeal, and traveller safety and inclusivity as informed by travel advisories and traveller sentiment were also considered. The research showed a soaring interest in islands for Brits. At the top of the list are Jersey (+75 per cent), Crete, Greece (+50 per cent), Mauritius (+50 per cent), Malta (+55 per cent), and Madeira, Portugal (+65 per cent). Powered by real traveller data, the Expedia Island Hot List gives travellers the inspiration they need to plan a smarter island escape, says Melanie Fish, spokesperson for Expedia Group brands. Island adventurers want standout stays, affordable prices and seamless flight access. To get that, our top tips are to travel out of season when average stay prices can fluctuate by as much as 50 per cent and bundle flights and hotels together, where you can knock nearly 160 on average off your trip. It can often be tricky when trying to find a new destination to discover. But a travel agent who has been jet-setting around the world for the last 30 years - has revealed the places he wouldnt recommend anyone going to visit. Carlos Lavilla, who works for Turama, took to the Spanish holiday companys TikTok to warn the accounts 29.7k followers of the five tourist destinations that, as a professional travel agent, [he] considers to be the most overrated, and that he doesnt usually recommend to [his] customers. The country in fifth place, for Carlos, is Cape Verde an archipelago, made up of 10 volcanic islands, in West Africa. Last year, Cape Verde welcomed a record 1.2 million tourists but Carlos insists its no replacement for Spains Canary Islands. Speaking in Spanish, he says: In my opinion, travelling to Cape Verde as an alternative to the Canary Islands is like buying a Fiat Panda thinking youre getting a Ferrari F40. No matter how you try to dress it up, theres simply no comparison. In fourth place was Johannesburg - one of the largest cities in South Africa, and home to plenty of wildlife safaris, as well as the Apartheid Museum. Carlos Lavilla, a travel agent who has been jet-setting around the world for the last 30 years - has revealed the places he wouldnt recommend anyone going to visit Carlos says: In my opinion, travelling to Cape Verde as an alternative to the Canary Islands is like buying a Fiat Panda thinking youre getting a Ferrari F40' Taking about Johannesburg, South Africa, Carlos says: 'Youll be able to say you were robbed in one of the ugliest cities on Earth' Although many tourists love it there, according to Statista, between 2022 and 2023, Johannesburg experienced more contact crime incidents than any other city mainly consisting of common assaults. And its the high crime rate that leaves a sour taste for Carlos, who sneers: Youll be able to say you were robbed in one of the ugliest cities on Earth. Many will be surprised to hear that its Hawaii in third place on Carlos list. The reason? There are far 'more interesting' yet similar destinations, says Carlos. He continues: With a couple of honourable exceptions (which do exist), Hawaii is the ideal destination for an American retiree, over 70, who has a collection of shirts at home that he doesnt dare to wear anywhere else. If thats not your case, I assure you there are much more interesting and far less predictable alternatives. Next up is South Korea, a country which is predicted to welcome more than 20 million tourists in 2025 a record-breaking number. Hawaii is in third place for Carlos. The reason? There are far 'more interesting' yet similar destinations, he says Carlos says you shouldn't bother with South Korea. I find it bland, insipid, and rather sad. You may return home shrouded in a great depression,' he says Carlos says Doha, Qatar is the world's most overrated tourist destination and is like visiting a 'petrol station in the middle of a motorway' But Carlos says you shouldnt bother. He explains: South Korea is excessively expensive for what it offers. The treatment of foreign tourists leaves much to be desired. I find it bland, insipid, and rather sad. You may return home shrouded in a great depression. The most overrated destination in the world, for Carlos, is Doha, Qatar which welcomed a record-breaking 1.5 million international tourists in the first three months of 2025. Despite this, Carlos says visiting Doha is like visiting a 'petrol station in the middle of a motorway'. He adds: Its a place where you stop briefly to relieve yourself, grab a quick bite, rest for a few minutes, and then carry on. Theres nothing more to it. Before the wheel, before language and art, before farming or anything else that made us civilised, mankind invented the Neighbours From Hell. Ella Al-Shamahi, tracing the development of Homo sapiens across 300,000 years of prehistory in the first of a five-part series, Human, discovered two caves on the side of Mount Carmel in Israel. In one, called Skhul cave, the remains of early modern humans similar to ourselves have been found. In the other, known as Tabun cave, Neanderthal fossils have been uncovered. We dont know if they interacted, Dr Al-Shamahi said. But we do know that while Neanderthals remained in the region, all traces of this group of Homo sapiens vanished. Its pretty obvious the two families didnt get on. Im guessing the Neanderthals left all kinds of rubbish strewn around their cave half-eaten antelopes, bits of rubble, general detritus. Their kids probably ran around without any furs on, and on Saturday night, their teenagers stayed up till all hours banging rocks together. This nightmare must have dragged on for years. The Homo sapiens tribe put their cave on the market, but no one was buying... so in the end, they gave up and left. Im speculating, of course, but thats the fun of ancient anthropology. Dr Al-Shamahi indulged in some guesswork herself, at another cave in Botswana, where a hoard of stone tools was discovered next to a rocky outcrop that resembled, in some lights, a snake. The flints, she suggested, could have been offerings implying the snake was worshipped as a god. It seems perfectly feasible: no doubt, families of Homo sapiens across half the planet were praying, Dear Lord Snake, please smite the Neanderthals next-door, or at least get them to stop banging those bloody rocks together. Ella Al-Shamahi, tracing the development of Homo sapiens across 300,000 years of prehistory in the first of a five-part series, Human, discovered two caves on the side of Mount Carmel in Israel Much of the evidence about human evolution is based on fragments, with scientists building their theories from scattered finds and the odd bone In one, called Skhul cave, the remains of early modern humans similar to ourselves have been found. In the other, known as Tabun cave, Neanderthal fossils have been uncovered BBC science shows can sometimes become overloaded with information, but this was well-paced, giving us a chance to enjoy the stunning pictures while mulling over what wed just learned Inevitably, much of the evidence about human evolution is based on fragments, with scientists building their theories from scattered finds and the odd bone. A handful of tiny shells with traces of red ochre was proof enough for Dr Al-Shamahi to suggest that people were wearing beads as jewellery, up to 70,000 years ago. To help us envisage this, soft-focus scenes of our nomadic ancestors were shot against gorgeous sunsets and wild African landscapes. Much of this photography was absolutely sumptuous, with the human figures picked out in blurred silhouettes. It was hard to see exactly what was going on, but the end credits listed an intimacy co-ordinator, so perhaps we should be grateful for the soft-focus. BBC science shows can sometimes become overloaded with information, but this was well-paced, giving us a chance to enjoy the stunning pictures while mulling over what wed just learned. Though she has presented documentaries before, on the ancient Egyptians and other lost civilisations, this is Ella Al-Shamahis first landmark series, and she handled it confidently: informative without being didactic, awed without being pretentious. Fern Britton made a loaded comment about 'distrusting men' just moments before the camera cut to her ex-husband Phil Vickery in an 'awkward' daytime TV reunion on Tuesday morning. The 67-year-old appeared on ITV's Lorraine to chat to host Lorraine Kelly, 65, about her brand new book A Cornish Legacy, as well as her programme Inside The Vets. During the interview, Fern opened up about what her novel is about, highlighting that the protagonist Cordelia Jago thinks very highly of her friendships and her aunt. The TV star then went on to share her own thoughts and said: 'The curious thing about getting older, you think you're not going to make any new friends, yet new friends do keep coming. 'You must recognise that, I'm all into this repowering, not being empowered, but repowering, the power you had in yourself when you were young, into this older person who has little responsibilities now, we don't have to get up and do the school run. We don't have to do anything like that. 'She's gradually empowered herself, distrusting of men, doesn't want anything... This is kind of write what you know...' Fern Britton made a loaded comment about 'distrusting men' just seconds before the camera cut to her ex-husband Phil Vickery in an 'awkward' daytime TV reunion on Tuesday Just moments after their chat ended, Lorraine spoke to This Morning hosts Cat Deeley, 48, and Ben Shephard, 50, about what viewers could expect from Tuesday's instalment of the programme (pictured) Ben then went on to say who was going to be cooking up a storm in the studio - and it was actually Fern's ex husband (pictured) Lorraine giggled away to herself as Fern continued: 'And a nice person does turn up.' As their chat ended, Lorraine spoke to This Morning hosts Cat Deeley, 48, and Ben Shephard, 50, about what viewers could expect from Tuesday's instalment of the programme - which airs straight after Lorraine. Cat said: 'Good morning Lorraine! We are carrying on with our cosmetic cowboys investigation, we are continuing with that.' Ben then went on to say who was going to be cooking up a storm in the studio - and it was actually Fern's ex husband. He said: 'Phil is in the kitchen with some ultimate delicious summer salads!' The camera then panned in on the chef smiling in front of his cooking space. Fern and Phil were married between 2000 and 2020. The former couple share one daughter called Winnie, 22. Many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to point out how awkward the moment was - with one saying 'I am here for it' Fern and Phil pictured together at the TV Choice Awards At The Dorchester Hotel in London back in 2007 Many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to point out how awkward the moment was. 'That link from Fearne to Phil (her ex) wasnt awkward at all #ThisMorning #Lorraine.' 'Awkward #lorraine.' 'Oh dear, that was a bit awkward, phil vickery on this morning & fern britton on lorraine, both in the same building, itv scrambling for security now incase we bave a domestic btw them, two people that cant stand each other, this is not going to end well, i am here 4 it #ThisMorning.' Back in December Fern opened up about being single during an appearance on James Martin's Saturday Kitchen. 'I can sit down in the morning and watch all the daytime television I like. No one's going to judge me for it, I don't have to get dressed up and made up'. She went on: 'I am my own boss now, which is great, in every sense, my life my work, everything, I'm my own boss and I'm enjoying that'. Fern is also parents to twins Harry and Jack, 29, and Grace, 26. She shares them with her first husband Clive Jones. Fern shot to fame in the 80s. The star is best known for being a TV presenter who has worked on the likes of This Morning and Ready Steady Cook. She's also taken part in the likes of Strictly and Celebrity Big Brother. Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV1, followed by This Morning at 10am. A controversial comedian bagged herself a role on EastEnders after pleading with BBC bosses for a whopping 37 years. Funny woman Shazia Mirza, 50 - who has made jokes about ISIS in the past - has gushed that 'it's an honour' to appear on the soap ahead of her Walford debut. Shazia appeared on Thursday's instalment of the BBC show as a doctor talking to Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law) about her son Jimmy's condition Optic Nerve and Chorioretinal coloboma. Little did some know that the star has been desperate to take part in the programme for a number of years. After her debut, she took to Instagram to share a picture of a letter that the Beeb had sent her after applying for a role on the show. It said: 'We get so many young people wanting parts on EastEnders, that it is our policy to have to say no. Shazia Mirza bagged herself a role on EastEnders after pleading with BBC bosses for a whopping 37 years (pictured on the show) Shazia appeared on Thursday's instalment of the BBC show as a doctor talking to Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law) about her son Jimmy's condition Optic Nerve and Chorioretinal coloboma 'We are obliged to use only Equity members in the making of EastEnders. 'We are sorry we have not been able to assist you, but hope you will continue to enjoy the programme.' The next picture of the post was one of her recently starring in the BBC soap. Shazia wrote on Instagram: '37 years ago I wrote to @BBCEastEnders asking for a part and 37 years later I got one. WHAT IS A CHORIORETINAL COLOBOMA? A coloboma is a defect in the eye which results in a gap or hole in the ocular structure. It is a condition present from birth that may affect the eyelid, retina, choroid and optic nerve. Source: Atlas RL Eye Advertisement 'EastEnders is working with advice from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) on a storyline where Lauren and Peters son is diagnosed as severely sight impaired. 'Having struggled to settle baby Jimmy in recent weeks, Lauren becomes concerned by his lack of ability to focus as he struggles to latch during breastfeeding. 'Determined to follow her mothers instinct, Lauren takes Jimmy to the hospital for further tests where the doctors confirm that Jimmy is severely sight impaired. 'The storyline follows Lauren and Peter as they attempt to navigate life with a newborn, the symptoms that Lauren picks up on which leads her to seek a diagnosis, and how the diagnosis will impact Jimmy and their family as a whole. 'It has been an honour to be part of such an important storyline.' Many rushed to the comments section to share their support. 'Wow and the fact that you still have the letter makes it even more brilliant!!' 'youre incredible mA & indefatigable. SO inspiring.' 'Oh my! I LOVE that you wrote asking for a part!!! This is beautiful! Congratulations (and also, a part on Eastenders has always been my dream but thankfully I am hiding my jealousy-to-the-point-of-insanity pretty well).' 'NEVER GIVE UP! Congratulations! I actually thought while watching what a beautiful lady.' 'You were a sensation.' Shazia shot to fame in 2000 and has made a string of controversial jokes over the years. Back in April 2016 Loose Women viewers were left outraged after she joked about ISIS terrorists. Shazia appeared on the ITV panel show to talk about her upcoming tour, which addressed a number of politically-charged issues including terrorism and jihadi brides. When asked about why she thought young girls were leaving the UK for Syria, she jokingly suggested they were fleeing because they thought the male jihadists were 'a bit of alright'. Back in 2023 Shazia hosted a major Labour diversity event after she branded branded ex-Home Secretaries Sajid Javid and Priti Patel 'coconuts for showing a lack of loyalty to their ethnic communities. The star is a stand-up comedian, but also writes for The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. Not only that, she's also appeared on The Wright Stuff and F*** Off and I'm A Hairy Woman. Shazia has also dipped her toe into the reality TV realm, appearing on SAS: Who Dares Wins, MasterChef and Celebrity The Island with Bear Grylls. EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer. Naga Munchetty received a hefty pay rise from BBC bosses despite being reprimanded after she was accused of bullying and hauled into a meeting over a sex jibe. The BBC Breakfast presenter and 5 Live host, 50, had been spoken to by execs after she made a sex jibe during an ad break while hosting the radio show. She is believed to have used a crude slang term for a sex act and reportedly asked a colleague if they had ever done it. It was also revealed how Naga was also spoken to after a junior staffer accused the journalist of bullying them. However, despite the bullying and toxic row bringing a dark cloud over BBC Breakfast, it's been revealed Naga received a pay rise. New figures released by the broadcaster today show the presenter was awarded a 10,000 increase in her annual salary. Naga Munchetty received a pay rise by BBC bosses despite being reprimanded after she was accused of bullying and hauled into a meeting over a sex jibe Naga, 50, anchors the long-running show towards the end of the week with Charlie Stayt, though she earns almost double his salary Naga had been spoken to by execs after she made a sex jibe during an ad break while hosting the radio show and accused by a young staffer of bulling It now takes her pay packet to an eye-watering 355,000 - almost double that of her co-host Charlie Stayt. Charlie, 63, has remained in the 190,000 bracket as tensions between the pair are said to be 'rife'. Naga hosts BBC Breakfast on Thursdays to Saturdays with Charlie, while Jon Kay and Sally Nugent anchor the programme from the start of the week. BBC Breakfast's editor Richard Frediani reportedly took an extended period of leave, after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show. It was previously claimed that the show's staff are feeling increasingly 'uneasy' around Frediani, with the former Head of ITV News accused of 'shaking' a female editor while working on the show. Meanwhile, the Mail told how Naga has been holding discussions with Sky News and radio station LBC in an apparent bid to leave the corporation, industry sources have revealed. In a surprise move, the presenter held talks with both broadcasters in what appears to be an attempt to escape the toxic atmosphere on the programme she co-hosts three days a week with Charlie Stayt. However, sources say the talks broke down recently, with some bosses at the networks unsure about 50-year-old Ms Munchetty's 'tough ways' and deciding against continuing negotiations. Charlie, 63, has remained in the 190,000 bracket as tensions between the pair are said to be 'rife' between them on the sofa BBC Breakfast's editor Richard Frediani reportedly took an extended period of leave, after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show However, sources say the talks broke down recently, with some bosses at the networks unsure about 50-year-old Ms Munchetty's 'tough ways' and deciding against continuing negotiations. One said: 'There were quite a few discussions with both Sky and LBC but then it was decided by both that they wouldn't go any further. 'She is quite sharp and it is perhaps not what they were looking for, so it all kind of fell apart. 'Rightly or wrongly, Naga has a reputation for being quite tough and difficult at times they didn't like that.' BBC Breakfast bosses were reportedly forced to apologise to Geri Halliwell-Horner after a very awkward interview with Naga and Charlie. During the awkward resurfaced interview from October 2023, Naga, caught the Spice Girl off guard as she asked: 'Do you not like being interviewed?' BBC Breakfast bosses were reportedly forced to apologise to Geri Halliwell-Horner after a very awkward interview with Naga and Charlie in 2023 Your browser does not support iframes. After the segment ended, Geri, 52, allegedly said she did not want to appear on the show opposite the pair ever again. The BBC's annual report on its top earners revealed Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball have topped the BBC rich list again this year, as the corporation acknowledged 'challenges' with its workplace culture. Match of the Day host Lineker left his job in May after being accused of posting an antisemitic trope on social media. The 64-year-old's 1.35 million salary made him the Beeb's highest-paid star over the last year, according to the BBC's annual report for 2024/25. Radio 2 host Zoe Ball is the highest-paid woman at the corporation on 519,000, despite working part-time. She left her full-time position as the station's breakfast show host in December. Her replacement Scott Mills is on 359,999. An Antiques Roadshow guest was blown away after learning items that were seconds away from being throwing out were worth a life-changing sum of money. The beloved BBC series, which is presented by Fiona Bruce, sees members of the public bring their treasured items to be valued by a team of experts. During a recent episode of the show, viewers watched as a man brought an item he was planning to consign to the bin to be analysed. Antiques Roadshow was being recorded from Clissold Park in Stoke Newington. The guest explained how he had come across builders five years previously who were throwing stuff away. He said: 'I was a cheeky chappie, asked them if I could have a look, buy some bits and bobs, done a deal.' An Antiques Roadshow guest has been blown away after learning items that were seconds away from being throwing out are worth a life-changing sum of money The beloved BBC series, which is presented by Fiona Bruce, sees members of the public bring their treasured items to be valued by a team of experts During a recent episode of the show, viewers watched as a man brought an item he was planning to consign to the bin to be analysed Waiting to value his items was fan-favourite Ronnie Archer-Morgan, along with a crowd of spectators gathered around him. The guest presented him with an archive collection of textiles by famous pioneer Althea McNish. Althea had immigrated to the UK from Trinidad and Tobago in 1951 as she called London her new home. After graduating university in 1957, the designer received her first commission from fashion brand Dior, setting hear up on a path to success. Throughout her career, McNish had a number of famous clients and even designed Queen Elizabeth II's wardrobe for her royal visit to Trinidad. McNish passed away in 2020 at the age of 95. Speaking about the renowned designer, Ronnie said: 'She was probably the most influential post-war textile designer that Britain has seen. 'She brought the colour and the vibrancy of Trinidad to the shores of post-war Britain and at a time when we really needed colour here.' The guest presented him with an archive collection of textiles by famous pioneer Althea McNish (pictured) Althea had immigrated to the UK from Trinidad and Tobago in 1951 as she called London her new home After graduating university in 1957, the designer received her first commission from fashion brand Dior, setting hear up on a path to success Throughout her career, McNish had a number of famous clients and even designed Queen Elizabeth II's wardrobe for her royal visit to Trinidad Cautioning it would all need to be calculated, Ronnie told the guest: 'I think this archive and what you've brought to us here is worth in excess of 250,000' He then drew attention to the vibrant fabrics that were placed on the table as he explained how Althea had made designs for iconic department store Liberty as well as Danasco Of London. The guest also had pages of her designs, still boasting their bright colours despite being five decades old. When it came to the all important valuation, Ronnie started by saying some of her designs can fetch 2,500 per square meter. Cautioning it would all need to be calculated, he then said: 'I think this archive and what you've brought to us here is worth in excess of 250,000.' The contributor, clearly blown away by the figure, remarked: 'That's blown me away. 'It's just been an incredible journey of learning and knowledge, I've loved every minute.' Antiques Roadshow airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer. After HGTV's cancelation spree last month, several cast and crew members from popular shows found themselves out of work - but the recent Emmy nominations may be enough to make the network second-guess the decision to axe one popular program in particular. Married to Real Estate was one of the shows that didn't get renewed. It became a surprise nominee at the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Instructional/How-To-Program category - an unexpected honor for both the show and the network. What's more, the show has enjoyed a groundswell of support from thousands of fans who have taken to social media to bemoan the cancellation. 'That's one of those things that keeps us up at night,' a senior source at HGTV tells the Daily Mail. 'We canceled the show, gave them walking papers, and now that's one that's nominated? It makes us wonder what the hell we just did.' The source adds that the nomination has made them reconsider the show's future. Married to Real Estate was cancelled last month, before the Emmy nominations were announced. Pictured: Egypt Sherrod (left) and her husband, Mike Jackson (right) Farmhouse Fixer, starting Jonathan Knight (left), was also cancelled last month and is not expected to return Izzy Does it, starring Israel 'Izzy' Battres (pictured), was not given a second season 'Of course we have to take [the nomination] into account,' says the insider. 'Having an Emmy nomination or even an award will give some prestige. And prestige matters to us. So we have to decide whether there's a way to move forward with this show.' 'No final decision has been made, but there have been talks - a few of them.' Host Egypt Sherrod, who previously divulged that HGTV canceled their show while they were on vacation, posted news of the Emmy nomination on her Instagram with the caption 'Be still... and watch the fireworks.' The inner turmoil at HGTV began last month, when the network abruptly pulled the plug on Farmhouse Fixer, Bargain Block, Married to Real Estate and Izzy Does It. The sudden cancellations sent shockwaves through the network's fandom, and left employees of several other shows fearing for their jobs. The biggest shock was Farmhouse Fixer, which starred New Kids on the Block member Jonathan Knight - one of the network's marquee names. 'We were hemorrhaging money,' the senior source said at the time. 'So in order to stop the bleeding, we had to have a bloodbath. It was calculated cuts to make things make sense, financially.' With the money they're saving, HGTV has turned to a wrestling superstar to help flip their financial woes. John Cena (pictured) is executive producing a new show for HGTV to replace the canceled shows Bobby Berk (pictured) will host the new show, with the working title Junk or Jackpot John Cena is now executive producing a new series for the network: Junk or Jackpot. It will follow collectors who have filled their houses with unusual collectibles - miniature sets, action figures, antique dolls - and after assessing the value of the items, the show will help the collector decide whether to keep them or sell them in order to afford much-needed renovations. Queer Eye alum Bobby Berk will host the new show. 'It's not that we don't want to produce new shows,' the senior source explains. 'We're willing to put money into shows that have unique concepts and bigger names attached. We just had to part ways with some shows that weren't working for us.' And if Married to Real Estate doesn't end up on HGTV's fall roster, the source says that it could come back in another form in the future. 'Obviously, these are people we want to work with, and people who can bring quality television program to the network. So if we don't bring back this show, maybe we can give them something better. Time will tell.' Representatives for HGTV did not return the Daily Mail's request for comment. Lorraine Kelly took a swipe at 'strange and inappropriate' Gregg Wallace on her breakfast show on Tuesday. The TV presenter, 65, shared her views on the axed MasterChef host's BBC sacking and blasted his string of 'bizarre' statements. Gregg hit out at the BBC on Monday after a probe upheld more than half of the complaints of inappropriate behaviour against him as he warned he 'won't be the last' to be cancelled. The report into Gregg's behaviour on the cooking show upheld 45 out of 83 complaints made, including one count of 'unwanted physical contact', leaving the BBC to admit it 'could and should have' acted sooner on the MasterChef host. The damning investigation also found that two complaints about the behaviour of 'other people' were upheld. Speaking about the scandal, Lorraine said: 'Gregg Wallace has released a statement, many statements. He's tried to get ahead of this a lot and he's said many, in my opinion, inappropriate things.' Lorraine Kelly, 65, took a swipe at 'strange and inappropriate' Gregg Wallace on her breakfast show on Tuesday (pictured today) The TV presenter shared her views on the axed MasterChef host's BBC sacking and blasted his string of 'bizarre' statements (Gregg pictured in 2024) 'It's just quite strange because he has a little boy who has autism as well - I find that bizarre, I find that very strange. 'What's interesting though is those around him who enabled him to be like that', Lorraine added. While apologising for any 'distress' he caused, Gregg took aim at the MasterChef broadcaster, which he claims has valued 'protecting its legacy' over 'protecting people'. Warning that it was 'dangerous' to be a 'working-class man with a direct manner' in the world of broadcasting, he said he 'won't be the last' to face cancellation. The presenter said: 'In the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake. 'To those who've shown kindness, thank you. It mattered. This has been brutal. For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. I was the headline this time. But I won't be the last. 'There will be more casualties if the BBC continues down this path, where protecting its legacy matters more than protecting people. For my part, with full legal support, I will consider my next move.' Patrick Holland, CEO of MasterChef production company Banijay, said he was 'extremely sorry' to those who had been impacted by Wallace's behaviour and added that the report makes the star's 'return to MasterChef untenable'. Speaking about the scandal, Lorraine said: 'Gregg Wallace has released a statement, many statements. He's tried to get ahead of this a lot and he's said many, in my opinion, inappropriate things' (pictured together in 2024) The report into Gregg's inappropriate behaviour on MasterChef has upheld 45 of the 83 complaints against the disgraced star Wallace co-hosted Masterchef for 17 years alongside John Torode (left) The majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94 per cent) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018 Wallace's statement, supplied to the PA news agency before being published on Instagram, noted that he 'never set out to harm or humiliate' anyone and that he was 'deeply sorry for any distress caused'. He said his 'late autism diagnosis' - which he received while he stepped back from MasterChef at the end of last year - has helped him to understand how he communicates and how he is perceived. He said: 'For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait. None of the serious allegations against me were upheld. 'I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended. 'I'm relieved that the Banijay report fully recognises that my behaviour changed profoundly in 2018. 'Some of my humour and language missed the mark. I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off. 'After nearly 20 years on the show, I now see that certain patterns, shaped by traits I've only recently begun to understand, may have been misread. I also accept that more could have been done, by others and by myself, to address concerns earlier. 'A late autism diagnosis has helped me understand how I communicate and how I'm perceived. I'm still learning. Banijay have given me great support, and I thank them.' Gregg Wallace has hit out at the BBC with a new statement after 45 of 83 complaints against him were upheld in an independent probe Mr Wallace also took aim at the BBC, which he claims valued 'protecting its legacy' over 'protecting people' What did the report conclude? An independent report commissioned by Banijay UK assessed 83 allegations against Wallace - of which 45 were substantiated. The substantiated allegations, spanning from 2005 to 2024, included: One allegation of unwanted touching 12 claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendos 16 reports of sexually explicit remarks Two allegations he made sexualised comments to or about someone Four complaints of culturally insensitive or racist comments Three claims that he was in a state of undress Seven allegations of bullying Advertisement Wallace's fiery statement comes just days after he said he would 'not go quietly' in a post which has since been deleted from his Instagram page. The BBC said the investigation into a 'substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct' over 19 years highlighted behaviour that falls below the corporation's values. 'Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour - both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC,' a spokesman added. 'We accept more could and should have been done sooner.' The corporation would not confirm whether they will broadcast the series of MasterChef they filmed with him last Autumn. A spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Downing Street welcomed the fact the BBC had 'severed ties' with Wallace, adding: 'We're clear that appropriate steps must be taken to ensure abuses of power are prevented from happening in the future.' The seven-month investigation, conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin, heard 83 allegations from 41 complainants against Wallace, all relating to his time on the cookery programme. It also found that 10 standalone allegations were made against 'other people', from 2012 to 2019, with two claims, relating to swearing and racist language being upheld. The majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94 per cent) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018. Only one allegation was substantiated post 2018. The majority of substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour. A smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated. One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the allegations against Wallace were 'horrendous and appalling', and she welcomed the BBC's decision to end its association with the MasterChef presenter. The investigation team found evidence that during the period from 2005 to 2024, six complaints were raised with the production company and 6 with the BBC (four of which had also been raised with the production company). However, the investigator found that 'there was a tendency to address the concern informally on a case-by-case basis and not therefore consider each issue as additive to any prior allegations or to matters which had been observed by senior members of staff'. More formal action was taken by the production company in 2015 and the BBC in 2017. Wallace was diagnosed with autism during the time of the investigation and the report found that this was 'highly relevant' in the context of the findings. They said: 'Mr Wallace's neurodiversity diagnosis is considered highly relevant in the context of the findings made, particularly regarding his use of humour as a 'masking' technique and his difficulty in reading social cues. 'Mr Wallace accepts that his diagnosis may help to explain some of his actions, but he does not wish to hide behind it.' Wallace was diagnosed with autism during the time of the investigation and the report found that this was 'highly relevant' in the context of the findings The categories of allegations were separated in seven categories which included inappropriate comments (jokes and innuendo), sexually explicit comments, being in a state of undress, sexualised comments made to or about someone, culturally insensitive / racist comments, bullying, unwanted physical contact. The majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, however, a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language, being in a state of undress and unwelcome physical contact were also substantiated. Out of the 45 upheld complaints, 27 occurred between 2005 to 2011, 17 from 2012 to 2018 and just one from 2019 to 2024. Overall, the report concluded that 16 sexually explicit comments, 12 inappropriate comments, two sexualised comments to or about someone and four culturally insensitive/racist comments were made. One incident of unwelcome physical contact and three incidents of being in a state of undress were also substantiated. While, seven cases of bullying were upheld. Prior to 2016, the investigation found that there was little or no formal training or clear escalation procedures in place, leading to underreporting of inappropriate behaviour. It also added that concerns were not always flagged to Wallace meaning he was 'not necessarily aware that his behaviour had caused offence'. The report found that many contestants felt unable to speak out on MasterChef because 'their desire to do well in the competition, meant that they were unlikely to complain or allow their reactions to show.' Karen Baxter, the head of investigations at Lewis Silkin, who conducted the report did find that after the BBC warned Wallace about his behaviour in 2017 that he did change his behaviour. Mr Wallace has been banned from working at the BBC after executives ruled they did not 'have the confidence that you can change what seems to be learned behaviour' She said: 'There is evidence which shows that Mr Wallace took some proactive steps to modify his behaviour, seek guidance from colleagues on his choice of language, and to remove himself from work-related social situations.' Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said: 'In earlier years, specifically prior to 2016 where the vast majority of these issues arose, it is clear that escalation procedures were not as robust as they should have been, and awareness of policies and procedures were lacking particularly amongst freelance staff. ' A spokesman for the BBC said: 'We welcome the publication of the findings by Lewis Silkin, following the investigation into the conduct of Gregg Wallace. 'In light of these findings, Banijay UK and the BBC have agreed Mr Wallace's return to MasterChef is untenable. The BBC has informed Mr Wallace we have no plans to work with him in future. 'The investigation details a substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct spanning 19 years. This behaviour falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us. 'Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour - both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC. We accept more could and should have been done sooner. 'We want to thank all those who took part in the investigation, including those who first raised concerns directly with the BBC in November last year. We apologise to everyone who has been impacted by Mr Wallace's behaviour. He was previously blasted by disability charities for using his autism as an excuse for his behaviour Gregg Wallace released a statement last week ahead of the Silkins report coming out 'Lewis Silkin's findings include two further allegations which were upheld, relating to other individuals. The BBC takes these findings very seriously and we have asked Banijay UK to take action to address these issues, which is underway. This will be completed as a priority. 'The BBC will not be commenting further at this stage, but we are clear we expect the highest standards of respect at work to be upheld on the production. 'At this stage we are not going to make a final decision on the broadcast of the series that was filmed last year. We know this is disappointing for fans of the show and those who took part and at the appropriate time Banijay UK will consult further with the amateur contestants. 'In April the BBC published a detailed response to an independent review of workplace culture, which reinforces expectations around behaviour and that we will act more decisively when standards are not met. This also requires all TV production partners to align with the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) standards. 'We want to reaffirm, there is no place for the abuse of power, unacceptable behaviour or language at the BBC, or shows made for the BBC.' Mix Tape (BBC2) Rating: Funny thing until the advent of the Pill in the 1960s, most young women married their first serious boyfriend. Thats why, this year, a good many couples will be celebrating diamond or even platinum wedding anniversaries. But a lifetime later, its almost shocking for teenagers to marry. Yet the idea of First Love is still hugely romantic... and, thanks to social media, countless people are getting back together with the schooldays crush with whom they shared their first kiss or first dance. The comedian Katherine Ryan, for instance, dated her husband, Bobby Kootstra, at school in Canada, until he dumped her on prom night. Decades later, they met again and now have two children together, and is pregnant with her third. Mix Tape wallows blissfully in the nostalgic afterglow of a teenage love affair. Jim Sturgess and Teresa Palmer play former sweethearts Daniel and Alison, who shared a heartbreakingly chaste passion for each other in school at the end of the 1980s but have long since drifted apart. Both are married, both are parents of teenagers, both are writers but while hes a struggling music journalist still living in Sheffield, shes a bestselling novelist with a millionaires penthouse in Sydney, Australia. Mix Tape wallows blissfully in the nostalgic afterglow of a teenage love affair as Jim Sturgess and Teresa Palmer (pictured) play former sweethearts Daniel and Alison The pair first meet at a party where The Stone Roses are shaking the walls, and in a series of shy, touching scenes, they bond over a shared obsession with the wistful songs of Nick Drake and The Velvet Underground (pictured Rory Walton-Smith and Florence Hunt) A sense of missed opportunities and disappointment pervades their lives, though neither of them wants to acknowledge it. Daniels wife is smugly satisfied that her career is so much more successful than his. Alisons husband is arrogant and overbearing, even controlling. Any bitterness in the story is offset by the flashbacks to schooldays, drenched in the music of the era. The pair first meet at a party where The Stone Roses are shaking the walls, and in a series of shy, touching scenes, they bond over a shared obsession with the wistful songs of Nick Drake and The Velvet Underground. He (Rory Walton-Smith) makes her a cassette of his favourite tracks and slips it into her bag. She (Florence Hunt) compiles her own tape and leaves it in his locker. Many years later, she smiles distantly and tells her daughter, You never forget the boy who makes you your first mix tape. All nostalgia has a flattering soft-focus filter, of course. In reality, their C90s wouldnt only feature cool bands like The Smiths, The Jesus And Mary Chain and New Order. Thered be some U2 on there, some Billy Joel, possibly something truly embarrassing like Bananarama. But the whole point of the past is that we can remember it the way it should have been, not how it really was. Many years later, she smiles distantly and tells her daughter, You never forget the boy who makes you your first mix tape Meanwhile Dan from Durham, a contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee (BBC1), revealed his talent for fire-breathing This four-part series, based on the acclaimed novel by Jane Sanderson, evokes a Yorkshire that perhaps had already vanished by 1989, where men in back-to-back terraces kept pigeons and supped from Thermos flasks while fishing in the canal. But we believe in it, because of the guileless innocence of the young actors playing Daniel and Alison. Its all so pure, it must be true. Meanwhile elsewhere on TV, Dan from Durham, a contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee (BBC1), revealed his talent for fire-breathing. One burp, presenter Sara Pascoe warned, and an outfit could go up in flames. The show has had drag acts before, but never dragons. Harrison Ford landed his first-ever Emmy Award nomination for his performance as Dr. Paul Rhoades in the second season of Apple TV+ series Shrinking on Tuesday - just two days after celebrating his 83rd birthday. The Indiana Jones and Blade Runner alum is up for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series as the grieving therapist suffering from Parkinson's disease in Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein's critically-acclaimed dramedy. Harrison isn't alone either as he'll have to battle his Shrinking co-star Michael Urie, who plays Brian the lawyer, for the same exact honor when the live ceremony airs September 14 on CBS/Paramount+. But Ford faces the most competition against The Bear star Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who already won the supporting actor Emmy for the past two consecutive years. Other strong contenders include SNL's Bowen Yang, Somebody Somewhere's Jeff Hiller, The Four Seasons' Colman Domingo, and The Studio's Ike Barinholtz. The Chicago-born grandfather-of-three made history as the second oldest nominee in that category after The Kominsky Method actor Alan Arkin scored a nod at age 86 in 2020. Harrison Ford landed his first-ever Emmy Award nomination for his performance as Dr. Paul Rhoades in the second season of Apple TV+ series Shrinking on Tuesday - just two days after celebrating his 83rd birthday (pictured February 23) Over on the social media platform X, Harrison's fans reacted to the news like user @DeSciJeremy tweeting: 'Took em long enough to recognize this GOAT [greatest of all time].' X user @chiefflips shared a meme of John C. Reilly looking confused with the caption: 'What?! How is this possible?' 'He's the best character on that show,' remarked X user @SteveRosenheim1. 'Harrison Ford proves it's never too late to be recognized,' X user @barfield_gina tweeted. 'True talent shines across every stage and every age.' X user @ElarRealm agreed: 'Greatness doesn't age - it evolves. Harrison Ford's first Emmy nod at 83 reminds us that legends keep rewriting the rules.' 'To be fair, the guy was a huge movie star for most of his career,' X user @TheUnrealPeterG tweeted. 'At a time when doing TV would have been considered a step backwards.' Shrinking also scored nods for outstanding comedy series, Jason Segel is up for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series, and Jessica Williams is up for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series. Ford previously called his gig on Shrinking as a 'the best job I've ever had.' 'I live half an hour away. I go home and I sleep in my own bed,' the Oscar nominee gushed during PaleyLive's An Evening of Shrinking on December 12. 'I'm in the same town as my wife and children and I'm doing really smart, intelligent storytelling with incredibly talented people.' The Indiana Jones and Blade Runner alum is up for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series as the grieving therapist suffering from Parkinson's disease in Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein's critically-acclaimed dramedy Harrison isn't alone either as he'll have to battle his Shrinking co-star Michael Urie (R), who plays Brian the lawyer, for the same exact honor when the live ceremony airs September 14 on CBS/Paramount+ But Ford faces the most competition against The Bear star Ebon Moss-Bachrach (pictured September 15), who already won the supporting actor Emmy for the past two consecutive years Other strong contenders include SNL's Bowen Yang, Somebody Somewhere's Jeff Hiller, The Four Seasons' Colman Domingo, and The Studio's Ike Barinholtz The Chicago-born grandfather-of-three made history as the second oldest nominee in that category after The Kominsky Method actor Alan Arkin scored a nod at age 86 in 2020 Harrison - whose films have grossed over $9B worldwide - has always 'enjoyed humor' and the 'construction of jokes' because his late father Christopher was a joke teller. 'When I was thinking about becoming an actor, I was ambitious for both kinds of work serious drama and comedy,' Ford explained to Vanity Fair on October 10. 'I found myself doing both and not really distinguishing much between them. I think I think with the same actor's head about a joke as I do about a serious or emotional scene.' On October 17, Apple TV+ renewed Shrinking for a third season, which commenced production in February. 'I think I've been public about saying the first year is about grief, the second year was about forgiveness, and third year's about moving forward,' co-creator Bill Lawrence told Deadline last December. 'What we really care about, Brett and me, both with our family connections to Parkinson's, is an accurate and inspiring representation of what people that have to deal with that s*** go through, and what it means moving forward. I think that will be touching and hard to watch, and if I knew where it ended, I wouldn't tell you, but I can be honest and say I don't know where it ends yet.' The 56-year-old showrunner continued: 'People have gotten over the main part of the mountain of dealing with grief and forgiving themselves and forgiving each other. So, in the third year, again about moving forward, I think every single character, even right now, just from me saying that generic thing, you would probably go "Hey, I was thinking about it." Over on the social media platform X, Harrison's fans reacted to the news like user @DeSciJeremy tweeting: 'Took em long enough to recognize this GOAT [greatest of all time]' X user @chiefflips shared a meme of John C. Reilly looking confused with the caption: 'What?! How is this possible?' 'He's the best character on that show,' remarked X user @SteveRosenheim1 'Harrison Ford proves it's never too late to be recognized,' X user @barfield_gina tweeted. 'True talent shines across every stage and every age' X user @ElarRealm agreed: 'Greatness doesn't age - it evolves. Harrison Ford's first Emmy nod at 83 reminds us that legends keep rewriting the rules' 'To be fair, the guy was a huge movie star for most of his career,' X user @TheUnrealPeterG tweeted. 'At a time when doing TV would have been considered a step backwards' Shrinking also scored nods for outstanding comedy series, Jason Segel (R) is up for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series, and Jessica Williams is up for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series Harrison did not receive awards attention for his role as patriarch Jacob Dutton in the eight-episode second season of Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone spin-off 1923 on Paramount+ 'Alice is supposed to go to college, and Sean still lives in a pool house, and Jimmy met Cobie Smulders. We always put easter eggs for what people need to work on the next year.' Harrison did not receive awards attention for his role as patriarch Jacob Dutton in the eight-episode second season of Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone spin-off 1923 on Paramount+. On the personal front, Ford is 23 years older than his third wife Calista Flockhart, but they've been happily married for 15 years after originally meeting during the 2002 Golden Globe Awards. The Captain America: Brave New World actor and the three-time Emmy nominee are proud parents of 24-year-old son Liam Flockhart Ford, who graduated from Amherst College in Massachusetts in 2023. Harrison is father to two sons - Ben, 58; and Willard, 56 - from his 15-year marriage to first ex-wife Mary Marquardt, which ended in 1979. Ford also fathered two children - son Malcolm, 37; and daughter Georgia, 35 - from his 20-year marriage to late second ex-wife Melissa Mathison, which ended in 2004. The mystery surrounding Julian McMahon's death in the United States grows murkier by the day. The Australian actor died aged 56 in Clearwater, Florida, on July 2 of an undisclosed cancer. Last week, the Pinellas County Medical Examiner's office reported the Nip/Tuck star died from lung metastasis as a result of head and neck metastatic cancer. His death was ruled natural, and the office confirmed his remains have since been cremated. Questions remain over just how and why Julian - the son of former Australian prime minister Billy McMahon - ended up in Clearwater. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The mystery surrounding Julian McMahon's death in the US has raised many questions. Pictured Julian and wife Kelly Paniagua The beachside city, on Florida's west coast, is infamous for being the Mecca of the Church of Scientology. Cremation is favoured by Scientologists, who believe the human body is of no use to followers after death. The church's founder L. Ron Hubbard was cremated. A cache of public documents about Julian's life in the United States since the 1990s reviewed by Daily Mail Australia says little about why he ultimately ended up in Clearwater. Records show he gained his social security identification in New York, but by 1997 he began living in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. His home, directly beneath the Hollywood Sign, was sold in 2015 for AUD$3.3 million. He also owned a home in Malibu, which he shared with third wife, model Kelly Paniagua, and sold in 2017 for AUD $5.41 million. Our investigation exclusively revealed the couple also owned a stunning ranch in Ventura County, California, pictured here in never-before-seen photos. Julian passed away in Clearwater which is a city on Florida's west coast infamous for being the Mecca of the Church of Scientology. Pictured the Church of Scientology's Flag Building The hacienda-style home in the farming community of Somis featured 1.8 hectares of Hass avocado trees and 4.4 acres of lemons. The 2700-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence was listed for sale by the couple in 2016 before being removed from the market in 2017. It was relisted on July 19, 2023 - curiously, the advertisement suggested it could be purchased fully furnished - and sold October 5, 2023. Since 2023, the McMahons had no further listed residences, save for a business address linked to an accountant specialising in celebrity finances in Encino, California. The couple then seemingly headed to Florida. Julian's daughter Madison - from his previous marriage to American actress Brooke Burns - is listed at an address in Charleston, South Carolina, where it is thought she attended university. However, Madison, 25, teaches yoga classes in Miami. Offering a further clue, of the 20 accounts Julian followed on Instagram, one was Mari's Kitchen Italian Market - a restaurant in Hollywood, Florida, just north of Miami. An investigation by Daily Mail Australia revealed Julian's well-documented life in the United States, beginning in the early 1990s - but in the past two years, his trail that ultimately ended in Clearwater runs eerily cold A spokesperson for the restaurant revealed: 'Yes, he is very missed here. One of our good friends'. They would not confirm if Julian had lived in the area. When Mrs McMahon, 47, revealed her husband had died in Clearwater after 'a valiant effort to overcome cancer', it immediately prompted speculation online as to whether he was a Scientologist. 'I live in Clearwater... close to a house [Scientologist] John Travolta owns, because we're about a mile from the Scientology center in downtown Clearwater,' one local wrote on Instagram. 'I was wondering if Julian McMahon was a Scientologist since [Kelly's statement] said he died in Clearwater, because why else would he live the last few months of his life there? The only celebrities that do are usually Scientologists. Surprised, that's for certain!' Another person posted on Twitter, 'Why was Julian McMahon in Clearwater when he died? Like, that's Scientology city.' Clearwater, which has a population of 116,000, is notorious for being overrun by the Church of Scientology. The religion's global headquarters, Flag, is in the heart of the town, and its followers own most of the commercial real estate. Julian and his wife owned a stunning ranch in Ventura County, California, pictured here in never-before-seen photos before disappearing off the map Julian's place of death also sparked a thread on Reddit, where one person dismissed speculation by saying, 'He was an Australian who loved the beach. I don't see him being involved with Scientology.' There is no mention of Julian, former model Kelly, his daughter Madison or ex-wife Brooke Burns on any Scientology databases, nor is Daily Mail Australia suggesting he was a Scientologist. Attempts were made to reach a representative for Julian. So notorious is the town's connection to the religion that former celebrity follower Leah Remini dedicated an entire episode of her docuseries Scientology and the Aftermath to how the church took it over. A Tampa Bay Times investigation revealed the church, its members, and affiliated companies now own 185 properties in the city's downtown enclave. Church figurehead Tom Cruise lives in a penthouse apartment with his son Connor. Famous follower Kirstie Alley, who died in 2022 from colon cancer, owned a waterfront mansion there - which she bought from late Scientologist Lisa Marie Presley in 2000. Devotee John Travolta's wife, Kelly Preston, died after a battle with breast cancer in Clearwater in 2020. Scientologist devotee John Travolta's wife Kelly Preston (pictured) died after a battle with breast cancer in Clearwater in 2020 Julian's widow Kelly, a California born and raised former model, now describes herself as a 'spiritual concierge', operating a business called Super Spiritual Girl. According to her website, she is a shamanic healer, reiki master, certified meditation instructor and intuitive reader. She has hosted spiritual workshops in Miami. In announcing Julian's shock passing, Kelly said in a statement to Deadline: 'With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband, Julian McMahon, died peacefully...' 'Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.' The talented actor, who began his career on Home and Away, was best known for his role as Dr Christian Troy on the FX series Nip/Tuck. He then won the hearts of many as he portrayed Cole Turner in Charmed (seasons 3 through 5 from 2000 to 2003), before returning as a guest for season 7 in 2005. Julian later starred as Jess LaCroix on the CBS series FBI: Most Wanted, beginning in 2020 but made a surprise exit in March 2022 after three seasons. On the big screen, he starred as iconic supervillain Dr. Doom in two Marvel movies: Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer (2007). In announcing Julian's shock passing, Kelly said in a statement to Deadline: 'With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband Julian McMahon died peacefully' He also appeared alongside Sandra Bullock in 2007 supernatural psychological thriller Premonition. Most recently, he teamed up with Nicolas Cage for the Australian-made film The Surfer. In a statement to Deadline, Nicolas said, 'I spent six weeks working with Julian, and he was the most talented of actors. 'Our scenes together on The Surfer were amongst my favorites I have ever participated in, and Julian is one of my favorite people. He was a kind and intelligent man. My love to his family.' Julian and Kelly had been together for 11 years before marrying in a romantic ceremony in Lake Tahoe, on the border of California and Nevada, in 2014. He was previously married to model and Baywatch actress Brooke Burns - mother to Madison - from 1999 to 2001. Brooke shared a touching old image of Julian and Madison to Instagram, accompanied with the words, 'Rest in peace' and a heart emoji. Julian's first marriage was to Australian actress and pop star Dannii Minogue, after meeting on the Home and Away set in 1991. Their union was doomed, seemingly in part due to Julian's mother - the late Lady Sonia McMahon, a Sydney socialite - not approving of Dannii. 'His family did not like me,' Dannii said. 'There's a certain social pecking order and I was definitely not in that scene. She [Sonia] only spoke to me a couple of times.' Dannii alleged her former mother-in-law 'caused issues' at the couple's 1994 wedding. 'On the actual day of the wedding there was drama,' she said. 'She said she wasn't going to show up, so that's quite stressful. Julian and I were going ahead with the marriage regardless. 'So she did end up coming and was causing a scene. It wasn't the greatest... it was hard. I tried to stay away from it. I just wanted to enjoy the day.' The marriage ended 18 months later. Bill Gates's youngest daughter Phoebe has landed a new job. The fashion show regular is working with Sophia Kianni and Tay Nakamoto for a new podcast episode, Sticking With Style. They are offering tips on upgrading dorm room space for the fall 2025 semester. The project is part of an endorsement deal with Command Brand, which proves Phoebe is moving more into the world of an influencer. The 22-year-old studied Human Biology at California's Stanford University. She is the daughter to the Microsoft co-founder, 69, and his philanthropist ex wife Melinda Gates, 60. Phoebe and her siblings, Jennifer, 28, and Rory, 25, will famously receive a minute percentage of their father's fortune because Bill will instead divert his mammoth fortune to charitable organizations. Bill Gates 's youngest daughter Phoebe has landed a new job The fashion show regular is working with Sophia Kianni and Tay Nakamoto for a new podcast episode, Sticking With Style In April she discussed her father's extraordinary success and the pressure that brings on her new podcast, The Burnouts, alongside her business partner and close friend, Sophia. She said: 'I had so much insecurity and such a desire to prove myself at Stanford. 'I came in, I was like, ''I'm so privileged, I'm a nepo baby'', like I had so much insecurity around that. I feel it's so hard when you're a freshman in college because you have no experience. You have nothing.' Despite her billionaire father's gravitas, the graduate, who is dating Sir Paul McCartney's grandson, Arthur Donald, said she was 'flat-out rejected' from a business class after devising her first pitch, Bluetooth tampons, giving women health status updates throughout their periods. 'This was our first big failure of many, many, many,' Phoebe admitted. 'I don't think it's really a shocker that we got flat-out rejected from this class - they asked us, ''What problem does this solve? How would it make money?'' We couldn't answer those questions.' It wasn't just her Stanford professors who doubted Phoebe's entrepreneurial skills, but Bill also blocked his daughter's request to drop out of school to pursue her debut company despite him doing something similar 49 years earlier. Phoebe, who will soon launch her company, digital fashion platform Phia, which she describes as a 'new way to shop' online, with Kianni, said: 'I remember even when we wanted to start the company, him being like, ''Are you sure you want to do this?'' They are offering tips on upgrading dorm room space for the fall 2025 semester The project is part of an endorsement deal with Command Brand, which proves Phoebe is moving more into the world of an influencer The 22-year-old studied Human Biology at California 's Stanford University 'Because both of my siblings were incredibly intelligent and took very typical career paths - my brother's a genius, my sister has two kids and a horse-back riding career and is in residency [as a Junior Pediatrician] - but there wasn't this adverse risk of failure.' Phoebe and her siblings won't get a big inheritance. The star continued: 'So my parents were really cautious when I was like, ''I want to do Stanford abroad and do this remotely and finish up my degree and do the start-up''. 'They were very much like, ''You need to finish your degree. You don't just get to drop out and [start] a company.'' Which is so funny because my dad literally did that - that's like the reason I'm able to go to Stanford, have my tuition paid.' Bill dropped out of Harvard in 1975 after three semesters to start Microsoft, a decision which helped earn him his estimated $107 billion (83 billion), according to Forbes. Phoebe added that, despite having a close relationship with her father, she has few recollections of him discussing Microsoft with her. She is the daughter to the Microsoft co-founder, 69, and his philanthropist ex wife Melinda Gates , 60. Seen in 2022 Melinda and Phoebe at the Clooney Foundation for Justice's 2023 Albie Awards in New York 'I literally never remember my dad talking to me about the start of Microsoft. I literally mostly just remember him talking about the Foundation,' she said. Instead of depending entirely on knowledge passed down from her father, Phoebe claimed that she is securing her future through a solid work ethic. She said: 'I really like the results we're seeing - and this is not just true for business, but any career you're in: it is just the result of habits. 'The tracking we're seeing with our product is really just the result of our habits; it's the result of loving your work, waking up early, working 'til damn late on this company because you love it. 'It's not work-life balance: this is your life, and you really enjoy it. It has to be fun, and you have to have the habits built around that. 'And controlling - being able to control that part of your brain that wants to stay in bed and being like, I don't want to eat but I need to go eat lunch because I need to be productive this afternoon.' She is in a relationship with Sir Paul McCartney's grandson, Arthur Donald (seen together in September 2024) Phoebe and her siblings, Jennifer, 28, and Rory, 25, will famously receive a minute percentage of their father's fortune because Bill will instead divert his mammoth fortune to charitable organizations Gates offered the example of embracing rejection as a habit she and Kianni adopted to enable success. She said: 'A habit that we had that I thought was so good at the beginning was just constant outreach and constant acceptance of rejection. 'When we were trying to get our first partnerships for Phia, we would outreach like... we maxed out the LinkedIn credits. And they wouldn't grant us more because we hit the limit. 'We'd get people respond like, ''Please leave me alone and never email me''. We'd still respond again. 'I really feel the greatest lesson from this is vulnerability is not embarrassing. Yes, our cold email outreach template was awful at first, and it was a complete flop, but I've connected with some of those people now, and they were like, ''Good for you for reaching out in college.'' The star added: 'The biggest things we've learned is have that vulnerability - you just need to take shots on goal.' Erika Jayne's new rumored boyfriend has been revealed as John 'Shrek' McPhee after the pair were spotted holding hands in Los Angeles last week. This is the first time the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star was spotted in public appearing to be in a new relationship - as seen in photos obtained by The U.S. Sun - since she and her ex, Thomas 'Tom' Girardi, divorced in 2020 after 21 years of marriage. McPhee, for his part, revealed on Megyn Kelly's podcast in May that he's been 'divorced several times,' however, Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that there was a vital fact about him that he did not disclose to the public. According to court documents obtained by Daily Mail, the 55-year-old retired U.S. Army special operations sergeant major was in the middle of a divorce when he gave his interview on The Megyn Kelly Show. McPhee filed for divorce in North Carolina where he resides (it's unclear how often he travels to Los Angeles), against his most recent wife, Jennifer Blanton, in February 2025 after 10-and-a-half years of marriage. The couple wed in July 2014 and then, per his complaint for divorce, they separated in September 2023. The Army veteran filed for an 'absolute divorce' - the term for divorce used in North Carolina after a couple has been separated for over a year - and for 'equitable distribution' of their property, including assets, debts and divisible property. Erika Jayne, 54, is reportedly dating celebrity bodyguard and retired US Army special operations sergeant major John 'Shrek' McPhee, 55, after they were spotted holding hands while running errands in Los Angeles on July 7 McPhee has refused to disclose information about his most recent marriage after admitting on The Megyn Kelly Show that he's been 'divorced several times' His ex, Jennifer, filed her response and a counterclaim against him on May 5, days before his Megyn Kelly interview. In the court docs, Blanton argued that they separated in November 2023, disagreed that he is 'entitled to a more than 50 percent share of the marital property' (she is also seeking an equitable distribution), and denied that they need to hire an expert witness to value and investigate the marital businesses and assets. In her counterclaim, Blanton, a realtor and an employee of the Department of Defense who is based in Alaska, states that she is in need of post-separation support and alimony - commonly known as spousal support - since she claims he was the 'primary wage earner' and she 'relied on the Plaintiff (McPhee) to pay her reasonable monthly expenses and day-to-day living expenses.' She claims that she makes half of his salary. She writes in her filing that McPhee, as an owner and operator of multiple business entities, 'earns at least $17,000 per month.' She notes that, included in that monthly salary, he receives money from the government for being a military retiree - both Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Disability. In addition to spousal support, she is requesting McPhee pay for her attorney's fees and that his businesses, G.R.O.M. Incorporated and Sheriff of Baghdad, be part of the equitable distribution. The court filed a judgment for absolute divorce on June 27, meaning both of the parties are no longer legally married. The court also held McPhee responsible for the taxes on the divorce, and stated other issues will be sorted in the future. With the divorce still pending, the parties are due back in court later this month for a hearing on temporary post-separation support for Blanton. McPhee filed for divorce from his ex-wife, Jennifer Blanton, in February 2025 after 10-and-a-half years of marriage. The divorce was finalized in June Court documents obtained by Daily Mail reveal McPhee's monthly income is $17,000, which was what his ex had claimed he earned from his multiple businesses (pictured working as Heidi Montag's bodyguard) McPhee told podcast host Megyn Kelly in May that having long-lasting relationships in the military can be 'hard' because 'no one understands your level of commitment' The Army veteran (pictured with Megyn Kelly) still has issues to resolve with his ex when he's due back in court later this month to discuss paying her temporary spousal support Daily Mail has reached out to attorneys for McPhee and Blanton for comment. McPhee reportedly has two children - his son followed in his footsteps by enlisting in the U.S. Army. When asked about his dating life on The Megyn Kelly Show on May 26, McPhee explained it's a 'hard life' and that most military couples end in divorce. 'I started out married at 9/11, I've been divorced several times. It's a hard life, you know? I think it's a hard life because no one understands, like, your level of commitment,' he said. 'And I say that in a way, like, you're choosing something that might cause your death over and over. 'People don't see that as rational, but they don't understand... So I would say being married was like being in prison. You could call home, and you ain't going there anytime soon... That's how marriage works in the Army.' The self-described 'Sheriff of Baghdad' noted: 'Only guys that had perfect relationships, their marriages survived the war.' Since going public with Erika Jayne, fans picked up on John's career as a celebrity bodyguard for The Hills alum Heidi Montag. He has proudly sported a 'Team Heidi' T-shirt and appears to be good friends with the reality star's husband, Spencer Pratt. McPhee retired from the Army in 2011 after 20 years of service deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq, and he regularly offers his expertise to civilians, law enforcement, and militaries worldwide. Erika, for her part, is still legally married to her ex Tom Girardi. Their divorce has been held up for nearly five years due to multiple lawsuits against him and her Girardi was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison last month and is due to surrender by July 17 (pictured August 2024) Jayne, for her part, is still in divorce proceedings against Tom Girardi. Their divorce has been on hold due to his federal lawsuit, in which he has been found guilty in August 2024 of four counts of wire fraud for embezzling $15 million from his clients. The 86-year-old former attorney, who's suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison last month and was fined $35K as well as ordered to pay restitution of $2.3M. He has to surrender to federal prison to serve his sentence by July 17. A hearing for their divorce, however, is scheduled for the beginning of August to discuss dismissing the divorce since it's been nearly five years. On June 13, during an episode of Diamonds in the Rough with Teddi Mellencamp, Erika shared her reaction to her ex being sentenced to prison, which is something she found out 10 minutes before performing. 'It just hurts. It reopens old healing wounds, and it is something that, you know, I had a sold-out crowd in a theater just for me, and I was so grateful. My happiest place in the whole world to be is on stage. So while I was happy theres a little piece [of me] that was like, "Ugh,"' she recalled. 'I was very disappointed because those people [in the audience] were there for me, and I felt like five percent of myself was feeling sorry for myself. I was 95 percent there, and five percent of myself was feeling sorry for myself.' She went on to say that she struggled to 'fight back thoughts and emotions' during her performance. Jayne, who has one son -a 32-year-old LAPD officer Thomas 'Tommy' Zizzo Jr. - has her own set of lawsuits that are currently ongoing, including a lawsuit brought by Girardi's bankruptcy trustee for allegedly using misappropriated funds to support her extravagant lifestyle- as seen on RHOBH. She's consistently denied any wrongdoing. The TV personality is currently filming the 15th season of the Real Housewives with her costars from last season - except for Garcelle Beauvais. Joining the returning cast for the upcoming season is fashion designer Rachel Zoe. The texts are devastating pleading, heartbroken, at times angry and always deeply personal. Actor Ioan Gruffudd has taken the extraordinary step of releasing a series of distressing messages sent to him by daughters Ella, 15, and Elsie, 11, as his divorce from their mother, Alice Evans, reaches its final bitter stages. Gruffudd left his wife of 14 years in 2021 and is now married to aspiring actress Bianca Wallace, whom he met while filming the TV series Harrow in Australia while he was still married. The couple are expecting a baby. In the texts, Ella who filed for a domestic violence restraining order against the actor after a fracas at his home when she visited him and Wallace for the first time (which a judge dismissed) angrily asks him to help fund a deposit on a place to live. In one message, she complains he hasn't given his daughters and ex-wife financial help, even though they are about to be evicted from their apartment in Beverly Hills, California, owing to non-payment of rent. Today Alice, Ella and Elsie are living in the modest suburb of Encino in the San Fernando valley area of Los Angeles. In recent months, Evans has been making appearances at fan conventions based on her previous acting roles in The Vampire Diaries and The Originals in order to earn money. In another of the messages, contained within documents filed by Gruffudd to the Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday as part of his and Evans' divorce settlement proceedings, 15-year-old Ella tells her father: 'Mummy works very hard and also looks after us 24/7. You are avoiding the issue which is that you don't want to work. It's not mummy's fault it's yours. You left us and now you can't provide for us. Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd with their two daughters Ella and Elsie in 2018 Gruffudd and Evans met while filming 102 Dalmatians in 2000. They were married in 2007 and divorced in 2023 Gruffudd with new wife Bianca Wallace, whom he met while filming the TV series Harrow in Australia while he was still married 'You need to get a job daddy. Looking after your girlfriend is not a job. You are a father who has abandoned his children and doesn't see them or talk to them. You doesn't even send Christmas presents. It's pathetic and everyone sees you. 'Ps, if there is enough money for us never to become homeless then why aren't you helping us out? You hate mummy more than you love us.' She also asks him to lend them the funds to allow them to put down a deposit on a new home. 'Hi Dad. We could really use some help with getting a place to live,' the 15-year-old texts. 'We have found many we love under $4000 but we don't have the credit score or enough to [put] down as security. Please can you think about helping us?' In another, using often-ungrammatical text-speak, she pleads: 'Could we borrow some money from you? It would be so amazing please daddy we just need some help. We are gonna be out of our apartment in 17 days. Please help us.' In other texts, her younger sister Elsie becomes angry with her father, chiding him for criticising Evans in other, unseen, messages. She writes: 'Don't talk down to me and don't talk s*** about Mummy'. She adds: 'Remember that is illegal in the courts to say me [sic] bad things about her to us but you always do it. 'If you think me and Ella would ever come and live with you and Bianca you are ****ing crazy and thinking about everything you say about mummy makes us both sick she is the nicest kindest most beautiful person in the world and you just want to break her and us. I am disappointed with you.' She also warns: 'We need to find a home dad this is real how will you feel when you remember what you did to your children and their mum. All my friends are worried for us and trying to help us but not you.' Gruffudd doesn't include his responses to the girls in the documents filed to the court. The actor says he is releasing the hurtful and disturbing texts to show that the children are being involved in his ex-wife's 'false and manufactured claim' that she is in financial crisis. In a statement to court he writes: 'I am mortified to report that I have received dozens of stressed messages from our minor children, in which they have parroted Alice's false and manufactured claim of becoming homeless in the immediate future. 'It is clear to me that Alice is orchestrating this situation and is doing so to manipulate me into giving in to her financial demands.' The unravelling of the Gruffudd-Evans marriage has been a long and very public drama, often played out on social media. Right at the start, in January 2021, when Welsh actor Gruffudd left her, Evans wrote on Twitter, now X: 'My beloved husband/soulmate of 20 years Ioan Gruffudd has announced that he is to leave his family starting next week. Me and our young daughters girls [sic] are very confused. We haven't been given a reason except "he no longer loves me". I'm so sorry.' Gruffudd announced in October 2021, on Instagram, that he had a new girlfriend. Pictured with Bianca Wallace, now 32, he wrote: 'Thank you for making me smile again.' Evans, now 56, has always maintained this was the first she and her daughters, then aged 11 and seven, knew of the romance. In February 2022, Gruffudd was granted a restraining order after Evans posted a number of messages about him and his new girlfriend on social media and allegedly sent him more than 100 texts, some appearing to threaten him. Evans denied abusing or harassing him but the order was extended for three years, so she remains forbidden from posting about either of them until August 2025. Now comes this new court battle. Claiming that Evans has breached her restraining order '5,000 times' in the past three years, Gruffudd is seeking to have her permanently banned from talking about him and from ever contacting him or his new wife. A hearing is set for August 2, and the claims from Gruffudd's side are damning if true. He claims Evans has sent him an average of four harassing communications a day since the restraining order was granted. Evans denies this, but has spoken of her regret at reacting to the split so publicly. In a legal filing last year she wrote: 'I understand why the Court issued the DVRO [restraining order], and I wish I had never sent the messages or published the social media posts. 'I was acting out of emotional anguish caused by the unexpected end of our marriage and Ioan's rather quick public announcement of a new romantic relationship.' In June 2023, Gruffudd detailed a shocking fight with Ella after she came to his apartment and met Wallace for the first time. Left with minor injuries, Ella subsequently sought a restraining order against her father and his girlfriend. In her submission Ella, then 13, said she was so upset to meet Wallace that she threw milk on her father's bed, poured mustard on the floor and threw porridge oats at him. Gruffudd told the court that the acting out 'made it clear Ella is in urgent need of mental health care'. Ella meanwhile, claimed Gruffudd and Wallace 'called her 'manipulative', 'abusive' and 'narcissistic'. When she tried to leave, her father chased after her, she said, and she was hit by the door, injuring her arm. However, a judge dismissed the application. Last year, an agreement was made over the custody of the girls, following a Child Custody Evaluation in 2023 in which a highly qualified expert, nominated by Gruffudd, interviewed all concerned and made recommendations. These were filed into court under seal to protect the children's privacy. The legal battles showed no sign of ending, however, and in July 2024, Evans filed a request for money, saying that she hadn't received a penny since April. She said that she was broke and could not pay her bills. When she faced being homeless she set up a GoFundMe page to appeal to the public for help. Gruffudd had been paying her $3,000 (2,200) per month in child support and $1,500 (1,100) a month in spousal support, but that wasn't enough for her to make ends meet, she claimed. Gruffudd claims that bank statements show Evans is far from hard up. He states that she earned $130,141 (97,000) in 2024 and is on track to get the same amount in 2025. According to bank statements filed with the court, in December 2024 she spent $9,288 (6,900) including a holiday which cost $2,990 (2,200). Gruffudd claims that after paying Evans $70,000 (52,000) a year in support, he is left with just $121,752 (90,000) a smaller income overall than hers. He rejects her claim he is 'intentionally' turning down work to keep his income low so he won't have to pay her as much. 'This new tactic is simply Alice attempting to avoid accountability for her very public denigration of me that continues to this day,' he writes. He has turned down jobs for 'several reasons', he continues, including being the wrong fit for the character. One job was a 'small rural theatre production', which would have cost him money to perform in and clashed with previously booked projects, he claims. Sources close to Evans claim the picture painted by Gruffudd's lawyers is misleading and that the figures cited by the Welsh actor include the support he was ordered by the court to give, accounting for around $80,000 of the $130,000. Evans is prevented from addressing any of his claims on social media, but in a post on Instagram a week ago she wrote about her trip to a fan convention in Paris, saying: 'Me and my two girls came so close to being homeless a month ago. I'm their only parent and only relative within 6,000 miles so it's hard to go away for 5 days knowing they're alone. 'But I did it. And I earned the money for next month's rent. 'Life crises make you fight. And I'm fighting. Against the people I think are treating me badly but also against the urge to give in. 'I will never give in. I will be there for my kids and true friends until the day I die.' An Australian influencer has shared her devastation after her Melbourne house was firebombed in an alleged targeted attack while she was in Bali. Caitlin Lyndon, known online as 'fitmum', was partying with friends on Sunday when she received a call at 2am informing her about the fire. Victorian Police described the fire in Sandhurst as 'suspicious' and is investigating the incident after reports two people were seen fleeing in a dark car. A car was found on fire a short time later and investigators are 'working to determine if the fires are linked', Victorian Police confirmed in a statement. Caitlin's home has been badly damaged and she 'literally fell to the floor' when she received the call. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Australian influencer Caitlin Lyndon (pictured) has shared her devastation after her Melbourne house was firebombed in an alleged targeted attack while she was in Bali Caitlin Lyndon, known online as 'fitmum', was partying with friends in Bali on Sunday when she received a call at 2am informing her about the house fire 'I cannot fathom that somebody would do this to me,' she told The Daily Telegraph. 'Everyone has enemies... but I would never imagine having pissed people off enough to have your personal home lit on fire where you and your son's belongings are. 'I guess Victoria Police are probably going to find [who did it], so I'm gonna let them do their job,' she said. She had only moved into the house two months prior. In a video shared to Instagram, Caitlin explained her house had been fitted with CCTV but it was disabled prior to the attack. 'I just don't know where to start. And I live in the biggest Karen estate ever, so this is just grouse,' she said. 'I didn't even think you could shut down CCTV so these c**ts are just dogs.' She said she is 'grateful her son and dogs are safe as I can replace our furniture, our belongings, but our family I cannot.' In a video shared to Instagram, Caitlin explained her house has been fitted with CCTV but it was disabled prior to the attack She continued: 'I've never wanted to hold my baby so tight in all my life. True friends and families' colours are shown in times like this. 'I'm not afraid to cry and show you that I have f***ing emotions because you know what I worked my a** off to get to where I was, and even if I've lost everything, you've burnt it down and you've ruined my life. I will build my life again, but my son does not deserve this.' Caitlin also shared a photo to her Instagram story on Monday of the damage caused to her home. 'My home,' she wrote alongside a crying emoji. Deborra-Lee Furness is said to be back in the dating game after finalising her divorce with Hugh Jackman last month. The Australian actress, 69, is reportedly courting offers from potential suitors - but is holding back until she can find a partner who meets her high standards. 'Deb is finally starting to heal and talk about what she wants in her life going forward,' an insider told this week's Woman's Day magazine. 'She's got an incredible support system that's been there every step of the way, helping her to pick up the pieces of her life. They are encouraging her to start dating again.' They added that Furness had received offers from some 'incredible guys' but was holding back for the perfect match. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMails new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Deborra-Lee Furness is reportedly back in the dating game after finalising her divorce with Hugh Jackman last month 'She knows what she brings to the table,' the insider added. Last month, Furness and Jackman finalised their divorce a month after filing, Daily Mail exclusively revealed. A judgment of divorce was filed on June 12, making it official. The document, however, wasn't made public until June 23. Prior to the judgment being entered, two other documents were filed on June 10 - a 'Qualified Medical Child Support Order', regarding children's insurance, and 'Findings of Fact/Conclusions of Law.' The divorce was essentially disposed of some time ago, but the judge needed to sign off on the judgment after a proposed judgment was entered. Furness, who has two adopted children with the Wolverine actor, has received a 'spousal support payment,' according to an insider, who previously spoke to Daily Mail. 'A settlement was reached that Furness is pleased with, which includes a handsome spousal support payment,' they revealed. 'There was some back and forth regarding this financial agreement but, in the end, she got what she believed she deserved. Both are coming out of this financially secure.' The Australian actress is said to be courting offers from potential suitors - but is holding back until she can find a partner who meets her high standards. Pictured with Hugh Jackman in 2022 Hugh has been dating his former The Music Man co-star Sutton Foster for several months 'There is not going to be any drama with this - it gives closure that she needed.' In May, Daily Mail exclusively broke the news of Jackman, 56, and Furness, filing for divorce to officially terminate their 27-year marriage. The film producer filed the complaint in New York on May 23 and, per the filings, everything has been ironed out behind the scenes. Other filings submitted by her lawyer include a notice concerning continuation of health care coverage, a proposed qualified medical child support order, a New York state case registry form (used to report child support orders to the state's registry), the settlement, a proposed judgment of divorce, and a certificate of dissolution. All that needed to be done was for the judge to sign off on the judgment. The divorce is 'non contested,' meaning there was not a major disagreement between the couple divorcing. 'They have worked out the details in advance and everything is ironed out in terms of a settlement, alimony and the expenses for the future of their children,' another source told Daily Mail. 'They are amicable and they are both fully committed to being the best parents that they can be.' They added that Jackman was 'looking forward to the future and not looking back'. Shortly after news broke of the exes' divorce filing, Furness shocked fans by releasing a statement using the word 'betrayal' when speaking about her 'traumatic journey'. Jackman has been dating his former The Music Man co-star Sutton Foster for months, although the timeline of when they began dating has never been confirmed. The pair are said to be ignoring any negative talk about their romance - which some fans believed started as an affair while he was still married - and are 'looking to move forward' with their relationship. A source previously claimed to Daily Mail that while Jackman 'didn't physically cheat' on his ex-wife, the 69-year-old believes they were having 'an emotional affair' and 'feels he betrayed her.' Although Jackman and Sutton haven't been spotted together in public since May - when they were seen holding hands in New York City - a source told Daily Mail that they are 'very happy right now.' Magda Szubanski has provided fans with a heartfelt and surprisingly upbeat update as she battles stage four cancer. The beloved Kath and Kim star, 64, took to social media on Monday night with a clip revealing her shaved head - a result of chemotherapy as she battles Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. Despite the gruelling treatment, the Aussie comedy icon appeared in good spirits as she proudly showed off how she was keeping herself entertained: by building a Lego set. 'Having cancer is not all bad because look... Lego Land Rover! I am such an 11-year-old boy trapped in a 64-year-old lesbian's body,' Magda quipped. Magda, who announced her diagnosis in May, said she has turned to Lego therapy to help her through the toughest battle of her life. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Magda Szubanski has provided fans with a heartfelt and surprisingly upbeat update as she battles stage four cancer 'The upside of cancer - it ain't all bad!! thank you Lego for my new Lego Land Rover classic Defender,' she wrote. 'This will keep me busy for a bit. Tricky with chemo induced numbness in fingertips but I've planned ahead and ordered a building kit with pliers and finger protectors!! GOOD TIMES!!! Now all I need is a Lego Queen Elizabeth II to pop in the driver's seat.' Her post struck a chord with fans, with a slew of celebrity friends flooding the comments with messages of love and support. 'Love this! Love you,' wrote The Bachelor star Alex Nation. 'God bless you and your beautiful outlook on life and Lego. sending positive vibes,' Married At First Sight's Dave Hand chipped in and celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge shared an applause emoji. In May, Magda announced on social media she was battling Mantle Cell Lymphoma. She appeared on camera with a shaved head after beginning her treatment to fight the disease. 'Hello my lovelies. So, the head is shaved in anticipation of it all falling out in a couple of weeks because I have just been diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive, very serious lymphoma,' she began. The beloved Kath and Kim star took to social media on Monday night with a new clip revealing her shaved head - a result of chemotherapy as she battles Mantle Cell Lymphoma Despite the gruelling treatment, the Aussie comedy icon appeared in good spirits as she proudly showed off how shes keeping herself entertained: by building a Lego Land Rover 'It is one of the nasty ones, unfortunately. But the good thing is I'm surrounded by beautiful friends and family and an incredible medical support team. 'Honestly, we have the best in the world here in Australia, particularly in Melbourne, so I feel very fortunate. 'It's pretty confronting. It is a full on. But new treatments keep coming down the pipeline all the time.' Magda said she has started a treatment called the Nordic protocol, which treats Mantle Cell Lymphoma by shrinking the tumours with a combination of drugs administered in five phases. It's known as the Nordic regimen based upon its clinical trial sites in Denmark and Norway. The actress explained she will be 'lying very low' due to her weak immune system. 'I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful. I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant and I've never felt more held by the people around me,' she said. In May, Magda announced on social media she was battling Mantle Cell Lymphoma 'Please keep a distance though because I will be very immunocompromised. So I can't hug no more. Don't hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly.' She said the cancer was discovered during a routine breast screening. 'This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up,' she explained. 'TBH, I've been feeling pretty rats**t for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and - voila! So the take away is - get tested and listen to your body! For now, just know I'm in good hands, good spirits.' She's an actress who once played Kevin Costner's daughter. And on Monday, the 42-year-old star was pictured stepping out in Los Angeles, distinctly showing her armpit hair. The mom-of-two who, like fellow actor Tom Cruise, belongs to the Church of Scientology ran errands in a casual look, sporting a sleeveless black top and ripped blue jeans. The Seattle native who is married to a cyclist completed the look with white sneakers and a white crossbody bag. She also sported a necklace and gold earrings, and wore her hair styled in a half-updo. Can you guess who she is? She's an actress who once played Kevin Costner's daughter. And on Monday, the 42-year-old star was pictured stepping out in Los Angeles, distinctly showing her armpit hair The mom-of-two belongs to the Church of Scientology, like fellow actor Tom Cruise. Can you guess who she is? That's right! It's Erika Christensen. She's built a career with roles in films like Traffic (2000), Swimfan (2002), The Banger Sisters (2002), The Perfect Score (2004), Flightplan (2005) and more. In Steven Soderbergh's 2000 crime drama Traffic she famously portrayed cocaine user Caroline Wakefield. She won the MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Female Performance for the role. In 2005, Christensen co-starred in The Upside of Anger as Andy Wolfmeyer, alongside Costner and Joan Allen. She then took on a starring role in the short-lived ABC drama series, Six Degrees, in 2006. From 2010 to 2015, Christensen starred as Julia Braverman-Graham in NBC's family drama series Parenthood. Since 2023, she's been starring as Angie Polaski in ABC's Will Trent. She had guest star roles in television series including Frasier, The Practice, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and Touched by an Angel. The star also made a guest appearance on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show, which reunited her with her Traffic co-star Topher Grace. Christensen's family moved from Seattle to suburban Los Angeles when she was four. Her parents, who became Scientologists in their twenties, raised her within the Church of Scientology. That's right! It's Erika Christensen. She played Costner's daughter in The Upside of Anger; (L-R) Keri Russell, Costner, Joan Allen, Christensen, and Alicia Witt In Steven Soderbergh's 2000 crime drama Traffic she famously portrayed cocaine user Caroline Wakefield The Seattle native ran errands in a casual look, sporting a sleeveless black top and ripped blue jeans The star who is married to a cyclist completed the look with white sneakers and a white crossbody bag She also sported a necklace and gold earrings, and wore her hair styled in a half-updo Her role in Traffic won her the MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Female Performance in 2001 (pictured) Christensen got engaged to cyclist Cole Maness in November 2014. They married on September 5, 2015, in Palm Springs, California; They are pictured in 2022 The couple live in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, and share two daughters; They are pictured in 2019 in Los Angeles Erika opened up about her association with Scientology on an episode of the Armchair Expert podcast in 2018. 'I can justify things in all kinds of different ways, but basically, like, as a Scientologist. And I definitely cannot speak for every Scientologist about anything because everybody has their own beliefs and comes at it from even other religions and all kinds of stuff,' she shared. 'However, I dont believe this is the first time I have lived on this planet and I basically think Ive probably done absolutely everything before,' she added. When asked about the criticism the church has faced throughout the years, she said: 'I don't think that it comes from an actual place of, like, your critiques. I don't think it comes from critical thinking.' Christensen got engaged to cyclist Cole Maness in November 2014. They married on September 5, 2015, in Palm Springs, California. The couple lives in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, and has two daughters, Shane and Polly. Danny Dyer has teased season two of smash hit series Rivals and lifted the lid on his career reinvention since his EastEnders exit in 2022. The actor, 47, who plays Freddie Jones in the saucy Disney+ show, reassured fans that they have no need to worry about the new instalment failing to live up to its predecessor. He told Radio Times: 'I can't reveal much, but what I will say is that we've got no issues with the old second album syndrome. I've been blessed with a lovely character. He's not the lead and he doesn't need to be the lead, same as Katherine [Parkinson who plays love interest, Lizzie Vereker]'. Danny, who won a BAFTA earlier this year for Sky comedy Mr Bigstuff, also revealed there would be a 'bit more' of his character's love life in the new episodes. He also spoke about his other roles including the sole character in a new movie, which he said had first been offered to Oscar winner Sir Gary Oldman, 67. He told the publication: 'Fifteen pages of dialogue a day. Crazy. We shot it in Dublin. I just sat in the hotel room with the script. Went crazy by the end. I believe they went to Gary Oldman first. They told me he wanted 2 million just to read it'. Danny Dyer, 47, has teased season two of smash hit Disney+ series Rivals and lifted the lid on his career reinvention since his EastEnders exit in 2022 The actor, who plays Freddie Jones in the saucy show (pictured) reassured fans that they have no need to worry about the new instalment failing to live up to its predecessor He also spoke about his other roles including the sole character in a new movie, which he said had first been offered to Oscar winner Sir Gary Oldman, 67 (pictured) 'But I was next in line, which I'm chuffed with. If you go Gary Oldman and I'm next, it's because I'm obviously cheaper. I'm happy to be a cheaper version of Gary Oldman.' MailOnline have contacted Gary Oldman's representatives for comment. Alongside the interview Danny looked dapper in a suit as he posed for a fun shoot in a pub with Mr Bigstuff co-star and creator Ryan Sampson. Danny starred as Mick Carter in the BBC soap for nine years, earning a whopping quarter of a million pounds a year at the height of his stint, before his explosive exit on Christmas Day 2022. Earlier this year he reflected on his decision to quit the BBC soap after he won his BAFTA and beat off stiff competition from Bilal Hasna, Dylan Thomas-Smith, Nabhaan Rizwan, Oliver Savell and Phil Dunning. Speaking in the press room after his win, Danny reflected on his varied career as he mused: You're only as good as the job in front of you really and it's getting the opportunities. 'It's also difficult to just get a job and so to get to this stage when you're getting awards and stuff, it is a journey.' Referencing his time on the BBC soap, he continued: 'I've been around a long time and EastEnders changed my career for so many different reasons but unless you roll the dice and you decide to see what else is out there, you never know... He teased: 'I can't reveal much, but what I will say is that we've got no issues with the old second album syndrome. . I've been blessed with a lovely character. He's not the lead and he doesn't need to be the lead, same as Katherine [Parkinson who plays love interest, Lizzie Vereker]' (pictured together) Speaking about his new film role he said: 'Fifteen pages of dialogue a day. Crazy. We shot it in Dublin. I just sat in the hotel room with the script. Went crazy by the end' 'I believe they went to Gary Oldman first. They told me he wanted 2 million just to read it' Alongside the interview Danny (L) looked dapper in a suit as he posed for a fun shoot in a pub with Mr Bigstuff co-star and creator Ryan Sampson (R) He sported his tash from Rivals and revealed the second series was currently filming in Bristol Danny starred as Mick Carter on EastEnders for nine years, earning a whopping quarter of a million pounds a year at the height of his stint, before his explosive exit in 2022 'It's working out really well for me at the moment. I'm having a lovely time but it can always go tits up. I know how this game works, I've had my ups and my downs but I'm just really grateful for it.' Danny hasn't had much positive to say about the soap, as he slammed the workload, declared he had been 'off his nut' on prescription drugs and had ended up in rehab twice because of the show. Calling out co-stars Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie, Danny brazenly branded them 'c***s' as he claimed they had blanked both him and his onscreen wife Kellie Bright. Recalling his arrival on the soap in 2013, the Rivals star said it was not a warm welcome, describing the set as 'a very cliquey place to work'. He claimed his taking over the Queen Vic caused Jessie and Shane, who played previous pub landlords Kat Slater and Alfie Moon, to 'have the hump'. According to The Sun, Danny boldly said: 'There were a lot of people blanking us when we first turned up and me and Kellie thought "You know what, f**k these c***s, lets get together and show them something different" - we had to prove ourselves over six months.' Danny also hit out at the soap opera's storylines, particularly Mick's 'mental' romance with Janine Butcher, insisting 'a lot of it is s**t'. As well as being unimpressed with his own character's fate, he raged over the decision to kill off Lola Pearce last year from a brain tumour, which he said 'wasted' actress Danielle Harold's talents. The Sun also claimed he slammed the BBC for not giving the cast sufficient duty of care, claiming they wouldn't allow actors time off to go to a family member's funeral - allegations which the BBC has denied. Earlier this year he reflected on his decision to quit the BBC soap after he won his BAFTa=A He called out co-stars Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie (pictured) Danny brazenly branded them 'c***s' as he claimed they had blanked both him and his onscreen wife Kellie Bright Danny - who was paid around 250,000 a year on the soap - said that while the salary was good, the stars had 'no life' and claimed the dark storylines 'messed lots of people's heads up', insisting they were 'lunatics'. 'You earn good money, but you aint got time to go to a cashpoint, you have no life,' he said. Read Danny's full interview in Radio Times out now 'Theres not much duty of care, thats the truth, on EastEnders there is no messing about and youve got to do it, its the hardest part of our job.' 'It messes a lot of peoples heads up, most people are off their nut, you meet them on the street, theyre lunatics Im telling you - institutionalised,' he added. He also claimed that bosses put antiseptic into the beer barrels in the Queen Vic in order to prevent him from drinking from them. In response to Danny's comments, a spokesperson for EastEnders stated: 'We would never discuss an individuals private matters, however, we do not recognise these claims. 'EastEnders has extremely robust and well-established procedures in place to safeguard the welfare of everyone who works on the show.' Danny also spoke about EastEnders on the BAFTAs red carpet. He told Sky News: 'It's a roll of the dice leaving EastEnders it gives you sustainability but it is a risk and it has paid off for me. 'I don't know what is going on at the minute, I'm just rolling with it at the minute, it is a bit odd. I'm so proud of this Sky show and I'm happy to represent that show and I've got the Rivals lot here, I've just seen them. 'Two very different shows, I've been around a long time and I've done good and some bad stuff. I've had a good run this year, I'm getting nods now and I would love to nip this one but I've got to stay grounded and keep the ego grounded.' Read Danny's full interview in Radio Times out now. Canadian rock musician Matthew Good has been trolled after cancelling a slate of upcoming shows in the United States to protest policies promoted by President Donald Trump. The Burnaby, British Columbia-born musical artist, 54, opened up on his change of plans in cities such as Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh via the social media website Facebook Friday. 'To my US fans, and friends... Ive come to the personal decision, that I cant, in good conscience carry out my dates this summer in your country,' said the musician, whose signature tracks include Decades and Hello Time Bomb. Good added: 'This is not fair to you, and Im very well aware of that, but the truth is, every week that goes by, I have a deeper disdain for whats going on there politically.' In referring to Trumps tariffs and other policies, Good said that he would not be able to perform in the U.S. again until major political changes were to happen; and that he was willing to risk his 'future U.S. career to stand up against things today.' Trump, in six months since taking office for his second term, has rankled Canada and its citizens over a number of issues - including his repeated references to it being the '51st state.' Canadian rock musician Matthew Good has canceled a slate of upcoming shows in the United States due to policies promoted by President Donald Trump Good was persuaded to cancel the shows after Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney called off a digital services tax against the U.S. to 'appease' Trump A number of X users slammed Good for the move, with one user saying that the political reasoning was 'likely an excuse due to lack of interest.' Another user joked: 'Those poor Americans. How will they ever get over this one?' with a broken heart emoji. One X user said in response that Good was 'only hurting himself and the people who work for the band financially' with the move, adding that 'Americans wont notice one way or the other.' Said one user: 'One was a 400 seat brew pub. His date was sandwiched between trivia night and a cover band. He wasnt doing a Las Vegas residency.' Good said on the social media site that he was persuaded to cancel the shows after Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney called off a digital services tax against the U.S. to 'appease' Trump. 'This was approximately 2 billion dollars in revenue that has been accumulating, and were walking away from that,' Good said. Good added that between 'the massive increase in visa costs, the fear mongering that even after we have our visas, we may still be denied entry if we have something negative to say about the current GOP, and I end up in a situation where Im biting my tongue, and losing what credibility I had to stand up and say something. ' Good said that the current political climate made it clear he had to do something to show where he stood. A number of X users slammed Good for the move, with one user saying that the political reasoning was 'likely an excuse due to lack of interest' 'I cant stand by and be quiet while our amazing country is bullied into walking away from billions in needed revenue, constantly left wondering if we actually have a partner or an enemy to the south.' He said that 'equally as tragic' would be 'supporting someone who has completely bastardized the institution of art and culture in the US.' Good said that it would be 'unfair' to try and recruit 'other artists to join' him in the political protest, as he planned to center his musical career out of his native Canada for the foreseeable future. 'I have built a career here in Canada that Im proud of, and will double down here over the next 3 years, and invite my US fans to any show they want to here,' Good said. Good said that fans of his should mobilize their support for the musical group Texas King, which 'might suffer more out of this' on a business level. 'So as a favour, we encourage you to get out and support them wherever you can!' Good said. Good, who canceled dates in protest of Trump's policies, said that his 'world has always focused on political awareness.' He added 'I know that you might not all be on the same side, so I want to be clear about this. Its MY opinion.' Good said Trump's U.S.-Canada relations have caused him to cease touring in the states Canadian singers T. Thomason (left) and Bells Larsen, who are both transgender, have separately announced they will not perform in the U.S. amid policy concerns. Seen in 2023 Good follows in the footsteps of other Canadian musicians who have announced they will cease performing in the U.S. amid a lack of clarity over safety and immigration concerns. Bells Larsen and T. Thomason, both Canadian musical artist who are transgender, have publicly announced they will not be playing in the U.S. under the Trump administration. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Good served as the lead vocalist and songwriter for the Matthew Good Band, one of Canadas most prominent alternative rock groups. They released albums including Underdogs and Beautiful Midnight. After the band broke up in 2002, Good embarked on a solo career. His notable albums include Avalanche, where he worked with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the politically-charged White Light Rock and Roll Review. Throughout his music career Good has been nominated for 21 Juno Awards - Canada's equivalent of the Grammy Awards - and has won four. The musician has more than 50,000 followers on his Facebook page, in which he keeps fans update on his tour dates and new releases. Veteran cinematographer and industry stalwart Ron Johanson died last month at age 75, following a long battle with brain cancer. Johanson, who spent more than five decades behind the camera, died peacefully on Saturday, June 28, surrounded by his family. He was best known for his acclaimed work in film, television and advertising, in addition to his long and transformative tenure as president of the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS), serving in the role from 2008 to 2022. His death was confirmed in a heartbreaking statement on behalf of the Australian Cinematographers Society, written by fellow cameraman Ernie Clark. 'It is with great sorrow we acknowledge the passing of Ronald Johanson OAM ACS,' Ernie began. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Veteran cinematographer and industry stalwart Ron Johanson died last month at age 75, following a long battle with brain cancer 'Ron was our much-loved, highly respected and long serving National ACS president for fourteen years from 2008 to 2022, national vice president for five years and a past Queensland president for over ten years.' He added that under Johanson's leadership, the ACS had grown significantly and helped shape the Australian media landscape. 'Ron helped expand recognition of the ACS on the world stage becoming only the second ACS president to be the Australian representative on Imago the International Federation of Cinematographers, becoming a co-president in 2021,' he wrote. 'He fostered alliances with many international cinematography guilds as well. Ron was instrumental in making the ACS more inclusive, by working with the other Australian guilds to bring our industry together to make it the best it could be. 'He strove to make the ACS more welcoming to all and to innovate changes to improve the ACS. He made the society truly national by implementing a branch in every state and territory.' Raised in Melbourne, Johanson began his career as a teenage message boy at Crawford Productions in 1965. By the age of 21, he had worked his way up to lighting cameraman and quickly established himself as a rising talent. In 1980, he founded his own Brisbane-based production company, Roly Poly Picture Company, directing and shooting hundreds of high-end television commercials, documentaries and films. He worked on the cult Australian 2000 horror movie Cut, starring Aussie actors Kylie Minogue (pictured), Stephen Curry and Jessica Napier, in addition to Hollywood star Molly Ringwald Johanson, who spent more than five decades behind the camera, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 28, surrounded by his family He worked on the cult Australian 2000 horror movie Cut, starring Aussie actors Kylie Minogue, Stephen Curry and Jessica Napier, in addition to Hollywood star Molly Ringwald. Johanson was also the cinematographer for the cult 1982 Australian action movie Freedom, helmed by Shine director Scott Hicks and starring Bud Tingwell. But it was his work off-camera that helped shape the Australian screen industry as we know it today. Johanson was instrumental in establishing the ACS's national headquarters in North Sydney in 2010, helping to unify the society and give it a permanent home. He also led the push to expand ACS representation across every state and territory, making it a national body. Under his leadership, the ACS gained international recognition, with Johanson becoming co-president of Imago the global federation of cinematographers in 2021. He also helped publish The Shadowcatchers, a landmark 288-page book on the history of Australian cinematography. Johanson's enormous contributions to the screen industry were formally recognised in 2014 when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to film and mentorship. He also received ACS Life Membership, was inducted into the ACS Hall of Fame, and was honoured with the Ron Windon ACS Contribution Award in 2015. Johanson is survived by his wife Linda, their children Shannon and Kelly, and four grandchildren. Kylie Jenner and sister Kendall reportedly turned down their invitations to attend half-brother Brody's wedding to Tia Blanco over the weekend. The lipkit mogul, 27, and the supermodel, 29, were noticeably absent when Brody, 41 with whom they share the same father, Caitlyn Jenner, 75 exchanged wows with the surfer, 28, during an intimate ceremony in Malibu on Saturday. And now the reason for why the duo declined their invitations has been revealed. There's no estrangement between the sisters and Brody, a source assured TMZ on Monday, before suggesting they might have skipped the event to 'keep the spotlight on the bride and groom.' This isn't the first time the famous duo has skipped out on Brody's big moments. He previously shared that Kylie and Kendall didn't even RSVP to his commitment ceremony in Bali with then-girlfriend Kaitlynn Carter in 2018. DailyMail.com has reached out to Kylie and Kendall's representative for comment. Kylie Jenner, 27, and sister Kendall, 29, reportedly turned down their invitations to attend half-brother Brody's wedding to Tia Blanco over the weekend; They are seen in 2024 The lipkit mogul and the supermodel were noticeably absent when Brody, 41, exchanged wows with the surfer, 28, during an intimate ceremony in Malibu on Saturday Though his half-siblings were not present, Brody had the support of brothers Brandon and Burt Jenner. Their father, Caitlyn, who transitioned from Bruce in April 2015, also attended but committed a major fashion faux pas. Meanwhile Kendall and Kylie have been enjoying a girls' trip to Europe, with Kylie recently sharing snaps of them frolicking around Saint-Tropez and Tuscany. The sisters did make time to attend Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchezs lavish Venice nuptials last month. Brody's mom, Linda Thompson, announced the happy news of his marriage to her social media followers, sharing footage of the loved-up couple entering their reception to Natasha Bedingfield's hit single Unwritten. Linda captioned her post on Instagram: 'Mr. and Mrs. Jenner.' The newlyweds exchanged vows in the back yard of Linda's sprawling house. And Brody also shared plenty of videos and photos from the celebration to his Insta Stories. Tia wore an off-the-shoulder lace gown and white veil for the wedding ceremony, while Brody donned a traditional black suit and tie for the special occasion. 'Best night marrying my best friend,' wrote Tia on Instagram. Brody's brother Brandon performed on guitar when the pair walked down the aisle. There's no estrangement between the sisters and Brody, a source told TMZ on Monday, before suggesting they might have skipped the event to 'keep the spotlight on the bride and groom' The newlyweds exchanged vows in the back yard of Brody's mom Linda Thompson's sprawling house Though his half-siblings were not present, Brody had the support of Linda, dad Caitlyn Jenner who transitioned from Bruce in April 2015 and brothers Brandon and Burt Jenner; (L-R) Brandon, Caitlyn, Brody and Linda pictured in an Instagram snap Meanwhile Kendall and Kylie have been enjoying a girls' trip to Europe, with Kylie recently sharing snaps of them frolicking around Saint-Tropez and Tuscany The sisters did make time to attend Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchezs lavish Venice nuptials last month; pictured heading to the wedding on June 27 This isn't the first time the famous duo has skipped out on Brody's big moments. He previously shared that Kylie and Kendall didn't even RSVP to his commitment ceremony in Bali with then-girlfriend Kaitlynn Carter The athlete added, 'My dream backyard wedding came true last night. At home where honey was born. Reliving it over and over! So many thank yous to be said. Can't wait to share all the photos & videos soon.' Images shared to social media show Brody kissing his beautiful bride after saying I do in front of an officiant. Meanwhile Brody's dad Caitlyn committed a classic wedding faux pas and was spotted wearing an all-white gown to the ceremony in a video shared to social media. The color white is traditionally only reserved for the bride or at times the entire bridal party if it's a white-themed affair. Brodys father was married to Thompson from 1981 to 1986. Caitlyn and Thompson also share son Brandon, 44. The former Olympian shares Burt, 46, and Cassandra Marino, 45, with first ex-wife, Chrystie Scott. Caitlyn welcomed Kendall and Kylie with third ex-wife, Kris Jenner, 69. Caitlyn has had a strained relationship with the boys over the years. Earlier this year Brody shared that he got a 'real, sincere apology' from Caitlyn after he expressed feeling neglected during the Olympian's rise to fame with the Kardashians. 'It was the first time in my life that Ive ever gotten an apology,' Brody shared on Special Forces: Worlds Toughest Test. 'You know, "Im sorry for not being there."' Caitlyn welcomed Kendall and Kylie with third ex-wife, Kris Jenner, 69, becoming stepdad to the four children from her previous marriage: Khloe, Kourtney, Kim, and Rob Kardashian. The Kardashians and the Jenners (not including Kendall and Kylie) were brought up in separate households but spent a lot of time together. Seen here in 1993 family portrait Brody (pictured 2013 with Kim and Caitlyn) has long had a rocky relationship with the Kardashian family despite appearing on some episodes of their reality show Caitlyn was married to Kris for 23 years, from 1991 to 2015, and was a step-parent to Kris's four children from her previous marriage: Khloe, Kourtney, Kim, and Rob Kardashian. Brody has long had a rocky relationship with the Kardashians despite appearing on some episodes of their reality show. Brody and Kim had a massive falling out when he was told he could not bring his then-new girlfriend Kaitlynn to Kim's wedding to Kanye West. In return, the Kardashian brood weren't invited to his commitment ceremony in Bali that took place in 2018. Brody's younger half-sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner were invited, but according to the star, didn't even RSVP. 'My two little sisters, we never even heard from them. They never even RSVP'd I don't think We sent them an invite but we never heard back. I would have loved to have had them there,' he told People at the time. Brody's relatipnship with the Kardashian family has had it's ups and downs. April 2016 saw Brody completely isolate himself from his step siblings, when he was heard saying: 'They're not my f**king family,' after someone congratulated him on his family's (meaning the Kardashian-Jenner's) success. Sydney Sweeney is reportedly launching a new lingerie line with the help of billionaire Jeff Bezos. The Euphoria star, 27, recently raised eyebrows after attending the Amazon founder's, 61, lavish wedding to Lauren Sanchez, 55, in Venice, Italy, despite not being friends with the couple. But it seems the new project might partly be why, as Jeff and his wife have reportedly 'invested' in her venture, according to Us Weekly. An insider revealed the Emmy-nominated actress is 'launching a lingerie line very soon', in news that comes in line with rumours she is set to be a Bond Girl. 'This has been a huge project for her and something she's been working on for the last year,' the source added. The lingerie line is being backed by Ben Schwerin, a partner at private equity firm Coatue according to Puck. The company recently had a $1 billion investment from Bezos and fellow tech giant Michael Dell via their Coatue Innovation Fund. Sydney Sweeney, 27, is reportedly launching a new lingerie line with the help of Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, 61; (L) Sydney pictured in 2023, (R) Bezos seen in May Bezos' wedding was quite the star-studded affair with the guest list including everyone from Orlando Bloom to Oprah to Kim Kardashian, to name just a few. Sydney was one of the more surprising celebs spotted at the event, and had many scratching their heads since she doesn't appear to be close friends with either the bride or the groom. The star made headlines during the festivities by partying with the likes of Tom Brady and recently-single Orlando Bloom. Still, her inclusion at the lavish $50 million wedding left some baffled, though another recent business collaboration sheds some light on why she was actually there. It seems Sweeney's arrival was a show of respect for her future boss Bezos, as per Page Six. Back in March, Sweeney signed on to star in the video game adaptation of the recent hit Split Fiction. The adaptation will be directed by Jon M. Chu (Wicked) and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (Deadpool & Wolverine). Then in early June, Amazon MGM Studios picked up the project, which seemingly lead to an invite extended to Sweeney for Bezos' wedding. The Emmy-nominated actress is 'launching a lingerie line very soon,' a source told Us Weekly on Monday. 'This has been a huge project for her and something she's been working on for the last year,' the insider added She raised eyebrows after attending the tech tycoon's lavish wedding to Lauren Sanchez, 55, in Venice, Italy, last month, despite not being friends with the pair; Seen arriving at the wedding But it seems the new project might partly be why, as Jeff and his wife have reportedly 'invested' in her venture, according to Us Weekly; The trio seen in March The lingerie line is being backed by Ben Schwerin, a partner at private equity firm Coatue according to Puck. The company recently had a $1 billion from Bezos and fellow tech giant Michael Dell via their Coatue Innovation Fund; Bezos seen on June 27 Sydney's invitation to Bezos's wedding also appears to be linked to another recent business deal. In March, she was cast as the star of the video game adaptation Split Fiction. Then, in early June, Amazon MGM Studios acquired the project A source admitted Sweeney, 'is not friends with either one of them,' though adding she, 'came to pay respect to the 'boss,' just like in the old days of Hollywood.' The fantasy/sci-fi game Split Fiction follows authors Mio and Zoe who become trapped within the worlds they have written. It's unclear which of the two main characters Sweeney will portray, with Amazon said to be 'actively looking' to cast her co-star. Her affiliation with Jeff, who has creative control of the next James Bond movie, also appears to have brought her closer to one of the most esteemed roles a Hollywood star could ask for - that of a Bond Girl. A movie source said: 'Sydney is the top name on the casting sheet for Bond. Denis believes she is hugely talented, as well as having an alluring appeal to younger generations, vital in modernising the franchise... 'They've hung out together a lot and he has admired her stratospheric rise. Plus she has the quality of being athletic and able to perform physical scenes, as well as being feminine and following in the legacy of Bond girls.' A source admitted Sweeney, 'is not friends with either [Jeff or Lauren],' but added she, 'came to pay respect to the 'boss,' just like in the old days of Hollywood'; Pictured in Italy on June 28 Though Sydney is primarily known for her acting career, she's also been growing a business empire. Earlier in May she collaborated with men's grooming brand Dr. Squatch to launch a limited-edition soap bar called 'Bathwater Bliss.' According to the brand, the soap contains actual droplets of Sydney's used bathwater - which some fans found 'weird' and 'gross.' She also serves as a global ambassador for brands including Laneige skincare, Kerastase haircare, HeyDude footwear, and Bai beverages. Sweeney will be returning to HBO's Euphoria as Cassie Howard, and she recently starred in Apple TV Plus' Echo Valley with Julianne Moore. She is also playing trailblazing female boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic that is in post-production and expected to be released later this year. Sweeney has an estimated net worth of $40 million and in 2023 she made Forbes' 30 Under 30 list. Though Sydney is primarily known for her acting career, she's also been growing a business empire and serves as a global ambassador for brands including Laneige skincare, Kerastase haircare, HeyDude footwear, and Bai beverages; pictured in February Sweeney is currently single, coming off her engagement with producer and businessman Jonathan Davino. They started dating in 2018 and he popped the question in 2022, though they broke up and called off the wedding in March 2025. Sources told Daily Mail that they were going through a 'rough patch' and they were trying to 'reassess' their relationship. Another report said that Sweeney felt 'overwhelmed' by the wedding and she 'didn't feel right about it.' She's been a fan favourite on Home and Away ever since she joined the cast in 2022. And now there's speculation online that actress Juliet Godwin is getting ready to make her exit from Summer Bay after a 'farewell' picture was leaked to Facebook. The 31-year-old, who plays the character of Dr Bree Cameron, can be seen enjoying a meal with cast and crew, including co-star Matt Evans. Also sharing in the festivities was Home and Away make-up artist Amy Weems, who was enjoying a birthday. The photo also included the caption, 'Happy birthday @amyweems15 & farewell @julietgodwin_ you beauties.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMails new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. There's speculation online that actress Juliet Godwin (pictured) is getting ready to make her exit from Summer Bay The 31-year-old was photographed enjoying a meal with cast and crew. The photo included the caption: 'Farewell @julietgodwin' Fans were quick to comment on the post, shared to the Home and Away Spoilers and Info Facebook site. 'Yeah she is,' wrote one fan, while another claimed the actress has already filmed her final scenes. However, not everyone was in agreement. 'Fake news,' quipped an enthusiastic viewer. Channel Seven declined to comment after Daily Mail Australia approached the network to confirm any cast changes. Home and Away was Juliet's first major TV gig, after she played the minor character of Cara in ABC drama series The Heights in 2020. In an interview with PerthNow, the Zimbabwe-born star said landing the role of Bree was a 'dream come true'. 'That I'm able to wake up and go to set every day and do what I love is such a gift,' she said. Juliet became a fan favourite on the hit soap playing Dr Bree Cameron It comes after Home and Away legend Lynne McGranger recently admitted that she was terrified to join the cast of the beloved soap. The actress, 72, who plays fan favourite Irene Roberts said 'goodbye' to Summer Bay earlier this year, with her final scenes set to air next month. Reflecting on her iconic role, which she landed just prior to her 40th birthday, Lynne revealed that, having come from the theatre, she wasn't sure how she would fare on the small screen. 'I was terrified because of my age,' she told The Australian Women's Weekly. An Aussie model threatened to steal the spotlight at the wedding celebrations of Sting's daughter Fuchsia Kate Sumner and her long-time partner Max Wright over the weekend. The happy couple tied the knot in Italy with an extravagant three-day ceremony in the Sicilian town of Noto. And while many guests were dazzled by the blushing bride, some couldn't take their eyes off Nicole Trunfio, who arrived in a very racy, sheer ensemble for a pre-wedding celebration on Friday. The brunette beauty left little to the imagination as she flaunted her figure in a completely see-through black outfit. Her sheer black underwear could be seen underneath as it sat high on her hips. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Aussie model Nicole Trunfio, 39, threatened to steal the spotlight at the wedding celebrations of Sting's daughter Fuchsia Kate Sumner and her long-time partner Max Wright over the weekend The frock also featured a daring, low-cut neckline. Completely see-through stockings clung to Nicole's figure and she finished off the outrageous look with strappy black heels. Nicole's jewellery included a large gold ring and a huge cross secured around her neck with a black tie. Nicole added a classic leopard print clutch from Alexander McQueen to her ensemblea designer bag which can be found secondhand for upwards of $1,400. The model finished her look with natural makeup, preferring to let her genetically blessed features shine through, and added a wave to her dark tresses. Meanwhile, Sting's daughter, who goes by Kate, looked stunning in a lace gown as she kissed her groom during their extravagant pre-wedding street bash on Friday. The actress and director tied the knot with Max, a creative director in the arts and tech space, in front of family and close friends. Pictures showed the nepo baby having the time of her life with her then-fiance before they tied the knot the morning after. Her sheer black underwear could be seen underneath as it sat high on her hips While many guests were dazzled by the blushing bride, some couldn't take their eyes off Nicole Trunfio , who arrived in a very racy, sheer ensemble for a pre-wedding celebration on Friday On day one, guests enjoyed a street party complete with an Italian marching band and tucked into local fare including freshly baked Italian breads and aperitivo. In the evening, they attended a special performance of Una Serenata!'A Serenade' in Italianat the Teatro Comunale Tina di Lorenzo to celebrate local Sicilian traditions. Kate wore a white lace mermaid gown by Maison Valentino with a high neck and open back, while Max opted for a terracotta shirt and trousers. Family in attendance included Sting and his wife Trudie Styler, and Kate's older brother, musician Joe Sumner, 48, who at one point treated guests to live performances on his guitar. Kate, whose mother is Sting's first wife, the Northern Irish actress Frances Tomelty, was also joined by her half-siblings who are Sting's children with second wife Trudie. They include actress Mickey, 41the maid of honourmusician and actor Eliot, 34, filmmaker Jake, 40, and actor Giacomo, 29. The next day brought the main eventbut not without a near wardrobe disaster. For one of his outfits, Max realised the only shoelaces he had for his 720 beige Prada shoes were black. The brunette beauty left little to the imagination as she flaunted her figure in a completely see-through black outfit With no white laces to hand, a quick-thinking guestAmerican fashion stylist Erica Cloudimprovised by pulling the string from a shoe bag and threading it through his shoes. Crisis averted, the wedding ceremony took place and was held outdoors against a crimson and ivory floral backdrop. Kate wore a beautiful off-the-shoulder embroidered tulle gown with her initials embroidered on, while Max donned a light grey suit. After they exchanged vows, green and pink smoke flares shot up into the sky as they had their first kiss as husband and wife. The newlyweds then walked through the city with a beaming Kate holding their smartly dressed one-year-old son. At the reception, Sting delivered a show-stopping speech that was both heartfelt and hilarious. He joked about his early impressions of Max, unsure of what to make of the man after his daughter's heart, but quickly realised he was, in fact, 'a lovely chap'. Guests were in stitches but also, at times, in tears as the music icon described how happy he was for his daughter to have found the love of her life. Kate married Max in a glamorous three-day celebration in the Sicilian town of Noto over the weekend Kate is pictured with her famous father Sting Sister Mickey, who was joined by her new fiance Carter B Smith and her son from her previous marriage to tech CEO Chris Kantrowitz, also gave a speech during the receptionreferring to Kate as 'the most beautiful bride'. Kate later described it as 'the best speech ever.' Her sibling Eliot, whose string of roles in Hollywood films include a security guard in the latest James Bond film, No Time To Die, was joined by their glamorous girlfriend, Mollie Davis. Eliot, who is non-binary, started dating the divorced mother-of-two last year after splitting from British aristocratic model Frankie Herbert, granddaughter of the 7th Earl of Carnarvon. Other guests included British film director Charlotte Colbert and her artist husband Philip Colbert, DJ Mia Morettiwho played a late-night setand music label boss Henri Behrmann. The dinner, which took place at Dimora delle Balzethe same venue that hosted Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni and Fedezs 2018 weddingwas laid out on candlelit banquet tables. Guests dined on pasta, ciabatta, fresh fish, lobster and vegetables and toasted the couple underneath elegant fairy lights. After dinner, they danced late into the night to a soundtrack of Stevie Wonder classics including I Wish and disco favourites. Noto Mayor Corrado Figura blessed the festivities, meeting Sting on his arrival in the historic centr Day three saw guests enjoy a final day of celebration, starting with 'a master blaster BBQ' to help cure hangovers from the night before. It featured a multi-layered barbeque station with chicken, fresh fruit and vegetables. Noto Mayor Corrado Figura blessed the festivities, meeting Sting on his arrival in the historic centre. He posed for a photo with the star, writing on social media: 'It was a great honour to welcome Sting, a global music icon, to the wedding of his daughter Fuschia Katherine Sumner and her partner Maximillian Wright, right here in the heart of Sicilian Baroque.' The mayor presented Sting with a book dedicated to Noto, calling it 'a small gift to thank him for sharing such an important moment for his family with us.' He added: 'Thank you to Fuschia, Maximillian and Sting for choosing Noto. Our city is proud to be part of this wonderful love story.' Kate and Max announced their engagement two years ago and Kate threw her hen's party last monthwhere she and her pals tucked into fried chicken and danced around in wigs. Friends describe Max as 'low-key, charming and utterly devoted'a sentiment echoed in speeches throughout the wedding weekend. Katy Perry has been granted a restraining order against a homeless man who's repeatedly showed up at her Santa Barbara home. The Firework songstress, 40 who recently split from Orlando Bloom, 48 filed a temporary restraining order against a man named Ross Elliott Hendrick on June 18. And on Monday, a judge granted Katy's permanent restraining order according to TMZ. In her filing, Katy claimed that the homeless man has visited her property various times throughout the month of May and continues to return. In her request Katy also sought protection for Orlando with whom she recently had an awkward lunch calling him her 'partner' who lives with her. The first time he attempted to trespass at her Santa Barbara abode, he was arrested - and her security team stated that Hendrick had a butane lighter and an aerosol can with him. Katy Perry, 40, has been granted a restraining order against a homeless man who's repeatedly showed up at her Santa Barbara home; She is pictured in 2024 The second time he returned to the pop star's home, the man threw a blanket over the security gate. Katy's security has backed up her worries and agree that Hendrick could pose a potential threat. She has requested that the homeless man not only stay 100 yards away from her, but also her properties, job, car and now-ex Orlando. The legal documents were filed on June 18 - shortly before it was reported that Perry and Bloom had separated after nine years together and welcoming daughter Daisy, four. The actor recently shared a cryptic post to his Instagram stories in the wake of his split from Katy. The Pirates Of The Caribbean star - who partied with A-listers at the Venice wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez last month - shared a quote from Gautama Buddha to his 7 million followers. The quote that Bloom reposted read: 'Each day is a new beginning. What we do today is what matters most.' He additionally shared a separate slide which had another quote which was titled 'Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda.' The songstress who recently split from Orlando Bloom, 48 filed a temporary restraining order against a man named Ross Elliott Hendrick on June 18; Pictured with Bloom in 2024 In her filing, Perry claimed that the homeless man has visited her property various times throughout the month of May and continues to return; seen in 2024 in NYC In her request Katy also sought protection for Orlando, calling him her 'partner' who lives with her; Bloom seen in June in NYC It continued, 'The important thing is to take that first step. Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next.' Last month it was revealed that Orlando and Katy officially called it quits after dating for nine years. At the time, a source told Us Weekly: 'Katy and Orlando have split but are amicable,' while also adding that the separation has been 'not contentious' thus far. 'Katy is of course upset but is relieved to not have to go through another divorce, as that was the worst time in her life.' The Teenage Dream hitmaker - who is currently embarking on her Lifetimes Tour - was previously married to Russell Brand from 2010 until their divorce in 2012. The insider further added that the reported breakup had been 'a long time coming' and that their relationship had also been 'tense for months.' In the wake of the separation, Bloom whisked himself away to Venice to attend the star-studded nuptials between Bezos and Sanchez. The actor was spotted mingling with a number of celebrities, including Kim Kardashian and Sydney Sweeney. The legal documents were filed on June 18 - shortly before it was reported that Perry and Bloom had separated after nine years together The exes recently posed for a rare family photo with their daughter Daisy Dove, four, and his 13-year-old son Flynn, who he shares with ex-wife Miranda Kerr while on vacation in Italy PR and brand expert Chad Teixeira talked to MailOnline about the split, labeling it as 'incredibly well-timed' for Orlando. 'The breakup has created a brand window for Orlando, and one that he's stepping into with just the right amount of presence. Teixeira added, 'He's not chasing the spotlight, but he's not hiding either. That's a savvy move in today's fame economy and it'll stand him in better stead when Katy's fame is disappearing more than ever. 'From a brand and public image standpoint, Orlando Bloom's recent split from Katy Perry appears to be incredibly well-timed, whether intentionally or coincidentally. 'In the wake of a high-profile relationship that often placed him in the shadow of Perry's headline-making career, Orlando now has the opportunity to reestablish his own narrative, independent of her increasingly complex public perception.' Chad then expressed that Perry has 'struggled to gain traction' in the spotlight and has received 'lukewarm reception' when it comes to her recent projects - such as her 143 album which dropped last year. Teixeira later explained that Bloom 'is not trying to dominate headlines, but he's appearing at exactly the right places, looking relaxed, charismatic, and unburdened. 'The media is responding positively, capturing him enjoying life, socializing, even partying, which feeds into a well-worn but effective Hollywood archetype.' Chad added, 'He's now coming across as the effortlessly cool, slightly mysterious leading man who doesn't need to try too hard. The Pirates Of The Caribbean star partied with A-listers at the Venice wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez last month; seen in Venice on June 28 Perry and Orlando sparked up a romance in early 2016 - and he later popped the big question in 2019. They welcomed their daughter Daisy in 2020; seen in March in Beverly Hills Katy is currently in the midst of her Lifetimes Tour; Pictured April 23 in Mexico City, Mexico 'In PR terms, this is a textbook soft rebrand, it's low on drama, high on visibility, and perfectly timed to capitalize on a shift in public sentiment...' The actor first sparked up a romance with Perry in early 2016 - and he later popped the big question in 2019. They welcomed their daughter Daisy in 2020. Bloom was previously married to supermodel Miranda Kerr from 2010 until their divorce was finalized in 2013. The former couple are also parents to son Flynn, 14. Molly-Mae Hague's sister Zoe Rae is mocked by fans for leaving Bali after just 48 hours because it didn't live up to her expectations. The fitness influencer, 28, had planned the trip to Indonesia with her husband Danny to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. And despite staying in a huge sea view room at the Radisson Blu, a five-star hotel, they decided to leave early and jet to Dubai instead. Zoe explained that Bali looks better on social media than in real life, as influencers make it look luxurious, despite it being a developing country. In a new YouTube video, Zoe told the camera: 'Since landing in Bali, something for us wasn't quite right. 'We came here with high expectations because we had seen on social media that everyone was having such a lovely time. Lovely places to eat and beaches, and lovely gyms and coffee shops. Molly-Mae Hague's sister Zoe Rae has revealed that she has left Bali after just 48 hours and jetted to Dubai, as it didn't live up to her expectations The fitness influencer, 28, had planned the trip to Indonesia with her husband Danny to celebrate their first wedding anniversary 'But I don't think the reality of Bali is shown much at all, and I do think it is down to a lot of influencers posting the more luxury side of things.' She added: 'Before joining the army, I spent five months travelling South East Asia. I did Thailand, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, I did a lot and spent time in these countries. But there is something very different about Bali. 'We got told Uluwatu where we are now is one of the best places to go, so if this is one of the better places, I'm not sure where the other places are like. 'I wasn't going to sit down and say anything, but people want to know.' Danny then joined the video and said: 'You either go on holiday to travel and experience culture or you want to go away and relax.' Zoe continued: 'Yeah, and we could have got a flight tomorrow as today is our anniversary, but time is precious and we just want to get out, and why delay it. 'We missed the mark, maybe we didn't do our own research, maybe it is our own fault. I did a lot of research though. 'I think it is just personal preference, and our preference was that this isn't for us, and we are making the executive decision to go enjoy our anniversary somewhere we know that we love and can relax and can drink the water.' Zoe explained that Bali looked completely different from what it did on social media, and that influencers had made it look more luxurious Despite staying in a huge sea view room at the Radisson Blu, a five-star hotel, they decided to leave early and jet to Dubai instead Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness centre and a garden In a new YouTube video, Zoe told the camera: 'Since landing in Bali, something for us wasn't quite right' Zoe's sister Molly-Mae previously 'fell in love with Bali' following her holiday in 2019 'I don't think the reality of Bali is shown much at all, and I do think it is down to a lot of influencers posting the more luxury side of things' (Amber Turner pictured left, Samie Elishi right) 'We came here with high expectations because we had seen on social media that everyone was having such a lovely time. Lovely places to eat and beaches, and lovely gyms and coffee shops' (The cast of TOWIE pictured in Bali in 2024) Fans were divided in the comment section, with many claiming they loved Bali and asking for specific reasons why she didn't like it. 'I find this really surprising seeing as you travelled this part of the world. Everywhere there is like this - the 5* resorts are social media worthy but ultimately its a developing area of the world and lots of the people there live in poverty.'; 'That is such a shame you didnt have a good experience:( Bali is a truly magical place with incredible people! But it is a poor country and I think people forget that and expect it to be like Dubai when that isnt the reality. Hope you have a good time in Dubai.'; 'Im interested to know what exactly you didnt like about it? You didnt really go into specifics? I travelled there last year and loved it!'; Others agreed with Zoe, adding: Im just home from backpacking Australia, Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and I can hands down agree with the insta vs reality with Bali!! We tried to enjoy it as much as we could but it is 100% portrayed sooo differently by influencers,' 'Why is everyone hating? Bali isnt for everyone, they arrived and didnt like it? Why would they waste time & money somewhere theyre not enjoying?' In 2019, Zoe's sister Molly-Mae shared with fans that she 'fell in love with Bali' as she shared a series of stunning snaps to Instagram. Zoe later shared a photo dump on Instagram, showcasing her lavish Dubai trip after leaving Bali. 'We got told Uluwatu (pictured) where we are now is one of the best places to go, so if this is one of the better places, I'm not sure where the other places are like' Fans were divided in the comment section, with many claiming they loved Bali and asking for specific reasons why she didn't like it Others agreed with Zoe: Im just home from backpacking Australia, Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and I can hands down agree with the insta vs reality with Bali!!' Zoe later shared a photo dump on Instagram, showcasing her lavish Dubai trip after leaving Bali The couple stayed at Atlantis The Royal, with rooms starting from around 290 per night during July, which is considered low season Zoe shared on Instagram: 'Danny surprised me with a stat at @atlantistheroyal which I couldn't believe!' The couple stayed at Atlantis The Royal, with rooms starting from around 290 per night during July, which is considered low season. In peak season, rooms can cost 1,570 a night. Zoe shared on Instagram: 'Danny surprised me with a stat at @atlantistheroyal which I couldn't believe!!! 'Going at this time of year definitely helped as everything was a lot cheaper!! For a very special occasion it's perfect.' It comes after Zoe gave her followers an update on her botched Botox in a new clip posted to her Story. The influencer was initially left with one eye partially closed from a severe reaction to Botox in February, telling her fans she 'could weep' at the state of her face. But just a few months later she was back again to 'rock her forehead lines' despite vowing never to return - with Zoe suffering a botched Botox which she described as even 'worse than last time'. The star has been left - once again - with one eye drooping below the other but on Wednesday reassured her followers it was getting better. Showing off her healing eye area she penned: 'EYE UPDATE. Still not great but my GOD it's soooo much better!!!! 3 weeks post incident I'm actually quite happy!' Zoe revealed she was brutally mocked for her latest botched B otox by a passenger on an airplane, resulting in an explosive row. Zoe shared that during a recent trip to Portugal with a friend, she became embroiled in a dispute with one particularly rude passenger on their flight. It comes after Zoe gave her followers an update on her botched Botox in a new clip posted to her Story Zoe seen before the Botox Rocking a pair of sunglasses on her YouTube channel to hide the botch-job, she said: 'I actually had a really really upsetting experience just as we landed in Portugal. 'We were in a queue and there was another one going past us and there was this one horrible lady, I don't know if she was drunk - she must've been. 'She was trying to get past me and she said, "why are you just stood there like a d*******" and I was like, "why did you just call me that?" 'And her husband was like, "what's going on here" and I said, "your wife just called me that for literally no reason" and there was a bit of back and forth before he said, "sort your daft eye out, you c***."' 'But I actually agreed, I thought fair enough. I do need to sort it out.' Later in the video Zoe lifted up her sunglasses to reveal that one of her eyes is still well and truly drooping a couple of weeks after her latest procedure. She is suffering with a little-known side effect called ptosis which occurs when Botox treatment spreads beyond the intended injection area and effects the muscles that lifts these areas, causing the eyelid or eyebrow to sag and droop. Zoe told her followers in the latest video: 'I recently had botox, it went wrong and it's given me ptosis. This has happened to me before and it's now happened a second time. 'People are saying to me, "why would you go back to the same place?" - I did the same for my wedding, she's done me a lot of times and I trust her. 'She's fully qualified, do you think I'm going to someone on the corner of the street? Of course not. 'We don't know why it's happened again and that's that, we've just got to ride the wave.' She is suffering with a little-known side effect called ptosis which occurs when Botox treatment spreads beyond the intended injection area At the time of her second botch-job, Zoe told her followers that it was 'worse than last time' A passenger on a plane told Zoe to 'sort her daft eye out' after a disagreement when they landed in Portugal recently (seen with Molly-Mae) Zoe's decision to have Botox once again comes after her sister Molly, 26, recently reflected on days of facial fillers and Botox in her Amazon docuseries. In one of the episodes Molly unearthed a viral image of her flaunting an enlarged pout and defined jawline sparked an influx of trolling including being compared to an XBOX controller. From the age of 16, Molly used makeup and facial fillers to alter her appearance and now admits her obsession to 'look like everybody else' was 'unhealthy.' Molly explained: 'You think that all the makeup and the filler make you look better but actually it makes you look ten times worse. 'I was about 16/17 when I started getting filler. It was a slippery slope. People say I looked like an XBOX controller or a Quagmire, but I don't know what that is. 'It definitely felt like something that I needed to do to look like everybody else that was on Instagram which was really unhealthy. 'I look at those pictures and I feel quite sorry for myself. It just spiralled really. I tried to think it looked good, but it really didn't and then luckily, it was reversible.' Zambia's governing party hails visit to China as valuable learning experience Xinhua) 10:04, July 15, 2025 LUSAKA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Party for National Development (UPND), Zambia's ruling party, on Monday described its recent visit to China as a valuable learning experience, not only for strengthening party-to-party relations with the Communist Party of China (CPC), but also for contributing to Zambia's national development. UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe said the discussions held with CPC officials were instrumental in reinforcing ties between the two political parties and in exploring development strategies that could benefit Zambia. Simuuwe noted that the dialogue was built upon the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries during Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema's state visit to China in 2023. He emphasized that Zambia has much to learn from China's development path, citing China's targeted poverty alleviation strategy as an example that Zambia could adapt to address its own poverty challenges. "We hope some of these initiatives can be implemented here, especially in the area of poverty alleviation," Simuuwe told reporters during a press briefing. The UPND delegation to China was led by the party's secretary-general, Batuke Imenda. In a statement, Imenda expressed gratitude to the CPC for facilitating the visit, noting that the engagements reflect a shared commitment to deepening interparty cooperation and fostering a future rooted in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Romeo Beckham has made another social media dig at his older brother Brooklyn, sharing a sibling photo with Harper and Cruz during a fun night out in Miami. Days after blocking Brooklyn on Instagram, Romeo, 22, showed off his close bond with sister Harper, 14, and younger brother Cruz, 20. The trio posed for a selfie during a night out with pals, with the group also including Cruz's girlfriend Jackie Apostel. Another sweet snap showed Harper, casually dressed in loose jeans and a black top, cuddling her brother Romeo. The siblings were celebrating a pal's birthday at Beckham family friend David Grutman's Komodo restaurant, with Romeo thanking his parents' pal for the lavish dinner. Romeo poured more fuel on the fire on Friday with a savage dig, hours after blocking Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz. Romeo Beckham has made another social media dig at his older brother Brooklyn, sharing a sibling photo with Harper and Cruz during a fun night out in Miami (pictured L-R an unnamed friend, Cruz's girlfriend Jackie Apostel, Harper, Romeo, Cruz) Days after blocking Brooklyn on Instagram, Romeo, 22, showed off his close bond with sister Harper, 14, and younger brother Cruz, 20 The model, 22, posted a picture of Justin Bieber's new song Walking Away following his bombshell block. Not holding back with his feelings, Romeo commented 'Yup' - a particularly telling statement, given the family's explosive feud. Cruz and Romeo were still following Brooklyn and Nicola on Friday but appeared to take action after Brooklyn posted a birthday tribute to sister Harper, sharing a family photo which excluded them and which Nicola reposted. Brooklyn, 26, and Nicola, 30, are still following his parents Victoria, 51, and David, 50. Brooklyn's birthday tribute to Harper marks his first public interaction with his family since he paid tribute to his grandmother Sandra on 26 June, despite remaining silent and shunning his father's 50th birthday earlier the same month. There was much speculation whether Brooklyn would reach out to Harper on her birthday, but despite this it seems all is not well in the camp. The outing comes just days after friends told MailOnline Cruz and Romeo blocked their brother Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz on Instagram Cruz and Romeo were still following Brooklyn and Nicola on Friday but appeared to take action after Brooklyn posted a birthday tribute to sister Harper (pictured together in 2023) The news that Cruz and Romeo blocked their older sibling follows Cruz's many pointed digs towards Brooklyn on social media last month. Meanwhile, Brooklyn and Romeo have been living a somewhat fractious relationship over the last few months following claims Romeo's ex-girlfriend Kim Turnbull was the reason behind their rift. Kim addressed the speculation June 16 and insisted she has only ever had a friendship with the eldest Beckham son. Sharing a statement on her Instagram page, she said: 'I've avoided speaking on this topic to prevent adding fuel to the fire, however it's come to a point where I feel the need to address it so I can move on. 'I will not continue to receive harassment or be embarrassed on the basis of lies, to fit a certain narrative. 'I have never been romantically involved in ANY capacity at ANY point with the person in question. The eldest son of Victoria and David Beckham and the actress paid tribute to Harper as she turned 14 on Thursday - in a surprise move amid speculation he wouldn't reach out to his sibling The model posted a picture of Justin Bieber's new song Walking Away following his bombshell move, alongside the caption 'Yup' 'Nothing between us has occurred further than a school friendship at age 16. I would like to remove myself from the ongoing conversation & set the record straight for the sake of everyone involved.' Kim had been at the centre of the row after Nicola claimed that she felt uncomfortable around her, with sources close to the US heiress saying that Kim had dated Brooklyn when they were teenagers. Which she had now denied. A surprising new contender to take over the role of James Bond has emerged, and he's largely unknown. Following months of speculation surrounding the highly-anticipated next instalment of the 007 franchise, Bond fans at last found out the movie's director last month. Denis Villeneuve is the man trusted by Amazon to mastermind their new endeavour, after the company purchased the Bond franchise in a massive $8.5billion deal. And the self-proclaimed 'die-hard' Bond fan, who previously directed Dune, seemingly quickly got to work on touting actors for the lead role with three stars emerging as favourites a short time later. Household names Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 35, Dunkirk star Jack Lowden, also 35, and British fan-favourite Theo James, 40, shot to the top of odds lists following Villeneuve's appointment. But now a lesser-known Brit is believed to have entered the running to become the next actor with a license to kill. Speculation has been rife in recent months about who could be the next actor to play James Bond after Daniel Craig relinquished his license to kill with the 2021 film No Time To Die (pictured in Casino Royale) The surprising new contender is none other than Scott Rose-Marsh, 37. The actor, who is currently eighth-favourite for the part according to Oddschecker, is perhaps an eyebrow-raising candidate given his lack of experience in film and television. Despite only previously bagging roles in the relatively underseen movies Wolves of War and Code of Silence, Scott has soared above contenders such as Jack Lowden, 35, and Superman star Henry Cavill, 42. Yet he remains behind a host of popular and, perhaps crucially more experienced, actors in the running for the role. Fresh off the success of 28 Years Later, Taylor-Johnson is still the favourite for the part, while Tom Holland and Theo James sit in second and third place. While perhaps surprisingly, British actor and Mufasa star Aaron Pierre, 31, currently fourth, found himself in the mix a couple of weeks ago. It comes after rumours began to swirl about who could be the next Bond girl in the new film. Film-lovers were sent into a frenzy earlier this month when Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney, 27, was revealed to be one of the favourites for the part. The surprising new contender is none other than Scott Rose-Marsh, 37 (pictured in 2021) The British actor, who is currently eighth-favourite for the part according to Oddschecker, is perhaps an eyebrow-raising candidate given his lack of experience in film and television (pictured in Code of Silence) Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 35, remains the favourite for the part (Aaron pictured in August) Next James Bond favourites, according to Oddschecker 1) Aaron Taylor-Johnson 2) Tom Holland 3) Theo James 4) Aaron Pierre 5) Harris Dickinson 6) Jacob Elordi 7) James Norton 8) Scott Rose-Marsh 9) Jack Lowden 10) Henry Cavill Advertisement She is believed to be a friend of the new movie's director, according to The Sun. A source told the publication: 'Sydney is the top name on the casting sheet for Bond. 'Denis believes she is hugely talented, as well as having an alluring appeal to younger generations, vital in modernising the franchise. 'They've hung out together a lot and he has admired her stratospheric rise.' Amazon completed their acquisition of MGM studios, which previously owned the Bond franchise, earlier this year. It was later announced that David Heyman and Amy Pascal would be the film's producers, with Villeneuve set to serve as executive producer. The French-Canadian filmmaker said following his appointment: 'Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery.' 'I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.' The filmmaker admitted: 'This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor.' He also went on to thank Bond producers Amy and David, adding they 'are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust'. Amy and David said: 'Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy. The news was announced earlier this month that Denis Villeneuve will be the director of the new Bond movie (pictured February 2023) 'It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it's ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.' After Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, they obtained full creative control of the 007 franchise with a deal they struck with Barbara and Michael, the offspring of original James Bond producer, Albert R. Broccoli. Barbara and Michael had been overseeing the franchise since 1995, when their father ceded control of his Eon Productions company. Villeneuve made his directorial debut in 1998 with August 32nd on Earth, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival that year. He followed that up with Maelstrom (2000), Polytechnique (2009) and Incendies (2010), the latter of which was nominated for Best International Film at the Academy Awards. The filmmaker broke through in Hollywood with 2013's Prisoners, a dark drama starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal. He continued to win acclaim for 2013's Enemy, 2015's Sicario, 2016's Arrival, 2017's Blade Runner 2049 and, most recently, 2021's Dune: Part One and 2024's Dune: Part Two. Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027. Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered - with Liverpool a frontrunner, according to The Sun. An insider told the publication: 'This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes. 'But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for film-makers. 'It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.' The source added that it doesn't necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool - though eagle-eyed Merseysiders will no doubt spot their city centre in the background. Conor McGregor has brazenly ignored the cheating scandal he has been embroiled in as he posted photographs of himself partying on a 'jocks' holiday. The MMA fighter, 37, was photographed kissing a mystery brunette woman on the beach during his sun-soaked holiday over the weekend. However, his fiancee Dee Devlin, who has been engaged to him since 2020, brushed off the scandal as she posted a birthday tribute to her partner on Monday despite the pictures. And, Conor also batted away the drama as he re-shared messages from his friends on his 37th birthday, posted a photograph of himself from the day of the PDA drama and made a telling comment about 'loyalty' - brazenly ignoring the scandal. His string of posts came hours before rapper Azealia Banks then took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to double down after accusing Conor of sexual harassment. On Monday, Azealia, 34, shared alleged nude photos of Conor, which she claimed he sent to her unprompted, as the disgraced fighter was already caught up in a cheating scandal. Conor McGregor has brazenly ignored the cheating scandal he has been embroiled in as he posted photographs of himself partying on a 'jocks' holiday (pictured) The MMA fighter, 37, was photographed kissing a mystery brunette woman on the beach during his sun-soaked holiday over the weekend And, Conor also batted away the drama as he posted a photograph of himself taken on the same day as the shock PDA pictures, but failed to mention the scandal Amid the cheating scandal, Conor took to his Instagram Stories to document his 37th birthday, remaining silent on the pictures of him kissing a woman in Florida. In one photograph, seemingly taken during a recent trip to Ibiza, Conor beamed from ear-to-ear and fist-pumped the air as he threw his arm around his friend's shoulders. Re-sharing the birthday tribute, the Irish star added his own caption, simply writing: 'Jocks,' not referencing the allegations he punched a man in a nightclub during that trip - before his most recent scandal. Conor also made a telling comment about there being 'no one more loyal' as one of his female friends shared a snap of them together to mark his birthday. 'No cooler than us! No more loyal than us. Family,' Conor added alongside the picture. Conor also posted a photograph taken of him at the beach in Florida, going shirtless in green board shorts, which was taken on the same day as the shock PDA pictures, but failed to mention the scandal. Amongst the string of posts, he also shared a picture with heavyweight boxer Tommy Welch as they posed from inside a very lavish private jet. The Irish star made no reference to the fresh scandal after he was caught sharing a kiss and a cuddle with a bikini-clad mystery woman over the weekend. Conor also re-shared messages from his friends on his 37th birthday and made a telling comment about 'loyalty' The Irish star made no reference to the fresh scandal after he was caught sharing a kiss and a cuddle with a bikini-clad mystery woman over the weekend His string of posts came hours before rapper Azealia Banks then took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to double down after accusing Conor of sexual harassment After accusing him of sending her unsolicited nude photographs, Azealia doubled down as she responded to backlash following her claims They were spotted smooching in full view of other beachgoers during his Fort Lauderdale holiday, before he was seen Facetiming his sons. His partner Dee - who he shares children, daughter Croia, five, and sons Conor Jr, eight, Rian, three and Mack, 19 months, with - was nowhere in sight. However, his partner Dee brushed off the scandal as she simply posted a loving tribute to Conor to her Instagram page on Monday. Dee shared a post from a fan account on her Instagram story which read: 'Happy Birthday to the person who always keeps Dee entertained and makes her smile.' Just hours later, Azealia also set the internet ablaze after sharing alleged nude photos of Conor that she claims the disgraced UFC legend sent unprompted. She then doubled down on her claims with further wild posts as she questioned 'where' Conor was amid the scandal and responded to mocking videos. In one post, shared to X, Azealia questioned: 'Where's Conor a' (sic) before she posted a series of tongue-in-cheek posts about her original allegations. She responded to one person who accused her of 'committing revenge pornography', writing: 'White ppl r so dry.' (sic) The controversial UFC fighter is pictured with Ibiza nightlife mogul Wayne Lineker Azealia also quipped: 'No me and Conor McGregor have been sending each other unsolicited nudes since 2016. LOL,' in response to backlash from users. Posting on Conor's birthday, she went on: 'I have never met the leprechaun but today is his birthday and he wants everyone to make a wish and blow out the candle . 'Funny how big of closet maga bait that was Men are so h*** and obsessed with d*** it's not even funny.' Re-sharing another video mocking her allegations, she added: 'They loved it.' Her string of posts came after Azealia accused Conor of sexual harassment when she shared nude photographs purporting to show the MMA star. 'How you gonna send a b**** a some crooked d*** pics then threaten her not to tell,' she wrote alongside the screenshots. '@TheNotoriousMMA n**** do you know who the f*** I am? This is HARAM.' Azealia continued: 'Like how are you really going to sexually harrass me with the potato farmer d*** then threaten me not to tell???? Honey ain't u trying to be the president of Ireland what is it giving fam? Use some f***ing sunscreen damn.' Conor's partner Dee Devlin brushed off the scandal as she simply posted a loving tribute to Conor to her Instagram page on Monday As well as the alleged nude selfies, the screenshots also showed a message from what purported to be Conor's account reading: 'Don't be a rat cos all rats get caught.' Alongside one image which seemingly shows his manhood strapped to a dumbbell, the Irish fighter apparently wrote: 'Lifting weights.' Azealia then shared another screenshot of the alleged pictures suddenly being 'hidden' on X because she does not follow Conor's account. Although it is unclear if he had anything to do with that alleged change, she commented: 'The motherf***er woke up early LOL.' DailyMail.com has reached out to the last-known attorneys on record for Conor, his agent and Azealia's agent for comment. It is the latest embarrassment to hit the sportsman's relationship with his partner Dee, who was ever-present by his side throughout his sexual assault court case last year. The pair have been together for 15 years and got engaged in August 2020 after Conor proposed while they were celebrating his birthday. The couple met as teenagers at a nightclub in 2008 and Dee has been a key player in the MMA star's story, supporting him when he was jobless and focused on making it as a professional fighter. The couple (pictured in 2020) met as teenagers back in 2008 in a nightclub and Devlin has been a key player in the MMA star's story, supporting him when he was jobless Conor previously told VIP magazine: 'I asked her to come over and we just started chatting. She seemed like a nice girl, and I like good girls.' While Dee added: 'He was already training when I met him, so I really admired his dedication to that.' Speaking to MMA Fighting, Conor gushed: 'I love to spoil her. She does not work anymore, I hired her to the business. She works for me now and collects the cheques. 'Dee worked very hard throughout the years and stuck by me when I had essentially absolutely nothing. I only had a dream that I was telling her. 'For me to be able to take her out of work, give her everything she's ever wanted and to travel the world with her fills me with pride. 'It keeps me going. We've been together a long time. She's been through it all with me.' The couple live in a 2.5million home in Kildare, a 40-minute drive from Dublin with their four children. In 2024, Conor lost a civil case as jurors at the High Court in Dublin found him liable of raping Nikita Hand, 35, in a Dublin hotel on December 9, 2018, with the judge awarding Hand 250,000 in damages. But despite the verdict, Dee has emphatically made clear that she intends to back Conor - attacking Nikita in a series of posts on Instagram at the time. In recent weeks, Conor (pictured in 2021) has claimed that he will make his long-awaited return to the UFC at their White House event next year In the posts, she wrote: 'Conor and I dealt with these issues privately many years ago, as should be done in a relationship and we have come out stronger than ever. 'We have four beautiful children now whose smiling faces and happy hearts are a testament to who he is and who we are!' In recent weeks, Conor has claimed that he will make his long-awaited return to the UFC at their White House event next year. He said: 'It's looking like I'm headed to the Oval Office again. That's where I'm headed next,' and his statement was met by a round of applause from fans in attendance. He has not stepped foot inside the octagon since July 2021, where he suffered a horror leg break against American fighter Dustin Poirier. He was set to face rival Michael Chandler last summer but, after months of fight build-up, was forced to pull out bout due to a toe injury. Mia Regan turned heads in a daring butter yellow backless gown as she attended an intimate dinner in London to celebrate her H&M collection on Monday evening. The model, who is the ex-girlfriend of Romeo Beckham, showed off her amazing figure as she went braless under the strappy number. Mia elevated her frame in a pair of heeled brown sandals and accessorised with a number of silver bangles. She her way down the rustic wooden walkway which was lined with personalised yellow flags. The stunner looked in good spirits as she chatted to guests before making a speech at the candlelit dinner. Mia was joined by a number of her model pals Bel Priestley, Maxim Magnus, Edie Liberty Rose and Sophie Watson. Mia Regan turned heads in a daring butter yellow backless gown as she attended an intimate dinner in London to celebrate her H&M collection on Monday evening The model, who is the ex-girlfriend of Romeo Beckham, showed off her amazing figure as she went braless under the strappy number Earlier this month, Mia looked stunning as she gave a sneak peek at her new collection with H&M as she modelled a shimmering bikini before changing into a fitted maxi dress. The beauty, who split from from Romeo Beckham last year after five years together, shared a series of behind-the-scenes snaps from the photoshoot with the brand in Australia. Celebrating her clothing line, she partied on a boat wearing a brown dress with cut-out sides and ruched detailing. Mia captioned her post: 'I <3 Aus!! Thank you gals for celebrating my collection with h&m with me!! next stop London drops 17th July :)' Speaking to British Vogue about her collection, she explained: 'Ive designed my dream summer wardrobe. It felt like a really good synergy.' Mia added: 'Ive subconsciously been building up an archive of inspiration for my whole life.' She is currently dating Henry O'Sullivan and while Romeo moved on with Kim Turnbull - they have since split. It is not clear when exactly Mia and Henry started dating but he debuted her on his social media as early as October of last year. Mia elevated her frame in a pair of heels brown sandals and accessorised with a number of silver bangles Mia broke up with Romeo Beckham in February of last year after five years together (Seen together in July 2023) Styling her brunette tresses in a neat up do, she flashed her gorgeous smile as she made her way down the rustic wooden walkway which was lined with personalised yellow flags Mia modelled her new backless gown for the bash The stunner looked in good spirits as she chatted to guests before making a speech at the candlelit dinner She was all smiles as she chatted to guests ahead of the meal She was joined by a number of pals including L-R Sophie Watson and Bel Priestley Belgium model Maxim Magnus, 27, put on a leggy display in a white minidress and brown knee high boots Edie Liberty Rose looked trendy in a grey top paired with khaki trousers Mia looked stunning as she posed with pals Edie Liberty Rose and Millie Hannah Mia chatted away to Minmie Sangsawang during the celebrations Jordan Grant wore the same white minidress and accessorised with a tan handbag and white lace up knee high Miu Miu boots The Mail revealed that Romeo and Kim had gone their separate ways after seven months together, with friends saying that the romance 'fizzled out' three weeks after David's 50th birthday. Romeo first publicly launched his relationship with Kim last November after weeks of exchanging flirty 'likes' on Instagram however despite being warmly welcomed into the family, the relationship has now run its course. Friends told The Mail that things remain 'amicable' between Romeo and Kim, and that their parting is 'nothing to do' with Kim being blamed by Nicola Peltz for being the catalyst for the feud that has ripped the Beckham family apart. One said: 'Romeo and Kim are both young and they had a lovely time together but at that age things don't always last forever and they decided to split up. 'They have been friendly since and have even been at the same venues. It's a huge shame, particularly as David and Victoria really adored her and thought she made Romeo happy but it wasn't to be. 'It happened a couple of weeks ago and relations have remained friendly between them. 'David and Victoria would hate for the view to be that they split because of Nicola and Brooklyn because that simply isn't the case. 'The fact is that Kim has got a really busy career as a DJ and Romeo has a busy work life too, there is lots of travelling for both of them at having a relationship at this time isn't all that conducive to their lives.' Meanwhile on Tuesday, Mia took to Instagram to share more of her H&M capsule collection, including one of her in a racy burgundy and orange bikini The model flashed a dazzling smile while larking around under water in the striking new photos Mia showed off a glimpse of her toned midriff in a white and yellow T-shirt which she paired with tan shorts She also larked around in the sea while showing off the same yellow dress she wore to her launch Earlier this month, Mia looked stunning as she gave a sneak peek at her new collection with H&M as she modelled a shimmering bikini She is currently dating Henry O'Sullivan (pictured) and it is not clear when exactly the pair started dating but he debuted her on his social media as early as October of last year Mia broke up with Romeo in February of last year after five years together. It is claimed the couple went their separate ways after an argument, with Mia moving out of the home they shared together. When Mia met Romeo at 16, she was a netball-loving sixth-former studying history, art and PE, with her sights on university. Her family lived close to the Beckhams' 12 million farmhouse in the Cotswolds and she and Romeo were first pictured together at Victoria's fashion show in 2019. But after making their relationship 'Instagram official', Mia was catapulted into the limelight. Thoughts of university were left behind as she began working with 50 of the world's top brands including Gucci, Prada, Coca-Cola and fashion house Celine. Rumours are circulating that a certain Aussie actress could be in the running to play Erin Patterson in a true crime TV series. Mandy McElhinney, 54, has been tipped to play the recently-convicted 'mushroom killer', with Netflix reportedly earmarking the actress for a possible movie. 'Mandy's perfect for the role of Erin,' a close source told Woman's Day. 'She's very talented and experienced with dramatic roles.' The Perth-born actress has appeared in a number of films, including Ned Kelly, Love Child and Hancock, while also becoming a household name through her portrayal of Rhonda in the famous AAMI commercials. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Rumours are circulating that a certain Aussie actress could be in the running to play Erin Patterson (pictured) in a true crime TV series Mandy McElhinney (pictured) has been tipped to play the recently-convicted 'mushroom killer', with Netflix reportedly earmarking the actress for a possible movie It has not yet been confirmed whether Netflix will be bringing the mushroom murders to the screen, or if Mandy will appear in a possible project as the leading lady. However, it is known that some of the largest streaming platforms are hoping to be the first to cover the controversial murders. Stan is said to have a three-part docuseries in the works called Death Cap, which is set to hit screens in 2025. Last week, Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering her three in-laws with death cap mushrooms in a beef Wellington that she served them for lunch at her home. The verdict marked the end of one of Australia's most intriguing homicide cases. The mother-of-two sat defiantly throughout her 10-week trial, glaring at the media, members of the public and the family of the people she murdered with callous disregard. Patterson had pleaded not guilty to the murders of Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson. They died after consuming death caps in the beef Wellingtons during lunch at Patterson's Leongatha home in southeast Victoria on July 29, 2023. 'Mandy's perfect for the role of Erin,' a close source told Woman's Day. 'She's very talented and experienced with dramatic roles' Last week, Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering her three in-laws with death cap mushrooms in a beef Wellington that she served them for lunch at her home Only Pastor Ian Wilkinson survived her plot - a blunder Patterson would live to regret, and will now serve time for after also being found guilty of attempting to murder him. Seated at the back of courtroom four of the Supreme Court of Victoria, sitting at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court, Patterson, dressed in a paisley shirt, appeared stunned as her fate was sealed that Monday afternoon. Asked to deliver a verdict, the jury foreperson - one of only five women to sit on the original 15-person panel - simply stated, 'guilty'. Patterson can expect to spend the next decades of her life caged within the walls of Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Melbourne's west alongside a rogue's gallery of female killers. The venomous war of words has been ongoing since the couple split in 2021 when the Welsh actor, 51, began a relationship with his now-wife Bianca Wallace, 32, and the former couple are now in the final stages of a bitter spousal support battle. Ioan has now taken the extraordinary step of releasing a series of distressing messages sent to him by daughters Ella, 15, and Elsie, 11, which can be read in full in Alison Boshoff's latest Mail+ article. Amid the ongoing dispute between the pair, Ioan revealed that his eldest daughter Ella, 15, had been begging him for money over concerns that Alice and their two children would be evicted from their Los Angeles home. While Alice, Ella, and Elsie appear to be in a desperate living situation, Ioan has claimed that Alice's financial crisis has been manufactured by the actress in order 'manipulate him into giving in to her financial demands'. Just hours after her ex's extreme measures were shared online, Alice posted a thinly veiled post of a chessboard with the king piece highlighted in red. Alice Evans has seemingly made her latest move in her feud with ex Ioan Gruffud as she shared a post saying 'you lost' hours after he revealed desperate texts from their children pleading for financial help The venomous war of words has been ongoing since the couple split in 2021 when the Welsh actor, 51, began a relationship with his now-wife Bianca Wallace , 32, and the former couple are now in the final stages of a bitter spousal support battle (pictured together in 2016) While Alice, Ella, and Elsie appear to be in a desperate living situation, Ioan has claimed that Alice's financial crisis has been manufactured by the actress in order 'manipulate him into giving in to her financial demands' A message flashed up saying 'you lost!' as she appeared to make a pointed remark about her ongoing divorce battle with Ioan. In a bid to try and prove that his daughters were being manipulated by Alice into believing they were struggling for money, Ioan filed documents to he Los Angeles Superior Court including messages from Ella. One message read: 'Mummy works very hard and also looks after us 24/7. You are avoiding the issue which is that you don't want to work. It's not mummy's fault it's yours. You left us and now you can't provide for us.' Another said: 'You need to get a job daddy. Looking after your girlfriend is not a job. You are a father who has abandoned his children and doesn't see them or talk to them. You doesn't even send Christmas presents. It's pathetic and everyone sees you. 'Ps, if there is enough money for us never to become homeless then why aren't you helping us out? You hate mummy more than you love us.' In the report, Ioan claimed he was 'mortified' to receive the messages from his daughters where they 'parroted Alice's false and manufactured claim of becoming homeless in the immediate future'. It comes after Alice thanked her fans as she issued a housing update, after turning to them to help her support her children amid her financial troubles. In May, she claimed in court documents that she was about to become homeless because her financial situation had become 'dire' following her bitter divorce from Ioan. She claimed she would be on the streets by June 1, because she could not pay her rent and all the shelters in Los Angeles were full. While in the lengthy caption, she reflected on how far she'd come, after revealing she and her two daughters were on the brink of homelessness last month, due to her financial troubles following her divorce from Ioan Gruffudd (seen together in 2015) Alice then created her own Divorce fundraiser, setting up a GoFundMe which has so far raised $18,532 (13,620) - which ensured that she her daughters and her dog Emma now have a 'roof over their heads' and had retained their possessions. She voiced her gratitude to fans for donating, gushing: 'We could never, ever have done this without the incredible love and kindness from all of you. Honestly I was at my wit's end and you saved me.' However, the star previously admitted she had felt ashamed to have to turn to the public for help, penning: 'I'm so embarrassed about this. If you're here you know my story. 'You know how much I struggle to keep my two girls healthy and happy and a roof over their heads. 'You know what I've been through. It never ends. I'm just getting squeezed in every which way and smeared in the media so that nobody even wants to employ me.' Alice previously claimed that ex Ioan was living in comfort in a $5,500 a month apartment with a home gym while she and their two children cannot afford 'basic necessities'. She accused her ex-husband of 'intentionally' turning down acting gigs to keep his income low during their split and avoid having to pay her more. Earlier this year, Ioan and his second wife Bianca announced they were expecting their first child together on Instagram last month, just two months after tying the knot. Alice then created her own Divorce fundraiser, setting up a GoFundMe which has so far raised $18,532 (13,620) - which ensured that she her daughters and her dog Emma now have a 'roof over their heads' and had retained their possessions Sharing the news, they posted a sweet black and white photo of Ioan kissing his wife's growing baby bump, with the caption: 'Baby Gruffudd poppin' out to say hello!' In April, Ioan and Bianca took to their respective Instagrams to share a video of them tying the knot in a romantic ceremony, captioned: 'Mr & Mrs Gruffudd. Marriage now, wedding later.' While the pair divorced in July 2023, they are still battling fiercely over spousal support and custody and financial support for their two daughters Ella, 15, and Elsie, 11. At the September 9 court hearing, Judge Josh Freeman Stinn signed off on a stipulated agreement in which Ioan pays $3,000 a month temporary child support and $1,500 a month temporary spousal support until another February 13 hearing where a more permanent support arrangement will be forged. Ioan planned to call his then-fiancee Bianca as a witness at the February hearing to testify that his ex wife 'stalked, harassed and abused' her, repeatedly violating a three-year domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) which she and Ioan took out in August 2022, after enduring a 'smear campaign' of hateful text messages, emails and social media posts from her. Ioan claims that Alice 'engaged in a pattern of damaging and defamatory conduct against me, aimed at intimidating and harassing me and my fiance, Bianca Wallace, while alienating our two young children from me.' Alice previously claimed that ex Ioan was living in comfort in a $5,500 a month apartment with a home gym while she and their two children cannot afford 'basic necessities' (pictured in 2018 with daughters Ella and Elsie) It comes after Ioan and his second wife Bianca announced they were expecting their first child together on Instagram last month, just two months after tying the knot In April, Ioan and Bianca - who went public with their relationship in October 2021 - took to their respective Instagrams to share a video of them tying the knot in a romantic ceremony , captioned: 'Mr & Mrs Gruffudd. Marriage now, wedding later' (seen in May) Ioan whose latest movie, Bad Boys: Ride or Die has grossed more than $403 million worldwide has fought Alice's demands for more money, claiming he's paid some $400,000 more in spousal support than he needed to under their pre-marital agreement. In earlier court papers, he called her claims of poverty 'exaggerated' and said it's a 'false narrative' that she and the children have been left destitute. The former couple met on the set of the movie 102 Dalmatians more than 20 years ago. They fell in love in real life and were married in Mexico in 2007. Ioan filed for divorce in March 2021, shortly after Alice announced on social media that her husband of 14 years was walking out on her and their two daughters. Vanessa Kirby is expecting her first child, and is all too happy to flaunt her blossoming baby bump. The British actress was glowing as she posed on the red carpet at the Sydney premiere of her new film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, on Tuesday night. The 37-year-old cradled her belly as she worked her angles in front of the media wall. She also shared a sweet moment with her co-stars, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, as the men each laid a hand on her growing belly. Vanessa was showing off her baby bump in a sheer black dress with long sleeves that had exaggerated, textured bell sleeves. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Vanessa Kirby (pictured) is expecting her first child, and is all too happy to flaunt her blossoming baby bump The British actress was glowing as she posed on the red carpet at the Sydney premiere of her new film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, on Tuesday night The 37-year-old cradled her belly as she worked her angles in front of the media wall The heavily pregnant Crown star added a crop top under her see-through gown, which also featured solid black skirting. She completed the look with see-through black high heels, as well as adding a number of chunky rings and earrings for accessories. Vanessa chose a clean and peachy make-up look with a pale coral lipstick and slicked her blonde hair off her face into a low ponytail. The star announced that she is expecting her first child with American lacrosse player Paul Rabil, 39, earlier this year. The beauty, who starred as Princess Margaret in Netflix's The Crown, is allegedly set to head down the aisle with her athlete love after he popped the question, according to Page Six. Vanessa and Paul first sparked dating rumours by walking hand-in-hand through New York City in October 2022. However, they didn't make their romance Instagram official until November 2023. At the time, Paul - who is the co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League - shared a series of photographs of the couple, including one of them embracing on a beach. Vanessa was showing off her baby bump in a sheer black dress that had exaggerated, textured bell sleeves The heavily pregnant Crown star added a crop top under her see-through gown, which also featured solid black skirting She completed the look with see-through black high heels, as well as adding a number of chunky rings and earrings for accessories Vanessa chose a clean and peachy make-up look with a pale coral lipstick and slicked her blonde hair off her face into a low ponytail 'From the very minute we first met in Des Moines, around the world and back, life is far better, more purposeful and more beautiful with you,' he wrote about the film star. The couple have been spotted on several occasions together since 2022, but have kept quiet about their blossoming romance. Paul previously dated Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez and was married to fellow sportswoman Kelly Berger, from 2014 until 2017. In April 2022, Vanessa was linked to Christopher Abbott after the pair were spotted enjoying a drink at a trendy bar in London's Soho. The pair, who met when they played a married couple in the 19th Century romantic drama The World To Come in 2020, were deep in conversation at Ducksoup. An onlooker said the stars 'looked super comfortable in each other's company' as they drank wine and chatted for a couple of hours at an outside table. Vanessa previously dated Callum Turner after they starred in 2014's Queen And Country. The four stars of the hotly-anticipated comic book adaptation, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, were seen arriving in Australia this weekend ahead of the premiere. She also shared a sweet moment with her co-stars, Pedro Pascal , Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, as the men each laid a hand on her growing belly. All pictured The star announced that she is expecting her first child with American lacrosse player Paul Rabil, 39, earlier this year The film marks the latest reboot of Marvel's iconic superhero team and is one of the studio's most anticipated releases in years. In February, Marvel fans were delighted to see the first-look trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. They took to social media to give their opinions on the latest instalment of the superhero franchise, with one person writing on X: 'Okay the Fantastic Four trailer wasn't bad. I'm pleasantly surprised.' Another added: 'I'm not even a Fantastic Four fan, but this looks really sleek. It's nailing the period setting in the same way that First Avenger did.' Someone else weighed in: 'Watched the Fantastic Four trailer and I actually am excited for a Marvel movie again.' The film will be released nationwide in Australia on July 24. Kimberley Garner looked stunning as she left celebrity hotspot Scott's restaurant in Mayfair, London on Monday. The former reality TV personality, 34, wore a white summer dress with a plunging neckline for the evening out. She teamed the tiered mini with a pair of suede loafers and accessorised with a small Chanel handbag. The swimwear designer, who is currently dating William Claeyssens, hopped into her black Ferrari and headed home. She stepped out with partner William for the first time at the Chain of Hope Gala Ball in November. Speaking exclusively to the Mail on Sunday, Kimberley confirmed her relationship status, revealing the budding romance was going well, and she was happy. Kimberley Garner looked stunning as she left celebrity hotspot Scott's restaurant in Mayfair, London on Monday The former reality TV personality, 34, wore a white summer dress with a plunging neckline for the evening out 'We met through friends just last week, so this is our second date,' she added. William's Instagram says he divides his time between Marbella and London, and he appears to enjoy the high life - sailing, shooting, and attending events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Her date reveal came after she recently revealed that she had 'just broken up with someone'. Kimberley's last known romance began in the summer of 2023 when it was revealed that she was going out with financier Andreas Anthis. The pair broke up in April last year, with Kimberley calling it the 'right decision'. The reality star previously dated her MIC co-star Richard Dinan. Kimberley has also bought a new house in Belgravia, London, and is 'excited' to live back in the UK after putting her Miami beach house on the market. The swimwear designer, who is currently dating William Claeyssens, hopped into her black Ferrari and headed home Kimberley's appearance at the event comes after she after revealed she had a new man, handsome trader boyfriend William Claeyssens de Tena, 30, in her life She said it was a decision which was not driven by the presidential race because she was 'happy' with the result. 'I just bought a new property in Belgravia, so I have been working for the last two months and had my head down,' she said. 'This is my first night out in two months. 'I am selling my flat in America, so I am actually moving my money from the US to London. 'I love it in America, but I just love British culture we are fabulous.' US comedian Ray Dejon has tragically died just days before he was set to star in a comedy roast for his birthday. The comedian passed away on Monday at the age of 63, just one day before his 64th birthday. The cause of his death is unknown. Just days before, Ray had shared a video announcing he was holding a comedy roast at 275 BK comedy club in Brooklyn, New York City, on Wednesday to celebrate his birthday. Ray interviewed music icons such as Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys and opened Brooklyn's first black owned comedy venue, the Laffaholics Comedy Club. Video director Ralph McDaniels announced the tragic news that Ray had died on Monday, as he wrote: 'I am sad to announce the passing of our Video Music Box family @raydejon. 'My condolences to his entire family. Ray Dejon will be missed.' US comedian Ray Dejon has tragically died just days before he was set to star in a comedy roast for his birthday The comedian passed away on Monday at the age of 63, just one day before his 64th birthday Ray's sister Evelyn Delacruz shared her shock at his sudden passing, writing on Monday: 'Thank you everyone for reaching out me and my siblings and his children and family just ask for privacy at this devastating time. 'We will let everyone know when services will be held. We are all completely heart broken His birthday is tomorrow. 'Sleep in paradise my beautiful brother Ray DeJon Ray DeJon Jr.' Tributes poured out for the comedian, who was hailed a 'true giant' on the NYC comedy scene. Friends wrote: 'Damn man! Ray you'll be missed. A part of our cloth. May the universe welcome you with open arms. Condolences to your family,'; 'Big loss. My guy Ray! Peaceful journey,'; 'I have no words. RIP Ray! Thank you for all the stage time and for putting so many of us on!'; 'Can't believe today we lost our friend Ray DeJon. Thank you for your friendship and always giving everyone a chance on stage. Rest in peace, my friend.' A fan page called Comedy In Harlem shared an emotional tribute, writing: 'New York City lost a true giant. Just days before, Ray had shared a video announcing he was holding a comedy roast at 275 BK comedy club in Brooklyn, New York City , on Wednesday to celebrate his birthday Video director Ralph McDaniels announced the tragic news that Ray had died on Monday, as he wrote: 'I am sad to announce the passing of our Video Music Box family @raydejon' Ray's sister Evelyn Delacruz shared her shock at his sudden passing, writing on Monday: 'Thank you everyone for reaching out me and my siblings and his children and family just ask for privacy at this devastating time' 'Ray DeJon wasnt just a promoter he was a connector of people, a champion of comedy, and a pillar in our community. 'From the stages of legendary clubs to the streets of every borough, Ray brought energy, laughter, and love wherever he went. 'He gave countless artists their first shot, and his legacy will live on in every mic check, every joke, and every room filled with laughter. 'To lose someone like Ray is to lose a heartbeat of this city. He was a great guy, a loyal friend, and a legend whose spirit can never be replaced. 'Our thoughts and deepest prayers go out to his family, loved ones, and the entire comedy community. Ray interviewed music icons such as Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys and opened Brooklyn's first black owned comedy venue, the Laffaholics Comedy Club (Pictured with comedian Aldo Marachlian) Tributes poured out for the comedian, who was hailed a 'true giant' on the NYC comedy scene 'Rest easy, King. You will never be forgotten. Sleep well, Ray DeJon.' Ray reportedly had survived a stroke in the past and had beat addiction, according to Industry Rules. The comedian spoke about how one side of his body was left paralysed following his stroke - but medication had helped him start to regain movement and feeling. Off-stage, he's also worked with young adults on issues such as substance abuse and domestic violence. The five star hotel where Zoe Rae was staying before fleeing Bali because it didn't live up to her social media expectations has been revealed. The influencer has been mocked online for leaving the stunning country after just 48 hours, because it didn't match up to what she had seen on Instagram. Molly Mae's older sister Zoe, 28, had planned the trip to Indonesia with her husband Danny to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. And despite staying in a huge sea view room at the Radisson Blu, a five-star hotel, they decided to leave early and jet to Dubai instead. The resort is set dramatically on the cliffs of Bali's Bukit Peninsula, near the iconic Uluwatu Temple, and offers views of the Indian Ocean. It boasts more than 100 deluxe double rooms and 14 luxury suites, which have a separate living and dining area, a rooftop terrace and panoramic views. The five star hotel where Zoe Rae Hague was staying before fleeing Bali because it didn't live up to her social media expectations has been revealed The influencer has been mocked online for leaving the stunning country after just 48 hours, because it didn't match up to what she had seen on Instagram And despite staying in a huge sea view room at the Radisson Blu (pictured), a five-star hotel, they decided to leave early and jet to Dubai instead A deluxe room costs $260$400 (193-298) per night, depending on inclusions, while the suite option would set back guests $650$800 (485-596) per night. It is not clear which specification of room Zoe and her husband Danny chose to stay in on their brief trip to the country. The resort boasts diverse dining options from the international and Indonesian buffet as well as a separate Italian restaurant and resort-grade amenities including a gym and wellness centre for the fitness-loving couple. However, Zoe explained that Bali looks better on social media than in real life, as influencers make it look luxurious, despite it being a developing country. In a new YouTube video, Zoe told the camera: 'Since landing in Bali, something for us wasn't quite right. 'We came here with high expectations because we had seen on social media that everyone was having such a lovely time. Lovely places to eat and beaches, and lovely gyms and coffee shops. 'But I don't think the reality of Bali is shown much at all, and I do think it is down to a lot of influencers posting the more luxury side of things.' Poverty in Bali, despite the island's image as a global tourist paradise, remains a persistent and complex issue. It boasts more than 100 deluxe double rooms and 14 luxury suites, this option ha a separate living and dining area, rooftop terrace and panoramic views Zoe had planned the trip to Indonesia with her husband Danny to celebrate their first wedding anniversary A deluxe room costs $260$400 (193-298) per night, depending on inclusions, while the suite option would set back guests $650$800 (485-596) per night It is not clear which specification of room Zoe and her husband Danny chose to stay in on their brief trip to the country Zoe explained that Bali looked completely different from what it did on social media, and that influencers had made it look more luxurious While tourism has brought significant economic growth, it has also led to stark income disparities, with many Balinese families in rural areas still struggling to meet basic needs. Zoe continued: 'Before joining the army, I spent five months travelling South East Asia. I did Thailand, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, I did a lot and spent time in these countries. But there is something very different about Bali. 'We got told Uluwatu where we are now is one of the best places to go, so if this is one of the better places, I'm not sure where the other places are like. 'I wasn't going to sit down and say anything, but people want to know.' Danny then joined the video and said: 'You either go on holiday to travel and experience culture or you want to go away and relax.' Zoe continued: 'Yeah, and we could have got a flight tomorrow as today is our anniversary, but time is precious and we just want to get out, and why delay it. 'We missed the mark, maybe we didn't do our own research, maybe it is our own fault. I did a lot of research though. 'I think it is just personal preference, and our preference was that this isn't for us, and we are making the executive decision to go enjoy our anniversary somewhere we know that we love and can relax and can drink the water.' In a new YouTube video, Zoe told the camera: 'Since landing in Bali, something for us wasn't quite right' Zoe's sister Molly-Mae previously 'fell in love with Bali' following her holiday in 2019 'I don't think the reality of Bali is shown much at all, and I do think it is down to a lot of influencers posting the more luxury side of things' (Amber Turner pictured left, Samie Elishi right) 'We came here with high expectations because we had seen on social media that everyone was having such a lovely time. Lovely places to eat and beaches, and lovely gyms and coffee shops' (The cast of TOWIE pictured in Bali in 2024) Fans were divided in the comment section, with many claiming they loved Bali and asking for specific reasons why she didn't like it. 'I find this really surprising seeing as you travelled this part of the world. Everywhere there is like this - the 5* resorts are social media worthy but ultimately it's a developing area of the world and lots of the people there live in poverty.'; 'That is such a shame you didn't have a good experience:( Bali is a truly magical place with incredible people! But it is a poor country and I think people forget that and expect it to be like Dubai when that isn't the reality. Hope you have a good time in Dubai.'; 'I'm interested to know what exactly you didn't like about it? You didn't really go into specifics? I travelled there last year and loved it!'; Others agreed with Zoe, adding: I'm just home from backpacking Australia, Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and I can hands down agree with the insta vs reality with Bali!! We tried to enjoy it as much as we could but it is 100% portrayed sooo differently by influencers,' 'Why is everyone hating? Bali isn't for everyone, they arrived and didn't like it? Why would they waste time & money somewhere they're not enjoying?' Before finding her feet with fitness influencing, Zoe served in the military for five years as a Combat Medical Technician. In 2023, Zoe left the Army Medical Corps to focus on building her own online presence. She launched a YouTube channel and Instagram account centered around fitness and lifestyle. Zoe Rae grew up in a middle-class family environment. Her upbringing was marked by a strong emphasis on sport, with her parentsboth police officersencouraging her to participate in everything from swimming and athletics. MollyMae, in a British Vogue interview, shared that she and Zoe were regularly involved in numerous after-school activities. Speaking about her parents, she said: They pushed me and Zoe into doing every sport, every extracurricular activity, you name it In 2019, Molly Mae shared with fans that she 'fell in love with Bali' as she shared a series of stunning snaps to Instagram. Zoe later shared a photo dump on Instagram, showcasing her lavish Dubai trip after leaving Bali. 'We got told Uluwatu (pictured) where we are now is one of the best places to go, so if this is one of the better places, I'm not sure where the other places are like' Fans were divided in the comment section, with many claiming they loved Bali and asking for specific reasons why she didn't like it Others agreed with Zoe: I'm just home from backpacking Australia, Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and I can hands down agree with the insta vs reality with Bali!!' Zoe later shared a photo dump on Instagram, showcasing her lavish Dubai trip after leaving Bali The couple stayed at Atlantis The Royal, with rooms starting from around 290 per night during July, which is considered low season Zoe shared on Instagram: 'Danny surprised me with a stat at @atlantistheroyal which I couldn't believe!' The couple stayed at Atlantis The Royal, with rooms starting from around 290 per night during July, which is considered low season. In peak season, rooms can cost 1,570 a night. Zoe shared on Instagram: 'Danny surprised me with a stat at @atlantistheroyal which I couldn't believe!!! 'Going at this time of year definitely helped as everything was a lot cheaper!! For a very special occasion it's perfect.' It comes after Zoe gave her followers an update on her botched Botox in a new clip posted to her Story. The influencer was initially left with one eye partially closed from a severe reaction to Botox in February, telling her fans she 'could weep' at the state of her face. But just a few months later she was back again to 'rock her forehead lines' despite vowing never to return - with Zoe suffering a botched Botox which she described as even 'worse than last time'. The star has been left - once again - with one eye drooping below the other but on Wednesday reassured her followers it was getting better. Showing off her healing eye area she penned: 'EYE UPDATE. Still not great but my GOD it's soooo much better!!!! 3 weeks post incident I'm actually quite happy!' Zoe revealed she was brutally mocked for her latest botched Botox by a passenger on an airplane, resulting in an explosive row. Zoe shared that during a recent trip to Portugal with a friend, she became embroiled in a dispute with one particularly rude passenger on their flight. It comes after Zoe gave her followers an update on her botched Botox in a new clip posted to her Story Zoe seen before the Botox Rocking a pair of sunglasses on her YouTube channel to hide the botch-job, she said: 'I actually had a really really upsetting experience just as we landed in Portugal. 'We were in a queue and there was another one going past us and there was this one horrible lady, I don't know if she was drunk - she must've been. 'She was trying to get past me and she said, 'why are you just stood there like a d*******' and I was like, 'why did you just call me that?' 'And her husband was like, 'what's going on here' and I said, 'your wife just called me that for literally no reason' and there was a bit of back and forth before he said, 'sort your daft eye out, you c***.'' 'But I actually agreed, I thought fair enough. I do need to sort it out.' Later in the video Zoe lifted up her sunglasses to reveal that one of her eyes is still well and truly drooping a couple of weeks after her latest procedure. She is suffering with a little-known side effect called ptosis which occurs when Botox treatment spreads beyond the intended injection area and effects the muscles that lifts these areas, causing the eyelid or eyebrow to sag and droop. Zoe told her followers in the latest video: 'I recently had botox, it went wrong and it's given me ptosis. This has happened to me before and it's now happened a second time. 'People are saying to me, 'why would you go back to the same place?' - I did the same for my wedding, she's done me a lot of times and I trust her. 'She's fully qualified, do you think I'm going to someone on the corner of the street? Of course not. 'We don't know why it's happened again and that's that, we've just got to ride the wave.' She is suffering with a little-known side effect called ptosis which occurs when Botox treatment spreads beyond the intended injection area At the time of her second botch-job, Zoe told her followers that it was 'worse than last time' A passenger on a plane told Zoe to 'sort her daft eye out' after a disagreement when they landed in Portugal recently (seen with Molly-Mae) Zoe's decision to have Botox once again comes after her sister Molly, 26, recently reflected on days of facial fillers and Botox in her Amazon docuseries. In one of the episodes Molly unearthed a viral image of her flaunting an enlarged pout and defined jawline sparked an influx of trolling including being compared to an XBOX controller. From the age of 16, Molly used makeup and facial fillers to alter her appearance and now admits her obsession to 'look like everybody else' was 'unhealthy.' Molly explained: 'You think that all the makeup and the filler make you look better but actually it makes you look ten times worse. 'I was about 16/17 when I started getting filler. It was a slippery slope. People say I looked like an XBOX controller or a Quagmire, but I don't know what that is. 'It definitely felt like something that I needed to do to look like everybody else that was on Instagram which was really unhealthy. 'I look at those pictures and I feel quite sorry for myself. It just spiralled really. I tried to think it looked good, but it really didn't and then luckily, it was reversible.' Tasha Ghouri packed on the PDA with her new CBBC presenter and zoo owner boyfriend Cam Whitnall this weekend - just a few days after a bitter row with her ex Andrew Le Page. The former Love Island star, 26, put her arms around Cam and held hands with him as they stepped out together at Fearne Cotton's Happy Place festival at Gunnersbury Park in London over the weekend. YouTuber Cam Whitnall, 29, stars in CBBC series One Zoo Three and BBC show OZT Goes Wild alongside his brothers Ty and Aaron. Cam, whose family run Hertfordshire Zoo, is the managing director of a non-profit charity, The Big Cat Sanctuary, which rescues wild cats and protects species at risk of extinction. On the joint outing Tasha - who has been dating Cam since May - looked stylish in a skimpy white dress and tassel boots. It comes after Tasha's ex Andrew launched into an explosive rant about her being on a dating app during their relationship. Tasha Ghouri packed on the PDA with her new CBBC presenter and zoo owner boyfriend Cam Whitnall this weekend - just a few days after a bitter row with her ex Andrew Le Page The former Love Island star, 26, put her arms around Cam and held hands with him as they stepped out together at Fearne Cotton 's Happy Place festival at Gunnersbury Park in London over the weekend Andrew claimed on Thursday night that Tasha was using the celebrity dating app Raya while still in a relationship with him and insisted he wanted to speak out after she had appeared on 'one too many podcasts' to speak about him. Soon after they released a shock joint statement. In the statement shared with MailOnline, the former couple who met on Love Island in 2022, came together to address 'hurtful comments' in a move that took place after Andrew accused Tasha of not being able to 'keep his name out of her mouth'. The exes quickly put Andrew's rant aside and come together to address the 'noise' around their relationship as Tasha admitted to 'making mistakes' during their romance. Both parties expressed their wish to 'move on' from the relationship after suffering 'judgement and cruelty' from online trolls. Sharing her side of events, Tasha said: 'I just want to address recent hurtful comments about me and & Andrew. We've always been open about who we are and what we went through, the hate and harsh words have been unfair and overwhelming for both of us. 'No one deserves to be torn down, especially when they're already trying to heal. We've both made mistakes, we've both learned, and we've both grown. But the judgement and cruelty we are facing from people online has been hard. 'Please remember that behind every nasty post, every comment, every story, there are real people with real emotions. Always be kind. It comes after Tasha's ex Andrew launched into an explosive rant about her being on a dating app during their relationship On the joint outing Tasha - who has been dating Cam since May - looked stylish in a skimpy white dress and tassel boots YouTuber Cam Whitnall, 29, stars in CBBC series One Zoo Three and BBC show OZT Goes Wild alongside his brothers Ty and Aaron Cam, whose family run Hertfordshire Zoo, is the managing director of a non-profit charity, The Big Cat Sanctuary, which rescues wild cats and protects species at risk of extinction Andrew claimed on Thursday night that Tasha was using the celebrity dating app Raya while still in a relationship with him Before this, in an interview for Rylan Clark's How To Be In Love (seen on the podcast), Tasha claimed their relationship was already starting to fray prior to her Strictly debut While Andrew added: 'Tasha and I want to address the noise around our breakup, as there's been hate going around that neither of us ever wanted. 'Things were said on both sides, but at the end of the day, no relationship is perfect, but ours still had some incredible moments I'll always be grateful for. 'I truly just want us both to move on and be happy. Wishing Tasha nothing but the best, and I'll always be proud of her.' The statements came shortly after he hit back at the star after she claimed in a new interview he 'wasn't supporting her,' before their shock split. The couple, who met on Love Island in 2022, split in January, with Tasha admitting she now regrets her treatment of him after they 'grew apart' during her stint on Strictly Come Dancing. Tasha, who has been deaf since birth and had a cochlear implant fitted at the age of five, appeared on the 2024 series of Strictly with pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec. In an interview for Rylan Clark's How To Be In Love, Tasha claimed their relationship was already starting to fray prior to her Strictly debut, with Andrew offering 'no support' as she progressed to the show's latter stages. But Andrew furiously hit back in a now-deleted post on Snapchat, where he accused Tasha of 'talking s**t about him,' before stating that Tasha had begun using the celebrity dating app Raya before their relationship was over. He wrote: 'Wasn't gunna speak about it all. However, the girl can't keep my name out her mouth even though she's got a new boyfriend. 'The truth is... she went on Raya whilst we were still together... oops. 'No one is perfect in a relationship but you keep talking s**t about me I'll start talking 'She did one too many podcasts unfortunately. This is your closure chat.' Tasha herself previously admitted she regretted signing up to Raya before her split from Andrew was made public. Speaking on Spooning with Mark Wogan, the host referred to reports that she had frantically deleted her Raya profile after it was revealed. She said: 'I've already owned up to it, so yeah,' with host Mark adding: 'And admitted you thought it was a mistake in retrospect?' 'Yeah. I'm happy being single at the moment,' Tasha replied. During her interview with Rylan, Tasha admitted she regrets how she treated Andrew after cutting contact with him in the wake of their split. She claimed the relationship was on the rocks prior to her Strictly debut, with Andrew offering 'no support' as she progressed to the show's latter stages. She recalled: 'It got to a point where I was also trying to help him out, but he wasn't willing to help himself. And that's so hard because when you love someone, you want them to you want the best for them. 'But there's a point where you're trying to also do the best for yourself and you're trying to grow. And then Strictly happened and then I think that made us grow apart.' She added: 'On social media it did come across like he was there supporting me, but emotionally at home, he wasn't. 'I remember this one time, I was in a dance -off in the semi-finals. And I called him, like, you know, 'I feel really nervous'. And he was just out there, gaming, didn't stop gaming, didn't put his console down, or take his headphones off and say, 'Okay, talk to me.' 'And that's kind of where I started to really think, I deserve better than that. You know, I think that's where I started to really think, why am I settling for something that I'm having to really beg for?' The couple eventually separated while Tasha was participating in the annual Strictly Come Dancing tour, but while the split came as a relief, she admits regretting her treatment of Andrew - with whom she is no longer on speaking terms. 'I thought, I'm just not happy anymore and it's really sad because I had to break his heart and that's the one thing. And then when I came out doing tour, like I remember for the week, I turned my phone off and he'd speak to anyone. 'I was just so anxious, like just being out and about socially. And I shut myself off from him. He didn't deserve that. Like I should have been there for him as well. Because when all this came out, he was like, what is going on? And I was also trying to come to terms in myself of what was happening as well. The couple, who met on Love Island in 2022, split in January (pictured on the show) Tasha is now in the early stages of a new romance, which MailOnline revealed was with CBBC presenter Cam (pictured) 'And that's my biggest regret is how I treated him in that breakup. And I should have been so much nicer than I was.' Crediting her former boyfriend for 'teaching her so much about love,' she added: 'We're not on speaking terms and that's the saddest part. That's the most saddest part about all of this.' The TV personality is now in the early stages of a new romance, which MailOnline revealed was with CBBC presenter Cam Whitnall. She said: 'We clicked straight away, like he's very ambitious, he's driven we've just been enjoying our company and just seeing what happens really.' MailOnline understands the new couple have bonded over their love for animals after Tasha rescued her dog, Luna, who she previously shared with Andrew, from Spanish charity Alora Dog Rescue and Homeward Bound. A source told MailOnline: 'Tasha and Cam are in the early stages of dating. 'They have been seeing each other for around a month now and share so much in common, from a personal and professional standpoint. 'Cam is a great guy and has a lot going for him, Tasha has definitely been thrilled getting to know him and the feeling is mutual.' In recent months, Andrew, who works in property, has relocated to Dubai where he lived prior to finding fame on the ITV2 dating series. Kylie Jenner fans think her A Complete Unknown actor beau Timothee Chalamet is secretly with her on yacht vacation in Greece. That is because a man in black briefs was spotted resting on a seashore in one of her latest Instagram posts shared on Tuesday. 'That guy on the shore is Timothee,' said one fan on X while another piped up: 'He is secretly with her in Greece, I feel it in my bones.' The couple were last photographed together in St Tropez in the south of France on July 5. On the luxury trip Jenner was modeling a white, leopard print and polka dot swimsuit from her Frankies Bikinis/Khy collaboration while on a very large yacht. Also on the getaway with the 27-year-old reality TV star were her kids Stormi and Aire that she has with rapper ex Travis Scott. And her pal Stassie Karanikolaou, aka as Stassie Baby, was also spied during the European holiday. Kylie Jenner fans think her A Complete Unknown actor beau Timothee Chalamet is with her on yacht vacation A man in black briefs was spotted resting on a seashore in one of her latest Instagram posts shared on Tuesday. The couple were last photographed together in St Tropez in the south of France on July 5 Rumors of their relationship between Jenner and Chalamet began circulating in April 2023, following the makeup mogul's split from Scott. They were first spotted together publicly in September 2023 at Beyonce's Renaissance World Tour concert. The couple then made their first official public appearance together at the U.S. Open in September 2023. 'Greeeece,' the mom of two captioned her update. Most of the pinup shots were of Kylie in bikinis. In the first image, The Kardashians star wore a tiny yellow and black Chanel string bikini as she sat on her knees on the yacht. Kylie tipped her head to one side in the shot and looked like she was rolling her eyes. In another snap, the reality TV star showered off as she climbed back onto the boat after a swim in the sea. In another photo, Kylie poured herself into a tiny leopard print bikini that highlighted her toned figure. Kylie turned up the heat with a photo of herself leaning against the railing of the yacht in a skin tight, curve hugging white dress. Other photos in the group included a shot of five women's feet in flip flops, a photo of her pink Chanel tote bag and a bunch of nature shots. Chalamet at the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome at Hard Rock Stadium in May The yacht is massive; a man can also be seen here on the back of the vessel On the luxury trip Jenner was modeling a white, leopard print and polka dot swimsuit from her Frankies Bikinis/Khy line while in Greece Also on the trip with the 27-year-old reality TV star were her kids Stormi and Aire that she has with rapper ex Travis Scott. And her pal Stassie Karanikolaou, aka as Stassie Baby was also spied during the European holiday. The new swimwear collaboration is called Cloud Cups by Frankies Bikinis x KHY. 'I've always loved Frankies Bikinis, and I'm so excited to partner with them to create this collection with incredibly flattering silhouettes in super soft material, these are the perfect pieces for summer,' Kylie told DailyMail.com in a statement Khloe Kardashian commented on her sister's post: 'Are you ever coming home?' A fan also mentioned seeing her on the yacht, writing, 'We saw your yacht in paxos!!! We drove past on a boat. hope ur having the best time.' A bunch of other fans commented along the lines of 'Oh girl your life is so fun' and 'what a life.' And many others complimented her beauty with comments such as 'How is someone this perfect' and 'sun-kissed beauty .' Kylie's trip to Greece comes after she introduced her collaboration with Frankie's Bikinis. The new swimwear collaboration is called Cloud Cups by Frankies Bikinis x KHY. 'I've always loved Frankies Bikinis, and I'm so excited to partner with them to create this collection with incredibly flattering silhouettes in super soft material, these are the perfect pieces for summer,' Kylie told DailyMail.com in a statement. 'We've incorporated so many fun prints from polka dots to leopard and the styles are so comfortable, it feels like they float on your skin while lifting and sculpting. 'One of my favorite pieces is the Heavenly Satin top the lace detail is so sweet, and it showcases the vintage aesthetic that this collection is all about.' 'Designing this collection with Kylie felt so natural, like two girls dreaming up their perfect swim drawer,' said Aiello, founder of Frankies Bikinis. 'We wanted each piece to lift, shape, and sculpt while wrapping the body in delicate support.' With six bikini top styles, bottoms that range from classic strings to fuller-coverage, and sun dresses and separates, Frankies Bikinis x KHY offers styles for every aesthetic. 'Greeeece,' the mom of two captioned her update; seen in the leopard print suit on the yacht Beyond swim, Frankies Bikinis x KHY expands into limited edition mini dresses and easy separates. 'KHY aims to redefine the modern wardrobe by offering edited collections that seamlessly blends luxury with everyday style, spanning a diverse range of categories and styles. 'By collaborating with iconic brands and global designers, we hope that KHY will be a platform that delivers access to incredible fashion for everyone,' the company said in a statement. Frankies Bikinis is a female-led lifestyle brand recognized for its on-trend designs, innovative fabrics, and a commitment to crafting styles that make women feel more confident. Founded by mother-daughter duo Mimi and Francesca Aiello in their Malibu home in 2012, the brand has since grown into an internationally recognized company. Hayley Atwell has revealed what it was really like working with her 'magnetic' Mission Impossible co-star Tom Cruise after bizarre romance rumours previously circulated about the pair. The co-stars, who have worked together on the last two Mission: Impossible films, were widely thought to have been romantically involved prior to her relationship with and subsequent engagement to music producer Ned Wolfgang Kelly. The actress, 43, previously played down claims of a former romance with Cruise, admitting he was more like an 'uncle.' Cruise, 62, is now thought to be dating actress Ana de Armas with the pair being pictured together at various times this year. Speaking to HUNGER Magazine Hayley gushed about Tom saying he was a 'very magnetic movie star'. Hayley added that he was 'hard working and dedicated' saying he is the real star behind the Mission Impossible franchise as a whole. Hayley Atwell has revealed what it was really like working with her 'magnetic' Mission Impossible co-star Tom Cruise after bizarre romance rumours previously circulated about the pair The co-stars, who have worked together on the last two Mission: Impossible films, were widely thought to have been romantically involved prior to her relationship with and subsequent engagement to music producer Ned Wolfgang Kelly Speaking of his movie star quality she sweetly said: 'They don't make them like that anymore and they never will.' She has previously denied a romance with Cruise. 'Why are things being assumed or projected onto me about my relationship with my work colleague and boss?' she told The Independent. 'It's involving people in my actual life, my personal life, who have to be on the receiving end of that. It becomes invasive.' Hayley and Ned have kept their relationship away from the public eye and are rarely pictured together. Also during the HUNGER interview she spoke about becoming a mum in 2024 and filming Mission Impossible as well as continuing her theatre work. She said: 'I was juggling having physical changes in my body, having a child, while also doing a play live, and then going back to a franchise. 'And I think it shows that I have grown enormously as an individual.' Back in May Cruise and Hayley attended the New York premiere of Mission: Impossible 8 - The Final Reckoning where they appeared close. The long-term co-stars shared a moment together after joining cast and crew on the red carpet outside the city's Lincoln Center. The actress, 43, previously played down claims of a former romance with Cruise, admitting he was more like an 'uncle' Speaking to HUNGER Magazine she gushed about Tom saying he was a 'very magnetic movie star' Cruise (centre) and Atwell (far right) in a scene from Mission: Impossible 8 - The Final Reckoning Hayley added that he was 'hard working and dedicated' saying he is the real star behind the Mission Impossible franchise as a whole Speaking of his movie star quality she sweetly said: 'They don't make them like that anymore and they never will' Hayley appeared to squeeze Cruise's shoulder as they leaned in for a private exchange during the latest in a series of red carpet premieres that began on May 14 in Cannes. Cruise has been quietly linked in recent months to Cuban-Spanish beauty Ana, 37, with romance buzz first sparked just before Valentine's Day when the pair were spotted enjoying a private dinner. Fuel was added to the fire in April when Ana was seen traveling with Cruise in his private helicopter, with exclusive DailyMail photos capturing the megastar grinning from ear to ear as he flew them into London. And back in May, they stirred the pot even more, with Cruise publicly praised Ana's new film Ballerina, and she teased that the two are working on 'exciting' projects together. He made the comment to reporters at the premiere of Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning in London. 'I saw the movie, it kicks a**,' Cruise said. 'Oh, man, it's right in that tone. It's right in that big world, and you're gonna love it.' Also back in May Hayley revealed the unusual Christmas gift Cruise once gave her, while praising her Mission: Impossible 8 co-star's generosity. Appearing on Heart Radio with Pandora Christie, Hayley opened up about their strong bond and her excitement for their film. Giving a peek into her off-screen bond with the Hollywood star, she shared that he's great when it comes to gift-giving. She said: 'He (Tom) did give my grandmother a lift in a helicopter on Christmas Eve at sunset a few years ago. And that was a great gift that he gave me.' 'Was that just a surprise? Did you know so had you planned it?' Pandora asked. Hayley explained: 'I knew but she didn't. And I took her to this heliport where there's cafe beside it, she didn't know, and I said, ''oh look there's a helipad out there.'' And she went ''oh you wouldn't get me on a helicopter, oh no, it's very dangerous''. 'And we were just having a cup of tea and then all of a sudden Tom Cruise walks round the corner and goes ''hi.'' 'And my grandma she was just amazing she goes ''hiya'' like she'd known him for years just 'hiya darling, you alright?' and gives him a big hug. 'And he goes ''are ready to go on a helicopter with me?'' and she just went ''yep!'' Hayley and her fiance Ned seen at Wimbledon together this year Cruise, 62, is now thought to be dating actress Ana de Armas (seen) with the pair being pictured together at various times this year 'She puts down the walking stick, marches into the helicopter, sits down in the back and takes it all in. 'He was so kind and gentle and explained everything that was happening, what every feeling or sensation was, with a description of every sort of technical aspect of it. It was beautiful and so peaceful. 'And to be in the helicopter with her over London and seeing the city from that view and just seeing the look on her face and knowing that was a huge gift for me, I think. And what it meant for her was just a testament to how generous he is as a man.' 'You've got a friend for life there, you really have,' Pandora said before Hayley simply added: 'Yeah.' Ashley Walters has received his first Emmy nomination for his supporting role as DI Luke Bascombe in the hit Netflix series Adolescence. The Emmy nominations were announced on Tuesday with the four part series sweeping the board with 13 nominations. And Ashley is nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie category alongside his co-star Owen Cooper. At just 15-years-old the Warrington school will be the youngest-ever male winner in the 76-year history of the 'TV Oscars' if he scoops the accolade. Speaking about his nomination, Ashley gushed: 'This is such an honour. This nomination means the world to me not just as recognition, but as a reminder of how far Ive come. 'Its for everyone who stood by me through the highs and the lows, who believed in me when I needed it most. Adolescence star Ashley Walters, 43, has become a first-time Emmy Nominee for outstanding supporting actor in a limited series following the success of Netflix's most watched series The actor, who is known for his previous role in Top Boy, played DI Luke Bascombe in the four-part series (pictured) 'Its a testament to the power of perseverance. Dreams are important but its the hard work, the setbacks, the growth, and the consistency that make them real. 'Five years ago, this felt out of reach. Today, Im incredibly proud not just for myself, but to stand alongside a group of artists I admire deeply. 'What we made together is something Ill carry with me forever, and to see it acknowledged on this level is truly special. 'Thank you to the Emmys for this nomination. To my wife and kids thank you for grounding me and giving me purpose. To my family and friends, for being my foundation. 'To my team, whove worked tirelessly behind the scenes. And to the entire cast and crew thank you for your brilliance and your heart. This moment is for all of us.' The show is also nominated in the Best Limited or Anthology Series alongside Black Mirror, Dying for Sex, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and The Penguin. In the show, viewers saw how teen Jamie Miller's perception of girls had been radicalised through content he was viewing online, and also showed the vast amount of social media consumed by teenagers at school. Ashley previously shared that realisations while filming the show have led him to curtail his youngest son's screen time. He added: '[As parents] we're really about uplifting and pushing the things that they love. He's an animator, so he has a lot of animation software on his iPad and spends his time doing that. Ashley is nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie category alongside his co-star Owen Cooper (pictured) Ashley previously shared that realisations while filming the show have led him to curtail his youngest son's screen time (pictured Owen and Stephen Graham) 'But sometimes, he's not animating when we think he is. We've been very conscious about that and drawing back on his screen time. 'Half the week, he can't even touch his device. And then actually, it's about me stepping in as a dad and saying, ''Let's go fishing, let's do more stuff,'' so he doesn't want to be on there as much as he is.' 'No one wants to be the ogre parent that comes in and goes, 'All right, that's it, everything off.' 'I don't want them to feel like they're not the same as their friends. You get caught up in all of that stuff as a parent, but I feel like around the world this show has allowed parents, to go, ''Fu*k that s**t. 'Adolescence says this could happen. Now we're going to start having this conversation.'' I think that's a good thing.' Adolescence star Owen Cooper has become one of the youngest Emmy Award nominees ever after the shortlist for this year's awards was announced on Tuesday. At just 15-years-old the Warrington school will be the youngest-ever male winner in the 76-year history of the 'TV Oscars' if he scoops the accolade for his role in one of Netflix's most-watched series ever which has swept the board with 13 nominations. Owen has been nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie category at the Primetime after he starred alongside his on screen dad Stephen Graham. He will go up against his co-star Ashley Walters who has been nominated for his first Emmy in the same category after his role as DI Luke Bascombe. In his very first acting job, Owen played Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old arrested by armed police on suspicion of murder, in the gripping series which had the nation talking earlier this year. The youngest person ever to have won a Primetime Emmy is Roxana Zal, who at just 14 scored the Best Supporting Actress gong in 1984 for her role TV movie Something About Amelia. Adolescence star Owen Cooper, 15, could make history as the youngest male Emmy Award winner EVER as show sweeps the board with 13 nominations At just 15-years-old the Warrington school will be the youngest-ever male winner in the 76-year history of the 'TV Oscars ' if he scoops the accolade (pictured in Adolescence) Meanwhile Scott Jacoby is the youngest male, making history when he bagged the Best Supporting Actor at 16 in 1973 for drama That Certain Summer. The show is also nominated in the Best Limited or Anthology Series alongside Black Mirror, Dying for Sex, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and The Penguin. MailOnline previously revealed that Adolescence star would be entered in the Best Supporting Actor category, as opposed to Best Actor, which experts hailed as a 'genius move' and said would massively boost his chances of winning. Also in the category with Owen and Ashley is Javier Bardem, for his role in Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story, Bill Camp and Peter Sarsgaard, for their resepective roles in Presumed Innocent and Rob Delaney, for his role in Dying For Sex. Speaking about his nomination, Ashley gushed: 'This is such an honour. This nomination means the world to me not just as recognition, but as a reminder of how far Ive come. 'Its for everyone who stood by me through the highs and the lows, who believed in me when I needed it most. 'Its a testament to the power of perseverance. Dreams are important but its the hard work, the setbacks, the growth, and the consistency that make them real. 'Five years ago, this felt out of reach. Today, Im incredibly proud not just for myself, but to stand alongside a group of artists I admire deeply. Owen has been nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie category at the Primetime after he starred alongside his on screen dad Stephen Graham (pictured together) He will go up against his co-star Ashley Walters who has been nominated for his first Emmy in the same category after his role as DI Luke Bascombe The Mail's Parents versus The Internet podcast featuring Adolescence creator Jack Thorne is available now 'What we made together is something Ill carry with me forever, and to see it acknowledged on this level is truly special. 'Thank you to the Emmys for this nomination. To my wife and kids thank you for grounding me and giving me purpose. To my family and friends, for being my foundation. 'To my team, whove worked tirelessly behind the scenes. And to the entire cast and crew thank you for your brilliance and your heart. This moment is for all of us.' Owen, who hails from a proudly working class estate in central Warrington, was chosen from 500 candidates for the role of Jamie. It was his first-ever acting job and no one in his family has a background in the industry. He is being supported on his meteoric rise by dad Andy, an IT worker, and mum Noreen, a carer. Speaking about the change in their lives, Noreen said: 'It's such a shock, but we're getting on with it.' Last month Owen revealed he had even received praise from one huge Hollywood star, none other than Leonardo DiCaprio. During his appearance on Jimmy Fallon's talk show, Owen revealed the Leonardo DiCaprio left him a video message when he was with his onscreen dad Stephen Graham During his appearance on Jimmy Fallon's talk show, Owen revealed the Oscar winner left him a video message when he was with his onscreen dad Stephen Graham. He said: 'Stephen Graham sent me a video yesterday and it's Leonardo DiCaprio sat next to him and he was saying "Hey Owen, I'm such a big fan of Adolescene". 'And I was like "What!"' Brand and culture expert Nick Ede predicted Owen could follow in Timothee Chalamet's footsteps and become 'the toast of Hollywood'. He told MailOnline: 'The phenomenal success of Adolescence has taken the TV world by storm and critics have been raving about Owen's stand-out performance. 'The Hollywood elite love a rags-to-riches story and, at 15 and his first ever role, this young actor who was brought up in humble surroundings could soon become Hollywood's hottest property and follow the path of many other child stars who have become household names, like Millie Bobby Brown or Timothee Chalamet. 'I'm sure writers will already be presenting his agents with scripts and synopsis that will feature him.' The Emmy awards ceremony will take place in LA on September 14. Former Playboy model Holly Madison sparked plastic surgery rumors as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday. The 45-year-old Playboy Murders producer-host had a compression bandage wrapped around her head, which are typically worn to manage swelling, bruising, and pain - particularly after surgery or injury. Holly's ex-boyfriend Hugh Hefner previously paid for her to undergo rhinoplasty and breast augmentation during their seven-year open relationship (2001-2008), and she recently confessed that she wanted to tighten her jawline. 'I can't think of anything I want surgery for other than like tightening my jawline,' Madison revealed on the June 23rd episode of her podcast Girls Next Level. 'It's not like my jawline sucks or anything. I can just see where it's kind of headed and I kind of want to get ahead of it, so I would like to do that eventually. That's kind of on my wish list.' The Fashion Nova paid partner's belly was stretched after welcoming two children - daughter Rainbow, 12; and son Forest, turning 9 next month - during her five-year marriage to Insomniac CEO Pasquale Rotella, which ended in 2018 (divorce finalized in 2019). Former Playboy model Holly Madison sparked plastic surgery rumors as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday The 45-year-old Playboy Murders producer-host had a compression bandage wrapped around her head, which are typically worn to manage swelling, bruising, and pain - particularly after surgery or injury 'I looked like I was pregnant with triplets,' Holly groaned of her second pregnancy. 'I looked like a parody of a pregnant person, so I've got a lot of loose skin a lot of places.' Madison (born Hollin Sue Cullen) continued: 'I would just love if they could figure out some way for like skin tightening or rejuvenation.' The Lethally Blonde host also revealed that the person who injects her Botox recommended that she have C02 laser resurfacing treatment under her eyes. 'It [requires so much] downtime I might do it like right before Christmas,' Holly teased. 'And then [I will] just be like home with family and nobody cares what I look like kind of a thing. He told me to definitely wait until summer's over.' Madison co-hosts Girls Next Level, now in its fourth season, with her former Girls Next Door co-star Bridget Marquardt. Back in 2005, the platinum-blonde pair along with Kendra Wilkinson were paid nothing to star in the 15-episode first season of their E! reality show, which eventually ran for six total seasons. Holly's ex-boyfriend Hugh Hefner (L, pictured in 2002) previously paid for her to undergo rhinoplasty and breast augmentation during their seven-year open relationship (2001-2008), and she recently confessed that she wanted to tighten her jawline Madison revealed on the June 23rd episode of her podcast Girls Next Level: 'I can't think of anything I want surgery for other than like tightening my jawline. It's not like my jawline sucks or anything. I can just see where it's kind of headed and I kind of want to get ahead of it, so I would like to do that eventually. That's kind of on my wish list' The Fashion Nova paid partner's belly was stretched after welcoming two children - daughter Rainbow, 12; and son Forest, turning 9 next month - during her five-year marriage to Insomniac CEO Pasquale Rotella, which ended in 2018 (pictured in 2023) Holly groaned of her second pregnancy: 'I looked like I was pregnant with triplets...I looked like a parody of a pregnant person, so I've got a lot of loose skin a lot of places' Madison (born Hollin Sue Cullen) continued: 'I would just love if they could figure out some way for like skin tightening or rejuvenation' The Lethally Blonde star co-hosts Girls Next Level, now in its fourth season, with her former Girls Next Door co-star Bridget Marquardt (L) Back in 2005, the platinum-blonde pair along with Kendra Wilkinson (R, pictured in 2005) were paid nothing to star in the 15-episode first season of their E! reality show, which eventually ran for six total seasons Holly first moved into the Playboy Mansion in 2001, at age 22, and Hefner went on to control her finances, job opportunities, imposed a strict $1K clothing allowances and 9pm curfews, and pressured her to engage in twice-a-week group sex sessions (pictured in 2005) Madison recalled in the A&E documentary series Secrets of Playboy in 2022: 'I definitely thought I was in love with Hef, but it was very Stockholm syndrome, very Stockholm syndrome' (posted Monday) As for her personal life, the Oregon-born beauty ended her on/off six-year relationship with Zak Bagans (R, pictured in 2011) last March, and she's since accused him of cheating on her with 12 different women Holly first moved into the Playboy Mansion in 2001, at age 22, and Hefner went on to control her finances, job opportunities, imposed a strict $1K clothing allowances and 9pm curfews, and pressured her to engage in twice-a-week group sex sessions. 'I definitely thought I was in love with Hef,' Madison recalled in the A&E documentary series Secrets of Playboy in 2022. 'But it was very Stockholm syndrome, very Stockholm syndrome.' The Playboy founder eventually passed away, age 91, in 2017 from sepsis brought on by an E. coli infection. As for her personal life, the Oregon-born beauty ended her on/off six-year relationship with Zak Bagans last March, and she's since accused him of cheating on her with 12 different women. Conor McGregor was spotted on a cosy dinner date on his birthday with the same mystery woman he was pictured kissing on the beach earlier this week. The Irish MMA fighter, who was turning 37, was seen at an intimate table at Padrino's Cuban Restaurant on July 13 days after their first PDA-packed appearance. Conor has also been spotted 'liking' an Instagram post condemning him for playing away behind his fiancee Dee Devlin's back. The post which has bizarrely been supported by the controversial star, claimed Conor's partner is 'so much better' as he questioned 'what the f*** is he doing'. It read: 'Bro his wife is so much better than these b****s what the f*** is Conor doing bruh. Fr got a smoking hot wife who has stuck with him through all the allegations and bulls*** and multiple children and he's out here with a 4/10.' Dee, who has been engaged to Conor since 2020, seemingly also brushed off the kiss when she publicly wished him happy birthday after the pictures emerged. Conor McGregor was spotted on a cosy dinner date on his birthday with the same mystery woman he was pictured kissing on the beach earlier this week (pictured) Conor has also been spotted 'liking' an Instagram post condemning him for playing away behind his fiancee Dee Devlin's back (pictured with Dee in 2022) She shared a post from a fan account which read: 'Happy Birthday to the person who always keeps Dee entertained and makes her smile.' The same day as Dee's loving post, Conor, who was wearing a turquoise top and shorts, met up with the unknown woman again during his time in Florida this week. In pictures obtained by the Sun, Conor and his mystery woman were seen in the restaurant together before leaving moments apart. The woman who was flashing a beaming smile was wearing a form-fitting blue top and jeans with a pair of gold sandals. Conor's partner of 16 years has consistently stood by his side throughout several scandals., even when he was accused of 'raping and battering' a woman. Conor batted away the drama as he re-shared messages from his friends on his 37th birthday, posted a photograph of himself from the day of the PDA drama and made a telling comment about 'loyalty' - brazenly ignoring the scandal. His string of posts came hours before rapper Azealia Banks then took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to double down after accusing Conor of sexual harassment. On Monday, Azealia, 34, shared alleged nude photos of Conor, which she claimed he sent to her unprompted, as the disgraced fighter was already caught up in a cheating scandal. Conor couldn't keep his hands off the mystery woman during their first PDA-packed display Conor has also been spotted 'liking' an Instagram post condemning him for playing away behind his fiancee Dee Devlin's back Conor brazenly ignored the cheating scandal he has been embroiled in as he posted photographs of himself partying on a 'jocks' holiday (pictured) Amid the cheating scandal, Conor took to his Instagram Stories to document his 37th birthday, remaining silent on the pictures of him kissing a woman in Florida. In one photograph, seemingly taken during a recent trip to Ibiza, Conor beamed from ear-to-ear and fist-pumped the air as he threw his arm around his friend's shoulders. Re-sharing the birthday tribute, the Irish star added his own caption, simply writing: 'Jocks,' not referencing the allegations he punched a man in a nightclub during that trip - before his most recent scandal. Conor also made a telling comment about there being 'no one more loyal' as one of his female friends shared a snap of them together to mark his birthday. 'No cooler than us! No more loyal than us. Family,' Conor added alongside the picture. Conor also posted a photograph taken of him at the beach in Florida, going shirtless in green board shorts, which was taken on the same day as the shock PDA pictures, but failed to mention the scandal. Amongst the string of posts, he also shared a picture with heavyweight boxer Tommy Welch as they posed from inside a very lavish private jet. The Irish star made no reference to the fresh scandal after he was caught sharing a kiss and a cuddle with a bikini-clad mystery woman over the weekend. Conor also re-shared messages from his friends on his 37th birthday and made a telling comment about 'loyalty' The Irish star made no reference to the fresh scandal after he was caught sharing a kiss and a cuddle with a bikini-clad mystery woman over the weekend His string of posts came hours before rapper Azealia Banks then took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to double down after accusing Conor of sexual harassment After accusing him of sending her unsolicited nude photographs, Azealia doubled down as she responded to backlash following her claims They were spotted smooching in full view of other beachgoers during his Fort Lauderdale holiday, before he was seen Facetiming his sons. His partner Dee - who he shares children, daughter Croia, five, and sons Conor Jr, eight, Rian, three and Mack, 19 months, with - was nowhere in sight. Just hours later, Azealia also set the internet ablaze after sharing alleged nude photos of Conor that she claims the disgraced UFC legend sent unprompted. She then doubled down on her claims with further wild posts as she questioned 'where' Conor was amid the scandal and responded to mocking videos. In one post, shared to X, Azealia questioned: 'Where's Conor a' (sic) before she posted a series of tongue-in-cheek posts about her original allegations. She responded to one person who accused her of 'committing revenge pornography', writing: 'White ppl r so dry.' (sic) The controversial UFC fighter is pictured with Ibiza nightlife mogul Wayne Lineker Azealia also quipped: 'No me and Conor McGregor have been sending each other unsolicited nudes since 2016. LOL,' in response to backlash from users. Posting on Conor's birthday, she went on: 'I have never met the leprechaun but today is his birthday and he wants everyone to make a wish and blow out the candle . 'Funny how big of closet maga bait that was Men are so h*** and obsessed with d*** it's not even funny.' Re-sharing another video mocking her allegations, she added: 'They loved it.' Her string of posts came after Azealia accused Conor of sexual harassment when she shared nude photographs purporting to show the MMA star. 'How you gonna send a b**** a some crooked d*** pics then threaten her not to tell,' she wrote alongside the screenshots. '@TheNotoriousMMA n**** do you know who the f*** I am? This is HARAM.' Azealia continued: 'Like how are you really going to sexually harrass me with the potato farmer d*** then threaten me not to tell???? Honey ain't u trying to be the president of Ireland what is it giving fam? Use some f***ing sunscreen damn.' Conor's partner Dee Devlin brushed off the scandal as she simply posted a loving tribute to Conor to her Instagram page on Monday As well as the alleged nude selfies, the screenshots also showed a message from what purported to be Conor's account reading: 'Don't be a rat cos all rats get caught.' Alongside one image which seemingly shows his manhood strapped to a dumbbell, the Irish fighter apparently wrote: 'Lifting weights.' Azealia then shared another screenshot of the alleged pictures suddenly being 'hidden' on X because she does not follow Conor's account. Although it is unclear if he had anything to do with that alleged change, she commented: 'The motherf***er woke up early LOL.' DailyMail.com has reached out to the last-known attorneys on record for Conor, his agent and Azealia's agent for comment. It is the latest embarrassment to hit the sportsman's relationship with his partner Dee, who was ever-present by his side throughout his sexual assault court case last year. The pair have been together for 15 years and got engaged in August 2020 after Conor proposed while they were celebrating his birthday. The couple met as teenagers at a nightclub in 2008 and Dee has been a key player in the MMA star's story, supporting him when he was jobless and focused on making it as a professional fighter. The couple (pictured in 2020) met as teenagers back in 2008 in a nightclub and Devlin has been a key player in the MMA star's story, supporting him when he was jobless Conor previously told VIP magazine: 'I asked her to come over and we just started chatting. She seemed like a nice girl, and I like good girls.' While Dee added: 'He was already training when I met him, so I really admired his dedication to that.' Speaking to MMA Fighting, Conor gushed: 'I love to spoil her. She does not work anymore, I hired her to the business. She works for me now and collects the cheques. 'Dee worked very hard throughout the years and stuck by me when I had essentially absolutely nothing. I only had a dream that I was telling her. 'For me to be able to take her out of work, give her everything she's ever wanted and to travel the world with her fills me with pride. 'It keeps me going. We've been together a long time. She's been through it all with me.' The couple live in a 2.5million home in Kildare, a 40-minute drive from Dublin with their four children. In 2024, Conor lost a civil case as jurors at the High Court in Dublin found him liable of raping Nikita Hand, 35, in a Dublin hotel on December 9, 2018, with the judge awarding Hand 250,000 in damages. But despite the verdict, Dee has emphatically made clear that she intends to back Conor - attacking Nikita in a series of posts on Instagram at the time. In recent weeks, Conor (pictured in 2021) has claimed that he will make his long-awaited return to the UFC at their White House event next year In the posts, she wrote: 'Conor and I dealt with these issues privately many years ago, as should be done in a relationship and we have come out stronger than ever. 'We have four beautiful children now whose smiling faces and happy hearts are a testament to who he is and who we are!' In recent weeks, Conor has claimed that he will make his long-awaited return to the UFC at their White House event next year. He said: 'It's looking like I'm headed to the Oval Office again. That's where I'm headed next,' and his statement was met by a round of applause from fans in attendance. He has not stepped foot inside the octagon since July 2021, where he suffered a horror leg break against American fighter Dustin Poirier. He was set to face rival Michael Chandler last summer but, after months of fight build-up, was forced to pull out bout due to a toe injury. Olivia Wilde cut a trendy figure as she stepped out for a spot of shopping in London's Primrose Hill on Tuesday. The American actress, 41, turned heads in a white T-shirt emblazoned with a red love heart graphic, featuring short sleeves and a slightly cropped fit. She teamed the casual top with a pair of cream-flared trousers, which boasted a drawstring waist and relaxed silhouette. Olivia kept it comfortable in black-and-white trainers and wore her wavy dirty blonde locks loose over her shoulders. The Don't Worry Darling director completed her laid-back look with a pair of oversized black sunglasses and toted her essentials in a black Artichoke tote bag. Olivia's outing comes after she visited a pub near her ex-boyfriend Harry Styles', 31, London neighbourhood last month as he is reportedly building a 30million super-mansion in the neighbouring area Hampstead. Olivia Wilde cut a trendy figure as she stepped out for a spot of shopping in London's Primrose Hill on Tuesday The American actress, 41, turned heads in a white T-shirt emblazoned with a red love heart graphic, featuring short sleeves and a slightly cropped fit Harry is said to be restoring a Grade II-listed former 18th-century mansion to its former glory after it was divided up into two semi-detached homes in the 1950s. Set over four acres in leafy Hampstead, North London, Harry purchased the larger property for 8.8 million in April 2019 and the smaller adjoining house for 4.175million seven months later. Last summer, MailOnline exclusively revealed he had submitted a detailed planning application for his extensive renovation project and was reportedly given the green light earlier this year. Director Olivia was romantically linked to Harry from January 2021 until November 2022 after meeting him on the set of her film Don't Worry Darling. She had previously been engaged and shares two children with her ex-fiance, Jason Sudeikis, 49 - Otis Alexander, 11, and Daisy Josephine, eight - who she split from in early 2020. Olivia and Harry were reported to have experienced an instant attraction on the Don't Worry Darling set, despite their 10-year age gap. A source told PEOPLE at the time: 'Everyone saw it coming. During breaks, he hasn't been able to stay away and visited her trailer.' By February 2021, the couple were said to be 'very serious' about each other, with a source claiming that Harry was 'very happy' with Olivia. Director Olivia was romantically linked to Harry Styles from January 2021 until November 2022 after meeting on the set of her film Don't Worry Darling (pictured at the premiere with Gemma Chan and Sydney Chandler) Harry is said to be restoring a Grade II-listed former 18th-century mansion to its former glory after it was divided up into two semi-detached homes in the 1950s (pictured 2023) The relationship even progressed to the point where Olivia had introduced the former X Factor star to her children. A year later, Olivia told Vogue: 'I'm happier than I've ever been. And I'm healthier than I've ever been, and it's just wonderful to feel that.' Harry echoed this sentiment in April of 2022, describing himself as 'really happy'. He also said the relationship had a positive effect on his music and told SiriusXM's The Morning Mash Up that the process of making Harry's House had been the most 'joyous' experience of his career so far. The star is believed to have referenced Olivia in the lyrics of As It Was, namely: 'I don't wanna talk about the way that it was, leave America, two kids follow her, I don't wanna talk about who's doin' it first.' However, their intense work schedules and conflicting priorities were reported to be the cause of their eventual split, which was initially reported to be a 'break'. A source told PEOPLE at the time: 'They have had some issues, but Olivia thought they were gonna work through it all. She is disappointed. It's just a tricky situation, though.' In February 2023, it emerged that their relationship was over for good, with a source claiming that the pair remain good friends. Celebrity Bake Off is heating up - and a brand new judge is reportedly joining the tent. The next series, set to air in 2026, will see acclaimed pastry chef Cherish Finden, 57, step in as a judge, according to The Sun. Cherish, known to viewers as the no-nonsense star of Bake Off: The Professionals, is a multi-award-winning chef with more than 20 years of international experience under her apron. A former Culinary Olympics champion, she currently serves as Executive Pastry Chef at London's five-star Langham Hotel and has been dubbed one of the UK's top afternoon tea experts. She joined Bake Off: The Professionals in 2016 and has since become a fan favourite for her razor-sharp critiques and flawless standards. Born in Singapore, Cherish began working at just 14 and quickly moved into the kitchen, enrolling in culinary school at 16. Celebrity Bake Off is heating up - and a brand new judge is reportedly joining the tent (pictured Paul Hollywood, Alison Hammond, Noel Fielding, and Caroline Waldegrave in January) The next series, set to air in 2026, will see acclaimed pastry chef Cherish Finden, 57, step in as a judge, according to The Sun (pictured with Benoit Blin on Bake Off: The Professionals) She went on to train in some of Singapore's most prestigious hotels, including the iconic six-star Raffles. As a seasoned TV personality, Cherish has appeared on MasterChef UK, Australian MasterChef, Junior Bake Off, An Extra Slice, and Heston's Great British Food on Channel 4. She even baked for royalty designing a cake shaped like Windsor Castle for the late Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday. MailOnline has contacted Channel 4 and Cherish's representative for comment. The new role comes after Prue Leith, 85, announced she was stepping away from all Great British Bake Off specials earlier this year. Her place was temporarily filled by food writer Caroline Waldegrave, 72, during the most recent series. Prue confirmed the news on This Morning, explaining she would continue on the main show alongside Paul Hollywood, 59, but not on spin-offs. The upcoming Stand Up To Cancer special is already shaping up to be a star-studded affair. Cherish, known to viewers as the no-nonsense star of Bake Off: The Professionals, is a multi-award-winning chef with more than 20 years of international experience under her apron The new role comes after Prue Leith, 85, announced she was stepping away from all Great British Bake Off specials earlier this year (L-R Paul, Prue, Noel, and Alison pictured last year) Prue confirmed the news on This Morning, explaining she would continue on the main show alongside Paul Hollywood, 59, but not on spin-offs (pictured on the show last year) Hollywood actress Ambika Mod, 29, who rose to prominence in This Is Going To Hurt and shot to stardom in One Day, will reportedly be taking part alongside Geordie Shore favourite Vicky Pattison, 37. Also joining the line-up are comedian Babatunde Aleshe, 38, Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague, 26, and former Celebrity Big Brother contestant JoJo Siwa, 22. Theyll be joined by RAG 'N' Bone Man, 40, broadcaster Edith Bowman, 51, and 8 Out of 10 Cats regular Jon Richardson, 42 all ready to be judged by Cherish and Paul in the iconic Bake Off tent. The Great British Bake Off typically airs on Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4. Nicolas Cage was seen with his much younger wife of four years, Riko Shibata, in Los Angeles on Monday. It was a very rare sighting for the low-profile power couple who have a big age difference; he is 61 and she is 30. They share a daughter August, two. Cage had on an ivory jacket over a black shirt with faded acid-washed jeans and sunglasses on as his lady love was head-to-toe in black with a Chanel purse. It's been a wild month for Cage who made headlines that same day. Sarah Jessica Parker claimed that she dated Cage in 1991 when they were making the movie Honeymoon In Vegas which came out the following year. Sarah shared the news while on Watch What Happens Live with her pal Andy Cohen. Nicolas Cage was seen with his much-younger wife of four years, Riko Shibata, in Los Angeles on Monday It was a very rare sighting for the low-profile power couple who have a big age difference; he is 61 and she is 30. They share a daughter August, two Cage reacted when he said didn't pass 'the Mom test' with Parker. The actor has opened up about his short lived romance with her in the late 1990s, and he joked that their relationship fizzled out after her met her mother for the first time. He told E! News in a statement: 'I cared about Sarah, but I don't think I passed the Mom test. 'I recall sitting down with her and her mother for dinner at the Russian Tea Room, and I don't know if it was my blue Vanson Leather motorcycle jacket (which I still have) or my sinusitis, but I didn't hear from her again.' This is well before she wed her husband Matthew Broderick. The 60-year-old And Just Like That star has James, 22, and 16-year-old twins Tabitha and Marion with Matthew. Cohen reacted: 'Oh wow. We've got some talking to do!' Cohen had asked her on Sunday's episode if the gossip was true about them dating, to which she replied: 'Um, yes I did [date him].' Nicolas was married to Patricia Arquette from April 1995 until separating nine months later, with divorce finalized in 2001. It's been a wild month for Cage who made headlines that same day. Sarah Jessica Parker claimed that she dated Cage in 1991 when they were making the movie Honeymoon In Vegas which came out the following year Cage reacted when he said didn't pass 'the Mom test' with Parker Nicolas was married to Lisa Marie Presley from 2002 until 2004, Alice Kim from 2004 until 2016 and Erika Koike in 2019 - however that was annulled four days later. He has two sons - Weston, 34, with ex-girlfriend Christina Fulton - and Kal-El, 19, with Alice. During her appearance on WWHL, the Sex and the City actress also revealed she was the first to say 'I love you' to 63-year-old Lion King star Matthew. Sarah also dated Robert Downey Jr after they met on Firstborn; the former couple split in 1991 after dating for seven years. She also dated Michael J. Fox and John F. Kennedy Jr. Sarah and Matthew married on May 19, 1997; the share three children together: son James Wilkie, 22, and twin daughters Tabitha Hodge and Marion Loretta, 16. Parker broke the dating news with Cage when on Watch What Happens Live Sarah and Matthew married on May 19, 1997; the share three children together: son James Wilkie, 22, and twin daughters Tabitha Hodge and Marion Loretta, 16; Sarah and Matthew seen with their twin daughters Tabitha and Marion in April in NYC Meanwhile, Sarah Jessica recently admitted she thinks not being a 'Hollywood couple' has helped her marriage. The couple tied the knot in 1997, and she believes not speaking much about her personal life and being under the radar in New York has been key to their long-lasting romance. Asked the secret to her happy marriage, she told Britain's HELLO! magazine: 'Probably that I don't talk about it! It really is a secret. 'But maybe it's because we're not a Hollywood couple. We live in New York maybe that's good.' Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain has taken aim at the BBC after they axed her series of cookery shows - insisting 'they'll keep you until you're of no use'. The winner of the 2015 edition of the baking competition revealed last month that the broadcaster had decided not to renew her programme. Nadiya, 40, later claimed she had been 'treated unfairly' by the BBC in a social media post as she lashed out over the cancellation. The TV personality said: 'I am allowed to feel angry when I'm treated unfairly.' Nadiya has now spoken to Paul C Brunson on the We Need to Talk podcast, as she discussed what it means to be a Muslim woman in British media. When asked if 'speaking her truth' was behind their decision not to renew her commitments with the BBC, she said: 'I kind of accepted in my head that I was very BBC, I suppose it means that they've got me exactly where they want me, I'm utterly unbiased, .. Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain has taken aim at the BBC after they axed her series of cookery shows - insisting 'they'll keep you until you're of no use' After winning the Great British Bake Off, Nadiya fronted several shows including Nadiya's Asian Odyssey, Nadiya's Cook Once Eat Twice and Nadiya's Time to Eat 'And just they've got me where they want me. Neutral. And I am not neutral. I have opinions and I have things to say.' Giving her own view of what happened, she said: 'They'll keep you till you're of no use to them. And I think that's what happened.' After winning the Great British Bake Off, Nadiya fronted several shows including Nadiya's Asian Odyssey, Nadiya's Cook Once Eat Twice and Nadiya's Time to Eat. Nadiya claimed she was never given an exact reason as to why they couldn't commission her show. She continued: 'It was interesting because my husband and I always spoke about it and he just said, there's going to be a point where they're not going to need you anymore. And the second you don't fit the box, like they have a neat little box, when you don't fit that box anymore, there'll be no space for you. 'And I suppose I don't fit that space anymore. And to be fair, I'm not comfortable in boxes anyway. I prefer a glass ceilings to smash through, thank you very much.' She said: 'I was always made to feel like my trophy was just going to get taken away from me. Because as somebody, because I felt like I had to always be grateful. I had to be consistently grateful for the opportunity that I was given. 'A Muslim that was relatable, like the People's Muslim, the people's person of colour, the digestible version of myself. The winner of the 2015 edition of the baking competition revealed last month that the broadcaster had decided not to renew her programme On what's next for Nadiya, the TV chef said: 'You know what, I think I'm going to be the truest, most honest version of myself, entirely unfiltered, with no management, nobody to tell me what I can do, can't do, can say, can't say.' A BBC spokesperson said: 'After several wonderful series we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment. 'Nadiya remains a much valued part of the BBC family, and we look forward to working together on future projects.' Last month in a video uploaded to Instagram, Nadiya said: 'I've received tonnes of messages since talking about my situation with the BBC. Messages from people telling me to be grateful for the opportunity and be thankful for how far I've come. 'Now my whole life as a child in an immigrant household, I used to think I had to be grateful all the time because I watched my family always grateful, grateful for being let in, grateful for having work, even if underpaid, grateful for safety, even if it meant silence, always grateful. 'Grateful even when I feel tired, lonely or disrespected. At first, gratitude felt right because it was instilled in me from a young age, it's all I saw. 'But after a while it starts to get really heavy. Gratitude became something that I was expected to wear like a uniform, anytime I voiced frustration or sadness or wanted more, I could feel the invisible pressure, like how dare you complain? Aren't you just lucky to be here?' She added: 'But, here's what I've come to understand. I'm allowed to feel more than just thankful. I am a human being and I am allowed to feel angry when I'm treated unfairly, I'm allowed to want better for myself and for my family. 'I'm allowed to speak up, I'm allowed to exist, I'm allowed to exist fully complex, emotional, hopeful, sometimes critical, just like anyone else. So, gratitude has its place, but it shouldn't be a muzzle. It shouldn't be a muzzle like a dog. 'We didn't come here just to survive. We came here to live, to grow, to contribute, to belong. Not as a guest, but as a person who has rights and dreams and dignity just like everyone else. 'So no, I won't always be grateful and that doesn't make me ungrateful, it makes me human. Nadiya announced earlier this month that the broadcaster has decided not to commission any more shows with her Now, the star has addressed her feelings about the situation and messages she has received since 'So I've got here through hard work, through determination, through talent. So no, I won't be grateful. I got here because I'm good at what I do. Just something to think about.' It comes after Nadiya opened up about the 'changes in her career' in an Instagram post. The chef told her 950k followers: 'One huge change is that there will be no cookery show. 'There will be no more cookery show. The BBC have decided that they didn't want to commission the show. 'And for me, that was a huge turning point for me because it's something I've done for the past 10 years. 'It was huge, I was already on this steady trajectory of change and I was thinking about where I wanted my career to go. 'And when the BBC decided they didn't want to commission the show anymore, it really did kind of solidify everything for me, and it made me dig my heels in and think 'OK, I know where I want to be".' In a video uploaded to Instagram, Nadiya said: 'I've received tonnes of messages since talking about my situation with the BBC. Messages from people telling me to be grateful for the opportunity and be thankful for how far I've come.' Speaking about her experience in the industry, she added: 'And actually, it's really difficult as a Muslim woman. I work in an industry tat doesn't always support people like me or recognise my talent or my full potential. 'And as a lot gaslighting and making you feel like what's actually happening isn't happening. 'So for me it's been a huge, huge, huge change for me. But it's one that I am really excited about. 'One that I want to move in a positive direction and ultimately I want to work with people who believe in voices of people like me.' Nadiya has had a very successful career since winning GBBO 10 years ago. Shortly after the show, she landed The Chronicles of Nadiya on BBC One. The same year she was a judge on Junior Bake Off. The following year she presented an eight-part series called Nadiya's British Food Adventure. As well as her cooking series on the BBC, she's appeared on The One Show as a reporter various times, as well as ITV's Loose Women. Nadiya also has written a number of cooking books over the years. Some include Nadiya's Kitchen, Nadiya's Every Day Baking and Cook Once, Eat Twice. She's also written novels such as The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters, Spreading my Wings and Today I'm Strong. Christian Bale and his wife Sandra 'Sibi' Blazic have protectively shielded their two children from the spotlight, since the birth of their daughter back in 2005. Although the Hollywood couple are rarely seen out together, apart from the occasional red carpet, the actor, 51, and spouse, 55, made a rare exception while attending the Dolce & Gabbanas Alta Moda couture show and dinner on Monday. While dressed in coordinating all-black ensembles, Bale, Blazic and their children Emmeline 'Luka', 20, and Joseph, 10, smiled for a photo with designer Domenico Dolce. The group were pictured at the Fori Imperiali, Via Sacra site in Rome, Italy. For the occasion, Luka, who walked the Alta Moda runway back in 2021, wore a black, sleeveless slip dress and her blonde locks in a sleek bun. Her mom rocked a similar ensemble with lace sleeves and a long cross necklace. Christian Bale and his wife Sandra 'Sibi' Blazic have protectively shielded their two children from the spotlight, since the birth of their daughter back in 2005 Bale, who shaved his head for his role in The Bride earlier this year, looked handsome in a black tailored suit. While arriving to the fashion show earlier in the day, the Batman held onto his wife's hand as their youngest walked by their side. The lovebirds famously met through actress Winona Ryder while she and Bale were working on Little Women in 1994 and Sibi was Winona's assistant at the time. The two hit it if off, eloped to Las Vegas in 2000. Sibi has received two SAG Award nominations for performing on the stunt teams of the two-time Golden Globe winner's films Ford v Ferrari (2019) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Their daughter portrayed Infinity Conez Vendor in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and Le Mans Flower Girl in Ford v Ferrari (2019) thanks to the connections of her darling daddy. Last year, reports surfaced that Bale was working on building a village to house siblings being fostered so they don't get separated by the system. Bale, 50, has been working on his California village since the birth of his daughter in 2005 when he was 'stunned and mad' to discover how many children were in care in the state. Although the Hollywood couple are rarely seen out together, apart from the occasional red carpet, they made a rare exception while attending the Dolce & Gabbanas Alta Moda couture show While dressed in coordinating all-black ensembles, Bale, Blazic and their children Emmeline 'Luka', 20, and Joseph, 10, smiled for a photo with designer Domenico Dolce The actor, who had is big break at age 12 in Empire of the Sun, plans to build 12 houses and two studio apartments and a 7,000-square-foot community center. Bale intends for the two studio apartments to help foster children transition into independent living as they age into adulthood. Famous for his roles in American Psycho and Christopher Nolan's Batman series, Bale plans to complete the construction of his community by 2025. The project has an estimated cost of $22 million and is situated next to a park in Palmdale, around 60 miles away from Los Angeles. Bale is the co-founder of an organization called Together California, which is coordinating the development. The organization's project is being developed under the leadership of executive director Tim McCormick and Bale's co-founder, UCLA's Dr. Eric Esrailian. He called the village, which is the first of its kind in the state, 'something absolutely new, totally transformative and something completely needed.' Last year, reports surfaced that Bale was working on building a village to house siblings being fostered so they don't get separated by the system (pictured in 2024) Bale, 50, has been working on his California village since the birth of his daughter in 2005 when he was 'stunned and mad' to discover how many children were in care in the state At an event in Antelope Valley yesterday, Bale stood with his wife, Sibi, and a group of elected officials and tight-knit supporters to break ground on the plan. He presented the blueprint of the project, which has a single aim - to keep siblings in the foster system together under one roof. 'Imagine the absolute pain and the trauma of losing your parents or being torn from your parents, and then losing your brothers and sisters on top of that, that's no way to treat kids,' Bale said at the event. 'And so, we will be the hub for that. I hope that this village will be the first of many, and I hope that people, Californians and Angelenos, know to come join us in opening our eyes to what's happening right under our noses. 'These are our children, and we must help our children.' The Oscar winner was technically born in Haverfordwest, Wales, but he became a naturalized US citizen in 2014, and he's lived in LA as far back as 1992. Christian first found fame at age 13 starring as British upper middle class schoolboy James 'Jim' Graham who's locked up in a Chinese internment camp in Steven Spielberg's 1987 war film, Empire of the Sun. A new hunk is gracing the screen in the upcoming Netflix rom-com The Wrong Paris - which is set to hit the streaming site later this year on September 12. Pierson Fode, 33, is portraying the leading male heartthrob in the movie, which also stars former Nickelodeon actress Miranda Cosgrove. The pair are no strangers to working together and the actor notably made his acting debut in an episode of the hit series iCarly in 2012. Fode - who was reportedly in the running to be cast as the Superman back in 2023 - has joined other Netflix hunks, such as Zac Efron who appeared in A Family Affair last year. New images from the film were released on Tuesday and include Pierson showing off his ripped physique while on set. The Wrong Paris follows Cosgrove's character as she takes part in a dating show which she initially assumes takes place in Paris, France - but soon comes to found out it is set in the city of the same name in Texas. New hunk Pierson Fode, 33, is gracing the screen in the upcoming Netflix rom-com The Wrong Paris - which is set to hit the streaming site later this year on September 12 The actor is portraying the leading male heartthrob in the movie, which also stars former Nickelodeon actress Miranda Cosgrove Along with Fode and Cosgrove, other cast members are Madison Pettis, Torrance Coombs, Madeleine Arthur and Frances Fisher. Social media users jumped to the comment section of a post uploaded to Netflix's main Instagram page which showcased photos from the rom-com. 'So excited,' one fan penned, while another also typed out, 'I can't wait to watch this movie.' Cosgrove herself also offered a simple message of her own and added an array of red heart emojis. Last month in June, the streaming site also teased with a first look snap - and one follower labeled both Pierson and Miranda as 'gorgeous.' But fans began fawning over the actor late last year when he uploaded behind-the-scenes photos as he had a blast on set of The Wrong Paris. One wrote, 'Hollywood's favorite cowboy,' and another shared, 'Too much hottness in one photo.' '@piersonfode will always be a version of Superman somewhere in another timeline,' an Instagram user commented. Fode - who was reportedly in the running to be cast as the Superman back in 2023 - has joined other Netflix hunks, such as Zac Efron who appeared in A Family Affair last year (seen above) New images from the film have been released on Tuesday and include Pierson showing off his ripped physique while on set But fans began fawning over the actor late last year when he uploaded behind-the-scenes photos as he had a blast on set of The Wrong Paris David Corenswet was eventually cast in the covered role of the superhero in the James Dunn film which recently hit theaters on July 11. 'So excited for the movie. You and Miranda perfect for the role,' another fan typed out, and one shared, 'This is going to be AMAZING!!!' Fode and Cosgrove reunited for their leading roles in the upcoming Netflix movie after they first worked together in a 2012 episode of Nickelodeon's iCarly. The actor then went on to star in a variety of other projects, such as playing the role of Brooks in the Disney channel series Jessie. He played Thomas Forrester in the soap opera The Bold And The Beautiful from 2015 through 2018. Fode also took on roles in shows such as Supergirl and Animal Kingdom. Aside from television, the model has additionally appeared in a number of movies since kicking off his acting career. He has appeared in Naomi And Ely's No Kiss List (2015), 72 Hours (2024) and The Man From Toronto (2022) - which also starred Kevin Hart, Woody Harrelson and Kaley Cuoco. Pierson was born in the state of Washington and grew up on a farm with his family. Fode and Cosgrove reunited for their leading roles in the upcoming Netflix movie after they first worked together in a 2012 episode of Nickelodeon's iCarly He has appeared in Naomi And Ely's No Kiss List (2015), 72 Hours (2024) and The Man From Toronto (2022) - which also starred Kevin Hart, Woody Harrelson and Kaley Cuoco; seen in June in Universal City During a recent interview with People, Fode expressed how his childhood prepared him for his role in The Wrong Paris. 'Playing Trey felt like playing a version of myself...just with more cameras and fewer early-morning feeding,' he told the outlet. Pierson also recalled how the cast would have movie nights and 'cue up a different rom-com each time as inspiration.' He added, 'We love a good Matthew McConaughey moment, and you catch a subtle hat tip or two to his legacy throughout the film. With a dash of Fode, of course.' Janeen Damian - who directed the Netflix project - gushed about the 'chemistry' between the two leading stars. She explained that 'the sparks were there' between Pierson and Miranda which is 'not always a given.' The filmmaker continued, 'Miranda and Pierson knew exactly where they were emotionally in the story and delivered such a gorgeous, nuanced gut-punch of a performance. It was truly a joy to work with them.' Fode has previously garnered two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performance in The Bold And The Beautiful. 'Playing Trey felt like playing a version of myself...just with more cameras and fewer early-morning feeding,' he told the outlet Janeen Damian - who directed the Netflix project - gushed about the 'chemistry' between the two leading stars During a past interview with Soap Opera Digest, he reflected on the milestone - and how he first discovered the nod during an appearance on The Talk. 'It was cool. Obviously, I was hoping it would happen and it did, so that was really incredible. 'What really surprised me was when they showed that Instagram picture of me from the tanning booth when we were in Australia. Yeah, looking up and seeing yourself practically naked on that big screen? That was a surprise,' he joked. Fode - who previously dated actress Victoria Justice - is active on social media, and notably boasts 1 million followers on Instagram. X-Men actor Shawn Ashmore and his wife Dana are paying memorial to their late friend Mei Li Haskell, after the man suspected of murdering her and her parents took his own life. 'Our hearts are heavy, but we feel some small sense of peace knowing there is finally a bit of closure,' Ashmore, 45, and his wife, 42, said following the suicide of suspect Sam Haskell IV, 37. Authorities said Haskell, the son of a prominent Hollywood executive, had killed Mei Li, 37, her mother Yanxiang Wang, 64, and her stepfather Gaoshan Li, 71, in a Tarzana, California home on November 6, 2023. Ashmore and his spouse continued: 'We are mourning the loss of an extraordinary mother, someone who poured her entire heart into her three boys and never stopped putting them first.' The Canadian actor and his spouse issued a public statement after officials with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office confirmed Haskell's death in custody via suicide. The duo had not been permitted to open up about the case publicly due to ongoing litigation in the matter, TMZ reported Tuesday, as they had worked with officials on behalf of their late friend Mei Li. Actor Shawn Ashmore and his wife Dana are paying memorial to their late friend Mei Li Haskell, after the man suspected of murdering her and her parents took his own life Her accused murderer, Samuel Bond Haskell IV, died in jail in LA days ago. Pictured in 2024 The couple told the outlet they initially crossed paths with Mei Li around 2022, as their kids went to the same Los Angeles-area school. They described her as 'an incredible mother' who was 'always present, always loving, and constantly giving. Shawn and Dana Ashmore told TMZ that Mei Li's hobbies included pickleball and collecting Pokemon cards. Said Dana: 'She was so generous, so kind, so loving. Shes someone that never deserved this.' Mei Li 'was more than a friend,' the couple said, adding that 'she went above and beyond for everyone who had the gift of knowing her. 'Her love, her laughter, her warmth - shes deeply missed, and always will be.' The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a news release Monday that officials found Haskell's lifeless body in his assigned cell at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility early Saturday. Authorities have not yet announced a specific cause of death for Haskell. Shawn and Dana Ashmore told TMZ that Mei Li's hobbies included pickleball and collecting Pokemon cards Mei Li 'was more than a friend,' the Ashmores said, adding that 'she went above and beyond for everyone who had the gift of knowing her' Ashmore pictured in 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand, in which he played Bobby Drake/ Iceman Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the suspect's death via his own hand subverted essential elements of the legal system intended to provide survivors with some sense of closure. 'Instead of standing before a judge and answering for the crimes he's been charged with, the defendant managed to escape justice,' Hochman said. He added of Haskell's death: 'This is one last cruel act by someone who did the most horrific things for reasons we will never entirely know.' Insiders said that Haskell penned a suicide note in which he called his three kids his best friends. Hochman told TMZ that Haskell, ahead of being arrested, bought a one-way ticket for himself and a girlfriend. Haskell's lifeless body was found in his assigned cell at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility early Saturday in LA, officials said Authorities have not yet announced a specific cause of death for Haskell Hochman said that Haskell's suicide prior to facing justice deprived the relatives of his victims potentially cathartic experiences in letting him know how much damage he caused. 'A family that has been dealing with unimaginable loss now has been robbed of their chance to face him, hold him accountable for his barbaric actions and openly share their grief and their cherished memories of their loved ones,' Hochman said. The remains of Mei Li's parents were never recovered, investigators said. America's second-favorite pickup is taking another break. General Motors has again idled its assembly plant in Silao, Mexico this time from August 4 through August 15 pausing production of two of its biggest moneymakers: the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. It's the second stoppage in as many months. The same factory also halted production for two weeks in early July. The Silao plant is just one of several that build the full-size pickup trucks. They're also assembled in Indiana, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada. It's not unusual for automakers to temporarily pause production of popular models, especially to retool assembly lines or manage inventory levels. 'Scheduled down weeks at GM Silao are part of a standard operating process focused on optimizing production at our Manufacturing Complex,' the company told DailyMail.com. But a second two-week shutdown is raising eyebrows, particularly for the Silverado, which sold more than 540,000 units in 2024 second only to Ford's F-Series pickups. The Sierra is no sales slouch either. The higher-end truck, that comes with more exterior chrome, more luxury interior finishes, and a mechanically similar power center, sold over 340,000 copies last year. GM has halted production of its best-selling pickup trucks at one of their assembly plants Neither car has a reported inventory glut. They also don't have any major reported changes coming to the design that would necessitate a production pause. As of May, Chevrolet had a 65-day supply of vehicles on dealer lots, just under the 70-day industry average. GMC's supply was slightly higher at 77 days. But broader geopolitical and economic factors might be playing into GM's decision, analysts warn. GM has said it is reevaluating how it will build some of its cars in the face of President Donald Trump's 25 percent automotive tariffs. Mary Barra, the company's top boss, has said the company expects to pay between $4 billion and $5 billion in tariffs this year. She said the automaker doesn't have plans to pass those costs on to consumers. To reduce those costs, GM is investing heavily in stateside manufacturing. The company is spending $888 million to retool an engine plant in Buffalo, New York, for a new line of V8 engines for large trucks and SUVs. GM's CEO, Mary Barra, said the company is reinvesting billions of dollars in the US The Silverado, the second best-selling car in the US last year, has gone through two assembly pauses at its Mexico plant this year Industry analysts warned DailyMail.com that car prices could shoot up if companies start to make more vehicles in the US GM is also spending about $4 billion to move production of its top-selling Chevy SUVs, the Equinox and Blazer, from Mexico to plants in Kansas and Kentucky. Last year, GM built 889,072 cars in Mexican factories. Over time, independent experts warned DailyMail.com that the move to the US could show up on the popular automaker's sticker prices. 'The challenge for GM will be the higher labor costs,' David Whiston, an automotive analyst at Morningstar, previously told DailyMail.com. 'The higher costs might need to be passed down to dealers and consumers.' Still Whiston said the company will likely remain profitable this year, despite the major investments and tariff costs. The moves also come as GM doubles down on its EV consumer fleet. In the US, the company has axed two underperforming Cadillac SUVs from production. The company plans on transforming both plants into battery assembly lines, especially for its upcoming re-release of the Chevy Bolt. American Express (NYSE:AXP) was downgraded by equities researchers at Monness Crespi & Hardt from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note issued on Tuesday, Marketbeat.com reports. AXP has been the topic of several other research reports. Truist Financial increased their price objective on American Express from $335.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating and issued a $327.00 price objective (up previously from $300.00) on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd. Bank of America raised American Express from a neutral rating to a buy rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $325.00 to $274.00 in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on American Express from $250.00 to $311.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on American Express from $367.00 to $330.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $307.68. Get American Express alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on AXP American Express Trading Up 0.4% Shares of NYSE AXP opened at $320.83 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.58. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $301.65 and its 200-day moving average price is $290.63. American Express has a fifty-two week low of $220.43 and a fifty-two week high of $329.14. The company has a market cap of $224.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.40, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.25. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 17th. The payment services company reported $3.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.47 by $0.17. American Express had a return on equity of 32.48% and a net margin of 15.31%. The company had revenue of $16.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.04 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.33 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that American Express will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at American Express In other American Express news, insider Glenda G. Mcneal sold 3,019 shares of American Express stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $264.66, for a total transaction of $799,008.54. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 10,919 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,889,822.54. The trade was a 21.66% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Howard Grosfield sold 9,450 shares of American Express stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $275.50, for a total value of $2,603,475.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 9,402 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,590,251. The trade was a 50.13% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Express Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of American Express by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,191 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $384,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. DLK Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of American Express by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. DLK Investment Management LLC now owns 869 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $277,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Trillium Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of American Express by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Trillium Asset Management LLC now owns 2,449 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $727,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its stake in shares of American Express by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,510 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $448,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. increased its stake in shares of American Express by 4.7% during the 1st quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. now owns 772 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $208,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the companys stock. American Express Company Profile (Get Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Florida Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF (NYSEARCA:RWL Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 2,934 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $291,000. Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $57,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $89,000. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $109,000. Get Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF alerts: Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF Trading Up 0.1% Shares of RWL opened at $104.97 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.85 billion, a PE ratio of 18.14 and a beta of 0.98. Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF has a 12 month low of $86.97 and a 12 month high of $105.71. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $102.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $100.18. Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF Profile RevenueShares Large Cap ETF (the Fund) seeks to achieve its investment objective of outperforming the total return performance of the S&P 500 Index (S&P 500) by investing in the constituent securities of the S&P 500 in the same proportions as the RevenueShares Large Cap Index. The Fund consists of the same constituent securities as the S&P 500. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RWL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF (NYSEARCA:RWL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor acquired 870 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $719,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 22.4% in the first quarter. Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. now owns 30,720 shares of the companys stock worth $25,372,000 after acquiring an additional 5,631 shares during the period. Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 57.3% in the first quarter. Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. now owns 1,866 shares of the companys stock worth $1,541,000 after acquiring an additional 680 shares during the period. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 4,588.9% in the first quarter. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd now owns 597,224 shares of the companys stock worth $493,253,000 after acquiring an additional 584,487 shares during the period. Lokken Investment Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 36.8% in the first quarter. Lokken Investment Group LLC now owns 5,616 shares of the companys stock worth $4,638,000 after acquiring an additional 1,510 shares during the period. Finally, Apollon Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.3% in the first quarter. Apollon Financial LLC now owns 1,614 shares of the companys stock worth $1,333,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the period. 82.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 0.8% NYSE LLY opened at $799.51 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $765.95 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $800.18. Eli Lilly and Company has a twelve month low of $677.09 and a twelve month high of $972.53. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18. The company has a market capitalization of $757.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 65.05, a PEG ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.40. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $3.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.64 by ($1.30). Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 22.67% and a return on equity of 85.51%. The firm had revenue of $12.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.77 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.58 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 45.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.75%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 48.82%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. HSBC lowered Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a reduce rating and cut their price target for the stock from $1,150.00 to $700.00 in a report on Monday, April 28th. Erste Group Bank lowered Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, June 5th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They issued an overweight rating and a $975.00 price target for the company. Guggenheim lifted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $936.00 to $942.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reissued an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $1,012.56. View Our Latest Analysis on Eli Lilly and Company 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sigma Planning Corp grew its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 18.8% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 180,092 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 28,562 shares during the quarter. Sigma Planning Corps holdings in Pfizer were worth $4,564,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Clarity Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Gould Capital LLC increased its holdings in Pfizer by 97.2% during the 4th quarter. Gould Capital LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 493 shares during the period. North Capital Inc. bought a new stake in Pfizer during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new stake in Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Curio Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Trading Down 1.2% Shares of PFE opened at $25.36 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $144.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.37, a PEG ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $23.92 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $24.77. Pfizer Inc. has a twelve month low of $20.92 and a twelve month high of $31.54. Pfizer Dividend Announcement Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $13.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.43 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 12.62% and a return on equity of 20.33%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.82 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 25th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 25th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.78%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 124.64%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. TD Cowen cut their price target on shares of Pfizer from $32.00 to $28.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Pfizer from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on shares of Pfizer from $36.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Guggenheim reissued a buy rating on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. They issued a neutral rating and a $24.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $28.55. View Our Latest Stock Report on Pfizer About Pfizer (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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Allspring Income Opportunities Fund (NYSEAMERICAN:EAD Get Free Report) passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $6.89 and traded as high as $7.09. Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Allspring Income Opportunities Fund shares last traded at $7.08, with a volume of 266,311 shares changing hands. Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Allspring Income Opportunities Fund Price Performance The companys 50-day simple moving average is $6.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $6.83. Get Wells Fargo Advantage Funds - Allspring Income Opportunities Fund alerts: Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Allspring Income Opportunities Fund Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 11th will be given a $0.0535 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 11th. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.06%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Allspring Income Opportunities Fund About Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Allspring Income Opportunities Fund Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in EAD. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Allspring Income Opportunities Fund in the 4th quarter valued at about $57,000. NBC Securities Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Allspring Income Opportunities Fund by 105,122.2% in the 1st quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 9,470 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 9,461 shares during the period. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. purchased a new position in shares of Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Allspring Income Opportunities Fund in the 4th quarter valued at about $87,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Allspring Income Opportunities Fund during the 1st quarter worth $89,000. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Allspring Income Opportunities Fund during the 1st quarter worth $98,000. (Get Free Report) Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Allspring Income Opportunities Fund is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. It is co-managed by Wells Capital Management Incorporated. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in below investment grade debt securities, high-yield debt securities, loans and preferred stocks rated Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc or BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds - Allspring Income Opportunities Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds - Allspring Income Opportunities Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. West Family Investments Inc. boosted its stake in CocaCola Company (The) (NYSE:KO Free Report) by 17.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,495 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,741 shares during the period. West Family Investments Inc.s holdings in CocaCola were worth $1,325,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in KO. MorganRosel Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in CocaCola in the first quarter worth $25,000. Garde Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of CocaCola in the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of CocaCola in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of CocaCola by 360.0% in the 1st quarter. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 460 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 360 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Moser Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in CocaCola by 449.5% during the 1st quarter. Moser Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 500 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 409 shares during the period. 70.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get CocaCola alerts: CocaCola Stock Down 0.5% KO stock opened at $69.49 on Tuesday. CocaCola Company has a twelve month low of $60.62 and a twelve month high of $74.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57. The stock has a market cap of $299.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.80, a PEG ratio of 3.66 and a beta of 0.45. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $70.85 and its 200-day moving average price is $68.95. CocaCola Announces Dividend CocaCola ( NYSE:KO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $11.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.23 billion. CocaCola had a net margin of 23.00% and a return on equity of 45.49%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.72 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that CocaCola Company will post 2.96 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th were issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 13th. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.94%. CocaColas dividend payout ratio is presently 81.60%. Insider Buying and Selling at CocaCola In related news, CFO John Murphy sold 88,658 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.09, for a total value of $6,391,355.22. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 205,511 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,815,287.99. The trade was a 30.14% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Beatriz R. Perez sold 60,326 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.87, for a total value of $4,335,629.62. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 187,716 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,491,148.92. This represents a 24.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 415,387 shares of company stock valued at $29,923,985 over the last ninety days. 0.97% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have weighed in on KO. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $81.00 price objective on shares of CocaCola in a report on Monday, June 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on CocaCola from $73.00 to $76.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Cfra Research raised CocaCola to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. UBS Group raised their price target on CocaCola from $84.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of CocaCola from $74.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $76.71. Get Our Latest Analysis on KO CocaCola Company Profile (Free Report) The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CocaCola Company (The) (NYSE:KO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for CocaCola Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CocaCola and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. boosted its stake in TopBuild Corp. (NYSE:BLD Free Report) by 2.3% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 39,643 shares of the construction companys stock after acquiring an additional 904 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co.s holdings in TopBuild were worth $12,089,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in BLD. Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in shares of TopBuild by 170.1% in the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 262 shares of the construction companys stock worth $80,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the period. Edgestream Partners L.P. lifted its position in shares of TopBuild by 851.3% in the 1st quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P. now owns 19,378 shares of the construction companys stock worth $5,909,000 after purchasing an additional 17,341 shares during the period. CWM LLC lifted its stake in TopBuild by 29.3% in the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 375 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $114,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its stake in TopBuild by 1.2% in the first quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 8,200 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,501,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, PYA Waltman Capital LLC lifted its stake in TopBuild by 38.0% in the first quarter. PYA Waltman Capital LLC now owns 6,026 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,837,000 after buying an additional 1,659 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.67% of the companys stock. Get TopBuild alerts: TopBuild Trading Down 0.8% NYSE BLD opened at $374.82 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.96, a PEG ratio of 4.17 and a beta of 1.64. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $309.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $311.17. TopBuild Corp. has a 12 month low of $266.26 and a 12 month high of $495.68. The company has a current ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In TopBuild ( NYSE:BLD Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The construction company reported $4.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.43 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $1.23 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.23 billion. TopBuild had a return on equity of 28.52% and a net margin of 11.23%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $4.81 EPS. On average, analysts predict that TopBuild Corp. will post 20.97 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several equities analysts have issued reports on BLD shares. Loop Capital boosted their price target on TopBuild from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Bank of America boosted their price target on TopBuild from $320.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Stephens dropped their price target on TopBuild from $340.00 to $320.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on TopBuild from $344.00 to $398.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Finally, DA Davidson lowered their target price on TopBuild from $435.00 to $395.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $387.27. View Our Latest Report on TopBuild Insider Transactions at TopBuild In other TopBuild news, insider Steven P. Raia sold 1,738 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $310.98, for a total value of $540,483.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 7,007 shares in the company, valued at $2,179,036.86. This represents a 19.87% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.43% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About TopBuild (Free Report) TopBuild Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the installation and distribution of insulation and other building material products to the construction industry. The company operates in two segments, Installation and Specialty Distribution. It provides insulation products and accessories, glass and windows, rain gutters, garage doors, fireplaces, roofing materials, closet shelving, and other products. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for TopBuild Corp. (NYSE:BLD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for TopBuild Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TopBuild and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. M&T Bank Corp trimmed its position in Brunswick Corporation (NYSE:BC Free Report) by 8.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,541 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,642 shares during the quarter. M&T Bank Corps holdings in Brunswick were worth $945,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Get Brunswick alerts: A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. FIL Ltd grew its position in shares of Brunswick by 323.9% in the 4th quarter. FIL Ltd now owns 1,114,324 shares of the companys stock valued at $72,074,000 after buying an additional 851,449 shares during the last quarter. Turtle Creek Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Brunswick by 19.7% in the 4th quarter. Turtle Creek Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,965,460 shares of the companys stock valued at $191,806,000 after buying an additional 488,412 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Brunswick in the 4th quarter valued at $30,097,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Brunswick in the 4th quarter valued at $29,646,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Brunswick by 18.1% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,757,186 shares of the companys stock valued at $113,655,000 after buying an additional 269,413 shares during the last quarter. 99.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Brunswick Stock Down 1.6% BC stock opened at $59.61 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $3.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.27 and a beta of 1.27. Brunswick Corporation has a 52 week low of $41.00 and a 52 week high of $87.65. The companys 50-day moving average price is $54.23 and its 200 day moving average price is $56.82. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. Brunswick Dividend Announcement Brunswick ( NYSE:BC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.31. Brunswick had a return on equity of 12.88% and a net margin of 1.62%. The business had revenue of $1.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.35 EPS. The companys revenue was down 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Brunswick Corporation will post 4.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 20th will be paid a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.89%. Brunswicks payout ratio is currently 142.15%. Analysts Set New Price Targets BC has been the topic of several research reports. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of Brunswick from $85.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 14th. DA Davidson reissued a neutral rating and set a $43.00 price objective (down from $64.00) on shares of Brunswick in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of Brunswick from $64.00 to $45.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of Brunswick from $75.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Baird R W downgraded shares of Brunswick from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, April 4th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $70.00. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Brunswick Insiders Place Their Bets In other Brunswick news, VP Christopher F. Dekker sold 2,092 shares of Brunswick stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.47, for a total transaction of $122,319.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 44,466 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,599,927.02. The trade was a 4.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.81% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Brunswick (Free Report) Brunswick Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets recreation products in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Propulsion, Engine P&A, Navico Group, and Boat. The Propulsion segment provides outboard, sterndrive, inboard engines, propulsion-related controls, rigging, and propellers for boat builders through marine retail dealers under the Mercury, Mercury MerCruiser, Mariner, Mercury Racing, Mercury Diesel, Avator, and Fliteboard brands. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brunswick Corporation (NYSE:BC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Brunswick Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brunswick and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. M&T Bank Corp decreased its position in Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc (NYSE:SMFG Free Report) by 2.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 49,938 shares of the banks stock after selling 1,258 shares during the quarter. M&T Bank Corps holdings in Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group were worth $772,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Get Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group alerts: Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group by 3.3% during the first quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. now owns 102,350 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,582,000 after purchasing an additional 3,250 shares during the last quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group by 823.7% during the first quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 4,138 shares of the banks stock valued at $64,000 after purchasing an additional 3,690 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group by 6.6% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,923,502 shares of the banks stock valued at $29,737,000 after purchasing an additional 119,818 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group by 90.3% during the first quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 26,968 shares of the banks stock valued at $417,000 after purchasing an additional 12,799 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wayfinding Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group during the first quarter valued at $116,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.85% of the companys stock. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Price Performance NYSE SMFG opened at $14.86 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $14.92 and a 200-day simple moving average of $14.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 1.05. The firm has a market capitalization of $95.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 0.39. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc has a 52-week low of $10.74 and a 52-week high of $16.74. Analyst Ratings Changes Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group ( NYSE:SMFG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 21st. The bank reported $0.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $16.55 billion during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group had a return on equity of 7.74% and a net margin of 11.57%. Equities research analysts predict that Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc will post 0.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several brokerages have recently commented on SMFG. Wall Street Zen downgraded Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, June 27th. Nomura Securities raised Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 3rd. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on SMFG Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Company Profile (Free Report) Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking, leasing, securities, credit card, and consumer finance services in Japan, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania. It operates through Wholesale Business Unit, Retail Business Unit, Global Business Unit, and Global Markets Business Unit segments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas acquired a new stake in shares of Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 23,690 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $876,000. Get Vornado Realty Trust alerts: Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in Vornado Realty Trust by 16.4% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 2,214 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $82,000 after acquiring an additional 312 shares during the last quarter. Vident Advisory LLC raised its stake in Vornado Realty Trust by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 7,667 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $322,000 after acquiring an additional 344 shares during the last quarter. Mariner LLC raised its stake in Vornado Realty Trust by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 45,274 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,903,000 after acquiring an additional 404 shares during the last quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina raised its stake in Vornado Realty Trust by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 77,058 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,240,000 after acquiring an additional 480 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Corient Private Wealth LLC raised its stake in Vornado Realty Trust by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 44,800 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,883,000 after acquiring an additional 516 shares during the last quarter. 90.02% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on VNO shares. Wall Street Zen raised Vornado Realty Trust from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. Piper Sandler increased their target price on Vornado Realty Trust from $38.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. Scotiabank increased their target price on Vornado Realty Trust from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday. Mizuho cut their target price on Vornado Realty Trust from $48.00 to $43.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Finally, Truist Financial increased their target price on Vornado Realty Trust from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Vornado Realty Trust presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $38.09. Vornado Realty Trust Stock Performance NYSE VNO opened at $38.74 on Tuesday. Vornado Realty Trust has a 1-year low of $26.19 and a 1-year high of $46.63. The company has a market capitalization of $7.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 74.49, a PEG ratio of 14.18 and a beta of 1.50. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $38.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81, a current ratio of 4.10 and a quick ratio of 4.10. Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.63 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.52 by $0.11. Vornado Realty Trust had a return on equity of 3.83% and a net margin of 9.17%. The firm had revenue of $461.58 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $452.68 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.55 EPS. Vornado Realty Trusts quarterly revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Vornado Realty Trust will post 2.31 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, EVP Haim Chera sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.98, for a total value of $759,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 30,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,139,400. This trade represents a 40.00% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 8.42% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Vornado Realty Trust (Free Report) Vornado Realty Trust is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Vornado Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vornado Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The changing scope and scale of infrastructure development have likewise increased the investment stakes of building out capacity for data centers, power generation, and manufacturing to trillion-dollar levels. Electric and gas utility capex is expected to surpass US$1 trillion cumulatively within the next five years (20252029) for the 47 biggest investor-owned utilities. For the hyperscalers, reaching the trillion-dollar threshold is expected in only three years, with spending projections reaching half a trillion dollars annually by the early 2030s.45 And for data centers more broadly, spending could reach a trillion dollars within three years.46 The tech industry has also announced plans to invest more than a trillion dollars in US manufacturing of AI supercomputers, chips, and servers over the next four years.47 The new level of funding reflects confidence that trillion-dollar AI applications and returns will materialize. Fears that cheaper models could undermine hyperscalers business model have sparked market volatility. But they have not impacted hyperscaler AI chip purchases and capex forecasts.48 Rather, hyperscalers have shifted investment from AI training towards inference.49 Strategy 5: New business models to drive infrastructural efficiency, capacity, and flexibility New business models can capitalize on technological, regulatory, computational task mobility, and funding innovation to build additive infrastructure that can unlock efficiency, capacity, and flexibility. Business models fusing AI data center and power infrastructure development could bring capacity online faster while maintaining resource adequacy and affordability. Colocating new load with commensurate new capacity at a single point of interconnection could be grid supportive, helping to avoid the need to build more transmission, sharing supply-constrained power equipment, and enabling the injection of surplus energy onto the grid during periods of peak demand. One approach is to redevelop the sites of closed plants into data center campuses powered by higher capacity generation. For example, in Pennsylvanias largest capital investment (US$10 billion), the states largest retired coal plant is converting into the largest gas plant in the United States. The conversion will more than double the plants capacity to meet demand for multiple AI data centers. By leveraging existing grid infrastructure, the data center campus is expected to start operations by 2027.50 Another option could be to tap existing underused surplus interconnection, whereby new generation can connect at the site of existing generators in under a year, compared to more than five years for standard interconnection.51A recent study found that fossil fuel plants could cost-effectively share grid access with 800 GW of renewables and double US generation capacity (figure 20).52 Another study found that 160 peakers and load-following gas plants have sufficient idle capacity to serve as backup generators for data centers colocated with new renewable and storage capacity; combined, these could meet approximately 50 GW of AI load.53 The evolution of digital twins: Open environments For decades, manufacturers and engineers have harnessed the power of digital twins to optimize operational performance. For example, racing teams create digital twins of parts, like tires or brakes, to simulate and test performance thresholds before the car ever hits the track. Similarly, smart manufacturers embed sensors across the factory floors to dynamically simulate production and uncover new opportunities to improve efficiencies and reduce costs. Until recently, many digital twin use cases have been anchored in the realms of manufacturing and engineering due to practical limitations in capturing and processing data required for more complex and unpredictable environments. However, there looks to be growing momentum to expand the scope of digital twin applications. In our previous article, New uses for digital twins in the race to navigate an uncertain future, we explored a variety of new use cases for combining digital twins with simulation methods to better navigate uncertain environments (like simulating a potential merger between two companies or the marketing effects of a new product launch). New forms of data capture and processing can help to address issues around data availability and systems integration. This momentum appears to be growing beyond just a handful of use cases. According to market estimates, the global digital twin market size is forecasted to increase from nearly US$13 billion in 2023 to US$259 billion by 2032.1 And as noted in Deloittes 2024 Future of the Digital Customer Experience survey, many of the technologies that underpin digital twins are becoming more commonplace across industries. For example, 84% of respondents indicate they currently use cloud computing; 72% use Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, devices, and platforms; and 26% deploy extended reality and augmented and virtual reality capabilities (with an additional 26% indicating they plan to deploy these capabilities over the next three years). A Limavady family who lost their teenage daughter to suicide only two months ago are calling for reform in mental health services. Jessica Glasser (18) tragically took her own life on May 3 after experiencing bullying, the loss of close family members and inadequate support from mental health services. ABOVE: Jessica Glasser (18) who lost her life to suicide in May of this year Her heartbroken parents David and Mary Glasser are now pleading for reform of mental health services. The couple say they didnt know the severity of their daughters mental health issues until it was too late. Jessicas parents say more should be done by health professionals to inform parents of potentially life threatening mental health issues. As Jessica was 18 years-old at the time of speaking to a doctor, medical information was by law kept private by professionals. Her parents believe this isnt right. Speaking to the County Derry Post, Jessicas mother Mary explained how she felt an overwhelming need to share Jessicas story and speak out to decrease the stigma around mental health. Mary said her daughter was a hard worker with a determined nature who was destined to go far. Jessica was also someone who cared deeply for other people and animals. To us Jessica was the perfect daughter. Her caring nature was above and beyond. She was a real loyal friend. Her friend emigrated to Australia when she was only 13 and they continued to keep in contact every day. She was very independent and knew right from wrong. She loved music and going to concerts, especially Taylor Swift. I took her to the Eras Tour as her 18th birthday present and she absolutely loved it. She loved socialising, she was the listener for her many friends, Mary said. Jessica's dad David said Jessica had a real passion for animals. Since the age of three Jessica wanted to be a veterinary nurse. She voluntarily worked in the local vets once a week and had applied to college to undertake the course of her dreams. An acceptance letter came to the house shortly after her passing. Mary said she and her husband David never spotted any signs that Jessica was struggling with her mental health. It was two months after Jessicas 18th birthday that Mary was notified by one of daughters friends that she was struggling and had been self-harming as a means of coping. Upon hearing this, Mary sat down with Jessica and suggested that it might be a good idea to go speak to a doctor about what she was going through. Jessica agreed and wanted to get help so they set up an appointment with the doctor. As a precautionary measure Mary thought she should get in touch with a local mental health nurse. She spoke to a nurse and expressed her concerns around her daughters self-harm and her concerns that when speaking to a doctor she might not fully open up. I decided not to go into the doctor with her that day as I thought it might put her off opening up fully. She hadnt told me at home up until that point so I trusted her to tell the doctor all she was going through. She did end up telling the doctor and they put her on anti-depressant medication Fluoxetine. David continued: Five days after being put on medication the doctor rang to see how she was getting on. It was close to Christmas and no follow up was made until contact came from the mental health nurse on December 30. The call focused on medication. The doctor then saw her a third time and recommended that she have an appointment with the mental health nurse. Unfortunately a day before the appointment we got a phone call to say it had been cancelled. Jessica was on a weekly medication that needed to be collected so we rang and the doctor said they couldnt prescribe it without seeing her. So she went to see him to reissue the medication. During the appointment he thought she was doing ok and wasnt at risk of suicide. The reissue of the appointment to see the mental health nurse never came. Jessicas parents shared how they didnt want to put pressure on the health service and waited patiently on their call. Between January 16 until her death on May 3 Jessica never had a face-to-face mental health assessment to arrange counselling or any other form of support even though she was prescribed medication. It was only after Jessicas passing that her parents were told of the extent to which she was suffering. Jessica had shared with the doctor that she had made two previous attempts to take her life. Jessica had also explained to the doctor about her upcoming A-level exams and how this was a trigger point. Jessica ended up taking her own life on the night of leavers. Mary said this showed how this was a trigger for her. They did say to Jessica if you need us, you contact us. How does somebody struggling with their mental health have the ability to know what is going on to make that contact? To me mental health patients do not have the ability to think for themselves. It is like someone with dementia being left to make their own decisions. We just dont do it so why is mental health treated differently, Mary said. The couple are now calling for medical records of mental health patients to be open to someone they trust. They believe if proper communication from health professionals was put in place then their daughters death couldve been avoidable. David continued: If we had a bit more information, even just your daughter is vulnerable, keep an eye on her we could have approached Jessica in a way that she would've opened up and we could've got her more support. She may have been 18 but she hadnt even made it out into the adult world when she was still at school. Even after the first appointment they could have said to Jessica if she wanted to bring her parents along then she could. Yes, we knew Jessica was self-harming but we didnt know she had attempted to take her life twice already. We could have put more in place if we knew that information. Mary added: As far as we are concerned we did not know that vital information that she was in a more vulnerable position than we initially thought. That was the key to Jessicas death in our opinion. We are not saying we need all access to medical records, just mental health. If I had that information I believe Jessica would not be where she is. We could have been there as a support body. I am thankful to hear that this is now being implemented in our local surgery. It doesnt have to be a parent that comes with you to an appointment, it could be a trusted friend. I know people are being referred to mental health doctors or nurses but the people that know them best are their family and friends. They have said there are costs but there is no cost to having someone along to an appointment with a vulnerable person. That tiny bit of information could have saved our daughters life. There should've been more communication. There should have been a more secure network around her. I cant forgive the health service for that. They took our beautiful girl. She had her life ahead of her, full of ambition. I dont want any other family to feel the way we have felt. We wouldn't wish this on our worst enemy. We know we cant bring our wee girl back but we dont want this to happen to somebody else. Our lives will never be the same all because of one law. It didnt matter that she was 18, she was still my daughter and I wouldve done all I could to save her. All we can do now is raise awareness and hope for a change. Jessicas wish was to work in the Rainbow Centre for Rehoming animals in Derry. In her memory David and Mary donated 1,000 to the Centre. In return the centre named one of their newly arrived cats Jess. In memory of Jessica her friends have got matching tattoos and Mary intends to get one too, that way her beloved wee girl is always with her. If you are anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self harm you can contact Samaritans FREE anytime from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number wont show up on your phone bill. Or you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch. Local organisations that deal with thoughts of this nature also include: PIPS: 028 7122 4133 pipscharity.com Aware: 028 7126 0602 aware-ni.org HURT: 028 7136 9696 hurtni.org ZEST: 028 7126 6999 zestni.org St Pius X College in Magherafelt has been named as a regional finalist in the Best Breakfast Club category in this years Kelloggs Breakfast Club Awards. The awards are a chance to celebrate breakfast clubs up and down the country and the teachers and support staff who go above and beyond to help their students every school morning. Shortlisted schools have the chance to win 1000 and an invitation to the House of Commons for the awards ceremony in November 2025. Schools can decide how best to spend the winnings to enhance their breakfast club based on the specific needs of the pupils and the school whether thats additional support staff, ingredients, equipment or more. The breakfast club at St Pius X College is open to all 1,160 pupils and it provides a safe and welcoming space each morning that supports both emotional wellbeing and academic readiness. Throughout the year, this club has seasonal and festive raffles and competitions such as Halloween quizzes, Christmas hampers, and Easter egg hunts which help foster a sense of excitement and belonging. A recent survey from Kelloggs* highlighted the importance of breakfast clubs for families up and down the country, with almost double the amount of children visiting a breakfast club every day in 2025 vs 2023 (up from 10% to 18%). A third of teachers (36%) say that they see children arriving at school hungry every day, and nearly 1 in 10 (9%) parents say that their children do not have breakfast in the morning. A spokesperson from St Pius X College in Magherafelt said: We're really proud to be shortlisted for the Kelloggs Breakfast Club Awards and we cant think of anyone more deserving than our breakfast club staff who go above and beyond for our students every morning. "As well as making sure pupils get a filling breakfast, our breakfast club provides a warm, inclusive space where children can make new friends, build confidence and get ready for a day of learning. Our families tell us it also makes a huge difference to their daily lives, supporting our wider community of parents and carers. Andrew Ridge, Social Impact and Sustainability Lead at Kelloggs said: We understand the crucial role that breakfast clubs play for families, and our own research has shown an increased demand in recent years. The positive impact these clubs have on local communities is made possible by the passion and commitment of the teachers and volunteers behind them. Breakfast clubs like the one at St Pius X College play a vital role in getting pupils to school, and getting them fed and ready to start the school day. Students can thrive when they are welcomed into a safe and warm environment, with access to a filling meal and supportive community to start their day. That is why every year Kelloggs takes the time to honour the amazing work that breakfast club leaders, teachers, and anyone involved, do every day to help make the clubs so special. Six schools will be crowned as Best Breakfast Club for their region, and this year will also see the introduction of a brand new category Breakfast Club Hero which celebrates an individual who goes above and beyond to support the running of their school breakfast club. A specialist panel of judges will assess all shortlisted entries and the winners will be announced later in the year. Kelloggs has been supporting breakfast clubs for nearly 30 years. During that time, it has invested over 6 million to support school breakfast clubs across the UK, with schools able to use Kelloggs grants for any aspect of their clubs including equipment, ingredients or staff, so the school can use the funding in a way that best suits their needs. A bake sale organised by the Altnagelvin-based North West Healthcare Workers for Palestine (NWHWP) has raised 2,657 for the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). MAP provides vital supplies, medicines and humanitarian aid to the occupied Palestinian territory and Lebanon. Speaking to The Derry News, delighted co-organiser, Sinead Hughes, a physiotherapist in the hospital, explained NWHWP comprised workers across all disciplinaries within the [Western Health and Social Care] Trust. We first officially met in person about a month ago and we thought a bake sale would be a good start, she said. Organisers of Medical Aid for Palestine bake sale in Altnagelvin. Our mission is to stand in solidarity with Palestinian healthcare workers and their communities. We are just advocating for a world where Palestinians have access to quality healthcare and the right to a dignified life. As healthcare workers ourselves, we thought it would be very fitting to have an event in a hospital, so we decided to get together and arrange a bake sale. We did that and we had lots of fantastic donations from local companies, including: Grandes, Offing, Rosta coffee bar, Funky Cakes, The Cottage in the Craft Village, The Leprechaun, McDaid's Bakery, Rustic Cafe in the Bogside, Gimme Goodies, Cakes by Rachel Mc Nulty, and Lisa Storey. Other people also baked and our family members baked. We cant thank everyone enough. We decided MAP was a very fitting cause because it is a charity providing vital medical assistance to civilians in these crisis zones. We set up a bake sale and let people on the ground know and we were queued out the door. It was amazing. So many people came along, we ran out of stuff. We were hoping to keep it open until 12.30pm but we had to shut just after 11.00am. That was a wee bit disappointing for people coming down later but they were still giving us donations, said Sarah. Everyone was just pleased to have been given the opportunity to support such a vital cause, she added. We were just so delighted with ourselves and delighted we were able to bring the issue of Palestine to the forefront as well, in a hospital. We had people from every department. We had senior management down. It was really good. Departments throughout Altnagelvin have run similar events for local charities like the Foyle Hospice and Macmillan. We just thought, a bake sale is something that has been done before. We are having a meeting in the next fortnight and would love to do something similar out in the community, said Sinead. Its not just about the money, she added, its about bringing the Palestinian struggle to the forefront and encouraging people to talk about it. It is just awful and it should not be allowed to happen in this day and age. The atrocities that those poor people are having to live through, you couldnt think about it for too long, it would set you mad. Part of us advocating for healthcare workers in Palestine is that the British Medical Association (BMA) has passed a motion condemning the targeting of healthcare facilities. The BMA framed this as a humanitarian issue and obviously recognised the duty of healthcare workers to advocate for Palestinians, which is all central to our advocacy goal. It is talking about whats going on in Gaza, raising awareness because the mainstream media is not doing its job, in fact, it is doing an atrocious job which is heartbreaking really. An impressive new programme developed by GEMX (Generating Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence) is taking the local training landscape by storm as the first cohort of students completes the MakeME Academy. A key element of the Derry Strabane Labour Market Partnership (DSLMP), this training programme was developed to tackle critical skills shortages in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) sector, while sparking early interest among local young people. Labour Market Partnerships, which create targeted employment action plans for council areas, are funded by the Department for Communities, and allow for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work. The MakeMe Academy provides hands-on, real-world learning experiences and connects young people with professionals and companies they would not ordinarily encounter. The Academy is built around the needs of the learners, particularly those who may not thrive in traditional academic settings. By focusing on practical learning and career discovery, it empowers students to find pathways that align with their interests and strengths within the AME industry. A partnership with the DSLMP, has allowed GEMX to offer MakeMe students a valuable progression route through a two-week post academy programme being delivered by NWRC. This will give students an OCN qualification in Digital Fabrication, and real-world knowledge and skills in manufacturing and engineering, whilst enhancing their ability to make informed choices about their future career., READ NEXT: Altnagelvin healthcare workers host bake sale for Medical Aid for Palestine Joanne Sweeney, Project Director of GEMX said: The MakeME Academy isnt just about educationits about preparing the workforce of tomorrow. By aligning our programmes with the economic needs of the North West, we ensure young people are equipped with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in their careers. Industry and education working together will enhance employability skills and develop a strong talent pipeline. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairi McHugh, said he was delighted to hear how successful the programme has been so far. It is fantastic to hear how well received the MakeMe Academy has been and to hear the impact it has made to these students studies. I have no doubt the skills and practical experience they will receive here will give them a better understanding of the industry and when the time comes to deciding on a career or getting a job, they will be ready to make that next step. Id like to say a huge well done to everyone involved at GEMX and in Councils Labour Market Partnership team. It is clear to see this is a terrific partnership and I wish you all the very best for the future. The impact of the programme is already being felt. Eoin Barbee from Lisneal College is set to begin a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering at NWRC this September. Ive loved getting to try things in the workshops such as welding, 3D printing and robotics. I feel that these skills will all be really useful when I start my diploma, he said. Mayor with Ella McDermott and Rhys Johnston. Included are Emma Quinn LMP, DCSDC, Richard Duffy NWRC, Sinead Hawkins, NWRC and Zara McLaughlin, Gemx Fellow participant Kaycee Deery added, Ive tried things that none of my friends have done. I now have my CSR card and can understand the health and safety issues that companies deal with. By nurturing curiosity, building confidence, and creating opportunity, the MakeME Academy is setting a new standard for how the region engages the next generation in engineering and manufacturing careers. For more information about GEMX and the MakeME Academy, please contact: Joanne Sweeney, Project Director, GEMX: joanne@gemx.uk The Focus Project, based at Creggan Enterprises Rath Mor Centre, has officially opened its much-valued Uniform Pop-Up Shop for the fifth consecutive year. Located in the former hairdressers unit in Rath Mor Centre, the scheme offers a wide selection of new and pre-loved school uniform items, generously donated by local families, schools, and businesses. The scheme continues to accept donations and will post regular requests for items so encourages people to submit requests if the item they need is not currently in stock. The primary aim of the scheme is to support families facing the significant cost of school uniforms, but it is open to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances. No questions are asked about income or eligibility if a family wants to save money or simply reduce waste, they are welcome to come, said Focus Project Coordinator Amie Gallagher. It just makes sense to reuse perfectly good clothing. This year, the project has introduced a donation guide for those who are able to contribute: Blazers 57Secondary jumpers and cardigans 4 Primary jumpers and cardigans 3 Skirts and trousers 3 Shirts, summer dresses, coats, bags, and shoes Free All contributions are anonymous and placed in a donation bucket no one can see whats given. Discretion will always be applied to anyone unable to donate. Any funds raised will go directly towards additional school costs for local families, including stationery packs and discretionary uniform support for those in significant need. The pop-up will be open every Tuesday and Friday throughout July, and every Tuesday and Thursday in August, 10.00am - 4.00pm, running up to the Rath Mor Family Fun Day on Saturday, August 16, when free stationery packs will be distributed to children. The initiative is run entirely by dedicated Focus Project volunteers local parents and grandparents who know first-hand the pressure of preparing children for school, especially during the costly summer months. Since launching in 2020, the scheme has grown year on year. Gallagher noted, We are so grateful for the ongoing support from the community, local schools, and businesses. With the cost of living continuing to rise, many working families still dont qualify for uniform grants. The recent increase of 390 to the eligibility threshold is simply not enough, and the amounts for those eligible are completely inadequate, particularly for secondary school uniforms. A selection of uniforms on display The Focus Project, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, has joined others in the sector in calling for statutory guidance on school uniform costs. We need clear, enforceable steps to reduce this unnecessary burden on families, Gallagher added. We also call on local schools and Boards of Governors to step up as community leaders , to work with families and ensure school uniforms are affordable. Education should be free and accessible in every way, throughout a childs entire school journey. In that same spirit, we believe free school meals should be universal. For further details on the scheme, visit FocusProject Derry on Facebook or contact amie@rathmor.com. Police have issued an appeal for an injured male to make contact with officers. It comes after an assault in the Donegall Road area of south Belfast on Saturday July 12. A police spokesperson said they attended the scene after being alerted at around 9.30pm on Saturday. They said when officers arrived the injured party was no longer present. Following an assault in south Belfast on Saturday, 12th July, were making an appeal for an injured male to come forward. Theres no suspicion of wrong doing on their part we simply want to check that they are safe and well.Full details: https://t.co/R4w55XbWOJ pic.twitter.com/2FiQrfIsNu Police South Belfast (@PSNIBelfastS) July 15, 2025 A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Three other boys aged 14, 16 and 17 were cautioned at the scene on suspicion of common assault, they said. The arrested 16-year-old has been released on bail pending further inquiries. We would ask that the injured party, described as having a dark beard and wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans, make contact with us as soon as possible. We want to emphasise that there is no suspicion of wrongdoing on their part and we simply wish to check that they are safe and well. We are also keen to talk to any members of the public who were in the area and witnessed the assault, or to anyone who may have relevant dashcam or video footage. Please contact police on 101, quoting reference number 2073 12/07/25. OpenAI delays open-weight model as Chinese rivals close in OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman said on social media January 12 that the company will release an open-weight model next week, citing the need for additional safety testing as the reason for delays. The announcement comes as Meta Platforms Inc. faces questions about its commitment to open-source AI following heavy investments in talent recruitment. Chinese firms quietly gain ground Chinese companies are quietly expanding their influence through open-source models, forcing US firms to reassess their resource allocation between proprietary and open-source strategies. Meta previously led open-source AI development with its Llama series, gaining widespread adoption, though the company lacks a clear monetization strategy for freely downloadable models. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reduced public discussions about open source, fueling speculation that Meta may scale back its commitment to focus on proprietary models and maximize returns on high-cost talent. Other companies releasing open-source models include Alphabet, Nvidia, Microsoft's Azure unit, and Mistral AI, alongside Chinese firms DeepSeek and Alibaba. OpenAI only publicly committed to open sourcing after DeepSeek's emergence. What counts as "open source"? Industry debate continues over what constitutes true open source, with some questioning whether releasing model weights without training datasets and architectures qualifies. Releasing model weights appears to be the current minimum standard. Altman indicated in February 2025 that OpenAI's open-source approach may target GPU-supported models like o3-mini or mobile applications. A poll on X showed 53.9% of respondents favored the o3-mini-level model. The company delayed the open-weight model release pending safety tests and risk assessments in high-risk areas. While Altman expressed confidence in community responsibility, he noted that model weights cannot be retracted once released. Performance gap narrows temporarily The State of AI first quarter 2025 report by Artificial Analysis found that DeepSeek's R1 model briefly narrowed the gap between open-source and closed-source models earlier this year. However, releases of OpenAI's o4-mini and Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro restored the closed-source models' lead. The report ranks OpenAI, Alphabet, and xAI among the top closed-source providers, while Alibaba Group, Nvidia, DeepSeek, and Meta lead open-source performance. While US companies prioritize proprietary large models and treat open-source as secondary, Chinese companies are expanding influence through open-source releases. OpenAI's positioning of its open-source models and Meta's future commitment will shape the competitive balance between China and the US in AI development. Article edited by Jerry Chen Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. GlobalFoundries takes MIPS under its wing; Imagination shoots down SMIC takeover talk With TSMC commanding the lion's share of foundry orders for data center AI accelerators, second-tier players like UMC, GlobalFoundries (GF), and SMIC are urgently repositioning to tap into the AI market. Each is adopting a unique strategy to stay relevant in a rapidly intensifying competitive field. UMC has been quietly enhancing its advanced packaging capabilities since 2024 through a collaboration with Taiwanese OSAT leader ASE Holdings. It has reportedly landed advanced packaging orders from Qualcomm, likely targeting edge AI, marking a strategic move into markets less dependent on cutting-edge nodes. SMIC has avoided public discussion of sub-7nm process ambitions, but despite escalating US export restrictions, the company is quietly advancing in both edge and cloud AI domains, albeit under significant regulatory pressure. GlobalFoundries snaps up MIPS amid growing RISC-V uncertainty GlobalFoundries has announced its acquisition of MIPS, a veteran in RISC architecture, marking a rare integration of foundry and IP provider. The deal highlights GF's bet on the long-term potential of RISC-V processors in edge AI, even as industry peers retreat from similar plays. Coinciding with the MIPS deal, Chinese social media began spreading unverified reports that SMIC had acquired the GPU IP unit of UK-based Imagination Technologies through a wholly owned subsidiary, allegedly with approval from Chinese and EU regulators. Imagination swiftly denied the rumors, stating via its official WeChat channel on July 8 that the claims were "entirely fabricated." The company emphasized it had not agreed to sell its GPU IP business and warned the misinformation could damage its brand and partner trust. It also launched legal and monitoring efforts to track the source. Geopolitics and legacy weigh heavily on Imagination, MIPS While MIPS has found stability under GF, Imagination remains cautious about acquisition prospects amid rising geopolitical sensitivities tied to Chinese ownership. Now owned by China-linked fund Canyon Bridge, the UK-based firm lost major business after Apple's shift to in-house GPUs. Despite Chinese backing, its UK presence makes any SMIC tie-up, real or rumored, fraught with political risk. According to ICsmart, even if SMIC could technically acquire Imagination from Canyon Bridge, the move might trigger fresh sanctions, potentially harming both companies more than it helps. The MIPS deal also puts a spotlight on the instability within the RISC-V ecosystem. European firm Codasip is now up for sale, and US-based Esperanto Technologies has shelved plans for a 1,088-core RISC-V AI accelerator. These setbacks contrast with GF's bullish stance, raising doubts about whether MIPS can deliver meaningful value. MIPS has weathered decades of turbulence. Founded at Stanford by John Hennessey and Chris Rowen, it was acquired by SGI in 1992, spun off in 1998, and then bought by Imagination in 2013 before being passed to Tallwood Ventures in 2017. Apple's 2017 split with Imagination triggered a fresh downturn, leading to MIPS's 2018 sale to Wave Computing, until Wave's 2020 bankruptcy forced yet another reset focused on RISC-V. MIPS CEO Sameer Wasson said joining GF gives the company both credibility and a stable corporate parent, opening doors to growth opportunities previously out of reach. He added that with RISC-V firms under growing pressure, MIPS gains long-term viability and deeper customer engagement as part of GF. The MIPS-GF tie-up has received mixed reviews, given MIPS' rocky history. Meanwhile, Imagination continues to walk a fine line, seeking its own AI breakthrough while navigating political and ownership complexities. Article edited by Jack Wu US copper tariffs create uncertainty as India develops semiconductor supply chain The US's recent decision to impose a 50% tariff on copper imports is expected to have minimal direct impact on India's copper exports, but it may contribute to uncertainty in India's electronics manufacturing and semiconductor supply chains. India is largely a net importer of copper, bringing in about US$10.65 billion worth of copper in fiscal year 202425, with around 95% of its copper concentrate needs met through imports, primarily from Indonesia and Chile. Domestic copper exploration has remained sluggish in recent years, making India heavily dependent on international supply chains. According to NDTV and Business Standard, India exported approximately US$2 billion worth of copper and copper products globally during the same period, of which just US$360 millionabout 17%went to the US. That makes the US only the third-largest market for Indian copper exports, behind Saudi Arabia and China. Given this relatively low exposure, analysts say the impact of the new tariff on Indian copper exporters will be limited. Therefore, any decline in US demand is likely to be offset by strong growth in India's domestic consumption, driven by renewable energy projects, electric vehicles, and infrastructure development. However, according to the Economic Times, industry observers caution that the US tariffs could have indirect consequences for India's ambitions in electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and the semiconductor industry. Copper is essential in printed circuit boards, wiring, and semiconductor packaging. India relies on imports of high-purity copper, often from China, for these applications. Any ripple effects on global supply chains could result in cost escalations or delays for critical materials. India's Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy has acknowledged the concerns, stating that the government will address the issue during ongoing trade discussions. Reuters reported that an Indian trade delegation has already arrived in Washington, and chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal is expected to join talks this week. Article edited by Jack Wu Subscriber content preview WASHINGTON (AP) Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is asking an inspector general to review the cost of the central bank's building renovations that White House officials have attacked as ostentatious. The Fed has been renovating two of its office buildings in Washington for several years at a current cost estimate of about $2.5 billion, $700 million more than originally expected. . . . An unsuccessful candidate in the Seanad election told a court there was an expectation of a full recount of the agricultural panel vote due to the fine margin of votes by which she lost the final seat. Kildare county councillor Angela Feeney told the High Court in Dublin that there were issues around transparency of counting votes, and that the venue in Leinster House was cramped and crowded. Earlier this year, Ms Feeney was granted permission by the court to present a petition challenging the conduct of the counting of votes for the 11-member panel. Ms Feeney, who is a member of the Labour Party, claims she was refused a full recount by the returning officer. She said she lost out on a seat by one-ninth of a ballot. Ms Feeney claimed that the margin of difference was as close as it has ever been since the 1980s. Her petition to have a full recount is being opposed by a number of defendants in the case, including the returning office and the Minister for Housing. Ms Feeney lost to Fine Gaels Maria Byrne following a margin of difference of one-ninth of a ballot. Ms Byrne was the last candidate on the panel to be elected. In the Seanad elections, as the electorate is much smaller than other elections, each ballot paper is given a value of 1,000 votes. There was a total valid poll of 95,667 on the agricultural panel. At the conclusion of the 23rd count, in which Ms Feeney had been eliminated, she had 17,513 votes. Ms Byrne had, at the end of that count, a total of 17,629 votes. It represented a difference of one ninth of a ballot paper. Senior counsel Conor Power, for Ms Feeney, said that the petitioner wants to have the results overturned and recounted. Mr Power said that Ms Byrne was marginally ahead of Ms Feeney, and that it was the tightest of margins at a stage of elimination where the final seat was up for grabs. He claimed it was the closest margin that they have come across since 1987 on a final determinative count, where one exclusion deemed everyone else elected. He said that following the conclusion of the 23rd count, Ms Feeney asked the returning officer for a full recount of votes cast on the agriculture panel. Having considered the request, the returning officer said that only a full recount of the 23rd count would be carried out. The court heard that Seanad election candidates are legally entitled to call for a recount, but not a full recount. Candidates can, however, ask the returning officer for a full recount, to which the returning officer has discretion. Following the returning officers refusal to carry out a full recount, Ms Feeney objected in writing. Mr Power said there are two issues raised by Ms Feeney, the issue of a failure to allow for a full recount and the second being the issue of transparency of how the 23rd recount was carried out. Mr Power also said he is making a request for the court to order a full recount before its determination of the case, saying it may assist the court, particularly if a mistake or irregularity is established. Mr Power said that small margins in a system where ballot papers are counted by people must be considered by the returning officer in exercising their discretion of power. He said that the purpose of the Electoral Act is to ensure an outcome that the public has confidence in the system and that recounts are part of that process. We say that all of the rules for counting and recounting is to produce a result that everyone can stand over, he added. But because there are narrow margins and there is a possibility of human errors, notwithstanding planning by the returning office and staff. The evidence shows that recounts do result in different voting outcomes and changes to the number of votes. We say the margin of difference is something of particular note for the returning officer to consider as that bears directly on the outcome of the election. Giving evidence, Ms Feeney said she has attended election counts for a number of decades, both as a candidate and as part of local Labour Party teams. She said she has attended count centres for Seanad, Dail and local elections. She said she would have been well used to the process of counting ballot papers. Ms Feeney said she was very surprised that when the counting process started, it was taking place at such a distance that there was no proper line of sight of the ballot papers. She said that some staff members had their backs to candidates and that she did not have a proper line of sight to see the ballot papers being counted. She said there was no opportunity to see the tally of votes as they were being counted around seven feet away. Ms Feeney told the court that there was an expectation that because of the fine margin, a recount would have been called. She said this also raised issues of transparency, that the venue was very cramped and crowded and was not an appropriate venue which did not allow for transparency. She also claimed the layout of the room also caused issues, in that those watching the count were restricted from seeing the ballot papers. Under cross-examination by Catherine Donnelly SC, for the returning officer, Ms Feeney claimed that historically, it was the finest of margins. Ms Donnelly, however, stated that Ms Feeney was not the only candidate excluded from the count having lost on less than one ballot paper. The barrister put it to Ms Feeney that around on third of the agricultural panel was excluded by less than one ballot paper and that they were not entitled to a full recount. Ms Feeney stated that the margin between the other candidates were not as fine as her loss. The court heard that in her affidavit, Ms Feeney had said that the refusal to carry out a full recount was so unusual that it could be a near singular event. She also questioned what event would have to happen which would provide for a full recount. Ms Feeney added that she had a reasonable expectation that there would have been a full recount as it could potentially have a bearing on being elected or not. The case continues. Mairead McGuinness has been confirmed as the nominee for Fine Gaels presidential candidate. Her ratification as the partys candidate is to take place at an event in September. Tanaiste Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said Ms McGuinness, who was a former TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, possesses all the attributes to bring our nation together. Ms McGuinness is the first official nominee in the presidential race to replace Michael D Higgins this autumn, after he served the maximum, two seven-year terms as President of Ireland. Independent Galway TD Catherine Connolly, who is expected to officially enter the race on Wednesday, has already received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit and is expected to garner the support of several independents. Labour said it would seriously consider whether to back Ms Connolly, who is a former party member, as a presidential candidate. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has also refused to rule herself out of running for the presidency. Prospective candidates need the support of 20 Oireachtas members to get on the ballot paper. Fianna Fail, the party with the most TDs in the Dail, has not clarified if it will run a candidate. Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said the party was assessing our options and a decision would be made by the parliamentary party in the early autumn. Asked about Taoiseach Micheal Martin as a possible candidate, Mr Chambers said he was very focused on the job of government. Labour TD George Lawlor said on Tuesday that Ms Connolly had approached Labour party leader Ivana Bacik seeking the partys support and they would consider very seriously their decision. We will speak with our members and our members will be contacted and a decision will be made after that. No decisions will be made today. He added: We will be asking Catherine to outline her vision for the presidency and where she sees her role in that. Its a position that the Labour Party has promoted very strong candidates for in the past. Left-wing independent Ms Connolly worked as a barrister and a clinical psychologist before becoming a councillor for 17 years and spending a term as a Galway mayor until 2005. She resigned from the Labour Party in 2006 after being turned down to be a running mate of then incumbent TD Michael D Higgins. She was first elected to the Dail as an independent candidate for Galway West in 2016 and has been an outspoken advocate for Palestine and against US army aircraft refuelling at Shannon Airport. A new report commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) shows a continuing decline in the number of pubs in Ireland, with 58 pubs having closed in Louth since 2005. Nationally, 2,119, or one in four, have closed their doors since 2005. There are 169 pubs currently operation in Louth, a drop of 58 or 25% when compared with the 2005 figure of 227. The report, compiled by Economist and Associate Professor Emeritus at DCU, Anthony Foley, shows that an average of 112 pubs stopped trading every year, with a further 600 to 1,000 closures estimated over the next decade. All 26 counties experienced declines in pub numbers over the 2005 to 2024 period. The highest decrease was in Limerick (-37.2%), followed by Offaly (-34.1%) Cork (-32.7%), Roscommon (-32.3%), Tipperary (-32.0%), Laois (-30.6%), Longford (-30.1%) and Westmeath (-30.0%). The lowest decrease was in Dublin with a drop of -1.7%, followed by Meath with a decrease of -9.5%. Wicklow had a decrease of 10.8% and all other counties saw a 13% or greater decrease. DIGI said the high cost of doing of business was a major contributory factor to the alarming rate of closures recorded by the report. It said that without immediate action by the Government many villages and small towns will soon lose their last remaining pub which would deal a devastating blow to the economic and social fabric of that community. DIGI has called for the Government to use the upcoming Budget to introduce a 10% cut in excise, which currently stands as the second highest in the European Union. Commenting on the report, author Professor Tony Foley said: This report reveals a pattern of pub closures across Ireland, particularly in rural Ireland in recent years. The addition of profound economic uncertainty through US trade tariffs and reduced levels of inbound tourism further threaten the financial foundations of family-owned pubs across the country. In the absence of government intervention, we are likely to see a further 600 to 1,000 pubs close over the coming decade. Read Next: PHOTOS: Sun shines at Ladies Day at Dundalk Stadium Commenting on the report, DIGI secretary, Donall OKeeffe said: More than 100 pubs are closing every year in Ireland, due in large part to the high costs imposed by the State. Without immediate intervention, up to 1,000 more pubs will close for the last time, leaving their communities without a vital community and tourism hub. Once closed, such pubs rarely re-open. The Government could improve commercial viability overnight by cutting excise by 10%. With Irish consumption of alcohol having fallen to average EU levels, and likely to continue dropping, it is no longer justifiable that pubs should be faced with the second-highest excise rates in Europe. This is on top of a hefty 23% VAT rate. The time for the Government to act is now before it is too late. Some very fast greyhounds have been rounding the bends and covering the straights at Dundalk Stadium of late. Many of them have already enjoyed a high profile another might soon be among them. Rolo Tokyo had only three races before taking his place in the Eamon & Paddy Carroll Memorial Stake, and though the London-owned blue-brindle had won none of them, his times in filling minor places were above average. READ NEXT: Inside Track: The hunt is on for prized All-Ireland tickets They were sprints; for the Carroll, Rolo would be moving up to the 525. As it transpired, the extra yardage had no risk attached. After winning his first round heat, the 27-month-old proceeded to rout his opponents, getting to within a length of the track record in the semi-final. Trained in Downpatrick by Damien Maginn, Rolo went even faster in the final, once again giving the record a right shaking. His aggregate winning margin in his four races was upwards on 26 lengths. The opposition will be stiffer from now on, and it will be interesting to see how the 79-pounder handles it. Shelbourne Park could be his next port of call. This years Dundalk International had a reminder of the 1983 renewal of the big race. Back then, five of the runners cross the line together, and it was only after a long delay, the Judge giving the photo a hard look, that Quick Suzy was declared the winner, a short-head clear of Dads Bank, running for Peter Burkes Clogherherad kennel. Under a length covered three of the other finishers, with a dog by the name of Game Ball failing to get his photo taken. It was nearly as close last Saturday night, and this time all six runners were in the picture, about two lengths covering the entire field. Victory went to the favourite, Cheap Sandwiches, with the English raider, Wicky Ned, taking the runner-up spot. There was a half-length between them, with Ballinaboola Joe finishing in third, a short-head back. The Kerry-owned winner It surely was the Kingdoms weekend ran-up last years Irish Derby and was a finalist in this years English equivalent, while Wicky Ned was Englands greyhound of-the-year in 2024, and going into this race had a smashing record of 13 wins from fourteen outings. For a time it looked as if the raider was going to enhance his record. He was fast away from one, and led around the first bend. After that the field began to bunch, but turning in Wicky Ned was still in the vanguard. Cheap Sandwiches got a run on the wide outside in the home straight, and it was close to the line that the Graham Holland-trained hit the front. The highly-fancied Callaway Knegare never really recovered from a very tardy start. The probability is that many of the runners will contest the upcoming Irish Derby, and there could be one or two of them in the line-up for Dundalks next major event, the Irish Sprint. In a staggering revelation, figures released by the HSE through request by the Freedom of Information Act 2014 show that over 7,975,216 was spent by Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and Louth County Hospital on the services of recruitment firms and agency staff last year, not including the month of December. The records released by the HSE list the amount spent by all hospital groups across the country on recruitment firms and agency staff. Although these costs are very high, Louth as a county was on the lower end when it came to the overall amount spent according to these records. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital spent a total of 6,924,005. Of that total amount spent, 648,776 went towards nursing, 548,391 on paramedical services, 1,689,295 on support services, and 11,281 on maintenance and technical support. The highest proportion was allocated for medical and dental services, amounting to 4,026,262. Louth County Hospital's total spend came in at 1,051,211. The majority of this money went towards support services, totalling 509,740. Medical and dental services cost 286,768, nursing 101,225, and paramedical services 153,478. Mullingar General Hospital had the highest bill for recruitment firms and agency staff last year, totalling 23,762,844. The Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise came second with 19,776,670. Then came University Hospital Limerick with 18,616,681. The Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore followed closely behind UHL at 18,344,880. The total cost across all hospital groups listed in the records amounted to over 276,165,412. Although investment in public healthcare has never been higher, these figures convey a stark overreliance on agency staff within Irish hospitals. In response to a request for a comment on these numbers, a spokesperson for the Minister of Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said: "The Minister for Health supports the ongoing efforts to control and reduce agency spend in the Health Service Executive (HSE). "Following talks at the Workplace Relations Commission in March between health sector management and unions, a commitment was made by the HSE to reduce reliance on agency workers and to ensure that all vacancies are filled by direct recruitment in the first instance. The Minister welcomes this commitment." Indeed, the HSE's 2025 National Service Plan has an allocated budget of 26.9 billion which is a 1.6 billion increase compared to the 2024 budget. However, healthcare within Ireland is still plagued with major issues and staffing is significant area of concern. Speaking in January at the time of the publication of the National Service Plan, HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said the organisation's priority in 2025 "must be a relentless focus on productivity and changed ways of working". This included expanding the workforce. The plan specifically states: "Prioritise the training and development of our staff, including leadership and management skills, team and individual development. The HSE will select senior leaders to participate in executive leadership programmes aimed at addressing critical leadership challenges and developing longer term healthcare leadership capacity in the health sector." However, many people working in healthcare would argue that the problem is that there is a top heavy administration staff and that there is too much emphasis placed on management rather than frontline staff. Even with so much money being spent on recruitment firms and agency staff to plug the gaps for the HSE, staffing numbers and dissatisfaction among healthcare workers is critically low. In March of this year, thousands of healthcare staff threatened industrial action due to staffing to such dismal numbers. Unions cited recruitment restrictions and the suppression of vacant posts as factors in creating unsafe conditions for patients and staff. The work-to-rule action was eventually suspended to allow for a ballot. However, the problems within the HSE's staffing have not disappeared. Forsa published new research last month which showed that 68% of respondents described staff morale as either low (43%) or terrible (25%). The trade union commissioned the research by the independent think-tank TASC and surveyed 3,800 healthcare staff. The study also reported that almost half of those surveyed (48%) said the situation had deteriorated with the last two years. Over 53% said low morale is negatively affecting the quality of care. The survey demonstrates the impact staff shortages is having on healthcare workers. So, to what extent is the money being spent on recruitment firms and agency staff alleviating the pressure on the healthcare system? Or is it simply a costly short-term solution to plug the many gaps in the floundering system? One former agency worker based in the Midlands agreed that they were indeed simply plugging gaps for the HSE. The former employee, who chose to remain anonymous, worked for an agency in an administrative capacity from April 2022 to November 2023. During her time there, she said that training was not up to standard and that it was "limited and inconsistent." She added that from her experience, managers and trainers were often "lacking in knowledge" when it came to training staff. Because of this, people were forced to learn as they worked. She also expressed a major disconnection between agency staff and HSE workers and added that if any jobs arose within the HSE, agency staff would not have any advantage despite their experience. The former agency worker wholeheartedly agreed that there is an overreliance on agency workers within the HSE, sentiment which has long been echoed by healthcare workers across the country. What appeared to be a normal morning for the Dundalk Court Office manager, turned into a mini 'This Is Your Life' for Denise Clarkin, who was surprised last Wednesday when she entered Courtroom Number 3 to find it was full of people to mark her upcoming retirement. Circuit Court Judge Dara Hayes and District Court Judge Nicola Andrews were among the well-wishers including her colleagues, solicitors, barristers, members of the Probation Service and Prison Service and Gardai. Her career in the Courts Service began with a temporary contract in 1987 with most of it spent in Dundalk apart from stints in Dublin, Monaghan, and Drogheda. Judge Hayes, who was appointed a circuit court judge three-and-a-half years ago, told how one of his first postings was to Monaghan where she was still manager: Then I was assigned here and Denise had to be brought home to supervise me! Noting that she has been nothing but helpful, Judge Hayes stressed that the advent of criminal trials in both Dundalk and in Drogheda could not have happened without her work and she would be greatly missed. Read also: PHOTOS: Sun shines at Ladies Day at Dundalk Stadium Judge Andrews recalled the warm welcome extended to her when she arrived in County Louth and said Denise was a great source of knowledge, who gave her a good understanding of how management of the courthouse worked. Judge Andrews also extended thanks on behalf of all the judges who sat in District No. 6 before her. On behalf of the Dundalk practitioners, solicitor Frank McDonnell, said with the introduction of legislation "from every direction" since the 1990s Denise has been described by others as the oracle and go to woman and that was their experience too. His counterpart in Drogheda Paddy Goodwin, who said he had been friends with Denise since he was an apprentice, also passed on the good wishes of retired Judge Flann Brennan. Donough McDonough BL, who said Denise was always helpful, courteous and friendly, added it was not easy to be a leader. It took bravery and she had made all of them better at what they did. He continued that they were lucky to be backed by the best court staff and office in the country, which was very much a nod to Denise. State Solicitor for County Louth Fergus Mullen claimed that the Dundalk office was the envy of most counties in Ireland which was in no small way down to Denise and he acknowledged there has been a significant increase in the court workload. Regional manager, Eoin Manning, who joked that the staff called her the Subject Matter expert, noted that the court office in Dundalk is now the amalgamation of three offices Dundalk, Drogheda and the Circuit Court. Staff had increased by a third and there was new legislation and technology and Denise is leaving behind a knowledgeable and dedicated team. Best wishes were also extended on behalf of the Probation Service, Prison Service and Supt Charlie Armstrong of Dundalk Garda Station on behalf of Gardai. Responding to the tributes that had been paid, Denise said Ive loved the courts. Theyve been good to me and the people were good to me. and referring to the court staff said it was not an easy job and not getting any easier. She added she had learned so much working with everyone, and outlined how she began on a temporary contract because she didn't know what she wanted to do when she grew up, and I still dont know! Hoteliers from Louth and across the country recently met with TDs and Senators, to discuss the key challenges facing Irish tourism, and the necessary measures the Irish Hotels Federation is calling for to ensure the successful long-term development of Irelands largest indigenous industry, supporting over 270,000 livelihoods including 3,000 in Louth. In the run up to Budget 2026, a key concern for hotels and guesthouses across Louth is the exceptionally high operating costs that tourism and hospitality businesses are grappling with, a situation that is particularly challenging for regional businesses that are heavily reliant on food services. James Mckenna, IHF Mourne, Boyne & Lakes Branch Rep and Louth hotelier said: Tourism businesses are struggling to deal with ever-increasing operating costs and tighter margins. It is now essential that the Government tackles this head on and delivers targeted measures to enhance cost competitiveness and support business viability. This is at a time when Irish tourism is experiencing difficult headwinds on a number of fronts, including reduced tourism expenditure, economic challenges across our key source markets and increased political uncertainty internationally all of which pose a serious risk to our industry. Mr. McKenna notes that recent research by Failte Ireland shows that 51% of tourism businesses have seen a decrease in revenues to date in 2025 compared with last year. Results indicate that overseas visitor spend, which typically accounts for 70% of tourism revenue, is a significant concern. This is particularly challenging for Food & Drink businesses, with 75% reporting a drop in overseas revenue so far this year. Outlining the key policy priorities for the industry, Mr. Mckenna stressed the importance of decisive action in the upcoming Budget. Key policy priorities for Budget 2026: A permanent restoration of the 9% VAT rate on hospitality food services. This is key to supporting the viability of our tourism food offering. A meaningful reduction in Employers PRSI for labour-intensive indigenous industries such as tourism and hospitality. Measures to tackle excessive business costs, which are amongst the highest in Europe, including insurance premiums and energy pass through charges. Increased investment in training, skills and development, leveraging the enormous un-tapped surpluses in the National Training Fund. Measures to support enhanced air access for Dublin and our regional airports. Increased funding for Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to support sectoral growth, marketing and development. More targeted measures to support sustainability initiatives within our sector in line with Irelands national climate action goals. The Irish Hotels Federation says that having these measures in place would go a long way towards ensuring the long-term success of Irelands tourism and hospitality industry. An official appeal has been lodged by the GAA Palestine group following the denial of visas for their trip to Ireland which was planned for this month. The team of 47, which included 33 children and 14 mentors from the West Bank in Palestine were due to arrive in Ireland this Friday for a summer tour but were denied entry by the Department of Justice who said they "understand the disappointment" the denial has caused. An appeal was lodged on Tuesday afternoon and a spokesperson has said they hope the department will deal with it promptly. READ NEXT: Childline reports over 100 calls for sexual and physical abuse since start of school holidays A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said, "These applications were given very careful consideration and the reasons for their refusal have been communicated in the decision letter. "Each visa application is decided on its own merits. However, it is the case that the organisation of an even, no matter how good the intention, does not guarantee that a visa will be subsequently granted. "Applications made on behalf of minors who are not travelling in the company of their parents must be supported with evidence that appropriate child protection measures are in place during the visit. "In all cases, evidence of financial means, employment or other ties that indicate a person intends to return home are important criteria". GAA Palestine has posted about the appeal on their social media, providing links and emails so the public can help them in any way. The post said, "We are extremely disappointed and outraged by the Department of Justices refusal to allow our team to travel to Ireland for our scheduled trip on 18th July. "We have just 24 hours left to make the dreams of 33 young GAA players hoping to arrive in Ireland on 18th July come true." View this post on Instagram A post shared by GAA Palestine (@gaa_palestine) READ NEXT: 'Shocking' - Car seized from dangerous driver who was high on opiates on Irish roads GAA Palestine has also said that the department has told them that the appeals process would take an "indefinite amount of time" and that "effectively prevents" their trip from going ahead. "We requested the Department of Justice to engage directly with us to verify and provide assurance that all documentations was in order, but our efforts were met with silence," said a spokesperson. GAA Palestine's founder Stephen Redmond has said the were "deeply disheartened and outraged" over the decision and has called on Irish authorities to reconsider. "Despite providing all necessary documentation and engaging in good faith, we have been met with dismissiveness and an appeals process that, in reality, guarantees our trip will not happen. This is not just a logical setback; it's a blatant disregard for fairness, transparency, and the spirit of sport that unites us all. "We genuinely want to come together and work constructively to remedy this situation. We are ready and available to engage in meaningful dialogue and to explore any options that might all our players to participate", said Mr Redmond. Irish parents are being urged to keep children off "powerful" e-scrambler bikes after gardai seized one being ridden dangerously over the weekend. Officers in Duleek, Co. Meath spotted two youths, both under 16, riding the electric bike along public roads and footpaths, with the passenger not wearing a helmet. Highlighting the dangers in a post on Facebook, gardai said: "These powerful bikes have the potential to cause severe or fatal injury and children using one poses a serious safety hazard. "Not everyone may realise that when used in a public space or on a public road, these bikes are subject to the same rules of the road as other vehicles," gardai added. They went on to clarify the legal obligations for e-bike and e-scooter users in Ireland. "They must be registered, taxed, insured and in good road-worthy condition, and the driver must have a driving licence." The warning comes amid growing concern over e-bikes and scooters being used illegally and without proper safety gear. Gardai say parents should be aware of both the legal risks and the physical dangers that these high-powered bikes pose to riders. READ MORE | Irish country music star shares diagnosis after 'scary' and 'difficult' hospital ordeal A Cork TD has said that the 10% increase in calls received by the South Munster Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) highlights how the cost of living crisis is not only still here, but deepening. The service has issued a call for urgent government action ahead of Budget 2026 as the agency has received calls from an average of 190 people per month since January, representing a 10% rise in caseloads across Cork since the start of this year. The organisation is urging the government to address increasing debt and housing pressures for struggling families and individuals, to prevent deeper hardship and long-term social costs. Key issues for Cork clients flagged by South Munster MABS in their pre-budget submission include an escalation in mortgage distress, a utility bills crisis and rents being beyond reach. In order to combat these issues, the agency is seeking the introduction of a social energy tariff to protect financially vulnerable households; an overhaul of the Housing Assistance Programme (HAP) and Rent Supplement systems to reflect increasing costs. Mabs is also seeking expanded support for people in long-term mortgage arrears; stronger protections against utility disconnection; and broader access to hardship funds and emergency supports for those in arrears. Ursula Collins, who is the regional manager of South Munster MABS said that the increase is not only a reflection of those struggling in Cork, but across Munster as a whole. 'SUPPORTS ARE TOO SLOW' Were now supporting an average of 190 new clients every month in the region, said Ms Collins. Thats not just a numberit reflects hundreds of households facing choices between heating, rent, food or mortgage payments. Too many people are falling through the cracks because supports are too slow, too limited, or simply dont reflect the cost of living on the ground." We want to ensure Budget 2026 is people-centred and will help vulnerable households desperately in need of support. Sinn Fein Cork South Central TD, Donnchadh O Laoghaire said that the Government needs to prioritise the delivery of social supports as families and individuals are under really severe pressure. "This is further evidence of the fact that the cost of living crisis is not only still here, but deepening, said Mr O Laoghaire. A government minister was recently quoted as saying the budget will reflect the fact that the cost of living crisis is over - yet we are seeing more and more families under pressure. Clearly a lot of this is connected to the housing crisis and MABS are right to identify that, and none of the Government schemes are getting to grips with unaffordable housing, both to rent or to buy. "It goes beyond that, we have some of the highest energy prices in Europe still, we have essential food products skyrocketing in price, and a system that is constantly asking people to pay twice, once in taxes and once in charges such as GP fees, so called voluntary contributions, A&E fees, prescription charges, and third level fees, which the Government want to increase. The Government need to get back in touch with reality - people are really struggling out there, families, workers, small businesses, right across the board, and we believe there is a need for a strong cost of living package to reflect the fact that people are still under really severe pressure. Socialist Party councillor for Cork City North West, Brian McCarthy said that when we see supermarket prices alone rising by 4.6% in a year, it's obvious that the cost of living crisis is getting worse. The government have ruled out any cost of living measures this year despite the budget surplus, said Mr McCarthy. This refusal to act in a crisis is an attack on the living standards of working-class people by those who seek to defend and increase profits for businesses. A Cork TD has stated that US president Donald Trump implementing 30% tariffs on European products would be detrimental to trade, and called for cool heads to prevail. Mr Trump has threatened the EU and Mexico with a 30% tariff on imports to the US from August. Speaking to The Echo, Cork East Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide said that 30% tariffs would be utterly devastating for businesses, but I would caution against catastrophising. We know that Donald Trump likes to make incendiary threats, which he then doesnt follow through on. There are a number of weeks left to negotiate this trading arrangement between the US and the EU, and we need cool heads and rationality to prevail. High tariffs would be detrimental to trade, in both directions, and if Donald Trump were to continue with this folly, he would face an enormous and immediate backlash from his own voters, and the markets. Meanwhile, the European Unions response to Mr Trump implementing 30% tariffs on European products will be firm, quick, and robust, commissioner Michael McGrath has said. SOLUTION European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen responded by saying the EU prefers a negotiated solution on trade with the United States, and that the bloc would extend its suspension of countermeasures to US tariffs until early August. Mr McGrath, European commissioner for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection, said that negotiations have been particularly intensive in recent weeks and they are working to the revised deadline. The Cork politician said that EU negotiators will leave no stone unturned in getting the best deal possible for the bloc. With Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly ruling himself out of the running, the path looks to have been made even clearer for former MEP Mairead McGuinness to become the Fine Gael candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Speaking to The Echo, the overwhelming mood among Cork Fine Gael TDs and councillors ahead of the upcoming presidential election is optimistic, regarding a strong candidate for the political party emerging. Cork North Central Fine Gael TD Colm Burke said he believed Ms McGuinness would be a positive choice: I do think that she is a strong candidate and I do think that she will have the full support of the entire parliamentary party and the entire organisation. That is because she has made a huge contribution over a long number of years. She would have a major contribution to make, in the sense that she has huge European experience, as well as Irish experience. As we go into a changing world, where we will need that support of other countries with conflict around Europe. I think she would be a very good president. Speaking to The Echo, Carrigaline-based Fine Gael Cork county councillor Una McCarthy also gave her seal of approval to Ms McGuinness being the partys candidate: If she does go forward, there is no doubt that she is a very impressive candidate. She has very impressive credentials, from financial oversight in Europe to political experience. Overall, she is a very confident and capable candidate, if she does decide to put her name forward. Macroom-based Cork county councillor Ted Lucey added: My own thoughts are that Mairead McGuinness would be a good candidate and she would put up a very strong fight to win it. I think anyone that would beat her would be a very strong candidate, but I think she would have an excellent chance. Cork city Fine Gael councillor Shane OCallaghan agreed that the former MEP would be a good candidate for the party. I have no doubt that if she runs, she will be the one to beat, from every other candidates point of view, he said. Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe had his appeal against a public order conviction allowed today on payment of 500 to the Irish Red Cross. He was convicted originally at Fermoy District Court following his failure to make a 350 contribution to the Irish Refugee Council. In March when the matter came up at Cork Circuit Appeals Court his then barrister Alan ODwyer said: It is purely a religious matter. He explained that Mr Blighes difficulty was with the position taken by the Irish Refugee Council on the repeal of the 8th amendment to the Irish constitution in relation to abortion. Judge Helen Boyle adjourned the appeal until today for the appellant to pay 500 to NASC, the organisation that advises migrants and refugees on their rights. And Mr ODwyer said the appellant would make this contribution. However, when the appeal was mentioned today, Mr Blighe, who represented himself in court, said that paying this contribution to NASC was against his faith because they had taken the same position on the abortion amendment. Judge Boyle let the matter stand at 11.30am today and said she would return to the case later. When the case was called again at around 4pm, Judge Boyle asked him if he had the 500 in court. He said he had. The judge then directed him to hand it over to An Garda Siochana which he did. Judge Boyle said: I am going to direct the sergeant to pay it to the Red Cross and thereafter to allow the appeal. Mr Blighe said: Thank you, your honour. Derek Blighe, aged 44, from Croughevoe, Mitchelstown, County Cork, had, according to the evidence of Inspector Jason Wallace at Fermoy District Court, engaged in threatening and abusive behaviour during an incident at Abbeyville House, Fermoy, on December 22 2023. Witness Christopher Gomez said he was duty manager at Abbeyville when it was being prepared as accommodation for migrants, and a protest by people opposing its use for this purpose had been taking place for several months outside. Mr Gomez said Mr Blighe obstructed an oil delivery to the premises and told him: You are a guest in this country. Shame on you. You should be ashamed. You will go down in the history books, you will go down in the sewers of Irish history. Go back to where you came from. Video of these comments was live-streamed. As an Irish citizen for 20 years Mr Gomez said he had never experienced anything like this before. A famous Cork pub has been listed for sale following the owners decision to retire after a lifetime of dedication to the citys bar scene. Douglas native John OConnor, who is the owner of An Spailpin Fanach, said the decision to sell his venue comes following a three-decade strong career. The property, located on South Main St, was listed for sale this week under DNG Estate Agents, with an asking price in excess of 1.5m. Included in the sale is the pub venue which was founded in 1779 across the street from the Brewery Quarter. The property features two bars, which extend to circa 442sqm. One is located at ground-floor level and another at first-floor level, that currently operates as a private function room with its own door access. This building, also offering three overhead two-bedroom apartments which are fully rented, will be sold with the benefit of sitting tenants. The sale of the venue will further include a seven-day publicans licence. An Spailpin Fanach has been successfully operated by the OConnor family since 1991 and has been expanded significantly over the years. Speaking to The Echo, Mr OConnor said that while the team has experienced lots of highlights throughout the years. Why weve decided to sell is because Im retiring Ive been there 34 years, its a lifetime, said Mr OConnor. Im 65 years of age, I think itll be better for a younger person to come in and take up the reigns, do what they need to do with whatever ideas they may have. Id like to see it fall into the hands of another publican, we worked hard at it over the last 34 years we kept it traditional, we dont have TVs its all music and singing [In my retirement] Ill do nothing for a while. I want to take some time off, working every weekend for the last 30 years catches up with you. We had lots of highlights, we had some great customers. We had some famous people come in too, we had Paul McGrath, Pat Jennings, Bernard Dunne, Alan Minter, Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, Jackie Daly, Seamus Creagh, Sharon Shannon, Matt Cranitch; lots and lots of good times. Weve done very well down through the years I must say, [but] I did my time, Im happy to go now. Those looking to express interest in the sale of the property are asked to contact Glenn OConnor at: glenn@dngcreedon.ie or 021-489-7300. In 2025, we are proudly celebrating 50 years of the Citizens Information Network, a service that has consistently empowered the people of Ireland with access to clear, impartial, and vital information, advice, and advocacy. The journey began in the early 1970s when the National Social Service Council, working with local community groups, recognised a pressing need to bridge the widening gap between the public and the often-complex web of State services. Many people struggled - and continue to struggle - to understand their rights and entitlements, particularly with the growing shift toward digital platforms. This vision took a significant step forward at the Right to Know conference in February, 1974, in Dun Laoghaire, where Minister for Social Welfare Frank Cluskey committed to funding a nationwide information network. Fifty years ago this month, on July 8, 1975, the first 25 Citizens Information Centres were officially registered. By the end of that year, the network had expanded to 33, and by 1979, it had grown to 83 centres nationwide. Now, the Citizens Information Network comprises eight Regional Citizens Information Service companies, serving geographical areas across the country: South Munster, North Munster, North Dublin, Dublin South, North Connacht & Ulster, North Leinster, South Connacht, South Leinster. The Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS), also based in Cork, offers nationwide support. With 12 physical offices in Cork and Kerry, and 90 offices nationally, the network continues to offer face-to-face assistance on a wide range of topics. In 2024 alone, Citizens Information nationwide handled 767,168 queries: South Munster CIS dealt with 88,711 queries across its offices in Cork and Kerry. What People Ask About 45% of all queries are related to social welfare. Other major areas of inquiry include employment, housing, education, health, and migration. Behind every number is a story, and here are just a few comments from those who have benefited from contacting our service: My wife and I were very relieved to get the info we needed to plan our retirement with regards to our pension entitlements. As a migrant, Ive used the service since I was an asylum seeker. I was never ignored or discriminated against. Thank you for your help with the letter to recover unpaid wages owed to me so I could move on and get back on my feet with a new job. I am a single mum and I have been dealing with multiple crises over a long period of time. This office has helped me step by step to slowly rebuild a life for myself and my daughter. Our services include: Providing information on rights, entitlements, and responsibilities Assistance with understanding and completing applications for social welfare payments, medical cards. Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) complaints Residential Tenancy Board (RTB) issues Housing support (including social housing and HAP) Representation at the Social Welfare Appeals Office, RTB, WRC, and other relevant bodies. As we reflect on this milestone of half a century, we remember the dedicated people who built this service in Cork and Kerry over the last 50 years and the countless individuals who have walked through our doors seeking help. Their trust drives us forward. We remain committed to a future where every person in Ireland has access to free, confidential, impartial, and high-quality information, advice, and advocacy - no matter their circumstances. You can visit www.citizensinformation.ie, drop into your local Citizens Information Centre in Cork or Kerry, or call the Citizens Information Phone Service at 0818 07 4000. Isabel Hayes A man and woman have pleaded guilty to theft in relation to an alleged accommodation fraud in south Dublin. Michael Ward (33) and Melissa Collins (26) appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday, where their case was listed for trial. The prosecuting counsel told the court that an agreement had been reached in which the pair would enter guilty pleas which were acceptable to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Ward, of Moyne Park, Moyne Road, Baldoyle, pleaded guilty to one count of stealing 1,800 from a bank account on a date between September 9th, 2022, and September 18th, 2022, in an unknown location within the State. Collins, of Cherryfield Walk, Hartstown, pleaded guilty to one count of stealing 600 from a bank account on an unknown location within the State on July 27th, 2022. The District Court previously heard that the case involves accommodation fraud against a number of international students in south Dublin. A sentence date of November 24th was set, when the full facts of the case are expected to be heard. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. A couple cool off by walking through giant metal rings installed in 2022 to spray mist in Dover, Kent, England as the third heat wave of the summer hits the UK on July 11, 2025. Gareth Fuller / PA Images via Getty Images Extreme heat, excessive rainfall, ongoing droughts these conditions are now considered the new normal, according to the latest State of the UK Climate report from the UK Met Office. The report highlights several alarming trends, including warming at the rate of 0.25C per decade in the UK. The past three consecutive years have ranked within the top five warmest years ever recorded in the UK, with records dating back to 1884. The past decade, from 2015 to 2024, is reported as 1.24 degrees Celsius warmer than the time period from 1961 to 1990. Every year that goes by is another upward step on the warming trajectory our climate is on. Observations show that our climate in the UK is now notably different to what it was just a few decades ago, Mike Kendon, lead author of the report and Met Office climate scientist, said in a press release. The #StateOfUKClimate Report shows how the UKs climate has warmed steadily from 1980s onwards at a rate of approximately 0.25C per decade Read the full report rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ [image or embed] Met Office weather and climate (@metoffice.gov.uk) July 14, 2025 at 5:51 AM This pace of change and clustering of consecutive records is not a natural variation in our climate, Kendon added. Numerous studies have shown how human emissions of greenhouse gases are warming the atmosphere and changing the weather we experience on the ground. Our climate in the UK is now different to what it was just a few decades ago, this is clear from our observations. Comparing the past decade to the 19611990 time period, the Met Office found that the number of days with temperatures at least 5 degrees Celsius higher than the average from 19611990 has doubled. The number of days 8 degrees Celsius warmer has tripled, and the number of days over 10 degrees warmer than the former average has quadrupled. A vendor shelters her head from the sun on Westminster Bridge as the third heat wave of the year continues with amber health warnings in place in London, England on July 13, 2025. Wiktor Szymanowicz / Anadolu via Getty Images Its not just summer weather seeing such shifts. October 2023 through March 2024 was the wettest winter half-year on record, accord to the report. Further, six of the 10 wettest winter half-years in England and Wales have happened since the year 2000 (with records dating back to 1767). With warmer, weather winter weather comes less frost. According to the Met Office, air and ground frosts are down by about 25% compared to frost levels from the 1980s. The sea level is also rising rapidly in response to climate change, with sea levels around the UK up 19.5 centimeters since 1901. We are experiencing more severe weather events in the UK due to climate change, said Stephen Belcher, Met Office chief scientist. They are a potent reminder of our responsibility to citizens now, and to future generations, to accelerate efforts to adapt our society and infrastructure to cope with these weather extremes. The climate is likely to continue to change, and so we need to prepare for the impacts that will have on the weather we experience on the ground. The report relies on an extensive database of observations from weather stations around the UK and historical data. While the latest report focused on climate in the UK during 2024, Met Office warned that some records are being broken yet again so far in 2025. As the BBC reported, parts of the UK have been declared in an official drought, and last month was Englands warmest June on record. Parts of the UK are facing the third heat wave of the summer, and flooding risks are increasing. The UK National Assessment of Flood Risk, last published in December 2024, determined that one in four properties in England is at risk of flooding by 2050. While long-term averages are shifting, it is the extreme heat, intense rainfall and droughts that are having the most immediate and dramatic effects on people and nature, Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, said of the State of the UK Climate 2024. This report is not just a record of change, but a call to action. Over 20 U.S. states sue Trump administration over frozen funds for schools Xinhua) 10:07, July 15, 2025 WASHINGTON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- More than 20 U.S. states filed a lawsuit on Monday in a federal court in Rhode Island, demanding that the Trump administration release approximately 6.8 billion U.S. dollars in federal funding for education. According to the lawsuit, the federal funds were originally intended to support the education of migrant farm workers and their children, teacher recruitment and training, English proficiency learning, academic enrichment, after-school and summer programs, as well as adult literacy and job-readiness training. The lawsuit said the government was required to distribute the funds to the states by July 1. Instead, the Education Department notified states on June 30 that it would not be issuing grant awards under those programs by that deadline, citing the change in administration as the reason. The plaintiffs said the Trump administration froze the funding without providing sufficient justification, causing significant disruption to school operations and forcing many summer and after-school programs to be canceled or placed at risk. The White House Office of Management and Budget stated that the education grants are under an "ongoing programmatic review." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) NVIDIA will be able to start selling its H20 AI GPU to China again soon after gaining approval to do so from the US government, the company announced in a blog post. Earlier this year, the company was blocked from selling the H20 to China over concerns it could aid the nation's military. "NVIDIA is filing applications to sell the H20 GPU again. The US government has assured NVIDIA that licenses will be granted and NVIDIA hopes to start deliveries soon," the article states. The company also announced the NVIDIA RTX Pro GPU that's "fully compliant" for the Chinese market, designed for smart factories and logistics. The US government starting blocking sales of NVIDIA's most powerful AI graphics processors, like the A100 and H200, to China back in 2022. The company subsequently developed the A800 and H800 chips for the Chinese market, but those were subsequently banned as well by the Biden administration back in 2023. NVIDIA then came up with the HGX H20 and two other chips that conformed to export rules. Sales of that chip were blocked too in April, but the US department of commerce has apparently reversed course again. That could be a tremendous help for NVIDIA financially as it's currently holding $8 billion in unshipped orders and expects up to $5 billion in additional revenue for 2025, Bloomberg reported. Yesterday, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang dismissed concerns that China's military would use the company's chips to develop AI. "They don't need NVIDIA's chips, certainly, or American tech stacks in order to build their military," he said, adding that it would be foolish of them to do so because "they simply can't rely on it." Huang has previously said that NVIDIA export bans didn't stop China from developing AI and allowed its competitors, especially Huawei, to gain ground on US technology. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. The Department of Commerce has opened national security investigations into imports of drones and polysilicon , a raw material used in chips and solar panels. Among other things, officials are looking into "predatory trade practices" and the capacity of other countries to "weaponize their control over supplies" of drones, drone parts and polysilicon, as well as derivatives of each. The DoC commenced the investigations on July 1, but has only just disclosed them publicly. The probes could lead to the US imposing yet more tariffs on imports, which would drive up prices of drones and products that use polysilicon. Per notices that are being published in the Federal Register, officials will consider "whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to protect national security." President Donald Trump has used the same legal process as these investigations to apply tariffs to imports of steel and aluminium (50 percent), cars and car parts (25 percent) and copper (50 percent as of August 1). There are other investigations underway into the likes of semiconductors , consumer electronics, aerospace components and pharmaceuticals. They're being conducted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. Microsofts extensive gaming portfolio was hit hard by sweeping layoffs earlier this month. The situation appears to have been particularly galling for staff at Candy Crush developer King who are reportedly set to be replaced by AI tools they worked on. Multiple anonymous sources have told MobileGamer.biz that a number of narrative, UX, level design and user research staffers at King have spent several years helping to build and train AI models that can do their jobs more quickly. Those same employees are now being told their jobs are at risk. They added that the copywriting team is facing the same fate, with the London-based group working on Farm Heroes Saga expected to effectively be cut in half. "The fact AI tools are replacing people is absolutely disgusting but its all about efficiency and profits even though the company is doing great overall," a source told the mobile gaming-focused outlet. "If were introducing more feedback loops then its crazy to remove the developers themselves, we need more hands and less leadership." The same source estimated that the company-wide staff cuts could end up being more than 200, which was the number reported by Bloomberg when it broke the news of the broader layoffs. Be extra careful where you buy your used Nintendo Switch game cards. A Switch 2 owner posted on Reddit about how their account was banned after downloading patches for a few Switch game cards they'd bought from Facebook Marketplace. The Switch 2 user contacted Nintendo support and discovered they were banned, but they provided proof of purchase and were unbanned shortly after. The Redditor said the whole process was painless and fluid. Nintendo Nintendo attaches unique codes to its Switch game cartridges to prevent piracy. However, bad actors can copy games to a third-party device, like the MIG Flash, and resell the physical game card, meaning the code can exist twice. Once Nintendo detects two instances of the same code online at the same time, down comes the ban hammer. Nintendo continues to push back against piracy aggressively. It amended the Switch user agreement to allow it to brick a console it detects running pirated games or mods. Mat Smith Get Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! The news you might have missed Expect a tethered puck for processing and battery. Getty The Information reports that ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, may be working on mixed reality goggles. Its designed to layer digital objects over your view of the real world and, apparently, is supposed to compete directly with Metas upcoming mixed reality products. God, what will it look like? ByteDances virtual reality startup, Pico, the creators of the Pico 4 VR headset, is building the goggles. Its past products have attempted to match Metas Quest headsets features. However, this new project will be lighter, smaller goggles, which weigh around 0.28 pounds. Pico plans to offload most of the computing work to a wired puck. Continue reading. Getty Threads is starting to look more and more like the most viable challenger to X, but it still isnt sending much traffic to other websites, which could make the platform less appealing for creators, publishers and others whose businesses depend on non-Meta-owned websites. According to Similarweb, outbound referral traffic from Threads climbed to 28.4 million visits in June. Thats a notable jump from 15.1 million visits a year ago but still relatively tiny, considering Threads is currently averaging more than 115 million users a day. Continue reading. This will maintain strategic advantage. The US Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) is awarding up to $200 million each to leading AI companies, like Anthropic, Google, OpenAI and xAI, for military applications. A press release says the move will broaden the Department of Defenses use of AI to address critical national security needs. This initiative aims to expand the Department of Defenses AI use for national security. Notably, xAIs receipt of funds coincides with its new version of Grok, made for federal use. Continue reading. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Former first lady Michelle Obama is making headlines after candid remarks about embracing personal freedom, which some critics have labeled "selfish," while supporters praise her as honest and empowering. Speaking during a recent episode of her podcast "IMO," co-hosted with her brother Craig Robinson, Obama reflected on entering a new chapter of life now that her daughters, Malia, 26, and Sasha, 24, have moved out and her husband, former President Barack Obama, is no longer in public office. "This stage in life for me is the first time that I have been completely free," Obama said during the podcast, recorded last week. "Every choice that I make in my life is not about my husband, not about his career, not about what my kids need or where they're going it's totally about me." Her comments were made in response to a listener's question about adjusting to an "empty nest," a situation familiar to Obama, who has frequently spoken about transitioning from public service to private life. "I encourage women to embrace this stage," Obama said. "Getting older brings freedoms worth celebrating." The conversation sparked swift reactions across social media. Critics accused Obama of sounding "entitled," with some expressing sympathy for her husband. After hearing this, it's hard not to see Michelle Obama's words as the ultimate display of selfishness. Talking about being 'completely free' from her husband's career and her children's needs? Really? This isn't empowerment; it's entitlement. The speculation about her marriage pic.twitter.com/YKfUvU0shJ Hosna (@DOGEQEEN) July 13, 2025 "After hearing this, it's hard not to see Michelle Obama's words as the ultimate display of selfishness," one critic wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Talking about being 'free' from her husband's career and her children's needs? Really? This isn't empowerment; it's entitlement." Another commenter added, "Never thought I'd say this, but I almost feel sorry for Barack." Speculation even arose about the state of the Obamas' marriage, with some users questioning if a separation was forthcoming. Obama has previously addressed such rumors, emphasizing the strength of her partnership with Barack Obama. Supporters, however, pushed back against the criticism. "Her life has been in service to his career for decades. She raised her kids, supported Barack's presidency, and sacrificed her ambitions. Why shouldn't she enjoy this phase of life?" one user commented. Since leaving the White House in 2017, Obama has become a bestselling author and podcast host, using her platform to discuss issues such as motherhood, personal identity, and women's empowerment. In interviews and public appearances, she has openly shared the complexities of life as an "empty nester." On the podcast, Obama addressed public misinterpretations of her decisions, particularly surrounding her decision to skip former President Donald Trump's second inauguration. "There's this assumption that when women prioritize themselves, it signals something wrong in their marriage," she noted. Representatives for Michelle Obama did not respond to requests for further comment. Despite the backlash, many women expressed gratitude for Obama's honesty. "She's just tired. Doesn't mean anything negative," one commenter wrote. "She's acknowledging her reality." Amazon founder Jeff Bezos surprised the public Thursday when he appeared at the exclusive Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference sporting a new look: thick silver-gray hair surrounding the sides of his head, marking a sharp departure from the nearly bald style he has maintained for over a decade. The billionaire, 61, made his first major public appearance since marrying journalist Lauren Sanchez, 55, just two weeks earlier in Venice, Italy. The couple tied the knot during a lavish three-day celebration attended by high-profile guests, including Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Photographs from Sun Valley showed Bezos smiling alongside Sanchez, his silver hair peeking from under sunglasses. Social media was quick to notice the change. "Shocking hairstyle? I can go to any senior center and find 30 men with this same look," one user quipped in a People magazine comment section. Another joked, "Once you get the ring on her finger, you stop trying so hard. It's starting already, with him growing his hair out." Others compared Bezos' profile to Hollywood legends. "He reminds me of Cecil B. DeMille," a reader wrote. Bezos was last seen with hair in the early 2010s, before adopting a clean-shaven head amid his well-documented fitness transformation. His hair comeback comes just 14 days after marrying Sanchez on June 27 at San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, where Sanchez wore a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown and Bezos opted for a traditional black tuxedo. In interviews over the years, Sanchez has praised her husband's dedication to personal fitness. "Jeff is extremely dedicated to his workouts," she told The Wall Street Journal in 2023. "You have no idea. He really puts in the work." Their relationship began publicly in 2019, following Bezos' high-profile divorce from MacKenzie Scott. Since stepping down as Amazon CEO in 2021, Bezos has remained executive chairman of the tech giant while expanding his Blue Origin aerospace ventures. Forbes estimates his net worth at over $170 billion. Bezos' hair change has now become an unexpected topic of discussion at the Sun Valley conference, which is often dubbed "summer camp for billionaires." While Bezos has not publicly addressed the change, social media speculation remains lively. "Married life changes a man," one fan commented. "Maybe next week he'll bring back the dad bod too." Representatives for Bezos declined to comment on the billionaire's hairstyle or the online reactions. Prince Harry may be seeking peace with his family, but insiders say his efforts will remain stalled until he repairs his relationship with Prince William. While the Duke of Sussex is rumored to be working on his relationship with King Charles III, a friend told writer Rob Shuter it means little without William. "You can patch things up with your father, but until the brothers speak, nothing truly changes," a palace source told Shuter via his Substack column. Harry has been estranged from the royal family since he and Meghan Markle stepped back from their full time roles in 2020. The choice to move to and stay in California, coupled with lavish deals with Netflix and Spotify, deepened the rift. One of those steps was a London meeting between his representatives and a senior aide to Charles. But people who are aware of the talks say those are more about symbolism than substance. "This wasn't progress. It was PR," one insider told Shuter. The greater divide arguably belongs to William. The future King hasn't had any substantive talk with Harry since the fallout from Harry's memoir "Spare" released in 2023. Harry described physical altercations and long-running anger in the book. He wrote that William called Meghan "difficult," "rude," and "abrasive." Harry also described a fight where William grabbed him, tore his necklace, and pushed him down, sending Harry into the dog bowl. "William felt blindsided, exposed, and humiliated," the source told Shuter, adding that he remains deeply upset and is not ready to forgive. Royal Rift Explodes! Princes William and Harrys falling out was no accident insiders say Meghan Markle used Harry as a stepping stone to fame, and it tore the brothers apart. Link below for details. (: MEGA) https://t.co/DsWqOGPnzX pic.twitter.com/YpmQ3cek06 OK! Magazine USA (@OKMagazine) July 11, 2025 Tensions Remain High, Trust Is Still Lacking The last public appearance by Harry and William together was at their grandmother Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022. They walked with their wives at their sides but had little interaction. The rift showed again at King Charles' 2023 coronation: Harry sat in the third row, while William took a major role. Since stepping back from royal life, Harry has returned to the UK a couple of times for legal reasons. He also visited his father briefly in early 2024, after the King's cancer diagnosis. Reports say their meeting lasted only 30 minutes. Meanwhile, Meghan has not flown back to the UK since the funeral of the Queen. Their 2021 televised interview with Oprah, in which they described feeling trapped and made allegations of racism against a family member, only made the fallout worse. Journalist Sarah Vine told Mail Online that signs of reconciliation may be more style than substance from Harry. She called him "volatile" and "untrustworthy." She suggested he may be motivated by lack of luck outside royal life. "Every single project he's undertaken has been predicated on his titles," Vine said. "The only real currency he has is as a member of the British Royal Family." She also claimed Harry has "ruthlessly mined" his royal past. Now, she says, he seeks to revive that connection to "promote" himself. "The King needs to be aware of this. At the end of the day, Prince Harry has more to gain than his father does from a rapprochement," Vine continued. Until William is willing to speak with his brother, insiders believe that no peace talks will move the needle. As one source told Shuter, "This whole summit means very little without Prince William at the table." Sydney Sweeney is said to be working on her own lingerie brand and her recent appearance at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding might not have been just for show. The "Anyone But You" star is reportedly developing the line with financial support from Sanchez and Bezos, according to Us Weekly. "This has been a huge project for her and something she's been working on for the last year," a source told the outlet. The source added that the launch is happening "very soon," though no timeline or brand name has been made public. Bezos-Linked Investment Ties Backing the business venture is Ben Schwerin, a partner at Coatue, a private equity firm recently boosted by a $1 billion infusion from Bezos and Michael Dell through their Coatue Innovation Fund, per The Economic Times. Bezos' direct involvement comes as Sweeney gears up for an Amazon MGM Studios film. That connection, according to one Page Six insider, is what landed her a seat at the billionaire couple's wedding in Venice last month. "Sweeney is not friends with either one of them," the source said, but attended the event "to pay respects to the 'boss,' just like in the old days of Hollywood." At the three-day celebration, she was seen alongside stars like Tom Brady and Orlando Bloom. The high-profile guest list had sparked speculation about her ties to Bezos and Sanchez, and not all of it was flattering. Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly stirred controversy after suggesting Sweeney's looks not her career were what earned her the invite. "Sydney Sweeney's the new toast of the town out there because she's got these enormous breasts that everybody's obsessed with," Kelly said on "The Megyn Kelly Show." Past Work in Fashion This wouldn't be Sweeney's initial attempt at fashion. She collaborated with Frankies Bikinis in 2023 for a summer swimwear line inspired by Italian romance. The brand tagged it's "sexiest ever" collection, and Sweeney posed in several of the campaign's statement pieces, a white lace two-piece, and a halter bikini. "It's powerful to show the world you are unapologetically yourself," she told Elle at the time. "We wanted pieces that made people feel confident and free in their bodies." Houston rapper Sauce Walka shared graphic footage of a bullet lodged in his leg on Instagram Friday, nearly four months after he was shot during an attack that killed his friend and fellow artist, Sayso P. In the video, which has since been deleted but circulated widely on social media, Sauce Walka described the lingering injury in stark detail. "I got a real God body," he said in the clip, according to footage captured by AllHipHop. "My body does not want this bullet in my leg." In another clip, he speculated, "This got to be a .45 or something." The rapper, whose real name is Albert Walker Mondane, was injured during a March shooting in Memphis that resulted in Sayso P's death. Surveillance footage from the incident showed a group of armed assailants ambushing the pair. Sayso P was shot multiple times and died at the scene, while Sauce Walka was seen fleeing before being struck in the leg. Police later identified 21-year-old Jayden Dandridge as a suspect in the attack. Dandridge was found dead in Houston weeks later. Authorities say the investigation remains active. Despite the severity of his injury, Sauce Walka resumed performing within weeks. In April, he appeared on stage in a wheelchair at a Houston concert, rapping to an enthusiastic crowd. Following the shooting, Sauce Walka posted a lengthy tribute to Sayso P on Instagram, expressing his grief. "Words or tears can't explain the loss I feel!" he wrote. "Splatt, I wish your fat ahh listened to me and stayed in the room. I told you we could smoke that blunt after security and the rest of our familia pull up." He also reflected on the dangers they faced together. "We come together, we leave together," he wrote. "Wish you just went [to] DR with Shimmy and shot off, and skipped this trip to Memphis." Sauce Walka has not provided further updates regarding the bullet or whether he plans to undergo surgery for removal. Representatives for the rapper did not respond to requests for comment. The Memphis Police Department confirmed the case remains open but declined to comment on ongoing investigative details. Originally published on Music Times The son of a prominent Hollywood agent and producer has died in jail just days before he was scheduled to appear in trial for dismembering his wife and her parents. Samuel Bond Haskell IV, 37, was charged with three counts of murder following the discovery of his wife Mei Li's dismembered torso in a dumpster near his Encino office in November 2023. The remains of her parents, Gaoshan Li and Yanxiang Wang, have never been recovered. "This is one last cruel act by someone who did the most horrific things for reasons we will never entirely know," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. "Instead of standing before a judge and answering for the crimes he's been charged with, the defendant managed to escape justice," Hochman added. "A family that has been dealing with unimaginable loss now has been robbed of their chance to face him, hold him accountable for his barbaric actions, and openly share their grief and their cherished memories of their loved ones." Authorities say Haskell had been on suicide watch at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility since his arrest. Prosecutors alleged that in November 2023, Haskell killed Mei Li and her parents in the Tarzana home they shared with the couple's three young sons. The day after the murders, Haskell hired day laborers to remove black trash bags, but when they discovered human remains in the bags, they refused payment and alerted police. But by the time officers arrived, the bags were gone. Investigators found a bloody knife with DNA from all three victims, as well as cutting tools, a firearm, and a bloodied board inside the home. Surveillance footage captured Haskell dumping a bag into a dumpster, where Mei Li's torso was later discovered by someone rummaging through trash. Haskell had reportedly been having an affair, but prosecutors said the full motive for the killings remains unknown. Mei Li's friends said she had considered divorce for years but feared losing custody of her children because of Haskell's family influence. "Mei felt trapped," a friend told DailyMail.com. Haskell's father, Emmy-winning producer Sam Haskell, represented celebrities including George Clooney, Dolly Parton, and Whoopi Goldberg. Haskell's death closes the case without a trial, leaving grieving family members and the community with unanswered questions about what led to the horrific crime. Originally published on Lawyer Herald Tuesday, July 15, 2025 What will the future of workand the spaces we work inreally look like? In the forward-thinkingvideo Scenario Planning The Future of Work and Place, futurist Andrew Scott explores how scenario planning can help individuals and organizations prepare for multiple possible futures. Rather than trying to predict one perfect outcome, scenario planning empowers us to think in terms of flexibility, values, and purpose. As technology, demographic shifts, and cultural trends transform our workplaces and communities, Scott encourages us to create adaptable systems that support well-being, creativity, and lifelong contribution. This mindset is especially important for those planning for 100-year lives. The traditional concept of retirement is evolving, and so is the idea of what work looks like in later decades. Scenario planning can help us prepare for meaningful roles across time, whether in formal employment, entrepreneurship, or service. The future wont be defined by one pathbut by our readiness to navigate change and design lives with purpose. How do you imagine your work evolving in the decades to come? Are you planning for a life of multiple careers, flexible work, or community engagement? What does your ideal workplace look likeat age 40, 60, or even 90? Lets explore your vision of the future in theAge Brilliantly Forum. Share how youre planning for a changing world of workand learn from others designing their 100-year lives with clarity and courage. Italy's culture minister joined the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Tuesday in condemning an invitation for maestro Valery Gergiev to perform near Naples, saying it risked being propaganda for Moscow. Russian conductor Gergiev, a personal friend of President Vladimir Putin who has since December 2023 led Moscow's world famous Bolshoi Theatre, has been shunned by the West since the start of the Ukraine war for failing to denounce Russia's invasion. But he has been invited to conduct what organisers described as an "unforgettable symphony concert" on July 27 at the former royal palace of Reggia di Caserta, near Naples in southern Italy. Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation has called for the concert to be cancelled and his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, pressed the case in an editorial on Tuesday in Italian daily La Repubblica. "Any attempt to turn a blind eye to who Valery Gergiev is when he's not conducting and to pretend that this is merely a cultural event with no political dimension... is pure hypocrisy," she wrote. Just hours later, Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli issued a statement warning the concert "risks sending the wrong message". "Ukraine is an invaded nation and Gergiev's concert could transform a high-level... musical event into a platform for Russian propaganda," he said. "For me, this would be deplorable." - Stand-in for Putin - Giuli is a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's hard-right government, which has strongly backed Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022. He noted the concert was part of a programme of events promoted and paid for by the region of Campania. Campania regional leader Vincenzo De Luca, from the centre-left Democratic Party, has defended the concert, saying that "culture is a tool to keep dialogue open". On social media on Friday, he noted an Israeli conductor was also on the programme, adding: "We don't ask those men of culture to answer for the political choices of those who lead their respective countries." He repeated his position on Tuesday, condemning Putin's actions in Ukraine but saying that refusing to engage in dialogue "only serves to fuel the rivers of hatred". But Navalnaya, whose husband died in an Artic penal colony last year in what she and his supporters say was a killing on Putin's orders, was scathing. "As Putin's cultural ambassador, Valery Gergiev implements Russia's soft power policy. One of his current goals is to normalise the war and Putin's regime," she wrote. She described the Caserta concert as a "test balloon" for boosting Putin's image in Europe and noted it was being praised by Russian authorities. "Forgive me, but if the Kremlin is happy with you in 2025, then you are definitely doing something wrong," she wrote. Other members of the Democratic Party have called for the concert to be cancelled, as have other cultural figures outside Italy. Peter Gelb, general manager of New York's Metropolitan Opera and a staunch supporter of Ukraine, told AFP that Gergiev "is no less than an artistic stand-in for Putin". He added: "There can be no 'cultural exchange' with mass murderers and kidnappers of children, which is the current modus operandi of the Russian regime." Gergiev has stood by Putin's policies for more than two decades and performed propaganda concerts in honour of Russian military victories in the past. In one of his most criticised moves, Gergiev conducted a concert in the ruins of Syria's Palmyra after Moscow's intervention in the country on the side of dictator Bashar al-Assad. He also conducted a triumphant concert in Georgia's Tskhinvali region after the Russian invasion in 2008, just a few metres (feet) from a detention centre where Georgian civilians were being held. bur-ar/ide/gil (The Center Square) There is a real and significant threat of drone attacks in the U.S., with witness testifying before a U.S. House committee Tuesday warning of attacks on critical infrastructure, including the potential for chemical warfare. The House Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security held a hearing titled, Surveillance, Sabotage, and Strikes: Industry Perspectives on How Drone Warfare Abroad Is Transforming Threats at Home. The hearing comes months after the eastern seaboard was rattled by dozens of drone sightings, raising alarms with the public and lawmakers, spurring fears of drones being used for nefarious reasons. The Pentagon quashed concerns that they posed threats, attributing them to military operations and hobbyists. Witnesses painted an ominous picture of drone warfare in the U.S., and vulnerabilities if measures arent taken to reduce the threats. Brett Feddersen, vice president of strategy and government affairs at D-Fend Solutions, explained how drone warfare has evolved overseas, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, while becoming an emerging threat in the U.S. Feddersen underscored concerns that critical infrastructure, including power grids, water treatment plants, transportation networks, and communication systems, is increasingly vulnerable to threats from nefarious actors who can exploit drones' capabilities, including surveillance, sabotage, and payload delivery, to conduct physical attacks. He warned that attacks on critical infrastructure can lead to mass power outages, communications failures and transportation disruptions (flights). However, he described a more frightening scenario, causing mass casualties. More concerning is the potential for the loss of human life, for example, a drone using aerosol dispersal or payload delivery over a mass gathering can cause mass panic, causing serious injury or even death to attendees, Feddersen warned. Tom Walker, chief executive officer of DroneUp, highlighted a sharp escalation in drone-related threats that he considers to be active, sustained, and growing, claiming in early 2025 there were 411 illegal drone incursions occurring near airports. Despite the frightening prospects of drone attacks, experts like Walker recommend establishing a national low-altitude airspace coordination framework, by requiring aircraft and pilots to be digitally credentialed and creating a federal flight-restriction service. He added that it is imperative to treat low-altitude airspace as a governed domain. Michael Robbins, president and chief executive officer of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, warns that a "lack of federal action and investment has left a dangerous gap in our ability to respond to dangerous drone activity. Robbins claims only four federal agencies the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Energy, and Justice are currently authorized to detect and mitigate drone threats, adding that their authorities are very limited. He argues that despite recent executive orders from President Donald Trump, including the restoration of American Airspace Sovereignty and Unleashing American Drone Dominance, congressional action is needed to expand counter unmanned aircraft system authorities. He adds that threats demand a serious and coordinated response. SALEM, Ohio A new threat to livestock could be roaming farmers fields: the Asian longhorned tick. But dont fear, the University of Pittsburgh is hoping to help Pennsylvania farmers assess the threats these insects pose. Pitt researchers are asking farmers to conduct five-minute surveys about their experiences with ticks. They are also seeking farmers interested in hosting a farm visit where researchers will collect samples of ticks on the property and on livestock. Were really trying to work with livestock producers to help safeguard their herd health and productivity, and work to support Pennsylvanias agricultural infrastructure, said Danielle Tufts, assistant professor at Pitts School of Public Health and researcher of the study. (We want to) help empower those farmers so that they better understand their risks and give them tools and knowledge to help manage those risks effectively. History The Asian longhorned tick was first identified in the U.S. on a sheep in New Jersey in 2017. Further investigations later revealed that the tick had been in New Jersey since 2013 and in other parts of the country, like West Virginia, since 2010. Asian longhorned ticks were first found in Pennsylvania in 2018 and Ohio in 2020. Since then, the ticks have spread to other parts of the states. The tick has been found in 22 states, as of June 2025, and is in 27 Pennsylvania counties, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The Asian longhorned ticks rapid expansion is due to how the tick reproduces, according to Tufts. Female ticks can reproduce asexually by feeding on a blood meal or a host animal and laying between 2,000 and 3,000 eggs. Because there is such a great abundances (of ticks) in the field, they can do a thing called exsanguination, which basically means they can suck all the blood out of an animal and kill it, Tufts said, about the hazards these ticks pose. This was the case for an Ohio farmer in Monroe County in 2021 when Ohio State University researchers received a call in late summer, reporting that three of their 18 cattle had died after being heavily infested with ticks. Later, the OSU researchers collected 10,000 ticks within a 90-minute radius of the farm; they estimated that more than 1 million ticks were on the 25-acre pasture. Asian longhorned ticks can also transmit pathogens like Bovine Theileriosis, which can lead to anemia, fever, lymph node swelling and even death in animals. Although these ticks have been mostly found on cattle, Tufts says they also target goats, sheep and swine. Tufts has been monitoring the ticks since 2018. But the Asian longhorned tick really got her attention in 2021 when she was sampling for deer ticks in Pennsylvania for Lyme disease. Instead, she ended up finding lots of the Asian longhorn ticks. There really hasnt been a lot of research in Pennsylvania when it comes to livestock, which is why were doing this stuff, Tufts said. Other states, however, like Ohio State University, have been conducting research on this tick since 2023. To conduct this research in Pennsylvania, Tufts applied for and received a grant of $108,931 from the states Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence. The study The Pitt study is comprised of three parts: the five-minute survey, available to everyone in the state, and pasture and animal samples via farm visits. During the survey, farmers will be asked about their experiences with ticks, their knowledge of tick-borne diseases and ways they try to protect their livestock. At the end of the survey, farmers will be asked whether the Pitt team can visit their farm to collect samples. If answered yes, farmers will receive a call from the team. Farm visits will only be available to farms in western and central Pennsylvania, not past State College. The team will be conducting farm visits during peak tick season in July and August, with some visits in September and October. During the farm visits, researchers will drag a piece of cloth in a pasture or multiple pasture areas for 800 meters to collect ticks. They will also collect ticks from the animals and take blood samples. Tufts emphasizes that blood samples are very important because once an individual becomes infected [with Theileriosis] they can remain lifelong carriers, and can transmit it, not only to ticks that feed on them, but also they can pass it to offspring. Researchers are looking for 30 cattle, sheep and goat farms each to take samples from. As far as ways to protect livestock from the Asian longhorned ticks, Timothy McDermott, OSU Extension educator in Franklin County, recommends scouting for ticks on livestock frequently, conducting intensive rotational grazing of paddocks and using insecticide. He adds, however, that insecticides need to be in direct contact with ticks to be effective, not just sprayed on tall grass. Signs an animal has Theileriosis include severe anemia, weakness, fever, a reluctance to walk and eat, weight loss, difficulty breathing, a reduction in milk production and stillbirth in pregnant heifers. Pregnant heifers and calves are the most susceptible to tick diseases, Tufts said. According to her, prevention is key to protecting animals. Theres no vaccine and theres no approved treatment methods for an animal that gets sick. So were trying to help farmers understand their risk for this by investigating where the tick is, where the disease is, so that they can be more informed, and we can work with them for mitigating some of these issues and help manage these risks, Tuft said. To fill out the survey, visit https://qualtricsxmyq2cqwt77.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3qrl6kTpZJDzlI2. Welsh farmers are being urged to vaccinate their flocks against bluetongue now, as concerns mount over the diseases spread and the pressure on movement testing systems. Dr Angus Wyse, official veterinary officer for the National Sheep Association (NSA) Wales & Border Ram Sales, has issued a stark warning that the arrival of bluetongue in Wales is a matter of when, not if. Midges carrying bluetongue wont stop at the Welsh border, said Dr Wyse. The disease could have catastrophic consequences for sheep farmers. "With mortality rates reaching up to 70% in sheep, vaccination is a no-brainer. Its an insurance policy we cant afford to ignore. Dr Wyse highlighted the crisis in the Netherlands, where bluetongue outbreaks overwhelmed carcass disposal services. He urged Welsh sheep farmers to act nowespecially with current livestock prices making vaccination a cost-effective safeguard. He also raised concerns over the UKs ability to manage the logistics of current movement testing requirements. According to Dr Wyse, the nations only bluetongue testing laboratory, at Pirbright, has limited capacity and could struggle to cope during peak trading periods, such as the autumn ram sales. A licence to move sheep requires a clear test within seven days of movement. But Pirbright can only process a few hundred samples per week, he explained. With testing costs at around 70 per animal, this presents a serious disincentive. He advised farmers to vaccinate rams and early lambing ewes now, well ahead of the tupping season. While BTV-3 is less severe in cattle, it can still result in a milk drop of up to 50%, which often does not recover during the same lactation. Young calves also appear more vulnerable to the disease. In response to movement restrictions and ongoing uncertainty, the NSA Wales & Border Ram Sales has scheduled two early sales this summeron 4 August at Brecon Livestock Market and 5 August in Herefordoffering opportunities for both Welsh and English breeders. The main NSA Wales & Border Ram Sale will return to Builth Wells on Monday 22 September. As harvest season begins in earnest, farmers and growers are being urged to stay vigilant and take proactive steps to reduce the risk of devastating combine fires. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a series of practical guidelines to help farmers prevent fires during harvest and respond effectively if the worst should happen. Each year, combines catch fire during harvest, destroying machinery, putting buildings and crops at risk, and causing significant disruption to operations. The cost of on-farm fires surged by 37% to over 110 million in 2023, according to the latest available data by NFU Mutual. Matt King, head of response at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, has a clear message for farmers: be proactive and never complacent about fire risk on the farm. All farms are covered by fire safety legislation and must carry out a fire risk assessment. There is a lot of help and advice online and most fire services will have template assessment forms on their website that can be used by farmers, he said. Mr King also stressed the importance of having an emergency plan and ensuring that all staff are trained in what to do should a fire break out. If you need to call the fire service, ensure your directions are clear to where any fire is. The What3Words app is used by most fire services and can make a real difference in getting fire engines to the right place quickly. Having information to hand in a folder with farm plans, details of dangerous substances such as chemicals and fertiliser and how to access water supplies is vital. Preventative maintenance is a critical step in reducing the risk of fire. Machinery should be kept in line with manufacturers service schedules, and farmers are advised to install fire suppression systems with P-mark certification. Regular cleaning is also essentialparticularly the removal of dust and chaff around hot spots. This should be done using air compressors (30 psi / 2.21 bar is effective), and always while wearing appropriate eye and respiratory protection. Engines must be switched off before clearing any blockages. Close monitoring of machinery is important throughout the working day. Any signs of hot-running engines, overheating bearings or smoke should be investigated immediately. Rural businesses are encouraged to have a clear fire plan in place, including procedures to stay in contact with lone workers and others on-site. Mobile phones should be kept fully charged and within reach at all times. Combine drivers must also be aware of overhead power lines and vehicle heights to prevent accidental contact.` In an emergency, the What3Words app is again recommended to assist emergency services in locating incidents quickly and accurately. Each combine should be equipped with a regularly serviced fire extinguisher. However, Mr King warns that if a fire is not extinguished within 20 to 30 seconds, it is time to step back and allow the fire service to take over. Farmers are also advised to keep a water bowser, tractor and plough ready to create fire breaks if needed. Water supplies and hydrants must be accessible, and any obstacles cleared in advance. To reduce the risk of arson, farmers should avoid storing bales near public roads and ensure that fertilisers and pesticides are stored securely. If a fire involves hazardous substances, it is essential to inform the fire service due to the additional dangers involved. Harvest activity should take prevailing weather into account. Mr King advises checking the wind direction and, where possible, harvesting in the direction of the already cut crop. Finally, he reminds farmers to prioritise staff wellbeing. Drink water, keep hydrated, take regular breaks, and monitor for fatigue during hot weather. Two Welsh shearers have smashed the British Two-Stand Ewe Shearing Record, clipping an incredible 1,364 ewes in just eight hours on the hottest day of the year. Gethin Lewis of Rhayader and Llyr Evans from Aberystwyth achieved a new 8-Hour Two-Stand British Ewe Shearing Record on Saturday (12 June). The pair surpassed the previous benchmark of 1,075 ewes, set by Martin Howlett and Jonny Roberts in 2019. In addition to their joint triumph, both shearers aimed to break the 8-Hour Solo British Record of 663 ewes, set only the week before by Huw Jones. Llyr successfully surpassed it with 668 ewes, but it was Gethin who claimed the new individual title, shearing a staggering 696 ewes. Shearing commenced at 7am and concluded at 5pm after four intense runs. Despite the sweltering conditions, both men powered through with unwavering focus and stamina. Reflecting on the record-breaking day, Gethin said: Im delighted that our attempt was successful. Its been a 12-month journey preparing for today, but all the hard work has been worth it. Llyr added: All roads led to today, and I'm proud of what we have both achieved it feels great to be a British Shearing Record Holder. He went on to acknowledge the impact of the weather, saying: The extreme heat made the challenge more difficult and at times during the day it was extremely difficult and we both needed to dig deep to get through to the end. Both shearers were quick to credit the team around them. Gethin, speaking on behalf of them both, said: This record would not have been possible without the help and support of both our families. "Thank you, it means so much to us both that we have achieved what we have here today. Wed also like to pay tribute to the support and commitment of so many people, too many to name individually. "From the farmers supplying the sheep, pen men that were here with us all day, the wool wrappers, and all our family and friends a huge thank you. Fundraising during the day supported Welsh Air Ambulance and Brain Tumour Research, two charities close to the shearers' hearts. Farm leaders have welcomed the official launch of Wales Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) as a landmark moment for rural policy, while urging the Welsh government to address ongoing concerns around funding, implementation, and scheme clarity. Unveiled today (15 July) ahead of the Royal Welsh Show, the long-anticipated SFS represents the most significant agricultural policy shift since the UKs departure from the EU and the phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). SFS is expected to launch formally in 2026, with a transition period running until 2030, by which time BPS will be fully withdrawn. Key amendments announced include the removal of the contentious 10% tree cover requirement and the inclusion of common land in the scheme. However, farmers will need to have at least 10% of their land actively managed as habitat. All participants will need to complete an opportunity plan for woodland and hedgerow creation in the first year of entry into the scheme. They will need to demonstrate progress towards their plan by the end of the 2028 scheme year. An annual Universal Payment will go to farmers who follow the scheme's requirements including a set of Universal Actions, which have been reduced from 17 to 12. The Welsh government has also indicated it will explore introducing a social value payment and provide support for designated sites. While these developments have been broadly welcomed, farming organisations have flagged several unresolved issues. Notably, the lack of a multi-annual budget commitment has left many land managers concerned about the schemes long-term financial sustainability. In addition, the scheme remains incomplete. The Optional and Collaborative layersdesigned to offer more tailored or advanced supportare still under development and unavailable to farmers at this stage. The planned tapering of BPS has emerged as a major concern. Under current proposals, support will fall to 60% in 2026, 40% in 2027, 20% in 2028, and end altogether in 2029. This accelerated reduction departs from earlier expectations and could leave some farmers financially exposed. Further uncertainty surrounds the proposed payment mechanism. A Ready Reckoner tool will provide indicative payment estimates rather than guaranteed figures, complicating business planning and investment decisions. Larger land-based businesses are also expected to face particular challenges due to a 300,000 cap on payments and additional tapering for those receiving more than 25,000compounding impacts from recent changes to schemes such as Glastir and Habitat Wales. Announcing the scheme today, Deputy First Minister for Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, highlighted the balance between supporting agriculture and environmental goals. Its clear that the people of Wales want us to back Welsh farming, but they also want to see nature restored, soils protected, water quality in our rivers improved, access to the countryside maintained and nature supported to recover and thrive." He described SFS as a new partnership between farmers and the wider public: With this in mind, the scheme represents a new relationship between the people of Wales and our farmers. "This is not just a scheme for farmers, this is a scheme for the whole of Wales a whole farm, whole nation approach." Victoria Bond, director of CLA Cymru, which represents Welsh farmers and landowners, noted that while progress had been made, critical issues remain most notably the unchanged overall budget and the reduction in the Basic Payment Scheme taper. Most frustratingly, the total budget remains static, and there is a reduction in the BPS taper, she said. However, we do welcome the consideration of a social value payment, and the inclusion of payments on common and designated sites. Ms Bond emphasised that the transition to the new scheme must be carefully managed: Transition must be just, not rushed. Farmers need clarity, stability, and a clear long-term funding commitment. NFU Cymru President Aled Jones voiced serious concern over the unexpected move to reduce BPS support for farmers who choose not to enter SFS in 2026. This unwelcome decision by Welsh government is extremely worrying for farmers who had previously been informed that those opting not to enter the new Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2026 would receive 80% of their BPS. Farming businesses have forward planned on this basis. He stressed that the announcement comes at a particularly difficult time for the sector, as key technical details and practical guidance around the new scheme are still lacking making it nearly impossible for farmers to make informed decisions about whether to join the scheme when it launches on 1 January 2026. With harvest well underway and next years cropping and livestock purchases already in motion, many farmers will not be able to pivot their business to join the new scheme from January, he warned. Mr Jones also highlighted the added pressure caused by UK government tax reforms due to take effect in April 2026, which could force many family farms to restructure. With Welsh government now slashing the first year of the tapered transition from the BPS, many will feel they are now stuck between a rock and a hard place, he said. Andrew Tuddenham, head of policy Wales at the Soil Association, welcomed the schemes publication, noting: After years of debate and design the time for delay has passed. "The environmental and food resilience threats we face are more urgent now than ever, and pressure on public finances is growing. "The new scheme must now launch in January 2026, but how it succeeds rests on whether it can sustain and strengthen nature-friendly farming in Wales. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reached a political agreement on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during their recent meeting in Brussels. This marked a crucial milestone, paving the way for its formal conclusion by Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto by September 2025. This milestone underscored the shared commitment of both parties to deepen bilateral economic ties and enhance trade cooperation, the Delegation of the European Union to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam said in a press statement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have reached a political agreement on CEPA in Brussels, marking a major step towards its finalisation by September 2025. The pact aims to boost trade, support sustainable development, and enhance cooperation on critical raw materials. Both leaders also reaffirmed shared goals on clean energy and global peace. Europe and Indonesia are choosing a path of openness, partnership, and shared prosperity. The agreement will open new markets and create more opportunities for our businesses. It will also help strengthen the supply chains of critical raw materials, essential for Europe's clean tech and steel industry. I now look forward to its swift conclusion, said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. This is an important moment. After many years of hard work, we have agreed to move forward. For Indonesia, CEPA is not only about trade, it is about fairness, respect, and building a strong future together. The agreement must support our efforts to grow our industries, create jobs, and strengthen our sustainable development goals. We are ready to finalize it soon, in a way that benefits both our peoples, said Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia. A comprehensive, forward-looking, and mutually beneficial EU-Indonesia agreement will promote trade and investment, foster inclusive and sustainable growth, and enhance the resilience of supply chains. CEPA will support cooperation on critical raw materials, which are vital to both partners' strategic interests and industrial competitiveness. Ultimately, CEPA will serve not only as a robust platform for deepening our economic ties but also stand as a defining achievement in the long-standing EU-Indonesia bilateral relationship, anchored in a common commitment to open, rules-based cooperation. Beyond trade, President von der Leyen and President Prabowo reaffirmed their shared vision for a broader bilateral partnership. To support people-to-people contacts between the EU and Indonesia, the commission has adopted a visa cascade decision for Indonesia, ensuring a much quicker and easier access to multiple-entry visas. They stressed their commitment to further advancing a clean energy transition that leaves no one behind. Indonesia emphasised that its national approach is anchored in the vision of energy self-sufficiency and resilience, as outlined in the Asta Cita. In this context, the Just Energy Transition Partnership and the EU's Global Gateway are welcomed to support Indonesia's long-term goals and national priorities, added the statement. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG) British consumers and businesses are set to benefit from a new package of trade measures unveiled on July 10, designed to simplify imports from developing countries and support global economic growth. The measures are part of an upgrade to the UKs Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which aims to lower prices on everyday goods while promoting trade with some of the worlds poorest nations. They will give UK consumers greater access to competitively priced imports, such as clothing. The UK has upgraded its Developing Countries Trading Scheme to simplify imports and boost trade with developing nations. The reforms include relaxed rules of origin, supporting tariff-free access for goods like garments from countries such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Retailers like M&S and Primark are set to benefit from lower costs and stronger supply chains. Key reforms include simplified rules of origin, allowing more products from countries such as Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines to enter the UK tariff-free even when made using components from across Asia and Africa. Countries like Bangladesh and Cambodia will continue to enjoy zero tariffs on goods such as garments and electronics, British Embassy Phnom Penh said in a release. The world is changing. Countries in the Global South want a different relationship with the UK as a trading partner and investor, not as a donor. These new rules will make it easier for developing countries to trade more closely with the UK. This is good for their economies and for UK consumers and businesses, said Minister for International Development Jenny Chapman. Retailers such as M&S and Primark are expected to benefit significantly, gaining improved access to competitively priced imports and more resilient supply chains. Over 16 billion (~$21.52 billion) worth of UK imports have already benefitted from tariff savings under the DCTS since its launch in June 2023. We welcome the changes to the DCTS rules of origin for garments which remove the potential cliff edge when a country graduates from Least Developed Country status. This will help us to maintain our existing supply chain strategy in our key sourcing markets in Asia, such as Bangladesh and Cambodia, interim chief executive at Primark, Eoin Tonge said. The changes also include new support measures to help exporters in developing nations meet UK import standards, alongside efforts to ease trade in services like digital, legal, and financial sectors. These steps are part of the UKs broader Trade for Development agenda and its newly published Trade Strategy, aimed at growing the economy, supporting households, and strengthening international partnerships. The announcement was made at a joint reception hosted by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), attended by British business leaders and foreign ambassadors. UKFT welcomes these additional changes to the Rules of Origin under the DCTS, which will bring real benefits to the fashion industry in the UK and in DCTS countries, added Adam Mansell, CEO, The UK Fashion & Textiles Association. We warmly welcome the UKs Trade Strategy. The new rules allowing greater regional sourcing for garments while retaining duty-free access to the UK are a game-changer, stated Yohan Lawrence, secretary general of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), Sri Lanka. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU) President Donald Trump has confirmed that the US has struck a new trade agreement with Indonesia, though full details are yet to be disclosed. Posting on his Truth Social account, Trump described the deal as a "great" outcome achieved through direct negotiations with Indonesias President Prabowo Subianto. Great deal, for everybody, just made with Indonesia. I dealt directly with their highly respected President. DETAILS TO FOLLOW!!! Trump wrote on his Truth Social account today. President Trump has announced a new trade deal with Indonesia after threatening a 32 per cent tariff on its imports from August 1. The agreement follows direct talks between Trump and Indonesia's President. It is the fourth such deal in recent weeks, alongside Vietnam, the UK, and China. Trump has unveiled new reciprocal tariff rates affecting multiple countries including Sri Lanka, Canada and Brazil. The announcement follows a tense week in which Trump warned of a potential 32 per cent tariff on Indonesian imports starting August 1. In response, Indonesia dispatched its top trade envoy to Washington for urgent talks with senior US officials, culminating in the agreement. This marks the fourth trade framework Trump has revealed in recent weeks, following similar announcements involving Vietnam, the UK, and a tariff pause with China. Trump has so far introduced revised reciprocal tariff rates for countries including Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Iraq, Libya, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and the EU among others. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD) The upcoming film Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is reportedly being produced with a huge budget of Rs 4000 crore, distributed across 2 parts. This enables the film to potentially become the most expensive Indian movie ever created. Initially, the film's budget was estimated to be approximately Rs 1600 crore; however, a source familiar with the project has since confirmed that the ultimate cost is approaching Rs 4000 crore, hence establishing it as one of the most expensive films ever produced in India. The source said, The film is being mounted at an international level and by the time both films would be made, the budget would reach over Rs 4000 crore. The team is planning to have world-class VFX and special effects to give the best experience to the audiences. Ramayana's producer Namit Malhotra also spoke on a podcast with Prakhar Gupta where he confirmed that by the time the two parts of Ramayana release, the production costs may touch $500 million or Rs 4000 crore. The film is reportedly a project with extensive visual effects, specially designed for an impressive IMAX experience. Also, it will incorporate AI dubbing technology, enabling audiences to enjoy the film in any regional language, which is a first-of-its-kind concept in Indian cinema. Prime Focus, which is led by producer Namit Malhotra, is leading the technical efforts to create a visually captivating experience. Earlier this month, the creators had released a motion poster showing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as Ravana. Although the poster provides only animated glimpses of the main characters, the background music composed by Oscar winners Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman has certainly increased the excitement. Ramayana boasts of an ensemble cast including Ranbir Kapoor portraying Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as goddess Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The cast includes Sunny Deol, Vikrant Massey, Ravi Dubey, Lara Dutta, Indira Krishnan, Vivek Oberoi, and Arun Govil, among others, in important roles. The first part of the film will release during Diwali in 2026, with the second part slated for release on Diwali 2027. Also Read: Pictures: Heres how Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor celebrated Ranbirs birthday The official trailer of Janaki V vs State of Kerala has dropped, giving audiences a glimpse into a hard-hitting courtroom drama headlined by Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran. Directed by Pravin Narayanan, the film centres around a womans pursuit of justice in a deeply patriarchal and politicised system. Set to release on July 17, the trailer showcases a gripping tale of trauma, courage, and confrontation.Anupama plays Janaki, a rape survivor seeking justice, while Suresh Gopi dons the lawyers robes to defend her cause with signature fire and intensity. The narrative unravels through courtroom clashes and emotionally charged scenes, punctuated by Gopis hard-hitting dialogues that recall his iconic roles from Malayalam cinema's golden legal thrillers.In one impactful moment, Gopi declares, No matter who protects them, I will fight them and crucify them in the court of justice, as scenes of physical confrontation and divine-themed rituals flash across the screen. The trailer blends symbolic imagery with gritty realism, suggesting a film that explores both justice and cultural hypocrisy.Originally titled Janaki vs State of Kerala, the film stirred debate after the Censor Board objected to using the name Janakia name associated with Goddess Sitafor a rape survivor character. The filmmakers were subsequently asked to rename the film, leading to the revised title Janaki V vs State of Kerala. Despite the controversy, the film retained its core narrative and has now been cleared with a U/A 16+ rating.Suresh Gopis return to courtroom drama has been eagerly anticipated, and his towering presence in the trailer doesn't disappoint. From morally resolute monologues to intense arguments with state authorities, he appears to anchor the film with both gravitas and passion. A powerful moment in the trailer shows him in full courtroom regalia proclaiming, The government has to answer.Anupama Parameswaran delivers a nuanced portrayal of a survivor caught in a whirlwind of legal and emotional turmoil. The trailer hints at a restrained yet moving performance from her, providing a human anchor to the larger socio-political canvas.The film also features Suresh Gopis son, Madhav Suresh, in a pivotal role. He joins an ensemble that includes Divya Pillai, Askar Ali, Sruthi Ramachandran, and Baiju Santhosh. The visual tone of the trailer, captured by cinematographer Renadive, swings between shadowed courtrooms and emotionally charged close-ups, reinforcing the intensity of the subject matter.Gireesh Narayanans music and Samjith Mohammeds crisp editing help build a compelling rhythm to the trailer. Produced by J Phanindra Kumar and Sethuraman Nair Kankol, the film positions itself as a socially conscious drama with emotional weight and courtroom theatrics. The countdown begins. Lokesh Kanagaraj has finally confirmed what fans have been waiting forthe trailer for his upcoming action entertainer Coolie will officially be released on August 2, ahead of the films worldwide theatrical debut on August 14. With no teaser planned, the director is keeping all the power packed into a single, hard-hitting trailer. One Trailer. One Superstar. One Big Bang. In a recent interview, Lokesh spoke about his decision to go with a no-teaser strategy. According to him, Coolie doesnt need multiple promotional piecesthe film speaks for itself. We just want one trailer that sets the tone and builds the mystery. No distractions, no early reveals. Just the world, the characters, and the impact, he explained. Its a bold, minimal approach, but one that perfectly fits the directors flair for surprise storytelling. Rajinikanth in Smuggler Mode and a Massive Ensemble Ever since the announcement video dropped months ago, Coolie has been surrounded by a sense of mystery and madness. Rajinikanth, seen wielding iron chains and dressed in retro smuggler garb, appears to be stepping into a massy, larger-than-life role with undertones of rebellion and nostalgia. Lokesh has hinted that the trailer will offer a deeper peek into the characternot just his swagger, but his emotional layers and past. Joining Rajinikanth is a powerhouse ensemble cast, including names from multiple industries. Telugu superstar Nagarjuna is said to have a strong role, while other key members of the cast include Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Soubin Shahir. Special cameos and surprises are expected, but Lokesh has stayed tight-lipped, building anticipation through silence. The trailer is also expected to showcase more of Anirudh Ravichanders pulsating score and some of the visual flair captured by cinematographer Girish Gangadharan. From early behind-the-scenes glimpses, it's clear the film is rooted in a gritty, stylised worldone that blends old-school action with slick, modern storytelling. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sun Pictures (@sunpictures) August 2 Trailer, August 14 Release, Infinite Hype As the trailer date nears, expectations are sky-high. Lokeshs last outing, Leo, broke multiple records, and Coolie is positioned to go even bigger. With a reported mega-budget and scale rarely seen in Tamil cinema, the project is being hailed as a game-changer for the action genre. Lokesh has also hinted at an emotionally driven arc in the film, suggesting that Coolie is not just about the spectacle but also about personal justice and legacy. Whether or not it connects to his larger cinematic universe remains to be seenbut fans will be dissecting every frame of the trailer once it drops on August 2. Also Read: Rajinikanth Starrer Coolie To Release On This Date Ende Mai leitete US-Prasident Donald Trump mit der Unterzeichnung mehrerer Dekrete eine weitreichende Wende in der amerikanischen Energiepolitik ein. Im Fokus: der beschleunigte Ausbau der Kernenergie. Mit einem umfassenden Manahmenpaket sollen Genehmigungsprozesse reformiert, kleinere Reaktoren gefordert und der Anteil von Atomstrom in den USA massiv gesteigert werden. Ausloser ist der explodierende Energiebedarf durch KI-Rechenzentren, der eine stabile, CO-arme Grundlastversorgung zwingend notwendig macht. In unserem kostenlosen Spezialreport erfahren Sie, welche 3 Unternehmen jetzt im Zentrum dieser energiepolitischen Neuausrichtung stehen, und wer vom kommenden Boom der Nuklearindustrie besonders profitieren konnte. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche Aktien besonders von der Energiewende in den USA profitieren durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! Rheinmetall, Renk und Hensoldt haben den Rustungsboom der letzten Jahre dominiert, doch inzwischen sind diese Titel fundamental heillos uberbewertet. KGVs jenseits der 60, KUVs uber 4, und das in einem politisch fragilen Umfeld mit wackelnder Haushaltsdisziplin. Fur spateinsteigende Anleger kann das teuer werden. Doch es gibt Alternativen, die bislang unter dem Radar fliegen; solide bewertet, operativ stark und mit Nachholpotenzial. In unserem kostenlosen Report zeigen wir dir, welche 3 Rustungsunternehmen noch Potenzial haben und wie du von der zweiten Welle der Zeitenwende profitieren kannst, ohne sich an uberhitzten Highflyer zu verbrennen. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche Aktien besonders vom weltweiten Aufrusten profitieren durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! As temperatures rise during the hottest weeks of the year, 7UP is bringing new flavours and chill experiences that leave consumers feeling super duper refreshed in the summer heat. '7 Days of Super Duper Summer' social stunt brings a snowy surprise to scorching cities across the region. DUBLIN, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the summer sun blazes and temperature climbs, 7UP brings snow to summer, delivering refreshment that cuts through the heat. Following new global research [1] from 7UP, it's clear that staying cool during one of the hottest weeks of the year - when cities like Cairo, Karachi, Riyadh, and Dubai regularly reach averages of 38C - is a universal challenge. This insight, and 7UP's commitment as the Super Duper Refresher, has fueled 7UP's '7 Days of Super Duper Summer' campaign taking over social media feeds with surprising CGI (computer-generated imagery) content that transports you to a refreshing snow-filled oasis. New research from 7UP reveals that rising temperatures in Egypt are disrupting daily life with almost 79% saying everyday tasks take significantly longer to complete. In fact, across hot weather markets like the UAE, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, two out of three people say they'd rather be covered in snow on a scorching day. Also in Egypt, over half (52%) of people try to cope by sitting in front of a fan for hours while 51% take cold showers in the middle of the day. 7UP, the ultimate refresher, is here to help! With its zesty lemon-lime flavour and crisp fizz, 7UP delivers an all-consuming, revitalising boost when it's needed most. It's the full-body cool-down you crave (no cold showers or giant fans required!), because when the sun is blazing and the sweat is dripping, there's simply nothing better than cracking open an ice-cold 7UP to finally refresh. Turning up the cool factor further, 7UP is working with some of the hottest celebrities and content creators across the globe to bring Super Duper Refresher to life digitally, celebrating the '7 Days of Super Duper Summer' - a bold, creative activation designed to show that 7UP is so refreshing, it brings snow to the summer. From July 14 to July 20, social media feeds across the Middle East and South Asia will be taken over by surreal, cinematic influencer videos showing snow falling in everyday summer scenes - a street corner in Karachi, a Dubai rooftop, a Cairo market. The unexpected twist? Each snowy takeover is triggered by the simple act of opening a can of 7UP. Bringing the digital stunt to even greater audiences, local celebrities will join the brand to post their own snowy scenes as they crack open a refreshing can of 7UP. Salman Butt, Senior Marketing Director at 7UP, who commissioned the research commented, "The physical impact of extreme heat on our bodies cannot be underestimated, but sometimes a refreshing break is all we need to get back to normal. Whether it's a moment to reset during a busy day or a way to cool yourself down, 7UP delivers the ultimate, Super Duper Refresher to those across the globe. As for the social activation, we wanted to do something that not only made people laugh or share, but also made them feel refreshed in the moment. This is what 7UP stands for - a burst of freshness, fun, and refreshment in a world that can feel a little too hot." The activation will culminate in a final brand montage reel posted globally on 20 July, showcasing all seven days of snow, all seven cities, and one clear message: 7UP didn't just show up this summer, it snowed up. This summer, 7UP adds more variety with Mint Mojito - blending lemon-lime fizz and mint - launching in Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. In the UK, 7UP Pink Lemonade brings a zesty mix of lemon-lime and raspberry for a fresh twist on a sweet classic. Head to 7UP's socials to see how it's refreshing people across the world with its crisp taste, bringing the invigorating feeling of fresh snow to the sweaty summer heat, at @7UpEgypt . For further information on the global brand platform and local market activity, please refer to local websites. * 7UP is a trademark of PepsiCo for all international markets excluding the US FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: jenaifer@pangolinpr.com Notes to editors: (1) The research consists of an online survey of 8,000 adults, including 2000 UK adults (nationally representative on the basis of age/gender/region), 2000 IN adults, 1000 UAE adults, 1000 EG adults, 1000 PK adults, 1000 KSA adults, was commissioned by Pangolin on behalf of 7UP and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society's code of conduct. Data was collected between 30.06.2025 and 09.07.2025. All participants are double-opted in to take part in research and are paid an amount depending on the length and complexity of the survey. This survey was overseen and edited by the OnePoll research team. OnePoll are MRS Company Partners, corporate membership of ESOMAR and Members of the British Polling Council. About PepsiCo PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2730569/PepsiCo_7UP_Super_Duper_Refresher.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/7up-makes-you-feel-super-duper-refreshed-to-beat-the-summer-heat-302504680.html Regulatory News: Mercialys (Paris:MERY) has completed the acquisition of the remaining 49% stake it did not already own in Hyperthetis Participations, a company holding a portfolio of 66,000 sqm of gross leasable area (GLA). These assets, located across five sites in Angers, Brest, Niort, Narbonne and Le Puy, are fully let or in the process of being relet. They host leading food retail brands such as Auchan, Leclerc, Grand Frais, Lidl, and Carrefour, alongside prominent non-food retailers. This transaction, representing a total investment of 28 million, enables Mercialys to achieve full real estate control over these sites. It also delivers an immediately accretive return, well above the Company's usual investment criteria. Previously, Hyperthetis Participations was fully consolidated in Mercialys' financial statements. The main accounting impact of this acquisition will be the elimination of minority interests from the income statement. As part of this transaction, Mercialys was advised by Forvis Mazars on accounting matters and by Archers on legal aspects. This press release is available on www.mercialys.com. A presentation of these results is also available online, in the following section: Investors News and press releases Financial press releases About Mercialys Mercialys is one of France's leading real estate companies. It is specialized in the holding, management and transformation of retail spaces, anticipating consumer trends, on its own behalf and for third parties. At December 31, 2024, Mercialys had a real estate portfolio valued at Euro 2.8 billion (including transfer taxes). Its portfolio of 1,927 leases represents an annualized rental base of Euro 169.2 million. Mercialys has been listed on the stock market since October 12, 2005 (ticker: MERY) and has "SIIC" real estate investment trust (REIT) tax status. Part of the SBF 120 and Euronext Paris Compartment A, it had 93,886,501 shares outstanding at December 31, 2024. IMPORTANT INFORMATION This press release contains certain forward-looking statements regarding future events, trends, projects or targets. These forward-looking statements are subject to identified and unidentified risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to Mercialys' Universal Registration Document available at www.mercialys.com for the year ended December 31, 2024 for more details regarding certain factors, risks and uncertainties that could affect Mercialys' business. Mercialys makes no undertaking in any form to publish updates or adjustments to these forward-looking statements, nor to report new information, new future events or any other circumstances that might cause these statements to be revised. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250714942785/en/ Contacts: Analyst and investor contact Olivier Pouteau Tel: +33 (0)6 30 13 27 31 Email: opouteau@mercialys.com SINGAPORE, July 15, 2025 - (ACN Newswire) - ONERHT Foundation has announced the 8th edition of the Greening ASEAN: Initiatives and Leadership ("GAIL") Forum, which will take place on Tuesday 22 July 2025 from 1:30 PM at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Level 3 (Rooms 334 to 336). The upcoming forum will gather business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts from across the region to examine industry, business, and regulatory perspectives on climate mitigation and adaptation in ASEAN. The forum will be graced by Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry, as the Guest-of-Honour, who will deliver the keynote address.This year's theme explores Industry, Business, and Regulatory Perspectives on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. Participants can look forward to an engaging half-day programme featuring keynotes and discussions focused on navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by sustainability imperatives, climate regulations, and evolving business models. The forum provides a unique opportunity to understand emerging trends, collaborate across sectors, and build capacity for lasting environmental impact.Ms Ch'ng Li-Ling, Director of RHT GRACE Institute, said, "Sustainability has moved to the centre of business strategy. It now underpins long-term value creation and corporate resilience."Ms Kaylee Kwok, Chairman of ONERHT Foundation, said, "As ONERHT Foundation marks its 10th anniversary this year, our annual GAIL Forum continues to drive these critical conversations, equipping business and government leaders with the tools to lead effectively in a rapidly evolving landscape."Key highlights of this year's forum will be a fireside chat entitled "The Future of Green Leadership in ASEAN - How Businesses and Professional Services Can Drive Impact", "Presentation on Navigating ASEAN's Green Transition: Legal and Policy Pathways", and "Developing and Investing in Carbon Markets in Asia: Business and Regulatory Perspectives", featuring distinguished leaders and speakers in sustainability and governance. The sessions will spotlight practical and visionary approaches needed to catalyse meaningful climate action across the region.Launched by ONERHT Foundation in 2018, the GAIL Forum has grown into an annual platform for advancing climate resilience and sustainable business practices across ASEAN. By convening industry leaders and policymakers, the forum equips businesses with the knowledge, strategies, and confidence to embed sustainability at the core of their operations.For more information and to register for the ONERHT Foundation GAIL Forum 2025, please visit: https://www.gail2025.com/ONERHT Foundation LtdA Singapore registered charity and grant-making philanthropic organisation, ONERHT Foundation Ltd ("Foundation") enables RHTLaw Asia LLP and the RHT Group of Companies (collectively, "ONERHT") to do right and do good through various charitable endeavours. Set up by ONERHT in 2015, the Foundation was registered as a Singapore charity by the Commissioner of Charities and a grant-making philanthropic organisation by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore on 16 September 2016 and 28 November 2016 respectively. The Foundation seeks to establish, inspire and encourage the right philanthropic culture among the corporate and legal fraternity of giving back to the community in a focused, hands-on and meaningful manner. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than S$5.5 million to support more than 35 beneficiaries involved in education, the environment protection and sustainability, disadvantaged groups as well as the arts and sports. For more information, please visit www.onerht.foundationRHT GRACE Institute LtdRHT GRACE Institute ("RGI") is a social enterprise launched by ONERHT Foundation Ltd in 2020. RGI seeks to establish a culture and creed of raising consciousness, encouraging ethical leadership, and growing a community of values-aligned mindfully ethical leaders, professionals, and businesses. The mission of RGI is anchored on the core principles based on Governance, Risk, AML, Compliance & ESG (G.R.A.C.E.) within an organisation's business model, infusing these into its culture, and influencing and impacting leaders, professionals and individuals by setting a precedent and standard for what is expected in decision making and behaviour. The vision of RGI elevates an organization from good to great, embedding its principles in members' business models, organizational strategy and decision-making processes and influencing them to become custodians and champions of G.R.A.C.E. principles.RGI runs the podcast "EthBeats: Lessons in G.R.A.C.E.ful Living".For media enquiries, please contact:Melody Ong / melody@waterbrooks.com.sg / +65 8901 9780General enquiries query@waterbrooks.com.sgSource: ONERHT FoundationCopyright 2025 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Regulatory News: CTP, Europe's largest listed developer, owner, and operator of industrial and logistics real estate by gross lettable area (GLA), announces it is developing a customised build-to-suit (BTS) logistics facility for Westenergie AG, the largest subsidiary of E.ON SE, at CTPark Mulheim in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, bordering the cities of Duisburg and Essen. The new property CTP is building for Westenergie AG demonstrates CTPark Mulheim is rapidly becoming a major new high tech business park already attracting leading businesses, following CTP's acquisition of the 335,000 sqm brownfield site from French multinational manufacturing business Vallourec in late 2023. CTP is transforming the site that once housed an industrial rolling mill into an innovative new modern business park that will provide over 160,000 sqm of R&D, laboratory, co-working and industrial and logistics spaces for companies in high-growth technology focused sectors including life sciences and IT manufacturing. Westenergie AG's new building will comprise a rental area of around 12,000 sqm, which the company has signed a long-term lease on. The E.ON subsidiary will move two metering business units from Essen-Kettwig and Mulheim into the new building. The new facility will also encompass modern workspaces and a logistics centre for metering device technology as well as the operation of a state-approved test centre for metering devices. CTPark Mulheim is located in the heart of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region, one of Europe's largest conurbations, and has excellent connections to the A2, A3, A42, A52 and A59 highways. This provides quick transport links to major cities and economic centers including Dusseldorf, Duisburg, Dortmund and Essen. The Park is also close to neighbouring countries Belgium and the Netherlands, with the major ports of Amsterdam, Antwerp and Rotterdam being easily accessible. Bernd Boddeling, Senior Vice President Energy Networks Germany at E.ON and CEO of Westenergie AG, said: "With the new building in Mulheim, we are creating the conditions for further growth in a dynamic region where the outstanding location and connections speak for themselves." Marc Buchholz, Lord Mayor of Mulheim an der Ruhr, commented: "E.ON's move to the new industrial and business park is a first strong signal for the location and highlights the region's attractiveness for high-growth companies. We are delighted to welcome E.ON, a well-known international player, to Mulheim." Timo Hielscher, Managing Director M&A at CTP Deutschland, said: "E.ON subsidiary Westenergie locating its new facility in Mulheim an der Ruhr is a success for both the region and CTP and shows we have the capability to identify outstanding sites in the right locations. The Rhine-Ruhr region has huge potential from both a businesses and wider community perspective, which we want to tap into with CTPark Mulheim. Another advantage for the municipality and the environment is this is all being done on a brownfield site, breathing new life into the surrounding area. We would like to thank E.ON and the city of Mulheim an der Ruhr for their support and look forward to continuing our cooperation." As part of a sustainable and resource-conserving construction method, CTP is aiming for DGNB Gold certification at CTPark Mulheim and the installation of a photovoltaic system is planned to ensure a fossil-free energy supply. CTP plans to complete the project in Q3 2027. Other parties involved in developing the project include real estate company Brockhoff Partner and the city of Mulheim an der Ruhr. About CTP CTP is Europe's largest listed owner, developer, and manager of logistics and industrial real estate by gross lettable area, owning 13.4 million sqm of GLA across 10 countries as at 31 March 2025. CTP certifies all new buildings to BREEAM Very good or better and earned a negligible-risk ESG rating by Sustainalytics, underlining its commitment to being a sustainable business. For more information, visit CTP's corporate website: www.ctp.eu Important notice about forward looking information This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of CTP. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "plans", "projects", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "targets", "may", "aims", "likely", "would", "could", "can have", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements may and often do differ materially from actual results. As a result, undue influence should not be placed on any forward-looking statement. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250714401432/en/ Contacts: CONTACT DETAILS FOR ANALYST AND INVESTOR ENQUIRIES: CTP Maarten Otte, Head of Investor Relations Email: maarten.otte@ctp.eu IR TEAM Email: investor.relations@ctp.eu CONTACT DETAILS FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Patryk Statkiewicz Group Head of Marketing PR Mobile: +31 (0) 629 596 119 Email: patryk.statkiewicz@ctp.eu Progress on share buyback programme ING announced today that, as part of our 2.0 billion share buyback programme announced on 2 May 2025, in total 2,598,341 shares were repurchased during the week of 7 July 2025 up to and including 11 July 2025. The shares were repurchased at an average price of 19.50 for a total amount of 50,675,114.36. For detailed information on the daily repurchased shares, individual share purchase transactions and weekly reports, see the ING website at www.ing.com/investorrelations. In line with the purpose of the programme to reduce the share capital of ING, the total number of shares repurchased under this programme to date is 44,995,577 at an average price of 18.44 for a total consideration of 829,640,319.66. To date approximately 41.48% of the maximum total value of the share buyback programme has been completed. Note for editors For further information on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroom. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr. Press enquiries Investor enquiries Raymond Vermeulen ING Group Investor Relations +31 20 576 5000 +31 20 576 6396 Raymond.Vermeulen@ing.com (mailto:Raymond.Vermeulen@ing.com) Investor.Relations@ing.com (mailto:Investor.Relations@ing.com) ING PROFILE ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank's more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 100 countries. ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N). ING aims to put sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our policies and actions are assessed by independent research and ratings providers, which give updates on them annually. ING's ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as 'AA' in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of December 2023, in Sustainalytics' view, ING's management of ESG material risk is 'Strong'. Our current ESG Risk Rating, is 17.2 (Low Risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. Here are some examples: Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so is ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we still finance more that's not. Follow our progress on ing.com/climate. IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014 ('Market Abuse Regulation'). ING Group's annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ('IFRS- EU'). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2024 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding. 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Without limiting any of the statements contained herein, we make no representation or warranty as to whether any of our securities constitutes a green or sustainable security or conforms to present or future investor expectations or objectives for green or sustainable investing. For information on characteristics of a security, use of proceeds, a description of applicable project(s) and/or any other relevant information, please reference the offering documents for such security. This document may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this document. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. ING specifically disclaims any liability with respect to any information found at websites operated by third parties. ING cannot guarantee that websites operated by third parties remain available following the publication of this document, or that any information found at such websites will not change following the filing of this document. Many of those factors are beyond ING's control. Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of ING speak only as of the date they are made, and ING assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason. This document does not constitute an o?er to sell, or a solicitation of an o?er to purchase, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Attachment The Board of Rio Tinto has appointed Simon Trott to succeed Jakob Stausholm as Chief Executive, with effect from 25 August 2025. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250714848945/en/ Simon Trott, Rio Tinto Chief Executive Designate Simon, currently Iron Ore Chief Executive, has a track record of exceptional delivery over 25 years in roles across a wide range of commodities and geographies, with a strong focus on values-based performance culture and strengthening partnerships with stakeholders. As Iron Ore Chief Executive, Simon has strengthened the business and improved operational performance, underpinned by safety and financial discipline; reset partnerships with key stakeholders; and secured the future growth of the business with new mine developments. Previously, as Rio Tinto's first Chief Commercial Officer, Simon established the Group's Commercial operations, unlocking efficiency and deepening strategic customer relationships. Prior to this he held Managing Director roles across multiple Rio Tinto commodities and geographies. Rio Tinto Chair Dominic Barton said: "Simon is an outstanding leader with a deep understanding of mining and a track record of delivering operational excellence and creating value across our business. Simon and the Board are aligned that Rio Tinto's next phase is about unlocking significant value for shareholders from our portfolio, driven by operational performance, and cost and financial discipline. "Simon came into our Iron Ore business at a time of significant challenges and has been instrumental in rebuilding culture, strengthening external relationships and setting us on a pathway for growth. Under his leadership, Iron Ore has become a centre of innovation for the Group, driving operational excellence, technology and operating model optimisation levers Simon can now bring to Rio Tinto at scale. "I want to again recognise Jakob's significant contribution to Rio Tinto at a critical time in its evolution. Under his leadership we have rebuilt relationships with key stakeholders, aligned our portfolio with the commodities where demand growth is strongest, and set a compelling growth trajectory." Rio Tinto Chief Executive Designate Simon Trott said: "It is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead Rio Tinto, and I am excited about our future. The progress we have made over recent years gives us a foundation to build on with discipline and focus to deliver improved performance. With our outstanding assets and people around the world, we are well positioned to grow value for shareholders and the communities who host us. "I want to personally thank Jakob for his leadership and guidance; I have greatly enjoyed working with him. As we move forward at pace, I will be listening closely to our shareholders, customers, employees, communities and other stakeholders to shape our next chapter together." Reflecting on his tenure as Chief Executive, Jakob Stausholm added: "It has been an absolute privilege to lead Rio Tinto for nearly five years, during an important chapter in its history. Working together, our brilliant people across the Group have built genuine momentum, setting out a pathway to a decade of profitable growth. As the Chief Executive of our largest business during this time Simon has been an integral part of the journey; I am certain that under his leadership the Group will continue to thrive and deliver value for its stakeholders." The search process for the new Chief Executive was led by the Nominations Committee, chaired by Dominic Barton, and the appointment decision was made by the full Rio Tinto Board. The process built upon routine succession planning work the Board has undertaken over a two-year period and included potential internal and external candidates. Jakob Stausholm will step down as Chief Executive and from the Board of Directors upon Simon assuming the role. Matt Holcz, currently Managing Director, Pilbara Mines at Rio Tinto, will be providing interim support in the Chief Executive Iron Ore role until a permanent appointment is made. This announcement contains inside information. This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Andy Hodges, Rio Tinto's Group Company Secretary. Additional information Simon Trott Simon will be on a standard Rio Tinto executive director contract, which includes a 12-month notice period. He will receive a remuneration package that is in line with our Remuneration Policy. With effect from 25 August 2025, as Chief Executive, Simon's remuneration package will include: A base salary of 1,340,000. Participation in incentive plans consistent with the Remuneration Policy. Other benefits will be provided as standard including a company pension benefit of 14% of base salary and relocation support. Simon has not held any directorship in any other publicly listed companies during the previous five years. There are no further details to be disclosed pursuant to UKLR 6.4.8. Jakob Stausholm In accordance with Section 430(2B) of the Companies Act 2006, payments made or to be made after he steps down as a director (less any required tax withholdings) include: under his contractual terms, Jakob has a 12-month notice period and he will continue to remain entitled to base salary and benefits during this period. Jakob will remain eligible for consideration of an annual bonus in respect of 2025, with outcomes determined following the end of the financial year. Any approved award would be paid fully in cash at the normal payment date in March 2026. He will not receive any annual bonus in respect of 2026; LTIP awards under the Equity Incentive Plan (EIP) will continue to vest on their normal vesting dates with no accelerated vesting, subject to the rules of the relevant plan and the Remuneration Policy. Performance Share Awards will be subject to performance testing and pro-rating in accordance with the rules of the EIP and the Remuneration Policy; payment in lieu of accrued but unused annual leave will be paid on separation; a contribution to legal fees incurred in connection with the cessation of his employment capped at a sum of 20,000 plus VAT; and other benefits to be provided following cessation of employment include outplacement support and tax advisory services. All the payments and arrangements described above are in accordance with relevant plan rules and Rio Tinto's Remuneration Policy published in the 2023 Annual Report at www.riotinto.com. The 2025 Directors' Remuneration Implementation report will contain details of all remuneration payments described above. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250714848945/en/ Contacts: Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com Media Relations, United Kingdom Matthew Klar M +44 7796 630 637 David Outhwaite M +44 7787 597 493 Media Relations, Australia Matt Chambers M +61 433 525 739 Rachel Pupazzoni M +61 438 875 469 Media Relations, Canada Malika Cherry M +1 418 592 7293 Vanessa Damha M +1 514 715 2152 Media Relations, US Jesse Riseborough M +1 202 394 9480 Investor Relations, United Kingdom Rachel Arellano M: +44 7584 609 644 David Ovington M +44 7920 010 978 Laura Brooks M +44 7826 942 797 Weiwei Hu M +44 7825 907 230 Investor Relations, Australia Tom Gallop M +61 439 353 948 Phoebe Lee M +61 413 557 780 Rio Tinto plc 6 St James's Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom T +44 20 7781 2000 Registered in England No. 719885 Rio Tinto Limited Level 43, 120 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T +61 3 9283 3333 Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404 riotinto.com Category: General Leading fashion e-tailer Oh Polly has chosen 7Learnings as its pricing technology partner to optimize pricing across the UK market. Known for its bold, trend-setting collections and strong social media presence, Oh Polly uses 7Learnings' predictive pricing platform to boost profitability while delivering more precise value to its customers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250715635046/en/ Oh Polly selects 7Learnings for AI-powered price optimization in UK With millions of customers and a strong direct-to-consumer model, Oh Polly required a pricing solution that could keep pace with fast-moving trends, high SKU complexity, and demand volatility. 7Learnings will provide Oh Polly with an advanced predictive pricing solution that enables smarter discounting decisions, improved sell-through, and increased profitability across key product categories. "Oh Polly is a great example of a modern digital brand that understands the power of data and pricing science," said Felix Hoffmann, CEO and Co-Founder of 7Learnings. "We're excited to support them in reaching their pricing goals in one of Europe's most competitive fashion markets." The 7Learnings platform enables retailers to simulate pricing scenarios, predict demand changes, and optimize prices dynamically based on business goals. By simulating price changes and forecasting outcomes like revenue, profit, and conversion, retailers like Oh Polly can make highly accurate and profitable decisions across entire assortments, without relying on manual guesswork or static rules. "With 7Learnings, we can make faster and more informed pricing decisions. Their platform gives us the visibility and precision we need to optimize for both profit and sell-through, especially in a fast-paced market like fashion." Mike Branney, Founder, Oh Polly This partnership marks another significant milestone for 7Learnings' expansion in the UK, following recent collaborations with other leading fashion and lifestyle retailers. About Oh Polly Founded in 2015, Oh Polly is a well-established clothing brand with headquarters in Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Dhaka, and Guangzhou. Solidifying its presence in the international women's clothing market, the brand's social-first business model is anchored by industry-leading Instagram and TikTok accounts, with a combined following of over 11.2 million as of April 2025, connecting its diverse, engaged, and trend-driven audience. Built on the values of empowerment and innovation, Oh Polly is committed to providing high-quality products, designed in London, and built around an ethical supply chain. About 7Learnings 7Learnings provides an AI-powered retail optimization platform for B2C companies, pioneering the overarching optimization of pricing, performance marketing, and product ordering. With 7Learnings' machine learning algorithm, retailers and brands can predict the impact of pricing decisions, determine the optimal price for all products, and reduce manual labor by up to 80 percent. The solution has been rigorously tested in numerous A/B experiments and consistently delivers measurable performance improvements and profit increases of more than ten percent. 7Learnings was founded in Berlin in 2019 by Felix Hoffmann, Eiko van Hettinga, and Martin Nowak. Its clients include international companies such as Westwing, Bonprix, Tom Tailor, Tamaris, and DK Company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250715635046/en/ Contacts: 7Learnings Address: Engeldamm 64b, 10179 Berlin Phone: +49 30 403677370 info@7Learnings.com BRUSSELS, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Euroclear today unveils a comprehensive plan to establish a true single market for post-trade services across asset classes. This initiative, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of European market infrastructure, will support the Savings and Investments Union's (SIU) ambitions and ensure Europe remains the 'go-to place' for investors and issuers globally. Euroclear's ambitious project will bring a number of significant benefits, including providing seamless connectivity across the single market, encouraging healthy market competition, promoting financial stability, and fostering innovation and accelerated technology adoption. To do so, Euroclear builds on the know-how, scale and global connectivity of its unique model: combining the leading international Central Securities Depository (Euroclear Bank) with its six local CSDs in Europe. This open-model positions Euroclear as Europe's gateway to the world - enabling it to connect global markets, drive innovation and unlock further efficiency. Euroclear commits to provide a single point of access to all 27 Member States across all financial asset classes - equities, fixed income and all types of funds, by: Offering both central bank money and commercial bank money access to all EU CSDs by accelerating the full connection of Euroclear Bank to the European Central Bank's Target2-Securities (T2S) platform. Delivering more efficient and integrated services through enhanced synergies between Euroclear's local CSDs as well as with Euroclear Bank. This action plan will see Euroclear continue to invest in infrastructure and services that contribute to a more efficient single market: Providing a pan-European infrastructure for issuers seeking access to a broad investor ecosystem, deep liquidity and cost-effective issuer services. Enhancing post-trade infrastructure to channel retail and institutional investment towards equities, mutual and alternative fund products. Building on our leading collateral management solutions to enhance liquidity and stability in global financial markets. Working with central banks and market participants on the development of next-generation digital infrastructure. To implement this action plan, Euroclear's focus will be to complete Euroclear Bank's commercial bank money access to all 27 EU Member States by 2026. In parallel, we will accelerate Euroclear Bank's connection to T2S to offer Central Bank Money access thereafter. Valerie Urbain, Euroclear's CEO, commented: "The key to more liquid and effective capital markets in Europe is through driving market openness, interconnectivity and maximising choice for users. Only under these conditions can European markets truly thrive and remain competitive at a global level. Today, we are committed to making Euroclear the single-entry point for all asset classes including funds, fixed income and equities across the 27 Member States." Euroclear has been actively contributing to the financing of the European economy and integration of European markets over decades. Today, as the largest CSD group in Europe, Euroclear holds over 50% of all securities issued in the EU and represents over 60% of EU settlement turnover. To support these efforts, Euroclear has outlined several policy priorities and recommendations [https://www.euroclear.com/content/dam/euroclear/news%20&%20insights/Format/PDFs/2025/Euroclear-Policy-Paper_SIU_July-2025.pdf] for European policymakers and market participants. These include enabling FMI group integration and regulatory simplification, strengthening open access and competition, fostering legal and regulatory convergence, optimizing settlement and asset servicing, scaling digital assets and DLT infrastructures, and enhancing supervisory consistency. Contact: Jorgen Muylaert, jorgen.muylaert@euroclear.com, +32 479 77 14 80 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/euroclear-to-deliver-post-trade-infrastructure-connecting-all-27-eu-markets-in-all-financial-asset-classes-302505155.html LONDON, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- InfraRed Capital Partners ("InfraRed"), a leading international mid-market infrastructure asset manager, has completed the acquisition of GulenSkyss, a Norwegian ferry and ambulance vessel owner and operator. InfraRed has acquired 100% of the business from its founder for an InfraRed-managed value-add fund. With its established presence on the west coast of Norway, GulenSkyss offers significant opportunities for growth. GulenSkyss owns and operates express and car ferries, pilot boats, and ambulance vessels, under long-term concessions with public counterparties. Through its fleet of 15 vessels, including one under construction, GulenSkyss provides access to critical emergency services and dependable transportation connections, making it an integral part of Norwegian transportation infrastructure. With its longstanding presence, reputation for reliability, and experienced management team, GulenSkyss is well-positioned for further expansion. In recent years, the business has been building out its fleet and moving into new regions and different parts of the ferry market. In December 2024, GulenSkyss won a significant tender for the operation of the car ferry connection between Breistein and Valestrand. Recently, the company also secured the Solfjellsjen - Vandve car ferry route in Nordland County, in Northern Norway. The company's long-term development is supported by strong secular trends such as rising demand for healthcare services and increasing domestic travel. Norway's 100,000 km coastline is fragmented with fjords and islands, making road and rail transport difficult; ferries are often the most efficient and cost-effective option. In 2023, ferries carried nearly 50m passengers* around Norway, providing the critical links between islands, fjords, and mainland cities. Sven Stubican, Partner, InfraRed, commented: "This is an exciting investment in an established business with significant potential for expansion, underpinned by the infrastructure characteristics that we look for. GulenSkyss's carefully designed vessels meet local needs, providing invaluable services for residents and communities. We look forward to working with the exceptional management team, leveraging our experience with other portfolio companies, such as Vancouver Island Ferries in Canada." Frode Snstab, CEO, GulenSkyss, commented: "We are incredibly proud to partner with InfraRed Capital Partners. This acquisition gives us a unique opportunity to strengthen our position within our market segments. With the support and expertise of InfraRed Capital Partners we are well equipped to unlock the full potential of GulenSkyss. We look forward to working closely with InfraRed Capital Partners to deliver even better results for our customers and employees. This is the beginning of an exciting journey for GulenSkyss." Per Strand Vold, GulenSkyss Founder, commented: "We are happy to have found a new partner for GulenSkyss with ambitions to further develop the company, and we are confident that InfraRed Capital Partners will be a strong fit for GulenSkyss in the future." This is the second investment made by InfraRed in the Nordics in the past 12 months, following an investment in Voltan Energy, a decentralised energy company based in Finland. * Statistics Norway, Ferry Data bank Notes to Editors About InfraRed Capital Partners ("InfraRed") InfraRed is a leading international mid-market infrastructure asset manager. Over the past 25 years, InfraRed has established itself as a highly successful developer, particularly in early-stage projects, and an active steward of essential infrastructure. InfraRed manages US$13bn of equity capital [1] for investors around the globe in listed and private funds across both core and value-add strategies. InfraRed combines a global reach, operating worldwide from offices in London, Madrid, New York, Sydney and Seoul, with deep sector expertise from a team of more than 160 people. InfraRed is part of SLC Management, the institutional alternatives and traditional asset management business of Sun Life, and benefits from its scale and global platform. For more information, please visit www.ircp.com. [1] Uses 5-year average FX as at 31st December 2024 of GBP/USD of 1.2818; EUR/USD 1.1092. EUM is USD 13.186m. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2729927/GulenSkyss_ambulance_vessel.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/infrared-capital-partners-acquires-norwegian-ferry-and-ambulance-vessel-operator-gulenskyss-302504470.html In a multi-part agreement, EPAM will help the States of Guernsey shape the future of digital government services utilizing ServiceNow PSDS NEWTOWN, Pa., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM), a leading digital transformation services and product engineering company, today announced a multi-year partnership with the States of Guernsey. This collaboration is a key component of Guernsey's new digital strategy, which aims to enhance the security, accessibility and user experience of government services while optimizing decision-making processes and more efficient public service delivery. "This is a significant milestone for EPAM, as it highlights our continued growth in the region," said Balazs Fejes, President of Global Business & Chief Revenue Officer at EPAM. "We are excited to partner with the States of Guernsey to help define the future of digital government services. As a trusted ServiceNow partner and a preferred systems integration (SI) provider for PSDS, we are well-equipped to deliver innovative solutions that support their ambitious digital transformation goals." With a strategic partnership in place, EPAM is positioned to help Guernsey achieve its ambitious digital strategy goals of having 80% of relevant digital services under one online 'roof' within four years from public launch of the digital foundation first release, and significantly increase the amount of transactions being completed via online services. Leveraging ServiceNow1 Public Sector Digital Services (PSDS), EPAM is set to enhance the government's digital services, ensuring they are secure, accessible and user-friendly. As a preferred systems integration (SI) provider for PSDS, EPAM will accelerate digital transformation by seamlessly integrating employees, processes and systems into a unified, AI-powered platform. "Digitization is crucial for us as a government to drive progress and improve ease and access to public services for our community, which is why we're pleased to partner with EPAM," said Ge Drossaert, the States' Chief Digital and Information Officer. "Digital is no longer just about IT systems-it's about transforming how islanders live, connect and work." "We are excited to collaborate with EPAM in supporting the States of Guernsey's ambitious digital transformation goals," said Casey Coleman, VP, Global Public Sector at ServiceNow. "Their vision of 'making all our lives easier and more straightforward' aligns perfectly with the innovations and capabilities of our Public Sector Digital Services (PSDS) on the ServiceNow Platform. Together, we will enhance user experiences, build public trust and drive greater workforce engagement and productivity." To learn more about how EPAM is shaping the future of business with modern engineering, visit https://www.epam.com/industries/government-solutions. About EPAM Systems Since 1993, EPAM Systems, Inc. has used its software engineering expertise to become a leading global provider of digital engineering, cloud and AI-enabled transformation services, and a leading business and experience consulting partner for global enterprises and ambitious startups. We address our clients' transformation challenges by focusing EPAM Continuum's integrated strategy, experience and technology consulting with our 30+ years of engineering execution to speed our clients' time to market and drive greater value from their innovations and digital investments. We leverage AI and GenAI to deliver transformative solutions that accelerate our clients' digital innovation and enhance their competitive edge. Through platforms like EPAM AI/RUN and initiatives like DIALX Lab, we integrate advanced AI technologies into tailored business strategies, driving significant industry impact and fostering continuous innovation. We deliver globally but engage locally with our expert teams of consultants, architects, designers and engineers, making the future real for our clients, our partners, and our people around the world. We believe the right solutions are the ones that improve people's lives and fuel competitive advantage for our clients across diverse industries. Our thinking comes to life in the experiences, products and platforms we design and bring to market. Added to the S&P 500 and the Forbes Global 2000 in 2021 and recognized by Glassdoor and Newsweek as Most Loved Workplace, our multidisciplinary teams serve customers across six continents. We are proud to be among the top 15 companies in Information Technology Services in the Fortune 1000 and to be recognized as a leader in the IDC MarketScapes for Worldwide Experience Build Services, Worldwide Experience Design Services and Worldwide Software Engineering Services. Learn more at?www.epam.com?and follow us on?LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes estimates and statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Our estimates and forward-looking statements are mainly based on our current expectations and estimates of future events and trends, which affect or may affect our business and operations. These statements may include words such as "may," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate" or similar expressions. Those future events and trends may relate to, among other things, developments relating to the war in?Ukraine?and escalation of the war in the surrounding region, political and civil unrest or military action in the geographies where we conduct business and operate, difficult conditions in global capital markets, foreign exchange markets, global trade and the broader economy, the adoption and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies by EPAM and its clients, and the effect that these events may have on client demand and our revenues, operations, access to capital, and profitability. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions, the risk factors discussed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the factors discussed in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, particularly under the headings "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that these estimates and forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, they are subject to several risks and uncertainties and are made based on information currently available to us. EPAM undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law. 1 ServiceNow, the ServiceNow logo, Now, Now Platform, and other ServiceNow marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ServiceNow, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other company names, product names, and logos may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.? Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2727157/Job_GuernseyServiceNow.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2223594/EPAM_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/epam-secures-multi-year-deal-with-states-of-guernsey-to-transform-the-islands-digital-services-with-servicenow-psds-302503520.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Spark Energy Minerals Inc. (CSE: SPRK) (OTC Pink: SPARF) (FSE: 8PC) ("Spark" or the "Company") is accelerating exploration at its flagship Arapaima Project in Brazil's Lithium Valley, where lithium-rich pegmatites and rapidly evolving drill targets are driving momentum toward the Company's inaugural diamond drill program. Following the June 20, 2025 release of positive lithium assay results from Cruzeta (3,712 ppm lithium-in-rock) and Agua Branca (118 ppm lithium in stream sediments) Spark's geological team has accelerated its on-the-ground efforts across the Cruzeta, Corrego do Maquem, and Agua Branca targets. The work is part of the Company's broader drill-planning program, with initial diamond drilling expected to begin in Q3 2025. "Each step we take in the field is strengthening our confidence in these highly prospective targets," commented Spark CEO Eugene Hodgson. "With clear lithium pathfinders and multiple pegmatite bodies already mapped, the refinement of drill collars is progressing exceptionally well. Our team is energized by what we're seeing on the ground-and from the air." Figure 1: Aerial view of the Corrego do Maquem target, one of the sites being detailed in preparation for the Q3 drilling campaign. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/258826_b9565f8724c1cbf5_001full.jpg Advancing Corrego do Maquem and Cruzeta Drill Readiness The Corrego do Maquem target has emerged as a compelling focus for Spark's exploration team. Recent drone reconnaissance and field mapping have revealed several openings from abandoned mining galleries which are being re-investigated to assess pegmatite continuity at depth, as well as a structurally controlled corridor with extensive pegmatite outcrops and historical workings. Figure 2: Close-up of the openings of abandoned mining galleries at the Corrego do Maquem target (left) and an abandoned mining gallery showing weathered pegmatite bodies located at the Cruzeta target (right) where detailing activities are underway in preparation for the drilling campaign. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/258826_b9565f8724c1cbf5_002full.jpg Meanwhile at Cruzeta, work is underway to characterize the mineralized pegmatite bodies exposed in both historical underground galleries and open-pit faces. These pegmatites are often located just below a shallow weathered cap, making them accessible and highly favourable for drill testing. Images captured from active fieldwork illustrate this progress: Figure 3: Partial view of an inactive open-pit mining site at the Cruzeta target, exposing a significant pegmatite body beneath a heavily weathered soil cap (left). Close-up of a small gallery entrance within the same pit (centre). Geologist Daniel Hammer collecting a channel sample while rappelling along the open-pit wall (right). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/258826_b9565f8724c1cbf5_003full.jpg Sediment Sampling Validates Broader Target Footprint In parallel, sediment sampling efforts are ongoing to complement the pegmatite mapping. Stream sediment collection near the Cruzeta corridor confirms persistent lithium pathfinders across key sub-basins. These efforts are critical in refining the drill target matrix and to provide data on grade levels of interest, leading to the selection of targets for the drilling campaign. Figure 4: Geologist Renato Sue collecting sediment samples from a stream near the Cruzeta target. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/258826_b9565f8724c1cbf5_004full.jpg In one notable site at Cruzeta, an aerial view of a deep vertical gallery illustrates the extent of historical workings, which are now being studied as part of Spark's geological reinterpretation and 3D modelling for upcoming drilling (Figure 5). Figure 5: Interior view of a narrow gallery at an abandoned mining site within the Cruzeta target (left). Close-up of the gallery wall highlighting coarse-grained pegmatitic textures indicative of lithium-bearing mineralization (right). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/258826_b9565f8724c1cbf5_005full.jpg "Drilling is the ultimate validation tool in exploration," added Hodgson. "But what we're building now is the framework for success: boots-on-the-ground geology, multi-layered sampling, and a meticulous, science-first approach." Readers are cautioned that stream sediment survey results are preliminary in nature and are part of an early-stage exploration program. These results are not conclusive evidence of the likelihood of a mineral deposit and do not guarantee future discoveries. Looking Ahead Spark remains on track to initiate its first phase of diamond drilling in Q3 2025, with a primary focus on the Cruzeta, Corrego do Maquem, and Agua Branca targets. This drill program represents the next major milestone in unlocking the lithium and rare earth potential of the Company's expansive 91,900-hectare land package. Qualified Person: The scientific and technical information disclosed in this document has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill BSc Hons, FAUSIMM, a Qualified Person consistent with NI 43-101 and a director of Spark Energy Minerals Inc. Mr. Hill is a Director of Spark Energy Minerals Inc. and is not independent of the Company. About Spark Energy Minerals Inc. Spark Energy Minerals, Inc. is a Canadian company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of battery metals and mineral assets, with a particular emphasis on its substantial interests in Brazil. The Company's flagship project is the Arapaima Lithium & REE project spanning a combined 91,900 hectares in Brazil's renowned Lithium Valley, one of the most prolific mining regions in the world. This region is rapidly gaining global recognition for its vast deposits of lithium and rare earth minerals, positioning Brazil as a critical player in the global energy transition. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE COMPANY'S WEBSITE AT Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated", "anticipates" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Property, financing and certain corporate changes. In addition, it should be noted that rock, soil and stream sediment samples are inherently selective samples and may not represent the true underlying mineralization. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258826 SOURCE: Spark Energy Minerals Inc. With a national network of over 300 branches, Turkey's leading pizza chain Pasaport Pizza has been recognized as the "Most Reputable Pizza Brand in Turkey" in the 2025 Customer Satisfaction Index conducted by the Turkey Reputation Academy. The large-scale study surveyed 15,000 individuals across 72 provinces, identifying Pasaport Pizza as the sector leader in consumer trust and brand satisfaction. IZMIR, TR / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / The brand achieved top scores in key areas such as taste, service consistency, trust perception, and customer loyalty, reaffirming its position as a dominant force in Turkey's quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry. "What We Offer Is More Than Just a Product" pasaport franchise pasaport pizza CEO Mukremin Ozdemir emphasized that this achievement reflects not just product quality, but a long-standing, disciplined approach to brand and operations management: "This award is the result of a comprehensive customer experience. It stems from years of structured strategy, operational excellence, and customer-focused thinking. We've invested in building trust, delivering consistency, and using technology to enhance every stage of the customer journey." Setting the Standard with Global Operational Excellence Pasaport Pizza continues to align all business functions-including product development, customer care, operational controls, and digital systems-with international standards of quality. Ozdemir elaborates: "Our systems are designed for scalability and global compliance. From franchise audits to quality control and digital infrastructure, every layer of our operations is ready to meet the expectations of international markets." Rising Global Interest Following the announcement of the award, interest from international investors has surged, particularly from Europe and the Gulf region. Pasaport Pizza is currently evaluating new franchise opportunities as part of its global growth strategy. "This recognition strengthens our credibility not only among Turkish consumers but also with global investors," Ozdemir stated. "It's a clear signal that Pasaport Pizza is a stable and trusted brand, positioned for international success." International Readiness and Strategic Expansion The company has upgraded its digital platforms, supply chain logistics, and brand governance systems to support global market entry. Initial focus markets include Europe and the Middle East, where discussions are underway with prospective partners. "We are not merely a domestic brand with short-term ambitions," Ozdemir concludes. "Pasaport Pizza is built on sustainable values of trust, transparency, and consistent quality-making us fully prepared to introduce our brand to the world." SOURCE: Smartmetrics View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/food-and-beverage-products/pasaport-pizza-named-turkey%e2%80%99s-most-reputable-pizza-brand-poised-for-glob-1048808 Mark43, the leading platform for intelligent policing operations, today announced the appointment of its Co-Founder and President Matt Polega as Managing Director UK. Polega is relocating to the UK to lead on-the-ground operations. This strategic move underscores Mark43's commitment to delivering innovative policing technology across the UK. "As one of our co-founders, Matt has made an impact across every team at Mark43," said Bob Hughes, CEO of Mark43. "His leadership in delivering for our first UK customer, Cumbria Constabulary, has laid the foundation for long-term success and strong product-market fit in the region. His move comes at a pivotal moment in Mark43's growth, reinforcing our commitment to UK policing and our growing partner ecosystem. The demand for modern technology in policing is clear, and we're uniquely positioned to meet it as a trusted partner. We're thrilled to have Matt leading this essential work." "Thirteen years ago, we founded Mark43 to fundamentally transform public safety operations through modern technology," said Matt Polega, Co-Founder, President, and Managing Director UK. "Expanding that mission to the UK is a personal and professional milestone. I'm committed to supporting UK forces in meeting today's and tomorrow's policing challenges with the same innovation, partnership, and operational excellence that have defined Mark43 since day one." "Matt's appointment underscores Mark43's commitment to supporting UK police forces," said Sir George Hamilton, former Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Strategic Policing Advisor to Mark43. "As a co-founder, Matt has been with Mark43 since day one, helping shape its mission and growth from the ground up. The company has already demonstrated its value through a successful deployment with Cumbria Constabulary, and under Matt's leadership, it is well-placed to continue delivering meaningful results as forces modernize to meet the evolving challenges of UK community safety." This announcement follows a successful DDaT Forum hosted by Mark43 in London, which brought together over one-third of the country's police forces, alongside government representatives and senior policing leaders. It also follows the rapid expansion of Mark43's UK-based team, welcoming the brightest minds in engineering, customer success and implementation to innovate and accelerate delivery for UK policing. "Over a decade ago, we launched our first Mark43 customer, the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. It's been incredibly rewarding to see the impact of our technology benefitting police forces across the U.S. I'm thrilled to bring that experience to the UK," said Polega. "I look forward to continue partnering with UK forces to meet their evolving needs, strengthen collaboration and drive impact through our cloud-native technology." Polega will continue to serve as Co-Founder, President, and Head of Marketing, Communications, and Enablement at Mark43. As Managing Director UK, Polega will be responsible for Mark43's operational excellence, strategic growth, partnerships and customer delivery throughout the region, reinforcing Mark43's role as the leading technology partner for police forces across the UK. To learn more, visit www.mark43.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250714658582/en/ Contacts: Media contact: PRforMark43@bospar.com Cybersecurity experts deem widespread malware incidents and severe impact from cloud outage events to be tangible scenarios, judging the effectiveness of mitigation measures. CyberCube and Munich Re, both leading providers in their field of cyber risk, analytics and insurance, have published the main findings of a joint study on severe cyber accumulation events and the relative resiliency of organizations to systemic events due to effective mitigation measures. The survey gathered insights from 93 seasoned cybersecurity professionals. The results provide a nuanced view of how systemic cyber events might unfold and of the factors that drive wide variation in risk exposure across firms: Widespread Malware Risk According to the majority of responding experts, a severe malware event could infect a quarter of all systems worldwide, but they agreed in that case only 15% may be fully compromised. Experts do not see an event where more than 50% of the world's systems are completely compromised. Based on the experts' judgement, another event on the scale of WannaCry and NotPetya would not be seen as surprising. Patch management, network segmentation, and data backups are identified as the most effective mitigations that organizations have against widespread malware attacks. When done effectively, such mitigations can reduce the chance of being affected by a widespread malware attack by 50% to 80% and reduce the financial impacts from such an event by a similar amount. Cloud Risk Cybersecurity experts expect broad cloud outages to last hours to days; outages beyond 72 hours are considered unlikely but not impossible. Findings show at least a medium level of dependency on cloud services across most industries with companies' business-critical operations increasingly reliant on them. Reliance tends to decrease with increasing company size. Financial losses scale with cloud outage duration: Respondents reported that a single-day outage of their most critical Cloud Service Provider (CSP) would likely result in a financial loss equal to 1% of their yearly revenue. Variation in losses reflect differences in dependency on the cloud, based on an organization's size, sector, and contingency planning. The most effective mitigation against cloud outages is to establish a multi-region architecture with the CSPs used for critical business applications. Having multiple CSPs was not found to be effective; the option to transfer service from one CSP to another during an outage was seen as unfeasible. Cyber Experts surveyed rate Azure, AWS and Google as the best prepared to mitigate against a major cloud outage and to recover from such an event. Emerging and Systemic Risks Experts believe that new technologies will begin to affect the threat landscape at about the same pace that they are being adopted in cybersecurity practices. According to cybersecurity experts, in the near term Industrial and Consumer Internet of Things (IoT) devices pose the biggest concern. Large Language Models (LLMs) are regarded as having an impact now while Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is seen as a greater concern in five or more years. A fundamental challenge in cyber risk modeling is the deficiency of concrete tail-risk events, such as systemic malware or multi-region cloud outages. The joint survey represents the best attempt to parameterize plausible worst-case scenarios and establish expert consensus. Its objective was to advance market understanding, particularly concerning risk mitigation strategies for systemic cyber events. The results add credibility to CyberCube's model forecasts and further improve Munich Re's internal model and accumulation risk understanding. Jon Laux, Vice President of Analytics at CyberCube, said: "By sharing the findings of our study on systemic cyber risks, we aim to provide a more nuanced view of how systemic cyber events might unfold and the factors that drive wide variation in risk exposure across firms." Stephan Brunner, Senior Cyber Actuary at Munich Re, said: "Our ambition is to improve the understanding of possible extreme malware and cloud events alongside the effectiveness of mitigation measures by sharing the insights of our study. In collaboration, Munich Re aims to further strengthen expertise on systemic cyber risks and advance cyber accumulation modeling." The research has contributed to a more refined understanding of the relative resiliency of organizations to systemic events and the key variables that influence an organization's ability to withstand such incidents. These findings represent an important input into CyberCube's and Munich Re's evolving view of cyber risk and help inform ongoing enhancements to their modeling approach. CyberCube has incorporated these insights into Version 6 of its risk aggregation platform, Portfolio Manager. Modeling cyber accumulation is a joint effort across the entire insurance industry. For this reason, the key findings of the survey are being published to foster dialogue in the market. This study is the third of its kind, CyberCube and Munich Re plan to conduct another study in 2026. Interested cybersecurity experts are invited to participate. Read the report summarising the full study here Key insights into systemic cyber risk CyberCube is the leading provider of software-as-a-service cyber risk analytics to quantify cyber risk in financial terms. Driven by data and informed by insight, we have harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to supplement our multi-disciplinary team. Our clients rely on our solutions to make informed decisions about managing and transferring cyber risks. We unpack complex cyber threats into clear, actionable strategies, translating cyber risk into financial impact on businesses, markets, and society as a whole. The CyberCube platform was established in 2015 within Symantec and now operates as a standalone company. Our models are built on an unparalleled ecosystem of data and validated by extensive model calibration, internally and externally. CyberCube is the leader in cyber risk quantification for the insurance industry, serving over 100 insurance institutions globally. The company's investors include Forgepoint Capital, HSCM Bermuda and Morgan Stanley Tactical Value. For more information, please visit www.cybcube.com or email info@cybcube.com. Munich Re is one of the world's leading providers of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk solutions. Munich Re is globally active and operates in all lines of the insurance business. Since it was founded in 1880, Munich Re has been known for its unrivalled risk-related expertise and its sound financial position. Munich Re leverages its strengths to promote its clients' business interests and technological progress. Moreover, Munich Re develops covers for new risks such as rocket launches, renewable energies, cyber risks and artificial intelligence. In the 2024 financial year, Munich Re generated insurance revenue of 60.8bn and a net result of 5.7bn. The Munich Re Group employed about 44,000 people worldwide as at 31 December 2024. For more information, please visit www.munichre.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250715840740/en/ Contacts: For media inquiries, please contact: CyberCube: Yvette Essen, Head of Communications Market Engagement, yvettee@cybcube.com, +44 (0)7956 877 206 Munich Re: Irmgard Joas, Group Media Relations, ijoas@munichre.com, +49(0)89 3891 6188 New regional datacenter strengthens Gainsight's commitment to EMEA growth, enterprise readiness, and the global deployment of AI-powered customer intelligence FRANKFURT, Germany, July 15, 2025, the retention engine powering the world's most customer-centric companies, today announced the opening of its new European Union (EU) datacenter in Germany to support the global growth and adoption of Staircase AI by Gainsight, part of Atlas, Gainsight's family of AI agents for customer retention and expansion. With the new regional datacenter now live, enterprises across EMEA can deploy AI-powered customer intelligence with enterprise-grade security, local data residency, and improved performance, all while meeting the complex data governance requirements of the region. "As enterprises accelerate their adoption of AI, they're not looking for generic models. They need operational AI agents they can trust, deploy, and scale across complex global organizations," said Ori Entis, SVP Product, CS & AI at Gainsight. "This new EU datacenter reflects our continued investment in the global scalability of Staircase AI and ensures our customers in Europe can confidently adopt AI-powered customer intelligence while meeting strict regional compliance standards." Full Enterprise Readiness for EMEA With the launch of the EU datacenter, Gainsight now offers: Full availability of Staircase AI, one of Gainsight's Atlas AI agents, for customers across EMEA Regional data storage for GDPR and EU data privacy compliance Improved latency and system performance for European users Scalable infrastructure to support large, multinational enterprise deployments of AI-powered customer intelligence Strengthened Security, Privacy, and Compliance To support enterprise-grade deployment across global markets, Staircase AI has recently achieved ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 42001 certifications , reinforcing Gainsight's commitment to secure, ethical AI that aligns with international standards. Staircase AI also now includes PII Anonymization, a new feature that automatically redacts sensitive personal information, such as emails, credit card numbers, and medical records, before it enters Staircase AI. This capability simplifies security reviews and enables compliance with regulations such as GDPR and CCPA, making Staircase deployable in highly regulated industries, including healthcare, education, and financial services. Part of Gainsight's Expanding Agentic AI Vision Atlas AI Agents , introduced earlier this month at Gainsight's Pulse Conference, are purpose-built to support every step of the customer journey-from adoption and risk management to renewal, community moderation, and more. Unlike generic AI models, Atlas delivers role-specific agents that work alongside human teams to scale outcomes, automate repetitive work, and ensure every customer gets personalized attention at scale. With today's EU datacenter expansion, Gainsight continues to advance its vision of AI-powered customer retention, giving businesses the ability to: Surface churn risks, expansion signals, and product feedback across every customer touchpoint Automate account monitoring and proactive intervention Scale customer engagement without sacrificing personalization Meet enterprise-grade privacy, security, and compliance requirements globally Additional Resources: Secure AI in Action Webinar: Join Ori Entis, SVP of Product, along with Strath Lanyon, Chief Client Success Officer at Xceptor, for the webinar: Turn Data into Action: How CS Teams Can Leverage AI to Drive Growth (https://www.gainsight.com/event/turn-data-into-action-how-cs-teams-can-leverage-ai-to-drive-growth/), July 29, 2025, at 2:30 PM GMT+1. Join Ori Entis, SVP of Product, along with Strath Lanyon, Chief Client Success Officer at Xceptor, for the webinar: (https://www.gainsight.com/event/turn-data-into-action-how-cs-teams-can-leverage-ai-to-drive-growth/), July 29, 2025, at 2:30 PM GMT+1. Read more about Gainsight's secure approach to operationalizing AI here (https://www.gainsight.com/blog/announcing-gainsights-new-data-center-in-europe/). About Gainsight Gainsight is the retention engine behind the world's most customer-centric companies. The Gainsight CustomerOS platform orchestrates the customer journey from onboarding to outcomes. More than 2,000 companies trust Gainsight's applications and AI agents to drive learning, adoption, community connection, and success for their customers. Learn more at www.gainsight.com . BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - China's economy registered a faster-than-expected growth in the second quarter with strong support from exports and industrial production despite the US trade tariff threats but weaker investment and persistent deflation continued to pose challenges. Gross domestic product expanded 5.2 percent on a yearly basis after rising 5.4 percent in the previous quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics said. Nonetheless, the growth was above economists' forecast of 5.0 percent. For the first half of the year, GDP expanded 5.3 percent from the same period last year, signaling that the economy remains on track to achieve its full year growth target of around 5 percent. Data showed that industrial production jumped 6.8 percent in June, faster than the 5.8 percent increase in May. The growth rate was expected to ease to 5.6 percent. Retail sales grew at a slower pace of 4.8 percent year-on-year after advancing 6.4 percent in the previous month. Moreover, this was weaker than forecast of 5.2 percent. Fixed asset investment data disappointed again as geopolitical tensions and trade policies weighed on private investment. In the first half of the year, fixed asset investment grew 2.8 percent, missing expectations for a 3.6 percent rise and also weaker than the 3.7 percent rise seen in the January to May period. The decline in property investment worsened to 11.2 percent in the first half of the year from 10.7 percent in the January to May period. The jobless rate remained unchanged at 5.0 percent in June as expected. June trade data showed that China's exports grew strongly by 5.8 percent due to the de-escalation of trade tensions with the US and a surge in shipments to ASEAN and EU economies. ING economist Lynn Song said sharper-than-expected slowdowns in fixed asset investment, retail sales and falling property prices are a concern. The second half of the year could prove to be more challenging as trade tariff uncertainty will remain an overhang with the next key deadlines coming up soon in August, the economist noted. That said, the strength of the first half should keep China on track to achieve its full year target of around 5 percent growth, Song said. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2025 AFX News Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - SILICON METALS CORP. (CSE: SI) (FSE: X6U) ("Silicon Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed two (2) Definitive Agreements dated July 14th, 2025, with two (2) separate arm's length vendors located in the Sudbury District of Ontario to acquire a 100% ownership and interest in an Aggregate Permit AP6453 (the "Permit") and surrounding mining claims (the "Claims") covering known quartz-rich pegmatite mineralization. The Company also announces the intention to complete a private placement of units for gross proceeds of up to $800,000 (the "Offering"). Highlights The active Aggregate Permit allows for the extraction of high purity quartz material my means of quarrying. Mineralization in the Permit area hosts quartz-rich pegmatite bodies, also containing feldspar and mica. The Permit location is easily accessible with minor rehabilitation work needed to begin commercial extraction. The Permit area encompasses 6.77 hectares and initial 3,000 tonne per year extraction, the Company is investigating options for expansion. Additional mining claims secured covering the Permit and surrounding area, totalling 111.35 hectares, include potential to define multiple quartz-rich pegmatite bodies. Morgan Good Chief Executive Officer of Silicon Metals Corp., commented, "We are more than excited to further add diversified assets to our growing portfolio, particularly in Ontario as they increase Silicon's ability to develop its business model and provide a potential pathway to a non-dilutive way of adding capital to the Company. We are optimistic today's news sets the stage for an aggressive advancement in the Company's 2025 and 2026 plans, overall increasing shareholder value." Definitive Option Agreement with Geotek Exploration and Prospecting Ltd. to Acquire 100% Ownership of Aggregate Permit 6453, terms; Silicon must pay the Optionor $25,000 in cash within fifteen (15) business days from the Effective date of the Agreement Silicon must pay the Optionor $25,000 in cash and issue 500,000 common shares within five (5) business days upon the date in which CSE approval is given; On or before twelve (12) months following the CSE approval date, issue the Optionor 1,500,000 common shares; On or before eighteen (18) months following the CSE approval date, issue the Optionor 1,500,000 common shares Definitive Purchase Agreement with third party arm's length vendor for 100% Ownership of five (5) mining claims encompassing AP6453 Silicon must issue 100,000 common shares to the seller with fifteen (15) business days upon the date in which CSE approval is given Ptarmigan Project Update The Company has received the LiDAR data from the previously announced work programs planned for Ptarmigan. Internal analysis and modelling utilizing the LiDAR data and ortho imagery has commenced. The Offering Pursuant to the Offering, the Company intends to issue up 16,000,000 non-flow-through units at a price per unit of $0.05. The units will consist of one common share of the Company and one half of a common non-flow-through share purchase warrant, with each whole non-flow-through warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase a non-flow-through common share at an exercise price of $0.05 for a period of 24 months. The terms of the non-flow-through warrants will also include an accelerator provision whereby, if the price of the common shares on the CSE closes at $0.15 or higher for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the warrants to thirty (30) days from the acceleration trigger. The Company intends to use the aggregate proceeds of the Offering for advancement and development of the Permit and surrounding Claims, as well as for general working capital purposes. Finders' fees may be payable in connection with the Offering in accordance with the policies of the CSE. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of issuance, as set out in National Instrument 45-102 - Resale of Securities. None of the securities sold in connection with the Offering will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. With the announcement of the Offering, the Company also provides an update that no further tranches will occur under the previously announced private placement, as detailed in the Company's news releases dated March 17, 2025, and April 17, 2025. Technical Information Raymond Wladichuk, P.Geo., COO of Silicon Metals Corp., a qualified person as per National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific information in his new release. Mr. Wladichuk is a professional geoscientist registered in British Columbia and Ontario. About Silicon Metals Corp. Silicon Metals Corp. is currently focused on exploration in western Canada, namely British Columbia. The Company holds an undivided 100% right, title and interest in the Ptarmigan Silica Project located approximately 130km from Prince George, British Columbia. The Company has also acquired an option to purchase an undivided 100% right, title, and interest in both the Silica Ridge Silica Project located approximately 70kms southeast from the town of MacKenzie, British Columbia, as well as the Longworth Silica Project located approximately 85km East from Prince George, British Columbia. Silicon has also signed a Definitive Option Agreement to earn a 100% interest in the Sudbury District of Ontario based Aggregate Permit 6453 and signed a Definitive Purchase Agreement to acquire five (5) mining claims encompassing the permit itself. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SILICON METALS CORP. "Morgan Good" Morgan Good Chief Executive Officer and Director Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release). Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, development and plans for the Claims and the Permit, the issuance of the Shares to the Optionors and regulatory approvals thereof, the Company's proposed Offering, statements regarding the Company's plans and intended use of proceeds. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will be able to execute its plans for the development of the Claims and the Permit, that the Company will receive regulatory approval for the issuance of Shares to the Optionors, that the Company will be able to complete the Offering, and that the Company will have all the necessary resources, including personnel and capital to carry out its business plans. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that the Company may not be able to develop the Claims and the Permits as anticipated, that the Company may not receive regulatory approval for the issuance of the Shares to the Optionors, that the Company will fail to complete the Offering, on the terms proposed, or at all; that the Company will not use the proceeds from the Offering as disclosed; that the Company will be unable to carry out its business plans as disclosed; changes in applicable legislation impacting the Company's exploration plans; unanticipated costs; loss of key personnel; failure to raise the capital required to carry out the Company's business plans. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258821 SOURCE: Silicon Metals Corp. EQS-News: CPI PROPERTY GROUP / Key word(s): Real Estate CPI Property Group announces the invitation to holders of its outstanding Senior Unsecured Green Notes due 7 May 2029 to tender the Notes for purchase by the Company for cash 15.07.2025 / 10:39 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 7(1) OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014. NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES, ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (THE "UNITED STATES") OR IN OR INTO ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO RELEASE, PUBLISH OR DISTRIBUTE THIS DOCUMENT. 15 July 2025 CPI Property Group (the "Company") today announces the invitation to holders (subject to the "Offer and Distribution Restrictions" (as described below)) of its outstanding EUR 600,000,000 7.000 per cent. Senior Unsecured Green Notes due 7 May 2029 (ISIN: XS2815976126) (of which EUR 600,000,000 is currently outstanding) (the "Notes") to tender the Notes for purchase by the Company for cash (the "Offer") in an aggregate nominal amount of no more than the Maximum Acceptance Amount. The Company also intends to issue new euro-denominated senior notes expected to be issued by the Company on or about 22 July 2025 (the "New Notes"), subject to market conditions. Whether the Company will accept for purchase Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Offer is subject, without limitation, to the successful completion (in the sole determination of the Company) of the issue of the New Notes (the "New Financing Condition"). The Offer is being made on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the tender offer memorandum dated 15 July 2025 (the "Tender Offer Memorandum") and is subject to the "Offer and Distribution Restrictions" set out below. Subject to applicable law, the Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to extend, re-open, withdraw or terminate the Offer and to amend or waive any of the terms and conditions of the Offer (including the New Financing Condition) at any time before any unconditional acceptance by the Company of the Notes tendered for purchase in the Offer as described in the section "Amendment and Termination" of the Tender Offer Memorandum, including with respect to any Tender Instructions already submitted as of the time of any such extension, re-opening, withdrawal, termination, amendment or waiver. Capitalised terms used in this announcement but not otherwise defined have the meanings given to them in the Tender Offer Memorandum. The table below sets forth certain information relating to the Notes: Description of the Notes ISIN / Common Code Outstanding Nominal Amount Minimum Denomination Purchase Price Maximum Acceptance Amount EUR 600,000,000 7.000 per cent. Senior Unsecured Green Notes due 7 May 2029 XS2815976126/ 281597612 EUR 600,000,000 EUR 100,000 and integral multiples of EUR 1,000 in excess thereof 107.75 per cent., equal to EUR 1,077.50 per EUR 1,000 in nominal amount of Notes Subject as set out herein, an aggregate nominal amount of Notes of up to EUR 100,000,000, subject to the right of the Company to increase or decrease such amount in its sole and absolute discretion Rationale for the Offer The Company is continuing its debt reduction trajectory and the Offer is intended to reduce the Company's total debt and decrease the volume of the Company's outstanding senior unsecured bonds, as well as to extend the Company's senior unsecured bond maturity profile by facilitating the ability of investors in the Notes to switch to an investment in the New Notes. The Company intends to issue the New Notes, which are expected to be issued on or about 22 July 2025, subject to market conditions. Whether the Company will accept for purchase Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Offer is subject, without limitation, to the New Financing Condition. The Company expects to issue the New Notes with an aggregate nominal amount of EUR 500,000,000, subject to market conditions. The net proceeds from the issuance of the New Notes will be used for purchasing the Notes in the Offer, which will be a refinancing of green bonds as the Notes are green bonds. Any excess proceeds from the issuance of the New Notes not required for the purchase of the Notes in the Offer may be used to repay other debt of the Company, including secured loan financing, private placement notes, as well as for general corporate purposes. However, as the New Notes are intended to be issued as Green Bonds, an amount equivalent to any such excess proceeds will be allocated to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, projects or equity investments that meet the Eligibility Criteria as set out in the Company's Sustainability Finance Framework dated 3 January 2022, available to view on the Company's website. Notes purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer will be cancelled and will not be re-issued or re-sold. Notes which have not been validly offered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer will remain outstanding. New Financing Condition The Company is not under any obligation to accept for purchase any Notes tendered pursuant to the Offer. The acceptance for purchase by the Company of Notes tendered pursuant to the Offer is at the sole and absolute discretion of the Company and tenders may be rejected by the Company for any reason. In particular, the acceptance of any Notes for purchase by the Company is subject to the New Financing Condition (as described above). Any investment decision to purchase any New Notes should be made solely on the basis of the information contained in the base prospectus dated 11 June 2025 relating to the Company's Euro Medium Term Note Programme (the "Base Prospectus"), together with the applicable final terms relating to the New Notes (which are expected to be published on or about 24 July 2025), and no reliance is to be placed on any representations other than those contained in the Base Prospectus. The Company reserves the right at any time to waive any or all of the conditions of the Offer (including the New Financing Condition) as set out in the Tender Offer Memorandum. The New Notes are not being, and will not be, offered or sold in the United States. Nothing in this announcement or the Tender Offer Memorandum constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the New Notes in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Securities may not be offered, sold or delivered in the United States absent registration under, or an exemption from the registration requirements of, the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The New Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons. The New Notes have and shall only be offered in conformity with the provisions of the Base Prospectus and the selling restrictions and, if applicable, the exemption wording, contained therein. Compliance information for the New Notes: MiFID II and UK MiFIR professionals/ECPs-only/No PRIIPs or UK PRIIPs KID - eligible counterparties and professional clients only (all distribution channels). No sales to EEA or UK retail investors; no key information document has been or will be prepared. See the Base Prospectus for further information. No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction in relation to the New Notes to permit a public offering of securities. Priority Allocation in the New Notes A Noteholder that wishes to subscribe for New Notes in addition to tendering or indicating its firm intention to tender Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offer or having indicated its firm intention to tender pursuant to the Offer may, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Company, receive New Notes Priority, subject to such Noteholder making a separate application for the purchase of such New Notes to a Dealer Manager (in its capacity as a global coordinator and joint bookrunner of the issue of the New Notes) in accordance with the standard new issue procedures of such global coordinator and joint bookrunner. A key factor in the allocation of the New Notes will be whether Noteholders have validly tendered or indicated to any of the Dealer Managers their firm intention to tender their Notes. When considering allocation of the New Notes, the Company intends to give preference to Noteholders which, prior to such allocation, have validly tendered or indicated to any of the Dealer Managers their firm intention to tender their Notes and subscribe for New Notes. However, the Company is not obliged to allocate any New Notes to a Noteholder which has validly tendered or indicated a firm intention to tender their Notes pursuant to the Offer. Any allocation of the New Notes, while being considered by the Company as set out above, will be made in accordance with customary new issue allocation processes and procedures. In the event that a Noteholder validly tenders Notes pursuant to the Offer, such Notes will remain subject to such tender and the conditions of the Offer as set out in the Tender Offer Memorandum irrespective of whether that Noteholder receives all, part or none of any allocation of New Notes for which it has applied. Noteholders should note that the pricing and allocation of the New Notes is expected to take place prior to the Expiration Deadline for the Offer. To request New Notes Priority, a Noteholder should contact a Dealer Manager using the contact details on the last page of the Tender Offer Memorandum. The pricing of the New Notes is expected to take place prior to the Expiration Deadline and, as such, holder of Notes are advised to contact a Dealer Manager as soon as possible prior to the pricing of the New Notes in order to request New Notes Priority. Maximum Acceptance Amount and Scaling of the Offer Subject to the New Financing Condition, the Company proposes to accept Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offer of no more than the Maximum Acceptance Amount. The Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to accept less than the full amount of Notes tendered pursuant to the Offer. The Final Acceptance Amount will be determined by the Company at its sole and absolute discretion by reference to the aggregate nominal amount of Notes tendered for purchase pursuant to the Offer and will be announced by the Company as soon as reasonably practicable after the Expiration Deadline. If the acceptance of the aggregate nominal amount of the Notes validly tendered for purchase pursuant to the Offer would result in the Final Acceptance Amount being exceeded, the Company intends to accept (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the New Financing Condition on or prior to the Settlement Date) such Notes validly tendered for purchase pursuant to the Offer on a pro rata basis and each such tender of Notes will be scaled by the Scaling Factor such that the aggregate nominal amount of Notes accepted for tender is no greater than the Final Acceptance Amount. In the circumstances described above in which any Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Offer are to be accepted on a pro rata basis, each such tender of Notes will be scaled by a factor (the "Scaling Factor") based on (x) the Final Acceptance Amount, divided by (y) the aggregate nominal amount of Notes validly tendered, subject to adjustments to allow for the aggregate nominal amount of Notes accepted for purchase, following the rounding of tenders of such Notes as described in the next sentence, to equal the Final Acceptance Amount exactly. Each tender of Notes that is scaled in this manner will be rounded down to the nearest EUR 1,000 in nominal amount. In the event of any such scaling, the Company will only accept valid tenders of Notes subject to scaling to the extent such scaling will not result in (a) the relevant Noteholder transferring Notes to the Company in an aggregate nominal amount of less than EUR 100,000, being the minimum denomination for such Notes and (b) the relevant Noteholder's residual amount of Notes (being the nominal amount of the Notes the subject of the relevant Tender Instruction that are not accepted for purchase by virtue of such scaling) totalling less than EUR 100,000. Offer Period The Offer commences on 15 July 2025 and will end at 16:00 (London time) on 22 July 2025 (such date and time, as may be extended) unless extended by the Company, in which case notification to that effect will be given by or on behalf of the Company by way of announcement as provided in the Tender Offer Memorandum as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant decision is made. In order to participate in, and be eligible to receive the Purchase Price (and the Accrued Interest Payment) pursuant to the Offer, Noteholders must validly tender their Notes by delivering, or arranging to have delivered on their behalf, a valid Tender Instruction that is received by the Tender Agent by 16:00 (London time) on 22 July 2025 (the "Expiration Deadline"). Purchase Price and Accrued Interest The Company will pay (or arrange to have paid on its behalf) the Purchase Price for any Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offer. If the Company decides to accept (subject to satisfaction of the New Financing Condition) valid tenders of Notes pursuant to the Offer, the Company will pay, or arrange to have paid on its behalf, the product of (i) the aggregate nominal amount of the Notes of such Noteholder accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer and (ii) the Purchase Price. The Company will also pay, or arrange to have paid on its behalf, an accrued interest payment in respect of any Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer (the "Accrued Interest Payment"). The Accrued Interest Payment will be an amount in cash (rounded to the nearest EUR 0.01, with half a cent rounded upwards) equal to the interest accrued and unpaid on the Notes from (and including) the interest payment date for the Notes immediately preceding the Settlement Date to (but excluding) the Settlement Date on the Notes validly tendered for purchase by a Noteholder and accepted by the Company pursuant to the Offer, calculated in accordance with the terms and condition of the Notes. Expected Timetable of Events The following table sets out the expected dates and times of the key events relating to the Offer. This timetable is subject to the right of the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, to extend, re-open, withdraw or terminate the Offer and to amend or waive any of the terms and conditions of the Offer, as described in the Tender Offer Memorandum under the heading "Amendment and Termination". Accordingly, the actual timetable may differ significantly from the timetable below. Events Times and Dates (all times are London time) Commencement of the Offer Offer is announced and the New Notes issuance is launched. Tender Offer Memorandum available from the Tender Agent. 15 July 2025 Expiration Deadline Final deadline for receipt of valid Tender Instructions by the Tender Agent in order for Noteholders to be able to participate in the Offer. 16:00 on 22 July 2025 Announcement of Results of the Offer Announcement by the Company of its decision whether to accept valid tenders of Notes pursuant to the Offer (subject to satisfaction of the New Financing Condition) and, if so accepted (i) announcement of the Maximum Acceptance Amount, (ii) the aggregate nominal amount of the Notes validly tendered, (iii) the Final Acceptance Amount, (iv) the details of any Scaling Factor to be applied to the Notes, and (v) the aggregate nominal amount of the Notes that will remain outstanding following completion of the Offer. As soon as reasonably practicable on 23 July 2025 Settlement Date for the New Notes issuance Expected to be on or about 22 July 2025 Settlement Date for the Offer Subject to satisfaction of the New Financing Condition on or prior to the Settlement Date, expected Settlement Date for the Offer. Payment of the Purchase Price and the Accrued Interest Payment in respect of Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer. Expected to be 25 July 2025 The above times and dates are subject to the right of the Company in its sole and absolute discretion to extend, re-open, amend, and/or terminate the Offer at any time (subject to applicable law and as provided in the Tender Offer Memorandum). Noteholders are advised to check with any bank, securities broker or other intermediary through which they hold Notes when such intermediary would need to receive instructions from a Noteholder in order for that Noteholder to be able to participate in, or (in the limited circumstances in which revocation is permitted) revoke their instruction to participate in, the Offer before the deadlines specified in this announcement. The deadlines set by any such intermediary and each Clearing System for the submission of Tender Instructions will be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified above. See "Procedures for Participating in the Offer" in the Tender Offer Memorandum. Participation in the Offer Noteholders are advised to read carefully the Tender Offer Memorandum for full details of, and information regarding, the procedures for participating in the Offer. For Further Information A complete description of the terms and conditions of the Offer is set out in the Tender Offer Memorandum. Further details about the transaction can be obtained from: DEALER MANAGERS Banco Santander, S.A. Ciudad Grupo Santander Avenida de Cantabria s/n 28660 Boadilla del Monte Madrid Spain Attention: Liability Management Email: LiabilityManagement@gruposantander.com Barclays Bank Ireland PLC One Molesworth Street Dublin 2 Ireland D02 RF29 Attention: Liability Management Group Email: eu.lm@barclays.com Goldman Sachs International Plumtree Court 25 Shoe Lane London EC4A 4AU United Kingdom Tel: +44 207 774 4836 Attention: Liability Management Group Email: liabilitymanagement.eu@gs.com TENDER AGENT Kroll Issuer Services Limited The News Building 3 London Bridge Street London SE1 9SG United Kingdom Telephone: +44 207 704 0880 Attention: David Shilson Email: cpi@is.kroll.com Website: https://deals.is.kroll.com/cpi A copy of the Tender Offer Memorandum is available to eligible persons upon request from the Tender Agent. This announcement is released by CPI Property Group and contains information that qualified as inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 ("MAR"), encompassing information relating to the Offer described above. For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055, this announcement is made by David Greenbaum, Chief Executive Officer at CPI Property Group. Disclaimer This announcement must be read in conjunction with the Tender Offer Memorandum. Each Noteholder is solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal of all matters as such Noteholder deems appropriate (including those relating to the Offer, the Notes, the Company and the Tender Offer Memorandum) and each Noteholder must make its own decision as to whether to tender any or all of its Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offer based upon its own judgement and having obtained advice from such financial, accounting, regulatory, investment, legal and tax advisers as it may deem necessary. Accordingly, each person receiving this announcement and the Tender Offer Memorandum acknowledges that such person has not relied upon the Company, the Dealer Managers or the Tender Agent (or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, advisers or affiliates) in connection with its decision as to whether to participate in the Offer. Each such person must make its own analysis and investigations regarding the Offer, with particular reference to its own investment objectives and experience, and any other factors which may be relevant to it. If such person is in any doubt about any aspect of the Offer and/or the action it should take, including in respect of any tax consequences, it should consult its professional advisers. None of the Dealer Managers or the Tender Agent (or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, advisers or affiliates) makes any representation or recommendation whatsoever regarding this announcement, the Tender Offer Memorandum or the Offer, and none of the Company, the Dealer Managers or the Tender Agent (or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, advisers or affiliates) makes any recommendation whatsoever regarding this announcement, the Tender Offer Memorandum or the Offer (including as to whether Noteholders should tender Notes in the Offer and no one has been authorised by any of them to make such recommendation). The Tender Agent is the agent of the Company and owes no duty to any Noteholder. Offer and Distribution Restrictions This announcement and the Tender Offer Memorandum do not constitute an invitation to participate in the Offer in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to or from whom, it is unlawful to make such invitation or for there to be such participation under applicable securities laws. The distribution of this announcement and the Tender Offer Memorandum in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this announcement and the Tender Offer Memorandum comes are required by each of the Company, the Dealer Managers and the Tender Agent to inform themselves about, and to observe, any such restrictions. No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction in relation to the New Notes that would permit a public offering of securities. United States The Offer is not being made, and will not be made, directly or indirectly in or into, or by use of the mail of, or by any means or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce of or of any facilities of a national securities exchange of, the United States. This includes, but is not limited to, facsimile transmission, electronic mail, telex, telephone, the internet and other forms of electronic communication. The Notes may not be tendered in the Offer by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility from or within the United States or by persons located or resident in the United States as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Accordingly, copies of this announcement, the Tender Offer Memorandum and any other documents or materials relating to the Offer are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly mailed or otherwise transmitted, distributed or forwarded (including, without limitation, by custodians, nominees or trustees) in or into the United States or to any persons located or resident in the United States. Any purported tender of Notes in the Offer resulting directly or indirectly from a violation of these restrictions will be invalid and any purported tender of Notes made by a person located in the United States or any agent, fiduciary or other intermediary acting on a non-discretionary basis for a principal giving instructions from within the United States will be invalid and will not be accepted. Neither this announcement nor the Tender Offer Memorandum is an offer of, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for, securities to or from any person in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under, or an exemption from the registration requirements of, the Securities Act. The New Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S of the Securities Act). Each Noteholder participating in the Offer will represent that it is not located in the United States and it is not participating in the Offer from the United States, or it is acting on a non-discretionary basis for a principal located outside the United States that is not giving an order to participate in the Offer from the United States. For the purposes of this and the above two paragraphs, "United States" means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any state of the United States of America and the District of Columbia. Republic of Italy None of the Offer, this announcement, the Tender Offer Memorandum or any other documents or materials relating to the Offer have been or will be submitted to the clearance procedures of the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa ("CONSOB") pursuant to Italian laws and regulations. The Offer is being carried out in the Republic of Italy ("Italy") as an exempted offer pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the "Financial Services Act") and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended. Noteholders or beneficial owners of the Notes that are located in Italy may tender Notes for purchase through authorised persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of 15 February 2018, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority. Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the Notes or the Offer. United Kingdom The communication of this announcement and the Tender Offer Memorandum by the Company and any other documents or materials relating to the Offer are not being made and such documents and/or materials have not been approved by an authorised person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to, and may only be acted upon by, those persons in the United Kingdom falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Financial Promotion Order")) or persons who are within Article 43 of the Financial Promotion Order or any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order. France The Tender Offer Memorandum and any other document or material relating to the Offer have only been and shall only be distributed in France to qualified investors as defined in Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129. The Tender Offer Memorandum has not been and will not be submitted for clearance to nor approved by the Autorite des Marches Financiers. Belgium The Offer is not being made, and will not be made or advertised, directly or indirectly, to any individual in Belgium qualifying as a consumer within the meaning of the Belgian Code of Economic Law, as amended (a "Consumer") and this announcement, the Tender Offer Memorandum and any other documents or materials relating to the Offer have not been and may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in Belgium to Consumers. General Neither this announcement nor the Tender Offer Memorandum nor the electronic transmission thereof constitutes an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell Notes (and tenders of Notes in the Offer will not be accepted from Noteholders) in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a Dealer Manager or any of its respective affiliates is such a licensed broker or dealer in any such jurisdiction, the Offer shall be deemed to be made by such Dealer Manager or such affiliate, as the case may be, on behalf of the Company in such jurisdiction. Nothing in this announcement or the Tender Offer Memorandum or the electronic transmission thereof constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the New Notes in the United States or any other jurisdiction. In addition to the representations referred to above in respect of the United States, each Noteholder participating in the Offer will also give certain representations in respect of the other jurisdictions referred to above and generally as set out in the section "Procedures for Participating in the Offer" in the Tender Offer Memorandum. Any tender of Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offer from a Noteholder that is unable to make these representations will not be accepted. Each of the Company, the Dealer Managers and the Tender Agent reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to investigate, in relation to any tender of Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offer, whether any such representation given by a Noteholder is correct and, if such investigation is undertaken and as a result the Company determines (for any reason) that such representation is not correct, such tender shall not be accepted. 15.07.2025 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Sankamap Metals Inc. (CSE: SCU) ("Sankamap" or the "Company") is proud to share that its CEO, John Florek, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of McEwen Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX), a recognized producer of gold, copper, and silver with active operations across the Americas. Mr. Florek is a seasoned leader and geologist with more than three decades of experience in exploration and resource development. His appointment reflects both his technical expertise and the respect he commands within the mining industry. John will continue in his full capacity as Chief Executive Officer of Sankamap Metals. His new role at McEwen is expected to complement, rather than conflict with, his ongoing leadership at Sankamap, as the Company continues to advance its flagship Oceania Project in the Solomon Islands. "We're very pleased to welcome John Florek to McEwen's Board of Directors. John is a highly respected geologist with a deep understanding of exploration and project development. His technical acumen and strategic perspective will be invaluable as we advance our portfolio and pursue our vision of building a high-performing, innovation-driven mining company." - Rob McEwen, Chief Executive Officer, McEwen Mining Inc. Sankamap congratulates Mr. Florek on this significant achievement. About Sankamap Metals Inc. Sankamap Metals Inc. (CSE: SCU) is a Canadian mineral exploration company dedicated to the discovery and development of high-grade copper and gold deposits through its flagship Oceania Project, located in the South Pacific. The Company's fully permitted assets are strategically positioned in the Solomon Islands, along a prolific geological trend that hosts world-class copper-gold deposits; including Newcrest's Lihir Mine, with a resource of 71.9 million ounces of gold (310 Mt containing 23 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t P+P, 520 Mt containing 39 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t indicated, 81 Mt containing 5 Moz Au at 1.9 g/t measured, 61 Mt containing 4.9 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t Inferred). Exploration is actively advancing at both the Kuma and Fauro properties, part of Sankamap's Oceania Project in the Solomon Islands. Historical work has already highlighted the mineral potential of both sites, which lie along a highly prospective copper and gold-bearing trend, suggesting the possibility of further, yet-to-be-discovered deposits. At Kuma, the property is believed to host an underexplored and largely untested porphyry copper-gold (Cu-Au) system. Historical rock chip sampling has returned consistently elevated gold values above 0.5 g/t Au, including a standout sample assaying 11.7% Cu and 13.5 g/t Au2; underscoring the area's significant potential. At Fauro, particularly at the Meriguna target, historical trenching has revealed highly encouraging results, including 8.0 meters at 27.95 g/t Au and 14.0 meters at 8.94 g/t Au3, along with grab samples reaching up to 173 g/t Au3. Additionally, limited historical shallow drilling encountered 35.0 meters at 2.08 g/t Au3, further supporting the property's prospectivity. With a commitment to systematic exploration and a team of experienced professionals, Sankamap aims to unlock the untapped potential of underexplored regions and create substantial value for its shareholders. For more information, please refer to SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under Sankamap's profile. 1. Newcrest Technical Report, 2020 (Lihir: 310 Mt containing 23 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t P+P, 520 Mt containing 39 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t indicated, 81 Mt containing 5 Moz Au at 1.9 g/t measured, 61 Mt containing 4.9 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t Inferred) 2. Historical grab, soil and BLEG samples from SolGold Kuma Review June 2015, and SolGold plc Annual Report 2013/2012 3. September 2010-June 2012 press releases from Solomon Gold Ltd. and SolGold Fauro Island Summary Technical Info 2012 ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS s/ "John Florek" John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol Chief Executive Officer Sankamap Metals Inc. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved this press release. Forward-Looking Statements Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws including, without limitation, the timing, nature, scope and details regarding the Company's exploration plans and results at its projects. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258807 SOURCE: Sankamap Metals Inc. London slips, Seoul crowned #1, Asia rises LONDON, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Seoul is crowned the world's best study destination, the QS Best Student Cities Ranking shows, ending London's six-year run at the top. Seoul rises two spots, reflecting strong international appeal and its excellent selection of universities. London slips to third place due to a decline in the Affordability indicator. QS ranks 150 cities across 58 countries and territories. The US and UK are the most represented, with 16 cities each. Vienna joins the top 10 while Kuala Lumpur (12th), Taipei (14th), and Hong Kong, (17th) enter the top-20. Ju-Ho Lee, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education of the Republic of Korea, said: "We are proud that Seoul has been recognised as the best student city in the world. This achievement reflects the global confidence in Korea's higher education system and highlights Seoul's ability to blend academic excellence with vibrant culture, cutting-edge innovation, and a safe, welcoming environment." QS Best Student Cities 2026: Top-10 2026 2025 1 3 Seoul 2 2 Tokyo 3 1 London 4 4 Munich 5 5 Melbourne 6 6 Sydney =7 9 Berlin =7 7 Paris 9 8 Zurich 10 14 Vienna Global highlights In the UK, only Nottingham (49th) and Leeds (51st) have improved. The UK performs exceptionally in Desirability but struggles in Affordability. (49th) and (51st) have improved. The UK performs exceptionally in but struggles in Of all ranked US cities, only Boston (15th) climbs; US cities face challenges in Student Mix and Desirability . (15th) climbs; US cities face challenges in and . All four Canadian cities drop but all remain in the top-100, led by Montreal (18th). (18th). Melbourne and Sydney remain in the top-10, affirming Australia's position as one of the world's premier study destinations. and remain in the top-10, affirming Australia's position as one of the world's premier study destinations. Tokyo comes second, leading globally in Employer Activity. comes second, leading globally in Beijing ranks 13th-its highest ever position. It leads Mainland China's eight ranked cities. ranks 13th-its highest ever position. It leads Mainland China's eight ranked cities. All Indian cities rise; Mumbai enters the top-100 placing 98th. It boasts strong Affordability (11th) and Employer Activity (37th). enters the top-100 placing 98th. It boasts strong (11th) and (37th). Germany and Australia are the only locations with two top-10 cities. Munich and Berlin are both exceptionally well-regarded by students and graduates who have studied and lived there. and are both exceptionally well-regarded by students and graduates who have studied and lived there. Paris remains seventh. It is the European leader in the QS' World University Rankings indicator, reflecting its outstanding universities. remains seventh. It is the European leader in the indicator, reflecting its outstanding universities. Madrid breaks into th e Top-30, while Milan and Rome in the Top-50 breaks into th while in the Top-50 Amman is the highest ranked city in the Arab Region, placing 64th, up an impressive 19 places year-on-year. Cairo leads in Africa, ranking 71st. is the highest ranked city in the Arab Region, placing 64th, up an impressive 19 places year-on-year. leads in Africa, ranking 71st. Buenos Aires leads in Latin America, placing 32nd, up 10 places. It is followed by Santiago in 50th. Methodology Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2429773/QS_Quacquarelli_Symonds_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/qs-best-student-cities-ranking-2026-302504593.html HONG KONG, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huqiao Games, a provider of specialized support services for the gaming industry, today announced the opening of its new corporate headquarters in Hong Kong. As part of this strategic move, John Kavvouras has been appointed as Managing Director of the Hong Kong office. "Establishing our headquarters in Hong Kong positions us at the heart of Asia's gaming ecosystem, which is growing significantly faster than Western markets," says John Kavvouras, newly appointed Managing Director. "Hong Kong's proximity to key gaming markets provides the ideal platform to expand our services globally." Mr. Kavvouras brings over 15 years of business experience to his role, with expertise in finance and emerging market development. His knowledge will be instrumental in developing new strategic initiatives to support the evolving needs of the gaming industry. This transition also sees founder Wojtek Jaworski stepping into a new role, focusing on direct engagement with the dynamic Chinese gaming landscape, leveraging his deep understanding to foster innovation and growth. "The future of gaming lies in Asia, where innovative monetization models, a massive user base, and a growing middle class create ideal conditions for growth," explains Mr. Kavvouras. "Our move to Hong Kong is a fundamental redirection of our strategy to better serve clients who are increasingly looking East for growth and inspiration." The new headquarters will serve as the center of Huqiao Games' global operations. The firm plans to expand by recruiting local talent with experience in the Asian gaming market. Furthermore, Huqiao Games is actively seeking strategic partnerships with Chinese institutional investors to capitalize on the burgeoning PC gaming sector and empower Chinese developers to expand their reach globally. About Huqiao Games Founded in 2021, Huqiao Games specializes in helping Western game developers successfully enter Asian markets. The company has assisted over 96 studios from Europe and North America, including partnerships with Owlcat Games and Butterscotch Shenanigans. Media Contact: media@huqiaogames.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a3ae519d-adeb-47b8-af8b-a59843f583e8 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / FireFox Gold Corp. (TSXV:FFOX)(OTCQB:FFOXF) ("FireFox" or the "Company") announces that it intends to raise $5,000,000 by way of a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"), anchored by a strategic investment package of more than $2.0M led by new investor John Robins, Concept Capital Management Ltd, and other existing investors. In conjunction with the Offering, the Company is also taking the initiative to consolidate its share structure on a 10-for-1 basis. A share consolidation conducted in this fashion does not affect the valuation of the Company or its assets, and it affects all shareholders equally, as newly issued shares that are part of this Offering will also be consolidated. The Company believes that the support of new incoming cornerstone investors, plus several large existing shareholders and the board of directors, for this financing and consolidation plan reflects the solid benefits of tighter share capital. FireFox Co-Founder and Chairman, Patrick Highsmith, discussed the plan, "FireFox's Mustajarvi project continues to attract international attention, and the pace of those inquiries and our urgency to advance the project has increased in 2025. Our Sarvi project, which adjoins the Ikkari Deposit owned by Rupert Resources1, is also a high-profile asset in need of more drilling. The Lapland greenstone belt hosts two multi-million-ounce gold deposits2, and the most prospective ground is controlled by very few companies. It is now a highly competitive gold province, and the belt is finally attracting the investor attention it deserves. This progress is partially a function of historically high gold prices, but we are also seeing improved investor appetite for well managed gold explorers. We are very pleased to have assembled a syndicate of new investors alongside several of our large existing shareholders and board members, to support this financing. At the same time, we recognize the value of consolidating our share capital to better align our share structure and price with the quality of our assets and our discovery potential." Carl Lofberg, Company Co-Founder and CEO, spoke about FireFox's exciting drill targets, "Mustajarvi is an exciting target for high-grade gold discovery. This is even more evident at these historically high gold prices, but it is clear that we need to increase the pace of drilling to realize the project's potential. The heart of the high-grade zone in the East Target is shallower than 50 metres, and our latest intercepts indicate that the system extends well to the southwest and to more than 200 metres depth. Our upcoming drill program will incorporate infill and step-out drilling, along with testing new targets. We are permitted for year-round drilling at Mustajarvi and several other projects, and we look forward to increasing the pace of news flow for the foreseeable future." Growth Targets at the Mustajarvi Project FireFox has reported significant and near-surface intercepts of high-grade gold at the Mustajarvi Project since 2019, but the strongest results coincided with a soft market for junior exploration companies in 2022 and early 2023: 13.85m averaging 28.8 g/t gold (July 2022 news release) 15.5m averaging 13.09 g/t gold (January 2023 news release) 12.55m averaging 14.34 g/t gold (February 2023 news release) Nevertheless, the project has grown in significance as the team discerned the complex controls on the gold mineralization and demonstrated the growth potential between the existing lodes and at depth. The FireFox team also identified high-grade gold coming to surface in a trench reported in July 2023, 6.87m averaging 59.12 g/t gold. Company geologists carried out surface prospecting, detailed magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical surveys, as well as core logging and extensive structural geology and 3D modelling to better understand the growth targets. Orogenic gold systems like Mustajarvi may occur in challenging geometries, but important structures and robust hydrothermal systems yield large discoveries from large drill programs. FireFox is taking these steps now and working to bring in new investors to support larger drill programs with the purpose of upgrading the Mustajarvi discovery. At the same time, the team is very efficient, and FireFox always aims to be active on multiple projects. The Company has secured drill rig availability for a significant drill program to start within a few weeks of closing the Offering, and FireFox expects to drill through the winter. The Offering The Company is conducting a non-brokered private placement of up to 125,000,000 units (each a "Unit") at a price of C$0.04 per Unit (the "Offering Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$5,000,000. Each Unit is comprised of one pre-consolidation common share (each, a "Share") and one pre-consolidation common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable for one common share (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of C$0.06 (the "Exercise Price") and will expire three years from the closing date of the Offering. The Company expects to close the Offering on or about August 15, 2025, or such other date as the Company may determine (the "Closing Date"). The net proceeds of the Offering are expected to fund a significant drill program at the Mustajarvi Project, as well as a return to drilling at the Sarvi project along with other exploration work, working capital and general corporate purposes. Completion of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The TSXV has not approved the Offering Price or the Exercise Price and these remain subject to change. The Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day from the Closing Date, in accordance with applicable securities legislation. In connection with the Offering, the Company anticipates paying certain arm's length parties a cash finder's fee payment equal to up to a certain percentage, based on the Units that are sold to subscribers introduced by such parties. It is expected that certain Insiders of the Company (as such term is defined under the policies of the TSXV), including certain directors, will participate in the Offering. The participation of Insiders in the Offering will constitute a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely upon exemptions from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of MI 61-101 based on a determination that the fair market value of the Offering, insofar as it involves the related parties, does not exceed $2,500,000. The Share Consolidation In connection with the Offering, FireFox provides notice that its board of directors has resolved to complete a 10-for-1 share consolidation (the "Share Consolidation") of its common shares. The Company has filed for approval of the Share Consolidation with the TSXV and expects to complete the Share Consolidation on or about August 15, 2025. The rising gold price and improved investor sentiment in the gold discovery pipeline have prompted the Company to take this initiative for the benefit of its shareholders and to better attract interest from institutional and sophisticated investors. As of this date, there are a total of 203,284,749 common shares (the "Pre-Consolidation Shares") issued and outstanding. Upon the completion of the Share Consolidation, these Pre-Consolidation Shares will be consolidated to approximately 20,328,475 post-consolidation common shares (the "Post-Consolidation Shares"), excluding up to an additional 12,500,000 Post-Consolidation Shares issuable at closing of the Offering. No fractional Post-Consolidation Shares will be issued as a result of the Consolidation, and any fractional share interest will be rounded down to the nearest whole Post-Consolidation Share. No cash consideration will be paid in respect of fractional shares. The Post-consolidation Shares are expected to commence trading on the TSXV on or around August 15, 2025. The Share Consolidation has been approved by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution passed on February 25, 2025, and is subject to TSXV approval. In addition, the Company currently has 14,690,000 stock options and 59,208,254 warrants outstanding. These securities will also be consolidated on a 10-for-1 basis. This will result in 1,469,000 post-consolidation options and 5,920,825 post-consolidation warrants plus the up to 12,500,000 post-consolidation warrants that will have been issued with the Offering. The exercise or conversion price and the number of common shares issuable under any of the Company's outstanding warrants and stock options will be proportionately adjusted to reflect the Share Consolidation in accordance with their respective terms. There will be no name or symbol change in conjunction with the Share Consolidation. The Company will advise of the new CUSIP and ISIN numbers for the Post-Consolidation Shares as the effective date for the Share Consolidation nears. Quality Assurance Patrick Highsmith, Certified Professional Geologist (AIPG CPG # 11702) and director of the Company, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Highsmith has helped prepare, reviewed, and approved the technical information in this news release. As a director and shareholder of the Company, he is not independent. About FireFox Gold Corp. FireFox Gold Corp is listed on the TSX Venture Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol FFOX. FireFox also trades on the OTCQB Venture Market Exchange in the US under the ticker symbol FFOXF. The Company has been exploring for gold in Finland since 2017 where it holds a large portfolio of prospective ground. Finland is one of the top mining investment jurisdictions in the world as indicated by its multiple top-10 rankings in recent Fraser Institute Surveys of Mining Companies. Having a strong mining law and long mining tradition, Finland remains underexplored for gold. Recent exploration results in the country have highlighted its prospectivity, and FireFox is proud to have a Finland based CEO and technical team. For more information, please refer to the Company's website and profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Carl Lofberg" Chief Executive Officer CONTACT: FireFox Gold Corp. Email: info@firefoxgold.com Telephone: +1-778-938-1994 Cautionary Notes Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this release. This press release is intended for distribution in Canada only and is not intended for distribution to United States newswire services or dissemination in the United States. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements and information contained in this news release, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to: the terms and conditions of the Offering; the closing date for the Offering; the anticipated use of net proceeds from the Offering; the intent to conduct additional exploration; the belief as to the location of the most prospective gold targets; the location of targets for future exploration programs; and the current and future work program, including the extent and nature of exploration to be conducted in 2025. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions and the price of gold and other minerals. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to the Company's financing efforts; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; changes in world commodity markets and equity markets; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; changes in government and changes to regulations affecting the mining industry; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions; risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties; risks relating to adverse weather conditions; and potential delays to exploration activities. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the expectations of the Company as of the date of dissemination and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking statements and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. 1 - "RUPERT RESOURCES COMPLETES PRE-FEASIBILITY FOR IKKARI CONFIRMING A HIGH-MARGIN PROJECT NET PRESENT VALUE OF USD1.7BILLION AND IRR OF 38%", Rupert Resources news released dated February 18, 2025, citing Indicated Mineral Resources of 4.1M ounces of gold, or 58.4M tonnes at 2.18 g/t gold. FireFox cautions that proximity to another gold deposit does not indicate that mineralization will occur on FireFox's property, and if mineralization does occur, that it will occur in sufficient quantity or grade that would be economically viable. 2 - Thomas, B, and Daffern, T, 2025. Ikkari Prefeasibility Study NI43-101 Technical Report; Rupert Resources Ltd; WSP Finland Oy, pages 9 and 44. SOURCE: FireFox Gold Corp View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/firefox-launches-a-5.0-million-financing-with-a-concurrent-share-consolidation-1048784 OSLO, Norway, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Reference is made to the stock exchange announcement published by Navamedic ASA ("Navamedic" or the "Company", OSE ticker: "NAVA") on 23 June 2025, regarding Navamedic entering into an asset purchase agreement for the acquisition of the business of dne pharma AS for a total consideration of up to NOK 225 million, whereby NOK 185 million is payable at closing, and the remaining NOK 40 million is payable in two tranches subject to achievement of certain agreed sales volumes for the acquired products (the "Transaction"). Navamedic is pleased to announce that the Transaction has today been successfully completed. The Acquisition encompasses dne pharma's business, including product portfolio, key employees and all essential contracts of the business, intellectual property, licenses, and distribution agreements. The product portfolio includes prominent products such as Ventizolve (intranasal naloxone spray for opioid overdose reversal), Levopidon (levomethadone), and Metadon Dne (methadone) for opioid substitution therapy. The acquired business will be integrated into Navamedic's existing commercial platform, enabling rapid market access and geographic expansion across the Nordics and selected European markets. "This acquisition represents a significant step in our strategic expansion into the rapidly growing field of addiction treatment and is well aligned with our long-term growth ambitions. Thanks to the strong collaboration among all parties involved, the transaction was completed in a smooth and efficient manner. We are pleased that the General Meeting unanimously approved the Rights Issue yesterday, and we are sincerely grateful for the continued support of Kistefos and the other underwriters," said Kathrine Gamborg Andreassen, CEO of Navamedic. The Acquisition is financed through a combination of new debt in the amount of NOK 110 million from Nordea Bank Abp, filial i Norge ("Nordea") and a rights issue approved at an extraordinary general meeting of Navamedic on 14 July (the "Rights Issue"). Navamedic has been assisted by DNB Carnegie a part of DNB Bank ASA ("DNB Carnegie") and Advokatfirmaet Thommessen ("Thommessen") in connection with the Acquisition, and Navamedic has been granted a bridge loan from Nordea enabling completion of the Acquisition before completion of the Rights Issue. Navamedic has retained DNB Carnegie, and Nordea Corporate Finance, a part of Nordea Bank Abp, filial i Norge as managers and Thommessen as legal advisors for the Rights Issue. "We are very pleased closing this transaction with Navamedic and we are confident that the Navamedic team will continue to grow the opioid substitution business developed by dne pharma, in particular the Ventizolve products," says Geir Ove Engeset, CEO of dne pharma as. For further information, please contact: Lars Hjarrand, CFO, Mobile: +47 917 62 842 E-mail: Lars.Hjarrand@navamedic.com, or Kathrine Gamborg Andreassen, CEO, Mobile: +47 951 78 880 E-mail: kathrine@navamedic.com About Navamedic Navamedic ASA is a Nordic pharmaceutical company dedicated to enhancing people's quality of life by being a reliable supplier of high-quality prescription, consumer health, and hospital products to hospitals and pharmacies. Our growing product portfolio has been carefully selected to meet current public health concerns, such as obesity, Parkinson's disease, and gastro-related ailments, to empower people to live healthier and more fulfilling lives. What sets us apart is our deep-rooted commitment to understanding the needs and requirements of the countries where we are present. Our local insight and competence enable us to understand the specific needs of each country where we operate and ultimately to gain market access. This makes us a preferred partner for international companies expanding their footprint across the Nordics and Benelux regions, through either in-licensing or out-licensing. Navamedic has been listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange since 2006 (ticker: NAVA) and is headquartered in Oslo, Norway. For more information, please visit www.Navamedic.com About dne pharma/Pharma Production Prior to closing of the Transaction, dne pharma was a Norwegian developer and distributor of addiction and pain therapies, including opioid substitution treatments and emergency overdose medications. dne pharma's wholly owned subsidiary, Pharma Production AS, will continue to manufacture and supply the product portfolio recently acquired by Navamedic, as well as concentrate on contract manufacturing and development services, including analytical services, supporting the long-term need for national pharmaceutical production capacity. https://pharmaproduction.no. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/navamedic-asa/r/navamedic-asa--closing-of-the-transaction-to-acquire-the-business-of-dne-pharma,c4207337 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/navamedic-asa-closing-of-the-transaction-to-acquire-the-business-of-dne-pharma-302505463.html Survey of 2,000 clinicians reveals many envisage AI playing a bigger role in healthcare in the future, alongside caution about access, governance and training NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinicians across the world believe artificial intelligence (AI) can play an important role in addressing major healthcare challenges and easing burdens for doctors and nurses according to Elsevier's Clinician of the Future 2025 annual insights report. With the healthcare landscape evolving rapidly and clinicians facing persistent challenges in delivering quality care, this new report shows how clinicians believe these challenges can be met in the years ahead. Physicians and nurses are optimistic about the potential of AI to improve patient care in the next two to three years. Based on 2,206 survey responses from 109 countries, clinicians are most optimistic about the potential of clinical AI tools to save them time (70%), enhance diagnostic speed (58%) and accuracy (54%), and help improve patient outcomes (55%). Their optimism is tempered by caution around trustworthiness and compliance with regulations, and a concern that health institutions are not keeping up with clinician demand for AI solutions. Healthcare challenges: Worryingly, 28% of clinicians admit they don't have enough time to deliver quality care, driven by high patient volume. 69% of clinicians report seeing more patients now than 2 years ago, and nearly half (47%) believe tiredness has impaired their ability to treat patients effectively. AI use increases but many still use generic tools: 48% of clinicians say they have used an AI tool for work, nearly double the 26% reported in last year's Clinician of the Future: Attitudes toward AI survey. of clinicians say they have used an AI tool for work, nearly double the reported in last year's survey. Usage of AI for work purposes was highest amongst respondents from China (71%) and lowest in the US (36%) and UK (34%). 97% of AI-using clinicians reported using a generalist tool such as ChatGPT, whereas only 76% have used a specialized AI tool developed for clinical clinical-specific AI tool. AI enthusiasm is not matched by usage: 95% of clinicians reported seeing a benefit in leveraging generative AI for clinical activities in last year's Clinician of the Future: Attitudes toward AI report, and this year's survey shows confidence that AI can help save clinicians time and help to improve patient outcomes in the next 2-3 years. of clinicians reported seeing a benefit in leveraging generative AI for clinical activities in last year's report, and this year's survey shows confidence that AI can help save clinicians time and help to improve patient outcomes in the next 2-3 years. 41% think in two to three years "clinicians using AI tools will deliver higher quality care than those that don't". think in two to three years "clinicians using AI tools will deliver higher quality care than those that don't". However, today only 16% are using AI tools to actually help make clinical decisions. This is despite an additional 48% of Clinician of the Future 2025 participants expressing a desire to use AI to help with clinical determinations. Trusted content builds trust in AI Clinicians cite several approaches that would increase trust in clinical-specific AI tools, including tools automatically citing references ( 68% ), being trained on high-quality, peer reviewed content ( 65% ), and utilizing the latest resources ( 64% ). ), being trained on high-quality, peer reviewed content ( ), and utilizing the latest resources ( ). The desire for AI tools to be trained for factual accuracy is highest in the US (75%) and the UK (81%). Barriers to AI access: Just 32% of those surveyed feel their institution provides adequate access to AI technologies, and only 30% have received sufficient training. of those surveyed feel their institution provides adequate access to AI technologies, and only have received sufficient training. A substantial need for AI management and oversight has also surfaced with only 29% of respondents indicating their organization provides adequate AI governance. Jan Herzhoff, President of Elsevier Health, said, "As the healthcare industry continues to grapple with increased demands and limited resources, clinicians have identified many opportunities for AI to provide quality care faster and to help improve patient outcomes. This is a transformative time and we look forward to working alongside the healthcare community to harness the full potential of AI to deliver for patients." The Clinician of the Future Report is now in its fourth year - for more information about Clinician of the Future 2025 visit here. About Elsevier Elsevier is a global leader in advanced information and decision support. For over a century, we have been helping advance science and healthcare to advance human progress. We support academic and corporate research communities, doctors, nurses, future healthcare professionals and educators across 170 countries in their vital work. We do this by delivering mission-critical insights and innovative solutions that combine trusted, evidence-based scientific and medical content with cutting-edge AI technologies to help impact makers achieve better outcomes. We champion inclusion and sustainability by embedding these values into our products and culture, working with the communities that we serve. The Elsevier Foundation supports research and health partnerships around the world. Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.elsevier.com and follow us on social media@elsevierconnect. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2717688/5412719/Elsevier_Limited_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/elseviers-clinician-of-the-future-2025-survey-clinicians-ai-usage-and-optimism-grows-despite-concerns-around-trust-and-reliability-302504231.html AAVB-039 delivers the full-length ABCA4 -protein, addressing the root cause of the disease and enabling treatment of all patients, independent of mutation CELESTE is informed by the STELLA prospective natural history study, which is currently enrolling patients in the United States and Europe AAVB-039 uses AAVantgarde's proprietary dual AAV intein platform. The platform has achieved unprecedented preclinical data demonstrating high transduction, protein expression, and safety in multiple large animal models MILAN, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AAVantgarde Bio (AAVantgarde), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for AAVB-039, the company's gene therapy program for Stargardt disease. AAVantgarde is now initiating 'CELESTE', a first-in-human Phase 1/2 clinical trial in the United States, to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and initial efficacy of AAVB-039 in patients with Stargardt disease. This is the most common inherited form of macular degeneration and a leading cause of vision loss in children and young adults. AAVB-039 aims to address the underlying genetic cause of the disease by restoring the full-length ABCA4 protein and has the potential to benefit all patients with ABCA4 mutations. AAVB-039 utilizes AAVantgarde's proprietary dual AAV intein platform, which enables the delivery of large genes. "This FDA clearance marks a pivotal milestone for AAVantgarde and our Stargardt program," said Dr. Natalia Misciattelli, Chief Executive Officer of AAVantgarde. "With AAVB-039 now in clinical development, we are advancing our second therapeutic candidate toward addressing the urgent needs of patients with inherited retinal diseases. Moreover, the news reinforces our evolution from pioneering dual AAV-based, retina-targeting therapies into a clinical-stage company with a growing pipeline of candidates. Looking ahead, we remain focused on generating meaningful clinical data and building a portfolio of transformative treatments that can redefine what's possible for patients living with severe genetic disorders." "The IND clearance for AAVB-039 is a testament to the scientific foundation and translational potential of our proprietary dual AAV intein platform," said Professor Alberto Auricchio, Chief Scientific Officer and Scientific Founder of AAVantgarde. "Delivering large genes like ABCA4 has been a challenge in the field. Our approach, validated by rigorous preclinical studies showing quantified high transduction, expression, and long-term safety in multiple relevant models offers a potential therapeutic that addresses the genetic root cause for patients with Stargardt disease." Alongside CELESTE, AAVantgarde is conducting STELLA, a prospective natural history study at selected centers of excellence across the U.S., Europe and the UK. The study has informed the clinical trial design and continues to better characterize Stargardt disease. Additionally, the company's first clinical-stage program, AAVB-081, is in Phase 1/2 development for retinitis pigmentosa caused by Usher syndrome type 1B and represents the first-ever dual AAV gene therapy tested clinically in an ocular indication. Early clinical data demonstrates good preliminary safety and encouraging signs of efficacy. Together, these programs reflect AAVantgarde's commitment to advancing scientifically rigorous, best-in-class genetic medicines for currently untreatable diseases. About AAVantgarde Bio AAVantgarde Bio is a clinical stage, biotechnology company advancing best-in-class therapies for patients with inherited retinal diseases. The company's lead programs target Stargardt disease and retinitis pigmentosa due to Usher syndrome type 1B, two severe, inherited retinal diseases with no approved treatments. AAVB-039 and AAVB-081 are investigational, dual AAV gene therapies designed to address the root genetic causes of these diseases. With a strong foundation in translational science and a commitment to clinical excellence, AAVantgarde is working to bring transformative therapies to patients. For more information, please visit: www.aavantgarde.com About Stargardt Disease Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited macular degeneration. Inherited in most cases as autosomal recessive, Stargardt disease is caused by mutations in the ABCA4 gene, leading to the accumulation of toxic retinoid byproducts in the retina and progressive vision loss. The ABCA4 gene is 6.8 kilobases in length, too large to be packaged within a standard, single AAV vector. Stargardt disease affects an estimated 60,000 to 75,000 individuals across the U.S. and E.U and currently there are no approved treatments. About Usher syndrome type 1B Usher syndrome type 1B (Usher1B) is an inherited disease that affects the retina and the inner ear. Usher1B is caused by mutations in the MYO7A gene. The therapeutic gene to treat Usher1B is 6.7 kb long and is therefore too large to fit inside a standard AAV vector. Approximately 20,000 patients in the U.S. and E.U. have Usher1B. These children are born deaf, have vestibular dysfunction, and begin to progressively lose vision in their first decade of life. Although there are surgical treatments available to treat deafness in these patients, there are no treatments available to treat progressive vision loss and blindness in these patients. Contact: Magda Blanco - Head of Corporate Development Email: info@aavantgarde.com - Welcoming China's Partial Resumption of Japanese Seafood Imports - Aiming to Restore China Business Revenue to Pre-ban Levels HONG KONG, July 15, 2025 - (ACN Newswire) - Following mainland China's conditional resumption of seafood imports from certain Japanese regions, Ocean One Holding Limited ("Ocean One" or the "Group" stock code: 8476), a Hong Kong-based frozen seafood importer and wholesaler, will strengthen cooperation with Chinese customers and implement more aggressive market strategies to expand mainland business sales. The Group aims to quickly restore mainland revenue to pre-ban levels with double-digit growth. On June 29, General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China issued the Announcement on the Conditional Resumption of Aquatic Product Imports from Certain Regions of Japan ("Announcement"), declaring the resumption of seafood imports from certain Japanese regions effective immediately. The Announcement states that China will resume seafood imports from all Japanese regions except 10 prefectures including Fukushima, Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano, Saitama, Tokyo, and Chiba. This partial lifting of the Japanese seafood ban presents a significant opportunity for the Group to further expand in the Chinese market and boost sales performance. In FY2025, Ocean One's China business accounted for 11.6% of the Group's revenue, making it the second-largest revenue source after Hong Kong operations. Before China's ban on Japanese seafood, the China business showed strong growth with revenue increasing 67.3% year-on-year in FY2024. Chan Kin Fung, Chairman and CEO of Ocean One, said: "As an experienced enterprise in seafood imports in Hong Kong and Macau, Ocean One has always prioritized food safety and quality, ensuring that Japanese seafood imports strictly comply with Chinese customs regulations and meet high quality and safety standards. Looking ahead, Ocean One will continue to strictly control imported seafood quality." "With over 22 years of rich experience in premium frozen seafood import and wholesale, we expect to meet regional customer demands through a more diverse seafood product portfolio, actively expand market channels, enhance brand image, and deliver high-quality, safe imported seafood to consumers while creating new growth points. Our industry reputation will help maintain business relationships with existing suppliers and customers, as well as explore potential business opportunities with new suppliers and customers." Additionally, Ocean One formally applied to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after market close on July 10 for transfer of listing from GEM to the Main Board, which will not involve issuing any new shares. Chan Kin Fung added: "We believe the transfer of listing will help enhance the Group's overall image, further strengthen recognition from public investors and customers, and increase financing flexibility. With the elevation of our listing status, we hope to capture more business opportunities, such as those from the mainland market and Greater Bay Area customers. We will continue working with business partners to expand operations, strengthen our position as an outstanding market participant in the frozen seafood import and wholesale industry, and provide more diverse, higher-quality, and safer frozen seafood products and services to broader range of markets and customers, while creating long-term value for shareholders." About Ocean One Holding Ltd. Ocean One is a well-established Hong Kong frozen seafood importer and wholesaler with over 22 years of experience in frozen seafood import and wholesale. The company supplies a wide variety of frozen seafood products, covering more than 100 species, and serves over 370 customers (primarily frozen seafood resellers and food service providers). Their popular products include Canada spot prawns, Japanese boiled scallops, Clearwater arctic clams, king crab legs, roasted eels, Hokkaido scallops and sashimi prawns, which are highly favored by consumers. The Group's quality control procedures have obtained HACCP and ISO 9001 certifications, which recognizes their commitment to providing high-quality products to customers. Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. 2025 JCN Newswire WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The UN Security Council has renewed the mandate of the UN mission in Yemen's key port city of Hudaydah, as regional tensions spike and international concern mounts over recent Houthi rebel attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Adopted unanimously, the resolution extending the UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement until 2026 January 28 underscores the Mission's critical role in maintaining fragile stability amid signs of renewed military escalation and deepening humanitarian need. The resolution reaffirms the Council's support for the 2018 Stockholm Agreement, including the ceasefire in the Houthi-controlled port city - and demilitarisation of its docks, where the majority of Yemen's imports and vital aid shipments pass through. It also signals a growing debate over the mission's future, requesting the Secretary-General to submit a review by November to enhance coordination and coherence of UN operations, 'bearing in mind challenges' that have directly impeded UNMHA's capacity to deliver. UNMHA was established in 2019 to support implementation of the Stockholm Agreement between the Government of Yemen and Ansar Allah (as the Houthis are formally known), which sought to prevent major conflict over the region. The mission monitors the ceasefire, facilitates redeployments and supports de-escalation through liaison mechanisms between the parties. Meanwhile, Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea have intensified. On 8 July, the commercial vessel Eternity C was sunk, killing several crew members and leaving others missing. This followed the sinking of the Magic Seas vessel two days earlier. In a statement, UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg condemned the attacks, calling them violations of international maritime law and warning they risked serious environmental and geopolitical fallout. He called on Ansar Allah to cease attacks that risk escalating tensions in and around Yemen. Within Hudaydah itself, UNMHA faces significant constraints. The June letter by the Secretary-General details restrictions by Houthi authorities on UN patrols to the critical Red Sea ports - Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Issa. Damage from repeated airstrikes, including by the US and Israel in response to Houthi attacks, has left key port infrastructure partially inoperable, disrupting fuel, food and medical imports. Hudaydah is responsible for 70 per cent of Yemen's commercial imports and 80 per cent of humanitarian deliveries. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2025 AFX News New Enhancements Offer Greater Value for Partners ALPHARETTA, Ga., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aptean, an AI-first company and global provider of mission-critical enterprise software solutions, today announced the expansion of its Global Food and Beverage ERP Partner Program. Driven by strong performance from its existing partner network, Aptean is seeing record-breaking growth in new ERP customer acquisition. To further scale this success, the company is expanding the program to meet the growing global demand for localized, industry-specific solutions. Building on a proven foundation, the enhanced program delivers even greater value for partners through innovative resources, strategic collaboration and new opportunities for growth. Designed to empower partners in an evolving industry landscape, Aptean's latest advancements ensure they have the tools and supports needed to maximize success. Organizations interested in learning more or joining Aptean's growing network of reseller and service delivery partners can visit: Aptean Global Partner Program - Become a Partner With significant investments in state-of-the-art tools, comprehensive support and innovative technologies - including embedded AI - Aptean's enhanced Partner Program empowers channel partners to seamlessly adapt and stay ahead of the evolving demands of the Food & Beverage sector. This robust framework enables partners to deliver exceptional service, deploy advanced technologies and offer expert guidance ensuring ERP customers worldwide gain lasting value and ongoing innovation. Aptean has also invested heavily in building a strong and comprehensive Partner Program supported by a dedicated global team and centralized online Partner Portal. Combined with extensive enablement resources, training, go-to-market strategies and ongoing support, this program ensures partners have everything they need to drive success and deliver exceptional value to the Food & Beverage industry. "Our investment in this Partner Program underscores our dedication to our partners' success," says Kara McClain, VP, Global Partner Program. "Through collaboration, we can unlock remarkable growth and deliver exceptional value to our customers. Aptean is deeply invested in our partners' futures, providing the support and industry expertise they need to navigate change with confidence and drive sustained success." Benefits of The Aptean Global Partner Program Market Leadership : Aptean gives partners an opportunity to expand into new markets and boost win rates with the industry's leading Food and Beverage ERP solution. By leveraging Aptean's expertise and reputation, partners gain a competitive edge, driving growth and success in a rapidly evolving sector. : Aptean gives partners an opportunity to expand into new markets and boost win rates with the industry's leading Food and Beverage ERP solution. By leveraging Aptean's expertise and reputation, partners gain a competitive edge, driving growth and in a rapidly Global Support : Aptean's extensive global presence ensures consistency in delivering exceptional customer experiences. Partners benefit from unmatched expertise in the Food & Beverage industry, equipping them with the insights and resources needed to drive success in a changing market. Aptean's extensive global presence ensures consistency in delivering exceptional customer experiences. Partners benefit from unmatched expertise in the Food & Beverage industry, equipping them with the insights and resources needed to drive in a Growth Opportunities : Aptean's comprehensive suite of solutions - including its Beyond ERP offerings - empowers partners to expand their businesses and deepen customer relationships. By leveraging these advanced, industry-specific tools, partners can unlock new revenue streams, increase share of wallet and deliver transformative value across their customers' operations. This positions partners as strategic advisors in the highly competitive Food & Beverage market, driving innovation and long-term growth : Aptean's comprehensive suite of solutions - including its Beyond ERP offerings - empowers partners to expand their businesses and deepen customer relationships. By leveraging these advanced, industry-specific tools, partners can unlock new revenue streams, increase share of wallet and deliver transformative value across their customers' operations. This positions partners as strategic advisors in the highly competitive Food & Beverage market, driving innovation and long-term growth Enhanced Financial Incentives and Benefits : Aptean's competitive pricing model and revamped compensation structure, delivers financial incentives for partners. By maximizing profitability and ensuring recurring revenue opportunities, Aptean enables partners to strengthen their financial position while delivering high value solutions. Commenting on the continued expansion of the Partner Program, Bob Kocis, President and COO, Aptean, said: "Aptean's Partner Program remains a strategic priority, driving scalability across diverse regions and deepening our relationships with valued partners. Purpose-built for the Food & Beverage industry, our ERP solution is powered by the robust Microsoft Dynamics Business Central platform as its backbone, ensuring seamless functionality and adaptability. We remain committed to evolving and enhancing this program, equipping our partners with the tools, resources and support they need to thrive in a dynamic market." Partner Testimonial - Adroit: As a long-standing partner with Aptean, Richard Sides, CEO of Adroit North America shares: "We formed Adroit with a specific focus on the Food and Beverage industry. Our mission is to provide an integrated process and system transformation experience from Farm-to-Table. We specifically sought out a partnership with Aptean based on our experience with their legacy JustFood ERP and our understanding of their strategic vision for a fully built offering across the supply chain." He continues: "Together, we leverage our combined expertise in Enterprise Resource Planning, Supply Chain, E-Commerce, and Hardware Solutions. Aptean's new Food and Beverage ERP, including 'Beyond ERP' solutions such as TMS, OEE and EAM, now provides us with a fully integrated and leading-edge solution set. Over the past four years, we have successfully surfaced opportunities and collaborated with Aptean through multiple project cycles to deliver excellent value for our mutual customers. Their continued investment in the development of the Partner Program has only served to enhance our partnership and to set us up for success." Taking the Next Step with Aptean If you are interested in joining Aptean's Global Partner Program for Food and Beverage or you would like to learn more, visit: Aptean Global Partner Program - Become a Partner About Aptean Aptean is a global provider of industry-specific software that helps manufacturers and distributors effectively run and grow their businesses. Aptean's solutions and services help businesses of all sizes to be Ready for What's Next, Now. Aptean is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. To learn more about Aptean and the markets we serve, visit www.aptean.com . MEDIA INQUIRIES MediaRelations@Aptean.com Vancouver, BC, July 15, 2025))) ("Skyharbour" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its earn-in option partner, UraEx Resources Inc. ("UraEx"), has commenced an inaugural 2,600-metre diamond drilling program at the South Dufferin Uranium Project ("South Dufferin" or the "Property") located immediately south of the southern margin of the Athabasca Basin, proximal to Cameco's Centennial deposit. UraEx can earn an initial 51% in the Property through CAD $4,600,000 in combined project consideration and up to 100% through $9,800,000 in combined project consideration consisting of cash and share payments as well as exploration expenditures over a five-year period. South Dufferin Property Map: https://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/SKY_SouthDufferin.jpg 2025 Exploration Program at South Dufferin: UraEx has initiated a fully-funded, comprehensive diamond drilling program for the summer of 2025, with approximately 2,600 metres of drilling planned across 8 to 12 drill holes. This is the first drilling program at the project in over six years. The helicopter-supported program is designed to test the southern extension of the Dufferin Lake Fault, which is interpreted to be the southern continuation of the structural corridor that hosts Cameco's Centennial deposit and Dufferin Lake zone to the north. Drilling operations will be carried out by Apex Geoscience Ltd., under the supervision of Apex personnel, and with operations based out of a local contracting camp with helicopter support for daily drilling operations. The program will run through the summer and the budget for the program is approximately CAD $1.5 million funded by UraEx. Drilling will prioritize high-potential target areas characterized by historical geochemical anomalies, gravity low signatures, and structural complexity along north-northeast-trending brittle fault corridors on the South Dufferin property. These features are interpreted to represent favourable pathways for uranium-bearing fluids and are considered key indicators for basement-hosted, high-grade uranium mineralization in the Athabasca Basin. Tom Meredith, CEO and Director of UraEx stated: "Bordering Cameco's Centennial project is surely a clear indication of our drill targets potential. The Athabasca Basin is the world's leading uranium district, responsible for roughly 20% of global production and home to several tier-one discoveries. It has been well explored and understood for many years attracting billions of dollars of investment. Making a discovery is our fundamental goal and our technical team is excited with these targets." South Dufferin Property Summary: The South Dufferin project totals 13,204 hectares in ten claims and is located immediately south of the southern margin of the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan. The property covers the southern extension of the Virgin River Shear Zone, which hosts known high-grade uranium mineralization at Cameco's Dufferin Lake zone approximately 13 kilometres to the north (highlight historical drill results of 1.73% U 3 O 8 over 6.5 metres) and Cameco's Centennial deposit approximately 25 kilometres to the north (includes historical drill results up to 8.78% U 3 O 8 over 33.9 metres). South Dufferin Property Map: https://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/SKY_SouthDufferin.jpg Historical exploration work on South Dufferin consists of airborne EM, magnetic, gravity and radiometric surveys, lake water and sediment sampling, prospecting and ground-truthing of airborne anomalies, geological mapping, and diamond drilling. Some of the historical drill holes intersected elevated uranium with locally anomalous base metal and boron concentrations as well as significant clay alteration. Exploration potential exists for basement-hosted uranium mineralization associated with the Dufferin Lake fault and parallel faults within the Virgin Lake Shear zone. With numerous mineralized showings to the north of the project, exploration efforts at South Dufferin have advanced the project to a discovery-ready state. Significant exploration potential exists for basement-hosted uranium mineralization associated with the Dufferin Lake fault, which has an apparent offset of >200 m, and numerous other parallel faults within the Virgin River Shear zone. The project is drill-ready with several prospective targets warranting follow up work. Most of the claims are in good standing for several years and there are no underlying royalties on the property except for a 2% NSR on one of the claims owned by a third-party. Qualified Person: The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Serdar Donmez, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Skyharbour as well as a Qualified Person. About UraEx Resources Inc.: UraEx Resources Inc. is currently a private company focused on uranium projects in the Athabasca Basin where it has an option to earn-in at the South Dufferin and Bolt projects. The company is planning for upcoming drill programs at the projects as well as a go-public transaction soon. UraEx is run by mining-industry executives and is backed by financiers in the investment industry. About Skyharbour Resources Ltd.: Skyharbour holds an extensive portfolio of uranium exploration projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with interest in thirty-six projects covering over 614,000 hectares (over 1.5 million acres) of land. Skyharbour has acquired from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, a 100% interest in the Moore Uranium Project, which is located 15 kilometres east of Denison's Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco's McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced-stage uranium exploration property with high-grade uranium mineralization in several zones at the Maverick Corridor. Adjacent to the Moore Project is the Russell Lake Uranium Project, in which Skyharbour is operator with joint-venture partner RTEC. The project hosts widespread uranium mineralization in drill intercepts over a large property area with exploration upside potential. The Company is actively advancing these projects through exploration and drilling programs. Skyharbour also has joint ventures with industry leader Orano Canada Inc., Azincourt Energy, and Thunderbird Resources at the Preston, East Preston, and Hook Lake Projects, respectively. The Company also has several active earn-in option partners, including CSE-listed Basin Uranium Corp. at the Mann Lake Uranium Project; TSX-V listed North Shore Uranium at the Falcon Project; UraEx Resources at the South Dufferin and Bolt Projects; Hatchet Uranium at the Highway Project; CSE-listed Mustang Energy at the 914W Project; and TSX-V listed Terra Clean Energy at the South Falcon East Project. In aggregate, Skyharbour has now signed earn-in option agreements with partners that total to over $36 million in partner-funded exploration expenditures, over $20 million worth of shares being issued, and $14 million in cash payments coming into Skyharbour, assuming that these partner companies complete their entire earn-ins at the respective projects. Skyharbour's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions. Skyharbour's Uranium Project Map in the Athabasca Basin: https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/SKY_SaskProject_Locator_2024-11-21_v1.jpg To find out more about Skyharbour Resources Ltd.. SKYHARBOUR RESOURCES LTD. "Jordan Trimble" Jordan Trimble President and CEO For further information contact myself or: Nicholas Coltura Investor Relations Manager Skyharbour Resources Ltd. Telephone: 604-558-5847 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 Email: info@skyharbourltd.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements, including the Private Placement. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, regulatory approvals, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.comfor further information. Next-generation power electronics complement TRI-FLEX ultra-scaling platform as company builds technology foundation for market ahead Lebanon, TN, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tritium, a pioneer in DC fast charging technology with over a decade of industry expertise, today announced the launch of its next-generation power modules for TRI-FLEX alongside an industry-leading lifetime warranty on power modules for its entire product line including RTM, PKM, and TRI-FLEX DC fast chargers. This technological milestone represents the culmination of significant R&D investment since joining the Exicom family and establishes a new industry standard for charging infrastructure reliability. Following the recent launch of its revolutionary TRI-FLEX platform-designed for ultra-scaling with industry-leading power density and flexibility-Tritium continues building next-generation solutions for the market ahead, where EV sales will rapidly grow from 20% to 60%+ of new vehicle purchases and infrastructure deployment must scale exponentially to keep pace. - Tritium's next-gen power modules deliver unprecedented reliability performance through advanced power electronics design and comprehensive field testing. Based on these breakthrough results, Tritium is now able to offer lifetime warranty coverage on power modules-a first in the DC fast charging industry that the company is encouraging competitors to match. - "With more than 15 years of expertise and vertical integration in power electronics for DC fast charging, we've reached a technological inflection point," said Arcady Sosinov, CEO of Tritium. "Our next-gen power modules represent the most reliable power conversion technology ever deployed in DC fast charging. Combined with TRI-FLEX's ultra-scaling architecture, we're building the technology foundation the market ahead demands. The lifetime warranty isn't a marketing tactic-it's the natural outcome of engineering excellence." - Tritium's industry tenure spans the entire evolution of DC fast charging, from early 50kW systems to today's ultra-fast charging platforms. This experience, combined with proprietary power electronics IP and vertical integration capabilities, positions Tritium among the select few manufacturers capable of advancing charging technology rather than simply assembling third-party components. - "The EV charging ecosystem requires each player to own their piece of the reliability equation," explained Sosinov. "Charge point operators (CPOs) must plan for and fund ongoing maintenance to ensure charge points are always operational and available for EV drivers. Tritium will now own the power module risk entirely to support our CPO customers in their mission. This is how you advance an industry and prepare for the market ahead." - The lifetime warranty applies to the core power conversion modules-the heart of every DC fast charger-and eliminates one of the most significant long-term cost concerns for charging infrastructure operators. The announcement comes as Tritium continues its technology-focused transformation under Exicom ownership, with recent milestones including the launch of the revolutionary TRI-FLEX platform. - "We're calling on the industry to join us at this new standard," added Sosinov. "The market ahead demands infrastructure designed for years of reliable operation at large scale. Too many market entrants are building for yesterday's requirements. Tritium is engineering for tomorrow." - The next-gen modules feature enhanced thermal management, improved power density, and advanced diagnostic capabilities. Combined with Tritium's liquid-cooled architecture and IP65-rated enclosures, they are designed to deliver exceptional reliability in extreme operating conditions. About Tritium Founded in 2001, Tritium is a global leader in DC fast charging technology with proprietary power electronics IP and vertical integration capabilities. With over 21,000 chargers deployed in more than 50 countries and state-of-the-art facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, Tritium combines proven engineering excellence with manufacturing scale. As part of the Exicom family, Tritium is positioned to lead the EV charging industry's next phase of growth and technological advancement. - Media Contact: Patricia Martinez media@Tritiumcharging.com ? ?? ?? Following the recent launch of its revolutionary TRI-FLEX platform-designed for ultra-scaling with industry-leading power density and flexibility-Tritium continues building next-generation solutions for the market ahead, where EV sales will rapidly grow from 20% to 60%+ of new vehicle purchases and infrastructure deployment must scale exponentially to keep pace. Tritium's next-gen power modules deliver unprecedented reliability performance through advanced power electronics design and comprehensive field testing. Based on these breakthrough results, Tritium is now able to offer lifetime warranty coverage on power modules-a first in the DC fast charging industry that the company is encouraging competitors to match. "With more than 15 years of expertise and vertical integration in power electronics for DC fast charging, we've reached a technological inflection point," said Arcady Sosinov, CEO of Tritium. "Our next-gen power modules represent the most reliable power conversion technology ever deployed in DC fast charging. Combined with TRI-FLEX's ultra-scaling architecture, we're building the technology foundation the market ahead demands. The lifetime warranty isn't a marketing tactic-it's the natural outcome of engineering excellence." Tritium's industry tenure spans the entire evolution of DC fast charging, from early 50kW systems to today's ultra-fast charging platforms. This experience, combined with proprietary power electronics IP and vertical integration capabilities, positions Tritium among the select few manufacturers capable of advancing charging technology rather than simply assembling third-party components. "The EV charging ecosystem requires each player to own their piece of the reliability equation," explained Sosinov. "Charge point operators (CPOs) must plan for and fund ongoing maintenance to ensure charge points are always operational and available for EV drivers. Tritium will now own the power module risk entirely to support our CPO customers in their mission. This is how you advance an industry and prepare for the market ahead." The lifetime warranty applies to the core power conversion modules-the heart of every DC fast charger-and eliminates one of the most significant long-term cost concerns for charging infrastructure operators. The announcement comes as Tritium continues its technology-focused transformation under Exicom ownership, with recent milestones including the launch of the revolutionary TRI-FLEX platform. "We're calling on the industry to join us at this new standard," added Sosinov. "The market ahead demands infrastructure designed for years of reliable operation at large scale. Too many market entrants are building for yesterday's requirements. Tritium is engineering for tomorrow." The next-gen modules feature enhanced thermal management, improved power density, and advanced diagnostic capabilities. Combined with Tritium's liquid-cooled architecture and fully sealed IP65 enclosures, they deliver unmatched reliability in extreme operating conditions across the RTM, PKM, and TRI-FLEX product families. About Tritium Founded in 2001, Tritium is a global leader in DC fast charging technology with proprietary power electronics IP and vertical integration capabilities. With over 21,000 chargers deployed in more than 50 countries and state-of-the-art facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, Tritium combines proven engineering excellence with manufacturing scale. As part of the Exicom family, Tritium is positioned to lead the EV charging industry's next phase of growth and technological advancement. Patricia Martinez media@Tritiumcharging.com Collaboration focuses on enabling remote automated treatment of ischemic stroke Proximie (the "Company"), the leading global health technology platform digitising operating rooms ("OR"), announces a partnership with U.S.-based medical technology company, Imperative Care with the aim of driving the development of a robotic surgical system to treat ischemic stroke. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250708482854/en/ Proximie announces a partnership with U.S.-based medical technology company, Imperative Care to drive the development of a robotic surgical system to treat ischemic stroke. Imperative Care researches, develops and manufactures connected innovations to elevate care for people affected by devastating vascular diseases such as strokes and pulmonary embolisms; addressing specific gaps in treatment and care to transform the entire patient journey. The partnership supports physicians in the use of Imperative Care's Telos robotic-assisted technology platform. The platform, currently in development, is designed to enable physicians to perform aspiration thrombectomy procedures, both on-site and remotely (via telesurgery), to treat stroke patients. Patients will benefit from improved access to cutting-edge treatments regardless of their location saving lives across both developed and developing economies. A key part of the Telos platform's functionality is the integration of Proximie's Software Development Kit ("SDK") at a system level; allowing audio, video, and telemetry data to be shared with the physicians performing the procedure, through a customised, Telos-specific, tenant of the Proximie platform. Proximie's SDK helps medical device developers improve patient outcomes, and surgical productivity, by enhancing the innovation and development of medical technology systems used across the OR. Specifically, the SDK allows developers to obtain data on how devices perform in real-world surgeries contributing to development of new technologies and robotic surgical systems, supercharging MedTech performance. With over 12 million strokes occurring globally each year; resulting in an economic cost of over US$890 billion1; the collaboration between Proximie and Imperative Care is an important step toward reducing the human and economic cost of strokes through improved treatment. Dr. Nadine Hachach-Haram, Founder and CEO of Proximie, said: "Proximie shares Imperative Care's commitment to making stroke thrombectomy available to more patients, bringing treatment to those who might not otherwise have timely access to this hugely impactful therapy both on-site and remotely via telesurgery. "The integration of Proximie's SDK within the Telos robotic-assisted platform clearly demonstrates the value Proximie is providing to medical robotics developers and surgeons. We look forward to working with Imperative Care as it continues to develop this novel technology." Richard Leparmentier, Chief Technology Officer of Imperative Care, commented: "Our Telos robotics platform is fundamental to the way we think at Imperative Care about the future of stroke and vascular care, and we are pleased to be working with Proximie toward the goal of making this visionary technology available to patients." Fred Khosravi, Chairman and CEO of Imperative Care, added: "Aspiration thrombectomy is one of the most powerful treatments in all of medicine, and yet in the United States today, approximately 80% of all ischemic stroke patients who are candidates for this treatment are not receiving this vital care2 and in other parts of the world, the treatment gap is much higher. At Imperative Care, we believe that one of the most effective means of addressing this shortcoming of care is to utilize robotics and automation to dramatically expand the reach of thrombectomy and make timely, effective treatment available to the entire population." In addition to integrating the SDK in partners' medical devices, Proximie also uses the SDK in the Company's plug-and-play hardware products; including the PxKit; emphasising the developmental benefits made possible by the SDK. The announcement follows recent partnerships between Proximie and numerous global MedTech players. Notably, the Company recently announced a global partnership with Olympus Corporation the medical technology company and market leader in innovative surgical tools and endoscopy systems; and a partnership with Distalmotion the surgical robotics pioneer and developer of the Dexter surgical robot. To date, Proximie is deployed across five continents and is working with hundreds of healthcare systems and major medical device developers creating a truly global impact by improving access to high-quality surgical care in both developed and developing economies. Notes to Editors About Proximie Proximie is a global health technology platform focused on digitizing operating and diagnostic rooms. Proximie's mission is to make surgery more accessible, efficient, and effective for everyone, via cutting-edge, cloud-based technology. Proximie's OR intelligence platform offers a tailored digital ecosystem which drives healthcare innovation. The platforms facilitates real-time connectivity, unified data including data capture, structure, and control capabilities, AI enabled insight, and a context-rich video library. This provides benefits for the entire healthcare ecosystem via improved productivity, optimized workflows, accelerated training, and enhanced medical technology innovation; benefitting patient outcomes. By opening-up surgery beyond traditional operating room boundaries, Proximie is facilitating a rich, insightful data set which naturally feeds best practices into the entire healthcare ecosystem. Founded by Dr. Nadine Hachach-Haram, Proximie has now been deployed in over 800 hospitals across 50 countries in five continents. Proximie has contracts with over 40 major medical device companies with access to 90% of operating rooms and diagnostic suites in the U.K., U.S., and EU and been published in over 20 medical journals. Proximie is the author of a report on 'A cut above: optimizing efficiency in operating rooms', highlighting strategies to maximize OR utilization and deliver more operations for patients without compromising quality of care. For more information, please visit www.proximie.com or follow @Proximie on X and LinkedIn. About Imperative Care, Inc. Imperative Care is a commercial-stage medical technology company researching, developing and manufacturing connected innovations to elevate care for people affected by devastating vascular diseases such as stroke and pulmonary embolism. The company is focused on addressing specific gaps in treatment and care to make an impact across the entire patient journey. Imperative Care is based in Campbell, Calif. https://imperativecare.com. The robotic system described herein is not approved or available for sale. 1 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11786524/ 2 Imperative Care Data on File View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250708482854/en/ Contacts: Imperative Care Media contact: Lara Lingenbrink +1 858-525-1414 llingenbrink@imperativecare.com Investor Contact: Phil Nalbone pnalbone@imperativecare.com Proximie Ben Rothschild proximie@thoburns.com +44 7564 584 439 C-mo Medical Solutions, a leading provider of next-generation cough-monitoring technology, is pleased to announce that it has received ISO 13485:2016 certification. This internationally recognised certification demonstrates that the company meets the stringent regulatory requirements for the design, development, manufacturing, distribution, and servicing of its medical devices. "ISO 13485 certification is a foundational milestone for us," said Diogo Tecelao, chief executive officer of C-mo Medical Solutions. "It reflects the high standards we've set in quality and compliance and is a step forward in our mission to supporting clinical trials and medical practice with our high-quality, regulatory-grade cough monitoring solutions." C-mo's flagship technology provides a comprehensive, objective, and privacy-preserving solution for cough monitoring enabling pharma, CROs, researchers, and healthcare providers to track and analyse the multiple dimensions of cough with clinical precision. This certification comes as the company prepares to launch its technology into the clinical trials market in the coming months. "ISO 13485 certification is a key enabler for companies operating at the intersection of AI, technology, and clinical research," said Chris Bergstrom, chairman of the board at C-mo Medical Solutions. "This achievement underscores C-mo's readiness to serve regulated markets and support pharmaceutical partners with real-world cough data that sets a new benchmark for quality and insight meeting the growing demand across the industry." This certification aligns with the company's goal to become the reference in cough assessment, bringing digital precision to respiratory endpoints and transforming how cough is understood, measured, and managed. About C-mo Medical Solutions: C-mo Medical Solutions is a pioneering MedTech company focused on developing innovative solutions that improve care. Its mission is to unlock the clinical value of cough as a biomarker, addressing unmet needs in the monitoring and management of chronic cough. C-mo's AI-powered biosensor and digital platform delivers the most comprehensive assessment of cough, enabling precise and clinically meaningful characterisation of a patient's respiratory health. It provides unobtrusive, long-term monitoring with exceptional reliability, and is the first solution to ensure privacy by not recording conversations. These features make C-mo the ideal solution for clinical trials and medical practice. The company is backed by leading investors including Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, High-Tech Grunderfonds, Novalis, and Portugal Ventures. Find out more at www.c-mo.solutions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250715233574/en/ Contacts: For more information: press@c-mo.solutions As AI Reshapes How Students Learn and Write, The Next Generation of Turnitin Feedback Studio Empowers Educators with More Efficient Grading and AI Insights OAKLAND, Calif., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Turnitin , a leading provider of technology solutions in academic integrity, announced the general availability of Turnitin Clarity, a purpose-built writing solution designed to help foster academic integrity and guide responsible use of AI in the classroom. Turnitin Clarity serves as a bridge between educators and students, delivering transparency, efficiency, and meaningful feedback in writing assessment, especially in today's AI-powered learning environment. Building on a newly rearchitected Turnitin Feedback Studio (TFS) foundation, Turnitin delivers flexible assignment workflows, faster access to innovations, and more intuitive grading and feedback tools. With Turnitin Clarity seamlessly integrated, the solution becomes a one-stop environment where students can write, optionally using an incorporated AI assistant, revise and reflect. Educators can then engage, assess, and uphold integrity with full visibility into the writing process. "Turnitin Clarity is our response to a defining challenge in education, how to uphold academic integrity and embrace the responsible use of AI," said Annie Chechitelli, chief product officer, Turnitin. "In an AI-powered world, we need more than detection, we need solutions that promote learning, invite dialogue, and equip educators and students to use AI ethically and confidently. That's why we built Turnitin Clarity." The General Availability of Turnitin Clarity: Transparency and AI Literacy in the Writing Process Turnitin Clarity is a transparent writing solution that enables educators to support students in the writing process with the help of educator-guided AI assistance. It includes a composition space for drafting assignments and an AI Assistant * offering students feedback in the writing process. Educators are equipped with the necessary data and insights into how students constructed their writing, from creation to final submission, which aids in teaching students to write with integrity and foster more meaningful engagement between educators and students. Key features of Turnitin Clarity include: Guided AI assistant: Students receive writing support at every stage, reinforcing structure, originality, and responsible use of generative AI. Students receive writing support at every stage, reinforcing structure, originality, and responsible use of generative AI. Process transparency and insights: Educators see how work is built through indicators like revision timelines, pasted vs. typed text, and a summary of AI chat history. Educators see how work is built through indicators like revision timelines, pasted vs. typed text, and a summary of AI chat history. Integrated academic integrity solutions: Similarity checking, AI writing detection **, and submission metrics appear in one view, streamlining the educator review. Similarity checking, AI writing detection **, and submission metrics appear in one view, streamlining the educator review. Fast and personalized feedback: This solution makes the feedback fast and personalized and serves as a bridge between students and educators, making feedback a natural part of the process, encouraging growth and trust. The Next Generation of Turnitin Feedback Studio: One Seamless Solution with Insights and Feedback All-In-One Place Turnitin Feedback Studio reframes the academic integrity conversation as one focused on skills development rather than academic misconduct. This, paired with Turnitin Clarity, means educators can transform instances of plagiarism and AI misuse into valuable learning experiences, enabling students to uphold academic integrity while developing their writing, researching, and critical thinking skills. New enhancements to Turnitin Feedback Studio include: Modern, accessible design: A modern interface designed with educators, students, and accessibility in mind, ensures intuitive navigation and a more streamlined experience for users. A modern interface designed with educators, students, and accessibility in mind, ensures intuitive navigation and a more streamlined experience for users. Enhanced similarity report including AI writing detector **: Updated match categories, and integrated AI insights, make originality reports clearer and easier to interpret, helping educators quickly identify and address integrity concerns with precision. Updated match categories, and integrated AI insights, make originality reports clearer and easier to interpret, helping educators quickly identify and address integrity concerns with precision. Flexible feedback and grading workflows: Capabilities to deliver feedback to students faster, more effectively or with more impact, saves time on administrative tasks. Capabilities to deliver feedback to students faster, more effectively or with more impact, saves time on administrative tasks. Supports a variety of educator needs for assessment: Flexible solution for a wider range of assignment types, including handwritten *** and AI-assisted writing, empowering educators to evolve their practices during a time of rapid change. Perceptions of AI in education are split between optimism and concern. New global research from Turnitin and Vanson Bourne finds 78% of surveyed students, educators, and administrators alike feel positive about the impacts that AI is having on education. Yet, despite this, 95% believe AI is being misused in some capacity. When asked about the top challenges of AI in education, survey respondents across the board identified the challenge of overcoming the uncertainty of ensuring integrity. To widely unlock the benefits of AI in education without sacrificing academic integrity, workflow transparency between students and educators is crucial.**** For more information: Turnitin Clarity is available as a paid add-on to all Turnitin Feedback Studio customers. The Next Generation of Turnitin Feedback Studio is now generally available. Learn more about AI Assistant - " Rethinking writing support with Turnitin's AI assistant " " Learn more about The Next Generation of TFS - "Unlocking insights: What's new in Turnitin Feedback Studio" * The AI assistant within Turnitin Clarity has been trained and tested to support interactions in English only. ** AI writing detection is available when licensing Turnitin Originality. *** Turnitin's Paper to Digital licensed add-on to Turnitin Feedback Studio, enables instructors to grade scanned handwritten work digitally. **** Turnitin was a partner in providing compensation to conduct Vanson Bourne's research. Press Contact press@turnitin.com About Turnitin Turnitin is a global company dedicated to ensuring the integrity of education and meaningfully improving learning outcomes. For more than 25 years, Turnitin has partnered with educational institutions to promote honesty, consistency, and fairness across all subject areas and assessment types. Turnitin products are used by educational institutions and certification and licensing programs to uphold integrity and increase learning performance, and by students and professionals to do their best, original work. Turnitin has offices in Australia, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, The United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Over 16,000 customers in 185 countries use Turnitin services: Gradescope by Turnitin, iThenticate, Turnitin Feedback Studio, Turnitin Originality, Turnitin Similarity, ExamSoft by Turnitin, ProctorExam and Ouriginal. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/turnitin-delivers-turnitin-clarity-to-bring-transparency-and-responsible-ai-to-the-writing-process-supporting-academic-integrity-in-education-302504924.html NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Driven by a global trend of ongoing electrification and squeezed grid capacity, in both passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, the commercial Electric Vehicle (EV) charging market is being pushed toward scalable, energy-efficient solutions with capable and convenient maintenance to ensure high uptime. The new competitive ranking by global technology intelligence firm ABI Research assesses nine commercial EV charging vendors, analyzed through various criteria including scalability, charging technology, and support services. Market Leaders: Siemens, i-charging, ABB E-mobility, Kempower Mainstream: Alpitronic, Power Electronics, Schneider Electric Followers: Eaton, BorgWarner The assessment focused on nine criteria across two major segments: innovation and implementation. The innovation criteria analyzed charger size, power, and efficiency, as well as scalability/flexibility of charger solutions, along with the accompanying software offering. The implementation criteria examined each vendor's commitment to the commercial EV market, support services, commercial success in the market, and the breadth of solutions and services offered with chargers. Siemens led the commercial EV market with a complete suite across both the Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) segments, using both its own developed technologies and that of its acquisition, Heliox, to adapt to the growing eTruck and eBus segments of the market. Siemens has deployed more than 100,000 chargers across 60 countries, with a strong presence across Europe, North America, India, Australia, and select countries in South America. i-charging follows with its focus on high-power DC charging solutions, with an adept technology offering that includes a Megawatt Charging System (MCS) solution rated up to 1.5 Megawatts (MW), and well-positioned support services that enable high uptime and convenient maintenance of chargers. ABB E-mobility stands out with a complete portfolio that accommodates several charging segments, most recently with its new addition of the MCS1200 solution for truck charging, delivering 1.2 MW of continuous power at 1,500 Amps (A). Kempower completes the leader category with a market-leading dynamic load management solution, as well as impressive high-power DC chargers, including MCS solutions. Alpitronic is a high performer among the mainstream category, excelling in scalability through the use of its Power-Stack technology that easily scales up charging power without requiring new chargers in the ground. Power Electronics follows with an impressive offering across AC and DC segments, including an MCS solution rated at a power rating of 1.44 MW, one of the highest in the market. Schneider Electric, which is in the earlier phases of its expansion into high-power DC charging compared to some other vendors assessed, rounds out the mainstream category. It shines with an impressive software offering, fueled by notable acquisitions and partnerships such as its 2022 acquisition of EV Connect (an open charging platform provider), or its partnership with Mobility House Solutions, which includes its energy management platform. Despite follower status, Eaton and BorgWarner both have notable strengths and growth opportunities in the commercial EV charging market. Eaton is also in an earlier stage of its portfolio expansion into higher-power DC charging, which limits its reach into commercial vehicle segments like truck charging, but it shines in the minimization of charger footprints, notably at the 150 Kilowatt (kW) level. This is a key factor for charging sites that often have limited space capacities for charging. BorgWarner has notable partnerships in China, such as Windrose Technology trucks' MCS trials in China for Goodman Group properties, which use a BorgWarner 960 kW liquid-cooled high-power charger. The commercial EV charging market must continue to evolve to accommodate a changing technology landscape with MCS charging, an uncertain regulatory landscape with changing electrification targets and mandates across several global markets, and an uncertain geopolitical landscape that can increase costs and complicate supply chains for several stakeholders. This competitive ranking recognizes the leading vendors pushing the boundaries of commercial EV charging and helping partners tackle grid capacity constraints, space constraints, and other operational/technological barriers to electrification. About ABI Research ABI Research is a global technology intelligence firm uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology solution providers and end-market companies. We serve as the bridge that seamlessly connects these two segments by providing exclusive research and expert guidance to drive successful technology implementations and deliver strategies proven to attract and retain customers. For more information about ABI Research's services, contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific, or visit www.abiresearch.com. Contact Info: Global Jason Scheer Tel: +1.516.624.2558 pr@abiresearch.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2309035/ABI_Research_2024.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/siemens-i-charging-abb-e-mobility-and-kempower-take-top-spots-in-abi-researchs-commercial-ev-charging-solution-vendor-competitive-ranking-302499117.html Preferred Travel Group's I Prefer Hotel Rewards program joins Ascenda's global points transfer network to unlock new opportunities for financial service partners NEW YORK , July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascenda, the loyalty ecosystem that powers growth for the world's leading brands, today announced a strategic partnership with Preferred Travel Group, the parent company of I Prefer Hotel Rewards. Through this collaboration, financial institutions within Ascenda's global network can now offer their customers the ability to convert bank loyalty points directly into I Prefer points, giving access to exclusive hotel stays, upgrades, and member benefits at 650+ exceptional independent hotels worldwide. The addition of I Prefer Hotel Rewards enhances Ascenda's global rewards content network with a premium hospitality brand, enabling financial partners to deliver more aspirational travel experiences. With access to uniquely curated properties in both urban and resort destinations, this partnership offers meaningful value to discerning customers seeking more personalized and enriched travel rewards. "As upmarket customers seek more distinctive experiences, Preferred Travel Group is a partner that brings differentiated value to both consumers and financial institutions," said Paul Smitton, President of International and Partnerships. "We're excited to enable the transfer of bank partner rewards currencies to I Prefer points." "Our partnership with Ascenda opens up meaningful opportunities to expand the reach of our I Prefer Hotel Rewards loyalty program and broaden our points exchange ecosystem globally," said Lori Strasberg, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Preferred Travel Group. "Through this relationship, both existing I Prefer members and customers of Ascenda's vast financial partner network will be able to access redemptions faster, driving increased engagement with Preferred's global portfolio of distinctive luxury hotels, resorts and residences." About I Prefer Hotel Rewards Operated by Preferred Travel Group, I Prefer Hotel Rewards is the world's largest loyalty program for independent hotels, with more than five million members enrolled globally. The program provides members with points, tier-based status, and special perks at a global portfolio of distinctive properties across 80 countries. About Ascenda Ascenda delivers loyalty-as-a-service for financial institutions and merchants globally, unlocking superior ROI across customer acquisition, engagement, and retention. With over a decade of proven results, an unrivaled roster of top-tier global clients, and enterprise-grade technology, Ascenda is trusted by leading brands to deliver growth outcomes, eliminate complexity, and create extraordinary customer experiences. For more information, please visit ascenda.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1948326/Ascenda_Blue_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ascenda-launches-strategic-partnership-with-preferred-travel-group-302504251.html Originally published on https://newsroom.marykay.com/ DALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Mary Kay Inc., a global advocate for sustainability and women's empowerment, today announced the release of its 2025 Sustainability Report, a comprehensive overview of the company's 2030 commitments and 2024 milestone achievements for creating positive impact around the world. The annual report highlights Mary Kay's decades-long dedication to social, economic, and environmental sustainability - core pillars central to its business strategy and its purpose-driven legacy rooted in the company's mission of "enriching women's lives" around the world. "For over 60 years, our company has championed a business model and key initiatives that empower women, help protect the planet, and model resilient communities," said Ryan Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Mary Kay. "This year's report reaffirms our goals and commitments, while celebrating the measurable and meaningful impact we are creating worldwide." From product stewardship and biodiversity preservation to advancing women's equality and economic inclusion, and accelerating digitalization efforts to unleash entrepreneurship, Mary Kay continues to integrate sustainability into every facet of its business. Below are key 2024 highlights: Environmental: Responsible Packaging: Reaffirmed our commitments to reducing plastic intensity, increase post-consumer recycled content (PCR), and increase recycle-ready/recyclable packaging 1 . For example, the bottle of Mary Kay TimeWise Targeted-Action Toning Lotion contains 94% PCR content. Sustainable Sourcing: 93% of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified Palm Oil is used by our suppliers as of 2024 and 80% of our Shea use was sourced from the Global Shea Alliance (GSA) member suppliers. Water Management: 100% of the water used at our Richard R. Rogers (R3) global R&D and Manufacturing facility in Texas is treated and recycled back into the local watershed. Impact Partnerships: Celebrated 37-year partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) representing 100 conservation projects supported and 16-year partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation (ADF) to preserve ecosystems in Texas and around the world through 34 projects. Social: Pink Changing Lives : $230 million USD donated in monetary and in-kind donations by Mary Kay Inc. and its four Company-sponsored foundations globally since 1996 2 . Women's Empowerment: 600K+ women positively impacted globally through meaningful programs at the global, regional, and local levels as of 2024. Future of STEM: 37 grants awarded to young women from 16 countries pursuing STEM careers and 8 grants awarded to female students through the "Madam C.J. Walker Scholarships" with The Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) sponsored by Mary Kay as of 2024. Impact Partnerships: Mary Kay served as a special award organization at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in 2024. Women Powered: 63% of the global workforce at Mary Kay are female and 57% of leadership positions are held by women in our top 10 markets. 60% of our Executive team is female 3 . Global Footprint: Mary Kay expanded into Kyrgyzstan. Digitalization: Reimagined the digital selling experience through embracing digital opportunities while maintaining the hallmark of personalized service and attention our Independent Beauty Consultants (IBCs) are known for. In 2024, Mary Kay launched the "Phygital" campaign in Mexico and Brazil with Colombia to follow in 2025. Advocacy: Engaged in 100+ trade associations globally on a range of policy issues from direct selling and entrepreneurship to personal care and supply chain and logistics. In Brazil, Mary Kay contributed to the G20 Employment & Education Task Force (B20) Policy Paper. Economic: IN 2024 AND 2025, MARY KAY EARNED SIGNIFICANT RECOGNITIONS: Named the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care and Color Cosmetics in the World 4 by Euromonitor International for three consecutive years, in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Ranked #9 on Forbes's Best Brands for Social Impact 2025 out of 3,900 brands. Mary Kay is the only beauty brand in the Top 10 and the only direct selling company on the list. Ranked #11 in the Women's Wear Daily Beauty Inc.'s 2024 Top 100 Beauty Companies released in 2025. Five Stars rating on Newsweek 2025 America's Greatest Workplaces for Women. Honored with a "Leadership in Conservation and Sustainability Award" by Texan By Nature (TxN) in 2023 and again in 2024. Received a 2024 "Top Supply Chain Award" by The Supply & Demand Chain Executive for priority work on a shipment visibility solution in partnership with Tive, a leading provider. Mary Kay's 2025 Sustainability Report is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serves as a benchmark for stakeholders and partners seeking to drive collective impact. To view the full report, visit here. About Mary Kay One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women's lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 40 markets. For over 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X. 1 Recyclable only where facilities exist. 2 While the Company has provided philanthropic support to charitable causes for many decades, official documentation began in 1996 with the founding of the Mary Kay Ash Foundation (U.S.). 3 Women Representation and Leadership at Mary Kay (May 2025). 4 "Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care 2025Edition, value sales at RSP, 2024data" The annual sustainability report highlights Mary Kay's decades-long dedication to social, economic, and environmental sustainability - core pillars central to its business strategy and its purpose-driven legacy rooted in the company's mission of "enriching women's lives" around the world. (Photo Courtesy: Mary Kay Inc.) View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Mary Kay on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Mary Kay Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/mary-kay Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Mary Kay View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/mary-kay-unveils-2025-sustainability-report-underscoring-key-mil-1048853 Total economic benefit of 689 new annual jobs and $234.9 million in annual Gross Regional Product in the first 10 years of operations. Annual mining revenues of $568 million would support 465 direct annual jobs and an additional 224 secondary jobs. Annual tax revenues of $15.3 million for the County of Plumas and $9.8 million for the State of California. Total tax revenues over 15 years in excess of $225 million for the County of Plumas, $150 million for the State of California, and $375 million for the Federal Government. Total capital investments are anticipated to be $1.3 billion in 2024 dollars. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - US Copper Corp., (TSXV: USCU) (FSE: C730) ("US Copper" or the "Company") today released the findings of a comprehensive study (the "Study") of the potential economic benefits of building and operating a mine at its Moonlight-Superior Mining property, located in Plumas County, California. The Study was prepared by Pinyon Environmental, Inc, based in Lakewood, Colorado, a provider of environmental consulting services to private and public clients since 1993. Pinyon used the capital and operating expenses described and summarized in the Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") prepared by Global Resource Engineering ("GRE") in 2025 for U.S Copper, along with the IMPLAN data and software system, to estimate the economic impacts in terms of economic output, employment and Gross Regional Product ("GRP") in Plumas County for the mine construction and mining of the Moonlight-Superior copper deposits owned by US Copper. Gross Regional Product is a measure of economic value added through the production of goods and services in the local economy. The economic benefits of the initial construction phase were first considered then followed by the ongoing economic benefits of operating the mine and processing facilities. The entire project would develop the copper resources within the Moonlight, Superior, and Engles deposits located within the historic Lights Creek District. The Project will include the mine as well as two recovery methods (heap leach and conventional floatation) as well as other supporting infrastructure (e.g., access roads, buildings and facilities, labs, fuel and water storage, power supply and distribution). Economic Benefits of Capital Investments Capital investments would primarily occur during the construction phase but would also occur over the 15-year life of the Project. In total, capital investments are anticipated to be $1.3 billion in 2024 dollars. Peak economic benefits from capital expenses would occur during the second year of construction before operations commence. In this year, there would be a total of 1,661 annual jobs and $172.7 million in GRP created, supported from construction and development activities, including mine equipment purchases, process facility construction, infrastructure construction, and general and administrative expenses. Economic Benefits from Operations of the Mine and Process Facilities Once the mine and process facilities are operational, mine revenues of $568 million would support 465 direct annual jobs and $207.8 million in GRP annually in mining and processing industries in Plumas County over the first 10 years of operations. There would be an additional 224 secondary jobs and $27.1 million secondary GRP generated, for a total economic benefit of 689 annual jobs and $234.9 million in annual GRP in the first 10 years when the Project is operational. These 689 annual jobs and $234.9 million in annual GRP during the operations period would result in a 7 percent increase in jobs in Plumas County and 21 percent increase in GRP compared to 2023 levels (9,797 jobs and $1,101.6 million in GRP). Tax Receipts from Operations of the Mine and Process Facilities The development and operation of the Moonlight Mine Project will result in various tax receipts for federal, state, and local government entities. These include but are not limited to property taxes, sales and uses taxes, and income and payroll taxes. On average, tax revenues to the state of California are estimated to exceed $9.8 million on an annual basis. In addition to the taxes paid to the state of California, several county and sub-county entities would also assess taxes on the operation of the Project. On average, the operation of the Project is expected to generate $15.3 million per year in additional tax revenue to local jurisdictions. Most of these revenues are associated with property taxes. In 2023, taxes on production and imports were $103.9 million in Plumas County, and annual tax receipts from the Project of $15.3 million represent an increase of 15 percent over 2023 levels. Stephen Dunn, CEO of US Copper, commented, "The Moonlight-Superior Mining Project would become a cornerstone of economic growth, prosperity, and community development in the Plumas County region for more than two decades, providing career opportunities and family-supporting employment for years to come. It would transform the economy of the region by establishing a stable source of economic activity that would support further development in areas such as power generation, education, home development, the food industry and a myriad of other industries and professions. Mining jobs in the United States are well paid; the average annual salary for the Moonlight Project is estimated to be in excess of $75,000. Incomes like this strengthen the economy of Plumas County and lead to decades of prosperity. By employing new developments in mining utilizing robotics and artificial intelligence, the area could also become a springboard for research into new technologies." "Copper is a key element in a wide range of energy technologies and is designated as a Critical Mineral by the government the United States. Moonlight would become an integral supplier of copper metal to the U.S. domestic market with average annual production of 60 million pounds of copper and 1.7 billion pounds over the life of mine. For example, that would be enough copper to supply 12 million electric vehicles. Copper is a critical material for an extensive range of important applications ranging from renewable power generation to electric vehicles. As such, it is vital that the US has a strong and viable domestic source of copper supply." "Moonlight Superior will be an important direct contributor and catalyst for government revenues at the local, provincial and national levels, supporting vital programs and services that benefit all Americans. Total government revenues generated by the mine for all three levels of government are forecasted to exceed $45 million annually and $570 million over the life of mine." The full report will be on the US Copper website; visit http://www.uscoppercorp.com and click on the "Moonlight Mine Economic Benefit Study". About US Copper Corp. US Copper controls approximately 10 square miles of patented and unpatented federal mining claims in the Light's Creek Copper District in Plumas County, NE California; essentially, the entire District. The District contains substantial copper (silver) sulfide and copper oxide resources in three deposits - Moonlight, Superior and Engels, as well as several partially tested and untested exploration targets. The Superior and Engels Mines operated from about 1915 to 1930 producing over 161 million pounds of copper from over 4 million tons of rock containing 2.2% copper with silver and gold credits. The Moonlight deposit was discovered by Placer Amex during the 1960s and a resource was calculated after the drilling of over 400 holes. A development decision was made but then put on hold in 1972 when copper prices were weak. US Copper has owned the project since 2013 and has advanced the project with three different drill programs and a number of engineering studies. US Copper recently reported an after-tax NPV of US$1.075 billion in a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") prepared by Global Resource Engineering Ltd ("GRE") dated Dec 16, 2024 with a life of mine production of 1.8 billion pounds of copper (See news release dated Jan 6, 2025). GRE calculated a new mineral resource for the purposes of this PEA that included all recent drill programs on the property. This resource is summarized below: To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1768/258858_uscopper_table1.png Notes: 1. The effective date of the Mineral Resource is December 16, 2024. 2. The Qualified Person for the Mineral Resource Estimate is Terre Lane of GRE. 3. Mineral resources are reported at a 0.16% Cu cutoff for oxide and transition material and at a 10.45 NSR cutoff for sulfide material. The oxide and transition cutoff is calculated based on a long-term copper price of US$4.00/lb; assumed combined operating costs of US$7.50/ton (process and G&A); metallurgical recovery of 75% for copper. The sulfide cutoff is calculated as the breakeven NSR, which is equal to the combined process and G&A costs for the sulfide material. Further details of this Resource, and the Preliminary Economic Assessment NI43-101 Technical Report on the Moonlight-Superior Project, Plumas County, California, USA with an effective date of December 16, 2024 can be found on Sedar+ at sedarplus.ca or at the Company's website at www.uscoppercorp.com. The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves under CIM Definition Standards. Readers are advised that there is no certainty that the results projected in this preliminary economic assessment will be realized. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws and regulations, including statements regarding the future activities of the Company. Forward-looking statements reflect the current beliefs and expectations of management and are identified by the use of words including "will", "hopes", "anticipates", "expected to", "plans", "planned" and other similar words. Actual results may differ significantly. The achievement of the results expressed in forward-looking statements is subject to a number of risks, including those described in the Company's management discussion and analysis as filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258858 SOURCE: US Copper Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Minaurum Gold Inc. (TSXV: MGG) (OTCQX: MMRGF) (FSE: 78M) ("Minaurum" or "the Company") is pleased to announce results from the Promontorio Sur vein zone at its Alamos Silver Project ("Alamos") in Sonora, Mexico. The 1.5 km-long Promontorio Sur vein zone represents the unmined southern continuation of the recently identified high-grade Promontorio "stacked" vein zone. It is separated by a northwest trending, steeply southwest dipping fault that cuts four separate substantial vein structures, including the Las Guijas vein zone where the widest high-grade intercept drilled at Alamos returned 36.65 m of 328 g/t silver equivalent 'AgEq' (AL24-117) at Alamos (see news release dated February 27, 2025). Exploratory drilling at Promontorio Sur has intersected mineralization typically seen at high levels of the Alamos vein system, indicating that high grade mineralization should be found at depth. Results include 1.05 m of 272 g/t AgEq, which included 0.20 m of 617 g/t AgEq (304 g/t Ag) and 2.65 m of 142 g/t AgEq, including 0.45 m of 300 g/t AgEq and a gold grade of 3.26 g/t Au (AL19-020), followed by a wide interval of CRD replacement-type mineralization including 4.95-m of 174 g/t AgEq that included 0.45 m of 536 g/t AgEq (5.41% Pb and 12.85% Zn) (see news release dated August 22, 2019) (Table 1, Figures 1-4). "The Promontorio Sur vein zone presents a compelling opportunity to unlock a previously untapped section of the highest-grade stacked vein system within the Alamos Project. This prolific vein system hosts the historic Promontorio Mine, which has produced over 70 million ounces of silver, as well as the nearby La Quintera Mine-just 1 km to the north-which is estimated to have yielded an impressive 100 million ounces of silver. With 1.5 km of known strike length, Promontorio Sur represents one of the largest, virgin exploration targets at the Alamos Silver project," stated Darrell Rader, President and CEO of Minaurum Gold, "We look forward to testing this target further." Quintera-Promontorio-Promontorio Sur Structural Trend Promontorio Sur is the southernmost segment of the 3.5 km-long Promontorio-Quintera structural trend. The Promontorio-Quintera trend and its and hosted veins are cut by a northwest-striking, steeply southwest-dipping fault that cuts the high-grade Las Guijas vein. Displacement of the faulted-off portion of Las Guijas is estimated to be at least 200 m, with the southwestern side of the fault, including the Promontorio Sur zone, down-dropped relative to the northeastern side of the fault. Horizontal displacement appears to be in the order of tens of metres. The Promontorio Sur vein zone can be traced on surface for 1.5 km as quartz-carbonate veinlets hosted in andesitic agglomerate. The veinlets are interpreted as representing high levels of the epithermal system, with potential for high-grade mineralization at depth. Outcrop geochemical sampling shows anomalous values of silver, gold, and base metals along the structure. Minaurum drilling shows that the andesite overlies altered and mineralized limestone, with mineralization occurring at a fault contact between volcanic rocks and limestone, as well as skarn and replacement-type mineralization within altered limestone. Drilling to date at Promontorio and Promontorio Sur also indicates a significant skarn/carbonate replacement (CRD) mineralization hosted by limestone in the footwall of the vein zones. The lead-zinc (gold) skarn/CRD event appears to have occurred later than the epithermal silver-copper mineralization and represents a large target. Further exploration of the Promontorio Sur zone will focus on drilling the faulted-off portion of the Promontorio zone, Las Guijas vein as well as drilling under the area of the anomalous rock geochemistry (Figures 1 - 4). The Promontorio Stacked Vein Zone contains multiple high-grade veins, but remains significantly under explored, making it a target for systematic drill testing. Figure 1. Promontorio Sur Vein Zone, showing drill intercepts. Click image to enlarge. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/258763_bc6207b904464a9c_003full.jpg Figure 2. Promontorio Sur vein zone in relation to the Promontorio-Quintera structural trend and Central Graben. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/258763_bc6207b904464a9c_004full.jpg Holes AL24-124, AL24-127, and AL24-128 tested the Promontorio Sur zone between the northwest fault and AL19-020 (Figure 1-4, Table 1). AL24-124 cut 2.25 m of 134 g/t AgEq, including 0.40 m of 434 g/t AgEq or 0.60% Cu, 3.15% Pb and 6.49% Zn. AL24-127 and AL24-128 each intersected <0.65 m mineralized intervals that assayed 3.04% to 9.12% combined Pb and Zn. Table 1. Assay highlights of holes AL24-124, -127, and -128; and holes AL19-020 and -024. Hole locations are shown in Figure 1. Weight-averaged silver-equivalent grades are based on January 1, 2025 Kitco.com metal prices: Ag $28.43/oz, Au $2,565.68/oz, Cu $3.93/lb, Pb $0.86/lb, Zn $1.32/lb. Results of holes AL19-020 and -024 were announced in a Minaurum new release dated 22 August 2019. Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Ag g/t Au g/t Cu % Pb % Zn % AgEq g/t AL24-124 185.85 188.10 2.25 32 0.12 0.18 0.73 1.86 134 including 187.70 188.10 0.40 89 0.22 0.60 3.15 6.49 434 218.70 219.00 0.30 187 0.05 0.71 0.12 0.45 269 333.35 334.75 1.40 7 0.01 0.01 0.59 2.07 88 AL24-127 206.70 207.20 0.50 10 0.01 0.00 0.94 2.65 116 221.85 222.50 0.65 3 0.01 0.00 0.52 2.52 95 227.45 227.70 0.25 0.06 0.01 3.61 5.51 258 AL24-128 176.80 177.10 0.30 12 0.37 0.58 0.42 4.55 250 307.60 307.80 0.20 31 0.12 0.02 2.24 6.04 283 AL19-020 226.00 226.30 0.30 7 2.91 0.00 0.01 0.01 271 234.65 235.70 1.05 146 0.10 0.93 0.53 0.81 272 including 234.65 234.85 0.20 304 0.35 1.41 2.50 3.36 617 237.15 239.80 2.65 5 0.80 0.01 0.92 1.41 142 including 237.15 237.60 0.45 4 3.26 0.00 0.04 0.02 300 and 239.30 239.80 0.50 10 0.13 0.01 2.34 3.48 183 242.00 244.35 2.35 2 0.01 0.00 1.03 2.61 109 247.50 252.45 4.95 3 0.01 0.00 1.67 4.21 174 including 250.95 251.40 0.45 9 0.03 0.01 5.41 12.85 536 AL19-024 150.65 150.85 0.20 5 0.02 0.01 3.98 1.73 146 Figure 3. Longitudinal section of Promontorio Sur vein zone, looking ESE, showing areas targeted for drilling. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/258763_fig3.jpg Figure 4. Longitudinal section of Travesia - Promontorio - Promontorio Sur. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/258763_fig4.jpg Follow us and stay updated: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MinaurumGold X: @minaurumgold LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/minaurum-gold-inc Subscribe to our email list at www.minaurum.com Minaurum Gold Inc. (TSXV: MGG) (OTCQX: MMRGF) (FSE: 78M) is an Americas-focused explorer concentrating on the high-grade 100% owned, production-permitted Alamos silver project in southern Sonora, Mexico and the Lone Mountain CRD Project in Nevada, USA. Minaurum is managed by one of the strongest technical and finance teams and will continue its founders' legacy of creating shareholder value by acquiring and developing a pipeline of Tier-One precious-and base metal projects. The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. ___________________________________________________________________________ 1570- 200 Burrard Street Telephone: 1 778 330-0994 Vancouver, BC V6C 3L6 www.minaurum.com info@minaurum.com Data review and verification: Stephen R. Maynard, Vice President of Exploration of Minaurum and a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101, reviewed and verified the assay data, and has approved the disclosure in this News Release. Verification was done by visual inspection of core samples and comparison to assay results. Assay results have not been checked by re-analysis. No factors were identified that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data presented in this news release. Analytical Procedures and Quality Assurance/Quality Control: Preparation and assaying of drilling samples from Minaurum's Alamos project are done with strict adherence to a Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) protocol. Core samples from the 2024 program are sawed in half and then bagged in a secure facility near the site, and then shipped by a licensed courier to ActLabs preparation facility in Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico. ActLabs prepares the samples, crushing them to 70% less than 2mm, splitting off 250g, and pulverizing the split to more than 85% passing 75 microns. The resulting sample pulps are prepared in Zacatecas, and then shipped to Vancouver for chemical analysis by ActLabs. The pulps are analyzed for gold by fire assay and ICP/AES on a 50-gram charge. In addition, analyses are done for a 48-element suite using 4-acid digestion and ICP analysis. Samples with silver values greater than 100 g/t; and copper, lead, or zinc values greater than 10,000 ppm (1%) are re-analyzed using 4-acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Quality-control (QC) samples are inserted in the sample stream every 20 samples, and thus represent 5% of the total samples. QC samples include standards, blanks, and duplicate samples. Standards are pulps that have been prepared by a third-party laboratory; they have gold, silver, and base-metal values that are established by an extensive analytical process in which several commercial labs (including ActLabs) participate. Standards test the calibration of the analytical equipment. Blanks are rock material known from prior sampling to contain less than 0.005 ppm gold; they test the sample preparation procedure for cross-sample contamination. In the case of duplicates, the sample interval is cut in half, and then quartered. The first quarter is the original sample, the second becomes the duplicate. Duplicate samples provide a test of the reproducibility of assays in the same drilled interval. When final assays are received, QC sample results are inspected for deviation from accepted values by the QP. To date, QC sample analytical results have fallen in acceptable ranges on the Alamos project. ActLabs is independent of Minaurum Gold and is independent of the Qualified Person. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. In making the forward-looking information in this release, Minaurum has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on Minaurum's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Minaurum. Although Minaurum considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking information in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Minaurum does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258763 SOURCE: Minaurum Gold Inc. The "United Kingdom Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Investment Opportunities Q2 2025 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The diabetes market in United Kingdom is expected to grow by 8.7% on annual basis to reach US$7.05 billion in 2025. The diabetes market in the country has experienced robust growth during 2020-2024, achieving a CAGR of 9.5%. This upward trajectory is expected to continue, with the market forecast to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% during 2025-2029. By the end of 2029, the diabetes market is projected to expand from its 2024 value of USD 6.48 billion to approximately USD 10.09 billion. This report provides a detailed data-centric analysis of the diabetes industry in United Kingdom, covering market opportunities and analysis across a range of diagnosis and monitoring devices, therapeutics, domains. With over 50+ KPIs at the country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of diabetes market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics. The competitive landscape is expected to evolve with increased consolidation and strategic alliances, especially as digital integration becomes a focal point. Enhanced competition is anticipated between firms focused on traditional devices and those prioritizing innovative digital solutions. Intensified competition will likely drive further innovation and refined product offerings, resulting in more targeted patient management strategies. Over the next 2-4 years, strategic collaborations and market consolidation are expected to solidify competitive positioning across the UK. The UK diabetes devices and therapeutics market comprises a dynamic mix of multinational leaders and emerging local innovators. Recent strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions are reshaping competitive dynamics, with an increasing emphasis on digital integration and regulatory alignment. In the coming years, heightened competition and strategic collaborations are expected to drive innovation and enhance patient management solutions across the UK diabetes care sector. The UK diabetes devices and therapeutics market is being reshaped by increased CGM adoption, enhanced digital health integration, growth in connected therapeutic devices, and evolving regulatory frameworks. Over the next 2-4 years, these trends are projected to intensify, leading to improved patient management and fostering innovation within the diabetes care landscape. Expand Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems UK healthcare providers are integrating continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems into diabetes management programs across both NHS and private settings. Instances include NHS pilot initiatives in London and Manchester, where CGM data supports patient monitoring. Updated NHS reimbursement guidelines and clinical recommendations from UK health authorities have promoted broader CGM use. Advances in MedTech and data-driven clinical practices support the transition from traditional finger-prick testing to real-time monitoring. The adoption of CGM systems is expected to intensify as reimbursement structures evolve and clinical evidence accumulates. Increased real-time monitoring is anticipated to improve treatment adjustments and patient outcomes over the medium term. Integrate Digital Health Solutions for Remote Monitoring Digital platforms are being deployed to support remote patient monitoring and telemedicine in diabetes care. Recent initiatives within the NHS have implemented digital dashboards that consolidate patient data for enhanced clinical decision-making. Government digital health strategies and increased funding for telemedicine drive the integration of remote monitoring tools. Broader shifts in healthcare delivery models and MedTech investments are supporting digital solutions. Integration of digital health platforms is projected to expand, improving connectivity between patients and healthcare providers. This trend is expected to intensify, contributing to more efficient patient management and data-driven clinical decisions. Enhance Therapeutic Delivery Systems The market is witnessing the introduction of connected therapeutic devices, such as smart insulin pens and automated insulin pumps. Clinical trials in several UK hospitals have evaluated these systems for dosing accuracy and treatment adherence. Advances in device technology and supportive clinical data from recent UK studies are key drivers. Adjustments in reimbursement models and increased MedTech investments further facilitate the uptake of these innovative systems. Adopting advanced therapeutic delivery systems is expected to grow steadily as clinical guidelines and reimbursement policies adapt. More precise dosing and improved adherence may enhance diabetes management across the UK. Regulatory and Reimbursement Frameworks UK regulatory bodies update approval processes and reimbursement frameworks to accommodate new diabetes devices and therapies. Recent policy reviews and NHS documents indicate streamlined pathways for device integration into clinical practice. Broader healthcare reform and cost-containment initiatives are prompting these regulatory adjustments. Recent publications emphasize the need for clear reimbursement strategies to support innovative diabetes care solutions. A more defined regulatory framework is expected to boost market confidence and encourage further investments in diabetes technologies. Increased clarity in reimbursement processes will likely promote market growth and improved patient access to advanced devices. Evaluate Current Market Conditions The UK market features a mix of established multinational companies and emerging local innovators. The structured NHS framework provides clear pathways for device adoption and reimbursement, supporting market stability. Key Players and New Entrants Major multinational manufacturers maintain a strong presence through long-term partnerships with the NHS and private healthcare providers. These companies offer comprehensive portfolios encompassing both monitoring devices and therapeutic systems. Local startups and technology firms are entering the market with digital health solutions designed specifically for UK patient populations. Recent market analyses indicate that these entrants are gaining traction through pilot projects and collaborations with clinical institutions. Review Recent Partnerships, Mergers, and Acquisitions Recent publications detail strategic partnerships between established firms and digital health innovators to enhance device connectivity and data integration. Mergers and acquisitions reported over the past 12 months suggest efforts to consolidate technological expertise and expand market reach. These collaborative activities contribute to a more interconnected market, where shared innovation supports efficient product development and regulatory compliance. Such consolidation creates a more focused competitive landscape in which established and emerging companies are positioning themselves. Scope Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Category Diagnosis and Monitoring Devices Therapeutics Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Diagnosis and Monitoring Devices Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Insulin Delivery Devices Diabetes Management and Mobile Applications Artificial Pancreas Devices Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Devices Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Test Strips Lancets Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Insulin Delivery Devices Insulin Pumps Insulin Pens Insulin Syringes Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Therapeutics Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Insulin Non-Insulin Injectable Drugs Combination Drugs Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors DPP-4 Inhibitors SGLT-2 Inhibitors Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Insulin Basal or Long-Acting Bolus or Fast-Acting Traditional Human Insulin Drugs Insulin Biosimilars Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Non-Insulin Injectable Drugs GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Amylin Analogue Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Combination Drugs Combination Insulin Oral Combination Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Route of Administration Subcutaneous Intravenous Others Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Type of Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Distribution Channels Online Pharmacies Hospital Pharmacies Retail Pharmacies Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by End User Hospitals Diabetes Clinics Homecare Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 50 Forecast Period 2025 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $7.63 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $10.09 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.2% Regions Covered United Kingdom For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/j41hel About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250715346666/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / By Alex Wilkins Leah, a member of the Ogiek community of Mt. Elgon, using Mapeo. Photo Credit: Awana Digital. Leah Kintai heard there were birthing caves used by forest elephants in her community's territory around Mount Elgon in Kenya but had never seen them herself. Leah is a member of the Ogiek community, a group Indigenous to the Chepkitale region of Mount Elgon who have lived in harmony with the forest for generations. However, their way of life and land rights have been repeatedly impacted by efforts to create national reserves and timber farms - plans that can harm the local environment. In response, the Ogiek community developed a land management system to document their ancestral connection to the land and ecosystems they protect. Recognizing the importance of technology in this effort, they began using CoMapeo, a landscape mapping tool developed by Awana Digital. Since 2021, Leah and other community members have been mapping key ecological sites, such as the salt caves shared by goat herds and forest elephants, and recording environmental destruction caused by logging. Women in particular play a vital role in this work. "We are rich in knowledge which is important to the community," Leah explains. "We know where to gather firewood and vegetables and find special soil for decorating our artwork. We women also know more about the history and traditional rituals that happen in caves." It was through this mapping use that Leah finally witnessed elephant mothers and calves in the caves, deepening her appreciation of the importance of preserving the land through CoMapeo. Why User-Centric Mapping Tools Matter Indigenous communities like the Ogiek steward 80% of the world's biodiversity. Yet, they often lack the infrastructure, resources and tools to sustainably manage their landscapes. Most existing mapping technologies are inaccessible - dependent on internet connectivity, available only in English, and managed through centralized databases that exclude local ownership. Getting appropriate support to make informed decisions for landscape management is critical at the community level as well as at the global level. The Cisco Foundation has supported two community-led tools that enable local leaders to conduct landscape mapping: Awana Digital's CoMapeo, and Tech Matters' Terraso, developed through community-led design processes, with the aim of supporting effective decision-making by local leaders. Awana Digital: Building Decentralized Technology Awana Digital works with frontline communities to use technology to protect their environment and human rights. They partner to co-design and co-develop tools they can use to protect critical ecosystems and Indigenous cultures, working toward a world where all people can participate in the decisions that govern their lives. The Cisco Foundation funded Awana Digital in 2023 to build the CoMapeo tool, designed in collaboration with Indigenous communities, like the Ogiek, to make it easier to securely map their territories and build a database without ever needing internet connectivity. In 2024, Cisco extended the funding, and introduced Awana Digital to the Equinix Foundation who also extended funding. Then this year, Cisco and the Equinix Foundation came together funding the enhancement and growth of CoMapeo in new ways. This peer-to-peer database enables local data ownership and offline workflows so that users can seamlessly gather data in remote locations. While most data collection apps are form-centric, CoMapeo utilizes a map-centric approach to make data collection intuitive and easy to learn for non-technical users. The Ogiek community now uses CoMapeo to keep their land use maps up to date; since 2021, the community mapping team have mapped and actively monitored 80,000 hectares of their territory, benefitting the 4,000 members of the Ogiek community. But the Ogiek's vision goes beyond mapping. They are committed to showing how their stewardship leads to better conservation and biodiversity outcomes. With support from Oxford University, Forest Peoples Programme, and Awana Digital, the Ogiek are implementing a biodiversity monitoring project to gather evidence of their effective community-based conservation. This data could help them reclaim rights to more of their ancestral land and improve stewardship practices. One exciting new feature of CoMapeo is its audio recording function, which allows the Ogiek to capture birdsongs in the forest. Elders can then identify these species, enriching the data with local ecological knowledge and keeping track of biodiversity in these lands. CoMapeo can be used free of charge and is designed to be user-friendly and adaptable, making it easy for anyone to get started with mapping and monitoring their land or environmental projects. Tech Matters: Tech Solutions That Serve Humanity The Cisco Foundation also supports Terraso, an open-source mapping and storytelling tool developed by Tech Matters to help communities collect, store, and share landscape data. Designed with local partners, Terraso is accessible and cost-free - making it especially valuable to nonprofits and grassroots organizations that can't afford expensive, commercial alternatives. In India, Paani Earth faced a significant challenge: Bangalore's rivers were rapidly deteriorating, yet the general population lacked awareness of the city's hydrological systems. The problem was compounded by the absence of a reliable, integrated river data system which can compromise decision-making and lead to mismanagement of water resources. To address this, Paani Earth used Terraso to create an accessible, interactive map of the region's river systems, compiling data from government agencies, independent studies and satellite sources. With the platform's Story Maps feature, they created an interactive, visual narrative combining data, photos and videos. Cofounder Madhuri Mandava explains the transformation: "Our old website - people called it very academic. People said, 'I don't see why I should care.'" That changed with Terraso. The Story of Forgotten Rivers was featured in a local museum exhibit. Its final chapter included a call to action - inviting people to join a WhatsApp group dedicated to river walks and local cleanup events. "That group now has dozens of members," says Madhuri. "We walk to a nearby river to start rebuilding that connection. We make art and poetry, and discuss how we can take action to protect this space." Paani Earth plans to expand its use of Story Maps in future projects. With continued support from Cisco and others, Tech Matters is actively improving the platform, based on real user feedback like Madhuri's. Terraso remains free and open-source, and organizations everywhere are encouraged to use it to tell their place-based stories, advocate for change, and engage their communities. The efforts of communities like the Ogiek show that when local leaders are equipped with the right tools, they can protect biodiversity and reshape the future of their landscapes. Platforms like Awana Digital's CoMapeo and Tech Matters' Terraso - backed by the Cisco Foundation and the Equinix Foundation - are helping make this possible. As these technologies continue to evolve, they offer powerful examples of how place-based innovation can protect the environment and benefit local communities. For more information, please visit the Cisco Foundation's Climate Grants Portfolio page. This blog was written with assistance from Anastasia Baranoff, TekSystems at Cisco. View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cisco Systems Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cisco-systems-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/cisco-local-leaders-using-technology-to-reshape-their-landscapes-1048854 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Mundoro Capital Inc. (TSXV: MUN) (OTCQB: MUNMF) (www.mundoro.com) ("Mundoro" or the "Company"), a royalty generator with a portfolio of exploration properties focused primarily on copper, is pleased to announce the voting results of its Annual General Meeting of shareholders held on July 14, 2025 (the "Meeting"). The Company's shareholders voted in favor of all matters brought before the meeting. A summary of the voting results is shown below: Motion % For Set up number of directors at 5 99.97% Teo Dechev 99.97% Michael Calyniuk 99.97% Siegfried Weidner 99.97% Mark Platt 100% Stephen Altmann 100% Appointment of Auditors 99.97% Equity Incentive Plan 99.91% Shareholders approved the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year at the remuneration to be fixed by the Board of Directors (the "Board"). Board Changes Mundoro is pleased to announce the election of Mr. Siegfried Weidner, B.Sc., P.Geo., as a Director of the Company. Mr. Weidner's appointment is effective as of July 14, 2025. Mr. Weidner is a Professional Geologist registered in British Columbia with over 35 years of international experience in mineral exploration. A significant portion of his distinguished career includes 18 years with Rio Algom Ltd./Billiton/BHP Billiton, culminating in his role as BHP-Billiton Exploration's Manager of Operations for North America and Europe. He is widely recognized for his proven track record of discoveries, successful project evaluations, and effective project execution, guiding initiatives from greenfield exploration through to advanced stages. Notably, Mr. Weidner was the recipient of several industry accolades, including Prospector of the Year (New Brunswick PDAC branch in 1993). Furthermore, he was a key part of the team that received the International Bill Dennis (PDAC) Prospector of the Year award in 1998 for the discovery of the Spence Porphyry Copper Deposit in Chile. His deep expertise will be instrumental in the Board's oversight of Mundoro's strategic exploration efforts and project advancements. "We are delighted to welcome Siegfried Weidner to Mundoro's Board," stated Ms. Teo Dechev, CEO of Mundoro Capital. "His extensive experience as a professional geologist and his proven track record of significant discoveries and project advancements will be an invaluable asset. Siegfried's addition significantly strengthens our technical expertise and strategic oversight at the board level as we continue to advance our exploration portfolio and pursue new opportunities." Mr. Nick Hatch has retired from the Company's Board of Directors, effective at the close of the Company's recent Annual General Meeting. Mr. Hatch's retirement follows 5 years of dedicated service to the Board of Mundoro. "On behalf of the entire Board, we extend our sincere gratitude to Nick Hatch for his contributions and unwavering support as an independent director," stated Ms. Teo Dechev, Chief Executive Officer of Mundoro Capital. "We wish him all the very best in his future endeavors." About Mundoro Capital Inc. Mundoro is a publicly listed company on the TSX-V in Canada and OTCQB in the USA with a portfolio of mineral properties focused primarily on base and precious metals. To drive value for shareholders, Mundoro's asset portfolio generates near-term cash payments to Mundoro and creates royalties attached to each mineral property optioned to partners. The portfolio of mineral properties is currently focused predominantly on copper in two mineral districts: Western Tethyan Belt in Eastern Europe and the Laramide Belt in the southwest USA. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This News Release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "will", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe" or "continue" or similar words or the negative thereof, and include the following: completion of earn-in expenditures, options and completion of a definitive agreement by the parties. The material assumptions that were applied in making the forward looking statements in this News Release include expectations as to the mineral potential of the Company's projects, the Company's future strategy and business plan and execution of the Company's existing plans. We caution readers of this News Release not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements contained in this News Release, as there can be no assurance that they will occur and they are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include general economic and market conditions, exploration results, commodity prices, changes in law, regulatory processes, the status of Mundoro's assets and financial condition, actions of competitors and the ability to implement business strategies and pursue business opportunities. The forward-looking statements contained in this News Release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this News Release are made as of the date of this News Release and the Board undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and for a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258836 SOURCE: Mundoro Capital Inc. TAIPEI, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GIGABYTE, the world's leading computer brand, officially launches the Stealth Revolution campaign, featuring the innovative design of clean PC building through its STEALTH ICE Series components. Centered around the concept of cableless and pure-white aesthetics, this campaign encourages creators to showcase their dream PC setup concept by using X870 AORUS STEALTH ICE motherboard and share their creativity with global PC builders. First launched in 2022, GIGABYTE introduced Project STEALTH by adopting reverse-connectors on motherboards to get the ball rolling in the industry. To respond to the increasing demand for clean and pure-white PC builds, GIGABYTE continues to push the innovation boundaries with its reverse-connector design on the latest STEALTH ICE Series components. 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Creators can showcase their passions to build a clean and aesthetic PC with the motherboard and share the setup on social media. The public is also invited to vote for their favorite builds and have a chance to win epic prizes. Whether you're a veteran or a first-time PC builder, it is time to unleash your creativity with GIGABYTE STEALTH ICE Series components. Join the Stealth Revolution now and share your build with the world! For more information on the campaign, please visit GIGABYTE offic ial website . Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2720474/GIGABYTE_Announces_STEALTH_Revolution_Campaign_Featuring_Clean_Aesthetic_PC_Builders.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gigabyte-announces-the-stealth-revolution-campaign-featuring-clean-and-aesthetic-pc-builders-302504913.html Kester Capital-backed Evestia Clinical merges with US-based Atlantic Research Group (ARG) to create a leading independent global specialist CRO in fast-growing markets The merger delivers on Evestia Clinical's strategy of targeted growth through the expansion of services, enhanced technology and broadened geographical reach Evestia Clinical expands footprint in the US and strengthens its offering beyond oncology, rare diseases, immunology and inflammation to include neurology and late-stage clinical trial services ARG to benefit from Evestia Clinical's world-class platform and access to new therapy areas and further expansion into Europe CEO and President of ARG will both join Evestia Clinical's senior leadership team and existing ARG clients will transfer seamlessly to the enlarged Group LONDON and CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evestia Clinical ("the Company" or "the Group") has merged with Atlantic Research Group ("ARG"), a US-based CRO, to create a leading independent global specialist CRO group in fast-growing markets. The merger expands Evestia Clinical's global footprint in the US and broadens its therapeutic and services offering to include neurology and late-stage clinical trial services. The enlarged group also provides access to enhanced technologies to further meet the tailored needs of its clients. Evestia Clinical's highly experienced board and leadership team has a strong track record of building market leading mid-tier CROs with a reputation for operational excellence and outstanding service delivery. The combination with ARG is further evidence of the Company's ambitions to rapidly grow its offering and services to customers around the world. The deal immediately more than doubles the size of the Group by headcount and service delivery capability. In turn, ARG's clients will benefit from a seamless transition to Evestia Clinical, with immediate access to its global presence and capabilities including new areas of therapeutic expertise, such as rare diseases. Richard Barfield, Chairman of Evestia Clinical, said: "Evestia Clinical was founded to rapidly build a global specialist CRO through organic and acquisitive growth. The Evestia Clinical board and leadership team identified ARG as the perfect company to combine with at this stage in our journey. The reputation of ARG's leadership team and its high-quality CRO offering is widely recognized within the biotech and specialty pharma industry, and we are excited that they have chosen to grow with us as part of the Evestia Clinical group." Following the merger, the combined Group will provide a full suite of clinical trial services across the development life cycle from Phase 1 - Phase 3 and beyond. The Group's combined technologies will enhance its ability to deliver specialized services to clients across a range of therapeutic areas. Lewis Cameron, CEO of Evestia Clinical, said: "We're incredibly excited to be joining forces with ARG as we accelerate our journey to build Evestia Clinical into a leading mid-tier specialist CRO with a truly global reach. The combined Group will immediately provide benefits for our clients, and I look forward to working with Paul, Lyle and the broader ARG team as we grow Evestia Clinical together and deliver the highest quality services to clients worldwide." Paul Bishop, CEO of ARG, and Lyle Camblos, President of ARG, said: "In Evestia Clinical and Kester Capital, ARG has found the ideal and trusted partner for our next stage of growth. The highly experienced and globally recognized leadership team at Evestia Clinical is building a world-class specialist CRO provider and we are excited to bring across our whole team on this journey. We are pleased that our customers will be able to benefit from this seamless continuity as well as the combined Group's enhanced capabilities." Adam Maidment, Managing Partner at Kester Capital, commented: "The addition of ARG to Evestia Clinical is an important step in the Company's goal to become a truly global specialist CRO that provides high-quality, tailored services to clients in complex, high-research therapeutic areas. The global CRO market is attractive and growing and Evestia Clinical continues to accelerate and grow its market share." Neal McCarthy, Fairmount Partners, commented: "Fairmount was pleased to advise on a deal between two complementary companies where we know both teams really well. We have every confidence this merger will support Evestia Clinical's mission to become a leading mid-tier pharmaceutical services specialist with a global presence." Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Following the merger, ARG will integrate with Evestia Clinical's operations with no change to its services or teams. The ARG leadership team will join the senior leadership team of the enlarged Group to support future growth and expansion. All employees are expected to transition as part of the agreement. Evestia Clinical will be headquartered in the UK in Letchworth and in the USA in Charlottesville, VA, with global capabilities through its network of offices, CRO professionals and expert partners. For further information, please contact: Evestia Clinical Richard Barfield (+44 7917 809 325) Lewis Cameron (+44 7585 229 164) Atlantic Research Group Paul Bishop (+1 434 882 3986) For media enquiries: Matthew Neal (+44 7917 800 011) Melissa Gardiner (+44 7757 697 357) Notes to Editors About Evestia Clinical Evestia Clinical is a leading global specialist CRO. With a commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and patient-centric research, Evestia Clinical partners with biotech companies to accelerate the development of life-saving therapies. Backed by Kester Capital, Evestia Clinical is dedicated to advancing healthcare through cutting-edge clinical research. Evestia Clinical's vision is to be the market-leading clinical service partner for biotechs and beyond - fuelling medical breakthroughs to improve global health within a culture that values, inspires, and empowers. Evestia Clinical offers a full suite of customized clinical development services. This includes project management, site management, regulatory services, clinical monitoring, data management and biostatistics, medical affairs/medical writing, quality assurance services, pharmacovigilance, and Functional Service Provider solutions. About Atlantic Research Group Atlantic Research Group is a US-based specialist CRO providing services in immunology, oncology, neurology, medical and biopharma technology. With over 20 years conducting clinical trials, ARG has a long legacy as a trusted CRO provider to an array of the world's leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. ARG provides a wide range of services from complete trial design and management, to biostatistical and data management solutions, and consulting for complex trials in specialty areas. They are global leaders in ALS / MND CRO services. Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Canadian Gold Resources Ltd. (TSXV: CAN) ("Canadian Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received all required permits from the Government of Quebec to proceed with a bulk sampling program with plans to test between 5,000 to 10,000 tonnes of mineralized materials at its 100%-owned Lac Arsenault Gold Project, located in the Gaspe region of eastern Quebec. The bulk sample is intended for exploration purposes only and is not considered a production decision. As a condition of the permit, the Company is required to drill three (3) shallow water monitoring wells in the vicinity of the proposed sampling area to identify potential groundwater presence. If water tables are encountered, baseline water quality testing will be conducted both before and after the program. Canadian Gold fully supports this requirement as part of its commitment to responsible exploration and environmental stewardship. Next Steps With permits secured, Canadian Gold will now begin preparations for mobilizing personnel and equipment to site. In the coming weeks, the Company will finalize agreements with drilling, excavation, and haulage contractors, complete the required water wells, and install temporary infrastructure to support safe operations near the Baker and Mersereau veins. Once site preparation is complete, material sampling is anticipated to commence and continue for approximately three weeks. The sampled material will be transported to a third-party facility for off-site processing and analysis. Updates will be provided as results become available, including recoveries and implications for future exploration planning. Management Commentary Ron Goguen, President & CEO of Canadian Gold, commented: "Receiving this permit is a major milestone in the advancement of our Lac Arsenault Project. This program is designed to evaluate the technical and geological characteristics of the near-surface mineralization. Historical work conducted by Imperial and Esso Minerals in the 1970s reported a historical estimate of approximately 40,000 tonnes grading 15.43 g/t gold and 197 g/t silver (Stevenson, L., 1975, Geological Report on the Lac Arsenault Property, Esso Minerals Canada). A subsequent 1996 report revised the estimate to 199,580 tonnes grading 9.59 g/t gold, or approximately 61,536 contained ounces (Cote, R., 1996, Lac Arsenault Project Resource Evaluation, Unpublished Internal Report). While these historical estimates do not comply with current CIM standards, they indicate strong historical interest in this high-grade system. Additional core drilling, systematic surface sampling, and database verification will be required to validate the data and assess whether a current resource can be defined." Clarification on Economic Potential While Canadian Gold is encouraged by the opportunity to generate technical and metallurgical data from the bulk sample, no economic analysis has been completed, and there are no mineral reserves at Lac Arsenault. Any references to possible revenue from sample processing are entirely speculative and do not demonstrate economic viability. There is no production decision and no feasibility study has been conducted. Should positive results occur, proceeds may be allocated toward working capital, additional exploration, or future shareholder returns, but no production decision or dividend policy has been made at this time. There is no assurance that results will support future exploration or development decisions. Figure 1 - Aerial view of the Lac Arsenault Project showing the Baker and Mersereau vein system areas. The upcoming bulk sample will be extracted from these zones. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11663/258860_96b60e43f467fb2b_001full.jpg Historical Resource Estimate Disclosure (NI 43-101 2.4) The Company refers to the following historical estimates: Stevenson, L. (1975) - Geological Report on the Lac Arsenault Property, Esso Minerals Canada: 40,000 tonnes @ 15.43 g/t Au and 197 g/t Ag Cote, R. (1996) - Lac Arsenault Project Resource Evaluation, Unpublished Internal Report: 199,580 tonnes @ 9.59 g/t Au (approx. 61,536 contained oz Au) These historical estimates were based on underground sampling and trenching using manual polygonal methods. The estimates are relevant as they reflect historical interpretations, but they pre-date NI 43-101 and do not comply with current CIM Definition Standards. A Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to classify the estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The Company is not treating the estimates as current, and further verification is required. To bring these historical estimates into compliance with current CIM standards, the Company anticipates conducting: Systematic diamond drilling to confirm historical grade and geometry of the mineralized zones; Verification sampling of archived and in-situ material, if available; Construction of a validated digital geological model based on modern logging and QA/QC procedures; Density determinations and geostatistical analysis in accordance with current best practices; Independent resource estimation by a Qualified Person using current CIM categories and estimation methods. The Company believes the planned exploration bulk sample will provide critical geological, grade continuity, and metallurgical information to support this process. About the Lac Arsenault Project The Lac Arsenault Project is located in Quebec's Gaspe region and hosts multiple high-grade epithermal-style vein systems including the Baker, Mersereau, and Dunning veins. The project lies along the Grand Pabos Fault, a regional structure within the Gaspe-Newfoundland tectonic belt that shares characteristics with other productive gold systems, such as the Cadillac-Larder Lake Fault Zone (Abitibi) and the Cape Ray-Valentine Lake Shear Zone (Newfoundland), which are known to host multi-million-ounce deposits. Surface Sample Highlights Baker Vein Sample ID Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) BVA2025-004 28.9 306 - BVA2025-006 22.9 399 17.8 BVA2025-008 5.32 452 25.7 Historical* 32.83 - - Historical* 15.43 197 6.6 Mersereau Vein Sample ID Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) MERS-1 25.5 447 18.4 Historical* 39.7 77.3 0.88 Historical* 13.4 109 4.69 Historical* 5.16 194 5.13 * Historical results are cited from Stevenson (1975). These assays are not compliant with NI 43-101 and are provided for reference only. Surface samples are selective in nature and may not reflect the average grade or continuity of mineralization. Note: The 2025 surface sample results shown above were previously disclosed in the Company's news release dated July 9, 2025, which included complete QA/QC protocols and analytical methods in accordance with NI 43-101. The purpose of the permitted bulk sample is to evaluate grade continuity, test metallurgical recoveries, and gather data to inform future exploration and development decisions. The Company cautions that this bulk sampling initiative is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic or technical viability. As such, the technical and economic outcomes are uncertain, and there is a higher risk of failure. The bulk sample program is exploratory in nature. About Canadian Gold Resources Ltd. Canadian Gold Resources Ltd. is a Canadian junior exploration company advancing a portfolio of precious metals projects in Quebec. The Company's flagship asset is the Lac Arsenault Project, where a fully permitted bulk sampling program of up to 10,000 tonnes is now ready to get underway. Canadian Gold also holds interests in other highly prospective properties in the Gaspe Peninsula and remains committed to discovery-driven growth. Qualified Person Statement: The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mark Smethurst, P.Geo., a Director of Canadian Gold and a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These include, but are not limited to, statements regarding exploration plans, the timing and execution of the bulk sample program, and the potential results or economic implications of the program. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks. There is no assurance that the bulk sample will achieve its intended objectives or lead to a compliant resource estimate or economic development. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258860 SOURCE: Canadian Gold Resources Ltd. Despite prioritizing AI, the new report shows finance and accounting leaders are still held back by manual, reactive work Zuora, Inc., a leading monetization platform for modern business, today released The Modern Finance Leader: How Technology Gaps Are Limiting Strategic Impact, new research from over 900 finance and accounting leaders. The report reveals how breakdowns in order-to-cash (O2C) processes and technology are impeding the strategic growth and efficiency of finance teams, particularly within Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies. While the data shows that finance leaders are increasingly expected to be strategic advisors that drive business growth, they are too often constrained by manual, reactive work. Despite prioritizing AI in both technology investments and talent acquisition, finance teams are still bogged down by manual processes that AI was intended to eliminate. At the same time, mounting pressure to support complex transformations, such as shifting upmarket with sophisticated deal structures or experimenting with usage-based models, can create severe challenges. Identifying the right organizational structure and systems around O2C can help companies better respond at the speed business demands. Along with new data across industries, the report zooms in on SaaS, often representing the epicenter of modern finance complexity. As early adopters of dynamic pricing models, usage-based billing, and hybrid revenue structures, SaaS companies stress-test traditional finance operations, making them a bellwether for broader industry challenges. Key findings of Zuora's 2025 Modern Finance Leader report include: Finance and accounting leaders are expected to be strategic advisors but lack the tools to deliver: 89% of finance and accounting leaders (88% in SaaS) say they're increasingly expected to act as strategic advisors, but 70% (and 92% in SaaS) say their current tech stack is hindering them from playing that role. In SaaS, 100% say manual data issues and reconciliation work are preventing strategic focus, with 42% saying it happens "often." 89% of finance and accounting leaders (88% in SaaS) say they're increasingly expected to act as strategic advisors, but 70% (and 92% in SaaS) say their current tech stack is hindering them from playing that role. In SaaS, 100% say manual data issues and reconciliation work are preventing strategic focus, with 42% saying it happens "often." AI is a strategic priority in both technology and skillsets but its impact has yet to fully materialize: Nearly all (93%) of finance leaders prioritize AI capabilities in technology investments, and 61% of SaaS leaders say AI fluency is a "very important" hiring consideration. Nearly all (93%) of finance leaders prioritize AI capabilities in technology investments, and 61% of SaaS leaders say AI fluency is a "very important" hiring consideration. Even with AI, manual tasks are still overwhelming teams, especially in SaaS: 79% of finance leaders say their teams are swamped with manual work, with 88% citing reconciliation as a blocker to strategic focus. In SaaS, this problem is more acute: 97% say they are bogged down by manual tasks. 79% of finance leaders say their teams are swamped with manual work, with 88% citing reconciliation as a blocker to strategic focus. In SaaS, this problem is more acute: 97% say they are bogged down by manual tasks. Lack of finance O2C system ownership puts growth, speed, and controls at risk: 82% of leaders say IT lags in system updates, and 82% of SaaS leaders say fragmented O2C ownership causes major operational challenges. Only 56% of SaaS companies have a dedicated finance systems team within the finance department and in many cases, that team is owned by IT. 82% of leaders say IT lags in system updates, and 82% of SaaS leaders say fragmented O2C ownership causes major operational challenges. Only 56% of SaaS companies have a dedicated finance systems team within the finance department and in many cases, that team is owned by IT. Legacy finance systems are holding back pricing and revenue model experimentation74% of finance and accounting leaders say their current systems can't support the complex pricing structures needed to stay competitive. In SaaS, 97% say their tech falls short, with 86% calling the lack of system adaptability a frequent issue. Additionally, 82% of SaaS leaders struggle with complexity due to hybrid revenue models, and 95% say usage pricing makes revenue forecasting more difficult. "The most innovative companies are rethinking order-to-cash, and CFOs can no longer take a backseat," said Todd McElhatton, Chief Operating and Financial Officer at Zuora. "Without clear ownership of this process, finance teams are too often held back, unable to experiment with pricing changes or launch new offerings as rapidly as the market demands. The right systems and a strong partnership with IT will enable CFOs to drive a more strategic organization, ultimately capturing new growth." Zuora commissioned an independent market research firm to survey over 900 senior finance leaders, including CFOs, CAOs, Controllers, and VPs of Finance and Accounting across North America, the United Kingdom, and France to analyze the current state of finance operations across industries. The Modern Finance Leader: How Technology Gaps Are Limiting Strategic Impact is available here. About Zuora, Inc. Zuora provides a leading monetization platform to build, run and grow a modern business through a dynamic mix of usage-based models, subscription bundles and everything in between. From pricing and packaging, to billing, payments and revenue recognition, Zuora's flexible, modular software solutions are designed to help companies evolve and scale monetization with demand. More than 1,000 customers around the world, including BMC Software, Box, Caterpillar, General Motors, The New York Times, Schneider Electric and Zoom use Zuora's unique combination of technology and expertise to transform their financial operations and how they go to market. Zuora is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in the Americas, EMEA and APAC. To learn more, please visit zuora.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements. Words such as "plan," "expect" and "will" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. There are a significant number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release. 2025 Zuora, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Third party trademarks mentioned above are owned by their respective companies. Nothing in this press release should be construed to the contrary, or as an approval, endorsement or sponsorship by any third parties of Zuora, Inc. or any aspect of this press release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250715732506/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Margaret Juhnke press@zuora.com The "Germany Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Investment Opportunities Q2 2025 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The diabetes market in Germany is expected to grow by 9.0% on annual basis to reach US$6.06 billion in 2025. The diabetes market in the country has experienced robust growth during 2020-2024, achieving a CAGR of 9.6%. This upward trajectory is expected to continue, with the market forecast to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% during 2025-2029. By the end of 2029, the diabetes market is projected to expand from its 2024 value of USD 5.56 billion to approximately USD 8.80 billion. This report provides a detailed data-centric analysis of the diabetes industry in Germany, covering market opportunities and analysis across a range of diagnosis and monitoring devices, therapeutics, domains. With over 50+ KPIs at the country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of diabetes market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics. The German market comprises a dynamic mix of longstanding multinational leaders and emerging local innovators. Recent strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions are reshaping the competitive dynamics, with an increasing focus on digital integration and regulatory alignment. Over the next 2-4 years, the competitive environment will intensify, driving further innovation and refinement in patient management within Germany's diabetes care landscape. The competitive landscape will evolve with further consolidation as established players bolster their digital health portfolios and new entrants secure strategic alliances. Industry reports indicate an emerging segmentation between companies focused on traditional devices and those prioritizing digital integration. Intensified competition will likely drive targeted innovations and refine product offerings, enhancing overall patient management strategies. Over the next 2-4 years, these developments are expected to shape market growth and solidify competitive positioning. The German diabetes devices and therapeutics market is being reshaped by increased CGM adoption, enhanced digital health integration, the introduction of advanced therapeutic delivery systems, and evolving regulatory frameworks. These trends will intensify over the next 2-4 years, leading to improved patient monitoring, streamlined clinical decision-making, and more precise treatment protocols. Expand Continuous Glucose Monitoring Adoption German healthcare providers increasingly integrate continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems into hospital networks and outpatient clinics. Pilot studies in regions such as Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia incorporate CGM data into routine diabetes management protocols. Recent updates in reimbursement guidelines by statutory health insurance and policy reviews by German health authorities support CGM adoption. Clinical research from German medical institutions underscores the benefits of data-driven treatment approaches in diabetes care. The adoption of CGM systems is expected to intensify as reimbursement policies expand and clinical data continues to validate their effectiveness. Enhanced real-time monitoring will facilitate more timely treatment adjustments and improve patient outcomes. Integrate Digital Health Solutions for Remote Management Digital platforms that support remote patient monitoring and telemedicine are being implemented within several German healthcare settings. Examples include initiatives in metropolitan areas like Berlin and Hamburg, where digital dashboards consolidate patient data for clinical decision-making. Regulatory support through recent legislative updates and government-backed digital health initiatives drive the integration of remote monitoring tools. Broader investments in MedTech and evolving insurance models in Germany further encourage digital transformation in diabetes management. Digital health solutions are projected to grow, streamlining data management and enhancing connectivity between patients and providers. Over the medium term, these platforms will likely support more efficient care coordination and improve treatment adherence. Advance Therapeutic Delivery Systems The German market is witnessing the introduction of connected therapeutic devices, such as smart insulin pens and automated insulin pumps. Recent clinical evaluations in university hospitals have assessed these devices for dosing accuracy and treatment adherence. Technological improvements and findings from recent local studies are facilitating the development of these therapeutic systems. As detailed in recent publications, adjustments in reimbursement frameworks and industry investments support their market entry. Adoption of advanced therapeutic delivery systems is expected to grow steadily, driven by evolving clinical guidelines and enhanced insurance coverage. This trend may lead to more precise treatment protocols and improved alignment with patient management strategies. Regulatory and Reimbursement Frameworks German regulatory bodies are refining approval processes and reimbursement frameworks to accommodate new diabetes devices and therapeutic technologies. Recent policy updates from the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and changes in statutory health insurance guidelines exemplify this evolution. Healthcare reform initiatives and cost-containment measures are prompting these regulatory adjustments. Recent publications emphasize the need for clearer pathways to support data integration and efficient device approval within Germany. A more favorable regulatory framework is anticipated to boost market confidence and facilitate increased investment in diabetes devices and therapies. Over the next few years, these changes are expected to intensify market growth and expand patient access to advanced care solutions. Assess Current Market Conditions The diabetes devices and therapeutics market in Germany features a mix of multinational companies and emerging local innovators. A robust statutory health insurance system provides a stable framework for market access and product reimbursement. Key Players and New Entrants Multinational manufacturers maintain a significant presence, leveraging long-term partnerships with healthcare providers and extensive distribution networks. These companies offer broad portfolios that include both monitoring devices and therapeutic systems. Recent market analyses indicate that local startups are entering the market with digital health solutions tailored to the German context. These new entrants often focus on niche innovations supported by pilot programs and collaborative projects with clinical institutions. Review Recent Partnerships, Mergers, and Acquisitions Recent publications report that established companies have strategically partnered with digital health firms to enhance device connectivity and data integration. Mergers and acquisitions in the past 12 months suggest efforts to consolidate technological expertise and expand market reach. These strategic moves contribute to a more interconnected market landscape, where collaborative efforts support streamlined regulatory compliance and efficient product development. Scope Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Category Diagnosis and Monitoring Devices Therapeutics Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Diagnosis and Monitoring Devices Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Insulin Delivery Devices Diabetes Management and Mobile Applications Artificial Pancreas Devices Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Devices Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Test Strips Lancets Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Insulin Delivery Devices Insulin Pumps Insulin Pens Insulin Syringes Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Therapeutics Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Insulin Non-Insulin Injectable Drugs Combination Drugs Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors DPP-4 Inhibitors SGLT-2 Inhibitors Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Insulin Basal or Long-Acting Bolus or Fast-Acting Traditional Human Insulin Drugs Insulin Biosimilars Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Non-Insulin Injectable Drugs GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Amylin Analogue Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Combination Drugs Combination Insulin Oral Combination Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Route of Administration Subcutaneous Intravenous Others Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Type of Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by Distribution Channels Online Pharmacies Hospital Pharmacies Retail Pharmacies Diabetes Devices and Therapeutics Market Share by End User Hospitals Diabetes Clinics Homecare Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 50 Forecast Period 2025 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $6.58 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $8.8 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.5% Regions Covered Germany For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kpdvas About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250715483067/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Mylo transformed insurance shopping for individuals and small business owners through proprietary technology KANSAS CITY, MO / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Insurtech innovator Mylo is celebrating 10 years of leadership in transforming the insurance industry. Mylo created a breakthrough insurance shopping platform that uses patent-pending insurance intelligence technology to connect small business owners and individuals with highly personalized coverage solutions from top carriers for every stage of business and life. An embedded insurance trailblazer, Mylo was one of the first insurtechs to enable channel partners to provide expert insurance solutions to their customers during relevant transactions like getting a business license, applying for a small business loan, closing on a home, using an employee perks program and more. Partners can plug Mylo into their experiences in multiple ways - including through a no-code widget they can embed in under five minutes. Mylo launched in 2015 within Lockton Companies, the world's largest independent insurance broker, and built on Lockton's 50+ years of expertise to bring digital insurance shopping to individuals and small business owners. Mylo took on secondary investor Guggenheim Partners in 2018 and became an independent insurtech in 2023, backed by global insurtech investor Group 1001. "We owe our early momentum to building our own coverage and carrier recommendation engines in house," said Mylo CEO and Founder David Embry. "Our Mind of Mylo insurance intelligence engine enabled us to do what other agencies could not - scale our business with a high volume of smaller transactions and give underserved customers the most personalized recommendations." Today, Mylo's continually evolving predictive AI technology recommends ideal coverage for each customer, matches them with a top-rated carrier who has appetite, and intelligently quotes a product with the best combination of coverage and price. This sets Mylo apart from other insurtechs who mainly use technology to show rate comparisons. Customers can shop online or with expert agents who have earned an NPS rating well above average for the insurance industry. "Mylo is about much more than finding the lowest rate," says Mylo President and COO Belen Tokarski. "We're solving the main challenge insurance shoppers face - finding affordable coverage but knowing they won't be surprised by a gap down the line. This allows us to look out for the financial wellness of our customers." Mylo currently equips 60+ channel partners. Among their specialties are employee perks and benefits companies, business formation companies and franchise owners (Mylo is a member of the International Franchise Association). Headquartered in Kansas City, MO, Mylo offers 30+ insurance products, partners with 100+ top-rated carriers, and has agents licensed in all 50 states. They have served 90,904 personal lines and commercial lines customers and sold an all-time annualized premium of $213,091,266. Mylo has earned notable industry awards year after year, including being listed as one of PropertyCasualty360's 2024 Insurance Luminaries. Mylo was named one of "America's Best Startup Employers" by Forbes, honored as "Best Insurtech Company" by the Benzinga Global Fintech Awards, and named "Most Innovative Insurtech Company" by Wealth & Finance International. To learn more about Mylo, please visit choosemylo.com. About Mylo: Mylo is amplifying insurance solutions to protect what matters. Through its patented Mind of Mylo recommendation engine, the insurtech leader connects individuals and business owners with top-rated insurance products from 100+ carriers, across business, auto, home, small group benefits, life and individual health. A growing ecosystem of 60+ channel partners and agencies embed Mylo's Amplifi? insurance intelligence platform. Mylo is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and backed by Group 1001, the global investor with a powerful commitment to technology-driven insurance transformation. Mylo has been honored by Fintech Global's InsurTech100, Benzinga's Global Fintech Awards, Forbes' America's Best Startup Employers and more. For more information, go to www.ChooseMylo.com. Mylo Contact: Maddie Hirsch Caliber Corporate Advisers mylo@calibercorporate.com SOURCE: Mylo View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/mylo-celebrates-10-year-anniversary-as-innovative-insurtech-leader-1048591 Founded by Beauty-Tech Pioneer Chanel E. Martin, the New Marketplace Focuses on Hair, Skin, Nails, and the Importance of Community ATLANTA, GA / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Award-winning beauty-tech entrepreneur Chanel E. Martin is pleased to announce the official launch of Her Beauty Regimen Marketplace , a curated digital platform that bridges the gap between conscious consumers and purpose-driven beauty brands. Designed to elevate underrepresented founders and empower everyday women in their beauty journeys, the marketplace is now live. More than a typical retail destination, Her Beauty Regimen Marketplace serves as a community-driven ecosystem tailored for women seeking clean, effective solutions for their hair, skin, and nails. With a growing selection of natural and science-backed products, the platform simplifies product discovery while spotlighting authentic brand stories that resonate with diverse audiences. Martin, who previously co-founded Myavana, the world's first AI-powered haircare analysis company, brings over a decade of experience in beauty, tech, and innovation. Her goal is to help indie brands flourish while giving consumers access to tools, education, and products that are both effective and ethically made. "This marketplace is about more than just beauty. It's about rewriting the rules and giving women the power to curate a regimen that works for their real lives," said Martin. "We're providing a launchpad for emerging brands while giving women the confidence to shop smarter and feel seen." Sellers on the platform benefit from no upfront costs, a generous commission model, and robust support through public relations, influencer partnerships, and brand visibility campaigns. The Marketplace is also proud to be a minority- and woman-owned business focused on equity and representation. Her Beauty Regimen Marketplace is now live. To shop, apply to sell, or learn more, please visit www.herbeautyregimen.com . ABOUT CHANEL E. MARTIN Chanel E. Martin is an award-winning chemical engineer turned serial entrepreneur, celebrated for her transformative contributions to media, beauty-tech, and innovation. She is the founder and CEO of Beyond the Book Media, where she helps aspiring authors and brands write and publish impactful manuscripts in as little as 30 days. Chanel is also the author of Speak Up... We Deserve to Be Heard: Stories and Reflections on Being Black in America, a powerful collection amplifying Black voices. With a decade-long track record of helping entrepreneurs scale through strategic content, storytelling, and community building, Chanel has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Black Enterprise, Essence, The Real, and BET for her business leadership and cultural insight. A pioneer in the beauty-tech space, Chanel is the co-founder and former COO of Myavana, where she helped launch the world's first AI-powered hair analysis and personalized haircare recommendation platform for women of color. Her latest venture, Her Beauty Regimen, blends scientific rigor with everyday beauty needs, offering a specialized product line for women who wear wigs, weaves, extensions, and braids-focusing on nurturing the natural hair and scalp beneath. With a marketplace vision rooted in authenticity, education, and community-driven discovery, Chanel continues to shape the future of beauty by connecting conscious consumers to purpose-driven brands that work. Her work reflects a commitment to innovation, empowerment, and elevating the beauty and wellness journey of underserved communities. SOURCE: Her Beauty Regimen View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/consumer-and-retail-products/her-beauty-regimen-marketplace-launches-connecting-conscious-consumers-1048630 WASHINGTON, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarifai, a global leader in AI and pioneer of the full-stack AI platform, announced a transformative suite of enhancements designed to fundamentally reshape how intelligent AI agents are built, deployed, and scaled. By integrating Model Context Protocol (MCP) server hosting with OpenAI-compatible APIs, Clarifai now offers an unparalleled combination that empowers developers and enterprises to create smarter, more capable AI agents at unprecedented speed and efficiency. Clarifai's commitment to Agentic AI stems from their vision for AI teams to create production Agentic AI quickly and seamlessly. This progression promises substantial gains in efficiency and innovation across industries, demanding robust computing power, efficient resource consumption, and sophisticated management. Clarifai's advanced compute orchestration solutions, which include the newly launched Local Runners , are engineered to ensure AI runs quickly, efficiently, and securely. A Dual Breakthrough: Smarter Agents, Faster Deployment The powerful synergy between Clarifai's new MCP Server Hosting and its OpenAI-compatible APIs addresses critical challenges in next-generation Agentic AI development: Empowering Smarter Agents with MCP Server Hosting: Clarifai now allows users to upload and host their own custom tools, functions, and APIs as an MCP server, making them callable by AI agents or models. This pivotal capability enables AI agents to seamlessly integrate proprietary business logic and real-time data directly into their operational intelligence. These custom components are fully hosted, versioned, and managed by Clarifai, providing agents with the ability to access unique, domain-specific information (e.g., a pricing calculator for an insurance agent) or proprietary internal systems. This capability represents unmatched flexibility and control, allowing users to host and run their custom tools as MCP servers anywhere-from a local machine to a private cloud infrastructure-and Clarifai stands out as the only platform currently offering this level of hardware-agnostic orchestration for agent-facing tools. Clarifai now allows users to upload and host their own custom tools, functions, and APIs as an MCP server, making them callable by AI agents or models. This pivotal capability enables AI agents to seamlessly integrate proprietary business logic and real-time data directly into their operational intelligence. These custom components are fully hosted, versioned, and managed by Clarifai, providing agents with the ability to access unique, domain-specific information (e.g., a pricing calculator for an insurance agent) or proprietary internal systems. This capability represents unmatched flexibility and control, allowing users to host and run their custom tools as MCP servers anywhere-from a local machine to a private cloud infrastructure-and Clarifai stands out as the only platform currently offering this level of hardware-agnostic orchestration for agent-facing tools. Accelerating Deployment with OpenAI-Compatible APIs: With the introduction of OpenAI-compatible APIs, Clarifai significantly simplifies the integration process, enabling developers to integrate with over 100 open-source and third-party models from the Clarifai community by leveraging their existing clients and tools with minimal code changes. This eliminates friction, accelerates testing, and ensures instant interoperability with established tech stacks. Teams can now seamlessly switch to Clarifai's powerful Agentic AI models from familiar OpenAI API endpoints, preserving their existing tooling while potentially gaining enhanced accuracy, improved privacy, or reduced switching costs across different teams or models. Artjom Shestajev, Sr. Product Manager at Clarifai, spoke about the real-world impact: "This is a monumental step for Agentic AI. Our MCP server hosting unleashes a new level of agent intelligence, allowing them to directly interact with an organization's unique operational DNA and proprietary data sources. Paired with our OpenAI-compatible APIs, we're not just accelerating deployment; we're breaking down barriers, enabling developers to integrate these highly capable agents into their existing infrastructure almost instantly, driving rapid, impactful innovation." These features enhance Clarifai's existing Agent Toolkit Integrations, which provide out-of-the-box support for leading agent frameworks, including CrewAI, LangChain, LiteLLM, and Google ADK. This comprehensive approach allows users to build sophisticated agent workflows using their preferred tools, streamlining the entire journey from conception to production. Clarifai's continuous innovation in compute orchestration helps businesses significantly reduce operational costs by enabling AI models to be up to 10x more resource-efficient, while also providing enhanced security and control over their entire AI ecosystem. About Clarifai Clarifai is a global leader in AI and the pioneer of the full-stack AI platform that helps organizations, teams, and developers build, deploy, and operationalize AI at scale. Clarifai's cutting-edge AI platform supports today's modern AI technologies like Large Language Models (LLMs), Large Vision Models (LVMs), Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), automated data labeling, high-volume production inference, and more. Founded in 2013, Clarifai is available in cloud, on-premises, or hybrid environments and has been used to build more than 1.5 million AI models with more than 400,000 users in 170 countries. Learn more at www.clarifai.com . For more information or media requests, contact: pr@clarifai.com . Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/837665/Clarifai_Logo_FC_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/clarifai-accelerates-agentic-ai-development-mcp-server-hosting-and-openai-compatibility-enable-smarter-agents-faster-deployment-302505495.html NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Drydocks World, a leading global provider of marine and offshore services and a DP World company, has become the first government entity in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates to join the United Nations General Protocol for Sustainable Development Goals (UNGP for SDGs) Certification Program. This milestone underscores the company's commitment to advancing the UN's 2030 Agenda through structured, measurable actions. About Drydocks World Established in 1983 and integrated into DP World in 2018, Drydocks World specializes in ship and rig repair, maintenance, conversion, and fabrication services for the shipping, oil & gas, and renewable energy sectors. With over 40 years of excellence, the company completes more than 300 marine and offshore projects annually. Its state-of-the-art facilities in Dubai span nearly one million square meters, making it the largest ship repair facility in the Middle East. Understanding the UNGP for SDGs The UN GP for SDGs is a UN General Assembly-accredited non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It empowers businesses and communities to commit to all 17 SDGs through evaluation, expert support, and education. The program offers a tiered certification process: Tier 1: Commitment to UN SDGs Tier 2: Certification of Fulfillment Tier 3: Certification of Implementation Drydocks World has officially signed on to Tier 1, signaling its commitment to aligning with the UN 2030 Agenda. The company has also confirmed its advancement to Tier 2, demonstrating progress in documenting its alignment with selected SDGs. Looking ahead, Drydocks World plans to progress to Tier 3, which includes in-depth on-site assessments of prioritized SDG implementation. Significance of the Partnership This partnership reaffirms Drydocks World's dedication to sustainable development and sets a precedent for other government entities in the region. The partnership will foster a transformative ecosystem in Dubai and the UAE, demonstrating Drydocks World's global influence in sustainable innovation and international cooperation. Sarah Mourino, Senior Director of Sustainability for DP World Americas, said "Drydocks World joining the UNGP for SDGs Certification Program underscores DP World's global commitment to sustainability, resonating strongly in the Americas, where responsible supply chains and maritime sustainability are key to growth." Upon acquiring the Endorsed Partner status, Drydocks World will be playing a pivotal role in shaping the oversight and strategic direction of a multi-million-dollar fund to empower and support non-governmental organizations and grassroots initiatives across Dubai. This initiative will accelerate the local adoption of the UN SDGs, reinforcing Dubai's leadership in sustainable development on the global stage. "This leadership from Dubai sets an example for our operations across the Americas, highlighting how collaboration with global initiatives like the UN SDGs strengthens our delivery of long-term value and positive environmental impact," said Mourino. This strategic move by Drydocks World exemplifies how industry leaders can drive meaningful change by integrating sustainability into their core operations and collaborating with global initiatives to achieve shared goals. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from DP World on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: DP World Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/dp-world Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: DP World View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/drydocks-world-a-dp-world-company-becomes-first-government-entit-1048860 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Prospector Metals Corp. (TSXV: PPP) (OTCQB: PMCOF) (FSE: 1ET) ("Prospector" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its drill program at its flagship ML Project in the Yukon ("ML"). A total of 13 drill holes for 2283 meters has been completed to date on the ML Project and includes drill testing on the Bueno, Skarn Ridge, Java, and Rubble targets (Table 1). The drill program is ongoing and will include follow up drilling based on 3D interpretation of initial holes as well as drilling on newly generated target areas. Laboratory analysis of the initial drilling is in progress and will be released in due course. Rob Carpenter, Ph.D., PGeo., President, CEO and Co-Chairman of Prospector, stated We are currently at the midpoint of our maiden 5,000m diamond drill program at our ML project. The program is on schedule and on budget. Our exploration team has successfully drill tested the key target areas at ML including Bueno, Skarn Ridge, Rubble and Java. Assay results are anticipated in the coming weeks. Vein orientations from our new drill core have been measured and are consistent with our working exploration model and placement of our remaining 2025 drill holes is based on the real-time visual and 3D interpretation of our drill data from the first 13 holes. These holes are intended to extend these prospective zones along trend and to depth. Initially, we will focus our efforts on following up our holes at the Bueno and Skarn Ridge targets." 2025 ML Drill Program A total of 13 drill holes for 2283 meters has been completed to date on the ML Project and includes drill testing on the Bueno, Skarn Ridge, Java, and Rubble targets (Table 1). The drill program is ongoing and will include follow up drilling based on 3D interpretation of initial holes as well as drilling on newly generated target areas. Laboratory analysis of the initial drilling is in progress and will be released in due course. Target # of Holes Meters Drilled Bueno 6 1028 Skarn Ridge 4 674 Java 2 299 Rubble 1 282 Total to date 13 2283 Bueno A total of 6 drill holes for 1028 m have been completed on the Bueno target to date. The drilling is targeting a series of NE, steeply dipping, structures associated with strong fracturing, quartz veining, brecciation, and disseminated to massive arsenopyrite (+/- chalcopyrite - pyrrhotite) mineralization. Drilling to date has tested approximately 275m of strike length of the target, and interpretation and planning for additional holes is ongoing. Skarn Ridge A total of 4 holes for 674 m have been completed on the Skarn Ridge target to date. The drilling is targeting interpreted NNE trending structural zones associated with gold-copper mineralization in strongly calc-silicate altered metasedimentary rocks reported in historic drill holes on the target. The drilling is testing at least two interpreted structural zones with interpretation and planning for additional holes ongoing. Java A total of 2 holes for 299m have been completed on the Java target to date. The target was previously undrilled and 2025 drill testing is targeting the down dip extent of an east-west trending and south dipping structural corridor with strong hydrothermal alteration associated with Au, As, Cu, Sb, and Te mineralization. Rubble One hole for 282m has been completed on the Rubble target to date. The drilling is targeting E-W and NNE trending, intrusion hosted, sheeted to stockwork quartz-tourmaline veins and quartz-tourmaline breccias with arsenopyrite-chalcopyrite mineralization within the Mike Lake stock. The target was not previously drilled and 2025 drill testing is targeting the intersection of NNE and E-W structural sets. The drilling and trench results disclosed in this news release relate to historical results on the ML Property. Prospector has not undertaken any independent investigation of the historic sampling, nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical exploration work to verify the results. Prospector considers this historical drill and trench results relevant as the Company is using this data as a guide to plan exploration programs. The Company's current and future exploration work includes verification of the historical data through drilling. Assay Methodology & QA/QC The analytical work on the ML Project was performed by AGAT Labs, an internationally recognized analytical services provider, located in Calgary, Alberta. All rock samples will be prepared using procedure 200-075 (Dry, crush to 70% passing 2mm, riffle split off 250g, pulverize split to better than 85% passing 75 microns) and analyzed by method 202-051 (30g fire assay with AAS finish) and 201- 074 (Multi-element analysis with aqua regia digest and ICP-OES/MS finish). Samples containing >10g/t Au will be reanalysed using a 50g Fire Assay with a Gravimetric finish. Samples containing >100 ppm Ag and/or >1% Cu, Pb, & Zn will be reanalyzed using a 4-acid digest and ore grade ICP-OES analysis. The work is being completed using industry standard procedures, including a quality assurance/quality control ("QA/QC") program consisting of the insertion of certified standard, blanks and duplicates into the sample stream. Qualified Person The technical content disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Jodie Gibson, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of Prospector, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument NI 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). About Prospector Metals Corp. Prospector Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. The Company is focused on district scale, early-stage exploration of gold and base metal prospects. Creating shareholder value through new discoveries, the Company identifies underexplored or overlooked mineral districts displaying important structural and mineralogical occurrences similar to more established mining operations. The majority of acquisition activity occurs in Yukon and Ontario, Canada - Historical mining jurisdictions with an abundance of overlooked geological regions possessing high mineral potential. Prospector establishes and maintains relationships with local and Indigenous rightsholders and seeks to develop partnerships and agreements that are mutually beneficial to all interested parties. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Prospector Metals Corp. Dr. Rob Carpenter, Ph.D., P.Geo. President & CEO Prospector Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca Forward-Looking Statement Cautions: This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the completion of a definitive agreement with BE Metals, the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, and other project opportunities. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258862 SOURCE: Prospector Metals Corp. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Spackman Equities Group Inc. (TSXV: SQG) (the "Company" or "SEGI") announced that Richard Lee has stepped down as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company with immediate effect. He will continue to serve as a director of the Company. The Board of Directors has appointed Na Kyoungwon, a current member of the Board, as interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Na will service in this capacity until a permanent Chief Executive Officer is appointed. The Board wishes to thank Richard Lee for his leadership and contribution during this transitional period. - End - About Spackman Equities Group Inc. SEGI is an international investment firm that selectively invests into growth companies that possess proprietary know-how or technologies. Our objective is to originate opportunities to invest into businesses at attractive valuations, build a compelling portfolio of holdings, and deliver the collective value of our investments to our shareholders. Spackman Equities Group invests into public equities as well as privately-held companies. SEGI also advise our portfolio companies on mergers & acquisitions strategies, capital structuring, and strategic alternatives. The common shares of Spackman Equities Group trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SQG. Visit www.spackmanequities.com for further information. Forward-Looking Statements Included in this news release may be matters that constitute "forward-looking" information within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may" or words of a similar nature. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include among others, regulatory risks, risk inherent in foreign operations, commodity prices and competition. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or its agents are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary comments. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258864 SOURCE: Spackman Equities Group Inc. Global Platform Expands Its Services With New Office in Costa Rica, 50% Staff Increase in Support Resources and Strategic Leadership Team Appointment AUSTIN, Texas, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing commitment to exceptional client service, ROLLER, the all-in-one venue management platform for the leisure and attractions industry, has announced several initiatives aimed at providing faster, flexible support for its global customers. This includes opening a new Support Center of Excellence in Costa Rica, expanding the customer support team by 50%, and the strategic appointment of Brad Cooper as Vice President of Customer Experience. "Customer experience drives everything we do," said Luke Finn, CEO and Co-Founder of ROLLER. "We're always connecting with our community to understand their challenges and build solutions that truly help them grow. We're constantly learning from our community, listening to their challenges, celebrating their wins, and building solutions that make a real difference. This year, our focus is on scaling that impact, so we can help even more operators not just succeed but thrive." ROLLER's customer-first strategy is at the forefront of every decision, and these new additions underscore the company's dedication to its community, ensuring operators are supported, wherever they are, whenever they need it. As a direct result of these steps, operators can: Expect at least 95% of all support calls to ROLLER will be answered by a team member in less than 60 seconds, 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world Engage with ROLLER across their preferred channel with expanded phone support and a new online chat channel Find answers to their questions with the revamped knowledge base and customer support page at https://www.roller.software/ Have issues resolved faster due to a newly launched hardware lab, which allows ROLLER agents to conduct hands-on troubleshooting The new initiatives and appointments are also bolstered by the launch of AI-powered tools that enhance remote diagnostics, agent performance, and QA. Additionally, ROLLER has created new workforce management systems and added a Workforce Analyst position, all aimed at helping the team optimize staffing and improve customer responsiveness. "A great product is only as good as the experience that surrounds it," said Brad Cooper, Vice President of Customer Experience at ROLLER. "Attractions operators have enough on their plates, and they deserve a technology partner that prioritizes their success. I'm excited to help ROLLER's efforts in delivering outstanding service, listening to customer feedback, and ensuring every venue gets the most out of our platform." To learn more about ROLLER's solutions and all-in-one, cloud-based platform, visit roller.software. About ROLLER ROLLER is the cloud-based venue management platform for modern attractions, purpose-built to remove friction from the guest experience at every touchpoint. The company's all-in-one platform simplifies its customers' business processes, improving efficiency and maximizing revenue. ROLLER's comprehensive solution includes: Online Checkout & Ticketing, Point-of-Sale, Integrated Payments, Memberships, Gift Cards, Waivers, Self-Serve Kiosks, Cashless Wallets, Guest Surveys, and more. To learn more, visit roller.software. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/roller-reinforces-customer-first-strategy-with-major-global-support-investments-302500352.html China, Arab states launch S&T cooperation center for public health Xinhua) 14:03, July 10, 2025 HANGZHOU, July 9 (Xinhua) -- The China-Arab States Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Public Health was officially launched on Wednesday in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, with a focus on promoting cooperation on medical technology, joint scientific research, and talent development. Based at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Zhejiang University School of Medicine, the center aims to tackle shared public health challenges through collaborative research and joint disease-control strategies between China and the Arab states. The plan to establish the center stemmed from commitments made in 2022, when China and the Arab states agreed on eight major cooperation initiatives to deepen practical collaboration. In determining those initiatives, public health was identified as a key priority, with goals including closer scientific cooperation and joint vaccine development. "The launch of the cooperation center is a clear example of putting the idea of a China-Arab states community with a shared future into practice, and a concrete action in promoting the spirit of the China-Arab states friendship," said Chen Jiachang, vice minister of China's Ministry of Science and Technology, noting that the establishment of the center reflects China's sense of responsibility in global health cooperation. "It is of great significance to leveraging science and technology to strengthen public health cooperation between China and the Arab states, and to building a global community of health for all," he added. Officials and experts from the Arab states expressed their strong expectations for the center, viewing it as a shared platform to deepen research collaboration, promote health innovation, and support the development of medical systems between China and the Arab states. Mamoun M. Al-Debi'e, secretary general of Jordan's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said the center would help drive joint research and the transfer of technology, noting that Jordan will encourage its academic institutions and researchers to engage actively with the initiative. "We look forward to deepening our cooperation with the center through joint research," he said. "We'll also encourage our faculty members and institutions to benefit from their capacity and infrastructure." Other officials echoed similar hopes. Ahmed Mustafa Fahmy Hafez, head of the League of Arab States Mission in Beijing, described the initiative as "a truly scientific approach" to strengthening health cooperation across the region. He views the effort as a continuation of the long-standing trust between China and the Arab states, noting, "The trust is already there -- we are now building on it under the Belt and Road Initiative." Egyptian representatives highlighted the center's role in supporting public health system transformation and evidence-based policymaking. Maha EI Rabbat, former Egyptian health minister, called it "a center of excellence for cooperation in research, innovation and adapting public health solutions to local needs." She stressed that collaboration should focus on research, capacity-building, digitalization and training -- not just nationally, but also regionally and across Africa. As the center's host institution, the First Affiliated Hospital of the Zhejiang University School of Medicine has been actively expanding its cooperation with Arab medical institutions through joint research, training programs and professional exchanges. These efforts aim to build long-term capacities and address the specific health needs of partner countries. In 2025, the hospital launched a training program for Arab medical professionals. In May, the first group of five trainees from Egypt arrived in Hangzhou to begin clinical studies. Among them was Ali Hussein Ali Khedr, deputy director of Egypt's National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute, who described the experience as both educational and inspiring. "Studying in China has been unforgettable," he said. "I hope to bring the knowledge back home to benefit patients and deepen medical ties between our two countries." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Fashion show held at Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing Xinhua) 10:12, July 15, 2025 A model presents a neo-Chinese ready-to-wear design during a fashion show held at the Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. The fashion show is inspired by elements of the Prince Kung's Palace Museum and Chinese intangible cultural heritages, displaying 37 concept creations as well as 35 neo-Chinese ready-to-wear designs. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) Models present neo-Chinese ready-to-wear designs during a fashion show held at the Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. The fashion show is inspired by elements of the Prince Kung's Palace Museum and Chinese intangible cultural heritages, displaying 37 concept creations as well as 35 neo-Chinese ready-to-wear and accessories. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) Models and designers greet the audience during a fashion show held at the Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. The fashion show is inspired by elements of the Prince Kung's Palace Museum and Chinese intangible cultural heritages, displaying 37 concept creations as well as 35 neo-Chinese ready-to-wear and accessories. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) A model presents a concept creation during a fashion show held at the Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. The fashion show is inspired by elements of the Prince Kung's Palace Museum and Chinese intangible cultural heritages, displaying 37 concept creations as well as 35 neo-Chinese ready-to-wear and accessories. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) A model presents a neo-Chinese ready-to-wear design during a fashion show held at the Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. The fashion show is inspired by elements of the Prince Kung's Palace Museum and Chinese intangible cultural heritages, displaying 37 concept creations as well as 35 neo-Chinese ready-to-wear and accessories. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) Models present concept creations during a fashion show held at the Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. The fashion show is inspired by elements of the Prince Kung's Palace Museum and Chinese intangible cultural heritages, displaying 37 concept creations as well as 35 neo-Chinese ready-to-wear and accessories. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) All Geographic Regions Reported Growth, with Americas, EMEA, and Japan Recording Double Digit Increases MILPITAS, Calif., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Electronic System Design (ESD) industry revenue increased 12.8% to $5,098.3 million in the first quarter of 2025 from the $4,521.6 million registered in the first quarter of 2024, the ESD Alliance, a SEMI Technology Community, announced today in its latest Electronic Design Market Data (EDMD) report. The four-quarter moving average rose 12.6%, based on a comparison of the most recent four quarters to the prior four. "The electronic design automation (EDA) industry once again reported strong year-over-year revenue growth in Q1 2025," said Walden C. Rhines, Executive Sponsor of the SEMI Electronic Design Market Data report. "Product Categories CAE, IC Physical Design and Verification, and PCB & MCM reported single digit increases, with Semiconductor IP and Services reporting significant double-digit increases. All geographic regions reported growth in Q1, with Americas, EMEA, and Japan reporting double digit growth." The companies tracked in the EDMD report employed 64,403 people globally in Q1 2025, a 4.5% increase over the Q1 2024 headcount of 61,653 and up 2.5% compared to Q4 2024. The quarterly EDMD report contains detailed revenue information within the following category and geographic breakdowns. Revenue by Product and Application Category - Year-Over-Year Change Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) revenue increased 7.8% to $1,747.6 million. The four-quarter CAE moving average increased 11.4%. revenue increased 7.8% to $1,747.6 million. The four-quarter CAE moving average increased 11.4%. IC Physical Design and Verification revenue decreased 9.9% to $693.5 million. The four-quarter moving average for the category increased 2.3%. revenue decreased 9.9% to $693.5 million. The four-quarter moving average for the category increased 2.3%. Printed Circuit Board and Multi-Chip Module (PCB and MCM) revenue rose 5.5% to $399.8 million. The four-quarter moving average for PCB and MCM rose 8.9%. revenue rose 5.5% to $399.8 million. The four-quarter moving average for PCB and MCM rose 8.9%. Semiconductor Intellectual Property (SIP) revenue increased 29.6% to $2,044.8 million. The four-quarter SIP moving average rose 18.7%. revenue increased 29.6% to $2,044.8 million. The four-quarter SIP moving average rose 18.7%. Services revenue jumped 22.3% to $212.6 million. The four-quarter Services moving average rose 26.0%. Revenue by Region - Year-Over-Year Change The Americas , the largest reporting region by revenue, procured $2,208.3 million of electronic system design products and services in Q1 2025, a 14.0% increase. The four-quarter moving average for the Americas rose 17.0%. , the largest reporting region by revenue, procured $2,208.3 million of electronic system design products and services in Q1 2025, a 14.0% increase. The four-quarter moving average for the Americas rose 17.0%. Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) procured $651.5 million of electronic system design products and services in Q1 2025, a 12.5% increase. The four-quarter moving average for EMEA grew 11.4%. procured $651.5 million of electronic system design products and services in Q1 2025, a 12.5% increase. The four-quarter moving average for EMEA grew 11.4%. Japan's procurement of electronic system design products and services grew 11.9% to $314.2 million. The four-quarter moving average for Japan increased 12.1%. procurement of electronic system design products and services grew 11.9% to $314.2 million. The four-quarter moving average for Japan increased 12.1%. Asia Pacific (APAC) procured $1,924.2 million of electronic system design products and services in Q1 2025, an 11.6% increase. The four-quarter moving average for APAC grew 8.2%. About the EDMD Report The ESD Alliance Electronic Design Market Data (formerly the Market Statistics Service) report presents Electronic Design Automation (EDA), SIP and Services industry revenue data quarterly. Both public and private companies contribute data to the report available from SEMI. Each quarterly report is published approximately three months after quarter close. EDMD report data is segmented as follows: Revenue by product category (CAE, IC Physical Design and Verification, SIP, PCB/MCM Layout, and Services) including numerous detailed sub-categories Revenue by geographic region (Americas, EMEA, Japan and APAC) Total employment at participating companies For information about SEMI market research reports, visit the SEMI Market Research Reports and Databases Catalog. About the Electronic System Design Alliance The Electronic System Design (ESD) Alliance, a SEMI Technology Community, is the central voice to communicate and promote the value of the semiconductor design ecosystem as a vital component of the global electronics industry. As an international association of companies providing goods and services throughout the semiconductor design ecosystem, it is a forum to address technical, marketing, economic and legislative issues affecting the entire industry. For more information about the ESD Alliance, visit http://esd-alliance.org. About SEMI SEMI is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members' business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more. The information supplied by the ESD Alliance is believed to be accurate and reliable, but the ESD Alliance assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Association Contacts Paul Cohen Phone: 978-769-2106 Email: pcohen@semi.org Jack Taylor Phone: 512-560-7143 Email: jack.taylor@siemens.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/836033/SEMI___Electronic_System_Design_Alliance_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/esd-alliance-reports-electronic-system-design-industry-posts-5-1-billion-in-revenue-in-q1-2025--302502868.html SPARK Plus by QKS Group, a platform for Insight-led vendor analysis for buyers and a merit-based evaluation for vendors. PUNE, India, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- If one has ever flipped through traditional tech advisory reports complete with flashy rankings, one-size-fits-all vendor lists, and lofty narratives that one has probably sensed something missing. QKS Group and its team of seasoned analysts have uncovered the reason: these legacy frameworks lack the nuance, speed, and localized insight that today's rapidly evolving, context-driven tech decisions demand. What's at Stake? Buyers now grapple with compressed decision timelines and complex, evolving landscapes; they need solutions that precisely align with their unique context. Vendors, especially smaller and emerging ones, often struggle to get visibility amid the saturated market dominated by bigger names. This mismatch leads to poor fit, stalled rollouts, and lost opportunity on both sides. QKS Group introduces SPARK Plus is not just a tweak but a full reimagining of advisory, built to truly support real-world decision-making. Key differentiators include: Context-Driven Insight : The only platform that offers comparisons is by industry , region , and company size , not based on one-size-fits-all. : The only platform that offers comparisons is by , , and , not based on one-size-fits-all. Real-World Data : Over 5,000 vendors are evaluated using authentic user experiences from live deployment environments. : Over are evaluated using authentic user experiences from live deployment environments. Transparent Analysis : Structured expert insights take the place of opaque scoring, aiding vendor selection, procurement, and go-to-market strategies. : Structured expert insights take the place of opaque scoring, aiding vendor selection, procurement, and go-to-market strategies. Dual Audience Focus: Buyers receive alignment and clarity; vendors, especially niche or emerging players, gain exposure exactly where it counts. Deep Comparisons via SPARK Matrix Industry-Specific Matrix : The only advisory firm in the world to provide rigorous, domain-focused evaluation with parameter-level ratings across vendors. : The only advisory firm in the world to provide rigorous, domain-focused evaluation with parameter-level ratings across vendors. Regional Matrix: The only advisory firm globally to provide performance analysis grounded in regional execution, capabilities, and compliance helping buyers understand who can deliver where. The industry is calling for efficiency and relevance because: Tech stacks are more complex Transformation cycles are shorter Customer journeys are unique SPARK Plus arises to answer this need enabling rapid, confident, and context-aware tech selection. "We're proud to pioneer a new category where community, intelligence, and advisory converge to empower today's tech decision-makers. SPARK Plus reflects our belief: credible, context-rich, and actionable insights shouldn't be limited to the few, but available to all," said Piyush Dewangan, CEO & Chief Principal Analyst. Building Trust in Advisory Beyond ranking, SPARK Plus is about restoring trust. Its features include: Contextual Filters : Speedy shortlisting based on operational relevance : Speedy shortlisting based on operational relevance Vendor GTM Support : Craft positioning for emerging or niche players : Craft positioning for emerging or niche players Procurement-Friendly Frameworks : Alignment with KPIs and internal goals : Alignment with KPIs and internal goals QKS Review Blogs: Diverse Perspectives, research-driven articles covering vendor strategies and market trends by industry expert analysts. Adoption & Early Impact SPARK Plus is already in use by global enterprises and mid-market firms especially in regions where traditional models fail to capture local specificity-bridging the gap between analyst research and real-world buying behavior. "I'm genuinely impressed with what QKS Group has built. Being ranked #2 globally in reprint licensing is no small feat, and their SPARK Plus platform brings a truly differentiated approach to the analyst market. By integrating transparent analyst opinions, user reviews, and community engagement, QKS Group is delivering the kind of innovation that has the potential to break through in today's crowded landscape," said Carter Lusher, Industry Analyst Relations. Looking Ahead In coming months, SPARK Plus will expand into verticals such as CX, AI, cybersecurity, and more, while adding features like real-time buyer analytics, predictive vendor performance models, and customizable benchmarking tools. SPARK Plus merges structured evaluations, authentic user feedback, and tactical performance analysis creating a powerful conduit between deserving vendors and informed buyers. Vendors interested in joining the evaluation can submit their details here: https://qksgroup.com/sparkplus/list-product About QKS Group: QKS Group is a global advisory and consulting firm focused on helping clients achieve business transformation goals with Strategic Business and Growth advisory services. At QKS Group, our vision is to become an integral part of our client's business as a strategic knowledge partner. Our research and consulting deliverables are designed to provide comprehensive information and strategic insights for helping clients formulate growth strategies to survive and thrive in ever-changing business environments. Delve into insights by SPARK?Plus now: https://qksgroup.com/sparkplus Media Contact: QKS Group Shraddha Roy PR & Media Relations 3rd Floor, Wing 4, Cluster D, EON Free Zone, Kharadi, Pune, India Email: shraddha.r@qksgroup.com Content Source: https://qksgroup.com/newsroom/spark-plus-launches-tech-advisory-rebuilt-for-today-s-buyers-and-vendors-1371 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2501519/QKS_Group_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/spark-plus-launches-tech-advisory-rebuilt-for-todays-buyers-and-vendors-302505624.html PHOENIX, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kutta Technologies, LLC (Kutta), a trusted leader in safety-critical uncrewed systems software and hardware, announces the launch of the Kutta Tactical Controller 2.0 (KTAC 2.0). The newly upgraded device provides critical enhancements to users' command and control capabilities for uncrewed systems with increased flexibility, reliability, efficiency, and affordability. Designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern military tactical operations, the KTAC is a common controller that allows users to control multiple types of robotic platforms - including land, sea and air uncrewed systems - from a single controller in the palm of their hand. "Kutta Technologies is committed to empowering warfighters with innovative tools that enhance mission success," said Douglas Limbaugh, Kutta's COO and executive vice-president. "KTAC 2.0's modular design and universal control capabilities provide operators with the flexibility to adapt to any mission, ensuring operational superiority in the most challenging environments." Kutta's legacy product, KTAC 1.0 successfully controlled more than 35 different uncrewed systems for both U.S. military and allied partner nations. The KTAC 2.0 expands on those capabilities, offering a universal platform with two configurations-tethered and untethered (with radio module)-ensuring seamless integration with existing ecosystems like Nett Warrior and ATAK-enabled devices. Weighing under two pounds and boasting an IP-67 rating, KTAC 2.0 is rugged, portable and built to withstand harsh battlefield conditions. It reduces the physical load on the warfighter by over two pounds compared to traditional solutions, offering a significant advantage in both mobility and endurance during extended missions. The device's non-proprietary, open interfaces leverage commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology, reducing costs while maximizing interoperability across smartphones, tablets and computers. "By leveraging COTS technology and open architectures, KTAC 2.0 delivers a cost-effective, high value solution without compromising performance," said Matthew Savoca, Kutta's executive vice president. "This launch marks a significant step forward in supporting defense ministries globally with scalable, mission-critical technology." The KTAC 2.0 supports a wide range of military applications, offering a single controller for diverse robotic platforms. Its compatibility with Kutta's Unified Ground Control Station (UGCS) software and STANAG 4586 protocols further enhances its ability to plan missions, avoid obstacles, and deliver real-time situational awareness. "Kutta continues to drive innovation through strategic partnerships and ongoing research to ensure KTAC 2.0 evolves alongside the operational needs of our users," said Matthew Savoca, Kutta's Executive Vice-President. "We continue to focus on reducing the warfighter's burden while increasing mission capability. KTAC 2.0 not only redefines the next generation of tactical control for uncrewed systems, it reflects Kutta's unwavering commitment to equip military forces with the tools they need to succeed-now and in the future." For more information, contact Kutta Technologies at: 2075 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Suite 102, Phoenix, AZ 85027 Email: CustomerSupport@KuttaTech.com Website: www.kuttatech.com About Kutta Technologies, LLC Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Kutta Technologies is a high-tech research, development, and manufacturing leader specializing in command, control, and communications (C3) solutions for the Department of Defense and commercial markets. With deep expertise in safety-critical software and ruggedized hardware systems, Kutta delivers scalable, mission-ready technologies that empower operators across every domain of modern warfare. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2730574/kutta_logo_white_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kutta-technologies-unveils-ktac-2-0-the-next-generation-of-tactical-control-for-uncrewed-systems-302505458.html XIAMEN, China, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Milesight, a leading innovator in intelligent IoT products, today announces the official launch of the CamThink brand, dedicated to accelerating real-world AI adoption with edge intelligence. Anchored in vision AI expertise, CamThink provides vision AI cameras, edge AI computing devices, and a series of open architecture hardware, allowing industry engineers, developers and makers to integrate mainstream, customized, and production-ready AI models into scenarios flexibly and rapidly. Leveraging Milesight's strong R&D team and global sales and network support, CamThink excels in hardware excellence, edge AI acceleration, and developer community collaboration. Driven by the increasing demand for on-device data processing and analysis, along with advancements like computer vision and deep learning, making challenges in sophisticated scenarios easier to solve. Embracing the era of edge AI, CamThink unveils two series of flagship products, marking a significant milestone in CamThink's mission to accelerate real-world AI adoption by edge intelligence. CamThink NeoEdge NG4500 Series A high-performance edge AI computing box powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX/Nano, delivering up to 157 TOPS of on-device computation. NG4500 edge AI box offers a 1.7 performance boost compared to its predecessor and supports advanced models including vision transformers, LLMs, and VLMs. Its fanless design, rich I/O options, and 12-36V power input make it ideal for rugged AIoT deployments such as industrial automation, robotics, smart retail, etc. CamThink NeoEyes NE101 Series Designed for lightweight vision AI applications, NE101 adopts an ESP32-S3 MCU and features event-triggered image capture with optimized power consumption, which is an ideal solution for asset monitoring, smart agriculture, predictive maintenance of equipment monitoring, and intrusion detection while maintaining 2-3 years of battery usage. Moreover, NE101 supports Wi-Fi Halow and LTE Cat.1 wireless communication suitable for both indoor and remote scenes, in addition to replaceable lenses, and flexible mounting options, greatly ensuring adaptability across AIoT use cases. Empowering Developers Worldwide It's worth highlighting that, CamThink offers a comprehensive suite of development kits and carrier boards for both the NeoEyes and NeoEdge series, empowering the global developer community to build, customize, and scale intelligent applications faster. CamThink's products are available starting from July 15th, 2025, learn more at https://www.camthink.ai Media Contact: marketing@camthink.ai Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2441385/Milesight_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/milesight-propels-vision-ai-transformation-by-announcing-a-new-brand-camthink-expanding-edge-ai-driven-innovations-to-industries-and-communities-302505117.html RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Human Capability Development Program (HCDP) - one of the Saudi Vision 2030 Realization Programs - has launched the Insight Report from the second edition of the Human Capability Initiative (HCI) 2025, held last April under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister. The Report was launched as part of the "Capabilities Dialogue" series, in conjunction with International Youth Skills Day, at The Cultural House - Riyadh Oasis, under the theme "Translating Overload into Opportunity." The HCI 2025 Insights Report captures and synthesizes insights shared at the HCI 2025 conference under the tagline "Beyond Readiness". As a global platform convening diverse leaders across sectors, regions, and disciplines, HCI enables open dialogue on the shifting priorities shaping human capability development. This report presents a multi-dimensional perspective grounded in the contributions of policymakers, practitioners, innovators, and community actors who are advancing capability agendas worldwide. It highlights the rising importance of skills and systems needed to respond to environmental transformation, demographic shifts, technological advancements, and fragmentation. These interconnected forces are reshaping labor markets and social dynamics, underscoring the need for adaptive, resilient, and inclusive approaches to lifelong learning. It is framed around the core themes of HCI 2025: learning, belonging, and action, addressing the critical need to develop human potential in an era of unprecedented global change. The HCI 2025 Insight Report was developed with contributions by HCI Knowledge and insight partners, and the event gathered over 250 decision-makers, experts, and specialists from across sectors. The program featured panel discussions featuring distinguished national role models and renowned international experts. The sessions spotlighted successful experiences and celebrated standout Saudi achievements. Visit the HCI Knowledge Hub, to access the full HCI 2025 Insight Report: https://humancapabilityinitiative.org/knowledge-hub/ NOTES TO EDITORS Media email - media@humancapabilityinitiative.org HCI Website: https://humancapabilityinitiative.org HCI social media: HCI_KSA (X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok) HCIKSA (Facebook) About Saudi Vision 2030: Under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Saudi Vision 2030 was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister, with a roadmap to build Saudi Arabia's prosperous and bright future through a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. The Vision was cascaded into strategic objectives to enable effective implementation through its Vision Realization Programs. https://www.vision2030.gov.sa About the Human Capability Development Program (HCDP): The Human Capability Development Program is one of Saudi Vision 2030 Realization Programs with an aim to ensure that Saudi citizens have the required capabilities to compete globally by instilling values, developing basic and future skills, as well as enhancing knowledge. The program focuses on developing a solid educational base for all citizens to instil values from an early age, while preparing the youth for future local and global markets. It also focuses on upskilling citizens by providing lifelong learning opportunities, supporting innovation, encouraging entrepreneurship culture, and developing policies to ensure Saudi Arabia's competitiveness. https://humancapabilityinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/HCI-Insight-Report-2025-final-3d.pdf Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2731573/HCI_2025_Insight_Report.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-human-capability-initiative-hci-launches-the-2025-insight-report-302505677.html DELRAY BEACH, Fla., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global atomic force microscopy market is anticipated to reach USD 762.2 million by 2030 from USD 541.8 million in 2025, at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Technological innovations and the expanding scope of nanoscale research across various sectors drive the atomic force microscopy market. A key trend is the growing integration of AFMs with advanced imaging and data analysis software, which enhances precision and enables multi-dimensional surface characterization in semiconductors, materials science, and biotechnology industries. Moreover, the shift toward high-resolution, non-destructive testing methods accelerates AFM adoption, especially in quality control and failure analysis. Additionally, incorporating automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning algorithms improves ease of use and throughput, making AFM technology more accessible to non-specialist users. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=57704156 Browse in-depth TOC on "Atomic Force Microscopy Market" 191 - Tables 42 - Figures 209 - Pages Atomic Force Microscopy Market Report Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2025 $ 541.8 million Estimated Value by 2030 $ 762.2 million Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% Market Size Available for 2021-2030 Forecast Period 2025-2030 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By offering, grade, application, and region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Complexities Associated with Operational Technicality Key Market Opportunities Technological Advancements and Emerging Applications Key Market Drivers Rising Investments in Nanotechnology Research The software segment to witness highest CAGR in atomic force microscopy market during forecast period. The rapid growth in the use of software within atomic force microscopy (AFM) reflects the broader shift toward digitalization and intelligent automation in nanotechnology research and precision manufacturing. Software now plays a critical role in enhancing the efficiency, functionality, and accessibility of AFM systems. Advanced control software enables automated tip engagement, scan optimization, and adaptive feedback mechanisms, significantly reducing the need for manual intervention and improving reproducibility. Moreover, software-driven batch analysis and data stitching functions have become essential as AFM is increasingly applied in high-throughput environments such as semiconductor inspection and biomedical research. Integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning further enhances AFM performance by enabling predictive maintenance, defect classification, and pattern recognition in large datasets. These capabilities are especially valuable in quality control and failure analysis, where speed and accuracy are paramount. Semiconductors & electronics segment to witness highest CAGR in atomic force microscopy market during forecast period. The semiconductor & electronics segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR in the atomic force microscopy market due to the rising complexity and miniaturization of electronic components. As semiconductor nodes shrink below 5 nanometers and advanced packaging technologies such as 3D ICs and chiplets gain prominence, high-resolution, non-destructive surface analysis tools become critical. Moreover, the shift toward heterogeneous integration and the increasing demand for high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and 5G-enabled devices has accelerated the adoption of advanced metrology tools in research and mass production environments. Governments and private enterprises across Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe are investing heavily in semiconductor manufacturing to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on imports, further driving demand for precision instruments such as AFMs. Additionally, the role of AFM in process control, material characterization, and failure analysis in electronics manufacturing reinforces its importance, contributing to sustained and rapid growth in this segment. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=57704156 Europe held the second largest share of the atomic force microscopy market in 2024. Europe held the second largest atomic force microscopy industry share, supported by a well-established research infrastructure and a strong industrial base. Countries such as Germany, the UK, France, Switzerland, and Italy host renowned universities and research institutions actively involved in nanotechnology, materials science, and life sciences. These are key application areas for atomic force microscopes. The European Commission's Horizon Europe program has allocated substantial funding to support nanotechnology research, accelerating the adoption of advanced instrumentation across the region. Additionally, Europe is home to several prominent atomic force microscope manufacturers, including Oxford Instruments (UK), Nanosurf (Switzerland), and Anton Paar GmbH (Austria). The presence of these companies strengthens the local supply chain and facilitates collaboration between academia and industry. The key companies in the atomic force microscopy companies are Park Systems (South Korea), Bruker (US), Hitachi High-Tech Corporation (Japan), Oxford Instruments (UK), and Semilab Inc. (Hungary). Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=57704156 Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting See More Latest Semiconductor Reports: Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) Market by Sensor Type (Inertial Sensor, Pressure Sensor, Environmental Sensor, Optical Sensor), Actuator Type (Optical, Microfluidics, Inkjet Head, Radio Frequency), Vertical and Region - Global Forecast to 2030 Microphone Market by Technology (MEMS, Electret, Piezoelectric, Magnetic), MEMS (Analog, Digital), Communication (Wired, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Airplay), SNR (<59dB, 60-64dB, >64dB), Application (Security & Surveillance, Wearable) - Global Forecast to 2030 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/atomic-force-microscopy-market.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/atomic-force-microscopy.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/atomic-force-microscopy-market-worth-762-2-million-by-2030---exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302505198.html The automaker's 17th annual charitable initiative provides funding for critical support across the National Park System WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / The National Park Foundation (NPF) announced that Subaru of America, Inc. and its retailers have donated more than $1.5 million in support of national parks through the 2024 Share the Love Event. This donation will help preserve and protect more than 400 parks across the country. This is the 12th consecutive year that NPF has partnered with Subaru as a Share the Love Event national charity partner. Subaru is NPF's largest corporate partner and has donated nearly $65 million to NPF since 2013. During the 2024 Share the Love Event, Subaru and its retailers donated a minimum of $300 to charity for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased at participating Subaru retailers nationwide. The amount donated to NPF reflects how people everywhere connect through the shared joy of experiencing the outdoors together, creating lasting memories and giving back to national parks across the country. To learn more about the Subaru Share the Love Event, please visit www.subaru.com/share. ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at www.nationalparks.org. ABOUT SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Subaru of America on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Subaru of America Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/subaru-america-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Subaru of America View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/consumer-and-retail-products/national-park-foundation-receives-1.5-million-donation-from-the-2024-s-1048876 Bar Leone ranks No.1 and is named The Best Bar in Asia , sponsored by Perrier ranks No.1 and is named , sponsored by Perrier The list features 20 new entries and establishments spanning 20 Asian destinations Bangkok has seven bars on the list, as Bar Us ranks No.4 and is named The Best Bar in Thailand , sponsored by Amaro Lucano ranks No.4 and is named , sponsored by Amaro Lucano Bangkok's Vesper (No.29) wins the Remy Martin Legend of the List Award (No.29) wins the Sora (No.65) in Phnom Penh takes home the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award (No.65) in Phnom Penh takes home the Modernhaus (No.12) in Jakarta has been named the Three Cents Best New Opening Award recipient (No.12) in Jakarta has been named the recipient Dry Wave Cocktail Studio (No.5) from Bangkok wins Disaronno Highest New Entry Award (No.5) from Bangkok wins Industry stalwart Jay Khan of Hong Kong and Shanghai's Coa (No.17 and No.85, respectively) is crowned Roku Industry Icon of Hong Kong and Shanghai's Coa (No.17 and No.85, respectively) is crowned Alice in Seoul is named Nikka Highest Climber after rising 33 places in the rankings to No.13 in Seoul is named after rising 33 places in the rankings to No.13 Workshop14 (No.83) from Hanoi receives the Campari One To Watch Award (No.83) from Hanoi receives the Backdoor Bodega (No.64), Penang is the recipient of the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award (No.64), Penang is the recipient of the Bangkok's Messenger Service (No.90) takes home the Best Bar Design Award For the full 1-50 list, please view here. MACAU, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bar Leone in Hong Kong has clinched the coveted title of The Best Bar in Asia and The Best Bar in Hong Kong, sponsored by Perrier, for the second consecutive year, at the live awards ceremony for Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 in Macau. Bar Leone made 50 Best history in 2024 by being the first-ever establishment to debut on the list at No.1 and as The Best Bar in Asia. Owned by Lorenzo Antinori, the menu features a carefully curated selection of classic cocktails, all while staying true to its identity as a neighbourhood bar. At No.2 is Zest in Seoul, clinching the title of The Best Bar in Korea, sponsored by Tia Maria, while at No.3, Jigger & Pony is The Best Bar in Singapore, sponsored by Torres Brandy. Emma Sleight, Head of Content for Asia's 50 Best Bars, says: "We're thrilled to gather in Macau with Asia's vibrant and passionate drinks community. With 20 new entries, the most in recent years, this list is a testament to the boundary-pushing creativity of the region. Congratulations to Bar Leone for the incredible feat of retaining the No.1 spot." Media centre: https://mediacentre.theworlds50best.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2731690/50_Best_Bar_Leone.jpg PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2728668/50_Best.pdf Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2718834/5387615/50_Best_Bars_2025_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bar-leone-is-crowned-the-best-bar-in-asia-at-asias-50-best-bars-for-the-second-consecutive-year-302505712.html Panorama Farm Becomes the First Puerto Rican Coffee Brand to Supply the U.S. House of Representatives with a Purpose-Driven, Made-in-America Brew WASHINGTON, D.C., 3683 / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / For the first time, the U.S. House of Representatives is serving a 100% Puerto Rican-grown coffee: the Congressional Reserve Blend, a specialty Arabica Limani created exclusively for the United States House of Representatives by Panorama Farm in Las Marias, Puerto Rico. This milestone was made possible by becoming an official vendor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressional Reserve Blend Congressional Reserve Blend This coffee is not only grown and roasted in the mountains of Puerto Rico-it is also brewed on Capitol HiIll and sold at the Longworth House Office Building Gift Shop. 100% of net profits directly into youth entrepreneurship and education programs across the island. "This coffee-grown, roasted, and made in Puerto Rico-is now being served in Congress. It's a powerful reminder that products made in America, especially from places like Puerto Rico, deserve a place in our national economy and in the conversations that shape its future." After her time at the World Bank, Angelique Sina founded Panorama Farm in 2021-a woman-owned social enterprise redefining how agriculture, commerce, and community intersect. Inspired by mission-driven brands like Patagonia, Panorama Farm proves that rural economies can thrive through business models that prioritize people, purpose, and reinvestment. The Congressional Reserve Blend was officially launched on July 15, 2025, at the Rayburn House Office Building, during an agricultural hosted by Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernandez Rivera showcase that featured Puerto Rican products and a live coffee tasting. A congressional briefing and panel discussion followed, with participants including Sina, Puerto Rican farmers, and food system leaders, all focused on building a sustainable economic future for the island. "From Las Marias, Puerto Rico to Capitol Hill, this coffee carries the story of Puerto Rico's talent, resilience, and innovation," Sina added. "We're building a movement-one that breaks dependency and proves that nonprofits can operate with the discipline of business and the soul of community." Panorama Farm is a woman-owned, social-enterprise coffee farm based in Las Marias, Puerto Rico, producing single-origin, 100% Arabica beans grown, roasted, and packaged locally. Founded in 2021 by Angelique?Sina, the farm reinvests 100% of its net profits into youth education and entrepreneurship through its nonprofit, Friends of Puerto Rico, creating economic opportunity and social impact with every cup. Learn more and visit our farm at: panoramafarm.org SOURCE: Panorama Farm Related Images Congressional Reserve Blend-Made exclusively for the US House of Representatives View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/agriculture/puerto-rican-coffee-makes-history-on-capitol-hill-with-launch-of-the-congressional-rese-1048815 CCH Tagetik Supply Chain Planning solution earns top distinction five years in a row Wolters Kluwer, a global leader in professional information, software solutions and services, has been named Leader for the fifth consecutive year in the Nucleus Research Supply Chain Planning (SCP) Technology Value Matrix. The report recognizes the finance-forward CCHTagetik Supply Chain Planning solution for leveraging AI and integrating supply chain, financial and operational data to expedite and improve company-wide planning. Karen Abramson, CEO of Wolters Kluwer Corporate Performance ESG said: Wolters Kluwer's repeated Leader rankings in the Nucleus Research SCP Technology Value Matrix demonstrate our commitment to excellence and innovation. Our AI-powered CCH Tagetik Intelligent Platform enables the digital transformation of the office of the CFO and enhances organizational visibility into supply chain, financial and operational data. We remain committed to product excellence and innovation, anticipating market trends and delivering solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers." For 2025, Nucleus Research highlighted new CCH Tagetik capabilities including Ask AI, a super agent that harnesses agentic AI to enable the simplification of scenario planning, forecast analysis and user interaction through visual dashboards, graphs and reports AI-based predictive intelligence and extended planning solutions. In addition, the report highlights further AI-enabled enhancements including driver-based analysis that supports Supply Chain Leaders, CFOs and their peers to identify opportunities and optimize operational efficiencies, resulting in faster, more accurate and better-informed decisions. Charles Brennan, Senior Analyst, Nucleus Research, said: Many businesses struggle to manage their vast amounts of data effectively. Organizations need a supply chain planning tool to analyze and integrate this data for better decision-making and cost reduction. Nucleus found that Wolters Kluwer's investments in AI and integrated business planning enable CCH Tagetik customers to manage complex data more effectively, enhance enterprise planning and achieve stronger returns on investment." Wolters Kluwer Corporate Performance ESG (CP ESG) division is the world's leading provider of integrated software solutions for EHS, ESG, Corporate Performance Management and Audit and Assurance. Through innovative technology and unique expertise, Wolters Kluwer CP ESG enables business leaders to make informed, strategic decisions driving transformation, performance and risk management for a sustainable and resilient world. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information, software solutions and services for professionals in healthcare; tax and accounting; financial and corporate compliance; legal and regulatory; corporate performance and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2024 annual revenues of 5.9 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 21,600 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250715376542/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Sarah Whybrow Associate Director, External Communications Corporate Performance ESG Wolters Kluwer Mob: +44 7855 186713 sarah.whybrow@wolterskluwer.com Quality Engineering Teams can now achieve broader coverage and detect issues earlier across Android and iOS browsers San Francisco, CA, July 15, 2025, a GenAI-powered quality engineering platform, today introduces expanded browser support for mobile exploratory and automation testing on virtual devices, a first in the industry. Quality engineering teams can now run automated tests across a significantly broader range of browsers on Android emulators and iOS simulators, making it easier than ever to ensure web apps deliver consistent, high-quality user experiences on mobile platforms. With this update, LambdaTest enables manual and automation testing not only on Chrome and Safari but also on widely used alternative browsers across both operating systems. Android support for testing now includes Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Brave, DuckDuckGo, and Samsung Internet. Along with Safari, LambdaTest now supports Chromium, Firefox, Brave, and DuckDuckGo for testing on iOS simulators. Cross-browser compatibility remains one of the most common sources of quality issues in web apps, particularly on mobile, where browsers can behave differently in rendering, performance, and feature support. By executing mobile tests across this expanded set of browsers, QA teams can catch browser-specific issues earlier in the development cycle, reducing risk and ensuring a seamless experience for users on any device, on any browser. "Our customers want to ensure their web apps work flawlessly for every user, no matter which browser or device they use, at any scale," said Vipul Verma, SVP Engineering, at LambdaTest. "With expanded browser support for mobile manual and automation on virtual devices, we're empowering teams to achieve deeper test coverage without investing in complex in-house infrastructure. It's another step forward in helping businesses ship faster with confidence." For more details, visit: https://www.lambdatest.com/ About LambdaTest LambdaTest is a GenAI-powered Quality Engineering Platform that empowers teams to test intelligently, smarter, and ship faster. Built for scale, it offers a full-stack testing cloud with 10K+ real devices and 3,000+ browsers. With AI-native test management, MCP servers, and agent-based automation, LambdaTest supports Selenium, Appium, Playwright, and all major frameworks. AI Agents like HyperExecute and KaneAI bring the power of AI and cloud into your software testing workflow, enabling seamless automation testing with 120+ integrations. LambdaTest Agents accelerate your testing throughout the entire SDLC, from test planning and authoring to automation, infrastructure, execution, RCA, and reporting. For more information, please visit https://lambdatest.com press@lambdatest.com Rougemont, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - With a deep sense of pride and optimism for the future, Mario Marcil, President of Paulymark Inc., announced today the official sale of the family-owned company to Hammond Paper Company of Vaughan, Ontario. Founded in 1973 by his father Jean-Guy Marcil and co-founder Raoul Paulin, Paulymark has built a strong reputation over the past five decades as a trusted name in recycled board transformation and specialty packaging solutions for the binding, rigid box, and sampling sectors across Canada and the United States. Throughout its history, Paulymark has remained committed to quality, innovation, and sustainable development - all while staying true to its family roots. "I believe the time has come for Paulymark to move forward to the next stage of its strategic development under Hammond's leadership," said Mario Marcil. "This transition honors the legacy of my father and the countless individuals who helped build this company. Hammond shares our values, our commitment to quality and sustainability, and our vision for long-term growth." Mr. Marcil extended his sincere thanks to the employees - past and present - who have shaped Paulymark into a North American industry leader through their dedication, skill, and loyalty. "Our growth and success would not have been possible without our team. It's thanks to you that Paulymark has been able to innovate and serve customers across the continent with pride and professionalism," he added. He also congratulated Hammond Paper on the acquisition and confirmed that he and his sister and business partner Annie Marcil would be fully involved during the transition phase. "We are confident in the future and believe Hammond will continue to grow Paulymark's reach and impact. Annie and I will remain actively involved to ensure a smooth transition that respects our employees, our clients, and the legacy of our company." This transaction marks the beginning of a new chapter for Paulymark, while preserving its expertise, corporate culture, and commitment to responsible innovation. Continued Growth and Expansion Since acquiring Hammond Paper in 2017, partners David Campbell and Ted Dzialowski have been focused on expanding the company's product offerings and sales across North America. David Campbell commented, "the Paulymark transaction follows the 2024 purchases of Rainbow Excelsior and Bennett Fleet Chip & Fiber Board to provide a broader product portfolio and enhanced customer service from three production and distribution facilities in Ontario and Quebec." Ted Dzialowski stated, "Hammond and Paulymark share common founder, entrepreneurial and service values that represent a strategic fit to accelerate growth and further the evolution of both companies. The acquisition of Paulymark by Hammond Paper Company Limited brings several synergy benefits to enhance both companies' operations and market presence. We have aligned market and operating expertise and greater operating capacity and flexibility, which facilitates the combination of resources for growth, allowing the companies to expand their product lines while reinforcing their commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction." "Paulymark and Hammond will continue to operate as separate companies to focus on their respective markets." We wish Mario and Annie Marcil all the best in their "next chapters" and look forward to working with the Paulymark employees. About Industries Paulymark Inc. Founded in 1973, Paulymark is a family-owned Canadian company based in Rougemont, Quebec. It specializes in converting recycled paperboard for clients in the binding, rigid box, sampling, and food packaging markets across North America. For sales inquiries or further information about Paulymark's product and service offerings, please refer to: www.paulymark.com/en/contact About Hammond Paper Company Located in Vaughan, Ontario, Hammond Paper Company is an ecofriendly paperboard and converting specialist and a leader in innovation, quality, and customer service in the North American paperboard industry for over three decades. Hammond Paper's product line includes chipboard, graphic board, slip sheets, layer pads, padding board, stiffeners, CRB / CCNB, SBS / TMP, corrugated cardboard, kraft, edge protectors, pallet wrap, and decorative and industrial void crinkle paper shred and filler products. Hammond is a full-service paperboard converter, including guillotining, slitting, die cutting, laminating, grooving, round cornering, and more. Commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction remains the cornerstone of Hammond's business philosophy. For sales inquiries or further information about Hammond's product and service offerings, please refer to: www.hammondpaper.com/contact www.hammondpaper.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258866 SOURCE: Hammond Paper Company THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:JOG), (the "Company", or "Stillwater") is pleased to announce that it has closed the final tranche (the "Final Tranche") of its previously announced "best efforts" private placement (the "Offering"). Under the Final Tranche, the Company sold 15,307,980 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.23 per Unit (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds of approximately C$3,520,835. In aggregate under the Offering, the Company sold 30,434,782 Units at the Offering Price for gross proceeds of approximately C$7,000,000, which includes the full exercise of the agent's option. Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud") acted as sole agent and bookrunner in connection with the Offering. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant issued pursuant to the Final Tranche entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.34 at any time on or before July 15, 2028. In accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units were issued to Canadian purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The Common Shares and the Warrant Shares underlying the Units are immediately freely tradeable in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation if sold to purchasers resident in Canada. The Units were also sold in offshore jurisdictions and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended(the "U.S. Securities Act"). All securities not issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption are subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities law, expiring four months and one day following the issue date. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for the exploration and advancement of the Company's flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co+Au project in the Stillwater mining district in Montana, U.S., for a lesser exploration program at its Kluane critical minerals project in Yukon, Canada, and for general corporate purposes and working capital as is more fully described in the Offering Document (as defined below). As consideration for their services in the Final Tranche, Red Cloud received aggregate cash fees of C$164,407.27 and 714,814 non-transferable common share purchase warrants (the "Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at the Offering Price for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of issuance. The Broker Warrants are subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities law, expiring four months and one day following the issue date, being November 16, 2025. In connection with the Final Tranche, the Company has also paid finder's fees totaling $3,105 and issued 13,500 finder's warrants on the same terms as the Warrants and are subject to a hold period same as for the Broker Warrants. To accommodate additional over-subscriptions including participation by additional insiders, the Company intends to complete an additional follow-on non-brokered private placement not to exceed 1,000,000 units at a price of C$0.23 per unit for gross proceeds of up to approximately C$230,000 (the "Additional Offering"), with each unit consisting of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$0.34 for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of issuance. The securities sold pursuant to the Additional Offering will not be issued in reliance on the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, and will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the closing of such offering. No finders' fees are payable on any portion of the Additional Offering. Closing of the Additional Offering is subject to certain customary conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Additional Offering for the same purposes of the Offering. Glencore Canada Corporation ("Glencore"), a subsidiary of Glencore plc, has indicated that it intends to exercise its participation rights pursuant to the investor rights agreement with the Company dated May 1, 2024, to acquire its pro rata units of the Company in connection with the Offering and Additional Offering. The anticipated participation of Glencore (an insider of the Company) in the separate non-brokered private placement, the participation of Gregor Hamilton (a director of the Company) under the Offering, and the anticipated participation of other insiders in the Additional Offering constitute related party transactions pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the participation of the related parties in the private placements in reliance on the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively. The Company did not file a material change report at least 21 days before the expected closing date of the Offering as the insider participation had not been confirmed at that time and the Company wished to close the Offering as expeditiously as possible. The securities issued to Gregor Hamilton under the Offering are subject to a hold period in accordance with TSXV policies, expiring four months and one day following the issue date, being October 26, 2025. The closing of the Offering remains subject to the final approval of the TSXV. There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at: www.criticalminerals.com. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended(the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V: PGE | OTCQB: PGEZF | FSE: J0G) is a resource-stage mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in the iconic and famously productive Stillwater mining district in Montana, USA. With the addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team and strategic investments by Glencore plc, the Company is well positioned to advance the next phase of large-scale critical mineral supply from this world-class American district, building on past production of nickel, copper, and chromium, and the on-going production of platinum group, nickel, and other metals by neighboring Sibanye Stillwater. An expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, released January 2023, positions Stillwater West with the largest nickel-platinum group element resource in an active U.S. mining district as part of a compelling suite of ten minerals now listed as critical in the USA. Stillwater also holds a 49% interest in the high-grade Drayton-Black Lake gold project adjacent to NexGold Mining's development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co critical minerals project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum's Wellgreen deposit in Canada's Yukon Territory. The Company also holds the Duke Island Cu-Ni-PGE property in Alaska and maintains a back-in right on the high-grade past-producing Yankee-Dundee mine in BC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director - Stillwater Critical Minerals Email: info@criticalminerals.com Phone: (604) 357 4790 Web: http://criticalminerals.com Toll Free: (888) 432 0075 Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Stillwater Critical Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Stillwater Critical Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/stillwater-critical-minerals-closes-final-tranche-of-brokered-life-offering-for-a-1048965 Langley, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Longhouse's work for PumpWell Water Solutions has been recognized as a winner for Logo Design in the July Design Awards. Longhouse Branding & Marketing's award-winning logo design for PumpWell Water Solutions To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10587/258854_eb42c657540a8b82_001full.jpg The logo features a circular mark of stylized water droplets arranged in a gear-like shape, paired with a bold geometric typeface. The icon reflects PumpWell's mission of delivering dependable water infrastructure through a balance of modernity, clarity, and approachability. The graphic designers at Longhouse Branding & Marketing used a deep blue color to communicate stability and bright accents for a fresh, human touch. The droplet icon system has also been applied across the brand's materials to ensure consistency and recognition across digital and physical media. "Longhouse was recently named the #1 fastest-growing Branding company in the world. Being selected as DesignRush's best company logo design is continuing that momentum and energizing our entire team." says Keenan Beavis the Founder and CEO of the agency. DesignRush's Design Awards is a monthly initiative that highlights exceptional creative work across six categories: Website Logo Print App Packaging Video Each month's finalists are selected by a jury of experienced creatives and industry professionals who assess submissions for originality, functionality, and technical execution. About Longhouse: Longhouse Branding & Marketing helps business & community leaders make their impact by winning their time back. Over 850 organizations across 92 industries have chosen Longhouse to simplify their to-do list. With award-winning graphic design, web development, advertising, search engine optimization and social media services, the Longhouse team has become one of the world's fastest-growing and most sought after agencies. About DesignRush: DesignRush.com is a B2B marketplace and media platform connecting businesses with agencies through expert reviews and agency ranking lists, awards, knowledge resources, and personalized agency recommendations for vetted projects. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258854 SOURCE: DesignRush Partners Group / Key word(s): Annual Results Partners Group reports solid AuM development in H1 and reconfirms full-year guidance 15-Jul-2025 / 17:45 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Baar-Zug, Switzerland; 15 July 2025 | Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 Listing Rules (LR) USD 12 billion in new client commitments received in H1 2025 USD 9 billion invested and USD 9 billion realized in a volatile market USD 22-27 billion in expected gross new client demand confirmed for full-year 2025 Strong investment and exit pipeline lined up for H2 2025 Partners Group received USD 12 billion in new commitments from its global client base in H1 2025, as well as USD 4 billion in fee-paying assets from the closing of the acquisition of Empira Group, bringing the firm's total assets under management (AuM[1]) to USD 174 billion as of 30 June 2025 (30 June 2024: USD 149 billion). The firm committed USD 9 billion (H1 2024: USD 9 billion) globally to investments across private markets asset classes and generated USD 9 billion (H1 2024: USD 9 billion) in realizations. Partners Group reconfirms its full-year 2025 guidance for total fundraising of USD 22 to 27 billion. David Layton, Partner and Chief Executive Officer, comments: "After a positive start, H1 was marked by volatility in global markets, due to the prolonged uncertainty around tariffs. This had a dampening effect on transaction volumes in private markets, including for Partners Group, although we succeeded in finding pockets of relative value to invest in. On the client side, we saw solid demand, despite a broadly muted fundraising environment. Fundraising was strongest for our bespoke solutions, with mandate inflows supported by the need for tailorization and evergreen inflows by our new fund launches. In H1, we leveraged the strengths of the Partners Group platform to navigate a tough cycle; going into H2, we have a strong pipeline of investments and exits and are ready to capitalize on a more stable market environment." USD 12 billion in new client demand in H1 Overall client demand resulted in total new commitments of USD 12 billion (H1 2024: USD 11 billion). Mandates were the strongest contributor during the period at 39% of new assets raised, while evergreens contributed 35%. Partners Group's three most mature programs accounted for 43% of total inflows to evergreens, versus 57% from the rest, including its newest evergreen funds. Traditional programs contributed 26% to H1 assets raised; the firm currently has funds in market for direct infrastructure, infrastructure secondaries, private equity secondaries, and direct credit. With a one-off underwritten AuM contribution of USD 4 billion stemming from the acquisition of Empira Group, which closed in H1, gross new assets stood at USD 16 billion. Tail-down effects from mature private markets investment programs amounted to USD -3.2 billion and redemptions from evergreen programs totaled USD -2.8 billion. Foreign exchange effects affected AuM growth by USD +10 billion during the period. A final USD +2.3 billion came from other factors such as a select number of investment programs that link AuM to NAV development[2]. Roberto Cagnati, Partner, Chief Risk Officer and Head Portfolio Solutions, adds: "Private markets are a long-term asset class, and having a proven ability to successfully navigate changing markets will be a core differentiator for managers as the industry continues to grow and attract new clients. While the market is getting more competitive in both the institutional and private wealth client segments, we believe our long-term track record of managing evergreen funds and single-line approach to mandates sets us apart." Breakdown of total AuM as of 30 June 2025 (in USD billion): 31 Dec 24 30 Jun 25 Gross client demand Last 5 years CAGR[3] Private equity 77.6 83.3 3.5 13% Private credit 31.5 37.8 5.5 11% Infrastructure 27.4 30.6 2.4 17% Real estate 15.6 22.4[4] 0.7 8%[4] Royalties 0.2 0.3 0.1 n/a Of which: Traditional programs 44.8 55.8 3.2 9% Mandates 59.5 66.5 4.8 12% Evergreens 48.0 52.1 4.3 17% Total 152.3 174.4 12.2 13% USD 9 billion invested in H1, with a focus on finding relative value in a volatile market Partners Group invested USD 9 billion (H1 2024: USD 9 billion) on behalf of its clients into diversified companies and assets during the first half of the year, applying its deep thematic expertise to find resilient assets offering relative value in a challenging and volatile market. Direct investments remain the cornerstone of Partners Group's investment approach. Within Private Equity, the firm agreed to acquire MPM Products, a global pet food business focused on premium cat food. Data centers continue to be a key focus for Partners Group's Infrastructure business, which has invested over USD 4 billion in data centers globally since 2021. In H1, the firm announced investments in Digital Halo, a Singapore headquartered data center operator focused on Southeast and North Asia, and GreenSquare Data Centers, a data center provider in Australia. Secondary investments were a tactical overweight during the period, as market volatility led some investors to seek liquidity options, creating opportunities to acquire high-quality LP portfolios at attractive prices. Together with primary commitments to other complementary private markets strategies and investments into the broadly syndicated loan market, portfolio assets accounted for 48% of capital deployed in H1 versus 52% for direct assets. Investments were broadly diversified across geographies. USD 9 billion realized in H1, across a diverse spectrum of assets Portfolio realizations amounted to USD 9 billion (H1 2024: USD 9 billion) during the period. In a muted transaction environment, appetite for critical infrastructure assets remained resilient and Partners Group was able to generate significant returns for its clients from this asset class. On the direct side, this included the sale of Greenlink, a 504 MW subsea electricity interconnector linking Great Britain and Ireland, at an enterprise value of over EUR 1 billion. Meanwhile the firm's infrastructure secondaries business contributed meaningfully, with proceeds derived largely from the sale of a portfolio of critical power generation and grid integration assets. In addition, Partners Group continued the gradual sell-down of several companies it listed on the public markets, providing additional returns for the firm. These included Vishal Mega Mart, a leading retailer in India, which began trading on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India in December 2024, and Aavas Financiers, a market leader in affordable housing finance in India, which initially listed on BSE and the National Stock Exchange of India in 2018. Outlook H2 2025 For the full year 2025, Partners Group expects total new client assets of between USD 26 to 31 billion. This includes the guidance of USD 22 to 27 billion in expected gross client demand from existing Partners Group business activities and USD 4 billion of platform growth from the acquisition of Empira Group, which was counted in H1. Full-year estimates for tail-down effects from more mature closed-ended investment programs are USD -9 to -10 billion. Due to the visibility Partners Group has on its exit pipeline, the firm confirms its previously communicated guidance for performance fees to be in the range of 20-30% of total revenues for full-year 2025; furthermore, it expects H1 to be within this range. Conference call today Partners Group's senior management will hold a conference call today at 6:15pm CEST. To register for the call, please click here or use the contact details at the end of this press release. Key date 02 September 2025 Interim Financial Results and Report as of 30 June 2025, 7:00am CEST [1] AuM is an Alternative Performance Metric (APM). A description of the APMs can be found in Partners Group's 2024 Annual Report on pages 35-37, available for download at http://www.partnersgroup.com/en/shareholders/reports-presentations/ . AuM figures are for Partners Group Holding AG, inclusive of all Partners Group affiliates. [2]Partners Group reports fee-paying AuM. Most of the firm's evergreen programs base fees on NAV. The portfolio performance during the period impacts the NAV of these products and this translates to a corresponding change in firm-level AuM. Calculations for semi-annual AuM numbers for evergreen programs are based on 31 May NAV valuations and include net flows as of 30 June. Full-year AuM numbers will be based on 30 November NAV valuations and include net flows as of 31 December. [3] CAGR: compound annual growth rate for net assets for the period 30 June 2020 - 30 June 2025. [4] Includes USD 4 billion in underwritten fee-paying assets from the closing of the Empira acquisition. About Partners Group Partners Group is one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, with around 1'800 professionals and over USD 174 billion in assets under management. The firm has investment programs and custom mandates spanning private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate, and royalties. With its heritage in Switzerland and its primary presence in the Americas in Colorado, Partners Group is built differently from the rest of the industry. The firm leverages its differentiated culture and its operationally oriented approach to identify attractive investment themes and to build businesses and assets into market leaders. For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com or follow us on LinkedIn . Shareholder relations contact Danica Ruso Phone: +41 41 784 67 67 Email: danica.ruso@partnersgroup.com Media relations contact Jenny Blinch Phone: +44 207 575 2571 Email: jenny.blinch@partnersgroup.com End of Inside Information Move marks a significant step in SCA's coast-to-coast expansion strategy, ensuring clients nationwide have access to sophisticated financial solutions and unparalleled professionalism LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Succession Capital Alliance (SCA), the innovator behind premium financing for life insurance and a leading provider of advanced life insurance solutions for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, and an affiliate of AmeriLife, announces a strategic expansion to Morristown, New Jersey. The company also announced that SCA Vice President Daniel Ditusa will lead the new office as Vice President and Branch Leader of the Northeast Region. Succession Capital Alliance Since 1996, Julian Movsesian has been a pioneer in the premium financing industry. Over the past two decades, SCA has placed over $65 billion in life insurance and is managing a $7 billion loan portfolio. The company's proprietary Capital Maximization Strategy? (CMS) has revolutionized the way ultra-high-net-worth individuals manage their life insurance needs. CMS offers a flexible and efficient option for making permanent life insurance premium payments, enabling clients to maintain their asset liquidity and align their financial strategies with their capital, income, business, tax, estate, and charitable objectives. "Our expansion to the New York tri-state area is a natural progression as we continue to serve the sophisticated financial needs of ultra-high-net-worth individuals," said Julian Movsesian, president and CEO of Succession Capital Alliance. "With Dan at the helm, we are dedicated to working in partnership with advisory teams to develop custom plans that protect and maximize their clients' wealth and legacy." Succession Capital's COO, Danielle Williamson, added, "Morristown is part of our broader strategy to provide white-glove service from coast to coast, ensuring that our clients receive the highest level of support and professionalism, irrespective of location or time zone. The New York tri-state area is a key market for the advisory teams we serve and our robust network of carriers and lenders." Value Proposition for Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals in NJ and Surrounding Cities Customized Solutions: SCA's Capital Maximization Strategy? (CMS) is designed to meet the specific needs of high-net-worth clients, offering flexible and efficient premium financing options. Asset Liquidity: Clients can finance policy premiums without liquidating their assets, preserving their wealth and ensuring it is maximized and protected for future generations. White-glove Professionalism and Support: SCA collaborates closely with advisory teams to provide advanced sales support, ensuring that clients receive the best possible guidance on their estate planning needs Robust Infrastructure: The company's commitment to ongoing policy management and servicing ensures that each client is cared for with the highest standards of integrity and trust. SCA's focus on education and support for advisors is another key industry differentiator, ensuring that clients receive the best possible guidance and solutions. "Education and support of the advisor doing premium financing is critically important,' added Michael Rothman, Chief Distribution Officer, Succession Capital Alliance. "While we have always been a national firm, Succession Capital Alliance is now officially a 'coast to coast' company." For more information on how Succession Capital Alliance can help maximize your clients' life insurance assets, please get in touch with us and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates and insights. ### About Succession Capital Alliance: Succession Capital Alliance, headquartered in Newport Beach, California, is the gold standard in advanced life insurance planning for advisors and their high-net-worth clients. With a singular focus on maximizing the performance of life insurance assets through Premium Financing, SCA leverages the Capital Maximization Strategy to provide leverage within a client's portfolio. For additional information, please visit SuccessionCapital.com. About AmeriLife AmeriLife's strength lies in its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions that help people live longer, healthier lives. AmeriLife develops, markets, and distributes life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For over 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers through a national distribution network of over 300,000 agents, financial professionals, and more than 160 marketing organizations and insurance agencies. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. SOURCE: Succession Capital Alliance Related Images View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/succession-capital-alliance-expands-to-the-east-coast-with-the-openi-1047944 Stillwater, Oklahoma--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Oklahoma State University has launched a new prestigious scholarship program with generous support from several Cowboy alumni. In collaboration with President Jim Hess, 12 alumni families have joined together to launch the Horizon Scholars program, which will create a unique educational experience and provide renewable, four-year support for incoming first-time freshmen. The distinctive program aims to attract and develop students who exemplify the Cowboy Code and demonstrate a well-rounded combination of academic and leadership potential, curiosity, ambition and a strong work ethic. The program will have a tailored curriculum that prepares students with practical and relevant experiences and will include stipends for internships and study abroad as well as mentorship opportunities with scholarship donors and Dr. Hess. The program offers substantial benefits to its scholars, including: $7,500 per year scholarship for four years $5,000 one-time award toward a study abroad experience $5,000 one-time internship or work experience stipend In-state tuition for all students outside of Oklahoma Personalized connections with scholarship donors, including mentorship, networking and professional development Ability to combine with other aid packages to ensure comprehensive support for students Starting with fall 2026 enrollment, admitted freshmen will be eligible to apply for OSU's Horizon Scholars program and will be invited to submit additional materials, including a video essay. The Horizon Scholars application deadline is Nov. 1. More information about the program and application process is available at: https://bit.ly/HorizonScholars Hess said the Horizon Scholars program celebrates the generosity of the Cowboy family and honors the investment of the hardworking, successful donors who made it happen. "These incredible families are not only helping the next generation, but they're also leading by example and demonstrating what a strong work ethic combined with an OSU degree can accomplish," Hess said. "We know students will be inspired by these donors and will be encouraged to challenge themselves while they're here. Hard work and paying it forward are what make our alums so special, and these students will begin their journey to join them." OSU alumni Bryan and Jessica Begley were among the group of donors who helped shape and invest in the program. The couple, who graduated from OSU in 1994 and 1995, respectively, said they were inspired by their own time as students in Stillwater. "We are confident that the Horizon Scholars program will attract terrific students and prepare them to compete with the best of the best in any career path," Bryan Begley said. "We think these students will quickly become highly sought after by the top employers and graduate programs. Jessica and I are honored and excited to invest in these future leaders." Alumnus Joe Eastin and his wife, Monica, were eager to contribute to this opportunity for incoming freshmen for the 2026-27 academic year and provide access to world-class resources through the Eastin Center for Career Readiness at OSU. "It is an honor to be a part of the new scholarship program to help students who embody the Cowboy Code continue to develop into future leaders," said Joe Eastin, executive chairman and board chair at ISN Software Corporation. "Monica and I look forward to congratulating the 2026 inaugural recipients of the Horizon Scholars Program and are excited for them to begin their OSU journey." Horizon Scholars, regardless of their chosen major, will participate in a rigorous, interdisciplinary foundational curriculum rooted in humanities, social sciences and STEM. The core curriculum will also include intensive reading and writing and special seminars and classes focused on current events and topics. The program's objective is to create well-rounded, well-read leaders who can think critically, creatively and independently. Additional support for scholars includes targeted leadership development programming, specialized career training through the Eastin Center for Career Readiness, study abroad programming to expand global mindsets, and campus involvement requirements to enhance leadership roles and campus experiences. "OSU has long combined the best of both worlds in higher education: a large research university where students can study almost anything they want, and a family atmosphere in which students find small communities that make the university feel like a home," said Dr. Chris Francisco, senior vice provost for academic affairs. "Through the generosity of our donors, the Horizon Scholars will have access to a premier academic experience in a small community of hard-working students, where they will make lifelong connections with faculty, mentors and fellow future leaders." With a vision to impact 400 students annually, the OSU Foundation and initial donor group hope to attract investments from up to 20 donor families before the first cohort of scholars arrive on campus in Fall 2026. "These families are leading by example and showing the entire Cowboy family the power of generosity. We are incredibly grateful," said Blaire Atkinson, OSU Foundation president. "Our ultimate, long-term vision is that every student at Oklahoma State is connected through a donor-funded four-year scholarship, and we hope others will join us in making this happen." OSU and the OSU Foundation are actively engaging additional alumni and friends who are passionate about elevating the institution through student support. For more information about supporting scholarships at OSU, please contact the OSU Foundation at 800-622-4678 or visit OSUgiving.com. Successful OSU Graduates Pay It Forward to the Next Generation The cohort of Horizon Scholar donors are all hard-working, resilient and entrepreneurial alumni who represent the best of OSU. Each of the following 12 alumni families has had remarkable success leading high-impact organizations while adhering to the Cowboy Code. They're giving back to the next generation, because that's what Cowboys do. And they're challenging fellow OSU alumni to do the same. Monica and Joe Eastin ('92 Business Administration); Dallas Jessica ('95 Family Relations and Child Development) and Bryan Begley ('94 Mechanical Engineering); Southlake, Texas Jennifer ('81 Finance) and Mark Allen ('81 Finance); Charleston, South Carolina Gina ('79 Elementary Education) and Tucker Bridwell; Abilene, Texas Angie ('93 Middle School Mathematics) and Brian Callahan ('94 Accounting); Dallas Julie ('99 Management Information Systems, '00 MBA) and Claude Connelly; Dallas Helen Hodges ('79 Accounting); San Diego Shelly ('88 Business Administration) and Gant Lambertz; Oklahoma City Janet McGehee and Bryan Close ('66 Hotel and Restaurant Administration); Tulsa, Oklahoma Gail ('80 Home Economics Education and Clothing & Textile Design) and Rick Muncrief ('80 Petroleum Engineering Technology); Edmond, Oklahoma Ann ('87 Chemical Engineering) and Bill Oglesby ('89 Finance); Bartlesville, Oklahoma Jamie ('98 Management Information Systems) and Darton Zink ('94 Accounting); Tulsa, Oklahoma DONOR PHOTOS & INFO: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_anG9SvkARXopbafjgjH-V7YIBrvtAc4 ABOUT THE OSU FOUNDATION: The Oklahoma State University Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents. Its mission is to unite donor passions with university priorities to elevate the impact of OSU. ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY: Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 35,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 26,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and more than 127 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 290,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258899 SOURCE: Oklahoma State University WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Fragrance Creators Association is pleased to announce the recertification of the Congressional Fragrance Caucus for the 119th Congress. Since its inception in 2018, the bipartisan Caucus has served as a strong voice on issues impacting the fragrance value chain and has worked to advance innovation and safety for the industry and the consumers it serves. The Caucus will once again be co-chaired by Congressman Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ). "I'm honored to be a returning member of the Congressional Fragrance Caucus and to serve as a Co-Chair again in the 119th Congress," said Congressman Loudermilk. "This billion-dollar industry supports thousands of American jobs and is a global economic force, yet its foundation is built upon small business ideals that foster innovation. Serving on this bi-partisan caucus will allow me to help strengthen the working relationship between the industry, its regulators, and Congress, in a way that will benefit all Americans." "The fragrance industry is an important economic presence in New Jersey, employing thousands of people and producing innovative materials used in products that people enjoy around the world. I am delighted to continue to lead this bipartisan group on Capitol Hill," said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. During the 119th Congress, the Congressional Fragrance Caucus will focus on supporting EPA's advancement toward approving newer, better chemistries - an effort FCA is leading for the fragrance sector and pioneering for the chemical industry at-large - implementing the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act, and fostering a policy landscape that rewards responsible business practices. United in their support for the fragrance industry - which contributes tens of billions of dollars annually to GDP and supports hundreds of thousands of U.S.-based jobs, Caucus members are committed to ensuring the industry's continued creativity and growth. "We are deeply appreciative of Congressman Loudermilk and Congresswoman Watson Coleman for their steadfast leadership of the Congressional Fragrance Caucus and for serving as strong advocates for the fragrance value chain on Capitol Hill," said Farah K. Ahmed, President & CEO of Fragrance Creators Association. "The Caucus provides our members with access to bipartisan leaders in Congress and a powerful platform to help our industry advance more good for people, perfume, and the planet." For media inquiries or further information, please contact: Emily Cruz Fragrance Creators Association ecruz@fragrancecreators.org About Fragrance Creators Association: Fragrance Creators Association is the trade association representing the majority of fragrance manufacturing in North America. We also represent fragrance-related interests along the value chain. Fragrance Creators' member companies are diverse, including large, medium, and small-sized companies that create, manufacture, and use fragrances and scents for home care, personal care, home design, fine fragrance, and industrial and institutional products, as well as those that supply fragrance ingredients, including natural extracts and other raw materials used in perfumery and fragrance mixtures. Fragrance Creators also produces The Fragrance Conservatory, a comprehensive digital resource for high-quality fragrance information. SOURCE: Fragrance Creators Association View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/education/fragrance-creators-announces-the-congressional-fragrance-caucus-is-recertified-for-the-11-1049058 WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / DashVixel Holdings is an artificial intelligence (AI) consulting company that uses innovative solutions, quantum computing and platforms, and predictive modeling to improve decision making and product development. "The company began with the bold mission of empowering visionary startups and mid-sized firms developing transformative technologies, especially those operating in dual-use commercial and mission-critical spaces. With a unique blend of proprietary AI, quantum tools, and its trademark Modeled Intelligence approach, DashVixel delivers hands-on leadership, strategic guidance, and deep technical support to help breakthrough companies cross the finish line - the elusive final 10% where most stumble," said Darrell Covell, CEO and Founder of DashVixel. A Legacy of Innovation and Impact Led by a team with a proven track record of successful launches, scale-ups, and effective exit strategies, DashVixel is built on experience. Among its foundational successes was Rsignia, Inc., a cyber warfare pioneer that developed stealth defense and surgical offensive systems using DPI and DPM technologies. Rsignia's capabilities were recognized nationally for their impact on cyber operations. Rsignia(R) Demonstrates Its Cyber Warfare Offensive Capability DashVixel's expertise extends beyond the cyber industry to include cutting-edge work in Social Media Intelligence (SocMint), counter-narratives, and predictive analytics - including novel applications utilizing the laws of thermodynamics to modulate digital sentiment across online communities and operational theaters. Lessons from the Field Having supported multiple advanced tech ventures across sectors, DashVixel has diagnosed a consistent pattern. Many companies succeed in building world-class technology and assembling strong teams but falter in the final mile due to: Complex regulatory and security environments, especially within DoD and the Intelligence Community Delays in obtaining required clearances for mission-related engagements Distractions from core R&D due to funding shortfalls or shallow investor pipelines Unrecognized blind spots in compliance, positioning, or execution timing DashVixel exists to solve these problems with precision, speed, and discretion. How We Help DashVixel operates as a force multiplier, embedding leadership and support where it matters most. Our team includes former senior officials from the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, Department of Justice, and leading commercial innovators. Together, we offer companies an integrated capability set that includes: Strategic technology roadmapping and go-to-market alignment Clearance and lab CONOPS navigation for secure mission access Scenario testing via trusted field labs Capital raise preparation and due diligence support High-performance AI and quantum platforms driven by our Modeled Intelligence engine By combining technical credibility with strategic clarity, DashVixel helps innovators bridge the gap between potential and performance. DashVixel's results-oriented model is rooted in realism, execution, and impact. Whether our partners aim to capture commercial market share or deliver critical mission capabilities, our role is to efficiently accelerate their path with confidence and discipline. The experienced leadership team at DashVixel is committed to delivering exceptional and unparalleled AI and quantum consulting services and customized to meet the unique needs of each client. Corporate Inquiries: DashVixel Holdings Email: contact@dashvixel.com Website: www.dashvixel.com Phone: 410-599-7900 Investor & Media Contact: Chesapeake Group Email: info@chesapeakegp.com Phone: (410) 825-3930 SOURCE: DashVixel, LLC View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/successfully-launched-dashvixel-holdings-is-leveraging-the-power-1049071 KELOWNA, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Avant Brands Inc. (TSX:AVNT)(OTCQX:AVTBF)(FRA:1BUP) ("Avant" or the "Company"), a leading producer of innovative and award-winning cannabis products, today released its financial results for the second quarter ended May 31, 2025 ("Q2 2025"). With a growing international footprint and deep penetration into key global medical markets, Avant continues to scale as the go-to Canadian exporter for top-shelf cannabis at commercial volume. The Company delivered its sixth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA1, supported by growth in Export Wholesale Revenue2 and disciplined operational execution. (1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com (2) Export Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Highlights include: Gross and Net Revenue Increases: Gross Revenue increased 3% to $9.7 million, while Net Revenue increased 3% to $8.5 million as compared to Q2 2024, driven by sustained international demand for premium cannabis and strong relationships with customers. Export Wholesale Revenue 2 : Export Wholesale Revenue 2 reached $4.1 million, representing an 11% increase over Q2 2024, reflecting Avant's expanding presence in key international medical markets such as Germany, Israel, and Australia. (2) Export Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Domestic Wholesale Revenue 3 : Domestic Wholesale Revenue 3 reached $1.3 million, representing a 31% increase over Q2 2024. (3) Domestic Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Adjusted EBITDA 1 : Achieved Adjusted EBITDA 1 of $1.2 million, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA 1 . (1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Net Cash Flows Generated from Operating Activities: Net cash flows generated from operating activities year to date ("YTD") increased 7% to $2.6 million as compared to Q2 2024. Avant Brands Founder & CEO Norton Singhavon Comments: "Avant is executing at a global scale. We are establishing ourselves as the leading Canadian exporter of high-grade cannabis, trusted by top-tier distributors in markets like Germany, Israel, and Australia. Our ability to deliver consistent, premium-quality product at scale is what sets us apart. As international demand accelerates, our focus remains on building globally recognized brands and solidifying Avant's position as the standard for Canadian cannabis on the world stage." Fiscal Q2 2025 Financial Highlights (vs. Fiscal Q2 2024): Revenue: Gross Revenue: $9.7 million (+3%) Net Revenue: $8.5 million (+3%) Export Wholesale Revenue 2 : $4.1 million (+11%) Recreational Revenue 4 : $2.9 million (-14%) Domestic Wholesale Revenue 3 : $1.3 million (+37%) (2) Export Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com (3) Domestic Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com (4) Recreational Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Recreational Revenue4 declined because of a strategic shift toward higher-margin, top-performing SKUs. This realignment is expected to drive long-term profitability, while resources continue to be prioritized toward scaling international operations. (4) Recreational Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Gross Margin adjusted for fair value adjustments5: Gross Margin adjusted for fair value adjustments 5 : Decreased to $2.2 million (-27%) due to improved Cost of Sales allocations. Gross Margin % adjusted for fair value adjustments 6 : Decreased to 26% (vs. 37%). YTD Net Cash Flows Generated from Operating activities increased 7% versus the comparative period, inclusive of the improved allocations to Cost of Sales. (5) Gross Margin adjusted for fair value adjustments is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com (6) Gross Margin % adjusted for fair value adjustments is a non-GAAP performance ratio. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Adjusted EBITDA1 Achieved Adjusted EBITDA 1 of $1.2 million, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA 1 . (1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Cannabis Production and Sales: Cannabis Production: 3,327 KG (+4%). Cannabis Sales: 2,799 KG sold (+3%). About Avant Brands Inc. Avant Brands Inc. (TSX: AVNT) (OTCQX: AVTBF) (FRA: 1BUP) is a leading innovator in premium cannabis products, driven by a commitment to exceptional quality and craftsmanship. As one of Canada's largest indoor producers, the company operates multiple production facilities across the country, cultivating unique and high-quality cannabis strains. Avant offers a diverse product portfolio catering to recreational, medical, and export markets. Its renowned consumer brands, including blk mkt, Tenzo, Cognoscente, flowr, and Treehugger, are available in key recreational markets across Canada. The company's international footprint spans Australia, Israel, and Germany, with its flagship brand blk mkt leading the way. Avant also serves qualified medical patients nationwide through its GreenTec medical cannabis brand, accessible via the GreenTec Medical portal and trusted partner network. Avant is a publicly traded company, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and accessible to international investors through the OTCQX Best Market (OTCQX) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA). Headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, the company operates in strategic locations throughout Canada. Learn More: For more information about Avant, including investor presentations and details about its consumer brands, please visit the company website: www.avantbrands.ca Investor Relations: For inquiries, please contact Avant Brands Investor Relations at 1-800-351-6358 or ir@avantbrands.ca. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, encompassing statements regarding Avant Brands Inc.'s ("Avant" or the "Company") plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations concerning future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "plans," "may," "could," "should," "will," or variations of such words and phrases. In particular, this news release includes forward-looking information related to, but not limited to, the Company's expectations for future revenue and sales growth, the continued performance of its international operations, the demand for its premium cannabis products-including the blk mkt brand-in key global markets, and the Company's strategic initiatives to prioritize high-performing SKUs, streamline its domestic offerings, and expand its presence in Australia, Germany, Israel, and other international jurisdictions. Forward-looking information also includes statements concerning the Company's ongoing focus on operational efficiencies, profitability, and the anticipated availability of financial statements and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") on the Company's SEDAR+ profile and website, providing investors with comprehensive financial information. Investors should be aware that forward-looking information involves inherent risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such information. Management's current expectations may not accurately predict future events or outcomes. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical fact but instead reflects management's expectations, estimates, or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions, and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance, or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: regulatory and licensing risks; changes in consumer demand and preferences; changes in general economic, business, and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; compliance with extensive government regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; and the risk factors set out in the Company's annual information form dated February 28, 2025 filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties, and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FINANCIAL INFORMATION This document should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (the "financial statements") and the Company's MD&A for the three months and six months ended May 31, 2025, and audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended November 30, 2024. All dollar amounts are referenced in millions of Canadian dollars, except where noted otherwise. The Company's financial statements and MD&A for the three months and six months ended May 31, 2025 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). Additional information relating to the Company, including its Annual Information Form for the year ended November 30, 2024, is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Information on the Company's website does not form part of and is not incorporated by reference in the Company's MD&A. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES This document includes references to non-GAAP measures, which include non-GAAP and other financial measures as defined in National Instrument 52-112 - Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure. These financial measures are used by the Company to evaluate its financial performance, financial position or cash flow and include non-GAAP financial measures, non-?GAAP ratios, total of segments measures, capital management measures, and supplementary financial measures. These financial measures are not defined by IFRS and therefore are referred to as non-GAAP and other financial measures. The non-GAAP and other financial measures used by the Company may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, and should not be considered an alternative to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable financial measure presented in the Company's financial statements, as applicable, as an indication of the Company's performance. Descriptions of the Company's non-GAAP and other financial measures included in this document, and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, as applicable, are provided in the "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-Gaap Performance Measures" section of the Company's MD&A for the three months and six months ended May 31, 2025, dated July 15th, 2025. SOURCE: Avant Brands Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/avant-brands-announces-results-for-q2-2025-1048742 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Roberto Resources Inc. (CSE: RBTO) ("Roberto" or the "Company") announces a non-brokered private placement financing of 2,500,000 common shares (the "Shares") at a price of $0.40 per Share for gross proceeds of $1,000,000 (the "Offering"). The Company would like to announce that certain Officers and Directors are expected to participate in the Offering. The Shares issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period. The Company does not intend to pay any finder's fees user the Offering. Proceeds of the Offering are expected to be used for general working capital and future payables related to the acquisition of the Claudia Project located in Durango, Mexico, as previously announced on June 30, 2025. Closing of the Offering is subject to the acceptance of the Canadian Securities Exchange. Name Change The Company also announces that it plans to change its name to "Pacifica Silver Corp." (the "Name Change"). In connection with the Name Change, the Company plans to change the symbol its common shares trade under to "PSIL". Shareholders will not be required to exchange their existing share certificates for new certificates bearing the Company's new name. The Name Change does not affect the Company's share structure or the rights of the Company's shareholders, and no further action is required by existing shareholders. The Name Change is subject to acceptance of the Canadian Securities Exchange. About Roberto Resources Inc. Roberto is engaged in the acquisition and exploration of its Janampalla Property, which is comprised of three exploration concessions for total area of 2,800 hectares and is located in the Huancavalica Province of Central Peru. Roberto currently holds an option to acquire a one hundred percent (100%) interest in the Janampalla Property. Roberto is focused on continuing exploration work that has indicated widespread, high-grade copper-gold mineralization hosted within Manto style veins and disseminations. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements that constitute forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical statements of fact are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, future, strategy, objectives, goals and targets, and more specifically, the use of proceeds of the Offering. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "aim", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, including, but not limited to, those risks and assumptions described in the Company's latest management discussion and analysis, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. While Scope considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions, continued satisfaction of Canadian Securities Exchange requirements, product safety and recalls, regulatory compliance and risks associated with the Company's business. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the business of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258926 SOURCE: Roberto Resources Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - As a result of a review by staff of the Ontario Securities Commission, we are issuing the following news release regarding our disclosure on the Westmoreland Project. Laramide Resources Ltd. (TSX: LAM) (ASX: LAM) (OTCQX: LMRXF) ("Laramide" or the "Company") announces that it has filed an amended version of its Annual Information Form ("AIF") for the year ended December 31, 2024, originally filed on March 30, 2025. The amended filing was made in accordance with CSA Staff Notice 51-711 - Refilings and Corrections of Errors, and includes enhanced disclosure related to the Company's Westmoreland Uranium Project in Queensland, Australia. Specifically, the Company has removed all references to the 2016 Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"), also referred to as the Westmoreland Scoping Study, from the AIF. It should be noted that the Westmoreland Scoping Study, completed in 2016 and referenced in previous editions of the AIF, provides sound technical information but is no longer considered the Current Technical Report for the project in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The amended AIF continues to include current mineral resource estimates and other project information supported by the Company's most recent NI 43-101 compliant technical report. The amended AIF is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at Laramide.com. Corresponding corrections have also been made to the Company's current corporate presentation, which is available on the Company's website, and to the offering document filed under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption ("LIFE"). The Company confirms that the amendments are not material to its financial position or operating results, and that no changes have been made to the previously disclosed mineral resource estimates for the Westmoreland Project. This news release has been reviewed and approved by a senior executive officer of the Company. Qualified/Competent Person The information in this announcement relating to Mineral Resource Estimates is based on information compiled or reviewed by Mr. Rhys Davies, a contractor to the Company. Mr. Davies is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves', and is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Davies consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. To learn more about Laramide, please visit the Company's website at www.laramide.com or contact: About Laramide Resources Ltd. Laramide is focused on exploring and developing high-quality uranium assets in Tier-1 uranium jurisdictions. The company's portfolio comprises predominantly advanced uranium projects in districts with historical production or superior geological prospectivity. The assets have been carefully chosen for their size and production potential, and the two large development projects are considered to be late-stage, low-technical risk projects. As well, Laramide has expanded its pipeline with strategic exploration in Kazakhstan where the company is exploring over 5,500 km2 of the prolific Chu-Sarysu Basin for world class roll-front deposits which are amenable to in-situ recovery. Forward-looking Statements and Cautionary Language This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements." All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the management of the Company expect, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Laramide disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, save and except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Since forward-looking information addresses future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, exploration and production for uranium; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of resource estimates; health, safety and environmental risks; worldwide demand for uranium; uranium price and other commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; environmental risks; competition; incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; and changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws, royalties and environmental regulations. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258920 SOURCE: Laramide Resources Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV: SM) ("Sierra Madre" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Beacon Securities Limited ("Beacon") to act as lead agent and sole bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of agents to be formed (together with Beacon, the "Agents") in connection with a "best efforts" private placement of up to 14,290,000 units of the Company (each a "Unit") at a price of $0.70 per Unit (the "Issue Price") for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to $10,003,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit to be issued pursuant to Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), as amended and supplemented by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Unit Share"), and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant a "Warrant") of the Company. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one common share (a "Warrant Share") at a price per Warrant Share of $0.85 for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to expand the capacity of the Guitarra mine, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with NI 45-106, the Units will be offered for sale (i) to purchasers resident in Canada, other than Quebec, pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, and (ii) in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and applicable U.S. state securities laws. The securities issued under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption to Canadian subscribers will not be subject to a hold period in Canada. There is an offering document dated July 15, 2025 related to the Offering and the use by the Company of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.sierramadregoldandsilver.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the "United States" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Offering is expected to close on or about July 24, 2025, and is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Sierra Madre Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. is a precious metals development and exploration company focused on the Guitarra mine in the Temascaltepec mining district, Mexico, and the exploration and development of its Tepic property in Nayarit, Mexico. The Guitarra mine is a permitted underground mine, which includes a 500 t/d processing facility that operated until mid-2018 and restarted commercial production in January 2025. The +2,600 ha Tepic Project hosts low-sulphidation epithermal gold and silver mineralization with an existing historic resource. Sierra Madre's management team has played key roles in managing the exploration and development of silver and gold mineral reserves and mineral resources. Sierra Madre's team of professionals has collectively raised over $1 billion for mining companies. On behalf of the board of directors of Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., "Alexander Langer" Alexander Langer President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and statements that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing and completion of the Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering and the receipt of regulatory approvals for the Offering. Risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except as may be required in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice regarding forward-looking information and statements. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258912 SOURCE: Sierra Madre Gold & Silver The menin inhibitor market is poised for rapid growth, with REVUFORJ setting the foundation and a strong pipeline of innovative, genetically targeted therapies on the horizon. With high levels of unmet need, particularly in NPM1-mutant and KMT2A-rearranged AML, this class is expected to play a critical role in the next generation of precision oncology therapies for hematologic malignancies. LAS VEGAS, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Menin Inhibitors Market Size, Target Population, Competitive Landscape & Market Forecast report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, emerging menin inhibitors, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2020 to 2034, segmented into 7MM. Key Takeaways from the Menin Inhibitors Market Report As per DelveInsight's analysis, the total market size of menin inhibitors in the 7MM is expected to surge significantly by 2034. Leading menin inhibitors companies, such as Kura Oncology, Sumitomo Pharma America, Johnson & Johnson, and others, are developing novel menin inhibitors that can be available in the menin inhibitors market in the coming years. and others, are developing novel menin inhibitors that can be available in the menin inhibitors market in the coming years. Some of the key menin inhibitors in the pipeline include Ziftomenib, Ziftomenib combinations with venetoclax/azacitidine, cytarabine + daunorubicin (7+3), Enzomenib (DSP-5336), Bleximenib (JNJ-75276617), and others. and others. In June 2025, Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin announced that the US FDA had accepted Kura's New Drug Application (NDA) seeking full approval for ziftomenib as a treatment for adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutation. The application has been granted Priority Review and assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of November 30, 2025. announced that the US FDA had accepted Kura's New Drug Application (NDA) seeking full approval for ziftomenib as a treatment for adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutation. The application has been granted Priority Review and assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of November 30, 2025. In June 2025, Syndax presented new REVUFORJ data in relapsed/refractory mNPM1 and NUP98r Acute Leukemia from the AUGMENT-101 trial at EHA 2025. presented new REVUFORJ data in relapsed/refractory mNPM1 and NUP98r Acute Leukemia from the AUGMENT-101 trial at EHA 2025. In June 2025, Johnson & Johnson reported updated Phase 1b findings demonstrating promising antileukemic effects and a favorable safety profile when bleximenib (JNJ-75276617) was combined with venetoclax and azacitidine (VEN + AZA) in AML patients carrying KMT2A gene rearrangements or NPM1 mutations. Discover which indication is expected to grab the major menin inhibitors market share @ Menin Inhibitors Market Report Menin Inhibitors Market Dynamics The menin inhibitors market is emerging as a highly promising area within oncology, particularly in the treatment of hematological malignancies. The primary driver for this market is the rising prevalence of acute leukemias, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), where mutations in KMT2A and NPM1 genes are critical disease drivers. The approval of Syndax Pharmaceuticals' REVUFORJ as the first menin inhibitor for relapsed/refractory AML and ALL has set a benchmark, creating momentum for pipeline development and commercial interest. The market dynamics are further influenced by increasing R&D investments and partnerships among biotech and pharmaceutical companies aiming to expand indications beyond hematologic cancers. Early-stage studies are exploring the potential of menin inhibitors in solid tumors such as colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and other indications where aberrant epigenetic regulation plays a role. Companies like Kura Oncology, Sumitomo Pharma, and others are actively developing next-generation menin inhibitors with improved selectivity and safety profiles, fueling competitive intensity in the market. However, several challenges persist that may affect the market growth trajectory. The highly specific patient populations, predominantly defined by genetic mutations like KMT2A rearrangements and NPM1 mutations, limit the addressable market size in the short term. Moreover, clinical resistance mechanisms, such as compensatory pathway activation, may reduce the long-term efficacy of monotherapy approaches, pushing companies to explore combination regimens. Pricing and reimbursement hurdles for targeted oncology therapies, especially in emerging markets, may further constrain broad adoption. Looking ahead, the menin inhibitors market is poised for gradual expansion as biomarker-driven diagnostics become more widespread, enhancing patient identification and therapy personalization. Strategic collaborations between diagnostic companies and drug developers will be key in ensuring robust companion diagnostic development. Additionally, as long-term clinical data matures and broader indications are validated, the market could witness accelerated uptake, especially if menin inhibitors demonstrate synergy with other therapies like FLT3 inhibitors or immune checkpoint inhibitors. Overall, while still in its early commercial phase, the menin inhibitors market holds significant promise as part of the next wave of epigenetic and transcriptional-targeting cancer therapeutics. Menin Inhibitors Treatment Market Menin inhibitors are mainly utilized to treat certain forms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that involve mutations in the KMT2A (formerly MLL) or NPM1 genes. They are also being explored in early-stage research for other cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), colorectal cancer, and various solid tumors. Syndax's REVUFORJ (revumenib) is the first and only menin inhibitor approved for treating relapsed or refractory acute leukemia in patients aged one year and older who have a translocation in the lysine methyltransferase 2A (KMT2A) gene. The FDA approved this drug in November 2024, after previously awarding it Breakthrough Therapy, Fast Track, and Priority Review designations. The drug's New Drug Application (NDA) was reviewed and approved under the FDA's Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) initiative. REVUFORJ works by inhibiting the interaction between menin and both the wild-type and fusion forms of the KMT2A protein. This interaction plays a crucial role in the development of KMT2A-rearranged acute leukemias by driving a leukemogenic transcriptional program. Preclinical studies in cells expressing KMT2A fusions have shown that revumenib disrupts this interaction, leading to changes in the expression of multiple genes, including those involved in cell differentiation. Learn more about the menin inhibitors @ Menin Inhibitors Analysis Key Emerging Menin Inhibitors and Companies Kura Oncology (Ziftomenib), Sumitomo Pharma (Enzomenib), Johnson & Johnson (Bleximenib), and several other companies are currently engaged in the development and production of menin inhibitors, which have the potential to significantly impact and enhance the menin inhibitors market. Ziftomenib is an experimental oral menin-KMT2A (MLL) inhibitor being developed for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). It has shown potential for use both as a standalone treatment and in combination with other targeted therapies. The drug is currently under investigation as a monotherapy in the KOMET-001 trial and in combination with standard-of-care treatments across different lines of therapy in the KOMET-007, KOMET-008, and KOMET-017 studies. In April 2024, the FDA granted ziftomenib breakthrough therapy designation for the treatment of relapsed or refractory AML patients with NPM1 mutations, according to a press release from its developer, Kura Oncology. Enzomenib (DSP-5336) is an experimental small molecule that targets the interaction between menin and mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) proteins. Menin, a scaffold protein found in the nucleus, plays a critical role in regulating gene expression and mediating protein interactions that influence various biological processes such as cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, genomic integrity, and blood cell formation. In preclinical models, enzomenib demonstrated selective inhibition of growth in human acute leukemia cell lines carrying KMT2A (MLL) rearrangements or NPM1 mutations. The drug was found to suppress the leukemia-related genes HOXA9 and MEIS1, while enhancing the expression of CD11b, a gene linked to cell differentiation, in these leukemia models. The U.S. FDA granted enzomenib Orphan Drug Designation for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in June 2022 and Fast Track Designation in June 2024 for relapsed or refractory AML with MLL rearrangements (MLLr) or NPM1 mutations (NPM1m). Similarly, Japan's PMDA awarded Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of relapsed or refractory AML with MLLr or NPM1m in September 2024. Bleximenib is an experimental oral menin inhibitor under clinical investigation for the treatment of newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The drug works by blocking a critical oncogenic interaction between menin and KMT2A fusion proteins, thereby interfering with a signaling pathway that promotes the growth of leukemic cells in patients with KMT2A rearrangements (KMT2Ar) or NPM1 mutations (NPM1m). Currently, bleximenib is being studied in Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials as both a standalone therapy and in combination with other AML treatments to assess its potential in various AML patient populations, including those newly diagnosed and those with relapsed or refractory disease. In June 2025, Johnson & Johnson reported updated Phase 1b findings demonstrating promising antileukemic effects and a favorable safety profile when bleximenib (JNJ-75276617) was combined with venetoclax and azacitidine (VEN + AZA) in AML patients carrying KMT2A gene rearrangements or NPM1 mutations. This study included patients with newly diagnosed AML who were ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, as well as those with relapsed or refractory AML. The data were presented in an oral session at the 2025 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress (S137). The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies is poised to transform the menin inhibitors market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the menin inhibitors market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth. To know more about menin inhibitors clinical trials, visit @ Menin Inhibitors Treatment Menin Inhibitors Overview Menin is a unique scaffold protein located in the cell nucleus and is encoded by the MEN1 (Menin 1) gene, a well-established tumor suppressor. Mutations in the MEN1 gene are widely recognized for their role in causing sporadic or inherited (autosomal dominant) endocrine tumor syndromes, collectively known as MEN1 syndrome. This association highlights the tumor-suppressing role of the MEN1 gene. Although the precise mechanisms are still under investigation, proposed pathways include the loss of cell cycle control and impaired inhibition of transcription factors like JunD, both of which may result from MEN1 mutations and the production of a truncated menin protein. Interestingly, menin displays an opposite role in certain blood cancers. In these hematological malignancies, menin functions as a critical oncogenic partner, supporting the initiation and maintenance of leukemia driven by the KMT2A oncoprotein and KMT2A fusion protein complexes. Menin inhibitors are small molecules designed to block the interaction between menin and KMT2A by binding with high affinity to the menin KMT2A-binding site. This prevents KMT2A-driven transcription of downstream genes, thereby targeting a key pathway involved in the development of KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2Ar) and NPM1-mutated (NPM1m) acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Researchers are also exploring the therapeutic potential of disrupting the menin-KMT2A interaction in other leukemia types characterized by different genetic rearrangements that elevate HOXA gene transcription. Menin Inhibitors Epidemiology Segmentation The menin inhibitors market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020-2034 in the 7MM, segmented into: Total Cases of Selected Indications for Menin Inhibitor Total Eligible Patient Pool of Selected Indications for Menin Inhibitor Total Treated Cases of Selected Indications for Menin Inhibitor Menin Inhibitors Report Metrics Details Study Period 2020-2034 Menin Inhibitors Report Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU-4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan] Key Menin Inhibitors Companies Kura Oncology, Sumitomo Pharma America, Johnson & Johnson, Syndax, and others Key Menin Inhibitors Ziftomenib, Ziftomenib combinations with venetoclax/azacitidine, cytarabine + daunorubicin (7+3), Enzomenib (DSP-5336), Bleximenib (JNJ-75276617), REVUFORJ, and others Scope of the Menin Inhibitors Market Report Menin Inhibitors Therapeutic Assessment: Menin Inhibitors current marketed and emerging therapies Menin Inhibitors current marketed and emerging therapies Menin Inhibitors Market Dynamics: Conjoint Analysis of Emerging Menin Inhibitors Drugs Conjoint Analysis of Emerging Menin Inhibitors Drugs Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Menin Inhibitors Market Access and Reimbursement Discover more about menin inhibitors in development @ Menin Inhibitors Clinical Trials Table of Contents 1 Key Insights 2 Report Introduction 3 Executive Summary of Menin Inhibitor 4 Key Events 5 Epidemiology and Market Forecast Methodology of Menin Inhibitor 6 Menin Inhibitor Market Overview at a Glance in the 7MM 6.1 Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2025 6.2 Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2034 6.3 Market Share (%) Distribution by Indications in 2025 6.4 Market Share (%) Distribution by Indications in 2034 7 Menin Inhibitor: Background and Overview 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Potential of Menin Inhibitor in Different Indications 7.3 Clinical Applications of Menin Inhibitor 8 Target Patient Pool 8.1 Key Findings 8.2 Assumptions and Rationale: 7MM 8.3 Epidemiology Scenario in the 7MM 8.4 Total Cases in Selected Indications for Menin Inhibitor in the 7MM 8.5 Total Eligible Patient Pool for Menin Inhibitor in Selected Indications in the 7MM 8.6 Total Treated Cases in Selected Indications for Menin Inhibitor in the 7MM 9 Marketed Products of Menin Inhibitor 9.1 Key Competitors 9.2 REVUFORJ (revumenib): Syndax 9.2.1 Product Description 9.2.2 Regulatory Milestones 9.2.3 Other Developmental Activities 9.2.4 Clinical Development 9.2.5 Safety and Efficacy 10 Emerging Therapies of Menin Inhibitor 10.1 Key Competitors 10.2 Ziftomenib: Sumitomo Pharma 10.2.1 Product Description 10.2.2 Other Developmental Activities 10.2.3 Clinical Development 10.2.4 Safety and Efficacy 10.2.5 Analyst Views List to be continued in the report 11 Menin Inhibitor: Seven Major Market Analysis 11.1 Key Findings 11.2 Market Outlook of Menin Inhibitor 11.3 Conjoint Analysis of Menin Inhibitor 11.4 Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Menin Inhibitor 11.4.1 Cost Assumptions and Rebates 11.4.2 Pricing Trends 11.4.3 Analogue Assessment 11.4.4 Launch Year and Therapy Uptakes 11.5 Total Market Size of Menin Inhibitor in the 7MM 11.6 Market Size of Menin Inhibitor by Indication in the7MM 11.7 The United States Market Size 11.8 EU4 and the UK Market Size 11.9 Japan Market Size 12 Market Access and Reimbursement of Menin Inhibitors 13 SWOT Analysis of Menin Inhibitors 14 KOL Views of Menin Inhibitors 15 Unmet Needs of Menin Inhibitors 16 Bibliography 17 Report Methodology Related Reports Acute Myeloid Leukemia Market Acute Myeloid Leukemia Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key AML companies, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Abbvie, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Astellas Pharma, Pfizer, Novartis Oncology, Daiichi Sankyo, Chimerix, Takeda, Rafael Pharmaceuticals Inc., Delta-Fly Pharma, GlycoMimetics Incorporated, BerGenBio ASA, MacroGenics, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Arog Pharmaceuticals, Forma Therapeutics, Sellas Life Sciences Group, Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Clear Creek Bio Inc., CellCentric Ltd., Biosight Ltd., Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Curis, Inc., NexImmune Inc., Immunomedics, Inc., Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Incyte Corporation, Aprea Therapeutics, Immunicum, DCPrime BV, GT Biopharma, Inc., Hanmi Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Cardiff Oncology, Bio-Path Holdings, Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Aptevo Therapeutics, Synimmune GmbH, GEMoaB Monoclonals, ImmunoGen, Inc., AGC Biologics S.p.A., Precigen, Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Xencor, Inc., Novartis, Celgene, Bristol Myers Squibb, among others. Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia Market Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key R/R AML companies, including Ascentage Pharma, Cullinan Oncology, Kronos Bio, Maxinovel Pharmaceuticals, AB Science, CicloMed, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Antengene Corporation, GlycoMimetics, Servier, Novartis, ImmunoGen, among others. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Pipeline Acute Myeloid Leukemia Pipeline Insight - 2025 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key AML companies, including Sellas Life Sciences Group, Stemline Therapeutics, Inc., Wugen, Inc., Schrodinger, Inc., MEI Pharma, Inc., Vor Bio, TC BioPharm, Pacylex Pharmaceuticals, Vor Biopharma, Vincerx Pharma, Inc., Aptose Biosciences Inc., Tr1X, Inc., TC Biopharm, Zhejiang ACEA Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., BeiGene, Sellas Life Sciences Group, Seagen Inc., Sanofi, Servier Bio-Innovation LLC, Ryvu Therapeutics SA, Remix Therapeutics, Prelude Therapeutics, Precigen, Inc., PharmaEngine, Orca Biosystems, Inc., Immune System Key Ltd, MacroGenics, Sutro Biopharma, Inc., among others. Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia Pipeline Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia Pipeline Insight - 2025 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key R/R AML companies, including Ascentage Pharma, Cullinan Oncology, Kronos Bio, Maxinovel Pharmaceuticals, AB Science, CicloMed, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Antengene Corporation, GlycoMimetics, Servier, Novartis, ImmunoGen, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve. Contact Us Shruti Thakur info@delveinsight.com +14699457679 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/menin-inhibitors-market-forecasts-signal-strong-uptake-of-menin-inhibitors-in-hematologic-oncology-across-the-7mm-during-the-forecast-period-20202034--delveinsight-302505076.html Burnaby, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - NatBridge Resources Ltd. (CSE: NATB) (OTC Pink: NATBF) (FSE: GI80) ("NatBridge" or the "Company") announces that further to its news releases dated May 13, 2025 and June 24, 2025, it has closed its non-brokered private placement financing of 8,999,350 units at $0.20 per unit ("Units") raising gross proceeds of $1,799,870 (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share (each, a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.30 per share for a period of 12 months expiring on July 15, 2026. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company paid an aggregate of $106,300 in cash finders' fees, issued an aggregate of 78,000 finders' shares (the "Finders' Shares") at $0.20 per share and issued an aggregate of 531,500 finder's warrants (the "Finders' Warrants"). The Finders' Warrants have the same terms as the Warrants but are non-transferable. The Shares, Warrants, Finders' Shares and Finders' Warrants are subject to a hold period until November 16, 2025 pursuant to applicable securities legislation. The net proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for ongoing working capital requirements as well as acquisition and due diligence costs associated with pending transactions to acquire additional resource deposits for tokenization. The Company also wishes to announce the appointment of Stephen Moses as Chief Executive Officer, in addition to his positions as President and a director of the Company. Steve is a seasoned veteran with over 30 years of experience in capital markets. His deep-rooted expertise in financial markets and his extensive network of international contacts will play a crucial role in advancing the Company's growth strategy. The securities referred to herein will not be or have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. About NatBridge Resources Ltd. NatBridge Resources Ltd. (CSE: NATB) (OTC Pink: NATBF) (FSE: GI80) is a publicly traded Canadian company, also listed in the United States and Germany, leading the gold resource supply side of NatGold Digital Ltd.'s revolutionary, patent-pending digital gold mining ecosystem. This innovative approach redefines how gold's value is captured through tokenization-eliminating extraction and its environmental, social, and financial costs through a blockchain-powered, eco-friendly digital mining process. NatBridge's strategy is focused on the supply side of the NatGold ecosystem. By acquiring gold resources that qualify as Certified NatGold Resources, in accordance with NatGold Digital's strict token certification standards, NatBridge is establishing itself as a key player in this industry-operating at the intersection of three major global investment trends: gold, sustainable investing, and the tokenization of real-world assets. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the acquisition of NI 43-101 gold resources, the ability to digitally mine NatGold coins, the viability of the NatGold tokenization and monetization ecosystem, and development plans, expansion plans, estimates, expectations, forecasts, objectives, predictions and projections of the future. Specifically, this news release contains forward looking statements with respect to NatBridge Resources' proposed operations, acquiring and developing gold resources and their tokenization, and the receipt of required approvals. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "projects", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or "variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of NatBridge Resources to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the exploration and development and operation of NatBridge Resources's projects, the actual results of current exploration, development activities, conclusions of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future precious metals prices, as well as those factors discussed in the sections relating to risk factors of our business filed in NatBridge Resources's required securities filings on SEDAR+. Although NatBridge Resources has attempted to identify important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those contained in forward- looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required bylaw, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made, by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258952 SOURCE: NatBridge Resources Ltd. // NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES // VANCOUVER, BC, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BioVaxys Technology Corp. (CSE: BIOV) (FRA: 5LB) ("BioVaxys" or the "Company") announces an extension of its previously announced brokered private placement LIFE financing (the "Offering") consisting of a minimum of 5,714,285 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a post-consolidation price of $0.35 per Unit for minimum gross proceeds of $2,000,000 and a maximum of 8,571,428 Units at a post-consolidation price of $0.35 per Unit for maximum gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000. Each Unit will consist of one (1) post-consolidation common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Post-Consolidation Common Share") and one (1) Post-Consolidation Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Post-Consolidation Warrant"). Each Post-Consolidation Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Post-Consolidation Common Share at a post-consolidation price of $0.50 for a period of 36 months from the closing date of the Offering. The Company engaged Enclave Capital LLC ("Enclave"), D12 Capital Markets Inc. ("D12"), and D12's affiliate, Foundation Markets Inc., to act as agents (together the "Agents"). Upon successful closing of the Offering, Enclave will receive a cash fee equal to 8% of the total proceeds received by the Company from Enclave investors (the "Enclave Fee"). In addition to the Enclave Fee, the Company will pay Enclave a cash fee of $10,000. D12 will receive a cash commission equal to 8% of the gross proceeds committed to the Company from any party introduced by the D12 and its affiliate. Such payment shall be paid by the Company in equal share to D12 as per their direction. The Company intends to use the net proceeds raised from the Offering for research and development, general corporate purposes, and working capital. Closing of the Offering is anticipated to occur no later than 45 days after this news release. Closing of the Offering and payment of the Agents' fee are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including, but not limited to, acceptance by the CSE. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units issuable under the Offering will be offered for sale to purchasers in all provinces and territories of Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption ("LIFE") under Part 5A of NI 45-106. The securities to be issued pursuant to the sale of the Units under the Offering will not be subject to resale restrictions in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws (the "CSE"). There is an amended offering document dated July 14, 2025, related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at https://www.biovaxys.com/. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any securities in the United States, or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to available exemptions therefrom. The Company affirms that it intends to undertake a consolidation of the common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") on the basis of ten (10) pre-consolidation Common Shares for one (1) post-consolidation Common Share (the "Consolidation"), which will occur simultaneously with the Offering. The Company currently has 293,425,203 Common Shares issued and outstanding, and it is anticipated that immediately following the Consolidation, excluding Common Shares to be issued in connection with this Offering, the Company will have approximately 29,342,520 Common Shares issued and outstanding, prior to rounding of fractional Common Shares. The exercise or conversion price of the Company's convertible securities and the number of Common Shares issuable thereunder will also be proportionately adjusted upon completion of the Consolidation. No fractional Common Shares will be issued as a result of the proposed Consolidation. Any fractional Common Shares resulting from the proposed Consolidation will be rounded up in the case of a fractional interest that is one-half (1/2) of a Common Share or greater, or rounded down in the case of a fractional interest that is less than one-half (1/2) of a Common Share, to the nearest whole number of Common Shares, and no cash consideration will be paid in respect of fractional Common Shares rounded down to the nearest whole Common Share. The Company will issue a subsequent news release in respect of the proposed Consolidation to announce the effective date of the Consolidation, the new CUSIP and ISIN for the post-Consolidation Common Shares, and any other relevant details, and file all necessary documentation with the CSE in respect of the proposed Consolidation. The post-Consolidation Common Shares will continue to trade on the CSE under the Company's existing name and trading symbol. The Consolidation remains subject to requisite approvals, including acceptance by the CSE. About BioVaxys Technology Corp. BioVaxys Technology Corp. (www.biovaxys.com), a biopharmaceuticals company registered in British Columbia, Canada, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving patient lives with novel immunotherapies based on the DPX immune-educating technology platform and it's HapTenix tumor cell construct platform, for treating cancers, infectious disease, antigen desensitization for food allergy, and other immunological diseases. Through a differentiated mechanism of action, the DPX platform delivers instruction to the immune system to generate a specific, robust, and persistent immune response. The Company's clinical stage pipeline includes maveropepimut-S (MVP-S), based on the DPX platform, and in Phase IIB clinical development for advanced Relapsed-Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and platinum resistant Ovarian Cancer. MVP-S delivers antigenic peptides from survivin, a well-recognized cancer antigen commonly overexpressed in advanced cancers, and also delivers an innate immune activator and a universal CD4 T cell helper peptide. MVP-S has been well tolerated and has demonstrated defined clinical benefit in multiple cancer indications as well as the activation of a targeted and sustained, survivin-specific anti-tumor immune response. BioVaxys is also developing DPX+SurMAGE, a dual-targeted immunotherapy combining antigenic peptides for both the survivin and MAGE-A9 cancer proteins to elicit immune responses to these two distinct cancer antigens simultaneously, DPX-RSV for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, DPX+rPA for peanut allergy prophylaxis, and BVX-0918, a personalized immunotherapeutic vaccine using its proprietary HapTenix 'neoantigen' tumor cell construct platform for refractive late-stage ovarian cancer. BioVaxys common shares are listed on the CSE under the stock symbol "BIOV" and trade on the Frankfurt Bourse (FRA: 5LB) and in the U.S. on the OTC Markets (OTCQB marketplace). For more information, visit www.biovaxys.com and connect with us on X and LinkedIn. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Signed "James Passin" James Passin, Chief Executive Officer Phone: +1 740 358 0555 Cautionary Statements on Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the proposed Consolidation, including the ratio thereof and timing thereof, and the Offering, including the size and use of proceeds, and the timing and ability of the Company to close the Offering, including obtaining approval of the Offering from the CSE. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates, primarily the assumption that BioVaxys will be successful in developing and testing vaccines, that, while considered reasonable by BioVaxys, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies including, primarily but without limitation, the risk that BioVaxys' vaccines will not prove to be effective and/ or will not receive the required regulatory approvals. With regards to BioVaxys' business, there are a number of risks that could affect the development of its biotechnology products, including, without limitation, the need for additional capital to fund clinical trials, its lack of operating history, uncertainty about whether its products will complete the long, complex and expensive clinical trial and regulatory approval process for approval of new drugs necessary for marketing approval, uncertainty about whether its autologous cell vaccine immunotherapy can be developed to produce safe and effective products and, if so, whether its vaccine products will be commercially accepted and profitable, the expenses, delays and uncertainties and complications typically encountered by development stage biopharmaceutical businesses, financial and development obligations under license arrangements in order to protect its rights to its products and technologies, obtaining and protecting new intellectual property rights and avoiding infringement to third parties and their dependence on manufacturing by third parties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability of the Company to complete the Consolidation and the Offering on the terms proposed or at all, and the ability to obtain necessary approvals, including the approval of the CSE. BioVaxys does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws. The CSE has not reviewed, approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1430981/5416831/BIOVAXYS_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/biovaxys-announces-extension-of-offering-closing-date-302506110.html After the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the Indian aviation regulator and other airlines across the world have ordered checks of the fuel control switches in their Boeing planes. This comes after the fuel switches have come under scrutiny following the initial investigation into the accident. An old advisory that flagged issues with the mechanism of these cogs has also resurfaced read more Remains of the Air India plane that crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport, Thursday in June. File image/PTI Days after the preliminary report on Air India Flight AI-171, which crashed in Ahmedabad in June, highlighted the role of fuel switches, many airlines within India as well as abroad are now investigating this mechanism. Indias aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has ordered all airlines, which operate the Boeings 787 and 737, to check fuel control switch locking mechanisms on them by July 21. Moreover, Etihad Airlines and other major airlines across the world have also started checking the locking mechanism in the fuel switches. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But why? Whats going on? We get you the answers. Checks ordered for fuel switches in India and abroad On Monday (July 14), the DGCA ordered all airlines to check fuel switch locking system in Boeing 787, 737 planes in the aftermath of the deadly Air India plane crash that killed 241 passengers on board. The Indian aviation regulator has asked airlines to complete these checks by July 21, next Monday. Currently, only two Indian airlines operate these variants of the plane Air India and IndiGo. An NDTV report states that Air India has completed checks on 50 per cent of the fleet in question with no malfunctions being found as of yet in the fuel switchs locking mechanism. Notably, Etihad Airlines and airline operators in South Korea have also been asked to carry out checks on fuel control switches. Korean Air Lines, in fact, on Tuesday, announced that it had begun inspecting fuel control switches and would implement any additional requirements the transport ministry may have. Additionally, even Singapore Airlines have started the process. Bloomberg also reported that Oman Air has also completed checks on fuel switches, while Saudi is checking its jets. The investigation underway at the site of the Air India plane crash, in Ahmedabad. PTI Reasons for the checks The DGCAs order and the other checks being carried out comes after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureaus preliminary report, released last Saturday (July 12), stated that both of the Boeing 787 Dreamliners fuel-control switches moved to the cutoff position. This led to the airplanes engines being starved of fuel and lose power. Moreover, the cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other why he had cut off the fuel in the final moments before the crash. The other pilot responded that he had not done so, the report revealed, raising questions about the position of the critical engine fuel cutoff switches. The report doesnt clarify who or how the fuel switches jumped from run to cutoff just after takeoff. Fuel control switches, located on the critical cockpit control panel, are used to start or shut down engines on the ground. What is very important to note here is that these switches cannot be accidentally or gently moved by pilots operating a flight. The fuel cutoff switches are spring-loaded to remain firmly in place. A pilot must first pull the switch up before moving it from the run to the cutoff position, or vice versa. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had flagged a potential issue with fuel control switches on Boeing airplanes in 2018. In a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB), NM-18-33, indicated that there was a potential equipment malfunction with the fuel switches. The bulletin had flagged the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature on certain models of Boeing aircraft, including 787s and 737s. In a recommendation, the FAA wrote, Inspect the locking feature of the fuel control switch to ensure its engagement. While the airplane is on the ground, check whether the fuel control switch can be moved between the two positions without lifting up the switch. If the switch can be moved without lifting it up, the locking feature has been disengaged and the switch should be replaced at the earliest opportunity. The wreckage of the Air India plane that crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport, lies on a building, in Ahmedabad. Both switches feeding fuel to the two engines of Air India flight 171 were cut off followed before the plane crashed in Ahmedabad, seconds after taking off, the first investigation report into the crash has revealed. PTI What is notable is that at the time, the FAA did not consider it to be an unsafe condition. Moreover, the AAIB noted that the airworthiness concern was not considered an unsafe condition and Air India did not carry out the inspections as the as the SAIB was advisory and not mandatory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The AAIB noted that the throttle control module was replaced on VT-ANB in 2019 and 2023. However, the reason for the replacement was not linked to the fuel control switch. There has been no defect reported pertaining to the fuel control switch since 2023 on VT-ANB, the AAIB report says. Notably, this is not the first time that airlines and regulators worldwide have stepped away from FAA directives to independently take decisions impacting flight safety. In 2019, various governments and regulators ignored the FAA after an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX aircraft crashed. But it wasnt just the US FAA that had issued a bulletin on the fuel switches in Boeing aircraft. It has now emerged that the UK Civil Aviation Authority warned about a similar fuel system flaw. On May 15, 2024, the UK regulator issued a directive to operators of five Boeing aircraft variants urging them to review and address a US Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Directive. The FAA directive had flagged fuel shutoff valve actuators, critical to preventing fuel leaks and engine shutdowns, as a potential safety concern. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The CAA notice explicitly listed the Boeing 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787 models and directed airlines to take mandatory action by either testing, inspecting, or replacing fuel shutoff valve actuators on affected planes as a precaution. Moreover, the safety notice specifically ordered daily checks of the fuel shutoff valves to mitigate any risks. With inputs from agencies FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino may resign after clashing with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the long-promised Epstein files. The fallout has exposed fractures within the Maga camp and raised questions about Bonginos controversial appointment, as expectations around uncovering Epsteins alleged client list have now collapsed under official denials read more Daniel Bongino speaks during the House Judiciary Committee hearing on Policing Practices and Law Enforcement Accountability at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, June 10, 2020. File Image/Pool via Reuters Dan Bongino, a former NYPD officer, Secret Service agent, and right-wing media personality, now serves as the Deputy Director of the FBI an unprecedented appointment that has placed him at the heart of the escalating internal crisis within the Trump administration. Bongino is reportedly considering resignation after a fiery dispute with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The disagreement, rooted in unmet expectations about revelations from the investigation into Epsteins network and death, reflects broader tensions between leading figures in the Make America Great Again (Maga) movement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The fallout is not just administrative it threatens to divide core figures of Trumps post-reelection power structure. Behind the DOJ-FBI dispute The immediate trigger was a joint memo issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI, which stated that no credible evidence supported the existence of a so-called Epstein client list. It also affirmed, once again, that Epstein died by suicide in a federal detention centre in 2019. That finding contradicted earlier insinuations made by Bondi and Bongino, who had publicly hinted at forthcoming disclosures with potentially explosive implications. Back in February, Bondi told Fox News that a list of clients associated with Epstein was sitting on my desk right now to review. That comment increased interest among conservative supporters and media figures aligned with Trump. However, in a later clarification at the White House, Bondi said her comment had referred more broadly to a stack of files, including those related to historic US events. Thats what I meant by that, she told reporters, citing documents involving Epstein as well as investigations into the assassinations of John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. Still, expectations had already taken root across the Maga ecosystem. Influencers and commentators believed that the administration would deliver previously hidden truths, and some had been led to expect substantial new evidence. That belief was bolstered in February when conservative figures were shown binders at the White House labelled The Epstein Files: Phase 1 and Declassified, which ultimately contained mostly publicly available material. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bondi then claimed she had received information from an FBI source indicating the existence of thousands of pages of previously undisclosed documents, and she had even ordered the bureau to provide the full and complete Epstein files. In the weeks that followed, she described the DOJ as reviewing a truckload of documents that she said had been newly turned over. However, the DOJs July memo concluded after months of review that no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted. It explained that much of the material was under court seal for victim protection, and that only a limited portion of the records would have entered public domain had Epstein stood trial. A video from Epsteins jail cell was also released to support the official conclusion of suicide, though it raised eyebrows among conspiracy theorists because of a brief missing segment. Bongino-Bondi rift spills into White House The friction between Bongino and Bondi reportedly came to a head during a private meeting at the White House, which included FBI Director Kash Patel, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich. According to those familiar with the matter, Bongino became out of control furious during the session, which followed a media report suggesting the FBI would have released Epstein-related files earlier if it had the authority. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That report, published by NewsNation and citing unnamed sources, appeared to imply that DOJ officials not the bureau had delayed the release. Bondi, Patel, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued statements rejecting the storys implications, but Bongino notably did not respond publicly. The White House sought to downplay any divisions. President Trump has assembled a highly qualified and experienced law and order team dedicated to protecting Americans, holding criminals accountable, and delivering justice to victims, said White House spokesman Harrison Fields. This work is being carried out seamlessly and with unity. Any attempt to sow division within this team is baseless and distracts from the real progress being made in restoring public safety and pursuing justice for all. Still, multiple media outlets have reported that Bongino skipped work the Friday following the meeting and has since remained silent on social media. According to far-right activist Laura Loomer, who is closely connected to Trump circles, Bongino was seriously thinking about resigning and had taken the day to consider his options. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Im told Kash and Bongino are furious with Blondi and the blowback she has caused them with her lack of transparency, Loomer posted. Kash Patel and Dan Bongino should call for Blondis public resignation today to save themselves and to also push for full transparency into the Epstein files. Someone needs to be fired for this. Giving Blondi courtesy to resign is more than she deserves. How Trump has responded on Bondi, Bongino US President Donald Trump addressed the internal discord through a nearly 400-word post on Truth Social over the weekend, in which he tried to reunite his increasingly fragmented support base. Whats going on with my boys and, in some cases, gals? Theyre all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! Were on one Team, MAGA, and I dont like whats happening, he wrote. Notably absent from Trumps statement was any direct mention of Bongino. Yet in earlier comments to reporters, Trump praised him: He sounded terrific, actually I think hes in good shape. Even as he voiced frustration over the public infighting, Trump sided clearly with Bondi, sending an implicit message about where his loyalties currently lie in this dispute. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Blanche, seeking to quell speculation, posted online: All of us signed off on the contents of the memo and the conclusions stated in the memo. The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memos composition and release is patently false. Why Dan Bonginos appointment was controversial Dan Bonginos elevation to the role of Deputy FBI Director broke with over a century of institutional precedent. Since its founding in 1908, the bureau had never appointed someone from outside its own ranks to serve as second-in-command. Bongino, who never served as an FBI agent, began his career with the New York Police Department in 1995 before joining the US Secret Service in 1999, where he remained until 2011. He later transitioned into media, hosting The Dan Bongino Show on Rumble and appearing regularly on Fox News until 2023. Bongino also ran unsuccessfully for Congress three times. A staunch Trump supporter, he became known for promoting theories about the deep state and frequently suggested that elites within government institutions were conspiring against conservative figures. His appointment to the FBI post in February drew swift criticism from former officials and anti-Trump conservatives. The Republicans Against Trump group wrote: Donald Trump just named far-right MAGA podcaster Dan Bongino, a notorious conspiracy theorist who promoted the lie that the 2020 election was stolen, to serve as Deputy Director of the FBI. God help us all. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier in his tenure, Bongino had appeared emotional during a segment on Fox & Friends, saying he gave up everything to take on the FBI role. His elevation, along with that of FBI Director Kash Patel another former Trump loyalist and commentator sparked concerns that the bureau could be used for political retribution under Trumps second term. Critics of both men saw their appointments as part of a broader effort to reshape federal law enforcement into an ally of the Maga movement. As of now, there is no confirmation on whether Bongino will resign, although reports suggest that his standing within the administration has weakened. With inputs from agencies External Affairs Minister Jaishankar is set to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) today in Tianjin, China. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with the rest of the crew of the Axiom-4 mission, will be returning to Earth after 18 days in the ISS. Nato chief Mark Rutte, who is on a two-day visit to Washington, DC, will hold meetings with US officials read more It is set to be a busy Tuesday with several events lined up for the day. Firstly, Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled to take place today in Chinas Tianjin. Meanwhile, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is on a mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), will return to Earth today. Nato Secretary General, Mark Rutte, will be in Washington, DC to hold key meetings with top US officials. Foreign ministers from the European Union nations will meet in Brussels for a session of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day. EAM Jaishankar to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be in Chinas Tianjin to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave. The visit marks Jaishankar's initial visit to China since the bilateral relations deteriorated following the 2020 military confrontation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. Jaishankars presence at the SCO meeting is a key engagement in his three-day diplomatic journey that also included a stop in Singapore. China, as the current chair of the SCO, is hosting these preparatory meetings ahead of the main SCO summit later this year. The CFM is expected to see foreign ministers from the 10 member states China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus discuss the organisations future, regional security, and other pressing international issues. Shubhanshu Shukla to return to Earth Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with other members of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, is set to return to Earth after spending 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their return journey began with the undocking of their SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft from the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14 at approximately 4:30 pm IST. Shubhanshu Shukla waves before departing for a launch to the International Space Station at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on June 24, 2025. AP The 22.5-hour journey back to Earth involves a series of critical manoeuvres, including de-orbit burns and atmospheric re-entry, followed by a parachute-assisted splashdown. During his groundbreaking mission, Group Captain Shukla conducted over 60 scientific experiments, including seven India-specific payloads crucial for the nations Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. His work focused on diverse fields such as space farming, including germinating moong and methi seeds, studying microalgae for sustainable life support, and researching human health in microgravity. Nato chief in Washington Natos new Secretary General, Mark Rutte, who is on a two-day visit to Washington DC to hold key meetings with top US officials. Ruttes itinerary includes high-profile discussions with US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. He is also slated to meet with members of Congress. The discussions are expected to cover a range of pressing issues, including strengthening Natos collective defence and deterrence capabilities, bolstering long-term support for Ukraine and addressing broader security challenges. There is anticipation that the meetings will involve talks on a renewed plan for the US to potentially sell weapons to Nato allies, who would then transfer them to Ukraine, signifying a potential shift in the Trump administrations approach to military aid for Kyiv. EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels EU foreign ministers are convening in Brussels on Tuesday for a crucial session of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). Chaired by the EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, the meeting will address a packed agenda dominated by critical geopolitical developments. A primary focus of the discussions will be the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine. Ministers will exchange views on the conflict, likely with an intervention from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha via videoconference. The talks are expected to cover strengthening military and humanitarian support for Kyiv, as well as the potential approval of further sanctions against Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies On this day in 2006, Twitter was launched as a side project that allowed users to send short status updates to groups of friends by texting a single number. Over the next decade, it grew to over 300 million users. It eventually became one of the worlds leading social media platforms. Twitters journey took a new turn after Elon Musk bought the company in October 2022 read more Twitter had a big role in influencing politics and culture in the early 21st century. Reuters/File Photo On July 15, 2006, Twitter (now called X) became available to the public. Over the next ten years, the platform grew to have more than 300 million users. The online microblogging site was launched by Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams and Biz Stone. Also on this day in 1997, Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace was murdered by serial killer Andrew Cunanan. As part of Firstpost Explainers History Today series, heres a look at what happened on July 15: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Twitter was launched On this day in 2006, Twitter, now called X, was launched as Odeos side project that let users send short status updates to groups of friends by texting a single number. In the years that followed, Twttr became Twitter, and the simple idea of microblogging quickly gained popularity. It went on to become one of the top social media platforms in the world. The online microblogging site was launched by Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams and Biz Stone. Reuters/File Photo Notably, Jack Dorsey came up with the idea of letting people send personal updates through SMS to groups. Six months after the launch, Twttr became Twitter. When it was made public, its creators added a 140-character limit to messages, which matched the standard length of a text message at the time. This was later changed to 280 characters. By 2013, the New York Times reported that Twitter had more than 2,000 staff members and over 200 million active users. In November that year, the company went public with a value of just over $31 billion. Twitter had a big role in influencing politics and culture in the early 21st century. In April 2022, a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed plans for Twitter to merge with one of Elon Musks companies, X Holdings. After Musk bought Twitter in October 2022, he began the process of merging it with X and changing its brand. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Elon Musk bought Twitter in October 2022. Reuters/File Photo The merger with X Corp. was completed in April 2023. In a court document filed in California in early April 2023, it was stated that Twitter, as a company, no longer exists. Gianni Versace was killed On this day in 1997, world-famous Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace was shot and killed by Andrew Cunanan outside his mansion in Miami. Versace was hit twice in the head, and Cunanan ran away from the scene. Notably, Cunanan had no past criminal record before he began a string of killings in Minneapolis in the spring of 1997. With the FBI already searching for him, Cunanan travelled to Miami Beach. On July 11, a fast-food worker recognised him, but police got there too late. Four days later, he shot Versace dead outside his South Beach home. World-famous Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace was shot in 1997. AFP/File Photo Both Cunanan and Versace were openly gay and moved in similar social groups, but police found no proof they had ever met. Versaces murder led to a major manhunt for Cunanan, who was known for changing his look in every photo. On July 23, the search ended just 40 blocks from Versaces mansion, on a houseboat that Cunanan had broken into. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD There, police found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot. The weapon matched the one used in two other killings. He did not leave a note. This Day, That Year 1916: The Boeing Company, first named Pacific Aero Products Co., was set up in Seattle. 1971: Former US President Richard Nixon said he would visit communist China the next year. This was a major shift in US-China ties. 1996: American news channel MSNBC was launched by Microsoft and NBC, part of General Electric. 2020: George Floyds family filed a case against the city of Minneapolis and the four police officers charged in his death, saying the officers violated his rights and that the city had allowed a culture of force, racism and lack of accountability in its police force. Nimisha Priya, the Indian nurse on a death sentence in Yemen for her business partners murder, will not be executed tomorrow (July 16). Hectic parleys were on to delay the sentencing. The top Sunni Muslim cleric, also known as the Grand Mufti, reached out to the victims family to accept the blood money. The Indian government established informal communication to delay the execution read more Nimisha Priya, the Kerala nurse on death row in Yemen, will not be executed on July 16, say counsel said, according to reports. Image courtesy: Save Nimisha Priya Action council/CNN Lodged in the central prison of Yemens Sanaa, Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya has a reason to hope. She will not be executed tomorrow (July 16), her counsel has said. The execution was reportedly halted by the authorities in Yemen, sources told CNN-News18. However, the fresh date for her execution was not immediately known. The 38-year-old is facing a death sentence for murdering a Yemeni citizen and her business partner, Talal Abdo Mehdi, in 2017. Back in India, efforts are on at various levels to save Nimisha Priya from the gallows. The latest to step in is the Grand Mufti top Sunni leader Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD There is only one legal route to save the 38-year-old Malayali nurse: To convince the victims family to accept blood money. Under the Sharia law, which governs Yemen, this legally sanctioned financial compensation to the family of the murder victim is a valid alternative to capital punishment. However, it has to be accepted by the kin. Heres everything that is being done in India to help Nimisha Priya secure a lifeline. The big decision to delay Nimisha Priyas execution Samuel Jerome Bhaskaran, a social worker and an airline consultant, is one of the key negotiators in the case. He said that the decision to delay the sentencing was taken by the Yemeni government. Abdul Malik Al Nehaya, ruler of the Al Wasab region, met the President of Yemen on Friday (July 11). A day later, President Rashad al-Alimi consented to defer the execution, he told The Indian Express. The Indian government also got involved in this mission. There was a directive from the Yemen authorities not to disclose the details, he told the publication. The Indian govt opens unofficial channels The matter came up for hearing in the Supreme Court on Monday. The plea was filed by Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, an organisation fighting to save the nurses life. The Centre told the top court that the blood money settlement was the only option to save the Kerala nurse. However, Attorney General of India (AGI) R Venkataram added that the government has limited ability to intervene because of the lack of diplomatic leverage. India does not have formal diplomatic relations with the Houthis, the rebel group which controls parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa where Nimisha Priya is a convict. The AGI informed the apex court that the government was in touch with Yemeni authorities, including the public prosecutor, and was trying to delay the nurses execution. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Indian government has also opened unofficial channels. The government lawyer said India reached out to an influential sheikh in Yemen to persuade the authorities there. We got an informal communication that the execution would be put in abeyance, but we dont know if it will work out, the AGI added. Advocate Subhash Chandran KR, representing nurse Nimisha Priya, addresses the media in New Delhi. He said that efforts were first focused on delaying the execution. File photo/PTI Influential Sunni cleric, Yemen scholar part of negotiations The Grand Mufti joined efforts to convince Mehdis kin to accept the blood money. Nimisha Priyas lawyer, Subhash Chandran, said that efforts are ongoing to save the nurses life through the intervention of the influential Sunni cleric. Through Musliyar, also known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, they have reached out to a family member and some local and religious leaders in Yemen. We are trying our best so that the family accepts the blood money and the Kerala nurse is spared from death row, Chandran told The New Indian Express (TNIE). Those close to the negotiations said that the Grand Mufti had stepped in personally and was making efforts to open a channel of negotiation. He held talks with religious authorities in Yemen who are in touch with the victims family, the report said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Influential Sunni Muslim cleric Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar has joined the negotiations to save Nimisha Priya. Musliara also reached out to Mehdis brother through a prominent Yemeni Islamic scholar in a last-ditch effort to save Nimisha Priya. A negotiation team was working around the clock, knowing that the execution date was fast approaching. An office was opened at Musliyars headquarters in Kerala to coordinate the process. Following Musaliyars intervention, under Yemeni Sufi scholar Sheikh Umar bin Hafizs leadership, discussions are being held in Yemen with the family of the deceased. A Yemeni Supreme Court judge is also part of these talks, say sources. The latest round of talks was held on Monday night, say reports. All the efforts were focused on delaying the execution date. A trust that earlier helped save Abdul Rahim, a Kerala native who was freed from Saudi jail in 2006 by offering blood money, has reportedly offered a Rs 11 crore fund for Nimisha Priya, according to Onmanorama. Nimisha Priya is facing a death sentence for murdering her Yemeni business partner in 2017 Kerala CM writes to PM Modi Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sent a letter to PM Narendra Modi on Sunday (July 13), urging him to intervene and take steps to release Nimisha Priya. It is learnt from the media that the execution of Nimisha Priya has been fixed for July 16, 2025. Considering the fact that this is a case deserving sympathy, I appeal to the Prime Minister to take up the matter and intervene with the authorities concerned to save the life of Nimisha Priya, the letter said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The CM also attached a letter sent to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in March, requesting him to give directions to the Indian embassy to intervene in the matter. Last week, Kerala MPs K Radhakrishnan and John Brittas also urged the Centre to step in with urgent diplomatic intervention. Desperate efforts by Nimisha Priyas family Nimisha Priyas husband, Tomy Thomas, met the Kerala Governor on July 14. He was accompanied by Congress MP Chandy Oommen, who facilitated the meeting with Governor Rajendra Arlekar in Thiruvananthapuram. Thomas told India Today TV, The Governor has taken the issue seriously. He has promised me that he will inform the central government about it. He has spoken to them. Chandy Oommen and his mother (former Chief Minister Oommen Chandys wife) also met the Governor. Nimishas mother wanted to speak to him. So we called her on video and he asked her to stay strong. He has promised all help. Nimisha Priyas mother has been in Yemen since last year. She told The Indian Express, I met my daughter in jail last month. She is suffering in silence. The nurses family made a last-ditch plea for clemency by offering $1 million (approximately Rs 8.6 crore) as blood money to the victims family. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The case against Nimisha Priya Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kollengode in Keralas Palakkad district, moved to Yemen in 2008. She was working at hospitals before starting her clinic with the help of Mehdi. However, she was accused of killing him in 2017. The nurse allegedly faced physical, mental and financial abuse, which led to the murder. A trial court in Yemen awarded Nimisha Priya a death sentence, which was upheld by the countrys Supreme Court. Last year, Yemens President Rashad al-Alimi approved the death sentence for Nimisha Priya. The order has been with the prosecutor since January this year. It remains to be seen if Nimisha Priya can be saved from the gallows. Today is a small victory for all those who have been working tirelessly for the nurse. With inputs from agencies A 20yearold B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha, tragically passed away on July 14 at AIIMS Bhubaneswar after suffering nearly 95 per cent burns. She had set herself ablaze on campus just days ago after her repeated complaints of sexual harassment by her professor allegedly went unaddressed read more The incident took place on July 12, when she attempted self-immolation outside her college principals office in a dire protest over inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against a college professor. Image for Representation. PTI A 20yearold student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha, tragically passed away on July 14 at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, just three days after setting herself on fire. According to medical reports, she suffered nearly 95 per cent burns in a dire protest over inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against a college professor. The incident took place on July 12, when she attempted self-immolation outside her college principals office. She was immediately rushed to the hospital, where she was placed on mechanical ventilation and given IV fluids, antibiotics, and kidney support. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite the best efforts from the medical team, she passed away late on July 14. She was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM, the hospital confirmed. Unable to bear the frustration and emotional toll any longer, the woman attempted self-immolation outside the principals office on July 12. She received all possible intensive care, including mechanical ventilation, IV support, antibiotics, and renal therapy, but succumbed to her injuries late on July 14. She was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14, the hospital confirmed. Her death has sparked widespread outrage and grief across Odisha, with mounting pressure on authorities to take strict action. The state government has promised accountability. Heres what we know so far about the incident. What led to the tragedy? The victim, a second-year B.Ed student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, had reportedly been battling mental distress for weeks before she set herself on fire. Her classmates allege that the torment came from Sameer Kumar Sahoo, the head of the Integrated B.Ed department, who had been sexually harassing her. According to fellow students, Sahoo repeatedly asked for sexual favours and threatened to sabotage her academic future if she didnt give in. Despite the student filing formal complaints with both the college principal and the local police, no significant action was taken. Although an internal committee was set up to look into her claims, students said it barely made any headway. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a letter dated July 1, addressed to the colleges Internal Complaints Committee and accessed by NDTV, she described her ordeal and urged the authorities to form a disciplinary panel to take action against Sahoo. I have lost my mental peace and attempted suicide. In the future, if the college authority does not take any action, I will commit suicide, and the HoD and the college authority will be responsible, she wrote in the letter. Despite the Balasore student filing formal complaints against harassment with both the college principal and the local police, no significant action was taken. File image. PTI On July 12, she joined other students in a protest outside the college gates. According to the fellow students, amid the protest, the girl suddenly got up, ran to the area close to the principals office, and set herself on fire. A male student who rushed to help her also sustained burn injuries. The victim was then rushed to Balasore Hospital and then referred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The horrifying incident was captured on CCTV and sparked immediate public outrage. Soon after, assistant professor Sameer Kumar Sahoo was arrested, and college principal Dilip Ghosh, initially suspended, was also taken into custody. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #WATCH | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | The BJD workers stage a protest as the mortal remains of Balasore student self-immolation case victim taken to the postmortem centre of AIIMS. pic.twitter.com/jowuScgREN ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2025 I could not recognise my daughter The students father, speaking to NDTV, shared the devastating reality of her condition before she passed away. He said that 95 per cent of her body had suffered severe burns, and she was kept on life support until her death on July 14. I went to see her today. I cannot recognise my daughter, he said on Monday. He also claimed that the colleges Internal Complaints Committee, along with the principal, had pressured them to drop the case. They told me that if we didnt withdraw, an FIR would be filed against me. They said I would be arrested, he alleged. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The family is now demanding justice. Her father has called for the harshest punishment for those responsible, while her brother has said he is prepared to go to any length to ensure justice is served. The students father also claimed that the colleges Internal Complaints Committee, along with the principal, had pressured them to drop the harassment case filed by his daughter Her body was brought back to her native village on Tuesday in Palasia, Balasore, for the final rites. CM Manjhi vows action, President Murmu meets victims family In the wake of widespread anger and protests, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi responded with a strong statement, expressing his condolences and assuring action. I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul. May Lord Jagannath grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. I assure the family of the dead student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law, he wrote in a post on X. He added that he had personally directed officials to take necessary action and that the state government stands with the grieving family. Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida also visited AIIMS Bhubaneswar to meet the students family, expressing solidarity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A day earlier, President Droupadi Murmu, along with CM Majhi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, had also visited the burn unit at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. #WATCH | Odisha | Balasore student self-immolation case: President Droupadi Murmu visits AIIMS Bhubaneswar to meet the victim student. pic.twitter.com/T7Mag15ujc ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2025 The President held discussions with the doctors about the girls condition and enquired about the additional steps needed for her treatment, Asutosh Biswas, executive director of the AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, was quoted as saying in The Hindu. Meanwhile, opposition parties, the BJD and Congress, have been staging protests and holding the BJP-led state government accountable. Both parties said the student was forced to take the extreme step because the system failed to protect her. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also stepped in, asking the Odisha government for a detailed report on the case. With input from agencies The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) dismissed the Pune city polices application for the minor accused in the Porsche car crash in Pune last year that killed two techies to be tried as an adult. The boy, who was 17 years old at the time, allegedly hit the bike of the victims while driving his fathers car in an inebriated state. What does Indias law say about trying minors as adults? read more The Porsche car that was allegedly driven by a 17-year-old boy who knocked down two motorbike riders on May 19, 2024, causing their death in Kalyani Nagar of Pune city. File Photo/PTI The minor accused in the Porsche car crash in Pune last May that killed two people will not be tried as an adult, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) said on Tuesday (July 15). The teenager, who was 17 years old at the time of the accident, will face trial as a juvenile. Software engineers Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both aged 24, were killed by the speeding Porsche, allegedly driven by the accused minor in an inebriated state. The duo was on a motorcycle around 2.30 am on May 19, 2024, when the incident took place. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The case had created a national uproar over its handling by the authorities. Lets take a closer look. Pune Porsche crash case The main accused was driving his fathers Rs 2.5 crore Porsche last May when he allegedly hit the bike of the two IT professionals, both hailing from Madhya Pradesh, in Punes Kalyani Nagar. As per reports, the teenager, the son of a prominent Pune businessman, was out partying, celebrating exam results. He was allegedly drunk at the time of the accident. An FIR was lodged against the minor on the same day at the Yerwada police station. He was detained on May 19, 2024 and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board. The case stirred widespread outrage after the JJB granted bail to the minor on the conditions that he would write an essay of 300 words on topic in effect of road accidents and their solutions, help RTO officers and practice and study traffic rules for 15 days. After the backlash, the accused was sent to an observation home on May 22, 2024. However, in June, the Bombay High Court ordered the minors release and directed that he be sent into the care of his paternal aunt, who had moved a plea for his release. The local police had also come under scrutiny for allegedly mishandling crucial evidence to ensure the teenagers release. As per a police probe, the blood samples of the accused were replaced with his mothers at the government-run Sassoon Hospital to conceal that he was allegedly drunk at the time of the accident. The mother was arrested for tampering with evidence, but was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in April this year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The boy's father, doctors Ajay Taware and Shrihari Halnor, hospital employee Atul Ghatkamble, and two middlemen are in prison in connection with the case. Minor wont be tried as an adult Last year, the Pune police submitted applications before the Juvenile Justice Board to try the main accused the child in conflict with law (CCL) as an adult. The special prosecution argued that the teenager was booked under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Section 467 (forgery) for alleged tampering of blood samples. Both offences are punishable by over 10 years and are categorised as heinous under the Juvenile Justice Act. The CCL knows the consequences and must face trial as an adult, Special public prosecutor Shishir Hiray told the board. The child in conflict with law (CCL) knew very well the consequences of these offences. Police have evidence in the form of CCTV footage from the two pubs where the teenager partied with his friends and also witness statements that support the theory he had consumed alcohol and was driving the car under the influence of alcohol, he submitted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The CCLs family driver too has recorded the statement that the teenager did not pay heed to his advice against driving the vehicle in an inebriated condition, Hiray said. However, defence lawyer Prashant Patil opposed the prosecutors application for the accused to be tried as an adult. He argued that the offence cannot be legally termed heinous. Citing a Supreme Court judgment, Patil submitted before the board that the object of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act is reformative and not punitive. The board must consider the childs potential for reform. Trying him as an adult would go against the spirit of juvenile justice, he said. Now, the JJB has rejected the Pune City Polices request for the accused teenager to be tried as an adult. #BreakingNews | #Pune Porsche Case | The plea filed by Pune Police that the CCL (Child in Conflict with Law) should be tried as an adult has been rejected by the Juvenile Justice Board.@kotakyesha @ShivaniGupta_5 pic.twitter.com/X7Ko2iSL68 News18 (@CNNnews18) July 15, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What do Indias laws say? The Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 (JJ Act, 2015), which replaced the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, provides that minors in the age group of 16-18 be tried as adults in cases of heinous offences. It is a crime for which the minimum punishment is seven years in jail. Section 15 of the JJ Act states that the Juvenile Justice Board is required to conduct a preliminary assessment with regard to his mental and physical capacity to commit such offence, ability to understand the consequences of the offence and the circumstances in which he allegedly committed the offence, before determining whether the accused child needs to be tried as an adult. According to Section 18 (3) of the Act, if the Board orders that there is a need for the trial of the child as an adult, then it can transfer the case to the Childrens Court having jurisdiction over such crimes. Before the 2015 amendment to the act, all children below the age of 18 years were treated as juveniles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias legal drinking age differs across states, ranging from 18 to 25 years. Some states, such as Bihar, Nagaland, Gujarat and Manipur, have completely banned alcohol. For minors, no amount of alcohol in the blood while driving is considered legal. If they commit an offence, their guardian or the owner of the vehicle they were driving will face legal consequences. They can be imprisoned for up to three years and have to pay a fine of Rs 25,000. The registration of the vehicle involved will be cancelled for 12 months. If the minor has a driving licence, it will be suspended and not granted till they are 25 years old. In the case of adults, private vehicle owners can have a legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit of 30mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. This limit is zero for commercial vehicle drivers. As per the law, if drink driving by an adult leads to injury to another person, the offender can be jailed for up to two years. If the other person dies, the driver may face imprisonment for two to seven years and a hefty fine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies After a long, long wait, Tesla has finally arrived in India, opening its first showroom in Mumbai. Its Model Y, priced between Rs 61-69 lakh on-road, is up for sale. But can Indian customers afford Elon Musks EV? read more Police officers direct traffic outside the Tesla showroom ahead of its opening in Mumbai. Reuters If you ask people to name electric cars, theres a pretty good chance the name Tesla will pop up more than any other. However, until now, the Elon Musk-led car company was only a brand Indians had heard of. But starting today (July 15), the electric carmaker has begun its journey in the Indian automobile market, launching its first ever showroom in Mumbais suburban area of Bandra Kurla Complex. At the launch, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, I welcome Tesla here in Mumbai. Tesla has opened an experience centre here, and it is a statement that Tesla has arrived and its a statement they Tesla has arrived in the right city and right state. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is a matter of great joy for us that Tesla has launched its first experience in India in Mumbai. Tesla is establishing a logistics and servicing system here. Four big charging stations are also being established by them. I am happy that Tesla chose Maharashtra as the state has become a leader in electric mobility. Tesla is launching its Model Y in India. Maharashtra has the most dynamic electric mobility. policy I believe Maharashtra will be a preferred destination when they decide to do manufacturing in India, he added. What can we expect from Teslas foray into India? Will the Elon Musk car company be able to gas out the remaining competition? Teslas big showroom in Mumbai Elon Musks Tesla will officially enter the Indian market today (July 15) with the launch of its showroom at the Maker Maxity Mall in Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. Property documents reveal that Tesla has taken a 4,000 square feet space on lease for Rs 23.38 crore over five years. A News18 report states that with a per sq ft rent of Rs 881, its officially the most expensive showroom lease in India. Other than the showroom, Tesla has also rented a warehouse, which will serve as its official service centre, and a co-working office near BKC in Phoenix Market City. People are seen outside the Tesla showroom ahead of its opening in Mumbai, India. Reuters Prior to the big launch today, Tesla even released a teaser online to generate buzz. The electric car company shared an image of high-rise buildings with the words India and July 2025. Teslas Mumbai showroom will feature its Tesla Model Y. This comes after Reuters reported that the Elon Musk-led EV company has already shipped six units of the Model Y SUV from its Shanghai plant to Mumbai. And what would the Tesla car be priced at in India? Shortly after the launch, the Tesla website revealed that the Model Y will be sold in two variants the rear wheel drive priced at Rs 61,07,190 on road. The other variant, the long-range rear wheel drive, is priced at Rs 69,15,190. The pricing is almost $10,000 more than the US pricing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And the Mumbai showroom is just the beginning of Teslas journey in India. The Elon Musk company is also eyeing another showroom in New Delhi by the end of July. The Tesla Model 3 car next to a Model Y. In India, the Model Y will be available for sale priced between Rs 61 lakh to Rs 70 lakh. File image/Reuters Teslas long awaited journey to India With the launch of Tesla in Mumbai, the electric car maker has finally seen a long dream come to life. It began in 2016 when Tesla started accepting pre-orders for the Model 3 from outside North America. This resulted in many Indians putting up a refundable deposit of $1,000. A year later, Elon Musk publicly mentioned the tax-based challenges, citing 100 per cent import duties on luxury vehicles as a big hurdle to launching the Tesla brand in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with Teslas Elon Musk at the Blair House, in Washington. File image/PTI However, things progressed once again in March 2024 when India rolled out a new EV policy aimed at attracting global automakers. This policy offered a reduced 15 per cent import duty for EVs priced over $35,000, on the condition that the automaker invests Rs 4,150 crore ($500 million) in local manufacturing within three years. It also allows up to 8,000 EVs per year to be imported at this lower rate. Then earlier in April, Tesla boss Elon Musk spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss collaboration in areas including technology and innovation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Tesla hasnt officially announced a plant in India, a Times of India report states that there is speculation of one being set up in Gujarat, Maharashtra, or Tamil Nadu. The timing of Teslas foray in India is significant; the EV maker is facing stiff competition from Chinese EV makers, particularly BYD. Moreover, Tesla shares have been dropping, falling close to 15 per cent and erasing around $150 billion in market value. Challenges for Tesla in Indian market But even though Tesla is launching in the worlds third-largest auto market, the question that many are asking is will Tesla be able to ride a high in the country? First and foremost, Indias electric vehicle market is still in its nascent stages it has only 7.8 per cent penetration, up from 7.1% the previous year. Within this market, Tata dominates the EV market in India 60 per cent followed up by MG (22 per cent) and Mahindra. Tesla has made its long-awaited entry into the Indian market. However, it has positioned itself as a luxury vehicle. File image/Reuters These companies price their EVs anywhere between Rs 9-18 lakh. Thats way lesser than the Tesla, priced around Rs 60 lakh, making it a highly luxurious product. In fact, Bloomberg reports that with Teslas pricing it will be competing mostly with German luxury carmakers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz Group AG, not mass-market budget-car players like Tata Motors Ltd, Mahindra, and MG Motor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another challenge for Tesla in India would be the fact that the demand for EVs is reducing across the world, especially in Germany and the United States. Theres also the issue of EV charging infrastructure. While it has grown from 1,800 stations in early 2022 to over 16,000 by mid-2024, it is still limited to urban pockets, with fast chargers still rare and expensive to install. Its unknown what comes next for Tesla. But as Jay Kale, a Mumbai-based analyst at Elara Securities told Bloomberg, It plants the brand. Over time, as charging infrastructure improves and the lineup expands, Tesla could scale. With inputs from agencies US President Donald Trumps stance on Ukraine has shifted dramatically from praising Vladimir Putin and pausing aid to now threatening Russia with tariffs and backing a Nato plan to arm Kyiv. With European nations now paying for US-made weapons and Trumps rhetoric toughening, what does this reversal mean for Ukraines war effort? read more US President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 14, 2025. File Image/Reuters United States President Donald Trumps position on the war in Ukraine is changing. On Monday, Trump announced a major shift in how military assistance to Ukraine would be managed. In an Oval Office meeting with Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte, the US president unveiled a plan under which Nato countries would finance the purchase of American-made weapons to support Ukraines defence. Weve made a deal today where we are going to be sending them weapons and theyre going to be paying for them, Trump said, referring to a proposal initially put forward by Ukraine and now embraced by Nato leadership. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The model would involve European nations paying billions of dollars for equipment produced by the US defence sector, thereby easing the financial burden on the United States. Rutte praised the agreement as really big, calling it proof that Europe was stepping up. Trump stressed that the weapons, including Patriot missile systems, would be the best in the world, and highlighted the economic benefit to American arms manufacturers. Were in it for a lot of money and we dont want to do it anymore, Trump remarked, reiterating that the war began before he returned to office. This is not Trumps war. Were here to try and get it finished and settled. The plan allows Nato members to count these expenditures toward a newly adopted goal of spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035. Countries such as Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark are among those participating. According to Rutte, some weapons would be fast-tracked to Ukraine and replaced later with US-built versions. The actual financial scale of this programme remains unclear, as Trump did not mention specific figures. However, any package valued at over $10 billion would likely signal a serious commitment, especially in contrast to the $67 billion in aid provided under US President Joe Biden over nearly three years. How Trump has changed his tone towards Putin Once confident that he could swiftly broker a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow, Trump now appears increasingly disillusioned with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose military continues to target Ukrainian cities despite repeated diplomatic overtures. This marks a dramatic shift for Trump, who during his 2016 campaign had described Putin in admiring terms, calling him savvy and a genius for his aggressive geopolitical manoeuvres. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Trump continued to maintain that he got along with him really well, despite characterising Russian attacks on civilians and the abduction of Ukrainian children as terrible. However, Trumps recent public statements signal deepening discontent. Speaking on July 7, the US president said, Im not happy with President Putin at all. A week earlier, following a phone call with the Russian leader that yielded no progress, he told reporters: We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth. Expressing frustration over what he called duplicity, Trump added, He talks nice, and then he bombs everybody in the evening. How Trump is warming up to Zelenskyy The U-turn is also reflected in Trumps changing dynamic with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At the beginning of his second term, Trump displayed scepticism toward Ukraines leadership. In February, the two leaders had a contentious exchange during a televised meeting in the Oval Office. Trump criticised Zelenskyy and halted military aid and intelligence sharing shortly after, contributing to what appeared to be a deterioration in bilateral relations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US President Donald Trump in a heated argument with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington DC, US. File Image/AP Over the course of several months, the Pentagon paused arms shipments to Ukraine on three separate occasions. One of the most recent pauses took place in July when US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and policy chief Elbridge Colby stopped the transfer of air defence munitions sitting in Poland, a move that caught both US State Department officials and European allies by surprise. Yet Zelenskyy refrained from publicly escalating tensions. Instead, he expressed hope that the US president would eventually recognise the futility of negotiating with Putin. That hope now appears validated. In recent days, Zelenskyy reported a renewed conversation with Trump, stating that they had discussed the necessary means and solutions to provide better protection for people from Russian attacks and to strengthen our positions. The Ukrainian leader added that Trump had agreed to catch up more often by phone and coordinate our steps in the future. Trump gives Putin an ultimatum again In a further escalation, Trump announced that unless a peace agreement is reached within 50 days, his administration would impose 100 percent tariffs on Russia. He also floated the idea of secondary tariffs on Russias trading partners as a way to intensify economic pressure and isolate Moscow globally. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These proposals represent a departure from Trumps earlier views. At various points since his re-election, Trump seemed to believe that Putin was genuinely interested in peace. As recently as March, he said, I believe him. I think were doing very well with Russia. He also dispatched envoys to Saudi Arabia to discuss potential peace deals with Russian surrogates negotiations that notably excluded Ukraine. Trumps comments during the recent Nato summit suggest those assumptions have been replaced by a more pragmatic and confrontational stance. They have to be able to defend themselves, he said of Ukraine. Theyre getting hit very hard. Now theyre getting hit very hard. Were going to have to send more weapons, defensive weapons, primarily, but theyre getting hit very, very hard. So many people are dying in that mess. So what may have changed Trumps mind? Several factors appear to have influenced Trumps recalibration. First is the absence of progress despite multiple conversations with Putin. Trump said he believed he had reached agreements on four separate occasions, only to see bombs thrown out that night. This pattern convinced him that the Russian leader was not serious about peace. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Second may have been Trumps wife Melania Trump who challenged his optimism about Putin after learning about Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. She said: Oh really? Another city was just hit, Trump recalled, describing how her reaction led him to reassess his approach. Third, strategic pressure from Nato and Ukraine has likely shaped the White Houses decisions. At the recent Nato summit, air defence emerged as a key focus. Ukraine presented a plan for European countries to fund US weapons a plan now adopted by the Trump administration. While Trump continues to maintain that the war must end and that Europe must carry more of the burden, he now backs a multinational effort to sustain Ukraines defence. They feel strongly about it and we feel strongly about it, too, he said, echoing a new-found alignment with European partners. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies Nvidia, which last week briefly touched a market cap of $4 trillion, has been allowed to resume selling its H20 Artificial Intelligence (AI) chips to China again. The decision comes months after the US commerce department restricted the export of these chips to China. But what happened? Why the sudden change of heart? read more Nvidia is now selling its H20 Artificial Intelligence (AI) chips to China again. The tech giant, which last week briefly touched a market cap of $4 trillion, has been allowed to do so by the Donald Trump administration. Nvidia has said that it hopes to resume deliveries soon. It also announced a new chip for China which is fully compliant. The development came after a meeting between Nvidia chief Jensen Huang and Donald Trump at the White House. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what happened? Why was it barred from selling chips to China? Why has it resumed doing so? Lets take a closer look What happened? Nvidia has been allowed to resume the sale of H20 chips to China. The US government has assured Nvidia that licences will be granted, and Nvidia hopes to start deliveries soon, the company wrote online. Today, Im announcing that the US government has approved for us filing licences to start shipping H20s, Huang told reporters in China. Its so innovative and dynamic here in China that its really important that American companies are able to compete and serve the market here in China, he said. Huang is currently on a visit to China where he will meet top government officials and tech industry leaders. US President Donald Trump has changed his mind on allowing the sale of these H20 chips to China. Reuters The development comes months after the Chinese firm DeepSeek shook Silicon Valley and Wall Street by announcing it had developed an AI model for a pittance compared to tech giants such as Microsoft and Apple. China, while not directly commenting on the development on Tuesday, said it opposes weaponisation of technology and trade issues disrupting the stability of the industrial supply chain. So, why was Nvidia barred from selling these chips to China? A brief look at H20 chips First, take a brief look at the H20 chips. These chips means they are not as powerful as Nvidias top-of-the-line models. They are essentially as what is known as second-tier. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The H20 chips were designed by Nvidia specifically for the China market and to get around export controls on AI chips imposed by the previous Joe Biden administration. The Biden administration had imposed this export ban amid a growing battle with China over Artificial Intelligence. The administration cited national security issues as behind the move. Both countries are desperate to outdo each other in the field of AI. Nvidia in May 2024 had announced it was writing off H20 chips were billions of dollars a huge blow to the companys bottom line. It doesnt really fit anywhere else without a lot of expensive tweaking, Arash Azadegan, a professor of supply chain management at Rutgers Business School, told Fortune. In February, major Chinese firms such as Alibaba, ByteDance, and Tencent purchased these chips from Nvidia. Nvidia has said that it hopes to resume deliveries to China soon. It also announced a new chip for China which is fully compliant. This came a month after DeepSeeks announcement which caused chaos in Silicon Valley and dealt a severe blow to the value of AI firms on Wall Street. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Experts said these companies likely made the call thinking they could replicate DeepSeeks efforts with these H20 chips. Trump administration bans H20 chip exports, reverses its decision However, the Commerce Department of the Trump administration in April 2025 had disallowed Nvidia from sending even sending these second-tier to China. This came as the two countries were increasingly at odds over tariffs. Trump in April had unveiled his Liberation Day tariffs on dozens of countries including China. Beijing hit back at Trump and unveiled its own tariffs against America. Experts had predicted an even greater blow to Nvidias bottom line if the Trump administration did not reverse its decision. Nvidia said the decision would cost the company between $5 billion and $15 billion. So, what happened? Like many before, Huang went directly to the source of his problem meeting Trump at the White House. Huang is said to have made his case directly to the US president. He is said to have argued that sales to China would help keep American companies ahead in the global AI race. However, Huang is likely more concerned about Nvidias bottom line. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China comprised about 13 per cent of the companys sales and generated around $17 billion for the firm in the latest fiscal year. Huang has also spoken about the importance of the Chinese market to Nvidia. The Chinese market is massive, dynamic, and highly innovative, and its also home to many AI researchers," Huang told Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday. Therefore, it is indeed crucial for American companies to establish roots in the Chinese market. But others are far more cautious about Chinas ambitions. Its very hard to disentangle Chinas AI ambitions for the commercial space from the military space, an ex-US Commerce Department official told Washington Post. Jensen has been very clear that he doesnt see a military nexus to what he sells, the former official added. But there was plenty of open source and classified intelligence showing that the PLA was working quite hard to get its hands on these chips. The Biden administration had imposed this export ban amid a growing battle with China over Artificial Intelligence. Reuters They also remain sceptical about Nvidias value to China in the long run. China is in a weird position because they continue to be dependent on Nvidia and its product lines to sustain near-term growth in Chinas AI industry, Ryan Fedasiuk, a former tech policy adviser in the U.S. State Departments Office of China Coordination, told the newspaper. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But I think it should be clear to Nvidia that the company is dispensable in China. China is actively pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into an effort to dispense with Nvidia in its market. Nvidia has also announced the development of a new AI chip designed specifically for China, called the RTX Pro GPU. The company described the model as fully compliant with US export controls and suitable for digital twin AI applications in sectors such as smart factories and logistics. In May, Reuters reported Nvidia was preparing to launch a new AI chip, based on the RTX Pro 6000D, in China at a significantly lower price point than the H20. The graphics processing unit would be part of Nvidias latest generation Blackwell-architecture AI processors and was expected to be priced well below the H20 due to its weaker specifications and simpler manufacturing requirements. It remains unknown if this decision by Trump has any link to trade talks between the US and China. Both countries have backed off their threats. The White House has expressed optimism after China said it would resume sending rare earth materials to the US. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Nimisha Priya death row: The government data shared in Parliament show that thousands of Indians have been found on the wrong side of the law. At least 49 face death penalty. read more Nimisha Priya, from Kerala's Palakkad district, was arrested in 2017 and later convicted for the murder of her business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi. Image courtesy X With over 10,000 Indians currently imprisoned in foreign jails, including 49 facing the death penalty, the harsh reality of overseas legal entanglements continues to challenge Indian diplomacy and test the limits of government intervention. From allegations of petty crimes to serious offences including murder and drug trafficking, Indian nationals abroad face legal systems vastly different from Indias, often without adequate legal support or diplomatic recourse. The case of Nimisha Priya: A stark example Among the most urgent cases is that of Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala sentenced to death in Yemen for the 2017 murder of her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi. After reportedly drugging Mahdi to retrieve her passport, which he had seized, the situation escalated fatally. Priya, along with a Yemeni accomplice, allegedly dismembered the body and hid it in a water tank, the PTI reported. Convicted in a trial conducted under Yemens Sharia law amid a brutal civil war, her appeal was rejected in 2023, and execution is scheduled for July 16, 2025. The Indian government has admitted its hands are tied due to the lack of diplomatic relations with the Houthi-controlled Yemeni administration. Despite efforts including informal negotiations and engaging influential locals, the situation remains grim. The only remaining hope lies in blood money, a provision under Sharia law that allows the convicts life to be spared if the victims family accepts financial compensation. However, this process is strictly private, and the Indian state cannot directly intervene beyond facilitating contact. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A pattern beyond a single case Priyas case, while extreme, is not isolated. As of March 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that 49 Indian nationals were facing death sentences in eight countries. This includes 25 in the UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia and others in Kuwait, Indonesia, Qatar, the US and Yemen. The reasons range from murder, drug trafficking and espionage to economic crimes, and in some cases, even religious violations in highly conservative legal jurisdictions. For example, several Indians executed in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in recent years were convicted of drug-related offences, the MEA informed the Rajya Sabha in March this year. A legal limbo Indian diplomatic missions abroad consistently walk a fine line. While they are mandated to provide legal and consular support, including jail visits, arranging interpreters and helping with appeals or mercy petitions, the host countrys sovereignty always takes precedence. In cases like Yemen, where the central authority is fragmented and India lacks formal recognition of the de facto rulers the Houthis in this case where even these basic interventions become near-impossible. Moreover, many Indian nationals often lack legal awareness, face language barriers and are unable to afford effective representation. In conflict zones or authoritarian regimes, fair trials and due process are not always guaranteed. Its disproportionate in the Gulf The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which host large Indian migrant populations, particularly blue-collar workers, see a disproportionately high number of legal cases involving Indians. The UAE alone has over 2,500 Indian prisoners, with 25 on death row, the highest among all foreign nations, the MEA said. While the UAE government does not publicly release execution data, Indian authorities rely on informal channels to track developments. Often, these legal issues arise from labour disputes, identity theft, smuggling or violent altercations under stressful working conditions. In some cases, convictions have stemmed from being at the wrong place at the wrong time or falling into the trap of illegal networks. Execution: Malaysia to Saudi Arabia Between 2023 and 2024, multiple Indians were executed in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Malaysia, with at least three executions reported in each of the first two nations in 2024 alone. In 2023, five Indians were executed in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, highlighting how quickly legal decisions can escalate to capital punishment in these jurisdictions. While India has a strong record of advocating for its citizens abroad, it has no leverage to overturn criminal verdicts in sovereign countries. The government can support legal appeals, coordinate with NGOs and facilitate mercy petitions, but the final decision lies with the host countrys judiciary or head of state. Accountability of vulnerabile? These troubling cases underline the precarious situation of Indian nationals abroad, especially migrant workers and low-income expatriates who often lack access to legal resources. Although the government asserts that the safety, security, and well-being of Indians overseas remains a top priority, the sheer scale of cases over 10,000 prisoners globally makes individual intervention a monumental task. In addition to formal diplomatic mechanisms, community-led initiatives, such as the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, have played a crucial role in raising awareness and facilitating on-ground negotiations. These groups help circumvent bureaucratic delays and create direct lines of communication with families, local authorities and even informal power holders like tribal sheikhs in Yemen. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The way forward To reduce such instances, there is a growing call for stronger pre-departure awareness programmes for Indian migrants, particularly those going to countries with strict legal systems. Educational campaigns about local laws, cultural norms and legal rights could serve as a first line of defence. Furthermore, there is a need for bilateral legal aid treaties, expedited consular access, and designated legal defence funds to ensure that Indian nationals are not left to fend for themselves. Indias expansive diplomatic presence provides the necessary infrastructure to lead such reforms, but political will and sustained funding are crucial. The plight of Indians like Nimisha Priya reflects the dark underbelly of global migration, where dreams of better lives sometimes end in legal nightmares. While the Indian government continues to assist and intervene where possible, the reality remains that sovereign law takes precedence abroad. As more Indians seek opportunities overseas, equipping them with knowledge, legal support, and institutional backing is not just a diplomatic responsibility, it is a humanitarian imperative. Right to Information (RTI) data shows Indian flights underwent 65 in-flight engine shutdowns since 2020, while pilots made 11 mayday distress calls in the last 17 months read more The Ahmedabad plane crash that killed 260 people in June occurred on the premises of many aviation mishaps that made close calls to large-scale accidents in the past five years. Right to Information (RTI) data accessed by TOI shows Indian flights underwent 65 in-flight engine shutdowns since 2020, while pilots made 11 mayday distress calls in the last 17 months. Aviation accidents are not uncommon in the world, including in India, with flights reporting technical glitches at least every month, forcing them to divert or ground. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) last week released its preliminary report on the crash of AI 787-8 Dreamliner, suggesting that a fuel cut-off to the engines, leading to dual engine failures, caused the accident. What has the RTI revealed? The RTA query answered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) says, A total of 65 incidents related to in-flight shutdown of engines from 2020 to 2025 (till date) were reported across India. In all 65 cases, pilots successfully guided their aircraft to the nearest airport using a single functioning engine. Experts link the engine shutdowns to various technical issues, including low fuel, turbine malfunctions, and faulty electronic components. The RTI data also shows that between January 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025, the Air Traffic Services across the country received 11 mayday calls, reporting various technical glitches and seeking emergency landing. According to the Airline Pilots Association of India, Mayday signals are only relayed during life-threatening situations and are different from Pan Pan urgency alerts. DGCA asks airlines to check fuel switches DGCA on Monday directed airlines to inspect the fuel switch locking system in their Boeing 787 and 737 planes, two days after AAIBs preliminary report said fuel switches were cut off before the Air India plane crashed last month. There are more than 150 Boeing 737s and 787s being operated by Indian airlines. Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, SpiceJet and IndiGo are the domestic carriers operating these aircraft. Of these, IndiGo has seven B 737 Max 8 and one B787-9. All these are leased planes, either on wet or damp lease, and so are not registered in India. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), back in 2018, had flagged the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature on certain models of Boeing aircraft, including 787s and 737s. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It was mentioned in a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB), but there was no airworthiness directive, indicating that the issue was not a safety concern. On Monday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said it has come to its notice that several operators, internationally as well as domestically, have initiated inspections on their aircraft fleet as per the FAAs SAIB. With inputs from agencies The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said that 242.8GW gigawatts out of Indias total installed power capacity of 484.8 gigawatts came from non-fossil fuels read more India officially draws 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, reaching a landmark in its clean energy goals, the central government said on Tuesday. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said in a press release that the feat was achieved five years ahead of the target set under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement. The ministry said that 242.8GW gigawatts out of Indias total installed power capacity of 484.8 gigawatts came from non-fossil fuels. The Energy Institutes Statistical Review of World Energy has said that India produced 2,030 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024 and out of this, 240.5 TWh was drawn from renewable sources of energy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India is showing the way In a world seeking climate solutions, India is showing the way. Achieving 50% non-fossil fuel capacity five years ahead of the 2030 target is a proud moment for every Indian. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modis leadership continues to drive Bharats green transformation paving the path towards a self-reliant and sustainable future, Union Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi said. In a world seeking climate solutions, India is showing the way. Achieving 50% non-fossil fuel capacity five years ahead of the 2030 target is a proud moment for every Indian. Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi jis leadership continues to drive Bharats green transformation paving pic.twitter.com/ydzWErWQNC Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) July 14, 2025 How was this achieved? Indias clean energy ambitions were accelerated by schemes like PM-KUSUM, the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, solar park development, and the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, all of which have played a key role in the achievement. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme has provided solar-powered pumps to hundreds of thousands of farmers, helping promote sustainable and energy-secure agriculture. Meanwhile, the PM Surya Ghar scheme, launched in 2024, paved the way for rooftop solar panel installations. It aims to bring solar power to one crore households, encouraging decentralised energy generation and enabling citizens to become active participants in the clean energy economy. The tail of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that crashed is seen stuck on a building after the incident in Ahmedabad, on June 12, 2025. Reuters Allegations of human error are deeply insensitive, says the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) after the preliminary report on Air India flight 171 crash was released. In an official statement, the ICPA called the accusations and allegations against the pilots and flight crew a gross violation and disservice to the profession. In the aftermath of this incident, we are deeply disturbed by speculative narratives emerging in sections of the media and public discourseparticularly the reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide, said ICPA. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Let us be unequivocally clear: there is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage, and invoking such a serious allegation based on incomplete or preliminary information is not only irresponsible, it is deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved, it added further. Any mention of pilot error or suicide in the absence of verified evidence is a gross violation of ethical reporting and a disservice to the dignity of the profession. The Association also sought to know how such sensitive investigative details were leaked to a US-based newspaper a few days earlier. The deadly accident on June 12 had claimed 260 lives, 241 on board and 19 on the ground at the crash site. The sole survivor was a 40-year-old British national named Vishwas Ramesh. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its 15-page preliminary report on the Air India crash on Saturday, July 12. As per the report the fuel to both engines was cut off shortly after takeoff. Based on the AAIB report, at about 08:08:42 UTC (1:38 pm, 42 seconds) and immediately thereafter, the Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cut-off switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 01 sec. Experts say accidental movement of the switches is not quite possible. The spring-loaded switches have a stop-lock mechanism that requires the pilots to lift the switch up before moving it between either of its two positions, RUN and CUTOFF. In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut-off. The other pilot responded that he did not do so, the report added further. No sane pilot would move the switches during the flight, and that too at such low altitude, unless there was a dual engine failure to be dealt with. The pilots and the former aircraft accident investigator concurred that during the critical takeoff phase of the flight, pilots would have no reason to keep their hands anywhere close to the fuel control switches. The findings do not make clear how the fuel switches were flipped to the cut-off position during the flight, whether it was deliberate or accidental, or if a technical fault was responsible. Its possible there was a problem with the fuel cut-off system. Unfortunately, the preliminary report has not released a full transcript of the conversation between the two pilots and does not give details of the Cockpit Video Recorder, because that could have clarified this issue. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dont Jump to Conclusions As per guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a United Nations agency that recommends practices for the industry, the investigators must submit a preliminary report within 30 days of an accident. The preliminary report has still left many open-ended positions. A full report is not due for months, and Indias Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, said, Lets not jump to any conclusions at this stage. Commercial Interests of Aircraft Manufacturer The Boeing 737 MAX passenger airliner was grounded worldwide between March 2019 and December 2020, and again during January 2024, after 346 people died in two similar crashes in less than five months: Lion Air Flight 610 on October 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially affirmed the MAXs continued airworthiness, claiming to have insufficient evidence of accident similarities. But by March 13, the FAA followed behind 51 concerned regulators in deciding to ground the aircraft. All 387 aircraft delivered to airlines were grounded by March 18. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Boeing 787 Dreamliner had been in service since 2011 without a fatal crash. More than 1,100 Dreamliners are in use worldwide, carrying more than 875 million passengers over the last decade, according to Boeing. But the aircraft has had its troubles. The problems began in early 2013, when fires broke out aboard two Dreamliners. Both blazes were traced to overheating of the planes lithium-ion batteries that power the electrical system. Subsequently, two whistleblowers, former employees, exposed the manufacturing practices of the company. Boeing is a leading aircraft manufacturer in the world and is a major corporation in the US. The company would do anything to safeguard its design and manufacturing reputation. Will it be in a position to influence the outcome of the AAIB investigation? The question is being asked by some. A technical fault could mean the grounding of a very large fleet and would have commercial implications. Western Media Bias towards Accident Investigation STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indian social media is abuzz with netizens calling out Western media for biased reporting on the Air India flight crash report. Many international outlets are focusing on and highlighting cockpit procedures undertaken by pilots and less on the technical cause of the crash. BBCs coverage sparked widespread backlash for its caption on a video report, Pilot cut off fuel to engineno fault with plane. Popular YouTuber and former pilot Gaurav Taneja, Flying Beast, accused BBC of prematurely absolving Boeing. The framing suggested pilot error without acknowledging the full context of the AAIBs findings, including a 2018 FAA bulletin warning about potential malfunction of the fuel control switch locking mechanism. Writer and stand-up comedian Varun Grover also slammed the reportage and wrote, White man will always stand with the white man. Shame. Senior journalist Barkha Dutt called the BBCs reporting scurrilous. Why would you not consider a fuel switch malfunction given the documented FAA advisory? she questioned on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Some in the West are quoting selective parts of the preliminary report to blame the pilots and implying that Boeing and engine manufacturers were not culpable. Metro UK went further, placing apparent blame on the crew with its headline, Air India plane crash investigation focuses on mistake made by pilots. Also there is mention that inspections were not carried out and the 2018 FAA fuel control switch advisory (albeit not mandatory) was ignored by Air India. It had flagged potential for disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature in certain Boeing aircraft, including the 787-8. Air India has chosen to maintain silence. Prematurely blaming pilots could irreparably damage the airlines reputation. Serious allegations based on incomplete or preliminary information are not only irresponsible, they are also deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved. Human Error vs Aviation Automation Statistically, human error causes more than half of all aviation accidents. The human could be the aircrew, aircraft or system designer, maintenance technician, air traffic and radar controller, or even some others closely involved in aviation. Human error could be because of lack of situational awareness, poor skills, overall experience, and health issues, among others. Habit interference when changing over from one aircraft to another, violation of existing orders and instructions, and supervisory inadequacy could also be the reasons. Crew Resource Management (CRM) is another area of human factors. Pilots are not superhuman beings. Pilots actions do not take place in a vacuum. Human error could also be caused by organisational reasons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The fuel shutoff switches are not wire-locked. They are locked mechanically in that they have to be lifted before operation. The actual locking is done electronically by the Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADEC) and/or Thrust Control Malfunction Accommodation (TCMA). It is all computer controlled. The TCMA controls the FADEC and can override the pilots controls. It can even shut down the engine without the pilot knowing about it. On January 17, 2019, an ANA Boeing 787 Dreamliner suffered a simultaneous dual engine failure on landing at Osaka Itami (ITM). Boeing had earlier issued a bulletin addressing a problem with the TCMA system. Technology has overtaken the man on the machine. The evidence in the Preliminary Report points to a possible malfunction in the TCMA/FADEC system whereby it shut down both engines just after takeoff. It was done even though the pilots fuel control switches were in the RUN position. Investigators have confirmed that the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a last-resort emergency power system, was deployed seconds after the ill-fated Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner lifted off. Was it before or after the fuel shutoff? Could there have been an all-electrical failure or all-electrical shutdown for some reason leading to the accident? How come the Emergency Locator Beacon has not worked? Can such a situation be duplicated on the ground? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Such uncommanded engine shutoffs have happened in the past. But this is the first time it has happened at a critical time. Has automation gone too far? Were the pilots and the cockpit switches out of the loop in the final decision-making? Can automation shut down the engines WITHOUT the switches being physically moved from the RUN position? Should we take the pilot so much out of the loop? Why so much automation? Because in many accidents it came out that humans continued to be the weak link in the man-machine dynamics of aviation. Advances made in the design and reliability of avionics have reduced technical system failure. Although there has been a significant improvement in the training of the aircrew to prevent human error accidents, human error continued to be a leading factor in many fatal aircraft accidents. The entire design philosophy requires a revisit. Accidents Related to Automation Failure Cockpit automation systems, which were developed for the purpose of enhancing aviation safety and decreasing the workload of pilots, have increasingly become the cause of accidents. Air France Flight 447 (2009) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Paris, France, resulting in the loss of 228 lives, involved a combination of automation issues and pilot responses. Inconsistent airspeed indications and miscommunication led to the pilots inadvertently stalling the Airbus A330. The pilots struggled to regain control after the autopilot disengaged due to icing, in part because their manual flying skills had degraded from over-reliance on automation. The Boeing 737 MAX airliner was repeatedly grounded after 346 people died in two similar crashes in less than five months: Lion Air Flight 610 on October 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019. Boeing confirmed that the Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) had been activated in both accidents. Engineering reviews uncovered other design problems, unrelated to MCAS, in the flight computers and cockpit displays. Even last year, on January 5, a 737 MAXAlaska Airlines Flight 1282suffered a mid-flight blowout of a plug filling an unused emergency exit, causing rapid decompression of the aircraft. To Summarise An aircraft is an extremely sophisticated and complex machine. Flying is a very demanding field. The aircrew have to take a large number of sequential actions and operate many switches and systems. Unlike a surface vehicle, they cannot stop mid-air to review actions or seek external help from a mechanic. Take-off and landing remain very crucial, high demand phases of flight. Aircraft automation, while desirable to relieve the aircrew of increased cockpit load, and improve safety, has its own attendant complexities. Will artificial Intelligence (AI) take over and dictate humanity is being asked. Should automation be limited to support and not total control? Should the aircrew have the final over-ride for every automation? Do aircrew need to enhance training in an automation denied environment? The answer is a loud Yes. It is presumed that the AAIB investigation will be free of all biases. That the large number of aircraft company representatives assisting the investigation would not try to water down technical issues and divert the blame on aircrew. Commercial considerations will not overtake technical flaws and flight safety deliberations. It will be unethical to push the blame on aircrew who are not here to defend themselves. 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. In a rather curious development, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for the Talibans Supreme Leader, or Emir, Haibatullah Akhundzada, and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, Chief Justice of the Taliban, citing grave violations of the rights of Afghan women and girls, as well as those who support them. Not that the Supreme Leader or his compatriots are going to get into a panic over this development. Neither of these two go anywhere, and they have no assets abroad to confiscate. But it matters in other ways. Its driving the Taliban into the arms of other countries who refuse to sit in judgement of the Taliban and who have most recently been known for their support of Pakistan in the run-up to Operation Sindoor. Time to take notice. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Hard Facts First, the details of the arrest warrant. It charges both top leaders with inducing or soliciting the crime against humanity of persecution on gender grounds against girls, women, and other persons non-conforming with the Talibans policy on gender, gender identity, or expression; and on political grounds against persons perceived as allies of girls and women. Both the Talibanis are from Panjwayi, the heartland of the Taliban, and both are known as jurists on Islamic law. While the Emir himself, reclusive and wedded to extreme Islamic teachings, is well known, Hakim Haqqani (no relation to Sirajuddin Haqqani) is a scholar with the honorific title of Sheikh from the Darul Uloom Haqqani, east of Peshawar, and author of numerous books of learning. He is from the elite Ishaqzai Durrani tribe, which also gives him a political standing. Both are alike in having studied and grown up in Pakistan. Another within this elite group is Acting Minister for Vice and Virtue, Sheikh Mohammad Khalid, whose department is listed in the US Treasury for serious rights abuses. He is also from the same seminary in Peshawar and subsequently taught Islamic studies (tafsir) for 22 years at different madrassas in Pakistan, including the Darul Uloom Arabia, Darul Uloom Ahia-ul Uloom, and Jamia Farooqia in Pakistan. There are more, but the sum of it is that the coterie around the Taliban chief are all hard-line Pakistan products. The trouble is that none of this listing or condemnation is likely to have much effect on these elements, which belong to the Kandahar clique, which has set itself up as a power centre within the larger Taliban. Most importantly, all of these are being courted by a group of other powers with their own interests at stake. Russia Opens Its Doors One country that has come unexpectedly to the fore is Russia, as it formally recognised the Taliban on July 4, after floating the idea for years. Russia has little economic incentive, with bilateral trade remaining a miniscule $300 million odd. But it may be that the loss of Syria and the importance of keeping neighbours on a friendly footing have increased in importance after the trauma of Ukraine. Russian plans for Afghanistan include a pipeline from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India, as well as roads and infrastructure, including a railway to operationalise the International North-South Corridor (INSTC), which it has invited Pakistan to join, in a series of moves that seem to be aimed at drawing Pakistan into the Russia-China fold. However, the funds for such large plans are likely to prove difficult. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China as a Doorstop China may well step in for this. Beijing not only welcomed the Russian move to recognise the Talibaneven while it accepted an ambassador from the Taliban last year and sent its own envoy in September 2023but has also backed the building of infrastructure in Afghanistan recently together with Russia and Uzbekistan. Earlier, Beijing had linked its recognition of the Taliban to its resumption of good ties with Pakistan, which annoys Kabul, as both Beijing and Rawalpindi insist on calling any connectivity as part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor rather than the much larger Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Afghanistan has signed on to the BRI and given China three blocks for oil exploration, with Kabul due to get royalties and a $10 billion lithium and other mineral extraction contract. Beijing has, in turn, promised another Salang tunnel, which connects Afghanistan to Central Asia, and is due to reopen the Aynak copper mine project. China is meanwhile awarding scholarships to Afghan students, including women, with a total of above a thousand studying there at any given time, apart from Confucius Institutes training upwards of 800 last year. All of this activity is likely to increase as Afghanistan stabilises. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Azerbaijan and Turkey into the Breach Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Baradar was recently in Baku, with requests to open up its ports and railways to exports from and through Afghanistan. Azerbaijani officials expressed their willingness to facilitate the export of Afghan industrial, agricultural, and mineral goods to Turkey and Europe, as well as to Russia via Irans rail network. Such connectivity is being pushed by Turkey, which has long-standing good relations with Kabul. That has improved steadily under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with the country as its top export partner. Connectivity projects also involved Pakistan, like the TAP-500 electricity transmission project from Turkmenistan to Afghanistans provinces of Herat, Farah, Helmand, and Kandahar and further electricity exported to Pakistan, generating considerable annual transit revenue for Afghanistan. The most recent meeting of the working group was early this year. In sum, there is a strong effort to integrate these countries, with China probably the driving force. Russia is going with the flow and most recently annoyed Delhi by supporting President Donald Trumps reiteration of his role in ending the conflict between India and Pakistan. Post Pahalgam, Kabuls robust support led to Indias Foreign Secretary speaking to his counterpart, Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, just days after a senior official of the Ministry of External Affairs visited Kabul with the promise of restarting developmental aid. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is something of a watershed in recent India-Afghanistan relations. India also abstained from a recent UN resolution condemning the Taliban, noting realistically that such moves did nothing to improve the lives of Afghans. All this is to the good. But Delhi has to move fast. It must deliver quickly on its reputation as a genuine provider of aid without strings. Immediate initiatives could tackle the terrible lack of drinking water in most parts of Afghanistan, while commercial assistance could include the provision of cold storage facilities for Afghan farmers. Most importantly, it has to hasten to deliver visas to students to study here, in Indian universities. The chequerboard of international relations is changing fast, and Indias bureaucracy and decision-making have to match this almost disconcerting speed of hostile forces. Time to think of a diplomatic version of Operation Sindoor. The author is Director (R&A) at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. She tweets @kartha_tara. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even the once relatively migrant-friendly countries like Britain, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Australia, and, of course, that supposed cradle of the melting pot revolution, the US, are turning hostile towards foreigners read more A wave of intense anti-immigrant sentiment is sweeping the developed world, feeding off deepening public anger over the cost-of-living crisis and growing pressure on public services. Representational image: REUTERS/Andrew Kelly From world citizens to citizens of nowhere, migrants have been on a long downhill journey amid a rising tide of xenophobia across the Western world. And now the worlds most powerful political leader has lent it new legitimacy. US President Donald Trump, whose public threat to deport one of the countrys most successful entrepreneurs back to the country of his birth just because he no longer gets along with him, shows that the immigration debate has gone beyond just rhetoric: the bark has acquired a bite. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has been so angered by Elon Musks criticism of his big, beautiful spending bill, which reduces subsidies to his electric car venture, Tesla, that he is considering terminating his American citizenship and sending him back to his native South Africa. Asked by reporters if he would deport Musk, Trump said, I dont know. Well have to take a look. If the immigration status of the worlds richest man is not safe, it shows how vulnerable ordinary men must feel. Musk may not be exactly a likeable person, and few would perhaps shed tears if he were to be deported. And in all probability nothing will happen to Musk. But its not about Musk. Its about a climate in which the worlds most powerful executive thinks its amusing to threaten to upend real peoples lives. And thats not funny. But its not just in America that immigrants are living on an edge. In Britain, they were referred to as citizens of nowhere by erstwhile prime minister Theresa May while she sent vans around to immigrant neighbourhoods telling them to go home if they were illegal. But even legals are not safe, with immigration rules changing so frequently that one can never be sure what lies ahead. Among the hardest-hit are those who migrate through fast-track routes introduced from time to time and are then abruptly revoked, replaced by new rules applied even to those who are in the country legally. In one of the most controversial such cases, hundreds of Indian workers were forced to return home in the mid-2000s following arbitrary retrospective changes to residency rules for high-skilled immigrants. The new legislation was brought in, ignoring at least two high court rulings directing the Home Office to honour the original terms of migrants visas. Indians have also been disproportionately affected by the frequent tightening of student visa rules and intra-company transfers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In recent years, foreign students have been stripped of a number of key entitlements, and theres now a proposal for the graduate visa route to be scrapped except for those pursuing postgraduate research degrees. Earlier this year, the government announced plans to reduce the length of time for which overseas students can live and work in the UK. Theres already a ban on bringing dependents with them. Meanwhile, Indians seeking student visas are up against more hurdles, as India has been placed in the category of countries whose nationals are most likely to overstay and claim asylum. Applicants from these countries, which also include Pakistanis, Nigerians, and Sri Lankans, will be scrutinised more closely. The crackdown comes amid government claims that study visas are being increasingly used as a backdoor into Britains creaking asylum system. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is concerned about a sharp increase in migrants who travel to Britain on study visas and, on their expiry, lodge asylum claims to extend their stay. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In short, theres no place safe for those seeking to realise their phoren dream. Recently, Russia-born Nobel Prize-winning Dutch physicist Andre Geim, who had been a Dutch citizen since the 1990s, was stripped of his citizenship on flimsy technical grounds. A wave of intense anti-immigrant sentiment is sweeping the developed world, feeding off deepening public anger over the cost-of-living crisis and growing pressure on public services. The narrative that foreigners are stealing local jobs and hijacking public housing has been so successfully sold that every immigrant has come to be viewed with suspicion. Even the once relatively migrant-friendly countries like Britain, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Australia, and, of course, that supposed cradle of the melting pot revolution, the US, are turning hostile towards foreigners. Yet theres no let-up in the scramble to go abroad. And its not just the unemployed and lowly workers desperately seeking a better future; curiously, even well-heeled professionals and the affluent classthe so-called high net worth individualsare equally desperate to get out. And on hand to help them is a thriving cottage industry of immigration lawyers and consultants well-versed in bending rules. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This has triggered a debate in India on whether the flight of its professional elite constitutes a massive brain drain that should be discouraged or contributes to Indias soft power and needs to be encouraged. Is enhancing soft power a fair trade-off for losing valuable human capital?, asks a new provocative book on the subject, Secession of the Successful: The Flight out of New India (Penguin/Viking) by noted journalist and academic Sanjaya Baru. Baru argues that much of modern Indias development owes itself to the contribution of hundreds of talented Indians who stayed home, some even returning home, to build a new India after Independence. The temples of modern Indiathe new research and teaching institutions, the public sector industries, the atomic energy and space capabilities, and so onwere built by Indian brains that chose to stay home, he writes. Those on the other side of the argument feel strongly that an expanding and resourceful Indian diaspora is good for India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Besides lending heft to its soft power, it benefits the Indian economy through inward remittances. There are calls for the creation of a Ministry of Emigration to support emigrants and tap their potential to the fullest. However, these discussions are only a sideshow in the broader global debate on immigration driven by populist nationalistspushing the issue to the top of almost every governments agenda. The following comment by Nicola Procaccini, a Member of European Parliament for Italys ruling Brothers of Italy, whose leader Giorgia Meloni is the countrys prime minister, sums up how the pendulum has swung against migrants. In an interview with the New York Times, he recalled that when he was first elected to the European Parliament six years ago, colleagues from centrist parties avoided even being seen with him. Brothers of Italy was then a fringe party whose hard-line stance on immigration was met with scorn. My hand would hang midair because they dont shake hands with fascists Now those tables have turned. Those who told us our approach was racist and xenophobic are slowly starting to say, Well, maybe theyre a bit right, he said, noting that mainstream politicians are now embracing his partys anti-migration agenda. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And hes right. Nobody wants migrants anymore. But it seems migrants themselves still havent got the memo, judging from the continuing clamour to go abroad. Hasan Suroor is author of Unmasking Secularism: Why We Need A New Hindu-Muslim Deal. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. July 15, 2025, 22:34:17 (IST) Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Five rehabilitated vultures released back into the wild in South Africa Five rehabilitated vultures, including two rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, have been released back into the wild on a mountain range in South Africa, as per a report in AP. The conservation group Vulpro released the Cape Vultures in Magaliesburg after a period of rehabilitation. Two of the birds had been rescued from traffickers who seek their body parts for use in traditional potions and charms. One of these vultures required nearly a year of care after all its feathers were removed. The other vultures in the group had been treated for various injuries before being deemed ready for release. Jaishankar has told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that while India and China have made good progress in improving ties over the past nine months, more work is needed to reduce tensions along the border. read more External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro. File Image: X | @DrSJaishankar. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday that while India and China have made good progress over the past nine months towards improving relations and further efforts are needed to ease tensions along the border. Signalling an improvement in ties after setbacks due to military clashes in Ladakh, Jaishankar emphasised that differences should not become disputes and that competition should never become conflict. This marks Jaishankars first visit to China since the military standoff began along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh in May 2020. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During his meeting with Wang Yi ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin on Tuesday, Jaishankar highlighted terrorism as a shared concern, saying India hopes the principle of zero tolerance for terrorism will be firmly upheld at the summit. He also stressed that restrictive trade measures and roadblocks should be avoided to ensure smoother economic ties. Our bilateral relationship requires that we take a far-seeing approach to our ties. Since our leaders meeting in Kazan in October 2024, the India-China relationship has been gradually moving in a positive direction. Our responsibility is to maintain that momentum, Jaishankar said. In a breakthrough during the period of strained ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October last year, following the announcement of a new border patrolling arrangement on 21 October. Since then, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has visited China twice, and both Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri have also travelled to China for strategic talks. In recent times, the two of us have had several opportunities to meet at international events and carry out strategic communication. It is our expectation that this will now be regular and take place in each others countries, Jaishankar said. Albaneses visit to China comes as Beijing seeks to capitalise on US President Donald Trumps sweeping trade tariffs by portraying itself as a steady and dependable partner read more Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, right, talks to China's President Xi Jinping, second left, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. AP Despite strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region, China and Australia will maintain open discussion and seek areas of collaboration, according to Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday. Albaneses state visit to China is his second since being elected prime minister in 2022. Australia, like many other Asian-Pacific countries, is stuck between China and the US. Its economy relies mainly on exports to China, particularly iron ore for the steel sector. However, it shares Americas concerns about Chinas human rights record and its increasing military presence in the Pacific, notably in areas near Australia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China was eager to promote further development in the China-Australia relationship, Xi stated at the outset of the meeting. Albaneses visit to China comes as Beijing seeks to capitalise on US President Donald Trumps sweeping trade tariffs by portraying itself as a steady and dependable partner. Australias commercial relationship with China was distinct from Canberras handling of US tariffs, Albanese told reporters following a lunch with Xi at the Great Hall of the People. Albanese stated that a decade-old free trade deal with China, Australias largest trading partner, will be examined, and the two presidents agreed to possible new collaboration on decarbonisation. Albanese stated that he addressed Australias worries about the Chinese navys conduct of short notice live fire drills in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand in February. Xi answered that China engages in exercises in the same way that Australia does, Albanese told reporters. We have strategic competition in the region but we continue to engage in order to support peace and security in the region and stability in the region, according to him. According to Chinese state media source Xinhua, Xi underlined at the meeting that China and Australia should continue to strengthen strategic mutual confidence, establish a favourable economic environment for both sides, and safeguard multilateralism and free trade in the face of a complex global landscape. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dialogue needs to be at the centre of our relationship, Albanese stated in his opening words to Xi. Albanese is set to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang later on Tuesday. Under Albanese, Australia, which sees the United States as its primary security friend, has followed a cooperate where we can, disagree where we must China policy. In the run-up to the visit, China signalled repeatedly it was open to deeper cooperation. On Tuesday, the state-owned China Daily newspaper published a glowing opinion piece about the visit and said it showed countries with different political systems could still cooperate. However, any cooperation is likely to be constrained by long-standing Australian concerns around Chinas military build-up. Albanese said he had raised the case of jailed Australian writer Yang Hengjun with Xi. Beijing has previously criticised Canberras increased screening of foreign investment in critical minerals and Albaneses pledge to return a Chinese-leased port to Australian ownership. Australias exports to China span agriculture and energy but are dominated by iron ore, and Albanese has travelled with executives from mining giants Rio Tinto, BHP, and Fortescue, who met Chinese steel industry officials on Monday, at the start of the six-day visit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Albanese is in Beijing at the midpoint of a weeklong trip to China that started in Shanghai, Chinas commercial capital, where government and business leaders from the two countries discussed deepening cooperation in tourism and reducing carbon emissions in iron ore mining and steel production. From Beijing, he will travel to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, where he said he would focus on growing ties in medical technology and sports. In Syrias Sweida region, fighting between local militias and tribes has claimed the lives of several dozen individuals. Government security troops dispatched to restore order on Monday fought with local armed groups read more Syrian government security forces gather on the outskirts of Sweida province where clashes erupted between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin clans, southern Syria. AP Israels army said Monday it destroyed military tanks in southern Syria, as government forces and Bedouin tribes battled with Druze militias in the latest escalation in the Middle Eastern country battling for peace after a 13-year civil war. In Syrias Sweida region, fighting between local militias and tribes has claimed the lives of several dozen individuals. Government security troops dispatched to restore order on Monday fought with local armed groups. According to Syrias Interior Ministry, at than 30 people have been killed and almost 100 injured. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported at least 99 deaths, including two children, two women, and 14 security forces personnel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The conflicts in Syria began between armed groups from the Druze and Sunni Bedouin clans, according to the observatory, with some members of the government security forces actively participating in favour of the Bedouin. According to Syrian Interior Ministry spokeswoman Noureddine al-Baba, government soldiers entered Sweida early this morning to restore order. Some clashes occurred with outlawed armed groups, but our forces are doing their best to prevent any civilian casualties, he told state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV. Clashes fundamentally not sectarian in nature Al-Baba told The Associated Press that the clashes are fundamentally not sectarian in nature. The real conflict is between the state and bandits and criminals, not between the state and any Syrian community, he said. On the contrary, the state views the Druze community in Sweida as a partner in advancing the national unity project. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the observatory, said the conflict started with the kidnapping and robbery of a Druze vegetable seller by members of a Bedouin tribe who set up a checkpoint, leading to tit-for-tat attacks and kidnappings. The Interior Ministry described the situation as a dangerous escalation that comes in the absence of the relevant official institutions, which has led to an exacerbation of the state of chaos, the deterioration of the security situation, and the inability of the local community to contain the situation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD U.N. Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi expressed deep concern over the violence and urged the government and local groups to take immediate steps to protect civilians, restore calm, and prevent incitement. She said in a statement the clashes underscored the urgent need for genuine inclusion, trust-building, and meaningful dialogue to advance a credible and inclusive political transition in Syria. Israel sees Druze as a loyal minority Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that the Israeli military attacked targets in Syria as a message and a clear warning to the Syrian regime we will not allow harm to the Druze in Syria. In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. While many Druze in Syria have said they do not want Israel to intervene on their behalf, factions from the Druze minority have also been suspicious of the new authorities in Damascus after former President Bashar Assad fled the country in December during a rebel offensive led by Sunni Islamist insurgent groups. On several occasions, Druze groups have clashed with security forces from the new government or allied factions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In May, Israeli forces struck a site near the presidential palace in Damascus, in what was seen as a warning to Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The strike came after dozens were killed in fighting between pro-government gunmen and Druze fighters in the town of Sahnaya and the Druze-majority Damascus suburb of Jaramana. Over half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. A group led by Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, a Druze spiritual leader who has been opposed to the new government in Damascus, on Monday issued a statement calling for international protection and accused government forces and General Security agency of supporting takfiri gangs using a term for extremist Sunni militants. Syrias Foreign Ministry called for all countries and organizations to respect the authority of the Syrian Arab Republic and refrain from supporting any separatist rebel movements. In a statement, it called for Syrians to cease acts of violence, surrender illegal weapons and thwart those seeking to dismantle the Syrian social fabric and sow discord and division. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Like unwrapping an onion The Druze religious sect is a minority group that began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. In Syria, they largely live in the southern Sweida province and some suburbs of Damascus, mainly in Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya to the south. The Druze developed their own militias during the countrys nearly 14-year civil war, during which they sometimes faced attacks by the Islamic State group and other militant groups. Israel has taken an aggressive stance toward Syrias new leaders since Assads fall, saying it does not want Islamic militants near its borders. Israeli forces earlier seized a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone on Syrian territory along the border with the Golan Heights and have launched hundreds of airstrikes on military sites in Syria. The Trump administration has been pushing for the new Syrian government to move toward normalization with Israel. Syrian officials have acknowledged holding indirect talks with Israel to attempt to defuse tensions, but have not responded to reports that the two sides have also held direct talks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack told The Associated Press last week that he believes normalizing ties will happen like unwrapping an onion, slowly. Trump privately encouraged Zelenskyy to intensify attacks within Russian territory, asking whether Ukraine could target cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg if provided with the appropriate weapons, according to a report, citing sources read more Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump appear at a meeting, while they attend the funeral of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. (Photo: Reuters) US President Donald Trump privately encouraged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to intensify attacks within Russian territory, asking whether Ukraine could target cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg if provided with the appropriate weapons, according to a report, citing two people briefed on the conversation. Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? . . . Can you hit St Petersburg too? Financial Times quoted Trump as saying during a July 4 call with Zelensky. Zelenskyy reportedly replied, Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The provocative remarks made by Trump to Zelenskyy reportedly came just a day after a tense phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Trump later described as bad, according to Financial Times, citing sources. Trumps conversation with Zelenskyy is being viewed as a direct response to Putins refusal to engage in US-backed ceasefire negotiations. The behind-the-scenes exchange reflects growing frustration within the Trump administration over Moscows unwillingness to compromise and signals a sharp shift from Trumps earlier campaign pledge to avoid deeper US involvement in foreign conflicts. It also contrasts with his traditionally cautious stance toward confronting Russia. Trump signalled support for Ukraine launching long-range strikes, describing the approach as a way to make them (Russians) feel the pain and force the Kremlin to negotiate, reported FT, citing two individuals familiar with the call. While it is still uncertain whether the US will supply long-range weapons to Ukraine, a Western official familiar with the discussions told FT that Trumps remarks reflect a growing sentiment among Ukraines Western allies, one that supports more aggressive strikes inside Russian territory to bring the war to Muscovites. This view, the official added, is quietly gaining momentum among American policymakers as frustration with Moscows stance continues to build. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, neither the White House nor the Ukrainian presidents office has responded to requests for comment on the report. On Monday, in major policy shift, President Trump announced new weapons for Ukraine and threatened sanctions on countries that continue buying Russian exports unless Moscow agrees to a peace deal within 50 days. Sitting alongside Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night, Trump told reporters, adding that Putin had repeatedly broken promises to end the war. Hes fooled a lot of people, Trump said, calling Putin a tough guy. He fooled Clinton, Bush, Obama, Biden he didnt fool me, he added. Trump said billions of dollars in advanced weapons would be sent to Ukraine, including urgently requested Patriot air defence systems. Were going to make top-of-the-line weapons, and theyll be sent to Nato, he said, clarifying that Nato allies would cover the costs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Its a full complement with the batteries, he noted. Were going to have some come very soon, within days a couple of the countries that have Patriots are going to swap over and will replace the Patriots with the ones they have. Up to 17 Patriot batteries ordered by other countries could be diverted to Ukraine very quickly, he said. Trumps threat to impose secondary sanctionstargeting nations that continue to buy Russian oilwould mark a significant escalation in Western sanctions policy. Currently, while Western nations have largely cut direct financial ties with Moscow, they have stopped short of penalising other countries such as China and India for continuing to import Russian oil, allowing the Kremlin to earn hundreds of billions in revenues since the war began. Bipartisan support is growing in Congress for legislation that would authorise such measures. With inputs from agencies We certainly need time to analyse what was said in Washington. And if and when President Putin deems it necessary, he will definitely comment, said Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov read more The Kremlin on Tuesday described recent comments made by US President Donald Trump, including a threat of sanctions on buyers of Russian exports, as serious and said they warranted careful analysis. The remarks came in response to a significant policy shift by President Trump, who on Monday announced the delivery of new weapons to Ukraine and threatened sanctions on countries that continue to purchase Russian exports. The move is seen as a signal of growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a renewed push to pressure Moscow into agreeing to a peace deal over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Im disappointed in him (Putin), but Im not done with him. But Im disappointed in him, BBC quoted Trump, who has said he wants to be remembered as a peacemaker, as saying. Asked about Trumps recent statements, Reuters quoted Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying, The US presidents statements are very serious. Some of them are addressed personally to President Putin. We certainly need time to analyse what was said in Washington. And if and when President Putin deems it necessary, he will definitely comment, he added. Peskov, seemingly in reference to reports of new weapons shipments to Kyiv, added: Decisions which are being made in Washington, in Nato countries, and squarely in Brussels, are perceived by the Ukrainian side not as a signal for peace, but as a signal to continue the war. He reaffirmed Russias willingness to pursue direct negotiations with Ukraine, stating that Moscow remained prepared for further talks and was still awaiting a response from Kyiv on when discussions could resume. With inputs from agencies With better-than-expected growth of 5.2% in the April-June, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has got a boost to negotiate better terms in ongoing trade talks with the United States. He has already leveraged the near-monopoly over rare earths to force US President Donald Trump to blink and make concessions. read more Chinese President Xi Jinping makes a toast at the beginning of the welcoming banquet at the Great Hall of the People during the first day of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China on May 14, 2017. (Source: Reuters) Chinas better-than-expected quarterly GDP growth of 5.2 per cent has strengthened President Xi Jinpings hand in trade negotiations with the United States. However, there are crucial strings attached with the above-expectation gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the April-June quarter. The economic data published today shows that the Chinese economy remained resilient amid tariffs even though there are caveats to such resilience. The GDP growth surpassed economists expectation of 5.1 per cent growth and Chinas target of 5 per cent growth. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China already has an upper hand in trade negotiations with the United States. Leveraging its near-monopoly in global rare earth supplies, China forced US President Donald Trump to blink in the trade war and offer concessions to secure rare earth supplies the blockade threatened to choke virtually every industry from household electronics to automobiles and defence equipment. The latest data is further set to strengthen Chinas position in the trade war. China gets a boost in US trade talks With the quarterly results, China has got a boost in trade talks with the United States in more than one ways. Firstly, the better-than-expected GDP growth has showed that Chinese economy remains resilient. Secondly, despite Trumps 145 per cent tariff, exports remained largely resilient and China found new markets in Southeast Asia and European Union (EU) to offset any US-related losses. So far this year, while Chinese shipments to the United States fell by 10.9 per cent, Chinese shipments to Southeast Asia and EU have grown by 13 per cent and 6.6 per cent respectively, according to CNBC. Thirdly, coupled with the rare earths leverage, China has demonstrated that the United States needs China much more than China needs the United States. With such advantages, China can press for favourable terms in ongoing trade talks with the Trump administration. But Chinas economy is not that good Even as Chinas GDP grew more than expected and that has strengthened Xis hand, the situation is not entirely rosy and there are areas of concern. For one, even as the GDP growth was above the economists expectation of 5.1 per cent, it was down from the GDP growth of 5.4 per cent in the first quarter. Moreover, retail sales and investment remained lower, showing that the domestic economy remains week and people dont perceive the economy as growing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Industrial production remains the key growth driver, but its highly automated and doesnt generate jobs. Q3 [third quarter] growth is at risk without stronger fiscal stimulus. Consumption is weaker than expected momentum from the trade-in programme has faded, and housing remains a drag with low transaction volumes. Trumps tariffs hit exporters hard, triggering SME bankruptcies and damaging sentiment. Both consumers and businesses have turned more cautious, while exporters are increasingly looking overseas for growth, Dan Wang, the China Director of Eurasia Group, Singapore, told Reuters. For many, the economy does not feel like growing and that perception will have consequences, according to Nick Marro, the Principal Economist for Asia at the Economist Intelligence Unit. For many, this doesnt feel like an economy growing at around 5 per cent. That sentiment factor has implications for how sustainable future retail spending is, as well as considerations for businesses about future investment expansions, as well as hiring and wage growth, Marro told CNN. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD President Trump says he is disappointed but not done with Vladimir Putin as peace efforts to end the Ukraine war falter read more In a revealing 20-minute phone interview with the BBC, US President Donald Trump expressed his growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. I trust almost nobody, Trump stated when asked whether he trusted Putin, highlighting a relationship defined more by disillusionment than diplomacy. Despite four failed efforts to broker a ceasefire deal, Trump emphasised that hes not ready to give up entirely: Im disappointed in him, but Im not done with him. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trumps comments come just after a White House meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, where the president reaffirmed his support for Natos collective defencean organisation he once branded obsolete. The shift signals a recalibration in Trumps geopolitical posture as the war in Ukraine drags into its third year. Deadlines, tariffs and strategic delays The presidents latest plan includes a 100 percent tariff on Russian goods, contingent on a peace deal being reached within 50 days. If theres no ceasefire in 50 days, the tariffs come in hard, Trump declared. Critics, however, argue the timeline plays directly into Putins hands. As Firstpost reported, Putin allegedly told Trump in a July 3 call that Russia intends to mount a major ground offensive over the next 60 days. Trumps 50-day tariff window would expire after that offensive is complete, effectively giving Putin a green light to escalate his assault on Ukraine. Empty ultimatum or calculated leverage? While Trumps allies tout his 50-day deadline as an ultimatum, critics see it as an empty gesture. Well have a great conversation then hell knock down a building in Kyiv, Trump told the BBC, illustrating Putins recurring pattern of false hope followed by destruction. These remarks suggest Trump sees himself as a dealmaker caught in a loop of broken promises, though still unwilling to abandon talks outright. Personal reflection, strategic ambiguity Whether Trumps wait-and-see approach is a tactical pause or a diplomatic miscalculation, one thing is clear that he may be disappointed in Putin, but hes not out of the game yet. The Arbil government said the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province was hit, denouncing the strike as an act of terrorism against the Kurdistan Regions vital economic infrastructure. read more A drone strike on Tuesday forced a US company to suspend operations at an oil field in Iraqs Kurdistan, the latest in a string of attacks targeting the autonomous regions energy facilities. The Iraqi government said it will investigate the attacks, which occurred months before legislative elections, at a time of simmering tension between Baghdad and the regional administration in Arbil mainly over oil exports. The Arbil government said the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province was hit, denouncing the strike as an act of terrorism against the Kurdistan Regions vital economic infrastructure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It did not say who may be behind the attack, and there was no claim of responsibility. Tuesdays attack followed similar drone strikes a day earlier on an airport hosting US troops and on an oil field in Arbil province, near Duhok. HKN Energy, the US firm operating the Sarsang site, said a blast occurred at about 7:00 am (0400 GMT) at one of its production facilities. Operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured, it said in a statement. A fire broke out but caused no casualties. HKN said emergency teams later contained the blaze. In the past few weeks, Iraq and particularly the Kurdistan region have seen a spate of unclaimed drone and rocket attacks. Long plagued by conflict, Iraq frequently experiences such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel. Iraqi Kurdistan presents itself as a relative oasis of stability in a volatile Iraq, attracting foreign investors due to its close ties with the United States and European countries. Vital institutions On Tuesday, Kurdistans presidency condemned the latest attacks, warning that they pose a risk to international investments and calling on Baghdad to find the perpetrators and prevent further incidents. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iraqs Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the attacks, his military spokesman Sabah al-Numan said. The nature and timing of these criminal acts indicate malicious intent aimed at creating confusion and harming Iraq and its vital institutions, Numan added. Iraq is gearing up for legislative elections in November, which are often marked by heated political wrangling. The attacks also come at a time of heightened tension between Baghdad and Arbil over oil exports, with a major pipeline through Turkey shut since 2023 over legal disputes and technical issues. In May, Iraqs federal authorities filed a complaint against the autonomous Kurdistan region for signing gas contracts with two US companies, including HKN Energy. Iraq slammed the deals, saying all oil and gas development must be conducted through the federal government. A few hours after Tuesdays drone attack, Iraqs oil ministry announced an initial agreement with HKN to develop the Hamrin oil field in Salaheddin province. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Unacceptable The US embassy in Baghdad denounced the recent drone strikes, including on critical infrastructure in Kurdistan. These attacks are unacceptable, the embassy said on X, adding that the Iraqi government must exercise its authority to prevent armed actors from launching these attacks against sites where Iraqi and international companies have invested in Iraqs future. The Sarsang attack came a day after other explosive-laden drone attacks were reported elsewhere in Kurdistan. One drone was shot down near Arbil airport, while two others hit the Khurmala oil field in the same province, causing material damage. There has been no claim of responsibility for those attacks. Politicians close to the Kurdish authorities blamed pro-Iran groups, without offering evidence. On July 3, the Kurdistan government said that the Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries now integrated into the regular armed forces, had downed a drone near Arbil airport. Baghdad rejected the accusation against an official Iraqi security institution. India has condemned an incident in Toronto where eggs were thrown at a rath yatra procession, calling it regrettable and urging Canadian authorities to take action against those responsible. read more After a video surfaced online showing eggs being thrown at a rath yatra procession in Canadas Toronto, Indias Ministry of External Affairs, in a sharp response, called the incident regrettable and against the spirit of the festival and urged Canadian authorities to take action. We have seen reports regarding disruption created by mischievous elements during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto. Such despicable acts are regrettable and are against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony, Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has strongly raised the issue with Canadian authorities and urged them to take action against those responsible. We have strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators of the act accountable. We hope the Canadian government will take necessary action to protect the religious rights of people, he added. The video was shared on Instagram by a user named Sangna Bajaj, who was part of the procession. In the footage, Bajaj is seen singing devotional songs as the procession moves along. As it enters a quieter area, several broken eggs can be seen scattered on the street. A high-level team from Indias Commerce Ministry is in Washington this week to continue talks on a bilateral trade agreement with the United States. The discussions aim to bridge differences in key areas like agriculture and automobiles. read more A high-level team from Indias Commerce and Industry Ministry has arrived in Washington to secure a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the United States as tariff threats from Trump admin looms with a fresh deadline, news agency ANI reported. The four-day talks are set to begin Monday morning (US time). Indias chief negotiator, Rajesh Agrawal, who serves as special secretary in the Commerce Department, will join the discussions on Wednesday, while other officials are already there to set the initial agenda and discuss procedural issues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These talks are crucial because both sides need to resolve differences in key sectors like agriculture and automobiles. Meanwhile, the US has postponed imposing additional tariffs on several countries, including India, until August 1. When asked whether an interim deal might be reached before August 1, an official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, Were working towards a BTA. How it progresseswhether in phaseswill be decided mutually. Were aiming for a deal that benefits both sides. Earlier, the Indian delegation was in Washington from June 26 to July 2 for negotiations. India stands firm on agriculture and dairy tariffs Reports indicate India is taking a tough stance against US demands for lower tariffs on agricultural and dairy products. So far, India has not offered duty cuts in the dairy sector in any of its free trade agreements. India is also pushing for the reduction of US tariffs on steel and aluminium (currently around 50%) and automobiles (25%). Under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, India reserves the right to impose retaliatory duties if needed. Trumps tariff letters Earlier, President Donald Trump announced steep tariffs on several countries, including India. However, these tariffs were postponed first to July 9, and then again to August 1. The Trump administration has sent tariff warning letters to multiple trading partners, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Serbia, and Tunisia. The US is seeking tariff reductions from India on various products, including industrial goods, automobiles, wines, petrochemicals, and agricultural products such as dairy, apples, tree nuts, and genetically modified crops. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India looking for incentives Meanwhile, India is looking for concessions for its labour-intensive sectors like textiles, gems and jewellery, leather goods, garments, plastics, chemicals, shrimp, oil seeds, grapes, and bananas. Both countries hope to conclude talks for the first phase of the proposed BTA by September or October, although they are exploring the possibility of an interim deal before then. Indias merchandise exports to the US rose 21.78% to $17.25 billion during April-May of this fiscal year, while imports from the US grew 25.8%. The Yemeni government Tuesday stayed the planned execution of Nimisha Priya on July 16, giving new hope to the nurses family read more Nimisha Priya, from Kerala's Palakkad district, was arrested in 2017 and later convicted for the murder of her business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi. Image courtesy X Indias influential Sunni Muslim leader Kanthapuram AP Abubacker Musliyar is receiving praise for his intervention in the case of Nimisha Priya, the nurse from Kerala who faces murder charges and execution in Yemen. On Tuesday (July 15), the Yemeni government stayed the planned execution on July 16, giving new hope to the nurses family. Musliyar is the General Secretary of All India Sunni Jamiiyyatul Ulama and the chancellor of Jamia Markaz. Talking to Network 18, the religious leader confirmed that he got official communication from Yemen regarding the postponement of Nimisha Priyas execution. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He said he had earlier talked to the concerned scholars in Yemen and urged them to intervene in the matter. Islam has another law. If the murder convict is sentenced to death, family of victim has the right to pardon. I dont know who this family is but from a long distance, I contacted the responsible scholars in Yemen. I made them understand the issues. Islam is a religion that gives a lot of importance to humanity. There is no difference of religion, caste but the importance is for human beings. This is something the scholars there also understood when we spoke about it. After my request if they could intervene in it and do something about it, scholars there met, discussed and said they will do what they can. They have officially informed and send the document that the date of execution has been postponed helping the discussions that are happening, the mufti said. He said he has also informed the central government about his efforts and has also sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I have also informed the Central government about the discussions and the process. I have also sent a letter to the Prime Ministers office saying we are trying for this and this is the current stage. We dont look for religion or caste in public issues. You all know that, he said. Nimisha, a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala, has been on death row in Yemeni capital Sanaa since her conviction for the 2017 murder of her Yemeni business partner Mahdi. Her legal team states that Nimisha administered sedatives to Mahdi to recover her passport and escape what she described as ongoing abuse. Mahdi allegedly died from an overdose, and Nimisha was arrested while trying to flee Yemen. Meanwhile, Congress leader and lawmaker Shashi Tharoor praised the Grand Mufti for his intervention in the case. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Kerala is praying unitedly for his efforts to be successful. Honourable Kanthapuram Ustad has shown us that humanity is the most important in todays era where there are attempts to divide humans and cultivate hatred and hatred in the name of religion and community, Tharor, an MP from Kerala, wrote in a post on Facebook. The US president has time and again staked a claim in ending hostilities between India and Pakistan after the formers Operation Sindoor that was launched in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 people read more US President Donald Trump has once again said that he negotiated a peace deal between India and Pakistan that ended the military conflict following the Pahalgam attack. His comments came during a meeting with Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday. Trump said, Weve been very successful in settling wars. You have India and Pakistan. You have Rwanda and the Congo, that was going on for 30 years. India, by the way, Pakistan would have been a nuclear war within another week, the way that was going. That was going very badly, and we did that through trade. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD VIDEO | US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) on India and Pakistan military conflict says, "We've been very successful in settling wars. You have India and Pakistan. You have Rwanda and the Congo, that was going on for 30 years. India, by the way, Pakistan would have been a nuclear pic.twitter.com/8qvCAzImFL Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 14, 2025 The US president has time and again staked a claim in ending hostilities between India and Pakistan after the formers Operation Sindoor that was launched in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 people. While New Delhi has repeatedly denied such claims, Islamabad has thanked Trump for his mediation. What has India said? Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar denied US role in mediation between the two neighbouring countries. In an interview with Newsweek, Jaishankar said, I can tell you that I was in the room when Vice President Vance spoke to Prime Minister Modi on the night of May 9, saying that the Pakistanis would launch a very massive assault on IndiaWe did not accept certain things, and the Prime Minister was impervious to what the Pakistanis were threatening to do. On the contrary, he (PM Modi) indicated that there would be a response from us, he added. The next communication with Washington occurred the following morning, when the Foreign Minister spoke with the US Secretary of State. During the conversation, Marco Rubio conveyed that the Pakistanis were ready to talk, Jaishankar added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Later that afternoon, Pakistans Director General of Military Operations, Major General Kashif Abdullah, directly contacted his Indian counterpart, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, to request a ceasefire. Senior government officials met their Cambodian counterparts recently in Delhi to discuss an action plan to combat online scams targeting Indians. During the meeting, Cambodian officials requested the exact geographical coordinates of these scam centres to take further action read more Indians have lost the most money to Chinese-controlled cyber criminals operating out of Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand in the first five months of 2025. According to a report by the Indian Express, citing data by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Indians have lost approximately Rs 7,000 crore to online scams. The agency said that these scams have often been traced back to high-security locations, reportedly run by China, where trafficked people, including Indians, are forced to be involved in the fraud. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An analysis of cyber frauds this year shows that they are increasingly targeting the Indian economy, with the country losing an estimated Rs 1,000 crore each month to these crimes. In January, Rs 1,192 crore was lost to Southeast Asia-based countries, Rs 951 crore in February, Rs 1,000 crore in March, Rs 731 crore in April and Rs 999 crore in May," an official said. Meanwhile, senior government officials met their Cambodian counterparts recently in Delhi to discuss an action plan to combat online scams targeting Indians, an official told IE. During the meeting, Cambodian officials requested the exact geographical coordinates of these scam centres to take further action. The official said, With the help of intelligence agencies and testimonies of rescued people, the Indian government has identified at least 45 such scam compounds in Cambodia, five in Laos, and one in Myanmar. It also came to the fore that, apart from Indians, people from African countries, East Asia countries, Southeast Asia countries, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, Europe/North America and South America were also identified in these scam compounds. A probe into the online fraud has revealed that three main types of scams originate from Southeast Asia: stock trading/investment scams, digital arrest, and task-based and investment-based scams. Government estimates indicate that Indians lost at least 500 crore to cyber fraud in the six months leading up to March this year. In response, the Centre formed an inter-ministerial panel to investigate the issue and pinpoint vulnerabilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The panel identified significant gaps in the banking, immigration, and telecom sectors. Following these findings, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR against point-of-sale (PoS) agents across several states for allegedly issuing ghost SIM cards. Jamaat-e-Islami appears to be strategically isolating its long-time ally, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party read more (File) Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters gather near the chief adviser's residence in Dhaka, demanding BNP's Ishraque Hossain as the capital's mayor. Bangladesh's key political party are holding large-scale protests against the interim government, as the political rows spill onto the streets including demands for an election date. AFP The once robust political alliance between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) is now showing signs of deep fracture, prompting speculation that Jamaat may be orchestrating a political manoeuvre to isolate, discredit and eventually ban the BNP ahead of the upcoming national elections. Recent developments suggest a calculated strategy by the Islamist party to sideline its long-time ally and emerge as a dominant political force. Rising acrimony between allies Tensions between the BNP and Jamaat have escalated sharply in recent weeks. Jamaat has reportedly threatened to push for a ban on the BNP despite decades of political partnership rooted in shared opposition to the Awami League. This unexpected rupture signals a broader power shift within Bangladeshs Islamist and nationalist opposition blocs following the fall of Sheikh Hasinas government in 2024 and the rise of an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Jamaats intention appears to be not just to break away, but to eliminate BNP as a serious competitor in a bid to consolidate Islamist control over the political terrain. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Violence on campus: A tactical escalation? In a rare and symbolic confrontation, violent clashes erupted over the weekend between Chhatrashibir the notorious student wing of Jamaat and the BNPs student affiliate. Such infighting between long-aligned groups was previously unthinkable, underlining the severity of the current rift. Some reports suggest that BNP student activists have been forcibly ousted from Dhaka University hostels and other educational institutions, with Chhatrashibir allegedly leading the charge. These skirmishes appear less spontaneous and more like a prelude to a larger scheme. As one source explained, the plan may involve allowing BNP to stir unrest nationwide, cultivating public frustration and then engineering a violent event that justifies banning the party entirely. Jamaats strategic positioning For years, the BNP and Jamaat alliance functioned as a cornerstone of opposition politics in Bangladesh. This partnership, formalised in the late 1990s, delivered significant electoral gains, notably in the 2001 general elections. However, that same period witnessed increased Islamisation of state institutions and growing ties between segments of the government and extremist groups. The fallout of that governance era continues to haunt BNPs credibility. Now, Jamaat seems to be recalibrating. The BNPs senior leadership has started publicly accused Jamaat of ideological overreach in the academic and health sectors, signalling a desire to distance themselves from Islamist dominance. The rhetoric has coincided with Jamaats efforts to realign with other, more radical Islamist factions such as Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), while maintaining pressure on BNP through confrontation and political subterfuge. A plot for political elimination? The central allegationthat Jamaat is setting up BNP for a ban gains credence when viewed in light of Bangladeshs volatile political history. The current situation bears a resemblance to previous state-led suppression tactics, albeit now seemingly employed by a former ally. The strategy, reports say, involves pushing BNP into a corner through provoked violence and engineered chaos. This would give the interim regime and Islamist-leaning factions within it, a pretext to outlaw BNP altogether under national security or public order pretence. Such a ban would clear the field for Jamaat and its ideological offshoots to assert control in an election where secular heavyweights like the Awami League have been significantly weakened. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD BNPs identity crisis The BNP faces an identity crossroads. On one hand, it has a relatively secular legacy among the parties in the fray after Sheikh Hasinas Awami League was taken out of Bangladeshs political equation. It still has some leaders who speak about the spirit of the Liberation War and favour the inclusion of Hindu and minority representatives. On the other hand, it continues to engage with Islamist groups to shore up support for upcoming elections. BNPs recent outreach to IAB, following Jamaats similar attempts, exemplifies this tightrope walk. Analysts argue that BNP has an opportunity to reclaim its secular credentials and lead a democratic, pluralistic coalition. However, wavering between Islamist and secular forces risks alienating both sides. If BNP fails to clearly define its ideological direction, it may be outmanoeuvred not just electorally, but structurally. New power equation The political vacuum left by the Awami Leagues ouster has allowed new forces particularly fundamentalist ones to assert influence. While BNP assumed it would automatically step into power, the emerging scenario has shown otherwise. Jamaat, reduced in electoral power due to its deregistration, is traversing through informal alliances, madrassa networks and student activism. There are also signs of Hizb ut-Tahrir-linked elements gaining prominence within the new opposition framework, especially among student movements. Jamaat and its allies, despite their provocative positioning, have limited formal reach, and look to employ back-door tactics to control the political narrative. If successful, BNP could find itself squeezed out, either through disqualification or marginalisation. A strategic elimination? All signs point toward a calculated attempt by Jamaat-e-Islami to marginalise, discredit, and ultimately eliminate BNP from the electoral contest. Whether through student violence, engineered unrest or ideological delegitimisation, Jamaat appears to be laying the groundwork for a dramatic reshaping of Bangladeshs opposition. BNP now faces a dilemma to tilt towards secularism as Awami League is out of the question as of now, and risk alienation from Islamist voters, or attempt a balancing act and risk losing votes to Islamist Jamaat. The weeks ahead may determine whether Bangladesh sees a pluralistic future or a slide into ideological hegemony masked as political realignment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Israeli military has opposed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus humanitarian city in the Gaza Strip, which has been widely condemned as a concentration camp for Palestinians. The military has warned that the plan is not workable and will likely compromise ongoing ceasefire talks with Hamas. read more This aerial view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians set up in the midst of a war-devastated neighbourhood in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip on April 2, 2025. (Photo: Bashar Taleb/AFP) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have opposed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus planned humanitarian city in the Gaza Strip, according to report. Earlier this month, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz outlined a plan that has been widely condemned as seeking a concentration camp and laying groundwork for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. Katz said that the government had asked the military to prepare a plan to move all Palestinians into a humanitarian city on the ruins of Rafah in southern Gaza. He said that the settlement would initially house around 600,000 people and would eventually house the entire Gazan population. He said that no one would be ever allowed to leave once they would enter it after screening. He said a person would only leave if they would commit to permanently leaving Gaza. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ: Trumps Gaza plan may sound death knell to two-state solution, push West Asia closer to disaster In a meeting that involved Netanyahu and Katz, IDF chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir opposed the plan and said it was unworkable, according to Hebrew-language Channel 12. However, Zamirs concerns were not the same as many others outside of the government who slammed the entire scheme as one of ethnic cleansing. There are countless problems with this plan Zamir said in the meeting that there are countless problems with this plan, according to Channel 12. Zamir said that he was not convinced that it actually corresponds with the goals of the war. Zamir further said that executing the plan would make Hamas less inclined to accept to a deal for ceasefire in Gaza and release of hostages. The IDF further warned the government about the costs, saying the plan could cost as much as $4.43 million. Outside of the Israeli government, critics have said that the so-called humanitarian city would be a concentration camp to house an entire population with no way out. Critics have said that the condition that the only option of getting out would be if you would leave Gaza entirely meant that the entire idea behind the plan was to pressure Palestinians into leaving Gaza by making life impossible in the enclave. Moreover, critics have also flagged that the plan seeks to put around 2 million people who used to live in the entire enclave in just one settlement. They have said this would make life impossible because of congestion and possibility of disease. S Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday in Tianjin, ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers meeting. He said he conveyed a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi read more External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin. Jaishankar said he conveyed message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu during the meeting, underscoring Indias commitment to improving relations while resolving border tensions. Jaishankar also praised Xi for the recent developments in improving the ties between the two nations. Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister @narendramodi. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of pic.twitter.com/tNfmEzpJGl Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 15, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister @narendramodi. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard (sic), Jaishankar said in a post on X. Jaishankar is visiting China for two days to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers Meeting. Jaishankar told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday that while India and China have made good progress over the past nine months towards improving relations and further efforts are needed to ease tensions along the border. Signalling an improvement in ties after setbacks due to military clashes in Ladakh, Jaishankar emphasised that differences should not become disputes and that competition should never become conflict. This marks Jaishankars first visit to China since the military standoff began along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh in May 2020. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During his meeting with Wang Yi ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin on Tuesday, Jaishankar highlighted terrorism as a shared concern, saying India hopes the principle of zero tolerance for terrorism will be firmly upheld at the summit. He also stressed that restrictive trade measures and roadblocks should be avoided to ensure smoother economic ties. Our bilateral relationship requires that we take a far-seeing approach to our ties. Since our leaders meeting in Kazan in October 2024, the India-China relationship has been gradually moving in a positive direction. Our responsibility is to maintain that momentum, Jaishankar said. My encouragement to these three countries, particularly is, if you live now in Beijing, or in Delhi, or you are the president of Brazil, you might want to take a look into this, because this might hit you very hard, said Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte read more Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday warned that countries like Brazil, China, and India risk facing severe secondary sanctions if they continue economic ties with Russia. Rutte issued the warning during a meeting with US senators, a day after President Donald Trump announced new weapons for Ukraine and threatened to impose biting 100% secondary tariffs on buyers of Russian exports unless a peace agreement is reached within 50 days. My encouragement to these three countries, particularly is, if you live now in Beijing, or in Delhi, or you are the president of Brazil, you might want to take a look into this, because this might hit you very hard, Reuters quoted Rutte as saying to reporters, who met with Trump on Monday and agreed the new steps. So please make the phone call to Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India and on China in a massive way, Rutte added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Republican US Senator Thom Tillis praised Trump for taking action but expressed concern over the 50-day timeline, saying it worries him. He warned that the delay could give Putin an opportunity to escalate the war, potentially gaining more territory or committing further atrocities to strengthen his position ahead of any peace negotiations. So we should look at the current state of Ukraine today and say, no matter what you do over the next 50 days, any of your gains are off the table, he was quoted as saying. Rutte said Europe would secure the necessary funding to ensure Ukraine enters any peace talks from a position of strength. Under the new agreement with Trump, he added, the US would begin massive arms deliveries to Ukraine including air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition with the costs covered by European nations. Asked if long-range missiles for Ukraine were under discussion, Rutte said: It is both defensive and offensive. So theres all kinds of weapons, but we have not discussed in detail yesterday with the president. This is really being worked through now by the Pentagon, by the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, together with the Ukrainians. With inputs from agencies The decline in participation, particularly in the programme meant for farmers and the unemployed, continued last year, with 15.8 million fewer people enrolled compared to 2023 read more More people in China opted out of the voluntary health insurance scheme for urban and rural residents in 2024, adding strain to an already stressed system amid economic woes and eroding public confidence, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP). The decline in participation, particularly in the programme meant for farmers and the unemployed, continued last year, with 15.8 million fewer people enrolled compared to 2023, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) reported on Monday (July 14). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Overall, Chinas basic medical insurance, which includes a separate programme for urban workers, covered 1.326 billion people in 2024a drop of 7.27 million from the previous year. Concern for Chinas healthcare system The falling enrollment is a growing concern for Chinas healthcare system, which is grappling with a rapidly ageing population and a shrinking workforce. Rising premiums paired with stagnant incomes have driven the decline in participation. The trend of less interest in participation continues because the economic conditions have not changed its a financial burden for a rural family if the breadwinner doesnt see their income increase, Professor Xiong Wansheng, an expert on rural development at the East China University of Science and Technology, was quoted as saying by SCMP. Last year, residents paid 400 yuan (about $56) to join the urban-rural insurance scheme, with the government chipping in 670 yuan, making a total of 1,070 yuan per person. That individual contribution was up 5 per cent from the year before. Another reason why people are weary is that they dont trust the medical system. As premiums increase and medical treatment becomes more expensive, they find the scheme is not helping much, Xiong said. Despite the drop, the NHSA noted that over 95 per cent of the population is still covered by basic medical insurance, though it didnt provide details on how that compares year-on-year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, Chinas overall population only dipped slightly in 2024, by 1.39 million. The insurance fund is feeling the pinch, too, with spending growing faster than income. In 2024, the fund took in 2.373 trillion yuan ($330 billion), a 3.5 per cent increase from 2023, but spending jumped 7.6 per cent to 1.910 trillion yuan, according to the NHSA. Last year, when concerns about cancellations surfaced, the NHSA downplayed the issue, calling it a slight fluctuation due to technical tweaks and structural changes. Indian officials have been in constant contact with Yemens jail authorities and their efforts have reportedly led to this postponement read more Nimisha Priyas execution, initially set for Wednesday (July 16), has been delayed by Yemeni authorities, according to several media reports. The development comes as the Indian government has reportedly been supporting her case from the start, and has been working to buy more time for her family to negotiate a solution with the family of the victim, Talal Abdo Mahdi. Despite the delicate nature of the situation, Indian officials have been in constant contact with Yemens jail authorities and prosecutors, and their efforts have led to this postponement, according to sources cited by news agency ANI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prominent Indian Sunni Muslim cleric steps in Earlier, it was reported that a prominent Indian Sunni Muslim cleric has joined last-ditch efforts to save Nimisha Priya. Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, also known as Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, the Grand Mufti of India, is leading efforts to persuade the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi to accept blood money, the only legal option under Yemeni law to stop the execution. Nimisha, a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala, has been on death row in Yemeni capital Sanaa since her conviction for the 2017 murder of her Yemeni business partner Mahdi. Her legal team states that Nimisha administered sedatives to Mahdi to recover her passport and escape what she described as ongoing abuse. Mahdi allegedly died from an overdose, and Nimisha was arrested while trying to flee Yemen. Nimishas lawyer, Subhash Chandran, confirmed that Musliyar has been in contact with Mahdis family and is collaborating with religious and community leaders in Yemen to negotiate a resolution. Indian govt doing whatever possible Earlier on Monday, the Indian government informed the countrys top court that it is doing whatever is possible but has limited options to help secure the release or stop the execution. Theres nothing much the government can do. Looking at the sensitivity of Yemen, its not diplomatically recognised. Blood money is a private negotiation, Attorney General R Venkataramani told the Supreme Court of India. Speaking before a bench led by Justice Sandeep Mehta, the Attorney General of India said, Theres no way for us to know whats happening in Yemen. He added that the government is in contact with Yemeni officials, including the public prosecutor, and is working to delay Nimisha Priyas execution while talks are ongoing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians was planned by Pakistans intelligence agency ISI and the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, acting on orders from Pakistans top political and military leadership, according to a report. read more The Pahalgam terror attack, in which Pakistan-backed and trained terrorists killed 26 civilians, was planned by Pakistans intelligence agency ISI and the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) on orders from Pakistans political and military leadership, The Times of India reported, citing security sources. Sources compared the plot to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, saying it was an ISI-LeT operation involving only Pakistani terrorists. The ISI reportedly instructed Pakistan-based LeT commander Sajid Jutt to deploy foreign terrorists already operating in Jammu and Kashmir, avoiding the use of local Kashmiri militants to keep the plan secret. Only minimal local support was allowed on a need-to-know basis. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to the report, the attack was led by Sulaiman, who is a former Pakistani special forces commando. He had trained at LeTs Muridke centre in Pakistans Punjab before infiltrating into Jammu in 2022. Two other Pakistani terrorists were part of the team. Satellite phone records show that Sulaiman was in the Tral forest on 15 April, indicating he stayed close to the attack site at Baisaran for nearly a week before striking. Sulaiman was also involved in an attack on an Army truck in April 2023. While J&K Police initially suspected Pakistani terrorists Hashim Musa and Ali Bhai were involved, the investigation has so far confirmed only Sulaimans role. Pakistan has long been accused of backing terrorists and using it as a tool of state policy. On 22 April, terrorists backed by Pakistan killed 26 innocent civilians in Pahalgam, sparking a strong reaction from New Delhi. India accused Pakistan of cross-border terrorism and responded by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and expelling Pakistani diplomats. India launches Operation Sindoor In retaliation, India carried out precision strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said nearly 100 terrorists were killed in these operations. Pakistan called a global exporter of terror Experts often describe Pakistan as a global exporter of terror due to its ongoing support for extremist groups. Pakistans military and intelligence agencies provide safe havens, funding, and training to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, which have carried out attacks in South Asia and beyond. Terrorism used as a tool by Pakistans military These terror groups help Pakistans military maintain influence and justify its power within the country. Pakistan uses them to spread violence and target civilians, while any Indian retaliation is used by the military to stir public fear and tighten its control. Same tactics during Kargil War Pakistan used similar tactics during the Kargil War, when its forces secretly occupied Indian positions and falsely presented the conflict as a local uprising. Indias counter-offensive eventually forced Pakistan to withdraw. Long history of harbouring terrorism India, Afghanistan, Iran, and Western nations have long accused Pakistan of sheltering terrorists and using them to pursue its foreign policy goals. Incidents like the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the discovery of Osama bin Laden hiding in Pakistan have only deepened these concerns. Ahead of protests by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Pakistani government has created a new paramilitary force, prompting fears that it could be used to crush PTIs movement and target political opponents. read more A supporter of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan holds his poster during a gathering by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to observe Martyrs' Day to honour those who allegedly died during last month's protest, in Peshawar on December 15, 2024. (Photo: Abdul Majeed/AFP) As jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khans followers are planning nationwide protests, the Shehbaz Sharif government has created a new paramilitary force, prompting fears that it could be used to crush protests and harass political opponents. Imrans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced nationwide protests starting August 5 the second anniversary of Imrans arrest. President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday signed off the proposal to convert Frontier Constabulary (FC) from a border security force largely deployed in the countrys tribal northwest into the Federal Constabulary, which would have a nationwide mandate of maintaining law and order, supplementing the law enforcement agencies, and carrying out a range of duties, according to Dawn newspaper. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The ordinance that Zardari promulgated also said that the government may also grant the FC full policing powers at discretion. The PTI has already voiced concerns that the new force could be unleashed on political opponents. The new force should not be used as a gimmick to silence political opponents, as has been previously witnessed when the government applied such laws against a large number of the PTI leadership and supporters, said PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari, according to Reuters. For more than two years, the Sharif-led government with the backing of the all-powerful military-intelligence establishment has been cracking down on PTI. PTI chief Imran has been in jail since August 2023 and several top leaders have been jailed as well. It was also barred from fielding candidates on its symbol in the 2024 parliamentary elections. We are alarmed The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has said that it was alarmed by the creation of the new force. We are alarmed by the changes being made to the security and law enforcement structure of the country without any debate in parliament, said Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Secretary Haris Khalique. For more than two years, the Pakistani government and PTI have traded charges. While the PTI has accused the government of a systematic crackdown, the government has accused the PTI of engaging in violence in the name of political activities. Since his ouster as the premier in 2022, Khan has accused the Pakistani military of conspiring with the political parties and the United States to oust him. The crackdown on his party intensified after his followers attacked the Pakistani Army headquarters in Rawalpindi and stormed the houses of top army commanders in May 2023 while protesting his arrest. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Pakistani theatre troupe has drawn widespread praise for bringing the Ramayana, a classic Hindu epic of good versus evil, to the stage in Karachi, offering a unique cultural performance that blends tradition with modern technology. read more A Pakistani theatre group is getting applauds for staging an adaptation of the Ramayana, the iconic tale of good versus evil from Hindu mythology, in Karachi, Pakistans financial and movie capital. The group, called Mauj, performed the Ramayana at the Karachi Arts Council over the weekend, earning praise for blending traditional storytelling with modern AI enhancements. Director Yoheshwar Karera said he never feared backlash for staging the epic and believes it shows a more tolerant side of Pakistani society. Bringing the Ramayana to life on stage is a visual delight and proves our society is more open-minded than people think, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The play performed in the Islamic radical nation has been well received and seen as something unique, with critics praising both the production quality and the casts performances. Art and film critic Omair Alavi said he was impressed by the heartfelt storytelling, vibrant lighting, live music, colourful costumes, and striking stage designs that added to the shows splendour. The narrative is top-class, as the Ramayana is a story that resonates with millions worldwide, he noted. Producer Rana Kazmi, who portrays Sita, said she was fascinated by the idea of transforming the ancient epic into a vivid, engaging experience for todays audiences. When the Pakistani man landed in Jeddah, Saudi immigration detained him due to the missing passport, but later deported him back to Lahore once the mix-up was sorted out. read more A Pakistani man, who was supposed to fly from Lahore to Karachi, ended up in Jeddah after mistakenly boarding the wrong plane, sparking major concerns about airline procedures and airport security, reported Gulf News. On July 8, Malik Shahzain Ahmed was travelling with Air Sial, a private carrier, when he boarded a flight at Lahore Airport. However, he didnt realise that the plane was headed to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Two hours into the flight, he noticed something was off when it became clear the plane was going international. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I asked myself, This plane doesnt seem to be landing soon. Thats when I realised I had boarded the wrong plane, Ahmed said in a video statement released following the incident. Shockingly, he had boarded without a passporta basic requirement for such travel. When he landed in Jeddah, Saudi immigration detained him due to the missing passport, but later deported him back to Lahore once the mix-up was sorted out. To make matters worse, Ahmed claimed Air Sial refused to cover his travel to Karachi, insisting he buy a new ticket despite their mistake. Pakistani authorities hold Air Sial accountable The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed the incident and held Air Sial responsible. PAA spokesperson Saifullah told Gulf News that a report was sent to the Civil Aviation Authority, pushing for a hefty fine on the airline for the blunder. How Ahmed slipped through immigration at Lahore without a passport remains unexplained, raising serious questions about security checks. Critics are calling it a systemic failure. The PAA promised to tighten security and verification processes to avoid such incidents in the future. Many see this as a glaring example of negligence that couldve led to bigger diplomatic or legal issues if Saudi authorities hadnt handled it smoothly. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The AAIB said the fuel switches to the engines were cut off within a gap of 1 second immediately after takeoff, causing confusion in the cockpit of the plane read more The International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA) has said AAIBs preliminary report into the Air India plane crash, by its very nature, raises many questions and does not provide answers and urged all parties to refrain from speculations. In its preliminary report on the Air Indias Boeing 787-8 accident on June 12 that killed 260 people, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday said the fuel switches to the engines were cut off within a gap of 1 second immediately after takeoff, caused confusion in the cockpit of the plane before crashing into a building. The AI 171 was en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Citing cockpit voice recording, the 15-page preliminary report, released on Saturday, said one pilot asked why the switch was cut off and the other pilot responded that he did not do so. While the initial report does not provide any conclusions, there are speculations in certain quarters that a possible pilot error could be a reason for the crash. Whilst this preliminary report by its very nature raises many questions, it does not provide answers, and any extrapolation of its content can only be regarded as guesswork, which is not helpful to the good conduct of the investigation, IFALPA said in a statement on July 14. According to IFALPA, the report clearly states that no safety recommendations are being provided at this stage and stresses that the federation remains committed to supporting the efforts of the AAIB of India as they work to determine the contributing factors of the accident. IFALPA claims to have 1 lakh pilots as its members from across 100 countries. On Saturday, Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA), an IFALPA member said the tone and direction of the investigation suggest a bias towards pilot error and rejected this presumption as it insisted on a fair, fact-based inquiry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the statement on July 14, IFALPA also highlighted that a preliminary report is merely the means of communication used for the prompt dissemination of data obtained during the early stages of the investigation and only contains factual information and an indication of the progress of the investigation. Urging all parties to refrain from speculation, allow the investigation to run its full and proper course, IFALPA said everyone should avoid drawing conclusions from preliminary information. The victims, including the families of the crew and passengers of Air India 171, deserve our collective professionalism while the full investigation is conducted, it added. Two pilot bodies of Air India Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) representing narrow-body pilots and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) representing wide-body pilots have also warned against speculations based on the preliminary report. . The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying Shukla and the multinational Ax-4 crew, undocked from the ISS at 4:45 pm IST on Monday and completed a carefully orchestrated 22-hour journey home read more Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crewmates have safely returned to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on Tuesday (July 15) after a historic 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). #WATCH | In a historic moment, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew aboard Dragon spacecraft splashes down in the Pacific Ocean after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) (Video Source: Axiom Space/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/qLAq2tyW5S ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying Shukla and the multinational Ax-4 crew, undocked from the ISS at 4:45 pm IST on Monday and completed a carefully orchestrated 22-hour journey home. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shukla upon his safe return, saying he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As Indias first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan, Modi wrote on X. I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As Indias first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2025 At Shuklas family home in India, the air was filled with cheers, prayers, and joyful tears as relatives, neighbours, and supporters came together to celebrate the return of Indias newest space hero. Today is a very joyous day for us. We are praying to God for his safe landing. It is a matter of great happiness that he is returning after successfully completing his mission. It is a moment of immense pride for us and for the country that he has completed such a significant mission, Shuklas father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Suchi, Shubhanshu Shuklas sister, shared that her brother brought Indian sweets like gajar ka halwa and moong dal ka halwa to the International Space Station, knowing how much he loves them. She said he was eager for his fellow astronauts to try them too. From whatever we know through videos and posts, they all liked it so much, she said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Shuklas successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shuklas successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted Indias aspirations to new heights. His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone, it is a proud stride for Indias growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours, the Defence Minister wrote in a post on X. The capsule orbited Earth multiple times, aligning for a precise deorbit burn that guided it to the designated splashdown zone. The crew endured the crucial re-entry phase, widely considered the most dangerous part of spaceflight. Plunging through Earths atmosphere at speeds exceeding 27,000 km/h, the Dragon capsules heat shield withstood temperatures up to 1,600C. For several tense minutes, a communications blackout gripped Mission Control and families until the spacecraft emerged safely from its fiery descent, confirming a successful landing. What next? Now, the crew will be taken to the Johnson Space Centre, Houston, for medical evaluation. After adjusting to microgravity in space, the astronauts will now have to readjust to gravity on Earth. Shukla and others will be screened on several health parameters. Based on these, they will get a personalised reconditioning plan to improve their mobility, balance, strength, flexibility, aerobic conditioning, and endurance, as per an Indian Express report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Shuklas mission While aboard the ISS, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla played a key role in over 60 scientific experiments, including groundbreaking work in plant biology, materials science, and artificial intelligence. His contributions to the Sprouts Project, studying plant growth in microgravity, are set to benefit both future space missions and scientific advancements on Earth. The experiments that Shukla and his fellow astronauts Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary conducted were intended to understand the effect of spaces microgravity on humans and other living organisms. The idea was to understand how space interacts with life. Shuklas safe return is a moment of pride for India, highlighting the countrys expanding presence in global space exploration. Slovakia has blocked the European Unions proposed 18th package of sanctions on Russia, dealing a setback to efforts aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine read more Slovakia has blocked the European Unions proposed 18th package of sanctions on Russia, dealing a setback to efforts aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine. Speaking after the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed frustration at the delay, citing Slovakias refusal to support the new measures despite the European Commission meeting its demands. Im really sad that we didnt reach this agreement today, The Guardian quoted Kallas as saying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We were really close to reassuring Slovakia. The commission has delivered what they asked for. Now, the ball is in Slovakias court, and we must get this deal done. It has already been two months, she added. Kallas underscored the urgency of new sanctions in light of what she described as escalating Russian aggression, including a record number of bombing campaigns and the increasing use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. Russia does not want peace, she said. Sanctions are necessary to starve Russia of the means to wage this war. The EU will continue to raise the cost, so that ending aggression becomes Moscows only path forward, she added. She also welcomed recent comments from former US President Donald Trump, but emphasised that the EU expects stronger US commitment, We would like to see the US share the burden. If America and Europe work together, we can pressure Putin to negotiate seriously. The only way to end this war is to force his hand. Earlier, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico publicly responded to the European Commissions latest assurances aimed at breaking the deadlock on the 18th sanctions package. Posting the Commissions letter on Facebook, Fico said the proposal had been reviewed and rejected by leaders of other political parties in Slovakia, calling it insufficient. As a result, he confirmed that Slovakia would continue to delay the adoption of the new sanctions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The letter, first reported by Reuters, was sent by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and outlined an ambitious and comprehensive work plan tailored to Slovakias national challenges. Von der Leyen also committed to addressing the specific challenges for Slovakia. Despite these efforts, Fico reiterated his strong opposition to what he called the imbecile proposal to phase out Russian gas imports by 2028. However, he signaled willingness to negotiate further guarantees, saying the best solution would be for Slovakia to continue receiving Russian gas under its current contract until it ends in 2034. With inputs from agencies According to the monitor, armed organisations linked with the government executed four Druze civilians at another guest home in Sweida province, as well as three siblings north of Sweida city in front of their mother. read more Syrian authorities were accused on Tuesday of carrying out arbitrary executions of civilians in Sweida, a largely Druze area, where Israel claimed to have launched attacks against government forces to save the religious minority. Damascus had sent soldiers to the area following fighting between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes that killed over 100 people. Israel launched its attacks immediately after Syrias defence minister proclaimed a cease-fire in Sweida, which government troops had entered earlier that day. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Damascus condemned the Israeli attacks, saying that it had a legitimate right to defend its land and its people. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Tuesday that Syrian government forces and its supporters have murdered 19 persons in and around Sweida. Forces from the defence and interior ministries carried out field executions of 12 civilians after storming the Radwan family guest house in the city of Sweida, the Observatory said. According to the monitor, armed organisations linked with the government executed four Druze civilians at another guest home in Sweida province, as well as three siblings north of Sweida city in front of their mother. While most Druze religious leaders had stated that they backed the governments deployment, at least one prominent official advocated for armed resistance, having earlier appealed for international protection. Israel, which has its own Druze population, has attempted to present itself as a defender of the community while simultaneously advising the Syrian government against keeping a military presence south of Damascus, which Israel regards as a security risk. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz announced strikes Tuesday on regime forces and weaponry that they said were intended for use against the Druze. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are acting to prevent the Syrian regime from harming them and to ensure the demilitarisation of the area adjacent to our border with Syria, the pair said in a joint statement. Shortly after, the Israeli military said it had begun hitting military vehicles in the area. Syrian state media also reported strikes. Syrias Islamist-led government, which on Saturday sent an emissary to Azerbaijan for a first face-to-face meeting with an Israeli official, condemned in the strongest terms the treacherous Israeli aggression on Tuesday. The attacks killed a number of security personnel, the foreign ministry said, as well as several innocent civilians. US special envoy Tom Barrack whose government is closely allied with Israel and has been trying to reboot ties with Syria called the violence worrisome. Washington was seeking a peaceful, inclusive outcome for Druze, Bedouin tribes, the Syrian government and Israeli forces, he added. Complete ceasefire Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra declared just before midday (0900 GMT) Tuesday a complete ceasefire in Sweida city after talks with local representatives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We will respond only to sources of fire and deal with any targeting by outlaw groups, he added in a post on X. Druze representatives gathered at the residence of key leader Sheikh Youssef Jarbouh to discuss implementing the ceasefire, a source close to the participants said. The sound of gunfire subsided after the announcement, and government troops were seen waving the Syrian flag atop a roundabout, AFP correspondents reported. They had earlier reported clashes as government forces entered Sweida. Though most Druze spiritual leaders had supported the deployment, the influential Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri called in a statement for resisting this brutal campaign by all available means. A curfew was to be imposed on the southern city in a bid to halt the violence, which erupted between Druze and Bedouin fighters at the weekend and has since spread across Sweida province. Government forces said they intervened to separate the two sides, but they ended up taking control of several Druze areas around Sweida, an AFP correspondent reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Observatory had earlier reported 116 people killed in clashes since they erupted on Sunday 64 Druze, 34 government fighters and 18 Bedouin. The defence ministry has reported 18 deaths among the ranks of the armed forces. Not against the state The fighting underscores the challenges facing interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, whose forces ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war. Following deadly clashes between the Druze and government forces in April and May, community leaders reached an agreement with Damascus under which Druze fighters had been providing security in the province. Amal, a 46-year-old resident, said she feared a repeat of massacres in Syrias northwest in March that saw more than 1,700 mostly Alawite civilians killed, allegedly by groups affiliated with the government. We are not against the state, but we are against surrendering our weapons without a state that treats everyone the same, she said. The violence began on Sunday when Bedouin gunmen abducted a Druze vegetable vendor on the highway to Damascus, prompting retaliatory kidnappings. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Observatory said members of Bedouin tribes, who are Sunni Muslims, had sided with security forces during earlier confrontations with the Druze. Jaishankar called on SCO members to take an uncompromising position against terrorism, warning that failure to act decisively would betray the organisations founding mission read more External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday called on his counterparts at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to take a firm and united stand against terrorism, separatism, and extremism, the three evils that the group was originally formed to fight. Addressing the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin, he said that the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam was a recent example of these forces acting in unison. The three evils that SCO was founded to combat were terrorism, separatism and extremism. Not surprisingly, they often occur together. Recently, we in India witnessed a graphic example in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. It was deliberately conducted to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir, while sowing a religious divide, said Jaishankar. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Participated in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting this evening in Tianjin. Highlighted that: We meet at a time of considerable disorder in the international system. In the last few years, we have seen more conflicts, competition and coercion. Economic pic.twitter.com/w8XKZ4FLe2 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 15, 2025 The UN Security Council condemned it in the strongest terms and underlined the need to hold perpetrators and sponsors accountable, he said, adding, We have since done exactly that and will continue to do so. He called on SCO members to take an uncompromising position against terrorism, warning that failure to act decisively would betray the organisations founding mission. It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge, said Jaishankar. Jaishankar also highlighted Indias constructive engagement with the SCO, citing initiatives in startups, innovation, traditional medicine, and digital public infrastructure. India has taken several initiatives in the SCO in domains ranging from startup and innovation to traditional medicine and digital public infrastructure. We will continue to positively approach new ideas and proposals that are genuinely for our collective good. It is essential that such cooperation is based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and in accordance with territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states, he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On regional connectivity, the minister flagged the lack of assured transit within the SCO as a major hurdle, calling for progress on key initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Deepening collaboration within the SCO naturally requires more trade, investment and exchanges. For that to move to the next level, it is imperative that we address some current issues. One of them is the lack of assured transit within the SCO space. Its absence undermines the seriousness of advocating cooperation in economic areas. Another is to ensure the promotion of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). We are confident that it will continue to gather momentum, said the External Affairs Minister. He further urged the SCO to step up development assistance for Afghanistan, underlining both humanitarian concerns and the importance of regional stability. Afghanistan has been long on the SCO agenda. The compulsions of regional stability are buttressed by our longstanding concern for the well-being of the Afghan people. The international community, particularly SCO members, must therefore step up with development assistance. India, for its part, will certainly do so, said Jaishankar. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Jaishankar noted the worlds shift toward greater multipolarity and called for unity within the SCO to shape global affairs effectively. Our ability to contribute depends on how well we come together on a shared agenda, he said. With inputs from agencies With his empty threat of tariff, US President Donald Trump has yet again given Russian leader Vladimir Putin a green light to execute his plan of maximising territorial gains and killing Ukrainians at will. read more US President Donald Trumps major statement on the war in Ukraine turned out to be an empty threat and a green light for Russian leader Vladimir Putin to kill Ukrainians in will. Trump on Monday said he will impose 100 per cent tariff on Russia if Putin would not agree to a peace deal in the next 50 days. While his allies have hailed it as an ultimatum, Trump has yet again strengthened Putins hand and endorsed the Russian position in the war either knowingly out of an alliance with Putin or out of failure to understand Putins strategy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump gives go-ahead to Putins ground offensive Trumps timeline of any action on Russia fits perfectly in Putins strategy. Per Axios, Putin told Trump during their call on July 3 that he would launch a renewed ground offensive to maximise territorial gains in the next 60 days. The 60th day will be September 1. It was after this call that Trump said he had had a lot of "bullshit" from Putin and he was disappointed with him. As per Trumps Monday announcement, he will not impose tariff until the 50th day the 50th day will be Sept. 3. This means that Trump will wait until after the conclusion of Putins offensive to take any action. In other words, Putin will be free to go all-guns blazing for the next 60 days on the ground and rain fire on Ukrainian cities from the sky because Trump will wait until after the conclusion of the offensive to take any action. Trumps tariff threat is empty and impractical Even as Trump considers tariffs to be a solution to everything and believe he can leverage trade to end conflicts, it does not work like that in the real world and certainly not in the case of Russia. Last year, the US-Russia trade stood a mere $3.5 billion with imports amounting to $3 billion and export to $500 million. The two countries barely have any trade that Trump can leverage to bring Putin to make concessions on his biggest priority. ALSO READ: With Russias terms to Ukraine, Putin seeks surrender not a peace deal Moreover, Russia will not be paying any tariffs. Irrespective of how Trump has pitched tariffs, tariffs are taxes that US importers pay to the US government on imports. So, whether Trump imposes 100 per cent tariff or 500 per cent tariff on Russia, the brunt will be borne by US importers of Russian goods not Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The only way Trump can leverage trade to some extent is by imposing whats called secondary tariffs, which mean that all those countries trading with Russia will face tariffs on their trade with the United States. A bipartisan Senate proposal has sought to impose secondary tariffs to the tune of 500 per cent on all those countries that buy Russian oil and gas, such as China and India. The idea behind the proposal is to deprive Russia of the revenue to fund its war. While the sponsor of the bill, Senator Lindsey Graham, has called it a sledgehammer for Putins ability to wage war, its an imperfect tool that Trump is unlikely to use. Any secondary tariffs on China or India, whether 50 per cent or 500 per cent, are certain to kill ongoing trade talks with these countries and disrupt bilateral trade. China has already made Trump blink in the ongoing trade war by leveraging its near-monopoly of rare earths. If it faces any secondary tariffs, China can pull the plug on rare earth supplies again and force Trump to change course. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But Trump can still make a difference Even though Trump has already strengthened Putins hand by giving him 50 days to occupy as much land as he can and dropping as many drones and missiles on Ukrainian civilians as he can, there are still ways he can make a difference if he wants to. If Trump indeed follows through on his promises to send Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine and long-range missiles, he could strengthen not just Ukraines ability to defend civilians but also take the war closer to Russians by striking deeper into the country. ALSO READ Ukraine and beyond: 25 years on, Putin is still fighting Cold War With drones, Ukraine has already demonstrated the will and ability to strike deep and decisively in Russia, with Operation Spider Web destroying a third of Russian long-range bomber and surveillance aircraft fleets. The Financial Times has reported that Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 4 whether he can strike Moscow. The newspaper replied that Ukraine could definitely strike Moscow with the right weapons. Last week, Trump had said he would send very sophisticated military equipment to Ukraine. Whether Trump actually means his words or ends up cornering Ukraine yet again in league with Putin remains to be seen he already did that earlier this year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In February, after Trump and his deputy, JD Vance, ambushed Zelenskyy at the White House and berated him in front of the world, he stopped military supplies and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. He also blocked commercial US satellite imagery providers from working with Ukraine. Russia used the pause to intensify the counterattack in Kursk province to evict Ukrainian forces. Last year, Ukraine had mounted an incursion and captured large swathes of Russias Kursk province. The idea was that the Ukraine-occupied Kursk could be traded off for some Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories during peace talks. But, thanks to Trump-assisted Russian victory in Kursk, Ukraine lost that leverage. Indonesias overall commerce with the United States, estimated to reach slightly under $40 billion in 2024, is not among the top 15, although it is expanding read more US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that under a new agreement with Indonesia, the US would impose a 19% tariff on goods from the Southeast Asian country, and that more deals were in the works as he continued to press for better terms with trading partners and a path to reducing the USs massive trade deficit. Ahead of an August 1 deadline for the reimposition of tariffs on the majority of US imports, the Trump administration has reached a number of agreements, including this one with the relatively minor US trading partner. The European Union, the USs largest trading partner, has prepared retaliatory measures in the event that negotiations between Washington and its top trading partner fail. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Few details have been revealed about the Indonesia pact, but the broad strokes suggested by Trump and Howard Lutnick, his Commerce Department secretary and one of his senior trade negotiators, matched the framework agreement reached with Vietnam in recent weeks. They are going to pay 19% and we are going to pay nothing we will have full access into Indonesia, and we have a couple of those deals that are going to be announced, Trump said outside the Oval Office. Earlier, Lutnick told CNBC that the Indonesia agreement will follow the practice of eliminating tariffs on US exports while applying tariffs on imports, similar to the Vietnam arrangement. No tariffs there. They pay tariffs here, switching the asymmetry our way. Lets bring industry back, and thats going to unleash our farmers, our ranchers, our fishermen and our industries, Lutnick said. Indonesias overall commerce with the United States, estimated to reach slightly under $40 billion in 2024, is not among the top 15, although it is expanding. Last year, US exports to Indonesia increased by 3.7%, while imports increased by 4.8%, resulting in a roughly $18 billion goods trade imbalance. The top US import categories from Indonesia, according to US Census Bureau data retrieved on the International Trade Centres TradeMap tool, last year were palm oil, electronics equipment including data routers and switches, footwear, car tires, natural rubber and frozen shrimp. World Trade Organization data shows Indonesias simple average tariff rate at 37.1%, but its trade weighted average applied tariff rate in 2024 was far lower at 5.7%. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Susiwijono Moegiarso, a senior official with Indonesias Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, told Reuters in a text message: We are preparing a joint statement between US and Indonesia that will explain the size of reciprocal tariff for Indonesia including the tariff deal, non-tariff and commercial arrangements. We will inform (the public) soon. Trump had threatened the southeast Asian country with a 32% tariff rate effective August 1 in a letter sent to its president last week. He sent similar letters to roughly two dozen trading partners this month, including Canada, Japan and Brazil, setting blanket tariff rates ranging from 20% up to 50%, as well as a 50% tariff on copper. The August 1 deadline gives the targeted countries time to negotiate agreements that could lower the threatened tariffs. Some investors and economists have also noted Trumps pattern of backing off his tariff threats. Since launching his tariff policy, Trump has clinched only a few deals despite his team touting an effort to bring home 90 deals in 90 days. So far, framework agreements have been reached with the United Kingdom and Vietnam, and an interim deal has been struck with China to forestall the steepest of Trumps tariffs while negotiations continue between Washington and Beijing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump said talks with India were moving in a similar direction. India basically is working along that same line. Were going to have access to India. And you have to understand, we had no access into any of these countries. Our people couldnt go in. And now were getting access because of what were doing with the tariffs, he said. EU readies retaliation The breakthrough with Indonesia came as the European Commission, which oversees trade for the EU, gets set to target 72 billion euros ($84.1 billion) worth of US goods - from Boeing aircraft and bourbon whiskey to cars - for possible tariffs if trade talks with Washington fail. Trump is threatening a 30% tariff on imports from the EU from August 1, a level European officials say is unacceptable and would end normal trade between two of the worlds largest markets. The list, sent to EU member states and seen by Reuters on Tuesday, pre-dates Trumps move over the weekend to ramp up pressure on the 27-nation bloc and responds instead to US duties on cars and car parts and a 10% baseline tariff. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The package also covers chemicals, medical devices, electrical and precision equipment as well as agriculture and food products - a range of fruits and vegetables, along with wine, beer and spirits - valued at 6.35 billion euros. Following a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels on Monday, officials said they were still seeking a deal to avoid Trumps heavy tariff blow. But EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said those at the meeting expressed unprecedented resolve to protect EU businesses using European countermeasures if negotiations with Washington fail to produce a deal. Thousands of Afghans who worked with the UK government and their families were secretly relocated to Britain after a major data breach in 2022 exposed their identities and put their lives at risk, Defence Minister John Healey revealed in Parliament on Tuesday read more Thousands of Afghans who worked with the UK government and their families were secretly relocated to Britain after a major data breach in 2022 exposed their identities and put their lives at risk, Defence Minister John Healey revealed in Parliament on Tuesday. According to an AFP report, the previously undisclosed evacuation programme was made public after the UK High Court lifted a strict reporting ban, known as a super-injunction, which had prevented any mention of the events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Healey told MPs that in February 2022, a UK government official accidentally leaked a spreadsheet containing the personal details of nearly 19,000 Afghans who had applied for relocation to the UK. The breach too place just six months after the Taliban returned to power in Kabul, heightening fears for the safety of those who had supported British operations in Afghanistan, added the report. This was a serious departmental error, AFP quoted Healey as saying, adding lives may have been at stake. Healey revealed that the previous Conservative government launched a covert programme to evacuate Afghans deemed at the highest risk of reprisals by the Taliban following the fall of Kabul in 2021. Under the initiative, known as the Afghan Response Route, approximately 900 Afghans and 3,600 of their family members have so far been relocated to the UK or are currently in transit. The operation has cost the government an estimated 400 million, Healey said. They are part of a broader group of around 36,000 Afghans accepted by the UK under various resettlement schemes since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. Healey, who was Labours opposition defence spokesman at the time, said he was first briefed on the secret programme in December 2023. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, the Conservative government sought and secured a rare super-injunction that prevented any mention of the operation in Parliament or the press. Ministers decided not to tell parliamentarians at an earlier stage about the data incident, as the widespread publicity would increase the risk of the Taliban obtaining the dataset, he was quoted as saying. After taking office as defence minister in the new Labour government, Healey ordered a review of the secret evacuation scheme. The review found very little intent by the Taliban to conduct a campaign of retribution, he told Parliament. As a result, the Afghan Response Route has now been closed. Healey also issued an apology for the 2022 data breach that triggered the operation, stating it should never have happened. With inputs from agencies Mexico is a dominant supplier of US fresh tomato imports, and the US Commerce Department said that antidumping duties are calculated to measure the percentage by which Mexican tomatoes were sold in the country at unfair prices read more The United States is imposing antidumping duties on most imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico, the US Commerce Department said on July 14, 2025. AFP The United States is imposing antidumping duties on most imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico, the US Commerce Department said Monday as Washington alleged its neighbor engaged in unfair trade. The duties, set at 17.09 percent, come after Washington moved to terminate a 2019 agreement that staved off such charges. Mexico remains one of our greatest allies, but for far too long our farmers have been crushed by unfair trade practices that undercut pricing on produce like tomatoes. That ends today, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a statement. This rule change is in line with President (Donald) Trumps trade policies and approach with Mexico, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mexico is a dominant supplier of US fresh tomato imports, and the US Commerce Department said that antidumping duties are calculated to measure the percentage by which Mexican tomatoes were sold in the country at unfair prices. The United States had announced it was withdrawing from the tomato agreement in April, arguing that the action was meant to help American tomato growers compete fairly. But observers have expressed concern that the duties could cause a spike in tomato prices. On Monday, the Mexican government said it was working with tomato producers to limit the effects of the 17 percent duty. We are working together to minimize the impact, President Claudia Sheinbaum said at her regular morning press conference, without giving details. Other Mexican government officials called the tomato tariff unfair and warned the move will ultimately harm Americans. The measure goes against the interests not only of Mexican producers but also of the US industry, officials said in a joint communique from the Mexican ministries of economy and agriculture. The antidumping duties are the latest blow to trade after Trump this year introduced wide-ranging tariffs on partners including Mexico. After returning to the White House in January, Trump swiftly targeted Mexican goods with a 25 percent tariff although he eventually exempted products covered by the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement signed during his first term. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Over the weekend, Trump threatened to raise the levy to 30 percent on August 1, as he pushes for a re-negotiation of the trade relationship. Mexico is one of the economies most vulnerable to US tariffs and duties, with 80 percent of its exports destined for its northern neighbor which is also its largest trading partner. A flood warning remained in force for sections of New Jersey until Tuesday morning, and the National Weather Service (NWS) predicted that the slow-moving summer storm will continue to rain the Mid-Atlantic area throughout the middle of the week read more Following flash floods that disrupted transport, left vehicles stuck, and necessitated emergency rescues, the already flooded US Eastern Seaboard was prepared for further rain on Tuesday. A flood warning remained in force for sections of New Jersey until Tuesday morning, and the National Weather Service (NWS) predicted that the slow-moving summer storm will continue to rain the Mid-Atlantic area throughout the middle of the week. A moisture-rich Summer-time airmass over much of the eastern/central U.S. will continue to lead to areas of scattered to widespread thunderstorms capable of heavy downpours and flash flooding, the agencys forecaster stated. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Monday night, torrential rains flooded sections of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced a state of emergency, asking residents to remain indoors. More from World Trump heads to Texas to survey devastation after July 4 floods kill 120 According to a CBS video footage, rescue workers in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, waded into surging floodwaters armed with red flotation devices after many cars got stuck due to the rapid surge. Authorities throughout the area, even as far south as Virginia, have warned of dangerous driving conditions owing to the likelihood of flash floods. The NWS advised vehicles encountering flooded roadways to turn around. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles, according to the report. In New York City, social media users uploaded footage of dirty brown water spouting like a geyser in front of a subway stations turnstiles. Multiple underground lines were either blocked or running with delays, while major traffic bottlenecks paralysed several of the citys key thoroughfares. JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports temporarily suspended departures Monday night, forcing the cancellation of dozens of flights. In Lancaster Pennsylvania, severe flash flooding prompted a disaster declaration, while emergency responders plucked people from flooded basements and conducted 16 water rescues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Intense rainfall dropped over 7 inches of rain in less than five hours, the fire department in the countys Mount Joy Borough posted on Facebook. Staten Island recorded between 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) of rain on Monday night, according to the New York boroughs emergency notification system. Zohran Mamdani, the Democrat running for mayor of New York, wrote on social media that the rapid flooding emphasized the need for climate-proofing the city. We must upgrade our infrastructure for this new climate reality, he wrote. The NWS said the storm would be concentrated across the southern Mid-Atlantic/Appalachians on Tuesday, before shifting northward on Wednesday. The latest bad weather follows historic Fourth of July flooding that devastated parts of central Texas, killing at least 131 people, including three dozen children, and leaving more than 100 people still missing. The US Supreme Court has cleared the way for President Trump to carry out large-scale layoffs at the Education Department, putting about 1,400 employees at risk of losing their jobs. The decision supports Trumps push to shrink the federal government. read more The Supreme Court has allowed President Trump to go ahead with mass layoffs at the US Education Department, putting nearly 1,400 employees out of work. In a 6-3 ruling, the Courts conservative majority overturned a lower court decision that had blocked the firings and ordered the workers reinstated. Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised the ruling as a significant win, saying it would help carry out Trumps executive order to shut down the department as far as the law allows. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The layoffs affect about one-third of the departments staff and are part of Trumps broader effort to reduce the size of the federal government and shift education responsibilities back to the states. In a strong dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, warned the decision could cause a constitutional crisis. She accused the majority of allowing lawlessness and argued that Trumps plan usurps Congresss power by effectively dismantling an agency created by Congress. Justice Sotomayor warns of serious harm from cuts Justice Sotomayor cautioned that the cuts would cause untold harm, weakening civil rights enforcement, support for students with disabilities, and anti-discrimination programs. Her dissent pointed to Trumps earlier promise to eliminate the department, suggesting the administration intended to break the law. Schools fear funding gaps and disruptions Twenty-one Democratic-led states and teachers unions have sued, arguing the layoffs would cripple essential services. They raised concerns about threats to $1.6 trillion in student loans, special education, and funding for low-income schoolsresponsibilities required by Congress. Massachusetts school districts warned of lasting damage, including delays in financial aid that could trigger teacher layoffs. Employees, who have been on paid leave since March, now face losing their jobs. A union official said, This guts our ability to protect students. Push for a smaller federal government gains speed The ruling comes after the Supreme Court recently allowed Trumps plan to reduce the federal workforce, moving forward with his goal to dismantle the administrative state. Melodies across mountains: European musicians find inspiration in Guizhou's Miao Village 13:07, July 15, 2025 By Xu Liang ( People's Daily Online The "My Music Paradise" program brought European musicians deep into China's largest Miao community this week, where traditional reed-pipe melodies met Western opera under the summer sun. European musicians visit the Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, Leishan county, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo/Yang Qian). An aerial shot captures Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, Leishan county, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo/Yang Qian) "Every moment here feels magical," Bogdan Skrypka, a British percussionist, said after experiencing a Miao gate-blocking ceremony, which entails drinking wine to enter the gate, and folk dances. He also added that the Lusheng (reed pipes) and drum performances convinced him this journey was worthwhile. Miao people perform the traditional gate-blocking ceremony for the visiting European musicians. (Photo/Yang Qian) Nestled in the Leigong Mountains, the Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, also known as the One-Thousand-Household Miao Village, features stilted wooden architecture stretching along its riverbanks. During the peak season, the area welcomes over 40,000 daily visitors. The cultural exchange in the Miao Village reached its peak when the six European musicians were treated to a captivating Lusheng performance by Yang Zhengping, an inheritor of this intangible cultural heritage. He demonstrated the techniques of the 19-pipe Lusheng, explaining how Miao music naturally incorporates dance movements. "When the Lusheng plays, feet must move," Yang said, prompting laughter. Musicians try to learn Lusheng techniques with Lusheng inheritor Yang Zhengping. (Photo/Yang Qian) The surprises continued as folk artist Li Yusong played "The Roof of the World" on a simple tree leaf. British violinist Gwyneth Nelmes' attempt drew chuckles. "It takes practice to mimic dozens of bird calls, and practice makes perfect," Li advised, as everyone tried the organic instrument. The exchange then turned more collaborative: Skrypka jammed on Miao wooden drums with local musician Mo Shihai for an impromptu "We Will Rock You," while British tenor Thomas Lidgley offered operatic runs with Pan Xiaoyan, a specialist of the Miao "flying song." "These drums differ from Western versions but share rhythmic DNA," Skrykpa said. Lidgley praised Miao singing as "powerful, multi-textured vocal techniques." Bogdan Skrykpa, British percussionist, jams on Miao wooden drums with local musician Mo Shihai. (Photo/Yang Qian) As shadows lengthened, the musicians from the East and West shared more ideas about musical parallels. "We must preserve tradition while innovating," said Yang, seeing potential in cross-cultural fusion. UK-based Chinese soprano Wang Beibei said, "Mountains divide cultures, but music builds bridges." (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024. Several fires continue to burn in western Colorado, filling the regions skies with smoke and prompting evacuations as well as a disaster declaration. On Sunday, Gov. Jared Polis verbally issued a disaster declaration for the fires in Mesa, Montrose and Delta counties, saying the Colorado Department of Public Safety is engaged on the fires and working with local agencies. His declaration activates State Emergency Operations and Resource Mobilization Plans, as the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) coordinates the state response through management of the State Emergency Operations Center and the deployment of field operations staff to support county emergency managers. Additionally, U.S. House Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Grand Junction), who represents Colorados 3rd Congressional District, said in a statement on Facebook, Were closely monitoring the South Rim Fire and other active wildfires across Colorado. My team is in contact with local, state and federal agencies to support response efforts as the situation evolves.... Stay safe, follow emergency guidance, and check on your neighbors. We thank our brave first responders. SOUTH RIM FIRE The South Rim Fire at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park continues to burn at 0% containment, per an update Monday from the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team. The fire has spread to 3,987 acres. The park remains closed to all visitors and staff. Evacuation orders are also in place for surrounding areas in Montrose, including all Bostwick Park residents, residencies north of Bostwick Park (including the K73 Trail), and those on M73, N73, N74 and O74 roads. The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team said that management of the South Rim Fire transitioned Monday morning from the San Juan Type 3 Team 8 to the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 after a moderate day of fire activity Sunday. There are 309 personnel managing the fire, with resources including two aircraft, five crews, eight engines, two dozers and four water tenders. GATEWAY FIRES Two fires are burning in Unaweep Canyon near Gateway: The Turner Gulch Fire (south and east of Colorado State Highway 141) and the Wright Draw Fire (east of Highway 141). The Mesa County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) on Saturday issued evacuation orders for all private land and areas between mile markers 120 and 124 along Highway 141. On Monday, the MCSO issued further evacuation orders covering mile markers 124 through 128 and then, in the afternoon, mile markers 128 through 131. The countys evacuation center is the Clifton Community Campus at 3270 D Rd. in Clifton. Its not an overnight shelter, but evacuees will be assessed for needs and provided resources by resource navigators, including housing. The Turner Gulch Fire, 7.5 miles northeast of Gateway, is at the heart of the evacuations, burning 1,494 acres as of Monday afternoon (per the National Interagency Fire Center). The nearby Wright Draw Fire, 5.5 miles north of Gateway, is burning another 263 acres as of Monday afternoon. Later on Monday, the MCSO closed Highway 141 for half a mile on both sides of mile marker 124. The MCSO advised the public to avoid using Highway 141 in any capacity unless leaving the pre-evacuation and evacuation zones as to allow fire crews to continue vital fire suppression and prevention work. More than 200 firefighters are battling the fires. Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 will assume management of the fire early Tuesday morning. SOWBELLY FIRE The Sowbelly Fire in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area continues to burn at 2,274 acres. An evacuation warning has been issued for residents down Escalante Canyon. Per an InciWeb update, firefighters are creating fuel breaks and utilizing masticators to clear roadways to improve access to the fire. Crews will continue to scout the wilderness and look for holding features. The northeast portion of the fire saw a slight uptick in activity Sunday. DEER CREEK FIRE The Deer Creek Fire in Utah, south of the La Sal Mountains and right next to the Colorado-Utah border, is burning at 10,058 acres as of Monday afternoon, continuing to send smoke to Montrose County as well as San Juan and Grand counties in Utah. Evacuation orders over the Deer Creek Fire include those within five miles of the incident, Mountain Shadow Estates, and the area up to Mount Manns off of Upper 2 Mile Road to the Utah-Colorado border. An evacuation warning has been issued for Wray Mesa residents. HOW TO FOLLOW FIRES To observe real-time progress on regional fires, visit inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cogrd-turner-gulch or app.watchduty.org. Tuesday Night A few clouds from time to time. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. N winds shifting to E at 10 to 15 mph. Dennis received bachelor's degrees in communication and political science with a TAG degree in Spanish from The University of Akron in Ohio. He grew up in Ohio with two sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have two dogs: Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel Reading, United Kingdom, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For investors who hold a large amount of XRP, CJB Crypto provides a safe, compliant and scalable way to transform their assets into a high-yield passive income source. Users do not need to sell their positions or bear the risk of currency price fluctuations. They only need to recharge and purchase computing power contracts to automatically obtain stable income every day. How to make money through cloud mining? Traditional cryptocurrency mining requires high hardware investment, complex technical configuration and continuous electricity consumption, but now, cloud mining has completely changed all this. Users can easily participate in mining by simply renting remote computing power through online platforms. ???? 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The platform's income is automatically settled daily, and users can view the computing power operation status and income details in real time through the APP or official website, truly realizing the "visualization of the mining process." User evaluation and market recognition Since its launch, CJB Crypto has attracted more than 7 million users worldwide, and its "low threshold + high flexibility" model has been widely praised. A user from the United States reported: "Through sign-in and invitation rewards, I can earn an additional $500 per month. Through contract mining, I have truly achieved passive income." Act now to seize the digital wealth opportunity Starting today, visit the CJB Crypto official website to complete the registration, you can unlock a $10 bonus, participate in the sign-in invitation event, and experience the new mining mode of "multiple income superposition". Whether you are a novice in cryptocurrency or a veteran player, CJB Crypto will become your ideal partner for digital asset layout. About CJB Crypto CJB Crypto is the world's leading compliant cloud mining service platform, relying on self-built mining farms and joint mining pool computing power to provide users with safe and efficient digital currency mining solutions. The platform adheres to the concept of "user first" and is committed to lowering the threshold for industry participation through technological innovation and promoting the development of inclusive finance. Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or a trading recommendation. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and may result in the loss of funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor. SEATTLE, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WatchGuard Technologies, a global leader in unified cybersecurity, today announced the appointment of Frederic Saint-Joigny as Vice President of EMEA Sales. Reporting to Chief Revenue Officer HoJin Kim, Frederic will lead the companys regional sales strategy, with a focus on helping partners capture new market opportunities, expand their cybersecurity offerings, and drive the next phase of growth across the region. Frederics appointment reflects WatchGuards ongoing commitment to evolving its leadership and sales organization to anticipate and support the changing needs of the cybersecurity market and partner community. With a strong foundation already in place, his leadership will help unify regional sales, enhance partner support, and accelerate growth. Frederic is the right leader at the right time, said HoJin Kim, Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at WatchGuard. His proven ability to lead high-performing sales teams, drive partner-centric growth, and guide organizations through transformation makes him an ideal fit as we continue to evolve our business and empower our partners with a broader cybersecurity portfolio. Frederic brings more than two decades of experience in enterprise and channel sales across the cybersecurity and networking sectors. Most recently, he led EMEA sales at Skybox Security, where he expanded regional operations and strengthened channel performance. He also spent several years at Aruba Networks, before and after its acquisition by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), where he played a pivotal role in growing the EMEA channel business. His appointment is pivotal for WatchGuard, as the company helps partners transition from selling individual security products to delivering holistic, integrated cybersecurity solutions, including advanced managed services. By unifying leadership and deepening regional collaboration, WatchGuard is poised to help its partners seize new market opportunities and unlock new levels of growth. Im excited to join WatchGuard at such a transformative moment, said Frederic Saint-Joigny, VP of EMEA Sales at WatchGuard. The company is redefining how it serves and empowers its partner community, and I look forward to working with this talented team to help drive the next phase of growth and success across EMEA. About WatchGuard Technologies WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. is a global leader in unified cybersecurity. Our Unified Security Platform is uniquely designed for managed service providers to deliver world-class security that increases their business scale and velocity while improving operational efficiency. Trusted by more than 17,000 security resellers and service providers to protect over 250,000 customers, the companys award-winning products and services span network security and intelligence, advanced endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, and secure Wi-Fi. Together, they offer five critical elements of a security platform: comprehensive security, shared knowledge, clarity & control, operational alignment, and automation. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit WatchGuard.com. For additional information, promotions, and updates, follow WatchGuard on Instagram, X.com (@WatchGuard), Facebook, or LinkedIn. Also, visit our InfoSec blog, Secplicity, for real-time information about the latest threats and how to cope with them. Subscribe to The 443 Security Simplified podcast wherever you find your favorite podcasts. WatchGuard is a registered trademark of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners. Austin, TX, USA, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Custom Market Insights has published a new research report titled Naphthalene Derivative Market Size, Trends and Insights By Source (Coal Tar, Petroleum, Other), By Form (Liquid, Powder), By Derivative (Phthalic Anhydride, Naphthalene Sulfonic Acid, Naphthols, Sulfonated Naphthalene Formaldehyde, Alkyl Naphthalene Sulfonate Salts, Others), By End User (Textile, Oil & Gas, Paints & Coatings, Pulp & Paper, Construction, Others), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 20252034 in its research database. According to the latest research study, the demand of the global Naphthalene Derivative Market size & share was valued at approximately USD 7.05 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 7.32 Billion in 2025 and is expected to reach a value of around USD 10.52 Billion by 2034, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 4.11% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034. Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the Global Naphthalene Derivative Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/request-for-free-sample/?reportid=71053 Overview As per the industry experts at CMI, the naphthalene derivatives market is maturing rapidly, propelled by growing demand from construction, agrochemicals, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. Industry leaders such as INEOS, Hikal, Sinopec, and Reliance are increasing production volumes while implementing green chemistry practices designed to reduce their environmental impact. In North America emphasis falls on advanced downstream uses and production processes that align with evolving regulations. European companies stress REACH compliance, pursue bio-based substitutes and weave their products into broader sustainable infrastructure plans. Asia-Pacific producers are expanding local capacity and pouring resources into lower-toxicity formulas that meet both industrial demand and rapid urban growth. Across all regions circular-economy initiatives, ESG targets and strategic collaborations remain key engines of innovation and of the markets upward trajectory. Key Trends & Drivers Growth in the Textile Sector: Growth in the global Textile sector continues to reinforce the requirement for naphthalene derivatives used as building blocks in dyes and pigments. These chemicals deliver colour strength, light-fastness, and compatibility with synthetic fibres, making them essential as modern fabric finishing agents. In February 2023 Huntsman finalized the sale of its Textile Effects division to Archroma, a move that enlarged Archromas portfolio and underscored the former segments strength. This kind of transaction illustrates how chemicals for textiles are gaining strategic weight within the larger specialty-chemicals industry. Moreover, across numerous emerging markets demand for high-performance, sustainable dyes continues to exceed available supply. Given that global clothing consumption is gradually increasing and that the industry is now placing a higher value on sustainable chemical input, it is not surprising that textiles continue to be a key consumer of naphthalene derivatives. In many emerging markets, demand for high-performance, eco-compliant dyes is still outpacing supply. As worldwide demand for clothing continues to rise, manufacturers increasingly seek consistent supplies of chemical precursors. For this reason, naphthalene derivatives remain a staple input in the textile value chain. Industrialisation in Asia-Pacific: The Asia-Pacific bloc still absorbs the largest volume of naphthalene derivatives because living standards are rising, textile use is expanding, and sweeping infrastructure programs in India, Indonesia and similar markets are forging new demand. Construction activity is robust, chemical output is recovering, and consumers are buoyant across most of the region. Reflecting this trend, a joint venture announced in November 2022 will soon build a high-purity naphthalene plant in Indonesia, securing local feedstock and trimming import reliance. Request a Customized Copy of the Naphthalene Derivative Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/request-for-customization/?reportid=71053 That decision illustrates a broader industrial shift toward regionally anchored production. Asia-Pacific also enjoys relatively low operating costs, government incentives, and geographic closeness to major consumers. Demand from housing, transport, and textiles adds further momentum. Accordingly, the region maintains its position as the world's largest and fastest-growing market for these specialty chemicals. Focus on Water-Reducing Agents: Sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde (SNF) is now a cornerstone of concrete admixtures, helping contractors cut water content while keeping the mix workable. With architects looking for more sustainable and more efficient buildings, the role of specialty chemical formulations, in construction called additives, is continuing to increase. In March 2023 Vinati Organics announced VINPLAST-245, a new superplasticizer that is a high-performance admixture that helps facilitate the concrete-mixing process. By improving the durability of the overall material, delivery of the additive lowers the carbon footprint for every truckload that is placed on-site. Engineers worldwide-from bridge builders to high-rise contractors-now specify the sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde blend to secure green project ratings. Fast urban growth and smart-city plans are driving that trend, and specialists see the product staying at the forefront. Consequently, SNF has solidified its position as the flagship option within the naphthalene derivative family. Report Scope Feature of the Report Details Market Size in 2025 USD 7.32 Billion Projected Market Size in 2034 USD 10.52 Billion Market Size in 2024 USD 7.05 Billion CAGR Growth Rate 4.11% CAGR Base Year 2024 Forecast Period 2025-2034 Key Segment By Source, Form, Derivative, End User and Region Report Coverage Revenue Estimation and Forecast, Company Profile, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Recent Trends Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South & Central America Buying Options Request tailored purchasing options to fulfil your requirements for research. (A free sample of the Naphthalene Derivative report is available upon request; please contact us for more information.) Our Free Sample Report Consists of the following: Introduction, Overview, and in-depth industry analysis are all included in the 2024 updated report. The COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak Impact Analysis is included in the package. About 220+ Pages Research Report (Including Recent Research) Provide detailed chapter-by-chapter guidance on the Request. Updated Regional Analysis with a Graphical Representation of Size, Share, and Trends for the Year 2025 Includes Tables and figures have been updated. The most recent version of the report includes the Top Market Players, their Business Strategies, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis Custom Market Insights (CMI) research methodology (Please note that the sample of the Naphthalene Derivative report has been modified to include the COVID-19 impact study prior to delivery.) Request a Customized Copy of the Naphthalene Derivative Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/napthalene-derivative-market/ SWOT Analysis Strengths: The market for naphthalene derivatives enjoys broad use in construction, textiles, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals, which fuels steady demand. Key intermediates such as superplasticizer SNF, phthalic anhydride, and naphthols serve high-volume segments where performance is critical. A well-established production network, concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region, keeps supply reliable and costs competitive. Mature processing technologies, supported by extensive logistics, provide dominant suppliers a durable edge in pricing and responsiveness. Vertically integrated companies like INEOS and Sinopec control feedstock through to finished products, insulating profits against market swings. The chemical versatility of naphthalene derivatives opens pathways for advanced performance materials and specialty formulations. Collectively, these advantages drive consistent global growth and reinforce market resilience. Weaknesses: Even with a diverse customer base, the sector remains sensitive to fluctuations in coal tar and petroleum feedstock costs. Stringent regulations targeting VOC emissions and toxic by-products from some processes add layers of compliance expense. Smaller operators often struggle to meet sustainability benchmarks, which can narrow margins and limit investment. The slow evolution of bio-based substitutes keeps the industry anchored to fossil-derived feedstocks for the foreseeable future. Disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic revealed logistical chokepoints within global supply chains and highlighted just-in-time vulnerabilities. Furthermore, specialty derivatives demanding ultra-high purity raise capital and operational hurdles for many producers. Taken together, these challenges can decelerate innovation rates, particularly in regions with weaker regulatory oversight. Opportunities: Global infrastructure ramp-ups keep pushing the need for naphthalene-based superplasticizers in concrete, making the market positively hungry for the product. Concurrently, greener reformulation and green chemistry breakthroughs are opening up space for bio-derived or low-emission naphthalene alternatives. Early-stage economies in Latin America and Southeast Asia represent largely untouched construction and textiles demand just waiting to be cultivated. Greater research on high-performance niches, from industrial coatings to pharmaceutical-grade uses, broadens the funnel for value-added sales stories. Forming strategic alliances with technology and specialty chemical firms could fast-track that product development. Securing environmental certificates and staying ahead of ESG targets further sharpens competitiveness in tightening regulatory arenas. Taken together, these opportunities open new revenue channels and expand the company's global footprint. Threats: Harsh environmental rules, especially in Europe and North America, cast uncertainty on the future of coal-tar-derived grades and on the production processes that rely on them. At the same time, rival chemistries-polycarboxylate ethers and bio-based plasticizers-are becoming harder to ignore and harder to outsell. And because many feedstocks travel the crude-oil chain, wild fluctuations in crude prices inevitably wobble the cost structure of petroleum-derived raw materials and squeeze margins. Geopolitical friction and fresh trade barriers, from tariffs to export quotas, cloud forecasts and can abruptly change international supply-and-demand patterns. Project delays in infrastructure spending naturally pull through SNF volumes in the construction sector and stifle consumption. Moreover, consumers loud demands for biodegradable offerings may steer attention-and ultimately R&D dollars-away from traditional naphthalene chemistries. Collectively, these external headwinds risk putting long-term market stability on shaky ground. Request a Customized Copy of the Naphthalene Derivative Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/napthalene-derivative-market/ Key questions answered in this report: What is the size of the Naphthalene Derivative market and what is its expected growth rate? What are the primary driving factors that push the Naphthalene Derivative market forward? What are the Naphthalene Derivative Industry's top companies? What are the different categories that the Naphthalene Derivative Market caters to? What will be the fastest-growing segment or region? In the value chain, what role do essential players play? What is the procedure for getting a free copy of the Naphthalene Derivative market sample report and company profiles? Key Offerings: Market Share, Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20252034 Market Dynamics Growth Drivers, Restraints, Investment Opportunities, and Leading Trends Market Segmentation A detailed analysis by Types of Services, by End-User Services, and by regions Competitive Landscape Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors Buy this Premium Naphthalene Derivative Research Report | Fast Delivery Available - [220+ Pages] @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/napthalene-derivative-market/ Regional Perspective The Naphthalene Derivative Market can be divided across different regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. This is a cursory overview of each region: North America: Growth across the North American naphthalene-derivative market comes primarily from the construction sector, the oil-and-gas industry, and specialty-chemical formulations, with the United States, Canada, and Mexico jointly driving innovation and consumption. The region's advantages include robust research-and-development activity, clear regulatory pathways, and steady increases in public-works funding, particularly in sulfonated naphthalene-formaldehyde (SNF) superplasticizers and next-generation, environmentally friendly coatings. In May 2023 an American company introduced its next-generation superplasticiser specifically engineered for 3D-printed concrete used in highway projects, a move that highlights the growing industry preference for high-performance materials in modern infrastructure. Because regulators and investors are pressuring builders to adopt smarter, more sustainable solutions, analysts expect steady year-on-year growth in demand for advanced chemical admixtures. Additional momentum stems from new green-building codes and the increasing use of digital construction tools, both of which strengthen the case for these naphthalene derivatives. Europe: Europes market for naphthalene derivatives is increasingly influenced by strict environmental rules, a push for sustainable practices, and rising demand from the automotive, coatings, and specialist construction industries. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are among the first major economies to replace traditional chemicals with greener alternatives that meet REACH rules and align with circular-economy goals. In June 2023 Vinati Organics received an EcoVadis Gold rating for its sodium naphthalene formaldehyde exports, reflecting that the market now favors responsibly produced, low-carbon materials. That accolade enhanced the firms visibility among suppliers throughout EU construction markets. In addition, green certifications, ESG targets, and low-VOC trends continue to nudge manufacturers toward cleaner formulations. By setting the worlds toughest standard, Europe remains the driving force behind industry innovation and market change. Asia-Pacific: Asia-Pacific remains the largest and fastest-growing market for naphthalene derivatives, a direction sustained primarily by China, India, and Southeast Asia. Their industrial push, rapid urbanization, and expanding textile production combine to increase demand year on year. The region not only manufactures these products at scale but also pioneers new downstream grades, evidence includes rising output of sodium naphthalene formaldehyde and phthalic anhydride. In March 2024 India commissioned a 200,000-ton-per-annum facility in Gujarat, improving the local supply of resins and plasticizers while gradually lowering imports. Chinese companies have meanwhile enlarged sodium naphthalene formaldehyde lines to service markets across Asia and into Africa. Cost-competitive production, supportive policy frameworks, and a broad internal customer base together cement the regions leadership position. The new production plants currently being planned are expected to sharpen the company's competitive edge and, at the same time, raise export volumes. LAMEA: Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa are quickly becoming a lively market for naphthalene derivatives, thanks to major infrastructure projects, higher agricultural budgets, and greater use of these chemicals in oilfield operations. Brazil together with the Gulf Cooperation Council states now accounts for the lions share, applying the products to strengthen concrete, improve agrochemicals and create corrosion-resistant coatings. In November 2023 a Brazilian supplier rolled out an alkyl-naphthalene-sulfonate dispersant designed for pesticide mixes in soybean-growing regions, improving product stability in humid tropical weather. At the same time, Middle Eastern contractors are incorporating sodium-naphthalene-formaldehyde additives into landmark schemes like Saudi Arabias NEOM. Though regional output is still small, local demand is steady and gradually replacing imports as innovation centers take root. Request a Customized Copy of the Naphthalene Derivative Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/napthalene-derivative-market/ (We customized your report to meet your specific research requirements. Inquire with our sales team about customizing your report.) Still, Looking for More Information? Do OR Want Data for Inclusion in magazines, case studies, research papers, or Media? Email Directly Here with Detail Information: support@custommarketinsights.com Browse the full Naphthalene Derivative Market Size, Trends and Insights By Source (Coal Tar, Petroleum, Other), By Form (Liquid, Powder), By Derivative (Phthalic Anhydride, Naphthalene Sulfonic Acid, Naphthols, Sulfonated Naphthalene Formaldehyde, Alkyl Naphthalene Sulfonate Salts, Others), By End User (Textile, Oil & Gas, Paints & Coatings, Pulp & Paper, Construction, Others), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 20252034 Report at https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/napthalene-derivative-market/ List of the prominent players in the Naphthalene Derivative Market: INEOS Hikal Limited Sinopec Corp. Reliance Industries Ltd. Jubilant Pharmova Limited Solvay SA Evonik Industries AG Saudi Aramco LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. BASF SE Capitol Chemical Corporation Merck KGaA Others Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the Global Naphthalene Derivative Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/napthalene-derivative-market/ Spectacular Deals Comprehensive coverage Maximum number of market tables and figures The subscription-based option is offered. Best price guarantee Free 35% or 60 hours of customization. Free post-sale service assistance. 25% discount on your next purchase. Service guarantees are available. Personalized market brief by author. Browse More Related Reports: Propylene Oxide Market: Propylene Oxide Market Size, Trends and Insights By Production Method (Propylene Oxidation, Chlorohydrin Process), By Application (Polyether Polyols, Propylene Glycol, Glycol Ethers, Specialty Surfactants, Others), By End User (Automotive, Construction, Packaging, Furniture and Bedding, Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care, Others), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 20252034 Propylene Glycol Market: Propylene Glycol Market Size, Trends and Insights By Source (Petroleum-based, Bio-based), By Grade (Industrial Grade, Pharmaceutical Grade, Others), By End-Use Industry (Transportation, Building & construction, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Others), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 20252034 Polypropylene Glycol Market: Polypropylene Glycol Market Size, Trends and Insights By Grade (Industrial Grade, Pharmaceutical Grade, Food Grade), By Application (Polyurethane Production, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, Lubricants & Hydraulic Fluids, Adhesives & Sealants, Food & Beverage), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 20252034 Blue Ammonia Market: Blue Ammonia Market Size, Trends and Insights By Technology (Steam Reforming, Autothermal Reforming, Glasification, Electrolysis), By Application (Fertilizer Production, Power Generation, Marine Fuel, Transportation Fuel), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 20252034 Bio Based Propylene Glycol Market: Bio Based Propylene Glycol Market Size, Trends and Insights By Type (1,2-Propylene Glycol, 1,3-Propylene Glycol), By Application (Unsaturated Polyester Resins (UPR), Antifreeze & Coolants, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Food & Beverages, Others) and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 20252034 Specialty Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Market: Specialty Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Market Size, Trends and Insights By Material Type (Based Carboxylated, Bimodal), By Application (Printing Rubber Rollers, Extrusion & Calendering, Injection Molding, Adhesive, Sealant & Mastic, Others), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 20252034 Recycled Ocean Plastics Market: Recycled Ocean Plastic Market Size, Trends and Insights By Source (Bottles, Fibers, Foams, Others), By Polymer Type (Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyurethane (PUR)), By Industry (Packaging, Building & Construction, Automotive, Furniture, Aerospace and Defence), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 20252034 The Naphthalene Derivative Market is segmented as follows: By Source Coal Tar Petroleum Other By Form Liquid Powder By Derivative Phthalic Anhydride Naphthalene Sulfonic Acid Naphthols Sulfonated Naphthalene Formaldehyde Alkyl Naphthalene Sulfonate Salts Others By End User Textile Oil & Gas Paints & Coatings Pulp & Paper Construction Others Regional Coverage: North America U.S. Canada Mexico Rest of North America Europe Germany France U.K. Russia Italy Spain Netherlands Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India New Zealand Australia South Korea Taiwan Rest of Asia Pacific The Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Egypt Kuwait South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America This Naphthalene Derivative Market Research/Analysis Report Contains Answers to the following Questions. What Developments Are Going On in That Technology? Which Trends Are Causing These Developments? Who Are the Global Key Players in This Naphthalene Derivative Market? What are Their Company Profile, Product Information, and Contact Information? What Was the Global Market Status of the Naphthalene Derivative Market? What Was the Capacity, Production Value, Cost and PROFIT of the Naphthalene Derivative Market? What Is the Current Market Status of the Naphthalene Derivative Industry? What's Market Competition in This Industry, Both Company and Country Wise? What's Market Analysis of Naphthalene Derivative Market by Considering Applications and Types? What Are Projections of the Global Naphthalene Derivative Industry Considering Capacity, Production and Production Value? What Will Be the Estimation of Cost and Profit? What Will Be Market Share, Supply and Consumption? What about imports and exports? What Is Naphthalene Derivative Market Chain Analysis by Upstream Raw Materials and Downstream Industry? What Is the Economic Impact On Naphthalene Derivative Industry? What are Global Macroeconomic Environment Analysis Results? What Are Global Macroeconomic Environment Development Trends? What Are Market Dynamics of Naphthalene Derivative Market? What Are Challenges and Opportunities? What Should Be Entry Strategies, Countermeasures to Economic Impact, and Marketing Channels for Naphthalene Derivative Industry? Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the Global Naphthalene Derivative Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/napthalene-derivative-market/ Reasons to Purchase Naphthalene Derivative Market Report Naphthalene Derivative Market Report provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market based on segmentation involving economic and non-economic factors. Naphthalene Derivative Market report outlines market value (USD) data for each segment and sub-segment. This report indicates the region and segment expected to witness the fastest growth and dominate the market. Naphthalene Derivative Market Analysis by geography highlights the consumption of the product/service in the region and indicates the factors affecting the market within each region. The competitive landscape incorporates the market ranking of the major players, along with new service/product launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions in the past five years of companies profiled. Extensive company profiles comprising company overview, company insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis for the major market players. The Industry's current and future market outlook concerning recent developments (which involve growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and restraints of both emerging and developed regions. Naphthalene Derivative Market Includes in-depth market analysis from various perspectives through Porter's five forces analysis and provides insight into the market through Value Chain. Reasons for the Research Report The study provides a thorough overview of the global Naphthalene Derivative market. Compare your performance to that of the market as a whole. Aim to maintain competitiveness while innovations from established key players fuel market growth. Buy this Premium Naphthalene Derivative Research Report | Fast Delivery Available - [220+ Pages] @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/napthalene-derivative-market/ What does the report include? Drivers, restrictions, and opportunities are among the qualitative elements covered in the worldwide Naphthalene Derivative market analysis. The competitive environment of current and potential participants in the Naphthalene Derivative market is covered in the report, as well as those companies' strategic product development ambitions. According to the component, application, and industry vertical, this study analyzes the market qualitatively and quantitatively. Additionally, the report offers comparable data for the important regions. For each segment mentioned above, actual market sizes and forecasts have been given. Who should buy this report? Participants and stakeholders worldwide Naphthalene Derivative market should find this report useful. The research will be useful to all market participants in the Naphthalene Derivative industry. Managers in the Naphthalene Derivative sector are interested in publishing up-to-date and projected data about the worldwide Naphthalene Derivative market. Governmental agencies, regulatory bodies, decision-makers, and organizations want to invest in Naphthalene Derivative products' market trends. Market insights are sought for by analysts, researchers, educators, strategy managers, and government organizations to develop plans. Request a Customized Copy of the Naphthalene Derivative Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/napthalene-derivative-market/ About Custom Market Insights: Custom Market Insights is a market research and advisory company delivering business insights and market research reports to large, small, and medium-scale enterprises. We assist clients with strategies and business policies and regularly work toward achieving sustainable growth in their respective domains. CMI offers a comprehensive solution, from data collection to investment advice. Our company's expert analysis digs out essential factors that help us understand the significance and impact of market dynamics. The professional experts utilize client insights to inform strategies for estimating future declines, forecasting opportunities for growth, and conducting consumer surveys. Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Contact Us: Joel John CMI Consulting LLC 1333, 701 Tillery Street Unit 12, Austin, TX, Travis, US, 78702 USA: +1 737-734-2707 India: +91 20 46022736 Email: support@custommarketinsights.com Web: https://www.custommarketinsights.com/ Blog: https://www.techyounme.com/ Blog: https://businessresearchindustry.com Blog: https://www.technowalla.com/ Blog: https://marketresearchtrade.com/ Buy this Premium Naphthalene Derivative Research Report | Fast Delivery Available - [220+ Pages] @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/napthalene-derivative-market/ Hydro's second quarter results 2025 will be released at 07:00 CEST (01:00 EDT, 06:00 BST, 05:00 UTC/GMT) on July 22, 2025. The quarterly report and presentation will be available on hydro.com at the same time as the release. President and CEO Eivind Kallevik and Executive Vice President and CFO Trond Olaf Christophersen, will host a webinar in English at 08:30 CEST the same day. There will be a Q&A session directly after the presentation. There will be no physical presentation or press conference. To join the webinar and ask questions, use the link to our webcast page. The webcast is powered by Zoom. No login or registration in advance is required. It is also possible to log in using the dial-in option: Norway +47 2400 4736 London, UK +44 330 088 5830 New York, US +1 929 205 6099 Find your local number Meeting ID: 916 4818 8026 We advise you to investigate in advance if your company has any restrictions using the Zoom platform. Investor contact: Martine Rambl Hagen +47 91708918 martine.rambol.hagen@hydro.com ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The State Opera and Ballet Theater "Astana Opera" has recently arranged its tour across Kazakhstans prominent industrial cities, supported by the countrys Ministry of Culture and Information and Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a global metals and mining company. The tour included consecutive performances in Pavlodar, Aktobe, Khromtau and Rudny all the towns of ERGs operational presence - attracting approximately 7,000 attendees from manufacturing enterprises and local communities. This initiative is part of Kazakhstans Year of Vocational Professions. Shukhrat Ibragimov, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ERG, and a Member of the Board of Trustees of the State Opera and Ballet Theater "Astana Opera," stated: "An important part of the work we do at ERG is to help develop Kazakhstan not only economically but also in the social and cultural sphere, and supporting brilliant projects of the Astana Opera has always been important for us." "In a way, the Astana Opera symbolizes the excellence with which Kazakhstani society tackles projects symbolising the countrys strong and unique authenticity and taking further its sustainable development, and we are proud to always be by its side," he added. A highlight of the tour was the performance of Antonio Vivaldis "Orlando Furioso" at Pavlodars Yestai Culture Palace. Lead performers included Sultan Bakytzhan as Orlando, Saltanat Muratbekova as Alcina, and Saltanat Akhmetova as Bradamante. Additionally, opera soloists led by Talgat Mussabayev, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan and director of the Opera company, visited Aluminium of Kazakhstan JSC, an ERG subsidiary. Together with a number of ERGs employees, the artists performed the song "Qusni Qorlan," composed by Pavlodar Region native Yestai Berkimbaiuly. Serik Shakhazhanov, general director of Eurasian Resources Group in Kazakhstan, explained: "Supporting culture and art is an integral part of our corporate philosophy. We are proud to be able to contribute to making high art, classical opera in particular, accessible to residents of the regions. The Astana Opera tour as part of the Year of Vocational Professions is a unique opportunity to unite the world of art and industry, to inspire and culturally enrich all those involved. Such initiatives help not only to support cultural heritage, but also to strengthen the sense of national unity and pride in our future." A special educational program, "Music Draws and Tells," delighted children during the tour. Maestro Abzal Mukhitdin and musicologist Tolganai Artykbayeva introduced young listeners to operatic voices and orchestral instruments. In the interpretation of the capitals creative team, the production struck the viewers imagination with a wealth of artistic and musical imagery, taking audiences all over Kazakhstan into the world of magic, heroism, comedy, intrigue and fantasy. One of the members of the public, Zhumabike Kaliyeva, mother of eight children and holder of the Altyn Alqa medal, awarded by the Republic of Kazakhstan to mothers who have raised at least seven kids, said: "I am in an incredibly high spirits. What a magnificent orchestra, how beautiful the set design is and what wonderful costumes the artists are wearing! I understand how much work is behind all this. Although it was performed in Italian, thanks to the artists masterful portrayals, we were able to deeply feel the opera." Alexandr Sovostyanov, General Director of Astana Opera, summarized the significance of the tour: "It is art that reflects traditions, customs, history, and values of our people, conveys our intangible heritage, contributes to the formation of national identity, educating and bringing together people of different ages, with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Therefore, the creative teams tour under the umbrella of the Year of Vocational Professions is not only a recognition of the importance of the areas of expertise of these working careers but also an opportunity for artists to contribute to the development and popularisation of these occupations. We hope that such tours will continue and we will be able to come to other cities of Kazakhstan." Another attendee of the tour of the Astana Opera, Lyudmila Kuznetsova, explained: "I enjoyed Antonio Vivaldis magnificent music, which touched the deepest strings of my soul, the artists sincere performance, and the resonant sound of the instruments. Understanding how difficult the solo parts are, I was amazed at how easily the performers hit the high notes." "I would like to express my gratitude to all the artists and wish them creative success. Let there be as many interesting roles and grateful viewers as possible," she also mentioned. Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) is a global metals and mining company which employs more than 67,000 people and is one of the largest in the industry. It sells its products in more than 40 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The companys main shareholder is the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (40% stake). Its CEO is Shukhrat Ibragimov, who was appointed in 2024 and brings many years of industry experience. With integrated mining, processing, energy, logistics, and marketing operations, ERG is one of the worlds largest producers of ferrochrome and cobalt, and a leading international supplier of copper and iron ore. It is also one of the largest suppliers of alumina and aluminium in Eurasia. In Kazakhstan, the Group works through multiple production entities, including Kazchrome, Sokolov-Sarbai Iron Ore Mining Production Association (SSGPO), Kazakhstan Aluminium Smelter, Aluminium of Kazakhstan, and Eurasian Energy Corporation. ERG is also a key power supplier and a large railway operator in Central Asia. In Africa, ERG has large operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including Metalkol and Frontier. In the past few years. Metalkol has become one of the world's largest producers of cobalt and a major producer of copper. Photos are courtesy of the press office of the Astana Opera. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f8abb8e0-5fca-46a0-9e66-e9a24473caaf https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1394ff95-faaf-4e03-b878-845abd7c2280 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/444c191c-f677-4daa-9c0d-5f6c93faa6bb https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f54c4f87-6e21-47a6-a80b-8f0f208249dc The Company achieves a major milestone and value inflection point by demonstrating real-time hydrogen production using its novel ThermoLoop heat-based water-splitting system SANTA CLARITA, Calif., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewHydrogen, Inc. (OTCQB:NEWH), the developer of ThermoLoop, a breakthrough technology that uses water and heat rather than electricity to produce the world's cheapest clean hydrogen, today announced its first production of clean hydrogen. "This demonstration by our scientific team represents the achievement of a major milestone and a company value inflection point," said NewHydrogen CEO Steve Hill. "For the first time, we're showing the world how we use heat to split water into hydrogen and oxygen in a continuous looping reaction." The Company also released an online Special Report featuring the first public demonstration of its functioning ThermoLoop lab benchtop unit producing hydrogen in real-time, which can be viewed at https://newhydrogen.com/special-report. The Special Report highlights a significant milestone and advancement from previous iterations of ThermoLoop technology. Mr. Hill explained, "Previous versions of the lab unit could only produce oxygen or hydrogen, but both were not achieved simultaneously. Now, for the first time, we've completed the loop. This version enables continuous hydrogen production, allowing our team to refine the chemistry and materials behind ThermoLoop while collecting critical data to guide the next scale-up." Technology Demonstration The Special Report provides an unprecedented look inside the laboratory, featuring detailed explanations from the company's scientific team. The video demonstrates ThermoLoop's unique approach to thermochemical water-splitting, which the company believes could eventually make traditional electrolyzers obsolete. Mr. Hill continued, "We are proud to have the right team, at the right time, working on a technology that could help unlock the full potential of the clean hydrogen economy. I believe that our technology represents a totally different path from conventional electrolyzers and could have a global impact in the not too distant future." The Special Report features insights from Dr. Eric McFarland, NewHydrogens Chief Technology Officer and co-inventor of ThermoLoop. Other team members are also featured, including Dr. Phil Christopher, Professor of Chemical Engineering at UC Santa Barbara, a co-inventor and Principal Investigator on the ThermoLoop project, as well as Sundar Narayanan, NewHydrogens Director of Process Engineering, who brings 35 years of industrial and chemical process engineering experience, including more than 20 years with ExxonMobil. Pathway to Commercial Scale This lab demonstration represents the first step in scaling the Companys breakthrough technology from laboratory to commercial applications, similar to how steam reforming of natural gas evolved from lab units to massive commercial plants that now produce over 60 million tons of hydrogen per year in the current $170 billion fossil-fuel-based hydrogen market. ThermoLoop's heat-based approach addresses the fundamental cost challenge in clean hydrogen production, where electricity currently accounts for up to 73% of production costs. By using heat directly from sources such as concentrated solar, geothermal, nuclear reactors, and industrial waste heat, ThermoLoop bypasses the expensive process of electricity generation. For more information about NewHydrogen, please visit https://newhydrogen.com/. About NewHydrogen, Inc. NewHydrogen is developing ThermoLoop - a breakthrough technology that uses water and heat rather than electricity to produce the world's lowest cost clean hydrogen. Hydrogen is the cleanest and most abundant element in the universe, and we can't live without it. Hydrogen is the key ingredient in making fertilizers needed to grow food for the world. It is also used for transportation, refining oil and making steel, glass, pharmaceuticals and more. Nearly all the hydrogen today is made from hydrocarbons like coal, oil, and natural gas, which are dirty and limited resources. Water, on the other hand, is an infinite and renewable worldwide resource. Currently, the most common method of making clean hydrogen is to split water into oxygen and hydrogen with an electrolyzer using clean electricity produced from solar or wind. However, clean electricity is and always will be very expensive. It currently accounts for 73% of the cost of clean hydrogen. By using heat directly, we can skip the expensive process of making electricity and fundamentally lower the cost of clean hydrogen. Heat can be obtained from sources such as concentrated solar, industrial waste heat and nuclear reactors for use in our novel low-cost thermochemical water splitting process. Working with a world class research team at UC Santa Barbara, our goal is to help usher in the clean hydrogen economy that Goldman Sachs estimated to have a future market value of $12 trillion. Safe Harbor Statement Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, the impact of public health epidemics on the global economy and other factors detailed in reports filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Investor Relations Contact: NewHydrogen, Inc. ir@newhydrogen.com Dublin, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "United States MEWP Market (2025 Edition): Analysis By Product Type (Boom Lifts, Scissor Lifts and Vertical Mast Lift), By Propulsion, By Height, By End-User, By Region, By Country: Market Insights and Forecast (2021-2031)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The United States MEWP market showcased growth at a CAGR of 8.45% during 2021-2024. The market was valued at USD 611.42 Million in 2024 which is expected to reach USD 1.13 billion in 2031. This report provides a complete analysis for the historical period of 2021-2024, the estimates of 2025 and the forecast period of 2026-2031. The United States has been experiencing a significant construction boom in recent years, driven by population growth, urbanization, and demand for residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. MEWPs play a crucial role in construction projects by providing safe and efficient access for workers to elevated work areas such as building facades, ceilings, and structural elements. Moreover, government investments in infrastructure projects further contribute to the demand for MEWPs across various sectors. Infrastructure development initiatives often involve large-scale construction projects such as roadways, highways, airports, railways, and public transportation systems. MEWPs are indispensable tools for construction crews, allowing them to access elevated work areas such as bridge decks, overpasses, and building facades safely and efficiently. The demand for MEWPs in the construction sector is closely linked to the pace and scale of infrastructure development projects across the country. Moreover, bridges are critical components of the nation's infrastructure network and require regular maintenance, repairs, and inspections to ensure structural integrity and safety. MEWPs are commonly used for bridge maintenance tasks such as painting, cleaning, welding, and structural repairs, as they provide access to hard-to-reach areas under bridges and elevated spans. The ongoing maintenance and repair need of bridges contribute to sustained demand for MEWPs in the United States. Modern MEWPs are equipped with advanced safety systems such as tilt sensors, overload protection, fall arrest systems, and proximity sensors, which significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in the workplace. These safety features not only protect workers but also ensure compliance with stringent regulatory requirements, driving the demand for MEWPs among safety-conscious businesses. Technological advancements have led to the development of more efficient and productive MEWPs. Features such as self-levelling platforms, telescopic booms, and articulating arms enable operators to access elevated work areas quickly and with precision, reducing setup time and increasing productivity. Additionally, innovations such as dual-fuel engines, regenerative braking systems, and advanced control systems enhance fuel efficiency and operational performance, further boosting the appeal of MEWPs for businesses seeking to maximize efficiency and reduce costs. Additionally, Advancements in automation and remote operation technology have revolutionized the way MEWPs are controlled and operated. Some modern MEWPs are equipped with remote control systems that allow operators to manoeuvre the platform from a safe distance, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing exposure to hazardous environments. Furthermore, automated features such as self-levelling platforms, automatic boom positioning, and obstacle detection systems enhance operator safety and ease of use, making MEWPs more accessible and appealing to a wider range of users. The rental market offers businesses and contractors the flexibility to access a wide range of MEWPs on-demand, without the need for long-term commitments or ownership. Rental agreements allow companies to scale their fleet size based on project requirements, ensuring they have the right equipment available when needed. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for businesses with fluctuating workloads or seasonal demand patterns, driving demand for rental MEWPs across various industries. Renting MEWPs instead of purchasing them outright can be more cost-effective for businesses, especially for short-term or occasional use. Rental fees are typically lower than the upfront cost of purchasing a new MEWP, allowing companies to allocate their capital more efficiently and invest in other areas of their business. Additionally, renting eliminates expenses related to maintenance, repairs, storage, and depreciation, further enhancing cost-effectiveness and driving demand for rental MEWPs. Furthermore, rental market offers businesses access to a wide range of specialized MEWPs tailored to specific applications and industries. Rental companies often maintain diverse fleets comprising various types of MEWPs, including scissor lifts, boom lifts, aerial work platforms, and telehandlers, as well as models with specialized features such as rough terrain capabilities, narrow access designs, and high-reach capabilities. This availability of specialized equipment options enables businesses to select the most suitable MEWPs for their specific needs, driving demand for rental services. Scope of the Report The report analyses the United States MEWP Market by Value (USD Million). Detailed Assessment of the United States MEWP rental Market w.r.t. Market Size, By Value (USD Billion) and total fleet size (in 000'). The report presents the analysis of United States MEWP Market for the historical period of 2020-2023, the estimated year 2024 and the forecast period of 2025-2030. The report analyses the United States MEWP Market By Product Type (Boom Lifts, Scissor Lifts and Vertical Mast Lift). The report analyses the United States MEWP Market By Propulsion (Engine-powered, Electric and Hybrid). The report analyses the United States MEWP Market By Height (< 10 Meters, 10 to 20 Meters and >20 Meters). The report analyses the United States MEWP Market By End-User (Municipal and Industrial, Construction & Mining, Transportation and Logistics, Manufacturing and Others End-Users). The key insights of the report have been presented through the frameworks of SWOT. Also, the attractiveness of the market has been presented by region, By Products, by mode of operation & by end users. Also, the major opportunities, trends, drivers, and challenges of the industry has been analyzed in the report. The report tracks competitive developments, strategies, mergers and acquisitions and new product development. Analyst Recommendations Technological Innovation and Expansion into Emerging Sectors Customized Solutions for Industries Competitive Positioning Companies Product Positioning Market Position Matrix Market Share Analysis of US MEWP Market Company Profiles Terex Corporation Tadano Ltd. Linamar Corporation Manitou Group Haulotte Group Oshkosh Corporation LGMG North America Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/afw1tn About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Colombia Telecom Operators Country Intelligence Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in Colombia today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2029. The report provides detailed analysis of the near-term opportunities, competitive dynamics, and evolution of demand by service type and technology/platform across the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile, and pay-TV markets, as well as a review of key regulatory trends. The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following: Demographic and macroeconomic context in Colombia. The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, DTT migration, IoT regulations, etc. Telecom and pay-TV services market outlook: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, mobile data, and pay-TV markets. The competitive landscape: an examination of the positioning of leading players in the telecom and pay-TV services market as well as subscription market shares across segments. Company snapshots: analysis of the financial position of leading service providers in the telecommunications and pay-TV markets. Underlying assumptions behind our published base-case forecasts, as well as potential market developments that would alter, either positively or negatively, our base-case outlook. Key Highlights Fixed broadband service revenue will grow at a CAGR of 7.1% across the forecast period, thanks to strong subscriber growth in fiber lines, on the back of ongoing fixed broadband network coverage expansions by operators like Movistar Colombia and Claro Colombia, as well as steady increase in cable internet subscriptions. Total telecom and pay-TV service revenue in Colombia will grow at a CAGR of 2.5% over 2024-2029, supported by growth in mobile data and fixed broadband service segments. Mobile data service revenue will grow at a five-year CAGR of 3.5%, fueled by growing smartphone and mobile internet subscriptions, increasing data consumption on mobile devices to access online video content, and social media apps, and MNOs promoting higher ARPU-yielding 5G services. Reasons to Buy This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of Colombia's telecommunications markets, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies. Accompanying the analyst's Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in Colombia's mobile communications, fixed telephony, broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares. With more than 20 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality. The report provides an easily digestible market assessment for decision-makers built around in-depth information gathered from local market players, which enables executives to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends in Colombia's telecommunications markets. The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive, actionable detail will help operators, equipment vendors and other telecom industry players succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in Colombia. Company Coverage: Movistar Colombia Claro Colombia Tigo Colombia ETB UNE DirecTV Colombia Key Topics Covered: Market highlights Operating Environment Telecom services market outlook Mobile services market Fixed services market Pay-TV services market Competitive landscape and company snapshots For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8ujnxg About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Endometriosis: Seven-Market Drug Forecast and Market Analysis to 2034" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report covers the 7MM (US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan) and provides an Excel-based forecast model for the Endometriosis market through 2034. The analyst estimates the 2024 sales for the endometriosis market at approximately $938 million across the 7MM, encompassing the US, the 5EU, and Japan. By 2034, the overall endometriosis market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% to reach sales of $2.5 billion over the 10-year period. The US market will grow fastest, with a 13.2% CAGR, compared to a decline of 0.7% in the 5EU and growth of 1.0% in Japan. At the end of 2034, the US will contribute approximately 88.4% of global sales. The higher sales in the US relative to the other two regions can be attributed to the greater diagnosed prevalence of endometriosis in the US and the higher price of drugs in the US compared to other global markets. Major drivers of the endometriosis market during the forecast period will include: The launch of Kissei Pharmaceutical's Yselty (linzagolix), which is currently marketed in the in the US and Japan The launch of Hope Medicine's HMI-115 in the US and Fuji Pharma's Alyssa (drospirenone + estetrol) in Japan Continual improvements with disease awareness, leading to an increase in diagnoses Improvements in non-invasive diagnostic methods, such as the utilization of biomarkers, which should further increase the number of early diagnoses Major barriers to the growth of the endometriosis market during the forecast period are as follows: The endometriosis market boasts many off-label medications and is still highly genericized, presenting a stiff barrier for novel therapy entrants. The shrinking female population ages 12-54 years in the 5EU and Japan will dampen the extent of growth in diagnosed endometriosis cases. Report Scope Overview of endometriosis, including epidemiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and disease management. Annualized endometriosis therapeutics market revenue, cost of therapy per patient, and treatment usage patterns forecast from 2024 to 2034. Key topics covered include strategic competitor assessment, market characterization, unmet needs, clinical trial mapping, and implications of these factors for the endometriosis therapeutics market. Pipeline analysis: comprehensive data assessing emerging trends and mechanisms of action under development for endometriosis treatment. The most promising candidates in late-stage development are profiled. Analysis of the current and future market competition in the global endometriosis therapeutics market. Insightful review of the key industry drivers, restraints and challenges. Each trend is independently researched to provide qualitative analysis of its implications. Reasons to Buy Develop and design your in-licensing and out-licensing strategies through a review of pipeline products and technologies, and by identifying the companies with the most robust pipeline. Develop business strategies by understanding the trends shaping and driving the 7MM endometriosis therapeutics market. Drive revenues by understanding the key trends, innovative products and technologies, market segments, and companies likely to impact the 7MM endometriosis therapeutics market in the future. Formulate effective sales and marketing strategies by understanding the competitive landscape and by analyzing the performance of various competitors. Identify emerging players with potentially strong product portfolios and create effective counter-strategies to gain a competitive advantage. Organize your sales and marketing efforts by identifying the market categories and segments that present maximum opportunities for consolidations, investments and strategic partnerships. Company Coverage: AstraZeneca Abbvie Debiopharma Myovant Science Abbott Neurocine Biosciences Sumitomo Ipsen Sanofi Hope Medicine Bayer Pfizer Kissei ASKA Pharmacutical Gedeon Richter Key Topics Covered: 1 Endometriosis: Executive Summary 1.1 The endometriosis market will exhibit considerable growth from 2024 to 2034 1.2 Key players will continue their competitive position in the endometriosis market over the forecast period 1.3 Current therapies leave significant unmet needs in the endometriosis market 1.4 Late-stage pipeline drugs entering the endometriosis market are poised to drive growth 1.5 What do physicians think? 2 Introduction 3 Disease Overview 3.1 Etiology and pathophysiology 3.2 Classification or staging systems 4 Epidemiology 4.1 Disease background 4.2 Risk factors and comorbidities 4.3 Global and historical trends 4.4 Forecast methodology 4.5 Epidemiological forecast for endometriosis (2024-34) 4.6 Discussion 5 Disease Management 5.1 Diagnosis and treatment overview 5.2 KOL insights on disease management 6 Current Treatment Options 6.1 Overview 7 Unmet Needs and Opportunity Assessment 7.1 Overview 7.2 Non-invasive diagnostics 7.3 Disease awareness and education of medical professionals 7.4 More effective drugs with long-term safety and tolerability 7.5 Non-hormonal therapies 7.6 Better understanding of the disease etiology and pathophysiology 8 R&D Strategies 8.1 Overview 8.2 Clinical trials design 9 Pipeline Assessment 9.1 Overview 9.2 Promising drugs in clinical development 10 Pipeline Valuation Analysis 10.1 Overview 10.2 Competitive assessment 11 Current and Future Players 11.1 Overview 11.2 Deal-making trends 12 Market Outlook 12.1 Global markets 12.2 US 12.3 5EU 12.4 Japan For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/31cjn5 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. SOCIETE GENERALE SIGNS AN AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF CAMEROON TO SELL ITS SUBSIDIARY SOCIETE GENERALE CAMEROUN Press release Paris, 15 July 2025 Societe Generale has signed an agreement with the State of Cameroon which provides for the total sale of the groups shares (58.08%) in Societe Generale Cameroun. The State of Cameroon, already a shareholder, would thus hold 83.68% of the shares of Societe Generale Cameroun. According to the commitments made, the State of Cameroon would take over all the activities operated by this subsidiary, as well as all the client portfolios and all the employees of this entity. This transaction would have a positive impact of around 6 basis points on the Group's CET1 ratio, on the expected completion date which could take place by the end of 2025. (1) This divestment project is subject to the usual conditions precedent and the validation of the relevant financial and regulatory authorities. (1) Unaudited figures Press contacts: Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00 _ jean-baptiste.froville@socgen.com Amandine Grison_+33 1 41 45 92 40_ amandine.grison@socgen.com Societe Generale Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with around 119,000 employees serving more than 26 million clients in 62 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective - to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders. The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients: French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance , with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank. , with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank. Global Banking and Investor Solutions , a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG. , a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG. Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities. Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe). For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegenerale or visit our website societegenerale.com. Attachment Conference call scheduled for July 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM Eastern Time MOU signed in which Fictor Energia plans to fund ~$200M power transmission infrastructure and make a $20M strategic equity investment in Brazil Potash Management to discuss partnership structure, project financing implications, and path to production MANAUS, Brazil, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brazil Potash Corp. ("Brazil Potash" or the "Company") (NYSE-American: GRO), a mineral exploration and development company with a critical mineral potash mining project, the Autazes Project (the Project), today announced that management will host a conference call on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM Eastern Time to discuss the Company's newly announced partnership with Fictor Energia and the associated equity financing for the Autazes Project. During the conference call, management will discuss: Key commercial terms with Fictor Group including powerline build, operate and then ownership transfer after 25 years of operation Purchase of electricity from Fictor Group once the power transmission line is operational Strategic benefits of partnering with Fictor Group, a leading Brazilian infrastructure investor Potential opportunities for other similar arrangements to carve up the Autazes potash project construction costs Update on upcoming milestones such as offtake agreements Interested investors and other parties can listen to the webcast by logging onto the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://ir.brazilpotash.com. To listen to the conference call via telephone, please call (877) 425-9470 (domestic) or (201) 389-0878 (international), Conference ID: 13755033. Related Announcement For complete details on the partnership announcement, please refer to Brazil Potash's press release titled "Brazil Potash Signs Memorandum of Understanding for ~$200M Power Line Construction and $20M Investment with Fictor Energia," available here. There can be no assurance that the definitive documentation related to the transactions set forth in the MOU will be agreed upon or signed, or that, if signed, such transactions will be consummated, or of the final terms and conditions related to such transactions. About Brazil Potash Brazil Potash (NYSE-American: GRO) (www.brazilpotash.com) is developing the Autazes Project to supply sustainable fertilizers to one of the worlds largest agricultural exporters. Brazil is critical for global food security as the country has amongst the highest amounts of fresh water, arable land, and an ideal climate for year-round crop growth, but it is vulnerable as it imported over 95% of its potash fertilizer in 2021, despite having what is anticipated to be one of the worlds largest undeveloped potash basins in its own backyard. The potash produced will be transported primarily using low-cost river barges on an inland river system in partnership with Amaggi (www.amaggi.com.br), one of Brazils largest farmers and logistical operators of agricultural products. With an initial planned annual potash production of up to 2.4 million tons per year, Brazil Potashs management believes it could potentially supply approximately 20% of the current potash demand in Brazil. Management anticipates 100% of Brazil Potashs production will be sold domestically to reduce Brazils reliance on potash imports while concurrently mitigating approximately 1.4 million tons per year of GHG emissions. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" and are based on the reasonable expectations, estimates and projections of the Company as of the date of this press release. The words "plans," "expects," or "does not expect," "is expected," "budget," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates," or "does not anticipate," or "believes," or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might," or "will be taken," "occur" or "be achieved" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the MOU with FICTOR Energia; advancement of the Autazes Project including specifically the powerline construction; the impact of the potential transaction with FICTOR Energia and the benefits and structure of such transaction; and the status of the Company's project. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Contact: Brazil Potash Investor Relations info@brazilpotash.com CHICAGO, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verano Holdings Corp. (Cboe CA: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNOF) (Verano or the Company), a leading multi-state cannabis company, today announced the promotion and appointment of James Leventis as the Companys Chief Strategy and Compliance Officer, effective as of July 1, 2025. As the newest member of Veranos executive leadership team, Leventis will provide strategic leadership over the Companys robust regulatory, licensing, compliance and government affairs activities across its expanding national footprint. Since joining the Company in 2019, he has played a critical role driving Veranos growth from a single-state operator to one of the industrys largest publicly traded companies. A seasoned cannabis executive and licensed attorney, Leventis most recently served as Executive Vice President of Legal, Regulatory and Government Affairs for the Company, and his nearly 15-year career spans a variety of disciplines including regulatory, compliance, M&A and licensing in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, consulting and cannabis sectors. Leventis also plays a pivotal external role advocating for cannabis reform at the state and federal levels. Throughout his tenure, he has served as a founding member and executive officer on a number of boards, trade associations and political action committees, including the United States Cannabis Roundtable, the American Rights and Reform PAC, the American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp, and more. Given his extensive experience, industry knowledge and advocacy, I am thrilled to announce Jamess promotion to Chief Strategy and Compliance Officer, and am confident that his unique skill sets and expertise will further strengthen our executive leadership team, said George Archos, Verano founder and Chief Executive Officer. As we navigate the dynamic cannabis sector, I believe Verano, and the industry at large, will benefit from Jamess ongoing leadership and influence supporting important initiatives and legislative advancements, and we look forward to his contributions for years to come. About Verano Verano Holdings Corp. (Cboe CA: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNOF), one of the U.S. cannabis industrys leading companies based on historical revenue, geographic scope and brand performance, is a vertically integrated, multi-state operator embracing a mission of saying Yes to plant progress and the bold exploration of cannabis. Verano provides a superior cannabis shopping experience in medical and adult use markets under the Zen Leaf and MUV dispensary banners, including Cabbage Club, an innovative annual membership program offering exclusive benefits for cannabis consumers. Verano produces a comprehensive suite of high-quality, regulated cannabis products sold under its diverse portfolio of trusted consumer brands including Verano, (the) Essence, MUV, Savvy, BITS, Encore, and Avexia. Veranos active operations span 13 U.S. states, comprised of 15 production facilities with over 1.1 million square feet of cultivation capacity. Learn more at Verano.com. Contacts: Media Verano Grace Bondy Director, Communications Grace.Bondy@verano.com Investors InvestorRelations@verano.com Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Companys beliefs regarding future events, plans, strategies, or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Companys control. Generally, such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, future, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, projects, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases, or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, will continue, will occur or will be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve and are subject to assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual events, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future events, results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements herein, including, without limitation, the risk factors described in the Companys annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, in each case, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except as may be required in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice regarding forward-looking information and statements. ### GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 5:00 pm eastern time to discuss the financial results for the second quarter of 2025. Participants can access the conference call live via webcast and also by visiting the Investors page of Emergents website. To participate via telephone, please register in advance at this link. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive a confirmation email detailing how to join the conference call, including the dial-in number along with a unique passcode and registrant ID that can be used to access the call. A replay of the call can be accessed from the Investors page of Emergents website. About Emergent BioSolutions At Emergent, our mission is to protect and save lives. For over 25 years, weve been at work preparing those entrusted with protecting public health. We deliver protective and life-saving solutions for health threats like smallpox, mpox, botulism, Ebola, anthrax and opioid overdose emergencies. To learn more about how we help prepare communities around the world for todays health challenges and tomorrows threats, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Investor Contact: Richard S. Lindahl Executive Vice President, CFO lindahlr@ebsi.com Media Contact: Assal Hellmer Vice President, Communications mediarelations@ebsi.com Washington, DC, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) is pleased to announce that IRS Commissioner Billy Long will deliver opening remarks at the 2025 NAEA Tax Summit on Monday, July 28, at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. This keynote marks one of Commissioner Longs first major appearances since his appointment and will focus on the IRSs strategic priorities, taxpayer service improvements, and collaboration with the tax professional communityparticularly enrolled agents (EAs), the only federally licensed tax practitioners who specialize in taxation and have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Commissioner Longs participation at the Tax Summit speaks volumes about the importance of enrolled agents in todays tax system, said NAEA Executive Vice President Megan Killian, CAE. As the IRS works to modernize, EAs are uniquely positioned to offer the IRS valuable perspectives and feedback on the improvements needed in the system. The NAEA Tax Summit is the associations flagship education and networking event, bringing together hundreds of EAs, thought leaders, and tax industry experts for in-depth sessions on federal tax law, representation, and practice management. MEDIA ATTENDANCE AND RSVP Members of the media, especially those covering tax, accounting, or regulatory affairs, are invited to attend the General Session and select portions of the Tax Summit. To request press credentials, please email naeapr@naea.org with your name, outlet, and intended coverage by Monday, July 21, 2025. Event details and the full schedule are available at www.naea.org/tax-summit. NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GoodBrand Impact, a purpose-driven media agency and consultancy helping brands drive meaningful change through their media investments, proudly announces the appointment of Lori Murphy as its first official board member. Murphy brings a distinctive mix of corporate leadership, nonprofit innovation, and strategic advisory experience to the role. For over six years, she has served as Vice President at BLEND360, where she has led strategic growth and client transformation initiatives across the financial services sector. She has overseen teams of more than 60 consultants and plays a key role in aligning business development strategies with long-term client success. Beyond her executive work, Murphy advises both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, focusing on revenue growth, operational best practices, and AI integration. Through this work, she empowers mission-driven leaders to scale their organizations with clarity and purpose. Previously, Murphy was Chief Partnerships Officer at Common Impact, where she revitalized corporate engagement and modernized marketing strategies to drive social change. Her earlier leadership roles include tenures at CBS EcoMedia, Aspire Lifestyles Americas, and American Express, where she consistently built and led high-performing teams across client services, operations, and partnerships. Her hallmark has been creating innovative alliances that deliver business results while driving social impact. Loris blend of purpose-driven leadership, operational rigor, and creative partnership development is exactly what GoodBrand Impact stands for, said Seth Zimmerman, Founder of GoodBrand Impact. We are thrilled to welcome her as our first board member and look forward to her contributions as we grow our mission and reach. Murphy has long supported causes at the intersection of business, creativity, and community. In addition to her corporate work, shes an indie recording artist and lifelong advocate for animal welfare. She and her husband are dedicated to adopting senior dogs, including their current rescue, Bailey. Im honored to join GoodBrand Impact as its first board member, said Lori Murphy. Their innovative model of leveraging media to deliver social change while supporting brand performance perfectly aligns with my belief that purpose and profit are not mutually exclusive. Im excited to support their growth and lasting impact. Murphy holds a degree in Studio Music and Jazz Vocal from the University of Miamis Frost School of Music. About GoodBrand Impact GoodBrand Impact is a full-service media agency and consultancy that transforms traditional media transactions into meaningful community impact. By embedding purpose and social investment directly into campaigns at no additional cost to clients, GoodBrand empowers brands to make measurable change and build deeper customer loyalty. Media Contact: Michael Valentin Director, Social Media & Business Development Michael@GoodBrandImpact.com 908.967.1200 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/470e5168-7582-4c9d-b359-268b50a8e6ff ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Taco Johns has been inviting guests to celebrate Taco Tuesday for over 40 years. This summer, the company is bringing guests more of what they crave with special pricing on its hot-and-fresh tacos and reintroducing the legendary Taco Burger to all of its nearly 350 locations. Since its start as a single taco stand in Wyoming, Taco Johns has put tacos at the center of everything it does. Now, more than five decades later, Taco Johns is still known for its delicious, made-to-order tacos featuring 100% North American beef and crispy taco shells, fried in-house and made with only three ingredients. We Know How to Taco Tuesday To bring extra fiesta to Taco Tuesdays all summer long, guests can enjoy the flavors they crave at a premium value with Taco Johns signature Beef Crispy Tacos for just $1.39 at every Taco Johns across the country. Now Serving the Legendary Taco Burger Everywhere Its easier than ever for West-Mex fans to get their hands around a hearty Taco Burger, a revamp of the Taco Johns classic that dates back to the original menu. Previously available only in select markets, the fan-favorite Taco Burger is now a menu fixture at every location. Packed with bold, classic taco flavors and made with 100% North American Beef, it features a newly upgraded pillowy potato bun topped with Cheddar Cheese, lettuce, and signature Taco Sauce ($3.49 limited time introductory price). It all started with tacos. Tacos are in our name. And we believe we do them better better beef, better shells equal better tacos, said Kevin Flaherty, Chief Marketing Officer for Taco John's International. Our crispy and softshell tacos deliver unbeatable flavor, quality, and value. Its the ultimate way to enjoy authentic West-Mex flavors. Taco Johns Taco Tuesday deals are available in-store, at the drive-thru, and through the Taco Johns app. About Taco Johns With nearly 350 restaurants in 22 states, Taco Johns is one of America's largest Mexican quick-service restaurant brands. Founded in 1969 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Taco Johns has been serving a made-to-order menu using fresh, high-quality ingredients, seasonings, and sauces for more than 55 years. Offering signature specials like Taco Tuesday, savings and special offers for Bigger Bolder Rewards loyalty club members, and beloved originals like Potato Oles, Taco Johns takes pride in bigger. bolder. better. flavors and menu items. Recognized as one of Entrepreneur's "Top Food Franchises of 2023" and hailed by QSR Magazine as a "Top 15 Chain Ready to Contend as Fast Foods Top Players," Taco Johns continues to expand into new territories. For more information, visit TacoJohns.com and follow Taco Johns on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Media Contact: Joshua Levitt PR for Taco Johns josh@fikacollective.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3bbeb5f4-b130-46cd-b92e-532758e4d135 SHELTON, Conn., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acme United Corporation (NYSE American: ACU) announces the purchase of a manufacturing and distribution center in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee for approximately $6 million. The property consists of 77,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space on 12 acres and is designed to be expanded by up to an additional 60,000 square feet. The facility is fully air conditioned and is built and maintained to meet FDA-approved food-grade specifications. The facility will primarily be used by Spill Magic, which Acme United acquired in 2017 and which has outgrown one of its currently leased spaces. Walter C. Johnsen, Chairman and CEO, said, Were thrilled to be growing the Spill Magic business and to be putting a strong infrastructure in place to fuel its continued success. We plan to invest in capital improvements focused on automation, positioning this site to become one of our most advanced and efficient operations. Were proud to become part of the Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee community. Spill Magic is a leader in bodily fluid and spill clean-up solutions with a lightweight, absorbent powder that quickly encapsulates a spill. The Spill Response System provides all the necessary tools to effectively clean up spills, saving time, money and reducing slip & fall accidents in various venues, including grocery, retail, and big box stores; food service & hotel chains; municipal facilities; and industry-specific distributors in the U.S. ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative safety solutions and cutting technology to the school, home, office, hardware, sporting goods and industrial markets. Its leading brands include First Aid Only, First Aid Central, PhysiciansCare, Spill Magic, Westcott, Clauss, DMT, Med-Nap, Safety Made and Elite. For more information, visit www.acmeunited.com. Forward Looking Statements The Company may from time to time make written or oral forward-looking statements including statements contained in this report and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us. When used in this document, words like may, might, will, except, anticipate, believe, potential, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from our current expectations. Forward-looking statements in this report, including without limitation, statements related to the companys plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of capital and other resources are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. We are also subject to additional risks and uncertainties as described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. BUFFALO, N.Y., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Circuit Clinical, is proud to announce a new partnership with Western New York Medical (WNY Medical) to bring clinical trials directly to patients in central Buffalo. This collaboration is more than a business expansion its a homecoming. Founded in Buffalo, Circuit Clinical has become a national leader in delivering clinical trial access where patients already receive care, their local physicians office, or in their home through telemedicine. With this new partnership, the company stays true to its roots with a powerful mission: to make clinical research more accessible, inclusive, and patient-centered. Western New York Medical, located in the heart of Buffalo, serves a diverse population historically excluded from research opportunities. This partnership allows both organizations to deliver on a shared goal making research participation a realistic option for more people, especially those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups that pharmaceutical companies are eager to reach with more inclusive science. Expanding in Buffalo in this way is incredibly meaningful, said Chief Executive Officer of Circuit Clinical, Irfan Khan. This partnership represents the best of what we always hoped for high-quality clinical research access for patients whove never had it, delivered right here in the community where Circuit Clinical was born. It also reflects the commitment to growing health innovation in Western New York. The partnership will activate clinical trial opportunities at Western New York Medicals central Buffalo location. Patients will be able to participate in cutting-edge research without leaving their own doctors office a model that increases trust, convenience, and equity in medical research. Were thrilled to work with Circuit Clinical to bring this opportunity to our patients, said Riffat Sadiq, MD, CEO and President of Western New York Medical. Being part of this effort to increase access, especially for the communities we serve every day, is exciting and deeply aligned with our mission to improve health outcomes in Buffalo. As pharmaceutical sponsors continue to prioritize representative data in clinical research, partnerships like this one provide a win-win: expanding trial access for those who need it most while ensuring that science better reflects the diversity of the real world. From its roots in Buffalo to its reach across the country, Circuit Clinical remains committed to transforming the experience of clinical trials for doctors and patients alike starting right here, where it all began. About Circuit Clinical: Transforming the Experience of Clinical Research Circuit Clinical, one of the fastest-growing research networks in the USA, is dedicated to empowering patients to choose clinical research as a care option through improved access to clinical trials. Committed to transforming the experience of finding, choosing, and participating in clinical research for physicians and their patients, Circuit provides clinical research services through traditional, hybrid, and decentralized community-based site models and their MD Prescreen service that optimizes patient referrals. Learn more at circuitclinical.com. For additional questions or inquiries, please contact the following: Circuit Clinical Candice Kent VP of Marketing and Communications ckent@circuitclinical.com Austin, TX, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vibrant Gastro, inventor of the groundbreaking Vibrant System, a non-pharmaceutical treatment for chronic idiopathic constipation, today announced it has been honored with a series of awards and recognitions in recent weeks including the prestigious TAG Award for MedTech, which hailed Vibrant Gastro as the Top MedTech Innovator of 2025. The award, which recognizes game-changing technologies, products, and services that create a new benchmark for excellence, was presented at the MD&M East design and manufacturing expo held in New York City. Hear from Vibrant Gastro CEO Asaf Bar in the TAG Awards Beyond the Award podcast episode, From Taboo to Transformative: The MedTech Innovation that Is Changing Lives. Vibrant Gastro has also been honored by MedTech Outlook as the Top New Innovator for Chronic Constipation in 2025 and was listed among 2025s 10 most innovative medical device companies by Inc. Magazine. Chronic idiopathic constipation affects over one in 10 American adults disproportionately women and people of color and existing treatments negatively affect their quality of life. Traditional and prescription laxatives cause sudden on-set diarrhea uncomfortable, uncontrollable and unpredictable. In fact, 60% of patients say the treatments are worse than the constipation itself, and 78% of physicians dislike existing treatments. The Vibrant System works differently, using a vibrating capsule to restore the colons natural rhythm and put patients back in control. Studies show that Vibrant has a low rate of side effects, with just 1.2% of patients reporting diarrhea compared to 16% who are prescribed linaclotide, which is the current standard of care.[1],[2] Since Vibrant is not a drug, there are no drug-to-drug interactions, unlike traditional and prescription medications. An analysis of safety data from five developmental studies and a final pivotal phase III study that led to FDA clearance of the Vibrant System, published recently by Dr. Bryan Curtin from Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, found patients to be highly satisfied with Vibrant.[3] Patients experienced so few side effects that none of the 800 participants in the studies stopped taking the prescription treatment. An additional study found Vibrant is both less expensive and more adhered to than linaclotide.[4] The study, published in Advances in Therapy, found 55% more patients stay on Vibrant for a full year compared to those prescribed linaclotide. Costly adverse events also dramatically decreased with Vibrant compared to linaclotide such as ER visits for severe diarrhea, which averaged $2,418 per visit, and inpatient hospital stays that averaged $15,080.4 A post hoc analysis of Vibrants Phase 3 trial, published last year by Cleveland Clinic, demonstrated significant benefits for patients with severe chronic idiopathic constipation. In this group, 93% improved, and 19% reached at least three complete spontaneous bowel movements per weeksuggesting substantial relief from their condition. Vibrant offers real, lasting help to the tens of millions of Americans whose lives have been ruined by chronic idiopathic constipation, said Vibrant Gastro CEO, Asaf Bar. Our latest honor by the TAG Awards builds on recognition from TIMEs Best Inventions and Fast Companys World Changing Ideas. All are evidence that Vibrant is the answer that patients and physicians have sought for so long. Vibrant Gastro is pleased to announce the Vibrant System is now covered by a range of leading health insurance plans, reaching an estimated 42 million lives across the United States. To learn more, visit VibrantGastro.com. About Vibrant Over 1 in 10 American adults disproportionately women and people of color struggle with chronic constipation, and existing treatments ruin their quality of life with 60% saying the treatments, which cause diarrhea, are worse than the constipation. Vibrant is an FDA-cleared drug-free treatment that uses a vibrating capsule to restore the colons natural rhythm and put you back in control. Clinical results show Vibrant provides one, two and sometimes three additional complete spontaneous bowel movements weekly, even in severe adult patients, with just 1.2% of patients reporting diarrhea. Since Vibrant is not a drug, there are no interactions with other drugs, unlike traditional and prescription laxatives. Learn more at vibrantgastro.com [1] Randomized Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Trial of Vibrating Capsule for Chronic Constipation, Feb 2023, Satish S.C. Rao, MD, PhD et al [2] Full Prescribing Information, Linzess, Final_labeling_text_10-2018-AR-updates-LINZESS-clean.pdf; Table 2; Revised 8/2021. [3] The Vibrating Capsule: Safety and Tolerability in Patients With Chronic Idiopathic Constipation, Neurogastroenterology & Motility, March 2025. [4] Voigt J, Frissora C. Cost-effectiveness of Vibrant System vs. linaclotide in chronic idiopathic constipation. Advances in Therapy. 2024 Nov 11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-024-03035-0 Attachments NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calcium+Company, a leading mid-sized health communications group, today announced the hiring of James Pietz as Managing Director of its oncology marketing division, Amino. It also announced that Calcium+Company veteran Josh Righter has been elevated to Chief Strategy Officer. Both will report to Greg Lewis, Group President and Managing Partner. With these high-level appointments, Calcium+Company continues its growth trajectory by fortifying its commitment to one of the most important and dynamic segments in pharmaand by amplifying its strategic expertise to generate even greater market impact for clients and brands. According to CEO Judy Capano, Were focused on the value drivers that matter most to clientswhether in mission-critical areas like oncology, strategy, or omnichannel engagement. And were just getting started. As Managing Director, Pietz will expand Aminos reach to include more types of cancer, classes of therapy, and client partners. Hell build upon the strong team and foundation that Amino has established in precision insights, human-centric creative storytelling, and highly targeted engagement initiatives. Says Lewis: The deep oncology expertise James brings to Amino will help us transform the lives of even more people living with cancer. And that inspires us. In his Chief Strategy Officer role, Righter will evolve and strengthen the agencys suite of innovative strategic services. Hell align all market intelligence, brand planning, marketing communications, and omnichannel engagement initiatives to a unifying strategic vision, thereby improving effectiveness and efficiency. According to Lewis, Righter is a visionary thinker who elevates the work and the teams around him. Hell now be able to share his unique talents across clients and divisions while continuing to mentor future strategic leaders. Righter will also partner with Leigh Householder to lead the companys Marketing and Innovation hub, which delivers advanced omnichannel, tech, data, and AI solutions across Calcium+Company clients. About Calcium+Company Calcium+Company is a leading healthcare marketing company dedicated to delivering nourishment in all its forms to clients, brands, individuals, and communities. Its led by CEO Judy Capano and Group President Greg Lewis. With more than 175 employees and offices in New York, Philadelphia, and Mexico City, Calcium+Company offers a wide range of leading-edge strategic, scientific, creative, engagement, and digital capabilitiesall made possible by some of brightest stars in the industry. Calcium+Company has been recognized with many industry awards, including being named an MM+M Best Places to Work Award in 2024. Please visit us at https://www.calciumco.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Contact: Cali Mangel Cali.Mangel@calciumco.com | 215.694.1577 New York, US, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GoldenMining, a global cloud mining platform, today released its new mobile cloud mining app, integrating AI computing power scheduling and green energy computing power. Users only need a mobile phone to participate in the mining of mainstream currencies such as BTC, DOGE, and LTC for free. The new version specially introduces the XRP reward option, and users can convert daily mining income into assets such as XRP in proportion, Create a low-threshold, multi-currency, high-efficiency digital encryption income model. As one of the first mining platforms in the industry to support the XRP reward distribution mechanism, GoldenMining has a flexible distribution strategy for income settlement. It can participate in the mining of currencies such as BTC and DOGE, and choose to convert income into mainstream currencies such as XRP, BTC, and DOGE during the settlement stage to improve the efficiency of capital use and asset allocation. The head of product at GoldenMining said, By incorporating XRP into the reward system, we provide users with a more flexible way to cash out. Start mobile cloud mining in three steps and quickly get XRP income 1. Register an account and get $15 free trial computing power immediately: New users will receive computing power rewards after registration, and can start mining BTC, DOGE, LTC and other currencies without any initial investment. 2. Select a contract plan and activate computing power: The platform provides a variety of contracts with a term of 5 days, 12 days, 25 days and longer. Users can choose contracts according to their investment preferences and automatically start cloud mining. Some contract references contract Investment Amount Contract Rewards Total income New User Experience $15 $0.60 $15.60 Elphapex DG1+ $100 $3 $106 Bitmain S23 Hyd $650 $42.25 $692.25 AntminerL917GH $1800 $287.28 $2087.28 L916GH $4500 $1890 $6390 ElphaPex DG Hydro1 $7800 $3276 $11076 Elphapex DG2 $12,000 $8,100.00 $20,100.00 3. GoldenMining mobile APP supports XRP top-up function, which improves the efficiency of users' funds in and out, further reduces the threshold for participation, and allows users to freely choose the currency to be issued: after daily settlement, users can choose to convert their income into XRP or other currencies, and manage funds flexibly. All user funds are managed by first-tier banks, and user information is strictly protected by SSL encryption. The platform also provides AIG insurance coverage for all investment projects to ensure the safety of funds and rights of every investor. Global registration opens, ushering in a new era of encryption GoldenMining mobile cloud mining app is now online and open for registration, supporting Android and iOS systems. Users can download and install it through the official website to enjoy a one-stop mining experience. The platform also plans to continue to expand the application scenarios within the XRP ecosystem, including direct payment, lock-up rewards and other mechanisms. It not only simplifies the way users participate in cryptocurrency mining, but also redefines the way investors build smart and diversified digital investment portfolios. With the accelerated popularity of blockchain around the world, GoldenMining is preparing for ordinary users to participate in the next round of cryptocurrency bull market - safe, efficient and free For more information, please visit the official website www.Goldenmining.com For business cooperation, please send to the official email: info@GoldenMining.com Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MiningToken today introduced new 5-day cloud mining contracts tailored for users seeking consistent returns without any technical or upfront hassle. Powered by renewable energy and AI-optimized systems, the new offerings deliver daily profits with full principal protectionand now come with an enhanced 3.8% referral bonus, empowering users to grow passive income through network building. 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ATLANTA, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CareSource Georgia, a nonprofit managed care organization, has announced a collaboration with Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP), an organization that brings local and state-level leaders, and resources together to improve the well-being of children and families. CareSource awarded GaFCP a $100,000 grant to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in rural Georgia through technology-driven engagement and community-based collaboration. Limited access to care in rural areas often places pregnant and postpartum mothers, and their infants, at greater risk for poor health outcomes. Maternal mortality rates in rural Georgia are up to 2.5 times higher than in urban areas. In maternity care deserts, which lack essential maternity resources and make up 42% of the state, women must travel twice as far to reach the nearest obstetric hospital. To help close these gaps, the new initiative will embed the GoMo Health platform, creating a virtual engagement hub that coordinates health communication and patient support among CareSource members, care teams and local community organizations. Improving health outcomes requires us to connect with individuals in their own environments, both geographically and in terms of their engagement with care," said Dr. Nguyen, market chief medical officer, CareSource Georgia. By combining digital outreach with trusted community connections, we remove traditional barriers to care for families in real time. We believe this connected and responsive model will support healthier moms and babies, especially in communities with limited access to resources. GoMo Health leverages behavioral science and data to provide personalized, real-time support for members, as well as their providers and care partners. Initially, the program will focus on 12 Georgia counties, eight of which will include participants currently using remote patient monitoring for gestational hypertension and/or diabetes. Connected monitoring devices will be integrated into the GoMo Health platform to create a seamless, personalized care experience. The program has three goals: Enhance engagement by connecting remote patient monitoring devices to the GoMo Health platform. Address social and emergent needs in real time through proactive digital outreach. Create virtual community hubs that connect CareSource members to GaFCP partners and resources. Communities thrive when families are healthy, said Gaye Smith, executive director, GaFCP. Georgias 10.2% low birthweight rate is well above the national rate of 8.6%, which is already higher than the rate for most developed nations. This matters because low birthweight is the strongest predictor of infant mortality and provides insight into the state of womens overall health. The support and vision of CareSource have been essential in bringing this partnership to life. Combining the power of technology with the strength of local relationships has better equipped us to improve maternal and infant health in rural Georgia and across the state. Together, CareSource and GaFCP aim to create a replicable model that reduces emergency department visits and hospital stays while promoting better pregnancies, healthier births and stronger communities across rural Georgia. About CareSource Georgia CareSource is a nonprofit, managed care organization making health care accessible to 430,000 Georgians. The organization offers comprehensive health insurance plans including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicare to improve its members' health and well-being. As a mission-driven organization, CareSource is transforming health care with innovative programs that address social determinants of health, prevention and access to care. For more, visit us at www.caresource.com/ga/plans/ , or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. Attachment Dublin, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Submarine Combat System Market Outlook 2025-2034: Market Share, and Growth Analysis By System, By Weapon System, By Submarine Type" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Submarine Combat System Market is valued at USD 11.7 billion in 2025. Further the market is expected to grow by a CAGR of 17.3% to reach global sales of USD 49.4 billion in 2034 The submarine combat system market plays a critical role in enhancing naval defense capabilities worldwide. These systems, integrated into submarines, are designed to detect, track, and neutralize threats while also ensuring the protection of strategic assets in underwater operations. A submarine combat system is typically composed of a combination of sonar, weaponry, radar, and communication systems, all aimed at providing superior surveillance, navigation, and combat effectiveness. The growing importance of maritime security, geopolitical tensions, and the increasing sophistication of underwater threats have led to a surge in demand for advanced submarine combat systems. Nations with strong naval forces are increasingly investing in the modernization of their submarine fleets, integrating state-of-the-art combat systems to enhance stealth, speed, and combat readiness. These systems enable submarines to operate more effectively in strategic missions, including deterrence, intelligence gathering, and offensive operations. Furthermore, the shift toward autonomous and unmanned submarine operations is driving innovations in submarine combat systems, as military forces seek greater operational flexibility and reduced risk to personnel. The increasing focus on protecting underwater assets and maintaining dominance in naval warfare positions the submarine combat system market for continued growth and technological advancement. In 2024, the submarine combat system market saw significant advancements driven by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and enhanced sonar technologies into naval platforms. These innovations enabled submarines to operate more autonomously, with advanced threat detection and response capabilities. Additionally, improvements in underwater communication systems, such as secure and high-bandwidth communication links, enhanced the effectiveness of submarines in coordinating with other naval assets. The growing focus on enhancing submarine stealth capabilities and reducing their vulnerability to detection also led to the development of quieter propulsion systems and better hull materials, which were integrated into modern combat systems. The strategic importance of submarines in global naval power projection continued to spur the demand for advanced combat systems. Nations in Asia, Europe, and North America were among the key investors in upgrading their submarine fleets, with a focus on integrating more sophisticated combat systems for a competitive edge. However, challenges such as the high cost of research and development, along with complex supply chain logistics for acquiring the necessary materials and components, remained prevalent in the market during 202Regulatory constraints and the geopolitical landscape also influenced procurement decisions and defense budgets. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the submarine combat system market is expected to continue its upward trajectory, driven by increasing defense budgets, technological advancements, and evolving military strategies. The rise of non-traditional threats such as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and the growing emphasis on underwater warfare will likely propel demand for more advanced and adaptable combat systems. Submarines will continue to be an integral part of strategic defense capabilities, requiring the development of multi-layered systems that combine offensive and defensive technologies. Moreover, the push toward sustainable and energy-efficient systems will likely drive the development of next-generation submarines that incorporate cleaner propulsion technologies and energy management solutions. The increasing integration of AI and machine learning will lead to smarter, more responsive systems capable of handling a broader range of operational scenarios. As military budgets increase and nations focus on strengthening their underwater defense strategies, the demand for submarine combat systems will continue to grow. However, challenges related to the high cost of systems integration, complex system testing, and the need for constant upgrades to stay ahead of emerging threats will continue to pose obstacles to market growth. Key Insights Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance threat detection, analysis, and response capabilities within submarine combat systems. Increased investment in stealth technology, including quieter propulsion systems and advanced hull materials, to reduce the detectability of submarines. Adoption of more sophisticated sonar and underwater communication systems for improved surveillance, targeting, and coordination with other naval assets. Growing focus on autonomous and unmanned submarine operations, enhancing operational flexibility and reducing the risk to personnel. Development of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly submarine technologies, driven by the need for sustainability in defense operations. Rising defense budgets globally, enabling military forces to invest in advanced submarine systems for maintaining strategic underwater capabilities. Increasing geopolitical tensions and maritime security threats, driving demand for enhanced naval defense technologies and underwater combat systems. Technological advancements in AI, machine learning, and sonar systems, allowing for more autonomous and effective submarine operations. Demand for modern, stealthy, and energy-efficient submarines that can provide operational flexibility and long-range, high-impact capabilities in naval operations. The high cost of research, development, and integration of advanced technologies into submarine systems, alongside complex geopolitical factors, poses significant challenges to market growth. Your Takeaways From this Report Global Submarine Combat System market size and growth projections (CAGR), 2024- 2034 Impact of recent changes in geopolitical, economic, and trade policies on the demand and supply chain of Submarine Combat System. Submarine Combat System market size, share, and outlook across 5 regions and 27 countries, 2025- 2034. Submarine Combat System market size, CAGR, and Market Share of key products, applications, and end-user verticals, 2025- 2034. Short and long-term Submarine Combat System market trends, drivers, restraints, and opportunities. Porter's Five Forces analysis, Technological developments in the Submarine Combat System market, Submarine Combat System supply chain analysis. Submarine Combat System trade analysis, Submarine Combat System market price analysis, Submarine Combat System Value Chain Analysis. Profiles of 5 leading companies in the industry- overview, key strategies, financials, and products. Latest Submarine Combat System market news and developments. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 150 Forecast Period 2025 - 2034 Estimated Market Value in 2025 11.7 Billion Forecasted Market Value by 2034 49.4 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 17.3% Regions Covered Global Companies Featured Raytheon Technologies Corporation Lockheed Martin Corporation General Dynamics Corporation Northrop Grumman Corporation Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. BAE Systems Plc. Thales Group L3Harris Technologies Inc. Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. Fincantieri S.p.A. Leonardo S.p.A Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. Naval Group Saab AB Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. Kongsberg Gruppen ASA Damen Shipyards Group Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. Austal Limited Navantia S.A. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited ASC Pty Ltd. Atlas Elektronik GmbH HAVELSAN Inc. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH Hellenic Shipyards Co. Odense Maritime Technology Private Limited DCN International S.A. Submarine Combat System Market Segmentation By System Sensors Electronic Support Measures (ESM) Armaments By Weapon System Electronic Warfare Torpedoes Ballistic Missiles Cruise Missiles Mines By Submarine Type Ship Submersible Hunter Killer (SSK) Ship Submersible Nuclear (SSN) Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN) Ship Submersible Guided Missile Nuclear (SSGN) By Geography North America (USA, Canada, Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Rest of APAC) The Middle East and Africa (Middle East, Africa) South and Central America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of SCA) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2y5nnx About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Columbus, OH, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Tim Lamb Group, the largest auto dealership sales and acquisitions firm in North America, is pleased to announce the sale of Bob Chapman Ford in Marysville, Ohio to Coughlin Automotive. The dealership will now operate as Coughlin Ford of Marysville under the leadership of Al Coughlin (President). Located at 1255 Columbus Avenue, in Marysville, Ohio, the dealership spans 28,000 square feet on 6 acres, offering 24 service bays and a Ford Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center. As a Ford image-compliant facility, no renovations are planned, and all current employees will be retained. This acquisition represents Coughlin Automotives 17th dealership and further strengthens their presence in the Marysville market, where they already operate Chevrolet-Buick-Cadillac and Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram franchises. This also marks the 11th transaction facilitated by the Tim Lamb Group on behalf of Coughlin Automotive. The transaction was finalized on June 30, 2025 and facilitated by Chris Infantino, Director at the Tim Lamb Group. Weve worked with the Tim Lamb Group on over 10 acquistions and recommend them to anyone looking for talented, hard-working professionals with integrity, stated Al Coughlin, President of Coughlin Automotive. Chris Infantino did a wonderful job taking this over the finish line! Joe Chapman, Dealer Principal of Bob Champan Ford, made the decision to sell the dealership as part of his retirement and transition into other business interests. Founded in 1913, Bob Chapman Ford holds the distinction of being Ohios oldest Ford dealership. Joe Chapman shared, "After 112 years and four generations of family ownership, selling our Ford dealership was one of the most emotional and important decisions of my life. This wasn't just a business, it was a Legacy built on over a century of hard work, community relationships and family pride. Chapman added, I'm thankful to both Tim Lamb and Coughlin Group It was the right move at the right time and thanks to them, it feels like a new chapter that still carries forward our legacy. Chapman shared his experience working with the Tim Lamb Group, Working with the Tim Lamb Group, specifically Chris Infantino, made the process smooth and respectful from start to finish. Their professionalism, industry expertise, and understanding of what the business meant to our family made all the difference and gave me complete confidence that I was in the right hands from start to finish. Infantino added, I have known and worked with the Chapman family for 25 years. Theyve represented the Ford brand with integrity for four generations, and it was an honor to help them close this chapter, stated Infantino. Co-Owner, Mike Coughlin, stated, Acquiring the oldest Ford dealership in Ohio is both an honor and responsibility we dont take lightly. Chapman Ford has been a pillar in the Marysville community for generations and were proud to carry that legacy forward. Chapman added, The Coughlin Group, has showed a real appreciation for the legacy weve built and exceeded every expectation. Their commitment to continuing the tradition we built was clear from day one. Knowing the business is in such capable and passionate hands with deep industry knowledge, gives me great peace of mind. Coughlin Automotive remains committed to community involvement and customer care as it expands across Central Ohio. The family-owned group represents major automotive brands including Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan. Al Coughlin continued with, This dealership represents more than just a business its a symbol of resilience, trust, and hometown pride. Were joining a tradition that has meant so much to this community and will invest in its future with the same passion our clients have come to expect from all of our stores. About Tim Lamb Group Since 2006, Tim Lamb Group has been the number one choice for dealers looking to sell, or purchase, a new vehicle dealership. Fifteen regional directors handle billions of dollars per year in transactions for multiple dealer operators in every part of the United States and Canada. The Group has leveraged their factory management experience and retail dealership background to become the largest auto dealership sales and acquisitions firm in North America. For more information and dealerships for sale, visit www.timlambgroup.com Attachments DENVER, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BRILLIANT CARATS, the conscious fine jewelry brand redefining what luxury means in 2025, is proud to launch The Nexus Collection a stunning collection of rare kite-shaped, lab-grown bridal sets designed to celebrate love, freedom, individuality, and sustainable luxury. Inspired by the word Nexus (Latin for connection), each ring is a tribute to love that uplifts rather than restrains. Crafted for modern brides seeking unique design, eco-conscious Millennials and Gen Z, and self-purchasers who value both ethics and elegance, the collection speaks to a new generation who values personal expression and planetary care. Fancy-Cut Kite Diamonds: Geometry Meets Emotion Unlike traditional cuts like round or oval, fancy-cut diamonds like kites are seldom seen in engagement jewelry. BRILLIANT CARATS embraces this rarity, bringing together bold geometry and modern romance in uniquely shaped engagement rings. The design draws from the motion of a kite in flight, representing trust, freedom, and the invisible bond between two souls. As industry experts note, kite cuts offer architectural elegance and visual impact, making them a rising favorite among custom and artisanal engagement designs. Stackable Ring Sets: Versatility Meets Milestones The Nexus collection isnt just beautiful but delivers a transformative, stackable ring experience that adapts to every moment. Each set includes a main ring and two modular companion bands that can be worn solo or together. Nexuss stackable rings redefine the wedding band, perfect for anniversary gifts , milestone birthdays, graduations, or even career achievements. Worn solo, they exude refined elegance; when layered, they become a powerful expression of personal style and character. This flexible design allows for mixing, matching, and layering sustainable jewelry based on mood, outfit, or occasion. Lab-Grown Diamond Rings: Luxury Meets Ethics Like all BRILLIANT CARATS pieces, The Nexus is made with 100% lab-grown, conflict-free diamonds and vegan recycled gold. Lab-created diamond rings are manufactured in a laboratory using advanced technology and are chemically identical to mined diamonds. With an increasing number of couples being eco-friendly and budget-friendly, the Nexus collection is an ideal combination of luxury and conscience. As Dr. Sarah Chen, gemologist and industry analyst, says: Lab-grown diamonds are making luxury more accessible. They've opened up the market to consumers who appreciate the beauty and resilience of diamonds but prioritize other factors over geological origin. According to the test, the Nexus collection delivers the brilliance of luxury with at least 80% lower environmental impact. Moreover, these rings are friendly to the wallet. For the same size and clarity, a lab-grown diamond can be up to 60-70% less costly than traditional diamond jewelry. This enables complete freedom in carat size and diamond choice for most couples. Mission of BRILLIANT CARATS: Science Meets Art BRILLIANT CARATS, founded by Skylar, doesnt merely offer beautiful jewelry but rewrites the rules of what luxury means. Our mission is to prove that the finest jewelry shouldnt just adorn you like traditional jewelry. Luxury should love back for you, your style, and our planet, she says. So, every diamond is grown using 100% renewable energy, eliminating mining, exploitation, and enabling real-time origin tracking. We offer the same sparkle and durability at roughly one-tenth the cost of traditional diamonds, making everyday brilliance both stunning and accessible. Our vision is to make ethical luxury the new standard, says founder Skylar. Were offering not just a diamond ring, hoop earrings , but freedom from outdated traditions, from ethical compromise, and one-size-fits-all design. BRILLIANT CARATS honors your values and your individuality because true beauty shouldnt cost the Earth. The Nexus Collection is thoughtfully designed to suit a variety of occasions, from engagements and weddings to daily wear and formal special events. With prices ranging from $500 to $3,000, the collection offers accessible and sustainable luxury. The new collection is now available at https://brilliantcts.com/collections/the-nexus-collection . Press Contact Email: service@brilliantcts.com Address: Colorado, United States Website: www.brilliantcts.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/97e2fd33-0268-4a76-b115-6baa19d1703f https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fc159887-d4a8-470d-911f-60967b0fd9af https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5504536b-3254-4352-8d9a-55eb30921d21 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a54f49b3-5a56-40c1-bbd9-69bc6c32ec8c Ottawa, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global cyclohexanone market volume is calculated at 4.97 million tons in 2024, grows to USD 5.10 million tons in 2025, and is projected to reach around 6.48 million tons by 2034, A study published by Towards chem and Materials a sister firm of Precedence Research. Cyclohexanone is a clear, oily liquid most used as an intermediate for the manufacture of nylon, especially nylon 66 and nylon 6, as it goes through the processes to create caprolactam and adipic acid. The market is driven by an increase in demand in the automotive, coatings, textiles, and the multitude of other process industries that use nylon-based products. As industrialization and infrastructure development grows, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, the market will also expand however rising variations in raw material price, plus local regulations restricting it potential toxicity, may limit growth. Technological developments in production methods and new sustainable and biodegradable alternatives may present possible future growth scenarios for this application-driven market. The Complete Study is Now Available for Immediate Access | Download the Sample Pages of this Report@ https://www.towardschemandmaterials.com/download-sample/5583 Cyclohexanone Market Report Highlights The Asia Pacific cyclohexanone market Volume accounted for USD 2.63 million tons in 2025 and is forecasted to hit around USD 3.53 million tons by 2034, representing a CAGR of 3.31% from 2025 to 2034. The Asia Pacific cyclohexanone market held the largest volume Share of 51.27% of the global market in 2024. The North America Cyclohexanone market is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 1.98% over the forecast period by 2025-2034 By Application, the caprolactam production segment dominated the market with the largest volume Share of 57.46% in 2024. By Application, the adipic acid production segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 3.48% over the forecast period by 2025-2034 By Grade, the industrial grade segment led the market with a volume Share of 92.79% in 2024 By Grade, the pharmaceutical grade segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 11.28% over the forecast period. Immediate Delivery Available | Buy This Databook@ https://www.towardschemandmaterials.com/download-databook/5583 Cyclohexanone Market Current Trends Rising Nylon Demand- Cyclohexanone is a precursor to the nylon-based chemicals caprolactam and adipic acid. The increase in nylon manufacturing in automotive, electronics, and textile industries is a principal driver of growth in the market. Cyclohexanone is a precursor to the nylon-based chemicals caprolactam and adipic acid. The increase in nylon manufacturing in automotive, electronics, and textile industries is a principal driver of growth in the market. Focus on sustainable, bio-based alternatives- Globally, growing environmental issues from petrochemical based chemicals and increasing regulations are prompting some companies to pursue bio-based cyclohexanone as a sustainable alternative. Globally, growing environmental issues from petrochemical based chemicals and increasing regulations are prompting some companies to pursue bio-based cyclohexanone as a sustainable alternative. Technological development in production- new developments in catalytic oxidation and energy transformations allow companies to decrease emissions and improve yields as regulations are placed on emissions and costs need to be reduced by companies. Immediate Delivery is Available | Get Full Report Access@ https://www.towardschemandmaterials.com/price/5583 Cyclohexanone Market in Can Expanding of Nylon-6 Production Induce Growth? One of the top opportunities for growth in the cyclohexanone market is the skyrocketing global demand for Nylon-6, a leading downstream product. Cyclohexanone remains a necessary precursor in the caprolactam production process for Nylon-6. With recent trends towards lighter, durable materials in industries such as automotive, textiles, and electronics, Nylon-6 consumption has continued to climb. For example, in May 2024, India's Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers outlined a strategy to ramp up domestic caprolactam and Nylon-6 production as part of the "Make in India" initiative. Moreover, the increasing uptake of engineered plastics within electric vehicles and the construction industry will stimulate subsequent demand for cyclohexanone and present openings for growth to cyclohexanone producers. Cyclohexanone Market Opportunity Is the Shift Towards Green Solvents Creating New Opportunity for Cyclohexanone? The major trend that may provide cyclohexanone producers with a new opportunity is the shifting away from existing solvent usage to environmentally sustainable solvents (green solvents) in paints, coatings, and adhesives. In early 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) introduced new limits on solvent emissions which will require pollutants producing industries to comply with the new limits and remove existing solvent products from their available products. Cyclohexanone has numerous applications as a solvent, and with increased demand for low Voc (volatile organic compound) formulations, particularly in the Asia Pacific, the application range for cyclohexanone as a solvent is anticipated to grow. A regulatory push, coupled with sustainable product development, is creating new innovative growth opportunities for manufacturers. Cyclohexanone Market Limitations and Challenges Environmental and Health Risks- Cyclohexanone is a hazardous chemical that is both toxic and flammable. Prolonged exposure to cyclohexanone is a health risk to workers and presents a risk of environmental contamination, requiring strict handling guidelines and limiting the prevalence of cyclohexanone in sensitive industrial environments. Cyclohexanone is a hazardous chemical that is both toxic and flammable. Prolonged exposure to cyclohexanone is a health risk to workers and presents a risk of environmental contamination, requiring strict handling guidelines and limiting the prevalence of cyclohexanone in sensitive industrial environments. Regulatory Pressures on Petrochemical Derivatives- Increasingly stringent environmental regulations around petrochemicals in North America and Europe are forcing manufacturers to seek greener alternatives to chemicals like cyclohexanone. Very well could limit the use of cyclohexanone in favour of bio-based or sustainable chemical substitutes. Increasingly stringent environmental regulations around petrochemicals in North America and Europe are forcing manufacturers to seek greener alternatives to chemicals like cyclohexanone. Very well could limit the use of cyclohexanone in favour of bio-based or sustainable chemical substitutes. Volatility Associated with Price of Raw Materials- The price for cyclohexanone is market driven, based largely on crude oil and benzene prices. Volatility in global oil prices creates significant uncertainty regarding cost of production and profitability, leading to reluctance for investment into cyclohexanone-based production for the future. Cyclohexanone Market Segmentation Insights Application Insights What Made Caprolactam the Dominant Segment in the Cyclohexanone Market in 2024? The caprolactam segment dominated the market in 2024, due very heavy consumption in producing nylon-6, which is used extensively in textiles, automotive parts, and industrial end-uses. This dominance will persist due to increasing universal demand for lightweight automotive materials and durable textiles. Caprolactam's involvement in numerous industrial supply chains, coupled with consistent production of fibers and engineering plastics, highlights a consistent demand for cyclohexanone as an essential raw material which continues to position caprolactam's production as the strongest player in the application segment. The solvents segment is anticipated to grow rapidly in the market during the forecast period, as the material is increasingly being used as an industrial and chemical solvent in paints, coatings, dyes, and pesticides, given its excellent solubility and evaporation characteristics. There is growing demand for high-performance paint and coatings in the construction and automotive industries, which is contributing to demand for solvents. Of note is the rising demand for pesticides in agriculture that boosts demand for solvents. There are also environmental regulations that are driving the shift towards safer and more effective solvents. All these factors are likely to help grow the solvents segment rapidly. Cyclohexanone Market Volume Share, By Application 2024-2034 (%) By Application Market Volume Share, 2024 (%) Market Volume- 2024 (Million Tons ) Market Volume Share, 2034 (%) Market Volume- 2034 (Million Tons ) CAGR(2025 - 2034) Caprolactum Production 2.86 57.46 % 3.59 55.37 % 2.31 % Adipic Acid Production 1.25 25.21 % 1.76 27.21 % 3.48 % Solvents 0.50 10.01 % 0.73 11.21 % 3.86 % Pharmaceuticals & Others 0.36 7.32 % 0.40 6.21 % 1.01 % Total 4.97 100 % 6.48 100 % 2.69 % Grade Insights Which Grade Segment is Dominating the Cyclohexanone Market in 2024? Technical grade segment dominated the market in 2024, as it is used explicitly for industrial purposes at moderate purity levels. This grade also achieves a balance of being cost-effective while providing practical performance in various formulations, works with sufficient remaining range of functionality, and is compatible with various downstream applications. These factors, along with being easy to manipulate, make this a great choice for industrial processes on large scales in both developed and developing economies. Reagent grade segment is anticipated to show fastest growth in the market during the forecast period, due to factors like its stated purity and increasing demand for laboratory and analytical applications worldwide. This highest purity grade type of cyclohexanone is useful for scientific research, analytic testing, and chemical reactions that require precision due to the extremely high purity levels. As pharmaceutical and biotech research continue to grow worldwide, particularly in developing economies, so is the demand for solvents like reagent-grade cyclohexanone due to the need for accountability and high reliability. Global Cyclohexanone Market Volume Share, By Grade 2024- 2034 (%) By Grade Market Volume Share, 2024 (%) Market Volume - 2024 (Million Tons ) Market Volume Share, 2034 (%) Market Volume - 2034 (Million Tons ) CAGR(2025 - 2034) Industrial Grade 0.46 92.79 % 0.67 91.68 % 3.73 % Pharmaceutical Grade 0.04 7.21 % 0.06 8.32 % 5.36 % Total 0.50 100 % 0.73 100 % 3.86 % Regional Insights The Asia Pacific cyclohexanone market was valued at 2.55 million tons in 2024 and is projected to reach 3.53 million tons by 2034, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.31% from 2025 to 2034. Asia Pacific dominated the cyclohexanone market in 2024, owing to the fast growth of industries and some of the largest nylon manufacturers. Demand in the market was buoyed by booming chemical and textile production from countries that have expanding infrastructure and automotive manufacturing. Alongside the low-cost labor, ease of access to key raw materials, and continued growth and domestic consumption of nylon-based products, provides a good outlook for the region. China Market Trend China is the main and largest contributor to the market in Asia Pacific, owing to its chemical manufacturing capacity and growing downstream activity for caprolactam and adipic acid. The country has some of the largest producers along with major production capacities and is also one of the largest exporters of cyclohexanone and relevant intermediates. In China, there is also considerable government support for industrial modernization alongside an increase in investments into refining and chemicals complexes which provide the country with a competitive edge in exporting the product. Why Europe showing up as the Fastest Growing Region in Cyclohexanone? Europe expects the significant growth in the cyclohexanone market during the forecast period, primarily due to demand related to premium automotive and construction applications. While not the largest market, Europe is still significant due to advanced production capabilities and commitment to regulatory and legal frameworks that promote innovations in chemicals. European has legacy production facilities as well as growing trends in reshoring industrial activity. Behavioural change driven by usage of engineered plastics, coatings and the like, from cyclohexanone, primarily for industrial and consumer products is driving growth. Global Cyclohexanone Market Volume Share, By Region 2024 - 2034 (%) By Region Market Volume Share, 2024 (%) Market Volume- 2024 (Million Tons ) Market Volume Share, 2034 (%) Market Volume- 2034 (Million Tons ) CAGR(2025 - 2034) North America 0.81 16.21 % 0.98 15.12 % 1.98 % Europe 1.05 21.21 % 1.24 19.11 % 1.62 % Asia Pacific 2.55 51.27 % 3.53 54.46 % 3.31 % Latin America 0.26 5.21 % 0.40 6.21 % 4.51 % Middle East & Africa 0.30 6.10 % 0.33 5.10 % 0.87 % Total 4.97 100 % 6.48 100 % 2.69 % Recent Development In January 2025: Cyclohexanone prices hold steady in the U.S. and Europe, with post-holiday market malaise dampening demand, and suppliers' prices remaining constant as inventories had stabilized throughout the holiday season. More Insights in Towards Chem and Materials: Specialty Polymer Market : The global specialty polymer market volume was estimated at 17.71 million tons in 2024 and is predicted to increase from 19.25 million tons in 2025 to approximately 40.7 million tons by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 8.67% from 2025 to 2034. The global was estimated at 17.71 million tons in 2024 and is predicted to increase from 19.25 million tons in 2025 to approximately 40.7 million tons by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 8.67% from 2025 to 2034. Fluoropolymers Market : The global fluoropolymers market volume is calculated at 639.21 kilo tons in 2024, grew to 688.89 kilo tons in 2025 and is predicted to hit around 1351.23 kilo tons by 2034, expanding at healthy CAGR of 7.77% between 2025 and 2034. The global is calculated at 639.21 kilo tons in 2024, grew to 688.89 kilo tons in 2025 and is predicted to hit around 1351.23 kilo tons by 2034, expanding at healthy CAGR of 7.77% between 2025 and 2034. Water Treatment Polymers Market : The global water treatment polymers market volume was valued at 8,323.10 kilotons in 2024 and is estimated to reach around 15,477.50 kilotons by 2034, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.40% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034. The was valued at 8,323.10 kilotons in 2024 and is estimated to reach around 15,477.50 kilotons by 2034, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.40% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034. Bioresorbable Polymers Market : The global bioresorbable polymers market volume accounted for 1,121.0 kilotons in 2024 and is predicted to increase from 1,267.9 kilotons in 2025 to approximately 3,839.1 kilotons by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 13.10% from 2025 to 2034. The accounted for 1,121.0 kilotons in 2024 and is predicted to increase from 1,267.9 kilotons in 2025 to approximately 3,839.1 kilotons by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 13.10% from 2025 to 2034. Ammonium Sulfate Market : The global ammonium sulfate market size was valued at USD 3.51 billion in 2024 and is estimated to hit around USD 6.5 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.35% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034. Cyclohexanone Market Competitive Landscape Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GSFC)- Only Indian manufacturer, 235 tpd (7 kt/month) capacity; purity 99.7% for caprolactam and adipic acid; meets local demand of 1015 kt/month with imports supplementing Only Indian manufacturer, 235 tpd (7 kt/month) capacity; purity 99.7% for caprolactam and adipic acid; meets local demand of 1015 kt/month with imports supplementing Asahi Kasei Corporation- Tier-1 global player (40 % toptier share); integrated downstream caprolactam production; contributes through efficient, vertically integrated supply chains Tier-1 global player (40 % toptier share); integrated downstream caprolactam production; contributes through efficient, vertically integrated supply chains BASF- Leading global producer (1012 % global capacity); produces standard and high-purity grades for pharmaceuticals & solvents; strong European hub via Ludwigshafen Leading global producer (1012 % global capacity); produces standard and high-purity grades for pharmaceuticals & solvents; strong European hub via Ludwigshafen Domo Chemicals- Recognized Tier-1 producer (part of top 810), linked to caprolactam downstream integration in Europe Recognized Tier-1 producer (part of top 810), linked to caprolactam downstream integration in Europe Ostchem- Listed as key player; serves Eastern Europe through fertilizer/caprolactam value chains Listed as key player; serves Eastern Europe through fertilizer/caprolactam value chains Fibrant- Tier-1 Dutch producer of caprolactam-linked cyclohexanone, contributing to top 40% global share Tier-1 Dutch producer of caprolactam-linked cyclohexanone, contributing to top 40% global share Shreeji Chemicals.- Indian regional/niche suppliers; import and distribute industrial/technical grades domestically Indian regional/niche suppliers; import and distribute industrial/technical grades domestically Qingdao Hisea Chem Co., Ltd.- Chinese supplier supporting domestic caprolactam/adipic acid production; part of Asias growing cyclohexanone capacity Chinese supplier supporting domestic caprolactam/adipic acid production; part of Asias growing cyclohexanone capacity LUXI GROUP- Expanded capacity by 300 kt in 2024; key contributor to Chinas 10.9 Mt total cyclohexanone output Expanded capacity by 300 kt in 2024; key contributor to Chinas 10.9 Mt total cyclohexanone output Chang Chun Group- Taiwan-based chemical producer; serves caprolactam and plasticizer markets Taiwan-based chemical producer; serves caprolactam and plasticizer markets UBE Corporation- Japanese specialist (45% global share); produces ultra-pure grades (CYKETONE) for electronics and pharmaceuticals Cyclohexanone Market Top Key Companies: Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GSFC) Asahi Kasei Corporation BASF Domo Chemicals Ostchem Fibrant Shreeji Chemicals. JIGCHEM UNIVERSAL ARIHANT SOLVENTS AND CHEMICALS Qingdao Hisea Chem Co., Ltd. LUXI GROUP Chang Chun Group UBE Corporation Cyclohexanone Market Report Segmentation This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2019 to 2034. For this study, Towards Chem and Materials has segmented the global Cyclohexanone Market By Application Caprolactam Adipic Acid Solvents Paints & Dyes Agriculture Others By Grade Technical Grade Reagent Grade By Regional North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East Africa Immediate Delivery Available | Buy This Premium Research Report@ https://www.towardschemandmaterials.com/price/5583 About Us Towards Chem and Materials is a leading global consulting firm specializing in providing comprehensive and strategic research solutions across the chemical and materials industries. With a highly skilled and experienced consultant team, we offer a wide range of services designed to empower businesses with valuable insights and actionable recommendations. USA: +1 804 441 9344 APAC: +61 485 981 310 or +91 87933 22019 Europe: +44 7383 092 044 Email: sales@towardschemandmaterials.com Irving, TX, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Flow Technologies (UFT), a leading provider of solutions in the municipal water and wastewater markets and a portfolio company of H.I.G. Capital, today announced the strategic acquisitions of BissNuss Inc. and Heyward Inc. These additions significantly strengthen UFTs presence in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, advancing its strategy to deepen regional capabilities. UFT Acquires BissNuss and Heyward Both BissNuss and Heyward provide decades of experience and a legacy of representing top-tier water, wastewater, and industrial treatment solutions. Each company will continue operating independently under its current leadership and team, solidifying continuity for customers and partners. Heyward and BissNuss deliver outstanding reputations and deep regional expertise that make them a natural fit for the UFT platform. We are excited to welcome their teams and continue growing together in service to our clients, said Matt Hart, CEO of United Flow Technologies. Heyward Heyward Incorporated, established in 1908, is a leading manufacturer's representative specializing in process equipment for water and wastewater treatment across the Mid-Atlantic United States. Heyward offers expert technical sales and service support, ensuring cost-effective solutions and ongoing local support throughout the equipment's lifecycle. Serving municipalities, industries, and developers, Heyward provides a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality process equipment tailored to meet diverse water treatment needs. It is truly an honor and a privilege to join such a talented group of professionals that share the same core values and principles as we have built Heyward Inc on since its founding, said Jim Chastain. www.heywardinc.com. BissNuss BissNuss Inc., with over 35 years of industry experience, specializes in providing process and chemical feed equipment for municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment applications. Serving regions including Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky, the company offers tailored solutions to meet diverse client needs. "We are incredibly excited to join forces with United Flow Technologies," stated Ken Rogozinski of BissNuss Inc. "This partnership will allow us to utilize UFT's extensive resources and capabilities, further enhancing our ability to provide top-notch water and wastewater treatment solutions to our clients. www.bissnuss.com. United Flow Technologies United Flow Technologies is a market leader in process and equipment solutions for the municipal and industrial water and wastewater markets. Established by H.I.G. Capital, UFT is dedicated to building a market-leading company through strategic acquisitions and organic growth. With a focus on innovation, excellence, and customer service, UFT delivers high-quality products and services that drive long-term value for clients across the United States. For more information, visit www.uft.com. UFT Portfolio Companies About United Flow Technologies United Flow Technologies is a platform established in July 2021 to invest in the municipal and industrial water and wastewater market. UFT has partnered with market leading businesses, MISCOwater, Tesco Controls, The Henry P. Thompson Company, Shape Incorporated, EES, Newman Regency Group, Southwest Valve and Equipment, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota Pump Works, Hydro Controls, Municipal Valve Company, The TDH Company, Moss Kelley, Quality Controls, GP Jager, BissNuss and Heyward to create a national provider of process, pump, automation & control, and other equipment solutions. And were just getting started making strategic partnerships to provide clean water across the country! Press inquiries United Flow Technologies https://www.uft.com/ UFT Media Relations info@uft.com 8000 Jetstar Dr. Suite 150 Irving, TX 75063 HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upwards of 200 people attended a rally today at Province House to show solidarity with Out of the Cold (OTC) community service workers. The workers and their union, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2, are calling on the Houston Government take three steps. First, require the new service provider to offer employment to the existing experienced workers that have fostered relationships with residents. Second, respect the workers collective bargaining agreement; and third, meet with the workers to plan a transition that will keep the community safe, respects workers and the needs of the people living in the Out of the Cold facilities. The actions of the provincial government to abruptly close Out of the Cold are appalling, said Julie Brown. The sudden and unexpected closure that took place last Tuesday was undignified for our team and residents we serve. There was no need for it. Brown, a Resident Support Worker, had been working at Out of the Cold since the spring of 2022, when the OTC first opened. On July 8, Houstons Government left 42 workers jobless without notice as it suddenly shut down Out of the Cold operations. OTC had been running two modular supportive housing sites, one on Cogswell Street in Halifax and the other on Church Street in Dartmouth. At the time of the abrupt closure, 60 residents were being housed. Carlo Cininni was a Resident Support Worker at the Dartmouth site and had been at OTC since June 2023. He was enjoying a day off, unaware of the events unfolding at his workplace. The Dartmouth site was given only 15 minutes to vacate the premises. Some of my colleagues were threatened with arrest if we went past that time, said Cininni. My colleagues were told that they could not say goodbye to clients. It was a traumatizing experience for my co-workers. The workers are not refuting concerns around mismanagement, but say that if mismanagement was the concern, this is not the way to go about fixing the situation. As a Union, we were actively invested and organizing towards improving the workplace, said Cininni. I am proud of the work we did. What message is the government sending about how it values workers and the most vulnerable in the province by abruptly laying off unionized housing workers during a housing and cost-of-living crisis? asked Cininni. We were helping keep people off the street, indoors and providing a safe space for clients, said Austin Hitz, a Resident Support Worker at the Halifax site since June of 2022. Workers shouldn't be punished for what the Houston Government says is mismanagement. Many at the rally expressing solidarity work in nearby shelters and supportive housing efforts. Amongst them was Shannon Power, an employee at Welcome Housing and a member of SEIU Local 2. Our message to the government-bosses that trampled on the livelihoods of 42 working families is simple: We are a union that fights back! said Power. She also announced the launch of a Workers Council that unifies housing workers within SEIU to organize powerfully, together. Although the OTC board published a statement saying that they will do everything to ensure that workers are fully paid for hours worked, vacation pay and severance, workers have not been provided concrete information. No one has spoken to them about what is happening with their health benefits or if there is a client transition plan. SEIU Local 2 represents 20,000 workers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. We are proud members of the largest, fastest growing and most dynamic union in North America. Media Contact: Diego Mendez 416-476-7762 dmendez@seiulocal2.ca Chicago, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global hemp fiber market was valued at US$ 5.78 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 30.13 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 20.12% during the forecast period 20252033. The global hemp fiber landscape demonstrates remarkable expansion, with industrial hemp cultivation now spanning more than 60 countries as of 2024. China maintains its position as the undisputed leader in hemp fiber production, generating an impressive output exceeding 73,000 metric tons in 2024. The nation's commitment to hemp cultivation is evident through its allocation of 27,000 hectares specifically for textile hemp production. Looking forward, Chinese hemp production projections indicate substantial growth, with estimates suggesting output will surge to nearly 117,000 metric tons by 2028, representing a significant increase from approximately 100,000 metric tons recorded in 2023. Get Instant Access to Sample Pages: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/hemp-fiber-market The concentration of production in the global hemp fiber market across leading nations is notable, with China, the Netherlands, and Canada collectively producing over 80,000 metric tons of refined hemp fiber in 2024. According to Textile Exchange reporting, the global hemp market achieved approximately 200,000 tons of fiber production in 2021, illustrating the industry's substantial scale. Emerging markets are also making significant contributions, particularly in India where the regions of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh cultivated hemp across over 12,000 acres in 2024, yielding 9,800 metric tons of fiber. Furthermore, Asian technological advancement is evident through Japan and South Korea's joint investment of $15 million into research and development of next-generation hemp textiles and bioplastics, signaling future innovation potential. Key Findings in Hemp Fiber Market Market Forecast (2033) US$ 30.13 billion CAGR 20.12% Largest Region (2024) North America (35%) By Fiber Type Bast Fiber (55%) By Application Textile (30%) By Distribution Channel Offline (78%) Top Drivers Corporate ESG mandates driving demand for sustainable industrial materials. Automotive and construction sectors need lightweight, bio-based composite materials. Favorable agricultural policies and R&D funding for fiber processing. Top Trends Breakthroughs in cottonization tech for mainstream textile manufacturing adoption. Shift towards localized processing to reduce reliance on Asian manufacturing. Strategic investments in decortication capacity and value-added product innovation. Top Challenges Insufficient decortication infrastructure creates a major processing supply chain bottleneck. Intense price competition from established natural and synthetic fiber markets. Inconsistent quality standards and lack of standardized fiber grading systems. United States Hemp Fiber Industry: Market Volatility Reveals Dramatic Price Corrections and Production Shifts The United States hemp fiber market experienced significant transformations in 2024, characterized by increased production volumes alongside dramatic price corrections. The total value of all industrial hemp produced in the U.S., including crops grown in open fields and under protection, reached $445 million in 2024. Specifically focusing on fiber hemp grown in open fields, U.S. production reached an estimated 60.4 million pounds, with farmers successfully selling a record 59 million pounds during the year. The cultivation footprint expanded considerably, with fiber hemp harvested across 18,855 acres in 2024, representing a substantial increase from 2023's 12,106 acres when production stood at 49.1 million pounds. Despite increased production volumes, the hemp fiber market experienced severe pricing pressure. The most striking development was the precipitous decline in average sale prices for U.S. fiber hemp, plummeting to just $0.19 per pound in 2024. This represents a dramatic decrease from $1.50 per pound in 2021 and $1.38 per pound in 2022, indicating significant market oversupply or shifting demand dynamics. The total value of hemp grown specifically for fiber reached $11.2 million in 2024. Yield performance showed some volatility, with average yields for fiber hemp grown outdoors estimated at 3,205 pounds per acre in 2024, down from 4,053 pounds per acre in 2023. Vermont research trials highlighted the potential of specific varieties like 'Futura 83', which previously yielded over 3,300 pounds of grain per acre. European Hemp Fiber Industry: France Leads Continental Production While Netherlands Shows Remarkable Growth Europe's hemp fiber market demonstrates robust growth trajectories, with France maintaining its position as the continental powerhouse. The European Union witnessed substantial expansion in hemp cultivation, with total area growing from 22,010 hectares in 2016 to 32,250 hectares by 2022. This agricultural expansion translated into significant production increases, with total EU hemp production rising from 97,130 tons in 2015 to 177,430 tons in 2022. France's dominance in the European market is unequivocal, producing over 121,720 tons in 2022, which constitutes an impressive 78% of the EU's total output. The nation's commitment to hemp cultivation extends across approximately 20,000 hectares of land dedicated to all types of hemp cultivation, with at least 2,500 hectares specifically allocated to textile-grade hemp production in 2024. The Netherlands emerges as a rapidly growing player in the European hemp fiber market, demonstrating remarkable expansion rates. Dutch hemp cultivation area increased dramatically from 1,976 hectares in 2023 to an estimated 3,440 hectares in 2024, representing nearly 74% growth year-over-year. This expansion in cultivation area corresponded with substantial harvest increases, with the Netherlands' hemp harvest predicted to reach 25,120 tons in 2024, rising significantly from 13,640 tons in 2023. This 84% increase in harvest volume suggests improved yields and growing farmer confidence in hemp as a viable agricultural commodity, positioning the Netherlands as an increasingly important contributor to European hemp fiber supply. Hemp Fiber Consumption by Sector: Textiles Lead While Construction and Automotive Applications Accelerate Industrial hemp fiber consumption patterns reveal diverse sectoral demand, with the textile industry serving as the primary driver in the hemp fiber market. The global textile industry's appetite for hemp fiber reached 55,000 metric tons in 2024, with broader textile segment consumption exceeding 60,000 tons. This demand translated into over 34,000 metric tons of hemp fabric entering the global supply chain during 2024, demonstrating the material's growing acceptance in fashion and textile manufacturing. The construction sector emerged as another significant consumer, utilizing over 20,000 tons of hemp fiber in 2023 for applications including hempcrete and insulation materials. European construction particularly embraced hemp-based products, consuming over 22,000 tons in 2023. The versatility of hemp fiber market extends into specialized applications, with 43,000 metric tons of hemp hurds deployed in housing construction projects across France, Germany, and Canada in 2023. The automotive industry consumed approximately 7,100 tons of hemp fiber in 2024 for various components, highlighting the material's appeal for lightweight, sustainable automotive parts. Bio-composite applications showed strong growth, with over 12,000 metric tons utilized in 2024, while global consumption of hemp bio-composites exceeded 13,000 metric tons. Traditional applications persist, with paper manufacturing processing over 15,500 tons of hemp pulp in 2023. Hemp tow, consisting of shorter fibers from processing, represented a substantial volume of over 26,500 metric tons globally in 2024, indicating efficient utilization of processing byproducts. Import Export and Trade Value: Complex International Networks Reveal Growing Cross Border Commerce International trade patterns in hemp fiber market reveal an increasingly interconnected global market with complex supply chains crossing multiple continents. The United States emerged as both an importer and exporter of hemp fibers in 2024, with exports valued at $2.46 million. Primary export destinations included Switzerland receiving $1.7 million worth of U.S. hemp fibers, followed by the United Kingdom at $225,000, Brazil at $211,000, and Canada at $58,600. Simultaneously, the U.S. imported $2.19 million of hemp fibers, primarily sourcing from Canada at $838,000, Germany at $555,000, the Netherlands at $402,000, and France at $300,000. This bidirectional trade flow suggests market specialization and quality differentiation driving international commerce. European trade dynamics showed Spain emerging as a significant exporter in the hemp fiber market, with hemp fiber exports valued at 4.91 million in 2024. France dominated as Spain's primary export destination, receiving 4.21 million worth of Spanish hemp fiber, indicating strong intra-European trade relationships. China's position in global markets extended beyond production dominance, with hemp exports to nearly six countries valued at over USD 2.5 million in 2024. According to UN COMTRADE data from 2022, global exports of hemp fibers and yarn reached approximately $50 million, suggesting substantial growth potential. April 2025 projections indicate continued U.S. market activity with expected exports of $330,000 and imports of $162,000 for the month, demonstrating ongoing market vitality. Request an Expert Consultation to Discuss the Report: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/expert-call/hemp-fiber-market Innovations and Future Developments: Automotive Giants Pioneer Sustainable Materials While Technology Advances Processing The hemp fiber market stands at the cusp of technological transformation, with major automotive manufacturers leading sustainable innovation initiatives. Volkswagen's commitment to environmental sustainability manifests through active development of a groundbreaking interior surface material composed of 100% bio-based industrial hemp. This innovative material targets potential implementation in vehicle projects starting from 2028, signaling a significant shift toward renewable automotive components. The initiative represents more than product development; it exemplifies how established industries can pivot toward sustainable alternatives while maintaining performance standards. Volkswagen's timeline suggests careful development and testing phases, ensuring the hemp-based materials meet stringent automotive industry requirements for durability, safety, and consumer acceptance. French innovation contributes significantly to automotive applications through Automotive Performance Materials' development of NAFILean, a polypropylene composite containing 20% hemp designed specifically for interior car components. This biocomposite material demonstrates the potential for hemp to partially replace petroleum-based plastics while maintaining necessary mechanical properties. The 20% hemp content represents a balanced approach, combining sustainability benefits with proven material performance. These automotive sector developments indicate broader industrial acceptance of hemp as a viable raw material for high-value applications. The focus on interior components suggests initial market entry strategies targeting less structurally critical applications, potentially paving the way for expanded use as confidence in hemp-based materials grows through real-world testing and consumer feedback. Global Hemp Fiber Market Major Players: HempFlax Ecofibre Limited Plantaze BaFa Neu GmbH Dunagro EnviroTextiles Hemp Inc. Valchanov Hemp Hemp Horizon Pvt. Ltd. Other Prominent Players Key Market Segmentation: By Fiber Type Bast Fiber Hurd Fiber By Application Textile Automotive Construction & Materials Pulp & Paper Others By Sales Channel Offline Direct Sales Distributors Online Retail By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East Africa South America Looking for Country-Level or Section-Wise Data? Customize This Report: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ask-for-customization/hemp-fiber-market About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global market research and advisory firm providing data-driven insights across industries such as technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and more. We publish multiple reports daily, equipping businesses with the intelligence they need to navigate market trends, emerging opportunities, competitive landscapes, and technological advancements. With a team of experienced business analysts, economists, and industry experts, we deliver accurate, in-depth, and actionable research tailored to meet the strategic needs of our clients. At Astute Analytica, our clients come first, and we are committed to delivering cost-effective, high-value research solutions that drive success in an evolving marketplace. Contact Us: Astute Analytica Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) For Sales Enquiries: sales@astuteanalytica.com Website: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ Follow us on: LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Livonia, Michigan , July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Serenity Nails and Spa, a Michigan-based spa, announces its 10-year celebration, providing restorative and beautifying services for the ultimate unwinding experience. Built on the ethos of passion and spirituality, the spa provides a tranquil space offering a comprehensive set of services rooted in holistic self-care. Serenity Nails and Spa Founded by Janan Kaoud, Serenity Nails and Spa has stood as a quiet force of healing and beauty in a world where self-care is often neglected. Unlike a polished roadmap or a structured business plan, Serenity Spa was born from something much more personal: a whisper from within, or a divine nudge, as Kaoud describes it. After years of working under someones roof, helping others build their dreams, Kaoud began to recognize her own light. A light that reflected her desire to build a space of her own, where she could fulfill her purpose. Everywhere I turned, there was a door that was closed for me, Kaoud says. I had to open my door myself. I did all the steps I had to do. It was hard, but eventually the shop was built from scratch. The walls, the floors, everything. From the moment Serenity opened its doors, it reflected Kaouds belief, which was rooted in the divinity of the human body. This belief pervaded not only her services but also the spas interiors. The 1,400 square-foot spa was carefully created to offer clients more than just services. With earthy tones, soft lighting, and calming music that soothes the mind, body, and soul, Serenity aims to create a sense of peace that lingers long after appointments end. People come here to feel something, Kaoud says, Weve created a space that doesnt judge anyone. Were here to serve, to comfort, to care, and to create a moment that feels safe. Over the years, Serenity has quietly grown into a haven for women and men alike. From specialized nail care to skincare, each treatment is offered with intention. Clients frequently leave glowing, not just because of the facials or manicures, but because their spirits feel more whole. So many people come in with low self-esteem, Kaoud reflects. And Ive always tried to find the beauty in everybody, no matter how they look. So, to be able to build someone up, help them see themselves in the way I do, even in small ways, is precious. Fueled by this belief and an unwavering faith in the universes plan, Kaoud has set her vision for Serenitys next chapter. As the spa steps into its second decade, its preparing to expand into a full-fledged wellness center, offering medical-grade treatments while preserving the zen-like warmth and tranquil minimalism that sets it apart. A lot of med spas feel clinical and cold. White walls, white furniture, sterile energy, she adds. I want to change that and create an inviting atmosphere, one that embodies comfort with quality. Among the innovations Kaoud is investing in is the T-Shape 2, a non-invasive machine that helps reduce body fat, smooth cellulite, and tighten skin through radiofrequency energy and lymphatic drainage. Shes also exploring advanced IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments for acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and broken capillaries, as well as hair reduction technology that is safe and effective for all skin tones. I want everyone who walks through our door to feel seen, she says. To know theres something here that was chosen with them in mind, allowing them to have that bespoke experience. But Kaouds ambitions go beyond equipment. She dreams of growing her team with people who align with her vision. You cant grow alone. Ive done so much by myself, and Im grateful, but now I see that having the right people around is everything. At the center of Serenity lies Kaouds sense of spirituality. While her journey so far hasnt been without its fair share of struggles, she credits her fortitude and unfettered tenacity to her faith and to her mother, Sylvia, who believed in her before she could believe in herself. My mom always said, You can do it. She pushed me when I needed it the most, and my faith carried me through it, she adds. Looking ahead, Kaoud envisions multiple locations, each one embedded in the same values of rejuvenation, care, and transformation, crafting more services that cater to the whole body. After a decade of evoking satisfaction, relaxation, and peace within clients, Serenity reaffirms that its more than a spa. Its a testament to resilience, to divine timing, and most importantly, to the power of the woman who listened to her calling. As Serenity begins its next chapter, one thing remains certain: Kaoud has created something sacred. And for the countless lives her work has touched, that makes all the difference. Media Contact: Name: Janan Kaoud Email: serenitynails1@yahoo.com EXETER, N.H., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Goodwin Recruiting, a leading national firm known for high-impact talent acquisition and executive search, is proud to announce an exclusive partnership with Jacobs P.C., a rapidly growing corporate bankruptcy and commercial litigation law firm based in New York City. Spearheaded by Ghali Asad, Area Director at Goodwin Recruiting, this collaboration is designed to strategically support Jacobs P.C. as it continues building out its exceptional team of litigators, partners, and legal professionals. Founded by Leo Jacobs, Jacobs P.C. has quickly established itself as a bold alternative to traditional Am Law firms, representing clients in corporate bankruptcy, high-profile turnarounds, and high stakes commercial and real estate litigation matters along with white collar and regulatory issues. With a prime Fifth Avenue office, a dynamic client roster, and a highly entrepreneurial culture, the firm is attracting top legal talent seeking autonomy, visibility, and impact. Jacobs P.C. is doing something truly different - theyre not trying to mimic Big Law, said Ghali Asad. Theyre building a firm for attorneys who want real ownership over their careers, meaningful mentorship, and the support to do their best work. Were thrilled to help them scale intentionally and sustainably. With 20+ years in executive search and millions in successful hires, Ghali brings deep expertise in recruiting legal talent across every level and practice area. In this partnership, Goodwin Recruiting will lead a unique hiring strategy that includes: Targeted searches for partner-level attorneys with portable practices Mid-to-senior litigation associate placements Custom marketing campaigns and dedicated recruiting portals High-touch vetting to ensure cultural and strategic alignment Our focus is not just on filling seats, said Leo Jacobs. Its about building a lasting organization. Working with Ghali and the Goodwin team gives us access to a broader network of exceptional talent - people who want to be part of something different. The partnership reflects a shared commitment between Goodwin Recruiting and Jacobs P.C. to hire with purpose and build a world-class legal team ready to take on the most sophisticated matters. To inquire about open roles or schedule a confidential conversation, visit: GoodwinRecruiting.com/recruiter/Ghali-Asad About Goodwin Recruiting Goodwin Recruiting (Forbes Americas Best Recruiting Firms 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 & 25) is a leading recruiting firm and 2025 Inc. Best Workplace that has been connecting top talent with amazing opportunities since 1999. Their expert team brings hands-on experience to every search, helping clients and candidates thrive. With a focus on management and executive roles, their team works to build meaningful, long-lasting partnerships one successful match at a time. About Jacobs P.C. Jacobs P.C. is a boutique corporate bankruptcy and commercial litigation law firm with over 100 years of combined experience. Dedicated to advocating for businesses facing complex challenges, Jacobs P.C. provides innovative solutions to overcome even the toughest legal and business obstacles. From the outset, the firms practical, results-oriented approach focuses on delivering immediate relief from legal pressures while building strategic, long-term pathways for clients to regain control and achieve their ideal outcomes. Jacobs P.C. leverages negotiation, mediation, settlement, advocacy, and motion practice to establish clear advantages for clients, helping them navigate and resolve disputes effectively. For more information, visit www.jacobspc.com. Media Contact jbattershell@goodwinrecruiting.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2e93f816-3548-4406-ae19-0a3e958c327c MILWAUKEE, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) , a leading provider of personalized loan solutions, is proud to announce the expanded access of its services to more customers throughout southern Wisconsin. In the past 30 days alone, Lendmark has opened four new branches in the communities of Delavan, Janesville, Madison, and Menomonee Falls, as part of the companys long-term plans to strengthen its presence in the Midwest and meet the growing consumer demand for relationship-focused financial solutions. These recent branch openings bring Lendmarks presence in Wisconsin to 16 locations, since entering the Badger State less than two years ago, and reaffirm the companys commitment to supporting the financial well-being of individuals and families throughout the state with plans to continue this momentum in the months ahead. Each branch is expected to serve hundreds of customers, retailers and auto dealerships in the first year, with the Delavan branch located at 1741 E. Geneva Street, Suite 100; the Janesville branch at 2610 E. Milwaukee Street; the Madison branch at 1 Dempsey Road, Suite 4; and the Menomonee Falls branch at N95 W18394 County Line Road. Respectively, Branch Managers Meagan Sweeney, Amy Koch, Rebecca Rogers, and Christina Muskin will oversee the daily operations of their branches, each focused on building strong personal relationships with customers and the surrounding community. Were excited to continue growing across the beautiful state of Wisconsin while proudly serving these hard-working communities that reflect the true spirit of the Midwest, said Mike McIntire, Vice President of Branch Operations at Lendmark. Grounded in genuine care and compassion, our number one priority is ensuring Wisconsin residents experience unmatched service and guidance from our local branch teams, with personalized loan terms tailored to meet their specific financial needs. In addition to serving consumers directly, Lendmark provides financing solutions for thousands of retailers and independent auto dealerships, allowing these businesses customers to obtain Lendmark financing. Local businesses that are interested in partnering with Lendmark to provide financing solutions for their customers should visit the branch or call the desired location: Delavan: 262-725-8008; Janesville: 608-352-6272; Madison: 608-866-9988; Menomonee Falls: 262-293-6166. Lendmarks Climb to Cure is its signature cause-related initiative. The company has committed to raising $10 million by 2025 to mark its 10-year anniversary partnering with CURE Childhood Cancer. So far, Lendmarks employees, partners and customers have raised more than $9 million to support CURE, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to funding targeted pediatric cancer research that is utilized nationwide. About Lendmark Financial Services Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) provides personal and household credit and loan solutions to consumers. Founded in 1996, Lendmark strives to be the lender, employer, and partner of choice by offering stability and helping consumers meet both planned and unplanned life events through affordable loan offerings. Today, Lendmark operates more than 525 branches in 22 states across the country, providing personalized services to customers and retail business partners with every transaction. Lendmark is headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga. For more information, visit www.lendmarkfinancial.com . Media Contact Jeff Hamilton Senior Manager, Corporate Communications jhamilton@lendmarkfinancial.com 678-625-3128 WINNIPEG, Manitoba, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arctic Gateway Group (AGG) is currently undertaking major infrastructure improvements at the Port of Churchill and along the Hudson Bay Railway. With expanded freight operations, new construction at the Port of Churchill, and upcoming port modernization projects, AGG is investing in long-term strength for Canadas Arctic trade corridor. The Port of Churchill is primed to become a major Canadian trade asset, said Chris Avery, CEO, Arctic Gateway Group. The investments we are making are setting the stage for a new era of growth and Northern economic activity, unlocking the trade and transportation potential of Canadas Arctic Trade Corridor to better serve the Canadian national interest. Expanded Freight Operations Now in Effect A second weekly wayfreight train is now operating along the Hudson Bay Railway, following successful efforts to train and hire new conductors for the Northern workforce. This expansion has also been made possible by years of investment in railway rehabilitation and new technologies that keep the railway strong and safe. The Hudson Bay Railway is now in its best condition in more than 30 years. This marks a new level of service and reliability along the line, said Avery. Weve reached this point by investing in the people and technologies needed to operate safely and reliably in Canadas North. AGGs investments in hiring and training local conductors and railway staff have deepened the companys workforce capacity, while partnerships with Canadian firms such as TrackSense by DecisionWorks and Aposys have brought new technologies into the field. These include ground-penetrating radar, LiDAR, drone inspections, GPS-tracked maintenance, land-based sensors, and artificial intelligence for data monitoring. New Critical Mineral Storage at the Port of Churchill Construction is now complete on a new critical mineral storage facility at the Port of Churchill. Once operational, it will triple the ports storage capacity for critical minerals, meeting growing demand from the Canadian mining sector and positioning Churchill as a key hub for resource exports. This facility can also support the storage needs of other commodities, such as certain types of potash. Manitoba, Nunavut and Western Canada hold vast amounts of critical minerals, said Avery. With more storage capabilities at the Port of Churchill we can better meet the needs of Canadian critical mineral producers looking for new, reliable trade routes. Port Modernization and Wharf Refacing In the coming months, major modernization work will begin at the Port of Churchill. Work this year includes the refacing of the wharf, ensuring long-term safety and operability as shipping traffic grows. These upgrades will enhance the Ports ability to handle bulk cargo efficiently and safely, and sets the Port up to further diversify export and import commodities. First Arctic Supply Ship The first Arctic supply ship of the 2025 season arrived at the Port of Churchill over the weekend, loading construction equipment, essential goods, and building materials to be exported to the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. AGG has a long-standing relationship with Kivalliq communities, with partnerships in place for expanded growth. Were focused on building a resilient transportation corridor that people in the Canadian North can rely on, one that also serves the trade, transportation, and security needs of a changing Arctic, said Avery. About Arctic Gateway Group The Arctic Gateway Group is a proudly Indigenous- and community-owned Manitoba company that owns and operates the Port of Churchill, Canadas only Arctic seaport serviced by rail, as well as the Hudson Bay Railway, operating from The Pas to Churchill. Together this northern infrastructure forms the nexus of Canadas Arctic Trade Corridor, providing a reliable and efficient route for Canadian resources to access world markets. Beverly Hills California, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the latest episode of The Burnout Club, host Patrice Bonfiglio welcomes entrepreneur and culture-shaper Nikisha Bailey, Founder of Win Win Coffee, for an in-depth conversation on redefining ambition and building an industry from the ground up. From her rise to vice president at Atlantic Records to launching Philadelphias first Black woman-led coffee roaster, Bailey shares how she transformed burnout into a catalyst for purpose-driven success. Bailey describes her journey from the demanding corridors of the music industry to the equally complex world of coffee. I was always solving problems, always chipping away at that next step of my life, Bailey said. But I realized I was building someone elses dream. Leaving meant betting on myself. The decision led to Win Win Coffee, a mission-driven company that uses technology to streamline sourcing, pay global producers faster, and highlight coffees of the African diaspora. What began as a small Philadelphia shop blossomed into a brand that now partners directly with over 1,200 underrepresented coffee producers. Bailey recounted traveling deep into Colombia to buy coffee on the spot from Black, Indigenous, and women growersmany of whom had never sold directly to an international buyer. People were crying, praying. It was probably one of the most beautiful moments of my life, she said. Technology plays a pivotal role. Win Win Coffee leverages platforms like PayPals HyperWallet to pay producers instantly in U.S. dollars, cutting out the slow, often exploitative systems that dominate global supply chains. Technology isnt optional if you want to scale equity, Bailey explained. While her work is reshaping how coffee reaches consumers, Baileys story resonates far beyond the industry. She now teaches at Drexel University and serves as a trustee of The Recording Academy, still staying close to her music roots. Her advice for others considering bold pivots? If theres a will, theres a way. The way might be hard, but you have to figure out how to do hard things to function in life. About Nikisha Bailey: Founder of Win Win Coffee, a Forbes Next 1000 brand and Goldman Sachs 10KSB-featured vendor focused on ethically sourcing and roasting coffees of the African diaspora. A trustee of The Recording Academy and professor in Drexel Universitys Media Arts & Design Program, Bailey continues to shape industries through equity, storytelling, and fearless reinvention. About The Burnout Club: The Burnout Club Podcast is a community-driven platform that explores the intersection of professional success and burnout. Hosted by Patrice Bonfiglio, a seasoned hedge fund executive with nearly two decades of experience, the podcast delves into the realities of burnout in high-pressure environments. Media Communications: adamtorres@missionmatters.com Attachment Beverly Hills California, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Todd Vande Hei, CEO of Stark and host of the Health is a Skill podcast, sat down with experiential marketing entrepreneur Cara Kleinhaut to discuss how midlife can become the healthiest, most vibrant chapter yet. At 52, Kleinhaut runs her company, cooks farmers-market meals for her teenage daughters, surfs in Costa Rica, and recently summited Kilimanjaro all while embracing strength over the pursuit of being merely thin. During the episode, Kleinhaut opened up about shifting priorities as she entered perimenopause, moving practices like sleep, grounding, and walking meditation from someday to non-negotiables. The road gets narrower, Kleinhaut said. What worked before stops working, so things like sleep and recovery moved from the back burner to the front. Her conversation with Vande Hei covered topics ranging from learning the basics of muscle science and DEXA scans to discovering how glute strength could power her up a mountain. Discussing common fears among women around strength training, she noted, Its actually not so easy to get big. You have to work really hard to gain muscle. Even just the littlest bit, especially at our age, is about not losing it. Highlights from their discussion included: 80/20 Realism: Why enjoying wine and birthdays still fits into a sustainable health approach. Community as Bio-Hack: The role of purpose and human connection, inspired by her 94-year-old father who continues to volunteer. Advice to Younger Women: Encouragement for those in their building years juggling kids and careers to show themselves grace, trusting that small steps pay off later. Vande Hei added, Its not the intensity we do it, its the consistency. Doing a decent job every day is better than an amazing job sometimes. Listeners can hear the full conversation on Health is a Skill via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, and learn more about Starks integrative approach to health at stark.health, which specializes in personalized training, nutrition, and diagnostics. About Health Is a Skill Health is a Skill is a Los Angeles-based podcast hosted by Todd Vande Hei, CEO of Stark. Through expert interviews and personal stories, the show breaks down science-backed strategies and everyday habits that help listeners live stronger, longer lives. Media Communications adamtorres@missionmatters.com Mauro Micillo, Chief of the IMI CIB Division at Intesa Sanpaolo LONDON, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division of Intesa Sanpaolo hosted the conference Infrastructure and Growth Opportunities for Europe and the UK: Focus on the UK Infrastructure Strategy in London, bringing together institutions, companies and investors to discuss the growth prospects linked to the United Kingdoms new ten-year infrastructure plan. Intesa Sanpaolo is playing a catalytic role in supporting investments alongside institutions, corporates, funds and investors to support the key projects of the United Kingdoms new 10-year infrastructure plan. Financing sustainable infrastructure, while supporting the so-called twin transition (green and digital), will continue to be a strategic pillar of the IMI CIB Divisions strategy. Mauro Micillo, Chief of the IMI CIB Division at Intesa Sanpaolo The United Kingdoms Plan outlines investments of more than 846 billion between 2025 and 2035, centred on three strategic pillars: infrastructure works energy transition enhancement of social and environmental systems. The Conference stems from the belief that a constructive public-private dialogue is key to accelerating projects that strengthen the competitiveness of the United Kingdom and Europe. In 2024 alone, global project finance volumes surpassed 300 billion, with transactions involving Intesa Sanpaolos IMI CIB Division representing around 45 billion nearly 15% of the global total. IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Divisions Activities in the United Kingdom The London branch of Intesa Sanpaolos IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division serves as the main hub for the UK & MEA Region, which also includes operations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Istanbul. In 2024, total financing volumes for corporate and financial institution clients in the Region amounted to approximately 8.5 billion (as of 31/12/2024). Since 2023, the IMI CIB Division has participated in numerous international transactions originating in the United Kingdom, supporting transition and innovation, for a total value of approximately 11 billion. Key projects supported by the IMI CIB Division include: CO transport and storage Liverpool Bay T&S. Acquisition of National Grid Transmission by Macquarie AM. Renewables and energy efficiency operations with TRIG and SEEIT. These initiatives confirm the Intesa Sanpaolo Groups ongoing commitment to enabling sustainable and digital transformation, in line with the Groups 20222025 Business Plan Contact: international.media@intesasanpaolo.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a06e75ac-8a5b-4a97-abcc-b480cb22b9de SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that the Centene class action lawsuit captioned Lunstrum v. Centene Corporation, No. 25-cv-05659 (S.D.N.Y.) seeks to represent purchasers or acquirers of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) securities and charges Centene as well as certain of Centenes executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Centene class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-centene-corporation-class-action-lawsuit-cnc.html You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at info@rgrdlaw.com. Lead plaintiff motions for the Centene class action lawsuit must be filed with the court no later than September 8, 2025. CASE ALLEGATIONS: Centene is a healthcare enterprise that provides fully integrated services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on underinsured and uninsured individuals. The Centene class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period created the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to Centenes projected revenue outlook and anticipated growth while also touting enrollment rates and low morbidity. In truth, Centenes optimistic reports and promises regarding Centenes inflated guidance fell short of reality when a preliminary analysis of over two-thirds of Centenes marketplace share showed lower-than-anticipated enrollment and increased aggregate market morbidity, according to the complaint. The Centene class action lawsuit further alleges that, on July 1, 2025, Centene withdrew its 2025 guidance. Particularly, following an analysis of the 2025 Health Insurance Marketplace, Centenes overall market growth across 22 states, or 72% of Centenes marketplace membership, was lower than expected, according to the complaint. Centene also stated that this preliminary analysis resulted in a reduction of its previously issued guidance to approximately $1.8 billion or an adjusted diluted EPS of $2.75, the Centene class action lawsuit alleges. On this news, the price of Centene stock fell by more than 40%. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Centene securities during the class period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Centene 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 Centene class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Centene class action lawsuit. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Centene class action lawsuit. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the worlds leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder litigation. Our Firm has been ranked #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for four out of the last five years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. In 2024, we recovered over $2.5 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases more than the next five law firms combined, according to ISS. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs firms in the world, and the Firms attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever $7.2 billion in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal 655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101 800-449-4900 info@rgrdlaw.com TORONTO, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sintana Energy Inc. (TSX-V: SEI, OTCQX: SEUSF) (Sintana or the Company) is pleased to provide the following update regarding Petroleum Exploration License 79 (PEL 79) which governs blocks 2815 and 2915 located in Namibias Orange Basin. The joint venture partners of PEL 79 which include the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Pty) Ltd. (NAMCOR) and Giraffe Energy Investments (Pty) Ltd. (Giraffe), an entity in which Sintana maintains a 49% ownership interest, have been notified by the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy for the Republic of Namibia that a 12-month extension to the second renewal exploration period has been granted extending the current license period to July 2026. Giraffe is the owner of a 33% interest in PEL 79 and Namcor is the operator with a 67% interest. PEL 79 sits inboard of licenses operated by BW Energy, Rhino Resources and Shell. PEL 79 is attractively situated to deliver significant value through an existing prospect inventory underpinned by over 4,760 km of 2D seismic, 1,137 km2 of 3D seismic and 1 well with gas shows intersecting the Kudu source rock. Additionally, PEL 79 sits adjacent to an emerging microregional dynamic focused on oil-weighted prospectivity. Rhino Resources, operator of PEL 85 which sits directly outboard to the west of PEL 79, has drilled two wells including the Capricornus-1X discovery well which returned a flow test in excess of 11,000 barrels per day of light oil with limited associated gas from a 38-metre net oil-bearing reservoir. Additional drilling activity is expected to commence in Q3 initially targeting the Volans prospect, with up to two optional wells that could include appraisals. BW Energy has acquired 4,600 square kilometers of new 3D seismic over PEL 3, located directly west of PEL 79, and has moved to initiate an exploration and appraisal campaign including drilling the Kharas well located northwest of Kudu during H2 2025. We appreciate the leadership by our joint venture partner NAMCOR to secure the extension for PEL 79. Extending our exposure during a period of significant offset activity positions us to fully realize the significant geologic, commercial, and strategic value of PEL 79. said Robert Bose, Chairman of Giraffe and Chief Executive Officer of Sintana. The potential for high impact progress on PEL 79 adds to the prospect for significant developments across our Namibian offshore portfolio. We expect material progress on all our licenses over the coming quarters. he added. ABOUT SINTANA ENERGY: The Company is currently engaged in petroleum and natural gas exploration and development activities on five large, highly prospective, onshore and offshore petroleum exploration licenses in Namibia, and in Colombias Magdalena Basin. On behalf of Sintana Energy Inc., A. Robert Bose Chief Executive Officer For additional information or to sign-up to receive periodic updates about Sintanas projects, and corporate activities, please visit the Companys website at www.sintanaenergy.com Corporate Contacts: Investor Relations Advisor: Robert Bose Sean J. Austin Jonathan Paterson Chief Executive Officer Vice-President Founder & Managing Partner 212-201-4125 713-825-9591 Harbor Access 475-477-9401 Forward-Looking Statements Certain information in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intensions for the future, and include, but not limited to, statements with respect to potential future farmout agreements on PEL 83 and/or PEL 87, and proposed future exploration and development activities on PEL 83 and/or PEL 90 and neighbouring properties, statements as to the future prospectivity of KON-16, the closing of the proposed transaction with Corcel as presently proposed or at all, the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, as well as the prospective nature of the Companys property interests. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including, but not limited to risks relating to the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, results of exploration and development activities, the ability to source joint venture partners and fund exploration, permitting and government approvals, and other risks identified in the Companys public disclosure documents from time to time. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update such information, except as may be required by law. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8eb17490-3cee-45b5-8ff6-7e6c4d831c6b BRIDGEWATER, N.J., United States and BENGALURU, Karnataka, India, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), a fully integrated global biosimilars company and subsidiary of Biocon Ltd. (BSE code: 532523, NSE: BIOCON), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Kirsty (Insulin Aspart-xjhz), 100 units/mL as the first and only interchangeable* biosimilar to NovoLog (Insulin Aspart). KIRSTY is a rapid-acting human insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. KIRSTY will be available as a single-patient-use prefilled pen for subcutaneous use and a multiple-dose vial for subcutaneous and intravenous use. The FDA approval of KIRSTY expands Biocon Biologics biosimilar insulin portfolio, which also includes the first approved interchangeable biosimilar, Semglee (Insulin Glargine-yfgn Injection). KIRSTY has been available in Europe and Canada since 2022. Shreehas Tambe, CEO & Managing Director, Biocon Biologics Ltd., said: The FDA approval of Kirsty, the first and only interchangeable biosimilar rapid-acting Insulin Aspart in the U.S., is a significant step forward in our efforts to make insulin more accessible and affordable. It builds on the foundation we laid with Semglee, reinforcing our commitment to scientific excellence and patient-centric innovation. With Kirsty, we are expanding treatment choices for people living with diabetes and advancing our ambition to be a global leader in addressing unmet needs in diabetes care. There are 38.4 million people with diabetes in the United States, approximately 11.6 percent of the total population, with nearly a quarter of them being undiagnosed. An additional 97.6 million Americans have been identified as prediabetic.1 Sales of Insulin Aspart in the United States were approximately $1.9 billion in 2024, according to IQVIA. Biocon Biologics is a global leader in biosimilars and insulin production and is among the top three global players for rh- Insulin and Insulin Glargine, providing over 9.2 billion doses of insulin globally with a broad portfolio comprising basal, mixed and rapid acting insulins. The Company has achieved many firsts in the industry including the first to receive approval of biosimilar Trastuzumab in the United States, Ogivri, as well as Fulphila (bPegfilgrastim), and Semglee (bInsulin Glargine) in the United States. Globally, serving over 5.8M patients annually, Biocon Biologics has a comprehensive portfolio of in-market and in-development biosimilar products across multiple therapies, including eight in the United States and seven in Canada, with a robust portfolio of 20 biosimilar assets, including insulins and monoclonal antibodies spanning multiple therapy areas. * An interchangeable product (IP) is a biological product that is approved based on data demonstrating that it is highly similar to an FDA-approved reference product (RP) and that there are no clinically meaningful differences between the products; it can be expected to produce the same clinical result as the RP in any given patient; and if administered more than once to a patient, the risk in terms of safety or diminished efficacy from alternating or switching between use of the RP and IP is not greater than that from the RP without such alternation or switch. Interchangeability of KIRSTY has been demonstrated for the condition(s) of use, strength(s), dosage form(s), and route(s) of administration described in its Full Prescribing Information. About KIRSTY: The approval for KIRSTY was based on a comprehensive package of analytical, nonclinical and clinical data, which confirmed that KIRSTY is highly similar to NOVOLOG. The data demonstrated that there were no clinically meaningful differences between KIRSTY and NOVOLOG in terms of safety, efficacy, purity and potency. Important safety information: KIRSTY is contraindicated During episodes of hypoglycemia and patients with hypersensitivity to insulin aspart products or any of the excipients in KIRSTY. Warnings and Precautions: Never share a KIRSTY prefilled pen, needles or syringes between patients, even if the needle is changed. Hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia with changes in insulin regimen: changes to a patients insulin regimen (e.g., insulin strength, manufacturer, type, injection site or method of administration) should be under close medical supervision with increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring. Hypoglycemia: May be life-threatening. Increase frequency of glucose monitoring with changes to: insulin dosage, concomitantly administered glucose lowering medications, meal pattern, physical activity; and in patients with renal or hepatic impairments and hypoglycemia unawareness. Medication Errors: Accidental mix-ups between insulin products can occur. Instruct patients to check insulin labels before injection Hypersensitivity reactions: Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, may occur. Discontinue KIRSTY, treat, and monitor if indicated. Hypokalemia: May be life-threatening. Monitor potassium levels in patients at risk of hypokalemia and treat if indicated. Fluid retention and heart failure with concomitant use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs): Observe for signs and symptoms of heart failure; consider dosage reduction or discontinuation if heart failure occurs. Hyperglycemia and Ketoacidosis Due to Insulin Pump Device Malfunction: Monitor glucose and administer KIRSTY by subcutaneous injection if pump malfunction occurs. Please refer to full Prescribing Information for KIRSTY (Insulin Aspart-xjhz injection) for more information. KIRSTY is a trademark of Biocon Biologics Limited. SEMGLEE is a registered trademark of Biosimilars Newco Limited, a Biocon Biologics Company. Biocon Biologics & Logo are registered trademarks of Biocon Biologics Limited. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 1 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report. Accessed: January 28, 2025. Last Reviewed: May 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html About Biocon Biologics Limited: Biocon Biologics Limited, a subsidiary of Biocon Limited, is a unique, fully integrated, global biosimilars company committed to transforming healthcare and transforming lives. It is capitalizing on its lab to market capabilities to serve over 5.8 million patients across 120+ countries by enabling affordable access to high quality biosimilars. The Company is leveraging cutting-edge science, innovative tech platforms, global scale manufacturing capabilities and world-class quality systems to lower costs of biological therapeutics while improving healthcare outcomes. Biocon Biologics has commercialized nine biosimilars from its portfolio which are addressing the patients needs in key emerging markets and advanced markets like U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, and Japan. It has a pipeline of 20 biosimilar assets across diabetology, oncology, immunology, ophthalmology, bone health and other non-communicable diseases. The Company has many firsts to its credit in the biosimilars industry. As part of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitment, it is advancing the health of patients, people, and the planet to achieve key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Website: www.bioconbiologics.com; Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @BioconBiologics and LinkedIn: Biocon Biologics for company updates. For FY24 Integrated Annual Report of Biocon Biologics click here Biocon Limited, publicly listed in 2004, (BSE code: 532523, NSE Id: BIOCON, ISIN Id: INE376G01013) is an innovation-led global biopharmaceuticals company committed to enhance affordable access to complex therapies for chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer and autoimmune. It has developed and commercialized novel biologics, biosimilars, and complex small molecule APIs in India and several key global markets as well as Generic Formulations in the US, Europe & key emerging markets. It also has a pipeline of promising novel assets in immunotherapy under development. Website: www.biocon.com; Follow-us on X (formerly Twitter) @bioconlimited and LinkedIn: Biocon for company updates. Forward-Looking Statements: Biocon This press release may include statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements based on managements current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon Biocon and its subsidiaries/ associates. These forward-looking statements involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, amongst other: general economic and business conditions in India and overseas, our ability to successfully implement our strategy, our research and development efforts, our growth and expansion plans and technological changes, changes in the value of the Rupee and other currency changes, changes in the Indian and international interest rates, change in laws and regulations that apply to the Indian and global biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industries, increasing competition in and the conditions of the Indian and global biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industries, changes in political conditions in India and changes in the foreign exchange control regulations in India. Neither Biocon, nor our Directors, or any of our subsidiaries/associates assume any obligation to update any particular forward-looking statement contained in this release. Southfield, MI, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE: SUI) (the Company), a real estate investment trust ("REIT") that owns and operates, or has an interest in, manufactured housing (MH) and recreational vehicle (RV) communities (collectively, the "properties"), announces it will release second quarter 2025 operating results after the market closes on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. ET. To Participate in the Conference Call: Dial at least 5 minutes prior to start time. U.S. and Canada: (877) 407-9039 International: (201) 689-8470 The conference call will also be available live on the Companys website www.suninc.com. Conference Call Replay: U.S. and Canada: (844) 512-2921 International: (412) 317-6671 Passcode: 13754394 The replay will be accessible through August 14, 2025. About Sun Communities, Inc. Sun Communities, Inc. is a REIT that, as of March 31, 2025, owned, operated, or had an interest in a portfolio of 502 developed properties comprising approximately 174,850 developed sites in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For Further Information at the Company: Fernando Castro-Caratini Chief Financial Officer (248) 208-2500 www.suninc.com WYNNE, Ark., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mueller Streamline Co. has announced an investment of more than $7 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Wynne, Arkansas. The expansion is expected to create 60 new jobs over two years. Since our acquisition of Halstead Industries in 1998, our companies have not only supported the local economies of the City of Wynne and Cross County, but they have also invested in further expansion across the State of Arkansas. Among other initiatives, we built a new distribution center on the Wynne campus to support retail distribution, and have acquired additional operations in Springdale and Fayetteville, said Gregory L. Christopher, CEO and Chairman of Mueller Industries. He added, Mueller is making this additional $7.5 million investment to expand our distribution and packaging operations. This investment will initially add another 40 jobs, thereby increasing the number of employees at our Wynne campus to approximately 170. We have long appreciated the work ethic and spirit of the employees in all of our Arkansas-based operations, and this most recent investment reflects our commitment to and belief in the hard -working people of Wynne and Cross County. The company is committed to 40 new jobs initially, with the expectation of placing them within the first year of the expansion, with an additional 20 new positions in year two. This $7 million investment and creation of 60 new jobs builds on my administrations promise to take care of every community: big or small and further strengthens the city of Wynnes ongoing recovery from a devastating tornado in 2023. Thank you, Mueller Copper Tube, for creating more workforce opportunities in Wynne and for your continued commitment to the Natural State, said Governor Sanders. Helping our existing industries expand is vital for growing the economy in Arkansas, and Mueller Industries investment in Wynne will play a major role in our states economic momentum, said Clint ONeal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. The 60 jobs created by Muellers investment represent new economic opportunities in eastern Arkansas, and we congratulate the company and our friends in The City with a Smile on this announcement. "The City of Wynne is excited to see the expansion of Mueller and looks forward to working alongside the Wynne Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) to support the creation of 60 new jobs, said Mayor Jennifer Hobbs. This expansion is a major step toward fostering growth, job opportunities, and economic prosperity for our community." Plans for the expansion and upgrade at the facility located at 1525 North Falls Boulevard in Wynne began in the first quarter of 2025. "The Wynne Economic Development Corporation is excited to partner with AEDC and Mueller in supporting the expansion efforts that will bring 60 new jobs to our community, said Bevin Hunter, President and CEO of the Wynne Economic Development Corporation. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in creating sustainable growth and fostering opportunities for local talent, while strengthening our region's economic future." Mueller will be hiring for a range of positions in Wynne. Applications are currently open, and individuals can apply by contacting: Brenda Kelley Office (870) 208-1006 bkelley@muellerindustries.com or Hayley Barnet Office (870) 208-1031 hkbarnett@muellerstreamline.com About Mueller Industries, Inc. Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MLI) is a global industrial corporation whose holdings are leading manufacturers and distributors of essential products. Those products support our critical infrastructure and serve a broad range of industries including plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR), industrial manufacturing, appliance, transportation, medical, military and defense and electrical. In addition to being the only vertically integrated manufacturer of copper tube and fittings, brass rod and forgings in North America; the Company also has operations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. About the Arkansas Economic Development Commission At AEDC, we know economic advancement doesnt happen by accident. We work strategically with businesses and communities to create strong economic opportunities, making Arkansas the natural choice for success. AEDC is a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce. To learn more, visit ArkansasEDC.com. Contact: Tyler Hale Arkansas Department of Commerce Tyler.hale@arkansasedc.com 501-410-7883 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d7b27e2c-d8f5-4f32-b76f-bc0ebcd8368e PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION NEW YORK and CHICAGO, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP (Wolf Haldenstein), a preeminent national consumer rights law firm, is investigating claims on behalf of people who have been impacted by the Next Level Finance Partners (Next Level) data breach. Next Level Finance Partners LLC d/b/a Century Support Services, headquartered in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, announced that the personal information of customers may have been stolen as part of a data breach which occurred in November 2024. Next Level is notifying affected people that their personal information, including at least names, date of births, Social Security Numbers, drivers license and/or state identification numbers, medical information, health insurance information, passport numbers, financial account information, and digital signatures, may have been stolen. If you have received a recent notice of the data breach and have experienced recent concerning activity, it is possible that your personal information was compromised and is being offered for sale on the dark web. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION If you wish to discuss this data breach incident, or if you have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this matter, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735, via e-mail at gstone@whafh.com, or visit our website. Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP has experience in the prosecution of consumer rights litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas and offices in New York, Chicago, Nashville, and San Diego. Courts have repeatedly recognized the reputation and expertise of this firm and have appointed it to major positions in complex consolidated litigation. Contact: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis Carl Malmstrom, Esq., Of Counsel Email: gstone@whafh.com or malmstrom@whafh.com Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774 This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. TORONTO, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talisker Resources Ltd. (Talisker or the Company) (TSX:TSK | OTCQX:TSKFF) is pleased to announce the results of its annual general meeting of shareholders (the Meeting) held earlier today. A total of 40,348,552 common shares of the Company were represented at the Meeting, representing approximately 35% of the total number of common shares of the Company issued and outstanding. All matters presented for approval at the Meeting were duly authorized and approved including: election of all six management nominees to the board of directors of the Company and the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and authorization of the directors to fix their remuneration. Detailed voting results regarding the election of directors are as follows: Name Voted For # Voted For % Voted Withhold # Voted Withhold % Stephen Burleton 36,226,400 99.623 137,187 0.377 Christina Hadath 36,224,180 99.617 139,407 0.383 Terence Harbort 36,226,400 99.623 137,187 0.377 Robert Power 36,224,180 99.617 139,407 0.383 Morris Prychidny 36,226,400 99.623 137,187 0.377 Eric Tremblay 36,226,400 99.623 137,187 0.377 For further information, please contact: Terry Harbort President and CEO terry.harbort@taliskerresources.com +1 416 357 0227 About Talisker Resources Ltd. Talisker (taliskerresources.com) is a junior resource company involved in the exploration and development of gold projects in British Columbia, Canada. Taliskers flagship asset is the high-grade, fully permitted Bralorne Gold Project where the Company is currently transitioning into underground production at the Mustang Mine. Talisker projects also include the Ladner Gold Project, an advanced stage project with significant exploration potential from an historical high-grade producing gold mine and the Spences Bridge Project where the Company holds ~85% of the emerging Spences Bridge Gold Belt, and several other early-stage Greenfields projects. Nairobi, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nairobi, 13 July 2025 In a significant endorsement of private sector innovation, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE), Hon. William Kabogo, today lauded a new civic digital initiative designed to celebrate Kenya's national identity, technological advancement, and inclusive participation in the country's burgeoning digital future. The statement, released via a video on the social media platform X, highlighted the government's support for citizen-driven projects that align with Kenya's "Silicon Savannah" reputation. The Cabinet Secretary specifically discussed the Kenya Token ($KDT), a national digital token launched today on the Meteora decentralized platform and promoted on X under the hashtag #Kenya_NDT. In his remarks, Hon. Kabogo emphasized that the token is a purely private sector initiative, developed and distributed independently by Kenyan innovators. He praised this model as a powerful example of how public and private sector goals can converge to benefit the nation. "The Kenya Token is a powerful testament to the ingenuity and forward-thinking spirit of our nation's innovators," stated Hon. Kabogo. "It is not merely a digital asset; it is a symbol of our shared identity and a beacon of what can be achieved when the private sector takes a civic-minded lead in shaping our digital destiny. This initiative perfectly complements the government's Digital Transformation Agenda by fostering digital literacy and economic empowerment from the ground up." He further highlighted how such public-private collaboration can foster immense civic pride, drive meaningful economic inclusion, and enhance Kenya's global visibility as a tech powerhouse. He issued a call to action, encouraging all citizens, including the vibrant Kenyan diaspora, to engage with the project, learn about its potential, and help showcase Kenya's undisputed leadership in digital innovation across Africa. The project's technical foundation is the Solana blockchain, chosen for its high speed, global scalability, and exceptionally low transaction costs, making it ideal for a project aiming for mass adoption. Inspired by Solana's IBRL (Increase Bandwidth, Reduce Latency) AI Agent Framework, the Kenya Token project extends this vision beyond technical performance into a social mission for open access and equality. The initiative aims to empower every Kenyan citizen to participate freely and equitably in the digital world, breaking down traditional barriers to entry. The Ministry confirmed that it is monitoring innovations like the Kenya Token with keen interest. A spokesperson stated that the MICDE will continue to engage with stakeholders across the tech ecosystem to explore clear regulatory and strategic pathways. The goal is to create a supportive framework that encourages responsible, secure, and citizen-centered digital development, ensuring that Kenya remains at the forefront of the global digital economy. Building on this momentum, the Kenya Digital Token (KDT) project exemplifies these values and ambitions in action. $KDT (Kenyan Digital Token) is a next-generation digital token built on the Solana blockchain, designed to expand financial access, digital identity, and community-driven economic participation across Kenya. Inspired by Solana's IBRL (Increase Bandwidth, Reduce Latency) framework, $KDT reimagines blockchain as infrastructure for inclusiondeploying tools like pre-installed wallets, AR-powered education, and on-chain rewards in underserved regions like Kibera. With a mission to onboard 55 million Kenyans into the digital economy, $KDT marks a bold step toward open access and real-world Web3 adoption. This innovative project is expected to have a lasting positive impact on Kenya's digital landscape. Source https://x.com/honkabogo/status/1943748830698074207 https://www.kbc.co.ke/govt-backs-innovation-as-kenya-digital-token-launches/ https://kenyandt.com/ ### For more information about The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE), contact the company here: The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE) The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE) +254-020-492000 info@information.go.ke GPO TelPosta Towers, Koinange Street, Nairobi, Kenya Highlights: Canada Nickel's Timmins Nickel District has a total of six deposits containing 9.2 million tonnes of Measured & Indicated nickel (3.9 billion tonnes @ 0.24% nickel) and 9.5 million tonnes of Inferred nickel (4.2 billion tonnes @ 0.22% nickel) Mann Central similar scale to Initial Crawford Nickel Project Resource: Indicated Mineral Resource of 236.7 million tonnes grading 0.22% nickel containing 0.52 million tonnes of nickel. Inferred Mineral Resource of 543.2 million tonnes grading 0.21% nickel containing 1.15 million tonnes of nickel. Exploration Target 1 of an additional 0.6-2.0 billion tonnes grading 0.19 - 0.21% nickel. Initial Texmont Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 37.8 million tonnes grading 0.29% nickel containing higher grade resource of 1.69 million tonnes at 0.71% nickel including 248,000 tonnes at 1.03% nickel. TORONTO, July 15, 2025 - Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel" or the "Company") (TSX-V:CNC) (OTCQB: CNIKF) today announced initial mineral resource estimates (the "Mineral Resource Estimate" or "MRE") for its Mann Central Nickel Sulphide Project ("Mann Central"), located 40 km northeast of Timmins, Ontario and its Texmont Nickel Sulphide Project ("Texmont"), located 36 km south of Timmins. Canada Nickel owns 80% of Mann Central through its interest in East Timmins Nickel Ltd. ("East Timmins"), with the remaining 20% of East Timmins owned by Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. ("Noble"). Texmont is wholly owned by Canada Nickel through the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Central Timmins Nickel Company Inc. ("Central Timmins"). Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel said, "We are very pleased with these two new resources and even more excited by the growing scale of the Timmins Nickel District with over 9 million tonnes in each of the Measured & Indicated and Inferred categories. Mann Central is a mineral resource with significant scale and considerable potential for further testing in the future. Texmont, though a smaller target, has delivered strong results with meaningful quantities of higher grade nickel. I look forward to advancing Crawford towards a year-end construction decision and to showcasing the full potential of the Timmins Nickel District, with three additional mineral resource estimates to be published by year-end." 1 The potential quantity and grade is conceptual in nature; there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource; it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource (also see below). Timmins Nickel District The Company has published mineral resources for six of its properties in the Timmins area, amounting to 9.2 million tonnes of contained nickel metal in the Measured & Indicated categories, and 9.5 million tonnes of contained nickel metal as Inferred Mineral Resources (Table 1). With three more resources pending by end of year, the Company continues to show the potential of its property package in the Timmins Nickel District. For comparison, the Sudbury nickel district has an estimated nickel endowment of 19 million tonnes of contained nickel (Naldrett and Lightfoot, 1993; Lesher and Thurston, 2002). Table 1. Total Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources on Canada Nickel Timmins Nickel District Properties. Measured & Indicated Inferred Exploration Target Project Geophysical Resource Resource (Bt) Ni % Contained Resource (Bt) Ni % Contained Target (Bt) Footprint (km2) Date/Target Nickel (Mt) Nickel (Mt) Crawford 1.6 Oct-23 2.56 0.24 6.03 1.69 0.22 3.73 - Reid 3.9 Dec-24 0.59 0.24 1.43 0.99 0.23 2.24 0.9-2.1 Mann W 3.4 Jun-25 0.41 0.23 0.95 0.6 0.22 1.31 0.5-1.0 Mann CE 3.1 Jul-25 0.24 0.22 0.52 0.54 0.21 1.15 0.6-2.0 Deloro 0.4 Jul-24 0.08 0.25 0.2 0.36 0.25 0.89 - Texmont 0.1 Jul-25 0.04 0.29 0.11 0.05 0.25 0.14 - Bannockburn 0.4 Q3-2025 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD Midlothian 1.7 Q4-2025 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD Nesbitt 0.4 Q4-2025 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TOTAL 15.0 3.92 0.24 9.24 4.23 0.22 9.46 Mann Central Mineral Resource Estimate The Mann Central Project is only 23 km east of the Company's Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project ("Crawford") and is more than twice the size of Crawford based on the outline of its geophysical target of 3.1 square kilometres. The area of the geophysical target covered by the Mann Central MRE represents approximately 40% of its total target geophysical area. Mann Central is accessible year-round. For the initial MRE, a total of 12,563 metres of core drilling from 32 drill holes were utilized to calculate the Mann Central mineral resources in two categories as summarized in Table 2. Indicated Mineral Resources total 237 million tonnes grading 0.22% nickel, for a total of 0.52 million tonnes of contained nickel and Inferred Mineral Resources total 537 million tonnes grading 0.21% nickel, for a total of 1.15 million tonnes of contained nickel. The approximate dimensions of the Mann Central MRE are 2.4 kilometres long, up to 700 metres wide, extending to 500 metres deep, and remaining open in all directions. An additional 0.6 - 2.0 billion tonnes grading between 0.19% and 0.20% nickel remain as an Exploration Target, pending further drilling. This Exploration Target is based on core drilling by the Company, the geophysical survey on the Mann Central Project, and the understanding and calculation of the current Mann Central MRE. The Exploration Target was derived by modelling the identified nickel sulphide mineralization within the current estimation envelope but outside of the current MRE area. The volume of the modelled Exploration Target area determines the potential tonnage statement in the Exploration Target. The grade range given in the Exploration Target is determined with consideration to the drill core results within the modelled Exploration Target area, consideration of the geological setting in a well understood nickel deposit type where grades are observed and well understood and based on the experience of the Company and the Qualified Persons. The potential tonnages and grades are conceptual in nature and are based on drill holes and geophysical results that define the approximate length, thickness, depth and grade of the Exploration Target. There has been insufficient exploration to define a current mineral resource and the Company cautions that there is a risk that further exploration will not result in the delineation of a current mineral resource. Drilling at Mann Central was conducted in 2023 and 2024. The 2024 campaign successfully completed the goal of infilling previous sections to allow for the definition of an initial mineral resource estimate, gain understanding on the geology of the deposit, as well as systematically collecting samples for mineralogical analysis. The Mann Central MRE was prepared by Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. and its sub-consultant L&M Geociencias, in accordance with CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (2019) and CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves (2014). A Technical Report in support of the Mineral Resource Estimate will be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) within 45 days of this news release. Table 2. Initial Total Mineral Resource Estimate (in-pit resources) for the Mann Central Nickel Sulphide Deposit. Mineral Resource Estimate Contained Metal Class Tonnage (Mt) Ni (%) Co (%) Fe (%) Cr (%) Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Ni (kt) Co (kt) Fe (Mt) Cr (kt) Pd (koz) Pt (koz) Indicated 236.7 0.22 0.012 6.6 0.34 0.005 0.006 519.5 28.2 15.7 797.9 35.1 47.1 Inferred 543.2 0.21 0.012 6.8 0.30 0.006 0.007 1,150 65.9 37.0 1,628 98.0 129.8 Notes to Table 2: 1. The independent Qualified Person for the MRE, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), is Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo., PGO #0183), of Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. The effective date of the MRE is June 25, 2025. 2. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Mineral Resources in this MRE are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Mineral Resources as Indicated or Measured. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. 3. A cut-off grade of 0.10% Ni was used to define potentially economic material for inclusion within the MRE. Cut-offs were determined on the basis of core assay geostatistics and drill core lithologies for the deposit, and by comparison to analogous nickel deposit types. 4. Geological and block models for the MRE used data from a total of 32 surface drill holes, completed by Canada Nickel in 2023 and 2024. The drill hole database was validated prior to resource estimation and QA/QC checks were made using industry-standard control charts for blanks, core duplicates and commercial certified reference material inserted into assay batches by Canada Nickel and by comparison of umpire assays performed at a second laboratory. 5. Estimates have been rounded to two significant figures. 6. The MRE was prepared following the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (November 29, 2019) and the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves (May 19, 2014). 7. The geological model as applied to the MRE comprises two mineralized domains hosted by variably serpentinized ultramafic rocks: a relatively higher-grade core (dunite), and a lower grade (peridotite). Individual wireframes were created for each domain in Leapfrog Geo 2024.1 software. 8. A 20 m x 20 m x 15 m block model was created, and samples were composited at 7.5 m intervals. Grade estimation from drill hole data was carried out for Ni, Co, Fe, Cr, S, Pd and Pt using the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method in Isatis 2024.04 software. 9. The MRE has been constrained by a conceptual pit envelope that was developed using the following optimization parameters. Metal prices used were US$21,000/t nickel, US$40,000/t cobalt, US$325/t iron, US$3,860/t chromium, US$1,350/oz palladium, and US$1,150/oz platinum. Different pit slopes were used for each layer (in degrees): 9.5 in overburden, and 40.0 in mineralized rock, and 45 in waste rock. Exchange rate utilized was US$/C$ at $0.76. Mining costs utilized different values for overburden (clay, gravel), and rock mining, ranging from C$1.47 to C$3.00/t mined. Processing costs and general administration costs for a 120 ktpd operation (similar to the ultimate scope of Crawford) were C$8.30/t. Based on the range of grade and ratio of sulphur to nickel, calculated recovery averages 39% for Ni, 10% for Co, 54% for Fe, 29% for Cr, 39% for Pd and 18% for Pd. 10. Grade estimation was validated by comparison of input and output statistics (Nearest Neighbour and Inverse Distance Squared methods), swath plot analysis, cross-plots of declustered samples against the nearest OK estimate, and by visual inspection of the assay data, block model, and grade shells in cross-sections. 11. Density estimation was carried out for the mineralized domains using the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method, based on 1,270 specific gravity measurements collected during the core logging process, using the same block model parameters of the grade estimation. As a reference, the average estimated density value within dunite is 2.66 g/cm3 (t/m3), while the peridotite domain yielded an average of 2.74 g/cm3 (t/m3). Next Steps at Mann Central Nickel Sulphide Project: A technical report with respect to the MRE disclosed today will be filed within 45 days of this news release. Infill drilling at the property will aim to increase and upgrade Inferred Mineral Resources to Indicated Mineral Resources in the next drilling campaign. Mineralogical and metallurgical analysis will continue to better understand and estimate metal recoveries. Texmont Mineral Resource Estimate For the initial Texmont Mineral Resource Estimate ("Texmont MRE"), a total of 44,528 metres of core drilling from 144 drill holes were utilized to calculate the Texmont MRE in three categories as provided in Table 3. Measured Mineral Resources total 3.3 million tonnes grading 0.34% nickel, for a total of 11,281 tonnes of contained nickel, Indicated Mineral Resources total 34.6 million tonnes grading 0.27% nickel, for a total of 97,700 tonnes of contained nickel, and Inferred Mineral Resources total 57.7 million tonnes grading 0.22% nickel, for a total of 143,900 tonnes of contained nickel. The sulphide mineralogy consists mainly of pentlandite and pyrrhotite with minor millerite, heazlewoodite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. The sulphide mineralization occurs primarily as next-textured to locally semi-massive, at the core of the high-grade horizon. The high-grade horizon is then surrounded by a medium to low grade envelope that is characterized by disseminated fine grained sulphide mineralization. The approximate dimensions of the Texmont MRE are 1.3 kilometres long, up to 150 metres wide, extending to 500 metres deep and remaining open at depth (Figure 4). Drilling by Canada Nickel (via Central Timmins) at Texmont was conducted between 2022 and 2024, with 65 drillholes completed with the goals of infilling previous sections drilled by Fletcher Nickel Inc. ("Fletcher") between 2006 and 2008, allowing for the definition of an initial mineral resource estimate, gain understanding on the geology of the deposit, and systematically collecting samples for mineralogical analysis. Seventy-eight drill holes from the historical Fletcher drilling campaigns were used, in addition to the 65 drill holes completed by Central Timmins for the MRE. The Texmont MRE was prepared by Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. and its sub-consultant L&M Geociencias, in accordance with CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (2019) and CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves (2014). A Technical Report in support of the Mineral Resource Estimate will be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) within 45 days of this news release. Table 3. Initial Total Mineral Resource Estimate (in-pit resources) for the Texmont Nickel Sulphide Deposit. Mineral Resource Estimate Contained Metal Class Tonnage (Mt) Ni (%) Co (%) S (%) Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Ni (kt) Co (kt) S (kt) Pd (koz) Pt (koz) Measured 3.3 0.34 0.013 0.37 0.018 0.016 11.3 0.4 12.2 1.9 1.7 Indicated 34.6 0.28 0.011 0.27 0.012 0.011 97.7 3.8 93.3 13.8 12.6 Mea + Ind 37.8 0.29 0.011 0.28 0.013 0.012 109.0 4.3 105.5 15.6 14.4 Inferred 57.7 0.25 0.010 0.22 0.010 0.009 143.9 5.9 122.3 17.4 17.0 Notes to Table 3: 1. The independent Qualified Person for the Texmont MRE, as defined by NI 43-101), is Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo., PGO #0183), of Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. The effective date of the Texmont MRE is April 10, 2025. 2. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Mineral Resources in this MRE are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Mineral Resources as Indicated or Measured. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. 3. A cut-off grade of 0.10% Ni was used to define potentially economic material for inclusion within the MRE. Cut-offs were determined on the basis of core assay geostatistics and drill core lithologies for the deposit, and by comparison to analogous nickel deposit types. 4. Geological and block models for the MRE used data from a total of 144 surface drill holes, completed by Fletcher Nickel between 2006 and 2008, and Canada Nickel between 2022 and 2024. The drill hole database was validated prior to resource estimation and QA/QC checks were made using industry-standard control charts for blanks, core duplicates and commercial certified reference material inserted into assay batches by Canada Nickel and by comparison of umpire assays performed at a second laboratory. 5. Estimates have been rounded to two significant figures. 6. The MRE was prepared following the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (November 29, 2019) and the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves (May 19, 2014). 7. The geological model as applied to the MRE comprises five discernible mineralized domains within a variably serpentinized peridotite lava flow unit: High grade (>0.4% nickel), medium grade (0.2-0.4% nickel) and 3 low grade domains (<0.2% nickel) adjacent to non mineralized lithologies. Individual wireframes were created for each domain in Leapfrog Geo 2024.1 software. 8. A 5 m x 10 m x 10 m block model was created and subblocked to 5m x 5m x 5m for tonnage calculation purposes, and samples were composited at 3 m intervals. Grade estimation from drill hole data was carried out for Ni, Co, S, Pd and Pt using the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method in Isatis 2024.04 software. 9. The MRE has been constrained by a conceptual pit envelope that was developed using the following optimization parameters. Metal prices used were US$21,000/t nickel, US$40,000/t cobalt, US$325/t iron, US$3,860/t chromium, US$1,350/oz palladium, and US$1,150/oz platinum. Different pit slopes were used for each layer (in degrees): 9.5 in overburden, and 40.0 in mineralized rock, and 45 in waste rock. Exchange rate utilized was US$/C$ at $0.76. Mining costs utilized different values for overburden (clay, gravel), and rock mining, ranging from C$1.65 to C$4.47/t mined. Processing costs and general and administration costs for a 15 ktpd operation were C$11.32/t. Based on the range of peridotite and talc ore, calculated recovery averages 59% for Ni, 62% for Co, 50% for Pd and 25% for Pd. 10. Grade estimation was validated by comparison of input and output statistics (Nearest Neighbour and Inverse Distance Squared methods), swath plot analysis, cross-plots of declustered samples against the nearest OK estimate, and by visual inspection of the assay data, block model, and grade shells in cross-sections. 11. Density estimation was carried out for the mineralized domains using the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method, based on 4,008 specific gravity measurements collected during the core logging process, using the same block model parameters of the grade estimation. As a reference, the average estimated density value within the komatiite is 2.89 g/cm3 (t/m3), while the peridotite domain yielded an average of 2.72 g/cm3 (t/m3). Next Steps at the Texmont Nickel Sulphide Project: A technical report with respect to the Mineral Resource Estimate disclosed today will be filed within 45 days of this news release. Mineralogical and metallurgical analysis will continue to better understand and estimate metal recoveries. Assays, Quality Assurance/Quality Control and Drilling Edwin Escarraga, MSc, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of NI 43-101, is responsible for the on-going drilling and sampling program, including quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC). The core is collected from the drill in sealed core trays and transported to the secure core logging facility (core shack). The core is marked and sampled at 1.5 metre lengths and cut in half with a diamond blade saw. One set of samples (half core) is transported in secured bags directly from the Canada Nickel core shack to Actlabs Timmins, while a second set of samples (half core) is securely shipped to SGS Lakefield for preparation, with analysis performed at SGS Burnaby. Both laboratories are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited and independent of Canada Nickel and the Qualified Persons. Analysis for precious metals (gold, platinum, and palladium) are completed by Fire Assay (FA) while analysis for nickel, cobalt, sulphur and other elements are performed using a peroxide fusion and ICP-OES analysis. Certified standards and blanks (QA/QC samples) are inserted at a rate of three QA/QC samples per 20 core samples making a batch of 60 samples that are submitted for analysis. Qualified Person and Data Verification Stephen J. Balch (P.Geo. #2250 - Ontario), VP Exploration of Canada Nickel and a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of NI 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of Canada Nickel Company Inc. The magnetic geophysical images shown in this news release were created from Canada Nickel's interpretation of datasets provided by the Ontario Geological Survey. References Naldrett, A.J., and Lightfoot, P.C., 1993, Ni-Cu-PGE ores of the Noril'sk region, Siberia: A model for giant magmatic ore deposits associated with flood basalts: Society of Economic Geologists Special Publication 2, p. 81-123. Lesher, C.M. and Thurston, P.C., 2002, A Special Issue Devoted to the Mineral Deposits of the Sudbury Basin: Economic Geology, Vol. 97, No. 7. About Canada Nickel Company Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless-steel markets. Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM, NetZero IronTM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins-Nickel District. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com. For further information, please contact: Mark Selby CEO Phone: 647-256-1954 Email: info@canadanickel.com Cautionary Note and Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, the potential of the Mann Central Nickel Sulphide Project, the potential of the Texmont Project, timing for filing technical reports in support of the Mineral Resource Estimates, the three additional mineral resource estimates to be published by year-end, the significance of drill results, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling on the definition of any resource, timing and completion (if at all) of additional mineral resource estimates, the potential of the Timmins Nickel District, strategic plans, including future exploration and development plans and results, and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canada-nickel-announces-initial-resources-at-mann-central-and-texmont-302505449.html SOURCE Canada Nickel Company Inc. Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX:ASCU | OTCQX:ASCUF) ("ASCU" or the "Company") an emerging US-based copper developer and near-term producer, advises that, on July 11, 2025, Tembo Capital Elim Co-Investment LP ("Tembo") announced the sale of 17.5 million common shares of the Company (the "Tembo Shares") to Scotia Capital Inc. ("Scotia") in a bought deal arrangement which, ASCU understands, closed on July 14, 2025 (the "Tembo Sale"). The Company further understands that Scotia, in turn, sold the Tembo Shares to various institutions in a secondary market transaction, also completed on July 14, 2025. As a result of the Tembo Sale, Tembo Capital's aggregate common share ownership in ASCU was reduced from 18.8% to 9.0% and, as a result, the Investor Rights Agreement between the Company and Tembo concurrently terminated. On July 11, 2025, Tembo issued a corresponding press release on Canada Newswire (www.newswire.ca) and is expected, in due course, to file a corresponding early warning report under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). The Company did not receive any proceeds from the Tembo Sale. Tembo's nominee to the ASCU Board of Directors, Mark Palmer, resigned as director of the Company effective July 15, 2025. Tembo separately advised ASCU of its continuing support for the Company and its development of the Cactus Project. ASCU President and CEO, George Ogilvie commented, "This sale is a win-win for ASCU and Tembo, as ASCU matures into a meaningful copper developer in the United States. Tembo's investment in ASCU has demonstrated a significant return for its investors from both this sale and the royalty monetization by sale to Royal Gold earlier this year. For ASCU shareholders, we see this successful trade by Tembo as improving trading liquidity in the Company's shares and, in turn, providing a point of entry for a new, broader group of what we understand to be institutional investors, to participate in the development of the Cactus Project." Mr. Ogilvie continued, "Tembo has been an important partner to ASCU since our acquisition of the historic Sacaton mine, which we renamed to the Cactus Project in 2020. We are thankful for Tembo's financial support and technical expertise over the years, including the guidance provided on our Board of Directors through Tembo's nominee, Mark Palmer. We wish Mark and Tembo success, both as a continuing shareholder of ASCU and in their other endeavours. We look forward to Tembo's continued participation in our future successes, particularly as we remain on track to issue the pending Cactus pre-feasibility study within the next few months." David Street, CEO of Tembo Capital Management commented, "Tembo Fund III has been heavily involved in the acquisition and funding of the Sacaton project since 2020 when ASCU was a private company. The Company is now in a very strong position with a clear path to development and a strong balance sheet. Tembo will remain a significant shareholder in the Company and we wish George and the team every success as they progress with the upcoming PFS on Cactus and advance this robust copper project in a Tier 1 jurisdiction towards production." As a result of the completion of the Tembo Sale, Tembo's Investor Rights Agreement with the Company concurrently terminated and its nominee on ASCU's Board of Directors, Mark Palmer, resigned as Director of the Company effective July 15, 2025. The Company's Board of Directors is assessing the resulting vacancy and may, in due course, undertake a process to identify and potentially appoint a replacement. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the regulating authority has approved or disproved the information contained in this press release. About Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (www.arizonasonoran.com | www.cactusmine.com) ASCU is a copper exploration and development company with a 100% interest in the brownfield Cactus Project. The Project, on privately held land, contains a large-scale porphyry copper resource and a 2024 PEA proposes a generational open pit copper mine with robust economic returns. Cactus is a lower risk copper developer benefitting from a state-led permitting process, in place infrastructure, highways and rail lines at its doorstep and onsite permitted water access. The Company objective is to develop Cactus and become a mid-tier copper producer with low operating costs, that could generate robust returns and provide a long-term sustainable and responsible operation for the community, investors and all stakeholders. The Company is led by an executive management team and Board which have a long-standing track record of successful project delivery in North America complemented by global capital markets expertise. Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Other Matters Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" and " "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipated", "become", "believe", "confidently", "continuing", "developer", "emerging", "forward", "further", "generational", "long-term", "look", "matures", "may", "near-term", "objective", "ongoing", "on track", "PEA", "potentially", "pre-feasibility", "preliminary", "program", "project", "projected", "proposes", "providing", "remaining", "risk", "study", "subject to", and "will", "or variations of such words, and similar such words, expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results can, could, may, should, would, will (or not) be achieved, occur, provide, result or support in the future, or which, by their nature, refer to future events. In some cases, forward-looking information may be stated in the present tense, such as in respect of current matters that may be continuing, or that may have a future impact or effect. Forward-looking statements include those relating to the filing of an early warning report by Tembo (including timing thereof); improved liquidity in the Company's shares as a result of the Tembo Sale or otherwise; Tembo remaining as a shareholder of the Company including any continued participation in any future successes of the Company and/or the Cactus Project; the Company's activities, plans and objectives for the remainder of 2025 and 2026 (including the ongoing pre-feasibility study (or PFS) in respect of the Cactus Project and the timing thereof); the 2024 PEA and results thereof (including risk, economic returns, operating costs, production (including being a near-term producer), and proposal of a generational open pit copper mine); the Company's strategic and other objectives (including development of the Cactus Project, becoming a mid-tier copper producer with low operating costs, that could generate robust returns and provide a long-term sustainable and responsible operation for the community, investors and all stakeholders, and any other continuing or future successes). Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that those forward-looking statements will prove to be correct, and any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future actions, results or performance. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions, which are considered reasonable and represent best judgment based on available facts, as of the date such statements are made. If such assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions prove to be incorrect, actual and future results may be materially different than expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions referenced, contained or incorporated by reference in this press release which may prove to be incorrect include those set forth or referenced in this press release, as well as those stated in the technical report for the Cactus Project filed on August 27, 2024 (the "2024 PEA Technical Report"), the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 27, 2025 (the "AIF"), Management's Discussion and Analysis (together with the accompanying financial statements) disclosed for the year ended December 31, 2024 and quarter(s) already ended in 2025 (collectively, the "2024-25 Financial Disclosure") and the Company's other applicable public disclosure (collectively, "Company Disclosure"), all available on the Company's website at and under its issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ASCU to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors include, among others, the "Risk Factors" in the AIF, and the risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors identified in the 2024 PEA Technical Report and the 2024-25 Financial Disclosure. The foregoing list of risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors is not exhaustive; readers should consult the more complete discussion of the Company's business, financial condition and prospects that is provided in the AIF, the 2024-25 Financial Disclosure and other Company Disclosure. Although ASCU has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release (or as otherwise expressly specified) and ASCU disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements referenced or contained in this press release are expressly qualified by these Cautionary Statements as well as the Cautionary Statements in the AIF, the 2024 PEA Technical Report and the 2024-25 Financial Disclosure.www.arizonasonoran.com and under its issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ASCU to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors include, among others, the "Risk Factors" in the AIF, and the risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors identified in the 2024 PEA Technical Report and the 2024-25 Financial Disclosure. The foregoing list of risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors is not exhaustive; readers should consult the more complete discussion of the Company's business, financial condition and prospects that is provided in the AIF, the 2024-25 Financial Disclosure and other Company Disclosure. Although ASCU has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release (or as otherwise expressly specified) and ASCU disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements referenced or contained in this press release are expressly qualified by these Cautionary Statements as well as the Cautionary Statements in the AIF, the 2024 PEA Technical Report and the 2024-25 Financial Disclosure. Preliminary Economic Assessments The Preliminary Economic Assessment (or "2024 PEA") referenced in this press release and summarized in the 2024 PEA Technical Report is only a conceptual study of the potential viability of the Cactus Project and the economic and technical viability of the Cactus Project has not been demonstrated. The 2024 PEA is preliminary in nature and provides only an initial, high-level review of the Cactus Project's potential and design options; there is no certainty that the 2024 PEA will be realized. For further detail on the Cactus Project and the 2024 PEA, including applicable technical notes and cautionary statements, please refer to the Company's press release dated August 7, 2024 and the 2024 PEA Technical Report, both available on the Company's website at www.arizonasonoran.com and under its issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250715495400/en/ Contact For more information Alison Dwoskin, Director, Investor Relations 647-233-4348 adwoskin@arizonasonoran.com George Ogilvie, President, CEO and Director 416-723-0458 gogilvie@arizonasonoran.com Antimony has been detected at highly anomalous levels in soil samples collected on the property by the Vendor. The Property comprises over 35 square Kilometers with excellent access and hydro power. New Brunswick is one of the most mining friendly provinces in Canada. Exploration is scheduled to commence immediately on the property. NSJ Gold Corp. (CSE: NSJ) (FSE: 9PZ) (the "Company" or "NSJ") announces it has entered into an option agreement with Edge Exploration Inc., to acquire 100% ownership of the Antimony 2.0 Property in New Brunswick, Canada. The property is located approximately 25 kilometers west of Fredericton, the Provincial Capital and approximately 15 km north-northeast of the historic Lake George Antimony Mine. The Lake George Antimony Mine operated for various periods from the 1860s to 1998 and produced as much as 4% of the world's demand of Antimony from 1970 through 1992. The Antimony 2.0 property has excellent access including provincial and logging roads and hydro power. The Antimony 2.0 Property NSJ's 35 sq km optioned Antimony 2.0 Property has exciting antimony discoveries by personnel of Edge Exploration Inc. ("Edge") which include three particularly robust antimony soil anomalies. These findings stem from a 395-sample reconnaissance soil survey and drone-conducted magnetic survey. Geology is the same package of interbedded Silurian greywacke and argillite that characterizes Lake George Antimony Mine approximately 15 km to the southwest. NSJ has planned an immediate work program to define productive antimony drill targets which will be tested this coming winter. The immediate program will include analysis of over 400 soil samples and 5 km of Induced Polarization ("IP") surveying at various dipole spacings. The soil samples to be analyzed were previously collected by Edge personnel to expand and refine the areas of antimony soil anomalies previously detected. The IP survey will be focused on the areas of anomalous soil values to detect areas of mineralization and to outline differences in resistivity which could indicate mineralizing conditions in the subsurface. Figure 1: The Antimony Property To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7703/258838_d73ac062f4c4c949_001full.jpg Mr. Jag Sandhu, CEO of NSJ, stated: "We are very excited to option this highly prospective Antimony project. New Brunswick has always been a great place for exploration and mining. The New Brunswick Government geological and mining staff are very helpful and have conducted regional and local surveys and investigations across the province to aid mineral exploration. We will be able to access some of this work to aid our exploration." Terms of the Option to earn 100%: To earn 50% by issuing 450,000 Shares to the Optionor and spending $250,000 in exploration expenditures as follows: 150,000 Shares on or before the first anniversary of the date of the Agreement and spend $100,000 in exploration expenditures; 300,000 Shares on or before the second anniversary of the date of the Agreement and spend a further $150,000 in exploration expenditures; and, To earn the remaining 50% by incurring Exploration Expenditures totalling $3,000,000 on the Property before the fifth anniversary from the date of the agreement and issue a further 2,000,000 shares. NSJ has also issued a 2% Net Smelter Returns ("NSR"). NSJ has the right at any time to purchase one-half of the Royalty (i.e. 1.0%) for a purchase price of $1,000,000. About Antimony Antimony is in high demand globally. It has been classified as a critical mineral. Antimony is a critical component for battery technology, advanced military systems, and other industrial applications. China announced Antimony export restrictions which took effect on Sept. 15, 2024 (source: Reuters, Aug. 28, 2024), and are expected to have significant implications for the global antimony supply chain. An extreme supply shortage since April has led to the sharpest price rally ever recorded in the antimony market since Fastmarkets started pricing the metal back in the early 1980s. Fastmarket-assessed Antimony metal prices in Rotterdam increased at their fastest rate in more than 40 years in the week to May 17, 2024 due to a severe supply squeeze after a month of continued extreme shortage of raw materials from China, Russia, and Southeast Asia. The technical contents of this news release were reviewed and approved by Jim Atkinson, MSc., P.Geo., who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About NSJ Gold Corp. NSJ is an exploration and development company focused exclusively on Antimony. The Company's management team possesses extensive experience in financing, exploration, development and mining. The Company is focused on becoming a significant North American producer of antimony. WWW.NSJGOLDCORP.COM On Behalf of the Board of Directors Vancouver, July 15, 2025 - Belmont Resources Inc. (TSX.V: BEA; FSE: L3L2) ("Belmont" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful completion of its 2025 diamond drilling campaign, totaling over 2,000 meters, at the Company's 100%-owned Come By Chance ("CBC") project, located in the historic and mineral-rich Greenwood mining camp in southern British Columbia. A Dual-Potential Target: Porphyry-Copper and CRD System Click Image To View Full Size The CBC property exhibits compelling geological features indicative of both a copper-gold porphyry system and a high-grade carbonate replacement deposit (CRD), situated within the highly prospective Quesnel Terrane. Key Geological Highlights Porphyry Indicators: 2022 drilling confirmed widespread porphyry-style alteration, veining, and mineralization. Strong propylitic alteration halos present in all 2022 drill holes - a classic porphyry signature. Up to 20% pyrite mineralization observed, potentially forming halos around a concealed porphyry core. Geophysical surveys reveal zonation patterns consistent with a porphyry center. CRD-Skarn Potential: Limestone units of the Brooklyn Formation provide ideal host rocks for CRD-style mineralization. Monzonite and syenite intrusions represent potential sources of metal-rich hydrothermal fluids. Major structural corridors (Eagle and Lind Creek Faults) likely acted as fluid conduits. High-grade surface samples include values up to 17.05 g/t Au and 6.74% Cu. 2022 drilling identified skarn-style alteration consistent with CRD systems. 2025 Drilling Campaign Overview The 2025 program was designed to follow up on promising 2022 results and geophysical data that vector toward a possible mineralized center at depth. Five key target areas were selected based on integrated geological and geophysical modeling, with one diamond drill hole testing each target. Click Image To View Full Size All holes were successfully completed on schedule and within budget. Next Steps Belmont's geological team is currently logging and processing core samples. Assay samples will be shipped to MSALABS in Langley, B.C. by the end of this week. Results are expected within approximately eight weeks. "We are encouraged by the geological features observed during this latest round of drilling," said George Sookochoff, President and CEO of Belmont Resources. "The integration of our 2022 and 2025 programs continues to support the presence of a robust porphyry-CRD system at Come By Chance. We look forward to sharing assay results as they become available." About Belmont Belmont has assembled a portfolio of highly prospective copper, gold, lithium, uranium and rare earths projects located in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Washington and Nevada States. Flagship projects: Come By Chance (CBC) Property: A Compelling Porphyry-CRD System Athelstan-Jackpot (A-J) Gold - British Columbia: A-J Gold Project, which includes two past producing gold mines-Athelstan and Jackpot-that yielded 7,600 ounces of gold and 9,000 ounces of silver (Minfile 082ESE047). Key highlights of the project include: Extensive Surface Gold Mineralization: A 1,500-meter gold trend with widespread surface gold mineralization has been identified. Potential Resource Estimate: Previous trenching and sampling suggest a potential resource of 2,000 to 5,000 ounces of gold in surface and near-surface mineralized areas (2002 Summary Report by R.E. Miller, P.Geo). Exploration Focus: Belmont is investigating the potential for economic gold grades in mineable surface and near-surface ore zones along this trend. Crackingstone Uranium -Located in Saskatchewan's uranium-rich Athabasca Basin. Exceptional High-Grade Uranium Potential: The property has demonstrated historic grab sample grades of up to 15.6% U?O?. Previous mining on the site produced 11 tons at an average grade of 2.3% U?O?. (A Qualifying 43-101 Report On the Crackingstone River-Ruza Property Beaverlodge District SE of Uranium City Saskatchewan for Belmont Resources Inc. By R.A. Bernatchez, P. Eng. Consulting Geologist, July 11, 2006) Extensive Mineralized Corridors: Three major conductive and structural mineralized corridors, totaling 10 kilometers in length, have been identified and are associated with high-grade uranium occurrences. Comprehensive Drilling Program: Belmont has submitted a permit application for a two-year drilling initiative, which includes 40 drill holes totaling 10,000 meters. This program reflects the company's confidence in the property's potential to host significant uranium resources. Situated just six kilometers from Uranium City, the Crackingstone property benefits from excellent infrastructure, including road access, power availability, and logistical support. Belmont's exploration efforts also include evaluating rare earth element (REE) potential on the property, further enhancing its strategic importance. Our Option Partner: Lone Star Copper-Gold - Washington State: 50% optioned to Australian Marquee Resources ASX:MQR; MQR has spent $2.5M in drilling, completed new resource in Dec. 2022 and a PEA in November 2023. (BEA NR Nov. 29, 2023) Kibby Basin Lithium - Nevada State: 80% optioned to Australian Marquee Resources ASX: MQR; project located 60 kilometers north of the lithium rich Clayton Valley Basin. MQR has spent $2.5M in drilling in 2022 for potential deep seated lithium brine. 2022 Drilling confirmed high levels of lithium-bearing sediments along with dissolved lithium in the groundwater. (BEA NR Dec 8, 2022). NI 43-101 Disclosure: Mr. Laurence Sookochoff, P.Eng., independent consultant for Belmont Resources Inc., is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release. Issued by the Office of the President and CEO "George Sookochoff" George Sookochoff,President/CEO george@belmontresources.com C: 604-505-4061 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties, based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of exploration and other risk factors beyond its control. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Companies forward-looking statements and expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval; that we may not be able to raise funds required, that conditions to closing may not be fulfilled and we may not be able to organize and carry out an exploration program in 2025, and other risks associated with being a mineral exploration and development company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Latest Headlines Big, fat beautiful fees Banks have lobbied themselves another profit centre under open banking, which could kill fintech innovation, Sam Stubbs of KiwiSaver Simplicity says. Tuesday, July 15th 2025, 9:42AM by Sally Lindsay Just as fintech start-ups are putting a toe in the mortgage market under open banking, banks can charge them, as accredited third parties, for access to their customer information. By having access to this data, fintechs, in theory, are supposed to disrupt the banking system with new financial management apps for loans, investments and savings, forcing the main banks to improve their services and lower prices. But banks can charge for access to this data, which Simplicity co-founder and managing director Sam Stubbs says represents a barrier to entry for fintechs and will stifle innovation. He says fees for exchanging data will profit the banks and fintechs will struggle to pay. This is a serious impediment to progress, and evidence of how much the big banks have hoodwinked politicians and policymakers. For open banking to work, a wide array of software systems need to be able to interact with each other. To do this, the industry, led by Payments NZ, has developed standardised methods of operation known as application programming interfaces or APIs. A Consumer investigation found in other markets, banks cannot charge fintechs for access, and it believes the charges will lead to a watered-down open banking experience for New Zealanders, and one with limited ability to drive competition in the banking industry. Some New Zealand banks will not charge fees for limited timeframes. ASB is waiving fees until December this year with ANZ waiving fees for account information API calls for 12 months from April. Westpac is waiving fees for new partners for the first 12 months of the relationship, and for existing partners for the next 12 months. Kiwibank says it will never charge for API calls, although it wont have open banking up and running until May next year. Chief executive Steve Jurkovich says Kiwibank exists to challenge the status quo and to create a future where banking in New Zealand is stronger and fairer than ever before. We see the significant value open banking can deliver for our customers and we want to enable that, says Jurkovich. Thats why we wont be charging accredited third parties to make standard API requests. He says this sets Kiwibank apart. While some banks are offering temporary waivers on fees charged to accredited third parties, in the longer term those costs could be passed on to customers. By removing cost barriers Kiwibank is helping to unlock innovation that puts customers first enabling more tailored, transparent, and empowering financial experiences. Westpac says it already has agreements in place with a number of fintechs, and they have been notified of their reduced pricing, which it will review in 12 months time as open banking evolves. It expects to enter into agreements with a number of new fintechs in the near future. While these developments offer businesses some breathing space as they build their open banking propositions, Stubbs says the banks effective self-regulation of open banking now has New Zealand six years behind the world, and about to impose charges on data sharing that are, to his knowledge, unprecedented globally. So, just as the banks are being forced to do what the rest of the developed world has done for years open banking their lobbyists sneak in fees for something that is free in every other market Im aware of. Perhaps they should call it the Big, beautiful fee? Special Offers Comments from our readers Sign In to add your comment Featured Asante Gold raises $173m to fund Ghana projects Emmanuel Kwame Asante Business News Jul - 15 - 2025 , 05:09 Asante Gold Corporation has successfully secured $173 million through a private placement to support its mining operations in Ghana, particularly at the Bibiani and Chirano mines, and to settle outstanding debts. Asante Gold Corporation has completed its previously announced bought deal private placement, raising gross proceeds of $173 million. The funding was done through the issuance of $163.3 million subscription receipts, each priced at $1.06. The offer was fully subscribed, including the full exercise of the underwriters option. Each subscription receipt will convert into one common share of Asante Gold once escrow conditions are met. These include securing a comprehensive financing package valued at no less than US$275 million. Until then, the proceeds will be held in escrow. Commission The placement was led by BMO Capital Markets as co-lead underwriter and sole bookrunner. Clarus Securities Inc. and Jett Capital Advisors LLC also participated in the underwriting syndicate. The underwriters earned a cash commission of 5.5 per cent on the gross proceeds, excluding amounts raised from specific investors listed by the companys leadership, commonly referred to as presidents list investors. Conditions, strategy The release of the escrow funds is conditional upon the completion of a larger financing arrangement, which includes a US$150 million senior debt facility, a US$125 million subordinated debt facility and a US$50 million gold stream agreement. This package aims to provide Asante Gold with the capital needed to progress its projects and settle short-term financial obligations. Appian Capital Advisory Ltd. is expected to contribute US$175 million, including a CA$10 million equity investment at the same share price as the private placement. Rand Merchant Bank, part of FirstRand Bank Limited, is committing US$170 million in the form of debt, hedging, underwriting and guarantees. Should the escrow conditions not be fulfilled by December 31, 2025, or if Asante indicates it will not go ahead with the plan, the funds will be returned to investors along with any interest earned. Gold agreement As part of its broader financial restructuring, Asante is also working to resolve its obligations to Kinross Gold Corporation. The company has proposed a cash payment of around US$53 million and the issuance of shares, which will increase Kinross stake in Asante to 9.9 per cent. In addition to this equity arrangement, Kinross will receive a convertible debenture and a deferred note to settle the remaining balance. These steps are expected to strengthen Asantes balance sheet and streamline its capital structure ahead of further investment and development. Previous placement Following the success of the current offering and the new financing arrangements, Asante has cancelled the third trancheamounting to US$40 millionof its earlier US$100 million non-brokered private placement. This move reflects the companys decision to shift towards more structured and institutionally backed financing sources. Ghana operations Operationally, the company is advancing its work at the Bibiani and Chirano gold mines in Ghana. It is also progressing technical studies at the Kubi Gold Project. The funds raised through this placement, along with the expected financing package, will be used to further develop these projects, repay short-term debts and support general working capital needs. Asante Golds decision to secure long-term capital comes as it seeks to solidify its position in Ghanas gold mining sector, with a focus on enhancing production and sustaining growth through strategic partnerships and financial restructuring. Next article: BoG set to regulate crypto exchanges, Governor says You cant stop It so lets manage it Featured LIST: Finance Minister inaugurates new Financial Intelligence Centre board Jemima Okang Addae Business News Jul - 15 - 2025 , 11:25 The Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has inaugurated a new seven-member board for the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), charging them to intensify efforts in combating financial crimes in Ghana. The new Board, chaired by Mr Mike Kofi Afflu, includes the following members; Mr Albert Kwadwo Twum Boafo Chief Executive Ms Grace Mbrokoh-Ewoal Representative from the Ministry of Finance Ms Elizabeth Ama Yankah Representative from National Security Dr Kwasi Osei Yeboah Member A Senior Police Officer representing the Ministry of the Interior A Representative from the Attorney-Generals Department Dr Forson underscored the critical role of the FIC in safeguarding Ghanas financial system, especially amid increasing threats posed by money laundering, terrorism financing, and other sophisticated financial crimes. He called on the Board to support the Centre in strengthening its institutional capacity and deepen collaboration with both local and international partners. The FIC, Ghanas national agency responsible for receiving and analysing financial intelligence related to suspicious transactions, is seen as pivotal in enhancing financial transparency and accountability. Featured Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank dialogue unlocks prospects of sustaining forex gains Graphic Business Editorial Business News Jul - 15 - 2025 , 03:01 As Ghana's economy continues to navigate the complexities of the global market, today's Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Dialogue is a timely and crucial event that will bring together stakeholders to discuss the critical issue of sustaining forex gains and their impact on the country's economic development. The dialogue, themed: "Sustaining Forex Gains: Business and Economic Impact," will provide a platform for industry players to share knowledge, experiences, and ideas on driving economic growth and development. With the cedi emerging as one of the world's top-performing currencies, Ghana's economic performance has been impressive. However, this trend poses both opportunities and challenges for businesses and the economy. Forex gains refer to the profits made from fluctuations in currency exchange rates. In Ghana's case, a strong cedi can make imports cheaper, increasing the purchasing power of consumers and potentially boosting economic growth. On the other hand, it can make Ghanaian exports less competitive in the global market, potentially reducing forex inflows and revenue margins for exporters. Sustaining forex gains is crucial for Ghana's economic development. It can attract foreign investment, stimulate economic growth, and increase confidence in the economy. A stable and strong currency can also promote economic stability, reducing the risk of currency fluctuations and promoting a favourable business environment. However, sustaining forex gains is not without its challenges. Ghana's economy is heavily reliant on a few key sectors, and a strong cedi can make these sectors less competitive in the global market. Additionally, external factors such as global economic trends and monetary policy decisions can impact the value of the cedi and affect economic growth. Under the chairmanship of Dr Johnson Asiama, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, the dialogue will feature esteemed panellists, including Afua Bulley, Head of Global Markets at Stanbic Bank, Clement Boateng, First Vice-Chairman of the Ghana Union of Traders Association, and Vish Ashiagbor, Country Senior Partner at PwC Ghana. Their expertise and perspectives will undoubtedly enrich the conversation and offer practical solutions to the challenges faced. The discussion will focus on identifying strategies for sustainable growth and development, exploring opportunities and challenges in Ghana's economy, and providing practical solutions to the challenges faced. By sharing knowledge, experiences and ideas, stakeholders can work together to promote economic growth and development in Ghana. The Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Dialogue promises to be a valuable platform for stakeholders to discuss the complexities of the economy and offer guidance on the way forward. The dialogue will provide an opportunity for industry players to share knowledge, experiences and ideas, fostering collaboration and partnership among stakeholders. For us, sustaining forex gains is a critical step towards Ghana's economic development. Today's dialogue will provide valuable insights and practical solutions to the challenges faced in sustaining forex gains. We look forward to the outcomes of the dialogue and the impact it will have on Ghana's economic future. Featured Looming crises: Energy sector faces $2.2bn shortfall Sulieman Mustapha Business News Jul - 15 - 2025 , 07:53 The IMF has warned that Ghana's energy sector is projected to face a significant shortfall of $2.2 billion by the end of the year. This financial strain is attributed to mounting losses at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), delayed tariff adjustments and rising power generation costs. The IMF's revelation has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of energy sector financing and the government's fiscal consolidation efforts under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. Crux of problem The ECG continues to post large commercial and technical losses, while delays in adjusting electricity tariffs have exacerbated the sector's structural imbalances. The volatile exchange rate and elevated production costs have further compounded the issue. Despite the imposition of taxes on petroleum consumers, analysts warn that the country's ballooning energy sector debt is unlikely to subside anytime soon. Persistent revenue shortfalls and arrears accumulation continue to weigh heavily on public finances, undermining the government's efforts to stabilise the economy. The energy sector's financial woes are further complicated by the ECG's struggles to collect revenue from consumers. The company's technical and commercial losses are a significant drain on its finances, and the delayed tariff adjustments have reduced its ability to recover costs. The situation is dire, and immediate action is needed to prevent a complete collapse of the energy sector. Government's response In the 2025 Budget, the government earmarked GH27.1 billion (approximately US$1.7 billion) to cover the projected shortfall. However, this allocation assumes that key policy actions will be implemented to stem the financial haemorrhage. These include the resumption of quarterly electricity tariff adjustments, the rollout of the Energy Sector Recovery Programme (ESRP), and the completion of a multi-year tariff assessment (MYTO) by end-September 2025a structural benchmark under the IMF programme. The government has also taken steps to improve cost recovery in the power sector. The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) announced a 14.75 per cent increase in electricity tariffs in April 2025, which is expected to help the ECG recover some of its costs. Additionally, the government has approved a plan to open up power distribution to private sector participation, which could help improve operational efficiency and reduce systemic losses. Cash waterfall concerns The IMF has raised concerns about the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM), the framework used to distribute ECG's revenue across stakeholders. The Fund noted major deviations from expected allocations, with significant underpayments to some Independent Power Producers (IPPs). According to the 2024 Revenue/Collection Accounts Validation Report, ECG declared GHS5.3 billion in collections, but actual payments under the CWM amounted to only GHS3.9 billion. The CWM is a critical component of the energy sector's financial architecture, and its dysfunction has significant implications for the sector's stability. The IMF's concerns highlight the need for urgent reforms to ensure that the CWM is functioning effectively and efficiently. While the IMF acknowledged some progress in addressing long-standing issues within the energy sector, it emphasised that structural inefficiencies and revenue collection bottlenecks must be urgently tackled to stabilise the sector. The energy sector's financial fragility remains one of the key downside risks to Ghana's economic recovery efforts, particularly as the government balances social spending commitments, debt restructuring targets and IMF programme conditionalities. The government and stakeholders must work together to address these challenges and ensure the long-term sustainability of the energy sector. This will require a comprehensive approach that addresses the sector's technical, commercial and financial challenges. With the right policies and reforms, Ghana can stabilise its energy sector and promote economic growth and development. Next article: Graphic MD urges confidence and focus in Ghanas economic journey Previous article: BoG set to regulate crypto exchanges, Governor says You cant stop It so lets manage it Featured Stanbic Banks Musah Abdallah calls for structural reforms to sustain forex gains Kweku Zurek Business News Jul - 15 - 2025 , 09:15 The Executive Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana, Musah Abdallah, has called for deep, long-term economic reforms to sustain the recent gains made in Ghanas foreign exchange (Forex) market. Speaking at the Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting held at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Mr. Abdallah acknowledged the growing optimism around the Ghanaian cedis stability, but cautioned that this progress must be guarded with deliberate and strategic action. After years of what seemed like one-way traffic, our macroeconomic fundamentals are beginning to show resilience, he said. We must protect and extend this progress. Mr. Abdallah stressed that while the strength of the local currency is welcomed by many, it could negatively affect the competitiveness of Ghanas exports if exchange rates become misaligned. He noted that sustaining these gains will require structural reforms, fiscal discipline, sound monetary policy, and support for productive sectors, emphasizing that these efforts must go beyond temporary interventions. This is why todays conversation is not just timely its essential. We must ask ourselves: how do we ensure these Forex gains result in tangible development and business growth? Highlighting Stanbic Banks commitment to nation-building, Mr. Abdallah reiterated the banks role as more than a financial institution. We aspire to partner in nation-building by helping navigate macroeconomic complexities and enabling future-ready decisions for businesses and individuals alike. He also emphasized the need to democratize Forex discussions and translate macroeconomic trends into actionable insight for the wider population, stating: Forex conversations shouldnt stay in boardrooms. They must reach everyday Ghanaians. The event brought together industry leaders, regulators, development partners, policy makers, and the business community to explore how Ghana can sustain economic momentum while addressing structural challenges. Mr. Abdallah concluded by encouraging an open and forward-looking discussion that would help craft a more resilient and inclusive economic future for Ghana. Previous article: New Jersey: 2 dead after floodwaters carry away vehicle during heavy rains Featured Ex-Nigeria President Buhari's remains land back in the country BBC International News Jul - 15 - 2025 , 16:41 2 minutes read The remains of Nigeria's former President Muhammadu Buhari have been brought back to the country two days after his death at the age of 82 at a clinic in London. His successor, Bola Tinubu, was at the airport in the northern state of Katsina to receive the body. It will then be transported to Buhari's home some 80km (50 miles) away in Daura where it will be buried in his family's compound. Among the other dignitaries at the airport in Katsina were Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, Niger's former President Mahamadou Issoufou and Buhari's Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. Buhari's house is already filled with mourners as friends, family and well-wishers await the arrival of his corpse. Nigeria's government had declared Tuesday a public holiday to honour Buhari - who was also a former army general, one of only two Nigerians to have led the country as both a military leader and a democratically elected president. Officials say the funeral, initially expected on Monday, was delayed for logistical reasons. Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who accompanied the late leaders corpse back to Nigeria, stated that Buhari had died after a brief illness without revealing any further details. Mourners are waiting outside the compound of Buhari's home in Daura Tributes poured in for the late leader who served for two four-year terms after initially being elected president in 2015, becoming the first opposition leader to defeat an incumbent. The man he beat, President Goodluck Jonathan, described Buhari as someone who "was selfless in his commitment to his duty and served the country with character and a deep sense of patriotism". Former military ruler, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, who overthrew Buhari in a 1985 coup, also showered praise on the octogenarian. "He is a man who, even in retirement, remained a moral compass to many, and an example of modesty in public life, Babangida noted. Tinubu, who will attend the funeral prayer in Daura, declared a seven-day national mourning period in honour of his predecessor. In an official condolence statement released on Sunday evening, Tinubu said the nation would pay its final respects to the former leader with dignity and honour, starting with the lowering of all national flags to half-mast across the country from Sunday. Previous article: Buhari could have died long ago using Nigerian hospitals, Says former Spokesman Adesina Featured 2 lovers arrested for killing Chinese boss Beatrice Laryea Jul - 15 - 2025 , 10:20 2 minutes read The Ogun State Police Command has arrested two suspects, Yunusa Abdullahi and Peace Keno Danlami in connection with the murder of a Chinese national, Chen Wang, who was allegedly stabbed to death in his office earlier this year, according to Punchng.com. Wang, an employee of WH Great Resource Ltd., Ogere, was killed on January 12, 2025. According to a statement released on Tuesday, July 15, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and shared by the spokesperson for the Ogun State Command, CSP Omolola Odutola, the victim suffered fatal stab wounds to the chest. The police stated, The incident, which occurred on January 12, 2025, drew immediate attention when the Ogun State Police Command received a distress call regarding the discovery of Mr. Wangs lifeless body within his office premises. Preliminary findings revealed that the deceased had suffered fatal stab wounds to the chest. Adejobi explained that the arrest followed a meticulously coordinated, intelligence-driven operation. Adejobi disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force Technical Intelligence Unit was deployed to support the Ogun State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, to aid the investigation. In line with the strategic policing mandate of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force Technical Intelligence Unit was promptly mobilised to provide high-level operational and technological support, the statement read. Investigators discovered that two factory workers suspected to be in a romantic relationship exploited reduced staffing on the day of the incident. Odutola added, While on overtime duty, they allegedly disabled the companys security system, unlawfully accessed Mr. Wangs office and committed the fatal attack. They subsequently stole the keys to his residence, which they later burgled before fleeing the state with stolen cash. Following several weeks of surveillance and tactical coordination, operatives from the Force Headquarters and Ogun SCID tracked and arrested Abdullahi, 25, from Borno State, and Danlami, 20, from Taraba State on July 14 in Jos, Plateau State, where they were hiding under false identities. The swift deployment of digital forensics, biometric analysis, and human intelligence by the Nigeria Police played a decisive role in bringing the perpetrators to justice, the statement noted. The statement noted that the Inspector General commended the Ogun State Police Command and the Force Technical Intelligence Unit for their professionalism and dedication. The IG also assured the public of the polices ongoing efforts to protect both citizens and foreign nationals through proactive and precision-led investigations. The suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations, the statement added. Featured Scholarship crisis deepens as universities blacklist Ghanaian students Committee Chair blames corruption and nepotism Mohammed Ali Jul - 15 - 2025 , 12:26 2 minutes read The Chairman of Parliaments Education Committee, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, has blamed corruption and nepotism for the deepening crisis in Ghanas foreign scholarship scheme, which has left the government owing around 40 million to universities in the United Kingdom and the United States. Some universities have reportedly begun blacklisting Ghanaian students due to the non-payment of tuition fees and stipends, Mr Nortsu-Kotoe disclosed during a radio interview on Citi FM on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. According to him, the problem stems from how scholarships were awarded, including expensive short-term programmes and irregular selection processes. He noted that the committee began receiving complaints as early as June and July last year about Ghanaian students being turned away from lectures or forced to return home because their fees had not been paid. Our investigation as a committee revealed that the number of students on scholarship abroad, the amounts involved, the nature of the programmes, and how the selection was done created the problem, Mr Nortsu-Kotoe said. He cited short courses in the UK and US, some costing between 15,000 and 25,000 and lasting as little as three months, as a key concern. Putting all that money together was so huge, he added. The Committee Chair stated that the registrar of the Scholarship Secretariat initially declined to appear before Parliament, arguing that the agency reported directly to the Presidency, not the Ministry of Education. When he eventually did appear, he confirmed significant delays in the release of funds. President John Mahama has since ordered that the Scholarship Secretariat be placed under the Ministry of Education to allow for better supervision. Parliament is also reviewing the National Scholarship Authority Bill, which seeks to establish a governing board to oversee scholarship awards. Currently, the secretariat operates without a board, raising concerns about a lack of accountability. So whoever is in charge of the secretariat can do anything, Mr Nortsu-Kotoe noted. He said that scholarships in the past had been awarded or shared like kelewele, but promised that the new system would include clear criteria and oversight mechanisms. In the meantime, the registrar is negotiating with affected universities to delay fee enforcement, particularly for students with only a few months left to complete their programmes. The committee is also working with the secretariat to prioritise those nearing completion. Mr Nortsu-Kotoe acknowledged that while the debt may have been inherited from previous administrations, the current government must evaluate how the scholarships were awarded before making payments. The crisis has left many Ghanaian students abroad stranded and at risk of losing their accommodation or place in school, as institutions take action over the unpaid fees. Featured Gender Minister elected chair of reconstituted 18-member Human Trafficking Management Board Diana Mensah Jul - 15 - 2025 , 17:35 3 minutes read The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has been elected Chair of the newly reconstituted Human Trafficking Management Board, pledging to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts against modern-day slavery. Established under Ghana's Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694), the Human Trafficking Management Board is responsible for coordinating and overseeing matters relating to prevention, rehabilitation, reintegration of victims, and prosecution of trafficking offenders. Welcoming the newly inaugurated Board in Accra, Dr Lartey described human trafficking as a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights that continues to affect millions globally, particularly women and children who are vulnerable to forced labour and sexual exploitation. Despite the progress made, Ghana remains a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking, she said. It is our collective duty to address this menace and protect the vulnerable. She stressed that the inauguration presents a renewed opportunity to combat human trafficking and protect the vulnerable in Ghana. The 18-member Board includes Abena Annobea Asare (Secretary), Elizabeth Sackeyfio, Henrietta Nikoi, Lydia Quarcoo, Deborah Adjei Djanie, Emmanuel Otibu Darko Korankye, Bertha Badu-Agyei, DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Pamela Yaa Pomaah Codjo, Eric Kweku Bonney, Hakeem Mumunio Duwiejua, Agnes Aknmopoyah Abolimpoh, Fredrick Obenh Abekah, Benjamin Akyena Brentuo, Ephraim Nii Tan Sackey, Sophia Kudjordji, and Michael Terkpetey Narh. Dr Lartey explained that the Human Trafficking Secretariat, established under Section 32 of the Act, operates as the national coordinating body for all anti-trafficking efforts in Ghana. She said the Board would enable the Ministry and the Secretariat to fulfil their mandate and work as a team to fight the scourge of human trafficking. All Board members were chosen because of their technical expertise, which I believe they will bring on board to effectively fight the menace through the functions outlined in the Act, she added. The Board is tasked with recommending and monitoring a national plan of action against human trafficking, advising the Minister on policy matters, assisting in investigations and prosecutions, proposing prevention and victim support strategies, liaising with agencies for rehabilitation, and preparing guidelines for disbursing the human trafficking fund. It will also be responsible for conducting research on international best practices. Dr Lartey encouraged members to work together to move Ghana to a Tier 1 ranking in the US Department of States Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. Since 2017, Ghana has consistently maintained its Tier 2 ranking. However, no single agency can tackle this challenge alone. I urge you to work hard and in unity with the Ministry and all partners. She also acknowledged the achievements of the previous Board and their contribution to enhancing Ghanas international standing in anti-trafficking efforts. In a related development, a six-member Central Adoption Authority Board (CAAB) under the Ministry was inaugurated. It will be chaired by the Ministrys Chief Director, Dr Afisah Zachariah. The Board is tasked with sustaining current reforms in the countrys adoption processes and ensuring ongoing monitoring of adoptive families for both in-country and inter-country adoptions. Other members of the CAAB are Stephen Tikai Dombo (Secretary), Yvonne Norman, Benice M. Ackon, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Owusuaa Kyeremeh, Bright K. Appiah, Hanaan N. Asaku, Evelyn Danquah Kottoh, and Dr Susan Langmagne. Featured Employment measures have not worked - ISSER report Maclean Kwofi Jul - 15 - 2025 , 12:08 3 minutes read Government interventions intended to reduce youth unemployment have since 2015 failed to effectively address the issue, a report on a study by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has established. The report further emphasised that while initiatives such as the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Youth in Agriculture Programme (YiAP), and Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) offered training and job placement opportunities, they often overlooked youth interests, as the training modules and job offerings were developed without the direct input of the intended beneficiaries. It identified two main causes of high youth unemployment in the country: a significant mismatch between the skills gained through training and labour market demands, and a shortage of job opportunities to accommodate the increasing number of young people entering the workforce. These are some of the findings of the study included in the report titled Ghana Social Development Outlook (GSDO) Report 2024. The report, which was launched last Friday, attracted personalities such as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs of the University of Ghana, Professor Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare, and the Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, with the Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the local chapter of Transparency International, Mary Awelana Addah, chairing the function. The report is structured in 10 chapters covering education, health, housing, water and sanitation, employment, energy, gender equity, social relations, and population, among others, providing timely insights supported by data and expert analysis. The 2024 edition is the seventh in the series of the report. Findings The Head of Social Division of ISSER, Dr Martha Awo, who shared the report findings, stated that government programmes such as NEIP and YiAP offered training modules, while NABCO, for instance, was focused exclusively on job placement. She explained that the training programmes were focused primarily on the agricultural sector and entrepreneurship. Dr Awo said job placement programmes did not centre on the provision of what the International Labour Organisation would classify as decent jobs. She said payment of arrears, in particular, led to disaffection among beneficiaries towards the system. Young people's interests are not central to the development of either the training modules or the kinds of jobs on offer for them, she said. Going forward, Dr Awo suggested efforts to ensure that the training opportunities provided were fit for purpose and that the intended jobs were decent enough. Young people should be included in the design of the training and job placement programmes. A tracer study should also be conducted to determine the extent to which these programmes shape the trajectories of young people, she said. Employment policy The Director of ISSER, Prof. Peter Quartey, called on the government to develop a comprehensive employment policy to provide decent jobs for the youth in the country. He explained that the proposed policy should harmonise the various youth employment initiatives introduced by past governments into a cohesive document, ensuring continuity and stability rather than the current practice of changing programmes with each new regime. The ISSER Director said the country could support its development agenda and create meaningful opportunities for young people. Prof. Quartey said the report, published biennially since 2012 by ISSERs Social Division, had become a key resource for tracking the countrys social development progress. Each edition reflects our commitment to providing accessible, evidence-based analysis that informs policy and contributes meaningfully to national development discourse. Over the past six years, we have benefited from the support of industry partners such as the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Ghana, whose contributions have strengthened our dissemination efforts, including the production of policy briefs, organisation of events, and targeted media engagements, he added. GAEC celebrates Scientific Renaissance Africa - Highlighting role of nuclear and space technology in water resources management Daniel Kenu Jul - 15 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read Ghana joined the rest of Africa to commemorate the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa, with a high-level webinar focused on leveraging advanced technologies for sustainable water resources management. The 2025 edition, hosted by GAEC last Monday in Accra, on the theme: Water Resources Management: The role of nuclear science and space technology," and chaired by the Director General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Prof. Paul Bosso, reinforced Ghanas commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG Six (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG nine (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Role of science In a speech delivered on his behalf, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, emphasised the critical role science had played in national development, including addressing the countrys water challenges. The speech, which was delivered by a director of the ministry, Kwamena Quaison, in an era when pollution, climate change and illegal mining (popularly known as galamsey) have severely impacted water quality and accessibility, conventional water management approaches were no longer sufficient. "We must adopt nuclear science and space science technology for precision, efficiency and sustainability," he said. The minister highlighted Ghanas progress in isotope hydrology as well as space technology for real time earth observation, as a major step to monitor and manage water quality. Dr Murtala Mohammed also outlined government initiatives, including the development of Ghanas Nuclear Power Programme to provide sustainable, cheap and reliable energy and water desalination capability, as well as the forthcoming Ghana Space Policy to elevate the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) into a full-fledged agency with the potential of positioning Ghana as a hub for space technology in the subregion. Sustainable water The Director-General of GAEC, Prof. Samuel Boakye Dampare, in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Director General, Prof. Francis Hasford, stressed the urgency of sustainable water management amid growing threats from pollution and climate change. He cited GAECs use of isotope hydrology and remote sensing to monitor water resources, and called for policy integration of AUs water security frameworks, enhanced partnerships between researchers, policymakers, and communities as well as increased investments in science, urging the government to allocate at least one per cent of GDP to research and innovation. Background Every year on June 30, the continent of Africa commemorates the Day of the Scientific Renaissance of Africa. A day set aside by the African Union (AU) to highlight the crucial and constructive role that science and technology play in the development of the continent. In celebrating the day across Africa, the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), agencies under the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), take turns hosting the celebration. This years event featured key presentations on; The Role of Isotope Hydrology Technology in Water Resources Management and The Role of Remote Sensing Technology in Water Resources Management, delivered by the Director of the National Nuclear Research Institute, Prof. Samuel Ganyaglo, and Mr Kow Ahor Essel-Yorke, the representative of the Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology, Dr Joseph Tandoh. It was attended by scientists, policymakers, NGOs, representatives from academia and the media. Transparency, accountability key to nations debt management Prof. Bokpin Samuel Duodu Jul - 15 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read A professor of Finance at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Godfred Alufar Bokpin, has called for improved transparency and accountability in the country's debt management practices. He observed that the country's debt management had been plagued by under-declaration, lack of disclosure and creative accounting practices. "We find it very convenient to treat certain debts as incapable debts in the books of state-owned enterprises. "But when the IMF came to town and signed their life on the data, we were told at the end of the debt sustainability analysis that our debt-to-GDP ratio in present value chains was 109 per cent, whilst the policy dependency threshold in terms of the measure of solvency was supposed to be 55 per cent," the finance professor said. He was speaking at the launch of a report released by the Economic Governance Platform (EGP) titled "Sustainable Debt Management in Ghana under the auspices of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) in Accra. The report is a flagship output of the Citizen Action for Sustainable Debt Management Project, implemented by the EGP with support from the Open Society Foundations (OSF). It comprehensively analyses Ghanas current debt landscape and offers practical policy recommendations to enhance parliamentary oversight, civic engagement and public sector accountability in debt management. Debt management Prof. Bokpin further said that the country's debt management practices were weak, especially when Ghana was not under an IMF-supported programme. "Any time we are on our own, we preside over weak debt management practices without much transparency," he said. Prof. Bokpin, therefore, called for improved institutional strengthening to manage public debt, disclosures, transparency and mitigation measures. "We need to improve going forward. And this will be very important if Ghana goes ahead with their plan not to be under the IMF's supported programme after December 2025," he added. Prof. Bokpin also mentioned that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) such as the ECG accumulate debt and arrears, which ultimately require government intervention. In the 2025 budget, $33.7 billion was allocated to cater for inefficiencies and other commitments of SOEs. He said that administrative costs in government institutions, including the National Health Insurance Authority, were increasing, with some institutions spending over 40 per cent of their allocation on administration. Prof. Bokpin also stated that the countrys procurement practices had significantly diverged from best practices, with nearly 80 per cent of large government purchases over the years being carried out through sole or single sourcing. Recommendations Prof. Bokpin recommended institutionalising a fiscal council, making it independent and ensuring its operational independence to enhance debt accountability and transparency. He emphasised the importance of improving efficiency in domestic revenue mobilisation by making the tax system more progressive, including lowering the burden on low-income earners. An effective way to manage your debts is by strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation. We need to explore efficiency in how we mobilise revenue and make our tax system more progressive, rather than it placing disproportionate burden on the poor, especially those with low income levels, Prof. Bokpin said. He also recommended empowering anti-corruption agencies such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor. Focus The Coordinator of the EGP, Abdul Karim Mohammed, stated that the report concentrated on political economy in debt accumulation, legal and institutional frameworks, and issues of accountability and transparency. For her part, the Executive Secretary of the GACC, Beauty Emefa Narteh, stated that the report was a valuable resource that could help media practitioners produce stories to influence public discourse around Ghanas debt management. Featured Well scrutinise govt policies GNAFF President Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Jul - 15 - 2025 , 12:40 4 minutes read The Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF) says it will scutinise government policies and programmes to ensure that they serve the interest of Ghanaians, especially farmers, fishermen and women. The newly elected President of the association, Michael Tetteh Kwetey, said it was time for members to put their collective energies and resources together towards the improvement of our livelihoods and the Ghanaian economy. He, however, assured the government of their preparedness to partner with it to increase productivity and improve peoples livelihoods. Mr Kwetey, a businessman, was addressing the eighth national delegates congress of GNAFF at Brofoyedu in the Atwima Kwanwoma District in the Ashanti Region last Saturday, during which he was elected as new President of the association for a four-year term. He polled 70 votes to defeat his only challenger, Dr Peter Kwesi Terkper, who had 66 votes, to win the contest at the two-day congress. Mr Kwetey said the associations renewed life and strength was not only a testament to the resilience and strategic relevance of the association to the local economy, but also reinforced its role as the backbone of Ghanas economy. He added that no society could ever imagine a future without farmers, fishermen and women, saying this very point underscores the transformative power inherent in our collective energies and resources. Mr Kwetey said the new leadership would visit farmers and fishermen nationwide to further appreciate their working and living conditions, and how the association could collectively improve the conditions of farmers and its members. Heroes In a speech read on her behalf, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, described farmers and fisherfolk as the heroes feeding the nation and sustaining countless livelihoods. She said their resilience and hard work often in the face of adversity deserve our highest commendation, adding that the ministry remained committed to policies and programmes that would promote a sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector. She encouraged the association to continue to foster unity, innovation and advocacy for the welfare of its members, and indicated that their collaboration with the ministry, other government agencies and private partners was key to achieving a vibrant fisheries and agricultural sector. Fragmented The Ashanti Regional Director of Agriculture, Geodfrey Appiah Acheampong, said GNAFF could not feed the nation when farmers and fishermen were fragmented, under-resourced and under-represented. We must continue to break silos, strengthen farmer-based organisations and promote inclusive policies that prioritise the needs of our members, he said, adding that unity would enable them to speak with one voice, negotiate better, adopt innovative practices and adapt to climate shocks together. The two-day congress, held on the theme: Uniting farmers and fishermen to feed the nation, also witnessed the election of other officers of the association. Rev. Simon Banmarigu polled 106 votes to win the position of Youth Organiser as against 30 votes secured by Temple Solomon Adjei. Dawuda Nashirata lost the General Secretary position to Dr Abutu Kapori. Other elected officers who went unopposed were Dr Israel Kuadzi as Deputy General Secretary; Isaac Amanor as National Treasurer; Paul Agorsu Danklu as National Financial Secretary; Emmanuel Anunyam as National Organiser; and Shaibu Mohammed as Deputy National Organiser. The rest were Esther Asi Tettey Akplehey as National Women's Organiser, Felicia Ayamga as Deputy National Womens Organiser, and Rev. Richard Amoh as the Deputy National Youth Organiser. New presidents profile Mr Kwetey has over two decades of experience in business development, growth and entrepreneurship. A businessman and entrepreneur, he is currently the Director and Chief Executive of Kwat Company Limited, a haulage company in the petrochemical industry of the downstream sub-sector of the energy sector. Mr Kwetey holds a Master of Laws, Energy Law, from the University of Ghana, a Bachelor of Laws from Central University College and a Master of Administration in Oil and Gas Management from Coventry University. He also has a Master of Arts degree in Development Communication from the University of Media, Arts and Communication. The immediate past President, GNAFF, Nene Terkpetey Agbleze I, who chaired the event, called on the leadership and members to remain united to sustain the operations of the association He said, "we need peace and unity within the association to achieve the goals and objectives of the association". Writers email: [email protected] Upcoming expo in Beijing to foster global supply chain stability, resilience Xinhua) 16:53, July 15, 2025 BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China will open the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing on Wednesday, rallying multinational giants including Nvidia, Apple, and Airbus to showcase industrial resilience and cross-border collaboration. With 651 enterprises and institutions from 75 countries, regions and international organizations participating --including a notable 15 percent year-on-year increase in U.S. exhibitors -- the event signals robust international commitment to stabilizing supply chains. Global giants are actively engaging. U.S. tech giant Nvidia is expected to make its debut at the expo, presenting cutting-edge robots featuring Nvidia chips. Airbus will also make its inaugural appearance, bringing its global supply chain collaborators to present the comprehensive ecosystem of the large aircraft industry. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will attend the opening ceremony of the expo on Wednesday and participate in related activities, according to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the event's organizer. In a meeting on Tuesday with Ren Hongbin, chairman of CCPIT, Huang said that the Chinese market is large and dynamic, and the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in China is advancing rapidly. "Multinational companies are realizing that maintaining their position in global supply chains necessitates a strong presence in China," said Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China. Unlike traditional trade fairs focusing on goods or services, CISCE pioneers a unique "chain-centric" model that visualizes end-to-end industrial collaboration. In each exhibition hall, upstream, midstream and downstream companies cluster in adjacent booths, visually demonstrating their interdependence and synergy. Many companies across the supply chain will set up collaborative displays. For example, Apple is teaming up with Chinese suppliers for the third consecutive year to showcase cutting-edge technologies in smart manufacturing and green production. "Multinational corporations serve as anchor companies in global industries, thriving together with upstream and downstream partners worldwide. While advancing their own growth, these corporations strengthen global industrial and supply chain resilience," Ren said. The third CISCE features nearly 100 high-level events, surpassing previous editions in scale and participation, according to Xu Liang, deputy secretary-general of the China Chamber of International Commerce. A key innovation for this edition is the "Debut Zone," dedicated to the global premieres of new products, technologies, and ecosystems, showcasing breakthrough innovations that drive industrial collaboration, Xu noted. As the host, China will bring together a diverse group of leading state-owned and private enterprises showcasing the country's green and digital transition. Among them, Zhejiang-based AI industry chain companies, such as Unitree Robotics, BrainCo, and Hikvision, will participate. "Through tangible examples of global supply chains at the expo, China demonstrates its firm resolve to advance globalization towards a more open, inclusive, balanced, and win-win future. It vividly embodies the concept of building a community with a shared future, where nations are interdependent," Wang said. As the world's first national-level exhibition focusing on supply chains, the expo is an internationally shared public product. First held in 2023, the expo has contributed to building more secure, stable, open and inclusive global industrial and supply chains, according to the CCPIT. The previous editions have seen fruitful outcomes, with the 2024 session catalyzing more than 200 cooperation deals worth 152 billion yuan (about 21.26 billion U.S. dollars), a 1.3 percent increase from its inaugural run in 2023. The expo will run from Wednesday to Sunday in Beijing, with public days commencing on Saturday. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Featured High Court denies Agradaa bail as lawyers push to overturn conviction GraphicOnline Jul - 15 - 2025 , 16:15 2 minutes read A member of the legal team representing convicted evangelist Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, says they will continue to pursue all legal avenues despite the High Court in Amasamans refusal to grant her bail pending the outcome of her appeal. Speaking to Citi News on Tuesday, July 15, lawyer Dr Bernard Kofi Asamoah confirmed that the bail application had been rejected but insisted that the legal process was far from over. We wanted bail pending appeal, and the court did not grant it. The court has given an order that the Circuit Court furnish the court with all the processes needed for the appeal. We will continue the appeal process, Dr. Asamoah stated. The bail request was filed after Nana Agradaa was handed a 15-year custodial sentence on July 3 by an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Justice Evelyn Asamoah. She was found guilty on charges of defrauding by false pretences and engaging in charlatanic advertisement. Her legal team argues that the trial was marred by procedural flaws and judicial bias, and they maintain that the sentence was both harsh and unjust. On July 7, lead counsel Richard Asare Baffour confirmed that a formal petition had been filed with the High Court, seeking to overturn the conviction and sentence. Despite the High Courts latest ruling, Dr Asamoah reiterated the defence teams determination to continue fighting for their client. The former traditional priestess-turned-evangelist has remained in custody since her sentencing earlier this month. Next article: Buhari could have died long ago using Nigerian hospitals, Says former Spokesman Adesina Featured Mafi Adidome Chiefs condemn ritual murder allegations, call for Chieftaincy law reforms Jemima Okang Addae Jul - 15 - 2025 , 11:20 2 minutes read The traditional leadership of Mafi Adidome has strongly condemned recent ritual murder allegations linked to their community, denying any local involvement and calling for reforms to empower chiefs in the fight against crime. In a statement released by the Head of Communications, Dr Gideon Quarcoo, the Dufia of Mafi Adidome, Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyeman, described the reported acts as barbaric, backwards, and anti-social. "The alleged culprits are from communities near Adidome, they are not citizens of Adidome, even though they live on our lands," Togbe Agyeman clarified. His remarks come in the wake of the Ghana Police Services arrest of six individuals, including a fetish priest, in connection with the murder of a 25-year-old mason, Nelson Anyena, and the discovery of two additional bodies buried at a shrine. "While I acknowledge various belief systems exist in societies, no cultural or spiritual justification can excuse acts that undermine the sanctity of human life," the statement read. Dr Quarcoo indicated that Togbe Agyeman had proposed reforms to the Chieftaincy Act, particularly calling for a review of Section 63, which he said limits the authority of chiefs to sanction or manage criminal behaviour. "We welcome propositions by the government to reform the institution, especially addressing redundant provisions in Section 63 of the Act," he said, arguing that restored traditional sanctions could help combat such crimes. Togbe Agyeman noted that current legislation has significantly weakened the powers of traditional rulers, making it difficult for them to enforce discipline or combat emerging social vices in their jurisdictions. "Mafi Adidome remains a peaceful, hospitable, law-abiding, and business-friendly community," Dr Quarcoo emphasised on behalf of the traditional council. The reassurance comes as the town prepares for its annual Unity Festival, a major economic and cultural event for the region. Togbe Agyeman extended condolences to the victims' families while pledging full cooperation with authorities. "To the bereaved families, we extend our deepest condolences. The people of Mafi Adidome stand with you in sorrow and in the pursuit of justice," the statement said. To bolster security, the traditional council has also established a local task force to collaborate with the police in identifying and monitoring potential criminal elements. As investigations continue, the Mafi Adidome traditional council has announced plans for community sensitisation programs on crime prevention and plans to review local bylaws regarding spiritual practices. "We must protect both our traditions and our people's safety," Dr. Quarcoo said. Next article: See the areas that will be affected by ECGs planned maintenance on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Previous article: No more free fuel for appointees: President Mahamas new austerity move Featured Military personnel warned: Strict sanctions for unauthorized escort duties GraphicOnline Jul - 15 - 2025 , 07:44 2 minutes read The Ministry of Defence has announced the withdrawal of military protection for all civilians not legally entitled to such services, in what officials say is a decisive step to restore discipline and end abuse within Ghanas security sector. The announcement was made by Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. He stated that the decision is in line with the governments ongoing Reset Agenda, aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and responsible governance. As part of our Reset agenda to restore discipline and accountability, weve withdrawn military protection for civilians (including public officials, former ministers, businessmen, and women, among others) who are not entitled to it, the Minister wrote. The move is expected to affect several political figures, former government appointees, and private individuals who have previously benefited from military escorts and guard services without proper authorisation. Dr Boamah emphasised that the policy is designed to halt what he described as the misuse of military personnel for personal benefitan abuse that he says undermines the professional obligations of the Ghana Armed Forces. This decision aims to STOP the misuse of military personnel for personal gain, he stressed. He further warned that strict sanctions would be applied to any service personnel found violating the directive. Military personnel found providing unauthorized guard duties, and any other unauthorized duties, will face far-reaching consequences, he cautioned. The Defence Minister urged the public to support the governments efforts, calling for a united front in ensuring the proper use of the nations security apparatus. Lets work together to promote a more disciplined and responsible use of our military resources. Were committed to transparency and accountability. Lets build a more responsible and just society together, he concluded. The directive is part of President John Dramani Mahamas broader governance reform efforts to depoliticise state institutions and tighten oversight over national security deployments. The Armed Forces Council is expected to supervise the enforcement of the new policy, while internal monitoring systemsincluding body camera activationare reportedly being enhanced under the #EAGLEEYES initiative. Featured Ministry of Defence withdraws military protection for ineligible civilians Beatrice Laryea Jul - 15 - 2025 , 12:50 2 minutes read The Ministry of Defence has withdrawn military protection for all civilians who are not legally entitled to such services, including public officials, former ministers, and businesspeople. The move forms part of broader efforts to restore discipline, transparency, and accountability within Ghanas security architecture. Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, announced the directive in a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, July 15. He described the decision as a key component of the governments Reset Agenda, which seeks to promote responsible governance and uphold the rule of law. As part of our Reset agenda to restore discipline and accountability, weve withdrawn military protection for civilians (including public officials, former ministers, businessmen, and women, among others) who are not entitled to it, he stated. The Minister emphasised that the directive is intended to end the abuse of military personnel for private gain, a practice he described as inconsistent with the professional obligations of the armed forces. This decision aims to STOP the misuse of military personnel for personal gain. Therefore, military personnel found providing unauthorised guard duties, and any other unauthorised duties, will face far-reaching consequences, he warned. He further called for collective responsibility in supporting the initiative to ensure a more disciplined and equitable use of state security resources. Lets work together to promote a more disciplined and responsible use of our military resources. Were committed to transparency and accountability. Lets build a more responsible and just society together, he stated. The directive is widely viewed as part of President John Mahamas broader strategy to reset governance structures and curb the politicisation and misuse of state institutions. Next article: LIST: See the Members of the James Agalga-led Ghana Airports Company Limited Board Featured MPs trained to trace hidden wealth and tackle corruption Mohammed Ali Jul - 15 - 2025 , 14:41 2 minutes read The Parliament of Ghana has held a workshop to equip Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus with tools to promote transparency and curb corruption by exposing hidden ownership of corporate entities. The orientation session, organised in partnership with Transparency International Ghana, took place on Monday, July 14, 2025, and introduced lawmakers to the practical use of Beneficial Ownership Transparency (BOT) as part of the national strategy to fight illicit financial flows and tax evasion. Officials said the training was part of ongoing efforts to align Ghanas governance practices with global transparency standards. The discussions centred on the countrys fifth OGP National Action Plan (20232027), with emphasis on the role of Parliament in monitoring compliance and holding institutions to account. Ghana joined the Open Government Partnership in 2011 and has since adopted several action plans to improve transparency, open contracting, and public participation in governance. The current phase aims to strengthen the legal and institutional structures supporting BOT and other anti-corruption reforms. The workshop provided MPs with updates on Ghanas progress and challenges in implementing BOT. It also explored how Parliament can use its oversight role to improve enforcement and transparency in both the public and private sectors. A statement issued by Parliament described the training as part of a broader strategy to support open government and ensure that lawmaking responds to the needs of citizens. One of the participants stated, Beneficial Ownership Transparency is not just a global priority, it is central to Ghanas efforts to fight corruption. If we are serious about tackling the problem, this is where the real work begins. At the close of the session, members of the OGP Caucus pledged to support further reforms and work toward a more accountable system that delivers results for all Ghanaians. Featured See the areas that will be affected by ECGs planned maintenance on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 GraphicOnline Jul - 16 - 2025 , 05:59 2 minutes read The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced a series of emergency and planned maintenance works scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in various regions across the country. The exercise, which forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance power supply reliability, is expected to result in temporary power outages in affected communities. In the Western Region, ECG will undertake emergency maintenance works from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The areas to be affected include Ateiku, Esaman, Jerusalem, Akyempim, Akosombo, Kubekrom, Nsadweso, Subrie, and surrounding communities. The company noted that the brief outage is necessary to address urgent faults and restore stable service delivery in the region. In the Ashanti Region, residents in several suburbs will experience an eight-hour interruption in electricity supply from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Affected areas include Santase, Odeneho Kwadaso, OWASS, CAC University, Fankyenebra, Patase, Apire, Ampatia, Trede, Bebu, Ampabame No.1 and No.2, Edwenase, Kwadaso, Ohwumase, Asouyeboah, Tanoso, Takyiman, Denkyembuoso, Yabi, Kromoase, Agric Nema, Akyeremade, Twedie, Foase, Antoakrom, Manso Nkwanta, Nweneso, Trabuom, Boko, Yawkrom, Chichibon, Manso Adubia, and their environs. In the Volta Region, ECG will carry out similar maintenance works affecting Hodzo and its surrounding areas. The exercise is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and aims to improve service delivery and minimise unplanned outages in the region. The Greater Accra Region will also be affected by planned maintenance during the same period. Residents in Gbawe Top Base, McCarthy Hill, Weija Junction, Tetegu, Glefe, Wiaboman, Mallam Junction, South McCarthy Hill, White Cross, Choice, Sampa Valley, Kingshasha, Oyibi, Amrahia, Lakeside Estates, Community 6 and 8, New Legon, and neighbouring communities should expect interruptions in power supply between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Additionally, in the Tema Region, ECG will conduct planned maintenance between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The exercise will affect Jericho, Roman Down, Underbridge Market, Kanawu, Adjei Kodjo, Community 25, Bulasu, Ghana Flag, Afienya Zongo, Ahwiam, Magotsonya, Akplabanya, Goi, Kportitse Kope, Songor Salt, Mataheko, and surrounding areas. In all the affected regions, ECG has apologised for the inconvenience the exercise may cause and assured customers that the maintenance works are part of its broader commitment to improving the quality and stability of electricity supply. We regret the inconvenience that will arise out of this exercise, ECG stated in its notices across the regions. Customers are advised to take necessary precautions during the period and treat all electrical appliances as live. Featured Unemployment driving extremism in Ghana and Sahel - Defence Minister Mohammed Ali Jul - 15 - 2025 , 12:18 3 minutes read Youth unemployment and poverty may be fuelling violent extremism in Ghana and the wider Sahel region, Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, has warned. Speaking on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the National Forum of the Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI) in Accra, Dr Boamah said insecurity in places like Bawku cannot be resolved through high-level negotiations alone. He urged both government and civil society organisations to listen more to communities most affected by the violence. Negotiations in the boardrooms do not always bring peace. We need to listen to the people on the ground, Dr Boamah said. Local communities are the backbone of peacebuilding. The bottom-up approach must complement our efforts from the top. The Defence Minister, who had just returned from an emergency National Security Council meeting on renewed violence in Bawku, said President John Dramani Mahama remained determined to end the decades-long conflict in the Upper East town. He disclosed that the National Security Coordinator, the Minister for the Interior, the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Inspector General of Police had each been assigned coordinated but substantive roles to help restore peace. The forum was held under the theme, The Political Economy of Conflict in Ghana: Addressing Youth Unemployment as a Catalyst for Security and Social Cohesion. Dr Boamah told the gathering that the growing instability in the Sahel and northern Ghana was closely linked to economic exclusion and rising joblessness among the youth. Whether it is unemployment that begets instability or instability that worsens unemployment, either way you are not wrong, he told the audience of religious leaders, policymakers and civil society representatives. If we do not create equitable opportunities, the inequality itself will breed conflict in communities where extremists thrive. Dr Boamah commended the SPI for involving religious leaders in peacebuilding efforts and called for greater interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Faith can be a powerful unifying force, he said, adding that blessed are the peacemakers must go beyond words, especially in light of current threats. He announced that the Ghana Armed Forces would recruit 12,000 young men and women over the next three and a half years. He explained that the recruitment exercise would be spread across all regions, not limited to selected capitals. This is how we make sure no Ghanaian youth feels left out of national development, he said. Dr Boamah also spoke about the need to support women and girls in conflict-affected areas, acknowledging both their vulnerability and their role in rebuilding resilient communities. He ended by affirming support for the Sahel Peace Initiative and encouraged all stakeholders to advocate for fair policies, build local capacity and take practical steps toward lasting peace. Together, we can make a difference, he said. Featured Bawku conflict: Kusasi MPs accuse soldiers of killing six, burning Zugraan statue Mohammed Ali Politics Jul - 15 - 2025 , 15:57 3 minutes read Members of Parliament representing the six Kusasi-majority constituencies in the Upper East Region have accused the Ghana Armed Forces of killing six civilians and injuring more than 20 others in Bawku during what they described as an unprovoked attack. At a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the MPs, led by Tempane MP, Madam Akanvariva Lydia Lamisi, read a joint statement on behalf of their colleagues and Kusasi opinion leaders, condemning what they called banditry by soldiers stationed in Bawku under the governments peacekeeping operation. According to the MPs, the incident occurred on Sunday, July 13, 2025, after unknown gunmen allegedly opened fire on a vehicle and its escort in the conflict-prone municipality. They claimed that in response to the attack, soldiers launched a violent assault on civilians, leading to six deaths, injuries to over 20 others, and widespread destruction of property. They also alleged that some of the soldiers looted shops, seized large amounts of money, and destroyed cultural property, including pulling down and burning the statue of Zugraan Abugrago Azoka II, the recognised chief of the Kusasi people. What was the point in the destruction of the statue of our overlord? Madam Lamisi asked. What security threat did the statue pose and what threat does the destruction solve? The MPs included Mr Mahama Ayariga (Bawku Central), Mr Ebenezer Alumire Ndebilla (Zebilla), Mr Anabah Thomas Winsum (Garu), Mr Mahmoud Issifu (Binduri), and Madam Laadi Ayii Ayamba (Pusiga). They reaffirmed their support for Zugraan Abugrago Azoka II, whom they described as the legitimate chief of Bawku since April 1984. The statement described the militarys actions as part of what they see as a pattern of hostility towards Kusasis, recalling past incidents in Garu and Tempane. The MPs demanded that those responsible be held accountable and called for a complete review of the militarys operations in the area. They made the following demands: a formal apology from the Ghana Armed Forces to Zugraan Azoka II and the people of Bawku, a full investigation and prosecution of any soldiers found culpable, compensation for the victims and their families, reconstruction of the destroyed statue, and an overhaul of military strategy in the area to prioritise intelligence-led operations. The Ghana Armed Forces must adopt proper intelligence gathering to address security threats, the MPs stated. They only succeed in killing and maiming innocent people without addressing the root cause. The statement ended with a call for national dialogue and support for peaceful mediation of the long-running Bawku chieftaincy dispute. The MPs said lasting peace would only be possible through justice and respectful engagement. We pray that the government will restore the cordial, peaceful relations that once existed between us, Madam Lamisi said. Featured NDC thugs attacked me Hawa Koomson justifies pepper spray use GraphicOnline Politics Jul - 15 - 2025 , 14:11 2 minutes read Former Awutu Senya East MP Mavis Hawa Koomson has justified her use of pepper spray during last Fridays chaotic parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North, claiming it was an act of self-defence against alleged National Democratic Congress (NDC)-affiliated attackers. The July 11 election, held across 19 polling stations following disputes from the December 2024 polls, turned violent when unidentified men reportedly overpowered police at St. Peters Methodist Church polling station. Viral videos showed Koomson deploying pepper spray as a group advanced toward her. In an interview with Accra-based UTV on Tuesday, the former Fisheries Minister denied planning violence, insisting she was targeted. I was at the voting centre with my security, but the police insisted I enter alone, saying unauthorised persons were not allowed in. I did not go there to cause trouble, she stated. Koomson alleged she recognised attackers from Kasoa linked to the opposition NDC: One of them shouted, Where is Hawa Koomson? and they just pounced on me. [...] When I saw the thugs walking toward me holding knives, I acted in self-defence. She referenced her sons stabbing during the 2024 voter registration as proof of being a target: I know Im a threat to the NDC, which is why I take steps to protect myself. Koomson said she attended the rerun to support NPP candidate Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, a former parliamentary colleague, dismissing claims of provocation: I am not a troublemaker, but I dont take foolishness. The NDCs Ewurabena Aubynn ultimately won the rerun. Police rescued Koomson during the clash, but no arrests have been reported. The Guam Education Board on Tuesday voted to consider a proposal to lease for an initial one year the vacant Chief Brodie Memorial Elementary School in Tamuning to Science Is Fun and Awesome, SIFA, Learning Academy Charter School. This comes just weeks before SIFAs more than 400 students are supposed to begin a new school year on Aug. 15. Education board members vote on an interim lease is scheduled for July 29. The boards roll call vote directs SIFA to submit a written proposal for review by the executive and finance committees, while attorneys for SIFA and the Guam Department of Education are tasked with drafting a legally compliant agreement. I think if come July 29 we can agree to that, then we can look and see for SIFA at least using Chief Brodie instead of running away. Thats my main concern, to make sure that we dont lose any more money, education board chairman Angel Sablan said at the meeting. Youve already said youre going to invest in it, and were going to take you around if we approve this interim. Legal compliance was a central concern. Board members made clear the agreement must avoid liability and withstand scrutiny. Attorney (Mike) Phillips and Attorney (Jesse) Nasis, you gotta come up with an agreement that meets legal standards that nobodys going to say, Hey, wait a minute. What we cant do is not even for an interim, Sablan said. SIFA vacated their Tiyan campus after a dispute with their landlord. More than 400 SIFA students academic future is at stake if the charter school is unable to find a new campus soon. You better start looking for another campus, Sablan said. Because we dont know, we might not build the door next time. As the board debated the lease, members acknowledged legal ambiguities, including whether GDOE can bypass a formal request for proposals or whether executive or legislative involvement is required. Thats my biggest concern, the legality of what we do, how we do it, board member Judith Guthertz said. These are something that we still, will have to research ourselves. Guthertz added that if the government of Guam is the recorded owner of the Chief Brodie property, it can take control of this entire matter without any more concurrence. If it is officially in the inventory of the Department of Education, I want to make sure that whatever we do is in compliance with the law, the former senator said. I dont want to see my name on the front page of any newspaper saying I didnt follow the legal requirements in supporting this action. Education board members said they would seek clarification from the Office of the Attorney General. The legislature is very powerful. They can change any law overnight. It can do this even without us, Guthertz said. Whatever is done has to be done properly, following the proper procedures, all proper requirements whether its the executive branch, the legislature or the Board of Education. Put children ahead of politics During the meeting, parents and community leaders urged swift action. Former senator and educator Judith Won Pat delivered emotional testimony encouraging the board to prioritize students. This isnt just a slogan for me, its how Ive lived, and today I ask you to do the same to lead with your hearts, and to put children ahead of politics, ahead of bureaucracy, ahead of policies and red tape, she said. Right now, over 400 students, real children with real families, are displaced, uncertain, and just weeks away from the start of the school year. Won Pat warned that allowing Chief Brodie to remain vacant could mirror the decline of Francisco Q. Sanchez Elementary in Humatak. Chief Brodie is left idle. It sits empty, silent, vulnerable, she said. Already, Ive heard that facilities and maintenance have begun removing air conditioning units piece by piece. How much more will be stripped before we step in? She urged the board to act decisively and put students ahead of bureaucracy, calling this an opportunity to demonstrate true leadership to the community and, most importantly, to the children. Parent speaks up Parents echoed the concern. Nick Felipe, whose son attends SIFA, shared how the school helped his son develop socially and emotionally. My son is at that precarious age when we all were in middle school, where were figuring out who we are, what we like, trying to make friends, he said. And it took my son a little while to find his footing, and he found it at SIFA. Felipe said uncertainty about the schools future has spread among students. Theres talk amongst the children themselves, What school are you going to go to?... And some of these friend groups are talking about splitting up, he said. I dont think thats whats best for him. I need to know where its going, right? Its just my obligation as a father. I hope that you guys come to a decision favorable for SIFA. The U.S. Department of Education approved $9.9 million in reimbursement to the Guam Department of Education for school refurbishments funded through the American Rescue Plan, GDOE said in a Tuesday release. The funding will repay vendors that have worked on school improvements and modernization, GDOE said. Under a new policy, the USDOE now requires GDOE to operate on a reimbursement basis, where expenses are paid only after invoices are submitted and approved, replacing the previous drawdown method, GDOE said. To avoid payment delays and prevent disruptions to ongoing construction, GDOE said it is partnering with the Department of Administration to establish a $25 million revolving fund. This fund would allow GDOE to front project costs, pay vendors faster, and continue requesting larger federal reimbursements without relying solely on its current cash reserves, GDOE said. Draft bill Sen. Vince Borja, education committee chair, said working with the Office of Finance and Budget, they have a draft bill in development to authorize the revolving fund. Given the latest updates from USDOEand the competing funding priorities, including proposals to fund a temporary facility for Simon SanchezI plan to call a meeting with GDOE management and the Board to ensure our priorities are aligned moving forward, the senator said. He said he has so far not been informed of any official reprogramming from the governors office toward the revolving fund. Discussions are ongoing regarding which local funds could be tapped for the initial setup, including any unobligated grants or local appropriations, the senator added. Challenges The $9.9 million is part of the estimated $109 million in ARP funds that GDOE previously lost access to as a result of Trump USDOEs sudden acceleration of a March 2026 deadline to March 2025. The federal agency later reinstated the original March 2026 deadline for GDOE to spend the ARP funds but with the caveat of fronting the costs, and then seek reimbursement. This also comes on the heels of a more recent USDOE decision under the Trump White House to freeze $6.8 billion in federal K-12 education grants, impacting GDOE to the tune of a 26% or roughly $9 million reduction in consolidated grants ahead of school opening in August. A man who is accused of stabbing his wife more than 50 times, leading to her death on Sunday night, had an argument with her about their marital problems, including his cheating and her plan to seek a divorce from him, according to police and a magistrates complaint in Superior Court. Vince Edward Santos Yatar, 61, on Tuesday was charged with murder as a first-degree felony with special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in a felony. In the holding cell, Yatar asked to speak to his wifes daughter, and he told her, Im sorry. I needed to tell you that Im sorry...Im just sorry and that Im not well, according to the magistrates complaint. Yatar was arrested on Monday on suspicion of murder in the death of his wife, Diana Rose Lagman, who was found with more than 50 stab wounds in a vehicle parked outside a police precinct, the Guam Police Department said. At a gas station According to court documents, police were called to Mobil in Sinajana for reports of an injured male wearing a blue shirt on Sunday night. When an officer arrived at the gas station, he saw blood on the door and the ground leading to the car wash area. The officer interviewed a woman who said she was inside the gas station when a man wearing a blue shirt, later identified as Yatar, entered. The witness said she saw what appeared to be blood on his shirt. His hand was wrapped, and it looked like he was injured. The woman asked if Yatar needed any medical assistance, but he declined. Yatar got into a Mazda, and drove it onto Route 4, then the woman called 911 to report what she saw. The officer also interviewed another woman who said around 7:30 p.m. on July 13, Yatar entered the gas station wearing a blue shirt and shorts and that it was visibly stained with what appeared to be blood. Yatar asked the woman if he could contact his daughter and the woman asked if he needed her to call an ambulance, but he declined and said he wanted to use the phone. After he finished his call, the woman asked someone to clean the suspected blood from the gas station. The man who cleaned up the area told police that there was a large amount of blood near the cashiers area, as well as a trail of blood leading from the cashier counter to the front entrance. The man mopped the area to clean up the suspected blood before other customers arrived. Yatar turns himself in At around 8:32 p.m., Yatar entered the Central Precinct Command in Sinajana, spoke with an officer, and said he was injured and pointed to his left hand, which was covered by his shirt. He told police the person who injured him was outside, in a vehicle. An officer saw a Mazda CX5 outside and asked if it was Yatars vehicle. Yatar responded that shes in the car and dead, the complaint stated. He told police he was there to surrender because he hurt her. Woman found in the car Officers treated Yatars injury. Police asked how long he had been bleeding and he said since 7:30 p.m. Another officer went to check the vehicle and saw what appeared to be a reddish substance on the outside of the door. The officer opened the door and saw what seemed like a lifeless body and told Guam Fire Department personnel at the scene there was a motionless woman in the vehicle and that she was possibly dead. Firefighters took the woman out of the car and began performing life-saving aid. GFD personnel advised police that Lagman had multiple lacerations to her neck, cheeks, both arms, back, and both orbital areas and she had no signs of life. They also located a bloodied pocketknife with its blade open and exposed on the front right passenger seat. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Keng-Chih Kenny Su performed an autopsy and determined the cause of death to be multiple stab wounds, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. About the relationship The daughter told officers she saw Yatar and Lagman leave together for church on Sunday afternoon, and it was normal for them to argue. She said the two were recently married but Lagman wanted a divorce, the complaint said. Lagman had learned Yatar cheated on her with his ex-wife, the complaint stated. The complaint also stated that Lagman had left the residence to see their pastor regarding the divorce and was supposed to pick up her son that evening. Officers learned that in 2023 and 2024, Lagman reported Yatar for harassment and that she ended her relationship with Yatar and feared for her childrens safety, the complaint stated. Lagman reported that Yatar had threatened her multiple times, documents stated. The Guam Waterworks Authority is seeking approval for $12 million-plus for a design contract for the treatment of forever chemicals PFAS and other emerging contaminants, as well over $2.9 million for the design of Tumons sewer repair. It also seeks to increase a current contract by over $1 million to $4.75 million related to the drilling of exploratory wells in support of the Mangilao hospital project. GWA laid out its requests for approvals from the Consolidated Commission on Utilities during Tuesdays work session. Its asking the CCU to approve an amendment to an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity professional project/construction management services contract with Duenas, Camacho, & Associates Inc. This would include drilling up to eight exploratory wells to support the infrastructure needs for Mangilao, the medical campus and surrounding areas. The proposal is to increase the current contract of over $3.596 million by over $1.157 million, which includes a 10% contingency. Brett Railey, GWA assistant general manager for engineering, told CCU commissioners that the goal is to construct a minimum of three new wells to support the Mangilao hospital site and the surrounding areas. They will dig into the ground to see the quality and quantity of the water available, he said. The project is being paid for with federal American Rescue Plan funds. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has continued to push for the Mangilao medical campus, but Attorney General Douglas Moylan has sued to stop the project from moving forward. Tumon sewer GWA is also looking at additional funding for the Fujita Sewage Pump rehabilitation and redundant force main design project to rehabilitate the abandoned Tumon sewage pump station. According to GWA, the force main conveys most of Tumon Bays wastewater out of the Tumon area and towards the Northern District Wastewater Treatment Plant. The force main is about 7,100 feet long. Due to a lack of redundancy, the existing force main cannot be isolated or removed from service to perform repairs, maintenance or condition assessments. The force mains condition is not fully known, and its failure could lead to service disruptions, which may impact the health of the community and the environment, and negatively impact Guams main tourist area, GWA said. Given the location of the Fujita sewage pump station in the collection system, incoming flows also cannot be easily diverted to allow the pump station to be taken out of service for major repair. The goals for additional design services include capturing potential future developments and collection system improvements upstream of the sewer pump station and conducting a rehabilitation design. GWA said after conducting additional condition assessments of the former Tumon sewer pump station, it was determined that rehabilitating the structure would be feasible but would require a rehabilitation design to ensure it operates as a separate and redundant system. The change order GWA is requesting would provide the design for the rehabilitation of the Tumon sewer pump station, the interconnection design between Fujita and Tumon stations, and the additional modeling work required. GWA is seeking a new authorized amount of over $2.911 million, which includes a 10% contingency or an additional $406,429.04. Railey told CCU commissioners the current Fujita pump station was constructed adjacent to the old abandoned Tumon station. PFAS GWA is also looking to approve the design contract for the deep wells PFAS and emergent contaminants treatment. It said it will be requesting $12,070,622, which includes a 10% contingency of $1.097 million. The projects objective is to develop an islandwide water treatment master plan for implementation by the compliance date of 2029. GWA said the project is necessary and an urgent priority. Toxic PFAS are often called forever chemicals because of how long they linger in the environment. GWA has to treat about 34 water wells around the island for PFAS, so it can comply with new limits on the chemical in drinking water laid out by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The CCU is expected to meet on July 22. Superior Court Judge Maria T. Cenzon on Tuesday postponed ruling on whether prosecution medical experts can testify because of unresolved questions about their qualifications and missing reports in the attempted murder trial of Jathan John Pangelinan Tedtaotao. Tedtaotao is accused in a violent April shooting and kidnapping in Yigo. The jury selection is scheduled to begin Wednesday afternoon, with 100 prospective jurors summoned. Due to the courts adult drug docket, jury selection may continue into Friday. Opening statements and witness testimony are expected to follow next week. Tedtaotao, who was present in person in Cenzons courtroom on Tuesday, faces charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, use of a deadly weapon during a felony, and committing a felony while on release. If convicted, he faces life in prison plus 75 years. His trial was severed from that of his co-defendant and brother, Jeromy Moe John Pangelinan, who is undergoing a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation. Jeromy Pangelinan faces 11 charges related to multiple incidents, including an April 5 shooting in Talofofo, a carjacking in Yona, and a police chase and shootout in Dededo on April 6. A forensic report is due Aug. 5, with a hearing scheduled for Aug. 19. During Tuesdays continued pretrial conference, defense attorney Joseph Razzano moved to exclude two prosecution medical experts, citing missing expert reports and uncertainty about the scope of their testimony. He said the prosecutions failure to provide key information impairs the defenses ability to prepare. There were some like an allusion to what the expert might testify to. But theres no report, and theres no real notes about what the opinion would be, Razzano said. Prosecutor Grant Olan said the government submitted a second amended witness list that removed two of the original three medical experts and added a new one. As far as the doctors testimony, we specifically intend to ask about information obtained within the injuries medical records, as well as statements that the named victim made about the cause of this injury that also are contained within the medical records, which of course, falls under medical Controlled Substances Act exception, he said. Olan said the doctor would testify about the severity of the victims injuries. He would specifically testify that had the artery been severed in his leg, that named victim potentially could have died, he said. Cenzon questioned whether the doctor has the necessary experience to offer credible expert testimony on gunshot wounds. I know he has a lot of experience treating trauma victims I cant say off the top of my head, Id have to follow up with him, Olan replied. Im not even sure that he knows but so hes got a ballpark, but obviously he has extensive medical education training, and has been practicing for a number of years. Cenzon referenced the Guam Supreme Courts 2024 ruling in People v. Custerbeck, bringing up how the court must ensure the doctors opinions meet legal standards for expert reliability. The relevance, of course, goes to an element of the offense and serious body injury, or body injury, or what constitutes attempted murder, or could someone die from certain injury or something that happens to their body. And so I think its relevant in that way, she said. Olan agreed to follow up on the doctors experience with gunshot injuries and assured the court the government would establish a proper foundation before the doctor testifies. Cenzon said she will decide on admissibility during a separate hearing outside the jurys presence. Olan said the doctor who reportedly treated the victims head trauma has not yet been interviewed by prosecutors. Cenzon acknowledged that Tedtaotaos decision not to waive his right to a speedy trial limits preparation time. The court confirmed it will use an amended superseding indictment that excludes Jeromy Pangelinans name and applies only to Tedtaotao for jury deliberations. Prosecutors previously reduced their witness list from 89 to 44 and submitted revised jury instructions. The court is expected to finalize expert testimony and trial scheduling during a follow-up hearing Thursday. The case also involves the defendants sister, Shaenita Pangelinan, charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, and destruction of evidence related to the April 2 incident. Cenzon emphasized keeping Shaenita Pangelinans case separate from her brothers. She advised the government to file any additional amendments to the indictment during the trial, which would then be provided to the jury. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close All Guam Department of Education employees are encouraged to attend Aug. 4 and 5 sessions and training ahead of the opening of schools on Aug. 7. The 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. All Hands Sessions and Training will be held at the University of Guam Field House in Mangilao. The sessions involve all GDOE employees at the school sites and district offices. The department has more than 2,000 employees. Education Superintendent Erik Swanson will open the session with his All Hands: Same Boat, Same Course presentation, GDOE said in a release. As we prepare for the upcoming year, weve brought our entire team together through a series of all-hands sessions and training opportunities to align our shared vision and strengthen our collective capacity, Swanson said in a statement. Swanson said this focused preparation empowers GDOE to build a safe, supportive learning environment where every student can grow and succeed. By investing in our people, we ensure that our schools are ready to meet challenges with confidence, compassion, and a commitment to excellence, he added. GDOE Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Joe Sanchez will also make a presentation titled, Student Achievement in GDOE: A Historical Perspective. It will include a culminating engagement activity related to student achievement and the GDOE strategic plan. GDOE reminds the community of these operation hours: Descendants of World War II survivors and those who perished, along with other community members, on Tuesday visited two separate sites in Malesso where dozens of CHamorus were massacred by Japanese soldiers towards the end of the war some 81 years ago. At the Hasso Malesso Memorial, Malesso Mayor Franklin Champaco shared a personal connection to the Faha massacre, which occurred on July 16, 1944. Japanese soldiers learned from what happened in Tinta, and (at Faha), they made sure there were no survivors, Champaco said during the Faha Memorial ceremony. The mayor said his grandfather was one of the men that were in line, along with his grandfathers brother. He told me the story that the Japanese were going around with this 6-foot stick, and if you were taller than the stick, you were taken. They knew they were going to get killed, so he was telling his brother to make himself look small, Champaco said. All he said to my grandfather was Take care of my two daughters. Started at Tinta On July 15, 1944, Japanese soldiers took to the Tinta Cave 30 men and women who were among the most influential village leaders. The Japanese soldiers executed them. Those who survived were said to have hidden beneath the bodies of others until the Japanese left. Its one of the most horrific days for the CHamorus during the war. On Tuesday morning, as part of a memorial ceremony, a Rosary was held at the war-era massacre site. Among those in attendance were the Japanese consul general, members of the U.S. military, government of Guam officials, descendants of war survivors and other members of the community wishing to pay their respects to those who perished at the site. Guam is marking this month the 81st anniversary of Guams liberation by U.S. forces from Japanese forces during WWII. It also happened at Faha The horrors at Tinta happened again at Faha just a day later. On July 16, 1944, Japanese soldiers again gathered 30 men, this time the biggest and tallest they could find. It was an attempt to prevent or discourage rebellion from the CHamorus, removing who the Japanese perceived as the greatest threats. The Japanese soldiers again executed CHamoru men. There were no survivors at Faha, as the Malesso mayor stated. On Tuesday, a Rosary was also held at this second massacre site. Powerful family, community tradition Darlene Leon Guerrero, 61, is a descendant of three men taken to the massacres. Her grandmothers three brothers, Jose, Pedro, and Vicente Quitugua, were split between the Tinta and Faha sites. They were known to be very tall, very robust, strong men [who] refused to bow to the Japanese, Leon Guerrero told the Pacific Daily News in an interview at the memorial sites. Leon Guerrero and her family have maintained a tradition of making the trek uphill to the Faha site every year during the memorial to honor and remember her uncles and everyone else who lost their lives that day. We try our best to upkeep the trek, Leon Guerrero said. Its a powerful tradition we would always follow since we were young children. We have been lucky to pay attention to it, and its very touching that more of the village community comes out now. As Malesso mayor, Champaco hopes to continue the legacy of his family and others by educating the younger generation about the men and women who fought and died for Guam. Because if it wasnt for them, we wouldnt be here, he said. 7 Heroes of Malesso The mayor hopes to connect the islands future leaders with their past heroes, such as the Seven Heroes of Malesso. After Tinta and Faha, they found out theres gonna be more massacre, so they took it upon themselves to rebel and kill the Japanese, Champaco said. If it wasnt for those seven men, the Japanese could probably have wiped out the whole village. The Seven Heroes will be honored during the San Dimas Memorial Mass in Malesso at 4 p.m. on July 16 alongside other families who died or lost loved ones during the war. Todays Malesso mayor, Champaco, said although efforts have not yet been made to add the Tinta and Faha massacre sites to the National Park Services historical landmark registry, theres an upcoming collaboration with the Manenggon Memorial Foundation to build a memorial at Malesso Pier. The trouble with the Tinta and Faha sites is access, Champaco said. Tinta, for example, is surrounded by private property, so we want to make this accessible for people. We have plans to build a memorial down at Malesso Pier that people can drive by and see the story and learn it. Those frequent plane sounds Guam neighborhoods have been hearing the past few days? The planes are part of large-scale U.S. Air Force exercises that also include the deployment of multiple B-52s to Guam. The Resolute Forces Pacific, Reforpac, was dubbed one of the largest exercises that weve done since the Cold War by Air Force top brass during a congressional hearing in June. The island community could expect increased military air activity and associated noise on or around the Guam International Airport facilities from July 12 through 29, 2025 as part of Reforpac 2025. B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, Airmen and support equipment from the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota arrived at Andersen Air Force on July 8 for the exercises, according to the Air Force. The deployment is in support of training efforts with U.S. allies, partners and joint forces and strategic deterrence missions in the Indo-Pacific region. The Guam International Airport Authority, in a separate statement, said the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Guam is designated a support location for these military exercises taking place in the region. GIAAs runways and taxiways are a vital piece of infrastructure supporting not only commercial aviation, but also a critical alternate or divert location for military and civilian operations, GIAA Executive Manager John M. Quinata said in a statement. No commercial operations are expected to be impacted, the airport authority said. Quinata thanked residents for their patience and understanding as the airport does its part in support of these military training exercises. GIAA is proud to support regional military exercises as a support location, he added. A University of Guam assistant professor in engineering, Ernesto Guades, PhD, completed training to serve as a program evaluator for civil engineering under ABET, which accredits college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. Guades will evaluate civil engineering programs over a five-year term as a member of the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. In this role, he will review academic materials, conduct campus visits, and contribute to decisions that determine whether programs meet the standards required for accreditation, UOG said in a release. Being an ABET program evaluator will strengthen my ability to ensure that UOGs Civil Engineering program continues to meet rigorous professional standards, Guades said in a statement. It also opens doors for collaboration and knowledge exchange across disciplines and institutions, which ultimately benefits our students and faculty at UOG. Selected last year by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Guades underwent ABETs comprehensive Program Evaluator Candidate Training, which included a web-based component and culminated with an in-person simulated visit training held May 31 to June 1, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. In September 2024, UOGs Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program received the maximum six-year accreditation from ABET, a significant milestone for UOG and for Micronesias only four-year civil engineering degree program. The Guam Chamber of Commerce continues to advocate strongly for the passage of Bill 11-38 as originally drafted, and urges senators to allow the legislation to move through its natural course without amendments. We are encouraged by the growing momentum behind this billmomentum that could result not only in its passage but its ultimate enactment into law. Bill 11-38 would reduce the business privilege tax, BPT, from 5% to 4%, providing much-needed relief to all businesses operating in Guam. We believe this measure is timely, reasonable, and beneficial to our islands economic recovery and growth. However, we express serious concern regarding an amendment proposed by Sen. Telo Taitague. The amendment seeks to maintain the BPT at 5% for federal prime contractors, while reducing it to 4% for all other businesses. This approach raises significant constitutional and policy issues, specifically under the Federal Supremacy Clause, as outlined in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. This proposal would likely be seen as conflicting with federal procurement policy, thus triggering preemption under the Supremacy Clause. Singling out federal prime contractors for higher taxation could be construed as placing a burden on the federal governments ability to contract freely and efficiently, especially when tax costs are incorporated into bid pricing and ultimately passed on to the federal government. If enacted, this amendment could render the entire bill unconstitutional, jeopardizing the broader goal of tax relief for all Guam businesses. Federal court decisions have consistently ruled that territorial lawslike those of Guam cannot conflict with, or place undue burdens on, federal operations. In addition to legal risks, this amendment may also damage Guams reputation as a cooperative partner with the federal government. Federal spending has been critical to our island, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when local revenues were sustained by federal aid even as tourism halted and businesses shuttered. This amendment could send the wrong message to Washington and prime contractors about Guams business climate. To be clear: yes, Guam must address tax leakages from federal prime contractors. We commend Vice Speaker Tony Ada for raising this issue and requesting stronger federal support in enforcing local compliance, such as requiring registration and allowing payment withholding for noncompliance. These are constructive and targeted solutions that do not risk violating federal law or disrupting local business relief efforts. The Chamber encourages our senators to reject any amendment that could undermine the constitutionality or viability of this bill, and to pass Bill 11-38 in its original form. Guams businesseslarge and smallneed tax relief now. Let us not stall that progress through well-intentioned but flawed revisions. The nuclear era began 80 years ago today, with the Trinity Test. Preparations for this day in history, July 16, 1945, began in January that year. Even without a field test, Maj. Gen. Leslie Groves, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was sufficiently confident in the uranium-based atomic bomb program to order mobilization for its use. It is now reasonably certain that our operations plans should be based on the gun-type bomb, which, it is estimated, will produce the equivalent of a ten-thousand-ton TNT explosion. The first bomb, without a previous full-scale test, which we do not believe will be necessary, should be ready about 1 August, 1945. (Tinian and The Bomb, p. 63; Knebel, Fletcher and Charles W. Bailey II. No High Ground, New York: Harper and Brothers, 1960, p. 8) Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, director of the Los Alamos Laboratory, was confident that they could produce enough plutonium to create one plutonium-based, implosion-type bomb per week beginning that same date. However, they needed to test the new implosion device, which remained troublesome. (Farrell, Seabees and Superforts, p. 401) Groves dispatched Commander Frederick Ashworth, USN, a naval ordnance expert, to choose an operational base among the Mariana Islands for the atomic bomb project. He handed his report to Groves on Feb. 22. (Jones, Manhattan, p. 524) In view of the results of the tour of inspection, it has been decided that Tinian is the most desirable island on which to base the 509th Composite Group. Ashworth told Groves that he selected an area adjacent to North Field for the assembly buildings, warehouses, high explosive storage, laboratories, and housing of personnel. At the end of his report, Ashworth advised Groves that if his plan were accepted and construction started immediately, the island of Tinian [could be] made ready for the basing of the 509th Composite Group upon its arrival during the month of June 1945 (RG 77, Box 3). Groves then dispatched Col. Elmer E. Kirkpatrick Jr., Army Corps of Engineers, to Guam, to deliver a letter to Maj. Gen. Curtis C. LeMay, commander of all B-29 operations in the Mariana Islands, requesting the construction materials he needed for Manhattan Project facilities on Tinian. Unfortunately, LeMay was gone. He persevered and eventually got it into the hands of Admiral Nimitzs chief of staff, Admiral Soc McMorris, who approved it. He made only one exception. No materials or labor will be diverted from the hospital projects. Nimitzs letter stated: ...this project will be given the highest priority and the essential material listed in paragraph 4 of the basic letter will be supplied from available stocks in the Marianas at the earliest possible date and delivered to the Island Commander, Tinian for this construction. (RG 77, the Tinian Atomic Bomb Files, Box 19.). Brig. Gen. Frederick von Harten Kimble, Tinian Island Commander, received the order and issued a directive to the 67th Naval Construction Battalion to construct the facilities Kirkpatrick required. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945. His vice president, Harry S. Truman, was sworn into office that same day. He had never been briefed on the Manhattan Project. Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945. President Truman and Secretary of State Byrnes boarded the USS Augusta at Newport News, Virginia, at 0655 on July 7th, bound for Antwerp. The trip was for a showdown with Stalin and Churchill in the small hamlet of Potsdam, Germany, just outside Berlin, to discuss the future of Europe, the world, and the Pacific War (Ham, Hiroshima Nagasaki, p. 210). As soon as Secretary of War Henry Stimson boarded the ship for the Potsdam conference, he established communications with his deputy, George Harrison: Please radio me if possible to this ship as soon as results are available from the test advising whether successful and whether results were equal to or greater or less than expected. We leave ship at Gibraltar approximately 0500 GMT 14 July and may proceed directly to Berlin (RG 77, micros #1109, Stimson to Harrison 12 July 1945). At the Alamogordo testing grounds, New Mexico, the arming party checked and rechecked the numerous electrical circuits and then left the bunker for the base camp. Thirty minutes before the new zero hour, Groves and the five guards stationed at the control dugout returned to the base camp. By their own rules, Groves and Brig. Gen. Thomas Farrell (number 2 to Groves) could never be together at any time that might cost both of their lives. That left Oppenheimer and Farrell in the dugout. Everyone at the base camp was ordered to lie face down on the ground with their feet pointing in the direction of the blast. The welders glasses that Base Camp stockroom clerks were supposed to issue to all personnel had not arrived. Major FUBAR. Instead, they were told to cover their eyes with their hands, and not turn over to look at the blast until they became aware of the flash. Then they could put on their smoked glasses, turn over, sit up and watch whatever happened. Groves was lying on the ground between Drs. Bush and Conant when the bomb went off at 5:29:45 a.m. on 16 July 1945 (Christman, Target Hiroshima, p. 171; Christman, Target Hiroshima, p. 171). According to Groves: My first impression was one of tremendous light, and then as I turned, I saw the now familiar fireball. As Bush, Conant and I sat on the ground looking at this phenomenon, the first reactions of the three of us were expressed in a silent exchange of handclasps. Physicist Otto Frisch, the man who worked with Lisa Meitner to prove that a nuclear chain reaction was possible, said, Suddenly and without any sound, the hills were bathed in brilliant light, as if somebody had turned the sun on with a switch. Oppenheimer remembered a passage from the Bhagavad-Gita: If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One (Ian Burma. Year Zero: A History of 1945. New York: Penguin Books, 2013, p. 313; Jungk, Brighter than a Thousand Suns, p. 201.) Groves immediately went to the communications tent and sent a special telex message, with the code words, New York Yankees, to George Harrison, who translated it as success beyond imagination. Harrison forwarded the coded message, through his aide, Colonel Kyles, to Stimson in Potsdam. Top Secret Urgent War 32887 For Colonel Kyles eyes only From Harrison for Mr. Stimson Operated on this morning. Diagnosis not yet complete, but results seem satisfactory and already exceed expectations. Dr. Groves pleased. He returns tomorrow. I will keep you posted (Mee, Meeting at Potsdam, p. 84.). Indeed, the most important result of the Trinity Test was that the new implosion mechanism worked, and worked quite efficiently. That same day, the USS Indianapolis left San Francisco bound for Tinian with a 10,000-lb crate containing the Little Boy shell tied down on deck, and a 300-lb lead-line container with about half the refined uranium for the Little Boy bomb to be assembled on Tinian. This summer, Guam is seeing its busiest travel season in years, with record flight capacity from Korea and a gradual return of service from Japan. These are encouraging signs, but we must not confuse this temporary surge with full recovery. Tourism is not back to normaland it wont recover on its own. Ive had the privilege to work closely with stakeholders across the industry. Ive also seen the real challenges we still face: limited infrastructure, staffing shortages, and a need for more meaningful experiences for both visitors and locals. Tourism is for everyone Theres a misconception that tourism is just for businessesairlines, hotels, or large operators. In reality, tourism touches every corner of our community in ways we may not always see. When a visitor comes to Guam, their spending has a ripple effect. They dont just stay in hotelsthey eat at local restaurants, buy snacks from corner stores, visit attractions, and rent cars or catch taxis. They shop for souvenirs made by local artisans, get directions from gas station attendants, and share their experiences with friends and family, influencing others to come. Tourism helps keep small shops open, keeps musicians and performers working, fills seats in tour buses, and creates demand for everything from locally grown produce to printed flyers. It contributes to the tax revenues that fund our schools, fix our roads, support village mayors, and keep our public parks maintained. The jobs tourism creates arent just in the travel sectortheyre in construction, maintenance, marketing, agriculture, retail, and beyond. Whether youre a young student serving part-time at a hotel, a retiree running a craft stall, or a parent driving a charter van, you are part of Guams tourism economy. This is why GTTA is committed to promoting Community-First Tourisma recovery strategy that uplifts the whole island. Tourism is not an industry apart from us. It is us. What we must do now While flight arrivals and hotel bookings are improving, the real work is just beginning. To build sustainable recovery, we need to: Improve our infrastructure and image. From clean restrooms and working signage to friendly customer service and reliable transport, we must ensure Guam leaves a lasting impression. Develop more to see and do. Guam must offer experiences that are truly uniquethings that cant be found anywhere else in the world. Lets invest in Only on Guam attractions that celebrate our culture, land, and people. Improve public transportation. Reliable, affordable, and efficient transportation benefits both residents and tourists. Lets modernize our transit system and explore public-private partnerships that make mobility easier for all. Support the local food industry and young entrepreneurs. Guams culinary identity is a powerful tourism asset. We must nurture the next generation of chefs and vendors through grants, mentorships, and exposure. From traditional CHamoru cuisine to modern fusion, food is one of the most authentic ways to share our culture. Educate our community. GTTA is working to increase understanding of tourisms value. We must help our youth and workforce see how their skills, attitudes, and service shape Guams reputation and economic future. Collaborate, not compete. Public and private sectors must work side by side. Tourism operators, government agencies, educators, artists, and business owners all have a role to play. Think regionally. Lets work with our neighbors to create stronger awareness of not just Guam, but the entire Micronesia and Marianas region. Together, we can promote our islands as interconnected and culturally rich destinations worth exploring. Recovery requires all of us If we wait for tourism to bounce back on its own, well fall behind. Other destinations are moving quickly upgrading their products, marketing aggressively, and building infrastructure. Guam must do the same. Lets not aim to return to what we had. Lets aim higher toward a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient destination. A place where residents are proud, where businesses thrive, and where visitors feel something meaningful. Tourism, at its best, is about sharing who we are. And when we do it right, we build not only economic opportunity. We build pride, purpose, and a stronger island community. Now is the time to act. Together. Haiti - Washington : The Prime Minister multiplies his meetings On Monday, July 14, 2025, security and institutional stability were at the heart of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime's busy agenda in Washington: Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau : Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime to discuss ongoing efforts to restore security and promote political stability in Haiti, reiterating that the security crisis in Haiti poses a threat to regional and national security. The two officials emphasized the importance of restoring constitutional order and strengthening the capacity of Haitian democratic institutions. The Deputy Secretary of State expressed U.S. support for the Multinational Security Support Mission, while emphasizing the need for greater responsibility sharing. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security : Prime Minister Fils-Aime met Monday with Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Department of State, and Related Programs of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. This high-level meeting took place amid heightened diplomatic mobilization to support the stabilization of Haiti. The discussions focused on the critical issues of national security and the organization of free, credible, and inclusive elections. The Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to working, with the support of strategic partners, to restore republican order and reaffirm democratic institutions. He welcomed Diaz-Balart's attentive listening and the U.S. Congress's clear interest in the situation in Haiti. Michael Lawler (R-NY), Member of the House of Representatives : The Prime Minister met the same day with Michael Lawler (R-NY), Member of the United States House of Representatives. The discussions focused on the national security situation and the need for a stable environment, a prerequisite for the organization of free, credible, and democratic elections. The Prime Minister reaffirmed his determination to restore republican order and ensure a transparent electoral process, in accordance with democratic principles. He welcomed the attentiveness and commitment of his American partners, reiterating Haiti's willingness to work in synergy with the international community for a lasting return to peace, stability, and institutional legitimacy. Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the OAS : Alix Didier Fils-Aime also met with Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), to discuss the major security and electoral governance issues in Haiti. During this meeting, Prime Minister Fils-Aime outlined his administration's plan to restore security throughout the country and create favorable conditions for inclusive elections. He also reported on the progress made in the work of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). For his part, the OAS Secretary General welcomed the political will displayed by the Haitian government and reaffirmed the Organization's unwavering commitment to supporting Haiti. "[...] I met today with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Alix Didier Fils-Aime, who presented his governments plan to improve security and hold elections by the end of the year, including progress made by the Provisional Electoral Council. I reaffirmed the OASs unwavering commitment to Haiti, guided by the five-pillar roadmap we are currently developingfocused on governance, humanitarian assistance, security, elections, and sustainable development. To strengthen coordination, I have convened a meeting of the Group of Friends of Haiti for July 29." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - UN : BINUH mandate reduced by 6 months On Monday, July 14, 2025, in a unanimously adopted resolution, the members of the Security Council decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), which expires on July 15, until January 31, 2026. This extension (6.5 months), shorter than the one-year renewals decided in the past, is explained by the uncertainty surrounding the future of the UN response in Haiti. BINUH, a UN political mission deployed in Port-au-Prince since 2019, is increasingly perceived as undersized to meet the emergency. "It was not intended to operate in an environment as hostile as the one we are experiencing today," Miroslav Jenca, a senior UN official, admitted to the Security Council in early July. The Council expressed its intention to consider "without delay" the recommendations made by the Secretary-General last February regarding the various options for the UN's role in supporting security and stability in Haiti. It also reaffirmed its commitment to a comprehensive, "Haitian-owned and -led" solution. Following the adoption of this text prepared by the United States and Panama, Ambassador Dorothy Shea, Acting Representative of the United States, stated, "[...] BINUHs continued presence will help support Haiti in its path towards that democratic transition. Todays re-authorization of BINUHs mandate is an important step closer to that goal. Supporting the security of elections and the participation of all sectors of society is key to sustainable political progress in Haiti. Without BINUH, realizing the vision of a stronger, more resilient society would be less likely." She encouraged international stakeholders and donors to contribute "their fair share". Jerome Bonnafont, the Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations, declared : "[...] This technical renewal of a few months must not make us forget the urgency of action by the Council to strengthen support for security in Haiti [...] France welcomes the fact that this Council has expressed in the resolution we have just adopted its intention to examine, without delay, the recommendations of the Secretary-General of last February https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44373-haiti-flash-first-details-on-antonio-guterresproposal-to-the-security-council.html . The efforts made by Kenya and the States of the region, which we welcome and which are more necessary than ever, must be accompanied by a clear framework provided by the United Nations. They must provide essential strategic and operational expertise, as well as logistical support. Nearly five months after the Secretary-General transmitted his recommendations, the urgency of the security and humanitarian situation obliges us to move forward." For its part, China welcomed the collective will to support the Haitian political process. Text of the resolution (S/2025/454) "[...] Recalling all its previous resolutions on Haiti, including resolutions 2476 (2019), 2653 (2022), 2699 (2023), 2751 (2024), 2752 (2024) and 2743 (2024), as well as 2664 (2022), Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and unity of Haiti, 1. Decides to extend, to 31 January 2026, the mandate of BINUH in accordance with its resolution 2476 (2019), headed by a Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the reporting requirements as specified in paragraph 1 of resolution 2645 (2022); 2. Reaffirms paragraphs 2 through 25 of resolution 2743, noting that references therein to the sanctions measures imposed under resolutions 2699 and 2700 should be understood to refer to those measures imposed or extended by resolution 2752; 3. Expresses its intention to consider, without delay, the recommendations made by the Secretary-General on 24 February 2025 on the options for the possible role the United Nations could play to sustain security and stability in Haiti; 4. Reaffirms its commitment in supporting a comprehensive, Haitian-owned and Haitian-led solution that addresses the root causes of the current multidimensional crises in Haiti; 5. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... IBC Airways' Cayes-Miami Flight at Stall IBC Airways' Cayes-Miami flight, which was scheduled to launch in mid-July, is currently at a standstill due to the lack of authorization from the National Airport Authority (AAN) to find space at Antoine Simon Airport in Les Cayes. Since the entire airport is occupied by another airline, IBC Airways has requested authorization from the AAN to place its services in specially designed containers. IBC has received approval from the planning department, the OFNAC, and the FAA. The teams have been formed, but after six correspondences with the AAN management, the airline has still not received a response. Without this authorization, the flight cannot be launched. 60 metric tons of medical supplies for hospitals This week, thanks to support from the U.S. Government, the World Food Programme (WFP) received four cargo flights carrying 60 metric tons of medical supplies to supply hospitals in the metropolitan area and support nine humanitarian partners in their response to the population. Comments from Advisor Gilles As part of the celebration of World Population Day, Transitional Presidential Advisor Louis Gerald Gilles, who will assume the Presidency pro tempore of the Council on August 7, drew attention in his speech to the population explosion in Haiti. He emphasized that such a young population represents an opportunity to be seized for the country's development and committed, on behalf of the State, to supporting young people, especially at the professional level, to better ensure Haiti's future, as every young person must envision a secure future in their own country. New Ambassador to the United Kingdom The Embassy of Haiti to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland informs Ambassador Anaise Manuel that she has presented her credentials to the Assistant Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, pending the presentation of her credentials to His Majesty King Charles III. France : July 14 Greetings Prime Minister : "On the occasion of the French National Day, marking the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, the Government of the Republic of Haiti extends its fraternal greetings and most sincere best wishes to the French people [...] On this highly symbolic day for the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, the Haitian Government reaffirms its commitment to shared democratic values and renews its commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two nations." Presidential Transitional Council "On the occasion of the French National Day, the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), on behalf of the Haitian people, extends its fraternal greetings to the French people and to the highest authorities of the French Republic. July 14th recalls one of the founding moments of modern democracy: the storming of the Bastille in 1789, a symbol of the courage of a people in search of freedom, equality, and social justice. [...] The CPT takes this opportunity to salute the French government's continued efforts to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Haiti and France. Long live cooperation between Haiti and France! Long live friendship between peoples !" Franco-Haitian Chamber : "On the occasion of July 14th, the Franco-Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CFHCI) extends its warmest wishes to the French Embassy in Haiti and to His Excellency Fabrice Mauries, Ambassador of France, as well as to the entire French community." French Embassy in Haiti : "July 14th, happy national holiday to all French people living in Haiti. This symbolic day is an opportunity to celebrate the republican values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. It is also an opportunity to salute the strong and historic friendship between France and Haiti." HL/ HaitiLibre The next wave of redundancies is rolling in at Intel. This time it affects not only management, but also Intel's core business. In the USA, Intel has reported 3782 redundancies to the local authorities as required by law. The site most affected is Oregon, where Intel operates its most important semiconductor research and development plant, Fab D1X. The reason for this is the poor business figures with continuing losses. Anzeige Intel has laid off 2392 employees in Oregon as of July 15, 2025. The official "Oregon Rapid Response Activity Tracking System" breaks down which positions are affected. Engineers and technicians in particular have to go. At the top of the list: 325 Module Equipment Technicians 302 Module Development Engineers 126 Module Engineers 88 Process Integration Development Engineers 55 Yield Development Engineers 44 Process Integration and Yield Technicians These employees were mainly responsible for the development and maintenance of production machines such as lithography systems for exposing silicon wafers. They were also involved in the production start-ups with new manufacturing techniques, for example to increase the chip yield to economically viable levels. Oregon continues to shrink The local newspaper The Oregonian reports that laid-off employees generally receive 13 weekly salaries and 1.5 more per year of employment. In addition, most laid-off employees will receive health benefits for one year. According to The Oregonian, Intel has already streamlined its sites in Oregon from 23,000 employees at the beginning of 2024 to 20,000 later in the year. Nearly 2,400 additional layoffs would now equate to another 12 percent reduction. Anzeige Intel is laying off 110 employees in Austin, Texas, 584 in Santa Clara, California, and 696 in Chandler, Arizona. The exact position descriptions are not provided by the authorities. Both semiconductor plants and research centers that develop processors are apparently affected. Further layoffs in the USA and worldwide are to follow. Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen. Preisvergleiche immer laden Preisvergleich jetzt laden (mma) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. The Vienna Chamber of Labor (AK Wien) has won money for some Austrian consumers: Canal+, a fee-based streaming and television provider, has agreed in a settlement to refrain from applying several contractual clauses. These include the waiver of the activation fee of 29.90 euros charged for some contracts. Anzeige This also applies to former customers of Canal+, HD Austria, and AustriaSat. Subscribers who have already paid the fee can apply for a refund. The application can be submitted via the provider's Austrian website and through a sample letter from AK Wien. However, there will be no automatic refund or credit note. According to the agreement, Canal+ will send an information letter to current customers. They only need to provide their full name, e-mail address, and customer or invoice number. Canal+ will also write to former customers whose contact details the company still has. Former subscribers must also provide a domestic (!) account number and enclose a copy of their ID. If the contract was terminated before 2018, they must also provide proof of payment of the activation fee. In 2024, the Federal Chamber of Labor enforced refunds to Amazon Prime subscribers and Netflix customers, among others. Canal+ is a brand of the Luxembourg-based M7 Group. It entered the Austrian market in 2010 with the AustriaSat pay TV platform. It mainly provides German-language private channels. M7 soon added a second channel bouquet under the name HD Austria. Reception is possible via satellite and certain cable networks. The Canal+ streaming service followed in 2022. Just over a year ago, the services were bundled under the Canal+ brand; the names AustriaSat and HD Austria are no longer used. Incidentally, the agreement with the Vienna Chamber of Labor was only reached after the Chamber filed a lawsuit against Canal+. (ds) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. The incident took place at around 9:00am near the Katajamaki overpass in the Haapamaki district. The southbound lane gave way during ground drilling linked to earlier repairs on the same stretch, according to the Central Finland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre). A section of Finlands Highway 23 collapsed for the second time in less than a year on Tuesday morning in Keuruu, injuring one worker and closing the road to traffic. The injured person was a contractor working at the site. Authorities said the worker was not in life-threatening condition. An eyewitness described the collapse as sudden and violent. Markku Laukkanen, who was waiting at temporary traffic lights just metres from the scene, told local paper Suur-Keuruu that the ground gave way in seconds. There was a loud boom, and the lane just collapsed about 50 metres in front of me. I was lucky the light didnt turn green, he said. Laukkanen immediately alerted emergency services and warned oncoming vehicles of the hazard. The road had previously collapsed in October 2024 on the opposite lane, also during maintenance work. That incident prompted structural reinforcements on the north side, which remained intact this time. Metal support piles had been embedded to prevent further failure. Project manager Jouni Saunamaki of the ELY Centre confirmed the collapse happened during test drilling aimed at checking soil stability. We feared this might happen, which is why we began additional tests, Saunamaki said. But the event itself was still a complete surprise. The precise cause remains under investigation. Officials suspect that moist ground conditions and vibrations from the drilling may have weakened the underlying structure. A geotechnical specialist is due to inspect the site on Thursday. Only after that can we accurately determine what caused the failure, said Janne Jaatinen, head of the ELY Centres investment unit. The road section, also known as Virtaintie, remains fully closed to traffic. Police have put detours in place, with alternative routes directed through roads 346 and 3481. The Transport Management Centre advises heavy vehicles to reroute earlier between Virrat and Keuruu. Officials said reopening a single lane with temporary traffic lights is the short-term goal. According to Jaatinen, that could happen within two to three days if conditions allow. Full repairs will take several months. Traffic on the northbound lane had resumed only recently after last years collapse. That lane was reinforced with steel supports, which prevented it from collapsing again. New support piles will now be installed on the south side. Until that happens, the road will remain closed for safety reasons. The latest collapse has prompted renewed scrutiny of the areas road stability. The ELY Centre and its contractors are responsible for further analysis and repair plans. There is no indication yet of when full traffic flow might resume. HT The 2025 survey found that 49 percent of respondents place themselves on the right of the political spectrum. The proportion identifying with the left stands at 31 percent, while only 19 percent consider themselves centrist. The centre has declined steadily with each round of the survey. Nearly half of Finns now identify with the political right, according to a new survey by the Finnish Business and Policy Forum (EVA), marking a record high in the organisations annual values and attitudes research. According to EVAs Head of Communications Mikko Laakso, the findings suggest a growing polarisation. Finns no longer seek their identity in the centre, he said. More people are choosing a side, especially the right, and doing so more deliberately. The survey also shows that liberal values remain strong. A majority of respondents, 53 percent, define themselves as liberal, while 24 percent describe themselves as conservative. Liberal identity is most common among young women, students, and the highly educated. Ideologically, Finns are grouped into four main categories: left-liberals (24 percent), right-liberals (22 percent), right-conservatives (18 percent), and a mixed group (32 percent) with centrist positioning on at least one axis. Only five percent identify as left-conservatives. Laakso noted that liberalism is strongly tied to left-wing identity, while the right includes both liberals and conservatives. This reflects broader ideological fragmentation within the right, which has grown more divided in recent years. The poll was conducted by Taloustutkimus in March through an online panel and includes responses from 2,070 Finns aged 18 to 79. The margin of error is 2 to 3 percentage points in either direction. The political shift comes as Finland is governed by a right-wing coalition led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Finance Minister Riikka Purra. Despite this, public support for the government remains low. A June survey found that only one in four Finns rated the governments performance as at least somewhat successful, with just five percent describing it as very successful. EVAs latest figures suggest that right-wing views remain dominant in public opinion, regardless of the coalitions approval ratings. The data indicates a structural change in how Finns view political alignment, with a clear move away from centrist labels and towards stronger ideological affiliations. HT Finnish enforcement authorities have seized Russian-owned properties in Finland valued at over 40 million. These include both movable and fixed assets such as cultural and administrative buildings. One of the most visible is the Russian Science and Culture Centre in Helsinki. The Helsinki District Court has ruled that the seizure of Russian state-owned property in Finland is lawful. The judgment follows Russias objection to the asset freeze, which it claimed was illegal and violated its sovereign immunity. The seizures were initiated at the request of Ukraines state energy company Naftogaz, which is seeking enforcement of a 4 billion arbitration ruling issued in 2023 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. The award covers damages related to Russian military action in Crimea. Russia filed a response in March, demanding the cancellation of the asset freezes and compensation for legal costs. In its statement, the Russian state argued that the Helsinki court lacked jurisdiction due to the principle of sovereign immunity from enforcement actions. Russia also claimed that non-commercial properties should be protected from seizure but did not clarify which specific assets this would include. It further cited customary international law, asserting that a foreign state is not obligated to submit to the courts of another. The court rejected these arguments. It found that the seizures were legal and necessary to prevent the potential dissipation or concealment of assets by the Russian state. It also accepted the claim that asset retention was needed to secure the creditors interest in the arbitration award. The court had originally issued a temporary seizure order in August 2023 without hearing Russias position. The latest ruling followed further proceedings that included Moscows formal response. The decision means that Russian state property in Finland can remain frozen, with further seizures permitted if needed to cover the full compensation amount. Russia expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and retains the right to appeal. HT Data show that the regions average vaccination rate remains below pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, nearly one-third of countries in the area recorded childhood immunisation coverage below 90 percent. Childhood vaccination coverage in Europe and Central Asia has continued to decline, according to new figures released by the World Health Organization and Unicef. The drop puts millions of children at greater risk of preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough. Herd immunity typically requires a vaccination rate of at least 95 percent to prevent outbreaks. Most countries in the region have failed to meet that threshold since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, nearly 300,000 people in our region contracted whooping cough. Thats more than triple the number recorded the year before, said Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. Measles also surged, with 125,000 cases reported, double the figure from 2023. The agencies noted that average coverage has dropped by a few percentage points since 2019. The fall is attributed to a mix of factors, including disrupted health services, misinformation, and public hesitancy during and after the pandemic. WHO and Unicef are urging governments to strengthen immunisation systems and public health messaging to restore vaccination levels and prevent further outbreaks. HT The conversation took place during a phone call on 4 July, one day after Trump reportedly had a poor exchange with Russian President Vladimir Putin . In the call, Trump asked, Volodymyr, can you strike Moscow? Can you strike St Petersburg too? President Donald Trump asked his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyi whether Ukraine could launch attacks on Moscow or St Petersburg, according to sources cited by The Washington Post and Financial Times . According to officials briefed on the discussion, Zelenskyi replied that Ukraine could do so, if supplied with the necessary weapons. The reports describe the exchange as part of Trumps emerging strategy to exert pressure on Russia. Sources familiar with the discussion said Trump expressed support for long-range strikes to make the Russians feel pain and force the Kremlin back to negotiations. According to Financial Times, the conversation led to a confidential list of potential long-range systems that could be transferred to Ukraine via third parties. The list was shared with Ukrainian officials last week. Neither the White House nor the Ukrainian presidential office responded to requests for comment. The Washington Post further reported that Trump has discussed delivering Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. These long-range weapons, with a range of up to 2,500 kilometres, were most recently used by the United States in strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. No decision has been announced, but Trumps advisers reportedly see the system as a possible tool to increase pressure on the Kremlin. In the same conversation, Trump is said to have raised the possibility of granting Ukraine greater flexibility with existing long-range weapons. According to the Post, the Trump administration is considering expanding Ukraines use of MGM-140 ATACMS missiles to their full 300-kilometre range. These missiles would enable Ukraine to hit military targets deep inside Russian territory, including airbases and logistics hubs. Until late 2024, the United States had prohibited Ukraine from using its missiles to target sites inside Russia. That policy changed under former President Joe Biden, and appears set to evolve further under Trumps current approach. Zelenskyi has previously requested Tomahawk systems. At present, Ukraine is known to operate at least 18 ATACMS missiles. Earlier reports suggested that a batch of less than 40 missiles was delivered in 2023, with new deliveries believed to have occurred this year. Defence officials in Washington have reportedly advocated for expanded long-range strikes for months. Each increase in Ukraines missile reach has prompted Russia to reposition aircraft and other equipment, moving them beyond range. Analysts quoted by The Washington Post suggest that extending Ukraines strike capacity will make this strategy less effective. In a separate public appearance on Monday, Zelenskyi confirmed he had spoken by phone with Trump and thanked him for his pledge to provide weapons. He stated they had agreed to maintain closer communication going forward. Trump also announced that the United States, through NATO, would begin supplying a large weapons package to Ukraine. He warned that if a ceasefire was not agreed within 50 days, Russias trade partners would face tariffs of up to 100 percent. The announcement drew mixed reactions in Europe and the United States. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed Trumps tougher stance but criticised the 50-day ceasefire deadline as too long. In Washington, some Democrats called the delay a dangerous signal giving the Kremlin more time to act. Russias response was cautious. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trumps remarks were serious and needed time for analysis. He accused Washington of sending a signal of war, not peace. Meanwhile, Moscow claimed Ukraine injured 18 people in overnight drone attacks on three Russian regions. Kyiv has not commented on the strikes. Trumps overtures to escalate pressure on Russia through long-range missile use mark a significant shift in US posture. Observers note that while such actions increase leverage, they also risk deepening confrontation with countries like China, a major Russian energy partner. The Biden administration had previously resisted this escalation out of concern for broader geopolitical fallout. HT event video and short VOA Ukrainian historyOn December 11, 2009, US and Ukrainian officials praised the Voice of Americas (VOA) Ukrainian Service on its 60th anniversary, with a key member of Congress saying, Today, its mission remains as critical as ever.Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), the longest-serving woman in the U.S. House of Representatives and co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, told an audience at VOA that, In the darkest hours of the Cold War, Ukrainians behind the Iron Curtain have received VOA broadcasts of accurate, balanced and comprehensive news and information.Today, VOA continues to reach millions of Ukrainians with daily television shows and its website www.voanews.com/ukrainian. Ukrainians still look to VOA not only to hear about the Washington perspective on what is happening in Ukraine, but also to comprehend the American story Today, its (VOAs) mission remains as critical as ever.Ukrainian Ambassador Oleh Shamshur, recalling his childhood behind the Iron Curtain, said no one understood better than him how important VOAs broadcasts were to Ukrainians before the Soviet Union dissolved and the country became independent in 1991.Today, the service plays a crucial role in fostering bilateral relations and inter-cultural dialogue, and promoting democratic values, he said. Shamshur also read a note of congratulations from Ukrainian President President Viktor Yushchenko, who hailed VOA Ukrainian for providing "objective and truthful information about events in Ukraine and the world over." He also hailed the Service for its "contribution to the victory over the totalitarian Soviet regime and to the revival of Ukrainian statehood."William Green Miller, a former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, said that VOA has a clear present purpose, reaching Ukrainians with truthful information that has helped nurture a US-Ukrainian dialogue.Blanquita Cullum, a member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), the federal agency that oversees the VOA, said the news organization will continue to play a leading role as a model of free and unbiased press during the upcoming presidential campaign.And VOA Director Dan Austin said the Ukrainian Service has embraced new technologies, new ways of getting out news and information to Ukrainians. To mark the anniversary, VOA organized panel discussions with leading experts on, The Economic and Political Situation in Ukraine, and, Ukraines Foreign Relations.During the event VOA Ukrainians accomplishments were recognized with a Congressional Record statement presented to VOA Ukrainian chief Adrian Karmazyn by Congresswoman and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus Marcy Kaptur (D-OH). Separate Congressional Record statements in recognition VOA Ukrainian were issued by Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) and Congressmen Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Sander Levin (D-MI) and Robert Wexler (D-FL). A letter of recognition was also received from the Vice-Chairman Ukraine's Parliamentary Press Freedom and Information Committee Andriy Shevchenko. Greetings were also extended by Michael Sawkiw of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, an umbrella organization representing the interests of the Ukrainian diaspora. (Please see below for video of all the remarks)A Short History of VOA UkrainianDecember 12, 1949, was the first time Ukrainian voices penetrated an Iron Curtain that for nearly half a century divided much of the world into two diametrically opposed and competing political ideologies. It was the day the Voice of America began shortwave radio transmissions to tens of millions of suppressed Ukrainians in what was then the Soviet Union.Over the ensuing four decades the voices of dozens of VOA Ukrainian broadcasters, along with hundreds of others targeting the former Soviet bloc, made it their goal to protect and further what just a year earlier had been enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. In defending this most basic principle, VOA broadcasters would chip away relentlessly at times around the clock at an ideological divide that, in effect, was separating the world into a part where information was flowing freely and another where it was harshly suppressed through official censorship.Nearly forty years after the first Voice of America Ukrainian radio program reached the Soviet Union, the divide separating East and West began to crumble. Two years later the whole Soviet system came crashing down and VOA Ukrainian soon found itself broadcasting to an independent Ukraine. In 1992, it reached an agreement with Ukraines government to start broadcasting on local airwaves, and set up a rotating correspondents post in Kyiv. In 1993 - it started Window on America a still running weekly magazine show that became VOAs first non-English-language regular television program. In 1999, it established a network of correspondents in major cities in Ukraine. And, in 2004, during the cold weeks of Ukraines Orange Revolution it provided, in collaboration with Ukraines nationwide Channel Five TV network, millions of Ukrainians nearly real-time Western reactions to the pivotal events unfolding in their country reactions that no other media outlet in Ukraine would dare to offer at the time.In 2005, ties between Ukraines Channel Five and VOA Ukrainian grew stronger culminating in the launch of Chas-Time a daily television news show from Washington carried by the network, providing Ukrainians with a window on US foreign policy, the workings of the American model of democracy, official and independent expert commentary on US-Ukrainian relations, American life and trends, happenings in the Ukrainian-American community, as well as on Ukrainians visiting the US be it heads of state, other ranking officials or ordinary Ukrainians coming to the US to take home experiences that would better their lives and those of their fellow citizens. At the same time, VOA Ukrainian stringers in Ukraine cover visits by US officials and report on US government-sponsored as well as private sector projects and initiatives between the two countries.According to independent research data collected in 2008, through its magazine show Window on America, its news show Chas-Time, its regular prime-time interactives and special reports for a number of leading TV networks in Ukraine and its webpage, VOA Ukrainian has a weekly audience share in Ukraine of 11.9% or 4.7 million people. Remarks Delivered at VOA Ukrainian's 60th Anniversary Observance Dan AustinBlanquita CullumRep. Marcy KapturAmb. William MillerAmb. Oleh ShamshurMichael Sawkiw Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announces the signing of Spark by Hilton Ponce, marking the upcoming debut of the trailblazing premium economy brand in the Caribbean and Latin America. Slated to open in late 2025 in Ponce, Puerto Rico's second largest city, Spark by Hilton Ponce will represent another market first for the fastest launch-to-open brand in Hilton's history. Spark by Hilton Ponce is owned by Ponce Resorts Inc. and will be managed by HI Development P.R.Corp. Strategically located in proximity to Ponce International Airport and Highway 52, which connects Ponce to San Juan, Spark by Hilton Ponce will deliver reliable essentials and friendly service for every guest, at an accessible price. The hotel will feature 120 rooms, a meeting space, breakfast area and an outdoor pool. Guests can expect signature amenities including in-room refrigerators, complimentary breakfast and bright common spaces with multi-functional seating for dining, working or socializing. Spark by Hilton Ponce will join Hilton's portfolio of more than 10 hotels currently welcoming guests in Puerto Rico, strengthening the company's commitment to doubling its presence on the island within the next four years. Hilton plans to continue expanding its rapidly growing portfolio in the Caribbean, where it welcomes guests at approximately 50 hotels and has 40 additional properties in development. Throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, Hilton welcomes travelers at approximately 290 hotels and resorts with over 145 hotels in various stages of design and construction. As the first Spark by Hilton hotel in the Caribbean and Latin America, Spark by Hilton Ponce will represent a notable step in the brand's continued expansion, which has surpassed 160 open hotels less than a year after welcoming its first property. Spark by Hilton currently has a robust pipeline of more than 190 hotels and many conversions currently under way globally. Guests at Spark by Hilton will have access to the benefits of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton's distinct hotel brands. For more information on development news, please visit stories.hilton.com. Hotel website Hyatt Regency Times Square , Manhattan's first Hyatt Regency hotel made its debut today. The property is owned by Argent Ventures and managed by Highgate, a global real estate investment and hospitality management company. The spectacular multi-million-dollar transformation of the 795-room upscale hotel provides travelers a welcoming environment from its bustling location while also paying homage to the vibrant neighborhood with integrated programming, thoughtful design touches and an exclusive MAMMA MIA!-themed guestroom. Located at 1605 Broadway, Hyatt Regency Times Square makes a memorable first impression with a dramatic, soaring porte cochere leading to a two-story lobby with a signature restaurant and a glass atrium overlooking the iconic lights of Broadway. The hotel's expansive multi-million-dollar transformation weaves together functionality and style with show-stopping results. Upon arrival lies a lobby designed for fluidity-allowing visitors to dine, work, socialize or rest alongside warm-wood finishes, stone-clad columns, bronze accents, residential-inspired furnishings and Broadway-influenced artwork. A grid of colorful, translucent disks inspired by theater marquees hang from the ceiling and are seen throughout the hotel. Lucid, Highgate's design and construction group, supported the project's development in collaboration with Gensler and Hyatt, overseeing design and construction execution. Each of the hotel's 795 bright and spacious guestrooms and suites offer spectacular New York City views and abundant natural light through oversized windows. Channel tufted headboards and marble-topped nightstands lend timeless sophistication; built-in millwork with stone surfaces provides ample storage; and well-appointed sofas and tables allow for working or lounging. The city may never sleep, but guests will rest comfortably courtesy of blackout curtains and built-in reading lights and chargers. The 969 square-foot penthouse suitewhich can be combined with two additional guest roomsfeatures sweeping views from Times Square to the Hudson River. In collaboration with MAMMA MIA!, returning to Broadway August 2, the hotel offers a musical-inspired Greek isle-themed room, providing an immersive experience for theater and film fans alike and deepens the hotel's connection to the Broadway community. Debuting shortly, the spacious lobby features Cue 48, a restaurant rooted in thoughtful hospitality, creating a seamless transition from a daytime cafe to an elevated evening lounge overlooking the lights of 48th Street. As one of the largest hotel fitness centers in Manhattan, the hotel's gym is home to a wide array of cardio and strength training equipment. Hyatt Regency Times Square will entice guests to stick to their fitness routines during travel and health-conscious food and beverage offerings will be available at the lobby restaurant to complement busy lifestyles. At the base of the newly reimagined Hyatt Regency Times Square is one of the most extraordinary commercial opportunities in Manhattan: 290,000 square feet of modern commercial space being marketed by CBRE. Each floor offers vast, column-free zones, giving buyers the freedom to design, build, and scale to meet their unique needs. With multiple private entrance opportunities, world-class signage visibility, unmatched transit options, access to outdoor terraces, and a 795-room hotel just an elevator ride away, the new Hyatt Regency Times Square is truly where business meets Broadway. Hyatt Regency Times Square joins the nearly 30 Hyatt properties in New York City. It's the newest hotel to join the World of Hyatt family after Hotel Seville Nomad, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, which became part of World of Hyatt in April. Hyatt Regency Times Square is now open with rates starting at $349++/night. To book a reservation or learn more, visit https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/nycrt-hyatt-regency-times-square and follow @HyattRegencyTimesSq on Facebook and Instagram , and tag photos with ##HyattRegencyTimesSquare. The term "Hyatt" is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates. Hotel website Jen Mason, a 33-year Marriott veteran, will assume the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer once Leeny Oberg steps down from that role, effective March 31, 2026. Mason, 55, joined Marriott in 1992 and currently serves as Global Officer, Treasurer and Risk Management. In this role, Mason oversees global capital market activities and hotel financing, financial strategy and capital allocation, financial risk management, and global capital transactions and treasury services. Mason is also responsible for the company's risk management function including insurance, claims, business continuity and global safety and security. Since joining Marriott in 1992, Mason has held several leadership roles, including CFO for the company's largest segment, the U.S. & Canada division, senior vice president of IT Business Partnership & Planning, as well as senior vice president, Sales & Marketing Planning Support. In her first 16 years with Marriott, she held a number of positions of increasing responsibility in Internal Audit, Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis, Lodging Finance and Business Development. Mason earned her Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a concentration in Finance from the University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce, and has an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Upon assuming this roles, Mason will serve on Marriott's executive leadership team and report to President and CEO Anthony Capuano. Burgh Island Hotel, the iconic Art Deco retreat on a private tidal island off the coast of Devon, is delighted to announce the appointment of culinary virtuoso Charlotte Vincent as its new Head Chef, who is set to usher in a new era of modern British gastronomy with a sustainable twist. With a resume as bold as her food, Charlotte has gone from scientific scholar, and now to the heights of Britain's culinary elite. Having wowed the nation on the BBC's Great British Menu (and tipped as a top contender again this year), Charlotte is known for her fearless experimentation, love of fermentation, and artful elevation of local produce. She's cooked at 10 Downing Street and even served up dishes for Elon Musk during a private UK visit. That journey includes a bold focus on ultra-local, ethically sourced ingredients. Charlotte has already partnered with Rare and Pasture Charcuterie just minutes from the hotel. Her sourcing extends to the sea, with scallops now delivered by electric van from a local diver operating a single fishing boat dramatically cutting the hotel's carbon footprint. Daily foraging walks yield wild gems like oyster leaves and rock samphire, further rooting the menu in the island's rugged landscape. Charlotte's rise is as unconventional as her menus. She began her career in the Royal Logistics Corps, before stepping away to earn a master's in psychology and human biology a combination that now flavours her famously meticulous, experimental cooking style. Her return to the kitchen has been meteoric, scooping Best Chef at the Great British Pub Awards and reaching the semi-finals of the National Chef of the Year competition. Her food is rooted in Modern British cuisine, but draws freely from Scandinavian and French techniques, underpinned by a passion for sustainability. At Burgh Island, she plans to introduce bold new menus built on fermentation, curing, and smoking all while celebrating seasonal ingredients from Devon's rich larder. As part of her culinary revamp, Charlotte is digging deep into Burgh Island's glamorous and mysterious history to conjure up a series of evocative new menus from decadent tasting dinners to an all-new Afternoon Tea experience inspired by the hotel's most legendary guests. The hotel, famously a muse to Christie herself, inspired two of her most famous works: And Then There Were None and Evil Under the Sun. Guests will soon indulge in delicate pastries, savoury treats, and vintage teas that echo the 1930s charm and drama of her novels served in the shimmering Art Deco surroundings Christie once roamed. From black tie banquets inspired by royal rule-breakers to reimagined favourites of Hollywood stars who once danced in the Palm Court, Charlotte's menus promise to turn every meal into a time-travelling, tastebud-tingling celebration of Burgh Island's past and future. Charlotte also brings with her a strong voice for equality in hospitality, passionately mentoring the next generation of chefs and advocating for more inclusive, inspiring kitchens especially for women. Her arrival marks a new chapter for Burgh Island's dining scene, with menus set to launch later this summer that promise to be as intriguing and indulgent as the Island itself. Photo Credit: Jean-Philippe Baudey, Faydit Photography BIH 07VII25HR213 Spire Hospitality, a nationally recognized third-party hotel management company, has appointed Zaw Oo as general manager of Hotel Fera Anaheim, a DoubleTree by Hilton, in Orange, CA. A hospitality veteran with nearly 20 years of industry experience, Oo brings proven leadership skills and a wealth of knowledge to the role. In his new position, Oo will oversee daily operations of the 460-room property located near Anaheim, CA's major attractions. This appointment represents a strategic milestone as the hotel continues to enhance guest experiences and strengthen its market position. He will focus on creating memorable stays while maintaining the high service standards Spire Hospitality delivers across its portfolio. Oo most recently served as the general manager of M Social Hotel New York Times Square, a 480-room lifestyle property in Manhattan. He has held leadership roles at premier properties across major markets, including the Kimpton Palomar San Diego, The St. Regis Houston, and InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. Throughout his career, Oo has been recognized for delivering operational excellence and people-centric leadership, with a proven ability to inspire teams and drive guest satisfaction. Born in Yangon, Myanmar, Oo is a proud first-generation immigrant who began his professional career in finance, spending a decade as a Banking Center Manager with Bank of America in the San Francisco Bay Area before transitioning to hospitality. He holds a master's degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Southern California (USC).Oo and his wife, Darlene, are relocating to the Los Angeles area, which they consider their favorite among the many cities they've called home. The couple, who are passionate travelers, is planning a return trip to Vietnam in 2026. The European Commissions digital wallet initiative will take effect next year, but its just the first step. During a session at Phocuswright Europe 2025, industry leaders sat down to discuss the impact of these digital identity wallets and how artificial intelligence (AI) will come into play. Nick Price, founder of Netsys Technology and co-chair of the Decentralized Identity Foundation (DIF) Hospitality & Travel Special Interest Group, said DIF is working on standards and use cases for self-sovereign identity in the travel industry and trying to address a major gap: traveler profile and preferences. Anybody whos in the hospitality industry will know that this isnt just a name and address and information derived from a passport, Price said. In reality, this may include preferences about where you sit on a plane, the proximity of your hotel room to the elevator, your allergies, etc. This information is deep and personal and meaningful, and its constantly changing, Price said. It is the grease in the machine of travel that actually enables the surprise and delight moments to happenand that information is locked away in loyalty systems that are behind the bars of individual travel providers today, and they just simply are out of date, incomplete and unused and unusable in the most part. Jamie Smith, founder of Customer Futures, also pointed to traveler preferences and profile history being locked up in customer relationship management systems and travel provider technologies. Read the full article at Phocuswire Eagle Hills acquires Mandarin Oriental Munich from Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi-based investment company Eagle Hills, controlled by UAE billionaire Mohamed Alabbar, who is also the founder of UAE developer Emaar Properties, has acquired the five-star, 73-room Mandarin Oriental Munich, Germany, from Hong Kong-based Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group for an amount reported to be 150 million (2.06 million per room). The property is situated in a prime central location in the citys Old Town, just a short walk from the main square, Marienplatz. The hotel includes three restaurants, a bar and three meeting rooms. The transaction is expected to be completed within the next six to eight weeks. Pontegadea acquires Hotel Banke de Paris from Derby Hotels Billionaire Inditex founder Amancio Ortega, through his family office Pontegadea, has acquired the five-star, 90-room Hotel Banke de Paris in France from Spanish owner-operator Derby Hotels Collection for an amount reported to be 97 million (1.08 million per room). The property is situated in Paris 9th district, just a short walk from the Opera / Palais Garnier. The building used to be a bank headquarters and was converted into a hotel in 2009, but has been closed since the Covid-19 pandemic. Barcelo acquires Evergreen Laurel Hotel in Paris from Evergreen Spanish owner-operator Barcelo Hotel Group has acquired the four-star, 338-room Evergreen Laurel Hotel in Paris, France, from Taiwanese conglomerate Evergreen for an amount reported to be 70 million (207,000 per room). The property is situated in Paris Levallois-Perret district just outside the citys northwest border. The hotel includes a restaurant, bar and 10 meeting rooms. Evergreen has owned the site since constructing the hotel in 1997. This transaction marks Barcelos first hotel in France. Meridia acquires two hotels in Madrid from Extendam Spanish investment company Meridia, on behalf of its Meridia V fund, has acquired the 2-star, 230-room Hotel Madrid Centro Atocha and the 1-star, 156-room Ibis Budget Madrid Aeropuerto in Spain from French private equity firm Extendam. Extendam acquired the Atocha site in 2020, developed the hotel, and opened it in 2022. It is located near Madrids Atocha train station, whilst the other property is located by Adolfo Suarez MadridBarajas Airport. Malaysian operator Continuum Hospitality Group has been operating both hotels and will continue to do so under hotel management agreements. Fortress acquires Ragdale Hall Spa in Ragdale, UK, from local hoteliers New York-based investment management firm Fortress Investment Group has acquired the 93-room Ragdale Hall Spa hotel in Leicestershire in England, from hoteliers Michael Isaacs and Penny Nesbitt, who had owned the property for 35 years. The hotel is situated in the East Midlands, between the cities of Nottingham and Leicester, and includes a restaurant, two bars and a spa with six pools. U.S.-based operator Davidson Hospitality Group will support the hotels team in managing the property. Extendam sells Ibis Paris Tour Montparnasse in France French private equity firm Extendam has sold the three-star, 45-room Ibis Paris Tour Montparnasse in France. The property is situated in Paris 15th district by the Tour Montparnasse and includes a breakfast restaurant and bar. Extendam acquired the hotel in 2019 and completed renovations of the guest rooms and common areas within the first half of that year. Since the acquisition, the hotel has been operated by Extendams operating partner Ker Hospitality. Chapter 6 acquires former Hotel 3.14 Cannes from Groupe Partouche French owner-operator Chapter 6 has acquired the former four-star, 94-room Hotel 3.14 Cannes on the French Riviera from French gambling conglomerate Groupe Partouche. The property, which is just 100 metres from the beach, formerly included a ground-floor casino. The hotel closed in 2016, and the casino relocated in 2024. Chapter 6 plans to fully refurbish the hotel and reopen it in 2027. This marks the groups third hotel on the Cote d'Azur. Korner Hotels acquires Hotel de l'Exposition Republique in Paris French owner-operator Korner Hotels has acquired the three-star, 28-room Hotel de l'Exposition Republique in Paris, France. The property is situated in Paris 10th district, near the Gare de lEst train station, and includes a breakfast restaurant. The hotel will remain open until November 2025, after which it will undergo extensive renovations before reopening under the Korner brand. This acquisition marks the groups tenth hotel, all of which are located in Paris. French investment management firm MNK Partners, on behalf of its Reason SCPI, has acquired the two-star, 71-room Travelodge Gateshead Whitemare Pool in Gateshead in the north of England, from UK investment company IM Properties, for 4.85 million (68,300 per room), representing a reported yield of 7.7%. The property is situated by the motorway outside the town of Gateshead that adjoins the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, and also includes a commercial unit leased as a Burger King restaurant. The hotel is fully leased to Travelodge with 14.5 years remaining on a fixed-term lease. Essendi sells Ibis Budget Bordeaux Sud Villenave-d'Ornon to hotelier Faure French owner-operator Essendi (formerly AccorInvest) has sold the two-star, 76-room Ibis Budget Bordeaux Sud Villenave-d'Ornon in France to independent French hotelier Frederic Faure. The property is situated in southern Bordeaux by the motorway and includes a breakfast restaurant. The hotel is now scheduled to undergo extensive refurbishments of all guest rooms, public areas, and the breakfast restaurant, under the new Reboost concept of the Ibis Budget brand. This marks Faures fourth Accor-branded hotel, among them the Ibis Styles Bordeaux Sud Villenave-d'Ornon, situated directly opposite. Florence (Italy) The Board of Directors of Starhotels Finanziaria has approved the 2024 consolidated financial statements, marking a new operational and financial record. Following the exceptional results achieved in 2023, the Group has further strengthened its leadership position within the Italian hospitality landscape, reporting the following results: Total Revenues : 314.8 million, an increase of 2.8% compared to 2023 : 314.8 million, an increase of 2.8% compared to 2023 EBITDA : 102.7 million, equivalent to 32.6% of revenues : 102.7 million, equivalent to 32.6% of revenues Net Profit: 34.3 million, equivalent to 10.9% of revenues, up by 9% compared to 2023 On a like-for-like basis, excluding the impact of renovations that reduced the availability of certain properties, revenues would have reached 312.5 million and EBITDA 104.5 million, representing increases of 6.2% and 4.3% respectively compared to 2023. The results for 2024 confirm the solidity of our business model and our ability to achieve growth even in complex scenarios. The best net profit in our history, while maintaining excellent margins, is the result of the extraordinary commitment of the entire Starhotels team. This performance projects us into an ambitious phase of expansion, with the main goal of leading the evolution of high-end Italian hospitality. Elisabetta Fabri, President and CEO of Starhotels Strategic expansion and strengthening of assets Building on these record results, Starhotels is accelerating its expansion plans. The Group has recently secured a new ten-year 350 million loan financial agreement, replacing the previous five-year 460 million facility. This move increases economic efficiency and reallocates resources towards enhancing the current real estate portfolio, acquiring new hotel properties, and signing new management agreements under lease and management contract formats. New acquisitions and openings Among the most significant recent transactions, Starhotels has acquired ownership and management of the Hermitage Hotel & Resort, a four-star property with 59 rooms in Forte dei Marmi, thus marking its debut in the resort segment and reinforcing its presence in Tuscany. The resort will join the Groups portfolio at the end of the 2025 season and is scheduled to reopen to the public under the Starhotels Collezione brand in the 2026 season, following an extensive refurbishment aimed at preserving and enhancing the propertys distinctive historical identity, in line with the Groups standards of excellence. Furthermore, after the reopening in September 2024 of the iconic 5-star Hotel dInghilterra in Rome, the summer of 2025 promises significant new additions with two major inaugurations: Hotel Gabrielli in Venice : a historic property on Riva degli Schiavoni, which will reopen as a 5-star hotel with 66 rooms and suites following an exceptional conservation restoration; : a historic property on Riva degli Schiavoni, which will reopen as a 5-star hotel with 66 rooms and suites following an exceptional conservation restoration; Teatro Luxury Apartments in Florence: one of the citys largest urban regeneration and development projects, carried out by Hines and Blue Noble two leading international real estate firms together with Savills Investment Management SGR, manager of the Future Living fund. The project will offer a new high-end residential complex comprising 156 luxury units. Future outlook Over the past three years, Starhotels has consolidated its leadership in the hospitality sector through solid governance, the acquisition of minority shareholdings, the restructuring of its debt towards greater efficiency, and the enhancement of its real estate portfolio. This path is fully aligned with the Groups industrial vision, which aims for selective growth in the hospitality sector through partnerships and acquisitions with entities that share its values of excellence, authenticity, and innovation. About Starhotels Starhotels, the first Italian private hotel company, is a market leader in the hospitality industry within 4 and 5-star hotels. The Group vaunts 31 hotels with more than 4,300 rooms and luxury residences located in the heart of the top Italian destinations, in addition to London, Paris and New York. Starhotels is synonymous with the excellence of Italian hospitality, offering impeccable service that excels at anticipating the guests' wishes and exceeding their expectations. The prestigious Starhotels Collezione icons of style in the most beautiful destinations in the world stand out for their strategic positions, sophisticated design and bespoke services. Starhotels Collezione properties are located in Florence, London, Milan, New York, Paris, Rome, Saturnia, Siena, Trieste, Venice and Vicenza. Starhotels Premium, located in the heart of the most beautiful Italian cities, Bergamo, Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Parma, Rome, Saronno and Turin, stand out for their contemporary style, and perfect combination of elegance and comfort, providing an intangible sense of well-being through excellent and welcoming service. Starhotels Press Office +39 055 3692251 Starhotels Group Dubai, UAE - The first 50 of a plethora of hospitality and tourism industry leaders have been confirmed as speakers at the Future Hospitality Summit FHS World, taking place at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, 27-29 October. Globally renowned experts and personalities across hospitality, tourism, media and education are speaking at the Middle Easts leading investment summit, held under the overarching theme for 2025 of Where Vision Leads, Investment Follows. Details of the speakers can be found at https://www.futurehospitality.com/world/speakers, with the list constantly updated as more sign up. Confirmed speakers include: Abdullah Al Moosa , Founder & Chairman, A. A. Al Moosa Enterprises (ARENCO Group) Winner of the 2025 FHS Lifetime Achievement Award , Founder & Chairman, A. A. Al Moosa Enterprises (ARENCO Group) Winner of the 2025 FHS Lifetime Achievement Award Stephen Sackur , Former Presenter, BBC HARDTalk , Former Presenter, BBC HARDTalk Thomas B. Meier , Chief Executive Officer, Jumeirah , Chief Executive Officer, Jumeirah Nick Candy, Chief Executive Officer, Candy Capital Chief Executive Officer, Candy Capital Achim Schmitt , Dean, EHL Hospitality Business School , Dean, EHL Hospitality Business School Professor Marc Lepere , Lead in ESG & Sustainability, Executive Education Department of Banking & Finance, Kings Business School , Lead in ESG & Sustainability, Executive Education Department of Banking & Finance, Kings Business School Amit Arora , Chief Operating Officer, Arada , Chief Operating Officer, Arada Stefano Saporetti , Director of Brand Diversification, Aston Martin , Director of Brand Diversification, Aston Martin Hans Meyer , Co-Founder & Managing Director, Zoku , Co-Founder & Managing Director, Zoku Daniel Thorniley , Economist & President, DT-Global Business Consulting , Economist & President, DT-Global Business Consulting Eleonora Srugo, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker & Star of Netflixs Selling the City FHS World may be three months away, but the planning and organisation, which started as soon as last years event finished, is in full swing. Our first speakers are confirmed, and hundreds of attendees have already signed up for the regions leading hospitality investment summit. FHS World gets bigger, bolder and better every year, and we are proud to announce our first 50 speakers and rapidly-evolving agenda at this early stage. We look forward to welcoming back some of our regular speaker participants alongside industry leaders who will be joining us for the first time, when the global hospitality and tourism investment fraternity gathers in Dubai in October. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, organiser of FHS World With an expected attendance of more than 1,600 delegates, FHS World 2025 will feature its usual highly-anticipated, action-packed agenda addressing key industry opportunities, challenges and trends across three stages, with additional workshop rooms and breakout areas. Centred around the event theme, Where Vision Leads, Investment Follows, the FHS World programme covers everything from investment to innovation, sustainability to staffing and technology to tourism trends, with keynote speeches, panel discussion, presentations and round table debates on the agenda. Follow FHS World for updates and speakers. This year, FHS World will zoom in on global hospitality investment with a focus on projects, financing models and hotel performance. In addition, the country pavilions are back again for 2025 with, amongst others, China, Italy, Maldives and the Philippines showcasing their hospitality and tourism investment offerings. Also back by popular demand is the Branded Residences Forum, which takes a deep dive into the rapidly growing branded residences sector, with input from a host of global experts in the field. About The Bench The Bench has built a legacy as a global curator of opportunity, designing transformative forums and summits that empower the hospitality and travel industries to connect, innovate, and thrive. With over two decades of expertise, The Bench creates platforms that go beyond transactions to inspire collaboration and drive meaningful change. Each event brings together government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel associations, leading hospitality brands, hotel owners and investors, airlines, destination developers, and more. From flagship gatherings like FHS World (formerly AHIC) and FHS Saudi Arabia, to FHS Africa (formerly AHIF) and AviaDev, The Bench creates events where ideas spark, relationships deepen, and investments take flight. The Bench thrives on fostering dynamic and forward-looking dialogues, uniting industry pioneers to address challenges, seize opportunities, and co-create the future. Each event is crafted to deliver more than just connections - it's about transforming ideas into action and building a better tomorrow. Discover more at thebench.com About FHS World Dates: 27-29 October 2025 Location: Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE Sponsors: Sponsors: Jumeirah as Host Sponsor; China Search for Culture Power Committee (Country Pavilion), Maldives Fund Management Corporation (Country Pavilion), NEOM, Rua Al Madinah Holding and Taiba Investments at Strategic Partners; PwC as Knowledge Partner; Accor, Arada Hospitality, Barriere, Club Med, ExploreTECH, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Italia Hospitality (Country Pavilion), Marriott International, Modon Hospitality, Radisson Hotel Group, Red Sea Global, Rotana, The Ascott Limited, and Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (Country Pavilion) as Headline Sponsors; Action Hotels, Aleph Hospitality, Aristara, ARK People Solutions, Blastness, Bushtec Creations, BWH Hotels, CBRE, Colliers, Compass Project Consulting, Credibl ESG, EHL Hospitality Business School, Enterprise Greece, Forsite Creative, H World International, IHCL, JLL, JT+P, Knight Frank, Louvre Hotels Group, Minor Hotels, Quo, Rikas Hospitality Group, STR CoStar, The First Group Hospitality, Tui Hotels & Resorts, United Hospitality Management, United Network Studio (UNS), and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as Sponsors; Cavendish Maxwell, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Rove Hotels, Shaza Hotels and Start Reverse as Exhibitors; Adyen, dailypoint, Flyr, Portal, RMS Cloud in the ExploreTECH Tech Pavilion. Anne Bleeker In2 Consulting +971 56 603 0886 The Bench Cairo The Egyptian Hotels Association (EHA) is investing in a skilled workforce to boost Egypt's hotel sector, announcing a major two-years partnership with Sommet Education, world leader in hospitality education. This agreement, including Sommet Education renowned Glion Institute of Higher Education and Les Roches, was signed in the presence of H.E. the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy. This significant partnership is the direct result of extensive and meticulous negotiations led by the EHAs dedicated training committee and Sommet Education. Both parties shared an unwavering vision for redefining hospitality standards in Egypt, and the committee worked hard to secure this landmark agreement. This collaboration is now set to profoundly support and elevate the entire hospitality sector. The initiative aims to empower ambitious Egyptians for the global hospitality industry through world-class education, advanced skills, and international exposure. The agreement grants eligible EHA member staff exclusive access to postgraduate and executive hospitality programs at Glion and Les Roches through partial scholarships. Sommet Education Foundation, the non-for-profit entity of the group will also offer one full scholarship for one of the above programs to an exceptional Egyptian candidate on need-based criteria. This initiative is key for Egypt's tourism goals, aligning with the government's plan to welcome 30 million tourists by 2031 and significantly expand hotel capacity. By enhancing professional skills and providing top- tier training, this partnership will boost service quality, drive innovation, and ensure sustainable growth for Egypts hospitality industry. This collaboration is a game- changer for Egypts hospitality landscape. By opening doors to globally renowned institutions like Glion and Les Roches, were giving our members access to world-class knowledge and skills that will uplift the entire industry. Its about preparing our people to leadnot just locally, but on the world stage. Mohamed Ayoub, Chairman of the Egyptian Hotels Association This collaboration is about building bridges between exceptional Egyptian talent and world-class hospitality education. At Sommet Education, we believe that passion is the foundation of great service. By giving motivated individuals the opportunity to study at Glion and Les Roches, were helping to develop leaders who can elevate the hospitality industry not just in Egypt, but globally. Adrian Artimov, Chief Commercial Officer of Sommet Education Beyond scholarships, the partnership offers executive online education, program certificates for EHA members, and eight joint professional development 4 per year - and networking events, with Sommet Education participating in all major EHA-hosted events. Glion and Les Roches, accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), offer premier programs in hospitality, luxury, tourism, and event management, providing global perspectives and direct career pathways. As Egypt continues its rise as a global tourism destination, this collaboration is key for talent development and sustainable sector growth. For more information or to apply: https://sommet-education.foleon.com/sommet-education/eha-association/ About Sommet Education Sommet Education is the global leader in hospitality, luxury and culinary arts education and training, uniting five prestigious institutions Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches Global Hospitality, Ecole Ducasse, Invictus Education and Indian School of Hospitality - that shape the future of the industry and nurture the next generation of talent. With over 400 programs spanning technical training, undergraduate, graduate degrees, executive and business solutions, we support 20,000 students and learners from over 100 nationalities across 10 countries and over 20 campuses as well as through cutting-edge online learning platforms. Backed by a worldwide network of 60,000 alumni and an industry-driven curriculum, Sommet Education prepares the future leaders who will set new standards of excellence in hospitality and beyond. For more information, visit https://www.sommet-education.com/ Anouck Weiss Chief Communication Officer Sommet Education Sommet Education View source PLANO, TEXAS Nomadix Inc., bringing connected experiences to life, today announced a distribution agreement with TD SYNNEX, a leading global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem. Through this agreement, Nomadixs portfolio of connectivity and digital engagement solutions will be available to TD SYNNEXs vast network of resellers across North America, accelerating growth and expanding footprint in key industries including hospitality, multifamily housing, education and government. Nomadix invents, delivers and supports technology that enables venues to connect visitors to the digital world. By working with TD SYNNEX, Nomadix will focus on meeting evolving customer needs by delivering solutions that connect, manage and engage their customers, guests, tenants, residents and students. This agreement reinforces our commitment to industry leadership and represents a significant step in our growth strategy, enabling us to extend our reach to a broader Value-Added Reseller (VAR), Managed Service Provider (MSP) and System Integrator (SI) ecosystem with a trusted distributor. Michael Fox, senior director of partner sales at Nomadix By leveraging TD SYNNEXs expansive network and market expertise, we are accelerating our momentum, strengthening our channel strategy and solidifying our position as a trusted leader in delivering innovative scalable technology. Speleos Dravillas, chief revenue officer at Nomadix TD SYNNEX is committed to uniting IT solutions that deliver business outcomes today and unlock growth for the future. With Nomadix added to our comprehensive vendor portfolio, we're able to enrich the breadth and depth of our Advanced Solutions offerings so customers can do great things with technology. Cheryl Day, SVP of new vendor acquisition and global solutions at TD SYNNEX VARs, MSPs and SIs can access Nomadixs network infrastructure, energy management, digital engagement and telephony solutions immediately through TD SYNNEX. For more information, visit https://nomadix.com/learnmore/. About Nomadix Nomadix, an ASSA ABLOY company, brings connected experiences to life. For over 25 years, Nomadix has been a trusted vendor to the worlds largest brands, delivering powerful and personalized connectivity and digital engagement solutions designed with real people in mind. Providing the backbone of visitor-based networks and managed Wi-Fi to properties and venues of any size in over 150 countries, Nomadix enables companies to connect, manage and engage in ways that redefine their digital customer experiences, help them make better business decisions and increase customer lifetime value. For more information, visit nomadix.com. About TD SYNNEX TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX) is a leading global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem. Were an innovative partner helping more than 150,000 customers in 100+ countries to maximize the value of technology investments, demonstrate business outcomes and unlock growth opportunities. Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, and Fremont, California, TD SYNNEXs 23,000 co-workers are dedicated to uniting compelling IT products, services and solutions from 2,500+ best-in-class technology vendors. Our edge-to-cloud portfolio is anchored in some of the highest-growth technology segments including cloud, cybersecurity, big data/analytics, AI, IoT, mobility and everything as a service. TD SYNNEX is committed to serving customers and communities, and we believe we can have a positive impact on our people and our planet, intentionally acting as a respected corporate citizen. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive employer of choice for talent across the IT ecosystem. For more information, visit www.TDSYNNEX.com, follow our newsroom or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Aubrey Coggins Director of Marketing HVS Market Report - Oregon Coast: A Thriving Tourism Destination - By Hannah Homack - Image Credit Unsplash The Oregon Coast is a vibrant, drive-to destination in the Pacific Northwest, known for its scenic charm and strong tourism appeal. With steady post-pandemic recovery and revitalization efforts underway, the region is poised for continued growth, drawing visitors to its coastal cities year-round. The Oregon Coast is a popular drive-to destination market that thrives on tourism. The coast offers a variety of vacation spots, from large, bustling tourism hubs to more rural destinations with small-town charm. Home to nearly 30 cities and towns, the coastal region is divided into three major sub-regions: the Northern and Central sub-regions feature the major tourism destinations, including Newport, Lincoln City, Cannon Beach, and Astoria, while the Southern sub-region relies primarily on travel to state parks. The coasts proximity to Oregons major commercial centers, including Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Medford, provides the area with reliable demand for hotels. This demand peaks from May through October given the mild weather and the multitude of popular outdoor recreational activities during this period. In recent years, cities throughout the Pacific Northwest have undergone significant changes in the travel industry related to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolving political climate. However, given the drive-to appeal of the Oregon Coast region, this area has been relatively insulated from the significant effects experienced by cities that rely primarily on corporate and international travel demand. Historical Trends According to a Travel Oregon Tourism Program report, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oregon Coast tourism economy was recorded as the second largest in the state behind Portland, capturing 17% of total statewide spending. This trend in visitor spending continued significantly in the years following the pandemic, as illustrated by nearly $2.5 billion in visitor spending in 2023, a 20% increase from pre-pandemic levels. Oregon Coast Visitor and Spending Levels Have Surpassed Pre-Pandemic Levels in Recent Years Source: Travel Oregon As a result of the strong recovery following the pandemic, the Oregon Coast has benefited from a significant increase in visitation and associated visitor spending. This growth has primarily been supported by the drive-to nature of the coast, as travelers continued to limit air travel immediately following the pandemic and as the cost of travel continued to increase through 2024. The significant marketing efforts of communities throughout the region and new developments in larger cities like Lincoln City and Newport have also contributed to stronger travel levels. The new developments have included updated retail outlets, a variety of local restaurants, and new housing developments designed to support additional travel and population growth. While visitation and spending have stabilized in recent years, both metrics remain well above pre-pandemic levels, as illustrated on the charts above. In addition to heightened levels of visitation and visitor spending throughout the coast, hotels throughout the region experienced a significant boost in occupancy and ADR, represented by increases in transient room tax levels during this period. The table below shows the transient occupancy tax (TOT) collections data reported by Travel Oregon through 2023 (the latest data available). Oregon Coast TOT Collections by County Show Growth Beyond 2019 Levels Source: Travel Oregon While the coast was relatively insulated from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic given the large number of local travelers during this period, many hotels experienced a significant decline in demand during the peak season of 2020. This drop resulted in a roughly 10% average decline in tax revenue for the year. However, as travel restrictions to and from the Pacific Northwest were removed and pent-up local demand increased in 2021, the larger tourism hubs in the region recorded significant growth in transient lodging tax revenue. This revenue consistently surpassed pre-pandemic levels through 2023, reflecting the strong travel demand to the region. Additionally, during this time, several counties along the coast intensified their tourism marketing efforts, with approximately 70% of the collected transient lodging tax being used to fund these promotions. Travel to this region following the pandemic was largely supported by tourists from Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho, with the majority of visitors reportedly driving from the Portland area. Operators of lodging properties along the coast report a strong correlation between economic activity in the region's largest cities and visitation to the Oregon Coast. Recent Market Trends Significant increases in leisure demand were registered throughout the Oregon Coast markets during the spring and summer of 2021, as illustrated by the growth in transient lodging tax revenue that year, per the chart above. Growth has declined since then given the dissipation of pent-up leisure demand, with an average increase in tax revenue closer to 5% in 2023. While detailed tax revenue data for 2024 is not yet available for public review, Travel Oregon reported that demand continued to normalize through 2024 and estimated a decline of approximately 1.5% from 2023, primarily in the Northern coast sub-region, which benefited significantly from pent-up demand following the pandemic. Despite the small dip in demand in 2024, year-to-date 2025 data for the major counties along the Oregon Coast show an increase from January through April 2025. According to data provided by Travel Oregon, the majority of the counties along the coast reported hotel occupancy increases between 2% and 9% during that period. This trend is largely attributed to marketing efforts in the low and shoulder seasons, as well as declines in local ADR and increasing costs in larger cities. Market Outlook for 2025 and Beyond Despite the recent decline and normalization of demand along the Oregon Coast, visitors will continue to be attracted to the areas coastal recreation activities and other leisure demand drivers, particularly in the peak summer season. Other attractions include special events, local shops, and local food and beverage options. Given the Oregon Coasts strong position as a drive-to leisure destination, the near-term outlook is generally positive. Market participants along the coast anticipate the summer 2025 season to be largely stable. The core market for the Oregon Coast is based primarily within the Pacific Northwest; thus, any loss in international travel is anticipated to have a relatively minor impact. Marketing efforts for the near term will focus primarily on retaining the areas regional demand. Counties along the Oregon Coast report that the marketing and tourism efforts over the next several years will focus largely on increasing travel to the coast in the winter. In January 2025, the Oregon Coast Visitors Association released a Three-Year Strategic Plan aimed at supporting coastal travel and experiences, promoting regional visitation in the low and shoulder seasons, growing local businesses along the coast, and supporting future economic shifts. This plan will provide coastal communities with marketing tools, state-supported resources, and funding to grow the region as a four-season destination and to support the large local tourism demand base. At HVS, we turn data into powerful insights that drive your success. Our unique methodology involves conducting primary interviews within local markets, capturing real-time insights and data. This ensures a deep understanding of each market we operate in, giving you a distinct competitive edge. For comprehensive information about the Oregon Coast market or for assistance in making investment decisions that align with your specific goals and risk tolerance, we invite you to reach out to Hannah Homack with HVS Portland. About Hannah Homack Hannah Homack, a Manager with the HVS Portland Office, graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in May 2015. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History Education. Hannah began a career in hospitality at the newly opened, dual-branded Hyatt Place/Hyatt House in Denver, Colorado as a front desk guest-experiences associate. This experience was followed by working as a Night-Audit Supervisor, Group Rooms Coordinator, and Revenue Analyst for the same property. Prior to joining HVS in May 2022, Hannah worked as a Corporate Revenue Manager for Azul Hospitality Group, managing several Hyatt, Wyndham, and Choice Hotels properties. Contact Hannah at 1 (971) 334-2799 or hhomack@hvs.com. From left to right: Mr. Kohei Motoyama, President and Representative Director, Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd.; Mr. Masataka Abe, President and Representative Director, Royal Holdings Co., Ltd.; Mr. William E. Heinecke, Founder & Chairman, Minor International; Mr. Hisashi Kitami, President & CEO of List Co., Ltd.; Mr. Hiroyuki Kiuchi, President & COO of List Development Co., Ltd. - Image Credit Minor Hotels Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd. and List Development Co., Ltd. have signed an agreement to open the Anantara Karuizawa Retreat in Japan by 2030. Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Royal Holdings Co., Ltd. and Minor Hotels, has signed a management contract with List Development Co., Ltd. to develop the Anantara Karuizawa Retreat in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The project is scheduled to open in 2030. The new Anantara property will be situated on a 10-acre site in Karuizawa, facing Mount Asama. It will feature 51 keys, including suites and branded residences. The development aims to capitalize on the area's natural beauty and proximity to Karuizawa Hokuriku Shinkansen Station, providing convenient access from Tokyo and nearby cities. The retreat will feature 23 suites, ranging from 60 to 120 square meters, and 18 villas, which may be offered as branded residences in the future. These villas will range from 70 to 270 square meters, adding 28 keys to the hotel's inventory. Dining options will include three on-site outlets: an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty concept, and a bar. Advertisement Wellness amenities will be a significant aspect of the retreat, featuring an Anantara Spa, onsen, and additional wellness programming. Other facilities will include a swimming pool, fitness center, library, and residents' lounge. Meeting facilities will also be available to accommodate corporate events. The retreat's design is expected to incorporate modern elements with natural materials, such as exposed timber and large windows, to harmonize with the environment and offer views of Mount Asama. The signing of this agreement marks the first project following the establishment of Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd. in March 2025. The company plans to collaborate with Japanese real estate developers to operate hotels under Minor Hotels' brands, including Anantara, Tivoli, and Avani, to open 21 hotels in Japan by 2035. The management agreement was signed at a ceremony held at the Tokyo American Club on July 10, 2025. Rendering of the YOTELPAD Athens, Peiraios Street - Image Credit Divercity Architects. YOTEL plans to open a 113-key aparthotel in Athens by late 2026, marking its entry into the Greek market. YOTEL has announced its entry into the Greek market with the planned opening of YOTELPAD Athens, a 113-key aparthotel. The project involves the transformation of three centrally located buildings in Athens, in collaboration with Valpre Capital, a London-based investment manager. The aparthotel is scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2026. The development will feature three buildings located in the neighborhoods of Neos Kosmos, Monastiraki, and Omonoia. Each building will offer amenities such as Mission Control, Grab+Go, Wash+Go, and fully equipped gyms. The Peiraios building will include a rooftop terrace with views of the Athenian skyline. The aparthotel will offer a mix of studios and one-bedroom apartments, catering to both short-term and long-term stays. The Iras building in Neos Kosmos is situated near the Syngrou-Fix metro station, catering to business travelers. The Miltiadou building is located near Syntagma Square and the Monastiraki district, appealing to both leisure and corporate guests. The Peiraios building, positioned in the Omonoia district, is part of an area undergoing urban regeneration. YOTELPAD Athens is part of YOTEL's strategy to expand its presence in the European extended-stay market. The project follows the recent opening of YOTELPAD London Stratford and precedes planned developments in Southeast Asia and other global markets. Rendering of the Ubuyu, A Banyan Tree Escape - Image Credit Banyan Group Banyan Group will celebrate the opening of its 100th hotel, Mandai Rainforest Resort, in Singapore this November. This milestone marks a significant expansion for the company, which has been increasing its presence across Asia, Africa, and Europe. In addition to the Singapore opening, Banyan Group is expanding into safari hospitality with the launch of Ubuyu, A Banyan Tree Escape, in Tanzania. Scheduled to open in late 2025, the resort will be situated in Ruaha National Park, renowned for its rich biodiversity, including large populations of elephants and lions. The initial phase will include six artisan villas constructed with local materials and inspired by traditional Maasai architecture. The company is also marking its 20th anniversary in China, where it operates 33 hotels. New openings in China this year include Banyan Tree Zhuhai Phoenix Bay and Angsana Zhoushan. The company has also signed new agreements in Guangzhou, Xiamen, and Wenling. In the Maldives, Banyan Group is celebrating 30 years of operations, with recognition from the Government of the Maldives for its contributions to environmental stewardship. The company continues to expand its footprint in Southeast Asia, with the opening of Garrya Mu Cang Chai in Vietnam and the upcoming Homm Mandaue Cebu in the Philippines. Banyan Group is also expanding its retail presence through Banyan Tree Gallery, which now offers products on board China Airlines. In Europe, the company has launched sales for Banyan Tree Padilla Madrid Residences, its first residential development on the continent. In Southeast Asia, Banyan Tree Beach Residences Oceanus has launched in Laguna Phuket. Marriott to Open Seven City Express Hotels in Brazil - Image Credit Marriott International Marriott International has signed an agreement to open seven City Express by Marriott hotels in Brazil, marking the brand's entry into the country as part of a 15-year plan to develop 30 properties in the Northeast region. Marriott International, Inc. has announced a development agreement with FABRICA DE HOTEIS LTDA to open seven City Express by Marriott hotels in Brazil. This initiative marks the brand's first entry into the Brazilian market. It is part of a broader strategy to establish 30 properties across the Northeast region of the country over the next 15 years. The agreement was formalized during a ceremony in Porto de Galinhas, which was attended by local government officials, representatives from the owning real estate firm, Marriott executives, and members of the media. This development is part of Marriott's ongoing expansion in the Caribbean and Latin America region. Earlier this year, Marriott announced plans to introduce City Express by Marriott in El Salvador, Argentina, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Peru. The brand also made its debut in the United States and has plans to enter the Canadian market. Advertisement The seven new hotels in Brazil will add over 750 guest rooms across key locations in the Northeast region. These include Ipojuca, Pernambuco, where a hotel will be established in the Suape Industrial Port Complex, and Porto de Galinhas, a major tourist destination, with openings expected by 2028. Further expansion is planned in the cities of Natal and Fortaleza, with new properties anticipated by early 2028. These hotels aim to accommodate a diverse range of guests, including business professionals and leisure travelers. Additional hotels are planned for Cabo de Santo Agostinho and other coastal areas, with openings expected by 2029. These developments will cater to corporate, logistics, and leisure travelers, reflecting the economic and tourism growth in Brazil's Northeast region. City Express by Marriott, which joined the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio in 2023, targets cost-conscious business and leisure travelers seeking modern and centrally located accommodations. Image Credit Meyer Jabara Hotels Mobile ordering and delivery apps are making it too convenient for people to order meals in vs. going out to eat; To bring diners back it takes the right concepts, menus, ingredients, portion sizes, local flavors, and more The most successful hotel restaurants are ones that strike a balance between personal taste and perceived value. As a consumer myself, I am sometimes guilty of dining out and thinking: I could have made this dish better myself at home, or At these prices, this meal better be worth it. The problem with this way of thinking is that people are replacing FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) with JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). That consumer mindset can be detrimental to a restaurants reputation and its bottom line. When I find myself questioning my dining choices, I put on my corporate director of F&B hat and try to identify the root of the problem. What is this restaurant doing wrong? Is it the concept? The menu? The ingredients? The portion sizes? The lack of local flavor? Here are 5 trends that chefs and F&B directors can embrace to help put joy back into the on-site restaurant experience or JODO (Joy of Dining Out): Crave-Worthy Menus: During the pandemic, people got creative and cooked their meals at home based on available ingredients and smaller budgets. To get them comfortable with dining out again, it will take a strong, often urgent desire for a specific food that quenches a taste or brings emotional satisfaction. Recalling childhood recipes and researching new spices to enhance menu items are wonderful places to start. Specialty toppings for salads. Gourmet chili dogs. Oversized chocolate bars. Giant cannoli. Bacon and cheddar biscuits drizzled with honey. Creating crave-worthy menus by elevating comfort foods is an uncomplicated way to tug at the heartstrings and get people excited again to go out to eat. Smaller Portions: People do not eat like they used to. Health conscious travelers (along with high-spending Millennials and Gen-Z consumers) do not get excited over big, unsanitary buffets with a lot of hands touching food items. They appreciate smaller portion sizes and sharing plates that allow them to sample more without eating more. Not only is this better for the restaurants bottom line, but it aids in the hotels sustainability efforts. Whenever there is food left over (especially from a large banquet), be good stewards in the neighborhood and donate remaining provisions to the local food bank. Local Flavors: Like it or not, if you are located in Maryland, you must have a mouth-watering crabcake on the menu. You may be tired of serving it, but travelers sought your restaurant out because they had a craving for that staple of the state, especially when the popular menu item is prepared with jumbo lump crab meat. Experiencing local flavors are important to travelers, but it does not have to be the same old thing. Variations exist to staple menu items, such as serving crabcakes Carolina style which have more breadcrumbs and are pan fried. Or, have fun with fusion. Add Old Bay spice to shrimp tacos or a pineapple slaw and rim margaritas with new flavors, such as Tajin. You cannot go wrong adding items to the menu that people came to your region for, like a crab and corn chowder with a sour dough bread bowl. It may seem overindulgent, but its flavorful and packed with pizzazz. Coffee Experiences: Coffee is not just a beverage its a strategic F&B pillar that drives revenue, enhances brand perception, and caters to evolving guest expectations. In 2025, properties that treat coffee as part of their guest experience design, rather than just a utility, are gaining a competitive edge. Coffee can drive all-day revenue (from morning service to afternoon pick-me-ups and even late-night specialty drinks). It improves guest satisfaction scores and loyalty, especially among Millennials and Gen Z travelers; adds differentiation in the market; and can pair with food or dessert items, creating upselling opportunities at breakfast, brunch, and in-room service. Coffee concepts can also work across multiple outletsroom service, lobby cafes, grab-and-go stations, meeting spaces, and events. Smoke Em If You Got Em: Infusing drinks with aromatic smoke is a popular trend in hotels for its presentation capabilities and sensory experience. Smoking adds unique flavor profiles (oak, cherrywood, mesquite) and allows beverage teams to reinterpret classic cocktails like Old Fashioneds or Manhattans that can become branded menu highlights and customer favorites. Smoke also engages sight, smell, and taste. The visual reveal and aromatic impact of a smoked beverage leaves a lasting impression. It creates a dramatic, memorable moment, especially when prepared tableside or bar-side. On a social level, smokey drinks are highly photogenic, increasing the chances guests will share their experience online. They often command premium pricing due to the visual drama and craftsmanship; guests are more likely to splurge on a $20+ drink if it feels experiential, and even consumers with JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) will find it fun to venture out and take selfies with the smoking concoction to share with their friends. Boutique hotels and upscale lounges especially benefit from smoked cocktails because they project a sense of innovation, mindfulness, and luxury. They align with the current "experiential luxury" trendoffering more than just food and drink, but an atmosphere and feeling. Finally, smoking cocktails, cheeses, and even charcuterie items with a variety of woods, herbs (like rosemary or sage), teas, or spices, giving bartenders and wait staff creative flexibility and allowing for seasonal or local customization, which fits perfectly into themed menus or regional F&B programming. The F&B industry is evolving faster than ever, and the businesses that thrive will be the ones that embrace change, not resist it. Todays diners are not just buying a meal; they want a story, a vibe, a memory. Static operations risk becoming irrelevant if they do not evolve to meet those expectations. Adaptability = profitability. The most successful F&B operators do not just chase trends they anticipate them, test ideas quickly, and stay emotionally connected to their guests. Embracing change is not a risk; its a growth strategy. About the Author Guy Reinbold is Corporate Director of Food and Beverage for Meyer Jabara Hotels, an award-winning hospitality company owning and operating 45 hotels and 36 food-and-beverage outlets in 20 states across the United States. The company strives to create success for all it serves. For more information on Meyer Jabara Hotels, visit www.meyerjabarahotels.com. Chicago, IL (60637) Today Cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High around 75F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 69F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. St. Joseph's Polish Picnic Returns PITTSFIELD, Mass. The St. Joseph's Polish Picnic returns to the grounds of St. Joseph's Church at 414 North Street on Sunday, July 20, continuing a 60-year tradition. The Polish Picnic is one of the last ethnic festivals in the Berkshires, and the event is expected to draw several thousand people. The picnic has free admission and is open to the public. A highlight of the Polish Picnic is the homemade Polish food prepared by St. Joseph's parishioners. The food includes Pierogi, Kapusta, Golumbki, and Kielbasa. American food and adult beverages will also be available for purchase. Entertainment, consisting of Polish music, will once again be provided by the popular Eddie Forman Orchestra beginning at 1 pm. An outdoor Polish Mass will kick off the festivities at 11 am. The Polish Picnic will be from noon to 5 pm. KiddyLand will provide games and activities for children. Raffles will also be available for adults. Community Access to the Arts opened its latest art show at Pittsfield's Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, above, and at the Clark Art Institute's Lunder Center at Stone Hill in Williamstown. CATA provides opportunities for people with disabilities to tell their stories and perspectives through a wide range of media and performance. PreviousNext CATA Exhibits More Accessible than Ever CATA is also using an app, Bloomberg Connects, to offer a digital guide to the 200 artworks on display. PITTSFIELD, Mass. Community Access to the Arts kicked off its annual art show last week, and this year it is more accessible than ever before. For more than three decades, CATA has been providing artistic opportunities for people with disabilities to tell their stories and perspectives through a wide range of media and performance. This year's art show, themed "I Am a Part of Art," features 150 works created by CATA artists at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts and 50 more in the Clark Art Institute's Lunder Center at Stone Hill in Williamstown. The works will be on display in the Lichtenstein Center until Aug. 22 and at the Clark until Sept. 14. "These exhibits are a culmination of hundreds of workshops where each week CATA artists explore new techniques and express their creativity," Executive Director Margaret Keller said. This year, CATA introduced a new digital guide for the exhibit through the Bloomberg Connects app This guide not only showcases the artworks but also provides viewers with behind-the-scenes insights, allowing them to learn more about the exhibit and hear from the artists through video and audio recordings. Bloomberg Connects will allow the organization to expand its opportunities to share work and the voices of CATA artists, even on a national level, Watford said. The app offers free access to exhibitions, collections, and artists from over 1,000 museums and other cultural organizations, featuring exclusive app-only stories and insights from artists and curators. The goal of the exhibits is to raise awareness of CATA's mission to nurture and celebrate the creativity of people with disabilities and share their work with the wider community, she said. "I think any event in the community works great, but when you come in and you see the artistic work from folks with disabilities. It's just amazing," said Mayor Peter Marchetti. Community members can purchase works, and 50 percent of the proceeds go directly to the individual artists. The other 50 percent helps cover the cost of professionally framing and curating the exhibit. CATA is an amazing experience and helps artists make new friends, said Samantha Pelletz, artist and exhibit co-curator. "I think it's great for other people outside of our community to learn about CATA. [Being a curator was] really good, because I learned a little bit more from it than last year. So I was expanding my horizon of curating," she said. Being part of CATA makes artists feel good and allows them to expand on their previous art experiences, said Kellie Ward, another artist and exhibit co-curator. "I've loved CATA ever since I found it, and back when I first joined, it was a lot smaller, but it's just grown so much," Ward said. "And plus that, we were finally able to get our own building, which is so much better than our old space." There is a strong desire within the community for connection and engagement among neighbors, and this event provides an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to meet, appreciate each other's creativity, and learn more about one another, Chris Watford, communications director, said. "I think people have a hunger to express themselves. Every human being has a desire and a need to express who they are in the world. And I think for many people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, they haven't necessarily had as many opportunities to do that, to express their talents and to say, this is who I am' for the wider community," Keller said. "And I think what we have learned in deepening and expanding opportunities for our CATA artists is how many people have been looking for just such an opportunity and really have so much to share with all of us." Pittsfield OKs Flag Ordinance PITTSFIELD, Mass. The city has a new flag policy that stays true to its values and mission. Flags such as the LGBTQ+ Pride, Juneteenth, and the Disability Pride Flag can still fly on municipal flag poles. Last week, the City Council established a flag display policy allowing Pittsfield's flag, the United States and commonwealth flags, flags of other nations recognized by the U.S. government, and flags commemorating significant events or causes consistent with the city's values and mission. The ordinance states that "Municipal flagpoles are not intended to serve as forums for free expression by the public," and that "All flag displays on municipal flagpoles constitute government speech." It will take effect on August 1. "I recognize and agree we absolutely need this policy," Ward 2 Councilor Brittany Noto said, noting "a similar case happened not too long ago in Boston." In 2022, the Supreme Judicial Court determined that the city of Boston violated the First Amendment by refusing to allow a religious organization to raise a religious flag and it had to pay out more than $2.1 million, according to the Associated Press. "I think that it's wise to do this, so thank you for doing this," she said to City Solicitor Devon Grierson. "The only thing that I wanted to bring to your attention, which we've discussed over email, is that I want to make sure there are checks and balances between the administration and city council when we refer to the City of Pittsfield." She recommended stipulating that nothing should be construed to require the city to consider or grant any flag requests "from the public" and giving the council specific governance over flags in the ordinance. "We live in a very volatile, chaotic climate right now on the national level. We don't know who's going to get elected into office, and we don't know the type of person they're going to be," she said. "I want to make sure that it's not just the mayor who's in charge of this. I want to make sure the City Council, which is a body elected by the people, as is the mayor, has a say in these flags that get deemed part of the, I think the language was 'The city's values and mission.' I think that the mayor and the City Council should participate." It now stipulates: "The City of Pittsfield, by and through the mayor with City Council approval, retains sole discretion over the selection, scheduling, and duration of any flag displays on municipal flagpoles," in Section 20-106 (d) and, "Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to require the City to display any particular flag or to consider or grant any requests to display flags from the public" in Section 20-108 (c.) How long has the property remained vacant? Who owns the property? What development programs, if any, has the property been subject to in the last 10 years, including but not limited to business loan programs, tax incentive programs, grants, and/or public works projects? Is the property currently facing any zoning, permitting, and/or Building Code obstacles? Is the property currently undergoing any renovation or construction? If so, how long has the property been under renovation or construction? Warren thinks this petition will enhance public confidence. "When we make decisions, it's important that we have data in front of us," Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey said. "And I know that this data already exists, but hopefully this will make it easier having it all in one place and having it presented to us, and then we can make better decisions moving forward." Pittsfield Woman Victim of Colorado Homicide Jordan Labarre PITTSFIELD, Mass. A former city woman was the victim of a homicide in Colorado last week. Jordan Elizabeth Labarre, 32, of Breckenridge, Colo., was found deceased on Monday, July 7, at a residence in Blue River, Colo. Labarre, a graduate of the former St. Joseph's High School, was the daughter and stepdaughter of Joann Shugrue and Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, police were called to the Blue River residence at 6:20 p.m. over reports of gunshots, and more were heard when they arrived at the scene. CBI said the home's occupant, Daniel Joseph DeVito, 46, came out when ordered and was taken into custody without incident. DeVito was charged with first degree murder and is being held on $2.5 million bail. He also is facing charges for allegedly assaulting and threatening another woman three days earlier. The articles did not indicate what the relationship was between Labarre and DeVito but her brother, Joshua Labarre, wrote "her life was tragically taken in an act of domestic violence" on a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs in bringing her home. Labarre grew up in Chicopee until moving to the Berkshires with her mother and brother and attending St. Joe. She graduated from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 2015 and moved to Breckenridge not long afterward. She worked at a cleaning service. Her family said she loved the outdoors, the family she'd created in Breckenridge, and her dog, Lincoln. Besides her mother, stepfather and brother, she leaves a stepsister, Caitlin Shugrue. Her father, Kenneth E. LaBarre, died in 2010. Exposing the illegitimacy of the South China Sea arbitration and its so-called 'award' 10:26, July 15, 2025 By Ding Duo ( People's Daily Each year around July 12, international discourse resurfaces regarding the so-called South China Sea arbitration and its so-called "award." This year has been no exception. The renewed attention is driven not only by the strategic miscalculations of certain countries concerning the South China Sea issue, as they seek to legitimize the arbitration and reinforce their unilateral claims, but also by the deliberate attempts of certain extra-regional forces to stoke regional tensions and sow discord between China and ASEAN countries. While the international community widely recognizes China's position of non-acceptance, non-participation, and non-recognition of both the arbitration process and its outcome, a small number of countries continue to underestimate how the "award" has disrupted efforts by parties concerned to properly handle the South China Sea issue. Furthermore, they overlook its serious damage to the fairness and credibility of international dispute settlement mechanisms, as well as its detrimental impact on the international order underpinned by international law. The "award" violates the basic principles of international law. Proponents claim that the ruling "constitutes international law", claiming it holds legally binding force as an outcome of the arbitral tribunal established under UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanisms. However, the tribunal was set up unilaterally at the Philippines' request, violating the cornerstone principle of state consent in international jurisprudence. It exceeded its jurisdictional mandate and issued an award containing substantial factual inaccuracies and legal misinterpretations, rendering it fundamentally invalid and devoid of legal force. The "arbitral tribunal" improperly addressed matters of territorial sovereignty - explicitly excluded from UNCLOS jurisdiction - while disregarding China's formally stated positions. It uncritically endorsed the Philippines' curated submissions, effectively imposing a de facto ruling on territorial rights. This contravenes the fundamental principles of judicial restraint and procedural prudence observed by international judicial bodies. Moreover, under the guise of "interpretation," the tribunal engaged in de facto lawmaking - arbitrarily revising or inventing rules of maritime law on issues such as "historical rights," "the integrity of archipelagos," and "the regime of islands." Such distortions violate established legal doctrine and undermine the role of sovereign states as the primary subjects of international law. The "award" runs counter to the principles of fairness and justice. International judicial institutions exist to uphold fairness, yet a tribunal established amid perceived geopolitical motives cannot fulfill this mandate. Procedural concerns are exemplified by Shunji Yanai, then president of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, who presided over the tribunal's formation while concurrently chairing Japan's Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security - a body actively strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance and coordinating policies on the Diaoyu Islands. Procedural irregularities further undermine the ruling's legitimacy. The tribunal repeatedly permitted - and at times encouraged - the Philippines to submit supplementary "evidence" far beyond established deadlines. These submissions were accepted without rigorous scrutiny or cross-examination of expert testimony, violating fundamental evidentiary standards of international law. The "award" impedes genuine dispute resolution. The South China Sea issue involves complex overlapping territorial and maritime claims, influenced by historical, political, and legal factors. It cannot be resolved through a unilaterally initiated, procedurally flawed "award" in the absence of regional consensus. Current stability stems not from this arbitration but despite it. Persistent assertions treating the "award" as binding international law - or expectations that China would accept a ruling devoid of fairness and legitimacy - only obstruct meaningful resolution. China neither accepts nor recognizes the "award," and will never accept any claim or action arising from the award. The country is committed to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests accorded by international law, including UNCLOS, while preserving the integrity, seriousness, and authority of international law itself. Achieving a durable resolution to the South China Sea issue requires restraint, patience, and goodwill from all parties involved. Any solution must be rooted in respect for historical facts and guided by the principles of understanding and cooperation enshrined in international law. Only through such collective efforts can the relevant parties jointly maintain the hard-won peace and stability in the South China Sea and forge a future of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. (Ding Duo is the director of the Center for Area Studies, National Institute for South China Sea Studies.) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) 'Good Trouble' Rallies Planned in Berkshires PITTSFIELD, Mass. Rallies honoring the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis will be held on Thursday in several Berkshire communities. The "Good Trouble" rallies are being held on the anniversary of the Georgian congressman's passing at age 80 in 2020. The name refers to Lewis' oft-repeated phrase to disrupt through nonviolent means. Indivisible Mass Coalition, Mass Indivisible Groups, Massachusetts 50501, and allies will join with groups across the country to honor the legacy of Civil Rights icon. Some 50 rallies are being planned across the state, including in Great Barrington, Pittsfield and Williamstown to protest any attacks on the Constitution by the Trump administration; the estimated $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and food benefits; the $150 billion allocated to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and the gutting of federal agencies like the National Weather Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Organizers for "Good Trouble" estimate that tens of thousands of protesters will attend rallies across the commonwealth, and millions of others will attend rallies across the nation. Great Barrington, 4 to 5:30 p.m.: South County Resistance, in conjunction with Left Field, will hold its rally in front of Town Hall. It will feature a performance by local musician, lecturer and speaker Doug Mishkin. Pittsfield, 7 to 9 p.m.: Hosted by Stand Up, Berkshires, NAACP, Indivisible Berkshires, Berkshire Democratic Brigades at Park Square with Shirley Edgerton of the NAACP as speaker. It will include a performance by the Pittsfield Community Gospel Choir, a candlelit vigil (phones or battery-operated candles or tea lights only) and stroll around the park. West Stockbridge, 4:40 to 6 p.m.: front lawn of West Stockbridge Congregational Church. Williamstown, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.: Greylock Together will project images, speeches and performances on First Congregational Church in partnership with the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Bring a chair. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice India's aviation authorities have ordered its airlines to examine fuel switches on Boeing aircraft after a preliminary report on the fatal Air India flight crash last month found that the fuel supply was cut off after takeoff. At least 260 people died after a London-bound Air India 787 Boeing Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from the Ahmedabad airport in India's western state of Gujarat in one of the worst aviation disasters in history. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said it had issued an order to investigate locks on several Boeing models, including 787s and 737s, after several Indian and international airlines began making their own inspections of fuel switches. The Boeing aircraft are used by three of India's largest airlines. The DGCA has set a 21 July deadline for airlines to complete the checks, adding that "strict adherence to the timeline is essential to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of operations". A preliminary report released one month after the fatal crash revealed that the switches had almost simultaneously flipped from run position to cutoff three seconds after takeoff. One pilot was heard on the cockpit voice recorder asking the other why he cut off the fuel. "The other pilot responded that he did not do so," the report said. open image in gallery An investigation team inspects the wreckage of Air India flight 171 a day after it crashed in a residential area near the airport, in Ahmedabad on June 13, 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images ) The report by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) did not identify which remarks were made by the flight's captain and which by the first officer, nor which pilot transmitted "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday" just before the crash. At the crash site, both fuel switches were found in the run position and the report noted that there had been indications of the engines relighting before the low-altitude crash. The probe report noted a 2018 advisory from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which recommended, but did not mandate, operators of multiple Boeing models to inspect the locking feature of fuel cutoff switches to ensure they could not be moved accidentally. The AAIB said Air India had not carried out those inspections because they were not mandatory. But it also said maintenance records showed that the throttle control module, which includes the fuel switches, was replaced in 2019 and 2023 on the plane involved in the crash. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in a private notification, said that the fuel switch locks on Boeing planes are safe, Reuters reported. "Although the fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing airplane models, the FAA does not consider this issue to be an unsafe condition that would warrant an Airworthiness Directive on any Boeing airplane models, including the Model 787," it added. open image in gallery Wreckage of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane sits on the open ground, outside Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport ( REUTERS ) Boeing separately also referred to the FAA notification in a multi-operator message sent to the airlines in the past few days, which said the planemaker is not recommending any action, two of the sources with direct knowledge told the news agency. In the wake of the report, airlines with Boeing aircraft in their fleet have aggressively begun to check the fuel switches. Flag carrier Korean Air Lines said on Tuesday it had proactively begun inspecting fuel control switches and would implement any additional requirements the transport ministry may have. Japan Airlines (JAL) said it was conducting inspections, but had also been doing so since the 2018 advisory came out. "Any issues detected were repaired on the ground, and therefore did not occur during flight," JAL said in a statement. South Korea's aviation authorities said it was preparing to order all airlines in the country with Boeing jets to examine the switches. Singapore Airlines said it completed precautionary checks on the fuel switches of its 787 fleet, including planes used by its low-cost subsidiary Scoot. Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson, in an internal memo, said the preliminary report found no mechanical or maintenance faults and that all required maintenance had been carried out. He added the pilots had passed all pre-flight checks amid allegations that the disaster was caused by human error. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The preliminary investigation report on last month's Air India crash found no mechanical or maintenance issue with the aircraft, the company's chief executive said. In an internal memo, Campbell Wilson said the probe into the Boeing Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people, was "far from over". He added the pilots had passed all pre-flight checks amid allegations that the disaster was caused by human error. The report found "no mechanical or maintenance issues with the aircraft or engines and that all mandatory maintenance tasks had been completed," Mr Wilson said. "There was no issue with the quality of fuel and no abnormality with the take-off roll. The report released by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau a month after the 12 June crash found that three seconds after taking off, the planes fuel switches almost simultaneously flipped from run to cutoff, starving the engines. The London-bound Dreamliner immediately began to lose thrust and sink. According to the report, one pilot could be heard on the cockpit voice recorder asking the other why he had cut off the fuel. "The other pilot responded that he did not do so," it said. open image in gallery Investigators at the scene of the Air India plane crash on 14 June 2025 ( Getty ) It did not identify which remarks were made by the flight's captain and which by the first officer, nor which pilot transmitted "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday" just before the crash. At the crash site, both fuel switches were found in the run position and the report noted that there had been indications of the engines relighting before the low-altitude crash. Rejecting allegations of pilot error causing the crash, the Air India chief said that they both had "passed their pre-flight breathalyser and there were no observations pertaining to their medical status". The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar. Both were experienced jet pilots with nearly 19,000 flying hours between them, including more than 9,000 on Boeing 787. The Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA-India), representing Indian pilots at the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations, Montreal, also rejected the presumption of pilot error and called for a "fair, fact-based inquiry". "The pilots body must now be made part of the probe, at least as observers," ALPA India president Sam Thomas told Reuters. American aviation safety expert John Cox said a pilot would not be able to accidentally move the fuel switches feeding the engines. "You can't bump them and they move," he said. ALPA India, in a letter posted on X, said the preliminary investigation report referred to a 2018 FAA advisory "concerning the fuel control switch gates, which indicates a potential equipment malfunction". The Indian Commercial Pilots Association said the ill-fated flights pilots "should not be vilified based on conjecture", adding that the crew "acted in line with their training and responsibilities under challenging conditions". "To casually suggest pilot suicide without verified evidence is a gross violation of ethical reporting and a disservice to the dignity of the profession," it said in a statement. "Let us be unequivocally clear, it added, there is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage and invoking such a serious allegation based on incomplete or preliminary information is not only irresponsible its deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved." open image in gallery Police stand guard near the wreckage of the crashed Air India flight in Ahmedabad ( AFP via Getty ) Relatives of the crash victims criticised the preliminary report as a "cover up" as they hoped for more answers from the investigators. A cousin of sisters Dhir and Heer Baxi, who were flying home to London when they died in the crash, said they were not satisfied with the report, The Guardian reported. Ishan Baxi said they were "still hoping for a more transparent and honest investigation that doesnt shy away from addressing possible mechanical flaws or lapses in protocol to avoid future potential accidents. I just hope the final report brings full clarity on what exactly failed and whos accountable. It shouldnt hide behind vague terms. More than anything, it should push for real changes so this never happens again," the Ahmedabad resident said. Tushar Joge, whose two relatives were on the ill-fated aircraft, alleged that the preliminary report was a "cover up" to save Air India and Boeing. "We were pre-empting that they would start blaming the pilots," Mr Joge was quoted as saying by The Times of India. In the wake of the preliminary findings, Boeing privately issued a notification stating that the fuel switch locks on Boeing planes were safe, Reuters reported. The US Federal Aviation Administration separately said that "although the fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing airplane models, the FAA does not consider this issue to be an unsafe condition that would warrant an Airworthiness Directive on any Boeing airplane models, including the Model 787. Meanwhile, South Korea is preparing to order all airlines in the country that operate Boeing jets to examine fuel switches in the focus of an investigation of the Air India crash. Fuel switch locks have come under scrutiny after a mention of a 2018 advisory from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a preliminary report into last month's crash of Air India's Boeing 787-8 jet. A spokesperson for the South Korean transport ministry said the checks were in line with a 2018 advisory from the FAA, but did not give a timeline for inspections. Boeing referred Reuters' questions to the FAA, which was not immediately available to comment outside regular hours. The 2018 FAA advisory recommended, but did not mandate, operators of several Boeing models, including the 787, to inspect the locking feature of the fuel cutoff switches to ensure they could not be moved accidentally. On Sunday, citing a document and sources, Reuters reported that the planemaker and the FAA had privately issued notifications to airlines and regulators that the fuel switch locks on Boeing planes were safe and checks were not required. The Air India preliminary report said the airline had not carried out the FAA's suggested inspections as the FAA's 2018 advisory was not a mandate. But it also said maintenance records showed that the throttle control module, which includes the fuel switches, was replaced in 2019 and 2023 on the plane involved in the crash. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Reduced flights, ticket cancellations and fare adjustments continue to deepen losses for Air India over a month after one of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners crashed shortly after takeoff from the Ahmedabad airport. The crash, which killed at least 260 people on 12 June, and the subsequent losses are a blow to owner Tata Group's ambitious plans to restore the airlines reputation and revamp its fleet. All but one of the 242 people onboard flight AI171 to London Gatwick were killed in the crash, including 53 British citizens. The plane crashed into a hostel complex at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, killing several students and residents on the ground. Only one passenger, a British man seated in 11A, miraculously survived. A preliminary investigation report released last week revealed the aircrafts fuel switches almost simultaneously flipped from run position to cutoff three seconds after takeoff. It claimed that one pilot was heard on the cockpit voice recorder asking the other why he had cut off the fuel. "The other pilot responded that he did not do so," the report added. At the crash site, both fuel switches were found in the run position and the report noted that there had been indications of the engines relighting before the low-altitude crash. The crash is challenge to CEO Campbell Wilsons push to revive Air India as a world-class airline. Its set to become the most expensive aviation insurance claim in Indias history, with about 353m in total liability, according to Bloomberg. The figure includes the full hull value of the aircraft, compensation for families of the victims under international aviation law, and payouts for third-party property damage and loss of life on the ground. open image in gallery A family member with a child stands next to a photo of Akash Patni, who died after an Air India Boeing Dreamliner plane crashed during takeoff from the Ahmedabad airport ( REUTERS ) While the airlines losses are expected to be covered under all-risk aviation insurance, the payouts for passengers are governed by the Montreal Convention, to which India is a signatory. The minimum compensation per dead passenger under this framework could go up to 128,821 Special Drawing Rights, which works out to 134,000-171,000, although the actual amount might vary depending on nationality, legal claims, and additional liabilities. The Tata Group has already announced interim compensation of about 85,000 for each of the families of the dead. In addition, Air India has announced 21,000 in interim payment to the families of the victims as well as the sole survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. The claim for the planes hull and engine is estimated at around 93m, according to Ramaswamy Narayanan, chairman and managing director at General Insurance Corporation of India. He estimates additional liability claims for loss of life of the passengers and third-party property damage at almost 260m. This amount is more than triple the annual premium for the aviation industry in India in 2023, according to Bloomberg. Given the large number of international passengers, including from the UK, Portugal and Canada, global reinsurers are expected to absorb much of the financial impact. open image in gallery Investigators at the scene of the Air Indian plane crash in Ahmedabad ( Getty ) Air India has suffered additional losses, with bookings for flights dropping around 20 per cent on domestic and international routes in the week after the crash. The airline cancelled dozens of flights after the crash and slashed ticket prices on key routes by up to 15 per cent, deepening its financial losses. Air India has a 30 per cent share of the domestic passenger market. The airline has a fleet of 198 planes, of which 27 are 10-15 years old and 43 are over 15 years old, the civil aviation ministry told the parliament in March. It was ranked the worst airline for flight delays in the UK, where its departures were, on an average, just under 46 minutes behind schedule in 2024, according to an analysis of Civil Aviation Authority data by the PA news agency published in May. Air India has been reporting losses since at least fiscal year 2019-20. It reported a net loss of about 386m on sales of 34bn in 2023-24. The preliminary investigation report, Mr Wilson said, found no mechanical or maintenance faults with the aircraft. He added that all required maintenance had been carried out on the aircraft, and that the pilots had passed all pre-flight checks amid allegations that the disaster was caused by human error. The report has triggered unprecedented checks on all Boeing flights to secure the safety of the fuel switches. India's aviation authorities set 21 July as the deadline for all airlines with Boeing jets to confirm the security of the switches. Over 150 Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft are reportedly in operation across India, flown by carriers including Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and IndiGo. South Koreas flag carrier Korean Air Lines said on Tuesday it had proactively begun inspecting fuel control switches and would implement any additional requirements the transport ministry may have. Japan Airlines said it had been doing such inspections since 2018. "Any issues detected were repaired on the ground, and therefore did not occur during flight," JAL said in a statement. South Korea's aviation authorities said it was preparing to order all airlines in the country with Boeing jets to examine the switches. Singapore Airlines said it had completed precautionary checks on the fuel switches of its 787 fleet, including aircraft used by its low-cost subsidiary Scoot. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An analysis of the cockpit voice recorder from the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad last month reportedly showed the younger co-pilot asking the captain why he had turned off the fuel switches. The analysis came after an initial investigation into the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash, which killed at least 260 people, found the aircrafts fuel switches had almost simultaneously flipped from run position to cutoff three seconds after take-off. First officer Clive Kunder was at the controls during take-off and at the time of the crash, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed sources. It was Kunder who asked captain Sumeet Sabharwal why he had flipped the switches, starving the engines of fuel, according to the report. The preliminary report published by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said one pilot was heard on the voice recorder asking the other why he had cut off the fuel. The other pilot responded that he did not do so, the report added. The report, however, stopped short of attributing blame. Shortly after taking off for London at 1.37pm local time on 12 June, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner started to lose thrust and sink, the report said. All but one of the 242 people onboard flight AI171 to Gatwick were killed, including 53 Britons. At least 19 people also died on the ground as the plane crashed into a medical college building. An association of Indian pilots had rejected the investigation reports insinuation that pilot error could be behind the crash. The Airline Pilots Association of India, representing Indian pilots at the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations in Montreal, called for a fair, fact-based inquiry. The pilots body must now be made part of the probe, at least as observers, the associations India president Sam Thomas said. The Journal did not state if there was evidence Sabharwal had indeed moved the fuel switches beyond the verbal exchange quoted in the report. But it quoted American pilots familiar with the Indian investigation report as saying that Kunder, the pilot actively flying, likely would have had his hands full pulling back on the Dreamliners controls at that stage of the flight. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal Sabharwal, 56, started his aviation career in the early 1990s and logged over 15,000 hours of flying experience. After joining Air India in 1994, he went on to become line training captain, a role to train and guide co-pilots during live flights. He had obtained clearances to fly as pilot-in-command on several aircraft, including the Boeing 787 and 777 and the Airbus A310. At least 8,596 hours of his total flying experience of 15,638 hours were logged on a Boeing 787. open image in gallery Sumeet Sabharwals father offers prayers next to his body in Mumbai, India ( Reuters ) Sabharwal, from the western Indian city of Mumbai, was widely regarded as disciplined and professional, with no complaint ever filed against him. Friends and relatives remembered him as a soft-spoken and humble man. Months away from his retirement, he planned to stay with his father, Pushkaraj Sabharwal, 88, to take care of him. He never married or had children. His neighbours earlier told The Indian Express he had been looking forward to spending more time at home and caring for his ageing parent. On the day of the crash, he reportedly called his father from the airport. Ill call you once I reach London, he reportedly told him. That call never came. First officer Clive Kunder First officer Cliver Kunder, 32, unlike Sabharwal, was at the beginning of a promising aviation career, with over 3,400 hours of flight time to his name. Kunder grew up in Mumbai and lived alone in the citys Goregaon area. According to Indian media reports quoting relatives, he had dreamt of flying since childhood. He began his journey as a pilot in 2012 and joined Air India in 2017. open image in gallery People console the mother of Clive Kunder ( Reuters ) His commercial pilots licence, issued in 2020, was valid until 26 September 2025. He had obtained clearances to fly Cessna 172 and Piper PA-34 Seneca aircraft as pilot-in-command and Airbus A320 and Boeing 787 jets as co-pilot. Kunder was also looking forward to a new chapter in his personal life as he was just two months away from getting married. At his funeral at the Sewri Christian Cemetery near his home, Steffi Miranda, a close friend from Wilson College, addressed the gathering of family and friends. Seventeen years ago, we met Clive for the first time. Since then, we watched him grow, evolve, and soar, she said. Though grief surrounds us, there is pride too in who Clive became. He hasnt left us; hes only flying higher now. open image in gallery Friends and family members mourn near the coffin of Clive Kunder in Mumbai ( Reuters ) Both Sabharwals and Kunders fascination for aviation had begun at home. Sabharwals father had retired from Indias aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, while Kunders mother was a former Air India flight attendant. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson earlier said that both pilots had passed the mandatory pre-flight breathalyser tests and there were no observations about their medical status. The Air India crash investigation is far from over, Mr Wilson said, adding that the airline continued to cooperate with authorities, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. However, he cautioned against premature conclusions amid growing scrutiny over the preliminary investigation. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Maharashtra, long regarded as one of Indias most cosmopolitan states, has found itself reliving an old tension: a renewed battle over language. In the last few months, a state government order mandating Hindi as the third language in primary schools has sparked not just political protests but also public violence. A rickshaw driver was assaulted after refusing to speak in the state language Marathi, a shopkeeper was slapped by political activists for using Hindi, and a bank employee was threatened for defending his use of Hindi and English. At the heart of the unrest lies a 16 April education department resolution making Hindi compulsory as the third language from classes I to V in schools giving instruction in English and Marathi languages. While state officials framed the policy as a routine implementation of the federal governments National Education Policy 2020, which encourages education in the regional language, Hindi, and English under the three-language formula, critics saw it as part of a broader push by prime minister Narendra Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to elevate Hindi at the expense of regional languages. Although the federal push to promote Hindi beyond the Hindi belt has faced opposition in many states, the backlash has been especially charged in Maharashtra. The western state was born out of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement of the 1950s, a mass mobilisation demanding a separate province for Marathi speakers with Mumbai as its capital. The agitation, marked by mass street protests, hunger strikes and violent police crackdowns, led to the deaths of over 100 demonstrators before Maharashtra was finally carved out of the bilingual Bombay State in 1960. Not surprisingly then, the new policy has struck a discordant note in a state where linguistic identity has long been deeply embedded in the social fabric. Many people view the introduction of compulsory Hindi not as a benign educational reform but as a renewed threat to that hard-won identity. open image in gallery Representational. In Maharashtra, where linguistic identity is deeply embedded in the social fabric, the new Hindi policy struck a discordant chord ( AFP via Getty ) While the states BJP-led government initially downplayed the controversy, the backlash quickly escalated. Opposition parties, including the Shiv Sena UBT, the Congress, and Sharad Pawars Nationalist Congress Party, accused the BJP of pushing a Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan agenda: shorthand for the Modi governments concerted bid to promote Hindi and Hindu nationalism at the expense of Indias pluralistic character. Varsha Gaikwad of the Congress party, a former state education minister, accused the BJP of working systematically to weaken the Marathi language in its own homeland, The New Indian Express reported. Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray, longstanding political rivals, also voiced strong opposition to the Hindi mandate. The former referred to the new policy as a language emergency and said he will not allow imposition of any language. The latter, known for his partys past campaigns against Hindi-speaking migrants, reiterated his stance that while Maharashtrians were Hindus, they did not accept Hindi imposition. open image in gallery Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray address a joint rally against the imposition of the Hindi language in primary schools in Mumbai ( AFP via Getty ) Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar initially defended the policy. Its critics had nothing else to do, he said while arguing that Hindi and English were useful across India. But Marathi, he emphasised, would remain Maharashtras primary language. Federal home minister Amit Shah said last month that Indians should eventually feel ashamed to speak English, promoting native tongues instead. The central government under Narendra Modi has consistently promoted Hindi as the national lingua franca, not only through educational reforms like the three-language policy but also symbolic changes. Public schemes, for example, now bear Hindi titles like Mera Yuva Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. The colonial-era Indian Penal Code has been replaced with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. But as the Maharashtra protests grew louder and violence more visible, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis reversed the mandate and announced it would be optional. He also formed a committee to review the policys implementation. open image in gallery Students of Democratic Youth Federation of India during a protest against the union government for imposition of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states of the country, in Chennai ( AFP via Getty Images ) The resistance to Hindi imposition has echoed beyond Maharashtra. In Tamil Nadu, chief minister MK Stalin rejected the National Education Policys three-language formula and declared that the southern state was ready for another language war over what he called the central governments attempt to impose Hindi. Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin warned the state would never accept the New Education Policy or the imposition of Hindi in any form and cast the opposition to it as an ethnic struggle to protect Tamil culture. Fellow southern states Karnataka and Kerala have seen similar opposition. In Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, activists vandalised departure boards at the main airport over the omission of Kannada, the state language, while local governments mandated Kannada-first signage in public spaces. India is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. According to the 2011 census, there are 121 languages in active use and over 1,300 distinct mother tongues, although only 22 enjoy official status under the constitution. Hindi is the most widely spoken language, used by roughly 43.6 per cent of the population, or 528 million people. Marathi is third with about 83 million speakers and Tamil ranks fifth with about 69 million speakers. As Maharashtra braces for municipal elections, the language row underscores how swiftly cultural identity can become a political fault line. What began as an administrative directive on school curriculum has grown into a broader referendum on who defines the cultural contours of a diverse and multilingual India. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Thai woman has been accused of enticing multiple Buddhist monks into sexual relationships, then blackmailing them to cover up their intimacy. At least nine abbots and senior monks involved in the scandal have been disrobed and cast out of the monkhood for possibly violating celibacy rules. Wilawan Emsawat, in her mid-30s, was arrested at her home in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok, on Tuesday, Royal Thai Police Central Investigation Bureau said. She is facing charges including extortion, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods. Police said they had traced money that was transferred to her by a senior monk from a bank account belonging to his temple in Thailands north. Wilawan has not made a statement since her arrest. It is unclear if she has legal representation. Before her arrest, she spoke to local media to acknowledge one relationship with a monk, whom she admitted she had given money. open image in gallery At least nine abbots and senior monks involved in the scandal have been disrobed ( Getty Images ) Scandals involving monks surface a few times a year in Thailand but usually do not involve senior members of the clergy. The case also puts a spotlight on the large sums of money donated to temples controlled by abbots, which is in marked contrast to the abstemious lives they are supposed to lead under their religions precepts. Police said that Wilawan deliberately targeted senior monks for financial gain. They said they found that several monks had transferred large amounts of money after Wilawan initiated romantic relationships with them. Wilawans bank accounts received around 385 million baht (8.83 million) in the past three years, but most of the funds were spent on online gambling websites, police said. Jaroonkiat Pankaew, a Central Investigation Bureau deputy commissioner, said the investigation began in June after an abbot of a famous temple in Bangkok abruptly left the monkhood. open image in gallery Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau holds a press conference in Bangkok about the arrest of a woman involved in a sex scandal that caused several senior monks to leave the monkhood Investigators found the abbot had allegedly been blackmailed by Wilawan over their romantic relationship. She told the monk that she was pregnant and asked him to pay 7.2 million baht (170,000) in financial assistance, Mr Jaroonkiat said at a news conference in Bangkok on Tuesday. Police believed this woman is dangerous and we needed to arrest her as soon as possible, Mr Jaroonkiat said. Thai media reported a search of her mobile phones revealed tens of thousands of photos and videos, as well as numerous chat logs indicating intimacy with several monks, many of which could be used for blackmail. Thai monks are largely members of the Theravada sect, which requires them to be celibate and refrain from even touching a woman. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai ordered authorities to review and consider tightening existing laws related to monks and temples, especially the transparency of temple finances, to restore faith in Buddhism, government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said Tuesday. The Central Investigation Bureau has set up a Facebook page for people to report monks who misbehave, Mr Jaroonkiat said. We will investigate monks across the country, he said. I believe that the ripple effects of this investigation will lead to a lot of changes. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Vietnam will ban fossil-fuel motorcycles and mopeds from central Hanoi from next year in an attempt to curb worsening air pollution. From 1 July 2026, motorbikes running on petrol and diesel will not be allowed along Hanois main ring road, which surrounds the citys business and government districts. The directive was issued by prime minister Pham Minh Chinh. City authorities have been told to prepare for the transition and ensure compliance by the deadline. The majority of Hanois nearly 8.7 million people rely on two-wheelers for daily transport. The city has some seven million motorcycles and just over a million cars. As incomes rise and more people switch to private vehicles, the air quality is deteriorating, and Hanoi regularly ranks among the worlds most polluted cities. AQI levels in parts of the city in July range from 115 to 165 categorised as poor to very poor. The WHO estimates that more than 60,000 deaths per year in Vietnam are linked to air pollution. The government plans to encourage a shift to electric vehicles, led by domestic automaker VinFast, which controls some 24 per cent of Vietnams EV market share. However, adoption of electric two-wheelers remains limited. A view shows the city amid air pollution in Hanoi, Vietnam, January 3 ( REUTERS ) While air pollution remains a concern, many people are worried about the plan and its timeline. Itll affect people who rely on motorbikes to earn a living. How can people just discard their vehicles? Nguyen Van Hung, a Hanoi motorcycle taxi driver who works with ride-hailing service Grab, told the Associated Press. Some residents say they support cleaner air but question whether the city is ready. We need better public transport and more support before such a big change, Hoang Duy Dung, who works in a central Hanoi office, said. The Vietnamese citys move came barely days after officials in Delhi, India, were forced to U-turn on plans to stop old vehicles from being refuelled in the capital. Hanois next phase of restrictions, due in January 2028, will impose a ban on a wider area and limit petrol-fuelled private cars. In addition to vehicle restrictions, the Vietnamese government said it would upgrade waste treatment infrastructure, implement digital monitoring systems and introduce stricter environmental penalties. Rewards will also be offered to whistleblowers who report pollution breaches. Hanoi is the first major city in Vietnam to set a date for a motorcycle ban. Similar discussions are underway in Ho Chi Minh City, where traffic congestion and smog are growing concerns. Like Hanoi, several major cities around the world are taking steps to restrict private vehicles from their roads. In Amsterdam, petrol and diesel cars, bikes and mopeds will be banned from 2030. Across Europe, over 340 municipalities, including Paris and Milan, have introduced lowemission zones or traffic restrictions to reclaim public space and improve health. Sign up to our free money newsletter for investment analysis and expert advice to help you build wealth Sign up to our free money email for help building your wealth Sign up to our free money email for help building your wealth Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Welcome to an exclusive Ask Me Anything with me, Chris Blackhurst business commentator at The Independent. Scroll down to read more or jump straight to the Q&A by clicking here. Talk of a wealth tax is back. And this time, its being pushed not from the political fringe, but from within the Labour Party itself. Former party leader Lord Kinnock has called for a 2 per cent tax on assets over 10 million, arguing it could raise up to 11 billion a year and help shore up the UKs finances. His intervention has reignited debate over an asset tax on the super-rich. With five trade unions now backing the idea, and Rachel Reeves refusing to rule anything out, Labour's direction on tax policy is under real scrutiny. Ive spent decades reporting from the Square Mile and speaking to the people who keep Britains economy turning. And from where I sit, a wealth tax is not just economically risky its a political signal that the UK is no longer serious about prosperity, investment, or growth. The wealthy, contrary to popular myth, dont live in a vacuum. They create jobs, fund philanthropy, and help drive economic confidence. Drive them away, and its not just the rich who suffer its the exchequer, small businesses, and the very public services Labour wants to support. The UKs loss is anothers gain. There are plenty of countries lining up to entice the wealthy to relocate. So whats really going on here? Is a wealth tax a fair way to close Labours fiscal black hole or a dangerous misstep that could stall Britains recovery just as it gets going? Join me live at 6pm BST on Wednesday, 16 July, as I take your questions and comments on wealth, taxation, and the high-stakes economic choices facing this new Labour government. Submit your questions in the comments below. If youre not already a member, click sign up in the comments section to participate. For a full guide on how to comment, click here. Get a free fractional share worth up to 100. Capital at risk. Terms and conditions apply. Go to website ADVERTISEMENT Get a free fractional share worth up to 100. Capital at risk. Terms and conditions apply. Go to website ADVERTISEMENT Dont worry if you cant see your question right away some may be hidden until the Q&A starts. See you at 6pm! For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice As bright-colored kayaks push through a thick wall of fog, voices and the beats of drums build as kayakers approach a crowd that has formed on the beach. Applause erupts as the boats land on the sandy spit that partially separates the Klamath River from the Pacific Ocean in northern California. Native American teenagers from tribes across the river basin push themselves up and out of the kayaks and begin to cross the sand, some breaking into a sprint. They kick playfully at the cold waves of the ocean theyve been paddling toward over the last month the ocean thats seen fewer and fewer salmon return to it over the last century as four hydropower dams blocked their ideal spawning grounds upstream. I think our ancestors would be proud because this is what theyve been fighting for, said Tasia Linwood, a 15-year-old member of the Karuk Tribe, on Thursday night, ahead of the group's final push to the end on Friday. The Klamath River is newly navigable after a decades-long effort to remove its four hydropower dams to help restore the salmon run an ancient source of life, food and culture for these paddlers tribes who have lived alongside the river for millennia. Youth primarily from the Yurok, Klamath, Hoopa Valley, Karuk, Quartz Valley and Warm Springs tribes paddled 310 miles (499 kilometers) over a month from the headwaters of the Wood River, a tributary to the Klamath that some tribes consider sacred, to the Pacific Ocean. The teens spent several years learning to navigate white water through Paddle Tribal Waters, a program set up by the nonprofit Rios to Rivers, to prepare local Native youth for the day this would be possible. During their last days on the water, the group of several dozen swelled to more than 100, joined by some family members and Indigenous people from Bolivia, Chile and New Zealand who face similar challenges on their home rivers. Dams built decades ago for electricity Starting in the early 1900s, power company PacifiCorp built the dams over several decades to generate electricity. But the structures, which provided 2% of the utilitys power, halted the natural flow of a waterway that was once known as the third-largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast. With the dams in place, tribes lost access to a reliable source of food. The dams blocked the path to hundreds of miles of cool freshwater streams, ideal for salmon returning from the ocean to lay their eggs. Salmon numbers declined dramatically along with the water quality. In 2002, a bacterial outbreak caused by low water and warm temperatures killed more than 34,000 fish, mostly Chinook salmon. That galvanized decades of advocacy by tribes and environmental groups, culminating in 2022 when federal regulators approved a plan to remove the dams. Through protests, testimony and lawsuits, the tribes showcased the environmental devastation caused by the dams, especially to salmon. From 2023 to 2024, the four dams were dynamited and removed, freeing hundreds of miles of the Klamath. The renewable electricity lost by removing the hydropower dams was enough to power the equivalent of 70,000 homes, although PacifiCorp has since expanded its renewable sources through wind and solar projects. Two dams used for irrigation and flood control remain on the upper stretch of the river. They have ladders that allow some fish to pass through, although their efficacy for adult salmon is questionable. On the journey, the paddlers got out of the river and carried their kayaks around the dams. For teens, a month of paddling and making memories The journey began June 12 with ceremonial blessings and kayaks gathered in a circle above a natural pool of springs where fresh water bubbles to the surface at the headwater of the Wood River, just upstream of the Klamath River. The youth camped in tents as they made their way across Upper Klamath Lake and down the Klamath River, jumping in the water or doing flips in their kayaks to cool down in the summer heat. A few kayakers came down with swimmer's ear, but overall everybody on the trip remained healthy. Nearly everyone had a story to share of a familys fishing cabin or a favorite swimming hole while passing through ancestral territory of the Klamath, Modoc, Shasta, Karuk and Yurok. More than 2,200 dams were removed from rivers in the United States from 1912 through 2024, most in the last couple of decades as momentum grows to restore the natural flow of rivers and the wildlife they support, according to the conservation group American Rivers. I believe that it was kind of symbolic of a bigger issue, said John Acuna, member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe and a leader on the trip. Removal of dams represents end of long fight with federal government The federal government signed treaties with these tribes outlining their right to govern themselves, which is violated when they can't rely on their traditional food from the river. Acuna said these violations are familiar to many tribal communities, and included when his great-grandmother was sent to boarding school as part of a national strategy to strip culture and language from Native Americans. That history "comes with generational trauma, he said. Their treaty-enshrined right to fish was also blatantly disregarded by regional authorities in the 1970s but later upheld by various court decisions, said Yurok council member Phillip Williams. Standing on a fog-shrouded boat ramp in the town of Requa awaiting the arrival of the youth, Williams recounted the time when it was illegal to fish here using the tribes' traditional nets. As a child, his elders were arrested and even killed for daring to defy authorities and fish in broad daylight. Fifty years later, with the hydropower dams now gone, large numbers of salmon are beginning to return and youth are paddling the length of the Klamath. If theres a heaviness that I feel its because theres a lot of people that lived all in these places, all these little houses here that are no longer here no more," said Williams. They dont get to see whats happening today. And thats a heavy, heavy, feeling. Even as a teen, Linwood says she feels both the pleasure of a month-long river trip with her friends and the weight of the past. I kind of feel guilty, like I havent done enough to be fighting, she said. "I gotta remember thats what our ancestors fought for. They fought for that so that we could feel this joy with the river. ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two costly trials beset by painstaking delays, a defendant representing himself who cross examined his own partner from inside the dock, and the Old Baileys most senior judge launching accusations of sabotage the trials of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were like no other. The case was already an extraordinary one before it even reached the courtroom: an aristocrat who went on the run and and started camping off-grid with her rapist partner and their baby in winter 2023 to stop the infant from being taken into care like their other children. A high-profile police search for the trio followed, culminating in the shocking discovery of baby Victorias remains buried underneath rubbish in a shopping bag in an abandoned Brighton shed. But it has taken another two-and-a-half years for the couple to be brought to justice a long, chaotic, painful legal odyssey, fraught with tension, disputes and delay with the pair finally found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter of their fifth child on Monday. open image in gallery The trials of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were like no other ( AP ) The fact that a verdict has even been reached could be described as miraculous, let alone on all charges. The couple unwaveringly devoted to one another and fiercely united in the face of years behind bars had an extreme distrust of authorities, which put them on a collision course in the courtroom. They were repeatedly told off for speaking in the dock and passing notes as they appeared determined to string out their trials for as long as possible. The first trial, which began in January 2024, endured a string of frustrating delays, and ended up lasting six months rather than the scheduled two before it collapsed. The parents were last year found guilty of child cruelty, perverting the course of justice by concealing the body and concealing the birth of a child, but the jury was discharged after they could not reach a verdict on the manslaughter charge. Nine months later, in March this year, the six-month retrial began. It was plagued with yet more disruption and again dramatically overran, while frequently appearing to be teetering on the edge of collapse. open image in gallery CCTV footage showed Constance Marten and Mark Gordon with baby Victoria in East Ham on 7 January 2023 ( PA Media ) When Marten blurted out to the jury details of Gordons violent rape conviction, the prosecution later questioned whether the slip was an attempt to deliberately sabotage the proceedings. Even the presiding judge, Mark Lucraft KC, at one point claimed the defendants were trying to sabotage or derail the proceedings. At another stage, a clearly exasperated Judge Lucraft, who sits as the Recorder of London, told Marten: I have sat as a full time judge now for thirteen years and I have never had that sort of attitude shown to me by anybody. He added that two teenagers who had been in his dock earlier that day were rather better behaved and they pleaded guilty to murder. When Marten refused to see the Crown psychiatrist, he said: My patience with her has been tried many, many times. Days of court time was lost as Marten complained of toothache and fatigue from her three-hour journey from the Surrey prison where she was held. But when the judge arranged for her to see a dentist, she refused treatment. open image in gallery Body-worn camera footage of the moment Constance Marten was arrested in the street ( PA Media ) Both parents gave evidence in their own defence but refused to be cross-examined by the prosecution, with Marten branding the crowns Joel Smith KC as diabolical and heartless as he asked her whether leaving Victorias body in a bag filled with rubbish was a "despicable thing" to do. Following the tense exchange, she refused to return to the witness box. By the time the jury retired to consider their verdict, both Marten and Gordon had dispensed with their lead barristers. Marten, who has been through a string of top silks during the past two years, opted to allow her junior counsel to continue on her behalf, while Gordon insisted he would represent himself for the second half of his retrial, despite having received in excess of 70,000 worth of legal aid in the first trial. The bizarre turn of events saw him cross examine his wife and co-defendant, reading a list of questions into a microphone from inside the dock. It triggered yet more delays as he argued for extra time to prepare at every turn, before he told the jury they had been dehumanised and vilified in his closing speech. open image in gallery The Lidl bag in which baby Victoria was found ( Metropolitan Police ) The tactic dramatically backfired when he painted a positive picture of his upbringing, leading the prosecution to successfully apply to introduce so-called bad character evidence against him, resulting in the jury learning the full details of his conviction for rape as a teenager in the US, for which he was jailed for two decades. Gordon never even gave evidence at the first trial, changing his mind to do so without explanation. However, Marten was in the dock over many days. Despite beginning her testimony with a request for a toilet break, her evidence became the centrepiece of the first trial, her account at times both plausible and heart-rending, on the one hand, and quite fantastic and delusional on the other. Speaking of Marten, in the second trial, the prosecution said that lies fall from her mouth, we suggest, and have always done, like confetti floating in the wind. They accused the couple of picking and choosing what questions to answer as they told the jury baby Victoria never stood a chance. Marten and Gordon will be sentenced on a date to be set. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Aristocrat Constance Martens partner is so dangerous that he should have been jailed for life as a child, a woman he raped 36 years ago has said. When Mark Gordon was 14, he attacked a woman in her home in Florida, armed with a knife and hedge clippers, in an ordeal lasting more than four hours. Gordon and Marten have been convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence, after their baby, Victoria, died while they were camping in a tent in wintry conditions while they were on the run. open image in gallery Gordon and Marten have been convicted of gross-negligence manslaughter ( AP ) Gordon, who moved with his mother from Birmingham, UK, to the US at the age of 12, attacked the woman two years later, in 1989. US court records show he broke in through the bathroom window of a neighbour in Miami, according to the BBC. The documents reportedly say: The suspect was armed with a kitchen knife as well as a pair of hedge-clippers, and after the victim came out of her bedroom to investigate the dogs barking, came across the suspect lurking just outside her bedroom door. The victim was held for a period of approximately four-and-a-half hours against her will by the armed intruder. She recalled: I was told to say goodbye to my children because this was the day I was going to die. open image in gallery Court documents reveal details of Mark Gordons violent attacks ( Supplied ) Gordon was later found guilty of armed kidnap and armed sexual battery, and sentenced to 40 years in jail. He was released after 22 years and extradited to the UK. The victim told the BBC he was a psychopath and she was floored when she found out he was fleeing UK police in 2023. Gordon should have been imprisoned in the US for life, she said, adding: The four-and-a-half hours I spent with him was enough to know he is evil. In 1990, she told the court: I'm plagued by nightmares, living with friends or relatives, afraid to be alone. open image in gallery A court artists sketch of Mark Gordon appearing at the Old Bailey ( Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire ) She implored the US judge: Please protect the innocent by keeping the guilty in prison for his life. Show him no mercy. Show him the guilty are punished and not merely chastised. Speaking to the BBC now, she said: I wanted them to sentence him as an adult and not just let him out when he was 18. He showed me no mercy. So show him no mercy and save the other women out there. I think he's just evil. Jurors in Gordons first trial last year were not told about his violent past, which was only partly revealed in the second trial. In 2017, he was convicted of assaulting two female police officers at a maternity unit where Marten gave birth to their first child under a fake identity. He was also suspected of domestic violence in 2019 when Marten suffered a shattered spleen. The defence's main witness was Gordon's mother, Sylvia Satchell, who said her son had been the victim of sexual abuse aged four at a nursery. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The UK is a powder keg of social tensions which could easily ignite once again, a major report has warned a year after riots erupted across the country, sparked by the Southport knife attacks that killed three young girls. One in three adults, the equivalent of 15 million people, say they rarely or never meet people from different backgrounds, according to the findings of research into the nations community strength and cohesion. It also found that up to seven in 10 have never met or interacted with local asylum seekers amid polarised debate on immigration, struggles with the cost of living and declining trust in politicians. Sir Sajid Javid and former Labour MP Jon Cruddas, who are chairing the new Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, said the report shows clear evidence that societal bonds are under growing pressure. Without action, the very basis of our democracy is at risk, they warned. This is leaving our society more fragmented, fragile, and less resilient to internal and external threats, they said. At the same time, forces driving division are intensifying: political polarisation is deepening and trust in institutions is declining, while mounting economic pressures particularly the cost of living crisis are fuelling widespread frustration, intensified by a widespread belief that immigration policy is in chaos. These trends are inextricably entwined narrowing the space for constructive dialogue and increasing the risk of further unrest and alienation. open image in gallery Riots swept across the UK last summer after the Southport stabbings ( PA ) It comes after last summer when far-right riots broke out in towns and cities across the country, with hotels housing asylum seekers targeted. The unrest was triggered after misinformation spread on social media claiming the attacker who launched a knife rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed childrens dance class on 29 July, killing three girls, was a Muslim asylum seeker. The perpetrator was later revealed to be 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents who were Christians. open image in gallery The impact of last years riots continues to affect community cohesion, a major survey on social bonds has found ( PA ) The State of Us report, by independent think tank British Future and the Belong Network, described the clashes as the result of a tinderbox of long-term social pressures which remain unaddressed. Without urgent action, unrest risks being reignited, the report said. We saw what that can look like in the disorder of last summer. Attacks on visible minorities and people seeking asylum marked the UKs worst targeted violence in a generation. High streets, businesses and community spaces were damaged or destroyed and people fought the police in the streets. The survey of 2,243 UK adults and eight focus groups (with a total of 71 participants) held around the UK, including in areas that faced riots, showed that concern around immigration is the top reason for tensions within local communities. Around half (49 per cent) of respondents believe that divisions between locals and those who have migrated to the UK, including refugees and asylum seekers, are negatively affecting how well people from different backgrounds can get along in their area. But the majority of people (67 per cent) say that they have never met or interacted with asylum seekers in their local area, or are unsure if they have. Divisions over migration were ranked more negatively than religious, ethnic, political and wealth-related divides. One in three adults say they rarely or never have the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds. Financial security plays a part in this half of people believe that they dont have enough money to go and meet people in common spaces, like cafes or pubs. During last years riots, tensions over asylum seekers were central to fanning flames of violence, as misinformation about the identity of the killer was viewed over 420,000 times on social media at the time, an investigation by The Independent found. This resulted in attacks on asylum hotels and incitement of violence online, with subsequent arrests of people including Lucy Connolly, wife of a Tory councillor, who was jailed for 31 months over a tweet. This lack of awareness extends further, as 4 in 10 people do not even know if asylum seekers are being housed in their local area, the survey reveals. The survey also found that although eight in 10 people still believe that people from different backgrounds get along well in their area, this has gone down in the past few years. Those in the most deprived areas are least likely to say that different backgrounds get along (69 per cent), compared to 90 per cent in the most affluent areas. A map of the data in different local authorities shows that a higher perceived lack of social cohesion is recorded in areas in the north, particularly near Manchester and Leeds, in addition to areas east of London. Cohesion between people of different backgrounds is perceived to be worst in Boston, at just 59 per cent; 21 points below the national average. The town was home to racially-motivated riots over two decades ago following the 2004 Euros, a Brexit stronghold, and elected Reform MP Richard Tice. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Children will be taught to combat misogyny and resist 'incel' culture under new school guidance published on Tuesday. The relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) framework specifically aims to help boys find positive role models, countering the increasing spread of sexist online content from 'manosphere' influencers like Andrew Tate. It also stresses the need to avoid 'stigmatising boys for being boys'. Beyond lessons on 'incel' (involuntary celibate) culture, secondary schools will be required to provide young people with greater awareness of AI, deepfakes, and the links between pornography and misogyny. The guidance comes as the Department for Education (DfE) warned that misogynistic attitudes had reached epidemic scale among young people, with 54 per cent of those aged 11-19 saying they had witnessed misogynist comments. open image in gallery Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson ( PA ) Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: Before I was elected to Parliament, I managed a refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence, so I have seen first-hand the devastating impact when we dont foster healthy attitudes from the youngest age. I want our children to be equipped to defy the malign forces that exist online. Schools and parents alike have a vital role to play, helping children identify positive role models and resist the manipulation too often used online to groom impressionable young minds. In its manifesto last year, Labour pledged to halve the rate of violence against women and girls in 10 years. And earlier in 2025, Sir Keir Starmer praised the Netflix drama Adolescence for highlighting how misogyny had taken on a different form and said he wanted a discussion on what could be done to stop young boys being dragged into this whirlpool of hatred and misogyny. Margaret Mulholland, of the Association of School and College Leaders, welcomed the new guidance and its focus on finding positive male role models for boys, saying it was important that we dont simply tell boys what is wrong. open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer, pictured with writer Jack Thorne and producer Jo Johnson, praised the Netflix drama Adolescence ( PA ) The previous Conservative government proposed changing the guidance on RSHE in May last year, with then-prime minister Rishi Sunak expressing concern children were being exposed to inappropriate content. The draft guidance, which was open to a nine-week consultation, proposed clear age limits on the teaching of certain topics to ensure children were not exposed to too much too soon. It said sex education should be taught no earlier than Year 5, when pupils are aged nine to 10, and that what is described as the contested topic of gender identity should not be taught at all. The proposed guidance said schools should at minimum show parents a representative sample of teaching resources they plan to use and that schools should respond positively to requests from parents to see material that has not already been shared. While Tuesdays revised guidance includes the requirement to provide parents with teaching materials, the new Government has scrapped the proposal to prescribe specific ages at which individual topics are taught. The DfE said there would be a strong new emphasis on age-appropriate teaching, and a clear dividing line between primary and secondary school. But the guidance would allow teachers to sensitively respond to topics that children might have seen online or heard from their friends, with research suggesting 22% of primary school-aged girls had seen rude images online. Tuesdays guidance also includes requirements on helping children with their mental health, including working with mental health professionals to discuss suicide prevention in an age-appropriate way. Children will be taught the importance of grit and resilience in order to help them feel able to take on challenges and risks. Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen who campaign for greater awareness of suicide prevention as the 3 Dads Walking in memory of their daughters said: Giving schools permission to talk about suicide prevention means more young people can be supported to open up about difficult feelings and know where to find help. We know, from painful personal experience, how much this matters. This change will save lives. Schools will be able to implement the guidance from September this year, and must follow it from September 2026. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The East and West Midlands have become the latest areas declared to be in drought, and more hosepipe bans are expected, after one of the UKs driest springs on record. The Environment Agency warned millions more people will be affected this summer, following a meeting on Tuesday of the National Drought Group. The agency said a drought has been declared in West and East Midlands, joining three regions already in drought: Cumbria and Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, and Merseyside and Cheshire. Thames Wessex, parts of the Solent and South Downs, parts of East Anglia and Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire are likely to be in drought in the next few months, it said. open image in gallery The conditions have prompted three water companies in these areas to announce hosepipe bans following on the the UKs driest springs on record. ( Getty/iStock ) The Environment Agency said it expects to see more companies add hosepipe bans, although this will also be dependent on the rainfall and temperatures in the coming weeks. If England gets 80 per cent of its long-term average rainfall and warm temperatures over the coming weeks, the total number of areas given drought status could reach eight by September, the watchdog predicted. open image in gallery One of the driest years on record has seen reservoir levels drop sharply at a number of sites across Yorkshire, including Baitings in Ripponden ( PA Wire ) To prepare for and tackle the impacts, the Environment Agency said it has been working closely with water companies, which are following their drought plans to ensure supply, as well as the National Farmers Union and local authorities. It comes after Thames Water became the latest utility company to announce a hosepipe ban, which will begin next Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. open image in gallery A view of Ardingly reservoir in West Sussex, currently standing at 30 per cent of its normal capacity. ( PA ) Stuart Sampson, drought manager at the Environment Agency, said the situation for farmers has been deteriorating with already low levels in irrigation reservoirs prompting concerns for the rest of the summer. Some farmers have been reporting poor crop quality as well as lower yields on livestock, while fears are growing over the impact that conditions could have on winter feed. open image in gallery A view of Bewl Water, the largest reservoir in the South East, near Lamberhurst in Kent which is currently 70% full ( Gareth Fuller/PA Wire ) While the Environment Agency is planning for its reasonable worst-case scenario, Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said July is likely to see more changeable weather, with sporadic rainfall and some hot spells. And for the longer-term outlook, Mr Lang said there is no strong signal for it being very dry or extremely wet. It could go either way, but the most likely situation is that we will have somewhere near average rainfall for the UK and also for England and Wales as a whole, he said. In Yorkshire, police urged people not to reach out to them about those flouting the hosepipe bans but to contact Yorkshire Water instead. Chief Superintendent Tracy Bradley, from Humberside Police, told the BBC that calls could divert call handlers away from dealing with emergencies or other policing matters. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A nurse from Chile has been named as one of the four people killed when an aircraft crashed at Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon. The medical transport plane bound for the Netherlands crashed at around 3.48pm on Sunday. The nurse from Chile - Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz - was onboard with two Dutch pilots and one other person, according to a document which lists passengers. It is also understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands. Witnesses told of seeing a fireball, while images of fire and black smoke were shared on social media. In the latest update on Tuesday, police said they had recovered three of the four bodies. They hoped to recover the fourth body in the next 24 hours. They identified the four victims as two male pilots, a female nurse and a male doctor. Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz The 31-year-old was a German citizen born in Chile and had reportedly worked as a nurse in the public sector before becoming a flight nurse. Friends of the nurse told the BBC that she was the "kindest soul" and that she "didn't have a single bad bone in her body". open image in gallery Chilean nurse Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz was onboard the plane crash at Southend Airport ( GoFundMe ) They also said that "she was humble and chose a profession that reflected that". Chilean media has also shared a tribute written by her family following her death. "It is with deep sorrow that we report the tragic passing of our beloved , who passed away today, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a plane crash in London," the statement shared by Chilean news site T13 reads. The message which has been translated from Spanish, added: "The news of her passing is immensely difficult to accept; she was a person who marked the passing of those of us who knew her." "Her charisma, love, humour, and kindness, which characterised her as a person, will remain alive in our memories and in our hearts forever," they added. A friend told the Mirror: "It was her first day on the job. She was a hospital nurse but then took a job with a private medical firm, she didn't tell anyone, but this was her first day in the job. open image in gallery Chief Superintendent, Morgan Cronin who is overseeing the investigation confirmed all four people on board the plane died ( Joe Giddens/PA Wire ) The friend added that she married just one year ago, and her wife can barely speak because she is so distraught. On a Gofundme page set up to raise cash for Marias family, a friend has written: It is with great sadness that we confirm the death of our beloved Fena, in a tragic accident that is still being investigated by the authorities. We know that the pain is immense and shared by the many people who loved her and supported her at different stages of her life. In the midst of this difficult time, we want to organise to support her family. This process entails many unexpected expenses transfers, paperwork, possible travel, and everything necessary to say a proper goodbye. Globalmed, the firm representing both the medical staff, issued a statement describing the deaths of their two employees as a tragic loss. It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the tragic loss of two of our dear medical colleagues and friends, the company said. Their passing away has left a deep void in our teams and in our hearts. Two Dutch pilots and fourth person on board Two Dutch pilots were also on board, along with a fourth foreign national. However, their names have not yet been officially released. Chief Superintendent, Morgan Cronin who is overseeing the investigation confirmed all four people on board the plane died. He said "Were working to officially confirm their identities. At this stage, we believe all four are foreign nationals. "Our thoughts are with their families and colleagues at this tragic time. I can promise them that those who have passed away will be treated with the utmost care and dignity. Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to those affected in a message on X. The Prime Minister wrote: "Terrible news that four people tragically lost their lives in yesterday's plane crash at Southend Airport. My thoughts are with their families and loved ones. "I also want to thank all the emergency responders who attended the scene." Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Pladis, the Turkish-owned snacking giant behind beloved brands like McVities and Jacobs, is set to inject a substantial 68 million into its British operations. The significant investment aims to "supercharge" the growth of its iconic brands by boosting manufacturing capacity and productivity across its UK factories. The London-based company has earmarked the majority of the funds for sites across the north-west of England. This includes a 33 million overhaul of its Liverpool Aintree facility, known for baking Jacobs cream crackers. The comprehensive refurbishment will see the installation of new ovens and infrastructure, a notable development given the companys plans in 2023 to reduce the Aintree sites size, which had put 361 workers at risk of redundancy. Further investment includes 21 million for a new chocolate moulding line at its Stockport Jaffa Cake factory. Additionally, 2 million will be allocated to its Carlisle site, the worlds oldest biscuit factory, creating 48 new roles. open image in gallery McVitie's shares the journey of Digestives for National Biscuit Day A further 12 million will support infrastructure across Pladiss wider UK network, encompassing facilities in Halifax, Harlesden in north London, and Leicester, alongside the aforementioned sites. Mete Buyurgan, Pladis UK and Ireland managing director, commented on the announcement, stating: "Todays announcement is an important milestone in renovating our sites and unlocking capacity for our growth story. We have a fantastic suite of much-loved brands, baked by dedicated colleagues, and we have a responsibility to continue to nurture these brands for customers and consumers across the world. The news of these investments we are sharing today will enable us to achieve this." The company anticipates these extensive investment plans will be completed by the end of 2026. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A huge Ministry of Defence data breach put the lives of up to 100,000 Afghans at risk and prompted thousands of them to be evacuated to Britain under a covert 7bn scheme then was kept secret for almost two years by an unprecedented superinjunction, it can be revealed today. The leak, in February 2022, exposed the details of thousands of Afghans who said they were in danger from the Taliban because of their links to UK forces and now wanted to escape to Britain. The blunder triggered a top secret government operation, codenamed Operation Rubific, which involved 16,000 Afghans being brought to the UK as part of Britains largest covert peacetime evacuation, with some 8,000 still to come. The whole operation was kept secret from MPs and the public, with ministers even deciding to hide the true reason for the evacuation from parliament. Read more about the governments extraordinary breach and how it was kept secret here: The extraordinary case can only now be revealed after a court battle lasting almost two years, in which national media including The Independent fought for the lifting of the superinjunction, a court order so strict that even mentioning its existence was forbidden. Lifting the superinjunction on Tuesday, High Court judge Mr Justice Chamberlain called for further investigation after an official review into the data leak fundamentally undermined the evidential basis on which the superinjunction had been based. As the catastrophic breach is finally made public, it can be revealed that: The government was prepared to evacuate more than 42,000 people affected by the data leak at an estimated cost of 7bn At least 17 people mentioned in the dataset are believed to have been killed by the Taliban, 14 of these after the leak occurred The official review of the leak, commissioned in January 2025, warned that the government may have made the dataset more appealing to the Taliban by creating the special evacuation scheme and hitting the media with a superinjunction The MoD is facing a compensation claim from more than 650 Afghans who believe they were affected by the breach, which could cost hundreds of millions of pounds open image in gallery The extraordinary case can only now be revealed after a court battle lasting almost two years ( AFP/Getty ) After the superinjunction was lifted, defence secretary John Healey offered a sincere apology on behalf of the British government for the data breach. Addressing MPs in the Commons, he said he had felt deeply concerned about the lack of transparency that resulted from the order. Yet hours before the superinjunction was set to be lifted, journalists were hit with a new injunction preventing the exact details of what was on the spreadsheet from being shared, with the government arguing that it should be implemented on grounds of confidentiality and national security. The highly confidential database contained information from applications to the MoDs resettlement scheme, called Arap, which was set up in the wake of the disastrous withdrawal from Kabul as a way to manage the relocation of Afghans who had worked with British forces. Some 18,714 applicants, as well as their family members, were named in the database, which was shared by a member of the armed forces who was trying to verify cases. Mr Healey said the serviceman believed the list contained just 150 names, but he admitted that the leak should never have happened. The majority of these applicants had already been found ineligible for relocation to the UK, and most were still in Afghanistan. The list also included names of British government officials. One independent caseworker who raised concerns to the MoD described the incident as simply bone-chilling, and warned officials that the document amounted to a kill list of vulnerable Afghans. After the breach was discovered by the MoD in August 2023, the High Court put in place a superinjunction, a court order meaning that the breach could not be reported. It was granted contra mundum, meaning it applied to everyone and was believed to be the first ever order of its kind, according to the judge, Mr Justice Chamberlain. It means the government has faced no scrutiny over the breach or the subsequent operations, from either parliament or the public, since the order was imposed. In total, 23,900 Afghans linked to the breach have been offered relocation to the UK, with more than 16,000 already relocated. The MoD says 6,900 of these are people who would not otherwise have been brought to Britain. In order to explain the need for a new resettlement scheme without alerting the Taliban to the leak, Mr Healey told MPs in a written statement that the change would deliver greater efficiency. Officials said the plan would provide cover for the thousands arriving in the UK, and would explain to councils why Afghan families needed to be housed in their areas. open image in gallery Defence secretary John Healey has offered a sincere apology on behalf of the British government for the data breach ( PA ) In January 2025, the former deputy head of defence intelligence Paul Rimmer was commissioned to review the governments approach, leading to a report that would blow holes in its legal case and ultimately lead to the lifting of the superinjunction. It would conclude that as the Taliban already had access to significant volumes of data by which it could identify targets, the leaked dataset would constitute only a piece of the puzzle rather than a smoking gun. It also found that the superinjunction may have made matters worse by making the dataset appear more useful to the Taliban than it actually was. The report would lead the defence secretary to recommend the lifting of the injunction, and the judge to question the defence intelligence assessments that had previously underpinned the MoDs case. On Tuesday, Mr Justice Chamberlain, who has heard the case for over 18 months, read out his summary judgment, dismissing the superinjunction. Noting that the granting of a superinjunction had given rise to serious concerns about freedom of speech, he said it had had the effect of completely shutting down the ordinary mechanisms of accountability which operate in a democracy. In an urgent statement to the Commons after the injunction was lifted, Mr Healey admitted he had felt uncomfortable with the superinjunction and added that in some ways it was unconscionable. He said: No government wishes to withhold information from the British public, from parliamentarians or the press in this manner. However, he agreed with the last Tory government that difficult decisions needed to be made as he apologised for the blunder. MPs on the influential defence select committee will now investigate the incident, with chair Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP describing the episode as a mess that needs to be thoroughly examined because of the serious ramifications. Campaigners and politicians have also asked questions about how the leak happened and how the government reacted to it. In an intervention in parliament during Mr Healeys statement, Tory MP Mark Pritchard condemned the decision to impose a superinjunction, which ensured there would be no scrutiny of the incident for two years. He warned that the argument for a superinjunction was very thin, because even the MoD admits that Taliban-aligned individuals already had access to the database. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith added: I am concerned that the super injunction was applied, as that is peculiar: it stopped any free speech or examination in parliament, and we are still none the wiser as to who was responsible or why it happened. Dr Sara de Jong, co-founder of the Sulha Alliance, a charity that helps Afghans who supported the British, said: It is incredibly concerning that the MoD routinely asks Afghans threatened by the Taliban for the most sensitive of personal data, yet cant be trusted with data protection. These Afghans protected us, and they deserved our protection in return. The Information Commissioners Office, the UKs data watchdog, said breach was a deeply regrettable incident that placed thousands of vulnerable people at risk and that it should never happen again, but added that no further regulatory action is required at this time. Former defence secretary Ben Wallace, who was in post at the time of the data breach, declined to comment, noting that the superinjunction was put in place after he had left the MoD. A source close to his successor Grant Shapps noted that the data breach had happened before Mr Shapps was in post, and said that his job when he joined the department was to sort out the mess and save lives. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has said that urgent digital reforms of retail banking payments should be a priority. In his annual Mansion House dinner speech, Mr Bailey said the UK needs to harness the potential of digital technology for retail payments both within Britain and internationally to help future-proof payments infrastructure and ensure it can play its part in boosting growth in the UK. But he added a dose of scepticism over any plans for a digital pound. While he reiterated concerns over so-called stablecoins (a type of cryptocurrency which is backed by a traditional asset such as a currency or commodity), he said there may well be a role for them in the future. Mr Bailey said: There is an urgent need for innovation now in the area of payments, and the opportunity is there, no doubt about that. He said the Bank would collaborate with authorities and industry to design and deliver the next generation of UK retail payments infrastructure. This must be a priority, both to replace ageing infrastructure and as part of promoting growth in the UK, he said, echoing financial services reforms outlined by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Tuesday to help boost the economy. Bailey appears to be cooling on the idea of a digital pound ( Getty ) Mr Bailey added: There may well be a role for stablecoins going forward, but I dont see them as a substitute for commercial bank money. Moreover, our job will be to ensure that those stablecoins that purport to be money are safe. Perhaps there may also be a role for retail central bank digital currency, but I remain to be convinced why the natural next step is to create a new form of money rather than put digital technology into retail payments and bank accounts. His comments follow just days after he warned global banking giants against issuing their own stablecoins, which he said threaten to take money out of the banking system and therefore leave less available for lending. Mr Bailey has also appeared to be increasingly cooling on the idea of a digital pound in recent months, raising doubts over whether it would ever be officially launched. In his speech, Mr Bailey cautioned over the ongoing impact of the global trade war, with the current shift in policy marking the most sudden and fundamental in the post-war era. The shifts we have witnessed and continue to witness mark a generational change in the system of trade amongst nations, he said. Increasing tariffs creates the risk of fragmenting the world economy, and thereby reducing activity, he said. Recent events have exposed fault lines in the multilateral system of relations between nations, including in the global trading system, he added. He said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Word Trade Organisation (WTO) can both work together and play a part in cooling the current trade war by helping achieve agreement amongst its members on the global rules of the road and how they are adhered to. But he stressed he cannot underestimate the challenges in addressing the current trade tensions. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In February 2022, sitting in an office not far from the Ministry of Defences Whitehall HQ, a member of the armed forces pressed send on two emails. Two emails that would spark one of the most extraordinary secret government operations in modern history over fears that 100,000 lives were in danger. They would lead to an unprecedented gagging order on the British press through a superinjunction; claims that parliament was being misled; and the largest covert evacuation in UK peacetime, projected to cost the taxpayer billions. In the wake of the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021, tens of thousands of Afghans at risk of reprisals for fighting alongside British troops had asked the UK to bring them and their families to safety. Read more about the governments extraordinary breach and how it was kept secret here: Six months on, an 80-strong MoD team was working through the difficult task of assessing these applications, deciding if they should be approved or denied on the strength of each applicants ties to UK forces. The British serviceman, in his office in Whitehall, thought his Afghan contacts might be able to help establish who was eligible for help and who was not. He decided to email the database, which he believed contained 150 names, to trusted sources. But the document in fact contained 33,000 records, and the details of more than 18,000 Afghan applicants and their loved ones. He pressed send twice, apparently unaware of the extent of the data he was sending because of hidden rows within the spreadsheet. Only today, after a nearly two-year legal battle involving the countrys most prominent judges and media organisations including The Independent can the astonishing story of what happened next finally be told. Scramble It was on 14 August 2023, 16 months after the spreadsheet was shared, that the crisis began for the government. On that day, an anonymous member of a Facebook group, set up for people applying to resettlement schemes created by the UK government, wrote a post in which they claimed to be in possession of a database containing 33,000 records. What do you think? the person posted, asking the 1,300 members whether they should share the details. They were challenged to prove that they had access to the information. When they replied with a screenshot of the database, as well as the contact details of a person who had applied to relocate to the UK, another member raised the alarm. The scramble began. The incident was instantly reported to the joint MoD and Foreign Office relocations team in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, where hundreds of Afghan families were being housed in hotels by the UK government while waiting to be moved to Britain. open image in gallery In the wake of the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021, tens of thousands of Afghans at risk of reprisals for fighting alongside British troops asked the UK to bring them and their families to safety ( MoD ) There, the team sent a WhatsApp message to around 1,800 people, warning that their contact information may have been compromised by a data incident. The secretary of state for defence at the time, Ben Wallace, was informed of the breach within minutes, along with MI6, the CIA and the Foreign Office, according to an independent caseworker who was supporting Afghans with sanctuary applications. The next day, the same caseworker emailed the armed forces minister James Heappey, and shadow minister Luke Pollard, describing the situation as simply bone-chilling. The Taliban may well now have a 33,000-long kill list essentially provided to them by the UK government. If any of these families are murdered, the government will be liable, they wrote. Minutes after that email was sent at 9.57am, the breach was reported to the resettlement team in London, with an urgent meeting scheduled to take place at 3pm. By just after 8pm, the senior MoD leadership team had been informed. open image in gallery Members of the UK armed forces take part in Operation Pitting, in which personnel and Afghan nationals were evacuated from Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021 ( PA Media ) A crisis team called Gold Group was set up the following day, with the response to be dubbed Operation Rubific. With the scale of the leak becoming apparent, the MoD also informed the Information Commissioners Office (the UKs data protection watchdog), the deputy national security adviser, and the Metropolitan Police. The MoD has not confirmed whether the serviceman faced any disciplinary action for the accidental leak or if he is still employed by the government. Unprecedented superinjunction The breach itself included names of those who had applied under the resettlement schemes, as well as dates of birth, email addresses and phone numbers. The majority of the applicants were based in Afghanistan and had already been deemed ineligible for the UKs resettlement schemes. But more than 2,000 people eligible for relocation were also on the list. By mid-August, two media outlets the Daily Mail and Global Media knew about the story. Keen to ensure that the information spread no further while it took steps to protect those named in the leak, the MoD sought a four-month injunction in court. The MoDs acting Gold commander, Nina Cope, claimed there was an escalating possibility that the information could be published widely and that it might reach the Taliban. Government lawyers deemed it very unlikely that the MoD would ask for a further extension of the injunction. But, at a hearing on 1 September 2023, a High Court judge, Mr Justice Knowles, went a step further and offered an unprecedented contra mundum superinjunction. The strict legal order meant that no one would be able to share a sliver of information about the subject of the injunction or, remarkably, even speak about the injunction itself. But signs were still emerging that knowledge of the leak had not been contained. The MoD became aware of rumours of a list, and would later assess that some Taliban-aligned individuals might be aware of a dataset. A person had also obtained some of the data and tried to blackmail the government over the breach, the shadow defence secretary told MPs on Tuesday Some Arap applicants had also contacted the MoD saying they believed their data had been compromised, while campaigners in regular contact with the MoD were also highlighting cases of intimidation, unusual calls, and instances of Taliban members turning up at peoples homes. A not-so-secret evacuation Having been given unprecedented power to gag the press and operate in secret by the courts, the MoD had to find a way to keep the Afghans who had been identified safe. In the early stages, the MoD considered telling more of those affected about the leak so they could take steps to protect themselves. It would inevitably decide against this, taking the view that it might make it more likely that the Taliban would find out about the breach. open image in gallery Defence secretary John Healey proposed a new Afghan resettlement scheme to cover up why thousands of Afghans were being brought to the UK ( Getty ) Instead, MoD caseworkers were instructed to speed up decision-making in respect of Afghans implicated in the leak, and to bring them to safety a move that has ultimately delayed the provision of help to other eligible Afghans desperate to flee their country. In October 2023, the MoD told the court that this work was happening at pace, but that it expected relocations to take until at least the end of February. Officials still had no idea how many people they would need to help. The following month, ministers decided to relocate a targeted cohort of just 150 high-risk individuals and their family members to the UK. It was this move that sparked The Independents involvement in the case I was placed under injunction as I investigated why some applicants were suddenly being granted relocation. While the High Court judge now in charge of the case, Mr Justice Chamberlain, had initially sought to give the MoD time to act, he was growing impatient with the lack of evidence from the government to back up its assertions, and there were fears among ministers that he could lift the injunction entirely if more people were not helped. At a later hearing in February 2025, the judge explained his thinking: You can put up with uncertainty for a while... but you start to wonder do you have anything more to back this up? The government settled on a plan to bring the Afghans to the UK in large numbers, but it was still facing a major problem how do you evacuate thousands of people from Afghanistan to the UK without anyone noticing? Civil servants came up with a plan to provide cover for the number of people arriving. A brief was prepared by defence secretary John Healey for a meeting of the economic affairs committee involving chancellor Rachel Reeves, deputy PM Angela Rayner, and home secretary Yvette Cooper in October 2024, which outlined how the government intended to cover up what was happening. Mr Healey proposed a new Afghan resettlement scheme, merging the two existing schemes to create the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP). It would aim to evacuate around 36,000 people, 28,500 of whom had been affected by the data leak, at a cost of up to 7.23bn. By its own admission, the governments secret scheme came at a time when the UK asylum system was under significant strain. By June this year, the number of people it aimed to resettle had increased to 42,572. open image in gallery The legal battle, which started at the High Court, has unfolded over nearly two years ( AFP via Getty ) According to the plan, families would spend up to nine months in temporary accommodation including hotels and military homes, with settled housing such as council properties provided after that. Half of arrivals would be found somewhere to live, while 40 per cent would privately rent, the MoD estimated. But around 10 per cent could end up homeless. A compensation scheme for those left behind in Afghanistan was also planned. Mr Justice Chamberlain highlighted the huge magnitude of spending on a supposedly secret plan, asking the court: Am I going bonkers? He added: It is not actually possible to disappear it down the back of a sofa. In order to deliver the plan successfully, Mr Healey advised that the government needed to engage meaningfully with local authorities and devolved governments about the scale and timing of the plan. Crucially, however, MPs, local councils and the public would not be told the true reason behind the surge in the number of Afghans arriving in the UK. The government needed to maintain control of the narrative, the brief added, by giving a statement to parliament laying out the scale (but not the cause) of the challenge. Ministers agreed. At the next court hearing on 11 November 2024, Mr Justice Chamberlain was left to confront the fact that the government planned to withhold highly significant information from parliament. He told the private hearing: To see ... that a statement in parliament is going to be made to provide cover for something is a very, very striking thing. Jude Bunting KC, on behalf of the media organisations, put to Mr Justice Chamberlain that the government is going to deliberately mislead parliament and the public. The judge replied: Thats territory we cant get into, but the word cover is particularly striking. On 18 December 2024, Mr Healey announced the new scheme. Though he said it was for eligible Afghans, the defence secretary crucially did not explain what they were eligible for. Media organisations were then left to report the governments statement, but were unable, due to the terms of the injunction, to tell readers the truth until now. In a witness statement, Dominic Wilson, a senior civil servant at the Cabinet Office, said press interest in the announcement had not been significant. The superinjunction unravels In spring 2025, a new strand was added to the ever-expanding court case. A Manchester-based legal firm, Barings Law, told the government it was instructing 667 potential clients, 154 of whom were in Afghanistan, in relation to compensation over the data breach. With news that hundreds more Afghans knew about a leak, and with the expanding number of media organisations listed as defendants, it was clear that the governments case was falling apart. By the time a hearing took place on 20 February 2025, ministers had decided to conduct a review of their whole approach to the data breach, asking a retired civil servant to analyse what risk the named Afghans faced as a result of the leak. The MoD had maintained throughout the case that it was unable to carry out an investigation for fear of spreading the information protected by its own injunction and alerting the Taliban, so news that the government could review these matters after all came as a surprise to the judge. Mr Justice Chamberlain asked: If this is a manageable risk now, why hasnt it been done to date? open image in gallery The MoD has maintained throughout the case that it was unable to carry out an investigation for fear of spreading the information protected by its own injunction and alerting the Taliban ( PA ) The review, carried out by Paul Rimmer, a former deputy head of defence intelligence, drew on interviews with numerous experts, some of whom knew about the facts of the injunction. It found that, while killings and other reprisals against former Afghan officials do occur, being identified on the dataset was unlikely to constitute sole grounds for targeting. The Taliban already had access to significant volumes of data to help identify targets, it said. It added that knowledge of a data breach had spread, but that the actual database had not been shared as widely as initially feared. In another extraordinary conclusion, the governments review found that creating a bespoke scheme and using an unprecedented superinjunction may have inadvertently added more value to the dataset for the Taliban. The cost and scale of the evacuation may perpetuate a perception that the dataset provides information of considerably higher value than this review judges it to in reality, it concluded. Lifting the injunction on Tuesday, Mr Justice Chamberlain said the conclusions of the review fundamentally undermine the evidential basis on which the injunction, and the decisions to maintain it, have relied. Break glass In anticipation of the injunction falling away an event referred to as the break glass moment ministers decided the original resettlement schemes should be closed because they risked being overwhelmed by a significant spike of people wanting help. On 1 July, without warning, the government quietly closed all existing schemes under immigration rule changes laid down in parliament. Journalists were again left to report on the closure of the scheme without being able to explain the true motivation. In light of the review, the MoD also told the court that Mr Healey had decided to end the dataleak evacuation programme (ARR) and recommended the injunction be discharged. It is now taking steps to inform people that their information has been breached, and will set up a dedicated information page. Incredibly, the MoD also planned for the risk of riots when the governments secret mission to bring thousands of Afghans into the country was revealed to the public. The government told the court that some 16,000 people affected by the data breach have been brought to the UK believed to represent the largest covert evacuation in peacetime history. A further 7,900 are yet to arrive but have been offered relocation. Of those, the MoD say some 4,500 would not have been eligible to come to the UK and are being evacuated solely because of the leak. The MoD estimates that the total cost of evacuating this group alone will reach 800m. The rest have all been found eligible under the Arap scheme, though officials acknowledge that their cases were prioritised and, in some instances, reassessed. Though many Afghans have been brought to safety, the majority have been left behind and are only now allowed to know about the danger they were placed in by the leak. They have been left to fend for themselves, in fear of their lives, with any other legal route to the UK now closed. As one Afghan father of three, who wrote to the MoD after discovering the data breach, said: We are miraculously still alive due to our wit and pure luck, but it is like we are evolving in an open tomb. We are forced to always change places, and I never thought wed one day face starvation, but it happens. We pray that you understand what some of us go through, and that you make this unfair nightmare stop. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice It was in the bowels of the Ministry of Defence building in Whitehall that I was handed a piece of paper by a government lawyer, to read in silence, that would put me at the heart of a nearly two-year legal battle in Britains High Court a battle involving a major data breach, secret government operations, and the most far-reaching legal order ever imposed on the British press. I had been brought to the MoD building, on Friday 8 December 2023, by a story I was investigating. Since the botched evacuation of Kabul in August 2021, I had extensively covered the governments attempts and failures to bring Afghan soldiers who had fought alongside Britain, and were desperately trying to escape the clutches of the Taliban, to the UK. I had revealed stories about those who had worked for the UK but had been told their links were not strong enough to make them eligible for Arap or ACRS, two resettlement schemes set up by Britain for at-risk Afghans. But now something curious was happening some of those who had previously been refused sanctuary were receiving emails from the MoD, telling them that they were in fact eligible to be relocated to the UK. Read more about the governments extraordinary breach and how it was kept secret here: After approaching the government, I was summoned to the MoD main building for a briefing. There, I was put through a security screening and led to a meeting room, where I was promptly served with an order. The order warned that, if I disobeyed it, I could end up in jail. I was then handed a brief revealing that my story was one piece of a top secret puzzle that no one in the world not even my editors, at that point was allowed to know about. In that moment, the magnitude of what was happening began to dawn on me. The confidential note revealed that a dataset of a very significant number of names and personal details of Arap applicants was now in the hands of at least one unauthorised third party. Extracts from the dataset had also been published on Facebook. The MoD believed the Taliban were unaware of the breach, but that it would be highly likely they could obtain a copy of the data if anything were published about it with catastrophic consequences. Essentially, those who had been named on the list faced serious harm, or even death, if news of the leak got out. open image in gallery There were more than 20 hearings at the Royal Courts of Justice in London as part of the governments superinjunction case, which can only be revealed today ( AFP/Getty ) It appeared that some Afghans were suddenly being offered sanctuary in the UK because the government was scrambling to make good on the error. But even those selected for evacuation could not be told why, or that they were at risk, because a judge had granted a superinjunction, meaning that nothing about the information was allowed to be shared or spoken about. Not only that, but the very existence of the order had to remain secret and I was one of only a handful of people who knew about it. Superinjunctions, known colloquially as gagging orders, came to prominence in the late 2000s, most notably in relation to the private lives of celebrities. But while parties in those cases had to be formally injuncted, High Court judge Mr Justice Knowles, in this case, used an unprecedented contra mundum superinjunction. Contra mundum against the world in Latin means a person can be found in contempt of court if they share any information about the injunction, whether or not they are involved in the case. This was believed to be the first superinjunction of its kind ever granted, and the first brought by the government against the British press. In every respect, the situation was truly unprecedented. And that was just the beginning. Legal battle begins The Royal Courts of Justice, an imposing Gothic building on the Strand where the High Court sits, was somewhere I was very familiar with. It can sometimes be at the centre of celebrity scandal, as it was for the Wagatha Christie trial, but it also deals with technical cases against government departments and complex financial disputes. One of its most prominent courtrooms, court 27, sits just across from the press room one of two, along with court 72, that are used to hear top secret cases. It was in these two rooms that the extraordinary case would unfold over almost two years, involving more than 20 hearings and over 1,000 pages of legal submissions. In an early hearing on 18 December 2023, I was among a dozen or so people in the courtroom including the judge, MoD legal representatives, two lawyers, and a team of three from Global Media. By the time the case drew to a conclusion this month, proceedings had become a circus of the most expensive lawyers and barristers that taxpayers money can buy, as well as half of Fleet Street. On that first day, I was there as a journalist to observe. The government had insisted that secrecy was vital while it came up with a plan to evacuate the Afghans at risk, and the media had not yet decided to challenge the decision. open image in gallery Justice Chamberlain has agreed to lift the superinjunction ( Avalon ) But this also meant that the government was facing very little scrutiny over the number of people it was helping, the intelligence assessments it was relying on, and the money it would be spending except for the questions from the High Court judge. By the time of the next hearing, on 22 January 2024, Global Media and The Independent had applied to formally challenge the injunction, with The Times and Associated Newspapers, which owns the Daily Mail, soon joining in the case as defendants. At a hearing in February, as part of our case, journalists addressed Justice Chamberlain. I told him I had been focusing my reporting on the fate of former Afghan special forces commandos who had been left behind by Britain after serving alongside UK troops. I knew from my investigations that the MoD had made widespread errors in processing their resettlement applications, leaving many facing extreme danger, and I had no confidence that they could successfully operate a new secret evacuation scheme. I explained that members of this cohort were already in hiding because the Taliban knew who they were and were hunting them down. I explained their need for compensation to help them financially something I did not think they would have a chance of getting in secret and went through the already numerous examples in the MoDs evidence indicating that knowledge of a data leak had spread, making attempts to keep it secret futile. I pointed out that only around 150 Afghan applicants whose data had been breached had at this point been selected for relocation, representing less than 1 per cent of the affected cohort. This meant that thousands more were at risk. I also raised what would become a running theme throughout the case the failure of the MoD to carry out any investigation into claims that contradicted their assessments. Lewis Goodall from Global Media raised concerns about the huge implications this injunction was having on freedom of expression, and the inability to publicly scrutinise any MoD decisions, let alone the glacial pace it was going at the protection of a superinjunction offering no incentive for them to move any faster. Secrecy upon secrecy For the next 18 months, in the absence of any public scrutiny or the involvement of parliament, the only people able to hold the government to account were us journalists inside the closed hearings, our legal teams, the judge, and two special advocates security-cleared lawyers appointed to represent the interests of a party in closed proceedings. open image in gallery As part of Operation Pitting, Afghans were evacuated to the UK following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021 ( MoD Crown Copyright via Getty ) We were under the strongest restrictions imaginable unable to ask any sources, experts, or Afghans themselves about anything covered by the injunction. The secret court hearings were split into two layers of secrecy private hearings, which journalists who had been injuncted were allowed to attend, and closed hearings, which we werent. In these closed hearings, the special advocates would hear the evidence the MoD didnt want to share with us because of national security concerns, and try to scrutinise it on our behalf. We could send them information, but they could only communicate with us if the government approved the email making it much more restrictive than a normal client-lawyer relationship. We were also blocked from having the answers to even the most basic questions. How would you even know whether the Taliban had found out about the data leak? Sorry that can only be answered in closed, government officials told us. When does the government plan on the evacuation scheme ending? Sorry that, too, can only be answered in closed. Significantly, the majority of the intelligence assessments on which the whole case rested including the risk to Afghans from the Taliban were also only spoken about in closed. One key way in which officials were trying to assess whether the Taliban had the dataset was to track the number of reprisals being carried out by the extremists against those named on the list. open image in gallery The Ministry of Defence has put thousands of Afghans who served with British troops at risk of reprisals ( The Independent ) As I know from trying to document reprisals myself, this is incredibly difficult to assess, with many deaths and examples of reprisals going unreported because families live in fear of information being shared publicly. The MoD also maintained that it could not investigate whether its own intelligence assessments were correct, because officials claimed that this in itself would risk alerting the Taliban to the dataset and undermine the superinjunction. The evidence (or lack of it) backing up the central claims at the heart of this unprecedented superinjunction was and always will be hidden. The Treasury Devil By May 2024, Mr Justice Chamberlain had come to the view that the superinjunction could no longer stand because it relied on intelligence assessments that were themselves caveated and contained a number of imponderables. Even if the injunction was helping the smaller number the MoD wanted to evacuate, it was preventing the rest of the affected Afghans from knowing their data had been breached, and therefore from taking steps to help themselves, he said. He added that the sheer scale of the decision-making, along with the five or six years that the MoD estimated the evacuation could take, also made further secrecy difficult to maintain. By this point, as questions grew over the MoDs legal arguments, so too did the cohort of expensive lawyers on the governments side. Their trump card was Sir James Eadie, who in the role of Treasury Devil represents the government in its most important cases, such as the legal bid to find the Rwanda scheme unlawful, and Prince Harrys battle with the government over his security. At the Court of Appeal in June 2024, Sir James, appealing the High Court ruling, told the court that to discharge the injunction would bring down immediate risks on the heads of everyone. He said that even the intelligence and security committee, the group of MPs who are meant to provide oversight in matters relating to defence intelligence, should not be told about what had happened. The three Court of Appeal judges Sir Geoffrey Vos, Lord Justice Singh and Lord Justice Warby agreed, and the case was sent back to the High Court, superinjunction intact. The truth prevails Over the following year, several more legal hearings were held in private as the government orchestrated a cover story about why it was suddenly bringing thousands of Afghans to the UK. Meanwhile, the number of journalists placed under the injunction grew as the information protected by it spread. open image in gallery The governments barrister, James Eadie, was successful in his bid to have the order reinstated in June 2024 ( AFP via Getty ) It was clear that the governments secret scheme was starting to unravel. Under pressure to justify the basis of the superinjunction, the government commissioned a review in January this year, which interrogated how many people were truly at risk due to the breach three years after the initial leak. Carried out by a retired civil servant, it was a pivotal point in the case and undermined the very premise on which much of the governments arguments and actions had been based. It found that, while extrajudicial killings do occur, alongside other targeting of former Afghan officials, it appears unlikely that merely being on the dataset would be grounds for targeting. Should the Taliban wish to target individuals, the wealth of data inherited from the former [Afghan] government would already enable them to do so, it continued. The report also concluded that while knowledge of a data leak had spread somewhat, the actual database has not spread as widely or as rapidly as was initially feared. But in what was perhaps the most extraordinary conclusion, the review found that the establishment of a bespoke government evacuation scheme, as well as the use of an unprecedented superinjunction, may have inadvertently added more value to the dataset. In all its secrecy, the government may in fact have made the data leak more tempting to those it was trying to keep from noticing it. open image in gallery By summer 2025, seven media organisations were defendants against the Ministry of Defence ( Ministry of Justice/ The Independent ) After the review was published in June, the MoD decided time was up. Today, after 683 days of secrecy spanning two governments, in courtroom 4 of the Royal Courts of Justice, the case made its first appearance in open court as Mr Justice Chamberlain made the decision to lift the order. He said the conclusions of the review fundamentally undermine the evidential basis on which the injunction, and the decisions to maintain it, have relied. He also raised questions over key differences between the review and the governments case, saying that the new reports assessments were very different from those on which the superinjunction was sought and granted. Having caved in its bid to maintain the superinjunction, the government has now brought another contra mundum injunction against the press in respect of what can be said about the contents of the dataset adding yet more secrecy to nearly two years of private hearings. However, this time, the press can report on the further gagging order. Mr Justice Chamberlain said it is for others to decide whether the superinjunction should have been kept in place based on inherently uncertain defence intelligence assessments. Far earlier in the case, in a judgment from November 2023, he warned: The grant of a superinjunction to the government is likely to give rise to understandable suspicion that the courts processes are being used for the purposes of censorship. This is corrosive of the publics trust in government ... the grant of a superinjunction has the effect of completely shutting down these mechanisms of accountability, at least while the injunction is in force. Finally, the extraordinary story is out in the open and the government can be held accountable. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Ministry of Defence used an unprecedented superinjunction to cover up a data breach that put an estimated 100,000 Afghans at risk of reprisals from the Taliban. The superinjunction was granted contra mundum, meaning against the world, by the courts, and is enforceable against anyone who knows about it, rather than a named party. Heres what you need to know about the legal order: Read more about the governments extraordinary breach and how it was kept secret here: What is a superinjunction? An injunction is a legal order that prevents a person or publication from reporting certain information said to be confidential or private. A superinjunction adds an extra layer to this by banning the reporting of the existence of the order itself. Under a superinjunction, a person cannot publicise or inform others about the existence of the order or the underlying legal proceedings. Superinjunctions need to be kept under review by the court and can only be granted when strictly necessary. If someone breaches a superinjunction, they may be found in contempt of court and face being imprisoned, fined or having their assets seized. The use of superinjunctions, also colloquially referred to as gagging orders, gained prominence in the Noughties after a string of celebrity scandals. A committee was set up in 2010 to examine their use following the Trafigura and John Terry cases. In the case of Trafigura, an oil-trading firm was granted a superinjunction against The Guardian to stop the paper publishing details of a report commissioned by the company into a toxic-dumping incident in Ivory Coast. open image in gallery The Royal Courts of Justice, Britains High Court, in central London ( AFP/Getty ) In the John Terry case, the former England football captain was initially granted a superinjunction in 2010, preventing a News of the World story about his private life. Journalist Andrew Marr also took out a controversial superinjunction in 2011 over an extramarital affair, and later admitted he felt uneasy about using such an order. Superinjunctions are now rarely used. According to a written parliamentary question answered in April 2024, there is currently one superinjunction in force, which was made in the Kings Bench Division of the High Court. Following an inquiry into the use of superinjunctions in the Noughties, a mechanism was put in place to enable parliament to have a record of the number of superinjunctions currently in force. This is collected by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. The MoD told the court that it did not think it likely that the one superinjunction referred to in parliamentary questions was the one used in the Afghan leak case. This is because the Afghan superinjunction relates to national security and is therefore exempt from being reported. However, as the MoD did not know if a second superinjunction was in place, it could not be sure. Why was this superinjunction without precedent? This superinjunction was granted contra mundum, Latin for against the world, meaning it is applied to anyone and everyone. The effect is that a person could be found in contempt of court if they shared any information about the injunction, whether or not they are participating in the proceedings. There has been previous use of contra mundum injunctions, but High Court judges believed this to be the first contra mundum superinjunction. This is also believed to be the first superinjunction granted to the British government. open image in gallery The injunction granted to the MoD was maintained for nearly two years ( PA ) How long has the superinjunction been in place? The superinjunction was granted on 1 September 2023, meaning it was in place for more than 21 months. Did the government apply for this superinjunction? No, the government did not initially apply for a superinjunction. It applied for a time-limited injunction for a period of four months. Mr Justice Knowles, the High Court judge who first heard the case, granted the contra mundum superinjunction proactively. What have judges said about this superinjunction? When the case came in front of Mr Justice Nicklin in September 2023, he commented on the exceptional nature of the injunction. He wrote that such orders are wholly exceptional, require very clear and compelling justification, and must be kept under active review by the court. He added: A superinjunction granted in proceedings contra mundum is, I believe, unprecedented. The court will want to give anxious consideration at the earliest point as to whether there remains a justification for such an order or whether some lesser restrictions ought to be imposed. The case was passed to Mr Justice Chamberlain for all future hearings. In a request to the attorney general for the appointment of security-cleared lawyers in the case, Justice Chamberlain wrote that as far as the court is aware, this is the first contra mundum superinjunction which has ever been granted. He described the effect of such a superinjunction in a judgment from November 2023 (but which can only now be reported), writing: The grant of a superinjunction to the government is likely to give rise to understandable suspicion that the courts processes are being used for the purposes of censorship. This is corrosive of the publics trust in government the grant of a superinjunction has the effect of completely shutting down these mechanisms of accountability, at least while the injunction is in force. In this case, the policy decisions in question could themselves have implications for the lives and safety of many individuals. If the superinjunction is continued, they will be taken in a scrutiny vacuum. I work on the basis that ministers will do their honest best to take the decisions they consider in the national interest, but it is axiomatic in our system that decisions subject to public and parliamentary scrutiny are not only more legitimate, but are also likely to be better than ones taken in secret. Why and when was the superinjunction lifted? The Afghan data breach superinjunction was lifted by Mr Justice Chamberlain at 12pm on Tuesday, 15 July. He made the decision to lift the order after the defence secretary John Healey came to the view that it was no longer necessary. The MoD told the court that Mr Healy had considered the conclusions of a policy review commissioned by the government into the data breach and the response to it. As a result of this review, the MoDs assumptions on the risk posed to individuals named on the database had changed. Mr Healey made the decision to close the Afghan Response Route (ARR) set up to evacuate those affected and to recommend that the injunction be discharged. Relocation invitations sent out under the ARR scheme will still be honoured, with an estimated 2,400 people still to come to Britain. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Scarlet uniforms cut a striking figure against the River Thames this week as the annual five-day census of King Charles IIIs swans, known as Swan Upping, commenced. The traditional event, which began on Monday, sees a young swan gently lifted, measured, inspected, and released, to assess the health of the royal flock. The unique tradition stems from the monarchs lesser-known title, Seigneur of the Swans, or Lord of the Swans. According to ancient lore, this title grants the reigning sovereign ownership of all mute swans found in Britains open waters. Each year, a dedicated team of carefully selected oarsmen, dubbed Swan Uppers, embark on a stretch of the Thames to locate the birds. When a swan family is sighted, the cry of "All up!" rings out, prompting the boats to swiftly encircle the birds for marking and a thorough check for any signs of disease or injury. It gives us an indication of whats going on throughout the country, said David Barber, who wears a scarlet jacket and a white swan feather in his cap and bears the title of Kings Swan Marker. Its a tradition, but I think its serving a very useful purpose as well. open image in gallery The annual five-day census of swans belonging to King Charles III known as Swan Upping began on Monday on the River Thames to assess their health ( Associated Press ) Barber has been leading the event for more than 30 years. He is accompanied by a vet and oarsmen dressed in three colors: red for the king, white for the Worshipful Company of Vintners and blue stripes for the Worshipful Company of Dyers. The last two are medieval London trade guilds that were granted ownership of some Thames swans in the 15th century. The census tradition dates to the 12th century, when swans were considered an important food for royal banquets and feasts. While swans are now legally protected from hunting, they face threats from disease, pollution, vandalism and cruelty, Barber said. Their numbers have declined over the last two years, primarily due to outbreaks of avian flu across Britain, he said, adding that only 86 young swans were found during last years Swan Upping, which was 45 per cent fewer than the year before that. open image in gallery Every year, a team of carefully selected oarsmen called Swan Uppers are tasked with finding the swans on a stretch of the Thames ( Associated Press ) But Barber appeared positive at the end of the event's first day, with a total of 16 young swans recorded. The census continues until Friday, traveling from Sunbury, on the outskirts of London, to Abingdon, 80 miles (130 kilometers) upstream. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A sightseeing bus carrying tourists collided with a tree in central London. Police were called to the crash on Bedford Way, Russell Square, around 2.30pm on Tuesday. Photos show the bus roof was crumpled from the impact, with shattered windows and bent metal supports. The London Fire Brigade said two fire engines and a fire rescue unit from Euston and Soho fire stations attended the scene. Although no one needed hospital care, paramedics treated several people at the scene. The vehicle was operating as part of a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing service, popular among tourists keen to discover Londons landmarks. The open-top bus had a covered section at the front, which absorbed most of the impact. Behind it were uncovered seats on the upper deck. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: Police were called at 2.37pm on Tuesday 15 July following a single vehicle collision on Bedford Way, WC1. The vehicle, a bus was involved in a collision with a tree. Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade. Those involved sustained minor injuries. The road remains closed. A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said it sent an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response car, and an incident response officer to the scene. Paramedics assessed two people and discharged them at the scene, the spokesperson added. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision on Bedford Way in Euston this afternoon. Crews made the scene safe after a bus collided with a tree. The brigade was called at 2.45pm and two fire engines and a fire rescue unit from Euston and Soho fire stations attended the scene. Perfidious Albion, in modern terms, means that when it comes to international affairs, Britain is seen as treacherous and unreliable and has turned mendacity into an art. Students of imperial history will recall the hundreds of treaties signed with local chiefs, kings and leaders that were waved aside in the interests of the empire. The French call their deep distrust of Les Anglo-Saxons Fashoda syndrome named after a sordid episode of British duplicity that delivered an obscure bit of southern Sudan to the UK in the 19th century, and triggered the enduring distrust of our closest neighbour up to this day. Now we have the Kabul cock-up. It will inevitably serve to undermine Britains woeful and feeble international reputation and drive some of those who have been betrayed into the arms of our enemies. open image in gallery Afghan special forces soldiers are waiting on help from the UK ( The Independent/Lighthouse Reports ) The disastrous accidental release of up to 100,000 names and numbers of Afghans seeking safety in the UK, a noble but feeble effort to save some of them, and the desperate cover-up using the courts to ensure that the British public knew nothing of the whole farrago, can only be reported today, two years after it was uncovered. The official reason for a superinjunction to hide the mess was to protect Afghans who wanted to get out of Afghanistan before the Taliban found and killed them. But their numbers, emails, and names were already in the public domain as a result of the leak. The Taliban are not illiterate morons. They beat the Soviets, they beat Nato and the US at war. They would have got hold of the list within moments of a clumsy British Ministry of Defence official hitting the send button on an email containing all those sensitive details to sources in, or near, Afghanistan. Rather than take the lead and act on principle to protect human lives, the British government did what it always does and went into overdrive to protect its own embarrassment and to avoid making the case for, not against, immigration to this country. Ministers could have stood up and admitted to the leak. They could, and should, have defended the right and need of people who had literally risked their lives to settle in the UK; people who believed this to be a country in which decency is a first principle. open image in gallery The government failed to defend the right of Afghan special forces soldiers, who had risked their lives, to settle in the UK ( Charlie Herbert ) But because British politicians from the two mainstream parties live in fear of Reform, they had already embarked on their betrayal of the soldiers who had given the most to the UK during its hopeless war in Afghanistan. As The Independent has previously reported, Afghan special forces teams from task forces 333 and 444 paid and trained by the UK, who fought alongside the SBS and the SAS for years were ditched when the Taliban took control of Kabul in mid-2021. Very senior British officers, who knew the capabilities and the loyalty of these men, formally suggested that they could be brought to the UK and used as tier two special forces operators in the British army. They were sneered at. Some of those Afghan special forces operators, intelligence sources have told The Independent, are now living in Iran. Imagine their skills being put to work for a regime that is planning revenge for the recent attacks carried out on it by Israel and the US. Some have been relocated to the UK after a campaign by this newspaper. But many others were abandoned. So, when the massive leak of names was reported to the British government, it did set about trying to help some of the potential victims. But it kept most in the dark in an effort to hide a British snafu not to save the lives of loyal servants to the crown, who did not know that the Taliban probably knew who they were. open image in gallery Our front page about the betrayal of the Afghan Triples on 2 November 2023 ( The Independent ) The Independents Holly Bancroft uncovered the story in the autumn of 2023, but was unable to report it because of the ongoing evacuation operation. In total, 23,900 Afghans linked to the breach have been offered relocation to the UK, with more than 16,000 already in the UK. The MoD says 6,900 of these are people who would not otherwise have been brought to Britain, she wrote, once the superinjunction had been lifted. Why not? Why were these 6,900 Afghans originally deemed ineligible suddenly given access to the UK? Could their previous ineligibility have been due to politicians being reluctant to make the case, either moral or economic, for immigration? Its feeble enough that this government, like the last, continues to campaign against immigration while businesses, led by the Confederation of British Industry, are crying out for skilled and unskilled labour to fuel growth. Its just as feeble that, although the economic case for rejoining the European single market is overwhelming, no senior politician in government is making that case. So, if there is no effort to show leadership in areas of clear national interest, one should not be surprised that ministers hide within the mob that clings to irrational beliefs fomented by disinformation and extremist populism. Theyd rather just abandon battlefield allies, hide the fact that these people have been accidentally endangered, and gag anyone who wishes to talk about it. The first instinct is perfidy and obfuscation, not leadership. Plus ca change, plus cest la meme chose, as theyd say next door. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The UKs deep cuts to international aid will be carried out in a responsible and careful way not the overnight slashes conducted most obviously by nations such as the US the government has claimed. Charities and international aid experts have lined up to decry the UK cuts, first announced in February, which will bring spending from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of gross national income (GNI). A report also published on Tuesday by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact found UK aid spending overseas could fall to as low as 0.24 per cent once spending at home on asylum accommodation was factored in. But development minister Jenny Chapman has told MPs that not all aid cuts are the same and I think the way that we've done it is slowly and in a considered way. I would contrast that to the way that others have done it, where medications just stop being distributed overnight, where I know of warehouses with vaccines that there's no way of distributing, Baroness Chapman said. That's a real problem and that will have a huge impact. In the US, Trump cut roughly 80 per cent of foreign aid spending virtually overnight, in a move that could cause 14 million extra deaths by 2030. The speed of the cuts caused chaos as clinics closed, access to lifesaving medicines was disrupted and health staff didnt know if they could turn up to work one day to the next. Baroness Chapman added that the withdrawal of the United States from global health funding was proving a huge problem but that, it isnt possible for us to backfill that capacity sadly. Baroness Chapman also confirmed during the session of parliaments international development committee that a world-leading programme to tackle antimicrobial resistance was being cut and suggested a project giving millions access to contraception was under question. The scale of the UK cuts means they are expected to hit virtually all programmes. Even when it comes to the global vaccine alliance, Gavi, of which the UK has been a major champion and is now the biggest funder, its contribution this year fell by 400 million. Baroness Chapman said antimicrobial resistance and the risk of another pandemic were the two biggest threats facing the UKs health security, but public health and prevention minister Ashley Dalton confirmed during the session that the Fleming programme, which supports countries in Africa and Asia to monitor and prevent antimicrobial resistance, has already been cancelled. Antimicrobial resistance happens when antibiotics are used too much or incorrectly, causing germs to evolve resistance against them and creating dangerous illnesses that cant easily be treated with the available drugs. Resistant bug strains can cross borders and the phenomenon is estimated to kill a million people a year. Asked about a programme to family planning access and information to 2.6 million women and girls across West and Central Africa, Baroness Chapman said she was looking at it. The minister has previously signalled that specialised programmes for women and girls may be hit hard by the cuts. This piece has been produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid series Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rachel Reeves vowed to take the boot of regulation off the throat of businesses as she unveiled a bonfire of red tape to boost the economy in her keynote Mansion House speech. The beleaguered chancellor has bet her future and her hopes of achieving elusive economic growth on a massive round of City deregulation. It comes as Treasury sources say Ms Reeves wants to see more risk taking and move back to the pre-2008 model for financial services, before the banking collapse. In his speech at the same event, however, the Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey stressed he could not underestimate the challenges involved in the global trade war triggered by US president Donald Trumps tariffs, saying the current shift in policy was the most sudden and fundamental in the post-war era. In a stark warning, he added: Increasing tariffs creates the risk of fragmenting the world economy, and thereby reducing activity. Ms Reevess speech came just hours after she had also announced the new Leeds reforms to the mortgage market in a bid to open up the opportunity of buying a house to more than 30,000 first-time buyers. open image in gallery Rachel Reeves has set out a package of financial services reforms she hopes will deliver a boost to the economy ( PA Wire ) The chancellor told the Yorkshire Post ahead of her speech that it was ridiculous so many are locked out of buying their own home and forced to spend a fortune on rent. She compared the current generation with that of her parents regarding aspirations for buying a home. She said: A couple of generations ago, my mum and dad were primary school teachers. They own their own home in their twenties. How many primary school teachers today can get on the housing ladder? Really, really hard. The changes will see the minimum salary for a mortgage drop by 5,000 to 30,000 for an individual and 50,000 for a couple. People will also be able to borrow up to 4.5 times their salary, as opposed to 3.5 before. But in her Mansion House speech to the leading figures of financial services in the City of London, Ms Reeves made it clear that reducing mortgage red tape was part of a wider bonfire of regulations as she attempts to achieve the governments number one mission of economic growth. She said: In too many areas, regulation still acts as a boot on the neck of businesses, choking off the enterprise and innovation that is the lifeblood of growth. Regulators in other sectors must take up the call I make this evening not to bend to the temptation of excessive caution but to boldly regulate for growth in the service of prosperity across our country. She told her audience of bankers and investors: We have been bold in regulating for growth in financial services and I have been clear on the benefits that will drive with a ripple effect across all sectors of our economy, putting pounds in the pockets of working people. open image in gallery Britain cannot grow without a fighting fit finance sector, Reeves told finance bosses ( PA Wire ) This would be achieved through better deals on their mortgages, better returns on their savings, more jobs paying good wages across our country, the chancellor promised. But she added: As I look ahead, it is clear that we must do more. The speech comes at a difficult time for the chancellor as she is under siege from colleagues in Labour to raise wealth taxes or stealth taxes by freezing income tax thresholds to pay for a black hole in her spending plans. Having been forced to spend an extra 1.25bn on winter fuel payments to pensioners and 5bn on disability benefits after two major U-turns, Ms Reeves is struggling for options. However, she has been warned that she cannot tax the country out of debt. In an interview with Bloomberg, Richard Hughes, chair of the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR), has warned that more taxes will lead to a debt spiral, noting that higher and higher levels of taxes are not good for growth. In her Mansion House speech, the chancellor also appeared to concede the last few weeks had been tough, after the U-turn over welfare tore a multibillion-pound hole in her sums and she cried in the House of Commons over a personal matter. Given the events of the last few weeks, she joked: I suspect many of you would sympathise if I had said anything but chancellor, when recalling she had been asked by a child what job, out of any, she would choose. But I didnt, she added, saying she was proud to be in the role. She insisted she remained committed to her fiscal rules which, coupled with the state of the economy, experts warn means she will likely have to raise taxes in the autumn because there is nothing progressive about a government that simply spends more and more each year on debt interest, instead of on the priorities of working people. She also said that Britain cannot meet its growth ambitions without a fighting fit and thriving finance sector, as she urged regulators to resist excessive caution. This involves rolling back regulation that has gone too far in seeking to eliminate risk, with plans to cut red tape in the City and reform banking rules. The UK is currently an outlier in forcing banks to separate their retail and investment banking activities. She also warned that too many investments were currently presented in a negative light, quick to warn people of the risks without giving proper weight to the benefits. Plans include potentially changing language to encourage more people, particularly women, to take the leap into investing. But, she added, it is clear that we must do more and that in too many areas, regulation still acts as a boot on the neck of businesses, choking off the enterprise and innovation that is the lifeblood of growth. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rachel Reeves is set to bet the house on hopes of finally achieving economic growth by easing rules on mortgages to make more loans available at lower salaries and at 4.5 times a buyers income. The chancellor will use her keynote Mansion House speech in the City of London on Tuesday evening to unveil plans to create up to 36,000 additional mortgages for first-time buyers over the first year. Just one lender Nationwide will give mortgages to 10,000 more first-time buyers as a result of the changes. Changes will include lowering the minimum salary needed for a mortgage to 30,000 from 35,000 for an individual and to 50,000 from 55,000 for a couple on a joint income. It is part of a wider package of reforms which will see a bonfire of red tape for financial services as Ms Reeves urges businesses and investors to take risks again, according to a Treasury source, following the caution which settled in after the 2008 banking crash. open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reeves said her fiscal rules were non-negotiable ( PA ) But it comes as the new director of the influential Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), Helen Miller, is set to warn that despite Ms Reevess promises, the economy under this Labour government continues to limp from fiscal event to fiscal event. It comes hours after she said her manifesto commitment not to increase taxes for working people remained. Ms Reeves is expected to say: I have placed financial services at the heart of the governments growth mission. Recognising that Britain cannot succeed and meet its growth ambitions without a financial services sector that is fighting fit and thriving. And I have been clear on the benefits that that will drive. With a ripple effect that will drive investment in all sectors of our economy and put pounds in the pockets of working people. The reforms have come after it was revealed last week that the economy shrank by 0.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, and with Ms Reeves struggling to achieve Labours number one mission of economic growth. But it could spark fears that the UK economy is heading back to the circumstances that led to the 2008 banking collapse, which was sparked by a collapse in the subprime mortgage market and a lack of financial services regulation. Ms Reeves is set to claim that red tape holding back the competitiveness of the UK financial sector will be swept away under the reforms, addressing long-standing industry complaints. open image in gallery Reeves wants more people to buy their own homes ( Getty/iStock ) She will offer the biggest set of reforms for a decade in a bid to also encourage financial investment. The chancellor believes the changes will see Britain become the top destination for finance firms over the next decade, attracting inward investment from across the globe to create good, skilled jobs around the country. Ms Reeves is expected to say: This is the foundation of an economy, and a country, that is more active and more confident. Where people and businesses look to the future and talk about hope, about opportunity. Assured of their own capability, and of the ability of our country to boldly face the challenges that lie ahead. And certain of the prize if they succeed of higher wages and higher living standards. The renewal of Britain in every home and every high street. To put it simply: a Britain that is better off. But the chancellor will be making her speech amid growing concerns over whether she is succeeding in the governments number one mission of economic growth. In her first remarks since taking over as director of the IFS from Paul Johnson, Ms Miller plans to give a damning assessment of Ms Reevess progress after a year in the Treasury. She will say: Labour came to office with the promise of a mission-driven government a commitment to long-term thinking and systemic reform. The ambition that we should be raising our sights as a nation and finding ways to tackle the big challenges we face is the right one. open image in gallery Helen Miller, director of the IFS ( IFS ) Despite this, we continue to limp from fiscal event to fiscal event, obsessed with whether run-of-the-mill revisions to the economic and fiscal outlook have reduced the fiscal headroom and whether tax or spend takeaways will follow. We need to break out of this cycle." The chancellor is also seeing her options narrow after major U-turns on winter fuel for pensioners costing the Exchequer 1.25bn, and Labour rebels forcing her to cancel 5bn of cuts in disability benefits. While ministers appear to be hinting at a new round of so-called wealth taxes on the rich, big corporations, and pension pots or stealth taxes by freezing the threshold for income bands, new evidence has emerged that the public favour cuts to benefits instead. According to polling by YouGov released on Monday, 53 per cent of Britons say benefits should not usually be available for conditions like anxiety and depression 37 per cent disagree. The argument to end benefits for minor mental health issues was made by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch in a speech on Friday. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump said Britains implementation of Brexit has been sloppy ahead of his second state visit to the UK in September. But the US president said it is getting straightened out and heaped praise on Sir Keir Starmer. I really like the prime minister a lot, even though hes a liberal, Mr Trump declared. open image in gallery Donald Trump said he really likes Keir Starmer ( Getty ) Asked by the BBC whether Britain has made the most of its departure from the EU, he added: No, I think it has been on the sloppy side, but it is getting straightened out. Mr Trump said Sir Keir did a good trade deal with us, which a lot of countries have not been able to do. The US presidents attack on the success of Brexit so far puts him at odds with successive Conservative prime ministers who oversaw Britains withdrawal from the EU. Politicians from Boris Johnson and Theresa May to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have played key roles in the implementation of the 2016 referendum result. But Mr Trumps biggest ally in the UK, Nigel Farage, has also declared that Brexit has failed and Britain has not benefitted from Brexit economically. And Mr Trumps comments follow a series of recent polls revealing British voters support for Brexit is at an all-time low. The US presidents comments on Brexit come just months before King Charles will welcome Mr Trump to the UK from 17 to 19 September on an unprecedented second state visit. open image in gallery Emmanuel Macron addressed MPs during his state visit ( PA ) Mr Trump and his wife Melania will be hosted at Windsor Castle during the visit and will also appear alongside Sir Keir. But the US president will not enjoy the chance to address MPs and peers, as Emmanuel Macron did during a recent state visit, as parliament will be in recess while the parties hold their annual conferences. I think let them go and have a good time, Mr Trump said when asked whether he was disappointed not to be addressing MPs. Asked what he wanted to achieve on the visit, Mr Trump said: I just want to have a good time and respect King Charles, because he is a great gentleman. Mr Trump was also asked about his increasingly tense relationship with Vladimir Putin amid Russias ongoing war in Ukraine, signalling he is running out of patience with the dictator. The US president said he is not done with Putin, but that he is frustrated after stalled efforts to force a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. Speaking in the Oval Office on Monday alongside Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, Mr Trump said hes very unhappy with Russia and its president Vladimir Putin, and pledged to impose what he described as very severe tariffs on Moscow if we dont have a deal in 50 days. Im disappointed in President Putin, because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesnt seem to get there. So based on that, were going to be doing secondary tariffs. If we dont have a deal in 50 days, its very simple, and theyll be at 100 percent, and thats the way it is. That can be more simple. Its just the way it is. I hope we dont have to do it, he said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Frustrated Minnesota residents are seeking urgent solutions to pollution in a local lake, which sees around 14,500 pounds of bird poop fall into it per year. Lake Augusta, located in the city of Mendota Heights, becomes a haven for migrating cormorants each fall due to the dead trees that line the shore. Though the birds are a native species, protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a recent report from the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization found them to be the estimated largest contributor of phosphorus to the lake. Seabird droppings, often referred to as guano, are a well-known source of phosphorus. open image in gallery Cormorants in the trees lining Lake Augusta in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Residents are frustrated with the high volume of bird droppings that are polluting the waters ( Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization ) Fourteen thousand five hundred pounds of bird poop is a lot of bird poop," Joe Nunez, a resident right on the water, told KARE 11. The report from LMRWMO outlines possible ways to address this specific issue with pollution. Suggested solutions include hazing or harassing with the use of loud noise, strobe lights, fireworks, or other methods. It has also been suggested that portions of the cormorant population be culled. However, experts told the Star Tribune the birds would adapt quickly to such deterrents and that interfering with them could prove problematic should the colony migrate towards a nearby airport and collide with planes. LMRWMOs report also notes that management of bird populations by a watershed management organization is uncommon, if not unprecedented, to improve water quality of a lake. open image in gallery Dead trees lining Lake Augusta are popular nesting spots for the birds. Town officials have suggested that cutting down the trees may help solve the pollution problem being caused by the birds excrement ( Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization ) Ryan Ruzek with the Mendota Heights Public Works Department told KARE 11, the city was not looking to use such methods. Another suggestion is the removal of trees surrounding Lake Augusta to deter the cormorants, though again, the impact is unknown, may be ineffective, and/or may have unintended consequences, per the report, and funding for such removal may be difficult to obtain. The city is also considering other solutions that would have little impact on the cormorants, including the building of a separate outlet to help clean the water and remove the phosphorus caused by the droppings. A Mendota Heights city hall meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss possible solutions. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The director of Camp Mystic waited more than an hour after receiving a life-threatening flood alert before beginning to evacuate campers asleep in their cabins, his family confirmed through a spokesman. Executive Director Richard Dick Eastland, 70, along with his wife, had been in charge of the beloved all-girls Christian summer camp in Hunt, Texas since the 1980s. Its located directly in the flood zone. But when the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Kerr County at 1:14 a.m. on July 4, warning of life-threatening flash flooding near the Guadalupe River, little direction was given by the leadership of the camp. Eastland did not order evacuations until 2:30 a.m., by which time torrential rains were already falling and the river was rapidly rising, according to family spokesman Jeff Carr, as reported by The Washington Post. Instead, the director first used walkie-talkies to coordinate with his family members, many of whom worked at the camp, to assess the situation. open image in gallery Executive Director Richard Dick Eastland, 70, along with his wife, had been in charge of the beloved all-girls Christian summer camp in Hunt, Texas since the 1980s ( Facebook ) open image in gallery Eastland did not order evacuations until 2:30 a.m., by which time torrential rains were already falling and the river was rapidly rising ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Interviews, detailed in the Post, with survivors and emergency personnel, describe a chaotic and delayed response that left teenage counselors scrambling in the dark as floodwaters surged through the camp, which lacked reliable cell service and had no backup power for its loudspeaker system once electricity went out. The result was catastrophe. Twenty-seven campers and counselors died. Eastland himself drowned while trying to rescue some of the youngest girls at the camp. There should have been immediate action (by the leaders), said Serena Aldrich, a lawyer, a parent and former camper whose two daughters survived. They should have been paying attention to those warnings and evacuated the camp, she added. The flooding is not a new thing. I dont know if its ever been to epic proportions like that, but ignoring the warnings doesnt make a lot of sense to me. Camp Mystic had been under a flood watch earlier that evening, but the 1:14 a.m. life threatening alert, which came without an official evacuation order, marked a significant escalation. open image in gallery Camp Mystic had been under a flood watch earlier that evening, but the 1:14 a.m. alert, which came without an official evacuation order, marked a significant escalation ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The National Weather Service does not have the authority to mandate evacuations. That responsibility falls to local officials. Kerr County authorities, however, did not use emergency alert systems to warn residents until more than two days later, The Post reported. Whether Camp Mystic called 911 is still unclear. The local fire chief told the outlet he never received a call for help from the camp. By the time the camp began evacuations, the Guadalupe River had already started its historic surge, eventually cresting at 37.5 feet, nearly a foot above its previous record. Counselors were forced to make life-or-death decisions in waist- and chest-high water. They carried barefoot children through the darkness to higher ground while listening to cries for help from cabins closer the river. open image in gallery The search continues for girls at a summer camp in central Texas following deadly flash flooding last week. The county did not have a flood warning system, despite years of efforts by officials ( Getty Images ) Some girls were eventually rescued by helicopter. Others clung to trees or took shelter on rooftops for hours. Camp staff did not officially contact most parents, until later that morning, according to emails obtained by the Post. The first communication from the camp to most parents came at 11:28 a.m. By that time, many of the parents had grown hysterical over the harrowing images being shared on the news and across social media. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice John MacArthur Jr., an influential church figure in America, died at 86 Monday after a series of illnesses. MacArthur led Grace Community Church in California for 56 years, building a vast following through his popular Grace to You radio ministry and authoring hundreds of books and biblical commentaries. Widely recognized for his verse-by-verse preaching style, he was often hailed as the worlds premier expositor, according to The Roys Report. His death was announced by Phil Johnson, longtime head of MacArthurs media ministry and editor of many of his books. MacArthur had undergone multiple heart and lung surgeries over the years and was hospitalized earlier this month with pneumonia. Revered for his uncompromising, fundamentalist theology and Calvinist doctrine, MacArthur also founded and expanded The Masters University (earlier named Los Angeles Baptist College). His ministrys slogan was Unleashing Gods Truth, One Verse at a Time. open image in gallery Evangelical pastor John MacArthur Jr has died at 86. ( Grace To You / YouTube. Screengrab ) While deeply influential, MacArthurs legacy is also marked by controversy including alleged mishandling of abuse cases, misogynistic remarks, plagiarism claims and clashes with authorities over Covid-19 restrictions. An ardent opponent of feminism, LGBTQ rights and evolution, he was central to the resurgence of Calvinism in the U.S., Baptist News Global reported. In his later years, MacArthur became an increasingly vocal figure in Americas cultural and political battles. He condemned critical race theory and emerged as a prominent evangelical critic of wokeness. Though Grace Community Church initially closed at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, it soon defied Californias public health orders by resuming indoor services, prompting a legal standoff that ended with the state and Los Angeles County paying an $800,000 settlement over alleged violations of religious freedom. Evangelicalism is a pulpit-driven movement, and John has driven the most influential pulpit in evangelical Christianity for more than a half a century, R Albert Mohler Jr., the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Louisville, said in an interview earlier this year, according to The New York Times. MacArthur was the son of Jack MacArthur, an independent fundamental Baptist preacher and radio host known for The Voice of Calvary. Deeply influenced by his father, MacArthur attended Bob Jones College before transferring to Los Angeles Pacific College. He earned a Master of Divinity from the Biblical Institute of Los Angeles (now Biola University and Talbot School of Theology), where he later became a faculty representative. After graduation, he worked with his fathers ministries and was ordained by the Independent Fundamental Churches of America. In 1969, Grace Community Church in Sun Valley appointed MacArthur as its youngest and third pastor. Under his leadership, the church expanded rapidly, and his preaching led to the creation of the Grace to You media ministry, which now broadcasts in nine languages on over 2,400 stations. He also led The Masters University and authored the bestselling MacArthur Study Bible which has reportedly sold more than four million copies. Though he received an honorary doctorate from Biola in 1977, some criticized his use of the Doctor title. Critics also accused MacArthur of oversimplifying scripture, arguing that his insistence on a single, definitive interpretation of even the Bibles most complex passages misled listeners. But to his followers, that was precisely his strength. MacArthur inspired thousands of pastors to believe that explaining what the Bible means honours God, saves people and is just plain interesting, John Piper, a retired pastor and popular theologian in Minnesota who was a longtime friend, told The New York Times. To this day, from Dallas to Dubai, young people (especially men) come up to me and say that they listen to John MacArthur. Grace To You ministry website noted: While this is a profound loss, our commitment our plan has not changed. As the Lord sustains this work, Grace to You will always and only distribute the Bible teaching of John MacArthur. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia, along with four children, 15 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A jury will decide whether Tesla is partly to blame for the death of a university student, after a runaway car sent her flying while she was stargazing. Naibel Benavides Leon and her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, had got out of a Chevrolet Tahoe near Key West, Florida, to look up at the sky in April 2019. George McGee was driving a Tesla Model S sedan which blew through flashing red lights, a stop sign and a T-intersection at nearly 70 miles an hour before ramming into the Tahoe and sending it into a spin. The Tahoe, in turn, slammed into Benavides and sent her flying 75 feet through the air, killing her. Angulo was also seriously injured in the incident. Lawyers for the plaintiff argue that Teslas driver-assistance feature, Autopilot, should have warned McGee and braked. open image in gallery A runaway Tesla sent Naibel Benavides Leon flying in 2019 ( AP ) Elon Musks company lays the blame solely on McGee, who was reaching for a dropped cell phone. The evidence clearly shows that this crash had nothing to do with Teslas Autopilot technology, Tesla said in a statement. Instead, like so many unfortunate accidents since cellphones were invented, this was caused by a distracted driver. McGee was sued separately by the plaintiffs. That case was settled. A judgement against Tesla could be especially damaging as the company works to convince the public its self-driving technology is safe during a planned rollout of hundreds of thousands of Tesla robotaxis on U.S. roads by the end of 2026. A jury trial is rare for the company, which often settles lawsuits, and this one is rarer yet because a judge recently ruled that Benavides family can argue for punitive damages. open image in gallery The purported self-driving capabilities of Tesla vehicles have been called into question by regulators as well as crash victims ( Getty Images ) The judge, Beth Bloom of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, issued a partial summary judgement in June, throwing out charges of defective manufacturing and negligent misrepresentation against Tesla. But she also ruled plaintiffs could argue other claims that would make the company liable and ask for punitive damages, which could prove costly. A reasonable jury could find that Tesla acted in reckless disregard of human life for the sake of developing their product and maximizing profit, Bloom said in a filing. The 2021 lawsuit alleges the driver relied on Autopilot to reduce speed or come to a stop when it detected objects in its way. In legal documents, Tesla denied nearly all of the lawsuits allegations and said it expects that consumers will follow warnings in the vehicle and instructions in the owners manual, as well as comply with driving laws. Tesla warns owners in manuals that its cars cannot drive themselves and they need to be ready to intervene at all times. Close Related: Trump on Texas flood alerts: 'Maybe they should've had bells or something go off' The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A fresh wave of floods battered Central Texas on Monday, delaying some rescue efforts as the death toll climbed to 133. Officials ordered volunteer crews to suspend search operations near the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, as the area hit hardest by catastrophic flash flooding on July 4 faced further flood threats. A broad swath of the Hill Country remained under flood watch alerts Tuesday morning, while officials warned of life-threatening flash floods across parts of South Central Texas. Texas Governor Gregg Abbott said that the number of people missing statewide had fallen to 97, a significant reduction from the 173 unaccounted for that he announced almost a week ago. It comes amid a Washington Post report that Richard Dick Eastland, the Camp Mystic executive director who died in the July 4 disaster, received a severe flood warning on his phone an hour before floodwaters slammed into the all-girls summer camp. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump has expressed disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but stated he is "not done" with him, in a BBC interview published on Tuesday. This follows Trump's announcement of new weapons for Ukraine and threats of sanctions against Russia. "I'm disappointed in him (Putin), but I'm not done with him. But I'm disappointed in him," Trump told the BBC. He added: "We'll have a great conversation. I'll say: 'That's good, I'll think we're close to getting it done,' and then he'll knock down a building in Kyiv." Trump announced new weapons for Ukraine on Monday, and threatened sanctions on buyers of Russian exports unless a peace deal is agreed. This major policy shift is driven by frustration with Moscow's ongoing attacks on its neighbour. U.S. President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House in Washington, D.C. ( REUTERS ) But Trump's threat of sanctions came with a 50-day grace period, a move that was welcomed by investors in Russia where the rouble recovered from earlier losses and stock markets rose. Sitting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump told reporters he was disappointed in Russian President Vladimir Putin and that billions of dollars of U.S. weapons would go to Ukraine." We're going to make top-of-the-line weapons, and they'll be sent to NATO," Trump said, adding that Washington's NATO allies would pay for them. The weapons would include Patriot air defence missiles Ukraine has urgently sought."It's a full complement with the batteries," Trump said. "We're going to have some come very soon, within days... a couple of the countries that have Patriots are going to swap over and will replace the Patriots with the ones they have." The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice California Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a broadside against President Trump Monday, calling him a son of a b***** for the presidents frequently used moniker Gavin Newscum. The governor told podcast host Shawn Ryan about his values to begin the show, saying, Im not anti-gun at all. He then drilled down that he was more concerned about common sense around background checks and age appropriateness. He then moved on to chastise Trump for branding him Gavin Newscum and said the matter had now led to his child receiving taunts in school. I dont like bullies. It goes to why I have strong opinions about Trump, man. Its like it triggers me. All of us have that. I dont like people talking down to people, past people. I dont like people exploiting weakness, Newsom said. Thats what I dont like about this son of a *****. I dont. And forgive me, I know hes the president of the United States, yeah, he calls me Newscum, yeah, come on. How do I explain that to my kid? Newsom went on to scold Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who brushed off a conversation with Trump about Jeffrey Epstein at the weekend and who Newsom said is a son of a b***** in every goddamn campus, progressive parts of the country. Trump and Newsom have been sparring ever since the CA governor filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for deploying the National Guard in the LA riots ( AP ) Just days before the interview, Newsom wrote Trump calls me Newscum but hes the real scum, in response to a KTLA5 video of protestors and suspected raid targets, fleeing from tear gas being sprayed by officers in Camarillo, California on X. Moreover, Newsom told Ryan, I got my kids friends calling my kids Newscum that I get because I was called that in seventh grade, but not by a 79-year-old. He called on the president to model better, goddamn behavior, man, adding, Forgive the goddamn, its what I dont like about him. Newsom said the feud between him and Trump would only ever be resolved when it doesnt get any attention, but added that the administration is determined to test the boundaries. In early June, Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration calling for an end to the illegal and unnecessary takeover of a CalGuard unit during the LA riots, which erupted after controversial ICE raids in California. Newsom believes that Trumps heightened military response to the protests needlessly escalated chaos and violence in the Los Angeles region. Equally, the governor claims the president failed to give him a heads up the night before on the decision to deploy the National Guard, stating that he was left entirely in the dark. Not one f****** word on the topic, Newsom said, claiming that the pair talked about everything the night before except the violence that was unfolding on LA streets at the time. He completely lied about that conversation and totally surprised me with the National Guard. Newsom feels that the Trump administration is using the second presidential term as a petri dish to test the limits of executive power. The Independent wrote to the White House for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Jon Stewart mocked President Trumps attempt to distract his MAGA clan from the Epstein files debacle in a savage takedown Monday night. Since last week, many of the presidents supporters have been raging against Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, after a leaked memo stated that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had no incriminating client list. If you know Trump, he can always just pivot to the classic Trump distraction throw something outlandish out there and watch the dogs chase the squirrel, Stewart said during Mondays The Daily Show, citing Trumps previous claims he would invade Greenland and bomb Iran. The Daily Show host accused Trump of reigniting his years-old feud with comedian Rosie ODonnell to distract enraged loyalists from the Epstein debacle following last Mondays revelation. MAGA is losing their s*** right now, Stewart says before mocking the president. Theyre finally understanding what its like to be the target of his hostility. Earlier in the show, the talk show host played a clip of Trump scolding reporters while sitting at a White House cabinet meeting alongside Bondi and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Jon Stewart has torn into Trump following his latest move to distract MAGA from the Epstein furore ( The Daily Show ) Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guys been talked about for years. Are people still talking about this guy, this creep? That is unbelievable, Trump says. Stewart jibes at the presidents comments, saying: Unbelievable? You guys ran on it. Remember this? Stewart digs before playing a clip of Vice President JD Vance saying, We need to release the Epstein list that is an important thing, in a podcast interview with Theo Von in October 2024. He then plays a clip of FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino formerly speaking on his eponymous podcast saying, This Epstein sex ring operation Im not letting it go ever. Ever. FBI Director Kash Patel told podcast host Benny Johnson last year, Put on your big boy pants and let us know who the pedophiles are. Stewart, who looks dumbfounded by the historic clips, asks: Why would you have to change your pants to let us know who the pedophiles are? Both Patel and Bongino were the subject of speculation last week that they would resign due to the fallout from the leaked memo. When asked about Epstein in a podcast interview with host Lex Fridman in September 2024, Trump said: I'm not involved. I never went to his island, fortunately. But a lot of people did. A lot of big people went to that island, but fortunately, I was not one of them. When Fridman asked whether the list would be made public, Trump said, Probably will be by the way. Probably. I'd certainly take a look at it. Months later, after Trump took his seat in the White House, Bondi released more than 100 pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, even though much of the information was already publicly available. The Daily Show host noted that the Epstein case has ignited a fresh wave of backlash from MAGA supporters against the president himself. MAGA world, for the first time in memory, isnt just slavishly acquiescing to Trumps reality distortion field, he says. Bondi became the subject of intense scrutiny last week after the FBI and the Department of Justice claimed there was no incriminating client list found to belong to Epstein but Stewart, like others, including Democratic strategist David Axelrod, feels that Trump is to blame. So Trump had to go back and kill the backlash, perhaps, even making it look like a suicide, Stewart scoffs before highlighting a Truth post from Trump that boldly accused Democratic predecessors of writing the Epstein files. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The first lady could be President Zelenskyys unlikely ally in the White House, influencing Trumps recent tougher stance on Russia. As the president this week decided to deliver Patriot air missiles to Kyiv, Melania Trump has been reminding him of the deadly toll of Russian airstrikes on Ukraine. I go home, I tell the first lady, I spoke to Vladimir today, we had a wonderful conversation. And she says, Oh really, another city was just hit, he said from the Oval Office on Monday afternoon. Melania was born behind the Iron Curtain in 1970 and grew up in the former Yugoslavia. As well as praising Ronald Reagan, who helped end the Cold War, she speaks to her son Barron in Slovene, and both still hold EU passports. It has long been reported that the first lady prefers to spend time away from the White House since her husbands inauguration in January, as she is close to Barron, who is attending NYU. According to Mary Jordan, author of The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump, Melanias influence does not come as a surprise to those who know her, Barron Trump, left, and his grandfather Viktor Knavs, right ( AP ) It [Melanias fondness for Ukraine] is not surprising at all given she grew up in the former Yugoslavia, a country with no love for Russia, she told The Times. She has more experience than other people in the cabinet trying to get her point across. Jordan added that Melania is well-informed about European politics, as her father, Viktor Knavs, 81, frequently travels to Slovenia, where she was raised. Her home country is all in for Ukraine, and people over there are appalled that the United States would suddenly not be arming Ukraine anymore. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Trump described Putin as savvy and genius while Melania described the war as heartbreaking and horrific. It is heartbreaking and horrific to see innocent people suffering. My thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people. Please, if you can, donate to help them [International Red Cross], she posted on X, formerly Twitter. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump's nominee for US ambassador to the United Nations, is scheduled to face questioning from lawmakers on Tuesday. This marks his first public appearance since his removal as national security adviser, following revelations he mistakenly added a journalist to a private Signal chat discussing sensitive military plans. The former Republican congressman is set to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing. Donald Trump is seeking to fill this long-vacant Cabinet position after months of delays, including the withdrawal of a previous candidate. Senators will have their initial opportunity to scrutinise Mr Waltz over reports from March that he included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, in a private text chain on an unclassified messaging app, which was used to plan strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen. open image in gallery Waltz is President Donald Trump's nominee for US ambassador to the United Nations ( Getty Images ) Waltz took responsibility even as criticism mounted against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who shared the sensitive plans in the chat that included several other high-level national security officials. Hegseth shared the same information in another Signal chat that included family, but Trump has made clear Hegseth has his support. Waltz was removed as national security adviser in May replaced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and nominated for the U.N. role. Trump praised Waltz in the announcement, saying, From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nations Interests first. The United Nations is facing major changes If confirmed, Waltz would be coming to the U.N. at a moment of great change. The world body is reeling from Trump's decision to slash foreign assistance affecting its humanitarian aid agencies and it anticipates U.S. funding cuts to the U.N. annual budget. Under an America First foreign policy realignment, the White House has asserted that "some of the U.N.s agencies and bodies have drifted from their founding mission and act contrary to the interests of the United States while attacking our allies and propagating anti-Semitism. With America being the largest United Nations donor, cutting U.S. funding to the U.N. budget would greatly impair operations. Facing financial instability, the U.N. has spent months shedding jobs and consolidating projects while beginning to tackle long-delayed reforms. The U.N. is also facing growing frustration over what critics describe as a lack of efficiency and power in delivering on its mandate to end conflict and prevent wars. John Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. who was also national security adviser during Trumps first term, was critical of the current state of the U.N. Its probably in the worst shape its been in since it was founded, Bolton, now an outspoken Trump critic, recently told The Associated Press. Waltz has been meeting with senators Waltz spent the last several weeks meeting with Democrats and Republicans on the Foreign Affairs committee. Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth said Monday that she and Waltz discussed a wide range of issues, including whether the Trump administration would use the U.N. to strengthen alliances and combat Chinese influence. I asked him questions about Signalgate, but I also talked to him about how we are going to sway other nations within the United Nations to our side, in light of how much influence the PRC is having on other nations, the Illinois senator said, using an acronym for the People's Republic of China. Even with Democratic opposition, Waltz only needs a majority in the 53-47 Senate, which Republicans control. Hell be fine. Mike wont have any issues, said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. I mean, the Democrats are gonna do their thing. Whatever. Mikes used to taking incoming fire. It is unclear how Waltz would approach the job. Trump's first nominee, Rep. Elise Stefanik, had built a track record in Congress of criticizing the U.N. She vowed during her confirmation hearing in January to combat what she called antisemitism at the world body and lead a review of U.S. funding. open image in gallery Elise Stefaniks nomination was abruptly withdrawn by Trump in March ( Getty Images for Anti-Defamation ) She was expected to be confirmed, but Trump abruptly withdrew her nomination in March, citing risks to the GOP's historically slim House majority. At the time, the loss of a mere handful of seats could have swung the House majority to Democrats and derailed their recently successful efforts to enact Trumps sweeping agenda. Waltz is still on the White House payroll Waltz, whose Florida House seat was filled during a special election earlier this year, has spent the last few months on the White House payroll despite being removed as national security adviser. The latest list of White House salaries, current as of July 1, includes Waltz earning an annual salary of $195,200. A White House official, granted anonymity to discuss personnel matters, said Waltz stayed on to ensure a smooth and successful transition given the extreme importance of the role of NSA. Waltz was the first Green Beret elected to the House and easily won reelection for a fourth term in November before Trump asked him to join the administration. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump made the bold claim that he plans to give low IQ Democratic representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett intelligence tests to see who comes out best before boasting his own intelligence. Trumps random insults of the two female Democratic lawmakers came as he made comments to reporters before heading to Pittsburgh to speak at a summit on energy and artificial intelligence. The president first aimed for the New York rep, saying, AOC, look, I think shes very nice. But shes very low IQ, and we really dont need low IQ. Between her and Crockett, were going to give them both an IQ test to see who comes out best, he continued, roping in the Texas Democrat. Now, I took my test. I took a real test at Walter Reed Medical Center, and I aced it. I got every one of all those questions right. Now its time for them to take a test, Trump concluded. open image in gallery President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he plans to give low IQ Democratic representatives, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, intelligence tests. ( PA ) Its not the first time Trump has lashed out against AOC and Crockett, both considered rising stars in the Democratic party, and both of whom have been vocally critical of his administrations policies. Just last month, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to criticize both politicians, calling the 38-year-old New Yorker one of the dumbest people in Congress and making bizarre jabs at her intelligence and appearance. His criticisms came after AOC had called for Trumps impeachment after he decided to bomb Iran without consulting Congress. Ocasio-Cortez responded to Trumps attack on social media, writing, Mr. President, dont take your anger out of me Im just a silly girl. Take it out on whoever convinced you to betray the American people and our Constitution by illegally bombing Iran and dragging us into war. It only took you 5 months to break almost every promise you made. open image in gallery Its not the first time Trump has lashed out against AOC and Crockett, both considered rising stars in the Democratic party, and both of whom have been vocally critical of his administrations policies ( Getty ) In the same long-winded post, Trump criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Crockett, 44, of Texas, whom he called a seriously Low IQ individual. Ocasio-Cortez, who represents Queens, graduated from Boston University. Meanwhile, Crockett received her bachelors degree from Rhodes College and her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. In other comments Trump made on social media directed at AOC, Trump said she should go back home to Queens ... and straighten out her filthy, disgusting, crime-ridden streets. Ocasio-Cortez then proceeded to call out Trump, a fellow New Yorker, before correcting him on where she is from. Im a Bronx girl, she replied on X. You should know that we can eat Queens boys for breakfast. Respectfully. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Moroccan community leaders have called for calm following four nights of clashes between North African migrants and the far right in the Spanish town of Torre Pacheco. Police have detained at least 14 people so far over the clashes, considered some of the worst such unrest in the country in recent times, that flared up on Friday after a local man in his 60s was attacked in the street. More than 120 Civil Guard officers have been deployed to maintain security in the town, a government spokesperson for the region said. Authorities said three Moroccan citizens suspected of involvement in the assault have been apprehended, including a 19-year-old alleged to be the main perpetrator. He was detained on Monday evening in northern Spain on assault and battery charges. open image in gallery Police have detained at least 14 people so far over the clashes ( Reuters ) A spokesperson for the central government's office in the Murcia region said none of the suspects lived in Torre Pacheco. Far-right groups called for anti-migrant protests on Tuesday, as xenophobic messages emerged on social media to "hunt down" residents of North African origin. In response, leaders of the local Moroccan community urged calm and advised younger members to remain in their homes after dozens took to the streets over the weekend and on Monday, clashing with far-right groups and police. "We want peace ... We don't want criminals, we don't want violence or people who come from outside to make trouble here," Abdelali, an informal spokesperson for the Moroccan community who has lived in the town for 25 years, told reporters. open image in gallery People gather on a street as fireworks streak through the night sky ( Reuters ) Police arrested three people overnight after a confrontation with dozens of young men in the San Antonio neighbourhood, home to a majority of the town's first and second generation migrants who represent nearly a third of the town's population of 40,000, according to local government data. Footage showed some of the protesters, mostly masked, lobbing fireworks at officers in riot gear, who responded by firing rubber bullets. Hate crimes investigation Spain's top hate crimes prosecutor, Miguel Angel Aguilar, told SER radio on Tuesday that his office was investigating the events in Torre Pacheco, as well as social media messages inciting violence towards migrants. He also confirmed regional prosecutors were looking at statements by the leader of far-right party Vox in Murcia, Jose Angel Antelo, who is accused by Spain's ruling Socialist Party of linking immigration to criminality in speeches, media appearances and posts on X. Late on Monday, the messaging app Telegram shuttered a channel named "DeportThemNowSpain" for "inciting violence". Reuters reviewed dozens of messages in the channel that included expletive-laden calls to attack Moroccans residing in Torre Pacheco or set fire to their homes. The Spanish Interior Ministry said police in Mataro, near Barcelona, had arrested an unnamed leader of the supremacist movement "Deport Them Now Europe" suspected of inciting hatred and seized two computers. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has revealed she accidentally burnt her house down as a child and was left homeless. Ms Meloni, 48, recalled building a makeshift fort with her older sister and lighting a candle inside it before a blaze destroyed her home. Opening the door, we were nearly engulfed by flames. There it was: a panda burning along with all our toys, she said in her memoir I am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles. The fire consumed the entire apartment. We fled with nothing but a single bag hastily packed with pyjamas, two pairs of pants and a T-shirt. Ms Meloni was born in 1977 after her then 23-year-old mother made a last-minute decision not to have an abortion. open image in gallery Meloni says she has a constant need to meet high standards and a fear of disappointing people ( Reuters ) Soon after she was delivered, her father, an accountant from Rome, left the family. He set sail for the Canary Islands and she stayed in touch with him until deciding to never see him again at age 11. In the memoir, she also revealed that her determination to succeed despite feelings of inadequacy stems from the lack of her fathers love. She said she grew up convinced she didnt deserve anything due to her fathers abandonment at a young age. But she said the pain of not being loved enough spurred her on to relentlessly prove otherwise in male-dominated environments. His lack of love is what scarred me, the mother-of-one said. What hurt the most was his indifference to us. He made it clear we were not his priority when it came to love. open image in gallery Elon Musk once claimed the Italian PM was even more beautiful on the inside than she is on the outside ( Chigi Palace ) The Italian leader admitted the wound of her fathers abandonment meant she grappled with a daily fear of inadequacy and falling short. This fear fuels my attention to detail, my stubbornness, my commitment, my willingness to make sacrifices, she said. Competing with men, seeking their approval, the friendship and the esteem of my colleagues, all of it is the result of that wound. The constant need to meet high standards, especially in male-dominated environments, along with my fear of disappointing those who believe in me, probably stems from the lack of my fathers love. Ms Meloni, the first female Italian PM, has led Italy since 2022 and is often at summits alongside some of the worlds most powerful men like JD Vance, Donald Trump and Elon Musk. open image in gallery The 48-year-old Italian leader was seen rolling her eyes after speaking with French president Emmanuel Macron ( Reuters ) She was recently seen theatrically rolling her eyes at a G7 summit in Alberta, Canada, while speaking with the French president in June. Ms Meloni was seen gazing deeply into Mr Musks eyes in 2024, before the worlds richest man claimed she was even more beautiful on the inside than she is on the outside. And in May, Albanias prime minister Edi Rama theatrically dropped to his knees as he welcomed Ms Meloni to Tirana on a red carpet for an EU summit. She admitted to being an introverted child who wore a sullen expression something she said has followed her into adulthood. To anyone who mocks my brazen and grumpy demeanour, I can show them a pre-school photo where I look exactly the same, she said. I am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles will be published by Skyshore Publishing on 14 August. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Speaking alongside Nato chief Mark Rutte in the Oval Office on Monday, US President Donald Trump announced 100 per cent tariffs for Russia if a peace deal is not reached within 50 days. But rather than be spooked, the Russian stock market rose by 2.7 per cent. Russia had been expecting tougher sanctions from Trump with local media bracing the country for a fresh confrontation. Russia and America are moving towards a new round of confrontation over Ukraine, a Russian tabloid initially warned on Monday, before the meeting. Trump's Monday surprise will not be pleasant for our country. Instead the 50 day timeline gives Russia time to negotiate and delay the sanctions. The new tariffs act as secondary sanctions targeting countries that buy Russian oil, as Moscow and Washington have almost no trade relationship following Bidens sanctions. If President Trump follows through on his threat to impose secondary tariffs on buyers of Russian energy, leading to a sharp drop in Russian energy flows, it would invariably lead to higher global energy prices, said Kieran Tompkins, senior climate and commodities economist at Capital Economics. But Mr Tompkins added: The 50-day deadline maintains the possibility that the oil market will avoid any disruption whatsoever and because the tariff rate is lower than the 500 percent contained in Lindsey Grahams Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025. While Trump may have performed below market expectations, his announcement marked a tougher rhetorical stance towards Putin. Im disappointed in President Putin, because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesnt seem to get there, he said. The president also hinted that the First Lady, Melania Trump, may have contributed to his decision to send Patriot missiles. I go home, I tell the first lady, I spoke to Vladimir today, we had a wonderful conversation. And she says, Oh really, another city was just hit, he said from the Oval Office. The first lady was born behind the Iron Curtain in 1970 and grew up in former Yugoslavia. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A British pensioner has been arrested trying to smuggle more than 60kg of cannabis resin from Spain. Police detained the 69-year-old unnamed Briton after discovering the drugs in a hidden compartment built into the roof of a UK-registered vehicle at Ceuta, Spain's North African enclave, on Sunday evening. The Civil Guard said the car was bound for the port of Algeciras, near Gibraltar. Photos released by the authorities showed dozens of packages containing 62.3kg of cannabis. The packages were branded with names including "dream gelato" and "cereal milk". open image in gallery Police say they discovered more than 60kg of cannabis ( Guardia Civil ) Authorities searched the vehicle after a sniffer dog helping with routine checks grew visibly agitated near the car, prompting a more extensive search. The suspect has been taken into custody. He will later be brought to court under an alleged drug trafficking offence. open image in gallery Police detained the 69-year-old Brit after discovering the drugs in a hidden compartment built into the roof of his car ( Guardia Civil ) A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Ceuta said: A total of 62.3 kilos of cannabis resin was discovered in a secret compartment in the roof of the vehicle. The driver, a British man born in 1956 who was registered as a UK resident, was subsequently arrested. The suspect will now go before a court in Ceuta as the suspected author of a crime of drug trafficking. The drugs have been seized and handed over to a central government delegation and the vehicle is now under the supervision of the courts. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Around 1,500 tarantulas have been seized after being hidden in chocolate spongecake boxes and shipped to an airport. The tarantulas were found inside plastic containers that had been hidden in the cake boxes which were then shipped to Cologne Bonn airport, western Germany. Customs officials were alerted to the package, which arrived from Vietnam, by a noticeable smell that didn't resemble the expected aroma of the seven kilograms (about 15 pounds) of the confectionery treats. "My colleagues at the airport are regularly surprised by the contents of prohibited packages from all over the world, but the fact that they found around 1,500 small plastic containers containing young tarantulas in this package left even the most experienced among them speechless, Cologne customs office spokesman Jens Ahland said in a statement. The tarantulas were being shipped to Cologne Bonn airport, western Germany ( (Haupzollamt Koeln via AP) ) Mr Ahland said it was an extraordinary seizure". However, he said, it saddens us to see what some people do to animals purely for profit. Many of the eight-legged creatures didn't survive the trip, in a suspected violation of German animal-welfare rules, while survivors were given to the care of an expert handler, the office said. Reached by phone, Mr Ahland said that the estimated value of the shipment was being assessed. Criminal proceedings are underway against the intended recipient in the Sauerland region, east of the airport, in part for alleged violations of failure to pay the proper import duties and make the proper customs declarations, the office said. The tarantulas were discovered about three weeks ago, but the customs office only made the images public on Monday. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump has not turned against Vladimir Putin. Rather, he has just announced a big day of future sales for the US arms industry with a buying bonanza for Ukraine by Nato. With the secretary general of Nato sitting next to him in the Oval Office, the US president warned that Russia would face 100 per cent tariffs if it did not agree to a ceasefire with Kyiv inside 50 days. He went on to criticise Putin several times for his warm approach and manner on the telephone which he then followed up by renewed missile attacks on Ukraine. I wouldnt call him an assassin, but I would call him a very tough guy, he said of the Russian president. open image in gallery Donald Trump meets Nato secretary general Mark Rutte in the Oval Office ( AP ) However, unveiling what he had teased in the days before as a major statement on Putin, Trumps agreement to what both he and Rutte called a very big deal to sell weapons to Nato, which could then be sent on to Ukraine, had no details. Weve made a deal today where we are going to be sending them weapons and theyre [Nato] going to be paying for them, the president said. The United States will not be having any payment made. Were not buying it, but we will manufacture it and theyre going to be paying for it. It is not the first deal Trump has struck in the war, with an agreement made directly with Ukraine earlier this year to trade mineral profits for arms sales, although none have been ordered through this mechanism. For Volodymyr Zelensky, todays news was significant as he has been trying since February to find ways to buy US weapons either directly, or through allies like the UK and others in Nato. Nato is generally not restricted in its arms purchases from fellow members, but Washington has imposed some conditions on whether they can be sold or given to other countries. Now Trump has declared that the delivery of Patriot air defence missiles, which are badly needed by Ukraine to counter the record levels of Russian attacks in the last month, can start soon. open image in gallery Members of US 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command stand next to a Patriot surface-to-air missile battery during a Nato exercise ( AP ) In addition, there may be packages of weapons that could include long-range rockets and missiles for deep strikes inside Russia which could have a tactical and even a strategic impact. Ukraine has shown lately that with stealth and guile it has been able to use intelligence agents and drones to devastating effect over thousands of miles of Russian territory. But more long-range cruise missiles like the Storm Shadow currently being supplied by the UK and France would be welcome. Yet it should be aware that theres no guarantee that if Putin signals hes happy to enter ceasefire talks that Trump will not turn off the arms supply spigot for Kyiv. He already did so earlier this year and for a while also blinded Ukraines intelligence feeds from US assets. For his part, Rutte was keen to make sure that Trump got all the credit for a drift of policy away from backing every position adopted by Putin, towards some support for Nato. The decision is that you want Ukraine... to be able to defend itself against Russia, the head of Nato said. But you want Europeans to pay for it, which is totally logical. And this is building on the tremendous success of the Nato summit. Trump said he hoped that the arms deal with Nato would have an impact on both sides and acknowledged that Ukraine might be emboldened by fresh supplies from the US. But the key phrase in Mondays meandering Oval Office performance was that we have certain parameters that both sides know, and we already know what should be done. open image in gallery Soldiers of Ukraine's 30th Separate Mechanised Brigade fire a Grad multiple rocket launcher towards Russian positions in the Donetsk region ( AP ) By this Trump means, and has repeatedly said, that Ukraine must accept it has lost the areas currently occupied by the Kremlins forces (about 20 per cent of its land mass and including Crimea); that the US will not guarantee Ukraines future security and that Kyiv should forever give up on joining Nato. Taking these positions at the outset of his second presidency blindsided Kyiv and US allies across the world. So while Trumps agreement to sell guns and ammunition to Kyiv is a small shift based on personal irritation, its not a strategic move. Ukraine and her allies will put those weapons to urgent use before he veers back again to Putin which they must assume he will. Close Zelensky thanks Trump after US president threatens Putin with sanctions if no peace in Ukraine in 50 days On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has offered Vladimir Putin fresh peace talks after weeks of relentless Russian missile attacks. Mr Zelensky offered Moscow another round of ceasefire negotiations for next week, saying he wanted to speed up ending the conflict. It comes after weeks of relentless Russian strikes on Ukraine, including over 300 drones and 30 missiles launched on Friday night. Everything should be done to achieve a ceasefire, Mr Zelensky said in his evening address to the nation. The Russian side should stop hiding from decisions. Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul over the past five months. They have agreed to swap prisoners but made no breakthroughs in ending almost three and a half years of conflict that started with Russia's 2022 invasion. Mr Zelensky said Rustem Umerov, who headed the Ukrainian delegation at both talks in Istanbul, had sent the Russian side the offer to hold the meeting next week, but gave no more details. US president Donald Trump, who has sharpened his tone against Russia in recent weeks amid worsening air strikes on Ukrainian cities, threatened harsher sanctions on Russia earlier this month if a peace deal was not reached within 50 days. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Volodymyr Zelensky has named Yulia Svyrydenko as Ukraines new prime minister in the latest reshuffle of his cabinet. Ms Svyrydenko, 39, has been serving as first deputy prime minister and economic development and trade minister since November 2021. She had been appointed to lead the revival of Ukraines struggling economy only months before Russia invaded in February 2022 and made her task more difficult. Ms Svyrydenko took over as prime minister from Denys Shmyhal on Thursday after her appointment was confirmed and voted through by the Ukrainian parliament. The outgoing prime minister Shymhal will take over as Ukraines defence minister in his new role. "War leaves no room for delay," she said on X after accepting her new role as the war-time prime minister. "We must act swiftly and decisively. Our priorities for the first six months are clear: reliable supply for the army, expansion of domestic weapons production, and boosting the technological strength of our defence forces, she said. Mr Zelensky had met with Ms Svyrydenko earlier this week on Monday and discussed the implementation of agreements with European and American partners regarding support for Ukraine reached during the recent Ukraine Recovery Conference. Mr Zelensky is reshuffling his cabinet at a time when Ukraine is seeking to revive its cash-strapped economy and boost its arms industry. Ms Svyrydenko came to global attention earlier this year when she brokered a minerals deal with the US, fulfilling a crucial demand that the Donald Trump administration had set to help Kyiv negotiate with Russia. The deal helped repair damaged ties between Mr Zelensky and the Trump administration. She underlined that Kyiv needed the US as a strategic partner in the war and worked with the Trump administration to get the deal done. She led a Ukrainian delegation to Washington where she signed the deal, called the United States-Ukraine Reinvestment Fund, on 30 April with treasury secretary Scott Bessent. The deal gives the US preferential access to Ukraines critical minerals and other natural resources. It also establishes a reconstruction investment fund to which Ukraine is expected to contribute 50 per cent of all future profits from natural resources. open image in gallery Yulia Svyrydenko arrives at the Three Seas Summit Initiative in Bucharest ( AFP via Getty ) Initial versions of the deal presented by Mr Trumps negotiators required Ukraine to pay back the aid the US had given it over the course of the war. The eventual deal, according to Mr Shmyhal, made no such demand. Another milestone on the path to launching the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund: Ukraine has completed all necessary procedures on schedule," Ms Svyrydenko said after the deal was signed. The deal helped thaw relations between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky which had collapsed after they engaged in a shouting match at the White House where US vice president JD Vance also joined in. The agreement, which sought to balance Washingtons demands with Kyivs control over its natural resources, especially rare earths, and infrastructure, was hailed as a win for Ukraine. open image in gallery Yulia Svyrydenko speaks during a press conference in Lausanne ( AFP via Getty ) This agreement is a win-win and it is written in friendly language. It is about investments, investments and investments," Taras Kachka, Ukraines deputy minister for economic development, trade and agriculture, said at the time. Ms Svyrydenko also led the 4th Ukraine Recovery Conference that concluded in Rome last week, securing agreements on economic and development projects worth at least 11bn. After meeting with Mr Zelensky on Monday, Ms Svyrydenko said she would pursue deregulation, cut back bureaucracy, protect businesses and reduce non-critical expenditure to achieve the "full concentration of state resources" for defence and post-war recovery. The state apparatus has no right to waste the resources and potential of our country," she said. "Ukraine deserves to be among the strongest economies in Europe." On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition faces significant instability after a key ultra-Orthodox party announced its withdrawal early on Tuesday. The move directly threatens to undermine the Israeli leader's authority at a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. United Torah Judaism's two factions confirmed their exit from the government, citing deep disagreements over a proposed bill. This legislation aims to enshrine widespread military draft exemptions into law for their constituents, whose members primarily dedicate themselves to religious study rather than military service. The issue of conscription has long been a contentious point among Jewish Israelis, the majority of whom are subject to mandatory military service. This long-standing division has been exacerbated significantly since the war in Gaza began, as the military's demand for personnel has grown increasingly acute. The departure of a party that has long served as a kingmaker in Israeli politics doesnt immediately threaten Netanyahus rule. But, once it comes into effect within 48 hours, it will leave the Israeli leader with a slim majority in a government that could now more heavily rely on the whims of two far-right parties. Those parties oppose concessions in ceasefire negotiations with Hamas and have themselves quit or threatened to quit the government over moves to end or even pause the war in Gaza. open image in gallery Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, surrounded by ministers from the government attends a session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The political shake-up comes as Israel and Hamas are discussing the terms of a truce for the 21-month war in Gaza. Despite heavy pressure by the U.S., Israels top ally, and mediators Egypt and Qatar, there is no breakthrough yet in the talks. A recurring sticking point has been whether the war ends as part of any truce and Netanyahu's far-right parties oppose ending the war while Hamas remains intact. United Torah Judaism's departure has a window of 48 hours before becoming official, meaning Netanyahu can still find ways to satisfy the party and bring it back into the coalition. But Shuki Friedman, vice president of the Jewish People Policy Institute, said the gaps between the draft law currently on the table and the demands of the party are still wide, making a compromise unlikely during that time. Friedman said the party's departure doesn't immediately put Netanyahu's rule at risk. A vote to dissolve parliament, that would bring down the government and trigger new elections, cant be brought by the opposition until the end of the year because of procedural reasons. And a summer recess for Parliament, beginning later this month and stretching until October, gives Netanyahu another attempt to bridge the gaps and bring the party back into the coalition. Cabinet Minister Miki Zohar, from Netanyahu's Likud party, said he was hopeful the party could be coaxed back to the coalition. God willing, everything will be fine, he said. A Likud spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice One in 10 children screened in clinics run by the United Nations refugee agency in Gaza are malnourished, the agency said on Tuesday as it warned medical supplies are running out. Our health teams are confirming that malnutrition rates are increasing in Gaza, especially since the siege was tightened more than four months ago on the second of March, UNRWAs director of communications, Juliette Touma, said in a video briefing. Since January 2024, UNRWA has screened more than 240,000 children under the age of five in its clinics, adding that before the war, acute malnutrition was rarely seen in the Gaza Strip. One nurse that we spoke to told us that in the past, he only saw these cases of malnutrition in textbooks and documentaries, Ms Touma said. Medicine, nutrition supplies, hygiene material, fuel are all rapidly running out. Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on Gaza on 19 May, allowing limited UN deliveries to resume. However, UNRWA continues to be banned from bringing aid into the strip. Israel and the United States have accused militant group Hamas of stealing from UN-led aid operations, which it denies. They have instead set up the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, using private US security and logistics firms to transport aid to distribution hubs, which the UN has refused to work with. Unicef said on Monday that more than 5,800 children were diagnosed with malnutrition in Gaza last month, including more than 1,000 children with severe, acute malnutrition. It said it was an increase for the fourth month in a row. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it had begun striking targets belonging to Hezbollahs elite unit, the Radwan Force, in the Bekaa region of eastern Lebanon. The Lebanese health ministry said at least six people were injured in the Israeli strikes. There was no immediate public response from Hezbollah or the Lebanese government to the latest Israeli strikes. Children queue at a charity kitchen in central Gaza on Tuesday ( AFP via Getty ) Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire deal in November, ending more than a year of fighting that had spilled over from Israels war with Hamas in Gaza. Israels strikes send a clear message to Hezbollah, defence minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday, accusing it of seeking to rebuild its forces in violation of the ceasefire agreement. Elsewhere, a rescheduled United Nations conference later this month will discuss post-war plans for Gaza and preparations for the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and others. The conference, originally to be held in mid-June, was postponed under US pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which regional airspace was closed, making it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend. French president Emmanuel Macron had been set to attend the conference and had suggested he could recognise a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territories at the conference, a move opposed by Israel. Diplomats say Mr Macron has faced resistance from Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state. He is no longer expected to attend, reducing the likelihood of any major announcements being made. Reuters contributed to this report On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Dozens of people were killed when clashes broke out between armed groups from the Druze religious minority and Sunni Bedouin clans in southern Syria, raising fresh concerns of a breakdown in the country's fragile post-war order. Fighting erupted in the Druze-majority Sweida city on Sunday, after an armed robbery of a Druze man led to retaliatory attacks and kidnappings between Druze and Bedouin clans, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The interior ministry said at least 30 people were killed and 100 people were injured while the UK-based monitoring group said 99 people were killed. Thousands of people were also displaced in what was the first time sectarian fighting has erupted inside the city of Sweida itself. open image in gallery Syrian government forces in Mazraa village on the outskirts of Sweida ( AP ) By Monday, government forces entered the city to impose a curfew and quell the fighting, which also marked the first time Syrian troops had entered Sweida since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Shortly after, Israel launched air attacks on Sweida as part of Tel Avivs pledge to protect the Druze minority. Israel had previously warned Damascus against sending troops closer to its border in southern Syria, which it wants to be a demilitarised zone. The Druze spiritual leadership initially opposed Syrian troop deployment in Sweida then later called on Druze fighters to disarm and let government forces enter. But a Druze political leader again reversed the position, saying he had been forced to welcome government troops under duress. The government later replaced its soldiers with a police force. Later on Tuesday, Syria's defence minister announced a ceasefire. Tensions between forces loyal to the government and Druze fighters have continued since Sunni rebels led a lightning assault to topple Mr Assad in early December. The violence highlights President Ahmed al-Sharaa's struggle to maintain control, as many minorities continue to distrust his Islamist-led government. Distrust was heightened after Syrian troops and allied militia were accused of massacring hundreds of Alawites in March. open image in gallery Bedouin celebrate the entry of the Syrian army in the Maqous neighbourhood of Sweida on Tuesday ( Getty ) While the transitional government promised to include religious minorities, only one Druze minister was appointed in the new cabinet minister of agriculture Amjad Badr. Religious freedom was officially protected under Mr Assad and now the Druze are split between favouring dialogue with the new government and confrontation. = More than half of the million-strong Druze religious minority, originating from a 10th-century offshoot of Shia Islam, live in Syria in Sweida and the southern suburbs of Damascus. Most others live in Lebanon and Israel, and the annexed Golan Heights. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice When Cyprien Verseux was told hed have to undergo some training before he set out to Antarctica in 2018, he thought that sounded reasonable. There are some basics expected of everyone whos sent to do scientific investigations at one of the research stations in the remote, icy continent: a medical assessment, some basic survival skills, a psychological profile. After a dramatic 1971 incident in which the sole medical doctor at a USSR station had to cut out his own appendix, some countries made appendectomies a requirement for their winter-over medical staff in Antarctica. Most others will ask that a dental X-ray is done and wisdom teeth are taken out if it looks like they could impact. Thats because, once you arrive at an Antarctica research station for the winter, you cant be reached again for nine months. Its just you, a skeleton staff (most people take the three-month summer option), and perpetual darkness. That complete isolation from the rest of the world is the reason why everybody there needs basic survival skills. Generators can fail, food can spoil, people get locked out of their accommodation by accident, emergencies happen. Knowing how to cope and to remain calm in such situations is just common sense. Verseux knew all of that. He thought it was a good idea. What he didnt expect was what happened once the training kicked off. During a week in Italy, stationed at the side of a lake, Verseux and his team a small group of scientists and the physician who would be traveling with them were taken out into the middle of the lake in a boat by one of the trainers, who was from the Italian military. We thought it was to learn how to drive the boat, he says, but then one of the trainers grabbed the medical doctor of our crew and threw him in the water and said: Oh, now youre saving him. A few days later in the training week, Verseux says, we were told to go into a building, and they say: OK, youll get in and then youll react. I say: To what? Well, react to what you see. And then we get inside, and we hear some screams coming from a room in the distance. And so we run, we look for the room where the scream was coming from. And then we see somebody on the ground, unconscious, with blood coming out of his arm and a chainsaw next to him. Verseux shrugs, matter-of-factly. Of course, it was an actor, but a very realistic simulation. Once the group had secured the scene and sent the person for rescue, we heard some other screaming, from somewhere else in the building. The pattern continued for a number of hours: We spent half a day running from emergency to emergency. open image in gallery Cyprien Verseux goes for a walk outside the base in Antarctica during the summer months, when the continent has 24 hours of bright sunlight every day ( Carmen Possnig, ESA/PNRA/IPEV ) The surprises kept on coming. Not long after that test, Verseux says, he and his team were tasked with running through a U-shaped tunnel whose walls were on fire, armed with only a blanket. And after that, he was told to scale a gymnasium, climb through a window, take a ladder up to the roof and then flick certain switches. That, he says, sounded simple enough until the room was filled with smoke so thick he couldnt see his hand in front of his face. A lot of the exercises Verseux and his team took part in involved smoke, heat or fire, he says, because fire is one of the main risks in the station, and you have to prepare for that both to be able to leave the base if there is a fire, but also to save the base if you can. Because of course, if the base burned, then you're outside, it can be -80C [-112F], and then you're in trouble. Trouble is, of course, somewhat of an understatement. These tests werent just designed to test the crews reactions and their ability to put theory theyd learned previously into practice, but they were also psychological tests overseen by experts who were choosing who might be best suited to lead the station. A station leader can come from any role and any profile one year, it might be a Navy officer; another, it might be a communications specialist. Different countries have different methods for selecting their leaders, but on Verseuxs joint French-Italian mission, the decision was made by overseers while the crew prepared to deploy to Antarctica, and the exact criteria for that decision-making wasnt made known to the crew. At just 27 years old and in the final weeks of his PhD, Verseux was an unlikely candidate. He was surprised as anyone else to find out that he had been selected as leader of the 13-person group just before they set out for the winter. What probably helped was his calm and measured demeanor. He methodically describes the dramatic battery of tests he went through; the experience, he says simply, was interesting. Sometimes, he adds, it involved some logistical juggling, since he was rushing to finish his PhD in astrobiology at the same time. At one point, he turned up for two days training at a military hospital, only to find a note in his hotel room that told him to make his way to the other side of the country for a week. So much for his plans to be in the lab at university. open image in gallery The team led by Cyprien Verseux at the end of their nine months of isolated 'winter-over'. He particularly likes how this photo displays the cohesion and friendship of the team, even after such an intense nine months of darkness and hardship ( Marco Buttu, PNRA/IPEV ) Verseux had originally only applied for the three-month summer stint, doing microbiology research related to his PhD, but hed been selected for a year-long summer and winter-over doing glaciology instead. He had to convince his professors to allow him to defend his thesis remotely from Antarctica, by satellite connection. We had to stop the internet for the entire station so I would have enough bandwidth, he says, and even then it was chaotic. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the connection dropped while he was in the middle of his defense. A place that belongs to everyone and no one Although no country owns Antarctica, several nations have made territorial claims on parts of the continent. Those claims are held in check by the Antarctic Treaty System, signed in 1959 and now with 56 parties, which freezes all sovereignty disputes, bans military activity (except for military deemed necessary to help protect civilians undertaking research) and mineral mining, and reserves the region for peaceful scientific collaboration. Seven countries Australia, New Zealand, France, Norway, the U.K., Argentina, and Chile have formal claims, some of which overlap, particularly around the Antarctic Peninsula. (Notably, the U.K., Argentina, and Chile all claim the same swath of land.) These claims are not universally recognized, and under the treaty, no new claims can be made. Many other countries, including the United States, Russia, China, South Africa and India, maintain scientific bases on the continent without asserting ownership. The U.S. and Russia, while not claiming territory, reserve the right to do so. In practice, Antarctica operates as a rare example of international cooperation: a vast, frozen expanse governed not by national borders, but by a shared commitment to science, conservation, and diplomacy. At the remote Concordia station where Cyprien Verseux was stationed a research facility shared between Frances Polar Institute and Italys PNRA, and one of only three based far into interior Antarctica a maximum of 40 people usually come for the three-month summer period. Once they leave, the station has an even smaller skeleton crew of around 16 people. Verseuxs crew, of course, was even smaller than that. open image in gallery Cyprien Verseux walked 700 meters outside of the French-Italian Antarctic base to conduct research at Atmos, a laboratory of atmosphere chemistry, every day during his year in the continent. The walk required a huge amount of preparation as even a centimeter of exposed skin could develop frostbite within seconds during the punishing winter ( Cyprien Verseux, PNRA/IPEV ) Among the skeleton winter crew, most work individually, in two separate teams: the technical team (a plumber, a mechanic, an electrical engineer, a janitor, a cook) and the research team (a computer scientist, an astrophysicist, a glaciologist and so on.) Nine months of non-collaborative work in the pitch black in the middle of nowhere with just 12 other human beings would be a challenge for a lot of people. Many people hardly sleep during the 24 hours of sunlight in the summer, he says, and so theres always a lot of things going on until one day in the beginning of February. Then everybody goes away, except the people who stay for the winter-over, and from that moment, we know we'll be completely isolated because it gets colder and colder, and often it can be down to below -80 Celsius (-112 Fahrenheit). And [in that temperature] planes cannot fly, as all the soft parts will freeze and they would break when they try to land. As the light fades day by day, there is a period when you have sunsets and sunrises that follow each other. And then [the sun] goes lower and lower, and then sometime in May, it goes below the horizon for last time, and then for three months you won't see it at all. Most of the time it's pitch black except of course for the stars and the moon, which you see very, very well. Did he never find that psychologically challenging, I ask? No, he says. As the sun began to gradually disappear from the sky and the summer team left retracing their three-week-long journey by helicopter, then icebreaker, then plane from Tasmania in Australia, and eventually back to Europe he simply bedded down. It felt like home. Penguins and Polies It was a different experience for Lauren Lipuma, an American communications specialist who summered at the much larger, U.S.-run McMurdo research base in 2021 as the sole editor of the only Antarctica-based newspaper, The Antarctic Sun. At the peak of the summer there, she says, there were just under 1,000 people at McMurdo, making it basically a small town. Like Verseux who saw a collection of striking photos of the Concordia base one day and decided I have to go there Lipuma had her interest piqued by chance. She met the man who previously held the editors position at the Antarctic Sun at a social engagement a few years before being deployed, and was taken with the idea of visiting the continent after hearing him talk about his job. When he retired, he let her know, and she put in an application that was ultimately accepted. She set out to the base in her mid-30s, having completed training with the American team that focused on building survival skills and was decidedly less intense than the training program run by their French and Italian counterparts. Lipuma had probably the most enviable job at McMurdo, because she was tasked with accompanying scientists on their most interesting missions in order to write about them. I got to go out with some researchers who study Adelie penguins, she recalls. They spend pretty much their whole time down there at a small field camp near a penguin colony. She went on a two-day trip to observe the research, which was a highlight of her summer. Penguins build nests out of stones. And so they are actually really wily and they steal stones from each other, she says, with a laugh. They'll go to the other penguin nest and steal stones and kind of walk around and do that. And then the other penguin gets mad. open image in gallery In an effort to demonstrate to his father back in France how cold it was in Antarctica, Verseux took a bowl of noodles outside and photographed them freezing, with the fork suspended in midair ( Cyprien Verseux and Carmen Possnig, ESA/PNRA/IPEV ) open image in gallery Although Verseux had only intended his father to see the photo as part of a lighthearted exchange, his dad posted the image on Facebook, and it subsequently went viral ( Cyprien Verseux and Carmen Possnig, ESA/PNRA/IPEV ) Another very fun field trip she went on was to the McMurdo Dry Valleys, the largest ice-free area of Antarctica. There, where rock valleys without snow are surrounded by mountains and frozen lakes, there is surprisingly abundant microbial life. Lipuma accompanied a group of scientists who were looking at microbes in one of those frozen lakes among the dry valleys and in order to get to those microbes, these researchers had to learn how to scuba-dive onsite, in the most challenging conditions imaginable. You can imagine like how cold the water is, she says. It's covered with ice, so they have to make a big hole, drill it, and then you go down there and the divers are basically in a drysuit that keeps them warm, and there's like all sorts of cables hooked up. And I don't know if you remember the old Scooby-Doo cartoons, but that is what it looks like: a big, metal, round helmet with a big glass plate. Lipuma watched two young women take a little boat into the middle of the lake and then dive down, while other people on their team held thick cords attached to their suits. Deep under the surface, they're taking soil samples, water samples, leaving certain things down there to track chemical processes and chemical reactions, she says. You have to be in really good physical shape to even attempt something like that, she adds; even simply collecting the gasoline to fuel the boats requires a lot of strength to turn the cranes in the freezing air. Lipumas days were all very different from one another. Sometimes shed go on an outing; sometimes shed take time to write up her findings on the base. She reported on the lighthearted parts of being in Antarctica the nicknames the crew had for various things (When we would get shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables down, we'd call those freshies. The people who go to the South Pole are Polies); the movie screenings and holiday plays they put on for each other, like a version of the Nutcracker themed to McMurdo or a tongue-in-cheek Olympics and the more hard-hitting science. And she loved living with 24 hours of daylight: It's really great because you kind of always feel safe. At least at McMurdo, there are three or two or three bars on station, or just kind of social gathering spots, and so you can go and hang out with people, and even if you want to stay out till the middle of the night, you open the door and you can walk back to your dorm. You don't have to be like: Oh, I'm walking in the dark. Verseuxs days, by contrast, were almost all the same. He would get up early in the morning and immediately eat as much bread as he could stomach, along with five eggs and any extra trimmings available, because his body burned so many calories to stay warm. Then hed get dressed for the two to three hours hed spend outside taking measurements, in multiple layers of clothing, socks, gloves, balaclavas, hats and masks. You had a mirror next to the door where you could make sure that you have no skin exposed, because if its close to -112F in temperature and you have even a square centimeter exposed, and then theres a bit of wind, your skin can freeze within seconds, he says. open image in gallery The darkness that the winter-over crew live in has a brief sunrise and sunset each day ( Cyprien Verseux, PNRA/IPEV ) open image in gallery The view of the stars and the Milky Way from the station during the height of the pitch-black winters was one of the most beautiful things Verseux says he's ever seen ( Marco Buttu, PNRA/IPEV ) open image in gallery Making your way to and from research facilities in the darkness requires some extra light, although most of the time the light of the moon is enough ( Carmen Possnig, ESA/PNRA/IPEV ) Outside in the darkness, he would emerge under a crazy night sky, because the atmosphere is very thin and very dry. So you see the stars like nowhere else. Alone, he would walk 700 meters from the station and take measurements in the snow and record observations on the weather. Then he would spend some time in an outpost shelter, maintaining instruments and eating chocolate and raisins to keep his energy up. He returned to the station for meals everyone eats lunch and dinner together, in order to keep on a proper circadian rhythm in the absence of sunlight. In the afternoons, Verseux would dedicate time to do the admin tasks expected of the station leader: making sure problems were being addressed in the right places, writing up reports, organizing equipment. Then, during their free time and their one-day weekend, the French crew members would teach their language to the Italians and vice versa. Despite the fact that they were a group of very different people, they had to work hard to foster good feeling and a positive group dynamic. Because when youre unreachable by the rest of the world and living in a tiny research station surrounded by darkness and ice, making sure you can stand the people around you isnt just a good idea; its a survival strategy. A strange kind of addiction Lauren Lipuma says she met a few people at McMurdo who had been coming back year after year, some of them for decades. There are some people who joke that they can't go back to the real world anymore, she says. They just dont know how to function around a non-Antarctica environment. I mean, people really, really love it. Some of the most committed keep coming until theyre in their seventies, at which point the possibility of ill health rules them out. There is clearly something addictive about the unplugged nature of the continent, Lipuma says, and the way in which you can avoid the politics and the drama of everywhere else. Its also the most beautiful scenery you can imagine, she adds: she wasnt prepared to be so taken aback by the sight of the region. Nothing elsewhere on earth can compare. Even though it's quite monotonous, there is an intensity of living there which you kind of miss when you are back in a city, says Verseux. You are living with people with whom you are going through very strong experiences and you have to solve problems together. And, you know, sometimes you are outside on the ice and its very intense and you feel very alive. Its easy to at least somewhat miss that intensity. open image in gallery Nowhere on earth can the night sky be seen as clearly as in interior Antarctica, where light pollution is nonexistent. Here, the winter-overing crew is gathered around a telescope and the base is in the background ( Marco Buttu, PNRA/IPEV ) For Lipuma, however, the practical challenges of preparing to go outside each day in such unrelenting cold meant she didnt become one of the regulars. She still remembers the moment she stepped out of the small plane that brought her to McMurdo and her snot instantly froze inside her nose. It was weird and it was incredible, she says, and shed be happy to work in an isolated region again but shed rather do it somewhere a little more hospitable, weather-wise. Verseux says he brought back an appreciation from simple things after returning from his year in Antarctica: being outside without having to put on a thick suit; being able to call his friends and family; eating a variety of food. Two years before he set out to Antarctica, in 2016, hed spent a year in isolation with just five other people on a remote expanse in Hawaii, as part of a NASA-funded Mars simulation. There, in a geodesic dome with a single tiny cot for privacy and powdered cheese and canned tuna for food, he began to write. I found writing very useful, especially when the environment doesn't change, when your memories tend to blend into each other, he says. So I started writing a blog and then books, and Ive kept up this habit. Verseuxs abiding memory of Antarctica is, like Lipumas, the staggering beauty of the environment. It's like, the Milky Way seems painted and white and the moon is enough to light your path because it'll reflect in the snow, almost like its glowing, he says. And it looks like the snow and the stars are made of the same material the same glowy, diamond white. It's really, really beautiful. The beauty is otherworldly, he adds: stepping out of the prop plane that dropped him off at the station at the beginning of his year on the continent, it feels like you are stepping onto another planet. open image in gallery The summer team for the French-Italian Antarctic base stands outside. The contrast in temperature, weather, light and environment is evident when contrasted with the picture below, taken a few months later by the winter team ( Marco Buttu, PNRA/IPEV ) open image in gallery Cyprien Verseux stands next to the same flags, now damaged by wear and tear, at the end of the polar night after 9 months of wintering over ( Carmen Possnig, ESA/PNRA/IPEV ) And then, eventually, you return to traffic, and news cycles, and fresh fruit. Verseux often thinks about the quiet, the clarity, and the discipline of that year. Having experienced the highs and the lows of two separate years in extreme isolation after which he emerged into the Covid pandemic and its associated lockdowns he says hed happily go on a Mars mission, if given the chance. Research is ongoing throughout the multiple stations in Antarctica. A 10-year long effort to find air bubbles in ice thats been in place for two million years is the one that Lipuma says most fascinates her. If scientists are successful in finding them, it could tell us a huge amount about how the worlds climate has changed over a record amount of time, and potentially how we can mitigate climate disasters in the future. Each year, a few thousand scientists continue to deploy to research stations clustered mostly around Antarcticas coasts. Of those, only around 1,000 in total remain through the unforgiving winter. And yet, many of them come back. The appeal of such a self-imposed hardship can be hard to grasp until someone like Verseux describes the infinite silence, the Milky Way hanging bright above the glowing snow. Then it begins to make sense. After all, Antarctica is whats left when the niceties and complexities of the everyday fall away. Little wonder some people feel the pull to return to the only place left in the world untouched by politics and unreachable for most of the year, a place where every person has a purpose and every action has a consequence, a place where you can quietly live as the most extreme version of yourself. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A wind-whipped wildfire has reduced the nearly century-old Grand Canyon Lodge in far northern Arizona to a skeletal ruin, devastating many who considered it an intrinsic part of the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The blaze tore through the historic structure within hours over the weekend. Long a refuge for ambitious hikers and adventurous tourists, the lodge offered magnificent views of one of the world's most remote and renowned landscapes. Fortified with Kaibab limestone and logs from the surrounding Ponderosa pine forest, it sat at the canyon's edge, blending seamlessly with and enhancing the natural environment. It's tragic, it really is, retired National Park Service chief historian Robert K. Sutton said. The lodge itself was a key part of history for both the Grand Canyon and the National Park Service. open image in gallery The view from the Grand Canyon Lodge ( AP ) Gilbert Stanley Underwood, who designed the lodge in 1927, sought to immerse residents in the landscape that now draws millions of visitors annually from around the world with a rustic, organic architectural style. He designed similar lodges in Zion and Bryce National Parks in Utah, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Yosemite National Park in California, according to the park service. The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging within the canyon's North Rim, was built at a time when the federal department was eager to find ways to engage the public with the country's best natural offerings, Sutton said. For a place as remote as the North Rim, that wasn't an easy task. The lodge was a winding 212-mile (341-kilometer) drive from the more popular South Rim, where 90 percent of the tourists go. Hiking from one side to the other is even more arduous at over 20 miles (32 kilometers) with steep ascents at the end. But the historic building's tranquility is a fundamental part of its appeal. Youre just on your own. Its just a completely different atmosphere, Sutton said. The drive up to the North Rim was a chance to see a bison herd that roams the far reaches of northern Arizona. The highway ended at the Grand Canyon Lodge, built right up to the edge of the rim. Across the lobby, inside and down the stairs, visitors got a picturesque view of the Grand Canyon framed through the windows of the Sun Room furnished with plush couches. Navajo woven rugs hung on the walls, and elaborate light fixtures hung from the ceilings. In the corner of the room sat Brighty, a burro that lived in the canyon and inspired a children's book, immortalized in a statue as a sort of mascot for the North Rim. open image in gallery A firefighter stands near smoldering debris near the Grand Canyon Lodge ( National Park Service via Reuters ) Jen Pinegan, 47, trained for months to hike from the South Rim to the North Rim in May 2024. She started before the sun came up to avoid what can be ruthless Arizona heat. After 12 grueling hours, she arrived at the North Rim, stayed the night at the Grand Canyon Lodge and awoke to a view she said had an indescribable magic to it. Other hikers were celebrating, too, creating an electric atmosphere as they soaked in the views, she said. I think theres what made it more incredible is knowing that a lot of people dont see it," Pinegan said. She returned to the lodge for the Fourth of July weekend to take her youngest daughter and two stepsons to lunch at the restaurant known for its elk chili. She said she was brought to tears when she heard it had burned down. For those who enjoy a good road trip, like Erik Ammerlaan, the lodge had an elusive appeal. He's traveled to roughly 30 countries but counts his stay at the Grand Canyon Lodge in 2016 as one of his most memorable trips. It was like you were looking at this movie, but it's just nature," he said. "Youre really just one with nature open image in gallery View of the Grand Canyon after evacuations from the Grand Canyon Lodge ( AP ) The lightning-caused wildfire that consumed the lodge and dozens of other structures at the North Rim began July 4. The National Park Service had been managing it to clear the landscape of fuel when winds shifted and it made a run toward the lodge. Hundreds of people were evacuated. The blaze wasn't the first time the lodge was destroyed. In September 1932, just five years after it opened, lodge employees and residents watched as a kitchen fire grew and overtook the structure, according to the park service. It was rebuilt in 1938. Sutton, the retired park service historian, and others are optimistic that the Grand Canyon Lodge will get a new life. I suspect it will regenerate, he said. IMI survey finds that bosses in Ireland remain committed to diversity Even as US president Donald Trump rolls back diversity, equity and inclusion across government departments, Europe has continued to embrace measures designed to advance workplaces. A survey by the Irish Management Institute (IMI) of 100 senior business leaders in Ireland, across private, public and semi-state sectors, found that 97pc plan to strengthen their organisations diversity efforts. It also found that 44pc of those surveyed plan to increase investment in DEI programmes, while 54pc intend to maintain their current DEI initiatives and policies. Last month, the Sunday Independent revealed that the US embassy in Dublin has sent warnings to companies it does business with to comply with Donald Trumps anti-DEI agenda if they employ American citizens and have US owners. Entities that have received grants from the embassy have also been given the same warning. The letters would apply to many US multinationals and their subsidiaries in Ireland providing services to the embassy, which could include firms in hospitality, cleaning and events. Just 5pc of the senior executives surveyed by the IMI believe that mandating a full return to the office will enhance productivity or drive growth. Thats seemingly at odds with an increasing push by more companies to get staff back into offices on a full-time basis. Billionaire Denis OBrien recently claimed that working-from-home was a load of nonsense and insisted it has negatively affected productivity. The IMI survey found that 39pc of executives believe that eliminating hybrid working policies would have a negative impact on workforce productivity and employee work-life balance. What were seeing is a tale of two realities: as some countries, particularly the US, scale back their DE&I commitments, Irelands business leaders are choosing a different pathreinforcing their dedication to building diverse and inclusive workplaces, said IMI chief executive Shane OSullivan. Our survey clearly shows that, rather than stepping back, leaders in Ireland are doubling down on DE&I, recognising it as a strategic imperative, he added. The IMI has also announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarship programme with the 30% Club, a global business campaign designed to boost female representation on boards and among senior executive leadership teams in the worlds biggest companies. Suzanne Torsney, global head of internal communications and engagement at Primark, and Michele Bourke, programme manager, national clinical programmes for gastroenterology and hepatology, at the HSE, have been awarded this years scholarships. There is overwhelming public support for the planned new mandatory pension scheme. The new auto-enrolment pension, called My Future Fund, is due to begin from January after more than two decades of promises to launch such a scheme. Now a survey has found that over eight in 10 Irish adults believe it is fair to automatically sign workers up for the new pension scheme. The findings came in a survey of 1,000 adults nationwide by Ask Acorn, a national network of financial intermediaries. Under auto-enrolment, workers aged between 23 and 60 who earn more than 20,000 and are not already in an occupational pension scheme would automatically be enrolled in the new pension plan. These workers will have the option to opt out after six months. However, the research suggests they are unlikely to do so. Almost nine in 10 of those eligible for auto-enrolment say they are likely to remain in the pension scheme once enrolled. Financial experts said the findings showed a strong appetite for the scheme and signalled a positive shift towards broader pension coverage. But Ask Acorn experts warned that this could lead some workers to a false sense of financial security. Ask Acorn CEO Keith Butler said: People who may have previously been putting off pension planning could see their auto-enrolment as a job done moment, when in fact the scheme might not be the most suitable or sufficient option for their individual retirement needs. Last week, Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary launched a national awareness campaign for My Future Fund. Mr Butler said the Government should be encouraged by the feedback from the research. Even more important than the fact that so many support the fairness of the auto-enrolment itself is the fact that so many of those eligible plan to remain in the scheme, he said. If nothing else, these results should be viewed by those with responsibility for the rollout as a compelling reason to ensure there are no further delays. The rollout of the scheme has been subjected to repeated delays over the last two decades. Mr Butler said My Future Fund would be a good fit for many, especially those who have not yet thought seriously about pensions. But for others, particularly those with different income levels, career paths or retirement goals, auto-enrolment could fall short of delivering the retirement theyre expecting. Workers should absolutely be proactive in taking some advice to determine whether auto-enrolment is truly the right vehicle for their needs, or whether the rollout is just the prompt they need to take action around their financial plans for the future. The survey, conducted by iReach, found that four in 10 Irish adults believe it is very fair that workers would be automatically enrolled to the pension scheme. A further four in 10 described it as somewhat fair. One in six feel the compulsory enrolment of workers to the scheme is either somewhat or very unfair. The youngest age cohort surveyed are the most likely to feel it is very unfair to automatically sign workers up to the scheme. Mr Butler said the findings indicated there was an obvious demand and need for the scheme. One-third of Irish workers have no pension coverage outside the state pension. Scam was timed to pass as a legitimate request for funds The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) is to review its systems and protocols after the state body was swindled out of 5m of taxpayers money. The agency has confirmed that the amount came from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), was paid out in a single transaction and was intended for a company to which the fund has previously made a payment. In the phone-phishing swindle, someone pretended to be a representative of a legitimate planned recipient of funds. The theft has been reported to gardai and other relevant authorities. Following receipt of a complaint of alleged fraud, An Garda Siochana has commenced an investigation into this matter, said a spokesperson for the force. The NTMA said there is no suggestion of an IT breach, or any threat to the agencys IT systems. NTMA staff raised concerns early last week over the suspected payment. On review it became clear that the request for payment what is termed a capital call was fraudulent, said an spokesperson for the agency. The NTMA immediately reported the matter to the relevant authorities, including An Garda Siochana. At the launch of the NTMAs annual report yesterday, chief executive Frank OConnor confirmed the fraud and that the agency will now review its operations. We will have to look hard at our own systems, our own protocols, and the investigation will fully get into that, he said, adding that the agency will consider if more controls are needed. The NTMA is tasked with managing Irelands national debt and was recently given the additional responsibility of managing the two new sovereign wealth funds, which are expected to hold up to 100bn within the next 10 years. As of last year, ISIF had committed 8.8bn to 248 investments and had a total 16.6bn fund. An NTMA spokesperson said the fraudulent payment request made to ISIF from a third party was designed and timed to pass as a legitimate request for funds from the investee company. We are conducting a thorough examination of every aspect of this to fully understand what occurred. Our immediate focus is on recovering the funds and to investigate fully this matter. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said the fraud was regrettable and extremely rare, and that efforts would continue to track down the 5m. Additional reporting: Reuters Diageo chief executive Debra Crew steps down, as shares in the maker of Guinness slump 43pc in two years Presenter sacked from MasterChef after probe into misconduct claims Former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace has said he is deeply sorry for any distress caused and that he never set out to harm or humiliate in the wake of a report that saw 45 out of 83 allegations made against him upheld. In November 2024, the shows production company, Banijay UK, announced Wallace (60) would step away from his role on MasterChef while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. The findings of the report, led by law firm Lewis Silkin, and published yesterday, said that a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Wallace, during his time on the show, were substantiated, including one allegation of unwelcome physical contact. Broadcaster Gregg Wallace. Photo: PA Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday July 15th In a statement to the PA news agency, Wallace said: For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait. None of the serious allegations against me were upheld. I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended. The report found that the majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94pc) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018, with only one allegation substantiated after 2018. It also concluded that the majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, adding that a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated, with one incident of unwelcome physical contact also substantiated. The report noted that during the investigation, which was over a seven-month period, Wallace was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and said that the findings should be viewed in the context of his neurodiversity. In his statement, Wallace added: Im relieved that the Banijay report fully recognises that my behaviour changed profoundly in 2018. Some of my humour and language missed the mark. I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off. To those whove shown kindness, thank you. It mattered. This has been brutal He praised Banijay, saying it had given me great support, and I thank them. But in the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake. To those whove shown kindness, thank you. It mattered. This has been brutal. For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. I was the headline this time. But I wont be the last. Banijay UK said Wallaces return to MasterChef [is] untenable following the number of sustained allegations. The BBC also said it has informed Wallace that it has no plans to work with him in future . The BBC also addressed the future of a series of MasterChef filmed last year which has not yet been aired, saying a final decision on broadcasting it had not been made, adding: We know this is disappointing for fans of the show and those who took part, and at the appropriate time Banijay UK will consult further with the amateur contestants. Last year, a BBC News investigation revealed a string of allegations of inappropriate sexual comments and alleged inappropriate behaviour against Wallace by 13 people who worked with him across a range of shows over a 17-year period. A statement from Wallaces lawyers at the time said that it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. Meet the Limerick farmer who loves the craic making millions laugh online Fin Walsh explains how he gets millions of views for his TikTok videos, how he deals with online abuse including death threats and why he anticipates a massive change in Irish farming over the next decade Fin Walsh, a social media content creator and dairy farmer from Co Limerick. Photos: Don Moloney Catherina Cunnane Tue 15 Jul 2025 at 06:30 Hes been compared to the likes of Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny, but Fin Walsh describes himself as an Irish farmer who loves the craic. My grandfather left my mother a site in his will but she never got it and now my uncle has sold the land. What can we do? Brussels wants a major CAP shake-up, including cutting payments above 20,000 and merging the EUs current two-pillar structure, a draft European Commission proposal seen by Reuters, showed. The document is part of the Commission's proposal for the European Union's next budget, due to be published on Wednesday. The EU's mammoth Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of farming subsidies is today worth around 387 billion euros, or a third of the bloc's entire budget for 2021-2027. The Commission proposal would attempt to redistribute more subsidies to smaller farmers, by capping at 100,000 euros per year the area-based income support they can receive, the draft said. It would also progressively reduce the amount paid out per hectare, for those receiving the most. For example, farmers receiving area-based income support above 20,000 per year would have their subsidies above this level cut by 25%, payments above 50,000 per year would be cut by 50%, and payments above 75,000 euros by 75%, the draft said. This is not the first time Brussels has attempted to cap subsidies, to limit payouts to big landowners and agro-industrial firms. In the previous CAP, roughly 80% of payments went to 20% of the beneficiaries. Past proposals to do this were rejected by EU governments concerned about their farming industries. EU countries and the European Parliament must approve the new budget for 2028-2034. A Commission spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the draft, which could change before it is published. The draft would set overarching EU-wide green targets that farmers must meet to receive subsidies, while obliging countries to set additional, locally-tailored conditions. "The new CAP is to be a simpler and more targeted Union common policy, with more flexibility for farmers and a shift from requirements to incentives," the draft said. The draft did not confirm the size of the new CAP. Its core would still be direct income support for farmers, which would be "ring-fenced" - meaning it cannot be spent on anything else. The proposal would merge the CAP's current two-pillar structure into one overarching fund - a move opposed by the influential European farmers' lobby COPA-COGECA. Reuters Judge noted several frailties and fault-lines in the prosecutions case A High Court appeal by the Veterinary Council of Ireland over a District Courts decision to dismiss criminal charges against Catherine Beavon, who operated Bull Test Ltd, has been dismissed. The case hinged on whether the testing and analysing of bull semen by a non-vet amounts to diagnosing its state of health, such that the tester should be liable to criminal prosecution, as such work is reserved for registered veterinary practitioners under the law. Decision a blow for farmers looking to fund building new sheds or buy machinery Farmers hoping for more flexible ways to fund sheds and machinery under the TAMS scheme have been dealt a blow, as the Department of Agriculture has rejected a push to allow asset finance a move strongly backed by the banking industry. Under TAMS, farmers get a grant to help cover the cost of things like sheds or machinery, but must pay for it all up front first and then claim the grant back. This means farmers must have the cash ready and many take out loans to facilitate this. An anti-immigration campaigner convicted of a public order offence has been given the benefit of the Probation Act after he was allowed to make a donation to the Irish Red Cross instead of a charity working specifically with refugees. Derek Blighe (44) of Croughevoe, Mitchelstown, Co Cork had objected to making a donation, as part of the Probation Act process, to specific charities on religious grounds after citing his faith and issues surrounding abortion. He was afforded the opportunity at Fermoy District Court last year to avail of the Probation Act by making a donation to the Irish Refugee Council. A conviction followed when he failed to donate the money. At a sitting of Cork Circuit Appeals Court last March, defence counsel Alan ODwyer BL explained that it was purely a religious matter. He said that his clients difficulty was with the position taken by the Irish Refugee Council on the repeal of the Eighth Amendment to the Irish constitution in relation to abortion. Judge Helen Boyle told Mr Blighe that instead of paying 400 to the Irish Refugee Council he could instead pay 500 to Nasc. Nasc is an advocacy service which links migrants and refugees to their rights. Mr Blighe indicated his willingness at the time to make the contribution. However, Cork Circuit Appeals Court heard that the money had not been paid to Nasc. When the case was first mentioned, Mr Blighe told Judge Boyle that his faith did not permit him to donate the money to Nasc arising out of their stance on the unborn child. When the case came back before Judge Boyle, she asked Mr Blighe if he had the stipulated amount in court. The 44 year old said that he did and she directed that he hand over 500 to Gardai. Judge Boyle then directed that the funds be allocated to the Irish Red Cross. Mr Blighe represented himself in court. At a previous court sitting, Inspector Jason Wallace said it was alleged that Mr Blighe had engaged in threatening and abusive behaviour during an incident at Abbeyville House, Fermoy, on December 22, 2023. Witness Christopher Gomez said he was duty manager at Abbeyville when it was being prepared as accommodation for migrants and a protest by people opposing its use for this purpose had been taking place for several months outside. Mr Gomez said he had ordered an oil delivery from a local company. When the delivery truck arrived at about 11am, he said Blighe approached the driver and spoke to him. He said Blighe then told him the drivers not going to give you oil and the truck left. Mr Gomez contacted the oil company and a second truck was dispatched. He opened the gates when it arrived and the driver began making the delivery. Mr Blighe then began recording Mr Gomez with his phone and the court was shown footage he uploaded to Facebook in which he castigated Mr Gomez. In the video, Blighe can be heard telling Mr Gomez: You are a guest in this country. Shame on you. You should be ashamed. You will go down in the history books, you will go down in the sewers of Irish history. Go back to where you came from. Mr Gomez said Mr Blighe live-streamed the incident which really traumatised me. He later downloaded the footage and provided it to Gardai when making a complaint. He said he had been an Irish citizen for 20 years and had never experienced anything like this before. Garda Dane Murphy said he visited the protest at Abbeyville later that day and the atmosphere was borderline volatile. He said Mr Blighe made a statement regarding the incident on January 9 but replied no comment to every question he was asked. Judge Roberts said he found the black and white attitude towards immigration hard to understand. He noted that, from an Irish perspective, generations of Irish people had emigrated and the vast majority of them illegally. Ex-boyfriend of Peru Two Michaela McCollum charged with drug offences Mullan, of no fixed abode, was charged with causing criminal damage to property belonging to Thompson House Dwayne Mullan and Michaela McCollum (inset) on her arrest in Peru Paul Higgins Tue 15 Jul 2025 at 11:38 Woman-beating bully Dwayne Mullan was remanded into custody yesterday, charged with criminal damage and having cannabis. Joe Grogans last days: the last-minute wedding, the 5.5m farm and the row that could be heading to the High Court A 44-year-old man has been jailed for three years and nine months for the arson of two cars and a house in which the owners were sleeping. Sean Byrne of Cushlawn Way, Tallaght, who was intoxicated and said he couldn't remember the incident, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to damaging the two cars and the house by fire on October 20, 2023. He did not know the owners. Kinahan Cartel smuggling network infiltrated by DEA agent in sting operation An undercover agent was used to set up an elaborate sting operation on one of the Kinahans key allies Cartel boss Daniel Kinahan Niall Donald Tue 15 Jul 2025 at 11:50 The US Drug Enforcement Agency used an undercover agent to infiltrate the Kinahan Cartels international drug smuggling network, new court documents have revealed. Stuart Doonan (30) got into difficulty in water near his accommodation in Montreal. More than 4,000 has been raised to help the grieving family of a Tyrone man who died in Canada last month cover the costs of bringing his belongings home. The GoFundMe page was set up after Stuart Doonan, from Drumquin, drowned on June 10. The 30-year-old got into difficulty in water near his accommodation in Montreal and was laid to rest yesterday. His devastated sister Stacey remembered her brother as the heart and soul of the family on the online fundraising page which has received over 4,300 in donations. We are grateful for all the invaluable help and support we are receiving in getting Stuart home from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, we now face the challenge of bringing his belongings home, she said. We have to navigate the process of getting his personal belongings home as he lived in Montreal for four years. We would appreciate any support in doing this. The family has raised around 95pc of the original target amount and has promised that any money left over will be donated to the charity that helps families repatriate the remains of loved ones who died abroad. Excess funds will be going to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (Newry) who have and continue to be a great support to the family, Stacey said. The trust was set up by the parents of Newry man Kevin Bell, who died in New York in 2013, and has assisted over 1,700 families. The charity covers many of the practicalities involved in repatriation, from liaising with funeral directors overseas to ensuring all necessary documentation is in place, easing some of the burden on loved ones during an already traumatic time. Tributes poured in online from those who knew Stuart both at home and in Canada. Friends remembered him as a warm, kind, and generous young man who loved life and made a lasting impression on everyone who encountered him. Leeds-based music promoter Bad Owl Presents paid an emotional tribute to the one-time regular at their events before he recently moved away to follow his dream of living and working in Canada. He brought an excitement and passion to our shows, was a huge advocate of the scene and always had a daft story to regale to us in between bands, they posted online. He will be very much missed and our thoughts go out to his friends and his family. A death notice described Stuart as a dearly beloved son of David and Carol and a devoted brother of Clara (John), Stacey (Will) and the late baby Andrew. A much-loved grandson of Robert and the late Florence and the late Tommy and Jennifer. A dear nephew and cousin, it added. The fundraising campaign remains open as relatives and friends prepare to pay their respects to Stuart. We are devastated about the circumstances surrounding his passing, Stacey said. Stuart was full of life and full of love, the heart and soul of our family and he will be sorely missed by us all. Stuart loved his life in Montreal and saw a future there. See www.gofundme.com/f/stuart-doonan GAA Palestine has called on Irish authorities to reconsider its decision to refuse visas for the group who were due to travel to Ireland on Friday as part of a GAA tour. Photo: GAA Palestine/PA Wire The GAA Palestine team has lodged an appeal this afternoon after the travel visa applications for the team were refused. The visas for 46 Palestinians including 33 children aged between nine and 16 who were due to travel to Ireland later this Friday were denied by the Irish Immigration Service last week. A GAA Palestine spokesperson told RTE News the organisation officially lodged the appeal today, hoping the Department of Justice will now deal with their appeal. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice previously said it will assess the appeal promptly once it is lodged, and it appreciates that the decision to refuse applications might have caused disappointment. In a statement released yesterday, the GAA Palestine said they are profoundly disappointed and outraged by the Department of Justices refusal to facilitate their upcoming team trip to Ireland scheduled for July 18. "Despite our numerous appeals and attempts to engage, the Department has dismissed our concerns and provided an appeals process that guarantees the trip cannot proceed within the timeframe required, it said. "The GAA Palestine executive will remain in Dublin and continues to hold the evidence of our application. We are hopeful that in the final 24 hours, a resolution can be found, it added. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Claire Liddy, a Clare native and a GAA Palestine International spokesperson, said the executives were due to meet the Department of Justice yesterday to find a resolution, but the meeting did not take place. We have 24 hours. To say we are disappointed, but we're also outraged, because despite providing all the documentation that we were asked for, all the visas were refused, Ms Liddy told RTE Radio Ones Morning Ireland. The appeals process, that offered no real opportunity for the trip to proceed, and this is very unfair and untransparent and deeply frustrating. Other agencies have successfully brought children from various countries to Ireland on similar tours. Yet, because our players are Palestinian, our Government is blocking their travel, and this is very, very concerning, she claimed. Ms Liddy claimed the GAA Palestine has been requesting for several weeks that the Department of Justice engage with them to find a resolution. They have not provided any officer or any help with the process, so we made the decision yesterday. Members of the GAA Palestine executive, including myself, travelled to Dublin with evidence of our application, and we were fobbed off again at the twelfth hour with an email about appealing the decision. "They didn't have the basic courtesy to meet with us, despite assuring us that we would be meeting someone yesterday, and we were left waiting around all day until 5pm, she added. Last week, the group said it was informed by the Immigration Service that their visa applications had been refused due to insufficient documentation. GAA Palestine has called on Irish authorities to reconsider its decision to refuse visas for the group who were due to travel to Ireland on Friday as part of a GAA tour. Photo: GAA Palestine/PA Wire Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 15th 2025 When asked about the reasons for refusal, Ms Liddy said: That's why we actually came up yesterday, I had the laptop with the evidence. We were given misinformation from the Embassy in Tel Aviv, and we have this in writing, and we did not want to go down this road. We've been willing to work with them for weeks. We have been in contact with them since February, and we received written correspondence from the embassy because we were looking for guidance around group visa applications. And even last week, we personally delivered a letter requesting the Department to meet with us to examine the documentation that we submitted, because the appeal process can be lengthy, and we've run out of time. "But they had eight weeks to review our documents, and if they believed our documentation was so inadequate, why did they wait until the final week to inform us, they only responded after we initiated a media campaign last week. The Palestinians were meant to arrive in Dublin on Friday, July 18, and were scheduled to tour Ireland until August 1. The tour was set to see Irish and Palestinian children engage in friendly hurling matches across Ireland, showing children from the war-torn area the most important GAA sites in Ireland. The appeal process is lengthy. Obviously, that is like a judicial review. Are they going to guarantee that they will have this looked at within 24 hours? We've spoken to several lawyers and barristers, and they said this isn't something that can be done. And they left us waiting around all day yesterday. They said someone would meet us. I had the laptop with all of the evidence we have. The GAA safeguarding has been confirmed. We had letters of parental consent, parents' ID, birth certs. We've been asking for them to meet with us, not just this week, for weeks, and we've been met with silence. "Our team in the West Bank, with all of what was going on in the last few days, they had felt a renewed sense of hope because they saw the response and the massive waves of support coming not only from Ireland, but all around the world, and despite our government's refusal to engage with us. We just want to have an open dialogue, she added. Last week, Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Harris, defended the decision to refuse travel visas for Palestinian children due to take part in a GAA tour of Ireland. The Fine Gael leader said in the Dail there were legitimate checks in relation to child protection involved, even though the tour body from the West Bank says it has repeatedly sent documentation and been ignored. Mr Harris pointed to an appeals process as a possible way forward, even though the tour was scheduled to take place this month and hosts were in place. Meanwhile, there were protests in Croke Park last Saturday, where a banner, which said let them play, was displayed as an appeal to the Irish Immigration Service. 'I love to see peoples reactions when I tell them how old I am' Kris Jenners neck lift sparks surge of interest among Irish women An Irish tourist was detained by US immigration for around 100 days after overstaying his tourist visa by three days due to a health issue, The Guardian has reported. The 35-year-old tech worker and father of three, travelled to West Virginia to visit his girlfriend last autumn under the visa waiver program, which allows tourists to stay in the country for 90 days. The Guardian reports the mans medical records show he was unable to travel as planned last December due to a health issue, but he was detained in three different US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities for around 100 days. He agreed to deportation when he was first arrested, but the man remained in detention and was not returned home until March of this year, when he said he was banned from entering the US for ten years. It comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration, which has included increased checks for visa applicants, including the thorough vetting of social media accounts. Earlier this year, Irish woman Cliona Ward, who lived in the US since she was a teenager, was detained for more than two weeks in relation to decades old convictions that she understood had been expunged. The Guardian has reported that Thomas, who could not be named as he feared facing further consequences with US authorities, planned to return home in October last year but tore his calf, which led to severe swelling and difficulties walking. "Thomas told The Guardian that a doctor ordered him not to travel for 8 to 12 weeks due to the risk of blood clots which meant he had to stay beyond December 8, when his visa expired. He said he contacted the Irish and US embassies and the Department of Homeland Security to seek an extension, but acknowledged it was short notice and did not hear back. "I thought they would understand because I had the correct paperwork. It was just a couple of days for medical reasons. While visiting his girlfriends family in Georgia, he suffered a mental health episode and someone, who had overheard a conflict between the pair in their hotel room, called the police. His girlfriend told The Guardian that she hoped officers would get him treatment and did not want him to face criminal charges, but he was taken to jail and accused of falsely imprisoning her in the room. He was soon released on bond but was picked up by US immigration authorities, who transported him to an ICE processing center in Folkston, Georgia. Despite signing a removal order agreeing to his deportation, he remained in detention and was at one point transported to a federal prison for criminal defendants where he said detainees were treated less than human and he didnt see the sky for weeks. He was escorted back to Ireland by two armed federal officers after being transferred to another facility in March, though The Guardian reports it remains unclear why he was jailed for so long for a minor immigration violation. Ill never forget it, and itll be a long time before Ill be able to even start to unpack everything I went through. It still doesnt feel real, he said. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of this case and has provided consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade publishes advice for outward travel in respect of over 200 countries and territories. The advice provides an objective assessment of the risks individuals could face if travelling overseas, with a view to helping them to make informed decisions for themselves. This includes recently revised travel advice in regard to citizens traveling to the United States. All of our travel advice is reviewed regularly and updated based on consultation with our Embassies and Consulates on the ground, the relevant local authorities in each country, and our international partners, together with our domestic partners where appropriate. How dare you former minister Alan Shatter criticised in committee on Israeli settlements bill The ex-Fine Gael TD had repeatedly described the Occupied Territories bill as a Father Ted measure Former justice minister Alan Shatter arriving at Leinster House for a committee hearing on the Occupied Territories Bill. Photo: PA Grainne Ni Aodha Press Association Tue 15 Jul 2025 at 19:03 Former justice minister Alan Shatter has been criticised for comparing a ban on trade with Israeli settlements to TV sitcom Father Ted, with one TD asking how dare you use that description. LATEST | Mairead McGuinness predicts full on campaign as she gets nod to be Fine Gaels presidential candidate Former EU Commissioner has written to party members this evening.She was the only person to put her name forward as Fine Gael candidate for Aras. Mairead McGuinness is the clear front-runner for the race to be Ireland's next president, according to the latest Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll Gabija Gataveckaite Tue 15 Jul 2025 at 17:49 Former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness has predicted the presidential campaign will be full on after being confirmed as the Fine Gael candidate. Politics Somebody has to speak for the Irish people Michael Flatley yet to decide whether he will launch presidential campaign Senator has held up a photo of her seven-week baby scan in the Seanad, saying it was the 'only evidence I have that my pregnancy ever existed' A Senator has held up a photo of her seven-week baby scan in the Seanad, saying it was the only evidence I have that my pregnancy ever existed in an emotional debate on enhancing the rights and supports for parents who experience a miscarriage. Sinn Fein Senator, Nicole Ryan, was one of a number of Senators who spoke of their personal experiences of pregnancy loss, as she tabled a Bill which would entitle parents to bereavement leave following miscarriage. She said this would give women time and support to grieve their loss instead of returning to work with empty hearts and aching hearts. Simon Harris says 30pc tariff would stop trade from functioning between the EU and US and warns of job losses Simon Harris to warn cabinet of potential job losses if US-EU tariffs are implemented Tabitha Monahan Tue 15 Jul 2025 at 16:05 A 30pc tariff on EU exports to the US could have a significant impact on Irelands economy, which could include potential job losses at a faster pace, Tanaiste Simon Harris will warn the Cabinet today. Palestinian camps plan resurrects a sinister spectre from history Israels defence minister has floated the idea of moving all displaced Gazans to a humanitarian city which they would not be able to leave. Critics have likened this to a concentration camp A Palestinian man carries the body of his child, who was killed in an Israeli military airstrike on Gaza, at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) Ishaan Tharoor Washington Post Tue 15 Jul 2025 at 06:30 As Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured Washington last week, much remained up in the air at home. I cheated on my wife with an AI bot named Sharon so was it fulfilling or creepy? With one in three American Gen-Z singletons using AI for romantic companionship, we asked two writers, male and female, to give it a go As people become more isolated and lonelier, AI chatbots are filling the gaps. Photo: Replika.com Nick Harding and Emma Gritt Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 15 Jul 2025 at 06:30 They dont fart in bed, they certainly dont snore, and theyre always nice to you. Thats what we all want in a partner, right? Paschal Donohoe has rightly won himself a reputation as a safe pair of hands at home and in Brussels. But when it comes to serving up a word salad, hes also worthy of a place at the top table. After Donald Trump caught the bloc on the hop with the threat of 30pc tariffs on the EU, Mr Donohoe was quoted as saying there was now unsubstantial uncertainty regarding the outlook for the economy. While Ireland faced new challenges, it did so on a solid footing. But EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic, who has been leading negotiations for the bloc, was far more downbeat. Blanket tariffs of 30pc would practically prohibit the future flow of trade from Europe to the US. It will be almost impossible to continue trading as we are used to in a transatlantic relationship, Mr Sefcovic said. EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic. Photo: Reuters Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday July 15th And in Frankfurt, the potential havoc from Mr Trumps bombshell was also made plain. It would cause toxic uncertainty for companies on both sides of the Atlantic, German machinery and equipment manufacturers association VDMA said. Billionaire Warren Buffet once said: Risk comes from not knowing what youre doing. And thanks to Mr Trumps intervention, no one on either the EU or US negotiating teams can have the foggiest notion what the next move could be. According to insiders, significant progress in closing in on agreement, across a sea of complex detail, had been achieved. But Mr Trumps announcement has undermined the whole process, eroding trust and confidence. It was sufficient for Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen to reveal ministers were now discussing deployment of the big bazooka otherwise known as the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI). This would enable the EU to hit the US where it hurts. While Washington complains about the goods trade deficit between the bloc and the US (198bn) it never mentions the surplus it enjoys in services. US president Donald Trump. Photo: AP Were Brussels to press the red button on the ACI , it would be fair game for all to be hit. From an Irish perspective, this could mean that pharma and tech could also be targeted. A crippling trade war that can only do harm ought to be avoided. But can it be, given there is an idealogical wall between the sides as Mr Trump is constitutionally opposed to free and open trading? In a process where a mastery of detail and awareness of the intricacies involved is crucial to success, Mr Trumps bulldozing entrance into the process has rattled it to its foundations. Neither he nor his team have shown much evidence of respect for the minutiae or nuance involved. In his letter to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, informing her of the tariff threat; Mr Trump said rates may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your country. That he and his advisers were either unaware that the EU is not a country, or were insufficiently interested to check, has to be a worry in itself. EU may find it impossible to reach agreement with volatile US president on tariffs issue For a man who prides himself on having written a bestselling book called The Art of the Deal, Donald Trump has notably few deals to boast about since moving back into the White House last January. The war in Ukraine was meant to be solved in one day. Many more have passed since without a resolution. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu also flew home to the Middle East last week without agreeing to the ceasefire in Gaza that negotiators in the US and Israeli camps had promised was imminent. Casualties among Palestinians queuing for aid continue to mount. The presidents most conspicuous failure to strike a deal, however, has undoubtedly been on the thorny issue of US-EU trade, and those negotiations have now taken a further, and alarming, backwards step with his announcement yesterday afternoon of new 30pc tariffs on all goods from the European Union. So much for the White House press secretarys assurance just days ago that any changes to the 10pc tariffs introduced in April would be put back to a new deadline of August 1. Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Photo: PA It could be that a deal is still on the cards. Even as he declared himself hopeful that an outline agreement could be reached last week, Taoiseach Micheal Martin was under no illusions that more detailed negotiations would continue behind the scenes. The real concern is whether Donald Trump actually wants a deal, or what the EU can do to press him into making concessions. It remains to be seen how markets will respond when they open again The president has indicated that any tariffs imposed in retaliation to this move will simply be added to that baseline 30pc, and that even this will not be sufficient to eliminate the deficit in trade that the US runs with Europe, raising the threat of more punishment to come. It remains to be seen how markets will respond when they open again tomorrow, but the omens cannot be good. Traders have, to some extent, learnt to factor in Trumps volatility, but this represents a serious ramping up of the stakes. For Ireland, the worlds third largest exporter of pharmaceutical products, the nightmare scenario is that Trump goes ahead with his repeated warning of 200pc tariffs on the pharma industry in an effort to strong-arm US giants into bringing manufacturing home. Many of those who are resentful of Irelands economic success actively seem to be willing the worst to happen. One headline in the Tory press last week asked, almost wistfully: Will Trumps pharma tariffs destroy the Irish economy? Traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Photo: Reuters Even if Trump presses that nuclear button, tariffs would not come into place for another 18 months, allowing time for further haggling. The Irish economy should remain reassuringly robust overall, with growth expected to exceed 4pc annually through 2027 well ahead of the eurozone. Panic would be premature. All the same, it is hard to deny that Ireland seems to worm under Trumps thin skin, and our EU partners may well be inclined to prioritise their own interests if he comes gunning for us. Ultimately, it could be that a deal is simply impossible because the US presidents demands are so mercurial that they cannot reasonably be satisfied. The one thing the world needs is certainty, and his personality ensures this is the one thing that it cannot expect to enjoy any time soon. Girl on the Beach by James O'Halloran In Thoughts Of You by Jack Vettriano Artworks from esteemed Scottish artist Jack Vettriano will be on display at an art exhibition in Mallow. The Retrospective of Works exhibition will take place in the West End Art Studio in the town from Wednesday, July 23 to Sunday, August 3. The exhibition will feature approximately 65 works from Irish, British and French artists, and is organised by Colman Dalton, and his wife Marie. Artist Mr Vettriano was born in Fife, Scotland in 1951 and was regarded as a major player in the art world. He died earlier this year. His work, In Thoughts of You, will be exhibited in Mallow, and organiser Mr Dalton said it is worth travelling for. He is very famous in Scotland and his works would be in museums over there, and his work is very expensive. I know some of his work has been sold for over 1m. To see work by Jack Vettriano among others [be exhibited] they wont come up again, he said. In Thoughts of You was first exhibited in 1997 and is seen as one of the Scots best works. Works of the late James OHalloran will also feature in the exhibition, with 20 of his pieces chosen. The Clare man passed away in 2014 at the age of 59. His painting Girl on the Beach will be available to view. Dubliner Paul Kelly, who now resides in Buttevant, will have 25 works of art on display, including works based on the Cahirmee Horse Fair and Lambay Island, located just off the coast of Dublin. Mr Kelly recently conducted a study about the horse festival, which contributed to his work. I recently did a study on the Cahirmee Horse Fair because it was right outside our door in Buttevant, he said. A major piece of the Buttevant series is one of my favourites. !The painting depicts a busy main street flooded with people with horses. I got great inspiration from my studies in terms of a gathering of people selling horses and everything that goes on with that. Also set to be displayed at the West End Art Studio in Mallow are works by T.S Lowry, George Rouault and Rodo Pissaro, Maurice MacGonigal, Harry Kernoff and George Campbell. Mr Kelly has donated a piece to the art exhibition to raise funds for two worthwhile charities, Focus Ireland and HART, a local dog rescue. The raffle for the artwork will take place at 7:30pm on July 23. Tickets cost 3 each or eight tickets for 20. All proceeds will be divided between the two charities. The exhibition is free of charge and more information can be found here: https://mallowartsfestival.com/2025/06/24/retrospective-of-works/ Fingal councillors have agreed on a report that aims to build over 1,500 social housing units in the county over this year and the next. The Draft Housing Action Plan was presented at Fingal City Council recently. Each local authority will work with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) to prepare an action plan to address homelessness in their areas. Councillors agreed on the plan, put together by the councils housing team, but not before voicing some concerns of their own. Its hard to pat ourselves on the back when the number of homeless people are still on the rise, Swords councillor John Smyth said. This is simply putting fingers in the crack of a leak. Ive worked with housing bodies before but nothing could have prepared me for the number of cases Ive seen as a councillor. Those numbers feel meaningless now, its disgusting, its disgraceful. There are people of Fingal just a stones throw away from where we sit, thinking they have failed as parents because they have nowhere to live. Housing Support Officer, Liam Burke, who presented the report, outlined that it would focus on preventing homelessness and the duration of how long people would remain without accommodation. The plan was approved earlier by a Housing Strategic Policy Committee (SPC). Rush-Lusk councillor, Paul Mullville, was among a group of councillors who demanded that families in the area would need to be housed close to where they are from. Families in Fingal need to be placed near where they are based we need to commit and invest in them and ensure that the homeless team is well resourced enough to do that, he said. Balbriggan councillor Malachy Quinn spoke about what he learned from his own area. Emergency accommodation is very scarce on the ground in Balbriggan and this side of the county, he said. Families from here are going into accommodation in the city centre. Their children are attending schools, some doing their leaving certs far away from where they grew up. Councillors also discussed the unique problems affecting single parents, people with disabilities and older people in emergency accommodation. Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart councillor, John Burtchaell, commended the housing team for the report, but asked for more protection to be put in place for tenants. The registration of landlords with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) is not checked, there have been several cases where people have received a notification of termination, only to find that their property was never registered, he said. The fact that we need a plan at all is an admission that the governments plan is not going to work were going to see increased homelessness, increased rents and increased house prices. HowthMalahide councillor, Cathal Haughey, said he'd heard from constituents who preferred to sleep on the streets over availing emergency accommodation. People have been attacked, there are drugs around people should feel safe in these places. We need to ask ourselves why people prefer rough sleeping over the accommodation we provide," he said. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Romulo Cerasuolo had been living in Dublin since January 2024 Tributes have been paid to a kind-hearted Brazilian man who was killed in a road traffic accident in Dublin last week. Romulo Cerasuolo (34) was walking to work at 8.30am last Friday when he was struck by a truck on Ballyboden Way and pronounced dead at the scene. Mr Cerasuolo worked as a cleaner and had moved to Dublin with his husband in January last year. His friend, Anna Henriques, said she is deeply saddened by his passing as he had just begun building his life in Ireland. His dream was to live abroad. So in January last year he decided to come to Ireland to study, she said. This year he just got Italian citizenship, which he was over the moon about. Ms Henriques said Mr Cerasulo was helpful to anyone who needed it, and will be sorely missed by the Brazilian community here in Dublin. He was just a lovely person, with a kind heart. He used to help everyone that he could, a very lovely person, she said. We know each other for more than 10 years and once he came here, we became closer. A GoFund Me page was set up to help Mr Cerasuolos family return his remains back to his home country. It reads: Our aim is to help his family take Romulo back home, so that he can have a dignified burial, surrounded by the love of those who saw him born. The fundraiser has since closed as it had achieved their funding aim. Laurie and Sonya ODwyer (event organisers) pictured at the announcement of the inaugural Kerry Drinks Festival taking place at Killarney Racecourse on Saturday, 15th November 2025. Tickets go on sale at 7pm on July 18 at kerrydrinksfestival.com. Photo by Giovanni Valente. Killarney is set to be the base for the very first ever Kerry Drinks Festival when it launches later this year on Saturday, November 15 at Killarney Racecourse. Celebrating flavour and craftsmanship, the festival is one that promises to deliver unique tasting experience, highlighting the wide variety within Irelands drinks scenefrom whiskeys and gins to craft beers, ciders, vodkas, liqueurs, and beyond. Proudly supported by Carry Out Killarney and Dingle Distillery, the event will gather over 45 producers alongside drinks enthusiasts for a day filled with sampling, socialising, and exploration. Festivities will kick off with a Trade Expo at 2:30pm, specifically curated for professionals in the bar, restaurant, and hospitality sectors. Attendees will meet diverse producers, sample new products, and build valuable industry connections ahead of the festive season. A key feature of the day will be the Dingle Distillery Masterclass, scheduled from 6pm to 7pm. This session will provide a guided tasting and deep insight into the distillerys renowned portfolio, led by their expert team. From 7pm, the festival opens its doors to the public for the Brand Expo & Socialan immersive sampling event set against the picturesque backdrop of Killarney Racecourse. Upon arrival, guests will receive a complimentary festival tasting glass, specially chosen to enhance the flavours of both spirits and beers. Guests will enter via a vibrant Beerhall, sampling along the way, before passing a curated range of food vendors offering bites for purchase en route to the inviting Spirits Lounge. Complimentary mixers will be provided for those who prefer a longer drink. Attendees are invited to meet the makers and enjoy the welcoming, festive atmosphere. The event is organised by Sonya ODwyer and Laurie ODwyer (host of Whiskey Chats Podcast), the team behind the popular Cork Whiskey Fest, which held its third edition this past March. Speaking at the announcement, Sonya said, We are thrilled to launch Kerry Drinks Festival this November. With the help of everyone in Kerry, we are excited to create something really special for the county. Laurie commented, It will be a weekend of great drinks, great atmosphere and plenty of craic. Tickets go on sale this Friday, July 18 at 7pm on kerrydrinksfestival.com. Ningxia's arid plains yield vintage prosperity 14:24, July 15, 2025 By Qin Ruijie ( People's Daily People visit the Global Wineries Exhibition during the Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, June 9, 2025. (Photo by Yuan Hongyan/People's Daily Online) On a sunlit terrace at the Chateau Huida Sunshine, nestled in Hongsibu district of Wuzhong, northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Li Cai surveyed rows of lush grapevines stretching toward the horizon. The scene stood in stark contrast to the desolate gravel desert when he first arrived in 1999. "What began as merely a means of subsistence has truly become a path to prosperity," he reflected. Back then, winemaking along the eastern slopes of the Helan Mountain was in its nascent stages. Scattered vineyards yielded grapes only for local consumption, with farmers earning less than 1,000 yuan ($139.56) per mu (approximately 15,000 yuan per hectare). Today, the once-desolate land has been transformed into a vibrant winemaking hub. Li's own journey - from a ditch-digging laborer to chief winemaker at his winery - parallels Ningxia's remarkable emergence as a wine-producing region. Once a bold experiment in desert cultivation, Ningxia's wine industry has matured into a globally recognized enterprise. The autonomous region now hosts 606,000 mu of wine grape vineyards, producing 140 million bottles annually with a total output value of 45 billion yuan. The industry has created nearly 130,000 jobs for local farmers and contributed 1.22 billion yuan in wages. The 2024 National Vocational Skills Competition for Winemakers is held in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, August 8, 2024. (Photo by Yuan Hongyan/People's Daily Online) Recognition increasingly comes from discerning international markets. Recently, Xige Estate situated in the Gezi Mountain growing area, Qingtongxia city, about 90 kilometers north of Hongsibu, welcomed a group of special visitors. Among them was French wine merchant Durand Fisher from Bordeaux. During the visit, Durand added a new release from the Ningxia winery to his portfolio. "This competes squarely in Europe's premium market," affirmed Durand, noting that his appreciation extended beyond the vintage itself to the burgeoning reputation of wines from the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountain. "We've established nearly 100 detailed standards, from soil pH and grape brix levels at harvest to oak-aging durations," explained Mu Haibin, head of the technical services office of the Helan Mountain east foothill wine industry park. "Many vineyards now hold EU organic certification, unlocking global markets." In recent years, Ningxia has been working to promote the wines produced from the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountain as a regional brand, encouraging local wineries to participate in domestic and international wine competitions and exhibitions to raise their global recognition. So far, the region has earned over 1,800 international awards across more than 60 wineries. "Wine shouldn't be confined to fancy glasses and formal dinners. It should become a part of everyday life," said Liao Zusong, Xige Estate's chief winemaker. On an e-commerce platform, he held up a can from the estate's hit product line - "Xiao Zhuo," a casual wine series designed for social media-savvy consumers. "It's a hit online, perfect for binge-watching, barbecues, or camping." Xige Estate, located near the ruins of the Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), has become a tourist hotspot after featuring in a popular TV drama. The winemakers have seized the opportunity, rolling out immersive wine tourism experiences blending tradition with trend. Visitors can cycle through the vineyards, try their hand in the winemaking process, design their own wine labels, and even camp under the stars with curated food-and-wine pairings - an all-around celebration of wine culture. Agricultural machines work in a wine grape plantation at the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountain in northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, March 19, 2025. (Photo by Yuan Hongyan/People's Daily Online) Ningxia now boasts 22 certified wineries at AA-level or above, attracting over 3 million tourists last year. Winery tourism has become a major driver of local wine sales. In the vineyards of Haoyuan village in Xixia district, Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia, grape grower Zhang Shengjie checked real-time soil moisture and light conditions on a mobile application. "Now I can manage watering and fertilizing with just a few taps. Smart farming really improves grape quality," he said. "Last year, I earned an extra 0.3 yuan per kilogram." This transition from labor-intensive to technology-driven agriculture has attracted 19 wineries to establish operations in the village. With over 10,000 mu of wine grapes, the village produced 6,000 tons of wine last year, with total output nearing 400 million yuan. A digital service platform for the industry is expected to go online by the end of the year. "Each bottle will soon carry a digital identity," said Xie Chunmei, associate professor at Ningxia Technical College of Wine and Desertification Prevention. "Scan its QR code reveals the entire journey - from the vineyard to fermentation temperatures and barrel aging." Early trials show impressive results: average grape sugar content has climbed to 25.7 percent, matching premium winemaking standards. Yields per mu increased from 600 to 800 kilograms, while water usage has dropped by 30 percent. Ningxia is also promoting the integration of wine culture and tourism. With new experiences like "wine + camping" and "wine + music festivals," the vineyards and characteristic wineries at the foot of the Helan Mountain are becoming unique local assets that revitalize nearby townships and counties. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Re-opening Dunleer may be more feasible option Irish Rail hasn't the land to open a new station on the northside of Drogheda, it has emerged. It did previously own a field off the Newfoundwell Road but it was sold for building in the early 1990s, where the Mount Sandford estate now stands. Sources in the railway company say they tried to buy a separate site along the Dublin-Belfast track north of the town over a decade ago but the landowner concerned was looking for "millions." An Irish Rail source told the DI: "The biggest obstacle to getting a new train station north of the town is land. "We don't own a site adjacent to the railway line and we don't have the power to make a compulsory purchase order to acquire it. "If there was to be a second station in Drogheda we would need Louth County Council to make a CPO and help us secure the land. "Transport For Ireland would also have to be involved since they now have the final say on many of these projects." Over the past several years there have been increased demands for a second Drogheda station, a move that would also reduce traffic congestion in the town centre. The issue was only raised in the Dail last week by Ged Nash TD of the Labour Party but he received no commitment from the Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien. Senator Allison Comyn has also been lobbying the Government to commit to the new station project especially since 20,000 new houses are set to be built on the northside of Drogheda along the new Northern Cross route in the coming years. Irish Rail has officially said they have no plans whatsoever to open a second station. But the source added: "The problem for us as I said is we don't have the land. it would make more sense to re-open Dunleer station and the cost to do this in financial terms would be minimal. "It would also be quicker for people on the Northside of Drogheda to drive to Dunleer to catch a train to Dublin than to go to McBride Station." The students got to meet and walk the alpacas. St. Patricks School in Enniscorthy traded textbooks for fluffy visitors this week as the students were visited by two friendly alpacas. Alpacas Stan and Frank trotted through the school gates on Wednesday, July 2 much to the delight of students and staff alike. The friendly pair were welcomed as part of the schools vibrant July Summer Programme, which is proving to be anything but ordinary. Pupils had the chance to meet, pet and even walk the alpacas around the school grounds, creating unforgettable memories and plenty of photo opportunities. Their visit was such a roaring success that Stan and Frank have already been booked for a return trip next week. Though traditional classes are officially out for the summer months, the summer provision programme is offered by the school and the Department of Education to support the students during the summer months. The programme includes fun and educational learning activities that fosters the community spirit of the class. Principal Lee Rodgers said that a lot of fun is still to be had with the jam-packed schedule. The alpacas were well-behaved. July is packed with exciting activities to keep spirits high and learning alive. Sound Therapy sessions are held every Monday and Friday, offering students a calming, sensory-rich experience to start and end their weeks. Thursdays are all about rhythm and movement, with the ever-energetic Martina Lacey leading lively dance sessions that have quickly become a summer highlight, he explained. He added that students can look forward to up-close encounters with some slithery and scaly guests from the National Reptile Zoo, as well as a visit from the ever-popular Nore Valley Farm. "This summer term is definitely taking education to new and exciting places one alpaca at a time, he added. The crew later launched again to rescue a large inflatable which had blown out to sea. Thankfully there was nobody aboard it. Courtown RNLI launched a rescue on Monday, July 14 around 1pm after a member of the public spotted two paddleboarders clinging to a life buoy in strong offshore winds just off Ardamine beach and called 112/999 to alert the Coast Guard. Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Frank, with a crew of three volunteers was launched in gusty offshore conditions and were quickly on the scene where they located the paddleboarders clinging to a buoy, feeling cold and exhausted. The volunteer lifeboat crew took the two on board the lifeboat and transported them and their boards to shore where relieved family members were waiting. The paddleboarders were part of a family group visiting from Spain and thanked Courtown RNLI volunteers for responding so quickly, returning to shore just shortly after 2pm. Courtown Lifeboat helm Yvette Deacon said: They were lucky to come across the buoy. The wind was blowing them out to sea very quickly. Before going on the water, always check the weather, make sure you have the correct equipment and always call 112/999 as soon as possible and ask for the Coast Guard if you think somebody is in trouble Yvette said. Later the same day, Courtown RNLI Lifeboat set out following a call in which a large inflatable Towable was blown out sea. Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Frank, launched at 6.30pm and was quickly on scene where it was established that nobody was on board the inflatable. It appeared to have been blown off Ardamine beach, Courtown. RNLI Lifeboat Frank. Courtown Lifeboat helm Brian McEvoy added: You have to be very careful with inflatables in offshore winds, you can be blown out to sea much more quickly than you think. The member of the public did the right thing, if in doubt call 112/999 and ask for the Coast Guard. If there had been anyone on board the inflatable, getting to it as quickly as possible makes all the difference. The RNLI is a volunteer driven charity which provides a 24-hour search and rescue service around the coasts of Ireland, including Wexford. The quality of water in Wexfords rivers has been debated and discussed at a special meeting hosted by Wexford County Councils (WCC) Climate Action and Environment Section in Craanford Community Hall. Attended by members of the local community and farming groups the meeting had a particular focus on the water quality in the River Slaney and River Bann. Representatives from the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) provided an update on the work they are carrying out under the Water Action Plan which is part of the EU Water Framework Directive. There was also information on new farming initiatives, including the 60 million Farming for WaterEIP, Tirans Slaney Farming for Water and the Teagasc Better Farming for Water initiative. Chaired by Frank Burke, Climate Action Coordinator with WCC, the meeting featured a presentation from Eoin Kinsella, executive scientist with WCC, who outlined the work being carried out by his team, from agricultural inspections to managing litter on the blue flag beaches. Discussing the Bann catchment area, Dr Fran Igoe of LAWPRO said: The glass is only half full when it comes to water quality in Wexford and we can do a lot better. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that the River Bann is a significant contributor of nitrates to the Slaney, and that combined with the other tributaries amounts to high nitrate loading to the Slaney. "This needs to be addressed as EPA monitoring shows there is an excessive nitrate impact on the estuary and Wexford Harbour. Clean water is important for Wexfords tourism, shellfish production and maintaining the health of the River Slaney generally. Most of the River Bann is also important for salmon and trout spawning and the water quality needs improvement. Tirlan chairperson John Murphy spoke about its commitment as a dairy processor to improving water quality in the area with their Slaney Farming for Water Project, which aims to encourage farmers to install measures funded through the Farming for WaterEIP and Tirans own suitability programme. Cathy Lee of the Friends of the Ahare River Biodiversity and Development Group, provided examples of the activities the group have carried out in the area, including biodiversity signage along the river, school visits to the river and family fun days at the Cloon beach. Ross Finlay project officer with the Slaney Rivers Trust spoke about its objective to improve salmon stocks in the Slaney and plans for further community engagement. The Slaney Rivers Trust is working with Inland Fisheries Ireland on the new barrier removal programme. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Our family is devastated and clinging to hope The family of Gerard Fitzgerald (39), who was reported missing from Bray, Co Wicklow last month, have renewed their appeal to the public for assistance in tracing his whereabouts as new information has come to light. The last confirmed sighting of Gerard was in fact Monday, June 23, and not Friday, June 20, as was initially reported. His brother, Neil, has confirmed that when Gerard was reported missing, the family were trying to work off an approximation with the gardai. But upon reviewing CCTV footage, the last sighting was confirmed as Monday, June 23, at 02:33am. "He was last seen at Bray seafront walking down towards the promenade and turning left towards the harbour area. That was on the Monday at 2:33am, Neil said. Regarding Gerards movements at the time, Neil said it was not a totally unusual time for him to be out walking. This was during the heatwave too you know, one of those very humid days, probably not as bad as now, but for him to be out at that time wasnt too uncommon if he wanted to go for a walk, he explained. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Gerard was something of a night owl, so early morning walks werent entirely out of character for him especially during that humid heat. Hed call me on average maybe two or three times a week, sometimes those calls would come at half-three am. From an outside perspective people see it and go: Thats very unusual. But for Gerard, that would be relatively common, especially combined with the heatwave, the humidity, because thats where he lived, down near the Dart station. Gerard is described as being roughly five foot ten, very slim build, brown hair and hazel green eyes. Neil added that what he was wearing and what weve seen on the camera too, was very dark clothing so a dark hoodie, dark chinos and a pair of Vans which would have had white soles. From the footage that weve seen, hes just walking as casually as you might expect, Neil continued. Neil said that his brother is very well known in the community, and has a very big family, as in cousins, a lot of friends, and definitely around Bray he would be very well known. The one thing which has been overwhelming for the whole family is the support of the community, he said. People who knew Gerard did reach out to me. So weve had friends who knew Gerard reach out to me non-stop, worrying and expressing concern about him. So from his own friends and just from the community of Bray the support has genuinely been overwhelming. Our family is close-knit and devastated, with relatives from near and far supporting the search, he added. Neil explained that for his brother not to have contacted anyone is totally out of the ordinary. "Has Gerard ever once gone off and not being contactable? Absolutely not. We're a very close family. So for him to go missing, for him to not have contact for an extended duration of time would be totally out of the ordinary. We reported him missing on June 28 after not being able to contact him or locate him, and CCTV confirmed the June 23 at 02:33am sighting. I'm not naive to the situation we're in, but Gerard didn't show signs of this behaviour before, and this is completely out of character. As a family, we're holding onto hope and urging anyone with information to come forward. "I want to extend a massive thanks to the gardai, community volunteers and the civil defence. They've been out searching around Bray Head, all around Bray and other areas too and a lot of people have joined in the search. The support has been a lifeline, keeping us going through this nightmare, Neil said. The family are appealing in particular to business owners and residents who have CCTV cameras trained on Bray seafront, particularly in light of new information that Gerard was seen heading towards the Bray harbour area. The gardai are leading the investigation and Gerard was last seen at the seafront, and Bray seafront is probably the busiest area in Bray, Neil said. "There's a lot of cameras, and one of the big hopes is that all of the footage is obviously checked urgently and none's overridden. And if anyone thinks that they've seen something or heard anything please come forward and go to the local garda station. The search is still ongoing at the moment, with the confirmation that Gerard was going down the promenade and turning left towards the harbour area, that's where the focus is. And the next piece is to paint a full picture of the situation from all the different CCTV cameras down there whether it be public or private. "People who would have been walking out at that time, too, they may have seen something, or anything, and we're just hoping that they come forward. Even the smallest detail could bring Gerard home safely our family is devastated and clinging to hope. Please share this appeal widely to help us find him. Anyone with information can contact Bray Garda Station at 01-6665300 or the Confidential Line at 1800 666 111. Go Ahead have renewed a contract to provide bus services in parts of North Wicklow until 2030 The National Transport Authority (NTA) has confirmed that Go-Ahead Ireland will continue to operate bus services in the Wicklow area. Following a competitive tender process, the NTA first awarded the company a contract to operate bus services in October 2018 which ran for five years up to 2023, with the company choosing to extend it by two years up to 2025. The contract was due to expire at the end of the year, but it will be renewed with the relevant documentation to be signed in the coming weeks. It will take effect from November 2025 for a period of five years, with the possibility of a further two-year extension. The decision was conveyed to Deputy John Brady during a recent meeting with the CEO of the NTA and comes despite several performance deficits over the past seven years. In 2023 alone, Go-Ahead was fined 1.1 million in performance-related penalties. In the first quarter of 2024, the company incurred a further 761,000 in deductions due to poor service delivery. The L1, L2, L3, L15 and the 45A are among the routes operated by Go Ahead in mainly parts of North Wicklow including Bray, Greystones, Kilmacanogue and Newtownmountkennedy. Deputy Brady expressed his disappointment at the move. It is incredibly disappointing that Go-Ahead has once again been chosen to operate bus routes in Wicklow. This decision comes despite a track record of serious failures over the last seven years. Its clear the government is intent on doubling down on the privatisation of our public transport networkregardless of how poorly its working for local communities. Deputy Brady stated, I am writing to both the Minister for Transport and the NTA urging them not to proceed with awarding the new contract to Go-Ahead. Reliable, frequent, and accessible public transport is essentialnot just for reducing car dependency and emissions, but for ensuring communities can stay connected. But none of that is possible if people cant even rely on their bus to arrive. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Pictured is the Wicklow County Council County building at Station Road in Wicklow town. New figures show councillors in Wicklow have been reimbursed 152,621.71 in expenses between them so far this year. Expenses are paid out under a range of categories and are generally made available to cover the costs incurred by councillors as they carry out their representational duties. Funds are provided to pay for broadband and phone bills, insurance, training, attendance at conferences and mileage. The travel and subsistence elements are calculated by reference to the distance from each councillors home to council headquarters and is calculated on an annual basis and paid in monthly instalments. Data published by Wicklow County Council up to the end of June 2025 shows Sinn Fein councillor in Bray, Dermot Daisy O Brien, received the highest amount with 6,655.78. His district colleague in Bray Cllr Erika Doyle was the second highest with her expenses running to 6,083.61, followed by Independent Cllr Jason Mulhall who claimed 5,867.86. Among the other high earners were Fine Gaels Peter Stapleton, who received 3,874.74, and Labours Paul OBrien who took home 3,738.51. Cllr OBrien, who was cathaoirleach of the council until June of this year, was also reimbursed 2,094.85 for a trip abroad between the March 13 and 19. As council chair, he represented Wicklow during the St Patrick Day festivities in New York. Cllr OBrien separately received 1,107.13 for travel expenses to Wurzburg in Germany as part of a county delegation to celebrate a partnership agreement between the city of Wurzburg and Bray that has been in place for over 25 years. Cllr Stephen Stokes and Cllr Patsy Glennon were also part of the delegation between the May 8 and 11 and received 1,186.02 and 872.27 respectively in travel expenses. Councillors Tom Fortune and Peir Leonard were among the other highest independent members compensated with sums of 4,025.58 and 4,115.22 respectively, followed by Cllr Gerry O Neill at 3,657.06. At the lower end of the list are Cllrs John Snell, Shane Langrell and Graham Richmond who all claimed 2,196.58. Meanwhile Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, who resigned from local politics in March, was paid 2,054.03 up to the end of June, with a final payment of 691.29 transferred in May. So far to date in 2025, more than 7,360 has been paid to allow seven elected members attended a variety of workshops, seminars and conferences across the county. The highest individual bill came to 1,867.17 to allow Cllr Paul OBrien attend engagements with the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) and a conference on corporate governance. Cllr Pat Kennedy received the second highest subsidy of 1,813.56 to attend seminars hosted by the AILG. Councillors Avril Cronin, Graham Richmond, Ned Whelan, Warren OToole and Patsy Glennon were also reimbursed for their attendance at events hosted by the AILG in various locations with a combined total cost of 1,860.60. Cllr Shane Langrell also received 718.81 to attend the Local Authority Members Associations spring conference in Kilkenny. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme The devastated family of a 23-year-old Wicklow man are at his bedside in hospital waiting to say their final goodbyes as he remains on a ventilator, having suffered cardiac arrest on Saturday, which led to a catastrophic brain injury. Kian ONeill is the son of Joanna and George and the beloved sibling of Macy, Georgie, Lily and James. He suffered cardiac arrest in the early hours of Saturday morning and was due to remain on a ventilator until Tuesday to allow all his friends and family to say goodbye. Joanna has described her ordeal as a living hell, but will always cherish the close bond Kian formed with his family, especially his younger brothers and sisters. Speaking from Kians bedside on Tuesday afternoon, Joanna said: He lived a 100 years in his 23 years. He was beloved by us all, particularly his four siblings, as he was their absolute idol. He will also be badly missed by his wide circle of friends in Wicklow, Dublin, Manchester and London. Macy ONeill has organised a GoFundMe, with the aim of raising 14,000. By noon on Tuesday the GoFundMe had already raised over 9,000. Macy said: Kian is the beloved oldest sibling of four other children who will need all the possible support along with his parents, friends and wider family. We started the GoFundMe to help with funeral arrangements to give our larger than life, beautiful angel the send off he deserves and allow us to give the attention, love and support his bereaved siblings require. Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by visiting www.gofundme.com/f/kian-oneill Friends of a young Wicklow mum have launched a fundraiser to help her and her family move back to Ireland to cope with another huge health setback. Alannah Fitzmaurice, known as AJ to her friends, was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma aged just 17. It is a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma and aggressive cancer, which Alannah had in her left thigh. She underwent successful surgery and radiation treatment, thanks to the early detection of her condition. In 2012, Alannah required further surgery to fuse the toes in her left foot, due to complications from drop foot, which prevented her from walking properly. This interrupted her nursing training and left her facing months of recovery. That was followed up in 2017 with an operation to have her ankle fused due to radiation damage from the treatment years earlier. Needing a fresh start, she and her husband Emmet moved to Australia, but in September last year she suffered another setback, again linked to past radiation. After surgery and ten months of recovery, she was finally back on her feet, only to be told that the surgery had failed. She now faces a major operation as she need a full hip and proximal femur replacement. Keen to support Alannah through this setback, her friends Aoife and Laura set up an online fundraiser through gofundme.com. Explaining why, they said: This marks the third time in nine years that Alannah has had to stop working, reshaping her life entirely due to health setbacks. With no family support in Australia and another long recovery ahead, Alannah, Emmet, and their toddler Freddie have made the difficult decision to return home to Ireland. Emmet will become a full-time carer for Freddie and neither will be able to work for the foreseeable future. The fundraising target of 20,000 is aimed at helping ease the financial burden of travel and relocation costs, medical and rehab expenses, loss of income and to support Freddie during the difficult transition. Aoife and Laura added: Alannah has always been the first to help others - as a nurse, a friend, and through her generous heart. Now, its our turn to be there for her. Every donation, big or small, will make a meaningful difference for AJ, Emmet, and Freddie. Donations are still being accepted at Alannahs Journey of Recovery and Return to Ireland on gofundme.com Billie Piper plays the new head of music at Nevermore Academy in the second series of hit Netflix show Wednesday (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Billie Piper has said she was thrilled to work with Tim Burton on the new series of Wednesday, describing the director as really childlike energetically. Piper plays Isadora Capri, the new head of music at Nevermore Academy, in the second series of the hit Netflix show, which is set to air next month. The drama, which centres around Wednesday Addams of The Addams Family, stars American Jenna Ortega in the lead role, and also features a number of British actresses including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dame Joanna Lumley and Piper. Speaking to Radio Times, Piper described the character of Capri as a really accomplished musician with an interesting past of her own. The actress told the magazine she was quite overwhelmed to be working with Burton after admiring him for so long, and loved watching his films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Frankenweenie with her children. She added: I watched Beetlejuice so many times as a kid that I actually feel like it inspired the interiors in my house and the clothes I wear. I was fanatical. Doctor Who star Piper said she was grateful to work with Burton. I realised I was dealing with someone whos really childlike energetically open and engaging and fun, she added. I love his energy. And thats what it feels like: like youre being painted into Tim Burtons piece of art, because its a very specific composition a lot of the time, and its striking. It comes after Ofcom announced it would investigate the BBCs Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone documentary The BBC will release its annual report which will disclose the pay of its top talent (Ian West/PA) The BBC is to face questions on Gregg Wallace, its Glastonbury Festival coverage and the Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone documentary as it prepares to release its 2024/2025 annual report. The corporation will highlight its successes over the past year and disclose the pay of its top talent, but focus is likely to be on a storm of stories about the BBCs shows and coverage of live events. It comes after Ofcom announced it would investigate the BBCs Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone documentary after a review found it had breached the corporations editorial guidelines on accuracy. The regulator said it had examined the BBC report and would be investigating under its broadcasting code, which states factual programmes must not materially mislead the audience. The programme was removed from BBC iPlayer in February after it emerged that the child narrator, Abdullah, is the son of Ayman Alyazouri, who has worked as Hamass deputy minister of agriculture. An Ofcom spokesperson said: Having examined the BBCs findings, we are launching an investigation under our rule which states that factual programmes must not materially mislead the audience. The review, conducted by Peter Johnston, the director of editorial complaints and reviews, which is independent of BBC News, said the programme was in breach of accuracy for failing to disclose information about the child narrators fathers position within the Hamas-run government. But the review found no other breaches of editorial guidelines, including breaches of impartiality, and also found no evidence that outside interests inappropriately impacted on the programme. The BBC will also face scrutiny after a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations of misconduct made against former MasterChef presenter Wallace during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of unwelcome physical contact, in a report following an investigation into his behaviour. On Monday, Wallaces MasterChef co-host John Torode confirmed he had a standalone allegation of racist language upheld in the same report. He said had no recollection of the incident and was shocked and saddened by the allegation in an Instagram post. In November 2024 the shows production company, Banijay UK, announced Wallace would step away from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. The report concluded that the majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, adding that a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated. Gary Lineker left the BBC earlier this year (Ian Walton/PA) Also expected to be on the agenda is coverage of Glastonbury, which saw the broadcaster livestream a set by punk duo Bob Vylan, during which singer Bobby Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, led crowds in chants of death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces). Director-general Tim Davie confirmed on Monday that staff at the festival had the authority to cut the stream Avon and Somerset Police have since launched an investigation into the groups set with the BBC issuing an apology for the live stream, and promising to no longer broadcast live acts they deem high risk as they had with Bob Vylan in a pre-festival assessment. The Ipswich-formed duo, who are completed by drummer Bobbie Vylan, are also being investigated by the Met Police for alleged comments in a video of their performance supporting Iggy Pop at Alexandra Palace in May. In the video, Vylan appears to say: Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel. Death to the IDF. According to reports in The Times, the BBCs director of music Lorna Clarke was among a group of senior staff who have stepped back from their day-to-day roles after the broadcasters decision to show Bob Vylans set live. The salary of former Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker is expected to be included in the report, after he left his presenting role early following a social media row after he shared a post about Zionism which featured a depiction of a rat, historically an antisemitic insult. Lineker, who issued an unreserved apology, was the BBCs highest-paid presenter until his departure, with the annual report for 2023/24 showing his salary to be to around 1.35 million a year. The presenter will no longer front the BBCs coverage of the 2026 World Cup or the FA Cup next season, with his final appearance on Match Of The Day at the end of the last Premier League season. It comes as it was announced that Mr Davie and BBC chairman Samir Shah will face questions from MPs over the documentary, Wallace, and its Glastonbury coverage. The two will appear before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on September 9. The guidance comes as the Department for Education warned that misogynistic attitudes had reached epidemic scale among young people New guidance on relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) will focus on helping children combat misogyny (Danny Lawson/PA) Children IN THE uk will be taught how to combat misogyny and resist so-called incel culture under new guidance for schools published on Tuesday. The guidance on relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) focuses on helping boys find positive role models amid the increasing spread of sexist online content from manosphere influencers such as Andrew Tate. It also stresses the need to avoid stigmatising boys for being boys. As well as lessons on so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture, secondary schools will be required to provide young people with greater awareness of AI, deepfakes and links between pornography and misogyny. The guidance comes as the Department for Education (DfE) warned that misogynistic attitudes had reached epidemic scale among young people, with 54% of those aged 11-19 saying they had witnessed misogynist comments. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: Before I was elected to Parliament, I managed a refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence, so I have seen first-hand the devastating impact when we dont foster healthy attitudes from the youngest age. I want our children to be equipped to defy the malign forces that exist online. Schools and parents alike have a vital role to play, helping children identify positive role models and resist the manipulation too often used online to groom impressionable young minds. In its manifesto last year, Labour pledged to halve the rate of violence against women and girls in 10 years. And earlier in 2025, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the Netflix drama Adolescence for highlighting how misogyny had taken on a different form and said he wanted a discussion on what could be done to stop young boys being dragged into this whirlpool of hatred and misogyny. Margaret Mulholland, of the Association of School and College Leaders, welcomed the new guidance and its focus on finding positive male role models for boys, saying it was important that we dont simply tell boys what is wrong. The previous Conservative government proposed changing the guidance on RSHE in May last year, with then-prime minister Rishi Sunak expressing concern children were being exposed to inappropriate content. The draft guidance, which was open to a nine-week consultation, proposed clear age limits on the teaching of certain topics to ensure children were not exposed to too much too soon. It said sex education should be taught no earlier than Year 5, when pupils are aged nine to 10, and that what is described as the contested topic of gender identity should not be taught at all. The proposed guidance said schools should at minimum show parents a representative sample of teaching resources they plan to use and that schools should respond positively to requests from parents to see material that has not already been shared. While Tuesdays revised guidance includes the requirement to provide parents with teaching materials, the new Government has scrapped the proposal to prescribe specific ages at which individual topics are taught. The DfE said there would be a strong new emphasis on age-appropriate teaching, and a clear dividing line between primary and secondary school. But the guidance would allow teachers to sensitively respond to topics that children might have seen online or heard from their friends, with research suggesting 22pc of primary school-aged girls had seen rude images online. Tuesdays guidance also includes requirements on helping children with their mental health, including working with mental health professionals to discuss suicide prevention in an age-appropriate way. Children will be taught the importance of grit and resilience in order to help them feel able to take on challenges and risks. Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen who founded suicide prevention charity 3 Dads Walking in memory of their daughters said: Giving schools permission to talk about suicide prevention means more young people can be supported to open up about difficult feelings and know where to find help. We know, from painful personal experience, how much this matters. This change will save lives. Schools will be able to implement the guidance from September this year, and must follow it from September 2026. Kyiv to get billions worth of weapons as president grows angry with Russia Trump threatens Russia tariffs if Ukraine war is not resolved within 50 days US president Donald Trump announced new weapons for Ukraine yesterday, and threatened to hit buyers of Russian exports with sanctions unless Russia agrees a peace deal in 50 days, a major shift in policy brought on by frustration with Moscow. Sitting side by side with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, Mr Trump told reporters he was disappointed with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Billions of dollars in weapons would be distributed to Ukraine, he said. Were going to make top-of-the-line weapons, and theyll be sent to Nato, Mr Trump said, adding that Washingtons Nato allies would pay for the weapons. The weapons would include Patriot air-defence missiles, which Ukraine has urgently sought to defend its cities from Russian airstrikes. Its a full complement with the batteries, Mr Trump said. Were going to have some come very soon, within days a couple of the countries that have Patriots are going to swap over and will replace the Patriots with the ones they have. Some or all of 17 Patriot batteries ordered by other countries could be sent to Ukraine very quickly, he added. His threat to impose so-called secondary sanctions on Russia, if carried out, would be a major shift in Western sanctions policy. Politicians from both major parties in the US are pushing for a bill that would authorise such measures, targeting other countries that buy Russian oil. Throughout the more than three-year-old war, Western countries have cut off most of their own financial ties to Moscow, but have held back from taking steps that would restrict Russia from selling its oil elsewhere. Vladimir Putin at his residence outside Moscow. Photo: Reuters That has allowed Moscow to continue earning hundreds of billions of dollars from shipping oil to buyers such as China and India. Were going to be doing secondary tariffs, Mr Trump said. If we dont have a deal in 50 days, its very simple, and theyll be at 100pc. A White House official said Mr Trump was referring to 100pc tariffs on Russian goods, as well as secondary sanctions on other countries that buy its exports. Still, Mr Trumps announcement of a 50-day grace period was greeted with relief by investors in Russia, where the rouble recovered from earlier losses and stock markets rose. Trump performed below market expectations. He gave 50 days during which the Russian leadership can come up with something and extend the negotiation track. Moreover, Trump likes to postpone and extend such deadlines, analyst Artyom Nikolayev from Invest Era, a financial information firm, said. Mr Trump, who returned to power this year promising a quick end to the war, said his shift was motivated by increasing frustration with Putin, who, he said, had talked about peace but continued to strike Ukrainian cities. We actually had probably four times a deal. And then the deal wouldnt happen because bombs would be thrown out that night and youd say were not making any deals, Mr Trump said. Since returning to the White House, Mr Trump has sought rapprochement with Moscow, speaking to Putin several times. His administration has pulled back from pro-Ukrainian policies such as backing Kyivs membership in Nato and demanding Russia withdraw from all Ukrainian territory. But so far, Putin has yet to accept a proposal from Mr Trump for an unconditional ceasefire, which was quickly endorsed by Kyiv. Recent days have seen Russia use hundreds of drones to attack Ukrainian cities. Mr Trump vented his frustration last week, saying: We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin. Earlier yesterday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with Mr Trumps envoy Keith Kellogg. Mr Zelensky said he had discussed the path to peace and what we can practically do together to bring it closer, including strengthening Ukraines air defence, joint production and procurement of defence weapons in collaboration with Europe. An air-raid alert was declared in Kyiv shortly after Mr Zelenskys talks with Mr Kellogg took place. US treasury secretary Scott Bessent and Ukrainian first deputy prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko UN secretary general Antonio Guterres was asked for his reaction to Mr Trump saying if there is no deal in 50 days he will impose biting sanctions on Russia. Mr Guterres said we absolutely need an immediate ceasefire and a political solution must be based on the UN Charter, which guarantees the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all 193 UN member nations. Whatever can contribute to these objectives will, of course, be important, if it is done in line with international law, Mr Guterres said. Separately yesterday, Mr Zelensky said he would replace his long-serving prime minister Denys Shmyhal with Mr Shmyhals first deputy, Yulia Svyrydenko, in a transformation of the executive branch. Her appointment will require parliamentary approval. Ms Svyrydenko (39) is an economist and has previously served as deputy head of Mr Zelenskys office. She played a key role in negotiations between Kyiv and Washington on a minerals deal. Russia, which began its full-scale invasion in February 2022, holds about one-fifth of Ukraine. Its forces are slowly advancing in eastern Ukraine and Moscow shows no sign of abandoning its main war goals. Restorers set on display a Roman mosaic depicting a pair of lovers, which was repatriated from Germany, in Pompeii archaeological park (Gregorio Borgia/AP) A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during the Second World War. The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen. The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain, assigned to the military supply chain in Italy during the war. The mosaic - dating between mid- to last century BC and the first century - is considered a work of "extraordinary cultural interest", experts said. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and co-author of an essay dedicated to the returned work, said: "It is the moment when the theme of domestic love becomes an artistic subject. "While the Hellenistic period, from the fourth to the first century BC, exulted the passion of mythological and heroic figures, now we see a new theme." The heirs of the mosaic's last owner in Germany contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome that is dedicated to protecting cultural heritage, which was in charge of the investigation, asking for information on how to return the mosaic to the Italian state. Authorities carried out the necessary checks to establish its authenticity and provenance, and then worked to repatriate the mosaic in September 2023. The collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii was also key, as it made it possible to trace it near the Mount Vesuvius volcano, despite the scarcity of data on the original context of its discovery, the Carabinieri said. The panel was then assigned to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, where, suitably catalogued, it will be protected and available for educational and research purposes. "Today's return is like healing an open wound," Mr Zuchtriegel said, adding that the mosaic allows to reconstruct the story of that period, the first century AD, before Pompeii was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption in AD 79. The park's director also highlighted how the return by the heirs of its owner signals an important change in "mentality", as "the sense of possession (of stolen art) becomes a heavy burden". "We see that often in the many letters we receive from people who may have stolen just a stone, to bring home a piece of Pompeii," Mr Zuchtriegel said. He recalled the so-called "Pompeii curse," which, according to a popular superstition, hits whoever steals artefacts in Pompeii. The world-renowned legend suggests that those who steal finds from the ancient city of Pompeii will experience bad luck or misfortune. That has been fuelled over the years by several tourists who return stolen items, claiming they brought them bad luck and caused tragic events. Meanwhile, Egypt's foreign minister says flow of aid into Gaza has not increased despite agreement last week between Israel and the European Union Mourners pray over the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, outside the morgue of Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) Mourners carry the bodies of Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet, 20, and Mohammed al-Shalabi during their funeral in the West Bank village of Al-Mazraa a-Sharqiya on Sunday, July 13, 2025. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Musallet was killed in an attack by Israeli settlers and al-Shalabi was shot in the chest. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Palestinians wait for donated food at a community kitchen in Gaza City, in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) Smoke and dust from Israeli bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip rises over buildings near the Israel-Gaza border as seen from southern Israel, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) A convoy of Israel- military vehicles leaves the Gaza Strip near the Israel-Gaza border, seen from southern Israel, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) A Palestinian woman mourns over the body of her child killed in an Israeli military strike on Gaza. Photo: AP Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight killed at least 31 people, according to local hospitals, as United Nations agencies warned that critical fuel shortages put hospitals and other critical infrastructure at risk. The latest attacks came after US president Donald Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu held two days of talks last week that ended with no sign of a breakthrough in negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release. Twelve people were killed by strikes in southern Gaza, including three who were waiting at an aid distribution point, according to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, which received the bodies. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City also received 12 bodies, including three children and two women, after a series of strikes in the north, according to the hospitals director. Al-Awda Hospital reported seven killed and 11 wounded in strikes in central Gaza. Mourners carry the bodies of Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet, 20, and Mohammed al-Shalabi during their funeral in the West Bank village of Al-Mazraa a-Sharqiya on Sunday, July 13, 2025. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Musallet was killed in an attack by Israeli settlers and al-Shalabi was shot in the chest. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) The Israeli military says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas. UN agencies reiterated the weekends warning that without adequate fuel, they will likely be forced to stop operations. Mourners pray over the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, outside the morgue of Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) In a joint statement, they said that hospitals are already going dark and ambulances can no longer move. Without fuel, transport, water production, sanitation and telecommunications will shut down and bakeries and community kitchens cannot operate, they said. The agencies confirmed that some 150,000 litres of fuel entered Gaza last week the first delivery in 130 days. But they said it is a small fraction of what is needed each day to keep daily life and critical aid operations running. Palestinians wait for donated food at a community kitchen in Gaza City, in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) The United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners cannot overstate the urgency of this moment: fuel must be allowed into Gaza in sufficient quantities and consistently to sustain life-saving operations, they said. The agencies signing the statement were the UN humanitarian office OCHA, food agency WFP, the WHO, childrens agency Unicef, the agency helping Palestinian refugees UNRWA, population agency UNFPA, development agency UNDP, and UNOPS which oversees procurement and provides management services. No increase in aid Meanwhile, Egypt's foreign minister said on Monday that the flow of aid into Gaza has not increased despite an agreement last week between Israel and the European Union that should have had that result. "Nothing has changed (on the ground)," Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told reporters ahead of the EU-Middle East meeting in Brussels on Monday. The EU's top diplomat said on Thursday that the bloc and Israel agreed to improve Gaza's humanitarian situation, including increasing the number of aid trucks and opening crossing points and aid routes. Smoke and dust from Israeli bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip rises over buildings near the Israel-Gaza border as seen from southern Israel, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) Asked what steps Israel has taken, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar referred to an understanding with the EU but did not provide details on implementation. Asked if there were improvements after the agreement, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told reporters that the situation in Gaza remains "catastrophic". "There is a real catastrophe happening in Gaza resulting from the continuation of the Israeli siege," he said. Safadi said Israel allowed the entry of 40 to 50 trucks days ago from Jordan but that was "far from being sufficient" for the besieged enclave. EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ahead of Monday's meeting that there have been some signs of progress on Gaza aid but not enough improvement on the ground. A convoy of Israel- military vehicles leaves the Gaza Strip near the Israel-Gaza border, seen from southern Israel, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) Israel's continued military operations and blockade have left the entire population of 2.3 million people in Gaza facing acute food insecurity, with nearly half a million at risk of famine by the end of September, a joint United Nations report said last month. Military officials warn PM proposal to relocate citizens threatens to derail talks over ceasefire A Palestinian woman carries the body of her son, Majd Ahmed (6) who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza, at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Saturday, July 12, 2025. Photo: AP The Israeli military has opposed Benjamin Netanyahus plan to force most Gazans into what has been described as a concentration camp in the south of the enclave. IDF officials warned the prime minister over the proposal during tense cabinet talks on Sunday night, saying it would run over budget, could take more than a year to implement and risks derailing fragile ceasefire and hostage release negotiations. The plan envisions transferring an initial 600,000 Palestinians into a humanitarian city built on the ruins of Rafah, an area just a fifth of Gazas original size, with the ultimate goal of relocating Gazas entire civilian population of more than two million. Ehud Olmert, the former Israeli prime minister, said the proposals in Rafah would be akin to a concentration camp. It is a concentration camp. I am sorry, he told The Guardian in an interview. If they [Palestinians] will be deported into the new humanitarian city, then you can say that this is part of an ethnic cleansing, he said. That would be the inevitable interpretation of any attempt to create a camp for hundreds of thousands of people. Gazans would be screened before entering the camps and not allowed to leave. International organisations would provide aid while the IDF secures the camps perimeter. Those inside would be encouraged to voluntarily emigrate, Israel Katz, the Israeli defence minister, confirmed earlier this month. Israels Channel 12 reported that the prime minister responded angrily to the militarys objections, demanding that the timetable be shortened and saying he asked for a realistic plan. The prime minister threw down all the stops on the humanitarian city plan that the IDF and the defence ministry presented, the channel reported, citing a source present at the meeting. He said he understood that this was their way of making it not happen, but he was determined that it would happen. After a long discussion, he sent them to plan another, much leaner, faster and cheaper alternative by tomorrow [Monday], so that it would really be feasible, the source added. The military was reported to have warned the plan could also cost up to 15 billion shekels (3.8m), significantly more than previously projected. Tensions between Mr Netanyahu and the military have risen in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Eyal Zamir, the IDF chief of staff, reportedly told the prime minister at a cabinet meeting that the humanitarian city plan could lead to a loss of control over the enclave. In response, far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich were said to have accused Mr Zamir of refusing to carry out his orders. Mr Olmert said he did not consider Israels current actions as ethnic cleansing because he believed evacuating civilians to keep them safe from fighting is allowed under international law. He also pointed out that Palestinians had returned to areas after military operations had ended. When they build a camp where they [plan to] clean more than half of Gaza, then the inevitable understanding of the strategy of this [is that] it is not to save [Palestinians], said Mr Olmert, who led Israel from 2006 to 2009. It is to deport them, to push them and to throw them away. There is no other understanding that I have, at least. Mr Olmert, who initially supported Israels campaign against Hamas after the October 7 attacks, later condemned the government for abandoning peace talks and committing what he now calls war crimes, saying he was ashamed and heartbroken that self-defence had turned into something else. He believes these crimes were due to negligence, not intentional brutality, and blames the military for turning a blind eye to civilian deaths. Mr Olmert is working with former Palestinian foreign minister Nasser al-Kidwa to push for a two-state solution, which he still believes is possible. Donald Trump who has also mooted plans to depopulate Gaza said he hoped to have a ceasefire deal straightened out over the next week. Israel was set to present plans for a partial withdrawal of troops from Gaza to mediators in Doha yesterday. According to Channel 12, Israel was warned that this will not be accepted by Hamas, which is demanding a complete withdrawal. Israel however is insisting on retaining control of the Morag corridor, a security zone between Rafah and Khan Younis. It is also demanding its forces occupy a deep buffer zone along Gazas borders in order to prevent a repeat of the October 7 terror attacks. ( Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd) People inspect the wreckage of a petrol station destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Saturday (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Israeli strikes overnight and into Tuesday killed more than 90 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, including dozens of women and children, health officials said. One strike in the northern Shati refugee camp killed a 68-year-old Hamas member of the Palestinian legislature, as well as a man and a woman and their six children who were sheltering in the same building, according to officials from Shifa Hospital, where the casualties were taken. One of the deadliest strikes hit a house in Gaza City's Tel al-Hawa district on Monday evening and killed 19 members of the family living inside, according to Shifa Hospital. The dead included eight women and six children. A strike on a tent housing displaced people in the same district killed a man, a woman and their two children. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strikes. Gaza's Health Ministry said in a daily report on Tuesday afternoon that the bodies of 93 people killed by Israeli strikes had been brought to hospitals in Gaza over the past 24 hours, along with 278 wounded. It did not specify the total number of women and children among the dead. The Hamas politician killed in a strike early on Tuesday, Mohammed Faraj al-Ghoul, was a member of the bloc of representatives from the group that won seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council in the last election held among Palestinians in 2006. Hamas won a majority in the vote, but relations with the main Fatah faction that had long led the Palestinian Authority unravelled and ended with Hamas taking over the Gaza Strip in 2007. The legislative council has not formally convened since. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas. But daily, it hits homes and shelters where people are living without warning or explanation of the target. The latest attacks came after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held two days of talks last week that ended with no sign of a breakthrough in negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release. Israel has killed more than 58,400 Palestinians and wounded more than 139,000 others in its retaliation campaign since Hamas's attack on October 7 2023, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Just over half the dead are women and children, according to the ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its tally. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, is led by medical professionals. Its count, based on daily reports from hospitals, is considered by the United Nations and other experts to be the most reliable. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after its attack 20 months ago, in which militants stormed into southern Israel and killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 others, and the militants are still holding 50 hostages, fewer than half of them are believed to be alive. Israel's air and ground campaign has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and driven some 90% of the population from their homes. Aid groups say they have struggled to bring in food and other assistance because of Israeli military restrictions and the breakdown of law and order, and experts have warned of famine. Trapped residents were leaning out of windows and screaming for help Michael Pimentel, centre, a resident at the Gabriel House assisted living facility, in Fall River, Mass., receives assistance from an emergency medical worker, right, outside a temporary shelter, Monday, July 14, 2025 Dennis Etzkorn, owner of Gabriel House, right, visits the site in the aftermath of a fire alongside Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon, left, Monday, July 14 in Fall River, Mass, (Michael Casey) Flames roared through an assisted-living nursing home in Massachusetts, killing nine people and trapping residents inside, including some who leaned out of windows and screamed for help, authorities said yesterday. At least 30 people were hurt. Firefighters responded to the Gabriel House facility in Fall River, about 50 miles south of Boston, at about 9.50pm on Sunday and were met with heavy smoke and flames at the front of the building. The cause was under investigation, authorities said. Lorraine Ferrara, one of about 70 residents at the facility, awoke to a neighbour pounding on her door. She tried to make her way through the smoke in the hallway but turned back. The sprinkler system was shooting hot water on her back, so she retreated into her room. It was filled with smoke, she said. I opened the window as far as I could, yelling Help! Help! Second floor! A firefighter broke the window and carried her down the ladder, she said. I really thought I was going to die, she said. I thought there was no way out. Others who were rescued were taken to hospitals. Jarren Oldrid described the scene as pretty terrifying as he tried to figure out if his 67-year-old father, Steven Oldrid, was safe. He found him recovering from smoke inhalation at a hospital. Its kind of just a whirlwind of trying to figure out whats happening, how this could happen in such a major way, he said. Gabriel House opened in 1999 and has 100 units, according to Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence. Its website promotes studio apartments for those seniors who cannot afford the high end of assisted living as well as group adult foster care within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and churches. Dennis Etzkorn, the facilitys owner, declined to comment yesterday, but officials said he was co-operating with what fire chief Jeffrey Bacon called a very extensive investigation. About 50 firefighters responded to the scene, including 30 who were off-duty. Police also helped break down doors and carried about a dozen residents to safety. Five injured firefighters were released from the hospital yesterday. This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community, Mr Bacon said. Rev Michael Racine, the citys fire chaplain, spent the night blessing the bodies of the dead and trying to console survivors, families, staff members and firefighters. Nobody in that department has seen what we saw last night. Nobody, he said. Weve seen fatalities, which we dont want to see, but nobodys seen anything like last night. Joe Alves, who lives several houses down from the facility, said he saw officials pulling bodies, people in wheelchairs and injured pets out of the building, with some pouring water bottles on burns. It was terrible, he said, choking up slightly. Several residents praised police and firefighters for heroic rescue efforts but said staff members did little to help. They didnt knock on one door, Robert Cavrel said. They just ran. Every assisted-living facility has to meet state building and fire codes, according to the Massachusetts Department of Elder Affairs. Facilities must have adequate staff to respond to emergencies and evacuation plans, according to a department list of state certification procedures and standards. Asked at a news conference if there were previous safety complaints about the facility, Massachusetts governor Maura Healey said she was not aware of any. She offered state assistance to the citys mayor, condolences to the families of those who died and gratitude to first responders. Right now, the first order of business is to make sure were assisting the city in every way possible in rehousing what is a vulnerable population, Ms Healey said. All of these people need assistance. As you saw, many were in wheelchairs, many were immobile, many had oxygen tanks. Survivors of the fire were ushered to a temporary housing centre about half a mile from their former home, many of them in shock after losing most of their belongings. Some broke down in tears, others threw out names desperate to know who was still alive. Staffers handed out sandwiches, beverages and even canes for those who did not have time to grab their medical equipment in the smoke and flames. Neal Beck, who had lived at Gabriel House for six years, said he was rescued by ladder from his bathroom window. Ive been homeless before, Mr Beck said. I guess Ill be homeless again. Trade War Economics: Indias Moment in the USs Tariff Strategy Amid shifting US tariff policies, India is gaining a trade edge over global competitors like China and Canada. NITI Aayogs latest report highlights strong export growth to the US. While this opens key opportunities, experts urge caution against rushed trade deals that could compromise long-term interests. Indias strategic position in the global trading system is evolving in response to recent shifts in international tariff structures, particularly those implemented by the US. As per NITI Aayogs July 2025 report, India has gained an edge in 22 key export sectors amid US tariff shifts. According to the Trade Watch Quarterly report for Q3 FY 2025-26, released by NITI Aayog on July 14, 2025, India is positioned to gain a competitive advantage over key rivals such as China, Canada, and Mexico due to favorable tariff differentials across several critical sectors. Trade experts, however, advise India to avoid rushed trade agreements that could undermine long-term interests. Indias edge in export markets amid tariffs The report finds that under the current US tariff framework, India is likely to gain a competitive edge in 22 of the top 30 Harmonized System-2 (HS-2) product categories it exports to the US. These segments account for 61 percent of Indias total exports to the US and correspond to 68 percent of total US imports in those categories. This presents an opportunity for Indian exporters to expand their market presence in the US. The HS-2 refers to broad product categories used in international trade classification. Conversely, in the six remaining top categories where India faces slightly higher tariffs, the average disadvantage is limited to just 1 percent, keeping India broadly competitive in those areas as well. High-value and labour-intensive sectors set to benefit Indias relative advantage spans both high-value industries, such as nuclear equipment, electronics, and vehicles, as well as labor-intensive sectors, including apparel, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. These gains are driven by increased tariff burdens on competing exporters like China, Canada, and Mexico, which provide Indian manufacturers with a potential pricing edge in the American market. US Reciprocal Tariff Rates Trading partner July 2025 announced rate April 2, 2025, announced rate Bangladesh 35% 37% Brazil 50% 10% Brunei 25% 24% China 55% 34% Canada 35% European Union (EU) 30% 20% India 26% Indonesia 32% 32% Japan 25% 24% Kazakhstan 25% 27% Malaysia 25% 24% Mexico 25% Moldova 25% 31% Myanmar 40% 44% Philippines 20% 17% South Korea 25% 25% South Africa 30% 30% Tunisia 25% 28% Vietnam 20% 46% Source: The White House The reports findings are based on the US applying a 10 percent baseline tariff on imports from all trading partners, except Mexico and Canada. However, on July 13, 2025, Trump announced that Mexico now faces a 30 percent tariff, and Canadas imports are subject to a 35 percent duty. Chinese goods have been hit with an additional 30 percent tariff, dramatically altering the competitive landscape in favor of India. Trade uncertainty looms over India-US negotiations Despite these opportunities, the trade environment remains in flux. As of July 10, 2025, the US has temporarily suspended reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods, which would otherwise total 26 percent (including the 10 percent base tariff). This suspension is in effect until August 1, 2025. Should an interim trade agreement between India and the US not materialize by then, Washington may reinstate these tariffs, affecting Indias current advantage. The outlook for other US trade partners also remains uncertain and will largely depend on the outcomes of their ongoing bilateral negotiations. Policy priorities for India amid trade talks To fully leverage this shifting trade landscape, the report urges Indian policymakers to adopt a forward-looking and flexible trade strategy. Some of the key recommendations mentioned in the report are as follows: Focused export support for Indias strategic sectors Deepening domestic sectoral integration with global value chains Accelerating bilateral negotiations on digital trade and services Establishing robust institutional frameworks for cross-border data flows and mutual recognition agreements The report anticipates that these measures can help solidify Indias role as a reliable trade partner and enhance its global trade footprint. Amid tariff tensions, the US emerges as Indias top export destination in Q1 FY 202526 During the first quarter of FY 202526 (April to June), Indias trade relationship with the US continues to strengthen, positioning the latter as a key partner in both exports and imports. As per the data released by the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry on July 15, 2025, the US emerged as the leading export destination for India during this period. Indias exports to the US grew by 22.18 percent in AprilJune 2025 compared to the same quarter in 2024, with a sharp 23.53 percent year-on-year rise recorded in June 2025 alone. Indias export uptick with the US comes at a time when the two countries are negotiating for a trade pact. On the import side, the US also featured among Indias top five sources. Imports from the US rose by 11.68 percent during AprilJune 2025 compared to the corresponding period in 2024. Overall, the Q1 trade data reflects the USs central role in Indias external trade strategy. Indias overall exportscomprising merchandise and servicesstood at US$210.31 billion, reflecting a 5.94 percent year-on-year increase from US$198.52 billion in Q1 FY 202425. Merchandise exports alone reached US$112.17 billion, up 1.92 percent from 2024. Trade experts advisory: Avoiding high-risk, one-sided deals In a separate report, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) cautions India against rushing into trade agreements that could compromise core economic sectors, especially agriculture. The trade agency emphasizes that India should resist diplomatic pressureparticularly from the USto conclude deals that may have unfavorable long-term consequences, especially in a politically volatile global landscape. The report warns that any agreement made under duress could be short-lived and potentially reversed with changes in US political leadership. GTRI stresses the importance of preserving domestic interests over short-term trade appeasements. It also notes that the USs aggressive push for trade dealstermed MASALA deals (Mutually Agreed Settlements Achieved through Leveraged Arm-twisting)has had limited success. So far, only Vietnam and the United Kingdom (UK) have agreed to US demands, while others like Japan, South Korea, the EU, and Australia have resisted. These deals often require partner countries to reduce tariffs and commit to minimum US goods purchases, without reciprocal benefits. Moreover, the US retains the discretion to impose further tariffs at will, creating an environment of unpredictability for trade partners. In response to global resistance, the US has adopted punitive trade measures. On July 7, the White House administration imposed 25 percent tariffs on Japanese and South Korean imports, followed by threats of 30 percent tariffs on EU and Mexican products as of July 12, despite ongoing negotiations. ALSO READ: India Must Avoid Trade Shortcuts Amid US-China Tariff Tensions: GTRI India not alone in facing trade pressures The US is currently negotiating with over 20 countries and has demanded concessions from more than 90 nations. GTRI has made a note that a growing number of stakeholders recognize that such politically driven trade arrangements offer little predictability and limited long-term benefit. India, the report concludes, should maintain its strategic focus, safeguard vital sectors, and pursue trade policies that support resilience, competitiveness, and long-term development. Conclusion The evolving US tariff policy offers India a rare chance to enhance its export competitiveness in a key market. However, this opportunity must be balanced with careful negotiation and policy discipline. With thoughtful engagement and agile policymaking, India can cement its role as a preferred global trade partner while also safeguarding its economic sovereignty against short-term geopolitical pressures. Tuesday in Port Charles will start off with high tension as Sonny will take charge during a hostage situation in General Hospital. Sidwell finds himself in a corner when Sonny demands full cooperation to ensure Marcos safety. With Marco still missing and calling out for help, Sonny insists Sidwell follow his terms or face the consequences. The standoff shows no signs of slowing down, and Marcos fate hangs by a thread. Drew urges Carly to rethink Michaels choices Over at the hospital, Drew has a stern warning for Carly. He believes Michaels refusal to retreat from his plans is leading them all down a dangerous path. Michaels stubborn decisions have already taken a toll on Willow, whos about to receive some distressing updates. Her reaction? A mix of heartbreak and anger and a growing sense that things are slipping out of control. WATCH: Isaiah diffuses the awkward energy brewing between Lucas and Willow. #GH pic.twitter.com/BXLTCsR8gK General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) July 15, 2025 Willow suspects Michael may have escalated their family issues by taking action regarding Wiley and her time with him at the pool. If true, it could make the custody situation worse. As Willow crumbles emotionally, she finds herself leaning on Drew. Though Sasha and Daisy are present, Sasha soon shifts her focus toward Nina and her own concerns. Willow spirals, Sasha warns Nina Willows emotional struggles dont go unnoticed. Sasha checks in with Nina, possibly to say a difficult goodbye or caution her about Willows state of mind. The worry is real and Nina may now be left wondering if Willow is heading toward another collapse. With emotions running high and relationships tangled, the situation is getting more unpredictable. Lucas points a finger at Jason Elsewhere, Lucas unleashes his frustration at Jason, furious over Marcos abduction. He doesnt mince words if things go south, Jason will be the one held responsible. The stakes are personal and painful, and Jason is now squarely in the spotlight. At the same time, Tracy hints shes far from finished with her own tricks. Her new plan might just set off another wave of trouble. In Port Charles, decisions have consequences and this week, everyone must face the impact of their choices, like it or not. The International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA) has expressed concern over the initial report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding the Air India AI171 crash. According to the global pilots body, the preliminary report raises several questions but offers no answers. IFALPA cautioned against interpreting the early findings as conclusive, noting that any extrapolation at this stage would be speculative and could interfere with the ongoing investigation. In a statement issued on Monday, IFALPA reiterated its support for the AAIBs efforts and emphasised that the families of those who lost their lives deserve our collective professionalism. It highlighted that the purpose of a preliminary report is to present early factual data and should not be used to form final conclusions. Fuel cutoff and cockpit confusion documented in report The AAIB report into the June 12 crash stated that both engine fuel switches of the London-bound Air India flight were turned off, leading to engine shutdowns. It further noted that cockpit voice recordings captured a moment of confusion, with one pilot asking the other why the fuel was cut. The response from the second pilot was that he did not do it. Air India 171 crash on June 12 | Credit: X The report also confirmed that fuel samples collected from airport bowsers and storage tanks were tested at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation laboratory and were found to be satisfactory. The crash occurred just seconds after the plane took off from Ahmedabad airport and struck the residential quarters of doctors at BJ Medical College, killing 241 of the 242 onboard and several people on the ground, including nine students and their family members. No safety recommendations, IFALPA urges caution The preliminary report did not include any safety recommendations. IFALPA underlined that this is in line with ICAO Annex 13, which mandates the release of such reports within 30 days of the incident but does not expect safety conclusions this early in the process. Whilst this preliminary report by its very nature raises many questions, it does not provide answers, the statement said. The association also urged all parties to refrain from speculation, stressing the importance of allowing the investigation to reach its final stage without outside interference. Debate grows, experts urge patience Following the release of the report, aviation expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan speculated on NDTV that the incident may have been caused deliberately, citing the manual nature of the fuel switch mechanism. However, several former pilots and aviation analysts strongly opposed this view, stating it is premature to draw such conclusions without a full report. AAIB chief Aurobindo Handa also advised against hasty interpretations, stating that it would be inappropriate to assign blame until the investigation is complete. As investigations continue, global aviation bodies urge restraint and professionalism until all facts of the Air India crash are fully known. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. US President Donald Trump has warned that his administration will impose 100% secondary tariffs on nations that continue to trade with Russia unless Moscow ends its war in Ukraine within the next 50 days. Trump made this announcement during a joint appearance at the White House with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, signalling frustration over the ongoing conflict. I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, Trump said, expressing disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin and a lack of progress on peace talks. The US president has long floated the idea of secondary sanctions to isolate Moscow economically and now appears set to act if his demands are not met. Russia says its open to talks, but not under pressure Responding to Trumps remarks, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated on Tuesday that Moscow is willing to negotiate. However, he added that Russia did not warm to ultimatums, making it clear that the Kremlin has no intention of yielding to external threats. While there has been no formal response to the 50-day deadline, Ryabkovs comments indicate a reluctance to engage in talks under coercion. Donald Trump | Credit: X The Kremlins position comes at a time when Russia has stepped up aerial attacks on Ukraine, with drone and missile strikes targeting civilian and military infrastructure. UN data shows that June 2025 witnessed the highest number of civilian casualties in three years, with 232 deaths and 1,343 injuries. NATO announces arms deal to strengthen Ukraines defence Alongside the tariff warning, Trump confirmed that a significant NATO weapons deal has been finalised to support Ukraines defence. The agreement includes deliveries of US-manufactured Patriot missile systemscurrently the only systems Ukraine has that can intercept Russian ballistic missiles. According to NATO chief Rutte, several countriesGermany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canadaare participating in the agreement. Speed is of the essence here, he said, stressing the urgency in delivering equipment to the battlefield. Trump added that billions of dollars worth of military supplies would be purchased by NATO allies and distributed swiftly. He also mentioned that one country has 17 Patriot systems getting ready to be shipped, and confirmed that Norway will contribute missile batteries. Rutte also noted that the deal is being designed to accommodate the stockpile needs of the US military. Ukraines defences are under pressure amid growing attacks The latest phase of Russias aerial campaign has heavily strained Ukraines air defence capabilities. Despite a 70% interception rate, the high frequency of strikes has allowed multiple drones and missiles to reach their targets. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Russia launched ten times more drones and missiles in June 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. The sharp escalation has led to significant destruction and civilian harm, increasing pressure on NATO and the US to expedite arms deliveries. Trump has cited examples like India-Pakistan and RwandaDR Congo to argue that trade pressure can help end wars. Weve been very successful in settling wars with trade, he said. With 50 days on the clock, Trumps tariff ultimatum introduces a new phase of international pressure. But with Russia rejecting threats and violence escalating on the ground, the road to any resolution remains uncertain. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Amritsar-Jamnagar expressway: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has suspended toll collection on a 28.71 km stretch of the Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway starting July 15. The decision is linked to urgent repair work on a damaged section of NH-754K, under Package-4 of the Sanchore-Santalpur section. According to NHAI, the toll suspension aims to prioritise commuter safety and convenience. Repairs are ongoing, and toll services will resume only after the work is completed. The suspension began at 8:00 AM today. The affected stretch is part of the ambitious Bharatmala Pariyojana, a flagship national highway development program. This corridor is vital for interstate connectivity between Rajasthan and Gujarat and plays a key role in freight movement. CM orders immediate monsoon damage repairs Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had earlier directed departments to repair all monsoon-damaged highways without delay. The repair work on the Amritsar-Jamnagar expressway is part of this push to restore roads swiftly across the state. The Amritsar-Jamnagar expressway is essential for improving access to major ports such as Jamnagar, Kandla, and Mundra. The temporary toll halt may affect logistics and transport routes, though it helps in maintaining infrastructure safety. What travelers and freight operators need to know? Toll collection on the 28.71 km stretch of the Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressways Package-4 section is suspended from July 15, 2025, 8:00 AM onwards. Suspension will continue until the completion of urgent repair and rectification work. The move seeks to improve road safety and reduce potential disruptions caused by defects. The expressway facilitates faster, safer freight movement connecting northern states to western ports. Authorities urge commuters to stay updated with traffic advisories and alternative route information during repair operations. This temporary toll suspension on the Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway shows NHAIs commitment to maintaining high infrastructure standards and safeguarding public convenience. FAQs 1. Why is the toll suspended on the Amritsar-Jamnagar expressway? Answer: The toll is suspended due to essential repair work on a 28.71 km section of NH-754K to ensure public safety. 2. When did the Amritsar-Jamnagar toll suspension begin? Answer: NHAI implemented the toll halt on July 15 at 8:00 AM, and it will continue until repair work is finished. 3. Which section of the Amritsar-Jamnagar expressway is affected? Answer: The suspended toll applies to Package-4 of the Sanchore-Santalpur section, part of the Amritsar-Jamnagar corridor. 4. Will freight and logistics services be delayed? Answer: There may be minor disruptions in freight movement, as the expressway is a key trade route to Gujarats ports. 5. Is this part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana project? Answer: Yes, this stretch is a critical part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana, aiming to boost connectivity across India. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Indian astronaut and Air Force test pilot, is en route to Earth after spending 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. The crew which included Commander Peggy Whitson and Mission Specialists Slawosz Suave Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu undocked from the ISS on Monday. They are expected to land near the California coast on Tuesday at 3:01 pm IST, aboard the Dragon Grace spacecraft. This mission marks Shukla as the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharmas historic journey in 1984. The milestone is also significant for Indias ambitions in human spaceflight, with ISRO having invested around 550 crore in Shuklas participation. The experience will inform ISROs preparations for the Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for 2027. From quarantine to space: A journey of delays and discipline Shuklas journey began not on the launch pad, but in quarantine. He spent almost a month at the Kennedy Space Center, as his launch faced repeated delays. Originally scheduled for May 29, the flight finally took off from Florida on June 25. Despite the holdup, Shukla remained composed a quality that was put to further test in space, where even basic tasks like hygiene required adaptation. Some amazing photos of Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla from ISS. @isro Hope to see similar photos from Gaganyaan H1 soon . Jai Hind Jai Bharat pic.twitter.com/tcAQMTLXQn Lokesh KR (@Lokeshkr73) July 5, 2025 Life without water, showers or even a haircut While aboard the ISS, Shukla became the first Indian to receive a haircut in microgravity. Fellow astronaut Nichole Ayers handled the clippers, joking that she might consider a career in hairstyling once back on Earth. We joked about how I might have a future in the haircutting business when I get back on Earth, but the reviews are still out, she said. Shukla also went without a proper bath during the mission standard on the ISS, where theres no running water. European astronaut Thomas Pesquet explained the process: We use wipes, wet wipes, and dry wipes. We also have wet towels. Put a bit of soap, put some water on the towel, and then you can wash yourself. No showers, no bathtub, no spa. Despite the conditions, astronauts stay clean. Its a clean environment. And youre wiping yourself with wet towels it works really well, Pesquet added. Shukla was first seen with a stubble in space but later appeared clean-shaven as he looked down on Earth from the stations cupola. Among his memories of space, the haircut while orbiting Earth at 28,000 kilometres per hour stands out as a unique experience. Why Shuklas mission matters for India The Axiom-4 mission has broader implications beyond the headlines. With India planning its first indigenous human spaceflight in 2027, Shuklas experience provides valuable insights for training, preparation, and adaptation in space environments. The mission also highlights Indias growing role in the international space community. Shuklas return ends a historic space chapter and sets the stage for Indias next giant leap with Gaganyaan in 2027. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Samsung Galaxy F36 5G launch confirmed: Samsung Galaxy F36 5G India launch is officially on the horizon, with Flipkart teasing the upcoming phone as part of its Flex HiFAI AI-focused campaignhinting at premium AI features debuts in the budget segment . The teaser highlights a sleek, slim design and left-side SIM tray, evoking excitement around both aesthetics and usability. As a close relative of the Galaxy M36 5G, the F36 is expected to retain the same core experience, including a sharp FHD+ Super AMOLED display and Exynos 1380-powered performance. With Samsung's promising smart imaging and AI-driven enhancements, the Galaxy F36 could emerge as a standout value proposition in Indias sub25,000 5G market. Stay tuned to discover why AI-intelligent design might be its key differentiator. Samsung Galaxy F36 5G India launch (Confirmed) The Samsung Galaxy F36 5G is scheduled to launch in India shortly, according to a banner ad on Flipkart's website. On the website of the e-commerce platform, interested customers will be able to purchase Samsung's next F-series smartphone. Samsung Galaxy F36 5G expected specifications A banner ad on Flipkart's website has confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy F36 5G will soon launch in India | Credit: Flipkart Some artificial intelligence (AI) elements may be included in the upcoming Samsung Galaxy F-series smartphone. The Galaxy F36 5G banner ad's tagline is "Flex HI-FAI," and the AI-highlighted letters are colored differently. Additionally, the banner indicates that the phone will have a SIM tray on the left side. Additionally, a comparatively slimmer, vertically aligned rear camera island was visible in the phone's peek. Samsung's next F-series smartphone was recently uncovered on the Google Play Console database, which displayed the device's design and main features. According to the listing, the Galaxy F36 5G might include a teardrop-shaped notch to hold the front-facing selfie camera. The listing also suggested that the Exynos 1380 SoC and at least 6GB of RAM might power the Samsung Galaxy F36. It is said that the display has a 450ppi pixel density and a resolution of 1,080x2,340 pixels. According to reports, the phone could run One UI 7 on top of Android 15. Samsung Galaxy F36 5G expected price in India The price has not been revealed yet. A shadowy past a deadly mission and a BTS soundtrack no one saw coming. In the newly released trailer for Butterfly, Daniel Dae Kim steps into the role of a hunted ex-CIA agent. But while the premise promises high-stakes drama, what really grabbed fans was the background music: J-Hope's introspective track What If, setting the tone for the action-packed Amazon Prime Video series. The suspense of the drama unfolds with moody visuals and sharp cuts - all while J-Hope's What If pulses in the background, lending emotional weight to the espionage thriller. What If: A perfect match Far from being just another pop song placement, What If dives into duality - J-Hope vs. Jung Hoseok, idol vs. human. He questions what remains if fame, fortune, and stage lights fade. That theme of identity and loss of control is mirrored in David Jung's character, whose own past decisions return to haunt him. Second chances dont come twice. Butterfly premieres August 13. pic.twitter.com/IuPXPvsi3D Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) July 14, 2025 Released as part of J-Hope's Jack in the Box album, the track is raw, vulnerable, and philosophical - everything you'd expect from a story about fractured trust, family, and life on the run. From Hobipalooza to Hollywood This trailer drop comes just a day after J-Hope headlined Lollapalooza Berlin on Sunday (July 13), performing a powerhouse 21-song set in 90 minutes before 60,000 fans. The event, dubbed 'Hobipalooza' by ARMY, cemented his global presence as a soloist. Now, hearing his music score a major Amazon series marks yet another milestone - this time, in film and TV. ARMY's reaction It didn't take long for fans to recognize the familiar beat. ARMY flooded social media with praise, noting how perfectly the song's message aligned with the show's psychological undertones. For many, it was another reminder that BTS' influence stretches far beyond the stage. Love the use of What if by #JHOPE # from his Jack in the Box album! Ill be watching this when its released. Looks good. Perfect track for the trailer. https://t.co/CF90CLr5F4 Sherry (@SherryLuvsBTS) July 14, 2025 Will I check out this because J-hopes music is in the trailer?!? Yes, yes I will. (Also trailer looks great!) pic.twitter.com/1TjotASgIS BTS Killin It & Running with Seokjin (@BTSOT7Canada) July 14, 2025 Ok, you know what? Amazon Prime and j-hope partnership was a match made on heaven, knew it since Hope On The Street docuseries. Definitely gonna watch Butterfly cause it looks fun and j-hope's song fits so perfectly as bgm Jack In The Box by j-hope (@RudaIik) July 14, 2025 I hear JHope's What If! Is it officially part of the soundtrack?! BTS7Plus1Forever (@dwhitti7771) July 14, 2025 Butterfly : All you need to know Premiere date: August 13, 2025 Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video Episodes: 6 (all released at once) Created by: Ken Woodruff & Steph Cha Executive producer: Daniel Dae Kim Cast: Daniel Dae Kim, Reina Hardesty, Piper Perabo, Park Hae-soo, Kim Tae-hee, Charles Parnell, Kim Ji-hoon, Sean Dulake, Nayoon Kim, Sung Dong-il, and Lee Il-hwa. Butterfly: What's the story? This series is a deeply personal tale of betrayal, loyalty, and survival. Adapted from the 2015 graphic novel by Arash Amel and Marguerite Bennett, Butterfly centers on David Jung (Daniel Dae Kim), a former top-tier U.S. intelligence agent living in quiet exile in South Korea. But his peace is shattered when his past catches up with him, and he becomes the target of Rebecca a deadly young assassin with ties not only to a shadowy organization, but to Jung himself. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. Passengers at Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport witnessed a jaw-dropping twist straight out of a crime thriller when customs officers busted a woman smuggling a colossal quantity of cocaine, concealed not in secret pouches, but in biscuit boxes and chocolate boxes. DRI Mumbai seized 6.26 kg of cocaine worth 62.6 crore from an Indian woman arriving from Doha at Mumbai Airport on July 14, 2025. Acting on specific intelligence, officials recovered 300 cocaine-filled capsules hidden in Oreo and chocolate boxes. The woman was arrested under pic.twitter.com/v7IbVICVJc IANS (@ians_india) July 14, 2025 Sweet treats with a dark twist: Cocaine found in biscuit and chocolate boxes As reported by IANS, The Indian national, who had landed from Doha, Qatar on July 14, was intercepted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) based on a confidential tip-off. Sources had alerted the agency about a suspected female smuggler arriving with narcotics that day, prompting officials to closely monitor incoming passengers. Woman caught smuggling cocaine in biscuit boxes at Mumbai Airport | Credit: Freepik 300 capsules of cocaine hidden in plain sight During the detailed luggage inspection, officers grew suspicious of six large biscuit boxes and three chocolate packs that the woman was carrying. But instead of sweet snacks, each of the nine boxes contained capsules, 300 in total, packed with a mysterious white powder. Upon testing, the substance was confirmed to be cocaine. Capsules of cocaine | Credit: Freepik Weighing in at 6,261 grams, the drug stash is estimated to be worth a staggering Rs 62.6 crore in the international narcotics market. Authorities were quick to seize the material, arrest the woman, and launch a deeper investigation into the smuggling network. An official associated with the operation stated that this was one of the largest drug seizures at the airport in recent months, adding that concealing drugs inside common food items is a tactic smugglers increasingly use to avoid detection. Not the first attempt in recent weeks This bust follows another similar operation just weeks earlier, when DRI officers caught a male passenger from Sierra Leone on June 22 with 1,139 grams of cocaine. That seizure, valued at Rs 11.39 crore, highlights how international drug cartels continue to use India as both a transit and target market for cocaine distribution. Capsules of cocaine | Credit: Freepik Officials noted that repeated attempts using diverse smuggling methods show the growing need for increased airport surveillance and real-time intelligence exchange. Both passengers remain in custody, and officials are probing further links to organised drug syndicates operating through global trafficking routes. Investigation underway The woman is currently being questioned, and authorities are working to determine whether she is part of a larger international network. As investigations continue, the DRI remains tight-lipped about specific findings but maintains that more arrests could follow. BTSs Jungkook cant even change his Instagram handle without sending the internet into a frenzy. On July 15, fans noticed a mysterious new Instagram account under the handle @mnijungkook, which BTS members quickly followed. That alone was enough to get attention, but the handle's unfamiliar look caused some fans to take it a step further. Suddenly, dating rumours involving aespas Winter were back on the timeline and louder than ever. Jungkook debuts a new Instagram account For fans whove been around a while, this isnt Jungkooks first IG switch-up. He famously deleted his verified personal account @jungkook.97 back in early 2023, explaining during a Weverse live that he wasnt using it much and didnt want to keep it idle. More recently, he shared photos of his beloved dog Bam on an account that many fans believe was dedicated to the pup. So when @mnijungkook popped up and started being followed by RM, J-Hope, Jimin, and V, many took it as a sign that this was his fresh, more casual online space. It had no posts, no bio, and no confirmation at the time, leaving room for wild theories. While all of this unfolded on Monday, things really picked up the next day. On Tuesday, V went live on Instagram, and both RM and Jungkook (from his new handle) joined him. Thats when fans flocked to follow Jungkooks fresh account in huge numbers, and within hours, he had already gained over 4 million followers. BTS' Jungkook debuts new Instagram handle| Credit: Instagram Why Jungkook and Winter dating rumours resurfaced The dating rumours between Jungkook and Winter arent new. In early July, fans had already been stitching together loose evidence to suggest the two might be more than friends. These claims mostly centred on matching items, similar workout habits, and vague visual overlaps in their content. While most fans and observers brushed it off as a reach, Jungkooks new handle gave the theory fresh life. Some thought mni in his username stood for Minjeong, Winters real name, reading it as MinJungkook. Others pointed out that the account was previously named @imjungkook, which resembled Winters handle, @imwinter. With no hard facts, the speculation grew anyway. Jungkook clears the air: what mnijungkook really means Luckily, it didnt take long for Jungkook himself to address the chatter. During the live, he confirmed that @mnijungkook is indeed his account and explained what the handle actually means. As it turns out, theres no hidden romance or cryptic love message. It simply stands for My Name Is Jungkook. Thats it. Nothing more, nothing less. Why the internet needs to let idols breathe While the excitement and curiosity from fans are understandable, theres a line and its being crossed more often than not. Jungkook is a 27-year-old adult, and whether hes dating someone or not is his business. Turning every social media move into romantic speculation reduces idols to gossip subjects when theyre also just people trying to live their lives. The same goes for Winter. Being endlessly shipped, dissected, and speculated about based on nothing concrete cant be easy for anyone. At the end of the day, Jungkooks Instagram handle isnt a code to crack, and his personal life isnt public property. Maybe it's time we let go of the theories and just let him post in peace. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. Tesla In India: If you are a electric vehicle (EV) lover and fans of Elon Musk then its good news for you, as world's richest persona has has officially launched Tesla in India, introducing its popular electric SUV, the Tesla Model Y. With prices starting at Rs 60 lakh, according to Business Standard, this marks the brands much-awaited entry into the Indian automobile market. The premium pricing in India is mainly due to steep import duties and shipping costs. According to Bloomberg reports, around five Tesla Model Y units have already landed in Mumbai from the companys Shanghai plant. Each vehicle attracted import duties exceeding Rs 21 lakh under Indias 70% tariff on fully-built EV imports under $40,000. Tesla Model Y Price in India: Two Variants Available As per Teslas official website, two Tesla Model Y variants will be available for Indian customers: Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Rs 60 lakh Model Y Long Range AWD Rs 68 lakh These prices are for full cash payments only, and currently, Tesla has not shared any details about EMI, lease, or financing options in India. How the Price in India Compares with Other Countries When compared to international markets, the price of the Tesla Model Y in India is noticeably higher. Here's how it stacks up globally: Policemen stand guard as a three-wheeler drives past India's first TESLA showroom to be inaugurated in Mumbai | Credit: AP United States $44,990 (approx. Rs 37.5 lakh) China 263,500 yuan (approx. Rs 30.5 lakh) Germany 45,970 (approx. Rs 42 lakh) Tesla Opens First Showroom in Mumbai With the official launch of the Tesla Model Y, Tesla has also unveiled its first showroom in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in Elon Musks plan to bring Tesla to India. The outlet opened its doors at 10 AM today, two years after Musk initially expressed interest in the Indian EV sector. The Mumbai site lease was finalised in March 2025, and since then, Tesla has been actively hiring staff and scouting for other potential locations in Delhi and other major cities. The company is expected to follow its global model by directly managing showrooms rather than working with third-party dealers a move that keeps operations tightly controlled by Tesla Inc. Why India Matters to Elon Musk and Teslas Global Strategy People are seen outside the Tesla showroom ahead of its opening in Mumbai | Credit: Reuters The launch of Tesla in India comes at a time when the company is facing tough competition, especially from Chinese automakers. In the first quarter of 2025, Tesla delivered 384,122 vehicles worldwide, which is nearly 60,000 units fewer than the same period last year. Meanwhile, Chinese EV giant BYD has taken the lead, having sold over 1 million vehicles in just the first half of 2025. With this new step into the Indian market, Elon Musk hopes to boost Teslas global presence and tap into one of the worlds fastest-growing EV markets. Key Features of Tesla Model Y (India Version) Long Range RWD Variant Estimated driving range : 574 km (EPA-rated) : 574 km (EPA-rated) 096 km/h acceleration: 5.4 seconds All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Variant Estimated driving range: 526 km 526 km 096 km/h acceleration: 4.6 seconds Top Speed Both versions offer a top speed of 200 km/h Design Highlights Exterior Design Sleek, coupe-style shape with sloping roofline Full LED headlamps and connected tail lights Dimensions: Length: 4,797 mm 4,797 mm Width: 1,982 mm 1,982 mm Height: 1,624 mm 1,624 mm Ground Clearance: 167 mm 167 mm Expected to come with 19-inch alloy wheels Interior Features Dual-tone black and white cabin Large panoramic glass roof for a spacious feel Central 15.4-inch touchscreen to control most car functions The second row gets its own 8-inch screen Technology & Smart Features Likely to include Teslas Autopilot system Over-the-air software updates for continuous improvements Real-world Autopilot performance on Indian roads yet to be tested Local Assembly Plans? Not Yet Confirmed As of now, Tesla has only confirmed the sales of fully imported units of the Tesla Model Y in India. There is no official word yet on whether local assembly or manufacturing will be part of future plans. However, with increasing demand and government incentives for local EV production, it remains to be seen if Elon Musk will eventually consider setting up a Tesla gigafactory or assembly unit in India. Is the Tesla Model Y Worth the Price in India? While the Tesla Model Y price in India is significantly higher than in other markets, Indian buyers are paying a premium for the brand value, technology, and the opportunity to be early adopters of Elon Musks innovative vehicles. With the EV trend picking up speed in India, Teslas entry is expected to shake up the segment and encourage other players to step up their game. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. Head Over Heels episode 8 release date and time: Head Over Heels continues to keep fans hooked, and with episode 8 just around the corner, fans are eager to see whats next. This romantic fantasy K-drama has been steadily gaining attention thanks to its refreshing concept, supernatural mystery, and the chemistry between the leads, played by Choo Young Woo and Choi Yu Hyun. With each week bringing new twists, the anticipation for the next episode is higher than ever. The last few episodes have especially drawn praise for blending emotions with fantasy, and if the previews are any indication, episode 8 is going to deliver even more. About Head Over Heels Head Over Heels tells the story of Park Seong Ah, a seemingly timid high school student who's actually a shaman, one of the last of her kind, operating under the alias Fairy Cheon Ji. Her life changes dramatically when Bae Gyeon Woo, a mysterious transfer student, arrives at school carrying a deadly curse. As fate would have it, Gyeon Woo is destined to die young, but Seong Ah, who falls for his good looks and kind heart, refuses to let that happen. She becomes his human talisman, both spiritually and emotionally bound to him, in an attempt to change his future. What makes the show stand out is how it blends folklore with coming-of-age themes. Beneath all the ghostly possessions and shaman rituals is a story about first love and emotional healing. As the connection between Seong Ah and Gyeon Woo blooms, the show explores whether love alone is powerful enough to overcome fate or whether destiny will have the last dance. Head Over Heels episode 7 recap Episode 7 of the tvN drama dialled up the intensity with one of the most dramatic turns yet. It began with Gyeon Woo being possessed by a malicious spirit after entering a haunted space to save Seong Ah. Though he tries to fight the possession, its only when Seong Ah physically ties herself to him, quite literally, that the spirits control weakens. In the process of saving him, Seong Ah also ends up confessing that she must do everything in her power to save Gyen Woo, as he is her first love. As the night unfolds, the tension grows as the spirit tries to move beyond the reach of Seong Ah, but despite the emotional turmoil, there are still sparks of playfulness between them. But the true twist comes when Gyeon Woo, in a surprising move, makes a deal with Bong-su: hell allow the spirit to temporarily inhabit his body during school hours in exchange for help in the upcoming archery contest. This pact doesnt come without a price, and it clearly rattles Seong Ah. Meanwhile, in another plot twist no one saw coming, by the end of the episode, Gyeon Woo finally breaks through the walls hes built and confesses how much Seong Ah means to him. What to expect from Head Over Heels episode 8? Head Over Heels episode 8 is expected to explore the emotional fallout from Gyeon Woos decision to let the spirit stay in his body, and will Seong Ah be able to save Gyeon Woo on the 21st day, which in a way also lifts his misfortune? However, Seong Ah, carrying the weight of protecting him, may struggle with the idea that hes risking himself even more. Their bond, now cemented by both emotional confession and physical proximity, is likely to be tested. Will she trust his judgement, or will her fear for his safety drive a wedge between them? Another thread that seems ready to unravel is the mysterious backstory involving Spirit Mother and Yeom Hwa. There have been subtle clues throughout the series suggesting that Yeom Hwas motives go beyond simple chaos, and episode 8 may finally answer those questions. Ji Ho, meanwhile, appears to be reaching a boiling point with his unspoken jealousy. His feelings toward Seong Ah, while never fully voiced, are becoming harder to ignore as he watches her grow closer to Gyeon Woo. Head Over Heels episode 8: When and where to watch Episode 8 of Head Over Heels is scheduled to release on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 8:50 PM KST on tvN in South Korea. For international viewers, the episode will be available on Amazon Prime Video shortly after it airs, depending on the regions streaming rights and subtitle availability. For fans watching outside of Korea, heres when you can expect the episode to drop: In India, viewers can catch it around 5:20 PM IST. Those in the United Kingdom can expect the release around 12:50 PM BST, while fans in the United States should keep an eye out around 7:50 AM ET or 4:50 AM PT, depending on their coast. In Southeast Asia, such as the Philippines, it will be available around 7:50 PM PHT, and in Indonesia, it should drop around 6:50 PM WIB. Since release times may vary slightly depending on Prime Videos subtitle processing and local licensing, it's always a good idea to check your app or site around the scheduled time. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. Aravind Srinivas, the CEO of AI startup Perplexity, offered candid advice to aspiring entrepreneurs at Y Combinators AI Startup School on Monday. While speaking at the event, he urged the students to be prepared for Big Tech to replicate their ideas. Srinivas also revealed that at the launch event, Perplexity allowed its chatbot to browse the web, a feature that has been adopted by its competitors like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. Srinivas also emphasised that startups must learn to live with the constant threat of being copied. So, you will have to learn to live with that fear, he said. Srinivas, while speaking at Y Combinator's AI Startup School, went on to warn that bigger companies will "copy anything that's good. Aravind Srinivas warns students about Big Tech companies According to a report by Business Insider, the 31-year-old CEO warned the undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students that the big tech companies, like Google, Meta, and OpenAI, constantly look for new revenue streams that can be easily replicated by any innovation. "If your company is something that can make revenue on the scale of hundreds of millions of dollars or potentially billions of dollars, you should always assume that a model company will copy it," Srinivas said. Aravind Srinivas warned aspiring entrepreneurs of big tech giants | Credit: X | @Yannick_Veys Perplexity paved the way for real by launching an answer engine Srinivas also shared that Perplexity launched as an answer engine designed to deliver accurate, streamlined responses using real-time web searches. At the time, most competing chatbots were limited to answering questions based solely on the pre-trained, often months-old data. In December 2022, Perplexity debuted its answer engine. Well, just three months later, Google introduced web-browsing capabilities with Bard, now known as Gemini. ChatGPT added similar functionality in May 2023, while Anthropics Claude gained real-time web search support in March 2025. Aravind Srinivas envisions a browser that acts like a cognitive OS, running parallel AI tasks. It will pull from your personal context, mail, calendar, and even social apps to assist with complex workflows. Each query becomes a live process, like Chrome tabs but smarter. This pic.twitter.com/98IBvQzBjQ Wes Roth (@WesRothMoney) July 14, 2025 OpenAI to launch AI-powered web browser Srinivas also asked the young founders to work incredibly hard and not get discouraged by imitation. He urged the founders to keep working on creating a unique product and resilient brands. Meanwhile, in related news, OpenAI is reportedly gearing up to launch an AI-powered web browser that could directly rival Google Chrome, according to Reuters. This new launch focuses on redefining how users interact with the internet by embedding ChatGPT-like functions. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. In a plot twist straight out of a spiritual survival memoir, 40-year-old Russian woman Nina Kutina, along with her two young daughters aged six and four, was discovered by Indian police while living inside a remote cave in Karnatakas Ramatirtha Hill. Local authorities, stunned by the discovery, reported that the trio had been living off-grid in near-total isolation. No WiFi, no fridge, no AC, just waterfalls, wild woods, and a Rudra idol for company. Russian woman living in Karnataka cave with two kids | Credit: X/KP_Aashish Life of a mother inside the jungle cave Police stumbled upon the scene on July 9 during a routine patrol after a landslide. Clothes hanging outside a cave sparked their curiosity, and what they found next became national news. #WATCH | Bengaluru | Russian national Nina Kutina, who was found living with her two daughters in a remote cave near Gokarna in Karnataka, says, "We have a lot of experience staying in nature and we were not dying. I did not bring my children to die in the jungle...We used to pic.twitter.com/iY0Bi8I6xb ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2025 Turns out Kutinas visa expired way back in 2017. She had entered India on a business visa, travelled to Nepal, and then re-entered the country. Since then, she had been difficult about disclosing details related to her passport and childrens documents, authorities said. Russian woman found living in cave with kids for 'TWO MONTHS' in India's temple town of Gokarna Mediating in isolation with her two children, 4 & 6, after becoming devoted to Hinduism Visa expired in 2017, now awaits deportation to Russia Police say 'all look healthy & sane' pic.twitter.com/2YxBR0xvtM MOCez (@Mousacisse1) July 14, 2025 Despite the paperwork drama, Kutina told news outlets that her family had previously lived in four different countries before finally settling in India in 2017. According to her, they were not struggling to survive, they were thriving in the wilderness. She described a life filled with pottery, swimming in waterfalls, painting, and daily meditation. Animals did not attack us, we only feared people: Russian woman found with kids in Karnataka cave tells friend This story is unbelievable. Russian national Nina Kutina, 40, who was found living with her two daughters in a remote cave near Gokarna in Karnataka. The police pic.twitter.com/awZgCMCfpG Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) July 14, 2025 Kutina insisted that her daughters were not suffering. In fact, she believed they were very happy. No screens, no city noise, just nature. She even revealed they had lost a son in Goa but chose not to discuss the specifics of the daughters' birthplace. Authorities now have them in a detention centre for foreigners while the Russian embassy works on deportation. Internet reacts As the story spread across X (formerly Twitter), netizens had thoughtsand a lot of them. One user wrote, This story is unbelievable, while another declared, She should write a book. Some dubbed her the Jungle Mom, others expressed concern, but most were simply fascinated. UNBELIEVABLE STORY FROM INDIA A 40-year-old Russian woman, Nina Kutina (also called Mohi), was found living inside a cave in the forests of Gokarna, India with her two small children, aged 6 and 4! She had been living in total isolation for nearly 2 weeks, surviving in pic.twitter.com/3zHkZyYrz2 Unpopular News (@news_unpopular) July 14, 2025 Strange story of a Russian woman with her two small daughters, a self proclaimed nature lover, performing yoga and meditation in a forest cave in India. With @PreetaTweets Indian Police Discover a Russian Woman Living in a Cave With Two Daughters https://t.co/hC32GYO6nP Hari Kumar (@HariNYT) July 15, 2025 Animals did not attack us, we only feared people: Russian woman found with kids in Karnataka cave tells friend https://t.co/n2NuAbcaVv via @IndianExpress She should write a book. Kaveri (@ikaveri) July 14, 2025 Officials, meanwhile, called her story astonishing but stressed that unauthorised living in forests with children raised serious safety concerns. The First Night with the Duke Episode 11 online: Fans of the hit K-drama The First Night with the Duke can stream Episode 11 online today, July 16, 2025, at approximately 4 PM GMT (12 AM ET), as per the official schedule. Cha Sun-chaek, a present-day student, suddenly finds herself swept into the world of her favorite medieval romance novel - now living as noblewoman Cha Seon-chaek. After a fateful encounter with the story's male lead, Prince Yi Beon, she unintentionally alters the plot. Hoping to set things back on course, she tries to pair him with the novel's original female lead. But Yi Beon's heart begins to stray from the script, and toward Cha Seon-chaek. The First Night with the Duke: Release date and time for Episode 11 Episode 11 airs on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 9:50 PM KST on KBS2 in South Korea. It will also be available for international viewers via simultaneous streaming on Rakuten Viki and Viu, both offering English subtitles to make the series accessible to a global audience. Where to Watch The First Night with the Duke Episode 11 Online? Episode 11 is available to stream on Rakuten Viki and Viu, the main legal platforms offering high-quality video and English subtitles. In South Korea, it airs on KBS2. For viewers in the U.S., Canada, India, Indonesia, and the UK, both Viki and Viu continue to be the top choices for watching the series. The First Night with the Duke: Plot highlights of Episode 11 In Episode 10, Sun Chaek was kidnapped but remains defiant, trusting Yi Beon to find her. A mysterious letter and rising court tensions hint the enemy is close. As Prince Yi Gyus true motives surface, a deeper conspiracy unfolds. Yi Beon rescues Sun Chaek, but danger still lurks Episode 11 promises more romantic tension and palace drama. And, this will continue to explore the clash between fiction and fate. The First Night with the Duke episode 11: Spoilers Here are the spoilers for Episode 11 of the Korean series The First Night with the Duke based on the YouTube preview: Sun Chaek moves to Hoseondang as proof that she is now Yi Beon's wife, even though she must face the painful reality of being left behind as her husband goes to war. Despite the distance, she still feels his presence. Longing and worry lead her back to the shaman she always visits. The shaman delivers a cryptic message: "Everything ends when you reach the conclusion." Meanwhile, Yi Beon is ambushed with his troops, putting his life in danger. Believing he might die, he mourns the pain it will cause Sun Chaek. News of his death reaches her, along with his belongings - including a handkerchief that belonged to her. Shocked, she refuses to believe he's gone and sets out to find and save him. At the palace, Yi Gyu's plan begins to unfold. His true colours emerge as he tries to move in on Sun Chaek, despite knowing she's married. He insists she accept him and implies marriage, but she firmly rejects him, convinced Yi Beon is alive until proven otherwise. With Yi Beon absent and the King's health failing, Yi Gyu's ambition grows. He even suggests removing the King, revealing his ruthless nature. Elsewhere, Sun Chaek - who is actually Miss K from the real world - discovers a familiar object. When she touches it, she faints. This object connects the real world and the novel, revealing that the two women have switched bodies. Though confused at first, they both find comfort in their new worlds and agree to continue the switch. Miss K chooses to remain in the novel world she now calls home. Yi Gyu's scheme starts falling apart when Yi Beon returns alive, shocking everyone. Will the truth finally come out? This story prediction is based on the Webtoon - while the drama may take creative liberties, the Webtoon ends happily. The First Night with the Duke: Cast and Characters The series features Seohyun as Cha Seon-chaek (also known as K), Ok Taec-yeon as Prince Yi Beon, and Kwon Han-sol as Cho Eun-ae. They are joined by a strong supporting cast, including Seo Bum-june, Ji Hye-won, and several other notable talents. FAQs 1. When will Episode 11 of The First Night with the Duke be released? Answer: The First Night with the Duke Episode 11 will be released on July 16, 2025, at 4 PM GMT (12 AM ET) and will air in South Korea on KBS2 at 9:50 PM KST. 2. Where can I watch Episode 11 of The First Night with the Duke online? Answer: The First Night with the Duke Episode 11 will be available for streaming on Rakuten Viki and Viu, both platforms offering English subtitles. 3. Does The First Night with the Duke have English subtitles? Answer: Yes, The First Night with the Duke is fully subtitled in English on Viki and Viu, including Episode 11. 4. What is the plot of Episode 11 of The First Night with the Duke? Answer: The First Night with the Duke Episode 11 deepens the tension between Cha Seon-chaek and Prince Yi Beon, as palace intrigue threatens to unravel the fragile trust between them. 5. Is The First Night with the Duke available on Netflix? Answer: No, The First Night with the Duke is not available on Netflix. The drama officially streams on Rakuten Viki and Viu. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Jennie is fully back in her It girl era, and fans cant get enough. The K-pop star is currently lighting up stages on the DEADLINE World Tour alongside her BLACKPINK bandmates Jisoo, Rose, and Lisa. After kicking things off in Seoul earlier this month, the group brought their sold-out show to the packed SoFi stadium in Los Angeles over the weekend. While the tour itself has been drawing rave reviews, Jennie has found herself making headlines for other reasons. During the Seoul leg, she faced criticism online over alleged mean girl behaviour. Now, just days later, a new clip from the LA concert is making waves. In the viral video, Jennie appears to flash the camera mid-performance, and her bold move has now sparked a flurry of reactions online, with fans divided over whether it was playful or inappropriate. Jennie flashes audiences during DEADLINE World Tour During a recent stop on the DEADLINE World Tour, Jennie sent the internet into overdrive with a bold onstage moment that fans are still talking about. While performing in Los Angeles, the BLACKPINK rapper was caught on camera briefly unzipping her top to reveal what appeared to be a custom, bikini-style piece with her name emblazoned across it as she belted out her hit number Like Jennie from her maiden album, Ruby. While she was at it, she also channelled a playful reaction. The blink-and-you-miss-it flash wasnt part of the choreo, but it definitely commanded attention. Jennie's NSFW clip leaves the internet divided Though the moment lasted only seconds, it quickly went viral on social media, leaving fans divided. Many praised Jennie for her confidence and edgy stage presence, calling it a power move and peak It-girl energy. Others, however, werent as thrilled, with some netizens criticising the act as unnecessary and NSFW, especially given the younger segment of BLACKPINKs fanbase. One user wrote, "When talent cant make noise, she desperately does that just to get attention. How pitiful." when talent cant make noise so she desperately did that just to get attention. how pity. Red (@redqueenlm) July 14, 2025 Another user wrote, "Never expected from her." Never expected from her Beauty Of Cinematography (@BeautyOf_Cinema) July 14, 2025 Some users also reacted positively, with one mentioning, "Jennie said, 'This is that pretty-girl mantra, this is that flaunt you just flashed the crowd in L.A.'" Jennie said :This that pretty-girl mantra, this that flaunt you Just flashed the crowd in L.A. pic.twitter.com/D0KpS1o3m5 | ARI (@rubiesbae) July 14, 2025 "THE SCREAM??? as you shouldddd, queen!!!" said one person. THE SCREAM??? as you shouldddd queen!!! like sara (@09rubymine) July 14, 2025 More about BLACKPINK's DEADLINE World Tour For their DEADLINE World Tour, BLACKPINK are not only delivering their biggest group hits but also spotlighting each member with solo performances. During their Sofi Stadium stop, Rose surprised fans by bringing out Bruno Mars to perform their chart-topping collab APT. Lisa and Jennie have been turning heads with tracks from their solo albums Ruby and Alter Ego, while Jisoo captivates the crowd with her own hits Earthquake and Your Love. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. Americas Richest Immigrants 2025 list: According to Forbes, there are nearly 3,000 billionaires across 78 countries with a combined wealth of $16.1 trillion in 2025. A significant portion, about one-third, live in the United States, and 14% of them are immigrants. These foreign-born billionaires alone control $1.3 trillion in assets, proving the global appeal and opportunity offered by the American economy. Among them, 93% are self-made, many building fortunes in technology and finance. Notably, three of the worlds top ten billionaires are immigrants: Elon Musk (South Africa), Sergey Brin (Russia), and Jensen Huang (Taiwan). India Surpasses Israel as the Top Source of Immigrant Billionaires in the US In a remarkable shift, India has overtaken Israel as the leading country of origin for foreign-born billionaires in America. The number of Indian-origin billionaires in the US has increased from five in 2022 to twelve in 2025, reflecting their growing economic impact. Top 5 Richest Indians in the US Americas Richest Immigrants 2025 1. Jay Chaudhry Net worth: $17.9 billion $17.9 billion Global Rank: 8 8 Company: Zscaler Jay Chaudhry Zscaler CEO | Credit: Wikipedia Jay Chaudhry tops the list of the richest Indians in the US with an estimated net worth of $17.9 billion. Born in a remote Himalayan village without electricity or running water, Chaudhrys story is one of perseverance and grit. A graduate of IIT BHU, he further enhanced his leadership and business skills at Harvard Business School. In 2008, he founded Zscaler, a cloud-based cybersecurity firm that revolutionised how companies secure their networks. Zscaler went public in 2018 and has since become a global leader in digital security. Chaudhry and his family still hold a 40% stake in the company. 2. Vinod Khosla Net worth: $9.2 billion Global Rank: 17 Company: Sun Microsystems, Khosla Ventures Vinod Khosla | Credit: BCCL Next on the Americas Richest Immigrants 2025 list is Vinod Khosla, a pioneer in Silicon Valley. Born in Pune, Khosla studied at IIT Delhi, where he co-founded the institutes first computer club. After completing his masters in biomedical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, he earned his MBA from Stanford. Khosla co-founded Sun Microsystems, then launched Khosla Ventures, a leading venture capital firm funding green tech and disruptive startups. 3. Rakesh Gangwal Net worth: $6.6 billion Global Rank: 29 Co-founder: IndiGo Airlines Rakesh Gangwal | Credit: IIT Kanpur Rakesh Gangwal, born in Kolkata, is best known for co-founding IndiGo Airlines, Indias largest airline. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur and Wharton Business School, Gangwal has also served as CEO of US Airways and chairman of Worldspan Technologies. In 2024, he was appointed chairman of the Southwest Airlines board, further solidifying his reputation in the global aviation industry. 4. Romesh T. Wadhwani Net worth: $5 billion Global Rank: 38 Founder: SymphonyAI Birthplace: Karachi (moved to India) Romesh T. Wadhwani | Credit: Wadhwani foundation Romesh Wadhwani was born in Karachi shortly after Indias independence and moved to India soon after. Despite suffering from polio at the age of two, he pursued education and later earned degrees from IIT Bombay and Carnegie Mellon University. He is the founder of SymphonyAI, a firm focused on artificial intelligence and enterprise software. Wadhwanis journey is a remarkable story of overcoming personal and physical challenges to achieve global success. 5. Rajiv Jain Net worth: $4.8 billion Global Rank: 40 Founder: GQG Partners Rajiv Jain | Credit: LinkedIn Rajiv Jain, the founder and CIO of GQG Partners, rounds out the top five. Born in India, he moved to the US in the 1990s to pursue an MBA from the University of Miami. He later joined Vontobel Asset Management, eventually becoming co-CEO. In 2016, he co-founded GQG Partners, which went public in 2021 and now manages multi-billion-dollar portfolios in partnership with firms like Goldman Sachs. Other Prominent Indian-Origin Billionaires in the US The complete Forbes list of the richest Indian-Americans in 2025 also includes: Rank Global Rank Name Net Worth Source of Wealth 6 64 Kavitark Ram Shriram $3 billion Google, venture capital 7 86 Raj Sardana $2 billion Technology services 8 101 David Paul $1.5 bilion Medical devices 9 103 Nikesh Arora $1.4 billion Cybersecurity, SoftBank, Google 10 119 Sundar Pichai $1.1 billion Alphabet 11 120 Satya Nadella $1.1 billion Microsoft 12 123 Neerja Sethi $1 billion IT consulting Global Perspective: Where Do These Billionaires Stand? According to Forbes' Americas Richest Immigrants 2025, these Indian-origin billionaires are ranked alongside global names like: Elon Musk $393.1 billion (Tesla, SpaceX) $393.1 billion (Tesla, SpaceX) Sergey Brin $139.7 billion (Google) $139.7 billion (Google) Jensen Huang $137.9 billion (NVIDIA) Their inclusion highlights the ever-growing presence of Indian entrepreneurs in America, especially in high-growth sectors like tech, AI, and cybersecurity. Here's the complete list of the richest immigrants in US 2025 Rank Name Net Worth Source of Wealth Place of Birth 1 Elon Musk $393.1 billion Tesla, SpaceX South Africa 2 Sergey Brin $139.7 billion Google Russia 3 Jensen Huang $137.9 billion Semiconductors Taiwan 4 Thomas Peterffy $67.9 billion Discount brokerage Hungary 5 Miriam Adelson & family $33.4 billion Casinos Israel 6 Rupert Murdoch & family $24 billion Newspapers, TV networks Australia 7 Peter Thiel $21.8 billion Facebook, investments Germany 8 Jay Chaudhry $17.9 billion Security software India 9 Jan Koum $16.9 billion WhatsApp Ukraine 10 John Tu $14.1 billion Computer hardware China Indian Immigrants Redefining Success in the US Forbes' list of the richest Indians in the US today symbolises more than just financial successthey represent a story of migration, ambition, innovation, and resilience. The rise of Indian-origin billionaires on the Americas Richest Immigrants 2025 list showcases how immigrants are shaping the economic future of the United States. Whether its cybersecurity, venture capital, software, or aviation, these richest Indians in America are not just contributingtheyre leading. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here. Evangelos Mytilineos, the CEO of the industrial and energy company Metlen, has warned that Europe faces a series of major economic threats, including a trade war with the United States and persistently high energy prices. In a social media post, Mytilineos argued that Europe is at a critical turning point as the era of post-war integration comes to a close. He cited the continents management of U.S. trade tariffs, an appreciated euro, and the prospect of a new horizontal tax on businesses as key concerns. Referring to tariff announcements by President Donald Trump, Mytilineos stated that Europes weak response serves as a source of instability. The reactionsor rather the lack thereofto Trumps aggressive barrage of tariffs are themselves seeds of destabilization, he wrote. iefimerida.gr Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has cautioned that the All Progressives Congress (APC) risks losing Lagos State if top party members impose a candidate on the party. Through a statement issued by his media aide, the cleric warned that the 2027 elections in Lagos will be a difficult battle for the ruling party, as the electorate will strongly resist any attempts at election malpractice. He encouraged the party to make the ticket accessible to all contenders and ensure the most qualified candidate emerges, warning that anything short of this could jeopardize their chances of winning the Lagos governorship election. Advertisement READ MORE: Jude Okoye Was Falsely Accused Of Withholding Royalties, Cynthia Morgan Owes Him Apology VeryDarkMan With a wrong candidate, Lagos will be on fire in 2027, as there will be no amount of rigging that will make the candidate win. APC should know what to do and let everyone go into the field to play, to enable the best person to emerge. They need the best hand to retain Lagos in 2027. For APC to have continuity, they will do a lot of work, the party will sweat to win, and with a free and fair election, it will be difficult to retain Lagos in 2027 by the APC. He emphasised that the most suitable candidate should be deeply rooted in grassroots politics, not just someone with technocratic expertise. He stressed that the candidate should have widespread recognition among the general public, not only within party circles. They must get a candidate people love, a grassroots candidate and not just a technocrat, a core politician who is known widely should be allowed to be the partys candidate, otherwise it will be very difficult to retain Lagos state. If they allow imposition of a candidate, the party will lose the state. They need a grassroots candidate, someone who has experience and capacity, someone everyone admires, to win Lagos state in APC. Former presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, has said that ex-president Muhammadu Buhari may have not survived his health challenges if he had relied on Nigerian hospitals for treatment. Mr. Adesina led this out on Tuesday during an interview with Channels Television held in honour of the late president. The veteran journalist noted that Buhari had always received medical treatment in London, even before assuming office as president in 2015. Advertisement Mr. Adesina defended his former principals decision to seek medical care abroad, stating that it was a matter of survival rather than showmanship. He said: Like I said, he always had his medicals in London, even when he was not in office. So it was not about the time he was president alone. If he had said, I will do my medicals in Nigeria just as a show-off or something, he could have long been dead because there may not be the expertise needed in the country. You have to be alive first to get certain things changed or corrected in your country. READ MORE: Buhari Told Me He Knew Nothing About DSS, Army Invasion Of Sunday Igbohos House Tunde Bakare Those who believably talk of going abroad, going abroad, they dont know that a man needs to be alive first before he can effect a change. Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that Mr. Buhari was confirmed dead on Sunday, in a medical center in London. Buharis Spokesman, Garba Shehu disclosed that the former president died at the age of 82, after short illness. Meanwhile, he will be buried today in his Daura residence, in Katsina State. See Video Here: https://x.com/channelstv/status/1945038259211428252?t=C5mgojsLU8OfgSJZXtkupw&s=19 Buba Galadima, a former ally and one of the founding members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he has forgiven the late President Muhammadu Buhari for all he did to him, despite years of political betrayal and deep personal disappointment. His statement came on Monday, just a day after Buhari died in a London hospital while receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. Galadima, who was instrumental in Buharis rise to power in 2015, became one of the ex-presidents fiercest critics after falling out with him over what he described as failed promises and dictatorial leadership. Advertisement I was one of the first four people who signed the papers to form the APC. I believed we were working for the people, but Buhari had his own secret plans, Galadima said. READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/07/you-can-trust-buhari-with-everything-abdulsalami-abubakar-pays-emotional-tribute.html What he did to me, only God can judge, but I forgive him. I wont carry that burden anymore. He also remarked, For 15 years, he managed to deceive even the most intelligent among us. Thats no small feat. But now that he is gone, I leave it to history to judge him. On the reactions following Buharis death, Galadima criticized politicians who suddenly embraced the late leader: Some of those mourning him today called me mad when I warned them. They are the same ones crowding London now, pretending to care. Despite his tough stance, Galadima closed his remarks with surprising grace: Death humbles us all. May God forgive him, as I have. Buhari will be buried on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State. Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading a delegation in London to oversee the return of the former presidents remains. Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (rtd), has paid tribute to late former president, Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a determined and focused leader who prioritized national security and the fight against terrorism. Speaking on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Katsina during preparations for Buharis burial in Daura, Buratai reflected on his time serving under the former president, emphasizing Buharis resolve to end the Boko Haram insurgency. President Buhari was a commander-in-chief who was clear about his mission to defeat Boko Haram. He gave firm instructions and trusted me to execute them effectively, Buratai said. Advertisement Appointed Army Chief in 2015 by Buhari, Buratai noted that the president never compromised when it came to the nations security. READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/07/buhari-not-religious-fundamentalist-once-shouted-jesus-christ-of-nazareth-pastor-bakare-recalls.html He was result-oriented. He made security a top priority and always demanded progress, he added. Buratai also revealed that Buhari had the foresight to predict emerging security challenges beyond the Northeast. He even foresaw, based on intelligence reports, that the Northwest would become another epicenter of insecurity. He acted swiftly and provided guidance on how to tackle it, he said. The retired general, who also served as Nigerias ambassador to Benin Republic, joined other dignitaries in Buharis home state to honor the former leader. We thank God for his life. He has left behind a legacy that will continue to inspire us, especially in the military where he served with honour and commitment, he stated. Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has dismissed claims describing former President Muhammadu Buhari as a religious fundamentalist. Pastor Bakare said that he only began to see the former president, who died in London on Sunday, differently when he got closer to him. The cleric, who was a running mate to Buhari in 2011 presidential election, narrated some encounters which changed his perception of the former military head of state. Advertisement Speaking on Monday, during an interview with Channels Television, Pastor Bakare said that the former head of state never tampered with his Christian faith in any form all the days of their campaign together. READ MORE: Buhari Couldve Died Long Ago If He Used Hospitals In Nigeria Femi Adesina He said: I thought he was a religious fundamentalist until I came close. After the flag off of our campaign in Kaduna, we rode in the same car, we got home to his place and he staggered, the next word he spoke, God is my witness, was Jesus Christ of Nazareth. And I said, General, what is that? He said, You do not have the monopoly of Jesus Christ, Im thanking God. He just said that, and then I found out that his bodyguards were all Christians. Not only that, his driver of 10 years asked me to pray with him and I said, I dont pray Islamic prayers, and he said, Im a Christian, sir. A lot of accusations went, but nobody could pin any corruption on him. He fought the battle against corruption to the best of his ability. His best may not be good enough for some people, but he has done his best. Serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare has addressed viral report claiming that former president Muhammadu Buhari was responsible for security agencies inversion of Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Igboho. Pastor Bakare stressed that the former president spoke with him privately on many issues that faced the country, before his death. Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that Buhari was announced dead on Sunday, in a medical center in London. Advertisement The former president and ex- military head of state, died at the age of 82 after short illness. Following his death, many Nigerians have been paying tribute to honor Mr. Buhari. Meanwhile, some other citizens, both from ruling party and opposition, described him as one of the worst president Nigeria had. READ MORE: Forgive My Husband Before We Bury Him Aisha Buhari Begs Nigerians Mr. Igboho, also accused Buhari of sending security personnel, such Department of State Service, Soldiers to assassinate him in his Ibadan residence. Reacting to the claims on Monday, during an interview with TVC, Pastor Bakare paid tribute to the former president, saying that he was not whom many believed he was. He said: Truth be told, I had the opportunity to speak to him privately many times, and I will not go public against anyone who I had close relationship with. Normally, I will first present it behind the scene. One of the few occasions that I spoke loud outside of private discussion was what happened in Sunday Igbohos house. I was really livid and remembered saying, youll never see me again. And then he sent for me and said, do you know I know nothing about it. See Video Here: https://x.com/thecableng/status/1944876769107931235?t=XFcfpcRIH5IZ2-q4vHT9fA&s=19 Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has said that public figures who desire sympathy after death must first show compassion while they are alive. He made the remark in response to the mixed public reactions following the reported death of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari was said to have passed away on Sunday afternoon at a clinic in the United Kingdom, reportedly after battling leukaemia. Advertisement READ MORE: One Down, Many To Go Charly Boy Reacts To Buharis Death While many of his political associates have offered tributes, several Nigerians have taken to social media to criticise his leadership, accusing him of various failings. In an attempt to calm tensions, former senator Shehu Sani appealed to Nigerians to forgive the late president, urging the public to avoid harsh judgments. A living man is still on trial and cannot judge the dead. Let the sleeping soul rest, Sani stated in a post on social media. In response to the situation in an Instagram post on Monday, Eedris Abdulkareem called on Nigerian leaders to lead with empathy, noting that their actions in life will determine how they are remembered. If you want sympathy in death, then you must show empathy when alive, he wrote. Your legacies after life are consequences of your deeds. Innalilahi wa innalilahi rajuhun. SEE POST: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, received the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari at the Umaru Musa YarAdua Airport in Katsina, following their arrival from London. Buhari, who died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 82, passed away in the United Kingdom after a brief illness. His body was flown back to Nigeria earlier in the day, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima. Also present to receive the late presidents remains were Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda, senior government officials, top military personnel, and members of the Buhari family. Advertisement A heavy presence of security operatives and mourners were seen at the airport as the casket was brought down in a solemn ceremony. READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/07/buhari-not-religious-fundamentalist-once-shouted-jesus-christ-of-nazareth-pastor-bakare-recalls.html#google_vignette President Tinubu, dressed in traditional attire, stood beside Shettima as they paid final respects to the former president. In a brief statement, Tinubu described Buhari as a man of uncommon integrity who gave his all for Nigeria. We have lost a statesman. President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with sincerity and commitment. His legacy will be remembered across generations, Tinubu said. Vice President Shettima also praised Buharis dedication to the country. He was a patriot who carried the burden of the nation with calm strength. His vision for a safer, more united Nigeria will remain with us, Shettima stated. Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda added, This is not just a loss for Katsina, but for the entire nation. President Buharis contributions to national security, agriculture, and infrastructure development cannot be forgotten. The remains of the late president will be laid to rest in Daura, his hometown in Katsina State, later today, in accordance with Islamic rites. World leaders have continued to send condolences. King Salman of Saudi Arabia described Buhari as a sincere friend of the Kingdom and a leader who valued peace and dignity. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dared Senator Ireti Kingibe to take her criticisms of his appointment to the streets of Abuja if she truly believes President Bola Tinubu erred in including him in his cabinet. Wikes spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, issued a statement on Tuesday, blasting Kingibe over her recent television remarks, where she described Wikes appointment as Tinubus biggest mistake. Olayinka accused Kingibe of jumping from one TV station to another in a desperate bid to revive her dead political career. Advertisement It is funny that someone impersonating by using the name of Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, who is no longer her husband, believes that disparaging the FCT Minister will earn her relevance, Olayinka stated. He challenged the Senator to visit satellite towns like Dei Dei, Saburi, and Kabusa, where Wikes projects are visible, and convince residents that Tinubu erred. READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/07/leaving-our-party-could-end-your-political-career-adc-youths-warn-peter-obi.html In Abaji, Federal Capital Territory University, abandoned for almost 15 years, is now witnessing massive infrastructural development, he said, adding that 22 schools had been renovated, with work ongoing on over 40 more. Olayinka also accused Kingibe of exploiting Wikes name for political leverage ahead of 2027. She knows she accidentally got into the Senate in 2023 and wont return. That factor is gone, he claimed. Calling her blinded by the spirit of defeat, Olayinka further alleged that Kingibe mistreats her aides and refuses to pay them. At 71, a woman should have a clear identity and stop using the name of a man she is no longer married to, he added. Operatives of Katsina State Police Command have been deployed across strategic areas in the state ahead of former President Muhammadu Buharis burial. The measures is said to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free ceremony for the late military head of state on Tuesday. The Command said that it has made extensive security arrangements in collaboration with the other agencies, led by the AIG Zone 14 Katsina. Advertisement The deployments cover Daura, the late President Buharis hometown in Daura and other strategic locations across the state. In a statement on Tuesday, by Spokesman for Katsina State Police Command, Abubakar Sadiq, expressed condolences to the government and people of the state. The police acknowledged Mr. Buharis significant contributions to Nigerias development. READ MORE: Buhari Not Religious Fundamentalist, Once Shouted Jesus Christ Of Nazareth Pastor Bakare Recalls The statement partly reads: The Command acknowledges his significant contributions to the nations development and growth. In collaboration with other security agencies, led by the AIG Zone 14 Katsina, adequate security measures have been deployed in Daura town, Daura LGA, Katsina State, for the burial and across the command to ensure a peaceful farewell. May the mercy of Allah (SWA) be upon the late presidents soul, and may his legacy continue to inspire the nation. The Labour Party (LP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), African Action Congress (AAC), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Accord Party, have demanded the cancellation of the July 13 Local Government elections. Condemning the exercise conducted by the state Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), the opposition parties, at joint press conference on Tuesday, described it as fraudulent, undemocratic, and heavily compromised. State Chairperson of the Labour Party, Pastor Dayo Ekong, represented by her deputy, Mr. Olasupo Ajayi, said the exercise was a premeditated, meticulously executed charade designed solely to impose the ruling partys will on the people. Advertisement READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/07/rivers-sole-administrator-ibas-defies-court-order-swears-in-civil-service-commission-officials.html We witnessed and documented widespread irregularities orchestrated by LASIEC. We utterly reject the fraudulent results. This daylight robbery cannot stand unchallenged, she said, blaming LASIEC Chairperson, Justice Bola Ighile, for what she called the collapse of the commissions credibility. Representing the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Mr. Olusegun Mobolaji raised concerns over the omission of party logos, discrepancies in voter registers, and widespread absence of essential voting materials. Out of over 3,000 agent tags we were entitled to, only 310 were issued. LASIEC told us to make photocopies on the eve of the election. This was not an election but a mockery, he said. Accord Party Chairman, Mr. Dele Oladeji, stated that political parties contested against LASIEC, not each other. The umpire acted like a player. LASIEC declared winners without showing results, he said, demanding full transparency. Despite these allegations, LASIEC declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) victorious in all 57 chairmanship positions and 375 of 376 councillorship seats. APC spokesperson, Mr. Seye Oladejo, said the outcome reflected the will of Lagosians. The opposition parties, however, insist they will seek legal redress and present exhaustive evidence to challenge what they described as electoral malpractice. A youths wing in the African Democratic Congress has warned former presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi that it will be a regrettable mistake for him to leave ADC. The group noted that Obi leaving coalition adopted party, incase he fail to secure the partys ticket might end his political career. This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday, by Comrade Abayomi Bello of the ADC Youth Vanguard, saying that if reports of Obis possible exit are true, it would be a wrong move. Advertisement The group noted that coalitions need patience, teamwork, and sacrifice. They stressed that Obi moving from one party to another will make Nigerians see him as a selfish politician. He said: We doubt that Mr. Tanko actually has Peter Obis mandate to say what he said. We believe that Mr. Obi has built a strong image as a leader who stands for principle, youth empowerment, and putting the country first. READ MORE: Serving Food At Event Is Humility, Not Campaign Strategy Peter Obi Replies Critics If Mr. Obi leaves the ADC coalition too soon, he may lose the trust of his supporters, weaken alliances, and disappoint young Nigerians who already feel frustrated by divided opposition. He should mentor young leaders, help shape the partys direction, and build something that will last. Thats how true political legacies are created. Anything else could lead to political isolation. Operatives of Ogun State Police Command have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a Chinese national, Chen Wang, an employee of WH Great Resource Ltd., Ogere, Ogun State. It was gathered that Mr. Wang was stabbed to death on Sunday, in his office. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the suspects, said to be lovers, allegedly disabled the companys security system and unlawfully accessed the deceaseds office before attacking him. Advertisement In a statement by Spokesman for Nigeria Police Force, Prince Muyiwa Adejobi, on Tuesday, said that the two suspected criminals identified as Yunusa Abdullahi, and Peace Danlami, were arrested in Jos, Plateau State. Adejobi stated that the suspects were apprehended where they had been hiding under false identities. He added that the arrest followed a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation and a swift deployment of digital forensics, biometric analysis and human intelligence. REAF MORE: Ogun Police Vows To Arrest Cultists Who Celebrate 777 Anniversary On Monday The statement reads: In line with the strategic policing mandate of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) was promptly mobilized to provide high-level operational and technological support to the Ogun State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran. Following weeks of technical surveillance and tactical coordination, operatives of the Force Headquarters, working closely with SCID detectives, tracked and apprehended the suspects identified as Yunusa Abdullahi (male, 25, Borno State) and Peace Keno Danlami (female, 20, Taraba State) on July 14, 2025, in Jos, Plateau State, where they had been hiding under false identities. The swift deployment of digital forensics, biometric analysis, and human intelligence by the Nigeria Police played a decisive role in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Edo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, has said that its agenda for next political dispensation is to stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubus re-election in 2027. Edo State Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party, Tony Aziegbemi, made this known during a stakeholders meeting held in Benin City on Monday. Aziegbemi noted that Supreme Court judgment which reaffirmed the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo, of All Progressives Congress, in September 21, 2024, governorship must unite to ensure that President Tinubu does not return to Aso Rock. Advertisement The PDPs Chieftain added that Tinubus administration has ruined Nigeria economy. He said: The next thing I am urging everyone of us on behalf of PDP in Edo State is how to get Tinubu out of presidency in 2027. That is our next target. READ MORE: Edo PDP Knocks Election Tribunal, Heads To Appeal Court They have ruined the economy of this nation and the next thing is to make sure that he is removed from power in 2027. That is the mandate we are charging you going forward. The next task and agenda is to remove Tinubu from the presidency because we cannot continue with this suffering, we cannot continue with the way things are being run aground in this country. So, we charge you not to be deterred. Dont worry yourself, God in His infinite mercy will give all of us the strength and the will to go through this because hard times dont last, but tough people do. Rivers State, Sole Administrator IbokEte Ibas on Monday, July 14, 2025, inaugurated new members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission despite a court order explicitly barring the move. Speaking at the ceremony, Ibas declared, Public service must be driven by competence, integrity and accountability, not by politics or delay. I refuse to allow this state to stagnate while awaiting protracted litigation. He further stated, I will not be held hostage by politics that cripples governance. The people of Rivers deserve functional government, not endless legal wrangling. Advertisement His action came despite an interim injunction by Justice Frank Onyiri, ordering all parties to maintain the status quo pending resolution of the suit. The case was adjourned to September 29, 2025. The suspended chairman, Reverend Goodlife Iduoku Ben, along with Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others, had contested their removal. In their affidavit, they argued that their appointments were properly confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and backed by official documentation prior to the issuance of their letters. They also challenged Ibas authority, stating he lacks the legal authority to suspend us or appoint new members of the commission. Versatile Super Falcons forward, Babajide Rinsola, has joined Italian Femminile club AS Roma. The Nigeria winger who signed a two years contract with the Romas Women on Monday, declared that it is an honour for her to link up with club. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the 27 years old forward departed from Spanish side, Costa Adeje Tenerife, also known as CD Tenerife Femenino after her contract expired. Advertisement Babajides arrival was disclosed in a statement via the official website of the club on Monday, welcoming the Nigerian international to the club. AS Roma said: AS Roma are delighted to announce the signing of Omorinsola Omowunmi Ajike Babajide, known as Rinsola Babajide. The player has penned a deal that will keep her at the club until 30 June 2027. READ MORE: Super Eagles Drop One Spot To 44th, Retain Africas 5th Position In Latest FIFA World Ranking Also speaking over her new club in a press conference where she was unveiled on Tuesday, Babajide expressed her excitement following her transfer to the Italian side. She said: Its an honour to be honest. Its a Champions League club, a prestigious club as well so Im very happy to be here. I feel like its similar to the Spanish league, everyones technical, its a competitive league as well so I cant wait to get started. The Super Falcons forward had played for English clubs, including Millwall, Watford, Liverpool, and Brighton & Hove Albion as well as in Spain where she turned out for Real Betis before joining Tenerife. Akka, provider of a popular framework for building reactive, distributed applications on the JVM, has introduced the Akka Agentic Platform, an integrated suite of offerings for building, operating, and evaluating agentic AI systems. Announced July 14, Akka Agentic Platform includes capabilities for orchestrating long-running systems, building agents, providing in-memory context to agents, and providing high-performance stream processing. These integrated offerings deliver 3x the velocity, 1/3rd the compute, and any SLA for every agentic system whether autonomous, adaptive, real-time, transactional or edge, Akka CEO Tyler Jewel said in the announcement. In explaining the needs the platform is intended to fill, Jewel said the prospect of uncertainty in agentic AI challenges how IT systems are designed and maintained. Unlike traditional deterministic systems, agentic AI introduces emergent behaviors, non-deterministic decision-making, and context-sensitive reasoning. All of these bring new dimensions of unpredictability into enterprise environments, limiting the ability to deploy these systems for large-scale, business-critical use cases, Jewel stressed. This image released by Disney shows Quinta Brunson in a scene from "Abbott Elementary." Read more Abbott Elementary, the West Philly-based comedy starring Quinta Brunson as quirky second grade teacher Janine Teagues, is up for five Emmys at this years Primetime Emmy Awards. This includes outstanding comedy series, and outstanding lead actress in a comedy series and outstanding writing for a comedy series for its creator, Quinta Brunson. Nominations were announced Tuesday morning by actors Harvey Guillen and Brenda Song at the Television Academys Wolf Theatre in Los Angeles. Advertisement This is the second best lead actress nomination for West Philly native Brunson, who already has two Emmy wins. But it wont be an easy win. Shes up against veteran actress Jean Smart, who cinched the Emmy last year for her role as the acerbic, washed-up actress Deborah Vance in HBOs Hacks. Newcomer to the category Ayo Edebiri, Sydney in Hulus The Bear, has also nabbed a nomination. Edebiri won the Emmy for best supporting actress in a comedy series last year for her role in The Bear. Brunsons Abbott co-stars Janelle James (who plays Principal Ava Colman) and Sheryl Lee Ralph (Barbara Howard) are vying for the best supporting actress in a comedy series. Ralph, who has been nominated three times in a row for this role, won in 2022. Oscar-, Tony-, and now Emmy-nominated actor Brian Tyree Henry, who has been a secret Philly resident, is in the running for best actor in a limited anthology for his starring role in the Philadelphia-set crime drama Dope Thief. West Phillys very own Colman Domingo might win his second Emmy, thanks to his role as Danny in the Netflix comedy The Four Seasons. Domingo is nominated for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series. He took home his first Emmy in 2022 for his role in HBOs Euphoria. We cant wait for the stylish actor to show up and show out on the red carpet. Hulus Patrice: The Movie is the documentary about Hamilton Township, N.J., crossing guard Patrice Jetters struggle to get married but fearing shell lose her disability benefits if she does. The film by Philadelphian Ted Passon received a nomination for exceptional merit in documentary filmmaking. The Emmys ceremony will take place Sept. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. It will be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. An image from the live video game 'assess.masses," which will be featured in the 2025 Fringe Festival. Read more A year into her role as FringeArts CEO, Nell Bang-Jensen is ready to bring in more daring art to Philadelphia for one of the citys most celebrated arts events. This years Philadelphia Fringe Festival will be the largest in the organizations nearly 30-year history. Advertisement Its a place where new work happens and artists live, she said. Its exciting to lean into that as Phillys identity. The four-week event will take place from Sept. 4-28, and will feature 331 shows helmed by Philly artists and international performers. Its a really fun balance, said Bang-Jensen, who directed Fringe Festival shows years before taking over as CEO in 2024. She joined the organization after Philadelphia Fringe Festival founder Nick Stuccio announced his departure after 27 years as president and producing director, in 2023. Rather than relying on recycled theatrical titles or familiar shows, she says shes embracing fresher, riskier, and more interactive forms of creative expression. The job is a dream come true, and its exciting to foster opportunities for artists like the ones I had while being in the arts and culture scene here, she said. Among the festivals lineup of signature events is a Zimbabwean-inspired work called Dambudzo by Nora Chipaumire that explores cultural identity and colonial legacies. Other works include the play La Otra, written and directed by award-winning Philly performing artist Tanaquil Marquez, revolving around three Colombian sisters who gather in Bogota to celebrate their fathers 80th birthday. Another well-known Philly artist, dancer Rennie Harris (whose American Street Dancer premiered in March) will be presenting the world premiere of the evening-length solo dance performance, Beautiful Human Lies: Chapter 4. It will be performed by Megan Bridge. The festival will also host interactive programs like the live video game asses.masses, a crowd-based experience about donkeys losing their jobs to machines. Its pretty incredible that there is an audience for this kind of daring and new artistic work that feels different from the mainstream stuff thats being seen, Bang-Jensen said. And its happening all over the city. This year, the festival is also expanding further into Philly neighborhoods, including Fishtown, Germantown, and others across West and South Philly. The decision to expand, Bang-Jensen said, is to shine a brighter light on Phillys artistic talent and encourage more residents to support the citys creative offerings. Festival favorite Cannonball will return, with performances at Icebox, The Drake, and Asian Arts Initiative. Additional funding will be allocated to these participating venues, called Fringe Festival hubs, to cover any operational costs or other related expenses required to spearhead their programs. Pig Iron Studios will host Dumb Hub with programming focused on clowning and alternative comedy; South Phillys Sawubona Creative Project will be a hub for family friendly comedy performances. West Phillys Studio 34 will be one of the new hubs. As the first Fringe Festival Bang-Jensen has put together from scratch nears, shes thrilled to see these new artistic risks and community-centered approaches pay off. Im excited to solidify Philly as a place for daring art, she said. Theres a lot of amazing artistic work happening in Philly, and I think Fringe Festival is about celebrating that new work. Tickets for FringeArts members go on sale on Tuesday. General tickets will go on sale starting Friday. For more information, visit fringearts.com. The state Capitol building in Harrisburg. Legislators are considering bills on cannabis and pay equity, and a new law on healthcare noncompetes took effect this year. Read more If youre running a business in Pennsylvania, one new state law and two pieces of pending legislation could impact you and your employees. Heres what you need to know about these changes, or potential changes, to employment law. Pending: Cannabis legalization In May, the Pennsylvania House passed House Bill 1200 the Cannabis Health and Safety Act which, among other provisions, decriminalized personal possession and the production of cannabis, making it punishable by fine only. It also would have allowed eligible adults to grow a limited number of plants at home. The bill was rejected by a state Senate committee. Advertisement However, a corollary of the bill was officially filed last week in what could lead to potential legalization of the substance for recreational use. Given the relaxation of laws surrounding cannabis usage nationally (and the potential for more tax revenues), some experts believe that recreational marijuana is not far off in Pennsylvania. Trevor Serine, a business attorney based in Media, is not optimistic that either decriminalization or legalization bills will pass in the House or Senate. Still, he is advising his clients to revisit their drug testing policies and encouraging them to move away from preemployment drug testing for marijuana unless there are specific safety reasons for the requirement. Weve been telling our clients to take a more practical, liability-focused approach to cannabis, he said. You usually will restrict a certain class of people automatically if you say you drug-test on hiring. But, Serine said, from a practical standpoint and given the environment, are you actually now running off one of your best employees for something thats really not a significant concern anymore? This is something employers have to consider. New law: Healthcare noncompetes Another state law (House Bill 1633) that went into effect in January impacts businesses operating in the healthcare industry that employ doctors, certified registered nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other practitioners. Those professionals can now leave their jobs and after one year would not be subject to any noncompete clauses in their contracts, effectively letting them work anywhere, including at a firms competitors. Existing noncompete clauses in employment contracts become unenforceable on the statutes effective date, effectively nullifying them for practitioner mobility. Noncompete covenants that do not exceed one year in length remain enforceable when the healthcare practitioner voluntarily terminates employment, said Robin Bond, an employment attorney based in Chesterbrook. However, noncompetes are unenforceable if an employer involuntarily dismisses a practitioner for any reason even if the noncompete duration is for one year or less." Bond also points out that noncompetes tied to the sale of a business can still be enforced if the practitioner is a party to the sale and benefits financially from it. As a former practicing healthcare attorney, I always believed that the public interest was not well served when hospitals were allowed to use noncompetes to limit a patients ability to follow the doctor of their choosing, she said. This new law renders unenforceable any noncompete that has the effect of impeding certain healthcare practitioners ability to treat or accept new patients. Pending: Equal pay modifications House Bill 630 is currently working its way through the Pennsylvania General Assembly for the 2025-2026 legislative session and could impact how Pennsylvania companies hire workers. This legislation would update the commonwealths current equal pay laws to ensure that employers are not taking into consideration a potential employees pay history when negotiating wages. It also prohibits gag orders on current employees from discussing their compensation and requires employers to publish pay ranges for positions when listing jobs. There are already dozens of states that have previously passed or are considering laws requiring pay transparency and banning the discussion of salary history. Serine sees merit in these provisions and warns of significant liabilities if employers run afoul of the potential law. There are some really harsh penalties in this legislation, he said. I would not advise my clients to roll those dice if this law gets passed as written. Bond said this law would go a long way toward protecting equal pay rights for women. The concept of pay equity means compensating employees the same when they perform the same or similar job duties, while at the same time accounting for other factors, such as experience level, job performance, and tenure with the employer, she said. There has been a longtime disparity in the pay between male and female workers, and asking for prior pay history in the application process, for example, can potentially create a pay barrier for female job seekers. There will always be the possibility of new legislation and rules at the state and federal levels that will impact the workplace. Some experts, like Serine, suggest not getting emotional but rather taking a bottom-line approach to managing the risk of inadvertently not being in compliance. The best way to prepare yourself for laws like these as a small-business owner is to protect yourself from legal liability and lower risk, he said. Its not your place to enforce the morality of the day. Make sure you have good insurance policies. A Philadelphia woman was charged with desecration of human remains after a 4-month-old baby in her care was found dead in a trash bag stuffed inside a bassinet, authorities said Tuesday. Ebony Gee, 43, had been taking care of the infant since April at her partners home on the 1200 block of Lakeshore Drive in Camden, police said, when she suddenly refused to allow the babys parents or her partner to see him. Gees partner whom police did not identify told investigators Gee had sequestered the baby inside a second-floor bedroom and would not let anyone into the room. Advertisement The babys parents said they repeatedly tried to pick up their child and sought to arrange home visits by child welfare officials but Gee did not return calls or text messages, according to the affidavit of probable cause for her arrest. And when they did reach her, the affidavit said, she cited scheduling conflicts. It was unclear why the parents had asked Gee to care for the baby or why they asked child welfare officials to intervene in the case. While the baby was in Gees care, the partner never saw Gee feeding, changing, or bathing the child, the affidavit said. At one point, the partner said, a foul smell began to emanate from the room and spread throughout the house, and Gee asked her partner to buy carpet cleaner. On May 19, Gees partner went into the bedroom and saw the baby dead wrapped in a trash bag that was stuffed inside a bassinet and called police, authorities said. The babys body was decomposed, so medical examiners were unable to determine the cause and manner of death, authorities said. DNA test results confirmed the childs identity on July 10 and authorities contacted the babys parents, who live in Philadelphia. The parents, they said, told them Gee had been taking care of the child. Gee was arrested Friday in Philadelphia and was being held at Riverside Correctional Facility, pending extradition to New Jersey, authorities said. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Matthew Kreidler of the Camden County Prosecutors Office Homicide Unit at 856-930-5355. Two Philadelphia men were charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a 70-year-old Delaware County man during a weekend carjacking in West Philadelphia, police said Tuesday. Shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday, Carmen Suero Jr., 70, of Drexel Hill, left his car running outside a house on the 300 block of North 63rd Street, and in what Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore described as a crime of opportunity, two men tried to steal the vehicle. Advertisement But Suero returned and got into a physical struggle with the men, and one of them took out a gun and shot him once in the back, Vanore said. Suero was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead minutes later, at 5:24 p.m., Vanore said. His assailants fled in Sueros car and drove about a block away, Vanore said,before ditching the vehicle and taking off on foot. Police found the two nearby and arrested them shortly after. Nysiir Peoples and Nasir Brogdon were charged with murder, robbery, and related crimes, police said. A single 9mm shell casing was recovered at the scene. Suero was in West Philadelphia, where he grew up, for a support-group meeting for people recovering from narcotics or alcohol, said his sister-in-law, Karen Santone. Suero, a retired Navy veteran, had been sober for 20 years, she said, and had dedicated himself to helping others in recovery. He was a very kind, kind soul, she said. He was giving back to the community in a way he knew best. And he was killed. He was taken away. He helped the underdog, she added. He helped the people he used to be get to where he is today. As of Monday, there have been 123 homicides in the city this year, police data show. That represents a more than 11% drop from the same time last year, when 139 homicides were reported, according to data. Police are searching for a gunman who shot and killed a 49-year-old man after they got into an argument in Port Richmond early Tuesday, authorities said. The men were walking on the 2900 block of Salmon Street shortly after 1:30 a.m. when they argued and one of them drew a gun and shot the other in the head, Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said. Advertisement The victim, whom police did not identify, was pronounced dead at the scene, he said. The shooting was caught on surveillance footage, which was being reviewed as the investigation continues, and several shell casings were recovered at the scene, Vanore said. The motive for the shooting was unclear, he said, and police have made no arrests. A federal judge ruled Monday that Memphis Street Academy must surrender its charter and close, finding that the school didnt meet academic conditions that were part of an agreement with the district. The Port Richmond charter school with a student body ranging from 86 to 90% Black or Hispanic at the time of its legal challenge had argued it was the target of racial discrimination by the Philadelphia School District, a frequent point of tension in debates about the citys charter schools. But U.S. District Court Judge Chad Kenney said the district had used a racially neutral framework to evaluate the charter. Advertisement Instead of uplifting its students, MSA blames their demographic backgrounds for its own shortcomings, Kenney said in the decision. These excuses deprive MSAs students of the education they deserve. Ashley Redfearn, CEO of American Paradigm Schools, a management company that runs Memphis Street and three other charter schools, said the charter, which serves about 500 students in grades 5-8, is reviewing its legal options. Memphis Street plans to open this fall, Redfearn said. Theres nothing in this judgment forcing an immediate closure, Redfearn said Tuesday. I cant imagine the school district, with only a few weeks before school, would want to disrupt that stability. Imahni Moise, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia school board, declined to comment Tuesday, saying the board does not comment on litigation. Charter schools are publicly funded, but independently run. In Philadelphia, about one-third of public school students attend charters, which are authorized to operate by the school district. The board moved to close Memphis Street Academy in 2022, after it failed to meet conditions it had previously agreed to with the district in order to stay open. While the district had initially granted Memphis Street a charter in 2012 under its Renaissance charter program which turned struggling district schools over to charter operators it recommended the charter for nonrenewal five years later, citing poor academic performance. Rather than close, however, the charter signed a deal with the district in 2018, allowing it to stay open as long as it met certain benchmarks, and promising to surrender its charter if it didnt. Among the conditions: increasing test scores in math, and decreasing the number of chronically absent students. When the charter didnt meet those standards, the board voted in 2022 to exercise its surrender clause. Along with a group of parents, Memphis Street then sued the district, arguing that it had made decisions based on metrics that were biased against Black and Hispanic students Pennsylvania standardized tests and attendance measures, areas where those students historically underperform. Black-led charter schools have repeatedly accused the school district of bias, saying their schools are disproportionately targeted for closure and denied expansion opportunities. A district-commissioned investigation refuted the bias accusations with a report in 2023 that said there were no intentional acts of racial discrimination or bias, based on the race of a charter school leader, committed by any members of the Board of Education, School Reform Commission, or the Charter Schools Office. Charter leaders, however, said the report ignored concerns about the effect of the districts practices on minority-led charter schools. Memphis Street Academy argued its students were unfairly compared to the district as a whole, which has a smaller share of Black and Hispanic students (about 71%) than Memphis Street. In Mondays decision, Kenney said a district-wide comparison wasnt used to determine that Memphis Street failed to meet academic standards during its initial five-year charter term; rather, the charter wasnt meeting expectations that it would turn around the school. Memphis Streets academic performance declined in that first term, with math scores in particular falling from 23.26% of students scoring proficient, to 2.95%. And Kenney said the standards Memphis Street agreed to meet as part of its 2018 charter were almost exclusively based on comparisons to its own performance or a group of similar schools, not the district as a whole. There is no evidence in the record to suggest that the facially-neutral 2018 Charter, along with its academic conditions and Surrender Clause, are racially discriminatory, Kenney said. And while most Philadelphia charter schools have student bodies that are at least 85% Black or Hispanic, Kenney said, only 2 of 98 charters evaluated by the district over the years under its charter school framework have been nonrenewed. That doesnt include charters that closed before completing formal nonrenewal hearings, or charters like Memphis Street, which had agreed to give up its charter without hearings if it didnt meet required conditions. The district is currently revising its charter evaluation framework, which encompasses academics, operations and finances. Redfearn said Tuesday that while Kenney didnt find intentional discrimination, the decision didnt invalidate complaints about bias. The judge said that, based on evidence presented by plaintiffs, a fair-minded jury could find there was discriminatory impact from the districts charter evaluation framework. The decision does not mean theres not still concerns about what implications are, looking at the test scores in the way theyre looking at them, Redfearn said. The Department of Education building in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump can move forward with reducing the size of the department. Read more The U.S. Supreme Court issued an order Monday enabling President Donald Trump to make deep cuts to the U.S. Department of Education, allowing his administration to move ahead with changes announced in March. The high court lifted a lower courts order that had barred Trump from firing nearly 1,400 employees a move seen as paving the way for Trump to carry out his promise to abolish the agency. But Congress would need to approve any move to fully close it. Advertisement Heres what to know about the cuts, and what they could mean for schools: Which employees are being cut? The layoffs, first announced in March, affected close to half the departments workforce, including staff responsible for administering federal student aid and investigating civil rights complaints. Trumps administration also fired the leader of the National Center for Education Statistics, which collects and reports data on education nationally. Education groups and attorneys general in 21 states challenged the cuts, saying they would prevent the department from carrying out duties required by law; a federal judge ordered the employees reinstated in May. The Trump administration appealed, calling the argument from opponents speculative. The Department of Education has determined that it can carry out its statutorily mandated functions with a pared-down staff and that many discretionary functions are better left to the states, the administration wrote in a court filing. As of March 2025, the Department of Education had 94 employees in Pennsylvania and 32 in New Jersey, according to data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. What happened to Philadelphias Office for Civil Rights? As a result of the layoffs, the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights in Philadelphia was among seven targeted for closure nationally, out of a total of 12 civil rights offices. About 30 people worked in the Philadelphia office, which enforced laws barring discrimination in schools based on sex and race, as well as shared ancestry, and those involving disabilities. The department now lists its Atlanta office as the agency for Pennsylvania. How might the cuts impact Philly-area schools? Founded in 1979, the Education Department administers billions of dollars in federal funding to schools, through a number of grant programs. While most school funding comes from local and state revenues, federal money accounts for about 10% of district budgets often more in poorer communities, and less in richer ones. Local school leaders have expressed worries that slashing the department will affect the flow of funding. The Trump administration has withheld some funding from schools including $230 million that Pennsylvania school districts and other education providers had expected to be able to access on July 1. The administration has said the money, along with awards to states nationally, is being reviewed after being grossly misused by schools to subsidize a radical left-wing agenda. Gov. Josh Shapiro joined more than 20 other states Monday in suing over the frozen funding. Parents and advocates have also worried about the ability to bring antidiscrimination complaints against schools, given the Education Departments diminished civil rights workforce. A lawsuit filed in March alleged the department had effectively halted investigations into sex-, race-, and disability-based discrimination; that case was put on hold while the Supreme Court took up the challenge to the department firings. While the six justices in the Supreme Courts conservative majority did not issue a written opinion Monday on the firings, the three liberal justices who dissented did, writing that allowing the government to proceed with dismantling the Education Department was indefensible, giving the executive branch power to repeal statutes by firing all those necessary to carry them out. The case now goes back to a lower appeals court. The winner of this years Cheesemonger Invitational a 15-round, 40-contestant national competition sometimes referred to as the Olympics of cheese is not a Philly-area native. But before you lob accusations of a clickbait headline, talk to Max Lazary and youll quickly learn: He wouldnt have won without stints at two of the citys premiere cheese shops, making him the second Philly-molded monger to win the competition in as many as years. Lazary, 32, moved to Philly from upstate New York in 2023. He had been working in hospitality and food distribution in Rochester for 10 years and knew he wanted to narrow his professional focus to cheese. When he asked around, a Finger Lakes cheesemaker told him Phillys a good city for cheese specifically Di Bruno Bros. legendary Ninth Street shop, a shrine to amazing cheeses domestic and international. (Di Bruno Bros. was acquired in 2024 by national grocery cooperative Wakefern Food Corp.) Lazary landed a job at the shop, and on his first day, a veteran monger tasked the newbie with cutting an 85-pound wheel of Gruyere into eighths. I struggled for like 30 minutes and I was doing a terrible job, Lazary said. Advertisement Little did he know that two years later hed be onstage at the Cheesemonger Invitational, charged with speed-wrapping an eighth of Gruyere in 45 seconds. Lo and behold, I did a good job when it counted, he said. That was one portion of the event where Lazary put up big points. He also scored 24 out of 25 in blind tasting, doing a near-perfect job of identifying the milk type, country of origin, cheesemaking style, pasteurization process, and name of five different cheeses by looks, smell, and taste alone. The cheeses didnt have a rind on them, which makes it very hard, he said. This time around, Lazarys other stop on Phillys cheese circuit came in handy. For much of the last year, he was mongering at longtime Reading Terminal stand Downtown Cheese. Thats where he first tried Saint-Nectaire, a pungent, semi-soft French cheese from Frances Auvergne region. He encountered a square of that same stinky cheese again at CMI. It happened to be right next to Taleggio, which has a very similar texture. Theyre both cows milk cheeses that are washed rinds, and theyre kind of pudgy, Lazary said. I was going through my mental Rolodex and I was like, Wow, I think thats Saint-Nectaire. The week-in, week-out work of selling cheese at both shops gave Lazary confidence in the salesmanship round, in which the competitors staff a mock cheese counter while a previous CMI winner or a well-known cheese-shop owner pretends to be a customer. And theyre not like, Ill take a cheddar, Lazary said. They say something like, Im going camping with another couple for three days, and I want a cheese that will travel well, that I can enjoy with a gin and tonic or something. What do you recommend? That was the question Lazary fielded at last years CMI (in which he placed fourth). This year, he was asked to recommend a selection for visiting cheese snobs from Europe, eventually steering the faux customer toward a Gouda. Lazary said that the judges are using the round as an opportunity to test a cheesemongers bedside manner as well as their acumen. Theyll try to lead you to an easy answer or a basic question, like, What are those little crystallized-looking things in that Gouda? Lazary said. (Theyre crunchy little bursts of amino acids called tyrosine, and theyre delicious.) Much of CMI unfolds privately between contestants and judges, but the public rolls in when each of the competitors perfect bites go out: a snack-sized portion that pairs a pre-assigned cheese with other ingredients. Though the mongers have about six weeks to plan, prep, and practice for their perfect bite, they only have 90 minutes to assemble 120 pieces to serve to the judges and the audience. For this round, Lazary was assigned LAmuse Gouda, from the Netherlands. It has a lot of almost burnt-caramel, roasted-nut flavor to it, Lazary said. To highlight the Goudas sweet-salty properties, he spread hazelnut praline on a whole-wheat Ritz cracker, added a sliver of Amarena cocktail cherry, and grated cheese over top. Something you always have to consider is that you have to taste the cheese. Thats feedback everyone gets every year, like, This was delicious, but I was tasting X, Y, and Z and not the cheese, he said of the perfect-bite criteria. Its fun to do the high-low, so the Ritz cracker was a nice, mild, easy choice. Lazary takes the champion cheesemonger mantle from last years winner, Main Line native and former Downtown Cheese monger Jake Heller, currently a cheesemaker at Perrystead Dairy in Kensington (of 24/7 cheese vending machine fame). He carries on a legacy of Philly-based CMI winners, including Tommy Amorim, who won in 2020, and Emilia DAlbero, who placed second in 2021 and won the CMI Masters competition in March. Working for the summer at Hudson, New Yorks Talbott & Arding cheese shop, Lazary predicts another Philadelphian stands a good chance to take the title next year: Di Brunos monger Kat Filipkowski, whos participating this year in the same cheese apprenticeship program as Lazary. I think she could be hot on my heels, for sure, Lazary said. Philadelphia has a lot of cheese history, so it wouldnt surprise me. A rendering of the exterior sign and seating at the forthcoming Jackson St. Steaks. Read more The owners of two popular Philadelphia eateries are expanding into Delaware County with a new cheesesteak-focused restaurant and bar in Media. Jackson Street Steaks is slated to open in the space formerly occupied by New American BYOB House at 110 S. Jackson St. this September. The restaurants menu will feature cheesesteaks with an array of toppings, as well as cutlet sandwiches, grinders, burgers, hoagies, and salads, plus traditional taproom food like wings, chicken fingers, pretzels, and fries. For dessert, expect ice cream, cannolis, milkshakes, and donut bites, including a Dubai chocolate-themed version. It will also serve as something of a mini taproom, with beers, ciders, and hard seltzers from Meyers Brewing Company. The Fishtown brewerys beers will also be available in a refrigerated to-go cooler. The restaurant spans roughly 1,200 square feet, said Phil Voutsakis of Winig Properties, who represented Jackson Streets owners in the lease. The space will be completely gutted and will feature a full-length bar. There will also be several tables, plus outdoor seating. Owner Pete Kada expects business will be a mix of dine in and takeout and noted it will be family-friendly. Jackson Street Steaks will serve lunch and dinner to start and be open daily from about 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., Kada said. When it opens, Jackson Street Steaks will have a little bit of a European feel to it, Kada said. It will also feature a white and gold color scheme throughout. To achieve the look, he and business partner, Gus Pavlidis, hired Stavroula Bottos, an interior designer in Greece, and are working with Linn Architects in Media. Kada estimates the renovations will cost $200,000 or more. Jackson Street Steaks marks the first suburban venture for Kada and Pavlidis, with the exception of Workhorse Brewing Company in King of Prussia, where they run the kitchen. Kada is the second-generation owner of family business, Petes Famous Pizza, which his grandparents founded in 1980. Today it has locations in Center City, Fairmount, and South Philadelphia. Pavlidis is involved in one Petes location, as well as two outposts of Moustaki Authentic Gyros. Kada launched Moustaki in 2017 with a focus on Greek street food. It has also grown to three locations, in Center City, Center City West near Logan Square, and Fishtown. Kada said they chose the new location because hes always wanted to do something in Media, where he lives. In the suburbs, theres not really a good cheesesteak, he said. Drexel University, which was hit hardest by cuts to National Institutes of Health grants earlier this year, has seen $5 million of that funding restored after a court ruling. Several other researchers in the area are also getting funds back after a judge ruled the cuts were discriminatory. Read more Millions of federal grant dollars are returning to the Philadelphia area after a federal judge ruled that sweeping cuts to medical research funding by President Donald Trumps administration were discriminatory. New Jersey and Delaware will also claw back millions in funding lost at public universities when dozens of National Institutes of Health grants were abruptly canceled earlier this year. Advertisement Pennsylvania, unlike New Jersey and Delaware, did not join a lawsuit seeking the return of grants at the states public universities. Locally, the researchers who are seeing grants restored are members of the American Public Health Association, a lead plaintiff in a lawsuit that has spurred the reversal of terminated grants for those working at private universities. At least eight grants to Philadelphia-based research institutions have had funding restored, according to a list provided to The Inquirer by the American Civil Liberties Union, another participant in the lawsuit, which said its list is likely an undercount. This includes work at Drexel University under a $20 million grant to spearhead health equity research around the country, the largest grant terminated in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, and research at the University of Pennsylvania focusing on preventing vaping in LGBTQ teenagers. Across Pennsylvania, a total of 15 grants have been restored, an Inquirer analysis of information provided by plaintiffs in the lawsuits shows. In New Jersey, 18 grants were restored, mostly to researchers at public universities. Five grants were restored in Delaware. Both states attorney generals sued on behalf of their public universities. The reversal follows rulings by Judge William N. Young, a Republican appointee, who found that the cuts were racially discriminatory and also discriminated against LBGTQ Americans. The Trump administration has argued that the cuts to NIH grants are necessary to curb government waste. The impact was especially significant on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, a target of the Trump administration. An Inquirer analysis of $47 million in grants reportedly terminated in the Philadelphia region as of late June found that a third of these grants referenced diversity, equity, inclusion, or common permutations of those keywords. During a June hearing in Massachusetts federal court, Young said he had never seen government racial discrimination like this in his 40-year career. Have we no shame? he asked. Its unclear exactly how many grants might have been restored in Pennsylvania had the state participated in a lawsuit challenging the cuts. But Pennsylvania appears to have far more grants with funding still cut than neighboring states that sued. About 81% of the grants canceled in Pennsylvania since the cuts began 66 grants in total, about a third of them at public universities still appear to be terminated and do not appear in court documents listing grants that should be returned as a result of the rulings. By contrast, court documents and the governments public lists show most of the canceled NIH grants at public universities in New Jersey have been restored; so have five of nine grants given to public universities in Delaware. Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday, a Republican, did not return a request for comment. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, a Democrat, hailed the return of research funding in the state, saying his office was proud to stand up for scientists, researchers, and educators. We will continue to fight back against this administrations illegal cuts to essential federal funding, he said. Drexel shows how grants are getting restored The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the NIH, has in recent weeks quietly removed some grants including some that the APHA sued to restore from its publicly posted list of grants canceled at research institutions across the country. It is difficult to pinpoint how much money is returning to researchers. HHSs reporting of its own grant terminations sometimes does not match reports from researchers and university officials. Drexel officials, for example, said NIH notified the school that it would receive about $5 million back as a result of two restored grants, but publicly posted HHS data claimed the agency had cut only $3.4 million when it terminated the grants. Though federal officials have promised to operate with maximum transparency, several area researchers with grants on HHSs evolving list of cuts previously told The Inquirer that their grants were not actually terminated. And government officials have offered little public explanation of the criteria they use to cut grants in the first place. Within the Philadelphia region, Drexel had been disproportionately impacted by cuts to grant funding, with HHS reporting that it had cut $9 million in NIH grants there, The Inquirers analysis showed. One restored grant at Drexel studied how stigma affects HIV prevention and treatment among gay and transgender Latinos. Ayden Scheim, the Drexel researcher awarded the grant, said he was grateful to get the money back. But he said the project has been delayed because of the cancellation, wasting time and money. While funding for the first year of his grant was restored, he is still waiting on assurance from the NIH that the grants second year of funding will also be returned. He and his coresearchers will also have to restart the process of hiring staff for the study, which had been nearly complete when funds were pulled. Drexel is also seeing restored funding associated with its grant to serve as a national coordinating center overseeing a slew of research projects related to health disparities based on social factors like race, ethnicity, and income. This included efforts to address food insecurity in Florida and to improve access to treatment for chronic illnesses in the Philadelphia region. The university is appealing several other terminated grants and working with other schools to advocate for the further restoration of research funds. Its pretty absurd that it comes down to luck. Its pretty clear from the ruling that the terminations were blatantly illegal, Scheim said. [Getting your grant restored] shouldnt come down to whether you happen to be a member of a particular professional association or live in a particular state. HHS stands by its decision to end funding for research that prioritized ideological agendas over scientific rigor and meaningful outcomes for the American people, and is exploring all legal options in lawsuits over the cuts, including appealing the ruling, spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in a statement. Under the leadership of Secretary Kennedy and the Trump administration, HHS is committed to ensuring that taxpayer dollars support programs rooted in evidence-based practices and gold standard science not driven by divisive DEI mandates or gender ideology," Nixon said, referring to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The health news outlet STAT reported last month that NIH has paused new terminations of grants, and the federal government is working on a new strategy for canceling grants that could protect them from more legal challenges. At Penn, the Trump administration had also paused $175 million in federal funding because the university allowed a transgender athlete to compete on the womens swim team during the 2021-22 season. The administration said that funding was restored this month after Penn reached a deal and agreed to apologize to women swimmers, among other actions. Likely to succeed Researchers across the country have been working for months to understand the scope of the administrations unprecedented cuts to scientific research. Scott Delaney, a Harvard University research scientist who studies environmental health, cocreated the website Grant Watch to track canceled grants when the terminations started in March. He filed a declaration on his work as part of the APHAs lawsuit. Delaney said advocates need to continue to continue the legal fight against canceled grants across government agencies. Its likely to succeed it has already, he said. Frank Watson overlooks Northwood Cemetery, where he and his brother recently discovered human remains where they should not have been. Read more Past a broken piece of fence that used to mark the edge of the cemetery, down a steep embankment covered with dead leaves, two brothers found the human remains. There were two teeth, a fragment of jaw that could fit in a palm, and a handful of bone crumbs. William Watson, a historian at Immaculata University, and his twin brother, Frank Watson, a pastor and an archivist, are the researchers who first unearthed Duffys Cut a mass grave of Irish railroad workers unceremoniously buried along a wooded stretch of railroad track in Malvern in 1832. Advertisement In May, the Watson brothers discovered more human remains, this time on land owned by Northwood Cemetery in Downingtown. The new site is about 11 miles from Duffys Cut. They say the latest find may indicate a second, previously undiscovered mass grave of Irish laborers dating to the same time period. The Daily Local News first reported the find. Frank Watson said the researchers would not be surprised if they found evidence of violence at the site just like they did the last time. An official story that wasnt true The 57 laborers at Duffys Cut arrived on a ship from Derry, Ireland, in the summer of 1832. Within eight weeks of their arrival, they were all dead. For years, the official story was that they had died from cholera while working on the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad. Then in 2000, William Watson was at Immaculatas campus late one night when he saw ghostly figures on the lawn. Two years later, he and his brother were reading files from their grandfather, who worked as an executive assistant to the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad. In them, there were stories of people seeing ghosts dancing on graves at Duffys Cut that seemed to echo what Watson had seen. Thats the unconventional start of this thing, William Watson said. He began to research what happened. The Watsons and a team of volunteers found that cholera likely did likely strike the shanty where the laborers were living, and that many of them died from disease. But they also discovered signs of violence among the skeletal remains, including a bullet in one of the skulls. Working alongside forensic anthropologists at the Penn Museum, the researchers came to believe a handful of the laborers did not have cholera but were murdered, in a fit of anti-immigrant, anti-cholera panic. Its a classic story: Folks come to America looking for a better life, Frank Watson said. The sad reality is these guys didnt have a chance, pigeonholed and blamed for a disease that they didnt bring. Through newspaper records, ship logs, and Pennsylvania Railroad files, the Watsons were able to piece together the names of those who died and, in some cases, even return their remains to Ireland for proper burial. The story, which unfolded over a decade between 2002 and 2012, inspired international news coverage, documentaries, books, artwork, songs, and even an Irish-style red ale from a local brewery. Duffys Cut is close to railroad tracks used by Amtrak and SEPTA, and in 2012, the brothers had to stop digging so they would not disrupt the trains. It seemed the tragic story had finally reached its end. Rumors of another mass grave But for years, the brothers had heard rumors of a second grave site, potentially at Northwood Cemetery. Some of their research offered tantalizing clues: A newspaper account from 1832 suggested that a laborer ran westward from the cholera outbreak at Duffys Cut, toward another Irish worksite further down the tracks, where he infected other workers and then died. A 1909 history of the region noted about the cemetery: A number of persons were buried there, especially the bodies of certain Irish laborers, who died of cholera during the epidemic of 1832. They were employed on the Pennsylvania Railroad and their homes were unknown. These graves lie in the eastern part of the cemetery, near the gully. The longtime caretaker of the cemetery often heard stories of a mass grave that was hidden somewhere near his home on the property, said Bill Walton, the volunteer president of Northwood. The Watson brothers visited the 40-acre cemetery about once a month for four years, hoping to find the site. They dug near the caretakers house and near various gullies, without success. I never had the heart to tell them no, Walton said. It was not until April, when the cemetery cleared a thickly forested outer section of the property in order to improve it, that the researchers were able to use ground-penetrating radar, and then shovels, to pinpoint the right spot. About 10 inches down, on a steep embankment covered in weeds and leaves, they uncovered the teeth and the jawbone. We hit it, William Watson said. We actually got the first piece of human remains, from an area that should have no burials in it at all. They paused digging to inform the head of the cemetery, as well as the Chester County district attorney and the coroners office. They also alerted Matthew Patterson, a forensic dentist who has worked with the team since 2008, to help identify the remains as human. Who are the dead? On a recent morning at Immaculatas Duffys Cut Museum, Patterson laid the teeth and jaw fragment on a table to examine them through surgical telescope glasses. I feel a deep sense of respect because a) these are people, Patterson said. And b) these are people who didnt live an easy life, and they didnt exit the Earth in a very nice way. Patterson and the others do not know how many people were buried at the Downingtown site, though there could be up to 120 because that was the size of a typical work crew at the time. They also do not know the cause of death of those buried there. Over the next few months, the researchers hope to do DNA analysis on the remains, to identify next of kin. They also hope to rebury them properly at Northwood, with the grave sites marked by a Celtic cross. For now, the site remains mostly hidden, down a steep slope by the whizzing cars of Route 113. When he visited recently, William Watson marked it with a split branch, its thin limbs pointing skyward. It feels, his brother said, like sacred ground. Update: This storys headline has been updated to clarify that researchers have found human remains that, along with historical record, serve as evidence of a possible mass grave. They have not yet confirmed the presence of a mass grave. New Jersey officials settled with chemicals-producer Solvay in 2023 over PFAS contamination at its West Deptford plant. Read more A widely anticipated national study of thousands of people across eight states found 99% of adults and children who lived near drinking water contaminated by PFAS had levels of the forever chemicals in their blood. Study participants who lived in Bucks and Montgomery Counties near military bases drank from private wells that contained PFAS in amounts that were thousands of times over the limits for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standards. Advertisement Virtually all tested positive for detectable concentrations of five different PFAS compounds. There are no national health standards for PFAS concentrations in blood, and the authors did not present possible health outcomes in the paper, published in the August edition of Environmental International. But about 30% of people tested in the two counties had levels of PFAS high enough that they fall within a range the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends for medical testing. The study also took samples from residents of Gloucester County who lived near industrial areas that caused PFAS contamination. The research, known as the multisite study of communities with PFAS-contaminated drinking water, was designed and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). It is one of the largest cross-sectional studies designed to figure out how PFAS exposure from drinking water may affect health. Robert Laumbach, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health and one of the authors, said this is just the first part of a multipart study. It is descriptive about the demographics and characteristics of who we recruited and the PFAS concentrations we measured in blood, said Laumbach, who is a medical doctor. It does not include any health outcomes, which are still being analyzed. Laumbach said some preliminary health results would be presented to the public at a virtual meeting in late July. About the study The study tested the blood of 5,286 adults and 710 children living in communities with known contaminated drinking water in eight states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, and New York. The authors tested the blood of participants from 2019 to 2023 for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known simply as PFAS. The human-made chemicals have been used since the 1940s to make waterproof garments, nonstick pans, grease-resistant items, and firefighting foams. READ MORE: PFAS testing planned for 1,300 adults, children in Bucks, Montgomery Counties Known harmful health effects of PFAS include increased cholesterol, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure and preeclampsia, changes in liver enzymes, decreased vaccine response, small decreases in birth weight, and increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer, according to the studys authors. They are often referred to as forever chemicals because of their resistance to breaking down in humans, animals, and the environment. Among the studys findings: 4 PFAS compounds (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA) were found in the blood of almost every adult and child. Adults had higher average levels of PFOA and PFHxS than adults in the general U.S. population. Children had higher average levels of PFHxS than children in the general U.S. population PFAS are widely spread throughout the environment and in people. A recent Pennsylvania State University-led study published in the Journal of Environmental Management found that of 167 private water wells tested across Pennsylvania, 65% had detectable levels of PFAS. And 18% of the wells exceeded federally acceptable levels for PFAS. Indeed, the high numbers of people shown to have been exposed to the chemicals in the latest study are similar to those of previous studies. Data from a separate National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that nearly 100% of people in the U.S. have been exposed to at least one PFAS. Pennsylvania and New Jersey In the new ATSDR study, 1,252 adults and 89 children were tested in Pennsylvania. Linda Morris Brown, an epidemiologist, is the principal investigator for Pennsylvania in the study. The participants lived near the Horsham Air Guard Station and former Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, and the Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster site where aqueous firefighting foam was used. The foam was widely used and contained PFAS to create a film on a fuel surface to smother flames and suppress vapors. Private wells in the area tested for as much as 5,000 parts per trillion for PFOS. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standard is 4.0 parts per trillion. Of the adults tested, 379, or 30%, had a total sum of concentrations of seven PFAS compounds in their blood that would recommend medical testing. In New Jersey, 776 adults and 88 children were tested near industrial sites in Paulsboro and West Deptford in Gloucester County. New Jersey sued Solvay Specialty Polymers and reached a $393 million settlement in 2023 over PFAS contamination in the area. Of those tested in New Jersey, up to 98% tested positive for at least one compound. Overall, elevated concentrations of PFOA and PFHxS were found in the blood of those living in Pennsylvania, as well as other states. Elevated levels of PFNA were found in New Jersey. Shouldnt be in our blood Researchers not only took blood samples from study participants but also asked about their health, including whether they suffered from any illnesses such as high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, or kidney, liver, and thyroid problems. Researchers asked about immune, autoimmune, and inflammatory-related diseases, as well as information on pregnancies and births. They looked at race and ethnicity. They asked who smoked or drank alcohol. Laumbach said the data will allow researchers to cross-tabulate results. The health-related data are to be presented at a conference in Atlanta in August, though they have not yet been peer-reviewed. Laumbach said some preliminary results will be presented to the public at a CDC and ATSDR virtual public meeting scheduled for July 28 from 5 to 6:45 p.m. We have some idea for some of the major health outcomes that were looking at, like blood cholesterol levels, thyroid disease and thyroid hormones, metabolic syndrome, blood pressure, Laumbach said. The key is certainly that these compounds shouldnt be in our blood, but they are and we have to deal with that. What can we do to stop the exposure? Immigration agents are seen on video as they take a Guatemalan men into custody near 20th and Morris Streets on July 6. Read more Rob McKinney was hosting his parents at his South Philadelphia home during the July 4th weekend, their Sunday morning just getting started, when his father glanced out the window and said, I think there is an ICE raid happening across the street. McKinney, 39, opened his front door to see three unfamiliar cars parked at the curb and multiple agents swarming a corner house. It was about 8:45 a.m., and it would take less than an hour for ICE agents to be in and out of the house and placing handcuffed men into cars, he said. Advertisement The arrests of five undocumented Guatemalan immigrants underscore the complicated narratives that can emerge in Philadelphia, a city that has long welcomed newcomers from other shores, and now has been freshly targeted by President Donald Trump for its refusal to help enforce federal immigration laws. In a single event, a South Philadelphia neighborhood was left rattled, its calm broken by the movement and shouts of men in tactical vests. One undocumented man, accused but not convicted of violent criminal offenses, was seized by ICE agents. Four other men at the house were arrested and charged with immigration violations. All five were placed in deportation proceedings. Trump blames sanctuary cities Trump says so-called sanctuary cities like Philadelphia let dangerous immigrant criminals roam free, putting citizens and law-enforcement officers at risk. City officials say thats false, that no local policy can or does block ICE from doing its work. Nor are immigrants who commit crimes shielded in any way from arrest and prosecution. In fact, it was Philadelphia police who first arrested the man that brought ICE to South Philadelphia. It was not immediately clear how ICE knew where he was living. Philadelphia police has no involvement in this action, said Joe Grace, spokesperson for the administration of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. As it is an ICE action, we dont have any other comment. Days after the arrests, a sense of unease lingered on the short stretch of 20th Street between Watkins and Pierce Streets. On a telephone pole someone had posted a handmade sign that alerted, La Migra! Spotted 7/6/25. The brick rowhouse where the arrests took place looked empty. An upstairs window was half-closed, and a white exterior security door hung open. A digital padlock had been clicked onto the main front door. McKinney said he didnt know the five men beyond casual neighborhood hellos, but they looked like young, hard-working guys, all of whom left really early in the morning, and returned home late at night, looking like they had a long day at work. One neighbor, Rachel Hale, said that on that Sunday morning she suddenly heard people outside shouting in English so loud it seemed to echo in her living room. Hale, 31, who lives directly across the street, said her partner looked out a window and narrated to her what was happening: A whole group of guys with vests, obviously ICE and not police. She didnt have much interaction with the men, Hale said, but she was upset because they are still neighbors and part of the community. Efforts to reach the owners of the house were unsuccessful. Collateral arrests mark change Juntos, the Latino advocacy organization based in South Philadelphia, said it appeared that ICE agents went to the home looking for one man, then arrested four others who were living there. The latter are collateral arrests, when ICE takes undocumented people into custody who simply happen to be present. It is one of the biggest changes from the previous administration, said immigration attorney Brennan Gian-Grasso, who is not involved in the case but previously served as head of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Enforcement used to actually be focused on public-safety criteria, and at the most, the four gentlemen that did not have pending charges would receive notices to appear in Immigration Court. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson said that on July 6 the agency conducted a targeted operation that resulted in the arrest of Daniel Fernando Alvarez Enriquez, 19. Philadelphia police had arrested him on Feb. 13, lodging charges of aggravated assault, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, simple assault, conspiracy, resisting arrest, and reckless endangerment of another person. Enriquez, police said, allegedly attacked a man who attempted to stop Enriquezs companion from robbing a woman in South Philadelphia. Philadelphia police said that incident occurred at about 10:40 p.m. on Jan. 10, when Enriquez and another man were on the 1400 block of South Eighth Street. Enriquezs companion approached a woman who was sitting inside her car, then pulled her hair while attempting to grab her phone. A bystander intervened to try to help the woman, and Enriquez then physically assaulted the man, police said. Enriquez and the other man fled in a car. Police arrested them on Feb. 13. Enriquez was freed on $50,000 unsecured bail, which means he was not required to post money initially but would be liable for the entire amount if he failed to appear in court. Immediately after the arrests, Juntos said it was disgusted but unsurprised by ICE activity in the neighborhood, and criticized the agency for masked agents, collateral arrests, and shadowy tactics. As Enriquezs arrest record became known last week, Juntos said that regardless of whether ICE sought one person, they took four others into custody. Juntos was able to identify the men only afterward, by talking to one of the mens partners. One man already has been deported to Guatemala, leaving a wife and seven-month-old baby in Philadelphia, according to Juntos. The location of the others was not immediately known. Federal arrests of migrants who face no criminal charges directly stems from the administrations immigration policies, said Rita Fernandez, director of the Immigration Policy Project at UnidosUS, the nations largest Hispanic civil-rights organization. The administration has intentionally pivoted away from policies that largely targeted legitimate security threats towards ones that enable immigration agents to detain individuals irrespective of their criminal background, Fernandez said. ... And when youre pursuing individuals without any criminal history, youre going to inflict serious harms on the Latino communities across the country. Unfamiliar vans on the streets Santa Torres, 30, who works at a corner store on Watkins Street, said she wasnt surprised by the arrests. For days before, rumors had circulated of unfamiliar vans rolling slowly through the streets. Some of the neighbors dont have papers and you can feel their distress, Torres said. They are scared, come out of their doors looking left to right, scanning for unknown cars. Torres is a U.S. citizen, but as a Latina she still feels threatened, she said, worried that ICE could arrest her for no reason. Another woman, Pena, who declined to provide her full name because shes undocumented, said the arrests made her question the risk of staying in the United States. She came from the Dominican Republic, seeking to provide a better life for her two daughters at home. She recently gave birth to a son in this country. Tougher ICE enforcement has largely kept her indoors, she said, going out only for her job and doctors appointments. I have to go to work; who is going to feed my daughters if I dont? Pena said. Some polls show softening public support for Trumps immigration policies. In June, a national Quinnipiac University poll of registered voters showed 54% disapproved of the presidents handling of immigration issues, with 43% approving. And 56% disapproved of his handling of deportations, with 40% approving. McKinney said that one of the men arrested on 20th Street had lived in the house for more than two years and that the others arrived in the last six months. He heard recently that one man faced some type of criminal charges, but that didnt change his feelings about what he witnessed. I feel really helpless, he said. Its a sadness for the state of this country, and existential sadness for what I thought this country was and what it actually is. A federal judge awarded a New Jersey woman $8.7 million in damages Monday after a Philadelphia man allegedly stole naked photos stored on her phone, sent them to himself, and repeatedly posted them on websites, including 4chan, with her identifying information. Still, the woman at the center of the suit, a Gloucester County photographer identified only as J.G. out of privacy concerns, said it was never about the money, which she has little hope of collecting. The woman, who used to be social and outgoing, has had her worldview altered by the ordeal, afraid to be in large crowds, work in her field, or host dinner parties. Advertisement It was about people listening and being heard and being believed, and that it matters, and that we could do something, she said in an interview after the judgment was issued. The defendant, Tyler Jones, 33, had no attorney in the case and was not immediately available for comment. Its unclear if Jones was still in Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center custody when U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel issued his opinion. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General charged Jones last week with dozens of offenses, alleging that he stole nude images of five other individuals in Philadelphia and posted them without their consent. Charges in those cases include unlawful use of a computer, unlawful duplication, invasion of privacy, and unlawful dissemination. Court records show Jones posted bail and was released from custody sometime Monday. The Philadelphia victims largely credit the Jersey woman for bringing their cases to police attention. First J.G. fought for the truth, next she fought for the others affected, and lastly, only after helping everyone else, she fought for herself, said Cali Madia, one of J.G.s attorneys. Were thrilled that Judge Kiel recognized the true harms felt by victims of image-based sexual abuse and are hopeful that courts around the country criminal and civil will take note. READ MORE: A Philly man is accused of stealing nude images of women and posting them online. His accusers describe how he exploited their trust. J.G. met Jones through a friend who was dating him at the time. At one point, the suit said, Jones asked J.G. to borrow her phone, claiming his had died. According to the suit, that is how he found personal nude images of J.G. and sent them to himself, without her knowledge. It wasnt until December 2023 that J.G. learned someone had been posting her naked images on websites like 4chan, an online message board known for racist and explicit content, for more than two years. She said an unknown Instagram account had started to message people she knew and share the photos. The lawsuit outlined how J.G. entered a deep depression and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the ordeal. Working with 4chan and Meta, J.G.s attorneys said, they obtained IP addresses connected to Jones and posts of nude photographs of at least seven other individuals. J.G. would also learn that Jones had been accused in 2013 of hiding his iPhone in a bathroom in Switzerland to film two women and a 17-year-old girl undressing. He pleaded guilty to invasion of privacy and criminal use of a communication device. She filed the suit almost a year ago in an effort to finally be able to get some answers on the record. Jones never responded to the complaint, however, which led to a default judgment against him. He made an appearance at an inquest in May ordered by Kiel to determine the amount that should be awarded in damages, but pleaded the Fifth to many of the questions. J.G. was awarded more than $8.7 million, almost all of what her legal team asked. The sum includes $5 million in punitive damages and $3 million for pain and suffering. Due to the nature of the internet, I find that it is reasonable and unfortunately, expected for plaintiff to worry that her intimate images will resurface, Kiel wrote. A relatively new federal legal pathway for victims Advocates of victims who have been subjected to what has been termed image-based sexual abuse have long argued that the legal avenues to hold perpetrators accountable have been imperfect. Victims have had to navigate a patchwork of state and federal laws. Civil suits can become the only path to justice for plaintiffs if their criminal cases fall short, but such approaches have met with varying degrees of success. In 2018, a California woman won a $6.4 million judgment in federal court, claiming copyright infringement after an ex-boyfriend posted photos she had sent him online. It was one of the biggest judgments at the time in a revenge porn case. Texas adopted a revenge porn law in 2015. Eight years later, a Harris County jury awarded a victim $1.2 billion after her ex-boyfriend posted nude images of her online post-breakup and without her consent. And in 2018, a professor cited a violation of New York Citys administrative code in her image-based sexual abuse lawsuit against a former comedian boyfriend. At the time, the administrative code was stronger than state law in providing relief. The woman was awarded $30 million in February 2024. New York-based firm Veridian Legal, which represented J.G., believes her judgment is the largest awarded to a victim under the Violence Against Women Act, which was reauthorized by Congress in 2022. Tweaks made in the reauthorization created the basis for suing in federal court and specified that the court may award damages and injunctive relief to order the defendant to stop distributing the image, while allowing the plaintiff to remain anonymous via the use of a pseudonym. In his opinion, Kiel said Jones disregarded J.G.s health and safety and acted with malice. He said $5 million in punitive damages was appropriate because it deters similar reprehensible conduct in the future. Its a message J.G. and her legal team hope makes other people think twice before posting intimate photos of a person without consent. Even though no number will restore J.G.s sense of privacy or peace of mind, this decision should send a clear message to those who are considering ignoring consent and common decency: There will be repercussions, Madia said. Former President Donald Trump sits in a courtroom next to his lawyer Emil Bove (left) before the start of the day's proceedings in Manhattan criminal court in May 2024. Read more Donald Trump has surrounded himself with a long list of unqualified and morally bankrupt officials who have helped fuel the chaos and cruelty during the initial months of his second administration. As a brief refresher, they include: Pete Hegseth (excessive drinking, carousing, texting classified war plans), Pam Bondi (election denier, corruption enabler, Jeffrey Epstein file obstructionist), and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (womanizer, vaccine skeptic, measles enabler). Advertisement The list goes on: Kash Patel (the conspiracy theorist turned hobnobbing FBI director with no prior experience running anything who vowed to close the FBI headquarters and turn it into a museum of the so-called deep state), Linda McMahon (the wrestling honcho turned education secretary with no education experience), and Kristi Noem (the dog-killing Homeland Security secretary with no counterterrorism or immigration experience who couldnt define habeas corpus). And on: Tulsi Gabbard (the Vladimir Putin supporter turned director of national intelligence), David Richardson (the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency who has no disaster relief experience, was unaware there was a hurricane season, and has been missing in action throughout the deadly Texas flood), and JD Vance (the 40-year-old former Trump critic whose claim to fame was writing a book about growing up poor in rural America that left out many details, but somehow now sits one heartbeat away from the presidency). But there remains one person who has no business working in the federal government, let alone receiving a lifetime appointment as a federal judge. That is Emil Bove III. Trump nominated Bove to be a judge on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which sits in Philadelphia and covers Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. The Third Circuit is where scandal-plagued Samuel A. Alito served before being elevated to the U.S. Supreme Court. Bove, 44, was one of Trumps criminal defense attorneys, helping to play the deny, delay, and appeals game that ultimately fended off multiple criminal indictments that went away after the election. As a result, Trump never faced justice stemming from his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and remove classified documents though he was convicted in a New York state case of trying to influence the 2016 election. After the 2024 election, Trump rewarded Bove by appointing him the acting U.S. deputy attorney general. In just three months on the job, Bove sullied whatever integrity he had left and destroyed any argument for him to be confirmed a judge. Bove fired roughly two dozen federal prosecutors who worked on the criminal cases brought against the more than 1,500 people charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that Trump helped to incite. Strike one. Bove directed the U.S. Justice Department to drop corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Critics said withdrawing the case was a quid pro quo to get Adams help with the mass deportation of migrants. Bove denied that claim, but three federal prosecutors quit in protest over the decision to end the case, and the federal judge overseeing the case said dropping the charges smacks of a bargain. Strike two. Bove also refused to denounce the Jan. 6 insurrection, or rule out the possibility of Trump running for a third term even though the Constitution prohibits it. Strikes three and four. But those law-bending outrages were just the warm-ups. A former Justice Department lawyer accused Bove of urging colleagues to ignore any court orders that blocked Trumps plan to deport Venezuelan migrants to an El Salvadoran prison, including Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly spirited out of the country without any due process. According to a whistleblower complaint filed by since-fired career prosecutor Erez Reuveni, Bove told colleagues if the judge issued an order blocking the deportations, they would have to consider ignoring it and telling the courts fuck you. Bove denies the claim, but internal text messages bolstered Reuvenis version of events, which implicate Bove in both contempt of court and violating due process rights. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Boves nomination on Thursday. For senators who swear an oath to uphold the Constitution, the choice is obvious: Anyone who ignores the rule of law cant be trusted to administer it. Poll worker Therese DAngelo (left), 17, and her electioneer sister Eugenia DAngelo, 15, hold up I VOTED! stickers that are given to Pennsylvania primary election voters at Marconi Plazas Marcello Tenaglia bocce courts in South Philadelphia on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Read more Four Pennsylvania voters are asking the state Supreme Court to invalidate the commonwealths closed primary system in an effort to allow unaffiliated voters to cast a ballot in partisan primary elections in the crucial swing state. The voters, including Sirius XM radio host Michael Smerconish and activist David Thornburgh, filed a so-called Kings Bench petition Tuesday to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court arguing state law restricting participation in partisan primaries to registered Republicans and Democrats violates the rights of Pennsylvanias nearly 1.4 million unaffiliated voters. Advertisement Thornburgh, the former CEO of the Committee of Seventy, now chairs Ballot PA Action, which advocates for open primaries. In many counties across the state, one party is so dominant that local and statehouse elections are functionally decided in the primary rather than the general election. By the time independent voters can cast a ballot in November, there are fewer candidates, and oftentimes a race is unopposed. Exclusion from primary elections is the functional equivalent of losing the right to vote in those districts, the petition said. If the Pennsylvania Supreme Court accepts the case, the high court justices could upend decades of precedent in Pennsylvania elections, welcoming new voters to the primary process and ushering in an open primary system that, studies have shown, could have a moderating force on political candidates in both parties. If the plaintiffs prevail, it would potentially give these voters a say in the 2026 primary, when Republicans will nominate a challenger to take on Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. The Supreme Court could refuse to take on the case without considering the constitutionality of closed primaries. If this occurs, plaintiffs said, they will file a new case in Commonwealth Court. A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State, which is the defendant in the case, said the department was still reviewing the petition Tuesday. Pennsylvania is one of 10 states with a completely closed primary system that allows voters to participate only in primaries that align with their party registration, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. New Jersey and Delaware similarly have closed primaries. Nine other states maintain a partially closed system, allowing political parties to decide whether or not to allow unaffiliated voters to participate. Christian Grose, a University of Southern California political scientist who studies primary systems, said open primaries are often associated with less extreme lawmakers over time and, as a result, more voter engagement, especially in noncompetitive districts. If you have the threat of mobilizing some new voters in the primary, that could actually change the behavior of the elected official, he said. According to Pennsylvania Department of State data, nearly 1.4 million Pennsylvania voters were unaffiliated as of Mays primary election, accounting for about 15% of the electorate. Voting rights advocates have called for more states to open their primary systems, arguing that it allows for more participation and eases polarization. Furthermore, they argue independent voters tax dollars should not pay for elections in which they cannot participate. In recent months, advocates at Open Primaries, a national advocacy group, backed lawsuits in Maryland, Wyoming, and Oregon challenging the closed and partially closed primary systems in those states. We cannot continue to publicly fund primary elections that shut out voters at historic levels that we are if we want to call ourselves a democracy, Jeremy Gruber, senior vice president of Open Primaries, said at a news conference Tuesday in Philadelphia. Advocates, however, were divided on the strategy of addressing the issue via litigation. Despite former CEO Thornburghs participation, the Committee of Seventy, a Philadelphia-based civic engagement group that has long called for open primaries, criticized the lawsuit in a statement on the grounds that it circumvented the legislature and normal court process in a way that would hinder meaningful progress. Unite America, a national advocacy group pushing for nonpartisan primaries, similarly dismissed the suit as the wrong tack in a statement even as it declared closed primaries in Pennsylvania a fundamental issue of fairness that demands urgent action. For years, lawmakers in Pennsylvania have considered creating an open primary system, but legislation persistently stalled in the divided statehouse. But State Rep. Jared Solomon, a Philadelphia Democrat who authored legislation this year, celebrated the petition as a potential path forward even as he continues to work to advance his bill. Anyone weighing in on this favorably thats always going to be positive, he said. At Tuesdays news conference across the street from Independence Hall, Thornburgh the son of Dick Thornburgh, the former Pennsylvania governor and U.S. attorney general said the suit was meant to work in tandem with the legislative process. If plaintiffs prevail, he said, the court would ensure independents could participate in partisan primaries, but the General Assembly would be free to decide exactly what that looks like. The plaintiffs argued the voting rights of independent voters was too important of an issue to wait on especially in an era when many Americans are fed up with both parties. Simply put, for those of us who are independents, let us vote, Thornburgh said. Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity waits backstage during the annual Pennsylvania Leadership Conference in Camp Hill, Pa. on April 4, 2025. Read more The Pennsylvania Republican Party plans to endorse a candidate for governor in September nearly half a year earlier than in the past in an attempt to learn from its 2022 losses and capitalize on its 2024 successes. That endorsement could likely be for Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who is expected to announce a bid for the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. Advertisement Republicans are motivated after a successful 2024 election in the state, where they swept the row offices, flipped two House districts, ousted a longtime Democratic senator, maintained a majority in the state Senate, and helped President Donald Trump soar to victory. During that election, Garrity set a Pennsylvania record for total votes for a state-level candidate with more than 3.5 million votes cast for her reelection as treasurer, surpassing a record previously held by Shapiro. But the last gubernatorial race, which took place in 2022, didnt go so well for Republicans. The state party did not endorse a candidate for governor that year, and the ultraconservative State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R., Franklin) won the primary and went on to lose the general election to Shapiro by 15 points. The party also faced down-ballot losses. The party has historically endorsed candidates in January or February of the election year but decided to make endorsements for the 2024 races a year ahead of time, said State Sen Greg Rothman, who was elected chair of the Pennsylvania Republican Party in February. He wants to replicate that for the 2026 governors race. We had a pretty good model in the last election where we endorsed [Attorney General] Dave Sunday and Stacy Garrity and [Auditor General] Tim DeFoor, but also Dave McCormick a year out, which just gives the candidates and the party time to be united to get their message out to the voters, he said. Endorsing a candidate early can help the GOP avoid messy intraparty clashes, and it can also help the party ensure the front-runner is someone they believe can actually win the state. Republican voters will choose a nominee next May for what will be a closely watched governors race, given the states strategic importance in presidential campaigns and Shapiros stature in the national Democratic Party. No one has officially announced a candidacy in the race, but Garrity is the clear front-runner for the endorsement now that U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, who had the support of Trump, said last week that he is no longer interested in running. Garrity would be the states first female governor if she runs and wins. I have had many conversations, almost on a regular basis, with Treasurer Garrity, and she is who will make that decision when she makes that decision, Rothman said. Mastriano said he is considering another run, but dozens of top GOP leaders in the state have encouraged Garrity to run and many said they oppose a Mastriano rematch. And Garrity was also popular when Meuser was mulling a run. Among 267 straw poll participants at a GOP leadership conference in Camp Hill in April, 41% said they would support her as the gubernatorial candidate. Meuser had the second-most support, at 9%, and the four other potential contenders received even lower single-digit percentages. Though she ducked questions for months about whether she plans to run for governor, she has teased interest in the role recently. She said with a smile that the state will elect a Republican governor in 2026 in a speech at the April conference, pausing to soak up applause. She is term-limited from running for treasurer again, and noted in a Facebook post that shes thinking about what comes next when her time in the treasurers office is over. In a statement Monday, she said she will have an announcement about the future of my career in service very soon. Allies of Shapiro have picked up on the GOPs early strategizing for 2026 and Garritys potential to secure early establishment support. Ryan Boyer, leader of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, released a statement on Sunday warning that the powerful union will use the full force of our members and resources to defeat Garrity if she decides to run, calling Shapiro the unions friend and champion of working people. He also attacked her support of Trump and his controversial budget package. Should Treasurer Garrity make the foolish decision to challenge our Governor, she will never again have the support of the Philadelphia Building Trades, he said. Not even for county dog catcher. The union endorsed Garritys reelection campaign for treasurer in the general election last year after the Democratic nominee for treasurer, Erin McClelland, publicly criticized Shapiro. Garrity and Shapiro have had a cordial relationship in Harrisburg, but if she launches a campaign for governor it could test their peace. The state GOP will hold regional caucuses with straw polls before a state committee meeting in State College on Sept. 19 and 20. If all goes well, well have a vote on the 20th, Rothman said. Attorney General Pam Bondi listens to President Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House on July 8, 2025. Read more NEW YORK As his supporters erupt over the Justice Departments failure to release much-hyped records in Jeffrey Epsteins sex trafficking investigation, President Donald Trumps strategy has been to downplay the issue. His problem? That nothing-to-see-here approach doesnt work for those whove learned from him they must not give up until the governments deepest, darkest secrets are exposed. Advertisement Last week, the Justice Department and the FBI abruptly walked back the notion theres an Epstein client list of elites who participated in the wealthy New York financiers trafficking of underage girls. Trump quickly defended Attorney General Pam Bondi and chided a reporter for daring to ask about the documents. READ MORE: The Jeffrey Epstein client list doesnt exist, the Justice Department said, walking back a theory Pam Bondi had promoted The online reaction was swift, with followers calling the Republican president out of touch and demanding transparency. On Saturday, Trump used his Truth Social platform to again attempt to call supporters off the Epstein trail amid reports of infighting between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino over the issue. He suggested the turmoil was undermining his administration all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. That did little to mollify Trumps supporters, who urged him to release the files or risk losing his base. At least one follower responded to Trumps post by saying it seemed as though the president was just trying to make the issue go away but assured him it wouldnt. READ MORE: Will Bunch | MAGA cares more about Jeffrey Epstein than dying without Medicaid, which explains everything The political crisis is especially challenging for Trump because its one of his own making. The president has spent years stoking dark theories and embracing QAnon-tinged propaganda that casts him as the only savior who can demolish the deep state. Now that hes running the federal government, the community he helped build is coming back to haunt him. Its demanding answers he either isnt able to or doesnt want to provide. Asked Tuesday whether Bondi had told him his name was in the Epstein files, Trump said no. He praised her handling of the case and said she should release whatever she thinks is credible. But he also claimed there were credibility issues with the documents, suggesting without citing evidence they were made up by former FBI Director James Comey and former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, both Democrats. READ MORE: I worked for the deep state in Philly and beyond. Its not how Trump describes it. | Opinion The faulty assumption Trump and others make is they can peddle conspiracy theories without any blowback, said Matt Dallek, a political scientist at George Washington University. The Epstein case is a neat encapsulation that it is hard to put the genie back in the bottle. A problem thats not going away Last weeks two-page statement from the Justice Department and the FBI saying they had concluded Epstein didnt possess a client list roiled Trumps supporters, who pointed to past statements from several administration officials that the list ought to be revealed. Bondi had suggested in February such a document was sitting on her desk waiting for review, though last week she said shed been referring generally to the Epstein case file, not a client list. Conservative influencers have since demanded to see all the files related to Epsteins crimes, even as Trump has tried to put the issue to bed. Far-right commentator Jack Posobiec said at Turning Point USAs Student Action Summit on Saturday he wouldnt rest until we go full Jan. 6 committee on the Jeffrey Epstein files. Trumps weekend post sought to divert attention by calling on supporters to focus instead on investigating Democrats and arresting criminals rather than spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein. His first-term national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, pleaded with him to reconsider. @realdonaldtrump please understand the EPSTEIN AFFAIR is not going away, Flynn wrote. Other Trump allies continue to push for answers, among them far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has called for Bondi to resign. She told Politicos Playbook newsletter on Sunday a special counsel should be appointed to investigate the handling of the files on Epstein, who was found dead in his federal jail cell in 2019 weeks after he was arrested. Experts who study conspiracy theories warned more sunlight doesnt necessarily make far-fetched narratives disappear. For some portion of this set of conspiracy theory believers, no amount of contradictory evidence will ever be enough, said Josephine Lukito, who studies conspiracy theorists at the University of Texas at Austin. Trump and his colleagues set their own trap The president and many figures in his administration including Bondi,Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel earned their political capital over the years in part by encouraging disproven conspiracy theories on a range of topics, from elections to vaccines. Now, theyre tasked with trying to reveal the evidence theyd long insisted was there a challenge thats reached across the government. Last week, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin posted on X what seemed like an endorsement of a conspiracy theory that the contrails left by aircraft are releasing chemicals for potentially nefarious reasons. But a second post from Zeldin underscored the fine line the Trump administration is trying to walk by linking to a new page on the EPA website that essentially debunked the theory. The value of conspiratorial fabrications is they help people get political power, said Russell Muirhead, who teaches political science at Dartmouth College. He said Trump has exploited that more ably than anybody probably in American history. But the Epstein case brings unique challenges, he said. Thats because its rooted in truth: A wealthy and well-connected financier did spend years abusing large numbers of young girls while escaping justice. As a result, Trump needs to come forward with truth and transparency on the topic, Muirhead said. If he doesnt, large segments of his most enthusiastic and devoted supporters are going to lose faith in him. A potentially costly distraction As right-wing outrage over Epstein dominates the political conversation, Democrats and other Trump rivals have been taking advantage. Several Democratic lawmakers have called for the release of all Epstein files and suggested Trump could be resisting because he or someone close to him is featured in them. Conservatives expressed concerns Trumps approach on Epstein could hurt them in the midterms. For this to go away, youre going to lose 10% of the MAGA movement, right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon said during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit on Friday. Theres also the challenge of governing. Bondi and Bongino had a tense exchange last week at the White House over a story about Epstein, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private conversation. And Loomer, whos close to Trump, said Friday she was told Bongino was seriously thinking about resigning. The FBI declined to comment. Patel also took to social media Friday to dismiss what he called conspiracy theories that he himself would be leaving the administration. Dallek, the George Washington University professor, said its alarming that the countrys top law enforcement officials are feuding over a conspiracy theory. Its possible at some time voters are going to notice the things they want or expect government to do arent being done because the people in charge are either incompetent or off chasing rabbits, he said. Who is fulfilling the mission of the FBI to protect the American people? HARRISBURG Top state leaders who are meeting in closed-door negotiations to pass Pennsylvanias state budget said Monday they are hopeful a deal is within reach two weeks after their June 30 budget deadline. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery), and Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) have been meeting in private negotiations for weeks, attempting to hammer out a final deal while facing a significant budget shortfall. The state is set to spend $5.5 billion more than it brings in this fiscal year. Shapiro has proposed using the states $3 billion in surpluses and tapping into its rainy day fund to make up the difference, a maneuver that Senate Republicans have protested. Advertisement The narrowly Democratic-controlled state House took the first step toward a budget deal on Monday, approving a $50.6 billion spending plan, reduced from Shapiros $51.5 billion budget proposal. However, the bill does not have the Senate GOPs support, and leaders have expressed desire to reduce the total spending number even further. Now that the spending bill is in the Senates hands, lawmakers will likely amend the measure when a final deal is reached. Still, Shapiro told reporters on Monday that the bill represents an important step forward in negotiations. The leaders still must reach a final deal, and are deliberating over how to handle key issues in the budget such as funding Pennsylvanias ballooning Medicaid program, whether to tax and regulate skill games, recreational marijuana legalization, and funding for the states mass transit agencies, including SEPTA. READ MORE: How a ballooning Medicaid program in Pa. is looming over state budget talks The House voted 105-97 to pass the spending bill on Monday afternoon, with support from Democrats and three Republicans. It includes $50.6 billion in spending $3 billion more than last years budget, but $900 million less than the budget Shapiro proposed in February. Speaking on the floor, House Appropriations Committee Chair Jordan Harris (D., Philadelphia) said the bill needed to pass the House, even though it didnt include all that Democrats wanted, because schools and nonprofits expecting their first payments from the state are facing uncertainty without a budget deal. Down the Capitol hallway, Pittman told The Inquirer as he left a roughly hour-long meeting in Shapiros office Monday that he believes theres a real path forward. I feel very good. I think were moving along, he said. We continue to understand the disagreements we have. READ MORE: Not just SEPTA: Public transit is in trouble all across Pennsylvania, including in GOP districts Shapiro, after meeting with the House Democratic caucus for a private meeting, told reporters he is feeling optimistic a final deal will be reached soon, but said he could not provide a timeline. Everybodys working together with a common purpose, even if we disagree on a particular way to handle an issue, Shapiro said, acknowledging the House bill does not yet have support from Republicans. Kate Flessner, a spokesperson for the Senate Republican Caucus, said there is still much work to do but added Pittman is very upbeat and is actively engaged in discussions. House Minority Leader Jesse Topper (R., Bedford), who voted against the bill, still called the legislation a positive sign, indicating the negotiations held behind closed doors had moved forward. We know this is not the final negotiated product. This is not agreed to, but we are pleased that talks are continuing, Topper said, adding that he believes the Democratic proposal is still too expensive. He did not provide detail on what areas negotiations have progressed in. He said negotiations will continue for a budget that is sustainable, not just this year, but years into the future. The state Senate will return to session Wednesday, another signal that negotiations are inching closer to a budget deal. A late state budget has little impact on most Pennsylvanians, and lawmakers often blow past the deadline with little consequence. However, the later the state goes without a budget, the more issues it causes. For example, if school districts do not receive their state subsidy by July 15, they will likely need to borrow funds to cover payroll and other state-mandated obligations, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association said last month. READ MORE: William Penn is borrowing money due to the delayed state budget. Other school districts may, too. State-owned universities and state-related schools, such as Pennsylvania State University, could also soon be setting tuition rates for the forthcoming academic year without knowing a major piece of the pie: how much funding they will receive this year from the state. Staff writer Gillian McGoldrick contributed to this article. Vincent DiFonzo is an intern with the Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents Association. He can be reached at difonzo.vincent@gmail.com. President Donald Trump arrives at the Pennsylvania Energy & Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Read more PITTSBURGH President Donald Trump joined some of the worlds leading technology and energy leaders at Carnegie Mellon University on Tuesday, announcing what he said would amount to billions in planned projects for Pennsylvania. Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.), who convened the summit, put the total investment at north of $90 billion spanning about 20 projects, which he predicted would bring in tens of thousands of jobs in the coming years as companies embrace artificial intelligence. Advertisement The energy and AI crossroads is Pennsylvania, McCormick said at the event. We are uniquely positioned to be a leader. The nations future depends on us being able to lead, and the people in this room are part of the answer. The event was lauded as a first-of-its-kind convention that drew international media attention as throughout the day CEOs, industry experts, and lawmakers made the case for investing in Pennsylvania. Both McCormick, the former CEO of Bridgewater Associates, one of the worlds largest hedge funds, and his wife, Dina Powell McCormick, a board member at Meta and former Goldman Sachs partner, have extensive networks that they tapped into to arrange the summit and some of the deals. Pennsylvania is often cited as a prime location for the AI revolution given its abundant energy resources, skilled workforce supported by numerous higher education institutions, and proximity to population centers. The summit was headlined by the roundtable with the president, whose visit came a little more than one year after an assassin attempted to take his life in Butler, Pa. Todays commitments are ensuring that the future is going to be designed, built, and made in Pennsylvania, right here in Pittsburgh, and right here in the USA, Trump said, calling it a triumphant day for the state. Trump spoke for about 30 minutes on a stage flanked by two huge screens reading The Golden Age of Energy Dominance is Here, in between a slideshow featuring Punxsutawney Phil, Penn State wrestlers, and skyline shots of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. He gave wide-ranging remarks, celebrating the recent Nippon Steel deal along with the passage of the budget reconciliation bill, and criticizing Republicans who voted against it. It remains to be seen if the announcements will deliver on the significant investment and job growth pledged Tuesday, but the event was a remarkable gathering of hundreds of powerful investors and data, energy, and artificial intelligence contractors from around the world. In his introduction McCormick noted just three investors in the crowd together had the power to make spending decisions on a collective $3 trillion in capital. Im eager to see how much of that money we can bring to Pennsylvania, McCormick said. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, participated in a panel at the summit and lauded McCormicks work pulling it together. Asked in an interview later if he was confident all of the deals would come through, he said his office would work with the companies in hopes that they will. Obviously, theres a difference between what someone says in a press release today and when shovels go in the ground in the future, Shapiro said. I want to see all of these dollars come in to Pennsylvania. Its going to be important for them to figure out a way to go from a press release today to actual job creation tomorrow, said the governor, who is widely seen as a potential Democratic contender for the White House in 2028. In between panels held inside a packed auditorium, hundreds of participants weaved around a labyrinth of company display stands, advertising everything from AI-powered HVAC systems to self-driving freight software and plastics 10,000 times thinner than hair. A leopard-spotted robot dog motored around the atrium of the university greeting attendees. $90 billion in investments broken down The projects promoted Tuesday range in size and scope and many had been in development for months or even years. Most are in Western Pennsylvania, the Susquehanna Valley, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. They include natural gas, hydropower, and nuclear projects; no solar or wind, and none of the oil and coal projects Trump has vowed to revive. That was a pledge he made again on Tuesday, speaking of clean, beautiful coal. Investors attending the summit hailed from around the world, many with long-standing ties to Pennsylvania though only one large Philadelphia-area facility was on the list of proposed projects. Constellation Energys planned $2.4 billion expansion of the uranium-powered Limerick nuclear station was on the list. The company proposes adding about 15% to the plants capacity, enough to power 300,000 homes. Some of the specific investment deals have been reported and in the works for many months; others were first revealed at the summit. Blackstone, the biggest investment company in the country, announced a $25 billion investment to build data centers in Northeast Pennsylvania and separately will partner with PPL Corp. to build several natural gas generation plants to power those centers. You can colocate the data centers directly next to the source of power. Thats the special sauce. Being able to put these things together, the companys president and chief operating officer, Jonathan Gray, said at the summit. Doing two in one place, thats the advantage here. Gray said the project would mean 6,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs. First Energy, an electric utility company, said it will invest $15 billion to expand power distribution, strengthen grid infrastructure, and operate the enhanced grid, supporting 56 of the 67 Pennsylvania counties. The announcement touts a partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to expand apprenticeship programs. CoreWeave, a cloud computing startup, will spend $6 billion to develop a 300-megawatt data center in Lancaster. The center is expected to create 600 construction jobs and 175 full-time operational jobs. CoreWeave CEO Mike Intrator said in an interview with The Inquirer that the center will be the cornerstone of the companys Mid-Atlantic strategy. It had been in the works for about four years as the company started rapidly expanding, he said. He called Pennsylvania unique in its availability of energy resources and existing infrastructure. Capital Power, a Canadian company, announced the purchase of the Hummel Station in Shamokin Dam that will amount to about $4 billion over three years. The station is the former site of the Sunbury Coal Plant and transitioned from coal to gas-fired. Theres a long industrial history here in Pennsylvania that supports industrial sites and jobs and businesses, Capital Power CEO Avik Dey told The Inquirer in an interview between panels. He cited the Marcellus Shale. One of the critical pieces to growing gas fire generation is having proven reliable and long-term gas supply. And then, you know, lastly, the appetite for growth in Pennsylvania, you know, the support is here for new investment. Attending the conference were top officers from Amazon and Google, which are building billion-dollar data projects around the state. Also attending were leaders of the national investment funds from Abu Dhabi and Singapore, along with Canadas CPP investment fund, which is a major investor in Bryn Mawr-based Essential Utilities, formerly Aqua America. Nir Bar Dea, McCormicks successor as CEO of Bridgewater, was on the attendance list, along with Central High and Haverford College grad Alan Karp, who runs Palantir, Peter Thiels surveillance tech company. Energy dominance doesnt have a political affiliation The summit included appearances from Trump cabinet members and other high-level officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. But it also drew Pennsylvanias two most prominent Democrats. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) participated in an event Monday evening and Shapiro attended Tuesday, but both had left by the time Trump addressed the summit. AI and energy dominance doesnt have a political affiliation, McCormick said in his introduction of the summit. In Pennsylvania, were coming together to try to ensure we remain at the forefront of whats going on. Gray, of Blackstone, said having support from both sides of the aisle helped sell him on coming into Pennsylvania. In many states its really tough. You cant get folks on both sides of the aisle, he said. McCormick and Shapiro agreed that to attract development in the competitive and fast-paced area of AI and energy, working together and cutting out as much red tape as possible was essential. There were subtle moments of disagreement. A small gathering of students protested Trumps attendance at the summit on campus during the day. Carnegie Mellon University president Farnam Jahanian lauded the event and the importance of training an AI workforce. However, he added: We also need immigration policies that allow us to recruit the best and the brightest. And in an interview with reporters after his panel, Shapiro criticized Trumps recent budget reconciliation package, which he said arguably made certain types of deals harder in the state due to a reduction in energy tax credits. Its somewhat ironic that were here talking about energy jobs, Shapiro said. And the bill that the president presumably will be touting would gut 26,000 energy jobs. Staff writer Joseph N. DiStefano contributed to this article. This story has been updated to clarify the name of Bryn Mawr-based Essential Utilities. A Philadelphia union representing thousands of white-collar municipal workers reached a tentative contract agreement with Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration early Tuesday, averting the potential of a second city workers strike this month. Negotiations between the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 47 and the city, led by Deputy Mayor Sincere Harris, stretched from Monday evening into Tuesday morning, ending around 5:30 a.m. Advertisement DC 47 president April Gigetts told The Inquirer that the three-year tentative deal consists of 2.5%, 3%, and 3% wage increases for the unions members and a 1% fifth pay step in 2027. They will also receive a $1,250 bonus, Gigetts said. The wage increases in the tentative agreement fall short of DC 47s initial demands for 8% annual raises over four years, but Gigetts said she feels the union secured a victory in other areas of the contract that will benefit its members. That includes reforming the longevity schedule and shift differentials to give wage boosts to longtime employees and those who work second or third shifts. Under the new longevity schedule, for example, employees who have worked five or more years would receive a 1.5% raise. After 10 years on the job, workers would receive a 1.75% raise, and a 2% raise in year 15. Gigetts said the city also agreed to increase its percentage paid of the cost of health and welfare fund claims from 91% to 92%, and to instate a reimbursement program for workers who have been retired for five years. It was a tough negotiation, but I think at the end of the day, the members will be pleased, Gigetts said. Parker said in a statement Tuesday that, combined with the one-time 5% raise she gave DC 47 employees last year, the contract amounts to a 13.5% wage increase over her four-year term. We are valuing our city workers and protecting our citys hard-earned fiscal stability at the same time, Parker said. The city is expected to hold a news conference on the deal Wednesday. DC 47 is an umbrella union made up of nine locals, two of which represent city workers. Union leadership was negotiating a contract for its two municipal unions Local 2186 and 2187 after extending contracts that expired on July 1 until July 15. The tentative agreement reached Tuesday must be ratified by members to take effect and would avert the possibility of some of the workers going on strike. Gigetts said the unions next steps involve telling members the details of the tentative deal and setting up dates for a town hall and the ratification vote. She said she hopes the vote will take place over the next week. Local 2187, which represents administrative assistants and professionals, is the only local legally allowed to strike, and was taking initial steps to do so. The union held a strike authorization vote for members over the last several days, which would have given leadership the ability to call a strike if negotiations with the city reached an impasse. That vote was scheduled to be tallied Tuesday. If members had authorized a strike and leaders had called one before a tentative agreement was reached, it would have been the second time Philadelphia city workers walked off the job this month. AFSCME DC 33 which represents more than 9,000 blue-collar municipal employees went on strike for eight days before reaching a tentative agreement with the city last week. Members of DC 33 began voting Monday on the ratification of that contract. After initial frustrations at the bargaining table with the city, it appears things took a turn for the better for DC 47. Gigetts told The Inquirer on Saturday that a negotiating session last week lasted nine hours and resulted in union representatives walking away from the bargaining table without a date to return until they felt like they were being taken seriously. But Gigetts said she felt things changed when we were getting close to having to strike. We were gearing up for some kind of collective action, Gigetts said. We were internally talking about what moves we needed to make to push the card a little bit, the agenda a little bit. Local 2187 was actively taking a strike vote and we were getting to that deadline. And I think that might have moved the envelope a little bit. Everybody wants to get the deal done, she said. Dark clouds hang over the city near 8th and Master Streets last week. Don't be surprised to see another flood watch this week. Read more In what would qualify as news these days, as of now very much subject to change not even a chance of showers is in the forecast for Saturday. As for the rest of the week, the outlooks have a decided familiarity a chance of showers Tuesday, likely on Wednesday, possible Thursday, ditto Friday and about 100% chance that the steamy storm-feeding atmosphere will continue to make a mockery of sweat. Advertisement Unsettled is the word invoked by Paul Fitzsimmons, a lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly. We have one day thats a little better, then go back to a day thats a little worse, on and on. Are you tired of this yet? Overall, Fitzsimmons said, we dont see a significant change. Said Dave Dombek, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc.: You guys are kind of stuck in the muck for awhile. The random rains continue in the Philly region As was the case Monday and early Tuesday, lottery-ball rules remain in effect. The region was spared the prodigious downpours in northern New Jersey up to 6.5 inches that were blamed for at least two deaths and prompted a statewide emergency declaration. But the rains around here shared one trait with those of North Jersey: The totals varied significantly. Amounts of 1 to 2 inches were common in Phillys neighboring counties. Stations around the city reported around 1.3 inches. Yet a mere quarter-inch was measured officially at Philadelphia International Airport. Near the Shore, the contrasts were more dramatic. More than 4 inches was observed in Stafford Township, Ocean County, across from Long Beach Island, and less than a third of an inch at the Atlantic City Airport. In the seven-day period that ended Monday, based on samplings of countywide stations, totals were above normal everywhere, according to the weather services Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. In Montgomery County, they were 117% of average, but in neighboring Delaware County, make that 291%. The atmosphere has been supersaturated all over the region, however. By nature summer thunderstorms are small in scale, and with the steering winds so weak, they can train, hitting the same place again and again. That was the case in North Jersey, the weather services Fitzsimmons said. Forecasters say it is difficult to pinpoint to precisely where storms will pop and which areas are going to get doused. Will Saturday really be dry? It could happen, Dombek said. In the meantime, however, computer models are showing that yet another major pulse of precipitable water a measure of rain potential is due to infuse the area Wednesday night, he said, adding he would not be surprised to see another round of flood watches. The weather service has a 70% chance of measurable rain Wednesday and 50% Thursday and Friday, and Saturday may actually be rain-free. For daylong dryness, Dombek said, If I had pick a day over the next five, six, seven, I think its Saturday. But dont lose track of the umbrella. Best Insurance Companies to Work for in Australia and New Zealand | Top Insurance Employers Retention leaders Employees singled out the best insurance companies to work for in Australia and New Zealand as those that invest in what people genuinely value. These employers stand out for their consistency in how they support staff, both on and off the job. At Australian specialist recruitment agency Fuse Recruitment, an April 2025 survey of its extensive database of insurance candidates found that work-life balance and culture have overtaken traditional priorities such as salary and advancement. National manager of insurance and wealth management Madeleine Martin says, Salary still ranked as being of highest importance, but it was very closely followed by work-life balance and company culture. She noted this reflects years of industry talent shortages, where the pressure has mounted on existing employees, and it has come at the cost of manageable workloads, flexibility, and wellbeing for many. We suggest that, in the past, a clearly defined career path, company reputation and a suite of financial benefits were the qualities that insurance employees were seeking, Martin adds. In the current market, flexibility, work-life balance and wellbeing have been reprioritised and are now having a large influence over employee experience. Insurance Business Top Insurance Employers 2025 survey analysed five core strengths among this years winners: Inclusive cultures: Many described their teams as collaborative, respectful and low-ego. What stood out was how often people mentioned kindness, shared values and a sense of belonging. For them, inclusion comes through in how people treat each other. Martin noted that culture is not a nice-to-have; its a reason people leave. She says, Two of the main reasons that candidates were motivated to change jobs was company culture and poor leadership. Flexibility backed by trust: Hybrid schedules and remote work were common, but what mattered more was not being micromanaged. Employees said they appreciated the autonomy to do their jobs without being second-guessed. Growth that goes somewhere: Respondents talked about getting support in different ways. Some mentioned formal leadership programs, and others just appreciated a manager who checked in and offered direction. What stood out was the sense that the company wanted them to move forward and gave them the tools to do it. Feedback that doesnt disappear: Employees noticed when they were asked for their opinion, and it led to something. A few said theyd seen fundamental changes after raising issues in a survey or team meeting. Even small shifts made it clear their input counted. Wellbeing made tangible at work: Plenty of employees pointed to EAPs or wellness days, but what stuck with them were the small signs of care: time off when it mattered, a check-in from a manager or just the space to deal with life when needed. What made it count was that it felt genuine. Australian respondents in Randstads Workmonitor 2025 reported higher-than-global access to flexibility. Seventy-two percent said their jobs provided flexible hours, and 64% cited flexibility in location, well above the global average. These numbers suggest that flexibility is valued and employers are delivering in meaningful ways. According to Randstads Workmonitor 2025 report, 67% of New Zealand-based workers said their jobs offered flexibility in working hours and 58% said they had location flexibility. Those numbers are on par with or slightly ahead of global averages. But what stands out is momentum, as 35% of employees said their flexibility had increased in the past six months, suggesting a shift that continues to benefit workers. New Zealand employees also echoed the sense of connection evident in IBs data, with above-average trust in leadership and a stronger-than-global need for workplace community. This supports what respondents described as cultures where people could be themselves, collaborate openly and rely on one another. Fuse Recruitment works with companies of all sizes across Australias insurance industry and Martin has observed the following characteristics that stand out to its candidates: clear, uncomplicated vision and a set of values, combined with a healthy and happy workplace various short-term benefits that focus on work-life balance and wellbeing long-term, personalised development plans culture that embraces change and emerging technology The agencys candidate survey found that 79% said it was important for their employer to embrace AI and advance their use of technology. However, only 18% felt prepared for the rise of AI and automation in the industry. As AI has crept into the workplace over the past one to two years, employees have been eager to develop their knowledge and skills so that they dont feel left behind, she reflects. If an employer isnt looking to introduce AI and other emerging technology into their workplace, they risk losing some of their more tech-curious employees who will consider moving companies to build critical skills. To identify the best insurance employers in Australia and New Zealand, IB sought submissions from companies outlining their benefits and workplace practices. Employees then completed anonymous surveys rating their experience across key areas such as culture, compensation, development and inclusion. Only firms that met a minimum response threshold were considered. Those with an overall satisfaction score of 75% or higher earned a place on the prestigious 2025 list. The benefits that move the needle IBs data shows that employees rated vacation leave, sick leave and flexible work options the highest, scoring over 4.5 out of 5. These results suggest that time off and autonomy are now non-negotiable in a competitive job market. And the impact goes beyond morale. According to the McKinsey Health Institute, investments in wellbeing could unlock up to US$11.7 trillion in global economic value. Even a one-point boost in employee happiness can be tied to US$2.3 billion in profit. Fuses Martin says theres been a focus in Australia on ensuring that employers are prioritising the overall wellbeing of their employees through benefits such as EAPs, health subsidies, fitness allowances, wellbeing leave and in-office wellness initiatives common features candidates now look for. McKinsey also links stronger employee wellbeing to six core business outcomes: higher retention lower absenteeism improved productivity stronger employer brands reduced healthcare costs enhanced ESG credibility This global view echoes what IBs survey data shows locally. Among nearly 700 respondents, flexibility and time off ranked higher than wellness programs or medical coverage. Employees prioritised the freedom to manage their workload and time to recharge. Professional development and recognition still matter, but employees want growth on their terms through opportunities that line up with personal goals. Fewer than 7% of employees said they were looking to leave in 2024 and 2025, a sign that employers are largely meeting expectations. Initiatives such as sustainability and volunteering help a companys reputation, but theyre not what attracts talent. How Aussie and Kiwi employees compare globally The impact of high employee engagement is staggering. According to Gallups 2025 State of the Global Workforce, if every workplace reached full engagement, it could add US$9.6 trillion in productivity to the global economy, the equivalent of a 9% bump in global GDP. Against that backdrop, Australia and New Zealand are punching above their weight. The region ranks sixth globally for engagement, with 23% of workers engaged (compared to the global average of 21%) and a leading 56% saying theyre thriving, alongside the lowest levels of daily loneliness and the highest optimism about job prospects. That context helps explain why the regions best insurance companies to work for stand out. These firms offer comprehensive benefits and build environments that foster purpose, reduce burnout and support long-term growth. Other Gallup findings show Australia and New Zealand workplaces caught between strain and renewed optimism, a reality employers would be wise to watch: 49% report daily stress among the highest globally, just behind the US and Canada 15% experience daily anger, well below the global average of 21% 72% believe its a good time to find a job, far above the worldwide average of 51% 42% say theyre not looking to move a signal of workplace satisfaction that exceeds global norms IBs data: a year-on-year snapshot of employee priorities The fundamentals havent changed, but people are sketching out clearer boundaries around their priorities. Across 2024 and 2025s Top Insurance Employers survey, the benefits people cared about most were vacation time, sick leave and flexible hours. This year, sick leave edged ahead, emphasising a stronger focus on health, job security and being part of a caring workplace. Recognition also climbed the list. It moved from sixth to fifth place, showing that more employees are looking for genuine appreciation, not just the occasional shout-out. Development dropped slightly, which doesnt mean growth has stopped mattering. But it suggests people prioritise rest and emotional wellbeing more than they used to Wellness programs saw an uptick, too. What stood out wasnt big launches or fancy perks, but support that feels useful and real. Still, their relatively modest ranking hints at a shift in how people define wellbeing at work as how they feel each day. Community and charitable programs dropped out of the top 10 this year, replaced by retirement plans, which suggests a growing focus on long-term security in an uncertain economy. Time off and flexibility are still critical, but whats rising fast is something harder to quantify: psychological safety and authentic human connection. Thats whats shaping how people judge the quality of their workplace and whether they stay. Willing to walk? Fewer insurance employees say yes in 2025 Last year, over a third of employees said theyd consider switching jobs for better working conditions. That number dropped in 2025. Now, 30.85% say theyd move for a better setup, down from 34.35% the previous year. Meanwhile, the share of employees staying put has grown. This year, 69.15% said they wouldnt consider a switch, a jump of more than five percentage points. It suggests a growing appetite for stability after years of workplace shakeups, especially now that flexibility is commonplace in many roles. After so much change, insurance professionals may focus less on chasing marginal gains and more on sticking with what works. Its the sign of a workforce that feels more settled and less likely to move unless the opportunity truly stands out. Employees want control, not just flexibility Hybrid work is still the norm in insurance, and the numbers havent moved much since last year. But theres a subtle shift happening in that more employees are leaning into remote setups or choosing arrangements that give them more say. The trend isnt huge yet, but its telling. Flexibility on its own isnt cutting it. People want control. Firms that default to rigid hybrid structures, such as set office days or narrow location rules, may start to feel out of step. In a field built on consistency, giving employees more say in how they work could be the next competitive edge. Fuses candidate survey also showed that 75% of respondents were still working under a hybrid arrangement of at least one day working from home each week. But Martin cautioned that if insurers roll back hybrid options, they may find that they risk turnover as a result and attracting new employees would likely become more difficult than it already is in a talent-short market. Hybrid work is here to stay and in order to attract the best talent in the market, a full suite of benefits needs to be on offer, and that includes hybrid working arrangements, she adds. Hybrid holds, but autonomy gains ground The data confirms that hybrid has moved from perk to baseline. However, employees enthusiasm for it may be starting to taper. A modest rise in fully remote preferences suggests that some are rethinking whether the office needs to be part of their work life at all. Employers should note that what employees want is more control. Letting people decide where they work could be the difference between keeping and losing great staff. Employee voice strengthens, but gaps remain More insurance employers are seeking employee input on benefits and workplace conditions. Participation increased by nearly 5 percentage points from 54% to 59% in just one year. The proportion of employees who said they werent consulted also rose slightly, highlighting that while progress is being made, its uneven. The shift signals growing attention to two-way communication and shared decision-making around benefits. Fewer are looking for a new job, but dont mistake it for complacency In 2024 and 2025, fewer than 7% of employees said they were actively looking for a new role. The number moved by just 0.1 points. On the face of it, it suggests a steady workforce but theres more to it than that. This isnt about lowered ambition or people settling; its about alignment. When insurance employers get the basics right around flexibility, purpose and wellbeing, people arent staying by default. Theyre staying by choice. Inside the cultures employees dont want to leave Trust, flexibility and care are part of the daily routine at two of the best insurance companies to work for. These employers back up their culture with consistent action, earning loyalty no policy could buy. For the third year running, New Zealands largest independent insurance broker network has been named one of the countrys Top Insurance Employers. The recognition speaks to its consistency and a culture of transparency, flexibility and connection. We operate with an open-door policy, says chief operating officer Danielle Brookbanks. Were committed to open and transparent communication and encourage our team to bring their whole selves to work. That creates a sense of inclusion and psychological safety, where people feel comfortable sharing ideas or raising concerns. Employees work from home twice weekly, supported with the right tools and trust, but Brookbanks says flexibility is just the start. A shared sense of purpose and an active feedback loop help keep the culture grounded and leaders responsive. We recognise that employees have responsibilities outside of work, such as kids, hobbies, community commitments, and we try to take that whole-person approach to employment, she says. You dont want to be the ambulance at the bottom of the hill. We use fortnightly pulse surveys and open-door policies to respond early and keep people happy. Recruitment is values-based, emphasising empathy, collaboration and diversity. Small rituals, such as birthday morning teas or team meeting shout-outs, reinforce a low-ego, high-recognition environment. We hire based on skill and how someone will contribute to the team. We value diversity, collaboration, empathy and people who genuinely want to work well with others Danielle Brookbanks NZBrokers Brookbanks also points to a shift post-COVID, where people want more balance, meaning and support. Its not just about physical health anymore, its about mental health and community connection, too, she adds. NZBrokers offers flexibility and support across multiple dimensions: Work-life balance: Flexible hours and paid volunteering days with a registered charity of the employees choice Wellbeing: Health insurance and a whole-person approach to support Growth and development: Cross-skilling, a company-wide skills matrix and training, even when not required for the role Many employees, for instance, are completing Level 5 insurance qualifications to understand their broker members better, perform in their current roles and prepare for future opportunities. What employees say: They are diverse, open, have a flat hierarchy and care about the employees personally. The culture is fantastic, and that is driven top-down. It is the best place Ive ever worked Great culture, great recruitment of the right people. Inclusivity A calm and friendly office environment with no infighting or arguments, no toxicity in sight Keystone Underwriting Australia | Employee satisfaction rating: 96% The underwriting agency has earned its first Top Insurance Employers recognition. Since its inception seven years ago, it has built a workplace grounded in trust, consistency and genuine care. Were still a relatively young business, says director Jon Willmott. But we felt wed reached the point where we should start putting ourselves forward for this kind of recognition. We believed we were ready, and its great to see that belief validated. Willmott attributes Keystone Underwritings high employee satisfaction to a few principles, including transparency, inclusiveness and follow-through. The firm stands out with a commitment to the following: Time and trust: Employees are trusted to manage their schedules despite an office-centric culture Wellbeing perks: On-site Pilates, gym subsidies, health insurance, birthday leave, and personal wellness contributions from management Location advantage: A suburban office location supports better work-life balance than a central business district (CBD) commute Were transparent, we act on feedback, and we make sure our people feel supported, not just as employees but as individuals, he says. We lead with inclusion and collaboration. Theres no gatekeeping here, just a culture of helping each other out. The office setup is deliberately flat. Everyone, from executives to junior staff, shares the same space, reinforcing a sense of openness. The team also eat lunch together daily, provided by the company. Remote workers are deliberately included, with extra effort made to ensure they never feel like an afterthought. Its no longer just, How much am I earning? Do I get a phone or my own office? Its, Does this fit with what I want to do in my life? Were starting to hit our stride on that front and were retaining our staff because of it Jon Willmott Keystone Underwriting Australia At Keystone, flexible work arrangements top the list of valued benefits. Leadership sees them as essential for employees who want to be trusted and work independently. Interestingly, about 90% of our team works in-office five days a week, not because they have to, but because they want to, Willmott explains. Theres a strong sense of fear of missing out in the office these days, which is great. Half of our team had never worked in insurance before, so they value learning face-to-face from others. Keystone invests early and across all experience levels on development, from structured onboarding and mentorship to funded travel experiences that help accelerate confidence and build capability. We make sure everyone, not just top performers, gets exposure, Willmott says. This year, all junior staff went on business trips with a mentor. They see what the client-facing side of our industry looks like, and they gain confidence in their roles. What employees say: Keystone fosters a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Its truly a place where people look forward to coming to the office, thanks to the supportive and collaborative atmosphere The level of teamwork and culture is nothing I have ever seen. No one is ever left behind Keystone is a family. I feel part of the family even though I work remotely 90% of the time. The care that management has for their staff is something that should be admired Why alignment, not perks, drives retention in 2025 Culture has become a core business issue for insurance firms, and the most competitive employers are paying attention early, well before warning signs show up in exit interviews or falling engagement scores. In 2025, the best insurance companies to work for are listening and responding. Turnover is low because more people are finding what they need where they are. Top employers are winning with intent. They embed care, flexibility and autonomy into the everyday. A stable workforce creates space for employees to grow, be recognised and feel part of something that matters. Leadership visibility, trust and values-based hiring now carry as much weight as compensation. Less than 100 employees NZbrokers 1Cover Travel Insurance Agile Underwriting Arch Insurance Australia Clear Insurance Community Broker Network DUAL New Zealand Elliott Insurance The Green Broker Frank Risk Management FreightInsure Initio Insurance Interlink Insurance Brokers Keystone Underwriting Shielded Insurance Simplex Insurance Solutions Tapanda 100499 employees Ansvar Insurance Australian Restoration and Construction DUAL Australia Helia McLardy McShane Sedgwick New Zealand 500999 employees Crawford and Company Australia Tower Insurance Ive been focusing on MND research for about five years. Im passionate about using my expertise in stem cells to better understand neurological diseases that are difficult to treat, such as MND, with the aim of finding new treatments for these diseases, Oikari said. The survey, which canvassed executives worldwide, found that 29% now identify cyber risk as their primary issue, up from 26% the previous year. This is the first increase in this metric since 2021. This is a pivotal moment in Australia, as retirement income moves from the sidelines into the mainstream. Backed by 40 years experience in retirement innovation, investment management, and distribution, were proud to help lead this shift through partnerships like this that will enable more Australians to have financial security in retirement, he said. The Standard promotes new AVP The Standard, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, has promoted Kate OFarrell (pictured left) to assistant vice president, Global Capability Center (GCC) Talent and Culture. In her new role, OFarrell will oversee talent functions including workforce planning, recruitment, and employee engagement for the companys global operations. She will also serve as leader for the GCC human resources team and as HR chief of staff. Hatices team noticed strange activity and tried to contain the breach on their own, but the attackers proved stubborn and elusive. When it became clear they couldnt solve the threat on their own, the sisters reached out to BOXX Insurance and Brooks - BOXXs Virtual Chief Insurance Security Officer - did the rest. The Hackbusters got to work. They secured the network, kicked the attackers out, and started recovery. Within 36 hours, they had 80% of the wellness companys operations back online. Matthew Mayberry, Thrivers newly appointed CEO, said the company is well-positioned to take advantage of new regulatory shifts in the rental market. A growing number of US cities - such as Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Columbus - have adopted Renters Choice laws, requiring landlords to offer alternatives to traditional security deposits. More municipalities across the US are considering similar legislation. This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync. The insurance distribution chain is the path from product production to consumer consumption. And everyone involved in that processthe different entities that can help a company deliver a product or service to consumersare the distribution channels that compose the links of the overall distribution chain. This concept isnt unique to insurance. But the highly regulated nature of the industry adds a layer of complexity to distribution channels that is unique from other industries. And the different channels involved in selling, soliciting, or negotiating insurance products have different licensing requirements, and pose different advantages for their upstream and downstream partners. How insurance is distributed Deciding which channel(s) to work with is no easy task. There are many different players involved in insurance distribution. And where your company sits in the distribution hierarchy impacts how and why youll decide to engage with a particular channel. So, lets take a quick look at what this insurance distribution chain might look like. Top of the chain: carriers Since carriers are the ones that create insurance policies and products, they sit at the top of every single insurance distribution chain. But once they create a product, they need to sell it to consumers. There are tons of different ways for carriers to sell their products. They can use internal agents, independent agents, an agency, MGAs/MGUs, and the list goes on. For a comprehensive overview of distribution partners, check out our distribution channel overview. But deciding which partner(s) to work with is a strategic business decision because it comes with a whole slew of compliance management implications. For instance, at first, a carrier may want to establish an internal channel of agents. The carrier is responsible for making sure these agents get an initial license, properly maintain their licenses, and have the necessary appointments in the appropriate states. But eventually, the carrier may consider expanding their distribution hierarchy to sell through external channels, such as independent agents, agencies, or MGAs/MGUs. Working with these external distribution channels is fundamentally different from selling through a small subset of internal agents. Relinquishing more direct control over agents comes with new regulatory requirements, business processes, commission structures, and operational implications. Carriers need to make sure they have the bandwidth to manage the additional work and ensure compliance is buttoned up because, when it comes to insurance compliance, ignorance is not bliss. Middle of the chain: agencies and MGAs/MGUs Carriers arent the only insurance entities that need to build distribution hierarchies. For example, agencies and MGAs/MGUsthough existing at the middle of the overall insurance distribution chainalso make calculated decisions about which distribution partner(s) to work with when selling carrier products. We typically see agencies and MGAs/MGUs starting off with a single distribution channelsuch as internal agentsbut diversifying over time. For example, a new agency may have internal agents but struggle when going to a carrier for appointments because they dont have a track record, loss ratio, or really anything to prove theyre worth doing business with. The agency might consider working with an aggregatora group of independent agencies who band together to create an agency conglomerate. With the increased size, the agency can negotiate with carriers to get the appointments it needs to sell the carriers products. But working through an aggregator network comes with additional implications for the agency. The aggregator will take a portion of the sales commission from the agency because its on the hook for licensure and compliance. Which gets us to the real challenge of managing multiple distribution channels: regulatory requirements. Bottom of the chain: producers Producers are the final link in the distribution chain that connects insurance products to consumers. To sell, solicit, or negotiate an insurance product or contract, producers must be licensed in whichever state they operate and with whichever carriers, agencies, or MGAs/MGUs they contract with. The term producer refers both to insurance agents and brokers. For more detail on the difference between agents, brokers, and producers, check out our insurance 101 piece, which outlines the quirks of these key insurance concepts. As with other insurance distribution entities, producers have flexibility in how they sell insurance and interact with consumers. Producers can operate in an internal capacity, as a captive agent selling only one carriers products, or in an external capacity, as an independent agent selling multiple carriers products, or switch between different channels. But again, the producers decision on how theyll sell insurance products comes with compliance implications for the producer themselves, but also for the companies with which they operate. This makes it extremely important to keep track of which channel a producer operates under. What unites the insurance distribution chain? The insurance distribution chain is a complex web of players who may or may not be involved in a given companys distribution channel. Each player has a different role in ensuring consumers get the right policies for all of their insurance needs. Ultimately, however, every entity in the distribution chain has the same goal: to sell insurance products to consumers. So, while, for simplicitys sake, insurance companies generally start out with a single distribution channel, they often do grow into a diversified network of both internal and external channels. But the decision to manage multiple channels comes with administrative and regulatory implications that cannot be taken lightly. For more information on how AgentSync helps companies manage regulatory requirements across multiple distribution channels, check out our solutions overview page. How to visualize your insurance distribution channels Carriers, agencies, MGAs, producersthe more entities and individuals involved in an organizations insurance distribution channel, the more complicated things can become. Not only does each entitys location within an organizations overall structure help inform who is responsible for compliance oversights, its also crucial in determining commission payouts. However, visualizing the complex hierarchy of relationships that exist within an organizations distribution channel can be difficult, especially as an organization expands and restructures to bring on more distribution partners. Traditional methods of hierarchy management often involve updating spreadsheets and change logs. While not impossible, handling these relationships manually is difficult and any amount of oversight in the process could lead to inaccuracies that result in a commission clawback or necessitate a state audit. AgentSync Hierarchy Management offers a proactive approach to visualizing and managing your distribution channels. Whether youre a carrier distributing products through a small handful of internal agents or your organizations structure includes hundreds of external channels of independent agents, agencies, and middlemen, Agency Hierarchy Management can empower you to manage your hierarchies with confidence and simplicity. Learn more about our solution for accurate, efficient, and compliant distribution channel management, schedule a personalized demo today. British farmers are facing increased fire risks to both their fields and harvesting machines, following a long spell of hot, dry weather. Incident reports from fire and rescue services over the weekend show blazes hitting hay bales in Cornwall, while combine harvesters and baler machines caught fire in North Yorkshire and Humberside. The UK and much of Europe have been seared by heat wave in recent weeks, with extreme weather straining water suppliesand threatening the health of million of vulnerable people. Farmers, already battling the impact of drought and heat on corn and milk production, now face additional fire risks. Despite British grain farmers enjoying the fastest start to the harvest in 19 years, the dry weather has also increased fire threats as engines overheat and parched fields make the countryside a tinderbox. After more showery weather at the start of this week, warmer conditions will return to much of the UK from Wednesday, according to the Met Office. Wildfires are a serious threat to the countryside, National Farmers Union Vice-President Rachel Hallos wrote in a statement. We can see how fast these fires can spread, putting both people and animals at risk and destroying valuable crops, grassland and infrastructure. The cost of farm fires soared 37% to an estimated 110.3 million in 2023, according to NFU Mutuals latest data. Photograph: Agricultural fields expected in Broad Oak, Canterbury, UK, on June 4, 2025. Photo credit: Carl Court/Getty Images Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Trends Agribusiness A preliminary investigation into the crash of an Air India passenger jet last month that killed 260 people raises additional questions about the incident and the investigation is far from over, Air Indias CEO said in a memo on Monday. The preliminary investigation released by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau on Saturday depicted confusion in the cockpit shortly before the crash of the Boeing Dreamliner. In a staff memo reviewed by Reuters, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the report had triggered a new round of speculation in the media Unsurprisingly, it provided both greater clarity and opened additional questions. He added: The preliminary report identified no cause nor made any recommendations, so I urge everyone to avoid drawing premature conclusions as the investigation is far from over. The memo said the preliminary report found no mechanical or maintenance faults and that all required maintenance had been carried out. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London from the Indian city of Ahmedabad began to lose thrust and sink shortly after takeoff. All but one of the 242 people on board and 19 others on the ground were killed. According to the AAIB report, in the flights final moments one pilot was heard on the cockpit voice recorder asking the other why he cut off the fuel. The other pilot responded that he did not do so, the report said. It added that the planes engine two fuel cutoff switches flipped almost simultaneously, but did not say how. The preliminary report suggested no immediate action for Boeing or GE, whose engines were fitted on the aircraft. ALPA India, which represents Indian pilots at the Montreal-based International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations, has rejected any presumption of pilot error and called for a fair, fact-based inquiry. The pilots had passed their mandatory pre-flight breathalyzer and there were no observations pertaining to their medical status, Campbell said in his memo. The commanding pilot of the Air India plane was Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, who had a total flying experience of 15,638 hours and, according to the Indian government, was also an Air India instructor. His co-pilot was Clive Kunder, 32, who had 3,403 hours of total experience. Air India has come under heightened scrutiny on multiple fronts following the crash. On July 4, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency said it would investigate budget unit Air India Express, after a Reuters report revealed the airline failed to promptly replace engine parts on an Airbus A320 as mandated, and falsified records to indicate compliance. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra in New Delhi and Chandini Monnappa in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Hritam Mukherjee; editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Aidan Lewis) Photograph: Officials inspect the site of Thursdays Air India plane crash on the roof of a building in Ahmedabad, India, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) All four people aboard a small plane that crashed shortly after taking off from London Southend Airport are dead, police said Monday. Essex Police said work continued to formally identify the victims of Sundays crash. At this stage, we believe all four are foreign nationals, Police Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin told reporters. Britains national news agency, PA, reported that a document listing passengers indicated that two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those aboard. The Beechcraft B200 Super King Air operated by Dutch firm Zeusch Aviation had flown from Athens, Greece, to Pula in Croatia before heading to Southend. It was due to return to its home base of Lelystad in the Netherlands on Sunday evening. The 12-meter (39-foot) turboprop plane came down moments after takeoff and burst into flames. At this stage, it is too early to speculate on what may have caused this tragic accident, said Lisa Fitzsimons of Britains Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which said it sent a multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data to the airport. London Southend is a relatively small airport, around 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of the British capital, used for short-haul flights. The airport remained closed on Monday with no word on when it would reopen. Zeusch Aviation operates medical evacuation and transplant flights as well as aerial mapping and private charters, according to its website. The company said that our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. The Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, first built in the 1970s, is an aviation workhorse used in a wide variety of roles around the world. In 2017, a plane of the same model crashed into the roof of a shopping mall in Melbourne, Australia, moments after takeoff, killing the pilot and four American tourists. Photograph: Passengers outside the terminal building at Southend Airport in Essex, where a 12-metre plane crashed shortly after take off on Sunday afternoon, Monday July 14, 2025. (Joe Giddens/PA via AP) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Aviation Law Enforcement Numbers London A landmark ban on the use of non-disclosure agreements in workplace misconduct cases a longstanding practice of financial firms may make it harder for victims to win compensation and discourage some from speaking up, lawyers say. Under reforms to workers rights laws by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmers government due to come into effect later this year, any confidentiality agreements that seek to silence employees who say they faced harassment and discrimination would be null and void. But lawyers say the ban risks unintended consequences: employers are less motivated to settle discrimination cases without confidentiality, leading to greater backlogs for the employee tribunal system and prolonged legal processes for victims seeking closure. This could mean that fewer victims come forward to detail their experiences, according to Caroline Walker, managing director at Cavendish Employment Law. Tribunal claims are not for the faint hearted, she said, referring to the courts where workers and employers head to fight their disputes. They are time consuming, costly and cross examination over sensitive discrimination or harassment incidents can be brutal. Theres a risk too that companies try to bury victims in a legal quagmire, she said, with companies more determined to defend their reputation in court in the absence of a confidentiality agreement. In the case of fewer settlements, lengthier legal processes could also pile pressure on an already overwhelmed UK employee tribunal system, Walker said. The backlog had reached almost 50,000 cases by the end of last year, an increase of 28% compared with a year earlier. This could result in employees having to commit to litigation in difficult circumstances, when they may otherwise have received a settlement, allowing them to move on more quickly, Bethan Jones, an employment lawyer at Spencer West, said. The use of NDAs for cases involving allegations of workplace abuse is widespread; 22% of respondents to a 2024 survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development said their company used them when dealing with allegations of sexual harassment. The ban marks a shift in policy for the UK after the previous Conservative government rejected calls last year to end their use and comes after a series of high-profile sexual harassment scandals in recent years, including allegations against hedge fund manager Crispin Odey. Odey has denied the allegations. There is commercial and reputational value to the employer in settling with confidentiality irrespective of the merit or otherwise of the allegation, Jason Braier, a trial lawyer specializing in employment, said in a LindedIn post. The government amendment will disincentivise employers from settling many claims they think they can defend. But proponents of the ban say the risks are unfounded and note that the new law will reverse the power dynamics, with victims, not companies, able to request confidentiality. The whole thing with NDAs is that they are a piece of power, and when you are an employee the power disparity is so huge, said Zelda Perkins, the whisteblower at the heart of the Weinstein scandal. People Ive been fighting against baulk at that word power but really its about equality and leveling the playing field. And Georgina Calvert-Lee, at Bellevue Law, said the ban simply aligns the UK with other countries where legislation has already changed, including Ireland and several US states. The experience there suggests that a ban has been effective; US research in 2019 showed that, after the introduction of the bans, filings for sexual harassment increased and the settlement rate for those cases rose by nearly 10%. A former employee at Citigroup Inc. who asked not to be named because they signed an NDA after they sued the bank told Bloomberg that victims are often pressured to sign confidentiality agreements by their bosses and hopes this could mark a positive change. They said that City of London firms frequently abuse NDAs and use them to perpetuate toxic corporate cultures. A Citi spokesperson declined to comment. Currently, NDAs can often have a far-reaching impact, with some requiring that victims are unable to speak to anyone, even medical professionals, about their experience. Those who sign such documents also often dont receive legal guidance and are unaware that they can still pursue a criminal case through the police. The reforms would change that. You can use confidentiality when its being used ethically and not abusively, said Perkins. This is really taking the ability to abuse that tool out of the hands of employers. Photograph: Cleaners and office workers work in their illuminated offices at dusk in the City of London, UK, on Monday, March 16, 2020. Photo credit: Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. WTW Appoints Lockner as Strategic Client Advisor to AAIS Team in North America Willis, a WTW business headquartered in London, appointed Cecelia Lockner as senior director, strategic client advisor within the North America alternative asset insurance solutions (AAIS) vertical. Lockner has over 15 years of experience advising private equity, hedge fund and corporate clients across all insurance coverages. She joins Willis from Goodwin Procter LLP, where she was a partner in the complex litigation and dispute resolution practice. Earlier in her career, Lockner worked at a brokerage firm where she specialized in placing complex representation and warranty insurance programs. WTW Names Thibault ICT Director WTW, headquartered in London, appointed Cedric Thibault as director to its insurance consulting and technology (ICT) business, expanding its Hamilton, Bermuda, office. Thibault is responsible for identifying areas for revenue growth and leading high-performing client delivery teams. Thibault has over 20 years of experience in both life and annuities, insurance and reinsurance, including strong expertise in the Bermuda and Barbados markets. He most recently served as a senior manager with KPMG Canadas Life Practice. Before KPMG, Thibault held various senior roles with Munich Re in Germany and Canada. Topics Willis Towers Watson The US Commerce Department launched investigations into imports of drones, parts for unmanned aerial vehicles and for polysilicon, a key material for solar power, setting the stage for possible tariffs on those goods. The probes were launched on July 1 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, the latest use of that authority by President Donald Trump to review and impose sectoral-specific tariffs into industries deemed critical to national security. Under the law, the Commerce secretary is expected to deliver the results of an investigation within 270 days. If the probe concludes that importation of the goods under review are a threat to national security, Trump can impose tariffs on those imports. One investigation is focused on imports of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their parts and components, while a separate probe is directed on exports of polysilicon and derivative products to the US. Trump has already announced investigations under Section 232 for other imports, including copper and pharmaceuticals and has placed levies on steel and aluminum under that authority. Those measures are separate from the country-by-country import taxes the president has also been announcing in recent days as he ramps up his tariff agenda. The president has unleashed a flurry of tariff demand letters on trading partners, setting rates for import taxes to take effect on Aug. 1. Those moves have riled markets worried that a trade war will pitch the global economy into a downturn and sent trading partners racing to secure deals to avoid the higher rates next month. Trump on Monday said the US was barely started on imposing levies, claiming that his levies have brought in $188 billion in revenue just from car and steel tariffs. Photo: drone/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. President Donald Trumps antitrust enforcers recently cleared a string of multibillion-dollar deals in a week, demonstrating a willingness to settle with companies that marks a shift from the Biden administration. The U.S. Department of Justices Antitrust Division and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission cleared three deals that were together worth $63 billion in June, illustrating how FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson and DOJ antitrust head Gail Slater are taking a different tack from their predecessors. The settlements, along with a return to formally cutting short waiting periods, provide certainty to dealmakers and could smooth the path for companies like Nutella maker Ferrero, which on Thursday entered a deal to pay $3.1 billion for cereal maker WK Kellogg. The Trump administrations commitment to getting out of the way for non-problematic deals suggests a smoother, quicker process for Ferrero-WK Kellogg, assuming that there are minimal competitive concerns, said Andre Barlow, an antitrust lawyer in Washington. In late June, the FTC cleared candy maker Mars $36 billion takeover of Pringles maker Kellanova K.N after around 10 months. The same week, advertising agency Omnicoms OMC.N $13.5 billion acquisition of rival Interpublic got the green light in less than seven months, after the company agreed to restrictions on its ability to steer ad dollars based on political considerations. Both deals still face regulatory review in other countries. Chairman Ferguson has been clear since day one. The Trump-Vance FTC is committed to getting out of the way of mergers if there are no competition concerns, said FTC spokesperson Joe Simonson. Deals subject to review in the U.S. must wait 30 days to close but antitrust enforcers can shorten the waiting period if they do not see a need for further review. More than 100 transactions have been granted shorter reviews since the beginning of Trumps second term, according to FTC data. The practice was suspended for most of former President Joe Bidens term to give antitrust enforcers time to investigate, frustrating dealmakers looking to close quickly. On average, companies agreed with one another to allow 18.5 months for their deals to close in 2024, according to data compiled by law firm Dechert. The firm suggested in May that the timelines had been extended by the Biden administrations unwillingness to settle with companies. DETERRENCE NOT THE GOAL Former FTC Chair Lina Khan often spoke about combatting corporate concentration, and how increased scrutiny should make companies think twice about entering potentially illegal deals. Now, deterrence is not the goal, Bill Rinner, Slaters deputy in charge of merger enforcement who joined the DOJ from hedge fund Apollo Global Management, said in a June 4 speech. Deals that are pro-competitive or competitively neutral should be able to proceed without a lingering regulatory review tax, he said, according to a copy of the remarks delivered in Washington. Rinner was among DOJ leadership who signed off on a settlement in late June with Hewlett Packard Enterprise over its $14 billion deal to acquire networking gear maker Juniper Networks. The DOJ had sued to block the deal in January, shortly after Trump took office, alleging it would harm competition in the market for wireless networking solutions used by large enterprises. HPE started negotiating the deal with the DOJ on March 25, around two weeks after Slater was sworn in, according to court papers. Ahead of a scheduled trial, the DOJ agreed to drop its claims in exchange for HPE agreeing to license some of Junipers AI technology to competitors and sell off a unit that caters to small and mid-sized businesses. The moves are being watched by dealmakers, who see increasing appetite for megadeals. And they signal a potential path forward for deals such as UnitedHealths $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys, which still faces a court challenge brought by the Biden administration. The DOJ and the companies are scheduled to attend mediation in the case in August. Other deals are waiting in the wings. Charter Communications buy of rival Cox Communications for $21.9 billion, financial technology firm Rocket Companies $9.4 billion deal to buy home loan service provider Mr Cooper Group, and Google parent company Alphabets $32 billion acquisition of cybersecurity startup Wiz in 2026 are pending regulatory clearance in the U.S. Antitrust lawyer Barlow said that some deals, such as Krogers $25 billion bid to buy grocery chain Albertsons, which the Biden administration successfully sued to block, would still face challenges under the Trump administration. The question is, would this administration settle it? And I think the answer is, well, you have a better chance with this administration than you did with the last one, he said. Under a new state law, Louisiana insurers will be required to give mandatory disclosure of prior policy premium when issuing a renewal policy to a policyholder. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple sent an advisory letter to insurers this week notifying them of the rule. The mandatory disclosure rule is part of a controversial law that intends to give the insurance commissioner more power to reign in excessive rates. Under House Bill 148, the prior policy premium must be prominently displayed and set forth in close proximity to the renewal premium. Temple said he is currently in the process of promulgating a regulation addressing the rule, which was created under House Bill 148 in this years legislative session. Because the promulgation process includes certain time delays prescribed by law, and in light of the challenges raised by the insurance industry with respect to implementing the new disclosure requirement, insurers are given a grace period to develop the necessary programing to comply with the rule. All insurers must be in compliance with the rule by January 1, 2026. HB 148 was among the most controversial insurance-related bills passed by lawmakers this session. Temple and insurance industry representatives opposed the bill, which amends statutory law to say that insurance rate filings standards shall not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, whether or not the market is competitive. I think this would be devastating to insurance companies in evaluating wanting to do business here, Temple told Insurance Journal before the bill received a final vote in the House. The bill would ostensibly allow the insurance commissioner to deny any rate increase deemed excessive, even if insurers believe the rate changes are actuarily justified. HB 148 was sponsored by Jeff Wiley (R-Maurepas) and publicly supported by Governor Jeff Landry. Proponents of the bill say it brings Louisiana in line with states like Texas, Mississippi, South Caroline, Florida and Alabama in giving the commissioner the power to hold down rates. Temple said the law has the potential to deter insurers from writing business in the state. As a regulator, I still have to make sure that insurance companies remain solvent and charge adequate rate for solvency purposes, Temple said. Theres an argument being made that a commissioner could artificially suppress rates, and that is not good for long term viability of a company or a marketplace. Under the bill, insurers must disclose all discounts that the insurer offers that may reduce homeowners or auto motor vehicle insurance premium of a policyholder or prospective policyholder in no less than twelve-point font. The bill allows rate filings and documents used to support such rates to be accessible to the public unless such information confidential, a trade secret, or proprietary. Such a determination will be made by the insurance commissioner. The American Property Casualty Insurance Association warned HB148 is likely to deepen Louisianas on-going insurance affordability and availability crisis. HB 148 will politicize the process by which insurers set rates when it should be a fact-based, actuarial science-driven process. By allowing the arbitrary suppression of rates and forcing companies to share proprietary or trade secret information, Louisiana will likely teeter towards a very unstable road similar to California, APCIA said. Topics Carriers Legislation Louisiana The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported that it has cited an Orlando, Florida target-missile manufacturer for exposing workers to fire, burn, and inhalation hazards. Aerojet Rocketdyne was cited with one willful and six serious violations, with proposed penalties totaling $262,451. OSHA based its actions on its investigation of a December 2024 fire at the aerospace facility that caused two employees to be hospitalized with severe burns and another to be injured by burns and smoke inhalation. OSHA investigators said the employees were hurt while they worked on a missile component. OSHA also determined that Aerojet Rocketdyne exposed other workers to burn and inhalation hazards from incorrectly stored and handled explosives and from failing to classify the physical hazards of a highly reactive chemical. Aerojet Rocketdyne has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings. Topics Florida Workers' Compensation Manufacturing A Miami homeowner is suing Floridas Citizens Property Insurance Corp. for forcing him into arbitration over a 2024 damage claim dispute, claiming the process violates due process and equal protection rights. Stainton Williams, 92, contends the damage to his home located 10 miles from the water was caused by wind, not by storm surge, and thus should have been paid by the states largest property insurer. But the state-backed insurer denied his claim, maintaining that it was caused by storm surge, which is not a covered peril under its homeowners policy. When Williams objected to the claim denial, Citizens invoked the arbitration endorsement in its policy so that the dispute would be referred to an administrative law judge (ALJ) within the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH). The insurer created the DOAH option as a way to avoid courts, curb legal costs, and speed up resolution of disputes. The state insurance regulator approved the endorsement in August 2022 and it took effect for new and renewing policies on February 1, 2023. The arbitration endorsement may be invoked by either Citizens or an insured. Florida Citizens Endorsement Now in Effect: Disputes to be Heard by Admin Judges When he went before the ALJ, Williams protested the constitutionality of the arbitration endorsement and its use by Citizens but he maintains that the judge would not consider his constitutional arguments. Williams alleges that the arbitration process is structurally flawed and biased in favor of the insurer, which selects the judges and pays them. According to his complaint, since Citizens began redirecting disputes away from the courts and into DOAH, Citizens has prevailed in nearly every case sent to DOAH in proceedings that deny basic procedural rights including access to discovery, a neutral decisionmaker, and judicial review. He charges that the legal strategy is orchestrated and defended by a former Florida Supreme Court justice who serves as chief legal officer for the insurer. Williams further asserts that the administrative judges routinely refuse to hear constitutional challenges and decline to engage with jurisdictional defects and they rely almost entirely on prior administrative decisions rendered by ALJ colleagues operating under identical circumstances. Williams believes that more than his claim is at stake. This is not merely a dispute about insurance, his court filing declares. It is a direct challenge to a calculated and state-backed apparatus that deprives Florida homeowners of their most basic constitutional rights. The suit filed in federal court asks for a declaratory judgment that the arbitration clause is unconstitutional as written and enforced and for an injunction barring Citizens from enforcing the clause and rerouting cases to DOAH in future disputes. Citizens had not filed an answer to the Williams complaint by press time. In a statement to Insurance Journal, a Citizens spokesperson said: Citizens supports the move to DOAH because it provides a well-established, fair, and efficient process for policyholders, who no longer must wait nearly two years, on average, for a resolution. At the time it proposed the DOAH endorsement in 2022, Citizens was dealing with a growing number of lawsuits and escalating legal costs. At the time, the insurer said that its legal defense costs were on track to top $100 million. In the first four months of 2022 alone, Citizens faced more than 3,800 lawsuits. The endorsement was seen as helping by lowering costs with a $200 cap on plaintiffs attorney fees and speeding up cases by using administrative judges who do not have the case backlogs other judges have. Unlike binding arbitration decisions, DOAH judges rulings can be appealed to a Florida District Court of Appeals. Florida law allows private insurers in Florida to also have arbitration clauses although not all insurers do. Some plaintiffs lawyers believe that arbitration hurts policyholders. They have argued that because arbitration limits attorney fees, fewer lawyers are willing to take on the cases and that ALJs may not be familiar with the intricacies of insurance law. In recent years, hurricane-prone Florida has taken steps to reduce the amount of insurance litigation and the state has been able to attract additional property insurers, which has reduced the policy count for Citizens. Topics Lawsuits Florida Legislation Claims A farmworker who fell from a greenhouse roof during a chaotic ICE raid this week at a California cannabis facility died Saturday of his injuries. Jaime Alanis, 57, is the first known person to die during one of the Trump administrations ongoing immigration enforcement operations. Yesenia Duran, Alanis niece, confirmed his death to The Associated Press. Duran posted on the fundraising site GoFundMe that her uncle was his familys only provider and he had been sending his earnings back to a wife and daughter in Mexico. Alanis worked at the farm for 10 years, his family said. The United Farm Workers reported Alanis death prematurely late Friday. The Ventura County Medical Center later issued a statement authorized by the family saying he was still on life support. These violent and cruel federal actions terrorize American communities, disrupt the American food supply chain, threaten lives and separate families, the UFW said recently in a statement on the social platform X. The union does not represent workers at the raided farm. The Department of Homeland Security said it executed criminal search warrants Thursday at Glass House Farms facilities in Camarillo and Carpinteria. Glass House is a licensed cannabis grower. The farm in Camarillo also grows tomatoes and cucumbers. Alanis called family to say he was hiding and possibly was fleeing agents before he fell about 30 feet (9 meters) from the roof and broke his neck, according to information from family, hospital and government sources. Related: ICE Raids Derail Los Angeles Economy as Workers Go Into Hiding Agents arrested some 200 people suspected of being in the country illegally and identified at least 10 immigrant children on the sites, DHS said in a statement. Alanis was not among them, the agency said. This man was not in and has not been in CBP or ICE custody, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. Although he was not being pursued by law enforcement, this individual climbed up to the roof of a greenhouse and fell 30 feet. CBP immediately called a medivac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible. Four U.S. citizens were arrested during the incident for allegedly assaulting or resisting officers, according to DHS, and authorities were offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a person suspected of firing a gun at federal agents. During the raid crowds of people gathered outside the facility in Camarillo to seek information about their relatives and protest immigration enforcement. Authorities clad in military-style helmets and uniforms faced off with the demonstrators, and people ultimately retreated amid acrid green and white billowing smoke. Glass House said in a statement that immigration agents had valid warrants. The company said workers were detained and it is helping provide them with legal representation. Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors, it said. The business was co-founded by Graham Farrar and Kyle Kazan. Farrar has donated to California Democrats including Gov. Gavin Newsom, a vocal critic of Republican President Donald Trump, according to campaign finance records. Kazan has donated to both Democrats and Republicans. Topics California Agribusiness Trucordia has announced its acquisition of the Fuhriman Insurance business. Based in Boise, Idaho, Fuhriman Insurance offers insurance solutions for auto, home, commercial, life, umbrella, renters, workers compensation, toys and pest control. The acquisition is part of Trucordias growth strategy, which focuses on partnering with successful businesses that share its vision for client service, operational excellence and community impact. Trucordia was ranked No. 13 in the Insurance Journal 2024 Top 100 Independent Property/Casualty Agencies report with about $584 million in P/C revenue. Related: PCF Insurance to Rebrand as Trucordia With New Growth Strategy Topics Mergers & Acquisitions The best way to tell that the California homeowners insurance market has been a bear is to see where buyers facing higher rates and lack of options in traditional markets are going for alternatives. One choice is the surplus lines market, where there has been growing evidence of a surge in demand. The latest data on that trend is unequivocal. Surplus lines homeowners insurance transactions were up 119% in the first half of the year from the same period last year, when transactions were already on the rise. Transactions, which include new business, renewals, extensions and endorsements, reached 171,551 in the first six months of this year. That was up from 78,309 transactions last year at this point, according to new data from the Surplus Line Association of California. The massive uptick in surplus lines interest follows a wide-ranging pullback by admitted carriers from the state. We have continued to see growth in surplus lines homeowners policies throughout the first half of 2025, building on the sharp surge that began in mid-2023 when major admitted carriers began scaling back coverage, said Benjamin J. McKay, CEO and executive director of the association. Transactions remain up year-over-yearmore than doubling in Q1 and more than doubling overall. Related: Wildfire Season Preview: Rest of 2025 Is High-Risk, May Follow LA Wildfires Paradigm McKay called out an increase in take-up from homeowners in riskier areas, where surplus lines carriers have found a way to offer more coverage. The groups data shows a continued expansion into rural, semi-rural and wildland-urban interface areas. The average premium per policy has dropped by 25% compared to 2024, suggesting that surplus lines carriers are increasingly covering homes with lower insured values, often in higher-risk zones, McKay said. Surplus lines is not where homeowners turn first, but when standard options disappear, it serves as a critical relief valve that helps preserve access to coverage Californians might otherwise lose entirely. Admitted to Non-Admitted Homeowners are finding their way to surplus lines guided by brokers like Lacey Garrison Strom, who has increasingly sought relief for her clients in that market after not finding enough affordable options from admitted carriers. Garrison Strom, executive vice president, director of family office at Heffernan Insurance Brokers, said she has been encouraged by signs of interest in writing policies lately from carriers in both the admitted and non-admitted spaces, though with much stricter underwriting demands. However, a market trend that has stood out to the 25-year-plus insurance professional is the interest from admitted carriers in selling non-admitted policies. What were also seeing is big carriers that have a surplus lines side to their businesslike the Chubbs of the world the AIGs of the world, obviously Nationwide it has Scottsdalewere seeing them move towards a non-admitted product in California, and I think youre going to start to see more and more carriers do that because then they can price it appropriately. Her observations so far reflect what the surplus lines association data shows, and her experience has been that taking clients to the non-admitted market doesnt necessarily mean they are paying more. These buyers are also benefitted by on a policy form that enables them to work with underwriters on things like higher deductible options and carve backs on certain coverages. We have a lot more flexibility on the E&S side on the forms, so it allows the carrier to get more comfortable with the risk because they can tighten what theyre actually insuring, they can shave back coverage, Garrison Strom said. So, I think that theres this misunderstanding that non-admitted just means the carriers want to charge you a lot more because they cant get their rate filings with the state, but thats not all of it. A lot of it is being able to pull back on coverage that is too robust on their admitted form. Steve Rivera, a who heads up personal lines at Liberty Company Brokers Inc., has also been working more with homeowners lately in surplus lines, where he and his team have learned to bring only what the ever-pickier carriers will consider good business. Theyre underwriting for proximity to brush, theyre starting to require different risk management solutions, such as ember-resistant venting, clearing zones from the home with no combustibles. They are asking for trees to be cut back 10 feet from the house, no overhanging limbsfor gutter guards for the rain gutters, said Rivera, who is a partner working out of the firms Los Angeles office. Theres a lot of proactive risk management thats being asked of clients. Rivera has a client with a roughly $10 million-dollar home in a canyon area around Los Angeles with bad access, and the local fire department is more than 5 miles away. His clients have spent more than $250,000 to harden the home from fire, and they are still working on pricing the coverage. They received a tentative pre-approval for a limit of just over $6 million, which is roughly the full replacement cost of the home. But the deal still isnt done. Theres a lot of lot more things that theyre going to doinstalling the water leak detection system and the seismic shutoff valve, and putting gutter guards on the rain guttersand were really trying to clear zone 1 of the home, which theyve already done a pretty good job of doing, he said. Theres a fire suppression system that were working on installing, which is going to be another couple hundred-thousand bucks. Pitch Count In the admitted market, Rivera said he and his team are on a sort of pitch count with carriers. So, you only get like four or five policies a month for an entire agency, which is kind of tough, Rivera said. These carriers are also shunning homeowners business from all but those brokers who bring the best business. Brokers with good loss ratios and a good mix of business continue to write businesson the pitch count, he said. So, what insurance companies have done is theyve turned around and said, Hey look, we dont want to write new business, were going to be very selective on the accounts that we take and were going to be very selective on how many we take,' Rivera said. So, weve got to be selective as an agency, to pick the right accounts and theyve got to be full accounts. Theyre not just writing homeowners, now theyre saying We want the home, the auto, and the umbrella, and they cant have any accidents or tickets, and so you got to bring us pretty clean drivers.' The American Property Casualty Insurance Association was reached out to for comment on the so-called pitch count and the standards carriers demanding from brokers bringing them homeowners business in California. The group replied with a statement via email to be attributed to APCIAs Robert Passmore, department vice president of personal lines. Companies determine their own appetites for taking on new risks and may limit, or increase, based upon conditions in the market, the statement reads. This is one reason why shopping around is important, since each company makes its own decision on what they charge, and how many policies they wish to write. According to the CDI, there is no statute that prohibits these practices, since they are purely a contractual matter between the carriers and their contracted agents. Under the limits of Prop 103, insurance companies can choose which policies to write and at what level, and some insurance companies are only providing a limited number of policies per month to their contracted agents, states a response from a CDI spokesman who was asked for feedback on the pitch count. Despite being put on a pitch count and facing tough standards from carriers, Rivera is optimistic about the market, which he believes may be turning around. Were having a lot of calls right now with companies that want to reopen, they want to give us the opportunity to write auto insurance now, which for the last year or so, its been very difficult to do, especially on a standalone, he said. The signs hes seeing lately are making him optimistic that a market improvement may be ahead of where things appear to be right now, continuing some positive signs he said he started seeing before the Los Angeles wildfires in January. I thought the market was already correcting itself, he said. I was already in discussions with two or three different insurance companies that wanted to create an ultra-high net worth presence in California. Commercial/Alternative Commercial property brokers are also doing a dance in wildfire-prone Californias insurance market. Mike Prindle, head of complex property at CAC Specialty, has had to search ever farther and wider to get his clients insurance coverage. Ive seen more in the last year or so, sometimes for us as brokers, we have to come up with alternative solutions to cover our clients for wildfire, Prindle said. That could be parametric, that could be cat bonds, it could be other alternative risk vehicles. So, we are seeing a little bit of a take-up on the client side for purchasing things like that that are sort of outside of traditional property insurance. He said the appetite for alternatives depends on the size of his clients needs and what value they offer to carriers. Carriers are more willing to provide coverage to commercial property owners with exposure spread out across the U.S.a part which may be in wildfire-prone areas of Californiawith, for example, $10 million or more in annual insurance spend, he said. Youre going to get carriers more apt to provide the coverage, just because theres enough premium in the overall program to cover them for that risk, Prindle said. But for those clients with one or two assets that may be considered a smaller or middle-market placementpaying, for example, $200,000 for property insurance, with some exposure in riskier areas of California? Prindle is seeing those risks get shunned. Some of these smaller commercial properties are accessing the California FAIR Plan, which beefed up its commercial coverage after California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara in March approved a filing from the insurer of last resort to increase commercial property coverage limits. The approval increased the FAIR Plans Division I Commercial Property coverage limits to $20 million per building, with a total $100 million maximum limit per location. Beside going into the FAIR Plan, Prindle is also getting more inquiries from his smaller clients about parametric insurance. He has seen a growing number of capital providers in the parametric space, she he said has made quotes easy to turn around. But its an expensive alternative. Currently a small percentage of those clients with small- to mid-size risks are buying parametric products, but we definitely have seen an increase in the take0up rate in the last year-and-a-half, specifically for wildfire risk, Prindle said. Rate Hikes & L.A. Wildfires The pain inflicted on Californias property market has grown steadily in the last few years after a series of devastating wildfire seasonsCalFire data show that seven of the states 10 most destructive wildfires have occurred in the last 10 years. That trend has been followed by numerous carriers pulling back from writing new policies in the state and seeking large rate hikes. The L.A. wildfires made things worse. The blazed destroyed more than 16,000 structures and killed 30 people. Estimated insured losses from the L.A. wildfires range between $30 and $35 billion. Several big carriers, including State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, and Mercury, reported paying more than $1 billion in claims from the wildfires. One of those companies is State Farm, which as of mid-June reported receiving 12,855 total claims related to the fires and paid out more than $3.96 billion. State Farm, which insures roughly one-in-five California homeowners, has asked for a large rate hike, based partly on the carriers massive losses from the fires. The carrier upped its rate request in May, a week after getting the OK for a large rate hike to what the company had originally wanted before being rejected and agreeing to an interim deal for an increase. The wildfire-bitten insurer got approval for a 17% rate increase following billions of dollars in losses from the Los Angeles wildfires and pullback on writing new policies in the state. A report from a climate activist group says State Farms rate increases would cost the average California homeowner more than $1,000. An analysis from the Center for Climate Integrity says that if the additional increase is approved, the average California policyholder will be paying $1,015 more for homeowners insurance in 2026 than they did in 2023. Fixes in the Works? Insurance regulators continue to take steps in an attempt to deal with the states wildfire and insurance crisis. Lara talked about some of the changes during his testimony before the Assembly Insurance Committee during an informational oversight hearing in early July. Among those steps, the California Department of Insurance is enabling carriers to factor catastrophe modeling into rates, taking the state way from a rate-setting process that limited carriers to primarily using historical data, as well as streamlining rate filing reviews, making changes to the FAIR Plan and allowing reinsurance to be considered in rate-making. These steps fall under Laras so-called Sustainable Insurance Strategy, which he and the CDI have been rolling out over the past year. My department has made tremendous strides these past several months in implementing my strategy, he told the committee. The changes also require reforming or eliminating the states primary property/casualty insurance law, Proposition 103, passed by voters in 1989. Calls are growing to change or scrap the law, and Lara has also pushed for changes to Prop 103, while pushing back against consumer advocates who uphold the law for its protections for insurance consumers and keeping rates low. During his committee testimony, Lara called out both consumer advocates, such as Prop. 103 proponent Consumer Watchdog, and the insurance industry for making it difficult to make changes to laws and regulations to adapt to a new reality in the wildfire-prone state. Some groups, namely Consumer Watchdog along with those in the insurance lobby, have carved out power in a decades-old system that rewards gridlock, where being loud has often mattered more than being effective, he stated to the committee. Consumer Watchdog has been working to draw attention to the impact the group feels the changes will have on consumers, and the group has been battling some of the changes in court. The groups primary point of caution has been that the changes will hurt consumers. Consumer Watchdog may find some evidence in that argument following a move from Lara and the CDI in February, when he approved a request from the FAIR Plan to get money from insurers to help pay customer claims from the L.A. fires, enabling $1 billion to be collected from carriers in California to keep the FAIR Plan solvent. Consumer Watchdog flied a lawsuit over the move, arguing that because of that decision, homeowners across the state are on the hook to pay up to $500 million of the $1 billion FAIR Plan assessment. A lawsuit from the group challenges the way the FAIR Plan recovers costs, claiming the current system ushered in as part of several changes made by California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is unfair. A judge also recently ruled that the California FAIR Plans smoke-damage policy violates state law, while in another matter a lawsuit from Consumer Watchdog is drawing concern from insurers that it could push the California insurance market closer to collapse after a Los Angeles County judge ruled that by denying coverage for clean-up and remediations, the FAIR Plan is violating state law. Top photo: 2025 Eaton Fire in Los Angeles. Source: CalFire. Topics California Agencies Excess Surplus Worker safety regulators in Washington are warning businesses that temperatures and wildfire smoke are making for hazardous conditions for outdoor workers. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries issued a notice to employers and workers about which weather conditions trigger extra precautions and of the rules in place to protect workers The states heat rules include protections for outdoor workers that kick in at 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with additional requirements in the kind of high heat that much of the state is now experiencing. At or above 80 degrees, employers are required to: Encourage and allow workers to take paid preventative cool-down rest periods as needed; Provide enough shade or other way of cooling down for all employees on a meal or rest break to use; Provide enough cool drinking water for each employee to drink a quart per hour; Closely observe new employees, employees returning from absences, and to monitor all employees during heat waves. When temperatures reach 90 degrees or above, employers must provide a 10-minute paid cool down rest period every two hours. When temperatures reache 100 degrees or higher, the requirement for breaks becomes 15-minutes of paid cool down rest every hour. The state is experiencing drier than normal conditions, and earlier wildfire season, with several wildfires are burning across the state this week. State rules require employers to prepare to protect workers from wildfire smoke with a response plan, which includes how employers will communicate with workers, training employees to report smoke and planned medical treatment for employees who say theyre experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, chest pain and dizziness. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Washington July 15, 2025 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investorideas.com, a global investor news source covering mining and metals stocks releases a new episode of the Exploring Mining Podcast. In today's episode, host Cali Van Zant speaks with Scott Emerson, CEO of Kingsmen Resources Ltd. (TSXV: KNG) (OTCQB: KNGRF) regarding their ongoing exploration activities in Mexico's Parral district. The episode covers updates on the Las Coloradas drilling program, the recent acquisition of the Almoloya Project, and the Company's strategic plans in the region. The podcast highlights Kingsmen's active drilling operations at Las Coloradas, where a 24/7 drilling program is underway beneath the historic past producing high grade silver mine which was operated between 1944- 1952 by Asarco. The discussion also focuses on Kingsmen's acquisition of the Almoloya Project, a significant land package three times larger than Las Coloradas with a history of past-producing mines. The project aligns with Kingsmen's goal to establish itself as a leading explorer in the Parral district. The financial structure for both projects involves escalating payments over eight years, with the company fully funded for its current 14-hole drill program at Las Coloradas and initial exploration at Almoloya. The episode also touches on Kingsmen's broader exploration strategy. The Exploring Mining Podcast invites listeners to access the full episode for detailed insights into Kingsmen's projects and the current dynamics of the silver market. Listen to the podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/silver-rally-ignites-kingsmen-s-exploration-drilling-updates-game-changing-acquisition--66963406 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sErX29jy1o0 Watch the first episode with Kingsmen Resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW7dVg9DHe0&t=8s For more information about Kingsmen Resources: Corporate Presentation: https://www.kingsmenresources.com/corporate-presentation About Kingsmen Resources Kingsmen Resources is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing its 100% held Las Coloradas Project located in the prolific mining district of Parral Mexico. The project hosts the historic past producing high-grade silver mine, Las Coloradas. It is considered to be prospective for hosting further precious metal deposits, being on the same structural and stratigraphic belts that host numerous other, on -trend, high- grade deposits. In addition, the company has a 1% NSR on the Los Ricos North project operated by GoGold Resources Inc.in Mexico. The Company's leaders have extensive experience in the mining and financial sectors. Kingsmen is a publicly-traded company (TSXV: KNG; OTCQB: KNGRF: FSE: TUY) and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Website: https://www.kingsmenresources.com/ X: https://x.com/Kingsmen_Res Listen to Exploring Mining on Spotify Listen to Exploring Mining podcast on iTunes Apple podcasts Hear other episodes of the Exploring Mining Podcast , rated as one of the top 30 mining podcasts to listen to in 2025, The Exploring Mining Podcast is a premier source for news and analysis in the mining industry, offering in-depth discussions with industry leaders and updates on key developments in commodities and resource exploration. Research mining stocks at Investorideas.com with our free mining stocks directory at Investorideas.com About Investorideas.com - Big Investing Ideas Investorideas.com is the go-to platform for big investing ideas. From breaking stock news to top-rated investing podcasts, we cover it all. Disclaimer/Disclosure: This podcast and article featuring Kingsmen Resources Ltd. are paid for content at Investorideas.com, part of a monthly marketing mining stock showcase (payment disclosure). Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Follow us on X @investorideas @Exploringmining Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Investorideas Follow us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/Investorideas Contact Investorideas.com to be a guest or sponsor this podcast 800-665-0411 Its been over seven years since the West Cork podcast was first released via Audible. It was subsequently made widely available in 2021 to coincide with Ian Baileys trial in France, where he was found guilty of the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Made by Sam Bungey and Jennifer Forde, West Cork is one of the best true crime podcast series ever made, right up there with season one of Serial. While subsequent promotion, events, and tie-ins (a deal to adapt it for TV was struck in 2021) took up much of their life since, Bungey and Forde found time to focus on an entirely separate investigation for the series Havana Helmet Club, released via BBC Sounds. Forde, in the opening episode Psychological Fortitude, says: A recording of the otherworldly sound was posted on Twitter. At the time, we were on an all-consuming deadline for a podcast about an unsolved murder in West Cork, Ireland. When Stuart Braithwaite, of cult indie band Mogwai, was asked recently to sign a letter in support of Belfast-Derry rap trio Kneecap, he said yes on the spot. As with many other musicians, he was alarmed by the official backlash against Kneecap in Britain, where a member of the group has been charged with a terror offence after displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in London. I agree with Kneecaps stance on Palestine 100%, Even if I didn't, I would find it really, really terrible that someone would try and censor a musician from performance because of what they are saying, says Braithwaite, speaking from his home in Scotland ahead of an Irish tour that includes a date at Galway International Arts Festival. Arresting performers because of what they say on stage is a slippery slope, he feels. Which is why Mogwai put their name to the open letter defending Kneecap alongside signatories such as Paul Weller, Pulp, Massive Attack and Fontaines DC. What would we have been looking at banning Bob Dylan for singing against racism? Youre going into some ugly parts of history when you allow that to happen. It got exposed that 30 people from the music industry had written to Glastonbury to try and get [Kneecap] removed. That wasnt in public. That was a private thing a whistleblower has got hold of it. As a member of Mogwai, Braithwaite has his own history of defying authority albeit in circumstances very different to Kneecap. In the 1990s the group whose largely instrumental compositions blend heavy metal and cinematic mood music were outliers in a UK scene dominated by Britpop. Not just outliers but mutineers: in 1999 they did the unthinkable by taking a potshot against top mockney merchants Blur by selling t-shirts that read Blur Are S*** when both acts were billed for the T In The Park festival in Scotland. I definitely feel Scotland was culturally marginalised . There is something quite sinister [about Britpop] everyone's starting to blow their own trumpet and waving Union Jacks.Im not saying all those bands were terrible. As a cultural movement, it didn't resonate. Today, it is perfectly possible to ignore artists you dont like. That was not the case 30 years ago. Oasis , Blur, Supergrass, Pulp they were everywhere, ubiquitous and inescapable, with their cheeky chappy capering and outsize media profile. People forget nowadays that culture was very monolithic back then. Two things couldn't exist. For something to be in, everything else had to be out. Thankfully, that's not the way anymore. Back in the 90s You weren't listening to music on your phone. So you were hearing what everyone else heard, if you were outside your own house. It was pretty grim. If anything it was worse in Ireland where a generation of musicians many Cork bands among them had their momentum killed by Britpop. For Irish rock, Britpop was a neutron bomb that obliterated everything in its path. Braithwaite nods adding that Mogwai have long felt an affinity with Irish artists. In his 2022 autography, Spaceships Over Glasgow: Mogwai, Mayhem and Misspent Youth, he names Dublin 'shoegaze group My Bloody Valentine as an inspiration. But that is just the start of his connection to Irish music, he elaborates today. One of the first bands we ever played with was a band called Wormhole [later, The Wormholes]. They were a big inspiration. Whipping Boy were a band we liked when we first started. I like Fontaines. I think they're really good. Its been a topsy-turvy few years for Mogwai. Formed in 1995 and named after the cute puppet from Gremlins, they were long regarded as a the quintessential cult affair. Their debut 1997 debut album, Young Team, was a big critical hit but ever since they have happily existed in the margins - acclaimed and with a significant following but a long way shy of being considered household names. Things changed during the pandemic, when their tenth long player, As the Love Continues, went to number one in the UK a turn up heralded as a victory for underdogs everywhere. Stuart Braithwaite with his dog Prince in Glasgow last year. Picture: ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP It was a great, weird thing to happen, says Braithwaite. And I think we felt a lot of that love. We felt a lot of the support. I know people probably say this kind of shit all the time, and they don't mean it, but it genuinely wasn't something that any of us had ever even thought about. It was a genuine surprise. Obviously when you put a record you want it to do well. To actually sell more than anything else is pretty incredible." In Galway, Mogwai will play material from their new album, The Bad Fire. A major hit in itself with a top five placing in the UK, it proceeds with stately grace from thunderous to thoughtful, terrifying to heartbreaking. Theres a lot of brimstone under the skin of the LP aptly named for a Scottish word for hell. The emotions that seethe through the songs were deeply felt: The Bad Fire was recorded while multi-instrumentalist Barry Burns daughter recovered from a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy. Around the same time, bassist Dominic Aitchisons father passed away. Such challenges have left their mark opening number God Gets You Back, for instance, incorporates lyrics by Burns daughter. Nonetheless, Mogwai didnt go into the studio with the explicit ambition of catalysing recent traumas on record. We're not the kind of band that writes songs about anything. The only song we've done that's very specifically about something was on our last album, Richie Sacramento [a tribute to musician friends who had died over the years]. Most of our songs kind of exist in a bit of a bubble, said Braithwaite. More than anything they were eager to put recent difficulties behind them to celebrate the positives in life rather than focus on negatives. There's probably an element of escapism, too. It was a rough time, and especially Barry being stuck in a hospital, worried about his kid. Hey, Barry, now youre out do you want to sing about it? he probably wouldn't have fancied that. In a way, the whole album is about recent upheavals, even though it's not very specific. The energy was very much that something had been overcome. When we got in the studio, it felt like a bit of a release. Almost a triumph that we've got through the other side of some difficult stuff. Mogwai play the Heineken Big Top on Thursday, July 24, as part of Galway International Arts Festival. They also play Limerick (Big Top, July 25), Dublin (Vicar Street, July 26), and Belfast (Mandela Hall, July 27 Other music at Galway International Arts Festival The Stunning There are literally dozens of gigs taking place across the festival. Here's a selection of five: The Magic Numbers, Monroes Live, Wednesday, July 16: The cheery all-sibling four-piece celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Mercury nominated debut album with what is sure to be a fun-filled concert. Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Big Top July 17: It will be murder under the canvas as Ellis-Bextor continues to surf her post-Saltburn wave of popularity with a show at Galways Big Top, with support from Natasha Bedingfield. Biig Piig, Monroes Live, July 18: Born in Cork, raised largely in Spain and based in London, it is no surprise pop artist Jessica Smyth blends influences from all over, her music combining melodic songwriting with barnstorming beats. The Stunning, Heineken Big Top, July 26: Steve Wall and co have already sold out their return to the city where it all began for them back in the mid-1980s. Mari Samuelsen, Big Top, July 27: The acclaimed classical violinist is joined by the RTE Concert Orchestra for a performance of Max Richters Vivaldi Recomposed The Four Seasons, a reimagining of Vivaldis classic, at the Big Top. The States human rights watchdog has stated that the Governments draft asylum bill greatly expands detention powers and is concerned that it could include electronic tagging and tracking of applicants. It said the broad suite of powers under the International Protection Bill 2025 will lead to the effective criminalisation of asylum seekers in some cases. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) warned the Government that many of its measures could end up being challenged in the courts, including access to legal advice and the treatment of applicants as adults when they might, in fact, be children. On Tuesday, IHREC is publishing its analysis of the general scheme of the bill, which will implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Ireland signed up to the pact on July 31, 2024, and published the draft bill on April 29. IHREC chief commissioner Liam Herrick said: This is a once-in-a-generation overhaul of our asylum system we must get it right. "In our analysis of the current draft proposals, the commission believes the State is in danger of introducing a system that fails to respect and vindicate the fundamental rights of international protection applicants. "The proposals regarding detention of asylum seekers, access to legal representation and counselling, and the treatment of children and vulnerable persons give rise to particular concerns. 'Mired in litigaton' Mr Herrick said the commission recognises the complexity and challenges facing the State in implementing the pact, but said many provisions could become mired in litigation. The IHREC analysis said the pact aims to significantly shorten the application procedure, with a first-instance decision on admissible applications in six months, with appeal decisions within a further three months. The commission said the general scheme totals 244 pages, and the task in implementing the full EU laws is considerable. 'Inadequate consultation' IHREC said it was not happy with the level and quality of consultation to date. The watchdog said the EU legislative acts had already been in place for a year, and it feared issues that might well have been resolved during consultation and Oireachtas examination may now end up being resolved in the courts. The analysis detailed concerns it had over the issue of legal access and the use in the draft bill of legal counselling as opposed to legal advice and representation. It said it expected the limitations on legal access and representation will be subject of court challenges. On the issue of assessing if applicants are children, IHREC said that, based on its experience, it was concerned that children will not be afforded the presumption of minority and, with no credible age assessment process in place, will end up being treated as adults. It said this will also result in litigation, and the issue should be addressed as a matter of urgency. IHREC said the bill greatly expands use of detention and includes power of arrest without warrant as well as the detention of applicants who refuse to travel to a centre for screening. It said it was concerned the final bill could include powers including requirements on applicants to sign in and out and obey curfews in accommodation centres, and they could be electronically tagged or tracked on phone apps. A 12ft by 11ft wool map of Ireland, which took four years of knitting and crocheting to complete, is in search of a new home to go on public display. A group of up to 18 women in Co Wicklow, consisting of skilled knitters, sewers and crocheters, started the project in 2019 before it paused during the pandemic and resumed again in late 2022. The women met every Wednesday at Carnew Community Care centre where they came up with ideas of landmarks and historical sites across the island of Ireland that they could sew and knit together. While 18 people started off the project, three of the women died over the years and two others went in to nursing homes. The youngest member of the group is aged 65 while the eldest is soon turning 90. Some of the knitters in Carnew Community Care centre in Carnew, Co Wicklow, with their knitted map of Ireland. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Group member Mary Blake said that after creating a number of other woollen projects, a member of the community centre suggested knitting a map of Ireland. The woollen map project quickly took off and now features prominent landmarks and sites across the island, including Glendalough, Croagh Patrick, Phoenix Park, Giants Causeway and Fungie the Dolphin. Ms Blake said: We all decided which bits would represent areas of significance and we put it all together like a jigsaw. We covered the whole of Ireland in green squares, all different shades of green, before we started doing any of the knitting. Then we started with Leinster, and somebody said, Ill do Mount Leinster, and someone else started on Hook Head (lighthouse), and different people did different parts. We worked together on everything, Most of it took place in Carnew Community Care, which is a centre for older people. We meet every Wednesday morning and whatever we dont get finished, we bring home the bits to get done. We started in 2019 and then covid came and put a stop to that. So we couldnt get wool and we couldnt meet either. We got back together at the end of 2022 but wed lost a few people in the meantime, during covid. We lost one of our members Margaret so decided to add bits in to represent her life close to the Shannon. Mary Blake points to a boat in memory of Margaret Dowse who passed away during the creation of her group's knitted map of Ireland. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire We couldnt do something to represent every county but we did places like Glendalough, the Japanese Gardens in Kildare, Hook Head, a Viking ship, the Guinness gate, Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo. We also have Harland and Wolff, the Titanic ship with parts of it sinking, Theresas cottage in Donegal, the Ulster Museum, we have loads of animals in it, Giants Causeway, which we made out of Smarties boxes. We have lots of fishermen, the Aran Island, windmills, Croagh Patrick, Galway Races and best dressed lady, the Shannon, Sherkin Island, Blarney Castle, and Fungie. Some people sewed, some people crocheted, and some people sewed things together. One of our ladies is going be 90 next year and Id say the youngest person we have is over 65. Blarney Castle which features on the knitted map of Ireland. Picture:Niall Carson/PA Wire Fungi the Dolphin on the map. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire She added: It gives people a purpose. We also knit blankets for local hospitals. We were all really excited to take part in this project and seeing it finished was amazing. Ms Blake said those involved would like to see it go on public display. We dont really mind, whoever wants it is welcome to have it, but we would love to see it in a public place, somewhere that it can be viewed and give everybody an opportunity to see it. Were open to whoever wants to take it, she added. Im so excited to see it finished and would like others to see it too. It would look great in one of the airports. The Giant's Causeway in Co Antrim made from boxes of Smarties sweets, which features on a knitted map of Ireland. Picture:: Niall Carson/PA Wire Group member Ann Edwards said Hook Head lighthouse on the knitted map was' particularly nice and colourful'. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire One of the members, Ann Edwards, said it was a fun experience. I have lots of favourites but I think Hook Head and the Viking ship are particularly nice and colourful and great to work on, she said. They were difficult to do. I worked on the Vikings. It was interesting and enjoyable. We dug into the memory bank and came up with ideas and what things would have looked like. Thomas, a 35-year-old tech worker and father of three from Ireland, came to West Virginia to visit his girlfriend last fall. It was one of many trips he had taken to the US, and he was authorised to travel under a visa waiver program that allows tourists to stay in the country for 90 days. He had planned to return to Ireland in December, but was briefly unable to fly due to a health issue, his medical records show. He was only three days overdue to leave the US when an encounter with police landed him in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) custody. From there, what should have been a minor incident became a nightmarish ordeal: he was detained by Ice in three different facilities, ultimately spending roughly 100 days behind bars with little understanding of why he was being held or when hed get out. Nobody is safe from the system if they get pulled into it, said Thomas, in a recent interview from his home in Ireland, a few months after his release. Thomas asked to be identified by a nickname out of fear of facing further consequences with US immigration authorities. Despite immediately agreeing to deportation when he was first arrested, Thomas remained in Ice detention after Donald Trump took office and dramatically ramped up immigration arrests. Amid increased overcrowding in detention, Thomas was forced to spend part of his time in custody in a federal prison for criminal defendants, even though he was being held on an immigration violation. Thomas was sent back to Ireland in March and was told he was banned from entering the US for 10 years. Thomass ordeal follows a rise in reports of tourists and visitors with valid visas being detained by Ice, including from Australia, Germany, Canada and the UK. In April, Irish woman Cliona Ward, who is a US green card holder, was also detained by Ice for 17 days due to a nearly two-decade-old criminal record. The arrests appear to be part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration, which has pushed to deport students with alleged ties to pro-Palestinian protests; sent detainees to Guantanamo Bay and an El Salvador prison without presenting evidence of criminality; deported people to South Sudan, a war-torn country where the deportees had no ties; and escalated large-scale, militarized raids across the US. I thought I was going home In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, Thomas detailed his ordeal and the brutal conditions he witnessed in detention that advocates say have long plagued undocumented people and become worse under Trump. Thomas, an engineer at a tech firm, had never had any problems visiting the US under the visa waiver program. He had initially planned to return home in October, but badly tore his calf, suffered severe swelling and was having trouble walking, he said. A doctor ordered him not to travel for eight to 12 weeks due to the risk of blood clots, which, he said, meant he had to stay slightly past 8 December, when his authorisation expired. A flower rests in front of California National Guardsmen during a protest outside the Federal Building on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij) He got paperwork from his physician and contacted the Irish and American embassies and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to seek an extension, but it was short notice and he did not hear back, he said. I did everything I could with the online tools available to notify the authorities that this was happening, he said, explaining that by the time his deadline to leave the US had approached, he was nearly healed and planning to soon return. I thought they would understand because I had the correct paperwork. It was just a couple of days for medical reasons. He might have avoided immigration consequences if it werent for an ill-timed law enforcement encounter. Thomas and his girlfriend, Malone, were visiting her family in Savannah, Georgia, when Thomas suffered a mental health episode, he and Malone recalled. The two had a conflict in their hotel room and someone overheard and called the police, they said. Malone, who requested to use her middle name to protect her boyfriends identity, said she was hoping officers would get him treatment and did not want to see him face criminal charges. But police took him to jail, accusing him of falsely imprisoning his girlfriend in the hotel room, a charge Malone said she did not support. He was soon released on bond, but instead of walking free, was picked up by US immigration authorities, who transported him 100 miles away to an Ice processing centre in Folkston, Georgia. The facility is operated by the private prison company Geo Group on behalf of Ice, with a capacity to hold more than 1,000 people. Thomas was given a two-page removal order, which said he had remained in the US three days past his authorisation and contained no further allegations. On 17 December, he signed a form agreeing to be removed. But despite signing the form, he remained at Folkston, unable to get answers on why Ice wasnt deporting him or how long he would remain in custody. David Cheng, an attorney who represented Thomas, said he requested that Ice release him with an agreement that hed return to Ireland as planned, but Ice refused. At one point at Folkston, after a fight broke out, officers placed detainees on lockdown for about five days, cutting them off from contacting their families, he said. Thomas said he and others only got approximately one hour of outdoor time each week. In mid-February, after about two months in detention, officers placed him and nearly 50 other detainees in a holding cell, preparing to move them, he said: I thought I was finally going home. He called his family to tell them the news. Instead, he and the others were shackled around their wrists, waists and legs and transported four hours to the federal correctional institution, Atlanta, a prison run by the US Bureau of Prisons (BoP), he said. BoP houses criminal defendants on federal charges, but the Trump administration, as part of its efforts to expand Ice detention, has been increasingly placing immigrants into BoP facilities a move that advocates say has led to chaos, overcrowding and violations of detainees rights. I did everything I could ... to notify the authorities that this was happening Thomas We were treated less than human Thomas said the conditions and treatment by BoP were worse than Ice detention: They were not prepared for us whatsoever. He and other detainees were placed in an area with dirty mattresses, cockroaches and mice, where some bunkbeds lacked ladders, forcing people to climb to the top bed, he said. BoP didnt seem to have enough clothes, said Thomas, who got a jumpsuit but no shirt. The facility also gave him a pair of used, ripped underwear with brown stains. Some jumpsuits appeared to have bloodstains and holes, he added. Each detainee was given one toilet paper roll a week. He shared a cell with another detainee, and he said they were only able to flush the toilet three times an hour. He was often freezing and was given only a thin blanket. The food was disgusting slop, including some kind of mysterious meat that at times appeared to have chunks of bones and other inedible items mixed in, he said. He was frequently hungry. The staff didnt know why we were there, and they were treating us exactly as they would treat BoP prisoners, and they told us that, Thomas said. We were treated less than human. He and others requested medical visits, but were never seen by physicians, he said: I heard people crying for doctors, saying they couldnt breathe, and staff would just say, Well, Im not a doctor, and walk away. He did eventually receive the psychiatric medication he requested, but staff would throw his pill under his cell door, and hed sometimes have to search the floor to find it. Detainees, he said, were given recreation time in an enclosure that was partially open to fresh air, but resembled an indoor cage: You couldnt see the outside whatsoever. I didnt see the sky for weeks. He had sciatica from an earlier hip injury and said he began experiencing unbearable nerve pain as a result of the lack of movement. Thomas said it seemed Ices placements in BoP were arbitrary and poorly planned. Of the nearly 50 people taken from Ice to BoP, around 30 of them were transferred back to Folkston a week later, and the following week, two from that group were once again returned to BoP, he said. In the BoP Atlanta facility, he said, Ice representatives would show up once a week to talk to detainees. Detainees would crowd around Ice officials and beg for case updates or help. Ice officers spoke Spanish and English, but Middle Eastern and North African detainees who spoke neither were stuck in a state of confusion. It was pandemonium, Thomas said. Thomas said he saw a BoP guard tear up watching the desperation of the people trying to talk to Ice and find out what was happening, and that this officer tried to assist people as best as she could. Thomas and Malone tried to help asylum seekers and others he met at BoP by connecting them to advocates. Thomas was also unable to speak to his children, because there was no way to make international calls: I dont know how I made it through. In mid-March, Thomas was briefly transferred again to a different Ice facility. The authorities did not explain what had changed, but two armed federal officers then escorted him on a flight back to Ireland. DHS and Ice did not respond to inquiries, and a spokesperson for Geo Group declined to comment. It seems like a completely incomprehensible, punitive detention Sirine Shebaya Donald Murphy, a BoP spokesperson, confirmed that Thomas had been in the bureaus custody, but did not comment about his case or conditions at the Atlanta facility. BoP is now housing Ice detainees in eight of its prisons and would continue to support our law enforcement partners to fulfil the administrations policy objectives, he added. This will be a lifelong burden Its unclear why Thomas was jailed for so long for a minor immigration violation. It seems completely outlandish that they would detain someone for three months because he overstayed a visa for a medical reason, said Sirine Shebaya, executive director of the National Immigration Project, who is not involved in his case and was told a summary by the Guardian. It is such a waste of time and money at a time when were hearing constantly about how the government wants to cut expenses. It seems like a completely incomprehensible, punitive detention. Ice, she added, was creating its own crisis of overcrowding. Jennifer Ibanez Whitlock, senior policy counsel with the National Immigration Law Center, also not involved in the case, said in general, it was not uncommon for someone to remain in immigration custody even after theyve accepted a removal order and that she has had European clients shocked to learn they can face serious consequences for briefly overstaying a visa. Ice, however, had discretion to release Thomas with an agreement that hed return home instead of keeping him indefinitely detained, she said. The Trump administration, she added, has defaulted to keeping people detained without weighing individual factors of their cases: Now its just, do we have a bed? Republican lawmakers in Georgia last year also passed state legislation requiring police to alert immigration authorities when an undocumented person is arrested, which could have played a role in Thomas being flagged to Ice, said Samantha Hamilton, staff attorney with Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, a non-profit group that advocates for immigrants rights. She met Thomas on a legal visit at the BoP Atlanta facility. Residents gather during a community vigil on Monday, June 30, 2025, to stand in solidarity with an immigrant family after ICE agents detained Rosalina Luna Vargas on Saturday, June 28, in front of her children, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) Hamilton said she was particularly concerned about immigrants of colour who are racially profiled and pulled over by police, but Thomass ordeal was a reminder that so many people are vulnerable: The mass detentions are terrifying and it makes me afraid for everyone. Thomas had previously travelled to the US frequently for work, but now questions if hell ever be allowed to return: This will be a lifelong burden. Malone, his girlfriend, said she plans to move to Ireland to live with him: Its not an option for him to come here and I dont want to be in America anymore. Since his return, Thomas said he has had a hard time sleeping and processing what happened: Ill never forget it, and itll be a long time before Ill be able to even start to unpack everything I went through. It still doesnt feel real. When I think about it, its like a movie Im watching. He said he has also struggled with long-term health problems that he attributes to malnutrition and inappropriate medications he was given while detained. He was shaken by reports of people sent away without due process: I wouldnt have been surprised if I ended up at Guantanamo Bay or El Salvador, because it was so disorganised. I was just at the mercy of the federal government. - The Guardian The families of children being medevaced from Gaza to Ireland will be able to travel with them, the Government has agreed. Last week it was reported that the transport of at least 18 children previously authorised to come to Ireland had been delayed by reported visa issues, though the Government insisted there is no delay. There was, however, a question around who could travel with the children. The State has agreed to help up to 30 children to leave Gaza. So far, 12 children have been brought to the Republic, in two separate missions. At Cabinet on Tuesday, Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill brought a memo which agreed that the remaining paediatric patients to be identified for medical evacuation under the initiative can be accompanied by one or both of the patients parents (or the patients carer), and the patients parents' minor or adult children dependents. The memo also notes that adult family members accompanying paediatric patients evacuated to Ireland under the initiative will be granted Irish residence permission following requests by the health minister to the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan. The Government also agreed that "alternative, approved evacuation options" through third states be explored and agreed. Last week in the Dail, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the "indiscriminate killing of children" in Gaza was one of the "appalling aspects of Israel's war on Gaza". He said two of the four planned flights have taken place, with 45 people, including children and their families, having come to Ireland thus far. There "is no delay" and no "bureaucratic wrangling" preventing the transfer of the children. He said the Cabinet memo was "not material" to the next flight and was not needed and there had been no applications for visas under the scheme. Meanwhile, arts minister Patrick O'Donovan also updated Cabinet on RTE's progress in implementing the recommendations of two committees established following revelations about presenter payments at the broadcaster. Of 90 recommendations in the governance and culture report, 78 are for RTE, 15 for the department, with three for both. By the end of the first quarter of this year, 40 of RTE's 78 recommendations are achieved, two were on track, and 36 delayed. All 26 of the recommendations in the HR and fees report are aimed at RTE and initial progress reports were limited, prompting a meeting with RTE to discuss more detailed reporting. The minister's update said that two recommendations are achieved, 12 are on track, and 12 are delayed. Of the 15 department recommendations from the governance and culture review, seven are addressed through the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, and one on funding was dealt with last July. Eliska Ellie Ryan began preparing for her victim impact statement as her father lay dying in a hospital bed after being attacked by his partner, her mother. The 16-year-old wanted to document his last moments as they happened in case the gardai came, I didnt want to forget. She also wanted to record in detail the suffering both she and her wonderful dad had endured in secret, following years of abuse in the home. Reading her statement at the Circuit Court on her behalf, her sister Lynn Ryan broke down several times, as she described how Ellie and their father lived in a house full of hostility for years. Now, with the help of her sisters, Karen, 46, and Lynn Ryan, 44, who now have legal custody of their younger sibling, Ellie wants to shine a light on the secret life of a child caught up in domestic violence. She is also appealing to other children to speak up if they too are suffering in silence. I just want children like me to know someone will listen," she said. Me and dad didnt say anything at the time, we didnt want to burden my siblings so we said nothing. They would have helped but we didnt tell them and now I just dont want any other child to go through what I did. My dad has died, and my mother did that." James Shey Ryan, 69, from Hastings Lawn in Balbriggan north Dublin was the man Ellie described in court as her protector and safe place. His tragic death has left his entire family traumatised, and struggling to come to terms with learning since he died that he had been caught up in years of alcohol rages and drunk fuelled feuds at the hands of his partner. If we had known, we could have done more, said Karen. Olesja was in the end estranged to us, but we only started learning things when it was too late, said Lynn. Nearly one year after his tragic death, Ellies mother Olesja Hertova was jailed on July 4, for two years and nine months (to be backdated from the day she went into custody on August 27, 2024) for forcibly pushing Mr Ryan onto the road outside their house on August 10, 2024, which resulted in his death. The impact from the fall, which was captured on a neighbours CCTV, caused blunt force trauma to Mr Ryans head. He suffered complications and died the next day in Beaumont hospital. His devastated children Karen, Lynn, James and Ellie, along with his sisters Jacqueline, Una and Deirdre had to endure hours of watching him battle to live. The court was told doctors could not perform surgery as the swelling on Mr Ryans brain was too severe and therefore there was nothing more they could do for him. His life support machine was turned off at 5.30pm on August 11, 2024. Olesja Hertova pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her partner James Ryan. It was a tragic end to years of abuse by his partner, which Ellie Ryan said resulted in him seeking two safety orders from the courts, but never activating them. He obviously didnt want people to know, nobody wants anyone to know that stuff, especially a man, said Karen Ryan. Everything just got worse, not only did he die the way he did, but we found out about all this when it was too late, said Lynn. Dad had Parkinsons and COPD and was in and out of hospital, but he had all these unexplained bruising and scratches, he would say he fell into a bush. Now we know what was really going on. Autopsy results showed his illnesses did not contribute to his death, which was a result of complications arising from blunt force trauma and a fall. Having viewed CCTV, Ms Hertova, who Judge Martin Nolan said was at first evasive in her statements to gardai, pleaded guilty to her partners manslaughter in May this year. As Ms Hertova was taken from the dock and brought back to the Dochas Womens Prison to serve the remainder of her sentence, family members shouted Two years and nine months for killing someone? That is a joke. The court heard Hertova was deeply remorseful and wanted to cut her hands off for what she did. I dont believe anything she said, said Karen. Mr Ryans three daughters sat down with the Irish Examiner this week because they wanted to highlight domestic violence in the home and call for changes in the law that prevented them from telling the court about the abuse. Ellie Ryan is now in the legal care of her sisters Karen and Lynn from Mr Ryans marriage, and she said alcohol played a significant role in the abuse at home. My mam drinks a lot, said Ellie. At least in prison she cant drink, the minute she drinks you can see her face change. It wasnt every day that she drank, but there were patterns. She got her money on Thursdays. So, I knew every Thursday was drink day. So, she'd buy alcohol and just keep drinking. It would start between 4 and 6 o'clock after I came in from school. She would finish one bottle and say, lets go for a walk with the dog. But she wanted to go to the shop and get another bottle of vodka. She was completely functioning, I was just a child, but I learned thats the way it was, and my mam would just keep drinking all the way through the night. I would wake up for school the next morning and she would still be drinking. Sometimes it went on until 1 oclock the next day." It was during these binges that Ellie said her parents would start arguing. I felt like the parent to her, she explained. They fought a lot, and I would have to get in between them. I rang the gardai on her many times, but it never went anywhere. When she would kick off, me and my dad would have to walk out of the house." In her victim impact statement, Ellie said: "Growing up, I watched my parents fight constantly. Our house was full of hostility, and I learned from a very young age how to read every noise, every glance, every silence, just so I could be prepared for what might come next. "Me and my mother were close in our own way, and there were good days too. "But when she drank, she would sometimes turn into someone I did not recognise." You could actually see her face change when she drank but when she was sober you could have a conversation with her. We could talk she was a normal person." James Ryan was doted on by his family. She said her mother gave her cuddles and was affectionate, but as soon as you got the smell of vodka, you knew what to expect. Karen said: For years we didnt know any of this. We knew Olesja behaved strangely, she would send us weird messages at night, quotes and sayings and weird YouTube videos. But my dad never told us, and we never knew the extent of it." The latest figures from Mens Aid Ireland show in 2023, 8,682 men made contact for domestic violence support and at least one in seven men will experience domestic violence. The figures for Womens Aid are much higher, and show in 2024: 35% of women, more than one in three, had experienced psychological, physical, and/or sexual abuse from an intimate partner; There were 32,144 contacts with Womens Aid, including 24,396 with the Womens Aid 24-hour national freephone helpline, and 7,748 with its face-to-face support services; During these contacts, the group heard 46,765 disclosures of abuse, including 41,432 disclosures of abuse against women and 5,333 disclosures of abuse against children. Karen said in 2022, Ellie told them her mother had given her a black eye, and she reported it to Tusla. Social workers met Ellie and our dad and all they did was give us a safety plan, said Karen. They asked the social workers what do we do, where do we go when my mother is like this'. The social worker told them to just go and walk and leave the house and that was the safety plan when my mam was drinking and fighting. Ellie said they never told the rest of the family and instead both she and her father often slept on park benches or in the car to get away from her mother when she was violent. We had no money. I didnt tell anyone I didnt think it was fair to tell them because they would be constantly having to deal with it." The Ryan sisters said nobody could ever understand what it was like to be in a domestic violence situation unless they have experienced it and that is why they are speaking out. I want people in my situation to know that there is help, just find someone you can talk to, I didnt tell anyone because I thought it was normal, said Ellie. I felt I had to protect him [my dad], because if he was injured, that would break me inside." She described how her home which was supposed to be a place of safety and comfort, was one where you walked on eggshells. If I heard her coming up the stairs, I knew by the sound of her steps that something bad was going to happen. Sometimes I would have to try and guilt trip her just to go to sleep, otherwise she would just keep drinking and then wake up not knowing what happened." After Mr Ryans death, the family discovered two safety orders their father had secured against Olesja after his death while packing up his belongings from his home. She was abusing my father and Ellie for years, said Karen. We didnt know. Lynn said: Olesja was very estranged from us in the end, we didnt really talk to her, she was always included in the family for Ellie and my dads sake, but we didnt know any of this until it was too late." The sisters said they were devastated their fathers killer could be released from prison as early as next year. Judge Nolan said the manslaughter charge was at the lower end of the scale, with a headline sentence of five years. However, there were mitigating factors, such as Ms Hertovas early guilty plea and her apology to the family. He said he did not believe she was at risk of reoffending. It wasnt enough, said Lynn. But loads of what we wanted to say was not permitted in court and that really hurt us. We were not able to say in court our dad was in a domestic violence situation and that she had been physically assaulting him, said Karen. How is that justice if we cant say all that was going on, and most of it we only learned afterwards." Karen said having researched other cases abroad, she could find no trial that this information was not allowed. The family are now writing to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Oireachtas calling for amendments to be made to the Criminal Justice (Evidence Act). Their proposals include: Amend the Criminal Justice (Evidence) Act to allow the introduction of domestic violence history (Garda call-outs, protection orders/safety orders, affidavits, medical reports) at sentencing, even without a conviction. Allow such evidence in manslaughter or domestic homicide sentencing with judicial safeguards; Revise sentencing guidelines under the Criminal Justice Act 1993 to include pattern of abuse as an aggravating factor in domestic homicide cases; Provide judicial guidance/training on coercive control and the admissibility of abuse history. Their suggestions include: Relevance and proximity test (abuse must be recent and related); Evidence must be corroborated (eg Garda reports, protection orders, medical records); The accused must be given fair opportunity to respond. This matters because it recognises the realities of abuse, including coercive control and underreporting, said Karen and Lynn. It also empowers victims and families to see justice and it prevents courts from mischaracterising abusers as having a good character and that is how Ellies mother was described. Ellie Ryan said she was terrified Judge Nolan was going to release his mother from prison on the day of sentencing. I just thought she is going to go and all she would do is drink again, the only good thing about her being in jail is that she is not able to drink". Mr Ryan, a former Defence Forces member, was doted on by his family. There was nothing he wouldnt have done for us, said Karen. Lynn said: He was always trying to help us if something broken, he would be there, and the grandchildren adored him, he was just one of those men that everyone knew and he would talk to anyone. Mr Ryan and his wife Enda had previously divorced, and she died in 2011. Ms Hertova moved from the Czech Republic to Ireland in 2004 and was in a relationship with Mr Ryan for about a year when she fell pregnant with Ellie. Ellie was always adored by us all, said Karen. The teenager now lives with Karen during the week and her sister Lynn at the weekends. On the night their father was seriously injured Karen and Lynn were both at home with their own families. Dad came home from the pub and my mam had been drinking," explained Ellie. "They started arguing and I went down to stop them. Next thing he was gone out the door and she went after him. I looked out and he was on the floor; there was blood everywhere. I knew it was bad. The neighbours came out and we had to wait an hour for the ambulance, I was ringing them saying this is so bad you need to come now and they didnt." Ellie held her dad as he was lying dying on the ground in her arms. I will never forget it, it haunts me, he just said Ellie I want to go home but I knew it was so bad. My mother was freaking out, she looked spaced out completely. I just had to try calm her down for the rest of the night and she went to bed finally. I was in and out of sleep. Mam just slept all night and didnt go to the hospital." Karen, Lynn, and James, as well as his sisters, kept a beside vigil by Mr Ryan as he clung on to his life and they tried to piece together in shock, what led to him to him being on life support. We eventually had to drag it out of her what she did, said Karen. Olesja said yes I pushed him. Ms Hertova turned up at her partners funeral, but the family asked her to leave, which she did. Lynn said: We will never get over it, I had brain surgery at the time and was trying to recover. It is not something we can move on from, we want changes to the law to let the whole story come out, and for people like our dad not to be afraid to speak up." While Karen said: It is so hard for men especially to leave a situation like this, he had his home he was going on 70 and they had a child but even when we report things, nothing happened. A youth described as "let down by the system" born in prison, predisposed to addiction from infancy, and having spent his life in care has been spared a custodial sentence for theft. The harrowing background was revealed when the now 18-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing 360 worth of clothes from a sportswear outlet in Tallaght, Dublin, on November 24 last. He cannot be named because he was 17 at the time of the offence and a juvenile when charged. At the Dublin Children's Court sentence hearing, Martin Dwan BL, defending, referred to the contents of a pre-sentence probation report and another from his guardian ad litem, a specialist appointed by a court to represent the best interests of a child in legal proceedings. Counsel detailed the teenager's background, telling Judge Brendan Toale the youth had been born in prison because his mother had been in custody and had serious addiction issues. He was also born with foetal alcoholism, and Mr Dwan emphasised the youth's "tragic start in life", likening it to a "heavy millstone around his neck". From infancy, he was in care, but at the age of six, he was placed in a foster home with a family, remaining there for a decade, where he had "stability and a good nurturing life". However, the youth was "taken out" of that placement and later relocated to care homes around the country, lacking parental guidance. Mr Dwan quoted another judge, who dealt with one of the youth's earlier cases, that he was "absolutely failed by the State in that regard". An eleventh-hour guardian ad litem report was drafted when he turned 18 and reached adulthood, as Tusla implemented an aftercare plan. The youth listened intently but did not address the proceedings. The court heard due to his mother's drinking problems, the teen was predisposed to addiction. Mr Dwan said he went on to attend child and adolescent mental health services with issues including PTSD. The court heard some problems coincided with the ending of his long-term foster placement; the teenager connected with his family and started to come to Garda attention, while abusing alcohol and drugs, which he had a predisposition to from birth. At one stage, the substance abuse induced psychosis, resulting in the teenager being hospitalised. Judge Toale noted the pre-sentence report assessed the young man as being at moderate risk of reoffending. He also noted the contents of the guardian ad litem report and what he termed the "extraordinary background" to the case, and placed the teenager on supervised probation for six months. During that time, he must not reoffend and must comply with the directions of his probation officer to divert him from further offending; otherwise, the case could be reopened and a harsher penalty considered. A major player in the drugs trade in North Cork was jailed on Tuesday for seven and a half years. Judge Helen Boyle imposed that total sentence on 32-year-old Christopher Lane at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Gardai say you were a major player in the drugs scene in North Cork, also supplying it to drug dealers maybe one or two so you were involved in wholesaling as well as supplying to drugs users. You were engaged at a relatively high level, supplying drugs in North Cork and beyond. Unfortunately, despite your first arrest, you continued to deal drugs. Judge Boyle noted from evidence given by Detective Garda David Barrett that after he was caught with over 44,000 worth of drugs at his home, he was searched twice again on follow-up dates and found to be dealing further quantities of drugs. Judge Boyle viewed the repeat offending as an aggravating factor, meriting the imposition of consecutive sentences that left Lane facing into a prison term of seven and a half years. The biggest stash of drugs was seized on November 11, 2022, at the house where he was then residing at Curracraigue, Banteer, Co Cork. Detective Garda Barrett said a warrant was executed to carry out a search on that date, and officers arrived to find Christopher Lane sitting at the kitchen table preparing packages of cannabis for selling. The drugs seized on that date included 28,000 worth of cannabis herb, 13,000 worth of cannabis resin, 2,800 worth of cocaine and cash totalling 3,520, which was deemed to be the proceeds of drug-dealing. Paraphernalia of dealing such as digital weighing scales, baggies and drug-related phone messages were located during this search, as well as drugs totalling over 44,000. This drugs seizure alone put the accused at risk of a minimum sentence of 10 years unless the judge found there were exceptional circumstances. Judge Boyle imposed a sentence of four and a half years but added a three-year consecutive term in respect of the two follow-up offences. The accused claimed at the time he had a 50,000 drug debt and he was owed 20,000, but Judge Boyle noted these figures changed somewhat in the course of different accounts given by Lane during Garda interviews. On June 16, 2023, at the same address in Banteer, he was caught with smaller amounts of cannabis and cocaine but again for sale or supply and with the trappings of drug-dealing. Cash of 7,835 was also discovered. Most recently, on January 30 this year at his most recent address Dromscarra, Kiskeam, Co Cork a third warrant was executed and almost 11,000 worth of cocaine was found, together with 350 worth of cannabis and 500 in cash. Judge Boyle noted Lane came forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court on signed pleas of guilty to all crimes. Unfortunately, your drug addiction continued to spiral out of control. You are capable of earning a living in a legitimate way. You are regretful. And you expressed relief at being caught by gardai so that you could finally face up to your addictions, Judge Boyle said. Jane Hyland, defence senior counsel said of Christopher Lane: He has always engaged well with the probation service. He has never sought to minimise his actions. He does recognise the toll drugs take on the local community and on society. He was powerless in his addiction. He is aware now how serious his situation is. He was selling drugs to fund his own drug taking and was then selling to pay his debt. He is assessed at moderate risk of reoffending but the probation service noted that he has a pro-social family and a good work ethic. He is ashamed and embarrassed. He regrets putting everyone to the trouble he put them through. He is taking full responsibility. Four men charged with possession of illegal drugs and possession of illegal drugs for sale or supply in relation to a major cocaine seizure in West Cork on July 1 have been further remanded in custody. The four appeared by video link before Judge Joanne Carroll at Clonakilty District Court and are charged over the seizure of 440kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of 31m at Courtmacsherry in West Cork. Court presenter Sergeant Tom Mulcahy said a file was being prepared by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He said that it was the States application to remand all four men in custody to appear again on July 25. Levent Gulay, aged 31, of Schwabenstrae, Neu Ulm, Bavaria, appeared with the assistance of a German interpreter. His solicitor, Myra Dinneen, presented a statement of means to the court and legal aid was granted. Conrad Murphy, acting as agent for solicitor Eddie Burke, was told by Judge Carroll that if a statement of means was filed for his client, Christopher Hibbett, aged 44, of Lower Park, Tresillian, Truro, England, an application for legal aid could be adjudicated upon. Solicitor Plunkett Taaffe for Mark Doherty, aged 40, of Waterfoot Avenue, Glasgow, Scotland, said the question of legal aid in relation to his client was still outstanding and said he was also seeking directions from the DPP in relation to the matter of venue. Judge Carroll said that Mr Taaffe was entitled to a response by July 25. Mr Taaffe also represented the fourth man, Ben Sandford, aged 42, of Woodgreen, Drum Road, Keith, Moray, Scotland, on behalf of solicitor Frank Buttimer. Jude Carroll further remanded all four accused to appear again by video link on July 25, 2025. This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme A 30% tariff trade war with the US would have significant impacts on the Irish economy, including an increasing rate of job losses, ministers will be warned on Tuesday. Simon Harris, the Tanaiste and foreign affairs and trade minister, will issue the warning at a Cabinet meeting, as the EU tries to avoid an all-out trade war with the US, after Donald Trump upended negotiations by demanding a deal by August 1 or face a 30% tariff on goods coming to the US from the EU. That scenario, according to EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic, would effectively end trade between the EU and the US. Arriving for talks with European ministers in Brussels, Mr Sefcovic said a tariff of 30% or more would have a huge impact, making it almost impossible to continue current transatlantic trade, which is worth 4.4bn a day. Irish ministers to focus on talks At Tuesdays Cabinet meeting, Mr Harris is expected to tell ministers that Irelands focus over the next two-and-a-half weeks is on negotiations to reach a deal to avoid the imposition of higher tariffs that could precipitate a full-blown trade war between the EU and US. He will tell colleagues that this scenario would see a significant impact on the economy, including devastating job losses. Mr Harris will warn that the possibility of the EU imposing a revised list of counter tariffs, amounting to 72bn, against the US if talks fail would cause pain on both sides. The coming weeks must, therefore, be used for a negotiated settlement to avoid such a scenario, Mr Harris will say. The Tanaiste will also update ministers on plans to engage with the pharmaceutical industry this week. 30% tariffs 'unthinkable' Modelling carried out by the Department of Finance in May said that an ongoing 10% tariff war would see GDP hit by 1.5 percentage points and around 25,000 fewer jobs created, but modelling of a 30% tariff scenario has not been carried out. A Government source said the 30% figure was unthinkable until recently. It is understood this modelling is being prepared in advance of the budget. On Monday, Mr Harris met with the new US ambassador to Ireland, Ed Walsh, and said that he had relayed to the US administration a consistent and very straightforward message we in Ireland, we in Europe, want a deal. Mr Harris added: I believe there was a landing zone very nearly there last week, and its regrettable that that wasnt arrived at. Paschal Donohoe, the finance minister, said it is impossible to gauge the impact of a 30% tariff on the Irish economy. What the exact effect could be would depend on what exactly the level of tariffs would be, and at this moment in time, with all the unpredictability, it is very difficult to forecast. In response to Mr Trumps latest deadline, the EU decided to postpone until August 1 retaliatory counter-tariffs on 21bn of US goods that had been due to kick in at midnight last night. In Brussels on Monday, EU foreign ministers discussed plans for a further round of counter-measures, targeting 72bn of US imports to the EU. Michael McGrath emphasises EU unity European commissioner Michael McGrath said that the EU does not want to use those counter-measures, but would if necessary: I want to underline the importance of unity," he said. "What we have been doing in relation to counter-measures is preparing for different scenarios. There are two different sets of packages of countermeasures that amount to the imposition of tariffs of exports from the US into the EU of over 90bn, Mr McGrath said. We do not wish for that to come to pass, but in the event that it does, then we will need to respond if the US proceeds unilaterally with the imposition of tariffs of the order that president Trump has flagged in his letter over the weekend, he told RTE radio. The UN rapporteur hit with sanctions by the US last week has vowed not to be silenced as she hailed a 30-nation conference aimed at ending Israels occupation of Palestine as the most significant political development in the past 20 months. Francesca Albanese will say the two-day gathering in Bogota, Colombia, starting on Tuesday and including China, Spain and Qatar, comes at "an existential hour" for Israel and the Palestinian people. The aim of the conference is to set out steps the participating countries can take to implement a UN general assembly motion mandating member states to take measures in support of Israel ending its unlawful occupation of Palestine. The motion set a deadline of September 2025 to implement a July 2024 international court of justice advisory opinion that Israels occupation of the Palestinian territories was unlawful. The ICJ said in its advisory opinion that "Israels security concerns do not override the principle of the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force" and called on it to end its occupation "as rapidly as possible". It said UN member states had an obligation "not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israels illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory". The Colombian president and conference host, Gustavo Petro, says the meeting will show that the world is finally moving from condemnation of Israels military action to collective action to bring it to a halt. The aim is to agree a detailed plan of political, economic and legal actions, but there are range of views over how far states can go politically or legally to isolate Israel, a country that feels secure so long as it maintains US support. The Hague Group was initially brought together by South Africa and Colombia, but since then support has grown and it now includes Algeria, Brazil, Spain, Indonesia and Qatar. Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, is determined to show that the US state department sanctions will not cow her. She said: "For too long, international law has been treated as optional applied selectively to those perceived as weak, ignored by those acting as the powerful. This double standard has eroded the very foundations of the legal order. That era must end, she will say in Bogota. The world will remember what we, states and individuals, did in this moment whether we recoiled in fear or rose in defence of human dignity. Here in Bogota, a growing number of states have the opportunity to break the silence and revert to a path of legality by finally saying: enough. Enough impunity. Enough empty rhetoric. Enough exceptionalism. Enough complicity. The time has come to act in pursuit of justice and peace grounded in rights and freedoms for all, and not mere privileges for some, at the expense of the annihilation of others. Albanese will say that the UN charter and universal human rights instruments must remain everyones compass. I trust that more states will align their policies with these fundamental principles as we move forward in this existential hour for both the Palestinian and the Israeli people, and the integrity of the international legal order itself, she will say. The sanctions on Albanese were imposed by the US state department for what it called her shameful promotion of action by the international criminal court against the US and Israel. Albanese will directly address the sanctions in Bogota. "These attacks shall not be seen as against me personally. They are a warning to everyone who dares defend international justice and freedom. But we cannot afford to be silenced and I know I am not alone, she will say. "This is not about me or any other single individuals but about justice for the Palestinian people at the most critical juncture in their history. A Hague Group conference in January attended by only nine nations committed to implementing the provisional measures of the international court of justice, issued on 26 January, 28 March and 24 May 2024. In practice this meant measures such arms embargos against Israel by preventing the docking of vessels at any port, if applicable, within their territorial jurisdiction. Syrias defence minister has announced a ceasefire shortly after government forces entered a key city in Sweida province on Tuesday. The announcement came a day after sectarian clashes that killed dozens, and after a state-run news agency report that Israel had launched a strike in the area. Defence minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said in a statement that after an agreement with the citys notables and dignitaries, we will respond only to the sources of fire and deal with any targeting by outlaw groups. The clashes began with a series of tit-for-tat kidnappings and attacks between members of local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed factions in the southern province, a centre of the Druze community. Clashes erupted between Sunni Bedouin clans and Druze militias (Ghaith Alsayed/AP) Government security forces that were sent in on Monday to restore order also clashed with Druze armed groups. During the day, Israel struck a Syrian government military tank and said it was acting to protect the Druze religious minority. In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. State-run news agency SANA did not give any details about Tuesdays strike. However, the Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel struck a tank belonging to the Syrian military as forces began to move in deeper into Sweida city. Earlier on Tuesday, religious leaders of the Druze community in Syria called for armed factions that have been clashing with government forces to surrender their weapons and cooperate with authorities as they entered the provincial capital of Sweida. One of the main religious authorities later released a video statement retracting the call. The initial statement called for armed factions in Sweida to cooperate with the forces of the Ministry of Interior, not to resist their entry, and to hand over their weapons to the Ministry of Interior. The statement also called for opening a dialogue with the Syrian government to address the repercussions of the events. The commander of Internal Security in Sweida Governorate, Brigadier General Ahmad al-Dalati, welcomed the statement and called for all religious authorities and social activists to adopt a unified national stance that supports the Ministry of Interiors measures to extend state authority and achieve security throughout the province. Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, a Druze spiritual leader who has been opposed to the government in Damascus, said in a video message that the previous statement by Druze leaders had been issued after an agreement with the authorities in Damascus but they broke the promise and continued the indiscriminate shelling of unarmed civilians. We are being subjected to a total war of annihilation, he said. Some videos on social media had showed armed fighters with Druze captives, inciting sectarian slogans and beating them. The Druze religious sect is a minority group that began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. More than half the roughly one million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East War and annexed in 1981. Clashes have on several occasions broken out between forces loyal to the government and Druze fighters since the fall of President Bashar Assad in early December in a lightning rebel offensive led by Sunni Islamist insurgent groups. A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during the Second World War. The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen. Director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii Gabriel Zuchtriegel admires a Roman mosaic (Gregorio Borgia/AP) The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain, assigned to the military supply chain in Italy during the war. The mosaic dating between mid- to last century BC and the first century is considered a work of extraordinary cultural interest, experts said. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and co-author of an essay dedicated to the returned work, said: It is the moment when the theme of domestic love becomes an artistic subject. While the Hellenistic period, from the fourth to the first century BC, exulted the passion of mythological and heroic figures, now we see a new theme. The heirs of the mosaics last owner in Germany contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome that is dedicated to protecting cultural heritage, which was in charge of the investigation, asking for information on how to return the mosaic to the Italian state. Authorities carried out the necessary checks to establish its authenticity and provenance, and then worked to repatriate the mosaic in September 2023. Restorers set on display a Roman mosaic depicting a pair of lovers, which was repatriated from Germany, in Pompeii archaeological park (Gregorio Borgia/AP) The collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii was also key, as it made it possible to trace it near the Mount Vesuvius volcano, despite the scarcity of data on the original context of its discovery, the Carabinieri said. The panel was then assigned to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, where, suitably catalogued, it will be protected and available for educational and research purposes. Todays return is like healing an open wound, Mr Zuchtriegel said, adding that the mosaic allows to reconstruct the story of that period, the first century AD, before Pompeii was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption in AD 79. The parks director also highlighted how the return by the heirs of its owner signals an important change in mentality, as the sense of possession (of stolen art) becomes a heavy burden. We see that often in the many letters we receive from people who may have stolen just a stone, to bring home a piece of Pompeii, Mr Zuchtriegel said. He recalled the so-called Pompeii curse, which, according to a popular superstition, hits whoever steals artefacts in Pompeii. The world-renowned legend suggests that those who steal finds from the ancient city of Pompeii will experience bad luck or misfortune. That has been fuelled over the years by several tourists who return stolen items, claiming they brought them bad luck and caused tragic events. Ukrainians welcomed US President Donald Trumps pledge of more US-made weapons in their fight against Russias invasion, even though it is unclear what exactly they will get and how quickly. The time frame for further arms deliveries that European countries have agreed to pay for is crucial. Russia is making a summer push to break through along the 1,000-kilometre front line, and its drones and missiles are hammering Ukrainian cities more than at any time in the past three years. Firefighters put out the fire of a city hospital following a Russian attack in Sumy region, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Mr Trump for his willingness to support Ukraine. In Kyiv, resident Nina Tokar, 70, said that with more US weapons going to Ukraine, maybe this will all end faster. However, following Mr Trumps threat late last week to impose major sanctions on Russia for failing to reach a deal to end the fighting, the American president said that Moscow would get 50 days to come to a settlement or face very severe economic sanctions. While some believe strict tariffs on Moscow could be a game changer, the postponement until September struck others as being too long. For Russia, Mr Trumps delay of new sanctions is a reprieve. Senior Russian politician Konstantin Kosachev said: Oh, how much can change both on the battlefield and with the mood of those leading the US and Nato in 50 days. Russian state television pointed out that Mr Trumps decision would bring a bigger financial burden for Europe. Russia currently holds about 20% of Ukraine. Ukraines depleted army has recently been losing more territory, but there is no sign of a looming collapse on the front line, analysts say. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke to Mr Trump after the Republican leaders Oval Office announcement on Monday, expressing gratitude for the decision to send more Patriot air defence missiles that are vital to defend Ukrainian cities. Mr Zelenskyy said on Telegram: We discussed the necessary measures and decisions to provide greater protection for people from Russian attacks and strengthen our positions. We agreed to talk more often and co-ordinate our steps in the future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump have a notoriously fraught relationship Mystyslav Chernov/AP) Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy have had a notoriously fraught relationship, and Washingtons consent to providing more weaponry has eased Kyivs worries. Even so, some Ukrainians felt the US decision wont alter the course of the war. If we take the situation as a whole, it hardly looks like this will fundamentally change anything, Kyiv resident Oles Oliinyk, 33, told The Associated Press. Nina Tokar, 70, was also sceptical. I have very little faith in (Mr Trump). He says one thing today, and tomorrow he may say something else. A Ukrainian army officer fighting in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region said the 50-day delay on sanctions is a very long time. They (the Russians) will say, Give us two more weeks, and then in two weeks, Give us another week. It will drag on until October or November, he told AP, using only the call sign Cat in keeping with the rules of the Ukrainian military. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp agreed. I do believe that the 50 days that Mr Trump has announced is rather long. Its up to September 2. I think thats rather long. Firefighters tackle a fire following a Russian attack in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Much remains to be worked out about how the weapons, especially the Patriot systems, will be provided, Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said in Brussels on Tuesday. But, in an indication that Europe is relieved that the US hasnt walked away from the conflict, he added: The most important thing is that we now have an American readiness to deliver these most needed weapons. Some European countries, such as Hungary and Slovakia, still rely heavily on Russia for energy supplies and could be hit hard by Mr Trumps threatened secondary sanctions on countries that buy its oil and gas an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy. Lithuanias Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Mr Trumps 50-day delay was a signal for Europe to prepare ourselves, because we still have some member states that are exposed to imports of oil and oil products from Russia. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said it remains to be seen whether Mr Trumps announcement will be a turnaround but what is decisive is that the tone has changed. The presidents threat to impose sanctions after 50 days is significant progress, Mr Pistorius told ARD television. Israeli strikes overnight and into Tuesday killed more than 90 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, including dozens of women and children, health officials said. One strike in the northern Shati refugee camp killed a 68-year-old Hamas member of the Palestinian legislature, as well as a man and a woman and their six children who were sheltering in the same building, according to officials from Shifa Hospital, where the casualties were taken. One of the deadliest strikes hit a house in Gaza Citys Tel al-Hawa district on Monday evening and killed 19 members of the family living inside, according to Shifa Hospital. The dead included eight women and six children. Smoke from an explosion rises in the northern Gaza Strip (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) A strike on a tent housing displaced people in the same district killed a man, a woman and their two children. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strikes. Gazas Health Ministry said in a daily report on Tuesday afternoon that the bodies of 93 people killed by Israeli strikes had been brought to hospitals in Gaza over the past 24 hours, along with 278 wounded. It did not specify the total number of women and children among the dead. The Hamas politician killed in a strike early on Tuesday, Mohammed Faraj al-Ghoul, was a member of the bloc of representatives from the group that won seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council in the last election held among Palestinians in 2006. A convoy of Israeli military vehicles leaves the Gaza Strip near the Israel-Gaza border (Maya Alleruzzo/AP) Hamas won a majority in the vote, but relations with the main Fatah faction that had long led the Palestinian Authority unravelled and ended with Hamas taking over the Gaza Strip in 2007. The legislative council has not formally convened since. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas. But daily, it hits homes and shelters where people are living without warning or explanation of the target. The latest attacks came after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held two days of talks last week that ended with no sign of a breakthrough in negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release. Israel has killed more than 58,400 Palestinians and wounded more than 139,000 others in its retaliation campaign since Hamass attack on October 7 2023, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Just over half the dead are women and children, according to the ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its tally. Palestinians inspect the wreckage of a gas station destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, is led by medical professionals. Its count, based on daily reports from hospitals, is considered by the United Nations and other experts to be the most reliable. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after its attack 20 months ago, in which militants stormed into southern Israel and killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 others, and the militants are still holding 50 hostages, fewer than half of them are believed to be alive. Israels air and ground campaign has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and driven some 90% of the population from their homes. Aid groups say they have struggled to bring in food and other assistance because of Israeli military restrictions and the breakdown of law and order, and experts have warned of famine. Malnutrition rates among children in the Gaza Strip have doubled since Israel imposed sharp restrictions on the entry of food in March, the UN has said. It comes as new Israeli strikes killed more than 90 Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, according to health officials. Hunger has been rising among Gazas more than two million Palestinians since Israel broke a ceasefire in March to resume the war and banned all food and other supplies from entering Gaza, saying it aimed to pressure Hamas to release hostages. Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) It slightly eased the blockade in late May, allowing in a trickle of aid. UNRWA, the main UN agency caring for Palestinians in Gaza, said it had screened nearly 16,000 children under age five at its clinics in June and found 10.2% of them were acutely malnourished. By comparison, in March, 5.5% of the nearly 15,000 children it screened were malnourished. New airstrikes kill several families One strike in the northern Shati refugee camp killed a 68-year-old Hamas member of the Palestinian legislature, as well as a man and a woman and their six children who were sheltering in the same building, according to officials from the heavily damaged Shifa Hospital, where the casualties were taken. One of the deadliest strikes hit a house in Gaza Citys Tel al-Hawa district on Monday evening and killed 19 members of the family living inside, according to Shifa Hospital. The dead included eight women and six children. A strike on a tent housing displaced people in the same district killed a man and a woman and their two children. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strikes. Gazas Health Ministry said in a daily report on Tuesday afternoon that the bodies of 93 people killed by Israeli strikes had been brought to hospitals in Gaza over the past 24 hours, along with 278 wounded. It did not specify the total number of women and children among the dead. Smoke and dust from an Israeli bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip rises over buildings near the Israel-Gaza border (Maya Alleruzzo/AP) The Hamas politician killed in a strike early on Tuesday, Mohammed Faraj al-Ghoul, was a member of the bloc of representatives from the group that won seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council in the last national elections, held in 2006. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas. But daily, it hits homes and shelters where people are living without warning or explanation of the target. Malnutrition grows Unicef, which screens children separately from Unrwa, has also reported a marked increase in malnutrition cases. It said this week its clinics had documented 5,870 cases of malnutrition among children in June, the fourth straight month of increases and more than double the around 2,000 cases it documented in February. Experts have warned of famine since Israel tightened its long-running blockade in March. Israel has allowed an average of 69 trucks a day carrying supplies, including food, since it eased the blockade in May, according to the latest figures from Cogat, the Israeli military agency in charge of co-ordinating aid. That is far below the hundreds of trucks a day the UN says are needed to sustain Gazas population. On Tuesday, Cogat blamed the UN for failing to distribute aid, saying in a post on X that thousands of pallets of supplies were inside Gaza waiting to be picked up by UN trucks. Palestinians wait for donated food at a community kitchen in Gaza City (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) The UN says it has struggled to pick up and distribute aid because of Israeli military restrictions on its movements and the breakdown in law and order. Israel has also let in food for distribution by an American contractor, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. GHF says it has distributed food boxes with the equivalent of more than 70 million meals since late May at the four centres it runs in the Rafah area of southern Gaza and in central Gaza. More than 840 Palestinians have been killed and more than 5,600 others wounded in shootings as they walk for hours trying to reach the GHF centres, according to the Health Ministry. Witnesses say Israeli forces open fire with barrages of live ammunition to control crowds on the roads to the GHF centres, which are located in military-controlled zones. The military says it has fired warning shots at people it says have approached its forces in a suspicious manner. GHF says no shootings have taken place in or immediately around its distribution sites. No breakthrough in ceasefire efforts The latest attacks came after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held two days of talks last week that ended with no sign of a breakthrough in negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release. Israel has killed more than 58,400 Palestinians and wounded more than 139,000 others in its retaliation campaign since Hamas October 7 2023, attack, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Just over half the dead are women and children, according to the ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its tally. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after its attack 21 months ago, in which militants stormed into southern Israel and killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 others, and the militants are still holding 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive. NotebookLM might not be such a blank page anymore as Google fills it with curated guides. The company just launched "featured notebooks" inside its experimental NotebookLM tool, giving users curated, interactive collections of content sourced from public articles, expert partners, and nonprofits. The move expands on NotebookLM's public sharing feature and aims to make the platform more useful to casual readersnot just power users building their own AI study guides. "This is the first AI-focused partnership The Economist has signed," said Luke Bradley-Jones, President of The Economist, in Google's announcement post, "and we are excited for NotebookLM users to explore a selection of articles from The Economist's annual special issue, The World Ahead 2025." NotebookLM, originally pitched as an AI notebook that uses your own sources, launched in Google Labs as a way to turn documents into personal research assistants. Users could upload PDFs, meeting notes, or web pages, then ask questions or generate summaries based on that material. It was useful, but only if you already had high-quality content to feed it. With this update, Google is taking that homework out of your hands and offering ready-made notebooks filled with trusted material. The initial set of featured notebooks pulls from established publications, academics, and government-backed researchers. Each notebook can be explored using NotebookLM's signature features: AI-generated summaries, question-based exploration, citations, audio overviews, and interactive mind maps. It's a structured way to dig into complex material without starting from scratch. Here's what's available so far: For the average user, this update means you don't need to bring your own research to get value out of NotebookLM. Whether you're looking for academic context, practical advice, or just trying to follow economic news, Google has pre-stocked the shelves with content you can immediately explore. The featured collections are available to all desktop users starting today. Google says more are on the way, including additional sets from The Economist and The Atlantic. NotebookLM remains a Google Labs project for now, but the company is clearly testing how AI can make curated reading feel more dynamic. Whether people want an AI-powered research assistant for school, work, or just understanding economic trends remains to be seen. Originally published on Tech Times By Iqbal Akhtar, Florida International University (The Conversation) When Zohran Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City, political observers noted his progressive platform and legislative record. But understanding the Democratic candidates background requires examining the rich cultural tapestry woven into his very surname: Mamdani. He takes the name from his father, Mahmood Mamdani, a prominent academic who was raised in Uganda and whose work focuses on postcolonial Uganda. I studied the history of the Khoja community for my doctoral work and have helped develop Khoja studies as an academic discipline. The Mamdani surname tells a story of migration, resilience and community-building that spans centuries and continents. The Khoja history Mamdanis in Uganda belong to the Khoja community, a South Asian Muslim merchant caste, that shaped economic development across the western Indian Ocean for centuries. The name originates from greater Sindh, a region in South Asia that today includes southeastern Pakistan and Kachchh in western India. Its etymology is twofold. Mam is an honorific title in Kachchhi and Gujarati languages, meaning kindness, courage and pride. Mamado is a local version of the name Muhammad that often appeared in surnames in Hindu castes that converted to Islam, such as the Memons. The Khoja were categorized by the British in the early 19th century as Hindoo Mussalman because their traditions spanned both religions. Over time, the Khoja came to be identified only as Muslim and then primarily as Shiite Muslim. Today, the majority of Khoja are Ismaili: a branch of Shiite Islam that follows the Aga Khan as their living imam. The Mamdani family, however, is part of the Twelver community of Khoja, whose Twelfth Imam is believed to be hidden from the world and only emerges in times of crisis. Twelvers believe he will help usher in an age of peace during end times. Around the late 18th century, the Khoja helped export textiles, manufactured goods, spices and gems from the Indian subcontinent to Arabia and East Africa. Through this Western Indian Ocean trading network, they imported timber, ivory, minerals and cloves, among other goods. Khoja family firms were built on kinship networks and trust. They built networks of shops, communal housing and warehouses, and extended credit for thousands of miles, from Zanzibar in Tanzania to Bombay now Mumbai on the western coast of India. Cousins and brothers would send money and goods across the ocean with only a letter. The precarious nature of trade in this period meant that families also served as insurance for each other. In times of wealth, it was shared; in times of disaster, help was available. Khoja contributions in Africa The Khoja became instrumental in building the commercial infrastructure of eastern, central and southern Africa. But the Khoja contribution to the development of Africa extended far beyond trade. In the absence of colonial investment in public infrastructure, they helped build institutions that formed the foundation of the modern nation-states that emerged after colonization. The institutions both facilitated trade and established permanent communities. For example, the first dispensary and public school in Zanzibar were constructed by a Khoja magnate, Tharia Topan, who made his wealth through the ivory and clove trades. Topan eventually became so prominent that he was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1890 for his service to the British Empire in helping to end slavery in East Africa. The Khoja community continues to invest in East Africa. The most famous example is the Aga Khan Development Network, whose hospitals and schools operate in 30 countries. In places such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, they are considered the best. Khoja in Uganda Like in other parts of Africa, the Khoja settled in Uganda as a liaison business community to develop a market to serve both African and European needs. The linguistic and cultural knowledge, developed over centuries, helped facilitate business despite the challenges of colonization. However, in 1972, Ugandan dictator Idi Amin expelled all Asians approximately 80,000 forcing families like the Mamdanis into exile. These included indentured laborers, who were brought in to help build the railroad and farm during the British colonial period, and free traders, like the Mamdani family. Amin saw them all as the same and famously said: Asians came to Uganda to build the railway. The railway is finished. They must leave now. The experience was a bitter one. Families lost everything, and many left with only the clothes on their backs. Mahmood Mamdani, who came from a Khoja merchant family, was 26 when he was exiled. Yet, unlike most Ugandan Asians, he chose to go back. At Makerere University in Kampala, Ugandas capital, Mamdani set up the Institute for Social Research, which helped to provide rigorous social science training to Ugandan researchers trying to improve their society. While the earlier generations of the Khoja tended to choose business or adjacent professions, such as accounting, the subsequent generations particularly those educated in the West embraced the knowledge economy as professionals, academics and nonprofit leaders. Several of Mahmood Mamdanis generation of Khoja academics conducted path-breaking work on Afro-Asian solidarity a way of thinking about the world beyond colonial categories, such as the category of religion as a separate domain from the secular. These scholars, such as Tanzanias Issa Shivji and Abdul Sheriff, worked on creating solidarity among the newly independent states of the Global South. Mahmood Mamdani is known for his influential post-9/11 academic work, Good Muslim, Bad Muslim, which examined how Muslim identities are stereotyped. He argued that these identities are complex and varied, shaped by accumulated history and present experiences. Interfaith identity The Khoja community known globally as the Khoja Shia Ithnasheri Muslim Community has developed strong transnational connections. Today, they are concentrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and France. However, Khoja can be found in almost any country in the world. In 2013, I met members of the community in Hong Kong. Photo by Nazim Laghari of Islamkot Road, Tharparkar, Sindh, Pakistan, Mithi Published on August 7, 2019 on Unsplash The Khoja community plays an important role in interfaith dialogue and global development initiatives. A prominent Ismaili Khoja, Eboo Patel, the founder of Interfaith America, has dedicated his life to pluralism and mutual understanding through building up civil society. Zohran Mamdanis mother, acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, is Hindu by birth. This interfaith marriage exemplifies the flexibility, diversity and tolerance of Khoja Islam, which has historically navigated between Hindu and Islamic traditions. Whether Mamdanis policies prove practical remains to be seen, but his background offers something valuable: a deep understanding of how communities build resilience across generations and geographies. Iqbal Akhtar, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Florida International University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. ( Human Rights Watch) The United States Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC) June 10, 2025 decision to sanction Addameer, a prominent Palestinian human rights organization, is a deplorable illustration of the ongoing crackdown against Palestinian and pro-Palestinian human rights defenders and voices in the US and other parts of the world. This baseless and arbitrary decision should be immediately reversed, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said today, one month after the decision. Both groups have worked closely with Addameer for decades. The US imposed sanctions based on claims that Addameer is affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which the US government has designated as a terrorist organization, despite providing no evidence to substantiate the claims of affiliation. The US is using its sanctions regime to do the bidding of the Israeli government, which has long sought to systematically muzzle human rights reporting and advocacy, the organizations said. It is outrageous that, instead of pressing Israel to stop its ongoing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide against Palestinians, the US is taking draconian measures against human rights defenders, punishing voices opposing genocide, occupation, and apartheid, and thereby joining Israels assault on the international human rights movement, the organizations added. Israeli authorities in 2021 outlawed Addameer, along with five other Palestinian human rights and civil society groups, designating them as terrorist and illegal organizations based on similar claims of affiliation, and in August 2022 raided their offices. Israel has not put forward any credible evidence to substantiate these allegations. Much of the international community, including many European states, has rejected the allegations as unsubstantiated. Addameer represents and advocates for the rights of Palestinian detainees and prisoners held by Israel and the Palestinian Authority. US sanctions are being imposed as Israeli authorities are holding over 3,000 Palestinians in administrative detention without trial or charge and are using torture, including inflicting sexual violence on and denying Palestinian detainees adequate food, medical care, and access to international monitors such as the International Committee of the Red Cross. Addameer has been providing many of these Palestinian detainees with pro bono legal aid, even as Israeli authorities have escalated their use of torture and other ill-treatment to horrifying levels. Over 72 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since October 7, 2023, according to Palestinian prisoners organizations. The move sets a dangerous precedent of using sanctions as a tool to punish human rights defenders exposing abuses by US allies, the organizations said. The US sanctions have catastrophic consequences for Addameer, Palestinians who rely on their vital work, and Palestinian civil society more broadly. The sanctions would make the organizations day-to-day operations more difficult, including for their employees, assisted communities, and service suppliers. This will also negatively affect their engagement with their partner organizations locally and internationally, including US-based groups. The chilling effect of this decision on human rights advocacy related to Israels violations of Palestinians rights is undeniable at a time when it is most needed, as Israel has gravely escalated its international crimes against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the organizations said. OFAC should immediately reverse its baseless and arbitrary decision to impose sanctions on Addameer. Human rights defenders and those expressing support and solidarity with Palestinians must be protected, not proscribed and silenced, the organizations added. Via Human Rights Watch Vancouver, B.C. TheNewswire - July 15, 2025 Belmont Resources Inc. (TSX.V: BEA; FSE: L3L2) (Belmont or the Company) is pleased to announce the successful completion of its 2025 diamond drilling campaign, totaling over 2,000 meters, at the Companys 100%-owned Come By Chance (CBC) project, located in the historic and mineral-rich Greenwood mining camp in southern British Columbia. A Dual-Potential Target: Porphyry-Copper and CRD System The CBC property exhibits compelling geological features indicative of both a copper-gold porphyry system and a high-grade carbonate replacement deposit (CRD), situated within the highly prospective Quesnel Terrane. Key Geological Highlights Porphyry Indicators: 2022 drilling confirmed widespread porphyry-style alteration, veining, and mineralization. Strong propylitic alteration halos present in all 2022 drill holes a classic porphyry signature. Up to 20% pyrite mineralization observed, potentially forming halos around a concealed porphyry core. Geophysical surveys reveal zonation patterns consistent with a porphyry center. CRD-Skarn Potential: Limestone units of the Brooklyn Formation provide ideal host rocks for CRD-style mineralization. Monzonite and syenite intrusions represent potential sources of metal-rich hydrothermal fluids. Major structural corridors (Eagle and Lind Creek Faults) likely acted as fluid conduits. High-grade surface samples include values up to 17.05 g/t Au and 6.74% Cu. 2022 drilling identified skarn-style alteration consistent with CRD systems. 2025 Drilling Campaign Overview The 2025 program was designed to follow up on promising 2022 results and geophysical data that vector toward a possible mineralized center at depth. Five key target areas were selected based on integrated geological and geophysical modeling, with one diamond drill hole testing each target. All holes were successfully completed on schedule and within budget. Next Steps Belmonts geological team is currently logging and processing core samples. Assay samples will be shipped to MSALABS in Langley, B.C. by the end of this week. Results are expected within approximately eight weeks. We are encouraged by the geological features observed during this latest round of drilling, said George Sookochoff, President and CEO of Belmont Resources. The integration of our 2022 and 2025 programs continues to support the presence of a robust porphyry-CRD system at Come By Chance. We look forward to sharing assay results as they become available. About Belmont Belmont has assembled a portfolio of highly prospective copper, gold, lithium, uranium and rare earths projects located in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Washington and Nevada States. Flagship projects: Come By Chance (CBC) Property: A Compelling Porphyry-CRD System Athelstan-Jackpot (A-J) Gold British Columbia: A-J Gold Project, which includes two past producing gold minesAthelstan and Jackpotthat yielded 7,600 ounces of gold and 9,000 ounces of silver (Minfile 082ESE047). Key highlights of the project include: Extensive Surface Gold Mineralization: A 1,500-meter gold trend with widespread surface gold mineralization has been identified. Potential Resource Estimate: Previous trenching and sampling suggest a potential resource of 2,000 to 5,000 ounces of gold in surface and near-surface mineralized areas (2002 Summary Report by R.E. Miller, P.Geo). Exploration Focus: Belmont is investigating the potential for economic gold grades in mineable surface and near-surface ore zones along this trend. Crackingstone Uranium Located in Saskatchewan's uranium-rich Athabasca Basin. Exceptional High-Grade Uranium Potential: The property has demonstrated historic grab sample grades of up to 15.6% UO. Previous mining on the site produced 11 tons at an average grade of 2.3% UO. (A Qualifying 43-101 Report On the Crackingstone River-Ruza Property Beaverlodge District SE of Uranium City Saskatchewan for Belmont Resources Inc. By R.A. Bernatchez, P. Eng. Consulting Geologist, July 11, 2006) Extensive Mineralized Corridors: Three major conductive and structural mineralized corridors, totaling 10 kilometers in length, have been identified and are associated with high-grade uranium occurrences. Comprehensive Drilling Program: Belmont has submitted a permit application for a two-year drilling initiative, which includes 40 drill holes totaling 10,000 meters. This program reflects the companys confidence in the propertys potential to host significant uranium resources. Situated just six kilometers from Uranium City, the Crackingstone property benefits from excellent infrastructure, including road access, power availability, and logistical support. Belmonts exploration efforts also include evaluating rare earth element (REE) potential on the property, further enhancing its strategic importance. Our Option Partner: Lone Star Copper-Gold Washington State: 50% optioned to Australian Marquee Resources ASX:MQR; MQR has spent $2.5M in drilling, completed new resource in Dec. 2022 and a PEA in November 2023. (BEA NR Nov. 29, 2023) Kibby Basin Lithium Nevada State: 80% optioned to Australian Marquee Resources ASX: MQR; project located 60 kilometers north of the lithium rich Clayton Valley Basin. MQR has spent $2.5M in drilling in 2022 for potential deep seated lithium brine. 2022 Drilling confirmed high levels of lithium-bearing sediments along with dissolved lithium in the groundwater. (BEA NR Dec 8, 2022). NI 43-101 Disclosure: Mr. Laurence Sookochoff, P.Eng., independent consultant for Belmont Resources Inc., is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release. Issued by the Office of the President and CEO George Sookochoff George Sookochoff,President/CEO This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. C: 604-505-4061 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties, based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of exploration and other risk factors beyond its control. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Companies forward-looking statements and expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval; that we may not be able to raise funds required, that conditions to closing may not be fulfilled and we may not be able to organize and carry out an exploration program in 2025, and other risks associated with being a mineral exploration and development company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Altiplano Metals Inc. (TSXV: APN) (WKN: A2JNFG) ("Altiplano" or the "Company") is pleased to report assay results from its inaugural drill program at the historic Santa Beatriz Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) mine, located approximately 45 km south of La Serena, Chile, and just 30 km from the Company's El Penon processing facility. Highlights: A total of 655.6 metres was drilled across four diamond drill holes (25SB-001 to 25SB-004) Drilling confirms vein continuity over 100 metres along strike and approximately 40 metres down dip below the lowest mined level (Level 414). Weighted average grade across all holes: 1.33% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, and 29.00% Fe over 2.14 m apparent vein width. 1.33% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, and 29.00% Fe over 2.14 m apparent vein width. Best interval (Hole 25SB-004): 2.89 m grading 2.37% Cu, 0.30 g/t Au, and 36.12% Fe , Including 1.5 m grading 4.11% Cu, 0.53 g/t Au, and 35.11% Fe With a high-grade sample of 15.29% Cu, 1.91 g/t Au, and 44.3% Fe over 35 cm (Sample 648082) Anomalous molybdenum (up to 0.04% Mo), potassic alteration, and magnetite veining suggest potential for porphyry-style mineralization at depth. President and Chief Executive Officer Alastair McIntyre comments: "The drill results confirm the continuity of the Santa Beatriz vein system along strike and at depth. We are also encouraged to see increasing grade in deeper sections, similar to our observations at Farellon. The positive results support our plan to advance mine development into deeper levels providing opportunity to supply material to the El Penon mill. We are also encouraged by the geological information from the core and samples, that indicate a broader exploration potential within the property and the district." Figure 1 - Plan view showing completed drill holes, underground development (Level 414), vein thickness, and Cu% values Figure 2 - 3D long section highlighting drill results and planned sublevel development. *All drill core samples are reported as apparent width, estimated to represent approximately 80-90% of true width **A decision to develop the historical Santa Beatriz mine is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and there is increased uncertainty of economic and technical risks of failure associated with any potential production decision. Drilling Summary The 655.6 metres of core drilling, completed between March 14 and April 20, 2025, targeted extensions of the main vein below Level 414. Drill holes intersected the structure between elevations of 365 and 391 masl, extending up to 50 m beneath current development. Hole 25SB-002 intersected a faulted zone but vein continuity was confirmed through adjacent holes 25SB-001 and 25SB-003. The mineralized structure comprises massive magnetite with bands of chalcopyrite and lesser pyrite. Variability in Cu:Fe ratios reflect the mineral proportions in each intercept. Drill hole 25SB-004 returned the most significant interval, highlighted by high-grade copper and gold values along with strong iron content, correlating with grades observed in underground sampling at Level 414. The average weighted grade of the vein is 1.33 Cu%, 0.2 g/t Au, and 29 Fe% over 2.14 m vein apparent width. Assay results are reported in Figure 03. The high Cu grades intersected by this hole are consistent with high Cu grades sampled underground in the level 414 confirming continuity on the grades along the vein at depth. Massive chalcopyrite is mostly present replacing apatite and actinolite phenocrysts in a matrix of magnetite. Gangue minerals are dominantly apatite and actinolite altered to chlorite with minor interstitial calcite (Figure 4). Figure 3 - Assay summary table of core vein intervals Figure 4 - Drill core photographs from Hole 25SB-004 (Sample 648082) showing massive chalcopyrite replacing apatite and actinolite in a magnetite matrix Geological Observations The Santa Beatriz vein is hosted in a diorite intrusive complex, ranging from coarse-grained diorite to microdiorite. Shallow sections exhibit strong propylitic alteration with epidote, chlorite, and pyrite. Hole 25SB-002 also intersected vuggy quartz with epidote, suggesting epithermal overprinting. Notably, deeper sections of hole 25SB-004 revealed intense potassic alteration, K-feldspar, biotite, and magnetite associated with minor molybdenite and chalcopyrite. This alteration, observed only at depths >250 m, resembles porphyry-style mineralization. Further sampling of deeper core intervals is pending. Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Drill core (NQ) samples were collected under the supervision of an experienced APN geologists and transported about 1 km to the Altiplano core logging facility for detailed logging and sampling. Samples were prepared using the entire core and securely shipped to ALS Laboratories in Copiapo, Chile, for sample preparation, and then to ALS's laboratory in Santiago, Chile for analysis. All samples were analyzed using an AAS instrument and standard industry procedures, including: Cu-AA62: Cu Ore - four-acid digestion/AAS Cu Ore - four-acid digestion/AAS Mo-AA62: Mo Ore - four-acid digestion/AA Mo Ore - four-acid digestion/AA Fw-AA62: Cu Ore - four-acid digestion/AAS Cu Ore - four-acid digestion/AAS Au-AA23: Au 30 g fire assay with AA finish As part of the Company's QA/QC protocols, a robust quality control program was implemented, which includes the insertion of certified reference materials (standards), blank samples, and duplicate core samples at regular intervals (approximately every 10 samples) throughout the sample stream. All QA/QC control samples returned results within acceptable limits, ensuring the reliability of the assay data. All drill core samples are reported as apparent width which is estimated to represent approximately 80-90%% of true width. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Williamson, P.Geol., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Williamson is a Chairman and Director of Altiplano Metals Inc. and is not independent of the Company. Altiplano has generated over C$23.8 million from the recovery and sale (after processing costs) of more than 8.2 million pounds of copper with an average grade of 1.8% Cu (Jan 2018 to Mar 2025). Cash has been re-invested into acquisition, exploration, new equipment, underground drilling, expanding underground development and production, and the completion of the El Penon copper-gold-iron processing facility located 30 km from La Serena, Chile. About Altiplano Altiplano Metals is a growing gold, silver, and copper company focused on the Americas. The Company has a diversified portfolio of assets that include exploration properties, a developing copper/gold/iron mine and a state-of-the-art operating copper/gold and iron processing facility. Altiplano is focused on creating long-term stakeholder value through developing safe and sustainable production, reinvesting into exploration and development, and pursuing acquisition opportunities to provide scalable upside opportunities. Management has a substantial record of success in capitalizing on opportunity, overcoming challenges and building shareholder value. Altiplano is part of the Metals Group of Companies, led by a dynamic group of resource sector professionals with a long record of success in evaluating and advancing mining projects from exploration through to production, attracting capital, and overcoming adversity to deliver exceptional shareholder value. www.metalsgroup.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD /s/ "John Williamson" Chairman Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the (TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify any historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the issuer is not treating any historical information or estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The Santa Beatriz mine was previously in production mid 2010's with little known production records. This material was processed and sold locally to a private processing facility. Altiplano is relying upon limited past production records, underground sampling and related activities to further explore and potentially develop Santa Beatriz. The decision to develop the project and extract material for potential processing is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with any future potential production decision. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / Faraday Copper Corp. ("Faraday" or the "Company") (TSX:FDY) (OTCQX:CPPKF) is pleased to announce a brokered and non-brokered financing for up to $30,000,080 from strategic and other investors, including the Lundin Family Trusts (as defined below), to advance exploration and development of its Copper Creek Project, located in Arizona, U.S. Brokered Private Placement The Company is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with Ventum Financial Corp. as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner (the "Lead Underwriter"), on its own behalf and on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (collectively, the "Underwriters"), pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase an aggregate of 13,636,400 common shares (the "Common Shares") on a "bought deal" private placement basis, at a price of $1.10 per Common Share (the "Offering Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of $15,000,040 (the "Brokered Offering"), excluding additional proceeds raised from the exercise of the Underwriters' Option (defined below). The Brokered Offering will be made in accordance with the 'listed issuer financing exemption' in Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (together, the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"), to purchasers in any province or territory of Canada, except Quebec. The Common Shares issued and sold pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will not be subject to a 'hold period' pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document related to the Brokered Offering that can be accessed under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.com. Prospective investors purchasing under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption should read this offering document before making an investment decision. The Common Shares may also be sold to purchasers in the United States pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and other qualifying jurisdictions outside of Canada that are mutually agreed to by the Company and the Underwriters pursuant to relevant prospectus or registration exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option (the "Underwriters' Option") to increase the size of the Brokered Offering by up to an additional number of Common Shares that in aggregate would be equal to 15% of the total number of Common Shares to be issued under the Brokered Offering, to cover over-allotments, if any, exercisable at any time up to 48 hours prior to closing of the Brokered Offering. In connection with the Brokered Offering, the Underwriters will receive an aggregate cash fee equal to 5.0% of the gross proceeds thereunder, including additional proceeds raised from the exercise of the Underwriters' Option. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Brokered Offering for exploration and development of its Copper Creek Project and for general working capital purposes. The Brokered Offering is scheduled to close on or about July 29, 2025 (the "Closing Date") and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Non-Brokered Private Placement Concurrently with the Brokered Offering, the Company will conduct a non-brokered private placement of up to 13,636,400 additional Common Shares (the "Additional Shares") at the Offering Price to raise up to C$15,000,040 million (the "Non-Brokered Offering"). The Lundin Family Trusts (as defined below) have indicated their intention of subscribing in the Non-Brokered Offering. The Additional Shares may be offered to purchasers resident in Canada pursuant to applicable prospectus exemptions, other than the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, in accordance with applicable securities laws, and may also be offered to purchasers in the United States pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933. Any Additional Shares issued to purchasers resident in Canada will be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, expiring four months and one day following the issue date. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Non-Brokered Offering for exploration and development of its Copper Creek Project and for general working capital purposes. The Non-Brokered Offering is scheduled to close on or about July 29, 2025 and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The closing of the Brokered Offering and the closing of the Non-Brokered Offering are not cross conditional. Trusts settled by the late Adolf H. Lundin (the "Lundin Family Trusts") have indicated their intention to participate in the Non-Brokered Offering. Any such participation would be considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as a private entity controlled by the Lundin Family Trusts is currently the Company's largest shareholder. The Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of any Common Shares issued to or the consideration paid by such persons will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The securities offered in the Brokered Offering and Non-Brokered Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Faraday Copper Faraday Copperis an exploration company focused on advancing its flagship copper project in Arizona, U.S. The Copper Creek Projectis one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in North America with significant district scale exploration potential. The Company is well-funded to deliver on its key milestones and benefits from a management team and board of directors with senior mining company experience and expertise. Faraday trades on the TSX under the symbol "FDY". For additional information please contact: Stacey Pavlova, CFA Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications Faraday Copper Corp. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.faradaycopper.com To receive news releases by e-mail, please register using the Faraday website at www.faradaycopper.com. Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Statements Some of the statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" and are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Faraday to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the exploration potential of the Copper Creek property; completion of the Brokered and Non-Brokered Financings, and the timing thereof; the anticipated use of net proceeds of the Brokered and Non-Brokered Financings; the receipt of TSX and other regulatory approvals. Although Faraday believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include without limitation: market prices for metals; the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses; lower than expected grades and quantities of mineral resources; receipt of regulatory approval; receipt of shareholder approval; mining rates and recovery rates; significant capital requirements; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities; fluctuations in rates of exchange; taxation; controls, regulations and political or economic developments in the countries in which Faraday does or may carry on business; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, competition; loss of key employees; rising costs of labour, supplies, fuel and equipment; actual results of current exploration or reclamation activities; accidents; labour disputes; defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties; unexpected delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of Indigenous peoples and other groups; risks, uncertainties and unanticipated delays associated with obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and authorizations and complying with permitting requirements, including those associated with the Copper Creek property; and uncertainties with respect to any future acquisitions by Faraday. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental events and hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks as well as "Risk Factors" included in Faraday's disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedarplus.ca. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. This press release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an offering memorandum, an advertisement or a public offering of securities in Faraday in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada or in the United States has reviewed or in any way passed upon this press release, and any representation to the contrary is an offence. Highlights: Canada Nickel's Timmins Nickel District has a total of six deposits containing 9.2 million tonnes of Measured & Indicated nickel (3.9 billion tonnes @ 0.24% nickel) and 9.5 million tonnes of Inferred nickel (4.2 billion tonnes @ 0.22% nickel) and 9.5 million tonnes of Inferred nickel Mann Central similar scale to Initial Crawford Nickel Project Resource: Indicated Mineral Resource of 236.7 million tonnes grading 0.22% nickel containing 0.52 million tonnes of nickel. Inferred Mineral Resource of 543.2 million tonnes grading 0.21% nickel containing 1.15 million tonnes of nickel. Exploration Target 1 of an additional 0.6-2.0 billion tonnes grading 0.19 0.21% nickel. Initial Texmont Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 37.8 million tonnes grading 0.29% nickel containing higher grade resource of 1.69 million tonnes at 0.71% nickel including 248,000 tonnes at 1.03% nickel. TORONTO, July 15, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel" or the "Company") (TSX-V:CNC) (OTCQB: CNIKF) today announced initial mineral resource estimates (the "Mineral Resource Estimate" or "MRE") for its Mann Central Nickel Sulphide Project ("Mann Central"), located 40 km northeast of Timmins, Ontario and its Texmont Nickel Sulphide Project ("Texmont"), located 36 km south of Timmins. Canada Nickel owns 80% of Mann Central through its interest in East Timmins Nickel Ltd. ("East Timmins"), with the remaining 20% of East Timmins owned by Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. ("Noble"). Texmont is wholly owned by Canada Nickel through the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Central Timmins Nickel Company Inc. ("Central Timmins"). Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel said, "We are very pleased with these two new resources and even more excited by the growing scale of the Timmins Nickel District with over 9 million tonnes in each of the Measured & Indicated and Inferred categories. Mann Central is a mineral resource with significant scale and considerable potential for further testing in the future. Texmont, though a smaller target, has delivered strong results with meaningful quantities of higher grade nickel. I look forward to advancing Crawford towards a year-end construction decision and to showcasing the full potential of the Timmins Nickel District, with three additional mineral resource estimates to be published by year-end." 1 The potential quantity and grade is conceptual in nature; there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource; it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource (also see below). Timmins Nickel District The Company has published mineral resources for six of its properties in the Timmins area, amounting to 9.2 million tonnes of contained nickel metal in the Measured & Indicated categories, and 9.5 million tonnes of contained nickel metal as Inferred Mineral Resources (Table 1). With three more resources pending by end of year, the Company continues to show the potential of its property package in the Timmins Nickel District. For comparison, the Sudbury nickel district has an estimated nickel endowment of 19 million tonnes of contained nickel (Naldrett and Lightfoot, 1993; Lesher and Thurston, 2002). Table 1. Total Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources on Canada Nickel Timmins Nickel District Properties. Measured & Indicated Inferred Exploration Target Project Geophysical Resource Resource (Bt) Ni % Contained Resource (Bt) Ni % Contained Target (Bt) Footprint (km2) Date/Target Nickel (Mt) Nickel (Mt) Crawford 1.6 Oct-23 2.56 0.24 6.03 1.69 0.22 3.73 - Reid 3.9 Dec-24 0.59 0.24 1.43 0.99 0.23 2.24 0.9-2.1 Mann W 3.4 Jun-25 0.41 0.23 0.95 0.6 0.22 1.31 0.5-1.0 Mann CE 3.1 Jul-25 0.24 0.22 0.52 0.54 0.21 1.15 0.6-2.0 Deloro 0.4 Jul-24 0.08 0.25 0.2 0.36 0.25 0.89 - Texmont 0.1 Jul-25 0.04 0.29 0.11 0.05 0.25 0.14 - Bannockburn 0.4 Q3-2025 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD Midlothian 1.7 Q4-2025 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD Nesbitt 0.4 Q4-2025 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TOTAL 15.0 3.92 0.24 9.24 4.23 0.22 9.46 Mann Central Mineral Resource Estimate The Mann Central Project is only 23 km east of the Company's Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project ("Crawford") and is more than twice the size of Crawford based on the outline of its geophysical target of 3.1 square kilometres. The area of the geophysical target covered by the Mann Central MRE represents approximately 40% of its total target geophysical area. Mann Central is accessible year-round. For the initial MRE, a total of 12,563 metres of core drilling from 32 drill holes were utilized to calculate the Mann Central mineral resources in two categories as summarized in Table 2. Indicated Mineral Resources total 237 million tonnes grading 0.22% nickel, for a total of 0.52 million tonnes of contained nickel and Inferred Mineral Resources total 537 million tonnes grading 0.21% nickel, for a total of 1.15 million tonnes of contained nickel. The approximate dimensions of the Mann Central MRE are 2.4 kilometres long, up to 700 metres wide, extending to 500 metres deep, and remaining open in all directions. An additional 0.6 2.0 billion tonnes grading between 0.19% and 0.20% nickel remain as an Exploration Target, pending further drilling. This Exploration Target is based on core drilling by the Company, the geophysical survey on the Mann Central Project, and the understanding and calculation of the current Mann Central MRE. The Exploration Target was derived by modelling the identified nickel sulphide mineralization within the current estimation envelope but outside of the current MRE area. The volume of the modelled Exploration Target area determines the potential tonnage statement in the Exploration Target. The grade range given in the Exploration Target is determined with consideration to the drill core results within the modelled Exploration Target area, consideration of the geological setting in a well understood nickel deposit type where grades are observed and well understood and based on the experience of the Company and the Qualified Persons. The potential tonnages and grades are conceptual in nature and are based on drill holes and geophysical results that define the approximate length, thickness, depth and grade of the Exploration Target. There has been insufficient exploration to define a current mineral resource and the Company cautions that there is a risk that further exploration will not result in the delineation of a current mineral resource. Drilling at Mann Central was conducted in 2023 and 2024. The 2024 campaign successfully completed the goal of infilling previous sections to allow for the definition of an initial mineral resource estimate, gain understanding on the geology of the deposit, as well as systematically collecting samples for mineralogical analysis. The Mann Central MRE was prepared by Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. and its sub-consultant L&M Geociencias, in accordance with CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (2019) and CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves (2014). A Technical Report in support of the Mineral Resource Estimate will be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) within 45 days of this news release. Table 2. Initial Total Mineral Resource Estimate (in-pit resources) for the Mann Central Nickel Sulphide Deposit. Mineral Resource Estimate Contained Metal Class Tonnage (Mt) Ni (%) Co (%) Fe (%) Cr (%) Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Ni (kt) Co (kt) Fe (Mt) Cr (kt) Pd (koz) Pt (koz) Indicated 236.7 0.22 0.012 6.6 0.34 0.005 0.006 519.5 28.2 15.7 797.9 35.1 47.1 Inferred 543.2 0.21 0.012 6.8 0.30 0.006 0.007 1,150 65.9 37.0 1,628 98.0 129.8 Notes to Table 2: 1. The independent Qualified Person for the MRE, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), is Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo., PGO #0183), of Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. The effective date of the MRE is June 25, 2025. 2. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Mineral Resources in this MRE are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Mineral Resources as Indicated or Measured. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. 3. A cut-off grade of 0.10% Ni was used to define potentially economic material for inclusion within the MRE. Cut-offs were determined on the basis of core assay geostatistics and drill core lithologies for the deposit, and by comparison to analogous nickel deposit types. 4. Geological and block models for the MRE used data from a total of 32 surface drill holes, completed by Canada Nickel in 2023 and 2024. The drill hole database was validated prior to resource estimation and QA/QC checks were made using industry-standard control charts for blanks, core duplicates and commercial certified reference material inserted into assay batches by Canada Nickel and by comparison of umpire assays performed at a second laboratory. 5. Estimates have been rounded to two significant figures. 6. The MRE was prepared following the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (November 29, 2019) and the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves (May 19, 2014). 7. The geological model as applied to the MRE comprises two mineralized domains hosted by variably serpentinized ultramafic rocks: a relatively higher-grade core (dunite), and a lower grade (peridotite). Individual wireframes were created for each domain in Leapfrog Geo 2024.1 software. 8. A 20 m x 20 m x 15 m block model was created, and samples were composited at 7.5 m intervals. Grade estimation from drill hole data was carried out for Ni, Co, Fe, Cr, S, Pd and Pt using the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method in Isatis 2024.04 software. 9. The MRE has been constrained by a conceptual pit envelope that was developed using the following optimization parameters. Metal prices used were US$21,000/t nickel, US$40,000/t cobalt, US$325/t iron, US$3,860/t chromium, US$1,350/oz palladium, and US$1,150/oz platinum. Different pit slopes were used for each layer (in degrees): 9.5 in overburden, and 40.0 in mineralized rock, and 45 in waste rock. Exchange rate utilized was US$/C$ at $0.76. Mining costs utilized different values for overburden (clay, gravel), and rock mining, ranging from C$1.47 to C$3.00/t mined. Processing costs and general administration costs for a 120 ktpd operation (similar to the ultimate scope of Crawford) were C$8.30/t. Based on the range of grade and ratio of sulphur to nickel, calculated recovery averages 39% for Ni, 10% for Co, 54% for Fe, 29% for Cr, 39% for Pd and 18% for Pd. 10. Grade estimation was validated by comparison of input and output statistics (Nearest Neighbour and Inverse Distance Squared methods), swath plot analysis, cross-plots of declustered samples against the nearest OK estimate, and by visual inspection of the assay data, block model, and grade shells in cross-sections. 11. Density estimation was carried out for the mineralized domains using the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method, based on 1,270 specific gravity measurements collected during the core logging process, using the same block model parameters of the grade estimation. As a reference, the average estimated density value within dunite is 2.66 g/cm3 (t/m3), while the peridotite domain yielded an average of 2.74 g/cm3 (t/m3). Next Steps at Mann Central Nickel Sulphide Project: A technical report with respect to the MRE disclosed today will be filed within 45 days of this news release. Infill drilling at the property will aim to increase and upgrade Inferred Mineral Resources to Indicated Mineral Resources in the next drilling campaign. Mineralogical and metallurgical analysis will continue to better understand and estimate metal recoveries. Texmont Mineral Resource Estimate For the initial Texmont Mineral Resource Estimate ("Texmont MRE"), a total of 44,528 metres of core drilling from 144 drill holes were utilized to calculate the Texmont MRE in three categories as provided in Table 3. Measured Mineral Resources total 3.3 million tonnes grading 0.34% nickel, for a total of 11,281 tonnes of contained nickel, Indicated Mineral Resources total 34.6 million tonnes grading 0.27% nickel, for a total of 97,700 tonnes of contained nickel, and Inferred Mineral Resources total 57.7 million tonnes grading 0.22% nickel, for a total of 143,900 tonnes of contained nickel. The sulphide mineralogy consists mainly of pentlandite and pyrrhotite with minor millerite, heazlewoodite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. The sulphide mineralization occurs primarily as next-textured to locally semi-massive, at the core of the high-grade horizon. The high-grade horizon is then surrounded by a medium to low grade envelope that is characterized by disseminated fine grained sulphide mineralization. The approximate dimensions of the Texmont MRE are 1.3 kilometres long, up to 150 metres wide, extending to 500 metres deep and remaining open at depth (Figure 4). Drilling by Canada Nickel (via Central Timmins) at Texmont was conducted between 2022 and 2024, with 65 drillholes completed with the goals of infilling previous sections drilled by Fletcher Nickel Inc. ("Fletcher") between 2006 and 2008, allowing for the definition of an initial mineral resource estimate, gain understanding on the geology of the deposit, and systematically collecting samples for mineralogical analysis. Seventy-eight drill holes from the historical Fletcher drilling campaigns were used, in addition to the 65 drill holes completed by Central Timmins for the MRE. The Texmont MRE was prepared by Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. and its sub-consultant L&M Geociencias, in accordance with CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (2019) and CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves (2014). A Technical Report in support of the Mineral Resource Estimate will be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) within 45 days of this news release. Table 3. Initial Total Mineral Resource Estimate (in-pit resources) for the Texmont Nickel Sulphide Deposit. Mineral Resource Estimate Contained Metal Class Tonnage (Mt) Ni (%) Co (%) S (%) Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Ni (kt) Co (kt) S (kt) Pd (koz) Pt (koz) Measured 3.3 0.34 0.013 0.37 0.018 0.016 11.3 0.4 12.2 1.9 1.7 Indicated 34.6 0.28 0.011 0.27 0.012 0.011 97.7 3.8 93.3 13.8 12.6 Mea + Ind 37.8 0.29 0.011 0.28 0.013 0.012 109.0 4.3 105.5 15.6 14.4 Inferred 57.7 0.25 0.010 0.22 0.010 0.009 143.9 5.9 122.3 17.4 17.0 Notes to Table 3: 1. The independent Qualified Person for the Texmont MRE, as defined by NI 43-101), is Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo., PGO #0183), of Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. The effective date of the Texmont MRE is April 10, 2025. 2. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Mineral Resources in this MRE are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Mineral Resources as Indicated or Measured. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. 3. A cut-off grade of 0.10% Ni was used to define potentially economic material for inclusion within the MRE. Cut-offs were determined on the basis of core assay geostatistics and drill core lithologies for the deposit, and by comparison to analogous nickel deposit types. 4. Geological and block models for the MRE used data from a total of 144 surface drill holes, completed by Fletcher Nickel between 2006 and 2008, and Canada Nickel between 2022 and 2024. The drill hole database was validated prior to resource estimation and QA/QC checks were made using industry-standard control charts for blanks, core duplicates and commercial certified reference material inserted into assay batches by Canada Nickel and by comparison of umpire assays performed at a second laboratory. 5. Estimates have been rounded to two significant figures. 6. The MRE was prepared following the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (November 29, 2019) and the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves (May 19, 2014). 7. The geological model as applied to the MRE comprises five discernible mineralized domains within a variably serpentinized peridotite lava flow unit: High grade (>0.4% nickel), medium grade (0.2-0.4% nickel) and 3 low grade domains (<0.2% nickel) adjacent to non mineralized lithologies. Individual wireframes were created for each domain in Leapfrog Geo 2024.1 software. 8. A 5 m x 10 m x 10 m block model was created and subblocked to 5m x 5m x 5m for tonnage calculation purposes, and samples were composited at 3 m intervals. Grade estimation from drill hole data was carried out for Ni, Co, S, Pd and Pt using the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method in Isatis 2024.04 software. 9. The MRE has been constrained by a conceptual pit envelope that was developed using the following optimization parameters. Metal prices used were US$21,000/t nickel, US$40,000/t cobalt, US$325/t iron, US$3,860/t chromium, US$1,350/oz palladium, and US$1,150/oz platinum. Different pit slopes were used for each layer (in degrees): 9.5 in overburden, and 40.0 in mineralized rock, and 45 in waste rock. Exchange rate utilized was US$/C$ at $0.76. Mining costs utilized different values for overburden (clay, gravel), and rock mining, ranging from C$1.65 to C$4.47/t mined. Processing costs and general and administration costs for a 15 ktpd operation were C$11.32/t. Based on the range of peridotite and talc ore, calculated recovery averages 59% for Ni, 62% for Co, 50% for Pd and 25% for Pd. 10. Grade estimation was validated by comparison of input and output statistics (Nearest Neighbour and Inverse Distance Squared methods), swath plot analysis, cross-plots of declustered samples against the nearest OK estimate, and by visual inspection of the assay data, block model, and grade shells in cross-sections. 11. Density estimation was carried out for the mineralized domains using the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method, based on 4,008 specific gravity measurements collected during the core logging process, using the same block model parameters of the grade estimation. As a reference, the average estimated density value within the komatiite is 2.89 g/cm3 (t/m3), while the peridotite domain yielded an average of 2.72 g/cm3 (t/m3). Next Steps at the Texmont Nickel Sulphide Project: A technical report with respect to the Mineral Resource Estimate disclosed today will be filed within 45 days of this news release. Mineralogical and metallurgical analysis will continue to better understand and estimate metal recoveries. Assays, Quality Assurance/Quality Control and Drilling Edwin Escarraga, MSc, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of NI 43-101, is responsible for the on-going drilling and sampling program, including quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC). The core is collected from the drill in sealed core trays and transported to the secure core logging facility (core shack). The core is marked and sampled at 1.5 metre lengths and cut in half with a diamond blade saw. One set of samples (half core) is transported in secured bags directly from the Canada Nickel core shack to Actlabs Timmins, while a second set of samples (half core) is securely shipped to SGS Lakefield for preparation, with analysis performed at SGS Burnaby. Both laboratories are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited and independent of Canada Nickel and the Qualified Persons. Analysis for precious metals (gold, platinum, and palladium) are completed by Fire Assay (FA) while analysis for nickel, cobalt, sulphur and other elements are performed using a peroxide fusion and ICP-OES analysis. Certified standards and blanks (QA/QC samples) are inserted at a rate of three QA/QC samples per 20 core samples making a batch of 60 samples that are submitted for analysis. Qualified Person and Data Verification Stephen J. Balch (P.Geo. #2250 Ontario), VP Exploration of Canada Nickel and a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of NI 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of Canada Nickel Company Inc. The magnetic geophysical images shown in this news release were created from Canada Nickel's interpretation of datasets provided by the Ontario Geological Survey. References Naldrett, A.J., and Lightfoot, P.C., 1993, Ni-Cu-PGE ores of the Noril'sk region, Siberia: A model for giant magmatic ore deposits associated with flood basalts: Society of Economic Geologists Special Publication 2, p. 81-123. Lesher, C.M. and Thurston, P.C., 2002, A Special Issue Devoted to the Mineral Deposits of the Sudbury Basin: Economic Geology, Vol. 97, No. 7. About Canada Nickel Company Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless-steel markets. Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM, NetZero IronTM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins-Nickel District. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com. For further information, please contact: Mark Selby CEO Phone: 647-256-1954 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Cautionary Note and Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, the potential of the Mann Central Nickel Sulphide Project, the potential of the Texmont Project, timing for filing technical reports in support of the Mineral Resource Estimates, the three additional mineral resource estimates to be published by year-end, the significance of drill results, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling on the definition of any resource, timing and completion (if at all) of additional mineral resource estimates, the potential of the Timmins Nickel District, strategic plans, including future exploration and development plans and results, and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. VANCOUVER, BC JULY 15, 2025 TheNewswire - Giant Mining Corp. (CSE: BFG | OTC: BFGFF | FWB: YW5 | CSE: BFG.WT.A | CSE: BFG.WT.B) (Giant Mining or the Company) is pleased to report additional assay results from Phase 1 of the Spring 2025 diamond drilling program (the Core Program) including core holes MHB-33, MHB-34, and MHB-35, completed at the Majuba Hill Porphyry Copper-Silver-Gold Project (Majuba Hill) in Pershing County, Nevada. These results from the Core Program confirm strong breccia controls and significant high-grade copper mineralization and correlate with high-grade intercepts previously identified in core holes MHB-30 and MHB-32. The primary objective of the Core Program was to delineate and better understand the geometry and extent of the copper-bearing breccia zones. Assay results and geological interpretation outline a large, distinct copper-mineralized breccia body at Majuba Hill. Highlights Copper within the Mineralized Breccia Body in MHB-34 included enriched and primary (hypogene) copper mineralization (see Figure 2 and Table 1): 500 ft (152.4 m) @ 0.21% Cu from 1210-1710 ft (368.8-521.2 m) including165 ft (50.3 m)@ 0.24% from 1280-1445 ft (390.1-440.4 m) and; 205 ft (62.5 m) @ 0.27% Cu from 1605-1710 ft (458.7-521.2 m) with; 55 ft (16.8 m) @ 0.41% Cu from1505-1560 ft (458.7-475.5 m) Core hole MHB-34 intersected long intervals of copper mineralization within both the main Mineralized Breccia Body and the Marginal Breccia Zone (Figure 2). Meanwhile, holes MHB-33 and MHB-35 focused on shallower portions of these zones (Figure 5). The new results confirm, extend, and further define the continuity and significance of breccia-controlled copper mineralization across the project. As previously announced in the May 22, 2025 news release, core hole MHB-32 intersected two significant copper-mineralized zones within a broader interval of 379.5 feet (115.7 m) grading 0.33% Cu and 16.97 ppm Ag, from 510 to 889.5 feet (155.5 to 271.1 m). These results extended known mineralization deeper and further north than previous drilling. Key intercepts from MHB-32 include: 85 feet (25.9 m) grading 0.64% Cu and 50.89 ppm Ag, from 510 to 595 feet (155.5 to 181.4 m) 169.5 feet (51.7 m) grading 0.41% Cu and 9.51 ppm Ag, from 720 to 889.5 feet (219.5 to 271.1 m), including: 40 feet (12.2 m) at 1.36% Cu and 13.33 ppm Ag, from 780 to 820 feet (237.7 to 249.9 m), which contains: 10 feet (3.0 m) at 3.6% Cu and 35.65 ppm Ag, from 805 to 815 feet (245.4 to 248.4 m) David Greenway, CEO of Giant Mining, commented: "The assay results from MHB-33, MHB-34, and MHB-35 are very positive and continue to validate the scale and continuity of breccia-hosted copper mineralization at Majuba Hill. With copper emerging as a national security priority under the current U.S. administration, and Nevada ranked as the number one mining jurisdiction in the United States, the stars are aligning for Giant Mining. Were fully funded for the next phase of drilling, and our team led by Buster Hunsaker is eager to launch Phase 2. Were incredibly proud of the work accomplished so far and excited about what lies ahead as we advance our mission to help reshore Americas copper supply." Figure 1: MHB-34 Mineralized Breccia: Chalcopyrite, Cuprite and Native Copper in Breccia. 1540-1545 feet/0.62% Cu. (See Table 1) Copper within the Marginal Breccia in MHB-34 included an oxide and enriched interval of: 135 ft (41.1 m) @ 0.14% Cu from 625-760 ft (190.5-231.6 m) including: 10 ft (3.0 m) @ 0.40% Cu from 665-675 ft (202.7-205.7 m) CopperMineralization in MHB-34 extended the Mineralized Breccia Body to at least 1640 vertical feet (500m) below the top of Majuba Mountain (see Figure 2) Mineralized Breccia Body remains open at depth Copper intersected in MHB-34 returned 0.09% Cu over the entire 1,963-foot (598.3 m) length of MHB-34, which when combined with silver results has a copper equivalent value of 0.13% CuEq (Table 1). Figure 2: Interpretive Cross Section: Core Holes MHB-34 and MHB-35 and previous drilling (see Figure 6 for location). Additional Highlights Drilling intersected 90 ft (27.4 m) @ 0.09% Cu from 115-205 ft (35.1-62.5 m). The hole is strongly clay altered in partially leached, hydrothermal-magmatic breccias that comprise the Mineralized Breccia Body (Figure 2). Below the mineralization is a significant zone of copper mineralization in MHB-32 that graded 379.5 feet (115.7 m) @ 0.33% Cu and 16.97 ppm Ag from 510 to 889.5 feet (155.5 to 271.1 m). Figure 3: MHB-35 PQ Core with partially leached Mineralized Breccia MHB-33 The Marginal Breccia intersected in MHB-33 identified the upper, western extents of the Mineralized Breccia Body mined in the historic Copper Stope (see Figure 5). Drilling intersected leached copper mineralization including 35 ft (10.7 m) @ 0.09% Cu from 5 to 40 ft (1.5-12.2 m) with numerous 5 foot (1.5 m) intervals of 0.1% copper (see Table 1). Figure 4: MHB-33 PQ Core with leached Marginal Breccia Figure 5: Interpretive Cross Section: Core Hole MHB-33 and previous drilling (see Figure 6 for location). Figure 6: Drill Hole Locations with Cross Section Locations. Hole ID Interval ft Cu% CuEq with Ag From ft To ft Significant Interval Copper* MHB-30 Entire Hole 800.0 0.43 0 800.0 800 ft @ 0.43% Cu from 0 to 800 feet includes 218 1.35 2.14 0 218 218 ft @ 1.35% Cu from 0 to 218 feet with 74 2.60 2.90 140 214 74 ft @ 2.6% Cu from 140 to 214 feet MHB-31 Entire Hole 1086.0 0.03 0 1086.0 1086 ft @ 0.03% Cu from 0 to 1086 feet includes 115.0 0.10 769 884.0 115 ft @ 0.1% Cu from 769 to 884 feet and 89.0 0.08 909 998.0 89 ft @ 0.08% Cu from 909 to 998 feet MHB-32 Entire Hole 889.5 0.16 0.25 0 889.5 889.5 ft @ 0.16% Cu from 0 to 889.5 feet Significant Interval 379.5 0.33 0.51 510 889.5 379.5 ft @ 0.33% Cu from 510 to 889.5 feet includes 85 0.64 1.16 510 595 85 ft @ 0.64% Cu from 510 to 595 feet and includes 170 0.41 0.51 720 890 169.5 ft @ 0.41% Cu from 720 to 889.5 feet with 40.0 1.36 1.50 780 820.0 40 ft @ 1.36% Cu from 780 to 820 feet with 10.0 4.36 4.72 805 815.0 10 ft @ 4.36% Cu from 805 to 815 feet MHB-33 Entire Hole 936.0 0.02 0.05 0 936.0 936 ft @ 0.02% Cu from 0 to 936 feet with 35.0 0.09 0.15 5 40.0 35 ft @ 0.09% Cu from 5 to 40 feet includes 5.0 0.27 0.33 35 40.0 5 ft @ 0.27% Cu from 35 to 40 feet and 5.0 0.11 0.18 345 350.0 5 ft @ 0.11% Cu from 345 to 350 feet and 5.0 0.11 0.12 620 625.0 5 ft @ 0.11% Cu from 620 to 625 feet and 5.0 0.11 0.13 895 900.0 5 ft @ 0.11% Cu from 895 to 900 feet MHB-34 Entire Hole 1963.0 0.09 0.13 0 1963.0 1963 ft @ 0.09% Cu from 0 to 1963 feet with 40 0.15 0.3 100 140 40 ft @ 0.15% Cu from 100 to 140 feet with 5 0.37 0.5 230 235 5 ft @ 0.37% Cu from 230 to 235 feet with 15 0.10 0.2 370 385 15 ft @ 0.1% Cu from 370 to 385 feet with 35 0.08 0.1 405 440 35 ft @ 0.08% Cu from 405 to 440 feet with 10 0.14 0.2 505 515 10 ft @ 0.14% Cu from 505 to 515 feet with 135 0.14 0.2 625 760 135 ft @ 0.14% Cu from 625 to 760 feet includes 10 0.40 0.5 665 675 10 ft @ 0.4% Cu from 665 to 675 feet 45 0.14 0.2 1075 1120 45 ft @ 0.14% Cu from 1075 to 1120 feet Significant Interval 500 0.21 0.2 1210 1710 500 ft @ 0.21% Cu from 1210 to 1710 feet includes 30 0.13 0.2 1210 1240 30 ft @ 0.13% Cu from 1210 to 1240 feet and 165 0.24 0.3 1280 1445 165 ft @ 0.24% Cu from 1280 to 1445 feet and 205 0.27 0.3 1505 1710 205 ft @ 0.27% Cu from 1505 to 1710 feet which includes 55 0.41 0.5 1505 1560 55 ft @ 0.41% Cu from 1505 to 1560 feet 30 0.07 0.1 1230 1260 30 ft @ 0.07% Cu from 1230 to 1260 feet MHB-35 Entire Hole 596.0 0.04 0.08 0 596.0 596 ft @ 0.04% Cu from 0 to 596 feet with 90 0.09 0.1 115 205 90 ft @ 0.09% Cu from 115 to 205 feet and 30 0.08 0.2 225 255 30 ft @ 0.08% Cu from 225 to 255 feet MHB-36 Assays Pending Table 1: Significant Copper Intervals for 2024 and 2025 Drilling. (*True widths are unknown.) *Copper Equivalent Calculation: Copper equivalent (CuEq) values were calculated by combining the assay values for copper and silver assay results for each intercept using an interval-weight calculation based on $4.475/lb Cu and $31.29/oz Ag. Majuba Hills critically important characteristics are as follows: Location: Nevada, USA a globally top-ranked mining jurisdiction, ranked #1 in the Fraser Institutes 2022 Annual Survey of Mining Companies. Project Size: 9,684 Acres Infrastructure: The Majuba Hill property is 113 road km (70 miles) southwest of Winnemucca, Nevada, and 251 km (156 miles) northeast of Reno. Access is by well-maintained county roads from the Imlay; Nevada exit on U.S. Interstate 80 and traveling westward 23 miles. People, Roads, Power and Water are the basic elements when considering infrastructure and Majuba Hill already has a solid infrastructure foundation for building a large facility which will provide significant savings compared to more remote projects History: Historical Producer Drilling: Approximately 89,395 feet of drilling to date. Rough replacement value of drilling USD $12.1 Million using current costs. Mineralization: The project shows indications of a potentially large Cu Ag +/- Au mineralized body with many features in common with both large porphyry copper, silver, and gold projects. Expandability: The IP survey, deep drilling, and step-out drilling indicate significant expansion potential, with mineralization open in all directions. Fully Financed: Secured funding for next phase of drilling at Majuba Hill Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Measures, Chain of Custody The Company utilizes a QA/QC program using best industry practices at the Majuba Hill Project. The samples are placed in cloth sample bags and are transported from the Giant Mining secure warehouse to the ALS Labs Sample Prep Facility in Elko, Nevada. ALS Labs then securely transports the prepared pulps to their analytical lab in North Vancouver, B.C. Drill core samples are sawn in half lengthwise and one half is placed in labeled cloth sample bags. All samples are analyzed for copper, gold, silver, and 33 other elements. Gold is determined by ALS Labs method Au-AA23 which is a fire assay with an AAS finish on a 30-gram split. Copper, silver, and the remaining 31 elements are determined by ALS Labs method ME-ICP61 which is a four-acid digestion and ICP-AES assay. Approximately 5% of the submitted samples are drill duplicates and copper-gold-porphyry commercial standard reference material pulps. The remaining pulps will be retrieved from ALS Labs. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by E.L. Buster Hunsaker III, CPG 8137, a non-independent consulting geologist who is a Qualified Person as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43- 101). About Giant Mining Corp. Giant Mining is focused on identifying, acquiring, and advancing late-stage copper and copper/silver/gold projects to meet the growing global demand for critical metals. This demand is driven by initiatives like the Green New Deal in the United States and similar climate-focused programs worldwide, which require substantial amounts of copper, silver, and gold for electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and the modernization of clean and affordable energy systems. The Companys flagship asset is the Majuba Hill Copper, Silver, and Gold District, located 156 miles (251 km) from Reno, Nevada. Majuba Hill is situated in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with supportive regulations and has the potential to become one of the next major copper deposits, critical for meeting the increasing need for this red metal. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. On Behalf of the Board of Giant Mining Corp. David Greenway David C. Greenway President & CEO For further information, please contact: E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. P: 1 (236) 788-0643 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS www.giantminingcorp.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forwardlooking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forwardlooking statements are based on the Companys current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forwardlooking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Highlights Antimony has been detected at highly anomalous levels in soil samples collected on the property by the Vendor. The Property comprises over 35 square Kilometers with excellent access and hydro power. New Brunswick is one of the most mining friendly provinces in Canada. Exploration is scheduled to commence immediately on the property. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - NSJ Gold Corp. (CSE: NSJ) (FSE: 9PZ) (the "Company" or "NSJ") announces it has entered into an option agreement with Edge Exploration Inc., to acquire 100% ownership of the Antimony 2.0 Property in New Brunswick, Canada. The property is located approximately 25 kilometers west of Fredericton, the Provincial Capital and approximately 15 km north-northeast of the historic Lake George Antimony Mine. The Lake George Antimony Mine operated for various periods from the 1860s to 1998 and produced as much as 4% of the world's demand of Antimony from 1970 through 1992. The Antimony 2.0 property has excellent access including provincial and logging roads and hydro power. The Antimony 2.0 Property NSJ's 35 sq km optioned Antimony 2.0 Property has exciting antimony discoveries by personnel of Edge Exploration Inc. ("Edge") which include three particularly robust antimony soil anomalies. These findings stem from a 395-sample reconnaissance soil survey and drone-conducted magnetic survey. Geology is the same package of interbedded Silurian greywacke and argillite that characterizes Lake George Antimony Mine approximately 15 km to the southwest. NSJ has planned an immediate work program to define productive antimony drill targets which will be tested this coming winter. The immediate program will include analysis of over 400 soil samples and 5 km of Induced Polarization ("IP") surveying at various dipole spacings. The soil samples to be analyzed were previously collected by Edge personnel to expand and refine the areas of antimony soil anomalies previously detected. The IP survey will be focused on the areas of anomalous soil values to detect areas of mineralization and to outline differences in resistivity which could indicate mineralizing conditions in the subsurface. Figure 1: The Antimony Property Mr. Jag Sandhu, CEO of NSJ, stated: "We are very excited to option this highly prospective Antimony project. New Brunswick has always been a great place for exploration and mining. The New Brunswick Government geological and mining staff are very helpful and have conducted regional and local surveys and investigations across the province to aid mineral exploration. We will be able to access some of this work to aid our exploration." Terms of the Option to earn 100%: To earn 50% by issuing 450,000 Shares to the Optionor and spending $250,000 in exploration expenditures as follows: 150,000 Shares on or before the first anniversary of the date of the Agreement and spend $100,000 in exploration expenditures; 300,000 Shares on or before the second anniversary of the date of the Agreement and spend a further $150,000 in exploration expenditures; and, To earn the remaining 50% by incurring Exploration Expenditures totalling $3,000,000 on the Property before the fifth anniversary from the date of the agreement and issue a further 2,000,000 shares. NSJ has also issued a 2% Net Smelter Returns ("NSR"). NSJ has the right at any time to purchase one-half of the Royalty (i.e. 1.0%) for a purchase price of $1,000,000. About Antimony Antimony is in high demand globally. It has been classified as a critical mineral. Antimony is a critical component for battery technology, advanced military systems, and other industrial applications. China announced Antimony export restrictions which took effect on Sept. 15, 2024 (source: Reuters, Aug. 28, 2024), and are expected to have significant implications for the global antimony supply chain. An extreme supply shortage since April has led to the sharpest price rally ever recorded in the antimony market since Fastmarkets started pricing the metal back in the early 1980s. Fastmarket-assessed Antimony metal prices in Rotterdam increased at their fastest rate in more than 40 years in the week to May 17, 2024 due to a severe supply squeeze after a month of continued extreme shortage of raw materials from China, Russia, and Southeast Asia. The technical contents of this news release were reviewed and approved by Jim Atkinson, MSc., P.Geo., who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About NSJ Gold Corp. NSJ is an exploration and development company focused exclusively on Antimony. The Company's management team possesses extensive experience in financing, exploration, development and mining. The Company is focused on becoming a significant North American producer of antimony. WWW.NSJGOLDCORP.COM On Behalf of the Board of Directors July 14, 2025 TheNewswire - Vancouver, British Columbia - Pampa Metals Corp. (Pampa Metals or the Company) (CSE: PM / FSE: FIRA / OTCQX: PMMCF) is pleased to advise that it has issued a total of 38,250,000 shares at a price of $0.16 per share under the upsized LIFE Offering detailed in a 14 July 2025 News Release, for gross proceeds of $6,120,000 (the Offering). Subject to completion of the previously announced acquisition of Rugby Resources Ltd. (Rugby) (refer news release dated April 22, 2025) the Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund exploration drilling at the Cobrasco copper porphyry discovery in Colombia, preparatory work for the upcoming field season at the Piuquenes copper-gold discovery in Argentina, and working capital and general corporate purposes, as more specifically described in the Amended Offering Document. Completion of the acquisition of Rugby is expected to occur shortly after the special meeting of Rugby shareholders to be held on 16 July 2025 to approve the Plan of Arrangement for its acquisition by Pampa Metals. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company paid aggregate finders fees of $179,950 and issued 1,388,756 finders warrants and 264,063 finders shares. Canaccord Genuity Corp. was the financial advisor to the Company in connection with the LIFE offering and will receive an advisory fee of $61,200, equal to 1% of the total gross proceeds raised pursuant to the LIFE offering. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. INVESTOR CONTACT Jordan Webster | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. ABOUT PAMPA METALS Pampa Metals is a copper-gold exploration company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), Frankfurt (FSE: FIR), and OTC (OTCQB: PMMCF) exchanges. In November 2023, the Company announced it had entered into an Option and Joint Venture Agreement for the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Piuquenes Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in San Juan Province, Argentina. In April of 2025 the Company announced an agreement to acquire 100% of Rugby Resources Ltd. and on closing will hold an 80% interest in the Cobrasco Project, located in Colombia. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV: SM) ("Sierra Madre" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Beacon Securities Limited ("Beacon") to act as lead agent and sole bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of agents to be formed (together with Beacon, the "Agents") in connection with a "best efforts" private placement of up to 14,290,000 units of the Company (each a "Unit") at a price of $0.70 per Unit (the "Issue Price") for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to $10,003,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit to be issued pursuant to Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), as amended and supplemented by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Unit Share"), and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant a "Warrant") of the Company. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one common share (a "Warrant Share") at a price per Warrant Share of $0.85 for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to expand the capacity of the Guitarra mine, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with NI 45-106, the Units will be offered for sale (i) to purchasers resident in Canada, other than Quebec, pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, and (ii) in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and applicable U.S. state securities laws. The securities issued under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption to Canadian subscribers will not be subject to a hold period in Canada. There is an offering document dated July 15, 2025 related to the Offering and the use by the Company of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.sierramadregoldandsilver.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the "United States" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Offering is expected to close on or about July 24, 2025, and is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Sierra Madre Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. is a precious metals development and exploration company focused on the Guitarra mine in the Temascaltepec mining district, Mexico, and the exploration and development of its Tepic property in Nayarit, Mexico. The Guitarra mine is a permitted underground mine, which includes a 500 t/d processing facility that operated until mid-2018 and restarted commercial production in January 2025. The +2,600 ha Tepic Project hosts low-sulphidation epithermal gold and silver mineralization with an existing historic resource. Sierra Madre's management team has played key roles in managing the exploration and development of silver and gold mineral reserves and mineral resources. Sierra Madre's team of professionals has collectively raised over $1 billion for mining companies. On behalf of the board of directors of Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., "Alexander Langer" Alexander Langer President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and statements that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing and completion of the Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering and the receipt of regulatory approvals for the Offering. Risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except as may be required in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice regarding forward-looking information and statements. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Southern Silver Exploration Corp. (TSXV: SSV) (the "Company" or "Southern Silver") reports that it has entered into an agreement with Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud"), as sole underwriter and bookrunner, pursuant to which Red Cloud has agreed to purchase for resale 29,629,630 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.27 per Unit (the "Offering Price") on a "bought deal" basis in a private placement for gross proceeds of approximately C$8,000,000 (the "Underwritten Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.40 at any time on or before that date which is 36 months after the Closing Date (as herein defined). The Company will grant to Red Cloud an option, exercisable up to 48 hours prior to the Closing Date, to purchase for resale up to an additional 7,407,408 Units at the Offering Price for additional gross proceeds of up to approximately C$2,000,000 (the "Over-Allotment Option"). The Underwritten Offering and the securities issuable upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option shall be collectively referred to as the "Offering". The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for the advancement of the Cerro Las Minitas project located in the state of Durango, Mexico as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes, as is more fully described in the Offering Document (as defined herein). Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units under the Offering will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario (and, with the consent of the Company, in Quebec) pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The Common Shares and the Warrant Shares underlying the Units are expected to be immediately freely tradeable in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation if sold to purchasers' resident in Canada. The Units may also be sold in offshore jurisdictions and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"). All securities not issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities law, expiring four months and one day following the Closing Date. There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at: www.southernsilverexploration.com. Prospective investors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision. The Offering is scheduled to close on or about July 29, 2025 or such other date as the Company and Red Cloud may agree (the "Closing Date"). Completion of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities referred to in this news release have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. About Southern Silver Exploration Corp. Southern Silver Exploration Corp. is an exploration and development company with a focus on the discovery of world-class mineral deposits either directly or through joint-venture relationships in mineral properties in major jurisdictions. Our specific emphasis is the 100% owned Cerro Las Minitas silver-lead-zinc project located in the heart of Mexico's Faja de Plata, which hosts multiple world-class mineral deposits such as Penasquito, Los Gatos, San Martin, Naica and Pitarrilla. We have assembled a team of highly experienced technical, operational and transactional professionals to support our exploration efforts in developing the Cerro Las Minitas project into a premier, high-grade, silver-lead-zinc mine. Located in the same State as the Cerro Las Minitas property is the newly acquired Nazas property. Our property portfolio also includes the Oro porphyry copper-gold project and the Hermanas gold-silver vein project where permitting applications for the conduct of a drill program is underway, both located in southern New Mexico, USA. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Lawrence Page" Lawrence Page, K.C. President & Director, Southern Silver Exploration Corp. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Offering, the anticipated closing date of the Offering, the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, approval of the TSXV and the filing of the Offering Document. These statements are based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, interest rates, commodity markets, regulatory and governmental approvals for the Company's projects, and the availability of financing for the Company's development projects on reasonable terms. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Why me, if I was a doctor, a social leader, a person who provided a service to a community that pleaded for my release, since I was the only one there performing ultrasound scans? The question asked by Guillermo Leon Molina, a surgeon who ran the Supia hospital when he was kidnapped in 1998 by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), reverberated through the auditorium of the Eafit University in Medellin, in Central Colombia. Minutes later, Ovidio Mesa - known as Anderson in the rebel group - took responsibility for the crime. You were kidnapped under my command, he said, explaining that Molina had been kidnapped because of what he called crappy information about his supposed economic solvency. He admitted that they had still charged his family a ransom and that, upon receiving the payment and releasing him after four months in captivity, they had then abducted his 16-year-old daughter Lina Maria in order to charge them again. A minor kidnapped, overseen for by armed men, as an object of merchandise in exchange for money, he said. It weighs on me that as a commander I never considered the human dimension. Martin Cruz Vega, Rubin Morro as a FARC member, then told Molina that he knew the town of Supia well. I know the poverty it embodies, what a bus ticket to Pereira or Manizales costs. It was, as don Guillermo Leon says, a social damage of the greatest human repercussion, he said, rattling off the list of irreparable damages caused to the Molina family: the deception that resulted in a second kidnapping lasting two more months, their forced displacement, the suspension of his medical practice, the impotence of a community left without basic healthcare that they paid for even with mangoes and chickens. We took out our anger on our own neighbours, he admitted. This exchange illustrates a new aspect of the kidnapping investigation that has been progressing for five years in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), the judicial arm of Colombias transitional justice stemming from its 2016 peace agreement, but is not yet visible to most Colombians. Three years ago, when dozens of kidnapping victims came face to face -and in public- for the first time with former FARC leaders, the latter acknowledged their savageness and levels of inhumanity. But although they were the ones who had approved and enforced what one indictee called the damned policy of kidnapping, they were often unable to answer specific questions from their victims, such as what stories a father told about his child or where to find a relative they never released. Now, as it is the turn of commanders of regional guerrilla structures - also indicted as having been most responsible of these crimes - to face their victims as part of the judicial process, their answers come closer to the suffering and experiences of those they kidnapped or their relatives. After all, they are the ones who gave concrete orders to abduct someone, who held them captive in their units or gave instructions over the radio about the fate that awaited them. There are still many unanswered questions, but this proximity is allowing for dialogues that victims thought impossible until just a few years ago. Forty years too late One by one, seven top commanders of the FARCs north-western bloc, which operated in the rugged mountains of western and central Andes, owned up to their role in a what the JEP termed a war crimes and crimes against humanity. In front of a hundred victims, first in the mountainous village of Caicedo and then in Medellin, they admitted to kidnappings to finance war, force the government to release imprisoned rebels, and assert territorial control. In other words, the three criminal FARC policies identified by presiding Justice Julieta Lemaitre and her team in the macro-case dealing with kidnappings, one of the most emblematic crimes committed during an armed conflict which last over half a century. I am guilty of having implemented these policies. I acknowledge all the damage caused to those we kidnapped: the mistreatment, the bad food, the truncated life projects, the many disappeared people who never returned to their homes. How many children were left waiting for their fathers or fathers waiting for their children, how many mothers who had to play the role of father and mother in order to carry their families, said Rodolfo Restrepo, who was a rebel fighter for four decades under the nom de guerre Victor Tirado. Through both prepared speeches and spontaneous answers, the seven indictees responded to the concerns and petitions of 15 victims. Some did so in a rather mechanical way, as if filling out a checklist of legal obligations: we committed crimes that cannot be amnestied, these were acts of the utmost gravity, I want to be emphatic in acknowledging my responsibility by line of command. Others, like Restrepo, did so looking at their victims in the eyes, owning up to such cruel truths as we took many poor people, tortured them, made them and their families suffer, only to find out that they had nothing to pay, meaning we either had to disappear or release them. They spoke truths that are obvious to Colombians, but difficult for former FARC members to voice, such as that these crimes made them lose any legitimacy. As Cruz Vega would say, I reached this civility 40 years too late. Such public hearings are still an unusual scene in Colombia. It is only the fourth time that former FARC leaders or members publicly address their victims to acknowledge their responsibility for at least 21,396 kidnappings committed between 1990 and 2015. Owning up to their crimes is one of the fundamental conditions - along with providing truth and redressing their victims - to receive a more lenient 5-to-8-year sentence in a non-prison setting, rather than a jail term of up to 20 years. The first public hearing took place three years ago in Bogota, when Rodrigo Londono or Timochenko - the last FARC commander-in-chief - said that I feel disgust of our actions. He was followed by ten former commanders of the Central Joint Command in Ibague in May 2024 and seven commanders of the Western Bloc in Cali last November. Four more FARC regional structures have yet to do so. A wound that I carry in my soul and does not heal With a mixture of emotion and dignity, the fifteen victims were able to put into words the deepest fears and traumas left by their kidnapping. Luis Honorio Pacheco, a soldier who was held captive for three years, said that not all the letters sent by his relatives were delivered to him and that, two decades later, he still dreams that the FARC are going to kill him. Police officer Maximo Quiroz said that they slept tied up next to minefields, and used the expression concentration camp to talk about the physical spaces of captivity that the ex-FARC call care commissions. Indigenous leader Dario Arias Domico told how rebels accused his father Solangel, governor of the Embera Katio reservation of Alto Sinu, of being a paramilitary collaborator before torturing and murdering him. Ironically, the paramilitaries had also accused him in their case of collaborating with the guerrillas and a year earlier had murdered his brother-in-law, Kimy Pernia. Nicolas Humberto Duque said that his wife had to negotiate me as one would do for a bag of potatoes, not for the father of our one and three-year-olds. Beatriz Carmona recounted the triple tragedy that struck her family in July 1996, when the FARC kidnapped Reinaldo, Daniel and Albeiro Correa, three brothers who worked in a civil construction company in Mutata. The eldest was 22 years old and the youngest, her partner, had just turned 18. The three men, who were dating three cousins, were weeks away from seeing their children born almost at the same time. Daniel had sown the cloth nappies they would use. I want to ask you with all the strength of my grief to clarify the location of the place where their bodies were left, pleaded Beatriz, who has only learned this year that they had been murdered on the day of their abduction. These pains were all so intense, often private and, so far, little acknowledged by their perpetrators. In the words of policeman Maximo, in my family we never discuss my kidnapping: its, as Diomedes Diaz sang, a wound that I carry in my soul and does not heal. Beatriz Carmona tells of the kidnapping and murder of the three Correa brothers during the public hearing in Caicedo. Photo: JEP Fragmentary truths that emerge As the case has moved down from the FARC national leaderships 2021 indictment and 2022 public hearing to charges against its regional commanders, what it has lost in media visibility, it has gained in closeness to the experience of victims at the local level. Cruz Vega asked to speak in order to acknowledge that he ordered the kidnapping of truck drivers like Luis Eduardo Florez to force them to carry armed rebels and weapons in their lorries. I acknowledge today that we forced them to do forced labour against their will and that this should have not happened. This brought them stigmatisation, because people started saying that they were collaborators of the guerrilla. I own up to the fact that I ordered it, he said. There were Mea Culpas about kidnappings whose direct victims were not present, such as the famous case of police corporal Jose Norberto Perez. The FARC held him hostage despite public pleas for clemency made by Andres Felipe, his 12-year-old son who suffered from terminal cancer. He died without any response to his pleas and, three months later, the FARC murdered his father. At the beginning of the hearing, several former rebel leaders justified themselves by saying that they had raised his case with their superiors but that Ivan Marquez - the rebels chief negotiator in Havana who ended up abandoning the peace deal and taking up arms again - ordered not to release him. With more self-criticism, Jesus Mario Arenas also known as Marcos Urbano - acknowledged that we did not make a great effort to insist that he could leave, we carry that on us. After a pause, he added: those immovable beliefs in war are what lead to tragedies. The setting of the first day of the hearing was highly symbolic. Not only was it the first hearing held in a small municipality ravaged by war and now known for its culture of non-violence, but it was where the FARC kidnapped state governor Guillermo Gaviria and his peace advisor, former defence minister Gilberto Echeverri, in 2002. The two men had come to the small bridge at the entrance of town as part of a peaceful march demanding that guerrillas allow peasants to use the road connecting the town with the rest of the country to sell their speciality coffee. After a year in captivity, the FARC killed them both along with eight soldiers. The mark of sexual violence haunts us In these regional hearings, local commanders are acknowledging behaviours they had previously minimised. First theyre admitting to torture and cruel treatment of abductees and the suffering of their families. More recently, including in the Caicedo coliseum with the painted faces of Gaviria and Echeverri as a backdrop, theyre starting to admit unequivocally that many victims suffered sexual violence in captivity. Rolando Chica recounted the guerrilla takeover of the rural hamlet in Puerto Libertador where he was a policeman in 2006 and how it meant, in his words, the destruction of my life. Look at all the pain Ive had to live through, he told them, before telling them, in a cracked voice, that he was raped on several occasions, only to be stigmatised for it in the public institution where he worked and from which he was removed without further explanation. Angela Damaris Diaz recounted a 24-hour ordeal in which she was raped by at least three men, simply because she had mothered a child with a policeman in her village of Argelia. I kept silent for more than 20 years. I didnt want anyone to know, I was too ashamed. I spent those 20 years in solitude, overprotecting my daughter so that what happened to me wouldnt happen to her, she told them. Although many former FARC members continue to insist that sexual violence was forbidden in the guerrilla and that those who committed it were executed, today they admit more clearly that it did happen. For me, its difficult to accept rape because I joined the rebels in search of an ideal, but the war transformed us. I am ashamed that our men, militiamen or guerrillas, committed this in Argelia, a village where we had total control, Jesus Mario Arenas told her. That mark haunts us. Nicolas Duque recounts his kidnapping by the FARC when his children were one and three years old. Photo: JEP We let you off quite quickly Despite such breakthroughs, there were also moments when the indictees did not seem to understand the magnitude of the suffering they had caused. With the gestures of an orator, almost as if he had been preparing this moment all his life, prosecutor Milton Rodriguez recounted how he was kidnapped while driving to the town of Canasgordas to investigate a feminicide. He was chosen at random at an illegal checkpoint, what the FARC called miraculous fishing expeditions, but when they realised he was a public official, they decided to keep him to force a swap. He was held captive for a month and lived for years in fear because of his decision, out of personal ethics, not to comply with the order to take a message to the media. This fear led him not to take up a position he won in a public competition, because he feared he would be assigned to a town under rebel control. I want you to acknowledge that my kidnapping took place because I was a prosecutor and a public servant, that you affected the administration of justice in that territory, that you stole the computer with the case I was handling, he told them, stressing that he was a humble professional who had worked hard to graduate from university. Visibly upset, he also denied a version maintained by one of the accused, according to which he had been kidnapped because of a decision he had taken as a judge in Uraba to release a group of rebels who were later killed by the paramilitaries. Yoverman Sanchez, formerly Manteco, began by owning up to his role in Miltons kidnapping. I am the main responsible for your kidnapping, because it was carried out by my number two. I acknowledge that we put an end to your peace of mind, that we affected your professional career and damaged your family life, he said. But he then added that he cannot acknowledge that prosecutor Rodriguez had been declared a military target, even though he could imagine his fear. After a surreal soliloquy about how justice operators in Colombia re-victimise many victims and a counter-question from justice Marcela Giraldo about their victims denial of having ever been a judge, Sanchez said it was not true. But Milton, you did work in Turbo [a town in the Uraba region] in 1997, he barked at him, leaving the false accusation up in the air. He then told him: we let you off quite quickly, as if the suffering of a kidnapping victim could only be measured in years and not in months. A chess set and a wooden box In the midst of so much pain, there was also room for catharsis. Sergeant Heriberto Aranguren recounted how he was locked up with four other soldiers for two years in what he described as a wooden box measuring three square metres. A space so cramped, he explained, that it created very difficult conditions of hygiene and of coexistence, until all his fellow captives were released and he was not because of his rank. His intimate strategy of resilience at that time, but also later on when he was taken to the group of state governor Gaviria and former minister Echeverri, was to carve chess sets. He created more than a hundred. One of them, its shiny brown pieces made of chonta wood, was there in the space between him and the seven indictees he was addressing, autographed by his murdered kidnapping companions. That day when I was left alone, I kept asking, why, my God, why? It wasnt why, but rather what for. And that reason is to be here today telling all of you what happened to me. Doctors Without Borders on Tuesday said three of its staff were "intentionally" killed in 2021 during fierce fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region, accusing the government of failing to "fulfil its moral obligations" to conclude investigations. The northern region of Tigray erupted in a brutal civil war against the federal government from 2020 and 2022 that cost some 600,000 lives. The conflict prompted a humanitarian disaster, leaving one million displaced, and a fragile peace deal has caused simmering resentment. Maria Hernandez, a 35-year-old Spanish national, was one of MSF's emergency coordinators in Tigray. Ethiopians Yohannes Halefom Reda and Tedros Gebremariam Gebremichael, both 31, were a coordination assistant and driver for the NGO. All three employees of MSF-Spain were shot dead on June 24, 2021, in southern Tigray. The NGO said they and their vehicle were all clearly identified. "The review confirmed that the attack was an intentional and targeted killing of three clearly identified aid workers," reads MSF's statement. According to the medical charity a convoy of Ethiopian soldiers was present at the time of the attack. MSF said despite numerous follow-ups with the federal authorities in Addis Ababa they had not received "any credible answers" and the government had "failed to fulfil its moral obligations to conclude an investigation into the attack". The report follows from an international investigation in 2022 when the NGO said the three aid workers had been killed "intentionally," without providing further details. The New York Times claimed in a 2022 investigation that an Ethiopian colonel had given the order to kill the three aid workers. But Raquel Ayora, director general of MSF-Spain said on Tuesday "We cannot confirm that or go that far". The report's findings were presented to authorities, who did not respond, the NGO said. The army and federal authorities have also not responded to AFP's inquiries. The 2020-2022 war pitted federal forces, supported by local militias and the Eritrean army, against Tigrayan rebels. Ethiopian authorities refused to meet with the president of MSF-Spain to discuss the NGO's investigation into the killings. They were also barred from entering Tigray, which at the time was still engulfed by conflict. All of the warring parties have been accused of war crimes. However, NGO The Sentry said in June while all sides perpetrated war crimes the nature of the atrocities committed by the Eritrean army were "unmatched in scale and premeditation". Ethiopia, the continent's second most populous country with approximately 130 million inhabitants, has been led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed since 2018. Federal forces are also accused of abuses in the country's two most populous regions, Amhara and Oromia, which are in the grip of armed insurgencies. A Pakistan court ordered a government probe on Tuesday into allegations that young people are being entrapped in online blasphemy cases, following appeals from hundreds of families. There has been a spike in cases of mostly young men being arrested for committing blasphemy in WhatsApp groups since 2022. Rights groups and police have said that many are brought to trial by private law firms, who use volunteers to scour the internet for offenders. "The government will constitute a commission within a 30-day timeframe," said Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan at Islamabad High Court, adding that the commission is required to submit its findings within four months. Blasphemy is an incendiary charge in Muslim-majority Pakistan punishable by death, and even unsubstantiated accusations can incite public outrage, lead to lynchings and to families being shunned by society. A report published by the government-run National Commission for Human Rights in October last year said there were 767 people, mostly young men, in jail awaiting trial over blasphemy allegations. "This is a huge ray of hope and it's the first time that the families have felt heard," said lawyer Imaan Mazari, who represents the families of arrested men and women, of the court order. "Youngsters have been falsely roped into cases of such a sensitive nature that the stigma will last forever even if they are acquitted," she added. A 2024 report by Punjab police into the sudden spike in cases, that was leaked to the media, found that "a suspicious gang was trapping youth in blasphemy cases" and may be motivated by financial gain. The Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan (LCBP) is the most active of lawyers groups prosecuting young men in Pakistan. Sheraz Ahmad Farooqi, one of the group's leaders, told AFP in October that "God has chosen them for this noble cause". In recent years, several youngsters have been convicted and handed death sentences, although no execution has ever been carried out for blasphemy in Pakistan. "We will fully support the probe commission and are confident that our voices will finally be listened to, our concerns will be heard, and the truth will come out," the relative of one of the accused, who asked not to be named because of the backlash, told AFP. The UN warned Tuesday that mass displacement in the West Bank had hit levels not seen since the start of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territory nearly 60 years ago. The United Nations said an Israeli military operation launched in the north of the occupied territory in January had displaced tens of thousands of people, raising concerns about possible "ethnic cleansing". The military operation "has been the longest since ... the second Intifada", in the early 2000s, said Juliette Touma, spokeswoman for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. "It is impacting several refugee camps in the area, and it is causing the largest population displacement of the Palestinians in the West Bank since 1967," she told reporters in Geneva via video from Jordan, referring to the six-day Arab-Israeli war that led to Israel's occupation of the West Bank. The UN rights office meanwhile warned that mass forced displacement by an occupation force could amount to "ethnic cleansing". Since Israel's military launched its operation "Iron Wall" in the north of the West Bank in January, rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan said that "about 30,000 Palestinians remain forcibly displaced". Israeli security forces had during the same period issued demolition orders for about 1,400 homes in the northern West Bank, he said, describing the figures as "alarming". He pointed out that Israeli demolitions had displaced 2,907 Palestinians across the West Bank since October 2023. Another 2,400 Palestinians -- nearly half of them children -- had been displaced as a result of Israeli settler actions, he added, lamenting that the combined result was the "emptying large parts of the West Bank of Palestinians". "Permanently displacing the civilian population within occupied territory amounts to unlawful transfer," Kheetan said, stressing that depending on the circumstances this could be "tantamount to ethnic cleansing" and could "amount to a crime against humanity". Kheetan said 757 attacks by Israeli settlers had been recorded in the West Bank during the first half of the year, a 13 percent increase on the same period in 2024. The attacks injured 96 Palestinians in the occupied territory in June alone, he told reporters, stressing that this was the highest monthly injury toll of Palestinians from settler attacks, "in over two decades". Violence in the West Bank has surged since the October 2023 attack on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas triggered war in the Gaza Strip. Since then, at least 964 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to the UN. During that same period, 53 Israelis have been killed in reported attacks by Palestinians or in armed clashes -- 35 of them in the West Bank and 18 in Israel. Monday, July 14, 2025 - Makindu law enforcement officers have cracked a motor vehicle theft case, arresting 38-year-old Musyoka Mutava, the key suspect behind a highway ambush that left one motorist injured and his vehicle missing. The victim, driving a silver Subaru Trezia from Mombasa to Malaba, picked up two hitchhikers in Mariakani. But as they reached Kiunduani Market, one passenger claimed to be alighting. The moment the driver slowed down, chaos erupted; two assailants stormed from a nearby thicket, struck the driver with a blunt object, and vanished with the car and his bag of belongings. The driver was treated at Makindu Sub County Hospital and discharged in stable condition. Through forensic leads and tactical pursuit, officers trailed the stolen vehicle to Ukia in Makueni Sub-County, recovering it and apprehending Mutava. However, his accomplices managed to flee the scene but left behind crucial leads. During the operation, authorities seized a getaway motorcycle, two sets of number plates KDH 486F (previously reported stolen from a parked motor vehicle) and KDN 192W, along with a pair of screwdrivers. The suspect is cooling his heels in custody pending arraignment, as detectives widen the dragnet to reel in the rest of the crew behind this highway heist. Monday, July 14, 2025 - New revelations have thrown a dramatic twist into the ongoing saga surrounding the death of blogger Albert, who died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody. According to vocal blogger Aoko Otieno, Mzee Ojwang, long believed to be Alberts father, is not his biological parent. Aoko claims that Mzee Ojwang married Mama Ojwang after she had already given birth to Albert. The identity of Albert's real father remains undisclosed. These revelations come amid public outrage over a secret night meeting reportedly held between Mzee Ojwang and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga. Sources indicate that the primary agenda of the meeting was to pave way for the reinstatement of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat, who had stepped aside following allegations linking him to Alberts death. DIG Lagat was accused of playing a role, either directly or through negligence, in the police assault that led to the bloggers death. His temporary exit was seen as a necessary step pending investigations. However, his quiet return to office has sparked widespread criticism and renewed questions about transparency, justice, and accountability within Kenyas law enforcement system. Monday, July 14, 2025 - Kenyans were left stunned over the weekend after the arrest of Tim Orao Shikalo, a man believed to be a central figure in a high-level gold scam that defrauded a foreign investor of USD 265,200 (approximately KES 38 million). DCI officers finally nabbed Shikalo, who had been on the run, marking a major breakthrough in the ongoing investigation. His arrest follows the December 2024 apprehension of Steve Okoth Odek, alias David Bett, who has already been charged over the same fraud involving fake contracts for over 1,080 kilograms of non-existent gold. What shocked many, however, was the revelation that Shikalo was an active church youth leader. A video of him passionately preaching to the youth has surfaced online, sparking outrage. Netizens are reacting with disbelief, calling it a classic case of a wolf in sheeps clothing. Some lamented that the church is no longer a safe space, as criminals now use religion as a front to gain trust and exploit victims. As the investigation continues, the scandal has reignited public concerns about growing cases of fraudsters infiltrating trusted institutions to execute elaborate cons. Watch the video of the fraudster preaching. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, July 14, 2025 - A 32-year-old woman from Likoni has tragically died after some unknown men did the unthinkable to her. The victim was brought to the facility in critical condition by unidentified individuals who left before staff could identify them. Despite efforts by medical personnel to save her life, she succumbed to the severe injuries sustained during the horrific attack. Police in Likoni have launched investigations, though no arrests have been made so far. The circumstances surrounding the brutal assault remain unclear, but human rights groups are calling for a full and transparent probe into what they describe as a systemic failure to protect women in Kenya. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, July 14, 2025 - A Kenyan man has set social media abuzz after publicly sharing screenshots of his WhatsApp conversations with a lady he has been trying to charm into marriage, only to be met with subtle rejection. The chats show the man making heartfelt attempts to express his intentions, plan dates, and even hint at settling down, but the lady informs him that she is not ready to date or settle down. The man, seemingly undeterred, keeps pushing his affection. But to the dismay of many online, she remains emotionally unavailable throughout the entire exchange. See the WhatsApp conversation between the two. Monday, July 14, 2025 - A team of detectives from the operation support unit (OSU) have arrested Tim Orao Shikalo, alias Tim Dafina, a key suspect who has long been on the police radar for his role in a sophisticated gold scam that defrauded a foreign investor of USD 265,200 (approximately KES 38 million). The scam involved fake gold purchase contracts totaling over 1,080 kilograms, with false promises of secure delivery, guaranteed collateral, and fraudulent legal facilitation. Investigations have since revealed that the purported gold was nothing more than a mixture of copper, zinc, and tin, with no trace of any precious metals. Dafina has been masquerading as a serial entrepreneur and a motivational speaker. The suspected gold fraudster has been attending interviews on major TV stations sharply dressed and talking big to lure unsuspecting foreign investors. See photos. The Kenyan DAILY POST AN Coimisiun Toghchain - Irelands independent electoral commission and Electric Picnic have announced their partnership for this years festival to remind young voters to use their voice at the ballot box and to raise awareness of the upcoming Presidential election to be held this autumn. An Coimisiuns National Election and Democracy Study (NEDS) of the 2024 General Election found that the 18 to 34 year-olds surveyed made up the biggest cohort of eligible voters (68%) who werent registered to vote and therefore did not have their say in the most recent election. Electric Picnic is the most popular event with this age group and so presents an opportunity for An Coimisiun to engage and encourage them to register. MindField is the home of tough questions, inspiring answers, heated debate, provocative ideas, compelling podcasts and magnificent speeches at Electric Picnic, so this is where Picnickers can find An Coimisiuns team, who will be running mock elections, voting competitions, and encouraging festival goers to get registered at www.CheckTheRegister.ie With 80,000 people attending the three-day festival just ahead of the commencement of the Presidential campaign, this is an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with younger, potential voters who may not yet be registered and may have questions around the importance of voting. Electric Picnic Festival Director and CEO of Festival Republic Melvin Benn said: Democracy is about involvement, its about being heard and its about community, all things which resonate deeply with Electric Picnic and so we are proud to kick off this partnership with An Coimisiun Toghchain. Chief Executive of An Coimisiun Toghchain Art OLeary said: Our evidence suggests that people under 35 remain such an elusive audience for us. We need to do much more to encourage young people to register and to get out and vote. Many of the latest generation of would-be voters will lose their voices singing along over Electric Picnic weekend, but its so important that they dont lose their voice as we go to the polls to choose who will succeed Michael D. Higgins as our next President. We want people to play a full part on the Main Stage in October, not just to sit through the encore. Our objective is to engage, educate, and raise awareness about democracy to do that we have to meet people where they hang out. A 30 per cent tariff on trade with the US would have significant impacts on the Irish economy including job losses, Ministers will be told on Tuesday. Tanaiste Simon Harris, who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, will issue the warning at a Cabinet meeting, as the European Union tries to avoid an all-out trade war with the US. US president Donald Trump upended negotiations over the weekend by demanding a deal by August 1st or face a 30 per cent tariff on goods coming to the US from the EU. That scenario, according to EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic, would make it almost impossible to continue current transatlantic trade, which is worth 4.4 billion a day. At Tuesdays Cabinet meeting, Mr Harris is expected to tell Ministers that Irelands focus over the next two-and-a-half weeks is on negotiations to reach a deal to avoid the imposition of higher tariffs that could precipitate a full-blown trade war between the EU and US. He will tell colleagues that this scenario would see a significant impact on the economy, including devastating job losses. Mr Harris will warn that the possibility of the EU imposing a revised list of counter tariffs, amounting to 72 billion, against the US if talks fail would cause pain on both sides. The coming weeks must, therefore, be used for a negotiated settlement to avoid such a scenario, Mr Harris will say. The Tanaiste will also update Ministers on plans to engage with the pharmaceutical industry this week. Speaking on Monday evening, Mr Harris said there was a need to de-escalate the situation through a framework deal that would provide certainty for businesses and protect jobs and investment. The Minister for Foreign Affairs made the comments following a meeting with US ambassador to Ireland Ed Walsh. Speaking at Government Buildings, Mr Harris said: The message I relayed to the US ambassador is a consistent one and a very straightforward one: we in Ireland, we in Europe, want a deal. We want a trade deal that is good for Ireland, good for Europe, good for the United States of America, and I believe there is a clear landing zone in relation to that. Mr Harris said: I believe there was a landing zone very nearly there last week, and its regrettable that that wasnt arrived at. However, he said he remained confident that a deal can happen in the days ahead. The European Commission is due to publish an expanded list of counter-tariffs that would be implemented if an agreement is not reached. He said the optimal position would be to get to a deal where we can rip up that list and never need to see it implemented. A countermeasure list is an important step of saying to President Trump: Hang on, we want a deal here, we want a way forward, but if there isnt a deal Europe also has options at its disposal. The Tanaiste said the Government will also analyse the list and engage with the Commission over any areas of concern for Ireland that arise. Mr Harriss discussion with Mr Walsh also touched on the issue of the pharmaceutical sector where there is an ongoing section 232 investigation being carried out by the US administration. The Tanaiste said the pharma sector remains an area of significant concern for Ireland. Europe must remain calm, must remain united our strength is in being united, 460 million of us and must of course prepare for all scenarios. Additional reporting: Press Association 40 startups at KIT every year: The RAZO startup, for example, connects electric cars, batteries, and heat pumps to optimize the use of renewable energies. (Photo: Sandra Gottisheim, KIT) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is part of the new NXTGN Startup Factory a government-funded platform for technology-driven startups. As the partner with the most successful startup track record of the initiative, KIT seeks to trigger a new wave of startups together with universities and companies from Baden-Wurttemberg. The aim is to translate research results into marketable products more quickly and to create more than 10,000 new jobs by 2030. The government and industry support the Startup Factory with up to EUR 20 million. With the NXTGN Startup Factory, we are writing a new chapter in the history of innovation in our state. Baden-Wurttemberg does not think about future technologies on a small scale, but systemically. We combine cutting-edge research, courageous founders, and responsible companies to ensure sustainable prosperity and quality of life for future generations, says Baden-Wurttembergs Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann. KIT as a Catalyst for High-Tech Startups KIT is the partner with the most successful startup track record and wants to share its experience in supporting startups. It is involved in more than 40 spin-offs every year, currently holds 13 stakes in companies founded out of KIT that develop or offer technological products or services, and has a strong network of research partners, companies, and investors, making it one of the leading startup universities in Germany. Since 2013, the KIT Founders Forge has supported more than 400 founding teams especially in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, medical technology, environmental technology, energy transition, and sustainable mobility. More Innovation for Industry and Society The NXTGN Startup Factory aims to help set up more than 300 deep-tech startups in five years in other words, young companies based on groundbreaking scientific or technological innovations. In addition, at least 1,000 collaborations with SMEs are planned. Physical hubs and digital offerings will promote talent, accelerate the founding process, and facilitate the transfer of research results into practice. Strong Alliance for the Center of Innovation Startups are central drivers of innovation, transfer, and economic dynamics in Baden-Wurttemberg. The success of NXTGN in the lighthouse competition is impressive proof of how closely and effectively our universities, companies, and the startup community work together, says Petra Olschowski, Baden-Wurttemberg Minister for Science, Research, and the Arts. By linking the Startup Factory with the INSPIRE BW Hubs, were creating a strong nationwide ecosystem that promotes talent, accelerates startups, and makes Baden-Wurttemberg a center of innovation for the future. NXTGN allows us to generate economic value from scientific excellence. Especially the close interaction with industrial SMEs makes this model so promising. This turns the NXTGN Startup Factory into an important cornerstone of the innovation and founding culture in Baden-Wurttemberg, which we have systematically developed since 2017 under the umbrella of the Startup BW state campaign, says Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Baden-Wurttemberg Minister of Economic Affairs. KIT Focuses on Deep Tech and SMEs The NXTGN Startup Factory is a lighthouse project for KIT and Germany as a center of innovation. A joint platform, which brings together deep-tech spinoffs from research with SMEs, is fully in line with our transfer philosophy of building a bridge between knowledge and application through innovation, says Thomas Hirth, Vice President Transfer and International Affairs at KIT. NXTGN Startup Factory The NXTGN consortium consists of KIT, the University of Stuttgart, the University of Heidelberg, the University of Ulm, Stuttgart Media University (HdM), as well as NXTGN Management GmbH, IPAI (Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence), and Campus Founders. (mex) More Information (in German) Being The Research University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 72F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Weather Alert ...EXTREME HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 110. * WHERE...Portions of southwest Illinois and central, east central, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The long duration of this event is likely to worsen heat related impacts, and additional extensions may be needed beyond Thursday as forecast confidence increases. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. People in the Saint Louis Metropolitan Area can get information about cooling centers or energy assistance related to the excessive heat by calling the United Way of Greater Saint Louis at 800-427-4626, or if calling from a land line phone dial 2-1-1. You can also call Cool Down Saint Louis at 314-241-7668. && We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Rescue workers transport residents away from Hunt, Texas, at 6:38 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 2025, after floodwaters from the Guadalupe River devastated their town. CenterPoint Energy is monitoring a tropical disturbance in the Northeast Gulf and ready to activate its summer storm readiness plan, if needed Olivia Kelleher A major player on the drugs scene in North Cork who continued to deal drugs even after he was caught with 44,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis at his home has been jailed for seven and a half years. Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that Christopher Lane (32) of Dromscarra, Kiskeam, Co Cork, told gardai that he was relieved to be caught as he needed to face up to his addiction issues. During his Garda interviews, he stated that he had a drugs debt of 50,000. He was found to be in possession of drugs for sale and supply on three occasions. Detective Garda David Barrett said that the largest drugs seizure occurred on November 11th, 2022, at the former home of Mr Lane in Curracraigue, Banteer, Co Cork. The property was searched by the drugs unit on foot of a warrant. On that occasion, they found Mr Lane sitting at the table in the kitchen organising packages of cannabis for the purpose of sale and supply. Gardai seized cannabis herb with a street value of 28,000, 13,000 of cannabis resin, cocaine to the value of close to 3,000 and over 3,000 worth of cash. Officers also noted the presence of drugs paraphernalia, including weighing scales, bags and a phone which was found to contain texts about drug dealing. Mr Lane was arrested for the second time on June 16th, 2023, in the same property in Banteer after he was caught with a smaller amount of drugs for sale and supply. Over 7000 in cash was also recovered. He was on bail when this offence occurred. Mr Lane was arrested for a third time on January 30th last at his home in Kiskeam. Cocaine and cannabis were again recovered. He was on High Court bail at the time of this offence. Defence counsel Jane Hyland, SC, said that Mr Lane has always engaged well with the probation service. She stressed that he never sought to minimise his actions and admitted that he felt powerless in the face of his addiction. Ms Hyland said that the loved ones of Mr Lane had been concerned about the extent of his addiction. She added that her client was ashamed of his actions. Judge Helen Boyle said that Mr Lane was a significant figure in the drugs trade in North Cork. You were a major player on the drugs scene in North Cork, also supplying it to drug dealers, so you were involved in the wholesale as well as supplying to drug users. "You were engaged at a relatively high level, supplying drugs in North Cork and beyond. Unfortunately, despite your first arrest, you continued to deal drugs. Judge Boyle noted the presence of signed guilty pleas, which she said saved the State the cost of a trial. She also said that she was cognisant of the addiction issues faced by the accused. Judge Boyle told Mr Lane that Ms Hyland had made her aware of his work in the construction industry. You are capable of earning a living in a legitimate way. You are regretful. She opted to depart from the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years' jailing Mr Lane for eight and a half years before suspending the final year of the sentence. The sentence was backdated to February of this year when the accused first entered custody. Mr Lane was without previous drug convictions. By Will Durrant, PA Political Staff The British parliaments rules watchdog has three-and-a-half months to decide whether to release a secret transcript, amid efforts to establish whether the 1998 Omagh bombing could have been prevented. Omagh Bombing Inquiry solicitor Tim Suter has asked for information about an allegation that police investigators into previous attacks in Moira, Portadown, Banbridge and Lisburn did not have access to intelligence materials which may have reasonably enabled them to disrupt the activities of dissident republican terrorists in the Co Tyrone town. The allegation is thought to have been made during a private session of the Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee almost 16 years ago, on November 11th, 2009. Conservative MP Simon Hoare warned there was no wriggle room in the UK parliaments rules to hand over the information to the inquiry without MPs say-so, because it previously went unreported. Commons committees can refrain from reporting evidence in certain circumstances, for example, if it contains information which is prejudicial to the public interest. British MPs tasked the Commons Privileges Committee with looking at the 2009 transcript. This seven-member group has until October 30th to decide whether to report and publish the evidence, which was originally given to the House by former senior police officer Norman Baxter. It is very hard for the House to decide whether or not to release evidence it has not seen and cannot see before the decision is made, Mr Hoare warned. It is particularly difficult in this case, as that evidence may contain sensitive information. The North Dorset MP added that the Privileges Committee might simply decide to publish it. Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry Lord Turnbull (PA) But the agreed motion will give the committee power to make an alternative recommendation on the desirability or otherwise of the release of the evidence to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry. Privileges Committee chairman Alberto Costa, the Conservative MP for South Leicestershire, told MPs that his organisation stands ready to deal with this matter. The independent inquiry chaired by Lord Turnbull will consider whether the Omagh bombing could reasonably have been prevented by UK state authorities. The dissident republican bomb exploded in the Co Tyrone town on August 15th, 1998, killing 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins. Mr Hoare agreed with DUP MP for Strangford Jim Shannon, who was born in Omagh, after he told the Commons that justice should be at the forefront of all right honourable and honourable members minds during this process. Authorities respond to a three-vehicle crash that left at 36-year-old woman dead early Monday, July 14, 2025, in the area of Route 309 and Mosserville Road/Mountain Road in Lynn Township, Lehigh County. Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor Authorities have released the victims identity and additional information in the three-vehicle crash that left a 36-year-old woman dead early Monday in Lehigh County. Kassandra F. Milkewicz, of Lansford, Pennsylvania, is the victim, Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio said Tuesday. She was pronounced dead at 1:04 a.m. Monday at the scene of the crash in the area of Route 309 and Mosserville Road/Mountain Road in Lynn Township, according to the coroner. Milkewicz died of multiple blunt-force trauma from the crash, and her death was ruled an accident, Buglio said. Milkewicz was driving a 2020 Hyundai Tucson north on Route 309 when she crashed shortly before 12:20 a.m., according to Pennsylvania State Police at Fogelsville. The other vehicles involved were a 2005 Honda Civic driven east on Mosserville Road by a 20-year-old Bethlehem man and a 2020 Freightliner SD 122 driven south on Route 309 by a 53-year-old man from New Ringgold, Pennsylvania. The crash remains under investigation by state police at Fogelsville. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the state police Troop M Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist, Troop M Forensic Services Unit, Lehigh County District Attorneys Office, Lehigh County Coroners Office, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Cetronia Ambulance and New Tripoli Fire Co. During the crash investigation, traffic was detoured on Route 309 southbound at Route 895 and northbound at Route 143, until about 7 a.m. Monday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. After flash flooding from strong storms Monday, July 14, 2025, more isolated to scattered thunderstorms could generate locally heavy rainfall Tuesday, which could cause more flash flooding in urban areas and areas with poor drainage, according to the National Weather Service. However, the threat of severe weather is considered low. National Weather Service Monday nights thunderstorms dumped as much as half a foot of rain in parts of the Lehigh Valley, leading to flash floods in some communities. More isolated to scattered thunderstorms could generate locally heavy rainfall Tuesday, which could cause more flash flooding in urban areas and areas with poor drainage, according to the National Weather Service. However, the threat of severe weather is considered low. It will be hot, though, as a very warm and humid airmass is set up over the region this week amid multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected. Residents in the Lehigh Valley region can expect heat index values approaching 100 degrees by Thursday, with the continued daily threat of scattered thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall. Initial reports to the National Weather Service from Monday evenings storms showed as much as 6 inches of rain in Center Valley. The weather service later revised its top rainfall totals to list the Emmaus area as hardest-hit in the Lehigh Valley with 4.68 inches. The Coopersburg area saw 3-4.5 inches of rain, according to the weather service reports. Torrential Rainfall Monday produced 5-6 " in parts of PA and NJ. Scattered Storms Today from VA to the Delmarva are expected to produce 1-2" of rainfall, locally higher. Mostly small new rises are expected on rivers/creeks. pic.twitter.com/z5DCJmjjKs NWS MARFC (@NWSMARFC) July 15, 2025 The volunteer-run Emergency Alerts County of Lehigh Facebook page relayed a call for a water rescue at Route 309 and West Saucon Valley Road in the Center Valley area of Upper Saucon Township. Motorists trapped by rising water were reportedly freed in under 25 minutes. Nearby Emmaus Borough reported the community pool is closed until further notice due to flash floods that spread to the pools, requiring draining, cleaning and refilling the pools. In Northampton County, storm damage included a tree blocking Hecktown Road in Lower Nazareth Township between Green Pond and Country Club roads, according to Colonial Regional police. Rainfall totals for the county reached 2.39 inches in the Portland area, 2.34 inches at Martins Creek and 1.77 inches at Easton, according to weather service reports. Warren County also saw several inches of rain, as New Jersey also experienced flash flooding, with reports including 2.17 inches at Phillipsburg and 3.27 inches in Broadway, Franklin Township. For Tuesday, the National Weather Service forecast indicates thunderstorms will develop primarily in the afternoon hours, driven by high atmospheric moisture and diurnal heating. Temperatures will climb into the mid to upper 80s, with heat indices a real-feel measure of air temperature and relative humidity reaching the low to mid 90s. Scattered thunderstorms may produce localized heavy downpours, though widespread flooding is not anticipated. Winds will be light and variable early in the day, shifting to southerly at 4-7 mph in the afternoon. Precipitation chances are around 30% Tuesday at Lehigh Valley International Airport under otherwise mostly sunny skies. The unsettled weather pattern continues through Thursday. Friday will bring a cold front that may provide some temporary relief, with temperatures potentially dropping slightly. The weekend outlook suggests Saturday will have the lowest chance of thunderstorms, with slightly drier air and more stable conditions. Long-term forecasts indicate another cold front may approach early next week, maintaining an active weather pattern with periodic thunderstorm chances and fluctuating temperatures. Follow your local forecast from AccuWeather at lehighvalleylive.com/weather with National Weather Service watches, warnings and other advisories available as theyre issued at lehighvalleylive.com/weather-alerts. Current weather radar Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Supervising reporter Kurt Bresswein contributed to this report. Reach him at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Generative AI was used to draft segments of this report, which was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com staff. A Laois woman whose mother lives on with cancer thanks to medication, is volunteering at a huge fundraiser in Emo this summer. Helena Gleeson who lives in Portlaoise, has volunteered at Relay For Life in Emo Court, every year since it began in the county. Her mother is Ethna Gleeson, 74, from Limerick who has been diagnosed with cancer three times. Routine mammograms led to her diagnoses of breast cancer in 2007 and 2014, and in both cases she underwent successful lumpectomies and radiotherapy treatment. However, in 2020 she found a lump under her arm and tests revealed that she had a blood and bone marrow cancer called chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). It is incurable, but Ethna is on medication and has a day-by-day approach to living with cancer. My cancer isnt curable, but it is treatable. Without cancer research, I wouldnt be on the medication Im on now. This is why funding research is so important, and by taking part in Relay For Life, youll be helping to fund the Irish Cancer Societys ground-breaking research, and their services for people affected by cancer, Ethna says. Ethna got involved in Relay For Life Laois through her daughter Helena's volunteerism with the uplifting 24 hour candlelit event. Last year, Helena spoke about her passion for the event in Emo Court. In our family, a lot of us have had cancer, and Helena felt that Relay For Life was a great cause, so thats why she got involved. We go every year, and we have great fun. Emo is a great place to have it, because you have the park and the coffee shop there, Ethna says. Every year, Ethna proudly takes part in the survivors lap at Relay For Life Laois, which kicks off the 24-hour event and sees cancer survivors and those living with the disease walk the first lap of the relay track. A Mountmellick school deputy principal also volunteers and supports the event with her students Ethna also considers the Candle of Hope ceremony to be a particular highlight. This is when candle bags that are decorated in memory of those living with or lost to cancer are illuminated along the relay track after nightfall as a moving way to show support and remember loved ones lost. She is encouraging people in Laois and surrounding counties to come along to Relay For Life Laois. Everyone around Laois and surrounding counties should come along to Relay For Life Laois, absolutely everyone is welcome. Its well worth it. Its always great fun, and its great to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society. Your support can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer, Helena's mother says. Read also: Animal rescue underway in Laois after oil spill in lake She spoke more about her type of cancer and how she copes. Im not the type of person who worries about the future. I just go along with things day-to-day, and I take my medication for CLL. Theres no point in thinking too far into the future, because theres no way of knowing how things will go. CLL is an unusual cancer, its not very common. Its more so in older people and typically affects men. Its just something Ive learned to live with, because its not going to go away. You learn to adjust, and you know what you can and cant do. I can be fine one day, then feel rotten the next, Ethna said. The money raised at Relay For Life helps to fund the Irish Cancer Societys vital services, like its Support Line, Night Nursing, and counselling, and ground-breaking cancer research. Registration is now open for teams to walk along the track during the 24-hour event, or they can purchase candle bags in advance the candle bags are in memory of people lost to cancer or to show support to people currently living with the disease, all with personal designs on them. Theyre featured in the Candle of Hope ceremony, which takes place after nightfall, when the candle bags illuminate the relay track in a beautiful show of remembrance and support. Sign up for Relay For Laois, which takes place at Emo Court House and Parklands on Saturday, August 16. Or visit Irish Cancer Society. A Laois TD has criticised the inspection regimes for nursing homes in Ireland. Independent TD Brian Stanley made the comment following the latest meeting with public representatives and HIQA(Health Information and Quality Authority) regarding The Residence Nursing Home in Portlaoise. Dep Stanley said that it is clear that the oversight and inspection system for these facilities is not up to scratch. I raised at the meeting with HIQAs chief inspector Finbarr Colfer, the substantial time gaps between inspections in both The Residence Nursing Home and Kilminchy Lodge Nursing Home, which are both owned by Emeis. I questioned why there was a five-month gap between two inspections in The Residence Nursing Home over the past year, and similarly why there was an almost 15-month gap between inspections at Kilminchy Lodge. They informed the meeting that they endeavour to carry out an inspection, generally once in a 12-month period, said Dep Stanley. He said this is clearly very limited and in the case of nursing homes run by Emeis, where clear issues were coming to the surface, it was totally inadequate. It was made clear that visits and inspections need to be carried out more frequently. READ ALSO: Retired postal workers protest in Portlaoise Dep Stanley questioned the level of staffing at the facility. I also raised with them the issue of staff numbers to resident ratios. Disappointingly, they outlined that none exist. I made the case that for creches, there are very strict guidelines, and a similar system of staff ratios should be in place for elderly care. HIQA indicated that they would seek to have these included in new guidelines that are currently being drafted, he said. A Laois man who is unable to move into his first home slammed the lack of forward planning in Ireland. Portlaoise native Andrew Dollard and his Kerry born wife Julie are among 80 families who have been unable to move into their new homes at the Sand Wood development in Summerhill, Portlaoise, because it hasnt been connected by the ESB. Mr Dollard has handed over a 48,000 deposit, is paying rent on a two bedroom apartment in Portlaoise and has also had to fork out to store his new furniture which was purchased for the home he was supposed to move into in February or March. It is absolutely horrific. It is just a pure and utter sh*t show and nobody wants to hold their hands up, he told the Leinster Express/Laois Live. Mr Dollard revealed that he had considered emigrating with his family prior to finding his dream home. We were contemplating emigrating because of the price of this country, he said. He has a good job with a semi State company and his wife also has a very good job. Despite their incomes, he said it took ten months to get approval for a mortgage from the banks. Although they got mortgage approval in principle, they also had to hand over 48,000, or 10% of the price of the house from their own savings to the developer as a deposit. Our mortgage now lapses next week, Mr Dollard revealed. He expects to have to go through the rigmarole of the mortgage application process all over again. In the meantime, Mr Dollard and his wife Julie are continuing to pay rent for a two bedroom apartment in Portlaoise where they live with their two young children. We are paying somebody elses mortgage, he pointed out. We have to now go apply for a mortgage again, pay rent for months, said Mr Dollard. The house is built. I have been in it. The only thing that is missing is electricity, he said. He said the developer had applied for an electrical connection in March of 2024. There is absolutely no forward planning in my opinion on whats going on, he said. Portlaoise is the fastest growing town in the country, why should it come as a shock? he asked. Mr Dollard noted the government had spent billions on the childrens hospital which has yet to open but politicians will still get their regular pay rises. He is aware of some families who bought in Sand Wood who arent able to enroll their children in schools because of the uncertainty in moving in. This is our first home. It was exciting at the start but the fun is gone now, he remarked. READ ALSO: Oireachtas hears 80 families unable to move into new homes as they have no ESB Absolutely nobody is accountable for this. I am in a job. If I make a mistake I am responsible, he said. When asked if he was told what was happening? Not a single thing. We have been kept in the dark. We have had no communication from anybody whatsoever, he said. He understands it might now be December when he gets in. Sinn Fein Senator Maria McCormack raised the issue at an Oireachtas Housing Committee and demanded the Housing Minister take action. She called for immediate cross-agency intervention between the ESB, the Department of Housing, and the developer to ensure the connection is completed without further delay. The developer, Holybrook, submitted the connection application to ESB in March 2024. However, the ESB has cited capacity issues at the local substation in Portlaoise as the reason for the ongoing delay. Senator McCormack also raised concerns that ESBs planning and capacity estimates were based on outdated figures from the Department of Housing, failing to reflect the reality of Laoiss growing population and housing needs. Portlaoise is a rapidly growing town. We are taking the overspill from the cities as a commuter belt county, but we are not being prioritised when it comes to critical infrastructure like power and water. This is the direct result of years of poor planning and a lack of investment in key services in smaller counties like Laois, she said. Pictured above: Mr Dollard and his wife inspecting their new home before learning it could now remain idle until December Acknowledging the urgency of the situation in Sand Wood, ESB Networks said they are actively working with the developer to coordinate the installation of the electricity infrastructure needed to connect the homes in the Sand Wood estate. This has been a complex project, involving two separate connection applications in a power-constrained area, each requiring careful design and assessment. Following some necessary updates to the application, we received confirmation and payment from the developer within the past four weeks. With this in place, we are now progressing preparations to move forward with the infrastructure installation. The developer is well advanced in preparing the site for our work, and we are currently awaiting final confirmation of their deliverables to proceed. In the meantime, our teams are in close contact locally to ensure we are ready to begin installation as soon as we receive confirmation from the developer. Portlaoise Independent Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said, ESB connections are a problem all over the county. She welcomed the fact that housing is being built but was concerned about how prepared the county is in terms of electrical grid capacity and water supply. They are the two main issues, Irish Water and ESB, Cllr Dwane Stanely said. Rathdowney and Errill have been left in shock and sadness following the sudden passing of a much loved local mother. Mary Madden (nee Donnelly) of Clonmeen, Errill passed away peacefully at her residence on July 14. Originally from Portlaw in Waterford, Mary was known locally for her sense of humour, her generosity, her down to earth demeanour, and the love she had for her family. An active member of the community, Mary gave her time and support to the running of events locally through Rathdowney's Events Committee, and was a well known figure in Rathdowney and Errill. Those who knew Mary knew of the love she had for her family, including her husband Larry, her children Aidan, Carmel, Lorcan, Maria, Michael and Colm, and her grand children and great grand children. While the community mourns her sad passing, Mary is survived by her wide circle of friends, her neighbours, and her family that she loved dearly. See Mary's funeral details below. Mary Catherine Madden (nee Donnelly), Clonmeen, Errill, Co. Laois and formerly Salrheen, Portlaw, Co. Waterford July 14th. 2025, unexpectedly but peacefully at her residence. Predeceased by her parents Michael and Peggy Donnelly. Sadly missed and remembered with love by her husband Larry, her family Aidan, Carmel, Lorcan, Maria, Michael and Colm, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunt Kathleen, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. Rest In Peace. Reposing at her residence Clonmeen, Errill, (Eircode R32 R9Y8) on Wednesday evening from 4 o'clock pausing for prayers at 8 o'clock. Removal on Thursday morning to the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Rathdowney arriving for Requiem Mass at 11 o'clock. Interment afterwards in Bealady Cemetery. Messages of condolence can be placed on the page provided below. Mary's funeral Mass can be viewed by pressing the following link http://www.parishwebsites.ie/rathdowney/ Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to the Laois branch of Multiple Sclerosis Ireland. A US tariff of 30% would stop trade as we know it with the EU, Irelands foreign affairs minister has said. Simon Harris was echoing comments from the EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic who said on Monday that such a tariff would effectively prohibit trans-Atlantic trade. US President Donald Trump indicated at the weekend that the EU would face a 30% tariff from August 1 if a deal is not struck. The Irish drinks industry has described it as a nightmare scenario and concern has also been expressed on the effect such tariffs could have on US pharma multinationals based in Ireland. Simon Harris, who is also Irelands deputy premier, said Mr Sefcovic was sharing a grim message but it was important to be truthful. The Tanaiste said a 30% tariff would be extraordinary and urged businesses to prepare for all scenarios, but added that a negotiated agreement was still possible. He (Mr Trump) knows as a businessman that tariffs at that level would not just disrupt trade, it would in many ways stop trade as we know it functioning between Europe and the US, he told Newstalk radio. So I do still believe there is a landing zone here for a deal, there is a landing zone for an agreement. He said that Mr Trump had previously threatened tariffs that did not come into effect. In May, Mr Trump said he was recommending that a 50% tariff rate come into effect on June 1. He added: This is a time of huge volatility but, let me be clear, there is a way forward. I know from the conversations Ive been having with colleagues, I know from my meetings with the US administration there is a deal here to be done, there is a landing zone, the question is if and when the US is up for it. Mr Harris met the US ambassador to Ireland, Ed Walsh, on Monday, and is to meet Irish-based US pharmaceutical multinationals online on Wednesday. Ireland has consistently called for zero-for-zero tariffs in as many areas as possible, with particular concern about Irish beef, dairy and alcohol exports. The Irish government has also expressed concern at how tariffs could affect pharma multinationals based in Ireland. The US has previously signalled that it intends to target the pharmaceutical industry, which employs about 45,000 people in Ireland. Opposition parties raised concerns that the economic uncertainty would hit families struggling due to the cost of living in Octobers budget. Labour TD George Lawlor said it was a ridiculous situation that Mr Trump prompts an almost weekly change in direction on trade. He said the uncertainty was creating unease for businesses based in Ireland that export to the US. Labour TD Marie Sherlock said the economic uncertainty caused by the threat of tariffs meant families were facing a nightmare scenario in relation to the budget. She said it looked as though pre-election sweeteners, such as a drop in student administrative fees and energy credits, would be withdrawn. Labour will seriously consider whether to back former party member Catherine Connolly as a presidential candidate. Nominees are finally emerging to replace Michael D Higgins this autumn, after he served the maximum, two, seven-year terms as President of Ireland. Independent Galway TD Ms Connolly has already received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit and is expected to garner the support of several independents. Mairead McGuinness, who was a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU Commissioner, is expected to be confirmed as Fine Gaels candidate on Tuesday. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has also refused to rule herself out of running for the presidency. Prospective candidates need the support of 20 Oireachtas members to get on the ballot paper. Fianna Fail, the party with the most TDs in the Dail, has not clarified if it will run a candidate. Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said that the party was assessing our options and a decision would be made by the parliamentary party in the early autumn. Asked about Taoiseach Micheal Martin as a possible candidate, Mr Chambers said he was very focused on the job of government. Labour TD George Lawlor said on Tuesday that Ms Connolly had approached Labour party leader Ivana Bacik seeking the partys support and they would consider very seriously their decision. We will speak with our members and our members will be contacted and a decision will be made after that. No decisions will be made today. He added: We will be asking Catherine to outline her vision for the presidency and where she sees her role in that. Its a position that the Labour party has promoted very strong candidates for in the past. Left-wing independent Ms Connolly worked as a barrister and a clinical psychologist before becoming a councillor for 17 years and spending a term as a Galway mayor until 2005. She resigned from the Labour party in 2006 after being turned down to run as a running mate of then incumbent TD Michael D Higgins. She was first elected to the Dail as an independent candidate for Galway West in 2016 and has been an outspoken advocate for Palestine and against US army aircraft refuelling at Shannon Airport. A fishery conservation project in Leitrim has received over 15,000 in funding from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The funding is part of a wider initiative supporting projects in 14 counties aimed at restoring salmon and trout stocks and their habitats. The grant will go towards a fencing project on the Drowes River. Located on the border between County Leitrim and County Donegal, the Drowes River is a renowned destination for salmon and trout fishing. It is one of Irelands premier spring and summer salmon fisheries, known for producing the first salmon of the year and for its popularity among brown trout anglers. The first salmon of the 2025 season from the Drowes River was landed on January 30, according to Drowes Salmon Fishery. READ NEXT: Writing her way home: Leitrim woman turns pain into purpose through children's book The fishery offers salmon and trout fishing holidays with accommodation, a ghillie service, boat hire for Lough Melvin, and an onsite tackle shop. The North Leitrim river is also considered angler-friendly, featuring several miles of wooden walkways and stiles along its banks. The fencing project on the River Drowes received a total of 15,647 from IFI aimed to help protect riverbanks, such as the installation of fencing and stiles. IFIs Habitats and Conservation Scheme has allocated 771,295 for 21 new environmental works in 2025. The competitive scheme supports sustainable efforts to ensure the survival and prosperity of native salmon and sea trout, helping them overcome ongoing challenges in the wild. READ NEXT: A high number of pubs have closed in Leitrim since 2005, a recent report has revealed With these grants Inland Fisheries Ireland is working collaboratively with statutory and non-statutory groups to create resilient habitats for future generations of fish, said Barry Fox, Head of Operations with IFI. The projects include those that are of national strategic importance, and those that aim to improve damaged habitats in regional catchments failing to meet their conservation limits, he added. Since 2016, IFI has provided 8.9 million to various groups and fisheries development experts through its Habitats and Conservation Schemes. A near-miss accident occurred due to drivers unfamiliar with the area travelling the wrong way on a one-way street in Mohill, a meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District was told. Cllr Irene Guckian-Rabbitte called on Leitrim County Council to install signage in Mohill to indicate that drivers cannot turn left from Lower Main Street or turn right from the Carrigallen side onto Castle Street, opposite St Marys Church of Ireland, as it is the exit for a one-way traffic system. She said several locals have raised concerns about motorists turning where they shouldnt, with some horrified to see it. Theres people coming into the town that are not familiar with it and they dont realise they cant turn up, said Cllr Guckian-Rabbitte. READ NEXT: Emergency preparedness handbook planned for every household in Leitrim Her motion was seconded by Cllr Maeve Reynolds, who told the meeting that a very near miss had recently occurred. Theres nothing at all to notify motorists that you cant turn up from either side of the road, she said, emphasising the need for an immediate temporary sign. In response, the Roads Department confirmed that signage will be installed as part of the ongoing public realm works, along with additional road markings. READ NEXT: Leitrim schools may see new speed limits introduced for pupil safety Gardai are investigating following a stabbing incident in Dublin City centre that has left one man in hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The incident took place just after 8.30pm on James Joyce Street in the city and it's believed the man received stab wounds to his leg. Gardai and emergency services arrived shortly after passers-by came to the mans aid. READ NEXT: 'Shocking' - Car seized from dangerous driver who was high on opiates on Irish roads In a statement, Gardai said, "Shortly after 8:30pm on Monday, 14th July 2025, Gardai and emergency services responded to an incident on James Joyce Street, Dublin 1. "An adult male sustained injuries during the course of the incident. He received treatment at the scene and was subsequently transported by ambulance to the Mater Hospital. "His injuries are understood to be serious but not life-threatening. "The scene was preserved for forensic examination and investigations are ongoing." READ NEXT: Childline reports over 100 calls for sexual and physical abuse since start of school holidays This follows the death of 34-year-old Joseph McEvoy, a young father and football club captain, who was killed in a machete attack in Clondalkin last week. The Central Statistics Office reported that attempts/threats to Murder, Assaults, Harassments & Related offences has seen an increase of 12% from 22,106 incidents in 2022 to 24,690 in 2025. (From left): Oumar Sylla, Ivanhoe Atlantic Country Manager Guinea; Bronwyn Barnes, CEO of Ivanhoe Atlantic; Amadou Oury Bah, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea; and Alhousseine Kaba, Presidential Mining Advisor, Republic of Guinea We are not lamenting the darkness, but lighting the candles, Minister Ngafuan (right) said. This effort shows that we are not here to merely identify problemswe are here to solve them. And we are starting with the people who keep the engine of public finance running: our employees. Stakeholders from government, civil society, and the international community gather in Monrovia for Liberias Post-CSW69 National Dialogue, charting the course for fast-tracking the Beijing+30 Action Agenda for women and girls. Flashback: STAND Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu (former CDC Chairman) and supporters during a pre-protest rally in Monrovia, calling for nationwide participation in the July 17 demonstration. Addressing concerns about potential political alignment, Gbeisay said: Every decision I have rendered is grounded in law and evidence. My allegiance is to justice, not politics. [The Americans] are not forcing anybody, but they want for us to know that this is a concern that they have, and they are asking how can we help, President Boakai (left) said following the U.S. Africa Summit hosted by President Donald Trump (right). THE highest number of XL bully type dogs surrendered to any local authority has taken place in Limerick city and county, new figures show. Figures provided by the Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon (FG) show that to date, 60 XL Bully dogs have been surrendered to local authorities across the country with the 13 dogs surrendered to Limerick City and County Council the highest number for any individual local authority. The 13 dogs surrendered to Limerick Council accounts for 21% of the nationwide total. This followed new laws introduced on the owning and breeding of XL Bully dogs that were enacted following a number of serious attacks. READ MORE: Garda shoots XL Bully after aggressive dog cornered officers in Limerick In June 2024, 23-year-old Nicole Morey was attacked and killed by two XL Bully dogs at her home in Ballyneety, Co Limerick. The tragedy led to a review ordered by the then Minister Heather Humphries, and new laws were introduced in relation to the breeding and ownership of the breed. In October of 2024 it became illegal to import, breed, rehome or resell an XL Bully dog, and since February 2025, it's been illegal to own one without a certificate of exemption. A total 1,800 applications were made for exemption certificates. In his written Dail reply, Minister Haydon told Padraig OSullivan (FF) that the ban on XL Bully type dogs was announced in 2024 in the interest of public safety following a series of serious attacks. In the figures provided by Minister Haydon, the second highest number of XL Bullies occurred in the Dublin City Council area at 11. A further two XL Bullies were surrounded in South Dublin Co Council and in Fingal Co Council. Waterford city and council area had the third highest number nationally at seven. In Kildare and Cork city, four XL Bullies were surrendered while Cavan and Donegal each had three. The other local authority area where two XL Bullies were surrounded was Tipperary. Local authorities where single XL Bullies were surrounded are listed as Clare, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Longford, Louth, Meath, Mayo, Sligo and Westmeath. Zero XL Bully type dogs have been surrendered for Carlow, Cork County, Galway County, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Wexford and Wicklow. Minister Haydon said that figures for the number of dogs surrendered to animal welfare charities have not been collated. FORMER All Star and Clare All-Ireland winning hurler, Niall Gilligan today pleaded not guilty to the assault causing harm of a boy with a stick in October 2023. Before a jury panel at Ennis Circuit Court this morning, Mr Gilligan, aged 48, replied not guilty when arraigned on two charges. READ MORE: Man admits deceiving his Limerick employer by receiving payments into personal account Mr Gilligan said not guilty when arraigned on the charge of assault causing harm of the boy at the Jamaica Inn Hostel, Mt Ivers, Broadford Rd, Sixmilebridge, County Clare contrary to Section 3 of the Offences Against the Person Act on October 5, 2023. Dressed in a suit and tie, Mr Gilligan of Rossroe, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge also replied not guilty to producing a wooden stick capable of inflicting serious injury during the course of a dispute contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act at the same location on the same date. Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL, instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey, told the jury panel that the alleged offences occurred at the Jamaica Inn hostel, Sixmilebridge on October 5, 2023. Ms Comerford said that Mr Gilligan is alleged to have assaulted the boy "and used a wooden stick during that assault". Ms Comerford said that it is anticipated that the trial will take four to five days and should finish by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Ms Comerford called out a list of civilian witnesses to give evidence and included the name of the alleged juvenile injured party on the list. Ms Comerford also listed the names of five witnesses who have compiled reports for the trial. Ms Comerford also provided to the jury panel the names of 18 garda witnesses due to give evidence. Ms Comerford said that the defence in the case has notified the State of the potential to call one defence witness during the trial, a Martin Murphy residing at Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, County Clare. A jury of seven men and five women was then selected from the jury panel to serve on the jury. The selection process took just over 20 minutes as solicitor, Daragh Hassett for Mr Gilligan and Ms Casey for the State each challenged potential jurors to serve. The maximum number of challenges is seven for each side. Judge Francis Comerford told the jury that the trial will commence on Wednesday morning and adjourned the case until then. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. LIMERICK NATIVE, David Hickey, has been promoted to Of Counsel, at the leading business law firm, Mason Hayes & Curran. The new role with the law firm is a senior advisory position on its healthcare team. Having studied at both the Model School and Crescent College Comprehensive SJ in Limerick, David went on to study both politics and economics at the University College Dublin. He later served as Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Registration at the Medical Council and is now a member of the Medico-Legal Society of Ireland. READ MORE: Rethink Ireland funds innovative Limerick projects with 672K impact fund David new role now supports healthcare providers with medical negligence claims, inquests, and inherent jurisdiction applications. Commenting on the role of his recent promotion, David said: My work includes defending clinical claims and guiding clients through coroners court inquests, ensuring they feel supported and well prepared. Mason Hayes & Curran employs more than 650 staff, including 124 partners, with offices in Dublin, London, New York and San Francisco. The firm is home to one of Irelands largest healthcare legal teams and advises on many of the countrys complex medical law matters. Kevin Power, Head of Medical Law at Mason Hayes & Curran, commented: David brings clarity and reassurance to complex cases. His calm judgement and deep sectoral knowledge are invaluable. This promotion reflects the depth of experience he brings to our team. Davids connection to Limerick remains strong with his parents, David (Snr) and Peggy Hickey, running WJ South, a well-known pub in the city. The Hickey family has managed the business since 1972. For the first time ever, I will embark on a solo travel trip to Cambrils in Spain as a young Irish woman looking to break out of my comfort zone and challenge myself like never before. After inter-railing with a group of friends last summer, I feel like a solo trip is the next step I need to embrace all that life has to offer. The main reason for this solo trip is because I am a naturally introverted person who loves being in my own company. Nothing sounds better than being by a pool in Spain with my Kindle, my phone turned on Do Not Disturb and enjoying the peace and relaxation for four nights in a sunny resort. If you told me a few years ago that I would be doing this, I would have laughed in your face. But I really feel like I am ready to do this. I've made the trip as safe as I possibly can for my first time being abroad alone; at least I think I have. READ NEXT: 'I was wasting three hours a day on my phone - one simple trick cut it to one One of the biggest misconceptions I would say is that it's going to be boring or too lonely. But in reality, I think it's going to be an incredible opportunity to fully be by myself like I've never had the opportunity to do before. I'll be fully independent for four days, going by my own accord and building confidence and bravery. As someone who is very interested in moving and living abroad in the future, I think this is exactly the push I need to brave the move. Another perk for me is not having to worry about what I look like! I'm planning on packing light. I didn't have to pay 30 plus Euro for luggage and instead I'll be bringing a backpack with bare essentials, three or four outfits and a swim suit. I have pre-booked transport straight to my accommodation. I booked a resort right by the beach so I won't need to travel far and I have also pre-paid for breakfast and dinner right in the resort as well so I won't have to leave to eat in restaurants. This will give me peace of mind that if I don't want to leave the resort, I won't really have to. Something I did to take me out of comfort zone even further is book a two-hour boat trip that takes you all along the coast of Cambrils. You can have a couple of drinks and even jump from the boat into the sea. I did something like this in Portugal last year with friends and absolutely loved it. I guess I won't really know if this is a good idea or not until I'm actually there. Will I freak out and wish I was back at home on my first night? Or will I absolutely love it and book my next solo trip before I even come home? Is it too dangerous for a young woman to do something like this by herself? Or have I made it fool proof and I shouldn't even worry? I guess I'll find out next month.....wish me luck! And will you plan on solo travelling? New Delhi: The government has started working on an incentive scheme to boost exports for India's $111-billion automotive components industry amid trade uncertainties unleashed by American president Donald Trump's steep import tariff, three people aware of the development said. As part of the scheme, the government might consider incentivizing manufacturing of specific auto parts that are exported the most such as engine components. Moreover, specific export-oriented fiscal sops might also be introduced. The discussion is in initial stages and nothing is finalized about the scheme yet, the people cited earlier said on the condition of anonymity. The ministry of heavy industries and the ministry of MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) have started discussing a new scheme which will benefit Indian automobile component manufacturers, but the corpus of the scheme has not been decided yet," said the first person. Discussions have started on making a new scheme for components and eventually the industry will be actively roped in. Currently, there is work going on to identify target products and geographies for export among Indian auto components," said the second person. The US has imposed a 25% tariff on all automobile imports into the country, disrupting global trade, and throwing Indian auto component makers into a fog of uncertainty. India's auto parts makers exported goods worth $22.9 billion in FY25, a rise of 8%. Of this, $7.35 billion worth of goods were exported to the North American region, as per the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). The government's move also comes at a time when India's domestic automobile market has overtaken Japan in sales to become the third-largest in the world after the US and China, but the nation's auto parts exports have hovered around the 3-4% of the global export market, according to a NITI Aayog study in April this year titled Automotive Industry: Powering Indias participation in Global Value Chains". Also Read | Automakers boost South Korean shares higher Queries emailed to the spokespersons of the ministries of heavy industries and MSME remained unanswered till press time. These auto parts manufacturers, a significant number of which are MSMEs, make and export engine components, drive transmission and steering systems. In components, we need to leverage our strengths in ICE (internal combustion engine) along with increasing presence in emerging trends like EV (electric vehicle) components and electronification. A lot of markets are open to importing classical vehicle components from India which will help in boosting exports. Any help in exports will help boosting the auto component industry's prospects to achieve the target of $100 billion exports," said Natarajan Sankar, managing director and partner at Boston Consulting Group. India's auto components industry aims to achieve $100 billion in exports by 2030. Top exporters of components from the Indian market include Sona Comstar, Bharat Forge, Uno Minda and Bosch India, among others. India's auto components industry's turnover has doubled from FY20 to FY25 at a compounded annual growth rate of 14%, according to ACMA. In FY25, the component industry's sales to vehicle makers rose 88% to 5.70 trillion from 3.02 trillion in the previous fiscal, according to ACMA data. The government's move comes in the backdrop of NITI Aayog's recommendations in April this year for boosting exports of India's auto parts industry. NITI Aayog recommended fiscal incentives to manufacturers to boost their operational and capital expenditure to achieve scale in making engine cylinders, valves and pistons and to procure tools and dies. In a report, the top government policy think tank stated that there should be efforts to attract overseas talent and motivate high-level talent to return to India, as a part of non-fiscal skilling incentives. It noted that India's auto component exports are worth about $20 billion, while imports are worth about the same, resulting in a near-neutral trade ratio of 0.99. But, India's industry faces competitive headwinds compared to China, the report also highlighted. It pointed at cost disabilities of nearly 10% compared to China. Additionally, there is an extra cost disadvantage for India of approximately 20% on equipment (capital goods) required for component manufacturing, compared with China, due to material cost disability, NITI Aayog said. China benefits from a well-integrated supply chain, spanning from raw minerals to high-value-added products, whereas India lacks such depth in its supply ecosystem," said the report. The report also set a target of auto parts production worth $145 billion and exports worth about $60 billion by 2030. But, manufacturers face tough times as the effectiveness of schemes to boost auto parts productions are often misaligned with the specific needs of the sector, the report noted. Also Read | Electric vehicles now cheaper to run than petrol, finds CEEW study Indian companies and components face a cost handicap of 10% and to bridge this gap, there is a need to provide fiscal incentives for auto component manufacturing," said the report. Earlier, prime minister Narendra Modi, at the launch of the Digital Mobility Initiative for Automotive MSMEs in February 2024, had said that the significance of the automobile industry to the nation's economy is mirrored in the role played by MSMEs within this sector. Today, components manufactured by Indian MSMEs are integrated into vehicles worldwide, opening doors to numerous global opportunities," he had said. The government's focus on the auto components sector also comes amid a rapid shift towards cleaner powertrains in vehicles. The shift towards cleaner fuels to decarbonize the auto sector is apparent, with the sales of electric vehicles in India rising 17% in FY25, considerably higher than the 4% sales growth in petrol and diesel vehicles during the same period. A brewing dispute among top automakers threatens to complicate the rollout of India's next wave of emissions standards, landing the industry's lobby group at a crossroads after its largest member reversed its stance on the upcoming regulations. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) had previously agreed on the emissions standards, submitting a consensus proposal to the government in December 2024 regarding the third edition of so-called Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms. The rules, set to take effect from April 2027, aimed to slash the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of new passenger vehicles. The proposed target is a fleet-wide average of 91.7 grams of CO2 per kilometer for a typical vehicle weighing around 1,170 kg. However, differences have cropped up since then. CAFE norms set maximum average emissions for all cars a manufacturer sells, pushing them to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. Different view Of late, we have seen certain manufacturers have formed a different view (on CAFE-3)," said Shailesh Chandra, president of Siam, and managing director of Tata Motors passenger vehicles business. The reason: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, which dominates India's car market with its popular compact cars, has since begun advocating for less stringent emission limits for vehicles below 1,000 kg. The company, which already faces stricter targets given its lighter cars, has no EV on sale as yet. Meanwhile, selling electric vehicles is a faster way for many automakers to meet emission targets, bringing down emissions across their fleet. Also Read | Will India rethink emission caps to save small cars? Also Read | Tractor firms want rollout of emission rules delayed; agri panel submits report The proposed CAFE norms permit heavier vehicles a comparatively higher CO2 emission target, while lighter vehicles face a stricter limit. Maruti Suzuki says this system unfairly penalizes its portfolio, which includes many of India's lightest, most fuel-efficient and best-selling vehicles. Chairman R.C. Bhargava and executive director Rahul Bharti have publicly criticized the norms as being favourable to heavier vehicles and punishing lighter cars." Back to drawing board With Maruti Suzuki's revised stance, Siam faces the task of re-engaging its member companies to seek a new consensus before determining whether to adjust its December 2024 submission. The outcome will have significant implications for India's auto industry, influencing vehicle development, pricing strategies, and the nation's ambitious climate targets. It will also test the integrity of one of India's oldest lobby groups, which was established in 1959, and works on the basis of unanimity. According to Chandra, Siam had arrived at its December proposal through negotiations and an eventual consensus by the CEO council of member companies, in a process stretching over months. The lobby group will now go through the exercise again before deciding whether to revise its December 2024 stance, Chandra said. This involves getting a unanimous decision from the CEO council. Does Maruti Suzukis change of heart mean that the December 2024 consensus becomes invalid? Chandra declined to specify. We will have to follow the process and basis that, we can say if there is a change or not," he said. Chandra was speaking at a Siam press conference to release the auto industry's sales data for the June quarter. Miffed Mahindra Maruti's reversal has drawn a sharp rebuke from other major players. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, known for its larger sport utility vehicles (SUVs), has written to the Union roads ministry, arguing against any concessions for smaller cars, Business Standard reported. Mahindra contends that small cars constitute a significant portion of India's automotive sales, and easing their emission requirements would remove incentives for manufacturers to innovate and make these vehicles even cleaner. They emphasize that such a move could undermine the broader goal of reducing overall emissions. Also Read | Maruti, Hero get export earnings boost as domestic market remains shaky The current CAFE 2 norms, in effect since April 2023, mandate a CO2 emission target of 113 grams per kilometer for an average vehicle weight of 1,082 kg. The proposed CAFE 3 rules represent a considerable tightening of these standards. Additionally, the new norms propose using the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) for measuring emissions, a test cycle that more closely mirrors real-world driving conditions and generally yields higher emission figures than the currently used Modified Indian Driving Cycle (MIDC). Automakers with an average weight of vehicles sold more than 1,170 kg will be allowed relatively higher emissions, while those with a lower weight will have a stricter emission limit. This has irked Maruti Suzuki, which has on average, the lightest vehicle portfolio in India. While President Donald Trumps administration has dropped or rolled-back several high-profile actions against the US digital asset industry, the ongoing case involving crypto mixer Tornado Cash is a significant exception. Roman Storm, co-founder of a software platform that facilitates anonymous crypto transactions, is facing a trial on charges that he helped launder more than $1 billion, with opening arguments scheduled to start Tuesday in New York. That sum includes hundreds of millions allegedly stolen by the Lazarus Group, which the US says is a cybercrime organization that works for the North Korean government. Storm, 36, has denied wrongdoing. He faces as much as 45 years in prison if convicted of the three conspiracy counts against him. Tornado Cash is known in the industry as a privacy mixer because it jumbles crypto from different sources before sending them to the ultimate receiver and making the chain of transactions harder to trace. The service has allegedly been used in several high-profile crypto heists including in 2022 the $600 million exploit affecting then-popular blockchain game, Axie Infinity. Regulators around the world have to sought to crack down on crypto mixers, and despite the current US administrations pro-crypto posture, the Justice Department has continued to pursue cases similar to Storms. Prosecutors in New York are pressing ahead with charges against two founders of the Samourai Wallet crypto-mixing service accused of helping launder $100 million for darkweb marketplaces. In June, the department charged four North Koreans who were accused of posing as remote tech workers to steal more than $900,000 in virtual currencies that were allegedly laundered through Tornado Cash. Despite Trumps pro-crypto stance, his administration is not monolithic, said Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor. Its certainly possible to be pro-crypto and nonetheless to believe that if someone is conspiring to engage in criminal activity that they should be held responsible, said Mariotti, who is now a partner at Paul Hastings. At the end of the day, that distinguishes Tornado Cash from a variety of other players in the space who are acting legally. Industry Support Storm has received widespread support from the industry, and groups including the DeFi Education Fund, the Blockchain Association, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and prominent crypto venture capital firm Paradigm Operations have filed briefs in the case in support of Storm. Coinbase Global Inc. helped fund a related lawsuit linked to sanctions against Tornado Cash. Storm last week called on the crypto community and privacy advocates to donate to his legal fund, saying hes facing a critical shortfall as the trial is expected to take longer than expected and needs to raise $500,000 in the next few days and $1.5 million within a couple of weeks. Paradigm which donated $1.25 million to Storms defense said that subjecting a software developer to criminal liability for the actions of their users would be as absurd as prosecuting a television manufacturer for state secrets being divulged on-air, leather craftsmen for wallets holding stolen cash or Apple for conspiracies formed through iPhone conversations. Storm, a native of Kazakhstan who obtained political asylum in the US after fleeing persecution in Russia for opposing its invasion of Georgia, says he simply built privacy tools for legitimate crypto holders and had no control over Tornado Cashs customers. He argues the prosecution is an unprecedented attempt to criminalize the development of software. Two Romans Storm and fellow Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Semenov were charged by the US in 2023 for conspiring to launder money and violating US sanctions. Semenov, a Russian national, isnt in custody and hasnt responded to the US charges. Another co-founder, Alexey Pertsev, was charged by Dutch authorities in 2022, convicted in May 2024, and sentenced to more than five years in prison. The trio launched Tornado Cash in August 2019, advertising the service as a cryptocurrency mixer that allows users to send Ethereum anonymously using groundbreaking, non-custodial technology based on strong cryptography! But in April 2022, after the Treasury Department said it tied the Lazarus Group to the Axie Infinity game hack, blockchain data showed that some of the stolen funds had been moved to Tornado Cash. Four months later, the US sanctioned Tornado Cash, barring American companies and individuals from doing business with it. In September 2022, six individuals, including two Coinbase Global employees, sued the Treasury Department over the sanctions, alleging that the department overstepped its authority to block financial transactions benefiting foreign terrorists. The suit, which was partially organized and funded by Coinbase, alleged that the department ensnared law-abiding Americans conducting legitimate digital commerce. In November, a federal appeals court ruled that the Treasury Department overstepped its authority by sanctioning Tornado Cash, siding with the Coinbase-backed suit, and the department subsequently removed the sanctions in March. US District Judge Katherine Polk Failla barred the government from mentioning the sanctions or the Coinbase-backed suit during trial, saying that such testimony was likely to confuse the jury. The case is US v. Storm, 23-cr-00430, US District Court, Southern District of New York . 2025 Bloomberg L.P. By Laila Kearney NEW YORK -Google has agreed to secure as much as 3 gigawatts of U.S. hydropower in the world's largest corporate clean power pact for hydroelectricity, the company said on Tuesday, as Big Tech pursues the expansion of energy-hungry data centers. The deal between Google and Brookfield Asset Management includes initial 20-year power purchase agreements, totaling $3 billion, for electricity generated from two hydropower facilities in Pennsylvania. The technology industry is intensifying the hunt for massive amounts of clean electricity to power data centers needed for artificial intelligence and cloud computing, which has driven U.S. power consumption to record highs after nearly two decades of stagnation. Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer at Google parent company Alphabet, is expected to discuss the news at an AI summit in Pittsburgh. U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the event, where $70 billion in AI and energy investments are expected to be announced. "This collaboration with Brookfield is a significant step forward, ensuring clean energy supply in the PJM region where we operate," Amanda Peterson Corio, Google's head of data center energy, said in a statement. Over roughly the last year, Google has struck several first-of-a-kind power purchase agreements, including for carbon-free geothermal energy and advanced nuclear. The company is also working with the country's largest electricity grid operator, PJM Interconnection, to use AI to speed up the process of hooking up new power supplies to the grid. In the latest deal, Google said it has signed an initial framework agreement with Brookfield, owner of Brookfield Renewable Partners, which develops and operates renewable energy plants. Its two hydropower sites in Pennsylvania will be upgraded and relicensed as part of the arrangement, the companies said. Google said it plans to expand the deal eventually beyond those sites to other parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. New Delhi: AWL Agri Business Ltd (AWL), which sells edible oils, flour and food, expects a significant rise in demand, particularly ahead of the festive season, spurred by a recent cooling in edible oil prices and strong monsoon showers that are key to the rural economy. This price decline is a direct result of the governments decision to lower duties on crude edible oil imports. Angshu Mallick, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO), AWL Agri Business, said in an interview with Mint that the company has fully passed on these price reductions on edible oils to consumers, and is expecting a pickup in demand July onwards. In the April-June quarter, the maker of Fortune edible oil reported a 5% year-on-year decline in overall volumes, even as the company posted a 21% rise in revenue, reaching 17,059 crore. The volume dip in the June quarter was largely attributed to edible oil and food. Also Read | FMCG makers see weather impact on topline growth in Jun quarter To be sure, the entire industry experienced a volume contraction in the edible oils category. Mallick emphasized that the governments decision to slash import duties on crude edible oils on 31 May led to delayed purchases, as buyers awaited price stabilization, hurting overall consumption. Due to the import duty cut on 31st of May, the entire trade was waiting, and they wanted to understand the impact of the duty cut, how the prices would be. So, everybody delayed their purchases. As a result, we had an impact due to that, he said. Additionally, out-of-home consumption and B2B segmentspurchases by other packaged food companiesremained subdued, reflecting a broader slowdown in consumer demand for categories like frying chips and snacks. Effective 31 May, the basic customs duty on crude soybean oil, crude palm oil and crude sunflower oil was halved to 10%. This change came after over eight months of higher import taxes on these oils. The effective import duty on these three products, which includes basic customs duty and additional fees, now stands at 16.5%, down from the previous 27.5%. Also Read | Centre asks edible oil makers to pass on benefits of duty cut Price (of edible oil) has come down between 1st April and now by almost 6 to 7%. Palm oil has come down by 14%. Palm (oil) was always costly and because of that the entire out-of-home consumption was also subdued. I am sure July onwards, we will see better consumption story, he said. During the quarter, the food segment's performance was significantly impacted by the consolidation of the non-basmati rice business, where the company reduced its geographical footprint to just a few key states, which contributed to lower volumes in this category. The company also sells pulses and besan (gram flour), soya nuggets, sugar and poha (rice flakes). Revenue from the food and FMCG segment declined 8% year-on-year during the quarter to 1,414 crore due to multiple headwinds. However, excluding the G2G rice business, revenue from the segment increased by 4% year-on-year. G2G refers to rice traded under government-to-government agreements, often to meet food security requirements. The G2G business, involving rice sales to government-appointed export agencies, generated 316 crore in FY25, but was largely discontinued after Q3FY25, the company said in its June quarter earnings. Also Read | Unbranded products surge in urban India, branded holds strong in rural parts In the wheat flour category, volumes were affected by soft consumer demand, higher brand premiums and increased local competition. With further planned initiatives, the company anticipates volume growth will continue to exceed industry rates, as stated in its earnings statement. Looking ahead, Mallick pointed to a rebound during the upcoming festive season. A surge in white-collar crimes over the past two years is prompting Indian companies to tighten internal controls and seek legal counsel to protect against potential liabilities, experts told Mint. Firms in high-risk sectors like financial services, including Mahindra Finance, are proactively working with law firms to strengthen compliance and flag anomalies early, as tech-enabled fraud and remote work increase vulnerabilities. There has been a 50-70% rise in white-collar crimes and corporate frauds over the last two years," said Sahil Kanuga, partner at law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, who tracks white-collar crimes. An employee emailing an official document to himself, sanctioning funds approved by the chief executive officer over email, or a spurt in transactions at odd hours could trigger scrutiny for white-collar crimes. Companies are increasingly disclosing potential internal lapses to their legal counsel, relying on the confidentiality of the client-lawyer relationship. Law firms say clients trust them to not just assess potential legal exposure but also to deploy in-house forensic teams to investigate any breach, identify gaps in controls, and proactively weave in safeguards such as tighter employment clauses or vendor contracts. Key Takeaways India Inc has seen a 50-70% jump in corporate frauds over the past two years, driven by remote work, tech-enabled scams, and weak internal safeguards. For listed companies and startups alike, a single fraud incident can destroy investor confidence, making early detection and prevention critical. Companies like Mahindra Finance are implementing stricter internal policieslike surprise leaves, staff rotation, and multi-factor approvalsto curb fraud risk. Corporates are increasingly disclosing potential breaches to law firms for confidential advice, forensic investigations, and preventive policy tweaks. Firms are using AI and other tools to flag suspicious activity, detect anomalies, and bolster early fraud detection. India Inc on alert Consulting and audit firm PwC found that 59% of the Indian companies it had surveyed for a study, published in December, had encountered financial or economic fraud in the past 24 months, surpassing the global average of 41%. Grant Thornton attributed the rise in fraud cases in recent years to the impact of Covid-19. In its Financial and Cyber Fraud Report 2024, the business advisory noted a significant increase in fraud incidents post-pandemic driven by factors such as the shift from on-site to remote work, insufficient internal controls to keep pace with organisational changes, and various technology-related challenges. Last year, Mahindra Finance uncovered a 150 crore fraud involving forged customer verification, or know-your-customer (KYC), documents in retail vehicle loans. Since then, it has introduced stricter controls, including surprise 5-day mandatory leaves for executives in sensitive roles like treasury, underwriting, and branch operations. During this period, the executive will not have access to their official e-mail/approval authority and all sanctions will be given by the next in command," Manish Sinha, chief human resources officer at Mahindra Finance, said in an email reply to Mint. The firm also rotates key staff every 4-5 years to curb risks tied to long stints in the same role or location. In another case, according to Cyrils Kanuga, the India finance head of a global pharma firm wired lakhs of rupees within hours of what seemed like an urgent payment request from the parent companys CEO, only to realise it was fake. Since then, the firm has mandated multi-factor authentication, requiring a second approval or a one-time password sent to an authorised device to prevent solo approvals. The detection of such financial fraud can damage a companys reputation. For publicly traded companies, fraud discoveries almost invariably lead to sharp declines in stock price," said Avik Biswas, partner at law firm Khaitan and Co. Indian companies are also ramping up employee awareness, bringing in lawyers to highlight how seemingly harmless actions can raise red flags. Apeksha Mattoo, partner at Trilegal, warned employees against emailing official documents to personal accounts, noting that during white-collar crime audits every email is scrutinised. We have seen employees in large ad agencies and insurance firms email things like Form 16 to themselves, which can trigger suspicion, even though its publicly available," she said. In one case, a CEO who had emailed his sons school fee details to his office email faced corruption allegations during his exit checks when he was leaving the company, according to Mattoo. Mohammad Kamran, leader, international disputes and investigations, at Nishith Desai Associates, cited another recent instance of fraud. In this case, instead of email, it was the parties Whatsapp/Telegram group that was compromised. A group was created between the buyer and seller. A hacker created a similar group with similar names and display pictures, and added the parties to the fake group where the parties shared crucial information, leading to financial losses," said Kamran. AI in fraud detection Biswas of Khaitan and Co. warned that for startups or early-stage firms, a single fraud incident can threaten survival by eroding investor confidence overnight. To avoid such fallout, lending fintech startup CASHe is strengthening its internal controls and response systems with artificial intelligence, apart from aligning with the Reserve Bank of Indias baseline governance frameworks. Were also piloting AI-based fraud detection tools, including behavioural biometrics (tracking typing patterns, etc., to ensure human activity), to further reinforce our risk framework," said CASHe CEO Yashoraj Tyagi. Apart from using artificial intelligence and data analytics for real-time alerts and anomaly detection systems, companies are also using AI and machine learning tools to see if sensitive files are being accessed at odd hours or in unfamiliar locations. Major fraud detection tools and platforms including IBM Safer Payments, FICO Falcon, DataVisor, Sift Science, and Palantir Foundry use AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics to detect anomalies, prevent transaction fraud, verify identities, and analyse large data sets across sectors such as banking, insurance, and e-commerce. Indian regulators, too, are turning to AI. The RBI Innovation Hubs MuleHunter.AI uses AI and machine learning to analyse transactions and identify mule accounts faster and more accurately than traditional methods, with pilots at two major public sector banks showing promising results. The prime minister of Australia, a longtime US security partner in Asia, sought to focus his trip to China this week on business and trade opportunities, dodging thornier issues around US-China competition such as Taiwan or Beijings military expansion. Since taking office just over three years ago, Anthony Albanese has repaired his countrys relationship with China, the market for about one-third of its exports, after suffering Beijings punitive tariffs and other restrictions during the pandemic. Now, however, President Donald Trumps renewed trade war between the US and China risk again destabilizing those ties, as they do for Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and others in the region who look to Washington for security but to China for trade. Given that China is overwhelmingly, by far, the largest trading partner that Australia has, it is very much in the interests of Australian jobs and the Australian economy to have a positive and constructive relationship, Albanese said Tuesday after meeting President Xi Jinping. The Chinese leader was equally enthusiastic: The China-Australia relationship has risen from the setbacks and turned around, bringing tangible benefits to the Chinese and Australian peoples, he said, obliquely referring to the tensions before 2022. The leaders seemingly both avoided any tricky security-related issues, including the potential forced sale of the port of Darwin by its Chinese owner, given its proximity to where US Marines exercise. Albanese said the issue didnt come up. Neither, he said, did complaints about Australias foreign investment regime, which has blocked a number of proposed purchases by Chinese firms, nor reports that the US has pressured Canberra about its role in any potential war over Taiwan. On Taiwan, Albanese said he reaffirmed his nations commitment to the status quo support for the islands de facto autonomy without endorsing formal independence and maintaining recognition of the One China policy. His remarks highlight Australias opposition to any unilateral move, especially by force, to alter the cross-strait balance. Positive Momentum Chinese state media has been positive about the trip, with an editorial Monday in the China Daily, the main Communist Party mouthpiece in English, saying that it highlights Australias commitment to deepening ties and fostering stability amid the uncertain global landscape. Against the backdrop of rising tensions between the United States and many countries because of the US administrations recent threat to levy higher tariffs his visit shows that the Australian side has a clearer judgment and understanding of China than the previous government of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the editorial said. The progress made in their economic and trade cooperation in the past two years has benefited the people of both countries, and provided a counterweight amid the rampancy of unilateralism and protectionism, it said. Albanese took pains to argue that his government wasnt looking to China to make up for the changes to US trade policy under Trump. Trade with the US is important, but is less than 5% of what the country sells, he said. What Australia is doing is engaging not just with China, but we engage as well with our partners around the world and we increasingly want to see a diversification of our trade. Albanese heads next to Chengdu on his six-day trip, which comes on the heels of visits by a number of Australian officials. Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser traveled there in April, followed by Governor Michele Bullock in May. The two nations are set to start a review of their Free Trade Agreement, which was signed a decade ago, Albanese also said Tuesday. Chinas Ambassador Xiao Qian in an editorial last week called for a review with a more open attitude and higher standard. While China bought almost $62 billion of Australian goods in the first half of this year, managing the relationship is complicated by Beijings increased assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific. In February, it conducted live-fire naval drills in the Tasman Sea, near Australia and New Zealand. Albanese said at the time that he was concerned by the lack of notice from Beijing over the drills, which he also said were within the bounds of international law. He said Tuesday that he sought assurances from Xi about being better informed in the future. He didnt clarify if he received them. With assistance from Josh Xiao. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Technology-led accounting solutions firm Clear (formerly ClearTax) is pushing into Europe and West Asia, a move that its leadership says will temporarily delay profitability. But the potential rewards, both in market size and regulatory tailwinds, are worth the wait. What we're seeing is that the global expansion opportunity for us has gone up dramatically. We're having a lot of fun going global, so we're investing again," said founder and CEO Archit Gupta. The push into Europe is being led primarily by the European Union's decision to pass a piece of legislation called VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) in March this year, as part of its efforts to modernise Value Added Tax (VAT) rules in the region. According to EY, the ViDA package aims to reduce the 93 billion VAT gap in the EU" and make the VAT system more efficient for businesses." The company declined to comment on how much funding they would be investing in the expansion into the new geographies. Also Read: Chargebee plugs into India as global demand heats up A large part of the ViDA package focuses on mandatory implementation of electronic invoicing, across business-to-government, business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions. The legislation will be rolled out progressively until 2035, giving members time to implement it in their nations. Our first focus is basically going after e-invoicing, which the EU is mandating and something we're already very good at. That and taxes, we're good at both," said Gupta. In the EU, Clear will be offering its e-invoicing services primarily, which has been the company's focus in its global enterprise vertical. Furthermore, the EU is a large market where several multinational brands either have a significant presence or are expanding into the region. It's also a large market with a gross domestic product of $17 trillion, according to the World Bank Group. Key Takeaways EU ViDA e-invoicing mandate is a big driver of Clears Europe entry. Clear is expanding its Middle East business, especially in the UAE, after success in Saudi Arabia. Enterprise business now contributes 75% of Clears revenue, shifting from its original SMB focus. Profitability is delayed but seen as achievable within 12-18 months in new regions. FY24 revenue doubled while losses shrank, despite expansion costs. Currently, Clear is running proof-of-concept projects with several clients in Europe in Germany, France, Belgium and Spain. While the company was unable to share by when they'll be setting up teams in those countries, it did say that they'd be launching in the EU before the first wave of the ViDA mandate sets in. Our focus is that any new regulation should be solved with our software in a matter of a few days, in the worst case. It's so we can provide credibility to our customers," said Gupta. West Asia push Clear already has operations in Saudi Arabia. But now it's making a deeper push in West Asia, targeting the United Arab Emirates, led especially by its software and invoicing products. In fact, Saudi Arabia introduced mandatory e-invoicing in December 2021 with the launch of its FATOORA platform. The United Arab Emirates announced the UAE e-invoicing Programme last year. According to EY, the timeline for the anticipated go-live first phase is set to start in July 2026. Oman's Tax Authority signed an agreement with public-sector telecom company Omantel in May this year to build e-invoicing infrastructure as well. In Saudi Arabia, our invoicing software has been growing fast and is solving a key problem there," said Gupta. Some of the company's clients in the two nations include Swedish furniture company IKEA, Southeast Asian ride-hailing and delivery service Grab Taxi, and Dubai-based conglomerate Landmark Group. In India, the company caters to Tata Group's retail company Trent, insurance provider Tata AIG, and Standard Chartered Bank. Profitability outlook ClearTax rebranded to Clear in 2021, ten years after it began as a tax filing portal for individuals in 2011. The rebranding was part of the realisation that their services were not just for individual consumers but also for enterprises. Our original hypothesis was to target small and medium businesses, and our software will be used by them," said Gupta. However, what they found instead was that enterprise users and chartered firms were making up a larger part of their user base. By 2022, Clear pivoted sharply towards enterprise solutions, which now generate 75% of its revenue, compared to 25% from its B2C business, monetized only three years ago. While expansion costs are high, Gupta says most regions turn profitable 12 to 18 months after entry. The regions we're operating in currently start to generate profits after a 12 to 18-month window. These businesses are margin accretive," he said, emphasising that customer acquisition is the biggest upfront cost. After that, it's a SaaS business, it just recurs." In FY24, Clear nearly doubled its revenue to 209.8 crore, cutting losses by 59% to 96 crore. The company last raised funds in 2021, netting $75 million in a Series C round led by Kora Capital, Stripe, Alua Capital, and Think Investments, with existing backers like Sequoia Capital and SAIF Partners still on board. Mexican regulators imposed 185 million pesos in fines last month on three firms that were targeted by the US Treasury for potentially aiding drug traffickers, according to government data. Intercam Banco SA and its brokerage were fined 92 million Mexican pesos for violations of anti-money laundering rules such as failing to have an automated registry of unusual activity or follow its own guidelines on high risk clients, according to newly released data in regulator CNBVs database of fines. CIBanco SA and its brokerage were fined nearly 67 million pesos, also under anti-money laundering rules, for failing to maintain records and processing inordinate amounts of US dollars in cash. Brokerage Vector Casa de Bolsa SA was not called out for breaking anti-money laundering rules, but was fined almost 27 million pesos for faults including failing to notify clients of changes in its fund information. Last month, the US Treasury departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network slapped orders on the same firms that will prohibit transfers with them, using new powers for the first time from last years FEND Off Fentanyl Act. The bulk of Intercams fines were imposed on the same day as the US action while most of CIBancos and Vectors were levied on June 26, one day later, suggesting coordination between the countries authorities. After the US orders were published, President Claudia Sheinbaum said the US had not provided proof of money laundering to justify such a drastic move. Last week, the US extended the deadline to cut off the firms to Sept. 4, citing Mexicos cooperation and quick move to take over management of the banks. With assistance from Jose Orozco. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Norways $1.9 trillion wealth fund says global banks need to start telling investors how much of their revenue is being omitted from CO2 emissions reports. Norges Bank Investment Management, the worlds largest sovereign-wealth fund, wants banks to begin accounting for the full scope of the emissions they enable through services such as loans and the underwriting of bonds. With the vast majority of banks not reporting the carbon footprint of their capital markets business, investors need to know the potential magnitude of excluded emissions, Jeanne Stampe, lead policy adviser for NBIM, said in an interview. If banks disclosed the revenues or amounts associated with such exclusions, then investors would get a sense of the relative contribution of excluded activities, she said. The comments show the determination of major asset owners in Europe to include climate risk in their investment decisions, despite pushback in some jurisdictions. In the US, the Trump administration has vilified goals such as net zero emissions, which has coincided with a mass retreat by Wall Street banks from the main industry alliance dedicated to net zero. Since the Paris climate agreement was struck at the end of 2015, global banks have provided $6.3 trillion of loans and bonds to the fossil fuel industry, with Wall Streets biggest lenders far ahead of their European peers, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. At the same time, the planet may now be on track for warming of 3.1C by the end of the century, as high-carbon industries continue to release emissions into the atmosphere. Scientists have warned that temperature increases of that magnitude would lead to key tipping points being breached, opening the door to potentially irreversible consequences. NBIM, which invests close to 11% of its total equity holdings in financial firms including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Citigroup Inc., is now throwing its weight behind a proposal from the International Sustainability Standards Board that would give investors a better sense of how big finance-sector emissions really are. ISSB, whose standards are in the process of being adopted by jurisdictions representing about 60% of the global economy, is proposing that banks disclose how much of their business is excluded from the emissions data they provide. The plan also applies to insurers, which often limit their emissions calculations to investments while leaving out those associated with insurance underwriting. Banks and insurers responding to an ISSB consultation have voiced opposition to the proposal, arguing that a clear link to underlying emissions can be hard to establish, especially when trying to deal with products such as derivatives. Such disclosures may even be misleading, they suggest. Sue Lloyd, ISSBs vice chair, said shes aware that theres resistance from within the industry. However, the ISSB proposal is designed so that investors have got some sense of the magnitude of the business that is excluded from banks emissions reporting, she said. If the proposal succeeds, then at least weve got a signal of how big a gap there is in measuring actual emissions. ISSB targets having a decision by the end of this year, Lloyd said. Studies show that capital markets activities make up the lions share of global banks funding of oil, gas and coal. A June report by a group of nonprofits found that bond financing was responsible for most of last years $162 billion increase in fossil fuel financing. There have been industry-led attempts to help banks report their facilitated emissions, including the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials. But these have yet to result in any industrywide reporting commitments. Giel Linthorst, climate lead at ING Groep NV and former executive director at PCAF, said that like much of sustainability reporting, disclosing facilitated emissions is difficult but not impossible. The actual calculations arent complex, he said. Excluding facilitated emissions will cause a significant loss of useful information which is required to address the climate problem, said Angelica Afanador, PCAFs executive director. Its not easy but that isnt an argument for delay. On Wall Street, banks say theyre looking into how best to proceed. At Bank of America Corp., the incorporation of facilitated emissions in its 2030 targets continues to be evaluated, a spokeswoman said. Spokespeople for Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo & Co., Citigroup and JPMorgan declined to comment, pointing instead to their published statements regarding climate policies. Morgan Stanley referred to its 2023 ESG report, in which it says it will include capital markets in emissions disclosures over time. Goldman Sachs 2024 Task Force on Climate-Related Disclosures report limits emissions reporting to its asset and wealth management business. Citigroup has included facilitated emissions for three industries carmakers, energy and power in its 2030 emission reduction targets, according to the banks 2024 annual report. JPMorgan reported facilitated emissions in its 2024 climate report. Wells Fargo announced in February it was abandoning its goal for net zero financed emissions by 2050. Morgan Stanley, Barclays Plc, Bank of America and Citigroup are members of PCAF meaning theyve in principle committed to disclosing emissions, according to the organizations website. Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo arent members. --With assistance from Stephen Treloar. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Nvidia Corp.s Jensen Huang spent months telling everyone what a grave mistake the US was making restricting shipments of artificial intelligence processors to China with little sign that his argument was swaying anyone. Then, very suddenly, that all changed. Late on Monday, the chipmaker said it received assurances that the US government would allow it to export some chips to the Asian nation. Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Nvidias chief rival, quickly followed with a similar announcement. These export license approvals could generate billions of dollars in total revenue for the companies this year and they mark a dramatic reversal after the Trump administration said the issue wasnt even up for debate. Huang has taken almost every opportunity available to him from the stage of tech events to Washington visits to argue that a crackdown on China is counterproductive. During his appearances, he navigated a fine line between praising Trump policies aimed at bringing back chip manufacturing to the US and demanding more freedom to do business in China. Just last week, Huang met with President Donald Trump at the White House. Jensen has done a wonderful job at advocating to the administration, said Matthew Bryson, an analyst at Wedbush Securities. The CEO has catered to the White Houses interest in investing in the US, while at the same time advocating his views on the importance that US AI should flow freely, he said. When Nvidia announced its plans to reenter the China market, Huang was visiting Beijing, attending a government-sponsored event and meeting officials to discuss safe and secure AI for the benefit of all, according to a company statement. Nvidia said it was assured that licenses would be granted by the US government and hopes to start deliveries soon. It is a positive signal not only for Nvidia and its related supply chain but also for broader markets given its implications for US-China trade talks, said Richard Clode, portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors. Still, theres no guarantee the new approvals will lead to flourishing business in China. Nvidia and AMD arent certain how many chips the new export licenses will cover or how long they will last, according to a person familiar with the matter. In China, the US chipmakers are only permitted to sell older, limited versions of their products. And many buyers in the country, where companies are rapidly churning out AI models, have moved to local suppliers. Its also not clear how much Huangs lobbying turned the tide. The concession was part of broader US negotiations with China, which the White House said will accept higher tariffs and cooperate on rare-earth minerals. Senior administration officials are pretty clearly characterizing this as having been explicitly traded for what we got in those talks, said Tobin Marcus, head of US policy and politics at Wolfe Research. Huang has argued that restrictions in China mean American chipmakers will cede the immense market to local rivals, chiefly Huawei Technologies Co. White House AI adviser David Sacks has echoed that, calling for an American tech stack a set of complementary hardware and software services that the nation can export and control. Sacks, a tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist, was critical in reversing recent semiconductor restrictions to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, arguing that the Gulf powerhouses would otherwise turn to China for their growing AI ambitions. We are not selling the latest and greatest chips to China, Sacks said in a Bloomberg Television interview on Tuesday. The policy is nuanced, and it makes a lot of sense. But theres another contingent who view chip bans as a key way to keep Beijing from advancing in whats widely seen as an AI arms race. The abrupt about-face this week came as a shock to many China hawks in the administration and on Capitol Hill, leaving several privately fuming, people with knowledge of the matter said. Many policymakers were in the dark on how the changes will be implemented and raced to get a better understanding of the mechanics, said these people, who asked not to be identified because they arent authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The House select committee on China plans to seek clarification from the Commerce Department on the reversal, according to the panels Republican chairman, Representative John Moolenaar. It is crucial that the US maintain its lead and keeps advanced AI out of the hands of the Chinese Communist Party, he said in a statement. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC that the policy change makes sense because Nvidia and AMD wont be selling their latest chips in the market. We want to keep having the Chinese use the American technology. They still rely upon it, and thats key, he said. So we try to play that balance. We dont sell them our best stuff. The US first restricted Nvidias sales in China in 2022, placing curbs designed to keep the most advanced AI resources from the Chinese military. In response, Nvidia designed new processors, including the H20. Its an AI accelerator with certain components such as memory access deliberately limited to comply with US bans. Officials under President Joe Biden weighed the idea of placing restrictions on the H20 but ultimately didnt. Trump then went ahead with the curbs in April, citing national security concerns. A month later, Huang said the US government was shooting itself in the foot with the policy. All in all, the export controls were a failure. The facts would suggest it, he told reporters in Taipei. He also said demand in China for AI chips would reach $50 billion in 2026 a market that Trump basically kept his company out of. Nvidias products are central to the creation and running of artificial intelligence software. The company has more than a 90% share in AI accelerators chips that are the key component in giant data centers being built around the world. Access to the chips have become a negotiating card for Trump during his trips to the Middle East, where he secured massive pledges from Gulf states to invest in the US. Along the way, hes praised Huang for going further than some other tech CEOs, such as Apple Inc.s Tim Cook. During a trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Trump scanned the crowd for the tech luminaries who joined him for an event. He spotted Huang. Thank you very much, Jensen. I mean, Tim Cook isnt here. But you are, the president said. What a job youve done. With assistance from Laura Avetisyan, Brunella Tipismana Urbano and Alicia Diaz. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Specta, the luxury quartz surface brand of building materials player ARL Group, will invest 250 crore to nearly triple its production capacity, according to its founder Ankit Jain. The brand which currently has an annual capacity of 50 lakh square feet is looking to have a total of around 1.4 crore square feet by adding another line at its Jaipur facility, he told PTI. "Around two and a half years back, we launched the brand Specta for engineered luxury quartz. In a journey of two-and-a-half years, our first plant is reaching (full) capacity now," he said, adding the company will be making fresh investment for a second line at the existing plant. Elaborating, Jain said,"Currently we are doing around 5 million square feet (annually). We are adding new capacity of around 9 million square feet. So the total will go from 5 million square feet to around 14 million square feet and project outlay would be somewhere around 250 crore." The second line will be operational by the end of this year or at the start of next year, he said, adding 150 new jobs would be created in the new line. The facility will have the capability to produce 7mm ultra-thin quartz and will also produce significantly larger slab sizes, increasing from the current 57 square feet to approximately 76 square feet. In terms of sales, Jain said,"With the new plant (coming up), after two year in FY27, we are targeting around 500 crore, up from the current 150 crore." Bullish on the growth of the brand, Jain said while the initial expectation for luxury building materials was more from metros and tier one cities "the kind of response we're receiving from the tier II cities and some parts of tier III cities as well has been phenomenal...once the product is out there, people are accepting it pretty well and we've seen good growth from smaller cities as well." Mumbai: US short-seller Viceroy Research on Tuesday levelled new allegations at Vedanta Group, this time accusing Vedanta Ltds promoters of holding an undisclosed stake through a welfare trust, charges the company rejected as baseless. The entity under scrutiny is PTC Cables Pvt. Ltd (PTCC), which holds a 1.91% stake in Vedanta Ltd, a company with a market capitalization of 1.75 trillion, according to BSE data. PTCC is owned by Bhadram Janhit Shalika Trust (BJST), which Viceroy alleges is controlled by the Agarwal family, founders of the Vedanta Group. According to Viceroy, PTCC received 1,500 crore in dividend income from Vedanta over the past five years, and the capital was "upcycled" to promoter-linked entities. PTCC exists for one purpose: to quietly recycle Vedantas cash into promoter-controlled vehicles while maintaining the illusion of independence, the Viceroy report said. Vedanta denied the allegations. These assertions are baseless, a spokesperson for the company said, adding that the company was compliant with the disclosure norms as stipulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the Companies Act, 2013. Neither BJST nor PTCC are part of the promoter group as defined under applicable regulations, and their shareholding has been transparently disclosed in public filings, the spokesperson added. A day after Viceroy released its report, JP Morgan had issued a note, telling investors not to get distracted by the allegations on corporate governance and financial management, and that the global brokerage had an Overweight rating on both Vedanta Resources Ltd and Vedanta Ltd. Viceroys claims are based on publicly available records. In a 2009 income-tax case, BJSTs correspondence address was listed as Anil Agarwals personal residence in Mumbai. In another case, the trusts address was that of Todarwal & Todarwal, a firm linked to Arun Todarwal, who currently serves as a director on the board of Sterlite Power Grid Ventures, a Vedanta subsidiary. Todarwal has also previously served as a director on the boards of Hindustan Zinc Ltd, Sterlite Technologies, MALCO, and BALCO. The report acknowledged that no conclusive documentation of current control was available, noting that Indian trusts are subject to less stringent disclosure obligations compared to companies. Viceroy also cited unnamed former Vedanta employees who claimed that the Agarwal family's control over PTCC was an "open secret" within the company. Also Read | Five big concerns flagged by Viceroy Research in its 87-page report on Vedanta In addition to alleging hidden promoter ownership, the report flagged governance concerns at PTCC. The company was incorporated in 1993 with the Agarwal family as shareholders and was transferred to BJST in 2017. Its current directors are Todarwal and Kannan Ramamirthan. Ramamirthan is an independent director of Hindustan Zinc, Vedantas most profitable subsidiary. He has also previously served on the boards of other Vedanta group firms, including Talwandi Sabo Power Plant, BALCO, Sterlite Energy, and Sterlite Interlinks. Vedanta has not disclosed in its filings that PTCCclassified as a public shareholderhas directors with long-standing associations with the group. The company did not respond to a specific query on this issue. Calls and emails to Todarwal for a comment did not elicit a response. Mint could not reach Ramamirthan for a comment. Concerns about the independence of BJST and PTCC are not new. In a 2020 note, proxy advisory firm Stakeholder Empowerment Services (SES) had said that BJST was previously known as the SIL Employee Welfare Trust and was linked to Sterlite Industries Ltd, which was later merged into Vedanta. The trust was subsequently renamed as BJST. It is not clear as to who presently controls the BJST, SES had written. However, if the firm was under the control of Vedanta, then PTCC should be classified as a promoter shareholder, it said. Viceroys first report on the Vedanta Group was published on 10 July, a day before Vedanta Ltds annual general meeting (AGM). The initial report triggered a drop in the companys stock, though shares later recovered. At the AGM, shareholders reposed their faith in the company. Since the reports release, Vedanta shares have gained 2% to close at 449.75 on Tuesday. Also Read | Vedanta shareholders back firm after Viceroy report Nvidia said it has received assurances from the Trump administration that it can sell its H20 artificial-intelligence chip in China, days after Chief Executive Jensen Huang met President Trump. The turnabout comes after the Commerce Department restricted sales of the chip in April, costing Nvidia billions of dollars. It is welcome news for the $4 trillion chip company and Huang, who is visiting Beijing this week. The administration said Nvidia would be allowed to sell the H20 chip after licenses are granted by the Commerce Department, according to the company. Nvidia said it would begin deliveries soon. In addition, it said it has developed a new chip with lower performance that meets all U.S. export criteria so it can be shipped to China. The approval could be seen as a gesture of good faith by the U.S. in its trade talks with China. Access to chips and advanced technology has been a main priority for Chinese negotiators. The license approvals will be some of the only licenses being granted by the Trump administration, which is restricting exports of AI chips and other products to protect national security. Huang plans to meet top Chinese officials during his stay in Beijing, people familiar with the matter said. Huang met Trump last week, attempting to persuade the president that his company should be allowed to continue to do business with China and tap AI talent there, according to people familiar with the meeting. Huang told Trump that Nvidia should be allowed to sell its technology freely to most parts of the world so American companies can dominate AI instead of Chinese companies, the people said. The CEO also discussed similar topics with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, they said. The globe-trotting Huang has become one of the worlds most recognizable executives because of AIs growing prominence in the global economy. Nvidia chips are vital for cutting-edge data centers that train AI models and operate AI applications. Few companies are caught in the U.S.-China trade war as much as Nvidia, pushing Huang to spend more time making his case to politicians. Write to Raffaele Huang at raffaele.huang@wsj.com and Amrith Ramkumar at amrith.ramkumar@wsj.com New Delhi: Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd (HCCB), the largest bottling arm of The Coca-Cola Co. in India, on Tuesday announced the appointment of Hemant Rupani as its new chief executive officer, effective 8 September 2025. Rupani joins HCCB after a nine-year tenure at Mondelez International Inc., where he currently serves as business unit president for Southeast Asia, overseeing operations in Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Also Read | The hot and cold of the cola wars He will succeed Juan Pablo Rodriguez, the current CEO of HCCB, who is transitioning to a new opportunity within the Coca-Cola system, the company said in a statement. Rodriguez was appointed CEO in August 2022. Rupani will report to the HCCB board of directors. HCCB, a key player in Coca-Colas India operations, operates 13 factories and serves 236 districts across 12 states in the countrys south and west. The Coca-Cola Co. announced in December 2024 that the Jubilant Bhartia Group would acquire a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings Pvt. Ltd., the parent entity of HCCB. In addition to HCCB, Coca-Cola works with 11 large bottlers across India. Its brand portfolio in the country includes Coca-Cola, Thums Up, Sprite, Fanta, and Minute Maid. Rupani began his career in 1997 with ICI India Ltd. He joined PepsiCo in 1999 and moved to Infosys Technologies in 2002. In 2004, he returned to PepsiCo, where he spent six years, eventually becoming senior vice president, customer marketing, India Beverages. Also Read | After Middle East, Reliance takes Campa to Nepal In 2010, he joined Vodafone, and in 2014, he moved to Britannia Industries as vice president, sales and business head for the breads division. He joined Mondelez in 2016 as director of sales for India, later serving as vice president and managing director for Vietnam before being promoted to his current regional role in 2022. Also Read | Jeera spices up India's battle of beverages Rupani holds a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from Regional Engineering College, Jaipur, and an MBA in marketing from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi. Indian digital payments firm PhonePe on Tuesday named former Meta India public policy head Shivnath Thukral as its as vice president for public policy and government affairs. "Shivnath will be responsible for leading PhonePe's external engagement and discussions with policy makers and regulators," the company said in a statement, adding that he would work closely with founders Sameer Nigam and Rahul Chari. Mumbai/New Delhi: After sparking outrage in India for showcasing Kolhapuri-style sandals" on the Milan runway, Italian luxury giant Prada has sent top executives to the footwears hometown of Kolhapur. The two-day visit, which began Tuesday, marks the brands first formal outreach to Indian artisans. In response to Mints queries, Prada confirmed that the visiting team includes Andrea Boscaro, Director of Collection Development for Prada and Miu Miu Footwear; Paolo Tiveron, Director of Mens Technical and Production Department Footwear Division; and Daniele Contu, Pattern Making Manager Footwear Division. They are accompanied by external consultants Andrea Pollastrelli and Roberto Pollastrelli. The team has already visited a few artisan clusters as part of its engagement with local footwear makers, according to people familiar with the development. Also Read | Can the law save Kolhapuris from being trodden on? The Milan-based fashion house, part of Prada Holding SpA, showcased leather sandals resembling Kolhapuri chappals at its recent Mens Spring-Summer 2026 show, held at the Deposito of the Fondazione Prada. The sandals, priced upwards of 1 lakh ($1,200), sparked widespread criticism in India, with online users highlighting the deep cultural roots of Kolhapuri footwear and the vast price disparity. Kolhapuris are widely available in Indian markets for under 1,000. The team is set to come on Tuesday; they will stay here for two days. The technical team will evaluate the process of making Kolhapuri chappals and share their experience and their expectations as per Prada's requirement. They will also be visiting artist clusters where Kolhapuri footwear is made," Lalit Gandhi, president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), told Mint. Open-toed Kolhapuri chappals, named after the eponymous city in Maharashtra, have been worn in India since the 12th and 13th centuries. In 2019, the sandals were granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, legally protecting the name Kolhapuri chappal" and ensuring that only footwear made by artisans in designated districts of Maharashtra (Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Solapur) and Karnataka (Bagalkot, Belagavi, Dharwad, Vijayapura or Bijapur) can carry the label. The display of similar-looking sandals by one of the worlds top luxury fashion houses prompted Indian trade representatives to reach out to Prada, seeking formal acknowledgment of the artisans and their craft. In a letter dated 25 June, MACCIA highlighted the heritage of Kolhapuri chappals and their importance to local livelihoods. It also expressed concern" over commercialization of the design without due acknowledgement, credit or collaboration with the artisan communities. It urged the brand to acknowledge the inspiration behind the design publicly and explore possibilities for collaborations or fair compensation that could benefit artist communities. Prada responded in a letter dated 27 June. Loreno Bertelli, Prada Groups head for corporate social responsibility, acknowledged that sandals featured in the brand's Mens 2026 Fashion Show were inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage. Prada said the collection is at an early" stage of design development, with none of the pieces confirmed to be produced or commercialized. It reinforced its commitment to responsible design practices and to opening dialogue for a meaningful exchange with local Indian artisan communities. It then welcomed the opportunity for further discussions." The two sides also agreed to hold a video conference on 11 July with key members of Pradas leadership team. MACCIAs Gandhi proposed exploring co-branded collections and the possibility of establishing a Prada Artisan Excellence Lab in Kolhapur or Mumbai to foster innovation, among other discussions such as responsible attribution of Kolhapuri craftsmanship. The Prada Group, which owns luxury brands such as Prada, Miu Miu, Churchs, Car Shoe, Marchesi 1824 and Luna Rossa, operates 26 owned factories and employs over 15,200 people. Prada bags retail upwards of $1,000 and can reach several thousand dollars. The group designs and produces ready-to-wear, leather goods, footwear and jewellery collections, and distributes its products in more than 70 countries through 609 directly operated stores, e-commerce platforms, and selected department stores and online retailers. NEW DELHI : India is upping the ante in the conflict over terrorism with Pakistan by planning new hydropower projects with large water storage capacity on the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, said two people close to the development. The new projects are likely to have enhanced storage capacities with low-level sluice gates that were not allowed under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between the two nations. Also Read | India enhances security at hydropower plants amid escalating border tensions The government is looking at tapping the full potential of the rivers in the Indus basin. New projects are being considered in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Himachal Pradesh, along with the possibility of raising the reservoir capacity of ones in the planning stage," said one of the two people cited above, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity. IWT suspension India suspended the 1960 water-sharing agreement with an aim to control the water flow into Pakistan as part of its diplomatic response to the 22 April Pahalgam attack. The water-distribution deal, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, capped India's storage capacity on these rivers at 3.6 maf (million acre feet). However, the second person said that, amid objections from Pakistan and challenges in project completions, India could not develop enough infrastructure to reach the permitted 3.6 maf capacity. Also Read | Pahalgam attack blow to entire humanity: PM Modi at BRICS Summit So far, India has only built run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plants, which utilize the natural flow of a river to generate electricity without the need for a large dam and reservoir in the basin. The Pakal Dul project, which has a 0.09 maf capacity, on the Marusudar river, a tributary of the Chenab, is the only reservoir-based hydropower project. The cumulative capacity identified for upcoming storage-based projects, including Pakal Dul, Bursar, Wardwan Bursar, Gyspa, and Ratle, is 2.23 maf. With the IWT in abeyance, hydro project developers can now have low-level sluice spillways, better desilting mechanisms, and multi-functional capabilities that would cater to irrigation and flood control, along with hydropower generation", the second person said. Large reservoirs in Zanskar valley (on the Zanskar river, a tributary of the Indus, in the Union territory of Ladakh) and in Leh would be key for irrigation and energy security in the region," the person added. Push to fast-track projects The Centre has already asked state-run NHPC Ltd and the Union territory of J&K to accelerate work on the under-construction hydropower projects on the rivers flowing into Pakistan. During his June visit to J&K, Union power minister Manohar Lal noted that the Union territory has a huge hydropower potential that should be effectively utilized. He asked the J&K government to resolve pending issues in the NHPC's under-construction projects so that they can be completed early. There are several issues in projects in Sawalkot (an NHPC project) where progress has been delayed. A long gestation period is a reason for the lack of interest in developing hydro projects. But, there is a strategic need now to develop projects with storage capacity and tap the potential in Jammu and Kashmir and also across the country," said Abhay Kumar Singh, former chairman and managing director of NHPC. Hydropower currently contributes just about 9% of the country's total power generation, Singh added. The potential of hydro power projects on the Indus basin is estimated at 32.32GW, out of which 15.55GW is operational, 4.8GW is under construction. The estimated cost of developing the rest of the potential of nearly 12GW is projected to be in the range of 1.2-1.5 trillion. Queries sent to the ministries of power and Jal Shakti, and NHPC remained unanswered till press time. From the geological and rock quality point of view, J&K is very good for setting up hydro projects with large reservoirs. The geological aspect in Himachal Pradesh, although not as good as J&K, is good enough for large hydro projects and dams," said A.K. Singh, general manager, NTPC, Hydro Headquarters. India's move to suspend the IWT is expected to hit its eastern neighbour hard. An estimated 80% of its agriculture is dependent on water from the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. It is estimated that the average annual run-off of the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab is 136 maf, of which 40% (around 54 maf) comes from the Indian catchment. India's total water-storage capacity is 257.812 billion cubic metres (BCM), according to the Central Water Commission, which converts to 209.011 maf. Experts stressed the need to mitigate the environmental impact while meeting energy security and clean power needs. Syamal Kumar Sarkar, distinguished fellow and advisor, Water Resources Division of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) said: "Hydro power projects have significant impact in terms of displacement of communities, destruction of forest cover and impacts the natural flow of the river and the associated ecosystem. So, developers need to take mitigation measures, through an integrated approach to river management. Nature-based solutions are required while constructing dams and afforestation major initiative that needs to be taken up." New Delhi: India is adopting a wait-and-watch approach amid growing uncertainty over the USs proposed tariff hikes for multiple countries, a senior government official said on Tuesday. Rajesh Agarwal, chief negotiator for the India-US bilateral trade agreement and special secretary in the ministry of commerce, said it was too early to devise a contingency plan in the absence of clarity from the US on the scope and impact of the new measures. Any backup plan has to be based on actual developments. As of today (15 July), it is too early to estimate how the differential tariffs will play out from 1 August, Agarwal said during a media briefing following the release of the latest monthly trade data. The US has listed new tariffs covering around 25 countries, including the EU (European Union), and has also spoken about finalising some trade deals. But the full spectrum of the tariff rollout is still unclear, he added. Both sides (India and the US) are working according to the terms of reference agreed upon during the first visit of the US team in March for discussions on the bilateral trade agreement, he said. Also Read | Negotiators seek PMOs decisive word to clinch landmark US trade deal Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said there was no clarity yet on the timeline or actual enforcement of the USs reciprocal tariffs. So far, except for China, all countries are facing the same 10% base tariff along with sector-specific tariffs on steel, aluminium, and auto components, Barthwal said, speaking to the media. These tariffs have only been announced, they havent been implemented yet. And we dont have clarity on when exactly they will be enforced. He added that Indias steady export performance in such an environment reflected the effectiveness of the governments policy framework. Our export markets remain stable, and our strategy continues to focus on select sectors and services, Barthwal said. Agarwal added that the government is closely tracking US import patterns. While overall tariff collections have increased, US imports havent seen a major decline outside the sectors directly affected, such as metals and automobiles, he said. Need not worry India-US trade entered a challenging phase after US President Donald Trump announced steep reciprocal tariffs in April, affecting around 87% of Indian exports. Key sectors such as electronics, gems and jewellery, textiles, rice, spices, and processed foods will face higher duties when the tariffs kick in. Agarwal said Indian industry has begun engaging with their US counterparts and importers to assess potential impacts and adjust strategies. We need not worry at this stage. We will assess the situation as it unfolds, and the government will step in with necessary measures as needed, he added. Despite the reciprocal tariff setback, the US remains one of the few countries with which India maintains a strong merchandise trade surplus. In 2024-25, Indian exports to the US rose 11.6% to $86.51 billion, while imports grew 7.4% to $45.33 billion, pushing the surplus to $41.18 billion. India-EU trade talks to resume in September Another senior official said India and the European Union will hold the next round of negotiations on their proposed free trade agreement (FTA) in the first week of September, following an exchange of offers in the services sector last week. The 12th round of talks concluded last week in Brussels. We have exchanged our offers on services and non-services, said L. Satya Srinivas, special secretary in the department of commerce. There were discussions on that, along with key interests in market access for goods, he added. WASHINGTONPresident Trumps whirlwind of trade moves is driven by a bet that keeping other countries guessing will allow him to better dictate negotiating terms with trading partners, ultimately making it easier to bend them to his will, according to Trumps aides and allies. The downside risks of that bet have become clearer in recent days. Trumps tendency to back off deadlines threatens to weaken his hand, and his use of a novel legal theory to underpin much of his trade agenda opened him up to a legal challenge that might send the trade agenda back to the drawing board. In the past week, Trump upended his trade talks by sending letters to more than two dozen countries, outlining the tariffs importers will pay on their goods after Aug. 1. He said the deadline wont change and that his steep, so-called reciprocal tariffs would go into effect on that datebut urged countries to continue negotiating. Then over the weekend Trump unexpectedly hit two of the U.S.s largest trading partners, the European Union and Mexico, with threats for higher tariffs, even as Mexicos economic team was in Washington, and an EU delegation was there days before. And on Monday, Trump said at a White House meeting that he would be fine with not striking any trade deals at all. That message contradicts senior aides, such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who for months have said that dozens of pacts are just around the corner. He goes on television and he calms the market. I go on television, I rile the market," Trump said of Bessent, adding: did you make any deals today? Weve got a lot of them, but the best deal is just sending out the [tariff letter]." Trumps allies say that statement, along with others playing down his desire for trade pacts, are all part of his negotiating style. And Trump has repeatedly touted the amount of money tariffs are bringing in, crediting Bessent with the revenues at the Monday event. The U.S. collected nearly $27 billion in tariffs last month, more than three times the June 2024 figure. Controlling timing is a huge advantage in a negotiation," said Everett Eissenstat, former deputy director of the National Economic Council in Trumps first term. Hes controlling timingthe pace, the tempo, the terms, hes setting the table and hes making the final decision." The move-fast-and-break-things approach is animated by lessons from the first term, Eissenstat added, when Trump officials took a more methodical, legalistic approach to tariffs. Trump allies ultimately ended up feeling that they could have done more to reshape U.S. trading relationships and cut chronic trade deficits. Americans have a dealmaker in chief in the White House, and they can rest assured that President Trump is using every lever of executive power to continue delivering more deals, more opportunities, and more victories for the United States," said White House spokesman Kush Desai. But the strategy cuts both ways. Trump has sowed uncertainty by twice delaying his reciprocal tariffs. He used a never-before-used legal theory to underpin many of his duties, allowing him to implement them at-will but also inviting a legal challenge that could nullify his reciprocal levies. And some in Trumps own party worry that his contradictory statements risk undermining U.S. negotiating positions, particularly when he repeatedly splits with the economic advisers running negotiations. On Sunday, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said that Trump had been unsatisfied with trade proposals brought to him so far, saying on ABCs This Week" that Trump has seen the sketches of deals" from his economic team, but thinks they need to be better." A president repeatedly contradicting the negotiators creates an environment where your negotiators are not empowered," said Susan Schwab, former U.S. trade ambassador under George W. Bush. If they know the decider is not going to agree to what [the] lead negotiators conclude, were not going to get their last, best and final offer." Some Trump allies acknowledge that the fast-moving trade approach has led to some mistakes or missteps where the team didnt appear to be on the same page. One example came in May, Eissenstat said, a day after the U.S. and China arrived at a tariff truce in Geneva. The Commerce Department issued export controls prohibiting the sale of advanced microchips to China. That move, The Wall Street Journal reported, caught officials at USTR and the Treasury Department off guard and sent mixed signals" to the Chinese, Eissenstat said. Damage from the uncertainty can be cumulative and irreversible, Schwab said. Trumps allies say it makes sense for Trump to push for final concessions, and argue the letters from Trump are simply a tactic to increase pressure on partners. A little more time" can beget a much, much better deal," said Sen. Bill Hagerty (R., Tenn.), Trumps former ambassador to Japan, who said that deals appear to be close with Tokyo and Seoul. When you take into account events in South Korea, with the recent change of government there, [and] an upper house election in Japan, both of those speak to giving a bit more time," Hagerty said. August 1 fits that timeline better than the earlier July [deadline]." Four Indian metro cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru, were featured in the 2026 QS Best Student Cities rankings released on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 According to QS rankings, Mumbai has re-entered the global top 100, moving up 15 spots to reach 98th place. Delhi has improved by seven positions to 104th, and Bengaluru has made the most significant progress among Indian cities, jumping 22 places to rank 108th. Here is a detailed ranking of Indian cities Mumbai - Rank 98 QS rankings describe Mumbai as a city with Indias most well-respected universities, including the University of Mumbai, one of the largest universities in the world, with around 550,000 students. Average international fees (at ranked unis) - US$2,100 Affordability rank - 22nd Number of universities ranked by QS - 2 Desirability rank - 105th Employer Activity rank 53rd Delhi - Rank 104th QS Rankings calls Delhi a city with no shortage of higher education institutions, with nine major universities, two of which are located in the New Delhi district. Average international fees (at ranked unis) - US$2,400 Affordability rank - 24th Number of universities ranked by QS - 5 Desirability rank - 123rd Employer Activity rank - 119th Also Read | QS Rankings: IIT Delhi enters list of top 50 institutions Bengaluru - 108th Bengaluru is the third-largest city in India, with over 10 million people, and is home to reputed research institutions and universities, including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, says QS Rankings. Average international fees (at ranked unis) - US$3,300 Affordability rank - 15th Number of universities ranked by QS - 2 Desirability rank - 113th Employer Activity rank - 117th Chennai - Rank 128th Chennai, formerly called Madras, is the fourth-largest cosmopolitan city in India and the capital of Tamil Nadu, a southern Indian state. Known as South Indias primary commercial hub, QS Rankings lauded the city for its rich heritage in music, classical dance, architecture, and crafts. The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has released the official notification for TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2025. A total of 645 vacancies have been announced under Group 2 and Group 2A services. Interested candidates can apply online through the official website www.tnpsc.gov.in starting July15. The last date to submit applications is August 13 2025. This year, TNPSC has revised the exam pattern and syllabus. Key changes include the introduction of General English in the Preliminary exam and an updated format for the Mains exam. Candidates are advised to download and read the detailed information bulletin available on the TNPSC website. Important Dates Start of Online Application: 15 July 2025 Last Date to Apply: 13 August 2025 Application Correction Window: 18 to 20 August 2025 Prelims Exam Date: 28 September 2025 Prelims Exam Timing: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM Vacancy Details Group 2 (Interview Posts): 50 vacancies Group 2A (Non-Interview Posts): 595 vacancies Selection Process Group 2 (Interview Posts) 1. Preliminary Exam (Objective Type) 2. Main Written Exam (Descriptive Type) 3. Interview/Personality Test Group 2A (Non-Interview Posts) 1. Single Written Exam (Objective Type) 2. Selection based on written exam performance How to Apply 1. Visit the official website: www.tnpsc.gov.in. 2. Register/Login through the One-Time Registration (OTR) system 3. Fill in your personal, educational, and contact details 4. Upload scanned copies of your photo, signature, and required documents 5. Pay the application fee using the available online payment options 6. Review your details and save the confirmation page for future reference Syllabus and Exam Pattern Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) General Studies 175 questions General English / General Tamil 25 questions Total Marks: 300 Duration: 3 Hours Main Examination (Descriptive Type) For Group 2 Only Paper I: General Studies (Degree Standard) Paper II: Aptitude & Mental Ability Interview/Personality Test: 100 Marks Application Fees Prelims Exam Fee: 100 100 Mains Exam Fee: 150 150 Both Papers (for selected candidates without exemption): 300 Note: Fee exemptions can be claimed as per the rules mentioned in the official notification. What is the TNPSC Group 2 Exam? The Combined Civil Services Examination-II (CCSE-II), conducted by TNPSC, is commonly known as the Group 2 Exam. It is held to recruit candidates for various civil service posts in Tamil Nadu. Group 2 (Interview Posts): Selection is based on the Preliminary exam, Mains, and Interview. Washington DC [US], July 15 (ANI): Actor and film producer Nicolas Cage shared why his relationship with Sarah Jessica Parker was short-lived, reported People. "I cared about Sarah, but I don't think I passed the Mom test," said Cage, adding, "I recall sitting down with her and her mother for dinner at the Russian Tea Room, and I don't know if it was my blue Vanson Leather motorcycle jacket (which I still have) or my sinusitis, but I didn't hear from her again." His confession came after Parker shared on the Sunday, July 13, episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that she and Cage dated around the time of their 1992 romantic comedy Honeymoon in Vegas. Cage has been married five times, most recently marrying Riko Shibata in a private Las Vegas ceremony in 2021, reported People. The actor, whose real name is Nicolas Kim Coppola, is a father to three children: sons Weston Cage Coppola, 34, whom he shares with actress Christina Fulton; Kal-El Coppola, 19, whom he shares with Alice Kim; and daughter August Francesca Coppola Cage, whom he welcomed with Shibata on September 7, 2022. Nicolas Cage's ex, Christina Fulton, sued him over their son's alleged attack. Cage is being sued by his ex nearly a year after their adult son allegedly physically attacked her, reported People. In court documents, Christina Fulton alleged that Cage ignored their son Weston Coppola Cage's mental health concerns. Weston and Fulton were allegedly involved in a verbal dispute that turned physical on April 28, 2024. At the time, Fulton denied reports that she and her son argued and instead said he experienced a "mental-health crisis" and she was trying to get him to help. In July 2024, Weston was arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and then released on bond. New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Infosys Foundation on Tuesday announced the launch of a program that aims to enable half a million job seekers in India to gain meaningful employment by 2030, as the philanthropic and CSR arm of the Indian tech behemoth committed over 200 crore for its first phase. Infosys Springboard, the flagship digital learning platform from Infosys, will offer support not just for learning and skilling but also opportunities for learners to have sustainable livelihoods and careers. "Infosys Foundation...today announced the launch of Infosys Springboard Livelihood Program to enable half a million job seekers in India to gain meaningful employment by 2030," the company said in a release. Infosys Foundation has committed over 200 crore for the first phase of the program. The Infosys Springboard Livelihood Program focuses on job creation for both graduates and undergraduates youth across STEM and non-STEM industries. The program will also provide, through Infosys Springboard, additional industry-relevant curricula in cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and in functions like digital marketing and finance. In addition, foundational modules on communication skills, time management, and interview preparation will help learners and job seekers develop essential workplace competencies. Infosys Foundation has teamed up with nearly 20 implementation partners, including ICT Academy, Unnati, Nirmaan, Magic Bus, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, Centum, CII Foundation, and NIIT Foundation, to curate job opportunities and create career pathways. ROCKHAMPTON, AustraliaArtillery, rocket launchers and self-propelled howitzers opened fire at a training area in northern Australia on Monday, kick-starting three weeks of military drills here between the U.S. and 18 allies. The biennial exercise, called Talisman Sabre, is meant to send a message to China: The U.S. and its partners are ready to respond together to aggression from Beijing, which has been increasingly asserting itself in what it regards as its sphere of influence in the Asia-Pacific region. Our resolve to train, and will to prepare and will to fight, thats not made up," said Lt. Gen. J.B. Vowell, the deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, after he watched munitions hit a simulated enemy on a hillside in the training zone. This years Talisman Sabre is the 11th and largest iteration of the exercise, officials said. Some 40,000 personnel from 19 nations are involved. The exercise, which includes Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, India and several European countries, has become a cornerstone of U.S. efforts to deter Beijing from launching a military strike on Taiwan, the self-governing island it claims as its own. Beijing often sends spy ships to observe the exercise, and Australian officials said they expected China to monitor the drills again. The fact that we have 19 nations participating this year in Exercise Talisman Sabre tells you that were all in search of a common goal, which is stability, a free and open Indo-Pacific and adherence to international law," said Vice Admiral Justin Jones, chief of joint operations for Australias military. Dignitaries watch a live-fire demonstration at a training area in northern Australia. Beijing, which has invested heavily in its military in recent years, has conducted increasingly assertive maneuvers this year, including live-fire navy drills near Australia and sending ships near far-flung Japanese islands. Chinese forces also routinely operate around Taiwan and in the disputed South China Sea. The U.S. has responded to Beijings buildup by dispersing its forces more widely and making its units more agile. Meanwhile, multinational exercises are growing in scale, scope and complexity, as countries in the region realize that they could easily be drawn into a conflict. Everyone is seeing the aggressive activities that China is doing," said Lt. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, who commands the U.S. Armys I Corps. Thats why theyre more interested in what they need to do to protect their sovereign interests." During the exercise, the U.S. and its allies plan to fire key land-based missile systems that will be crucial if Washington wants to control important sea lanes around Taiwan in a conflict. That includes the Typhon missile system, which would be the first time it has been fired west of the international date line. Drones are also being tested on both land and sea, taking a cue from how important they have become on the battlefields of Ukraine. Amphibious landings and air and sea maneuvers are planned. And for the first time, the exercise will include an activity in Papua New Guinea, a large island nation north of Australia which signed a security deal with the U.S. in 2023. Australia, which has been boosting its long-range strike capabilities, will further test its ability to operate out of the strategic north of the country, where the U.S. has been investing in air bases and logistics that could provide rear support in a conflict. The battlefield of tomorrow is unlikely to be the battlefield of the past," said Maj. Gen. E. Darrin Cox, who leads the Armys 18th Theater Medical Command in the Pacific, which is working with the Australians to coordinate medical support during the exercise. We need to be thinking about our allies and partners, and how we can best partner with each other." China frequently denounces joint drills as provocative, and says they disrupt peace and stability in the region. The exercise gives the U.S. an opportunity to present a united military front when political tensions have surfaced between Washington and its allies, as the Trump administration pushes other countries to increase military spending. The U.S. is reviewing a plan to sell Australia nuclear-powered submarines, and Australias prime minister is visiting China this week in an effort to thaw ties. There has also been debate about whether important allies such as Australia and Japan would join the U.S. if Washington decided to defend Taiwan against China. We dont engage in hypotheticals," Australias defense industry minister, Pat Conroy, said in a television interview over the weekend when asked about the topic. At the training area in northern Australia, Mondays drill featured U.S. F-35 jets, Australian and U.S. artillery, South Korean self-propelled howitzers and tanks, and a Japanese surface-to-air missile system. The maneuvers also involved truck-based rocket launchers called the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, from the U.S., Singapore and Australia, which all fired together for the first time. The vehicles ease of maneuver and ability to hide has been crucial in helping Ukraine defend against Russia, and the U.S. and its allies could use the system to hit Chinese targets from islands. The U.S. plans to do more drills with the Himars, including deploying them at very rapid notice across Australia. The Pacific isnt just blue bits with navies," said Mick Ryan, a senior fellow for military studies at the Lowy Institute think tank and a retired Australian Army major general. Armies that can fire long-range missiles at ships also have a say." At an industrial site in this Texas city, men dressed in head-to-toe protective gear dip giant ladles into a well of molten metal heated to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Theyre making something the U.S. has hardly, if ever, produced at commercial scale in recent decades: rare-earth metals. The factory is the most visible mark of MP Materials high-stakes, billion-dollar bet that an American company can take on Chinas dominance over the metalsand the magnets they power in everything from cars and smartphones to missile systems. In recent months, China has used its chokehold over 90% of the worlds rare-earth magnets to cut off access to Western companies, rattling industrial giants such as Ford and Tesla and forcing the U.S. to the table for trade talks. MP has invested more than $1 billion in new infrastructure and equipment. A mine it controls in California has become the largest source of rare-earth minerals in the Western Hemisphere. Now, with its expanding Texas facility and fresh investment from the Pentagon, the company is racing to complete the supply chain so it can start converting large quantities of its minerals into high-grade magnets. General Motors is signed up to start taking deliveries later this year. The Defense Department last week committed to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in MP and become its largest shareholder, in a deal that will allow MP to increase its planned magnet production to 10,000 metric tons from the previously planned 1,000. As of now, the name of the new factory is simply 10x." A White House spokesman said the deal marks a major step in rebuilding Americas domestic rare earth industry." The companys stock jumped around 50% on the day of the announcement, and has tripled this year. Some rivals also gained. Rare earth magnets are used to power everything from cellphones and cars to nuclear submarines. They are almost all produced in China. After years of private and government investment under Trump and Biden, magnet-makers are expanding across the U.S. in an effort to build an industrial base that could meet soaring demand independently of China. Substantially cutting Americas dependence on Chinese rare-earth magnets wont be easy, or cheap. But some experts posit it could theoretically be achieved within three to five years, if the current slate of projects push ahead. Vulcan Elements, a Durham, N.C.-based magnet maker founded by a former Navy officer, plans to supply the military starting next year. Noveon, in San Marcos, Texas, has signed a deal to supply U.S.-made rare-earth magnets to Japans Nidec, among the worlds biggest motor makers. German magnet specialist VAC is expected to begin operating a large, Pentagon-funded factory near Sumter, S.C., later this year. The projects are expected to have a combined capacity to produce several thousand metric tons of the magnets by the end of the year, which adds up to around a third or more of current U.S. imports. As we start to build out our permanent magnet manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and elsewhere, China starts to lose that leverage," said Gracelin Baskaran, director of the critical minerals security program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. MP, she added, is essentially working at warp speed to address one of Americas greatest national and economic security challenges of our time." The companys journey there highlights the hurdles American producers face as they look to reawaken the industry. Chinese dominance China still holds most of the rare-earth cards. It has some of the worlds best mines. It also has cheap chemicals for processing, a large technically trained workforce and a stomach for handling toxic rare-earth mining waste. Western producers have long complained that the country uses its dominance to prevent competitors from emerging, sometimes by flooding the market with supplies, sometimes by adopting restrictive export policies. Beijing has banned the export of key rare-earth technologies and is compiling a list of Chinas rare-earth scientists to ensure they dont share their knowledge abroad. For some companies, finding another source has become critical. In April, China began requiring buyers of rare-earth magnets to submit elaborate export applications proving they dont have military links. The slow processing of these applications forced a Ford SUV plant to temporarily close and sent the wider industry into a panic. One auto supplier paid more than $15 a piece for tiny magnets that usually sell for less than 40 cents, according to a trader familiar with the transaction. We cannot get any high-power magnets without China," Ford CEO Jim Farley said at an event in late June. Although U.S.-China trade negotiations have led to two separate truces that were supposed to make magnet supplies flow again, exports from China have remained lower than anticipated, especially to defense suppliers. Some U.S. companies have said they are willing to pay a premium for supply-chain security. They may have to. MP and other emerging suppliers dont disclose the price of their magnets, but people involved in the industry say they are likely to be, at a minimum, 50% more expensive to produce than Chinas. A rare opportunity The U.S. has significant underground reserves of rare earths, 17 little-known minerals such as neodymium and samarium. Magnets made from the metals are especially strong, able to attract objects hundreds of times their own weight. But mining and processing the minerals is complex and expensive. The countrys once-thriving industry collapsed in the 1990s and 2000s, unable to compete with China. A few companies tried at various points to revive it and push into magnet-making. Most failed, incurring big losses for investors. Some in the industry concluded that without government support it was too difficult to beat Chinese prices. MP co-founders James Litinsky and Michael Rosenthal got into the business almost by accident. Since the middle of the 20th century, rare earths had been dug from Mountain Pass, a rich deposit in Californias Mojave Desert that for decades dominated global production. Molycorp, the previous company to run the mine, went bankrupt in 2015 after a surge in Chinese rare-earth exports tanked prices. Litinsky and Rosenthal, childhood friends with backgrounds in finance, had invested in Molycorp bonds, hoping to turn a profit. Few others wanted the mine, and the pair worried that a key strategic asset would be abandoned. In 2017 they gained control of Mountain Pass. There was a belief that it couldnt be fixed," said Litinsky, MPs chief executive. He had gotten rich as a young man, after founding a successful Chicago hedge fund at the age of 28, but was looking for a new challenge. I certainly didnt know what I was getting myself into." MP needed to generate money, and fast, but Litinsky and Rosenthal encountered a bottleneck. Once the ore is mined, it has to undergo a complex process to separate the rare earths from the rock and then isolate the individual minerals. Almost no one outside of China knew how to do that at affordable prices. Hiring was difficult; the mine had just eight workersand a lot of wild donkeyson a remote site that today sits near a billboard with an alien dressed in a cowboy hat advertising beef jerky. Weve got no money, weve got eight people, the site was bankrupt, everyone says the U.S. cant make rare earths," said Rosenthal, the companys operations chief. We couldnt go to an engineer and say Want to leave Rio Tinto to join us?" MP struck an agreement with a Chinese rare-earth company, Shenghe Resources, to provide upfront financing, in exchange for a small stake in MP. Shenghe would then sell MPs ore to buyers in China, who refined it and then created magnets As MP got on firmer footing, it used the money it earned from the arrangement to start building its own processing operations. The Pentagon started chipping in grants that came to around $100 million. Steep learning curve Although MPs initial processing operations removed rare earths from the rest of the ore, the company still had to separate out the individual elements, each of which is nearly chemically identical. Rosenthal likened the challenge to designing a chemical process to sort out blue M&Ms from the rest of the M&Ms, and then extracting the cocoa from those candies. MP built up a plant in California filled with giant vats, called settler-mixers, that gradually winnow out the most valuable rare earths needed in magnets. By 2023, it was the only U.S. company separating rare earths at commercial scale, allowing it to bypass Chinese refiners and start selling directly to buyers in the U.S., Japan and South Korea. It is now expanding to separate another class of rare earths: strategically important heavy rare earths, which MP has been stockpiling at its mine. Despite the progress, the company struggled to stay consistently profitable. Starting in 2022, a surplus in Chinese rare earths tanked global prices, part of a pattern of Chinese overproduction of critical minerals including nickel, lithium and cobalt that has forced out Western miners around the globe. As prices kept dropping, investors lost patience. MPs stock crumbled to a fifth of its previous highs. I dont like to be betting behind losing horses," CNBC analyst Jim Cramer said last year. Litinsky believed the companys strategic importance would at some point translate into financial results. But the company still needed to learn how to actually make magnets, as opposed to just processing the ore and sending the minerals to others. First, theyd need to find the people who could help them. Magnetic flux Since rare-earth magnets are hardly made in the U.S. anymore, many of the people with commercial experience are in their 60s and 70s. MP scoured the world for technical talent, netting an executive with experience at a European magnet factory and others with backgrounds at magnet material companies outside of China. To lead the project, the company hired Alan Lund, a metallurgist who had run a company developing high-performance metal alloys. Lund was determined to find an anchor customer that would commit to a long-term sales contract. It turned out to be GM, which had analyzed its supply-chain vulnerabilities after Covid-induced shocks and wanted more options. The next hurdle was finding production equipment for its Fort Worth factory. MP didnt want to buy in China, the main producer of magnet-making machinery, afraid that Beijing could hold up shipments. That meant seeking out suppliers of tools such as jet mills and furnaces in North America and Europe. The equipment was more expensive and sometimes required a nearly two-year lead time. But MPs decisions looked prescient in 2023, when China began expanding export controls to include magnet-production equipment. MP also had to master the arcane engineering skills needed to make top-quality magnets, including grain boundary diffusion. That process, often abbreviated as GBD, is a way to apply the most expensive materials in a targeted way on the magnet, dramatically lowering the cost. China is good at it; few others are. Long before breaking ground in Fort Worth, MP assembled a dedicated team at a small industrial space dubbed the Garage"and sometimes called Bobcat"to pore over scientific literature and crack the magnet code. Over several years, the company tested different formulations, eventually developing a heavy rare-earth composition that used GBD, and a customized method that gave magnets a consistent coating. Now, the company is gearing up for commercial-scale magnet production. The front entrance of its Fort Worth plant has a giant American flag composed of red, white and blue hard hats. Compacted rare-earth powders are placed on heat-resistant racks and stuck into furnaces. Its goal to become a national rare-earths champion" that can go toe-to-toe with China was turbocharged last week. The company relies on non-Chinese suppliers for equipment, which has lengthened lead-times and added expense. Under the deal reached with the Pentagon on Thursday, the Texas plants magnet capacity will be tripled and MP will build a second, larger plant. To protect against price fluctuations, the government is setting a price floor for MPs rare-earth minerals and guaranteeing the purchase of MPs magnets, giving the company the confidence to plow ahead. Because the Defense Department will likely only require a portion of the magnets, the rest can be sold to commercial customers, like automakers. But challenges remain. As MP scales up magnet production, it will need to acquire more heavy rare earths than are available at its California mine, which is no easy feat because there are few producers of those outside of China. Building and operating a massive new facility could also create new snags. Some of its Western competitors say the governments decision to invest so heavily in a single company could drive promising startups out of the business, hurting U.S. competitiveness over the long term. Its the government picking winners and losers," said an executive at one rare-earth business, and they seem to have made a big bet on one company." Litinsky says a secure MP is good for the overall industry. Theres going to be a lot of growth opportunities," he said. Write to Jon Emont at jonathan.emont@wsj.com The European Union is readying a fresh list of American productsranging from aircraft to alcoholic beverages, coffee and medical devicesto hit with retaliatory tariffs if a trade deal isnt reached by President Trumps Aug. 1 deadline.EU officials on Monday unveiled the list after Trumps latest tariff threat over the weekend revived a debate in the bloc over whether it should fight back, and how forcefully, if the two sides cant reach a deal.The EU in April froze an initial package of retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. after Trump said he would limit blanket tariffs on most countries to 10% for 90 days. The new EU list, circulated to the blocs 27 member states and viewed by The Wall Street Journal, covers American imports that were together valued at roughly $84 billion last year. The list covers about $77 billion worth of industrial imports, including aircraft, machinery, automotive products, chemicals, plastics and medical devices. It also covers about $7 billion worth of agricultural and food products, such as fruits and vegetables, wine, beer and spirits. European officials are debating what would trigger those tariffs, and whether to go further by preparing additional measures that could put levies or other restrictions on American services, not just physical goods. The EUs approach to U.S. tariffs is getting renewed attention this week after Trump sent a letter to the bloc threatening to impose 30% blanket tariffs on European imports beginning Aug. 1. The move surprised EU officials who thought they were close to a preliminary agreement with the U.S. Trump on Monday said that the deals are already made. The letters are the dealsThere are no deals to make." He added that recipients of his letters would like to do a different kind of a deal, and were always open to talkincluding to Europe." French trade minister Laurent Saint-Martin speaks to EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic on Monday in Brussels. EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said Monday that a 30% tariff would be effectively prohibitive" to trade between the two economies. He said he would continue to talk with U.S. officials. I cannot imagine walking away without genuine effort," he said. But Sefcovic added that ministers from the EUs 27 member states who met in Brussels on Monday were clear that if no deal could be reached, the bloc would need to take steps to protect the economy by imposing what he referred to as rebalancing measures on the U.S. During the EU meeting, shortly before Trumps comments at the White House, the view that the bloc must respond if it cant reach an agreement, was the strongest Ive witnessed since we started the discussion with the U.S.," Sefcovic said. Everything is on the table, but well take it step by step." One way to demonstrate the blocs power, some European officials argue, is through an untested legal tool known as the anticoercion instrument, which could allow for levies on American services, among other measures. U.S. services exports to the EU include financial services and digital products such as online advertising. It is unclear exactly how the EU might wield the instrument in a trade fight with the U.S. Other options under the anticoercion instrument include restricting American companies intellectual property rights in Europe or making it harder for them to participate in public tenders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested in April that the EU could consider a levy on American tech companies digital advertising revenue. The EU is looking for relief for its auto industry, which faces 25% U.S. tariffs. Von der Leyen said Sunday that the EU would continue to negotiate until Aug. 1. She said the anticoercion instrument is for extraordinary situations, adding, We are not there yet." A challenge for the EU in considering any potential retaliation is that Trump has linked tariffs to policies unrelated to trade. The bloc continues to depend on the U.S. for security in Europe, and officials worry that Trump could once again cut support to Ukraine, after announcing Monday that the U.S. would sell Europe weapons to arm Kyivs forces. The EU last week was closing in on a deal that would require it to accept blanket U.S. tariffs of 10% on most goods, The Wall Street Journal has reported. Some EU countries view the idea as a major concession. Officials hope such a deal could give the bloc some protection from further increases. The two sides had discussed possible exceptions from the blanket levy, including for spirits, aircraft and their components. The EU had also sought relief for its automotive sector, which now faces 25% U.S. tariffs. The blocs discussions on retaliation were largely paused in recent weeks as officials focused on trying to secure a deal with the U.S. An initial package of tariffs that would target more than $24 billion worth of American imports, ranging from chewing gum to motorcycles and peanut butter, was approved in April in response to U.S. metals tariffs. It was swiftly put on hold, however, after Trump paused some of his tariffs to allow for negotiations. That package had been due to take effect this week, but the commission said on Sunday that it would keep it on hold until early August. The blocs second proposed package of retaliatory tariffs, which was presented to member states on Monday, was pared back to cover U.S. imports valued at roughly $84 billion, down from an earlier level of about $111 billion, after consultations with industry and member states. The new package still needs the formal approval of member states. Theres an old saying, if you want peace, you have to prepare for war," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Monday about EU trade preparations. I think thats where we are." Write to Kim Mackrael at kim.mackrael@wsj.com Authorities at Tehrans Evin Prison were still attending to the dead and wounded on the evening of June 23 when one of the highest-profile inmates held there, Swedish-Iranian scientist Ahmadreza Djalali, called his wife to tell her he was safe. Hours earlier, Israeli airstrikes hit the sprawling compound that holds thousands of detainees, many of them political prisoners. The destruction and damage was so extensivefar more than outside observers initially realizedthat the prisoners were being transferred elsewhere, he told her in a brief phone call. She hasnt heard from him since. With reports that security services are moving quickly to round up and execute alleged spies, her fear was that Djalali, sentenced to death on espionage charges, could soon face a similar fate. We dont know where he is," his wife, Vida Mehrannia, said in a phone interview from Sweden. I am so worried about his situation." Israel struck the prison as part of a wave of strikes that Defense Minister Israel Katz said targeted elements of Iranian state oppression, also including what he said were headquarters for the paramilitary Basij force. The attack turned out to be among the deadliest of the 12-day war. At least 80 were killed, including family members visiting prisoners and locals living nearby, according to Iranian state media, which said more than 900 were killed during the war overall. Human Rights Activists in Iran, a nongovernmental organization that gathers data from official sources and other contacts, also reported hundreds dead from the Israeli campaign and said it had identified 47 of the people killed at Evin. The prisoners, male and female, were transferred to facilities that are more crowded and even less sanitary than Evin, according to several accounts shared by prisoners, their relatives and rights groups. The Israeli military and the prime ministers office declined to comment on the Evin attack and death toll. Irans mission to the United Nations didnt respond to a request for comment. The Israeli campaign sparked a wider crackdown by Irans clerical leadership, which is seeking to stamp out any real or perceived threats to its control. Security forces have detained more than 1,000 people accused of spying for Israel or other political crimes since the start of Israels bombing campaign on June 13, rights group Amnesty International said. At least six men accused of espionage have been executed since the air campaign began, according to Iranian state media. Djalali, a physician and academic who specialized in disaster medicine, was detained in April 2016 while traveling to Tehran for a work trip. He was sentenced to death in 2017 on charges of spying for Israel after a trial that relied on confessions made under torture. Djalali denies the accusation against him. European governments and rights groups have repeatedly called for his release. The European Parliament called on Iran last month to release Djalali and abolish the death penalty. Iran has also held people for use in prisoner swaps. On one hand, they are keeping Djalali as a bargaining chip," said Saeid Golkar, an expert on Irans security apparatus at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. But Im very worried, because he already has a death sentence over him. In this atmosphere, he is the easiest target. It would be easy to get rid of him." Djalali was among the eight people on death row in Evin for charges related to spying, according to Amnesty. The prisoners supporters worry that those sentences could soon be carried out. Irans parliament is working on a bill that would impose harsher penalties for espionage, including the death sentence for collaborating with Israel. Israels bombing only worsened the situation for political dissidents," said Tina Marinari, campaign coordinator for the Middle East at Amnesty. The Israeli military attacked Evin Prison around midday. The airstrikes hit locations including the prisons main entrance, the visiting room, the infirmary and a prison ward, according to Iranian state media, observations that prisoners relayed in phone calls with relatives or supporters, and rights groups. Images showed gaping holes in ceilings, piles of debris, shattered windows and broken hospital beds. Around 25 bodies were pulled out of the infirmary alone, according to an account by two political prisoners who were there, Abolfazl Ghadyani and Mehdi Mahmoudian, that was circulated by a relative. They also said dozens of conscripted soldiers were killed. As night fell, inmates were shackled in pairs and loaded onto buses with whatever belongings they could carry, from clothes to food to larger objects such as refrigerators. Around 70 women were transferred to Qarchak Prison, where they shared two rooms and two bathrooms between them, according to Amnesty. Some 180 men were sent to Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, commonly known as Fashafouyeh Prison. Both prisons are crammed, hot and lack basic facilities such as access to clean drinking water and enough beds for everyone, according to statements by several prisoners circulated by their supporters and rights groups. Many inmates were transferred from Evin in such a hurry they werent able to carry their medication. Kurdish activist Varisheh Moradi and two other female political prisoners now in Qarchak described filthy, grime-covered walls and beds the size of coffins." Although we are in worse conditions than before the transfer," the three prisoners said in a letter shared by activists and rights groups, the current conditions will not hinder our fight." Fashafouyeh Prison is no better. The air is suffocating, and the beds are infested with bedbugs. This prison cannot absorb its own inmates, let alone new arrivals," Reza Khandan, an imprisoned Iranian human rights activist, said in a recorded phone call distributed through his Instagram account and shared by rights groups. The hygiene and health situation is catastrophic." Djalali, the Swedish-Iranian dual national, was transferred to Fashafouyeh along with other male prisoners on the night of June 23, according to Ghadyani and Mahmoudian, who saw him there. However, immediately after entering the prison, he was hastily separated from the others and transferred to an unknown location," they said. Djalalis wife still didnt know his whereabouts. Write to Margherita Stancati at margherita.stancati@wsj.com MUMBAI : Business-to-business (B2B) payments firm PayMate India Ltd has delayed salaries for several employees since April due to cash flow issues, four persons in the know told Mint . The delays come amid delayed funding and as the company has ramped up investments in international markets following a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directive last year that destabilised its India business. According to three of the people with knowledge of the matter who did not want to be named, the 100 employees of the company have received incomplete salaries in the past four months. In April, employees across levels were impacted. While some junior staff were paid in the following months, several senior employees have been waiting for their dues for at least two months. July salaries have not been disbursed so far, the persons confirmed. There have been some junior and mid-level exits from the company due to the non-payment of salaries. Also Read: Startups prep for exits as Chinese backers find little love The company recorded revenue from operations of $163 million for FY23, which dropped marginally after the RBI action to $162 million in FY24. The net loss for FY23 was $4.4 million, which expanded to $5.7 million in FY24. The company has eight subsidiaries globally: PayMate Payments Services Provider LLC, PayMate Inc., PayMate Fintech (Pvt.) Ltd, PayMate India SPC, PayMate PTE Ltd, PayMate Fintech Co., PayMate Payment Services SDN Bhd (Malaysia), and Dunomo. International expansion PayMate confirmed the issue, attributing it to its ongoing ambitious" international expansion. In September 2024, the company announced a $400 million acquisition of Indonesian FinTech-as-a-Service firm DigiAsias Indonesian operations. In June of this year, PayMate announced a strategic partnership with parent company DigiAsia to accelerate alignment ahead of the proposed acquisition of the Indonesian business. Key Takeaways Salary delays since April reflect PayMates mounting cash flow pressures tied to overseas expansion. The $400 million Indonesia acquisition and other rapid global investments have stretched operational finances. PayMate is waiting for a $30 million funding from Crimson Ventures, adding to liquidity concerns. RBIs regulatory actions forced PayMate to overhaul its business model in India. The company remains committed to its FY26 IPO, despite operational and funding headwinds. As with many rapidly scaling businesses, such phases can occasionally bring short-term operational challenges, including timing mismatches in cash flows. This has, unfortunately, impacted operational expenses in the short term," a PayMate spokesperson said, adding that the company has been actively resolving these issues. There have been salary disbursements in May as well as in JuneAll salaries will be regularised in July." Despite local headwinds, PayMate is betting on growth in international markets such as Australia, Malaysia and Dubai, which have shown strong traction, one source said. They added that the company chose to make investments very fast" in some markets to catch the growth momentum, including some Software as a Service (SaaS) investments in Australia and in pharmaceutical companies in Malaysia. On its website, the company said it is actively expanding" in key international markets such as Central Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. Waiting for funds The firm is also awaiting a $30 million investment from Crimson Ventures, a US-based venture capital firm. The agreement was signed in March 2025, but the funds are yet to be received, sources said. Following completion of due diligence, they have entered into a definitive and binding agreement to invest in PayMate. The investment is progressing as planned and is a key component of our growth strategy," the spokesperson added. Factoring in the funding commitment, the company believes it does not require additional capital for core operations, and any future fundraising will be targeted toward strategic inorganic growth opportunities as part of our build-up to the proposed IPO. However, one of the sources quoted above said that the delay in funding might possibly be due to the financial strain on the companys balance sheet, making the investors second-guess their funding or at least wait until a clear road map is in place. Founded in 2006 by Ajay Adiseshann, Probir Roy, and Vishvanathan Subramanian, PayMate enables digital B2B payments for enterprises and SMEs across supply chains. It is backed by Visa, LightBox, Mayfield Fund, Brand Capital, and Recruit Strategic Partners. If the funding round from Crimson Ventures goes through, the company will have raised around $70 million to date. Regulatory impact The companys financial position also came under pressure earlier this year after the Reserve Bank of India restricted card network transactions routed through intermediaries. The move impacted PayMate and peers like Enkash. We have fully aligned our operations with evolving regulatory frameworks, including RBI guidelines concerning intermediary-led transactions. Our swift adoption of the Merchant-On-Record model has ensured continuity while further strengthening our compliance and governance framework," the company spokesperson said. In February 2024, RBI cracked down on unauthorised payments through business cards, saying that it has observed that Visa has arrangements to allow such payments through certain intermediaries to entities that do not accept card payments. Also Read: Why Adani public bond is a rarity in Indian debt market The Merchant of Record (MoR) model involves a third-party entity that legally handles customer transactions, taking on the responsibilities of payment processing, tax compliance, and chargeback management. The merchant-on-record acts as the seller to the customer, managing the financial and legal aspects of the sale, while the actual business focuses on product development and customer acquisition. IPO bound The fintech is also in the process of reviving plans for its public listing. PayMate had to withdraw its earlier 1,500 crore public issue after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) returned the draft prospectus in January 2023. We are moving forward with our IPO plans for FY26. Preliminary work on the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) has commenced, and we expect to announce our investment banking partners in the coming weeks. The company is well-positioned for its public market debut," the spokesperson said. PayMate had first filed for an IPO in May 2022. The offer included a 1,125 crore fresh issue and a 375 crore offer for sale. New Delhi: Indian auto component and two-wheeler makers have devised a plan to break free from Chinas stranglehold on magnets: replace heavy rare-earth elements with light ones, or better yet, build magnet-free automotive motors. Sona Comstar, the country's eighth largest parts maker, has developed new motors using light rare earth elements like cerium, samarium and neodymium, according to a top company executive. Ather Energy Ltds co-founder and chief executive Tarun Mehta, too, told Mint that the two-wheeler industry can move towards light rare earth magnets. Meanwhile, Ola Electrics founder and managing director Bhavish Aggarwal informed investors on Monday that the company has developed magnet-free motors, which will be installed in vehicles whose deliveries will start in the October to December quarter. Rare earth elements, while abundant but not easily found in large mineable deposits, are known for their unique magnetic and luminescent properties. They are widely used in automotive motors and LED lights. China dominates the refining and supply of 90% of heavy rare earths or those with higher atomic weight, according to estimatesby the International Energy Agency.However, its share in light rare earths is estimated to be lower at 60-70%, making the supply chain more diverse. Gurugram-based Sona Comstar said light rare earth solutions can be used in the medium term by two- and three-wheeler makers, and even small car manufacturers, as they require less power to run. [But] all these alternative motors would require months of testing and validation with customers before commercial production can begin," Vivek Vikram Singh, managing director and group chief executive at Sona Comstar, said in response toMintsqueries. In the short term, there is no alternative to Chinese heavy rare earth element (HREE) magnets, but in the medium term, HREE-free magnets can be used as viable alternatives" About 41% of Sona Comstars revenue in the financial year 2025 came from the manufacturing of micro/plug-in hybrid starter motors, traction motors and controllers, conventional starter motors and suspension motors. Traction motors, which power electric vehicles, require magnets. Other types of motors can also use rare earth magnets for compactness and high performance, but they can operate without them as well. For the last couple of years, we have been developing rare-earth-free motors," Ola Electric said in a shareholders letter. We accelerated this program in April when the rare earth cuts happened and have already productionised our rare-earth-free motors, which will be coming into our products starting next quarter." Diversified supply chain China started restricting exports of rare earths in April after trade tensions worsened with the US due to tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration. Indian automakers raised an alarm soon after. In May, Bajaj Auto Ltd said after the companys January-March results that the entire electric vehicle business would be threatened due to new restrictions imposed by China on exports. China imposed restrictions on seven rare-earth elements, mostly heavy rare earths including yttrium, scandium, lutetium and dysprosium. Also Read | Auto dealers concerned about vehicle supplies amid rare earth magnet crisis The supply chain for light rare-earth elements (LREEs)is more diversified than that for heavy rare-earth elements (HREEs), as LREEs (like cerium and lanthanum) are more abundant in different countries, including India, and are less affected by China's specific restrictions," said Rishabh Jain, senior programme lead, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). Ather Energys Mehta said, The industry has a way of moving past this. Stop using heavy rare-earth magnets. Unlike cars, trucks, or buses, our industry can build motors without using heavy, rare-earth magnets. We can move towards lighter, rare-earth magnets." Doubts on efficiency However, there are still doubts regarding whether the efficiency of heavy rare earth magnets can be matched. The ongoing research indicates that substituting heavy rare earths or even neodymium with more abundant light rare earths like cerium can result in reduced magnetic strength and thermal stability, meaning a loss in performance at high temperatures, which are crucial for automotive and high-efficiency motor applications," CEEWs Jain said. Substituting HREEs with cerium in neodymium-based magnets can reduce costs but requires 2030% more material to match HREE performance, thus increasing motor size/weight." Companies, including Sona Comstar, are working on finding solutions to ensure performance does not suffer due to the change in elements. Yet, not many solutions are still available for heavy passenger vehicles. For larger power motors for larger vehicles, these alternatives (light rare earths) seem difficult without sacrificing efficiency, range and/or cost," Singh of Sona Comstar said. Earlier, Reuters reported that Sona Comstar is also looking to make rare earth magnets within the country to become self-sufficient in the supply chain. Pricing concerns Industry executives also worry that there will be a rush for light rare earth elements, which are found in abundance outside of China, but can still lead to disruptions and increases in prices. This suggests that in the long term, magnet-free motors can also become viable. Also Read | Rush to buy rare earth magnets at a premium cushioned blow from China curbs Ola Electric finds magnet-free motors a better solution as they have managed to match the performance of magnet-based motors, according to its letter to investors. These motors ensure no business continuity risk, are parity in performance and save money as rare earth magnets are costly." According to Ankit Somani, co-founder at Conifer, a rare earth magnet-free motor maker, although light rare earth production is more diversified, the processing is still dominated by China. Moreover, there is a rush already from across the globe for securing light rare earths from countries other than China, which has led to price increases and longer lead times." HCL Technologies Ltds sequential margin contraction in the June quarter (Q1FY26) comes as a rude shock, even though the first quarter of a financial year is typically weak for the company owing to seasonality in its software business.Earnings before interest and tax (Ebit) marginfell 170 basis points (bps)to 16.3%, missingthe consensus estimate of 17.3%. What gives? Higher sales and marketing investments, lower utilisation, client bankruptcy shrunk Q1 margin. The upshot is that HCL trimmed its FY26 Ebit margin guidance band by 100 bps from 18- 19% to 17-18%. This unexpected outcome meant investors dragged the stock down about 3% on Tuesday. One potential conclusion that the Street may draw is that HCL is trading off margins for revenue growth. This perception is reinforced by the downward revision of its Ebit margin guidance bandfrom 19-20% in FY22 to 17-18% for FY26, marking the second cut in four years," said a Kotak Institutional Equities report dated 14 July.A part of the margin decline is due to industry-wide pressure and may not return unless demand returns to normalcy or the Indian rupee depreciates significantly, Kotak cautioned. HCLsrevised margin guidance accounts for Q1s lower utilisation levels to possibly continue in Q2. It also accounts for investments in sales and marketing and AI capabilities to boost growth, as well as the impact from the restructuring programme HCL plans to undertake this year. The company expects margin to normalise in FY27. Earnings downgrades Still, all this has not stopped earnings downgrades.The weak margin in Q1FY26 and the guidance cut leave HCL with almost zero earnings per share (EPS) growth in FY26," said a Nuvama Research report on 14 July. It has cut its FY26 and FY26 earnings per share estimated by 5.7% and 3.1%, respectively. HCLs Q1FY26 constant currency (CC) revenue was down 0.8% sequentially. Here, it outpacedlarger peer Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which saw CC revenue fall 3.3% sequentially. The total contract value (TCV) of HCL's new deals declined to an eight-quarter low of $1.8 billion in Q1FY26 from $3 billion in Q4FY25. Delayed signing of deals and a large vendor consolidation deal slipping into from Q1 to Q2 led to this decline.Unlike TCS, the HCL management is confident of a stable demand environment and expects pick-up in deal TCV in Q2FY26. In effect,HCL raised the lower band of its FY26 CC revenue growth guidance from 2%-5% to 3%-5%. Also Read | Avenue Supermarts Q1: More of the same amid clouds of competition and high costs In our view, the implied revenue CQGR (compound quarterly growth rate) is in the range of 1.4-2.7% for the lower and upper ends of revenue growth guidance for FY26E, which is not challenging, considering deals ramp up from Q2 as well as Q3 seasonality," said an Elara Securities (India) report dated 15 July. Financial services and technology verticals showed resilience, but softness persisted in manufacturing (particularly auto), life sciences, retail, and consumer packaged goods.Still, the deal pipeline is robust and clients continue to prioritise AI-led efficiency and transformation projects, management said. HCL stock has recovered 13% from its 52-week low of Rs1,302.75 on 7 April. TCSs shares have been flat and those of Infosys Ltd are up 14% over this period. HCL stock trades at 22 times estimated FY27 earnings, showed Bloomberg data. The valuation multiple is largely in line with those of TCS and Infosys. While HCL has the potential to beat its peers on organic revenue growth in FY26, after the margin blip, the stock's valuation leaves no room for disappointment. Also Read | Sobha Ltd eyes big FY26 comeback with launches beyond Bengaluru Ola Electric Mobility Ltds stock jumped 14% in the past two days after its June quarter (Q1FY26) results showed the clearest signs yet of operating discipline. Olas auto business was Ebitda positive in June helped by stronger volumes, tighter cost control, and early gains from its vertically integrated setup. Q1FY26 consolidated revenues rose 35.5% sequentially to 828 crore, while deliveries climbed 32.7%. Gross margin rose to 25.8% in Q1FY26 from 13.8% in Q4FY25, leading to an improvement in Ebitda margin to negative 29% from negative 114% in the same period. Ola expects profitability to sustain and has guided for above 5% FY26 auto segment Ebitda margin after posting negative 11.6% margin in Q1FY26. FY26 vehicle deliveries are pegged at 3.25 lakh3.75 lakh units, which could be a tall order. Kotak Institutional Equities is baking in 3.10 lakh units in FY26. Ola projects its gross margin to rise further to 3540% as PLI-linked savings from its Gen-3 scooters kick in. It should be noted that Olas Q1FY26 volumes declined 46% year-on-year despite the electric vehicle (EV) industrys two-wheeler volumes growing 7%. Kotak has cut its FY26-FY28volume assumptions to the tune of 12-16%, given lower growth assumptions for the EV two-wheeler industry and sustained below expected volume offtake performance. An increase in competitive intensity will continue to weigh on the companys market share," said Kotak in a report on 14 July. Moreover, execution risks persist. Olas motorcycle rollout is still in early stages, with Roadster X in 200 stores and a national launch due by Navratri. While the initial response is positive, scale and further demand are untested. The company plans to launch a new product every quarter over the next two years. Ola plans to spend 300 crore over the remaining nine months of FY26, with 400500 crore in free cash flow required to fund the auto business. It expects the auto segment to turn FCF-positive by FY26's end. For its cell business, Ola will invest around 1,000 crore to build a 5 GWh facility, which it expects to break even by FY27. Also Read | Ola Electric puts cell PLI timeline on backburner amid profitability push Engineering bets continue as Olas rare-earth-free motors are set to enter production in Q3FY26, with dual-sourced magnets added to reduce supply chain risk. For now, Olas numbers suggest a turning point. But for this rally to evolve into a rerating, the company will need to show consistency on volumes, margins, and execution.HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India)analysts maintained their hold rating and reckon the current valuation reflects all improvements. Shares of Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd (DFPCL) surged nearly 6 percent in intra-day trade on Tuesday, July 15, after the company signed a major long-term LNG supply deal worth 1,200 crore with Petronet LNG. The strategic partnership is set to bolster energy security for the companys under-construction greenfield ammonia plant in Maharashtra. Under the 20-year agreement, Petronet LNG will supply around 0.45 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of liquefied natural gas to Deepak Fertilisers, starting in 2025 and continuing through 2045. This move is aimed at ensuring consistent access to a vital raw material for ammonia production, while also improving cost visibility and reducing dependency on spot gas markets. As per the agreement, Petronet will regasify approximately 25 TBTUs of LNG annually, following an initial ramp-up period. The regasified gas will be delivered primarily to Deepak Fertilisers and its subsidiary PCLs manufacturing units at Taloja for captive consumption. The deal is valued at 1,200 crore, with the potential for an additional 20 percent investment over the contract duration. While the gas supply arrangement is planned for 20 years, the regasification contract is for an initial period of five years. Other Developments The LNG deal comes at a time when Deepak Fertilisers is building a 500,000 tonnes per annum greenfield ammonia plant at Chincholi MIDC in Raigad district, Maharashtra. This backward integration initiative is part of the companys strategy to reduce reliance on imported ammonia and ensure supply chain stability for its fertiliser and chemical segments. The facility is expected to be operational by FY26. The agreement aligns with the government's broader push towards reducing import dependency and enhancing local manufacturing capabilities. With this long-term tie-up, Deepak Fertilisers not only secures raw material access but also shields itself from future volatility in energy prices, thereby potentially improving margins once the new facility goes live. Robust Q1 Earnings Reflect Strength The announcement comes on the back of a strong Q1 performance. Deepak Fertilisers reported a 75.43 percent year-on-year growth in consolidated net profit, which rose to 200 crore for the June quarter of FY25 from 114 crore a year ago. However, revenue declined marginally to 2,281 crore from 2,313 crore due to weaker commodity prices. The company also noted that Q1 of the previous year included a one-time subsidy impact of 161 crore on channel inventory and warehouse stock, which made the year-on-year comparison more favorable in terms of profit. Stock Price Trend The stock touched an intraday high of 1,658 on July 15, marking a 5.6 percent gain. Although it is still shy of its recent 52-week high of 1,776.95 touched earlier this month, the scrip has delivered multibagger returns of 103 percent over the past year. While the stock has corrected slightly in July so far, slipping more than 5 percent, it had gained consistently for four straight months prior. It rose 15 percent in June, 16 percent in May, 14.6 percent in April, and 17 percent in March, showcasing strong investor confidence in the companys strategic direction. It had declined 16 percent in February and 5 percent in January. The initial public offering of Bengaluru-based Anthem Biosciences, a contract research and innovation provider, has thrown the spotlight on Indias Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) space. On Day 1, the IPO was subscribed 0.7x overall. Among non-institutional investors, bids above 10 lakh were subscribed 1.37x, and those between 2 lakh and 10 lakh saw nearly 2x subscription, NSE data showed. In the grey market, Anthem shares were quoting at 679about 19% above the issue price, according to IPO data platform Investor Gain. The excitement isnt limited to Anthem. Shares of CDMO players have been surging. From July 2023 to mid-July 2024, Divis Laboratories gained 49%, Aarti Pharmalabs rose 53%, Piramal Pharma climbed 38%, and Cohance Lifesciences advanced 22%. In contrast, generic pharma majors underwhelmed. Sun Pharma is up just 7%, Cipla and Dr. Reddys have slipped 2% and 7% respectively, while Torrent Pharma posted a modest 15.5% rise and Aurobindo Pharma fell 14%. Also read: Anthem IPO: High growth, low R&Dis this a long-term bet or a risky buy? Global opportunity, Indian gap The global CDMO market is worth $200 billion, while India commands just $7 billion, said Bharat Celly, pharma & healthcare analyst, Equirus Securities. The gap signals significant room for Indian players to scale. Divis Labs and Laurus Labs are already making headway, steadily capturing global market share, he added. Also read: Torrent Pharma bet big on JB Chemicals, but can the acquisition deliver? The China factor There is an opportunity for CDMO players, and that could expand further due to ongoing geopolitical shifts, particularly the global move to reduce dependency on China, highlighted Dheeresh Pathak, senior fund manager - equity, WhiteOak Capital AMC. A Goldman Sachs report dated 23 June also pointed out that firms such as Syngene, Neuland, and Divis are converting a rising number of RFQs (request for quotations from potential clients) into pilot contracts which are trial contracts though the full financial gains may take time. Simply put, this is an encouraging sign of rising client engagement, with the potential to translate into larger and long-term contracts down the line, even if the financial impact is not immediate. Geographic supply chain diversification is likely to play out over the next 35 years, if not more," the report said. The report added that most corporates acknowledged that their clients are actively building strategies to reduce their dependence on China. CDMOs vs generics Indias CDMO space is emerging as a long-term outperformer, driven by stronger fundamentals than traditional generics, according to market experts. CDMOs have delivered about 1315% annual revenue growth (ex-outliers), compared to ~10% for generics, with steadier execution and less pricing pressure. Their average operating margins hover around 30%, higher than ~27% for generics, supporting their premium valuations, said Krishna Appala, fund manager at Capitalmind PMS. CDMO stocks currently trade at steep multiples often above 50 earnings and, in some cases, over 100 compared to 1835 for generics. Valuations: Headroom or overheat? While much of the optimism is already baked in, the potential risks havent quite caught up in the pricing," Appala noted. US trade threats could drag sentiment and offer better entry points for long-term investors, he noted. Indeed, trade tensions are heating up. US President Donald Trump recently threatened a 200% tariff on pharma imports, months after his administration initiated a trade probe into the sector, where Indian manufacturers have a sizeable presence. A tariff announcement is unlikely, says Celly, but in a worst-case scenario where tariffs do come into play, he believes it could have a noticeable impact on valuation multiples across the sector. Also read: Four Indian pharma stocks that may be hit by US pharma tariff threat To justify their rich valuationssome trading at 30x EV/Ebitda on FY27 earnings estimatesCDMOs must deliver strong numbers consistently, , Celly said. That means 2025% CAGR in revenue and at least 25% Ebitda growth annually over the next 45 years. Challenges ahead But its not all smooth sailing. New drug discovery isnt just time-intensiveit is also a costly affair," Pathak cautioned. He explained that some of the challenges include the need for strong processes and guardrails to protect client intellectual property. Revenue and cash flows can also be volatile and uneven, driven by product concentration and inventory stocking or destocking at the clients end. This depends on how successful a molecule is during clinical trials or after commercial launch, Pathak said. Theres also the need to keep investing in capacity and cutting-edge technologies, often before demand is fully confirmed, he added. A February 2025 Boston Consulting Group report flagged longer regulatory timelines in India310 months more than in the Westand dependence on China and Western nations for 6070% of raw materials as key hurdles. Also read: The market is punishing Piramal Pharma. Is it an overreaction? Stock market today: Indian equity markets began the day on a positive note on Tuesday, marking a slight rebound after experiencing four consecutive days of declines, which is the longest losing streak since March. The Nifty 50 index started at 25,129.70, recording an increase of 36.30 points or 0.14%, while the BSE Sensex index climbed to 82,338.94, with a rise of 85.48 points or 0.10%. The recovery in Indian markets was also supported by the global environment. US markets concluded the day slightly in the green. This came after stronger-than-anticipated economic data from China, where GDP expanded by 5.2 percent in the second quarter, demonstrating continued economic strength. Riyank Arora from Mehta Equities is of the opinion that the general trend for Nifty 50 continues to be favourable, and traders ought to consider purchasing during dips while monitoring momentum around the 25,000 level for any signals regarding direction. Riyank Arora suggests three stocks to buy in the near-term. Here's what he says about the overall market. Also Read | Stocks to buy under 100: Experts recommend four shares to buy today Market Views - Riyank Arora, Technical Analyst, Mehta Equities Ltd Nifty 50 Technical View Nifty 50 is currently hovering near 25,100, showing signs of steady consolidation after a strong upward move. The immediate support lies at 25,100, followed by 25,000 as a key short-term floor. On the upside, resistance is seen at 25,200, and a breakout above this could resume the bullish trajectory. The overall trend remains positive, and traders should look to buy on dips, keeping an eye on momentum near the 25,000 mark for any directional cues. Bank Nifty Technical View Bank Nifty is trading around 56,850, staying comfortably within the bullish range. Support is placed at 56,500, which is critical to maintain the positive structure. On the upside, 57,250 stands as the next resistance zone. A breakout above this level can trigger fresh momentum toward higher targets. The trend remains bullish, supported by strong participation from frontline banking stocks and improving market breadth. Also Read | Shares to buy or sell: Chandan Taparia recommends three stocks to buy and sell Shares to buy for short term Riyank Arora recommends these three stocks in the short term - Reliance Industries, Tech Mahindra, and Infosys. Reliance Industries (RIL) Buy | CMP: 1,490 | Stop Loss: 1,450 | Target: 1,550 Reliance is showing early signs of a breakout after reclaiming the 1,4801,490 zone with strong volumes. The stock is trading above key moving averages, and momentum indicators like RSI are turning positive. A close above 1,500 could add to the upward thrust. Traders can look for a target of 1,550 while keeping a stop loss at 1,450. Tech Mahindra Buy | CMP: 1,574 | Stop Loss: 1,530 | Target: 1,650 Tech Mahindra is forming a base around the 1,5401,560 zone and has now moved past short-term resistance. RSI is picking up, and MACD has indicated a positive crossover. With renewed interest in IT stocks, Tech Mahindra could see a move toward 1,650. A stop loss at 1,530 is suggested for risk control. Infosys Buy | CMP: 1,575 | Stop Loss: 1,540 | Target: 1,650 Infosys is consolidating above its 20-day moving average and looks poised for a breakout above the 1,580 mark. Technical indicators are showing strength, with RSI trending upwards and MACD supporting the bullish bias. A sustained move above 1,5801,600 could trigger a rally toward 1,650. Keep a stop loss at 1,540 to manage downside risk. Stock Market Today: The weakness in the markets persisted on the first day of the new week as the benchmark Nifty-50 index at 25,082.30 ended 0.27% lower. The Bank Nifty managed to end flat at 56,765.35, while the Realty and Healthcare indices were among the prominent gainers, while IT stood among prominent losers. In the broader indices, mid- and small caps gained 0.7-1.00 percent. Trade Setup for Tuesday The Nifty-50 index slipped towards 25,000 on an intraday basis, which is very close to the 50-DMA (day moving average). On the lower end, support is placed at 24,90024,950. If this zone holds, a rally towards 25,350 looks possible. However, failure to sustain above 24,900 may trigger a deeper phase of correction, as per Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities. Key short-term support for Bank Nifty is placed at 56,00055,500 region, as per Bajaj Broking. Global markets today and Q1 Results Looking ahead, markets will react to the Q1 results of IT heavyweight HCL Technologies in early trade on Tuesday, which will be crucial for gauging sentiment in the IT space following the recent disappointment from TCS, said Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd. Additionally, investors remain watchful of developments related to tariffs and their potential impact on global markets. Amid this mixed environment, we continue to see selective opportunities across sectors. Hence, participants should maintain a focus on stock selection and risk management, added Mishra. Stocks to buy today Regarding stocks to buy today, market expertsSumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking; Ganesh Dongre, Senior Manager of Technical Research at Anand Rathi; and Shiju Koothupalakkal, Senior Manager of Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladherrecommended these eight intraday stocks for today: Graphite India Ltd., Global Health Ltd , Kalyan Jewellers India Ltd, BSE Ltd., Exide Industries Ltd , Genus Power Infrastructures Ltd., and IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Sumeet Bagadia's stock picks Graphite India Ltd: Bagadia recommends buying Graphite India, or GRAPHITE, at around 585.30, keeping the stop loss at 564 for a target price of 626 GRAPHITE is currently trading at 585.30 and showing strong bullish momentum after rebounding from a key support level. The stock, which had been consolidating in recent sessions, is now poised for a breakout from an inverted head and shoulders pattern, which is a classic bullish reversal setup. This breakout, if confirmed, could trigger a fresh upward move. From a technical perspective, GRAPHITE is trading above all major Exponential Moving Averages (20, 50, 100, and 200-day), which are all trending upwards 2. Global Health LtdBagadia recommends buying Global Health or MEDANTA at around 1327.40, keeping Stoploss at 1280 for a target price of 1420 MEDANTA is currently trading at 1327.40 and is showing strong signs of recovery, supported by a consistent formation of higher highs and higher lows. The stock has formed bullish candlesticks for six consecutive sessions and has recently touched a fresh 52-week high, reflecting sustained momentum and the potential for a long-term trend reversal. Rising volumes further strengthen the bullish sentiment, indicating increased investor participation. Ganesh Dongre's stocks to buy today 3. Kalyan Jewellers India Ltd-Dongre recommends buying Kalyan Jewellers India or KALYANKJIL at around 585, keeping the stop loss at 570 for target price of 610. Stock has exhibited a strong, notable, continued bullish pattern, offering another promising opportunity for short-term traders. The stock is currently priced at 585 and maintaining strong support at 570. The technical setup indicates the potential for a price retracement towards the 610 level. With the stock reversing from a support base and showing signs of renewed strength, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss at 570 offers a prudent approach to capturing the anticipated upside. 4. BSE LtdDongre recommends buying BSE at around 2460, keeping Stoploss at 2400 for a target price of 2560 Stock has exhibited a strong, notable, continued bullish pattern, offering another promising opportunity for short-term traders. The stock is currently priced at 2460 and maintaining strong support at 2400. The technical setup indicates the potential for a price retracement towards the 2560 level. With the stock reversing from a support base and showing signs of renewed strength, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss at 2400 offers a prudent approach to capturing the anticipated upside. 5. Exide Industries LtdDongre recommends buying Exide Industries, or EXIDEIND at around 383, keeping stop loss at 375 for a target price of 393 In the latest short-term technical analysis, the stock has shown a strong and consistent bullish trend, indicating the potential for an extended upward move. The stock is currently trading at 383 and holding above a key support level at 375. This support zone serves as a critical point for risk management. Given the bullish momentum, traders are advised to consider a buying opportunity with a stop-loss placed strategically at 375 to manage downside risk. The target for this trade is set at 393, suggesting a favorable risk-to-reward ratio and a continuation of the prevailing upward trend. Shiju Koothupalakkal intraday stocks for today 6. B Fintech Ltd-Koothupalakkal recommends buying B Fintech Ltd or POLICY BAZAAR at around 1831 for a Target of 1900, keeping the stop loss at 1795 The stock, after witnessing a short period of correction, has once again arrived near the base of the ascending channel, taking support near the important 50EMA zone at the 1790 level, and has shown signs of reversal accompanied by decent volume participation to improve the bias, and further upward movement can be anticipated. The RSI has witnessed a gradual correction and is currently well placed, indicating a positive trend reversal to signal a buy. With the chart looking good, we suggest buying the stock. 7. Genus Power Infrastructures LtdKoothupalakkal recommends buying GENUS POWER at around 375.50 for a target price of 392, keeping stop loss at 367 The stock has corrected quite significantly from the peak zone of the 430 level, and recently, after a period of consolidation, maintaining above the important confluence of the moving averages of the 50 EMA and the 200-period MA at the 354 level, it has indicated a strong bullish candle formation on the daily chart with huge volume participation visible to anticipate for further rise in the coming sessions. The RSI has indicated a positive trend reversal to signal a buy, and it can carry on with the positive move further ahead in the coming sessions. With much upside potential visible and the chart technically looking good, we suggest buying the stock. 8. IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd-Koothupalakkal recommends buying IOL CHEM AND PHARMA at around RS 92.78 for a target price of 98, keeping the stop loss at 91 The stock has indicated a series of higher bottom formations on the daily chart with an overall rising trend, and currently taking support near the 90 zone has improved the bias with a decent pullback to anticipate for further rise. The volume has been improving, and with the RSI currently well positioned, it has indicated a positive trend reversal to signal a buy and can carry on with the positive move further ahead in the coming sessions. With much upside potential visible and the chart technically looking good, we suggest buying the stock. Textile stocks have been making headlines this week, with several players from the sector seeing strong upward moves. As global trade patterns evolve, India is stepping up as a major textile exporter and investors are taking notice. From rising international orders to government support and shifting supply chains away from countries like Bangladesh and China, a lot is going right for the industry. While largecap and midcap-textile stocks have been leading the rally, lower-priced stocks have also seen buying interest. Read on #1 Trident Trident is a Punjab-based company that produces yarn, towels, bedsheets in its textile segment. It also produces paper and chemicals. Its known for a wide range of products, including bath and bed linen, wheat-straw-based paper, and sulphuric acid, which finds applications in various industries. Its manufacturing facilities are in Barnala and Dhaula in Punjab, and Budhni in Madhya Pradesh. The companys sales and net profit have grown at a 5-year CAGR of 8% and 2%, respectively. Looking ahead, Trident has lined up a 1000 crore capex plan for FY26, with a focus on sustainability, modernisation, and asset upgrades. Around 600650 crore will go into renewable and sustainability projects, while the rest will be used to modernise operations. The company also has big plans on the branding front. It aims to triple its domestic business by 2027, riding on the back of its home textile brand myTrident, which is now venturing into the luxury space with the launch of LUXEHOME by myTrident. On the energy front, Trident is working to transition 60% of its Budhni plants power needs to renewable sources, with more sustainability upgrades in the pipeline. Also Read | Avenue Supermarts Q1: More of the same amid clouds of competition and high costs Jindal Worldwide Ltd (JWL) was established in 1986. Its a prominent Indian textile manufacturer based in Ahmedabad that specialises in denim, premium shirting, and yarn dyeing. It has a manufacturing capacity of 140 m meters of denim annually. The company integrates advanced technology in its production processes. The company operates multiple divisions, which include Jindal Denims and Jindal Fabric, catering to both domestic and international markets. Recently, JWL has diversified into the electric vehicle sector through its subsidiary, Earth Energy. The companys sales and net profit have grown at a 5-year CAGR of 1% and 22%, respectively. Going forward, Jindal Worldwide has said it's planning to scale up its dealership network to 100 by next year. #3 Filatex India The company is engaged in the manufacturing and trading of synthetic yarn and textiles. Specifically, it manufactures polyester and polypropylene multifilament yarn and polyester chips. Its product offerings include a complete range of filament, be it POY, DTY or FDY in semi-dull, bright and colours of different shades, covering a wide range of coarse and fine denier. The company has two manufacturing facilities at Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Dahej, equipped with modern machines from Germany. The companys sales and net profit have grown at a 5-year CAGR of 9% and 2%, respectively. Going forward, the company plans to increase the production of POY, FDY and DTY, the three major yarn types used in the textile industry at Dahej. The expansion, cleared by the board in January 2025, involves a 1.6 bn investment and is expected to be up and running by June 2026. Also Read | Sobha Ltd eyes big FY26 comeback with launches beyond Bengaluru Conclusion Indias textile story is shaping up to be quite strong. According to IBEF, the domestic textiles and apparel market is projected to grow at 10% annually, reaching $350 bn by 2030. Export potential is rising as well, with expectations of hitting $100 bn, supported by 100% FDI under the automatic route. Add to that the surge in online shopping from tier 2 and tier 3 cities, and the demand for stylish, ready-to-wear clothing is only getting stronger. In this backdrop, select textile penny stocks could offer interesting opportunities for long-term investorsespecially those with improving fundamentals, expanding capacities, or strong positioning in niche categories. That said, as with all penny stocks, caution is key. Focus on companies with a clear growth strategy, improving financials, and management credibility before taking the plunge. Investors should evaluate the company's fundamentals, corporate governance, and valuations of the stock as key factors when conducting due diligence before making investment decisions. Happy Investing. Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com. The transmission and distribution (T&D) industry has quietly emerged as one of the hottest infrastructure themes. Within it, high-growth niches like high voltage direct current (HVDC)which enables long-distance electricity transmission with minimal lossesand flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS), designed to enhance grid stability and efficiency, are gaining rapid traction. The domestic market for these segments is expected to grow at an annual rate of 60-65%, expanding from $1.4 billion in 2024 to $9 billion by 2028. Separately, the high-voltage power and power quality market is projected to grow at 18% annually over the same period. https://www.datawrapper.de/_/31zgV/ Amid this surge in demand for advanced grid infrastructure, companies are scrambling to scale. Among the more compelling success stories is Quality Power, a relatively low-profile but fast-growing player in high-voltage equipment and power quality systems. To fuel its next phase of growth and capture market share in this booming segment, Quality Power launched its 859 crore initial public offering (IPO) in February 2025. The stock debuted at 432 on 24 February but dropped to 274 by 9 April. Since then, it has soared 182% in just three months, closing at 773. Also Read | For these three companies, standalone numbers hide subsidiary struggles So, whats driving this rallyand can it sustain? High-voltage play with strong tailwinds Founded 24 years ago, Quality Power manufactures high-voltage electrical equipment and advanced power quality solutions critical for grid connectivity and energy transition. Its products are used in sectors including power, renewables, oil and gas, cement, chemicals, and automobiles. The company also benefits from green energy tailwinds. Its portfolio includes coil products, transformers, capacitor banks, and shunt reactors. With a global footprint across over 100 countries and a client base of more than 210, Quality has grown through both product expansion and acquisitions. Past acquisitions include Endoks, S&S Transformers, EPEC, Nebesky, and, most recently, Mehru. Out of the 859 crore raised via IPO, 225 crore was earmarked for business expansion 117 crore for the Mehru acquisition, 27 crore for machinery purchases, and 61 crore for future M&A. Market interest intensified after the company laid out aggressive revenue targets tied to these inorganic efforts and its capacity expansion pipeline. Strong FY25 performance Qualitys financials reflect momentum, boosted by industry demand. In FY25, revenue rose 12% year-on-year to 337 crore, with power products contributing 185 crore (55%) and power quality systems 152 crore (45%). The domestic and export mix stood evenly at 50:50. Within power products, coil products, used in HVDC and FACTS, saw significant traction, generating 20-25% margins. As a result, operating margins expanded by 600 basis points to 19% in FY25, up from 13%. Net profit surged 81% to 100 crore. This growth was underpinned by rising investment in fixed assets, which grew from 34 crore in FY22 to 219 crore in FY25. Despite the capital investment, return on capital employed (ROCE) remained strong at 30%, down from 49% in FY22. Return on equity held steady at 26%. The companys balance sheet also reflects financial discipline. Borrowings dropped 77% from 38 crore in FY24 to 9 crore in FY25. Free cash flow rose from 6 crore in FY22 to 48 crore in FY25. As of now, the company holds cash reserves of 210 crore. Mehru adds scale and reach With a strong balance sheet and momentum in core operations, Quality also made a strategic acquisition to expand product depth and international footprint. In March, Quality acquired a 51% stake in Mehru for 120 crore using IPO proceeds. Mehru, a manufacturer of instrument transformers (up to 500 kV), has a strong export presence in Southeast Asia and Africa. The deal expands Qualitys portfolio and client base to more than 50 countries and positions it to deliver integrated grid and renewable solutions. In FY25, Mehru posted revenue of 256 crore76% of Qualitys consolidated topline. However, since the acquisition closed on 6 March, only 18 crore was consolidated into FY25 earnings. As of Q4FY25, Qualitys order book stood at 750 crore, with Mehru contributing 350 crore (47%). The order book is expected to be executed over the next 15 months. Given the full-year consolidation in FY26, Quality expects revenue to double to 700-850 crore. However, Mehrus lower PAT margin (12-13%) is expected to drag down consolidated Ebitda margins to 16-18%, from 30% in FY25. FY26 net profit is projected at 112-153 crore. The company expects margins to revert to 20% in a few years. Demand is already outpacing supply. Mehru had to forgo orders worth 150 crore recently. To meet rising demand, Quality has launched a capacity expansion at Mehrus Bhiwadi facility within a month of acquisition. The expansion includes four new autoclaves and relocating non-critical storage to a warehouse. Capacity will rise 45%, with new capacity online in five months. Order bookings are expected to pick up within six months, with a bid pipeline of 400 crore and peak revenue potential of 500 crore. Sangli plant to become global coil hub The Sangli unitQualitys coil manufacturing hub for HVDC and FACTSoperates near full capacity. Notably, Quality is the only Indian firm that manufactures coil products rated at 220 kV and above, a segment with strong demand. These coils currently contribute 160 crore to revenue. To capitalise, the company is expanding capacity 9x at Sangli, positioning it among the worlds largest coil factories. The new facility is expected to go live in H2FY27 and could deliver peak revenue of 1,500 crore. Qualitys bid pipeline, including Sangli, stands at 1,000 crore, with bookings expected to begin in 69 months. Quality is also doubling capacity at its Cochin plant by Q3FY26 to meet HVDC/FACTS demand. A medium-voltage testing lab will be added to enhance quality control and validation. With these expansions, Quality aims to reach peak annual revenue of 2,000 crore in four years 500 crore from Mehru alone, assuming no further acquisitions. The workforce is also set to triple in two years, with 1,000 new hires planned soon. Near-term margin pressure is expected due to fixed cost absorption, though the company believes pricing power and demand will offset most of the impact. Valuations richbut tailwinds strong Quality currently trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 90xrich by industry standards. By comparison, peers like ABB (65x), Siemens (59x), and Transformers & Rectifiers (71x) trade lower. Only GE Vernova trades higher at 98x. For more such analyses, read Profit Pulse. Despite high valuations, strong demand, expansion visibility, a robust order book, low leverage, and high cash reserves make Quality Power one to watch. The promoters also waived a 5 crore dividend payout this year to preserve capital, underscoring their commitment to long-term growth. About the author: Madhvendra has over seven years of experience in equity markets and has cleared the NISM-Series-XV: Research Analyst Certification Examination. He specialises in writing detailed research articles on listed Indian companies, sectoral trends, and macroeconomic developments. Disclosure: The writer does not hold the stocks discussed in this article. The purpose of this article is only to share interesting charts, data points, and thought-provoking opinions. It is NOT a recommendation. If you wish to consider an investment, you are strongly advised to consult your advisor. This article is strictly for educational purposes only. Earlier this month, H. Moser & Cie., the independent Swiss watchmaker for nearly 200 years, opened its first standalone boutique in India. Located at City of Time by Ethos in Gurugram, the newest boutique is the sixth standalone H. Moser & Cie. boutique globally, following openings in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Menlo Park, and Seoul. Launched in partnership with Ethos Ltd, the store is designed as an experiential destination showcasing boutique-exclusive timepieces such as the Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton Boutique Edition, limited to only 17 pieces worldwide. In a Zoom interview with Lounge, Edouard Meylan, the chief executive of H. Moser & Cie., talked about the importance of the India market and the future of haute horlogerie. Edited excerpts: What made you pick Gurugram for the first India store? H. Moser & Cie. is a relatively small brand. We make 4,000 watches, so we want quality over quantity. It's difficult to have too many doors to cover a big market like India, so we rather have a few points of sales in two locations with high visibility. Opening a boutique here (in Gurugram) is obviously a way for us to bring the universe of H. Moser & Cie to the customers in a central point of destination. It's a strategy we use in certain big markets like China, and it works very well for us. What's your observation about the Indian luxury market? We see the growth. I mean, it's in the top 15 in the world, one of the fastest growing markets at the moment. Huge, passionate community of watch collectors, very knowledgeable. We see a lot of passion for our world. I think it's just the beginning. That's why it's great to come and visit, to meet many of them. I think there's huge potential in India. And that's why you see so many brands putting more and more efforts in India, like us opening a boutique here. Let's talk about your partnership with Ethos. What led to the partnership? Well, to be honest, it's really Pranav's (Pranav Saboo, CEO, Ethos Ltd) idea. He fell in love with our category, with independent brands, and wanted to bring them to the market. We believe he resonated early with a lot of discussions, and at some point, he convinced us, and I think his vision was right. I think the India market is really going through a transformation. Did you tweak your offerings for the Indian market? So what you find here is what you would find if you go to our Seoul, Hong Kong or Shanghai boutique. At every store, you will find identical design and same products. It's important to us. We don't tailor for certain tastes. We believe the brand is what it is. If you want something that is much more in line with certain other traditions or tastes, then there are other brands. But we are very strict about it. We don't adapt to the customers. It's the customers that adapt to the brand. Is there a specific Indian customer you really identify with? Majority is masculine, but more and more women buy those watches, or even watches that are quite unisex. A lot of entrepreneurs, and I think there are many in India, and that's probably part of the success of H. Moser & Cie here. You need to buy a Moser, you need to understand. If you know, you know. Your family has been in watch making for generations, and you studied microengineering and then joined the watch industry. Could you talk about your journey? When you are born in watchmaking, you cannot leave it. Whenever you try to leave it, it takes you closer back. So yes, I studied microengineering, but that's probably the closest engineering you have from watchmaking. We actually studied watchmaking mechanisms as part of our studies. So I was already a little bit into it. Production, processes, optimisations, all things that are related to watchmaking. So I was not far away from one another. In my first job, I was consulting (with PwC). That was my attempt to escape. One of my first projects ended up being in watchmaking. And then I was back into it. What keeps you interested in the watch industry? I love the product. That's the core of the idea of creating and bringing innovation and creativity into a very special product that I can actually wear myself. That's part of it. The second aspect that really excites me and drives me every day is the idea and ambition of building a brand. So something that moves beyond that actual product. Something that brings people together behind values, a vision and a philosophy. How has the luxury watch consumer evolved over the years? Yeah, I think people understand much more about what's behind a watch and appreciate the true, traditional watchmaking and the people behind it. That has been at the core of the growth of independent watchmaking in recent years. I think this education helped people go beyond the actual logos. For many years, people were buying if they wanted a certain brand because that represents 80% of what they are. And now they go beyond that and understand the intrinsic value of what watchmakers do, the artistic aspect, the value of the human beings behind it. There's a completely different game today which helps us tremendously. And what kind of watches do you personally like? Do you have a current favourite? I create watches that I wear myself. Today, I'm wearing two watches. One is an Endeavor with an enamel dial. Vibrant and modern at the same time, even though it's traditional. On the other wrist, I have a more sporty watch, which is this Streamliner Skeleton. It's a watch that is comfortable to wear because it's an integrated silk bracelet. It allows you to, we call it beach to tuxedo". You can go out and swim with it and, at the same time, you can wear a suit like I'm wearing today and wear this watch and it fits perfectly. And what, according to you, makes a great watch? I personally value the work that goes behind it, especially when it comes to research, development and innovation. And I think I can understand and value that part. How many years and how many people had to work and how different it is from the othersI think it's a lot about the level of the details and the finishing, and not all the things that you can see. I think that's what makes a watch extraordinarythose small details that you discover three months after you bought it, and you're still wearing and discovering those very fine, small elements. I think that's the beauty of what we do. That's why you find watches costing $100 or $100,000; they still give the time the same way, and sometimes even the cheapest is the most accurate. What makes the very expensive one so special are those small details. Where do you see the traditional mechanical watchmaking in the realm of luxury watches? I think it's the core, it's the base, it's the roots of our industry. We should never forget it but embrace and preserve it. It's very easy to move towards new technologies, and forget about the past. Respect your tradition, but live in the moment, and embrace the future. But don't forget to respect where you come from, and preserve it. Your brand is known for watches with no visible logo, nothing too flashy. Is that how you interpret luxury? I think there are different types of luxury. For me, the ultimate luxury is very close to art, and that's what we do. Art is something where signature is almost insignificant, it's on the side. What really talks is the product. It's the finishing, it's the artistic traits that you find in the product. And that's why we felt that it would be almost an insult to sign our products on the dial, which is so beautiful. And for me, it's important to put effort into creating a product that people can associate and recognise, rather than having to put my logo on it. How do you see the future of haute horlogerie? It has to continue to preserve itself. In terms of craftsmanship, tradition, at the same time embrace new technology in terms of communication. But even sometimes in terms of optimising production. So we're in a world where today everybody talks about AI and how it could influence creativity, how to meet new customers. I think what made Swiss traditional watchmaking survive over the years is its ability to adapt, but at the same time remain true to its roots. As long as we can do that, I think we can go fast. Manish Mishra is a Delhi-based writer and content creator. Also Read | Indians worship gold unlike anywhere else, says Bvlgari CEO I am a professional living in Hyderabad. We recently lost our grandfather at the age of 84 years. He was a moderately wealthy man. We are a Hindu family and trying to understand how to collect and distribute his estate, but we have no clue where to even start, other than getting a death certificate. -Name withheld on request At the outset, you should check if your grandfather had signed a Will. If he did, then his estate is to be distributed as per the terms of the Will. If not, then the estate is to be distributed to his legal heirs as per the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. Also Read | Know the difference between succession certificate and legal heir certificate If there is a Will, then identify the executor named in the Will. The executors role will be to execute and give effect to the terms of the Willthis would typically include arranging for the funeral, collecting the assets and paying off liabilities, liaising with regulatory authorities, paying taxes and obtaining probate (if legally required). He/she will also need to obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN) for the estate. If you discover more than one Will, then take legal advice on which Will is to be given effect to. Usually, the one latter in time revokes the previous one entirely, unless there is a contrary intention expressed in the Will. Then make an asset register listing out your grandfathers assets (arranged by asset class) and liabilities. If there is a Will, then it may contain these details but the Will may not be entirely accurate or updated so you should make independent inquiries. Your grandfathers tax returns and his accountants records would be a useful avenue to obtain some information. He may also have kept a file of his property documents. With this register, you or the executor can systematically take steps to transmit the assets and pay off any debts. You or the executor may also need to liaise with institutions such as banks, depository participants, and insurance companies as well as statutory or government bodies (for instance, if your grandfather had a provident fund account) to ascertain his accounts and assets and notify of death, but more importantly if he had filed nomination forms for such accounts and assets. If a nominee was appointed, then the nominee can collect the assets from the relevant institution following the prescribed process, bearing in mind that the nominee is merely a trustee of those assets which he/she must distribute to the rightful legal heirs. For accounts or assets where there is no nominee, then the institution may seek a court document such as probate (if there is a Will), letters of administration (if there is no Will) or succession certificate (if the asset is a debt or security). You should obtain legal advice in such a case. For immovable property, you will have to ascertain the authority that is authorised to register the transmission of the property and then follow the relevant process for mutation (i.e. updating property records). For self-owned land, it may be a local land revenue officer; for property leased from a government authority, it would be the authorized officer; for a flat in a co-operative housing society, it would be the managing committee of the society, and so on. Also Read | Demystifying wills and trusts: A guide to secure wealth transfer Do remember that post-demise formalities to distribute the estate can be complex, long and laborious. We have only identified some steps to commence the process, but there will be multiple aspects and nuances which will be relevant, depending on the nature of the estate and other factors. Accordingly, do consider engaging a lawyer and accountant who can guide you through this exercise systematically. Navigating inheritance in India often involves two critical documents: thesuccession certificate and thelegal heir certificate. Though both relate to a deceased persons estate, they serve distinct purposes, are issued by different authorities, and are applied in specific scenarios. Mistaking one for the other can lead to delays, financial setbacks, or legal disputes. This article clarifies their differences, backed by real-life examples, to help you make informed decisions. What is a succession certificate? Asuccession certificate, issued by a civil court underthe Indian Succession Act, 1925 (Part X, Sections 370390), authorises the holder to collect and managemovable financial assets like bank accounts, shares, or bonds when the deceased leaves no will or executor. Its vital for contested cases or high-value assets, offeringjudicially enforceable authority to settle debts and securities. In a 2022 Madras high court case, P. Venkatachalam vs The Tahsildar (2022 LiveLaw (Mad) 265), petitioners challenged the authority of tahsildars to issue legal heir certificates for Class-II heirs (e.g., paternal relatives) in intestate succession. The court clarified that a legal heir certificate only confirms the relationship between the deceased and their heirs. It cannot replace a succession certificate, which is mandatory for claiming debts or securities under the Indian Succession Act. The court also struck down a 2019 Tamil Nadu circular limiting legal heir certificates to Class-I heirs, calling it illogical, and ordered revised guidelines. This ruling highlights the critical role of a legal heir certificate in financial asset disputes. Also Read | How strategic estate planning can help Indians with US ties save big on taxes What is a legal heir certificate? Alegal heir certificate, issued by revenue authorities like tahsildars or municipal officers, identifies the deceaseds legitimate heirs. Used inuncontested scenarios, it facilitates administrative tasks such as transferring property titles, claiming pensions, or updating utilities. Governed by state-specific rules, its faster and cheaper but holdslimited legal weight in disputes compared to the Indian Succession Act. A senior citizens daughter once approached our office after her fathers passing. He had no Will, but had left behind multiple fixed deposits and mutual funds. The bank refused to release the funds based on a legal heir certificate alone. They required a succession certificate, especially since another family member had also claimed entitlement. Without the correct certificate, she spent over five months in legal back-and-forth. Choosing the wrong certificate can be costly. One client assumed a legal heir certificate would unlock her late spouses demat account. Due to the portfolios value and a minor objection from a relative, the registrar required a succession certificate. The process took six months, delaying funds and causing distress. Early consultation with an advisor could have streamlined the process. Also Read | Can your family inherit your wealth without legal delays? Debunking myths A common misconception, particularly in states like Karnataka, is that legal heir certificates are exclusively for families of government employees. While Karnatakas 2025 policy imposes restrictions on pension-related cases, most states permit broader use for private asset claims, such as property transfers or insurance, when uncontested. Courts, as seen in P Venkatachalam vs The Tahsildar, have intervened to ensure revenue authorities issue legal heir certificates appropriately, reinforcing their utility in straightforward inheritance matters. Practical guidance Choose wisely: Use a succession certificate for movable financial assets, especially in disputed or high-value cases. Opt for alegal heir certificate for routine, uncontested tasks. Use a succession certificate for movable financial assets, especially in disputed or high-value cases. Opt for alegal heir certificate for routine, uncontested tasks. Consult experts: Inheritance laws vary by state. A lawyer can recommend the right document based on the estates specifics. Inheritance laws vary by state. A lawyer can recommend the right document based on the estates specifics. Plan ahead: A well-drafted Will can eliminate the need for either certificate, saving your heirs time and effort. Distinguishing between a succession certificate and a legal heir certificate is essential for seamless inheritance in India. Real-life cases like Venkatachalam and others highlight how the wrong choice can trigger delays or disputes. By selecting the appropriate documents, heirs can efficiently access assets, minimise legal hurdles, and honour the deceaseds legacy in a hassle-free manner. Shraddha Nileshwar, head will & estate planning at 1 Finance. Views are personal Celebrated poet Andrea Gibson has died at the age of 49 after a nearly four-year-long battle with terminal ovarian cancer, their wife, Megan Falley, announced on social media. Famous for their spoken word poetry, Gibson used their words for LGBTQ activism as well as social commentary. Gibson was also Colorado's poet laureate. Gibson and Falley recently served as the subjects of the documentary Come See Me in the Good Light, which is all set to release on Apple TV+ later this year. Earlier, it bagged the Festival Favorite award at the Sundance Film Festival. According to the official statement on Gibson's Instagram account, the author, performer and activist died on July 14 "surrounded by their wife, Meg, four ex-girlfriends, their mother and father, dozens of friends, and their three beloved dogs". It stated that while Gibson "desperately wished to have lived a longer life, they could not have possibly lived a fuller one". Here's a look at five of Andrea Gibsons best poems that captured the heart of a generation: Andrea Gibsons top 5 poems The Nutritionist Often dubbed a masterclass, this poem speaks to those who struggle with mental illness. Through their words, Andrea Gibson offered both comfort and solidarity. A highly popular phrase from this poem states, When your heart is broken, you plant seeds in the cracks and pray for rain. Love Letter from the Afterlife One of Gibson's most recommended works from recent years, the poem mentions how dying is the "opposite of leaving." When I left my body, I did not go away. That portal of light was not a portal to elsewhere, but a portal to here. I am more here than I ever was before, The Guardian quoted Gibson. Say Yes This one resonates deeply with lovers across all age groups. It shows Gibson exploring the complexities of love, urging fans to lean into relationships despite all the fears associated with them. A popular line from this poem reads, When two violins are placed in a room, if a chord on one is struck, the other will sound that note. Ashes Paying tribute to the transgender community, Ashes is both a memorial for those who have lost their lives due to violence and a call to action a powerful political statement. This poem perfectly highlights how art can play a major role in speaking truth to power. Birthday Penned after their diagnosis with ovarian cancer, Birthday is Gibson's reflection on mortality and legacy. It was among Gibson's final works. FAQs What pronouns does Andrea Gibson use? Gibson used they/them pronouns. Which Andrea Gibson book is best? Colorado's poet laureate wrote several books, with one of the most popular being You Better Be Lightning. Kanthapuram AP Abubacker Musliyars intervention may have delayed the execution of Nimisha Priya, but the key question now is whether her death sentence can be overturned entirely. India's Grand Mufti, Kanthapuram AP Abubacker Musliyar, has been instrumental in the postponement of the death sentence of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse sentenced to death in Yemen. Nimisha Priya was set to be executed on July 16, but her death sentence was postponed just a day earlier, following "concerted efforts" by the Government of India. A close aide of Sheikh Kanthapuram AP Abubacker Musliyar has now shared that there are strong signs the execution may be averted. Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleelul Bukhari Thangal said, We are doing what is right and helpful. The information we are receiving suggests that the death sentence may be avoided. Efforts in that direction are progressing effectively, and Kanthapuram Ustad is actively involved. Our hope and prayer is that Nimisha Priya returns home and brings relief to everyone. We also sincerely hope that no one else in the world ever has to face such a fate, he said. Meanwhile, Musliyar continues to make efforts to stop Nimisha Priya's execution. Also Read | Nimisha Priya execution: Centre tells SC nothing much govt can do; petitioner says only remaining option is... After her death sentence was postponed, Musliyar said he intervened as a human being. Islam is a religion that gives utmost importance to humanity, and this is a fact understood and acknowledged by scholars in Yemen, he said. He said, Islam has another law. If the murderer is sentenced to death, the family of the victim has the right to pardon. I dont know who this family is, but from a long distance, I contacted the responsible scholars in Yemen. I made them understand the issues. The son of a Congress MLA is on the run after allegedly knocking down a police constable in Madhya Pradesh. The incident reportedly occurred when the accused, identified as Pushpraj Singh - son of Jobat MLA Sena Mahesh Patel - was signalled by the police to stop, as he was allegedly driving a vehicle without a number plate near a bus stand in Alirajpur city. Alirajpur Superintendent of Police Rajesh Vyas told news agency PTI that a case under Section 109 (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered against Pushpraj Patel in connection with the incident CCTV footage captured the moment the vehicle swerved toward the police officers before crashing into an electric pole. As the two constables standing near their patrol vehicle tried to jump out of the way, one of them was struck and knocked down by the car. Police told NDTV that the injured constable is currently receiving treatment at Alirajpur District Hospital. They added that appropriate action will be taken against the accused. This isnt Pushpraj Singhs first brush with the law. Back in September 2024, he was booked in connection with the alleged abetment of a 25-year-old womans suicide. According to a Times of India report, the woman took her own life after reportedly receiving persistent threats from Singh, who was allegedly pressuring her to marry him. 2 Killed as Car Plunged into River in MP's Dewas In a similar incident, two persons were killed and two others critically injured after a car plunged into a river in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district on Sunday. The accident occurred on the Indore-Betul highway near Mokhapipalya village in Bagli tehsil, an official told news agency PTI. Kamlaur police station in-charge Upendra Nahar said the car had been crossing the culvert when a truck approached from the opposite direction. The driver lost control of the vehicle and fell into the Kalisindh River. He added that locals had helped rescue all four occupants from the submerged car and rushed them to the government hospital in Bagli, where doctors declared two of them dead. The other two injured persons were referred to Indore for further treatment, the official said. One of the prominent institutions, St Stephen's college under Delhi University (DU) and St. Thomas School in Dwarka area received bomb threats on Tuesday morning, according to the Delhi Police. Students from both institutions were evacuated. The searches are underway. No suspicious items have been discovered at either location. Emergency response teams, bomb and dog squads, fire brigade and special staff teams were rushed to the spot after being informed of the incident. Also Read | Three Delhi school get emailed bomb threats, nothing found yet say police Delhi police in a statement mentioned, St. Thomas School in the Dwarka area of Delhi and St. Stephen's College of the University of Delhi received bomb threats on Tuesday. Delhi Police Bomb Squad, Dog Squad, Delhi Fire Brigade team, and Special Staff team are on the spot. St. Thomas School and St. Stephen's College have been evacuated. "So far, the police have not found anything suspicious at either place," it added. Earlier today, the Bombay Stock Exchange got an email warning to blow the building, according to Mumbai police, ANI reported. The email read, 4 RDX IED bombs have been placed in the tower building of the Bombay Stock Exchange and would explode at 3 pm." Local police units were deployed at the location after BSE officials informed the Mumbai police, which has filed a case against an unknown individual in Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg Police Station under sections 351(1)(b), 353(2), 351(3), 351(4) of BNS, and the probe is underway. Second such incident in two days On Monday, threats of a similar nature were reported at CRPF Public School in Dwarka Sector 16 and at the Navy School in Chanakyapuri. Both schools were evacuated and inspected, but no explosives were discovered. Delhi Fire Services (DFS) stated that they received calls from both schools on Monday morning, following reports from administrators about bomb threats sent via email. "Our teams were dispatched immediately in coordination with the bomb squad, an official from DFS said. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has reached a trade agreement with Indonesia, just a week after threatening to slap the Southeast Asian nation with steep tariffs. However, the President provided no details on the deals scope or terms. Great deal, for everybody, just made with Indonesia, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. DETAILS TO FOLLOW!!! The announcement comes as Trump faces growing scrutiny over his aggressive trade agenda, which has included tariff threats to more than 20 countries. The administration has so far finalised deals with Britain, Vietnam, and a partial tariff truce with China, but pressure is mounting to deliver on promises of broader trade realignments. Tariff threats loom Just last week, Trump warned that a 32% tariff on Indonesian goods would take effect on August 1, as part of his broader push for what he calls reciprocal trade. The threatened tariff remained unchanged from what Trump first proposed in April, when he imposed a blanket 10% tariff on most US trading partners and outlined plans to raise duties further. The White House had already twice delayed the deadline for the higher Indonesian tariffs first from July 1 to July 9, and then to August 1. The delays sparked speculation that behind-the-scenes negotiations were underway. Indonesia responds cautiously Dino Patti Djalal, Indonesias former vice minister for foreign affairs, said during a Foreign Policy event on Tuesday that details of the agreement remained unclear. However, he noted that insiders from the Indonesian government indicated they were happy with the new deal, adding that more information could be expected soon. The nature of the concessions or adjustments that led to the deal are not yet known. It is also unclear whether the 32% tariff will be dropped or modified. Also Read | India adopts wait-and-watch approach amid US tariff uncertainty Global implications Indonesia joins a growing list of countries that have recently received formal letters from the Trump administration outlining expected tariff hikes. Among the recipients are the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Canada, and Mexico. Although Canada and Mexico were not originally targeted, they were later issued similar notices though trade protections under the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) are likely to remain intact for certain goods. Also Read | JP Morgan CEO warns of risks to US economy from Trump tariffs: Details here The Government of India on Tuesday said that it is willing to co-operate with the Bangladesh government for the repair and reconstruction of the ancestral property of Satyajit Ray in Bangladesh's Mymensingh. Given the buildings landmark status, symbolising Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition and examine options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature and a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement. The government expressed regret that Satyajit Ray's ancestral property, which belonged to his grandfather and eminent litterateur Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury presently owned by the Bangladesh government, is being demolished. "The Government of India would be willing to extend cooperation for this purpose," said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Satyajit Ray's ancestral house neglected According to a report by Bangladesh publication, The Daily Star, Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury's house a prominent archaeological landmark was formerly used as the Mymensingh Children's Academy. The Ray's ancestral property, however, had reportedly fallen into disrepair after years of neglect by the authorities. It's being demolished to make way for a new semi-concrete structure, reported The Daily Star. Following the partition of India and Bangladesh in 1947, the property came under the ownership of the latter's government, and was repurposed as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy in 1989. Where is the house located? The house in question, is located in Horikishore Ray Chowdhury Road in Bangladesh's Dhaka, and is around a century old. Horikishore Ray Chowdhury himself was an ancestor of Upendra Kishore, Sukumar, and Satyajit. The house, situated just behind Shashi Lodge one of the region's most prominent archaeological landmarks had reportedly fallen into disrepair after years of neglect by the authorities, reported The Daily Star. Extremely distressing West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had also raised concern, stating that the news of demolition is extremely distressing. I appeal to the Bangladesh government and all the conscientious people of that country to take steps to preserve this heritage-laden house. The Indian government should pay attention to this matter, CM Banerjee had posted on X. Mamata Banerjee's post on X Satyajit Ray family tree Legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray was Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury's grandchild. Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, was a renowned children's Bengali author, illustrator and published. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday pointed out that US President Donald Trump has claimed credit for ending the India-Pakistan conflict in May at least 22 times in 65 days. "65 days. 22 times. The same claim. It keeps getting repeated." Jairam Ramesh wrote in a post on X. Jairam Ramesh has continuously criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not openly refuting Donald Trump's repeated claims of stopping the recent India-Pakistan conflict. Ramesh's remarks come as Trump again claimed the same on Monday during his meeting with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte. "We have been very successful in settling wars, India, Pakistan... India, by the way, Pakistan would have been a nuclear war within another week, the way that was going. It was going very badly," Trump stated. He pointed to his strategy of using trade as leverage, stating, "We did that through trade. I said, we are not going to talk to you about trade, unless you get this thing settled, and they did." On July 8 when Donald Trump had made the same claim during an interaction with reporters, Jairam Ramesh slammed PM Modi for not countering him "President Trump has trumpeted all this just as he was also announcing that a US trade deal with India and Pakistan was about to be declared very soon. When will Narendra Modi, once described by his senior colleague Ghanshyam Tiwari as the BJP's 'trump card', break his silence on this issue?" he said. Also Read | Trump bets constantly shifting tariff strategy can remake global trade India has refuted the claims made by the US President, reiterating its policy that India and Pakistan bilaterally address any matter related to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. "As you are aware, we have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed. As you are aware, the outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian Territory by Pakistan," the Ministry of External Affairs stated. The MEA further stated that the "issue of trade" had not arisen between Indian and US leaders since the commencement of Operation Sindoor and the cessation of hostilities. India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. India repelled subsequent Pakistani military aggression and pounded its airbases. President Trump has trumpeted all this just as he was also announcing that a US trade deal with India and Pakistan was about to be declared very soon. India and Pakistan agreed to a cessation of hostilities following a call made by Pakistan's DGMO to his Indian counterpart. A Bengaluru student was allegedly raped and blackmailed by two lecturers and their friend, after being lured into the city under the pretense of academic assistance. According to an India Today report, the two college lecturers and their friend were arrested after the student submitted a complaint to the Karnataka State Women's Commission, which directed the police to take swift action. The accused have been identified as Narendra, a physics lecturer; Sandeep, a biology lecturer; and Anup, a close acquaintance of the two. All three men are affiliated with a private college in Bengaluru, the report added. Accused allegedly raped, blackmailed student According to the report, Narendra had invited the student to Bengaluru promising to share academic notes. He allegedly took her to a friends house, where he raped her. The ordeal escalated when Sandeep reportedly used a video recording of the assault to blackmail the student and sexually assault her again, the India Today report further added. Anup, another accused, threatened her with an alleged CCTV footage of her visit and raped the student as well. The complaint, however, was filed after a month of the incident. According to the report, the student recently informed her parents. A formal complaint was then filed with the Womens Commission, which prompted the police to register a case and arrest the accused. The case was registered on July 5. Based on the victims complaint, we have arrested three individuals, said Ramesh Banoth, Joint Commissioner of Police, East Division according to the publication. Man awarded 20 years rigorous imprisonment for raping minor in UP In separate news, a local court in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra on Monday sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a girl multiple times under the pretext of marriage, a government counsel said. Additional Sessions Judge and Special POCSO Judge Amit Veer Singh found Suresh Kumar (21), a resident of Kharkhara village, guilty of rape and also imposed a fine of 10,000, a PTI report said. Government counsel Dinesh Prasad Agrahari said the survivor, a resident of a village under Jugail police station, lodged a written complaint with police on March 13, 2021, alleging that Suresh Kumar had been sexually assaulting her repeatedly for about a year on the false promise of marriage. The survivor told police that the accused had even given her a mobile phone and would call her to meet him, during which he would rape her. On March 7, 2021, Suresh allegedly threatened to kill her if she bothered him, the FIR stated. Based on her complaint, a case was registered and an investigation launched. After gathering sufficient evidence, police filed a chargesheet in court. The court sentenced Suresh to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. It also directed that 8,000 of the fine amount be paid to the survivor and ordered an additional one-month sentence if the fine is not paid. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese president Xi Jinping on Tuesday as part of the delegation of foreign ministers attending the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. This is Jaishankar's first visit to China after the ties between the two neighbouring countries came under severe strain following the 2020 military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. "Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties," Jaishankar said in a post on X, accompanied by a picture of him shaking hands with Xi. Jaishankar meets Wang Yi Jaishankar arrived in China after concluding his visit to Singapore, his first trip to China in five years. On Monday, Jaishankar held detailed talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing and spoke about the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Jaishankar told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that the neighbours have made good progress over the last nine months in normalising relations, adding that it was key to avoid restrictive trade measures and roadblocks. The External Affairs minister also said that, India and China's bilateral relationship requires both nations to take a far-sighted approach to their ties, news agency PTI reported. India and China should now look at de-escalation of the situation along the LAC after making good progress in normalising the bilateral ties in the past nine months, Jaishankar said. Improvement in bilateral ties Jaishankar ALSO met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on July 14. The Minister noted the improvement in bilateral ties and expressed confidence that discussions during his visit will maintain that positive trajectory.AR During his meeting with Han Zheng, Jaishankar expressed India's support for China's Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Presidency. Jaishankar's visit follows those of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who travelled to China in June for the SCO meetings. Wang Yi is also expected to visit India next month to meet NSA Ajit Doval part of a planned round of dialogue under the Special Representatives (SR) mechanism aimed at resolving the decades-old boundary dispute. The 2020 Galwan Valley standoff between india and China was the worst border clash in over 40 years, resulting in the death of soldiers on both sides. The incident sharply escalated tensions and brought bilateral ties to a historic low. Also Read | EAM S Jaishankar in China today, first time in 5 years The decision to revive the SR dialogue and other dormant channels was reportedly taken during a brief exchange between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit in Kazan, Russia, in October last year. There have been a few glimmers of positive movement, most notably the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after nearly five years. India and the European Union (EU) are preparing to hold the next round of negotiations on their proposed free trade agreement (FTA) in September. This development comes as both sides exchanged offers related to the services sector last week, an official confirmed on Tuesday. What happened in last round of talks? L Satya Srinivas, Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce, said that the 12th round of talks recently concluded in Brussels, reported PTI. "We have exchanged our offers on services and non-services, he said, adding, We also discussed key interests in market access related to goods as well. The upcoming 13th round of talks will be held in the first week of September, Srinivas confirmed. Optimism in the air In June 2022, India and the 27-nation EU bloc resumed negotiations for a free trade agreement, an investment protection agreement and a pact on geographical indications (GIs) after an eight-year hiatus. The talks had stalled in 2013 due to differences on the level of opening up of the markets, the news agency reported. Both sides are optimistic, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the European Commission president agreeing on February 28 to seal a much-awaited free trade deal by the end of this year. What are the key demands? The EU has already pushed for significant duty cuts on items such as automobiles and medical devices. Other than that, the bloc has also demanded tax reduction on products such as wine, spirits, meat, poultry, and a strong intellectual property regime. If the pact is concluded successfully, Indian goods exports to the EU, such as ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, steel, petroleum products, and electrical machinery, can become more competitive. Areas covered in trade pact The India-EU trade pact negotiations are comprehensive, covering over 23 policy areas. These include Trade in Goods and Services Investment Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Technical Barriers to Trade Trade Remedies Rules of Origin Customs and Trade Facilitation Competition Trade Defence Government Procurement Dispute Settlement Intellectual Property Rights Geographical Indications (GIs) Sustainable Development India-EU trade relations The EU stands as Indias largest trading partner for goods, with bilateral trade reaching $137.41 billion in 2023-24. The figure includes exports worth $75.92 billion and imports worth $61.48 billion. The EU market accounts for about 17 per cent of India's total exports, while the EU's exports to India make up 9 per cent of its total overseas shipments. The family of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who has been sentenced to death for murder in Yemen, on Tuesday said they were happy after hearing the news of her execution date being postponed. Nimisha's husband Tomy Thomas told PTI that efforts to avert her execution will continue. The execution has been postponed. That is good news. We are happy and relieved. I am sure efforts will continue to avert her execution and bring her back safely, he said. He thanked everyone who worked hard to support the cause. Thomas said they have a daughter studying in class XIII, and that the child has been kept away from these developments. Nimisha's execution was scheduled for July 16 but was postponed earlier today. In the case of Nimisha Priya, it has been learnt that the local authorities in Yemen have postponed the execution scheduled for July 16, 2025," ANI quoted sources as saying. Why is Nimisha Priya on death row in Yemen The 38-year-old nurse hails from Kollengode in Palakkad district. A Yemeni court pronounced her guilty of murdering her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in July 2017. This major relief for Nimisha Priya comes after the Indian government lobbied for a resolution. Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, the 94-year-old Sunni Muslim leader who holds the title of the Grand Mufti of India, also held talks with religious authorities in Yemen to save the Indian nurse. On July 15, a meeting was arranged between representatives of the influential Sunni Muslim leader and the family of the Yemeni national who was allegedly killed by Nimisha, PTI reported. A Yemeni court had granted Nimisha Priya a death sentence in 2020 for murdering Talal. In November 2023, the country's Supreme Judicial Council rejected her final appeal. Centre's limitation to save the Indian nurse The Supreme Court on Monday expressed sadness over the Indian government's submission that there is not much it can do to intervene and save Nimisha Priya. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a plea seeking directions to the Indian government to save Nimisha from Yemen death row, through diplomatic channel negotiations. The counsel who appeared for Nimisha informed the court that the only remaining option to save her is through a blood money settlement, provided the family of the deceased is willing to accept it, an ANI report said. The Attorney General of India (AGI) stated that the Indian government is making every possible effort to help Nimisha. He further informed the court that talks are ongoing with Yemeni authorities, including the public prosecutor handling Nimisha's case, to secure a suspension of the execution order until negotiations can be pursued. However, the AGI also admitted that the Indian government's ability to intervene is limited, describing it as "a very complex issue," adding, "there's no way we can know what's happening (in Yemen)." "There's nothing much that we can do... It's not like any other part of the world (where possible negotiations can be carried out)", the AGI stated. Balasore: The second-year Integrated BEd student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, who set herself ablaze after alleged sexual harassment by a professor, died at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Monday, following three days of fighting for her life, the hospital said. Odisha CM Mohan Majhi vowed action against the culprits. The 22-year-old student took the extreme step on Saturday over alleged inaction against the professor. The student suffered 95 per cent burns and was in intensive care for three days before passing away. Expressing grief over the student's death, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said all culprits in the case will face the strictest punishment under law. The woman was first admitted to the Balasore district hospital and then shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment. She was undergoing treatment in the ICU, Department of Burn Centre, according to officials. Also Read | Odisha: College principal held after student sets herself on fire in Balasore "The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 pm on July 14," the Department of Burn Centre stated. Government stands with family In a post on X, Chief Minister Majhi said, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite the government's fulfilment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim's life could not be saved. "I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family," he said. President Droupadi Murmu, who was at AIIMS Bhubaneswar to participate in its fifth convocation ceremony, paid an unscheduled visit to the burn and plastic surgery department on Monday evening and enquired about the student's condition. Punjab: The bill proposing punishment up to life imprisonment for sacrilege was sent on 15 July to a select committee of the Punjab Assembly to seek public opinion on the proposed legislation. On the concluding day of the Assembly's special session, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said the panel will submit its report on the bill within six months. The move came after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann proposed that the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025, be sent to a House panel that may include representatives of all political parties to seek the opinion of the people and religious bodies. CM Mann introduced the anti-sacrilege bill in the House on Monday. The bill calls for stringent punishment for those involved in the desecration of religious scriptures. While wrapping up a discussion on the bill, he referred to the sacrilege incidents of 2015 under the SAD-BJP rule and said there cannot be a bigger crime than sacrilegious acts. The state-specific proposed law was cleared by the cabinet in a meeting chaired by the chief minister. It mandates strict punishment, extending up to life imprisonment, for the desecration of holy scriptures, including the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Bible and Quran, an official spokesperson said after the cabinet meeting on Monday. According to the bill, any person found guilty of sacrilege may face imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life. The guilty shall also be liable to pay a fine of 5 lakh, which may extend up to 10 lakh. Attempting to commit the offence may result in a sentence of three to five years and a fine of up to 3 lakh, as per the Bill. Individuals found abetting the crime will be punished in accordance with the offence committed. Under the Bill, offence means any sacrilege, damage, destruction, defacing, disfiguring, de-colouring, de-filling, decomposing, burning, breaking or tearing of any holy scripture or part thereof. Once enacted, offences punishable under this legislation shall be cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable and will be tried by a session court. The probe shall be conducted by a police officer not below the rank of deputy superintendent of police. Sacrilege has been an emotive issue in Punjab. There has been a demand from various quarters for stringent punishment for sacrilege after the incidents of desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib in 2015 in Faridkot. This proposed legislation aims to fill that legal void by criminalising and prescribing punishments for acts of sacrilege across all sects and faiths. It is not the first time that a law has been introduced to impose stricter punishments on perpetrators of sacrilegious acts. In 2016, the then SAD-BJP government introduced the IPC (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016, and the CrPC (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016, recommending a life sentence for sacrilege acts against Guru Granth Sahib. The Centre later returned the bill, saying that, given the secular nature of the Constitution, all religions should be treated equally. There cannot be a bigger crime than sacrilegious acts. In 2018, the then-Congress government led by Amarinder Singh passed two billsthe Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018' and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2018', which stipulated a punishment of up to life imprisonment for injury, damage, or sacrilege to Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran, and the Bible. Tesla India Launch Highlights: Tech billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla has opened its first showroom in India today, following years of wait by fans and industry watchers alike. The electric vehicle (EV) maker's debut store in India is in Mumbai's posh Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) locality, inside Maker Maxity Mall. As of now, Tesla is speculated to sell its Model Y SUVs in India, with plans of expanding more with other models as the sales increase. Tesla is expected to deliver its first cars in India from August 1. Also Read: Tesla Mumbai showroom opens today: What models are in the lineup at BKC? Here's what we know The launch was teased on Elon Musk-owned social media platform X (formerly Twitter) as Coming soon, along with a graphic that indicated Tesla's presence in India would begin in July 2025. Which Tesla cars will be sold in India? At present, Tesla will sell only one model in India the Tesla Model Y. The company has already shipped six units of the Model Y SUV from its Shanghai plant to Mumbai, which will be used for display and demonstration purposes, according to a report by Carwale. A Reuters report noted that Tesla imported vehicles, chargers and accessories into India worth close to $1 million, mainly from China and the United States. Notably, Teslas most budget-friendly model, the Model 3, will also be displayed but is expected to hit the market later in 2025. Also Read: Tesla's debut in India Mumbai showroom opens today; Model Y, Model 3 to be on display | Top 10 things to know Tesla EV prices higher in India? Elon Musk, who is the CEO of Tesla, previously expressed interest in entering the Indian auto market, but pointed to high tariff duties on foreign EV imports as a deterrance. Six Tesla Model Y cars have already been shipped to India from Shanghai, but they will have to be subject to a whopping 70 per cent import tariff to get sold in the country. As per Bloomberg, buyers could end up paying $56,000 for a single car 10,000 more than its usual price. Tesla Model Y price comparison: US, China, Germany & India Tesla is retailing the Model Y at starting price of around $69,770, which is over 59.87 lakh, Reuters reported citing data on the automaker's website. For comparison, the sale car retails for $44,990 in the US, 263,500 yuan (or $36,700) in China, and 45,970 euros (or $53,700) in Germany. Tesla is set to make its long-awaited debut in India on Tuesday, July 15, with Elon Musk's EV company seeking to ply into new markets to recover slowing sales in places where it is already well-established. Here is everything you need to know about the Tesla showroom in India and the car lineup it will feature. Which Tesla cars will be sold in India? The first Tesla India showroom will start out simple in Mumbai, according to various media reports. As of now, Tesla will sell only one model in India the Tesla Model Y. The Elon Musk-led EV company has already shipped six units of the Model Y SUV from its Shanghai plant to Mumbai. These six cars will be used for display and demonstration purposes, according to a report by Carwale. The Tesla Model 3 is also likely to be on display. However, there is no official confirmation yet on the selling of these models in India. What is Tesla Model Y? The Tesla Model Y, the first EV of the US-based company to be sold in India, is an electric mid-size SUV. Offered in Long Range RWD and Long Range AWD (Dual Motor) versions, the SUV delivers an exceptional range of up to 574 km and can speed up from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds. Tesla Model Y price in India Commercially available custom records from January to June, as per a report by Reuters, showed Tesla imported vehicles, chargers and accessories into India worth close to $1 million, mainly from China and the United States. The vehicles included six of Tesla's best-selling Model Y at a shipment value of $32,500 each for five cars, and $46,000 for the long-range version, as well as several Superchargers. Also Read | Tesla likely to begin first deliveries in India from August Also Read | Elon Musks Tesla to open first India showroom in Mumbai on 15 July However, with the 70 per cent tariffs than India charges on fully-built EVs imported from abroad, the expected ticket price is likely to be in the range of $56,000 making the car affordable for a select few. Tesla has imported $1 million worth of cars and merchandise, marking its entry into the world's third-largest car market despite CEO Elon Musk's complaints about high import tariffs. The humanitarian city proposed by Israels defence minister to be built on the ruins of Rafah would in effect be a concentration camp, and forcing Palestinians into it would amount to ethnic cleansing, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has warned. Israels defence ministry has reportedly floated a plan to confine a large portion of Gazas population to a heavily damaged, tightly controlled zone in the southern part of the Gaza enclave, in Rafah, bordering Egypt. The controversial proposal risks derailing ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. In recent weeks, Israeli officials have briefed journalists and international diplomats on an informal plan to relocate hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians to an area near the Gaza-Egypt border, under Israeli military control. While the Israeli government has yet to officially confirm or comment on the proposal, the concept of a new encampment in southern Gaza was first introduced by Defence Minister Israel Katz. He reportedly shared the idea with Israeli military correspondents during a briefing, The New York Times reported. Katz has reportedly directed the Israeli military to begin drafting operational plans for the humanitarian city, to be built on the rubble of southern Gaza. The encampment would initially accommodate 600,000 people and ultimately house Gazas entire population, which exceeds two million. Olmerts Stark Warning It is a concentration camp. I am sorry, Olmert said bluntly to the Guardian when asked about Katzs proposal. If they (Palestinians) will be deported into the new humanitarian city, then you can say that this is part of an ethnic cleansing. It hasnt yet happened, he said, adding that such a move would be the inevitable interpretation of creating a camp for hundreds of thousands of people. Olmert clarified to the Guardian that he does not currently consider Israels campaign in Gaza to be ethnic cleansing. He argued that the evacuation of civilians to protect them from conflict is permitted under international law and noted that many Palestinians have returned to areas where Israeli military operations have ended. However, the former prime minister has been sharply critical of Israels military conduct and political leadership throughout the Gaza conflict. In May, he told CNN he could no longer defend Israel against accusations of war crimes. What is it if not a war crime? he asked rhetorically, pointing the finger at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right cabinet members, accusing them of committing actions which cant be interpreted any other way. Olmert said that after months of inflammatory rhetoric including statements by ministers calling for Gaza to be cleansed and plans to construct Israeli settlements there the claim that the humanitarian city is meant to protect Palestinians rings hollow. When they build a camp where they (plan to) clean more than half of Gaza, then the inevitable understanding of the strategy of this (is that) it is not to save (Palestinians). It is to deport them, to push them and to throw them away. There is no other understanding that I have, at least, Olmert said. What Is Israels Humanitarian City? The humanitarian city is a proposed Israeli initiative to construct a massive, enclosed zone in southern Gaza, built on the ruins of Rafah. The camp would serve as a settlement for displaced Palestinians, beginning with 600,000 and eventually expanding to the entire population of Gaza over two million people. The Israeli government, under Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Katz, claims the initiative aims to offer humanitarian assistance and encourage voluntary emigration. The zone would be monitored by the Israeli military from a distance to ensure security. Israeli government responds to Olmert Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office hit back at Olmerts remarks, branding him a convicted felon disgracing Israel on CNN. We evacuate civilians. Hamas blocks them. He calls that a war crime? the statement read, referencing Olmerts 16-month prison sentence for corruption, served before his release in 2017. Despite the backlash, Olmert who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2009 doubled down on his criticism, particularly given the gravity of comparing Israeli actions to Nazi-era concentration camps, a comparison rarely made in Israeli political discourse. Yet, Olmert maintained that this was the inevitable interpretation of the current plans. Yair Lapid, leader of Israels opposition, also condemned the humanitarian city proposal, accusing Netanyahu of enabling far-right ministers to run wild with extreme fantasies just to preserve his coalition. On social media, Lapid urged a ceasefire and demanded the return of hostages. Obstacle to truce: Humanitarian City at heart of Israel-Hamas stalemate Hamas has pointed to Katzs plan as a major roadblock to any renewed ceasefire. In return for releasing around 25 hostages, Hamas demands Israeli troop withdrawals from most of Gaza. However, the proposed encampment would ensure continued Israeli control over a strategic area, undermining Hamass objectives. Senior Hamas official Husam Badran denounced the encampment proposal as a deliberately obstructive demand that would hinder already fragile peace talks. Air India announced on Tuesday that it will run three flights a week from Ahmedabad to London Heathrow between August 1 and September 30, replacing its current service to London Gatwick. At present, the airline operates five weekly flights on the AhmedabadGatwick route. In addition, Air India said it would begin a partial restoration of its flight schedules that were reduced after it decided to observe a "Safety Pause" following the June 12 crash of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which claimed 260 lives. According to the airline, some services will resume from August 1 compared to the reduced schedule in July, with full operations expected to return from October 1. From 1 August to 30 September, Air India will operate three weekly flights between Ahmedabad and London (Heathrow), replacing the currently operating five weekly flights between Ahmedabad and London (Gatwick), the airline said in a statement. Also Read | AI 171 plane crash: Expert reveals what went wrong moment before tragic accident On June 12, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost thrust shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport and crashed into a medical college hostel. The accident claimed the lives of 241 of the 242 people on board, along with 19 others on the ground, making it the deadliest aviation disaster in the past ten years. Also Read | DGCA asks airlines to check fuel switch locking system in Boeing 787,737 planes Full list of flights which will be resumed Europe flights Delhi-London (Heathrow): Air India will resume two weekly flights previously curtailed, with all 24x weekly flights operating from July 16 onwards. Delhi-Zurich: The airline will increase Delhi-Zurich flights from 4x weekly to 5x weekly, effective August 1. Bengaluru-London (Heathrow): Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 6x weekly; will further reduce to 4x weekly, effective August 1, 2025. Amritsar-Birmingham: Remains reduced from 3x weekly to 2x weekly until August 31; to operate 3x weekly, effective September 1. Delhi-Birmingham: Remains reduced from 3x weekly to 2x weekly. Delhi-Paris: Reduced from 12x weekly to 7x weekly, effective August 1. Delhi-Milan: Reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly, effective July 16. Delhi-Copenhagen: Remains reduced from 5x weekly to 3x weekly. Delhi-Vienna: Remains reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly. Delhi-Amsterdam: Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 5x weekly; to resume 7x weekly, effective August 1. Far East Delhi-Tokyo (Haneda): Reinstated two weekly flights previously curtailed, with all 7x weekly flights operating from August 1 onwards. Delhi-Seoul (Incheon): Reinstated two weekly flights previously curtailed, with all 5x weekly flights reinstated from September 1 onwards. Routes with continued reductions/changed frequency until September 30 Europe Bengaluru-London (Heathrow): Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 6x weekly; will further reduce to 4x weekly, effective August 1, 2025. Amritsar-Birmingham: Remains reduced from 3x weekly to 2x weekly until August 31; to operate 3x weekly, effective September 1. Delhi-Birmingham: Remains reduced from 3x weekly to 2x weekly. Delhi-Paris: Reduced from 12x weekly to 7x weekly, effective August 1. Delhi-Milan: Reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly, effective July 16. Delhi-Copenhagen: Remains reduced from 5x weekly to 3x weekly. Delhi-Vienna: Remains reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly. Delhi-Amsterdam: Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 5x weekly; to resume 7x weekly, effective August 1. North America Delhi-Washington (Dulles): Remains reduced from 5x weekly to 3x weekly. Delhi-Chicago: Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 3x weekly (to operate 4x weekly in August). Delhi-San Francisco: Remains reduced from 10x weekly to 7x weekly Delhi-Toronto: Remains reduced from 13x weekly to 7x weekly Delhi-Vancouver: Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly Delhi-New York (JFK): Reduced from 7x weekly to 6x weekly, effective July 16. Mumbai-New York (JFK): Reduced from 7x weekly to 6x weekly, effective August 1. Delhi-New York (Newark Liberty): Reduced from 5x weekly to 4x weekly, effective July 16. Australia Delhi-Melbourne: Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 5x weekly. Delhi-Sydney: Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 5x weekly. Africa Delhi-Nairobi: Reinstated services, operating 3x weekly until 31 August; to be suspended from September 1-30. Continued temporary suspension of routes until September 30 Amritsar-London (Gatwick) (AI169/170): 3x weekly flights Goa (Mopa)-London (Gatwick) (AI145/146): 3x weekly flights Bengaluru-Singapore (AI2392/2393): 7x weekly flights Mumbai woke up to yet another rain-soaked morning on Tuesday, as relentless downpours lashed the city and its suburbs. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Alert for Mumbai, advising residents to avoid coastal areas and low-lying zones prone to flooding. Neighbouring districts were also placed under varying alerts Thane, Raigad, Mumbai suburban under red alert, Pune under Orange, and Palghar on Yellow Alert. An Orange Alert is typically issued when rainfall is expected to range between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm within 24 hours, signalling the likelihood of significant disruption due to heavy showers. IMD Warns of More Rains and Strong Winds in Mumbai According to the IMD, moderate rain is forecast across many parts of Mumbai and surrounding areas over the next four days. Short-term predictions warn of moderate rain, thunder, lightning, and strong winds in some pockets of Mumbai and Thane over the next three to four hours. The department has urged people to exercise caution when venturing outdoors, especially in areas prone to waterlogging and flash floods. Mumbai Rains: IMD Issues Red Alert, Orange Alert 15 July RED ALERT The IMD has issued red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Thane, Mumbai Suburban, Raigad, Ratnagiri on 15 July ORANGE ALERT The IMD has issued orange alert for heavy rainfall in Pune, Satara and Ahmednagar in Mumbai on 15 July. YELLOW ALERT The IMD has issued yellow alert for heavy rainfall in Gadchiroli, Palghar, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Gondia on 15 July. Mumbai Rains: Flight Disruptions IndiGo, Spicejet, Akasa Air have issued travel advisory warning of flight delays on 15 July. Mumbai Rains: Traffic Disruptions and Waterlogging Reported Heavy rains led to waterlogging in several parts of Mumbai, causing delays and inconvenience to commuters during peak hours. The Mumbai Traffic Police announced the closure of Andheri Subway in Andheri West after nearly two feet of water accumulated, forcing traffic diversions via Gokhale Bridge. "Due to 2 feet of water accumulation, the Andheri Subway in Andheri West, Mumbai, has been closed to traffic and has been diverted via Gokhale Bridge," the Mumbai Traffic Police posted on X (formerly Twitter). Mumbai Rains: Traffic Update Following are the traffic updates posted by Mumbai Traffic police amid heavy rainfall that has caused water-logging in several places across Maharashtra's capital city. Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday, July 15, at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in China that Islamabad remains committed to ceasefire, while asserting dialogue and diplomacy. Ishaq Dar also sought a relationship of peace and stability with all neighbours, including India. In an address at the SCO foreign ministers meeting in Chinese city of Tianjin, Ishaq Dar said the last three months witnessed extremely disturbing developments in South Asia. Speaking of the tensions between India and Pakistan, the Pakistani foreign minister said it was unfortunate the two nuclear-armed nations came to the brink of a major conflict after the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to the ceasefire and the cultivation of a stable regional equilibrium. However, we cannot accept that the arbitrary use of force is normalised," Dar said. We believe that disputes and differences are resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, instead of conflict and coercion, the Pakistani foreign minister added, In that backdrop, initiation of a comprehensive and structured dialogue can meaningfully address the full spectrum of issues that have long bedevilled the peace and security in South Asia. "In that backdrop, initiation of a comprehensive and structured dialogue can meaningfully address the full spectrum of issues that have long bedevilled the peace and security in South Asia. Strict adherence to bilateral agreements would be equally important in this regard, said Dar. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the terror attack that killed 26 persons in Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. Also Read | With Pakistan listening, Jaishankar sends strong message on terrorism: SCO must take uncompromising stand Ishaq Dar said, Terrorism is the common concern of humanity that threatens global security. All forms of terrorism, including state terrorism are condemnable. We must shun the use of terrorism for political purposes and combat this menace through a cooperative approach, including addressing its root causes. The SCO comprises 10 member states namely China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. China currently holds the rotating presidency of the SCO. The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday granted interim protection from coercive action to cartoonist Hemant Malviya, who faces charges for allegedly sharing objectionable cartoons of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS workers on social media. A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar cautioned Malviya, however, that if he continued to share offensive material online, the state would be at liberty to take action as per the law. "We will have to do something about it," remarked the Supreme Court bench, expressing concern over abusive content circulating on social media platforms. The judges further observed, "Log kisi ko bhi, kuch bhi keh dete hain (People say anything to anyone)." Cartoonists bail plea reaches apex court Malviya had approached the Supreme Court after the Madhya Pradesh High Court on July 3 refused him anticipatory bail. The case originates from an FIR lodged at Lasudiya Police Station in Indore in May, based on a complaint filed by Vinay Joshi, a lawyer and RSS worker. The complaint alleged that Malviya had hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and disturbed communal harmony by uploading objectionable content on social media. Also Read | SC notice to comic Kunal Kamra, cartoonist Rachita Taneja in contempt cases Also Read | Meet the cartoonist raising wildlife issues through humour It may be in poor taste, but is it an offence? Representing Malviya, senior advocate Vrinda Grover argued in court on July 14 that the controversial cartoon dated back to 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Grover submitted, It may be unpalatable. Let me say it is in poor taste. Let me go to that extent. But is it an offence? My lords have said it can be offensive, but it is not an offence. I am simply on law. I am not trying to justify anything. She further stated that Malviya would delete the alleged offensive post. Freedom of speech is being abused: Supreme Court Justice Dhulia observed during the hearing, Whatever we may do with this case, but this is definitely the case that the freedom of speech and expression is being abused. Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for the Madhya Pradesh government, stressed that such actions were not isolated incidents, saying, It is not the question of maturity alone. It is something more. Also Read | Tamil Nadu cartoonist G.Bala released on bail FIR cites objectionable content and religious insults The FIR against cartoonist Hermant Malviya listed several allegedly offensive posts, including remarks about Lord Shiva and posts featuring cartoons, videos, photographs, and comments about PM Modi, RSS workers, and others. Hemant Malviyas defence in the Madhya Pradesh High Court argued that while he had shared a cartoon, he could not be held accountable for comments posted by other Facebook users. Former Maharashtra minister and MLC Shashikant Shinde has been elected the new president of the state Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (SP) unit, replacing Jayant Patil. Shashikant Shinde's appointment was announced by NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar at the party's general body meeting in Mumbai of Maharashtra, NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto told PTI. His name was proposed by former minister Anil Deshmukh and seconded by Shirur MP Amol Kolhe and former MLA Sunil Bhusara. Clyde Crasto also said that Sharad Pawar took the mic and said he had received one name as candidate for the post. Pawar asked NCP (SP) leaders if anyone among them wished to contest, and when no one came forward, Shashikant Shinde was declared the unanimous choice, Crasto said. Addressing the meeting, Jayant Patil, who helmed the state NCP unit for seven years, thanked Sharad Pawar for giving him the opportunity and spoke about the party's work during his tenure. He said he would continue to work for the party. Senate Republicans on Tuesday were weighing modest changes to President Donald Trumps controversial request to cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved federal spending, amid growing internal concerns ahead of a critical vote later this week. The proposed rescissions package would claw back $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and about $8.3 billion from foreign aid programs, including the global health initiative PEPFAR. Congress must pass the bill by Friday or the funds remain intact. Were trying to find out if theres a path forward that gets us 51 (votes) and stays consistent with what the White House proposed in terms of a rescissions package, said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.). Foreign aid, public media cuts spark concern Several GOP senators expressed unease over the scale of the proposed cuts, especially to CPB and PEPFAR, a program widely credited with saving millions of lives since its launch under former President George W. Bush. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said she still had questions about the administrations intentions regarding global health funding. Others voiced alarm over the potential impact on local media. CPB distributes more than 70% of its federal funding to roughly 1,500 local radio and television stations nationwide. White House courts holdouts In a bid to shore up support, White House budget chief Russ Vought addressed GOP senators during their closed-door Tuesday luncheon. The administration also worked behind the scenes to resolve concerns, winning over at least one early skeptic. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said he now supports the bill after negotiating to reallocate Green New Deal money in order to sustain grants for tribal radio stations. This is the kind of fix that allows us to vote yes, he tweeted. Democrats oppose cuts, slam process Democrats remain united in opposition to the rescissions package, warning it undermines the appropriations process and bipartisan cooperation. It shreds the appropriations process, said Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with Democrats. The Appropriations Committee, and indeed this body becomes a rubber stamp for whatever the administration wants. Democrats also view the effort as a veiled attempt to weaken the Senate filibuster by giving the majority party unilateral budget-cutting authority after bipartisan deals have been made. Vote-A-Rama ahead If the Senate agrees to take up the bill, it will trigger a lengthy and contentious floor process including up to 10 hours of debate and potentially dozens of amendment votes in a so-called vote-a-rama. Though the House narrowly approved the package last week in a 214212 vote, any changes made by the Senate would require another round of voting in the lower chamber. We're encouraging our Senate partners over there to get the job done and to pass it as it is, said House Speaker Mike Johnson. That's what we did. Trump warns Senate Republicans Trump has personally raised the stakes for GOP senators. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he warned that any Republican who votes against the rescissions package particularly those defending CPB would lose his support. Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement, Trump wrote. The ultimatum adds pressure on undecided GOP senators, making the outcome of the vote one of the biggest political tests for Trump and the Senate majority this session. Donald Trump said that US will likely impose a 100% tariff on Russia and threatened sanctions on buyers of Russian exports, including oil, if it does not end hostilities with Ukraine. But Trump's threat of sanctions came with a 50-day grace period, a move that was welcomed by investors in Russia where the rouble recovered from earlier losses and stock markets rose. Were going to be doing very severe tariffs if we dont have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100%, Trump said Monday during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House. Trump said the levies would come in the form of secondary tariffs, without providing details. On responding to the question if Trump was referring to a secondary sanctions, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that sanctions and tariffs were both tools in his toolbox and that you can do either one. A White House official said Russia could face both measures if it fails to sign a ceasefire deal by early September. Trump's threat to impose so-called secondary sanctions on Russia, if carried out, would be a major shift in Western sanctions policy. Throughout the more than three-year-old war, Western countries have cut most of their own financial ties to Moscow, but have held back from taking steps that would restrict Russia from selling its oil elsewhere. That has allowed Moscow to continue earning hundreds of billions of dollars from shipping oil to buyers such as China and India. Ukraine thanks US for support This comes a day after Trump said the US was sending a top-of-the-line weapons package to Ukraine that includes Patriot air defense batteries. The president said that NATO member states will pay for the weapons to be sent to Ukraine. Were not buying it, but we will manufacture it, Trump said. Theyre going to be paying for it. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram he had spoken to Trump and "thanked him for his readiness to support Ukraine and to continue working together to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace." Zelensky held talks with Trump's envoy Keith Kellogg on Monday. The Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump to put his plan to dismantle the Education Department back on track and go through with laying off nearly 1,400 employees. Trump said on social media that the decision was a major victory for students and parents, and that the departments functions would now go BACK TO THE STATES. The US president also vowed, Americas Students will be the best, brightest, and most Highly Educated anywhere in the World Supreme Court allows Trump to lay off nearly 1,400 Education Department employees The US Supreme Court has cleared the way for President Donald Trump to push forward with his plan to dismantle the Department of Education a key campaign pledge and proceed with the layoff of nearly 1,400 staff. In a closely watched ruling on Monday, the court, divided along ideological lines, paused a lower courts injunction issued by US District Judge Myong Joun in Boston. Joun had blocked the mass layoffs, warning they would likely cripple the department, and raised broader concerns about the legality of Trumps plan. A federal appeals court had earlier declined to stay Jouns order during the governments appeal. The Supreme Court gave no explanation for its decision, in keeping with usual practice in emergency matters. However, in a pointed dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined by Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan sharply criticised the move, writing: When the Executive publicly announces its intent to break the law, and then executes on that promise, it is the Judiciarys duty to check that lawlessness, not expedite it. The ruling allows the Trump administration to resume its efforts to wind down the department, reigniting a heated legal and political battle. US Education Department Mass Layoffs The Supreme Court has delivered a string of victories for Donald Trump in his bid to reshape the federal government even as lower courts have repeatedly ruled that his administrations actions likely breach federal law. Just last week, the justices authorised Trumps plan to slash the size of the federal workforce. In the education sector, the court had previously allowed reductions to teacher-training grants to proceed. Meanwhile, on Monday, more than 20 states launched legal action against the Donald Trump administration over billions of dollars in withheld education funding earmarked for after-school care, summer programmes, and other initiatives. US Education Department Staff Remain on Leave Employees of the Department of Education affected by Trump administration layoffs have been on paid leave since March, according to the American Federation of Government Employees Local, which represents some of the workforce. Judge Jouns injunction had prevented the department from formally terminating the employees, although none had been permitted to return to work. Without Jouns order, the staff would have been dismissed in early June. In June, the Education Department stated it was actively assessing how to reintegrate the employees. In an email to staff, the US education department asked whether they had secured other employment, claiming the inquiry was intended to support a smooth and informed return to duty. What Donald Trump Said on Education Dept Mass Layoff US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social and hailed the Supreme Court decision. He posted: Record thunderstorms drenched New York City and surrounding states on Monday night, unleashing flash floods that brought much of the region to a standstill. Central Park saw over 2 inches of rain per hour at the storms peak, overwhelming subway systems and suspending multiple train lines. Roads and highways across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut were submerged, leaving motorists stranded and prompting emergency rescues. The weather chaos extended to air travel, with more than 1,200 flight cancellations reported at major hubs like JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency, while flood alerts stretched into Maryland and Virginia through Tuesday. Crediting himself as the peace maker, United States President Donald Trump has reportedly privately encouraged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to step up strikes deep with Russia, according to an explosive Financial Times report. The report has also claimed that Donald Trump also asked Zelensky if he could strike Russian capital Moscow if the US provided long-range weapons. According to the report, Trump spoke with Zelensky on July 4 after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin where he suggested to provide long-range weapons for strikes on Moscow. The missiles that were offered to Ukraine include US-made ATACMS missiles. As the report emerged, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said, We want to understand what the US President is moved by. This has come as Donald Trump has asserted consistently that he had been disappointed by the call with Vladimir Putin because it does not appear the Russian leader was looking to stop Russia's war against Ukraine. Also Read | We get a lot of b******* from Putin: Trump explodes at Russian President after meaningless calls with him The US President has also threatened severe economic tariffs on Russia if Moscow doesn't end hostilities against Ukraine within 50 days, vowing arms supply to Kyiv. US President Donald Trump threatened to impose stiff economic penalties on Russia if it doesnt end hostilities with Ukraine within 50 days as he pledged fresh weapons supplies for Kyiv. During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Donald Trump said, We are very unhappy, I am with Russia. But, we will discuss that maybe a different day. But, we're very, very unhappy with them, and we're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs at about 100 per cent. You'd call them secondary tariffsAnd as you know, we've spent USD 350 billion, approximately, on this war with Russia and Ukraine and would like to see it end. It wasn't my war. It was Biden's war. It's not my war. I'm trying to get you out of it. And we want to see it end and I'm disappointed in President Putin because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn't seem to get there.I hope we don't have to do it. But regardless, we are going to be, we make the greatest military equipment in the world, whether it's missiles, he added. President Donald Trump on Tuesday addressed growing pressure from his MAGA base regarding the handling of Jeffrey Epstein case files, urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to release whatever she thinks is credible. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump confirmed he had received a very quick briefing on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBIs recent review of the Epstein files. The review, completed prior to the release of a DOJ and FBI memo last week, concluded there was no evidence that Epstein maintained a "client list" of powerful associates. It also stated that no further charges would be pursued in connection with the investigation. As part of the review, the DOJ released hours of jail footage which, officials say, corroborate the conclusion that Epstein died by suicide in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019. Trump: Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release When asked by ABC News if Pam Bondi had informed him whether his name appeared in the documents, Trump denied any such disclosure. No, no, she's -- she's given us just a very quick briefing, Trump replied, before veering into accusations that the documents were politically motivated. These files were made up by Comey, they were made up by Obama, they were made up by the Biden [administration] -- and you know, we went through years of that with the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax, he claimed. Trump added: Weve gone through years of it, but shes handled it very well, and its going to be up to her. Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release. Trump defends Bondis role Despite the friction, Trump defended Bondis management of the situation and said the credibility of the information is paramount. The attorney general's handled that very well. Shes really done a very good job, he said. And I think that when you look at it, you'll understand that. I would like to see that also. But I think the attorney general, the credibility is very important. And you want credible evidence or something like that. MAGA outrage and Epstein speculation Trump's comments come amid rising backlash from his own base, with some MAGA supporters accusing the administration of covering up information related to Epsteins connections. An important discussion between India and the United States, aimed at finalising and strengthening a bilateral trade deal to $500 billion by 2030, has reached a stalemate over dairy and agriculture. New Delhi has refused to allow American dairy imports, citing cultural concerns over non-veg milk. What does India say? India has clearly called it a "non-negotiable red line" to safeguard its citizens and is seeking a stringent certification that assures imported milk comes from cows not fed animal-based products such as meat or blood. India has strongly declined to yield on dairy. The industry nourishes over 1.4 billion individuals, and provides jobs to more than 80 million, mostly small-scale farmers. "There is no question of conceding on dairy. That's a red line," India Today TV quoted a top government source in July as saying. United States' response Washington, DC, has called India's stance on not permitting dairy and agriculture an unnecessary trade barrier, India Today reported. It raised the matter at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). According to the Times of India, the US hinted that India's updated dairy certification, implemented in November 2024, does not state such concerns. India's insistence stems from the cultural and food habits of Indians, especially within the sizable vegetarian community, who consider dairy sourced from cows fed animal by-products as incompatible with their religious convictions. Also Read | Europe readies retaliatory tariffs if trade deal with US fails "Cows are still allowed to eat feed that can include parts of pigs, fish, chicken, horses, even cats or dogs... And cattle can continue to consume pig and horse blood for protein, as well as tallow, a hard fat from rendered cattle parts, as a fattening source," stated a report in an American daily, The Seattle Times, under the headline, Cattle feed is often a sum of animal parts. Ajay Srivastava of Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI), a New Delhi-based think tank, said, Imagine eating butter made from the milk of a cow that was fed meat and blood from another cow. India may never allow that. India, as the top milk producer worldwide, is dedicated to protecting its millions of small dairy farmers. "The government needs to make sure we're not hit by cheap imports from other countries. If that happens, the whole industry will suffer, and so will farmers like us," Reuters quoted Mahesh Sakunde, a farmer from Maharashtra. India levies significant taxes on dairy imports: 30% on cheese, 40% on butter and 60% on milk powder. Considering these, it is not profitable to import these products from countries like New Zealand and Australia, which usually offer cheaper prices. What if India opens its dairy sector to American imports? According to an analysis by SBI, India could face an annual loss of 1.03 lakh crore if it allows US dairy imports, ANI reported. Whith Pakistan and China listening, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar said on Tuesday in Tianjin that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) needs to take an uncompromising stand on combating terrorism. Speaking at a conclave of the SCO group as he defended India's response to Pahalgam terror attack, Jaishankar said the SCO needs to remain true to its founding objective. Jaishankar also said the Pahalgam attack was deliberately conducted to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir and sow a religious divide. "The three evils that SCO was founded to combat were terrorism, separatism and extremism. Not surprisingly, they often occur together. Recently, we in India witnessed a graphic example in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22," Jaishankar said. The foreign minister said, The UN Security Council, of which some of us are currently members, issued a statement that condemned it in the strongest terms and underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. He asserted that India will remain firm in its response to confront terrorism. "We have since done exactly that and will continue doing so. It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge," he said. Jaishankar said India will continue to positively approach new ideas and proposals, asserting that such cooperation must be based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and in accordance with territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states. His remarks came amid mounting global criticism of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with concerns that it disregards national sovereignty and lacks transparency. Beijing had also supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he didn't trust anybody and that he was disappointed with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the lack of ceasefire deal in Ukraine. I trust almost nobody, he told the BBC, adding that he is not done with the Russian leader, hours after he threatened Moscow with sanctions. Trump said he thought a Ukraine deal was on the cards with Russia four different times. Asked then was he done with Putin, Donald Trump said: "I'm disappointed in him , but I'm not done with him. But I'm disappointed in him". Pressed on how Trump would get Putin to "stop the bloodshed" the US president said: "We're working it". "We'll have a great conversation. I'll say: 'That's good, I'll think we're close to getting it done,' and then he'll knock down a building in Kyiv," Trump told the BBC. Trump announces new weapons for Ukraine Trump announced new weapons for Ukraine on Monday and threatened sanctions on buyers of Russian exports, with a 50-day grace period, unless Russia agreed to a peace deal, a major policy shift brought on by frustration with Moscow's ongoing attacks on its neighbour. He told reporters on Monday that billions of dollars of US weapons, including the Patriot air defence missiles, will be sent to Ukraine via NATO and that NATO would pay for them. Much of what Kyiv will receive will depend on Europes ability and willingness to make the purchases. Ukraine needs air defense systems and drone interceptors as well as a constant supply of artillery shells and missiles as Moscow unleashes record air strikes, a Bloomberg report said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday in a post on X that he had spoken with Trump, who briefed him on his discussions with Rutte. We discussed the necessary means and solutions with the President to provide better protection for people from Russian attacks and to strengthen our positions. We are ready to work as productively as possible to achieve peace, Zelenskiy said. We agreed to catch up more often by phone and coordinate our steps in the future as well. Russia brushes aside Trumps tariff threat According to the Bloomberg report, Russia rejected pressure from Donald Trump after the US president threatened to impose stiff economic penalties on Moscow. We first and foremost note that any attempts to make demands especially ultimatums are unacceptable for us, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday, according to the state-run Tass news service. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trumps statement was serious, and Moscow needed time to study it, Tass reported. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday dismissed US President Donald Trumps threat to impose 100% tariffs on Russia and its trading partners, asserting Moscow is well-equipped to weather any additional economic pressure. The number of sanctions announced against us is already unprecedented. We are coping; I have no doubt we will cope, Lavrov said at a press conference after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers Council meeting Tianjin in China. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation includes 10 member states: China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. China currently holds the rotating presidency. Trump under improper pressure from NATO, EU Lavrov accused European and NATO leaders of pushing Trump toward a more aggressive stance on the Ukraine war. Clearly, [Trump] is under enormous improper, I would say pressure by the European Union and current NATO leaders, Lavrov told reporters, reported Russian state media outlet RT. He added that Ukraines government continues to demand weapons from the West at the mounting expense of Western taxpayers. Sanctions will backfire on the West, Lavrov warns Lavrov also warned that Trumps proposed new tariffs and sanctions may hurt the very countries imposing them. Trump clearly explained that Europe will be paying for all of that, Lavrov said. European economists and political experts who are objective acknowledge that this sanctions war is damaging the nations who initiated it. 50-day ultimatum unclear, says Moscow Trump recently announced that if Russia doesnt reach a settlement on the Ukraine conflict within 50 days, he would enact 100% tariffs. Lavrov said the deadline lacks clarity. We would like to understand what is behind this statement after about 50 days, he told Russias state news agency TASS. Earlier, there were also deadlines of 24 hours and 100 days; weve seen it all. Moscow repeats long-held NATO grievance Lavrov reiterated Russias view that NATO provoked the Ukraine war by threatening its national security. The West has pursued a containment strategy against Russia for decades and ignored repeated warnings from Moscow, Lavrov said, according to RT. Trump disappointed with Putin, says tariffs may be inevitable At a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday, Trump said he was very unhappy with Russian President Vladimir Putin for not reaching a deal sooner. Were going to be doing very severe tariffs if we dont have a deal in 50 days, Trump said at the White House. Elon Musk's Tesla will make its big-bang debut in India today, July 15, as it is set to open its first showroom at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai. The Tesla showroom will be an experience centre, where visitors can view Tesla's special features and technology, in addition to the sale of cars. Tesla's showroom in Mumbai: Top 10 things to know According to reports, two of Tesla's well-known models, the Model Y and Model 3, will be displayed at the showroom. The Model Y will likely be the first Tesla car on sale in the country. It will be imported from China. Offered in Long Range RWD and Long Range AWD (Dual Motor) versions, the Tesla Model Y SUV delivers an exceptional range of up to 574 km and can speed up from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds. Five Completely Built-Up (CBU) Model Y units from the Shanghai factory have reportedly arrived in Mumbai, each priced at nearly 27.7 lakh ($31,988). However, due to a hefty 70% import duty on EVs priced under $40,000, the total cost will likely exceed 48 lakh (including 21 lakh in import taxes), even prior to adding GST and insurance. Also Read | Elon Musk floats a new source of funding for xAI: Tesla 4. India will impose an import duty of nearly 70%, surging the price of the cars. Although, as local assembly or contract manufacturing is planned for the future, the prices of the American electric vehicle (EV) giant could lower in the future. 5. Buyers can begin ordering from July 15. Shipments are expected to commence in August. 6. According to Bloomberg, five Model Y vehicles have been brought in from the Shanghai plant for the first stage. 7. After Mumbai, Tesla will likely open its next store in Delhi and will likely focus on these two cities for the moment. However, there is no official confirmation on when it will set up showrooms in other cities as well. Also Read | Elon Musk rules out merger but confirms Tesla investor vote on xAI investment 8. Teslas most budget-friendly model, the Model 3, will also be displayed but is expected to hit the market later in 2025. The top-end version of the Model 3 accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.1 seconds, offers a driving range of 507 km, and can reach a maximum speed of 162 kmph. 9. With a starting price of $29,990 ( 25.99 lakh) in the US and a lowered 15% import duty under the updated EV policy, the Model 3's ex-showroom price in India could be around 29.79 lakh. However, after factoring in state taxes and registration costs, the final on-road price may exceed 40 lakh, placing it in direct competition with models like BYD's Seal. New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Artificial Intelligence, the disruptive tech force reshaping industries and daily life, will create far more opportunities than it eliminates, Deloitte South Asia CEO Romal Shetty said emphasising that critical thinking and ethical oversight must stay central as society adapts to this new era. Weighing in on the ongoing debate over whether or not AI may cause a lowering of human cognitive abilities overtime, Shetty told PTI in an interview that developing independent and critical thinking is crucial when it comes to young minds. That said, at more advanced stages, AI can serve as an extremely helpful and a must-have tool, aiding, not replacing, human ingenuity. His comments assume significance against the backdrop of a new study from researchers at MITs Media Lab on impact of GenAI on critical thinking abilities. It revealed that although AI tools can improve efficiency, in the study those who relied excessively on GenAI, overtime remembered less. To a question on impact of AI on jobs, Shetty drew parallels with past revolutions, to say that while certain types of jobs may disappear, history shows that new roles and business models will inevitably emerge. Highlighting the rise of innovations such as drone deliveries to generative AI architects, Shetty cited a recent study that projected that for every one job lost, nearly two new jobs are expected to be created, a pattern he said confirms to trends even in the past tech revolutions. "AI is probably the most disruptive thing that has happened in our lifetime...in this decade at least it is the biggest disruption. And it is both. It can disrupt but it can also create many more things," Shetty said. Over the past 100 to 200 years, whether during the Industrial Revolution or other major transformations, unemployment did not rise significantly, in fact, it generally declined. "Newer jobs will get created compared to the past. The old specific jobs could probably go out but newer jobs will be created," he stressed. Citing real-world examples of AIs transformative impact, he said while the food delivery platforms, or other apps deliver items in a conventional way today, drones could soon handle such tasks at scale. Managing such complexities would demand advanced air traffic control systems powered by AI, he said highlighting how new technologies will create entirely new job categories and roles that didnt exist before. Drone are also beginning to be used extensively in conflict zones, he noted and added that all of these scenarios are driving requirement for AI-driven air traffic management, with human oversight and controls. "Even with AI into medicine, you will always have a human in the loop. Newer kinds of business models will come in. Today, you have generative AI architects coming. That job description was just not there at all...digital twins, that was not there. Now, you can create digital twins and see how factories can work, how the simulation works," he said. Shetty emphasised that a crucial aspect of AI is ensuring it remains explainable. He also underlined the importance of covering ethics, principles, and governance in AI, stating these areas need careful attention. "A very important part of AI is to ensure that you can always have it explainable. You can always have the ethics covered of it. The principles covered, the governance covered. And that is something that should be looked into. Because it will mimic a lot of human behaviour. And humans have biases. So, those will flow into the AI models. That's why it's very important to keep reviewing, testing, and not necessarily doing it one-off," Shetty said. Describing AI as a big opportunity and big danger in the same breath, Shetty said the business models will keep evolving creating newer avenues. He emphasised the need to set certain boundaries on when AI should be introduced in education, as over dependence in early school years could impact critical thinking. "There is a certain level in schools or colleges where you do your thinking. And therefore, linkage there significantly to AI and generating information on AI is not a good thing because it may stop you from thinking," he said. Shetty illustrated this with an example of how two groups of students, one using Google search and the other using generative AI were asked to write papers and answer application questions. While the AI group finished faster, the group using traditional search methods demonstrated a deeper understanding of the concepts. Six month ago US President Donald Trump had pledged he would measure his success by the wars we end and the wars we never get into". Six month ago, Donald Trump had praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an approach seemingly different from his predecessor Joe Biden regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. When Russia was preparing to invade Ukraine in 2022, Donald Trump had called Putin a genius for moving to seize large swaths of territory applauding what he viewed as hard-line negotiation tactics. How smart is that? And hes going to go in and be a peacekeeper, Trump had said, adding: Heres a guy whos very savvy. I know him very well. Six month later, US president Donald Trump threatened Putin with 100% tariffs, a 50-day deadline to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine. Months after publicly berating Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, Donald Trump has now adopted an approach toward Russia that, at least on the surface, looks very much like his predecessors: arming the Ukrainians to fight off an invasion. For Donald Trump, the decision to sell more arms to Ukraine albeit through European nations that will foot the bill and threaten Russia with deep sanctions on energy exports in 50 days if it does not negotiate a peace marks a complete reversal of the approach he took in his first months in office. As Biden quit the US Presidential race, and Kamala Harris took over as the Democrat' candidate, Donald Trump had offered a different perspective for the Russia-Ukraine war. He claimed that he got along with Putin very well, and vowed to end the Russa-Ukraine war which was seemingly draining the US coffers. Trump's Changing Tone on Putin Once he took office in January 2025, Donald Trump blamed the Ukrainians for Russias invasion of their own country. Then he clashed with President Volodymyr Zelensky in an extraordinary Oval Office display, telling him, You dont have the cards. Donald Trump gave Russia a pass on tariffs and praised Putin for his strength, and provided assurance that Ukraine would never join NATO. Even on Monday, Trump lamented that he had several conversations with Putin earlier this year that, in his telling, seemed fruitful but ultimately led to nothing changing. Not done: Trump's Growing Frustration with Putin Earlier, many of Trumps comments about Russia's Putin have reflected his anger about the US investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election that dominated his first term. Let me tell you, Putin went through a hell of a lot with me, he said in February, seated next to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine in the Oval Office. But in recent weeks, Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with his Russian counterpart over the lack of progress on a cease-fire in Ukraine, as The New York Times has reported. I am disappointed but not done with Russia's President Putin, Trump said on Monday, announcing his plans to impose very severe tariffs that would hurt Russia if it does not agree to a cease-fire deal in the next 50 days. The talk doesnt mean anything. My conversations with him are always very pleasant," Trump said of Putin. And then the missiles go off that night. Trump Circles Back to Supporting Ukraine President Trumps new plan to send weapons to Ukraine and his simultaneous threat of harsh penalties on Russias trading partners reflect a dramatic shift in his position on the war, but his proposals leave key details unclear. Speaking alongside NATOs secretary general, Mark Rutte, at the White House on Monday, US president Trump said that Patriot air defense systems and other arms would quickly be transferred to Ukraine, which is in desperate need of more weapons to fend off Russias invasion. Trump said the United States would sell those arms to European nations, which would ship them to Ukraine or use them to replace weapons they send to the country from their existing stocks. But Pentagon officials said later that many details were still being worked out. Will Trump Stick To Backing Ukraine? There is reason to doubt the US President will stick with it. Even his statements of support for Ukraine on Monday, as he sat in the Oval Office with Mark Rutte, made clear that Trump planned to keep his distance from direct ownership of what might come next unless it is a peace agreement. A Lucknow court on Tuesday granted bail to Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and Congress Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi after he appeared in a defamation case filed over his purported remarks on Army personnel, his lawyer said. The case relates to alleged defamatory remarks against Indian soldiers made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022, his counsel, advocate Pranshu Agarwal, told news agency PTI. Following his appearance, the Additional CJM Alok Verma-led MP-MLA Court granted Gandhi relief on furnishing two bonds of 20,000 each. The bail was effected after Gandhi furnished a bail bond and sureties as directed by the court. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi snubbed Siddaramaiah? BJP attacks Congress Gandhi was summoned as an accused after the court took cognisance of the defamation complaint. The Congress leader had moved the high court but failed to get relief. Gandhi appeared in a courtroom full of lawyers. He was taken to the judge's chamber, where the formalities of filing bond and sureties took place. Congress party's state unit president Ajay Rai and in-charge Avinash Pande also accompanied Gandhi. "He (Gandhi) is scheduled to attend the court hearing and would return to Delhi later in the day. He is likely to come to Uttar Pradesh again to visit his constituency Raebareli over the next few days," Rai told PTI before the hearing. Security was beefed up along the route of his travel and in and around the court premises. The defamation complaint was filed by one Uday Shankar Srivastava, a retired director of the Border Roads Organisation (equivalent to the rank of colonel in the Army). The complaint alleged that on December 16, 2022, Gandhi, while addressing various media personnel and the public during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, mentioned the clash between the Indian Army and the Chinese Army on the border of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9 (2022) and said that "people will ask what all about Bharat Jodo Yatra, but will not ask even once about the beating of our soldiers by Chinese soldiers". The complainant alleged his sentiments were hurt by Gandhi's statement about the alleged beating of Indian soldiers by the Chinese soldiers. On February 11, the special court ordered Gandhi to be summoned on charges of defamation. Donald Trumps plan to allow the European Union pay for arms supplied to Ukraine is piling pressure on EU officials negotiating how to finance the blocs defense-spending ambitions. The deliberations are feeding into the hard-fought talks to draw up the 27-member EUs 1.2 trillion budget, as member states begin a two-year process for carving out a consensus. While many European capitals want to embrace standard funding for farmers and regions amounting to two-thirds of the budget others are keen to divert financing to new and more urgent issues, such as defense. So many priorities, so little money, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told reporters Tuesday, saying defense spending would have to compete with existing demands such as agriculture. Talks will be very difficult, he said. The EUs complex budget process takes place against a shifting geopolitical landscape, with the US under Trump tilting away from European security and the regions commitment to back Ukraines effort to defend itself against Russias assault. The US president this week pledged a top-of-the-line weapons package, but said Europes NATO allies will have to foot the bill. The European Commission, the EUs executive arm, will present a draft of its seven-year budget for the period starting in 2028 Wednesday, with security and competitiveness topping the agenda. Some countries are reinforcing a push to deploy joint borrowing to add to the blocs leverage, which could benefit Kyiv. The myriad moving parts of the process are complicated by the EUs need to accelerate rearmament after years of underinvestment. Russias war, now in its fourth year, and wobbling US support have laid bare the continents need to bolster its military capability. Trumps proposal to provide weapons financed by European coffers met with a lukewarm response on Tuesday. The EUs top foreign-policy official, Kaja Kallas, warned that if the bloc pays for US arms, it would amount to European support. Were doing as much as we can to help Ukraine, Kallas said. The call is that everybody would do the same. If you promised to give the weapons but say someone else is going to pay for it, its not really given by you, is it? Whatever defense spending is earmarked by the EU is separate and much less than what member states are investing individually. Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius estimated that EU financing would be on the order of 40 times less than national defense spending over the next budget period. The blocs treaties dont allow EU funding to be used for weapons purchases from the US for Ukraine, Kubilius told Bloomberg News. But capitals can be prompted to use a bloc-wide 150 billion loan fund for joint procurement, potentially freeing up national funds for off-the-shelf purchases from the US. The considerations are all the more difficult as many EU governments struggle to rein in an ever-mounting debt pile. At an EU summit last month, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that the pileup in credit among states and companies fueled the risk of a new financial crisis. Others, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, have asked how a new NATO commitment to ramp up defense spending to 5% of economic output could be delivered given the constraints on public finances, Bloomberg reported. Member states including France, Spain and Greece have promoted joint borrowing as an avenue to leverage more financing. Spain floated offering non-refundable grants to members on the regions eastern flank. Italy is among governments insisting that relying on national debt isnt sustainable, given the fragile state of finances in some capitals. Some nations long opposed to big European budgets are now more open to innovative solutions, including Denmark. But in closed-door discussions in recent days, Germany and the Netherlands have maintained their rejection of issuing common debt for defense spending, people familiar with the matter said. Lipavsky on Tuesday said he opposed joint debt, remarking that he wanted to see pandemic-related debt for which the bloc did open its purse strings with joint bonds repaid first. The EU set up the 150 billion loan instrument, financed by common debt, to provide cheap credit to member states that could participate in joint procurement with some countries including Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told members to use this credit to invest directly in Ukraine, since 40% of industrial capacity is unused. Our member states can take their SAFE loans and procure directly from Ukraines defense industry. For our member states its high quality, fast, and cheap, she said this month. For Ukraine, its both crucial revenues, but also the opportunity to strengthen its defense industrial base. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. WASHINGTON Russian President Vladimir Putin has sacrificed an estimated 1 million of his soldiers, killed and wounded, in a three-year campaign to crush Ukraine. Now President Donald Trump is betting that his go-to economic weapon tariffs can succeed where Ukrainian drones and rockets haven't, and finally persuade Putin to end his war. Tariffs, which the U.S. president has called the most beautiful word in the dictionary, are taxes on imports. They are Trumps all-purpose fix a tool he deploys to protect American industry, lure factories to the United States, tackle drug trafficking and illegal immigration, and raise money to pay for his massive tax cuts. On the campaign trail last year, Trump promised he'd negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 24 hours. But months have passed without a peace deal, and the president has recently expressed frustration with the Russians. We're very, very unhappy with them ... I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn't seem to get there, Trump told reporters Monday. So in addition to agreeing to send more weapons to Ukraine, he's once again unsheathing tariffs. He said Monday the U.S. would impose 100% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, natural gas and other products if there isn't a peace deal in 50 days. The levies are meant to cause Russia financial pain by making its trading partners think twice before buying Russian energy. I use trade for a lot of things,'' Trump said, "but its great for settling wars. Trump did not spell out exactly how these "secondary'' tariffs would work, and trade analysts are skeptical. Unilateral tariffs are likely to be ineffective in influencing Putins actions, said Douglas Irwin, a Dartmouth College economist who studies American trade policy. "Financial sanctions in cooperation with European and other allies are much more likely to damage Russian economy, but whether they soften Russias approach is also uncertain.'' The secondary tariffs idea isn't new. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut earlier this year introduced legislation that would impose a 500% tariff on countries that buy Russian oil, petroleum products and uranium. If Trump goes through with his threat, his 100% tariffs have the potential to disrupt global commerce and push oil prices higher. They might also complicate Trump's efforts to strike separate trade deals with countries like China and India. Since December 2022, when the European Union banned Russian oil, China and India have bought 85% of Russia's crude oil exports and 63% of its coal, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, a Finnish nonprofit. So they would likely be the two countries most affected by Trump's 100% import taxes. Trump has already tangled with China this year, and things did not go well. In April, Trump plastered a 145% levy on Chinese imports, and Beijing counterpunched with 125% tariffs of its own. The triple-digit tariffs threatened to end trade between the world's two biggest economies and briefly sent financial markets reeling. China also withheld shipments of rare earth minerals used in products such as electric vehicles and wind turbines, crippling U.S. businesses. After showing how much pain they could inflict on each other, the United States and China agreed to a ceasefire. A new 100% secondary tariff would blow up that deal, said Gary Hufbauer, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. China is particularly well-placed to hold out, said Nicholas Mulder, a Cornell University historian. "All this would get us back to a position of full confrontation that would be uncomfortable for all sides.'' Hufbauer also noted that the secondary tariffs would also likely end any rapprochement with India'' the world's fifth-biggest economy and one with which Trump is pursuing a trade deal. If Trump goes ahead with the tariffs, it would invariably lead to higher global energy prices, especially for natural gas, economists Kieran Tompkins and Liam Peach of Capital Economics wrote in a commentary Monday. Other oil-exporting countries have enough spare capacity to ramp up production and offset any loss of Russian oil exports in global market. But if they did, the world would have no buffer to rely on if there were an oil shock caused by, say, conflict in the Middle East and prices could skyrocket. Removing that spare capacity would be akin to riding a bike with no shock absorbers,'' Tompkins and Peach wrote. After Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States and its allies slammed Russia with sanctions. Among other things, the U.S. froze the assets of Russia's central bank and barred some Russian banks from using a key international payments system run by Belgium. With its allies from the Group of Seven rich nations, it also capped the price that importers could pay for Russian oil. The sanctions were expected to crush the Russian economy, but they didn't. Putin put Russia on a wartime budget, and high defense spending kept unemployment low. Military recruits were given big sign-up bonuses and the families of the fallen received death benefits, pumping income into some of Russia's poorer regions. To keep its oil sales going, Russia deployed "shadow fleets,'' hundreds of aging tankers of uncertain ownership and dodgy safety practices that delivered oil priced above the G7 price cap. The experience of the G7 oil price cap against Russia showed how challenging the enforcement of measures against the Russian oil trade can be, Mulder said. Last year, the Russian economy grew 4.1%, according to the International Monetary Fund. But strains are showing, partly because Putin' war has made Russia a pariah to foreign investors. The IMF forecasts growth will decelerate to 1.5% this year, and last month the Russian economy minister warned the country is "on the brink of going into a recession.'' Trump's tariffs could increase the pressure, in part by driving down Russia's energy exports and the revenue the Russian government collects from an energy tax. To my knowledge, tariffs have never been applied as an explicit anti-aggression measure, said Mulder, author of a 2022 history of economic sanctions. "I am skeptical that the secondary tariffs threat will be effective.'' For one thing, he said, it's unclear whether Trump will actually impose them after 50 days. The president has repeatedly announced tariffs against other countries, and then sometimes suspended or tweaked them. For another, the secondary tariffs would target countries namely China and India that might have some sway in Moscow. The United States needs cooperation and collaboration to bring Russia to the negotiating table, said Cullen Hendrix, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute. "Threatening to harm the actors who actually have leverage over Moscow may backfire.'' ____ writers Katie Davies in Manchester, England, and Chris Megerian in Washington, contributed to this report. Late in 2023 Jensen Huang, chief executive of Nvidia, began peddling a new idea. Every country, he said, should have its own artificial-intelligence (AI) system, trained on domestic data, aligned with national values and built using local infrastructure. Appealing to policymakers fondness for manufacturing, the boss of the chip colossus described these systems as AI factories, ingesting data and churning out intelligence. He called it sovereign AI. Politicians are warming to the idea. Earlier this year the European Commission unveiled plans for a 20bn ($23bn) fund to build up to five AI gigafactories. In just the past two months the governments of France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (uae) have all been involved in deals to build local AI infrastructure (see chart). According to Nvidia, at least 20 countries are pursuing the idea of sovereign AI. The reason for Mr Huangs enthusiasm is clear. For Nvidia, which this month became the first company to reach a $4trn market value, governments are a potentially lucrative source of business. Jefferies, an investment bank, estimates that sovereign initiatives could generate some $200bn in cumulative revenue for the chipmaker over the coming years; the company believes that spending could reach $1trn over an equally fuzzy period. Sovereign ai could also act as a welcome hedge for Mr Huang. His biggest customersAmazon, Alphabet, Meta and Microsoftare all developing their own chips, which could in time reduce their reliance on Nvidia. Saudi Arabia expects to purchase several hundred thousand of Nvidias top-end processors over the next five years. The UAE, with perhaps the most ambitious plans of all, intends to import half a million annually. But will sovereign ai pay off for taxpayers? Despite growing enthusiasm, the concept remains woolly. Sovereign AI may help countries develop national models, protect sensitive information and widen access to the technology. But it will do little to reduce countries dependence on America and, in many cases, risks wasting vast sums of money. There are subtle variations in how governments are pursuing sovereign AI. Frances approach centres on Mistral, a domestic model-maker, which has formed a consortium with Bpifrance, a government bank, MGX, an Emirati state-owned investment firm, and Nvidia to build what has been touted as Europes largest AI data campus. In the Gulf, governments have taken more direct control. In May Saudi Arabia launched Humain, a firm tasked with building AI infrastructure in the kingdom. In the UAE that role has fallen to G42, an AI firm part-owned by Mubadala, a sovereign-wealth fund. Governments justify these projects on various grounds. A few big spenders want to catch up to America: the European Commission, for instance, hopes to propel Europe to the forefront of AI development. Others, such as India, worry that AI models trained on foreign, and especially English-language, data will not reflect local languages and values, a growing concern as AI systems come to shape everything from education to public services. A degree of control over domestic data is also viewed as essential. In areas such as health care, officials worry about patients information being plugged into foreign models. A homegrown system, some contend, makes it easier to protect such information while still allowing it to be used to train AI models. A final concern for governments is to widen access to AI systems. Nadia Carlsten, chief executive of the DCAI, which runs Gefion, Denmarks national AI supercomputer, says that smaller companies and research institutes are always at the back of the line. A domestic offering, she argues, helps ensure cheaper and more reliable access for such users. Gefion, launched in 2024, is being used for applications such as drug discovery and weather forecasting. Yet these initiatives will not offer anything close to self-sufficiency. Cutting-edge processors are the most important requirement for advanced AI systems. Nvidia dominates that market, accounting for about 90% of all commercially available AI chipswhich is why it has played a central role in nearly all sovereign-AI initiatives. Its only serious rival, AMD, is also American. The servers that house these chips are mostly built by another two American companies, Dell and Supermicro. Even China, which has built something close to a self-sufficient AI stack, has yet to develop a domestic alternative to Americas whizziest chips. Sovereign-AI projects may well help governments achieve more modest objectives, such as keeping data secure and ensuring access to the technology for groups such as researchers. But Americas cloud giants could probably provide this more efficientlynot least because their scale gives them bargaining power over suppliers such as Nvidia. The chipmaker disagrees, but Amazon and Microsoft are already pitching sovereign clouds with enhanced controls over data and dedicated local infrastructure. National AI models could simply be built on top of these. Kevin Xu of Interconnected Capital, a hedge fund, warns that many sovereign-AI projects risk creating something more like a palace than a factory. That would be a poor use of taxpayers moneybut it might suit Nvidia just fine. In a major breakthrough for cybersecurity, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced on Tuesday (July 15) that the companys AI agent, Big Sleep, successfully identified and thwarted a cyber exploit before it could be deployed a first-of-its-kind achievement for artificial intelligence in threat prevention. New from our security teams: Our AI agent Big Sleep helped us detect and foil an imminent exploit. We believe this is a first for an AI agent - definitely not the last - giving cybersecurity defenders new tools to stop threats before theyre widespread, Pichai posted on X (formerly Twitter). A new era in cybersecurity? This marks a potential inflection point in cybersecurity, as AI shifts from passive defense identifying threats post-breach to proactive interdiction. What's next for Big Sleep Google has not disclosed when Big Sleep was deployed or how long it has been operational. However, Pichais post suggests this is just the beginning of more AI-driven defense tools that will be used across Google's ecosystem and offered to cloud clients. As cyberattacks grow more frequent and damaging, the use of advanced AI like Big Sleep may become standard across global IT defenses. Big Sleep AI marks breakthrough in vulnerability detection Big Sleep is an AI agent developed by Google DeepMind in collaboration with Google Project Zero, designed to autonomously detect unknown security vulnerabilities in software. In November 2024, Big Sleep identified its first real-world vulnerability, marking a major milestone in AI-driven cybersecurity and highlighting its potential to detect threats before they can be exploited. Since then, Big Sleep has uncovered multiple real-world flaws, surpassing expectations and accelerating the field of AI-assisted vulnerability discovery. Most notably, the AI recently detected a critical flaw in SQLite (CVE-2025-6965), which had only been known to malicious actors. With support from Google Threat Intelligence, Big Sleep was able to anticipate an imminent exploitation attempt and prevent it marking what Google believes is the first successful use of AI to proactively stop a vulnerability from being exploited in the wild. Stuffcool has launched the Click Trio, a new 10,000mAh wireless powerbank designed primarily for Apple device users. This portable charger offers wireless charging for iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods Pro, aiming to provide a convenient power solution on the move. Stuffcool Click Trio 10,000mAh Magnetic Powerbank: Key Features The Stuffcool Click Trio comes with a compact form factor, measuring 7.13 cm by 10.95 cm by 1.85 cm and weighing 210 grams. The device is manufactured in India and holds BIS certification, ensuring it meets local safety and quality standards. It incorporates multiple safety mechanisms to provide secure charging for connected devices. This powerbank supports magnetic wireless charging with output levels up to 15W for Samsung and Google Pixel smartphones using compatible MagSafe cases. For iPhones, it offers wireless charging at 7.5W. The device also includes a built-in 20W Type-C cable and a dedicated 20W Power Delivery (PD) Type-C port for wired charging options. Additionally, the Click Trio features a 3W integrated charging module for the Apple Watch, allowing users to charge their watch alongside other devices. Its design includes an aluminum stand, adding functionality for device support during charging. Technical details of the Click Trio show input specifications of 5V/3A, 9V/2A, and 12V/1.5A through the Type-C port. Output ratings on the Type-C port reach up to 20W, with the built-in cable delivering a maximum of 18W. Wireless charging offers multiple levels: 5W, 7.5W, 10W, and 15W for phones, while the Apple Watch receives 3W. The device is also airline-safe, enabling users to carry it during flights without restrictions. Stuffcool Click Trio powerbank: Price and Availability The Click Trio powerbank is priced at Rs. 2,699 and is available for purchase on Stuffcools official website. Alongside this launch, Stuffcool recently introduced the ChargePlug Mini, a universal multi-plug designed for Indian households. It measures 5.52 cm by 7.62 cm by 4.43 cm and weighs 110 grams. The ChargePlug Mini features a single universal socket compatible with high-power 10A appliances and includes a built-in 20W GaN fast charger. Meta Platforms Inc. chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has revealed plans for an expansive new wave of data centres designed to support the company's ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) vision, with the first facility, dubbedPrometheus, expected to go live in 2026. In a post shared on Threads, Metas social media platform, Zuckerberg saidPrometheus, located in Ohio, will be the first in a series of titan clusters, vast data centre complexes intended to meet the enormous energy and computational demands of next-generation AI models. He described these facilities asmulti-gigawatt clusters, making them among the largest in the world. The announcement underlines Metas growing investment in AI infrastructure, part of its broader strategy to develop superintelligence, an advanced form of AI that could outperform humans in a wide range of tasks. According to Zuckerberg, the company intends to spendhundreds of billions of dollars on these efforts, signalling a long-term commitment to lead the global AI race. Notably, the scale of the infrastructure is unprecedented. Metas largest data centre, currently under construction in Richland Parish, Louisiana, is said to be nearly the size of Manhattan. By comparison, most existing data centres operate with only a few hundred megawatts of capacity. Metas upcoming facilities aim to cross the one-gigawatt threshold, enough energy to power around 900,000 homes annually, marking a new benchmark in data processing power. Metas aggressive expansion comes amid growing industry competition. Other major tech players, including OpenAI and Oracle, are also investing in large-scale data centre projects to keep up with the soaring computational needs of generative AI models. Analyst group SemiAnalysis has forecasted that Meta may be the first to achieve a supercluster exceeding one gigawatt of capacity. Also Read | Was Mark Zuckerberg asked to leave Oval Office due to security reasons? Zuckerbergs renewed focus on AI follows internal frustrations with the companys previous performance in the field. Over recent months, he has personally recruited a formidable team of AI experts, poaching talent from rivals such as OpenAI and Google DeepMind. Among the high-profile additions is Alexandr Wang, co-founder of Scale AI, who now serves as Metas Chief AI Officer following a $14.3 billion investment for a 49 per cent stake in his company. Other notable hires include former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman, AI entrepreneur Daniel Gross, and ex-Apple engineer Ruoming Pang, who reportedly joined Meta with a compensation package exceeding $200 million. Despite these significant capital outlays, Metas core advertising business across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger continues to fuel robust revenue growth, giving the company confidence to fund its AI ambitions internally. Nvidia on Monday said that the Trump administration has reversed course and approved the sale of its China-specific AI chips, known as the H20. While the company will still require approval from the US government for each shipment, it said in a blog post that the Trump administration has assured NVIDIA that licenses will be granted. The move comes just three months after the US government halted Nvidias AI chip sales to China in a bid to prevent the country from gaining an edge in the artificial intelligence race. According to a New York Times report, US officials were previously concerned that the Chinese military could use Nvidias AI chips to coordinate attacks and develop advanced weapons. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Congress during his nomination hearing that Nvidia and other companies need to stop helping China use our tools to compete with us. Lutnick reiterated these concerns last month, stating, They are trying to copy our technology, and in the race for A.I. supremacy, they are behind us, but they are working with a central government out Jensen Huang's role in changing US government's stance: The decision to reverse ban on Nvidia chips came after CEO Jensen Huang met with President Trump last thursday. The NYT report notes taht Huang has spent the last few months lobbying politicians acoss Washington to keep China open for AI chips. Huang also visited China several times this year and will be on another trip this week where he will also give a news conference. Nvidia was expected to collect up to $15 billion from the H20 sales this fiscal year before the Trump administartion mandate. On the threat of Chinese military using the AI chips, Huang told CNNs Fareed Zakaria, We dont have to worry about it, They simply cant rely on itIt could be, of course, limited at any time. he added Satellite-based global positioning systems, or GPS, have been the primary method of aerospace navigation for decades. But with GPS jamming and spoofing on the rise, the industry is pushing for an update, and fast. Now, Airbuss Silicon Valley-based innovation center, Acubed, and artificial intelligence and quantum-focused Google spinout SandboxAQ are on a mission to demonstrate an alternate way. It involves a small, toaster-size box, lasers, a single GPU chip and a deep knowledge of the Earths magnetic field. The technology, known as quantum sensing, has been in development for decades at a number of companies and is now inching closer to commercialization in aerospace. Acubed recently took MagNav, SandboxAQs quantum-sensing device, on a large-scale test, flying with it for more than 150 hours across the continental U.S. on a general aviation aircraft that Acubed calls its flight lab." MagNav uses quantum physics to measure the unique magnetic signatures at various points in the Earths crust. An AI algorithm matches those signatures to an exact location. During the test, Acubed found it could be a promising alternative to GPS in its ability to determine the planes location throughout the flights. The hard part was proving that the technology could work," said SandboxAQ Chief Executive Jack Hidary, adding that more testing and certifications will be required before the technology makes it out of the testing phase. SandboxAQ will target defense customers first but then also commercial flights, as a rise in GPS tampering makes the need for a backup navigation system on flights more urgent. Airbus said it couldnt comment on future plans around using the technology. Im happy that weve been able to invest so far in this," said Eric Euteneuer, principal systems engineer at Acubed. I think that it really shows that this technology can be a potential aid," he said. The need for this encompasses all of Airbuss key business segments." So-called GPS jamming, when geopositioning signals are blocked so a flight location isnt shown, and spoofing, when a GPS shows a false location, are on the rise in the Middle East and around Ukraine and Russia. Various militaries in the region might use such techniques to keep missiles and drones from finding their targets, but the practice can impact civilian flights. GPS vs. quantum sensing GPS works by broadcasting precise signals from a constellation of satellites that circle the globe. But militaries and bad actors can also send out fake signals, broadcast from the ground, that are hard to distinguish. The quantum sensing device is completely analog, making it essentially unjammable and unspoofable, SandboxAQs Hidary said. Unlike GPS, it doesnt rely on any digital signals that are vulnerable to hacking. The information it provides is generated entirely from the device on board, and leverages magnetic signatures from the Earth, which cannot be faked, he said. Quantum sensing will likely not replace all the applications of traditional GPS, but it can be a reliable backup and help pilots actually know when GPS is being spoofed, Hidary said. How it works Inside SandboxAQs device, essentially a small black box, a laser fires a photon at an electron, forcing it to absorb that photon. When the laser turns off, that electron goes back to its ground state, and releases the photon. As the photon is released, it gives off a unique signature based on the strength of the Earths magnetic field at that particular location. Every square meter of the world has a unique magnetic signature based on the specific way charged iron particles in the Earths molten core magnetize the minerals in its crust. SandboxAQs device tracks that signature, feeds it into an AI algorithm that runs on a single GPU, compares the signature to existing magnetic signature maps, and returns an exact location. The Federal Aviation Administration requires that while planes are en route they must be able to pinpoint their exact location within 2 nautical miles (slightly more than 2 miles). During Acubeds testing, it found that MagNav could pinpoint location within 2 nautical miles 100% of the time, and could even pinpoint location within 550 meters, or a bit more than a quarter of a nautical mile, 64% of the time. Its the first novel absolute navigation system to our knowledge in the last 50 years," Hidary said. What else can quantum sensing do? EYs Global Chief Innovation Officer Joe Depa said the applications for quantum sensing go beyond aerospace. In defense, they can also be used to detect hidden submarines and tunnels. And in healthcare, they can even detect faint magnetic signals from the brain or heart, theoretically allowing for better diagnosis of neurological and cardiac conditions without invasive procedures. While the technology has been in the lab for decades, we are starting to see more examples of quantum sensing entering the real world, Depa said. Some analysts estimate the quantum-sensing market could reach between $1 billion and $6 billion by 2040, he said. Were not talking about something 20 years out," Depa said. This is here and now." Write to Isabelle Bousquette at isabelle.bousquette@wsj.com A look at the status of US executions in 2025 Twenty-six men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S. Ten other people are scheduled to be put to death in seven states during the remainder of 2025 Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang held the sixth China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue jointly with Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, on Monday in Beijing. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, urged both sides, under the strategic guidance of their leaders, to strengthen practical cooperation on the environment and climate and make greater contributions to sustainable development in China, the EU and the world. He said that China attaches great importance to ecological and environmental protection and responding to climate change, has formulated and implemented a series of practical measures, and has achieved remarkable results in the comprehensive green transformation of its economic and social development. China will firmly promote green and low-carbon development and take effective measures to participate in global environmental and climate governance, Ding said, adding that China is willing to work with the EU to maintain high-level dialogue and exchanges, build greater consensus and deepen the green partnership. He said China stands ready to work with the EU to uphold mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, continuously expand cooperation in key areas such as energy and the circular economy, and jointly support the green and low-carbon development of other developing countries. China is also willing to work with the EU to promote the establishment of a fair, reasonable, cooperative and win-win global environmental and climate governance system, he added. Ribera said the EU is willing to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and China as an opportunity to further consolidate existing cooperation with China, strive to find more new opportunities for cooperation, adhere to multilateralism, and promote the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. How do you uncover the motive behind a terrorist attack? For the first time, the former U.S. Attorney reveals how they pieced together the ideology and intent behind the gunman who killed five servicemen in Chattanooga. Pikeville police warning of counterfeit money being used in the city Why are you not preventing settler terrorism: Palestinians call out IDF following beating death of Florida man Longford's Gerard Brady, who is Chief Economist and Head of National Policy at Ibec, says government must 'address the high cost of doing business' in Budget 2026. Ibec, the organisation representing Irish business, says Budget 2026 should strengthen Irelands agility in an increasingly challenging global climate, while continuing to support productivity, futureproof public capital projects, and build fiscal resilience. In its pre-Budget submission, Matching Vigilance with Agility, Ibec emphasises that sound economic policy must focus on restoring a balance between income and expenditure over the coming years. This should exclude excess corporate tax receipts beyond levels seen in similar globalised economies. Also read: Longford firms will need wage subsidy aid if Trump sticks tariffs at 30% Ibec also warns that persistent or emerging tariffs pose a serious threat to Irish business. While the broader economy may remain resilient, some sectors will suffer significant and lasting damage to competitiveness. These businesses and their employees must receive targeted support. The submission highlights major opportunities on the horizon, including the digital and AI revolutions, a more investment-driven EU, and Irelands potential repositioning within shifting global supply chains. To capitalise on these, Ibec argues, Ireland needs not only strategic vision but timely delivery in areas like infrastructure, innovation, and skills, while maintaining fiscal stability. Gerard Brady said: The future of the global economy remains deeply uncertain, as demonstrated again by President Trumps announcement to now impose a 30% tariff on EU imports on August 1. "What is clear, however, is that the economic model Ireland has relied on for the past 50 years, rooted in multilateralism, openness, and globalisation, is under serious strain. Also read: Last orders! Thirty-four fewer pubs in Longford as 'high cost of doing business' hits hard "This Budget must be framed in the context of ongoing trade tensions and recent US tax reforms. We need to make the right choices to safeguard our competitiveness and ability to attract and retain business. That means investing in productivity focused areas like infrastructure and committing to continue that investment regardless of the economic climate. "We must go much further on skills and innovation. Ireland still falls short of where it needs to be as an innovation leader and R&D performer. We also need to address the high cost of doing business. "The recent One Big Beautiful Act (OBBA) in the US increases volatility in global corporate taxation and poses a significant competitive risk for Ireland. While it brings the potential for tax receipt surges, it also exposes us to downside risks. We cannot afford to be vulnerable if those risks materialise. "We must also use the tools available to attract investment. Enhancing the R&D tax credit is one such lever. Widening its scope to support all forms of innovation would provide a timely and material response to current investment challenges. "Other countries, such as Germany, are preparing major policy shifts to reduce industrial energy costs-moves that affect competitiveness across entire economies. Also read: Planning to be sought for huge Longford solar farm that could power 20,000 houses "Even as some day to day investment decisions are delayed or paused, global economic realignment is taking shape in boardrooms worldwide. Our members are already engaged in active scenario planning for future investments. Ireland cannot afford to be complacent. "To stay competitive and secure long term prosperity, we must meet this moment with both vigilance and agility." Sinn Fein TD for Longford-Westmeath, Sorca Clarke has said that we must urgently end the neglect of women with endometriosis and called for the government to support Sinn Feins Dail motion seeking to improve access to endometriosis care for thousands of women affected across the state. The motion which will be moved today, Tuesday, July 15, follows a series of public meetings hosted by Uachtaran Shinn Fein Mary Lou McDonald with those impacted by endometriosis across the state. Read more: Charity Walk in memory of Ann Farrell will take place in Lanesboro Teachta Clarke said: Over the last number of months, we have held nine public meetings about endometriosis across the state and if one thing has been clear it is that endometriosis care in Ireland has failed thousands of women. Time and time again we have heard heartbreaking stories from women who have not only had to battle living with chronic, excruciating pain, but have also had endure the trauma of having to fight for a diagnosis in the first place, and then for adequate treatment. This is not good enough. No one should be forced to fight to be believed, to be diagnosed and to receive the treatment they need. This should not be happening in 2025. The bravery and strength of these women, alongside the experiences of their family and friends, and their commitment to fight for the care they need and deserve has been an inspiration to us. That is what has driven this campaign. Endometriosis is not rare, it effects at least one in ten women in Ireland, with recent global research suggesting that nearly one in six may have symptoms indicative of endometriosis. Sinn Fein conducted an online survey over recent weeks in which we received 1,420 responses and over 700 personal stories of delayed diagnosis, suffering and trauma. 95% of participants missed education or work commitments due to symptoms; 58% of participants have suffered symptoms for more than 10 years; 49% waiting more than 12 months for a consultation with a gynaecologist. The ongoing neglect of endometriosis care in Ireland is emblematic of broader systemic failures in womens healthcare, and the response from government has been a disjointed stopgap approach with women being prescribed outdated treatments that only prolong their suffering. This is exemplified by the fact that it currently takes an average of nine years for patients to receive a formal diagnosis, resulting in prolonged suffering, permanent organ damage, and increased risk of infertility. The reason we dont hear about it enough is because women often feel they have no option but to suffer in silence. This is now changing as courageous women step forward to share their stories and demand change and action from government. Sinn Feins motion calls for a dedicated multidisciplinary endometriosis treatment centre, staffed and resourced to provide diagnosis, holistic management, and specialised excision surgery the gold standard surgical management for this agonising condition. Our message to women across Ireland living the nightmare of endometriosis is that you are not alone. We will fight with you and for you. We will keep this campaign going until you have the treatment, services and healthcare you deserve here in Ireland. Read more: PICTURES | Stunning style, glitz and glamour at Granard graduation ball We are calling on all parties to back this motion when it comes before the Dail. Women deserve better. Longford-based artist and human rights activist, Sadia Athar, was part of a delegation from the One Million Stars Ireland Project who accompanied the One Million Stars LOVE exhibition on display in the European Parliament this week. One Million Stars Ireland is an inclusive community arts project that raises awareness of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). Sadia has been involved with the award-winning project for 4 years, weaving stars with other project volunteers in Longford to shine a light on all forms of violence against women and girls. Read more: Pictures: The Longford Variety Group hosted "Who's Behind the Mask" The Projects LOVE stars exhibition, which contains thousands of stars hand-woven by people in Longford and other counties, was on display in the Parliament building from June 24 to 26. The Project aims to ensure that tackling the issue of gender-based violence remains high on the Parliaments agenda. Members of the European Parliament were invited to weave their own star, representing a visual petition opposing violence against women and girls and standing in solidarity against all forms of gender-based violence. Read more: Callan Tansey Solicitors LLP Sweeps Multiple Awards at the Irish Law Awards 2025! This is the first time the travelling LOVE exhibition was on display outside Ireland. The stars have already been exhibited in locations throughout Ireland. To learn more about the One Million Stars Ireland project visit www.onemillionstarsireland.ie Two midlands doctors and a secretary charged with multiple counts of stealing money under a state-funded healthcare reimbursement scheme and submitting false medical service claims on behalf of patients to the HSE are due to reappear before Longford Circuit Court in October. Doctors Muhammad Azam (59), of The Rocks, Stonepark, Co Longford, and Waqas Farooqi (46), of Belvedere Hills, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, and secretary Gillian McCord (56) of Knockanboy, Co Longford, appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court this morning (Tuesday, July 15). It was heard that the trio had only recently been served with the book of evidence and counsel needed more time to go through it. Also read: Two doctors & secretary face trial for theft and deception in Longford The three accused face a combined total of 135 charges, including 20 counts of theft and 22 counts of using false general medical services claims or out-of-hours payment forms. Those false claims related to 12 different patients at the Primary Care Reimbursement Services, Exit 50, North Road, Finglas, Dublin 11. Dr Azam faces a total of 48 charges, with Dr Farooqi facing 47 charges, and a total of 42 charges brought against Ms McCord. It is alleged the trio used false medical documentation to indicate that patients had received medical services. Dr Azam and Dr Farooqi were also charged with multiple counts of money laundering at locations within the state between October 2017 and December 2019. All three have been remanded on continuing bail and will reappear on October 28, 2025 for mention. Also read: Man caught shoplifting in Longford was trying to impress new girlfriend A restaurant-owner accused of an arson attack, which caused in the region of 3m worth of damage to several businesses in the Grafton Court area of Longford town last year, has had an application to have his trial moved to a Dublin court refused. Michael OHiggins SC brought the application before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court this afternoon on behalf of Guo Zhong Chen (50), of 9 Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, who has been in custody since August of last year. The Chinese national, who has been living in Ireland since 2000, was charged with criminal damage by arson at Grafton Court, Longford, on July 28, 2024, and a separate incident of criminal damage to a Land Rover at Townparks, Longford, on July 7, 2024. Mr OHiggins told the court that the case has received significant media coverage locally and nationally, citing a number of articles, which covered the case in detail. This coverage, he said, was circulated widely within the locale in which the trial is scheduled to take place, including details of how Mr Chen tried to evade arrest for the alleged crimes by jumping from a balcony in his underwear. Also read: Significant evidence as two doctors and secretary accused of over 130 Longford thefts Mr OHiggins also noted that the book of evidence contained a large list of witnesses, including some who were business owners in the area affected by the fire. If you lived in Longford, you might see this as a strike against the commercial heart of the town, whether you worked there or used any of the businesses there - you would be entitled to resent an attack of this sort, said Mr OHiggins. Furthermore, he pointed out that Mr Chen is a foreign national, which he said wont improve his situation. This was a perception, not necessarily targeted at the people of Longford, Mr OHiggins stressed, adding that Dublin is a very big city, and there is a greater degree of anonymity, so its less personal. Also read: Man caught shoplifting in Longford was trying to impress new girlfriend Shane Geraghty BL, for the state, pointed out that there are very clear safeguards that this court can implement to ensure a fair trial, including a list of witnesses which can be scrutinised by both the state and the defence. He stressed that the court must assume juries dont ignore the directions of the trial judge and that they do abide by oath, so there is no concern he will not receive a fair trial. Judge Connolly, having heard the basis for the application, accepted that the case has no doubt received certain publicity, both locally and nationally. Perhaps that argument is becoming somewhat archaic in the current media situation, he said, adding that in the olden days, it was very true that todays news is tomorrows fish n chips wrapping. In times gone by, local media was always in print and a much larger number of locals would read the local publication. That world has changed fundamentally, he said. Almost all of us read a mixture of media now, and all media is available in all areas, so theres a greater interest in local stories. He stressed that, in every trial, the judge would have to give warnings to potential jurors not to carry out independent research and to base their deliberations solely on the evidence heard in court. He said he has a list of 17 business proprietors from the Grafton Court complex from which evidence may be heard, and that jurors who are attached to those witnesses will be asked not to serve. It is the duty of the court to eradicate any threat and instruct the jury properly that, if they are in any way associated with the case, they must not serve, he said. I do accept it might be a more difficult empanelment. I dont believe theres any evidence that anyone would serve that ought not to do so. Also read: Teen pleads guilty to assault causing serious harm to Longford father He also said it would be unfair and disrespectful to any non-Dublin court to suggest someone would receive bias for being a non-national, considering Mr Chen has been living in the country for 25 years. Furthermore, he pointed out that, of the 17 businesses listed in a document furnished to the court, an estimated 12 were probably not of Irish origin, which shows the cultural dynamic of this county. Accordingly, whilst I do accept jury empanelment may be difficult, I do not believe it will be an impossibility, he said. For that reason, he refused the application to transfer the matter to Dublin and directed the trial be retained in Longford. He directed a jury panel document be made available for the defence to scrutinise ahead of jury selection. Mr Chen has received half of the book of evidence, translated and in audio format on a USB stick, the court heard, and Judge Connolly made an order that the governor of Castlerea Prison facilitate the provision of the other half of the book on a USB, as well as the means to listen to the content. The trial is expected to take approximately three weeks, the court heard, with 71 witnesses in the book of evidence and a large amount of CCTV footage. Mr Chen has been remanded in custody to October 28, 2025. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: July 15 2025 Built in 1933, the VFW building had old, single-pane windows in the basement that let in cold air and water, leaving the space unusable. Soon, members of the Port Washington Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1819 will have a welcoming place to unwind, connect and build camaraderie, thanks to King Quality Roofing and Siding. The Long Island-based contractor donated and installed five new basement windows, helping the post reopen its recreation space for local veterans. Built in 1933, the VFW building had old, single-pane windows in the basement that let in cold air and water, leaving the space unusable. On May 13, King Quality stepped in to provide and install the new windows, making the basement functional again. Now dry and comfortable, the space features a bar, ping pong table, billiards and a dart board, where members can soon relax and socialize after meetings. Post 1819 Trustee Jerry Tedeschi said the refreshed space will help the VFW retain current members and attract new ones, both essential to continuing the posts mission of supporting veterans and serving the community. This donation has made a real difference, said Tedeschi. We once again have a basement where members can gather and enjoy each others company. This renewed space builds camaraderie, makes the post more welcoming and will help us grow our membership. Tedeschi had his own roof replaced by King Quality a few years ago and reached out when the post needed help with the windows. King Quality CEO Jeff Brett, whose family has deep ties to the military, immediately agreed to help. At King Quality, were proud to support the veterans whove served our country, said Brett. My grandfather helped start a VFW in Port Jefferson Station after World War I and my father served in the Navy during World War II. Its an honor for me and the whole King Quality team to support local VFWs like Post 1819. VFW Post 1819 plays an important role in the Port Washington community. The post offers support to veterans in need, including assistance with housing, benefits and health care. It also leads Honor Guard ceremonies at funerals and on holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day. This windows donation is part of King Quality Cares, the companys charitable arm that supports local charities and community organizations across Long Island. About King Quality Roofing and Siding, Inc. King Quality assembles Long Island's most reputable, dependable, quality-driven, and award-winning team of roofing, siding, and window contractors. The company provides its customers with a one-of-a-kind home, an experience and result fit for a king or queen, and peace of mind for a lifetime. King Quality Cares mission is to build awareness of charities and community organizations across Long Island and the important work that they do through strategic and targeted pro bono marketing support. For more information, visit https://www.kingquality.com. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: July 15 2025 Defendant James Wellesley Arrives from the United Kingdom to Face Prosecution. Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, James Wellesley was arraigned following his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK), where he was arrested in 2022. In 2022, Wellesley, along with his co-defendant Stephen Burton, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy in connection with a scheme perpetrated through Bordeaux Cellars, a company he and Burton operated. Wellesley was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy. Burton was extradited from Morocco in 2023 and is currently pending trial. Wellesley was ordered detained pending trial. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York) announced Burtons arraignment. Todays arraignment sends a message to all perpetrators of global fraud schemes that my Office will work tirelessly to ensure they answer for crimes committed in the United States, stated United States Attorney Nocella. We will not rest in our efforts to seek justice for victims of fraud. James Wellesley and his business partner allegedly concocted an elaborate scheme defrauding investors out of millions of dollars to finance their own personal expenses. Their alleged deceit spread across years and continents, stated FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge Raia. Todays arraignment signals to all criminals that the FBI will practice the same resolve in bringing perpetrators to justice. James Wellesley and his co-conspirator are accused of masterminding their nearly $100 million international fraud scheme that exploited the unsuspecting public, including New Yorkers, for their own selfish enrichment. As alleged, the defendants claimed Bordeaux Cellars boasted a high-value wine stockpile and a clientele of high-net-worth wine collectors and in turn profited handsomely all while they swindled investors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Patel. Let it be known, regardless of the nature of the transnational criminal scheme, HSI New York, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to adapt and evolve to fight global and domestic financial crimes wherever and whenever possible. The indictment alleges that from at least June 2017 and continuing through February of 2019, the defendants posed as executives Bordeaux Cellars. The defendants solicited investors, including residents of the Eastern District of New York, at, among other places, investor conferences held in the United States and overseas. The defendants claimed to investors that Bordeaux Cellars brokered loans between investors and high-net-worth wine collectors that would be fully collateralized by high-value collections of wine. The defendants promised that investors would receive regular interest payments from the borrowers, and that Bordeaux Cellars would keep custody of the wine, securing the loans while the loans were outstanding. As alleged, these representations were lies, the high-net-worth wine collectors did not actually exist, and Bordeaux Cellars did not maintain custody of the wine purportedly securing the loans. Instead, the defendants used incoming loan proceeds to make fraudulent interest payments to investors and for their own personal expenses, resulting in $99 million dollars worth of misdirected funds. The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison. The Justice Departments Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance in securing Wellesleys arrest and extradition from the UK. This Office thanks UK authorities for their assistance in this matter. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: July 15 2025 Katz Womens Hospital at North Shore University Hospital is Northwells fifth Baby Friendly Hospital. Katz Womens Hospital at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) has been designated a Baby-Friendly Hospital by Baby-Friendly USA for the comprehensive care provided to both moms and their newborn. NSUH joins four other Northwell Health maternity programs to earn Baby-Friendly status: Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center in New Hyde Park, Long Island Jewish Forest Hills , Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow and South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore. Fewer than 500 hospitals nationwide are official Baby-Friendly institutions. We are very proud of this designation and of the many NSUH team members who collaborated in building the structure to lift the level of care for moms and their babies, said David Hirschwerk, MD , vice president, chief medical officer, North Shore University Hospital. Northwell delivers about 30,000 babies each year and the Katz Womens Hospital offers a special environment to make the best outcomes possible. Baby-Friendly is a global program initiated by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund. It certifies hospitals for five years. Best practices include comprehensive prenatal breastfeeding education, encouraging patients through skin-to-skin contact with newborns, rooming in and breastfeeding. Katz Women's Hospital at North Shore University Hospital is proud of its Baby-Friendly designation, which validates the high-quality care provided to patients, including skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, and support for the best proven feeding choices, said Kevin Holcomb, MD , chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NSUH and LIJ. Our teams incredible journey and effort leading to this designation have been recognized, and we are grateful for the opportunity to provide excellent care and services to our patients and their families. To meet Baby-Friendly standards, a hospital must implement 10 steps to successful breastfeeding and be compliant with the international code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes. Data shows that Baby-Friendly hospitals have decreased morbidity and mortality associated with optimal breastfeeding. This prestigious recognition demonstrates our commitment to upholding the highest standards in infant feeding and adhering to the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, said Marianne McTyre, RN, director, Katz Womens Hospital. These practices promote breast-feeding and numerous other beneficial practices for infants and mothers. To learn more about the obstetrics, gynecology and labor and delivery programs at Katz Womens Hospital at NSUH, go to: https://nsuh.northwell.edu/katz-womens-hospital About Northwell Health Syrian Army and General Security Service personnel position themselves near Suwayda. (@Sana_gov on X) In the last 72 hours, clashes between Syrian government forces, Druze militias, and Bedouin tribes in the Suwayda Governorate of southern Syria have resulted in 166 deaths, according to an estimate by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The crisis began when a group of Sunni Arab Bedouin fighters intercepted a car on the Suwayda-Damascus highway and robbed its driver. In retaliation, Druze militias kidnapped several Bedouins, triggering a cycle of abductions. The situation escalated with the shelling of the Maqawes suburb in Suwayda, home to a significant Bedouin population. Suwayda, a Druze-majority governorate, has seen a proliferation of weapons and the formation of local militias aimed at defending the Druze community. These militias have largely resisted state control, citing concerns over the radical elements within the current ruling coalition led by President Ahmad al Sharaaa designated terrorist by the United States and the former leader of Al Qaedas branch in Syria. On July 14, the Syrian Ministry of Defense issued a statement blaming the outbreak of violence on the institutional gap that allowed tensions to rise. It announced that it was in coordination with the Ministry of Interior to deploy military units, establish secure corridors and end the clashes. The Syrian Armys entry into Suwayda sparked fighting with militias aligned with Sheikh Hikmat al Hijri, a prominent Druze spiritual leader. His affiliated group, the Suwayda Military Councilformed in February 2025 and composed of ex-Syrian Arab Army officersengaged in several battles with government troops. Syrian government forces succeeded in seizing a number of villages in the Suwayda countryside, including At-Thaala, which hosts a large airbase. However, as they approached the city of Suwayda, the largest city in the governorate, the government sought a negotiated settlement with Druze leaders, urging militias to disarm and reintegrate into the state. The talks collapsed without an agreement. On the same day, Israeli fighter jets struck multiple Syrian tanks advancing between Al Mazraah and Sami, en route to Suwayda. According to Syria TV, the strikes served as warning shots and caused no damage. Israel has long sought to prevent Syrian government forces from establishing a foothold near its borders and has expressed interest in protecting the Druze minority in southern Syria. On July 15, the Syrian Ministry of Interior announced it would deploy forces directly into the city of Suwayda to restore security and imposed a citywide curfew. In response, the Druze Spiritual Leadership issued a statement welcoming the joint intervention by the Interior Ministry and Defense Ministry, calling on armed factions to cooperate, refrain from resistance, and surrender their weapons. Despite the Druze Spiritual Leaderships statement, Sheikh Hikmat al Hijri rejected the move and urged continued resistance against government forces. This call reignited clashes within the city. Several abuses by government troops were reported, including the shaving of a Druze sheikhs mustachean act widely regarded as a deep humiliation in Arab culture. On July 15, SOHR announced that the death toll hit 166, a total including 78 individuals who were members of the Syrian security forces or Bedouin tribesmen and 88 civilians, 21 of whom SOHR estimates were executed by Defence and Interior Ministry forces. In response to the entry of Syrian forces into Suwayda city, the Israel Defense Forces announced that, following the directive of the political echelon, it had targeted military vehicles belonging to the Syrian regime near Suwayda. Additional Israeli airstrikes were later reported to have hit General Security Service convoys operating under Syrias Interior Ministry. Clashes remain ongoing between government forces and fighters affiliated with Hijri and the Suwayda Military Council. Though the Syrian Army has since withdrawn from the city while leaving General Security Service units in place, reports of Druze militias retaking the suburbs around Suwayda have raised the possibility of a renewed military deployment. Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the levant. (Shutterstock) After years of funding organized crime networks across Europe and helping sustain Russias war against Ukraine, Tehran is no longer veiling its threat to the continent. On July 12, Mohammad Javad Larijani, foreign policy advisor to Irans supreme leader, said that Europeans and westerners can no longer move about comfortably, also threatening that five drones could strike [a European city]. While Iranian weapons already threaten Europe through Russias war in Ukraine, Larijanis remarks reflect Tehrans intent to treat its expanding strategic presence in the region as leverage against the E3France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The Islamic Republic has played a key role in fueling Russias war in Ukraine by exporting drones and the technology to manufacture them domestically. Since Iran and Russia agreed in 2023 to exchange drone-manufacturing capabilities, Moscow has significantly scaled up production in Tatarstan, where it now builds Shahed-136 kamikaze dronesrenamed Geran-2 that it uses to bombard Ukrainian cities. Documents leaked from the Russian side and reported by The Washington Post reveal plans to build 6,000 drones by summer 2025 at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone. Similarly, the Washington-based C4ADS noted in May that the shift from Iranian drone imports to local manufacturing has been crucial in reinforcing Russias war effort. Although Tehran and Moscow have sought to obscure the extent of their defense cooperation due to overlapping sanctions, Irans pursuit of overt arms exports in Europe as a means of preserving leverage against the West has grown increasingly visible. In 2023, the Islamic Republic showcased its latest drone systems at Serbias Partner 23 exhibition, followed by a prominent display at Russias ARMY 2024 expo. Most recently, in May 2025, Irans Ministry of Defense participated in MILEX-2025 in Belarus, where it exhibited the Shahed-129 strike UAV equipped with an electro-optical targeting turret and guided munitions, including Sadid-series bombs and a likely Almas anti-tank missile. Additional systems on display included smaller loitering and ISR drones, a standalone EO/IR sensor, and various UAV payloads and launch platforms. The rise in Tehrans confrontational rhetoric coincides with increasing signals that EU countries may reimpose multilateral sanctions through the snapback mechanism outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2231, tied to Irans compliance under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. That window remains open until October 2025, leaving Washington and the E3 with only a narrow summer timeframe to forge a unified stance. French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne stated at the UN Security Council in April that Paris will not hesitate to reinstate UN sanctions if diplomacy fails. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports that Berlin was considering snapback provoked a strong condemnation from Irans Foreign Ministry. Beyond the nuclear file, Tehrans threat to Europe extends to its cultivation of organized crime networks used to pursue hostile operations across the continent. The Iranian regimes use of criminal networks as terrorist proxies in Europe poses a grave threat to our internal security, the European Parliament warned in 2024. The Tehran regime has provided financial and logistical support to groups such as the Hells Angels in Germany and the Rumba and Foxtrot gangs in Sweden. The United Kingdom has described Iran as one of the most serious state-based threats to its national security, while Finlands intelligence agency issued a similar warning in May regarding Irans malign activities in the Nordic region. Larijanis remarks are part of a broader pattern of regime officials seeking to deter any European move toward snapback. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that activating the mechanism would mark the end of Europes involvement in Irans nuclear dossier, threatening a complete rupture in diplomatic ties. Kayhan Daily, which is affiliated with the Supreme Leaders office, similarly stated that Iran may withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if snapback is triggered. The NPT prohibits nuclear weapons development in exchange for civilian nuclear rights and international oversight. Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republics regional malign influence. Renewed transatlantic trade tensions are taking centre stage in Brussels, as EU trade ministers meet to discuss how to respond to US President Donald Trumps plan to impose 30% tariffs on EU imports starting 1 August. After weeks of negotiations between the European Commission and the USA, they had hoped to reach an agreement in principle to defuse the trade conflict. But that did not come to pass. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel, responsible for foreign trade, backed Frances call for stronger countermeasures. We dont export cars, Bettel said, in a pointed reference to Germanys vulnerability in the dispute. He warned that the EU risked being seen as weak if it didnt consider all retaliatory options including targeting US digital services. Bettel underscored that while Luxembourg may not be the main target of goods tariffs, it would feel the impact if services were dragged into the dispute. When it comes to goods, were not the ones who suffer the most. But if services are affected tomorrow, it will be more problematic for Luxembourg, he said. With Trump, its like this: If we dont negotiate, well be killed. And if were weak, well be eaten. When it comes to goods, we are not the ones suffering the most. But if services are affected tomorrow, it will be more problematic for Luxembourg. Xavier Bettel (DP) Foreign minister The US president announced the new tariffs over the weekend in a letter that also left the door open to a deal, if the EU agreed to open its markets and reduce trade barriers. Trump simultaneously threatened harsher measures should the EU retaliate. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has so far resisted immediate counter-tariffs, hoping to salvage negotiations before Trumps deadline. She said she would hold off on measures that had been considered in response to earlier tariffs imposed by Washington. Germany is willing to compromise While von der Leyen is pushing for unity, fault lines are emerging. France is demanding more assertiveness, with its trade minister Laurent Saint-Martin saying there should be no taboos and proposing that Europe consider targeting Americas digital exports. Germany, by contrast, is eager to avoid escalation, fearing the impact of tariffs on its export-heavy economy. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in an interview that the 30% tariff would force Germany to scale back much of its economic agenda. The European Commission handles trade negotiations on behalf of all 27 EU member states. Mondays meeting will test whether they remain united behind von der Leyens approach or shift toward a harder line. (This article was originally published in the Luxemburger Wort. Translated using AI, edited by Kabir Agarwal.) Luxembourg must increase annual environmental spending by nearly 30% if it wants to comply with EU legislation on climate, water, waste and biodiversity, according to a European Commission report published last week. The country currently spends around 1.26 billion annually on environmental measures, but would need to invest 1.63 billion a year to meet its obligations, a shortfall of 370 million. That investment gap represents 0.48% of the countrys GDP. Luxembourg is not the worst performer in the EU. Germany, Belgium and France all need to increase spending by a greater percentage. The average environmental investment gap across the EU is 0.78% of GDP. Funding shortfall for the circular economy The report highlights critical shortfalls in several sectors. In the circular economy, Luxembourg is among the EUs top performers in waste management, but its circular use of materials remains below the EU average. It generates high levels of waste and is overly reliant on incineration. The country currently spends 790 million annually in this area, but needs to raise that to 910 million. In the water sector, investment needs to rise from 340 million to 460 million per year. Nearly all surface and a large share of groundwater bodies are in poor chemical and ecological condition. The largest gap is in pollution prevention. Luxembourg invests just 20 million annually but should be spending 220 million. This puts emission targets for nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds and PM2.5 particles at risk. The commission has launched infringement proceedings against Luxembourg for ammonia and volatile organic compound emissions. The only area currently meeting investment targets is biodiversity, with 120 million in annual spending. Still, the report says urgent action is needed to halt habitat and species decline. A shift toward more sustainable agriculture is also recommended to reduce pressure on ecosystems. The commission also calls on Luxembourg to improve its administrative capacity to manage the transition, noting that governance is generally strong but stretched. Across the EU, environmental spending must rise by nearly 50% to meet climate and nature goals. Luxembourgs 30% target puts it below the average but still facing a sizeable gap to close. (This article was originally published in Virgule. Translated using AI, edited by Kabir Agarwal.) Around 20 soldiers from the Luxembourg army were among the military personnel that marched down the Champs-Elysees in Paris on 14 July as part of Frances national day parade. It was not the first time that the Grand Duchy was honoured at the Bastille Day celebrations. As recently as 2020, the Luxembourg army was included in the festivities for its role in caring for patients during the Covid pandemic. The Luxembourg soldiers who marched along Pariss most famous thoroughfare on Monday were from the the Delta company based at the Grand-Duc Jean barracks in Diekirch. 1 / 4 The bi-national battalion marched down the Champs-Elysees Photo credit: Screengrab 2 / 4 Belgian soldiers Photo credit: Screengrab 3 / 4 The Luxembourg detachment Photo credit: Screengrab 4 / 4 Luxembourgers and Belgians march together Photo credit: Screengrab The Luxembourg contingent was joined by Belgian soldiers from the 12th Prince Leopold battalion. Luxembourg and Belgium have formed a bi-national reconnaissance battalion, which is due to be fully operational by the end of the decade. The two countries are also part of the French Scorpion military equipment procurement programme, with Luxembourg committed to buying 16 Griffon and five Serval armoured multi-purpose vehicles as well as a total of 38 Jaguar armoured reconnaissance vehicles that will serve the bi-national battalion. The Luxembourg army regularly takes part in joint exercises with French and Belgian troops to develop synergies. Also read: Luxembourg must not risk triple-A status for defence spending, Backes says (This article was first published by Virgule. Translated using AI, edited by Duncan Roberts) If youre looking to own and live in a piece of American history in the heart of Boston, youre in luck. The Ebenezer Hancock House at 10 Marshall St., built in the mid-1700s, is now up for sale for the first time in more than 50 years. The building is thought to be the only house from the time period left standing in downtown Boston. It was once owned by Founding Father John Hancock. The house, which is listed as a Boston Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places, sits right on Bostons Freedom Trail, amidst the cobblestone alleys near Haymarket and Faneuil Hall. It shares a block with famous establishments including the Bell in Hand Tavern, Green Dragon Tavern and Union Oyster House. The three-story building is currently in use by law firm Swartz & Swartz, which purchased it in 1974, according to property records. It was once the home of Ebenezer Hancock, John Hancocks younger brother. Ebenezer Hancock, who served as deputy paymaster of the Continental Army, used the home to store 2 million silver crowns loaned by the French government before the money was disbursed to troops, according to real estate brokerage LandVest, which is representing the property owners. According to a report by the Boston Landmarks Commission from 1977, the building also once served as the longest continuously-operating shoe store in the country from 1798 to 1963. The first floor was also used as a restaurant and tavern during the 19th and 20th centuries, and was at times used as a boarding house, an officers club and a private museum. The brick house has many surviving interior details characteristic of Georgian architecture. The structure contains 12 private offices and is zoned for mixed use, which could include both commercial and residential uses. Were looking for an owner occupant that loves the building and loves the history and is enthusiastic about being the steward of a landmark site like this, realtor Dave Killen told the Boston Globe. And the highest and best use for that owner occupant is likely to be some version of mixed use. While LandVest has not publicly disclosed a price for the property, city tax records show it was most recently assessed at $1.65 million. U.S. Department of State issues travel warnings for Nigeria and Mauritania. (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) The United States Department of State (DOS) has issued travel warnings for two destinations in Africa due to concerns of criminal and terrorist activities. Nigeria and Mauritania are under a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory as of Tuesday, July 15, the department wrote. Nigeria For Nigeria, violent crime has become common and includes armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry and rape. Kidnappings often happen for random reasons in Nigeria, and they usually target dual-national citizens visiting the country and U.S. citizens perceived as wealthy, the advisory reads. There is also a risk of terrorist violence in Nigeria. Terrorist groups might attack locations such as shopping centers, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, transportation hubs and public places where crowds gather, without warning. The advisory also warns about civil unrest and armed gangs that are active in parts of Southern Nigeria. This is especially true in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions, where armed crime and gangs are common. Violence can also flare up between communities of farmers and herders in rural areas. The State Department also warns of unreliable health care in Nigeria. The countrys medical facilities are not as equipped as those in the U.S. or Europe, and many medications are not available. Ambulance services are also unreliable with poor equipment and untrained paramedics. Mauritania Terrorism and crime are also of concern in Mauritania, especially outside the Tevragh Zeina neighborhoods in Nouakchott, where mugging, armed robbery and assault can occur, the State Department wrote. Local police lack the resources to respond quickly and effectively to serious crimes, the advisory reads. Transportation options and communication infrastructure are limited outside Nouakchott. The advisory warns travelers not to visit areas marked off-limits by the Mauritanian military, as they are deemed unsafe due to security risks and potential terrorist activities. All areas north of the Tropic of Cancer and areas within 100 kilometers of the Mali and Algeria Border should be avoided. The department also warns travelers about the countrys limited emergency services to U.S. citizens in Mauritania. This is due to travel rules for U.S. government employees, poor infrastructure and few health facilities, especially outside of Nouakchott. These employees are also restricted from walking outside specific areas and times, and can only travel outside Nouakchott during the day, the DOS wrote. Special permission must be obtained to travel outside Nouakchott, to help them move smoothly through security checkpoints on major roads. Those who choose to travel to either country should take the following precautions: Use caution when walking or driving. Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location. Monitor local media for breaking news and be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly. Be aware of your surroundings. In addition, if U.S. travelers visit Nigeria or Mauritania, they can enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive messages and alerts from the U.S. embassy. This image released by Apple TV+ shows Harrison Ford in a scene from "Shrinking." (Beth Dubber/Apple TV+ via AP) AP Harrison Ford has earned dozens of accolades over his decades-long career in Hollywood. However, it wasnt until now that the veteran actor picked up a nomination for an Emmy Award. Ford earn his first-ever nod at 83 when he scored a nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for Shrinking, in which he stars as Dr. Paul Rhodes. The show earned four Emmy nominations overall, including outstanding comedy series. Fords co-stars Jason Segel and Jessica Williams both earned nominations for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series and outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, respectively. Premiering on Apple TV+ in 2023, Shrinking is about grieving therapist (Segel) who decides to become more heavily involved in his patients lives. The shows first season earned two Emmy nominations: Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for Segel and outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for Williams. Ford also received nominations at the Critics Choice Awards and the TCA Awards for his performance. Nominations for the 77th annual Emmy Awards were announced Tuesday, July 15. Nate Bargatze will host the award ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California on Sept. 14. A full list of nominations can be found online. Coldplay will return to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA for the first time since 2017 to play two sold-out shows on Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16. Fans can still buy tickets to see the seven-time Grammy Award-winning band for their record-breaking Music Of The Spheres World Tour. Ticketmaster and reliable third-party ticket sellers like StubHub, VividSeats and SeatGeek still have available tickets. Theyre a little on the pricier side, but it may be a show fans dont want to miss. *New customers who purchase tickets through VividSeats can get $20 off a $200+ ticket order by using the promo code MassLive20 at checkout.* Below is a look at ticket prices for both shows at Gillette Stadium as of Tuesday, July 15 at 2 p.m. ET: According to Billboard Boxscore, the U.S. leg of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour in 2025 is being called the biggest rock tour of all time. Coldplay will be joined at Gillette Stadium by Arya Starr and Elyanna. The bands tenth studio album Moon Music was released on October 4, 2024 and is the second part of their Music of the Spheres project with the first being From Earth With Love. Below is Coldplays remaining tour schedule for the U.S. leg with links to purchase tickets: A shutdown of the MBTA Blue Line due to a signal problem in Boston on Tuesday led to the evacuation of 500 people through the tunnel, the Boston Fire Department said. At around 2:30 p.m., a downed communications wire in the tunnel between Aquarium and Maverick stations prompted trains to be held, MBTA officials told NBC 10 Boston. The Blue Line was stuck between those two stations, Boston fire officials said in a post on X. It took firefighters close to one hour to evacuate those 500 people aboard the Blue Line stuck under Boston Harbor. Shuttle buses are being used between Government Center and Logan International Airport, but will not provide service to Bowdoin, the MBTA stated in an alert at 3:03 p.m. Riders can use the SL3 Bus between Airport & South Station or East Boston Ferry for alternate service, the MBTA stated in a post on X. Passengers make their way through the MBTA Blue Line tunnel after a signal problem left the train without power on Tuesday, July 15. Courtesy of @madden300. Boston firefighters entered Maverick Station, where passengers waited for bus services, NBC 10 Boston reported. MassLive has reached out to MBTA Transit Police and the Boston Fire Department for more information. Hours earlier, services at Aquarium Station were halted after a man was struck and killed by a Blue Line train. Services later resumed just before the signal problem. Seven Haverhill police officers were placed on paid administrative leave on Monday in connection with a mans death following an altercation with police last week, Haverhill Police Chief Robert Pistone said. An investigation, conducted by Essex District Attorney Paul Tuckers office, into the altercation and the death of Francis Gigliotti, 43, was underway, Pistone said to MassLive in a statement. Once the investigation is complete, and all of the facts are known, I will be able to provide more information and address the media and public, Pistone said. Pistone did not release the names of the seven officers on leave. The altercation happened at around 7:22 p.m. in Haverhill, Tuckers office said previously. Police received a call that a 43-year-old man was behaving erratically at that time near 115 White St., a street with several corner stores and shops. The caller told police that the man had fallen on the floor when he left the building, then began running in the middle of White Street when he hit a car with his head, Tuckers office said. He kept running down the road, and video surveillance footage showed the man weaving in and out of traffic as he was almost hit by multiple cars driving by. The officers attempted to restrain the individual for safety purposes and for the safety of the surrounding public, Tuckers office said. The man and the officers ended up in a physical struggle on the ground outside Bradford Seafood. During this encounter, the male party became unresponsive, and first responders attempted lifesaving aid, Tuckers office said. The man, identified as Gigliotti, was pronounced dead at the hospital after EMS arrived. Mice, cockroaches and beds without sheets were a part of life at the Gabriel House in Fall River, according to a current employee, long before Sundays fire that killed nine residents and injured 30 at the assisted living facility. The facility was severely understaffed and poorly maintained, said Debra Johnson, a certified nursing assistant (CNA). And in her four-year tenure, Johnson never took part in a fire drill or any emergency preparedness training. She described it as a horror show. It was cockroach-infested. Bed bugs, mice. The rooms were filthy, Johnson told reporters outside the Timao Center in Fall River on Monday afternoon. Debra Johnson, an employee at the Gabriel House in Fall River, on July 14. Johnson spoke to reporters about conditions at the assisted living facility the day after 10 people were killed and 30 were injured in a fire. (Irene Rotondo/MassLive) She spoke as several Gabriel House residents puttered in the parking lot around her, still shaken by the trauma of the night prior. The fire at the assisted living facility broke out around 9:30 p.m. on July 13 and left elderly residents many of whom have mobility issues hanging out the window and screaming for help. It went to five alarms and displaced the 70 people living there. The owner of the facility, Dennis Etzkorn, could not be reached by MassLive for comment. Johnson told reporters Monday that basic resident care was constantly neglected before the fire at the facility, with rooms left uncleaned and beds without sheets. They told residents to make their own beds. This is assisted living, they cant make their beds, she said. Johnson said it was typical for two workers to be on duty during night shifts and sometimes, there was one at the facility. They would say, we just need a body, she recounted, emphasizing a body. No fire drills or emergency preparedness training were conducted during her four-year tenure, either, she said. Johnsons concerns were echoed by some residents the day after the fire. They didnt care about peoples lives, Donna Murphy, a five-year resident, stated. She wasnt at the Gabriel House the night of the fire she had gone to visit family, the only night shed been away in her entire time there. Murphy said some wheelchair-bound third-floor residents have been trapped in the building for almost a year, due to a broken elevator that hasnt been fixed in months. People on the third floor who couldnt walk down the stairs never left that floor for nine months, she said. Donna Murphy, a five-year resident of the Gabriel House in Fall River, speaks to reporters on July 14, one day after a fire killed 10 people and injured 30 at the assisted living facility. (Irene Rotondo/MassLive) She also revealed structural and safety problems, including exposed electrical wiring in her bathrooms. I hated taking a shower, she said. All the wires were exposed. It was dangerous ... theyre slum lords, she said of the owner. A former Gabriel House employee, Jenn Marley, told The Boston Globe she never participated in a fire drill or emergency evacuation procedures during her two years of employment. She said the facility was often understaffed, poorly maintained and that new hires often left due to the conditions. Additionally, Marley said improvements like a water stain that was painted over by the main entrance only happened when state officials notified them they would visit. Compliance issues at Gabriel House and legal trouble for its owner There is no set amount of staff required at assisted living facilities in Massachusetts, according to the standards outlined in state law. Facilities must develop and implement their own process to determine staff levels, and must have sufficient staffing at all times for resident needs as deemed by the facility owners assessments on a 24-hour per day basis. State law does, however, directly address the need for emergency plans. The Residences staffing shall be sufficient to respond promptly and effectively to individual Resident emergencies, state documents read. The Residence shall have a plan to secure staffing necessary to respond to emergency, life safety and disaster situations affecting Residents. Johnson was particularly critical of the facilitys owner, whom she said she rarely saw in person. He needs to be charged, Johnson said. [These residents] were not living under good conditions ... and now nine have lost their lives. In 2023, the Gabriel House and Etzkorn were the subjects of a state compliance report by the Executive Office of Elder Care. This report found a slew of transgressions by the facility, especially when it came to proper and updated documentation of resident care. Many residents records lacked necessary reassessments and reviews, and documentation for the Evidence Informed Falls Prevention program was missing for all reviewed years, which raised concerns about resident safety. There were also missing documents for eyedrop medications and improperly stored medications, and inconsistencies in the Gabriel Houses Correspondence Log, which helps ensure reliable, continued resident care. Additionally, the report found that 26 incident reports for resident emergencies were filed beyond the required 24-hour reporting window, and three employees health records were missing. The owner of Gabriel House also faced legal troubles more than a decade ago with a different company and unrelated to safety concerns. In 2012, Etzkorn faced criminal charges for a suspected kickback scheme related to his company, Gabriel Care. The case was dropped after the court ruled prosecutors had illegally obtained evidence, and key evidence, like caregiver testimony, was deemed inadmissible. In November 2015, Gabriel Care and Etzkorn reached a financial settlement with the Attorney Generals Office. The settlement included a payment of $950,000 by Etzkorn and his company and the charges were dropped as part of the agreement, Boston 25 reported based on documents they received. Johnson feels Etzkorn should not be allowed to rebuild, and that any insurance settlement he received should go to the surviving residents relocation. Im here for today for the residents, so I can be their voice ... a lot of people are afraid of retaliation, but this man needs to be held accountable, Johnson said. Travelers line up to pass through the south security checkpoint in Denver International Airport Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Denver. (David Zalubowski | AP Photo) David Zalubowski | AP Photo JetBlue is offering deals for travelers to squeeze in a last-minute holiday trip during the second half of summer. Until Thursday, July 17, people can book one-way flights out of Boston starting at $49 for Jacksonville, Florida, according to a statement from the airline. Other deals include $59 for a one-way ticket to Savannah, Georgia, $69 to travel to Nashville, Tennessee, $74 for a ticket to Atlanta, Georgia and $124 for a flight to Nassau, Bahamas. Travelers can also explore JetBlue vacation packages from $254, perfect for those looking to add hotels or cruises to their itinerary, the statement adds. The fares are valid until Thursday, July 17 for travel from Aug. 2 through Aug. 27. Those interested in learning more details about the JetBlue deals can visit here. A Dracut woman has agreed to plead guilty to sharing information previously given to a grand jury with unauthorized individuals, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said Tuesday. On Friday, Jessica Leslie, 34, was charged with one count of criminal contempt. She will make her initial federal court appearance in Boston at a later date, with a plea hearing yet to be scheduled. Leslie has agreed to plead guilty, Foleys office said in a statement on Tuesday. A plea agreement was filed on Tuesday. On different dates between Aug. 11, 2022, and March 4, 2024, Leslie shared sealed information to people who were not part of a grand jury, according to court filings. This information included the names of various witnesses appearing before the grand jury and the substance of their testimony and other evidence presented to the grand jury, all while said information was under seal and not subject to disclosure, court documents read. The charge of criminal contempt provides for a sentence of any term of years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The union representing Fall River firefighters directly called on the citys mayor to increase staffing levels the day after a deadly blaze at an assisted living facility killed nine and hospitalized nearly 30 on Sunday night. The mayor can decide tonight to staff this company, this city properly, Edward Kelly, the president of the International Association of Firefighters, said during a press conference Monday afternoon. Kelly said that out of the 10 companies with the Fall River Fire Department, only two are staffed at the national standard of four firefighters. The other eight are staffed with three firefighters, and Kelly said the inadequate staffing levels affected the response to the fire Sunday night. Last night, had they been staffed properly up to national standards, there would have been eight more firefighters affecting rescues here last night, Kelly said. Theres no doubt that would have made a difference in the amount of people that we lost to this terrible fire last night. He added, Lives would have been saved if the Fall River Fire Department was adequately staffed. A spokesperson for Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said he would release a statement in response on Tuesday. The Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River on July 14, the day after a fire killed 10 residents and injured 30. (Irene Rotondo/MassLive) There are nine companies in neighboring New Bedford, each staffed with four firefighters, according to Kelly. Off-duty firefighters came to the rescue Sunday night, some of whom did not have adequate equipment, such as breathing apparatus or personal protective equipment, he said Yet [they] put their lives at risk, kicked doors in, rescued people, but unfortunately, it just wasnt enough, Kelly said. Thats wrong. Fall River and the people who live here deserve better. A fire broke out at about 9:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence, which drew nearly 50 firefighters to the scene and left a vulnerable population calling for help from their windows. The Gabriel House opened in 1999 and has a total of 100 units, according to a state website. Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon described rescue efforts as super labor-intensive and man-power intensive due to the mobility issues for many of the residents. The first firefighters at the scene saw flames coming out of the front doors and multiple residents were hanging out of the window, screaming for help, Bacon said. Authorities identified seven of the nine victims of the fire on Monday afternoon. Residents of the facility also spoke with MassLive on Monday. One said, I just opened the window and I yelled, Help, help, help. The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by state and local authorities. The cause does not appear to be suspicious at this time, the Bristol District Attorneys Office said. UPDATE: Victims IDd from deadly fire at Fall River assisted living facility Thick, choking smoke trapped Lorraine Ferrera in her room at Fall Rivers Gabriel House on Sunday night, cutting off her only escape route in the assisted living facility. I opened my door and it was all black. It was all smoke in the hallway, and I was breathing it in ... It was hot and it burnt me, Ferrera recalled. The 71-year-old woman sat on a large rock in a field across from the Timao House on Monday morning. She was one of several survivors brought there after a major fire tore through the assisted living facility around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, killing nine people and injuring 30 out of the nearly 70 who lived there. Ferrera, who lived on the second floor at the Gabriel House since October, said she first realized there was something wrong around 9:45 p.m. As smoke poured in from the hallway, she feared for her life and retreated to the bathroom and that was full of smoke now, too, she said. I just opened the window and I yelled, Help, help, help. Lorraine Ferrara, 71, in tears outside the Timao Center on July 14, the day after a fire killed 10 people and injured 30 at The Gabriel House in Fall River. (Irene Rotondo/MassLive) Suddenly, a firefighter appeared before her at the window but Ferrera didnt think shed have the mobility to get down. I told him I couldnt get out. I was going to say, just leave me. But he broke the window and got me out, she said. The 72-year-old blacked out on the way down, she said, and when she opened her eyes, she was on the ground across the street. The Gabriel House was completely ablaze in front of her. It was just a nightmare. All the ambulances, fire trucks, people screaming. It was crazy, she remembered through tears. On the third floor, Judith Croteau, 82, was also in her bathroom when a firefighter broke through the window to save her. She walked down the ladder herself with a firefighter holding her waist, and she credited her life to him. I wish I knew who he was, she said. And in the basement, a firefighter was also able to save 58-year-old Kerry Lecke, whod only lived there for the past two months as she recovered from a recent surgery on her hip. Im lucky Im alive, Lecke said. [Once we were out] I turned around and looked across the street to the building and the entire second floor was ablaze. It was nothing but orange. It was bad, she recalled. Kerry Lecke, 58, cries outside the Timao Center on July 14, the day after a fire killed 10 people and injured 30 at The Gabriel House in Fall River. (Irene Rotondo/MassLive) But not everyone was as lucky. With nine people killed and 30 hospitalized with injuries some with burns and many others with smoke inhalation the women said it took a long time for the firefighters to rescue everyone from the building. We all were like one big family, Fererra said. Im gonna miss them dearly. I dont know what Im gonna do. The fire left smoke streaks on the front porch of the Gabriel House, with windows blown open from residents escapes. The smell of smoke still hung thickly in the air well into Monday afternoon. The residents are worried about what may come next, especially as they lost belongings like debit cards, cash, clothes and even their dentures. While Gov. Maura Healey, who visited the scene on Monday morning, said efforts are ongoing to make local housing accommodations for the displaced residents, many are fearful they have nowhere else to go. I just moved in there two and a half months ago I just got a roof over my head and it burnt," Lecke said, crying. I have no idea whats next. A woman lays flowers outside the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River on July 14, the day after a fire killed 10 residents and injured 30. (Irene Rotondo/MassLive) Ferrera is also uncertain of her future and said shes not quite sure where Im going. Outside the scorched remains of the Gabriel House, a bouquet of pink roses rested gently near the steps. Nearby, nine yellow flowers were stuck in the soil one for each life lost. A Boston man is facing charges after he stole two cars and got into several hit-and-run crashes across the city in January 2024, the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office announced Monday. Carmen Polito, 42, is charged with several counts of leaving the scene of a car crash involving property damage, two counts of receiving a stolen motor vehicle and one count of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, the district attorneys office said in a press release. On Jan. 20, 2024, Boston police responded to a 911 call reporting that a person was trying to open car doors on Commonwealth Avenue shortly after 10:30 p.m., the district attorneys office said. Witnesses told police they saw the suspect who was later identified as Polito trying to open car doors while holding a knife and trying to get into a car while it was stopped at a red light. Shortly after, a 911 call reported a hit-and-run crash at the intersection of Massachusetts and Commonwealth Avenues in Bostons Back Bay neighborhood, the district attorneys office said. The caller said he was parked on the street when a black Mercedes sideswiped his truck, causing minor damage. The caller reported that he then saw the Mercedes which was later determined to have been stolen and driven by Polito plow into a Nissan Rogue, causing it to crash into another car, the district attorneys office said. Witnesses told police they saw the Mercedes reverse and drive forward multiple times while crashing into the Nissan. A third 911 call then reported a hit-and-run crash in which they were sideswiped by a Nissan SUV near the intersection of Belvidere Street and Massachusetts Avenue, the district attorneys office said. A fourth 911 call reported seeing an SUV driving in loops and crashing into vehicles on Westland Avenue. Soon after, a Massachusetts State Police trooper spotted the stolen Nissan on Frontage Road, the district attorneys office said. He pursued the SUV into Quincy where he pulled it over. Polito was soon identified as the driver, the district attorneys office said. He was taken to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation and was admitted for extended treatment. This hectic and dangerous incident left drivers frightened, cars damaged and the safety of motorists and pedestrians along its extended route seriously threatened, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in the release. Given all the havoc that transpired in such a short span, its very fortunate that no one was injured. Polito has a 13-page criminal record and has been convicted on various assault charges including assault and battery on a police officer, the district attorneys office said. In January 2023, he was sentenced to two years in prison in connection with leading police on a foot chase near Northeastern University before being subdued with a beanbag round. A judge held Polito on $2,000 during his arraignment in Roxbury District Court on Thursday, the district attorneys office said. He is set to return to court on July 17. A Raynham man suspected of fleeing from several police agencies in the last several weeks faces charges in connection with a pursuit with Massachusetts State Police, ending in a crash on Tuesday, a State Police spokesperson said. Michael Howard, 25, faces charges of failure to stop for police, leaving the scene of property damage, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, reckless operation, and other offenses. He is scheduled to appear in Quincy District Court on Tuesday for his arraignment. At around 1:30 a.m., a trooper was conducting a property check at Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Drive when he saw several illegally parked cars facing Quincy Shore Drive, spokesperson Tim McGuirk said in a statement. The trooper looked up one particular license plate for a 2025 Kia K5 and saw that the cars registration was revoked and that the owner had a suspended licnese, the statement read. The trooper also saw that the driver "had fled several police agencies in the last several weeks," McGuirk said. Not long after, several people walked toward their cars, which prompted the trooper to ask them to leave the area in compliance with signs posted nearby prohibiting any overnight parking, the statement read. When the driver of the Kia, Howard, entered his car, the trooper followed him until Howard drove out of the troopers line of sight. Troopers then saw Howard drive by them at a high rate of speed, McGuirk continued. Troopers tried to conduct a traffic stop, but Howard continued driving and ran a red light at the intersection of Billings Road and Hancock Street. The Kia struck another car, which propelled the Kia into a business on the street. Howard left the car and went north on Hancock Street, leaving troopers to chase him on foot, McGuirk said. He was arrested and received first aid from Quincy EMS for a cut to his head. People take photos near a John Harvard statue, left, on the Harvard University campus, Jan. 2, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass. In a letter Monday, Feb. 19, to the school community, Harvard University condemned what it called a flagrantly antisemitic cartoon posted on social media over the weekend by a group that includes students and faculty. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) AP The Trump administration responded this week to Harvard Universitys request for a quick court ruling in its case against the U.S. government over billions in frozen or canceled funding. Harvard had previously argued that if it did not receive a court ruling in its favor by September, much of the damage from the Trump administrations billions in research grant and other funding cuts would be irreversible. In a court filing on Monday, the Trump administration doubled down on its argument that the termination of Harvards grants and other funding sources were due to the institution ignoring issues of antisemitism on campus. The administration used the most famous sentence of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to reinforce its claim. The procedures for termination under Title VI must begin when a person in the United States [has], on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be[en] excluded from participation in, be[en] denied the benefits of, or be[en] subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, the government wrote, citing the Civil Rights Act. The government further argued that the district court did not have jurisdiction over the case, as it has to do with contract law. It also disputed Harvards earlier claims that the funding cuts were retaliatory and instead based on a legitimate response to antisemitism on campus. The government argued that the cancellations of dozens of contracts were not arbitrary and capricious, and sought to clarify that it had not canceled a grant the Department of Defense had deemed vital to national security. In sum, the government wrote that Harvard should not receive a summary judgment and that the universitys request was overly broad. Harvard had originally argued in its filing that the canceled funds began a 120-day clock to submit reports and liquidate all financial obligations related to the federal funding. Once that close-out occurs, Harvard anticipates the Government will take the position that no restoration of funds is possible, Harvards motion reads. Read the Trump administrations filing below or click here. What funding has Trump taken from Harvard? The Trump administration has targeted Harvard since April, going after billions of dollars. Demanding an overhaul of Harvards leadership structure, admissions and hiring the federal government has warned the school risks losing $9 billion in funding. Harvard rejected those demands, stating they seek to invade university freedoms long recognized by the Supreme Court. Then the fight over funding came to fruition. It began with a $2.2 billion funding freeze on April 14 after the school refused to comply with the federal administrations demands. In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit on April 21, arguing that its constitutional rights had been violated by the governments threats to pull billions of dollars in funding. Harvard President Alan Garber also signed onto a letter with hundreds of other presidents pushing back against government overreach and political interference by the Trump administration. At the beginning of May, the Trump administration said it would bar Harvard University from acquiring new federal grants while the school continues to refuse to comply with the administrations demands for change on its campus. A few days later, eight federal agencies cut $450 million in grants and then the United States Department of Health and Human Services cut $60 million in grants from the university. Harvard went on to amend its lawsuit against the Trump administration. On May 16, a wave of nearly one thousand federal research grant terminations began, amounting to more than $2.4 billion, according to an analysis by Nature. In response, Harvard established a new Presidential Priorities Fund, asking for donations in the midst of federal cuts. Some of Harvards schools, including its School of Public Health, have even taken to social media to ask for donations after nearly every single federal grant had been terminated. Harvard will experience additional financial jeopardy through the Big Beautiful Bill, which became law on July 4. The endowment tax on Harvard, which had been 1.4%, could climb as high as 8%. Harvard recently said it faces about $1 billion a year in losses due to Trump administration actions, and extended a hiring freeze. Other ongoing accusations Last month, multiple U.S. House committees also began investigating Harvard, accusing the institution of collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party, according to a 14-page letter. The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party is requesting information about Harvards activities that create risks to U.S. national security and further the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs) genocide in Xinjiang. On April 17, the U.S. Department of Education sent Harvard a records request, demanding that the institution disclose foreign investments. Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the records request the first step to ensure Harvard is not being manipulated by, or doing the bidding of, foreign entities. Higher education institutions are required to disclose foreign source gifts and contracts with a value of $250,000 or more to the U.S. Department of Education through Section 117 reports. Harvard said it has been doing so for decades as part of ongoing compliance with the law. Around the same time, Trump threatened to end Harvards tax-exempt status, which he has continued to say he will do, aiming for the institution to instead be taxed as a political entity. Foreign students The Trump administration has also been trying to take away Harvards ability to enroll foreign students. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security revoked a key certification allowing Harvard to enroll international students in May. The revocation came after the federal government gave Harvard an ultimatum in April to submit detailed records about foreign students or lose the certification. In response, Harvard filed a complaint and a motion for a restraining order on May 23. A federal judge then granted the order. A week later, the same judge granted a preliminary injunction, allowing Harvard to continue enrolling international students. Then on June 24, the judge ruled that the Trump administration couldnt invoke national security powers to ban foreign students from Harvard. About 27% of Harvards undergraduate and graduate students are international, according to 2024 to 2025 data. While Harvard said it gave information required by law about foreign students illegal activity and records at the end of April, U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said it was unsatisfactory. Harvard would have another opportunity if it provided detailed records about international students within 72 hours, according to Noems letter. The university already offered foreign students to accept admission at Harvard and a foreign institution as a backup plan following the threat of revocation. MassLive reporter Juliet Schulman-Hall contributed to this article. An investigator takes measurements Monday, July 14, 2025, near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted living facility following a fire that started late Sunday in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) AP Editors note: The story was updated with additional information Thursday morning. As flames tore through a Fall River assisted living residence Sunday night, nearly 50 firefighters rushed to rescue the vulnerable population calling for help from their windows. The fire killed ten residents and injured 30 at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence. On Monday, multiple yellow flowers were stuck in the soil one for each life lost. Heres what we know about the deadly fire. 9 1 / 9 The Gabriel House assisted living facility fire in Fall River What is the Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence? The Oliver Street facility, which opened in 1999, housed nearly 70 residents. Plans ranged from $1,850-$2,400 depending on assistance needs, according to the website. It was owned by Dennis Etzkorn and there were a total of 100 units. Our all-inclusive services plans have been carefully figured for those seniors who cannot afford the high end of assisted living, the website reads. Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC) is also accepted for those who cannot afford the private rates. Staff was on site 24 hours a day and there was a security monitoring system. Our staff is awake and available 24 hours a day. If an emergency occurs, no matter the time, there will be someone ready to help. Gabriel House of Fall River can help residents monitor their insulin levels, clearly an important task for people with diabetes, the website states. What happened? The fire started around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. The first firefighters at the scene saw flames coming out of the front doors and multiple residents were hanging out of the window, screaming for help, Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said. Police officers also helped with rescuing residents from the building, he said. Typically, police dont perform that function, but they did a tremendous job last night and saved countless lives, Bacon said. Smoke was everywhere in this building from top to bottom and left to right, Bacon said, adding that residents stayed in their rooms because they could not self-evacuate. It made rescue efforts super labor-intensive and man-power intensive. The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by state and local authorities. The cause does not appear to be suspicious at this time, the Bristol District Attorneys Office said. The Gabriel House House assisted living facility in Fall River on July 15 after a fire killed 9 residents two days prior. Gustavo Atencio Flores/MassLive Residents trying to escape Thick, choking smoke trapped Lorraine Ferrera, 71, in her room at Fall Rivers Gabriel House on Sunday night, cutting off her only escape route in the assisted living facility. I opened my door and it was all black. It was all smoke in the hallway, and I was breathing it in ... It was hot and it burnt me, Ferrera recalled. She lived on the second floor at the Gabriel House and didnt realized there was something wrong until about 9:45 p.m. As smoke poured in from the hallway, she feared for her life and retreated to the bathroom and that was full of smoke now, too, she said. I just opened the window and I yelled, Help, help, help. By the time a firefighter arrived, she told him she couldnt get out. Just leave me, she recalled. But he didnt and the two escaped safety out of the building. On the third floor, Judith Croteau, 82, was in her bathroom when a firefighter broke through the window to save her. She walked down the ladder herself with a firefighter holding her waist, and she credited her life to him. I wish I knew who he was, she said. Victims identified Authorities identified some of the residents who died due to the large fire. The residents were: Rui Albernaz, 64 Ronald Codega, 61 Margaret Duddy, 69 Robert King, 78 Kim Mackin, 71 Richard Rochon, 78 Eleanor Willett, 86 Joseph Wilansky, 77 Brenda Cropper, 66 A 70-year-old woman will be identified after the next of kin are notified, according to the Bristol District Attorneys Office. A horror show Mice, cockroaches and beds without sheets were a part of life at the Gabriel House in Fall River, according to a current employee. The facility was severely understaffed and poorly maintained, said Debra Johnson, a certified nursing assistant (CNA). And in her four-year tenure, Johnson never took part in a fire drill or any emergency preparedness training. A former Gabriel House employee, Jenn Marley, told The Boston Globe she never participated in a fire drill or emergency evacuation procedures during her two years of employment either. She also said the facility was often understaffed, poorly maintained and that new hires often left due to the conditions. Johnson described it as a horror show. Johnson also said it was typical for two workers to be on duty during night shifts and sometimes, there was one at the facility. They would say, we just need a body, she recounted. There is no set amount of staff required at assisted living facilities in Massachusetts, according to the standards outlined in state law. Previous resident safety concerns In 2023, the Gabriel House and Etzkorn were the subjects of a state compliance report by the Executive Office of Elder Care. This report found a slew of transgressions by the facility, especially when it came to proper and updated documentation of resident care. Many residents records lacked necessary reassessments and reviews, and documentation for the Evidence Informed Falls Prevention program was missing for all reviewed years, which raised concerns about resident safety. Additionally, the report found that 26 incident reports for resident emergencies were filed beyond the required 24-hour reporting window, and three employees health records were missing. In 2012, Etzkorn faced criminal charges for a suspected kickback scheme related to his company, Gabriel Care. The case was dropped after the court ruled prosecutors had illegally obtained evidence, and key evidence, like caregiver testimony, was deemed inadmissible. In November 2015, Gabriel Care and Etzkorn reached a financial settlement with the Attorney Generals Office. The settlement included a payment of $950,000 by Etzkorn and his company and the charges were dropped as part of the agreement, Boston 25 reported based on documents they received. Johnson is calling for Etzkorn to face new charges in connection with the fire on Sunday. Im here for today for the residents, so I can be their voice ... a lot of people are afraid of retaliation, but this man needs to be held accountable, Johnson said. Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon. (Irene Rotondo/MassLive) Staffing at the fire house The union representing Fall River firefighters directly called on the citys mayor to increase staffing levels the day after the deadly blaze. The mayor can decide tonight to staff this company, this city properly, Edward Kelly, the president of the International Association of Firefighters, said during a press conference Monday afternoon. Kelly said that out of the 10 companies with the Fall River Fire Department, only two are staffed at the national standard of four firefighters. The other eight are staffed with three firefighters, and Kelly said the inadequate staffing levels affected the response to the fire Sunday night. Last night, had they been staffed properly up to national standards, there would have been eight more firefighters affecting rescues here last night, Kelly said. Theres no doubt that would have made a difference in the amount of people that we lost to this terrible fire last night. He added, Lives would have been saved if the Fall River Fire Department was adequately staffed. Off-duty firefighters came to the rescue Sunday night, some of whom did not have adequate equipment, such as breathing apparatus or personal protective equipment, he said Yet [they] put their lives at risk, kicked doors in, rescued people, but unfortunately, it just wasnt enough, Kelly said. Thats wrong. Fall River and the people who live here deserve better. On Wednesday, the city announced it intended to increase the number of fire engines fully staffed at the national standard of four firefighters per truck. The department typically staffs just two of its ten fire engines at that standard, but Mayor Paul Coogan said the agreement will increase the number to six. That means Fall River will bring on 15 to 20 firefighters in the next two years, Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said at the press conference. In the short term, while those firefighters are hired and trained, the new staffing level will be covered by overtime. With the new agreement, which Coogan said represented an increase of about $1.5 million to the citys budget, a minimum of 38 firefighters will work each shift, Bacon said. On Sunday night, that would have meant three more firefighters able to respond to the scene when the fire broke out, throwing ladders and rescuing trapped residents. We think this is a very positive step in the right direction, Coogan said. Aid arriving for people at the Timao Center who were brought from the Gabriel House in Fall River, after a fatal fire ripped through the assisted living facility on July 13. (Irene Rotondo/MassLive) Donations As many residents are in need of basic essentials, people in the community have set up donation centers. Thrifty Tots, which is located at 36 Main Road in Tiverton, Rhode Island, is taking household items, clothing and toiletries. AlphaCare Home Health Agency, which is located at 1707 Grand Army of the Republic Highway in Swansea is taking non-perishable food, blankets, clothing, toiletries, adult briefs, medical equipment, glucometers, walkers, canes, wheelchairs and diabetic supplies. And Firefighters Wives Association Inc., a non-profit organization that helps people who are displaced by fires and other emergencies, started a GoFundMe for monetary donations. As of Tuesday afternoon, it has raised $34,015 of its $40,000 goal. People can also mail gift cards or checks made payable to Firefighters Wives Association to 330 Highview Ave. in Somerset. They can also be dropped off to the Fall River City Hall or at Christophers Cafe located at 1816 So Main St. in Fall River. Irene Rotondo, Luis Fieldman and Charlie McKenna contributed to this reporting. A dental hygienist who called for Massachusetts to join an interstate compact intended to ease licensure requirements for dentists and hygienists garnered swift pushback Monday from other providers who argued the framework poses safety risks for patients. A dozen states have already joined the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which allows providers to practice in other participating jurisdictions without needing to deal with the administrative and financial burdens of maintaining multiple licenses. Amanda Berthiaume, a dental hygienist and assistant professor at Springfield Technical Community College, touted the compact featured in first-time legislation from Rep. Bud Williams and Sen. John Cronin (H 2563 / S 1494). Unlike similar bills, this compact was carefully developed by the Council of State Governments, in partnership with the Department of Defense, the American Dental Association and the American Dental Hygienists Association, Berthiaume told the Public Health Committee on Monday morning. It was intentionally designed to respect and incorporate existing accredited education and various accrediting bodies, but left broad on purpose, as we do not back a specific examiner group in pursuit of income, she continued. By contrast, the competing legislation being considered has been promoted by groups including the American Dental Examination Committee and certain board organizations, whose revenue models depend on requiring their proprietary examinations. Berthiaume told the News Service the competing compact bills from Rep. Ted Philips and Sen. Paul Mark (H 455 / S 257) would require that dentists and dental hygienists pass the ADEX licensure exam that was developed by the American Board of Dental Examiners. Those proposals are awaiting a hearing before the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. Pat Connolly-Atkins, a dental hygienist and past secretary to the Massachusetts Board of Dental Examiners, called the compact on Mondays hearing agenda dangerous for the safety of the citizens of Massachusetts. She stressed the importance of evaluating clinical skills -- specifically hand skills that are needed to perform complex surgical procedures -- through exams like ADEX. You cannot determine competency of these clinical skills by administering a didactic test alone, but that is exactly what the CSG compact proposes, Connolly-Atkins said. Massachusetts, along with 46 other states, does require a hand skills assessment for licensure. The ADEX exam is one of the exams that is comprehensive with a strong hand skills component. Berthiaume disputed that claim, telling the News Service that every state that has joined the compact requires that licensed providers pass a hand skills exam in addition to written assessments. Berthiaume added the hand skills test is done on a mannequin, which she said is not even a very good gauge of skills and that there is a push to get rid of the hands-on exam. Dr. Mina Paul, dental director at NeighborHealth and former chair of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry, sounded the alarm about the proposed compacts governing body. The compact establishes an unaccountable multistate commission that makes binding rules over Massachusetts licensees, stripping away your authority as legislators and the boards authority as our regulator, Paul said. This is not theoretical. Similar concerns have led to lawsuits in Virginia, amongst other states. A judge in Richmond dismissed a lawsuit on Dec. 5 from Virginia dentists challenging the states participation in the compact. The dentists had argued the compact had inappropriately given state power to a non-state entity, according to the news site of the American Dental Association. Those dentists filed an appeal Dec. 30, according to the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which says the complaint is based on a mistaken belief about the purpose, function, and practical application of the Compact. Massachusetts Republican gubernatorial candidates Mike Kennealy (L) and Brian Shortsleeve (R). Photos by Don Treeger of the Republican and State House News Service. (Don Treeger/The Republican and State House News Service) Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey was on vacation in the south of France last week with her family, the Democratic governor confirmed Monday, touching off une petite guerre de parole with the two Republicans gunning for her job. Thats a war of words, in translation. Speaking to reporters after an unrelated event at the State House on Monday, Healey said shed made the trip to the Provence region with her partner, Joanna Lydgate, and family. My partner had spent time there as a young child on and off for many years, so it was a special family trip to take her dad and siblings back to see that part, Healey said, according to State House News Service. I missed the first week when they were in Paris, but I joined for the tail end and returned on Saturday. Gov. Maura Healey visits Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River on Monday, July 14, 2025, after devastating fire killed nine residents and hospitalized 30. Irene Rotondo Healey signed a $60.9 billion budget into law on July 4 -- just four days after lawmakers sent it to her desk. Her office then disclosed the following Monday that shed be out of state with her family for the week. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, following the constitutional order of succession, sat in for Healey while she was away, MassLive previously reported. Healeys office, citing security concerns, typically does not disclose her travel plans ahead of time; instead, that information is made available after she returns. Republican gubernatorial hopefuls Mike Kennealy and Brian Shortsleeve, who each are vying for the GOPs 2026 nomination, blasted out dueling statements taking Healey to task for being off the job during a consequential week. Healey was vacationing in France while Massachusetts families struggle to make ends meet due to skyrocketing energy costs and declining affordability, Kennealys spokesperson, Logan Trupiano, told MassLive. We need a governor who takes this job seriously and acts with urgency and that leader is Mike Kennealy, Trupiano said. Shortsleeve, who, like Kennealy, is a former Baker administration official, vowed to be more transparent about his travel if hes elected. Once again, we are left wondering whereMaura Healey is and how long she is out of state. Wheres the accountability? Dont the people of Massachusetts have the right to know how long she will be out of office? he said in a statement. That will change when I am elected to the Corner Office. I will publicly disclose when and where I am traveling, Shortsleeve continued. But my commitment to transparency doesnt end there. I will support ending the governors offices exemption from the public records law. It is time for sunshine at the State House. Paul Craney, a spokesperson for the business-friendly Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, was similarly critical. This isnt about whether the governor is allowed to take a vacation, its about transparency and accountability, Craney said, adding that this wasnt a weekend in Rhode Island, this was a week in [France] while our court system was falling apart and violent offenders were being released. The people of Massachusetts deserved to know where their governor was during a crisis, and she deliberately chose to keep them in the dark. Its a stunning failure of leadership, Craney said. Healey traveled to Fall River on Monday, where she visited the heavily damaged building of a senior living facility hours after a deadly fire killed nine residents and hospitalized 30 others If youre a Star Wars fan or a LEGO collector, youll want to head to LEGOs official website ASAP. LEGO just put a bunch of LEGO Star Wars on sale with savings up to 30% off, and some of the most popular builds are already on backorder. If you see something you like thats on backorder dont hesitate to purchase. When you place a backorder, you get the set at the sale price once its back in stock. TIE Fighter & X-Wing Mash-up $110 $77 Grab this LEGO Star Wars set for 30% off at LEGO. Buy Now at LEGO Right now, you can save big on some of the best-selling LEGO Star Wars sets like the Imperial Dropship vs. Rebel Scout Speeder, Ahsoka Tanos Duel on Peridea, and so much more. This sale includes exclusive sets you wont find at other retailers, and LEGO Insiders can earn double points on many of the discounted builds, making now the best time to buy. LEGO doesnt run sales like this often, especially not on in-demand Star Wars sets. So if theres a set youve been eyeing, nows the time to grab it. LEGO Star Wars sets on sale right now Check out the entire sale at LEGO Dont miss these LEGO Insider Days sales Sign up for MassLives Shopping Newsletter: A recap of the biggest deals and sales of online shopping from the week that was, curated by MassLives expert e-commerce writer, Jessica Day. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE State Rep. Kelly Pease sent out an announcement July 3 after voting in support of the $61.01 billion fiscal year 2026 state budget, House Bill 4240, which he said strengthens local education, health care and workforce development across Massachusetts. The FY26 budget is not yet final, though. Pease said Gov. Maura Healey had until July 10 to enact line item vetos. On July 7, Healey signed a $60.9 billion budget, $130 million less than the conference budget. Now, legislators will be called in later this week to look at the governors proposed cuts, and whether to let them stand or override them. In the green hills of Rumphi, northern Malawi, the hum of progress can be heard at the newly established Rumphi Technical College. With its modern buildings, new equipment, and a sense of optimism, the college has quickly become a symbol of opportunity. In just four years, enrollment has grown from a small group of students to a thriving community of 534 young men and women, supported by 45 staff members. These students are full of ambition, hoping that their technical skills will pave the way for a brighter future. But behind the progress lies a daily challenge that affects everyone on campus: the lack of safe and reliable water. Sometimes, were left with no choice but to send students to fetch water from unprotected sources including a salty borehole left by the contractor, the colleges principal Akuzike Nkhoma explained, a concerned expression crossing his face. Its neither safe nor sustainable. Students share similar worries. They speak of long walks in the early morning to distant water pointstime that could be spent in class. Just a few months ago, 100 students were taken to Rumphi District Hospital after a cholera scare on campus. The taps had run dry, and students had turned to unprotected sources, putting their health at serious risk. The water challenge at the college reflects a broader issue impacting the entire Rumphi community as revealed by a series of community engagements the Board has been conducting to prepare people for the upcoming project implementation. For many households, especially those in higher-altitude areas, access to water is unreliable, limited by the capacity of a small 200,000-liter tank that has long outgrown its ability to serve the towns needs. Francis Munthali, Chief Executive Officer for Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) acknowledges the strain Rumphis growth has placed on the aging water system, Back then, this tank was enough because there werent as many people as possible. But now, with more households, schools, and the town expanding, it simply cant meet the demand. For example, if we are to sustain supply to the college, it means we have to ration in town where there is the main hospital and several facilities needing water. Its becoming clear that were facing a real crisis, highlights Munthali. The water supply infrastructure, managed by the NRWB, has reached its limits. The Rumphi Water Supply Scheme was last upgraded in 2003, designed to meet the demands of 2010, estimated at 1.5 million litres per day. Today, however, demand has surged to over 10 million litres per day, a more than tenfold increase. Despite this, no major rehabilitation work has been done since 2004, and the aging system can only serve 23% of the towns population. Water is available to residents for just a few hours. Not surprisingly, frustration echoes across Rumphi customer forums. One resident Dora Mkandawire highlights the toll persistent water challenges are exerting on women. We are the most heavily impacted because our society is programmed that it is us women who go to fetch water. These persistent interruptions are stealing our valuable time and affecting our productivity, laments Mkandawire The water system is also concentrated in the town, leaving major trading centers reliant on unprotected traditional water sources, such as wells. Additionally, the district lacks a functioning sewer system. This limited access hampers not only households but also the broader economic potential of the area. In key trading centers along the national M1 road, such as Phwezi, Bwengu, and Enukweni, the situation is even bleaker. These communities rely on unprotected sources, whereas Bolero, home to Senior Chief Chikulamayembe, has a basic community-led gravity-fed water system that struggles to keep pace with local demand. Chief Chikulamayembe notes: Our people need more. Growth centres like ours should have reliable water sources to foster prosperity and health. To address these challenges and pave the way for sustainable development, the Northern Region Water Board with financing from the African Development Bank and Malawi Government is implementing the Rumphi Water and Sanitation Services Project. The goal? To turn frustration into relief and ensure no community is left thirsty. The project which is expected to increase access to sustainable and climate resilient potable water supply and safely managed sanitation services at Rumphi Town and surrounding areas will benefit over 158 000 people of which 51 percent are expected to be female. The project will span almost the width and breadth of Rumphi extending to some parts of Northern Mzimba. The project is also leaving no stone unturned and no-one behind as it prioritizes all key components including restoration of forest landscapes and ecosystem-based adaptation initiatives for sustainable water supply. Under this project, we are upgrading both water and sanitation facilities including planting and nurturing 700 000 trees as part of catchment management. For the first time, Rumphi town will have a proper sewer system to cater for residents apart from improved supply, explained Catherine Mwafulirwa, Director of Infrastructure Development at Northern Region Water Board. We are also extending the water supply from the town to new areas such as Bolero, Phwezi, Bwengu and Enukweni. Presently, consultants are on the ground to prepare detailed designs and tendering assistance for both water supply and sanitation works. We expect to recruit contractor for the works before year end. In this planting season, the NRWB has planted 264 000 trees according to Mwafulirwa which among other things led to the creation of hundreds of short-term jobs for the local communities in the raising of the nurseries for the tree seedlings as well as the planting exercise. Rumphi is growing, but without water and improved sanitation, development stalls, District Commissioner for Rumphi Emmanuel Bulukutu laments. This project is critical as it will not only support the thriving Technical College but also improve the quality of life for all residents, fostering a healthier, more prosperous community. We will therefore diligently work with the NRWB and all stakeholders to ensure that this project is successfully implemented within the stated period, adds Bulukutu. Once completed, the project will complete the water supply puzzle of the M1 road stretch between Mzuzu and Rumphi. It means all people lying along the 83 kilometre Mzuzu-Ekwendeni-Enukweni-Bwengu-Phwezi stretch will have access to safely managed drinking water. With reliable water infrastructure and sanitation improvements, Rumphi would be poised to unlock its potential as a vibrant hub of human capital and economic activity in northern Malawi. This change would give students the chance to focus solely on their studies, ensure that households no longer struggle for basic resources, and create an environment where both people and businesses can thrive. For the people of Rumphi, this project isnt merely about water; its about hope, dignity, and a future they can depend on, emphasized the District Commissioner The African Development Bank Group is providing a $32.2 million grant with the Malawi Government contributing $3.67 million for the project to be implemented over a period of 4 years from December 2023 to December 2027. July 2025 marks 22 years since the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa known as the Maputo Protocol by the African Union Heads of State Assembly. Over the past two decades, the Protocol has played a pivotal role in advancing the rights of women and girls across the continent. Yet, despite this progress, its full promise remains unfulfilled for millions due to shortfalls in ratification, domestication, and effective implementation by many African governments. Reservations to the Maputo Protocol instances when states choose not to be bound by specific provisions of the treaty continue to limit key rights such as access to safe abortion, protection from child marriage, fair legal treatment in divorce, and the right to inherit property. These reservations, often supported by cultural or religious justifications, have real-life and potentially devastating consequences, particularly for survivors of gender-based violence and marginalised women and girls who are especially in need of legal protection. Womens rights are increasingly under threat from rollback Reservations against the Protocol constrict the scope of legal protections at a time when hard-won womens rights are increasingly being undermined by rollbacks around the world. In Africa and elsewhere, anti-gender actors are a serious threat to womens rights (http://apo-opa.co/46EM3QU), gender and sexuality diversity, and democracy itself. This concerning trend is highlighted in Equality Nows 2025 report, Words & Deeds: Holding Governments Accountable in the Beijing+30 Review Process (http://apo-opa.co/40jdgVz), which identifies how legal protections for women and girls in some countries have been weakened or overturned through regressive legislative changes, judicial rulings, and funding cuts. State reservations against the Maputo Protocol hinder womens human rights The option to enter reservations on treaty documents is integral to the international human rights system. It serves as a tool for encouraging states to ratify treaty documents with the assurance that they can maintain and protect their sovereignty. However, this flexibility comes with significant drawbacks (http://apo-opa.co/4eRclSf) to human rights as a whole. The Maputo Protocol is a legally binding treaty that seeks to ensure that the rights of women are promoted, realised and protected (http://apo-opa.co/4llpy8c) in order to enable them to fully enjoy all their human rights. When states enter reservations, they effectively lower the minimum human rights standards established by the Protocol within their jurisdictions, undermining its overall impact. As a result, reservations have hindered, both legally and in practice, the treatys ability to comprehensively improve the lives of women and girls in the affected countries. For example, Ugandas reservations to Article 14(1)(a), which calls for adequate, affordable and accessible health services, and Article 14(2)(c), focusing on protecting womens reproductive rights, has significantly limited womens reproductive autonomy and has contribute to high rates of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions, particularly among survivors of rape and incest. In Kenya, the reservation to Article 14(2)(c) contradicts its own Constitution and contributes to at least 2,600 maternal deaths annually from unsafe abortions. Kenya has also opted out of commitments under Article 10(3), which calls on States Parties to take necessary measures to reduce military expenditure, resulting in lower investment for essential maternal healthcare and social development. Mauritiuss reservation on Article 14(2)(c) has prevented the provision of comprehensive reproductive healthcare. While allowing abortion under limited circumstances, imposing police reporting requirements and a 14-week limit leaves many women and girls without viable options. State reservations of the Maputo Protocol are failing families and women Countries reservations to Article 6, which relates to marriage, enable marriage inequality and child marriage. For example, Ethiopia and South Africas reservations permit unregistered marriages, exposing women to increased risk of child marriage and denying them legal protections in marital disputes. Namibias failure to recognise customary marriages means women in such unions lack legal safeguards in divorce or inheritance, a situation unaddressed even in its new Marriage Act of 2024. In Algeria, the states reservation allows for exceptions to the legal minimum age of marriage, enabling child marriage to persist under civil and customary law. Reservations on Article 7 governing separation, divorce and annulment of marriage restrict womens ability to seek divorce unless they meet specific conditions. Even in no-fault cases, women must pay a cash settlement to their husbands. Meanwhile, Algerias reservations against Article 14, which outlines reproductive rights, have also fostered conditions that perpetuate child marriage, obstruct womens access to divorce, and deny rape survivors access to safe abortion. Reservations to Article 7 in Ethiopia enable non-judicial separations, with couples informally separating without going to court. This undermines legal oversight and often results in unfair property settlements and loss of child custody for women. Ethiopias reservation to Article 21 on inheritance limits widows rights as the state requires them to be explicitly named in a will, leaving many economically vulnerable. In the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), reservations block widows rights to protection from degrading treatment and undermine their custodial and remarriage rights, reinforcing patriarchal control and exclusion. The SADR has issued multiple sweeping reservations, including on integrating gender perspectives in national policy, ensuring equality in family law, and protecting widows rights. These undermine not only legal reforms but the broader societal shifts required for gender equality. Restrictions on reproductive rights further compound the oppression of women in this territory. Calling on governments to withdraw reservations against the Maputo Protocol The adoption in March 2025 of Resolution 632 (LXXXII) 2025 on the Need to Raise Awareness for States to Withdraw Reservations on Some Provisions of the Maputo Protocol (http://apo-opa.co/4eS4zrg) by the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights is a welcome move as this resolution will help develop a framework to guide African Union Member States on lifting reservations in collaboration with stakeholders, including Equality Now. In the face of growing resistance to gender equality and mounting efforts to erode womens rights across Africa and globally, the Maputo Protocol stands as a robust legal framework to safeguard hard-won gains and push for further progress. However, the Protocols transformative potential can only be fulfilled if states withdraw the reservations that dilute its protections. These carve-outs deny millions of women and girls access to justice, safety, autonomy, and equality. It is imperative that all stakeholders stand together to resist the growing anti-gender backlash and hold the line in defence of equality and justice for all. Womens human rights are not negotiable. They are inalienable, indivisible, interdependent, and universal. At this pivotal moment, African governments must uphold all their legal and moral obligations under the Protocol and collaborate meaningfully with civil society to ensure that every woman and girl in Africa can live with dignity, free from violence, discrimination, and inequality. A MAN who had four teeth knocked out after he was hit with a pint glass outside a Mayo nightclub has been left with a dental bill of 11,000, a court has heard. Joao Hermino Sousa Correia (23) of Middletown, Manulla, Castlebar, Co Mayo, was handed a three-year suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to assault causing harm outside The Castle late night venue, Castlebar Street, Westport on December 17, 2023. Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court heard that the victim required surgery for his fractured jaw and stitches for deep cuts inside and outside his mouth after he was hit with the glass. In a victim impact report read out on his behalf, he said he is continuing to undergo dental implant treatment, struggles with eating and with the ongoing physical, financial and emotional consequences of this act of violence. Counsel for Correia said the accused was offering the sum of 3,000 as a token of his remorse, acknowledging that it went nowhere near the costs suffered by the injured party. READ MORE: Plenty of Mayo establishments selected as finalists at national Bar of the Year awards In a ruling last Friday, Judge Eoin Garavan sentenced Correia to three years fully suspended for eight years, on condition that the accused return to Brazil within two weeks and not return to Ireland. He also ordered that Correia pay the sum of 8,000, the balance of the victims 11,000 dental bill, within the next three years. Judge Garavan told the victim he was sorry that he had got such appalling injuries and said it was in a case of extreme violence with terrible consequences. John Berry SC, defending Correia, said his client had expressed huge shame and remorse and when shown CCTV footage of the incident, said: Im not that kind of aggressive person and Im so sorry and disappointed with myself. Correia, who is married with a child in Brazil, has no previous convictions and has not come to garda attention since. He has completed three years of a degree in agriculture in Brazil before coming to Ireland on a tourist visa, and has worked part-time in Ireland as a general handyman and farm labourer. Second incident A PROSECUTING garda told Pat Reynolds, BL for the State, that it was the second of two separate glassing incidents which took place within minutes of each other inside and outside the same nightclub. The court heard gardai were called to the scene and met with security staff and two men injured in separate incidents. Leonardo Rodrigo Jesus Rosa (35) of Orlagh Grove, Castlebar, Co Mayo also pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after he admitted throwing a pint glass into a crowded group on the dancefloor of The Castle at around 2am. Gardai arrived to find the victim with a 3cm deep laceration over his right eye and a smaller cut under his eye. He required four stitches over his eye and has been left with a small scar, however he declined to make a victim impact report, the court heard. Laura Byrne BL, defending Rosa, said he fully cooperated with gardai, has no previous convictions and has not come to adverse attention since this offence. She said that when Rosa identified himself throwing the glass on CCTV, he apologised and said: What can I say after seeing something like that. I ask for forgiveness from his family and my family. The court heard Rosa and some others had been out with others for a staff party and had acted on impulse to defend some of his companions in a pushing and shoving incident. Huge shame A probation report placed Rosa at low risk of reoffending and noted that he presented with genuine empathy for the victim and felt huge shame. Rosa offered 1,000 as a token of his remorse. The court heard he has a good work history and had been living and working as a painter in Ireland for three years prior to the offence. Rosa is married with a daughter and is the principal breadwinner for his family, counsel said. Judge Garavan said the offence had been done in anger and fuelled by alcohol, but acknowledged that it was out-of-character for Rosa. He set a headline sentence of three years but reduced this to 18 months on mitigation, and ordered Rosa to complete 200 hours of community service in lieu of sentence. There is good news for Ballyhaunis town as Mayo County Council will collaborate with local community groups and stakeholders to carry out a walkability audit of the town on Monday July 21. At the Aprils Municipal District meeting in Claremorris, Cllr. Alma Gallagher (Fine Gael) repeated the urgent need for improved accessibility in Ballyhaunis, particularly highlighting the deteriorating footpaths on Clare Street. Such issues have made it increasingly challenging for staff and service users of Western Care and our older population to navigate to essential shops and services without having to venture onto the N60, posing a significant safety risk. READ MORE: Newport robbed of its potential with delay in sewage treatment plant Cllr. Gallaghers has representation on Mayos Age Friendly Alliance and her statement comes in the wake of the Irish Wheelchair Association's advocacy campaign, "Access is No Joke," which aims to raise awareness about the everyday challenges faced by individuals with mobility difficulties. Cllr. Alma Gallaghers passionate advocacy for improved accessibility in Ballyhaunis reflects a growing recognition of the need for systemic change. She has a personal interest in disability issues as her own father was diagnosed with a neurological condition at the age of 23 years and was a wheelchair user. We have had too many accidents at these crossings and the time has come that serious action needs to be taken. Gallagher voiced her frustration at Mondays meeting, saying, I am tired of hearing that this is solely the responsibility of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). Her appeals for collaboration aim to ensure that all strategic partners, including local councils and transport authorities, come together to effect change. It's time to stop passing the buck and take action that prioritizes our older population and individuals with disabilities, she asserted. Cllr. Gallagher thanked all members of Mayo Age Friendly Alliance as well as Tom Gilligan, Director of Services for Mayo County Council and The Active Travel Unit of Mayo County Council. The walkability audit will be open to people of all abilities and disabilities. "We will be meeting at Clare Court Communal Building at 10am on Monday, July 21, morning next where we will break out into groups under the guidance of Mayo County Council to carry out an audit of the town," Gallagher says. READ NEXT: Man convicted in Mayo defilement case The final countdown is on for entries to Irelands Greenest Places 2025 with only days remaining for people to submit their nominations. To enter all you have to do is write a short submission outlining the contribution the special place or project youre nominating makes to a genuinely greener environment. But youll have to act fast to be in with a chance to claim the title for the place you select, as the closing date of July 19 is fast approaching. The initiative which has been launched by The Irish Times, in association with Electric Ireland, will see each nominated place judged on specific criteria including its beneficial environmental impact, level of ongoing collective engagement by the community and evidence of behavioural change by people. READ MORE: Anger at 'libelous' online comments on West Mayo land sale To date, Mayo has had seven nominations which is the joint fourth highest in the country alongside Wicklow. The Mayo entries have come from a variety of locations including Achill, Louisburgh, Kiltimagh, Inishturk, Castlebar and Ballina. The Chair of the Judging Panel, Irish Times Features Editor Mary Minihan said they are looking for places which offer a vision of a more sustainable future. We chose a place because its a deliberately broad term. People can nominate a suburb, village, town or community such as a peninsula, island or other distinct area anywhere on the island. The key will be how it measures up against the criteria outlined above as well of course as care for nature and the local environment. Over the next couple of months our judges will draw up longlists and shortlists based on the submissions, visit the front-runners, choose winners in each category and eventually choose an overall winner. We are delighted to have seven entries already from Mayo and we are looking forward to getting some more to help us identify Irelands Greenest Places 2025. But people are asked to submit your short nomination, up to 300 words, as soon as possible, as the closing date is July 19. READ MORE: Mayo TD says a pint in a pub is a healthier pint" as urgent action is needed Former Green Party leader and Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan, who is one of the judges, said one of the key objectives of the competition is to showcase the contributions people and communities are making to a greener Ireland. "We know that Irish people care about climate change and that they are concerned about its effects on their lives. We also know that place-based solutions deliver climate actions that really work because they are developed and underpinned by community ownership. With this initiative we want to celebrate whats happening in so many locations around the country, share those learnings as widely as possible and encourage more people to get involved in making their community a better place to live now and into the future." Joining Mary Minihan and Eamon Ryan on the judging panel will be Lisa Browne from Electric Ireland, Irish Times Environment Editor Kevin OSullivan and Senior Features Writer Rosita Boland. If you know a place in Ireland that deserves recognition for its contribution to a greener future, visit https://tinyurl.com/GreenestPlaces to submit your nomination. Two British adventurers aiming to canoe around the coast of Ireland in the name of charity have been spotted off the Mayo coast. On Tuesday, July 1, Rich Ensoll and Johan Hoving set off from Crosshaven Marina in Cork. Their ambition is to circumnavigate the entirety of Ireland and make it back to their starting point. READ MORE: Mayo U16 manager on balancing new fatherhood and All-Ireland dreams The ambitious endeavour is being undertaken for a good cause, with the duo raising funds for Oxfam along the way. Ensoll and Hoving are well on their way, having gone along the Cork, Kerry, Clare, and Galway coasts thus far. Now, they are approaching County Mayo. At the time of writing, their tracking system shows them approaching Inishturk, having departed Clifden earlier in the day. Their boat, called 'Ronan', was crafted in Ireland and will serve them well on their journey. Canoeing Round Ireland is a hopeful exercise on slowing down, embracing the unknown, and reconnecting with nature to raise funds for impactful causes, said Rich Ensoll, Senior Lecturer in Outdoor Studies at the University of Cumbria. We will do our very best to weather choppy seas to do our part in making the world a better place. Those interested in tracking the pair's journey, including as they pass Mayo, here. Donations to Oxfam can be made by clicking here. THE newly expanded Western Alzheimers Marian House in Ballindine, will be officially opened on Friday next, July 18, at 3pm. It is being renamed as the Joe and Helen OToole Respite Home, Ballindine, and this 4.7 million development marks a major milestone in dementia care in the west of Ireland. This major expansion has been made possible through the generous support of the Joe and Helen OToole Charitable Trust and community partners. Mary Lardner, representing the Tuam based Trust, along with Patrick Kielty, presenter of RTEs The Late Late Show, will preside at the opening ceremony. READ MORE: RTE Radio's Oliver Callan Show to air live from famous Mayo landmark The home was opened in Ballindine back in the mid-1990s after being initially set-up by John Grant, who served as CEO for several years, at Convent Road, Claremorris. The Ballindine venture was the first purpose-built respite home in the country and gained a lot of attention countrywide. It won four national awards in the early years and was the template for other ventures around the country. Support from the OToole Family Trust in Tuam has been central to the latest expansion and all associated with the Respite Home are deeply appreciative of the tremendous support in bringing this latest development to fruition in Ballindine. by Ray Schultz , July 14, 2025 The Buffalo (New York) Newspaper Guild and Buffalo History Museum postponed a Happy Hour event last week after threats prompted concerns about public safety. Death threats were made against Adam Zyglis, a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, according to the Buffalo Newspaper Guild. This followed criticism of an editorial cartoon about Texas flooding published in The Buffalo News last Tuesday. Zyglis also received other threats against himself and his family. We wholly condemn the individuals who have chosen to twist a positive, public event into an attempt to terrorize and silence Zyglis, spread fear among journalists and their supporters, and distort the mission of a free press, the Guild says. Titled Drawing Support for Local Journalism, the free nonpartisan event was focused on the need to safeguard a strong local free press. The threats were forwarded to law enforcement. Those who stoop to such cowardly, disgraceful and anonymous acts must be held accountable, the Guild says. by Ray Schultz , July 15, 2025 Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Jiji Press today have debuted a platform called Fastlook that will deliver AFPs global news coverage to corporate and institutional clients in Japanese. AFP is proud to launch the Fastlook project with Jiji Press on the 75th anniversary of our partnership in Japan, says Fabrice Fries, chairman and CEO of AFP. In these fast-changing times, business and institutional leaders more than ever need access to fast and reliable information to make crucial decisions. Jiji Press will provide sales and support for the platform, and is offering a free one-month trial. Business professionals, institutional leaders and academics can access AFPs range of real-time global news coverage for consultation purposes in Japanese. This generative AI-powered news translation service truly embodies Jiji Press' corporate credo of Bringing world affairs to Japan and sharing Japanese voices with the world, says Katsuhiko Sakai, president and CEO of Jiji Press. advertisement advertisement The Fastlook platform will give business professionals, institutional leaders and academics access to AFPs full range of real-time news coverage from across the globe for consultation purposes in Japanese. Compounds like curcumin (turmeric), and emodin (rhubarb), offer an eco-friendly method to combat resistance. Trusted Source Chemicals from turmeric and rhubarb could help fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria lurking in wastewater Go to source Trusted Source Big news in the fight against superbugs! #Curcumin (from #turmeric) and emodin (from #rhubarb) are promising in inhibiting #GramPositive #multidrugresistantbacteria. Nature's helping hand in battling antibiotic resistance! #antibioticresistance #naturalcompounds #publichealth How Low Antibiotic Doses Drive Dangerous Bacterial Resistance Advertisement Scientists Test Natural Compounds Against Bacterial Colonies Chemicals from turmeric and rhubarb could help fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria lurking in wastewater - (https://www.frontiersin.org/news/2025/07/10/chemicals-turmeric-rhubarb-could-help-fight-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-frontiers-microbiology) The antibiotics we consume do not fully breakdown. A portion is excreted out into the wastewater. This low concentration creates the ideal environment for developing drug-resistant bacteria . Studies on wastewater treatment plant tackled some strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are not direct threat to human. However, they may carry and transmit drug-resistant genes to more pathogenic bacteria like E. coli ().The scientists then challenged the bacteria with. The most effective wereWithout improved treatment, wastewater could serve as a breeding ground for superbugs that may enter water resources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, posing potential risks to public health, said Dr. Liyuan Joanna Hou of Utah State University, senior author of the article in. Our goal was to isolate and characterize multidrug-resistant bacteria, explore the molecular mechanisms of resistance through whole-genome sequencing, and assess the potential of natural compounds as alternative mitigation strategies.Antibiotic resistance develops when bacteria evolve to be less vulnerable to antibiotics. This is more likely to happen if bacteria are exposed to a dose of vaccine which is too low to kill them all; the survivors develop resistance. Someone infected with these resistant bacteria may then find that their treatment does not work, potentially making routine surgery or illness much more dangerous.Some bacteria are resistant to several antibiotics; these infections are often treated with last resort drugs like colistin. However, when Hou and her colleagues tested samples of effluent from a wastewater treatment plant in Logan, Utah, they found some colonies of bacteria that were resistant even to colistin. This underlines the urgency of finding ways of preventing and treating bacterial infection which minimize the use of antibiotics.The scientists screened their samples using one antibiotic, sulfamethoxazole, to identify nine different antibiotic-resistant strains. These strains of bacteria were then tested against multiple classes of antibiotic to see how many they resisted.Their genomes were also sequenced, which allowed the scientists to identify not just the bacteria themselves but genes which contribute to their antibiotic resistance. One strain, U2, which had the highest number and variety of antibiotic resistance genes, was resistant to all the antibiotics tested.The strains represented species of, which are rarely dangerous to most people but that does not mean their presence is nothing to be worried about.While not traditionally classified as top-priority clinical pathogens, some are opportunistic pathogens associated with infections such as pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals, explained Hou. These bacteria could also act as environmental reservoirs, transferring resistance genes to other bacteria, including clinically relevant pathogens.The scientists challenged colonies of these bacteria with different concentrations of 11 natural compounds: berberine, chlorflavonin, chrysin, curcumin, emodin, hesperidin, naringin, quercetin, resveratrol, rutin, and 2-hydroxyflavone. They then looked at different measurements of the colonies health cell growth, biofilm formation, and how active the bacteria were.We selected a panel of compounds primarily derived from plants, such as curcumin from turmeric , quercetin from onions and apples, and emodin from rhubarb, said Hou. These compounds were chosen based on their reported antimicrobial or anti-biofilm properties in previous studies and their natural abundance, making them promising candidates for exploring new, environmentally friendly approaches to mitigate resistance.They found that although a low dose of emodin increased activity for several strains. However, Gram-negative bacteria likewere resistant to all the compounds.While natural compounds like curcumin and emodin show promise in inhibiting Gram-positive multidrug-resistant bacteria, further research is needed, said Hou.Future work should include testing these compounds in complex wastewater matrices, exploring synergistic effects with existing treatment processes, and assessing long-term impacts on microbial communities and resistance dynamics.Additionally, scaling up from laboratory studies to pilot-scale trials will be critical for evaluating feasibility and environmental safety.Source-Eurekalert After a long and successful career in choreography, Farah Khan had a dream directorial debut with Main Hoon Na and then delivered another superhit with Om Shanti Om. But she suffered her first failure with Tees Maar Khan in 2010. Tees Maar Khan might have become a brainrot cult now, but did you know that many Bollywood people celebrated the failure of the movie? UTV Motion Pictures In a recent interaction with Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani, Farah Khan shared some lesser-known stories about her professional setbacks and the true and toxic nature of the Hindi film industry. Farah said, In our industry, more than being happy for your success, people are happier for others' failure. I remember when Tees Maar Khan was released, there was literally a celebration in the film industry. People I had worked with were saying things like, Ab aayi na line pe (Now shes been put in her place). But Farah Khan is aware of the cult following Tees Maar Khan has slowly developed over the years among Gen Z. Farah added, Tees Maar Khan is a legend with Gen Z. They don't care for my other films. They think that (Tees Maar Khan) is the one. About the cult of Tees Maar Khan Starring Hollywoods sensational director Manoj Day Ramalana and Aatish Kapoor, Tees Maar Khan features Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, and Akshaye Khanna in the lead roles, where we see the Indian movie Bharat Ka Khazana winning an Oscar. While the movie earned more than Rs 100 crore worldwide, Tees Maar Khan was a massive critical failure because of its poor-quality storytelling and uninspired script. After starring in some of the most-loved action-packed films in Indian cinema like the Commando franchise, world-renowned martial artist Vidyut Jammwal is now heading to Hollywood with the upcoming live-action video game movie titled Street Fighter. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, Street Fighter will feature Vidyut Jammwal as the fan-favourite character of Dhalsim, a yogi with fire-spitting abilities a fundamentally peaceful man who fights to support his family, according to Deadline. The deadly character was first introduced in the Street Fighter II video game in 1991. Airmen who defuse and dispose of bombs in combat will now have a gender-neutral fitness test starting next month, marking the second career field in the service to have a job-specific physical standard. Explosive ordnance disposal, or EOD, airmen and qualified officers will no longer take part in the standard Air Force fitness test and will be required to do a 1,000-meter row, 20-pound medicine ball toss and a trap bar lift instead of the service's standard 1.5-mile run, pushups and situps. "Explosive ordnance disposal has been added as the next combat arms career field to require special sex- and age-neutral fitness standards," the Air Force said in a news release. "These requirements acknowledge that sustained endurance is necessary to tackle long hours in physically and mentally taxing conditions." Read Next: Trump's Controversial Pick for Pentagon Personnel Chief Confirmed by Senate The changes come after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered in a March memo that all combat arms positions "must be sex-neutral, based solely on the operational demands of the occupation." It also comes after Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told reporters earlier this month that the Department of Defense is currently reviewing the possibility of a joint fitness test for all services and "evaluating standards across the board." The new fitness standards for explosive ordnance disposal airmen had been in the works well before Hegseth's tenure -- stretching back to 2015. Airmen were already taking an unofficial version of the test over the past year. The only other career field to have job-specific physical standards is the Air Force's special warfare community, which also began developing those a decade ago. Notably, the number of female EODs in the service is small. A 2024 news release from the Air Force stated at that time that women made up "less than 2% of the career field's population." Rose Riley, an Air Force spokesperson, said in a statement to Military.com on Tuesday that presently "roughly 3% of the EOD career field is comprised of women." The new 1,000-meter row is for measuring cardiovascular activity and is meant to simulate "bombing range explosive hazard removal," the service said. The 20-pound medicine ball toss is meant to prepare airmen for tasks such as robot use, ladder climbs and evacuation of casualties. The trap bar lift is five repetitions of weight ranging from 150 to 360 pounds to simulate "bomb suit operations," the service detailed. The final event -- the Gruseter -- is a drop, roll, lift and run drill with a 30-pound vest and a 50-pound sandbag. It involves a 15-meter run for five rounds to prepare EODs for situations in which "personnel may need to quickly and efficiently move heavy equipment in high-stress situations," the service said in the news release. "Maintaining our strategic advantage is about building a ready force capable of engaging against any threat to the United States across the spectrum of operations from competition through crisis and, if deterrence fails, to prevail in conflict," Brig. Gen. Brian Hartless, the Air Force director of civil engineers, said in the news release. "Our EOD airmen are crucial to preserving our nation's security." Scores are measured for initial EOD training, intermediate-level training and graduate level, the Air Force said. The test is slated to go into effect Aug. 1 when the assessment will be part of airmen's official service record. Related: Hegseth Has Ordered a Combat Standards Review. It's Unclear How It Might Apply to All the Services. Army planners are moving toward a sweeping overhaul of the service's professional military education pipeline for noncommissioned officers, part of an aggressive push to slash costs. The overhaul is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks and primarily aimed at slashing the cost of sending soldiers to school -- particularly travel expenses like rental cars, meals and lodging, internal documents and correspondence between service planners reviewed by Military.com show. The changes could significantly reduce the length of midlevel NCO courses. The Advanced Leader Course, or ALC, and Senior Leader Course, or SLC, would be compressed from eight to 16 weeks down to just three weeks, regardless of occupational specialty. Meanwhile, the Basic Leader Course, or BLC, could be extended from three to six weeks. Read Next: Drill Sergeant Under Investigation After Having Soldiers Do Push-Ups Under MAGA Flag The effort reflects a broader scramble inside the Army to scrounge up funds wherever possible as the service ramps up investment in artificial intelligence, drone warfare and deeper collaborations with Silicon Valley. The service has also recently sought to save money by disbanding much of its ceremonial horse units, gutting Army Reserve aviation elements, and reshuffling Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs. In addition to the other education changes under consideration, the Master Leader Course, or MLC, which is designed for senior NCOs, would increase modestly from two to three weeks. The Sergeants Major Academy will remain a 10-month program, though some minor curriculum changes are on the table. The move to a longer BLC comes as the service was originally eyeing a more modest extension of just a few days to make room for land navigation. BLC has seen frequent tweaks over the past two decades with length and branding. Service planners have long struggled to find the right balance of whether the school's purpose is to effectively rubber stamp a new NCO for roles of authority and rely on units to do much of the training or whether the school itself should be on the hook for a new leader's development. Meanwhile, the proposed changes could have outsized implications for the Army Reserve and National Guard, where troops often struggle to attend schooling due to the demands of civilian careers or college commitments. For active-duty troops, shorter midlevel NCO courses could ease the burden of units losing leadership for extended periods. Some of those schools have also historically struggled with enough space for students. The overhaul comes as Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer has retooled the promotion system for enlisted leaders, easing formal requirements while streamlining development pipelines. Under his tenure, the Army eliminated all required training to make sergeant, making BLC instead a prerequisite to pin on staff sergeant. However, those who complete BLC early in their careers are given a significant advantage for promotion. The Army last year also scrapped online training courses for NCOs, which were widely seen as burdensome across the ranks. At the center of Weimer's agenda is a push to restore what he describes as core Army standards, an effort he's framed as the defining mission of his four-year tenure, now at its midpoint. Noncommissioned officers, he has repeatedly said, are key to enforcing that vision. Yet Weimer has offered few specifics on what standards exactly have eroded in recent years or how a renewed focus on discipline will be measured. "You're going to see us focus on standards and discipline," he told Military.com in a 2023 interview. "There should be no ambiguity on what the standard is." Related: Army's Top Enlisted Leader Removed Diversity Consideration for Top Enlisted Roles The Coast Guard would be required to improve its oversight and response to sexual assault and harassment allegations under legislation currently under congressional consideration. The House and Senate versions of the Coast Guard Authorization Act, which OKs funding through 2029 and sets service policy, contain dozens of provisions that codify the Coast Guard's rules and procedures on sexual misconduct, victim support and senior leader accountability regarding its handling of sexual assault and harassment. The provisions stem from at least 60 cases of sexual assault and harassment at the Coast Guard Academy from 1998 through 2006 and the cover-up of subsequent investigations, known as Operation Fouled Anchor. Read Next: Army Set to Overhaul Length of Noncommissioned Officer Academies to Cut Costs The service launched a review of its policies and the treatment of perpetrators and victims of sex crimes in 2023 after CNN exposed the breadth of the problem, showing that survivors often were ignored or kicked out of the service while their attackers were allowed to rise in the ranks. The Coast Guard's response to the media reports included a Homeland Security Office of Inspector General investigation -- the results of which have yet to be released -- and an Accountability and Transparency Review ordered by former Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan that made 33 recommendations for change. As of March 2024, just five of those recommendations had been implemented, according to the Government Accountability Office. Legislation proposed by both the House and Senate calls for another GAO review of the reforms to determine whether the service has made further progress. The bills also strengthen the service's "Safe to Report policy," first implemented last year, that orders commanders to disregard minor misconduct like underage drinking or fraternizing to encourage reporting of sexual assaults. The proposals also seek to ensure that the Coast Guard participates in the Defense Department's CATCH a Serial Offender Program, designed to identify personnel who regularly commit sex crimes but may otherwise go undetected as they transfer between duty stations. The legislative proposals also would improve options for victims, making it easier for a Coast Guard Academy cadet who was the victim of sexual assault to request a transfer to another service academy or Reserve Officers' Training Corps training program. The bills would require that senior leaders conduct a mandatory review of involuntary separation for anyone who filed a sexual assault or harassment report in the two years before the separation proceedings. And they would ensure that those who say they have developed post-traumatic stress disorder, were sexually assaulted or experienced a traumatic brain injury would have improved access to health care and services. The proposals also seek to bolster the service's ability to take punitive actions against perpetrators, saying senior leaders could conduct a review of discharge statuses and downgrade any belonging to those who were found to have committed sexual assault or harassment. And they aim to improve oversight of senior leaders by requiring that any allegations of misconduct against a flag officer or member of the senior executive service be reported to the Office of the Inspector General within 72 hours of a reported charge. Despite extensive knowledge among senior Coast Guard leaders of the sexual assaults at the academy and subsequent investigations, few high-ranking personnel have faced any repercussions, other than Fagan, who was named commandant in 2022 roughly a year before the story broke. She was fired on the first day of the Trump administration, in part because of her handling of the situation. Previous commandant, Adm. Karl Schultz, has never testified about the investigation and, in late 2024, told CNN that he withheld the findings from Congress out of concern for the privacy of the victims. While a few Coast Guard commanders and leaders have been fired in the past two years, no firings have been directly attributed to Operation Fouled Anchor. Retired Coast Guard Capt. Glenn Sulmasy, a former professor at the Coast Guard Academy, stepped down in 2023 from his civilian job as president of Nichols College after an investigation found he had sent sexually changed texts to an academy cadet when he taught at the school. "The Coast Guard continues to suffer from the fallout of Operation Fouled Anchor. A successful Coast Guard is one that is free from sexual assault and harassment. ... This bill provides oversight to ensure that [accountability and transparency review recommendations] actions are implemented," Rep. Rick Larsen of Washington, ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said Tuesday during a markup of the House bill. "The legislation holds the Coast Guard accountable for its past failures to protect its members from sexual assault and sexual harassment,"said Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., the committee's chairman. The proposed bill authorizes funding for the service through 2029, including $11.85 billion for fiscal 2026. The service also received $25 billion from the administration to cover the cost of additional ships and aircraft, as well as maintenance and construction of shore infrastructure, in the massive spending bill signed by President Donald Trump on July 4. Both legislative proposals also contain several quality-of-life provisions that would affect personnel, such as allowing members to take family leave after one year if a member cannot take it as a result of professional school, operations or other circumstances. They also would allow the service to hire civilian personnel for understaffed positions such as medical and health professionals, social workers, housing experts and child care workers to improve services for members. The House version of the bill would create the position of Coast Guard secretary, which the Trump administration has said is needed to facilitate advocacy for the service within the federal government and create a leadership structure similar to the other armed forces. The Senate's version does not include the position, but a separate bill has been introduced in that chamber that would create the position. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed a version of the bill Tuesday in a 60-0 vote; it now goes before the full House for approval. The Senate passed its version March 5. The two will have to be reconciled before a single piece of legislation becomes law. The Coast Guard last had an authorization bill signed into law in 2018. Related: House Probe Finds Former Coast Guard Commandant Decided to Withhold Sexual Assault Findings The Navy is approaching a new phase of work to shutter its underground Red Hill bulk fuel facility and remediate leak contamination. Later this year, Navy officials expect to begin removing 10 miles of fuel transmission pipes and reactivating one of two closed drinking water wells. A Navy task force finished draining about 104 million gallons of fuel from the World War II-era facility in March 2024 after a massive spill in November 2021, and more recently began cleaning the systems tanks long used to deliver fuel via gravity to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Navy officials on Monday told a special state House of Representatives committee that highly engineered cleaning has gone well so far, and that work should begin later this year to begin dismantling transmission pipes. The committee also was informed that the smaller of two closed Navy groundwater wells in the vicinity of Red Hill, which prior to the spill helped serve 93,000 military members and civilians on a Navy drinking water system, is expected to resume service later this year pending state Department of Health approval of a permanent water treatment system tested earlier this year. I want to let the community know we are not walking away, Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett, who commands Navy Region Hawaii and heads the Navy Closure Task ForceRed Hill, told members of the House Special Committee on Red Hill. Its been humbling to be here, and to work together to get where we are right now. But make no mistake, we still have a long ways to go. The Navy estimates that its Red Hill closure plan wont be completed until 2028. At Mondays briefing, Navy officials also projected that it will take a decade to determine and design an appropriate site remediation solution for implementation in 2035 followed by monitoring for years afterward. We remain committed to the long-term remediation of the environment, Barnett said. This is not measured in days or months. This is going to be measured in years and decades. The Red Hill tanks capable of holding 250 million gallons of fuel sit just 100 feet above a critical aquifer that most of Honolulu relies on for drinking water. For years, environmental advocates and Native Hawaiian activists warned the fuel posed a threat while Navy officials insisted it was safe and well maintained. There have been 70 documented incidents over eight decades amounting to potential spills totaling 180,000 gallons of fuel, including around 19, 000 gallons in the November 2021 spill that contaminated a Navy well and water system that sickened many users and led to litigation over long-term health affects. After initially resisting a DOH emergency order to drain the tanks, the Pentagon in March 2022 agreed to permanently close the facility. Closure work began with repairs to prevent spills during defueling. Most of the fuel was shipped to military installations across the Pacific region. Draining nearly all the fuel took about six months, and was finished in March 2024. An ongoing phase to clean the tanks has been a complex procedure that has included use of a ventilation system, air monitoring, sludge removal and power washing. Rear Adm. Marc Williams, deputy commander of the closure task force, told the House committee that so far the amount of sludge in tanks has been below estimates. Williams said 283 gallons of sludge have been removed from six of 20 tanks so far, and that the Navy previously had estimated there were 2, 000 gallons of sludge per tank, excluding two tanks that had not been used for decades and were previously cleaned. To remove sludge from tanks, workers shovel the muck into 5-gallon buckets that are then removed from the tank and emptied into 55-gallon drums. Its kind of a bucket brigade, Williams said. Removed sludge is tested for hazardous materials, and none so far has been hazardous, according to Williams, who said the drums get shipped to disposal facilities on the mainland certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. After sludge removal, tanks are being pressure-washed by workers suspended on booms attached to a central tower erected in each tank. Wash water is collected and is being disposed of at a DOH-approved disposal facility under DOH regulations after testing. Williams said two tanks have been cleaned to date, and that wash water has not contained hazardous materials. To clean pipes, the Navy is going to use foam swabs driven by pressurized nitrogen. Williams said this process, described by the Navy as pigging, is slated to begin later this month to remove an estimated 4, 000 gallons of residual fuel. Cutting up and removing the cleaned pipes after testing confirms no presence of gas is expected to begin later this year. The pipe is to be recycled on the mainland. Meanwhile, the Navy expects to seek DOH approval in August to resume use of its Halawa-Aiea water well after testing a permanent treatment system in April and May. A second much larger Navy water well deactivated after the 2021 spill isnt expected to have a required treatment system until 2027. This system for the Navys Red Hill well is expected to cost around $500 million, according to Williams. Since the spill, the Navy has been relying on a third Navy well, in Waiawa, to provide drinking water to customers. Separately, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply ceased using water from its own Halawa shaft below Red Hill and two nearby wells after the spill to avoid potentially fouling its system serving neighborhoods stretching from Moanalua to Hawaii Kai. BWS does not have a reactivation timetable for the Halawa shaft and earlier this month filed a federal lawsuit against the Navy seeking $1.2 billion to cover estimated costs of past, current and future impacts on the municipal water system from the Red Hill leak. Navy officials have declined to comment on pending litigation but say they are committed to long-term remediation of environmental damage from fuel leaks and from a November 2022 accident where about 1, 300 gallons of toxic fire suppressant leaked onto the ground at the Red Hill facility. The fire suppressant, Aqueous Film Forming Foam, contained per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances also known as PFAS, which are slow to degrade when released into the environment and can be harmful to human health. As part of its effort so far, the Navy has established about 50 groundwater monitoring wells. Commander Benjamin Dunn told the committee that more than 16, 000 water samples have been collected and tested over the past few years with results posted publicly. Longer term, Dunn said the Navy will conduct comprehensive tests of its Red Hill site, which just began this month, that helps produce a remediation plan coordinated by regulators that could include cleaning up soil and other remedies to protect Oahus aquifer. To assess risks, develop a remedy and then implement it is expected to take a decade followed by continued monitoring. We dont want to go too fast and not do it right, Dunn said. We have no intention of sacrificing thoroughness for the sake of expediency in this effort. Dunn continued, The Navy is committed to addressing contamination at Red Hill and is committed to the preservation of our communitys natural resourcesOahus aquiferfor now and tomorrow. House committee members asked a lot of detailed questions and pressed Navy representatives on their expressed long-term commitment to remediation. One thing that wont be up to the Navy is possible future reuse of Red Hill tanks. Williams said that decision will be made by the Department of Defense after considering public input, already floated ideas and further study. Some of those ideas include using the tanks as part of a hydroelectric power plant, as storage, for a brewery and as a scuba facility. 2025 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Visit www.staradvertiser.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Karlsruhe, Germany Germany's top court on Tuesday rejected a constitutional complaint over the government's legal responsibility for US drone attacks carried out in Yemen with the assistance of facilities at a US air base in Ramstein. The Constitutional Court, based in the south-western city of Karlsruhe, denied the suit brought by two Yemeni nationals whose relatives were killed in a US drone attack in Yemen in 2012. The complainants took the German government to court, arguing it was partially responsible for what they said were breaches of international law by the United States, as the drone strikes were facilitated by a satellite relay station at the Ramstein air base in western Germany. In its decision, the court found that while Germany does have a general mandate to protect people abroad from breaches of their fundamental human rights and international law, a duty to protect only arises in certain cases. In the case of the US drone attacks, the court said "it could not be established that the US applied unjustifiable criteria to distinguish legitimate military targets from protected civilians in the non-international armed conflict in Yemen." The victims of the 2012 attack were, according to the Yemeni complainants, a police officer and a cleric who had preached against the terrorist group al-Qaeda. They were reportedly killed during a meeting with three suspected al-Qaeda members. The decision ends a decade-long legal battle in Germany, with the case having been filed in a first-instance court in 2014. Satellite relay station in place since 2010 The case involved a satellite relay station, which US authorities informed the German Defence Ministry in 2010 they were building on the Ramstein site to assist with controlling unmanned drones. The Defence Ministry said in December that it was an "ongoing and trusting dialogue" with Washington regarding the use of the air base. "The German government has repeatedly obtained assurances that unmanned aircraft missions will not be launched, controlled or commanded from Germany in any way and that the US armed forces will comply with applicable law in their activities," it said. The argument was rejected by lawyer Andreas Schuller from the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), which supported the case. "All the data travelling to and from the drones passes through Ramstein," he argued. "Ramstein is needed to be able to control them in real time from the US." The complainants continue to live in Yemen, where drones and attacks were still taking place, Schuller said, describing the situation as "a permanent psychological threat, a threat to their lives." 2025 dpa GmbH. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A retired Army officer and conservative commentator who could not be approved for a Pentagon job during the first Trump administration because of past Islamaphobic and conspiratorial statements has been confirmed by the Senate to be the Pentagon's personnel chief in the second Trump administration. In a 52-46 party-line vote Tuesday afternoon, the Senate confirmed Anthony Tata to become the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, the top official overseeing the health and well-being of the more than 3 million uniformed and civilian personnel working for the Defense Department. Tata is a retired Army brigadier general whose post-military career includes serving as a school district administrator in Washington, D.C., and North Carolina and as North Carolina's secretary of transportation, a job he abruptly resigned from. Read Next: Here Are the 596 Books Being Banned by Defense Department Schools More recently, he has been a steady presence on Fox News as a political and military commentator. Toward the end of the first Trump administration, in 2020, Tata was nominated to be under secretary of defense for policy, essentially the No. 3 position in the Pentagon. But his nomination was withdrawn after Republicans who led the Senate Armed Services Committee canceled his confirmation hearing amid mounting controversy over incendiary statements, including calling former President Barack Obama a "terrorist leader." At his confirmation hearing in May to become Pentagon personnel chief, Tata expressed regret for the comments that doomed his previous nomination and said they were "out of character." But he also defended more recent comments that Democrats grilled him about. Those more recent statements include social media posts in which he said that all four-star officers appointed by former President Joe Biden should be fired and that the Posse Comitatus Act, the law that prohibits the military from conducting domestic law enforcement in most cases, should be "suspended." Democrats argued that those statements, coupled with his past comments, are disqualifying. "I respect and I appreciate his military service, but his record of public statements and behavior toward individuals with whom he disagrees politically is disqualifying for a position of this significance," Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on the Senate floor Tuesday. "I am concerned Mr. Tata has a misguided and discriminatory view of the military and civilian workforces he would oversee." At the hearing, Tata claimed that his reference to Posse Comitatus was meant to be a call for better border security and that he did "not know" whether the law should be suspended. Tata also maintained that his call to fire officers was about reinforcing the need to follow lawful orders regardless of politics and that he would not support a "blatant purge" of military officers. While Republicans recoiled at Tata's comments the first time he was nominated, they dismissed his comments this time around. "The thing I've learned about Tony is that he takes responsibility for his words and actions," Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said in May while introducing Tata at his confirmation hearing. "He learns from his past mistakes, which is a testament of a good leader." Related: Nominee for Pentagon Personnel Chief Grilled Over Comments Calling for Purge of Generals KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainians welcomed President Donald Trumps pledge of more U.S.-made weapons in their fight against Russias invasion, even though it is unclear what exactly they will get and how quickly. The time frame for further arms deliveries that European countries have agreed to pay for is crucial. Russia is making a summer push to break through along the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, and its drones and missiles are hammering Ukrainian cities more than at any time in the past three years. Ukrainian officials have made no direct comment about Trump's decision to allow Russia 50 days to reach a deal to end the war, or face what he said would be very severe economic sanctions. While some believe strict tariffs on Moscow could be a game changer, the postponement until September struck others as being too long. For Russia, Trump's delay of new sanctions is a reprieve. Senior Russian lawmaker Konstantin Kosachev commented: Oh, how much can change both on the battlefield and with the mood of those leading the U.S. and NATO in 50 days. Russian state television pointed out that Trumps decision would bring a bigger financial burden for Europe. Russia currently holds about 20% of Ukraine. Ukraine's depleted army has recently been losing more territory, but there is no sign of a looming collapse on the front line, analysts say. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke to Trump after the Republican leaders Oval Office announcement Monday, expressing gratitude for the decision to send more Patriot air defense missiles that are vital to defend Ukrainian cities. We discussed the necessary measures and decisions to provide greater protection for people from Russian attacks and strengthen our positions, Zelenskyy said on Telegram. We agreed to talk more often and coordinate our steps in the future. Trump and Zelenskyy have had a notoriously fraught relationship, and Washingtons consent to providing more weaponry has eased Kyivs worries. Even so, some Ukrainians felt the U.S. decision wont alter the course of the war. If we take the situation as a whole, it hardly looks like this will fundamentally change anything, Kyiv resident Oles Oliinyk, 33, told The Associated Press. Nina Tokar, 70, was also skeptical. I have very little faith in (Trump). He says one thing today, and tomorrow he may say something else. A Ukrainian army officer fighting in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region said the 50-day delay on sanctions is a very long time. They (the Russians) will say, Give us two more weeks, and then in two weeks, Give us another week. It will drag on until October or November, he told AP, using only the call sign Cat in keeping with the rules of the Ukrainian military. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp agreed. I do believe that the 50 days that Mr Trump has announced is rather long. Its up to September 2. I think thats rather long. Much remains to be worked out about how the weapons, especially the Patriot systems, will be provided, Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said in Brussels on Tuesday. But, in an indication that Europe is relieved that the U.S. hasn't walked away from the conflict, he added: The most important thing is that we now have an American readiness to deliver these most needed weapons. Some European countries, such as Hungary and Slovakia, still rely heavily on Russia for energy supplies and could be hit hard by Trumps threatened secondary sanctions on countries that buy its oil and gas an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Trumps 50-day delay was a signal for Europe to prepare ourselves, because we still have some member states that are exposed to imports of oil and oil products from Russia. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said it remains to be seen whether Trumps announcement will be a turnaround but what is decisive is that the tone has changed. The president's threat to impose sanctions after 50 days is significant progress, Pistorius told ARD television. ___ Cook reported from Brussels. In June 2025, a single eaglet was found in a nest near Marquette by scientists Mike Wierda and Bill Bowerman, who collect blood samples from the young birds as part of a long-running environmental monitoring program. Michael Wierda MARQUETTE, MI Samples of blood taken from bald eagle chicks before they learn to fly show that legacy pollution, even contaminants banned decades ago, continue to harm Michigans natural environment. Researchers even found that eagles breeding near Great Lakes shorelines can be many times more contaminated than those nesting near Michigans inland lakes and streams. There are three observation decks at the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area in Marquette County, Mich. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. The platforms provide panoramic views of Lake Superior and the surrounding area. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com MARQUETTE, MI Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area, located a few miles northwest of Marquette, offers magnificent views of Lake Superior after just a short hike, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The trail winds through a Boreal forest, characterized by century-old coniferous trees and ancient rock outcroppings, showcasing the regions natural beauty. Visitors hike along the difficult trail after summiting Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area in Marquette County, Mich. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com Hikers can choose between two trails to the summit: an easier, improved trail with approximately 300 stairs, or a more difficult unimproved trail that provides a quicker route to the top. Hikers ascend the trail at Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area on July 10, 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Both trails are around a half-mile in length, taking roughly 15-30 minutes to arrive at the summit. The summit features three observation decks offering sweeping, panoramic views of Marquette County and Lake Superior. 41 1 / 41 Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area in Marquette County From the south-facing platform, visitors can see downtown Marquette, including landmarks like Presque Isle Park and the Superior Dome. The north-facing deck overlooks Wetmore Landing and Little Presque Isle, while the west-facing deck provides a striking view of Hogback Mountain. These platforms were constructed in 1988 with assistance from a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. (Front to back) Partridge Island, Middle Island and Presque Isle seen from an observation platform at the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area in Marquette County, Mich. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com The Lake Superior shoreline along Wetmore Landing and Little Presque Isle Park seen from an observation platform at the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area in Marquette County, Mich. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com The Superior Dome seen from an observation deck at the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area in Marquette County, Mich. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com Hogback mountain seen from the west-facing observation deck at the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area in Marquette County, Mich. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com The view looking east along the Lake Superior shoreline observation platform at the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area in Marquette County, Mich. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com At the summit, hikers can see the Bart King monument, which was constructed in 1921 to honor Alanson Bartlett King, an assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop One. From her home on Hewitt Street, Kings mother could see the monument dedicated to her son, who was killed in France during World War I. The Bart King monument, which was constructed in 1921 to honor Alanson Bartlett King, an assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop One at the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area in Marquette County, Mich. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. King was killed in France during World War I. According to historical markers, the monuments construction required 4,000 pounds of sand, 1,600 pounds of cement, 1,500 white boulders, and six tons of trap rock. All these materials were carried up the mountain to construct the 12-foot monument. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com A wayside sign details the Bart King Monument, located at the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area in Marquette County, Mich. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com Local Boy Scout troops have repaired the monument numerous times. According to historical markers, the monuments construction required 4,000 pounds of sand, 1,600 pounds of cement, 1,500 white boulders, and six tons of trap rock. All these materials were carried up the mountain to construct the 12-foot monument. The Bart King monument, which was constructed in 1921 to honor Alanson Bartlett King, an assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop One at the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area in Marquette County, Mich. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. King was killed in France during World War I. According to historical markers, the monuments construction required 4,000 pounds of sand, 1,600 pounds of cement, 1,500 white boulders, and six tons of trap rock. All these materials were carried up the mountain to construct the 12-foot monument. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com Sugarloaf Mountain sits at an elevation of 1,040 feet above sea level or 470 feet above the Lake Superior shoreline. Nearby Hogback mountain, 1,220 feet, which can be seen from Sugarloaf, is also open for hiking. These peaks are part of the Huron Mountains, which stretch along Lake Superiors shores across Marquette and Baraga counties. The range includes Michigans tallest peak, Mount Arvon, which stands at 1,979 feet. Marquette County owns and operates Sugarloaf. According to trail signage, the county has received numerous grants to help develop the site into what it is today. In 2021, the county added a second parking lot after a reported 60,000 people visited Sugarloaf in 2019. Sugarloaf Mountain is located about six miles northwest of downtown Marquette on CR 550. Clearly marked signs indicate the two different parking lots. Here is a map link to the parking area. The dog-friendly natural area is open year-round. Runners start the Dart for Art one mile race at the Ann Arbor Art Fair Block Party in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Josh Boland | MLive.com ANN ARBOR, MI It is Ann Arbor Art Fair week. But before thousands of artists, shoppers and others take to the streets for the massive annual display, there are preluding events in downtown Ann Arbor. You can unleash your creativity, get some exercise, listen to music and more to indulge early in the Art Fair environment. Here are events Tuesday, July 15, to kick off what is known as the nations largest juried art fair, beginning Thursday, July 17, and running through Saturday, July 19. Paint the Town Block pARTy There is no shortage of activities at Paint the Town. The event is Tuesday on Main Street from East Huron to West William streets; East Liberty Street from Ashley to Thayer streets; and State Street from East Washington Street to North University Avenue. Entry is free, and there are offerings for all ages. You can check out David Zinns renowned Chalk Art from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the corner of Liberty and Main streets and again from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on State Street in front of the State Theater. Aint Dead Yet will perform live from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Main Street between East Washington and Liberty, and DJ Batz will provide music on East Liberty Street across from the Michigan Theater. There will also be activities in the street, including from the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Doodles Academy, Whoa Silent Disco, Wolverine Pickleball, Neutral Zone and more. Participating businesses offering food, drinks and merchandise include Hopcat, 311 Maynard St.; Knights Steakhouse, 600 E Liberty St.; Rally House, 303 S. State Street; Cherry Republic, 223 S Main St.; and more. For more information on the offerings and a map of the event, visit the Ann Arbor Art Fairs website. Dart for Art Run, jog or walk on a one-mile route in downtown for the Dart for Art. The races take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday starting at the corner of North University Avenue and Fletcher Street. The route runs in a loop, moving down North University to Geddes Avenue, then down part of the Diag. The route then turns around via Willard Street, goes up Church Streets and finishes on North University Avenue back towards Fletcher Street. There is a kids race/dash at 6 p.m., a fast/elite race at 6:15 p.m. and an all ages/ability community race at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $35 for the community race, $15 for those under 12 and free for kids under 5. The kids dash is free to all participants. To register, visit the website. The Dart for Art Ann Arbor Mile supports the Ann Arbor Street Fair, the Original, a nonprofit organization and one of three fairs along with the Ann Arbor State Street and Ann Arbor Summer art fairs that make up the Art Fair. Streets will close for the race from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. They include North University Avenue between State and Church streets; Church Street between North University Avenue and Willard Street; and Willard Street between Church Street and East University Avenue. In conjunction with the race, Ann Arbor Brewing Company is serving beer on North University between Fletcher and Thayer Streets. Plus, food trucks Vegano, Happy Camper Cage, Little Drink Company and Chamber Nuts will serve food and drinks. There will also be hands-on booths and games from businesses, as well as a Fire Truck Spray Park to cool off. Some of the businesses offerings during the event include crafting your own bracelet at Riverside Arts Center, coloring and making pan flutes at U of M Labs, instrument petting zoo at Ann Arbor Symphony, screen printing your own T-shirt at Pat Tees, Pop Up Putt Putt for all ages at Pat Tees and more. To learn more about the event and see a map of the vendors, check out the website. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- China's national economic development zones are set to play a bigger role in incubating industrial and technological innovation thanks to the unveiling of a set of policy measures designed to boost new quality productive forces in the zones. More than 40 years since their establishment, national economic development zones have made remarkable strides in advancing China's opening up and enhancing innovation, according to guest speakers at the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable, the all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency. National economic development zones feature clusters of strategic emerging industries, including next-generation information technology, new materials, high-end manufacturing, and marine economy and marine equipment, said Ji Xiaofeng, an official with the Ministry of Commerce. China established its first national-level economic development zone in the northeastern city of Dalian in 1984. By 2024, the number of such zones reached 232 across the country. Located in Suzhou Industrial Park, one national economic development zone in east China's Jiangsu Province, Suzhou HYC Technology Co., Ltd. has evolved from a repair business into a global leader in the flat panel display testing industry. "When establishing our semiconductor division, we named the development team 'Team of Qomolangma,' symbolizing our commitment to tackling challenges in semiconductor testing technology and striving to reach the 'peak of technology'," said Chen Wenyuan, the company's chairman, who attributed the company's success to continuous input in tech innovation over the years. Thanks to its increasing focus on R&D related to testing equipment for flat panel display, intelligent wearable, semiconductor and automotive electronics, Suzhou HYC Technology was recognized as a national high-tech enterprise and became the first company listed on China sci-tech innovation board. There are more than 85,000 national-level high-tech firms in China's national economic development zones, accounting for over 18 percent of the country's total high-tech enterprises. In 2024 alone, the national economic development zones accounted for nearly one-quarter of the country's utilized foreign investment and foreign trade volume. Collectively, they generated regional GDP of 16.9 trillion yuan (about 2.36 trillion U.S. dollars). China has made relentless efforts to optimize the business environment in the zones to tap into their role in boosting economic growth and tech innovation, Ji said. The Ministry of Commerce unveiled a work plan in late May to further boost innovation and high-quality development in the zones. The plan outlined policy support for the zones to foster national major industrial and technological innovation platforms, and to encourage leading enterprises in the zones to form innovation consortium with universities and research institutions. To consolidate the foundation of the manufacturing sector, the plan supports such zones to participate in national key projects such as technology transformation and upgrading in manufacturing, and encourages them to upgrade traditional industries through digital intelligence and green technologies, and to establish incubators and pilot zones for future industries. Building on the institutional advantages the national economic development zones have achieved, the document has pledged to further improve and innovate the management models of the zones, which is expected to inject new vitality into the development of companies in the zones, Ji said. She added that the national economic development zones will continue to develop strategic emerging industries such as bio-medicine, new energy, new materials and aerospace, and make forward-looking planning for future industries. The document also promised more efforts to cultivate new quality productive forces in the national economic development zones, which has further increased enterprises' confidence in expanding input on innovation. Focusing on the R&D on industrial intelligence and smart technologies, Nanjing Sciyon Wisdom Technology Group Co., Ltd., a national high-tech enterprise in Jiangning economic development zone in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, has established a smart factory that meets Industry 4.0 standards and employs a range of advanced automation and intelligent technologies to provide clients with customized products and services. "In the future, we will intensify the research and promotion of new products and technologies such as industrial AI, and assist more enterprises in their transition from digitization to intelligence and smart transformation," said Zhong Congqing, brand manager of the company. Police have identified the 40-year-old Ottawa County man arrested after an alleged domestic violence assault and overnight barricade this weekend. (MLive File Photo) John Tunison PORT SHELDON TOWNSHIP, MI Police have identified the 40-year-old Ottawa County man arrested after an alleged domestic violence assault and overnight barricade this weekend. Ismael DeJesus, of Port Sheldon, was arraigned on charges of misdemeanor possession of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol, domestic violence, and assault with a dangerous weapon or felonious assault in district court Monday, July 14. The Ottawa County Sheriffs Office members were originally called to a disturbance with a subject who was reportedly armed with a firearm at 14493 Fellows Station sometime after 1 a.m. Sunday. Crisis negotiators and the sheriffs critical response team later arrived and breached the residence. DeJesus was reportedly arrested and lodged at the Ottawa County Jail. Following his arraignment Monday, His bond was set at 10% of $10,000. He is scheduled for probably cause and preliminary examination hearings on July 22 and Aug. 8. KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI Police and campground officials evacuated the Fort Custer Recreation Area on Monday, July 14, while responding to a man with a gun who eventually died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It happened Monday evening near the beach at Fort Custer, the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office said. Police were called to the scene and evacuated the area, asking beachgoers to pack up and leave to be safe. There was no active shooter or no active threat to the public, Undersheriff Michelle Greenlee said. Professional negotiators spoke with the man for a while and then the man fatally shot himself. We tried very hard for a very long time to change his mind and give him resources and help him out, Greenlee said. The man never made any indication of harming others, she said. Negotiators and others made sure to be non-confrontational, she said, in hopes of resolving it peacefully. Police flew drones in the area and tried to safely communicate with the man, asking him to identify himself. Campers sent home Daniel Heaton was staying in a tent at the campground nearby and he was told by the staff to leave. When I checked in around 5 p.m. today, July 14, staff was saying there was an active shooter at the beach, he told MLive. Staff told them to shelter in place or leave. At 8:30 p.m., there was a mandatory evacuation of the campground, he said, as staff told them to leave their gear and leave promptly. He went home. Shortly before 11 p.m., he got a message from the camp telling him he could return. Greenlee said it was a sad and unfortunate incident, offering condolences to the family of the man. The Fort Custer State Recreation Area is a 3,033-acre park located between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, within Kalamazoo County. If you are in crisis, you can call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page. Michigan has joined a coalition of 22 other states in filing a lawsuit against President Donald Trumps administration, this time for freezing funding to six programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. In this MLive file photo, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks with members of the press in the Michigan Capitol House Appropriations room at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com LANSING, MI - Michigan has joined a coalition of 22 other states in filing a lawsuit against President Donald Trumps administration this time for freezing funding to six after-school and summer education programs. The funds impacting Michigan total approximately $171 million, part of $6.8 billion in education grants frozen nationwide. Donald Trump exits the stage after a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids on July 20, 2024. He's the focus of "Good Trouble Lives On" protests planned across Michigan and the U.S. this Thursday. MLive file photo. Joel Bissell | MLive.com As a followup to No Kings Day, another nationwide day of protest against President Donald Trump is planned in cities across the U.S., this time called Good Trouble Lives On. Heres what you need to know about it and whats planned in Michigan. When and where its happening The day of protest is scheduled for Thursday, July 17, and demonstrations are planned in dozens of Michigan cities with local protests happening at different times. Ann Arbor activists are protesting at six roadside sites from 7-9 p.m., including outside the Big House at Main Street and Stadium Boulevard, Plymouth and Green roads, Westgate/Veterans Memorial Park, Stadium and Packard Street, Washtenaw Avenue and Huron Parkway, and State Street and Eisenhower Parkway. A Good Trouble picket to get Target to reinstate diversity, equity and inclusion policies also is planned from 4-6 p.m. in front of the store off Ann Arbor-Saline Road, while another protest is happening 5-7 p.m. in downtown Saline. Bay City activists are protesting 6-8 p.m. at the World Friendship Shell at Wenonah Park. Grand Rapids activists are protesting 5-7 p.m. at Ah-Nab-Awen Park. Jackson activists are protesting 4-6 p.m. across from Withington Park. Lansing activists are protesting 4-6 p.m. at the Ingham County Health Department, 5303 S. Cedar St. Muskegon area activists are protesting 6:30-8 p.m. at Mona Lake City Park in Muskegon Heights. Find others. Why its happening and whos behind it The demonstrations are being organized by local chapters of the anti-Trump Indivisible movement and others as a national day of action to respond to the attacks on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration. Its happening on the five-year anniversary of the death of Congressman John Lewis, who was known for encouraging good trouble in the pursuit of civil rights. We are facing the most brazen rollback of civil rights in generations, the Good Trouble Lives On website states. Whether youre outraged by attacks on voting rights, the gutting of essential services, disappearances of our neighbors or the assault on free speech and our right to protest this movement is for you. Trump is trying to divide us, but we know the power of coming together. Find out more Thursdays protests may not be as large as last months No Kings demonstrations that flooded streets with thousands of people in many cities. Organizers say it will be a day of peaceful, nonviolent action and its more than a protest its a moral reckoning and a continuation of the movement Lewis helped lead. Jeff Gaynor, one of the Ann Arbor organizers, said hundreds have signed up to participate in the six local demonstrations in the city. Hes encouraging everyone to bring signs and to check the Trump Tyranny Tracker on Substack. Find out more at goodtroubleliveson.org. 1/7 Elon Musk's Tesla is set to open its first showroom in India later today. Images show people lining in front of the store in Mumbai in the morning, ahead of its opening. Elon Musk has been long eyeing an entry into the worlds third largest car market, although electric vehicles make a very small portion of the overall market in India. 2/7 Tesla has launched the Model Y in India at a starting price of Rs 59.89 lakh (ex-showroom). The car is available in rear wheel drive (RWD) version only. The automakers Model Y Long Range RWD will be available at Rs 67.89 lakh. The electric car will initially be available in Mumbai, Delhi and Gurugram. Its deliveries will start in the third quarter of the calendar year (CY) 2025. (Image: Model Y car in London, source: Reuters) 3/7 Tesla's prices in India are significantly higher than what it charges in other nations. The Model Y RWD car which it will sell at Rs 59.89 lakh (ex-showroom) in India, is priced at HK $306,650 (Rs 33.54 lakh) in China. In US, it is priced at $37,490 (Rs 32.19 lakh). 4/7 Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis visited the showroom and met Tesla APAC team, ahead of the its opening. Police guarded the showroom, with the brands name etched in black against a stark white wall, where the car, draped in black and grey covers was partially visible on Tuesday through the glass in a gated office complex. 5/7 Speaking in front of the showroom, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said, "I expect Tesla to setup it's entire EV ecosystem in India, especially in Maharashtra. Maharashtra is the favourite location for EV manufacturing, we have favourable and dynamic policies for the same." 6/7 Notably, Tesla will also offer Full Self-Driving (FSD), which needs to be supervised by the driver. It comes at an additional price from Rs 6 lakh. The model Y car can go from 0 to 100 km/h speed within just 5.9 seconds. It can reach a top speed of 201 km/h. MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more. 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I Accept Rossell Techsys plans to spend up to Rs 15 crore as capex for the next 3 years Yaruqhullah Khan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Unemployment rate holds steady at 5.6% in June, highest stress among youth with 15.3% increase Indias unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.6 percent in June, data released by the government showed. While the overall figure showed stability, the burden of joblessness continued to be disproportionately higher among the young. The female unemployment rate declined marginally to 5.6 percent from 5.7 percent in May. Male unemployment, however, remained steady at 5.6 percent. The highest stress was seen among the youth aged 1529, where the unemployment rate rose to 15.3 percent in June from 15 percent in May. Read more Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept New BJP president appointment unlikely ahead of Monsoon Session, no consensus yet on JP Nadda's successor Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept SC issues notice to UP govt over Kanwar Yatra diktat asking shopkeepers to reveal their identities Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Tesla has arrived in right city, right state: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis at Tesla's grand India launch | WATCH Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Would have been in nuclear war: Trump again claims he averted IndiaPakistan conflict Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'Would never have happened if Sanjay Dutt...' Ujjwal Nikam on 1993 Mumbai blasts Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Shriram Subramanian is Founder and MD, InGovern Research Services. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Ankita Sengupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept In this Mumbai locality, being rich isn't enough. Even Rakesh Jhunjhunwala faced rejection Ankita Sengupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 1/11 Shubhanshu Shukla safely touched down on Earth after nearly 20 days in space. Here are 10 epic moments from his return with the Axiom-4 crew aboard Dragon. 2/11 Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Earth: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla safely returns from the ISS after nearly 20 days in space, stepping out of Dragon capsule with calm pride. (Image: Axiom Space) 3/11 First Glimpse Post-Splashdown: Shuklas first glimpse after stepping out of Dragon captures his composed demeanour after a historic space mission for India. (Image: Axiom Space) 4/11 Indias Space Milestone: Shukla becomes the first Indian to visit the ISS, symbolising Indias growing presence in human spaceflight and global space collaboration. (Image: Axiom Space) 5/11 Pilot in Action: During the Ax-4 mission, Shukla conducted scientific research, educational outreach, and piloted the Dragon spacecraft on its return from the ISS. (Image: Axiom Space) 6/11 Commander Peggy Whitson Smiles Wide: Veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson steps out of Dragon smiling, celebrating her fourth trip to space with the Ax-4 crew. (Image: Axiom Space) 7/11 Suave Uznanski Waves to Media: ESA astronaut Slawosz Suave Uznanski-Wisniewski exits the capsule, smiling and waving at cameras after completing science work aboard the ISS. (Image: Axiom Space) 8/11 Tibor Kapu Joins the Cheers: Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu steps out of the Dragon capsule beaming, wrapping up a proud chapter for Hungarys HUNOR space programme. (Image: Axiom Space) 9/11 Dragon Capsule in Ocean: The Crew Dragon 'Grace' capsule has successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. (Image: Axiom Space) 10/11 Dragons Four Main Parachutes Deployed Mid-Air: The Dragon spacecraft successfully splashed down today, marking the end of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. (Image: Axiom Space) Earth may host six mini moons at a time but how is it possible? Here's what study says Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept NASA tracks 280-foot asteroid, equal in height to a 20-storey building, set to zoom past Earth at high speed Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept China's foreign trade demonstrates resilience despite global headwinds Xinhua) 07:54, July 15, 2025 The State Council Information Office holds a press conference on China's import and export in the first half (H1) of 2025 in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Pan Xu) BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- China's foreign trade continued to recover in the first half of 2025, with imports returning to positive growth in June, as the world's second-largest economy showed resilience despite global economic uncertainties. The country's total imports and exports of goods in yuan-denominated terms rose at a pace of 2.9 percent during the January-June period to 21.79 trillion yuan (about 3.05 trillion U.S. dollars), a record high for the period, data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed on Monday. The growth rate accelerated from a rise of 2.5 percent registered in the first five months of the year. Describing the first-half foreign trade performance as "hard-won," GAC deputy head Wang Lingjun told a press conference that China still faces growing global unilateralism and protectionism, which have increased the complexity and uncertainty of the external environment. He stressed that "arduous efforts" are needed to stabilize foreign trade growth in the second half of the year. A breakdown of the data showed that China's exports rose 7.2 percent year on year during the first half of the year, while imports fell 2.7 percent, according to the GAC data. In June alone, the country's exports climbed 7.2 percent from a year earlier, while imports gained 2.3 percent, reversing from a decline of 2.1 percent posted in May. Monday's data also showed continued structural improvements in China's foreign trade. High-tech product exports maintained strong growth in the first half of the year, rising 9.2 percent year on year. Notably, Chinese brands accounted for a larger share of the total, reaching 32.4 percent. In terms of trading partners, trade between China and ASEAN totaled 3.67 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.6 percent. China's trade with the European Union went up 3.5 percent year on year to 2.82 trillion yuan, while its trade with the United States decreased by 9.3 percent year on year to 2.08 trillion yuan, according to the data. China's trade with Belt and Road partner countries rose 4.7 percent to 11.29 trillion yuan, and trade with African countries increased 14.4 percent to 1.18 trillion yuan during the period. Wang noted that China has the strength, confidence and capability to overcome various risks and challenges, citing its diversified and stable markets, innovative and competitive products, and resilient exporters as key buffers against external risks. The foreign trade data were released one day ahead of the country's other key economic indicators for the first half of the year, including GDP, retail sales, industrial production and fixed-asset investment. China's economy expanded 5.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of the year, compared with an annual growth of 5 percent in 2024. The country has set its full-year growth target at around 5 percent for this year. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Since the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Anhui Province has actively implemented high-level opening-up platform projects, effectively enhancing the level of opening-up. According to information from the Anhui Provincial Development and Reform Commission, from January to May this year, the province realized a total import and export volume of 374.79 billion yuan, ranking first among central provinces, with a year-on-year growth of 15.4%. The growth rate exceeded the national average by 12.9 percentage points, and the degree of openness to trade increased by 3.8 percentage points compared to five years ago. Expanding park platform clusters In recent years, the province has focused on key countries and advantageous industries, approving the establishment of 11 international cooperation industrial parks. Among them, four parks cooperate with Germany, and one each with Japan, South Korea, Singapore, India, the UK, Spain, and Denmark, forming a cluster of distinct international cooperation platforms. Continuously enhancing port platform capability level In recent years, Anhui has issued and implemented the Anhui Province Port Construction and Development Action Plan (20222025) to improve comprehensive port service efficiency. The province has built seven national first-class open ports and four provincial second-class ports, covering various transportation modes including water, air, and land. Anhui has also continuously optimized and upgraded bonded logistics centers such as Bengbu (Northern Anhui) and Hefei Airport (Type B), the closed customs operation of the Anqing Comprehensive Bonded Zone, and received approval for Chizhou Wanjiang Jiangnan Bonded Logistics Center (Type B). Building a matrix of exhibition platforms In recent years, Anhui has hosted major investment promotion events such as the World Manufacturing Convention, the RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum, and the Global Anhui Merchants Roundtable. The province launched the innovative Anhui Goes Global partnership program, signing 57 empowered partners. It created the institutionalized Haike Roundtable exchange brand, holding nearly 30 events in total. Source: Anhui Business Daily " " Racing records and breeding potential drive up the prices of the most expensive horses in the world. acceptphoto / Shutterstock In the world of elite equestrianism and thoroughbred racing, price tags can gallop into the tens of millions. The most expensive horse ever sold didnt just have good looks or an impressive pedigree; it promised potential in racing or breeding that investors hoped would pay off. Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences. Priyanka Roshan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'Absolutely. If you can...': Zelenskiy's response to Trump on whether Ukraine can hit Moscow Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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Here's why airlines across globe are reviewing fuel systems Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Donald Trump says he is 'disappointed but not done' with Vladimir Putin, BBC reports Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Russia wins legal battle over Orthodox church and cemetery in Nice, France A court in Nice, France, has ruled that a local Orthodox church and a historic cemetery are the rightful property of the Russian Federation, not the local cultural association that has managed them since the Soviet era, France 24 says in a report. This decision is part of a broader, two-decade-long operation by the Russian state to assert control over Orthodox parishes throughout Europe that had previously broken ties with the Moscow patriarchate. The ruling has caused distress among some parishioners, who find it difficult to accept the French justice system siding with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, while descendants of the Russian tsars have welcomed the outcome. Explained: Why Zelensky wants Yulia Svyrydenko as Ukraine's PM and what her leadership could look like Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Forget UAE's Golden Visa: Why more Indians are eyeing Bahrains Golden Residency | Eligibility, benefits & how to apply Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Global pilots' body slams Air India crash report, says 'it raises more questions than answers' Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pythons and anacondas are some of the largest snakes on Earth. The reticulated python is the worlds longest snake, while the green anaconda holds the title for the worlds heaviest. Reticulated pythons and Burmese pythons are native to Southeast Asia, while green and yellow anacondas (as well as the Bolivian anaconda) are found in South America. Advertisement " " Anaconda. Milton Rodriguez / Shutterstock Anacondas, members of the boa family, use powerful constriction and crushing power to subdue prey. They have poor eyesight and rely on heat-sensing pit organs to hunt. The African rock python and Burmese python are ambush predators, striking with rear-facing teeth and powerful squeezes. In terms of size and weight, the python anaconda size weight debate ends in a draw: Pythons may be longer, but anacondas are bulkier and better swimmers. How China's expansion is remapping Pacific power linesand why America is racing to react Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept High-profile coach signing in Saudi Arabia highlights kingdom's soft power strategy The appointment of Jorge Jesus as a new football coach for a top Saudi club, an event highlighted by a welcome from player Cristiano Ronaldo, is part of a larger trend in the region, according to a report in Gulf News. Analysts and experts frame this high-profile signing not merely as a sports development but as a strategic move aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. This national framework aims to reduce the kingdom's economic reliance on oil by investing heavily in sectors like entertainment and sports. The move is also seen as an element of the nation's soft power strategy to enhance its international image, a practice that critics have sometimes labeled 'sports washing' to divert attention from other issues. Armaan Bhatnagar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept Russia ready for fresh talks with Ukraine, says needs time to respond to Trump's 'serious' statement Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Trump vs. the US Education Department: The legal battle and what it means for students Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept With copper prices soaring, this Arizona mine could change the US supply game Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Demonstrators write messages during a Defend Our Schools rally to protest President Donald Trump's executive order to shut down the U.S. Department of Education outside its building in Washington, D.C., March 21, 2025. REUTERS Former Nigerian president Buhari is buried as thousands pay respects Former Nigerian president Buhari is buried as thousands pay respects View Photo LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was buried Tuesday in his northern hometown as thousands of people lined the streets to say goodbye. Buhari died aged 82 on Sunday in London after battling an undisclosed illness that kept him out of public life since he handed over power in 2023. Current President Bola Tinubu and several regional leader attended. Senegals President Bassirou Faye described Buhari as a leading figure in Nigerian and and African political life. Buhari ruled Africas most populous nation twice as a military dictator and democratic president and was one of the countrys most influential figures. His presidency was marked by a prolonged health crisis that led to long medical trips abroad. His legacy includes a widespread clampdown on human rights, isolationist economic policies and escalating insecurity. He first came to power in a coup in 1983 and was ousted two years later. He then won presidential elections in 2015 and 2019, making him the second-longest Nigerian leader. By OPE ADETAYO Associated Press Equatorial Guinea urges UN to block the sale of a Paris mansion seized by France Equatorial Guinea urges UN to block the sale of a Paris mansion seized by France View Photo THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) Lawyers for Equatorial Guinea accused France of neo-colonial behavior on Tuesday, urging United Nations judges to block the sale of a mansion on one of Paris poshest avenues in the latest instalment in a long-running legal tug-of-war over the multimillion-dollar property. The African country filed a case at the International Court of Justice in 2022, alleging France is violating international law by refusing to return assets seized during a corruption investigation into Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of Equatorial Guineas long-serving president. Frances approach may be described as paternalistic and even neo-colonial. We cannot accept such disdain for our sovereignty from France, Carmelo Nvono-Nca, Equatorial Guineas agent, told The Hague-based court. Equatorial Guinea has asked the court for a series of urgent orders, known as provisional measures, to return the swanky mansion on one of Pariss most prestigious streets, Avenue Foch, and to prevent France from selling the building. Lawyers for France strongly rejected the need for provisional measures, telling judges no sale was imminent and the dispute should be resolved via negotiation. The request constitutes yet another abusive maneuver by Equatorial Guinea, Frances agent, Diego Colas, told the court. In 2020, the international court ruled that the building was a private residence, not a diplomatic outpost, rejecting a claim from Equatorial Guinea that the seizure violated international law. Obiang was convicted in 2017, and given a three-year suspended sentence for embezzling millions of dollars in public money. French authorities seized money, luxury vehicles and the building, which boasts a hammam, a cinema and a night club. The 57-year-old has faced scrutiny for corruption in other countries as well. In 2021, he was sanctioned by the United Kingdom for misappropriating public funds, including spending $275,000 on the bejeweled glove that Michael Jackson wore on his Bad tour. Switzerland and Brazil have also opened investigations into his finances. Equatorial Guinea returned to The Hague in 2022, arguing the French government was obliged to return the assets based on a U.N. anti-corruption convention. Despite its oil and gas riches, Equatorial Guinea has a dramatic gap between its privileged ruling class and much of the impoverished population. The former Spanish colony is run by Africas longest-serving president, Obiangs father Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. By MOLLY QUELL Associated Press Brazilian ex-President Bolsonaro echoes Trump by describing his coup plot trial as a witch hunt View Photo RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Brazils chief prosecutor has called for a guilty verdict in the case of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, on trial accused of leading an alleged coup plot to overturn the 2022 election in which he was defeated by a left-wing rival. Hours before the prosecutors final report was released late Monday, the ex-president said on X that the trial was a witch hunt, echoing a term used by U.S. President Donald Trump when he came to his South American allys defense last week. In the 517-page document, Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet said that the evidence is clear: the defendant acted systematically, throughout his mandate and after his defeat at the polls, to incite insurrection and the destabilization of the democratic rule of law. None of this happened. Ive always played within the rules, Bolsonaro said in an interview with local outlet Poder360 on Tuesday. Bolsonaros trial The prosecution accuses the former president of leading an armed criminal organization, attempting to stage a coup and attempting violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, among other charges. The defense will next present its case shortly, likely in the coming weeks, after which the panel of Supreme Court justices that opened the trial against Bolsonaro will vote on whether to convict or acquit him. Experts say a decision is expected in the second half of the year. A guilty verdict on the coup plot charge carries a sentence of up to 12 years, which could, along with guilty verdicts on other charges, bring decades behind bars. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied the allegations and asserted that hes the target of political persecution. What is a coup? Its the Armed Forces, its tanks on the streets, its having a political core, having a financial core, Bolsonaro said on Tuesday. Thats a coup. Nothing was even considered () and even if it had been considered, since nothing started, theres no crime. A lawyer for Bolsonaro didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. A nod from Trump Last week, Trump imposed a 50% import tax on Brazil, directly tying the tariffs to Bolsonaros trial. The U.S. president has hosted the former Brazilian president at his Mar-a-Lago resort when both were in power in 2020. Last week, he compared the Brazilians situation to his own. On Tuesday, speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump repeated the claim that the trial is a witch hunt. Bolsonaro is not a dishonest man, he said. Nobody is happy with what Brazil is doing because Bolsonaro was a respected president. Trump added that Bolsonaro isnt a friend, but someone he knows. On Monday, the office of the under secretary for public diplomacy at the U.S. State Department said on X that attacks on Bolsonaro are a disgrace and fall well below the dignity of Brazils democratic traditions. The U.S. Embassy in Brazil reposted the message, adding a translation in Portuguese. Brazils foreign ministry responded on Tuesday, saying those claims are further undue and unacceptable interference in matters under the jurisdiction of the Brazilian judiciary. Building the case Gonet formally charged Bolsonaro and 33 others in February in connection with an alleged coup days after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office. Gonet said Bolsonaros actions were not limited to a passive stance of resistance to defeat, but were a conscious effort to create an environment conducive to violence and a coup. He also said the case was strong because the criminal organization behind the coup plot had documented almost all of the actions described in the indictment through recordings, handwritten notes, digital files, spreadsheets and exchanges of electronic messages. The prosecution also seeks convictions for several close Bolsonaro allies, including his running mate in the 2022 election campaign and former defense minister, Walter Braga Netto, ex-Justice Minister Anderson Torres and Bolsonaros aide-de-camp Mauro Cid. Brazils Supreme Court president, Justice Luis Roberto Barroso, said that the U.S. sanctions a reference to Trumps tariffs are based on an inaccurate understanding of events. For those who didnt live through a dictatorship or dont remember one, its worth remembering: there was a lack of freedom, torture, forced disappearances, the closure of Congress, and the persecution of judges, Barroso said. In todays Brazil, no one is persecuted. Bolsonaro, a former military officer who was known to express nostalgia for the countrys past dictatorship, openly defied Brazils judicial system during his 2019-2022 term in office. He has been banned by Brazils top electoral court from running in elections until 2030 over abuse of power while in office and casting unfounded doubts on the countrys electronic voting system. By ELEONORE HUGHES Associated Press Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor on the Trump administrations funding cuts to programs like FEMA and the National Weather Service. Schumer was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: We continue to pray for the families of the 132 people now confirmed dead in Central Texas. We continue to pray for everyone still missing. We thank our heroic first responders whove risked their lives to save those trapped in the storm. Now, in the aftermath of the tragedy in Texas, some of us asked necessary questions about how to prevent something like this from ever happening again. Did federal funding cuts hinder rescue efforts? Did staffing shortages make it harder to respond? Of course, Donald Trump didnt like these questions. He threw a fit, a tantrum. He called them lies. He said they were inappropriate. Thats how he talks. We now know why he threw a fit and acted so defensively, because sadly we may well have been right. Donald Trump and Kristi Noem have spent months attacking FEMA calling for its elimination, slashing its budget, hollowing out its workforce. And now, their own chaos is catching up with them in the worst, worst way. Now theyre trying to change their tune, saying they dont want to get rid of FEMA. A few months ago, they were all for getting rid of it. Now they say they just want to change it. But there arent enough walk-backs or pivots in the world to erase the truth: their actions have unnecessarily harmed Americas disaster response ecosystem. Last week, I demanded an investigation into what role, if any, the administrations staff cuts to local National Weather Service stations played in this tragedy. It is now clear that the administration fired key FEMA personnel during, and sadly, after the tragedy. So today, it is very clear this is a systemic problem that exists in Texas, extends beyond Texas, beyond the National Weather Service, and across FEMA. Here are the facts about FEMA: a day after the Texas flooding, FEMA laid off hundreds of call center workers. On July 7th, the agency received 16,000 calls, and only answered 2,000 of them, around 16%. Secretary Noem, meanwhile, issued a directive on June 11th saying that all DHS contracts of over $100,000 had to be personally approved by her, including according to the New York Times deployment of search and rescue teams. Every one of them had to be signed off. This is not efficiency this is adding red tape in the midst of a crisis, authored by Kristi Noem herself. Experts say this ill-advised decision very likely hindered recovery efforts. And as it stands today, FEMA is operating with about a quarter fewer staffers compared to 18 months ago, one quarter fewer, including senior-level officials, meteorologists, institutional experts, people who coordinate with public officials and other levels of government to respond to natural disasters. In the middle of a natural disaster, Donald Trump and Kristi Noem are sowing chaos at FEMA and their incompetence is putting lives in danger. Them and the DOGE people and so many around them, they have this fanatical dislike of all government, so they just cut it. They dont even know what the effect will be. They dont even care. Just cut, cut, cut. Cut meteorologists who warn our people, our citizens, our farmers, our businesses of danger that might come. Their recklessness is hurting rescue efforts. This hurt the existing ones and its going to hurt more of them in the future unless they reverse themselves. We all support making agencies like FEMA more efficient. Americans support cutting waste. Americans support improving federal response. But Americans sure as hell dont support DOGE-like cuts to vital places that can often be the difference between life and death. The American people do not support this kind of chaos, this chainsaw approach to FEMA, to the National Weather Service and to government at large. What Donald Trump and Kristi Noem are doing is chaos. And its going to lead unfortunately to even more people getting hurt when the next disaster arrives. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. California Capitol Building View Photo Sacramento, CA The California legislature took its final step, sending the bill to Governor Gavin Newsom, to increase the likelihood that teen prostitution solicitation will be charged as a felony. The debate centered around whether offenders who purchase minors aged 16-17 for sex should face the same penalties as those who buy children under 16. Existing law makes it a felony if the child is under 16, or if those 16-17 can prove they are being trafficked. The new Assembly Bill 379 will also make it a felony if the adult purchasing sex is at least three years older than the 16-to 17-year-old old. A part that proved contentious, that drew criticism from some Democrats, was making it a felony to loiter with the intent of purchasing someone for sex. Governor Gavin Newsom will now decide whether to sign AB 379 into law. It earlier passed in the Assembly, 74-5, with local representatives, Republicans David Tangipa and Heath Flora, in support. It passed in the Senate on Monday, 33-2, with Mother Lode Republican Marie Alvarado-Gil in support. Sheriff David Vasquez speaks to Tuolumne County Supervisors View Photo Sonora, CA There is a multi-agency initiative in development to crack down on DUI drivers in Tuolumne County. It is a partnership between the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office, Sonora Police Department, and Tuolumne County Transportation Council. As part of the effort, the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office will seek over $150,000 in funding (with a 20% local match) through the Safer Streets for All grant program. If awarded, it will focus on three main areas. The first is enrolling deputies in California Peace Officer Standards Training related to DUI detection and drug recognition. The second is contracting with the company AXON for the purchase and installation of three strategically placed License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras. They would aid in identifying vehicles associated with DUI, Be-On-The-Lookout Alerts, drivers with outstanding DUI warrants, and repeat offenders. The third portion is doing six DUI operations, looking for offenders, and also doing arrest warrant service. The Supervisors voted 5-0 to allow the Tuolumne County Transportation Council to apply for the Safer Streets funding on behalf of the sheriffs office. Some of the board members posed questions to Sheriff David Vasquez about the logistics of a potential license plate recognition camera. Supervisor Anaiah Kirk referenced the Patriot Act following 911 as having negative consequences for privacy rights, and he indicated he would like to see further discussion on that topic if the county is successful in receiving the grant. Sheriff Vasquez indicated that the cameras would be used in a limited way, with checks and balances, and audits of the information that is pulled, to ensure the system isnt abused. He stressed that it would only be used if there is a right to know, and a need to know. He referenced a case a few years ago in which a mother out of the county called and said that her son was kidnapped by the boys father and taken to Tuolumne County. Vasquez added, We have a lot of area that we are covering (5,500 square miles), and we just knew that they were somewhere in the county, possibly at a campground. If we had adequate LPR (cameras), we would have at least been able to know which arm of the county they were in. But, we were too late. It ended up being a murder-suicide. Vasquez continued, These types of things, whether it is DUI, other violent crimes, or any type of complaint where time is of the essence and we have vulnerable folks involved, to be able to have a starting point, in the county the size that we have, with a lot of geography to cover, is extremely helpful for us. He noted that the City of Sonoras Police Department has been using a couple of these types of LPR cameras for about five years. The county anticipates to learn in the next couple of months if it is successful in receiving the grant funding. Israeli strikes kill at least 31 in Gaza as UN agencies warn of fuel crisis Israeli strikes kill at least 31 in Gaza as UN agencies warn of fuel crisis View Photo DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight killed at least 31 people, according to local hospitals, as U.N. agencies warned on Monday that critical fuel shortages put hospitals and other critical infrastructure at risk. The latest attacks came after U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held two days of talks last week that ended with no sign of a breakthrough in negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release. Twelve people were killed by strikes in southern Gaza, including three who were waiting at an aid distribution point, according to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, which received the bodies. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City also received 12 bodies, including three children and two women, after a series of strikes in the north, according to the hospitals director, Dr. Mohammed Abu Selmia. Al-Awda Hospital reported seven killed and 11 wounded in strikes in central Gaza. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas. Separately, three Israeli soldiers were killed in northern Gaza, according to the military. A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said on Monday that they died in an explosion in their tank, apparently after it was hit by an anti-tank missile, though the incident was still being examined. Fuel crisis warning U.N. agencies, including those providing food and health care, reiterated a warning made at the weekend that without adequate fuel, they will likely be forced to stop their operations entirely. In a joint statement, they said that hospitals are already going dark and ambulances can no longer move. Without fuel, transport, water production, sanitation and telecommunications will shut down and bakeries and community kitchens cannot operate, they said. The agencies confirmed that some 150,000 liters of fuel entered Gaza last week the first delivery in 130 days. But they said it is a small fraction of what is needed each day to keep daily life and critical aid operations running. The United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners cannot overstate the urgency of this moment: fuel must be allowed into Gaza in sufficient quantities and consistently to sustain life-saving operations, they said. The agencies signing the statement were the U.N. humanitarian office OCHA, food agency WFP, health organization WHO, childrens agency UNICEF, the agency helping Palestinian refugees UNRWA, population agency UNFPA, development agency UNDP, and UNOPS which oversees procurement and provides management services. Strike kills Hamas militant who held hostage Israels military said a June 19 strike killed Muhammad Nasr Ali Quneita, a senior Hamas militant who it said had taken part in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack and held hostage Emily Damari, a dual Israeli-British citizen, in his home at the start of the war. There was no comment from Hamas and no independent confirmation. Thousands of Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel that day, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 people, most of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. The militants are still holding 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed over 58,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which has said women and children make up more than half of the dead. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its tally. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and is led by medical professionals. The United Nations and other experts consider its figures to be the most reliable count of war casualties. Israels air and ground war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and driven some 90% of the population from their homes. Aid groups say they have struggled to bring in food and other assistance because of Israeli military restrictions and the breakdown of law and order, and experts have warned of famine. Vote to expel prominent Arab lawmaker fails Israels Knesset meanwhile voted to expel a prominent Arab lawmaker, but the measure failed to pass the threshold of 90 votes in the 120-member assembly. Seventy-three members voted in favor. The attempt to remove Ayman Odeh from parliament was related to a social media post in January in which he welcomed the release of both Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners in a Gaza ceasefire. The prisoners released in the agreement included scores of militants convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis, and rival lawmakers accused Odeh of supporting terror, allegations he denied. Many Palestinians view those imprisoned by Israel as freedom fighters jailed for resisting Israels decades-long occupation of lands the Palestinians seek for a future state. Israels Arab minority, which makes up some 20% of the population, has citizenship, including the right to vote, but faces widespread discrimination. Its members have close family ties to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, and largely support their cause, leading many Jewish Israelis to view them with suspicion or contempt. ___ Khaled reported from Cairo and AlJoud from Beirut. Associated Press writers Audrey Horowitz in Modiin, Israel, Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war By WAFAA SHURAFA, FATMA KHALED and SALLY ABOU ALJOUD Associated Press Heavy rains and flash flooding sweep across the Northeast View Photo NEW YORK (AP) Heavy rain swept across parts of the U.S. Northeast on Monday night, inundating sections of New York and New Jersey with flash flooding that stranded vehicles in roadways, closed subway lines and led to a declaration of a state of emergency. Most flash flood watches and warnings expired in parts of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania as the rain moved on, but some roads and streets were still flooded as of Tuesday morning. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency due to flash flooding and heavy rainfall, advising people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. A video posted to social media by CBS showed flood waters bring a major roadway in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, to a standstill, stranding buses. In one flooded North Plainfield, New Jersey, neighborhood, a house caught on fire and collapsed, possibly due to an explosion, not long after the family inside had evacuated, authorities said. No injuries were reported. In New York City, some subway service was temporarily suspended while other lines were running with severe delays due to flooding, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. New Yorks emergency services agency wrote on the social platform X that parts of the city and mid-Hudson were getting hit with flash floods. Video posted on social media appears to show water flooding down into a Manhattan subway station, submerging the platform while passengers inside a train watch. Another photo appears to show passengers standing on a trains seats to avoid the water beginning to soak the floor. Parts of major thoroughfares in New York, such as the northbound lanes of the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Cross Bronx Expressway, were temporarily closed due to flooding and at least one downed tree. Officials in New Yorks Westchester County were working to rescue people whose vehicles were submerged in water, according to Carolyn Fortino, a spokesperson for the county executive. At this time, residents are still strongly advised to avoid all travel unless fleeing an area that is subject to flooding, or under an evacuation order, she said in an email. A flood warning was also issued for Staten Island, which had seen about 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 centimeters) of rain, according to NYCs emergency notification system. Mount Joy, in southeastern Pennsylvania, declared a disaster emergency as more than 7 inches (17.8 centimeters) of rain fell in less than five hours Monday, according to the Fire Department Mount Joy. Some people reported over 5 feet (1.5 meters) of water in their homes and emergency responders made 16 water rescues, although no injuries were reported. The declaration enables us to access additional resources to support residents and accelerate recovery efforts, Borough Emergency Management Coordinator Philip Colvin said in a statement. By Monday evening, the rainfall had lessened and water in Mount Joy had started to recede. In Metuchen, New Jersey, about 34 miles (55 kilometers) southwest of New York City, Mayor Jonathan M. Busch, wrote on Facebook that the borough was significantly flooded, but by Monday evening water levels had already receded. It looks like the worst of the storm is behind us and thankfully, everyone is safe, he said. Nvidia to resume sales of highly desired AI computer chips to China View Photo BANGKOK (AP) Nvidias CEO Jensen Huang says the technology giant has won approval from the Trump administration to sell its advanced H20 computer chips used to develop artificial intelligence to China. The news came in a company blog post late Monday, which stated that the U.S. government had assured Nvidia that licenses would be granted and that the company hopes to start deliveries soon. Shares of the California-based chipmaker were up over 4% by midday Tuesday. Huang also spoke about the coup on Chinas state-run CGTN television network, in remarks shown on X. Today, Im announcing that the U.S. government has approved for us filing licenses to start shipping H20s, Huang told reporters in Beijing. He added that half of the worlds AI researchers are in China. Its so innovative and dynamic here in China that its really important that American companies are able to compete and serve the market here, he said. Huang recently met with President Donald Trump and other U.S. policymakers and is in Beijing this week to attend a supply chain conference and speak with Chinese officials. The broadcast showed Huang meeting with Ren Hongbin, the head of the China Council for Promotion of International Trade, host of the China International Supply Chain Expo, which Huang was attending. Nvidia is an exhibitor. Nvidia has profited enormously from the rapid adoption of AI, becoming the first company to have its market value surpass $4 trillion last week. However, the trade rivalry between the U.S. and China has been weighing heavily on the industry. Heres what we know. What is Nvidias H20 chip? The H20 graphics processing unit, or GPU, is an advanced AI chip a type of device used to build and update a range of AI systems. But its less powerful than Nvidias top semiconductors today. Thats because the H20 chip was developed to specifically comply with U.S. restrictions for exports of AI chips to China. Nvidias most advanced chips, which carry more computing power, are off-limits to the Chinese market. Washington has been tightening controls on exports of advanced technology to China for years, citing concerns that know-how meant for civilian use could be deployed for military purposes. And in January, before Trump began his second term in office, President Joe Bidens administration launched a new framework for exporting advanced computer chips used to develop AI in an attempt to balance national security concerns about the technology with the economic interests of producers and other countries. Restrictions on sales of advanced chips to China have been central to the AI race between the worlds two largest economic powers, but such controls are also controversial. Proponents argue that these restrictions are necessary to slow China down enough to allow U.S. companies to keep their lead. Meanwhile, opponents say the export controls have loopholes and could still spur innovation. The emergence of Chinas DeepSeek AI chatbot in January particularly renewed concerns over how China might use advanced chips to help develop its own AI capabilities. Whats happened since Trump took office? In April, the White House announced that it would restrict sales of Nvidias H20 chips to China as well as MI308 chips from rival chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices with the Trump administration again citing national security. At the time, Nvidia said these tighter export controls would cost the company an extra $5.5 billion and Huang and other technology leaders have been lobbying Trump to reverse the restrictions since. Theyve argued that such limits hinder U.S. competition in a sector in one of the worlds largest markets for technology, and have also warned that U.S. export controls could end up pushing other countries toward Chinas AI technology. Mondays announcement from Nvidia signals that its lobbying efforts paid off. White House AI and crypto adviser David Sacks told Bloomberg on Tuesday that allowing Nvidia to restart Chinese sales of its H20 chip would help the U.S. better compete abroad particularly with Chinese chipmaker Huawei Technologies. Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC on Tuesday that the renewed sale of H20 chips in China was linked to a trade agreement made between the two countries on rare earth magnets and maintained that the administration was also reversing course from Aprils restrictions because the U.S. still doesnt sell China our best stuff. Still, calls for restrictions on advanced chip exports to China have persisted among U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Just last week, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Jim Banks wrote a letter to Huang noting that the hardware powering advanced AI is of immense strategic importance and again warned that this kind of technology could be used to accelerate Beijings effort to modernize its military if exported freely. U.S. lawmakers have also proposed that chips subject to export controls should be tracked, to ensure they dont end up in the wrong places. Beyond export controls, California-based Nvidia like other tech giants today has been caught in the crosshairs of Trumps tariff wars abroad, particularly amid Americas tit-for-tat levies with China. But Beijing and Washington recently agreed to pull back some non-tariff restrictions. China says its approving permits for rare earth magnets to be exported to the U.S., while Washington has lifted curbs on chip design software and jet engines. Nvidia and its CEO have also garnered Trumps favor in recent months. In April, the company announced that it would be producing its AI chips in the U.S. for the first time, starting with more than one million square feet of manufacturing space to build and test its specialized Blackwell chips in Arizona and AI supercomputers in Texas. Trump was quick to applaud Nvidias move. He introduced Huang as a smart cookie who was helping bring jobs to the U.S. at an Investing in America event held at the White House later that month. Similar to Nvidia, AMD is now also poised to restart Chinese sales of its MI308 chips. The California-based company said in a statement that the Commerce Department was moving forward with license applications for these exports to China, and that it plans to resume shipments as those licenses are approved. ___ Grantham-Philips reported from New York. AP Writers Didi Tang in Washington, D.C., Matt OBrien in Providence, Rhode Island and AP researcher Yu Bing in Beijing contributed. By ELAINE KURTENBACH and WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS AP Business Writers The Grand Canyon Lodge was an elusive getaway for nearly a century. Now its gone The Grand Canyon Lodge was an elusive getaway for nearly a century. Now its gone View Photo The nearly century-old Grand Canyon Lodge in far northern Arizona was a refuge for ambitious hikers and adventurous tourists eager to bask in the magnificent views of one of the most remote and renowned landscapes in the world. But a wind-whipped wildfire reduced it to a skeleton of itself within hours over the weekend, devastating the many who saw it as an intrinsic part of the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Fortified with Kaibab limestone and logs from the surrounding Ponderosa pine forest, it sat at the edge of the canyon, blending in and enhancing the natural environment. Its tragic, it really is, retired National Park Service chief historian Robert K. Sutton said Monday. The lodge itself told a key part of history for both the Grand Canyon and the National Park Service. Gilbert Stanley Underwood, who designed the lodge in 1927, sought to immerse residents in the landscape that now draws millions of visitors annually from around the world with a rustic, organic architectural style. He designed similar lodges in Zion and Bryce national parks in Utah, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Yosemite National Park in California, according to the park service. The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging within the canyons North Rim, was built at a time when the federal department was eager to find ways to engage the public with the countrys best natural offerings, Sutton said. For a place as remote as the North Rim, that wasnt an easy task. The lodge was a winding 212-mile (341-kilometer) drive from the more popular South Rim where 90% of the tourists go. Hiking from one side to the other is even more arduous at over 20 miles (32 kilometers) with steep ascents at the end. But the historic buildings tranquility is a fundamental part of its appeal. Youre just on your own. Its just a completely different atmosphere, Sutton said. The drive up to the North Rim was a chance to see a bison herd that roams the far reaches of northern Arizona. The highway ended at the Grand Canyon Lodge, built right up to the edge of the rim. Across the lobby inside and down the stairs, visitors got a picturesque view of the Grand Canyon framed through the windows of the Sun Room furnished with plush couches. Navajo woven rugs hung on the walls and elaborate light fixtures from the ceilings. In the corner of the room sat Brighty, a burro that lived at the canyon and inspired a childrens book, immortalized in a statue as a sort of mascot for the North Rim. Jen Pinegan, 47, trained for months to hike from the South Rim to the North Rim in May 2024. She started before the sun came up to avoid what can be ruthless Arizona heat. After 12 grueling hours, she arrived at the North Rim, stayed the night at the Grand Canyon Lodge and awoke to a view she she said had an indescribable magic to it. Others hikers were celebrating, too, creating an electric atmosphere as they soaked in the views, she said. I think theres what made it more incredible, is knowing that a lot of people dont see it, Pinegan said. She returned to the lodge for the Fourth of July weekend to take her youngest daughter and two step sons to lunch at the restaurant known for its elk chili. She said she was brought to tears when she heard it burned down. For those who enjoy a good road trip, like Erik Ammerlaan, the lodge had an elusive appeal. Hes traveled to roughly 30 countries but counts his stay at the Grand Canyon Lodge in 2016 as one of his most memorable trips. It was like you were looking at this movie, but its just nature, he said. Youre really just one with nature The lightning-caused wildfire that consumed the lodge and dozens of other structures at the North Rim began July 4. The National Park Service had been managing it to clear the landscape of fuel when winds shifted and it made a run toward the lodge. Hundreds of people were evacuated. The blaze wasnt the first time the lodge was destroyed. In September 1932, just five years after it opened, lodge employees and residents watched as a kitchen fire grew and overtook the structure, according to the park service. It was rebuilt in 1938. Sutton, the retired park service historian, and others are optimistic the Grand Canyon Lodge will get a new life. I suspect it will regenerate, he said. ___ Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. By SAFIYAH RIDDLE Associated Press/Report For America With Epstein conspiracy theories, Trump faces a crisis of his own making View Photo NEW YORK (AP) As his supporters erupt over the Justice Departments failure to release much-hyped records in Jeffrey Epsteins sex trafficking investigation, President Donald Trumps strategy has been to downplay the issue. I dont understand what the interest or what the fascination is, Trump told reporters Tuesday. His problem? That nothing-to-see-here approach doesnt work for those whove learned from him they must not give up until the governments deepest, darkest secrets are exposed. Last week, the Justice Department and the FBI abruptly walked back the notion theres an Epstein client list of elites who participated in the wealthy New York financiers trafficking of underage girls. Trump quickly defended Attorney General Pam Bondi and chided a reporter for daring to ask about the documents. The online reaction was swift, with followers calling the Republican president out of touch and demanding transparency. Trumps comments to reporters Tuesday while returning to Washington from a brief Pittsburgh trip were just the latest in a days-long campaign to quell the uproar. He called the Epstein case pretty boring and said the credible information has been given. I dont understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody. he said. Trying to put the genie back in the bottle Over the weekend, Trump used his Truth Social platform to attempt to call supporters off the Epstein trail amid reports of infighting between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino over the issue. He suggested the turmoil was undermining his administration all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. That did little to mollify Trumps supporters, who urged him to release the files or risk losing his base. The political crisis is especially challenging for Trump because its one of his own making. The president has spent years stoking dark theories and embracing QAnon-tinged propaganda that casts him as the only savior who can demolish the deep state. Now that hes running the federal government, the community he helped build is coming back to haunt him. Its demanding answers he either isnt able to or doesnt want to provide. Asked Tuesday whether Bondi had told him his name was in the Epstein files, Trump said no. He praised her handling of the case and said she should release whatever she thinks is credible. But he also claimed there were credibility issues with the documents, suggesting without citing evidence they were made up by former FBI Director James Comey and former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, both Democrats. Bondi declined to discuss the Epstein files Tuesday during a press briefing about drug trafficking. The faulty assumption Trump and others make is they can peddle conspiracy theories without any blowback, said Matt Dallek, a political scientist at George Washington University. The Epstein case is a neat encapsulation that it is hard to put the genie back in the bottle. A problem thats not going away Last weeks two-page statement from the Justice Department and the FBI saying they had concluded Epstein didnt possess a client list roiled Trumps supporters, who pointed to past statements from several administration officials that the list ought to be revealed. Bondi had suggested in February such a document was sitting on her desk waiting for review, though last week she said shed been referring generally to the Epstein case file, not a client list. Conservative influencers have since demanded to see all the files related to Epsteins crimes, even as Trump has tried to put the issue to bed. Far-right commentator Jack Posobiec said at Turning Point USAs Student Action Summit on Saturday he wouldnt rest until we go full Jan. 6 committee on the Jeffrey Epstein files. Trumps weekend post called on supporters to focus on investigating Democrats and arresting criminals rather than spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein. His first-term national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, pleaded with him to reconsider. @realdonaldtrump please understand the EPSTEIN AFFAIR is not going away, Flynn wrote. Other Trump allies continue to push for answers, among them far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has called for Bondi to resign. She told Politicos Playbook newsletter on Sunday a special counsel should be appointed to investigate the handling of the files on Epstein, who was found dead in his federal jail cell in 2019 weeks after he was arrested. House Speaker Mike Johnson told right-wing influencer Benny Johnson in an interview released Tuesday that he is for transparency, and wants Bondi to put everything out there and let the people decide. He said the Justice Department needs to focus on crime and other priorities, including elections and investigating ActBlue, the Democrats top fundraising platform. Experts who study conspiracy theories warned more sunlight doesnt necessarily make far-fetched narratives disappear. For some portion of this set of conspiracy theory believers, no amount of contradictory evidence will ever be enough, said Josephine Lukito, who studies conspiracy theorists at the University of Texas at Austin. Trump and his colleagues set their own trap The president and many figures in his administration including Bondi,Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel earned their political capital over the years in part by encouraging disproven conspiracy theories. Now, theyre tasked with trying to reveal the evidence theyd long insisted was there a challenge thats reached across the government. Last week, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin posted on X what seemed like an endorsement of a conspiracy theory that the contrails left by aircraft are releasing chemicals for potentially nefarious reasons. But a second post from Zeldin underscored the fine line the Trump administration is trying to walk by linking to a new page on the EPA website that essentially debunked the theory. The value of conspiratorial fabrications is they help people get political power, said Russell Muirhead, who teaches political science at Dartmouth College. He said Trump has been skilled in exploiting that. But the Epstein case brings unique challenges, he said. Thats because its rooted in truth: A wealthy and well-connected financier did spend years abusing large numbers of young girls while escaping justice. So, Trump needs to come forward with truth and transparency on the topic, Muirhead said. If he doesnt, large segments of his most enthusiastic and devoted supporters are going to lose faith in him. A potentially costly distraction Trumps rivals have been taking advantage of right-wing fissures over Epstein. Democrats sought to capitalize on the controversy, with several lawmakers calling for the release of all Epstein files and suggesting Trump could be resisting because he or someone close to him is featured in them. The Democratic House Majority PAC on Tuesday emailed a memo that called out some House Republicans by name. It said they are complicit with the Trump administration because they had called for the Epstein files to be made public but then voted against a Democratic amendment to force their release. Conservatives expressed concerns Trumps approach on Epstein could hurt them in the midterms. For this to go away, youre going to lose 10% of the MAGA movement, right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon said during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit on Friday. Theres also the challenge of governing. Bondi and Bongino had a tense exchange last week at the White House over a story about Epstein, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private conversation. And Loomer, whos close to Trump, said Friday she was told Bongino was seriously thinking about resigning. The FBI declined to comment. Dallek, the George Washington University professor, said its alarming that the countrys top law enforcement officials are feuding over a conspiracy theory. Its possible at some time voters are going to notice the things they want or expect government to do arent being done because the people in charge are either incompetent or off chasing rabbits, he said. Who is fulfilling the mission of the FBI to protect the American people? ___ Riccardi reported from Denver. Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, Melissa Goldin and Gary Fields in Washington contributed to this report. By ALI SWENSON and NICHOLAS RICCARDI Associated Press Federal grand jury indicts man accused of killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman View Photo MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A man indicted Tuesday on charges he fatally shot the Democratic leader in the Minnesota state House and her husband, and wounded another lawmaker and his wife, confessed to the crimes in a rambling handwritten letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, but didnt say why he targeted the couples, prosecutors said. Vance Boelter also wrote in the letter that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz had approached him about killing the states two U.S. senators, fellow Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. Asked by a reporter if all that was a fantasy, acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson replied: Yes, I agree. There is little evidence showing why he turned to political violence and extremism, Thompson said. What he left were lists: politicians in Minnesota, lists of politicians in other states, lists of names of attorneys at national law firms. The indictment handed up murder, stalking and firearms charges against Boelter. The murder counts in the deaths of former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, could carry the federal death penalty. The indictment also charged Boelter with shooting and wounding a state senator and his wife, and attempting to shoot their adult daughter. Thompson said a decision on whether to seek the death penalty will not come for several months and will be up to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Minnesota abolished its state death penalty in 1911, but President Donald Trumps administration says it intends to be aggressive in seeking capital punishment for eligible federal crimes. Prosecutors initially charged Boelter with the same six counts. But under federal court rules they needed a grand jury indictment to take the case to trial. His arraignment, where he could enter a plea, will probably be scheduled for later in the week, Thompson said Boelters federal defender, Manny Atwal, did not immediately return messages seeking comment on the indictment and the new allegations. Political extremism as a motive Thompson also disclosed new details at a news conference. He said investigators had found the handwritten letter, which was addressed to the FBI chief, in a car Boelter abandoned near his home. In the letter, Vance Boelter claims that he had been trained by the U.S. military off the books and he had conducted missions on behalf of the U.S. military in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, Thompson said. The letter doesnt specifically say though why he targeted the Hortmans and Hoffmans. Boelters political and religious views Friends have described Boelter as an evangelical Christian with politically conservative views who had been struggling to find work. At a hearing July 3, Boelter said he was looking forward to the facts about the 14th coming out. In an interview published by the New York Post on Saturday, Boelter insisted the shootings had nothing to do with his opposition to abortion or his support for Trump, but he declined to discuss why he allegedly killed the Hortmans and wounded the Hoffmans. You are fishing and I cant talk about my caseIll say it didnt involve either the Trump stuff or pro life, Boelter wrote in a message to the newspaper via the jails messaging system. Boelter also faces state murder and attempted murder charges in Hennepin County, but the federal case will go first. Other details of the case Prosecutors say Boelter, 57, who has lived in rural Sibley County south of Minneapolis, was disguised as a police officer, driving a fake squad car, wearing a realistic rubber mask and wearing tactical gear around 2 a.m. on June 14 when he went to the home of Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, in the Minneapolis suburb of Champlin. He allegedly shot the senator nine times, and Yvette Hoffman eight times, but they survived. He also allegedly tried to kill their adult daughter, Hope, but they pushed her out of the way and she was not hit. Prosecutors allege he then stopped at the homes of two other lawmakers. One wasnt home while a police officer may have scared him off from the other target. Boelter then allegedly went to the Hortmans home in nearby Brooklyn Park and killed both of them. Their dog was so gravely injured that he had to be euthanized. Brooklyn Park police, who had been alerted to the shootings of the Hoffmans, arrived at the Hortman home around 3:30 a.m., moments before the gunman opened fire on the couple, court documents said. Boelter allegedly fled and left behind his car, which contained notebooks listing dozens of Democratic officials as potential targets with their home addresses, as well as five guns and a large quantity of ammunition. Thompson said the gun used to shoot the Hoffmans was found near the Hortman home, while the gun used to shoot the Hortmans was recovered from a pond near their home a few days later. Law enforcement officers finally captured Boelter about 40 hours later, about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from his rural home in Green Isle, after what authorities called the largest search for a suspect in state history. Remembering the victims Sen. Hoffman is out of the hospital and is now at a rehabilitation facility, his family announced last week, adding he has a long road to recovery. Yvette Hoffman was released a few days after the attack. Hope Hoffman said in a statement Tuesday that she was relieved that Boelter will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Though I was not shot physically, I will now forever coexist with the PTSD of watching my parents be nearly shot dead in front of me and seeing my life flash before my eyes with a gun in my face, she said. Hortman led the House from 2019 until January and was a driving force as Democrats passed an ambitious list of liberal priorities in 2023. She yielded the speakership to a Republican in a power-sharing deal after the November elections left the House tied, and she took the title speaker emerita. - Associated Press reporter Ed White in Detroit contributed to this report. By STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press Adelita Grijalva wins Democratic primary for Arizona US House seat held by her late father View Photo PHOENIX (AP) Adelita Grijalva won the Democratic primary Tuesday for a southern Arizona U.S. House seat long held by her father, the late U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, one of the most senior and progressive power brokers on Capitol Hill. Adelita Grijalva will face Daniel Butierez, a painting company owner who won the GOP primary, in a Sept. 23 special election for the seat in the heavily Democratic 7th Congressional District. Raul Grijalvas death in March left the seat wide open for the first time in over two decades. Grijalva was a champion of environmental protections and reliably went to bat for immigrants and Native American tribes. He routinely breezed past GOP challengers in the deep-blue district, which stretches across most of the states border with Mexico, spanning six counties and parts of Tucson. Adelita Grijalva dominated the field of Democratic hopefuls seeking the nomination. She said lowering the cost of living, standing up for immigrant rights, and protecting access to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security are among her top priorities. Grijalva also racked up a lengthy list of heavyweight endorsements including Democratic U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and several state and local officials. This is a victory not for me, but for our community and the progressive movement my dad started in Southern Arizona more than 50 years ago, Grijalva said in a statement. Butierez, who captured more than one third of the vote against Raul Grijalva last year, also easily clinched his partys nomination, winning every county by large numbers. He said hes excited by the results and more optimistic about his chances this go-around because hes been actively campaigning and he believes he can win over more Democrats in the district. The biggest thing is, Im not running to represent just the Democrats or just the Republicans. Im running to represent everybody, he said. If Adelita Grijalva wins the general election, she would be the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress. In a district that is 60 percent Hispanic, it is critical that voters see themselves in their representatives, and Adelita is the fighter they need in Congress, said Rep. Linda Sanchez, chair of BOLD PAC, the Hispanic Caucus campaign organization. Grijalva has also pushed back against notions that shes an establishment candidate and has pointed to her own credentials serving on local governing boards. She ran against former state lawmaker Daniel Hernandez; digital strategist and reproductive rights advocate Deja Foxx; Indigenous activist and scholar Jose Malvido Jr.; and retired health care executive Patrick Harris Sr. Grijalva led her next closest rival, Foxx, by about 40 percentage points when The Associated Press declared her the winner. In the GOP primary, Butierez ran against off-road vehicle businessman Jimmy Rodriguez and restaurant owner Jorge Rivas. The results of Tuesdays primary will remain unofficial until they are certified on July 31 by the Arizona Secretary of States office. The seat will not decide control of the U.S. House, but it is one of three vacancies in heavily Democratic districts that, when filled in special elections this fall, will likely chip away at Republicans slender 220-212 majority in the chamber. Democrats have a nearly 2-1 ratio registration advantage over Republicans in the 7th District. ___ This story has been updated to correct that Arizonas 7th Congressional District includes portions of six counties, not seven. By SEJAL GOVINDARAO Associated Press One of the states best investigators was on the hunt for golden mussels a dangerous new invader in Californias waters, with a reputation for destruction. Wearing a collar and a tongue-lolling grin, Allee, a Belgian Malinois, sniffed along the glittering hull of a bass boat at an inspection station in Butte County. The dogs handler, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Warden Mark Rose, pointed at the outboard motor and the dog delicately nosed the propellers. She stretched up on her hind legs to get a good whiff of the port side before Rose led her away. She yawned. Nothing here. The dog was searching for any hint of the thimble-sized mussels hidden in the nooks and crannies of boats headed to Lake Oroville, the states second-largest reservoir, or two smaller reservoirs nearby. Her human counterparts at the Department of Water Resources inspection station combed the boats interior for standing water that could harbor larvae. Mandatory boat inspections are among the few weapons in Californias arsenal for protecting its thousands of lakes and reservoirs from the invasion. The mussels prolific growth and voracious appetites can upend entire ecosystems, encrust underwater surfaces, choke off water supplies and damage dams and power plants. We have been on high alert, said Tanya Veldhuizen, special projects section manager in the California Department of Water Resources environmental assessment branch, which operates the states water delivery system. Its not just on our doorstep, its in our house. State water managers made the alarming discovery last October that golden mussels, which are native to China and Southeast Asia, had invaded the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta the core of Californias massive water delivery systems. It marked the first detection in North America. The mussels, first discovered encrusting a float near the Port of Stockton, have already infiltrated Californias two major state and federal water systems, which export water from the Delta to supply 30 million people and millions of acres of farmland. Their larvae are spreading through the network of pumps, pipes and canals. To everyones horror, it was in many, many more places than we expected, said Ted Grosholz, a professor emeritus with the UC Davis Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute. The further they looked, the further they found them. Now the mussels are here to stay. They cannot be eradicated. Water suppliers bracing for the onslaught have instead turned their efforts to shoring up pipes, pumps and treatment plants against the infestation. Golden mussels, a destructive species from Asia, are concentrated in the Sacramento-San Jaoquin River Delta, according to California Department of Fish and Wildlife surveys. The states most immediate priority is protecting the small pipes at upstream pumping facilities that keep water deliveries flowing, then theyll move their efforts downstream, Veldhuizen said. It is a huge undertaking, Veldhuizen said. Were not looking at removing mussels from all the water, because its just not feasible. The race is on to keep the mussels and their microscopic larvae from infesting untainted lakes by stowing away on hulls or inside damp, internal cavities of boats. But resources are stretched precariously thin. There is no funding dedicated to fighting invasive golden mussels in the states budget. And each new infestation means one more place from which they can spread. Boaters statewide are warned to clean, drain and dry anything that touches water before moving it to another lake or river. Microscopic larvae can survive in tiny amounts of trapped water. Adult mussels may survive for around a week or longer with no water at all. Water managers in some lakes and reservoirs now require inspections, quarantine periods and decontamination with hot water before boats can enter. Others have closed or limited access to boating. But a patchwork of oversight leaves many lakes with no protection at all. Oh, look what we found the hunt for mussels Allee, with her sensitive snout and devotion to Rose, is one of the states more finely-honed weapons against this invasion. But she is one of only 14 dogs with the wildlife agency trained to detect invasive mussels, Rose said. And she is also tasked with sniffing out the guns, ammunition and kills of wildlife poachers farther north in Tehama County, where Rose is the only game warden for nearly 3,000 square miles. A state and federal mussels task force released recommendations in April, including mandatory decontamination of boats in infested areas for longer than five days and prevention programs at all accessible, uninfested waters. But these are monumental tasks, especially amid federal staff cuts and the states $12 billion budget deficit. Californias fish and wildlife agency, for instance, is severely understaffed, with only 33% of the resources needed to fulfill its law enforcement duties and 26% needed for habitat and species conservation, according to a 2021 analysis mandated by the Legislature. Even so, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed cutting 164 vacant positions at the department this year, including wardens and other enforcement positions, according to HD Palmer with the Department of Finance. Lawmakers rejected the cuts for now, but the finance department said the budget does not provide funding to fight golden mussels. Everybodys under fire, UC Davis Grosholz said. Its not a great time for resource agencies to suddenly have a brand new threat. At the Department of Water Resources Oroville inspection station last month, trucks hauling expensive fishing boats and beat-up skiffs rolled over the dusty parking lot at the Thermalito Forebay, a smaller, downstream reservoir. The boats that passed Allees smell test and neon-vested inspectors were recorded and tagged, then sent to the open ramps. Boats that failed because they were still wet even wet cupholders and life jackets can trigger a failure were sent to a decontamination station, where they were sprayed and flushed with steaming water. Inspection stations set up by multiple agencies have already intercepted boats contaminated with golden mussels bound for lakes Tahoe, Folsom, Berryessa and Oroville. Leaning against his sailboat at an Oroville boat ramp, boater Dean Dyrr said inspectors spotted mussels on the boat right next to his when his sailboat was checked at the Thermalito Forebay in May. They were like, Oh, look what we found! and it was a handful of mussels, Dyrr said as his wife loaded up their boat with supplies and water. Lake Oroville glinted against the dry, oak-studded foothills, and dozens of boats bobbed on its surface. When mussels are found, the boat is pressure-washed and flushed with hot water, then confirmed free of mussels before it can be launched at the lake. The programs actually working. Theyre actually doing some good to keep the mussels out of the water at Oroville, Dyrr said. Dont know what theyre doing with all the other thousands of lakes around that theyre not monitoring, though. Various authorities federal, state, local and private manage access to Californias lakes and reservoirs. Of particular concern are the lakes and waterways that are not fed by Delta water, because they have the best chance of being spared infestations. Around thirty lakes and reservoirs have inspection programs and quarantine requirements of up to 60 days, and a handful have limited or barred access to boats, according to the states Division of Boating and Waterways analysis of a list they maintain. The division warns, however, that the list is not comprehensive and is kept as a courtesy with the limited staff that they have; boaters are advised to contact lakes and reservoirs to confirm. Among the biggest gaps in oversight are federally-managed Whiskeytown and Shasta lakes. Shasta Lake is the biggest reservoir in the state, and both are popular with boaters. Neither have mandatory inspection programs. If golden mussels are detected in Shasta Lake, we will reassess the current approach and consider additional measures, a spokesperson with the U.S. Forest Service said in an email. The agency asks boaters to voluntarily dry their boats for five days between visits to local North State lakes like Shasta and Whiskeytown, and 30 days if entering the lakes from outside the area. Laura Shaskey, division lead of resource management and interpretation with the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, said voluntary inspections are offered during peak visiting periods. The inspection programs that do exist are costly and labor intensive. Lake Tahoes has been in place since 2008, after invasive quagga mussels breached Californias borders. But golden mussels are more ecologically nimble than previous invaders, and can survive in a much bigger range of waters. So the threat that they pose to Lake Tahoe is even greater, said Jeff Cowen, a spokesperson for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. The agency has budgeted $1.1 million this fiscal year for its mandatory inspection program, which now also requires decontamination for boats entering on trailers. Boaters launching for the first time in Tahoe will need to pay a $115 registration fee for the year, plus $30 to $60 decontamination fees each time the boat returns from another lake. Kayaks, paddleboards and other hand-launched boats can skip the line and be decontaminated for free. At Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and California State Parks require boaters to quarantine their boats for 30 days after inspection before they can enter the water, or pay a company for decontamination. By mid-June, staff braving sometimes sweltering weather had inspected more than 7,000 boats in just two months. But for all the expense and effort, there are still too many ways for boats to leave the Delta with invasive stowaways, and too few resources to stop them. There are also traces of DNA that suggest golden mussels had already invaded the Delta more than a year before they were first spotted near the Port of Stockton, Veldhuizen said. There is the real potential that watercraft have moved golden mussels out of the Delta, and my fear is that we will begin to see detections outside of that interconnected water, Martha Volkoff, environmental program manager for the California Department of Fish and Wildlifes Invasive Species Program, said at a recent webinar. Still, Volkoff told CalMatters, it is worth trying to slow the spread as much as possible. California has done it before: Quagga mussels are thought to have spread to only two unconnected bodies of water since they were first discovered in Southern Californias Colorado River Aqueduct in 2007. Theres so much to protect yet, Volkoff said. Yes, its a lot of work, but the long-term savings to the environment and to all the other ways that it costs us is investment well spent, even if we just delay new introductions. Rose, in his K-9 unit vest, led Allee toward a pickup hauling an aluminum fishing boat when the driver rattled away, kicking up dust. The boat had not been inspected; the lake he was heading to Collins Lake, in Yuba County doesnt require them. Theres just too many boats and too many people out there to not miss them. Its physically impossible, Rose said. Another boat pulled up, and Allee happily trotted over. Boaters upset about long dry-outs About 25 miles away in the Sierra foothills, Collins Lake brimmed with campers on a Friday afternoon in June. People lounged on the sandy beach and paddled on kayaks and floats. A handful of fishing boats bobbed in the deeper water. A sign at the lakes boat ramp warned DONT MOVE A MUSSEL. CLEAN. DRAIN. DRY. It was a precaution against the older threats of quagga and zebra mussels, and hadnt been updated yet to include the states newest invader. There was no one checking boats at the ramp, though which had drawn Mark Mezzanares and his friend Sonny Steuart to the lake. The retirees from Colfax were put off by the 30-day dry-out periods required at Folsom Lake in Sacramento County and Rollins Lake in Nevada County, though boaters who want to fast-track entry can pay for disinfection. Im not gonna go sit over there and have my boat sit in the freaking driveway for 30 days and then go fishing once, Mezzanares said. Rollins quarantine is an even more stringent 60 days for boats with bilges, ballasts and live water tanks that could carry stowaways. You dont buy and spend $45,000 on a boat to go to one lake, he said. They wished the state offered a pass that allowed boats cleared for one lake to visit others. Its a common refrain among boaters who chafe at the new restrictions. Maggie Macias, a spokesperson for the Department of Water Resources, said in an email they are discussing a pass program from Lake Oroville with other lake managers, but will need to ensure that any potential partners have rigorous inspections and dont already have mussels in the water themselves. Those whose livelihoods depend on keeping lakes open for visitors are facing a difficult new reality. Jacob Young, the general manager of Collins Lake recreation area, is leaving it up to the boaters to ensure their boats are clean, drained and dry at least for now. You can just sense a lot of that frustration that theyre feeling, like, This is ridiculous, Young said. And the same token, you get some people who might say, Man, youre not doing any golden mussel inspections? How could you not be doing that and making sure youre staying safe? At the boat ramp, water poured from the motor of a cherry-red bass boat that visitor Dan Jacobs had just hauled off the lake. Jacobs said he wished California had a network of courtesy decontamination stations like the ones offered in Minnesota to combat the spread of invasive zebra mussels, instead of lengthy quarantines. One of the rare times our tax dollars were spent wisely, he said. For him, the risk to Collins Lake feels personal; he and his wife camped there decades ago, when he was stationed at Beale Air Force Base, and now their children and grandchildren return for family camping trips. As bad as the mussels are, it makes you kind of nervous, he said. All it takes is one person to screw it up for everyone. ___ Natasha Uzcategui-Liggett contributed reporting. ___ This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. By RACHEL BECKER/CalMatters CalMatters A compact comprehensive discussion of the present state and future prospects of AI technologies applied to armed conflict is an impossible mission, but I will undertake it here. What gives me encouragement is the great difficulty of prognostication regarding AI. I believe AI will be the most profound transformation of human affairs in the history of civilization, and nobody has a good grasp of where this is going, so the deficiencies of my predictive efforts may not stand out among the shortcomings of others. Warfare has a structural hierarchy that recapitulates its evolution. Early hand-to-hand combat and tribal battles were entirely tactical. As tribes aggregated into forces resembling armies, operational logistics and strategies became necessary, and when nation states formed enormous armies, navies, and air forces, grand strategies developed. Technological advances have generally permeated all levels of the art of war. Cavalry, gunpowder, high explosives, steel ships, mechanized armor and transport, aviation, and computerization have all affected tactical, operational, and strategic levels of warfare. I will discuss AI in terms of its role in each of these levels of armed conflict. Tactical AI Starting at the bottom of the art of war hierarchy, consider a soldier with a rifle. It currently takes four to eight weeks for the military to train a highly-proficient marksman. Such a soldier, a squad-designated marksman, can hit targets effectively at 600 yards. Today, rudimentary AI-integrated electronics in a smart rifle sight can give almost anyone an even higher degree of accurate shooting capability. This equipment automatically adjusts aim for wind, temperature, atmospheric pressure, rifle position, target motion, and range, and it does it consistently, even in the heat of battle. Developments like smart rifle sights foreshadow the extinction of soldiers on the battlefield. The same high accuracy will be available to any aerial or terrestrial drone armed with an automatic rifle. Ultimately, human soldiers will not be survivable on future battlefields where smarter, faster, and deadlier robotic combatants are deployed. Another tactical weapon prominent on todays battlefields is the guided combat drone. Although most attack drones are directed over a video link by a drone operator, AI technology is enabling autonomous operation for advanced drones capable of loitering over the battlefield and identifying and striking targets with minimal human guidance. Moreover The concept of AI-enabled intelligent drone swarms is under development by multiple militaries, and this will add a new dimension of lethality to drone weaponry. Operational AI At the operational level, military advantage is attained by the large-scale direction of resources through superior information and communication. This pertains to areas such as logistics, handling of casualties, and detection and targeting of enemy forces. AI technology can confer advantages across all operational domains. A chilling example of such AI utilization is the Israeli Lavender system used to direct strikes against Hamas in the current war in Gaza. U.S. technology companies, such as Palantir Technologies, have come under increasing criticism for supplying components of military AI systems to foreign governments, particularly Israel. U.S. citizens are concerned that these systems are or will be used domestically for repressive purposes. Strategic AI At the highest levels of strategic military planning, AI can potentially contribute significantly to the quality of decision making. With its ability to rapidly integrate vast amounts of information across many domains, AI decision support systems can provide leaders with clearer estimates of strategic threats, risks, and opportunities that ever before. However, if AI facilities are granted autonomy to make strategic decisions, there is a grave danger of undesired conflict escalation resulting from undiscovered flaws in the AI programming. The development of safeguards for strategic military AI systems is hindered by the wall of secrecy behind which national defense projects are created. Independent review mechanisms for such projects should be created to allow oversight of classified systems, particularly those related to cyberwarfare and nuclear weapons. Escalation and the Dangerous Future of Military AI Contemporary military theory puts a high premium on speed of execution of what is called the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act). An adversary that can execute this loop faster has a potent advantage over the slower opponent. Because AIs can accelerate all aspects of military decision making, there is a powerful evolutionary pressure to grant AI systems increasing autonomy for fear of losing a decision loop race against an enemy. This creates the potential for very rapid escalation of an armed conflict between opposing AIs. If unchecked, such escalation could culminate in a global nuclear war. AI Ensembles Perhaps the greatest source of uncertainty regarding future AI developments is the evolution of ensembles of collaborative AI systems. Just as military effectiveness is enhanced by close cooperation among manned units, the future architecture of military AI facilities will benefit from close integration of multiple AI systems. The compounding effects of anomalies in the interacting systems could result in emergent failure modes undetectable in unit testing. This is a disturbing possibility in systems associated with weaponry. A related danger is the potential enabling of self-modifying capabilities in the AIs, which would enable learning-based enhancement of functionality, but with unpredictably hazardous consequences. The extraordinary speed and power of AI ensembles would be a double-edged sword that could result in serious unrecoverable errors, such as friendly fire incidents or false threat detection triggering counter-strikes. Conclusion There is an AI arms race underway spanning all aspects of armed conflict. Like the nuclear arms race, it is dangerously unstable. If AI military systems are granted increasing autonomy there is a possibility of rapid conflict escalation that could be catastrophic. For decades the world has been bedeviled by unexpected flaws and bugs in relatively simple software. The vastly greater complexity of AI systems and the likely future interaction among multiple AI entities substantially increases the risk of unknown operational failure modes. Of particular concern is the potential for AIs to modify their own programming and implement capabilities unknown to their human proprietors. Political leaders and policy makers should work to develop international protocols and treaties implementing safeguards to prevent runaway AI technology from launching enormously destructive wars. Never has human intelligence been more necessary to guide its artificial counterparts. Animals react to secret sounds from plants, say scientists BBC 2.35-billion-year-old Moon rock found in Africa rewrites lunar history ScienceDaily (Kevin W) Lecture 19 Weber on Charismatic Authority Open Yale Courses (resilc) How GLP-1s Are Breaking Life Insurance Ashwin Sharma, MD (Paul R) The fascinating science of pain and why everyone feels it differently Guardian (Kevin W) The Death of Partying in the U.S.A.and Why It Matters Derek Thompson (resilc). Important. #COVID-19/Pandemics From Barry Ritholtz (resilc): Running this for an informed reader sanity check. I cant believe Remdesivir was this dangerous since so many top pols like Kamala took it. Was the dosing higher in the Ebola trials? The dose makes the poison. Remdesivir Was Declared Too Deadly & Too Unethical To Use In African Ebola Trials Because It Had A 53% Kill Rate. Yet, It Was The Only Drug Fauci Allowed To Be Used On COVID Patients In Hospitals. Remdesivir Is Still Used Today & It Is Now Being Used On Infants & Children pic.twitter.com/UfdTqHAl8X Valerie Anne Smith (@ValerieAnne1970) July 14, 2025 Climate/Environment China? European Disusion Old Blighty Israel v. The Resistance New Not-So-Cold War Imperial Collapse Watch Laffaire Epstein Our No Longer Free Press On Tucker v. the IDF: What happened this past weekend with turning point USA was HUGE. It may not seem like it but the event marks an actual turning point in history. If you were paying attention, it should be abundantly clear that Charlie Kirk and turning cannot contain the moods and opinions of Propaganda & co (@propandco) July 14, 2025 Case closed after Russian disinfo claims led to persecution of NZ journalist GrayZone (Kevin W) New Yorks Stale Speech Suppression Playbook American Conservative (Li) Police State Watch I Triggered Another Federal Investigation Ken Klippenstein (Chuck L) US manufacturers are stuck in a rut despite subsidies from Biden and protection from Trump Associated Press (Kevin W). Quelle surprise! AI The Bezzle Class Warfare Musks Perfect World: How would it work? Steve Keen (Chuck L). Todays must read. Five Companies Now Control Over 90% of the Global Food Delivery Market Ramnz (Paul R). Where is the worlds smallest violin? Food delivery is a luxury. The people for whom you should feel sorry are the deliveristas. And why do restaurants play ball when they get exploited? Retirement Then, Now, and Next The New School Antidote du jour (via): And a bonus (Chuck L): This only happens to you once. pic.twitter.com/0BoBFGJLCM Nature is Amazing (@AMAZlNGNATURE) July 12, 2025 A second bonus: Is this what they call cat reflexes? pic.twitter.com/UJKJx7bqQU cats with threatening auras (@catshealdeprsn) July 13, 2025 And a different sort of bonus (hat tip Li): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Yves here. This short Dean Baker post says even more than he intends. Why has there not been more uproar about the jokes masquerading as administrators that Trump has installed in the Cabinet and other top posts? Because, as we and others (particularly Aurelien) basic managerial put one foot in front of the other skills have been catastrophic decline over the last two decades. I am stunned to now look somewhat charitably upon the likes of Hank Paulson, Timothy Geithner, and Ben Bernanke in the runup to and after the financial crisis. Even though they flailed about and sought only to address proximate problems so as to preserve a rotting status quo, they did so with some appreciation of what they were up against and so eventually were able to stumble their way through to an end-state that worked for them. We have nothing like even that limited level of skill operating anywhere at senior levels. And why has that become acceptable? The only thing I can fathom is fear in the ranks of the press and the business community. I recall having readers say during Brexit that the business community held back from expressing their considerable, fact-based reservations about the way Brexit was evolving into the hardest form possible out of fear of retaliation by the Government. The press has also become cowardly. The Conversation has a new article, ABCs and CBSs settlements with Trump are a dangerous step toward the commander in chief becoming the editor-in-chief, which details how both networks capitulated to Trump suits when the odds of them prevailing in court was very high. The piece also points out how past Presidents tried to muscle the media and got less far. A lesson here is that the press is more than ever run like a business and not with a sense of editorial mission, which would result in relishing fights with power where the publisher has a winning case. The press that published the Pentagon Papers is long dead. And that is a big driver in the rise and continued failing upward of abject mediocrities like Keir Starmer and Kamala Harris. The Trump team does represent a ratchet down, but its on an established trajectory. And as readers will also appreciate, People will die is a feature, not a bug, per Lamberts second rule of neoliberalism. By Dean Baker, the co-founder and the senior economist of the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR). He is the author of several books, including Getting Back to Full Employment: A Better bargain for Working People, The End of Loser Liberalism: Making Markets Progressive, The United States Since 1980, Social Security: The Phony Crisis (with Mark Weisbrot), and The Conservative Nanny State: How the Wealthy Use the Government to Stay Rich and Get Richer. Originally published at Beat the Press; cross posted from Common Dreams We all know and expect that a presidents top appointees are picked in large part because of their willingness to carry out a presidents agenda. But usually these are people with some experience in the areas that they are overseeing. Insofar as this is not the case, they can generally rely on the high-level career officials in the departments or agencies under their control to make sure that necessary tasks get accomplished. Unfortunately, this is not the case now. The main and possibly only qualification for Trumps top appointees is the ability to tell blatant lies with a straight face. He has picked people who not only have no background in the areas they oversee, they dont even have the most basic understanding of their responsibilities. And in many cases they have fired or marginalized the career people with expertise. Starting at the top, Trump picked a former Fox talk show host with a drinking problem, Pete Hegseth, to be his Secretary of Defense. Secretary Hegseth apparently didnt know that he shouldnt be making war plans on unsecured channels and without knowing who was included in the conversations. He apparently also didnt know that his wife should not be included in the discussions. Hundreds of people just died in Texas because of this failure, and we are virtually certain to see far worse in the future. Trump has a Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, who claims he doesnt know that tariffs (import taxes) are taxes. Since tariffs are among the oldest form of taxes, long predating the income tax, this is a pretty elementary point that a Treasury Secretary would be expected to know. Kristi Noem, Trumps Homeland Security Secretary, didnt know what habeas corpus is. Since that is basic right guaranteed by the Constitution, it would be rather important for the person controlling the largest federal police force to be familiar with the concept. While knowledge of their areas may not be a strong point for top Trump officials, lying in front of TV cameras is an area of real expertise. We see this constantly. We just saw Attorney General Pam Bondi tell us that there is no Jeffrey Epstein client list. This was after telling us back in February that the list was sitting on her desk and promising that it was soon to be released. After Trump released his Liberation Day tariffs, which included a steep tariff on the uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick insisted this was not a mistake and an indication of a rushed job. Instead, he said the tariffs were necessary to prevent transshipment from other countries to escape the taxes Trump was imposing. This is obviously an absurd claim since there were many uninhabited islands that escaped taxation. In addition, while the problem of transshipment to avoid tariffs is real, it is not one that can be solved by putting a tariff on imports from islands inhabited by penguins and seals. China and other countries whose exports are subject to high tariffs can and will ship them through countries that face much lower import taxes. If our customs agents cant recognize that we are not actually importing cars and television sets from uninhabited islands, they surely will not be able to detect that the goods coming from Thailand or Indonesia were actually manufactured in China. Trump appointees do have a remarkable ability to lie. RFK Jr. can tell us that discouraging people from getting the measles vaccines has nothing to do with the largest measles outbreak in decades. They all tell us that we can reduce Medicaid spending by $800 billion over the decade (roughly 10 percent), without throwing anyone off the program. And former DOGE boss Elon Musk told us 20 million dead people were getting Social Security benefits. But it seems that none of them can do their jobs, and since they have fired or sidelined most of the high- level civil servants with expertise, these jobs are not getting done. Hundreds of people just died in Texas because of this failure, and we are virtually certain to see far worse in the future. As much as Trump might insist otherwise, incompetence is not a virtue. Yves here. This piece presents a fine and well-substantiated case as to why Elon Musks new party scheme either wont work or wont change things. However, its authors feel the necessity of offering a solution to an intractable problem and not surprisingly come up short. If anything, this article demonstrates that anything short of massive social upheaval will fail. It took a Great Depression and the threat of Communists and Communist-leaning demands from the likes of the CIO to get New Deal social safety nets. By Thomas Ferguson, Research Director and Professor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts, Boston; Paul Jorgensen Associate Professor, School of Interdisciplinary Program and Community Engagement, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; and Jie Chen, University Statistician, University of Massachusetts. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website For decades, the tired story hasnt changed: big money floods politics, alarms go off, and then comes the usual reassurance political competition will save us. As long as parties need votes, the system really cant stay bought, so they say. Politicians, journalists, and scholars have repeated this comforting idea again and again. But while they clung to it, wealth and income gaps soared, and Americans began living in increasingly unequal worlds even in how long they lived. Voters see through the charade. Theyve lost trust in the system and grown tired of both parties, fueled by big money. By the end of Obamas presidency, voter turnout had fallen to its lowest point in decades. Ever since, politicians on both sides have been scrambling to find new ways to reconnect with a disillusioned electorate. During Trumps 2016 campaign, the call to drain the swamp echoed everywhere even as many saw Trump himself as the very embodiment of that swamp. By 2025, after billionaires dominated Trumps second inauguration and Elon Musk, the richest man alive, wielded a chainsaw to cut budgets, more Americans caught on to just how tightly wealth controls politics. Some Democratic leaders have responded by rallying crowds against oligarchy, tapping into that frustration. Meanwhile, billionaire power struggles and scandals kept the media focused on elite conflicts. In New York, where inequality surged faster than in any of the nations other nine largest cities from 2019 to 2022, a democratic socialist candidate won the Democratic primary for mayor. The first step for anyone interested in winning back voter support is recognizing the reality of Americas money-driven system once and for all and then putting forward real reforms to that system, not empty slogans. The Real, Unseen Power of Money in Elections Well before the latest wave of disillusionment, we produced our first statistical demonstration that the outcome of every Congressional election for which the evidence exists that is, since 1980 has been strongly driven by political money, meaning that you could predict three quarters or more of the vote from knowing the percentage split in money between the major parties.[1] The rule holds for both the Senate and the House, with the hundreds of cases the latter offers each election making the relationship especially compelling. The connection between money and votes is so clear and consistentforming almost a perfect straight line, which we call a linear modelthat it was hard for us to believe at first. Certainly, nothing in the political science literature ever suggested anything of this sort. In the early days, we started public presentations with ritual dances of purity lest we convey the impression that money explained everything. We gave that up after the late Francis Bator, the distinguished economist who was Lyndon Johnsons Deputy National Security Adviser, suggested that it was time to stop apologizing and let facts speak for themselves. Is Money Really Driving Electionsor Just Following the Polls? We spent significant time upfront tackling the most common criticism before presenting our full analysis: that the money was not actually shaping outcomes, but mostly followed (usually secret) polls. Modern methods of event analysis, now widely used in finance, allowed us to rule out that money simply follows polls as the general case. We showed that in many races and likely in nearly every individual contest big bursts of money, even late in the race, can dramatically change the chances of winning, almost like magic.[2] Though Democrats sometimes talk about campaign finance reform, neither they nor Republican leaders have seriously pursued it in years.[3]As a result, tracking the increasingly complex and murky flows of money in American elections requires far more time and effort than most media or social scientists are willing to invest. But it can be done. Our results for the 2024 Congressional races confirm the usual pattern. While a handful of mostly Republican primaries make for minor statistical quirks, there are no surprises.[4] The straight-line relationship is clear as ever. Weve placed the technical details in the Appendices and focus here on the key visuals. Figure 1 shows the House results. The vertical axis measures the difference between Republican and Democratic vote percentageswhen its above zero, Democrats are winning. The upward slope of the line clearly shows that as Democrats receive a larger share of political money, their chances of winning increase. Source: FEC data; see Appendix 2 Figure 2 for the Senate shows a similar pattern, though results for that body, involving less than a tenth of the number of cases the House offers, always look more sparsely ragged. Source: FEC data; see Appendix 2 Money-driven political systems work very differently from the nursery tales of conventional voter-centered approaches. Given the disarray among Democrats and the growing talk of an Elon Musk-led new American Party, its important to explain the key lessons of the investment approach to party competition once again. The interdependence between issues and constituencies What truly drives party renewal isnt slogans or talk those are cheap and easy, especially online. What matters is how parties handle the hard reality of high campaign costs in real elections, where running a campaign demands huge amounts of money, energy, and time from average voters.[5] And thats before you factor in the suffocating fog of subsidized misinformation that can choke public debate even in small towns. The basic rule is simple: In real political systems, only campaign appeals that can be financed can be mounted. As a result, in the absence of networks of organizations readily accessible to ordinary people that enable them to spread costs and take advantage of economies of scale, power passes by default into the hands of major investors and organized interest groups that can bear those costs. Money-driven political systems do not guarantee that everyday peoples issues get attention. Instead, in key areas like property rights, taxes, labor, and regulations, important debates disappear into a political Bermuda Triangle a zone where real competition vanishes because powerful investor groups all avoid those issues. This does not happen because parties collude though that happens its because investor-backed parties know pushing costly changes would hurt their funders. In politics, the biggest obstacles are not natural or accidental they are deliberate protections set up to defend the interests of the rich and powerful. Money-dominated systems do manifest a certain kind of competitionbut its a stylized, limited kind, much like the old American car market before foreign companies arrived. Candidates flood the scene with flashy appeals, video events, fundraisers, and nonstop debates. But for everyday people, its mostly theater a show designed to entertain and reassure donors, not serve voters. Debates over party and campaign messages mostly rely on biased readings of selectively leaked polls that arent fully public and usually lack important controls. In reality, these debates are thinly veiled appeals to donors by party insiders who rarely retire from the stage, no matter how disastrous their advice has been in previous elections. They are competing in rigged contests to see who can create the most convincing voter messages that protect donor interests.[6] Over time, lawmakers in both parties tend to increase their wealth far beyond that of the voters they represent. When Congress breaks for the summer, party leaders and lawmakers often spend time in places like the Hamptons or on the West Coast, meeting with donors and leaders from both parties. They may appear in social columns, but rarely make major news. Then, in the fall, they return to begin another round of fundraising. This is why American politics is full of empty promises, loud speeches, and constant scapegoating where Democrats promise the moon but deliver little more than token reforms. Real Reform Demands More Than Just a New Party Starting a new party does not solve the fundamental problem. Its expensive in time, energy, and money and rarely succeeds.[7] The real question is: Who controls the partys funding? True change only comes when, like during the New Deal, broad popular support promotes policies that help the many not just the few and when strong democratic organizations emerge to sustain those policies over time without relying on begging bowls. Reform efforts are doomed unless they drop the unrealistic belief that money for change grows on trees and acknowledge that parties and policies rely heavily on powerful investor groups. If you think strong antitrust enforcement is key to public welfare and economic growth, its self-defeating to expect crucial support from the very trusts you want to regulateas the Harris campaign learned last year when reaching out to Silicon Valley. That high-profile failure revealed a broader truth: financiers rarely hide their demands anymore, and their influence is widespread. If you believe higher taxes on the wealthy are needed to reduce soaring public debt without slashing domestic spending, dont count on most top financiers to put the publics interest ahead of their own. History shows some can be convinced sometimes out of enlightened self-interest but the impetus for real change has to come from elsewhere. Otherwise, reform efforts risk ending up like the Biden administration: after rolling out investment initiatives praised by business groups, not a single major player backed its modest tax reform proposals. A toxic mix of regulatory loopholes and court rulings currently protects big moneys nearly unlimited right to intervene in elections. Right now, the Supreme Court is reviewing a case that could allow even closer coordination between parties, candidates, and wealthy donors. But Democrats dont have to follow the Republicans lead. They could reform their partys rules and practices. (In theory, any new third party could do the same, but were not betting on Elon Musks proposed party taking that path.) The Democrats, for example, could ban SuperPACs within party primaries, as several U.S. senators have recently suggested. Democrats could also reform the rules governing national and state parties. Specifically, they could restructure the Democratic National Committee to remove the heavy presence of corporate lobbyists and require easily accessible, full disclosure of all members outside affiliations. They could also push for more timely disclosure of campaign financing in party primaries, ensuring voters know who is funding candidates before casting their ballots. Wealthy Democrats frequently dismiss steps to reduce moneys role in the party by comparing this to unilateral disarmament in the middle of a war. The analogy slips past the crucial point about the interdependence of money and campaign appeals. Weve shown the chart in Figure 3 before because it makes the point very clearly. Its from the 2016 election, but we believe it still holds true today and thus display it again. (There is no doubt that the new Republican Senate leader fits right in, as our colleague Matthias Lalisse has recently documented.) Our analysis breaks down big and small donations to the leaders of Congress and presidential candidates in 2016, aggregating them to reveal the real role of big money in bankrolling party leaders.[8] The main point is clear: Both the presidential candidates and the leaders of both parties in Congress relied heavily on big money donations. The exceptions were Sanders and Trump. Almost no big donors supported Sanders, while Trumps donations showed an unusual barbell patternhe received large amounts of money from both the very rich and ordinary voters. Instead of pushing people out of the party, a better and more effective approach is to open up party finances to real transparency and reform. In the New Deal era, grassroots pressure from organized labor especially the CIO played a key role in driving bold, popular policies. That didnt stop big, capital-intensive trade-focused businesses from supporting Roosevelt either.[9] The issues that matter most to Americans like Social Security, health care, wages, public health, civil rights, and investment in science and technology are widely popular. But if those priorities are going to be protected and advanced, the loudest voices cant just be lobbyists or donors. The renewal has to come from the mobilization of everyday people. Leaving the future of the parties in the hands of whichever interest groups write the biggest checks isnt just shortsighted its a recipe for more of the same. Real renewal starts from the ground up, or it will not happen. Appendix 1 Our statistical methods here follow those in the appendices to Thomas Ferguson, Paul, Jorgensen, and Jie Chen, How Money Drives US Congressional Elections: Linear models of Money and Outcomes, Structural Change and Economic Dynamics 2022. For our models we drop races without two major party candidates; see our Structural Change and Economic Dynamics discussion. In many cases those are best viewed as auctions. Our models are for U.S. House districts and states with Senate elections. All are definite areas in space, with many adjacent to one another. This spatial adjacency can make trouble for statistical analysis, as strong similarities between neighboring areas may signal that the observations are not independent in a statistical sense. As a result, the effective information contained in the data (and our analysis) could be less than what one would expect if the observations were fully independent. In this case, reliance on the usual ordinary least squares regressions (OLS) technique will be misleading. We thus begin with OLS regressions but then run tests for spatial autocorrelation. In 2024, as in many other cases, these indicated that the House elections were spatially autocorrelated, but that the Senate elections were not. For the latter, OLS regressions suffice. For the House, to deal with the spatial autocorrelation, we estimate a spatial Conditional Autoregressive model. Our main text discussed the methods we used to analyze the possibility that the money in elections was simply following polls, along with the event analysis referenced there. But in recent years, as we became familiar with the work of Peter Ebbes and the analysis of that research by Hueter, we have also estimated models that control for endogeneity, that is, the possibility of two-way causality when no plausible instruments are available. Since the Ebbes model had never been extended for cases that were spatially autocorrelated, we developed a version that we could estimate using spatial Bayesian methods a spatial Bayesian instrumental variable model (SBIV). We thus report three estimates for the House and two for the Senate: Ordinary least squares estimates for each chamber, followed by the results of the spatial CAR model for the House, and finally, results for our spatial latent instrumental variable (SBIV) regression in the spirit of Ebbes for both. We include R-squared and pseudo-R-squared measures (Nagelkerkes) for the spatial model. Appendix Table 1: House and Senate 2024 Data Year OLS Spatial Model SBLIV Rsq/Psd PV(I) N House .719 (.018) .686 (.019) .689 (.650,.732) .806/.821 .000 393 Senate 664 (.064) .633 (.501,.785) .769 .358 34 Note that PV(I) is the p-value of Morans I test for the residuals based on an OLS model. For the House data, PV(I) < .05 indicates the need for a spatial model. For the Senate data, PV(I) > .05 suggests that the OLS model is adequate. Estimated coefficients and standard errors are reported for the OLS and spatial models, while the median and 75th interquartile range are reported for SBLIV and BLIV models. The basic lesson from all these is that their results differ only a bit, offering further reason for rejecting suggestions that money is not actually significantly driving elections. Appendix 2 Our data once again tracks our Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Vol. 61 (2022): 527-545. We analyze general election races without multiple major-party candidates, which for the House of Representatives yields 423 districts (12 of the 435 districts had races with two Republicans or two Democrats facing each other. Of those 423 districts, 30 had races without a major party opponent, which means our regression analysis contained 393 cases for the House. We kept the House race for Alaska despite a second Democrat on the ballot who garnered 1% of the vote from a federal prison. Our Senate model contained 34 races. After examining the contribution patterns of Dan Osborn in Nebraska and Angus King in Maine, we included them as Democratic candidates and did not drop either race for missing a major party opponent. For 2024, as usual, we gathered all candidate disbursements and outside money from any source spent in support of the candidate occurring within the entire 2-year cycle, including negative advertising against opponents, to construct the percentage of all money favoring the Democratic candidate in each House and Senate election. We count the money spent on negative advertising as positive money for the candidates that those ads are meant to help. For example, negative ads attacking a Republican are counted as money supporting the Democrat. The campaign spending data derives from multiple Federal Election Commission datasets, containing candidate summary spending totals, independent expenditures (from Super PACs and dark money groups), party coordinated expenditures, electioneering communications (which we examine to clearly identify the support of or opposition to candidates), and communication costs (campaigning internal to some corporations and unions). Note that these include dark money totals for each race, but not the real sources of that money. The FEC data and the methodology for calculating total disbursements and adjusted disbursements can be accessed here (https://www.fec.gov/data/browse-data/?tab=spending); all outside spending can be extracted from the FECs bulk, itemized data accessed here (https://www.fec.gov/data/browse-data/?tab=bulk-data). Adjusted disbursements discount the total for spending that does not directly support the campaign, but using the total or the adjusted figure does not affect the overall analysis. For 2024, we used the adjusted disbursement figure for each candidate to construct our independent variable. The voting data comes from David Leips Atlas of US Presidential Elections. Notes [1] See Thomas Ferguson, Paul Jorgensen, and Jie Chen, How Money Drives US Congressional Elections: Linear Models of Money and Outcomes, Structural Change and Economic Dynamics Vol. 61, June 2022, pp. 527-545. Our first discussions followed the 2012 elections. Settling on the form of the variable to be explained was a key reason several generations of academic studies missed the relation. They pursued dead ends, such as dollars per vote. Such measures do not scale uniformly in vastly heterogeneous districts. [2] We also applied recently developed statistical techniques for taking account of potential two-way causality (endogeneity in social science jargon), further buttress the conclusion. See the discussion in Appendix 1. Not surprisingly, among the first to get our point were some campaign consultants, who realized it meant the number of potentially contestable contests was wider than many analysts believed. [3] See the discussion of data problems in Ferguson, Jorgensen, and Chen, Party Competition and Industrial Structure in the 2012 Elections,International Journal of Political Economy Vol. 42, Issue 2 (2013), pp. 3-41. [4] We have typically counted money spent against winning primary candidates as benefiting the opposing party in the general election. Common sense recommended the practice, along with the observation that rather a lot of primary races have witnessed ads by the opposing party, not simply intra-party rivals, put forth in the hope of softening up the primary winner for the general election. Possibly reflecting Trumps efforts to control the party, though, 2024 saw enough Republican primaries to push up totals for some races. The amounts are not large; they just move a few dots slightly on the graph, affecting some outliers. If such cases increase in frequency, it might be advisable to change our practice, but no one should be fooled: money is talking here, loud and clear. [5] See the discussion in Thomas Ferguson, Golden Rule (University of Chicago Press, 1995), esp. Appendix, Deduced and Abandoned: Rational Expectations, the Investment Theory of Political Parties, and the Myth of the Median Voter. [6] The Appendix to Golden Rule observed that the logic of competitive mass media adhered to the same investor-dominated logic as political parties. That point has now become almost embarrassingly obvious, but expanding on it would take us too far afield. [7] State ballot laws for counting candidates nominated on more than one party line and other apparently technical issues make generalizations hazardous. See the discussion in Ferguson, Golden Rule, Chapter 1. [8] Virtually all analyses of political money barely scratch the surface when it comes to aggregating contributions by individual contributors. That is why you see so many news stories about a handful of billionaires who are mostly easy to identify. These, we know, underestimate the true concentration levels of big money. [9] See the discussion in Ferguson, Golden Rule, Chapter 2. Doctors say abortion bans risk care for wanted pregnancies Williamson County medical professionals still raising flags about legal restrictions nearly three years into Tennessees abortion laws The road to bringing Vera Drews vision of Gotham City to Nashville was paved with a few potholes. After receiving a strongly worded letter from Warner Bros. who objected to her use of the media giants intellectual property the day before her premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival the allegory about coming into her identity as a trans woman, told through the origin of DC Comics' most iconic villain, was barred from any further screenings for a year-and-a-half. In 2024, The Peoples Joker was freed, allowing general audiences to witness Drews debut as writer-director-star of a multimedia, pop-cultured-saturated, psychedelic hyphenate of superhero parody, memoir and satire. The People's Joker NR, 92 minutes Showing at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at the Belcourt; Q&A to follow Before stopping at the Belcourt Wednesday for a post-screening Q&A, Drew spoke with the Scene about reimagining the Joker, breaking genre conventions, and how the late David Lynch and his beloved practice of transcendental meditation helped her complete her first feature and set the stage for what comes next. Our interview has been edited for length and clarity. Youve said before that the Joker was the perfect stand-in for telling your life story. But when you were writing it, were there parts of the Jokers mythology that felt at odds with your story? Honestly, just the fundamental fact that Joker is pretty much historically thought of as a villain, and a violent one too. That was maybe the only spot where there was some finessing that had to happen. I obviously couldnt just make her an outright terrorist, because the Joker usually is. I leaned into the comedy anarchy; shes trying to exist as an artist in a way thats an affront to the mainstream world shes in. The benefit of having two Jokers in it Mr. J, her boyfriend, let me save the more direct, violent anarchy for him. We were playing with the Jared Leto Joker look. Thats why hes lying in the last shot surrounded by a circle of guns. It made sense for the toxic edgelord leftist trope we were making with him. Ive never seen anything like The Peoples Joker visually. How did you start laying out all the multimedia elements? We wrote the script just like youd write any big comic book movie: huge set pieces, car chases, a musical number at the end, going through every set piece again with a puppet character flying around. My co-writer Bri LeRose and I would always hit a point where wed ask, How are we going to pull this off? We wrote with no budget rules, which I dont recommend; it could have failed. But I knew from the beginning it would have this scrappy, mixed-media collage approach. When it came time to make it, it was about the team we had. Id assembled this small community of artists from different disciplines. It was pretty intuitive. We had someone who makes low-poly models that look like old PlayStation games, so we did that for the Batcave and Batmobile. Jokers apartment needed to look exactly like Joaquin Phoenix Jokers, but with our own spin, different art, different colors. That was our more realistic 3D model, done by Paul McBride. He wasnt even doing 3D art professionally, just as a hobby. It was equal parts pragmatic and what made sense creatively. You dedicate the film to Joel Schumacher, and his Batman films are referenced heavily throughout The Peoples Joker. Were there other sources of inspiration that might be less obvious? Many. Natural Born Killers, for the way it mixes film stocks and styles that was always in my head as the bar for how far you could push form before losing the viewer. Pink Floyd: The Wall, the movie version, was another, because its structured like a dream happening inside the main character. I kept coming back to that, especially in how we use music. Scorsese movies like Goodfellas and The Wolf of Wall Street, too. The way they tell a story over time with pop music and flashy camera moves. The other big one was Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I always thought of The Peoples Joker like a quasi-one-woman show. Hedwig started that way, and its about identity and media set against the Berlin Wall, it has all the elements this movie has. The Belcourt is screening The Peoples Joker in its Queer Qlassics series. Youve expressed frustration in the past at queer films being lumped into a separate category. Do you think it feels at home being screened alongside films like D.E.B.S. and Brokeback Mountain? It depends on the day you ask me. When I was making it, I knew I was trans and queer and deeply gay, but I was really thinking of it as a genre movie, a comic book movie. Our first premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival was in their midnight movie category. I think the majority of the people who saw it that night were cis and straight people. It wasnt until later, once people started writing about it, that the idea of me being even a Queer Filmmaker in capital letters crossed my mind. John Early Might Make You Sad With Stress Positions Comedian talks growing up in Nashville and the Belcourt premiere of his new movie Im not put off by it, but I never wanted it to be limiting for me or anybody else. The Peoples Joker came out around the same time as Stress Positions and I Saw the TV Glow three movies by trans directors that couldnt be more different. The jokes and tone are completely different. I like being part of a community, though. As a queer filmmaker, I have artists with similar life experiences I can turn to for help, and I do when I can. The superhero genre has been described as dying, and you took it and breathed life into it. Was fatigue from the genre something on your mind when choosing to create a film using Batman characters? I think I was trying to kill the genre completely, to be honest, or at least raise the bar for what it could be. By the time my movie came out, the most interesting mainstream superhero movies I thought about were the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies; those have artistry and perspective that most Marvel movies dont. I like Zack Snyders superhero movies too. Batman v. Superman is underrated. People talk so much shit about his Batman and Superman movies, but theyre fantastic. Hes clearly obsessed with fitness and rugged individualism, and it really shows. Thats why they work; hes putting himself in there. I never wanted this to be the queer version of these characters. I wanted it to show what happens when you inject your personality into them. James Gunn kind of does that too. I probably wont see his new Superman movie though, mostly because he never responded to me when I tried to reach out about The Peoples Joker. I saw Guardians of the Galaxy 10 times in theaters, dude. If youre going to ignore me, Im probably not going to see your movies anymore. But I wish him the best. You wrote a post about David Lynchs passing that was deeply moving. In it you mentioned Lynch inspired you to try transcendental meditation to finish The Peoples Joker. Could you elaborate a bit on the role it played in your creative process? In March 2022, I knew I had to have The Peoples Joker done within five or six months. It was so far from done, none of the green screen was finalized, the score wasnt done, and narration wasnt figured out. I was a mental mess. Id gotten an ADHD diagnosis, tried microdosing certain chemicals to help my mood and focus, and was a daily weed smoker, which certainly didnt help. I had reached this peak of stress and worry, and also real spiritual bankruptcy. I read about Lynch losing his mind making Eraserhead until he found TM. Id thought TM seemed like a cult or something, but I looked into it and realized its just ancient Hindu meditation, basically, ancient technology that has worked for thousands of years. You sit there with a mantra for 20 minutes. Hearing Lynch demystify it finally got me to try it. They offered a sliding scale, and I hadnt worked in years, so I got it cheap. It changed my life instantly. I remember driving home from the lesson and looking at Mount Wilson, it looked clearer than it ever had in my life after living out here for almost 15 years. One thing I was stuck on was the narration. I had no idea where [the Joker] would be when telling the story. After meditating, I got this image: Shes inside a mirror cloud, this crystalline, solid-state cloud thing. That would never have come to me without meditation. Doing TM twice a day helped everything: my recovery, my stress, my art. I see why it meant so much to him. He really thought it would save the world. To be honest, I don't disagree with him. I do think if people meditated, whether it's TM or breath work, the world would change. The Peoples Joker obviously has a ton of humor. But at its core, there is so much heart and earnestness. Do you have any favorite reactions from people whove seen it? Too many to even list. The first person who came up to me after our first screening was the mother of a trans woman. She thanked me for making something that helped her know how to talk to her daughter. That was insane and beautiful. Ive had people say, This movie finally cracked my egg. I feel ready to come out. And selfishly, my favorite comic book writer, Grant Morrison, loves the movie; I never couldve expected that. I feel really lucky. Not many people get to make something that they know has changed some peoples lives. I dont know if Ill ever replicate it, but I do love making art. One of my next films is probably just as, if not more, vulnerable than The Peoples Joker, but from a different angle. Well see. This film took a wild ride to get here in Nashville. You mentioned other films youre making do you think your next creative journey will be as crazy as The Peoples Joker? Not in the same way. Its not sustainable. Maybe in a different way. What I hope is next is a movie called Dead Name. Its about a trans woman who goes home for the first time since coming out and, through sex magic mishaps, conjures her pre-transition doppelganger. There are weird visual effects, monsters and bonkers shit in it. So creatively, itll be just as insane, but theyre my characters, so I wont get sued. I want to keep pushing myself in storytelling. I like the idea of being an innovator when it comes to visual effects, hopefully using LED panels and new filmmaking technologies that are at our fingertips, but in a way thats ethical and not just generative AI slop. The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned in April, but at least five sitting representatives state Reps. Jody Barrett, Aftyn Behn, Vincent Dixie, Bo Mitchell and Lee Reeves are eager for more politicking. All five, as well as former House Rep. Brandon Ogles, have jumped into the race to be Tennessees newest member of Congress, vying for a seat left open by the abrupt retirement of Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Green, a close Trump ally and former U.S. Army surgeon. Just nine months ago, Green won the district over former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry by nearly 70,000 votes. Tennessees 7th Congressional District includes downtown Nashville and neighborhoods inside the I-440 loop as well as Clarksville, Dickson and rural counties stretching all the way to the Tennessee-Alabama border outside Waynesboro. It is one of three seats resulting from state Republicans redraw of Nashville into parts of three congressional districts following the 2020 Census. Green previously announced his retirement from Congress in February 2024 before changing his mind after conversations with top GOP officials, including Trump, who nominated Green for secretary of the Army in his first term. Mark Green Officially Resigns From Congress Tennessees 7th Congressional District representative to start company 'to help America compete against the Chinese Communist Party' His resignation, effective July 20, sets into motion a compressed timeline for party primaries and an off-cycle special election likely to capture national attention less than a year into Trumps tumultuous second presidential term. State and federal guidelines around vacancies and special elections are a tangle of timelines, statutes and exceptions. Gov. Bill Lee sets off the process within 10 days of Greens official departure, followed by a primary period and a general election that will likely fall in late 2025. Word of Greens abrupt departure began circulating a few weeks before the official June release from his congressional office. Political insiders say Green spent the preceding weeks lining up former state executive Matt Van Epps as his successor Van Epps, a combat veteran squarely behind the Trump agenda, moved quickly, filing paperwork on June 13 with support from a hired political firm. Green officially endorsed Van Epps on Monday, calling him exactly the kind of leader the 7th District wants as its voice in Washington. Greens announcement caught Democrats Dixie and Mitchell on vacation, but both were quick to verbally confirm interest in the seat, which overlaps with their longtime state House districts. Mitchells paperwork came in on July 7 and Dixies on July 9. Dixie has won four consecutive terms in the state House representing parts of Bordeaux and Madison, but his formal campaign for Congress has not yet taken shape. Dixie, Mitchell Moving Toward 7th Congressional District Runs Nashville Democrats eye seat left vacant by Republican Mark Greens surprise retirement Mitchells run for Congress follows a steady pattern of political ascension. The Nashville Democrat was elected twice to represent Bellevue as a Metro councilmember before making a run for the state legislature in 2012. Mitchells campaign texts have already started pinging Davidson County phones, highlighting his commitment to protecting rural health care access. Behn, a progressive Democrat elected to the state legislature in a 2023 special election after the death of Rep. Bill Beck, hit the same health care talking points on a Zoom call with constituents the day before she announced her campaign. The impacts are going to be awful nine rural hospitals are at risk of closing in Tennessee, were expecting one in four nursing homes to close, Behn said, explaining the expected impacts of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act recently passed by Republicans. There will be cuts to [the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program], and weve already seen the rollback of summer meals. This is going to be really devastating. On the call, Behn the youngest of the group, with a background in advocacy with the Tennessee Justice Center and Indivisible framed political organizing against the national GOP agenda as a way to channel the palpable rage she wakes up with every day. Behn Officially Announces Run for Congressional Seat Democratic state House rep joins Mitchell, Reeves and others in race to succeed retiring Mark Green Republican Barrett has spent more than two decades deeply involved in Dickson civic life and first won a seat in the state House in 2022. Barrett was outspoken against Gov. Lees voucher program during this legislative session, criticizing the steep fiscal burden that a growing number of private school scholarships would place on future budgets. He firmly supports the political agenda set by the national GOP and heaps praise on the Trump administration. I promise to take that same Tennessee toughness to Washington to stand with President Trump and fight the liberal elites trying to destroy our way of life, Barrett said in his campaign announcement. I didnt come from money or power, and Ive never been impressed by either. Ive always put Tennessee First, America First, and I always will. Less than a year after eking out the Republican primary in House District 65 by 97 votes, freshman legislator Lee Reeves will vie for the congressional seat. Educated at Emory and Georgetown Law School, Reeves blazed an ambitious path into Tennessee politics with the help of pro-voucher PAC money, replacing moderate Sam Whitson in a Williamson County district that includes Leipers Fork and Fairview. A handful of other Republicans are also interested in the seat: veteran and Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight, as well as fellow veterans Jon Thorp and John Wilt, and now-pardoned Jan. 6 insurrectionist Stewart Parks. Barrett, Van Epps, Knight, Parks and Wilt all appeared at a forum Thursday hosted by the Benton County Republican Party at the Birdsong Resort and Marina in Camden. At the event, both Barrett and Van Epps framed themselves as America-first conservatives, while Knight promised he will be exactly as hard on border security as Mark Green has. Parks focused his comments on the Biden reign of terror with the transgenderism and the political persecutions, while Wilt spoke about the radical left and the Democratic Party supporting jihadis, supporting intifada around the world, supporting Hamas and supporting the communists for the mayor of New York City. Meanwhile, several Democrats pitched their platforms during the state partys Three Star Dinner at Nashvilles Music City Center on Saturday. Those included Behn, Dixie and Mitchell, along with Davidson County Assistant District Attorney David Jones (also a Belmont professor) as well as Darden Copeland, founder and managing director of the public affairs firm Calvert Street Group. Copeland touted his experience working with numerous Democratic campaigns and party leaders like former Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazile. Hamilton Matthew Masters contributed reporting. Autopsy reveals lethal hydrogen peroxide concentration in wrongful death case Mr. Suto, 80, died from severe burns and multi-organ failure due to a highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution, 171 times stronger than standard medical concentrations. A civil court in Tennessee found Dr. Carrie Madej responsible, awarding Mr. Sutos family 1.3 million, including 1 million in punitive damages. The autopsy report detailed extensive damage to Mr. Suto's respiratory tract, including blistering, inflammation, and white discolorations, leading to his death. Initial misdiagnosis of thrush and inappropriate treatment compounded Mr. Suto's condition, leading to severe anemia and necrosis of extremities. Morphine was administered in Mr. Suto's final hours, allegedly to help him breathe, but it hastened his death, combining with the damage from the hydrogen peroxide. In a shocking development, an autopsy report from a wrongful death lawsuit has revealed that 80-year-old Mr. Suto died due to the administration of a highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution. The autopsy detailed severe burns and inflammation in the respiratory tract, leading to multi-organ failure. The concentration used was 171 times higher than what is typically used in medical settings, raising serious questions about the treatment's safety and the practitioner's competence. A Tragic Misdiagnosis and Misfortune A civil court in Tennessee found Dr. Carrie Madej responsible for the death of 80-year-old Mr. Suto, awarding his family US$1.3 million, including US$1 million in punitive damages. The autopsy report, which declared the manner of death as homicide, revealed that Mr. Suto died due to the administration of high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The treatment, which included both inhalation and intravenous administration, led to multi-organ failure and extensive damage to his respiratory system. The Role of Hydrogen Peroxide in Mr. Suto's Death The autopsy report noted significant damage to Mr. Suto's respiratory tract, including blistering, irritation, inflammation, and white discolorations on the tongue and airway lining. Dr. Teresa Ann Mahaffey, a pediatrician, and Liz Thompson, a doctor of pharmacy, emphasized the extreme danger of the high concentration of hydrogen peroxide used in Mr. Suto's treatment. Liz Thompson, a compounding pharmacist, explained the drastic difference in concentration. "The concentration used by Dr. Carrie Madej was 2.4%, which is 171 times higher than the 0.014% concentration typically used in medical settings," she said. "This concentration would cause severe and irreversible damage to the respiratory tract and other organs." Initial Misdiagnosis and Subsequent Complications Dr. Mahaffey noted that when Mr. Suto was initially seen by another doctor, his symptoms were misdiagnosed as thrush, leading to inappropriate treatment. "This misdiagnosis made it even more difficult for Mr. Suto to breathe and eat," she said. The complex interactions and the severe damage caused by the high concentration of hydrogen peroxide led to a cascade of health issues, including severe anemia and necrosis of the extremities. The Role of Morphine in the Final Hours The autopsy report also revealed that morphine was administered in the final hours of Mr. Suto's life. "The morphine was given under the guise of helping him breathe better, but it ultimately hastened his death," Dr. Mahaffey stated. This administration of morphine, combined with the multi-organ damage caused by the hydrogen peroxide, was the final blow for Mr. Suto. Calls for Accountability and Transparency The Bennun family, who filed the civil lawsuit, have been vocal about the need for accountability. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our father, and we hope that this case will serve as a warning to others about the dangers of unregulated and unsafe medical practices," said Jana Bennun. Mike Adams, a health advocate and journalist, has been critical of the lack of transparency from Dr. Madej. "Dr. Madej refused to show up in court and has repeatedly refused to provide a statement. This lack of accountability is deeply concerning," Adams said. Lessons for the Health Freedom Movement This case highlights the importance of due diligence and critical thinking in the health freedom movement. Both Dr. Mahaffey and Liz Thompson emphasized the need for patients to be vigilant and to thoroughly research their healthcare providers, especially those practicing alternative medicine. Liz Thompson advised, "Patients can look up practitioners online by their NPI number and check for clinical trials on treatments they recommend. It's crucial to verify the safety and efficacy of any treatment before proceeding." Conclusion The death of Mr. Suto serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of unregulated and untested medical treatments. As the health freedom movement continues to grow, it is essential for both practitioners and patients to prioritize safety and evidence-based practices. The Bennun family's tragic loss underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in all medical practices. Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, Dr. Teresa and Liz Thompson as they share shocking new revelations about medical "homicide" involving health freedom influencer Carrie Madej. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Family Sues Dr. Carrie Madej Over Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment, Alleging Wrongful Death Dr. Carrie Madej ordered to pay $1.3M for negligence and wrongful death Its not about the money: Stefan Sutos family seeks ACCOUNTABILITY for his death from peroxide and ozone toxicity Sources include: Brighteon.com Herbal medicine meets modern medicine: A synergy shaping healthcares future Integrating herbal therapies with conventional treatments can enhance health outcomes, particularly in cancer care. Specific herbs like oregano and turmeric synergize with antibiotics and chemotherapy, reducing drug side effects and improving efficacy. Clinical collaboration between pharmacists and herbalists ensures safer, individualized patient care. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches, such as balancing yin/yang energies, are becoming integral to holistic treatment plans. More rigorous clinical trials are needed to validate herbal medicines role in modern healthcare. In an era where patients increasingly seek natural remedies alongside traditional treatments, healthcare institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) are pioneering a hybrid approach. By blending herbal medicine rooted in centuries-old practices into conventional care, medical teams are observing enhanced symptom management, reduced side effects and improved survival rates for certain conditions. This shift reflects a growing acknowledgment of herbal therapies potential when guided by scientific rigor. At MSKCC, a dedicated clinical herbal pharmacist collaborates with oncologists and patients to integrate herbal formulas, such as traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), into treatment regimens. Both pharmacists and herbalists share a patient-centered goal: supporting well-being through informed choices, said Yen-Nien (Jason) Hou, MSKCCs Herb Information Center coordinator. A recent study led by Hou found that breast cancer patients using TCM alongside conventional therapies experienced lower mortality rates and fewer cases of menopausal-linked cancers. Combining forces: How herbal additions amplify medical outcomes Beyond cancer care, herbs are proving to be dynamic partners in drug therapies. Naomi Kilbreth, a Maine-based clinical herbalist, cited research demonstrating that oregano oil enhances antibiotic effectiveness, reducing necessary doses and mitigating side effects like nausea. Similarly, turmeric and astragalus have shown synergistic effects with chemotherapy agents, while ginger supports diabetic medications. The concept of synergy where substances work better together lies at the heart of this trend. Like a well-tuned orchestra, certain herbs amplify medicines precision, Kilbreth explained. Nettle, rich in iron, may bolster organ health, and nervines like chamomile can alleviate stress without interfering with primary treatments. Such collaborations cut costs, reduce dependency on high-dose medications and address root imbalances, as seen in TCMs holistic philosophy of harmonizing yin and yang energies. Bridging worlds: Pharmacist-herbalist collaboration overcoming gaps Despite these benefits, cultural and professional divides persist. Hou noted that some clinicians remain skeptical of herbal therapies, fearing ineffectiveness or risks. Yet collaboration through patient surveys, shared databases and joint consultations is dismantling barriers. At MSKCC, patients disclose herb use upfront, enabling pharmacists to vet brands, assess interactions and align regimens with health goals. Patients often turn to herbs for a sense of agency, Hou said. Dismissing their use without dialogue risks noncompliance. Tools like MSKCCs About Herbs database which annotates 300 plant-based therapies risks and benefits help bridge knowledge gaps, fostering trust between practitioners and patients. The fine balance: Navigating risks and interactions While synergies exist, safety remains paramount. Herbs like St. Johns Wort can accelerate liver metabolism, weakening antidepressants and blood thinners, while ginseng may disrupt heart medications. Kilbreth stressed that transparency is key: Patients must inform providers of all supplements and botanicals. Without this, unintentional harm occurs. Adverse effects range from mild such as rashes from mistletoe to severe, including bleeding risks from ginkgo or bilberry before surgery. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health urges caution, emphasizing that natural does not equate to safe. Herbalists now prioritize low-toxicity options like hawthorn for heart support or nettle for anemia, balancing efficacy and safety. Ancient roots shape modern healthcares evolution Herbal medicines surge in credibility mirrors its roots in ancient systems like TCM, which views health as the equilibrium between qi (energy) and elemental forces. In Taiwan, where herbal and conventional drugs are co-prescribed under universal insurance, studies show improved cancer survival. Similarly, Ayurvedic and Western herbal traditions are being re-examined through clinical trials. Modern patients value holistic care as much as efficacy. Self-educated consumers demand evidence, but also cultural heritage, Kilbreth observed. This dual focus drives research into how TCMs balanced ecosystem approach complements targeted biomedicine, addressing not just symptoms but systemic imbalances. Encapsulating the essence: Balance, research and hope The fusion of herbal and conventional therapies marks a paradigm shift, recognizing that nature and science need not compete. While TCMs 2,000-year history provides a foundation, todays rigorous trials are rewriting guidelines. As Hou noted, Collaboration turns heritage into innovation. For now, the message is clear: Educated dialogue, paired with evidence, could unlock a new era of patient-centered care. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com CancerResearchuk.org Humanitarian city or concentration camp? Controversy surrounds Israels Rafah plan Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to establish a "humanitarian city" in Rafah, Gaza, aiming to confine over two million Palestinians to a restricted area, with backing from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The proposal is criticized as a potential concentration camp and a form of ethnic cleansing, raising significant legal and ethical concerns. It includes provisions for "voluntary emigration," which critics argue is a euphemism for forced displacement. Eitan Diamond, a senior legal expert, asserts that the plan violates multiple provisions of international humanitarian law (IHL), particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which mandates humane treatment of populations in occupied territories. Israeli expert Neve Gordon describes the plan as a "humanitarian concentration camp," highlighting the forced transfer of residents, which is prohibited under international law. Sociologist Martin Shaw calls it an act of genocide, aimed at removing survivors to destroy Palestinian society in Gaza. The UN opposes any plans to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza. The United States' involvement in discussions adds complexity, with concerns about potential complicity in violations of international law, given its historical alliance with Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz unveiled plans this week to establish a "humanitarian city" in Rafah, Gaza, aiming to confine over two million Palestinians to a restricted area. The proposal, which has the backing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is being described by experts as a potential concentration camp and a manifestation of ethnic cleansing. The plan, which includes provisions for "voluntary emigration," has raised significant legal and ethical concerns. Katz's proposal involves the relocation of 600,000 displaced Palestinians from the al-Mawasi area of southern Gaza to a new zone in the ruins of Rafah city. Once there, they will undergo security screenings and be confined to the area, with no permission to leave. Eitan Diamond, a senior legal expert at the Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre, asserts that the plan violates multiple provisions of international humanitarian law (IHL). The Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 mandates that populations in occupied territories be treated humanely and may only be placed under assigned residence or internment for imperative security reasons. Diamond argues that the mass confinement of Palestinians in a small area is a clear breach of these laws. Neve Gordon, an Israeli expert on international law, emphasizes that the forced transfer of residents from their homes within an occupied territory is prohibited. He describes Katz's proposal as a "humanitarian concentration camp," highlighting the contradiction in terms and the ethical dilemmas it presents. The notion of "voluntary emigration" is widely disputed. Critics argue that the term is a euphemism for forced displacement, a tactic long used in Zionist ideology. Nimer Sultany, a Palestinian academic at Soas University in London, points out that the plan creates coercive conditions that leave Palestinians with no real choice but to leave. Sultany describes the situation as a concentration camp, where Palestinians are concentrated in a small area and prevented from leaving, echoing the definition of a concentration camp. Sociologist Martin Shaw concurs, stating that the people of Gaza have been subjected to such extreme conditions that any decision to leave would not be voluntary. He describes the plan as an act of genocide, aimed at removing the survivors to complete the destruction of Palestinian society in Gaza. Shaw further argues that the plan is designed to consolidate the results of Israeli killings by removing survivors, which he identifies as a clear act of genocide. The destruction of a society, he says, is the very essence of genocide. (Related: UN official: Gaza's humanitarian collapse pushing civilians "back to pre-civilization" amid Israeli campaign.) Netanyahu's role and international reactions Netanyahu's support for the plan has been confirmed by sources speaking to Haaretz. The plan is seen as a short-term solution, with Netanyahu hoping that countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE will eventually take over control, thereby legitimizing the intervention and avoiding accusations of collaboration with Israel. However, there is no evidence that these countries have expressed any desire to be involved. The UN has firmly opposed any plans to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza, reiterating its commitment to the rights of the Palestinian people. The involvement of the United States in the dialogue surrounding the plan adds another layer of complexity. Sources indicate that U.S. officials have been engaged in discussions with Israeli counterparts, raising concerns about the potential complicity of the U.S. in any violations of international law. The U.S. has historically been a key ally of Israel, and its role in the current situation will be closely watched by the international community. The outcome of discussions between U.S. and Israeli officials could have significant implications for the future of Gaza and the Palestinian people. Watch the video below that talks about Trump's warning to Hamas in connection with the ceasefire proposal. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump puts "heavy pressure" on Netanyahu to end Gaza war as ceasefire talks stall. EU to propose sanctions against Israel over Gaza human rights concerns. More than 300 KILLED in 48 hours as Israel's assault on Gaza Strip continues. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net Haaretz.com Brighteon.com Israel says some Iranian enriched uranium survived strikes, raising fears of nuclear rebound Despite U.S.-Israeli attacks on June 22, including bunker-busters and Tomahawks, Israeli officials believe some of Iran's 60 percent-enriched uranium remains intact and buried underground, possibly at Isfahan. Israel began preparing for direct military action against Iran in late 2024, citing an accelerated secret nuclear weapons project, especially after the targeted killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israeli officials reject IAEA claims that Iran moved part of its uranium stockpile before the strikes, asserting instead that the material remains buried and inaccessible, even to the most powerful U.S. weapons. Initially skeptical, U.S. intelligence is now more closely aligned with Israel, acknowledging uncertainty over Iran's ability to rebuild, especially through dispersed and harder-to-detect operations. President Donald Trump insists the nuclear program was "obliterated" under Operation Midnight Hammer and says the U.S. is ready for peace, but also ready to strike again if Iran poses further threats. Israeli intelligence has concluded that a portion of Iran's underground stockpile of highly enriched uranium may have survived the coordinated Israeli-American attacks last June, potentially remaining accessible to Iranian nuclear engineers. According to a senior Israeli official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, Israel had begun preparing for unilateral military action against Iran in late 2024, citing what was described as an Iranian "race to build a bomb" tied to a secret weapons project. The preparations intensified after the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces, a move that prompted Iran to reportedly accelerate nuclear efforts. But despite the devastating June 22 strikes, which included American B-2 bombers dropping 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles, a portion of Iran's 60 percent-enriched uranium is believed to be buried but intact under rubble at its Isfahan facility and possibly other sites. That level of enrichment is near-weapons grade and, if further enriched, could be used to build nuclear warheads. Israeli officials claim they can detect any attempt to recover the buried material and are prepared to strike again, but the survival of any enriched uranium raises fears of a prolonged and covert Iranian effort to rebuild what was lost. (Related: Trump's Iran strikes backfire: Russia warns that Iran will likely be resupplied with nuclear warheads.) While International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi believes some uranium was transferred out of Isfahan, Israeli officials argue nothing was removed and that the uranium remains deep underground, inaccessible even to America's most powerful weapons. Trump declares Iran's nuclear program "crushed" Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and his national security team have firmly maintained that the Iranian nuclear program was "obliterated" and pushed back hard on media reports suggesting the damage was less comprehensive. Speaking earlier this week, Trump said he believes Iran is ready to engage in peace talks but warned that the U.S. remains fully prepared for further military action if provoked. "I will tell you that in my view, I hope it's over. I think Iran wants to meet. I think they want to make peace, and Im all for it. Now, if that's not the case, we are ready, willing and able," Trump said in response to a question if he thinks the Israel-Iran war is over. Trump also insisted earlier that Iran's nuclear ambitions were crushed. "This achievement can continue indefinitely if Iran does not get access to nuclear material, which it won't," he said during the NATO summit in The Hague. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the sentiment, describing the damage to Iran's most hardened site, Fordo, as "devastating and irreversible." Learn more about the ongoing conflicts involving Israel at WWIII.news. Watch this report discussing Houthi claims about attacking U.S. Navy destroyers in the Red Sea. This video is from the Treasure Of The Sun channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: ESCALATION: U.S. strikes Iran-backed Houthi rebels after Iran hijacks oil tanker in Gulf of Oman. WSJ says Iran helped Hamas plot attack on Israel "over several weeks;" Israel eager to start BOMBING Iran. Global stocks surge amid Iran-Israel ceasefire chaos. Israel depleting its missile defenses amid Iran barrage. Iran admits nuclear facilities "badly damaged" by U.S. strikes. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net NYTimes.com TheHill.com Brighteon.com Israeli contractors paid thousands to demolish Gaza homes, fueling deadly attacks on civilians Israeli contractors earn up to $9,000 monthly to demolish Gaza homes, escalating destruction for profit. Bulldozer operators admit motives shifted from money to revenge as demolition chaos intensifies. Contractors provoke clashes near aid sites, leading soldiers to massacre civilians searching for food. Extremist settlers celebrate demolitions on social media, fueling a culture of eradication. No accountability exists as Israel turns Gazas annihilation into a lucrative industry. The Israeli Ministry of Defense is paying private contractors exorbitant sums of up to $9,000 monthly to operate heavy machinery in Gaza, systematically demolishing Palestinian homes and infrastructure while soldiers execute desperate civilians searching for food, according to Israeli media reports. Since the start of the war on Gaza, Israeli forces have relied heavily on civilian-operated bulldozers and armored bulldozers to level entire neighborhoods. TheMarker, an Israeli business publication, revealed that contractors receive between $360 and $1,500 per day for demolition work, depending on the size of the buildings destroyed. A demolition frenzy fueled by profit For demolishing a three-story building, contractors earn $750 but taller structures fetch $1,500 apiece. One operator admitted to TheMarker, "At first I did it for the money. Then for revenge. The work there is very hard and unpleasant. The army doesnt operate smartly, it just wants to destroy as much as possible and doesnt care about anything," This demolitions-for-profit scheme has spiraled into violent chaos. Contractors push deeper into Gazas ruins, forcing Israeli soldiers to provide armed escorts and often triggering deadly clashes with starving Palestinians who approach aid distribution points in search of food. One Israeli soldier told Haaretz, "For a contractor to earn another 5,000 shekels [~$1,500] by bringing down a house, its considered acceptable to kill people who are just looking for food." Contractors provoke massacres while soldiers follow orders Private contractors act "like a kind of sheriff," roaming Gaza unimpeded, demolishing at will. But their presence near aid sites such as those set up by the U.S. and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has led to routine massacres. When contractors move too close to crowds, Israeli soldiers who are tasked with protecting them open fire indiscriminately and provoke security incidents in order to gain additional military protection, Haaretz reported. "And people are killed." An unnamed soldier admitted that commanders often approve lethal force without justification: "Sometimes merely asking the question annoys the commanders." A culture of demolition celebrities Many operators are recruited from extremist settler communities. Rabbi Avraham Zarbib, a settler from Beit El, has become a social media star, posting celebratory videos of himself destroying Palestinian homes. "We will defeat this damn village until the end, until the victory, until the settlement!" Zarbib declared in one video filmed in Khan Younis. "We will not give up until this village is wiped out." Far-right politicians even eulogize fallen operators, praising their destruction. MP Tzvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionist Party honored David Libi, a settler killed while demolishing homes, calling him "directly responsible for the greatest achievement of the war in wiping out tens of thousands of homes." Two civilian-run operations, under the Ministry of Defenses umbrella, oversee Gaza demolitionsone for northern Gaza, led by ex-military officer Golan Vach (brother of Yehuda Vach, allegedly responsible for enforcing "kill zones"), and another for southern Gaza, overseen by Bezalel Zini, whose brother is Netanyahus controversial pick to lead Shin Bet. No accountability exists, only profit-driven erasure. More than 56,200 Palestinians have been killed since October, many buried under the rubble contractors helped create. The Israeli government actively incentivizes annihilation, turning war into a for-profit enterprise. Families starve while bulldozers escorted by trigger-happy soldiers cash in on their misery, and the rest of the world is doing nothing to stop it. Sources for this article include: MiddleEastEye.net MiddleEastMonitor.com NewArab.com Big hearts, little brains: JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon slams Democrats as idiots JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon denounced his Democratic allies as "idiots," accusing the party of prioritizing divisive ideology over practical governance and claiming their policies "almost all failed." Dimon criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as ideologically driven rather than practical, prompting JPMorgan to rebrand its efforts as "diversity, opportunity, and inclusion" earlier in 2024. Dimon blasted the Biden administration's lack of business expertise and economic policies, voicing broader corporate concerns about antitrust actions and tax hikes stifling growth. He singled out democratic socialist NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani as a "Marxist," dismissing his proposals (e.g., rent freezes) as unrealistic "ideological mush." Dimon's shift reflects growing disillusionment among business leaders and moderates with the Democratic Party's progressive turn, echoing historic divisions that could reshape electoral dynamics. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently unleashed a blistering critique of the Democratic Party, labeling his Democratic friends as "idiots" and accusing the party of abandoning practical solutions in favor of divisive ideological agendas. He issued the strong denouncement during an event by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on July 10. Dimon, once a vocal supporter of Democratic initiatives, has grown increasingly critical of what he sees as the party's failures. "I have a lot of friends who are Democrats, and they're idiots," he said bluntly. "They have big hearts and little brains. They do not understand how the real world works; almost every single policy rolled out failed." The JPMorgan chief singled out diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies as a key misstep. He argued that while outreach to marginalized communities is important, ideological overreach has backfired. "We all were devoted to reaching out to the Black community, Hispanic [community], the LGBT community, the disabled we do all of that," Dimon said. "But to the extent, they gotta stop it. And they gotta go back to being more practical. They're very ideological." (Related: State financial officials demand JPMorgan Chase end woke banking practices that are leading to collapses.) Is corporate America pushing back against woke DEI? Dimon's critique comes as JPMorgan quietly rebranded its DEI initiatives earlier this year, shifting from "diversity, equity, and inclusion" to "diversity, opportunity, and inclusion" a move signaling corporate America's retreat from perceived progressive excesses. It also reflects broader frustration among business leaders disillusioned with what they view as impractical governance. But the JPMorgan CEO's frustration extends beyond social policy. He chastised the Biden administration for lacking business expertise, stating he was left "speechless" by what he called the former president's "lack of knowledge." His comments align with growing concerns among corporate leaders that Democratic economic strategies, including aggressive antitrust enforcement and tax hikes, could stifle growth. Perhaps most striking was Dimon's warning against New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist whose platform includes rent freezes and city-owned grocery stores. "He's more of a Marxist than a socialist," Dimon said, dismissing Mamdani's proposals as "ideological mush that means nothing in the real world." Dimon's outburst is symptomatic of a larger political realignment. Once a reliable ally of the Democratic establishment, he now echoes criticisms long voiced by conservative pundits a reflection of the party's leftward shift under pressure from progressive activists. His stance mirrors broader discontent among business leaders and moderate Democrats who fear electoral backlash if the party continues embracing far-left policies. Historical parallels abound: The Democratic Party faced similar fractures in the 1960s and 1970s when labor unions and business interests clashed with anti-war progressives, divisions that contributed to Republican dominance for decades. Today, as progressive activists push for wealth redistribution and socialized services, corporate financiers like Dimon are signaling their resistance, potentially reshaping the political landscape ahead of future elections. As long as the Democratic Party remains entrenched in ideological battles over DEI and economic radicalism, figures like Dimon alongside disaffected voters may continue defecting to more centrist or right-leaning alternatives. The banking executive's message is clear: Ideology without pragmatism is a recipe for failure. CancelDemocrats.news has more similar stories. Watch this Fox Business report about Jamie Dimon's warning that the growing bureaucracy under the Biden administration will hurt the U.S. economy. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: DE-BANKED: JPMorgan terminates longtime customers account with zero warning or explanation. Oklahoma BANS 13 banks from doing business after they were found to engage in energy boycotts. Progress: Woke investing takes major blow after Vanguard bows out of climate alliance. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com TheHill.com Townhall.com Brighteon.com RFK Jr. rescinds 1998 policy allowing illegal immigrants access to government programs Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the reversal of a 1998 interpretation that allowed illegal immigrants to access certain federally funded programs, citing it as inconsistent with the original intent of federal law. The department is reinstating a stricter reading of the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), which prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving most public benefits. Programs like Head Start, the Community Services Block Grant, PATH and Title X Family Planning are now classified as "federal public benefits" and will no longer be accessible to individuals in the U.S. illegally. The changes are effective immediately to address the "ongoing emergency at the Southern Border" and prevent misuse of taxpayer funds. The policy shift follows a February 2025 executive order by President Donald Trump directing all federal agencies to cut off benefits to illegal immigrants and strengthen eligibility verification systems in line with PRWORA. Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that the department is rescinding a 1998 policy interpretation that allowed illegal immigrants to access certain federally funded programs. The original 1998 interpretation provided a narrower reading of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) statute, allowing programs such as Head Start and others to be accessed by illegal immigrants. However, the Kennedy-led HHS said the reading was overly permissive and inconsistent with the original intent of the law. (Related: USDA tightens SNAP eligibility rules to prevent benefits for illegal immigrants.) "For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans' tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration," Kennedy said on July 10. "Today's action changes that it restores integrity to federal social programs, enforces the rule of law and protects vital resources for the American people." Under the updated policy, the department is returning to a broader interpretation of what constitutes a "federal public benefit," as originally defined in the 1996 law. That includes any grants, loans, contracts, licenses or direct assistance programs tied to health care, housing education or welfare services that require proof of legal residency or immigration status. Programs newly classified as "federal public benefits" include Head Start, a child care and early education initiative for low-income families; Community Services Block Grant, which funds anti-poverty efforts at the local level; Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH), which supports individuals with serious mental illness; and Title X Family Planning Program, which offers reproductive health services. The change will limit access to these services for individuals who are in the U.S. illegally, aligning eligibility with those who are U.S. citizens or "qualified immigrants," such as lawful permanent residents, refugees and asylees. This interpretation would take effect immediately to address the "ongoing emergency at the Southern Border of the United States." Trump orders federal agencies to end government-funded benefits for illegal immigrants This policy change stems from an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in February. At the time, Trump signed an order titled "Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders," directing federal agencies to identify and revise any programs that "currently permit illegal aliens to obtain any cash or non-cash public benefit" to comply with the PRWORA. "Title IV of the PRWORA states that it is national policy that 'aliens within the Nation's borders not depend on public resources to meet their needs,' and that 'it is a compelling government interest to remove the incentive for illegal immigration provided by the availability of public benefits.' But in the decades since the passage of the PRWORA, numerous administrations have acted to undermine the principles and limitations directed by Congress through that law," Trump wrote at the time. Agencies are required to take immediate steps to deny benefits to those not legally authorized to be in the country and to ensure federal funds do not indirectly support sanctuary policies at the state or local level. Now, the HHS is rescinding the 1998 interpretation of the PRWORA. Visit BigGovernment.news for more stories like this. Watch as Tom Homan explains how illegal immigrants are gaming the system. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: NY Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to spend another $2.4B on benefits for illegal immigrants. SBA to cut off taxpayer benefits for illegal immigrants and remove offices from sanctuary cities. TRILLIONS of dollars in FREE MONEY handed out by Democrats attracts ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS from around the world to USA like one HUGE MAGNET. Trump signs executive order halting taxpayer funds for illegal immigrants, prioritizing American citizens. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez under fire: Did she cross the line by helping illegal immigrants evade ICE? Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com WhiteHouse.gov Brighteon.com Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On July 15, Apollo GoBaidu's autonomous ride-hailing platformannounced a strategic partnership with Uber to deploy its autonomous vehicles across multiple global markets. The collaboration aims to roll out thousands of autonomous vehicles under the Apollo Go brand, delivering safe and reliable driverless mobility services to a broader user base worldwide. Photo credit: Baidu's Apollo Go Under the agreement, the two companies plan to launch Apollo Go's sixth-generation autonomous vehicles in select cities across Asia and the Middle East by the end of this year. The service will then expand to additional international markets. Once operational, Uber users will be able to request rides in Apollo Go's autonomous vehicles directly through the Uber app. Robin Li, Founder of Baidu, said, "Our mission is to make autonomous driving accessible to more users in more markets. Partnering with Uber marks a major milestone in Apollo Go's global deployment. Together, we aim to offer passengers around the world a safer and more efficient way to travel." Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi echoed the sentiment, stating, "This partnership brings together two of the world's most innovative technology companies to shape the future of mobility. As the world's largest mobility platformspanning ride-hailing, delivery, and freightUber is uniquely positioned to scale Apollo Go's autonomous driving technology across global markets." Apollo Go has already deployed more than 1,000 autonomous vehicles in 15 cities worldwide, including Hong Kong, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. The platform has provided over 11 million rides and accumulated more than 170 million kilometers of safe autonomous driving operations, underscoring its technological maturity and global readiness. LIVE NASAL COVID VIRUS from sprayable vaccine can be SHED, exposing pregnant women, children and immunocompromised to GMO viral particles Here we go again. A new sprayable COVID-19 vaccine, known as CVXGA1, has raised major safety and ethical concerns following the results of its first human trial. Published in Science Advances, the study revealed that the intranasal shot uses a live, replicating virus capable of shedding potentially exposing unvaccinated individuals, including vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women and the immunocompromised, to genetically modified viral material without their consent. Self-Spreading Intranasal COVID Shot Raises Alarms : The CVXGA1 intranasal COVID vaccine, which uses a live, replicating virus, has cleared its first human trial but critics warn it can be shed through breathing and speaking, potentially exposing unvaccinated people without their consent, including children, pregnant women, and the immunocompromised. : The CVXGA1 intranasal COVID vaccine, which uses a live, replicating virus, has cleared its first human trial but critics warn it can be shed through breathing and speaking, potentially exposing unvaccinated people without their consent, including children, pregnant women, and the immunocompromised. Viral Shedding Confirmed but Not Studied : Researchers found high levels of viral shedding in nasal swabs just one day post-vaccination but did not study whether the virus can infect others, prompting serious safety concerns from independent scientists and journalists. : Researchers found high levels of viral shedding in nasal swabs just one day post-vaccination but did not study whether the virus can infect others, prompting serious safety concerns from independent scientists and journalists. Study Criticized for Major Design Flaws : Experts point out the trial lacked a control group, involved only 72 participants, and monitored adverse events for a short duration. No investigation was conducted into whether the virus can spread between individuals. : Experts point out the trial lacked a control group, involved only 72 participants, and monitored adverse events for a short duration. No investigation was conducted into whether the virus can spread between individuals. Ethical and Biosecurity Concerns Mount: The shot delivers the spike protein directly to the respiratory tract raising risk of severe reactions while researchers prepare to expand the trial to 10,000 people. Experts warn this could lead to involuntary exposure to gene-based therapies, undermining informed consent and medical freedom. New sprayable COVID shot shows viral shedding in human trial Unlike traditional injected vaccines, CVXGA1 is delivered through the nose and directly enters the respiratory system. The platform is based on parainfluenza virus type 5, a known communicable respiratory virus. According to the trial data, viral shedding was clearly detected in nasal swabs just one day after administration, with viral loads reaching thousands of particles per milliliter. Yet researchers failed to study whether this shedding could result in actual transmission to others. Critics, including scientists and health freedom advocates, have sounded alarms over what they call a dangerous oversight. Dr. Karl Jablonowski of Childrens Health Defense noted the live-virus nature of the shot makes it self-spreading and bypasses informed consent protocols, potentially infecting others without their knowledge. Dr. Karina Acevedo Whitehouse, a microbiologist at the Autonomous University of Queretaro, agreed there is a high likelihood of persistent shedding, citing similar outcomes in earlier intranasal vaccine studies. These warnings come amid broader criticism over the necessity and safety of another COVID vaccine. Existing mRNA shots, like those from Pfizer and Moderna, have faced widespread scrutiny over adverse events including myocarditis, blood clots, immune suppression, and neurological symptoms. With many studies showing that the efficacy of COVID vaccines wanes within months, experts question the rationale behind developing an intranasal version that could pose new and unstudied risks. The clinical trial itself had several critical flaws, experts say. It enrolled just 72 participants an insufficient sample size to detect rare but serious side effects. Additionally, there was no unvaccinated control group, no long-term safety tracking, and no analysis of whether the shed virus could infect others. Despite these limitations, researchers plan to expand the trial to 10,000 participants in the next phase. Particularly troubling is the delivery of the spike protein the same one implicated in heart and clotting issues in prior vaccines directly into the respiratory system, which could result in more severe reactions. Experts warn this method introduces the genetic material straight to the lungs, rather than containing it in muscle tissue as with injected vaccines. Health freedom advocates argue that this could mark the beginning of self-spreading vaccine technology, which may be used to bypass consent entirely. Dr. Jessica Rose emphasized that such technologies, if normalized, could pave the way for gene-based therapies administered via air an alarming prospect for those concerned with bodily autonomy and medical ethics. Instead of experimental interventions, experts urge individuals to support their immune systems naturally through proven methods such as optimizing vitamin D, maintaining gut health, consuming immune-boosting nutrients like vitamin C and zinc, reducing toxic exposure, and managing stress. As public concern mounts over the ethical and safety implications of self-spreading vaccines, the debate over medical consent, risk transparency, and natural immunity is far from over. Bookmark Vaccines.news to your favorite independent websites for updates on experimental gene therapy injections and toxic nasal vax technology that leads to the spread of disease, early death, infertility, turbo cancer and Long-Vax-Syndrome. Sources for this article include: Pandemic.news NaturalNews.com NaturalHealth365.com Science.org Netanyahu signals more strikes on Iran over surviving uranium stockpiles Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns that Irans enriched uranium stockpiles remain intact despite recent U.S.-Israel strikes, indicating readiness for further military action. Israeli intelligence reports that Irans near-weapons-grade uranium is hidden underground and will require extensive recovery efforts that could trigger renewed attacks. Russia pledges support to Irans nuclear program in a move that could potentially escalate Cold War-style tensions in the region. Netanyahu claims deterrence has been achieved, but experts warn Iran may rebuild covertly with Russian and Chinese backing. Satellite imagery suggests uranium may have been relocated before the attacks, hinting at an ongoing nuclear standoff. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at expanded military action against Irans nuclear program, declaring that their enriched uranium stockpiles that are the key to nuclear weapons development remain untouched despite recent U.S.-Israeli strikes. Speaking to Fox Business this week, Netanyahu confirmed that while Irans centrifuges were destroyed in coordinated attacks last month, its cache of near-weapons-grade uranium was still intact and buried under rubble at sites like Isfahan. "The one thing that we didn't deal with, and we know that we didn't deal with, was the enriched uranium, he stated ominously, adding that Israel and the U.S. could strike twice, and thrice if needed. The remarks signal Israels readiness to escalate hostilities even as global scrutiny intensifies over Irans nuclear ambitions. He told Fox News host Mark Levin that he remains convinced Iran will use nuclear weapons against them. "We saw it. We said, within a year they will have a nuclear bomb, and they will use it," he stated. "Unlike other nuclear powers, they will actually use it, and they will wipe us out." The hidden uranium threat According to Israeli intelligence, Irans uranium stockpilesenriched to 60%, edging close to weapons-grade 90%were shielded from destruction due to their underground storage depth. While U.S. officials initially claimed complete success in dismantling Irans nuclear infrastructure, Netanyahus disclosure contradicts those assurances, exposing fissures in the allies public narrative. A senior Israeli official, speaking anonymously to The New York Times, revealed that recovering the uranium would require extensive digging, likely detectable by satellite surveillance, and prompt fresh Israeli attacks. Any attempts by Iran to recover it would almost certainly be detected, the official warned, emphasizing that Israel retains the upper hand in preemptive strikes. Meanwhile, Russia has vowed to replenish Irans nuclear resources, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pledging technological support to take the excess of overly enriched uranium under Moscows control in a move that could reignite Cold War-style proxy tensions in the region. Netanyahu downplayed Irans immediate nuclear capabilities, insisting Tehran is too afraid to revive its program after the devastating strikes. "They know they felt the might the might of America, the might of Israel and the combined might of Israel and America. It's made an impact, not only in the Middle East, it's made an impact around the world. Everybody sees this," he told Fox Business, portraying the attacks as a deterrent. Yet experts warn that Irans strategic patience and its alliances with Russia and China could allow it to rebuild covertly. Satellite imagery of Fordow, struck by U.S. bunker-busters, showed trucks moving near the site before the attack, raising suspicions that the uranium was relocated ahead of time. While Washington denies this, Netanyahus admission that Israel knows where it is buried suggests a high-stakes game of nuclear hide-and-seek. Is a regional war brewing? As Netanyahu flexes Israels military readiness and Russia intervenes to back Iran, the threat of a wider Middle East conflict looms. With Tehrans uranium still in play and Israel vowing further action, it is not yet clear whether diplomacy or destruction will dictate the next chapter. For now, Netanyahus message is clear: Irans nuclear ambitions will be met with relentless force, regardless of the cost. Sources for this article include: InformationLiberation.com NYPost.com FoxBusiness.com North Korea sends 6,000 engineers to aid Russias Kursk rebuild as military alliance deepens North Korea is sending 6,000 engineers and construction workers to rebuild Russian-controlled territories like Kursk, while over 10,000 North Korean troops already fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Kim Jong Un has pledged "unconditional support" for Russias war in Ukraine, deepening military ties that could include advanced arms transfers from Moscow to Pyongyang. North Korean troops are suffering heavy casualties in Ukraine, with state media showing coffins returning, confirming their direct combat role in the conflict. Intelligence reports suggest Russia may supply North Korea with advanced military tech, including anti-aircraft missiles, in exchange for artillery shells and troops. The Russia-North Korea alliance threatens global security, with fears that nuclear-armed Pyongyang could gain more lethal capabilities while prolonging the war in Ukraine. Pyongyang is dispatching 6,000 engineers and construction workers to assist in rebuilding Russian-controlled territories, particularly Kursk, while more than 10,000 North Korean troops are already embedded within Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. The latest developments follow Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrovs high-stakes visit to North Korea last weekend, where Kim Jong Un reaffirmed Pyongyangs "unconditional support" for Moscows war efforts, solidifying a pact that threatens global stability and raises alarms about advanced military exchanges. The Moscow-Pyongyang military bromance The alliance between Russia and North Korea, formalized in a defense pact signed last June, has rapidly evolved into a full-fledged military partnership. Lavrovs recent trip to Pyongyang, complete with handshakes and embraces broadcast on state media, underscores the deepening strategic ties. During their meeting, Kim reiterated Pyongyangs backing for Russias "special military operation" in Ukraine, reinforcing fears that North Korean forces, who are already suffering heavy casualties, may soon deploy in even larger numbers. State media images of flag-draped North Korean coffins returning from Ukraine confirm the sad reality: Pyongyangs troops are actively dying in Russias war. Meanwhile, intelligence reports suggest Russia may be compensating North Korea with advanced military technology, including anti-aircraft missiles, to bolster Kims outdated air defenses, raising the specter of nuclear-armed North Korea gaining more lethal capabilities. North Korean troops and workers flood into Russia The 6,000 engineers and construction workers headed for Kursk mark another alarming phase of North Koreas involvement. These laborers will aid in reconstruction efforts, essentially repairing wartime destruction that North Korean troops may have helped inflict. South Korean intelligence warns that additional deployments could arrive as early as July or August, further entrenching Pyongyangs role in Russian aggression. Beyond boots on the ground, North Korea has reportedly shipped 12 million artillery shells to Russia, keeping Putins war machine operational despite Western sanctions. The mutual benefits are clear: Russia gains soldiers and munitions, while Kim secures critical military upgrades that could tip regional power dynamics. Global concerns and geopolitical fallout The Trump administration and allies fear this partnership endangers global security. U.S. officials have long warned that Russias desperation could lead to sharing ballistic missile or nuclear technology with Pyongyang, potentially accelerating Kims weapons programs. If Russia transfers advanced air defense systems, North Koreas ability to repel U.S. or South Korean strikes would grow significantly. Meanwhile, Ukraine faces a tough reinforcement challenge. Zelenskyy has confirmed renewed U.S. arms shipments, but if North Korean troops continue bolstering Russian forces, Kyivs already strained defenses could buckle further. British intelligence estimates thousands of North Korean soldiers have already perished in Ukraine, yet Kim shows no signs of withdrawing support. A growing axis of tyranny The Russia-North Korea axis represents a dire shift in global conflicts, merging two rogue regimes with little regard for human rights or international law. As thousands of North Korean workers and troops prop up Putins war, Kim strengthens his military arsenal, with each side fueling the others belligerence. With Ukraine already struggling against Russian advances, this unholy alliance could lengthen the war, destabilize Asia, and embolden other authoritarian regimes. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com AlJazeera.com Reuters.com BBC.co.uk EU faces internal rebellion as Slovakia warns of collapse without Russian resources Slovak MEP Milan Uhrik has warned that the EU is on a path to self-destruction under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen, primarily due to the ambitious plan to phase out Russian oil and gas imports by 2027. Von der Leyen's REPowerEU strategy, aimed at reducing reliance on Russian fossil fuels, has faced strong opposition from member states like Slovakia and Hungary, with concerns about economic stability and competitiveness. The EU's energy policy has exacerbated tensions with Russia, leading to economic challenges such as Germany's recession and rising energy prices across the bloc. Slovakia, heavily dependent on Russian hydrocarbons, fears severe economic repercussions. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticizes the EU's "harmful ideological decisions," while Uhrik opposes NATO's proposed defense spending increase to five percent of GDP by 2035, reflecting broader discontent among some member states. The EU faces a critical challenge in balancing its environmental and geopolitical goals with the economic realities of member states. The warnings from Slovakia underscore the need for a more unified and pragmatic approach to energy policy. Slovak Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Milan Uhrik has declared that the European Union (EU) is on a path to self-destruction under the leadership of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The catalyst for this dire prediction? The EU's ambitious plan to completely phase out Russian oil and gas imports by the end of 2027. In May, von der Leyen unveiled the REPowerEU roadmap, a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing the EU's reliance on Russian fossil fuels and accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources. However, this plan has been met with vehement opposition from some member states, most notably Slovakia and Hungary. During a heated session in the European Parliament on Wednesday, July 9, Uhrik accused von der Leyen of leading the EU toward collapse. "You will destroy the EU, and I am convinced that the EU will soon collapse because you are doing everything to make it happen," he stated emphatically. The current tensions between the EU and Russia over energy resources are not without historical precedent. The EU's dependence on Russian energy has been a longstanding issue, with Russia supplying approximately 40 percent of the EU's natural gas and 25 percent of its oil before the conflict in Ukraine. (Related: Is the EU finally reconsidering its energy war with Russia?) Slovakia's opposition to the EU's energy policy is rooted in its heavy reliance on Russian hydrocarbons. "Without them, our industry would either not function or would not be competitive," Uhrik asserted. He called on Maros Sefcovic, the EU's commissioner for trade and economic security and a fellow Slovak, to advocate for Slovakia's interests. The Slovak government has been vocal in its criticism of the EU's approach, with Prime Minister Robert Fico arguing that Slovakia is "fighting for our households and businesses" against what he perceives as "harmful ideological decisions" from Brussels. Fico's government vetoed the 18th sanctions package proposed by Brussels last week, a move that was supported by neighboring Hungary, which also fears the economic repercussions of such measures. Economic and security concerns The EU's proposed sanctions on Russia's energy and financial sectors are part of a broader strategy to isolate Russia economically. However, the effectiveness of these sanctions is debatable. While they aim to cripple Russia's economy, they also risk further destabilizing the EU's own economic landscape. The proposal for NATO members to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP by 2035 has also drawn criticism from Uhrik. "No, thank you that's enough. We just don't want this," he said, highlighting the growing discontent among some member states about the direction of EU and NATO policies. Balancing ideology and pragmatism The EU's push to transition to renewable energy is driven by both environmental and geopolitical considerations. However, the transition is not without its challenges. The reliance on Russian energy has been a contentious issue, with some arguing that it undermines the EU's strategic autonomy. Von der Leyen has dismissed her critics as "conspiracy theorists" acting in the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Yet, the economic realities faced by member states like Slovakia and Hungary cannot be ignored. The EU must navigate a delicate balance between its ideological commitments and the pragmatic needs of its member states. The EU's energy policy is at a crossroads. The path it chooses will have far-reaching implications, not only for its economic stability but also for its geopolitical standing. The warnings from Slovakia serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of a one-size-fits-all approach. In conclusion, the EU stands at a critical juncture. The warnings from Slovakia highlight the deep-seated concerns of some member states about the EU's energy policy and its broader implications. As the bloc navigates these turbulent waters, it must strive for unity and understanding. Find more stories like this at Collapse.news. Watch the video below where Dutch political commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek blasts von der Leyen. This video is from the What is happening channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Renewables fall short as fossil fuels reach new heights: Global energy transition stalls. Europe prepares for war economy mode, stockpiling minerals, food, and nuclear fuel amid rising threats. BRICS nations forge financial independence as Russia accelerates global de-dollarization movement. Sources include: SHTFPlan.com RT.com Brighteon.com Thousands fired from U.S. State Department as Trump Admin guts bloated bureaucracy The wheels of government grinds slowly, sucking from the country's most productiveuntil a decisive leader cuts the fat and puts his foot on the accelerator. In his first term, Trump didn't care about government waste, but with DOGE bringing government inefficiencies to light, Trump has made cutting government a top priority. Over the next few days, the Trump administration is set to dismiss thousands of employees at the U.S. State Department , marking one of the most aggressive overhauls of federal bureaucracy in modern history. Supporters hail the move as necessary to dismantle inefficiency and entrenched resistance, while Democrats cry foul as America faces escalating global crises. One thing is undeniable: the federal bureaucracy has ballooned beyond recognition, filled with redundant offices, ineffective programs, and bureaucrats who serve the system rather than the people. Now, Trump's team is wielding the axeand they arent stopping with diplomacy. Key points: Mass layoffs at the State Department begin immediately, impacting upwards of 1,800 personnel. Trump allies aim to eliminate redundant functions, merging or closing over 300 bureaus and offices. The Supreme Court cleared the path for these firings after lifting a judicial block. Critics fear a loss of institutional expertise, particularly as global tensions rise. This purge is part of a broader plan to strip out up to 50,000 federal employees nationwide. Liberals who work in government offices fear that they will be next to the chopping block. "Too large to function": The bureaucratic swamp Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokeswoman, didn't mince words: "When something is too large to operate, too bureaucratic, to actually function it has to change." This isnt just a reorganizationits a demolition. The administration contends that decades of unchecked bureaucratic growth have stifled American interests, with overlapping offices and sluggish decision-making undermining true diplomatic agility. Congressional filings reveal an estimated 15% reduction of domestic State Department staff, targeting civil and foreign service roles. Offices handling everything from Afghanistan oversight to refugee resettlement are on the chopping block. And while critics lament the loss of institutional memory, supporters argue that trimming dead weight will increase efficiency, allowing a leaner, more responsive diplomatic corps to emerge. The "deep state" showdown Trump has long railed against the deep statethe entrenched network of career bureaucrats resistant to presidential directives. His allies see these firings as a necessary correction, replacing ideological obstructionists with loyalists who prioritize America First policies. Already, Trump loyalists are drafting plans to replicate these cuts across the Justice Department, Pentagon, and FBI, reshaping federal agencies from the inside out. But opposition remains fierce. The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) condemned the layoffs as a "catastrophic blow to national interests," arguing that skilled diplomats are being sacrificed for political expediency. Meanwhile, former Biden administration spokesman Ned Price blasted the firings on social media, calling them "haphazard" and reckless. Yet, Marco Rubio insists this isn't personaljust necessary. "Understand that some of these are positions that are being eliminated, not people," he clarified during a press briefing. But for those holding boxes as they exit State Department headquarters, the distinction may feel academic. What comes next? This is only the beginning. The Supreme Courts green light means the administration can extend layoffs to other agenciespotentially reaching 50,000 terminations. Already, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been gutted, redirecting humanitarian aid through more controlled channels. As government employees are sent packing, some are asking whether artificial intelligence is making systems more efficient, allowing administrators to cut human employees, as if they are waste, substandard to AI advances. This will become more commonplace, especially in government, where people are wasting time just to fill sometimes worthless bureaucratic roles. Historical precedent suggests bureaucratic resistance will intensify. But Trumps allies are prepared. The goal? A government that runs faster, cheaper, and more aligned with national interestsnot career bureaucrats clinging to power. Whether this upheaval strengthens America or weakens its global standing remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the era of unchecked bureaucratic bloat is ending, and it will rapidly accelerate with the inclusion of AI into government systems. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Aljazeera.com NYPost.com China warns of ethical dangers as global military AI race heats up China warns of "indiscriminate killings" posed by autonomous combat robots, prompting ethical and legal scrutiny. PLA Daily urges adherence to updated robotics ethics principles, citing Asimovs laws as inadequate for current tech. U.S. Army advances human-robot collaboration through AI, enhancing battlefield mobility and real-time communication. Both nations face challenges in balancing military efficacy with moral responsibilities amid rising AI warfare capabilities. Global competition in AI-driven military tech raises questions over accountability in autonomous systems. Chinas state-controlled military newspaper has launched a rare warning about the ethical perils of deploying autonomous humanoid robots in warfare, as global superpowers accelerate development of AI-driven combat systems. An op-ed published July 10 in the Peoples Liberation Army Daily highlighted concerns that faulty robots could inevitably trigger legal and moral crises through indiscriminate killings, while the U.S. Army concurrently unveiled breakthroughs in human-robot collaboration to enhance battlefield control. This clash of priorities underscores a critical crossroads: Can nations develop lethal AI technologies without eroding core principles of human dignity and accountability? China sounds ethical alarm on autonomous combat robotics Beijings warning emerged in an op-ed signed by three unnamed authorities in the PLA Daily, which serves as the Communist Partys military mouthpiece. The piece emphasized that militarized humanoid robots clearly violate Isaac Asimovs First Law of Roboticsthat machines may not injure a human being. The authors argued outdated ethical frameworks must evolve to address modern military applications, stressing that autonomous systems must prioritize obeying, respecting, and protecting humans above all else. The article further cited growing legal risks, noting that faulty robot errors could lead to accidental deaths and drawn-out war crime investigations. It acknowledged humanoid robots potentialto manipulate tools and navigate obstaclesbut cautioned that technical limitations, such as slower speed and poor terrain adaptability, mean they cannot fully supplant human soldiers or other unmanned systems. Chinas cautions come amid its aggressive push in robotics, with state entities like military contractor CETC predicting mass production of humanoid robots for civilian and industrial use within two years. However, military applications remain fraught; last month, heavy robots tested by the U.S. Armys sympower team struggled with basic battlefield tasks like door-opening, highlighting unresolved challenges. U.S. Army pioneers human-robot teaming for battlefield dominance While China deliberates ethical boundaries, the U.S. Army is racing to bridge the gap between human soldiers and autonomous machines. Researchers at the Armys Combat Capabilities Development Command unveiled advancements in off-road mobility for AI-equipped ground vehicles, such as real-time battlefield language understanding and obstacle negotiation. This isnt science fiction, said Phil Osteen, lead researcher for the Armys Artificial Intelligence for Maneuver and Mobility (AIMM) program. Were building robots that can communicate naturally with troopsassessing damage, sharing mission updates, adjusting paths based on real-world chaos. The Army also demonstrated bi-directional communication systems, allowing soldiers to issue commands via voice and receive instant feedback on robot movements. Udam Silva, AIMM manager, noted that prototypes now autonomously navigate forests at operational speedscritical for contested zones like the Taiwan Straitor mountainous theaters such as Kyrgyzstan. Human-Autonomy Teaming (HAT) programs under development aim to refine soldier-robot collaboration further. Dr. Brandon Perelman emphasized the systems adaptability, enabling robots to correct deviations based on soldier input. This isnt just about moving robots; its about trusting them, Perelman stated. Global rivalry and moral crossroads in military AI development China and the U.S. are locked in an AI arms race, each exploring humanoid robots as a deterrent but struggling with conflicting imperatives. While Beijing fears overreach, Washington prioritizes battlefield effectivenessa tension echoed in remarks by PLA analysts who noted robots cannot replace the human mind. Historically, military innovation has often outpaced ethics: WWIs toxic gas or nuclear weapons shocked global norms, yet todays AI poses unprecedented dilemmas. Asimovs fiction-inspired lawswritten in 1942now guide debates, but experts like Prof. Noel Sharkey argue they lack enforceability. The confluence of geopolitical competition and technological ambition risks normalizing autonomous killing machines. The race isnt just for superiorityits for legitimacy, said tech ethicist Dr. Mei Lin. Without binding regulations, war crimes could stem from technical glitches, not just human malice. A future where morality must pace the machines As China and the U.S. wield billions on AI militaries, the PLA Dailys warninga rarity for its propaganda armsignals even Beijing fears the unchecked consequences. Simultaneously, U.S. breakthroughs reveal battlefield-ready systems within reach. The path forward demands global dialogue, lest a Terminator-style dystopia of indiscriminate killings materialize. In the words of the op-eds authors: Human life cannot be reduced to a cost-benefit calculation. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com InterestingEngineering.com SCMP.com It appears that the Democrats are planning to use the cover up of the Epstein files to destroy Donald Trump After four years of saying nothing about them during the Biden Administration, all of a sudden Democrats in Congress are extremely interested in the Epstein files. They smell blood, because they know that the cover up of the Epstein files has greatly outraged a very large portion of the population. So they are going to make all sorts of wild allegations about what is in those files, because they know that there is no way that the Trump administration can reverse course and release them now. During the midterm elections, Republicans in competitive races all over the country will be hurt by this, and if Democrats are able to take back control of Congress they will inevitably try to use the cover up of the Epstein files to impeach Donald Trump. The Democratic Party was on the ropes, but the unprecedented debacle that we just witnessed has given them new life. (Article by Michael Snyder republished from EndOfTheAmericanDream.com) I think that Trump will deeply regret not releasing the Epstein files to the public. By keeping them secret, speculation that they personally implicate him is going to run rampant. Americans have wild imaginations, and when Elon Musk claimed that Trump is in the Epstein files last month, that instantly sparked a whirlwind of controversy But the fight has since taken a far more personal turn, bolstered by Musks allegation that Trump is listed in the files related to the late financier and alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. That is the real reason they have not been made public, Musk said in a post shared via his social media platform, X, on Thursday. He did not provide evidence pertaining to this. In the aftermath of Musks allegation, a couple of Democrats in Congress fired off a letter to Pam Bondi and Kash Patel The accusation has spurred Democrats to chase the full unsealing of the Epstein files. California Rep. Robert Garcia and Massachusetts Rep. Stephen F. LynchDemocratic members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reformsent a letter on June 5 to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Kash Patel. We write with profound alarm at allegations that files relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have not been declassified and released to the American public because they personally implicate President Trump, read the letter, accompanied by a press release titled Is Trump Suppressing The Epstein Files? Trump could have put an end to the matter by simply releasing the Epstein files. But he didnt do that. So now he has created a firestorm. Now that we are being told that the Epstein files will never be released, 16 Democrats in Congress have sent a letter to Pam Bondi accusing her of withholding some Epstein files to protect the president from any damaging disclosures House Democrats on Tuesday demanded that the justice department release documents related to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epsteins sex-trafficking case that mentions or references Donald Trump, citing a comment by Elon Musk after he fell out with the president this year. The House judiciary committees ranking member, Jamie Raskin, together with 15 other Democrats sent a six-page letter to the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, accusing her of withholding some Epstein files to protect the president from any damaging disclosures. We dont know if there is anything in those files about Trump or not. But that is the point. The Democrats are just going to keep suggesting that Trump is hiding something over and over again, and lots of voters will believe them. In the letter, the Democrats ask Bondi to publicly release all documents in the Epstein files that mention or reference Donald Trump Stop protecting your boss and former client, release the Smith report in full without redactions immediately, and publicly release all documents in the Epstein files that mention or reference Donald Trump, the letter said. The Democrats know that they arent going to get that. But that isnt why they wrote the letter. They wrote the letter to get the media talking about this. Lots of people are going to start wondering what the Epstein files say about Trump even though they may say absolutely nothing about him at all. I just wish that we could get the truth, but that isnt going to happen now. And there is also going to be a lot of debate about who else Trump may be protecting by not releasing the files. After accusing Trump of being in the Epstein files last month, Elon Musk is now accusing Trump ally Steven Bannon of being in the Epstein files too While Trump was speaking at the Tuesday meeting, Musk ranted to Roger Stone, one of the presidents advisers, about accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Why would Jeffrey Epstein associate Steve Bannon try to help Robert Mueller send me to prison by perjuring himself at my trial? Stone asked on X. Bannon is in the Epstein files, Musk replied, while offering no evidence to back up the accusation. Elon Musk should not be doing this unless he has direct knowledge that this is true. Did Musk get to look into the Epstein files while he was working with DOGE? If so, he needs to tell us. Of course Musk has now started his own political party, and he is pledging that his party will make releasing the Epstein files a top priority Tech billionaire Elon Musk once again slammed President Trump over the Jeffrey Epstein case, confirming that his new political party, which he has dubbed the America Party, will make it a priority to expose the files. Musk first questioned how people can be expected to have faith in the president if he doesnt release the files regarding the convicted sex offender and financier. How can people be expected to have faith in Trump if he wont release the Epstein files? he asked in a post on X, the social platform he owns. I am sure that some Democrats will start promising to release the Epstein files too, even though they just had four years to do that under Joe Biden. In the end, I dont think that they will ever see the light of day. Whatever has caused President Trump to put a lid on those files must be something really big. Journalist Nick Bryant is suggesting that the reason the Epstein files are being covered up is because Jeffrey Epstein was involved in a massive blackmail operation Journalist Nick Bryant notes in this viral clip from the Shawn Ryan podcast that the Jeffrey Epstein case is being covered up by the federal government and will never progress because it would destroy their entire operational system. Epstein had cameras in all of his homes. Epstein was definitely a blackmail artist, Bryant notes. The government wants to make sure that that does not come out. A huge part of our political system is predicated on blackmail, he adds. If that dark, malignant corner of the intelligence that is using blackmail against our politicians and other people, if they were using children, that would make the American people erupt, Bryant further urges. Maybe Bryant is on to something, or maybe he is completely and utterly wrong. So many theories are being thrown around, and we cant prove or disprove any of them because we are never going to get to see the evidence. It was a colossal mistake of epic proportions not to release the Epstein files. We were waiting patiently for months because we were promised that justice would be coming, but now everyone is speculating about why the Epstein files are being covered up. This is a perfect scenario for the Democrats, because they feel like they finally have something that they can use to get the upper hand on President Trump. Read more at: EndOfTheAmericanDream.com FEMA flood map changes preceded deadly Texas camp disaster FEMA removed 30+ Camp Mystic buildings from flood maps after appeals, enabling expansion into high-risk areas. Over 27 children, counselors and staff died in record floods that exceeded FEMAs 100-year predictions. Experts say FEMAs outdated models ignore smaller waterways and favor wealthier communities. Camp Mystic expanded despite repeated flood hazards and lax oversight. Survivors and officials question regulatory failures in disaster-prone regions. On the night of July 4, a catastrophic flood swept through Camp Mystic, a historic Christian girls camp along Texass Guadalupe River, killing at least 27 campers, counselors and the camps owner, Dick Eastland. Federal records reveal that years earlier, FEMA had repeatedly removed dozens of Camp Mystic buildings from its 100-year floodplain mapsa decision critics call a regulatory failure that likely worsened the disaster. By 2020, the agency had stripped flood-risk designations from 30 structures, clearing the way for expansion into a flood-prone area now notorious as part of flash flood alley. The tragedy has reignited debates over FEMAs outdated mapping tools and the influence of wealthy property owners in regulatory decisions. FEMA decisions under scrutiny FEMA initially categorized Camp Mystics original site as a Special Flood Hazard Area in 2011, requiring operators to carry flood insurance and adhere to strict construction rules. Yet the agency later reversed course. Records show that after appeals, FEMA removed 15 buildings in 2013 part of the original campus and an additional 15 from a new expansion site, Camp Mystic Cypress Lake, in 2019 and 2020. Syracuse University professor Sarah Pralle, a FEMA mapping expert, criticized the exemptions as particularly disturbing, especially given the camps responsibility for minors. FEMAs process seems to favor property owners who can afford the arduous appealseven when vital safety regulations are at stake, Pralle said. FEMA defended its approach, stating flood maps are snapshots in time meant to guide insurance, not predict floods. However, critics argue the agencys reliance on outdated modelswhich ignore small creek risks and assume linear flood flowsleft communities vulnerable. First Street, a climate data firm, found nearly all of Camp Mystics original site and much of the new location remain in high-risk zones under its independent analysis. History of neglect The July 4 flood overwhelmed Camp Mystic with unimaginable force, according to survivors, but it was far from the first disaster. The camp had endured floods for its nearly century-long history, yet lacked early warning systems or mandatory evacuation plans. The Guadalupe Rivers record-breaking surge, fueled by a hurricanes 80 mph winds, outran even FEMAs 1% annual flood thresholds and struck at night, when many slept. Historically, Texas has grappled with flood mismanagement. A 2017 study by Antonia Sebastian and Russell Blessing warned that FEMAs one-dimensional modeling overlooks areas like the Guadalupe Basin, where waters spread indiscriminately. Their call for modern tools, like 3D hydrology systems, went unheeded. Camp Mystics 2020 expansion further lowered safeguards. State records confirm a licensing inspection on July 2 two days before the flood gave the camp a green light despite its proximity to the river. The politics of floodplain appeals Property owners commonly challenge FEMA-designated hazard areas to bypass insurance costs and construction limits. Federal data analyzed by Pralle shows 90% of such appeals succeed, disproportionately favoring wealthier, whiter communities. Chris Steubing of the Texas Floodplain Management Association acknowledged FEMAs process is arduous but noted it allows local flexibility. Yet he admitted the July storm was so extreme that even elevated structures might not have lasted. Still, critics argue lax oversight enabled Camp Mystic to grow, exploiting a system tilted toward developers. A watershed moment for flood preparedness? The Camp Mystic tragedy has national implications. With increasing extreme weather occurrences, FEMAs mapping flaws now endanger more lives. As survivors mourn, policymakers face pressure to update risk assessments and ensure regulations protect vulnerable populations not just wealthy landowners. This isnt just about Camp Mystic, said survivor and counselor Emily Nguyen. Its about every community on the edge of a floodplain. The maps matter, and so do the choices officials make when lives are in the balance. For now, families await answers and hope the camps lost children become catalysts for change. Sources for this article include: NYPost.com APNews.com ClaimsJournal.com Grand Canyons historic lodge consumed by fire amid toxic gas crisis and evacuations A lightning-caused wildfire destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and 50-80 structures at the North Rim, forcing park closures. A chlorine gas leak from a damaged water treatment facility complicates firefighting efforts, forcing evacuations of crews. The Dragon Bravo Fire (currently 5,000+ acres) and White Sage Fire (50,000+ acres) are fueled by extreme heat, wind and dry conditions. Senator Ruben Gallego calls for an investigation into fire management; Gov. Katie Hobbs seeks accountability. Canadian wildfires exacerbate smoky conditions across the Upper Midwest, while Arizonas summer heat has claimed a hikers life. A wildfire ignited by lightning on July 4 has raged across the Grand Canyons North Rim, erasing the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and triggering an industrial chlorine gas leak, marking one of the most destructive natural disasters in the parks 106-year history. By Monday, July 14, the Dragon Bravo Fire had torched over 5,000 acres of forest, while the adjacent White Sage Fire scorched 50,000 acres in Kaibab National Forest. The flames, driven by 40 mph winds, claimed the iconic lodge a symbol of Arizonas wilderness for over 80 years and forced the permanent closure of the North Rim for the 2025 tourist season. The lodge, a rustic log-and-limestone landmark welcoming hundreds of daily visitors, was the only lodging on the North Rim. Designed after a devastating 1932 kitchen fire, its reconstruction in 1937 fused new architecture with salvaged stone from the original site. This isnt just a lodge, lamented Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), in a social media post. Arizona lost a piece of its soul. The Brighty the Burro statue, the archives, the memories this is more than a building. Its our heritage. Chlorine gas halts firefighting efforts Efforts to contain the fire were dealt a critical blow on July 12 when a water treatment facility in the fires path exploded, releasing a plume of chlorine gas. The gas leak forced firefighters to retreat from containment zones, hampering aerial drops of fire retardant. No injuries were reported, but the incident underscored the fires volatile behavior. Were dealing with a nightmare scenario flames accelerating at night, the wind defeating our lines, and now a toxic hazard we didnt plan for, said NPS Fire Management Incident Commander Ed Keable, citing the need to evacuate crews near the chemical leak. The gass density, which settles in low-lying areas like the canyon floor, also threatens hikers and has prompted the indefinite closure of Phantom Ranch, a renowned riverfront lodging enclave. Conditions are lethal downstream, warned officials. A chain reaction: Wildfires in the West and smokes reach Arizonas fires are part of a region-wide crisis. Meanwhile, Canadian wildfires have sent smoke as far as the Upper Midwest, darkening skies and triggering very unhealthy air quality advisories from Minnesota to North Dakota. In one poignant twist, even as Arizonans mourn tourism dollars lost to Nevadas canyon flights, the state now sees its own visitors chased away this time by flames, not rivalry. The Dragon Bravo blazes origins revert to a lightning strike on Independence Day a reminder of natures power prowess. But officials are under scrutiny over firefighting tactics. Gov. Katie Hobbs emphasized a comprehensive investigation into why this fire escalated so rapidly, hinting at tensions over initial containment efforts. A seasons loss and a call for accountability The NPS has declared the North Rim closed through 2025. Park staff evacuated safely, but the human costs linger in lost landmarks, canceled trips and smoky skies blotting out the sun. Were creating the fire equivalent of an ice age, warned journalist Mike Adams in referencing the Pyrocene era of human-accelerated blazes a phrase echoing worries over climate-driven fire behavior. As crews battle 110-degree heat and persisting winds, victims and residents alike grieve. Aramarks granite records, artifacts and the beloved 600-pound Brighty the Burro bronze statue now reduced to ash are mourned as irreplaceable. Can the Canyon recover its luster? The Grand Canyon remains open to visitors on the South Rim, yet its spirit is indelibly marred by this disaster. Construction of a new North Rim lodge, hinted at by state leaders, may assuage some, but locals argue replication cannot recapture history. As the smoke clears, the question lingers: How much more can a fragile landscape endure before losing its soul entirely? Sources for this article include: LiveScience.com inciweb.wildfire.gov NPS.gov NewsOn6.com Heroic Utah surgeon vindicated: DOJ drops unjust COVID vaccine charges as truth prevails In a landmark victory for medical freedom, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed all charges against Dr. Michael Kirk Moore , the courageous Utah plastic surgeon who dared to defy government-mandated COVID-19 vaccine tyranny. Accused of discarding experimental vaccines and issuing fake vaccination cards, Moore faced 35 years in prisonuntil Attorney General Pam Bondi intervened, declaring the prosecution unjust . This stunning reversal exposes the fraudulent nature of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout itself and proves that Moore was no criminalhe was a lifesaver, protecting children and families from a dangerous, untested medical experiment. Key points: The DOJ abruptly dropped all charges against Dr. Kirk Moore mid-trial, sparing him decades in prison. Moore discarded $28,000 worth of government-provided COVID vaccines and issued fake vaccination cards at parents request. Saline injectionsnot the experimental mRNA vaccinewere given to children whose parents sought protection from forced immunization. Bondi declared Moore gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused, vindicating his heroic actions. Far-left prosecutors sought to punish Moore for defying a corrupt medical regime that prioritized profits over health. A doctors defiance: Standing against medical tyranny Dr. Moores alleged crimes were acts of mercyproviding parents with an escape hatch from the Biden administrations coercive vaccine mandates. While federal prosecutors sought to frame him as a fraudster, the real fraud was the government-pushed COVID vaccines, which were rushed to market without long-term safety studies. Moore understood the risksparticularly for young people, who faced myocarditis, neurological damage, and immune dysfunction from the shots. By issuing counterfeit vaccine cards, Moore protected patients from a system built on lies. His bold stand drew nationwide support. Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), praised Moore as a patriot. At rallies outside the courthouse, protesters held signs reading Dr. Moore is a hero, not a criminala sentiment echoed by Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, who denounced the government persecution of those who resisted vaccine mandates. The corporate deception behind COVID vaccines Big Pharmas fingerprints were all over this sham prosecution. The Biden DOJdeeply entangled with Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnsonaggressively pursued whistleblowers like Moore to crush dissent. Even as vaccine injuries surged, federal agencies censored critics and shielded pharmaceutical giants from liability. Moore recognized the betrayal: Rather than injecting children with an untested, emergency-use drug, he administered harmless salinethen provided forged paperwork so they could navigate an apartheid-style society banning the unvaccinated from schools, travel, and public life. His defiance was rooted in medical ethics. Sadly, most doctors failed to question the COVID vaccine narrative. Those who didlike Moorewere hunted down by federal prosecutors as enemies of the state. Attorney General Bondis decision to drop the charges sends a powerful message: Resistance to medical tyranny is not a crimeit is necessary. A victory for health freedombut the war rages on While Moore walks free, the larger battle continues. The same forces that targeted him still push mRNA shots, ignoring rising vaccine injuries and deaths. The Trump administrations recent cancellation of a $766 million Moderna bird flu vaccine contract suggests skepticism is growingbut the medical-industrial complex remains entrenched. Utah plastic surgeon Dr. Kirk Moore is a true hero in the medical field, responsible for discarding COVID-19 vaccines so his patients did not have to be subject to heart damage, immune system damage, and brain damage, nor have to follow along with segregation-based policies that discriminated and excluded the unvaccinated. By issuing fake vaccine papers, Dr. Kirk Moore challenged a system of fraud, providing a loophole for individuals to fool a disgusting system of abuse and fraud. The fraud was the COVID-19 vaccines and the proof of vaccination papers were a certificate of fraud, proving no immunity, just compliance with a destructive depopulation scheme. Dr. Moore did not commit fraud. He found a way to circumvent it and saved lives in the process. For now, Moores case stands as a symbol of hope. He outsmarted a fraudulent systemproving that brave doctors can shield patients from harm even when the government demands compliance. Sources include: Yournews.com TheGuardian.com NYPost.com Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On July 10 local time, the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed officially opened at the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, England. Chinese automaker BYD made a high-profile return to the event, showcasing vehicles from its premium brand DENZA and its new professional personalized sub-brand FANGCHENGBAO, according to a press release BYD issued on July 12 via its WeChat account. Photo credit: BYD Founded in 1993 by the 11th Duke of Richmond, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has grown into a premier global showcase for supercars and new automotive innovations. This year's edition coincides with the 75th anniversary of Formula 1 and adopts the theme "The Winning Formula Champions and Challengers". Participating for the second consecutive year, DENZA brand presented two models: the all-electric Z9GT coupe and the flagship D9 MPV. The Z9GT features the CTB dual-platform architecture supporting both pure-electric and PHEV-dedicated systems. The DENZA Z9GT's standout maneuverability demonstrated through a "compass turn" enabled by DENZA's revolutionary tri-motor coordination technology earned widespread acclaim from spectators, according to the Chinese automaker. Meanwhile, BYD noted that the DENZA Z9GT delivered a dynamic and elegant performance during the hill climb segment, underscoring its engineering sophistication under the proprietary system, which allows for millisecond-level coordination across three electric motors, blending exceptional performance with luxurious ride comfort. DENZA also introduced a Goodwood-exclusive silver decal design for the Z9GT, artfully merging Eastern aesthetics with British motorsport culture. Making its Goodwood debut, FANGCHENGBAO's BAO 5 SUV showcased the capabilities of BYD's pioneering DMO platform designed for both urban and off-road performance with an electric-first hybrid powertrain. The Chinese automaker said that the BAO 5 impressed audience with its robust power delivery, off-road prowess, and safety features during the hill climb challenge. Its DiSus-P intelligent hydraulic body control system, which adjusts ride height and damping in real time, further enhanced vehicle handling and ride comfort, offering both agility and cornering stability, according to BYD. With the DENZA Z9GT, DENZA D9, and FANGCHENGBAO BAO 5 on display, BYD reaffirmed its commitment to innovation in electrification and intelligent mobility. The company's return to this iconic British automotive festival underscores the growing global influence of Chinese carmakers and their evolving role in shaping the future of the industry. Weaponizing the sky: How Israeli forces turned consumer drones into lethal tools against Palestinians in Gaza +972 Magazine and Local Call have revealed that the Israeli military is using commercially available drones, specifically the EVO drones from the Chinese company Autel, as weapons against Palestinian civilians in Gaza, turning low-cost photography drones into lethal tools. These drones have been retrofitted with military attachments called "iron balls" to drop hand grenades remotely, targeting Palestinians, including children, to depopulate certain areas or prevent their return to evacuated zones. The practice is widespread among Israeli military units in Gaza, with soldiers testifying to conducting numerous strikes over extended periods, often labeling all casualties as "terrorists" regardless of their actual threat level. The Israeli military has established unmarked boundaries in Gaza and soldiers have testified that anyone crossing these arbitrary lines is subject to lethal force, with commanders defining "imaginary red lines" for targeting. The investigation highlights the ethical dilemmas of using consumer technology for military purposes, with soldiers describing the drone warfare as making killing feel "sterile" and "like a video game," while Autel and the IDF have distanced themselves from the allegations, raising questions about accountability and the international response to such practices. An investigation by +972 Magazine and Local Call has uncovered the Israeli military's use of commercially available drones as weapons against Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The probe, based on interviews with seven soldiers and officers who served in the region, reveals a systematic campaign to depopulate certain areas of Gaza by employing these low-cost, readily available drones as lethal tools. The Israeli military has primarily utilized EVO drones, manufactured by the Chinese company Autel, which are typically marketed for photography and cost around $3,000 on Amazon. These drones have been retrofitted with a military-issued attachment known as an "iron ball," allowing soldiers to drop hand grenades with the push of a button. This tactic has been employed to target Palestinians, including children, to force them from their homes or prevent their return to evacuated areas. The use of these drones has become a common practice among Israeli military units in Gaza. S., an Israeli soldier who served in the Rafah area, recounted how his battalion conducted dozens of drone strikes over a nearly 100-day period. According to daily reports, all Palestinians killed were listed as "terrorists," despite S.'s testimony that most were unarmed and posed no threat. "It was clear that they were trying to return to their homes there's no question," S. said. "None of them were armed, and nothing was ever found near their bodies. We never fired warning shots. Not at any point." The investigation reveals that the Israeli military has established arbitrary boundaries in Gaza, which are not marked on the ground. Soldiers testified that anyone entering these off-limits areas is subject to lethal force. H., a soldier who served in the Nuseirat area, described how commanders would define imaginary red lines, and anyone who crossed them was "marked for death." (Related: More than 300 KILLED in 48 hours as Israel's assault on Gaza Strip continues.) Targeting civilians and children S. testified that Israeli troops deliberately targeted children on several occasions. In one instance, a boy entered an off-limits zone and was killed by a drone-dropped grenade. "He didn't do anything," S. said. "They claimed to have seen him standing and talking to people. That's it they dropped a grenade from a drone." In another incident, soldiers tried to kill a child riding a bicycle far from their position. "In most cases, there was nothing you could tell yourself," S. continued. "There was no way to complete the sentence, 'We killed them because'" Ynet military analyst Ron Ben-Yishai described the scene at an Israeli army base in northern Gaza as resembling a "miniature airport," with drones taking off and landing nonstop. Ben-Yishai quoted a military officer who explained that these drones were enforcing the army's expulsion orders and that anyone remaining in the area was automatically labeled a terrorist. The sterility of drone warfare H. described the use of drones as making killing "much more sterile," likening it to a video game. "There's a crosshair in the middle of the screen and you see a video image," he said. "You're hundreds of meters away, sometimes even a kilometer or more. Then you play with the joystick, see the target and drop [a grenade]. And it's even kind of cool. Except this video game kills people." Autel did not respond to requests for comment before publication. After the investigation was published, the company condemned any actions leading to civilian casualties and stated it had never sold drones to users in the Israeli region, including the military or the Ministry of Defense. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initially declined to answer detailed questions but later responded by stating it "categorically rejects the allegations that it is acting intentionally to harm uninvolved people." The IDF claims its orders prohibit shooting at uninvolved people and that allegations of law violations will be examined by authorized mechanisms. The use of commercially available drones as weapons in Gaza highlights the evolving nature of modern warfare and the ethical dilemmas posed by the militarization of consumer technology. The testimonies from soldiers and the accounts of Palestinian civilians paint a chilling picture of a conflict where the lines between military and civilian targets are increasingly blurred. Watch the video below showing an Israeli strike at Abu Helou School in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Israeli forces seize Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, detain Greta Thunberg and crew in latest blockade crackdown. Iran threatens "FINAL WAR" with Israel as Gaza ceasefire talks gain momentum. War on Gaza: How Israel is replicating Nazi starvation tactics. Sources include: FreeWestMedia.com 972Mag.com Haaretz.com Brighteon.com New footage exposes U.S. mercenaries firing on Palestinians seeking aid The Gaza Strip has become a grotesque hunting ground for starvation-weakened civilians, lured by the false promise of humanitarian aid only to be gunned down by American mercenaries and Israeli soldiers . Leaked footage exposes a chilling collaboration between unscrupulous private contractors, U.S.-funded "aid" operations, and the Israeli military, turning food distribution sites into death traps. While the world watches in horror, the Trump administration funnels millions to groups exposed as complicit in Israels campaign of mass slaughter proving once again that aid is not about charity, but control and extermination. In southern Gaza, formerly ISIS-aligned warlord Yasser Abu Shabab now deputized by Israel adds another lethal layer. The result? Over 700 Palestinians gunned down while waiting for food, some struck by heavy machine guns and mortars. Survivors describe artillery shells exploding as they scrambled for crumbs. Key points: New footage reveals US mercenaries firing at Palestinian civilians seeking humanitarian aid. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), propped up by US taxpayer dollars, serves as a front for militarizing aid distribution under Israeli oversight. Over 700 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access food due to deliberate gunfire and logistical entrapment. Former CIA operatives and ISIS-linked militia leaders operate within the US-backed aid network, raising questions about Israels true motives. Despite condemnations from human rights groups, the White House continues funding this deadly charade while Gaza starves. The "humanitarian" execution squads The recently leaked footage from UG Solutions, a mercenary security firm guarding US-funded GHF aid sites, shows ragged, unprepared Americans firing live rounds into desperate Palestinian crowds. One gunman boasts, Hell yeah, boy! after claiming a hit. These contractors, wholly unfamiliar with Arabic and lacking basic crowd control training, treat starving civilians as target practicenot victims of war crimes. The footage dismantles UG Solutions central defense: that its agents never fired live rounds. Worse, it highlights their incompetence. Contractors admit they lack even basic Arabic phrasesattempting to communicate with "Stop. Go home."while relying on Palestinians who speak English to mediate. One mercenary calls the operation "amateur hour," yet the U.S. State Department continues funding this deadly circus. Even more damning? The mercenaries openly call in Israeli forces for backup, triggering even deadlier crackdowns. Survivors describe fleeing artillery fire as they scrambled for scraps of food an unforgivable act of cruelty orchestrated by Israel and its American enablers. CIA operatives, ISIS militias, and the aid facade The GHF is not just another aid organization its a shadow operation run by military contractors, Mossad-linked financiers, and former CIA agents like Philip Reilly. Meanwhile, Israel deputized Yasser Abu Shabab, a Bedouin warlord with ISIS ties, as an enforcer in Gazas so-called "safe zones." His militias now roam freely alongside IDF death squads, turning humanitarian corridors into slaughterhouses. Why? Because Israel knows starving Gazans must come to these sites and that makes them easy targets. Over 700 have already been shot dead while seeking food. Soldiers confirm firing machine guns, grenades, and mortars into crowds an undisguised extermination campaign using U.S. money and weapons. U.S. complicity in genocide The State Department continues defending GHF, funneling $30 million more into its blood-soaked operations. Meanwhile, Gazas health system collapses, children scavenge rotten scraps, and mothers skip meals to feed their babies only to be gunned down by mercenaries paid with U.S. tax dollars. The U.S. media spins Israels massacres as "self-defense," ignoring the calculated starvation. Majid Abu Laban, wounded at a distribution point, recounts: "My kids hadnt eaten for three days In the chaos, everyone was just trying to survive." The GHFs so-called aid is bait funneling civilians into kill zones where Israel and its mercenaries pull the trigger. These are not accidents they are executions. The question is no longer whether Israel is committing genocide. Its how much longer the U.S. will keep funding the bullets. Sources include: TheGrayZone.com Aljazeera.com Enoch, Brighteon.ai Trump slams Brazil over social media censorship, slaps 50% tariff on imports President Donald Trump announced a 50 percent tariff on all Brazilian imports starting Aug. 1, citing unfair trade practices and censorship concerns. Trump accused Brazil's Supreme Court, particularly Justice Alexandre de Moraes, of issuing secret and unlawful censorship orders to U.S. social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Rumble. He framed the tariffs as a defense of American free speech and electoral integrity, saying Brazil's actions threaten U.S. democratic values. Trump linked the tariff decision to the ongoing trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, calling it a "witch hunt" and an "international disgrace." Trump compared Bolsonaro's prosecution to his own legal troubles, portraying both as politically motivated attacks on populist leaders. President Donald J. Trump has announced a 50 percent new trade penalty against Brazil in retaliation for its "secret and unlawful censorship orders" targeting American social media platforms. In a formal letter dated July 9 and addressed to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Trump condemned Brazil's crackdown on platforms like Rumble and X (formerly Twitter), linking it to "insidious attacks on free elections" and "fundamental free speech rights of Americans." (Related: Canada refuses to lift tariffs despite Trump's postponement.) Citing censorship demands issued by Brazil's Supreme Court, particularly Justice Alexandre de Moraes, Trump announced that beginning Aug. 1, the U.S. will impose a 50 percent tariff on all Brazilian imports, in addition to existing sectoral tariffs. Goods rerouted through third countries to evade the measure, he warned, would still face the same penalty. "Due in part to Brazil's insidious attacks on Free Elections, and the fundamental Free Speech Rights of Americans (as lately illustrated by the Brazilian Supreme Court, which has issued hundreds of SECRET and UNLAWFUL Censorship Orders to U.S. Social Media Platforms, threatening them with millions of dollars in fines and eviction from the Brazilian social media market), starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge Brazil a tariff of 50 percent on any and all Brazilian products sent into the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs," Trump wrote. "In addition, we have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with Brazil, and have concluded that we must move away from the longstanding and very unfair trade relationship engendered by Brazil's Tariff and Non-Tariff Policies and Trade Barriers. Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal." Trump calls prosecution of Bolsonaro a "witch hunt" and "international disgrace" Aside from secretly and unlawfully targeting social media platforms, Trump also revealed in the letter that the tariff hike is also a retaliatory measure against the politically motivated "witch hunt" trial against his longtime ally, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. "The way that Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a Highly Respected Leader throughout the world during his term, including by the United States, is an international disgrace," Trump wrote. "This Trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!" Bolsonaro, who lost the 2022 election to Lula, is currently standing trial before Brazil's Supreme Court over accusations he conspired to overturn the election results and cling to power. He testified in June as part of the investigation. Brazil's electoral court previously ruled him ineligible to run for office until 2030. Trump, who has faced multiple legal battles of his own, has frequently criticized the treatment of conservative leaders worldwide and has openly defended Bolsonaro on several occasions. The two met at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in 2020 and have maintained public expressions of support. The president did not mince words about the broader attack on democracy. "I have watched, as has the World, as they have done nothing but come after him, day after day, night after night, month after month, year after year! He is not guilty of anything, except having fought for THE PEOPLE. This is nothing more, or less, than an attack on a political opponent something I know much about! It happened to me, times 10," Trump wrote in a separate post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, July 7. Follow Trump.news for the latest updates, exclusive insights and in-depth coverage on this topic and similar stories. Watch Tom Philipson and Steve Moore explain that President Donald Trump uses tariffs effectively in this clip. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump imposes 25% tariffs on auto imports. Trump imposes new tariffs on agricultural imports. Trump's tariffs will create millions of jobs. Canada RESCINDS DIGITAL TAX after Trump threatens retaliatory tariffs. TARIFF WAR LOOMS: Trump warns Trudeau of more tariffs following Canada's retaliation. Sources include: ReclaimtheNet.org MSN.com NBCNews.com Brighteon.com U.S. to arm Ukraine through NATO as Trump threatens Russia with existential sanctions amid nuclear warnings President Donald Trump issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russia, warning of crippling tariffs if no peace deal is reached with Ukraine. The U.S. will send advanced military equipment to Ukraine through NATO allies, who will foot the bill. Zelensky delivered a nuclear ultimatum: either NATO membership or Ukraine will pursue its own nuclear arsenal. Oil prices dropped as markets reacted to delayed U.S. sanctions on Russian energy. Senators and analysts raised concerns over escalating risks of further Russian aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a stark warning to the West during a European Council speech in Brussels, declaring that Ukraine would seek nuclear weapons capability unless it secures NATO membership and military support. "Our protection must come from NATO guarantees or we will become a nuclear power," Zelensky said, emphasizing Ukraines desperation to counter Russias unchecked aggression. This declaration underscored Kyivs frustration with the stalled U.S.-backed sanctions and arms packages, now in flux following President Donald Trumps announced strategy. NATO-funded arms, tariffs and a 50-day clock to prevent "collapse" of peace talks In a major pivot, Trump unveiled two simultaneous strategies targeting Russia: leveraging European allies to fund advanced weapons for Ukraine and threatening Washington with "secondary tariffs" that could destabilize Russias economy unless a peace deal is finalized in 50 days. "Either Putin halts this war, or well sink his economy deeper," Trump declared during remarks in Brussels. The White House confirmed that European countries, including Germany and Finland, will purchase U.S. weaponryincluding long-range systemsto funnel to Ukraine. This shift marks a departure from Trumps earlier claims of maintaining a "defensive" stance. A senior administration official told Axios: "The Presidents view is that if we dont act aggressively, Ukraine will collapse or nuclearize, which is far more dangerous." The 50-day deadline includes tariffs on Russian energy exports and financial penalties on foreign buyers of Russian goods, sparking immediate market reactions. West Texas Intermediate crude slid 2% on Monday, as traders bet sanctions were not immediate enough to disrupt oil flows. "The 50-day timetable takes panic off the table," said energy analyst Phil Flynn, who questioned whether such leniency would pressure Putin. Zelenskys nuclear warning and the pivotal NATO summit Zelenskys Brussels address came just days after critical talks with Trump during the NATO summit, where he reportedly presented a "relentlessly professional image" that won over skeptics. One U.S. official described Zelensky as appearing "like a normal human beingdressed respectably, not wild-eyed." This nuance, paired with Kyivs growing casualtiesTrump admitted, "more are dying than reported"appears to have softened Trumps opposition to arming Ukraine offensively. Zelenskys implicit nuclear threat echoes 2022 fears of a regional arms race. Analysts warn that if Ukraine proceeds, Russia could retaliate, citing its own arsenal. "This is a game of chicken," said former NATO official Ivo Daalder, noting that China and Iran might also be emboldened to pursue weapons if Ukraine succeeds. Flaws in the plan? Senators and allies weigh in Not all in Trumps camp support the strategy. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, a hawkish ally, celebrated the "aggressive" approach, calling it a "game-changer." Yet libertarian factions within the GOP argue it risks drawing the U.S. deeper into Europes war. "This should be NATOs responsibility, not Americas credit card," said Senator Rand Paul, who plans to introduce legislation blocking U.S. military financing. European allies remain wary. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that allies financial commitments require strict oversight to avoid U.S. taxpayers shouldering indirect costs. Meanwhile, Russian media mocked the sanctions timeline, with RT calling it "a dogs breakfast of confusion." The geopolitical risks are nothing new Trumps newfound support for Ukraines military aligns with his pre-election pledges to "keep America separate" from perpetual wars. However, critics cite Tom Woods Law #3a satirical edict noting that "no matter whom you vote for, you always wind up getting John McCain." This reflects frustration over Trump mirroring predecessors hawkish policies. Geopolitically, analysts highlight parallels to the Cold War arms race. Zelenskys nuclear threats have historical echoes of Israels undeclared arsenal or Pakistans 1998 tests. A 2025 Institute for Peace Research report concluded that unchecked escalation could spiral into a "surrogated nuclear conflict," with neither side willing to back down. A new phase of great power competition Trumps twin strategiesbacking Ukraine militarily while economically pressuring Russiasignal a hardening of U.S. resolve against Moscow. Yet the risks are steep: a nuclear-armed Ukraine could destabilize Europe; failure to secure sanctions might embolden Russia. Meanwhile, creditors and energy markets grapple with uncertainty, reflected in wobbly oil prices. Zelenskys ultimatum, meanwhile, forces the U.S. to choose between NATO expansiona political minefieldor acquiescing to a nuclear-armed rival. "Were playing with rigged cards," Trump admitted on Sunday. "But someones got to play." As the 50-day clock begins, the world waits to see whether Trumps gambit prevents a nuclear confrontationor accelerates it. The stakes for global security have never been higher. While Trump seeks to balance Ukraines survival with Western economic interests, Zelenskys nuclear threat underscores the fragility of current alliances. Whether this strategy avoids Armageddon or sparks a new crisis hinges on decisionsboth geopolitical and moralthat will define the decade ahead. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com Axios.com CNBC.com Zelensky confirms resumption of U.S. military aid following short pause Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the resumption of U.S. weapons shipments after a nearly two-week pause, easing concerns amid battlefield losses. The new $300 million package includes critical Patriot missiles. The Pentagon's abrupt suspension of aid on July 2 that was reversed by Trump on July 8, sparked confusion and criticism, highlighting internal U.S. divisions over Ukraine support. Moscow downplayed the impact of Western aid, claiming it only prolongs the conflict, and demanded a halt to deliveries as a ceasefire condition. Kyiv faces pressure to sustain Western backing while preparing for potential territorial concessions in future negotiations, as U.S. attention shifts to other global crises. While restored aid offers short-term relief, long-term Western support remains in question due to Ukraine's stalled counteroffensive, competing global priorities, and upcoming U.S. elections. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that U.S. weapons shipments have resumed after a brief pause, purportedly alleviating Kyiv's concerns amid mounting battlefield losses. In his daily video message on July 11, the Ukrainian leader announced the development acknowledging "good signals" from both U.S. and European allies. "According to all reports, aid shipments have been restored," he said, emphasizing continued military cooperation despite the disruption. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Defense abruptly suspended military aid to Ukraine following concerns over depleting domestic stockpiles. The July 2 order by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was done without consulting the White House or the U.S. Department of State. It resulted in confusion and drew sharp criticism. (Related: U.S. decision to halt weapons shipments to Ukraine met with OUTRAGE.) But on July 8, U.S. President Donald Trump intervened and reversed the halt. Following the reversal, he has pledged a new $300 million package for Ukraine authorized under the Presidential Drawdown Authority. This new package could include Patriot air defense missiles, a critical need as Russian strikes intensify. As Ukrainian forces struggle against Russian advances, the aid's restoration underscores Washington's balancing act committing to Kyiv's defense while navigating political fatigue and shifting priorities. The Biden administration had previously positioned Ukraine as a top recipient of U.S. military aid, with Congress approving over $60 billion since 2022. Can Ukraine survive without Western aid? However, Trump's ambivalence questioning the war's prolongation while greenlighting weapons reflects broader Republican skepticism. His July 8 directive to resume shipments came after NBC News reported equipment stranded in Poland, including artillery shells and Hellfire missiles, during Russia'ss heaviest aerial assault to date. Moscow has dismissed the aid's impact, reiterating that support from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) only prolongs the conflict. "No amount of foreign weapons will change Russia's path to victory," a spokesperson stated. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has demandied a halt to deliveries as a ceasefire condition. Historical tensions amplify Moscow's stance. Since Ukraine's 2014 Maidan revolution, Russia has framed NATO's eastward expansion as a direct threat. It has also justified the 2022 special military operation as "denazification." Zelensky's government now faces dual pressures: sustaining Western backing while conceding potential territorial losses in eventual negotiations. His recent invitation to Trump declined without public rancor hints at political maneuvering as U.S. attention pivots toward Israel and domestic debates. "We will continue military cooperation," the comedian-turned-president affirmed, but the message is clear. Kyiv must brace for uncertain alliances in a war with no quick resolution. Visit MilitaryTechnology.news for more similar stories. Watch this clip of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warning Zelensky that his days are numbered. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: US halts military aid to Ukraine: Kiev's surrender is near. U.S. suspends military aid to Ukraine: A strategic shift amid global concerns. Pentagon report: Huge amount of U.S. military aid to Ukraine has been stolen by criminal organizations and arms traffickers. Sources include: RT.com News.WebIndia123.com KyivIndependent.com Brighteon.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. The cooperation between China and Bangladesh over the past five decades has been remarkable, laying a solid foundation for deepening bilateral ties in the future, said a senior Bangladeshi official. #GLOBALink Beijing (Gasgoo)On July 11, Li Auto announced that pre-orders for its first battery electric SUVthe Li i8will begin on July 17. The roadshows will kick off the following day, with display vehicles gradually arriving at dealerships. The official market launch of the Li i8 is scheduled for July 29. Li i8; photo credit: Li Auto Li Xiang, founder and CEO of Li Auto, described the Li i8 as a model that redefines the all-electric SUV category by delivering a breakthrough in space efficiencyoffering a larger cabin within the same dimensions, or the same cabin space within smaller external dimensions. At Auto China 2024, Li Xiang emphasized that the Li i8 is not an MPV in form. If the section behind the C-pillar were removed, He said, the vehicle's front half would resemble the Tesla Model Y and Model X instead. Based on official images, the Li i8 features a streamlined exterior that blends design cues from both the Li MEGA and L-series models. Its front profile resembles a bullet train with smooth lines, just like the MEGA, while the rear adopts Li L9-style full-width LED taillights and a dual-layer spoiler. The new SUV is also expected to offer a two-tone paint scheme and a panoramic glass roof. The Li i8 will be equipped with a custom version of Hesai's ATL LiDAR system, air suspension, dual screens, and an AR-HUD (augmented reality head-up display). The interior continues Li Auto's signature family-style design. The Li i8 features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system with a combined output of 400 kWcomprising a 150 kW front motor and a 250 kW rear motor. Notably, it will be the brand's first model to adopt 5C ternary lithium battery technology. Two battery configurations will be available: 90.1 kWh and 97.8 kWh, offering CLTC-rated ranges of 670 km and 720 km, respectively. According to Li Auto's product roadmap, the company plans to launch five REEV (range-extended electric vehicle) models, one premium flagship (the MEGA), and five BEV (battery electric vehicle) models by 2025. Beyond the upcoming Li i8, additional battery electric vehiclesincluding the i6, i7, and i9will follow. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High near 80F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms. Low 69F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On July 15, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group ("Geely Holding") announced that its subsidiary, Geely Automobile Holdings Limited, has officially signed a merger agreement with ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited ("Zeekr Group"). Under the terms of the agreement, Geely Automobile will acquire all remaining Zeekr shares it does not already own, with Zeekr shareholders given the option to receive either cash or shares in Geely Automobile as consideration. Photo credit: Geely This agreement follows Geely Automobile's earlier announcement on May 7 outlining its intention to acquire all issued shares of Zeekr Group. The signing marks a significant milestone in advancing the "One Geely" strategy outlined in the Taizhou Declaration, reflecting Geely Holding's commitment to deeper internal integration and more efficient resource coordination. Since the release of the Taizhou Declaration, Geely Holding has worked to eliminate redundant investments and strengthen its competitive position through enhanced synergy across the group. The merger will enable Geely Automobile to sharpen its strategic execution, accelerate innovation, and improve profitability, ultimately driving greater long-term value for shareholders of the combined entity. The consolidation is designed to bolster Geely Automobile's global competitiveness in the smart electric vehicle space. By uniting Zeekr Group's strengths in the premium new energy vehicle (NEV) segment with Geely's extensive presence in the mainstream market, the merged company will gain a stronger edge across technology development, product offerings, supply chain management, manufacturing, marketing, service, and international expansion. This synergy is expected to drive scale benefits and unlock new growth opportunities. Post-merger, Geely Automobile will offer comprehensive coverage across various propulsion technologiescovering internal combustion engine vehicles, battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and methanol-hydrogen electric vehicleswhile extending its reach from the mass-market to the premium and luxury segments. Li Shufu, Chairman of Geely Holding, added, "Since the launch of the Taizhou Declaration last year, the 'One Geely' initiative has made solid progress. This merger lays a strong foundation for a brighter future for Geely Automobile." A single antibody nasal spray could one day transform allergy relief, as scientists demonstrate powerful protection against pollen-induced sneezing and wheezing in mice. Study: Intranasal monoclonal antibodies to mugwort pollen reduce allergic inflammation in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Image Credit: Josep Suria / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, a group of researchers tested whether intranasal allergen-specific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) prevents mugwort pollen-induced allergic rhinitis and lower-airway inflammation in sensitized mice. Background One in three urban residents now reports seasonal sneezing fits as airborne pollen counts climb worldwide, and mugwort blooms are among the chief culprits. Pills and sprays offer momentary relief, while allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) demands years of injections before lasting tolerance emerges. Yet emergency rooms still fill when allergic inflammation spills from stuffy noses into wheezing lungs. Because the nasal mucosa is the first battlefield, scientists are exploring whether an antibody shield sprayed directly onto that surface can defuse pollen before IgE-armed mast cells erupt. Rigorous animal data on such localized passive immunization remain scarce, so further research is urgently needed. About the study Researchers produced murine IgG1 mAbs against Artemisia vulgaris (A. vulgaris) pollen by fusing splenocytes from immunized Bagg Albino Laboratory-bred/c (BALB/c) mice with myeloma cells; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) identified five clones, and clone XA19 best inhibited human and murine IgE binding to Art v 1. Purified XA19 was given intranasally to male BALB/c mice (20 g, roughly 1 mg/kg) one hour before each of three allergen challenges. Sensitization employed two intraperitoneal injections of pollen extract adsorbed to alum, followed by aerosol plus intranasal challenges delivering 1,000 protein nitrogen units (PNU) of extract. Control groups received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) alone or pollen without antibody. Outcomes included ear-swelling hypersensitivity, frequency of nasal rubbing, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) measured by whole-body plethysmography after methacholine. Researchers performed blinded histopathology on lung and nasal tissues. They quantified T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines, interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-5, in tissue homogenates using an ELISA. Serum total and allergen-specific IgE concentrations were also measured. Statistical analysis was used to compare groups, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Group sizes were limited (n=5 per group) in accordance with animal ethics protocols. Study design. The schematic illustration shows the sensitization of mice with Artemisia vulgaris pollen extract (A), intranasal pretreatment with the monoclonal antibody XA19 and following subsequent allergen challenge (B). Study results In vitro, XA19 reduced human IgE binding to crude pollen by 18% and to recombinant Art v 1 by 52%, outperforming all other clones. XA19 also inhibited murine IgE binding to crude pollen extract by 22%. In vivo, both antibody-treated and untreated pollen-sensitized groups displayed high total and allergen-specific IgE, confirming sensitization; circulating titers, however, did not differ significantly after treatment. Despite unchanged systemic IgE, XA19 pretreatment cut immediate ear-swelling responses by roughly half versus sensitized controls and lowered nasal-rubbing bouts to baseline values observed in PBS-exposed mice. Pulmonary function mirrored these clinical gains. Untreated sensitized mice exhibited a three-fold rise in AHR, whereas XA19-protected animals showed enhanced pause (Penh) values statistically indistinguishable from naive controls. Histologically, the lungs of antibody-treated mice retained intact pleura and alveolar septa, with only mild peribronchial lymphocytic cuffs and sporadic goblet-cell metaplasia; low-grade, focal peribronchial lymphocytic infiltrates and mild goblet cell metaplasia were observed in a minority of bronchi. Eosinophil-rich infiltrates and widespread goblet-cell hyperplasia dominated in untreated counterparts. Nasal turbinates from the antibody group maintained ciliated epithelium with minimal necrosis and negligible debris, while controls displayed desquamation, lamina-propria remodeling, and dense cellular debris masses. Aggregate inflammation scores decreased from 3.4 to 0.6 (scale 0-9) in the upper airway and from 5.8 to 1.2 (scale 0-7) in the lung. Cytokine profiling supported these morphologic trends. Lung homogenates of control mice harbored high IL-4 and IL-5 levels typical of a Th2 milieu; antibody pretreatment halved both cytokines, indicating dampened Type 2 polarization. Post-allergen challenge, interferon gamma (IFN-), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-), and IL-17 levels showed non-significant trends to rise in every cohort, yet the changes did not differ significantly among groups. This pattern indicates that the treatments advantage stemmed from suppressing the Th2 response rather than promoting a shift toward Th1 or Th17 immunity. Computational docking illustrated how XA19s complementarity-determining regions clasp the cysteine-stabilized defensin-like head of Art v 1, a domain rich in human IgE epitopes, likely causing steric hindrance. While robust protection was observed, some mild residual pathological changes remained in treated animals, indicating that the effect was not absolute. However, the precise mechanism by which XA19 blocks the broader allergic response, given mugwort pollens multiple allergens, and whether it directly prevents mast cell or basophil activation, remains to be elucidated. Because mugwort pollen contains various allergens, the partial blockade of extract-reactive IgE still translated into robust protection, underscoring the dominance of Art v 1 in driving disease. Together, these data show that a single, locally delivered mAb can intercept allergen at the portal of entry, prevent nasal priming, and stop inflammation from cascading into the lower airways without altering systemic IgE production. Conclusions To summarize, intranasal administration of the allergen-specific IgG1 mAb clone XA19 provided rapid, non-invasive, and wide-ranging protection against mugwort pollen-induced rhinitis and asthma in mice. By neutralizing allergen at the mucosal front line and lowering IL-4- and IL-5-driven inflammation, the antibody maintained normal breathing and preserved airway architecture even though IgE titers stayed high. No local irritation or distress was seen in the animals, although formal toxicity was not assessed in this study. The findings are preliminary, based on a small mouse cohort, a single antibody dose, and no isotype control group. Additional studies are needed to optimize dosing, confirm specificity, and assess long-term safety. These findings highlight localized passive immunization as a promising add-on or alternative to years-long AIT, suggesting that a user-friendly nasal spray could help manage pollen-season symptoms and reduce healthcare burdens once humanized antibodies and muco-adhesive formulations are fully developed. Although the respiratory system is one of the main entry points for microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) from the air into the body, little is known about the effects of these tiny particles on the lungs. Researchers at MedUni Vienna have now demonstrated for the first time that MNPs can trigger malignant changes in lung cells that are associated with the development of cancer. The findings were published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials and once again underline the urgent need for action to reduce plastic waste. As part of the study, the research team led by Karin Schelch, Balazs Dome and Busra Ernhofer (all from the Department of Thoracic Surgery and the Comprehensive Cancer Centre at MedUni Vienna) investigated how polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics (PS-MNPs) interact with different types of lung cells. Polystyrene is a plastic widely used in everyday objects, including food packaging and disposable items such as yoghurt pots and coffee-to-go cups. The surprising result of the research: healthy (non-malignant) lung cells absorb particularly small particles (0.00025 millimetres) of PS-MNPs significantly more than malignant cancer cells - and react with biological changes that once again highlight the health risks posed by MNPs. Specifically, after contact with the particles, the healthy cells showed increased cell migration, DNA damage, oxidative stress and the activation of signalling pathways that promote cell growth and survival - all processes that are considered early indicators of cancer development. "Particularly striking was the reduced ability of healthy cells to repair DNA damage and the simultaneous activation of certain signalling pathways that normally promote cell growth," said study leader Karin Schelch, providing details. Long-term effects still unclear While lung cancer cells remained relatively unaffected under the same conditions, even short-term exposure to MNPs could be enough to influence healthy lung cells in a direction associated with malignant changes. According to the latest research findings, the cells' defence mechanisms were also triggered under the influence of polystyrene particles. "We observed the activation of antioxidant defence systems - an indication that the cells are actively defending themselves against the stress caused by plastic particles," explains first author Busra Ernhofer. The lungs are considered one of the main routes of exposure to airborne microplastics. However, little was known about how these particles interact with lung tissue cells. The data now available provide initial indications that healthy lung cells in particular react in a way that gives cause for concern." Balazs Dome, co-study leader This opens up new questions about the possible link between plastic pollution, chronic lung disease and cancer development - and underscores both the need for interdisciplinary research at the interface between environmental medicine and cancer biology and the need for action to reduce plastic waste. In addition, the long-term effects of MNP exposure on the lungs remain unclear and, according to the research team, need to be investigated urgently. 5 gangsters out to kill rival nabbed in Punjab; 2 pistols seized Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 20:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Chandigarh, Jul 15 (PTI) Five operatives linked to the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang out to kill a rival gangster were arrested with two pistols near Amritsar, the Punjab Police said on Tuesday. The gangsters were being operated by US-based ganglord Husandeep Singh. Recommended Stories According to Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, the arrests were made in a joint operation by Counter-Intelligence Punjab and Amritsar Rural and Batala police. The five were identified as Lovepreet Singh, Sikandar Kumar alias Gola, and Onkarpreet alias Jashan, natives of Shahabad village in Batala, Gagandeep alias Giani, a resident of Gandhi Camp in Batala, and Mehakpreet Singh, a resident of Amritsar, he said in an official statement. The DGP said, according to a preliminary investigation, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, who is currently lodged in Silchar Jail in Assam, ordered the killing of a rival gang member to avenge the murder of his mother. Bhagwanpurias mother, Harjit Kaur, 52, and another person, Karanvir Singh, died of gunshot wounds after bike-borne assailants fired upon their car on the Qadian Road in Batala last month. The DGP said that to avenge the murder, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria took the help of Husandeep Singh, who collaborated with a few locals, including Lovepreet Singh, to arrange for shooters. The first breakthrough came when Amritsar Rural Police, led by Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar Rural, Maninder Singh, apprehended Mehakpreet Singh. On being interrogated, Mehakpreet revealed that one Sikandar Kumar alias Gola, a Batala native, had crucial information about the shooters. Batala Senior Superintendent of Police Suhail Qasim Mir said, acting on the information, a team traced Sikandar Kumar and apprehended him along with his aide, Onkarpreet alias Jashan. More interrogation led to the arrest of Gagandeep alias Giani, he said. Sikandar Kumar revealed that he was being handled by Lovepreet Singh, a key coordinator in the conspiracy. Eventually, Lovepreet too was nabbed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Lovepreet disclosed that the entire plan was being orchestrated by Jaggus close associate, Husandeep Singh, from the US. A case has been registered under the provisions of the Arms Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Rangar Nangal Police Station in Batala. PTI SUN VN VN view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 20:45 IST News agency-feeds 5 gangsters out to kill rival nabbed in Punjab; 2 pistols seized Nepal to host Power Summit 2025 in September Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 22:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Kathmandu, Jul 15 (PTI) Nepal will host Power Summit 2025 in September here, said Ganesh Karki, president of Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN) on Tuesday. The summit aims to support the implementation of Nepals energy development roadmap, which targets generating an additional 25,000 megawatts of electricity within the next decade, Karki said, during the inaugural of the 23th annual general meeting of the body in Kathmandu. Recommended Stories Nepal aims to generate a total of 28,500 MW of hydro-electricity by 2035. Currently Nepal is producing 3,500 MW of electricity. The event will bring together investors, government officials, experts, and stakeholders from over 30 countries to discuss policy debates, share successes stories and exchange views. Karki asked the government to provide tax exemption to new hydropower projects for the first 10 years of production, liberalise government policies to attract more investment and to reform government procedures relating to hydropower generation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Energy Minister Deepak Khadka asked the private sector to invest in transmission lines and assured that the government would encourage the private sector as well as foreign investors to invest in the hydropower sector of Nepal. Chief guest at the occasion, former prime minister and Nepali Congress chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba, advised the government to create an investment-friendly environment for both Nepalese as well as foreign investors. PTI SBP GSP GSP view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 22:15 IST News agency-feeds Nepal to host Power Summit 2025 in September No leniency for perpetrators of genocide of youths, says Mann on drugs menace Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 22:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Chandigarh, Jul 15 (PTI) Issuing a stern warning, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said his government will adopt no leniency against those behind the genocide" of youths through the scourge of drugs in the state. Participating in a debate on the issue of Yudh Nasheyan Virudh (war against drugs) on the concluding day of the special session of the assembly, he said many who patronized the drug trade have already been put behind bars. Recommended Stories He claimed affluent leaders not only used to patronize drug trade across the state but even supplied the drugs in their official government vehicles. Mann said in the past no one had dared to arrest these leaders, but now his government has done so and they will have to pay the price for their sins". Without naming anyone, he said these leaders, known for their opulence acquired through illegal means, are now demanding special facilities in jail. Mann said those responsible for the death of youths in Punjab dont deserve any sort of comfort in jail as they have to pay for their misdeeds. He claimed a thorough enquiry has reflected that these leaders have amassed huge wealth through the drug trade, adding that strictest punishment will be ensured to them for this crime. Taking on Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who was arrested in a disproportionate assets case, Mann said that as a fact of matter the latter had continued the dubious legacy" of his family to backstab" Punjab and its people for their vested interests. He said Majithias ancestors had backstabbed" the people by holding a dinner for General Dyer on the same night of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919. Majithias wife and Akali MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia was not in the House on the concluding day of the special session. Mann said Punjab was being defamed over the issue of drugs whereas various other states have this problem. Some forces inimical to the state had unleashed a malicious" campaign to tarnish our image by labelling the hard working Punjabis as drug addicts, said Mann. As Punjab is fighting national war against the drugs due to which it was being defamed continuously despite immense contribution in every field, he said. He said the states security forces have recently confiscated a huge amount of drugs from Gujarat and Rajasthan. However, Mann said that Yudh Nasheyan Virudh, embarked by the state government, has broken the backbone of the drug trade. He said that the scourge of drugs was a blot on the face of the state and it took more than two years for the state government to chalk out a strategy for wiping out this curse. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Mann said during investigations it has also come to light that addicts were using the drugs which were meant for giving anaesthesia to elephants. He said his government is making concerted efforts for the welfare of the youth of the state. PTI CHS ZMN view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 22:15 IST News agency-feeds No leniency for perpetrators of genocide of youths, says Mann on drugs menace Only one case of honeytrap registered in Thane, later withdrawn: minister Kadam Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 22:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Mumbai, Jul 15 (PTI) A case of a government official being `honey trapped was registered in Thane district recently but it was later withdrawn through mutual agreement, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam on Tuesday said. He was responding to a question about a news channel report that a number of officials and some political leaders were caught in so-called honeytrap cases. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Recommended Stories Speaking outside the state legislature complex, Kadam said, As per my information, only one case of honeytrap was registered in Thane. It was later withdrawn as both parties reached an agreement." Police are investigating an email which reportedly contains information related to such cases, he said, adding, We are trying to trace it back to its origin and verifying it. Nobody should get scared." A senior police official told PTI that a government official posted in Nashik lodged a complaint with Thane police some days ago that a woman was harassing him. The woman had filed a complaint against the official. Police called both for questioning. Eventually, the official and woman gave separate written statements that the dispute had arisen due to misunderstanding, and the case was thus withdrawn, he said. PTI ND DC KRK view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 22:00 IST News agency-feeds Only one case of honeytrap registered in Thane, later withdrawn: minister Kadam Police in Haiti seize a ton of cocaine in boat raid that leaves 3 suspects dead Last Updated: July 16, 2025, 02:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Port-Au-Prince, Jul 16 (AP) Three suspected drug traffickers were killed in an exchange of fire as police in Haiti confiscated more than 2,300 pounds (1,000 kilograms) of cocaine aboard a boat, officials said, in a rare drug seizure in the troubled Caribbean country. The police raid took place off the coast of northern Haiti near Tortue Island where traffickers are suspected of transferring drugs, Port-de-Paix prosecutor Jeir Pierre told Radio Caraibes on Tuesday. Recommended Stories Pierre said police have long postponed any action at that location because of a lack of resources, but noted that a regional police director recently requested a boat to use around Tortue Island. We have had this area in our sights for a long time," Pierre said. Police approached a suspected drug trafficking boat on Sunday and ordered the suspects aboard to raise their hands, but they did not comply and instead opened fire at the officers, Pierre said. Officers returned fire, with two suspected drug traffickers jumping into the ocean and later dying. A third suspected drug trafficker died on shore while a fourth one, from the Bahamas, was injured and later arrested, Pierre said. Police said on X that one of the suspects who died was a man from Jamaica. Pierre said no Haitian police officers were injured. The US government has previously noted that powerful people in Haiti are involved in the countrys drug trade. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In August 2024, the US Treasury Department sanctioned former Haitian President Michel Martelly, accusing him of abusing his influence to facilitate the trafficking of drugs, including cocaine, destined for the US. Many of Haitis political and business elites have long been involved in drug trafficking and have been linked to the gangs responsible for the violence that has destabilised Haiti," the Treasury Department said. (AP) DIV DIV view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 02:15 IST News agency-feeds Police in Haiti seize a ton of cocaine in boat raid that leaves 3 suspects dead Rajasthan court suspends sentence of two Congress MLAs in road blockade case Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 19:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Jaipur, Jul 15 (PTI) A sessions court in Jaipur on Tuesday suspended the one-year jail sentence of two Congress MLAs and seven others in an 11-year-old case of road blockade outside the University of Rajasthan. Additional Sessions Judge Prem Prakash Ojha gave the order while hearing their plea of MLAs Mukesh Bhakar and Manish Yadav and others against the sentence awarded to them on June 17, 2025. Recommended Stories The counsel for the appellants submitted that the disposal of the appeal will take time and the appellants will be deprived of their legal rights if the sentence is not suspended. The court accepted their contention and gave the relief to the petitioners. The case will now be heard on August 26, 2025. The nine were convicted of unlawful assembly and obstruction of public (under IPC sections 147 and 283). The incident took place on August 13, 2014, when the student leaders held a road blockade for around 20 minutes outside the main gate of Rajasthan University on JLN Marg. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Mukesh Bhakar and Manish Yadav are sitting Congress MLAs, while another convict, Abhishek Chaudhary, contested the 2023 assembly elections from Jaipurs Jhotwara assembly constituency and lost. Following the trial, the court awarded a one-year sentence and a fine of Rs 3,000 each under IPC Section 147, along with an additional fine of Rs 200 under Section 283. PTI AG RT RT view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 19:15 IST News agency-feeds Rajasthan court suspends sentence of two Congress MLAs in road blockade case Rekha Gupta lauds young entrepreneurs at event in Delhi Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 22:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday lauded young student entrepreneurs, saying they are shaping the future of a self-reliant India. Gupta was speaking at the Youngpreneur Summit 2025, organised by the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India (COWE). Recommended Stories The event brought together school students who have successfully launched their own startups, providing them a platform to showcase their ventures. Todays generation is not only intelligent but also far-sighted. They know what they want to achieve and how to get there," Gupta said at the event, according to a statement. These young minds are laying the foundation of a new startup culture in India. Their efforts will bring pride to the nation," said the CM, who also felicitated some of these entrepreneurs. Gupta appreciated the summits theme Made in Mind, Built in Bharat calling it a powerful reflection of the countrys innovation-driven youth." She said that India, once underestimated on the global stage, is now gaining recognition for its heritage, capabilities, and homegrown technological progress. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In todays time, when Indian students are getting global attention for their ideas and products, such platforms play a vital role in guiding them in the right direction," Gupta said. When every young person in this country begins with the thought my nation comes first, true progress will follow," she said. PTI SHB VN VN view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 22:15 IST News agency-feeds Rekha Gupta lauds young entrepreneurs at event in Delhi Tarot Card Reading Today July 15, 2025 Written By : GaneshaGrace Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 07:15 IST Daily Tarot Card Reading, July 15, 2025: Aries must seek forgiveness, Leo builds anew, Pisces takes control, and Aquarius breaks mental chains. Tarot Card Predictions Today July 15 2025 Daily Tarot Card Reading for All Zodiac Signs. (AI generated image) Tarot Card Reading Today July 15, 2025: Todays Tarot reading reveals transformational energies in the zodiac. Aries must face the consequences of past actions and embrace forgiveness to avoid legal complications. Taurus experiences emotional satisfaction, new beginnings in relationships, and promising business ventures. Gemini receives support from a nurturing woman and healing after past pain. Cancer is urged to reevaluate their path, overcome workplace frustrations, and seek guidance to overcome negativity. Leo plans to build a new business venture with the support of his family despite past failures. Virgo faces professional risks, but is encouraged to act with patience, courage, and inner strength. Libra enjoys a period of joyful reunions, celebrations, and potential career advancement. Scorpio is reminded to show sincerity in relationships while embracing new learning and travel opportunities. Recommended Stories Sagittarius sees financial success and professional recognition, but must be mindful of emotional isolation. Capricorn feels an emptiness despite outward accomplishments and considers travel and contemplation after a family revelation. Aquarius should free themselves from anxiety and past betrayals by staying positive and private. Pisces is advised to take charge, rely on personal wisdom, and act independently for lasting success. Aries Card Reading (Judgement) Ganesha says that according to the Tarot card, hiding something from your loved one can cost you very dearly. You still do not know how the other person will react when the truth is revealed. You will start seeing the results of your good and bad deeds. Some positive changes are coming in your life, and this is a time that has the power to change many aspects of it. This is the time to make new decisions, make new efforts, and start new ventures. Do not hold any resentment towards anyone. Your simplicity and purity of heart can impress others. Like rebirth, you are preparing to emerge from old circumstances and come to a new life. For this, your heart should be soft and pure. This is not the time to be angry, but a moment to show gratitude. You should forgive others for their mistakes and give them another chance- this can elevate your stature. Some minor disputes, which you had not tried to resolve till now, can now turn into a legal battle. It is also possible that the decision goes against you. Taurus Card Reading (Ace of Cups) Ganesha says that according to the Tarot card, some auspicious events may happen in your life. Relationships formed during this time are long-lasting and have divine blessings. You may get the news of the arrival of a little guest, who will bring happiness to the whole family. Changes are coming in your married life. If there is bitterness in a relationship, then this is a favorable time to improve it. The time is supportive, and the work you do will give very positive results. You may get good results in competitive exams. An attempt to start a new business with a friend may be successful this venture is not traditional but based on innovative thinking. Both of you were a little worried about this business for a long time, but with the support of the family, you will be able to complete everything. Meeting a new person and starting a new relationship can keep you quite busy. Preparations for someones wedding in your family are in full swing. Gemini Card Reading (The Empress) Ganesha says that according to the Tarot card, the support of a woman can prove to be very beneficial for your success at the workplace. After a long period of loneliness, someones presence can bring pleasant changes to your life. At a friends wedding, you may meet someone with whom a new friendship can start a business. If you are expecting a child, then this time is favorable for you. You have suffered physical and emotional pain due to someones betrayal, but now you can overcome it. Consider it a mistake of the past and move on. Whatever the situation, do not consider yourself alone. If you share your problem with someone close, they can help you find a solution. You can spend quality time with your beloved. The more attention and dedication you put into your current work, the better the results will be in the future. Just make sure that success does not go to your head otherwise it can lead to arrogance. Cancer Card Reading (The Moon) Ganesha says that according to the Tarot card, that if a task is not getting successful despite continuous efforts, take a break and then reconsider your approach before trying again. Make sure that in your desire to move ahead, you do not inadvertently choose the wrong path. Sometimes, instead of solving a small problem, it is unnecessarily escalated. A recent disagreement with a colleague may have left you frustrated, and this may affect your performance. You should try to resolve the issue with your superiors. Seeking guidance from an experienced person may help you overcome negative thinking. Change your attitude and approach slowly but surely, all your tasks will get completed. Bring positivity and purity to your thoughts. Solving problems in time prevents them from becoming more serious. Leo Card Reading (Ten of Pentacles) Ganesha says that according to the Tarot card, with the support of your family, you are planning to start a new business, which may be different from your traditional work. Some family members may oppose your decision, but you have assured everyone that with your determination and confidence, you will succeed in this venture. In the recent past, you have suffered a lot of losses in your professional life, due to which people may have lost faith in you. However, a senior member of the family still has faith in you and has also helped financially in setting up the business. You are also making every effort to achieve success in your work with the help of a senior officer. There may be some tension in the family regarding property matters, but you are actively trying to resolve these issues before they escalate. Virgo Card Reading (Strength) Ganesha says that according to the Tarot card, you are facing some risks in your work at this time, the main reason for which is the lack of prior knowledge related to the work. In this challenging phase, try to turn the circumstances in your favour with patience and perseverance this is the true test of your courage and resilience. You can overcome challenges, and this strength will lead you to success in the future. Great opportunities are coming your way in your workplace; choose the best opportunity and move ahead. Distance yourself from those who prevented you from moving ahead in life. Bring positivity into your life, speak politely, and maintain a calm demeanor. Avoid using harsh words in anger, as they may harm your reputation. Learn the art of silence. Be especially careful while doing risky tasks. Focus on strengthening yourself from within. Keep facing problems with wisdom and strategy this mindset can lead you to victory. Libra Card Reading (Six of Cups) Ganesha says that according to the Tarot card, the coming time is for celebration. This is an opportunity for you to strengthen and reconnect with old friends and acquaintances. There may be a housewarming ceremony or news of a new baby coming to the family. If you are struggling alone in life, try to reach out to your friends- they will surely help you. A long-lost loved one may visit you. Positive changes are on the horizon, and significant improvement is expected in your career and financial situation. Many of your old wishes are likely to be fulfilled. If there is any pending work, it is expected to be completed soon. A new opportunity may come in the job, and you may also get a much-desired promotion. You will be able to muster the courage to express your feelings to your beloved. Good marriage proposals may also come from your younger brother. Make the right decision and move ahead, but avoid rushing into anything. Scorpio Card Reading (Knight of Cups) Ganesha says that according to the Tarot card, you are not serious about your relationship with your beloved, which is causing him some disappointment. After a long time, you may get a chance to return to your professional field for work-related matters. You may meet someone who will prove to be very helpful to you in the present. You may start planning a new project with a friend. There may also be opportunities to explore a new subject or learn a new skill, or practice art. Traveling to a beautiful place can improve your mood and make you happy. Opportunities related to finding your ideal life partner may soon come your way. Choosing the right life partner among them can open the way for progress. Your search for a desired life partner may be completed. You may also get a chance to attend a wedding, where meeting a new person can bring new opportunities in your career. However, haste and carelessness may hinder your success. Control unnecessary thoughts and try to bring seriousness to your nature. Sagittarius Card Reading (Four of Pentacles) Ganesha says that according to the Tarot card, that you are likely to get a promotion in your job. Your morale and confidence are likely to increase to a great extent due to your sharp intelligence and strong self-confidence. Something at your workplace may achieve great success. You may start working on plans that you have had in mind, especially those that promise financial gains. Your polite and soft-spoken nature attracts everyone towards you, and people around you will be eager to help you in every possible way. However, your love for money sometimes promotes an inclination towards frugality, which may annoy family members and cause conflict. Your cautious approach towards finances keeps you away from taking risky decisions or spending excessively. You may consider giving financial help for the marriage of a poor girl. Still, there is a possibility that you do not like to share your happiness with others, which may annoy some people. Keep a close eye on things around you, as even a small act of carelessness can lead to big trouble. Capricorn Card Reading (Queen of Cups) Ganesha says that according to the Tarot card, even after achieving so much, you may still feel that something is missing. You have always taken the initiative in maintaining relationships, yet despite all your efforts, some people may get upset with your behavior. Despite putting in your best efforts for a competitive exam, you did not get the success you had imagined, which may leave you feeling a little disappointed. This may prompt you to reevaluate all your efforts. You are considering a long-distance trip and discussing it with a friend he or she may agree to join you in this plan. An elderly woman in the family may reveal a secret that could affect the lives of many. The birth of a daughter has brought immense happiness to the family, and preparations may begin to celebrate the arrival of the baby after a long time. Aquarius Card Reading (Nine of Swords) Ganesha says that according to the Tarot card, betrayal by someone can lead you to serious consequences. Even if the other person does not want to react to your misbehavior, you will still have to face the consequences of your good or bad actions. You have allowed a certain anxiety to grow so much in your mind that you have probably stopped even trying to find a solution to it. You have imprisoned yourself in your thoughts. Now it is time to get out of this negative thinking. Find a way out of the circumstances that have taken root in your mind. Forget the memories of the past and try to understand the problem so that you can move on from it. Talking to many people about this can worsen the problem instead of solving it. The less others know about your matters, the better it will be for you. Do not feel weak in any difficult situation, keep positive thinking, and stay strong. Pisces Card Reading (The Emperor) Ganesha says that according to the Tarot card, use your intelligence and understanding while making any decision. Changing your decision based on the words of others will not work in your favor. Excessive interference from others can hamper your work. You need to make some changes in your behavior; humility and flexibility in your behavior can take you forward. Try to complete your tasks with new ideas, using your full potential and power. Success will come gradually. If you are looking for a new opportunity, then this is a very favorable time; success is in front of you. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all You are fully capable of handling all your work efficiently. Avoid depending too much on others. You will get success only when you take full responsibility for any work and take the initiative to do it yourself. (The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla). About the Author Chirag Daruwalla Chirag Daruwalla, a renowned Indian astrologer with 18+ years of experience, provides expert guidance in career, health, finance, business, and more. He combines Vedic and Western astrology, I-Ching, Tarot, Num... Read More Chirag Daruwalla, a renowned Indian astrologer with 18+ years of experience, provides expert guidance in career, health, finance, business, and more. He combines Vedic and Western astrology, I-Ching, Tarot, Num... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 07:15 IST News astrology Tarot Card Reading Today July 15, 2025 2025 Aprilia SR 175 Launched In India, Price Starts At Rs 1.26 Lakh Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 17:10 IST Aesthetically, the latest offering flaunts a similar style statement as SR 160. However, SR 175 has been treated with sporty design, bold looks, and attractive road presence. Aprilia SR 175. (File photo) The Italian motorcycle and scooter maker Aprilia has expanded its range in India. The company has launched a sporty scooter named SR 175. It is a replacement of SR 160, which comes at the starting price of Rs 1.26 lakh, while the top model goes up to Rs 1.33 lakh (ex-showroom Maharashtra). Recommended Stories Road Presence Aesthetically, the latest offering flaunts a similar style statement as SR 160. However, SR 175 has been treated with sporty design, bold looks, and attractive road presence. The company has offered the vehicle in two colour options: Matte Prismatic Dark and Glossy Tech White. Interested customers can visit an authorised dealership to purchase the scooter. Top Features The SR 175 comes with a long list of notable enhancements, and the list includes a new 5.5-inch colour TFT cluster, which is again a replacement of the LCD unit. It looks quite identical to the Aprilia 457 twins. It is supported by Bluetooth connectivity, which allows the riders to have all the important notifications on the screen. It also has LED illumination with a USB charging port, making every ride more convenient than ever. Engine and Power At the heart, the model uses a bigger 174.7cc, single-cylinder motor. It generates a maximum power of 13.08bhp at 7,200rpm and a peak torque of 14.14Nm at 6,000rpm. The unit is mated with a CVT automatic transmission. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all About the Author Shahrukh Shah Shahrukh Shah, Sub-Editor at News18, loves to write about everything that moves on wheels. With years of experience and the required skill sets, he is contributing to the auto section, where he let people know ... Read More Shahrukh Shah, Sub-Editor at News18, loves to write about everything that moves on wheels. With years of experience and the required skill sets, he is contributing to the auto section, where he let people know ... Read More Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 17:10 IST News auto 2025 Aprilia SR 175 Launched In India, Price Starts At Rs 1.26 Lakh DelhiMeerut RRTS Sees 1.25 Cr Riders Even Before Full Route Opens Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 20:45 IST With NH-58 heavily restricted during the Kanwar Yatra, the RRTS has emerged as a vital transport lifeline, offering commuters a reliable alternative The train operation on the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor began in October 2023 with the 17-km priority section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot.(News18 Hindi) Indias first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), known as the Namo Bharat, has crossed the milestone of 1.25 crore passenger rides, even before the entire 82-km DelhiMeerut corridor becomes fully operational. Currently, the high-speed service is running on a 55-km stretch, covering 11 stations between New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and Meerut South in Meerut. The train operation on the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor began in October 2023 with the 17-km priority section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot. The corridor expanded further in 2024, adding more stations and increasing frequency. Recommended Stories The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) on Tuesday said that the Namo Bharat service is fast emerging as the preferred and reliable mode of transit for commuters across the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor. Offering a safe, fast, and convenient travel experience in every season, be it summer, winter, monsoon, or spring, Namo Bharat is steadily gaining the trust of passengers seeking efficient regional connectivity," the agency building the corridor said. Kanwar Yatra Further Boosts Ridership The NCRTC said that before the operations of Namo Bharat services up to Meerut South station last year, travelling between Delhi and Meerut, especially during the Kanwar Yatra and monsoon season, posed significant challenges. With NH-58 heavily restricted during the Kanwar Yatra, the RRTS has emerged as a vital transport lifeline, offering commuters a reliable alternative. With the commencement of this modern transit system, commuters now have a dependable alternative. This growing confidence is reflected in the consistent increase in ridership, recently crossing the milestone of 1.25 crore rides," it said. While road commuters face delays and diversions, Namo Bharat commuters are reaching their destinations smoothly and on time, the NCRTC added. The milestone is notable, considering the corridor served just 40 lakh riders in its first year, by October 2024, reaching 50 lakh by December 2024, before doubling in the following months. It was on October 21, 2023, that the first passenger service on the priority section of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (Delhi-Meerut RRTS) began. This is the first-of-its-kind train service in India connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Last month, News18 reported that the entire 82-km section of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS will soon be connected with trains after a successful trial on the route. The full-length timetable trial run of Namo Bharat trains was held between Sarai Kale Khan and Modipuram. The journey took less than 60 minutes. This marks a significant operational milestone in the implementation of Indias first Namo Bharat corridor, connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. It is expected to drastically cut travel time between Delhi and Meerut to under an hour. About the Author Nivedita Singh Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 20:45 IST News auto DelhiMeerut RRTS Sees 1.25 Cr Riders Even Before Full Route Opens World's First Plastic Road In Delhi: What Is Geocell Technology? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 17:40 IST Geocell tech uses 9x9x9 inch boxes filled with bitumen mix; 30 tonnes of plastic waste can build a 100-metre road, offering a smart solution for reusing discarded plastic The plastic road is being constructed near the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. (Local18) In a landmark move, Delhi is set to get its first plastic road, marking a major step forward in sustainable infrastructure. Experts believe it could be the worlds first of its kind. The road is being constructed using discarded plastic waste, transforming everyday garbage into a durable, ready-to-use surface. Bharat Petroleum, in collaboration with the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), is spearheading this development using geocell technology. Recommended Stories Following rigorous testing, an application for a patent will be filed, indicating that this method might be the first of its kind globally. Scientists from Bharat Petroleum and CRRI involved in the project consider it a major achievement. Experts assert that plastic waste is a global issue, and repurposing such waste for road construction could significantly contribute to national development. Furthermore, India could assist other countries if this technology proves successful, setting a global precedent. What Is Geocell technology? The plastic road is being constructed near the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, specifically by loop number one close to Sarai Kale Khan. Geocell technology involves creating boxes with dimensions of 9 inches by 9 inches by 9 inches, which are then filled with bitumen mix material for road construction. Approximately 30 tonnes of unusable plastic can be utilised to construct a 100-metre road, ensuring effective use of plastic waste. Plastic Waste Can Be Put To Good Use Dr. Ravi Kumar V., Chief General Manager at Bharat Petroleum Corporation, explains that the geocell layer makes unusable plastic functional. This technique can save at least 25% in costs by preparing the geocell layer and plastic sheet from unusable plastic. According to Dr. Mahesh, Chief Manager at Bharat Petroleum, plastic waste often left in landfills can be repurposed, reducing landfill accumulation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Dr. Gagandeep, Senior Principal Scientist at CRRI, working on the project, highlights that this is the first experiment of its kind. It promises to extend the lifespan of roads, prevent deterioration, mitigate plastic pollution, and create employment opportunities. The initiative aims to strengthen roads and eliminate the problem of non-recyclable plastic waste in the country. The Government of India has requested a detailed report on this groundbreaking project. Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 17:40 IST News auto World's First Plastic Road In Delhi: What Is Geocell Technology? How Much Will Tesla Model Y Cost In India? EV For Sale At BKC Showroom In Mumbai From Tuesday Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 17:35 IST Tesla Model Y Price In India: Tesla is set to make its long-awaited debut in India with the opening of its first showroom in Mumbai; Know how much will it cost you Indias costliest auto showroom deal marks Teslas big leap into the countrys EV market Tesla Opens In India: Tesla has made its long-awaited debut in India with the opening of its first showroom in Mumbais Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) today. This marks the beginning of Teslas official journey in one of the worlds fastest-growing electric vehicle (EV) markets. Model Y: Teslas First Offering in India? Recommended Stories The companys maiden launch in India is widely anticipated to be the Model Y SUV, which will be sold as a Completely Built Unit (CBU), likely imported from its Gigafactory in Shanghai. In preparation, Tesla has already imported vehicles, superchargers, and accessories worth nearly $1 million, sourced primarily from China and the US The shipment includes six units of the Model Y. The Model Y is likely to be available in two variants: Long Range RWD : EPA-estimated range of 574 km, 096 km/h in 5.4 seconds : EPA-estimated range of 574 km, 096 km/h in 5.4 seconds Long Range AWD: Range of 526 km, quicker 096 km/h time of 4.6 secondsBoth models offer a top speed of 200 km/h. True to Teslas design language, the Model Y features a sleek, coupe-like silhouette, full LED lighting, and connected taillamps. The SUV measures 4,797mm in length, 1,982mm in width, and 1,624mm in height, with a 167mm ground clearance and expected 19-inch wheels. Inside, it offers a minimalist dual-tone (black and white) interior, a panoramic glass roof, and tech-rich amenities. A 15.4-inch central touchscreen controls most functions, while second-row passengers will get their 8-inch display. Teslas hallmark features, like Autopilot and over-the-air updates, are likely included, though Autopilots performance in Indian conditions remains to be tested. Also See: Tesla Car Price In India Want To Buy A Tesla? Heres How Much Youll Need To Sell Out Teslas Model Y will be positioned in the premium EV segment, with expected pricing between Rs 59.89 lakh and Rs 75 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the variant and factoring in a 70% import duty. For comparison, in the US, the Model Y Long Range AWD is priced at approximately Rs 35.7 lakh ($41,490), while the RWD version retails for about Rs 32.2 lakh ($37,490). Teslas Plans For India The company is establishing a 24,566 sq. ft. experience center in Mumbai and is hiring for sales and service roles in both Mumbai and Delhi. A second showroom is planned in Delhi, positioning Tesla in two of Indias largest automotive markets. While recent reports suggest Tesla has paused plans for a local manufacturing facility, a strong market response could pave the way for local assembly under a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) model in the future. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Indias EV Landscape Welcomes Tesla Teslas entry into India marks a significant milestone in the countrys electric mobility journey. Backed by its global expertise, brand cachet, and technology-first approach, Tesla is poised to reshape expectations in the premium EV segment as it takes its first formal steps in India. About the Author Aparna Deb Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a... Read More Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 09:05 IST News business economy How Much Will Tesla Model Y Cost In India? EV For Sale At BKC Showroom In Mumbai From Tuesday Bengaluru College Student Alleges Rape, Blackmail, Threats; 2 Lecturers Among 3 Arrested Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 13:42 IST One of the accused allegedly contacted the female student, threatening her by claiming he had CCTV footage of her being raped. The arrested individuals have been identified as Narendra, a Physics lecturer, Sandeep, a Biology lecturer, and Anoop, a friend of the lecturers. (Representative Image) The country is still reeling from the shock of the Balasore incident, where a female student from the FM college died after she self-immolated after no action was taken against the professor who allegedly harassed her. Another disturbing incident has now emerged from a college in Karnataka where three people have been arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a college student, including two lecturers. In Bengaluru, three individuals from a reputed institution in Moodabidri, including two lecturers, have been apprehended on accusations of repeatedly raping a female student. The Marathahalli police made the arrests following a complaint filed by the victim with the Womens Commission, which subsequently directed her to the police. Recommended Stories The accused are identified as Narendra, a Physics lecturer, Sandeep, a Biology lecturer, and Anoop, a friend of the lecturers. According to the complaint, Narendra initially contacted the student under the guise of providing academic notes and assistance. He gradually developed a rapport through chatting, eventually taking her to his friend Anoops room in Marathahalli, Bengaluru, where he allegedly raped her and threatened her to keep silent about the incident. A few days later, Sandeep, the Biology lecturer, allegedly attempted to assault the student as well. When she resisted, he reportedly blackmailed her, claiming he had photos and videos of her with Narendra. Fearing the consequences, the victim was allegedly raped by Sandeep too. The room where the assault allegedly occurred belonged to Anoop. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Subsequently, Anoop allegedly contacted the student, threatening her by claiming he had CCTV footage. He then also allegedly raped her. Following these traumatic events, the student confided in her parents, who approached the Womens Commission. This led to the registration of a case at the Marathahalli police station and the subsequent arrests. About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 13:28 IST News cities bengaluru-news Bengaluru College Student Alleges Rape, Blackmail, Threats; 2 Lecturers Among 3 Arrested 'Best Incentives': After Karnataka's U-Turn, Nara Lokesh Pitches Andhra For Aerospace Park Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 21:45 IST Nara Lokesh woos aerospace firms after Karnatakas U-turn; Tejasvi urges CM Siddaramaiah to rethink. An Air India Cargo flight lands at the Kempegowda International Airport, in Bengaluru. (IMAGE: PTI) Andhra Pradeshs Nara Lokesh on Tuesday appeared to seize the moment after the Karnataka government dropped its plan to acquire land for an aerospace park near Bengaluru. In a post on X, the Andhra minister invited aerospace investors to look towards his state instead, pitching Andhras attractive aerospace policy" and ready-to-use land bank as a better alternative. Recommended Stories Dear Aerospace industry, sorry to hear about this. I have a better idea for you. Why dont you look at Andhra Pradesh instead? We have an attractive aerospace policy for you, with best-in-class incentives and over 8,000 acres of ready-to-use land (just outside Bengaluru)! Hope to see you soon to talk across the table," Lokesh wrote, sharing an article from Moneycontrol, a sister platform of News18, which reported on the Karnataka governments decision. This is how business is attracted, industry is welcomed and jobs are created. Hope Karnataka Govt learns from @naralokesh garu and correct its course.CM @siddaramaiah must show political will to establish this aerospace park in Bengaluru. Bengaluru is Indias aerospace https://t.co/QNa0miWmxM Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) July 15, 2025 Lokeshs post came a day after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that his government would drop the planned acquisition of 1,777 acres of farmland in Devanahalli taluk, near the Kempegowda International Airport, for a proposed aerospace park. Dear Aerospace industry, sorry to hear about this. I have a better idea for you. Why dont you look at Andhra Pradesh instead? We have an attractive aerospace policy for you, with best-in-class incentives and over 8000 acres of ready-to-use land (just outside Bengaluru)! Hope to Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) July 15, 2025 The move marked a major victory for farmers protesting the project for over 1,198 days. After a meeting with officials and farmer representatives, Siddaramaiah said the government had decided to fully withdraw from acquiring land in Channarayapatna and nearby villages. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The development sparked criticism from BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who took a swipe at the Congress government for missing an opportunity to strengthen Karnatakas aerospace sector. This is how business is attracted, industry is welcomed, and jobs are created," Surya said in a post on X, endorsing Lokeshs pitch and urging the Karnataka government to rethink its stance. CM Siddaramaiah must show political will to establish this aerospace park in Bengaluru. We are the city of HAL, NAL, DRDO, ISRO and many private companies, including Airbus, Boeing, and several startups. Bengaluru is Indias aerospace capital. Lets double down on our legacy," Surya added. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 21:36 IST News cities bengaluru-news 'Best Incentives': After Karnataka's U-Turn, Nara Lokesh Pitches Andhra For Aerospace Park Bombay Stock Exchange Receives Bomb Threat, Email Says RDX IED Planted In Tower Building Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 10:10 IST Bombay Stock Exchange received an email threatening to blow it up, the police said on Tuesday. Bombay Stock Exchange receives threat email Bombay Stock Exchange received a threatening email on Tuesday, which said that the tower building of the BSE would be blown up using four RDX IED bombs, the police informed. The email was received from an email ID named Comrade Pinarayi Vijayan". Recommended Stories The email threatened that 4 RDX IED bombs have been placed in the tower building of the Bombay Stock Exchange and would explode at 3 pm," the police said. The police were informed about the threat email immediately, after which the bomb squad team and the cops rushed to the spot. Upon extensive search of the premises, nothing suspicious was found", the officials said. A case was registered against an unidentified individual in the Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg Police Station under sections 351(1)(b), 353(2), 351(3), 351(4) of BNS. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The police have launched a further investigation to ascertain the sender of the email and nab the suspect. (With ANI inputs) About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 09:56 IST News cities Bombay Stock Exchange Receives Bomb Threat, Email Says RDX IED Planted In Tower Building Delhi School Admission: Missed First Round Of Class 10th, 12th Admissions? Apply By July 23 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 15:42 IST The Common Admission Test (CAT-2) will again be conducted for admission. The exam for these classes is scheduled for August 2, and results will be announced on August 6. Online registration is available on the official website, edudel.nic.in.(Representative/File) Students who wish to enroll in the 10th or 12th grade but hasnt had the chance yet, this news is particularly relevant for you. A special admissions process has commenced once more in Delhi government schools, requiring students to undertake an important test. This opportunity caters to those students who want to continue their studies but have previously missed the admission deadline. Now, there is a fresh opportunity to apply, albeit with certain conditions and deadlines. Check out the details of this process, eligibility criteria, and the necessary documents. A second chance for non-plan admission into 10th and 12th grades in government schools is available for the 2025-26 session. Students who missed earlier admissions can now apply again. The first phase of the examination has already been completed. Recommended Stories Who Can Get Admission? Admission is restricted to students residing in Delhi. For admission into the 10th grade, a student must have passed the 9th grade. Similarly, for admission into the 12th grade, a student must have passed the 11th grade. Online registration is available on the official website of the board, edudel.nic.in. Online registration commenced on July 9, and forms can be submitted until July 23. The Common Admission Test (CAT-2) will again be conducted for admission. The exam for these classes is scheduled for August 2, and results will be announced on August 6. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Students from SC, ST, OBC, Minority communities, Kashmiri migrants, and those who have secured first, second, or third place in national games will receive some concessions in admission. These students will be granted a 5 per cent relaxation in the subject they wish to enroll in. Additionally, disabled students will receive a 5 per cent relaxation in all subjects, meaning they can gain admission even with slightly lower marks. Meanwhile, the Delhi government has announced compulsory introduction of at least one English medium section in every class of every government school, reported PTI. This decision came in response to the ongoing demand from parents who want their children to have the option to study in English medium. About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 15:37 IST News education-career Delhi School Admission: Missed First Round Of Class 10th, 12th Admissions? Apply By July 23 88% Placements, Salaries Over Rs 1 Crore, 500 Offers: This College Is A 'Package Powerhouse' Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 11:05 IST IIT Indore shines with historic placements, five students earning Rs 1 crore+ packages. Average salary rises 13% amid growing company interest despite ranking challenges While in 2023 only one student secured a crore-plus package, this year even the minimum packages have seen substantial increases. (News18) After class 12, many students dream of engineering careers, aiming for the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Among them, IIT Indore in Madhya Pradesh has recently made headlines with its exceptional placement results. This year, five students secured annual packages exceeding Rs 1 crore, marking a historic milestone for the institute. Growing Opportunities And Diverse Recruiters Recommended Stories The 2024 placement season at IIT Indore has shown significant progress compared to the previous year. While in 2023 only one student secured a crore-plus package, this year even the minimum packages have seen substantial increases. Over 500 job offers have been made since December 1, 2024, with more than 88% of students gaining employment. The campus attracted over 150 reputed companies, including public sector undertakings, from sectors such as IT, core engineering, fintech, automobile, energy, environment, consulting, banking, semiconductors, and construction. Salaries Rise Amidst Increased Demand The average salary package increased by 13%, reaching Rs 27 lakh per annum. These figures demonstrate both the quality of IIT Indore students and the rising demand for their skills across industries. Addressing Global Ranking Challenges Despite placement successes, IIT Indores global ranking in the QS World University Rankings 2026 dropped to 556th, down from 396th in 2023. Institute Director Prof. Suhas Joshi acknowledged this decline and outlined measures underway to improve research output, patents, innovation, global collaborations, and student-exchange programmes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Future Plans And International Collaborations With 118 MoUs signed across 34 countries and a community of over 3,000 students supported by 220 faculty members, IIT Indore is confident these initiatives will elevate its global standing within the next two to five years. view comments Location : Indore, India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 11:05 IST News education-career 88% Placements, Salaries Over Rs 1 Crore, 500 Offers: This College Is A 'Package Powerhouse' Karnataka Child Rights Activists Urge Govt To Adopt U-Shaped Seating In Schools Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 12:27 IST This seating arrangement has already been adopted by eight schools in Kerala, and even a school in Punjab has embraced it. The new seating model aims to foster equality and ensures that teachers can pay attention to all students in the classroom. (Representative image/File) Following the implementation of U-shaped seating arrangements in several schools in Kerala to eliminate the concept of backbenchers, child rights activists in Karnataka are urging the state government to adopt the same strategy. This seating model aims to foster equality and ensures that teachers can pay attention to all students in the classroom. Nagasimha G Rao, a child rights activist, has written to the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Madhu Bangarappa, requesting that U-shaped seating arrangements be introduced in government schools, according to a report by Bangalore Mirror. Rao noted that traditional row-based seating allows teachers to focus primarily on front-row students, whereas U-shaped seating enables teachers to engage with all students, promoting equality and eliminating the stigma associated with being a backbencher. Recommended Stories Echoing this sentiment, child rights activist Vasudeva Sharma expressed that U-shaped seating would ensure teachers give equal attention to all students, changing the perception of those seated in the front row. Dr Thippeswamy KT, a member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights told the news agency that while the idea is good in principle, it may not be practically feasible. He pointed out that students sitting on the sides may experience neck pain from focusing on the blackboard or teacher for 45 minutes. He stressed that the authorities would need to provide the necessary infrastructure in government schools before implementing U-shaped seating arrangements, the report added. Eight schools in Kerala have already implemented this seating arrangement, and a school in Punjab has also adopted it. Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom, a district in South Kerala, introduced this unique classroom setup to ensure every primary student receives equal attention, according to PTI. Inspired by the Malayalam movie Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, the school adopted an innovative seating arrangement where seats are placed along the four walls of the classroom, making every student sit in front benches. Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, whose family runs RMVHSS, played a key role in introducing this new system. After previewing Sthanarthi Sreekuttan a year before its release, he discussed its implementation in RMVHSS primary classes with the teachers, the report added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Initially, the school introduced this arrangement in class 1, and after receiving positive feedback, extended it to all lower primary classes, stated Sunil P Sekhar, Headmaster of RMVHSS. He mentioned that this system allowed teachers to give equal attention to all students, facilitating better monitoring. It also eliminated the concept of backbenchers, giving every student a prominent position. Teachers observed that similar systems are already in practice in countries like Finland and Norway, where the student-teacher ratio in schools is better. About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 12:04 IST News education-career Karnataka Child Rights Activists Urge Govt To Adopt U-Shaped Seating In Schools After Rs 1,100 Pension And 35% Job Quota For Women, What Is In Nitish's 'Election Box'? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 11:05 IST The Bihar cabinet, led by CM Nitish Kumar, will discuss welfare initiatives with election implications, including pension hikes, reservation strategies and women's welfare Nitish Kumar may further hike pension or expand beneficiary pool. (File pic/PTI) All eyes are on the Bihar cabinet meeting scheduled for 10:30 am on Tuesday, July 15, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to clear a slate of welfare initiatives with potential election overtones. With the 2025 assembly elections drawing closer and opposition pressure mounting, this cabinet session could shape the governments final leg before the polls. Sources in the state secretariat say the agenda includes expanding flagship schemes, sharpening the governments stance on the reservation issue, and rolling out fresh benefits for the youth, elderly, women, and farmers. Recommended Stories Pension Push Likely to Get Louder The old age pension scheme, recently revised to provide Rs 1,100 per month to over 1.09 crore elderly, widows, and disabled citizens, is likely to feature prominently. Though the increase (up from Rs 400) came into effect this July, the opposition, particularly the RJD, has slammed it as inadequate. Their demand is Rs 1,500 per month. With this criticism in play, the cabinet could either further hike the amount or expand the beneficiary pool. Government insiders hint that a recalibration of the scheme is on the table, both as a welfare move and a political counter. Reservation Strategy Under Review Reservation continues to be a politically charged issue in Bihar. The cabinet is expected to review the legal status of the 65% reservation bill, which was recently struck down by the Patna High Court. The state government has already moved the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict. Tuesdays meeting may formalise Bihars legal roadmap ahead. Alongside, the government may also push forward the implementation of 35% reservation in state jobs for women domiciled in Bihar, a measure Nitish Kumar has publicly backed, and one likely to resonate with the nearly 3.6 crore women voters in the state. Whats in the Election Box? With elections less than a year away, the Nitish government is expected to announce a range of voter-friendly initiatives. Likely areas of focus: 1. Youth and Jobs The Bihar Youth Commission, already cleared by the cabinet, could get fresh funds or programmes. Under the Mukhyamantri Pratigya Yojana, proposals may include monthly assistance of Rs 4,000 for Class 12 students and Rs 6,000 for graduates enrolled in skill development or internship programs. 2. Farmers Agricultural support schemes could get a boost. In recent meetings, the cabinet had approved diesel subsidies and roadmap funds. Tuesdays discussion may include incentives for new crop cultivation, irrigation systems, or agri-tech support. 3. Womens Welfare Expect expansion of schemes like the Pink Bus Service, Didi Ki Rasoi, and Mahila Haat. These initiatives are part of the states broader push for womens empowerment, especially as female voter turnout has been rising. 4. Education and Health The government may clear fresh teacher and headmaster appointments. In healthcare, expect budgetary approvals for new district-level facilities and mobile medical units, as part of Nitish Kumars social development pitch. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Why This Meeting Matters Todays cabinet session is more than routine governance; its a crucial pre-election staging ground. With opposition parties sharpening their attacks and BJP watching closely as a key NDA ally, Nitish Kumar is walking a tightrope. The focus now is on delivering visible benefits and reinforcing the states welfare image. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 11:05 IST News elections After Rs 1,100 Pension And 35% Job Quota For Women, What Is In Nitish's 'Election Box'? 'Bengali Asmita' To Take Centre-Stage With Modi, Mamata Set To Sound Poll Bugle In State Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 10:14 IST CM Mamata Banerjee is positioning herself as the defender of Bengali culture and language, accusing the BJP of nurturing an anti-Bengali sentiment in states under its control. BJP is preparing for an aggressive counter to Mamata Banerjee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a rally in Asansol on July 18. (Image: PTI) With the West Bengal Assembly elections looming in 2026, the political battleground is expected to be shaped by a fierce contest over Bengali identity and pride or asmita. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is positioning herself as the defender of Bengali culture and language, accusing the BJP of nurturing an anti-Bengali" sentiment in states under its control. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is expected to drive this narrative hard in the months ahead, with Mamata herself leading from the front. On July 16, Mamata will take to the streets in Kolkata to protest what she calls the anti-Bengali stance" of BJP-ruled states. Party leaders say this rally will serve as the formal launch of her election campaign, setting the tone for the 2026 polls. TMCs campaign will culminate in a major political show of strength on July 21 the partys annual Martyrs Day rally where Mamata is expected to outline her broader vision for the state and escalate her attack on the BJP. Recommended Stories Bengali pride is expected to be a key campaign plank. TMC leaders, including state minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, have alleged that Bengalis face discrimination in BJP-ruled states. Bengalis have written the National Anthem and National Song, yet if you speak Bengali in BJP states, they treat you as a Bangladeshi. They mark you and threaten to push you to Bangladesh," Bhattacharya said, underscoring the emotional weight the party plans to wield in its appeal to voters. On the other side, the BJP is preparing for an aggressive counter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a rally in Asansol on July 18. BJP insiders say Modi will project the success of double-engine governments" where both state and Centre are ruled by the BJP in delivering development and welfare. He is expected to contrast this with Bengal, which he claims has been held back by Mamatas confrontational politics. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all BJP is also likely to focus on alleged demographic shifts and law and order issues in the state. Newly appointed state party president Samik Bhattacharya has slammed the TMC government over corruption, education lapses, and womens safety. He claimed that while the rest of the country moves forward under Modis leadership, Bengal remains trapped in misrule." Bengal witnessed the Bengal Renaissance, but look at todays Bengal teachers are sitting on roads, students are raped inside campuses. Narendra Modi has built a New Bharat, and Bengal cannot be kept away from these benefits," Bhattacharya said. With Mamatas district tours expected after July 21 and Modi and Amit Shah expected to increase their visits to Bengal in the months ahead, the battle for Bengal is set to intensify with Bengali asmita taking centre stage. About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar... Read More Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 10:14 IST News elections 'Bengali Asmita' To Take Centre-Stage With Modi, Mamata Set To Sound Poll Bugle In State Bihar Elections 2025: Rahul Gandhi Or Tejashwi Yadav, Who Is The Mahagathbandhan Face? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 17:35 IST The Congress believes that if the NDA is leaning heavily on the Modi factor, even if Nitish is the face, then the opposition needs a counterweight The Mahagathbandhan, which includes RJD, Congress, Left parties, VIP, and others, is yet to decide a CM face. (News18 Hindi) The race for 2025 Bihar Assembly elections has officially kicked off, and the political equations are shifting fast. The NDA has made its position clear with Nitish Kumar as their chief ministerial face once again. But over in the Mahagathbandhan camp, things are far less settled. At the heart of the uncertainty is one big question: who will be the face of the opposition alliance? Will it be RJDs Tejashwi Yadav, who nearly brought the alliance to power in 2020? Or will the Congress push for national leader Rahul Gandhi to take centre stage? Recommended Stories The Mahagathbandhan, which includes RJD, Congress, Left parties, VIP, and others, is split on the issue. RJD, the dominant force in the coalition, has already declared Tejashwi as its CM candidate. He too, has made no secret of his ambition. In April this year, during the massive Mushar-Bhuiya Maharally in Patna, Tejashwi publicly staked his claim to the top job. Tejashwi was the face of the alliance in the 2020 elections, where RJD won 75 seats, the highest for any single party, and pushed the NDA to the brink. Since then, hes continued to grow in popularity, especially among the youth, by relentlessly targeting the Nitish-Modi government on jobs and education. He also remains central to the Yadav-Muslim vote bank, a crucial caste arithmetic in Bihar politics. Multiple surveys have placed him as the most preferred CM choice after Nitish Kumar. So why the debate? The Congress believes that if the NDA is leaning heavily on the Modi factor, even if Nitish is the face, then the opposition needs a counterweight. In their eyes, that counterweight is Rahul Gandhi. Rahuls visibility in Bihar has gone up sharply. He has held multiple rallies, taken part in key protests like the 9 July Bihar Bandh against voter list revisions, and even shared stage space with Tejashwi, a first for such a high-profile agitation. According to the Congress party, Rahul is not just active, but symbolically important. After the Bharat Jodo and Nyay Yatras, he has become the central figure of the national opposition. Congress insiders say theyre not projecting Rahul as a CM face, thats off the table. But they believe the Mahagathbandhan should contest with Rahul as the broader political face of the campaign. Their argument is that this would help unify secular votes and give the alliance a national coherence in its messaging. But the push for Rahul is not just about visibility. Its also about leverage. Behind the scenes, theres tension brewing over seat-sharing. Congress wants more seats this time, pointing to its Lok Sabha performance. But Tejashwi, buoyed by his 2020 success and emboldened by RJDs continued dominance, isnt willing to be too generous. The Congress, aware of its weakened state in Bihar, is playing pressure politics, demanding a bigger role in leadership decisions to strengthen its bargaining power. Figures like Kanhaiya Kumar and Pappu Yadav, both influential but polarising, have complicated the consensus around Tejashwi. Their presence signals internal fault lines within the broader alliance. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In June, Congresss Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru said the CM face would be decided by consensus" among all allies. That statement alone was enough to signal that a clear endorsement of Tejashwi is far from locked. So now, as the Mahagathbandhan juggles seat-sharing maths, caste dynamics, and leadership optics, it is clear that the alliance does not have a unified face yet. And with the NDA already hitting the ground with a clear pitch, the longer the opposition takes to settle this, the more ground they risk losing. view comments Location : Bihar, India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 17:35 IST News elections Bihar Elections 2025: Rahul Gandhi Or Tejashwi Yadav, Who Is The Mahagathbandhan Face? Bihar Voter Roll Review: 10 Days To Go, Less Than 10% Enumeration Forms Yet To Be Collected Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 22:39 IST So far, 6.81 crore filled forms86.32% of the total electoratehave been collected, the ECI said The ECI also said that, sparing no effort to ensure that all eligible electors are included in the draft electoral roll, the third round of household visits by the nearly one lakh booth-level officers (BLOs) will soon begin to collect the filled EFs of the remaining electors in the ongoing SIR. Representational pic/PTI With ten days left before the July 25 deadline, the special intensive revision (SIR) in Bihar has covered 90.84% of the 7.9 crore electorate, according to official data released on Tuesday. In a key digital push, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that voters will now be able to check the status of their enumeration form (EF) submission through a newly launched module on https://voters.eci.gov.in, going live Tuesday night. Recommended Stories So far, 6.81 crore filled EFs86.32% of the total electoratehave been collected, the ECI said. When accounting for voters who are dead, have permanently shifted, or are enrolled in multiple places, the collection drive has effectively covered 90.84% of the electorate. Accounting for the deceased, permanently shifted, and people enrolled in more than one place, the EF collection phase of the SIR has covered 90.84% of the nearly 7.9 crore strong electorate in Bihar. Only 9.16% electors remain to submit their filled EFs before the July 25 deadline," the poll body said. The ECI also said that, sparing no effort to ensure that all eligible electors are included in the draft electoral roll, the third round of household visits by the nearly one lakh booth-level officers (BLOs) will soon begin to collect the filled EFs of the remaining electors in the ongoing SIR. The BLOs will again visit those households where the electors were temporarily absent in the previous visits," the ECI added. More than 1.5 lakh booth-level agents (BLAs) appointed by all political parties are supporting the efforts" of the BLOs, the ECI said, adding that each BLA can certify and submit up to 50 EFs per day. Special camps, newspaper adverts to reach each voter Special camps have been established in all 5,683 wards of all 261 urban local bodies (ULBs) of Bihar, and newspaper advertisements have been issued to ensure that the remaining electors fill their EFs well in time and have their names also included in the draft ER to be published on August 1. Such electors are also being encouraged by the BLOs to fill up their forms online using their mobile phones through the ECINet App or the online form on https://voters.eci.gov.in. 6.20 crore forms uploaded online Uploading of forms on ECINet has further picked up, with over 6.20 crore EFs uploaded on the platform as of 6 pm on Tuesday. On Monday, News18 reported that under the SIR, more than 35 lakh names that were on the voter list will be excluded from the upcoming Bihar assembly election. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This figure includes at least 12.55 lakh (1.59%) registered voters who have died, 17.37 lakh who have permanently moved out of the state (2.2%), and another 5.76 lakh who are duplicate enrolments (0.73%), as per ECI data. The term of the Bihar assembly will end in November, and the state will go for polls before that. About the Author Nivedita Singh Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 22:39 IST News elections Bihar Voter Roll Review: 10 Days To Go, Less Than 10% Enumeration Forms Yet To Be Collected Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 07:30 IST This year, as the countdown to 2026 begins, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is expected to sharpen her political pitch once again ahead of the crucial poll battle. (Image: PTI/File) In West Bengal, election season does not start with a formal notification but with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees rallying cry on July 21 the Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs Day). Recommended Stories What began as a solemn remembrance of young cadres of youth Congress, who lost their lives to police firing during a protest demanding electoral reforms in 1993, has now evolved into Didis informal campaign opener for every crucial poll battle from Lok Sabha to Vidhan Sabha. This year, as the countdown to 2026 begins, Mamata Banerjee is expected to sharpen her political pitch once again ahead of the crucial poll battle. And, among key issues likely to dominate the states political narrative, and also her campaign, would be the threat" from across state lines the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, now tipped to be replicated in Bengal. According to sources in the TMCs rank and file, on July 21, Banerjee will take the stage and raise her speech against the discrimination" against Bengali migrant workers outside the state and the alleged attempt by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to cancel Bengals legitimate voters" by manipulating" the voter list. With the 2026 assembly election on the horizon, Bengals most watched political performance later this month will be shadowed by a familiar anxiety identity, citizenship, and the integrity of the voter roll. The stage is being set for a ticking bomb, which is the apprehension of the Election Commissions decision to bring the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) model to Bengal. The party has already spoken against the possibility that the revision in Bihar may lead to mass deletion of voters over alleged duplication, mismatched addresses, and suspect documentation. Irrespective of electoral-political narratives, Bengal, with its porous international borders, has remained deeply entangled with migration history and its politically sensitive border-districts like Cooch Behar, Dinajpur, Malda, Nadia, Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas have always been on the line. WHY IS SIR AMMUNITION FOR MAMATA? For Banerjee, this is not just an electoral reform or electoral roll revision, it is ready-made ammunition. The last time a similar spectre loomed, during the debates over the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship (Amendment) Act debates, she turned it into a full-scale political war. She hit the streets, declared No NRC in Bengal" and painted the BJP at the Centre as a party bent on tearing away citizenship from Bengalis, Muslims, Matuas and refugees. That movement helped her reset the 2021 election narrative and counter the BJPs aggressive Hindutva push, to which she lost 18 Lok Sabha seats in 2019. Now, with the ECs SIR exercise in Bihar, the opportunity to revive that sentiment is back. The BJP has often accused Bengals voter rolls of being contaminated", which is seen as code for infiltration from across the Bangladesh border. The SIR could become the vehicle through which those claims are officially acted upon. Already, there are murmurs in border districts and people are anxious about losing voting rights, fearing documentation errors or targeted disenfranchisement. Banerjee, known for sensing mood shifts before anyone else, is unlikely to let this pass. What may even add fuel to this moment is the Supreme Courts recent involvement in electoral roll scrutiny. With judicial backing, the EC is now emboldened but so is Banerjees potential pushback. She will frame it as an assault on Bengals voters" and Bengali identity", furthering her narrative of an overreaching Modi government, a compromised Commission, and a hostile judiciary" ganging up on a federal state. CAN SHE REIGNITE ANOTHER CAA-NRC MOVEMENT? The difference between 2019 and 2025, however, is that Banerjee is no longer the political underdog. She is the establishment, which is battling corruption allegations, facing anti-incumbency in pockets, and staring at an aggressive BJP seemingly determined to break her fortress. Yet, if any leader can turn bureaucratic and administrative anxiety into street resistance, it is Mamata Banerjee. Her July 21 speech has never just mourned the past, and this year will be nothing different. It will chart the political roadmap to 2026. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all If the SIR controversy gains ground, expect another storm in Bengal that may look and sound a lot like the CAA-NRC movement, but this time, the voter list itself is at stake. SM Rajus Death While Shooting Action Sequence For Tamil Film: Do Laws Protect Stunt Artistes? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 15:47 IST SM Rajus Death While Shooting Action Stunt For Tamil Film: Is there legal provision to protect stuntmen? Are they entitled to compensation in case of injuries or deaths? Explained SM Raju died while performing a stunt. SM Rajus Death While Shooting Action Stunt For Tamil Film: Following the tragic death of veteran stunt director SM Raju on July 13, while filming an action sequence for Tamil film Vettuvan, the chorus for enhanced safety protocols and reforms has grown louder. Is there a legal provision to protect stuntmen? Are they entitled to compensation in case of injuries or deaths? Recommended Stories SM Rajus death during action sequence The fatal incident took place in Tamil Nadus Nagapattinam district while filming a high-risk car-toppling stunt for the Arya-starrer, helmed by Pa Ranjith. Raju was rushed to the Nagapattinam Government Medical College Hospital, but was declared dead. Industry insiders and fans are demanding steps to prevent such accidents. A case of negligence has been filed against the film director Pa Ranjith and others. This case aims to determine the liability for Rajus death and seek compensation for his family. The police are investigating whether proper risk assessments and safety protocols were followed, as well as whether any corners were cut during the stunt. Stunt master SM Raju dies while performing high-risk car toppling stunt during film shoot in TN.Sad! Thesere REAL unsung heroes who perform dangerous stunts for so-called Superstars who cant even ride a horse for 15 minutes. For that, they either get meagre payments or de@th. pic.twitter.com/oRZRz4MuIW BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon) July 14, 2025 Are there laws protecting stuntmen? While the specifics of the compensation and the legal process may vary depending on the circumstances and applicable laws, there is a legal provision for compensation in case of accidents or injuries sustained during work, which could be applied: Workmens Compensation Act or Employees Compensation Act of 1923: This act provides for compensation to be paid to workers (including stuntmen) who suffer injuries, including death, arising out of and in the course of their employment. The act mandates employers to pay compensation for injuries sustained by workers due to accidents, occupational diseases, or even death during work. It covers an injury or accident arising out of and in the course of employment" meaning during a stunt on set or a related rehearsal/practice session. Under the Act, employers must provide no-fault compensation in cases of: Accidental injury at work Permanent or temporary disability Death due to workplace accident Occupational disease Employees State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948: The ESI Act provides for medical, maternity, disability, and other benefits to employees in case of sickness, injury, or death due to employment-related accidents or illnesses. This act also includes provisions for temporary or permanent disablement benefits and death benefits to the dependents of the deceased worker. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947: This act provides for the settlement of industrial disputes, including those related to compensation for injuries and death of workers. It also provides for conciliation, arbitration, and adjudication of disputes related to compensation claims. Other relevant laws: Depending on the specific circumstances of the accident and the nature of the employment, other laws like the Motor Vehicles Act (if the accident involved a vehicle) may also be relevant in determining compensation. Is there a fixed compensation or insurance for stuntmen? Insurance: Film production companies are generally expected to have insurance policies that cover injuries or deaths of stunt performers. However, the adequacy of these policies and their effectiveness in providing full compensation may vary. Negligence Claims: If the accident was caused by the negligence of the employer or other parties involved in the production, the stuntman or their dependents can file a claim for compensation, including damages, in addition to the compensation provided by the Workmens Compensation Act or the ESI Act. Contractual Agreements: The employment contracts of stunt performers may also include specific provisions related to compensation for injuries or death, which can be enforced in addition to the statutory provisions. Do film stuntmen have an association? Movie Stunt Artistes Association (MSAA), Mumbai: It is an established body within FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees), representing stunt artistes and directors, totaling around 409 members and 69 stunt directors. Filmmakers cannot employ a stunt artist without MSAAs approval . In October 2023, Netflix India and MSAA ran a safety workshop for 50 stunt & SFX pros, covering global best practices such as risk assessment, fire stunts, aerial rigging, explosives. Through workshops, FWICE is working to embed safety standards into their MoUs with producers, covering fire prevention, electrical, working hours, hygiene. Earlier, sets lacked ambulances/doctors, used asbestos suits, nets, boxes, mattresses. Today, they increasingly use airbags, fire retardant gels, harnesses and foreign safety rigs. Standards are uneven better in Bollywood, but weak in regional industries. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Step towards stuntmens insurance In 201415, Akshay Kumar and Asian Heart Institute kicked off accident and life insurance for 370 Mumbai stuntmen, with Rs 1 million coverage each The scheme covers Rs 6 lakh outpatient/cashless hospitalisation and Rs 10 lakh death benefit for 18-55-year olds; senior stuntmen remain only partially covered. About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 14:05 IST News explainers SM Rajus Death While Shooting Action Sequence For Tamil Film: Do Laws Protect Stunt Artistes? 2003 Bengaluru Techie Murder: SC Upholds Life Sentence Of Law Student Fiancee & Others, But... Reported By : LawBeat Last Updated: July 16, 2025, 02:11 IST The court let the convicts seek pardon from the Karnataka governor under Article 161, citing the crime as a result of youthful misjudgment rather than inherent criminality The murder, which occurred just two days after the victims engagement to Shubha, was, in the courts words, not the result of innate criminality but a 'dangerous adventure born out of emotional rebellion and wild romanticism'. File pic The Supreme Court on July 14 upheld the conviction and life imprisonment of a then BA-LLB student, her boyfriend, and two others for the murder of her fiance in 2003. However, while affirming their culpability, the court granted them liberty to seek pardon under Article 161 of the Constitution, noting the psychological and circumstantial complexities that surrounded the crime. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Aravind Kumar dismissed the appeals filed by Kum Shubha alias Shubhashankar and co-accused Arun Verma, Dinesh alias Dinakaran, and Venkatesh, challenging the Karnataka High Courts decision upholding their conviction and sentence for the murder of BV Girish, a 26-year-old software engineer employed with Intel, Bengaluru. Recommended Stories The murder, which occurred just two days after the victims engagement to Shubha, was, in the courts words, not the result of innate criminality but a dangerous adventure born out of emotional rebellion and wild romanticism". The court held that the prosecution had successfully established the chain of circumstantial evidence, including continuous call records between Shubha and the co-accused, pointing to a clear conspiracy and meeting of minds". The court also acknowledged the mental state of the girl, observing that the voice of a young ambitious girl, muffled by a forced family decision, created the fiercest of turmoil in her mind." Ita remarked that this inner conflict, paired with emotional entanglements, culminated in the tragic loss of an innocent life and simultaneously derailed the lives of four young individuals. The bench, however, made it clear that empathy could not override culpability. We cannot condone her action as it resulted in the loss of an innocent life," the court said, while also noting that years had passed since the crime and that the appellants were no longer the same individuals they were at the time of the offence. Two of the four convicts were teenagers at the time of the incident, while Shubha had just crossed that threshold. The fourth accused, a 28-year-old man, was recently married and had a child when the appeal was decided. The court acknowledged their middle-aged status today, observing that adrenaline-pumped decisions of youth must sometimes be revisited through the lens of reform, not just retribution". Liberty to Seek Pardon While dismissing the appeal and affirming the life sentence, the court invoked Article 161 of the Constitution, allowing the appellants to file petitions for gubernatorial pardon before the governor of Karnataka. The bench expressed hope that the constitutional authority would take into account the entirety of the circumstances surrounding the case. We would only request the constitutional authority to consider the same, which we hope and trust would be done by taking note of the relevant circumstances governing the case," the judgment stated. The court granted the convicts eight weeks to file the pardon plea and ordered that they shall not be arrested and that their sentence shall remain suspended until the governors decision is made. What Happened? According to the prosecution, Shubha was unwilling to marry Girish and confided in her college friend and romantic partner, Arun Verma. Moved by her distress, Verma sought help from his cousin Dinesh, who, in turn, brought in his teenage friend Venkatesh to execute the plan. The engagement took place on November 30, 2003. Two days later, on December 3, Shubha invited Girish to dinner. On their return, they stopped at the Air View Point" along the Airport Ring Road to watch planes land, a popular hangout spot in Bengaluru. It was there that Girish was attacked with a steel rod by an unknown assailant" and left with critical head injuries. He succumbed to the wounds the following day in the hospital. While initially appearing as a random act of violence, investigations soon revealed a web of mobile communication between the accused. The prosecutions case rested primarily on circumstantial evidence, supported by call detail records (CDR), which placed the accused in constant contact before, during, and after the murder. The trial court convicted all four under Section 302 (murder), read with Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. The High Court affirmed the conviction, following which the appeals landed before the Supreme Court. In perhaps the most humanising portion of the verdict, the SC refrained from using the harsh language usually associated with murder convictions. It instead focused on the circumstances of compulsion, familial pressure, and emotional immaturity, concluding that while the crime cannot be forgiven, the convicts deserve the opportunity for rehabilitation. This Court seeks to view the matter from a different perspective, only for the purpose of giving a new lease of life to the appellants," the judgment said, striking a rare balance between justice for the deceased and reformative justice for the offenders. Under Article 161, a governor has constitutional power to pardon, remit, or suspend a sentence. The Supreme Courts order does not mandate such relief but merely permits the convicts to make the request. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The final decision lies with the governor of Karnataka, who must weigh the circumstances, including the gravity of the offence and the passage of time, before granting any clemency. Until then, the sentence imposed on the convicts remains suspended, and they wont be taken into custody. About the Author Sanya Talwar Sanya Talwar, Editor at Lawbeat, has been heading the organisation since its inception. After practising in courts for over four years, she discovered her affinity for legal journalism. She has worked previousl... Read More Sanya Talwar, Editor at Lawbeat, has been heading the organisation since its inception. After practising in courts for over four years, she discovered her affinity for legal journalism. She has worked previousl... Read More view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 02:08 IST News india 2003 Bengaluru Techie Murder: SC Upholds Life Sentence Of Law Student Fiancee & Others, But... Air India Announces Partial Restoration Of International Flights | Check New Schedules Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 22:05 IST Air India Announces Partial Restoration Of International Flight Schedules Weeks After Ahmedabad Crash Air India Announces Partial Restoration Of International Flight Schedules Air India on Tuesday announced partial restoration of international flights. The decision comes weeks after Ahmedabad plane crash. As per the official statement, the partial restoration will begin from August 1, 2025, while the full restoration is planned from October 1, 2025. Air India took safety pause" after the deadly June 12 Ahmedabad air crash that killed 260 people. The airline in its official statement said the pause enabled it to perform additional precautionary checks on its Boeing 787 aircraft as well as accommodating longer flying times arising from airspace closures over Pakistan and the Middle East." Recommended Stories Air India Announces Partial Restoration Of Flights #ImportantUpdateAir India announces the partial restoration of international flight schedules, effective 1 August 2025. The full restoration is planned from 1 October 2025. Details here: https://t.co/kGXz11QXuO Air India (@airindia) July 15, 2025 Air India Announces New Route As per the official statement, from August 1 to September 30, Air India will operate 3 times weekly flights between Ahmedabad and London (Heathrow), replacing currently operating 5 times weekly flights between Ahmedabad and London (Gatwick). The airline has announced the reinstatement of flights and increased frequencies from Delhi. In the Europe route, between Delhi to London (Heathrow), two weekly flights previously curtailed, are reinstated with all 24 times weekly flights operating from 16 July onwards. Between Delhi to Zurich, flight frequency has increased from 4 times weekly to 5 times weekly, effective August 1, 2025. In the Far-East route, between Delhi and Tokyo (Haneda), two weekly flights are reinstated with all 7 times weekly flights operating from August 1 onwards. Between Delhi and Seoul (Incheon), two weekly flights previously curtailed are reinstated with all 5 times weekly flights reinstated from September 1 onwards. Air India also announced continued reduction/changed frequency until September 30. Europe Bengaluru-London (Heathrow): Remains reduced from 7 times weekly to 6 times weekly; will further reduce to 4 times weekly, effective August 1, 2025 Amritsar-Birmingham: Remains reduced from 3x weekly to 2 times weekly until August 31; to operate 3 times weekly, effective September 1 Delhi-Birmingham: Remains reduced from 3 times weekly to 2 times weekly Delhi-Paris: Reduced from 12 times weekly to 7 times weekly, effective August 1 Delhi-Milan: Reduced from 4 times weekly to 3 times weekly, effective July 16 Delhi-Copenhagen: Remains reduced from 5 times weekly to 3 times weekly Delhi-Vienna: Remains reduced from 4 times weekly to 3 times weekly Delhi-Amsterdam: Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 5 times weekly; to resume 7 times weekly, effective August 1 North America Delhi-Washington (Dulles): Remains reduced from 5 times weekly to 3 times weekly Delhi-Chicago: Remains reduced from 7 times weekly to 3 times weekly (to operate 4 times weekly in August) Delhi-San Francisco: Remains reduced from 10 times weekly to 7 times weekly Delhi-Toronto: Remains reduced from 13 times weekly to 7 times weekly Delhi-Vancouver: Remains reduced from 7 times weekly to 4 times weekly Delhi-New York (JFK): Reduced from 7 times weekly to 6 times weekly, effective July 16 Mumbai-New York (JFK): Reduced from 7 times weekly to 6 times weekly, effective August 1 Delhi-New York (Newark Liberty): Reduced from 5x weekly to 4x weekly, effective July 16 Australia Delhi-Melbourne: Remains reduced from 7 times weekly to 5 times weekly Delhi-Sydney: Remains reduced from 7 times weekly to 5 times weekly Africa Delhi-Nairobi: Reinstated services, operating 3 times weekly until August 31; to be suspended from September 1 to 30 Air India also announced continued temporary suspension of routes until September 30 Amritsar-London (Gatwick) (AI169/170): 3 times weekly flights Goa (Mopa)-London (Gatwick) (AI145/146): 3 times weekly flights top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bengaluru-Singapore (AI2392/2393): 7 times weekly flights Pune-Singapore (AI2111/2110): 5 times weekly flights view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 21:21 IST News india Air India Announces Partial Restoration Of International Flights | Check New Schedules 'Cheap Politics': BJP Blasts Rahul Gandhi As He Calls Balasore Student's Death 'Organised Murder' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 12:43 IST Dharmendra Pradhan has lashed out at Rahul Gandhi over his statement calling the Balasore students death an organised murder accusing Congress of politicising the tragedy. Protests over the Balasore horror (L)/Rahul Gandhi (R) (Photos: PTI) Amid the deepening politics over the death of the Balasore student in the wee hours of Tuesday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today hit back at Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress party has always sought opportunities in a tragedy, and termed it cheap politics". Blasting the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha over his organised murder by the system remark, Pradhan, in a lengthy X post, also demanded an apology from him, terming his comment irresponsible". Recommended Stories The Balasore college student died by setting herself on fire over alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint. In his post, the Union Minister also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have always worked towards womens safety and justice. He also mentioned that the government of Odisha stands with the victims family with full sensitivity, and assured of the strictest action in the case. The cheap politics played by Rahul Gandhi and Congress on the tragic incident involving Odishas daughter is extremely unfortunate. Turning a serious and sensitive matter into a political weapon reflects Rahul Gandhis petty mindset," Dharmendra Pradhan wrote in his X post. The incident in Odisha has shaken the entire nation, but Congress has seized this opportunity to bake its political bread," he added. Prime Minister Modi ji and the BJP have always taken concrete steps for womens safety and justice, while Congress has consistently sought opportunities in every tragedy," he mentioned. On this incident, the Odisha government stands with the victims family with full sensitivity, and the strictest action will be taken against the culprits; no one will be spared," he added. RAHUL GANDHIs REMARK ON BALASORE HORROR Attacking the ruling BJP in Odisha over the death of the Balasore college student, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged it was nothing less than an organised murder by the system". Gandhi alleged that those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her". The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJPs system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated," he alleged in a post on X. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her. As always, the BJPs system continued to shield the accused and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire," he alleged. Gandhi claimed the womans death was not suicide, it was an organised murder by the system. Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you? You remain silent," he said. The country doesnt need your silence; it needs answers. Indias daughters need safety and justice," he added. The second-year B.Ed student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore died after fighting for her life for three days. She set herself on fire on the campus on July 12 over alleged inaction against a professor who allegedly sexually harassed her. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all She had suffered 95 per cent burns and died at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar. ALSO READ | Immolation By Student: Suspended Principal Of Odisha College Arrested For Abetting Suicide Bid About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 12:41 IST News india 'Cheap Politics': BJP Blasts Rahul Gandhi As He Calls Balasore Student's Death 'Organised Murder' Balasore Student, Who Self-Immolated Due To Sexual Harassment, Cremated At Her Native Place Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 11:29 IST The college student died in the wee hours of Tuesday at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, after battling severe burn injuries. Odisha college student sets herself on fire over sexual harassment by teacher | Image: X A 20-year-old student, who succumbed to her burn injuries after self-immolation over inaction on her sexual harassment complaint in Odishas college, was cremated at her native place, Balasore, on Tuesday. The student passed away in the wee hours of Tuesday at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar, hospital authorities confirmed earlier today. Recommended Stories A large number of people gathered at her funeral. #WATCH | Balasore, Odisha | Balasore student, who succumbed to burn injuries after self-immolation, cremated at her native place pic.twitter.com/RmIMfArwLa ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025 The 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, had attempted self-immolation over inaction by the college administration on her sexual harassment complaint against the head of the department. She was admitted to AIIMS Delhi after being referred from the Balasore District Headquarters. She was admitted to the Burns Centre ICU. The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11.46 pm on July 14," the hospital statement read. Odisha Chief Minister expressed anguish over her death and assured the family of strictest punishment to all those found guilty. In a post on X, CM Majhi wrote, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite the governments fulfilment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victims life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family," he added. The principal of the college, Dillip Ghose, was arrested on Monday. He was accused of shielding the HoD who was also arrested. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More view comments Location : Odisha (Orissa), India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 11:17 IST News india Balasore Student, Who Self-Immolated Due To Sexual Harassment, Cremated At Her Native Place 'Comforting, Hopeful': CM Vijayan On Postponement Order Of Kerala Nurse's Execution In Yemen Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 17:43 IST Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan called the postponement of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya's execution in Yemen "comforting and hopeful," praising Kanthapuram and the Action Council. Nimisha Priya is on the death row for the murder of Mahdi, her Yemeni business partner. (News18 Malayalam) Following the postponement of execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the decision as comforting and hopeful ." Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also congratulated Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, an influential Sunni Muslim leader, and the action council over the latest development in the case. The Kerala CM said the news of the execution of Nimisha Priya, who was sentenced to death in Yemen, being postponed is comforting and hopeful." Recommended Stories This has given Nimisha more time to get her sentence terminated. This decision was led to by the initiative and intervention of Kanthapuram AP Abubacker Musliyar, " the CM said in a statement. This decision is the result of the tireless efforts of good hearts full of humanity and brotherhood. I congratulate Kanthapuram and everyone including the Action Council who are working hard to get justice for Nimisha Priya," he added. The Chief Minister also said that he hopes that everyones hopes and efforts will reach complete success as soon as possible." Earlier, the nurse was scheduled to be executed in Yemen on July 16. However, the fresh date for her execution was not immediately known. The government of India, which has, since the beginning of the case, been rendering all possible assistance in the matter, has made efforts in recent days to seek more time for the family of Nimisha Priya to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party. Hailing from Keralas Palakkad district, Nimisha Priya is on the death row for the murder of Mahdi, her Yemeni business partner. She was sentenced to death in 2020, and her final appeal was rejected in 2023. She is currently imprisoned in a jail in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier in the day, news agency PTI quoted sources and stated that last-minute efforts to halt Nimisha Priyas execution were underway, under the leadership of a Sufi scholar there, at the behest of influential Sunni Muslim leader Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar. A meeting between representatives of prominent scholar and Sufi leader Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz, and the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi the Yemeni national allegedly killed by Nimisha Priya in 2017, was also expected to be held at Dhamar on Tuesday, it mentioned. About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18... Read More Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18... Read More view comments Location : Kerala, India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 17:43 IST News india 'Comforting, Hopeful': CM Vijayan On Postponement Order Of Kerala Nurse's Execution In Yemen Freedom, With Responsibility: SCs Message Goes Beyond Samay Raina, Hemant Malviya, Wajahat Khan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 20:07 IST Comic Samay Raina, cartoonist Hemant Malviya, Wajahat Khan hearings: Over the past two days, SC heard 3 cases related to freedom of speech and expression and gave one clear message The Supreme Court (left) heard cases related to (from top) Samay Raina, Hemant Malviya and Wajahat Khan. (File) Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, allowing citizens to freely express their ideas and opinions. But soon comes Article 19(2) which reminds that the freedom is not absolute. It permits the government to impose reasonable restrictions in the interest of sovereignty, state security, public order, decency, morality, and other concerns to maintain balance and protect public interest. Over the past two days, the Supreme Court (SC) heard three cases related to freedom of expression. The circumstances in the three and the redress sought were different, but the SC had one common message. Recommended Stories Freedom of one person should not violate rights of others: SC on Samay Raina case Five social media influencers, including Indias Got Latent host Samay Raina, on Tuesday appeared before the Supreme Court in a case seeking action against them for ridiculing persons suffering from disabilities. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi recorded the presence of the social media influencers and asked them to file their replies to the petition. The top court asked Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, to prepare social media guidelines by keeping a balance of freedom of speech and expression and rights and duties of others. It said that the freedom of one person should not violate the rights of others and flagged that enforceability of these guidelines is the most difficult part. The apex court asked Attorney General R Venkataramani, representing the Centre, to prepare social media guidelines while balancing the freedom of speech and expression and the rights and duties of others. Venkataramani sought time to assist the court on the issue and said the enforceability of guidelines would require detailed consideration. What we are doing is for posterity. You have to ensure that not a single word is misused by anyone. You have to ensure balance. We have to protect citizens rights. A framework must be there that the dignity of anyone is not violated," the bench said. The top court was hearing a petition filed by M/s Cure SMA Foundation seeking a prohibition on the broadcast of derogatory and denigrating content on the digital media against persons with disability. The SC asked the influencers to appear again in-person on the next date of the hearing of the case. Kisi ko kuch bhi bol do: SC on cartoonist Hemant Malviya who uploaded cartoons of PM Modi, RSS workers The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted interim protection from arrest to Indore-based cartoonist Hemant Malviya, who is accused of uploading objectionable" cartoons of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and workers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on social media. The case was being heard by a bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Aravind Kumar. While granting the cartoonist protection, the Supreme Court remarked that it was not okay to make any statement against anyone. Kisi ko kuch bhi bol do (Say anything to anyone). They want to become heroes," the bench said. Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for the cartoonist, said, The person can have a critical opinion about things, it does not constitute an offence" In response, Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj remarked, The manner in which he has done, is clearly an offence." Justice Dhulia said one of the posts by the cartoonist is very, very offensive". What is happening today, all kinds of statements are being made. The language they use. There are some among the lawyer community also doing this. We will have to do something on this," Justice Dhulia remarked. Denying his request on Monday, the bench had said, This freedom of speech is being abused by this cartoonist, stand-up comedians." Learn to control tongue and wordselse govt will have to intervene: SC on Wajahat Khan While hearing a case related to Wajahat Khan, the 30-year-old co-founder of the Rashidi Foundation, the Supreme Court on Monday said that there is freedom of speech, but this does not mean that anyone can say anything. Every person should learn to control his tongue and his words, especially on social media." Khan had filed a complaint against social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli over alleged defamatory social media posts. However, as his own old tweets surfaced, cases were filed against him in many states. Khan moved the SC, asking the cases to be clubbed. Khans lawyer said that the tweets he made were just a reaction, but the court clearly asked, Why did you repeat the same mistake?" The court was told that he had made objectionable comments about those who worship Kamakhya Devi. The court expressed displeasure over this and said that responsibility is necessary before posting anything on social media. At times, people think they have the freedom to say anything on social media, but when it is misused, the matter reaches the court. This increases the pressure on the courts. The police also loses focus from the real cases. If people do not control their words, then the government will have to intervene. Nobody wants the government to keep interrupting every time. If mutual brotherhood and understanding remains in the society, then such hateful talks will reduce." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Supreme Court gave relief to Khan and has sought a response from the state government, but made it clear that this matter is not limited to just one person, but it is a big issue related to the responsibility of all citizens and the right use of social media. With ANI, PTI, News18 Hindi Inputs About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 19:24 IST News india Freedom, With Responsibility: SCs Message Goes Beyond Samay Raina, Hemant Malviya, Wajahat Khan Didn't Bring My Children To Die: Russian Woman Rescued From Gokarna Defends Living In Cave Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 08:54 IST A Russian woman was rescued from a dangerous cave in Karnataka's Gokarna last week. She has defended her decision to live there with her children. Russian woman rescued from Gokarna cave (ANI Image) Nina Kutina, a Russian woman who was rescued from a cave in the Ramateertha hills in Karnatakas Gokarna along with her two daughters, has backed her stay at the dangerous place, stating they have experience of living in the forests of nearly 20 countries. She said that she had not taken her children to the forest to die, claiming that the little kids were very happy". Recommended Stories We have a lot of experience staying in nature, and we were not dying. I did not bring my children to die in the jungle. They were very happy," she told the news agency ANI. #WATCH | Bengaluru | Russian national Nina Kutina, who was found living with her two daughters in a remote cave near Gokarna in Karnataka, says, We have a lot of experience staying in nature and we were not dying. I did not bring my children to die in the jungleWe used to pic.twitter.com/iY0Bi8I6xb ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2025 Last week, she was rescued by the Gokarna Police after the cops discovered the family during routine patrols. The officials noted there were dangerous conditions in the surroundings, including a recent landslide in the area. When asked about how she could live with her children in a cave which is in near-complete isolation, she said that the cave was not far from the village. The cave was not in a big big forest far from people, or that we couldnt buy food. It was very close to the village, it was very big and beautiful," she said. She explained how they spent their time at the cave, and said, We used to swim in the waterfall. My kids were not dying from hunger." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Officials said that Kutina first came to India in October 2016 on a business visa and worked for a private company in Goa until April 2017. Even though her visa had expired, she didnt go back to Russia. Instead, she went to Nepal and later returned to Goa, where she had been living for the past year. The police said that the family slept on plastic sheets and survived on instant food. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 08:42 IST News india Didn't Bring My Children To Die: Russian Woman Rescued From Gokarna Defends Living In Cave 'Don't Carry Kanwar': UP School Teacher's Poem Draws Ire Of Hindu Outfits, FIR Filed Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 14:04 IST Following the complaints, Bareilly police filed an FIR against the teacher under sections related to promoting enmity and disturbing communal harmony. UP teacher booked over reciting controversial poem on Kanwar Yatra | Image: X A school teacher in Uttar Pradesh has been booked after reciting a poem on Kanwar Yatra" during a school assembly that some Hindu groups said hurt religious sentiments. The teacher, Rajneesh Gangwar, who works at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Inter College in Bareilly, faced massive backlash from the Hindu outfits. Recommended Stories A video of him reciting his own poem, titled Tum Kanwar lene mat jana, gyaan ka deep jalana" (Dont go to fetch the Kanwar, instead light the lamp of knowledge), went viral. The poem includes lines such as, Kanwar le jaakar koi SP ya DM nahi bana hai" (No one has become an SP or District Magistrate by carrying Kanwar), and talks about prioritising education over rituals. Once the video gained attention online, several Hindu groups raised objections, saying the poem was disrespectful to Kanwar pilgrims, especially during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra. They argued that singing such lines in a school setting at this time was inappropriate, particularly when the states Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has publicly shown support for the yatra. The Kanwar Yatra, which began on July 11 this year during the holy month of Sawan, involves thousands of devotees walking long distances to bring holy water from the Ganga River to offer at Shiva temples. The event is closely watched and managed by state authorities due to the large gatherings. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Following the complaints, Bareilly police filed an FIR against Gangwar under sections related to promoting enmity and disturbing communal harmony. Baheri Circle Officer Arun Kumar confirmed the incident and said, At MGM Inter College, teacher Rajneesh Gangwar gathered students in the courtyard of the college and made some objectionable comments about the Kanwar Yatra through poetry recitation. A case has been registered and necessary legal proceedings are being taken." view comments Location : Uttar Pradesh, India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 14:04 IST News india 'Don't Carry Kanwar': UP School Teacher's Poem Draws Ire Of Hindu Outfits, FIR Filed ED Cracks Down On Mukhtar Ansari's Close Aide Atul Rai, Attaches Properties Worth Rs 4.18 Cr Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 21:06 IST The ED has attached six properties worth Rs 4.18 crore to Atul Rai, an aide of Mukhtar Ansari, in a money laundering probe. ED Cracks Down On Mukhtar Ansari's Close Aide Atul Rai In a big crackdown against Mukhtar Ansaris network, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has linked six immovable properties worth Rs 4.18 crore to former BSP MP Atul Rai. This move is part of a money laundering investigation into Vikas Construction, a company allegedly controlled by Mukhtar Ansari. The EDs investigation revealed that Vikas Construction, allegedly operated under Mukhtar Ansaris influence, generated funds of crime totaling Rs 27.72 crore. Atul Rai, as a key associate, played a crucial role in layering these illicit funds through various companies. The ED has identified 1 residential apartment in New Delhi, 3 residential plots in Varanasi, and 2 agricultural lands in Ghazipur, valued at Rs 4.18 crore. Recommended Stories The agency has also identified proceeds of crime Rs 15 crore earned from renting out godowns to Food Corporation of India, and Rs 3.10 crore subsidy obtained through dubious means. Money Laundering Case Further investigation indicated that approximately Rs 8.49 crore generated from Vikas Construction was deposited into bank accounts of M/s Aaghaz Project and Engineering Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Inizio Network Solution Pvt. Ltd., both companies owned and controlled by Mukhtar Ansaris relatives and aides. These funds were then routed through business accounts, disguising their origins, and transferred to companies owned by Atul Rai. The EDs probe uncovered a complex layering process, where proceeds of crime were transferred to various companies, including M/s Kusumvision Infra Private Limited, M/s Spectrum Infraservices Private Limited, and M/s Kusum Constructions and Telecom Services. Government Crackdown top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Yogi government has intensified its efforts to curb Mukhtar Ansaris influence, with the ED attaching assets worth crores and arresting nearly 100 accused in his gang. The government has also taken action under the Gangster Act in 75 cases, signaling a strong stance against organised crime. The EDs action against Atul Rai marks a significant step in dismantling Mukhtar Ansaris network. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 20:27 IST News india ED Cracks Down On Mukhtar Ansari's Close Aide Atul Rai, Attaches Properties Worth Rs 4.18 Cr St Stephen's College, Dwarka School Receive Bomb Threat Via Email, Authorities On Alert Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 11:02 IST According to sources, the threats have been received via mail. Authorities on alert after several educational intitutions in delhi received bomb threats. (Image: ANI/Representative) Several educational institutions in the national capital, including St Thomas School in Dwarka and St Stephens College of Delhi University, received bomb threats on Tuesday. Following this, the Delhi Police bomb squad and the fire department were on alert and reached the spots. According to sources, the threats have been received via mail. Recommended Stories On Monday, at least three schools in the national capital, including two CRPF schools and a Navy Children school, received bomb threats, which were later declared hoax by authorities. The threats were sent via email in the early hours of Monday to CRPF schools in Sector 16, Dwarka and Prashant Vihar and the Navy Children School in Chanakyapuri, officials said. Authorities carried out a thorough check of the school premises later and declared the threats to be a hoax, as nothing suspicious was found. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange on Sunday received an email threatening to blow it up. Soon after the threat, the police reached the spot, however, nothing suspicious was found. The threatening email was received from an email ID named Comrade Pinarayi Vijayan. The email threatened that 4 RDX IED bombs have been placed in the tower building of the Bombay Stock Exchange. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 10:11 IST News india St Stephen's College, Dwarka School Receive Bomb Threat Via Email, Authorities On Alert 'Islam Has Another Law': Influential Cleric Steps In To Help Defer Nimisha Priya's Execution Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 21:37 IST The efforts to save the Indian nurse on death row in Yemen were made under the leadership of a Sufi scholar at the behest of Sunni Muslim leader Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar Influential Sunni Muslim leader Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, who is officially known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, holds the title of Grand Mufti of India. (Image: @shkaboobacker/X) Influential Sunni Muslim leader Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar stepped in at the last minute to facilitate the postponement of the execution of Indian nurse, Nimisha Priya, in Yemen on July 16. The efforts to save Nimisha Priya, who is on death row for murdering her business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017, were made under the leadership of a Sufi scholar there at the behest of Musliyar, sources said. Recommended Stories The 94-year-old Musliyar, who is officially known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, holds the title of Grand Mufti of India. He held talks with religious authorities in Yemen, who are in contact with Mahdis family. Musliyar told news agency ANI that there is a law in Islam, which allows the victims family to pardon the murderer. He said while he does not know the victims family, he contacted Yemeni scholars and urged them to talk to the family. Islam has another law. If the murderer is sentenced to death, the family of the victim has the right to pardon. I dont know who this family is, but from a long distance, I contacted the responsible scholars in Yemen. I made them understand the issues. Islam is a religion that places a lot of importance on humanity," Musliyar was quoted. Sources said an office has been opened at Musliyars headquarters in Yemen to facilitate the negotiations regarding blood money, and the details were conveyed to the concerned parties in Kerala. There has been no official communication regarding the status of the negotiations. Under shariah law, as applied in Yemen, blood money is a legally recognised financial compensation paid to the family of a person who has been killed. It is a legally sanctioned alternative to capital punishment in Islamic jurisprudence. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Nimisha Priya, hailing from Palakkad district, was sentenced to death in 2020, and her final appeal was rejected in 2023. She is currently imprisoned in a jail in Yemeni capital Sanaa. (With agency inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 21:33 IST News india 'Islam Has Another Law': Influential Cleric Steps In To Help Defer Nimisha Priya's Execution 5 Dead, Many Injured As Tempo Traveller Rolls Down Gorge In Jammu And Kashmir's Doda Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 11:15 IST A tempo traveller carrying multiple passengers plunged into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda. At least five people were killed and 17 have been injured. Traveller rolls down gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda (Video screengrabs) At least five people died, while at least 17 others were injured after a tempo traveller rolled down a gorge in Jammu and Kashmirs Doda district on Tuesday. The vehicle was reportedly travelling through a hilly stretch when the driver lost control, causing it to veer off the road and roll down the steep slope. Recommended Stories The exact number of passengers onboard is yet to be ascertained. Teams of the local police and rescue workers rushed to the spot soon after the incident and launched a rescue operation. Those injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment, and efforts are underway to retrieve others feared trapped in the wreckage. Union Minister Jitendra Singh, in an X post, confirmed that initially, three people had died in the accident, and said that all possible help and medical aid were being provided. Just now spoke to DC Doda, Sh Harvinder Singh on receiving the information about a private tempo road accident in the vicinity of Bhart village, about 20 to 25 km from Doda city. 3 casualties reported so far, 4 others critically injured," he wrote. All possible help and medical aid being provided. DC is personally supervising the entire exercise and giving me regular updates. Any further assistance, as required, will also be provided. My sincere condolences to the families of the deceased," he added. Last week, five people were killed and another was critically injured when a private passenger vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a 600-feet gorge in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The SUV met with the accident near Senabathi in the Ukhral Pogal Paristan area late on July 11. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh expressed grief over the accident and assured necessary support to the injured and families of victims. About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 10:03 IST News india 5 Dead, Many Injured As Tempo Traveller Rolls Down Gorge In Jammu And Kashmir's Doda Materials Resembling 'Faeces' Found In Water Tank At Tamil Nadu Govt School, 3 Held Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 07:47 IST Three people for arrested for allegedly trespassing a government school premises in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvarur, the police said. Water tank suspected to be contaminated at Tamil Nadu's government school (AI-generated image) Three people were arrested in Tamil Nadus Tiruvarur for allegedly trespassing into a government primary school and vandalising the premises, the police said on Tuesday. This comes after suspected contaminants were found in the schools water tank on Monday, prompting the authorities to send the recovered samples for forensic analysis and register a case. The school is located in the Kariyankudi village. Recommended Stories There are 31 students, including 17 boys and 14 girls, at the primary school. The school staff and students discovered that the doors of the kitchen were broken, and cooking materials were missing. The trespassers also cooked and dined inside the premises, officials said. The lid of the plastic water tank was also found broken, from where thick materials resembling human faeces were recovered, suggesting that this could have been done deliberately. Tiruvarur SP Karun Garad told Times of India that the evidence so far suggests that the incident is unlikely to be linked to communal reasons, as students from various communities and backgrounds study at the school. We suspect local miscreants may have been involved," the official said. Garad did not confirm the nature of the substances found inside the tank; however, authorities suspect their resemblance to faeces. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He said that the accused persons may have vandalised the water tank because they didnt get water from the taps. The classes continued at the school normally on Monday. Drinking water and meals were arranged for the students from a nearby school, as the tank was being replaced after contamination. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More view comments Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 07:39 IST News india Materials Resembling 'Faeces' Found In Water Tank At Tamil Nadu Govt School, 3 Held Nimisha Priya Case: Inside Yemens Grim Execution Methods Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 12:09 IST Indian-origin nurse Nimisha Priya is scheduled to be executed in Yemen on July 16 for the 2017 murder of her business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi Efforts to secure Nimisha Priya's release through "blood money" have not succeeded so far. (News18) Indian-origin nurse Nimisha Priya is scheduled to be executed in Yemen on July 16, after being convicted in a 2017 murder case involving a Yemeni citizen. Priya, a nurse from Kerala, was found guilty of killing her business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi and attempting to dispose of his body. Efforts by her family and supporters to secure her release through payment of blood money, a legal provision under Yemeni law, have so far not succeeded. The case has drawn concern in India, where appeals have been made for diplomatic intervention. While Yemens legal system allows for the family of the victim to pardon the convict in exchange for compensation, there has been no indication of that happening in Priyas case. According to reports, the victims family has refused to accept any settlement. Recommended Stories Priya was accused of sedating Mahdi, causing his death, and later attempting to hide his remains. She has maintained that the act was not premeditated and occurred under distress. The trial took place in a part of Yemen currently under the control of the Houthi administration, which has implemented a stricter interpretation of Islamic law. How Executions Are Carried Out In Yemen Yemens death penalty laws allow for several methods of execution, including shooting by firing squad, stoning, and beheading. The firing squad remains the most commonly used method in recent years, particularly in areas controlled by the Houthis. Unlike India, where hanging is the standard method, executions in Yemen tend to follow religious procedures, often with the convict given time to pray or read religious texts before being blindfolded and taken to the execution site. In a typical firing squad execution, the convict is shot multiple times in the chest or back, usually near the heart, to ensure death. The process, while legal under Yemeni law, has been condemned by human rights groups for lacking transparency and due process, especially under the Houthi-led courts. International watchdogs have raised concerns over the fairness of trials and access to legal representation, particularly for foreign nationals. Yemen has seen a rise in executions, especially in the north where Houthi forces hold sway. Since seizing control of the capital Sanaa in 2014, the Houthis have expanded the use of capital punishment not just for violent crimes but also for what they define as moral and political offences. Critics say the judicial system in Houthi-held areas often fails to meet international standards, and death sentences are frequently handed down following flawed investigations and inadequate defence. Capital punishment in Yemen is legal for a wide range of crimes including murder, rape, terrorism, espionage, apostasy, and adultery. In some past instances, even minors have faced death sentences, drawing criticism from UN bodies and human rights organisations. Legal Options And Clemency Under Yemeni law, the President retains the authority to commute or pardon death sentences. However, the fragmented nature of governance in Yemen complicates this. While the internationally recognised government based in the south still holds formal political legitimacy, the Houthi administration exercises de facto power in large parts of the country, including the area where Priya was tried and convicted. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Unless there is a last-minute intervention or a change of heart from the victims family, the execution is expected to go ahead as scheduled. Indian authorities have so far not confirmed whether further diplomatic or humanitarian efforts are underway. As of now, Nimisha Priyas legal options appear to be exhausted. Civil society groups in India continue to petition for government intervention and humanitarian relief, arguing that she did not receive a fair trial and that mitigating circumstances were not fully considered. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 12:09 IST News india Nimisha Priya Case: Inside Yemens Grim Execution Methods Kerala Nurse Nimisha Priya's Execution In Yemen Put On Hold, Her Counsel Says Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 14:46 IST Indian nurse Nimisha Priyas execution in Yemen, scheduled for July 16, has been halted, her counsel confirmed. The most common method of execution in Yemen, per Amnesty International, involves a firing squad in a public or prison. (News18) Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, on death row in Yemen, will not be executed on July 16, her counsel has said. However, the fresh date for her execution was not immediately known. Sources told CNN-News18 that the Kerala nurses execution was halted by the authorities in Yemen. Recommended Stories The government of India, which has, since the beginning of the case, been rendering all possible assistance in the matter, has made concerted efforts in recent days to seek more time for the family of Nimisha Priya to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party. A letter on the postponement of her execution was shared. Indian officials have also been in regular touch with the local jail authorities and the prosecutors office in Yemen. Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Palakkad district in Kerala, is on the death row for the murder of Mahdi, her Yemeni business partner. She was sentenced to death in 2020, and her final appeal was rejected in 2023. She is currently imprisoned in a jail in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. Earlier today, news agency PTI quoted sources and stated that last-minute efforts to halt Nimisha Priyas execution were underway, under the leadership of a Sufi scholar there, at the behest of influential Sunni Muslim leader Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar. A meeting between representatives of prominent scholar and Sufi leader Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz, and the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi the Yemeni national allegedly killed by Nimisha Priya in 2017, was also expected to be held at Dhamar on Tuesday, it mentioned. The development follows after the 94-year-old Musliyar, who is officially known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad and holds the title of Grand Mufti of India, held talks with religious authorities in Yemen. Kanthapurams office told PTI that a close relative of the deceased Talal, who is also the Chief Justice of the Hodeidah State Court and a member of the Yemeni Shura Council, had arrived in Dhamar, Talals hometown, to take part in todays talks, following the advice of Sheikh Habib Umar. On Monday, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court that the government could do nothing much" in the case. Attorney General R Venkataramani had informed a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that the government was doing utmost possible". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Government of India is trying its best," Venkataramani said, and has also engaged with some sheikhs who are very influential people there." ALSO READ | Nimisha Priya Case: Inside Yemens Grim Execution Methods About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 13:46 IST News india Kerala Nurse Nimisha Priya's Execution In Yemen Put On Hold, Her Counsel Says Nimisha Priyas Execution Deferred: Not Blood Money, This Is How Kerala Nurse Got Temporary Reprieve Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 17:46 IST Nimisha Priya, hailing from Kollengode in Kerala's Palakkad district, was found guilty of murdering a Yemeni citizen and her business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in July 2017 Nimisha Priya is on the death row for the murder of Mahdi, her Yemeni business partner. (News18 Malayalam) The execution of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse on death row in Yemen, has been deferred from Wednesday, government sources said on Tuesday. However, the fresh date for her execution was not immediately known. Priya, hailing from Kollengode in Keralas Palakkad district, was found guilty of murdering a Yemeni citizen and her business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in July 2017. In 2020, a Yemeni court handed her the death sentence and the countrys Supreme Judicial Council dismissed her appeal in November 2023. The government of India has made concerted efforts in recent days to seek more time for Priyas family to reach a mutually agreeable" solution with the other party, they said. Recommended Stories The 38-year-old nurse is presently lodged in a jail in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital city that is under the control of Iran-backed Houthis. Yemeni presidents Friday meeting Airline consultant and social worker Samuel Jerome Baskaran, who has been leading the negotiations in Yemen to secure Priyas release, said the decision did not involve the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi. Baskaran told The Indian Express that the decision came after Abdul Malik Al Nehaya, ruler of the Al Wasab region, met Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi on Friday. A day later, al-Alimi consented to defer the execution. The Indian government also got involved in this mission. There was a directive from the Yemen authorities not to disclose the details," he told IE. Baskaran said the Presidents order reached the prosecutor on Monday. Subsequently, the public prosecutor of the Republic of Yemen on July 14 issued an order to the director of the central correctional facility, saying that based on the direction of the attorney general, the execution of the retaliation sentence against Priya is postponed. Blood money option Under Sharia law, which is followed in Yemen, a murder conviction doesnt always result in a mandatory execution. Instead, the law allows for a provision known as Diyah, or blood money. It enables the victims heirs to pardon the murderer if they choose to accept monetary compensation. The amount is negotiable and varies depending on the nature of the crime, local customs, and the familys stance. In Nimishas case, a staggering offer of $1 million (approximately Rs 8.5 crore) has reportedly been made to Mahdis family by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council. So far, there has been no official response. The final step to stop the execution is the consent from the Talal family. The key to Nimishas life rests with the family of Talal. They have to forgive her and our job is to convince the family to forgive her," Baskaran told IE. Doing whatever is possible: Centre to SC The government on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it was doing whatever was utmost possible" to save the Indian nurse from execution. It also informed the top court that nothing much" could be done keeping in view the status of Yemen. There is a point up to which the Government of India can go and we have reached that point," attorney general R Venkataramani informed a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta. The top law officer said the government was keen to save its citizens and was doing utmost possible" in the matter. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Samuel, who had also helped evacuate Indians from Yemen in 2015, is in Yemen to resume the negotiations. With Inputs from PTI About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 17:09 IST News india Nimisha Priyas Execution Deferred: Not Blood Money, This Is How Kerala Nurse Got Temporary Reprieve Nitish Kumar Promises Jobs For One Crore People In Five Years Ahead Of Bihar Polls Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 13:33 IST The Bihar Cabinet led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday approved 30 key proposals, including a plan to employ one crore youth between 2025 and 2030. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar (PTI) Ahead of the crucial Bihar assembly elections, the Nitish Kumar-led government on Tuesday approved 30 key proposals, including a plan to employ one crore youth in the next five years. The decision, announced ahead of the state elections scheduled later this year, is being seen as a strategic move by the ruling NDA government to counter the oppositions criticism over rising unemployment and alleged inaction on job creation in Bihar. Recommended Stories Earlier on Sunday, the Chief Minister made a similar announcement in a post on X, where he also claimed that more than eight lakh youth in Bihar were given government jobs between 2005 and 2020. For the next five years (2025 to 2030), we are setting a target to double the goal by providing government jobs and employment opportunities to one crore youth. To achieve this, new jobs and employment opportunities will also be created in the private sector, particularly in industrial areas," Kumar said in the post. He further said, For this purpose, a high-level committee is being constituted. Currently, under the Saat Nischay (Seven Resolves) programme, the youth of the State are being provided with skill development training to connect them with self-employment opportunities. In the next five years, the ongoing programme under Saat Nischay for youth skill development will be expanded." Kumar announced that a new university dedicated to skill development will be set up in Bihar and named Jananayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University, in honour of the states iconic leader. The initiative aims to equip youth with skills that open new avenues for employment. He reiterated his governments longstanding focus on increasing job and employment opportunities for young people in the state. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all To further accelerate the pace of providing government jobs and employment to the youth of the State, in 2020, under the good governance programme, Saat Nischay-2 was launched, under which we resolved to provide government jobs to 10 lakh youth and employment to 10 lakh people," Kumar said. He noted that the target was later revised to include 12 lakh government jobs and 38 lakh employment opportunities by August 2025, bringing the total goal to 50 lakh. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 13:16 IST News india Nitish Kumar Promises Jobs For One Crore People In Five Years Ahead Of Bihar Polls Pahalgam Terror Attack Ordered By Pakistan's Political, Military Brass, Akin To 26/11: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 10:24 IST Pahalgam terror attack was ordered by Pakistani political and military brass, a report said, adding that no local terrorists were chosen for attack to maintain "secrecy" of plan. Pahalgam terror attack: Pakistani political brass ordered attack (AP Image) The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 civilians were killed in cold blood, had the backing of Pakistans ISI and Lashkar-e-Taiba on the directions of the countrys political and military officials, according to a report on Tuesday. The attack, in which people at the Baisaran meadows were targeted after asking their religion, was carried out exclusively by Pakistani terrorists, and no Kashmiri terrorist was included in the plan to ensure secrecy of the conspiracy, Times of India reported, citing sources in the security establishment. Recommended Stories The Pahalgam attack was an LeT-IDI project akin to the 26/11 Mumbai attack", sources told TOI, adding that the Pakistani spy agency gave pointed directions to Lashkar commander Sajid Jutt to take only foreign terrorists on board, with minimal local involvement in the plan on a need-to-know" basis. Sulaiman, who is suspected to be a former Pakistani special forces commando, led the attack. He used to take part in training Lashkar terrorists at Muridke, where the headquarters of the terrorist outfit is located in the Punjab province of Pakistan. He crossed the Line of Control in the Jammu region in 2022. Two other Pakistanis were also involved in the team that carried out the attack, TOI reported. Sulaiman was somewhere in Tral forest on April 15, a week before the dastardly attack, satellite phone analysis revealed, suggesting that he was in and around the site of attack Baisaran meadows for almost 7 days in the run up to the attack. According to the report, Sulaiman was also involved in the attack on an Indian Army truck in Poonch in April 2023, in which five soldiers were killed. He stayed hidden for the next two years. The identities of the other two Pakistani terrorists in the Pahalgam attack were not revealed by the sources, as per the report. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had suspected the role of Pakistani terrorists Hashim Musa and Ali Bhai. However, the probe so far has only confirmed the role of Sulaiman, the report said, adding that there is also no confirmation that local terrorist Adil Hussain Thoker was a facilitator. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The two locals arrested by the National Investigation Agency Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar both of whom hailed from Pahalgam, are said to have a limited role, as they provided the terrorists with food, shelter, and other logistics in exchange for some thousand rupees. They had denied having any information about the Pakistani terrorists plan to carry out killings in Pahalgam. Indian armed forces had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 to avenge the Pahalgam attack, and killed over 100 terrorists. The operation went on for four days until May 10, during which the forces struck Pakistans airbases. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 09:43 IST News india Pahalgam Terror Attack Ordered By Pakistan's Political, Military Brass, Akin To 26/11: Report Pakistans New Punjab Blueprint: Golden Temple At The Heart Of ISIs Hybrid War Plan Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 13:44 IST Intelligence inputs accessed on July 14, 2025, reveal a renewed push to use the sacred site as both a shield and a trigger. Golden Temple in Amritsar. (PTI File Image) A sinister new blueprint by Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), accessed by CNN-News18, aims to destabilise Punjab using a hybrid warfare model that mixes terrorism, psychological operations, digital propaganda, and religious manipulation. Intelligence agencies have confirmed that ISI is reviving tactics reminiscent of the 1980s insurgency period this time with advanced tools and global collaboration to trigger unrest centered around the Golden Temple. Golden Temple: Symbol, Shield, and Target Recommended Stories The core of the new operational blueprint is the tactical and symbolic exploitation of the Golden Temple. Intelligence inputs accessed on July 14, 2025, reveal a renewed push to use the sacred site as both a shield and a trigger. The recent bomb threat email received by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), referencing RDX, points to coordinated efforts by ISI-backed groups to provoke mass outrage through calculated targeting of religious sensitivities. Officials warn that any miscalculated action near the shrine could lead to a nationwide standoff, comparable to the events of 1984. The Golden Temples sanctity makes it difficult to fully police, thereby creating security blind spots that ISI intends to exploit for arms dumps, propaganda filming, and sheltering operatives. The convergence of religious emotion, political symbolism, and lack of surveillance provides ISI with a potent recipe for unrest. Tech, Terror, and Trauma: Tools of Psychological Warfare The modern version of this conflict involves far more than guns. The ISI is running a full-spectrum psychological war from fake bomb threats like those targeting Air India in 2024 to digitally manipulated martyr videos invoking nostalgia and trauma of past violence. Agencies have confirmed the strategic use of AI-generated deepfakes, inflammatory gurdwara sermons, graffiti campaigns, and calls for referendums creating a virtual ecosystem of dissent and chaos. Social media platforms, encrypted messaging apps such as Threema and Element, and diaspora-driven campaigns are being weaponised to incite separatist sentiment. Unofficial Khalistan referendums have been inflated with false participation claims 127,000 in San Francisco, 55,000 in Calgary, and 37,000 in New Zealand used not only for propaganda but also as fundraising tools through NGO fronts. Gangster-Terror Nexus and Cross-Border Logistics Pakistans strategy leans heavily on the deepening nexus between gangsters and Khalistani terror outfits. Operatives like Goldy Brar have claimed responsibility for killings in Russia and California, showcasing a chilling international reach. The assassination attempt on Shiromani Akali Dals Sukhbir Badal near the Golden Temple by Chaura, a Pakistan-trained Babbar Khalsa terrorist, is another example of targeted violence backed by decades-old terror linkages. Drone incursions continue to be a critical conduit for cross-border smuggling. In 2024 alone, Punjab recorded 286 such instances involving AK rifles, heroin, IEDs, and even satellite phones. Border districts like Tarn Taran and Ferozepur have emerged as key nodes for these operations. Digital Insurgency and Diaspora Involvement Key figures like Gurpatwant Singh Pannun have escalated their rhetoric, threatening events such as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and invoking terror tactics similar to Hamas. From prison, Amritpal Singh has announced the launch of a political party, pledging to declare Khalistan within a year if elected further blurring the lines between secessionist ideology and democratic posturing. The use of psychological tactics is relentless. The 19 fake threats to Air India in three days during 2024, later traced to SFJs digital disruption campaigns, underscore the new era of keyboard insurgency." Posters glorifying Bhindranwale, calls for embassy attacks, and AI-generated narratives about injustice against Sikhs continue to flood diaspora and domestic spaces. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Crackdown and Countermeasures Indian agencies have responded with intensified crackdowns. In 2024, 66 terrorists were arrested, 12 active modules were neutralised, and 1,099 kg of heroin was seized. The NIA blocked over 7,500 radical URLs, seized Rs 73 crore from terror-linked scams, and invoked the UAPA to target SFJ operatives digital and financial assets. Courts have denied bail in key cases, signalling a firm judicial stance. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 13:44 IST News india Pakistans New Punjab Blueprint: Golden Temple At The Heart Of ISIs Hybrid War Plan Passengers Fight, Attempt To Enter Cockpit On SpiceJet Flight At IGIA; Handed Over To CISF Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 07:43 IST The passengers were offloaded for their unruly behaviour and handed over to CISF personnel for further investigation and action. A representative image of a SpiceJet flight (PTI) Two passengers aboard a SpiceJet flight from Delhi to Mumbai were handed over to the CISF on Monday after they allegedly behaved in an unruly manner and attempted to approach the cockpit while the plane was taxiing, said officials. According to the airline, the two passengers, on flight SG 9282, ignored repeated warnings from the cabin crew, fellow travellers, and the captain to return to their seats before takeoff. Recommended Stories In the interest of the safety of all passengers and crew, the Captain decided to return the aircraft to the bay," a SpiceJet spokesperson said in a statement. On July 14, 2025, two unruly passengers were offloaded from SpiceJet flight SG 9282 operating from Delhi to Mumbai. The two attempted to approach the cockpit forcefully and caused a disruption while the aircraft was taxiing," the spokesperson added. The passengers were subsequently offloaded and handed over to CISF personnel for further investigation and action. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The video of the incident, shared by other passengers, showed crew members trying to calm the situation while the aircraft remained stationary. The reasons behind the passengers attempt to approach the cockpit remain unclear. The airline reiterated that safety is its top priority and that any behaviour endangering the safety and order of a flight will not be tolerated. view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 07:08 IST News india Passengers Fight, Attempt To Enter Cockpit On SpiceJet Flight At IGIA; Handed Over To CISF Pune Porsche Crash: Juvenile Justice Board Rejects Plea To Try Accused As Adult Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 14:25 IST The board ruled that the accused, who was 17 years old at the time of the incident, will be tried as a minor The crash occurred just after the minor was celebrating his Class 12 board results at a pub in Pune last year. (PTI Photo) The Juvenile Justice Board on Tuesday rejected the Pune Polices plea to try the teenager accused in the Porsche crash case as an adult. The board ruled that the accused, who was 17 years old at the time of the incident, would be tried as a minor under the Juvenile Justice Act. The prosecution had earlier pressed the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) to try the 17-year-old boy, accused of fatally running over two people while allegedly driving a Porsche under the influence, as an adult, citing the heinous" nature of the crime. Recommended Stories Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa said the intent behind Section 15 of the Juvenile Justice Act is fundamentally rooted in the principle of reformation for children in conflict with the law. The provision is well-meaning and should remain in place," he noted, but added that its implementation is often casual and inconsistent. This casual approach needs to be addressed, either by the Supreme Court or through legislative intervention by Parliament," he said, pointing out that the provision was introduced following the Nirbhaya case to strike a balance between justice and rehabilitation. He further said the Act does provide a mechanism for appeal against the Juvenile Justice Boards order and suggested that Pune Police could explore that option in this case. In several instances, proper psychological and social assessment is not conducted as per the guidelines. This leads to juveniles involved in heinous crimes slipping through the cracks," Pahwa observed. A more rigorous and standardised implementation of the law would better serve its original reformative intent." The high-profile crash occurred on May 19 last year in Punes Kalyani Nagar, claiming the lives of IT professionals Anish Awadhiya and his friend Ashwini Costa, who were riding a motorcycle. Since then, the Pune Polices application requesting that the minor be tried as an adult remained pending before the JJB for over a year. Also Read: Pune Porsche Case: Prosecution Urges Juvenile Justice Board To Treat Accused As Adult The Pune police had moved an application before the JJB after the accident that the teen should be treated as an adult for the trial. But the defence sought adjournment multiple times. The defence was not allowing the hearing to take place," special public prosecutor Shishir Hiray had earlier said. The accused teenager got bail hours after the accident on May 19 last year. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The lenient bail terms, including asking the minor to write a 300-word essay on road safety, triggered a nationwide firestorm, following which he was sent to an observation home in Pune city three days later. On June 25, 2024, the Bombay High Court directed that the boy be released immediately, saying the Juvenile Justice Boards orders remanding him to an observation home were illegal and the law regarding juveniles must be implemented fully. About the Author Abhro Banerjee Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ... Read More Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 13:05 IST News india Pune Porsche Crash: Juvenile Justice Board Rejects Plea To Try Accused As Adult Pune Porsche Crash: Police To Challenge Juvenile Board's Decision To Try Accused As Minor Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 20:47 IST The Juvenile Justice Board rejected police's plea to treat the teenager in the Pune Porsche case as an adult for the trial. Police will challenge the decision in a higher court. File photo of the car involved in the accident. (Photo: X) The Pune city police have decided to challenge the Juvenile Justice Boards decision, which allowed the 17-year-old boy accused in the Porsche car crash to be tried as a minor for the trial in the case, in a higher court. The accused allegedly drove a Porsche in the Kalyani Nagar area of Pune in an inebriated state in May last year, mowing down two motorcycle-borne IT professionals Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa. Recommended Stories The case sparked nationwide outrage when the boy was granted bail after just writing a 300-word essay on road safety, after which he was sent to an observation home. He was released on the orders of the Bombay High Court on June 25, 2024. Juvenile Boards Decision In Pune Porsche Case Police had filed an application before the Juvenile Justice Board, seeking that the child in conflict with the law be tried as an adult in this case, citing the heinous" nature of the crime. The police cited sections of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, arguing that not only were two persons crushed to death but there were also attempts to tamper with the evidence. However, the Juvenile Board on Tuesday rejected the plea by police to treat the boy as an adult for the trial. Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa said the intent behind Section 15 of the Juvenile Justice Act is fundamentally rooted in the principle of reformation for children in conflict with the law. Defence counsel Prashant Patil told news agency PTI that he opposed the prosecutions demand to treat the teenager as an adult. We had cited a Supreme Court Judgement Shilpa Mittal Vs State in which the SC has defined what constitutes a heinous crime. The guidelines decided by the Supreme Court are binding on everyone. However, the plea by the prosecution is contrary to the apex courts judgement. We demanded that since the plea is contrary to the SC guidelines, it is not maintainable," he said. Patil argued that there was not a single section in the case that required a minimum punishment of seven years, hence the Board did not determine that the boy should be treated as an adult. The police will now challenge the decision in a higher court. Evidence Tampering Earlier this month, the prosecution told the court that attempts were made to swap blood samples at a second hospital to save the juvenile accused, but they were thwarted. The Pune police, who first got blood samples of the minor collected at the Sassoon Hospital, suspected that there was a possibility of tampering, as per the prosecution. The teenagers blood samples were later collected at the Aundh Government Hospital, but some of the other accused, including his parents, got news of it and approached hospital authorities to swap the samples. However, the doctors refused to cooperate and turned them away. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all At least 10 people, including the teenagers parents, were arrested in the case. The boys mother is out on bail, but the remaining nine are currently in jail. (with agency inputs) About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 20:47 IST News india Pune Porsche Crash: Police To Challenge Juvenile Board's Decision To Try Accused As Minor Quarantine, Home And Gaganyaan: What's Next For Shubhanshu Shukla After His Return From Space? Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 15:37 IST Shuklas return marks not just the end of a groundbreaking mission, but the beginning of Indias next chapter in human space exploration. Shubhanshu Shukla at International Space Station (Image: Axiom Space) Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shux" Shukla returned safely to Earth on July 15, 2025, splashing down off the California coast aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule Grace" as part of the Axiom4 mission. This milestone marks Indias first astronaut aboard the ISS in over four decades. Shuklas return marks not just the end of a groundbreaking mission, but the beginning of Indias next chapter in human space exploration. His experience from Axiom4 Space Mission will be insightful for Indias strategy, science, and space diplomacy from Gaganyaan4 liftoff in 2027 to the vision of a MadeinIndia orbital station by 2035 and lunar missions by 2040. Recommended Stories As the nation awaits Shuklas return back home, heres a deep dive into whats next for Shukla now that he is back on Earth. Medical Checks And Quarantine Following splashdown, Shukla and his fellow crew members will be transported to NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston. At the center, he will undergo at least 10 days of quarantine with medical and psychological rehabilitation, including assessments of cardiovascular function, bone density, reflexes, balance, immune response, and mental wellbeing to help his body readjust to Earths gravity. Mission Debrief And Homecoming Upon recovery, Shukla will engage in a detailed debrief to relay mission insights. Over 60 experiments many designed by ISRO and Indian institutions were conducted aboard the ISS. These include research on microgravitys impact on bones and muscles, cognitive load handling, micro-algae cultivation for space life support, and human health monitoring using advanced wearable technologies. These findings are expected to contribute to peer-reviewed journals and inform Indias upcoming human spaceflight architecture. Shukla is expected to return home around August 17, according to reports. His family in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has been waiting eagerly to see him. The entire city and country is awaiting Shuklas return to India with hope and pride. Contribution to Gaganyaan Programme With over 2,000 hours of flying experience on top combat aircraft, Shukla was selected in 2019 for Indias Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme as well. Shuklas mission is a foundational stepping stone for ISROs Gaganyaan programme, with its first crewed flight (Gaganyaan4) now scheduled for early 2027. ISRO has estimated an expenditure of Rs 600 crore (approx $2.32 billion) on this mission alone, including astronaut training and mission logistics. As a trained pilot and participant in this mission, Shukla will provide direct feedback on crew training protocols, real-time telemetry operations, psychological preparedness, and experiment execution all critical inputs to refine future Indian spaceflights. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla himself emphasised that his missions hold far-reaching implications beyond science." Dr V Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, has also stressed the importance of meticulously documenting all experiments and activities post-Shuklas return, as these will yield vital insights for the Gaganyaan programs development. With handson experience from a commercial ISS mission under his belt, Shukla is positioned to play a leadership role in shaping astronaut selection, simulation standards, mission management strategy, and safety systems for future Gaganyaan flights and Indias planned national orbital platform, the Bhartiya Antariksha Station. Recognition & Public Engagement Upon his return, Shukla is expected to receive formal recognition from ISRO, the Indian Air Force, and government bodies for his pioneering role becoming only the second Indian after Rakesh Sharma to travel to space. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In addition, hes likely to take up ambassadorial and outreach roles: interacting with universities, students, policymakers, and space enthusiasts to inspire the next generation a recurrence of the live student calls and dialogues he held during the mission. Shuklas experiments on micro-algae, human physiology in space, and AI-enabled health monitoring will not only support Indias scientific goals but also underline Indias role in global scientific collaboration. His data will advance studies in space agriculture, long-duration mission safety, and radiation impact mitigation. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 15:37 IST News india Quarantine, Home And Gaganyaan: What's Next For Shubhanshu Shukla After His Return From Space? 'Reels Causing A Lot Of Damage': Owaisi Tells Youth To Stop Scrolling And Read Newspapers Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 22:28 IST Owaisi highlighted the dangers of young minds getting addicted to social media, and appealed to them to not ruin their future by watching reels. AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi (PTI Image) AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday called on the youth not to waste their time watching reels on social media and read newspapers instead, saying it will prevent them from becoming leaders and high-level professionals. I would like to appeal to the youth not to waste their time watching reels. I request you all to read newspapers. You cant become leaders, doctors, engineers, or scientists if you waste your time watching reels," he said at an event in Hyderabad. Recommended Stories Watching reels will only spoil your mind and waste your time. It will influence your intelligence," he added. If our young minds get addicted to them at this age, it will cause a lot of damage." VIDEO | Hyderabad, Telangana: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) urges youth, saying, I would like to appeal to the youth not to waste their time watching reels. I request you all to read newspapers. You cant become leaders, doctors, engineers, or scientists if you pic.twitter.com/2hR9FRIFRr Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 15, 2025 Referring to the revision of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, Owaisi asked, If you get addicted to reels, how will you answer Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the electoral roll revision? Under the pretext of revision, many are being labelled Bangladeshi, Nepali or Myanmarese." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He also emphasised that Indias Muslim minorities must become politically and professionally empowered to boost participation in democracy and shape the countrys future. Owaisi also expressed concern over alarming dropout rates among Muslim students, calling it a loss for the Muslim community and the country, as per reports. The AIMIM MP also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a Viksit Bharat would remain incomplete unless minorities are provided with equal access to educational opportunities. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 22:28 IST News india 'Reels Causing A Lot Of Damage': Owaisi Tells Youth To Stop Scrolling And Read Newspapers SC Issues Notice To UP Govt Over Diktat To Food Vendors On Kanwar Yatra Route Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 13:04 IST The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government over its recent order related to eateries on the route of Kanwar Yatra. The Supreme Court of India (PTI file photo) The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government over its order making it mandatory for all eateries on the Kanwar Yatra routes to display QR-code-enabled stickers linked to the Food Safety Connect app. The top court has asked the government to file its response by July 22, the next date of hearing. Recommended Stories The court was hearing a plea challenging the UP governments order to mandate the food sellers along the Yatra route to put up QR code stickers on their banners, which would let the visiting pilgrims see the owners details. The application sought a stay on all such directives requiring public disclosure of ownership or employee identity of food vendors along the Kanwar Yatra routes in UP and Uttarakhand. The UP government intensified its food safety campaign along the pilgrimage route and mandated all eateries to display QR-code-enabled stickers. According to the new rules, all food stalls along the Kanwar Yatra route must now display a QR-code-based sticker linked to the Food Safety Connect App. When scanned, the sticker shows the owners name, registration number, address, and menu details. Senior government officials said that the latest move is a technological upgradation as well as a transparency reform in the state. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Food Safety and Drug Administration directed shopkeepers to display a list of food prices. Several uncovered juices and expired products were destroyed in inspections in major places like Lucknow, Ayodhya, Meerut, and Muzaffarnagar. While the state government has chosen not to issue any new orders about nameplates or religious identification before this years Kanwar Yatra, the digital sticker showing the owners name and registration has reminded traders of July 2024. At that time, the UP Police had issued a directive asking shop owners along the Kanwar route to clearly display their names and phone numbers, drawing criticism from the Opposition. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 12:35 IST News india SC Issues Notice To UP Govt Over Diktat To Food Vendors On Kanwar Yatra Route Shubhanshu Shukla Return Time: When Is The Indian Astronaut Landing On Earth Today? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 10:24 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Landing Time: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will land back on Earth with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the International Space Station (Photo: PTI) Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is on track to return to Earth with a splashdown off San Diego in California on Tuesday, capping a 22.5-hour journey after an 18-day stay at the International Space Station. The Axiom-4 mission marked the return to space for India, Poland and Hungary after over four decades. The Dragon Grace spacecraft carrying Shukla, commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, undocked from the space station at 4.45 pm IST on Monday. Recommended Stories Shubhanshu Shukla Return LIVE Updates The four astronauts are expected to spend seven days in rehabilitation as they adjust back to life on Earth under the influence of gravity, unlike the weightlessness experienced in orbit. WHAT TIME WILL SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA LAND ON EARTH? According to SpaceX, Dragon and the Axiom Ax-4 crew are on track to reenter Earths atmosphere and splash down off the coast of San Diego at 2.31 pm PT on Tuesday. As per the Indian time zone, Shukla would splash down at 3.01 pm IST. It said the spacecraft will also announce its arrival with a brief sonic boom before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. The de-orbit burn is expected to take place at 2.07 pm IST over the Pacific Ocean as the spacecraft re-enters the Earths atmosphere. Final preparations include detaching the capsules trunk (at 2.26 pm IST) and orienting the heat shield ahead of atmospheric entry, which will expose the spacecraft to temperatures nearing 1,600 degrees Celsius. Parachutes will deploy in two stages, first stabilising chutes at about 5.7 km altitude at 2.57 pm IST, followed by the main parachutes at roughly two km before splashdown. The spacecraft will be hauled up on a special recovery ship, where the astronauts will be brought out from the capsule. SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA BACK ON EARTH: WHAT NEXT? As soon as the Axiom-4 crew splashes down, it will undergo a series of medical checks on board the ship before boarding a helicopter for a ride back to the shore. The four astronauts are expected to spend seven days in rehabilitation as they adjust back to life on Earth under the influence of gravity, unlike the weightlessness experienced in orbit. Shukla, who became the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharmas 1984 odyssey, said at the farewell ceremony onboard the ISS on Sunday that he would soon meet on Earth. Jaldi hi dharti pe mulaqat karte hai." On Sunday, Shukla recalled the time when his icon Rakesh Sharma had travelled to space 41 years ago and described how India looked from there. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all It has been a historic trip for Shukla, who became the first Indian to travel to the ISS and only the second to travel to space after Sharmas pathbreaking spaceflight as part of the then Soviet Unions mission to Salyut-7 space station in 1984. ALSO READ | The Last Hour: What Happens Before Indias Joint ISS Mission Begins Its Fiery Descent? About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 09:55 IST News india Shubhanshu Shukla Return Time: When Is The Indian Astronaut Landing On Earth Today? 'I'm Speechless': Shubhanshu Shukla's Mother After His Return From Historic Space Mission Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 15:42 IST Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others from the Axiom-4 mission made a safe landing in the ocean near San Diego on Tuesday after a historic space mission. Shubhanshu Shukla's parents Shambhu and Asha Shukla. (PTI) Shubhanshu Shukla Returns: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shuklas family rejoiced on Tuesday after he returned to Earth after a historic 18-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS). His mother was left speechless as the entire nation welcomed the return of Indias new space hero. Shubhanshu Shuklas mother, Asha Shukla, was in tears after the Axiom-4 mission crew had safely returned to Earth from the International Space Station. My son has safely returned, I thank god, you all who have covered the event. I got emotional, after all, my son has returned after many days," she told reporters. Recommended Stories Shubhanshu Shukla Return LIVE Updates Asha Shukla said she was speechless after her sons return and that he would reunite with his family on July 17 (Thursday). Excitement is endless and we are very proud. We were afraid at first The upcoming generation should take inspiration and move ahead as well," she added. VIDEO | Heres the first reaction of mother of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, Asha Shukla, who was in tears, as Axiom-4 mission crew has safely returned to earth from International Space Station.She says, My son has safely returned, I thank god, you all who have covered pic.twitter.com/RWIws7HYns Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 15, 2025 Shukla and three other astronauts of the Axiom-4 mission returned to Earth after spending nearly three weeks in space. The Dragon spacecraft splashed down near the coast of California at 3.01 pm Indian time today. This mission marks Shukla as the second Indian astronaut in space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharmas historic flight in 1984. ALSO READ: Shubhanshu Shukla Down To Earth, India Fly High In Space Odyssey Shuklas parents, Shambhu Dayal and Asha, were given a grand welcome on their arrival at the City Montessori School in Lucknow, where they will watched the live telecast of the entire event of his landing on the earth. As the Dragon spacecraft made the splashdown, the room erupted in cheers and celebrations. They were also seen cutting a cake to celebrate Shuklas return from space. #WATCH | Axiom-4 Mission | Lucknow, UP: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shuklas family rejoices and celebrates as he and the entire crew return to the earth after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) https://t.co/FOshCfbQkW pic.twitter.com/Yzh4DEbuuR ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed Shukla after his return, saying, As Indias first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission Gaganyaan." Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, It is indeed a moment of pride for the world and a moment of glory for India because one of her sons is coming back with a successful voyage." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shukla and three others, Axiom 4 (Ax-4) crew Commander Peggy Whitson, and Mission Specialists Slawosz Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu embarked on the space odyssey on June 25 from Florida. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 15:29 IST News india 'I'm Speechless': Shubhanshu Shukla's Mother After His Return From Historic Space Mission Shubhanshu Shukla Got Haircut In Space Before Undocking: How Astronauts Reach The Mane Point Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 13:12 IST Shubhanshu Shukla, who was floating 400 km above Earth aboard the International Space Station, got the haircut just hours before undocking for his return trip home Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla gets a haircut in space. (X) Apart from the other distinctions, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla also made history for another unconventional reason becoming the first Indian to get haircut in space. Shukla, who was floating 400 km above Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS), got the haircut just hours before undocking for his return trip home. He is set to return today. Recommended Stories Who gave Shubhanshu Shukla the haircut? Astronaut Ayers wrote on X, We said goodbye to our Ax4 friends today. I was just reminiscing about the haircuts from last weekend. After a long quarantine, I think it was nice for them. We joked about how I might have a future in the haircutting business when I get back on Earth, but the reviews are still out." Ayers is a Major in the US Air Force and has spent 122 days in space. She has conducted spacewalks totalling about six hours. We said goodbye to our #Ax4 friends today. I was just reminiscing on the haircuts from last weekend! After a long quarantine, I think it was nice for them. We joked about how I might have a future in the haircutting business when I get back on Earth, but the reviews are still pic.twitter.com/Y5QXV3fXJy Nichole Vapor" Ayers (@Astro_Ayers) July 14, 2025 How do astronauts get haircut in space? In space, astronauts get haircuts using clippers with a vacuum attachment to prevent hair from floating away in microgravity. Heres how it works: Special Clippers: NASA provides hair clippers modified with a vacuum hose. Suction System: The vacuum sucks up the hair as it is being cut, preventing the tiny strands from floating around. Crew Assistance: Sometimes astronauts cut each others hair, but they can also do it themselves using mirrors and a steady hand. How do astronauts maintain hygiene in space? Astronauts maintain hygiene in space without running water by using no-rinse wipes and rinseless body wash to clean their skin, along with no-rinse shampoo for hair. They brush their teeth with regular toothbrushes and swallow the toothpaste or spit it into a towel. Clothes arent washed but worn multiple times before being discarded. The toilet uses air suction to manage waste, and urine is often recycled into drinking water. These methods keep astronauts clean and healthy in the microgravity environment of space. Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla gets a haircut in space pic.twitter.com/Bq3hE6jRhp ISRO Spaceflight (@ISROSpaceflight) July 15, 2025 When will Shubhanshu Shukla return? Astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts of the Axiom-4 mission began their return journey to Earth on Monday as the Dragon Grace spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station after an 18-day stay. Following a series of orbital manoeuvres after undocking, the Dragon spacecraft is expected to splash down near the coast of California on Tuesday at 3.01 pm IST. This mission not only marks Shukla as the second Indian astronaut in space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharmas historic flight in 1984, but also positions India as a serious contender in the global space community. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shukla and Axiom 4 (Ax-4) crew Commander Peggy Whitson, and Mission Specialists Slawosz Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu embarked on the space odyssey on June 25 from Florida. With Agency Inputs About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 13:06 IST News india Shubhanshu Shukla Got Haircut In Space Before Undocking: How Astronauts Reach The Mane Point Shubhanshu Shukla Down To Earth, India Flies High In Space Odyssey Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 20:20 IST With this space trip, Shukla became the first Indian to travel to the ISS and only the second to travel to space after Rakesh Sharmas pathbreaking spaceflight Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Shukla has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. (Photo: Axiom Space) Shubhanshu Shukla Return LIVE Updates: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others from the Axiom-4 mission made a safe landing in the ocean near San Diego on Tuesday afternoon after a 22.5-hour journey from the International Space Station, where they spent 18 days. Following a series of orbital manoeuvres after undocking, the Dragon spacecraft splashed down near the coast of California. The astronauts began their return journey to Earth on Monday as the Dragon Grace spacecraft undocked from the ISS. Recommended Stories Shukla and three others, Axiom 4 (Ax-4) crew Commander Peggy Whitson, and Mission Specialists Slawosz Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu embarked on the space odyssey on June 25 from Florida and docked at the ISS on June 26. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Shukla has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As Indias first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission Gaganyaan," PM Modi wrote in a post on X. Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla? Born in Lucknow in 1985, Shubhanshu Shukla completed his schooling in the capital of Uttar Pradesh. He later graduated from the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006. With over 2,000 hours of flying experience on top combat aircraft, he was selected in 2019 for Indias Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and was eventually chosen as the pilot for the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. With this space trip, Shukla became the first Indian to travel to the ISS and only the second to travel to space after Rakesh Sharmas pathbreaking spaceflight as part of the then Soviet Unions mission to Salyut-7 space station in 1984. What Shubhanshu Shukla Did On ISS? Shubhanshu Shukla completed all seven microgravity experiments and other planned activities, achieving a significant milestone in the Axiom-4 mission, ISRO said on Monday. It said that experiments on the Indian strain of Tardigrades, Myogenesis, Sprouting of methi and moong seeds, Cyanobacteria, Microalgae, Crop seeds and Voyager Display have been completed as planned. Captain Shubhanshu Shukla began his research using the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) to explore the biological pathways involved in skeletal muscle degradation in space. He conducted a plant study comparing two strains of photosynthetic bacteria to observe their growth and functioning in microgravity. Additionally, he cultivated three strains of microalgae to examine how microgravity affects their growth, metabolism, and genetic activity. Shukla continued working on the microalgae experiment to investigate how these organisms could potentially serve as sustainable sources of food, fuel, or oxygen for long-duration space missions. He also used microscopy to study muscle cell development in space. The Indian astronaut documented the Voyager Tardigrades experiment, which looks into how these resilient microscopic creatures survive and reproduce in space. While recording observations for the myogenesis investigation, Shukla also handled the deployment and stowage of samples for the Space Micro Algae experiment. He irrigated crop seeds as part of the Sprouts project, aimed at understanding how spaceflight influences seed germination and plant growth. The objective of the Sprouts project is to deepen knowledge of sustainable crop production for future long-duration missions in space. During his stay at the ISS, Shukla also interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, school students, and connected with ISRO centres using amateur radio. Why Shubhanshu Shuklas Mission Is Historic For India? The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) views Group Captain Shubhanshu Shuklas space trip as a crucial milestone towards its ambitious Gaganyaan programme, Indias first planned crewed mission set for 2027. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During his 18 days in space, Shukla experienced 16 sunrises and sunsets daily, as the ISS orbits approximately 400 km above Earth at an impressive speed of 28,000 km per hour. This hands-on experience on the ISS is invaluable for ISROs Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, for which ISRO reportedly incurred an approximate cost of Rs 550 crore for Shuklas travel. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla himself emphasised that his missions hold far-reaching implications beyond science." Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, has also stressed the importance of meticulously documenting all experiments and activities post-Shuklas return, as these will yield vital insights for the Gaganyaan programs development. About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 15:02 IST News india Shubhanshu Shukla Down To Earth, India Flies High In Space Odyssey Shubhanshu Shukla Returns To Earth, Watch Indian Astronaut's Homecoming Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 15:19 IST Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Earth today as Dragon spacecraft splashed down off the California coast on Tuesday. Shubhanshu Shukla returns to earth today (Photo: YouTube/ Axiom Space) Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Earth after his 18-day stay at the International Space Station today. He was onboard Dragon Grace spacecraft, which splashed down off the San Diego coast in California at 2.31 pm PT (3.01 pm IST, 4:31 am CT). He, along with three other astronauts from the US (Peggy Whitson), Poland (Sawosz UznanskiWisniewski), and Hungary (Tibor Kapu), undocked from the space station at 4.45 pm IST on Monday and covered a 22.5-hour journey back from the ISS. Recommended Stories The Axiom-4 mission marked Indias return to space after over four decades. The final steps of splashdown included separating the capsules trunk at 2:26 pm IST and turning the heat shield to face forward before entering Earths atmosphere, where the spacecraft faced extreme heat up to 1,600C. Parachutes opened in two steps: first, small stabilising parachutes at around 5.7 km height at 2:57 pm IST, then the main parachutes at about 2 km above the ground, just before landing in the sea. Follow LIVE Updates here top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Dragon was lifted on a special recovery ship, where the astronauts were taken out of the capsule. As the astronauts step out of the Dragon spacecraft, they are expected to undergo seven days of rehabilitation to adjust to life back on Earth under the influence of gravity, unlike weightlessness due to the vacuum in space. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 14:16 IST News india Shubhanshu Shukla Returns To Earth, Watch Indian Astronaut's Homecoming 'Kuch Bhi Bol Do': Court Admonishes Cartoonist Over PM Post, Grants Interim Protection Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 13:24 IST The Supreme Court granted interim protection from arrest to Indore-based cartoonist accused of posting objectionable content against PM and RSS. The Supreme Court of India (PTI file photo) The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted Indore-based cartoonist an interim protection from arrest, as he sought anticipatory bail after being accused of uploading objectionable" cartoons of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and workers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on social media. The case was being heard by a bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Aravind Kumar. Recommended Stories While granting the cartoonist protection, the Supreme Court remarked that it was not okay to make any statement against anyone. Kisi ko kuch bhi bol do" (Say anything to anyone), the bench said. They want to become heroes", it added. As the hearing began, advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for the cartoonist, said, In addition to deletion, my lords had sought something. I think this will satisfy the court." Further defending the cartoonist, Grover said, The person can have a critical opinion about things, it does not constitute an offence." Can he not say something just because there is an FIR against him? Has he lost that liberty?" he asked. In response, Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj remarked, The manner in which he has done, is clearly an offence." After yesterdays incident, he does not deserve any indulgence," he added. Echoing the ASG, Justice Dhulia said one of the posts by the cartoonist is very, very offensive". What is happening today, all kinds of statements are being made. The language they use. There are some among the lawyer community also doing this," Justice Dhulia remarked. We will have to do something on this," he added. On Friday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the anticipatory bail plea of the cartoonist. The plea was filed by Hemant Malviya, challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court order, refusing to grant him relief after advocate Vrinda Grover sought urgent hearing in the matter. The high court had observed that it was a gross misuse of freedom of speech. An FIR was registered against Malviya in Indore in May on the complaint of local lawyer and RSS worker Vinay Joshi. Malviya hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and disturbed communal harmony by uploading objectionable material on social media, the complaint alleged. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The FIR also accused him of posting indecent and objectionable material with the intention of hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus and tarnishing the RSSs image. Malviyas lawyer, before the high court, had contended that he only posted a cartoon, but he could not be held responsible for the comments posted on it by other Facebook users. About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 12:58 IST News india 'Kuch Bhi Bol Do': Court Admonishes Cartoonist Over PM Post, Grants Interim Protection UK Regulator Flagged Boeing 787 Fuel Switch Risks Weeks Before Air India Crash: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 08:58 IST The FAA directive specifically called attention to fuel shutoff valve actuators, raising them as a possible safety hazard. A truck carrying wreckage of the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad. (PTI) Just four weeks before the deadly crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft in Ahmedabad, the UKs Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had issued a formal safety notice highlighting concerns related to fuel control systems in several Boeing aircraft, including the 787 Dreamliner, India Today reported. According to the report, on May 15, the UKs CAA released a Safety Notice urging operators of five Boeing aircraft types, including the 787, to examine whether their fleets were affected by a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directive (AD). The FAA directive specifically called attention to fuel shutoff valve actuators, raising them as a possible safety hazard. The UK regulator instructed that daily checks must be carried out. Recommended Stories The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a safety notice highlighting a potential hazard involving fuel shutoff valves installed on multiple Boeing aircraft models, including the 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787. Citing a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directive (AD), the CAA urged airline operators to take immediate precautionary measures, specifically to test, inspect, or replace the fuel shutoff valve actuators on the affected aircraft types. After preliminary findings from the investigation into the June 12 crash of Air India flight AI-171, major international airlines have started inspecting the fuel control switch locking mechanisms on their Boeing 787 aircraft, according to a report. The directive came just after an initial probe report of the plane crash involving an Air India flight AI-171, which resulted in 270 fatalities, was released. Etihad Airways issued an internal instruction on July 13 directing engineers to examine the locking mechanisms on its Boeing 787 aircraft, specifically referencing aircraft registered as A6-BLI. Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report on July 12, stating that the fuel control switches on the Air India aircraft had transitioned from RUN" to CUTOFF" just three seconds after takeoff. According to the AAIB, cockpit audio recorded a conversation between the pilots, with one asking, Why did you cut off (the fuel supply)?" The other responded that he had not done so. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Boeing 787s fuel control switches are designed with a locking system that prevents unintentional movement. The switch must be lifted before being moved into positioneither forward to initiate fuel supply (RUN) or backwards to stop it (CUTOFF). About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 08:53 IST News india UK Regulator Flagged Boeing 787 Fuel Switch Risks Weeks Before Air India Crash: Report Use Of Social Media For Disseminating Radical Ideology Falls Within Ambit Of UAPA: Delhi HC Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 19:39 IST The court underlined the "influence" of the accused and a high possibility of evidence tampering, while saying the dissemination need not necessarily be a physical activity The Delhi HC refused bail to an alleged operative of the terror outfit, 'The Resistance Front', charged under the UAPA. (Image for representation: News18) Denying bail to an accused in a terror case, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday observed that using social media for disseminating radical information and ideology can attract charges under the UAPA. The court refused bail to an alleged operative of the terror outfit, The Resistance Front, charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA. It underlined his influence" and a high possibility of tampering with the evidence, while also saying that the dissemination need not necessarily be a physical activity. Recommended Stories Analysing a section of the UAPA, which deals with punishment for conspiracy, attempt, advocacy, abetment or incitement of terrorist acts, a bench of Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar found sufficient material against accused Arsalan Feroze Ahenger. The bench said Ahenger, stated to be in his early 20s, posted photos of terrorists and incited people to commit terrorist acts. The said provision is framed in such a broader way that even the usage of social media or any digital activity for the purpose of disseminating radical information and ideology falls within its ambit and it is not necessary that the same is to be a physical activity," the court observed. It said: It cannot be said that there is no evidence against the appellant (Ahenger) that he was closely associated with slain terrorist Mehran Yaseen Shalla or that he has actively participated in the terrorist activities himself." As a result, Ahengers appeal against a trial court order from September 2024 denying him bail in the case was dismissed. He was arrested on December 30, 2021. WHAT DID THE NIA SAY? Opposing the plea, the NIA said Ahenger was associated with one Mehran Yaseen Shalla, who was linked to TRF/LeT. It said Shalla and two others were killed in an encounter on November 24, 2021. The agency said Ahenger appeared to be under Shallas influence, and was digitally active on different social media platforms on which radical content was shared. He created certain groups on social media like Ansar Gazwat-UI-Hind and Shaikoo Naikoo, as well as created multiple gmail IDs through which radical views were expressed, thereby motivating and radicalising vulnerable youth to join terrorist groups like TRF, it said. It said for this purpose, he used social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and Twitter. Ahengers counsel, meanwhile, argued that the trial court failed to appreciate there was no material on record indicating his association with TRF and, therefore, UAPA did not apply in the case. But the NIA opposed this saying the material on record showed his active involvement in propagating radical information on social media, with the intent of compromising the safety and security of the nation. The bench observed Ahenger abetted and incited the commission of terrorist act in the country, which is punishable under Section 18 of the UAPA. The material on record also indicates that the messages that have been shared by the appellant have the tendency to incite people to join terrorist activities. The appellant has also used images, videos, etc., of slain Mehran Yaseen Shalla for glorifying the terrorist activities and the appellant has also been propagating the radical ideology of TRF to create unrest within the country," it said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all It was further observed that Ahenger disseminated information for inciting local youths to take part in terror activities, which was sufficient to bring him in the ambit of Section 18 of UAPA and reject his bail plea. (With PTI inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 19:24 IST News india Use Of Social Media For Disseminating Radical Ideology Falls Within Ambit Of UAPA: Delhi HC Still Living In Skinny Jeans? Doctors Warn Of Harm To Your Stomach, Back And More Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 11:26 IST Tight jeans can cause infections, back pain, and muscle weakness in both men and women. For women, they may disrupt vaginal health and raise uterine infection risks For women, tight jeans may disrupt vaginal health and increase uterine infections. (News18) In todays fashion-conscious world, staying healthy can sometimes take a backseat. Fashion trends, especially when it comes to clothing, have become so important that stepping out without the latest styles feels incomplete. A common trend, particularly among women, is wearing tight jeans, whether heading to the office, college, or just out for a walk. However, choosing overly tight jeans can have negative effects on your health. Tight jeans have been associated with various health issues in both men and women, including increased bodily discomfort and concerns related to womens vaginal health. The aim here is to inform, not to cause alarm. Recommended Stories News18 spoke to Dr Bhuvana Ahuja, Pain Consultant at LNJP Hospital in Delhi, and gynaecologist Dr Meera Pathak from Noida for expert insights. Health Concerns For Both Men And Women Risk of Infection: Tight jeans not only compress nerves but can also lead to skin infections, such as swelling and rashes. Wearing them for extended periods may impair blood circulation in the thighs and cause skin irritation. Tight jeans not only compress nerves but can also lead to skin infections, such as swelling and rashes. Wearing them for extended periods may impair blood circulation in the thighs and cause skin irritation. Stomach Pain: Both men and women may experience stomach discomfort from tight jeans. These garments exert pressure on the lower abdomen, reducing blood flow and affecting the hip joints. Avoiding overly tight jeans is essential to prevent such issues. Both men and women may experience stomach discomfort from tight jeans. These garments exert pressure on the lower abdomen, reducing blood flow and affecting the hip joints. Avoiding overly tight jeans is essential to prevent such issues. Back Pain: Wearing tight jeans can contribute to back pain by adversely affecting the hip joints and spine. This can make sitting and standing uncomfortable. Wearing tight jeans can contribute to back pain by adversely affecting the hip joints and spine. This can make sitting and standing uncomfortable. Muscle Weakness: Prolonged use of tight jeans restricts movement of bones and joints, which weakens the muscles around the lower abdomen and waist, potentially causing pain in the back, waist, and legs. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Specific Health Issues For Women Vaginal pH Imbalance: According to Dr Meera Pathak, tight jeans restrict airflow, trapping moisture and encouraging bacterial and fungal growth. This disrupts the natural pH balance of the vagina, increasing the risk of infections. Choosing breathable fabrics like cotton is advisable to maintain vaginal health. According to Dr Meera Pathak, tight jeans restrict airflow, trapping moisture and encouraging bacterial and fungal growth. This disrupts the natural pH balance of the vagina, increasing the risk of infections. Choosing breathable fabrics like cotton is advisable to maintain vaginal health. Uterine Infections: Tight jeans can also increase the risk of uterine infections in young women. These infections often go unnoticed early on but may cause complications with fertility if untreated. Wearing slightly looser jeans is recommended to reduce this risk. fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 11:26 IST News lifestyle health-and-fitness Still Living In Skinny Jeans? Doctors Warn Of Harm To Your Stomach, Back And More JJ Valaya Set To Mark 33 Years With Closing Show At India Couture Week 2025 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 19:54 IST The India Couture Week 2025 will witness a closing showcase by JJ Valaya on July 30 in New Delhi. The collection promises a stunning blend of heritage and modern style. The much-anticipated India Couture Week is all set to take place in Delhi from July 23 to July 30. Hyundai India Couture Week 2025, in association with Reliance Brands and presented by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), will conclude its landmark 18th edition with none other than JJ Valaya a designer long celebrated for his majestic aesthetic and mastery of couture. Known for redefining luxury through a uniquely Indian lens, Valaya will return to the runway as the closing couturier, promising a spectacular finale that intertwines heritage, opulence, and storytelling with contemporary finesse. A stalwart of Indian fashion, JJ Valayas signature style, rooted in royal grandeur and architectural precision, has made his shows much more than just fashion presentations; they are immersive experiences steeped in culture and craft. His highly anticipated collection will not only mark the culmination of the week but also underscore his enduring influence in the world of couture. As always, expectations are high for a show that promises theatrical scale, exquisite detailing, and a narrative that bridges the past with the present. Recommended Stories Talking about this upcoming show, JJ Valaya said, As we celebrate 33 years of JJ VALAYA, we could think of no better way to mark this milestone than by presenting the closing show of the 2025 edition of Hyundai India Couture Week. We thank Hyundai and FDCI for this opportunity, which promises to be an unforgettable showcase of elegance and grandeur brought to life through our signature language of creative expression." View this post on Instagram A post shared by FDCI (@fdciofficial) Mr. Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director & Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said: We are proud to continue our partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) for the third consecutive year at India Couture Week 2025. This year, we will showcase the Hyundai CRETA Electric at the 18th HICW 2025, symbolizing our vision for a sustainable and stylish future. We are especially excited about the grand finale showcase by the legendary designer JJ Valaya, whose work beautifully bridges tradition and modernity. We look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership with FDCI, as we drive forward our shared vision of progress and creative excellence." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI, shared his thoughts on the announcement: JJ Valaya has been a visionary in the world of Indian couture, and we are honoured to have him close Hyundai India Couture Week 2025. His deep-rooted legacy, exquisite detailing, and timeless designs make him the perfect designer to conclude this landmark edition. His closing showcase will undoubtedly be a fitting crescendo to a week celebrating Indias finest craftsmanship and creative brilliance." Now in its 18th year, Hyundai India Couture Week remains the countrys definitive platform for celebrating the finest in couture. The much-anticipated closing showcase by JJ Valaya is set for July 30, 2025, in New Delhi. fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 18:32 IST News lifestyle JJ Valaya Set To Mark 33 Years With Closing Show At India Couture Week 2025 Going Abroad? Know How Much Money You Need In Your Account For Visa Approval Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 14:35 IST Visa approvals require proof of sufficient funds varying by country, backed by bank statements, payslips, travel plans, and sometimes sponsorship details By meeting these financial benchmarks and having your documentation in order, your visa process will be smoother and your journey abroad more enjoyable. (News18) If youre planning to travel abroad, its essential to know that visa rules require proof of sufficient funds, varying by country (around 5,000 to 10,000), supported by bank statements, payslips, and travel plans. Whether visiting the US, Australia, France or elsewhere, youll need to show adequate funds in your bank account, not just to cover trip expenses, but also to satisfy visa criteria and demonstrate your intent to return home. Understanding Visa Criteria Recommended Stories Visa officers assess your financial stability through documents such as bank statements, payslips, income tax returns, and travel itineraries. They must be confident youre a genuine tourist, likely to comply with your visa terms. Travel insurance and a strong travel history further bolster your application. If youre planning to visit countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Spain, Sri Lanka, or Japan, its important to be aware of the minimum bank balance required for visa approval. This varies by country and depends on the length and nature of your trip. United States (USA) B1/B2 Tourist Visa Minimum Bank Balance: There is no fixed amount, but it is advisable to have between $6,000 and $10,000 (approximately Rs 5 to 8 lakh) for a 15 to 20 day trip. The required amount may vary based on your travel duration, accommodation, and planned activities. The financial standing of any sponsors is also scrutinised. There is no fixed amount, but it is advisable to have between $6,000 and $10,000 (approximately Rs 5 to 8 lakh) for a 15 to 20 day trip. The required amount may vary based on your travel duration, accommodation, and planned activities. The financial standing of any sponsors is also scrutinised. Documents Required: Bank statements for the last six months, salary slips, income tax returns, and detailed travel plans to verify sufficient funds and genuine travel intent. Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) Minimum Bank Balance: Recommended amount is $5,000 to $10,000 (around Rs 2.5 to 5 lakh) for a 2 to 4 week stay. Daily expenses generally range from $100 to $150 (approximately Rs 5,000-7,500). Families may require a higher amount. Recommended amount is $5,000 to $10,000 (around Rs 2.5 to 5 lakh) for a 2 to 4 week stay. Daily expenses generally range from $100 to $150 (approximately Rs 5,000-7,500). Families may require a higher amount. Documents Required: Bank statements for 3 to 6 months, salary slips, income tax returns, travel itinerary, and sponsor details if applicable. Spain Schengen Visa Minimum Bank Balance: Spain requires roughly 100 (around Rs 9,000) per day, with a minimum of 900 (approximately Rs 81,000) for a tourist visa. For a 15-day trip, having Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh is advisable. Spain requires roughly 100 (around Rs 9,000) per day, with a minimum of 900 (approximately Rs 81,000) for a tourist visa. For a 15-day trip, having Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh is advisable. Documents Required: Bank and credit card statements for 3 to 6 months, travellers cheques, travel plans, hotel bookings, return tickets, proof of employment, and travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000. France Schengen Visa Minimum Bank Balance: A daily amount of 100 to 120 (Rs 9,000 to 11,000) is recommended. For 15 days, around Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh is suggested. For family or friends travelling together, 45 per day may be sufficient. A daily amount of 100 to 120 (Rs 9,000 to 11,000) is recommended. For 15 days, around Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh is suggested. For family or friends travelling together, 45 per day may be sufficient. Documents Required: Bank statements for 3 months, salary slips, credit card statements, hotel bookings or invitation letters, return tickets, employment proof, and travel insurance with 30,000 coverage. Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Minimum Bank Balance: There is no fixed minimum, but $1,000 to 2,000 (approximately Rs 80,000 to 1.6 lakh) is generally advised for trips lasting 15 to 30 days. There is no fixed minimum, but $1,000 to 2,000 (approximately Rs 80,000 to 1.6 lakh) is generally advised for trips lasting 15 to 30 days. Documents Required: Bank or credit card statements, travel itinerary, hotel reservations, return tickets, and a passport valid for at least six months. Germany Schengen Visa Minimum Bank Balance: Similar to France and Spain, Germany requires about 100 to 120 (Rs 9,000 to 11,000) per day. For a 15-day trip, this amounts to approximately Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh. Similar to France and Spain, Germany requires about 100 to 120 (Rs 9,000 to 11,000) per day. For a 15-day trip, this amounts to approximately Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh. Documents Required: Bank statements for 3 to 6 months, confirmed bookings, tickets, and travel insurance with 30,000 coverage. Canada Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) Minimum Bank Balance: No fixed amount is set, but CAD $5,000 to 10,000 (approximately Rs 3 to 6 lakh) is recommended for 2 to 4 weeks of travel, with daily expenses of CAD $100 to 150 (around Rs 6,000 to 9,000). No fixed amount is set, but CAD $5,000 to 10,000 (approximately Rs 3 to 6 lakh) is recommended for 2 to 4 weeks of travel, with daily expenses of CAD $100 to 150 (around Rs 6,000 to 9,000). Documents Required: Bank statements for 3 to 6 months, travel plans, hotel bookings, and invitation letters if applicable. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Final Tips Make sure your bank balance meets the requirements for your destination country, and prepare all necessary documents carefully. Having these in order will help ensure a smoother visa application process and a hassle-free journey abroad. fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 14:35 IST News lifestyle travel Going Abroad? Know How Much Money You Need In Your Account For Visa Approval Lokesh Kanagaraj Reacts To Sanjay Dutts 'Wasted In Leo' Comment: 'I'm Not Genius' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 12:57 IST Lokesh Kanagaraj addressed Sanjay Dutt's comments about his role in Leo, acknowledging the actor's disappointment. Sanjay Dutt played the antagonist in Lokesh Kanagaraj's Leo. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj, who is currently busy with the release of his highly anticipated film Coolie starring superstar Rajinikanth, has responded to Sanjay Dutts recent comments about his role in Leo. At a recent teaser launch event for his upcoming film KD The Devil, Sanjay Dutt had jokingly expressed his disappointment with Lokesh, saying he was angry" for not being given a larger role in the 2023 Tamil blockbuster Leo, which starred Thalapathy Vijay in the lead. In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, director Lokesh Kanagaraj has finally addressed the viral remark made by Sanjay Dutt about being wasted" in Leo. Recommended Stories Sanjay sir actually called me after that event. He said to me, I made a very funny comment, but it got awkward after people cut it and put it on social media. I just said, No problem, sir." Lokesh also admitted that hes still learning and evolving as a filmmaker. Im not a genius or a great filmmaker who wouldnt write stories that overshadow other characters. I have made many mistakes in my films, and Im still learning," he said. He further expressed interest in working with Sanjay Dutt again in the future, adding, Probably, I would do another film with Sanjay sir and make it up to him." During the event in Chennai, Sanjay Dutt spoke about his bond with South stalwarts Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. He said, I respect Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, they are my seniors. I look up to them and learn from them. I have worked with Rajinikanth in multiple movies. He is the most humble person. I also loved working with Thalapathy Vijay." He then went on to talk about working in Leo with Thalapathy Vijay, where he played the role of Leos father, Antony Das. He added, I am angry at Lokesh because he did not give me a big role. He wasted me I love Ajith sir. I am a close friend of his. I have watched several Rajini sirs films. I am looking forward to watching Coolie. I will also watch Thug Life for Kamal sir." Sanjay Dutt has not one but two South films in the pipeline. He will be seen in Telugu film The RajaSaab, alongside Prabhas and the Kannada film KD The Devil, featuring an ensemble cast of Dhruva Sarja, Reeshma Nanaiah, Shilpa Shetty, and Nora Fatehi, among others. Stay updated with the latest news from regional cinema like Malayalam, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Marathi, Kannada, Gujarati movies, celeb news, trailers & reviews! Download the News18 App view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 10:28 IST News movies regional-cinema Lokesh Kanagaraj Reacts To Sanjay Dutts 'Wasted In Leo' Comment: 'I'm Not Genius' Global Watch | Development or Domination? Unravelling Chinas Hybrid Infrastructure Ambitions Written By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 17:30 IST Chinas increasing deployment of development infrastructure as a tool of geopolitical coercion signifies a dangerous evolution in hybrid statecraft China employs the export of its digital technologies to execute surveillance and persecution. As China increasingly swells up with ambition to become the regional and global hegemon, its trojan-horse tactics of acquiring geopolitical leverage are correspondingly turning more evident and insidious. The country has, particularly under Xi Jinping, garnered international attention for its revisionist and expansionist manoeuvres along its borders and the South China Sea, as well as entrenching its surveillance state and intensifying systemic persecution of its religious minorities such as the Uyghurs and the Tibetans. Recently, a June 2025 report by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies has uncovered in detail Chinas deployment of hybrid or grey-zone infrastructure which is constructed under the neutral garb of economic development but covertly serves as a geopolitical tool to ensure compellence or deterrence. Recommended Stories As opposed to being a new practice, the report highlights that major powers have long exploited infrastructure-based dependencies as a tool of geostrategic coercion. However, the scale of Chinas activities and its impact on the affected countries makes it a unique case and one that must be monitored and checked. The report outlines three areas wherein this strategy of China can be observed- water, land, and the digital domain. For the first two, China has relied on its coercive control of Tibet to exploit its resource-abundant qualities and strategic location. Home to the great Himalayas, the Tibetan plateau houses massive glaciers that melt and provide water to the rivers that flow downstream into India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Since China annexed Tibet in the 1950s and early 60s, it has embarked on a project of relentless dam construction and diversion of water to the arid lands in the north. However, in the past decade or so, what has also been observed is the scaled-up construction of these dams and hydro-power projects particularly near the border areas and disputed zones. This not only creates a point of contention with respect to claim to territory but also threatens the downstream countries with change in the flow of water, artificial floods or drought, and destruction of ecological and economic structures. This is the reason why Chinas hydraulic activities on the Brahmaputra River frequently become an issue for India and Bangladesh wherein lives and livelihoods are dependent on the flow of the river, which increasingly rests in Beijings hand. Similarly, Chinas construction of dams on the Mekong River since the 1980s has severely impacted water levels, flow, and sediment collection, causing huge damages to downstream Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The next domain that the report highlights is Chinas use of land settlement and connectivity projects in the name of development to incrementally seize disputed or neighboring territory. This has been seen in the case of the nearly 1,000 xiaokang or well-off villages along the LAC, most recently added in Arunachal Pradesh, India. This is a known tactic by China which has also received the name salami-slicing and serves to avoid full-scale war while surreptitiously and gradually encroaching into anothers territory. These settlements are accompanied by the construction of transportation infrastructure like roads and railways, under the pretext of achieving connectivity and integration for these remote villages. However, this infrastructure serves a dual-purpose of quick military mobilisation in case a conflict breaks out, thereby positioning China with a great advantage as it pursues activities that are sure to cause conflicts sooner or later. Finally, China employs the export of its digital technologies to execute surveillance and persecution; it influences digital governance policies in recipient countries, effectively exporting its authoritarian model. An example of this is Nepal, which having awarded the Chinese telecom giant Huawei the contract to upgrade the countrys telecom sector in 2010 found the company deeply entrenched in its Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MOCIT) over the years. The report highlights cases wherein China digitally monitored and then targeted Tibetan refugees and dissidents in Nepal, while also influencing Nepalese officials regarding the countrys policies on media, censorship, digital surveillance and freedom. As China increases the export of its digital gear into countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, it will become exceedingly urgent for global democracies to put norms in place to curtail this unhinged expansion of digital authoritarianism. In sum, Chinas increasing deployment of development infrastructure as a tool of geopolitical coercion signifies a dangerous evolution in hybrid statecraft. By weaponising water resources, strategically expanding land settlement and connectivity infrastructure, and exporting digital surveillance technologies, China is subtly projecting itself as the regional hegemon. This has grave implications for both short- and long-term regional stability and security, sovereignty, and democratic governance. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The international community must demonstrate urgency in dealing with this menace and encourage countries to collaborate with transparent actors, rather than an authoritarian and revisionist state like China, to pursue development. Moreover, there must be a mechanism through which Chinas unilateral exploitation and strategic positioning of water and territory is accounted for, impeded, and sanctioned. The writer is an author and a columnist. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 17:30 IST News opinion Global Watch | Development or Domination? Unravelling Chinas Hybrid Infrastructure Ambitions Opinion | How Jaishankar Must Counter China-Pakistan Axis On Terror Written By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 10:09 IST Jaishankar's mission is to ensure that the world understands that Indias concerns are not peripheral but central to any meaningful discussion on regional security S Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. (Photo: DrSJaishankar) S Jaishankar is in China for the SCO foreign ministers meetthe second meeting in the SCO format in as many months. Last time out, it was defence minister Rajnath Singh, who refused to sign a joint statement on counter-terrorism, which failed to mention Pahalgam but had conveniently included the independent struggle in Balochistana pain point for Pakistan. The refusal brought out Indias resistanceIt is not going to be bullied into signing or accepting narratives. And just like Singhs refusal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking the fight to China under the BRICS banner in Brazil, Jaishankar would be expected to resist and carve out the agenda for India. Recommended Stories What we have seen from the foreign minister does fill us with great promise. He has had no issues shutting down unscrupulous criticism and with great gusto. In May this year, at the Arctic Circle India Forum during an interaction with former Icelandic President OG Grimsson and the head of the ORF, Jaishankar took a swipe at European nations, saying India is looking for partners, not preachers. There are other examples as well, but we can surely move beyond them. The Precedent in Qingdao To understand the challenge that awaits Jaishankar, one must first dissect the significance of the Qingdao summit. Indias refusal to sign the joint communique was a calculated disruption of a coordinated China-Pakistan strategic objective designed to diplomatically corner India. The draft statement was a textbook example of Chinese manipulation, meticulously engineered not to combat terrorism, but to protect its all-weather ally" Pakistan, while simultaneously attempting to implicate India in regional instability. In response, India did not just abstain; the defence minister delivered what amounted to a chargesheet at point-blank range. By referencing the success of Operation Sindoor on Chinese soil, he sent an unapologetic message that the epicentres of terrorism are no longer sacrosanct. It single-handedly torpedoed the joint statement, denying Beijing the diplomatic victory of a unified declaration and stripping Pakistan of the legitimacy it craved. More profoundly, it held a giant mirror up to the SCO, exposing the fundamental fracture at its core: Indias zero-tolerance policy on one side, and the cynical China-Pakistan axis of convenience on the other. It transformed a position of potential isolation into a projection of solitary strength and moral clarity. It established three critical takeaways: India has unambiguously asserted its red lines on terror; it has seized control of the narrative from Beijing; and it has diminished the blocs utility as a vehicle for Chinese propaganda. China Covering Its Footprints Jaishankars challenge is compounded by the fact that Chinas role transcends from diplomatic cover to complicity. An increasing body of evidence points to Beijings active technological enablement of militancy in Kashmir. This moves the issue from the realm of political shielding to one of material complicity, a charge that India must now press with conviction. Militants in Kashmir are increasingly being found with sophisticated, military-grade Chinese hardware, including Huawei satellite phones and GPS devices, as was reportedly the case in the Pahalgam attack. The pipeline is being facilitated through porous channels within Pakistans military-intelligence apparatus and is directly enhancing the operational capabilities of terror proxies. It creates a multilayered challenge for Indian security. The CPEC has been used to build a digital scaffold, with telecom towers operated by China Mobiles subsidiary, Zong, providing coverage across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and deep into Indian territory. This, coupled with the use of Chinese platforms like WeChat and the Tiantong-1 satellite network, provides terrorists with secure, encrypted communication channels that are effectively immune to international legal frameworks like Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties. Chinas stringent data localisation laws create a technological smokescreen, deliberately preventing Indian agencies from tracing digital activity and offering operational cover for state-enabled non-state actors. Jaishankars Mandate: Defy And Counter While the public discourse around Jaishankars visit centres on continued normalisation and thawing of Beijing-New Delhi ties, it cannot come at a cost to Indias regional and domestic security and interests. Jaishankars core mandate, therefore, is far more adversarial. He must build on the foundation of principled defiance laid in Qingdao and translate it into sustained, strategic counter-pressure. His mission is to ensure that the world, and specifically the members of the SCO, understand that Indias concerns are not peripheral, but central to any meaningful discussion on regional security. Jaishankar is positioned to expose the glaring hypocrisy of the Sino-Pakistani axis, armed with the knowledge that India had shared detailed intelligence dossiers and satellite imagery on Pakistans terror infrastructure with SCO members, only for them to be wilfully ignored by the chair. He must forcefully ask what a security and defence" bloc is worth if it cannot condemn, let alone act, against the architects of terror within its own ranks. Its a simple argument but one that has the power to unravel the covers, smokescreens and whitewashing placed by Beijing and Islamabad. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A platform that equates a sovereign nations response to terrorism with the very terror it fights has lost all moral and strategic credibility. And ultimately, Jaishankars task is to cement Indias position as an independent and indispensable pole in a contested Eurasian landscape. The message must be unequivocal: India will no longer negotiate on the language of terror. It will carve its own agenda, defend its sovereign interests, and make its voice heard, with or without the consensus of forums that have been compromised by the geopolitical ambitions of a dominant power and its terror-sponsoring proxy. This is the new normal. About the Author Sohil Sinha Sohil Sinha is a Sub Editor at News18. He writes on foreign affairs, geopolitics along with domestic policy and infrastructure projects. Sohil Sinha is a Sub Editor at News18. He writes on foreign affairs, geopolitics along with domestic policy and infrastructure projects. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 10:09 IST News opinion Opinion | How Jaishankar Must Counter China-Pakistan Axis On Terror Opinion | Jammu And Kashmir Light Infantry: Soldiers Par Excellence Written By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 14:24 IST Every JKLI soldier begins his journey from the valleys, villages, and mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. He is a son of the soil, shaped by the hardships of the region. Considering its awe inspiring battle performance, J&K Militia was incorporated into the India army as a regular regiment in 1972 and designated JAK LI. (Image: PTI) On October 22, 1947, the Pakistan army commenced Operation Gulmarg a covert military operation to seize Jammu and Kashmir in the garb of a tribal invasion. For this purpose, the Pakistan army used Pashtun tribals from the North West Frontier Province to create a force of 20 lashkars (irregular militias), each with 1,000 fighters armed by the Pakistan army. This invasion force was commanded by Pakistan army regulars who too had disguised themselves as tribals. Despite doing their best, the state forces of the then kingdom of J&K could not hold back the numerically far superior invasion force led by regular army men with combat experience of World War II. Since newly independent India lacked the capability to undertake timely airlifting the requisite force level to evict this invasion, a decision was taken in New Delhi to raise militias from volunteer locals to resist the invasion till the adequate buildup of forces. Recommended Stories Though the locals who joined these militias had no previous exposure to military training, they were a motivated lot and their performance was so impressive that after the ceasefire they were retained as a para military force under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Born of the Soil, Defender of the Nation Every JKLI soldier begins his journey from the valleys, villages, and mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. He is a son of the soil, shaped by the hardships of the region and forged by a spirit of service that is unmatched. This background makes him uniquely suited for both conventional warfare and complex counter-insurgency operations in some of the most difficult terrains. Battle Performance J&K Militia took part in both the Indo-Pak conflicts of 1965 as well 1971, and the award of three battle honours in each of these wars speaks volumes about the extraordinary display of valour and sacrifice of its rank and file. In fact, considering its awe inspiring battle performance, J&K Militia was incorporated into the India army as a regular regiment in 1972 and designated JAK LI. Refusing to rest on past laurels, JAK LI units have exhibited extraordinary valour, and the award of one Param Vir Chakra and three Ashoka Chakras (which are Indias highest gallantry award during war and in peace respectively) besides several other medals for bravery bears testimony to this regiments continuing quest for excellence. An Inspiration to Generations A JKLI soldier is not just a role model for youth in Jammu and Kashmir he is an inspiration to the entire nation. His dedication reminds us that true patriotism is not loud, but lived through action, sacrifice, and service. He represents the best of India: unity in diversity, service over self, and strength with humility. Performance in Counter Terrorism Operations The performance of JAK LI battalions in counter terrorist operations in J&K has been phenomenal. This regiment has the rare honour of having won three Ashoka Chakras as well as several other gallantry awards during anti-terrorist operations. Such a rich haul of awards has come at a very heavy price that the rank and file of JAK LI battalions have paid with their lives and blood. Unity in Diversity The JAK LI regiment draws its rank and file from J&K irrespective of the religion to which the soldiers belong and this epitomises the Indian armys secular credentials. Soldiers of JAK LI may belong to different faiths but in the true traditions of the Indian army, they eat, sleep and stay together like a band of brothers. When duty calls, they put the nation first and fight as a cohesive team, often putting their own lives in danger to save their comrades. Conclusion Like their predecessors who after seeing Pakistani tribals pillage Kashmir in 1947 volunteered to save their homeland from invasion, the soldiers of JAK LI are imbued with the same determination to protect their people from the proxy war being waged in J&K by its evil intentioned Eastern neighbour. This it has ensured with consummate dedication and perhaps this can explain the award of the prestigious Ashoka Chakra thrice for displaying most conspicuous gallantry in counter terrorist operations in J&K. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The JAK LI Regiment is indeed the nations pride! The author is Editor Brighter Kashmir, Author, TV commentator, political analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. view comments Location : Srinagar, India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 14:24 IST News opinion Opinion | Jammu And Kashmir Light Infantry: Soldiers Par Excellence Straight Talk | In A World Of Flux, India Chooses Pragmatism With China Written By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 16:01 IST In a world where Washington's unreliability as a security partner has been proven, India is prudently choosing to calm its most significant and immediate continental frontier. S Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. (Photo: DrSJaishankar) The obvious question is: why are both countries suddenly trying to resolve their differences and reset the relationship? Recommended Stories The answer, in large part, lies beyond Beijing and New Delhi, in the turbulent waters of global geopolitics. Donald Trumps second run as President of the United States has brought back transactional foreign policy and global unpredictability. India is increasingly irritated by Donald Trumps repeated claims of having single-handedly averted a nuclear war" between India and Pakistan. His offhand remarks including statements like I love Pakistan" are seen in New Delhi as tone-deaf and diplomatically reckless. Such remarks have only reinforced the perception that Trump views the Indian subcontinent more as a stage for self-promotion than a region requiring nuanced diplomacy. Therefore, in a world where Washingtons unreliability as a security partner has been proven, India is prudently choosing to calm its most significant and immediate continental frontier. New Delhi is signaling that it will not be a pawn in great power competition but will proactively shape its own environment on its own terms. In this light, Dr Jaishankars visit to China was a projection of Indias strategic autonomy. This is a principle New Delhi has championed as it navigates an increasingly multipolar world by engaging with multiple powers to secure its interests. Jaishankars message was unambiguous: India is ready to move forward, but not by erasing the past. After all, the foundations for a stable relationship must be built on mutual respect. And for India, this means China adhering to some non-negotiable red lines. The first and most crucial red line is the sanctity of the border. Since the landmark Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan, both sides have agreed to disengage troops and restore patrolling rights in contested areas like Depsang and Demchok. During his talks in China, Jaishankar reiterated that peace and tranquillity on the border are the fundamental basis" for strategic trust and the normal development of ties. This position was echoed earlier by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh. Indias view is that a resolution of the border dispute is a prerequisite for, not a byproduct of a normalised relationship. The second red line is terrorism. In his meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Jaishankar expressed hope that a policy of zero tolerance for terrorism will be strongly upheld. This was a thinly veiled but unmistakable reference to Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. The message to Beijing is that its all-weather friendship" with Islamabad cannot come at the expense of Indias security. For the relationship to be truly stable, China must demonstrate that it is a responsible stakeholder in regional security and not an enabler of state-sponsored threats. After all, Chinas intelligence assistance to Pakistan during Indias Operation Sindoor has been duly noted in New Delhi. Beyond these firm red lines, Jaishankars visit also projected a pragmatic and compelling vision for economic cooperation. He directly addressed the issue of Beijings recent export controls on critical materials like rare earth magnets. These restrictions have complicated procurement plans for Indias automotive and clean energy players, who are heavily dependent on Chinese supplies. India has stood its ground against China since 2020, becoming the only country in the world to have exchanged physical blows with the PLA in the high Himalayas. How many other nations can claim to have stared down Beijings military aggression and held their ground both diplomatically and on the battlefield? The argument is simple and powerful: China is the worlds second-largest economy. India will soon be the worlds third-largest economy. Therefore, as neighbours, it is economically irrational for India and China to allow friction to derail mutual prosperity. Measures that disrupt supply chains hurt both producers and consumers, and in a global economy facing recessionary headwinds and trade wars, they are self-defeating. As Jaishankar articulated, normalising people-to-people exchanges and ensuring unimpeded economic cooperation can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a five-year gap is one example of New Delhi and Beijing bridging the people-to-people gap to inject fresh trust in their bilateral relationship. Ultimately, India is presenting China with a profound strategic choice. Both nations profess a desire for a multipolar world order that is less dominated by a single power, ergo the United States. Chinese officials, from President Xi Jinping to Foreign Minister Wang Yi, frequently speak of an equal and orderly multipolar world" where the strong" do not bully the weak." Wang Yi has even spoken of India and China together realising the dance of dragons and elephants." But India is now calling on China to translate this rhetoric into reality. In the emerging global order, India and China can either be constructive rivals, managing their differences to cooperate on shared interests, or they can be destructive adversaries, locked in a zero-sum competition that destabilises Asia and undermines the very multipolarity they claim to seek. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A relationship of perpetual conflict would drain their resources, complicate their rise and leave both vulnerable to the machinations of other powers. A stable relationship, on the other hand, allows both Asian giants to focus on their internal development and jointly shape the rules of the new world order in forums like BRICS and the SCO. Dr Jaishankars visit to China was anything but routine. It was a deliberate move to assert Indias non-negotiable red lines while spelling out its strategic calculus with cold clarity. This involves pushing back firmly against coercion, whether on the Himalayan frontier or through restrictive economic measures. It means building resilient, broad-based partnerships that enhance its strategic autonomy and ensuring it is never dependent on a single pole of power. Also, it means communicating in no uncertain terms that India will not be boxed in or have its options limited by others. This is not the reactive crouch of a middle power caught between giants. It is the confident posture of a rising power that fully intends to be a co-author of the 21st-centurys rules, not merely a signatory to them. About the Author Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra is a producer and video journalist at Network18. He is enthusiastic about and writes on both national affairs as well as geopolitics. Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra is a producer and video journalist at Network18. He is enthusiastic about and writes on both national affairs as well as geopolitics. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 16:01 IST News opinion Straight Talk | In A World Of Flux, India Chooses Pragmatism With China Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 16:42 IST 1 / 14 Eating fish is highly beneficial for health. It serves as an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Regular consumption of fish reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and various types of cancer. However, while the advantages of eating fish are plentiful, there are also certain fish that can be harmful to the body. One such fish, which is banned in India, unknowingly increases the risk of cancer. 2 / 14 Fish and rice are the favourite foods of Bengalis. Fish can be categorised into different types based on their source, fat content, and fibre. For instance, freshwater fish include Rui, Katla, Koi, and Puti, while saltwater fish include Rupchanda, Laitta, Bhetki, and Hilsa. Low-fat fish examples are Magur, Taki, and Shing, whereas high-fat fish include Pangash, Chital, Bhetki, and Hilsa. ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 14 However, fish enthusiasts should be cautious of a fish that heightens the risk of cancer. Despite being banned in India, it is still sold freely. This fish is called Thai Magur, and it should be avoided at all costs. 4 / 14 The scientific name of Thai Magur is Clarias garipinus, also referred to as hybrid Magur or giant Magur. According to the Fisheries Department, the cultivation of this hybrid Magur is banned in the state because it consumes all other fish in the pond where it resides. Yet, despite the ban, this fish is being cultivated in numerous ponds across the state. ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 14 Thai Magur can grow to lengths of 3 to 5 feet. It can survive for extended periods with its artificial respiration system and can even move on land. 6 / 14 Dr. Priyanka Arya, Assistant Director of the Aligarh Fisheries Department, emphasises that Thai Magur is extremely harmful and banned in India due to its serious health risks. The cultivation, sale, and consumption of this fish are prohibited. In 2000, the central government banned the cultivation of Thai Magur in India through legal means, following the National Green Tribunal's orders to prevent significant environmental pollution. Additionally, Thai Magur grows so large that it consumes 70% of other fish in the pond. ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 14 Experts have warned that consuming Thai Magur can increase the risk of cancer. This exotic fish species is not only detrimental to human health but also disrupts environmental balance. 8 / 14 Dr. Arya stated that the cultivation, sale, and consumption of this fish in India are strictly prohibited by law, and legal action is taken against those who violate this rule. The Fisheries Department is actively informing the public about the harmful effects of Thai Magur, particularly its cancer-causing properties. ADVERTISEMENT 9 / 14 Studies indicate that Thai Magur is responsible for approximately 70 percent of the decline in indigenous fish species in India, significantly impacting the aquatic environment. Furthermore, fishermen often feed this fish rotten meat and spinach, exacerbating water pollution. 10 / 14 Thai Magur grows by consuming industrial and agricultural waste mixed in the water, resulting in a body full of pollutants, including high mercury levels, which are severely harmful to humans. ADVERTISEMENT 11 / 14 In many countries, there is a tradition of eating raw fish. However, raw fish should not be consumed in our country's climate as it can cause stomach pain. In some instances, raw fish may contain harmful germs, posing health risks and potentially leading to death. 12 / 14 Some believe that eating raw fish gallbladders can reduce diabetes. However, the consequences can be severe. In 2023, a woman from Jharkhand consumed raw Rui fish gallbladder for three consecutive days to combat diabetes, ultimately leading to fatal kidney disease. ADVERTISEMENT 13 / 14 Many think eating various parts of raw fish can cure diseases like diabetes, asthma, and arthritis, and improve eyesight. This notion is entirely incorrect. Consuming raw fish parts can be fatal. North Dakota regulators are investigating utility companies over the use of logos on flyers that a complaint said could be misleading to consumers. The state Public Service Commission received the complaint last year regarding a letter that promoted insurance coverage for home utility equipment such as gas and water pipes, wires, electric appliances and other products through a company called HomeServe. Montana-Dakota Utilities, Otter Tail Power Co. and Xcel Energy -- North Dakota's for-profit utilities -- will have to submit written comments to the PSC by September regarding business arrangements with HomeServe or similar insurance companies and the use of their logos in the advertising of that service. The letter promoting HomeServe had the utility Xcel Energy's logo on it despite the insurance service not coming from the utility, nor being mandatory to purchase, according to the complaint. PSC spokeswoman Stacy Eberl said the agency has also received complaints from consumers about mailers with the MDU logo on them. Otter Tail does not have a relationship with HomeServe or similar companies, spokeswoman Stephanie Hoff said. Complaints about mailers are relatively rare. Eberl said that the PSC has only six complaints on file within the last decade. Commissioner Jill Kringstad said the investigation is not into the quality of the insurance offered by HomeServe. "None of that is within our jurisdiction; all this is focusing on is the first step in the process to get some additional information to evaluate the relationship with the utilities," Kringstad said at a PSC meeting earlier this month. MDU and Xcel's websites both include information about HomeServe and specify that customers are not required to sign up for the service. Xcel's specification is on a frequently asked questions page, while MDU's is on a home protection plans page that can be found under a dropdown bar dealing with rates and services. Karen Lusson, a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, said the PSC should make sure that any billing and collection revenues the utilities receive from arrangements with insurance companies are included in filings when applying for rate increases. "(This would) ensure utility customers are not subsidizing a service that has nothing to do with the utility's core mission: providing safe, reliable and least-cost utility service to all customers," she said. Lusson said another concern related to arrangements between utilities and insurance companies is that the charges for two separate services could end up on the same bill. If the extra charge from the insurance becomes unaffordable, this could create the risk of consumers losing their utility services altogether, she said. The PSC regulates how much utilities can charge consumers for their electricity and gas use, but the agency is not involved in regulating insurance. "If I only send in (money) for my essential utility service portion of the bill, does that keep me protected from a disconnection? We would argue that a customer certainly should not be paying some surcharge that has nothing to do with essential utility service," Lusson said. She said consumers should review their existing insurance policies and product warranties if they are considering these services. North Dakota Insurance Department spokesman Jacob Just said the state agency does not have any complaints about HomeServe on file. Just said he cannot otherwise speak to the insurance product offered by HomeServe, but the department would offer assistance to the PSC for the investigation. Xcel spokesman Theo Keith in a statement said the utility sold its insurance company HomeSmart to HomeServe last year. Customers who have signed up for HomeServe after the sale of HomeSmart are billed directly by the insurance company, Keith said, while those who signed up before the sale get the charge on their energy bill. All the insurance services are administered by HomeServe. "The mailers are meant to explain the optional protection plans potential value to customers -- to minimize unexpected repairs on the customer side of the electric and natural gas meters and/or water service lines. HomeServe is an independent company separate from Xcel Energy, and as is stated in the mailers, the service is entirely optional and a customers choice of whether to purchase a service plan will not affect the customers electric or natural gas service from Xcel Energy," Keith said. He said the terms of the financial arrangement between Xcel and HomeServe are confidential. MDU spokesman Mark Hanson said the company is still working through the response process. Information about the plans on MDU's website reads: "All plans purchased through HomeServe will be billed on your monthly Montana-Dakota utility service bill. Paying your monthly statement in full by its due date each month will ensure continued utility services and HomeServe coverage." After The Hug, Comes The Hesitation: Why Raj Thackeray Isn't Sold On A Reunion Yet Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 11:43 IST Raj Thackeray's calculated vagueness is telling. He has, so far, offered no endorsement of Uddhav's leadership, no clarity on the MNSs role in future polls Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray's July 5 rally raised alliance hopes. (PTI Photo) When Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray stood shoulder-to-shoulder on stage at the July 5 Marathi Vijay Rally, it wasnt just another photo-op. Or so it seemed at the time. The cousins hugged, invoked Balasahebs legacy, and for a moment, made thousands of old-school Shiv Sainiks and MNS loyalists believe that Maharashtras original saffron family was making a comeback. But a week later, the afterglow has faded, and so has the talk of a political alliance. Recommended Stories At an internal MNS meeting in Taigatpuri, Raj Thackeray made it clear, I went to the Vijay Rally with Uddhav Thackeray only on the Marathi issue." No mention of elections. No commitment to joint strategy. No sign of a formal handshake beyond the optics. In fact, he told party workers that any decision on alliance or seat-sharing would only come during the BMC and municipal elections, in November or December. So the real question now is: Did Raj Thackeray just distance himself from Uddhav? And was that emotional rally nothing more than nostalgia in saffron hues? Uddhav Thackeray, who now leads the Shiv Sena (UBT) after losing the partys name and symbol to Eknath Shinde, has been searching for a revival strategy. With Sharad Pawars NCP now split, and the Congress struggling to energise its base in urban Maharashtra, Uddhav has every reason to bring Raj into the fold. A joint Thackeray front could plug the leak in the Marathi vote bank, especially in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and Nashik, where divided loyalties have helped the BJP and Shindes faction gain ground. But the problem is that Raj Thackeray hasnt committed to seat-sharing. He hasnt agreed to contest elections with the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes the Congress and NCP(SP). And sources say hes still running the numbers, calculating whether the MNS has more to lose or gain by siding with Uddhav. The emotional power of that Vijay Rally was undeniable. Long-time Shiv Sainiks wept. MNS workers chanted Balasahebs name. Leaders like Anil Parab and Kishori Pednekar called it a dream moment" that the Sena supremo wouldve loved to see. But behind the scenes, the arithmetic isnt adding up. The MNS still holds sway in pockets of Mumbai and Nashik, but hasnt translated charisma into seats in years. Uddhavs Sena, while wounded, remains organisationally stronger. If they join forces, who gives up which turf? Whose cadres dominate local shakhas? Who controls ticket distribution? Thats not just a negotiation, its a minefield. And thats before factoring in the Congress and NCP, whose ideological pitch is far more inclusive than the MNSs past rhetoric on migrants and reservations. Aligning with Raj could alienate Muslim voters in urban seats, something the Congress will not accept lightly. Raj Thackerays calculated vagueness is telling. He has, so far, offered no endorsement of Uddhavs leadership, no clarity on the MNSs role in future polls, and no indication that a realignment is imminent. Hes keeping his options open, and that includes walking away. What this suggests is that the July 5 rally may have been a strategic pause, not a turning point. Raj got the optics, Uddhav got a morale boost, and both reconnected with their base. But neither offered anything concrete. And in a state where the BJP-Shinde machine is already gearing up for the next round of municipal polls, that vagueness could cost them. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all So did Raj snub Uddhav? Maybe not outright. But he certainly hasnt said yes. And in politics, silence often speaks louder than words. Raj has promised to decide later", after weighing the pros and cons. But time is not on their side. The BMC polls are looming. The BJP and Shinde are mobilising. And unless the cousins can sort out their differences and present a united front with real policy, shared seats, and a common agenda, the Marathis will continue to watch the Thackeray drama from the sidelines, not the voting booth. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 11:43 IST News politics After The Hug, Comes The Hesitation: Why Raj Thackeray Isn't Sold On A Reunion Yet Couldve Sent Dalit Or OBC: Udit Raj Sees Casteism In Shubhanshu Shuklas Space Mission Pick Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 14:10 IST Udit Raj questioned the choice of Shubhanshu Shukla for the Axiom 4 mission, suggesting a Dalit should have been sent. It has been a historic trip for Shukla, who became the first Indian to travel to the ISS. (Photos: ANI + Axiom Space) Udit Raj, Congress leader and former Lok Sabha MP, on Tuesday questioned the choice of Shubhanshu Shukla for the Axiom 4 mission. Raj, who represented North West Delhi between 2014 and 2019 in Lok Sabha, said India should have sent a person from Dalit or Other Backward Class (OBC) to space. Recommended Stories When Rakesh Sharma was sent earlier, the SC, ST, OBC people were not that educated. This time, I think it was the turn to send a Dalit It is not that NASA conducted an exam, and then there was a selection. Any Dalit or OBC could have been sent in place of Shukla ji," he told news agency ANI. The Congress leader also alleged that the BJP-led government is not giving enough opportunities to the OBCs. I congratulate Shukla. I hope he will share his inputs with others. However, I feel an OBC or a Dalit should be given a chance. The scientists in South India are mostly from the OBC background. Science and technology have been developed in South India. This government is not giving enough opportunities to them," he said. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others from the Axiom-4 mission are set to return to Earth on Tuesday, landing in the ocean near San Diego after a 22.5-hour journey from the International Space Station, where they spent 18 days. The Dragon Grace spacecraft carrying Shukla, commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, undocked from the space station at 4:45 pm IST on Monday. Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla? Born in Lucknow in 1985, Shubhanshu Shukla completed his schooling from Montessori to Class 12 at CMS Aliganj. He later graduated from the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006. With over 2,000 hours of flying experience on top combat aircraft, he was selected in 2019 for Indias Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and was eventually chosen as the pilot for the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. With this space trip, Shukla became the first Indian to travel to the ISS and only the second to travel to space after Rakesh Sharmas pathbreaking spaceflight as part of the then Soviet Unions mission to Salyut-7 space station in 1984. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ISRO paid approximately Rs 550 crore for Shuklas travel to the ISS, an experience that will help the space agency in the planning and execution of its human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, set to take to orbit in 2027. (with inputs from ANI, PTI) About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 13:59 IST News politics Couldve Sent Dalit Or OBC: Udit Raj Sees Casteism In Shubhanshu Shuklas Space Mission Pick 'Narsimha Rao Learnt 17 Languages': Andhra CM Naidu Backs Hindi Adoption Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 20:01 IST Naidu hailed Rao as a great statesman whose bold reforms continue to shape the countrys progress even today Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu addresses a gathering at a memorial event for former PM Narasimha Rao in New Delhi. (PTI photo) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday defended the importance of learning Hindi and praised former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao as a scholar who mastered 17 languages. Naidu made the comment while speaking at a lecture on The Life and Legacy of former PM Shri PV Narasimha Rao" in New Delhi. Recommended Stories While today we are all asking, Why should we learn Hindi?, former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao was a scholar of 17 languages, he didnt just learn Hindi but other languages too and thats how he became a great man," the Andhra CM said. CM Chandrababu Naidu ( @ncbn ) wades into the language row, says, While PV Narsimha Rao learnt 17 languages, we are questioning the importance of learning HindiWhile addressing a lecture on former PM PV Narsimha Rao in Delhi, CM Chandrababu Naidu defended learning Hindi pic.twitter.com/7vXHTl3xUE Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 15, 2025 Naidus remarks come amid fresh debates over the promotion of Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states and fears of language imposition. In his address, Naidu hailed Rao as a great statesman" whose bold reforms continue to shape the countrys progress even today. He credited Rao with launching Indias economic liberalisation during a time of deep financial crisis. Before 1991, India followed the socialist economic model. Economy saw licence raj, foreign investment was limited was facing a major economic crisis. exchange reserves hit an all time low. We were forced to pledge our sovereign gold," he said. It was time to bring bold reforms, and usher in forward-looking policy. He became (Rao) PM in June 1991, he recognised the crisis was an opportunity, and that India needed bold economic reforms. He launched the historic economic reforms," Naidu said. He changed the future of India, we are all here today enjoying the fruits of this reform," he said. Naidu pointed out that Rao led a minority government, which made pushing such reforms even more remarkable. He (Rao) was heading a minority government, not a comfortable government. To bring in bold reforms, political consensus is required. He was able to convince all stakeholders," he said. He also praised former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for building infrastructure during his tenure and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring political stability and driving economic growth. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Modi ji brought not just political stability, but also a renewed sense of global pride," Naidu stated. (With inputs from PTI) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 19:59 IST News politics 'Narsimha Rao Learnt 17 Languages': Andhra CM Naidu Backs Hindi Adoption No New BJP Boss Before Parliaments Monsoon Session Begins. Here's Why Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 09:42 IST The top brass wants to complete the selection of state unit heads in UP, Gujarat, Karnataka, Delhi, and Haryana before any decision is taken on the national president The BJP is looking for a team player with mass acceptability, while the RSS is believed to have stressed on the need to be deeply rooted in Sangh and BJP's core ideology. (PTI) The wait for the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to get longer. The party, sources told News18, is expected to take more time in finalising its new national president as its leadership shifts its immediate focus to completing the selection of state unit heads in five key statesUttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Delhi, and Haryana. According to senior BJP sources, the names of the new state presidents in these politically crucial regions will be finalised before any decision is taken on the national president. The BJP has already appointed presidents in around 27 of its 37 organisational units, including in major states such as Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh, where new faces have been given chances. Recommended Stories The party requires 19 state elections. The BJP has long crossed that mark. But as of today, the party is of the considered opinion that Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Delhi, and Haryana state president elections should take place before going for the national presidential election," said a source, requesting anonymity. This answers the most important political question in Delhi right nowWith just five days left before the Monsoon Session of Parliament, will JP Nadda get his successor before this session begins? BJP insiders also point to the fact that the selection of the national president is not merely an internal BJP affair. It requires consensus with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the BJP. The final choice of president typically must be agreeable to both, making the process not just complex but also collaborative. After a brief lull, the organisational activity picked up since Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned from his five-nation foreign visit on July 10. But the BJP is yet to reach a consensus for the top job. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The BJP is looking for a team player with mass acceptability, while the RSS is believed to have stressed on the need to be deeply rooted in Sangh and BJPs core ideology. For now, the wait continues, and all eyes remain on the partys central leadership and the RSS to see when a consensus candidate emerges. About the Author Anindya Banerjee Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ... Read More Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 09:42 IST News politics No New BJP Boss Before Parliaments Monsoon Session Begins. Here's Why Protests, Politics Erupt In Odisha After Student Who Self-Immolated Over Harassment Dies Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 13:47 IST The Opposition parties, including the Congress, on Tuesday unitedly called for 'Odisha Bandh' on July 17 over the death of a 20-year-old student from Balasore. Congress students' union, NSUI, demands justice for student who self-immolated herself. (Image: X/@nsui) Amid the ongoing tensions in Odisha over the death of a 20-year-old female student from Balasore, the opposition parties, including the Congress, on Tuesday unitedly called for Odisha Bandh on July 17. The parties have also demanded the resignation of the State Higher Education Minister and a judicial investigation in connection to the case. Joint opposition has resolved that Odisha will be closed on July 17," CPI(M) leader Suresh Panigrahi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Recommended Stories The CPI(M) leader attacked the state government and state that the victim appealed to the Odisha government, the local MP and MLA, Principal, District Collector, SP and the Higher Education Minister of state and centre, but nothing happened. We demand a strict judicial investigation of the whole incident, the Higher Education Minister should resign, and some action should be taken against the local MLA and MP," he added. The 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odishas Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation, died on Monday, confirmed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar. The student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her colleges Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. Opposition Attacks Odisha Govt Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday called the death the student an organised murder by the BJPs system" and accusing the BJP-led state government of failing to protect the victim. Rahul Gandhi alleged that the student was subjected to repeated threats, torments and humiliation instead of receiving justice. Taking to X, the Congress leader wrote, The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJPs system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment, but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her." As always, the BJPs system continued to shield the accused and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire. This is not suicide; it is an organised murder by the system. Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur, the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you? You remain silent. The country doesnt need your silence; it needs answers. Indias daughters need safety and justice," the post added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier in the day, the Congress workers staged a protest outside AIIMS Bhubaneswar following the death of the student. Police later detained the protesting workers. (With agency inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More view comments Location : Odisha (Orissa), India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 13:47 IST News politics Protests, Politics Erupt In Odisha After Student Who Self-Immolated Over Harassment Dies Best Camera Phone Under 40,000? Meet the OPPO Reno14 5G Curated By : Studio18 Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 14:04 IST A mid-range phone that thinks like a flagship, built for creators, travelers, and everyday storytellers. News18 If youve ever found yourself standing on a rooftop in Hanoi, watching the lanterns drift over the Red River, or trekking up a Himalayan trail at dawn as the peaks blush pinkand wished that your phone could capture the magic exactly as you see itthe OPPO Reno14 5G is the definitive answer. Priced under 40,000, this isnt just another mid-range phone. Its a tool for the creators and dreamersthe ones who turn every meal, every street corner, every golden hour into content worth sharing. With flagship-grade cameras, AI smarts, and a design that feels as premium as it looks, the Reno14 Pro helps you document your story without compromise. Recommended Stories We break down why this could be the best camera phone under 40Kand the one that transforms everyday life into a gallery of vivid memories. A Camera Thats Built to Do More The Reno14 5G isnt about spec sheets alone. Every lens is purpose-built for the way people actually createespecially when theyre far from home, surrounded by moments begging to be preserved. Could your next trip to Vietnam mark your debut as a travel content creator? With this phone, thats a real possibility. The 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization keeps your shots razor-sharp as you ride a cycle through Hanois Old Quarter, catching motion and texture even when the streets jolt beneath you. The 8MP ultra-wide lens comes alive when you stand on An Bang Beach at sunrise or look out over Sapas emerald terracesstretching the landscape into a panoramic canvas so crisp, it feels like you could step right in. comes alive when you stand on An Bang Beach at sunrise or look out over Sapas emerald terracesstretching the landscape into a panoramic canvas so crisp, it feels like you could step right in. The 3.5x 50MP telephoto zoom lets you pick out details most cameras would smear into a blur: the carved dragons high on the Marble Mountains pagodas, a lone prayer flag fluttering. And if you want to go closer still, the 120x digital zoom pulls hidden details into sharp focus. And when you sink into a lantern-lit cafe in Hoi An, the 50MP selfie camera with autofocus keeps your portraits luminous, even if youre tired, moving, or shooting in moody light. This is what user-first engineering looks like: a camera system built to let you frame your story exactly as you see it in your mind. 4K 60fps Video That Feels Like Being There If photography is half the story, video is the other halfand this is where the Reno14 really shows its chops. Where most mid-range phones drop to basic resolution, the Reno14 records 4K HDR video at a buttery 60 frames per second. And unlike most phones that limit 4K to the main camera, here you get it across the main, telephoto, and even the selfie lens. That means you can start filming the rush of scooters weaving through Punes traffic with the main camera, then switch mid-recording to the ultra-wide to pull in more of the chaosall without losing continuity or clarity. No more jarring edits, no compromises. These videos wont just approximate the memory nowtheyll recreate it in lifelike fidelity, pulling you back to that exact moment every time you press play. And then theres AI Voice Enhancerthe kind of thoughtful feature that proves this phone was designed by people who actually create content. Anyone whos tried narrating a video from a breezy houseboat in Kerala or an echoing heritage hall knows how easily a great idea gets drowned out by background noise. With AI Voice Enhancer, your voice stays crisp, warm, and confidentwhile everything else fades quietly away. Triple Flash Array: Low Light, No Problem The fun doesnt stop when the sun setsand neither should your storytelling. The Reno14s triple flash arraytwo bright LEDs for the main and ultra-wide, plus a dedicated telephoto flashmakes it easy to keep shooting long after the lights come on. Whether youre browsing Bangkoks night markets, exploring neon alleys in Tokyo, or photographing rain-slicked streets in Bangalore, your photos keep their richness, clarity, and color. Underwater Photography Without Extra Gear The Reno14 isnt just durableits so thoroughly engineered against the elements that OPPO figured you might as well use it as an underwater camera, thanks to its IP68 rating. Moreover, with its IP66 and IP69 rating, this phone doesnt flinch at monsoon downpours or sudden splashes. But when you take it furthersay, snorkeling off Phu Quoc or floating in your hotels infinity poolit transforms into a 4K underwater rig, capturing sharp video and high-res photos in a place where other phones tap out. Its the kind of over-the-top feature you might never expect to useuntil the first time you do, and it instantly becomes indispensable. AI That Actually Feels Useful The Reno Series has long been celebrated for packing powerful AI features into stylish, creator-focused phonesand with the Reno14 5G, OPPO is taking that legacy to the next level. AI Editor 2.0: Instant, Pro-Level Edits AI Editor 2.0 packs a suite of tools that work for beginners, and pros. AI Recompose: One tap, and the AI crops, straightens, and reframes your shot. From a quick portrait to a spontaneous group selfie, you get balanced, professional compositions in seconds. AI Perfect Shot: Someone blinked during that group selfie? No problemswap in a better expression from your albums, and it looks like it was perfect all along. Then there are several other features like AI unblur, AI reflection remover and our favourite AI eraser, taken together, they confer an advantage that feels almost unfairlike having a pro designer tucked in your pocket. AI Livephoto 2.0: Capture Motion Effortlessly Timing is everything. Whether youre recording a street performer in Saigon or friends diving into the surf, AI Livephoto 2.0 makes sure you can always freeze the perfect framewithout blur or compromise. Performance That Doesnt Break a Sweat Power isnt an afterthought hereits the backbone of everything the Reno14 Pro can do. Inside, the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 delivers a serious leap forward: 20% improvement in CPU Peak Performance, a 60% boost in GPU performance and a whopping 230% bump in NPU performance compared to the last generation. Translation? Whether youre editing a 4K vlog from a cafe in Chiang Mai, batch-processing photos from your last trek, or jumping between apps, the Reno14 stays lightning quick. Its all brought together by ColorOS 15, OPPOs latest software platform, designed for smoother multitasking, smarter battery use, and better AI resource allocation. From fluid transitions and snappy gestures to smart reminders and enhanced privacy controls, it makes sure the phone feels as responsive and intuitive as it is powerful. It also adapts smartly to Indias real-world conditions. In OPPO Lab tests simulating a scorching 35 summer afternoon, the phone held its coolliterally. Even after three straight hours of gaming, temperatures stayed under 36.6. Thats thanks to an AI-powered cooling system inspired by aerospace engineering, complete with vapor chambers and graphite layers that spread heat evenly, so it never feels hot in your hand. And when you do fire up a game, OPPOs AI Frame Boosting keeps the action smooth, minimizing lag so you stay locked in the moment. AI That Works Behind the Scenes, Too Not all creativity happens in front of the lens. Some of it is in how you plan, communicate, and capture inspiration as it strikesand thats where the Reno14 Pros AI features step in to quietly handle the messy bits. The newly added AI Mind Space is your catch-all hub for saving anything worth rememberingscreenshots, links, notes, reminders, you name it. Just swipe up with three fingers and its instantly saved. Later, a quick search pulls it all back upno digging through apps or folders. AI VoiceScribe transcribes your speech into clean, readable notes in real time. Whether youre brainstorming a script on a walk or capturing meeting takeaways hands-free, it turns your words into text without missing a beat. AI Call Translator is your on-the-go interpreter. With real-time voice translation during phone calls, you can ask for directions in Hanoi, book a surf lesson in Bali, or just chat with a new friendno language barrier, no awkward pauses. And if you miss part of a conversation? AI Call Summary pulls out key details and organizes them instantly. No need to re-listen to everythingjust scroll the highlights and youre caught up. Finally, the Translate app on the Reno14 goes beyond simple phrases. Use your camera to translate signs and menus, switch to voice or split-screen chat mode for live bilingual conversations, or enable interpretation mode for meetings and lectureswith transcriptions you can save and revisit. Its a quietly brilliant sidekick for travelers, professionals, and anyone who lives a little faster than their fingers can type. Battery That Lasts (and Charges Crazy Fast) All this power doesnt mean compromise on battery life. The 6,000mAh battery easily stretches over two full days of exploring, creating, and sharingso you can forget the charger at home without panic. When you finally do need a boost, 80W SUPERVOOC TM charging takes you from nearly 1% to 100% in just 48 minutes. Even a 10-minute top-up gets you enough juice for hours of calls, video edits, or navigation across an unfamiliar city. Beauty Meets Beast: A Design Thats Both Art and Armour At first glance, the Reno14 Pro is all elegance: the industry-first OPPO Velvet Glass on the Pearl white variant feels silky smooth and stays fingerprint-free, no matter where youre headed. The ultra-slim 7.48mm profile and one-piece sculpted glass body give it a seamless, premium finishlight enough to carry, tough enough for anything. Choose from Forest Green, a rich, light-shifting shade inspired by sunlight through trees, or Pearl White, echoing the soft serenity of waves on a quiet beach. And its not just the body thats built for adventurethe display is, too. The Reno14 Pros 16.74cm AMOLED screen delivers over a billion colors with HDR10+ certification, 1.5K resolution, ultra-thin bezels, and a 93.4% screen-to-body ratio. Whether youre editing photos, watching reels, or reviewing footage, everything looks sharp, vibrant, and true to life. The 120Hz Smart Adaptive refresh rate keeps motion smooth, while Splash Touch tech means you can use the screen with wet fingers or glovesideal for monsoons, treks, or winter travel. The aerospace-grade aluminum frame is over 200% stronger than plastic. The internal Sponge Bionic Cushioning absorbs the shocks of drops you didnt see coming. Its proof you dont have to choose between a phone that looks stunningand one thats tough enough for everything you put it through. Our Verdict If youre searching for a phone that doesnt just keep up but inspires you to see more, shoot more, and share morethe OPPO Reno14 5G is your new co-creator. Whether youre an aspiring content creator, a frequent traveler, or simply someone who wants their everyday moments to look as stunning as they feel, this is a phone that delivers. With a flagship-level camera system, AI tools that feel almost like magic, and a design thats as fearless as you are, the Reno14 Series proves that premium doesnt have to mean unaffordable. The Reno14 5G starts at 37,999 for 8GB+256GB, with 12GB+256GB at 39,999, and tops out at 42,999 for the 12GB+512GB version. The Reno14 Pro 5G is priced at 49,999 for the 12GB+256GB variant and 54,999 for the 12GB+512GB. Both models are available for purchase across Amazon, Flipkart, OPPO Online Store, and mainline retail outlets. Early buyers can take advantage of exciting offers, including No Cost EMIs, cashback on credit card EMI with certain banks, zero downpayment plans, exchange bonuses, freebies like 3 months of Google One 2TB + Gemini Advanced (worth 5,200) and great deals like 6 months free access to 10 OTT apps with Jio 1199 plan. Theres even 180 days of additional warranty and free screen damage protection. This isnt just a phoneits a passport to your next story. And now, its easier than ever to make it yours. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Partnered Post view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 14:51 IST News studio18 Best Camera Phone Under 40,000? Meet the OPPO Reno14 5G Copilot For Your PCs: Microsoft Will Soon Bring AI Features For Desktop Users Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 13:01 IST Microsoft is going big on AI for Copilot laptops and soon we will see these features coming to desktop PCs thanks to Intel and other chip giants. Intel could bring AI features to the desktop PC soon The Windows AI ambitions could get a big push later this year as Microsoft plans to bring Copilot features to the desktop PC range. The company has worked hard to make AI laptops available in the market over the last few years and with the Windows 10 support deadline nearing, it needs more hardware to tempt people to invest and upgrade to the latest versions. We have seen the Snapdragon X and AMD processors offering AI Copilot features to a more manageable range of around Rs 65,000 but desktop upgrades will undoubtedly give more people to improve their systems with AI and not invest really big. Recommended Stories Windows AI Features For Desktop, Intel To Start? Intel already has launched new processors with NPU but their limitations mean you cannot run Copilot AI features on the desktop. But new reports suggest the chip maker is readying a new version of the Arrow Lake processor that will support advanced NPU to make it compatible for Copilot Plus features. It might be important for Intel and Microsoft to diversify its AI offerings, and eventually make it available on gaming-powered machines, the ZDNet Korea edition has been quoted saying. Copilot is a big pitch for Microsoft and most of its events have shown the focus. Windows 11 is also catering to the changes, while the hardware gets a specific Copilot button replacing the Ctrl button next to the Alt key on the laptop keyboard layout. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Speaking of which, the AI laptop models are lacking the power that heavy users demand, and the price tag of the AI laptops/PC and mini PCs have to come down, if the industry wants to push the growth levels beyond the meager single digit figures in the next few years. We have tested a few of these AI laptops and seen its obvious benefits, at least with longer battery life than the previous versions. But desktops dont need those improvements, so it will be interesting to see how Intel plans to make it worthwhile for people to invest in the Core Ultra processor with a dose of Copilot Plus AI features on the big machines. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : Seoul, South Korea First Published: July 15, 2025, 13:01 IST News tech Copilot For Your PCs: Microsoft Will Soon Bring AI Features For Desktop Users Indian Govt Issues Major Security Warning For Windows And Office Users: What The Alert Says Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 08:15 IST Windows and other Microsoft users have been warned about multiple security risks that needs their immediate attention. Microsoft is warning users about issues, and the Indian govt raised an alarm as well Windows and Microsoft Office have been warned about a critical security risk by the Indian government earlier this month. The alert comes via the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team or CERT-In in July 2025 and it will be alarming for millions of PC users who rely on Windows, and other Microsoft products like Office, Azure used by businesses and more. As you would assume, the new issues pose concerns for their systems and how hackers can manipulate them to extract data and other confidential content from the targeted PCs. Recommended Stories Windows Security Issue: What The Alert Says The latest CERT-In alert comes with a high-severity rating and gives us more details about the security issues and how it can affect users. Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in Microsoft Products, which could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges, obtain sensitive information, conduct remote code execution attacks, bypass security restrictions, conduct spoofing attacks, cause denial of service conditions or tamper with system settings," the note says. All of these modes of attacks can become dangerous for all users, both personal and business segments. Exploiting the issues could make it easy for hackers to bypass the device security, steal data and even initiate system crashes. Microsoft Security Issue: Who Is Affected? Microsoft Windows Microsoft Office Microsoft Dynamics Browser Developer Tools SQL Server System Center Extended Security Updates (ESU) for legacy Microsoft products Azure Apps top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all If you have a Windows PC, youre at risk. If you use Office, Dynamics or even the Edge browser, there is risk and other enterprise tools like Azure are also in sight of the hackers. Microsoft has issued a detailed guide to fix these issues and the company has a wide array of updates ready to be installed by all these users. The company has pointed out that there are less chances of these issues being exploited yet, and hopefully the patch will protect all the users. We suggest you go to settings, enable auto-update Windows and reboot the system to have the new version installed to keep your PC safe. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 08:15 IST News tech Indian Govt Issues Major Security Warning For Windows And Office Users: What The Alert Says 'Felt Like Therapy': 55-Year-Old Opens Up About Dating Young Twins At The Same Time Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 14:46 IST Andrea Sunshine, a 55-year-old London fitness influencer, is trending for her bold personal life, including flings with younger men Andrea doesn't believe in rules when it comes to love. (Photo: Instagram/@andrea__sunshinee) Andrea Sunshine is 55, a grandmother, and a regular at the gym. But thats not why shes trending. The London-based fitness influencer has sparked both fascination and backlash for her unapologetically bold personal life, which includes romantic flings with much younger men, including a set of twin brothers she met during a holiday in Brazil. I was with them every night for three weeks," Andrea said, recalling her time with the twins. At first, she thought it would be weird but it wasnt, she said, adding that it became something exciting and unforgettable. For her, this wasnt just a wild detour, it was a connection, emotional as much as physical. We talked deeply. It felt like therapy," she said. Recommended Stories Andrea doesnt believe in rules when it comes to love. People should live their desires without fear," she said. And she means it. Every year, she travels to Brazil and often returns with more than just beach memories, she finds love, or at least fleeting romance. But living this kind of life hasnt been without friction. Her family has voiced their disapproval. Andrea, however, brushes it off. Im single after a long time. This is my life. My choices. Thats it," she explained. Notably, the men interested in her are often half her age. That, according to Andrea, is a byproduct of her strict fitness regime. She eats more than 5,000 eggs a year, lifts heavy, and spends hours in the gym. Young guys are drawn to strength. Its not about age. Its about energy," she said. See her viral post: She has stayed in touch with the twins but has no illusions about the future. It gave her a new kind of joy and made her feel young again. I feel alive," she said, But Im not expecting anything." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Her daughter Janna, 28, is both her confidante and shopping partner. The two often vacation together. Still, Janna admits the attention her mother receives can sometimes sting, especially when it comes from men her own age. Some of my friends follow her. A few even ask to be introduced," Janna said, half-laughing, half-serious. Andrea, however, is clear about her stance that she is not pretending to be someone she is not. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: July 15, 2025, 14:46 IST News viral 'Felt Like Therapy': 55-Year-Old Opens Up About Dating Young Twins At The Same Time Rs 75 Lakh For An Insect? Heres What Makes This Beetle Worth A Fortune Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 13:11 IST A rare beetle that can fetch up to Rs 75 lakh is turning heads with its price, power, and deep cultural value. This rare stag beetle is prized for its jaw-like antlers, rarity, and sky-high global demand. (Image: Getty) Can a tiny insect change your life? Sounds unbelievable, right? But meet the stag beetle, the worlds most expensive insect. So pricey that if you managed to sell one, you could afford a luxury car like. Yes, really! Some rare species of this beetle have been sold for as much as Rs 75 lakh. With its striking appearance, cultural value, and growing rarity, this beetle has become a prized possession among collectors and bug lovers worldwide. Recommended Stories The stag beetle belongs to the Lucanidae family, which includes over 1,200 species. Youll mostly find them in tropical forests across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In India, theyre spotted in the dense forests of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and the Western Ghats. These beetles get their name from the huge antler-like jaws of the male, which resemble the horns of a stag. Males grow between 3575 mm, while females are slightly smaller at 3050 mm. They weigh about 26 grams and live an average of 37 years. The males use their large jaws to fight rival males for territory and mates, while females have shorter but powerful jaws that can give a surprisingly painful bite. Why Is This Beetle So Expensive? Behind its steep price lies a story of scarcity, symbolism, and global demand. 1. Rarity Thats Hard to Find Many species of stag beetles are extremely rare. Deforestation and habitat destruction have pushed them toward the edge. According to Londons Natural History Museum, the beetle is now nearly extinct in Northern Europe, and places like the Thames Valley in London are among its few safe spots. 2. Collectors Just Cant Get Enough In countries like Japan, the stag beetle isnt just a bugits a status symbol. More than 300,000 people collect them, and beetle-fighting tournaments are a real thing! In fact, back in 1999, a rare 80 mm Dorcus hopei species sold in Tokyo for a jaw-dropping $90,000. 3. Cultural Good Luck Charm In many Asian cultures, stag beetles are believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Some even claim owning one can attract sudden wealth. Meanwhile, in medieval Europe, they were linked to lightning and fire, adding a layer of mystery and magic to their reputation. 4. Possibly Medicinal Some sources say stag beetles are used in traditional medicines, though the exact uses arent clearly documented. Still, the belief adds to their value and demand. 5. Tough To Breed Heres another reason theyre so rarebreeding them is incredibly difficult. The beetle stays in its larva stage for 25 years, but once it becomes an adult, it only lives for a few months. Reproducing them in labs or controlled environments is both expensive and time-consuming. Not Just Rare, But Useful Stag beetles might be fancy, but they also play a key role in the ecosystem. They feed on decaying wood, which helps recycle nutrients in forests. The good news isthey dont harm live trees, making them eco-friendly insects. In fact, countries like the UK have made it illegal to sell them. In India too, they may fall under the Wildlife Protection Act, which can ban their trade. Still, theres a thriving black market, and that only makes them more expensive. What About India? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Youll find these beetles in northeastern states and the Himalayan regions. But keeping them as pets isnt common here. That said, the high global demand has triggered illegal trade, which is now becoming a growing concern for conservationists. In short, the stag beetle is more than just a bugits a mix of natures marvel, cultural icon, and underground commodity. From dense forests to collectors shelves, its journey is both fascinating and troubling. And yes, in rare cases, it really could change someones fortune overnight. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 13:11 IST News viral Rs 75 Lakh For An Insect? Heres What Makes This Beetle Worth A Fortune Woman Recounts 'Creepy' Behaviour By Fellow Indians In Singapore: 'No Means No' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 21:42 IST A woman shared her experience in Singapore, where some fellow Indians began following her group around and repeatedly tried to force interactions, even after being asked not to. An Indian woman detailed disturbing and creepy behaviour during her trip to Singapore. (AI-Generated Image) An Indian woman detailed a harrowing experience during her first international trip to Singapore, which was ruined by the disturbing behaviour exhibited by fellow Indians. The woman said she felt creeped out by the experience and called on Indian men to respect boundaries. In a Reddit post, the woman said she and three of her college friends chose Singapore as their destination to celebrate their financial independence. While the first two days went smoothly, their trip to a Buddhist temple turned sour after an Indian man started following them on each floor of the temple. Recommended Stories He then approached one of us, said he visits Singapore often, feels lonely, and would love to hang out or be our guide." We politely declined. He then suggested a vegan restaurant on the 4th/5th floor of the temple, claiming its where monks eat. It sounded interesting, so we went but he followed us through every floor. We even tried skipping levels using the lift, but he still showed up." At lunch, while we were paying, he suddenly stepped in and offered to pay for one tray. We refused, but he insisted we give him cash instead, saying he needed change. It was awkward and pushy. We wrapped up lunch quickly and left, but saw him again in a nearby store still following us after more than an hour. At that point, we were alarmed and took the MRT out of Chinatown," she added. It did not end on that day. While experiencing Singapores nightlife on the next day, two Indian men approached them while the girls were ordering their drinks. We ignored them, but they joined in our toast without asking. We told them to leave. Later, on the dance floor, they followed us again until we moved closer to the DJ where a group of girls joined us only then did they back off," she said. What really got to us was that it wasnt strangers or locals making us feel unsafe it was fellow Indians. In a country known for order and respect, they felt entitled to intrude, follow, and force interactions," the woman said in the post. To the men reading this: this isnt charming, its creepy. Learn to read the room. Respect boundaries. No means no even if its not shouted." Several Reddit users agreed with the womans message and criticised the disturbing behaviour by some Indian travellers. A user wrote, Indian men should be held accountable for their actions. weve been ignoring and pushing them away for a really long time, which only fuels them to pull this." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all You really should have complained to the club authorities or the MRT security at Chinatown. A taste of Singapores law enforcement would have taken care of these obnoxious men," another person wrote. Its unfortunate that the men who need to read and understand boundaries are the ones who are so entitled theyd never even acknowledge or realise theres anything wrong," a third netizen said. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 21:42 IST News viral Woman Recounts 'Creepy' Behaviour By Fellow Indians In Singapore: 'No Means No' A Royal 'Peace Summit': Prince Harry, Meghan Seek Reconciliation With King Charles Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 19:38 IST Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aim to mend ties with King Charles III amid his health issues. A discreet London meeting sparked talk of a royal "peace summit." King Charles and Prince Harry. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly seeking to mend their fractured relationship with King Charles III as concerns grow over the monarchs health. Pagesix reported, citing sources in the know, that senior staff members representing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were spotted in London last week holding a discreet meeting with King Charles top communications aide, prompting speculation of a possible royal peace summit." The meeting, held at the private Royal Over-Seas League club, included Meredith Maines, the Sussexes chief communications officer and Liam Maguire, their UK press lead. On the royal side was Tobyn Andreae, the Kings communications secretary. Recommended Stories Hugo Vickers, royal biographer and friend of the family, said, They may well have just been discussing routine things, which is more than likely. But at some point, you have got to reconcile." The Ball Is In Prince Harrys Court The urgency behind Prince Harrys effort reportedly stems from King Charles ongoing cancer battle. While palace sources say the 76-year-old monarch is receiving the best possible treatment, he is not yet cured. Hugo Vickers said that the weight of time and distance is falling heavily on Prince Harry, telling the outlet, Harry would be riddled with guilt if he never saw his dad again. The ball is in Harrys court. He is the one who has to apologize and beg for forgiveness- not the other way around." The last time Prince Harry saw his father was in February 2024, shortly after King Charles publicly confirmed his cancer diagnosis. The meeting lasted just 30 minutes. In a BBC interview this May, Prince Harry said he was devastated" over losing his legal challenge concerning his personal security in the UK and claimed that King Charles wont speak to me because of this security stuff." He also expressed hope for a reconciliation, adding, I dont know how much longer my father has." Hugo Vickers said, I dont think well see Harry returning to royal duties but on a personal level, it would be good if hes able to get on terms with his father." A Balmoral Invitation For Prince Harry-Meghan? Royal insiders speculate that King Charles may extend a private invitation to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their children- Prince Archie, 6 and Princess Lilibet, 4- to join him at Balmoral, the Kings Scottish estate, where he traditionally spends August. Its his house- he can do whatever he likes," Hugo Vickers said, adding, But theres quite a lot of ground to be made up." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Despite the Sussexes apparent outreach, relations between Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William, remain ice-cold. The two have reportedly not spoken in years and sources close to Prince William say he has no intention of reconciling. However, Hugo Vickers suggested that Princess Eugenie, daughter of Prince Andrew and a close friend of Prince Harrys, could be key to bridging the family divide. Eugenie seems to be the one in touch with Harry and could broker the deal- especially where the children are concerned. They are going to grow up and work out that their first cousin, Prince George, is going to be the King of England," Hugo Vickers said. view comments Location : United Kingdom (UK) First Published: July 15, 2025, 19:38 IST News world A Royal 'Peace Summit': Prince Harry, Meghan Seek Reconciliation With King Charles Indonesia To Pay 19% One-Way Tariffs, Buy 50 Boeing Jets From US As Trump Announces Trade Deal Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 16, 2025, 07:28 IST Donald Trump announced new trade deal with Indonesia and shared the details of the same on Truth Social. US President Donald Trump (AP) President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) said that he has reached a new trade agreement with Indonesia, as per which the Asian country will pay reduced 19% tariffs to America on its exports, while the US will pay no such levies in return on its products. Trump revealed the details of the trade deal on his social media platform, Truth Social, said that the Asian country will buy US Energy, agricultural products, and 50 Boeing jets as part of the deal. Recommended Stories This landmark Deal opens up Indonesias ENTIRE MARKET to the United States for the first time in History. As part of the Agreement, Indonesia has committed to purchasing $15 Billion Dollars in U.S. Energy, $4.5 Billion Dollars in American Agricultural Products, and 50 Boeing Jets, many of them 777s. For the first time ever, our Ranchers, Farmers, and Fishermen will have Complete and Total Access to the Indonesian Market of over 280 million people," he said. In addition, Indonesia will pay the United States a 19% Tariff on all Goods they export to us, while U.S. Exports to Indonesia are to be Tariff and Non Tariff Barrier FREE. If there is any Transshipment from a higher Tariff Country, then that Tariff will be added on to the Tariff that Indonesia is paying," Trump added. Markets React With Caution The iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF rose as much as 0.7% in early trading Tuesday following Donald Trumps announcement but broader markets remained mostly stable. The S&P 500 was little changed as investors appeared to take a wait-and-see approach. US-Indonesia Trade Talks Last week, Indonesia dispatched its top trade negotiator to Washington in hopes of securing a resolution and avoiding the looming tariff. According to Indonesian officials, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto held closed-door talks last week with several senior US officials, including US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. During those meetings, Airlangga Hartarto reportedly presented a series of bilateral business proposals and investment opportunities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Donald Trumps Tariffs Since April, Donald Trump has unveiled a series of country-by-country tariff demands, leaving trade partners scrambling to respond before arbitrary deadlines. Donald Trumps Indonesia announcement follows similar moves with Vietnam, the UK, and China. Most of these declarations, however, have fallen short of formal trade deals. Donald Trumps latest round of letters extended a July 9 deadline to August 1, warning countries that new tariffs would take effect unless they strike better terms" with Washington. view comments Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: July 15, 2025, 22:12 IST News world Indonesia To Pay 19% One-Way Tariffs, Buy 50 Boeing Jets From US As Trump Announces Trade Deal 'Would Have Been In Nuclear War': Donald Trump Again Claims Mediation Between India, Pakistan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 07:37 IST Donald Trump claimed he prevented a nuclear war between India and Pakistan by leveraging trade talks during his presidency. He said the conflict would have escalated within a week. Donald Trump speaks during a meeting (Photo: AP) Donald Trump on Tuesday yet again claimed that he mediated between India and Pakistan and stopped the four-day conflict between the two countries. The remarks by the US President came during his meeting with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte. Recommended Stories We have been very successful in settling wars. You have India, Pakistan. India and Pakistan would have been in a nuclear war within another week, the way that was going. That was going very badly," Trump said. Pointing to his strategy of using trade as leverage, the US President asserted, We did that through trade. I said, were not going to talk to you about trade unless you get this thing settled. And they did." Before this, Trump had claimed mediation between India and Pakistan in June this year, when he told reporters on Air Force One, You know, I did something that people dont talk about, and I dont talk about very much, but we solved a big problem, a nuclear problem potentially with India and with Pakistan." I spoke to Pakistan, I spoke to India, they have really great leaders, but they were going at it, and they could have gone at it nuclear," he added. #WATCH | US President Donald Trump says, We have been very successful in settling wars. You have India, PakistanIndia and Pakistan would have been a nuclear war within another week, the way that was going. That was going very badly. We did that through trade. I said, were pic.twitter.com/GPDA6ObK0B ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025 Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for stopping hostilities between India and Pakistan after New Delhis effective response to Islamabads aggression following precision strikes on terror infrastructures. However, India refuted the claims made by the US President, reiterating its policy that India and Pakistan bilaterally address any matter related to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. As you are aware, we have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally," the Ministry of External Affairs had said. That stated policy has not changed. As you are aware, the outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian Territory by Pakistan," it added. The MEA further stated that the issue of trade" did not come up between Indian and US leaders since the commencement of Operation Sindoor and the cessation of hostilities. From the time Operation Sindoor commenced, till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action was reached, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation." The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions," MEA further stated. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 targeting terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. ALSO READ | SC Greenlights Trumps Plan To Dismantle Education Dept, Lay Off 1,400 Employees About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 07:28 IST News world 'Would Have Been In Nuclear War': Donald Trump Again Claims Mediation Between India, Pakistan Flash Floods Hit NYC, New Jersey Declares State Of Emergency As Intense Rainfall Predicted Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 09:21 IST The National Weather Service has also issued flash flood warnings across all five boroughs of New York City. Flash floods hit New Jersey (Image: X) Flash floods wreaked havoc across New York City and northern New Jersey, prompting emergency alerts and evacuations after torrential rainfall battered parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic on Monday night. In view of the situation across cities, Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency. Taking to X, he wrote, I am declaring a State of Emergency given flash flooding and high levels of rainfall in parts of the state." Recommended Stories Please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Stay safe, New Jersey," he urged. I am declaring a State of Emergency given flash flooding and high levels of rainfall in parts of the state.Please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Stay safe, New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) July 14, 2025 Flash Flood Warning The National Weather Service has also issued flash flood warnings across all five boroughs of New York City. Following this, the officials have urged residents of basement flats to prepare for rapid evacuation, India Today reported. If you live in a basement flat, stay alert. Flash flooding can happen with little warning, including overnight," New York City Emergency Management posted on X, adding, Keep a phone, torch, and Go Bag nearby. Be ready to move to higher ground." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Chelsea neighbourhood in Manhattan recorded 1.47 inches of rain by 7:30 pm, while Staten Island saw 1.67 inches, according to city emergency updates. In addition to this, more rain was forecasted for later in the night. Meanwhile, authorities are monitoring the flood-prone areas and are urging residents to remain cautious as conditions may worsen. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More view comments Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: July 15, 2025, 09:21 IST News world Flash Floods Hit NYC, New Jersey Declares State Of Emergency As Intense Rainfall Predicted Flee NewYork, Move To Ohio: Vivek Ramaswamy Pays For Times Square Ad To Mock Zohran Mamdani Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 19:39 IST Vivek Ramaswamy has announced his candidacy for the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race. The billboard compares Mamdanis progressive reform agenda with Ramaswamys conservative stance (X) It wasnt long ago that Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic mayoral primary in New York. However, less than two weeks after his victory, attacks on his political ideology have already begun. According to a report by the New York Post, supporters of Vivek Ramaswamy have put up a digital billboard in Times Square urging New Yorkers to flee Mamdanis radical socialism" and move to Ohio. The supporting group, Vivek Super PACVictors, Not Victimshas reportedly paid a hefty sum of $50,000 for this advertisement promoting Ramaswamys candidacy in the Buckeye State. The billboard is expected to remain in Times Square for the entire week. Recommended Stories Worried About Zohran? Ohio Is Waiting For You!" reads the billboard, which contrasts Mamdanis progressive reform agenda with Ramaswamys conservative stance. It portrays Ramaswamys ideology as a symbol of American freedom, in opposition to what it calls Mamdanis socialist totalitarianism." We put this billboard up because we couldnt think of two politicians in the country who represent such wildly different paths for the future of our nationthe Mamdani path of socialist totalitarianism versus the Vivek path of American freedom," said Andy Surabian, chief strategist for VPAC. The billboard was also shared on social media by Ramaswamy, who captioned it: Capitalism defeats socialism. Theres a better way: move to Ohio." Capitalism defeats socialism. Theres a better way: move to Ohio. https://t.co/ZlOZHhD6vg Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) July 13, 2025 Interestingly, both Mamdani and Ramaswamy are of Indian descent. Mamdani, the son of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, has recently gained political prominence, while Ramaswamy has been in the spotlight since Donald Trumps 2024 presidential race. Zohran Mamdani could potentially face off against Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo in the upcoming November election and emerge as New York Citys next mayor. Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy has announced his candidacy for the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race. Ramaswamys posts criticising Mamdanis mayoral campaign have been gaining traction online, and the internet seems to be taking an interest in the digital rivalry between these two South Asian-American politicians. At the same time, Ramaswamy has also condemned racist remarks previously directed at Mamdani and US Second Lady Usha Vance. Responding to a troll post by Nicholas J. Fuentes, Ramaswamy wrote: Its a shame to watch the race-obsessed fringe of the right try to outdo the race-obsessed woke left." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Its a shame to watch the race-obsessed fringe of the right try to outdo the race-obsessed woke left. https://t.co/wuzSxUbwqC Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) July 1, 2025 Meanwhile, Mamdanis team had not responded to the Times Square ad at the time of writing this report. view comments Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: July 15, 2025, 19:39 IST News world Flee NewYork, Move To Ohio: Vivek Ramaswamy Pays For Times Square Ad To Mock Zohran Mamdani 'I Trust Nobody': Trump Says Hes Disappointed But Not Done With Putin Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 15:59 IST Russia-Ukraine War: Donald Trump expressed disappointment with Vladimir Putin over Ukraine aggression. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE) US President Donald Trump said he is disappointed but not done" with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid continued aggression by Moscow in Ukraine. Speaking from the Oval Office, Donald Trump was asked whether he still trusts Vladimir Putin or not with respect to Ukraine peace talks. I trust almost nobody," the US President said bluntly, while reiterating that he still sees potential for a diplomatic breakthrough with Moscow, as per the BBC. This comes as Donald Trump unveiled plans to send weapons to Kyiv and warned of severe tariffs" on Russia if a ceasefire deal isnt reached within the next 50 days. Recommended Stories Were working at it," Donald Trump told the BBC when asked how he would stop the bloodshed, adding, Well have a great conversation. Ill say: Thats good, Ill think were close to getting it done and then Putin will knock down a building in Kyiv." The US President claimed he had believed a deal to end the war was imminent on four separate occasions but said that each time Russia escalated military action in Ukraine. How Close Are Russia And Ukraine To A Peace Deal? Russia has ramped up its drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, leading to some of the highest civilian casualty tolls since the war began. The escalation comes more than two years after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Despite the intensifying violence, Vladimir Putin has continued to claim he wants peace but only if what he describes as the wars root causes" are addressed as he has blamed the conflict on perceived external threats to Russias security from Kyiv, NATO and what he calls the collective West." NATO No Longer Obsolete, Donald Trump Says top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier Donald Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House where he supported the military alliance he once called obsolete" and affirmed support for Article 5, the mutual defense clause at the heart of the alliance. NATO is strong," Donald Trump said, adding, And it has to stay strong." view comments Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: July 15, 2025, 15:53 IST News world 'I Trust Nobody': Trump Says Hes Disappointed But Not Done With Putin IMF Warns Pakistan Over Sugar Subsidy Plan, Flags Risk To $7 Billion Loan Programme Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 22:50 IST The International Monetary Fund dismissed the Pakistan government's argument that this qualifies as a "food emergency" response The IMF's concerns have increased pressure on the Pakistan government to revisit its sugar import strategy. (Image: Reuters/File) The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday warned Pakistan that its decision to provide tax exemptions and subsidies on imported sugar could undermine the ongoing $7 billion loan agreement with it. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) dismissed Pakistans argument that this qualifies as a food emergency" response, sources told ARY News. Recommended Stories According to the sources, the IMF has opposed the Pakistan governments plan to subsidise imported sugar by PKR 55 per kg, expected to arrive at a cost of PKR 249 per kg. The IMFs concerns have increased pressure on the government to revisit its sugar import strategy, which now faces objections from both the lender and domestic industry. WHAT IS THE KEY CONCERN? A key concern is that a large share of the imported sugar is likely to be consumed by industrial users rather than ordinary households, which the IMF views as inconsistent with public interest and a breach of fiscal discipline. The government is now re-evaluating its decision to grant full duty exemptions on the import of 500,000 metric tons of sugar a move approved by the federal cabinet without prior consultation with the ministry of finance. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) waived all duties and taxes on these imports, while the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has issued a tender for 300,000 metric tons, with bids closing by July 18. Adding to the controversy, the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) informed the government that local mills have sufficient stock to meet national demand until November. It claimed that it could supply 530,000 tons monthly and criticised the government for imposing a sales tax exceeding PKR 25 per kg on locally produced sugar. On Monday, Dawn reported that amid these developments, the government and the sugar industry reached an agreement to reduce sugar prices, setting a new ex-mill rate of PKR 165 per kg. The ministry of national food security and research described this as a big relief" for the public. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Provincial governments will now be responsible for ensuring sugar availability at the reduced price. The ministry had been in talks with the PSMA to assess current supply, pricing trends, and future strategies. (With ANI inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More view comments Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: July 15, 2025, 22:50 IST News world IMF Warns Pakistan Over Sugar Subsidy Plan, Flags Risk To $7 Billion Loan Programme Imran Khans Ex-Wife Reham Khan Launches Political Party: Pakistan Needs To Change Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 22:41 IST Reham Khan, journalist and ex-wife of Imran Khan, launched the Pakistan Republic Party. News18 Journalist, author and former wife of Imran Khan Reham Khan officially entered Pakistans political arena with the launch of her own party- the Pakistan Republic Party (PRP). Reham Khan described the party as a people-powered movement aimed at transforming Pakistans politics into genuine public service. Ive never accepted political positions before. I joined a party once for just one person," she said, alluding to her past with Imran Khan, asserting, But today, I stand on my own terms." Recommended Stories A Voice For The People Reham Khan said the Pakistan Republic Party would serve as a platform for accountability and a voice for the common citizen, born out of the widespread disillusionment with Pakistans current political establishment. She said, This is not just a party, its a movement to convert politics into service. From 2012 to 2025, the Pakistan Ive witnessed still lacks clean drinking water and basic healthcare. Thats not acceptable anymore." Reham Khan emphasized that the party would prioritize representation of all social classes, arguing that Pakistans parliament does not currently reflect the countrys demographic and economic realities. She said, Every class should be represented by someone who actually belongs to that class." Reham Khan Slams Dynasty Politics In Pakistan In a pointed critique of Pakistans entrenched political elite, Reham Khan took aim at dynastic politics, multi-seat contesting and the concentration of power among a few families. We are not here to serve personal empires," she said, adding, No one in our party will contest from four constituencies at one time, and were not here to play political games." Reham Khan added that the new party had been formed without the blessing of any political dynasty or patron, positioning it as an outsider force looking to disrupt the status quo. She said, Only five families are sitting in the assemblies. That has to change." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A Personal Milestone, Reham Khan Says Reham Khan said launching her own party was a personal milestone, saying with a defiant declaration aimed at the political class in Pakistan, I have come to replace all the big political people." She also said the Pakistan Republic Partys manifesto would be released soon and would be anchored in constitutional values and public accountability. view comments Location : Pakistan First Published: July 15, 2025, 22:41 IST News world Imran Khans Ex-Wife Reham Khan Launches Political Party: Pakistan Needs To Change Chinese Media Stresses 'Fresh Start' Amid Jaishankar Visit, But Flags 'Sensitive' Boundary Issue Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 08:41 IST A Chinese state-run editorial hailed EAM S Jaishankar's Beijing visit as a diplomatic breakthrough, calling for improved India-China ties while accusing the US of exploiting rifts. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Beijing, China (Photo: PTI) India and China have a great potential for improving their bilateral relations, however, the boundary remains sensitive, an editorial piece with the Chinese state-run outlet Global Times suggested on Tuesday, also accusing the United States of exploiting the gaps between the two countries. The piece comes in the backdrop of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars visit to China, where he met multiple leaders, and said that India and China should build on good progress" in normalising the bilateral ties to address border-related issues, including de-escalation. Recommended Stories Jaishankar also said that it was essential to avoid restrictive trade measures and roadblocks". In the wake of the development, the Global Times stated, There are still many concrete issues that China and India need to address. This also means there is great potential for improving bilateral relations." However, referring to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) standoff, the piece mentioned, The boundary question remains the most sensitive and complex issue in their relationship." Meanwhile, some countries like the US have long sought to exploit gaps and drive wedges between China and India in an attempt to hinder their common development, adding another layer of disturbance to the relationship," it stated. The Global Times stressed that the improvement of bilateral relations between India and China is the right and beneficial path. It is not hard to see that China and India currently share a notable consensus the continued improvement of bilateral relations is both the right path and a beneficial one," it stated. Also calling Jaishankars visit to China in five years a breakthrough in high-level diplomatic engagement", the piece mentioned that the efforts to restore the normal mechanisms of communication between the two sides should be viewed positively. But the steady improvement of China-India relations especially their long-term, healthy, and stable development still requires both sides to build resilient strategic trust based on mutual respect for each others core concerns," it added. Emphasising that China remains committed to the path of peaceful development, viewing its neighbours not as competitors but as partners in pursuit of common development and mutual success", the Global Times mentioned that the resumption of direct flights, restarting people-to-people exchanges, and boosting academic and think tank visits will help cultivate more genuine and lasting mutual trust at the societal level." If the two countries can further strengthen coordination in jointly addressing global challenges, they will inject greater stability into the processes of world multipolarity and South-South cooperation," the piece added. The editorial also mentioned that the relations between India and China would not improve overnight, and that mutual trust cannot be achieved through a meeting or a joint statement. The window for dialogue in China-India relations is now being opened; seizing the opportunity to build trust is the most important task at this moment. As two Asias most influential countries, cooperation will continue to outweigh differences in the long run," it stated. EAM JAISHANKARs REMARKS IN BEIJING In his opening remarks during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Beijing said the bilateral relations can develop in a positive trajectory" on the foundation that differences should not become disputes and nor should competition become a conflict. Also speaking at the event, Wang said India and China should find a way for mutual respect and trust, peaceful coexistence, common development and win-win cooperation. The two sides should stand on high ground, seek long-term strategies, adhere to the direction of good-neighbourliness and friendship, and realise the Dragon-Elephant Dance", he said. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with India to jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system, the stability of the global production and supply chains, Wang added. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi described the talks as constructive and forward-looking" and said the two sides agreed to take additional practical steps", including travel to each others country and direct flight connectivity, for facilitating people-to-people exchanges. Jaishankar met Wang hours after he landed in China on a two-day visit to attend a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). It is his first visit to the neighbouring country since bilateral ties witnessed a severe downturn following the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020. Jaishankar also held talks with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and conveyed to him that continued normalisation of bilateral ties can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. INDIA-CHINA TENSIONS The military standoff in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020, and a deadly clash at the Galwan Valley in June that year resulted in a severe strain in ties between the two neighbours. In the last nine months, India and China have been engaged in normalising their relations after ending the military face-off along the LAC in October last year. Though the two sides disengaged troops from the friction points, they have yet to de-escalate the situation by pulling back the frontline forces from the border. Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the eastern Ladakh region. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached an important consensus at their meeting in Kazan, which pointed out the direction for the improvement and development of China-India relations. The Modi-Xi meeting came two days after India and China firmed up a disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok. About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 08:41 IST News world Chinese Media Stresses 'Fresh Start' Amid Jaishankar Visit, But Flags 'Sensitive' Boundary Issue BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- China is experiencing a surge in foreign tourist arrivals as the summer vacation season kicks off, with increasing numbers of international travelers drawn to the country's unique blend of ancient culture and modern vitality. Thomas Watts, a short video creator from the United States, said he invited friends to Chongqing this summer after seeing numerous online posts highlighting the city's steep hills and bold flavors. "It reminds me of San Francisco, but with spicier food and a spectacular neon-lit skyline. I came to experience it and film it myself," he said. He is not alone in choosing China as a summer destination. Kittiphume Pannil, a university student from Thailand, arrived in China for the first time last week and plans to spend his summer break on an exchange program at a local university in Chongqing. "When I saw Chongqing from the plane, it looked like a city of dazzling lights and towering skyscrapers, like something straight out of the future," Pannil said. Official data showed that in the first half of 2025, Chongqing's border checkpoints handled more than 1.14 million inbound and outbound travelers, a 35 percent year-on-year increase. Among them, over 330,000 were foreign nationals, setting a new record for the city. The country's capital is also drawing a growing number of international visitors. According to official data, Beijing's ports of entry handled over 640,000 inbound and outbound travelers from July 1 to 10, including 171,000 foreign tourists, marking a 22.1 percent year-on-year increase. Among the newcomers is Robert Alex Barbender, a traveler from the Netherlands. "A friend told me Beijing is beautiful, and now with the visa-free policy, I thought why not come and have a look?" he said. "Honestly, it feels like I've stepped into a video game, everything is busy and crowded, but still runs in perfect order," he added. Other major cities are also welcoming record numbers of international visitors. According to official data, a total of 2.56 million foreign travelers entered China through Shanghai's Pudong and Hongqiao international airports in the first half of this year, marking a 44.7 percent year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, Xi'an, a cultural hub known for its Terracotta Warriors, has welcomed more than 135,000 foreign visitors this year, a 124 percent jump from the same period last year. Notably, over 100,000 of them arrived under visa exemption policies, including unilateral and mutual visa-free entry as well as the visa-free transit policy, marking a staggering 290 percent surge compared to 2024. To meet the growing demand, immigration authorities at major border checkpoints have introduced a range of measures to reduce waiting times and improve the travel experience. Tourism destinations across the country are also tailoring experiences for international visitors. In Beijing, the Palace Museum offers foreign-language tours focusing on the architectural significance of the landmark spots. In Xi'an, tourists can immerse themselves in China's rich history by dressing in traditional Tang Dynasty costumes. This significant rise in inbound tourism this summer is no coincidence. Summer is traditionally a major vacation season for travelers from Europe, North America and Southeast Asia, leading many to choose China as their preferred destination during these months. The surge has also been driven by China's continued easing of entry policies for foreign visitors. As of now, China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy applies to 55 countries, while nationals from 47 countries are eligible for unilateral visa-free entry. India Offers To Restore Satyajit Rays Ancestral Home After Demolition Order In Bangladesh Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 23:07 IST The Indian government on Tuesday reminded the Bangladesh interim government that renowned filmmaker Satyajit Rays ancestral is a symbol of Bangla Rennaissance. India has offered to restore, reconstruct and repair renowned filmmaker Satyajit Rays ancestral home in Mymensingh, Bangladesh after Yunus ordered its demolition. (IMAGE: DHAKA TRIBUNE) The Indian government on Tuesday reminded the Bangladesh interim government led by Muhammad Yunus that renowned filmmaker Satyajit Rays home, whose demolition Yunus team ordered, is a symbol of Bangla Renaissance and offered help to repair, restore and reconstruct the landmark. The historic landmark and the century-old property in Dhakas Horikishore Ray Chowdhury Road belonged to Rays grandfather, the renowned litterateur Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury, whose poems and short stories are taught to children in schools in Indias West Bengal, Assam and Tripura and also in Bangladesh, making it an intrinsic part of Bengali culture. Recommended Stories We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of noted filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, belonging to his grandfather and eminent litterateur, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, is being demolished," the ministry said in a statement. Given the buildings landmark status, symbolising Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition and examine options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature and a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh. The Government of India would be willing to extend cooperation for this purpose," the ministry further added. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also criticised the decision taken by the interim Bangladesh goverment. The demolition order by the Bangladesh government has also appeared to anger civil society in Bangladesh where the current interim government has appeared to be lax on Islamists and hardliners who want to erase Bangladeshs secular credentials and erase its Bengali identity, steering towards a more radical Islamic path. However, some Bangladeshi activists and citizens are also taking efforts to halt the demolition. This is the historic house of the Ray family. Although it is not yet listed as an archaeological site, it is a century-old home linked to Satyajit Rays family. As part of our survey, such structures can be considered for listing as archaeological sites. Thats why I have appealed to the Shishu Academy for information regarding the demolition. Being a centennial structure, we want this house to be protected," Sabina Yasmin, field officer of the Department of Archaeologys Shashilaj Museum, was quoted as saying by Prothom Alo. The house was in a pity state for years, cracks developed on its roof but the authorities concerned never cared for the rich history behind old buildings," Shamim Ashraf, a poet, told the Dhaka Tribune. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The dilapidated building has remained unused since 2007. After the 1947 Partition, the property passed into government ownership and was converted into the Mymensingh Shishu Academy in 1989. The Shishu Academy now plans to demolish the abandoned structure and build a multi-storey complex in its place. Local residents speaking to the Dhaka Tribune said that the demolition will wipe out the legacy of the Ray dynasty in Mymensingh city. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More view comments Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: July 15, 2025, 22:53 IST News world India Offers To Restore Satyajit Rays Ancestral Home After Demolition Order In Bangladesh Iron-Clad Brothers: Pakistan Hails China Ties After Meeting Xi Jinping at SCO Summit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 19:51 IST Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin. Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin. (IMAGE: X) Pakistans foreign minister and deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday described China as his countrys iron-clad brother" after a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Dars post on X came after Xis joint interaction with the foreign ministers and delegation heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states. Dar said he was delighted" to meet Xi at the Great Hall of the People and conveyed greetings from Pakistans leadership, government, and people. As iron-clad brothers and all-weather strategic cooperative partners, we remain committed to deepening Pak-China enduring friendship and advancing shared regional goals," Dar wrote. Recommended Stories His remarks came a day after Indias external affairs minister S. Jaishankar met senior Chinese leaders, including his counterpart Wang Yi and President Xi, during the SCO engagements in Beijing. While both sides spoke of keeping India-China differences from turning into disputes, India has, in recent weeks, sharpened its stance on Chinas backing of Pakistan, especially in the context of Operation Sindoor against terror camps. Delighted to meet earlier today with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Conveyed the warm greetings of the leadership, government and people of Pakistan. As iron-clad brothers and All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners, we remain committed to pic.twitter.com/CKU6vnmHpJ Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 15, 2025 Lieutenant General Rahul R. Singh, Indias Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), warned that during Operation Sindoor, India confronted not just one but three adversaries on its western border. He revealed that China provided Pakistan with realtime intelligence effectively turning Pakistan into a live weapons laboratory" for Chinese systems. Singh noted that 81% of Pakistans military hardware is Chinese, adding Turkey-supported drone deployments to the mix as a third challenge. China currently holds the rotating presidency of the 10-member SCO, which includes India, China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Belarus. During his address at the joint meeting in Tianjin, Xi stressed the importance of regional cooperation under the SCO framework. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After the Beijing meeting, Dar and other foreign ministers travelled to Tianjin, where bilateral talks were held on the sidelines. Always good to exchange views for strengthening regional understanding and cooperation in such a challenging time," Dar posted on X. On the margins of the SCO events, Dar also met his counterparts from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Uzbekistan and Belarus, news agency PTI reported. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More view comments Location : Beijing, China First Published: July 15, 2025, 19:51 IST News world Iron-Clad Brothers: Pakistan Hails China Ties After Meeting Xi Jinping at SCO Summit Jaishankar Talks Ties With Xi Jinping During China Visit, Conveys PM Modis Greetings Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 11:01 IST Jaishankar briefed President Xi on recent developments in India-China relations and emphasised the importance of continued leadership guidance in advancing bilateral ties. S Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. (Photo: DrSJaishankar) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, where he conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) ministerial gathering. Jaishankar briefed President Xi on recent developments in India-China relations and emphasised the importance of continued leadership guidance in advancing bilateral ties. Recommended Stories Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers.Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister @narendramodi. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of pic.twitter.com/tNfmEzpJGl Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 15, 2025 The meeting with Xi comes a day after Jaishankar met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on in Beijing, where both leaders emphasised the importance of deepening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation, according to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua. Also Read: Need To Address De-Escalation: Key Takeaways From Jaishankars Visit To China During the meeting, Han highlighted that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a successful meeting" in Kazan last October, bringing China-India relations to a new starting point," Xinhua reported. Underscoring the shared status of China and India as major developing nations and key members of the Global South, Han remarked it was the right choice" for the two countries to be partners contributing to each others success," as per Xinhua. Han also urged both sides to implement the consensus reached by their leaders, continue high-level strategic engagement, and promote stable, healthy development of bilateral relations by respecting core concerns and enhancing pragmatic cooperation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During the meeting with Han, Jaishankar said India hopes zero tolerance for terrorism" will be upheld at the upcoming meeting of the SCO, noting that its primary mandate is to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism, comments seen as a reference to Pakistans support to cross-border terrorism. He highlighted the positive impact of peace and tranquillity in the border for the smooth development in bilateral relations and supported continued efforts towards de-escalation and border management. The MEA said he underlined the need for cooperation on transboundary rivers, including the resumption of the provision of hydrological data by the Chinese side. About the Author Abhro Banerjee Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ... Read More Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 09:25 IST News world Jaishankar Talks Ties With Xi Jinping During China Visit, Conveys PM Modis Greetings Melania Disapproves Of Putin's Actions In Ukraine? Trump Shares What She Told Him Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 18:16 IST Donald Trump said Melania influenced his views on Vladimir Putin, changing his initial impressions of the Russian leader. US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump US President Donald Trump revealed- during a White House meeting- that his wife Melania Trump had shaped his views on Russian President Vladimir Putin as she offered a sharply skeptical contrast to his own initial impressions of the Moscow leader and his war in Ukraine. My conversations with Putin are always very pleasant," Donald Trump said while seated alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, adding, I say, isnt that a very lovely conversation? And then the missiles go off that night." Recommended Stories He continued with a personal anecdote, saying, I go home, I tell the First Lady: I spoke with Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation. She said: Really? Another city was just hit." Born in Slovenia, formerly part of Yugoslavia, Melania Trump has carried a personal perspective on Europes turbulent geopolitics. In 2022, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she broke her usual silence on policy matters by urging donations to the Red Cross, calling the images from Ukraine heartbreaking and horrific". On Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump further said, Look, I dont want to say hes an assassin. But hes a tough guy. Its been proven over the years. Hes fooled a lot of people." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The remarks comes as Donald Trump announced that the United States will be sending additional Patriot air-defense batteries and interceptor missiles to Ukraine, with costs covered by European allies. The US President confirmed the systems would be delivered within days" and financed by Germany and other NATO members. Ukraine currently has six functioning Patriot systems and the newly pledged units are expected to bolster its defences significantly amid continued Russian missile and drone attacks on major cities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the support in his nightly address, saying, I am grateful to President Trump for his readiness to support the protection of our peoples lives." view comments Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: July 15, 2025, 18:16 IST News world Melania Disapproves Of Putin's Actions In Ukraine? Trump Shares What She Told Him Preparing For Jihad: Pakistan Talibans Grip Spreads To Bangladesh, 2 Held Over Terror Links Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 23:39 IST Two men were arrested in as many days for having terror links to Pakistan Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Shamin Mahfuz was arrested days after another man was arrested for having ties to Pakistan Taliban. (IMAGE: DHAKA TRIBUNE) Bangladeshs counter-terror agencies have arrested two men in separate operations this month for their suspected links to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), raising fresh concern over the Pakistan-based militant groups influence creeping into Bangladesh. On July 2, the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) arrested Md Foysal, 33, from his shop in Savar, based on intelligence inputs that flagged his connection with the TTP. He was sent to jail the next day, and a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act was registered against him and five others on July 5. Recommended Stories In his reported confession to police, Foysal admitted he was inspired by the ideology of TTP" and had traveled to Afghanistan via Pakistan in October 2024 along with Ahmed Jubair, a 23-year-old from Savar, who was later killed in a Pakistan army operation in Waziristan. Foysal also claimed that key accused Engineer Imran Haider had played a central role in recruiting and motivating Bangladeshi youths for the TTP." According to the case details, Foysal and the other accused, including Rezaul Karim Abrar, Asif Adnan, Zakaria Masud, and Md Sanaf Hasan, were allegedly spreading TTP ideology online and preparing for jihad". The phrase preparing for jihad" featured explicitly in the charge sheet accessed by the Dhaka Tribune, highlighting how the group was not just sharing radical content but actively pushing towards recruitment and militant training. In a separate operation on July 14, Shamin Mahfuz, 48, a former leader of banned outfits JMB and Jamaatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, was arrested in Narayanganj by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and handed over to the ATU. Although not named in Foysals case, Shamins alleged TTP links emerged during interrogation. With a long history of militancy cases, arms training, and reported efforts to set up extremist camps in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Shamin is also known for his connections with separatist groups like the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF). He had been out on bail since October 2024. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The arrests come close on the heels of Malaysia detaining 36 Bangladeshis last month over alleged terror network links, triggering regional concerns about transnational extremist networks exploiting Bangladesh. Formed in 2007, the TTP is a coalition of militant groups operating along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and remains designated a terror entity by the UN. Bangladeshs ATU, launched in 2017, leads the countrys anti-terror operations. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More view comments Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: July 15, 2025, 23:38 IST News world Preparing For Jihad: Pakistan Talibans Grip Spreads To Bangladesh, 2 Held Over Terror Links Russia Dismisses Trumps Tariff Ultimatum, Calls Ukraine Ceasefire Pressure Unacceptable Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 17:26 IST Russia-Ukraine War: Donald Trump threatened severe tariffs on Russia but Moscow rejected the ultimatum, calling it unacceptable. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Russia rejected pressure from US President Donald Trump who threatened to impose punishing economic tariffs if Moscow does not end its war in Ukraine within 50 days. The warning, delivered by Donald Trump during a White House meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, marks a sharp escalation in Washingtons efforts to force a ceasefire on Moscow. Donald Trump said the US would impose very severe tariffs"- potentially up to 100%- targeting Russia and any country continuing to trade with it. The US President said, Were going to be doing very severe tariffs if we dont have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs at about 100%." Recommended Stories Donald Trump said the plan is part of a broader move to increase pressure on Vladimir Putin, as diplomatic efforts have failed to bring Moscow to the negotiating table. He also announced a new weapons package for Ukraine, including Patriot air-defense systems, to be paid for by NATO allies. Kremlin Pushes Back At Donald Trumps Threats Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov dismissed Donald Trumps warning as unacceptable, saying, Any attempts to make demands- especially ultimatums- are unacceptable for us." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the gravity of Donald Trumps threat, saying it was serious" and that Moscow would take time to study it." Economic Sanctions On Russia Imminent? US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that Donald Trumps approach could involve both tariffs and sanctions, calling them tools in his toolbox." You can do either one," Howard Lutnick said, signalling that Russia could face both penalties if it does not agree to a ceasefire by early September. China Condemns Donald Trumps Warning China slammed Donald Trumps attempt to target its trade with Russia. Speaking in Beijing after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, China President Xi Jinping reaffirmed Chinas support for deeper engagement with Moscow while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticized the US threat as an example of long-arm jurisdiction" and said Beijing opposes any coercive economic measures." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Donald Trump Says Hes Disappointed With Putin The tariffs warning comes as Donald Trump expressed his growing frustration with Vladimir Putin after months of diplomatic overtures failed. The US President said that hes disappointed" in the Russian leader but is not done with him" yet. The Kremlin has continued its intensified drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks. view comments Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: July 15, 2025, 17:26 IST News world Russia Dismisses Trumps Tariff Ultimatum, Calls Ukraine Ceasefire Pressure Unacceptable Scam Artist! Trump Accuses Senator Adam Schiff of Mortgage Fraud In Latest Claim Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: July 16, 2025, 00:05 IST Senator Adam Schiff has denied any wrongdoing in posts on X. This is not the first time Trump has levelled allegations against Schiff (File) US President Donald Trump has levelled fresh accusations against California Senator Adam Schiff. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that the Democratic leader is a scam artist" who should be brought to justice" for his alleged involvement in mortgage fraud. Trump alleges that Schiffs actions were an attempt to defraud the American public. According to The Post, the Federal Housing Finance Agency has written to the Justice Department requesting a further investigation. In his Truth Social post, Trump wrote, I have always suspected Shifty Adam Schiff was a scam artist. And now I learn that Fannie Maes Financial Crimes Division have concluded that Adam Schiff has engaged in a sustained pattern of possible Mortgage Fraud." Recommended Stories The Democratic senator from California reportedly declared his Maryland home as his primary residence in 2003. However, in 2009, he listed his California condo as his primary home, allowing him to claim a $7,000 rebate on the 1% property tax, as per KFox TV. Under California state law, to qualify for such an exemption, a dwelling must be the persons true, fixed, and permanent home." While Schiff did not claim any tax relief on the Maryland property, which was later designated as his secondary residence in 2020, Trump insists this leads to mortgage fraud and says Schiff must be held accountable. Schiff has denied any wrongdoing in posts on X (formerly Twitter), describing the accusation as yet another political smear by Trump aimed at discrediting his opponents. This is just Donald Trumps latest attempt at political retaliation against his perceived enemies. And much as Trump may hope, this smear will not distract from his Epstein files problem," Schiff posted. Since I led his first impeachment, Trump has repeatedly called for me to be arrested for treason.So in a way, I guess this is a bit of a letdown. And this baseless attempt at political retribution wont stop me from holding him accountable. Not by a long shot. pic.twitter.com/zC5W2lFF3Z Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) July 15, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Questions surrounding Schiffs mortgage claims first emerged in 2023 following a CNN report. However, according to real estate experts, Schiff is unlikely to face legal consequences, as Californias property laws are considered ambiguous in their interpretation. This is not the first time Trump has levelled allegations against Schiff. The two have long had a contentious relationship. Schiff previously chaired the House Intelligence Committee, which investigated Trumps alleged ties to Russia, and played a key role in Trumps 2020 Senate impeachment trial. view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: July 16, 2025, 00:05 IST News world Scam Artist! Trump Accuses Senator Adam Schiff of Mortgage Fraud In Latest Claim Sunni Cleric Joins Final Push To Save Indian Nurse On Yemen Death Row: 'Only Option Is...' Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Ronit Singh Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 08:36 IST The nurse's lawyer, Subhash Chandran, said that efforts are underway to save her life through the intervention of an influential Sunni Muslim cleric In 2017, Nimisha allegedly tried to sedate Mahdi to retrieve her documents, but the overdose proved fatal. (News18 Hindi) A top Sunni Muslim cleric has joined the efforts to convince the victims family to accept blood money, the only legal route left to save the life of Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya, whose execution date has been set for July 16. Priya, a native of Kerala, is reportedly on death row at the Central prison in Yemens capital, Sanaa, for the alleged murder of her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in 2017. Recommended Stories The nurses lawyer, Subhash Chandran, said that efforts are underway to save her life through the intervention of influential Sunni Muslim cleric Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar. He added that through Musliyar, who holds the title of Grand Mufti of India and known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, they have reached out to one of the family members, as well as some local authorities and religious leaders. We are trying our best so that the family accepts the blood money and the Kerala nurse is spared from death row," Chandran told TNIE. As part of the final negotiations, Musliyar has personally reached out to the victims family and is making all possible efforts" to initiate a process of reconciliation. He has reportedly engaged in discussions with religious leaders in Yemen, who are themselves in communication with the victims family, according to reports. SC Hearing Notably, the Supreme Court on July 14 heard a petition filed by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, a group working to prevent her execution. During the hearing, the Centre informed the court that it is making every possible effort" in the case. Attorney General R Venkataramani told the bench that, given the sensitive situation and the conditions in Yemen, the governments ability to intervene is limited. According to reports, Priya has been working as a medical professional in prison, providing care to other inmates. Nimisha Priya Case She had moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her parents financially. After gaining experience in various hospitals, she eventually opened her own clinic. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In line with Yemeni laws requiring foreign nationals to have a local partner for business ventures, the 37-year-old entered into a partnership with a Yemeni citizen, Talal Abdo Mehdi, who allegedly subjected her to ongoing harassment. Mehdi had reportedly taken possession of her passport. In 2017, Priya administered sedatives to him, intending to recover the passport while he was unconscious. However, Mehdi died, and Priya was arrested while trying to leave the country. view comments Location : Yemen First Published: July 15, 2025, 08:29 IST News world Sunni Cleric Joins Final Push To Save Indian Nurse On Yemen Death Row: 'Only Option Is...' 'There Is A Real Possibility': Iranian Lawmaker Warns War With Israel Could Resume Any Time Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 17:13 IST Iranian lawmaker Fadahossein Maleki warned the ceasefire with Israel might collapse due to high regional tensions. Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei and Israel PM Netanyahu| AP Image A senior Iranian lawmaker warned that the fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel could collapse without warning as tensions in the region remain dangerously high following last months devastating conflict. War has not ended, it has only stopped temporarily," Fadahossein Maleki, a member of the Iranian parliaments National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said, adding, There is a real possibility it could begin again at any time." Recommended Stories Fadahossein Malekis statement comes as Iran remains on high military alert and faces renewed diplomatic strain with the West. The lawmaker also warned that Tehran would reassess its relations with Europe if snapback sanctions- a mechanism that reimposes United Nations penalties over nuclear non-compliance- are revived. The warning follows a violent, high-intensity conflict that erupted on June 13 when Israel launched a surprise assault on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure. Israeli delivered a barrage of airstrikes across Iran, significantly damaging Irans nuclear capabilities and air defenses. Iran responded with an unprecedented wave of retaliation, launching more than 550 ballistic missiles and 1,000 explosive drones at Israeli cities and military bases. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The United States, initially providing defensive support to Israel, entered the conflict directly on day nine, targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities with airstrikes. Iran retaliated by firing missiles at a US base in Qatar, escalating fears of a wider regional war. A US-brokered ceasefire was reached on June 24. Irans nuclear program suffered heavy structural damage during the war, particularly at facilities in Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow, but experts have said that Tehran may have evacuated critical enriched uranium stockpiles in advance, limiting the long-term setback to just a few months. view comments Location : Iran First Published: July 15, 2025, 17:13 IST News world 'There Is A Real Possibility': Iranian Lawmaker Warns War With Israel Could Resume Any Time True Muslims Know...: Zohran Mamdanis Ex-Intern Calls Political Activism 'Jihad' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 20:30 IST Hadeeqa Malik, ex-intern for Zohran Mamdani, faced backlash after calling activism against Israel's Gaza war "jihad". Hadeeqa Malik previously served as an intern in Zohran Mamdanis New York State Assembly office. A former intern for New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani faced backlash on social media after a video surfaced of her describing political activism against Israels war in Gaza as jihad" as she urged Muslims to risk arrest, suspension and doxing for the cause. Hadeeqa Malik, a City College of New York student and activist, made the comments during a CUNY4Palestine webinar titled Islamic Political Activism. In the clip, widely shared on social media, Hadeeqa Malik said, The true believer knows that none of this is in vain, that this is all jihad, this is all ibadah (worship)." Recommended Stories She went on to encourage Muslims to stop fearing the consequences of activism, including doxing or suspension from school, saying, I think its time for Muslims to start to say, All right, so what? Do what you want. Im going to do what I got to do." In the video, Hadeeqa Malik criticized those who had not joined the movement against what she called settler colonialism" and Israeli oppression" in Gaza, where more than 58,000 Palestinians have been reported killed over the course of a 21-month war, including in recent attacks on aid distribution points. If youre not seeing this as your issue to deal with, then something is wrong," she said, adding, There is an illness something messing up the system inside." She also challenged Muslim activists directly, asserting, If you get suspended, if you get doxed it will never, ever be in vain. And the true believer does not fear that." Hadeeqa Maliks Comments Under Scrutiny Hadeeqa Malik previously served as an intern in Zohran Mamdanis New York State Assembly office during the summer of 2024, working on communications, policy and constituent services. A photo on her LinkedIn profile shows Hadeeqa Malik and Zohran Mamdani smiling together. Zohran Mamdani has not commented publicly on the video or Hadeeqa Maliks remarks. Who Is Hadeeqa Malik? Hadeeqa Malik is currently studying international relations and human rights and leads the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at City College. She also works as an Outreach Coordinator for CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) and serves as a Racial Justice Fellow at the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. In a separate incident earlier this year, Hadeeqa Malik was filmed confronting New York police officers at a pro-Palestine rally, where she appeared to single out a Muslim officer. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Lets read the badges of the pigs," she shouted while reading officers names aloud, adding, To the pigs who can call themselves by the name of Islam- put some respect on their names!" Footage of the confrontation was widely shared on social media. view comments Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: July 15, 2025, 20:30 IST News world True Muslims Know...: Zohran Mamdanis Ex-Intern Calls Political Activism 'Jihad' Trump Says Zelenskyy Should Not Target Moscow After Report Claimed He Encouraged Kyiv Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 23:10 IST Donald Trump urged Zelenskyy not to strike Moscow as he threatened tariffs on Russia if the war doesn't end in 50 days. US President Donald Trump with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (AP file photo) US President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy not to launch strikes on Moscow, following reports that he had formerly suggested doing precisely that during a private phone call. According to the Financial Times, Donald Trump asked Zelenskyy on July 4 whether Ukraine could strike Moscow and St. Petersburg if given long-range US weapons such as ATACMS missiles. As per the report, Zelenskyy replied, Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons." Despite this, Donald Trump took a notably softer public stance, stating that Ukraine should not target Moscow" while he continued to criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of breaking promises and extending the war. Recommended Stories What Zelenskyy Said On The Report Zelenskyy has not publicly commented on the July 4 phone call but has consistently emphasized Ukraines right to defend itself and strike military targets within Russian territory- especially as Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities have escalated in recent weeks. Ukraine is in its fourth year of full-scale war following Russias 2022 invasion and Zelenskyy has urged Western allies to sustain military support, particularly in the form of air defense systems, long-range missiles and drone interceptors. Donald Trumps 50-Day Ultimatum To Russia Earlier, Donald Trump threatened 100 percent tariffs" on Moscow if it refuses to end the war within 50 days, describing the proposal as secondary tariffs". He also confirmed a NATO-backed arms package for Ukraine- including Patriot missile systems- funded by European allies. Donald Trump framed the shift in tone as a response to Vladimir Putins intransigence in ceasefire negotiations, following a bad" phone call between the two leaders. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Kremlin Reacts To Donald Trumps Remarks In reaction to Donald Trumps escalated support for Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that the move may undermine peace efforts, expressing concern that it would be met as a signal for continuation of the war". view comments Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: July 15, 2025, 23:10 IST News world Trump Says Zelenskyy Should Not Target Moscow After Report Claimed He Encouraged Kyiv UK Morgue Worker Who Had Sex With 100 Corpses In Spotlight, Probe Warns It Could Happen Again Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 18:52 IST Phase 2 of the David Fuller inquiry warns that serious gaps in Englands mortuary oversight leave the system exposed, making it possible for similar offences to happen again. Inquiry into David Fullers crimes finds that weak security, poor management and lack of regulation in post-death care could allow similar abuse to recur across England. (IMAGE: X) The Phase 2 report of the public inquiry ordered into the David Fuller case was released on Tuesday, concluding that the appalling crimes committed by the former hospital worker could happen again due to gaps in how England regulates the care of people after death, according to a report by broadcaster Sky News. (Sir) Jonathan Michael, chair of the inquiry, warned that the systems in place for mortuary oversight are partial, ineffective and in significant areas, completely lacking". Recommended Stories He said the failings that allowed Fuller to abuse corpses for over a decade were not isolated to the hospitals where he worked but were echoed in examples found across the country". David Fuller, 70, was sentenced to a whole-life prison term in December 2021 for the murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in 1987. Police interview with David Fuller, a convicted murderer and necrophile who recorded himself abusing the bodies of more than 100 female corpses, over the course of his employment as an electrician at a hospital in Kent. He was sentenced to life in prison with a whole life order. pic.twitter.com/f711Fi4jGD Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) January 7, 2024 But what shocked the nation even more was the revelation that over a span of 15 years, Fuller had sexually abused the corpses of at least 101 women and girls in hospital mortuaries. His victims ranged from nine to 100 years old. The Phase 1 report found that Fuller entered one mortuary 444 times in a single year, often going unnoticed and unchecked. Deceased patients were also reportedly left out of fridges and unattended during working hours. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all I have asked myself whether there could be a recurrence of the appalling crimes committed by David Fuller? I have concluded that yes, it is entirely possible," Jonathan said. He called for statutory regulation to protect the security and dignity of deceased people in hospitals, care homes, funeral services and other sectors where bodies are kept. The report paints a picture of how inadequate management, poor governance and weak security protocols may leave mortuaries and similar facilities vulnerable to abuse. It builds on findings from the first phase of the inquiry, which exposed deep failings at Kent and Sussex Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital, which are the two facilities where Fuller worked. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More view comments Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: July 15, 2025, 18:52 IST News world UK Morgue Worker Who Had Sex With 100 Corpses In Spotlight, Probe Warns It Could Happen Again Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal Resigns, Yulia Svyrydenko Poised To Take Over Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 18:35 IST Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal resigned after Zelenskyy nominated Yulia Svyrydenko as PM. Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal (Image Credit: Reuters) Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that he has submitted his resignation letter, marking the beginning of a significant government reshuffle as the country battles political fatigue and relentless Russian attacks. The resignation comes a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy nominated First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to take over as Ukraines new prime minister. Zelenskyy Proposes Denys Shmyhal As Ukraines New Defence Minister top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Recommended Stories Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed Denys Shmyhal to serve as the countrys next Minister of Defence, saying, The vast experience of Denys Shmyhal will certainly be valuable in the position of Minister of Defence of Ukraine. This is precisely the area where the countrys maximum resources, maximum tasks, and a great deal of responsibility are currently concentrated." If approved by parliament, Denys Shmyhal would shift from his role as prime minister to oversee Ukraines defense strategy at a time of intensifying Russian attacks and growing demand for military and logistical coordination. Moscow has ramped up its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks as it launched record numbers of strikes, causing widespread civilian casualties and damaging critical infrastructure across the country. In just the past month, major urban centers including Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipro have come under sustained aerial bombardment. view comments Location : Ukraine First Published: July 15, 2025, 18:35 IST News world Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal Resigns, Yulia Svyrydenko Poised To Take Over Who Is Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukrainian President Zelenskyys Pick For Next PM? What Will Be Her Role? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 12:25 IST Yulia Svyrydenko is currently serving as the First Deputy PM and Economy Minister in the Ukrainian government. Once approved, she will become the second woman PM of Ukraine During the war, Yulia Svyrydenko not only took charge of economic cooperation with the US and Europe, but also played an important role in development of the defense industry. (Instagram) In a major political reshuffle, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday nominated Yulia Svyrydenko as the countrys next Prime Minister. If approved by Parliament, she will become the second woman Prime Minister of Ukraine after Yulia Tymoshenko. Confirmation of her appointment is considered a mere formality, as majority in Parliament is with Zelenskyy. Recommended Stories Zelenskyy has also proposed that Ukraines current prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, take over as defence minister, describing him as holding the right qualifications for a very important job. Who is Yulia Svyrydenko? What was her role during Ukraine war? Yulia Svyrydenko is currently serving as the First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister in the Ukrainian government. During the war, she not only took charge of economic cooperation with the US and Europe, but also played an important role in the development of the defense industry, according to reports. Negotiating economist Svyrydenko is a trained economist and played the role of the lead negotiator in the mineral agreement with the Trump administration of America. Initially, the US had laid down conditions like controlling Ukraine economically, but due to Svyrydenkos wisdom, Ukraine was able to get favorable terms in the agreement. According to former Economic Minister Timofey Mylovanov, She was the only and main leader of this conversation. If she had not been there, the agreement might have broken." Apart from this, Svyrydenko also played a decisive role in the reconstruction of Ukraine with European countries and the post-war economic plan. She has done remarkable work in the areas of international cooperation, defense production and investment, said reports. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@svyrydenko.official) What will be Yulia Svyrydenkos role as PM? In a post on Instagram, she spelled out the task ahead: I am grateful to President Vladimir Zelensky for his trust and for the opportunity to serve Ukraine at this crucial time. The Head of State identified the priority tasks he sees before the updated government: Strengthening Ukraines economic potential; expansion of Ukrainian support programs; scaling up the production of own weapons. These tasks can be realized through tangible deregulation, elimination of any bureaucratic interruptions, reduction of non-critical state spending and duplicating the functions of state institutions, protection of entrepreneurship and full concentration of state resources for the defense of Ukraine and recovery from combat.First of all, it is to ensure the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine and guarantee the stability of our state. The state apparatus has no right to waste resources and potential of our country. Ukraine deserves to be among the strongest economies of Europe. Ukrainian society must get clearer tools of social support. Every Ukrainian military, every Ukrainian veteran deserves specific and tangible state respect and gratitude. The decision on the appointment of the Prime Minister of Ukraine is approved by the Verkhovna Rada. Preparing for interacting with Parliament and presenting relevant government steps." Yulia Svyrydenko worked as an economist Svyrydenko was born on December 25, 1985 in Chernihiv, Ukraine. She graduated from the National University of Trade and Economics of Kiev in 2008 and started working as an economist in a private real estate company the same year. In 2011, she was appointed the head of Chernihivs trade mission in Wuxi city of China. There she took charge of bringing foreign investment and played a role in establishing a company called Eko-Vtor based entirely on foreign capital. Yulia Svyrydenko entered public service in 2015 In 2015, she entered public service. She first became an advisor to the local government and then was appointed head of the economic development department of the Chernihiv region. In 2017, she was made deputy governor. Due to her leadership ability, her region attracted foreign investment of about $340 million and it ranked first in Ukraine in terms of economic development. She rose rapidly at the national level. In 2019, President Zelenskyy appointed her Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs. In 2020, she was made the First Deputy Minister of the Department of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture. This year she was also made the Deputy Chief of the Presidents Office. In 2021, just a few months before the Russian attack, she was given the responsibility of First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister of Ukraine. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Why this appointment matters? Amid the long war with Russia, Ukraine now wants to strengthen itself on the economic front as well. The appointment of Sviridenko is considered an important step in this direction. She will become PM at a time when Ukraine has to prove its strength at the military, economic and diplomatic level. About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 12:12 IST News world Who Is Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukrainian President Zelenskyys Pick For Next PM? What Will Be Her Role? White House Under Lockdown By Secret Service After Security Incident, Reporters Rushed Inside Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: July 15, 2025, 22:52 IST An unknown object was reportedly thrown over the fence on the North Lawn of the White House, according to local reports. A lockdown was ordered at the White House following a security incident. (IMAGE: AFP FILE) The front lawn of the White House has been locked down by the Secret Service, and members of the press were rushed to the briefing room on Tuesday following a security incident, according to several reports. An unknown object was reportedly thrown over the fence on the North Lawn of the White House, a source close to the situation told The Hill. The Secret Service quickly called a lockdown of the park and White House and closed off Pennsylvania Avenue. Recommended Stories Members of the press standing outside were rushed into the briefing room without any further details. An all-clear order was declared by the Secret Service roughly 30 minutes later, allowing reporters back onto the North Lawn. Somebody threw their phone over the fence," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement, without providing additional details on what triggered the lockdown. This came just days after the one-year anniversary of an assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As of 12:20 pm (local time), the press teams were being assembled in the Palm Room of the White House before Trump left for an event in Pennsylvania. The assassination attempt, which left Trump with a bloody ear, one firefighter dead, and two men with severe injuries, shook the country that was gearing up for high-stakes presidential elections. The mystery of the incident continues as authorities are yet to figure out why 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks shot Trump. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More view comments Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: July 15, 2025, 22:46 IST News world White House Under Lockdown By Secret Service After Security Incident, Reporters Rushed Inside The long-awaited rehabilitation of the BulawayoVictoria Falls Road began yesterday, with traffic now being diverted to designated detours to allow for essential works. This marks a significant step in revamping one of Zimbabwes key national and regional highways. The development follows the Governments recent appointment of five local contractors who are now on-site and progressing with preliminary works, including the construction of detour routes. In a statement, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development confirmed the commencement of works and attendant temporary traffic arrangements. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development wishes to inform the public that starting Monday, July 14, 2025, traffic along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road will be diverted to designated detours to allow for essential rehabilitation and upgrading works, reads the statement. To facilitate construction, a temporary road closure will be in effect from Bulawayo CBD to Livingstone Bridge, beginning July 14, 2025, until July 31, 2026. The first phase of construction will focus on the section between Chainage 99.6km and 104.6km in the Insuza area. Motorists have been urged to strictly observe all posted signage, reduce speed within construction zones and follow detour routes for their safety and that of construction workers. The ministry warned that non-compliance with road closure signs was dangerous and illegal. So far, detours have been constructed or are under construction in areas such as Bernice, Cross Jotsholo and Insuza. Fossil Contracting is responsible for Lot 1 and has completed four kilometres of bush clearing near the 48,6-kilometre peg to prepare for detour construction. For Lot 2, Masimba Construction has cleared five kilometres of bush between the 85-kilometre and 90-kilometre pegs to make way for its assigned detour routes. Syvern Investment, which was awarded Lot 3, has also cleared five kilometres of vegetation between the 99.6-kilometre and 104-kilometre markers, where the first phase of construction is set to begin. Bitumen Resources, handling Lot 4, has completed 4,2 kilometres of bush clearing, working from Chainage 201.6 kilometres and extending back towards the 191-kilometre point. For Lot 5, Tensor Systems has begun bush clearing for five kilometres, starting at the 201.6-kilometre peg and moving towards the 211.6-kilometre mark. The rehabilitation is expected to take approximately 10 months and will be executed in phases using a co-ordinated kilometre-by-kilometre approach. Once complete, it is anticipated to greatly enhance tourism, regional trade and economic activity, particularly in Matabeleland North Province. The BulawayoVictoria Falls Road is a vital transport corridor linking Zimbabwe to regional neighbours such as Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. It supports both the movement of goods and thousands of local and international tourists heading to the iconic Victoria Falls. In recent years, however, the road has become riddled with potholes, eroded shoulders and unsafe narrow lanes, prompting widespread calls for urgent repair. Meanwhile, construction is also underway on the HarareChirundu Road Rehabilitation and Upgrading Project in the Makuti area, further underscoring the Governments nationwide infrastructure agenda. The Second Republic has prioritised road rehabilitation through the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase 2 (ERRP2) and other initiatives. Since 2021, over 50 000km of roads and 2 000 structures have been rehabilitated. Despite limited access to external credit lines, the Government has invested heavily in infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth. Efforts are also ongoing to secure investors for more road rehabilitation projects. To support long-term road maintenance, Government has acquired new equipment, including tractors, to revitalise road maintenance units across the country. Plans are also in motion to establish asphalt plants in different regions to further support these efforts. According to authorities, the revival of road maintenance units and construction of asphalt plants were key strategies to ensure the durability of completed roads and to sustain the momentum of infrastructure development. Herald Recent college graduates hoping to snag an entry-level corporate job are running into a new, digital hurdle: artificial intelligence. According to the career platform Handshake, job postings for entry-level white-collar positionslong seen as the first step for new gradshave fallen by 15%, reports CBS News . Meanwhile, competition is up, with 30% more applications per job. The latter stat tracks with a Business Insider piece noting that more people than ever are getting bachelor's degreesnearly 2 million in the 2022-23 academic year, up from 1.8 million a decade ago. In March, the unemployment rate for Americans ages 22 to 27 with college degrees stood at 5.8%, compared to a national rate of 4%, according to the New York Federal Reserve. At the same time, "quit rates" are falling, which translates into fewer job openings, per Business Insider. Doug Calidas of Americans for Responsible Innovation flags AI as a factor in this shift, telling CBS MoneyWatch that high unemployment among recent grads suggests "early warning signs" that automation is elbowing out the least experienced workers. Most graduates are still landing jobs, but Calidas says the outlook is "deteriorating." AI is especially adept at handling repetitive tasksoften the bread and butter of entry-level roles. In a recent interview with Gen Z economist Kyla Scanlon, Ezra Klein of the New York Times points out that it's "totally plausible" that AI could double or even triple unemployment for those ages 18 to 24 in the next six years. The problem is that politicians don't seem to have "an inkling of a policy answer for it," he added. Responded Scanlon: "I am not surprised to hear that. I don't know if anybody has a good answer." Vice President JD Vance visited California over the weekend, and he didn't get a warm welcome from Gov. Gavin Newsom. The governor criticized Vance for visiting Disneyland with his family while other families were suffering from the administration's immigration policies, the Hill reports. "Hope you enjoy your family time," Newsom wrote in a post on X . "The families you're tearing apart certainly won't." Up to 150 protesters gathered outside the theme park on Friday evening, and protesters returned on Saturday, the Orange County Register reports. In another post on X, Newsom replied to his own June 20 post asking Vance to debate him while he was in the state. "JD is back in California," Newsom wrote. "He won't take the time to debate and defend gutting our Medicaid system, taking away kids school meals, militarizing America's streets, or adding trillions to the debt. Instead, he's off to Disneyland. Probably to detain Mickey Mouse at this rate." Vance didn't reply to that post, and his reply to Newsom's first post was a short one: "Had a great time, thanks." A man from Australia has been charged with "malicious mischief" for allegedly smashing a glass case holding the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scottish nationhood. Arnaud Harixcalde Logan, 35, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on Monday to face the charge, which is similar to vandalism. Logan was ordered detained until a hearing next week. Police said they were called to a "disturbance" at Perth Museum in central Scotland on Saturday, after reports of a kilt-wearing man attempting to smash the case containing the royal rock, the AP reports. Elle Alvarez, a tourist from the Philippines who witnessed the incident, said that the man claimed to be the "chief of his clan" and said he has a "right to the throne," reports the National. It's not just Republicans who have been intimidated into silence as President Trump carries out policies they oppose, Barack Obama told members of his party over the weekend. If Democrats are going to come back, the former president said, they'll have to take a stand, the New York Times reports. "It's going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions," Obama said. "And it's going to require Democrats to just toughen up." He made the comments in a speechwhich had multiple command sentencesto donors at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee at the home of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday night. The points Obama made include: Arizona's governor and its two senators have a question for federal officials after a devastating Grand Canyon wildfire: Why did you let it burn? The Dragon Bravo fire ended up destroying a historic lodge in the North Rim and several other decades-old structures when it burned out of control. The fire began on July 4 with a lightning strike, and federal officials opted to treat it as a controlled burn rather than try to put it out immediately, reports Arizona Central . But Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs questioned the wisdom of doing that "during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer." "I am calling on the federal government for a comprehensive and independent investigation into the management of the Fire and a report detailing the decisions that led to this devastating outcome," she wrote. Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly made a similar request in a letter to Interior Department secretary Doug Burgum, reports the New York Times. Burgum's department oversees the National Park Service. Controlled burns are a standard part of fighting wildfires, and the strategy seemed to be working initially. Grand Canyon National Park said on July 9 that it was using a "confine/contain strategy" to manage the fire. "This means the fire is being allowed to fulfill its natural role within a defined area, while firefighters take action to limit its spread where necessary," the park said. However, the fire eventually jumped its containment and began to spread quickly. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is sounding the alarm over President Trump's latest plan to accelerate weapons deliveries to Ukraine, warning that it violates the anti-interventionist promises she and other Republicans made to voters. In an interview on Monday with the New York Times , Greene insisted that Trump's new approachselling arms to NATO allies for transfer to Ukraineabandons the "America First" principles that fueled Republican victories, including Trump's own rise. In an Oval Office announcement, Trump stressed that the arrangement would spare US taxpayers direct costsa nod to growing Republican skepticism about the price of supporting Ukraine. But Greene isn't convinced, claiming the costs will still fall on Americans through indirect channels, such as the deployment of US troops to train NATO forces and the nation's outsize contributions to NATO. "And so it is US involvement," she said, arguing that even indirect support means American entanglement in overseas conflicts continues. The question of Ukraine aid has repeatedly pitted Greene against her own party. While some Republicans have praised Trump's plan as a practical step that avoids direct US aid, Greene maintains that the party's base is on her side, not Trump's, especially as his stance on foreign policy grows more assertive; she recalled that calls for ending Ukraine funding drew the biggest cheers at campaign rallies. The Daily Beast notes that MTG was similarly critical of Trump inserting the US into the recent Iran-Israel conflict. story continues below "I'm sick of it," Greene tweeted in June. "I'm sick of funding foreign aid and foreign countries and foreign everything. I want to fund American interests and issues." Greene also tied the debate to domestic concerns, saying her constituents care more about their bills and infrastructure than distant wars. She cautioned that failure to stick to noninterventionist pledges could push younger voters toward more radical politics, suggesting that Trump and the GOP risk losing crucial support if they shift course. Beyonce wrapped up a series of Atlanta performances Monday night as part of her Cowboy Carter tour, but her time in the city wasn't all good: Police say someone broke in to her choreographer's rental car last Tuesday and stole unreleased music and other items. Christopher Grant and Diandre Blue, a dancer, left the car in a parking deck for about an hour and returned to find the back window broken and two suitcases removed from the vehicle, 11 Alive reports. "Someone broke into my car," the 911 caller reported to a dispatcher, per Fox 5 Atlanta . "They stole my computers and everything. ... It's really, really important information. Like I work with someone who's of a high status." Police say in addition to the music, set lists and footage plans were also stolen. Authorities found fingerprints on the car, and were also able to track the victims' laptops and AirPods, and they say a warrant has been issued for a suspect but no one has yet been arrested. The suspect's identity has not been released. "We know quick stops can turn into costly mistakes. It only takes seconds for a thief to spot valuables and break in," the Atlanta Police Department says in a news release. "Take your bags, phone, and anything important with you every time you leave your car. Don't give criminals an easy win." Starbucks is telling its office workers to spend more time at their desksor take a buyoutas the company pushes to revive lagging sales and restore its in-person culture. Starting in October, employees must be in the office at least four days a week, USA Today reports. CEO Brian Niccol announced the change Monday. Workers who aren't on board are being offered a voluntary buyout, which includes a cash payout if they opt to leave. Niccol framed the decision as an attempt to rebuild Starbucks' in-person culture, arguing that face-to-face collaboration fuels creativity and quicker problem-solvingqualities he says are essential as the company seeks a turnaround. "We do our best work when we're together," he noted in a statement. As of last year, Starbucks had about 16,000 employees who worked outside of its stores, CNBC reports. The new policy expands on the company's current requirement of three days a week in the office, and it comes as other major employers, including Amazon, Walmart, Google, and JPMorgan Chase, are similarly rolling back pandemic-era flexibility. All "support center people leaders" working remotely will also be required to relocate to either Seattle or Toronto within a year, a requirement that was made of all executives in February, Fox Business reports. story continues below The news lands as employees across industries push back against return-to-office mandates. A recent Pew survey found that three-quarters of workers whose jobs can be done remotely are still working from home at least part time, with nearly half saying they'd likely quit if ordered back to the office full time. For those checking out the market to purchase new digs, some cities offer a better opportunity for first-time homebuyers than others, per WalletHub, which examined 300 US cities across nearly two dozen metrics in three major categories: affordability, the real-estate market in each city, and quality of life. The upshot of the site's findings: Florida is the place to set down roots with a mortgage, with six cities making the top 10; Palm City ranks as No. 1. Meanwhile, only two non-California cities made up the "worst cities" list in terms of buying a home: New Orleans and Anchorage, Alaska. The rest were all from the Golden State, including Berkeley, which takes the dubious honor of being the worst city in America in which to purchase a new abode for the first time. The 10 best and worst: In a somewhat unexpected phone interview with the BBC, President Trump said he's "disappointed but not done" with Russia's Vladimir Putin, adding, "I trust almost nobody"a comment delivered shortly after Washington announced new weapons shipments to Ukraine and threatened tariffs on Russia if a ceasefire isn't reached within 50 days. More from the president's chat with the BBC's Gary O'Donoghue: Assassination attempt: O'Donoghue had been trying to nab Trump for an interview to mark the one-year anniversary of the attempt on his life at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump briefly (and seemingly reluctantly, per O'Donoghue) addressed the incident, saying he tries not to dwell on it, suggesting that doing so "could be life-changing." "I don't like to think about if it did change me," Trump noted. O'Donoghue had been trying to nab Trump for an interview to mark the one-year anniversary of the attempt on his life at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump briefly (and seemingly reluctantly, per O'Donoghue) addressed the incident, saying he tries not to dwell on it, suggesting that doing so "could be life-changing." "I don't like to think about if it did change me," Trump noted. Ukraine/Russia: Trump spent a large part of the conversation discussing the Ukraine conflict, describing how negotiations with Putin have repeatedly stalled and his frustrations with that. "We'll have a great conversation," he said of Putin and himself. "I'll say, 'That's good,' I'll think we're close to getting it done,' and then he'll knock down a building in Kyiv." The luxury world's latest headache isn't the old-school, obviously fake designer bagit's the rise of "superfakes," knockoff handbags so uncannily close to the real thing that even seasoned sales staff and authentication pros struggle to spot them. These high-end replicas, sometimes called "mirror bags" or "1:1s," can run buyers anywhere from $500 to $5,000, a steep drop from their five-figure authentic counterparts, per the Wall Street Journal . The business has gone digital and global, with the New York Times calling it a "delirious rise" over the past few years. Per the Journal, counterfeiters now operate through encrypted messaging apps, offer professional-seeming customer service, and deliver their products direct to consumers' doors, packaged to impress. Influencers are paid to flaunt the bags on social media, helping to rebrand fakes as a savvy alternative for young shoppers increasingly skeptical of luxury markups. Gen Z especially appears open to the idea, with luxury brands logging a reported $5 billion drop in spending from younger buyers last year. Some of this may be economic belt-tightening, but the pull of superfakes is hard to ignore. Superfakes are often reverse-engineered from real bags, produced using leaked factory instructions and poached artisans. Sophisticated resellers have turned to advanced techincluding X-rays and metal analysisto sniff them out, but counterfeiters keep raising their game. On the ground, counterfeit factories in China can churn out a high-quality knockoff for about $150, with profits and commissions for plants and dealers running sky-high. story continues below "Twenty years ago, counterfeits were terrible," Sarah Davis, president and founder of high-end consignment boutique Fashionphile, said in an interview last year, per ABC News, which notes that fake goods make up about 2.5% of global trade. Now, "some counterfeit [Hermes] Birkins are $6,000 plus, handmade," she adds. Luxury brands have been publicly downplaying the threat, spending far more on ads than on anti-counterfeit efforts: LVMH, for example, forked over $11 billion for advertising in 2024, but put just $45 million toward anti-counterfeiting efforts, per the Journal. A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during World War II. The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen. The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain, assigned to the military supply chain in Italy during the war, reports the AP . The mosaicdating between mid- to last century BC and the first centuryis considered a work of "extraordinary cultural interest," experts said. "It is the moment when the theme of domestic love becomes an artistic subject," said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and co-author of an essay dedicated to the returned work. "While the Hellenistic period, from the fourth to the first century BC, exulted the passion of mythological and heroic figures, now we see a new theme." The heirs of the mosaic's last owner in Germany contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome that's dedicated to protecting cultural heritage, asking for information on how to return the mosaic to the Italian state. "Today's return is like healing an open wound," Zuchtriegel said, adding that the mosaic allows us to reconstruct the story of that period, the first century AD, before Pompeii was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption in AD 79. The park's director also highlighted how the return by the heirs of its owner signals an important change in "mentality," as "the sense of possession (of stolen art) becomes a heavy burden." "We see that often in the many letters we receive from people who may have stolen just a stone, to bring home a piece of Pompeii," Zuchtriegel said. He recalled the so-called "Pompeii curse," which according to a popular superstition hits whoever steals artifacts in Pompeii. Police in Thailand arrested a woman Tuesday who allegedly enticed a string of Buddhist monks into sexual relationships and then pressured them into making large payments to cover up their intimacy. The possible violation of the celibacy rule for monks has rocked Buddhist institutions and gripped public attention in Thailand. At least nine abbots and senior monks involved have been cast out of the monkhood, the Royal Thai Police's Central Investigation Bureau said. Wilawan Emsawat, in her mid-30s, was arrested on charges including extortion, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods, reports the AP . Police said they traced money transferred to her by a senior monk from a bank account belonging to his temple in northern Thailand. Speaking to local media before her arrest, Wilawan acknowledged one relationship and said she'd given money to that monk. The case spotlights the large sums of money donated to temples controlled by abbots, which is in marked contrast to the abstemious lives they're supposed to lead. Wilawan deliberately targeted senior monks for financial gain, police said, noting they found several monks had transferred large amounts of money after Wilawan initiated romantic relationships. Wilawan's bank accounts received around $11.9 million over the past three years, with most of the funds spent on online gambling, police said. Jaroonkiat Pankaew, a Central Investigation Bureau deputy commissioner, said the investigation began last month after an abbot of a famous temple in Bangkok abruptly left the monkhood. Investigators say Wilawan told the abbot she was pregnant and asked him to pay $222,000 in financial assistance, Jaroonkiat said Tuesday. Thai media reported a search of her mobile phones revealed tens of thousands of photos and videos, as well as numerous chat logs indicating intimacy with several monks. story continues below Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai ordered authorities to review and consider tightening existing laws related to monks and temples, especially the transparency of temple finances, to restore faith in Buddhism, a government spokesperson said Tuesday. The CIB has set up a Facebook page for people to report monks who misbehave, Jaroonkiat said. "We will investigate monks across the country," he said. "I believe that the ripple effects of this investigation will lead to a lot of changes." India's aviation regulator ordered on Monday airlines operating several Boeing models to examine fuel control switches, days after an investigation into last month's Air India plane crash found they were flipped off, starving both engines of fuel. India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation stated the directive would apply to Boeing 787 Dreamliners and select Boeing 737 variants and that airlines must complete inspections and submit their findings to the regulator by Monday, reports the AP . South Korean regulators also ordered inspections of the switches, reports the New York Times , and Singapore Airlines and a subsidiary reported on Tuesday that similar inspections had been completed. A preliminary report into the Air India crash that killed 260 people in the northwestern city of Ahmedabad found that the switches shifted within one second of each other, cutting off fuel to both engines. The report, released last week, did not offer any conclusions as to why the plane crashed. It also did not say how the switches could have flipped from run position to the cutoff during the flight. The report, issued by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, noted a 2018 advisory from the US Federal Aviation Administration, recommending airlines operating Boeing models to inspect the locking feature of fuel cutoff switches. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson on Monday said the preliminary report into the crash of the London-bound plane found no mechanical or maintenance issues with the aircraft and its engines. In an internal memo to airline staff seen by the AP, Wilson said the report stated that all mandatory maintenance tasks of the aircraft had been completed. "There was no issue with the quality of fuel and no abnormality with the take-off roll. The pilots had passed their mandatory pre-flight breathalyzer and there were no observations pertaining to their medical status," he said. After the crash, Indian authorities ordered deeper checks of Air India's entire Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet to prevent future incidents. Air India has 33 Dreamliners in its fleet. The University at Buffalo last year received a five-year, $3.59 million federal grant to develop a fellowship program that would help address the shortage of school-based mental health professionals in rural communities. But in the spring, UB received an abrupt notice from the U.S. Department of Education. It informed UB that the program no longer aligned with current administration priorities. No more money will be coming, and the program is at risk of shutting down. Katie C. Stalker, associate professor in the UB School of Social Work and the grants principal investigator, said the grant that established the Buffalo Mental Health Service Professional Fellowship program will end in December, after just one year of funding. All told, more than $3 million of the grant has been cut, she added. It means the program will train only one cohort of graduate social work students, rather than the four cohorts that had been planned over the course of the five-year grant. And it means the four participating school districts where the fellows will work Alden, Akron, Niagara-Wheatfield and Medina will get to benefit from the program for only one school year. 'An attack on science': UB's terminated NIH grants studied health inequities, LGBQ+ youth Since March 12, the University at Buffalo has had three National Institutes of Health grants terminated, resulting in the loss of at least $4.4 million in research funding. In terms of who will be hurt the most, Stalker said, these cuts impact the youth in rural schools who were poised to benefit from additional school-based mental health supports, as well as our UB graduate social work students who have a passion for working with youth and a desire to train in school social work. New York Attorney General Letitia James and 15 other attorneys general have sued the Department of Education and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon for unlawfully terminating more than $1 billion in bipartisan federal funding for school-based mental health services. The attorneys general are challenging the Trump administrations decision to stop funding for the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program and the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program, which Congress created in the aftermath of tragic school shootings and a worsening youth mental health crisis. Through the lawsuit, the attorneys general are asking the court to reinstate the funding. In New York, at least $19 million in previously approved funding was included in the cuts, including more than $7.6 million in the State University of New York system. According to a list provided by James office, the Niagara Falls City School District lost nearly $734,000 in funding that it was using to provide wraparound support services to students and families services such as providing emotional support to students by placing mental health interns in district schools. The reason for the funding cuts is unclear. In published statements about the cuts, the Department of Education claimed that under the deeply flawed priorities of the Biden administration, grant recipients used the funding to implement race-based actions like recruiting quotas in ways that have nothing to do with mental health and could hurt the very students the grants are supposed to help. Stalker said recruitment for the Buffalo Mental Health Service Professional Fellowship was not based on race or ethnicity. When UB applied for the funding, one of the priorities of the U.S. Department of Educations Mental Health Service Professional grants was to increase the number of qualified school-based mental health service providers from diverse backgrounds or from communities served by the high-need school districts. The Buffalo project, she said, opted to focus on increasing the number of school social workers in Western New Yorks rural communities. UB scientists warn of 'dangers' from Trump's plan to cut federal medical research dollars If a 15% cap was instituted on indirect costs, the NIH claims it could save $4 billion a year. But research groups say the cuts would slow medical progress. At the same time of the funding cuts, the Trump administration acknowledged the youth mental health crisis in a report released May 22 by the Presidential Commission to Make America Healthy Again. The report, which identified the main drivers behind the childhood chronic disease epidemic, noted that teenage depression rates nearly doubled from 2009 to 2019, with one in four teenage girls in 2022 reporting a major depressive episode in the past year. Under a part of the report named American Youth face a Mental Health Crisis, the authors note that three million high school students seriously considered suicide in 2023. Parallel to the decline in physical activity, American youth face a deepening psychosocial crisis, the report reads. This is marked by rising mental health disorders, significant sleep deficits, chronic stress, and pervasive loneliness, all exacerbated by the widespread influence of technology. The crisis persists despite rising therapy rates, with some suggesting it may exacerbate issues. While the American Academy of Pediatrics disagreed with many parts of the report, it agreed with the assessment that youth mental health is in crisis. The organization, made up of 67,000 pediatricians, believes children need a full continuum of mental health services, and it advocates to improve the pediatric mental health care workforce shortage. Cutting the fellowship program at UB is unlikely to help. WNY federal employees, nonprofits losing out under Trump cuts "We're continuing to get more and more news about scores of workers that are being laid off each and every day at various agencies," said Rep. Tim Kennedy, a Buffalo Democrat. The Buffalo Mental Health Service Professional Fellowships first cohort includes nine graduate social work students who will begin their work in the fall. Stalker said two to three fellows are placed in each of the four school districts in the program: Alden, Akron, Niagara-Wheatfield and Medina. The fellowship is for two semesters fall and spring to align with the K-12 school year. Stalker said the cancellation has caused a financial gap for the spring semester, disrupting financial support for students, as well as the personnel and infrastructure needed to provide intensive training to prepare fellows to respond to youth mental health concerns. Without federal funding, she said UB can no longer offer the fellowship after the 2025-26 academic year. Rural schools, in particular, face major issues in meeting students mental health needs due to staffing challenges and the limitations of nearby local mental health service systems. Compared to children in metropolitan and urban areas, children in rural communities have higher rates of depression, suicidality and other mental health conditions, Stalker said in a statement in the fall when the grant was announced. This program prepares our (Master of Social Work) students for the unique concerns found in these rural schools. Trump cuts to federal research grants blasted by UB, elected leaders Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., decried the efforts to cut up to $4 billion from grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health as illegal and rooted in a willful misunderstanding of how medical research is conducted at universities, hospitals, cancer centers and other institutions. For fellows, the program gives them hands-on experience in working with youth and families, and also further develops their skills through intensive training seminars, which focus on evidence-based practices for rural schools such as family engagement and trauma-informed approaches. Another component of the program that was planned to begin in fall 2027 was called UB STARS, which stands for Small Towns and Rural Schools. The plan with UB STARS was to recruit graduate social work students to UB from the grants participating rural communities who were interested in social work positions at their local school districts. UB STARS, Stalker explained, aimed to address mental health workforce challenges by training members of the rural communities to become social workers in their own community. UB STARS fellows would receive full tuition and fees support, a field placement stipend, travel reimbursements and other covered expenses. But with the funding cut, Stalker said, UB STARS will not be launched. Over the course of the original five-year grant period, UB projected 46 fellows would participate in the program, of which six would be UB STARS participants. Yulia Navalnaya, widow of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, is urging Italy to revoke an invitation extended to Valery Gergiev, a conductor with strong Kremlin ties, to perform at a major music festival later this month. Gergiev, known for his decades-long alliance with Vladimir Putin, is set to headline the Un'Estate da Re festival at La Reggia di Casertathe conductor's first European booking since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, per the Guardian . Italy's decision breaks ranks with a wider European freeze on pro-Kremlin artists. The festival invitation, backed by Campania region president Vincenzo De Luca, has sparked backlash. De Luca defends the move, arguing that culture should remain above political friction. Navalnaya, writing in La Repubblica, describes Gergiev as a "promoter" of Putin's "criminal policies," calling his concert "a gift to the dictator." She points out Gergiev's public support for Moscow, including his 2012 Putin campaign endorsement, backing for the 2014 annexation of Crimea, and a high-profile concert in Syria. Later Tuesday, Italy's culture minister, Alessandro Giuli, backed Navalnaya in a statement, per France 24: "Ukraine is an invaded nation and Gergiev's concert could transform a high-level ... musical event into a platform for Russian propaganda. For me, this would be deplorable." Gergiev was previously ousted from top European venues, including Milan's La Scala, for refusing to denounce Russia's invasion. Navalny family aide Ruslan Shaveddinov warned that welcoming Gergiev could "normalize Putin's regime" in the West and urged cancellation of the concert, along with the imposition of sanctions on Gergiev, per the Guardian. The vandals who cut down England's beloved Sycamore Gap tree were sentenced on Tuesday to more than four years in prison for causing irreversible damage and serious distress. The tree stood for nearly 150 years before Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers set out on a dark and stormy night to carry out what a prosecutor called a "moronic mission" to fell the majestic sycamore, which crashed down onto Hadrian's Wall. Graham, 39, and Carruthers, 32, were each convicted of two counts of criminal damageone for destroying the tree, the other for damaging the ancient wall. Justice Christina Lambert sentenced the pair each to four years and three months in prison during the hearing at Newcastle Crown Court. The tree, perched in a saddle between two hills, had been known to locals for its scenic setting, but it became famous after a cameo in Kevin Costner's 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It drew tourists, lovers, landscape photographers, and those who spread the ashes of loved ones. It was voted the English "Tree of the Year" in 2016. The two men had long denied cutting down the tree, but they changed their tune as they faced their fate, reports the AP. They both testified at trial that they had nothing to do with the vandalism, though they eventually admitted to the crime and blamed booze. Prosecutor Richard Wright said it was a "fanciful proposition" that they didn't intend to cut down the tree or realize what they were doing. "The court can be sure they were sober, prepared and planned to do what they did," Wright said. The illegal felling in Northumberland National Park on Sept. 28, 2023, caused instant outrage. One man wielded a chainsaw while the other captured the felling on grainy video on a cellphone. The jury didn't hear evidence of a motive, but Wright suggested in his closing argument that the two had been on a "moronic mission" and cut down the tree as a joke. "They woke up the morning after and ... it must have dawned on them that they couldn't see anyone else smiling," Wright said. The July 4 phone call came a day after Trump spoke with Vladimir Putin and failed to make progress on a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt didn't deny that Trump asked the question about striking Moscow, but she suggested the newspaper was misrepresenting things. "The Financial Times is notorious for taking words wildly out of context to get clicks because their paper is dying," she said in a statement to Newsweek. "President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing." (Trump has warned Putin he has 50 days to strike a deal or the US will impose "very severe tariffs" on Russia.) Read These Next In the early morning hours in CEO resigns after appearance This is why you don't wear metal The latest in the generation wars: the As American beekeepers reel from record honeybee losses, a new and even more destructive threat from Southeast Asia is drawing closerone that could upend the nation's food supply and devastate agriculture, the New York Times reports. After brutal winter die-offs of honeybees in the USsome beekeepers lost around 90% of their hivesthe industry is bracing for an even bigger menace in the form of a mite. In the past year, nearly 56% of managed honeybee colonies died, the highest number since surveys began in 2011. Bees are essential to US agriculture, pollinating $15 billion worth of crops annually, but they're beset by habitat loss, disease, pesticides, and, most destructively, the varroa mite: a parasite from Southeast Asia that's been decimating colonies since the late 1980s. Varroa mites are already "the worst thing to happen to bees in our lifetime," says the executive director of a nonprofit supporting US beekeepers. But experts are now warning of something even worse: Tropilaelaps mites, another Southeast Asian parasite that's been moving west. Unlike varroa, this mite reproduces faster and inflicts even more damagescientists say if it hits US shores, it could cause the commercial beekeeping industry to collapse. "We already have a perfect storm of problematic issues for our bees," says a University of Colorado entomologist who's racing to develop early detection tests. Scientific American did a deep dive on his work in April, and reported that systemic detection of the mites is still years away. So far, Tropilaelaps hasn't reached North America, but climate change and global trade mean it may just be a matter of time. Earlier this year, Entomology Today explained part of the problem: The mites are able to survive on adult bees long enough to travel pretty far. The US tightly controls bee imports, but loopholes exist, and experts say a lack of robust monitoring could mean the mites are already here, undetected. Meanwhile, funding cuts and firings at the USDA have weakened the nation's ability to respond, adding to beekeepers' anxiety over food security. "People talk about, you know, if we don't have bees, we won't have food," says an Oregon beekeeper. "And I don't know if they realize how close we came to that this year." The infamous Fyre Festival brand, best known for its 2017 implosion in the Bahamas, just changed hands on eBay for $245,300. The weeklong auction drew 175 bids from 42 hopefuls before wrapping up Tuesday afternoon, reports NBC News . Up for grabs were the brand's intellectual property, trademarks, and social media handlesremnants of a festival that was famously promoted as a luxury music experience but ended up a disorganized nightmare composed of shabby accommodations, absent performers, and limp cheese sandwiches . Organizer Billy McFarland, who served time for wire fraud after the original fest, quipped, "Damn. This sucks, it's so low," when the bidding hit $240,000. Bloomberg reports McFarland had hoped the brand would go for $1 million at a minimum. He didn't name the buyer but did offer a chuckle and remark "it's funny" in reference to the auction winner. McFarland had announced he would be selling the brand in April, saying, "After two years of rebuilding FYRE... it's time to pass the torch." He called the handover the "most responsible" move to push the festival forward and continue paying restitution to those still owed. Bloomberg notes the sale price amounts to a slender 0.9% of the $26 million McFarland was ordered to pay. The sale also included an unidentified "Caribbean Festival Location" that McFarland claims is ready to host the next incarnation of the allegedly elite music fest should the new owners want to bring it to fruition. Mike Waltz told lawmakers Tuesday at his confirmation hearing to be US ambassador to the United Nations that he plans to make the world body "great again," echoing President Trump's message for revamping America. He painted an image for lawmakers of what the UN would look like as the USits largest donorreviews its support, opting to go "back to basics," the AP reports. "We should have one place in the world where everyone can talkwhere China, Russia, Europe, and the developing world can come together and resolve conflicts," Waltz told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "But after 80 years, it's drifted from its core mission of peacemaking." Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today A mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 81F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Cloudy with light rain developing after midnight. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. ALBANY You are not just paying the salaries of your state lawmakers. Youre also filling their gas tanks, paying for their newspaper subscriptions and making sure they start their day with a cup of coffee. All three items were among the many expenses that the regions 19-member legislative delegation to the State Capitol routinely billed to taxpayers, according to the State Legislatures most recent records of expenditures tracked from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024. It totaled more than $9.4 million an increase of more than $201,000 from the previous year of expenditures covering the same period of months. That included close to $2 million collectively to pay for bulk mail, travel costs and subscriptions to publications. And the level of billing varied greatly from lawmaker to lawmaker, a review of the expenditures by The Buffalo News revealed. Sen. Sean Ryan, the Democratic candidate for Buffalo mayor, racked up $838,193, making him the top biller among legislators who represent the states eight westernmost counties. It included $2,226 on publications, far and away tops among the regions lawmakers, as well as costs to renovate a district office following the redrawing of district lines. Running a State Senate office costs money, but my staff and I work hard to make sure that our constituents are well represented, Ryan said through a spokesperson. The lowest biller, now-retired Assembly Member Joseph Giglio, R-Gowanda, expensed $305,996. Giglio was one of only four delegation lawmakers who decreased their expenditures from the prior year. Giglio still billed close to $5,200 on gasoline for a state car and automotive rentals. Rep. Tim Kennedy, a Buffalo Democrat who left the Senate in May 2024 for Congress, and the staff that remained through the year, combined to bill $777,819, the second-highest amount. Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo, was third ($740,920); followed by Sens. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay ($687,719) and Thomas OMara ($673,592), a Southern Tier Republican whose district includes Allegany County. Senators, who represent more people, have access to more resources than Assembly members. But politics also appeared to be in play. The delegations Democrats, whose party controls both the Assembly and Senate, by average billed taxpayers $97,000 more than the regions Republicans, who sit in the minority in both houses. Peoples-Stokes billed $24,242 in work-related travel expenses, tops in the delegation. It covered the majority leaders travel to Albany, as well as travel for aides to Albany, Syracuse, New York and Washington, D.C. Peoples-Stokes expenses included $3,066 in gasoline for a state car and $1,594 in automotive rentals. Hochul says state 'could not have foreseen' $750M budget hole that threatens health insurance coverage Budget Director Blake Washington said the new law will force the state to backfill $750 million in Medicaid-related costs for the final three months of the current fiscal year, which ends April 1, and at least $3 billion in the subsequent fiscal year. A spokesperson for the majority leader declined to comment on the expenditures. The average price to rent a district office in the delegation was $1,941. Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera, D-Buffalo, billed $6,576 to run two district offices, including one carrying the top rent at $4,181. Second was Kennedy ($3,386), followed by Assembly Member Karen McMahon, D-Williamsville, ($3,066), Ryan ($2,833), OMara ($2,645 for two offices) and Peoples-Stokes ($2,538). Now-retired Assembly Member Marjorie Byrnes, a Republican whose district included part of Wyoming County ($800) had the lowest office rent. The bottom seven billers were all Assembly Republicans. Our analysis shows differences in spending based on party affiliation, said Zilvinas Silenas, president of the Empire Center for Public Policy, a think tank in Albany. The real question here is whether the rules favor the party in power, or does higher spending by Democrats reflect their views on taxpayer money. Republicans had the lead in some expenses. For instance, Ortt expensed $1,878 for purchases at Chris Coffee, a business outside Albany. Borrellos billings for bulk mail ($253,323), tops among all Western New York lawmakers, exceeded the combined bulk mail billings of six other Western New York lawmakers. Borrello was also second in travel expenses ($22,962). If Ryan becomes mayor, trio of state lawmakers could seek his Senate seat Assembly Members William Conrad, D-Tonawanda, Karen McMahon, D-Williamsville, and Jonathan Rivera, D-Buffalo, all have levels of possible interest in state Sen. Sean Ryan's seat, if he wins the general election for Buffalo mayor in November. Four of the five Western New York legislators who received stipends on top of their base $142,000 salary were Republicans. The stipends went to Ortt ($35,500); Peoples-Stokes ($34,999); OMara ($20,500), for serving as the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee; now-retired Assembly Member Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown, for serving as the Assembly Republican pro tempore or floor leader ($20,499); and Assembly Member Angelo Morinello, R-Niagara Falls, for serving in a leadership position ($11,000). Katy Delgado, communications director for the Senate Republican conference, said in a statement that one of Ortts primary goals is to be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Ortt was one of only four lawmakers to expense fewer dollars than in the prior year. Resources will always be needed to support operations serving District 62, and the senator will always prioritize the taxpayer while providing essential services to his constituents, she said. In a statement, Borrello noted that his district encompasses more than 4,500 square miles across five counties. We use mailings strategically to advertise events, share legislative updates, and help people connect with the services they need, the senator said. Our staff expenses are tied directly to the size and scope of the work we do: more miles to cover, more ground to serve and more constituents to help. The amounts of bulk mail billings varied significantly. Assembly Member David DiPietro, R-East Aurora, billed $100,731, the sixth highest in the delegation. In the same conference, Giglio billed no money for it. Goodell billed just $10,584. My bulk mail expenses related to a survey that I sent to several thousand residents, followed by a personalized first-class letter thanking them for their comments, Goodell said. Because I received great local newspaper and radio coverage as the Assembly floor leader, there was no need for typical bulk-mailed newsletters. Goodell, who was third highest in travel expenses, said: My house is actually closer to Washington D.C. and several other state capitals than to Albany. Unlike some other legislators, I drove my own personal car, rather than a state-provided car. Assembly Member Patrick Burke, D-Orchard Park, who had the lowest expenses of any Democrat, said: We run our office like a family on a budget: Lights off when you leave the room, and no one touches the thermostat! John Kaehny, executive director of Reinvent Albany, a government watchdog and advocacy group, said that based on 2024 U.S. Census figures, the Western New York delegation was being reimbursed roughly $6 for person they represent. That does not seem like a lot, compared to other things our state and local tax dollars pay, Kaehny said. By comparison, he said, taxpayers are billed more for the cost of making films and television in New York, in addition to costs for public education and Medicaid. Kaehny said the state and Erie County, over the nine years before any money was spent on the Bills new stadium, spent $21 million annually on maintenance and operating expenses at Highmark Stadium. As to whether some officials spent wisely and some foolishly, undoubtedly, Kaehny said, but we dont have comparable expenses from other eras or places to really judge. Top expenditures among Western New York lawmakers from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024 1). Sen. Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo: $838,193 2). (Former) Sen. Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo: $777,819 3). Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo: $740,920 4.) Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay: $687,719 5.) Sen. Thomas OMara, R-Big Flats (covers part of Allegany County): $673,592 6.) Sen. Patrick Gallivan, R-Elma: $661,885. 7.) Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, R-North Tonawanda: $577,579 8.) Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera, D-Buffalo: $515,682 9.) Assembly Member William Conrad, D-Tonawanda: $431,838. 10.) Assembly Member Karen McMahon, D-Williamsville: $428,313 SAITAMA, Jul 16 (News On Japan) - About 300 railway enthusiasts gathered near JR Omiya Station in Saitama City around 3 a.m. on July 13th, creating chaos that escalated to the point of police intervention. The crowd was drawn by the reappearance of the 201 series train, a model formerly used on the Chuo Line and retired 15 years ago. It was being moved to a rail yard, offering a rare chance for photography fans, known as "tori-tetsu," to catch a glimpse. As the train approached, excitement peaked among the fans. When it passed, many rushed into the street to snap photos, causing disruption to traffic. Some shouted back angrily at drivers honking their horns, yelling things like "Shut up!" and "Hurry up and go!" Amid the commotion, some fans took it upon themselves to direct traffic. A nearby resident who witnessed the scene said, "They got excited when they managed to take a good photo and shouted Whoa! It ended up with the police being called." The incident quickly escalated due to the fans disruptive behavior, including stepping into the road and shouting loudly, prompting multiple officers to arrive on the scene. Residents expressed concern, with one saying, "I cant believe there were that many people out at this hour! Their manners were terrible. From a drivers perspective, its really dangerous and scary." Another local commented, "It was a rare train, so the fans got overly excited and loud. It disturbed the neighborhood, and thats probably why the police came. I just wish they wouldnt shout like that." Source: FNN Wakayama, Jul 16 (News On Japan) - The annual Nachi Fire Festival lit up the stone steps of Kumano Nachi Taisha on Monday in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, with a dramatic procession of blazing torches and sacred mikoshi shrines. Known formally as the Nachi Fan Festival, the event is a ritual in which the enshrined deities of the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha are said to return to their original home at Nachi Falls, riding on twelve portable shrines adorned with fans. The festival is also referred to as a fire festival due to the use of massive torches. Dressed in traditional white garments, local parishioners hoisted torches weighing over 50 kilograms and marched along the shrine path, purifying the route with flames as the mikoshi carrying the gods passed through. As the torchbearers advanced up the stone staircase, cheers erupted from the crowd of onlookers. When the mikoshi finally reached Nachi Falls, the area was enveloped in an atmosphere of mystical reverence. OSAKA, Jul 16 (News On Japan) - A new pair of works by Leonardo da Vinci are now on display at the Italy Pavilion of Expo 2025 OsakaKansai, drawing strong attention as one of the venues most talked-about exhibits. These newly revealed pieces, part of the renowned "Atlantic Codex," were unveiled on July 14th. Shortly after 5 a.m. on July 14th, two large crates arrived at the Italy Pavilion ahead of opening hours. Inside were two freshly arrived documents from Italypages from the Atlantic Codex, a vast collection of over 1,000 pages of da Vinci's sketches and writings from the Renaissance. Until July 13th, two other pages had been on display, but the new sketches arrived last week and were swapped in early that morning. The handover process was carried out in a tightly controlled setting. At 8 a.m., the new works were revealedone a study of light and shadow, the other a sketch of a church in Milan. As an artist, architect, and inventor, da Vinci is often described as a universal genius, and these pieces are regarded as vital documents offering insight into his thinking and methodology. Staff who accompanied the sketches from Italy meticulously inspected the artworks for over an hour to ensure no damage had occurred during transport. The preparations finished just three minutes before the venue opened at 9 a.m. "It felt like something out of a movie, but it's real," one visitor said. Another noted, "Even in Italy, you rarely get to see them this close. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I really felt Italys cultural depth." To protect the delicate works, strict humidity controls have been implementedan especially important measure given Japans markedly more humid climate compared to Italy. Moisture-regulating sheets have been applied to the backs of the frames to preserve the condition of the sketches. Asked why the works were rotated, Italys government representative Mario Vattani explained: "These sketches are extremely valuable and fragile. Their exposure time must be minimized. In fact, these particular drawings arent even viewable in Italy." These Italian cultural treasures will remain on display at the Expo until its closing in three months. Source: YOMIURI TOKYO, Jul 16 (News On Japan) - Nissan Motor announced on the evening of July 15th that it will end vehicle production at its key Oppama Plant in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, by the end of fiscal 2027. Company President Ivan Espinosa held a press conference at 5 p.m. to explain the decision. "This was a painful decision for me personally and for the company," said Espinosa. "However, we determined it was necessary for Nissan to overcome the current difficult environment and return to a growth trajectory." Vehicle production will be transferred to Nissans Kyushu operations, though the adjacent facilities in the Oppama area, including the General Research Institute and test centers, will continue operating. Espinosa also announced that outsourced production at Nissan Shatais Shonan Plant in Hiratsuka will be discontinued. However, he stated there are no further plans to reduce or consolidate domestic production bases beyond these changes. An employee working at the Oppama Plant said, "I need to start looking for a new job. I found out when the announcement was broadcast in the cafeteria. I had been prepared for the possibility of the plant shutting down, but Im worried about what happens next." Following the announcement, the Yokohama city government, which hosts many affiliated businesses, convened an emergency meeting to discuss response measures, highlighting the broader impact of the decision. Source: TBS Fuel the Future: Welding Consumables Drive Aims to Equip the Next Generation of Skilled Trades Professionals with Essential Learning Materials MILTON, ON , July 15, 2025 /CNW/ - The CWB Foundation has launched a new national initiative to support Canadian secondary schools struggling to access welding consumables. The Fuel the Future: Welding Consumables Drive encourages industry partners to donate surplus welding materials such as wire, metal stock, and protective gear to schools in need. Surplus welding materials like wire, steel, and PPE can change the game for students across Canada. Join the CWB Foundations national Consumables Drive and support hands-on learning in high school welding programs. (CNW Group/CWB Welding Foundation) Each year, thousands of students across Canada enroll in high school welding, manufacturing, and transportation programs. These programs are critical to building the future workforce in the skilled trades and related technologies, yet nearly half report major barriers to providing hands-on training due to limited access to consumables. According to a recent survey conducted by the CWB Foundation, 44.8 percent of welding educators identified consumables as their greatest challenge. Without core materials like electrodes, filler wire, and PPE, students miss out on the practical experiences that prepare them for successful careers in industry. "Our goal is to support welding and related programs in a way that is sustainable and grounded in evidence," said Louise Charron, Manager, Fund and Partner Development at the CWB Foundation. "By donating surplus consumables, companies can make a real and immediate difference in classrooms across the country." Through its Equipment and Technology Advancement Program, the CWB Foundation connects donors with schools via its Consumables Notice Network, which alerts educators when donated materials become available nearby. The current list of high-need items includes: Mild steel, electrodes, and filler wire Grinding wheels and shielding gas Protective gear (gloves, jackets, helmets) Metal plate, rod, and stock (aluminum and stainless steel) Other filler materials and accessories "We are calling on manufacturers, suppliers, and welding shops across Canada to take a look at what they have on hand," said Joe Saundercook, Manager, Fund and Partner Development at the CWB Foundation. "Even small quantities of surplus materials can have a big impact in the classroom." To learn more or to make a donation, contact the CWB Foundation at [email protected]. About the CWB Foundation The CWB Foundation is a national charitable organization dedicated to advancing skilled trades careers, including welding and materials joining. Committed to preparing the future workforce and fostering inclusivity, we collaborate with partners to support the demand for skilled professionals, contributing to North America's economic prosperity. Our mission is to forge partnerships between industry, education, and government, empowering individuals to pursue careers in the skilled trades. Through innovative programs, we reduce barriers and promote awareness and access to career exploration, regardless of identity factors or social and financial status. Learn more about our initiatives at www.cwbweldingfoundation.org. SOURCE CWB Welding Foundation Media Contact: Sarah Dingman, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Email: [email protected], Phone: 249-885-3508 Work will improve safety for visitors, the traveling public, and wildlife ROGERS PASS/GLACIER, BC, July 15, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to protecting natural and cultural treasures in Canada and advancing infrastructure projects at Parks Canada administered sites to conserve the environment, create economic and tourism opportunities and ensure the safety of visitors travelling to and through these iconic places. Summit Station opened to visitors on July 10, offering travellers a temporary space for essential services and rest point along this busy national corridor. (CNW Group/Parks Canada (HQ)) Today, the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced $13.4 million for infrastructure improvements to the Rogers Pass Centre in Glacier National Park and key assets along the Trans-Canada Highway through Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks. The Rogers Pass Centre is an essential visitor experience and public safety node and rest point for travellers along this busy national corridor. During the rehabilitation, a temporary facility called Summit Station will provide travellers with visitor experience and safety information, park pass sales and merchandise, thereby ensuring minimal disruption to these services. This funding will also support critical roadway improvements along the Trans-Canada Highway, including: Upgrades to the Mount Revelstoke National Park entrance overpass to meet current safety standards entrance overpass to meet current safety standards Installation of an eco-passage to enable wildlife of all sizes to cross more safely Slope stabilization in Glacier National Park to address landslide impacts to the highway to address landslide impacts to the highway Drainage and surfacing improvements to improve safety This Government of Canada investment is ensuring that future generations can safely connect with the cultural and natural heritage of Rogers Pass National Historic Site and Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks while helping to protect and conserve important infrastructure, support the local economy and contribute to growth in the tourism sector. Quote "With this investment, our government is protecting our natural heritage while growing a strong, sustainable economy. As one of Parks Canada's most visited facilities, the Rogers Pass Centre is a gateway to nature, connection, and discovery, linking travellers to essential services along the Trans-Canada Highway and within Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks, year-round. By enhancing safety, improving visitor experience, and safeguarding wildlife and ecosystems, we're keeping communities and our economy moving in every season." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages Quick Facts As part of Budget 2024, the Government of Canada announced $545.1 million over four years for key projects focused on protecting heritage canals and preventing the loss of iconic built heritage, ensuring highways and roadways remain safe and open and providing for the continuity of visitor services. announced over four years for key projects focused on protecting heritage canals and preventing the loss of iconic built heritage, ensuring highways and roadways remain safe and open and providing for the continuity of visitor services. Parks Canada manages approximately 1,400 km of highways including over 300 km of Trans-Canada Highway that supports the annual movement of $25 billion in good across the AlbertaBC border. manages approximately 1,400 km of highways including over 300 km of Trans-Canada Highway that supports the annual movement of in good across the AlbertaBC border. The services located at the summit of Rogers Pass are an important resource for visitors to Glacier National Park , as well as the approximately 6,000 vehicles per day (2.4 million/year) that travel the Trans-Canada Highway through Glacier National Park . , as well as the approximately 6,000 vehicles per day (2.4 million/year) that travel the Trans-Canada Highway through . Rogers Pass was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1971 in recognition of the role of the pass in the construction and development of the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway. With the completion of the Trans-Canada Highway in 1962, it again formed part of a national route. in 1971 in recognition of the role of the pass in the construction and development of the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway. With the completion of the Trans-Canada Highway in 1962, it again formed part of a national route. Summit Station will be open seven days a week to provide safety and travel services while highlighting the rich transport and mountaineering history of Rogers Pass. Related Links SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ) Contacts: Hermine Landry, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, [email protected]; Media Relations, Parks Canada, 855-862-1812, [email protected]; Sierra Stinson, Public Relations & Communications Officer, Mount Revelstoke & Glacier National Parks, Parks Canada, 250-683-8942, [email protected] Representing Toronto's largest active single-phase purpose-built rental development, with over 20 percent of units marked as affordable, the project is backed by a $650 million CMHC loan TORONTO, July 15, 2025 /CNW/ - Oxford Properties Group ("Oxford"), a leading global real estate investor, developer and manager, today broke ground on Scarborough's first major purpose-built rental ("PBR") development in over a generation. Situated on a 3.4-acre parcel of land on the west side of Oxford's Scarborough Town Centre shopping mall ("STC"), the development will consist of three residential towers made up of 1,285 purpose-built rental units, 268 of which are affordable, with the aim of delivering critically needed housing in a historically undersupplied area for people at a variety of different price points. The project is the largest single-phase rental development currently under construction in Toronto. Oxford executives Steve Nightingale, Sherif Masood, Tyler Seaman, Liz Murphy, Daniel Fournier, Lena Choi, Alysha Valenti along with The Honourable MP Michael Coteau, City of Toronto Councillor and Deputy Mayor for Scarborough, Paul Ainslie and MP David Smith break ground on Alta, Scarboroughs first major purpose-built rental development in over a generation. (CNW Group/Oxford Properties) In support of this transit-oriented rental development, Oxford, the global real estate arm of OMERS, is proud to announce it has secured a $650 million rental housing construction loan through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's ("CMHC") Apartment Construction Loan Program ("ACLP"). This represents the largest single loan issued out of Toronto that CMHC has approved and committed to through the ACLP. The financing provided by CMHC allows Oxford to accelerate its plan to intensify the lands around STC to help address the housing crisis faced by the City of Toronto by adding a significant source of new purpose-built rental supply, as well as a substantial delivery of affordable units, into the Scarborough community. "Breaking ground on this development is a true milestone for Oxford as we look to use our proven development expertise to deliver much-needed housing solutions for the people of Scarborough, while sustainably intensifying transit-connected land to create mixed-use communities of the future," said Daniel Fournier, Executive Chair at Oxford Properties. "This generational project signifies a model we hope to replicate across Canada in the years to come, and with CMHC as a funding partner, we're confident it will serve as a prime example of the power of public-private partnerships to work together to address the housing challenges in Canada's largest cities." "Our Government is committed to driving housing supply to bring housing costs down. This project will create more much-needed rental homes for the people living and working in Scarborough. It's an example of what's possible when government and the private sector work together. It's also another step forward in our bold, ambitious plan to build Canada strong." The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure "We are building more affordable homes to address the housing crisis. The project at 25 Borough Drive will create 1,285 new homes for Torontonians, including studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments and townhomes. The City of Toronto is proud to support this project through the Rental Housing Supply Program. We are stronger together, working with the Government of Canada to create more affordable homes in Scarborough to meet the needs of our growing city." Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto The 1,285 purpose-built rental homes, which will be named Alta, will feature three residential towers and sit atop two 7-storey podiums featuring both residential and retail space. Intentionally designed to accommodate a range of income levels, age groups, and family structures, Alta will offer a broad unit mix of 51 studios, 693 one-bedrooms, 411 two-bedrooms and 130 three-bedroom units, including 23 townhomes. The project will benefit from its close proximity to Scarborough Centre TTC station, which is also serviced by GO Transit, and the future Scarborough Subway Extension. The entire project is being designed to promote wellbeing and community building through the inclusion of extensive indoor and outdoor amenities. These include outdoor lounge areas, co-working spaces, a children's playroom, fitness facilities, and a new 22,000 square foot public park at the south end of the development. The completed project seeks to reduce its environmental impact by using a geothermal heating and cooling system that will reduce overall energy use by 55% and greenhouse gas emissions by 74%. "It is more important than ever that governments at all levels in Canada come together with the private sector to make bold choices that improve Canadian communities, and this project is the perfect example," said Blake Hutcheson, President and CEO of OMERS. "This development not only puts our members' dollars to work right here in Ontario, but it does so in a project that is being supported by federal funding which in turn will help maximize the Province and City of Toronto's substantial investment in rapid transit to Scarborough. It will help deliver returns for our members, while also improving housing choice in a community that so many of them proudly call home and serve." Alta marks the first development within Oxford's recently approved master plan for STC. The multi-decade plan envisions over 10,000 residential units built across 89 developable acres to support Scarborough in its evolution and growth as an urban hub, while optimizing STC's relationship to the new transit station. This master plan builds on Oxford's continued conviction to create premier mixed-use communities across Canada. This development is part of a series of recent major investments made by Oxford in Canada, where it has announced almost $2 billion of activity in the past six weeks, including an acquisition of a seven-asset Western Canada office portfolio, and a redevelopment of two office towers at Canada Square in Midtown Toronto. Construction on Alta is expected to be completed by Summer 2029. About Oxford Properties Group Oxford Properties Group ("Oxford") is a leading global real estate investor, developer and manager. Established in 1960, Oxford and its portfolio companies manage approximately C$80 billion of assets across four continents on behalf of their investment partners. Oxford's owned portfolio encompasses logistics, office, retail, multifamily residential, life sciences, credit and hotels in global gateway cities and high-growth hubs. A thematic investor with a committed source of capital, Oxford invests in properties, portfolios, development sites, debt, securities and real estate businesses across the risk-reward spectrum. Together with its portfolio companies, Oxford is one of the world's most active developers with 30 projects currently underway globally across all major asset classes. Oxford is owned by OMERS, the Canadian defined benefit pension plan for Ontario's municipal employees. For more information on Oxford, visit www.oxfordproperties.com. SOURCE Oxford Properties For further information, please contact: Oxford Properties Group, [email protected], 647-381-0885; Renee LeBlanc Proctor, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [email protected]; Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected] New Index Reveals Cities Driving the Rise of Cat Popularity BURLINGTON, ON, July 15, 2025 /CNW/ -- Move over dogs, cats are now more popular than ever. For the past several years, cat adoptions have outpaced dog adoptions, fueling a rising feline fandom. Ahead of PetSmart Charities of Canada National Adoption Week, PetSmart today unveiled the top 10 cat-loving cities in Canada leading this trend where residents are not only adopting more cats but spoiling them most with the highest purchases of cat toys, treats and other pampering products from PetSmart. Ahead of PetSmart Charities of Canada National Adoption Week, PetSmart today unveiled the top 10 cat-loving cities in Canada. PetSmart stores across the country will host adoption events from July 21 to 27, where prospective pet parents will get the chance to meet adoptable pets. "We've been following this trend as cat adoptions outpace dog adoptions and it's fair to say cats are having a moment," said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities of Canada. "This index shows us that cat parenting is more universal than you might think, and those old stereotypes no longer apply. More people than ever are enjoying the playful nature of cat companionship. Cats can thrive in smaller living spaces, and their independence often makes them incredibly appealing to pet parents who can't get out for regular walks. We encourage all Canadians to consider adding a new feline family member during PetSmart Charities of Canada National Adoption Week, July 21-27 at PetSmart stores." These are the top 10 Canadian cities where residents have invested the most in their love for cats, based on an index encompassing PetSmart Charities of Canada cat adoptions and sales of cat pampering products purchased from PetSmart Canada stores.* Langley, BC East York, ON Cambridge, ON Nepean, ON Nanaimo, BC Kitchener, ON Kelowna, BC Scarborough, ON St. Catharines, ON Victoria, BC July is the perfect time for people across Canada to show their love of cats and adopt a cat or kitten during PetSmart Charities of Canada National Adoption Week, July 21-27. PetSmart stores across the country will host adoption events where prospective pet parents will get the chance to meet adoptable pets from local animal welfare organizations to find their perfect match. Summer marks the height of "kitten season," the time of year when the majority of kittens are born. This creates an urgent need for adoptions as shelters and rescues are often overwhelmed with vulnerable cats and kittens in need of loving homes. To encourage adoptions, PetSmart is offering new pet parents who adopt a pet during July's PetSmart Charities of Canada National Adoption Week the opportunity to claim VIPP (Very Important Pet Parent) status, the highest tier and level of savings for PetSmart Treats Rewards loyalty members. PetSmart is also making it easier than ever for pet parents to welcome adopted cats into their homes celebrating Anything for Cats Month throughout July, the biggest cat event of the year. During July, pet parents can earn 5X Treats Rewards points (10% back in savings)** on all cat purchases, including products and services, and enjoy exclusive deals and additional savings all month long. "We're seeing an incredible rise in cat appreciation across Canada, and our index of the top cat-loving cities truly highlights this passion," said Charndeep Grewal, vice president of merchandising at PetSmart Canada. "With our wide assortment of products, we're helping pet parents experience more joy with their catsespecially during Anything for Cats month, where they'll find great value and savings. Cats are becoming the heart of more and more Canadian homes, and we're proud to be the trusted destination for cat families." Cat parents can find all they need for their cats and start saving during Anything for Cats Month in stores, at PetSmart.ca or in the PetSmart app. To learn more about PetSmart Charities of Canada National Adoption Week events visit PetSmartCharities.ca. *Disclaimer: Rankings are based on internal data from PetSmart Canada stores which excludes Quebec. Data was collected from June 17, 2024 through June 16, 2025. Cities were evaluated using two key metrics: the number of pet adoptions recorded in PetSmart Charities of Canada's Adoptions Database and customer spending on select cat product categories, including toys, furniture, collars and leads, scratch products and treats. To ensure fair comparison, results were adjusted for the number of PetSmart store locations in each city and indexed against national performance. Final rankings were determined using a weighted formula: 50% adoptions and 50% product sales. **Offer valid 7/1/25-8/3/25. Terms apply. Offer activation required. See offer card in your PetSmart Treats Rewards account for complete details. About PetSmart PetSmart is the leading omni-channel pet retailer in North America with a mission to help everyone experience more joy with pets. The company offers a compelling assortment of pet care essentials, exclusive brands and must-have items for each season, along with expert pet services. With over 160 stores across Canada plus a seamless shopping experience at PetSmart.ca and through the PetSmart app PetSmart's convenient shopping options are complete with autoship, same-day delivery and in-store pickup. Expert services include professional grooming, pet training, Doggie Day Camp and PetsHotel overnight boarding in many locations. The PetSmart Treats Rewards loyalty program provides value to pet parents th!rough personalized offers and points on every purchase that can be used for future savings. PetSmart and PetSmart Charities of Canada have a long-standing commitment to supporting pets and people in the communities they serve, and PetSmart Charities of Canada is the largest funder of animal welfare in Canada. Together, they are proud to have helped more than 400 thousand pets find loving homes through in-store pet adoption programs. For more information, visit PetSmart.ca or PetSmartCharities.ca SOURCE PetSmart Canada [email protected] An Upstate New York man has been arrested for DWI twice in one week, according New York State Police. Damian D. Cross, 40, of Mechanicville, N.Y., was stopped by troopers on June 29 at 1:42 a.m. on State Route 67 in Malta, Saratoga County. He was arrested on charges of Driving While Intoxicated and other vehicle and traffic law violations. Cross was taken to State Police in Saratoga County, where he recorded a 0.20% BAC (Blood Alcohol Content). Thats more than twice the legal limit of a 0.08% BAC. Cross was issued tickets to appear in Malta Town Court on July 31 and released to a sober third party, police said. But days later, Cross was stopped again for a vehicle and traffic law violation on July 5 at 1:44 a.m. on I-87 in Moreau. Cross was arrested for DWI and other violations and transported to State Police in Queensbury, where he again recorded a 0.20% BAC. Cross was issued tickets to appear in Moreau Town Court on July 16, and released to a sober third party. If convicted of aggravated driving while intoxicated (for a 0.18 and higher BAC), penalties include a fine of $1,000 to $2,500 and up to 1 year in jail for a first offense (misdemeanor). For a second offense (Class E Felony) with 10 years, penalties include a fine up to $5,000 and up to four years of jail time. Paris, France, July 15th, 2025, CyberNewsWire GitGuardian, the leader in automated secrets detection and remediation, today announced the launch of its Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server, a powerful new infrastructure designed to bring AI-assisted secrets security directly into developer environments. As intelligent agents begin to reshape the software development landscape, GitGuardians MCP server marks a pivotal shift in aligning security practices with an environment where code is shipped faster than ever. The MCP server enables users to detect, respond to, and remediate security incidents as code is being written. It empowers developers to scan code, manage incidents, and inject honeytokens directly from AI-enhanced IDEs like Cursor and Windsurf. This approach compresses the traditional security feedback loop, from commit to alert to fix, into minutes. This is a new security primitive, said Eric Fourrier, CEO of GitGuardian. By launching our MCP server, were enabling agents to take proactive, context-aware security actions directly in the development environment. Developers no longer need to wait for delayed alerts or decipher vague ticket instructions. Security now happens as they code. A Command Hub for Intelligent Agents The GitGuardian MCP Server acts as a command center that allows AI agents to read from and orchestrate tasks across the organizations broader security ecosystem. Agents can now: Automatically scan files pre-release. Identify and remediate hardcoded secrets. Inject honeytokens into code for early breach detection. Built with read-only permissions by design, GitGuardians MCP Server minimizes security risk while maximizing utility. It ensures agent behavior is safe, supervised, and auditable. Were not just pushing data to IDEs, said Mathieu Bellon, Product Manager at GitGuardian. Were giving intelligent agents the tools and context they need to take action responsibly and securely, directly within the developers workflow. Meeting Developers Where They Work The MCP Server is compatible with any IDE or platform that supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP). With these capabilities, security becomes a collaborative, real-time experience for developers: No more context switching to external tools. No more reactive security loops. No more ambiguity around incident ownership. Instead, developers gain agency over their security posture with tools tailored to their environment and pace. Why This Matters Secrets sprawl remains one of the most pervasive and underestimated security threats today. Hardcoded API keys, credentials, and tokens can lead to costly breaches if not identified and remediated quickly. The rapid rise of intelligent development tools like Copilot, Cursor, Windsurf, and Claude has further fueled the explosion of non-human identities (NHIs) and hardcoded credentials scattered across codebases, wikis, CI pipelines, and collaboration platforms. Traditional security tools are not keeping up. By embedding secrets detection and response within the development pipeline, GitGuardians MCP Server offers a transformative approach to reducing security risk without slowing development velocity. Availability The GitGuardian MCP Server is available starting today. Organizations can explore the toolset, integrate it into their AI-powered development environments, or request a demo to see it in action with their codebases. For more information, users can visit: https://github.com/GitGuardian/gg-mcp About GitGuardian GitGuardian is an end-to-end NHI and secrets security platform that empowers software-driven organizations to enhance their Non-Human Identity (NHI) security and comply with industry standards. With attackers increasingly targeting NHIs, such as service accounts and applications, GitGuardian integrates Secrets Security and NHI Governance. This dual approach enables the detection of compromised secrets across your dev environments while also managing non-human identities and their secrets lifecycles. The platform is the worlds most installed GitHub application and supports over 450+ types of secrets, offers public monitoring for leaked data, and deploys honeytokens for added defense. Trusted by over 600,000 developers, GitGuardian is the choice of leading organizations like Snowflake, ING, BASF, and Bouygues Telecom for robust secrets protection. Contact Sr. Partner Holly Hagerman Connect Marketing [email protected] (801) 373-7888 California mom charged after one-year-old dies from being left in hot car while she got lip injections California mom charged after one-year-old dies from being left in hot car while she got lip injections A California mother has been charged with manslaughter and child cruelty after her infant son died from allegedly being left inside a car on a 100-plus degree day while she was getting lip filler injections at a medical spa in late June. The Bakersfield Police Department alleges that Maya Hernanendez, 20, knew when she walked away from her vehicle that leaving one-year-old Amillio Guiterrez and his two-year-old brother was irresponsible, according to documents filed in Kern County Superior Court and obtained by National Post. But she intentionally left them in the vehicle regardless, placing the value of her appearance over the value of the safety and well-being of her children, Det. Kyle McNabb wrote in his report. The name of the surviving child has not been released by authorities or relatives. ADVERTISEMENT According to police, Hernandez had contacted the spa earlier on June 29 to ask if her children could accompany her and was told they could, so long as they stayed in the waiting room of the medical facility. A spa nurse allegedly later told police they were not aware that the children were waiting in the vehicle. Figuring her appointment could go long, police say Hernandez told them that upon arriving around 2 p.m., she decided to leave the boys strapped into their car seats, with snacks and milk, inside the running car with the air conditioning on while they watched shows on her phone. (Hernandez) stated she was certain that her car would stay on with the air conditioning running the whole time she was gone, because she had been in her car for extended periods of time before and had even slept in her car, McNabb wrote. However, police later learned that her vehicle, a 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid, automatically shuts off after one hour if left in park. Hernandez said she returned to her vehicle at approximately 4:30 p.m. and found Amillio red in the face and then appearing to suffer a seizure with foaming at the mouth and shaking. The other boy was faring better, but his hair was still soaking wet with sweat. She sought assistance from spa staff and called 911. ADVERTISEMENT Paramedics told police that Amillio was unconscious and not breathing upon their arrival. Both were transported to hospital where staff worked on Amillio for 40 minutes before pronouncing him dead. A doctor interviewed by police said the infants body temperature was recorded at 107.2 degrees. According to historical weather data, the peak temperature at that time of day was 101 Fahrenheit (38 Celsius). In his report, McNabb noted that the internal temperature of a car can climb to 143F (62C) in just one hour of 100-degree weather. Police estimate that the boys were left in the scorching hot car for at least 90 minutes. Amillios brother, whose body temperature was registered at 99 degrees, had normal vital signs and has since recovered from the ordeal. Police were informed that kids two and older can sweat to cool themselves down, whereas most infants cant. ADVERTISEMENT Based on the totality of the evidence at this time it is clear that Maya Hernandezs actions caused the death of Amillio Gutierrez, McNabb wrote. Hernandez, who has pleaded not guilty to one charge of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of child cruelty, is being held on $1 million bail. She appeared in court briefly last Friday and is due to return Tuesday, according to ABC in Bakersfield. Speaking with a reporter outside court, spa patron and witness Ian Blue said he told emergency responders he saw no signs that the air conditioning was running when he walked past Hernandezs car. Katie Martinez, the patriarchal grandmother of the deceased boy, said Hernandez is a really loving mom and struggled to understand the tragedy. They were strapped in their car seats. They couldnt even get up to save themselves, she told another ABC outlet. She literally locked them in their car seats and shut their doors. ADVERTISEMENT Her son, the boys father, is currently serving time for unrelated charges and learned of his one-year-olds death the following day. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Many Canadians are forgoing U.S. travel this year; might they come to Nunavut instead? Some people working in Nunavut's travel and tourism industry say there are signs the territory could benefit as Canadians forgo travel to the United States in favour of destinations within the country. But not all tourism operators or marketers say they're seeing increased bookings or inquiries. Adventure Canada, which operates small-ship expeditions through Nunavut, Nunatsiavut and Newfoundland, among other destinations, said it's so far seen a seven per cent increase in the proportion of its passengers who are Canadian. "Although it is difficult to link it to hard numbers at this point, anecdotally we are hearing very often from our guests (Canadian and otherwise) that they are very excited to see some of the far reaches of Canada with a Canadian operator," said CEO Cedar Swan in a statement emailed to CBC. ADVERTISEMENT "In a few cases, yes, some people have changed their travel plans to show their support for Canada. One guest in particular decided to cancel an Alaska cruise they had planned (which they even lost their deposit on) because they preferred to keep their travel dollars in Canada and see the eastern Arctic." Many of Adventure Canada's guests book their holidays eight to 12 months out, Swan said, so it's hard to know whether the trend will continue. Trips to the U.S. are down But she said the company has also been getting more inquiries from Canadian travel agents because their clients are looking to support Canadian companies and visit Canadian destinations. Canadians have been avoiding U.S. travel in droves ever since U.S. president Donald Trump launched a trade war against the country and began referring to Canada as the 51st state. ADVERTISEMENT Since then, stories of U.S. officials searching travelers' smart phones , quizzing Canadians about their allegiance to the U.S ., detaining legal residents, including Canadians and deporting alleged criminals to an El Salvadoran prison without due process, resulting in at least one wrongful deportation, have contributed to the boycott. Return trips to the U.S. by automobile declined more than 35 per cent year over year in April and May of 2025, according to Statistics Canada. Alex Stubbing is the president and CEO of Travel Nunavut. (Heather Kitching/CBC) Return trips by air by Canadian residents dropped 14 per cent year over year in April, and 24.2 per cent in May. Flight Centre Canada, meanwhile, is reporting a five per cent increase in domestic bookings this summer, a spokesperson told CBC in an email. The president and CEO of Travel Nunavut said many members are reporting high hotel occupancy rates and full flights this season and are expecting a busy summer. ADVERTISEMENT But Alex Stubbing said it's too early to tell how much of a role leisure tourism from elsewhere in Canada plays in those numbers. Most travel in Nunavut is carried out by Nunavummiut journeying between communities for business or medical reasons or to visit family, he said. But some operators have been trying to capitalize on the renewed interest in Canadian tourism. Summer tours up in Arctic Bay "We definitely saw a rise in some of our members attending Canadian trade shows in the hopes of attracting tourists into the territory this summer," Stubbing said. Arctic Bay Adventures is seeing payoff this summer from its efforts to attract more interest in land-based summer tourism, its manager Chris Mitchell said. The community-owned ecotourist adventure company in Arctic Bay will welcome six or seven tours this year, according to Mitchell. ADVERTISEMENT Two years ago, there were virtually none. Chris Mitchell is the manager of Arctic Bay Adventures. (Heather Kitching/CBC) "One of the tours we had is a photographer. He has been going to Alaska, and he's now switched over to here," Mitchell said. "So that's a definite new business for Canada as opposed to the USA. ... I believe that part of our uptick is related to people that are looking for something other than the stars and stripes for their vacation package." But not everyone has noticed a change this year. A spokesperson for Canadian North told CBC in a statement it has not seen an increase in bookings. Flight Centre Canada also said new bookings to Nunavut are flat this year compared to the same period last year. But "curiosity is growing," said spokesperson Amra Durakovic, "part of a broader trend toward interest in remote travel." Northern destinations 'niche for now' Destinations such as Nunavut and Yukon "remain niche for now," but that growing interest could foretell a broader shift in travel trends next summer, Durakovic added. The government of Nunavut, which promotes tourism to the territory, said it hasn't detected any early indicators of increased interest but it's too early to draw firm conclusions. "[M]any travellers plan their trips to the territory well in advance, sometimes up to a year ahead," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "So it takes longer to detect and interpret shifts in interest compared to other regions." But the government said it is taking steps to try to capitalize on Canadians' growing interest in domestic tourism with a campaign promoting Nunavut's culture, landscapes and experiences. It has also intensified marketing efforts internationally in an effort to take advantage of the growing U.S. travel boycott. "The initiatives include digital campaigns, partnerships with travel trade professionals, and participation in international tourism expos to raise awareness of Nunavut's unique offerings," the statement read. "We are also diversifying into new markets, including Australia." Mitchell at Arctic Bay Adventures said the locally-owned company put around $300,000 into the hands of guides and local stores in the first three months of 2025 alone, and more tourism would push that number up. "If our fellow Canadians see benefit to coming here as opposed to going to Iceland or Norway and spending their Arctic Circle travel dollar in Canada, it will seriously help out some great people," he said. The RCMP was involved in a major security operation to keep world leaders safe at the G7 last month. (Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press - image credit) A Quebec Mountie is under criminal investigation for allegedly making threatening remarks online during their deployment at the G7 summit last month, the RCMP confirms. The Journal de Montreal first reported the news and said the officer's alleged remarks were made about U.S. President Donald Trump. The French-language newspaper, citing sources, also said the officer is accused of leaking information about Trump's movements, which would constitute a security breach and could have compromised the president's safety. CBC News has not independently confirmed those details. A spokesperson for the RCMP wouldn't comment on the particulars of the case, including the officer's name, but told CBC News they are the subject of both a criminal investigation and internal code of conduct review. ADVERTISEMENT "Depending on the outcome of the evidence review, criminal charges may be laid," said Cpl. Erique Gasse. "The RCMP takes all threats that may impact the sense of safety seriously. Violent language or behaviour is not tolerated." Canada hosted the G7 in Kananaskis, Alta., marking one of the largest domestic security operations in Canadian history. The event saw the RCMP, along with other police forces and the Canadian Armed Forces, commit a significant amount of resources to secure the vicinity, including setting up no-fly zones. Leading up to the event, the RCMP was planning for a myriad of possible threats and was "mindful" that Trump was the target of assassination attempts last year during the presidential campaign. A New Jersey man was arrested Monday and charged in a hit-and-run crash that left a 77-year-old Leonia woman in critical condition, authorities said. The driver, a North Bergen resident, is charged with third-degree leaving the scene of an accident and fourth-degree endangering an injured victim, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. Leonia police were called about 4:35 a.m. Thursday to Grand Avenue near Ames Avenue, where the woman was found unconscious on the side of the road. Arriving officers determined the woman had been struck by a vehicle whose driver had fled. The woman was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center, where she remained in critical condition on Tuesday. During the investigation, detectives determined (the victim) was attempting to cross Grand Avenue, near the intersection with Ames Avenue, when she was struck by a red vehicle that fled the scene, Musella said in a statement. Detectives located a red 2012 Toyota Sienna, which they said struck the woman. Further investigation revealed a North Bergen man as the driver, Musella said. The man was taken to the Bergen County Jail to await a court hearing, Musella said. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. A Palisades Park woman will serve one year of probation for practicing medicine without a license following the death of an 11-month-old girl, authorities said Tuesday. Elida Ofelia Medina-Ramos, 77, appeared in Bergen County Superior Court before Judge Kevin Purvin, who handed down the sentence on Friday, according to court officials. This was a tragedy, Medina-Ramos attorney, John J. Bruno Jr., told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. The woman didnt intend to hurt anybody and it (the autopsy) could not confirm magnesium poisoning, Bruno said. The child fell into a seizure in December 2021, after the babys mother brought her to Medina-Ramos home for a medical evaluation. Emergency responders arrived to find the infant unresponsive, and the mother told officers she believed the baby was choking. The child was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Investigators said blood tests later revealed a high level of magnesium in the babys system. But the defense countered that blood samples had been contaminated before examination. Medina-Ramos was initially charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, child endangerment, and unauthorized practice of medicine, but prosecutors later dropped the more serious charges. According to court records, the mother brought her ailing daughter to Medina-Ramos because the baby was constipated. Medina-Ramos, who is not a licensed medical professional, told detectives she administered a homemade liquid remedy intended to relieve constipation. The mixture, delivered through an oral syringe, contained magnesium, olive oil, and water, Medina-Ramos told investigators, according to court records. Shortly after receiving the concoction, the baby suffered a medical emergency, prompting Medina-Ramos to urge the mother to call 911. The infants mother was later charged with child endangerment for allegedly permitting an unauthorized medical procedure. Those charges were dropped, Bruno said. Bruno said a blood sample collected during the autopsy had been contaminated, leaving the medical examiner unable to determine the exact cause of death. The baby also suffered from pre-existing medical conditions that likely contributed to her medical emergency, Bruno said. He said uncertainty of the manner of death led prosecutors to drop the original aggravated manslaughter charge, and also prompted the dismissal of the endangering charge against the babys mother. Medina-Ramos ultimately pleaded guilty to third-degree unlicensed practice of medicine. The Bergen County Prosecutors Office recommended a sentence of one year of probation, while Bruno asked only for a fine. Bruno said the judge has offered to terminate Medina-Ramos probation early if she pays $155 in mandated court costs. A spokesman for the prosecutors office was not immediately available to comment. Bruno said the sentence lifts a major cloud from over his clients head. She was facing 30 years in prison not knowing what the outcome would be, Bruno said. Shes elated. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. A state grand jury has declined to bring criminal charges against a Fort Lee police officer who fatally shot a 26-year-old woman during a mental health call last summer, the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office announced Tuesday. Victoria G. Lee was shot and killed by Officer Tony Pickens Jr. on July 28, 2024, after officers responded to a 911 call from Lees brother, who reported she was experiencing a mental health crisis at their apartment in The Pinnacle complex on Main Street. The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability investigated the shooting and presented the case to a grand jury, which voted no bill on Monday, meaning no charges would be filed. According to the investigation, Lees brother initially asked for an ambulance but was told police were also required to respond for safety. Minutes later, he tried to cancel the call but disclosed that his sister had a foldable knife. Police considered the situation high-risk due to the weapon. Officer Pickens arrived at the scene around 1:25 a.m. and spoke with Lees brother outside the apartment. When he attempted to speak with Lee and her mother inside the unit, Lee closed and locked the door. After repeated attempts to gain entry and warnings that the door would be forced open, Lee reportedly shouted threats at the officers, including Go ahead, Ill stab you in the neck and Shoot me if you want to. When officers entered the apartment, they found Lee near the doorway, holding a large water bottle and what appeared to be a knife. After she broke free from her mother and moved toward the officers, Pickens fired a single shot, striking her in the chest. Lee was pronounced dead at Englewood Hospital around 1:58 a.m. on the morning of the shooting. A knife was recovered at the scene. The case was presented to the grand jury under a 2019 law requiring independent investigations and grand jury review of deaths involving police officers. Officials said all standard procedures were followed, and no conflicts of interest were found. Lees family has been critical of police and local officials over the shooting. Her mother asked officers at the scene why they would shoot someone holding a water bottle and not a knife, according to a statement released by the family last year. Additionally, the Korean American Association of New Jersey has demanded transparency and accountability. Lees death followed the high-profile police killings of Najee Seabrooks and Andrew Washington, which fueled a statewide push for greater police accountability and alternatives to law enforcement in responding to mental health crises. Grand juries in the Seabrooks and Washington cases declined to indict the police officers involved. Victoria Lee should be alive today, AAPI New Jersey said in a statement Tuesday, embracing the sentiments of a coalition of social justice organizations. The statement calls for officers involved in the shooting to be held accountable and for community members to feel safe when asking for help. The statement was signed by groups including Korean American Civic Empowerment, AALDEF, Asian Womens Christian Association, BLM Paterson, Faith in New Jersey, MinKwon Center for Community Action, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, One Boat Coalition, and Stop AAPI Hate. Victoria Lee was fatally shot at The Pinnacle apartments on Main Street in Fort Lee after a 911 caller reported a family member was in mental distress. Google Maps Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Authorities arrested a 43-year-old Philadelphia woman Monday on charges related to death of a 4-month-old infant she was caring for who was found dead inside a trash bag at a Camden home in May, according to police. Ebony Gee, of Philadelphia, is charged with desecration of human remains and witness tampering, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said Tuesday. A witness found the baby boy at a home in the 1200 block of Lake Shore Drive in Camden on May 19, the prosecutors office said in a statement. Gee had been caring for the boy for a friend since mid April, in the Camden home, the prosecutors office said. In a court document filed in the case, an investigator wrote a resident discovered the baby in a trash bag in a bassinet. The resident and Gee knew each other. Confronted, Gee allegedly told the resident to get rid of it, and allegedly sent threatening messages to the resident after the discovery. Plus, investigators alleged in the document that the boys parents made attempts to have Gee return the child before he was found dead. Gee allegedly ignored those requests or claimed to have scheduling conflicts preventing from being returned, the affidavit state. She returned to Philadelphia after the discovery, the document states. The Gloucester-Camden-Salem County Medical Examiners Office could not determine the infants cause of death because of the bodys condition, the prosecutors Office said Tuesday. Attorney information for Gee was not immediately available Tuesday. The U.S. Marshals Service apprehended Ebony Gee in the 5400 block of Webster Street in West Philadelphia on Monday, the agency said. A photo shared by the U.S. Marshals Service on its social media accounts shows Gee being escorted by two officers outside a set of row homes. Anyone with information about the case, specifically how the infant died, is urged to contact detectives at the Camden County Prosecutors Office at 856-930-5355 or the Camden County police at 609-519-3981. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. New Jersey immigrants who are unrepresented at court hearings are more likely to get deported, data shows. Noncitizens appear in immigration court when the government is trying to deport them, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan research and advocacy group working on criminal justice and democracy issues. Immigrants have a right to an attorney, but the government does not need to provide them with one. Between 1999 and May 2025, 139,494 of the 260,182 immigrants facing deportation cases in New Jersey did not have legal representation, according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) is a data-gathering group based out of Syracuse University that obtains data from ICE and the Executive Office for Immigration Review, a part of the Department of Justice, through the Freedom of Information Act. The data runs through the fiscal year, which runs from October to September. About 42% of cases where immigrants did not have representation ended in deportation, a figure that dropped to 18% with a lawyer. Cant see the chart? Click here. Its (representation) huge, said Lloyd Bennett, an immigration attorney based out of Union City. If you are representing yourself, you dont know if youre entitled to any type of relief. Florence Otaigbe, an immigration attorney based out of Jersey City, said immigrants who represent themselves are at a disadvantage for several reasons. Most immigrants dont know how to navigate a court hearing one of the most essential parts of immigration cases, Otaigbe said. When it comes to preparing and filing a brief, submitting evidence, doing testimony in court, being cross examined, things like that, those are parts when having an attorney come into play, she said. That is what can make or break a case. An immigrant might also have language barriers even when a translator is provided, Otaigbe said. If you dont speak English you are operating at a deficit, Otaigbe said. The court may not have an interpreter who speaks the language, or an interpreter may not accurately interpret what the immigrant says, she said. An immigrant might also not recognize if the federal Department of Homeland Security legal staff, who are the opposing counsel, does something out of order or inappropriate, Otaigbe said. An attorney can call that out, she said. Bennett said many immigrants end up without representation because they cant afford costly attorneys. Nonprofits, who provide free or low-cost legal support, may not have enough resources to support them. A 2022 study from the Center for Migration Studies of New York, a nonpartisan organization focused on immigration issues, found that in New Jersey, there was just one charitable legal professional for an average of 2,687 immigrants. Due to recent federal funding cuts, many nonprofits have become overwhelmed with need. Because of the Trump administrations pullback on funding, a lot of the agencies lost a lot of money, Bennett said. They are unable to serve the population that is just exploding in immigration court right now. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Amira Sweilem may be reached at asweilem@njadvancemedia.com. Starbucks unveiled four secret menu items that you can access exclusively through the Starbucks app. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media Starbucks is pulling back the curtain on the secret menu. The coffee chain just unveiled four secret menu items that you can access exclusively through the Starbucks app. Plus, you can send your favorite customized drinks to Starbucks for a chance to win up to $30,000. Heres what they are and how you can get them. What customizations are on the Starbucks Secret Menu? There are four new drink customizations available exclusively in the Starbucks app. The secret drinks include: Cookies on Top : The Cold Brew gets two pumps of vanilla syrup, vanilla sweet cream cold foam and cookie crumble topping. Dragonfruit Glow-up : The drink combines the Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher with peach juice blend in a blender, and then, its topped with vanilla sweet cream cold foam. Lemon, Tea and Pearls : The drink adds the raspberry-flavored popping pearls used in Refreshers drinks to black tea and lemonade. Just Add White Mocha: Its the Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso with white chocolate mocha sauce and topped with vanilla sweet cream cold foam. How do I order them on the Starbucks Secret Menu? If youre a Starbucks Rewards member, you can find the new items under the Offers tab in the Starbucks app. From there, select your desired drink, and and a barista will prepare it with all options listed. How can I enter the Secret Menu Contest? On top of releases the new secret menu, Starbucks is launching the Secret Menu Contest from July 1420. Starbucks fans can submit their go-to customized drink order, and customers will vote on their favorite ones on Starbucks Instagram account. The four top customizations will have their drink featured on the secret menu August 18-25 and win a $5,000 prize. The Grand Prize winner will get an additional $25,000 prize. You can submit your favorite customized beverages here. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in Trenton on Monday night, the Mercer County Prosecutors Office said Tuesday. Police found two men shot on 600 block of North Clinton Avenue at 11:51 p.m., authorities said. Shalynn Richardson, 43, was pronounced dead at Capital Health Regional Medical Center shortly after the shooting. The second man was also taken to the hospital, the prosecutors office said. Prior to the shooting, a confrontation occurred between two groups of people in the area of Covert Alley, authorities said. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information may contact Detective Andrew DiStefano at 609-989-6406 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at 609-256-0997. Information can also be sent to mchtftips@mercercounty.org. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Rebecca Heath may be reached at RHeath@njadvancemedia.com. Ten people are charged with installing skimmers on point-of-sale machines at businesses in five New Jersey counties, as well as in New York and Pennsylvania, to steal electronic benefits card information, authorities said. The group used the information they collected starting in February to obtain victims Electronic Benefits Transfer account information, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office said. The thieves then used that stolen information to make their own debit cards which they used to make bulk purchases of energy drinks and baby formula at retail establishments. The businesses are in Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Somerset and Union counties in New Jersey. Some of the establishments are in New York and Pennsylvania. Victims have lost more than $25,000 so far. Several of those charged are from Highland Park, though the prosecutors office didnt immediately have the ages and hometowns of each alleged thief. Highland Park police and the prosecutors office executed searches and seized more than 100 EBT cards with stickers containing a PIN and amount loaded onto each card. Investigators also found up-to-date skimmer and encoder devices, as well products from the thefts, officials said. All are charged with various counts of trafficking of personal identifying information, theft and financial facilitation of criminal activity. The prosecutors office and the Middlesex County jail said the following people are charged: Maru Dumitru, 33, Stefan Lautaru, 20 Boby-Stefan Degeratu Gabriela Ilie Claudiu Padeanu, 29 Mensi Dumitru, 31 Demetria Costache, 28 Albert Enciu Florin Badea Gheorghe Miclescu Maru Dumitru and Lautaru remain held in jail. Both are charged with money laundering, credit card crimes, trafficking personal identifying information theft and two counts of conspiracy, jail records state. Padeanu, Costache, and Mensi Dumitru were released from jail last week. Those five were arrested by Highland Park police. Information on the others charged wasnt available. Anyone with information is asked to call Highland Park police Det. Brian OMara at 732-572-3800 or Det. Greg MacDonald of the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office at 732-745-3300. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. South Brunswick police have identified the 75-year-old pedestrian struck and killed on Route 27 last week as a Jersey City resident. Neville A. DRozario was hit by a northbound pickup truck at about 9:25 p.m. Thursday in the area of Henderson Road, police said. DRozario, who was not in a crosswalk at the time of the accident, died of his injuries at an area hospital. The driver, a 63-year-old Franklin Park man, stopped at the scene and spoke to police. The investigation is ongoing. DRozario was described in an online obituary as a physician, teacher and community leader. Beyond his medical career, Dr. DRozario was a pillar of the Bangladeshi Christian community, offering leadership and guidance that helped the community evolve and solidify its identity, according to the obituary. A natural connector and critical thinker, he was especially passionate about motivating youth, serving as the founding secretary of Shurid Shanga and Chattra Kolyan Shangha, and inspiring countless young people through his example and encouragement. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. A pedestrian was critically injured after being struck by a vehicle driven by an off-duty sheriffs officer in Morris County on Monday, authorities said. The 46-year-old man was unresponsive on Route 46 west in Netcong when rescuers arrived at the 9 p.m. crash, a spokesperson for the Morris County Prosecutors Office said Tuesday. He was taken to a local hospital and remains in critical condition, authorities said. The driver, an off-duty Morris County sheriffs officer, was also taken to the hospital and has since been released. He is cooperating with the investigation, officials said. The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability determined the prosecutors office should conduct the investigation into the crash, the spokesperson said. The investigation, which is also being led by the New Jersey State Police, remains ongoing. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Rebecca Heath may be reached at RHeath@njadvancemedia.com. House Republicans are being roasted after a late-night vote on Monday. The House Rules Committee voted 5-7 against attaching a Democratic amendment to cryptocurrency legislation that would lead to the Justice Department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files on a publicly accessible website. Only one Republican Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) crossed party lines and sided with the panels four Democrats in favor of the resolution. There it is. Republicans just BLOCKED the release of the Epstein Files. pic.twitter.com/8Coed3se16 No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) July 15, 2025 While it was not expected to pass, some Democrats have framed the amendment as a way to expose GOP hypocrisy over the files. If the resolution were to be approved, it would pave the way for a full House vote. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), the author of the measure, took to X to criticize the vote directly before midnight, writing that People are fed up. Need to put the American people before party! Khanna added. Rules voted 5-7 to block the full House from voting on my amendment to have a FULL release of the Epstein file. People are fed up. They are fed up. Thanks @RepRalphNorman. Need to put the American people before party! pic.twitter.com/HCdIutV5Sv Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) July 15, 2025 The vote came after the Justice Department and FBI released a memo last week that concluded there was no evidence that the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender kept a client list or blackmailed high-profile figures. It also revealed no foul play in his death, which was recorded as a suicide, as he awaited his sex-trafficking trial in 2019. President Donald Trumps administration has since found itself at the center of a political rebellion, with MAGA world calling for the release of all documents after several of the presidents officials previously pledged to do so, and Trump himself questioning why the Epstein case has continued to be discussed. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino was also reported to skip work on Friday as rumors swirled about a potential resignation after he clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of the files. Were on one Team, MAGA, and I dont like whats happening, the president wrote in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform over the weekend. Lets not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about. Social media users have criticized the vote on X, with many calling on Trumps MAGA base to take note. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has baselessly claimed that Trump was in the Epstein files amid their public fallout, wrote on X: Extremely troubling. They didnt flinch. They didnt hesitate. They lined up and voted to keep the truth sealed And the American people are watching, one user wrote. Another user chimed in: Arresting farm workers but protecting sex offenders. The Republican way. Who the f--- campaigns on releasing the Epstein files, then blocks the release of the Epstein files? someone said. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) responded to a post from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who claimed that America deserves the truth about Epstein and his elite inner circle. This lady and her colleagues wont do s--- about this. They voted last night to keep Epstein files from you. This tweet is just cheap talk, Swalwell wrote. Times almost up for the GOP majority. A Democratic majority is coming and will unearth all that these co-conspirators have buried, he added. This lady and her colleagues wont do shit about this. They voted last night to keep Epstein files from you. This tweet is just cheap talk. Times almost up for the GOP majority. A Democratic majority is coming and will unearth all that these co-conspirators have buried. https://t.co/Ikg4tS8Ejl Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) July 15, 2025 Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.) asked, What are they hiding? Even some MAGA faithful expressed frustration with the decision. Owen Shroyer, a host of InfoWars, wrote: Easier to get Republicans to vote in unison to protect Epstein clients than it was for border funding, security, deportations, military, tax cuts, hell pretty much anything. Its a long list and even if some are not on it, knowing and having done nothing is just as evil, one user responded. A user with the name MAGA & World said that most of them are corrupted and they should be primaried for real. While arguing in support of the move, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), a ranking member on the House committee, said that Republicans are backtracking after the memos new findings. Trump is posting that we should all just move on. Well, I want to know what the hell is in these files, McGovern said. I think we all want to know why Trump is suddenly changing his tune and is so desperate to sweep this under the rug, he added. While on the campaign trail, Trump said that he would make the files public if elected, and a number of top figures in his administration had pushed unfounded claims about the cause of Epsteins death and about whether others should be implicated. Bondi herself had told Fox News in February that an Epstein client list was sitting on my desk right now, and during the same month, invited a band of right-wing influencers to the White House to promote the first batch of documents released with most of the information already available in the public domain. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-M.O.) has come under scrutiny on social media after he introduced new legislation on Tuesday that would repeal some parts of President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill that he voted for. Hawley joined most Senate Republicans in passing the GOPs multitrillion-dollar spending bill, advancing the policy package to the House, where it ultimately muscled its way through earlier this month. The bill, which will extend Trumps signature first-term tax breaks while cutting funding for Medicaid, was signed into law by the president on the Fourth of July. Hawley has since taken the heat for voting in support of the bill, after directly admitting that he held reservations. In May, in an op-ed for The New York Times, the senator urged his colleagues to not slash funding for Medicaid, which serves over 70 million Americans and over 1 million residents of Missouri, the state he represents in Congress. And since the bill has been enacted, Hawley has continued to criticize its steep Medicaid cuts, emphasizing that he will work to ensure that provider tax changes, which would limit state reimbursement for the program, will not go into effect in Missouri in the next few years despite the legislation he helped pass expected to do exactly that. In Hawleys proposed bill, titled the Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act, he aims to repeal the changes to Medicaid State provider tax authority and State directed payments made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and provide increased funding for the rural health transformation program, the text reads. It also seeks more investments in rural hospitals by doubling a fund passed in the spending bill to $100 billion. President Trump has always said we have to protect Medicaid for working people. Now is the time to prevent any future cuts to Medicaid from going into effect, Hawley said in a press release. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., introduces a new bill to repeal some of the Medicaid cuts in Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which he voted for. "Now is the time to prevent any future cuts to Medicaid from going into effect," Hawley says. Full text pic.twitter.com/CsTsCOsIKe Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) July 15, 2025 His sudden reversal has been met with mockery by several social media users many who have suggested that the new piece of legislation is hypocritical after he voted for the budget package only a few weeks prior. Please unpass the bill I just passed, one journalist wrote, and a different user added, Hahahaha this is so predictable. Another user said: Our Congress has become a playground for fundamentally unserious people who behave as if they have no agency when it comes to influencing policy outcomes. Its f------ infuriating. You had the opportunity to fight for changes. You did the damage already, someone wrote. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) also swooped in: Josh Hawley and I both agree that Americans would be better off if we could get rid of the problems created by Josh Hawley. First, Josh Halwey talked about not wanting to cut Medicaid. Then, when the billionaires needed his vote, he voted to cut Medicaid. Now that the Medicaid cuts are passed, hes back to talking about not wanting to cut Medicaid. Hes full of s---, Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) wrote. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) asked, Just so Im clear hes introducing a bill.to repeal the bill he voted for.two weeks ago? Profile in courage right there, Fox News Jessica Tarlov, who co-hosts The Five, wrote. Another user chimed in: Now Hawley is trying to run away from his own vote by introducing a new bill that protects Medicaid from being cut. Dont buy it. This is cowardice. While Hawley has acknowledged changes to Medicaid, a host of Trump administration officials and Republican lawmakers have maintained that there are no cuts imposed against health care program. The bill adds a new requirement for those enrolled in the program, which requires able-bodied, childless adults between the ages of 18 and 64 to work at least 80 hours a month to be eligible to receive benefits. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Comedian Jon Stewart mocked MAGA backlash to President Donald Trump and his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Comedian Jon Stewart torched President Donald Trump and his administration as MAGA world erupts over the Jeffrey Epstein files. The Justice Department and FBI concluded last week in a memo that the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender did not keep a client list, blackmail public figures or was murdered in his jail cell while awaiting his sex-trafficking trial in 2019. The new findings have since set off a firestorm in MAGA world, as the factions most popular voices have called on the Trump administration to make the files public, after officials and Trump himself have vowed to release the documents. Trump had pulled the rug out from his base in recent days, lashing out at a reporter who asked Attorney General Pam Bondi about the new memo, as she faces the most calls for her resignation, and dismissing the importance of the case among his most faithful supporters on social media. Were on one Team, MAGA, and I dont like whats happening, the president wrote in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform over the weekend. Lets not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about. In an episode of The Daily Show, Stewart on Monday night roasted Trumps attempt to tone down discussions about the resurfacing of the files. Are people still talking about this guy, this creep? That is unbelievable, Trump said during his Cabinet meeting last Tuesday. Stewart interjected: Unbelievable? You guys ran on it! Trump has some explaining to do to his boys and, in some cases, gals over his handling of the Epstein case pic.twitter.com/rTmmTnSuW0 The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) July 15, 2025 He pointed to several top officials in Trumps administration who have flirted with the case, including Vice President JD Vance, who said in a podcast in October, before Trump was elected to his second term, that We need to release the Epstein list. That is an important thing The Epstein sex ring operation Im not letting it go ever, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino previously said on his conservative political talk show. Put on your big boy pants, and let us know who the pedophiles are, FBI Director Kash Patel had also said on a podcast in 2023. Stewart froze in response, and then asked: Why would you have to change your pants to let us know who the pedophiles are? And why wouldnt you be wearing pants while youre researching it? He also showed a video montage of how administration officials have still pledged to make the files public since Trump won the presidency in November. In an interview with Piers Morgan, Alina Habba, who has become New Jerseys top federal prosecutor, said in February that We have flight logs. We have information, names that will come out, and in the same month, Bondi said Donald Trump doesnt make empty promises when asked about releasing the files. These are all people who worked for Trump that set the expectation. And I think because of that, surprisingly MAGA world, for the first time in memory, isnt just slavishly acquiescing to Trumps reality distortion field, Stewart said. ...The backlash wouldnt die. So Trump had to go back out and kill the backlash. Perhaps even making it look like a suicide, he added. Stewart concluded that clearly telling your base to just forget about Epstein isnt working, and encouraged his base to keep an eye out for a distraction. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. with permission from the New Jersey subreddit Heavy flooding across northern New Jersey wreaked havoc on motorists, including in Watchung where flood waters lifted a car onto a concrete barrier. with permission from the New Jersey subreddit Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency Monday night as flash flooding hit multiple parts of New Jersey. Murphy asked residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. I have declared a State of Emergency out of an abundance of caution due to flash flooding and severe thunderstorms across the state, Murphy said. I urge New Jerseyans to exercise caution, follow all safety protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Over 3 inches of rain had fallen in Bound Brook in Somerset County Monday and almost 2.5 inches of rain had fallen on the eastern side of Morris County and in areas of Rahway in Union County by 7 p.m., according to rainfall data monitor cooperative. At 5:38 p.m., authorities in Watchung said the town was under heavy flooding, including Route 22, and asked motorists to avoid driving if possible, according to a nixle alert. By 6:15 p.m., several roads were closed and residents were asked to shelter in place, police said. Images shared with NJ Advance Media from Watchung show a car perched atop a concrete barrier with others vehicles half submerged under water. Another video shared with NJ Advance Media shows traffic stopped and a car stranded on the northbound side of Route 287 due to flooding. Slow-moving storms caused flood warnings to be issued across the majority of North Jersey counties Monday evening with a risk of 3-5 inches of rain possible in some areas. A city council meeting in Plainfield was canceled as a result of the flooding and city officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, according to a social media post from the city. South Plainfield police said the town was experiencing major flooding and that many roads are being closed on social media at 6 p.m. Monday. Union County officials said emergency dispatch centers were overwhelmed with residents calling with non-emergencies asked for residents to only call 911 in life-threatening situations. Public Safety agencies across Union County are aware of and responding to multiple issues related to the current storm, Union County officials said on social media at 6:37 p.m. In Somerset County, officials said the entire county was under a shelter-in-place order and that no travel was permitted as of 8:21 p.m. All Somerset County residents and businesses are to shelter in place, county officials said in an emergency alert. No one is to travel. Roads are flooded and conditions are extremely dangerous. More flash flooding warnings rolled in for southern counties including Camden County along the Delaware River where a flash flood warning was declared at 7:45 p.m. through 11:45 p.m. Monday. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Burlington County around 7:45 p.m. Monday as well. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Municipal court administrator cant sue state over judges alleged harassment and assault. Canva for NJ.com A New Jersey appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit filed against the state court system by a municipal court administrator who accused a judge of harassment and assault. In a published decision, the Appellate Division ruled that municipal court administrators are not state employees and therefore cannot sue the state under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. The court found that while the state judiciary provides oversight and certification, municipal court staff are hired, paid, and managed by local governments, not the Administrative Office of the Courts. Because the states Law Against Discrimination only applies to employer-employee relationships, the court concluded that the state cannot be held liable for alleged misconduct involving municipal court personnel. Lindsay Palmisano, who served as a court administrator for Vernon Township, filed a lawsuit in October 2023 against the state Administrative Office of the Courts and Municipal Court Judge James P. Sloan. Palmisano alleged that Sloan made several disturbing sexist comments and offensive, sexist remarks throughout his time working with her, according to the Appellate Division opinion. She further claimed that during a court session on April 25, 2023, Sloan came off the bench and grabbed (her) hair and yanked it back forcibly. The next day, she filed a police report regarding what she described as an assault, according to the court ruling. The township suspended Sloan after an internal investigation. Palmisano claimed the Administrative Office of the Courts, which is responsible for managing the internal operations of the state court system, failed to take any action. She later filed an ethics complaint with the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct, the body responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct by New Jersey judges. Sloan was subsequently suspended from the bench by Assignment Judge Stuart Minkowitz. Palmisanos filed a lawsuit in Mercer County Superior Court that included claims of sexual harassment and aiding and abetting under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. However, that trial court dismissed the case against the state judiciary, finding that Palmisano was not a state employee. The appellate court upheld the decision dismissing her case on Monday. In its published opinion, the court emphasized that municipal court administrators are hired and paid by local governmentsnot the state. The appeals court ruling acknowledged that the judiciary has some oversight of municipal courts. However, they emphasized that this oversight does not mean the employee becomes an employee of the state. Palmisano had argued that the judiciarys role in certifying and supervising court administrators made it her de facto employer. A spokesperson for the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, which represented the Administrative Office of the Courts in the case, declined to comment on the case. A spokesperson for the judiciary also declined to comment on the ruling. Palmisanos attorney did not respond to a request for comment. Colleen Murphy may be reached at cmurphy@njadvancemedia.com. A dramatic rescue was caught on camera as flood waters from intense storms closed in on a motorist in Union County Monday night. Video posted on X from CBS New York shows two commuter buses, including an NJ Transit bus, caught in flood waters at the intersection of Mountain Avenue and Park Avenue in Scotch Plains Monday night. Down the street, emergency responders helped a man out of his car as water rushed by and started climbing up the hood of the car, video shows. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. The ambulance service has been urged to rethink plans to axe fire co-responders who can often be first on scene and make the difference in saving lives. A meeting has heard moving stories from people who believe their loved ones would have died if fire fighters in their role as medical emergency co-responders had not been there to provide vital treatment before paramedics could arrive. The strength of feeling from the public and members of Devon County Councils health and adult care committee saw South Western Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST) asked to provide more data to support its plans and return to present its findings in September. SWAST wants to try and replace the scheme with volunteer community first responders, but stressed in a two-hour grilling by councillors the fire service aspect would only be disbanded if enough volunteers can be recruited. Co-responders are deployed by the ambulance service when it cannot respond as quickly as it would like or when the circumstances require the fastest response. Fire co-responders, who are present at 15 Devon fire stations and can make a significant difference, especially in more remote areas, cost 80 per deployment, whereas the costs associated with their voluntary counterparts means it only costs around 20 per time. However, SWAST boss Dr John Martin told the meeting their concern was based on the quickest response time and not cost saying community co-responders could depart directly from home whereas fire fighters had to get to the fire station first. Councillors heard from Trudy Bowles, the practice manager at Hartland GP surgery, who said fire co-responders had saved her husband Mikes life in 2010 after he suffered a cardiac arrest. Their care meant he was kept stable enough until further help arrived, and he was transferred to intensive care where he remained for two months. Mrs Bowles said: The fire co-responders sustained Mike long enough to ensure he got the critical treatment he needed. Mike passed in December 2023, but because of those three remarkable and highly trained fire co-responders, he was given the chance to see his daughter married, meet his grandson and have 13 years more of marriage. Mark Nesbitt, who spent 15 years in the fire co-responder team in Hartland, said during the 25 years of the initiative there, it had attended around 1,000 casualties on behalf of the ambulance service. We are trained by the ambulance service and carry their pagers and we are on call all the time, he said. We go in teams of two and we are blue-light trained, so we provide the fastest response in fully-equipped vehicles. Mr Nesbitt added he had attended category 1 incidents the most serious medical emergencies at pubs, village halls and holiday cottages where the caller is completely unfamiliar with the area, as well as at beaches, farms and doctors surgeries. He added: The ambulance service might save a few pounds, but the long-term cost of life-changing patient outcomes will be far greater, he warned. Most tragic of all was the account from Penny Dane on behalf of a Devon family, whose daughter awoke one night in 2020 to find her fiance, Trevor, unconscious and not breathing. In spite of the best efforts of the family to perform lifesaving treatment with the support of ambulance staff down the phone, a wait of around 40 minutes for paramedics to arrive led to Trevor needing to live in a specialist home, requiring 24-hour care and being unable to speak or communicate. He still resides there today. Members of the health and adult care scrutiny committee claimed they felt the ambulance service was relying too much on the issue of cost when making its decision. Councillor Jess Bailey said she had asked SWASTs Dr John Martin to attend the meeting and explain why he wanted to terminate the 30-year fire co-responder agreement. Cllr Bailey said she had been handed two petitions with a combined 5,400 signatures opposing any change and asked why his organisation wanted to take away a vital lifeline that costs so little and means so much. Dr Martin said community first responders were highly trained, reliable and fast and that while it was less expensive to use volunteers, he claimed the services core concern was speed because of the serious emergencies co-responders are despatched to. He said: Who can get there quickest is most important as we know for the best survival, you need someone there as quickly as possible to perform CPR and use a defibrillator. We will send more than one community first responder to a cardiac arrest where available and our data shows that cohort responds quicker. Concerns were raised about whether community co-responders would have the necessary equipment, whether there would always be more than one present and what assessment would be done to ensure their ability to perform the role. Dr Martin assured those at the meeting the service would be robust, but repeatedly stressed that no fire co-responder scheme would be stopped unless the ambulance service could recruit enough volunteers in an area. Councillors also queried whether data that showed community first responders had faster response times could be due to their locations, with some members predicting that most would be in urban areas where distances to incidents are shorter. READ MORE: Devon Air Ambulance reports 'record-breaking year' as demand rises In the 12 months to the end of June, Devons 81 fire co-responders attended 1,025 patients in cases where the ambulance service despatched them because it couldnt reach them fast enough. While community first responders attended 9,329 patients in the same period, Councillor Andy Ketchin noted the volunteers currently attend all categories of incident, meaning the data wasnt comparable. The fire co-responders were unable to respond to 619 incidents in the same period, but again, the equivalent data for community first responders was not supplied. Gavin Ellis, chief fire officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said members of his staff that worked as co-responders took pride in the role and noted that any efforts to get those firefighters to become community first responders would need to be carefully considered in case it had any implications on fire cover. Torrington councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin said she had hoped to see more evidence behind the ambulance service decision and was concerned by the statistics presented which are ambiguous and lack detail. She added: Everyone is concerned by the decision to axe this partnership. Volunteers are fantastic, but shouldnt we be trying to enhance the service and not replace one with another? Bideford and Hartland councillor Robin Julian said there had been a massive response from residents keen to protect the fire co-responder scheme. I hope you dont make any decisions until you have absolutely investigated absolutely everything and if there is a chink in anything, then we stay as we are, he said. READMMORE: SW Ambulance Service celebrates International Paramedics Day Cllr Bailey ended the meeting by stating she wanted the ambulance service to do more work to justify the decision. I dont feel, based on what we have heard today and the information provided, confident it is a sound basis for terminating the current arrangement and think we should be looking for more information, assurance and facts, she said. We know our ambulance response times are one of the slowest in the country so it seems concerning that we have a potential change that could put lives at risk without all the facts about how it can be benchmarked against other areas and how it presents a safe option. The committee voted to request the ambulance service pauses the implementation of any changes and that it provides a report with further data addressing various concerns. Dr Martin is likely to attend the committees next meeting in September. A North Devon surfer and business owner has completed an epic solo swim from Hartland to Croyde in memory of a young man who lost his life far too young. Josh Surridge, aged 28, completed the 23-kilometre endurance challenge on Thursday, July 10 in around six hours and has so far raised almost 3,500 for The Forward Trust in honour of Jonathon Bailey. Above: Josh Surridge safely ashore at Croyde beach after his incredible six hour swim for charity. Credit: www.zacsurridgephotography.co.uk The brother of Joshs close friend and well-known North Devon surfer Will Bailey, Jonathon tragically passed away in April last year, aged just 23-years-old. Josh, who runs Coastal Adventures in North Devon with his brother Zac, said: The devastating news of Johnny's passing drove me to take action to raise awareness and funds for a charity which supports those battling mental health and addiction. Those close to the family know that Jonathan had an extremely tough battle with his mental health for much of his young life. Above: Two safety boats crewed by family and friends supported Josh during the 23-kilometre swim. Credit: www.zacsurridgephotography.co.uk A former RNLI lifeguard who grew up in North Devon, Josh did swim competitively when he was younger but had not completed any distance swims for some years. He spent several weeks training and in May raced in the River Shannon in Ireland for the Gaelforce Great River Swim, coming in second place. Conditions were not perfect for his big swim from Hartland to Croyde on Thursday, but were manageable. The teams two safety boats met at Clovelly and then headed to Hartland to wait for low tide before Josh took to the water and everything went pretty much to plan. He said: Conditions overall were tougher than we thought they would be, it was choppy and the wind was a little stronger than expected, but the only injuries I came away with were a bit of wetsuit rash and sunburn. This stretch of coastline is well-known for its strong currents and powerful swells so it added another element to the challenge. We had the two safety boats and a crew of friends. I would like to thank Andy Miller, Vaughan Lawson, his son Cory Lawson, my dad Andy Surridge and my brother Zac, Will Bailey, Jonathons brother and Josh Simpson who was the doctor on the boat. Above: Taking a short break. Credit: www.zacsurridgephotography.co.uk The group paused every 30 minutes for Josh to take on board nutrition gels such as those used by triathletes and electrolyte drinks. There was one moment of concern as Josh neared Croyde and he said: Between Croyde and Saunton, there was a big dredger boat coming in towards us. The crew was on it but it was a panic moment for me, although they had it all under control and in the end it wasnt that close to us. We had a great time on the beach when we arrived, lots of friends and family were there, including Will and Jonathons mum. Josh said he had also had good support from well-known North Devon surfer Matt Knight, who provided support to Ross Edgley when he completed the Great British Swim around the entire mainland coast of the British Isles. Matt provided advice and navigational suggestions based on his own experiences. Above: Getting there! Credit: www.zacsurridgephotography.co.uk Josh would also like to thank DryRobe, Wetsuit Outlet, Stuart Poynter, Jack Hutchens, Neil Gilson, Paul Greenaway and everyone who has supported or donated and taken his fundraising well beyond its original 2,000 target. Now he is considering another challenge in the future and said: I had it in my head once I had done this that would be it for me swim-wise, but it has motivated me to do something else, maybe an Ironman Triathlon at some point. You can still sponsor Josh and donate to The Forward Trust if you wish via his JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/joshua-surridge-1736170719374 READ MORE: World Record swim from Devon to Cornwall A Sisters dog named Nugget (no relation) will compete in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest on August 8 at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California. Nugget's guardian, Marcey Rhyne, entered him in the contest because, she says, "He has a way of filling people with curiosity and slight confusion. He looks like a piece of pepperoni with fangs." Photo provided Nugget isn't your average mutt, but rather a blend of 16 identifiable breeds. He is mostly hairless with wrinkles, some peach fuzz, and plenty of spots covering his body. "His bald snout and lips are so strange, and take a look at that head - looks like a lizard," Rhyne said. "He has five minutes of memory. Once you're his friend, you get to befriend him again after five minutes because he won't remember you. My daughters and I began fostering Nugget in 2022, but after three months still nobody wanted to adopt him, so we officially claimed him." After all this time, Nugget may in fact become famous. The contest, which is a crowd-favorite amongst fair visitors is made up of several prizes: Grand Prize of $1,500, as well as second and third-place cash awards. A special "Spirit Award" which is based in part on the dog's biography submitted with its entry. The "People's Choice" award, selected by visitors to the sonomamarinfair.org website who vote for their favorite pooch. The Grand Prize winner will also travel to New York for media coverage. Rhyne suggests viewing all of the contestants on the website shortly after the contest. "The competition is tough; some of these dogs are sure to be wild-looking," she said. "And vote for Nugget if you want to. He's beautiful on the inside." In last weeks Nugget we reported on the perception of increased numbers of persons living in the forest around Sisters and an uptick in encounters between recreationalists and forest dwellers. As we reported, the Sisters Sheriff Station has seen no particular increase in either the numbers of houseless or criminal behavior, especially in the shopping center at the west end of town. That is not to say such events do not occasionally happen, and when they do, they can be frightening to those who come up against an incident when hiking, biking, or riding their horse in local woods. Over the last few months, the Forest Service has erected boulders and taken other action to mitigate illegal camping. As a result, many longer-term houseless campers have relocated. The pervasive concentration of campsites on Forest Service Road 100 the paved spur road between North Pine Street and Highway 20 just west of Mainline Station has been dispersed deeper into the woods. Those campsites were a frequent source of complaints. Now, the forest immediately west of Railway Avenue, and West Williamson Avenue, has an increased number of campsites in place beyond the 14-day stay rule. And residents of Tollgate and further west at Cascade Meadow Ranch report more sitings of illegal campsites in their view. Both communities, surrounded completely by the national forest, are particularly vulnerable to wildfire. The forest along Highway 20/126 is less dense than around North Pine Street, so campsites are more visible to motorists. But is there a big increase in the number of homeless, and are they prone to be the source of more wildfire? Or is it essentially the same population changing location with a few newcomers? When we ask citizens on the street how many homeless live in Sisters they consistently err in two ways: One, they overestimate the total number by anywhere from 200 to 300. Two, they erroneously believe that Sisters has become a haven for campsite removals in Bend and Redmond, most prominently the China Hat Road action near Bend. The only effort to count the homeless in the tri-counties is undertaken every January by volunteers. Its called the PIT Point In Time Survey. The PIT shows a steady increase in the homeless population in Deschutes County. For the entire county the number on January 27, 2025, was 1,442 living outside or in a vehicle up 9 percent from 2024 when the number was 1,244. The count showed a total of 124 homeless in Sisters. Nearly all of those are living in the woods near town. Health officials, whose job it is to track and monitor the homeless, say that it is important not to compare Sisters to Bend or Redmond, where 54 percent of the homeless self-report mental illness. A much higher percentage of forest dwellers in Sisters are employed, some long term and we have profiled their stories. Most Sno Cap employees live in our woods. Other well-known employers in Sisters rely on houseless employees to pump gas, stock shelves, and work in kitchens. Another persistent myth is that many of those living in the woods in Sisters have been booted out of Portland, Salem, and Eugene because of camping enforcement efforts. Nearly 80 percent of the homeless in Sisters come from Central Oregon. Two-thirds have lived in Sisters woods for more than five years. A group of Sisters citizens met at the Sisters Park and Recreation District Community Center on June 24 for a second public meeting to address unhoused issues. There were 115 people in attendance, many of them partners comprised of representatives from 13 public entities. Thats nearly as many attendees as known homeless people in Sisters. (Editors note: This story was edited to remove a reference to Forest Service seasonal employees camping in the forest; information that was provided to The Nugget in error. Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid told The Nugget that he and his personnel are unaware of any Forest Service personnel who are camping in the woods. The Forest Service has bunkhouses for seasonal employees.) While Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District firefighters and paramedics work to protect the community, a dedicated group of volunteers support them - and the community - through safety events, education programs, and more. Photo provided The State Fire Marshal's Office last week recognized the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Fire Corps with a Silver Sparky Award. The Fire Corps, believed to be the largest outfit of its kind in the state, is a team of nearly 50 dedicated volunteers who have served the communities of Sisters and Camp Sherman with extraordinary energy and care since 2015. In a news release, the State Fire Marshal stated that, "The Fire Corps has set the standard for community risk reduction. Over the past year, they trained 171 people in lifesaving skills, completed 82 smoke alarm calls [installations], conducted 170 wildland home assessments, and supported firefighters during emergencies. They've reached hundreds through safety events, school programs, and holiday efforts, building a stronger, safer community every step of the way." "It means a lot," said Beverly Halcon, who has led the Fire Corps almost from its inception. "It really means a lot. I didn't know we were being nominated at all." Halcon feels a great passion for the work of the Fire Corps - and for the people who volunteer. In fact, her passion for the work is a major aid in recruitment. "People see the passion I have and they want to feel that, too," she said. "It's a fire family, and you just become part of it." Fire Chief Tony Prior expressed his appreciation to the State Fire Marshal's Office for recognizing the exceptional work of the Fire Corps. The community outreach is important, and, he notes, with increasing call volumes, it would not be possible for the district's firefighting and medical personnel to do that work. "We are extremely excited for this," he said, noting that it is remarkable to see so many volunteers "so passionate about giving back to the community. They want to do more, which is amazing. I don't know where they get their energy." Chief Prior also saluted his predecessor, Chief Roger Johnson, "for getting this program started when he did." The Sparky Awards have been given annually since 1977. The Golden Sparky recognizes a fire service member or fire agency and the Silver Sparky recognizes a civilian or a civilian agency. This is the highest state fire service honor given by the Oregon State Fire Marshal. To see past award recipients and their work, check out the State Fire Marshal's Sparky Award webpage. If it's too hot for you, it's probably too hot for your dog. Heat stroke among canines is common, vets say, and easily preventable. When temperatures reach the 90s it can be brutal for your pooch - even deadly. It is important that you limit your pet's activity. Do not expect that your pets will self-regulate at all. This can be especially true for young dogs who want to run and play - they will not just know when to stop! Whatever you do, don't hose down your overheated dog. Photo by Bill Bartlett "Give pets plenty of fresh water. Never force your pet to drink water by pouring or squirting it into their mouth or throat. This can be dangerous. You can add ice to water to keep them cool. Some dogs like chewing on ice cubes or frozen treats but be cautious. Ice cubes and hard treats are a common cause for tooth fracture in dogs and cats, which can warrant expensive dental work," warned Dr. Terra McSwain, the veterinarian owner of Broken Top Veterinary Clinic in Sisters. "Know the symptoms of overheating in pets - excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, weakness, collapse," she added. "While we humans have sweat glands all over our bodies, our dogs and cats have fewer sweat glands, which are concentrated largely on their paw pads. So, they rely heavily on breathing to cool their bodies. This is why dogs and cats may breathe rapidly or even pant when they become too warm. Never leave animals alone in a parked vehicle - temps can rise dangerously even on moderately warm days, and cracking windows is often not enough." Pets with flat faces - brachycephalic breeds - are more susceptible to heat stroke, as well as those with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Asphalt and dogs: There are many myths about a dog's tolerance for hot pavement. On the one hand they have much tougher feet than humans and can in fact tolerate hotter temperatures. Dogs will generally tell you if the pavement is too hot by their foot action. They will instinctively move from asphalt to cooler concrete or to grass to save their pads. "In my 39 years of practice I only saw three or four cases of a dog's pads actually being burned from pavement," said Steve Amsberry, a retired vet in Black Butte Ranch. "But don't risk it. If you can't walk barefoot on the pavement for more than 10 seconds, get your dog off it." And don't put your dog in protective boots, Amsberry cautions, unless "it's a dog too big to carry from the parking lot to grass." Dogs sweat through their paw pads (not their skin or coats). Their paws need to breathe. Covering their paws with a dog bootie will not allow the pet's paw to breathe properly. McSwain addressed other summertime issues. Common dog emergencies in the summer in Central Oregon include blue-green algae toxicity. There is currently an advisory for Lake Billy Chinook and a precaution for Prineville Reservoir. Cheat grass and foxtail, foreign bodies commonly in the ears, feet, nose, and tonsils, snake bites, and mushroom ingestion. "Water containing toxic algal blooms will often have the appearance of a pea-green paint or slime on the surface. If certain wind conditions are present the film will often concentrate along the shoreline in areas where animals may drink or swim. With very severe blooms, there may be a die-off of fish or waterfowl in the area. Washing the pet off in fresh water immediately so the pet doesn't lick bacteria from the coat can be helpful,"said McSwain. Cheat grass is commonly seen daily in her clinic and can present as head shaking, coughing, sneezing, licking, and visible swelling or wounds. "If you are unable to remove the awns, or if your pet shows signs of infection such as pus, excessive redness, or swelling, contact your family veterinarian. "Seeds can migrate quickly inside the body, and the sooner they are removed, the better. In some cases, surgery may be required to extract the seeds, especially if they have moved into the chest or abdomen." A dog's reaction, signs or symptoms from being bitten by a snake, can be varied and not appear clinically significant for up to 24 hours after the bite occurs. For this reason, McSwain says, it can be difficult to know if your dog has been the victim of a snake bite. "Even the most experienced emergency vet may be unable to tell that your dog has been bitten by a snake based on these symptoms alone. If it is at all possible, apply a firm bandage above, below, and over the site of the bite. If the bite wound is on the face or neck, remove your dog's collar as the area may swell," she advised. Amid a statewide severe reduction in its 5,000 strong workforce, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) notified workers at the Sisters Maintenance Station that the yard will close July 31. Sisters roads will be maintained by the Bend Station which has a crew of only 11. The station at the Santiam Junction, crucial to winter driving, will not be extending its coverage into Sisters as it now stands. The Nugget viewed an all-staff email, the Director of the ODOT Kris Strickler sent the morning of July 7. Today, 483 current ODOT employees will be notified that they will be laid off as of July 31, Strickler wrote. Additionally, we are eliminating 449 vacant positions that we cant afford to fill. In total, we are reducing our workforce by 932 positions. If the funding shortfall isnt resolved, we will be forced to plan another round of layoffs early next year. The announcement, expected in some form by ODOT workers, arrived following the Legislatures conclusion of work June 27 without passing a transportation funding package that was supposed to have been one of the sessions central achievements. Supermajorities in both chambers would have allowed Democrats to pass a package of new taxes to augment agency funding without a single Republican vote, but Democratic leaders failed to find enough support to pass any of the three versions of the bill that lawmakers considered in the sessions final week. ODOT employs nearly 5,000 employees. Those set to lose their jobs are mostly in the agencys maintenance, operations and headquarters staffs. Governor Tina Kotek is distressed by the job losses. Republicans, who opposed the tax increases Democrats proposed, are saying that they are in no mood for the special session Kotek is floating. Kotek, Stricklers boss, followed the Monday morning email with a message of her own. Consequences to essential transportation services are imminent across the state. This is not business as usual, Kotek said. These layoffs constitute an emergency in Oregons transportation system that will hurt every part of Oregon. While we sharpened our pencils to temper the pace of layoffs from one wave into two, there will not be enough workers to provide the level of response Oregonians rely on, whether its filling a pothole or clearing safe passage for evacuation when a fire strikes. This emergency was preventable, and we still have time to intervene. I have not and will not stop fighting for Oregonians who rely on us to keep our roads safe and people and products moving. Come winter, without a shared commitment to solve this crisis from partners and lawmakers, Oregonians will be left out in the cold literally. Locally, affected workers tell The Nugget that they have met with their union representative. All line workers at ODOT are represented by SEIU (Service Employees International Union) even though few are actual members. The issue, still not clear to workers, is the system and procedure for holding onto their job by transfer. Its a complex set of rules, not entirely fully developed, which could see a worker in Sisters, depending on years of service, having to take a job in Klamath Falls or Lakeview if they want to maintain ODOT employment. Beyond Sisters, stations closing are in Estacada, Sweet Home, Rose Lodge, Veneta, Detroit, Drawbridge Station, Canyonville, Port Orford, Silver Lake, Mitchell, and Condon. Of greatest concern in Sisters Country is snow and ice removal. As winter approaches, local motorists can expect slower and less frequent plowing and treatment, particularly in rural and mountainous areas and their passes where fewer staff will have to cover more miles of roadway. Deicing treatments will be scaled back, increasing the risk of icy roads and dangerous driving conditions. With fewer crews and limited resources, ODOT will reduce or delay essential tasks like pothole repairs, pavement maintenance, and road striping. Vegetation management, including brush clearing and fire prevention work, will also be scaled back, increasing wildfire risk and reducing visibility along roads. Roadside litter pickup, striping, and signage replacement will occur less frequently, as will graffiti and camp cleanups, leading to a visible decline along state highways across the state. Workers at the Sisters yard knew cuts and reallocations were likely coming but were nonetheless stunned by the sudden turn of events. ODOT needs to cut $354 million from State Highway funded operations and maintenance in the 202527 budget. This gap cant be filled by minor cuts or belt-tightening; federal or other dedicated state funds cannot be used to fill the shortfall. The Nugget has reached out to ODOT officials and state representative Emerson Levy and state senator Anthony Broadman. Broadman represents District 27 which includes Sisters, Bend, Black Butte Ranch, Eagle Crest, Tumalo, and most of Deschutes County. When asked what it would take to reverse the decision, he replied: The Governor needs to call us back into session and both Republicans and Democrats need to address this for whats really at stake. This is not about transportation. This is about safety. This is about first responders being able to get to the scene, transporting victims, about kids getting to school safely. Its about truckers delivering critical goods and medical supplies. By Monday, no progress had been reported either by the union nor the governor who is working on a plan for a special session before Labor Day that could include a six-cent gas tax hike combined with other unspecified vehicle registration or other fee increases. Some Republicans proposed cuts to the ODOT budget during the regular session making it unlikely they will join a special session. Any new tax increase proposed by Kotek takes a three-fifths supermajority in both chambers to pass, exactly the number of Democratic members. It is not certain if Democrats would be willing to vote for a compromise deal. A talk about the local wolf population will also serve as a fundraiser to help people with mobility issues access the outdoors. "Central Oregon's Wolves Their Past And Present, And Our Future, " is set for Sisters High School on Sunday, July 27, from 5 to 6 p.m. A Q&A and follow-up open discussion will run 6 to 7 p.m. The talk featuring Ander Rhoad's will include an overview of the history, biology, and current status of Sisters Country's local wolf population. The presentation includes rare images and videos of the Metolius Pack gathered by community science. The group will also engage in a discussion about increasing access to community science, and how it contributes to Sisters' future. Ander Rhoads is an incoming ninth grader at Sisters High School. He is an active community scientist contributing to many local projects including ones for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the North American Butterfly Association, and the High Desert Museum, and online projects like iNaturalist and eBird. All proceeds go to The Onward Project to pay for a Sisters community AdvenChair which increases access to the outdoors and community science opportunities for people with mobility challenges. Geoff Babb, the AdvenChair inventor who builds them in Bend, will offer a presentation on the benefits the device brings to the community. Photo by Geoff Babb "I'm presenting on my community science wolf data because I believe the Sisters AdvenChair will allow more community members with mobility challenges to join outdoor science projects as well as just go out and enjoy nature," he said. He offered some thoughts to The Nugget: "I get so much from being in nature, like feeling wonder and awe, sharing adventures, and contributing to science by collecting wildlife data," he said. "Nature is also a place to relax and have fun. If you look online, you find lots of research saying nature is really good for your mental and physical health. A big reason to live in Sisters is the incredible access to the natural world. "Everyone in our community should be able to experience all the benefits of being outdoors in nature. So, I was excited to learn that two Sisters High School teachers, Mark Lamont and Josh Nordell, are fundraising for a community-use AdvenChair." Babb described the AdvenChair as being "like a three-wheeled mountain bike, but intentionally designed to deepen community with its power source being the team of people who push and pull it." He recalled, " I've been part of AdvenChair teams going down rugged terrain on Paulina Creek, navigating dirt trails in lava flows, identifying bees in Shevlin Park, and doing multi-day rides on the Olympic Peninsula Discovery Trail. Those outings were some of my favorite outdoor memories. I particularly remember picnicking on Paulina Creek in a small meadow full of butterflies and then cooling down by splashing across the Creek together. "To help raise the last several thousand dollars needed for the community AdvenChair, I'm doing a talk about Central Oregon's wolves on July 27 at 5 p.m. at Sisters High School. As part of the presentation, I'll be sharing some of my images and videos of the local Metolius Pack." Program organizers are Sisters School District Life Skills teachers Josh Nordell and Mark Lamont. Sliding scale donations will be taken at the door by check or card. There is a suggested donation of $10 (and up) per seat. Nippon Steel's takeover of U.S. Steel is expected to result in $14 billion in investment, including nearly $1 billion in the Gary Works steel mill that's long been a major anchor of the Northwest Indiana economy. However, environmental groups are concerned that Nippon Steel will invest in legacy steelmaking technologies that will only increase air pollution and the carbon emissions that have been linked to climate change. Gary Advocates for Responsible Development, Just Transition Northwest Indiana, the Sierra Club, SteelWatch and the Breathe Project are expressing concerns about Nippon Steel agreeing to reline six U.S. Steel blast furnaces, which burn coking coal, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. They worry about Nippon Steel perpetuating U.S. Steel's environmental track record, noting the steelmaker has paid nearly $64 million in air pollution fines and settlements in Western Pennsylvania over the last five years. "Its plan to cut emissions from its coal-based plants by partially reducing emissions will deliver too little, and come far too late to address climate risks, said Roger Smith, Asia Lead at SteelWatch. Nippon Steels plan is the definition of short-sighted, as if its leadership thinks future governments and investors wont be putting increasing pressure on it to decarbonize. Nippon Steel aims to become carbon-neutral by 2050, using hydrogen and electric arc furnaces while offsetting its carbon emissions. It's been working to cut carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 as compared to 2013 by optimizing the blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace production processes. The Japanese-based steelmaker, which ranked fourth worldwide with about 44 million tons of production last year, says it cut its carbon emissions from energy uses from 107 million tons in 2013 to 87 million tons in 2021. Nippon Steel, which was at one point the largest steelmaker in the world, has promised to provide U.S. Steel with access to new technologies that would help modernize its aging facilities and make them greener. "The finalization of the partnership is just the first step in an integration process that will take time to complete. There are still many things to be determined about how the two companies will come together. We will share relevant information as this process continues," U.S. Steel spokesman Andrew Fulton said. "Environmental stewardship is a core value at U. S. Steel, and we remain committed to the safety of our communities as do our more than 3,400 Gary Works employees." Environmental groups, however, fear Nippon Steel's planned investments in U.S. Steel's aging blast furnaces will double down on coal-based steelmaking they said is linked to chronic diseases like asthma and cancer. They say U.S. Steel's air pollution results in up to 200 premature deaths, 12,000 lost days or work and school and 55,400 cases of asthma symptoms every year. GARD and the people who live in Gary want both a clean environment, good jobs, and a sustainable future for our city, said Dorreen Carey, President of Gary Advocates for Responsible Development. US Steels Gary Works is one of the largest polluters in the US. If Nippon wants to be a good neighbor to the people of Gary, it will start by doing two things. First, it will not request an exemption from new, stricter EPA air pollution rules for iron and steel and it will begin implementing those rules immediately. Second, it will commit to replacing Gary Works antiquated blast furnaces with new cleaner Direct Reduction ironmaking technology that will reduce health and climate-harming emissions and make Gary Works competitive in the national and global steel industry. Environmental groups say Nippon Steel could generate more than a million tons of climate pollution per year, or the same as 26 coal-fired power plants, after taking over U.S. Steel. Environmentalists urge Nippon Steel to reconsider prolonging the life of American blast furnaces, which are now the oldest in the world still in operation. They are lobbying for Nippon Steel to instead modernize U.S. Steel's operations by investing in greener options like direct reduced iron and electric arc furnaces. They point to steelmakers around the world investing in and looking at new technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of the industry, historically one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases. More than a century of toxic industrial emissions have rendered Northwest Indiana an epicenter of pollution, stateside and globally. New data that pinpoints the negative health and environmental impacts from steel mill pollution here can no longer be ignored. This long-overdue documentation reveals the human cost of life in a sacrifice zone, demanding urgent recognition and action, said Susan Thomas, director of policy and press at Just Transition Northwest Indiana. The myth that we must choose between jobs and healthy communities has been debunked. We know that an investment in clean steel by Nippon at Gary Works would pay off exponentially to ensure family-sustaining union jobs and vast improvements in public health, economy, and environment in the region. We call upon Nippon to seize this crucial opportunity to convert to sustainable, green steel production and lead Gary into the thriving future that communities want and deserve." Former Virginia Congressman Jim Morans firm represents the Eritrean Blue Revolution Front, which wants to overthrow the repressive government of Eritrea president Isaias Afwerki. He has held power since Eritrea declared independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a civil war. Moran Global Strategies is to provide counsel to EBRF and facilitate interactions with members of the Trump administration, Congress, think tanks and nonprofits to advance its goal of bringing democracy to Eritrea. The firm has a one-year contract, which went into effect on July 1, and carries a $7K monthly fee. MGS Elias Gerasoulis, who previously worked at Speaker-designate Bob Livingstons firm, oversees the EBRF effort. The Republic of Cote dIvoire has signed Scribe Strategies & Advisors to a six-month $300K pact to boost its relationship with the US. Under the pact that runs through the remainder of the year, Joe Szlaviks firm will work to increase trade and investment, and enhance the Ivory Coasts profile in the US. It also will highlight its governments effort to counter terrorism and the spread of al-Qaeda and the Island State, especially in the northern part of the country. Scribes contract is with Adama Coulibaly, Ivory Coasts minister of finance and budget. Africa Intelligence reports the Scribe contract comes at a critical time for the government of Ivory Coasts president Alassane Ouattara, who may or not run for a fourth term in October. That uncertainty may be why he was sidelined during Donald Trumps July 9 meeting with African leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal. A LUCKY Tullamore man has been selected as an escort in this August's "Rose of Tralee" festival. Jordan Lynam will be the envy of his friends as he takes part in the international festival which attracts visitors and contestants from all over the world. Jordan on the urgings of his mother applied for the plumb position after returning from Electric Picnic last year. "I had just finished my Masters and changed roles in my job so thought it would be nice to do something different," Jordan told the Tribune this week. He heard back from the festival organisers in January and was invited to an interview that month. Luckily the interview process took place in Tullamore and Jordan was informed two days later he had been selected. READ NEXT: Offaly dairy farmer appointed to charitable trust's Youth Board membership The festival starts on August 14 next but Jordan won't know which Rose he will be tasked with escorting until two days before the event. He knows one of the other escorts, Thomas Mee, who worked in Kepak with him in the past. Jordan also extended thanks to his sponsors, Kepak and Galvin, Tullamore. READ NEXT: Fifty six pubs have closed in Offaly since 2005, new report reveals THE gardai should open an investigation into the circumstances of the death of Screggan farmer Joseph Grogan, the inquest in Tullamore heard today (Tuesday, July 15). Damien Tansey, SC, for members of the Grogan family, said public concerns would be significantly added to if Offaly Coroner, Raymond Mahon, returned a verdict. Instead, Mr Tansey urged, the file should be referred to the DPP for a forensic investigation by An Garda Siochana. After a further detailed investigation the report could be returned to the coroner and he could then reach his verdict. Peter Jones, solicitor for Teresa Mooney (nee Grogan), an aunt of the deceased, urged Mr Mahon to record an open verdict referring the matter to An Garda Siochana for investigation. Mr Jones said the gardai might come up with evidence that would satisfy the public disquiet around the man's death. Stephen Byrne, BL, for Lisa Flaherty, widow of Mr Grogan, disagreed, saying that the gardai already had the opportunity to begin an investigation and if they wished to do so they could have made an application to have the inquest adjourned. For there to be any further investigation by the DPP there would have to be valid concerns for suspicion and relevant admissible evidence, said Mr Byrne. He said a lot of gossip and conspiracy had been thrown together and it would seem from what Mr Tansey and Mr Jones had said a number of people were involved. Earlier this afternoon the inquest heard evidence from two first cousins of the late Joseph Grogan, Sean Grogan, Naas, Co Kildare, and Padraig Grogan, Brocca, Screggan. Sean Grogan said he visited Joe Grogan's house on the day he died and was initially told when he arrived that he could not go in because ambulance staff were administering palliative care. He then got another call later and returned and when he saw his cousin he noticed the man had one eye closed and one eye half open. He said Mr Grogan was carried to an armchair which was stacked up on blocks in the kitchen to provide a view out a window and said that armchair had been given to his cousin by his previous girlfriend, a woman he named as Mary McDonnell. He learned later in the day that Joseph had got married the previous day. None of the Grogan family knew about the marriage, he said. Sean Grogan also agreed that confirmed bachelor would be an accurate description of Joe, a farmer who had 220 acres of land and whose home was about half a mile from the Flaherty ancestral home. Padraig Grogan told the inquest he was in America with his wife Joan visiting their son at the time of Joe Grogan's death. Before they left they asked Joe to let them know how he was getting on and he recalled Joe saying that Lisa would look after that. Padraig Grogan said he had a farm of 230 acres and Joe's had been about the same size before the construction of a ring road which required about 10 acres of his land. Padraig Grogan said Joe Grogan got between 800,000 and 900,000 in compensation for the land used for the ring road and 5.5 million was his accountant's valuation of the farm. In addition to farming, Joe, who had been an only child, was in the concrete business and sold sand and gravel from a sandpit on his land. Padraig Grogan said Joe Grogan never told him he was dying and he did not want to die. He had only learned of the marriage after the death and said his cousin had never referred to a fiancee and made no reference to getting married. He also said Joe Grogan had been in a 23-year-relationship with another woman. The coroner, Mr Mahon, said he would return at 6pm this evening (Tuesday, July 15) having considered the evidence. READ NEXT: Sister-in-law says appropriate steps were taken on day Joe Grogan passed away Clara Heritage Society has rekindled the age-old Irish tradition of Dancing at the Crossroads. The society's annual Dancing at the Crossroads Festival will happen on July 24 at Lismony Cross, Killbegan Road, Clara from 7pm to 9pm and all are welcome. The little ones will be entertained too by a Bouncing Castle, but they must be supervised at all times. The event organised in conjunction with Clara Tidy Towns is funded by, Small-Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Schemes, Tullamore Municipal District & Clara Heritage Society. Dancing at the Crossroads was popular in the 18th and 19th century, however, with the decline in rural populations it began to dwindle. The Catholic church was none too happy about the carry on of young people especially young girls attending these unregulated dances at the time.They were concerned in particular about sexual immorality and how young girls could get into trouble and end up in institutions or city dens. A statement from the Bishops and Archbishops was issued about the matter. In addition they warned young girls not to dance with the same man all night as this type of man was not the marrying kind and even if he was he wouldn't be much good. In 1935 the Public Dance Halls Act more or less brought an end to cross roads dancing and they were replaced with dance halls which were supervised by the clergy. Dancing was also not allowed during Lent. Despite these dire warnings Clara Heritage Society has decided to take a chance and revive the tradition. READ NEXT Long awaited bus shelters on the way for Clara and Tubber The dancing at the crossroads tradition is being renewed in a number of counties around Ireland and is proving popular with those who take part. Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have met several times since Netanyahu arrived for talks. Their agenda included Gaza, Iran, Syria, and Ukraine. While the two leaders work closely together as partners, they still have differences in their views. Netanyahu has been clear that he will not stop the attacks on Gaza until Hamas is eliminated as a military group and as the governmental authority. While the families of Israeli hostages are still waiting for their government to make a deal to release those few still alive and retrieve the dead bodies for burial, they continue to protest, hoping to pressure Netanyahu into putting the hostages first. Currently, around 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive. Netanyahu insists on military victory over hostage release. Critics of Netanyahu, and Israeli legal analysts, have said Netanyahu seeks to keep the Gaza war going indefinitely. The legal strategy serves to keep Netanyahu out of jail for corruption charges. As long as he is serving, he stays free. Trump tried to place his hand on the scales of Israeli justice by urging the charges be dropped against Netanyahu. According to domestic opinion, that hurt Netanyahu's cause, as it was seen as foreign interference in the free and fair Israeli judicial system. However, it is only free and fair for Israelis, not for Palestinians. Both leaders were patting each other on the back, basking in the glory of a successful attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, which they consider to be devastating. At the same time, experts may disagree with the extent of the damage. Netanyahu has claimed for 33 years that Iran was two weeks away from making a nuclear bomb. In Trump, he finally found the US President who was willing to believe his dramatic tale told over three decades like an American soap opera. Some analysts fear there may be a sequel attack on Iran in the planning, although Trump and Netanyahu have denied it. On Tuesday, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, joined the two leaders to discuss the status of a Gaza ceasefire. While Trump and Witkoff sold the press on optimism, Netanyahu played it cool. Witkoff said the number of issues preventing Israel and Hamas from reaching a ceasefire had decreased to just one, and hinted at an agreement before the weekend. Qatar is the broker between the Israelis and Hamas. Hamas' dramatic commando attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killed about 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages. Gaza was plunged into an Israeli revenge attack, which has killed over 57,000 people, mainly women and children, and turned Gaza into a rubble-filled parking lot. The Arab world stands with the rights of the Palestinian people, but they have lost patience with Hamas. The Israeli government is merciless and is committing genocide, but it was Hamas who gave them the impetus to attack Gaza for 23 months of civilian massacres. The Gazans are pleading with Hamas to make a deal and end their suffering. In 2020, Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. Trump's goal of winning the Nobel Peace Prize would be furthered if Syria and Saudi Arabia were added to the Abraham Accords. President Obama won the prize despite ordering the US-NATO wars in Libya, Syria, and Yemen. Netanyahu has said one of his goals was to sign Saudi Arabia to the Abraham Accords. Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman is still holding out for a Palestinian state before his Kingdom will sign. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Author Bruce Lerro, Co-Founder and Co-Organizer of Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism A Heart-Felt Story In the beginning men and women lived in harmony and peace. We were once one with nature and there were few differences between us in social power or wealth. Women had a special place in early tribal societies: their motherhood was revered, they held positions of authority, and they practiced forms of magic centered on the worship of a monotheistic Goddess. Figurines of Goddesses have been discovered, proving there was once a great women's religion. At the end of the Bronze Age, hunters and pastoralists from Central Asia invaded these peaceful societies creating social hierarchies, wars, and the beginnings of male dominance. All of this was later sanctioned by the worship of otherworldly, transcendent male deities that eventually coalesced to become a monotheistic God. The Goddess was discredited and went underground, being kept alive in later years by peasant communities in the magical practice of witchcraft. Today the Goddess has resurfaced as a focus of women's spirituality. These are the claims about history and social evolution made by many Neo-Pagan or spiritual feminists. To be sure, not all people associated with the Goddess movement believe all of these claims. However, the summary above is probably a fair one, in that each of its elements is repeated in the writings of nearly all of the movement's leaders. How plausible are these contentions in the light of anthropology, archaeology, macrosociology, political science, world history, mythology studies, and comparative religion? Were there once matriarchies or matrifocal societies? Does reverence for goddesses go all the way back to the Paleolithic Era? Can all or most of the figurines found by archaeologist Marija Gimbutas and others be classified as goddesses? If, in our society, a male god goes with male dominance, is it fair to infer that if we find evidence of goddesses in the ancient world this must indicate female dominance or at least the high status of women? Was motherhood revered in ancient societies? Is all magic goddess-centered? Is all witchcraft synonymous with goddess reverence? Were ancient tribal societies peace-loving before being invaded? Does the movement from polytheism to monotheism involve a battle among male gods, or between male and female gods? Here is a summary of the Goddess movement's claims. Common Claims or Assumptions Made by the Goddess Movement There were once matriarchies or matrifocal societies All or most of the figurines discovered by archeologists are goddesses Goddess reverence goes all the way back to the Paleolithic Age All magic is synonymous with goddess reverence All witchcraft is synonymous with goddess reverence Ancient People revered a monotheistic goddess Motherhood is the leading function of goddesses There is a direct connection between the presences of goddesses in ancient societies and the prosperous material status of women The rise of institutionalized male dominance was caused by invasions of pastoral nomads Tribal societies were peace-loving before being invaded by patriarchal societieThe movement from polytheism to monotheism involved battles between male gods and female goddesses In addition to addressing these contentions about history, it is important to make explicit the underlying values of the Goddess movement. I agree with Philip Davis (1998) that the Goddess movement is part of a larger Romantic movement that began during the Renaissance and sustained itself through the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and the twentieth century. I will paint as sympathetic picture as I can of the Romantic movement's perspective on the world. The Goddess movement is generally critical of Western-style political centralization and the globalization of the human community because Western civilization is not now and never has been truly democratic. The movement's members tend to believe that all state societies, even those predating capitalism, serve the interests of the wealthy. They do not believe that real democracy can ever work when power is centralized. Furthermore, they resist attempts to universalize different groups of people into a universal humanity because this grouping in the past has, in practice, excluded many groups from the wealth they produced because of their class, race, or gender. At the same time, the movement is generally critical of the competitive values of capitalism and is suspicious of the preoccupation with material wealth, the accumulation of commodities, and high technology. Finally, the Goddess movement is critical of science as a way of knowing because, while proclaiming to be neutral, it actually serves the interests of the elite classes by providing the methodological base by which technologies of war may be built. For these reasons, the movement looks to the political organization of pre-state societies as a model for participatory democracy, pre-capitalists ways of conducting economic relations, and pre-scientific ways of knowing how the world works. Because the Goddess movement often contrasts the values of tribal societies with those of state societies, it must also challenge the way world history has been presented. According to the Goddess movement, the dominant social order has placed a value judgment on social evolution by claiming that it constitutes "progress". This means that the more complex societies are, the more they have improved life for everyone. Because the movement challenges this assumption, it must either try to revise history as written or, in more extreme cases, claim that the struggle to discover an objective history is futile. Here the Goddess movement joins forces with the extreme relativism of the Postmodernists, who say that one version of history is as good as another, and that competing ways of knowing about the past are equally relevant. One common approach is to fuse the study of history with mythology. Much of the work of the Goddess movement vacillates between the attempt to revise views of what really happened in history, and the effort to reinterpret history based on ancient mythology. For obvious reasons, this latter strategy garners little sympathy from those historians that aspire to using a scientific methodology. The system of industrial capitalism has impacts not just on the economy and political structure of societies, but also on their sacred traditions, their ideas about non-human nature, and the collective psyche or mentality of the people. The Goddess movement believes that there is a direct connection between the nature of the perceived sacred sources and the manner in which people treat the natural world. The movement's members believe that an otherworldly, transcendental God, because he is out of the world, neglects this world and effectively colludes with elites who exploit and pillage the natural world. Conversely, when sacred sources are understood as immanent and worldly, nature is more likely to be treated with respect. According to spiritual feminists, the distant sky-god acts as if he were an absentee landlord. If Goddess advocates are skeptical about centralization and globalization in the political world, they will take the same attitude toward the spiritual world. Rather than believing in a universal monotheistic deity, many people in the Goddess movement prefer a decentralized polytheism, though this is a bone of contention within the movement, as we shall see. Patriarchal religions and atheistic non-believers have tended to use mechanistic metaphors to describe nature. The Goddess movement rejects the idea of nature-as-machine and believes that nature is alive, that the world is an organism. Even in patriarchal religions nature is often conceived of metaphorically as "mother". The Goddess movement builds on this theme, viewing human beings and the rest of the animal kingdom as part of "her" body. Just as nature is not separate from sacred sources, so humanity is not separated from other creatures. Other animals are at least the equals of humans and we humans have no business trying to get away from nature or to improve her with scientific techniques. We need to merge with, or get back to, nature. There are also implications for our sense of time. One symptom of humanity's problems, according to Goddess advocates, is our linear concept of time. This has caused us great problems in understanding how change occurs. Nature, for the Goddess movement, works in cycles. For humanity to merge with nature we would need to understand society and our individual lives as following the cycles of nature. Because the relationship between humanity and the rest of nature must be immanent, people do not need mediators and specialists to interpret sacred experience. We are all explorers together with no need for chaperones. There are two kinds of nature-- external and internal. Our bodies are an internal, microcosmic slice of the external macrocosm of nature. This has deep psychological implications. For the Goddess movement, rationality, analysis, planning, and striving to be objective are the psychological skills an individual uses to dualize or separate our bodies from the rest of nature. These rational skills lead to other dualisms: God vs. nature, nature vs. society, society vs. the individual, and the mind vs. the body. These separations are partly responsible for the problems of the modern world. It is the non-rational part of the psyche-- the part of the mind that synthesizes rather than divides-- that is the true source of wisdom. The emotions, sensuality, intuition, and spontaneity are understood as virtuous. The Goddess movement believes that women have these skills more than men do and, generally speaking, though they would probably not claim this explicitly, most members act and talk as though women are inherently better than men. There are at least two tension points which are worth pointing out. While the Goddess movement opposes traditional female roles and supports experimenting with being simply more human, there is a tension between those who want to develop the skills that men have traditionally been encouraged to claim, and those who want to elevate traditional female skills as inherently superior to male skills. There is also a tension between the value of innocence in contrast to the value of experience. For the most part, the Goddess movement values experience over innocence but, in their contrast between tribal and state societies, they tend to romanticize tribal societies as innocent and uncorrupted. In the first chapter I criticized the theory of progress as a way to understand history. Taken in its extreme, New-Age form, the Goddess view of history is a degeneration theory of social evolution. Instead of suggesting, as progress theorists do, that the further we go in history the better it gets, this theory argues that the earlier in time we go the better it gets. A summary chart of these Romantic values follows: List of Twenty One Composite Values of Ancient Goddess Supporters SOCIAL STRUCTURES Simple, pre-state societies are an ideal to strive for (small is beautiful). are an ideal to strive for (small is beautiful). Complex, large societies are inherently bad, because they are impersonal. Innocence is more noble than experience when it comes to social evolution. is more noble than experience when it comes to social evolution. What comes earlier in time must be better. Tribal societies are the ideal. Material wealth, objects/commodities and technology are likely to be corrupting influences . are likely to be . Science is alienating, cold, unfeeling and doesn't address what is important in life. cold, unfeeling and doesn't address what is important in life. Cooperation and communalism are better than competition as a way to organize social life. are better than competition as a way to organize social life. Modern society perpetrates a false unity of humanity, ignoring gender, ethnic and class inequalities. ignoring gender, ethnic and class inequalities. Myth is at least as important as history. is at least as important as history. Historians reduce myth to illusionary or naA i ? ?i ? ? i ? ? ve history. Support of a real "people's history," while retaining the value of mythic stories as a valuable sacred activity. NATURE/SACRED Spirit is immanent in nature and the individual rather than transcendent and separate from nature. Nature is all there is. Behind nature there is only more undiscovered nature. in nature and the individual rather than transcendent and separate from nature. Nature is all there is. Behind nature there is only more undiscovered nature. There are many goddesses and gods - polytheism - there is no single source which "unites them all.* - there is no single source which "unites them all.* Nature is understood as an organism, rather than a machine. rather than a machine. Goddesses are inseparable from female physiology: menstruation and childbirth. Neither organized religion nor atheism provide meaningful answers to the big questions of life. provide meaningful answers to the big questions of life. Other animals are at least the equal of or superior to human beings. to human beings. Human beings should merge with nature. We have no business thinking or trying to improve her. We have no business thinking or trying to improve her. Generally, sacred communion is experiential and not mediated by secular or sacred authorities based on faith. and not mediated by secular or sacred authorities based on faith. Change happens in cycles, rather than linearly. PSYCHOLOGY Emotions, sensuality, intuition and the non-rational are at least as good as reason or empiricism as ways of knowing. are at least as good as reason or empiricism as ways of knowing. What is subjective and personal is better than impartiality and striving to be objective. is better than impartiality and striving to be objective. Spontaneity is more in touch with what matters in life than planning. is more in touch with what matters in life than planning. Experimental gender roles are better than traditional male and female roles. are better than traditional male and female roles. When it comes down to it, women are inherently better than men. * There is a counter-argument which claims that there is a single goddess. According to Goodison and Morris (1998), the controversy between the supporters of Goddess theory and those who dismiss it is made worse because the two sides do not speak to each other. Those who support the theory are non-specialists, artists, psychotherapists, Neo-pagans, and amateur historians. They accuse academics-- archeologists, ancient historians, and anthropologists-- of intentionally ignoring evidence of a powerful female presence in ancient history. This supposed intentional hiding or overlooking of evidence of the Goddess is usually described as being part of a male conspiracy to hide real history. Contemporary specialists in relevant fields ignore the Goddess claims, dismissing them as too far-fetched to take seriously. They also suspect that the movement is motivated by an ideology of feminist reform that attempts to rewrite history in the service of that ideology. Defining Matriarchy Victorian anthropologists, in attempting to understand the past, sometimes proposed the existence of tribal societies in which women were at least the equals of men. Part of the feminist movement has latched on to these claims to show the relativity of "patriarchal" institutions today. However, before we address specific arguments, we need a working definition of the term "matriarchy. Both the words patriarchy and matriarchy share the same suffix-- archy, from the Greek -archos, which means "rule by." Therefore, in simple terms patriarchy means the rule of men over women in the areas of technology, economics, politics and religion, art, science. To be consistent with the meaning of the suffix, matriarchy would have to be the reverse of patriarchy-- i.e., the rule of women over men in these areas. Matriarchy would mean the control of technological, political, and economic power-- the right to control production and distribution beyond the household. Women would have the military power to force men to go along with social policy, and they would control the myths by which the society lives. Have societies with these characteristics actually existed? Presumably, if they have, we should look for evidence among the Paleolithic hunter-gatherers, the Neolithic horticulturists, and the Bronze-Age agricultural states. Before proceeding, it is important to refine our definitions of patriarchy and matriarchy a little further. It is highly unlikely that any sociologist (man or woman) would define patriarchy or matriarchy as referring to "all men" or "all women." In the case of rank and stratified societies, there is no question that those in power are men. However, the percentage of men with political, economic and technological power is small. The rest of the male population-- the middle classes, the working class artisan and peasant men-- are subordinate to them. All men have some privileges over women but privilege is not the same as power. A refined definition of patriarchy therefore would be, the power and control exercised by a few men over all women and most men throughout the infrastructure, structure, and superstructure of society, with all men having some privileges over all women. If we want to be consistent with what we know of patriarchal rank and stratified societies, then a matriarchy would be defined as the power and control exercised by a few women over all men and most women throughout the infrastructure, structure, and superstructure of society, with all women having some privileges over all men. Virtually everyone familiar with the evidence archaeology, anthropology, and history agrees that matriarchies have never existed. What are the implications? If women did not once dominate in the sacred, political, and economic dimensions of society, does this mean that patriarchies have always existed The hidden assumption of those who ask us to choose between matriarchy and patriarchy as the mode of dominance in ancient societies is that rule over others was always the case. We are simply asked to choose whether it was women or men who were doing the ruling. But in hunting-and-gathering and simple horticultural societies everyone was doing the ruling. This means that these societies were neither matriarchal nor patriarchal. If matriarchy is simply defined as the reverse of patriarchy, then the notion of its prevalence in early societies is fairly easy to dismiss. However, some sectors within the pagan-feminist community have defined matriarchal societies differently, calling them "matrifocal." What they mean by this is the existence of egalitarian political and economic relations between men and women in material culture and the predominance of a Goddess or goddesses in sacred culture. Most anthropologists, archeologists, and macrosociologists agree that hunting-and-gathering and simple horticultural societies were politically and economically egalitarian. Here Goddess advocates are on solid ground. But Goddess advocates confuse the issue by insisting that the superstructure of these societies was characterized by reverence for goddesses. This presumed predominance of goddesses, together with a presumed reverence for motherhood, seem to be the major justifications for calling these societies "matrifocal." Positive Conclusions There are at least five positive conclusions to be drawn from the Goddess theorists and their claims with regard to history. First, they are right to point to a time in history when gender relations were politically and economically equal. Second, some of the figurines found by Gimbutas are likely to have been goddesses. Third, goddesses had many positive functions in Bronze Age societies, more than they did once the universalistic religions emerged. Fourth, the practice of magic, including goddess magic, long predated the rise of the great religions. Fifth and last, tribal societies did not engage in mass killings the way state societies did. Negative Conclusions In most other instances, however, as we have seen, the Neo-pagan goddess theorists overstate their case or are simply wrong. First, there have never been any matriarchal societies, as we have defined "matriarchy." This does not mean that all ancient societies were patriarchal: tribal societies were neither patriarchal nor matriarchal. Second, many of the figurines discovered were probably not goddesses; some were male, some were non-gendered, and some were used as dolls, toys, or lucky charms. Third, there is no good evidence for goddess reverence going all the way back to the Paleolithic Age. It is more likely that it began in the Bronze Age. In terms of sacred practices, while all goddess practices were magical, magical practices were not tied necessarily to goddesses. Magic was conducted with earth spirits, totems, and ancestor spirits long before goddesses came on the scene. Correspondingly, while some elements of witchcraft have existed in all ancient societies, witchcraft was practiced in Paleolithic and Neolithic societies before goddess reverence emerged. Further, the goddesses within Bronze Age societies were polytheistic, not monotheistic. There was never a single monotheistic Great Goddess who was regarded as presiding over all of society. Further, motherhood was not the leading function of goddesses. While goddesses had many functions, motherhood was not a leading one. This is because most ancient societies did not think much of motherhood. In addition, there was no direct relationship between reverence for goddesses and high material status for women. At the time Bronze Age civilizations appeared, goddesses already had subordinate status, and this justified the low status of women in these societies. In the Iron Age, with the rise of the great religions, the status of women improved slightly despite the marginalization of goddesses. In societies that can be characterized as egalitarian (hunter-gatherer and simple horticultural societies) there were no goddesses. Therefore, so far "matrifocal" means egalitarian relations between men and women in material culture and the predominance of goddesses in the sacred dimension, ancient societies were not matrifocal. Women's positive material and sacred status have never coexisted within the same society. When women lived material lives more or less on a par with men-- in foraging and simple horticultural societies-- the evidence for goddess reverence is absent. When goddesses emerged in agricultural states, women's material status had already deteriorated (with the exception of queens and priestesses who constituted an insignificant proportion of the population). The rise of institutionalized male dominance was not caused by pastoral invasions, but rather by processes internal to pre-state societies. Tribal societies were far from peace loving. Their homicide rates and frequency of war were greater than in Bronze and Iron Age State civilizations, in which institutionalized male dominance emerged. Last, the transition/crisis from polytheism to monotheism did not involve conflict between gods and goddesses, but rather between male gods. Table 1 presents these conclusions in chart form. Goddess theorists either have not studied the anthropological literature fully (reading selectively), or they believe that there was such a thing as matriarchal dominance, at least in the sacred realm, as a kind of article of faith. In the case of child-rearing, it is generally admitted that this was the province of women, but Goddess theorists have projected romanticized notions of motherhood back in time. As a whole, motherhood and child rearing were rarely if ever held as sacred activities in the ancient world. To the extent that male dominance in tribal societies is admitted, it is generally attributed to external sources-- male-dominated herders or patriarchal colonialists attacking hunter-gatherers and simple horticulturists-- rather than seen as emerging from within societies. I call Goddess theorists "idealists" because they generally try to explain changes in material institutions-- ecology, technology, the economy, and politics-- from changes in spiritual beliefs, from the Goddess to the God. Holding Out the Olive Branch In denying most of the historical claims of the Goddess movement my intention is descriptive, not proscriptive. I am arguing not for what ought to have happened in gender history, but what is likely actually to have happened. It is certainly comforting and inspiring to believe that there was a time when women were respected in all areas of cultural life. If that were the case, it would be easier to believe that women can again achieve full equality with men in all aspects of society today and in the future. Even if most of the historical claims of the Goddess movement are mistaken we still can use the myths and rituals of pagan people to help build our future. More women have a better life today, at least in industrialized societies, than they ever did in agricultural states when goddesses first arose. The improvement in the life of most women in industrial societies is a solid basis for making a closer connection between women's material and sacred status in the future. To me, that project offers the best prospect for achieving the Goddess theorists' ultimate aims. This article is a summary of a thirty page chapter I wrote from my book Power in Eden: The Emergence of Gender Hierarchies in the Ancient World. See Critique Table at end of article in Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism More than 100 dead, 160 missing in Texas floods ... (Image by YouTube, Channel: MSNBC) Details DMCA I'm so angry. Angry that the daily insanity of life with Trump makes it difficult to be sad. Just sad. Not frustrated and sad. Not bewildered and sad. Not dumbfounded and sad. Not furious and sad. Just sad. The overlapping and competing of emotions is a byproduct of having to wake up each day in a "what the hell did he do or say now?" world. Like most of you, I've come to expect that, although I hesitate to say I'm used to it. But that doesn't matter when I just want to feel the sadness and sorrow for the families of all those young girls who drowned when a raging Guadalupe River swamped their summer camp in Central Texas. My god, what a tragedy. Impossible to imagine. But at the same time, I also have to deal with the fact that Elon Musk, richest and second weirdest man on the planet, says he wants to start a new political party in the United States, to put pressure on both Republican and Democrats to create his view of society, which could have the beneficial effect of frustrating Trump's MAGA agenda simply because Musk has so much money and he apparently now hates Trump. And he knows how to rig elections. So, is this good or bad? Plus, Musk is the one who said Trump's name was all over the Epstein files, and he likely had a look at them when he was Dogeing. But now, Pam Bondi, a thoroughly horrid human being, says those Epstein files she said she had on her desk to review, in effect, don't exist. No client list, the attorney general says. And Jeffrey committed suicide. Case closed. And I am beyond angry at this load of BS and coverup for Epstein's good friend, Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the death toll in Texas is now more than 100 and they are still looking for more than 160 people, including 12-year-old girls missing from the church camp and you just know many won't be found alive at this point and I am depressed thinking of them and area residents trapped in their homes. As the story continued for days, Trump hadn't said much about the deaths and, when asked if he would go to Texas, he said "maybe Friday". But while the flood was still raging, he was putting on his greens and eating ice cream. Yet he had previously had no trouble making a quick visit to fawn over the cruelly named Alligator Alcatraz in Florida. And I am angry again that this concentration camp for immigrants and whomever else ICE snatches off the streets actually sells souvenir merchandise and that it was thrown up in a couple of days in an area crawling with alligators and prone to flooding and that it is all pipes and canvas and wire and could be blown over in a heartbeat as hurricane season comes to Florida. Which, of course, Trump didn't consider or care about when he decimated the workforce of the National Weather Service, which may have contributed to the lack of advance warning in Texas, for which Trump will accept no blame, as usual. Nor will he show any human empathy for the victims and their families. Incapable. Meanwhile, rescue help pours into Texas, including from Mexico, and money for the rescue and the victims -- millions -- is pledged by just regular citizens, Trump still hasn't shown his face or said that he'll make sure the advance warning system the people of Kenn County asked the state of Texas to pay for but got only chump change will actually be built, even though he has effectively eliminated FEMA. For me at least, the profound sadness this story deserves gets lost in anger over the lack of preparedness or concern for all affected and all the nonsense previously mentioned above as well as the insulting news that Bibi Netanyahu has written a letter nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for dropping a dozen bombs on Iran, blowing up a lot of rock and stuff, but likely no uranium and probably guaranteeing that country will now certainly develop a nuclear bomb. And that Bibi will now be Trump's new best friend since he says he's disappointed in Putin and, well, you know about Musk. And yes, there will be, Trump has decreed, a mixed martial arts fight on the White House lawn next Fourth of July to properly celebrate this country's 250th birthday. Seating for 20,000. No word on ticket prices yet. I am beyond sad. This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Donald Trump's Greatest "Triumph" Or the War We Should Be Fighting Against the President's Urge to Commit Planetary Suicide By Tom Engelhardt Yes, he's done quite a job so far and, in a way, it couldn't be simpler to describe. Somehow he's managed to take the greatest looming threat to humanity and put it (excuse the all-too-appropriate image) on the back burner. I'm thinking, of course, about climate change. My guess is that you haven't read much about it recently, despite the fact that a significant part of this country, including the city I live in, set new heat records for June. And Europe followed suit soon after with a heat hell all its own in which, at one point, the temperature in part of Spain hit an all-time record 114.8 degrees Fahrenheit. And oh yes, part of Portugal hit 115.9 degrees as both countries recorded their hottest June ever. Facing that reality, U.N. Secretary-General AntA A ? i ? ? i ? ?nio Guterres said (again all too appropriately): "Extreme heat is no longer a rare event -- it has become the new normal." The new normal, indeed! He couldn't have been more on target! And why am I not surprised by all this? Well, because whether you're in the United States or Europe (or so many other places on this planet) these days, if you've been paying any attention at all, you've noticed that June is indeed the new July, and that, thanks to the ever increasing amounts of greenhouse gases that continue to flow into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels, heat waves have grown more frequent and more intense. After all, we're now on a planet where, without a doubt, heat is at an all-time-record high. After all, 2024, was the hottest year in history and the last 10 years, the hottest decade ever known. Worse yet, in the age of Donald Trump, this is clearly just the beginning, not the end (though somewhere down the line, of course, it could indeed prove to be exactly that). An Ongoing Act of Global Terrorism While this old man is online constantly reading publications ranging from the Washington Post to the British Guardian, he still reads the paper New York Times. And if that isn't old-fashioned of me, what is? Can you even believe it? And its first section of news, normally 20-odd pages long, does regularly tell me something about how climate change is (and isn't) covered in the age of Donald Trump. Let me give you one example: on June 21st, that paper's superb environmental reporter Somini Sengupta had a piece covering the droughts that, amid the rising heat, are now circling this planet in a major fashion from Brazil to China, the U.S. to Russia. And yes, she indicated clearly in her piece that such droughts, bad as they may always have been from time to time, are becoming significantly worse thanks to the overheating of this planet from fossil fuel use. (As she put it: "Droughts are part of the natural weather cycle but are exacerbated in many parts of the world by the burning of fossil fuels, which is warming the world and exacerbating extreme weather.") The next day that piece appeared in the paper newspaper I read -- a day when, as always, the front page was filled with Donald Trump -- and where was it placed? Yep, on page 24. And on the very day I happened to be writing this sentence, Trump was the headline figure in, or key to three of the six front-page Times stories, including ones headlined "The Supreme Court's Term Yields Triumphs for Trump" and "Trump's Deal with El Salvador Guts MS-13 Fight." On the other hand, you had to turn to page eight to read "Heat Overcoming Europe Turns Dangerous, and There's More to Come" in which the eighth and 24th paragraphs quote experts mentioning climate change. I don't mean to indicate that the Times never puts a climate piece on the front page. It does, but not daily like Donald Trump. Not faintly. He is invariably the page-one story of our present American world, day after day after day. Whatever he may do (or not do), he remains the story of the moment (any moment). And for the man who eternally wants to be the center of attention, consider that, after a fashion, his greatest achievement. Yet, at 79 years old, he, like this almost 81-year-old, will, in due course, leave this country and this planet behind forever. But the climate mess he's now helping intensify in such a significant way won't leave with him. Not for a second. Not in any foreseeable future. In short, despite everything else he's doing in and to this world of ours, there's nothing more devastating (not even his bombing of Iran) than his urge to ignore anything associated with climate change, while putting fossil fuels back at the very center of our all-American world. Yes, he can no longer simply stop solar and wind power from growing rapidly on this planet of ours, but he can certainly try. And simply refusing to do anything to help is -- or at least should be -- considered an ongoing act of global terrorism. And don't think it's just that either. For example, Trump administration cuts to the National Weather Service have already ensured that, when truly bad weather hits (and hits and hits), as it's been doing this year, whether you're talking about stunning flash-flooding or tornadoes, there will be, as the Guardian's Eric Holthaus reports, ever fewer staff members committed to informing and warning Americans about what's coming or helping them once it's hit. Meanwhile, cuts to the government's greenhouse gas monitoring network will ensure that we'll know less about the effects of climate change in this country. To put it bluntly, when it comes to climate change, the fact that Donald Trump is distinctly a terrorist first-class should be a daily part of the headlines in our world (though, if he has his way, it may not be "our" world for long). We're talking about the president who is already doing everything he can to cut back on clean energy and ensure that this country produces more "clean, beautiful" coal, not to speak of oil and natural gas, and so send ever more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, Republicans in the House and Senate, bowing to Trump, have only recently passed a "big, beautiful bill" that would "quickly remove $7,500 consumer tax credits for buying electric cars," among so many other things, while negating much of what the Biden administration did do in relation to climate change (even as it, too, let the American production of oil rise to record levels). A Drill, Baby, Drill Presidency Of course, given a president who once labeled climate change a "Chinese hoax" and "one of the greatest scams of all time," who could be faintly surprised that his administration seems remarkably intent on sending ever more heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere? And sadly, if that reality, which was all too clear from his first term in office, had been the focus of the news last year, perhaps he wouldn't have been voted back into the White House by 1.6% more Americans than opted for Kamala Harris who, to give her full (dis)credit, didn't run a campaign taking out after him in any significant fashion on the issue of climate change and planetary suicide. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). [Brooklyn, NY] - [July 14, 2025] - A new specialty coffee brand is here to make your mornings brighter and your daily coffee more intentional. Meet Happi Coffee-a feel-good brand rooted in fresh-roasted flavor, simple rituals, and the joy of a really good cup. Happi was born out of a passion project and a pivotal visit to a Guatemalan coffee farm. 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Whether you're preparing to walk down the aisle or simply attending a loved one's ceremony, Theydon Bois Pharmacy is here to support your health and wellness goals through tailored weight loss solutions - including trusted weight loss The move to four days a week is the latest from CEO Niccol as he tries to turn Starbucks around from the inside out. Pamela Silvestri Starbucks will require its corporate workforce to work in the office four days a week this fall and is offering buyouts to employees who want to leave the company. The Seattle-based coffee giant will also force managers who work remotely to relocate to corporate offices in Seattle or Toronto. Employees who arent managers but have remote-work status will be allowed to keep it. Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol told employees in an internal memo made public Monday that the policy shift was intended to reestablish the companys in-office culture. We understand not everyone will agree with this approach. Weve listened and thought carefully, he said. But as a company built on human connection, and given the scale of the turnaround ahead, we believe this is the right path for Starbucks. Niccol also said that if anyone wants to leave the company, for any reason, Starbucks is offering a one-time voluntary exit program with a cash payment for partners who make this choice. Starbucks instituted a three-day in-office work policy in January 2023. Employees were expected to come into the office Tuesday and Wednesday each week with teams deciding on a third day. Niccol, who isnt based in Seattle, escalated enforcement of the policy earlier this year. Per the terms of his offer letter last August, Niccol wasnt forced to relocate to Seattle and would be provided with a remote office in Newport Beach, Calif. He was also given the use of a corporate jet for work travel. Niccol does have an office and residence in Seattle that he mostly uses when hes not visiting coffeehouses and other locations, according to Starbucks. The move to four days a week is the latest from Niccol as he tries to turn Starbucks around from the inside out. He was hired away from Chipotle last year. Niccol oversaw a wave of corporate layoffs earlier this year. The company let go of 1,100 corporate employees, more than 600 of whom were based at the Seattle headquarters in Sodo. About 3,000 employees are based at the Sodo office. While announcing the layoffs, Niccol said the move was an effort to streamline the companys corporate workforce and create smaller, more nimble teams. Hundreds of open roles also disappeared. Niccol is making his mark in Starbucks cafes as well. He has piloted new ordering systems to get drinks out faster, pumped money into TV and radio advertising, and brought back ceramic mugs. The company also removed the upcharge for alternative milks. Starbucks is the latest Seattle-area employer to dial up in-office requirements. Top employers in the region like Microsoft and Zillow still have flexible approaches, but the states largest private employer, Amazon, ended remote work for most of its workers. 2025 The Seattle Times. Visit www.seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Fiber optic cables in Boardman, across the street from one of Amazon's Morrow County data centers. Dave Killen / The Oregonian Here is a history of Inland Development Corp., its offshoot Windwave Communications, and Amazons operations in Morrow County. Approximately 2001: Inland Development Corp. formed to provide connectivity to school districts, hospitals, libraries and county courthouses. 2004: Windwave begins operating as wholly owned Inland subsidiary serving commercial businesses 2008: Amazon pays $1.6 million for 80 acres at the Port of Morrow. 2011: Amazon opens its first data center at the Port of Morrow. The company subsequently builds several enormous data centers nearby, benefiting from tax breaks worth hundreds of millions of dollars that were approved by port and county officials. 2016: Inlands board holds strategic planning session to consider raising cash; decides to explore sale of Windwave. 2017: Inlands board votes to sell Windwave to five current or former Inland board members, the port director and a county commissioner for $1.88 million. 2018: Oregon Department of Justice suggests Inland recalculate the Windwave sale price following federal business tax cuts; new value set at $2.6 million. Sale completed, Windwave becomes a private company. 2022: The Oregonian/OregonLive reports on the relationships between the public officials who approved Amazons tax breaks, officials on Inlands board who approved Windwaves sale, and the four officials who purchased Windwave. 2024: Three of Windwaves buyers agree to pay $2,000 each to settle claims by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission that they sometimes failed to disclose ways in which their roles as public officials may have conflicted with their ownership of Windwave. 2025: The Oregon Department of Justice files a civil complaint against Windwaves five owners and three Inland board members. The complaint alleges they withheld information about Windwaves business opportunities with Amazon, thereby purchasing Windwave from Inland for about a quarter of its true value. Police are advised to put people on their sides once theyre restrained in handcuffs something that didnt immediately happen when a 52-year-old man suffering a mental health crisis died last month after Portland officers kept him face down on his stomach before realizing he was unresponsive. A national research group, which has trained Portland police in the past on how to defuse encounters with people in crisis who may be armed, released an extensive study last year on how to reduce restraint-related deaths, reiterating the best practice after an investigation by The Associated Press identified more than 1,000 people who had died nationwide while police tried to subdue them. I dont think this problem has received the attention it deserves, Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, wrote in announcing the study. Portland Police Chief Bob Day said he cant say yet if the three officers followed their training in holding and struggling to handcuff an agitated Damon Lamarr Johnson for several minutes on the floor of his apartment June 27 after police had been called due to his erratic behavior. But Day said investigators will look at why they didnt place Johnson in a recovery position as they have been taught for years to do. Police are awaiting the results of ongoing criminal and internal police investigations, the medical examiners determination of what caused Johnsons death and toxicology reports. The investigations will look at whether there was an opportunity to reposition Johnson, Day said. Portland police policy bans the use of a so-called hobble or hogtie restraint using a nylon strap to tie together a persons ankles and wrists handcuffed behind the back. Otherwise, a policy called Ensuring the Safety of Restrained Persons directs Portland police to when feasible, ensure restrained persons are in a standing, seated, or recovery position (lying on their side). And officers are to summon emergency medical help as soon as possible if they observe a restrained person developing respiratory, cardiac or other severe medical stress, according to the policy. In Johnsons case, the officers ordered him to stop resisting, roll over roll over on your side, according to body camera footage released by police. But the videos also show the officers - Jason Epton, J.P. Duque Valencia and Travis Wortman held Johnson on his stomach, with his hands cuffed behind his back, placing pressure on his legs and back for about four minutes before they grew concerned. Is he breathing? an officer is heard asking after those minutes passed. Wheres the paramedics at? Turn him on his side. Once police had Damon L. Johnson handcuffed, he remained on his stomach for about four minutes before officers recognized he was not responsive and then moved him onto his side, body camera footage showed. Screenshot Paramedics arrived and found Johnson with a weak pulse, asked to have his handcuffs removed. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The chief also said the investigation will also examine an apparent five-minute delay in the arrival of ambulance paramedics at the apartment once they were asked to respond. At one point, police had halted Portland fire medics from responding, the camera footage indicated. The Police Executive Research Forum convened police, emergency medics, doctors and tactical experts a year ago and completed a study in September with 15 recommendations. Wexler said restraining people who are in some type of distress is among the most challenging and risky situations for police. The forum, a Washington, D.C.-based independent organization that researches policing, urges police to recognize that they may be dealing with a person in crisis who needs medical care rather than a person intentionally defying their directions and that the person may face a greater risk of death when police restrain them. While putting a person face down is the most common and effective means of getting handcuffs around someones wrists, the person should be removed from the prone position as soon as possible, the forums report said. Restraining someone in the prone position can be dangerous, not because it impedes their ability to inhale oxygen, but because it interferes with their ability to effectively eliminate carbon dioxide, which can in turn lead to metabolic changes that may culminate in prone restraint cardiac arrest, the report said. Often officers relax their response once they get someone who is resisting arrest in handcuffs, but the forum said thats the worst thing to do. Officers must immediately move a person onto their side, the report said. Though it may be challenging to do so, officers must make every effort to do so, the report said. It is often while people are handcuffed and in the prone position (frequently with officers holding them down) that they become unresponsive and die, the study said. It also advises hands-on restraint may not be needed except in extreme instances. Police need to understand that restraint carries its own risks and should only be used if theyve concluded that the individual is an immediate threat to themselves or could reasonably harm others, according to Victor Weedn, Marylands former chief medical examiner, who is quoted in the report. If restraint is necessary, the forum suggests police wait until emergency medical workers are on scene or nearby. It also notes that the New York Police Department and other agencies are starting to use Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu-based techniques to safely restrain people quickly and maintain them on their sides, rather than hold them down with their chests to the ground. The so-called Jiu-Jitsu safe wrap, system directs officers to wrap their arms around the limbs of a person while the person is on their side instead of pressing someones chest to the ground. Other tactics that appear promising include moving agitated patients onto backboards and removing restraints as safely as possible, the report said. The forum also recommended working with emergency services workers and dispatchers beforehand to identify potential warning signs and figure out how to coordinate care when such calls come in. Police were called to Johnsons North Portland apartment on reports that he was flooding his room, hanging knives outside his window and spreading shaving cream on the hallway walls. The officers were reluctant to enter his apartment unit and asked Johnson more than once to step out but he wouldnt, according to the body camera video. They ultimately stepped inside after deciding to have him placed on a police hold for transport to a hospital. That means police would have him held at a hospital for evaluation due to a mental health concern. When the officers moved into the room, they found Johnson facing his window and shoving a piece of cake into his mouth. Thats when they tried to handcuff him. He struggled with them and uttered high-pitched screams, according to the body camera footage. The officers yelled, Stop resisting, stop and Were trying to help you. Stop moving. Stop resisting. Johnson could be heard at one point shouting, I surrender! I surrender! One officer responded, Once youre in cuffs, we will ease up. According to the Police Executive Research Forum study, one officer at the scene should be designated a safety officer, to continuously monitor the persons condition during and after restraint because unconsciousness can occur suddenly and advance beyond resuscitation within seconds. Cardiologist Alon Steinberg, who chairs cardiology at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California, said in the report, What I see a lot is people who are kept in a prone restraint. They are no longer struggling, and no ones checking if theyre breathing. When someone remembers to check, its too late. One of the three officers involved in the Portland case, Duque Valencia, recently graduated from bureau training to serve as an Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team officer, meaning he received more than the required 40-hour crisis intervention training that all officers must complete. But Day said the city needs to find a non-police response for such a call. At the end of the day, this is not the right response model. This is not who we need to go into these calls, he said at a news conference. These are highly complex situations with people that are in deep crisis, and that crisis could be drug affected, that crisis could be mental health. We dont know what the crisis is, but I know that I am committed to looking for alternatives for that. The Mental Health Alliance agreed with Day and separately urged an independent investigation into Johnsons death that would be made public. The alliance, which advocates for people suffering from mental illness, said a non-police program such as Portland Street Response should have dealt with Johnson because he wasnt making any threats with weapons at the time and hadnt committed any crime. Portland Street Response workers, though, arent available around-the-clock and dont go to scenes that involve weapons or other immediate threats. Johnson was reported to have knives, police said. Yet Multnomah Countys Project Respond mental health crisis workers are available around the clock to respond with police to such calls even involving someone in crisis with a weapon and have responded alongside Portland police to such calls in the past. The effective way to reduce misuse of force by police against people experiencing a mental illness crisis is to eliminate contact between police and those people in crisis, the alliance said in a statement. -- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, on Bluesky @maxbernstein.bsky.social or on LinkedIn. Police have not yet publicly identified the victim. Oregonian file photo Police have released the name of the suspect in the stabbing that left a man dead at a Southeast Portland home on Sunday afternoon. Juan Jose Olguin, 28, of Portland, was detained shortly after the stabbing took place, police said. Olguin was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. Police have not yet publicly identified the victim. On Sunday around 3:19 p.m., police responded to a call reporting a stabbing inside a home in the 11400 block of Southeast Boise Street. When officers arrived, they found a man dead at the scene. About 40 minutes later, officers contacted Olguin over the phone and then detained him, officials said. Police said they are not searching for other suspects. No other details of the incident have been released. The Portland Police Homicide Unit is continuing the investigate, and anyone with information about the case can contact Detective Jennifer Hertzler at Jennifer.Hertzler@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-1040, or Detective Joe Corona at Joseph.Corona@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503 823-0508. Kimberly Cortez covers breaking news, public safety and more for The Oregonian/OregonLive. She can be reached at kcortez@oregonian.com Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Mark Slifka, Ph.D., works in his lab at OHSU. A new review led by Slifka, suggests doing away with tetanus and diphtheria booster shots for adults altogether, as long as childhood vaccination rates remain high. OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks For generations, adults in the U.S. have been told to roll up their sleeves for a tetanus and diphtheria booster every 10 years. But new research from Oregon Health & Science University suggests this long-standing advice may be outdated and unnecessarily costly. In a study published Tuesday, OHSU scientists argue that adults who completed their childhood vaccinations may not need tetanus or diphtheria boosters nearly as often as previously thought. Their findings suggest protection lasts far longer for most healthy adults at least 30 years, and possibly for life. Why keep vaccinating adults every 10 years? Its just burned into our brains when the evidence shows you dont have to, said lead author Dr. Mark K. Slifka, a professor at OHSUs Oregon National Primate Research Center. The U.S. has recommended a 10-year booster schedule for tetanus-diphtheria since the 1960s. But Slifka said this guidance hasnt kept pace with mounting evidence that immunity to these diseases now rare in the U.S. thanks to widespread childhood vaccination doesnt require such frequent upkeep. Tetanus and diphtheria are among our most successful vaccines, he said. Their effectiveness has virtually eliminated these diseases in countries with high childhood vaccination coverage. Tetanus, a severe bacterial disease caused by spores commonly found in soil, manure or dust, now occurs in the U.S. at a rate of less than one case per 10 million people annually. Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection, is even more rare, with just seven cases reported nationwide over the past 20 years. Oregons last tetanus case occurred in 2017, when an unvaccinated 6-year-old boy nearly died after scraping his forehead. Before that, the state hadnt seen a case in 30 years. Slifkas latest study, published in the journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews, builds on nearly two decades of research tracking immunity in individuals and across populations. His findings suggest that for adults who received the standard five-dose childhood vaccine series, immunity often lasts for life making routine boosters largely unnecessary. Based on the evidence, the researchers propose a simpler, age-based schedule: a booster at age 30 and another at 60. They say that would eliminate the confusion and burden of trying to recall the date of ones last shot every decade. Slifka said this idea isnt a radical change, as similar policies exist abroad. The United Kingdom, for example, doesnt recommend routine adult boosters and has maintained low rates of both diseases, even during a 2022 influx of more than 70 diphtheria cases. The World Health Organization dropped its recommendation for routine adult boosters in 2017, advising them only in specific circumstances such as pregnancy, travel, or wound care. Meanwhile, more than 18 million Americans receive these boosters annually, costing over $1 billion. The researchers say a 30-year schedule could cut vaccination costs by two-thirds, saving around $280 million each year. Slifka said eliminating unnecessary boosters while continuing vaccinations for pregnant women, people with wounds and those with uncertain vaccine history could free up resources for other public health priorities. If we could use some of these funds that we save and use it to deal with vaccine hesitancy and vaccine education, then I think we could really put that money to good use, he said. Slifka said that while the study suggests boosters may not be needed as often, it should not be seen as a reason to overlook the importance of childhood vaccinations. Vaccines work, and they work for a long time, he said. By maintaining strong, consistent childhood vaccination programs, were able to reduce or eliminate these booster vaccinations for adults. Changes to official guidelines would require review by the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the group responsible for setting vaccine policy in the U.S. Slifka hopes this new evidence sparks a fresh look. The wheels of science turn slowly, he said. But we think its time to bring this back up for discussion. Whale biologist Carrie Newell spotted four blue whales feeding about 3 to 4 miles offshore from Depoe Bay, Oregon on June 27 an exceptionally rare event in the states coastal waters. Newell, founder of Whale Research EcoExcursions, was alerted by local fishermen over the radio who reported big blows offshore spouts reaching upwards of 30 feet into the air. Only blue whales, the largest animals on Earth, are capable of producing such towering spouts. Newell launched her vessel and used a fish finder to locate krill bands, dense swarms of the tiny crustaceans that blue whales feed on exclusively. At a depth of 222 feet, she located four whales. One appeared emaciated, with visible scapulae possibly due to a large parasitic infection, as seen in the photos. Calm ocean conditions helped the spouts rise even higher than usual, making for dramatic viewing. Blue whales are not typically seen so close to Oregons shore. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, they are usually found at least 10 miles offshore, if at all. Of the 80 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises worldwide, only 10 regularly occur in Oregon waters, including gray, humpback, minke, sperm and blue whales, as well as orcas and several dolphin and porpoise species. Newell has studied marine mammals since 1992 and is one of the few experts with firsthand experience tracking blue whales in Oregon. She worked with blue whale acoustics off California in the 1990s and has seen blue whales off Oregon only a half dozen times in the past three decades. She said most people never see blues because most people dont go more than a mile out. The June sighting likely reflects favorable feeding conditions. Krill blooms may have formed earlier than usual, possibly due to seasonal upwelling that brings nutrient-rich water to the surface. Climate shifts may also be influencing where blue whales find food. Theres some really, really interesting stuff going on with blues right now, Newell said. During the June encounter, the whales mostly stayed about 100 yards away. At one point, a blue whale surfaced much closer. When that happens, Newell said, boat operators are required to stop moving and remain still. That was like, whoa, she recalled. Newell continues her research during public whale watching trips, where she collects photo IDs using a high-speed Nikon mirrorless camera with a long lens and logs GPS, time, water temperature, depth and the presence of krill or fish using her fish finder. The day after Newell saw the blues, a fin whale the second largest species on Earth was spotted by Dockside Charters, another whale touring organization based out of Depoe Bay. Newell has seen fin whales about eight times off Oregon, only slightly more frequently than blue whales. Fins are often mistaken for blues due to their size and shape. Fishermen will say, I saw this huge dark whale, looked like a black submarine with a dorsal fin two-thirds down its back, about 70 feet long, Newell said. And Ill say, Yep, thats a fin. Unlike humpbacks and grays, fin whales rarely show their flukes, and blue whales only sometimes do. Both species are far more common off California, where krill is more abundant. Newells long career includes teaching whale biology at Lane Community College and Oregon State University, and conducting research in the San Juan Islands. While at OSU, where she specialized in gray whale studies, she worked with Jean-Michel Cousteau son of Jacques Cousteau on the 2006 PBS documentary Gray Whale Obstacle Course, joining Cousteaus dive team off Depoe Bay. Blue whales are the largest animals to ever live, reaching lengths of 110 feet and weights of up to 190 tons about the size of a Boeing 737-100 and nearly 100 tons heavier than the largest known dinosaurs. Despite their size, they feed only on krill, consuming up to four tons a day. If they dont get enough, their bones, like the scapula, can become visible beneath their skin. The Eastern North Pacific population of blue whales numbers between 3,000 and 5,000. They migrate annually from tropical calving grounds off Mexico and Central America to feeding areas along the U.S. and Canadian west coast, including occasional appearances off Oregon. To spot a blue whale, look far offshore for a blow that rises 30 feet or more. The animals have a broad, flat head with twin blowholes, a small dorsal fin set far back, and a tail fluke up to 25 feet wide. Their calls can reach 188 decibels louder than a jet engine and be heard more than 1,000 miles underwater. For more information about blue whales check out the Cascadia Research Collective. Mark Graves, The Oregonian/OregonLive Sources: Carrie Newell, Whale Research EcoExcursions; Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife MORE: Kayakers pause before paddling the last couple of miles of the Klamath River to reach the Pacific Ocean on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Klamath, Calif. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson) AP KLAMATH, Calif. As bright-colored kayaks push through a thick wall of fog, voices and the beats of drums build as kayakers approach a crowd that has formed on the beach. Applause erupts as the boats land on the sandy spit that partially separates the Klamath River from the Pacific Ocean in northern California. Native American teenagers from tribes across the river basin push themselves up and out of the kayaks and begin to cross the sand, some breaking into a sprint. They kick playfully at the cold waves of the ocean theyve been paddling toward over the last month the ocean thats seen fewer and fewer salmon return to it over the last century as four hydropower dams blocked their ideal spawning grounds upstream. I think our ancestors would be proud because this is what theyve been fighting for, said Tasia Linwood, a 15-year-old member of the Karuk Tribe, on Thursday night, ahead of the groups final push to the end on Friday. The Klamath River is newly navigable after a decades-long effort to remove its four hydropower dams to help restore the salmon run an ancient source of life, food and culture for these paddlers tribes who have lived alongside the river for millennia. Youth primarily from the Yurok, Klamath, Hoopa Valley, Karuk, Quartz Valley and Warm Springs tribes paddled 310 miles over a month from the headwaters of the Wood River, a tributary to the Klamath that some tribes consider sacred, to the Pacific Ocean. The teens spent several years learning to navigate white water through Paddle Tribal Waters, a program set up by the nonprofit Rios to Rivers, to prepare local Native youth for the day this would be possible. During their last days on the water, the group of several dozen swelled to more than 100, joined by some family members and Indigenous people from Bolivia, Chile and New Zealand who face similar challenges on their home rivers. Native youth kayakers and support rafts of family and international paddlers begin journeying the last couple of miles of the Klamath River to reach the Pacific Ocean on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Klamath, Calif. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson) AP Dams built decades ago for electricity Starting in the early 1900s, power company PacifiCorp built the dams over several decades to generate electricity. But the structures, which provided 2% of the utilitys power, halted the natural flow of a waterway that was once known as the third-largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast. With the dams in place, tribes lost access to a reliable source of food. The dams blocked the path to hundreds of miles of cool freshwater streams, ideal for salmon returning from the ocean to lay their eggs. Salmon numbers declined dramatically along with the water quality. In 2002, a bacterial outbreak caused by low water and warm temperatures killed more than 34,000 fish, mostly Chinook salmon. That galvanized decades of advocacy by tribes and environmental groups, culminating in 2022 when federal regulators approved a plan to remove the dams. Through protests, testimony and lawsuits, the tribes showcased the environmental devastation caused by the dams, especially to salmon. From 2023 to 2024, the four dams were dynamited and removed, freeing hundreds of miles of the Klamath. The renewable electricity lost by removing the hydropower dams was enough to power the equivalent of 70,000 homes, although PacifiCorp has since expanded its renewable sources through wind and solar projects. Two dams used for irrigation and flood control remain on the upper stretch of the river. They have ladders that allow some fish to pass through, although their efficacy for adult salmon is questionable. On the journey, the paddlers got out of the river and carried their kayaks around the dams. Native youth with ties to the Klamath River arrive at its mouth where it empties into the Pacific Ocean on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Klamath, Calif. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson) AP For teens, a month of paddling and making memories The journey began June 12 with ceremonial blessings and kayaks gathered in a circle above a natural pool of springs where fresh water bubbles to the surface at the headwater of the Wood River, just upstream of the Klamath River. The youth camped in tents as they made their way across Upper Klamath Lake and down the Klamath River, jumping in the water or doing flips in their kayaks to cool down in the summer heat. A few kayakers came down with swimmers ear, but overall everybody on the trip remained healthy. Nearly everyone had a story to share of a familys fishing cabin or a favorite swimming hole while passing through ancestral territory of the Klamath, Modoc, Shasta, Karuk and Yurok. More than 2,200 dams were removed from rivers in the United States from 1912 through 2024, most in the last couple of decades as momentum grows to restore the natural flow of rivers and the wildlife they support, according to the conservation group American Rivers. I believe that it was kind of symbolic of a bigger issue, said John Acuna, member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe and a leader on the trip. Young native paddlers hold hands and cheer as they walk across a sandy stretch that separates the Klamath River from the Pacific Ocean on Friday July 11, 2025, in Klamath, Calif. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson) AP Removal of dams represents end of long fight with federal government The federal government signed treaties with these tribes outlining their right to govern themselves, which is violated when they cant rely on their traditional food from the river. Acuna said these violations are familiar to many tribal communities, and included when his great-grandmother was sent to boarding school as part of a national strategy to strip culture and language from Native Americans. That history comes with generational trauma, he said. Their treaty-enshrined right to fish was also blatantly disregarded by regional authorities in the 1970s but later upheld by various court decisions, said Yurok council member Phillip Williams. Standing on a fog-shrouded boat ramp in the town of Requa awaiting the arrival of the youth, Williams recounted the time when it was illegal to fish here using the tribes traditional nets. As a child, his elders were arrested and even killed for daring to defy authorities and fish in broad daylight. Fifty years later, with the hydropower dams now gone, large numbers of salmon are beginning to return and youth are paddling the length of the Klamath. If theres a heaviness that I feel its because theres a lot of people that lived all in these places, all these little houses here that are no longer here no more, said Williams. They dont get to see whats happening today. And thats a heavy, heavy, feeling. Even as a teen, Linwood says she feels both the pleasure of a monthlong river trip with her friends and the weight of the past. I kind of feel guilty, like I havent done enough to be fighting, she said. I gotta remember thats what our ancestors fought for. They fought for that so that we could feel this joy with the river. ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment The Rev. Thomas Hennen, a longtime Iowa priest and campus minister, has been named the new bishop of the Diocese of Baker in eastern Oregon. Photo courtesy of Diocese of Davenport, Iowa. Diocese of Davenport The Rev. Thomas Hennen, a longtime Iowa priest with experience in campus ministry and LGBTQ+ pastoral care, has been appointed bishop of the Diocese of Baker, Oregon. The Vatican announced the appointment July 10, following the resignation of Bishop Liam Cary, who led the eastern Oregon diocese since 2012. Cary submitted his resignation in August 2022 upon turning 75, the age at which bishops are required by canon law to offer their resignation to the pope. At 47, Hennen is the youngest bishop to lead a U.S. diocese, Catholic outlets reported. He currently serves as vicar general of the Diocese of Davenport and pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Iowa. Hennen has served in several parishes in the Diocese of Davenport and has spent much of his ministry working with young people, according to an article by OSV News. He was a campus minister at the Newman Catholic Student Center in Iowa City, taught theology at Assumption High School in Davenport and later served as chaplain and campus ministry director at his alma mater, St. Ambrose University. His pastoral work with LGBTQ+ Catholics has drawn both praise and criticism. Some have welcomed Hennens compassionate approach, especially his role in creating diocesan guidelines that emphasize dignity and listening. Others have criticized his longtime involvement with Courage International, a group that encourages celibate chastity for people with same-sex attraction, saying it sends a harmful message. According to a 2021 article in The Catholic Messenger, Hennen served on a diocesan Gender Committee to develop pastoral guidance on gender and sexual identity, guidance that was published in 2023. Hennen said his work with Courage International prompted him to raise the need for a deeper conversation around transgender issues within the diocese, The Catholic Messenger reported. Its important to remember that for those who authentically experience this however few people that may be relative to the general population it is not something they choose, Hennen was quoted as saying. This idea that transgender people just out of the blue decide they want to be a different gender is mistaken. He called for a balanced approach that remains faithful to church teaching while showing compassion and respect. Hennen is the third Catholic bishop in Oregon, alongside Archbishop Alexander Sample and Auxiliary Bishop Peter Smith of Portland. Hennen will lead the Diocese of Baker, serving roughly 33,000 Catholics spread across more than 66,000 square miles of predominantly rural eastern Oregon. Sample, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Portland, welcomed Hennen to Oregon in a statement on Thursday. It is with great joy that I welcome the news that Bishop-elect Thomas Hennen has been appointed the new Bishop of the Diocese of Baker, Sample said. I am very grateful to Pope Leo for appointing this experienced and well-prepared shepherd for our neighboring diocese to the east here in the great State of Oregon. I look forward to working side by side with Bishop-elect Hennen for many years to come. At a July 10 press conference at the Pastoral Center in Redmond, Hennen answered questions about his ministry with the community and expressed excitement for getting to know his new diocese. So the bad news is youre getting a rookie; I have a lot to learn, Hennen said. The good news is youre getting a rookie and I know that I have a lot to learn. Please teach me and be patient with me as I learn this diocese which I am already falling in love with and this new ministry. I promise to do my very best. Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com or @chiaraprofenna. The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content. U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio said she had significant concerns about the immigration court hearing. OJM was affirmatively misinformed and in the course of being talked out of her concerns over the dismissal," of her asylum application, "there were four ICE agents waiting outside the immigration courtroom to arrest her." Yesenia Amaro A federal judge Monday ordered the immediate release of a 24-year-old transgender woman from Mexico -- the first person known to be arrested by ICE officers in the hallway of Portland Immigration Court as the Trump administration carries out its nationwide anti-immigration crackdown. U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio blasted what she called the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys series of procedural errors, oscillating legal positions and clear violation of the womans due process rights. Baggio ruled that the government deliberately duped the woman and that her arrest and 43-day detention were illegal. The problem here is despite the legal authority the government unquestionably has, the government here failed to follow its own rules, she said, ruling from the bench in U.S. District Court in Portland. The judge punctuated her point by holding up two bound legal volumes that she said held 3,386 pages of U.S. immigration law, noting that the government has a gargantuan amount of power in enforcing the codes. But Baggio said Homeland Security abused its power. They arrested first. They sought to justify later and then they changed the alleged basis for the alleged detention, she said. Baggio detailed the womans case since she arrived in the United States from Mexico in 2023. The judge said the woman, identified only as O-J-M in court, had complied with all directives, including multiple U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement check-ins and court appearances. O-J-M said she left Mexico because she was persecuted for her gender identity and kidnapped by members of a Mexican drug cartel who sexually assaulted her. On June 2, she was summoned to appear in Immigration Court in Portland, where the government suddenly moved to dismiss her application for asylum. Baggio unsealed a rough transcript of the womans appearance in Immigration Court and asked her courtroom deputy to put the transcript on a large video screen so all could read it. It was clear, Baggio said, that the immigration judge had met with the Homeland Security lawyer before the hearing and that O-J-M appeared without a lawyer. Immigration Judge Steven D. Caley told O-J-M that Homeland Security was moving to dismiss her case and told her, My understanding from the department before we went on the record is that the department would like to move to dismiss this matter or terminate it. Caley continued, If dismissed, you will not be in a removal so the department would not be seeking your removal from the U.S. The woman initially said she didnt want the case dismissed and wanted to continue through the asylum process, but the lawyer from Homeland Security objected. The immigration judge then pressed O-J-M further, telling her that most people dont want to be in removal proceedings, but thats up to you. Caley continued, The department wont be seeking to remove you back to your home country if you accept the dismissal. OK, O-J-M responded. Then I want to. Baggio said O-J-M was tricked into agreeing to Homeland Securitys dismissal of her case, noting that the immigration judges line telling her that ICE wouldnt seek to deport her just wasnt true. O-J-M was affirmatively misinformed and even talked out of her concern over the dismissal of her case, Baggio said, with ICE agents outside the courtroom planning to arrest her. Baggio asked a government lawyer if Homeland Security had informed the immigration judge that federal agents were waiting to immediately detain O-J-M. Im unaware of that, said U.S. Department of Justice attorney Ariana M. Garousi. Baggio then asked if the Homeland Security lawyer at the immigration hearing knew O-J-M was going to be arrested afterward. Garousi paused, consulted with her co-counsel and said, I believe so. But Garousi added that she would need to get further clarification from Homeland Security officials. Baggio pointing out how the governments changing justifications for O-J-Ms arrest prolonged her detention and highlighted the unfair immigration proceeding. Cunnings said she expected O-J-M to be released by Monday night. Maxine Bernstein | Staff Baggio also highlighted the changing justifications of Homeland Security officials for O-J-Ms arrest and detention after attorneys who took O-J-Ms case challenged the governments actions in a habeas petition. Chatham McCutcheon, supervisory detention and deportation officer for ICE in Portland, initially said in a sworn declaration on June 5 that O-J-M was arrested as part of an expedited removal proceeding. But Baggio pointed out that the government had no authority to do that because O-J-M had a right to appeal the dismissal of her asylum application and that the immigration judges ruling wasnt final for 30 days. Then 23 days after O-J-Ms arrest, a different Homeland Security officer provided a different justification to the court, contending that O-J-M would be held until the government completed an evaluation of her fear of returning to Mexico, Baggio said. The government shifted the basis for authority to detain O-J-M, leaving her in custody even longer, Baggio said. Baggio then slammed the government for allowing ICE agents to present the woman with papers while she was in custody, seeking to have her waive her right for a bond hearing to challenge her continued detention. Baggio said the government officials knew O-J-M had attorneys on her case but did this when she had no lawyer present and after the woman told them she couldnt read. This, in the courts assessment, smacks of more unfairness, Baggio said. Baggio said O-J-Ms case presented a very concerning violation of her constitutional due process rights. She cited an April 2025 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. J-G-G that found the Constitution guarantees due process to every person in the United States, regardless of citizenship. Theres a right way to do this and theres a wrong way, Baggio said. The government unquestionably went about its arrest and detention of O-J-M in the wrong way. Jordan Cunnings, a lawyer with Innovation Law Lab in Portland representing O-J-M, barely needed to make any argument as Baggio relied mostly written filings in the case to make her decision. Cunnings said she expected O-J-M to be released by Monday night. She said she appreciated Baggio pointing out how the governments changing justifications for O-J-Ms arrest prolonged her detention and that Baggio highlighted the unfair immigration proceeding. O-J-M has been in solitary confinement at the governments Tacoma detention center at her own request for her personal safety after she was taken to the mens facility there, her lawyers said. O-J-M is one of 11 people arrested by ICE agents in Oregon since June in the hallway of Immigration Court in Portland, leaving the court, at an ICE field office in Portland or Eugene or headed to a gym or home, according to court records. O-J-M is the last of the five people represented by Innovation Law Lab who remained detained. Two of the 11 cases have been transferred to federal court in the Western District of Washington. Earlier this month, another federal judge in Oregon ordered the release of another asylum seeker from Mexico who also was detained after his arrest in the hallway of Portlands Immigration Court. -- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, on Bluesky @maxbernstein.bsky.social or on LinkedIn. FILE - A customs agent wears a patch for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, Oct. 27, 2017, at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The woman and her four U.S.-born children were detained at a holding facility in Washington for about two weeks. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file) AP A federal judge in Seattle has issued an emergency order to prevent U.S. Customs and Border Protection from deporting a Portland family with four U.S.-born children who were detained for about two weeks at a Washington holding facility. A Customs and Border Protection spokesperson on Tuesday said the family was no longer in the agencys custody. The children were released to a guardian and the mother was transported to immigration detention in Tacoma. Spools of fiber-optic cable outside of Windwave Communications' offices in Boardman. An Amazon data center is visible in the background. Dave Killen / The Oregonian The Oregon Department of Justice says officials in Morrow County bought a fiber-optic business from a local nonprofit at a lowball price, improperly capitalizing on Amazons booming data center business in the small community and generating a windfall for themselves. You have people in this situation who knew that this company was undervalued and sold it to themselves and misled folks for personal gain, said Attorney General Dan Rayfield. A civil complaint filed Tuesday accuses eight people, including four former officials in Morrow County and a state legislator, Rep. Greg Smith, of exploiting a nonprofit called Inland Development Corp., which was founded at the beginning of the century to provide internet access to rural schools, hospitals and government offices. >> Windwave: Here are the defendants Five of the defendants purchased an associated fiber-optic provider called Windwave Communications from the nonprofit. They paid $2.6 million for it but the justice department says Windwave was really worth at least $9.5 million triple what the insiders paid because Amazon was its biggest customer. All eight defendants served on Inlands board, either shortly before the sale or during the transaction. You had inside actors within Inland, with knowledge about the valuation of one of their businesses that they were selling off, Rayfield said. The interesting component of this is they were selling it to themselves. Tuesdays litigation follows a three-year investigation by the Department of Justice, which was triggered by a 2022 report by The Oregonian/OregonLive that scrutinized public officials dealings in Morrow County. >> Windwave: A timeline of the case Windwaves buyers, all named as defendants in Tuesdays lawsuit, include Port of Morrow commissioners Marv Padberg and Jerry Healy; the ports director, Gary Neal; and a Morrow County commissioner Don Russell. All have since left their offices. The complaint also names Windwaves CEO, Blake Lawrence, who shares ownership of the business with the four former public officials. Attorneys for the defendants didnt immediately respond to calls seeking comment Tuesday afternoon, or else declined comment. Morrow County is a small community of about 12,000 people 160 miles east of Portland along the Columbia River. Its home to large farms and food processing businesses as well as an enormous constellation of Amazon data centers. The Seattle company has invested billions of dollars in recent years building its huge server farms and continues to expand. Morrow County officials awarded Amazon tax breaks worth more than $330 million since 2017. The news organizations investigation in 2022 found public officials in Morrow County had awarded tax breaks and arranged property sales to Amazon, which then contracted with Windwave to provide fiber-optic service to its data centers. The officials benefited personally from that arrangement by purchasing Windwave. They deliberately withheld financial information, including information about lucrative new business opportunities with Amazon Web Services, to manufacture an artificially low valuation of Windwave, according to Tuesdays complaint. All five owners served on Inlands board but three resigned as they were negotiating to buy Windwave from Inland. The complaint alleges the buyers recruited three replacements with whom they had longstanding personal, professional, and governmental ties. The justice department says the newly seated board didnt properly scrutinize the transaction and signed off on the low price, benefiting the five insiders who acquired Windwave. The suit seeks to force Windwaves owners to pay $6.9 million to compensate Inland, or possibly to undo the deal. It also seeks attorney fees from the defendants and raises the possibility that the state may seek punitive damages, too. Nobody should profit off of these types of transactions, Rayfield said. Windwave and Inland are also named as defendants in the case but Amazon is not. Rayfield said the Department of Justice is continuing to explore the tech giants role. Certainly, Amazon was benefiting from the business deals they were getting. It created an economic incentive to be in the area. They chose to make those internal business decisions and be in the community based upon those things, Rayfield said. Were they complicit in the insider dealing that was going on here? he asked. I just dont have facts to say one way or the other in that space. Amazon declined to say Tuesday whether it was aware that some of the officials who awarded tax breaks to the company also owned Windwave, one of Amazons key local vendors. But Amazon reiterated past statements that it had acted appropriately in Morrow County, and said it has invested $39 billion in eastern Oregon since 2011. Amazon is committed to conducting our business in a lawful and ethical manner, including our operations in Oregon, the company said in a statement. We set a high bar for ourselves and our suppliers. Any suggestions to the contrary would be false. Last year, Padberg, Healy and Russell each agreed to pay $2,000 to settle charges by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. The ethics commission alleged that the three had sometimes failed to disclose ways in which their dealings with Amazon as public officials may have conflicted with their ownership of Windwave. Tuesdays suit also names the three Inland directors who joined its board as the deal was being negotiated. One of them, Rich Devin, didnt show up for the nonprofits board meeting on the day the sale was approved. Another, state Rep. Greg Smith, was allegedly inattentive at the meeting, according to the states complaint. Inlands attorneys recommended the nonprofit seek a fairness opinion from an outside party to ensure the deal was above board. The complaint says the defendants ignored their lawyers advice. The complaint alleges that Windwave was entering a new era of unprecedented profits at the time of its sale, because its single largest customer (Amazon) intended to build numerous, large-scale data centers in northeastern Oregon. Nonprofits are meant to benefit the public, according to Rayfield, and receive tax exemptions and other considerations as a result. He said its the states job to ensure nonprofits assets are used to help the whole community and not just the people running the organization. Tuesdays litigation aims to return to Inland what it should have had originally, Rayfield said -- fair value for the Windwave business. Then Inland will have the resources to then better serve those rural communities, he said. The other thing I think is incredibly important is that we send a message here in Oregon that this type of insider dealing is not appropriate and should not be allowed. This article has updated with comment from Amazon. -- Mike Rogoway covers Oregon technology and the state economy. Reach him at mrogoway@oregonian.com or 503-294-7699. Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Rep. David Gomberg advocated for money from state housing officials to repair paved portions of roads in the subdivision where he lives near Lincoln City. Brad Schmidt A powerful lawmaker from the Oregon coast will see the road to his home just outside Lincoln City repaired using federal wildfire recovery money after he advocated for the project from his position as a lawmaker in public meetings, emails and conversations with state officials. Earlier this week, The Oregonian/OregonLive published an investigation into how Rep. David Gomberg exerted his position and access as a legislator to urge state housing leaders to clear hurdles raised by lower-level employees who repeatedly questioned whether the project to repair roads in his subdivision qualified for funding. Gombergs house is on the main road to be fixed by the project and his wife applied for the money in her capacity as a board member for their homeowners association, which represents about four dozen properties. The rural subdivision where they live was partially burned during the 2020 Labor Day fires that engulfed communities in western Oregon and the Cascades. The roads in the subdivision were used by heavy equipment during the cleanup and rebuilding process. Its not unusual for legislators to contact state officials for updates on projects in their districts. Gomberg said he owed it to his constituents including his neighbors in Highland Estates to employ his sway as a lawmaker to urge state agencies to approve road funding. Im a fierce advocate for my district, Gomberg said, later adding that he also advocated for millions toward septic system replacements in burned areas beyond his subdivision. The money sought by the Gombergs homeowners association is part of a $422 million federal disaster recovery grant awarded to Oregon in 2021, very little of which has so far reached people impacted by the 2020 Labor Day wildfires that destroyed 4,300 homes in southern Oregon, the Cascades and Coast Range. Oregon Housing and Community Services is disbursing the money. State housing officials say David Gombergs position as a lawmaker played no role in the approval of the grant. Gomberg is co-chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development, which works on budget bills for the state housing agency. He is also a co-chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee that all state budget bills must clear. Here are five key takeaways from the investigation: Last year, David Gomberg grew impatient as employees at the state housing agency questioned the projects eligibility and sought additional documentation, records show. State workers questioned whether the homeowners had allowed the roads to fall into disrepair before the fire, internal records indicate. Gomberg argued that the homeowners association had provided state officials with requested documentation. Their insistence on gathering more information before greenlighting the money continues to raise concerns about what you term customer service, Gomberg wrote in an email to Oregon Housing and Community Services Director Andrea Bell. Eventually, the situation grew so contentious that one top agency employee documented a conversation in which he claimed Gombergs tone was angry and belligerent. Gomberg denied the accusation. An agency spokesperson confirmed allegations of unprofessional exchanges involving Gomberg but said they were investigated and found to be unsubstantiated, although the department kept no records of those findings. Gomberg disclosed his advocacy to the chief clerk of the House and said he sought advice from Oregons ethics commission over the phone. But some ethics and good government watchdogs said that lawmakers are elected to serve the public interest and it can undermine trust when their actions benefit them personally or appear to do so even if others would also benefit. One ethics expert said the best practice would have been for Gomberg and his wife, Susan, to distance themselves from the application for the state-administered federal grant, given that a state senator was also advocating for it. But David Gomberg said he didnt relinquish his advocacy role because living in the fire zone changes you and Susan Gomerg said she handled the grant application because I was the only one who was willing to take it on, to try to get through all the paperwork. Its quite daunting. Work on the project has yet to begin. The economic development district administering the project is soliciting an architecture and engineering firm to manage it, according to the state. The advertisement closes this week and the economic development district anticipates construction will take place this fall. Read the full story here. Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect that Oregon was awarded a federal recovery grant in 2021. Funding was received in 2023. -- Hillary Borrud is an investigative reporter. Reach her at 503-294 4034 or hborrud@oregonian.com. Residents in Portland and around Oregon may be seeking ways to stay cool this week as temps approach 100 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday. Dave Killen / The Oregonian Portland on Wednesday could see its first 100-degree day this year as temperatures climb starting Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories throughout the state, with Wednesday likely the hottest day of the week, before a relative cooldown Thursday. Areas in the Willamette Valley and southern Oregon are expected to heat up significantly, with Medford likely the hottest spot in the state Wednesday with a predicted 103-degree high, said Tyler Kranz, the lead meteorologist for the National Weather Services Portland office. Portland, Salem and Eugene all have forecast highs of 98 degrees Wednesday though each has a chance to hit 100, Kranz said. (Portland so far has a 25% chance, while Salem and Eugene have a 50% chance.) Either way, he said, its all gonna feel the same. Tuesdays high in Portland is forecast at 93. The hottest temperature recorded in Portland so far this year was 96 degrees on June 8. The heat isnt so unusual for the middle of July, said David Bishop, another weather service meteorologist in Portland. High pressure has built up over a broad area, he said, with hot air in Nevadas Great Basin pushing up into the Pacific Northwest. The weather service has issued a heat advisory from 12 p.m. Tuesday to 10 p.m. Wednesday for the Portland metro area, western and central Columbia River Gorge, Corbett, Hood River Valley, the central and southern Willamette Valley, Lower Columbia River and Cowlitz River valleys. The weather service issued similar advisories, already in effect, in Lake and Klamath Counties until 8 p.m. Tuesday and in southern Oregons Douglas County until 8 p.m. Wednesday. An advisory in Pendleton, the Dalles and other eastern Oregon areas ends 8 p.m. Monday. The coast, meanwhile, will be significantly cooler, Bishop said, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s Tuesday and a few degrees warmer Wednesday. If you cant make it to the coast, there are other ways to stay cool. Public indoor areas with air conditioning such as libraries, malls or movie theaters can offer reprieve from the heat, Bishop said. He recommended staying hydrated, in the shade and indoors when possible, especially from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the hottest part of the day. Things will cool off Thursday and Friday, Bishop said, with temperatures in the 80s and low 90s. The difference between Wednesday and Friday can very easily be 10 or 15 degrees, he said. In the meantime, take it slow these next couple days, Bishop said. Theres no reason to over-exert yourself if it can be avoided. Portland will see temps rise to the mid 90s Tuesday and possibly near 100 by Wednesday. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian Mondays high of 81 is a thing of the past this week as the heat begins intensifying Tuesday heading toward the upper 90s by mid week. The National Weather Services heat advisory begins Tuesday afternoon and remains in effect through Wednesday evening. Portland may have hazy skies Tuesday as forecast model guidance indicates offshore winds pushing wildfire smoke from eastern Washington and Oregon west of the Cascades. Most smoke should remain high in the atmosphere, and some areas could see hazy skies and have the occasional smell of smoke. Thick smoke may also keep daytime high temperatures down a few degrees, but could also keep overnight temperatures higher limiting overnight cooling. Portlands high Tuesday should reach about 94 degrees. Temperatures overnight will remain high as models show a 15-25% chance of urban areas not able to fall below 70 degrees. High pressure continues building Wednesday with another round of hazy skies, and Portland sweltering under a high of about 98 degrees. Most areas of the Willamette Valley will see temps rise to 97-100 degrees. Portland has a 50-80% chance of seeing 100 degrees Wednesday. But this heat wont last long. Models are showing an upper level troughing pattern pushing southeast into Washington on Thursday bringing cooler morning air into the metro area. Portland should see sunny skies Thursday and a high of about 90 degrees. Friday will be another sunny day with highs around 89. Extended forecasts are showing more troughing into the weekend with a cooling trend bringing daytime high temperatures back down to near normal. Highs should be in the mid 80s through the weekend. OKLAHOMA CITY An Oklahoma County lawsuit challenging a Catholic charter school has been dropped following the schools failed appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Courts 4-4 stalemate upheld an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision against permitting the countrys first religious charter school to begin operating in the state with taxpayer funds. While Catholic leaders, a small state agency and Attorney General Gentner Drummond debated their case before the nations highest court, a separate lawsuit opposing the religious school was pending in Oklahoma County District Court. The coalition of local parents, faith leaders and public education advocates who filed the Oklahoma County case announced Monday they have voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit in light of the higher court decisions. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... The plaintiffs and their legal counsel who include attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation declared victory while dropping their case. Were pleased that the courts stopped this direct assault on public education and religious freedom, said Daniel Mach, of the ACLU. Public schools must remain secular and welcome all students, regardless of faith. The Oklahoma Parent Legislative Advocacy Coalition was the first plaintiff in the lawsuit. Chairperson Misty Bradley said the group is grateful for those who supported their case and for the attorney generals successful efforts to uphold Oklahomas constitution and protect its taxpayers and public schools. Officials from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa first applied to open St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School in 2023. Later that year, the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, a small state agency that oversaw online charter schools, approved the application to open St. Isidore, permitting it to operate with taxpayer funds. NO PAYWALL, NONPARTISAN Students pay about $14 in fees that support the Daily. If you're not a student, please join those invested in OU and Norman who have given more than $110,000 to support our trustworthy, independent journalism. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL JOURNALISM St. Isidore would have offered an online education to students in all parts of the state. Although students of any religion or no faith could have attended the school, St. Isidore would have taught Catholic doctrine and functioned according to church beliefs. The Oklahoma County lawsuit was the first to be filed against the school, followed by the attorney generals request that the state Supreme Court intervene. The state Supreme Court decided last year that a religious charter school would be unconstitutional. Both St. Isidore and the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case in May. The eight justices who heard the case deadlocked at 4-4, which allowed the state Supreme Courts decision to stand. Catholic leaders, who did not immediately comment on the Oklahoma County case Monday, said they are exploring other options to provide an online Catholic education. Gov. Kevin Stitt, a supporter of St. Isidore, said the matter of publicly funded religious charter schools is far from a settled issue and suggested it would reach the U.S. Supreme Court again. Oklahoma Voice is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a nation 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and donations focused on delivering state government news. The Voice maintains full editorial independence. For more stories by Oklahoma Voice go to oklahomavoice.com. The Norman Public Schools Board of Education heard updates on renovations to four NPS elementary schools and appointed a Norman High School assistant principal intern during its Monday evening meeting. Commitment to students education, safety and privacy resolution The news: Office 4 Board member Dawn Brockman presented a resolution stating the board intended to alleviate concerns for public education following implementation and enforcement of immigration laws. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... The resolution states the district is required by law to provide equal education opportunities to all students and denying enrollment based on immigration status would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The resolution also notes students can seek support related to any immigration events within the district, which does not collect information related to students immigration statuses. The resolution comes after State Superintendent Ryan Walters said in January he would support immigration enforcement raids in schools. In May, the House sent altered rules to Gov. Kevin Stitt that eliminated Walters proposed rule requiring public schools to collect proof of U.S. citizenship from students. What theyre saying: NPS Superintendent Nick Migliorino told OU Daily the board met with school leadership last year to discuss the values stated in the resolution, but said it is important for the community to hear it from the board. To formally say it from the board just makes it more impactful, Migliorino said. Brockman told OU Daily the resolution shows the board supports NPS students and families. Were going to take care of our students and were going to take care of our families, Brockman said. Elementary schools renovations The news: Justin Milner, NPS associate superintendent and chief operating officer, along with Kenna Daniel of CWA Group, a Norman-based architecture, planning and design firm, presented an update on renovations and additions to take place at four elementary schools in the district as part of the 2023 Bond Issue. The addition to Kennedy Elementary will include five classrooms, with one focusing on STEAM projects, and additional restrooms. The renovation will include flooring updates and site improvements such as additional bus parking. NO PAYWALL, NONPARTISAN Students pay about $14 in fees that support the Daily. If you're not a student, please join those invested in OU and Norman who have given more than $110,000 to support our trustworthy, independent journalism. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL JOURNALISM Eisenhower Elementary will receive new millwork, which Daniel said will add storage to the sites classrooms, many of which she said have no permanent cabinets. Eisenhower will also receive updates to its STEAM room, added parking and a renovated main entrance. The renovation at Jackson Elementary includes classroom and exterior facade upgrades, a STEAM room renovation and an addition that will shield students from weather conditions while in the courtyard corridor to access the classrooms. Truman Elementary will receive ceiling upgrades and renovations to its STEAM room. All sites will receive ADA upgrades to comply with standards, including accessible restrooms, stage and parking entrances. Daniel said all sites are expected to begin construction in May 2026. What theyre saying: Migliorino said the upgrades will help make schools more equitable, allowing all students to attend updated sites. Migliorino said the board is bringing (schools) up to speed and code and making them bright and cheery. Norman High School assistant principal intern appointment The news: The board appointed Tara Trear as Norman High School assistant principal intern following its executive session. Trear has over 20 years of experience in secondary education, according to a Monday press release. The vote: The board unanimously approved the appointment. This story was edited by Ana Barboza and Natalie Armour. Scotland officials issued a warning after the deceased body of a 15-year-old boy was found in a river amid record-high temperatures in the country. Law enforcement personnel responded to call-outs to an area near Glasgow and immediately conducted a rescue operation on the River Kelvin, which is found near Maryhill Road. The efforts started at around 6:40 p.m., but the teenager's body was not found until 11:30 p.m. Teen Found Dead in Scottish River Amid Scorching Temperatures For now, authorities are not treating the young boy's death as suspicious, and Police Scotland believes that it was accidental. A spokesperson added that while inquiries are ongoing, the department is not suspecting foul play in the teenager's tragic situation. The case marks the latest incident that police attended to amid soaring temperatures in Scotland. A previous case involved a 63-year-old woman who fell near Campsie Glen waterfall in East Dunbartonshire, according to the Independent. Read more: Children of Fort Bliss Soldier Among Dead Due to New Mexico Flash Floods Another incident was when Galloway Mountain Rescue helped the Scottish Ambulance Service in assisting a walker who suffered from heat exhaustion in Dumfries and Galloway. The series of cases comes as temperatures hit 32.2 degrees Celsius at Aviemore, marking the hottest day in Scotland in the past two years. These record-high temperatures were only previously recorded on six different occasions since 1961. The weekend was also noteworthy as temperatures across the United Kingdom rose to around 33 degrees Celsius in Ross on Wye. A Series of Tragic Incidents Officials from Northern Ireland and Wales also reported that they recorded the warmest day of the year so far amid the ongoing weather changes. However, forecasters suggest that the situation could soon shift to cooler temperatures, Yahoo News reported. Amid the series of cases related to the heat in Scotland, a 23-year-old man was also reported missing and believed to have drowned in the River Thames. Officials conducted a major search operation to find the victim. The man, known only as William, allegedly went to swim with a group of friends but quickly got into trouble. While his friends desperately tried to pull him out of the water, they had to call emergency services to assist. A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said that specialist teams were responsible for conducting the rescue operations of the 23-year-old man. They added that they received a call from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service at around 9:10 p.m., talking about William having difficulties in the water of the River Thames, as per MSN. Dr. Geisler was the Chairman of Philosophy of Religion at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (197079) and Professor of Systematic Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary (197988) and a key figure in founding the Evangelical Philosophical Society. He also co-founded Southern Evangelical Seminary. He was known as an evangelical Thomist and considered himself a moderate Calvinist. He was not an anti-Catholic (i.e., he didnt deny that Catholicism was fully a species of Christianity). This is one of a series of comprehensive replies to his book, Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences (co-author, Ralph E. MacKenzie, graduate of Bethel Theological Seminary-West; Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 1995). Its available online in a public domain version, which has no page numbers, so I will utilize page numbers from my paperback copy, for the sake of full reference. I consider it the best Protestant critique of Catholicism (especially in terms of biblical arguments) that I have ever found, from any time period. The arguments are, for the most part, impressively presented, thought-provoking, respectful, respectable, and worthy of serious consideration (which Im now giving them). Ill be concentrating on the eight sections of Part Two: Areas of Doctrinal Differences (202 pages). These installments will be listed and linked on my Calvinism & General Protestantism web page, in section XVII: Catholics and Protestants (second from the end). Dr. Geislers and Ralph MacKenzies words will be in blue. My biblical citations are from RSV. ***** Indeed, church history shows that many early Fathers, including Athanasius, Cyril of Jerusalem, Chrysostom, and Augustine, believed that the New Testament was the only infallible basis for all Christian doctrine . . . (p. 187) Augustine gives supreme authority to Scripture alone. (p. 199) For Augustine, the Bible alone is an infallible and inerrant authority. (p. 201) This is sadly typical Protestant revisionist Church history, and very easy to refute. I shall, therefore, document that all four of these men in fact believed in infallible authority besides the Bible. St. Athanasius What defect of teaching was there for religious truth in the Catholic Church ? (De Synodis, I, 3) But the word of the Lord which came through the ecumenical Synod at Nicaea, abides forever. (Ad Afros Epistola Synodica 2) But let the Faith confessed by the Fathers at Nica alone hold good among you, at which all the fathers, including those of the men who now are fighting against it, were present, as we said above, and signed: in order that of us too the Apostle may say, Now I praise you that you remember me in all things, and as I handed the traditions to you, so hold them fast (1 Corinthians 11:2). (Ad Afros Epistola Synodica 10) For had they believed aright, they would have been satisfied with the confession put forth at Nica by the whole Ecumenical Council; Observe how entirely they disregard the truth, and how everything they say and do is for the sake of the Arian heresy. For in that they dare to question those sound definitions of the faith, and take upon themselves to produce others contrary to them, what else do they but accuse the Fathers, and stand up in defense of that heresy which they opposed and protested against? (Ad Episcopus Aegypti et Libyae, 5) Who, then, that has any real regard for truth, will be willing to suffer these men any longer? Who will not justly reject their writing? Who will not denounce their audacity, that being but few in number, they would have their decisions to prevail over everything, and as desiring the supremacy of their own meetings, held in corners and suspicious in their circumstances, would forcibly cancel the decrees of an uncorrupt, pure and Ecumenical Council? (Ad Episcopus Aegypti et Libyae, 7) the sectaries, who have fallen away from the teaching of the Church, and made shipwreck concerning the Faith. (Against the Heathen 1, 6, 3) For the statements are not fit for Christians to make or to hear, on the contrary they are in every way alien from the Apostolic teaching. . . . For what is so manifestly shewn to be evil, it is not necessary to waste time in exposing further, lest contentious persons think the matter doubtful. It is enough merely to answer such things as follows: we are content with the fact that this is not the teaching of the Catholic Church, nor did the fathers hold this. But lest the inventors of evil things make entire silence on our part a pretext for shamelessness, it will be well to mention a few points from Holy Scripture, in case they may even thus be put to shame, and cease from these foul devices. (Letter No. 59 to Epictetus, 3) Are they not then committing a crime, in their very thought to gainsay so great and ecumenical a Council? . . . masters of their heresy, who are, as James has said, double-minded men, and unstable in all their ways, not having one opinion, but changing to and fro, and now recommending certain statements, but soon dishonouring them, and in turn recommending what just now they were blaming? . . . For, what our Fathers have delivered, this is truly doctrine; and this is truly the token of doctors, to confess the same thing with each other, and to vary neither from themselves nor from their fathers; whereas they who have not this character are to be called not true doctors but evil. . . . the holy and veritable heralds of the truth agree together, and do not differ. For though they lived in different times, yet they one and all tend the same way, being prophets of the one God, and preaching the same Word harmoniously. And thus what Moses taught, that Abraham observed; and what Abraham observed, that Noah and Enoch acknowledged, discriminating pure from impure, and becoming acceptable to God. For Abel too in this way witnessed, knowing what he had learned from Adam, who himself had learned from that Lord, who said, when He came at the end of the ages for the abolishment of sin, I give no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment, which ye have heard from the beginning. Wherefore also the blessed Apostle Paul, who had learned it from Him, when describing ecclesiastical functions, forbade that deacons, not to say bishops, should be double-tongued; and in his rebuke of the Galatians, he made a broad declaration, If anyone preach any other Gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be anathema, as I have said, so say I again. If even we, or an Angel from heaven should preach unto you any other Gospel than that ye have received, let him be anathema. (Defence of the Nicene Definition, ch. II, 4 and 5) . . . on the foundation of the Apostles, and holding fast the traditions of the Fathers, . . . (Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia, 54) Paul justly praises the Corinthians, because their opinions were in accordance with his traditions. And the Lord most righteously reproved the Jews, saying, Wherefore do ye also transgress the commandments of God on account of your traditions. For they changed the commandments they received from God after their own understanding, preferring to observe the traditions of men. And about these, a little after, the blessed Paul again gave directions to the Galatians who were in danger thereof, writing to them, If any man preach to you aught else than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Festal Letter #2, 6) Let every one lend his aid, as feeling that he is himself a sufferer, lest shortly ecclesiastical Canons, and the faith of the Church be corrupted. . . . our Canons and our forms were not given to the Churches at the present day, but were wisely and safely transmitted to us from our forefathers. Neither had our faith its beginning at this time, but it came down to us from the Lord through His disciples. That therefore the ordinances which have been preserved in the Churches from old time until now, may not be lost in our days, and the trust which has been committed to us required at our hands; rouse yourselves, brethren, as being stewards of the mysteries of God, and seeing them now seized upon by others. (Encyclical Epistle to the Bishops Throughout the World, 1) We are proving that this view has been transmitted from father to father; but ye, O modern Jews and disciples of Caiaphas, how many fathers can ye assign to your phrases? Not one of the understanding and wise; for all abhor you, but the devil alone; none but he is your father in this apostasy, who both in the beginning sowed you with the seed of this irreligion, and now persuades you to slander the Ecumenical Council, for committing to writing, not your doctrines, but that which from the beginning those who were eye-witnesses and ministers of the Word have handed down to us. For the faith which the Council has confessed in writing, that is the faith of the Catholic Church . . . (A, Defence of the Nicene Definition, ch. VI, 27) Though we have a succession of teachers and become their disciples, yet, because we are taught by them the things of Christ, we both are, and are called, Christians all the same. . . . how are they of the Catholic Church, who have shaken off the Apostolical faith, and become authors of fresh evils? (Four Discourses Against the Arians, I, 3-4) But after him and with him are all inventors of unlawful heresies, who indeed refer to the Scriptures, but do not hold such opinions as the saints have handed down, and receiving them as the traditions of men, err, because they do not rightly know them nor their power. . . . Luke . . . hands down the narrations of the saints, saying in the beginning of the Gospel, Since many have presumed to write narrations of those events of which we are assured, as those who from the beginning were witnesses and ministers of the Word have delivered to us; it hath seemed good to me also, who have adhered to them all from the first, to write correctly in order to thee, O excellent Theophilus, that thou mayest know the truth concerning the things in which thou hast been instructed. For as each of the saints has received, that they impart without alteration, for the confirmation of the doctrine of the mysteries. Of these the (divine) word would have us disciples, and these should of right be our teachers, and to them only is it necessary to give heed, for of them only is the word faithful and worthy of all acceptation; these not being disciples because they heard from others, but being eye-witnesses and ministers of the Word, that which they had heard from Him have they handed down. . . . we are not remiss in giving notice of its seasons, as we have received from the Fathers. . . . keeping to the apostolic traditions, . . . (Festal Letter No. 2, 6-7) But since they allege the divine oracles and force on them a misinterpretation, according to their private sense, it becomes necessary to meet them just so far as to vindicate these passages, and to shew that they bear an orthodox sense, and that our opponents are in error. (Four Discourses Against the Arians, I, 37) St. Cyril of Jerusalem But in learning the Faith and in professing it, acquire and keep that only, which is now delivered to thee by the Church, and which has been built up strongly out of all the Scriptures. . . . the articles of the Faith were not composed as seemed good to men; but the most important points collected out of all the Scripture make up one complete teaching of the Faith. And just as the mustard seed in one small grain contains many branches, so also this Faith has embraced in few words all the knowledge of godliness in the Old and New Testaments. Take heed then, brethren, and hold fast the traditions which ye now receive, and write them an the table of your heart. . . . Guard them with reverence, lest per chance the enemy despoil any who have grown slack; or lest some heretic pervert any of the truths delivered to you. For faith is like putting money into the bank, even as we have now done; but from you God requires the accounts of the deposit. (Fifth Catechetical Lecture, 12-13) . . . the Holy and Apostolic Faith delivered to you . . . (Eighteenth Catechetical Lecture, 32) . . . Peter, the foremost of the Apostles and chief herald of the Church, . . . (Eleventh Catechetical Lecture, 3) St. John Chrysostom Do not hold aloof from the Church; for nothing is stronger than the Church. The Church is thy hope, thy salvation, thy refuge. (Homily II: After Eutropius having been found outside the Church had been taken captive, 6) And whence is division? From opinions contrary to the teaching of the Apostles. And whence come opinions of this sort? From mens being slaves to the belly, and the other passions. For such, he says, serve not the Lord, but their own belly. And so there would be no offence, there would be no division, unless some opinion were thought of contrary to the doctrine of the Apostles. And this he here points out by saying, contrary to the doctrine. And he does not say which we have taught, but which ye have learned, so anticipating them, and showing that they were persuaded of and had heard them and received them. (Homily XXXII on Romans 16:17-18, v. 16:17) There are many things which they [the sacred writers: in context] have delivered by unwritten tradition. (Homily I on Acts 1:1-2) That ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you. It appears then that he used at that time to deliver many things also not in writing, which he shows too in many other places. But at that time he only delivered them, whereas now he adds an explanation of their reason: thus both rendering the one sort, the obedient, more steadfast, and pulling down the others pride, who oppose themselves. (Homily XXVI on 1 Corinthians 11:2, 2) Ver. 15. So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by Epistle of ours. Hence it is manifest, that they did not deliver all things by Epistle, but many things also unwritten, and in like manner both the one and the other are worthy of credit. Therefore let us think the tradition of the Church also worthy of credit. It is a tradition, seek no farther. (Homily III on 2 Thessalonians, v. 2:15) Not by letters alone did Paul instruct his disciple in his duty, but before by words also which he shows, both in many other passages, as where he says, whether by word or our Epistle (2 Thess. ii. 15.), and especially here. Let us not therefore suppose that anything relating to doctrine was spoken imperfectly. For many things he delivered to him without writing. Of these therefore he reminds him, when he says, Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me. After the manner of artists, I have impressed on thee the image of virtue, fixing in thy soul a sort of rule, and model, and outline of all things pleasing to God. These things then hold fast, and whether thou art meditating any matter of faith or love, or of a sound mind, form from hence your ideas of them. It will not be necessary to have recourse to others for examples, when all has been deposited within thyself. (Homily III on 2 Timothy, v. 1:13-18) For both they who from the beginning sowed the word were unprofessional and unlearned, and spake nothing of themselves; but what things they received from God, these they distributed to the world: and we ourselves at this time introduce no inventions of our own; but the things which from them we have received, we speak unto all. (Homily VI on 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, 4, v. 2:5, 7) And I say unto thee, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my Church; that is, on the faith of his confession. Hereby He signifies that many were now on the point of believing, and raises his spirit, and makes him a shepherd. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And if not against it, much more not against me. So be not troubled because thou art shortly to hear that I shall be betrayed and crucified. Then He mentions also another honor. And I also will give thee the keys of the heavens. But what is this, And I also will give thee? As the Father hath given thee to know me, so will I also give thee. . . . What dost Thou give? tell me. The keys of the heavens, that whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in Heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in Heaven. . . . For those things which are peculiar to God alone, (both to absolve sins, and to make the church incapable of overthrow in such assailing waves, and to exhibit a man that is a fisher more solid than any rock, while all the world is at war with him), these He promises Himself to give; as the Father, speaking to Jeremiah, said, He would make him as a brazen pillar, and as a wall; but him to one nation only, this man in every part of the world. . . . the Son gave him to sow that of the Father and that of Himself in every part of the world; and to a mortal man He entrusted the authority over all things in Heaven, giving him the keys; who extended the church to every part of the world, and declared it to be stronger than heaven. (Homily LII on Matthew 15:21-22, 3) Both as being ardent, and as having been put in trust by Christ with the flock, and as having precedence in honor, he always begins the discourse. . . . he had the same power to ordain as they all collectively. . . . prelacy then was not an affair of dignity, but of provident care for the governed. . . . they were an hundred and twenty, and he asks for one out of the whole body: with good right, as having been put in charge of them: for to him had Christ said, And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke xxii. 32, Ben.) (Homily III on Acts 1:12) For addressing the leader of the apostles He said, Peter, lovest thou me? and when he confessed that he did, the Lord added, if thou lovest me tend my sheep. The Master asked the disciple if He was loved by him, . . . in order to teach us how great an interest He takes in the superintendence of these sheep. . . . these sheep which He entrusted to Peter and his successors. (Treatise Concerning the Christian Priesthood, Book II, 1) Ver. 21. Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens and Linus, and Claudia. This Linus, some say, was second Bishop of the Church of Rome after Peter. (Homily X on 2 Timothy, v. 4:21) St. Augustine APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION If now you seem to yourself to have been tossed to and fro enough, and wish to put an end to labors of this kind, follow the pathway of Catholic teaching, which has flowed down from Christ Himself through the Apostles even unto us, and will hereafter flow down to posterity. (On the Usefulness of Believing, 20) . . . the Acts of the Apostles; . . . which book I must needs believe if I believe the gospel, since both writings alike Catholic authority commends to me. (Against the Fundamental Epistle of Manichaeus, 5, 6) The Catholic, which is also the apostolic, doctrine . . . (Against Faustus the Manichee, xxiii, 5) You immediately deny that Matthew wrote the narrative, though this is affirmed by the continuous testimony of the whole Church, from the days of apostolic presidency to the bishops of our own time. . . . I ask you to believe the book which I quote to have been written by Matthew, since it has been handed down from the days of Matthew in the Church, without any break in the connection between that time and the present. . . . a book acknowledged and approved as handed down from the beginning in the Church founded by Christ Himself, and maintained through the apostles and their successors in an unbroken connection all over the world to the present day . . . (Against Faustus the Manichee, xxviii, 2) We, namely, the catholic faith, coming from the doctrine of the apostles planted in us, received by a line of succession, to be transmitted sound to posteritythe catholic faith, I say, has, between both those parties, that is, between both errors, held the truth. (Lectures on the Gospel of John, 37, 6) No one who has not yielded to the malicious and deceitful suggestions of lying devils, can be so blinded by passion as to deny the ability of the Church of the apostles a community of brethren as numerous as they were faithful to transmit their writings unaltered to posterity, as the original seats of the apostles have been occupied by a continuous succession of bishops to the present day, . . . (Against Faustus the Manichee, xxxiii, 6) CATHOLIC CHURCH: INFALLIBILITY AND INDEFECTIBILITY This same is the holy Church, the one Church, the true Church, the catholic Church, fighting against all heresies: fight, it can: be fought down, it cannot. (Sermon to Catechumens on the Creed, 14) . . . the immoveable Catholic faith, . . . (Ep. 166 [3, 6]: to St. Jerome [415] ) For in the belly of the Church truth abides. Whosoever shall have been separated from this belly of the Church, must needs speak false things: . . . (Explanations of the Psalms, 58:3 [58, 5]; I rearranged the word order of the awkward translation; changing no words) . . . sound doctrine, which alone is Catholic, . . . (Against Faustus the Manichee, xx, 23) . . . to avoid offending the Church by erroneous doctrine, . . . (Against Faustus the Manichee, xxii, 46) . . . the body of Christ, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and mainstay of the truth, dispersed throughout the world . . . (Against the Letters of Petilian the Donatist, ii, 104, 237) . . . the holy and true Church of Christ . . . (Against the Letters of Petilian the Donatist, i, 22, 24) . . . that Church which is the true Church of Christ. (Ep. 93 [12, 50]: to Vincentius [408] ) . . . the certainty of Catholic truth . . . (Ep. 139 [1]: to Marcellinus [412] ) . . . many states and places where we saw the true Catholic Church firmly established . . . (Ep. 185 [7, 25]: to Boniface [416]) Let us love what we sing: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! that so they may know, by their own experience, with what perfect truth their mother, the Catholic Church, calls out to them . . . let them come to the true Church of Christ, that is, to the Catholic Church our mother . . . (Ep. 185 [9, 36 / 10, 46]: to Boniface [416]) His commands, which He has willed should be confirmed by so great authority of the Catholic Church. (On the Usefulness of Believing, 33) ECUMENICAL COUNCILS Councils themselves, which are held in the several districts and provinces, must yield, beyond all possibility of doubt, to the authority of plenary Councils which are formed for the whole Christian world . . . (On Baptism, Against the Donatists, ii, 3, 4) They attempt, accordingly, to prevail against the firmly-settled authority of the immoveable Church by the name and the promises of a pretended appeal to reason. This kind of effrontery is, we may say, characteristic of all heretics. But He who is the most merciful Lord of faith has both secured the Church in the citadel of authority by most famous ecumenical Councils and the Apostolic sees themselves, and furnished her with the abundant armour of equally invincible reason by means of a few men of pious erudition and unfeigned spirituality. (Ep. 118 [5, 32]: to Deoscorus [410] ) RULE OF FAITH / THREE-LEGGED STOOL (BIBLE-CHURCH-TRADITION) But those reasons which I have here given, I have either gathered from the authority of the church, according to the tradition of our forefathers, or from the testimony of the divine Scriptures, . . . No sober person will decide against reason, no Christian against the Scriptures, no peaceable person against the church. (On the Trinity, iv, 6, 10) My opinion therefore is, that wherever it is possible, all those things should be abolished without hesitation, which neither have warrant in Holy Scripture, nor are found to have been appointed by councils of bishops, nor are confirmed by the practice of the universal Church, . . . (Ep. 55 [19, 35]: to Januarius [400] ) And let any one, who is led by the past custom of the Church, and by the subsequent authority of a plenary Council, and by so many powerful proofs from holy Scripture, and by much evidence from Cyprian himself, and by the clear reasoning of truth, to understand that the baptism of Christ, consecrated in the words of the gospel, cannot be perverted by the error of any man on earth . . . (On Baptism, Against the Donatists, v, 4, 4) If, then, you have come to some understanding of what is not at variance with the rule of the Catholic faith, whereto you have attained as the way that is guiding you to your fatherland; and hast so understood it as to feel it a duty to dismiss all doubts whatever on the subject: add to the building, but do not abandon the foundation. And surely of such a character ought to be any teaching given by elders to those who are babes, as not to involve the assertion that Christ the Lord of all, and the prophets and apostles, who are much farther advanced in age than themselves, had in any respect spoken falsely. (Lectures on the Gospel of John, 98, 7) But this I say, that according to the Holy Scriptures original sin is so manifest, and that this is put away in infants by the laver of regeneration is confirmed by such antiquity and authority of the catholic faith, notorious by such a clear concurrent testimony of the Church, that what is argued by the inquiry or affirmation of anybody concerning the origin of the soul, if it is contrary to this, cannot be true. (Against Two Letters of the Pelagians, iii, 26 [X] ) APOSTOLIC TRADITION He cannot quote a decisive passage on the subject from the Book of God; nor can he prove his opinion to be right by the unanimous voice of the universal Church . . . (Ep. 54 [4, 5]: to Januarius [400] ) . . . moved, not indeed by the authority of any plenary or even regionary Council, but by a mere epistolary correspondence, to think that they ought to adopt a custom which had no sanction from the ancient custom of the Church, and which was expressly forbidden by the most unanimous resolution of the Catholic world . . . (On Baptism, Against the Donatists, iii, 2, 2) And this is the firm tradition of the universal Church, in respect of the baptism of infants . . . (On Baptism, Against the Donatists, iv, 23, 31) Whence, however, was this derived, but from that primitive, as I suppose, and apostolic tradition, by which the Churches of Christ maintain it to be an inherent principle, that without baptism and partaking of the supper of the Lord it is impossible for any man to attain either to the kingdom of God or to salvation and everlasting life? So much also does Scripture testify, according to the words which we already quoted. (On Merit and the Forgiveness of Sins and on Infant Baptism, i, 34 [XXIV] ) You see with what confidence this great man [St. Cyprian] expresses himself after the ancient and undoubted rule of faith. [regarding infants possessing original sin] (On Merit and the Forgiveness of Sins and on Infant Baptism, iii, 11) * Ninety-three Rite Aid pharmacies in Pennsylvania will close between Tuesday and July 31. The prescription files from all 93 stores will be transferred to CVS. In May, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy for a second time to pursue a strategic and value-maximizing sale process for substantially all of its assets. By Jade Campos, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS) Field of Screams wants permission to brew alcohol at its haunted attraction, though it may face some setbacks. Mountville Borough Council on Monday night objected to the businesss application to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to operate a limited distillery, which would allow Field of Screams to distill up to 100,000 gallons of liquor at its College Avenue property per year. The license also would give it the ability to operate two additional distillery locations. Councils objection does not mean the application will not go through. The state liquor control board has final say over whether Field of Screams will obtain the permit. Field of Screams, at the 2021 season opener. The facility is hoping for a liquor distillery license. (Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive, file) Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive Mountville Manager Derrick Millhouse said hes unsure whether the objection will carry any weight with the liquor control board, which meets on Wednesday. Field of Screams application is not on the agenda. Millhouse noted residents who live near Field of Screams can file their own objections. Council members primarily raised concerns of alcohol being in close proximity to minors, both as guests to the attraction and volunteers. Council Vice President Richard Spiegel said its inappropriate for alcohol to be brewed close to Corn Cob Acres, a daytime childrens attraction on the property. I have a huge problem with them having an activity for kids in the same place theyre planning (a distillery), Spiegel said. I mean, I have a problem with them serving alcohol. Now theyre talking about producing alcohol. I have a full-bent problem with that. Field of Screams is licensed to sell alcohol at its Chainsaw Bar through Harrisburg-based Lovedrafts Brewing. The Chainsaw Bar opened in 2023. Council agreed in a 4-1 vote to file the objection with the state, noting past resident complaints about alcohol on the property and concerns about potential zoning violations. Council President Philip Kresge voted against the objection, saying the state liquor control board has ultimate authority over the sale of liquor. Christine Eshleman, who works for the parent company of Field of Screams, recused herself. No one from Field of Screams was at Mondays meeting. Attempts to reach the business before the meeting were unsuccessful. According to the liquor control boards website, the distillery application was filed by Field of Screams Spirits LLC. The Pennsylvania Department of States website reports that the business was registered with the state in early May. Millhouse said he does not think Field of Screams intends to make its own alcohol on site but rather work with a different vendor than it is permitted to. The borough issued a zoning violation against Field of Screams in 2023 shortly after The Chainsaw Bar opened, arguing the sale of alcohol was not permitted in the residential zoning district where the business sits. Field of Screams appealed the violation, which the boroughs zoning hearing board upheld. Millhouse said officials decided against further appealing the zoning hearing boards decision, because the borough had already paid $26,000 on the issue. He didnt believe the borough would have won its case, either. By that time, the zoning law had changed to remove language about alcohol. The Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River on July 14, the day after a fire killed 10 residents and injured 30. (Irene Rotondo/MassLive) Authorities identified some of the residents of a Fall River, Massachusetts, assisted living facility who died in a fire on Sunday night. They are: Rui Albernaz, 64 Ronald Codega, 61 Margaret Duddy, 69 Robert King, 78 Kim Mackin, 71 Richard Rochon, 78 Eleanor Willett, 86 A 70-year-old female and a 77-year-old male will be identified after the next of kin are notified, according to the Bristol District Attorneys Office. The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by state and local authorities. The cause does not appear to be suspicious, the office said. My heart goes out to all of the victims, their families and all of those impacted by this terrible tragedy. I would like to commend the first responders for their efforts in bringing many of the residents to safety while being confronted with very difficult circumstances, District Attorney Tom Quinn said in a statement. A fire broke out at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence, drawing nearly 50 firefighters to the scene and leaving a vulnerable population calling for help from their windows. Lorraine Ferrara, 71, in tears outside the Timao Center on July 14, the day after a fire killed nine people and injured 30 at the Gabriel House in Fall River, Massachusetts. (Irene Rotondo photo) (Irene Rotondo/MassLive) Resident Lorraine Ferrera described the night: I opened my door and it was all black. It was all smoke in the hallway, and I was breathing it in ... It was hot and it burnt me. A firefighter appeared before her at the window but Ferrera didnt think shed be able to get down. I told him I couldnt get out. I was going to say, just leave me. But he broke the window and got me out, she said. The 72-year-old blacked out on the way down, she said, and when she opened her eyes, she was on the ground across the street. The Gabriel House was ablaze in front of her. It was just a nightmare. All the ambulances, fire trucks, people screaming. It was crazy, she said through tears. At least 30 people were injured. We all were like one big family, Fererra said. Im gonna miss them dearly. I dont know what Im gonna do. The Gabriel House opened in 1999 and has 100 units, according to a state website. Falls River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon, right, speaks with another official after a fire the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Falls River, Mass., Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) AP Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon described rescue efforts as super labor-intensive and manpower intensive due to the mobility issues for many of the residents. The first firefighters at the scene saw flames coming out of the front doors and multiple residents were hanging out of the window, screaming for help, Bacon said. The residents are worried about what may come next, especially as they lost belongings such as debit cards, cash, clothes and even dentures. While Gov. Maura Healey, who visited the scene on Monday morning, said efforts are ongoing to make local housing accommodations for the displaced residents, many are fearful they have nowhere else to go. I just moved in there two and a half months ago I just got a roof over my head and it burnt," 58-year-old Kerry Lecke said, crying. I have no idea whats next. The artificial intelligence revolution is upon us, and Gov. Josh Shapiro wants Pennsylvania to win. In June, the governor announced Amazons $20 billion plan to build data center innovation campuses across the Commonwealth by far the largest private-sector investment in the states history. The future of AI is going to run right here through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Shapiro said to a crowd of elected officials, business leaders, and trades workers in Berwick. Weve watched as towns across Pennsylvania got hollowed out and left behind. No more. Now is our time to rebuild those communities and invest in them. Officials are conducting an internal investigation after Manheim Police Chief Duane Fisher pointed his gun and pulled a motorcyclist off his bike April 30. Fisher has been fired. (Ed Pfursich, file) Ed Pfursich By Tom Lisi, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS) The Manheim Township board of commissioners on Monday appointed Lt. Brian Freysz to serve as interim police chief while township officials search for a permanent replacement for Duane M. Fisher, whom the board voted to fire last month. The unanimous appointment of Freysz also came with a temporary pay raise as the lieutenant takes on chief duties. The commissioners voted 4-0 to raise Freyszs salary to $140,000 a year, retroactive to May 15, when Fisher was put on paid leave and Freysz became acting chief. Freysz declined to comment after his appointment Monday. Township Manager Rick Kane placed Fisher on paid leave in response to a security video made public by LNP LancasterOnline that showed an April 30 traffic stop he conducted. The footage appeared to conflict with an official police account that accused a motorcyclist of assaulting Fisher. A prosecutor later agreed to drop criminal charges against the motorcyclist, Benny Pena-Rivera, 25, including felony aggravated assault. Freysz has been with the police department since 2000 after serving in the Navy, according to a news release announcing his promotion from sergeant to lieutenant in 2020. As part of that promotion, Freysz was assigned to command the departments special operations division. The appointment comes while a consultant conducts a two-month investigation related to the April 30 traffic stop. Commissioners gave solicitor J. Dwight Yoder approval to hire Emmanuel Kapelsohn at a June 23 meeting, and the township will reimburse Yoders law firm, Gibbel Kraybill & Hess, for Kapelsohns services. Kapelsohns Harvard law degree and decadeslong career in firearm and police-related safety training was a clear standout for Yoders review, the solicitor said. Kapelsohn declined to discuss the investigation into the April 30 traffic stop, including whether his review will include a sworn affidavit that backed up the criminal charges against Pena-Rivera that were later dismissed. The Allentown-based attorney is charged with reviewing the April 30 traffic stop and determining if any policies and procedures needed to be updated, according to Yoder. Video shows Fisher pulling his firearm on a motorcyclist and physically grappling with him during the April 30 incident. That means the scope of the investigation is not limited to Fishers traffic stop itself, but any issues related to the incident, Yoder said. It would look at use of force, but it would be broad enough to cover any issues raised by the public and concerns and questions out there, Yoder said at the township commissioners June 23 meeting. Kapelsohn agreed to a rate of $400 an hour, slightly below his going rate of $450 an hour, according to Yoder. Fisher will continue to draw a salary from the township through the remainder of the year. In June, the commissioners agreed to terminate Fisher without cause and pay him six months worth of severance, as laid out in his contract. A western Pa. local police officer will only serve probation after pleading guilty in the death of a shooting scene bystander in 2022. A former local police officer in Pennsylvania has been sentenced to probation in the death of a man who was trying to help a shooting victim in 2022. John Hawk, a 38-year-old former Center Township officer in Beaver County, will serve five years of probation after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter, simple assault and reckless endangerment. Hawk pleaded guilty in the death of Kenneth Vinyard, 48, of Industry, Beaver County, following a fatal shooting outside of a Walmart three years ago. Vinyard was a bystander at the scene on Nov. 6, 2022, when he approached an officer about potential evidence. Hawk, who was off-duty and not in uniform, confronted Vinyard and pulled him away from the officer, according to a statement from Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday. A little later, Hawk and Vinyard were standing when Hawk struck Vinyard in the chest while also doing a leg-sweep maneuver that sent Vinyard to the ground where he struck his head. Vinyard later died at a local hospital. His death was attributed to blunt force trauma and stress inflicted by Hawk. The Beaver County Times reported that Hawk did not identify himself as a police officer nor present police identification. Witnesses, the Times said, did not see or hear Hawk try to arrest Vinyard and the Center departments policy did not give him the authority to arrest Vinyard anyway. This sworn officers actions contributed to the death of a man who was not a threat to anyone at the scene of the shooting, Sunday said. Sunday said state prosecutors were ready to try the case but learned Monday that Hawk had decided to plead guilty. He also said there was no agreement between his office and Hawks attorney about the sentence. In 2023, WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh reported that Vinyards family settled a lawsuit against Center Township and Hawk for nearly $1 million. Messiah University is among a coalition of evangelical organizations that is appealing to Congress to support a bipartisan immigration bill that would take a humanitarian approach in helping undocumented immigrants secure a path to citizenship. Update: Messiah University invokes Christian ethos in support of immigration bill Messiah University is among a coalition of evangelical organizations that is appealing to Congress to support a bipartisan immigration bill that would take a humanitarian approach in helping undocumented immigrants secure a path to citizenship. The Mechanicsburg-based private Christian school is among evangelical denominations and organizations that have sent a letter to Congress urging its members to support the Dignity Act, which would offer an alternative approach to family separation and detention. Under the measure, undocumented immigrants who meet a particular criteria would be able to secure permanent legal status. The measure would also allow so-called Dreamers, who arrived in the country as infants or children, a pathway to citizenship. As Christians committed to the rule of law, rooted in the biblical conviction that God has ordained the government to restrain evil and ensure order, we believe the Dignity Act offers necessary reforms to help achieve a permanent immigration policy that remedies wrong-doings, protects our communities, and aligns with the priorities of evangelical Christians, faith leaders stated in the letter. Messiah is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, a co-signer of the letter. The organization represents more than 170 Christian colleges and universities. Messiah did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The letter noted that while the vast majority of evangelical Christians believe that violent criminals should be prioritized for deportation, Lifeway Research, an evangelical research firm, finds only 17 percent of evangelicals say the same about those who would be willing to pay a fine as restitution for breaking U.S. immigration laws. The fines and penalties proposed by the Dignity Act would more than cover the billions of dollars that the bill proposes to improve border security, addressing another core immigration policy concern for evangelical Christians but without expanding the federal deficit, the letter states. The bipartisan immigration bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Maria Salazar, R-FL. and Veronica Escobar, D-TX., along with 18 other members. Polling suggests a drop in support for the Trump administrations hard-line immigration policies and aggressive deportation agenda. A new PBS NewsHour/Marist poll finds that nationwide approval for Trumps handling has dropped to a 43% compared to 55% approval a year ago, according to Gallup. That contrasts with a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Monday showing a majority of voters giving the president high approval for his immigration policies. According to that poll, 60% of voters surveyed said they support Trumps efforts to close the border, including 89% of Republicans, 55% of independents and 34% of Democrats. The Harvard CAP/Harris poll also found that voters are divided over Trumps approach to immigration enforcement: 52% said the administration was doing the right thing, while 48% said it is going too far in its enforcement actions. Evangelicals propelled Trump to both presidencies, but increasingly amid persistent rhetoric demonizing immigrants, many people of faith have begun to question those policies. Trump, who won the White House in large part due to his hard-line immigration rhetoric, has pushed for Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehensions, initially with a 3,000 daily quota. According to ICE, more people were arrested by agents last month than at any other time in the last five years. Deportations are still lagging far behind the millions and millions that Trump promised as a candidate. Trumps immigration policy is about to get an outsized financial boost from the newly enacted tax and spending bill. The new law will direct $45 billion to the Department of Homeland Security to detain immigrant adults and families. The new law is estimated to add more than $11 billion each year to immigration enforcement. The Dignity Act would allow undocumented immigrants who pass a criminal background check to earn permanent legal status if they pay a significant fine as restitution for their violation of an immigration law. The bill also calls for investment in infrastructure at the U.S-Mexico border, to enhance security and legal protocol. The letter notes that improving border security and creating a restitution-based legalization process for undocumented immigrants have the support of 76 percent of evangelical Christians, including about 7-in-10 evangelicals who voted for Trump in 2024. David Hoag, president of the Council of Christian Colleges & Universities, underscored the importance of the inclusion of the DREAM Act provision. This critical component of the legislation offers a path to stability and opportunity for Dreamersyoung people brought to this country through no fault of their own who have been shaped by our communities, churches, and campuses, Hoag said. The CCCU advocates for Dreamers to have the opportunity to thrive in environments where they can grow academically and spiritually, and this provision would contribute toward that important goal. This handgun was found in a Texas man's carry-on bag at a security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport on Monday, police said. Allegheny Co. police A Texas man faces charges after authorities at a Pennsylvania airport found a handgun in his carry-on bag. Allegheny County police said in a statement that Erik Trask, 42, put a bag through the main security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport about 1:30 p.m. on Monday. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers noticed the gun and alerted police, who learned that Trask did not have a concealed carry permit. According to online court records, Trask is charged with carrying a firearm without a license, a felony. Trask was released from the Allegheny County Jail after posting $10,000 bail. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 21. Allegheny County police said that the FBI was also notified of the incident. Those caught with firearms at an airport security checkpoint can be fined by the TSA up to $!0,000, police said, and repeat offenders can be fined up to nearly $14,000. More than a dozen cats were rescued from squalid conditions in a Pa. mobile home, rescuers told a Pittsburgh TV station. Getty Images Nearly two dozen cats were removed from squalid conditions in a Pennsylvania home after a neighbor complained to authorities on Facebook. WPXI-TV reported that the animals were removed from a mobile home in North Fayette Township, Allegheny County, on Friday and that police had to intervene when the owners became upset. Volunteers from animal rescue organizations showed up to remove the cats. One rescuer told the station that there is cat urine and feces everywhere in the home. Kitty Co. Cat Rescue, which removed 18 cats, said in a Facebook post that donations were needed to care for the cats. The organization said one malnourished cat was starting to gnaw her own paw off, and was covered in fleas. Over 20 cats were removed, and two kittens had to be rushed to an emergency veterinarian, reported WPXI. A dog was taken to a vet for a skin infection. Cat hair covered the home and there were dirty dishes in the kitchen sink as well as feces on the floor, rescuers told the station. There is mold piled up on top of everything, one volunteer said. There is no food, no water, nothing. A neighbor said the homeowners were fine with two cats and a dog up until three years ago when they started hoarding cats and would not accept help. Despite not yet having a full deal with the Republican-majority state Senate, Pennsylvania House Democrats on Monday passed a $50 billion spending bill described as a work in progress, as budget negotiations grind forward. June 30 marked the end of the last fiscal year, with Pennsylvania now two weeks into the 2025-26 cycle without a budget in place. While the practical impact of the funding stoppage has thus far been limited, risks grow the longer the standoff continues. Despite Mondays progress, many questions remain as to how the state will pay for whatever spending plan lawmakers agree to, and if big-ticket items such as transit and Medicaid will have to weather fiscal austerity. Cortney spirals and Tiffany drops a bomb on the next episode of 90 Day: Hunt for Love. 90 Day: Hunt For Love, season one, episode eight, airs at 8 p.m. Monday, July 14, on TLC. LIVE STREAM: Fans can watch TLC without cable on : Fans can watch TLC without cable on Philo, which offers a seven-day free trial; DirecTV, which has a five-day free trial; and SlingTV. The Boy Who Fell for Her (Literally). After a shocking injury rocks the group, Jen rushes to the hospital and Cortney spirals. At a cooking class, Tim reveals a fear of figs. Later, girls and guys night out goes off the rails as Tiffany drops a bomb and Carlo and Jay nearly come to blows. The show is set in Tulum, Mexico, and features eight singles from other 90 Day shows plus a few new ones. The eight are - Tiffany, 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way; Chantel, The Family Chantel; Colt, 90 Day Fiance; Cortney, 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days; Usman, 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days; Tim, 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days; Jeniffer, 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days; and Rob, 90 Day: The Last Resort. What is Philo? Philo is a streaming service that offers more than 70 live channels and more than 70,000 titles on demand for $28 a month. Philo has a SEVEN-DAY FREE TRIAL. Channels include AMC, AMC+, A&E, MTV, BET, Discovery, VH1, Food Network, History, Nickelodeon, OWN, TLC, Lifetime, Hallmark, Paramount and TV One. Add-on packages include EPIX, STARZ and Movies and More. Philo offers an unlimited 1-year DRV. What is DirecTV? DirecTV provides access to more than 100 channels, hundreds of on-demand titles, the ability to stream through three devices at once, and unlimited Cloud DVR storage. Channels include ABC, HGTV, Hallmark, Bravo, BET, Discovery, Food Network, AMC, Animal Planet, CMT, Comedy Central, FX, ID, Disney, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and PBS Kids. Subscription package prices start at $86.99 a month. The streaming service offers a FIVE-DAY FREE TRIAL. What is Sling TV? Sling streaming service is $45.99 a month for the Orange (35 channels) or Blue (43 channels) Levels. Orange plus Blue is $60.99 a month. Premium subscribers also can get a month of Showtime, STARZ and EPIX for free. Channels include CMT, Bravo, BET, Comedy Central, A&E, AMC, Animal Planet, Discovery+, Hallmark, History, National Geographic, Lifetime, TLC and USA. The next new episodes of The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch is called Lights Out. The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch, season six, episode seven, airs at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, on the History Channel. LIVE STREAM: Fans can watch the History Channel without cable on : Fans can watch the History Channel without cable on Philo, which offers a seven-day free trial. The synopsis for Lights Out is, After the team unearths new and bizarre clues from the Mesa on Skinwalker Ranch, a complex laser experiment leads to a shocking encounter. The History Channel says revelations of epic proportions are on the horizon in season six of The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch. After years of witnessing strange and unsettling phenomena across the mysterious 512-acre property in northeastern Utah, landowner Brandon Fugal and his team led by principal investigator Erik Bard and astrophysicist Dr. Travis Taylor will implement their boldest strategies yet to uncover the cause of the unexplainable high strangeness. For more than two centuries, Native Americans, bewildered homesteaders, and even government investigators have suggested that intelligent entities of otherworldly origin may inhabit or visit the ranch. In Season Six, the team will reveal shocking new clues both high in the sky and deep underground that suggest the legends and rumors may be true." What is Philo? Philo is a streaming service that offers more than 70 live channels and more than 70,000 titles on demand for $28 a month. Philo has a SEVEN-DAY FREE TRIAL. Channels include AMC, AMC+, A&E, MTV, BET, Discovery, VH1, Food Network, History, Nickelodeon, OWN, TLC, Lifetime, Hallmark, Paramount and TV One. Add-on packages include EPIX, STARZ and Movies and More. Philo offers an unlimited 1-year DRV. with permission from the New Jersey subreddit Heavy flooding across northern New Jersey wreaked havoc on motorists, including in Watchung where flood waters lifted a car onto a concrete barrier. with permission from the New Jersey subreddit Two women were killed when their vehicle was swept into surging flood waters in Plainfield, New Jersey, during Monday nights severe storms, city officials said. Their vehicle became submerged around 8 p.m. and was pulled into Cedar Brook in the area of Stelle Avenue, a city spokeswoman said. Both are Plainfield residents, according to Mayor Adrian Mapp. The deaths are the third and fourth due to severe storms in the city this month. Two men were killed in Plainfield on July 3 when their car was hit by a fallen tree on Myrtle Avenue. Dozens of water rescues occurred around the state on Monday night as torrential rain from slow-moving thunderstorms hit the state. Up to 6.5 inches of rain fell in a short period of time. A house exploded in North Plainfield, though the occupants escaped. Rescue boat tied up on guardrail on Madison Ave. after flooding in Green Brook, NJ on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media All Plainfield parks and pools are closed Tuesday. In addition, the Plainfield Senior Center will not offer services as officials assess damage and cleanup. All of Plainfield grieves this latest loss, Mapp said Tuesday. To lose four residents in a short span of time is unimaginable. We mourn with the families and remain committed to doing all we can to strengthen our emergency response systems and protect our residents from future harm. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. HUGHESVILLE Those living along a creek in northcentral Pennsylvania that endured flooding following a series of strong storms late Sunday and Monday can turn their attention to cleanup. The rain along the Muncy Creek watershed in eastern Lycoming County and southern Sullivan County ended Monday afternoon, and the tributary of the Susquehanna River began to recede slowly. The creek had begun to go down until storms early Monday afternoon dropped from 1 to 3 inches of rain, a spokesperson at the National Weather Service office in State College said. This followed 4 to 6 inches late Sunday night and early Monday. The Lycoming County stream gauge at Glen Mawr tells the story of the flash flooding that caused the evacuation of the village. Muncy Creek was at 2.13 feet at 8:37 p.m. Sunday but had risen to 12.79 feet by 1:59 a.m. Monday. The stream had receded to 9.05 feet by 5:28 a.m. but was back up to 12.34 feet by 9:09 a.m. The level had gone back down to 7:49 feet by 2:20 p.m., but began to rise from the runoff from the afternoon storms. It reached 9.5 feet at 5:31 p.m. and has been falling since. Approximately 25 residents in Glen Mawr were moved to higher elevations in the vicinity of their homes at about 2:30 a.m. Monday. Some of the residents were allowed to return to their homes about 3:30 a.m., and the rest later in the morning. Volunteer firefighters were busy in the Muncy Valley area throughout the day rescuing people from homes that were surrounded by water, helping stranded motorists and pumping basements. Six firefighters from Williamsports paid department were sent to Hughesville with two boats to stand by if further rescues were needed. No one was reported missing or injured as a result of the storms. While the streams are receding, damage evaluation and cleanup are just beginning. Two of the major highways in the area are expected to be closed until Tuesday afternoon due to flooding and mudslides, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said. They are Route 220 between Hughesville and Route 42 in the Laporte area and Route 42 between Route 220 and Route 239 in Franklin Township, Lycoming County. A detour using Route 87 has been established for Route 220 motorists. Crews have begun evaluating the damage to these and several lesser-traveled roads that were closed, a PennDOT spokesperson said. Approximately a dozen other state roads in Columbia, Lycoming and Sullivan counties are closed because of flood-related issues, PennDOT says. That does not include local roads. A victim of the weather was the Lycoming County Fair in Hughesville, which runs through Saturday. Officials cited the heavy rain and localized flooding as the reason for canceling Mondays events. Sullivan County public safety officials reported 6.5 inches of rain had fallen by early Monday morning in Davidson Township, which borders Lycoming County. Laporte firefighters helped evacuate people in the southern end of Sonestown in that township. Water going over the privately owned Beaver Lake dam in the Hughesville area Monday morning led to what turned out to be an unfounded report that it had been compromised, the Lycoming County public safety spokesperson said. The owner assured the dam that had been rehabilitated in the last several years was working properly, she said. Approximately 125 residents would be affected if the dam had broken, she said. Mount Joy Borough was hit particularly hard by a series of storms that drenched central Pennsylvania on Monday afternoon. Forecasters said more than 7 inches of rain fell before 7 p.m. in the borough, prompting a disaster emergency. Little Chiques Creek in the borough overflowed onto the roadways, as storm drains in residential areas also bubbled over. Firefighters were called out across the borough for multiple car rescues. In one case, firefighters had to load someone into a raft to get them out of high floodwaters. Multiple local businesses closed for the afternoon, including the Milanof-Schock Public Library. The flooding hit right before rush hour, and multiple drivers were left stranded between home and work while they waited for the roads to clear. Route 30, Route 283 and Route 743 were all flooded, causing travel delays. It has been a while since the borough has experienced heavy flooding. Flash flooding in the fall of 2018 also caused road closures and vehicle rescues. Torrential downpours led to the National Weather Service issuing a flash flood warning for Lancaster County for several hours late Monday afternoon and into the evening. Lancaster County Communications told PennLive there are cars stuck everywhere in the county as the downpours flooded roadways. Other municipalities in northwest Lancaster County received anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of rainfall, Lancasteronline.com reported. Greene County leaders now say staff are free to talk to the press after multiple county employees said they were previously gagged under county policy. Those leaders, who have denied there ever was such a policy, were prompted to speak after First Amendment lawyers and advocates sent a letter to the county supervisors last month demanding they rescind the policy. It remains a mystery how Greene County employees came to believe they were strictly prohibited from speaking to the press if no such thing was ever communicated to them, Seth Stern, director of advocacy for the New York-based Freedom of the Press Foundation and one of the letters signatories, told The Daily Progress in an email. In their letter, Stern and 10 other free speech advocates told supervisors in plain terms just where they got their policy wrong: Courts have consistently struck down government policies that broadly ban public employees from talking to members of the press without authorization, because they are prior restraints that violate the First Amendment. The policy is not only unconstitutional, but the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled employees do not give up their First Amendment rights when accepting public employment. County employees, therefore, have the right to speak on matters of public concern. Greene County leaders maintain no such policy existed, despite There is no policy and there has never been a policy prohibiting staff members from speaking to the press, Steve Catalano, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, wrote in an email to Stern. I believe this is a misunderstanding based on some of my prior off-the-cuff comments, Catalano wrote. The Board of Supervisors (unanimously) desired the County Administrator to remind staff that it is the elected Board of Supervisors who have the responsibility to determine policy. When staff are asked about the Countys official position on policy matters, they are to represent the majority position of the Board or defer the question to the Chairman. This is a common practice because conflicting positions coming from the County erodes the publics trust. But that is not how county employees nor First Amendment advocates see it. Multiple county employees informed The Daily Progress they could not respond to inquiries because of a county policy prohibiting contact with the press. Per our media policy, please contact Board of Supervisors Chair Steve Catalano with any questions about Greene County Government, reads employee responses to Daily Progress correspondences. Moreover, county employees said they also were required to label any information provided to the press as opinion. According to Stern, this second part of the policy also violates the First Amendment. Like censorship of speech, compelled speech when the government forces an individual to express certain messages or adopt certain viewpoints is just as unlawful. There may have been some confusion as county leaders and staff said there was no written policy, but unwritten policies are still policies, according to Stern. Stern urged Catalano and the board to put some policy in writing, making it clear and specific to avoid violating employees rights. Dont restrict employee speech and instead engage in the public discourse and correct the record when you think someone got something wrong, wrote Stern. Caroline Hendrie, executive director of the Society of Professional Journalist and Society of Professional Journalists Foundation, said full transparency is not only beneficial to the press but to the public. Contrary to what some folks seem to be asserting, squelching candid communication about matters of public concern does not enhance trust in government. Instead, efforts to suppress such honest exchanges serve to undermine that trust, Hendrie told The Daily Progress in an email. The public is better served by a commitment to transparency and accountability than by unconstitutional efforts to enforce a uniform message or unanimity of thought. Ironically, the countys new media policy was originally developed as a means to temper supervisors correspondence. At the start of the year, the Greene County Board of Supervisors considered adopting new social media guidelines for themselves after one supervisor, Francis McGuigan, was reprimanded by his colleagues for using his Facebook account, which he has christened the Greene Sentinel, to suggest a dam in the county was on the brink of imminent failure. The dam itself did not collapse, and there are no residences in its flood plain. On Jan. 14, the board was presented a seven-page social media policy outlining how different county departments messaging should be managed, how officials should respond online during an emergency and how all county leaders can maintain decorum while using social media a landscape rife with misinformation and disinformation. Supervisors balked, claiming the policy would muzzle them and violate their First Amendment right to free speech. The policy was redirected at staff, and Catalano was made the countys point of contact, the only person permitted to speak with the press regarding county business. That is, according to Catalano at least, no longer the case. Mariano Balfagon Hits The Big Time Winning First WSOP Bracelet in $800 Deepstack for $252,386 Myles Phago Live Reporter Copy link Event #95: $800 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack at the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has concluded here at The Horseshoe and Paris, Las Vegas. The event attracted a field of 2,851 runners, generating a total prize pool of $1,995,700, with $252,386 being awarded to the champion. 162 players bagged up from Day 1 of the tournament to fight it out on Day 2 for the title and take home the coveted World Series of Poker bracelet along with the first-place prize. Mariano Balfagon navigated his way through the day to capture the majority of the $1,995,700 prize pool and his first World Series of Poker bracelet along with a prize of over 20 times his previous best-ever live cash result according to The Hendon Mob. After entering heads-up play with a more than three-to-one chip lead, Balfagon was able to close out the victory against Andrew Ahn under the lights of the Horseshoe Las Vegas. $800 NLHE Deepstack Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Mariano Balfagon Argentina $252,386 2 Andrew Ahn United States $168,122 3 Nan Chen United States $122,705 4 Alon Eldar Israel $90,413 5 Jon Turner United States $67,262 6 Wesley Fei China $50,526 7 Kevin Choi United Kingdom $38,328 8 Lei Yu China $29,364 9 Gustavo Andolhe Brazil $22,722 Winner's Reaction Balfagon has been playing poker for approximately 20 years and competing at the World Series for seven years. His largest previous score was $11,431, but today's win will be more than twenty times that amount. "Im feeling really good and really happy. It was a dream of mine to end up with a bracelet, and now I have fulfilled that dream." Now I will look at buying into some slightly higher buy-in events and the main event next year. I will now just enjoy the money and do some travelling, enjoy life, and keep on playing poker! 2025 World Series of Poker Hub Bookmark this page! All you need to know about the 2025 WSOP is here. Click here Balfagon didnt have a set strategy for the final table, but is aware that a major hand against Alon Eldar set him up for the win, and he realised that it was within his grasp after winning this hand. Balfagon would like to thank his best friend who was on the rail today for him to give him support and advice, and said, I would not have been able to do this without him there on the rail for me. Mariano Balfagon Day Two Play Balfagon cruised through the day, gradually building his stack, and started to push on when fewer than 20 players were remaining. He got a huge boost to his stack by busting Mariyan Stoychev when his queen-nine cracked Stoychevs jacks. He then eliminated Yang Li when his ace-seven held against Lis king-seven. Final Table Action Balfagon started the final table in second spot and pushed on right from the off. He took the chip lead in a massive pot against Jon Turner and never really looked back from this point. Balfagon busted Gustavo Andolhe in ninth spot when his king-ten outdrew Andolhes ace-six. He continued to build his stack at the final table and got an added bonus when he sniffed out Alon Eldars bluff. Alon Eldar With one of the top contenders at the final table in Jon Turner taken out in fifth spot, Balfagon continued to pile on the pressure and took a massive chip lead when he eliminated Eldar in fourth place. This chip lead grew when he then took out Nan Chen in third place to take the tournament heads up with Andrew Ahn. Heads-Up Play Heads-up play was brief, with Balfagon entering the match at a more than three-to-one advantage. Ahn never got any momentum, and the final hand saw Balfagons five-two crack Ahns queens. This concludes coverage of Event #95: $800 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack. Stay tuned to PokerNews for more from the 2025 World Series of Poker. Share this article Legends Never Fold: Nelson Mari Sanchez Strikes Gold in WSOP $777 Lucky 7s Joseph Berg Live Reporter Copy link Event #90: $777 Lucky 7s No-Limit Holdem is not just another tournament; it is one of the most unique and action-packed events on the World Series of Poker (WSOP) schedule. As the only seven-handed event of the series and the only one with a guaranteed $777,777 prize for the winner, it draws a massive field chasing poker glory. Nelson Mari Sanchez navigated through 8,012 runners to capture the lions share of the $5,447,118 prize pool and his first World Series of Poker bracelet. After entering heads-up play with a three-to-one chip lead, Sanchez was able to close out the victory against Yu Liu under the glow of the Horseshoe Las Vegas. 2025 World Series of Poker Hub Bookmark this page! All you need to know about the 2025 WSOP is here. Click here $777 Lucky 7's Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Nelson Mari Sanchez Mexico $777,777 2 Yu Liu Canada $332,777 3 Nicola Bracchi Italy $244,777 4 Allen Shen Canada $181,777 5 Kieran Walsh Ireland $135,777 6 Hertsel Levy Panama $101,777 7 Hayato Kitajima Japan $77,777 8 Patrick Leonard United Kingdom $59,470 Winner's Reaction Sanchez has been playing poker for twelve years and competing at the World Series for two. His largest previous score was $6,006 according to The Hendon Mob, but today's win will be more than one hundred times that amount. "This is a huge change for my bankroll. Im not sure whats next, but I know Ill be back to defend this title next year," he told PokerNews in a winner's interview. Nelson Mari Sanchez Sanchez didnt have a set strategy for the final table, nor did he adjust his game under the pressure of the big stage. He mentioned being aware that Patrick Leonard was a well-known professional, but since Leonard lasted only one hand, he wasnt much of a concern beyond that. Sanchez would like to thank his wife, Erika, for supporting him today and cheering him on to victory. Final Table Action Eight players returned on Day 3, with Leonard hitting the rail on the very first hand off the deck when he ran his ace-jack into Nicola Bracchi's ace-king. Hertsel Levy made his presence felt at the final table, wearing a path between his chip stack and the center of the table as he moved plenty of chips before ultimately falling in sixth place. A crucial hand unfolded five-handed between Sanchez and Kieran Walsh. Walsh attempted an all-in bluff on the river, but Sanchez was sitting on a full house and added many crucial chips to his stack when sending Walsh to the rail. Short-Handed Play When play became short-handed, Sanchez ramped up his aggression and applied pressure on the shorter stacks in pursuit of additional pay jumps. He was locked in, and the deck cooperated when needed. Sanchez eliminated the final four players on his way to the bracelet. Heads-up play was brief, with Sanchez entering the match at a significant advantage. Liu struggled to gain any momentum. The final hand saw Liu move all in with ace-three, but he ran into Sanchezs bigger ace and was unable to improve. Yu Liu This concludes coverage of Event #90: $777 Lucky 7's. Stay tuned to PokerNews for more from the 2025 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Share this article Poker's Elite Set to Descend on Tallinn for the Bombay High Stakes Week Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link The luxurious Bombay Club in the heart of Tallinn, Estonia, is making last-minute preparations for a week of high-stakes poker action. The Bombay High Stakes Week starts on July 31 and runs until August 7. No-limit Hold'em events costing from 10,000 to 50,000 will take place in the Estonian capital. High-stakes players will get to battle across compact fields, capped at 64 entrants, against the lavish backdrop of the Bombay Club. A 10,000 buy-in Turbo Warm-Up gets the festival started on July 31 before the High Stakes Week's 25,000 buy-in Main Event's Day 1 shuffles up and deals at 6:00 p.m. on August 1. Day 2 and Day 3 of the Main Event start at 2:00 p.m. local time on August 2 and August 3, respectively. Those who enter the 25,000 Main Event, alongside special guests, have priority to play in the 10,000 Bombay Anniversary Invitational, which has 1 million guaranteed. Sandwiched between the Main Event and the Anniversary Invitational is the massive 50,000 Bombay Big 50, a two-day super high roller that is a new addition to the schedule. Following the Anniversary Invitational are a 10,000 Fast Bounty and a 25,000 buy-in Grande Finale spanning two days, wrapping up on August 7. Bombay High Stakes Week Schedule Date Time Event Total Buy-in Thu 31 Jul 8:00 p.m. #1: Turbo Warm-Up 10,000 Fri 1 Aug 6:00 p.m. #2:Main Event Day 1 25,000 Sat 2 Aug 2:00 p.m. #2: Main Event Day 2 Sun 3 Aug 2:00 p.m. #2: Main Event Day 3 6:00 p.m. #3: Bombay Big 50 50,000 Mon 4 Aug 2:00 p.m. #3: Bombay Big 50 6:00 p.m. #4: 10K Fast Bounty 10,000 Tue 5 Aug 6:00 p.m. #5: Bombay Anniversary Invitational 1 Million Day 1 10,000 Wed 6 Aug 2:00 p.m. #5: Anniversary Invitational 1 Million Day 2 6:00 p.m. #6: HSW Grand Finale 25K Day 1 25,000 Thu 7 Aug 2:00 p.m. #5: Anniversary Invitational 1 Million Day 3 3:00 p.m. #6: HSW Grande Finale 25K Day 2 All events are No-Limit Hold'em, are played eight-handed, and allow unlimited re-entries for the first ten levels. Should high-stakes tournaments not tickle your fancy, cash games with stakes from 25/50 are available. Who Won Big at the Last Bombay High Stakes Week? Ottomar Ladva The Bombay Club last ran its High Stakes Week in mid-February and it saw dozens of notable players head to the Estonian capital. Finnish star Ville Wahlbeck, Markkos Ladev, Armin Rezaei, Ottomar Ladva, Martin Kabrhel, and Maksim Vaskresenski all returned home having triumphed in a high-stakes event. Event Entrants Prize Pool Champion Prize 25,000 Main Event 36 873,000 Ottomar Ladva 225,600 15,000 Bombay PLO 23 331,200 Martin Kabrhel 142,400 10,000 Bombay Invitational 56 532,000 Markkos Ledev 128,000 5,000 Turbo Warm-Up 38 180,500 Ville Wahlbeck 62,250 10,000 Turbo 13 123,500 Maksim Vaskresenski 46,600 10,000 Turbo Bounty 18 90,000 Armin Rezaei 38,700 Share this article Event #90: $777 Lucky 7s No-Limit Holdem is not just another tournament; it is one of the most unique and action-packed events on the World Series of Poker schedule. As the only seven-handed event of the series and the only one with a guaranteed $777,777 prize for the winner, it draws a massive field chasing poker glory. Nelson Mari Sanchez navigated through 8,012 runners to capture the lions share of the $5,447,118 prize pool and his first World Series of Poker bracelet. After entering heads-up play with a three-to-one chip lead, Sanchez was able to close out the victory against Yu Liu under the glow of the Horseshoe Las Vegas. $777 Lucky 7's Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Nelson Mari Sanchez Mexico $777,777 2 Yu Liu Canada $332,777 3 Nicola Bracchi Italy $244,777 4 Allen Shen Canada $181,777 5 Kieran Walsh Ireland $135,777 6 Hertsel Levy Panama $101,777 7 Hayato Kitajima Japan $77,777 8 Patrick Leonard United Kingdom $59,470 Winner's Reaction Sanchez has been playing poker for twelve years and competing at the World Series for two. His largest previous score was $6,006, according to The Hendon Mob but today's win will be more than one hundred times that amount. "This is a huge change for my bankroll. Im not sure whats next, but I know Ill be back to defend this title next year," he told PokerNews in a winner's interview. Sanchez didnt have a set strategy for the final table, nor did he adjust his game under the pressure of the big stage. He mentioned being aware that Patrick Leonard was a well-known professional, but since Leonard lasted only one hand, he wasnt much of a concern beyond that. Sanchez would like to thank his wife, Erika, for supporting him today and cheering him on to victory. Final Table Action Eight players returned on Day 3, with Leonard hitting the rail on the very first hand off the deck when he ran his ace-jack into Nicola Bracchi's ace-king. Hertsel Levy made his presence felt at the final table, wearing a path between his chip stack and the center of the table as he moved plenty of chips before ultimately falling in sixth place. A crucial hand unfolded five-handed between Sanchez and Kieran Walsh. Walsh attempted an all-in bluff on the river, but Sanchez was sitting on a full house and added many crucial chips to his stack when sending Walsh to the rail. Short-Handed Play When play became short-handed, Sanchez ramped up his aggression and applied pressure on the shorter stacks in pursuit of additional pay jumps. He was locked in, and the deck cooperated when needed. Sanchez eliminated the final four players on his way to the bracelet. Heads-up play was brief, with Sanchez entering the match at a significant advantage. Liu struggled to gain any momentum. The final hand saw Liu move all in with ace-three, but he ran into Sanchezs bigger ace and was unable to improve. Yu Liu This concludes coverage of Event #90: $777 Lucky 7's. Stay tuned to PokerNews for more from the 2025 World Series of Poker. The final mixed event of the summer kicked off today, Event #98: $25,000 High Roller H.O.R.S.E. Many of the best in the world descended upon the Horseshoe and Paris, Las Vegas, for some high-stakes limit action. Many of the mixed game fields at the 2025 World Series of Poker have broken records, and this event is no different. A total of 121 entries were tallied today, with registration remaining open until the start of Level 13 on Day 2. Last years edition saw 120 entries, so a record-breaking field has already been secured. After ten sixty-minute levels today, just 77 players survived to bag chips. Leading the way is Yuri Dzivielevski, who finished with 642,500. The Brazilian superstar is seeking his sixth WSOP bracelet and has put himself in position to do just that after a strong start. Returning in second place is Paul Volpe with 621,500 and Jon Kyte rounds out the podium as he finished with 593,000. Jon Kyte End of Day 1 Top Ten Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count 1 Yuri Dzivielevski Brazil 642,500 2 Paul Volpe United States 621,500 3 Jon Kyte Norway 593,000 4 Phil Ivey United States 542,500 5 Todd Brunson United States 519,000 6 Jesse Klein United States 507,500 7 Kane Kalas United States 480,500 8 John Hennigan United States 472,500 9 Brian Breck United States 427,000 10 Jon Turner United States 372,500 The Days Action Just ten players were seated at the starting bell, but that number quickly rose through the first frame of play as many of the best mixed game players in the world joined the fray. Shaun Deeb was seated from the first level as the Player of the Year race holds massive implications in this event he bagged 258,000. Benny Glaser also joined the field (158,500), as well as Martin Kabrhel late in the night (15,500). All three are looking to add their banner to the walls, and a good result in this tournament could change everything. Shaun Deeb Robert Mizrachi was the first player to hit the rail in Level 3, but he did not rejoin the field (one reentry is permitted) as he is looking forward to watching his brother on the Main Event final table tomorrow. David Oppenheim made an appearance today, and he bagged 351,000. The Poker Hall of Famer and long-time cash game regular does not frequent the tournament streets, but a prestigious event such as this brings out all the best players. Several previous champions of this event hopped into the action today. Last years winner, Xixiang Luo, was not so fortunate today as he busted, but he can still reenter on Day 2. The 2021 champion Jesse Klein (507,500) bagged a top-ten stack, and Josh Arieh, the 2023 winner, bagged 78,500 and remains in contention. Other notables who advanced to Day 2 include Phil Ivey (511,000), John Hennigan (472,500), Viktor Blom (345,000), Daniel Negreanu (263,000), Gus Hansen (199,000), Scott Seiver (173,000), and Brian Rast (107,500). Only two women entered the tournament: Esther Taylor ran through her two bullets, but Rebecca Kerl bagged a healthy 198,500. Rebecca Kerl Play resumes Tuesday, July 15, at 1 p.m. local time in the Horseshoe Event Center Gold section. Action starts in Level 11 with limits of 8,000/16,000 and an average stack of 235,000. Registration remains open until the start of Level 13, around 3:15 p.m., and with the largest field ever assembled for this event already, a massive prize pool is guaranteed. Stay tuned to PokerNews for all updates regarding this event and all other bracelet events at the 2025 World Series of Poker. Aiken Standard reporter Dede Biles is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. She covers Aiken County government, business and horse industry. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers Aiken, SC (29801) Today Sun and clouds mixed. High 96F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 76F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Ed Lab reporter Anna B. Mitchell is a Greenville-based investigative reporter for the Post and Courier's Education Lab team. A licensed English and social studies teacher, Anna covers education in the Upstate and collaborates with other reporters for coverage on statewide education trends. She studied history at the University of North Carolina, journalism at the University of Missouri, and holds an MBA from the University of Applied Sciences in Wurzburg. For fun, Anna plays bassoon, visits her family in Germany as often as she can, and takes her doggy, Ashe, for long walks with her daughter and husband. Nick Reynolds covers politics for the Post and Courier. A native of Central New York, he spent three-and-a-half years covering politics in Wyoming before joining the paper in late 2021. His work has appeared in outlets like Newsweek, Poynter, the Associated Press, and the Washington Post. He lives in Columbia. Reporter Kenna Coe covers the city of North Charleston for The Post and Courier. She graduated from the University of South Carolina. She previously worked for The Moultrie News as the editor and general assignment reporter. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 97F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 80F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Kalyn Oyer is a Charleston native and the features editor for The Post and Courier. She's a music festival and concert photographer and avid showgoer who used to write about music for the Charleston City Paper as well as national publications. Lauren Leibman covers Georgetown County for the Post and Courier. She interned with The State newspaper and worked for The Daily Gamecock during her time at the University of South Carolina. Spartanburg editor Matthew Hensley is editor for Post and Courier Spartanburg. Connect with him on X, Threads, Bluesky and Mastodon, @MattHensleyNews. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers Seth Taylor covers Greenville and the Upstate for The Post and Courier. Born in Iowa, he worked in Wyoming at the Buffalo Bulletin before moving to the Palmetto State. Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. High near 95F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low near 80F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Samantha Watts, 42, of Green Sea, pleaded guilty to murder on July 14, 2025, for killing Corey Adam Soles, a 28-year-old from North Carolina, out of revenge as part of her alleged drug trafficking operation, according to prosecutors. Watts was sentenced to 45 years in prison. Watts 18-year-old son Payton Watts also pleaded guilty to killing Soles, and he was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-15 09:50:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 646 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Partnership established to develop and scale production of ATL-105, a novel recombinant version of alpha-1 antitrypsinLead indication is non-CF bronchiectasis; ATL-105 targets disease drivers through a broad multimodal mechanism of actionVILNIUS, LT / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 /AATec Medical GmbH ("AATec"), a biotech company developing a multi-product platform for the treatment of respiratory diseases, and Northway Biotech ("Northway Biotech" or "NBT"), a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), today announced a partnership for manufacturing process development and analytical development of AATec's lead product candidate, ATL-105, a proprietary, inhaled therapy based on recombinant alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). AATec Medical and Northway Biotech Announce PartnershipUnder the agreement, Northway Biotech will leverage its expertise in biologics manufacturing to develop and scale the production process for ATL-105 using the Pichia pastoris expression system."With this partnership, we are establishing a robust and scalable production process for ATL- 105, laying the foundation for consistent quality for clinical development and commercial use," says Rudiger Jankowsky, PhD, co-founder and CEO of AATec, and adds: "ATL-105 represents a new generation of inhaled biologics, combining anti-protease, anti-inflammatory, and antiinfective properties in one molecule. Delivered directly to the lungs, it enables fast, targeted action with minimal systemic exposure. We believe ATL-105 can redefine care in respiratory diseases with high medical need, such as non-CF bronchiectasis." "We are excited to support AATec in progressing towards clinical trials", shares Prof. Vladas Algirdas Bumelis, CEO and Chairman of Northway Biotech. "AATec is advancing a promising therapeutic solution addressing significant unmet medical needs, supported by a highly capable and dedicated team. With our decades of expertise in microbial systems, we are well-positioned to scale this program efficiently and deliver quality at every step." "We have recognized the opportunity to support a program that could meaningfully advance care for patients with respiratory diseases," adds Andre Markmann, PhD, VP of Business Development at Northway Biotech. "Inhaled protein therapies are gaining significant traction, and ATL-105 stands out as one of the most promising approaches in this area." AATec develops ATL-105 to treat NCFB, a chronic inflammatory respiratory condition which affects millions of people worldwide. This debilitating disease is marked by dilated bronchi, persistent inflammation, frequent airway infections and impaired mucus clearance. In addition to NCFB, ATL-105 has therapeutic potential for a broader range of inflammatory and infectious respiratory diseases, such as COPD, ARDS and other indications, reflecting the versatility of its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-infective properties.About AATec MedicalAG AATec Medical GmbH is a biotechnology company developing a product platform based on a novel recombinant version of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) for the treatment of respiratory inflammatory diseases, airway infections and rare diseases. The company has successfully demonstrated proof-of-principle in several indications and is currently preparing for a proof-ofconcept clinical trial with the first product candidate ATL-105 for inhaled application in non-CF bronchiectasis. AATec was founded by a seasoned interdisciplinary team with long-standing experience in clinical research, biopharmaceutical development and product industrialization. For further information, please visit https://www.aatec-medical.com/ and follow AATec on LinkedIn.About Northway BiotechNorthway Biotech is a leading CDMO specializing in protein-based biologics and gene therapies, offering comprehensive, end-to-end biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing services. With deep expertise in cell line development, process optimization, and cGMP manufacturing, Northway Biotech supports programs from early-stage development through to commercial production. Founded in 2004, the privately held company operates state-of-the-art facilities in Lithuania and the United States, delivering high-quality, compliant solutions tailored to each client's unique needs. For further information, please visit https://www.northwaybiotech.com Northway Biotech Contact:Prof. Vladas Algirdas BumelisCEO and Chairman of the Board vladas.bumelis@northwaybiotech.com AATec Medical Contact:Dr. Rudiger Jankowsky, CEO info@ aatec-medical.com Media Contact:MC ServicesKatja Arnold, Julia von Hummel aatec-medical@ mc-services.eu Phone: +49 (0)89 2102280SOURCE: Northway Biotech PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-15 18:27:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 414 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Bridges Experience Inc. ("Bridges EXP") recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Bridges EXP.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On December 2, 2024, Bridges EXP detected unauthorized access to its internal systems. The company promptly launched an investigation with third-party cybersecurity experts, which determined that an unauthorized party accessed employee email accounts and other systems between December 2, 2024, and January 22, 2025.A detailed review was conducted to identify the compromised information and affected individuals. These impacted files allegedly included names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, routing numbers, medical information, individual health insurance information, driver's license numbers, payment card numbers and access pin numbers, payment car expiration dates, passport numbers, and taxpayer identification numbersOn June 26, 2025, Bridges EXP filed a data breach notice with the Vermont Attorney General's Office and began notifying impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Bridges Experience Inc., you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis-you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-15 03:00:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1029 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 /Forte Group Holdings Inc. (CSE:FGH)(OTC:FGHFF)(FSE:7BC0, WKN:A40L1Z)("Forte Group" or the "Company"), a diversified lifestyle and wellness consumer packaged goods company, announces a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening its financial position, including a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Private Placement"), consisting of the issuance of an aggregate of 2,900,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit"), at a price of $0.15 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $435,000 and a Debt Settlement (as defined below).Private Placement Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") and 0.53 transferable common share purchase warrants of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one additional Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.15 per Warrant Share for a period of two years from the date of closing.Closing of the Private Placement is anticipated to occur on or about July 22, 2025, and is subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, and subject to addressing any comments received from the Canadian Securities Exchange during a five business day period from the date of this news release in accordance with their policies.The net proceeds of the Private Placement are intended to be used for general working capital and outstanding payables. The securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance.Proposed Debt Settlement In line with its continued efforts to strengthen its balance sheet, the Company intends to settle debt totaling $1,443,717.85 owed to certain creditors of the Company in consideration for the issuance of an aggregate 9,624,786 units of the Company (each, a "Debt Settlement Unit") at a deemed price of $0.15 per Debt Settlement Unit (the "Debt Settlement").Each Debt Settlement Unit will consist of one Share (each, a "Debt Share") and 0.53 transferable common share purchase warrants (each whole warrant, a "Debt Settlement Warrant"), with each Debt Settlement Warrant exercisable to purchase one additional common share of the Company (each, a "Debt Settlement Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.15 per Debt Settlement Warrant Share for a period of two years from the date of closing of the Debt Settlement. The securities issued under the Debt Settlement will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance.Closing of the Debt Settlement is anticipated to occur on or about July 22, 2025, and is subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, and subject to addressing any comments received from the Canadian Securities Exchange during a five business day period from the date of this news release in accordance with their policies.Insiders may participate in the Private Placement and the Debt Settlement and such participation may constitute a related party transaction under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI61-101"). The Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under subsections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that participation in the Private Placement and Debt Settlement by insiders will not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization. No finder's fees are expected to be payable in connection with the Private Placement.Unsecured Promissory Notes The Company also announces that it received aggregate proceeds of $342,500 through the issuance of unsecured promissory notes to certain lenders, including $57,500 advanced by related parties. The related party loans bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum. The remaining loans include $225,000 bearing interest at 8% per annum, and $50,000 bearing interest at 12% per annum. All loans have a term of 12 months from the date of execution and may be repaid at any time, in whole or in part, without penalty or premium.The Company further announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Naturo Group Enterprises Inc., received aggregate gross proceeds of $81,000, including $31,000 advanced by related parties. These loans bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum, have a term of 12 months from the date of execution, and may be repaid at any time, in whole or in part, without penalty or premium.The proceeds of the unsecured promissory note loans are intended to be used for general working capital and outstanding payables.About Forte Group Holdings Inc. Forte Group Holdings Inc. (CSE:FGH)(OTC:FGHFF)(FSE:7BC0, WKN:A40L1Z) a diversified lifestyle and wellness consumer packaged goods company. Forte Group develops and manufactures a range of alkaline and mineral-enriched beverages and nutraceutical supplements for both its TRACE brand and private-label clients. Based in British Columbia, Canada, Forte Group owns a pristine natural alkaline spring water aquifer and operates a 40,000-square-foot, Health Canada and HACCP-certified manufacturing facility near Osoyoos, British Columbia. The Company's distribution network includes traditional retail and e-commerce channels, delivering wellness-focused products directly to consumers through its innovative offerings.On behalf of the Board of Directors: Marcello Leone, Chief Executive Officer and Director info@ fortegroup.co 604-569-1414Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the completion and timing of the Private Placement and the Debt Settlement, the receipt of regulatory approvals, the intended use of proceeds, including with respect to the unsecured promissory note loans, the participation of insiders, and the potential financial impact of these transactions on Forte Group. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions as of the date hereof and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among othe PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-15 21:00:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 603 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a lawsuit has been filed against Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS) and certain of the Company's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Hims & Hers, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/hims-hers-health-inc-class-action Investors have until August 25, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors who purchased Hims & Hers securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and is captioned Sookdeo v. Hims & Hers Health, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-05315. A subsequent complaint alleging substantially similar claims was also filed and is captioned Yaghsizian v. Hims & Hers Health, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-05321.Why was Hims & Hers Sued for Securities Fraud?Hims & Hers operates a telehealth platform that provides consumers with access to online consultations with licensed healthcare professionals, prescription medications, and a range of wellness products. On April 29, 2025, Hims & Hers and Novo Nordisk announced a "long-term collaboration" starting with the immediate sale of Novo Nordisk's popular weight loss drug Wegovy on the Hims & Hers platform. The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide.As alleged, Hims & Hers touted and misrepresented to investors the nature of its partnership with Novo Nordisk, including asserting that under the terms of the agreement His & Hers could offer both Wegovy and compounded semaglutide to its customers. Hims & Hers also allegedly represented to investors that its sale of compounded semaglutide complied with FDA regulations.The Stock Declines as the Truth is RevealedOn June 23, 2025, Novo Nordisk announced that it was terminating the partnership, "based on Hims & Hers deceptive promotion and selling of illegitimate, knockoff versions of Wegovy that put patient safety at risk" and alleged that Hims & Hers "failed to adhere to the law which prohibits mass sales of compounded drugs." On this news, the price of Hims & Hers stock fell $22.24 per share, or more than 34%, from $64.22 per share on June 20, 2025 to $41.98 per share on June 23, 2025.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/hims-hers-health-inc-class-action What Can You Do?If you invested in Hims & Hers you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-15 01:50:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 294 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of National Grid plc ("National Grid plc") (NYSE:NGG) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.The United Kingdom's energy system operator, National Energy System Operator ("NESO"), published a report on July 1, 2025, summarizing the findings of its investigation into the March 20, 2025 fire that caused Heathrow Airport to shut down. NESO's report stated that the fire was caused by a known fault at an electrical substation owned by National Grid, which had been aware of the problem since 2018 but failed to fix it. Media outlets subsequently reported that Heathrow Airport was considering legal action against National Grid.Following this news, National Grid's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell over 5% on July 2, 2025. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-15 21:00:27 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 585 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a lawsuit has been filed against Organon & Co. (NYSE:OGN) and certain of the Company's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Organon you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/organon-co-class-action Investors have until July 22, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors who purchased Organon securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and is captioned: Hauser v. Organon & Co., et al., No. 25-cv-05322.Why was Organon Sued for Securities Fraud?Organon is a global healthcare company focused on women's health that has historically rewarded its shareholders with a healthy dividend. In October 2024, Organon completed a $1.2 billion acquisition of Dermavant, a biopharmaceutical company focused on dermatological conditions. As alleged, while the acquisition increased Organon's debt, the Company assured investors it would maintain its dividend, which Organon asserted was its "#1 capital allocation priority." In truth, Organon had shifted its capital allocation priority after the Dermavant acquisition to focus on reducing its debt, ultimately leading the Company to severely cut its dividend.The Stock Declines as the Truth is RevealedOn May 1, 2025, Organon announced that management reset the Company's dividend payout from $0.28 per share to $0.02 per share. Organon's CEO explained that the Company "reset our capital allocation priorities to accelerate progress towards deleveraging" and that "[b]y deleveraging more rapidly, we will continue to strengthen the future prospects of the company." Organon's CFO added, "[t]he biggest issues we face . . . relate to managing our leverage and relate to growth. And we need capital to solve both of those issues, and so returning capital to shareholders is right now, less of a priority." On this news, the price of Organon stock declined roughly 27%, from $12.93 per share on April 30, 2025, to $9.45 per share on May 1, 2025.Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/organon-co-class-action What Can You Do?If you invested in Organon you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-15 03:46:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 463 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilJuly 22, 2025to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against Organon & Co. (NYSE:OGN), if they purchased the Company's securities between November 3, 2022 and April 30, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Organon and would like to discuss your legal rights and how the case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-ogn/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in the class action, you must petition the Court byJuly 22, 2025 .About the LawsuitsOrganon and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On March 10, 2025, pre-market, the Company announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, disclosing, among other things, that management had reset the Company's dividend payout, from $0.28 to $0.02, contradicting its prior statements assuring investors that the regular quarterly dividend was a number one priority and that the Company was committed to its capital allocation strategy through the aforementioned dividend. On this news, the price of Organon's shares fell more than 27%, from a closing market price of $12.93 per share on April 30, 2025, to $9.45 per share on May 1, 2025.The first-filed case is Hauser v. Organon & Co., et al., No. 25-cv-05322. A subsequent case, Lerner v. Organon & Co., et al., No. 25-cv-12983, expanded the class period.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, New Jersey, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-15 21:01:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 558 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a lawsuit has been filed against Reddit, Inc. (NYSE:RDDT) and certain of the Company's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Reddit, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/reddit-inc-securities-fraud-class-action Investors have until August 18, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors who purchased Reddit securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and is captioned Tamraz, Jr. v. Reddit, Inc., at al., No. 25-cv-05144.Why was Reddit Sued for Securities Fraud?Reddit owns and operates the eponymous social news aggregation, forum, and social media platform. Reddit receives a significant portion of its user traffic from individuals seeking answers to questions using Google Search. The complaint alleges that Reddit misrepresented and downplayed the impact that Google's use of Artificial Intelligence ("AI") technology in Google's search results had on Reddit's user growth.In truth, Google's use of AI dented Reddit's user growth by eliminating the need for individuals to visit and click through to Reddit to get answers to their questions. Rather, the answers appeared through Google's AI search results.The Stock Declines as the Truth is RevealedOn May 1, 2025, Reddit reported a significant slowdown in daily active user growth. On this news, the price of Reddit stock declined $4.96 per share, or more than 4%, from $118.79 per share on May 1, 2025, to $113.83 per share on May 2, 2025.Then, on May 21, 2025, Wall Street analyst Baird cut its Reddit stock price target over concerns that Google's AI capabilities are stifling Reddit's user growth. On this news, the price of Reddit stock fell $9.79 per share, or over 9%, from $105.64 per share on May 20, 2025, to $95.85 per share on May 21, 2025.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/reddit-inc-securities-fraud-class-action What Can You Do?If you invested in Reddit you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-15 04:00:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 475 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilAugust 4, 2025to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC ("Reckitt" or the "Company") (OTCQX:RBGLY), if they purchased the Company's American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") between January 13, 2021 and July 28, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.What You May DoIf you purchased ADSs of Reckitt and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/otc-rbgly/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byAugust 4, 2025 .About the LawsuitReckitt and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) preterm infants were at an increased risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis ("NEC") by consuming the Company's cow's milk-based formula, Enfamil; (ii) such risk could impact the Company's sales of Enfamil and expose the Company to legal claims; and (iii) as a result of the foregoing, the Company's positive statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.The case is Elevator Constructors Union Local No. 1 Annuity & 401(K) Fund v. Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC, et al., No. 25-cv-4708.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, New Jersey, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-15 17:40:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1080 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:JOG), (the "Company", or "Stillwater") is pleased to announce that it has closed the final tranche (the "Final Tranche") of its previously announced "best efforts" private placement (the "Offering"). Under the Final Tranche, the Company sold 15,307,980 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.23 per Unit (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds of approximately C$3,520,835. In aggregate under the Offering, the Company sold 30,434,782 Units at the Offering Price for gross proceeds of approximately C$7,000,000, which includes the full exercise of the agent's option. Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud") acted as sole agent and bookrunner in connection with the Offering.Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant issued pursuant to the Final Tranche entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.34 at any time on or before July 15, 2028.In accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units were issued to Canadian purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The Common Shares and the Warrant Shares underlying the Units are immediately freely tradeable in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation if sold to purchasers resident in Canada. The Units were also sold in offshore jurisdictions and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended(the "U.S. Securities Act"). All securities not issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption are subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities law, expiring four months and one day following the issue date.The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for the exploration and advancement of the Company's flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co+Au project in the Stillwater mining district in Montana, U.S., for a lesser exploration program at its Kluane critical minerals project in Yukon, Canada, and for general corporate purposes and working capital as is more fully described in the Offering Document (as defined below).As consideration for their services in the Final Tranche, Red Cloud received aggregate cash fees of C$164,407.27 and 714,814 non-transferable common share purchase warrants (the "Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at the Offering Price for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of issuance. The Broker Warrants are subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities law, expiring four months and one day following the issue date, being November 16, 2025. In connection with the Final Tranche, the Company has also paid finder's fees totaling $3,105 and issued 13,500 finder's warrants on the same terms as the Warrants and are subject to a hold period same as for the Broker Warrants.To accommodate additional over-subscriptions including participation by additional insiders, the Company intends to complete an additional follow-on non-brokered private placement not to exceed 1,000,000 units at a price of C$0.23 per unit for gross proceeds of up to approximately C$230,000 (the "Additional Offering"), with each unit consisting of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$0.34 for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of issuance. The securities sold pursuant to the Additional Offering will not be issued in reliance on the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, and will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the closing of such offering. No finders' fees are payable on any portion of the Additional Offering. Closing of the Additional Offering is subject to certain customary conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Additional Offering for the same purposes of the Offering.Glencore Canada Corporation ("Glencore"), a subsidiary of Glencore plc, has indicated that it intends to exercise its participation rights pursuant to the investor rights agreement with the Company dated May 1, 2024, to acquire its pro rata units of the Company in connection with the Offering and Additional Offering.The anticipated participation of Glencore (an insider of the Company) in the separate non-brokered private placement, the participation of Gregor Hamilton (a director of the Company) under the Offering, and the anticipated participation of other insiders in the Additional Offering constitute related party transactions pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the participation of the related parties in the private placements in reliance on the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively. The Company did not file a material change report at least 21 days before the expected closing date of the Offering as the insider participation had not been confirmed at that time and the Company wished to close the Offering as expeditiously as possible. The securities issued to Gregor Hamilton under the Offering are subject to a hold period in accordance with TSXV policies, expiring four months and one day following the issue date, being October 26, 2025.The closing of the Offering remains subject to the final approval of the TSXV.There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at: www.criticalminerals.com This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which Emmanuel Obasi, the ex-husband of actress Judy Austin, who is now married to Yul Edochie, has pleaded with the public for help in locating his children. In 2022, Mr Edochie stirred controversy when he unveiled Ms Austin as his second wife amidst a marital crisis with his first wife, May. Over a year later, through her legal representatives, DPA Family Clinic, May filed a divorce petition against Yul. She also filed against Judy as a party cited, asking for N100 million in damages against Judy for adultery with her husband. As of February, the divorce proceedings remained stalled, with the court ordering the parties to hold a compulsory conference to see if they could reach an agreement on some, if not all, of the disputed issues. Meanwhile, during this period, Mr Edochie and his second wife, Judy, had two sons together. In May, they welcomed their third child, a girl. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Cry for help In the latest development, Mr Obasi, who married Ms Austin when she was 19 and divorced her in 2013, said he is not in contact with their two children. In a clip currently circulating on the Internet, the filmmaker said that he has not looked at my children for over 10 years now. Im making this video because Im in pain. I dont see the reason I married somebody, legally married somebody, and God blessed us with two kids, but she made away with my children. They are nowhere to be found. And I didnt even know whether the children were still alive. The reason Im saying Im not sure Ill stay alive is that she has been posting the children she has with Yul, but she never, for one day, posted any of my children, he said. He stated that his suspicion is further heightened by the fact that he has not heard from his children in all these years. So Im calling on people of goodwill, home and abroad, to come and help me. Come and help me, please, because I found out that she wanted to kill me. She wanted to kill me secretly, Mr Obasi added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, presently in Lagos as part of a trade mission to Africa, has named the bubbly city the continents cultural capital. Mr Khan, who presides over the Greater London Authority (GLA) and is responsible for the strategic governance of Greater London, is presently leading the first trade mission to Africa by a London Mayor. In an op-ed published on City AM, the Mayor described Africa as the worlds most rapidly urbanising region and said the missions goal of forging closer ties could benefit London businesses. This week Ill be visiting Africa to bang the drum for our great capital city and to do everything I can to develop further the economic ties and cultural links that bind London and countries in Africa. This is the first trade mission to Africa by a London Mayor. Over four cities and five busy days, our delegation will be working to drive trade and investment across critical sectors of our economy. From finance, health and education, to tech, sustainability and our creative industries, he wrote. Cultural capital Mr Khan, who was elected the first Muslim mayor of London in 2016, announced his arrival in Lagos on X with a photograph he took beside graffiti with the inscription, This is Lagos. He captioned it, This is Lagos. Africas cultural capital from Nollywood to Afrobeats to fashion. Im here to deepen our cultural ties and celebrate what unites us. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Although the comment on the post was locked, Gboyega Akosile, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, welcomed the Mayor to the state. Welcome to Lagos, the city of aquatic splendour and Nigerias economic, commercial and cultural capital. Here, we say Ekaabo, meaning youre welcome, he wrote. Growing Africa/UK trade In June, the UK granted duty-free access to over 3,000 Nigerian products under its Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). This initiative aims to boost trade with developing countries, including Nigeria, by reducing or eliminating tariffs on a wide range of goods. In his article, Mr Khan noted that Africa is the worlds most rapidly urbanising region and home to the globes youngest and fastest-growing population. He said the visit has huge potential for Londons businesses to reach and tap into new markets. Despite global headwinds, the bilateral trade relationship between Africa and the UK has consistently grown over recent years. With trade between the UK and Africa worth 50bn in 2024, and UK exports up seven per cent year-on-year, there is a strong economic logic to us visiting Lagos in Nigeria, Accra in Ghana, and Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa. Today, more businesses expand into Africa from London than any other city globally, and the UK stands as one of Africas most significant trading partners, he wrote. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerias former president, will be buried today in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State. Mr Buhari died in a London clinic on Sunday, 13 July, at the age of 82, after a prolonged illness. His body will be returned to Nigeria today. His death marks the end of an erafrom a military ruler in the 1980s to the historic electoral victory over an incumbent president in 2015. As Nigeria prepares to lay to rest one of its most consequential figures, PREMIUM TIMES begins live coverage of a day already steeped in both ritual and reflection. The Nigerian government had declared today as a public holiday in honour of the former president whose remains would be buried in accordance with Islamic rites in his hometown of Daura. The ceremony is expected to draw an array of dignitaries including fellow presidents, former colleagues, traditional leaders and a cross-section of Nigerian society, assembled to pay their respects to the late leader who enjoyed what could be described as a cult followership by many Nigerians. Mr Buhari earned acclaim for his anti-corruption crusade and modest lifestyle. Yet his administration also drew criticism: slowed economic growth, insecurity, and human rights abuses, including a crackdown during the 2020 #EndSARS protests and a controversial Twitter ban. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The governments response to his death has been swift and solemn. President Bola Tinubu has declared a week of national mourning, ordered the flying of flags at half-mast, and dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to London to oversee the return of his predecessors body. In Katsina, Governor Dikko Radda is leading the funeral ceremony. Throughout the day, PREMIUM TIMES will bring comprehensive live updates from Daura where Mr Buhari will be buried. Follow this page for live updates of the burial. The plane carrying Mr Buharis body left the UK at about 7:48 a.m., spokesperson Garba Shehu said. The body left London by 7:48 a. m. and it is expected after 7 hours. The graveyard is being dug, Mr Shehu told journalists in Daura. This means that the burial, initially scheduled to hold at 2 p.m. would be delayed by at about one hour. First Lady Remi Tinubu has departed Abuja for Daura. Mrs Tinubu and Aisha Buhari, Mr Buharis widow, were known to be close associates. Many dignitaries have been in Daura since Monday in preparation for the former presidents burial. Some of the dignitaries that were in Daura on Monday included Aminu Masari, former Katsina State governor; Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State governor; Ibikunle Amosun, former Ogun State governor; Isa Pantami, former communication minister; Sultan of Sokoto Saadu Abubakar, and the Emir of Kazaure, Ahmad Dangiwa. 11:42 a.m.: Niger Republic Prime Minister Ali Zeine arrives at the Umaru Musa Yaradua International Airport, Katsina. The Prime Minister was received by the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda; Minister of Budget Abubakar Bagudu, Information Minister Mohammed Idris and others. Remi Tinubu arrives Katsina Remi Tinubu, Nigerias First Lady, has arrived in Katsina State, ahead of the burial ceremony. Mrs Tinubu and her entourage touched down in Katsina, where the state governor, Dikko Radda, is leading the funeral of the former president, whose body is being evacuated from London to his hometown, Daura. Mr Buhari died at the famous The London Clinic after a protracted illness. His remains, escorted by Vice President Kashim Shettima and others, are expected to arrive in Katsina before 3:00 pm. 12:40 p.m.: Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo arrives Umaru Musa Yaradua International Airport, Katsina, for the funeral. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, have arrived in Mr Buharis home in Daura. Atiku and his team arrived at the former presidents residence around 1:00 p.m. Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also arrived at the Katsina airport. First Lady Remi Tinubu had earlier arrived at the airport. 12:45 p.m.: A senate delegation led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has arrived Ummaru Musa Yaradua International Airport in Katsina. The delegation has been led to the Government House where they will be received by the state government. At the Umaru Musa Yaradua International Airport, Katsina, soldiers wait for the arrival of President Bola Tinubu. Tinubu arrives Katsina for Buharis burial President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Katsina State for the burial rites of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. The president arrived at the Katsina airport around 1:50 p.m. in the presidential jet NAF 001. His wife, the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, had earlier arrived in the state. Mr Tinubu will be joined by Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina in receiving Mr Buharis remains, which are expected to arrive at the airport soon. The president had directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to London and return with the remains of Mr Buhari to Nigeria. Mr Buhari died on Sunday at the popular The London Clinic. He died at the age of 82. Many dignitaries, including foreign emissaries, state governors, ministers, political elites and traditional rulers have arrived in the state, waiting to pay their last respects to Mr Buhari. Buharis body arrives Katsina, set for burial The remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari have arrived in Katsina State. Mr Buharis remains arrived at the Katsina airport, at about 2:07 p.m., shortly after President Tinubu touched down at the same place. The body was accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and other people, including members of Mr Buharis family. President Tinubu will receive the body alongside the Governor of Katsina, Dikko Radda, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and others. Soldiers at the Katsina airport are currently paying their last tribute to Mr Buhari, a retired general and former military head of state. The Emir of Daura, Umar Faruk and that of Katsina, Abdilmuminu Kabir, arrived in Daura just before Mr Buharis body arrived. The traditional rulers arrived at the Daura helipad about 2:00 p.m. They were accompanied by Galadiman Katsina, Sadik Mahuta, and the Wazirin Katsina, Ibrahim Ida. Earlier, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 14, A. A. Musa, arrived at the helipad to inspect where the body would be received. The residents of Daura also trooped onto the helipad for the funeral prayers. Early arrivals in Daura ahead of Buharis burial Prominent figures from across Nigerias political landscape are converging in Daura to pay their final respects to the former president. Among the notable ones sighted are: Former vice presidents Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osibanjo, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Ali Pantami; former Governor of Rivers State and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun; and Ali Modu Sheriff, former Governor of Borno State and former PDP National Chairman. Others are Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State, Aliyu Wammako, former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Masari, former Governor of Katsina State, Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State and Pauline Tallen, former Deputy Governor of Plateau State and former Minister of Women Affairs. Mr Buharis body has arrived in Daura The body arrived in Daura in a military ambulance around 4:33 p.m. It was accompanied by President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governor Dikko Rada, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, billionaire Aliko Dangote, ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and others. Hundreds of people have gathered at the prayer ground for the Islamic prayer on the body before the remains are taken to the burial pit. BREAKING: Former President Buharis remains laid to rest The remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari have been laid to rest at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. Mr Buhari was lowered into the grave by Vice President Kashim Shettima alongside others at 5:50 p.m. The former presidents body, accompanied by his successor, President Bola Tinubu and other elites, arrived at his residence around 4:33 p.m. After the Islamic prayer was observed at the helipad where the chopper landed, Mr Tinubu led a team of mourners to the graveside. The former presidents remains, wrapped in Nigerias flag, were carried into the vicinity by top military officers. Mr Buhari died Sunday evening after a prolonged illness. He died at 82 at the famous The London Clinic. His body was accompanied back home by family members and other dignitaries including Mr Shettima. Mr Buharis remains arrived Katsina airport from London around 2:00 p.m. From there, his remains were taken to Daura, his hometown. Before he was buried, the former president was honoured with gun salutes. Subsequently, his citation was read by the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopha Musa. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), has revealed that more than 14 million children around the world remain unvaccinated, with no access to even a single dose of any routine vaccine. Released on Monday , the report showed that 14.3 million children were classified as zero-dose in 2024. This represents an increase of 1.4 million compared to 2019, the baseline year for global progress, and exceeds the 2024 target by four million, setting back efforts to meet the goals of the Immunisation Agenda 2030. Although there have been improvements in global coverage, experts say the data reflects growing inequality in vaccine access, especially in countries affected by conflict and fragility. Data in Nigeria In Nigeria, routine immunisation has improved slightly in recent years, yet significant gaps persist. UNICEF estimates that around 2.1 million children under the age of one, roughly 24 per cent, remain zero-dose, receiving no routine vaccines at all. DTP3 (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) coverage stood at 62 per cent in 2023, well below the global average of 84 per cent. Findings from the 20232024 Demographic and Health Survey showed that 31 per cent of children aged 1223 months were unvaccinated, and only 39 per cent completed all basic immunisations. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Slow progress According to the report, 89 per cent of infants globally, about 115 million, received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine in 2024, while 85 per cent (around 109 million) completed all three doses. Compared to the previous year, an additional 171,000 children received their first vaccine dose, and one million more completed the full DTP series. However, close to 20 million infants missed at least one dose in 2024. Speaking on the data, WHO Director General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the rising numbers are a cause for concern, especially with growing misinformation about vaccine safety and cuts in global aid. Mr Ghebreyesus urged countries to invest in localised solutions and sustainable funding to ensure all children receive life-saving immunisations. Vaccines save lives, allowing families, communities and nations to flourish. While its encouraging to see more children being reached, we still have a lot of work ahead, he said. Conflict and fragility The data painted a picture of the impact of instability on immunisation. Of the 195 countries assessed, only 17 out of 64 nations that had less than 90 per cent DTP1 coverage in 2019 managed to improve over the last five years. In contrast, 47 countries have stalled or regressed, including 22 that once surpassed the 90 per cent target. A quarter of the worlds infants live in just 26 countries affected by conflict or humanitarian crises. Yet, these countries account for half of the worlds unvaccinated children. In such settings, the number of zero-dose children rose from 3.6 million in 2019 to 5.4 million in 2024. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell described the figures as alarming, while calling for urgent action to tackle funding cuts, fragile health systems and disinformation that continue to block vaccine access. Ms Russel said millions of children still lack protection against preventable diseases, and that should worry us all. No child should die from a disease we know how to prevent, she said. Decline in richer countries While lower-income countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, saw improvements, reducing the number of under-vaccinated children by about 650,000, some higher-income nations are witnessing declines in coverage. The report noted that even small reductions in immunisation rates can increase the risk of disease outbreaks, further stretching already burdened health systems. Sania Nishtar, Gavis chief executive, acknowledged the progress but warned that population growth and instability continue to put the most vulnerable at risk. Ms Nishtar added that lower-income countries protected more children than ever before in 2024, but sustained investment, she said, is needed to reach every child. Measles outbreaks on the rise Coverage against measles according to the report has shown slight improvement. In 2024, 84 per cent of children received the first dose and 76 per cent got the second dose, representing an estimated two million more children than in the previous year. Still, coverage remains well below the 95 per cent needed to prevent outbreaks. As a result, more than 30 million children remain under-protected against measles, contributing to a surge in large or disruptive outbreaks. The number of countries affected rose to 60 in 2024, nearly double the figure recorded in 2022. Despite high community demand for childhood vaccines and increasing protection against more diseases, WHO and UNICEF say the world is on a concerning trajectory. Global funding gaps, misinformation, and rising instability could reverse decades of progress, leading to more illnesses and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases. Call to action The UN agencies have urged the governments and development partners to close the funding gap for Gavis next strategic cycle (20262030), which aims to protect millions of children and strengthen global health security. They also called for stronger support for immunisation efforts in conflict-affected regions, increased domestic investment, and greater efforts to counter misinformation using evidence-based approaches. Additionally, they emphasised the importance of embedding immunisation into primary healthcare systems, strengthening disease surveillance, and adopting locally led strategies to close equity gaps and reach every child. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The US government has officially notified the Nigerian government that it has reduced visa validity for Nigerians. According to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the US gave two reasons for its decision. The United States Government has officially communicated that its decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records, Mr Onanuga wrote in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday. He said the American government further explained that the visa policy adjustment is part of its global visa reciprocity process, which is routinely reviewed and subject to change, including the number of permitted entries and validity durations. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the US government recently announced that it would now give three-month single-entry visas to Nigerian applicants instead of the five-year multiple-entry visa that was the norm. Although the US embassy in Nigeria initially said its decision was based on reciprocity, it later said the decision was part of a global decision to review its visa processes globally. However, Mr Onanugas post indicates that the overstaying of visas by some Nigerians and the US governments intention to access some records of Nigerian visa applicants, in possession of the Nigerian government, are the major reasons. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all federal agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigerias international obligations and to strengthen inter-governmental cooperation in authenticating the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad, Mr Onanuga wrote. The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions. PREMIUM TIMES reports that despite the US stance, the Nigerian government has said it will continue to issue five-year multiple-entry visas for American applicants. Mr Onanuga also wrote about the controversy surrounding UAE visas to Nigerians. Regarding the new conditions for issuing UAE transit visas to Nigerian nationals, the federal government notes that it has not received any formal communication from the UAE authorities regarding a revised visa policy, he wrote. Read the full statement below. ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN VISA ISSUANCE POLICIES BY THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES The Federal Government of Nigeria reaffirms its unwavering commitment to maintaining and strengthening the longstanding and cordial diplomatic relations with the Governments of the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates. The recent changes in visa issuance policies affecting Nigerian citizens by these two countries have received the attention of the Federal government. Relevant Nigerian Ministries, Departments and Agencies are actively engaging to ensure that the concerns raised are addressed through appropriate and constructive channels. The United States Government has officially communicated that its decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records. It further explained that the visa policy adjustment is part of its global visa reciprocity process, which is routinely reviewed and subject to change, including the number of permitted entries and validity durations. In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all federal agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigerias international obligations and to strengthen *inter-governmental* cooperation in authenticating the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad. The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions. Regarding the new conditions for issuing UAE transit visas to Nigerian nationals, the Federal Government notes that it has not received any formal communication from the UAE authorities regarding a revised visa policy. However, it is observed that visa issuance is currently progressing in a gradual and orderly manner. The President appreciates the continued cooperation of the Government of the United Arab Emirates, which has remained constructive and engaged with Nigerian authorities. Any genuine concerns raised are being addressed through the appropriate channels, in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration. The President assures all Nigerians that his administration will continue to pursue the best possible outcomes for citizens abroad, ensuring that Nigerians can travel, work, and live with dignity and respect in any part of the world, in line with the Tinubu administrations 4-D Foreign Policy agenda and its Diaspora plank. He reaffirmed the Federal Governments commitment to deepening Nigerias valued bilateral relations with the Governments of the United States and the United Arab Emirates. BAYO ONANUGA Special Adviser to the President, (Information & Strategy) June 15, 2025 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Katsina State for the burial rites of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. The president arrived at the Katsina airport around 1:50 p.m. in the presidential jet NAF 001. His wife, the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, had earlier arrived in the state. Mr Tinubu will be joined by Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina in receiving Mr Buharis remains, which are expected to arrive at the airport soon. The president had directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to London and return with the remains of Mr Buhari to Nigeria. Mr Buhari died on Sunday at the popular The London Clinic. He died at the age of 82. Many dignitaries, including foreign emissaries, state governors, ministers, political elites and traditional rulers have arrived in the state, waiting to pay their last respects to Mr Buhari. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kayode Fayemi, the immediate-past governor of Ekiti State and former chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday after a brief illness. In a statement personally signed by him on Monday, Mr Fayemi extended condolences to the Buhari family, the government and people of Katsina State, and all Nigerians, calling for prayers and support during this period of national mourning. He described the late President as a man of deep conviction and great tenacity, who never gave up on his dream of leading Nigeria democratically, despite suffering several electoral defeats before his eventual victory in 2015. President Buharis life was defined by resilience and an unyielding belief in the Nigerian project, Mr Fayemi said. He contested and lost multiple presidential elections but never gave up on his commitment to the ideals he believed in. His eventual victory in 2015 and re-election in 2019 were testaments to his perseverance and the trust millions of Nigerians placed in his leadership. Mr Fayemi, who served in Mr Buharis cabinet as minister of mines and steel development and also chaired the APC Presidential Primary Convention that produced Mr Buhari as the partys flagbearer in 2014, noted that the former president left an indelible mark on Nigerias infrastructure landscape. His administration undertook some of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in recent Nigerian history, including massive road constructions, the revitalisation of rail transport, and the Second Niger Bridge. He believed in building for the future, and his legacy in this regard will long outlive his time in office, Mr Fayemi said. While acknowledging the challenges Mr Buhari faced during his tenure, which ranged from economic instability to security issues, Fayemi emphasized that the late leader was a fundamentally good man, often misunderstood, yet driven by a genuine desire to see Nigeria succeed. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later History will be kinder to him than the moment allowed. He faced enormous trials, both as a man and as president, yet remained steadfast in his commitment to Nigerias unity and progress, he said. Mr Fayemi concluded: President Buhari has finished his course and fought the good fight. Yet his vision of a stable, united, and prosperous Nigeria remains unfulfilled. It is now our collective responsibility as leaders and citizens to ensure that his dreams for our great nation are realised. READ ALSO: Nigerian govt provides details of Buharis burial ceremony We must build upon the foundation he laid and work tirelessly to achieve the Nigeria he envisioned. As we mourn his loss, let us also celebrate his life and contributions. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may God Almighty grant his family and our nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Signed Dr Kayode Fayemi (CON) Former Governor of Ekiti State July 14, 2025 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In April, two of Britains biggest retailers got hit by a massive cyberattack by the notorious Scattered Spider group, leading to substantial financial losses, operational disruptions and compromised customer data . M&S suffered losses of 300 million (roughly R7.3 billion) due to the attack, with supply chains affected for weeks. On top of the direct losses, over 1 billion was stripped from the organisations market value . Similarly, the Co-op experienced data breaches affecting customers personal information, while Harrods reported attempted cyberattacks, but managed to maintain online operations. These attacks arent just about stolen data, says Anna Collard, SVP of Content Strategy & Evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa. They took whole systems offline. In retail, downtime is a critical threat it affects sales, customer trust, and brand loyalty, instantly. A new kind of threat actor Unlike traditional ransomware gangs, Scattered Spider is decentralised, native English-speaking, and highly adaptive. Scattered Spider arent mere opportunistic hackers, explains Ms Collard. They operate more like well-funded, well-organised crime syndicates. With some members as young as 19, they coordinate their activities on platforms like Discord and Telegram. Theyre agile, patient and disturbingly good at blending in, she says. Added to this, they have great expertise in human psychology, as showcased during their attacks on Las Vegas casinos in 2023. Their primary weapons, therefore, arent just digital theyre human. Theyve mastered social engineering, says Ms Collard. They specialise in exploiting human trust. From vishing (voice phishing) to impersonating internal staff and triggering whats referred to as MFA fatigue, theyre skilled manipulators who understand both systems and people. MFA fatigue is one of the growing tactics theyre known for, which involves triggering repeated multi-factor authentication (MFA) prompts, hoping the bombarded employees eventually click approve just to make the interruptions stop. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Legacy systems, shadow IT, and poorly enforced policies create entry points. Attackers dont need to break in if they can just log in. Another alleged tactic Scattered Spider used in its latest attacks involved calling IT helpdesks to reset credentials, gaining access to their targets infrastructure and subsequently deploying a ransomware-as-a-service tool. The outcome? Encrypted systems, stalled operations, and a long road to recovery. Why Africa should be paying close attention Retailers across Africa particularly in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya are digitally transforming at a rapid pace. Cloud-based POS systems, centralised inventory platforms, and data-driven loyalty programmes are now standard. But these digital advancements also expand attack surfaces. High employee turnover, remote workforces, and under-resourced helpdesks can compound exposure. And while business English is common in South Africa, this linguistic advantage also makes local teams more susceptible to social engineering by fluent English-speaking attackers. Our local executives arent naive, Ms Collard notes. Many are acutely aware of the risks. Whats needed now is clarity on what really matters and cutting through the noise. ALSO READ: How cyberattacks can sink a business Pepkor ITs CISO, Duncan Rae, delivered an insightful talk at the ITWeb Security Summit in May where he warned that cybersecurity teams are often overwhelmed not just by threats, but by too many competing priorities. Teams are bombarded with shiny, new tools and threat reports spreading fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) which sometimes makes organisations lose sight of the basics, he warned. These basics include managing human risk, addressing third-party exposure, and hardening vulnerabilities, according to Mr Rae. What needs to change? Ms Collard points to gaps in access controls, third-party risk management, and cloud security as common weaknesses, not just in the UK, but globally. Legacy systems, shadow IT, and poorly enforced policies create entry points, she warns. Attackers dont need to break in if they can just log in. For African retail leaders, this is a call to fortify the human layer. Train your frontline teams, especially in helpdesk and customer support. Teach them to detect manipulation. Make secure behaviour the norm not the exception. Equally important, she says, is embedding cybersecurity into leadership conversations. Cybersecurity is not just an IT function. Its a board-level business risk. Executives must ask tough questions about readiness, incident response, and accountability. From awareness to action Too often, security training is treated as a box-ticking exercise. Collard urges a more thoughtful approach: Training must resonate. It should be contextual, culturally relevant, and delivered in local languages where appropriate. She challenges business leaders with the following: Could an attacker trick your helpdesk into a password reset? Would your staff recognise a social engineering attempt? Do you test these scenarios regularly? If the answer is no to any of these, your organisation is vulnerable, Ms Collard says. But the good news is that change is possible and fast when you start investing in the human element. Cyber resilience is a collective responsibility, she concludes. And in an interconnected world, learning from each others crises is one of the smartest defences we have. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Articial intelligence (AI) is ushering in a transformative era for traditional medicine, one where centuries-old healing systems are enhanced by cutting- edge technologies to deliver more safe, personalized, eective, and accessible care. At the AI for Good Global Summit, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released a new technical brief, Mapping the application of articial intelligence in traditional medicine. Launched under the Global Initiative on AI for Health, this brief oers a roadmap harnessing this potential responsibly while safeguarding cultural heritage and data sovereignty. A new era for traditional medicine Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) is practiced in 170 countries and is used by billions of people. The TCIM practices are increasingly popular globally, driven by a growing interest in holistic health approaches that emphasize prevention, health promotion and rehabilitation. The new brief showcases experiences in many countries using AI to unlock new frontiers in personalized care, drug discovery, and biodiversity conservation. It includes examples such as how AI-powered diagnostics are being used in Ayurgenomics; machine learning models identifying medicinal plants in countries including Ghana and South Africa; and the use of AI to analyze traditional medicine compounds to treat blood disorders in the Republic of Korea. Our Global Initiative on AI for Health aims to help all countries benet from AI solutions and ensure that they are safe, eective, and ethical, said Seizo Onoe, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. This partnership of ITU, WHO and WIPO brings together the essential expertise. Data-driven innovation with ethical roots The brief emphasizes the importance of good-quality, inclusive data and participatory design to ensure AI systems reect the diversity and complexity of traditional Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later medicine. AI applications can support strengthening the evidence and research base for TCIM, for example through the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library in India and the Virtual Health Library in the Americas, which use AI to preserve Indigenous knowledge, promote collaboration and prevent biopiracy. Biopiracy is a term for unauthorized extraction of biological resources and/or associated traditional knowledge from developing countries or the patenting of spurious inventions based on such knowledge or resources without compensation. Intellectual property (IP) is an important tool to accelerate the integration of AI into traditional medicine, said WIPO Assistant Director- General, Edward Kwakwa. Our work at WIPO, including the recently adopted WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, supports stakeholders in managing IP to deliver on policy priorities, including for Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities. Guarding data sovereignty, empowering communities The new document calls for urgent action to uphold Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) and ensure that AI development is guided by free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) principles. It showcases community-led data governance models from Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and urges governments to adopt legislation that empowers Indigenous Peoples to control and benet from their data. AI must not become a new frontier for exploitation, said Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems. We must ensure that Indigenous Peoples and local communities are not only protected but are active partners in shaping the future of AI in traditional medicine. A global call to action With the global TCIM market projected to reach nearly US$600 billion in 2025, the application of AI could further accelerate the growth and impact of TCIM and holistic health care. Current utilization and potential of AI highlight many opportunities, but there are many areas of knowledge gaps and risks. There is a need to develop holistic frameworks tailored to TCIM in areas such as regulation, knowledge sharing, capacity building, data governance and the promotion of equity, to ensure the safe, ethical and evidence-based integration of frontier technologies such as AI into the TCIM landscape. The new technical brief calls on all stakeholders to: Invest in inclusive AI ecosystems that respect cultural diversity and IDSov Develop national policies and legal frameworks that explicitly address AI in traditional medicine Build capacity and digital literacy among traditional medicine practitioners and communities Establish global standards for data quality, interoperability, and ethical AI use; and Safeguard traditional knowledge through AI-powered digital repositories and benet-sharing models. By aligning the power of AI with the wisdom of traditional medicine, a new paradigm of care can emerge; one that honours the past, empowers the present, and shapes a healthier, more equitable future for all. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday received the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari at the Umaru Musa YarAdua International Airport in Katsina. President Tinubu arrived at the airport from Abuja at 1:42 p.m. and inspected a guard of honour before the Nigerian Air Force plane conveying the remains of his predecessor landed at exactly 1:51 p.m. Former President Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a London hospital. Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, President Buharis wife Aisha, and other family members accompanied President Buharis remains to Nigeria. President Tinubu, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Umaru Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Lamine Zeine, former President of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou, and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, received the casket of the late president at the foot of the aircraft. A joint team of military pallbearers comprising nine senior officers laid the casket, draped with the Nigerian flag, on a trolley. The team included Major-General Mohammed Usman, Major-General Oluwafemi Williams, Major-General Shuaibu Nuhu, Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ajodo, Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Herbert Amesinlola, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sanni, and Air Vice Marshal Obinna Obiabaka. Major General Mike Alechenu coordinated the team. The pallbearers wheeled the former leaders casket in a slow march, in sync with the hymn God Be With You Till We Meet Again, passing through a full military guard of honour comprising six officers and 96 soldiers drawn from the Nigerian Armed Forces. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later President Tinubu and others walked behind the casket trolley in a solemn procession. The pallbearers escorted the casket into a waiting military hearse for the one-hour journey to Daura, where funeral prayers and the burial ceremony would take place. The state funeral featured full military honours, including a 21-gun salute. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) says 295,856 Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) are yet to be collected by their owners in Ondo State and are lying idle at its office. The commission also announced the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections. The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Toyin Babalola, told journalists in Akure that the registation would begin in mid-August. According to INEC, Ondo State currently has a total of 2,053,061 registered voters, out of which 1,757,205 have collected their PVCs, leaving 295,856 unclaimed. Mrs Babalola described voter registration as a fundamental aspect of democratic participation, being the gateway through which eligible citizens are enfranchised. However, she warned that the CVR should not be mistaken for the commencement of political campaigns, as the official notice of election has not yet been issued by INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu. The notice, she said, will be issued 360 days before the election in accordance with electoral guidelines. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later She explained that the nationwide exercise will begin with online pre-registration on 18 August, 2025, while in-person registration at designated centres will commence on 25 August, 2025. The exercise will provide opportunities for newly eligible citizens who have just turned 18, those who were unable to register previously, voters seeking to transfer their registration to a new location, individuals who had issues with accreditation in previous elections, as well as those seeking to update their information or replace lost, defaced, or damaged PVCs, she said. Mrs Babalola further said that the CVR exercise would continue until August 2026 but will be temporarily suspended in December 2025 to allow for the processing of data collected between August and December. It will then resume in early 2026. The REC warned that individuals who have already registered should not attempt to do so again, stressing that multiple registrations are prohibited under Section 12(2) of the Electoral Act 2022. Violators risk a fine of 100,000, one year in prison, or both. She assured that all 19 designated registration centres in the state are fully prepared for the exercise and that the INEC Voter Enrolment Devices (IVEDs) are available, well-labelled, fully charged, and ready for deployment. She urged eligible citizens to seize the opportunity to register, update their details, and collect their PVCs. She also called on political parties, civil society organisations, faith-based groups, traditional rulers, youth and womens groups to assist in mobilising the public for the success of the exercise. Mrs Babalola reaffirmed INECs commitment to transparency, professionalism, and inclusivity throughout the registration process, adding that a credible voter register is the foundation of a credible election. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has effected a minor cabinet reshuffle, swapping four commissioners to different ministries. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Jude Okpor, former commissioner for information and state orientation, is now the commissioner for rural development. Ikeuwa Omebe, a former commissioner for rural development, is now the commissioner for information and orientation. Paul Nwobasi, a professor and former commissioner for education (primary and secondary), is now the commissioner for border, peace and conflict resolution Donatus Ilang, the former commissioner for border, peace and conflict resolution, is now the commissioner for education (primary and secondary). Mr Omebe, in his maiden state Executive Council (EXCO) meeting briefing to journalists on Tuesday in Abakaliki, said the reshuffling was not punitive but an opportunity for the EXCO members to diversify their ministerial knowledge. The governor expects his commissioners to have knowledge of events in their respective ministries to effectively respond to calls of duty. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later I am now the commissioner for information, and that will make me a better journalist and news manager, he said. He noted that the EXCO received and approved the 2026 2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) as part of the preliminary requirements for action on the 2026 budget. The MTEF is a strategic financial planning document encompassing the Economic and Fiscal Update (EFU), the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) and the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) for Ebonyi over the next three years. The EXCO received and approved the Ebonyi Business Enabling Reform Action Plan (BERAP) 2024. This plan indicates the progressive performance of the state in the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme, he said. He noted that the plan was intended to meet the World Bank eligibility criteria for implementation of the SABER Programme in 2025. Mr Nwifuru was elected governor of Ebonyi in 2023 under the All Progressives Congress platform. Before his election, he was the speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police command in Enugu State has dismantled a local firearms fabrication and maintenance workshop in Udi Local Government Area of the state. The police recovered locally made cut-to-size single-barrel gun; two English-made double-barrel guns; eight single-barrel guns; two live and eight expended cartridges; three generator sets; various firearms repair tools and other exhibits. In a statement on Tuesday in Enugu, the commands spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, said the feat was significant in the commands efforts to combat crimes, especially the proliferation of illegal firearms. On June 30, at about 4 p.m., operatives of the Commands Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, acting on credible intelligence, raided and dismantled the workshop located in Amofia-Agu Affa community in Udi LGA. The operation followed the arrest and confession of one Ekene Okafor, 32, a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, earlier apprehended for conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms. The suspect led operatives to the workshop, where his locally made cut-to-size gun was being serviced by the workshops owner, who fled upon sighting the operatives. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing owner of the workshop, he said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Ndukwe, a superintendent of police, said the Commissioner of Police in Enugu, Mamman Giwa, commended police operatives for the breakthrough. READ ALSO: Police recover N5 million from suspected kidnappers The spokesperson said the police commissioner reassured residents of the commands commitment to combating illegal firearms proliferation and related crimes. The command wants members of the public to remain vigilant, law-abiding and to continue providing credible information to the police, he added. Enugu has been hard hit by the insecurity in south-east Nigeria. In May this year, one person was shot dead while 10 people were kidnapped in separate attacks by gunmen in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state. In March this year, gunmen attacked a divisional police headquarters in the state and shot dead a police constable, identified as Emmanuel Akpa. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Aliko Dangote is forging ahead with a proposal to build a seaport in Ogun State to facilitate exports, including liquefied natural gas. The move is expected to accelerate an expansion of Mr Dangotes conglomerate, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing an interview with Africas richest man. An application to authorities last month, according to the outlet, sought to build the biggest, deepest port in Nigeria in Olokola. The free trade zone was initially considered as the host of Mr Dangotes mega oil refinery and petrochemical plant, now situated on the outskirts of Lagos, before an impasse with the government thwarted the plan. The port is conceived to connect the Dangote groups logistics and export operations in Lagos, including Lekki Deep Sea Port, through which it currently ships petroleum products and fertilisers overseas. Its not that we want to do everything by ourselves, but I think doing this will encourage other entrepreneurs to come into it, Bloomberg quoted Mr Dangote as saying. Betting on LNG exports requires the laying of pipelines from the Niger Delta, all the way to Lagos, an ambitious pursuit intended to overtake Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) as Africas biggest LNG exporter. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We want to do a major project to bring more gas than what NLNG is doing today, said Devakumar Edwin, a vice president of the group. We know where there is a lot of gas, so run a pipeline all through and then bring it to the shore, he added. The group exports fertiliser to the US, Brazil, Mexico, India, and recently disclosed an aspiration to set up a fertiliser plant in Ethiopia, which will help Africas second most populous nation develop production capacity. The ambition is, nevertheless, far bigger than that, given plans to topple Qatar as the foremost manufacturer of urea in the next 40 months and to also make Africa self-sufficient in fertiliser within the same time frame. The 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery, the continents largest, began operations in 2024 after years of construction delays. Construction of storage tanks to hold a minimum of 1.6 million litres of petrol and diesel in Namibia is in the works. Mr Dangote hopes to list the petrochemical business on the local stock exchange in Lagos this year and the refinery on the bourse next year. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Serving and former political office holders, top traditional rulers and other dignitaries are trooplng into Daura in Katsina State for the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari who died on Sunday in London. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Buhari will be buried today at his residence in the ancient city of Daura after the funeral prayers at the emirs palace by 2 p.m. A PREMIUM TIMES reporter who was in Katsina and Daura reported that the dignitaries have continued to swam into the city to pay their last respect. On Monday, Governor Dikko Radda led a state government team and top security officials, including the police commissioner, 17 brigade commander and state director of SSS to monitor preparations for the burial. PREMIUM TIMES reported that extended family members were receiving condolences at the GRA residence of the late president. Tents have been set up in the spacious residence to accommodate mourners. Dignitaries at the residence were received by Mr Radda, Buharis nephews Fatuhu Muhammad and Musa Haro as well as former aviation minister Hadi Sirika and Garba Shehu, Mr Buharis spokesperson. The Emir of Daura, Umar Faruk, also received some of the dignitaries at his palace on Monday. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Some of the dignitaries that were in Daura on Monday included Aminu Masari, former Katsina State governor; Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State governor; Ibikunle Amosun, former Ogun State governor; Isa Pantami, former communication minister; Sultan of Sokoto Saadu Abubakar, and the Emir of Kazaure, Ahmad Dangiwa. The federal and Katsina state governments had earlier declared Tuesday as a public holiday to enable Nigerians mourn the former president who died at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Thousands of security personnel, including from the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have been deployed across Katsina State ahead of former President Muhammadu Buharis burial. The measures aim to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free ceremony for the late Nigerian leader. The Katsina State Police Command said it has made extensive security arrangements in collaboration with the other agencies, led by the AIG Zone 14 Katsina. The deployments cover Daura, the late President Buharis hometown, and other strategic locations across the state. In a statement, the police commands spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq, expressed condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, the late presidents family, friends, and the entire nation. The police acknowledged Mr Buharis significant contributions to Nigerias development. Similarly, the NSCDC said it deployed 2,807 officers for the funeral. The states Commandant, Aminu Datti, said the NSCDC Commandant-General, Abubakar Audi, ordered robust security measures before, during, and after the burial. Mr Datti said the officers have been strategically positioned in key areas such as Daura, the Umar Musa Yaradua International Airport in Katsina, the palaces of the emirs of Katsina and Daura, and other sensitive locations. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, died on Sunday after a remarkable 65-year reign, marking the end of an era and setting the stage for the first succession process in more than six decades. The search for his successor is expected to begin after the official mourning period. Oba Adetona, the 55th Awujale, died at 91. The deceased traditional ruler, who is the longest-reigning king of the Ijebu kingdom yet, was buried according to Islamic rites on Monday at his Igbeba residence. With the revered throne becoming vacant, aspirants eyeing the throne are likely to be warming up and consulting for the succession contest, which is for now officially deferred till after the mourning of Oba Adetona. The leaders of the next ruling house in the succession line are also likely to be putting heads together to avoid getting caught napping when the succession process officially begins. The selection of the next Awujale will follow the rotational system among four ruling Houses as provided by the governing chieftaincy legal instruments. Specifically, the process follows the Western State Chieftaincy Declarations issued under Section 4(2) of the Chiefs Law of 1957, establishing the customary law regulating the selection of the Awujale of Ijebuland chieftaincy. Section 1 of the declarations established the four ruling houses entitled to produce the Awujale as Gbelegbuwa, Anikinaiya, Fusengbuwa, and Fidipote. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later It went further in section 2 to establish the order of rotation among the ruling houses. The order is as follows: Anikinaiya, Fusengbuwa, Fidipote, and Gbelegbuwa, which the declarations described as the last ruling house. Based on the declarations which came into force to codify the rotational succession process for the over 600-year-old throne, the next Awujale should come from the Fusengbuwa ruling house. In the succession order established in the declarations, Fusengbuwa is next to Anikinaiya which Oba Adetona that just passed away hailed from. In a show of fidelity to the order, Oba Adetona himself ascended the throne on 2 April 1960, taking over from Oba Daniel Richardson Adesanya from the Gbelegbuwa ruling House. Oba Gbelegbuwa had reigned for 25 years up till 1959, when he passed away. Stages of selection To be eligible for the Awujales throne, the candidate must be a male from the next ruling house in the line of succession, according to the chieftaincy declarations. The process begins at a family meeting of the ruling house whose turn it is to produce the Awujale. It then progresses to the Odis and finally to the kingmakers. It entails the ruling house nominating at a family meeting to be summoned by the family head or family heads a candidate or candidates for the chieftaincy to be presented by the family head or family heads to the Odis. The Odis are one of the four principal classes that form the Ijebu-Ode kingmakers. According to the declarations, the Odis are to receive the nomination from the ruling house. Thereafter, the Odis will then submit the name(s) of the candidate or candidates nominated at the meeting of the kingmakers. There are 13 kingmakers recognised by the chieftaincy declarations. The kingmakers are constituted by the chiefs of four principal classes, which are the Ilamuren, Odi, Osugbo and Pampa. The Ilamuren class has six members the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, the Ogbeni-Oja of Ijebu-Ode, the Egbo of Ijebu-Ode, the Apebi of Ijebu-Ode, the Olotufore of Ijebu-Ode and the Olotu-Olowa of Ijebu-Ode. The Odi class has two members the Ogbeni-Odi-Imesi of Ijebu-Ode and the Ekeji-Odi-Iletu of Ijebu-Ode. The Osugbo class has just one member the Oliwo of Ijebu-Ode Lastly, the remaining four kingmakers belong to the Pampa class, who are the Agbon of Ijebu-ode, the Kakanfo of Ijebu-Ode, the Lapoekun of Ijebu-Ode and the Balogun of Ijebu-Ode. After receiving the nomination from the Odis, the kingmakers will then take their decision. The candidate who receives the unanimous decision of the kingmakers present at such a meeting will be declared appointed. Chance for female Awujale to emerge The law, tradition and practice recognise the possibility of a ruling house whose turn it is to produce the next Awujale not having a suitable male nominee. Such a ruling house which finds itself in such a situation is given the chance to present a female candidate. This perhaps explains why the roll call of the 55 past Awujales is punctuated by females, beginning with Oba Gadegun, who ascended the throne in 1644, subsequently Oba Ore Jeje in 1749, and a year after, Oba Sapennuwa Ruwa Koye who took over the throne in 1750. Under the chieftaincy declarations, a ruling house with no suitable male is allowed to nominate a female candidate on certain conditions. In such event, the mother of the candidate must be an Abidagba, the declarations stipulate. An Abidagba, is a true born when the father was on the throne. The rule further bends backwards to provide the ruling house without an Abidagba another opportunity. It provides that where there is no such Abidagba any child of an Oba born before his or her father reigned could be selected. Who was Oba Adetona? Born on 10 May 1934 in Ijebu-Ode, the late Oba Adetona became king at 26 in 1960. He had his primary education between 1943 and 2950 at Baptist school, Eroko, Ijebu-Ode; Ogbere United Primary School, Oke Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo and Baptist School, Ijebu-Ode. He studied at Olu-Iwa (now Adeola Odutola) College in Ogun State and later travelled to the UK by sea to study accountancy. Before he went abroad in 1957. Before travelling overseas, the traditional ruler left Ijebu Ode for Ibadan and got into the employment of the Western Region Ministry of Finance, where he worked in the audit department. He had begun his professional career abroad when he was nominated alongside four others to be the next Awujale. However, he was eventually presented by the Anikinaiya ruling House to the kingmakers for appointment. During his reign, he played a key role in introducing and popularising the annual Ojude Oba festival, celebrated for its vibrant parades, elaborate traditional attire, and rich display of cultural heritage. However, Oba Adetona was notably absent at the recent festival, owing to age-related health challenges. President Bola Tinubu honoured him with Nigerias second-highest national award, the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON), in celebration of his 90th birthday in May 2024. During his reign, the late Oba Adetona championed the cause that traditional rulers be buried according to their faith. In January 2022, Governor Dapo Abiodun signed the Obas, Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council Law of Ogun State 2021 during a ceremony at the Awujales palace in Ijebu-Ode. The law includes a provision that preserves and protects the fundamental right of traditional rulers to be installed and buried according to their religious beliefs or convictions. This means that a Christian or Muslim traditional ruler in Ogun State may now legally choose a religious burial in line with their faith in addition to any required traditional rites. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, has recalled some of his conversations with the late former President Muhammadu Buhari after his retirement, one of which was about President Bola Tinubus removal of the petrol subsidy while being sworn in as president. Mr Radda spoke to reporters in Daura at the sidelines of the former presidents burial ceremony. The former president died in the United Kingdom on Sunday at the age of 82. The governor said that after Mr Buhari left office in 2023 and retired to Daura, Katsina State, he interacted with him more often and benefited from his leadership tutelage and patriotism. After he left office in 2023, he spent about two years in Daura, Katsina. In that period, I was fortunate to interact with him more frequently, discussing national issues. He was a jovial person who often made me laugh, Mr Radda said. He said his discussion with Mr Buhari revolved around Nigerians plights and patriotism. He always told me that Your Excellency, go and do your best and be honest as a leader. You cannot satisfy Nigerians; only God can do that. He said he suffered a lot, but now he sees himself as a free man with a sense of relief. Let me use his words: I pity Bola (President Tinubu) for what he is doing. He is a brave man for removing the fuel subsidy. When I was president, whenever I made an attempt to remove the subsidy, a lot of people would give me too many reasons not to do so. But Bola did it immediately. If he had consulted people, he could not have removed the fuel subsidy now, Mr Radda recalled a conversation with the late former president. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Radda said that was one of their discussions that he will always remember. He said Mr Buharis death has created a vacuum in Katsina State that will be difficult to fill. Mr Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy on 29 May 2023, the day he succeeded Mr Buhari. He said he decided to do so to grow the economy and promote national development. He said the Nigerian economy had remained anaemic for decades and taken a dip because of many misalignments that had stunted its growth. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Assembly has informed the legal counsel to Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that the judgement of the Federal High Court did not issue any binding directive her immediate reinstatement to the Senate. In a letter dated 14 July and addressed to her legal counsel, Michael Numa, SAN, the National Assembly stated that no court order exists compelling the Senate or its leadership to reinstate the suspended senator. The letter, signed by Charles Yoila, director of Litigation and Counselling at the National Assembly, was written on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA). The response came after Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan notified the National Assembly through her lawyer, of her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, 15 July, urging the Senate leadership to treat her notice as urgent and in line with the court judgement to avoid contempt proceedings. However, the National Assembly management maintained that the judgement by Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court was merely advisory not an enforceable order. For our summary of the judgement order, there is no order made on the 4th day of July, 2025 by Hon. Justice B.F.N. Nyako for the Senate, President of the Senate or National Assembly to comply with. The declaratory judgment merely advised the Defendants to exercise their power to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and allow her to resume representing the people who sent her to represent them. The National Assembly, therefore, urged the senators legal team to exercise patience and await a final decision from the Senate. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Accordingly, you may wish to advise your client to await the action of the Senate to exercise their power of recall as advised by the court and in terms with the judgement of the Honourable Court, please. The Clerks stance reinforces the position earlier expressed by the Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, who on Sunday stated that the Certified True Copy of the courts Enrolled Order did not include any declaratory or injunctive pronouncement compelling the Senate to reinstate Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan. What the court ruling actually says The judge, Mrs Nyako delivered a judgment in the senators favour, saying that suspending an elected lawmaker for six months effectively denies a constituency its right to representation. However, the judgement stopped short of ordering her immediate recall. She offered an advisory opinion urging the Senate to reconsider the suspension but did not issue a binding directive enforcing her reinstatement. In a separate aspect of the judgement, the court found Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of civil contempt over a satirical post she made on social media, which the court believed was disrespectful to its proceedings. Instead of sentencing her to prison, the judge imposed a N5 million fine and ordered her to publish a public apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days. She has since appealed this aspect of the judgement. Legal analysts have noted that the judgement highlights the complex balance between judicial oversight and legislative independence. While courts can review legislative conduct to ensure constitutional compliance, they are generally reluctant to interfere directly in parliamentary procedures. Akpabio appeals judgement Meanwhile, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has filed a cross-appeal at the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn the judgement. In the notice of cross-appeal dated 11 July, Mr Akpabio, through his counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, argued that the Federal High Court erred in law and committed a miscarriage of justice by ruling against the Senate. The appeal, which raises eleven grounds, challenged both the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court and the substantive ruling itself. Mr Akpabio argued that the court lacked the authority to intervene in the Senates disciplinary process, especially as the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions had not completed its investigation at the time the suit was instituted. He further contended that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanisms available under the Senate Standing Orders before approaching the court, rendering the case premature. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has relaxed the 24-hour curfew he imposed on communities in Lamurde Local Government Area after establishing a peace and conflict resolution commission. The governor imposed the curfew last Friday after more than 10 people were killed in a clash over farmlands. The conflict involved the Tsobo people of Bashaka, Sabonlaye, Gundili, Wami, Suwa, Bachama of Rugange and the Wadaku ethnic groups. The curfew has been relaxed from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. A statement by the governors spokesperson, Humwashi Wonosikou, said the development followed a positive assessment of the security situation in the affected areas. The governor urged residents to maintain peace and harmony for the overall development of the area and the state. To ensure the continued safety of residents, Governor Fintiri has directed security agencies to maintain 24-hour surveillance in the area. This measure is part of the governments efforts to mitigate further occurrences of crisis and restore lasting peace, Mr Humwashi said. Peace, Conflict Resolution, and Social Integration Commission Meanwhile, shortly before relaxing the curfew, the governor inaugurated the Adamawa State Peace, Conflict Resolution, and Social Integration Commission. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later During the inauguration on Monday, Governor Fintiri described the commission as the fulfilment of a pledge he made during his 2019 election campaign. He had made the promise to the people of the Numan Federation, where conflicts between farmers and herders in 2017 and 2018 claimed lives, displaced communities, and destroyed property. The governor said to address these challenges, the state government commissioned a comprehensive security study in 2019 and subsequently established the Technical Committee on the Security Situation in the Numan Federation. The committee, composed of prominent leaders from the Bachama and Fulani communities, met for over two months and produced recommendations that have since guided peacebuilding efforts in the region. Residents react In their reactions, the victims of the recent communal clash in Lamurde Local Government Area advised the commission on the steps towards resolving the conflict. READ ALSO: Adamawa government imposes curfew after 10 die in communal clash over farmland Edmond Mosoti, president of the Bwatiye youth association, advised the government to compensate those who were injured or lost property. Bwatiye consists of Rigange and Waduku communities, where 10 people were killed, scores of others were injured, and over 200 houses were destroyed. Also speaking, Lofty Timothy, a resident of Lamurde, urged the government to thoroughly investigate the conflict. We need an independent and impartial organisation to investigate the issues and propose concrete and lasting solutions, Mr Timothy said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Two Nigerian innovations are among eight global finalists for the Trinity Challenge, which seeks data-driven solutions to tackle antimicrobial resistance and improve access to effective antibiotics. The Trinity Challenge, an international competition supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and other partners, made the announcement on Tuesday. The challenge recognises data-driven innovations that address the twin crises of substandard antibiotics and poor stock control in low- and middle-income countries. The shortlisted teams would compete for a one-million-euro prize to be shared by two winners, with the announcement scheduled for 20 August. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigerias Com-WATCH and RxBot emerged as finalists from a pool of 171 entries submitted from 51 countries. Com-WATCH tracks antibiotic stocks and detects counterfeit drugs using community data, while RxBot is a multilingual WhatsApp-based tool for monitoring substandard and falsified antibiotics in vulnerable populations. Also representing Africa among the finalists are solutions from Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia. The finalists projects range from AI-powered pharmacy platforms to paper-based field detection tools integrated with mobile apps. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Meanwhile, Sally Davies, UK Special Envoy on AMR and Chair of the Trinity Challenge, emphasised the global significance of the initiative. We are in the middle of an antibiotic emergency. Lack of access to effective antibiotics, coupled with the proliferation of falsified drugs, is accelerating resistance in communities that can least afford it. These finalists demonstrate that innovation can help turn the tide, Ms Davies said. NAN recalls that Antibiotic resistance, which currently claims millions of lives globally, is projected to cause 39 million deaths over the next 25 years if left unchecked. Low and medium-income countries like Nigeria bear the brunt of this crisis, with nearly three million annual deaths from treatable bacterial infections. In Nigeria, health experts have long raised concerns over the availability of quality antibiotics, especially in underserved rural communities. Substandard medicines not only fail to treat infections effectively, but also fuel resistance, making future infections harder to treat. Chika Eze, an AMR researcher based in Abuja, applauded the local innovations: Ms Eze said tools like RxBot are crucial in our fight against fake drugs. Then communities have real-time access to quality surveillance, they are better equipped to demand and receive effective treatment, she said. The Trinity Challenge was first launched in response to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed global weaknesses in health surveillance and preparedness. READ ALSO: Health Minister orders reform at Abuja hospital after viral neglect incident Its current iteration aims to empower LMICs with sustainable, technology-driven solutions to AMR. The award ceremony, scheduled for 20 August, will be hosted virtually and feature pitches from all eight finalists. The two winning teams will receive funding to scale their solutions, potentially impacting millions of lives across Africa and Asia. As global attention shifts to the role of data and community engagement in healthcare, Nigerias innovations stand as a testament to the countrys potential in tackling global health threats through local ingenuity. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Some women have recounted the daunting challenges they encounter navigating Nigerias political space, in a new documentary, Double Minority. Birthed with the notable intention of amplifying the voices of women in politics, the documentary shines a spotlight on the triumphs, challenges, and resilience of women shaping Nigerias political landscape. The documentary, which premiered on Monday, 14 July, in Abuja, chronicles the journey of nine Nigerian female political candidates who ran for elective office in the 2023 election cycle, breaking barriers in a male-dominated arena, according to Daria Media, a news and media company. Produced by Daria Media, the documentary explored the complexities of being a Nigerian woman in politics, whilst celebrating the achievements of these trailblazers through storytelling and interviews. It featured Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Ireti Kingibe, Nnenna ElenduUkeje, Adeola Azeez, Simi Olusola, Hauwa Gambo, Khadijah Iya, Munira Tanimu and Joyce Daniels. In the documentary, the women spoke directly from their experiences and highlighted the systemic obstaclescultural bias, limited funding, and the violence they confronted, just for daring to aspire to hold political office and lead. Sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation, the documentary amplifies the nationwide dialogue about the gender imbalance in Nigerias politics. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The Africa Director of the MacArthur Foundation, Kole Shettima, said the challenges faced by women in Nigerias political space is more of minoritisation, as they are not a minority in terms of numbers but in terms of the opportunities open to them. Mr Shettima explained that the political status of women is an indicator of the development of a country. Babatunde Ajala, who represented Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria said as the giant of Africa, Nigeria should lead the way in terms of women inclusion in politics. Switzerland is promoting the effective participation of women in Nigerias politics. Democracy is strengthened when women participate in politics, he said. Violent attacks In the documentary, some of the women highlighted violent attacks they had to face whilst campaigning. Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan said while attempting to attend an event, she was manhandled by some men just by the entrance of the venue, who told her to turn back. Before she could get herself together, her bag had been flung, and she had fallen to the floor. She also highlighted the death of some female party leaders in some states. She said houses were burnt and there were violent attacks on her team members and supporters that they had to be working with about five hospitals to attend to the injured. Some other female politicians also spoke on how they were usually harassed by bullies who used to threaten them if they were not given money. Slut Shaming Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan also spoke on verbal abuse by men slut shaming female politicians, calling them prostitutes and telling them to go and attend to their families. She said it didnt help that the sitting resident at the time said his wife belonged to the kitchen, the living room and the other room. The women spoke on how they were told that they were incapable of making decisions without the influence of men, and how they were just inadequate. Funding The women lamented the huge financial investment that goes into getting the forms, campaigning, and so on. There is no respite for women; they have to run around chasing millions of naira for campaigning from family, friends, and loans, and it just never seems to be enough. They noted that the idea of having a godfather for financial and other support was not particularly encouraging, as they would not be able to serve the people, but would keep serving the people who put them in power. Women in Nigerias political landscape In Nigeria, women hold just 3.6 per cent of elective office, a far cry from the 35 per cent recommended in the Nigerian National Gender Policy for women in elective and appointive public service positions. President Bola Tinubus declaration in his inaugural speech also buoyed expectations that he had become more gender conscious, a PREMIUM TIMES report earlier highlighted. He promised to prominently feature women at all levels, reiterating a campaign promise. In his manifesto document titled: Renewed Hope 2023 Action Plan for a Better Nigeria, Mr Tinubu promised women 35 per cent representation in his government. But two years on, that promise remains unfulfilled. For instance, only eight of his 48 ministers are women, a mere 17 per cent. The documentary is premiering at a focal moment when the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill is once again at the forefront of national discourse. So far, the administration has also yet to issue a strong executive directive to drive inclusion. According to the media company, the disparity is striking, given that women make up almost half of Nigerias population and electorate. The company said that despite conclusive research showing that nations where women are fully represented outperform across all development indices over countries that do not allow for full representation, Nigeria continues to lag very far behind. The Executive Director, Daria Media, Kadaria Ahmed, said the documentary has three parts, the first of which premiered on Monday. She said the full documentary will be shown on Arise and Channels TV. The documentary was dedicated to Simi Olusola, one of the female politicians featured, who sadly, passed away last year. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The invitation to give a series of lectures in Kenya and South Africa this month inspired this piece. The ideas that I am presenting are all around transformation, in countries grappling with protest, self-doubt, and the rising power of their youth. The discussions we are having in Nairobi at this time reminded me of my college years in the early 1970s, when we were fighting the military regimes and searching for Marxist ideological options. The past few decades have seen tremendous changes in Africa, which have altered its destiny and its agency in world politics. Instead of conceiving Africa as a continent of ignorance, poverty, and constant social unrest, it is now a continent of development and innovation. The positive changes in the sectors of regional cooperation, the resurgence of African culture, technological advancements, and economic growth are valid examples of these transformational moments. These changes herald a hopeful and self-directed future for Africa and revive the African spirit. The advancement of regional integration and cooperation is one of the most promising developments in recent times. This was achieved through the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a decisive step in the effort to create an economic space that unifies all African countries. AfCFTA aims to remove tariffs and trade barriers in intra-African commerce and aid the prosperity of regional industries. Before its launch, African countries engaged more in intercontinental trade than intracontinental trade. But with over 40 African countries already signed up to this program, AfCFTA will play a part in its mission of increasing trade between states on the continent as a means to accelerate political, social, and economic development across Africa. Security and peacekeeping responsibilities have also been shared between African states, and they have also been able to coordinate their economies through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU). Africa engages in these regional institutions in the pursuit of maintaining peace and stability by way of re-instating order in war-torn regions, peaceful transfer of power, carrying out peacekeeping operations, and diplomatic action. Africa has proved to the world that it can run its security show as a bloc under these institutions. Moving on from these institutional developments, the African cultural scene is also witnessing a renaissance, and it is becoming pronounced across the globe as African fashion, movie, arts, and music, especially, continue to gain widespread popularity. The music genre, Afrobeats, has become globally accepted all around the world as superstar artists like Asake, Rema, Davido, Tems, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and many others have spread the African tune to clubs and sold-out concerts across the globe. Ranking second in the quantity of movies produced in the world, Nollywood continues to garner fans with its unique form of storytelling. This vibrancy is also carried on in the fashion scene as African designer constantly grace the international runways with their bold indigenous creativity, reflecting the renewal of pride in the African identity and aesthetics. Also, the astronomical rise of African thinkers in the fields of literature, politics, and philosophy must not be ignored, especially with the likes of Ngugi wa Thiongo, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Tsitsi Dangarembga, who have put Africa in the spotlight of literary discussions in the world and promoted the African voice. There is also a rise of philosophers and political thinkers who have made efforts for the further decolonization and development of Africa, as in the outstanding scholarship of Sanya Osha and Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni. These intellectuals, on one hand, serve as motivation to the next generation of Africans to engage in critical thought and radical decisions, and on the other hand, they contribute to global knowledge. In the aspect of economy, African countries like Ethiopia, Ghana, and Cote dIvoire have recorded steady growth in their GDP in recent years. This growth is enabled by both the entrepreneurial ability of the citizens and the policy reforms of these countries. In recent times, unlike in the past when the African economy relied heavily on the export of raw materials, several African countries are now implementing policies to have an economic shift toward agriculture, innovation, service production, and financial technologies as pillars of economic prosperity. The expansion of agribusiness, the rise of service companies, and the development of industrial zones all serve as evidence that Africa is headed for a more inclusive and sustainable prosperity. Dangote is now a household name all over the world. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Technology centres are emerging in African cities like Lagos, Nairobi, and Cape Town. This is another big development in the march of African civilization. This new development has made these cities centers of innovation, drawing in both local talent and foreign capital. It has also supported the development of startups that focus on addressing local challenges in the healthcare and education sectors, including basic needs such as logistics. This growth experienced in the sector of technology proves that the African youths can create homegrown solutions that are relevant around the globe, as well as the fact that Africa is a land of economic promise. The rise of tech ecosystems also helps retain talent, build skills, and strengthen the knowledge economy. Great strides have been recorded in the digital revolution in Africa, which has now improved daily life, commerce, and communication on the continent. The availability of affordable internet and mobile phones has made the connection of millions of people rather seamless. It has also opened new opportunities for the people. For example, students can now access e-learning, and news and information are instantly received, even farmers can now access market prices from their farmlands. In addition, the creation of social media platforms has enabled people to publicly express themselves without being marginalised. The innovations in digital banking and financial technology are also important features of the digital revolution, especially with the invention of platforms like M-Pesa that have set a model for the world and revolutionised mobile money, and with the emergence of Flutterwave and Paystack as the financial technology leaders in the Nigerian banking space. These digital startups aid small businesses and provide payment solutions. They do not just change the African perspective in transactions; they are also introducing Africa to global financial systems and internet trades. The growth of digital startups across Africa is opening the continent to significant global investments. This is evidence of the confidence in Africas technological potential. European, American, Chinese, and Middle Eastern investors are increasingly funding African innovation as acknowledgment of the creativity, resilience, and ingenuity found across African societies, and not just as financial transactions. Digital economy continues to grow in Africa and redefines Africas development as more African entrepreneurs gain access to funding, mentorship, and markets. The digital economy continues to flourish and redefine Africas development path. When you look at all of these, these positive improvements are part of a continental movement that is hard to ignore. Africa is no longer waiting for outside forces to influence it. Instead, it is actively crafting its destiny through regional cooperation, cultural expression, economic innovation, and digital revolution. Africa is becoming an important and active part of the global order. The continent has its problems, but it knows where it wants to go. Government, academia, artists, entrepreneurs, and citizens all must do their part to make the trip continue. The return of modern African societies is a testimony that the continent is no longer a continent of problems but a shelter of solutions, creativity, and possibility. The emergence of Africa is not located in anticipation or imagination but in the knowledge economy of its citizens and the courage of its ongoing transformations. This coming-back-to-life story, expansion, and empowerment are not only a joyous good time but also a reminder to continue to advance what has already been achieved. African scholars in different parts of the world are capturing these changes, as in the intellectual insurgencies offered by Farooq Kperogi, the relentless critique of the state and education system by Moses Ochonu, the emphasis on the sacred and secular by Nimi Wariboko, the insistence on the values of indigenous languages by Fallou Ngom, institutional building by Edith Phaswana, and feminist rethinking by Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso. Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Longtime North Albany resident Rick Sutherlin never received a speeding ticket in his life, he said. That is, until speed cameras installed within the last year at the intersection of North Albany Road and West Thornton Lake Drive, a school zone, caught the ATI consultant going 32 miles per hour earlier this spring. But Sutherlin believes the citation is unfair. While he could see North Albany Elementary was closed at the time he was heading north in his pickup in April which is why he opted to go more than 20 miles per hour cap during school hours, he said he couldnt see that neighboring North Albany Middle School, which is kind of tucked behind the corner, was open. Hes not the first motorist to air this very specific grievance to the Albany City Council, which he did last week, and hed like to see a flashing light that would signal to drivers when school is in session. A few other North Albany residents would like to see one too, as do some on the council. One member also got a speeding ticket at the same spot. But those signals dont come cheap, according to city officials. Traffic cameras Albany began brining traffic cameras online earlier this year to catch drivers running red lights and speeding, including at the intersection of Queen Avenue Southeast and Southeast Geary Street. The intersection at North Albany Road and West Thornton Lake Drive was considered the worst for speeding, with speeds clocked as much as 130 mph, according to an Albany Police Department report at the time. The cameras record suspected violations and send the images to police for review, before a citation is delivered. A previous staff report expected the cameras to issue between 15,000 and 17,000 citations yearly. With the new cameras in North Albany, traffic indeed has slowed down, according to Sutherlin, but he doesnt believe the road is any safer for children because of the cameras. School zone trouble Sutherlin, who contested his ticket last week, said Municipal Court Judge Jessica Meyer told him hundreds had been cited at the school zone during that same time frame. Judge Meyer couldnt be reached for comment before deadline. But Sue Horvath, another North Albany resident, told the City Council at a June meeting that cameras cited her in April when she drove by the intersection, thinking both schools were closed. Calendars online show North Albany Elementary School was closed on April 17 and 18, while North Albany Middle School wasnt. While I really appreciate that traffic has slowed down considerably since the photo enforcement, I think there is a problem, Horvath told council members. Horvath also urged the city to install a flashing signal. Councilor Carolyn McLeod had a confession: She too had been caught on camera going over the speed limit. She also said she'd like to see a school zone signal so people could be reminded when the speed limit is 40 versus 20. I got a ticket there, she said at the July 7 meeting. I forgot it was a school day, and I thought I was going the speed limit which happened to be, actually, more than 11 miles per hour over the speed limit. I know a lot of moms, dads and parents and grandparents get that brain fog from taking care of kids for so long, and you forget which days are school days and which days are not in the middle of the day, McLeod added. In a text message, McLeod said she was cited on June 5, a Thursday. Ward 1 Councilor Steph Newton, who represents North Albany, joined the chorus calling for a flashing light signal, and suggested using money generated from tickets to pay for the installation. With a signal, there would be no excuses, Newton said. This is about the safety of our children, Newton said. Its not about collecting revenue; its not a cash grab. Cost and maintenance According to City Engineer Staci Belcastro, who briefed the council in late June on the subject, Albany doesnt own or maintain any flashing lights on school speed zone signs. Benton County, she said, has three and requires school districts to program the signs. In an email to Mid-Valley Media, Public Works Director Chris Bailey said the cost of a flashing yellow warning light would be similar to the pedestrian-activated flashing lights at crosswalks, which are around $50,000 per pair to install. That estimate doesnt account for ongoing maintenance. Think lamps burning out, failing solar panels, or repairs from accidents and vandalism, Bailey wrote. Recent experience with pedestrian light repair, she added, is that parts take a long time to be delivered and are increasingly expensive. Another concern, Bailey wrote, would be programming the flashing light to match the school schedule, which can change with snow days or, in Albanys case this year, a teacher strike. Plus, the signal would need a snooper light on its back, so the traffic enforcement cameras could see if the light is flashing at the time a violation is recorded, according to Bailey. Bailey wrote that the city would be discussing this further at a meeting this week with the Police Department, City Attorney's Office, and court staff. In the meantime, Sutherlin said he got his ticket knocked down from $165 to $150 last week. Still, he feels sorry for others who were ticketed. I think good citizens are being penalized, he told councilors. Related stories: The trade-off that exists in the utilisation of dung/slurry as input for biogas is that farmers would no longer need to embark on annual migration with cattle a practice that spirals beyond searching for feed and water but is deeply rooted in the cultural belief and attitude of smallholder pastoralists. Influencing pastoral cattle farmers to adopt the sedentary farming model requires tailored and extensive social and behavioural change. Introduction Since independence, the Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated a significant amount of money to improve food security through several agricultural development initiatives. These include Operation Feed the Nation launched in 1976, the Green Revolution programme launched in the early 1980s, and agricultural development programmes that commenced in 1972. To complement the governments efforts, international development agencies such as Gates Foundation, BMZ, European Union, USAID, UKAID etc. have invested in the implementation of strategic interventions aimed at enhancing Nigerias food security. Most of these initiatives were tailored to improve efficiency in the food value chain, train farmers in resource management, and capacity development on good production practices, post-harvest management, etc. These productivity improvement interventions were primarily aimed at meeting the local demand of staple food, with limited focus on mitigation and adaptation, until in the recent decade. With the intensification of extreme climate events, which include inconsistency in rainfall patterns, food, and extreme heat, especially in the global South, worldwide advocacy has begun to integrate sustainable practices in food systems approaches, especially in the production, distribution and storage phases, to lessen the emission of greenhouse gases, cope with the effect of climate change, and sequester as much carbon as possible back into the earth and tree biomass. With 2024 being officially declared the warmest year in human history, it is imperative to explore the integration of sustainability in food production from the perspective of smallholder dairy farmers in Nigeria and the tradeoffs that exist. Sustainable practices in food production include all the endeavours that reduce greenhouse gas emission, increase carbon sequestration, retain and enhance the proliferation of flora and biodiversity, increase the profit of farmers and other value chain actors, and contribute to the quality of lives. In addition to incorporating sustainable practices in food production approaches and coping with the effects of climate change, it is imperative to understand and acknowledge the tradeoffs that exist when incorporating climate-smart practices in food production. Mitigating these tradeoffs will encourage the long term adoption of climate smart practices. Incorporating the principles of sustainability viz-a-viz climate-smart practices into smallholder food production implies that farmers will adopt a well-defined and tailored production plan to reduce scope 1 emissions by adopting practices and tools that reduces carbon footprint, promote carbon sequestration, and limit the loss of stored carbon from the soil and other available biomass to the barest minimum (reversal). This will afford the farmer the opportunity to make up for the previous emissions and reduce subsequent emissions to the barest minimum to attain net-zero emissions. However, there are some trade-offs that exist when incorporating climate-smart practices and technologies in dairy production, which could have a significant effect on the long term adoption of these practices and technologies. This article will explore some of these trade-offs and suggests possible mitigating measures to reduce them. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Trade-offs Nigeria has the fourth largest cattle population in Africa and is one of the lowest milk producers, with an average of 650 litres per cow per annum. This is 70.5 per cent lower than the 2,200 litres/cow/year global average. Also, 81 per cent of the entire cattle population are domiciled with smallholder cattle farmers who are pastoralists. From the perspective of smallholder dairy farmers (pastoralists), increasing milk yield requires an increase in the herd size, but this does not often translate into increased herd yield. Increases in herd size only produces more greenhouse gases (i.e. methane emission from rumen activities and the anaerobic decomposition of dung, alongside the emission of nitrous oxide from the aerobic decomposition of dung). In addition to its productivity improvement potential, the adoption of climate smart practices, such as the utilisation of cow dung as input for biogas and the leveraging of improved breeding techniques, such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer to reduce the carbon footprint from dairy farming, comes at a cost. The trade-off that exists in the utilisation of dung/slurry as input for biogas is that farmers would no longer need to embark on annual migration with cattle a practice that spirals beyond searching for feed and water but is deeply rooted in the cultural belief and attitude of smallholder pastoralists. Influencing pastoral cattle farmers to adopt the sedentary farming model requires tailored and extensive social and behavioural change. Encouraging the adoption of improved breeding practices (assuming all resources are readily available and affordable) would imply that pastoralists would reduce their herd size and embrace new breeds that produce more. However, large herd sizes reflects wealth from the perspective of pastoralists (i.e. the larger the herd, the wealthier the farmer). The act of herd multiplication has been a practice for generations and it is rooted in the culture of pastoralists . Recommendation It is a sustainable business model with attractive incentives: Build a sustainable business model around biogas production using dung (the sales of gas and digestate organic fertiliser). To enhance this business model, pastoralists access to quality fodder and water needs to be improved through targeted productivity improvement interventions leveraging the nations gazetted grazing reserves. This done, pastoralists would realise the economic benefits of sedentary farming beyond milk sales and adopt a model that guarantees additional revenue from cattle dung. Increased access to climate smart services: Increase the availability, accessibility and affordability of breeding services for smallholder pastoralists. Over time and with significant results, farmers would start making informed decisions about the herd size, relative to productivity improvement. Adekunle Adeoye is a sustainable dairy value chain development professional. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The reformist instinct of the Tinubu administration must now be matched with courage. President Bola Tinubu must give the Ojulari-led NNPC team the political backing to make hard, necessary, and non-sentimental decisions. The country must also support the EFCC and international forensic auditors in uncovering the truth behind the billions spent over the last decade, particularly within NNPC, PPMC, and the refinery subsidiaries. Recent conversations triggered by the Bayo Ojulari-led management of the NNPCL on the potential privatisation of Nigerias three state-owned refineries are not only welcome; they are long overdue. These refineries, while incorporated as standalone business entities under the ownership of the Nigerian State, have in reality become hollow shells: technically insolvent, chronically non-operational, and structurally unsalvageable. Years of corrosion, erosion, and general environmental wear have undermined the process integrities of the refineries. Beyond physical decay, the refineries were never viable as going concerns. They lacked financial independence, and operated without proper profit and loss accountability or meaningful liquidity. The result has been an unsustainable drain on national resources. Nigeria has poured vast sums into these failed assets about $3 billion into the Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri refineries alone in recent years. These efforts yielded little more than media fanfare, as the plants quickly returned to dormancy. Since 2008, about $18 billion has been expended on refinery rehabilitation, emolument and personnel cost across the country, with nothing of value to show. This broken model contrasts sharply with Nigerias equity stake in the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project; a rare success story: profitable, dividend-yielding, and driven by private-sector discipline. It is against this background that my learned brother, Femi Falana (SAN) made the important legal point that NNPC cannot by itself sell the refineries. This is valid. But under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), NNPC Limited, together with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and the Ministry of Petroleum, can empower the National Council on Privatisation and Commercialisation (NCPC), through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), to initiate a transparent sale of shares or liquidate assets. Unless the NCPC Act has been amended to exclude NNPC subsidiaries from its purview, and I am unaware that it has, this legal route remains viable and constitutional. Privatisation is not just legally possible; it is economically essential. Unlike joint ventures (JVs), which keep NNPC exposed to costly cash call arrangements, outright privatisation can generate immediate revenue, reduce budgetary pressure, and release capital for new exploration. The past experience with Nigerias 49 per cent holding in NLNG provides a clear lesson: a smaller stake with a stronger partner is more beneficial than a larger stake in a failing enterprise. The recent signal by NNPCL Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, that the sale of the refineries is still not off the table, is a step in the right direction. It reflects a sober recognition that years of rehabilitation have yielded diminishing returns. The imported components are often misaligned with the ageing infrastructure. The financial logic is broken. Even if we revived the plants today, their sustainability remains doubtful. They cannot perform as efficiently and profitably as the new Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals. Experts across the industry have alluded to the fact that privatisation is a legal way for NNPC to exit from this loss-making ventures. Privatisation is not just legally possible; it is economically essential. Unlike joint ventures (JVs), which keep NNPCL exposed to costly cash call arrangements, outright privatisation can generate immediate revenue, reduce budgetary pressure, and release capital for new exploration. The past experience with Nigerias 49 per cent holding in NLNG provides a clear lesson: a smaller stake with a stronger partner is more beneficial than a larger stake in a failing enterprise. In my strong opinion, we should reduce our equity in such ventures to 20 per cent and divest the rest to generate cash and efficiency. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Calls for privatisation are no longer limited to policy wants and consultants. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), petroleum marketers, and the wider Organised Private Sector (OPS) have now joined the chorus. They argue that only a fully privatised downstream oil sector can break the cycle of inefficiency and import dependency. Its hard to disagree when we look at successful models like the Eleme Petrochemicals plant or the ongoing stabilisation efforts by the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals complex in Lagos. The federation must move away from direct operations and embrace regulation. Government should no longer be in the business of running businesses. From aluminium smelting to pulp and paper, fertilisers to airlines, our track record with state-owned enterprises is clear: inefficiency, waste, and failure. Dangotes arrival is timely. While its 650,000-barrel-per-day capacity will ease fuel shortages and import bills, it must be seen as a complement, not a substitute, for systemic reform. The federation must move away from direct operations and embrace regulation. Government should no longer be in the business of running businesses. From aluminium smelting to pulp and paper, fertilisers to airlines, our track record with state-owned enterprises is clear: inefficiency, waste, and failure. Nigeria has a comparative advantage in several sectors, textiles for example, that have collapsed due to policy neglect and lack of competitiveness. This refiners debate is not merely about assets and oil; its about the model of economy we want to build. We must shift the engine of growth from oil dependency to human capital development, digital innovation, agriculture, and marine economies. That wont happen if we keep pouring public funds into a refining system stuck in the 1980s. The reformist instinct of the Tinubu administration must now be matched with courage. President Bola Tinubu must give the Ojulari-led NNPC team the political backing to make hard, necessary, and non-sentimental decisions. The country must also support the EFCC and international forensic auditors in uncovering the truth behind the billions spent over the last decade, particularly within NNPC, PPMC, and the refinery subsidiaries. This moment is a test of resolve. The cost of delay is not just economic; it is national political urgency. Let us seize the opportunity for once to get it right. Dan D. Kunle is a business consultant. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Shettimas fate is dangling. But he isnt a Kofo. Dropping him would have consequences. It could fracture the APCs North-East base. His loyalists have been fierce. Retaining him, however, could damage Tinubus ego. It could also embolden other rebels and limit Tinubus dominion. Shettimas stealth missile at a book launch shows he is not a passive player. He is not a political wimpy newbie like Femi Pedro. By exposing Tinubus flaws, he may be tapping into a rich vein of Northern discontent. The Yoruba say a lie can hide for eight years, but one day, truth will expose it. The evil that men do lives after them, yet the harm President Tinubu has inflicted on Nigerias democracy may not wait for his departure to unravel. Tinubu suspended Fubara like he owns the country. But Shettimas calculated revelation has now left Tinubu naked in public. Will he fight or duck for cover? When Tinubu trampled the constitution to suspend Governor Fubara, the conspiratorial silence of the noble made might seem right. The great Soyinka didnt have an opinion. The National Assembly, in a shameful display of servility, endorsed the travesty. The courts, cowed into silence, looked away. Not even a petition by ten states could enliven the testicles of the Supreme Court. Astonishingly, Fubara himself thanked Tinubu for the transgression. It appeared evil had triumphed, and in a Nigeria prone to forgetting, the Rivers debacle seemed neatly buried. But truth never decays. It took a book launch, a seething heart covered with a smiling face, and a deft stroke of a story about former President Goodluck Jonathan for Shettima to expose Tinubus underbelly. Tinubu believed he had bought, fooled, or intimidated everyone, but he underestimated the stubbornness of truth, its guerrilla grip on consciences, and its availability as a ruthless weapon in grudge wars. The telling of hidden truths. Now, under Tinubus buttocks, the truth has detonated. He cant hide from his own filth. The flies are buzzing. Shettima didnt have to name names to leave a dagger in the back of his boss. The summary of his story was that if a democrat, like Jonathan, was president, Rivers wouldnt have been under military rule. Tinubu had the benefit of this remarkable precedent and the clarity of hindsight. But he chose waywardness. Its unclear what advice his Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, provided him. Yet, Tinubu cannot claim ignorance. Critics ridicule his hypocrisy. The story had seemed aimed at Jonathan. But when it ended, Tinubu had been upended. When Shettima was governor, Jonathan had tried to suspend him. He was suspected of politicising the Boko Haram insurgency. But Jonathan didnt act rashly. He wasnt a despotic wolf in prodemocracy sheeps clothing. He didnt misuse the declaration of a state of emergency for vendetta or political opportunism. He consulted the National Assembly leadership. The Speaker of the House, Tambuwal, didnt behave like a glorified houseboy licking his masters boots for crumbs and career progression. He boldly told the president he had no constitutional powers to suspend any elected official, let alone a governor. President Jonathan wasnt convinced. He was intent on pruning Shettimas wings. Obasanjo before him had suspended a governor or two, and the heavens hadnt fallen. But Jonathan was mindful of perpetuating a lawless precedent. After consulting his Attorney General, Mohammed Adoke, and receiving the same cautionary admonition, he submitted to the rule of law, and Shettima was spared. Shettima didnt have to name names to leave a dagger in the back of his boss. The summary of his story was that if a democrat, like Jonathan, was president, Rivers wouldnt have been under military rule. Tinubu had the benefit of this remarkable precedent and the clarity of hindsight. But he chose waywardness. Its unclear what advice his Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, provided him. Yet, Tinubu cannot claim ignorance. Critics ridicule his hypocrisy. As Lagos governor, Tinubu had hired Osinbajo as state attorney general to check federal excesses. As governor, Tinubu suffered federal overreach and fought against it vehemently. When Obasanjo suspended a governor, Tinubu challenged Obasanjos abuse of power. When Jonathan declared a state of emergency in some states without suspending the governors, Tinubu said Jonathan had violated the constitution. Yet, that very man became president and suspended a sitting governor. How does Tinubu live his life of contradictions, his hypocrisy laid bare every day? Bad company corrupts good manners. Tinubu is perhaps unfortunate to lead with a National Assembly of clowns, eager to rubber-stamp his whims. Drunk with power and without parliamentary guardrails, he is bound to go astray. But critics say the fish has probably rotted from the head. In other words, the rapidly deteriorating, dysfunctional disposition of critical institutions is attributable to Tinubus decadence. Tinubus actions have undermined our already weak democratic structures. Shettima has validated the critics. Since Shettima has publicly dissociated himself and many others from one of the principal sins of this government, Tinubu must henceforth carry his cross. By exposing Tinubus flaws, he may be tapping into a rich vein of Northern discontent. A gambit to secure his political future, whether on the 2027 ticket or beyond. Shettimas calculated strike has exposed the cracks in Tinubus On Your Mandate facade. But whether its the beginning of a political war or a strategic manoeuvre, time will tell. When Obasanjo fell out with Atiku, he ran him out of the party. Unlike Obasanjo, Tinubu has a tricky 2027 to overcome. Shettima is not doomed but he must brace for impact. And there could be much more. Is the presidency riven? Some observers believe that Shettima hasnt just told the truth; he has dared Tinubu. In local parlance, he has asked him to do his worst. Rumours have been rife for a while. Shettima, who had promised during the campaigns to lead government efforts to contain rampaging insecurity, has been a literal spare tire. Beyond being frozen out, rumours that Shettima would be dropped from the 2027 ticket have also been swirling. At the ruling partys North-East stakeholders meeting in Gombe recently, the omission of Shettimas name from a Tinubu endorsement caused an upheaval. Shettimas followers have sworn to resist the political divorce. Against that backdrop, Shettimas telling story could be more than truth-telling or hand-wringing; it could be the declaration of a political war. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Like Soyinkas Abiku, Tinubus deputies never live. They come and go before their time. Kofoworola Akerele-Bucknor was the first. Tinubu arranged her impeachment. She resigned. Femi Pedro was next. Pedro was supposed to be a political greenhorn, a politically passive neophyte. But once he began to harbour ideas of independent-mindedness, he was yanked off. Tinubus babasopecracy is a brand of autocracy that despises deputising as an affront to the imperial godfather; like a god unable to tolerate the idea of a deputy god. Shettimas fate is dangling. But he isnt a Kofo. Dropping him would have consequences. It could fracture the APCs North-East base. His loyalists have been fierce. Retaining him, however, could damage Tinubus ego. It could also embolden other rebels and limit Tinubus dominion. Shettimas stealth missile at a book launch shows he is not a passive player. He is not a political wimpy newbie like Femi Pedro. By exposing Tinubus flaws, he may be tapping into a rich vein of Northern discontent. A gambit to secure his political future, whether on the 2027 ticket or beyond. Shettimas calculated strike has exposed the cracks in Tinubus On Your Mandate facade. But whether its the beginning of a political war or a strategic manoeuvre, time will tell. When Obasanjo fell out with Atiku, he ran him out of the party. Unlike Obasanjo, Tinubu has a tricky 2027 to overcome. Shettima is not doomed but he must brace for impact. The political landscape is treacherous. If he retains truth as his weapon and the North as his shield, Tinubu might hesitate. Is Shettima doomed or is he poised to bring down Tinubus political roof? Ugoji Egbujo writes from Abuja. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In partnership with the Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, SQI College of ICT is offering scholarships to empower the next generation of tech leaders. The comprehensive training opportunity aims to equip youths in Oyo State and across Africa with the technological skills needed to build sustainable careers in tech, both within and beyond Nigeria. Upon free registration, participants will sit for a qualifying test (also free), and based on their performance, they can receive up to 100% tuition-free training in some of the worlds most in-demand digital skills and career-focused disciplines, including: Artificial Intelligence Software Engineering Data Science Cybersecurity Web Design UI/UX Product Design Digital Marketing and more. Speaking on the importance of the training, the Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon Wasilat Adegoke Adefemi, stated: The people of Oyo State must be equipped with technological skills that they can, in turn, use to build sustainable careers and develop their community. She added: As a state, we are committed to empowering young minds and are constantly seeking ways to bridge the gap between our youths and the skills they need to thrive in a digital world. We will continue to partner with organizations to achieve this. Commenting on the partnership, the Director of SQI College of ICT, Adeyemi C Aderinto, said: Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Too many talented young people are being left behind due to cost. This scholarship is our way of changing that narrative removing financial barriers and opening real pathways into the tech industry. He added: With this scholarship, there is no excuse for anyone. We are creating opportunities not only for growth but also for employment for many people in Nigeria and across Africa. Renowned as one of Nigerias most impactful grassroots tech empowerment initiatives, the SQI Scholarship has produced a growing number of success stories many of whom have gone on to build careers at global companies including Google, Microsoft, Interswitch, Moniepoint, Deutsche Bank, and Nigerian Breweries. One of its most notable alumni, Abolade Mayowa, now a Principal Software Engineer at NatWest Group in the United Kingdom, reflected on his journey in a recent LinkedIn post, saying: This is how my journey began. The 2025 scholarship edition is now open for applications. Registration is free, and candidates will be required to sit for a qualifying test running from 12 July through 2 August, 2025. Application is ongoing Register now at: edu.sqi.ng/scholarship SQI College of ICT, an accredited institute that doubles as a professional training centre and an ND HND awarding Monotechnic, is listed in JAMB, and enrollment for the 2025/2026 academic sessionis ongoing for ICT-based courses in Accountancy, Business Administration, and Computer Science. This initiative is not just about education; it is part of SQIs broader mission to empower communities through technology. Thousands of students are trained each year through the program, many of whom go on to become tech entrepreneurs, developers, and changemakers in their communities. This is not just about education, the college added. Its about giving life-changing opportunities to those who are ready to learn, create, and lead. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Bandits have killed at least six farmers and abducted dozens of residents in continuing attacks on Rijau and Mariga Local Government Areas of Niger State. The latest assault occurred on Monday afternoon in Rijau town, the headquarters of Rijau LGA, and lasted for over two hours. The attackers reportedly moved from house to house, looting shops, stealing valuables, and rustling hundreds of cattle belonging to internally displaced persons (IDPs) taking refuge in the town. According to a report by the Daily Trust newspaper, witnesses said over 20 residents, including women and shopowners, were taken away on motorcycles. Several others sustained bullet wounds while attempting to flee. In Rijau, they ransacked everywhere, one resident said. Shops were looted, food items were taken, and people were injured. Some even hid in the ceiling. It was terrifying. The bandits had earlier struck multiple villages in Mariga LGA including Ya-Bawa, Maburya, Ragada, Kuraa, and Kumbashi forcing hundreds of villagers to flee into surrounding forests and riverine communities. Ibrahim Ayuba, a resident of Ragada, said over 200 gunmen riding motorcycles stormed the villages at dawn, causing widespread panic and displacement. He said some of the attackers were seen crossing the River Maroro into Kebbi State, heading toward Makuku. Many of the fleeing residents sought refuge in Gulbin-Boka, where they arrived with little to no belongings. Videos seen by Daily Trust showed women and children crossing the river in wooden canoes. Some toddlers reportedly fled unclothed due to the chaos. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later As of 2 p.m. on Monday, many of us had not eaten since morning. We left without anything, a displaced farmer said. Security authorities in the state confirmed the attacks. Bello Abdullahi, a retired army brigadier-general and the state Commissioner for Homeland Security, said efforts were underway to dislodge the attackers from the affected areas. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun added that tactical teams had been deployed for engagement. For residents in Rijau and Mariga LGAs, Mondays attacks marked the third week of sustained insecurity. Locals say they remain in fear and have little confidence in the return of normalcy. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Delta State have arrested five suspected kidnappers and recovered N5 million ransom. The police spokesperson in the state, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday. Mr Edafe, a superintendent of police, said the suspects were trailed to their hideout at Ogwashi Ukwu, Oshimili North LGA of the state. He said the N5 million recovered from one of the suspects, Sanusi Abdullahi, was part of the ransom money they collected from one of their victims. Preliminary investigation revealed that they were allegedly responsible for a series of kidnappings at Ibusa Ogwashi-Ukwu, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Ukwu, Isele-Asagba, and most recently the kidnapping of a young lady at Ogwash-Ukwu on 9 July. The suspect led the operatives to their hideout at the second Deputy, and Oko in Asaba, where four other members of his gang were also arrested, the police said. Similarly, Mr Edafe said operatives from the command carried out a raid on multiple hideouts along the Pantani-Ughelli Expressway on 9 July, resulting in a shootout with suspects. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He identified operators of the hideouts as Solomon Danisco aka Picolo, Nelson Jacob, Oruma Saturday, Olise Jude, Precious Urhobowin, Whisky Rufus, aka Asawana, a native of Ewu community. Mr Edafe said several suspects sustained gunshot injuries during the operations and were taken to a hospital for treatment. Six of them were confirmed dead while two others are still receiving treatment, he said, and listed items recovered from the suspects as four locally-made guns and 19 rounds of live cartridges. READ ALSO: Police confirm arrest of Jigawa APC member over social media comment Kidnapping for ransom and other crimes have been on the rise in the oil-rich state despite police efforts. The latest incident came less than two weeks after the police arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate terrorising Ughelli, Warri, Agbarho, and Sapele areas of the state. A POS machine used for collecting ransom payment was recovered from one of the suspects, the police had said. Last month, this newspaper reported how the police arrested three suspected members of an interstate kidnap syndicate in the state. Members of the syndicate, Mr Edafe said, operate in the South-south and South-east states of Delta, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo. He identified the suspects as Idris Yakubu, 21, from Kwara State; Bello Amodu, 40, from Sokoto State, and Umar Mohammed, 38, from Kebbi State. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former Commissioner of Information in Abia State, John Kalu, has detailed how he met with Muhammadu Buhari during which he confirmed that the then Nigerian president was not Jubril al-Sudani. Mr Kalu, who was commissioner from 2015 to 2023 during the tenure of the immediate past governor of the state Okezie Ikpeazu, gave the details in a post on Facebook on Tuesday. Death and burial Mr Buhari, who served as Nigerias president from 2015 to 2023 under the APC platform, died in a London hospital on Sunday at the age of 82. The former president was buried on Tuesday at his Daura residence in Katsina State, the countys North-west. Buhari or Jubril? In 2018, during Mr Buharis first term in office as president, speculation was rife that the then Nigerian leader died in 2017 and had been replaced by a lookalike called Jubril from Sudan, a country in North-east Africa. Mr Buhari had spent months in a London hospital due to illness at the time. The rumour was popularised by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group seeking the secession of South-east and some parts of the South-south from Nigeria. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Kanu, who is now facing terrorism trial since being first arrested and charged by the Buhari-led Nigerian government in 2015, had claimed that those close to the then president had sworn an oath of secrecy not disclose the alleged cloning. But in his Facebook post, Mr Kalu, narrated how he met Mr Buhari in 2018 and confirmed that he was never cloned. Sometime in December 2018, I was part of Abias delegation to the signing of the Memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Enyimba Economic City with the federal government which culminated in the pledge to invest N20 billion in the project by the Buhari-led federal government. That was my 2nd opportunity to meet President Muhammed Buhari up close, having done so previously when he visited Aba in January 2015 to campaign at Etche Road Field with APC chieftains, he recalled. The former commissioner said although he never believed the speculation, the desire to verify the rumour preoccupied his mind when he visited Mr Buhari in 2018 at the presidential villa. I must confess that the major thing on my mind when we visited Buharis Aso Rock in 2018 was to personally verify if he was the same General Buhari we celebrated as children in 1983 for ousting the corrupt Shagari administration and introducing War Against Indiscipline (WAI) with his deputy Tunde Idiagbon or Jubril al-Sudani as some of his adversaries wanted us to believe. For one, I knew the tall and handsome General Buhari of 1983 had a black mark (prayer mark) on his forehead that we were told in those days was because he was always touching his forehead to the ground or a prayer mat as a muslim. I also had a fair idea of his exact height, long chin, broad smiles and how he walks, he stated. Continuing, Mr Kalu said: As a pure scientist, I firmly believe in observation and testing of facts, so I went and tested as expected. The Buhari I saw that day was the same General Muhammed Buhari that I saw in Aba in 2015 but I made two additional surprising observations: he was a very honest and jovial man with no airs. When we went for group photographs, after signing the MOU, as we were being arranged he was exchanging banters with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and as a man on a mission I deliberately got very close. When Governor Ikpeazu introduced a popular lawyer to him and the lawyer reminded Buhari that they worked closely together from 2003 till 2015 President Buhari retorted you were with me in 2003 I lost, in 2007 I lost, you were also with me in 2011 I lost and when you left me in 2015 I won. I couldnt help chuckling but of course the lawyer must have left Aso Rock disappointed. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police have dismantled two major human trafficking syndicates operating in Enugu and Anambra states, while detaining 11 suspects across the two states. Police operatives also rescued multiple victims, including children, pregnant women and foreign nationals, in a bold and coordinated crackdown on organised human trafficking. The Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement he issued in Enugu on Monday. Mr Adejobi, an assistant commissioner of police, said that recently, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives of the Zone-13 Police Zonal Command, Ukpo, executed a precision-led sting operation, targeting a deeply rooted child trafficking and baby factory network. He said the operation led to the arrest of eight suspects from various locations. The suspects include Uzoamaka Ani, 27, Joy Madu, 52, and Victoria Akasike, 56. According to him, these individuals, during interrogation, confessed to active involvement in child theft, abduction, illegal adoption schemes and the operation of unlicensed medical facilities functioning as baby factories. Their criminal activities were strategically spread across Enugu and Anambra states, targeting vulnerable women and children for exploitation and sale. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The victims rescued during the operation include a seven-month-old infant, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women, all held captive in a remote village. Both pregnant women, identified as indigenes of Ebonyi State, were reportedly lured and held for the purpose of forced births and subsequent sale of their newborns. The rescue was swift and executed without harm to the victims, who are now in safe custody and receiving necessary care, he said. The force spokesperson said the police have intensified efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate who managed to escape during the sting operation. Ghanaian national rescued In a related development, the force spokesperson said that operatives of the police command in Ondo State have successfully rescued a Ghanaian national, David Angerinya, who was trafficked into Nigeria under a pretence. He said the operation was launched following a formal petition from the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters, Abuja, which called for immediate police intervention in a suspected case of transnational human trafficking. READ ALSO: Police dismantle illegal firearms workshop According to him, police operatives acted swiftly and initiated a targeted investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects, including Hayford Nyamekye, Alex Awine, and Felix Kojo. Investigations revealed that these suspects are part of a wider international trafficking syndicate that specialises in deceiving individuals, particularly from neighbouring West African countries, with fake promises of employment and travel visas to countries like Canada. During the operation, an additional 39 Ghanaian nationals were discovered to have fallen victim to the same group. Many of them lacked valid travel documentation, while those in possession of passports presented expired papers, further underscoring the depth of exploitation. The victims were found in distressing conditions and are currently undergoing medical treatment, he said. Mr Adejobi said the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had commended the gallantry of all police operatives involved in these successful operations. Human trafficking has been on the increase in Nigeria despite the efforts of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons to curb the menace. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print HOUSTON, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) is thrilled to announce that the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology (AJPC), a leading publication in Cardiology, has appointed Dr. Khurram Nasir as its new Editor-in-Chief, effective January 1, 2026. Dr. Nasir, a globally recognized expert in preventive cardiology, brings a wealth of expertise and a visionary approach to AJPC. He is Chief of Cardiovascular Prevention at Houston Methodist, Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell, and Co-Director of the Houston MethodistRice University Digital Health Institute. With over 1,000 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Nasir's work spans risk prediction, digital health innovation, health equity, and the implementation of high-value prevention strategies at both the clinical and population level. In his new role, Dr. Nasir will oversee the editorial direction of AJPC, ensuring the publication continues to deliver high-quality, impactful content that advances cutting-edge research, thought leadership, or industry innovation. He will work closely with the editorial board, contributors, and the broader cardiology community to expand the journal's reach and influence. "I envision AJPC establishing itself as the global home for cardiovascular prevention sciences, promoting rigorous research, encouraging bold ideas, and amplifying diverse voices that challenge convention to drive meaningful progress. The journal's purpose is not simply to mirror the field, but to shape it. Whether you are a clinician, researcher, or policymaker, AJPC will strive each day to be your most trusted source of insight, guiding better decisions and advancing cardiovascular health worldwide," said Dr. Nasir. "Dr. Nasir has long been a driving force in preventive cardiology, and we are thrilled to welcome him as the new Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology. His commitment to scientific rigor, innovation, and impact aligns perfectly with our vision for the journal's future. Under his leadership, I am confident AJPC will continue to set the standard for excellence in the field," said Dr. Michael Shapiro, President of ASPC. Dr. Nasir succeeds Drs. Erin Michos and Nathan Wong, who served as Co-Editor-in-Chiefs and made significant contributions to the journal's newly released impact factor of 5.9. The ASPC and AJPC teams extend their deepest gratitude to Drs. Michos and Wong for their dedicated service. For more information about AJPC or to schedule an interview with Dr. Nasir, please contact Stacy Manthos, ASPC Executive Director, at 833-275-2772. About The American Journal of Preventive Cardiology AJPC is a peer-reviewed publication that is dedicated to advancing knowledge in preventive cardiology. AJPC publishes both original research and review papers that address the key aspects of preventive cardiology, including the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and related conditions, including both behavioral (e.g., smoking, obesity, diet, and physical activity) and clinical (e.g., dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes) aspects. Founded in 2020 by ASPC, it serves a global audience of researchers, professionals, and academics. Learn more at www.aspconline.org. SOURCE The American Society for Preventive Cardiology EXOMIND launch event slated for July 25 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For those seeking to lessen their anxiety, treat depression or enhance cognitive functioning without medication, a groundbreaking technology now is available at AZ Integrative & Functional Medicine , a practice focused on identifying and addressing the underlying root causes of disease in Scottsdale, Arizona. A painless procedure requiring no downtime, EXOMIND is an FDA-cleared treatment that stimulates areas of the brain involved in emotional regulation, cognitive function and self-control. "Emotional well-being is intricately linked with physical health," says Melinda Atienza, D.O., IFMCP, owner of AZ Integrative & Functional Medicine. "We are so pleased to be able to offer a non-invasive treatment that has been clinically proven to result in improved moods and greater emotional resilience." With EXOMIND, the applicator rests comfortably against the head and uses magnetic pulses to stimulate normal brain activity. The technology addresses key brain areas involved in emotional regulation, cognitive function, and self-control. To maximize results, doctors recommend a treatment once a week for 6 weeks. Research shows that 100% of patients experienced reduced food cravings and, on average, reported a four-to-five-pound weight loss after six treatments. AZ Integrative & Functional Medicine provides patients with other cutting-edge technologies such as Emsculpt NEO , a device that uses muscle activation and heat to burn up to 30% fat and build up to 25% muscle in hard-to-treat areas, including the abdomen, buttocks, arms and thighs. This device also treats joint pain, weakness, neuropathy, and increases mobility. For patients looking to restore the facial muscles there is EMFACE & EXION Face , offering a comprehensive approach to skin tightening, wrinkle reduction, facial lifting, and lip plumping. To address incontinence, there is EMSELLA, a non-invasive device using muscle activation to strengthen the pelvic floor. Patients sit fully clothed on the EMSELLA chair for 28-minute sessions. The procedure is very successful, with a 98% patient satisfaction rate for restoring bladder function. On July 25, from 8 a.m. 5 p.m., AZ Integrative & Functional Medicine will host an all-day EXOMIND event, including free demos and exclusive pricing. To make an appointment, call (480) 744-7110 or email [email protected]. Additional information can be found at www.az-ifm.com. Facebook: @asifm.dratienza SOURCE AZ Integrative & Functional Medicine Winners represent Cato's most impactful partners in Japan TOKYO, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cato Networks, the SASE leader, today announced the winners of its partner awards at the 2025 Cato Networks Japan Partner Summit in Tokyo. The 2025 Cato Networks Japan Partner Awards celebrate partners that demonstrate commitment to the Cato customer experience and outstanding business results. With the Cato Networks Channel First Partner Program, Cato is working with partners to accelerate the adoption of SASE in Japan and around the world. Customers are increasingly shifting away from security and networking point solutions and choosing the Cato SASE Cloud Platform to transform their global IT operations, making it suitable for the digital era. Cato is at the forefront of this transformation with its partners. "For the 2025 Cato Networks Japan Partner Awards, we recognize the outstanding achievements and unwavering commitment from our Japan partners to deliver SASE and MSASE in the region," said Karl Soderlund, global channel chief at Cato Networks. "Our Japan partners are essential to our success. We congratulate all the winners and look forward to building on this momentum together." Below are the winners: Highest Upsell Revenue for 2024 IIJ Global Solutions Inc. IIJ Global Solutions Inc. Best Growth Partner for 2024 Kanematsu Electronics Ltd. (KEL) Kanematsu Electronics Ltd. (KEL) Leading Reseller for 2024 KDDI Corporation KDDI Corporation Leading Distributor Partner for 2024 Macnica Macnica Highest New Logo Revenue for 2024 SCSK Corporation SCSK Corporation Best Technical Support Partner for 2024 SCSK Corporation Resources For more information about the Cato Networks Channel First Partner Program, visit the partner page. For more information about the Cato MSASE Partner Platform, visit the Cato MSASE page. About Cato Networks Cato Networks delivers enterprise security and networking in a single cloud platform. The SASE leader creates a seamless and elegant customer experience that effortlessly enables threat prevention, data protection, and timely incident detection and response. With Cato, organizations replace costly and rigid legacy infrastructure with an open and modular SASE architecture based on SD-WAN, a purpose-built global cloud network, and an embedded cloud-native security stack. Want to learn more about partnering with Cato? Visit us at https://www.catonetworks.com/partners/ Media Contact Cato Communications [email protected] SOURCE Cato Networks NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The City College of New York and The Foundation for City College are among the fourth cohort of institutions partnering with autonomous fundraising technology platform Givzey | Version2.ai . Partnering with Givzey | Version2.ai allows CCNY to engage with its stakeholders in a more expansive manner. By partnering with Givzey | Version2.ai, CCNY will deploy a virtual engagement officer, or VEO, allowing the College to engage with its stakeholders in a more expansive manner that reflects the trust, alignment and long-term belief in the College's mission. By providing real-time engagement, the College can share all of the work happening across campus with its stakeholders. Too often, especially for those who live outside the New York metropolitan area, alumni contact with the College may be limited to receiving the President's Annual Report , the monthly City Beat newsletter, or through the College's social media channels. Autonomous Fundraising creates opportunities for an in-depth conversation that can determine if a hand-off to a gift officer for a one-to-one engagement is needed and is more appropriate. Across non-profits in the U.S., only one to five percent of donors are assigned to gift officers, who manage them personally and actively, and it is estimated that 20 percent of all donors to an organization are responsible for 80 percent of total fundraising revenue. By expanding the team with trusted digital labor, the VEO is allowed to prioritize donors who may have given in prior years but, for many reasons, may not be actively engaged with the College and wish to be. CCNY's VEO, Benita (a play on "Benny," the College's mascot), has been assigned 1,000 of these existing alumni and supporters, including those who have attended President Boudreau's " City In " events in Albany, Atlanta, Austin, Boca Raton, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington in the past two and a half years. In the coming year, the president plans to meet alumni in other cities across the country that he has yet to visit, while also working with the campus team to encourage alumni from around the country to be more closely connected with their alma mater. "Givzey | Version2.ai is honored to work with innovative institutions like The City College of New York and the Foundation for City College, and leaders like Dee Dee, who understand that by addressing fundraising's long-standing labor shortage with Autonomous Fundraising and trusted digital labor, we open opportunities to deeply connect more donors to the organizations and missions that move them to give," said Givzey | Version2.ai Vice President of Customer Success Emily Groccia. "The City College of New York and the Foundation for City College believe in the powerful role philanthropy plays in shaping the future of a democratic society," said Dee Dee Mozeleski, CCNY senior vice president and executive director of The Foundation for City College. "Through our partnership with Givzey | Version2.ai, we look to engage with our donors and alumni in ways that bridge technology and the important interpersonal relationships we create in support of our students, faculty, staff and our entire City College community." About Version2 Version2 is the first AI research and design lab specifically focused on advancing fundraising in the nonprofit sector. Through its suite of autonomous fundraising solutions, including the Virtual Engagement Officer (VEO) and Virtual Stewardship Officer (VSO), Version2 helps nonprofits break through the digital divide with AI that guides donors through personalized engagement, gift discovery, solicitation, and stewardship processes. Learn more at Version2.ai. About Givzey Givzey is a leading Intelligent Gift Documentation Management Platform for nonprofits, enhancing fundraising efficiency, donor experience, and financial audits. Its AI-powered lab, Version2, offers the first fully autonomous fundraiser, revolutionizing donor engagement and fundraising with personalized AI. Discover more at Givzey.com and Version2.ai . About The City College of New York Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 1.8% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.2 billion CCNY's annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the "for dollar" return on investment to students, taxpayers and society. At City College, more than 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign, ever. The campaign, titled "Doing Remarkable Things Together" seeks to bring the College's Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College mission. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit. Media Contact: Sydney Steinhardt, [email protected], 212-650-7875 SOURCE The City College of New York NEW YORK, July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) between December 12, 2024 and June 30, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 8, 2025. So What: If you purchased Centene securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the Centene class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=41552 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 8, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period provided investors with material information concerning Centene's expected revenue guidance and adjusted diluted EPS for the 2025 fiscal year. Defendants' statements included, among other things, confidence in Centene's enrollment and morbidity rates, as well as strong retention rates in Centene's Medicare business. According to the lawsuit, defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while simultaneously disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Centene's enrollment and morbidity rates. Such statements absent these material facts caused shareholders to purchase Centene's securities at artificially inflated prices. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Centene class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=41552 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for more information. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. "Good vibes and great cocktails are two of my favorite things, so partnering with Crown Royal for the Pancake Palace was a no-brainer," Harichi said. "I mean, who wouldn't want to swap villa life for a cowboy hat, even if just for one night?" Blending the staples of country culture cowboys, whisky and roadside diners the Crown Royal Pancake Palace will come to life this summer as the ultimate late-night destination at a surprise pop-up experience. Brand fans and invited guests +21 will step into a country-meets-Y2K experience, where Tanner Adell will perform live and Miguel Harichi will be serving up syrup-soaked stacks paired with Crown Royal flavored cocktails. "My partnership with Crown Royal has been such a fun ride! From my signature cocktail The Crown Royal Buckle Bunny to my custom Crown Royal x Juicy Couture tracksuit inspired by pop-country style, it's a very special moment for me," Adell said. "And, in true Crown Royal fashion, the brand continues its commitment to generosity, this time by supporting non-profit Women In Music!"* This rollout serves as the soft launch of a new partnership between Crown Royal and LA-born lifestyle brand Juicy Couture. In the content series, Tanner can be spotted donning a custom tracksuit made with a corset and lined with rhinestones for a pop of country flair. Additionally, the two iconic brands are unveiling a co-branded rhinestone-studded unisex tank that will be available for purchase at the event and online while supplies last. As part of this effort, a donation will be made to Women In Music , reinforcing Crown Royal's continued commitment to supporting women in music and the arts.* And with more surprises on the horizon, this juicy collab is just getting started. "This is a celebration of flavor that will be brought to life in a big and bold way at The Crown Royal Pancake Palace surprise pop-up," said Hadley Schafer, Vice President of Crown Royal. "With Tanner and Miguel joining the fun, we're setting the stage for a summer of music, flavor and, of course, giving back!" Consumers 21+ can learn more about Crown Royal news by signing up for Crown Royal's newsletter HERE. Crown Royal is the presenting partner of Tanner Adell's Giddy Up, Gorgeous Tour hitting seven cities across the country this summer, including Nashville, Atlanta and Houston. This marks the second year of partnership between Adell and the award-winning whisky brand following their initial collaboration on her Buckle Bunny Tour during her breakout year in 2024. Tickets for the Giddy Up, Gorgeous Tour are on sale now at bucklebunny.us . Crown Royal reminds everyone 21+ that living generously is not about what you have, but about what you give. And, most importantly, to always drink responsibly. *A donation made to Women In Music, Inc., 322 West 57th Street. Suite 47H. New York, NY. 10019, https://www.womeninmusic.org/, 212.459.4580 per qualifying consumer action as determined by Diageo Americas, Inc. $1 donation per purchase of Crown Royal x Juicy Couture unisex tank at the PANCAKE PALACE event in Chicago, IL, on 8/3 and online at URL bet. 8/5 & 10/31, while supplies last; $1 donation per qualifying comment with emoji on Instagram made in response to CROWN ROYAL PANCAKE PALACE post within 24 hours of posting on 8/3. Donation via qualifying consumer action is in addition to donation of $25,000. No maximum donation. Purchase of tank not tax deductible. Donation made by Crown Royal Generosity Fund, a corporate donor advised fund with Diageo North America, Inc. as donor and Fairfield County's Community Foundation, an IRS Sect. 501c3 non-profit entity, as advisor. About Crown Royal Crown Royal Canadian Whisky is the number-one selling Canadian whisky brand in the world and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by the King and Queen of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal's smooth and elegant flavor was an exceptionally generous gift fit for royalty. Its gift-worthy presentation reflects its regal origins it is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information, visit crownroyal.com. Crown Royal encourages all consumers to please enjoy responsibly. About Diageo North America Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. ABOUT JUICY COUTURE Juicy Couture is an LA lifestyle brand infused with casual glamor and an irreverent attitude, designed for girls all over the world. Embracing its Los Angeles heritage, Juicy Couture discovers the couture in the everyday and delivers an element of surprise in all of its designs. Identified as a casual luxury brand, Juicy Couture offers apparel for women, girls and babies, as well as handbags, shoes, intimates, swimwear, accessories and jewelry. The brand is available in 14 freestanding stores and select department stores in approximately 94 countries throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Its fragrance offerings are ranked among the world's top prestige fragrances and are available in 25,000 points of sale. For more information, visit juicycouture.com. Follow @juicycouture on Facebook, X and Instagram. ABOUT WOMEN IN MUSIC Educate. Empower. Advance. Founded in 1985, Women in Music is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to advance the awareness, equality, diversity, heritage, opportunities, and cultural aspects of women in the musical arts through education, support, empowerment, and recognition. Today, Women in Music encompasses chapters across the globe - from LA to India. Our members are a diverse group of individuals at all stages in their careers from students to seasoned industry veterans. We are record label executives, artist managers, songwriters, musicians, attorneys, recording engineers, agents, publicists, studio owners, music publishers, marketers, and more. Women in Music believes that the conversation around equality is an inclusive one, where all voices are welcome. Our educational programming, global initiatives, leadership summits, seminars, webinars, workshops, performance showcases, and achievement awards serve the needs of our diverse communities around the world. For more information, visit womeninmusic.org. Media Contacts: Jazmine Settles, Diageo [email protected] Taylor PR [email protected] SOURCE Crown Royal BEIJING, July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently replied to teachers and students of the U.S. youth pickleball cultural exchange delegation from Montgomery county, Maryland, who visited China under the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs in a five-year span. Xi congratulated the delegation on its successful visit to China, expressing the hope that the delegation members will become a new generation of ambassadors for friendship between the two countries and make greater contributions to enhancing the friendship between the two peoples. Xi's heartfelt message resonated deeply with the delegation, injecting fresh momentum into growing people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States. For any great cause to succeed, it must take root in the people, gain strength from the people, and be accomplished by the people. Growing China-U.S. friendship is such a great cause. At a welcome dinner by friendly organizations in the U.S. in San Francisco in November 2023, Xi announced that to increase exchanges between the two peoples, especially between the youth, China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years. In 2024, more than 16,000 American youth people visited China through this program, representing all 50 states and Washington, D.C. As one group after another travels across the Pacific, forging friends, learning Chinese, experiencing Chinese culture, and exploring modern China, they are building a more resilient foundation for bilateral relations. The future of the China-U.S. relationship depends on the youth. Youth exchanges remain a vital source of strength for the development of bilateral relations. Pickleball, a dynamic and inclusive sport, has become a new bond for youth exchanges between China and the United States. From teamwork on the court to cultural exchanges off the court, students are writing a new chapter of friendship with their passion and sincerity. Such exchanges help dismantle cultural barriers and enhance mutual understanding, reflecting their shared aspiration for peace, cooperation, and mutual benefit. The friendships they forged are not only cherished memories but also a beacon of hope for the future of China-U.S. relations. As more and more young people from both countries come to understand and appreciate each other, and become new-generation envoys of friendship, they will continue to inject vitality into the development of bilateral relations. The achievements of China-U.S. relations have always been driven by the efforts of ordinary people. Likewise, the path forward depends on their continued engagement and goodwill. No matter how the global landscape evolves, the historical trend of peaceful coexistence between China and the U.S. will not change. The ultimate wish of the two peoples for exchanges and cooperation will not change. The expectations of the whole world for a steadily growing China-U.S. relationship will not change. From the icebreaking "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" in the 1970s to today's pickleball exchanges, sincere people-to-people interactions between the two countries have consistently supported the bilateral relationship. At this critical juncture in China-U.S. relations, strengthening people-to-people ties is more important than ever. Both sides should facilitate cross-cultural exchanges and people-to-people interactions and work to remove unnecessary barriers that hinder engagement. China remains open and welcoming to the American people and stands ready to enhance mutual understanding through exchanges and cooperation. By encouraging greater interactions and closer bonds between the peoples, both countries can continue deepening the legacy of friendship and contribute to the long-term development of bilateral relations. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Eighty years ago, China and the U.S. fought side by side for peace and justice, and the friendship forged during wartime between the two peoples has withstood the test of history and contributed to the ultimate triumph of the global anti-fascist cause. Moving forward, China stands ready to work with the U.S. to draw strength from the history of friendship between their peoples, and to promote the steady, sound, and sustained development of bilateral relations, delivering more benefits to both peoples. SOURCE People's Daily FISHERS, Ind., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Esaote North America, Inc., today announced that it will be honored during Premier, Inc.'s annual supplier Innovation Celebration at the 2025 Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition. The Innovation Celebration recognizes groundbreaking healthcare technologies launched throughout the year and the ways these products are helping to improve the health of communities. The Esaote O-scan SMART MRI system The O-scan SMART MRI system revolutionizes extremity imaging with an open, helium-free, and energy-efficient design, along with a compact footprint, enabling the delivery of high-quality diagnostics at the point of care. "It's an honor to have the O-scan SMART recognized as an Innovation Celebration award winner," says Stephen Gibbs, Director of Sales and Marketing at Esaote North America, Inc. "Adding extremity MRI to your imaging services offers a smart, cost-effective investment. With lower installation and operating costs compared to conventional systems, extremity MRI helps facilities reduce patient backlogs, control costs, and expand access to care to everyone, everywhere." Premier's Innovation Celebration is entering its 14th year of recognizing and honoring supplier product innovations. With roughly 100 nominations annually, clinicians, physicians, and supply chain experts nationally evaluate these technologies and services for their merit. "Premier proudly acknowledges Esaote North America's outstanding commitment to advancing healthcare," said Bruce Radcliff, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain at Premier. "Their innovative products and services, recognized at our 2025 Innovation Celebration, reflect our shared mission to drive cost-efficiency, operational excellence, and improved patient outcomes. We applaud Esaote North America, Inc. for their invaluable contributions to healthcare." Esaote North America, Inc. will be formally recognized on July 15, 2025, at Premier's annual Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition. Premier, Inc. is a leading technology-driven healthcare improvement company, providing solutions to two-thirds of all healthcare providers in the U.S. Playing a critical role in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry, Premier unites providers, suppliers, payers and policymakers to make healthcare better with national scale, smarter with actionable intelligence and faster with novel technologies. With integrated data and analytics, collaboratives, supply chain solutions, consulting, and other services, Premier enables better care and outcomes at a lower cost. Esaote North America, Inc., as part of the international Esaote Group, continues to develop and distribute innovative medical imaging systems, with the support of one of the world's leading medical imaging companies. Esaote S.p.A. is a leader in medical device manufacturing in the areas of Ultrasound, Dedicated MRI, and Healthcare IT. Esaote's headquarters are in Genoa, Italy, with an international presence in 100 countries. Copyright Esaote 2025 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2730548/Esaote_North_America.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2730547/Esaote_North_America_Logo.jpg SOURCE Esaote North America Legislative Action Drives Gains in 2025 State Rankings, Inactive States Including Illinois Fall WASHINGTON, July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, First Liberty Institute's Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy (CRCD) revealed the results of its fourth annual Religious Liberty in the States (RLS) index, the only comprehensive comparison of how all 50 states protect religious liberty through law. The 2025 RLS was announced by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at a press conference at New College in Sarasota, Florida, where he was joined by Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO, and Chief Counsel at First Liberty, and Dr. Mark David Hall, director of the Religious Liberty in the States project. For the first time, Florida tops the national ranking, earning a score of 74.6%, followed closely by Montana (70.6%) and Illinois (68.8%). Florida and Montana have gained momentum through new conscience protections, religious exemptions, and updated statutory safeguards. "Florida holds several #1 rankings, leading the nation in education, economy, and tourismand now, Florida is #1 in religious liberty," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "We're grateful for this recognition from the First Liberty Institute, which has just named Florida the #1 state in the nation for protecting religious liberty. Religious liberty is critical to the foundation and function of America, and I am proud that Florida excels in protecting this right." "This year's findings show clearly that states taking legislative action are pulling ahead," said Kelly Shackelford. "Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, Florida passed real laws that protect real people, and now the Sunshine State is the national leader in protecting religious liberty. It's time for more states to follow Governor DeSantis's example and adopt strong religious liberty laws." The 2025 index evaluates 47 distinct legal protections, grouped into 20 safeguards, that states can adopt to support religious freedom in daily life from education and health care to family law and religious practice. As with previous editions, the index tracks changes over time and ranks each state based on the percentage of possible safeguards it has adopted. Visit the index website ( www.religiouslibertyinthestates.com ) to see each state's score, rank, and change over time. The website also has resources for individuals, researchers, and policy makers who are interested in how their state can improve. "Each state is a laboratory for liberty," said Dr. Mark David Hall, director of the Religious Liberty in the States project. "The most successful states are actively innovating to protect what America's founders called 'the sacred right of conscience.' These legal safeguards help ensure that people of all faith can live according to their beliefs." "This year's changes reflect a growing gap between states that are actively protecting religious liberty today and those relying on decades-old laws," added Dr. Paul D. Mueller, associate director of the project. "With this index, citizens can encourage their elected officials to take action like Florida and Montana to ensure that their states don't fall behind." The 2025 RLS index has expanded to 47 legal items across 20 safeguards, adding eight new protections. These include medical conscience rights, protections for counselors, financial non-discrimination based on religion, and laws safeguarding parental rights, student religious expression, and foster parent conscience rights. RLS is committed to the highest standards of scholarly research. From its beginning, it has been committed to transparency and the best practices for social-scientific research. This has involved forming a well-qualified advisory council, rigorous peer review, and adoption of robust research policies. To view the complete rankings, download your state's scorecard, or explore the methodology, visit: www.religiouslibertyinthestates.com About First Liberty Institute First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans. To arrange an interview, contact John Manning at [email protected] or by calling 972-941-4453. About First Liberty's Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy First Liberty Institute's Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy (CRCD) supports the creation and promotion of high-quality scholarship at the intersection of religion, culture, and democracy. Our publications, programming, and resources affirm the importance of religion as a public good for strengthening social bonds and reinforcing foundational freedoms. About Religious Liberty in the States Religious Liberty in the States (RLS) is a project of the CRCD and parent organization FLI. RLS is a comprehensive, peer reviewed annual measure of laws and constitutional safeguards for religious exercise in the 50 states. SOURCE First Liberty Institute LOS ANGELES, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- By Andrea Amaya, Associate Attorney, D.Law Andrea Amaya - Associate Attorney at D.Law California employees can navigate workplace conflict and respond to aggression in a way thats not only safe and smart, but legally informed. Conflict is part of any workplace and often unavoidable. It can look like subtle disrespect in meetings or outright hostility behind closed doors. But when conflict escalates into aggression, whether it be verbal, psychological, or even physical, and it starts threatening your dignity, safety, and career, it stops being a mere HR matter. As an employment lawyer in California representing employees across industries, I've seen how workplace aggression, left unchecked, can erode mental health, derail careers, and silence otherwise brilliant voices. But I've also seen how clarity, strategy, and the courage to act can turn conflict into a turning point rather than a breaking point. Here's how California employees can navigate workplace conflict and respond to aggression in a way that's not only safe and smart, but legally informed. 1. Recognize the Difference Between Discomfort and Abuse Not every disagreement is "hostile work environment" material. Workplaces are made up of employees with differing opinions, personalities and backgrounds. Disagreements are bound to happen. However, there is a difference between a disagreement or a misunderstanding and a toxic work environment. Many workers, especially in hierarchical or high-pressure fields, normalize toxic dynamics. If you find yourself second-guessing whether your colleague's tone, your supervisor's "jokes," or the constant exclusion from meetings are just part of the job, pause. Ask yourself: Is this behavior isolating me, threatening me, humiliating me, or interfering with my ability to do my job? In California, workplace aggression can cross legal lines if it includes harassment (especially if based on protected characteristics like race, gender, age, disability, etc.) or retaliation (for reporting wrongdoing, requesting medical leave, etc.). It doesn't have to be physical. Verbal attacks, threats, and sabotage count. 2. Document Everything, Even the "Small" Stuff Legal cases aren't built on vibes; they're built on records. If a coworker publicly berates you, if your boss sends passive-aggressive emails, or if you're left out of key communications, write it down. Save the emails. Screenshot the thread. Keep a running log with dates, what happened, and who was present. Even if you never file a formal complaint, documentation arms you with clarity and credibility. It helps HR understand patterns, not just isolated events. And if things do escalate legally, it could be the difference between "he said, she said" and a compelling, evidence-based claim. 3. Respond Strategically, Not Emotionally It's human to want to snap back at the colleague who cuts you down in front of others. But emotional reactions can be used against you later, especially if the aggressor is angling to provoke you. Instead, respond with professionalism. If safe, call out the behavior calmly: "I'd prefer to be spoken to respectfully. Is there something specific you want to address?" If you're in a meeting, redirect the conversation or note the inappropriate behavior in writing afterward. Use phrases like: "To clarify what was said earlier" "For the record, I'd like to note" Standing up for yourself may feel uncomfortable, especially if you're junior or underrepresented, but it is a crucial step to protecting your dignity. Remember: assertiveness is not aggression. It's boundary-setting. 4. Use Your Company's Processes, But With Eyes Wide Open HR is supposed to be a neutral party, but in practice, they often serve the company's interests. That doesn't mean you shouldn't report bad behavior. It means you should report with awareness. When making a complaint: Be clear, specific, and factual. Stick to workplace impact (e.g., "This interfered with my ability to do X"). Ask for a written acknowledgment of your complaint. Save a copy of everything you submit or receive. In California, retaliation for complaining about unlawful behavior (discrimination, harassment, wage violations, etc.) is itself illegal. Nonetheless, retaliation by an employer is still common. If you're concerned about blowback, consult an employment lawyer before filing the complaint. 5. Know When to Escalate, And When to Exit There comes a point when the question shifts from "Can I fix this?" to "Is this worth staying in?" That's not quitting. That's choosing yourself. If conflict or aggression becomes chronic, or harmful to your health, or it remains unresolved, it may be time to seek outside help. In some cases, a legal letter can prompt change. In others, a claim with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) may be appropriate. And sometimes, the bravest and healthiest move is to walk away, with your records intact, your self-respect preserved, and legal options open. This doesn't mean you are giving up. You are simply prioritizing your mental and physical health. You are not unprofessional for protecting your peace. And you are not alone. Take action. Final Thoughts If you're dealing with constant tension or subtle hostility, it's easy to internalize it as a personal failure. But much of what we call "personality conflicts" in the workplace is actually a failure of culture and leadership. Especially for employees from marginalized communities, navigating workplace aggression can feel like an invisible second job. Recognize when a situation is harmful. Leaving a workplace that no longer suits you is not a sign of weakness. While workplace aggression can make you feel powerless, remember that you have the power to control the outcome. You don't need to be loud to stand up for yourself. You just need to be strategic, supported, and unshakably clear on your worth. The law, when understood and applied, is a powerful ally. Contact D.Law by calling (818) 875-2008 or send a message with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your employment rights. Our attorneys are experts in California employment law and worker's rights and can help you with the problems you are faced with. Media Contact: Armen Petrosyan [email protected] SOURCE D.Law, Inc. Members also enjoy access to special rates, exclusive networking events, resources, PDH credits, volunteering opportunities, eligibility for IEEE-USA awards, etc. For more information on the benefits of IEEE membership, visit: https://ieeeusa.org/discover/ . "We know how disruptive layoffs can benot just financially, but emotionally and professionally," said Amber Orr, 2025 VP of Career & Member Services, IEEE-USA. "We're here to support those in the profession with the tools, resources, and community they need to land on their feet and thrive." IEEE-USA also encourages employers with open roles to connect with its talent network and post opportunities through its career forum: CareersConnect via IEEE Collabratec . For those interested in partnering to reach our membership with job opportunities, visit https://ieeeusa.org/advertise . Are you a technological consultant? Get plugged into IEEE Consultant's Network . Add your profile to the IEEE-USA Consultants Finder , view relevant job postings and get noticed by organizations who are seeking your expertise. For more information or to access career resources, visit ieeeusa.org/careers . About IEEE-USA: IEEE-USA serves the public good and promotes the careers and public policy interests of nearly 160,000 engineering, computing and technology professionals who are U.S. members of IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organization. Contact: Leah Laird Senior Marketing & Communications Specialist, IEEE-USA 202-530-8328 | [email protected] John Yaglenski Director of Communications, IEEE-USA 202-530-8359 | [email protected] SOURCE IEEE-USA MIAMI, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- InfoSight, a leading provider of Cybersecurity, Risk Management and Compliance, today announced the launch of its new corporate social impact initiative: "InfoSight Giving Back: Cybersecurity with a Cause." The campaign aligns InfoSight's cybersecurity mission with charitable giving, pledging support to some of the nation's most trusted nonprofits. Through this ongoing initiative, InfoSight will donate to one of the top U.S. charities for every new client partnership it forms. The program emphasizes causes that reflect core values of protection, advocacy, and equity, including organizations focused on hunger relief, pediatric healthcare, veterans' services and disability rights. At InfoSight, protecting data is only part of our purpose, we're committed to give back. Post this "At InfoSight, protecting data is only part of our purpose," said Tom Garcia, President & CEO at InfoSight. "We believe real security starts with supporting people. That's why we've committed to making every new partnership an opportunity to give back." InfoSight's list of supported charities includes: Feeding America St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) Wounded Warrior Project Alzheimer's Association ALS Association The full list of partner charities and campaign details are available at: www.infosightinc.com/resource/InfoSight-Giving%20Back-Cybersecurity-with-a-Cause About InfoSight, Inc. For over 25 years, InfoSight has delivered proactive cybersecurity solutions and managed services to organizations nationwidehelping them reduce risk, ensure compliance, and build resilience across IT, OT, and cloud environments. Media Contact: Yendi Valdes - Marketing Director, InfoSight Inc. [email protected] +1 (786) 366-1762 www.infosightinc.com SOURCE InfoSight, Inc. DALLAS, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) plans to release its fiscal third quarter 2025 earnings results before market open on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, and will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET, during which management will make a presentation focusing on the company's results and operating trends. Interested parties can listen to the conference call via a webcast and view accompanying slides at jacobs.com. About Jacobs At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow delivering outcomes and solutions for the world's most complex challenges. With approximately $12 billion in annual revenue and a team of almost 45,000, we provide end-to-end services in advanced manufacturing, cities & places, energy, environmental, life sciences, transportation and water. From advisory and consulting, feasibility, planning, design, program and lifecycle management, we're creating a more connected and sustainable world. See how at jacobs.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X and Facebook. We use any of the following to comply with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD: press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, or our website. We routinely post important information on our website at www.jacobs.com, including information that may be deemed to be material. We encourage investors and others interested in the company to monitor these distribution channels for material disclosures. Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current fact. When used herein, words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "plans," "intends," "future," "will," "would," "could," "can," "may," and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations, as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain and are not guarantees of future performance. There are a variety of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law. For additional information contact: Investors Bert Subin [email protected] Media Louise White [email protected] SOURCE Jacobs Jumptuit Secures Patent for "SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AI ASSISTED SEARCH" NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- We are pleased to announce that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has awarded Inventor Donald Leka, Founder and CEO of Jumptuit, a new AI Search patent, "SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AI ASSISTED SEARCH." This AI Search invention relates to a system and method of AI expanded search for correlated data and information. AI formulated queries derived from AI generated metadata and analysis yield a plurality of independent search results including primary and expanded responses. AI generated queries expand search results to include data and information not requested by the user, but rather based on materiality to the user's initial query. Each set of AI formulated queries constitutes a unique dynamically generated pattern rather than a static pattern based on an initial search string. This system and method automates and accelerates the discovery process by improving query generation, propagating material new data from results analysis, in an ever-expanding process, until confidence thresholds for decision-making are reached. The newly granted "System and Method of AI Assisted Search" patent (Patent No. 12361080), expands on the previously granted "System and Method of AI Assisted Search" patent (Patent No. 11971933), and "System and Method of AI Assisted Search Based on Events and Location" patent (Patent No. 11803602), an AI Search invention that relates to a system and method for autonomously retrieving relevant information in advance of future events and locations, based on time intervals and distance intervals. This USPTO-granted AI Search patent is part of a larger Intellectual Property (IP) protection strategy consisting of patents and trade secrets that constitute the underlying systems and methodologies of the Jumptuit Group's technologies. "Reaching the threshold for high-confidence assessments of precedent conditions of geopolitical, environmental, public health, and market event risk requires access to massive cross-sector live data and powerful dynamic AI Search and Anticipatory Intelligence to decipher, decode, decrypt, identify, and discover missing information," said Inventor and Jumptuit Founder and CEO, Donald Leka. "From a scintilla of data, Jumptuit's AI-Assisted Search can uncover and identify locations, time frames, persons of interest, physical, chemical, and biological factors, terrain characteristics, topography and natural features, site conditions, and new developments and trajectories. The appearance of traces of correlated data dispersed across digital media spawns autonomous AI-generated searches accessing millions of data endpoints. These searches initiate dynamic high-veracity multi-layered analyses, filling in gaps in data, and obtaining the information needed to forecast probable conditions, solve for complex problems, and reduce the cost of risk." The Jumptuit Group will be making additional IP announcements shortly. About The Jumptuit Group The Jumptuit Group (TJG) is an AI research and development company working in the emerging field of Anticipatory Intelligence. The purpose of Anticipatory Intelligence is to observe and understand the antecedent elements of events, their movements and the forces among them, based on heightened sensory and spatial intelligence. Our goal is to accelerate the anticipation of events that pose risks and opportunities to organizations and help policymakers and practitioners develop anticipatory strategies to improve stakeholder outcomes. TJG is an interconnected network of subsidiary companies across geographies and sectors realizing synergies among them. TJG companies operate within the same technology, licensing, and business model framework, allowing for seamless deployment of product modules between the Operating Vertical Companies (OVCs). Jumptuit Editorial Contact: Jordan Glass Jumptuit 914.584.5022 [email protected] SOURCE Jumptuit CLEVELAND, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) announced today that its Board of Directors declared the following dividends for the third quarter of 2025: A cash dividend of $0.205 per share on the corporation's outstanding common shares (NYSE: KEY). The dividend is payable on September 15, 2025 , to holders of record of such Common Shares as of the close of business on September 2, 2025 ; per share on the corporation's outstanding common shares (NYSE: KEY). The dividend is payable on , to holders of record of such Common Shares as of the close of business on ; A dividend of $312.50 per share (equivalent to $12.50 per depositary share (CUSIP #493267AK4)) on the corporation's outstanding Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D (CUSIP #493267603), payable on September 15, 2025 to holders of record as of the close of business on September 2, 2025 , for the period commencing on (and including) June 15, 2025 to (but excluding) September 15, 2025 ; per share (equivalent to per depositary share (CUSIP #493267AK4)) on the corporation's outstanding Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D (CUSIP #493267603), payable on to holders of record as of the close of business on , for the period commencing on (and including) to (but excluding) ; A dividend of $15.3125 per share (equivalent to $.382813 per depositary share (NYSE: KEY.I)) on the corporation's outstanding Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E (CUSIP #493267801), payable on September 15, 2025 to holders of record as of the close of business on September 2, 2025 , for the period commencing on (and including) June 15, 2025 to (but excluding) September 15, 2025 ; per share (equivalent to per depositary share (NYSE: KEY.I)) on the corporation's outstanding Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E (CUSIP #493267801), payable on to holders of record as of the close of business on , for the period commencing on (and including) to (but excluding) ; A dividend of $14.1250 per share (equivalent to $.353125 per depositary share (NYSE: KEY.J)) on the corporation's outstanding Fixed Rate Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F (CUSIP #493267884), payable on September 15, 2025 to holders of record as of the close of business on September 2, 2025 , for the period commencing on (and including) June 15, 2025 to (but excluding) September 15, 2025 ; per share (equivalent to per depositary share (NYSE: KEY.J)) on the corporation's outstanding Fixed Rate Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F (CUSIP #493267884), payable on to holders of record as of the close of business on , for the period commencing on (and including) to (but excluding) ; A dividend of $14.0625 per share (equivalent to $.351563 per depositary share (NYSE: KEY.K)) on the corporation's outstanding Fixed Rate Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series G (CUSIP #493267850), payable on September 15, 2025 to holders of record as of the close of business on September 2, 2025 , for the period commencing on (and including) June 15, 2025 to (but excluding) September 15, 2025 ; and per share (equivalent to per depositary share (NYSE: KEY.K)) on the corporation's outstanding Fixed Rate Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series G (CUSIP #493267850), payable on to holders of record as of the close of business on , for the period commencing on (and including) to (but excluding) ; and A dividend of $15.50 per share (equivalent to $.3875 per depositary share (NYSE: KEY.L)) on the corporation's outstanding Fixed Rate Reset Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series H (CUSIP #493267835), payable on September 15, 2025 to holders of record as of the close of business on September 2, 2025 , for the period commencing on (and including) June 15, 2025 to (but excluding) September 15, 2025 . About KeyCorp In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $189 billion at March 31, 2025. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/ . KeyBank is Member FDIC. SOURCE KeyCorp Lasting support for Stay Housed LA and Measure ULA will protect renters and keep a roof over every head LOS ANGELES, July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the release of the Point in Time census from the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, Liberty Hill Foundation released the following statement from Mike Dennis, Senior Director of Housing Justice: "For the second year in a row, homelessness in Los Angeles County has declinedwith unsheltered homelessness dropping 14% over two years, and 18% in the City of Los Angeles. This is a powerful sign of what's possiblebut it's also a warning: now is not the time to ease up. If we want to keep this momentum and drive homelessness down even further, we must double down on solutions we know workstarting with keeping people housed," said Dennis. "Stay Housed LAa right to counsel program that was created and funded in partnership with both the City and County of Los Angeles and is administered by Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and Liberty Hill Foundationhas been critical to tenants, providing information and resources to keep people in their homes throughout the region. In collaboration with dozens of community-based organizations and legal service providers, Stay Housed LA has reached more than two million tenants, connected more than 27,000 of those tenants with legal services, and held nearly 1,500 workshops to direct people to the resources they can use to keep themselves housed." With so much uncertainty at the state and federal level, the resources administered through the Stay Housed program are absolutely critical to working low-income and struggling Angelenos at risk of homelessness. The high cost of housing continues to be a leading driver of homelessness. This is why Measure ULA's income support services and rental assistance programs show up in these numbers. The community-driven initiative is helping to keep more than 10,000 Angelenos in their homes, providing nearly 500 seniors, families and other renters with needed funds, and educating 100,000 Angelenos on their rights as tenants. The 795 affordable homes that ULA is helping build will help end homelessness for people still experiencing it today. To continue this progress, we must protect and expand ULAthe most effective local funding source we have in the fight against homelessness. With the introduction of new homelessness prevention dollars funded by Measure A, our region is poised to continue driving down chronic homelessness over the long term. We must keep investing in permanent solutions to the crisis that deliver real resultsnot the perception of progress. For more information about the fight for housing justice in Los Angeles, visit www.libertyhill.org. About Liberty Hill Foundation Liberty Hill Foundation is a laboratory for social change philanthropy. We leverage the power of community organizers, donor activists, and allies to advance social justice through strategic investment in grants, leadership training, and campaigns. We envision a society in which all people have a powerful voice, including those currently shut out of our democracy, people cut off from opportunities because of their skin color, gender or sexual orientation, where they live, or where they were born. We will not rest until society provides justice and equality for all. SOURCE Liberty Hill Foundation The touring artwork will be presented during the 17-day Festival of the Moon RAHWAY, N.J., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Museum of the Moon, a touring artwork by U.K. artist Luke Jerram, will be presented inside the majestic Union County Performing Arts Center in October 2025. This is the first time Museum of the Moon will be presented in New Jersey and one of a handful of times it has been exhibited on the East Coast in the United States. Measuring 23 feet in diameter, the moon features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. Every inch measured on the spherical sculpture represents an actual distance of almost 8 miles of the moon's surface. The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition created by award winning composer Dan Jones. "Rahway is proud to welcome Museum of the Moon to our vibrant city," says Rahway Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe. "This awe-inspiring presentation not only brings world-class art to our doorstep but also invites our community to gather under the glow of imagination and wonder. We're not just showcasing the Moonwe're celebrating Rahway's continued rise as a cultural destination where creativity, connection, and community thrive." The sculpture's display is central to the Festival of the Moon, a unique series of moon-themed events proudly presented by the City of Rahway, Rahway SID, and Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC). The festival will take place with near-daily events and performances over a 17-day period from October 4-20, 2025. Live performances, music, dance, children's theater, opera, film, and other lunar-inspired events will take place beneath the moon. Some of New Jersey's leading artistic companies, such as the New Jersey Symphony, American Repertory Ballet, New Jersey Opera Theater, and Chinese Culture Arts Association, provide a lineup of memorable performances evoking and celebrating the moon. "We are honored to be the landing site for Museum of the Moon this October," says UCPAC Executive Director Danni Newbury. "As a historic theater with deep roots in the arts, UCPAC is thrilled to collaborate with the City of Rahway and the Rahway SID to bring this breathtaking exhibit to life. It's a shining example of what happens when visionary partners come together to elevate culture in our city." Visitors can experience Museum of the Moon during public viewing hours by reserving free timed entry tickets. Learn more about the schedule of events and ticketing at www.rahwaymoonfest.com/schedule. Rahway businesses will also take part in the celebration of the moon through business specials, menus, and unique events. "This is the kind of big, bold, beautiful event that makes Rahway special," says Rahway SID President Jorge Casalins. "Museum of the Moon will light up our downtown in more ways than oneand we can't wait to see folks out exploring the businesses, grabbing dinner, and soaking up the lunar magic together." Visit www.rahwaymoonfest.com to learn about business offers and special events leading up to and during the Festival of the Moon. Additional Resources Press kit including high-resolution images: https://rahwaymoonfest.com/media-kit/ SOURCE City of Rahway CSE:NF OTCQX:NFUNF VANCOUVER, BC, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE: NF) (OTCQX: NFUNF) ("Nuclear Fuels" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities a management information circular dated July 10, 2025 (the "Circular") and related meeting materials (together with the Circular, the "Meeting Materials") of the Company for use at the special meeting (the "Meeting") of Nuclear Fuels shareholders (the "Company Shareholders") to be held in connection with the proposed plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) involving the Company and Premier American Uranium Inc. ("Premier American Uranium" or "PUR"), as previously announced in a news release dated June 5, 2025 (the "Arrangement"). The Company has commenced the mailing of copies of the Meeting Materials to Company Shareholders entitled to vote on the Arrangement at the Meeting. At the Meeting, Company Shareholders will be asked to consider a special resolution (the "Arrangement Resolution") approving the Arrangement pursuant to which PUR will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Nuclear Fuels (each whole share, an "NF Share"). Pursuant to the Arrangement, each Company Shareholder will receive 0.33 of a common share of PUR (each, a "PUR Share") for each NF Share held (the "Exchange Ratio"). The Board of Directors of Nuclear Fuels recommends that Company Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution. Additional details with respect to the Arrangement, the reasons for the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company as well as the potential benefits and risks of the Arrangement are described in the Circular, which Shareholders are encouraged to read in its entirety. The Meeting and Voting The Meeting is scheduled to be held at the offices of Morton Law LLP located at 1200 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2T8, at 11:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on August 13, 2025, subject to adjournment or postponement. Company Shareholders are encouraged to carefully read the notice of meeting, the Circular and other Meeting Materials for information concerning the Arrangement, the Arrangement Resolution and voting. The Meeting Materials are available under Nuclear Fuels' profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Only Company Shareholders of record as at the close of business on July 7, 2025 are eligible to vote at the Meeting. About Nuclear Fuels Inc. Nuclear Fuels Inc. is a uranium exploration company advancing early stage, district-scale ISR amenable uranium projects towards production in the U.S. Leveraging extensive proprietary historical databases and deep industry expertise, Nuclear Fuels is well-positioned in a sector poised for significant and sustained growth on the back of strong government support. Nuclear Fuels has consolidated the Kaycee district under single-company control for the first time since the early 1980s. Currently planning its 2025 drill program following successful 2023 and 2024 drilling, the Company aims to expand on historic resources across a 35-mile trend with over 430 miles of mapped roll-fronts defined by 3,800 drill holes. The Company's strategic relationship with enCore Energy Corp., America's Clean Energy Company, offers a mutually beneficial "pathway to production," with enCore owning an equity interest and retaining the right to back-in to 51% ownership in the flagship Kaycee Project in Wyoming's prolific Powder River Basin. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and any securities issuable in the Arrangement are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Cautionary Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, but not limited to, the date of the Meeting and completion of the mailing of the Meeting Materials, Nuclear Fuels' position in the mining sector and anticipated support from the government, expected drilling programs, and benefits of the strategic relationship with enCore. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including receipt of required shareholder, regulatory, court and stock exchange approvals, the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the closing of the Arrangement, and other expectations and assumptions concerning the Arrangement. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management of the Company at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: the failure to obtain shareholder, regulatory, court or stock exchange approvals in connection with the Arrangement, material adverse change in the timing of completion and the terms and conditions upon which the Arrangement is completed, inability to satisfy or waive all conditions to complete the Arrangement as set out in the arrangement agreement, failure to complete the Arrangement, failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement or implement the business plan for the PUR following completion of the Arrangement, negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known current mineral reserves or resources, unsuccessful drill programs, changes in the Company's strategic relationship, reliance on key management and other personnel, potential downturns in economic conditions, unanticipated changes in market price for PUR Shares and/or Company Shares, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, and risks generally associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals, stock market conditions generally, demand, supply and pricing for uranium; and general economic and political conditions in Canada and other jurisdictions where the Company conducts business, and the risk factors with respect to the Company set out in its management's discussion & analysis filed for its most recent financial year end and period end with the Canadian securities regulators and are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Nuclear Fuels Inc. WASHINGTON, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club today called for the release of well-known Palestinian journalist Ali al-Samoudi from Megiddo Prison in Israel. Samoudi, 58, is being held on military administrative detention, which was recently extended by six months. There was no evidence presented against him following charges of supporting a terrorist organization. Samoudi is one of the highest profile Palestinian journalists working in the West Bank. He has worked for CNN and Al Jazeera. Samoudi plays a prominent role in the new film "Who Killed Shireen" about the killing of Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh by an IDF sniper in Jenin in May of 2022. Samoudi was shot in the back in the same incident but survived. The film was screened for the first time in Washington on July 12 with more than 400 people attending a program planned by the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club. After the film there was a panel discussion including: Medhi Hassan, founder of Zeteo, which platformed the film; Abderrahim Foukara, Al-Jazeera bureau chief in DC; Dion Nissenbaum, the lead investigator and producer of film, and Jihan Abdalla, a senior correspondent for the National News. Nissenbaum called for Samoudi's release on the panel and in the film. Video of the panel can be found here. At least 20 Palestinian journalists are being held in military administrative detention since the beginning of the current conflict in October 2023. Another 200 journalists have been killed in the region since that time. Founded in 2024, the Center for Press Freedom at the National Press Club helps support journalists who have been wrongfully detained, beaten, killed, subjected to lawfare or driven from their countries. For more information, click here. Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 or [email protected] for the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club SOURCE National Press Club Diagnostic testing for emerging infectious disease associated with severe neurological affects SECAUCUS, N.J., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), a leader in diagnostic information services, today announced the launch of a new diagnostic laboratory test for the Oropouche virus, an emerging disease that is increasingly found in South and Central America and the Caribbean. "As one of the leading providers of laboratory testing, Quest plays an essential role in ensuring the U.S. is prepared to respond to potentially dangerous emerging diseases, such as Oropouche virus," said Yuri Fesko, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Quest Diagnostics. "By developing this test, we are prepared to act quickly to offer scalable testing to complement public health labs should this virus become a public health threat." Oropouche virus is an emerging virus in the Americas that is spread to people by infected biting midges and some mosquito species. While the current threat to the public in North America remains low, Oropouche virus has been reported in parts of South America, Central America and the Caribbean, with the majority of infected individuals becoming symptomatic. Cases reported in the United States have been limited to travelers returning from countries with local transmission. Oropouche viral disease presents clinically with symptoms that overlap with those of other arboviral diseases such as Dengue, Zika and chikungunya. While most people recover on their own, Oropouche virus can also cause more severe neuroinvasive disease like meningitis and encephalitis. The test will be available with a prescription from a provider for clinical purposes at the end of the month. Quest's advanced laboratory in San Juan Capistrano, California, developed and will perform the test using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, with serology testing to follow later this quarter. Reverse transcription PCR testing can identify the RNA of the virus during the early stages of infection to aid diagnosis. Serology testing, which identifies antibodies produced by the immune system in response to the virus, can help diagnose the virus in later stages of infection. In September 2024, Quest Diagnostics was awarded several contracts by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support testing and sustained laboratory readiness for emerging infectious diseases, including the development of diagnostics to aid the detection of Oropouche virus. The company also launched the first commercially available diagnostic test for Avian Influenza A H5 based on the funding. The contracts provide funding to enable the company to maintain testing readiness, such as for adequate supplies of certain equipment and chemical reagents used to perform the tests, on a sustained basis, should the U.S. need to quickly mobilize response to safeguard public health. About Quest Diagnostics Quest Diagnostics works across the healthcare ecosystem to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We provide diagnostic insights from the results of our laboratory testing to empower people, physicians and organizations to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from one of the world's largest databases of de-identifiable clinical lab results, Quest's diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our nearly 55,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives and create a healthier world. www.QuestDiagnostics.com. SOURCE Quest Diagnostics With critical budget decisions on the horizon, active transportation advocates say Congress's move to rescind nearly $750 million for trail, walking and biking projects through the One Big Beautiful Bill is a major blow WASHINGTON, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- When the One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, Congress rescinded unobligated funding from the Neighborhood Access and Equity Program, including as much as $750 million for trailsa major blow to progress being made to connect trail and active transportation systems nationwide says Rails to Trails Conservancy, the nation's largest trails, walking and biking advocacy organization. "The Neighborhood Access and Equity Program created new opportunities for people and places by restoring connectivity in communities so that everyone can get where they need to go. Congress is clawing back funds that will prevent communities from repairing damages created by misplaced federal transportation investments and causing unnecessary harm," said Kevin Mills, RTC's vice president of policy. "One example is in the urgency to make it safer and easier for people to walk and bike. More than 20 people die walking every day, and bicyclists and pedestrians are the most likely road users to be seriously injured or killed. That's why hundreds of places are pursuing connected trail and active transportation networks, creating safe spaces for people to walk and bike so that everyone can get aroundwhether or not they drive. Now, many of those projects will not receive the investment they were promised, and people's lives are at risk," said Mills. According to RTC's analyses, municipalities and regional leaders are pursuing trail and active transportation networks in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, motivated by local and state leaders seeking to create safer mobility options, drive economic opportunity, and deliver quality of life for their residents. In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhood grant awards marked the largest one-time federal investment in active transportation infrastructure ever made in response to soaring demand from people and places, and a deeper federal understanding about the unique role of active transportation in creating connections within and between communities. Projects focused solely on trails, walking and biking accounted for 25% of the total $3 billion in funding, and the vast majority of all of the awarded projects included elements that account for active transportationmaking clear the depth of demand for this infrastructure nationwide. The recission of these funds in the One Big Beautiful Bill strip away significant investments in critical projects to address inequities in mobility, safe walking and biking, and economic opportunity for rural, suburban and urban communities alike, undermining local and state priorities. Included in the recission is $92.7 million awarded to multiple Alabama projects that contribute to a statewide trail system connecting people and places and creating new economic and mobility opportunity in rural, suburban and urban regions; $147 million to connect the Emerald Trail in Jacksonville, Florida, connecting 30 miles of trail, 14 historic neighborhoods and schools, hospitals, employment hubs, and retail centers; and $24 million for Montana creating new connections between urban East Missoula and rural Sha-Ron and Marshall, which have been cut off from one another due to a lack of safe walking and biking facilities and physical barriers created by Highway 200 and the railroad overpass. "This move by Congress is appalling, and it sends a clear message. We need to band togetherthe public, local and state officials, and champions in Congressto protect the range of funding that exists for this vital infrastructure," said Mills. "We will remain vigilant in advancing a federal policy agenda that provides opportunities to overcome this setback, making safe, connected active-transportation infrastructure accessible to all Americans." Decades of federal, state and local investment has established a foundation for the nation's active transportation system that includes over 42,000 miles of multiuse trails, hundreds of developing trail and active transportation networks, and an annual economic impact of more than $34 billion. Current public funding falls far short of the scale of demand and urgency to provide safe walking and biking routes nationwide. Programs that invest in this infrastructure are woefully oversubscribed, putting the lives of everyone who wants to walk, bike or be active outside at risk. RTC's federal policy agenda outlines a bold strategy to build the nation's essential walking and biking infrastructure through investment and policy reform to deliver the active transportation infrastructure America needs. Rails to Trails Conservancy is the nation's largest trails organizationwith a grassroots community more than 1 million strongdedicated to building a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on social media. CONTACT: Patricia Brooks, 202.351.1757, [email protected] SOURCE Rails to Trails Conservancy NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SilverPoint Senior Living is proud to announce the addition of David Clement as Chief Financial Officer . David brings nearly 30 years of leadership and financial experience in the senior housing industry, including more than 25 years serving in CFO roles. David's career spans every phase of the senior living lifecycle, from ground-up development to operations and successful exits. His expertise includes time with nationally recognized providers such as The Aspenwood Company and Volante Senior Living, where he supported portfolios spanning multiple states and dozens of communities. As CFO, David has led a wide range of financial operations critical to company success. His experience includes lender and investor relations, treasury management and cash flow forecasting, pro forma analysis, budgeting, financial reporting, financing transactions, and risk management. David is also recognized for developing key performance indicators (KPIs) and building high-performing teams that drive results. "We are thrilled to welcome David to SilverPoint," said Shawn Corzine, Chief Executive Officer. "His leadership and financial acumen will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals and continue to deliver exceptional service to our communities." David is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and has been actively involved with the American Seniors Housing Association and Argentum's CFO Executive Roundtable. Please join us in welcoming David Clement to the SilverPoint family. About SilverPoint Senior Living SilverPoint Senior Living is a Texas senior living management company that specializes in operating independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities. Their management services include portfolio management; development and acquisition; accounting and finance; marketing and sales; and IT and digital transformation. SilverPoint is strongly committed to its five core values of family, purpose, fun, integrity, and dignity, and is known for its signature Engaged Life program in which residents enjoy a person-centered care approach designed to make their lifestyle more similar to home. It is also a certified Great Place to Work. For more information about SilverPoint Senior Living, please visit www.silverpointsl.com or call 830-730-4472. SOURCE SilverPoint Senior Living HOUSTON, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Talos Energy Inc. ("Talos" or the "Company") (NYSE: TALO) intends to release second quarter 2025 results for the period ended June 30, 2025, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, after the U.S. financial market closes. In addition to this release, Talos will host a conference call, broadcast live over the internet, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time (9:00 AM Central Time). Listeners can access the conference call through a webcast link on the Company's website at: Talos Second Quarter 2025 Webcast. Alternatively, the conference call can be accessed by dialing (800) 836-8184 (North American toll-free) or (646) 357-8785 (international). Please dial in approximately 15 minutes before the teleconference is scheduled to begin and ask to be joined into the Talos Energy call. A replay of the call will be available one hour after the conclusion of the conference until August 14, 2025 and can be accessed by dialing (888) 660-6345 and using access code 83342#. ABOUT TALOS ENERGY Talos Energy (NYSE: TALO) is a technically driven, innovative, independent energy company focused on maximizing long-term value through its Exploration & Production business in the United States Gulf of America and offshore Mexico. We leverage decades of technical and offshore operational expertise to acquire, explore, and produce assets in key geological trends while maintaining a focus on safe and efficient operations, environmental responsibility, and community impact. For more information, visit www.talosenergy.com. INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT Clay Jeansonne [email protected] SOURCE Talos Energy THE COLONY, Texas, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Letitia Baggett, BS, BSN, RN, CCM, CLNC, LCP-C, is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for her contributions in Nursing & Consulting. Letitia Baggett, BS, BSN, RN, CCM, CLNC, LCP-C With over two decades of experience across diverse medical specialties, Letitia Baggett, BS, BSN, RN, CCM, CLNC, LCP-C, proudly announces the continued growth and success of Superior Legal Nurse Consulting, PLLC, a top-tier consulting business based in The Colony, Texas. As the founder, lead legal nurse consultant, and chief executive officer, Ms. Baggett has established herself as a distinguished figure in the field of legal nurse consulting. Superior Legal Nurse Consulting, PLLC provides expert legal nurse consulting services, including medical record analysis, expert witness support, and life care planning. The company serves legal professionals across the United States, bringing clinical precision to complex medical cases. Through Superior Legal Nurse Consulting, Ms. Baggett bridges the critical gap between medicine and law. Her services are instrumental to attorneys navigating complex medical cases, providing vital expertise in reviewing medical records, interpreting medical terminology, evaluating diagnoses and procedures, and offering clear, concise recommendations regarding case viability. "Translating clinical complexity into legal clarity is what we do best," said Ms. Baggett. "Our mission is to ensure that every client has access to the medical insights they need to secure justice and long-term care." In addition to her consulting work, Ms. Baggett specializes as a certified nurse life care planner, crafting comprehensive life care plans for individuals facing lifelong medical challenges. Her unique qualifications and credentialsearned through Baylor University and advanced certifications from respected institutionsequip her to deliver unmatched value in the legal and medical arenas. Ms. Baggett's extensive clinical background includes roles in oncology, emergency and pre-op/post-op, intensive and coronary care units, gynecology/oncology, and Medicare/Medicaid case management, among others. Her depth of knowledge has earned her national recognition, including recent honors such as induction into Continental Who's Who Inner Circle (2025), Marquis Who's Who in America as a top woman in business and top nurse (2025), and the Worldwide Women's Association (2024). A proud member of professional associations such as the American Nurses Association, National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants, American Association of Nurse Life Care Planners, and the Case Management Society of America, Ms. Baggett remains deeply engaged in the advancement of nursing and legal consulting standards. She is also civically active, supporting organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and United Way. When she's not advocating for clients or mentoring fellow nurses, Ms. Baggett enjoys crafting and spending time with her family and friends. Her dogs and her pig bring her a lot of joy too. Ms. Baggett attributes much of her success to the love and support of her family and friends. "I could never have attained any of this without the constant support and love they've given me every step of the way. Any time I doubt myself, they are right there cheering me on!" With regional influence and national ambition, Superior Legal Nurse Consulting, PLLC is poised for continued growth, offering unmatched expertise at the intersection of healthcare and justice. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle OMAHA, Neb., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Uniti Med, a premier healthcare staffing provider headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, has been named among BluePipes' "Best Travel Nursing Companies" for 2025, marking its third consecutive year receiving this prestigious recognition. This honor comes exactly one year after Uniti Med's acquisition by global talent solutions leader GQR, highlighting the organization's continued commitment to excellence and innovation in travel nurse staffing. BluePipes' annual rankings assess travel nursing agencies based on critical factors including traveler feedback, assignment quality, recruiter responsiveness, compensation, benefits, and overall satisfaction. This year, BluePipes evaluated over 480 healthcare staffing agencies, aggregating more than 210,000 reviews from top online platforms such as Google, Indeed, Glassdoor, Facebook, and Travel Nursing Central. Uniti Med stood out as one of only two companies to achieve an aggregate average score above 97 from over 500 individual reviews. This ongoing recognition highlights Uniti Med's dedication to providing exceptional service and unmatched support to healthcare professionals nationwide. Christopher Sund, COO and President of Uniti Med, commented, "What makes this recognition so special is that it's based on feedback from the healthcare travel professionals we serve. Their trust and partnership mean the world to us, and they continue to inspire us to keep raising the bar. They're the heart of everything we do." Uniti Med differentiates itself in the competitive healthcare staffing market by providing personalized service, comprehensive benefits, and streamlined onboarding processes. With placements across acute care, allied health, and long-term care settings, the agency offers healthcare professionals diverse and rewarding career opportunities. "Our ongoing success is deeply rooted in building meaningful relationships with our nurses, healthcare facilities, and internal team," Sund added. "We remain committed to creating an environment where travel nurses can thrive both professionally and personally." For additional information about Uniti Med and its award-winning staffing services, visit www.unitimed.com. About Uniti Med: Uniti Med, based in Omaha, NE, specializes in healthcare staffing solutions, including travel nursing and allied health placements nationwide. The company prioritizes personalized support and exceptional professional experiences for healthcare workers. The company is also honored to have received the ClearlyRated 2025 Best of Staffing Talent Satisfaction Award and is certified as a Great Place to Work, further highlighting its commitment to excellence. SOURCE GQR Enjoy a showcase of all things weird. BUFFALO, N.Y., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brace yourselves for the strangest and most exciting event of the year as The Oddities and Curiosities Expo , the ultimate celebration of all things peculiar and extraordinary, returns to Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in Buffalo, NY on August 2nd and 3rd. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased at https://oddities.com The Oddities and Curiosities Expo is a one-of-a-kind traveling showcase that brings together hundreds of oddity vendors and artists from across the country, creating a playground for the strange and unusual. Here, the weird, wonderful, and downright bizarre unite in a fascinating display of the extraordinary, providing a platform for vendors and artists to connect with a community of like-minded individuals. The event will travel coast to coast, visiting 40 cities in the United States and Canada in 2025. Attendees can browse and shop for rare and unique items, including taxidermy, preserved animal specimens, dark artistry, original horror and Halloween-inspired artwork, antiques, metaphysical accoutrements, handcrafted oddities, skulls, bones, and funeral collectibles. Beyond shopping, the expo offers an immersive experience with photo opportunities, tarot readings, sideshow performances, and various concessions to keep attendees entertained throughout the day. Founded in Oklahoma by Michelle and Tony Cozzaglio, The Oddities and Curiosities Expo has hosted hundreds of events across North America, recognizing a growing demand for this unique large-scale gathering. "We created this expo to give odd small businesses and artists a space where they can thrive," said Michelle. "Our goal is to build a community where people feel safe to be themselves, surrounded by like-minded folks who appreciate the weird and wonderful." With its strong DIY ethos and a commitment to excellence, the expo continues to grow year after year. "Our success comes from working with the best exhibitors in the world and curating every event to deliver exactly what our attendees want to see," Michelle added. "We're always looking for ways to evolve and make the experience even better for both our exhibitors and our guests." As the original, curated event of its kind, the Oddities and Curiosities Expo remains the leading destination for the wonderfully weird. Guests of The Oddities and Curiosities Expo can also purchase tickets to a day-long taxidermy class where they can learn to make their own full-sized taxidermy mount, which will vary by city, or insect pinning class In all classes, hosted by The Sleeping Sirens, students will work with sustainably sourced specimens to learn the basics of taxidermy and entomology and will be provided with a variety of tools and materials. It is important to note: All animals in the taxidermy class and other parts of the show like preserved specimens are sourced ethically and died of natural causes. EVENT INFO The Oddities and Curiosities Expo will take place Saturday, August 2nd from 10am to 6pm and Sunday, August 3rd from 10am to 4pm at Buffalo Niagara Convention Center at 153 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY 14202. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Children 12 and under are free. The event is all ages - however, parents are advised to use their best judgment about if their children should attend. Tickets can be purchased at https://oddities.com The Jackalope Taxidermy Class will be held on Saturday, August 2nd, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for $225. The Beetles and Spiders Beginner Entomology Class sessions will be held on Sunday, August 3rd, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and again from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM for $150.All classes will be hosted by Heather Clark of Sleeping Sirens Art & Oddities with built in breaks for lunch and exploring the expo. Materials and tools are provided, and tickets include admission to the expo. For additional information, follow The Oddities and Curiosities Expo on Facebook , Instagram and TikTok . Contact Dayna Castillo [email protected] SOURCE Oddities & Curiosities Expo If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Shubhanshu Shukla to touch down on Earth today with splashdown off California coast. Image Source: Axiom Space via IANS New Delhi, July 15 : Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), is set to return to Earth on Tuesday, marking the end of a historic mission under Axiom Space's Ax-4 program. After an extraordinary 18-day stay aboard the orbital laboratory, Shukla and his three international crewmates are scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 p.m. IST (4:31 AM CT). Shukla, along with fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), boarded SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft "Grace" at 3:30 a.m. CT (2 PM IST) on Monday. The spacecraft undocked from the ISS's Harmony module at 7:15 a.m. ET (4:45 p.m. IST). NASA confirmed the hatch closure occurred at 5:07 a.m. EDT, and SpaceX announced "Dragon separation confirmed" shortly afterward via its official X account. "Dragon is GO to undock from the Space Station," SpaceX said in a post on X. "Dragon separation confirmed!" the post added. This marks the completion of a nearly 23-hour return journey. Upon splashdown, the crew will be retrieved by recovery teams and Shukla will then begin a 7-day rehabilitation protocol to readjust to Earth's gravity after spending over two weeks in microgravity. Shukla's mission originally spanned 14 days but was extended to 18, allowing for additional scientific research and collaborative work aboard the station. His participation in the Ax-4 mission makes him only the second Indian astronaut to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma's legendary mission in 1984. In a touching farewell message from orbit, Shukla described his experience as "an incredible journey," expressing deep gratitude to ISRO, NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX. "India still looks better than the whole world," he remarked, gazing down from the cupola of the ISS. Shukla's return today is a proud moment for India and a significant step in the country's growing presence in global space exploration. Washington, July 15 : US President Donald Trump said that the United States will send weapons to Ukraine through NATO, and threatened "severe tariffs" targeting Russia if a ceasefire deal is not reached in 50 days. Trump announced an agreement with NATO regarding weapons to assist Ukraine while meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, Xinhua news agency reported. "We are going to be sending them weapons and they're going to be paying for them," said Trump, adding that the United States will manufacture those weapons. "We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days," Trump said of Russia. Trump noted there would be "secondary tariffs" of about 100 per cent, multiple news outlets reported. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified later that Trump meant "economic sanction" when he threatened "secondary tariffs" against Russia if it did not reach a deal to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days, The Washington Times reported. Speaking to reporters after the Oval Office meeting, Trump said that the deal with the NATO allies was done and fully approved, The New York Times reported. "We'll send them a lot of weapons of all kinds," Trump said. "And they're going to deliver those weapons immediately to the site, to the site of the war, different sites of the war, and they're going to pay for 100 per cent of them." Trump also told reporters that some Patriot systems will arrive in Ukraine within days, according to ABC News. Trump said European countries that have Patriots will transfer them to Ukraine and "they're going to start arriving very soon," ABC News added. Washington, July 15 : The US Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to move forward with its plan to dismantle the Department of Education after pausing a preliminary injunction issued by a US district judge in May. In a 6-3 emergency ruling, the Supreme Court lifted the district judge's order to reinstate employees terminated in mass layoffs, Xinhua news agency reported. On May 22, Boston-based US District Judge Myong Joun ordered the Trump administration to reinstate nearly 1,400 workers affected by mass layoffs at the department. US District Judge Myong Joun in Boston stated that the layoffs "will likely cripple the department." This marks the second significant victory for Trump from the Supreme Court within a week. Last week, the Court paved the way for Trumpas extensive plan to reduce the federal workforce, overturning lower court rulings that had temporarily blocked the initiative. The dismantling of the education department is part of the US President's plan to reduce the federal government's role in education and increase state control. A group of 21 Democratic attorneys general, along with school districts and unions, has filed two legal challenges, asserting that Trump's efforts to shut down the Department of Education could hinder its ability to fulfill its essential responsibilities. Established by Congress in 1979, the Department of Education has several key roles, including administering college loans, monitoring student performance, and enforcing civil rights in schools. Additionally, it provides federal funding to support underfunded districts and assist students with disabilities. Srinagar, July 15 : Another batch of 6,388 pilgrims left for Kashmir from Jammu on Tuesday to perform the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, as over 2.20 lakh had 'darshan' during the last 12 days. The official said over 2.20 lakh yatris have so far performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra since it started on July 3. "Another batch of 6,388 yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys for the Valley today. First escorted convoy of 103 vehicles carrying 2,501 yatris left at 3.26 a.m. for Baltal base camp, while the second escorted convoy of 145 vehicles carrying 3,887 yatris left at 4.15 a.m. for Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp," officials said. The weather office has forecast widespread light to moderate rain in J&K during the next 24 hours. Officials said the onward movement of yatris from the two base camps of Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) towards the holy cave would be decided only after taking the weather conditions into consideration. Bhumi Pujan of 'Chhari Mubarak' (Lord Shiva's Holy Mace) was performed at Pahalgam on July 10. The Chhari Mubarak was taken to Pahalgam by a group of seers led by the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak, Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar to Pahalgam. In Pahalgam, the Chhari Mubarak was taken to the Gauri Shankar temple, where the Bhumi Pujan was held. The Chhari Mubarak will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9, marking the official conclusion of the Yatra. Authorities have made extensive multi-tier security arrangements for this year's Amarnath Yatra, as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them on the basis of faith in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam. An additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB and the local police. The Army has rolled out 'Operation SHIVA 2025', deploying more than 8,500 troops alongside advanced surveillance and combat technology. All the transit camps en route to the two base camps and the entire route from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu to the cave shrine are secured by the security forces. This year, the Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Yatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route. Those using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine, covering a distance of 46 km on foot. This trek takes a pilgrim four days to reach the cave shrine. And, those using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after performing the Yatra. No helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasons. The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva. New Delhi, July 15 : The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has opened applications for the fifth edition of the National Startup Awards (NSA), a flagship initiative under the Startup India programme. In line with the government's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the goal of a five-trillion-dollar economy, Startup India supports startups through initiatives such as startup recognition, tax exemptions, regulatory ease, funding access, and capacity building, according to a Commerce Ministry statement. "Startups applying to NSA are evaluated through a rigorous multi-stage process involving eligibility screening, sectoral shortlisting, and assessment by expert panels comprising industry leaders, investors, academicians, and government officials. DPIIT leads the execution, with active involvement from concerned ministries and departments to ensure that winners reflect national priorities and sectoral diversity," said the ministry. NSA covers a wide range of domains including agriculture, clean energy, fintech, aerospace, health, education, cybersecurity, and accessibility, among others. Each edition introduces new categories to align with evolving challenges and opportunities. NSA recognition serves as a mark of national credibility, enabling winners to access partnerships, investors, policy support, global visibility, and mentoring opportunities. Several past winners have gone on to influence policy, receive major grants, and expand their footprint internationally. Launched in 2016, Startup India has transformed India's entrepreneurial landscape, fostering innovation and empowering youth, women, students, and first-time founders, particularly from tTier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Over 1.75 lakh startups have been recognised by DPIIT so far, representing nearly every district in India and spanning diverse sectors including agriculture, health, education, energy, and deep tech. To celebrate and spotlight high-impact ventures, DPIIT launched the National Startup Awards in 2019. The awards recognise not just commercial success but also social impact, sustainability, and scalability. The most recent edition received over 2,300 applications, reflecting the deepening reach and growing reputation of the initiative. IANS na/ Chennai, July 15 : DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakant will embark on a statewide outreach tour beginning August 3, in a bid to revive grassroots support and energise the party cadre ahead of key political developments. The first phase of the tour will commence from Tiruvallur and cover several districts in northern and western Tamil Nadu, culminating in Chengalpattu on August 23. The DMDK, in a statement, said the tour is aimed at meeting voters and booth-level agents to assess the party's current strength on the ground. According to party sources, the move is reminiscent of a similar tour undertaken in 2017 by DMDK founder and former general secretary Vijayakant, which was seen as a vital attempt to gauge cadre morale and grassroots presence. "It has been quite some time since the party leadership met with the cadre directly. Our general secretary's tour is aimed at understanding the pulse of the people and the views of our workers. This direct engagement will certainly boost morale among party ranks," said B. Parthasarathy, former MLA and deputy general secretary of the DMDK. Party insiders added that the tour is also intended to help the leadership understand the extent of erosion in the party's support base and take corrective steps toward strengthening it. The initiative is also expected to serve as a precursor to a massive public rally planned in Cuddalore on January 9. While the AIADMK recently allotted a Rajya Sabha seat to the DMDK and reiterated the continuation of their alliance, Premalatha has indicated that the party will officially announce its alliance decision only during the Cuddalore rally. Political observers believe that the DMDK is keeping its options open ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Premalatha will be accompanied on the tour by her son, V. Vijaya Prabhakaran, who was recently appointed as the party's Youth Wing Secretary. Prabhakaran, who narrowly lost from Virudhunagar in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, is being positioned as the party's emerging face and is expected to play a key role in reaching out to younger voters. Bhubaneswar, July 15 : Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday expressed deep grief over the death of a female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, who succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The CM assured the family that the strictest punishment under the law would be imposed on those responsible. The 20-year-old B.Ed student was admitted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, following a self-immolation attempt on Saturday over sexual harassment by the Head of the Department(HOD) of her discipline at FM Autonomous College, Balasore. Expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the girl student, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said, "I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite the government's complete efforts and the tireless dedication of the team of expert doctors, her life could not be saved." Offering his condolences, the Chief Minister said, "I pray to Lord Jagannath for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss." CM Majhi also assured the deceased's family of stringent action against all the culprits responsible for the unfortunate death of Soumyashree. "I assure the family of the deceased student that all those found guilty in this case will be punished with the harshest of penalties as per law. I have personally instructed the authorities to take stringent action." He further stated that the government stands firmly with the victim's family at this time of grief. The Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, also expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the student. Taking to the social media platform X, the Minister stated in Odiya (loosely translated), "Deeply saddened and heartbroken to learn about the demise of Somyashree Bisi, a student under treatment in the Balasore Fakir Mohan Autonomous College incident. I pray for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extend my condolences to the grieving family. In this sorrowful time, may Lord Jagannath grant the family immense patience and courage. Om Shanti". Odisha Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj also expressed deep sorrow over the death of the girl student, Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation. In a post on social media platform X, the Minister wrote, "I am deeply pained to hear about the demise of the student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite all efforts and prayers, we could not save her." He further stated that the strictest possible action has already been initiated against the guilty under the government's zero-tolerance policy. "The process of awarding the harshest punishment to the culprit has already begun. We are determined to ensure that such incidents do not recur," he said. Calling the incident extremely unfortunate, Suraj added, "What has happened should never have happened. I fall short of words to condemn such a tragic event. May the Almighty give strength and courage to the bereaved family." The student succumbed to the injuries at the burn centre of AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Monday. According to a medical bulletin released by the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, the student was admitted to the ICU at AIIMS on July 12 at 5.15 p.m. She was referred from the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital on Saturday. It is pertinent here to mention that the victim, a B.Ed student, set herself ablaze after pouring petrol on herself in front of the principal's chamber on Saturday over alleged sexual harassment by the HoD of her discipline, Samir Kumar Sahu. The student with over 90 per cent burn injuries was rushed to Balasore Medical College, but was later shifted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for advanced treatment. She was very upset as no action was taken against the HoD by the college authorities despite her lodging a formal complaint against the accused Sahu. Sahu was immediately arrested by the Sahadevkhunta Police after a case was registered against him under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 108 (abetment to suicide), 75(1)(iii) (sexual harassment), etc. The principal of the FM autonomous college, Dillip Kumar Ghose, was also arrested in the case on Monday. New Delhi, July 15 : The employment-linked incentive (ELI) scheme represents the second step after the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme in the direction of building an Atmanirbhar Bharat, Labour Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has stressed. The ELI scheme will provide financial support to employers, enabling them to generate additional employment, particularly for the youth. The minister described the initiative as a win-win for both employers and job seekers. During a high-level virtual meeting of state labour ministers and state industry ministers, he cited KLEMS data, published by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), highlighting that over 17 crore employment opportunities were generated during the last decade, according to a Ministry of Labour and Employment statement. This, he noted, is a reflection of the significant economic progress made by the country, particularly driven by robust growth in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and services. Dr Mandaviya emphasised that this momentum must be sustained and further accelerated through schemes like ELI, which are designed to create quality jobs, deepen formalisation, and support inclusive development. "Labour and industry are two sides of the same coin," the Minister said, adding that both must work in close coordination for the greater good of the nation's workforce and economy. He assured participants that procedural formalities under the scheme have been kept simple to ensure ease of access and encourage wide participation. The Union Minister also urged state ministers to actively promote the scheme through media briefings, television and radio interviews, and other outreach platforms. He emphasised the importance of comprehensive planning and awareness-building at the grassroots level. With a total outlay of Rs. 99,446 crore, the ELI scheme aims to create over 3.5 crore jobs across the country over a two-year period. During the meeting, labour and industry ministers from Gujarat, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and several other states appreciated the initiative and assured their full cooperation in ensuring its successful implementation across their respective regions. IANS na/ New Delhi, July 15 : The sacred month of Sawan, revered as auspicious especially for devotees of Lord Shiva, is being celebrated with deep devotion and vibrant rituals across India. With the onset of the Kanwar Yatra, markets are witnessing a sharp rise in the demand for religious items. With the rising number of Kanwariyas, the demand for kanwars, decorative items, rudraksha beads, tridents (trishuls), damrus, and Kanwariya outfits has also surged. Markets in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, are bustling, and vendors are reporting a significant increase in sales. A local woman shopkeeper, while arranging items at her stall, shared her experience: "Business is good this time. The demand for items is very high. Since the Kanwar Yatra began, the crowd has increased. The ghats built by PM Modi and CM Yogi are unmatched; no leader has ever built such facilities." To manage the influx and ensure public safety, the Uttar Pradesh Police have ramped up security. As per the guidelines issued by Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Krishna, deployments include 587 gazetted officers, 2,040 Inspectors, 13,520 Sub-Inspectors, 39,965 Head Constables and Constables, 1,486 women Sub-Inspectors, 8,541 women constables and Head Constables. Special arrangements have also been made for 24/7 patrolling, with UP-112 vehicles actively mobilised. Safety guidelines for the Kanwar Yatra mandate that devotees walk only on the left side of highways and that food and rest camps be established at least 20 feet away from the roads. Authorities have warned against overspeeding and reckless driving and have rolled out enhanced safety measures, especially for women Kanwariyas. In addition to safeguarding public health and ensuring fairness, food quality inspections are underway. Meanwhile, in Delhi, the Kanwar Yatra is now in full swing. Devotees from Rajasthan and other states have started arriving in Delhi, carrying Ganga jal from Haridwar and Braj Ghat. The atmosphere is charged with spiritual fervour, and "Bol Bam" chants echo through the air. To ensure smooth passage and safety, the Delhi Police have deployed more than 3,000 police personnel and paramilitary forces along the Kanwar routes. Special focus is being placed on cleanliness and law enforcement. Whenever garbage is spotted, police are photographing it and immediately notifying the municipal authorities for prompt cleanup. In addition, the Delhi government has set up welcoming gates along the route to greet Kanwariyas and offer essential support. These gates provide water, medical aid, and resting facilities. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Beijing: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar during a meeting with Politburo member and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Beijing, China on Monday, July 14, 2025.. Image Source: IANS/X/@DrSJaishankar Beijing, July 15 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and discussed the trajectory of India-China bilateral relations. Jaishankar conveyed warm greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Chinese President during the meeting. The interaction took place as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers' call on the Chinese President. In a post on X following the meeting, Jaishankar wrote, "Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard." The EAM is in China, his first visit to the country since the violent confrontation in Galwan Valley in May 2020, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers' Meeting (CFM) in Tianjin. On Monday, the EAM held multiple high-level meetings to deepen dialogue and cooperation with Chinese officials. He met Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee (IDCPC), and discussed the need for a constructive India-China relationship. He also held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a senior member of the CPC Political Bureau. During the talks with Wang Yi, Jaishankar emphasised a long-term approach to resolving bilateral issues. "Incumbent on us to address aspects related to the border, normalising people-to-people exchanges and avoiding restrictive trade measures and roadblocks. Confident that on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, ties can develop along a positive trajectory," he posted on X after the meeting on Monday. The EAM also met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and reiterated that further normalisation of India-China ties can yield mutually beneficial outcomes. He stressed that open exchange of views and perspectives between the two neighbours and major economies is critical in the current complex global environment. Highlighting the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China, Jaishankar welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which had been suspended since 2020 due to the pandemic and border tensions. The SCO Council of Foreign Ministers' Meeting, where Jaishankar is representing India, precedes the 25th Heads of State Council meeting of the SCO scheduled to be held later this year in Tianjin. India chaired the SCO in 2023, while Pakistan hosted the Leaders' Summit in 2024. Founded as a regional security bloc, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a permanent intergovernmental organisation comprising India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus. The SCOas agenda spans counterterrorism, security, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity. India's participation at various SCO meetings has intensified in recent months, including the visits of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to China in June for discussions on regional defence and security under the SCO framework. Moscow, July 15 : Japan is open to resuming peace treaty negotiations with Russia as soon as conditions permit, Japanese Ambassador to Moscow Akira Muto said. "In order to build stable relations with Russia based on the rule of law, it is necessary to conclude a peace treaty by resolving the territorial issue between our two countries, leaving no undefined borders between us. This will determine the boundary, which is in the interest of both countries. We maintain this position without change," he said in an interview with Russian state-run news agency TASS, responding to a question on whether Tokyo was prepared to take steps toward concluding a peace treaty with Moscow. The ambassador noted that Japan is Russia's natural neighbour and partner and recalled Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement that Russia is ready to "build relations with Tokyo." "We pay attention to the statements of the Russian leadership, and we also intend to resume negotiations on a peace treaty with our neighbour, Russia, as soon as the situation allows," Muto stressed. He further emphasised that Tokyo backs US President Donald Trump's initiative to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and would welcome a potential meeting between the US leader and his Russian counterpart, Putin. "The Japanese government supports President Trump's efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine. Engagement with the United States to resolve the conflict, including a dialogue between the US and Russian leaders, is essential to stopping hostilities and establishing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. This process should also be supported by other G7 nations," Muto mentioned. Moscow and Tokyo have been engaged in talks since the mid-20th century to conclude a peace treaty. The main obstacle remains the dispute over the southern part of the Kuril Islands known as the Northern Territories in Japan. After the war, the entire archipelago was incorporated into the then Soviet Union, but Japan disputes the ownership of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and a group of small uninhabited islets. The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly asserted that Russia's sovereignty over these territories is indisputable, with an established international legal basis. However, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, the Northern Territories are an inherent territory of Japan that continues to be illegally occupied by Russia. Earlier relations worsened when Japan imposed multiple packages of sanctions against Moscow after the launch of Russia's military operation in Ukraine. In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it does not want to continue consultations on the peace treaty, citing the impossibility of negotiating such a fundamental document with a state that adopts an unfriendly stance and allegedly seeks to undermine Russia's interests. Seoul, July 15 : South Korean Defence Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back pledged Tuesday to militarily support the government's push to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and mend strained ties with North Korea. "(If I take office), I will militarily support the government's efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula," Ahn told a parliamentary confirmation hearing. The minister nominee emphasised the importance of leaving doors open for engagement with the North, Yonhap news agency reported. "While establishing deterrence based on immense military power, a door for dialogue to ease tension and build trust should be left open," Ahn said, vowing to seek "strength-based" and "sustainable" peace. Ahn, a five-term lawmaker, was tapped as President Lee Jae Myung's first defense minister last month. He is the first civilian defence chief to be nominated in 64 years for the post that has been generally taken by retired military generals. Meanwhile, President Lee Jae Myung has tapped a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party as land minister and the head of a travel platform as culture minister, the presidential office said Friday, completing the nomination of all 19 members of his first Cabinet. Rep. Kim Yun-duk of the ruling Democratic Party was tapped to lead the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, told reporters. Kim, a three-term lawmaker who has served on the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, is expected to address real estate issues from the perspective of ordinary citizens rather than as an academic or bureaucrat, according to the office. Seoul, July 15 : Google plans to launch a standalone premium subscription plan for YouTube video streaming without the music streaming component in South Korea, as part of a voluntary corrective measure to address its alleged anti-competitive practice, the country's antitrust regulator said on Tuesday. The standalone product, dubbed YouTube Premium Lite, will be nearly half the price of that of the currently existing YouTube Premium plan, which bundles both video and music streaming features, according to the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), reports Yonhap News Agency. Android users can subscribe to YouTube Premium Lite for 8,500 won (US$6.15) per month, while the monthly price for iOS users was set at 10,900 won, the FTC said, noting the prices are cheaper compared with equivalent YouTube subscription plans in six other countries, including the United States and Britain. The new subscription plan was proposed as Google's corrective action plan to address its anti-competitive practice of bundling YouTube Music with the video streaming platform's ad-free premium subscription service. Following Google's launch of such a product in 2020, the FTC began an investigation into the U.S. tech giant's alleged violation of Korea's fair trade rules in 2023. The FTC has accused Google of effectively forcing consumers to subscribe to both services, limiting options for those who may have only wanted access to ad-free video streaming, thereby restricting consumer choice and abusing its market dominance. Rather than pursuing a prolonged legal battle, Google has submitted a corrective action plan of launching the standalone video streaming subscription plan under the FTC's procedure known as a "consent decision." The mechanism allows the FTC to suspend its investigation if the company voluntarily proposes measures that address the alleged consumer harm. The FTC said it plans to collect opinions from relevant ministries and stakeholders over a 30-day period until Aug. 14 before making a final decision on whether to accept Google's proposal. If the FTC endorses the proposal, Google plans to launch the YouTube Premium Lite plan within the end of this year. Under the proposal, Google said it will freeze the price for YouTube Premium Lite and YouTube Premium for at least one year to lower the financial burden on its users. The U.S. company also said it will create a 15 billion-won fund to support the growth of the Korean music industry by discovering new artists and helping their participation in overseas music festivals. a"IANS na/ Seoul, July 15 : A special counsel team is set to make a second attempt Tuesday to bring in former President Yoon Suk Yeol from his detention cell for questioning over his martial law bid. The team led by special counsel Cho Eun-suk has asked the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, just south of the capital, to bring Yoon to its interrogation room by 2 p.m., Yonhap news agency reported. The former president has refused to comply with repeated summonses by the special counsel team since his second arrest last Thursday. On Monday, the team sought to have correctional officers bring him to its office but withdrew after he refused to leave his cell, admitting they could not use physical force due to his status as a former president. Chances are low that Yoon will comply Tuesday. In the event he refuses, the special counsel team could visit him at the detention center to question him there, but even then the former president could refuse to cooperate. It is possible the special counsel will opt to indict Yoon without additional questioning if the pattern continues. Yoon is accused of five key charges, including violating the rights of Cabinet members by calling only a select few to a meeting held shortly before he declared martial law December 3. He is also suspected of creating a false martial law declaration document after December 3 to add legitimacy to his actions, and having it signed by then Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun before discarding it. This is the second time Yoon has been arrested. The first time was in January when he was still in office, but a court later accepted his request to cancel his arrest, granting his release in March. Yoon has since been standing trial on insurrection and abuse of power charges related to his failed martial law bid. New Delhi, July 15 : St. Stephen's College of the Delhi University, and St. Thomas School in Dwarka received bomb threat emails on Tuesday morning, prompting the immediate evacuation of students and staff, according to the Delhi Police. Soon after the alerts were raised, teams from the Delhi Police Bomb Disposal Squad, Dog Squad, Fire Brigade, and Special Staff were dispatched to both locations. As of now, no suspicious items have been recovered from either institution, police officials confirmed. According to the Delhi Police, the premises are being thoroughly investigated and searched. So far, nothing suspicious has been found. The threats came via email, the police said. The Delhi Fire Department also confirmed that both St. Thomas School and St. Stephen's College received the bomb threats through email communication. Authorities moved swiftly to evacuate all individuals from the buildings as a precautionary measure. The police are working to trace the source of the emails. The investigations are underway, and further details are awaited as investigations continue. The Bombay Stock Exchange, located in Mumbai, also received a bomb threat on Tuesday via an email sent through its official website, according to the police. The email originated from an address under the name "Comrade Pinayari Vijayan", prompting the police to take immediate action. The latest threats come just a day after three schools in the national capital -- CRPF School in Prashant Vihar, CRPF School in Dwarka Sector 16, and another school in Chanakyapuri -- were targeted with similar bomb threats. In those instances as well, bomb squads were deployed and searches were conducted, but all threats were eventually determined to be hoaxes. Meanwhile, on the same day, Punjab's Golden Temple in Amritsar also received a threatening email. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex religious body of Sikhs, reported the incident to the authorities. The email reportedly threatened to blow up the langar hall (community kitchen) of the revered Darbar Sahib. Two recent news items from Pakistan highlight the country's attempts to manage two very different but pivotal areas of the modern telecommunications landscape: QoS and satellite internet. A recent announcement from regulator the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) says that Opensignal, an independent global network analytics organisation, will support the PTA for strengthening the capability of monitoring and enhancement of quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) for telecoms subscribers across Pakistan. The initiative aims to provide objective, real-time insights into network performance using crowdsourced data. Opensignal describes itself as the independent global standard for understanding the true state of the worlds networks based on measurements of real user experience. The PTA says Opensignals advanced, data-driven insights will be utilised to monitor and enhance network performance, ensuring reliable and high-speed connectivity for consumers in line with international standards set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and global best practice. The PTA will receive consistent, and real-time data on key performance indicators such as 4G/5G speeds, latency, coverage gaps, and user experience. This information will reinforce the PTA's ability to make evidence-based decisions that advance consumer interests, promote investment and facilitate network expansion. Meanwhile, the Dawn news service reports that the launch of satellite-based internet services in the country has been delayed as authorities look to invite more players into the field and formulate stricter regulations for foreign satellite operators. Following the expiration of the temporary no-objection certificate for Starlink in March, all foreign satellite operators are now required to submit new applications under new drafted Satellite Communications Regulations. These regulations are being finalised by the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), based on industry feedback gathered during a recent roundtable discussion. Referring to recent India-Pakistan and Iran-Israel conflicts, a senior (unnamed) official from the Ministry of IT and Telecom is quoted as saying: The new regulations will include important security clauses that may have been overlooked if the recent wars had not occurred. It's not clear what these new clauses are, however. Once registered under the new regulations, satellite internet providers will need to obtain operational licences from the PTA. It is however suggested that many of these companies should be able to launch their services by the end of this year despite delays in licensing that have apparently occurred due to the absence of regulations. New Delhi, July 15 : Job market momentum and economic opportunity are growing in non-metro cities in India, according to a new report on Tuesday. The Cities on the Rise report, by professional network platform LinkedIn, identifies Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Nashik, and Raipur as the fastest-growing non-metro hubs where professional opportunities are accelerating. The report also highlights emerging tier-2 and tier-3 growth pockets Rajkot, Agra, Madurai, Vadodara, and Jodhpur -- for professionals looking to relocate, tap into new industries, or grow their careers locally. It attributed the success of these emerging cities to central and state government's push for local development. "Tier-2 and tier-3 cities are at the heart of India's economic transformation. The influx of GCC investments, the local MSME boom, and the government's vision of a Viksit Bharat are collectively turning smaller cities into serious career hubs," said Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and India Senior Managing Editor. "This means, for many Indians, meaningful career progress no longer demands moving to a big city. Because these 10 rising cities offer real opportunities across industries, functions, and roles -- right where they are," Banerjee added. Further, the report emphasised the role of technology, pharmaceuticals, and finance companies in moving into tier-2 and tier-3 Indian cities and attracting talent. It noted that amidst the boom in data and AI, tech companies are setting up shop across tier-2 and tier-3 cities, fueling local talent activity. Even healthcare and pharma companies are creating opportunities in Vishakhapatnam and Vadodara; while several major banks are accelerating the growth of financial services in Raipur, Agra, and Jodhpur. Business development roles were identified as the top hiring drivers in six out of 10 Cities on the rise, including Nashik, Raipur, Rajkot, Agra, Vadodara, and Jodhpur. For professionals in Vishakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Madurai, most job opportunities are emerging in the engineering function. Sales, operations, and education are other key functions where professionals in tier-2 and tier-3 cities can look for jobs. Dhaka, July 15 : Awami League slammed the Chief Advisor of the Bangladesh interim government, Muhammad Yunus, on Tuesday, pointing out the rising crime rate in the country, which includes a troubling increase in brutal murders, rapes, mob lynching, extortion, and land grabs. This surge in crime rate, according to the party, has been particularly notable since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The party mentioned a chilling murder in Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh district, where the police have found the slit-throated bodies of a mother, Moyna Begum aged 25, and her two children -- seven year old Raisa, and two year old Nirab, adding that the horrific incident has left the community in shock and fear. "Yet, shockingly, interim government chief advisor Muhammad Yunus claims there is 'no deterioration in the law and order situation' in Bangladesh," the Awami League stated. "As brutal murders, rapes, mob lynching, extortion, and land grabs surge across the country, citizens are left vulnerable and terrified. Rights groups warn that the government's denial only deepens the crisis, allowing violence to flourish and justice to remain out of reach," the party added. Meanwhile, according to an analysis of Bangladesh's leading daily Prothom Alo, crime statistics from the Police Headquarters provided by the Chief Advisor's Press Wing on Monday revealed a sharp rise in murder cases from January to June 2025. In January, 294 cases were reported, while in February, it increased to 300. In March, there were 316 murders, 338 in April, and 341 in May. Additionally, in June, there were 344 murder cases. Recently, the brutal murder of a 43-year-old scrap trader, Lal Chand Sohag, in Dhaka over an extortion case has not only shocked Bangladeshis but also several people around the world, who have slammed the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government for the sheer lawlessness that currently prevails in the South Asian country. Lal Chand was lynched to death by a group of people affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who later danced on his body, according to the media reports. The accused hit him with stones and beat him mercilessly after stripping him naked, causing severe injuries to his head and other parts of his body. Last month, another incident of violence shocked the nation, where a Hindu woman was brutally gang raped at her home in the Cumilla district. The woman was assaulted while her attackers, who were linked to the BNP, filmed the assault and circulated the footage. Despite the surge in violence in Bangladesh, Chief Advisor Yunus took to his social media, claiming that major violent crime figures show no significant rise. "Recent media reports indicate a sharp rise in crimes this year, fuelling fear and insecurity among citizens. Based on the official crime statistics from September 2024 to June 2025, the claim that crime is sharply rising this year is not completely supported by the data. In fact, the data reveals stabilisation in major crime categories over the past 10 months," the Chief Advisor mentioned. Yunus dismissed the media reports raising concerns about the crime rate, stating that "only a few categories of crime have increased." "These are not the hallmarks of a crime wave; in fact, some of the most serious crimes are either declining or stable. Only a few crime categories have increased. Citizens should remain vigilant but also trust that law enforcement is maintaining control, as reflected by relatively stable crime trends," he added. Since the Yunus-led interim government took power in Bangladesh in August 2024, there have been numerous unprovoked and violent attacks against journalists, police officers, minorities and those connected with the Awami League party. There are allegations of killings, arbitrary imprisonment on false criminal charges, particularly of journalists, unchecked mob violence, and incitement of religious violence, such as attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus and the destruction of Hindu temples. No steps have yet been taken in Bangladesh to hold the perpetrators of these allegations to account. Chennai, July 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to K. Kamaraj, one of India's most respected political leaders, on his birth anniversary, lauding his pivotal role in the freedom struggle and his enduring contributions to post-Independence India. In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said, "Paying homage to Thiru K. Kamaraj Ji on his birth anniversary. He was at the forefront of India's freedom struggle and provided invaluable leadership in the formative years of our journey after Independence. His noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly." K. Kamaraj, fondly known as the "Kingmaker" of Indian politics and hailed as the Kalvi Thanthai (Father of Education) in Tamil Nadu, was born on this day in 1903 in Virudhunagar. A stalwart of the Indian National Congress, he joined the freedom movement at a young age and was imprisoned several times by the British colonial regime. His quiet efficiency, unwavering commitment to Gandhian ideals, and grassroots connect made him a natural leader of the masses. As Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1954 to 1963, Kamaraj ushered in sweeping reforms in education and social welfare. His government introduced the now-celebrated midday meal scheme in schools, constructed thousands of new schools, and brought education to millions of children, particularly from poor and marginalised communities. His focus on rural development and infrastructure laid the foundation for the state's later industrial and social progress. After stepping down as Chief Minister, Kamaraj took on a key role in national politics. In 1963, he proposed the "Kamaraj Plan", urging senior Congress leaders to step down from government posts to rejuvenate the party. Though controversial, it was accepted by several top leaders, including Kamaraj himself. Later, he played a crucial role in selecting Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi as Prime Ministers, earning him the title of "Kingmaker". Kamaraj remained a guiding force in the Congress until he died in 1975. His political legacy continues to inspire generations, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where he is remembered not only as a leader but as a statesman committed to the cause of the poor, education, and national unity. New Delhi, July 15 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday criticised the Gujarat government for the lathi charge and use of tear gas on livestock farmers protesting outside the Sabar Dairy facility in Sabarkantha district. The farmers protested on Monday, demanding a fair share in the dairyas profits and a hike in milk procurement prices. Kejriwal condemned the use of force against the demonstrators, calling it an act of "brutality". Taking to X, he posted, "The BJP government has crossed all limits of brutality by ordering a lathi charge and tear gas on the livestock farmers peacefully protesting outside Gujarat's Sabar Dairy. Demanding a share in the dairy's profits is not a crime." He also paid tribute to a dairy farmer who died while going home after the protest concluded. "The people of Gujarat will surely respond to this dictatorship of the BJP," Kejriwal added. What began as a peaceful protest quickly turned volatile when agitators forced their way into the premises, damaging property, tearing down metal barriers, smashing CCTV cameras, and hurling stones. At least three people were injured in the ensuing chaos, prompting police to resort to tear gas and lathi charges to restore order. The protest also spilt onto the Himmatnagar-Talod highway, bringing traffic to a standstill for several hours. In response, heavy police forces were stationed in and around the dairy facility to prevent further escalation. Protesters claimed that private security guards were deployed to silence dissent rather than address their grievances. At the core of the unrest is a sharp dip in incentive payouts. Farmers said that while Sabar Dairy had allocated Rs 602 crore in bonuses last year, resulting in a 17 per cent rise in milk prices, this yearas allocation has been slashed to Rs 500 crore, leading to a meagre 9.75 per cent increase. With operational costs rising, farmers argue that this yearas incentives fail to match their labour and input expenses, leaving them with no choice but to take to the streets. Bhubaneswar, July 15 : Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the family members of the girl student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore who succumbed to her burns while undergoing treatment at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. The Chief Minister expressed deep grief over the passing away of the victim and directed the authorities to ensure all the guilty persons responsible for the death of victim receive the harshest punishment. "I assure the family of the deceased student that all those found guilty in this case will be punished with the harshest of penalties as per law. I have personally instructed the authorities to take stringent action," CM Majhi earlier wrote on his X handle. The victim, a B.Ed student, set herself ablaze after pouring petrol on herself in front of the principal's chamber over alleged sexual harassment by Samir Kumar Sahu, the Head of Department of her discipline at the College. The student with over 90 per cent burns was rushed to Balasore Medical College, but was later shifted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for advanced treatment. Despite intensive treatment, including renal replacement therapy and all advanced life-saving efforts, her condition deteriorated, and she was declared clinically dead at 11.46 p.m. on Monday. According to a medical bulletin released by the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, the student was admitted to the ICU at AIIMS on July 12 at 5.15 p.m. She was referred from the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital on Saturday. Following the tragic incident, the accused Sahu was immediately arrested by the Sahadevkhunta Police after a case was registered against him under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 108 (abetment to suicide) and 75(1)(iii) (sexual harassment). Notably, the local police arrested the College Principal, Dillip Kumar Ghose, who was placed under suspension for failing to deal with the matter properly. The issue triggered massive political outrage in Odisha, as the opposition Congress and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) targeted the state government, holding its "indifference and negligence" responsible for the tragic death of the victim. Seoul, July 15 : South Korea's special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team failed Tuesday at its second attempt to bring in former President Yoon Suk Yeol from his detention cell for questioning over his martial law bid. The team had sent instructions to the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, just south of the capital, to bring Yoon to its interrogation room by 2 p.m. But Yoon refused to cooperate during two attempts by correctional officers on Monday and Tuesday, according to the team. The officers reported they could not use physical force due to his status as a former president. "The suspect's legal team has not stated any intent regarding the questioning since our first attempt yesterday," assistant special counsel Park Ji-young said during a press briefing. "We take that as a refusal to undergo any questioning." Park noted that the criminal justice system requires questioning to take place, though a suspect has the right to remain silent. Refusing questioning will count against the suspect and could affect the level of punishment in sentencing, she added. The former president has refused to comply with repeated summonses by the special counsel team since his second arrest last Thursday. In a statement to the press Tuesday, Yoon's lawyers criticised the special counsel team for insisting on bringing him in when he could be questioned at the detention centre. "It is nothing more than an attempt to publicly humiliate a former president," they said. The assistant special counsel said the correctional officers will be held responsible for their failure to execute the team's order. "We questioned the correctional officers regarding the detailed circumstances of their failure to execute our instruction to bring in suspect Yoon Suk Yeol," Park said. It is possible the special counsel will opt to indict Yoon without additional questioning if the pattern continues. Yoon is accused of five key charges, including violating the rights of Cabinet members by calling only a select few to a meeting held shortly before he declared martial law December 3. He is also suspected of creating a false martial law declaration document after December 3 to add legitimacy to his actions, and having it signed by then Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and then Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun before discarding it. This is the second time Yoon has been arrested, Yonhap news agency reported. The first time was in January when he was still in office, but a court later accepted his request to cancel his arrest, granting his release in March. Yoon has since been standing trial on insurrection and abuse of power charges related to his failed martial law bid. Sydney, July 15 : Australia's central bank has proposed banning surcharges on card payments in a move it says will save consumers over a billion Australian dollars every year. In a consultation paper released on Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said that a review of merchant card payment costs and surcharges found it would be in the public interest to remove surcharging on payments made using eftpos (the domestic debit card network), Mastercard and Visa cards. It said that Australians currently pay 1.2 billion Australian dollars (768 million US dollars) in card payment surcharges every year and that surcharging is no longer achieving its "intended purpose" of steering customers towards more efficient payment choices as cash usage has declined. "We think the time has come to address some of these high costs and inefficiencies in the system," RBA Governor Michele Bullock said at a press conference. Under current rules, businesses are prohibited from imposing a surcharge greater than what it costs to accept a specific payment type. According to the RBA, eftpos and debit cards are typically less expensive for merchants to accept than credit cards, reported Xinhua news agency. However, its review found that businesses are increasingly charging the same surcharge rate across all cards. "Removing surcharging would make card payments simpler, more transparent and help to increase competition in the card payments system," it said. Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced last October that the federal government would ban surcharges for debit card payments. The RBA review concluded it would be simpler to remove surcharges on debit and credit cards to avoid confusion and implementation issues. The central bank also proposed lowering the cap on interchange fees paid by businesses, which it said would benefit 90 per cent of businesses and save another 1.2 billion Australian dollars a year. Additionally, its proposal would force credit card networks such as Visa and Mastercard to publish the fees they charge to improve transparency and competition. The review will be finalised following a six-week consultation period. Seoul, July 15 : South Korea's Defence Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back said on Tuesday the Lee Jae Myung government aims to take back the wartime command of the country's troops from the United States within Lee's five-year term. Ahn made the remarks during a parliamentary confirmation hearing as South Korea seeks to retake it at a time when US President Donald Trump's administration has been urging Seoul and other allies to take on a greater security burden. Retaking wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington was among Lee's campaign pledges. "Through a periodic evaluation between South Korea and the US since 2006, I believe our military has made considerable accomplishments through strenuous efforts," Ahn said, hinting that the South Korean military has made progress in meeting conditions for the transition. Seoul and Washington have been working on the "conditions-based" OPCON transfer. Conditions include South Korea's capabilities to lead combined Korea-US forces, its strike and air defence capabilities, and a regional security environment conducive to such a handover. The OPCON transfer was supposed to occur in 2015 but was postponed, as the allies agreed in 2014 to a conditions-based handover -- rather than a timeline-based one -- due to Pyongyang's advancing nuclear and missile threats. Ahn pledged to militarily support the government's push to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and mend strained ties with North Korea. The minister nominee emphasised the importance of leaving doors open for engagement with the North. "While establishing deterrence based on immense military power, a door for dialogue to ease tension and build trust should be left open," Ahn said, vowing to seek "strength-based" and "sustainable" peace. Still, he stated North Korea remains South Korea's "main enemy," and that combined drills between South Korea and the US should continue. "Our main enemy is North Korea, since the North has vigilantly sought to target us since the Korean War," Ahn said. "As a country that is rooted in a South Korea-US combined defence system, drills should take place in any case." Ahn's remarks drew a contrast from Unification Minister nominee Chung Dong-young, who said Monday he does not agree with the view that North Korea is South Korea's main enemy and called for a review of scaling down combined drills. The defence minister nominee also called for a "phased" approach to restoring an inter-Korean military tension reduction pact, saying steps should be carried out "gradually." Ahn, a five-term lawmaker who is the first civilian defence chief to be nominated in 64 years as defence minister, also vowed to rebuild the military into one that is trusted by the people. If appointed, Ahn will succeed former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who stands trial over allegedly playing a key role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition on December 3. "What we should do now is to correct the former administration's mistake over its illegal martial law imposition ... and firmly establish civilian control so the military is not used as a private means for (people in) power," he said, calling for the military to adhere to political neutrality. Ahn noted the military faces an array of challenges, ranging from uncertainties in the global security order and changes in warfare stemming from the development of cutting-edge technology, Yonhap news agency reported. He also mentioned how North Korea's continued nuclear and missile development and deepening strategic alignment among North Korea, China and Russia are ramping up tensions in Northeast Asia. Against such a backdrop, Ahn vowed to strengthen a defence cooperation network based on the South Korea-US alliance and trilateral cooperation, also involving Japan. Seoul, July 15 : Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki's team investigating various allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee on Tuesday raided the office of a controversial shaman linked to her alleged acceptance of luxury gifts from a religious group three years ago. The team sent prosecutors and investigators to the office of shaman Jeon Seong-bae, also known as Geon Jin, in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul, in the morning to secure documents and computer files related to his suspected delivery of gifts to Kim. Jeon is suspected of receiving a diamond necklace and an expensive bag from a high-ranking Unification Church official between April and August of 2022, soon after Yoon Suk Yeol's election as president in March of the same year, and delivering the gifts to Kim, Yonhap news agency reported. The church official reportedly demanded some business favors from the Yoon government in return for the alleged gifts. Jeon has said he received the gifts but lost them all. The special counsel team has been investigating 16 criminal allegations against the former first lady, including her alleged role in stock price manipulation schemes and her alleged meddling in election nominations. Assistant Special Prosecutor Moon Hong-ju told reporters the team has filed for a warrant to detain Kim Ye-seong, a close acquaintance of the former first lady who it believes fled to Vietnam in April. "We take it that neither Kim nor his wife has any intention to return home voluntarily and appear (for questioning) as they have not reached out to the special counsel," Moon said. In the event a warrant is issued, Moon said the team will take steps to invalidate his passport. Kim Ye-seong, who is often dubbed the butler of the former first lady's family, is suspected of receiving 18 billion won ($13.1 million) in dubious investments from several companies through his rental car company IMS in 2023. Mumbai, July 15 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that Tesla's arrival in India would significantly strengthen Mumbai's electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. His remarks came at the inauguration of Tesla's first 'Experience Centre' in Mumbai. Speaking to the media, Fadnavis noted that Tesla's move to open its Experience Centre marks the American EV giant's formal entry into the Indian market. Beyond this, the company is also working on developing a robust ecosystem for delivery, logistics, and servicing in the region. "Tesla is setting up four major charging stations in Mumbai, which will help build a large-scale charging infrastructure in the city," CM Fadnavis added. The Chief Minister also expressed his delight that Tesla has chosen Mumbai for its first showroom in India. He emphasised that Maharashtra is now emerging as a leader in EVs and mobility, thanks to its supportive policies for charging infrastructure and manufacturing incentives, which are drawing global companies to the state. Tesla has launched its journey in India with the introduction of its popular Model Y. The rear-wheel drive (RWD) variant of the Model Y is priced at Rs 59.89 lakh (ex-showroom). The company has also unveiled the long-range RWD variant of the Model Y, priced at Rs 67.89 lakh. Addressing the gathering at the launch event, CM Fadnavis said, "Mumbai is a symbol of innovation. It represents sustainability. Tesla is not just a car company -- it stands for design, innovation, and sustainability." Recalling his first encounter with Tesla in the United States, CM Fadnavis said, "Back in 2015, I had my first ride in a Tesla in the US, and I realised then that this is the kind of vehicle we need for mobility in India." He added, "It may have taken you 10 years to get here, but we are thrilled you've finally arrived. I believe the people of Mumbai and India will truly embrace Tesla. Once you begin vehicle deliveries, India will undoubtedly become one of your best markets." Safaricom Ethiopias mobile money platform M-Pesa and Awash Bank announced on Monday they have signed a strategic partnership to roll out digital financial products, starting with an overdraft service that allows customers to complete M-Pesa transactions even when their wallet balance is low. The service, called Errif be M-Pesa, gives users digital credit directly through their mobile phones, enabling them to make airtime purchase, bill payments and merchant transactions even when they dont have enough stored value in theie M-Pesa wallets. M-Pesa Ethiopia CEO Elsa Muzzolini said that Errif be M-Pesa not only expands access to credit, empowering our customers to complete transactions even when their balance is low, but also establishes our foundation for data-driven lending, helping us better understand customer loan behavior. Awash Bank CEO Tsehay Shiferaw described the service as a key milestone in advancing financial inclusion in Ethiopia. I believe this partnership is more than a collaboration between Awash Bank and M-PESA it is a promise for our shared commitment to deliver accessible, affordable, and secure saving and credit services to our customers coming from all walks of life, he said. The service is available to customers who have been actively using M-PESA for at least 90 days. Thiruvananthapuram, July 15 : The Kerala unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which includes State Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran and party legislator Thomas K. Thomas, has dismissed calls by party national working president Praful Patel to either resign as legislators or align with the Ajit Pawar-led faction. The Kerala NCP continues to remain an ally of the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF). The internal rift began after Ajit Pawar broke away from the party headed by his uncle and party founder, Sharad Pawar. The Election Commission recently dealt a blow to Sharad Pawar by recognising Ajit Pawar's faction as the official NCP, granting it the party name and symbol. Following this, the Sharad Pawar faction has been renamed as NCP (Sharad Pawar), or NCP (SP), with the Kerala unit staying loyal to the veteran leader. Praful Patel had earlier issued an ultimatum to the Kerala unit, asking its two legislators to either resign or switch allegiance to Ajit Pawar's faction. While the initial deadline was May 31, a fresh letter reiterating the demand was sent recently, warning of consequences for non-compliance. However, Thomas, who also serves as the state NCP president, dismissed the letter. "Tell me, which party do Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule belong to? They (Ajit Pawar and Patel) all contested on the same symbol. We are with Pawarji. They have nothing better to do than send letters," he said. "The Kerala Assembly Speaker will decide our status. We've already informed the Supreme Court that we are with Pawar. No institution is above the apex court. Also, the NCP is a state party now, not a national one," Thomas added. State Minister Saseendran also brushed off Patel's letter, calling it "no big deal." "At the appropriate time, we'll do what is necessary. We now identify as NCP (SP)," he said. The Kerala unit has ruled out aligning with Ajit Pawar's faction, which is now part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Notably, the Left Front in Kerala recently faced a similar setback when JD(S) -- another constituent -- saw its national president and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda ally with the BJP. JD(S), too, continues to be part of the ruling Left coalition in the state. Hyderabad, July 15 : Ahead of the meeting of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chief Ministers on river water disputes in Delhi on Wednesday, the government of Telangana has conveyed to the Centre that the Godavari-Banakacherla project proposed by the neighbouring state should not be on the agenda for the meeting. The government of Telangana has written a letter raising objections to the agenda proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government, which included the controversial project. The Centre has invited Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart, N. Chandrababu Naidu, for talks on inter-state water disputes in the presence of the Union Jal Shakti Minister. Telangana, in its letter to Paatil, argued that there is no need for any discussions on Godavari-Banakacherla as the project does not have any approvals. It conveyed to the Centre that any discussion on the project would be a violation of relevant laws and tribunal awards. Telangana Chief Secretary wrote a letter to the Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, requesting for revision of the agenda. "The agenda for the meeting be revised to defer any discussion on the Godavari-Banakacherla Link Project until all statutory requirements, interstate consultations, and clearances are fully complied with and all objections resolved," read the letter. The Andhra Pradesh government recently mooted the construction of the Godavari-Banakacherla project to utilise the Godavari river's flood waters. Telangana has raised an objection to this and urged the Centre not to give any approval for the project as it would do injustice to projects in Telangana. Andhra Pradesh government reportedly mooted Godavari-Banakacherla as the single-point agenda for the meeting of chief ministers. Telangana has already proposed a discussion on the approval for its pending projects in the Krishna and Godavari basins. Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy wrote a letter to Union Minister Paatil on Monday, requesting intervention to resolve outstanding issues of Telangana in the Krishna and Godavari basins. He suggested that the meeting discuss their demand for clearance for the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme and Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme. Telangana also wants a discussion on the Godavari (Inchampally)-Cauvery Link as part of the national perspective plan. The Telangana government also sought a discussion on the request to permit it to use 200 TMC of flood waters at Inchampally for drinking and irrigation needs for the drought-prone areas in Telangana. It requested the Centre to fund the Inchampally project on par with the Polavaram project of Andhra Pradesh. Srinagar, July 15 : Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) MLA, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Tuesday reacted sharply to the decision of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) to scrap the knowledge of Urdu as an essential qualification for the post of Naib Tehsildar in the Revenue Department. Before the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K into the two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh, knowledge of Urdu language was essential for candidates applying for the post of Naib Tehsildar (Executive Magistrate) in J&K. Para said on X on Tuesday, "The BJP's attempt to view Urdu through a communal lens marks a dangerous and disgraceful new low in our political discourse in J&K. Urdu is not a symbol of any religion but the throbbing pulse of Jammu & Kashmir's identity, echoing collective memories and soulful struggles of our people over centuries. "It is the language of poets, courts, revenue offices, administration and everyday life here. "Even more disturbing is the CAT's order staying the requirement of basic Urdu knowledge for the Naib Tehsildar's exam. It is a signal that judicial forums, too, are beginning to cave under political pressure. BJP's protests appear to be shaping institutional responses, which is an alarming trend in any democracy. "Urdu must be preserved, not just as a language, but as an embodiment of our shared heritage, administrative continuity and cultural essence that binds every region of J&K together." The Services Selection Recruitment Board (SSRB) advertisement stating knowledge of Urdu as an essential requirement for candidates applying for Naib Tehsildar posts was challenged in CAT. The CAT order said, "Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Recruitment Board is directed to accept application for the post of Naib Tehsildar from candidates who possess graduation (degrees) with knowledge of any of the five languages enumerated with the Jammu and Kashmir official languages Act, 2020 which includes Hindi, Kashmiri, Dogri, English and Urdu." Seoul, July 15 : The South Korean government on Tuesday "strongly" protested after Japan reiterated its territorial claim to the islets of Dokdo in this year's defence white paper, summoning Japanese Embassy officials to lodge a complaint. "The government strongly protests Japan's reiteration of its unjust territorial claim to Dokdo," South Korea's foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement, describing the islets as South Korean territory in terms of history, geography and international law. The spokesperson also called for the "immediate" withdrawal of Japan's claim, warning that the government will respond sternly to any provocations from Japan regarding Dokdo. Seoul's defence ministry echoed the call, vowing a "stern" response to any attempt to undermine the country's territorial rights. Both ministries called in officials from the Japanese Embassy in Seoul to lodge complaints, reported Yonhap news agency. The foreign ministry summoned Yoshiyasu Iseki, the embassy's acting minister, to deliver a formal protest, while the defence ministry called in the embassy's defence attache. The foreign ministry lodged a complaint over the renewed territorial claim, as well as the publication of a children's edition of the defence white paper that also asserts sovereignty over Dokdo. The children's defence white paper had been available only online since 2021, but this year it was printed as a book and distributed to elementary schools for the first time. Following a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day, the Japanese government released its annual defence white paper, referring to Dokdo by the Japanese name, Takeshiman, and describing it as part of Japan's territory. The territorial issues over the islets "still remain unresolved," the white paper said, marking the 21st consecutive year the document has included Japan's claim to Dokdo Dokdo has long been a recurring source of tension between the two neighbours, as Tokyo continues to make the sovereignty claims in its policy papers, public statements and school textbooks. South Korea maintains a small police detachment on the islets, effectively controlling them. Kolkata, July 15 : A Trinamool Congress legislator and two councillors of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), who were named as accused in the latest supplementary charge sheet in the 2021 post-poll violence case in West Bengal, on Tuesday, approached a single judge bench of the Calcutta Court seeking anticipatory bail. The single judge bench of Justice Jay Sengupta admitted the individual anticipatory bail petitions from Paresh Paul, the Trinamool Congress legislator from the Beliaghata Assembly constituency in north Kolkata, and the two party councillors, namely Swapan Samaddar from ward number 58 and Papiya Ghosh from ward number 30. Samaddar is also a member (mayor-in-council) of KMC. The matter is expected to come up for hearing on Wednesday. The Central Bureau of Investigation had already served notices summoning Paul, Samaddar, and Ghosh, asking them to be present at the CBIas Kolkata office for interrogation by July 18. So, party insiders said, the three leaders have moved the anticipatory bail plea seeking protection from any coercive action, including arrest in the matter. Paul was the only legislator from the state to be questioned by the CBI sleuths earlier in the case. On July 2, CBI issued a statement claiming that it had submitted a supplementary charge sheet at a special court in Kolkata on June 20, naming 18 additional accused persons, including the legislator and two councillors. Besides Paul, Samaddar, and Ghosh, the former officer-in-charge of Narkeldanga Police Station, Subhojit Sen, and the former woman sub-inspector of the same police station, Ratna Sarkar, were also named as accused in CBI's fresh supplementary charge sheet. To recall, Abhijit Sarkar was killed on May 2, 2021, soon after the results of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections were declared, where Trinamool Congress bagged a landslide victory. Initially, the investigation into the matter was started by the homicide squad under the detective department of Kolkata Police, which in its charge sheet named 15 people as accused. Subsequently, following an order of the Calcutta High Court, the CBI took over the investigation by registering a case in August 2021 and in September 2021 filed a supplementary charge sheet against 20 accused persons, including the 15 previously charge-sheeted by the city police. Sydney, July 15 : A man has been hospitalised following a stabbing attack outside a shopping centre in Australia's Melbourne. Police in the state of Victoria said on Tuesday that two male pedestrians were seen arguing outside the shopping centre in Moonee Ponds, 7 km northwest of central Melbourne, on Monday afternoon before one man stabbed the other with a knife. The victim, a 44-year-old man, suffered neck and chest injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. The alleged attacker, a 55-year-old, was restrained by members of the public until police arrived. He was taken into custody and was charged with recklessly causing injury, intentionally causing injury and assault with a weapon, reported Xinhua news agency. His action after being arrested prompted police to call in the counter-terrorism unit, but Acting Inspector Raj Tillekeratne told reporters on Tuesday that the attack is being treated as a random and isolated incident. "We have nothing to indicate that this is either religiously or politically motivated," Tillekeratne said. He said that the 44-year-old was lucky to have only suffered minor injuries. On July 3, in a similar incident, gunshots were fired into a home in Sydney's inner west, and a suspected getaway car was set on fire, according to the police. Officers attended the scene and found damage to the home consistent with a projectile. Nobody was inside the property at the time of the shooting, and there were no reported injuries. Officers established a crime scene at the house and have commenced an investigation into the incident, including whether the house involved was the intended target of the shooting. Patna, July 15 : In a major decision ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Cabinet has approved the government's plan to provide one crore jobs and employment opportunities to the youth of the state over the next five years. Patna, July 15 (IANS) In a major decision ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Cabinet has approved the governmentas plan to provide one crore jobs and employment opportunities to the youth of the state over the next five years. The decision was taken during the Cabinet meeting held on July 15 at the Cabinet Hall of the Chief Ministeras Secretariat, chaired by CM Nitish Kumar, where ministers from all departments were present. A total of 30 important proposals related to various departments were approved during the meeting. The approval of the Labour Resources Departmentas proposal to provide jobs and employment to one crore youth aligns with CM Nitish Kumaras pre-poll announcement, which had surprised the Opposition and taken away a major election plank from their strategy. The move is being seen as a significant step to counter the Oppositionas plans to target the government on the issue of unemployment during the upcoming elections. According to an official, a high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner Pratyay Amrit will be constituted to explore all possibilities and options for new jobs and employment creation and to advise the state government on effective implementation. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had earlier announced that the government is committed to providing employment and ensuring that youth are connected to opportunities within the state to prevent migration and unemployment distress. The approval now paves the way for the systematic rollout of employment initiatives, which will include government jobs, skill development programs, and support for entrepreneurship, start-up incubation, and sector-specific employment avenues. The government aims to start the implementation process immediately, with departments likely to receive targets aligned with the employment generation road map in the coming months. The Bihar Assembly election is scheduled to take place in October and November this year, and the assurance of providing one crore jobs and employment in the state is the biggest poll promise of the Nitish Kumar government till date. Mumbai, July 15 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out searches at four locations in Mumbai as part of an ongoing investigation into a high-value dabba trading and online betting racket, a statement from the probe agency said. During the raids, the agency seized unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 3.3 crore, along with luxury watches, jewellery, foreign currency, premium vehicles, and several cash-counting machines. According to the ED, the probe centres around several platforms suspected of facilitating illegal trading and betting activities. The apps under investigation include VMoney, VM Trading, Standard Trades Ltd, IBull Capital, LotusBook, 11Starss, and GameBetLeague. These platforms were allegedly operating as white-label online betting apps, with admin rights reportedly transferred on a profit-sharing basis. The ED said it has identified several hawala operators and fund handlers linked to the case. Digital devices and financial documents recovered during the raids are currently being scrutinised. The case is being investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and is based on a First Information Report registered at Lasudiya Police Station in Indore. The FIR invoked Sections 319(2) and 318(4) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita. The ED's investigation has revealed that Vishal Agnihotri, the alleged beneficial owner of VMoney and 11Starss, initially acquired the admin rights of the betting platform LotusBook on a 5 per cent profit-sharing arrangement. He later transferred the majority of these rights to Dhaval Devraj Jain, retaining 0.125 per cent profit for himself, while Jain held the remaining 4.875 per cent. Further, Jain, in collaboration with his associate John States alias Pandey, reportedly developed a white-label betting platform and supplied it to Agnihotri for operating 11Starss.in. The ED has also identified Mayur Padya alias Padya, a known hawala operator, as the individual responsible for handling cash-based fund transfers and payments related to the betting operations. The agency said further investigation is underway. New Delhi, July 15 : After making a grand entry into Mumbai, Elon Musk-run Tesla is now preparing to expand its presence by opening a new showroom in Delhi soon. Along with this, the electric vehicle giant announced on Tuesday that it will also launch four new charging stations in New Delhi, which will include 16 Superchargers and 15 Destination Chargers. Tesla has already taken its first official step into the Indian market by launching its 'Experience Centre' in Mumbai and introducing its popular electric SUV, the Model Y. The company has big plans to grow in India by building a complete ecosystem around electric vehicles, as per its official statement. This includes showrooms, service facilities, delivery infrastructure, charging stations, logistics hubs, and office spaces across the country. In Mumbai, Tesla has announced four major charging stations in key areas -- Lower Parel, BKC, Navi Mumbai, and Thane. These will feature 16 Superchargers and 16 Destination Chargers. A similar plan will soon be implemented in Delhi as well, making it easier for Tesla users to charge their vehicles efficiently. Tesla emphasised that electric vehicles are just one part of its broader mission. The company's real goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem. It also shared that over 8 million Tesla vehicles have been delivered across 55 countries globally, and more than 250 new features were added in 2024 alone through over-the-air (OTA) software updates. The company plans to continue offering such updates to make cars smarter over time. Tesla's autonomous technology, known as Optimus, is also set to expand into more countries. The company already operates more than 7,000 Supercharging stations with over 70,000 Superchargers around the world. In a big boost to India's employment market, Tesla confirmed that it will rely entirely on local talent. "Indian citizens will be hired to lead the company's operations in the country -- ensuring homegrown leadership for a global brand," it said. Latehar : , July 15 (IANS) Senior commander of the banned Maoist outfit Jharkhand Janmukti Parishad (JJMP), Lovelesh Ganjhu, surrendered before the Latehar police on Tuesday, officials said. Ganjhu, who carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head, laid down arms in the presence of Palamu Zonal Inspector General Sunil Bhaskar, Latehar SP Kumar Gaurav, and senior officers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Ganjhu had been active in Maoist operations across Latehar and adjoining districts for several years and was wanted in multiple cases of serious crimes, including extortion, violence, and attacks on security forces. Despite multiple attempts, police had failed to nab him as he frequently changed locations and used decoys to evade arrest. According to officials, sustained pressure from ongoing joint operations by the state police and CRPF finally cornered Ganjhu. Investigations revealed that he had also purchased vehicles using aliases to avoid detection. However, financial distress, the declining strength of his organisation, and the loss of top commanders pushed him to surrender. Earlier on June 18, JJMP area commander Baijnath Singh surrendered in a similar manner in the presence of DIG Naushad Alam, SP Kumar Gaurav, and CRPF Commandant Rakesh Kumar. Singh, a resident of Shaildag village in the Manika police station area, had been a long-time operative of the group. Security forces have intensified operations in recent months, leading to the deaths of several prominent Maoist leaders. Notably, the JJMP's top leader, Pappu Lohara, was gunned down in an encounter two months ago. With his death, Ganjhu was believed to be the last remaining high-profile leader of the JJMP still active. His surrender marks a major blow to the already weakened militant outfit. In recent months, others, including Amarjeet Brijia and Mithlesh Korba -- residents of Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh -- also surrendered before the Latehar police and CRPF officials. The police have said that surrendered extremists will be provided rehabilitation and support as per norms. At the same time, they issued a stern warning to those still active in insurgency -- surrender now or face action. Recently, China Telecom has used 800G/ and C+L technologies to provide high bandwidth for a distributed cluster with 1024 GPUs in the field-deployed network, achieving distributed training of a 175 billion parameters GPT3 (GPT3-175B) model through 120 km field-deployed G.652 fiber. The training performance of the introduced pipeline parallel (PP) and data parallel (DP) strategies have both reached over 95% compared to that of centralized training. Furthermore, high-bandwidth, highly-reliable and efficient optical transmission networks have also been proved as a solid foundation for AI computing interconnection. Currently, the number of GPUs in a single AI DC has reached over 10,000 or even 100,000, driving interconnection bandwidth demands up to 100 Tbit/s or even exceeding the Pbit/s level. In this case, the ultra-high bandwidth, ultra-high reliability, and ultra-high efficiency of optical transmission systems are critical to sustaining high computing efficiency of distributed training. To address massive data transmission demands, 800G/ rate with high-order modulation format is adopted to enhance the spectral efficiency. Additionally, the industry-standard C+L band is employed to enable ultra-high transmission bandwidth. China Telecom has deployed an intelligent computing verification network between Wuqing and Runze AI DCs in Tianjin, supporting high-bandwidth interconnection through multiple loopbacks over 120 km. To ensure high reliability of data transmission, tests were conducted on link bit errors, wavelength failures, and fiber faults. Results show that an 800G wavelength failure can reduce computing efficiency by over 40%, while fiber interruptions exceeding 100 ms may significantly degrade performance or even halt training tasks. Thus, WSON-based rerouting protection is used to ensure that the business restoration time between AI DCs remains within 50 ms, thereby maintaining reliable interconnection for distributed AI services and preserving computing efficiency. To enhance link utilization, China Telecom has proposed a minute-level dynamic wavelength provisioning and teardown solution, enabling time-based orchestration of computing and network resources, improving overall network resource utilization. This trial lays the groundwork for cross-regional, cross-layer, and cross-domain collaborative scheduling of computing resources, representing a significant advancement in China Telecom's cloud-network integration efforts. In the future, China Telecom will continue to drive innovation and enhance computing capabilities through advanced network connectivity. It aims to establish a robust optical foundation for intelligent computing interconnection by leveraging high-bandwidth, highly-reliable, and efficient optical transmission networks. The company will accelerate the development of integrated digital infrastructure for cloud-network synergy and explore new paradigms for intelligent computing architectures. These efforts aim to empower the intelligent transformation of diverse industries. New Delhi, July 15 : Former Supreme Court judge Justice (retired) Sanjay Kishan Kaul on Tuesday called for restraint in taking battles over political issues to courts and wished the tussle over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar electoral roll could be settled at the level of the Election Commission, without requiring the intervention of the apex court. "Political battles should be settled in a political manner. The court is not a forum to settle political problems," Justice (retd) Kaul told IANS. "The Supreme Court cannot do everything. It cannot make policies. It cannot do the work of the Election Commission. The court's job is to maintain checks and balances," he said. The former Supreme Court judge added that there is no harm in approaching the apex court if an issue with legal ramifications is involved, but in other matters, the designated institutions should be petitioned to address grievances. "Different institutions have been formed for different things. The Election Commission is a constitutional institution. If there is a legal infirmity in any process, then only there should be interference by the court," he said. Justice Kaul said the tendency among political parties to drag issues over their differences to court is more visible in the Supreme Court. He said that in such a situation, it should be the Supreme Court's discretion as to which matter it should hear and which it should not. "The Supreme Court cannot do everything. It cannot make policies. It cannot do the work of the Election Commission. The work of the court is to maintain checks and balances," he said. Justice Kaul also hinted at the need for taking a balanced stand on the issue of fair conduct of elections, adding that unfavourable results of a few polls should not lead parties to accuse the EC of bias. In an indirect reference to the Opposition parties' allegations of 'election fixing' against the EC, he said, "These differences are political. Nowadays, politics has become such that the middle path has become very difficult. People have different views." "I do not doubt that the election system works. It's due to the work of the same Election Commission, opposition parties win in many states. Opposition parties have been winning continuously in Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The BJP is also a ruling party, and it will also win. It cannot be said that if I win, then it is okay, if I don't win, then there is some problem," said Justice Kaul. The Opposition parties have slammed the ongoing SIR in Bihar, claiming that it is being conducted in a rush and with documentation requirements that could disenfranchise a sizeable number of the 7.9 crore voters in the state. The ECI has countered the allegations and maintained that Enumeration Forms (EFs) of 83.66 per cent of the 7.89 crore Bihar voters have already been collected till Monday, and with 11 more days left for the last date of submission of the filled forms, the exercise would be completed smoothly. Alirajpur : , July 15 (IANS) The son of Congress MLA Sena Mahesh Patel has been booked for attempt to murder and damaging public property in Madhya Pradesh's Alirajpur district, police said on Tuesday. Mahesh Patel is the sitting MLA from the Jobat Assembly seat in Alirajpur. His son, Pushpraj Patel, is accused of attempting to run over two police constables with an SUV during a late-night incident on July 13. The case was registered after CCTV footage of the incident surfaced on social media late Monday night. The video shows a black SUV being driven recklessly and at high speed. As the vehicle sped through a road junction, it appeared to veer directly toward two constables, who jumped aside to save themselves. One of the constables was knocked down and sustained injuries. The SUV eventually crashed into an iron electric pole before coming to a halt. According to police, the vehicle, which did not have a registration number plate, failed to stop when signalled by the patrolling constables. After the crash, two to three people exited the vehicle and fled the scene. The injured constable is currently being treated at the district hospital. Constable Rakesh Gujariya identified Pushpraj Patel as one of the occupants of the SUV. Based on his statement and the video evidence, an FIR was registered on Monday. Pushpraj and two others have been booked under, along with charges related to damaging public property and obstructing public servants. "An FIR has been registered and further investigation is underway," a senior police official said. This is not the first case against Pushpraj Patel. In September 2024, he was booked for abetment to suicide after a 25-year-old woman, Damini Thakur, died by suicide in Alirajpur. Her family had alleged that Pushpraj had been harassing her and was putting pressure on her to marry him. She reportedly took her life after repeated threats. Chennai, July 15 : The makers of director Gautham Ramachandran's critically acclaimed superhit film, 'Gargi', featuring actress Sai Pallavi in the lead, on Tuesday celebrated the occasion of the film completing three years of its release. Chennai, July 15 (IANS) The makers of director Gautham Ramachandran's critically acclaimed superhit film, 'Gargi', featuring actress Sai Pallavi in the lead, on Tuesday celebrated the occasion of the film completing three years of its release. .Sakthi Film Factory, which had distributed the film, wrote on its X timeline, "Every time someone does the right thing, The world becomes a better place to live in. #Gargi Three years since justice was served. #3YearsOfGargi" Actress Aishwarya Lekshmi, one of the producers of the film who was very attached to the project, took to Instagram to express her happiness about having been a part of the project even as she praised the film's director Gautham Chandran, saying she was eager to begin their next journey. She wrote, "Three years of our #Gargi ( with a heart symbol) and maybe nine years of growing & loving cinema together with this absolutely amazing human. @gautham_chandran Soooo Ready for our Next journey." It may be recalled that Aishwarya Lekshmi had broken down on stage while participating in a pre-release event of the film, when it was gearing up for its release three years ago. In an event in 2022, Aishwarya Lekshmi, who rose up to speak at the press meet called by the unit of the film, turned emotional almost a couple of minutes into her speech. She began by saying that 'Gargi' was a journey of three years, but soon broke down while getting into the details about the film and what it meant to her. Director Gautham Ramachandran and actress Sai Pallavi, who were on stage next to her, had to pitch in for her. Explaining how actress Aishwarya Lekshmi had helped him and his film and why she was so emotional about it, director Gautham Ramachandran had then disclosed that Aishwarya was with him right from the first day he started the project. He said that when he was facing a funds crunch and was looking for funds to complete the film, actress Aishwarya Lekshmi, who had finished three films and had saved her remuneration, had handed out the entire sum she had saved to him in a bid to support him. Aishwarya Lekshmi, who had regained her composure by then, resumed her speech. She said that she liked 'Gargi' not only because of the excellent content but also because of the people involved. -- IANS mani New Delhi, July 15 : Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who scripted history by becoming the first from the country to reach the International Space Station, returns safely back home on Tuesday. SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft "Grace" carrying IAF Group Captain Shukla and three other astronauts, part of the Axiom Space Mission-4 (Ax-4) splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 p.m. IST (4:31 AM CT). "Splashdown of Dragon confirmed welcome back to Earth, AstroPeggy, Shux, astro_slawosz, and Tibi!" SpaceX said in a post on social media platform X. Shukla, along with fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), boarded SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft "Grace" at 3:30 a.m. CT (2 PM IST) on Monday. Shukla flew to the ISS on June 26. He also became the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 odyssey. The 18-minute-long de-orbit burn took place over the Pacific Ocean as the spacecraft re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. The astronauts also had a blackout period, where the spacecraft lost communication signals for about seven minutes. Final preparations included detaching the capsule's trunk and orienting the heat shield ahead of atmospheric entry, which exposed the spacecraft to temperatures nearing 1,600 degrees Celsius. Parachutes deployed in two stages -- first stabilising chutes at about 5.7 km altitude at 2:57 pm IST, followed by the main parachutes at roughly two km before splashdown. SpaceX noted that it is Dragon's second human spaceflight mission to splash down off the coast of California after Fram2 returned Dragon recovery operations to the West Coast in April. Previous SpaceX splashdowns took place in the Atlantic Ocean. During his more than two weeks stay aboard the ISS, Shukla completed over 310 orbits, traversing an astounding 1.3 crore kilometres -- equivalent to travelling 33 times the distance between Earth and the Moon. The crew also witnessed over 300 sunrises and sunsets from the orbital lab. Meanwhile, ISRO on Monday noted that astronaut Shukla has completed all seven microgravity experiments and other planned activities, "achieving a milestone in the mission". "Experiments on Indian strain of tardigrades, myogenesis, sprouting of methi and moong seeds, cyanobacteria, microalgae, crop seeds, and voyager display have been completed as planned," the national space agency said. New Delhi/Kerala, July 15 : It was a race against time, and after a lengthy period of multipronged negotiations, the execution of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, which was to happen on Wednesday, has been kept in abeyance. Numerous efforts from several quarters, which included full support of the Indian government, besides agencies based in Saudi Arabia and religious intervention from the Grand Mufti, Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, who reportedly reached out to a friend in Yemen's Shoora Council to help mediate, all led to the decision. According to the fresh order that came out soon after negotiations ended on Tuesday, the execution of Priya, which was fixed for Wednesday, has been kept in abeyance until further orders. The order has been signed by the Prison Execution officer and the local judge of the court in Yemen. The Indian diplomatic officials, who were part of the negotiation that took place, said talks will continue, and the officials said the Indian government has stretched maximum for this relief. Meanwhile, it has been reliably learned that the next part of the negotiation will centre around the blood money that will be given. Expressing happiness was Priya's husband, Tomy Thomas, who said, "We are all happy and we also know there are a lot more things to happen. Local person Sabu M. Jerome, who coordinated all the conciliation meetings, said he wishes to thank the Governments of Yemen, the Indian government and the top people who got involved from Saudi Arabia." "All other news which is being heard in the media is not true. The role played by the Indian government is huge," said Jerome. Priya is currently lodged in a jail in Yemen, facing the death penalty for the alleged murder of her former business partner, Talal Abdo Mehdi, in 2017. The talks involved the local Chief Justice of the Yemeni court, a senior cleric from the influential Shoora Council, and members of Mehdi's family. According to a member of the village council in Palakkad, Priya's hometown, discussions have begun with the hope that Mehdi's family will agree to accept blood money -- a provision in Islamic law that could allow her execution, scheduled for Wednesday, to be deferred or cancelled. Kerala Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar also intervened and spoke to the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday. A Kerala billionaire, M.A. Yusuf Ali, also expressed his willingness to chip in with whatever financial support is needed. Efforts to intervene further gained momentum, due to Kerala's Grand Mufti, Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, who reportedly reached out to a friend in Yemen's Shoora Council to help mediate. Since the announcement of the execution date, politicians across party lines in Kerala have appealed to the Union government and the President of India for urgent intervention. The matter was also heard in the Supreme Court of India on Monday. Nimisha Priya moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her family and initially worked as a nurse before opening her own clinic. In 2017, following a dispute with Mehdi -- her business partner -- she allegedly administered sedatives to him in a bid to retrieve her confiscated passport. The sedatives proved fatal. She was arrested while attempting to flee the country and was convicted of murder in 2018. A death sentence was handed down in 2020 and upheld by Yemen's Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023. However, the court allowed the possibility of clemency through a blood money arrangement. The case has sparked national and international concern, underscoring the vulnerability of Indian migrant workers in conflict-ridden regions. Priya's mother, Prema Kumari, has played a central role in the campaign to save her daughter, even travelling to Sanaa to try and negotiate directly with the victim's family. She is being supported by a coalition of NRI activists and social workers operating under the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council. Bengaluru, July 15 : A gang of four individuals was arrested on Tuesday, on the charges of impersonating as aides of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and attempting extortion in Karnataka. The arrested accused have been identified as Mohammad Rafeeq, Shishupal Singh, Vansh Sachdev, and Amit Choudhary. The Sheshadripuram Police apprehended them and produced them before the court, following which they were taken into police custody for further interrogation. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused have no actual links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. They had come together and conspired to extort money by falsely using the gangster's name to instill fear. According to police sources, Mohammad Rafeeq, a resident of Mavalli in Bengaluru, had previously been jailed in Delhi in connection with another case. During his imprisonment in Tihar Jail, Rafeeq came into contact with the other three accused, and they developed a friendship. The gang hatched a plan to extort money once they were released from jail. They decided to operate under the guise of being affiliated with Lawrence Bishnoi to intimidate victims. However, their attempt in Bengaluru failed, and they were arrested. The accused had attempted to threaten and extort money from an industrialist in Bengaluru. The victim approached the police, who took the matter seriously and launched a manhunt. Following the extortion call, which falsely claimed connections to Lawrence Bishnoi, Bengaluru police went on high alert. The City Police Commissioner, acting on the complaint, ordered a thorough inspection of lodges across the city. Since it was suspected that the accused had travelled from other states and were staying in lodges, strict instructions were issued for verification drives. Police teams are now checking guest registers of lodges daily, and officers are visiting rooms to verify the identities of occupants in suspected cases. Special attention is being given to individuals who have recently arrived in Bengaluru and are staying for extended periods, police sources added. Harda : , July 15 (IANS) Karni Sena chief Jeevan Singh Sherpur, released from jail in Harda on Monday, said on Tuesday that the outfit will soon announce its next course of action in response to the recent police crackdown during protests over the weekend. In a video message posted on social media shortly after his release, Sherpur said a meeting will be held once other detained Karni Sena members are freed, during which they will plan a major protest against what he described as "brutal torture" by Harda police on Saturday and Sunday. "Our fight will continue, and we will not compromise at any cost. I appeal to all members of the Karni Sena family not to visit Harda in the coming days, as the situation remains tense," he said. He also emphasised that the Sena will not damage government or private property and will follow a peaceful path of protest. Meanwhile, the Harda district administration claimed the incident was being politicised and misrepresented as action against a particular community. Officials said a video compilation -- including CCTV footage and other visuals from the protest -- has been prepared to justify the police action and clarify that it was not directed at any one group. The video is likely to be released after approval from the state administration. The situation in Harda escalated after Karni Sena members protested against an alleged fraud involving one of their leaders, Ashish Rajput, who claimed he was cheated out of Rs 18 lakh in a diamond-related deal. Rajput had filed a police complaint against three individuals and led the protest demanding action. During the protest, police resorted to a lathi-charge and used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, arresting more than 50 people. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, along with his MLA son Jaivardhan Singh, visited the detained Karni Sena members in Harda and demanded a judicial probe into the police action. He also called for the removal of the district collector and the superintendent of police. At a press conference on Monday, Digvijaya Singh said a memorandum would be submitted to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav upon his return to Bhopal. Another Congress leader, Ajay Singh, also condemned the police action, stating, "Lathi-charge is not a solution to every issue. I urge Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to engage in dialogue with the agitating leaders and resolve the matter peacefully." New Delhi, July 15 : Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh commenced his official visit to Japan and held key meetings with local industry leaders, an official statement said on Tuesday. He chaired an interactive roundtable with CEOs of major textile and apparel industries of Japan, and urged them to consider investing in India in the technical textiles, fibre production and machinery sectors, both for domestic as well as global markets. The minister also paid floral tribute at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, "highlighting the enduring relevance of Gandhiji's ideals of truth, non-violence, and compassion," said Textiles Ministry in a statement. Giriraj Singh visited the Embassy of India in Tokyo and chaired a briefing by Ambassador Sibi George on India-Japan relations and opportunities in the textile sector. Later, a strategic meeting was held with Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President and CEO of Fast Retailing Co Ltd., one of the world's leading apparel retail companies. The discussion focused on expanding Fast Retailing's sourcing, manufacturing, and retail operations in India, according to the ministry. The minister also met the leadership team of Stylem Co Ltd, a leading textile trading and OEM Company, and invited them to scale up their engagement with India through PM MITRA Parks and other government initiatives. In a key engagement, Giriraj Singh met with the Directors of Daiso Industries, who announced plans to open 200 stores and manufacture cotton products in the country. The minister encouraged them to leverage India's textile infrastructure and incentives. Giriraj Singh also chaired an interactive roundtable with CEOs of major Japanese textile and apparel companies, encouraging investments in technical textiles, fibre production, and textile machinery. "Today participated in the inauguration of 16th India Trend Fair, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. The fair gives one of the biggest platforms to Indian exhibitors to showcase their products directly to Japanese buyers. This fair will strengthen the India-Japan textiles trade," the minister posted on X. Last month, the government said it plans to set up a unified platform for addressing critical issues concerning the textile sector by involving all relevant stakeholders to work collaboratively towards creating a road map for achieving the $100 billion target for textile exports by 203031. Addressing the first meeting of the Task Force on Textiles Exports, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal highlighted the need to formulate strategies for enhancing India's share in global markets. New Delhi, July 15 : Former Supreme Court judge Justice (retired) Sanjay Kishan Kaul on Tuesday opposed any move to initiate impeachment proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma in the cash haul matter on the basis of an in-house inquiry alone, suggesting further investigation on other aspects of the episode. Justice (retd) Kaul told IANS, "The report of the fact-finding committee cannot help in impeachment. It was meant only to assist the Chief Justice to form an opinion on the matter." "According to me, an investigation should have been done further as the next step. Also, it was necessary to protect some things, at least the area. Especially, as the Judge was not there. There is no ban even now, the Chief Justice can get an investigation done, there is no ban," he said. Talking about the scope and purpose of the Committee, Justice Kaul said, "There was a limited purpose behind the report, and even members of the panel were of the view that further investigation should be taken up. I believe that if the Chief Justice felt that there was material in it, then an investigation was necessary." He said there is a need to trigger the investigative process before a judge is made to face severe consequences on the basis of an in-house inquiry that was only aimed at assisting the CJI. "There are many questions which need to be investigated. There are many questions like how much currency was there, whose was it, what did the fire department do, they left that area open, no panchnama was made for it, how was the cleaning done there?" said Justice Kaul. "According to me, the next step should have been an investigation. An FIR should have been registered, and an investigation should have been done. And only then can it be known what the truth is. The report of the fact-finding committee alone cannot help in impeachment," he said. Justice Kaul's views on the matter coincide with those of Congress leader and former Law Minister Kapil Sibal, who earlier said, "There is no provision in the Constitution that allows a judge to be removed solely based on the findings of an in-house inquiry. The Judges Inquiry Act, 1968, lays down the procedure to be followed for judicial accountability. Bypassing that would be illegal and a gross violation of constitutional safeguards." Justice Varma, formerly a judge of the Delhi High Court, came under scrutiny after burnt cash was allegedly recovered from a storeroom in his official residence in the national capital. Following these allegations, the Supreme Court constituted an in-house inquiry committee, which submitted its report to the CJI. The report has been forwarded to the Prime Minister's Office and the President for further action. An impeachment motion in Parliament for the removal of a sitting judge requires the signatures of 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 50 in the Rajya Sabha. At least two-thirds of the members of the respective House need to support the motion to ensure it gets passed. Earlier, sources said, the three-member committee appointed by then CJI Sanjiv Khanna had indicted Justice Varma, finding serious substance in allegations of judicial misconduct, and recommended the initiation of removal proceedings. According to the committee, both direct and electronic evidence confirmed that the storeroom was under the covert or active control of Justice Varma and his family, sources said. Bhubaneshwar, July 15 : The Opposition parties on Tuesday announced a statewide 'bandh' on July 17, demanding justice for the 20-year-old college student who succumbed to burn injuries after setting herself ablaze in protest against inaction over alleged sexual harassment by a professor. The second-year Integrated B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore suffered 95 per cent burns after immolating herself on Saturday. She passed away on Monday at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, triggering widespread outrage and political heat in the state. The incident has sharply escalated political tensions, with the Opposition accusing the BJP-led state government of "systemic and administrative failure." Congress state president Bhakta Charan Das told IANS, "The incident reflects a deep, systemic failure. Despite the girl reaching out to multiple authorities -- MLA, MP, SP, Collector, Education Minister, CM's Office -- no one responded. She even left a video recording 15 days prior, yet it was ignored." "This tragedy is not just a personal loss; it's an institutional failure -- a failure of the government, of human dignity, and of constitutional responsibility," he added. "The Opposition parties have together announced a 'bandh' on July 17 so that justice is served and such incidents do not happen with any other student," he said. CPI(M) Odisha State Secretary Suresh Chandra Panigrahi described the incident as "an institutional murder" and said, "The primary culprit is the immoral lecturer involved, but the principal also shares responsibility. No action was taken even after the girl complained to MPs, MLAs, and ministers." Demanding a judicial probe, Panigrahi said, "Local MP, MLA, district collector, and the SP must come under the purview of the enquiry. The Higher Education Minister must resign immediately on moral grounds. Mohan Majhi government has failed and has no moral right to continue. We also demand compensation for the victim's family." Biju Janata Dal (BJD) spokesperson Ipsita Sahoo also held the state government accountable. "The doctors had said from day one that survival chances were extremely slim. Yet, the government failed to handle the matter sensitively. What was BJP Yuva Morcha president Abhilash Panda doing at the hospital? Why was there a ruckus created by BJP workers during the last rites arrangements?" she added. Sahoo alleged a cover-up and demanded that the Higher Education Minister resigns, stating, "This incident sends a dangerous message -- that anything can happen, and the government will remain indifferent. The Chief Minister must take responsibility and step down. Something like this has never happened in Odisha before." She also called for action against the local MLA, MP, and district officials linked to the case, and demanded scrutiny of the complete CCTV footage from the college. The Opposition is now mobilising for a strong, unified protest and warned that the government will be "forced to bow down" before public pressure. A strategic partnership agreement to deliver low-cost satellite IoT services globally is about to support use cases in Brazil, according to the partners Wyld Networks and Myriota. Myriota, a provider of global satellite connectivity optimised for IoT devices, has announced that it has signed a strategic partnership with Wyld Networks, a developer of innovative wireless technology solutions that enable affordable connectivity anywhere in the world. Under the terms of the agreement Wyld will deploy Myriotas Ultralite satellite communications supporting various use cases across North and South America, the first deployments to launch will include soil monitoring in Brazil and the US. Myriota explains that its UltraLite network provides global low-power, lost cost IoT sensor connectivity to a broad range of industries and geographies. Wyld Networks says it will be implementing its Wyld satellite IoT modem to support the UltraLite network. This will be configurable with SDI-12 and RS-485 interface options, giving customers the ability to flexibly integrate a range of different sensors. SDI-12 and RS-485 are serial communication protocols. SDI-12 is specifically designed for low-power, digital environmental sensors. RS-485 is a more general-purpose industrial standard for robust, long-distance communication. For first customer deployments, the combination of the satellite modem with soil moisture sensors is described as an ideal solution for long-range IoT monitoring, saving time over manual checking, with regular data and insights on soil conditions and crop health delivered from even the remotest areas over the satellite network. The offering uses a constellation of LEO satellites. As Alastair Williamson, CEO of Wyld Networks, explains: LEO satellite connectivity is unlocking transformational business models by combining low-power, low-cost connectivity in even the most remote regions, including for the 85% of the worlds surface where there are no cellular network. He adds: Were delighted to be partnering with Myriota, and are already working with our first joint customers to roll-out connected sensor networks. New Delhi, July 15 : BJP MP Jagdambika Pal on Tuesday accused the Opposition of raising baseless questions about the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, claiming their protests stem from an impending defeat in the state assembly elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently revealed that during the ongoing SIR process in Bihar, a significant number of ineligible votersprimarily from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmarwere identified. This announcement triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties, notably Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). On July 9, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and other INDIA bloc allies, led a protest march in Patna denouncing the SIR. They alleged that the electoral revision exercise was a ploy to disenfranchise marginalised voters ahead of Bihar's assembly elections scheduled later this year. Speaking to IANS, Jagdambika Pal dismissed these allegations as politically motivated. "The opposition is questioning the ECI only because they see their defeat coming. The Congress party's criticism is misplaced. The ECI is simply carrying out its duty to verify voter eligibilityincluding those who have turned 18 but are not yet registered, removing deceased voters, and updating rolls for citizens who have relocated," he said. Pal emphasised that the right to vote is reserved strictly for eligible Indian citizens residing in Bihar. "The ECI is ensuring that the electoral rolls are accurate and legitimate. Those who are not eligiblenon-citizens or those who have diedare rightly being removed. The Opposition is frustrated and resorting to blame the ECI instead of accepting their electoral prospects." Addressing reports that over 35 lakh names might be deleted from Bihar's electoral rolls as part of the SIR process, Pal clarified, "There aren't 35 lakh valid voters being removed. These are names of people who should never have been on the listnon-citizens, the deceased, and those who have moved to different districts. The ECI is not targeting anyone; it is simply performing its constitutional mandate." On an another note, the BJP MP also responded to comments by Congress leader Udit Raj regarding the Indian Air Force's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently flew on a space mission. Udit Raj had suggested that someone from the SC/ST/OBC communities should have been chosen for the mission. "Such remarks show a lack of understanding. Space missions require rigorous scientific training, and there is no reservation in space travel. Group Captain Shukla was selected on merit and even trained in the US. We should all take pride in any Indian going to space, regardless of their background," Pal asserted. As Bihar gears up for crucial assembly elections later this year, the controversy surrounding the SIR has highlighted the intense political battle ahead. While Opposition parties allege voter suppression, the ruling BJP maintains that electoral integrity is paramount. Jerusalem, July 15 : Israel said Tuesday it has intercepted a drone launched by the Houthi forces in Yemen toward its Red Sea city of Eilat. "The IAF (Israel Air Force) intercepted a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) that was launched from Yemen," said the Israeli military in a statement. There were no reports of injuries or damage, and the Houthis did not immediately comment. Houthi forces have fired dozens of missiles and drones toward Israel since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, citing solidarity with the Palestinians. Most of the projectiles have been intercepted or have missed their targets. In response, Israel has carried out a series of strikes on ports and other infrastructure in Yemen, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier on July 10, Yemen's Houthi military spokesperson said that the group had launched a ballistic missile towards Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel, which was reportedly intercepted by Israel's defence systems. The Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea had said in a statement broadcast by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV that the attack has achieved its goal. The strike was in response to the ongoing Israeli war against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, Sarea said, vowing the group would continue launching ballistic missile attacks towards Israel and Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea until what he had said "the Israeli aggression on Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted." On the same day, the Israeli military said it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen toward Israel, after air raid sirens sounded in several areas, including Tel Aviv. Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said it had received no reports of injuries. Earlier on July 8, Yemen's Houthi armed forces said that it reiterated their position on maritime security, asserting their commitment to ensuring the freedom of navigation for all vessels, except those linked to Israel or supporting its military operations in Gaza. Ahmedabad, July 15 : AWL Agri Business, a leading consumer company, on Tuesday reported its highest-ever Q1 revenue at Rs 17,059 crore for FY26, up 21 per cent from the same quarter last fiscal. The growth was mainly driven by its edible oil business, which grew 26 per cent year-on-year. This segment contributed Rs 13,415 crore, making up 78.6 per cent of total revenue and 61 per cent of the overall volume mix. The Food & FMCG business saw a 4 per cent rise in revenue to Rs 1,414 crore. Although this segment contributed just 8% to revenue, it accounted for 16% of the total volume mix. The company also took price hikes across this category during the quarter. The industry essentials business grew 12 per cent, contributing 12 per cent to the total revenue, said the company. AWL is actively expanding its Food & FMCG business, using strong cash flows from its edible oil segment a" similar to ITCas strategy of leveraging cigarette business profits to build its FMCG portfolio. The edible oil segment generates about Rs 1,200a"Rs 1,500 crore in cash flows annually, supporting investments in new categories. To strengthen its market reach, AWL expanded retail coverage by 18 per cent to 8.7 lakh outlets, including about 55,000 rural towns, a ten-fold increase since FY22. Despite strong revenue growth, net profit for the quarter declined to Rs 238 crore, mainly due to higher raw material costs. The cost of goods sold (COGS) rose 25 per cent, outpacing revenue growth. However, raw material prices have corrected by over 10 per cent in the past three months, and the benefits are expected to reflect in upcoming quarters. AWLas stock closed at Rs 263 apiece on Tuesday, trading at 30 times trailing 12-month earnings, its lowest valuation in three years. New Delhi, July 15 : India's trade deficit for June this year narrowed to $18.78 billion, compared to $21.88 billion in May, according to data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Tuesday. New Delhi, July 15 (IANS) Indiaas trade deficit for June this year narrowed to $18.78 billion, compared to $21.88 billion in May, according to data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Tuesday. India's exports growth remained flat at $35.14 billion in June as against $35.16 billion same month last year. While the countryas imports declined by 3.71 per cent to $53.92 billion in June as against $56 billion a year ago, according to the data. Meanwhile, the trade in services showed an estimated surplus of $15.62 billion in June, with services exports at $32.84 billion and imports at $17.58 billion. Total exports of merchandise goods and services were $67.98 billion in June, while imports of goods and services were $71.50 billion. The net trade deficit was $3.51 billion in June. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told reporters last month that global conflicts and uncertainties are impacting Indian exports, though the government is proactively working with exporters to address their concerns regarding shipping and insurance. The trade data comes amid ongoing trade talks with the US and other global partners. The US is seeking broader market access for its agricultural and dairy products, which is a major hurdle as for India, this is a livelihood issue of the countryas small farmers and hence is considered a sensitive area. While India is looking to secure an exemption from US President Donald Trump's 26 per cent tariffs by concluding an interim deal before July 9, it is also pushing for significant tariff concessions for its labour-intensive exports such as textiles, leather and footwear. Meanwhile Trump has announced that the US administration will start sending letters informing trading partners of their tariff rates as soon as Friday, even as negotiations with various countries including India to avoid higher US levies have stretched into the last lap. Indiaas trade performance in Q3 FY25 (Octobera"December 2024) reflected cautious resilience amidst geopolitical volatility and shifting global demand, according to the NITI Aayog quarterly report released on Monday. Merchandise exports registered a year-on-year growth of 3 per cent, reaching $108.7 billion. The export composition remains stable; aircraft, spacecraft and parts entered the top ten exports surging by over 200 per cent year-on-year due to increased demand from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Czech Republic, the report states. High-tech merchandise exports have gained momentum since 2014, led by electrical machinery and arms/ ammunition, growing strongly at 10.6 per cent compound annual growth rate. --IANS New Delhi, July 15 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Tuesday met the 16th Finance Commission Chairperson Arvind Panagariya here and sought cooperation for strengthening the financial condition of the state. CM Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh has been following the path of fiscal prudence and is one of the best performing states in the country on various parameters, including Sustainable Development Goals. The Chief Minister urged the commission to support the state in its recommendations keeping in view its financial condition. He said hill states incur a much higher expenditure as compared to other states and added that devolution to a hill state should be at least twice than their share of the population. He requested for continuation of Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) keeping in view topographical disadvantages and limited scope for raising revenue. CM Sukhu added that the state is facing a financial crisis because of steep tapering of RDG by the 15th Finance Commission. The Chief Minister also requested for the creation of a separate agreen funda with earmark annual allocation for hill states. He said this issue was discussed with the Prime Minister also. He also apprised the Chairperson about the suggestions made by the state for disaster management, relief from debt trap, grant to local bodies and state specific grants. He urged for accepting the suggestions as recommended. Chairperson Panagariya assured of all possible assistance to the state. A day earlier, CM Sukhu called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and apprised her of the financial situation and urged for increasing the borrowing limit of Himachal Pradesh. He informed about the massive losses incurred due to recent heavy rains and flash-floods in the state and urged the Centre to provide assistance to the state. In another meeting, CM Sukhu called on Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Naidu and urged him to operate Delhi-Shimla-Dharamsala and Dharamsala-Shimla-Delhi flights on a daily basis. At present, these flights are operational only three days a week, causing inconvenience to the tourists, he said. CM Sukhu also requested the commencement of night landing facilities at the Dharamsala airport. New Delhi, July 15 : Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade on Tuesday made some startling and shocking disclosures on the Babri mosque demolition in 1992, taking the lid off 'many secrets' that remained buried in history even after three decades of the episode that triggered widespread riots across the country. "While the Babri mosque was being demolished by the mob, the then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao was offering prayers to God," Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade told the gathering at an event in Nanded, on Monday. The revelations by the Rajasthan Governor came at a programme to commemorate the death anniversary of former Union Home Minister Dr Shankarrao Chavan and are likely to snowball into a big political row, with Congress taking exception to it. Congress has held the then-BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, as well as Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, responsible for the razing of the Babri masjid, but the latest revelation by someone who closely witnessed developments of the Babri demolition era is set to make the grand old party uncomfortable. Sharing details of the contemplations in power corridors during that time, Bagade said that he visited Ayodhya as part of a committee, before the religious structure was brought down. "When Dr Shankarrao Chavan went to the Babri mosque, there was no idol of Ram Lalla. Only three domes existed. He asked where the masjid is, to which he was told that this very structure is called Babri mosque," Haribhau Bagde told the audience. Haribhau Bagde, who also served as Speaker in the Maharashtra Assembly, further said that if there was no history of the 1992 episode, there wouldn't have been a grand Ram Mandir today. He, however, defended the tenure of Dr Shankarrao Chavan as the Home Minister, and said he advocated for President's rule in Uttar Pradesh to contain the growing disorder and unrest, but his advice was brushed aside by those within the Ministry, and one among those who opposed it was Sharad Pawar. "After the Babri mosque was razed, Sharad Pawar rushed to meet Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and apprise him of the situation. He found him offering prayers to the deity," he further said. He further stated that the purpose of worshipping God at the crucial moment could be interpreted in both ways -- it was either for saving the disputed structure or for allowing the destruction to proceed. Mumbai, June 15 : Amidst rumours that Smriti Irani will be taking a sabbatical from politics to work in the reboot version of "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", the actor and politician decided to set the record straight, saying that she will never compromise of her sangathan responsibilities. When an X user wrote, "Dear @smritiirani all the best on your return to TV. Hope this is just a brief sabbatical from politics (sic)." Irani reacted to this saying "No sabbatical. Have worked both in media and politics for 25 years with only a decadal break due to my responsibility as Cabinet Minister. Never compromised on my sangathan responsibilities, never will (sic)." Meanwhile, another netizen shared, "Will all due respect for your decision to return back to the media. Me and like me thousands of your admirers will wish your active presence in politics too. Specifically when the Bengal and UP election is around the corner. PS - My mother was super happy when she heard this news (sic)." Irani replied to this saying, "My Pranaam to your Ma a be assured of my active political contribution during the forthcoming elections as assigned by sangathan (sic)." Previously, Irani revealed that returning to "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" is not just a step back into a role, but a return to a story that redefined Indian television and also reshaped her own life. "It gave me more than commercial successa"it gave me a connection with millions of homes, a place in the emotional fabric of a generation," Irani added. Irani further shared that she hopes to honour the "'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" legacy by being a part of the reboot version of the drama. "In contributing to this next chapter, I hope to honour the legacy of Kyunkia"and help shape a future where Indiaas creative industries arenat just celebrated, but truly empowered," she stated. "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" will air on Star Plus and Jio Hostar from July 29th. Bhubaneswar, July 15 : The unfortunate self-immolation by Soumyashree Bisi, a B.Ed student at FM Autonomous College in Balasore, has triggered massive political outrage in Odisha, with the Opposition Congress and seven other political parties declaring that they would observe a statewide 'Odisha Bandh' on July 17 demanding justice for the deceased girl. While making the announcement, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das said the bandh is being supported by all Opposition parties and like-minded organisations. "This is not about politics, this is about standing with our daughters. Every school, college, and university is at risk if we don't act now," he said. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and senior Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Odisha government accusing it of shielding the criminals. "The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is no less than a murder by the BJP's system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment - but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated," said LoP Gandhi. He further alleged that those in power who were supposed to protect her, kept harassing her. "As always, the BJP's system continued to shield the accused - and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire. This is not suicide; it is an organised murder by the system. Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur - the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you remain silent. The country doesn't need your silence; it needs answers. India's daughters need safety and justice," added LoP Gandhi. The Opposition Congress party is also planning candlelight marches across the state in memory of the student and to seek justice. Das demanded immediate arrest of all those responsible, including administrative heads and college authorities, and called for a High Court-monitored judicial enquiry into the incident. Kolkata, July 15 : 'Bank Bachao, Desh Bachao Manch (Save Banks, Save Country Forum)', an umbrella body of current and retired employees of the different public-sector banks of the country, on Tuesday, sought the intervention of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to prevent the move by the State Bank of India (SBI) to shift its Global Market Unit (GMU) and its three critical centralised processing cells from Kolkata. The said forum, on Tuesday, had written a letter to the Chief Minister to take up the matter directly with the SBI top management and the Department of Financial Services and prevent the shifting of the units from Kolkata. In the letter, a copy of which is available with IANS, the forum has also detailed how the shifting of the units from Kolkata would impact the state exchequer of West Bengal, besides impacting the future of the SBI staff associated with these critical units. "Nearly 150 permanent staff and over 200 casual employees will lose their jobs if these departments are shifted. More than six hundred families will be directly affected. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) contribution of these units is estimated to be Rs 25 crore every year. This will be a direct loss to the exchequer of the Government of West Bengal," read the letter. According to the letter, the move to shift the critical units from Kolkata was also in direct violation of the tripartite agreement signed between the SBI management and the bank's officers and staff unions on March 13, 2008, which stated that the Forex treasury would continue to operate from GMU Kolkata. "In 2015 the Central Global Back Office was set up inside GMU Kolkata on the initiative of former SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya. The office was created to decentralise critical work and to strengthen the role of Kolkata in handling global banking operations," the letter pointed out. The forum had also complained that the SBI management did not explore the option of relocating work from other states to Kolkata and instead had only taken work away from this state. "This clearly shows a discriminatory approach. As a metropolitan centre and state capital, Kolkata is fully equipped to handle such work. The State Government has always extended support to public institutions," the letter to the Chief Minister read. New Delhi, July 15 : The experience gained by IAF Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla onboard the International Space Station will be extremely valuable for India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, said ISRO on Tuesday. SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft "Grace" carrying IAF Group Captain Shukla and three other astronauts, part of the Axiom Space Mission-4 (Ax-4) splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 p.m. IST (4:31 AM CT). "The experience gained by Shubanshu Shukla during his time on the ISS will be extremely valuable for the Gaganyaan programme planned over the next two years," said Nilesh M Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre, ISRO Speaking to IANS, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said the safe return of Shukla from ISS establishes India's permanent place in the space domain. "As I said, with this success, India has established a permanent place in the domain of space. It is a moment of pride for the entire world, but it holds special significance for India -- this is truly a historic moment..." Shukla, along with fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), boarded SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft "Grace" at 3:30 a.m. CT (2 PM IST) on Monday. Shukla flew to the ISS on June 26, and scripted history by becoming the first from the country to reach the International Space Station. He also became the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 odyssey. "Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted India's aspirations to new heights. His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone, it is a proud stride for India's growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours," Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on social media platform X. "The 18-day ISS sojourn by Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla paves the way ahead for India's many ambitious space odysseys which will take Indians to the moon and beyond under the inspiring and visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji. As the Dragon Spacecraft splashes down on Earth, it opens new horizons and endless opportunities for India's rapidly growing space sector. Heartiest congratulations to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla," added Hardeep Puri, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas on X. Meanwhile, Shukla's family also expressed joy and pride over his safe return. "This is a matter of great pride for me and my family that my son traveled to space, and it was only possible due to the blessings of all my fellow countrymen. We are especially grateful to the Hon'ble Prime Minister, under whose efforts this became possible..." Shukla's father Shambhu Dayal Shukla told IANS. During his more than two weeks stay aboard the ISS, Shukla completed over 310 orbits, traversing an astounding 1.3 crore kilometres -- equivalent to travelling 33 times the distance between Earth and the Moon. The crew also witnessed over 300 sunrises and sunsets from the orbital lab. Shukla, along with other crew members, will now undergo a rehabilitation programme (about seven days) under the supervision of the Flight Surgeons to adapt back to Earth's gravity. New Delhi, July 15 : Indian astronaut and IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Tuesday returned to Earth after a historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), his family back home was overwhelmed with a mix of emotion including excitement, nervousness and pride. The family members of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, in Lucknow was filled with emotion, pride, and celebration as the news came in of his safe return from the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla, who became the first Indian astronaut in over four decades to visit the ISS, successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast at 3:00 PM IST, completing Axiom Space's historic Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. After the successful landing, Shukla's family members shared their heartfelt emotions. Speaking to IANS, his mother, Asha Shukla, said, "The excitement is visible on our faces. We're extremely overwhelmed with emotion, knowing that our son has finally returned to Earth. I want to thank everyone for this. I feel so happy to see my son back, after so many days. Our excitement is endlesswe are very proud." His sister Shuchi Mishra said, "Honestly, I couldn't sleep last night; there was just so much excitement. I have butterflies in my stomach right now. I want to thank everyone. We were waiting for this moment. He has finally come back. We are so happy." His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, also thanked everyone for the safe space sojourn. "I want to thank God that he has finally landed back on Earth. I also want to thank everyone who has given their blessings to our child. He has returned from a place where there was little chance of coming back," he said. SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft "Grace" carrying IAF Group Captain Shukla and three other astronauts, part of the Axiom Space Mission-4 (Ax-4) splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 p.m. IST (4:31 AM CT). "Splashdown of Dragon confirmed welcome back to Earth, AstroPeggy, Shux, astro_slawosz, and Tibi!" SpaceX said in a post on social media platform Shukla, along with fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), boarded SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft "Grace" at 3:30 a.m. CT (2 PM IST) on Monday. Shukla flew to the ISS on June 26. He also became the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 odyssey. Shukla, India's first astronaut to live and work aboard the Space Station, returned after concluding an 18-day stay at the orbiting laboratory, along with his Axiom-4 crew. He splashed down near San Diego at approximately 3:01 pm IST, concluding the historic Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. New Delhi, July 15 : As Indian astronaut and IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Tuesday returned to Earth after a historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), his family back home was overwhelmed with a mix of emotion including excitement, nervousness and pride. The home of Group Captain Shukla in Lucknow was filled with emotion, pride, and celebration on Tuesday as news came in of his safe return from the ISS. Shukla, who is the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast at 3:00 PM IST, completing Axiom Space's historic Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. After the successful landing, Shukla's family members shared their heartfelt emotions. Speaking to IANS, his mother, Asha Shukla, shared her feelings, saying: "The excitement must be visible on our faces. We're extremely eager and overwhelmed with emotion, knowing that our son has finally returned to Earth today. I want to thank everyone for this. It's very emotional to see my son after so many days. Our excitement is endless we are very proud." His sister, Shuchi Mishra, added: "Honestly, I couldn't sleep last night; there was just so much excitement. I have butterflies in my stomach right now. I want to thank everyone. We were waiting for this moment. He has finally come back. We are so happy." His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, also shared the family's anticipation: "I want to thank God that he has finally landed back on Earth. I also want to thank everyone who has given their blessings to our child. He has returned from a place from where there was little chance of coming back." Meanwhile, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who scripted history by becoming the first from the country to reach the International Space Station, returned safely back home. SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' carrying IAF Group Captain Shukla and three other astronauts, part of the Axiom Space Mission-4 (Ax-4) splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 P.M. IST (4:31 AM CT). "Splashdown of Dragon confirmed welcome back to Earth, AstroPeggy, Shux, astro_slawosz, and Tibi!" SpaceX said in a post on social media platform X. Shukla, along with fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), boarded SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' at 3:30 A.M. CT (2 PM IST) on Monday. Shukla flew to the ISS on June 26. He also became the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 odyssey. The 18-minute-long de-orbit burn took place over the Pacific Ocean as the spacecraft re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. The astronauts also had a blackout period, where the spacecraft lost communication signals for about seven minutes. Final preparations included detaching the capsule's trunk and orienting the heat shield ahead of atmospheric entry, which exposed the spacecraft to temperatures approaching 1,600 degrees Celsius. Parachutes deployed in two stages -- first stabilising chutes at about 5.7 km altitude at 2:57 P.M. IST, followed by the main parachutes at roughly two km before splashdown. Shukla, India's first astronaut to live and work aboard the ISS, returned after concluding an 18-day stay at the orbiting laboratory, along with his Axiom-4 crew. Jaipur, July 15 : Jaipur police have heightened security ahead of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah's visit to the city on July 17 to attend the Co-operation Conference. Acting on the instructions of senior officers, police personnel are conducting verification drives at hotels and dharamshalas across several police station areas. They are checking IDs and asking to report any suspicious individuals, said officials on Tuesday. Police Commissioner and a team also visited Dadiya village, the venue of the event, to review security arrangements. The entire route -- from the airport to the venue, as well as the public access route to the programme -- was closely inspected for security preparedness. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Cooperation (Independent Charge), Gautam Kumar Dak, reviewed preparations for the Co-operation and Employment Festival during a meeting held at the Apex Bank Auditorium on Tuesday. He directed officials to ensure all arrangements are completed on time and urged officers and staff to fulfill their responsibilities with diligence ahead of the high-profile visit. Acknowledging the large turnout expected from across the state, Dak instructed officials to prioritise the comfort and safety of attendees. He called for proper arrangements for food, drinking water, accommodation, and refreshment facilities such as buttermilk and tea at the venue. To streamline coordination, he ordered the establishment of a help desk and a control room at the venue to provide immediate assistance to visitors. Seven in-charge officers have been appointed block-wise following the creation of the control room. He also instructed the installation of signboards for smooth crowd movement and better parking facilities, and emphasised the need to organise the exhibition attractively, ensuring that cooperative products are well-displayed and clearly visible. He also called for widespread publicity of the program and distribution of literature on state government schemes to the visitors. Himmatnagar, July 15 : At least 74 people, including a former Congress MLA, have been booked in connection with the violence during the protest demanding a hike in milk procurement price in Gujarat's Sabarkantha district. Sabar Dairy Board Director and former Bayad MLA Jashubhai Patel was among those booked. The agitation was sparked by discontent over the annual revision of milk prices based on fat content. Protesters, reportedly incited through social media posts, converged on Sabar Dairy around 10 a.m., forcing their way through police barricades. Witnesses say the crowd, armed with sticks, iron rods, and stones, chanted slogans and demanded transparency in profit distribution by the dairy's leadership. What began as a demonstration escalated rapidly when the mob pelted stones, damaged public property, and blocked the national highway using stones and tree branches. In response, police fired nearly 70 rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd. At least one officer, Head Constable Jignesh Kumar Sureshbhai, was pulled into the mob and beaten. According to the FIR filed at the Himmatnagar A-Division Police Station, Jashubhai Patel and Idar taluka's Dharmendrasinh Jetawat allegedly used provocative messages on social media to mobilise protesters. This comes despite Sabar Dairy disbursing retention payments to farmers on July 11, a move the accused reportedly criticised as arbitrary and insufficient. The violent gathering caused significant damage to the dairy's infrastructure, including the main gate, fencing, and government vehicles stationed at the site. Authorities have invoked serious legal sections in the case and launched an investigation to trace all those involved. Identification efforts are ongoing, and arrests are expected in the coming days. Established in 1964, Sabar Dairy, officially the Sabarkantha District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union, today ranks among Gujarat's largest milk cooperatives. It boasts a milk processing capacity of approximately 750,000 litres per day from procurement across more than 1,700 villages. As part of the Amul/GCMMF network, the union logged an impressive turnover of Rs 8,939 crore (around $1.1abillion) in the 2023a"24 financial year, cementing its position in the billiona'dollar dairy club alongside other major Gujarat cooperatives. Patna, July 15 : Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll has triggered political controversy, with the opposition alleging it is an attempt to implement NRC in the state. Patna, July 15 (IANS) Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Election Commissionas Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll has triggered political controversy, with the opposition alleging it is an attempt to implement NRC in the state. Amid the ongoing debate, the Bihar government has approved an allocation of Rs 51.68 crore to support the revision work. The decision was taken during the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday, where 30 proposals from various departments were approved. Under this proposal from the Election Department, the sanctioned funds will be used to pay honorariums to workers engaged in the SIR process. Around 77,895 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 8,245 BLO supervisors will be paid Rs 6,000 each as honorarium for their role in the revision work. The opposition parties, including RJD and Congress, have alleged that the voter list revision is being used to target poor voters and deprive them of their voting rights, accusing the government of attempting to implement NRC through this exercise. However, the Election Commission has clarified that the purpose of SIR is solely to improve the accuracy of the voter list. The matter has escalated legally, with petitions filed in the Supreme Court regarding the voter list revision process. The Nitish Kumar cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposal to provide 1 crore jobs and employment opportunities to youth in Bihar during 2025-30. The proposal, presented by the Labour Resources Department, was passed in the cabinet meeting. To formulate a proper policy, a high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner has been constituted to explore employment options and provide consultations to the government. The 12-member committee will include the Development Commissioner as chairman and secretaries of 11 departments as members. However, clarity is still missing on the breakup between government jobs and other forms of employment within the 1 crore target. When asked, Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat) S. Siddharth, about the specific number of government jobs included in the target, he stated that there is no clear information on this yet. Kathmandu, July 15 : Nepal's Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Rajkumar Gupta has stepped down after an audio recording allegedly implicated him in a cash-for-postings deal, prompting calls for an investigation into the claims. Under mounting pressure over a leaked audio clip that allegedly linked him to a Rs 7.8 million bribery scheme that involved political appointments and the transfer of a government official in Kaski district, Gupta put forward his resignation on Tuesday. Gupta admitted in a Facebook post that he had fallen victim to the misuse of technology and had tendered his resignation to Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. "Sometimes, even poison one has never consumed can harm the person," he wrote on his social media handle. Nepal's leading daily Kathmandu post reported that Gupta has called for a fair investigation into the entire matter while pledging to continue serving his party and the public "with renewed dedication". The newspaper reported that the minister, who arrived at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar, was unable to submit his resignation directly as the top leader was busy in a meeting. "The minister has submitted a letter here at the secretariat and just returned from here without meeting the Prime Minister as he is in the senate meeting of Kathmandu University," Ramsharan Bajagain, an official at the Secretariat, was quoted as saying by the daily. Another official at the secretariat noted that Gupta may have stepped down following Oli's directive issued on Monday as he was reportedly given 24 hours to submit his resignation. The controversy regarding the leaked audio, which allegedly captured Gupta negotiating a 'bribe' for the transfer of a civil servant along with arranging a political appointment in Kaski has triggered a widespread political backlash. This issue was however not raised during the Cabinet meeting that Gupta attended despite the escalating calls for his dismissal. It has also been reported that this particular scandal has resulted in the rising tensions within the ruling coalition. As the coalition dynamics remain uncertain, followed by Gupta's resignation, attention now has shifted to PM Oli's decision to undertake a Cabinet reshuffle. New Delhi, July 15 : Identifying case backlog in courts as the biggest challenge facing the judiciary, former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul on Tuesday suggested early filling of vacancies to address the pendency issue and added that a judicial prod may be needed unless the vacancy-filling issues are addressed administratively. "At any point of time there is a shortage of one-third of judges in High Courts. Over the years this shortage has been increasing," Justice Kaul told IANS. There were nearly 5 crore pending cases in lower courts in India till January. While there were over 80,000 pending cases in the Supreme Court, the backlog in High Courts stood at over 60 lakh. While talking about delays in appointment in the higher judiciary, Justice Kaul hinted at the possibility of the government being unhappy over the Supreme Court's 2015 decision to quash the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC). The Commission was proposed, through a constitutional amendment, to replace the existing Collegium system for appointing judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts. "The government appears to be taking time to get over that episode," said Justice Kaul, indirectly linking it to the perceived delay on the government's end in clearing names for judicial appointments sent by High Courts. He said a judicial prod may be needed unless the vacancy-filling issues are addressed administratively. Justice Kaul also highlighted the need to improve judicial infrastructure and stressed on timely use of funds for setting up facilities to prevent lapse of allocated funds. "The level of infrastructure varies from state to state. But at one point of time, the Chief Justice of India had initiated a process of monitoring the strength of judges, state of infrastructure and availability of court staff in each state," he said. He agreed that infusing efficiency into the judicial system through digitisation makes it simpler but nothing substantial can be achieved as long as a judge is expected to hear 100 cases in a day. The Government claims that it has been regularly filling up vacancies of Judges in the Supreme Court of India and the High Courts. According to the Department of Justice, from May 1, 2014 to March 20, 2025 as many as 67 Judges were appointed in the Supreme Court. As many as 1,030 new Judges were appointed and 791 Additional Judges were made permanent in the High Courts during the same period. The sanctioned strength of Judges of the High Courts has been increased from 906 in May 2014 to 1,122 till February 2025. According to Department of Justice data, as on February 28, 2025 the sanctioned strength in district and subordinate judiciary was 25,786 while the working strength was 20,511. New Delhi, July 15 : Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has come under fire from the ruling NDA coalition following his sharp criticism of the law and order situation in Bihar, calling the state the "crime capital of India." The LoP's remarks drew strong reactions from leaders of the BJP and JD-U, who accused him of "maligning" the state and "ignoring" the development strides made under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's leadership. LoP Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, slammed the state government for the recent spate of murders and accused the administration of neglecting governance while focusing on political survival and corruption. "Bihar has become the 'crime capital of India' -- fear in every alley, unease in every home! Unemployed youth are being turned into killers by the reign of goons. The CM is busy saving his seat, while BJP ministers are raking in commissions. I'm repeating again -- this time, the vote is not just to change the government, but to save Bihar," posted LoP Rahul Gandhi. Responding strongly, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha accused LoP Rahul Gandhi of hypocrisy, pointing out Congress's alliance with the RJD, which he described as a party that "gives tickets to criminals and mafias." "You were in power with the criminal RJD regime. You support people who back terrorists and criminals. Bihar will not tolerate terrorism. Criminals will be dealt with, and Bihar will become crime-free," Sinha told IANS. Union Minister of State Nityanand Rai also said that LoP Rahul Gandhi should remember the era from 1990 to 2005, when Bihar was under the RJD and allegedly rife with lawlessness. "Back then, Bihar had become infamous for kidnappings, crime, and fear. Professionals, doctors, lawyers -- all started migrating. Today, Bihar is on a different path under Nitish Kumar. Rahul Gandhi should acknowledge the change instead of making baseless claims," Rai said. JD-U MP Sanjay Jha accused LoP Rahul Gandhi of ignorance and deliberate defamation and told IANS, "Rahul Gandhi has always been abusive and lacks knowledge about Bihar. When there was jungle raj, the best minds and businessmen left. Now, the law and order situation in Bihar is better than in many states in the country. He's just trying to defame the state." BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal dismissed LoP Rahul Gandhi's remarks as pre-election negativity. "Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi have only indulged in negativity. They sense defeat, and now they are preparing the narrative so they don't get blamed. But people of Bihar will punish them again," he said. The Congress, however, stood firm in support of LoP Rahul Gandhi's comments. Congress MP Tariq Anwar said LoP Rahul Gandhi's concerns reflect the ground reality. "He is absolutely right. Murders are taking place in broad daylight -- industrialists, ordinary citizens, and sand mafia-linked crimes. It feels as if there is no government at all in Bihar," Anwar told IANS. Anwar further claimed that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's health has deteriorated and that retired bureaucrats are ineffectively running the government, contributing to administrative inefficiency. "That is why such situations are rising in Bihar. There is no control, no accountability," he added. Mumbai, July 15 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced in the state assembly that the government will amend the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1999, to increase the punishment and also amount of fine for the financial establishments which duped the money of the depositors and defaulted on their obligations. He said that the government will put in place a system comprising financial experts and a machinery to be outsourced for property evaluation, which will assist the prosecution and police after the registration of office in this regard in the identification of properties, their evaluation, completion of necessary processes and the sale of such properties. The Chief Minister intervened during question hour during a discussion on a question raised by member Amol Khatal with regard to the Maitreya group for duping depositors across the state. Former Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar sought to know whether the government proposes to increase the period for punishment to 20 years instead of six years and the fine amount to Rs 20 lakh from the present Rs 1 lakh as prescribed in the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1999. He made a strong case for the amendment to the Act to protect the poor from being duped. Mungantiwar said that the depositors are not getting due justice through the NCLT. He referred to the NCLTas ruling about Pune-based DSK group, saying that against the properties' evaluation of Rs 16,000 crore, they were auctioned at a paltry Rs 827 crore. Therefore, he insisted that the government needs to amend the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1999, to increase the fine and punishment period. He also requested that the government convene a meeting soon in this regard. The Chief Minister, in his reply, said that a six-year punishment is bailable as per the Supreme Court ruling, and if it is more than seven years, strict action can be possible. The government will move an amendment to increase the time period so that strict action can be taken against the financial establishments for duping the money of depositors. He mentioned that increasing the time period for punishment needs to be commensurate with the offence. The Chief Minister said that the government will also consider increasing the amount of the fine. He admitted that even though the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1999 in place but the government has achieved limited success in its implementation, especially regarding the identification of properties, their evaluation and the sale of such properties involved in cases of duping of depositors. Therefore, he announced that a separate system would be created to help police expeditiously complete these processes. Mumbai, July 15 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday expressed confidence during the inauguration of Tesla's Experience Centre that Maharashtra will become the state with the highest Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing capacity in India. World-renowned EV manufacturer Tesla has entered the Indian market and their first Experience Centre in India based in Mumbai was inaugurated by CM Fadnavis, with Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, Principal Secretary/CEO Kaustubh Dhavse, and Tesla representatives also present. CM Fadnavis said this was momentous for Maharashtra and Mumbai, as "the world's smartest car" arrives in India, and officially starts here under Union government support. "The Mumbai centre is not just an Experience Centre but also a delivery location, logistics and service unit. Bookings for Tesla cars have also begun here," he remarked. Tesla's global bestseller, the Model Y, was launched in India on Tuesday. According to the CM, it charges in about 15 minutes, covers up to 600 km on a single charge, produces zero emissions, and is globally acclaimed for its safety features. CM Fadnavis said that the state government has implemented a dynamic policy to promote EVs, offering special incentives in charging infrastructure, tax exemptions, and manufacturing. "Maharashtra will lead India's EV industry in the near future. After Mumbai, services will expand to two more Indian cities, and in Mumbai alone four large charging hubs and 32 charging stations are being set up," he added. The state government introduced the EV Policy 2025 in May this year, which encourages the use of electric vehicles in the state and aims to provide financial incentives and infrastructure support to encourage a 30 per cent increase in EV adoption by 2030. According to the policy, transport and commercial EVs can receive incentives of up to Rs 2 lakh, while electric buses can get benefits of Rs 20 lakh. These incentives are available for a total of 25,000 four-wheelers and 1,500 buses. The previous rule limited benefits for personal electric cars to Rs 1.75 lakh, but this new policy only covers transport and commercial vehicles. Further, electric cars and buses won't have to pay tolls on major expressways, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, and the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu). Moreover, EVs registered in Maharashtra will not have to pay road tax or registration fees. The policy envisages installation of charging stations every 25 kms on state and National Highways. Every government parking lot must have at least one EV charging station. New residential buildings must include one community charging point, while new commercial buildings should dedicate 50 per cent of their parking spaces for EV charging. Older commercial properties must allocate 20 per cent of their parking for this purpose. Jaipur, July 15 : Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra met schoolgirl Shivani, whose viral video exposing the waterlogging crisis in Gadoda village in Laxmangarh constituency, Sikar district, sparked a storm on social media. In the video, Shivani was seen standing in knee-deep water, criticising local leaders for the lack of basic facilitiesa bold move that drew widespread attention and public support. Moved by her courage, Dotasra invited Shivani and villagers to his Sikar office on Tuesday morning. He lauded the student's fearless stand, saying, "The courage shown by our daughter Shivani in raising the issue of waterlogging is truly commendable." He announced immediate steps to address the problem, including the allocation of funds from his MLA quota for a generator and the provision of two additional generators for the village. Dotasra assured the villagers that once the monsoon recedes, a permanent solution would be implemented by constructing proper drainage systems. He added, "I'm proud that our youth are bringing real issues to light. It is our responsibility to solve them with full commitment." Shivani's video didn't just highlight water stagnation; she also pointed out faulty electric generators and a damaged power distribution panel (DP), raising serious safety concerns. In her sharp commentary, she had said, "Netaji, you enjoy yourself, we are with you," sarcastically targeting the apathy of political leaders. While the video led to criticism of Dotasra, the Congress leader responded positively, taking swift action on the ground. He personally oversaw water drainage work and ensured power backup for the village, setting an example of responsiveness and accountability. In her video, Shivani didn't just speak about waterlogging; she also highlighted other critical concerns and made a sarcastic remark, "Netaji, Tum Mauj Karo Hum Tumhare Saath Hain," which captured the growing frustration among villagers and struck a chord on social media. The video went viral, prompting a broader discussion on the poor state of infrastructure in the area. Dotasra, who faced criticism following the video's circulation, chose to treat it constructively. He quickly took stock of the situation, initiated the draining of stagnant water, and ensured a temporary power supply by providing generators to the village, said party workers. Mumbai, July 15 : Maharashtra Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jaykumar Gore, said on Tuesday in the Assembly that to make the roads in rural areas sustainable, the roads under the Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana will therefore be made of cement concrete. The Minister said that these roads are currently constructed in rural areas through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana. He was replying to a calling attention motion moved by an Assembly member Shivaji Patil regarding rural roads in Chandgad Assembly constituency of Kolhapur district. Minister Gore said that the width of rural roads is currently 5, 3 and 3.5 metres. A positive decision will be taken to increase the width of these roads as per the requirement, he added. "If there is a proposal from the Zilla Parishad to transfer the roads to the State Public Works Department, it will be examined and a decision will be taken. In the past, the state has constructed the largest number of rural roads in history under the Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Under this initiative, 11,697 works were approved, the length of which is 46,106 km. A proposal has been prepared by the Rural Development Department for the construction of Pandan roads (farm roads) in rural areas. This proposal will soon go before the Cabinet. Out of this, many non-planned rural roads will be constructed through Pandan roads," the Minister said. "In Chandgad Assembly constituency of Kolhapur district, 120 km of roads have been repaired in the years 2023-24 and 2024-25. Also, 53.86 km of length have been approved in this area under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, of which 45.92 km have been completed. Also, 162.95 km of length have been approved under the Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana, of which 106.51 km of roads have been completed," he added. Meanwhile, the State School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse told the Assembly that a complaint regarding the recruitment of fake teachers and non-teaching staff in Amravati taluka was received on April 4 and an order has been given to the Education Commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh to investigate the matter. He was replying to a calling attention motion moved by Assembly member Pravin Tayade. During the tenure of the then Deputy Director of Education of Amravati, Shivling Patve, hundreds of teachers and non-teaching staff were recruited with fake approval, and financial corruption worth crores of rupees was involved in this matter, as Tayade raised the issue in the Assembly. Claiming that a relative of a former Minister of State was also involved in this scam, Tayade demanded that the state Education Department take action in this matter. Responding to the allegations, Minister Bhuse said that the investigation into this teacher and non-teaching recruitment will be completed within a month and action will be taken as per the findings of the investigation. Earlier, it has been decided to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the state-wide scam in the Education department. An SIT comprising a civil servant, an Indian Police Service officer and a senior officer of the Education department will be formed soon and this investigation will also be conducted through it, the Minister added. He said that the investigation into the scam in the state will be completed in three to four months. New Delhi, July 15 : In a significant development in the Nimisha Priya case, the scheduled execution of the Indian nurse in Yemen has been temporarily halted, her legal counsel Subhas Chandren confirmed on Tuesday. Talking to IANS, Chandren said, "We have received a positive update from the negotiators. The Yemeni administration has frozen the execution schedule of Nimisha Priya. While there is no fixed date for the execution now, this delay gives us crucial time to continue negotiations with the victim's family regarding blood money." Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, was sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni national. Her case has garnered widespread attention, both in India and internationally, with activists and civil society groups calling for intervention to save her life. Chandren acknowledged the substantial efforts made by the Indian government and several individuals to facilitate negotiations. "The Union government has contributed significantly. One key figure who must be recognised is Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar, a powerful Sunni Muslim cleric from Kerala. His organisation, Markaz, has played a pivotal role by initiating religious and diplomatic dialogue with Yemeni counterparts," he said. According to Chandren, representatives from Musliyar's team met with the victim's brother and senior Yemeni judicial officials over the past two days. "They engaged with Yemeni sheikhs, Sufi clerics, and legal authorities in order to mediate a resolution. Now, the final decision lies with the victim's family, who must agree to the payment of blood money," he explained. Expressing gratitude, Chandren said, "We thank the Yemeni administration, Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar, his Markaz, and the Government of India for their tireless efforts. This extension gives us hope." Earlier on Monday, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that it had reached the limits of its diplomatic efforts in the case. Attorney General R Venkataramani said the government was doing its "utmost possible" to save Nimisha. Notably, the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council continues to spearhead advocacy efforts for her release. For the unversed, 'blood money' is monetary compensation to the family of the person killed in exchange for forgiveness. It is an accepted practice under Sharia law. Chandigarh, July 15 : Punjab Water Resources Minister Barindar Kumar Goyal on Tuesday informed the Assembly that the proposal to widen the Ghaggar river near Tiwana village in Dera Bassi and strengthen its embankment is under consideration. Replying to the call attention motion moved by Kuljit Singh Randhawa, the minister said that due to heavy rainfall in 2023, the water level in the Ghaggar had risen significantly. Consequently, floodwater from the Ghaggar inundated the cultivable land on the left bank, and erosion caused the ground level to drop by approximately eight to 10 feet. Subsequently, the department installed stone revetment and studs along a 2,500-foot stretch to protect the cultivable land from erosion. To support this revetment, an embankment was constructed behind it by filling it with soil. He informed that the department spent Rs 5.06 crore on this project. Minister Goyal said that heavy rainfall in the Ghaggar's catchment area on June 29 caused the river's water level to surge suddenly, but the stone revetment remained completely intact. However, the soil embankment behind the revetment suffered some erosion in certain areas. The department immediately took action and completed the embankment repairs. This restoration work was carried out entirely at the department level. He said that on July 8, substantial water flow occurred again in the Ghaggar River, but it passed through without causing any damage to the embankment. The Cabinet Minister reiterated that the proposal is also under consideration to widen the Ghaggar on the right side near Tiwana Village and utilise the excavated soil to broaden and strengthen the left bank. He said that according to the proposal, this work will be undertaken immediately by the department at an estimated cost of around Rs 11 lakh. --IANS vg/dan Greater Noida, July 15 : World Youth Skills Day was celebrated on Tuesday with great enthusiasm in Greater Noida, with a series of discussions and events dedicated to empowering young people with cutting-edge skills. Stakeholders from government agencies, training institutes, and industry partners gathered to highlight how initiatives like the Skill Development Mission are transforming the lives of the youth by equipping them with industry-relevant skills and facilitating employment opportunities. Hundreds of young people in Greater Noida have found gainful employment through the Skill Development Mission. Beneficiaries shared that apart from professional training, they are also being provided with essential amenities like food and accommodation during their learning period, ensuring that financial hardship does not stand in the way of acquiring valuable skills. The scheme also places a strong emphasis on making women self-reliant by offering tailored training and job opportunities. This year's World Youth Skills Day carries special significance as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Skill India Mission. Launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the mission was designed to transform India into a global hub of skilled talent by equipping youth with industry-relevant capabilities, promoting entrepreneurship, and supporting sustainable livelihoods. The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is part of the Ministry of Rural Development's National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) and aims to reduce poverty by providing sustainable employment to over 550 lakh poor rural youth. It focusses on placing candidates in jobs that offer regular monthly wages at or above the minimum wage, significantly improving the livelihoods of families across India. World Youth Skills Day is observed every year on July 15 to underline the strategic importance of empowering young people with skills necessary for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. The United Nations General Assembly declared this day in 2014, following a resolution initiated by Sri Lanka. The first celebration in 2015 coincided with the launch of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which places strong emphasis on quality education and decent work for all. The theme for this year, 'Youth Empowerment Through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Skills,' reflects the transformative role of technology in shaping careers and societies. As AI continues to redefine industries, building digital literacy and advanced technical capabilities among youth is critical to ensuring they become leaders of change rather than passive participants. The celebration in Greater Noida included motivational addresses, skill demonstrations, and inspiring success stories from beneficiaries. Anita, a participant of the programme, shared her journey: "Earlier, I didn't know what to do. With this Yojana, I came to Greater Noida. Now I am working as a floor manager in a hospital. This scheme changed my life." Manisha, another beneficiary, highlighted the entrepreneurial boost the scheme has given her. "I took three months of sewing training. We now have around 20 machines and are getting orders from Noida, Delhi, and Gurugram. We have done business worth Rs 30 lakh so far," she told IANS. The event also showcased how initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and the Skill India Digital Hub are accelerating India's journey to becoming a global skill powerhouse. Since 2015, over 1.6 crore youths have been trained under PMKVY across 38 sectors ranging from manufacturing and traditional crafts to healthcare, IT, electronics, and retail. Importantly, 45 per cent of those trained under PMKVY are women, and a significant proportion belong to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, demonstrating the government's focus on inclusive growth. This widespread training effort has contributed to a notable increase in job-readiness among college graduates from 34 per cent in 2014 to over 51 per cent in 2024. With nearly 65 per cent of India's population under the age of 35, skilling and youth empowerment remain critical to securing the country's economic future. Mumbai, July 15 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday the government has launched a comprehensive plan for the development of Gadchiroli district and the upgradation of the power distribution network under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme and the external financial assistance scheme. He told the state assembly during question hour that the implementation of these initiatives is going on a war footing and assured that the funds would not be an issue. He was replying to a question by member Raju Todsam. The Chief Minister's announcement comes when he has already said that Gadchiroli will become the new steel city, especially in the wake of a large-scale investment in the mining and mining-related industries there. His announcement also deserves importance as the state government expects the Gadchiroli district will soon become free from Maoist activities. The Chief Minister said that electricity supply has been provided to the Khandi-Nainwadi area of Bhamragad in Gadchiroli district. Necessary funds are being provided for development work in tribal areas. "The work of providing individual electricity connections is underway in primitive tribal areas like Katkari and Kolam in Gadchiroli, and electricity has been supplied to those who applied," he said. He said that under the "PM Janman" scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 8,500 connections have been provided in Maharashtra, and actually, 11,000 connections have been completed. "In Gadchiroli district, initially 271 connections were required, but actually 671 connections were provided, while 65 connections have also been provided in Bhamragadh. Electricity has been provided even to hamlets where two to three people live," said the Chief Minister. According to the chief minister, under the new scheme, Dharti Abha, 17 schemes have now been announced for all tribal communities. This includes special provision of electricity, for which the central government has provided a fund of Rs 80,000 crore. In the first phase of the Dharti Abha scheme, the chief minister said the target was 6,961 connections in the state. So far, 4,687 connections have been provided, and work worth Rs 29 crore has been completed. Maharashtra is at the forefront in doing the most work under this scheme across the country. Also, 144 connections have been distributed under the "Dharti Abha" scheme in Gadchiroli district and 28 connections in Bhamragadh. This scheme will also provide electricity to tribal-dominated villages (with more than 60 per cent tribal population), thus broadening the scope of the scheme. Damascus, July 15 : Syrian defence authorities on Tuesday declared a complete ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida following days of deadly clashes between local Druze armed factions, Bedouin tribes, and government forces, according to the defence authorities' chief Murhaf Abu Qasra. On July 14, at least 89 people were reportedly killed and some 200 others injured in escalating clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes in southern Syria's Sweida province, Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Meanwhile, the Syrian defence authority, in a statement carried by the state-run SANA news agency, put the death toll at more than 30 and the injuries at some 100. The violence was caused by an absence of institutional control hindering security intervention, and specialized military units have been deployed to separate warring factions and secure civilian evacuation routes, read the statement. The defence authority urged restraint, warned that continued fighting would only deepen civilian suffering, and affirmed commitment to restoring stability through coordinated operations with interior forces Despite mediation, heavy fighting persisted on July 14 with loud explosions reported across western rural Sweida, Xinhua news agency reported. A source from "Rijal al-Karama," Sweida's largest armed group, told that a prisoner exchange is expected to take place on July 14 between Bedouin tribes in the al-Muqawwas neighbourhood and local factions in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Bedouins reportedly abducted 11 Druze civilians from Sweida, while local armed factions took five Bedouin civilians in retaliation. The root of the conflict lies in an earlier incident in which a young Druze man was assaulted and robbed by armed Bedouins at a temporary checkpoint near al-Masmiyah. In retaliation, local Druze fighters detained several Bedouin members, escalating the situation. On July 12, heavy gunfire and the sound of shelling echoed through the city, forcing many residents indoors and prompting urgent calls from community leaders for intervention to de-escalate the situation. Recurring incidents of kidnapping and armed assault have plagued the vital road linking Sweida to Damascus in recent months. Locals blame the deteriorating security situation and the absence of state control over armed factions for the violence. New Delhi, July 15 : The government on Tuesday urged parents and guardians to update their children's Aadhaar biometrics who have reached age seven. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) reiterated the importance of completing the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) for children who have attained the age of seven but have not yet updated their biometrics in Aadhaar. UIDAI said it has started sending SMS messages to the mobile numbers registered in the Aadhaar of such children for completing the MBU exercise. This is an existing requirement under Aadhaar, and parents or guardians can update the details of their child at any Aadhaar Seva Kendra or designated Aadhaar centre, the IT Ministry said in a statement. A child under the age of five enrols for Aadhaar by providing the photograph, name, date of birth, gender, address and documents of proof. According to the official statement, the fingerprints and iris biometrics of a child are not captured for Aadhaar enrolment below the age of five because these are not mature at that age. As per existing rules, therefore, fingerprints, iris and photo are mandatorily required to be updated in his/her Aadhaar when the child reaches the age of five years. This is called the first Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU). If the child performs the MBU between the age of five and seven years, it is free of cost. "But after seven years of age, there is a prescribed fee of Rs. 100 only," the IT Ministry informed. According to UIDAI, timely completion of MBU is an essential requirement for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of biometric data of children. If the MBU is not completed even after 7 years of age, the Aadhaar number may be deactivated, as per the existing rules. Aadhaar with updated biometric facilitates ease of living and ensures seamless usage of Aadhaar in availing services such as school admissions, registering for entrance examinations, availing benefits of scholarships, DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) schemes, etc wherever applicable. Parents/ guardians are advised to update biometrics of their children/wards in Aadhaar, on priority. Jakarta, July 15 : The search for 17 missing victims from a passenger ship that sank in Indonesia's Bali Strait on July 2 has been extended, according to Ribut Eko Suyanto, Deputy for search and rescue operations at the National Search and Rescue Agency. In a statement issued Tuesday, Suyanto announced that the operation would be extended for an additional seven days. "The wreckage of the ship, identified by Indonesian Navy cameras, serves as the basis for extending the search and rescue efforts," he said in a statement. So far, the joint rescue team has safely evacuated 30 passengers and recovered 18 bodies, while 17 others remain missing, reported Xinhua news agency. Suyanto added that, aside from focusing on the ship's wreckage, the search will continue in the waters around Gilimanuk Seaport in Jembrana Regency, Bali, as well as in the waters off Banyuwangi Regency in East Java province. On July 11, Suyanto noted that the search was initially focused on the southern part of the strait, following reports from local fishermen who found several objects believed to be parts of the wrecked ship. Meanwhile, Soerjanto Tjahjono, head of the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), said that strong underwater currents in the strait posed significant challenges. However, the KNKT was working to deploy a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to investigate the condition of the wreck. "We will do our best to deploy the ROV. Once we know the condition of the vessel, whether it is upright, tilted, or resting on the seabed, we will then determine if divers can safely access it," he said. The vessel, which was carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members and 22 vehicles, sank in the Bali Strait when it was travelling from Ketapang Seaport in Banyuwangi to Gilimanuk Seaport. Mumbai, June 15 : A special premiere of Anupam Kher's "Tanvi The Great" was held in Delhi with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in attendance. Kher used social media to drop a sneak peek of the special evening. The video dropped by him on IG featured Kher sharing his motive behind making the movie. He was heard saying, "I want to give you a little background about this film- why is this film so important in our time? I used to think about what kind of inspirational story I should tell that might change people a little. Ironically, in today's time, only an autistic girl can introduce us to goodness." "The curtains rose, and so did the hearts that had come to witness the magic of #TanviTheGreat. The capital gathered, moved, and stood in silent awe. With the honourable Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Shekhar Kapur, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Sanjay Jaju in the audience, this story of resilience was met with respect, love, and the kind of pride that canat be put into words. #TanviTheGreat arriving in cinemas this Friday," Kher captioned the post. All those present during the screening gave "Tanvi The Great" a standing ovation. Lauding the drama, the CM called the movie a must-watch for every child. Addressing the media, she shared, "I congratulate Anupam Kher for bringing this movie with a special theme for special children. Every moment of this movie was so heart-touching that I cannot describe it. The theme is so beautiful that today it is very important for every child of the country, and every child of the world, to watch this movie. On behalf of the Delhi government, we would like to show this movie to as many children as possible, which is an inspiration, which is heart-touching, which also has patriotism." Featuring Shubhangi Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Arvind Swami, Boman Irani, Pallavi Joshi, Karan Tacker, and Nasser in prominent roles, along with Kher, and Iain Glen, "Tanvi The Great" will be released on July 18. On AI Appreciation Day, industry experts reveal how smart, responsible AI use is transforming business, empowering people, and driving meaningful innovation. Remember when AI felt like something out of a sci-fi movie? Those days are over. Now, on AI Appreciation Day, artificial intelligence is quietly working behind the scenes in businesses everywhere, from the chatbot that actually helps you solve a problem to the systems protecting your data. But this isnt just about cool tech anymore. Its about real change, happening right now, that affects real people. As Ezzeldin Hussein from SentinelOne puts it, A decade ago, artificial intelligence was largely experimental, often misunderstood, and cautiously adopted. Today, it shapes our everyday lives, from personalised healthcare and smarter cities to securing cyberspace and decoding complex global challenges. The conversation has shifted. Its no longer about whether to use AI, but how to use it in a way that actually works. If youre feeling pressure to jump into AI, youre definitely not alone. But diving in without a plan isnt going to work. Justin Hurst from Extreme Networks puts it clearly: Across Australia, organisations are evaluating how much and how quickly they should lean into AI. Ignoring the trend is not an option, but jumping in without a plan is not viable either. So what does make sense? Start with realistic goals. Think beyond just buying the latest tool. Consider how AI fits into your wider strategy: your people, your systems, and your culture. Hurst also points out that AI isnt just about squeezing out more efficiency. If done right, it can create a cycle of ongoing improvement. But that only works if your team has the space to experiment, iterate, and even fail occasionallywithout being penalised for it. HR is stepping up One area seeing a surprising rise in influence is HR. David Lloyd from Dayforce says, Now is the time for HR to lead in driving AI adoption and change management by taking a key strategic role at the executive table. This goes beyond using new HR tech. Its about HR leaders shaping how AI is used across the business. Theyre the ones focused on training, managing change, and making sure AI supports people, not overwhelms them. Lloyd adds, The growing interest in agentic AI is bringing new opportunities for HR teams. Unlike basic assistants that just respond to requests, AI agents can ask follow-up questions to better understand the task. That means more time for HR to focus on strategy, engagement, and leading through change. AI should be a partner, not a replacement Lets be clear: good AI isnt about replacing people, its about making work better. Shaun Leisegang from Tecala puts it well: AI is not a replacement for human potential, but rather a partner in unlocking it. Its not about machines taking over, its about people stepping up. Think about all the time lost to repetitive tasks like expense reports or leave approvals. AI can take that off your plate so people can focus on what actually matters: strategy, creativity, problem-solving, and building relationships. Leisegang says it best: The best applications of AI arent those that eliminate roles, but those that eliminate friction. The value of AI isnt in the code, its in what it unlocks for people. Dont overlook the energy cost Heres something that gets overlooked far too often: AI uses a lot of energy. Simon Wistow from Fastly is blunt about it: Gen AI isnt just some magical cloud outputting poetry and code. Its millions of GPUs crunching vectors and consuming serious power, and most people dont even realise how much. That matters, especially for Australian businesses that now have to report their emissions. If youre investing in AI, you also need to think about the environmental impact. There is a path forward. Wistow says, Innovation and sustainability arent mutually exclusive. But right now, were leaning heavily into innovation at any cost. Thats not sustainable in the long run. The better option is to choose providers working on energy-efficient models and look for ways to share infrastructure instead of everyone building their own AI from scratch. If your datas a mess, so is your AI Heres a tough but necessary truth: AI is only as good as the data you feed it. Matthew Hardman from Hitachi Vantara puts it plainly: AI relies on high-quality, comprehensive data to deliver accurate results. Poor data can compromise its effectiveness. In a recent Australian study, 43 percent of businesses said good project management and governance made the difference in successful AI projects. Another 35 percent pointed to strong data quality. Hardman says, Boards and regulators are now demanding that businesses have a clear framework to manage AI models throughout their life cyclefrom development to deployment and beyond. Those that meet that standard will get the most value out of AI. AI can complicate security but also improve it Introducing AI comes with new security risks. But it also gives you better tools to deal with them. Patrick Harding from Ping Identity explains, From deepfakes to autonomous agents, AI has transformed identity-based cyber threats, making it increasingly difficult to verify who, or what, is behind a digital interaction. The scale of the challenge is growing fast. Check Point found that AI services are used in over half of business networks each month, and 1 in every 80 prompts contains information that could cause issues if leaked. But Harding is optimistic: When deployed responsibly, AI can improve real-time threat detection, behavioural analysis, and adaptive authentication. It helps organisations prevent fraud while also improving the user experience. Les Williamson from Check Point Software Technologies adds a word of caution: Effectively communicating complex AI risks to business leaders and boards is essential. These are no longer just IT issuestheyre strategic ones. Customer service might finally work You know the pain: getting transferred three times, repeating your details over and over, still not getting a resolution. AI might finally put that experience behind us. Todd Gorsuch from Customer Science Group says, Those horrific transfers in contact centres where youre asked to repeat yourself and spend over an hour on the phoneAI will be our champion in putting those days behind us. That said, not all AI support tools are created equal. Audrey William from CrayonIQ warns, Customers today are looking for change. They wont tolerate being sent back to the era of clunky chatbots and rigid call menus. The goal is AI that can hold a real conversation and actually understand the customernot just spit out a canned response. Skilled people still make the difference Even as AI tools get more powerful, they still need smart, capable people behind them. Pieter Danhieux from Secure Code Warrior says, The real magic lies in how skilled humans use AI tools to reach new heights in their roles. There are still real risks from hallucinated responses to baked-in vulnerabilities. According to Danhieux, Its the people with AI literacy who will unlock the gains everyones hoping for, and do it safely and responsibly. So its not about replacing your team. Its about giving them what they need to get better at what they already do. So whats the takeaway for your business? AI Appreciation Day isnt about celebrating hype. Its about recognising that AI is now a regular part of business, and using it well is what separates the companies that move forward from the ones that fall behind. The businesses that thrive wont be the ones with the flashiest AI tools. Theyll be the ones that use AI to make their people more effective, their customers happier, and their operations more sustainable. Like Ezzeldin Hussein said, The future is not about AI replacing us, but AI elevating us. And honestly, thats something worth appreciating. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. New Delhi, July 15 : The Indian exports (merchandise and services) reached a record level of $210.31 billion in April-June period - up from $198 billion in the same quarter last year - which is a powerful testament to the resilience and agility of Indian exporters, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said on Tuesday. The cumulative exports (merchandise and services) during April-June 2025 is estimated at $210.31 billion, as compared to $198.52 billion in April-June 2024, an estimated growth of 5.94 per cent, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry data. SC Ralhan, President, FIEO, said this outstanding performance has come despite challenging global conditions marked by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and tariff uncertainties. Ralhan highlighted that the narrowing trade deficit and surge in exports, particularly to the US, signal the growing impact of Indiaas market diversification strategies and its focus on product innovation. "Our exporters are clearly rising to the occasion and delivering, even in an unsettled global trade environment," he noted. The sharp drop in imports may also reflect the success of import substitution efforts and the strengthening of domestic manufacturing capacities, in line with the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision. To build on this momentum, the FIEO President stressed on continued support to MSMEs through the timely implementation and expansion of the Interest Equalisation Scheme; fast-tracking Free Trade Agreements and Bilateral Trade Agreements, especially with key markets like the United States, to enhance market access. He also cited simplifying and full digitisation of trade procedures to reduce costs and improve efficiency, and streamlining e-commerce export processes, addressing operational and procedural hurdles for faster growth. Looking ahead, he urged the government to maintain a sharp, sector-focused export strategy, especially in services. "With India's digital capabilities and skilled workforce, there is immense scope to boost services exports. Investment in digital infrastructure, talent development, and targeted international promotion will be critical to sustaining this upward trajectory," said Ralhan. According to the industry chamber PHDCCI, key sectors like electronic goods saw a remarkable 46.9 per cent surge in June, while drugs and pharmaceuticals grew by 5.95 per cent, and engineering goods by 1.35 per cent. Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI, said India's trade relations showed notable growth with key partners, including the US, China, France, Brazil, and Kenya on the export side, while imports from Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand grew significantly. "This diversified and broad-based trade growth signals a healthy trajectory for India's external sector and rising global demand for Indian electronics, pharmaceuticals, and agro-based goods," he said. Kolkata, July 15 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Tuesday, accused Trinamool Congress of deliberately distorting his recent comments on the stand of the Assam government on illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, projecting him as taking an "anti-Bengali" stand. Kolkata, July 15 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Tuesday, accused Trinamool Congress of deliberately distorting his recent comments on the stand of the Assam government on illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, projecting him as taking an "anti-Bengali" stand. In a statement issued by him on Tuesday, which he posted on the wall of the official X handle, Sarma also alleged that the ruling dispensation in West Bengal had deliberately resorted to such distortion to shield Muslim infiltrators from Bangladesh. "Assam has been waging a relentless war against illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi Muslims for several decades. The recent attempt by the @AITCofficial to distort my media remarks and portray our stand as anti-Bengali is nothing but a desperate ploy to shield Muslim infiltrators from Bangladesh, whose very presence threatens to alter the demographic fabric of our nation," read the statement from the Assam Chief Minister. He also clarified that all Indian citizens residing in Assam, including the Bengali-speaking ones, have a clear idea of the Assam government's stand on illegal infiltration. "Let it be made absolutely clear: in Assam, every Indian citizenincluding Bengali-speaking peoplefully understands our position and supports our uncompromising stand against illegal Muslim immigration from Bangladesh," Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma added. The Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari shared the statement by Biswa Sarma, on the wall of his own X handle and said that at a time when the Assam Chief Minister was leading a fearless and timely fight against illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi Muslims, the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was shamelessly banking on these illegal infiltrators and helping them to get enrolled in the voter's list in West Bengal. Adhikari also said that Trinamool Congress was deliberately encouraging this since its political survival heavily depended on these illegal infiltrators. He also said that every Indian-Bengali stood by the efforts of the Assam Chief Minister to check illegal infiltration from Bangladesh. Chandigarh, July 15 : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday asserted both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab are politicising the sensitive issue of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib for their political ambitions even as it asked Leader of Opposition Partap Bajwa to tell why the previous Congress government did nothing to either probe or punish the perpetrators responsible for this heinous crime. Reacting to Bajwa's statement in the Vidhan Sabha in which the former claimed that the AAP government had failed to charge sheet both former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was the Home Minister, in the cases of sacrilege of 2015, Akali Dal Vice-President Parambans Romana condemned Bajwa for showing double standards on this sensitive issue. Reminding Bajwa that he had held protests along with Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and demanded the sacrilege case be transferred to the CBI in a memorandum to the President, Romana said, "Bajwa, however, changed colours once the Congress formed the government in the state in 2017." He said Bajwa remained a mute spectator when the Congress government got the sacrilege cases transferred back to the state from the CBI and did not conduct any investigation on the basis of law or facts. The SAD leader said like the AAP government now, the Congress government also held special sessions of the Vidhan Sabha with the sole purpose of doing politics on this issue. Speaking about the party's stand, Romana said that then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had transferred the sacrilege cases to the CBI in the interest of justice. He said the conduct of both Congress and AAP governments revealed that they did not want any justice in the sacrilege cases. He also exposed Bajwa for praising AAP suspended legislator Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh. "It is a matter of record that the Punjab and Haryana High Court snubbed the investigation carried out by Kunwar Vijay in his role as a police officer and held that it was a dangerous cocktail of politics, religion and police administration." He said following this observation, Kunwar Vijay quit the police force and joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Akali leader also asserted that the Congress was least qualified to speak on the issue of sacrilege. "This is the party which attacked Sri Darbar Sahib with tanks and mortars and destroyed Sri Akal Takht Sahib." He said the Congress was also responsible for the massacre of thousands of Sikhs in Delhi and other parts of the country. Romana said similarly, AAP legislator Naresh Yadav had been convicted for being responsible for the sacrilege of the holy Quran in Malerkotla. He said instead of showing Yadav the door, AAP had rewarded him with a party ticket in the recent Vidhan Sabha elections. "The AAP government in Punjab has also done nothing to punish the sacrilege perpetrators and has been busy politicising this issue," he added. After three hours of intense debate on allegations and counter-allegations, the Vidhan Sabha unanimously decided to refer the highly emotive Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill of 2025 to a select committee for consultation with all stakeholders. On the suggestion of both the treasury and the opposition benches, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said the select committee would gather public opinion on the Bill and return with recommendations within six months. Earlier, the Chief Minister proposed a four-month timeline. The Bill proposes stringent penalties for sacrilege-related offences, prescribing a minimum sentence of 10 years, extendable to life imprisonment, along with fines ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. The holy scriptures referred to in the Bill are Guru Granth Sahib or extracts thereof, the Bhagavad Gita, the Quran and the Bible. --IANS vg/dan Bengaluru, July 15 : The Karnataka government said on Tuesday that it has withdrawn the land acquisition process in Channarayapattana and surrounding villages in Devanahalli taluk in the outskirts of Bengaluru for establishing an aerospace project. Devanahalli is located close to the Bengaluru International Airport. The state government had planned to acquire 1,777 acres in Devanahalli taluk for establishing an aerospace project. A request had been received to allot land near Bengaluru for this purpose. However, the farmers and land owners of the region had launched a protest. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made the announcement while addressing a meeting held on Tuesday at Vidhana Soudha with officials and farmer leaders regarding the land acquisition process in Channarayapattana and other villages of Devanahalli taluk. CM Siddaramaiah said, "We have completely withdrawn the land acquisition process in Channarayapatna and other villages of Devanahalli taluk." "Even though withdrawing from the acquisition might result in industries relocating elsewhere, the state government has prioritised farmers' interests and taking into account their demands, decided to cancel the land acquisition," the Chief Minister added. "The state government has decided to withdraw the land acquisition process. A few farmers have voluntarily expressed willingness to part with their land. The state government will acquire only such land, and in return, those farmers will be given higher compensation and developed plots," he said. "Such farmers will be compensated at rates higher than the guidance value. Farmers who wish to continue agricultural activities will be allowed to do so," he added. "Devanahalli taluk is close to Bengaluru and houses the Bengaluru International Airport. For the income of every citizen in the state to rise, development must take place. New industries and capital investment require land, and the state government has the responsibility to provide land for setting up industries," CM Siddaramaiah underlined. "While the state government has decided to drop the acquisition process entirely, it will acquire land only from farmers who voluntarily come forward. These farmers will be given not only higher compensation but also larger and developed plots in return," he noted. He also stressed, "No protest of this scale has taken place in the state against land acquisition so far. The land in question is highly fertile and suitable for agriculture. Local farmers are heavily dependent on this land, and protestors have clearly demanded the cancellation of the acquisition process." "The state government has listened to the representations of all stakeholders, including farmers and landowners. While promoting industries is essential for the state's development, growth must be inclusive," the Chief Minister said. Actor Prakash Raj, who is part of the protest against the acquisition of land, said, "The Chief Minister has proven today that his commitment to social justice is not just in words but also in action." State Ministers M.B. Patil, K.H. Muniyappa, H.K. Patil, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, Byrathi Suresh, the Chief Minister's political secretary Naseer Ahmed, legal advisor Ponnanna, Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty, farmer representatives, and several others were present. New Delhi, July 15 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday called on Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari here and apprised him of the massive damages caused by flash floods in the state. CM Sukhu sought support for the repair and reconstruction of damaged roads. He also urged for inclusion of a few roads in the PM Gati Shakti Yojana. He also updated the Union Minister about the delays in National Highway (NH) projects due to various reasons and requested early redressal. The Chief Minister also stressed on adopting tunnelling in the NH road projects and discussed the roads of strategic importance, which have already been raised with the Defence Ministry and urged for speedy action on them. He also urged the Union Minister to sanction more ropeway projects for the state to ease traffic congestion. The Union Minister assured of all possible assistance to the state and gave necessary directions to the officers. Earlier, the Chief Minister met the 16th Finance Commission Chairperson, Arvind Panagariya and sought cooperation for strengthening the financial condition of the state. CM Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh has been following the path of fiscal prudence and is one of the best-performing states in the country on various parameters, including Sustainable Development Goals. The Chief Minister urged the commission to support the state in its recommendations, keeping in view its financial condition. He said hill states incur a much higher expenditure as compared to other states, and added that devolution to a hill state should be at least twice their share of the population. He requested for continuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), keeping in view topographical disadvantages and limited scope for raising revenue. CM Sukhu added that the state is facing a financial crisis because of the steep tapering of RDGs by the 15th Finance Commission. Bengaluru, July 15 : Karnataka BJP on Tuesday alleged that the state is turning into a drug heaven, and is joining the list of northeastern states and Punjab, where the drug menace has become a serious concern. "Drugs that have destroyed the lives of youth in northeastern states and Punjab are now spreading in Karnataka. The state is joining that list," alleged N. Ravikumar, BJP's Chief Whip in the Legislative Council. He said that drugs are rampant in Kalaburagi, Bengaluru, and Mangaluru cities in the state. "Drug seizures are being reported almost every week. In Kalaburagi, Lingaraj Kanni - Congress's Kalaburagi South Block President, a key leader, and someone close to Minister Priyank Kharge and Congress MLA Allamprabhu Patil - has been arrested. He was allegedly involved in drug dealing for many years," he said. He also accused the son of leader Mallinath Sonth of being involved in drug trafficking and claimed that he, too, is a Congress worker. "He is said to be close to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, yet no action has been taken," claimed Ravikumar. He said that 120 bottles of banned drugs were seized from Lingaraj Kanni, claiming that these were being trafficked and reportedly sold for lakhs of rupees. "Priyank Kharge, who mocks BJP leaders and candidates, should explain who these 'golden disciples' around him are. What kind of leaders does Congress have?" he said. He urged the Home Department to take action, alleging that drug trafficking is occurring under police protection in Kalaburagi, as if it were a 'Kalaburagi Republic.' He demanded that Priyank Kharge take moral responsibility. "The Kharge family has controlled Kalaburagi for 50 years. The area should've been drug-free. What action are you taking?" he asked. He said that a few months ago, drugs were seized in Kalaburagi, yet no action followed. Before Kanni's arrest, Priyank Kharge and the local Commissioner had announced a campaign against drugs in a press conference. But now, it is the Maharashtra police who have arrested Lingaraj Kanni, not the Karnataka or Kalaburagi police. Ravikumar alleged that the Karnataka police did not arrest Kanni because he was being shielded by Priyank Kharge and Allamprabhu Patil. He added, "If banned drugs are being trafficked openly, how can the police not be aware? It seems that being close to Priyank Kharge provides immunity from legal action, even for criminal acts. We congratulate the Maharashtra police for arresting Kanni." Jodhpur, July 15 : A Special CBI Court in Jodhpur sentenced a manager of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to four years of imprisonment with a fine of Rs 41.65 lakh for possessing illegal assets, an official said on Tuesday. Surender Kumar Soni, the then Manager (Technical), NHAI, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, was convicted for possessing assets disproportionate (DA) to his known sources of income during his tenure. The court, in its decision on July 14, found that the accused had 116 per cent more assets than his known sources of income. The CBI had registered the case against Soni on July 30, 2013. After the completion of the investigation, a chargesheet was filed by the CBI on December 18, 2014, against the accused before the Special CBI Judge. In a separate case, CBI booked two NHAI engineers, a resolution board member of the Authority and five others, including builders and a middleman, over bribes of more than Rs 10 lakh linked to doctoring of the quality audit report of a road project in Jharkhand. The CBI booked two NHAI Deputy Managers and a retired engineer empanelled as a Dispute Resolution Board (DRB) Member by the Authority for bribes in lieu of furnishing a favourable Quality Audit Report (QAR) to a group of contractors working on the Rs 818 crore project for widening National Highway-75 in Jharkhand. A Quality Audit Team assessed the project executed by a number of contractors and sub-contractors, with Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon being in the lead, between June 26 and June 30, the FIR said. The FIR accused the NHAI representatives of indulging in the corrupt practice of accepting and/or conspiring to take illegal gratification, in lieu of furnishing favourable QAR for inspection of the Package-III project in Ranchi, Jharkhand, from Manish Mishra, Chief Operating Officer, M/s Bharat Vanijya Eastern Private Limited (BVEPL). According to source information received by the federal agency, Rakesh Bhasin, empanelled as Dispute Resolution Board (DRB) Member, NHAI, and retired Chief Engineer, Military Engineering Service, was supposed to be paid a bribe of Rs 4 lakh at his residence in Jaipur while NHAI's Deputy Manager Swatantra Gaurav's Gurugram-based friend Dheeraj collected Rs 5 lakh on his behalf. A bribe of Rs 1 lakh was to be delivered to another NHAI Deputy Manager, Vishwajeet Singh, on the instruction of Manish Mishra, said the FIR. The CBI FIR registered on July 12 said, "The above acts of obtaining and accepting undue advantage by the said public servants, private persons and unknown officials of NHAI are disclosing offences punishable under Sections 7, 7A, 8, 9, 10 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) and 61(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Hence, a regular case is registered" Haldwani, July 15 : In a sweeping crackdown on imposters exploiting religious sentiments, Uttarakhand Police on Tuesday has taken action against more than 300 fake babas under Operation Kalnemi across the Kumaon division. The initiative, launched under the directive of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, aims to weed out fraudulent spiritual figures misguiding the public in the name of faith. Speaking to IANS, Inspector General (IG) Kumaon Riddhim Agarwal confirmed that the operation was conducted across all six districts of the Kumaon region, where over 300 individuals posing as saints, babas, or spiritual guides were identified. Action has been initiated through FIRs, challans, and preventive detentions. "These individuals were exploiting people's faith through superstition, deceit, and false claims of divine powers," Agarwal told IANS. "They had no valid identity proof or documentation to support their credentials. During the campaign, suspects were taken into custody, their backgrounds verified, and necessary legal action was taken." Agarwal further added that all police stations and outposts across Kumaon have been instructed to remain vigilant and continue the crackdown against suspicious figures masquerading as spiritual leaders. The operation is inspired by the mythological figure Kalnemi, a demon who appeared as a saint to mislead people. Drawing from this allegory, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami launched Operation Kalnemi on July 10, calling it a necessary move to protect the image of Sanatan Dharma. "Just as the demon Kalnemi used disguise to deceive, many such 'Kalnemis' exist in today's society who are misusing religion to commit crimes," CM Dhami had said while launching the initiative. "This is an effort to protect people's faith and ensure that only true spiritual guides lead our communities." The move comes at a time when Uttarakhand is witnessing increased religious activity due to the ongoing pilgrimage season. With sacred towns like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Kedarnath drawing large crowds, the government aims to ensure the safety and sanctity of these gatherings. The campaign has received widespread support from across the political spectrum. BJP national spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi praised the move, emphasising the need to end religious exploitation. "Conversion through money, deception, or coercion must be strictly monitored and curbed," he said. BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal echoed the sentiment, stating, "With the rise in awareness about Sanatan Dharma, many fake babas are trying to take advantage. I commend CM Dhami for protecting the integrity of our saintly traditions." BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain also voiced his support. "Many fake people are looting innocent believers with false promises and 'miracles.' This campaign will help unmask them," he told. Interestingly, even Opposition parties backed the initiative, albeit with pointed remarks. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey welcomed the crackdown but urged the CM to look inward. "Catching fake babas is commendable, but CM Dhami must also identify the 'Kalnemis' within his own party who are corrupt and creating social unrest," he remarked. New Delhi, July 15 : Insensitive jokes mocking disabled people violate their right to dignity, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday, indicating its intention to lay down guidelines on freedom of speech and expression for stand-ups. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said that Article 19, which provides freedom of speech and expression, cannot overpower Article 21, which guarantees the right to dignity that emanates from the right to life and liberty. "Article 21 must prevail if any competition takes place," said the court, inviting suggestions from the public and bar for laying down a framework so that the dignity of no one is violated. Attorney-General R. Venkataramani sought more time to assist the court on the aspect of guidelines. The apex court, while hearing a petition filed by SMA Cure Foundation, also hinted at its desire to do something to regulate obscene content on social media. Earlier, the petitioner Foundation had accused comedians Samay Raina, Nishant Jagdish Tanwar, Vipun Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai and Sonali Thakkar a.k.a. Sonali Aditya Desai of making insensitive jokes that mocked the disabled. The five standup comedians were present in the court when it lashed out at "dirty, perverted" remarks of some of them. Except for Sonali, the others were told to be physically present at the next hearing. Sonali will join the proceedings online. The court gave the comedians two weeks to file their responses to the petition filed by the Foundation. The Apex court also dealt with two other petitions filed by social media content creators Ranveer Allahbadia and Ashish Chanchlani for clubbing FIRs lodged against them in connection with 'India's Got Latent' controversy. Allahbadia, who made obscene and offensive remarks about parents in the comedy show 'India's Got Latent', faces several FIRs and legal complaints across the country. The top court, in an interim order passed on February 18, had conditionally stayed his arrest with a direction to deposit his passport with Mumbai's Thane Nodal Cyber Police and not leave the country without prior permission. His confiscated passport was released in April, and one of the conditions required him to deposit his passport with Mumbai's Thane Nodal Cyber Police and not leave the country without prior permission of the apex court. Bengaluru, July 15 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced that five corporations will be formed under the Greater Bengaluru Authority, and elections will be conducted soon. He was speaking at the meeting of the state, district, and taluk-level office-bearers of the Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committees held on Tuesday at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office, Bharat Jodo Bhavan. Shivakumar, who also serves as KPCC President, addressed the gathering. "GBA (Greater Bengaluru Authority) has been constituted, and under this, we are determined to form five corporations. A committee under the leadership of MLA Rizwan Arshad has been formed for this. Some may oppose this publicly, but from an administrative standpoint, it must be done," he said. "Once the corporations are formed, our party workers must be given positions and recognition. We have decided this and must lay the groundwork accordingly," he said. "D.K. Shivakumar alone cannot bring a government to power it is the workers who are the lifeblood of the party. We may take decisions at Vidhana Soudha, but party workers are the ambassadors of the government. Our future and Bengaluru's is in your hands," he stated. "Our government has allocated Rs 1 lakh crore for the welfare of society and the poor. Out of this, Rs 50,000 crore has gone to guarantee schemes, Rs 19,000 crore for free electricity to farmers' pump sets, and about Rs 11,000 crore for pensions. We are spending 25 per cent of the state budget on people. You must remind the public of this service it is your responsibility," Shivakumar appealed. "Thanks to bank nationalisation, banks now reach people's doorsteps. Mid-day meals, Anna Bhagya these are all revolutionary programmes. People living in 'hattis' and 'tandas' had no land documents. We distributed documents to them free of charge. Recently, 1,11,111 such documents were issued," Shivakumar stated. "Our government has not just given five guarantees we have also given a land guarantee. In Bengaluru, we're planning to deliver property records to people's doorsteps. Many owners don't even know whose name their property is registered under often it's their grandfather's or great-grandfather's. We are correcting and issuing new records. This programme was conducted in Minister Krishna Byre Gowda's constituency, where thousands of workers went door-to-door, helped residents fill applications, and participated in the process," Deputy CM Shivakumar said. When asked about BJP MP Tejasvi Surya's remark that the tunnel road project opens the door to corruption. He said, "Tunnel roads are being built in Delhi, Mumbai, and across the country. Why are they being built there? Why is the opposition only here?" "I'll reply to him (Tejasvi Surya) later. Whatever we do, they will criticise. The BJP has always been anti-development. Their contribution to Bengaluru is zero," Shivakumar slammed. When asked about the allegation that the Metro DPR was copied to prepare the Tunnel Road DPR, he said sternly, "I won't respond to him. The Metro is the Congress party's contribution." ASIC report shows Small Business Restructure appointments surged from 82 initially to over 1,400 in 2023-24, with 87% success rate. Australian small businesses are finding renewed hope through the Small Business Restructure (SBR) process, with new ASIC data confirming what industry experts have been witnessing firsthand this framework is delivering real results for companies facing financial distress. Introduced in 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemics devastating impact on Australian businesses, the SBR process was designed to help companies bounce back without losing control of their operations. According to the Governments official framework, the process allows financially distressed small businesses to access a single, streamlined process to restructure their debts, while allowing the owners to remain in control of their business. Dramatic growth and success rates The numbers tell a compelling story of increasing trust and success. ASICs recent report shows SBR appointments have surged from just 82 in the first 18 months of operation to over 1,400 in 2023-24, with projections suggesting over 3,000 appointments for 2024-25. The construction and hospitality industries account for half of all SBR appointments, according to the ASIC report, highlighting the sectors most severely impacted by recent economic conditions and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The ASIC report delivers encouraging statistics about the SBR processs effectiveness: 87% of all SBR plans were successful, with creditors accepting the proposed restructuring arrangements, and 93% of companies that completed an SBR plan by March 31, 2025, remained registered as of April 30, 2025. These figures demonstrate that the SBR process is not just providing temporary relief but enabling genuine business recovery and long-term viability. Grant Thorntons Restructuring Advisory team has been at the forefront of implementing successful SBR processes for clients across various industries. John McInerney, Partner Restructuring Advisory at Grant Thornton, shares a compelling example: Weve had a run of success helping clients restructure and keep their businesses running. One hospitality client was downsized from four cafes to three after the COVID period. By taking them through the SBR, we saved 70 jobs, restructured legacy debt, and now they have expanded and have six cafes highlighting the benefits of the SBR process. How the Framework Operates The framework is specifically designed for incorporated companies with total liabilities not exceeding $1 million, according to the Governments official documentation, excluding employee entitlements from this threshold. The Government framework recognizes that businesses may need time to find a practitioner, providing up to an extra three months to access a practitioner from the day you declare your intention to access the restructuring process. One of the SBR processs most attractive features is that directors remain in control during the restructuring. Unlike traditional administration processes where external administrators take over business operations, the SBR framework allows existing management to continue running the business while working collaboratively with restructuring practitioners. The framework includes a moratorium on creditor actions during the process, meaning unsecured creditors cannot begin, continue or enforce their claims while the restructuring is underway, according to the official documentation. Companies must present their debt restructuring plan to creditors within 20 business days of entering the process, with creditors having 15 business days to vote, according to the Government framework. A plan is accepted if more than 50% of creditors by value vote in favor, with related party creditors excluded from voting to ensure integrity. Professional Standards and Employee Protection The framework prioritizes employee protection, requiring that employee entitlements which are due and payable have been paid before creditors can vote on a restructuring plan, according to the official documentation. Employee entitlements are excluded from the restructuring plan itself, providing additional security for workers. The Government framework also specifically requires that all relevant tax returns and activity statements are lodged with the ATO before a plan can be put to creditors. The Government framework ensures quality control by requiring that small business restructuring practitioners must be Registered Liquidators with suitable experience and knowledge. To provide cost certainty, the framework mandates that practitioners must offer a flat fee to assist you to prepare the restructuring plan and to put the plan to creditors. Once a plan is accepted, practitioners are paid as a percentage of disbursements to creditors, with creditors required to consent to this remuneration structure when voting. McInerney emphasizes the collaborative nature of the process: We continue to advocate for practical, forward-looking solutions that help Australian small (and some medium) businesses navigate financial distress and emerge stronger. The success of the SBR process represents more than just effective policy implementation; it demonstrates the resilience of Australian small businesses and their capacity to adapt and recover when provided with appropriate support mechanisms. The combination of strong success rates shown in the ASIC report, growing adoption, and real-world examples like Grant Thorntons cafe client transformation positions the Small Business Restructure process as a genuine success story in Australian business support policy. To explore your businesss eligibility for a SBR, read more here. Read for more information about the SBR process, and listen to a SBR podcast from Grant Thornton. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Thiruvananthapuram, July 15 : In the past six decades of its existence HLL Lifecare Limited, a mini-ratna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has by now manufactured 5,500 condoms and continues to grow. At present, it manufactures a record 221.7 crore condoms annually making it as one of the largest condom manufacturers in the world. The mini-ratna public sector company is headquartered in the state capital city. N. Ajit, Director (Marketing) of HLL, said that HLL has eight factories across the country. He pointed out that five factories produce contraceptive products. The factory in Peroorkada (Thiruvananthapuram) manufactures 124.6 crore condoms annually, while the one in Kanagala (Karnataka) produces 37 crore condoms, 98 lakh oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), 12.5 crore non-steroidal OCPs, and 1.87 crore emergency contraceptive pills. The Kochi facility produces 30 crore male condoms and 2.5 crore female condoms annually, while the Airapuram (Kerala) factory manufactures an additional 27.6 crore condoms each year. The factory in Aakkulam (Thiruvananthapuram) annually produces 55 lakh copper-Ts and 25 lakh tubal rings. "HLL have played major roles in India's success in population control. We are at the forefront of introducing several new contraceptive products in the country. In the early days, HLL made condoms available across the country under the brand name 'Nirodh'. At that time, 'Nirodh' was the most popular condom brand. Later, various other brands were launched. However, HLL rapidly grew to become one of the largest manufacturers of contraceptive products in the world," Ajith said. He also added that Kerala has always been at the forefront of national family welfare programmes. "By the late 1950s, the Central government was concerned about the rapid growth of India's population. As part of addressing this concern, the country launched the National Family Welfare Programme. The family planning campaign with the slogan 'Small family, happy family' gained much attention during that time. Back then, condoms had to be imported at a high cost. So, the government decided to manufacture condoms within India itself. The main raw material needed for condom manufacturing is rubber or latex. Since rubber was abundantly available in Kerala, it was decided to set up the condom manufacturing unit here. Thus, in 1966, HLL was established in Thiruvananthapuram under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare," he said. Apart from contraceptives, HLL's Manesar factory in Haryana's Gurugram specialises in rapid in-vitro diagnostic test kits, the Pharma factory in Madhya Pradesh's Indore produces a range of pharmaceutical products and the Bhagwanpur Factory in Uttarakhand's Haridwar is a dedicated AYUSH facility for manufacturing and supplying Ayurvedic and Unani medicines. Kolkata, July 15 : West Bengal's Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and senior BJP leader, Suvendu Adhikari, said on Tuesday that the ongoing protest by "untainted" teachers losing their jobs, following a Supreme Court order in April this year cancelling 25,753 school jobs in the state, is being sabotaged from inside allegedly by several "leftist-minded persons", who are part of the protest programmes. LoP Adhikari also advised the protesting "untainted" teachers to ensure that the steering of the protest does not ultimately come under the control of these leftist-minded persons and claimed that these persons were clandestinely ensuring that the protest against the West Bengal government did not take an effective shape. According to the Leader of the Opposition, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee knows the trick of destabilising any protest directed either against her government or her party. "These leftist persons are clandestinely assisting the Chief Minister's ploy in the matter," LoP Adhikari said. He had also cautioned that it was because of the influence of these leftist-minded persons that the spontaneous public outcry and mass movement over the rape and murder of a woman junior doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata within the hospital premises in April last year fizzled out after one point of time. "Unless the protesting 'untainted' teachers identify these persons and ensure that the steering of the movement is not in their hands, there is every possibility that the teachers' movement on this issue will meet the same fate as the R.G. Kar protest," the LoP said. He advised the protesting teachers to seek support and assistance from a nationalist force like the BJP to carry forward their protest in a prolonged manner. "All I want to assure you is that you are not alone in this movement and BJP is always there to support you," LoP Adhikari added. New Delhi, July 15 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested five individuals, including the Deputy Chief Engineer of the Gati Shakti Unit, Northern Railway, Lucknow, in connection with a major bribery scandal. The arrests were made during a probe into alleged corruption related to a railway project under the Gati Shakti scheme in Bhadohi, Varanasi. Among those arrested are the Deputy Chief Engineer, a Senior Section Engineer (SSE) of Drawings, an Office Superintendent (OS) of Northern Railway in Lucknow, and two private individuals employed by a railway contractor company. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody by the Special CBI Court in Lucknow till July 28. The case, registered on July 14, involves several railway officials from Northern and North Eastern Railways, including officers posted in Varanasi and Lucknow. CBI investigations revealed that the private company, a contractor working on a sanctioned railway project, was allegedly offering bribes in exchange for favourable official actions. On July 14, one of the accused private employees was caught red-handed delivering bribes to the Dy Chief Engineer and other officials. CBI recovered Rs. 2.50 lakh from the Dy Chief Engineeras possession and Rs. 80,000 from the Office Superintendent, a portion of which was allegedly intended for the SSE (Drawings). Following the arrests, the CBI conducted searches at 11 locationsa"four in Lucknow, six in Varanasi, and one in Ghaziabad. Several incriminating documents and materials were recovered during the raids, strengthening the case. An Assistant Executive Engineer (XEN) of Northern Railway, who reportedly received Rs 2.75 lakh in bribes, remains absconding. The CBI is actively pursuing leads to trace and apprehend him. The investigation is ongoing, and the CBI has indicated that more arrests and revelations are likely as the case unfolds. New Delhi, July 15 : The coming months will be crucial for India's global trade relations, as the government intensifies negotiations with major partners such as the European Union (EU), the United States, and the ASEAN bloc, officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Tuesday. During a press briefing, Special Secretary Satya Srinivas said that significant progress has been made in some talks, while others are moving more slowly than expected. "The 12th round of negotiations with the EU was held last week and was very productive," Srinivas stated. He said both sides have now exchanged their market access offers for goods and services. "Some parts of the deal, known as 'chapters,' have been finalised, while discussions continue on the issues where both sides differ. The next round of talks is expected to take place in India in the first week of September," he mentioned. India and the EU are aiming to reach an agreement on a free trade deal by the end of 2025. However, both sides have also agreed to first conclude an interim version to fast-track the process. Meanwhile, talks with the US are also gaining pace. An Indian team is currently in Washington for another round of discussions to finalise a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), which is expected to be concluded by this fall. This marks the third visit of Indian officials to the US in recent months, signalling both countries' commitment to wrap up negotiations soon. Srinivas said some chapters were closed in the last round held in India, and this round also helped resolve a few outstanding issues. However, on India's free trade agreement with the ASEAN countries, the next round of talks with ASEAN is likely to be held in New Delhi in August, followed by another in Malaysia in October. India is hoping to make substantial progress in these meetings before the ASEAN-India summit scheduled for the end of October. Hyderabad, July 15 : After having disclosed that music director Anirudh had sung the first single from his upcoming film 'Andhra King Taluka', actor Ram Pothineni on Tuesday evening announced that it was he who had penned the lyrics for the much-awaited number that was to release on July 18. Sources close to the actor said this song would mark Ram Pothineni's debut in the film industry as a lyricist. Shot in breath-taking, exotic locations, the song, the sources said, would blend melodious vocals with stunning visuals and poetic words, making it a treat for both fans and cinegoers alike. Taking to his X timeline, Ram Pothineni said," This oneas straight from my heart to yours... Thank you @filmymahesh @iamviveksiva @MervinJSolomon for inspiring me to explore and write Sagaras love journey. Love...#RAPO #AKTFirstSingle #Andhrakingtaluka." It may be recalled that the Telugu star had, earlier on Tuesday, disclosed that one of India's top music directors Anirudh had crooned the first single, a melodious number, from his eagerly-awaited commercial entertainer. Taking to his X timeline on Tuesday morning, Ram Pothineni thanked Anirudh for singing the number. He wrote, "Love just found its voicea& what a voice it is @anirudhofficial. Thank you Rockstar!." He also went on to say,"His voice. Their tune. One unforgettable vibe. The most lovable track from #AndhraKingTaluka drops on July 18th #AKTFirstSingle @iamviveksiva @mervinjsolomon." He also shared a poster that said, "A melody that speaks heart in the voice of Anirudh Ravichander." The film, the music for which has been composed by the talented duo of Viveka"Merwin, has triggered huge expectations among fans and film buffs. For the unaware, the unit of Andhra King Taluka, which is being directed by Mahesh Babu P, is currently in the midst of its final shooting schedule in Hyderabad. Sources close to the unit of the film say that the filmas new month-long shooting schedule commenced on Saturday in a set erected in the city. At present, romantic sequences featuring the lead pair, Ram and Bhagyashree Borse, are being filmed against a night backdrop. This night schedule is to continue for 10 days, the sources said and added that after these sequences are shot, the team would shift to daytime shoots for the next 20 days. During these 20 days, the unit would film the climax and other key sequences in the film. The unit is to wind up shooting with this final schedule. Cinematography for the film is by Siddhartha Nuni while National Award-winning editor Sreekar Prasad has been assigned the responsibility of editing the film. As announced by the production house, the film is a biopic of a fan called Sagar, played by Ram Pothineni. Actress Bhagyashree Borse, whose popularity graph is soaring north, plays the female lead in the film which will also feature Kannada superstar Upendra. Upendra plays the character of a film superstar called Surya Kumar in the film. Backed by a highly experienced technical crew, the project promises top-notch cinematic quality. A title teaser released by the unit begins with a ticket issuer in a theatre, earmarking tickets for all the VIPs in the region. That is when Ram Pothineni turns up and demands 50 tickets from the man in the counter. When asked which taluk he represents, he says, "Fans". Apart from Ram Pothineni, Bhagyashrii Borse and Upendra, the film will also feature a host of talented actors including Rao Ramesh, Murali Sharma, Satya, Rahul Ramakrishna and V.T.V. Ganesh. Dhaka, July 15 : In yet another shocking development showcasing the growing social intolerance in Bangladesh, the ancestral home of iconic filmmaker Satyajit Ray in Dhaka is being demolished to make way for a new semi-concrete structure, the local media reported on Tuesday. Located on Horikishore Ray Chowdhury Road in the city, the century-old house was home to eminent litterateur Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury, the father of celebrated poet Sukumar Ray and grandfather of Satyajit Ray. A semi-concrete structure with several rooms will be built to house a Shishu Academy at the historically-significant building, the country's leading media outlet 'Daily Star' reported. It mentioned that local residents have expressed their concerns over the decision, citing that the demolition will wipe out the legacy of the Ray dynasty in Mymensingh city. However, the authorities insist that the demolition is being carried out in accordance with proper procedures and "necessary approvals". Officials from Dhaka's Department of Archeology, while agreeing that the property remains an archeological heritage, admitted that their repeated requests to protect the building have gone unheard. Satyajit Ray is one of the most respected filmmakers in world cinema who has also inspired several great filmmakers including Martin Scorsese, who is known for films like aTaxi Drivera, aRaging Bulla, aThe Departeda, aShutter Islanda and others. In April, a mob of radicals demolished the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Dhaka's Mirpur area. The monument was a symbol of the genocide committed by the Pakistan Army during the Liberation War of Bangladesh. As the video of the demolition went viral, several Bangladeshis took to social media, severely condemning the disturbing act, which displays the current lawlessness prevailing in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Yunus. Experts perceived this act of the interim government as an insult to the martyrs and a part of their appeasement policy towards Pakistan. The memorial in the Mirpur area of Dhaka honoured the luminaries who sacrificed their lives for the countryas independence during the war with Pakistan. In a similar act, the mural of the Liberation War Memorial Mancha in Lalmonirhat district in Bangladesh was demolished at the instruction of the Yunus-led interim government in March. The mural showcased the background of the 1950s language movement, the historic March 7 speech, the War of Independence, the formation of the Mujibnagar government, the dawn of the new sun in the independent land, the 1971 genocide by Pakistan, the heroic freedom fighters exulting in victory, the seven great heroes, the surrender of the Pakistani army, the jubilant crowd holding the national flag, and many other historic moments. The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) had also rechristened different roads, buildings, and structures previously named after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his family members, and leaders of the Awami League. Bangabandhu Avenue has now been renamed as Shaheed Abrar Fahad Avenue, according to an order issued by the DSCC. About 1500 sculptures, murals, and memorials have been vandalised, set on fire, and uprooted all over the country since the Yunus government came to power in August 2024 after the fall of the Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Seoul, July 15 : South Korean Police have opened an investigation into a Korean-American professor for possible defamation charges after he allegedly made damaging comments about country's President Lee Jae Myung with false information, officials said Tuesday. The investigation against Morse Tan, dean of Liberty University School of Law, came after a conservative civic group had filed a complaint with the police, accusing Tan of defaming Lee by spreading false information about him. In June, Tan said during an event in Washington that Lee had been involved in the gang rape and murder of a girl during his youth, and that he was sent to a juvenile detention center and unable to finish middle and high school, Yonhap news agency reported. The civic group said these claims are unfounded. Tan, former US ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice under the first Donald Trump administration, is known for promoting conspiracy theories about election fraud in South Korea. According to the civic group that filed the complaint, Tan also claimed that the June 3 snap election won by Lee was rigged. Tan has also made comments in support of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition, which eventually removed him from office in April. Tan, who's visiting Seoul this week, was originally set to deliver a special lecture at Seoul National University (SNU) on Tuesday afternoon, in a session hosted by a far-right group consisting of conservative Christian university students. But the SNU decided to not allow Tan's speech to take place on the campus. The students' group changed the venue to the front side of the SNU main gate, where Tan gave another speech about defending Yoon's martial law. Another students' group opposing Tan's visit also staged a protest denouncing the professor for undermining South Korea's democratic order and damaging the president's reputation. The group accused Tan of exploiting the South Korea-US alliance for far-right political purposes. Mumbai, July 15 : Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said on Tuesday in the State Council that the state government is in the middle of increasing the irrigation capacity to make the state drought-free. He was replying to a half-hour discussion on the issue raised by member Ranjitsinh Mohite Patil. Minister Vikhe Patil said: "There is a plan to make nearly 21 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water available for the Krishna Marathwada project. For this, a decision has been taken to divert 115 TMC of water. Along with this, 23.7 TMC of water will be diverted from Ujani Dam to Dharashiv district. Water supply will be provided through lift irrigation in some talukas of this area." "For this project, the Maharashtra Resilience Development Program ( MIDP) is being implemented with the help of the World Bank. Flood water diversion is the main scheme in this and it has been approved on March 13, 2024. He said that the flood water will be put to good use within a period of two months," the Minister added. "The survey report of the project is expected soon and the work is expected to be completed before the next monsoon. The preliminary estimate is to bring about 55 TMC of water from Krishna valley to Bhima valley. The facts will be presented after the survey," he said. The cost of this important infrastructure project is expected to be around Rs 4,000 crore but with the World Bank funding, there is no obstacle left, he added. He expressed hope that the tenders for the project will be floated this year. A new policy is being prepared for the removal of silt from dams like Ujani, Jayakwadi, Koyna and other such dams, he said. This policy will soon be presented before the state Cabinet and the state government is trying to get its approval, the Minister added. Talking about barrages in the state, Minister Vikhe Patil said: "As much as 24-25 TMC of water was flowing from Ujani Dam. Now that a separate pipeline is available for Solapur Municipal Corporation, the flow of water in the riverbed will stop. Therefore, 11 new barrages have been proposed on the Bhima River to prevent irrigation problems for the farmers along the river." Meanwhile, State Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike told the State Legislative Council that the government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of the Shabari Gharkul Yojana, which was launched with the aim of providing shelter to Scheduled Tribe families in Maharashtra, are available to people belonging to the Scheduled Caste community. He was replying to a query raised by member Abhijit Vanjari regarding the Shabari Gharkul Yojana. Minister Uike said that the main objective of Shabari Gharkul Yojana is to provide assistance to tribal families who are not eligible for other schemes through Gharkul. "Under this scheme, the eligible beneficiary gets a total of Rs 1,20,000. Out of this, Rs 15,000 is given through Direct Benefit Transfer as soon as the house is sanctioned, Rs 45,000 for the construction of the base of the house, Rs 40,000 at the roofing stage and the remaining amount is given after the house is completed. Along with this, additional funds are given as per the wages under MNREGA." The target of Shabari Gharkul Yojana for the period 2021-22 to 2024-25 was 2,41,670, of which 1,80,484 Gharkuls have been completed and 61,186 cases are incomplete for which the state government has started the second phase from April 1, the Minister added. "It is the government's resolve that no tribal family should be deprived of a Gharkul Yojana. Many cases have been delayed due to some technical difficulties, lack of space and migration or issues of heirs. However, these projects will be completed in the second phase," he said. Minister Uike added that those people who were living on encroached land before 2011 have had their houses regularised. For those who do not have a plots, provision has been made to acquire lands for a house through financial assistance under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Yojana, he said. --IANS sj/khz New Delhi, July 15 : A shocking incident unfolded at the ASL Motors showroom in Mango, Jamshedpur, on Tuesday, when a frustrated customer allegedly attempted to set his Tata Safari SUV on fire and then threatened to immolate himself, citing repeated technical issues with the vehicle. The customer, identified as Sumit, was stopped just in time by local police. Sumit had purchased the Tata Safari in January 2024 for around Rs 32 lakh. Since then, he claims, the SUV has suffered from multiple technical problems. According to him, the vehicle has been sent to the service centre 89 times, but only temporary repairs were carried out, and the problems kept recurring. "I have been to the showroom, the company, and even filed a written complaint with the police, but no one is listening. I've reached a point where I felt that if the car doesn't exist, and I don't exist, there will be no more stress," Sumit said, explaining why he resorted to the extreme step. He alleged that his vehicle was parked at the company's service centre for almost nine months, during which it suffered further damage -- including flooding that caused the underbody to rust. He also accused the service centre staff of tampering with the car's wiring without his consent and then pressuring him to take the vehicle back despite unresolved issues. Sumit claimed to have photographic and video evidence of the water damage, as well as documentation of technical failures such as a faulty AC fan and brake issues. "They said -- burn the car if you want, set yourself on fire -- we don't care," he added -- recalling a conversation with showroom staff that pushed him to the edge. The local police, while confirming the incident, said they intervened before the situation could escalate further. They also stated that since it was a matter between a private customer and the dealership, their role was limited. However, they warned that attempting suicide is a punishable offence under Indian law. New Delhi, July 15 : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the Transport Department and asserted that the dream of equipping Delhi with world-class public transport will soon be realised with the issue of smart travel cards, restructuring of bus routes and modernisation of bus terminals. CM Gupta also announced plans to redesign bus queue shelters (BQS) to make them more comfortable and high-tech. The meeting was attended by Transport Minister Pankaj Singh, Chief Secretary Dharmendra, Transport Commissioner Niharika Rai, and other senior officials. CM Gupta stated that DTC, which is currently running at a loss of Rs 60,000 crore due to past mismanagement, will be revitalised and transformed into a robust transport service. She added that the number of both small (DEVI) and large buses is being increased, and the new routes are being strategically planned to enhance accessibility for commuters. "Our government envisions DTC as a symbol of excellent transport service in Delhi," claimed the Chief Minister. Chief Minister Gupta, while reviewing the city's transport systems, laid out key objectives that will shape Delhi's public transport future. One of the major announcements was the introduction of a unified smart card system for all modes of public transport in Delhi. This card will enable seamless travel across DTC buses, Delhi Metro, and the upcoming Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), said a statement. The Chief Minister also announced a special Pink Card for women and transgender residents, which will allow them free travel in DTC buses. "Discussions are currently underway with banks to ensure a smooth and foolproof rollout of these cards, aimed at making public transportation more accessible and hassle-free," said the statement. She also shared the current status of the DTC fleet, noting that Delhi operates 660 small electric buses, 1,800 large electric buses, and 1,800 CNG buses, with a total of 4,800 electric buses forming the city's robust EV fleet. However, she acknowledged that many of these buses still operate on outdated routes, limiting their effectiveness in serving the city's population. To address this, the government has collaborated with IIT Delhi to design a comprehensive new route plan. This plan is intended to improve bus connectivity in underserved localities and ensure better integration with Metro services, she said. A pilot project will be initiated in Yamuna Vihar, following which the model will be implemented citywide. She said another key area of focus is the modernisation of Bus Queue Shelters (BQS) across the capital. All BQS will be upgraded with real-time arrival displays, LED lighting, digital boards, solar power support, and weather-resistant designs. These upgrades will be executed through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Currently, out of the 4,627 shelters in Delhi, only 2,021 are functional. The new shelter designs are inspired by global standards and tailored to Delhi's local needs, said the statement. Proposed seven-day superannuation payment deadline creates 75% reduction in current timeframe, with severe penalties for non-compliance including 60% administrative uplift. Australias small and medium businesses are facing a significant financial hurdle as the governments proposed Payday Super requirements approach implementation. New research from Employment Hero reveals that businesses will need an average of $124,000 in additional working capital to meet the new compliance demands, creating what the company calls a seismic shift in payroll and compliance requirements. Employment Hero, which processes payroll for over 300,000 businesses and handles 2 million verified payslips monthly, has released comprehensive modelling showing the impact of the upcoming changes. The platform, which sees AU $120 billion flow through it annually, provides a unique window into how these requirements will affect real businesses. The research reveals concerning preparedness levels among SMBs. According to Employment Heros survey, 65% of small and medium businesses expect Payday Super to have a moderate to huge impact on their daily operations. Perhaps more alarming, 15% of SMBs were completely unaware of the upcoming changes. Almost 20% of Employment Hero customers stated they do not feel very or at all prepared to meet the seven-day deadline, with an additional 50% stating they only feel somewhat prepared,' the research shows. The seven-day deadline crunch Under the proposed reforms, employers will have just seven calendar days from wage payment to pay the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) a 75% reduction in the current timeframe. This compressed deadline comes with severe penalties for non-compliance, including the shortfall amount, daily interest, and an administrative penalty of 60% of the shortfall. The concern extends beyond just meeting deadlines. As Employment Hero CEO Ben Thompson explains: Payday Super could be the biggest positive change to super since its introduction, but it must be done in a way that doesnt break small businesses or cost Australians their jobs. Without changes to SuperStream, payments infrastructure and proposed penalties, we risk a system where small businesses are punished for delays outside their control, and thats simply unfair. A significant worry for businesses is the current state of payment infrastructure and where liability falls when systems fail. Shaun Sullivan, Director at Elite Bookkeeping Enterprises, highlights a critical issue: The industry needs certainty and clarity on who is responsible and accountable when delays and/or errors happen. Were very concerned that currently, only the business is responsible for the payment landing within the new seven day deadline but there are so many edge cases such as public holidays or other events outside of our control which could see this deadline miss. The research indicates that businesses are particularly concerned about clearing houses or super funds causing delays that could put them at risk of penalties, with many not fully understanding that liability would fall entirely on them. The financial burden extends beyond penalties. Employment Heros modelling shows that 32.5% of businesses will need to build larger cash reserves to prepare for the change. The $124,000 average figure represents the additional working capital needed to manage the increased frequency of superannuation payments under the new system. This cash flow pressure could force operational changes, with 20% of businesses indicating they might need to change their pay cycle frequency. However, this creates a secondary problem 84% of employees would be somewhat or very concerned if their pay cycle had to change. Employment Hero is working to address these challenges through multiple channels. The company is developing new solutions within its Employment Operating System, including automated superannuation payments, seamless digital employee onboarding, and enhanced ATO compliance features. Thompson emphasizes the broader mission: Most business owners didnt go into business because they wanted to manage employment; they want to use their time to do what they love and what theyre passionate about. Employment Hero exists to make employment easier and more valuable, which is why we are passionately working to help make Payday Super a positive change for all. Recommended changes To address the identified risks, Employment Hero is advocating for several key changes: Legislated modernization of super system infrastructure Staggered implementation to give SMBs more preparation time Extension of the payment window to 10 business days until real-time infrastructure is in place Fairer penalties for SMBs with more transitional support With less than 12 months until implementation, Thompson warns that preparation time is critical: 12 months may seem like a long time, but the impact on SMBs and required infrastructure upgrade imposed should not be underestimated. Were encouraging all businesses to turn their attention to Payday Super and making sure you have the right systems and processes in place to manage the admin and cashflow impacts. The research underscores a fundamental tension between the positive intent of Payday Super improving retirement outcomes for Australians and the practical realities of implementation for small businesses that form the backbone of the Australian economy. As the implementation deadline approaches, the focus remains on ensuring that this significant reform achieves its objectives without creating unintended consequences that could harm the very businesses it aims to help regulate. More here. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Mumbai, July 15 : The government is continuously working to maintain law and order in the state, while CCTV systems are being set up with modern technology to increase crime detection, and a standard operating procedure (SOP) will be prepared through the Home Department to bring uniformity in CCTV projects in the state, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly. Assembly Member Ravi Sheth Patil had raised a question in the Assembly regarding the repair of CCTV cameras installed in urban areas of Raigad and Ratnagiri districts. In the discussion on this question, members Prashant Bamb, Bhaskar Jadhav, Prashant Thakur, Mahesh Shinde and Sreejaya Chavan participated by asking sub-questions. The Chief Minister said that in many cities and other places in the state, CCTVs are currently installed by the police department and also through district planning committees and also through CSR funds as per the requirement. "The SOP will be with regard to maintenance, repair and monitoring of these CCTVs, warranty period, clear responsibility for maintenance and repair, obstacles in fibre connectivity, as well as coordination between the police department and disaster management systems," he added. In response to this question, Minister of State for Home Affairs (Rural) Pankaj Bhoyar said that the Ratnagiri Superintendent of Police's office is following up on the issue of closed CCTV cameras in Ratnagiri, and a meeting has been held with the representatives of the concerned company in this regard. He said that instructions have been given through the police department to start the closed CCTV cameras. He also said that a meeting will be held regarding the start of closed agricultural CCTV cameras in Raigad. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Agriculture Ashish Jaiswal in the state assembly said that instructions will be given to district collectors to review the complaints of farmers regarding crop insurance and take appropriate decisions to make farmers eligible for insurance assistance. He was replying in the state assembly to a calling attention motion moved by member Rahul Aher regarding crop insurance for farmers in Chandwad and Deola talukas of Nashik district. Minister Jaiswal said that all the farmers in Chandwad taluka who have participated in the Prime Minister's Crop Insurance Scheme and who have been given advance notice of loss should be verified for compensation based on the Panchnama conducted under natural calamities. A meeting would be held with the insurance company, and the farmers' compensation claims should be examined as per the rules. There has been a large amount of damage to the onion crop in the Rabi season in Nashik district, and the farmers who have participated in the onion crop under the Prime Minister's Crop Insurance Scheme should be surveyed under the post-harvest damage, and action should be taken as per the rules, said the minister. Islamabad, July 15 : The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged the Pakistan's Supreme Court to review the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) legislation and instruct the Shehbaz Sharif government to make changes to the act in consultation with the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and other relevant forums and media stakeholders, local media reported on Tuesday. The IFJ raised concerns for journalists and media workers in Pakistan amid the current political, economic and social crisis in the country following the newly-legislated PECA Act. The federation is the world's largest organisation of journalists, representing over 600,000 members in 142 countries. IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger in a letter addressed to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi, called for prompt action to address the challenges for Pakistan's media and safeguard press freedom as enshrined in Article 19 of the country's Constitution, reported Pakistanas leading daily 'The News'. "We understand that Pakistan is a signatory of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and United Nations Conventions that confer freedom of speech and expression and key democratic rights, but the curtailing of these fundamental rights under the Peca Act is of great concern for the IFJ and international journalist community," the letter stated. "These violations come as Pakistan's media community faces ongoing issues of underpayment, irregular wages, illegal terminations, safety and security risks, and impunity for crimes against journalists," it added. Reports suggest that the CJP was informed about the recent Pakistan Press Freedom Report by the IFJ, in which it recorded 34 violations of press freedom in Pakistan from 1st May 2024 to 30th April, 2025. These included seven targetted killings of journalists, eight incidents of non-fatal violence, and several cases of legal harassment, defamation, threats, arrests, and assault on media institutions. Furthermore, the Chief Justice was briefed on two missions of the IFJ to Pakistan this year, which aimed to hear the concerns of Pakistani media workers, including visits by IFJ President Dominique Pradalie, and IFJ's Asia-Pacific Regional Director Jane Worthington. "We have met journalists and leaders of IFJ's affiliate in Pakistan, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, and we remain united in our great concern regarding this legislation," the letter detailed. "We respectfully seek your swift action to address this critical situation for Pakistan's media and protect press freedom as guaranteed in Article 19 of Pakistan's constitution," the letter concluded, requesting the Pakistani Supreme Court's Chief Justice to review the PECA legislation. Dhaka, July 15 : France's Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marie Masdupuy, has expressed hope that the upcoming national elections in the South Asian country will entail the participation of the citizens and the support for wide-ranging political parties, including the small ones and independents. "Democracy is also about liberty, equality, fraternity and inclusivity. Freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, press freedom are also cornerstones on that tortuous path, and they must go along with fair justice, of course," said Masdupuy while addressing a reception hosted by the French Embassy in Dhaka to mark France's National Day, Earlier this month, Yunus, during his conversation with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sought Washington's support for the country's democratic transition and reaffirmed that elections would be held "in the early part of next year". Last month, the European Union's Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, had also voiced hope that Bangladesh would soon witness the restoration of democratic order through a free, fair, and credible national election. Several international organisations too have repeatedly called for the restoration of democratic order in Bangladesh and holding inclusive and fair elections in the country. Recently, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed grave concern over recent legislative amendments made under the Muhammad Yunus's interim government in Bangladesh that allowed the ban of political parties, organisations, and their related activities. Addressing the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UN human rights chief urged the interim government to make meaningful advances on reforms to create the environment for free and inclusive elections. "I am concerned about recent changes to legislation to allow the banning of political parties and organisations and all related activities. This unduly restricts the freedoms of association, expression, and assembly. I urge meaningful advances on reforms to create the environment for free and inclusive elections," said Turk. Previously, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) presented a fact-finding report on Bangladesh that included suggestions in certain specific domains, such as accountability and justice, police and security, civic space, political system, and economic governance. According to the report, the UN noted that prohibiting political parties would hinder a genuine transition to multiparty democracy and would essentially disenfranchise a significant portion of the Bangladeshi electorate. Human Rights Watch, a US-based advocacy group, also severely criticised the Yunus regime for attempting to suppress the rights of supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League party. Earlier, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres too had called for holding inclusive elections in Bangladesh, urging the interim government under Yunus "to continue to make every effort" to be inclusive, taking into account the voices of women and youth as well as those of minority and indigenous communities. Islamabad, July 15 : A leading minority rights group on Tuesday highlighted that the Ahmadiyya community continues to face systemic persecution and violence in Pakistan, where religious intolerance runs deep. "A recent incident in Samanabad is a poignant reminder of their vulnerability and the constant fear that hangs over their heads. On a seemingly ordinary Friday, a dangerous mob, fueled by hate and intolerance, attempted to march towards an Ahmadiyya worship place in the heart of Lahore. Their goal was clear a" to silence a peaceful community seeking to practice its faith," read a statement issued by the Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM). "For the Ahmadiyya community, this attack was a chilling reminder of the danger they face every day. The worshippers, including many women and children, were praying in peace when they first heard the threatening slogans of the mob outside," the statement added. The rights group mentioned that one of the worshippers recounted how, in a desperate bid to escape, he fled through the back door, leaving his motorbike behind and heart pounding in his chest. "We were terrified. The mob gathered quickly, shouting threats and demanding the closure of our worship place," the VOPM quoted the worshipper as saying. Raising concerns, the rights group revealed that this incident wasn't an isolated case, but was another chapter in the long history of persecution the Ahmadiyya community has endured in Pakistan. "For years, they have been denied the basic human right to practice their faith freely. The accusation against thema"violating worship schedules a" was simply a ruse, another unfounded reason to target and intimidate them. In reality, the Ahmadiyya community was following the agreed-upon prayer timings, just as they have always done, without ever intending to provoke anyone," VOPM stated. The minority rights group stressed that while the incident in Samanabad was brought to light, countless others go unnoticed, while Ahmadiyyas live in constant fear of harassment, violence, and being ostracised by society in Pakistan. "Their faith, their identity, and their very existence are continuously under threat. The Pakistan government, despite international outcry, has done little to protect this marginalised community, allowing them to be hunted by extremists who seek to erase their presence from society," the VOPM mentioned. Highlighting that it is not merely an issue of religious intolerance, the rights group asserted that for the Ahmadiyya community, it is a matter of survival. They endure the threat of violence, and their places of worship are often targets of hate-fueled mobs. The VOPM asserted that this incident serves as a powerful reminder that the fight for religious freedom is far from over in Pakistan. "The Ahmadiyyas, and indeed all minorities, deserve to live without the constant fear of persecution. Until they are allowed to practice their faith without fear, and until the Pakistani authorities step in to protect them, their plight will remain a tragic stain on the conscience of a nation that claims to uphold justice and equality for all," the rights group emphasised. Quetta, July 15 : Accusing Pakistan of committing "war crimes" in the province, a leading Baloch human rights organisation on Tuesday highlighted the massive rise in "human rights violations" in Balochistan. In its report titled 'Balochistan Human Rights Report a" June 2025', Paank, the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, revealed the alarming human rights violations taking place in the province, particularly enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The documented cases, it stated, point to a clear pattern of state repression, where individuals are detained without cause and, in many instances, "unlawfully killed by Pakistani forces". "In June 2025, numerous cases of enforced disappearances and illegal detentions were reported across 14 districts of Balochistan, including incidents from Karachi and Islamabad. The districts of Kech and Mastung recorded the highest number of disappearances. A total of 84 people were forcibly disappeared during the month. Many of them were held without any legal process, and 32 individuals were later released after suffering both mental and physical torture while in custody," read a statement issued by Paank. The rights body mentioned that abductions of Baloch youth from Karachi and Islamabad have also become increasingly common, raising serious concerns among families and human rights defenders. "Despite repeated calls for action, the racial profiling case of Baloch students remains pending in the Islamabad High Court. In Karachi, the indigenous Baloch community, which has lived there for generations, continues to face systematic state oppression. These communities are subjected to frequent harassment, illegal raids, and disappearances, contributing to a growing sense of fear and injustice," the statement added. The statistics presented in the report revealed that, in June 2025, 84 cases of disappearances were reported in 14 districts, 32 individuals were subjected to mental and physical abuse, and 33 people became the victims of extrajudicial killings. The rights body asserted that "extrajudicial killings by Pakistani forces" in Balochistan continue without pause. It further stated that the military is reportedly "detaining and killing individuals" without any legal process, often for unknown reasons, while these actions reflect a "disturbing trend of unchecked violence by state authorities". "One of the victims, Aman Ullah Baloch from Mashkai Shareeki, was repeatedly harassed by the Pakistani army. He was summoned multiple times to a military camp and pressured to work against his will. The continuous intimidation and coercion became unbearable. Tragically, on June 16 2025, he ended his own life. His case highlights the extreme psychological toll such state abuse can have on individuals," Paank stated, detailing an incident of abuse by the Pakistani Army. "These violations are reportedly carried out by Pakistani security forces, targetting civilians without any legal process or judicial oversight. The evidence reveals a systematic campaign of state-led repression and violence," the rights body emphasised. Patna, July 15 : A tragic incident occurred in Sakrauli village under Mohania block of Kaimur on Tuesday, where three minor girls died due to drowning while bathing in a pond, creating an atmosphere of mourning in the entire village. According to an official, five girls had gone out to graze goats when it started raining. They then went to bathe in a pond located east of the village. While bathing, three girls began drowning in the deep water. The two other girls on the bank rushed back to the village, screaming for help. By the time villagers and family members reached the spot, all three girls had drowned. They were pulled out of the water, but all were declared dead. The deceased have been identified as Usha Kumari (11), daughter of Jeetan Ram, Mahima Kumari (10), daughter of Bhorik Ram and Sunita Kumari (10), daughter of late Surendra Pasi. Their families are inconsolable, with grief and cries echoing throughout the village. On receiving information, Mohania police reached the spot and sent the bodies to Sadar Hospital, Bhabua, for post-mortem. Mohania police station in-charge Priyash Priyadarshi confirmed the drowning deaths and said further legal formalities are underway. However, local Zila Parishad member Geeta Pasi expressed anger, stating that villagers repeatedly called the Circle Officer, but the calls were not received, which she termed unacceptable during such a tragedy. The tragic incident has shaken the entire Sakrauli village, with villagers demanding immediate support and ex gratia assistance for the grieving families. Earlier on Monday, three children of the same family drowned while bathing in a newly constructed canal in Kazichak village under the Magadh Medical Police Station in Gaya. The deceased have been identified as Dilshad (15) and Irshad (14), sons of Mohammad Imtiaz, and their cousin Mohammad Fariyaad, all residents of Kazichak village. According to local villagers, four children had entered the canal to take a bath, but only one managed to return safely. Amaravati, July 15 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday defended learning Hindi while recalling that former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao had mastered 17 languages, including Hindi. Naidu said Narasimha Rao, who was a Telugu, had mastered 17 languages, embodying India's rich cultural diversity. He noted that this aspect of Narasimha Rao's life serves as an inspiration in today's context, where language has increasingly become a subject of debate. "He was a scholar of 17 languages. Now we are all talking about why we should learn Hindi. He not only learnt Hindi but also other languages. That's how he became a great man," Naidu said while giving a lecture on 'The Life and Legacy of P.V. Narasimha Rao' at the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library, New Delhi. The Chief Minister recalled the warm and respectful relationship between himself and Narasimha Rao, rooted in the spirit of the Telugu states, describing him as a shining example of balance and political maturity. "I had a very good equation with him and knew him very well. The Telugu community is proud of him. He was a true Telugu Bidda who reshaped the destiny of our great nation," Naidu said. The Chief Minister emphasised that Rao was among the rare leaders with firsthand experience navigating India's socio-economic and political challenges, both before and after economic liberalisation. "Born into a humble farming family, he displayed exceptional brilliance from a young age. He was a student leader, a freedom fighter, and a prolific scholar," CM Naidu added. Speaking about the economic scenario of pre-1991 India, the Chief Minister outlined how the country was shackled under the License Raj, with growth stagnating at 3-4 per cent. By 1991, India faced an unprecedented economic crisis, and foreign reserves had dropped dangerously low. He compared Rao's strategic courage to that of Deng Xiaoping, who initiated China's reforms in 1978. He emphasised that public policy and political will to execute it were a strong combination in a leader. Recognising crisis as an opportunity, Rao launched the historic 1991 economic reforms, decisively transforming India's future. "We are all here today enjoying the fruits of the reforms he initiated," CM Chandrababu Naidu said. Praising the political acumen of Rao, the Chief Minister noted that despite leading a minority government, he achieved the near-impossible by forging consensus among socialists, communists, and capitalists alike. He highlighted Rao's pivotal role in ending the License Raj, welcoming foreign investment, and setting the stage for India's IT revolution in the mid-1990s. "Thanks to his reforms, India overcame its balance of payments crisis, opened up its economy, and set the stage for future growth," he added. Chandrababu Naidu reflected on the IT boom that followed economic liberalisation and credited Rao for enabling India's first-mover advantage. He emphasised India's strength in its demographic dividend, stating, "All countries are facing ageing problems. India has youngsters. I am 100 per cent confident that India will become a global leader," he said, noting that economic reforms, demographic dividend, and first mover advantage in IT continue to be India's biggest strengths. The Chief Minister fondly recalled his association with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, recognising his vision in building India's infrastructure and telecom backbone. He shared anecdotes of his efforts to influence national highway policy, including a visit to Malaysia that inspired him to push for the Golden Quadrilateral Project, beginning with the Nellore-Chennai highway as a proof of concept. He also referenced his role in the telecom revolution, which deregulated the sector and ensured mobile accessibility for every citizen. He noted that PM Modi's hallmark is as a leader who instils national pride, global respect, and strong foreign relations. Drawing comparisons to other economies, the Chief Minister remarked, "The goal is not just to grow fast, but to grow fairly, where every citizen, every region, and every sector shares the fruits of progress, rightly called Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas." He also noted that according to the World Bank, India is now among the top four most income-equal countries, lifting over 17.1 crore Indians out of poverty in the last decade. The Chief Minister felicitated Narasimha Rao's son, P.V. Prabhakar Rao, and grandson, N.V. Subhash, on the occasion. Nagaur, July 15 : Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) chief and MP Hanuman Beniwal launched a fierce attack on the BJP and local administration during a Jan Aakrosh Rally held at the animal exhibition ground in Nagaur on Tuesday. Addressing a large gathering under a waterproof pandal, Beniwal accused senior BJP leaders of being involved in illegal gravel mining, alleging that they were taking commissions ranging from 2 per cent to 10 per cent. He warned the administration to respond to the public's demands or face indefinite agitation. "If the administration doesn't respond within one and a half hours, we'll tear Section 163 apart," he declared from the stage. During his speech, Beniwal accused the Khinvsar MLA of having links with corrupt elements, stating that the "real face" of the legislator was now coming to light. He also demanded a high-level inquiry into how the current Nagaur SP was appointed, alleging that the officer had concealed facts to secure the post. "Once proven guilty, I'll ensure he is removed from service," Beniwal asserted. Former MLA Narayan Beniwal added to the allegations, claiming that Narayan Togas, now an RPS officer, had played obscene songs during a Republic Day function while serving as a teacher in Palun village, Pali, in 1996. He stated that a case was filed at the time, but Togas resigned and later returned to public service. Narayan Beniwal said the SP in Nagaur had "lost all sense of responsibility" after taking charge. The rally witnessed participation from a host of RLP leaders, including former MLAs Indira Bawri and Narayan Beniwal, assembly candidate Kanika Beniwal, and Beniwal's children Ashutosh and Diya Beniwal. Public representatives and party workers from across the region were also in attendance, showing strong support for the RLP's protest. Further intensifying his attack, Beniwal warned, "There will now be daily agitations and road blockades. Let anyone dare to touch even one of our youth." In anticipation of unrest, Nagaur District Collector Arun Kumar Purohit imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163, covering key locations such as the District Headquarters, Circuit House, Collectorate, Railway Trisection, Court Complex, and SP Office. Meanwhile, the Municipal Council installed CCTV cameras from the rally venue to the Collectorate for monitoring and security purposes. The RLP's protest focused on a range of local issues. These included inadequate compensation to farmers affected by land acquisition for the Ras-Merta and Merta-Pushkar railway lines, alleged irregularities in the acquisition process, survey errors in the proposed Thar Expressway (Jaipur-Nagaur-Phalodi), deteriorating law and order, rampant gravel mafia activity, and the arbitrary practices of cement factories and solar companies. The RLP also highlighted concerns over widespread corruption in government departments, delays in crop insurance claim settlements under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and the challenges faced by cattle rearers in transporting livestock from local animal fairs. As Hanuman Beniwal and his party escalate their campaign, all eyes are now on how the administration will respond to growing public discontent in Nagaur. Guwahati, July 15 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday asserted that the banned outfit ULFA-I will not carry out any retaliation attack in response to the reported drone attack by Indian forces at the base camps of the outlawed group in Myanmar. Sarma said, "The leadership of ULFA-I also wants the development of Assam. If they carry out any attack on the soil of Assam, the people of the state will suffer. If ULFA-I explodes a bomb, then schools, roads will be destroyed. I hope they understand these things and they will refrain from carrying out any attacks on Assam." Earlier on Sunday, Sarma claimed that the state police were not involved in any drone attack carried out at the camps of the banned militant outfit ULFA-I. He perhaps also mentioned that even Army did not confirm any such attacks on the outlawed group. Addressing the media, Sarma refuted speculation about the state police's role in a reported incident, asserting, "Assam Police is not involved in this incident. There has been no strike from the soil of Assam." Emphasising the need for clarity, Sarma added, "We need more details on the matter. If such an operation has indeed occurred, the Indian Army will issue an official statement. As of now, there has been no communication from the defence establishment." The Chief Minister stated that the state government is closely tracking developments and expects further updates through official channels by evening. The Indian Army has denied that it carried out drone attacks on the eastern headquarters of the banned United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) in Myanmar. The banned ULFA-I on Sunday claimed that its Eastern headquarters in Myanmar had been targeted by the Indian Army with drones in the early hours. The proscribed outfit in a press statement claimed that in these cross-border strikes, their 19 cadres have been killed and another 19 injured. Reports indicate that senior ULFA (I) commander Nayan Medhi was killed in the attack, and some cadres of Manipuri insurgent groups, including Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), which is the political wing of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur present at the camp, were also killed, and some were injured. However, in an official statement, the India Army has denied these claims. --IANS tdr/dan Mumbai, July 15 : The team of the upcoming streaming series, 'Special Ops 2' gears up for release including Kay Kay Menon, Parmeet Sethi, Karan Tacker and director Shivam Nair visited the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. Mumbai, July 15 (IANS) The team of the upcoming streaming series, 'Special Ops 2' gears up for release including Kay Kay Menon, Parmeet Sethi, Karan Tacker and director Shivam Nair visited the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. The team witnessed the Change of Guard ceremony, a striking display of ceremonial precision and tradition. Kay Kay Menon, who reprises his role as the formidable intelligence officer Himmat Singh, said, "As someone who plays a character deeply involved in the system, it was surreal to be present at one of the most important places in India. The ceremony, the energy, the space it was an experience unlike any & it all felt very real and aligned with the world of 'Special Ops 2'". For Karan Tacker, who plays the field agent Farooq Ali, Delhi has always been a very special location because he shot his younger portions for 'Special Ops' for the first time. He said, "Returning here for this extremely prestigious ceremony was an absolutely surreal experience. The grandeur, discipline, and sheer energy of the moment gave us all goosebumps". Director Shivam Nair shared, " Rashtrapati Bhavan is one of the most iconic symbols of our democracy where protocol, purpose, and power converge. Witnessing the Change of Guard ceremony was a humbling experience. It served as a reminder of the discipline, order, and tradition that quietly uphold the functioning of our country. As storytellers, such moments offer deep reflection and inspiration". Earlier in the day, I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre) in Delhi. They spoke about cyber crime with Shri Rajesh Kumar, I.P.S. - CEO, I4C; Nishant Kumar, Director, I4C and Roopa M, Director, I4C. 'Special Ops 2' is set to stream on JioHotstar from July 18, 2025. People walk outside a Starbucks cafe on Lambton Quay street in Wellington, New Zealand, July 23, 2020. Photo by Reuters International students with valid study visas in New Zealand will be allowed to work an additional 5 hours per week starting this November, increasing the weekly limit to 25 hours during the academic term. According to Immigration New Zealand (INZ), the rule applies to all international students granted a visa from Nov. 3 onwards. Students holding older visas, currently limited to 20 hours of work per week, must apply to change their visa conditions or apply for a new visa to increase their working hours to 25 hours a week. They will also need to pay the applicable immigration fees for this change. For students in years 12 and 13, parental and school permission is required for work during the academic year. This permission will still be necessary for the 25-hour limit. This change is part of New Zealand's "International Education Going for Growth Plan," announced by the government on Monday. The plan aims to increase the annual economic contribution of higher education to NZ$7.2 billion (US$4.3 billion) by raising international student enrollment from 83,700 last year to 119,000 by 2034. Education Minister Erica Stanford said in a statement that with international student enrolments steadily increasing since 2023, the government wants to "supercharge that growth track," Reuters reported. "In the short term, Education New Zealand will focus its promotional efforts on markets with the highest potential for growth," she added. Currently, there are 40,987 student visa holders with work rights, of which 29,790 visas will expire on or before March 31, 2026, and 11,197 visas will expire after that date. In addition to extending working hours, New Zealand is also expanding the right to work for all university students involved in exchange or short-term programs, including one-semester courses. Students who change schools or lower-level courses will need to apply for a new study visa. Since October last year, the fee for a New Zealand study visa has risen to NZ$750, doubling from the previous NZ$375. The visa fee for international students working after graduation has also increased substantially, from NZ$700 to NZ$1,670. New Zealand hosted 74,990 international students of all levels last year, down from a peak of 125,410 in 2016, according to data from the Ministry of Education, as reported by NZ Herald. Universities have seen a slight rise in numbers since the pandemic, with about 45,590 students expected in 2024. Mumbai, July 15 : Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar on Tuesday announced in the state council that mega recruitment will be done in Maharashtra after the 150-day action plan program under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The number of vacant posts in various government departments in the state is currently 2,97,859, which is about 30 to 35 per cent of the total number of posts, he added. Replying to the discussion under Rule 260, Minister Shelar said that recruitment to these vacant posts is done through direct service and promotion. The practice of filling up posts through external sources in government departments is very rare. Judicial 'D' category posts are also filled only through direct service. The minister said that appointments are made on a contract basis to fill the vacant posts of retired employees. However, they do not have any administrative or financial rights. These employees are used only for specific tasks. Their experience is useful, but they are not appointed for a period of more than three years, he added. The Chief Minister's 150-day action plan includes a detailed review of vacancies in various departments, promotion opportunities, recruitment through MPSC and appointments on compassionate grounds. The General Administration Department is preparing a full report and outline of this as per the prevailing government rules, he said. Meanwhile, School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse, during the half-hour discussion in the state assembly, said that teachers will be made available in Zilla Parishad schools in the state according to the number of students. Members Bhimrao Tapkir, Siddharth Shirole and Kailas Patil participated in this discussion. Minister Bhuse said that CCTV cameras are being installed in every school from the point of view of student safety. Care will be taken to ensure that these cameras are equipped with modern technology. Five per cent of the District Planning Committee's funds are reserved for the education sector. Instructions have been given to install CCTV cameras in schools from this fund as well. There are 492 schools in the Pune Municipal Corporation, out of which CCTV cameras have been installed in 393 schools. "If there are complaints regarding the quality of school nutrition, they will be investigated, and action will be taken against those guilty. A detailed plan is being prepared to provide all the physical facilities in the schools. The work of Nizam-era schools in Marathwada will be completed soon. There will be no shortage of funds for this," said the minister. Bengaluru, July 15 : The inaugural meeting of the Congress OBC Advisory Council was held under the chairmanship of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The meeting will resume tomorrow on Wednesday at 10 a.m., and is expected to adopt three resolutions. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, former Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy, former Karnataka Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily, Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad, AICC OBC Department Chairman Anil Jaihind, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, and several Congress leaders from across the country participated in the deliberations. Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad said that the main agenda was to frame programmes for the upliftment of Backward Classes across India. "Different states face different sets of challenges. Rahul Gandhi's struggle to ensure a nationwide caste census will be discussed in detail. I believe that, after comprehensive discussions on political, academic, economic, and social aspects affecting backward classes, the meeting will adopt three key resolutions," he added. When asked whether the meeting aimed to influence Backward Classes currently leaning towards the BJP, Hariprasad said, "Backward Classes have never been with the BJP." Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also responded, saying, "The BJP has never stood for social justice. They have always opposed reservations and the principles of social justice. This is a fact. Therefore, we will be discussing how to implement Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's commitment to ensure justice for Backward Classes across the country." He also added, "I was asked to chair the meeting, so I presided over it. I won't say much today as the meeting is still ongoing. It will resume tomorrow at 10 a.m., and many important issues will be discussed." Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that Rahul Gandhi was the first to initiate a campaign highlighting the issues faced by SCs, STs, and OBCs. "Rahul Gandhi has taken this up as a mission. As a reformist, he wants to champion their cause," Gehlot added. "Dalits continue to face discrimination, untouchability still exists, and they live under an imposed sense of inferiority. Adivasis have their own set of challenges. SCs, STs, and OBCs have been grappling with the same issues for 70 years. Rahul Gandhi has committed himself to this mission, and the entire party stands behind him," he said. AICC OBC Department Chairman Anil Jaihind said, "The OBC Advisory Council was recently formed, and I am the convener of the committee, being the head of the Congress OBC department. We have already held a few discussions, and all top OBC leaders within the Congress are members of the Advisory Council." "There were some important deliberations today, but I will not disclose them until the discussions are concluded. Once the meeting concludes tomorrow, we will share the resolutions," he added. "We all know that the Congress, under the leadership of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and 'Nyay Yodha' Rahul Gandhi, is fighting for the deprived sections of society. It is unfortunate that nearly 90 per cent of the Indian population -- comprising OBCs, SCs, and STs -- continues to face discrimination and denial of opportunities," Jaihind said. Guwahati, July 15 : Assam Congress president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday claimed that the drone strikes carried out by Indian forces at the base camps of ULFA-I can not happen without the knowledge of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Gogoi told reporters: "The precision drone strikes carried out at the base camps of ULFA-I must have been done after giving prior information to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. To carry out this kind of attack, some sort of coordination is required between the state government and the Union Home Ministry." Gogoi pointed out that for the last few months, on more than one occasion, Sarma mentioned that he has been in touch with ULFA-I commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah for peace talks. "So, the centre must have informed Himanta Biswa Sarma about the probable drone attacks," he said. The Congress leader also raised doubts about the future of peace talks with ULFA-I following the precision drone strikes. "We have been waiting for ULFA-I to surrender their arms, and they come to the table for the peace talks. However, the latest drone attacks might bring some resistance to the probable peace talks," he said, adding that ULFA-I cadres who were killed in the drone attacks were Assamese people. On Sunday, Sarma claimed that the state police were not involved in any drone attack carried out at the camps of the banned militant outfit ULFA-I. He also mentioned that even Army did not confirm any such attacks on the outlawed group. Addressing the media, Sarma refuted speculation about the state police's role in a reported incident, asserting, "Assam Police is not involved in this incident. There has been no strike from the soil of Assam." Emphasising the need for clarity, Sarma added, "We need more details on the matter. If such an operation has indeed occurred, the Indian Army will issue an official statement. As of now, there has been no communication from the defence establishment." The Indian Army has denied that it carried out drone attacks on the eastern headquarters of the banned United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) in Myanmar. --IANS tdr/dan Kolkata, July 15 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Tuesday, expressed concern over reports of the ancestral residence of India's iconic film director and writer Satyajit Ray at Mymensingh city in neighbouring Bangladesh being demolished. "News reports reveal that in Bangladesh's Mymensingh city, the ancestral home of Satyajit Ray's grandfather, the renowned writer-editor Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, steeped in his memories, is reportedly being demolished. It is said that the demolition work had already begun. This news is extremely distressing. The Ray family is one of the foremost bearers and carriers of Bengali culture. Upendrakishore is a pillar of Bengal's renaissance. Therefore, I believe this house is intricately tied to the cultural history of Bengal," the Chief Minister said in a post on X. The Chief Minister, at the same time, demanded that the Union government should immediately pay attention to the matter. She also appealed to the Bangladesh government and all the conscientious people of that country to take steps to preserve this heritage-laden house. Notably, Mamata Banerjee last month wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting the latter to take up the matter with the Bangladesh Government, the issue of reported vandalisation of the ancestral house of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in Sirajganj, in the neighbouring country. In the letter, she urged the Prime Minister to take up the matter very strongly with the Bangladesh government so that no stone would be left unturned to swiftly bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous and mindless act. Mumbai, July 15 : Amid the rising cancer cases in Maharashtra, the Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said on Tuesday in the Assembly that four new cancer hospitals will be set up in the state with the help of Public Health Department. These hospitals will be located in Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur and Nashik. Positive action is being taken for the construction of these hospitals, Minister Abitkar added. He was replying to a half-hour debate on rising number of cancer cases and the efforts to treat the patients. "The incidence of cancer among women is increasing in the state. The government is sensitive about this and in line with the motto 'prevention is better than cure', a special campaign will be implemented in the state for cancer diagnosis," the Minister said. Assembly members Sudhir Mungantiwar had moved a half-hour discussion on the increasing incidence of cancer among women. Assembly members Rahul Patil, Praveen Datke, Raju Navghare, Bapu Pathare, Samadhan Avtade, Captain Tamil Selvan, Satyajit Deshmukh, Shweta Mahale and Manjula Gavit participated in this discussion and appealed to the state government to increase medical facilities to treat cancer patients. Minister Abitkar said that new packages of treatment are being added to the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. "The number of diseases treated through Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana will also increase. Treatment for all cancers will be included in this. Guidelines from the Central government are coming for cervical cancer vaccination in the state. After these instructions are received, a vaccination campaign will be implemented. Cervical cancer vaccination will be done to girls and women in the age group between 9 to 30 years. Especially, vaccination will be completed on priority for girls in the age group of 9 to 14 years," he added. "Health check-ups of 2.5 crore citizens were conducted in the state. This included one crore women. Out of the women examined, 13,000 women were found to be suspected cancer patients. They are being examined. Eight cancer diagnosis vans are operational in the state. A large-scale awareness campaign will also be implemented in the state to dispel the fear of cancer patients. The Central government has approved 17 day care centres in the state for the treatment of cancer patients. All facilities will be provided in those centres," he said. Action is being taken to reserve a fund of Rs 1 crore from the District Planning Committee Fund for cancer treatment and prevention, he said, adding that a meeting will be held to provide all the facilities for cancer diagnosis and treatment in the district hospitals of the state. The Minister said that standard operating procedures will be created to use the social responsibility fund of companies in the medical sector for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. He appealed to the public representatives to give suggestions on the government's schemes and initiatives for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The University of Minnesota Press is marking a significant milestone this year: the 100th anniversary of its founding on July 16, 1925. The celebration got going earlier this month, with a party at the James Ford Bell Gallery inside the University of Minnesotas Elmer L. Andersen Library on June 25 that drew 140 people and launched an exhibit of UM Press books, photos, and other memorabilia from its archives. Local Roots, Global Reach: A Century of the University of Minnesota Press is open through October 3. The party was a lot of fun. It drew a lot of people, said Doug Armato, UM Press director since 1998. We had authors, customers, university types, a lot of press staff past and present.... It was a real success. The press will also host another centenary celebration this fall in northern Minnesota, during the Grand Marais Art Colonys North Shore Readers & Writers Festival in November. UM Press senior acquisitions editor Erik Anderson also noted that every book launch slated for this year will also celebrate the presss longevity. Today, UM Presswhich was initially founded to publish pamphlets and bulletinspublishes 85 frontlist titles each year, about one-third of them trade and regional titles. There are currently 3,800 UM Press titles in print, a mix of scholarly monographs with an interdisciplinary emphasis, trade fiction and nonfiction, a childrens book publishing program, and regional titles including a number of books by local Indigenous authors, including the James Beard Awardwinning The Sioux Chefs Indigenous Kitchen by Minneapolis restauranteur Sean Sherman with Beth Dooley. The 2018 cookbook remains one of the presss evergreen bestsellers, with more than 100,000 copies sold. The presss all-time bestseller remains Literary Theory by Terry Eagleton, originally published in 1983, which Armato says nearing 500,000 copies sold. The press also publishes 15 academic journals and maintains the Manifold digital publishing program, which was launched in 2017 and allows scholars to create multimedia digital editions of their books. UM Press employs 35 people and its revenues are approximately $8 million each year, with the trade and regional list netting about $2.8 million of that amount. In the time I've been at the press, through a lot of effort by a lot of people here, that list started out at around $150,000 a year, Armato said. When I got here, I said, we really should grow this, but there's only so many authors around. But that has never been a problem hereMinnesota is just so loaded with great authors and committed readers. You publish a book, and someone says, Here's the next one I want to write, and here's the next one after that. Armato also ascribes the remarkable success of the press to a great staff, a very creative staff, adding that even with the scholarly releases, he and his staff are very focused on individuals and whos going to read our books; we try to make them attractive and exciting. Two decades ago, Armato and marketing director Emily Hamilton decided to approach running UM Press as a half independent press and half university press, so that each division had its own distinct identity, Armato said. We really tried to do both of them a little bit differently, he noted, not to be a scholarly press that does some regional books or some trade books, but to totally inhabit both of those identities. Two of the presss acquisition editors are dedicated editors for trade and regional titles, Armato pointed out. That's a real commitment, he said but it's also paid off for us tremendously. Last year, for instance, UM Press published Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again, by Shigeru Kayama, translated by Jeffrey Anglesthe first English translation of the original Japanese novellas. It was a lucrative acquisition, Armato said, that came about because the translator had previously worked with the press on three or four scholarly books. The press also publishes novels by Peter Geye, who previously published with Knopf, and Margi Preus, a runner-up for the 2011 Newbery Medal. Erik Anderson, one of the two editors acquiring trade and regional titles, noted that its a remarkable thing to publish trade books from the foundation of such an impressive scholarly list. So many of our trade authors acknowledge that a part of our strength as a trade publisher is the depth of our commitment to scholarly endeavors. The foundation we bring to our trade list really begins there, and that's a very unique and special thing for us and for writers. We've really worked hard to get the kinds of books that attract readers, Armato said, I remember Heather Skinner, our publicity director, saying at one point, You know, our books are really getting fun to read. This was 16 years ago. They really are. It wasn't always our strength, but we've made it our strength. 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These products are designed to aid in recovery, enhance performance, and provide everyday support. Embrace a life of less pain and more activity with Tommie Copper. Step into the world of culinary elegance with Le Creuset. Renowned for its iconic design, unmatched quality, and the promise of lasting performance, our Le Creuset collection is a testament to the brand's dedication to perfection. At the heart of many gourmet kitchens, the Le Creuset Dutch oven is a true masterpiece. Whether slow-cooking a stew or baking artisan bread, its enamelled cast iron construction ensures even heat distribution and retention. Plus, its vibrant colors make it a stunning centerpiece on any table. For those passionate about cooking, our Le Creuset cookware range promises versatility and precision. From frying pans to saucepans, each piece embodies the brand's heritage and commitment to excellence. Elevate your tea times with a Le Creuset tea kettle. Its melodious whistle and robust build make it a kitchen essential. And, of course, the Le Creuset mugs. Perfect for your morning coffee or a cozy evening hot chocolate, these mugs bring a touch of sophistication to your daily rituals. For over nine decades, Le Creuset has been answering the call for high-quality kitchenware from professional cooks and culinary hobbyists around the globe. Le Creuset has obtained what most brands only aspire to achieve: a name that's synonymous with innovation and timeless design, without diminishing its established reputation for quality and tradition. So if you're looking for high-quality ceramic cookware with a compelling story behind it, look no further. Le Creuset was founded by Armand Desaegher and Octave Aubecq in France in 1925. They produced their first French oven that same year. Traces of their now-signature ''flame'' color were present in that premiere piece and helped define Le Creuset as a company that's both fashionable and trustworthy. Their product offerings have expanded greatly since that initial French oven and now include steamer sets, dinnerware, citrus juicers, salt and pepper shakers, serving platters, tea kettles, and more. So browse our selection and pick out your next casserole dish or stockpot today. Visitors walk atop the lookout point near Langkawi Skycab cable car in Langkawi, Malaysia. Photo by AFP Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has introduced a requirement for tour operators to submit an accident report within 24 hours, following a series of deadly road crashes that have affected the country's tourism reputation. "Submitting a report within 24 hours is not an admission of guilt. Instead, it helps tour companies provide accurate information," said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. The report must include details such as the driver's background, health status prior to the incident, the tour bus's inspection record, its latest technical condition, and information about the travel group members, The Star reported. Tiong explained that this information along with the itinerary and travel routes before and after the incident would aid authorities in determining the cause, New Straits Times reported. He added that recent tour-related accidents have raised significant public concern, even prompting countries to issue travel advisories for certain destinations in Malaysia. With the rise in tourist numbers, Tiong emphasized that Malaysia must take necessary steps to ensure the safety of visitors while mitigating potential risks. In June, four Singaporean tourists were injured in a road accident near Malaysia's Genting Highlands when their car was struck by a pickup truck. Also in June, at least 15 people were killed when a bus carrying university students collided with a minivan in northern Malaysia. In July, two people were killed and 16 others injured after the tour bus they were on collided with two trucks in southern Malaysia. Malaysia, named Asia's most loved country in 2024 by the American finance website Insider Monkey, received 13.3 million foreign tourists in the first four months of this year, marking a 21% increase year-on-year. Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! I-T dept said move came after a series of outreach efforts, including SMS alerts, emails, and physical programmes, were made across various locations, nudging taxpayers towards voluntary compliance. Kindly note this illustration generated using Microsoft Copilot is only posted for representational purposes. Around 40,000 taxpayers have revised their income tax (I-T) returns in the past four months, withdrawing fraudulent claims worth 1,045 crore following a large-scale crackdown by the I-T department on bogus deductions and exemptions, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said on Monday. The I-T department said the move came after a series of outreach efforts, including SMS alerts, emails, and physical programmes, were made across various locations, nudging taxpayers towards voluntary compliance. CBDT initiated a large-scale verification operation across multiple locations in the country on Monday, targeting individuals and entities facilitating fraudulent claims of deductions and exemptions in Income Tax Returns (ITRs). This action follows a detailed analysis of the misuse of tax benefits under the Income-tax Act, 1961, often in collusion with professional intermediaries. Investigations have uncovered organised rackets operated by certain ITR preparers and intermediaries, who have been filing returns claiming fictitious deductions and exemptions. These fraudulent filings involve the abuse of beneficial provisions, with some even submitting false TDS returns to claim excessive refunds, CBDT said in a statement. The tax department's analysis reveals rampant misuse of deductions under sections 10(13A), 80GGC, 80E, 80D, 80EE, 80EEB, 80G, 80GGA, and 80DDB. Exemptions have been claimed without valid justification. Employees of multinational companies (MNCs), public sector undertakings (PSUs), government bodies, academic institutions, and entrepreneurs are among those implicated. Taxpayers are often lured into these fraudulent schemes with promises of inflated refunds in return for a commission, the department said in a press release. It flagged that despite India's fully e-enabled tax administration system, ineffective communication remains a significant hurdle in assisting taxpayers. To identify suspicious patterns, the department has leveraged financial data received from third-party sources, ground-level intelligence, and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools. These findings are further substantiated by recent search and seizure operations conducted in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh, where evidence of fraudulent claims was found to have been used by various groups and entities," the CBDT stated. Despite these efforts, officials noted that many taxpayers remain under the influence of organised rackets operated by certain intermediaries and ITR preparers, who promise inflated refunds in return for commissions. These rackets often file returns using temporary email IDs, which are later abandoned, resulting in official notices going unread. The department has warned of tough measures, including penalties and prosecution wherever applicable, against those who continue to make fraudulent claims. Verification operations are underway across 150 premises. Taxpayers have been advised to file accurate particulars of their income and contact details, and not to fall prey to agents or intermediaries promising undue refunds. Further investigations are in progress. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff Indias hospitality sector is rolling out the red carpet for investors. A flurry of upcoming IPOs, or initial public offerings, the entry of new players, and ambitious expansion plans by Indian and global hotel brands are ushering in what could be the industrys most formalised era yet. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff Leading the charge are real estate titans, who are turning their hotel arms into global hospitality chains. Among the first movers is Bengaluru-based Brigade Enterprises, which has filed for a Rs 900 crore public issue for its hospitality arm, Brigade Hotel Ventures. Close on its heels is peer Prestige Group, which is looking to raise Rs 2,700 crore via listing Prestige Hospitality Ventures, including a possible Rs 340 crore pre-IPO placement. The IPO is really to grow the business and unlock value, said Pavitra Shankar, managing director of Brigade Enterprises, which has been in the hospitality space since 2007-08 when it started constructing the Sheraton and Grand Mercure. The sector has done well, and having come through Covid, we felt the outlook is good. For Prestige, the listing is a strategic tool to fund expansion, acquisitions and reduce its debt burden of nearly Rs 1,121 crore. New Delhi-based LaRiSa Hotels and Resorts also plans to hit the markets this year. We are targeting to launch the IPO at the earliest, subject to regulatory approvals and market conditions, said Randhir Narayan, its director. Proceeds will go toward expanding LaRiSas portfolio, including greenfield developments, brand marketing, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, and debt reduction. LaRiSa, which operates brands like LaRiSa Resorts, AM Hotel Kollection, and 8fold by LaRiSa, aims to more than double its managed room inventory to over 2,000 rooms by 2028-29 (FY29), developing theme-based hotels such as wellness retreats and activity-based stays across cities, leisure and religious destinations. It also has plans for Southeast Asian markets accessible within a five-hour flight. Lemon Tree Hotels is preparing to take its subsidiary, Fleur Hotels, public by FY29. I can say with certainty it will happen in the next 1.5-2 years, max, said Patanjali Govind Keswani, chairman and managing director of Lemon Tree Hotels, during its February 2025 investor call. The listing is expected to make Lemon Tree debt-free and unlock value, with Keswani projecting Fleurs earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) at $100 million by the time it lists. Busy pipeline The pipeline for hospitality IPOs is crowded. This momentum is only expected to build, said Mandeep S Lamba, president and CEO (South Asia), HVS Anarock. The real estate consultancy predicts that 2025 will see the highest number of hospitality IPOs. Brigade Hotels and Prestige Hospitality Ventures have filed draft papers with Sebi, while Oyo is reportedly reviving its IPO plans. "Based on our ongoing conversations, we believe at least three more hospitality IPOs are in advanced stages for FY26, Lamba said. Oyo, which is eyeing a valuation of $6-7 billion, reportedly intends to file a draft red herring prospectus by August-September. Industry insiders say among the others is Kolkata-based Ambuja Neotia Group, which has interests in real estate and hospitality with third-party managed hotels and a tie-up with IHCL for Tree of Life Resorts. Hospitality accounts for 25 per cent of its estimated Rs 2,000 crore turnover for FY25. Lalit Suri Hospitality groups Bharat Hotels is also keen on a public listing, chairperson Jyotsna Suri told Business Standard last month. The sectors optimism is rooted in recent market successes. Juniper Hotels and Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels raised Rs 920 crore and Rs 1,800 crore, respectively, via IPOs in 2024. Chalet Hotels raised Rs 1,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement in March 2024, while Ventive Hospitality, backed by Blackstone Group and Panchshil Realty, launched a Rs 1,600 crore IPO in December 2024; it was oversubscribed nearly 10 times. Meanwhile, ITC Hotels demerged from ITC Ltd in January, commanding a market cap of Rs 46,295 crore by end-June. Schloss Bangalore Ltd, which operates luxury hotels and resorts under the Leela brand, raised Rs 3,500 crore in May the biggest hospitality IPO to date and had a market cap of Rs 13,605 crore by June-end. The influx of listed hospitality companies is poised to enhance transparency, corporate governance, and investor engagement, said Lamba, adding that a dedicated hospitality index might finally be feasible. Such an index could transform investment benchmarking and bring sharper insights for investors and operators alike. Whats turning the key There are various factors that are sending the sector the IPO way. Boston Consulting Groups June 2025 report lists one. According to the report, leisure travel within India is expected to see a significant continued growth. Indian travellers are increasingly exploring their own country, as well as the world (domestic, regional, and international overnights will rise by 3 per cent, 4 per cent, and 6 per cent, respectively, per year), it says. Spending, it adds, will increase by 12 per cent per year domestically, 8 per cent per year regionally, and 10 per cent per year internationally. The desire to de-leverage balance sheets and fund future growth, as demonstrated in The Leela IPO and the ITC demerger, is another motivator. Lamba adds to the list of trends reinforcing long-term optimism in the sector: Better travel infrastructure, shifting consumption patterns, rising discretionary incomes, a favourable demographic profile, and robust gross domestic product (GDP) growth. India attracted $93 million in hospitality investments in the first half of 2024, with listed companies accounting for 44 per cent of the transaction volume. The upscale segment dominated, contributing 44 per cent, followed by the mid-scale segment (31 per cent), luxury (23 per cent), and economy making up for the rest. Rubix Data Sciences projects the sector to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.5 per cent till FY27, by when it is projected to touch Rs 1.1 trillion. The growth will primarily be driven by domestic travellers, foreign tourists, and the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions segment. As of FY24, India had around 188,000 hotel rooms, with a 62 per cent growth in hotel signings in 2024 adding a record 47,000 rooms. Hotel chains could cross 219,000 rooms by FY26 and reach 241,000 by FY27, Rubix Data Sciences noted. Yet, this may not be enough, said K B Kachru, president, Hotel Association of India and chairman, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group. India, he said, needs at least 500,000 rooms by 2030 to meet rising travel demand. Its no surprise that international hotel chains are doubling down on India. Take the example of Hilton, which currently has 60 properties here operational and in the pipeline. Its president and CEO, Chris Nassetta, said in May that the plan was to increase that number 10-times over the next decade. Marriott International, meanwhile, launched its new Series by Marriott brand in May, planning to grow from 158 hotels in 42 locations in India to 242 hotels in 90 cities. In the past two months, international chains have announced aggressive expansion plans for India. Most plan to open 100-300 hotels in the next five years, said analysts at Elara Capital. Indian Hotels, Accor, and Radisson are also charging into tier II and III cities with asset-light models to capture the swelling middle-class travel boom and fill the gap of branded hotels. Even conglomerates like Adani are jumping into hospitality. The group plans to build two premium or luxury hotels of 300 rooms each, investing Rs 1,500 crore at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which it operates, in Ahmedabad. While Adani wont manage the hotels directly, it will likely partner with established hospitality players. By investing in hotels, lounges, and event spaces around their airports and mixed-use real estate, Adani is poised to transform transit hubs and city locations into premium lifestyle destinations, said Lamba. Its financial strength and long-term vision could accelerate sectoral consolidation and professionalism, particularly in emerging gateway cities. For Indias hotel business, opportunity is opening new doors. To the market India has to fill in all the critical gaps in missiles, ammunition, sensors and stockpile in the fastest possible manner, focusing on the critical instruments that worked this time, asserts Shekhar Gupta. IMAGE: India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Photograph: @adgpi/X While it is only India that still formally calls Operation Sindoor an unfinished business, both countries are seeing it as something of a trailer. Or a prelude to the next round. Not an issue fought to any conclusion. The subcontinent's record tells us this is not the best place to be in. We have a precedent in the short Kutch conflict of April 9, 1965. Both sides called a truce, but the first full-scale India-Pakistan war followed five months later. Pakistan launched the war having learned the wrong lessons from Kutch. We might hope for better sense six decades later. But hope isn't a plan or strategy. It takes a lot for Pakistan to accept defeat, liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, or a clear capitulation in Kargil, for example. Anything less than inarguably decisive, you can count on them to call it a victory. And once they psych themselves into a 'see we won that little war' state of mind, you can expect them to come back, sooner rather than later. At this point, each side is drawing its own lessons. Just hours before I sat down to write this column, Lieutenant General Rahul Singh, one of the three deputy chiefs of army staff, had reflected on some lessons learnt and pointers for the future. This is good thinking. At least one side (the good side, us), isn't mindlessly celebrating victory, but thinking ahead. This too has parallels with Kutch. IMAGE: Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir (with mic) during his visit to the Tilla field firing ranges in Mangla, May 21, 2025. Photograph: Inter-Services Public Relations/Handout via Reuters India drew its lessons, too, more sensibly and realistically, and the result was a strategic victory in the subsequent war. A strategic victory for India because Pakistan was the only side with an objective (grabbing Kashmir) and started the war. The objective was denied, and it was forced back on the defensive across the entire frontier. A stalemate, with the aggressor and first-mover Pakistan on the defensive, was victory for India. In the end, the difference was the lesson the two sides drew from Kutch. India was now preparing for a counter-offensive towards Lahore and Sialkot, in case Pakistani pressure on Kashmir mounted. It's a recorded fact that it was sometime in the summer following the Kutch ceasefire that then defence minister Y B Chavan, then home minister Gulzari Lal Nanda along with top army commanders met at the XI Corps headquarters in Jalandhar, and conferred on plans to open new fronts into Pakistani Punjab if needed. This plan, Operation Riddle, was months in the making. This was a post-Kutch learning and preparation for India. The most succinct and uncomplicated reading I would recommend is War Despatches by Lieutenant General Harbakhsh Singh, then Western Army commander. Western Command then included J&K too. Kutch is our most forgotten war, though it lasted much longer (April 9 to July 1) than the 87 hours of Op Sindoor. There are parallels in the learnings from both. IMAGE: Army personnel display their preparedness along the Line of Control in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, May 20, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo The 'lesson' Pakistan learnt became its establishment's grandest miscalculation. It concluded that Lal Bahadur Shastri accepted defeat in agreeing to a ceasefire and international mediation. That was just the impetus it needed to launch Operation Gibraltar first (massive armed infiltration in Kashmir) followed by Operation Grand Slam, the big armour thrust aimed at taking Akhnoor and cutting off much of Kashmir. While we hope and pray for peace and stability, we have to keep that history in mind. The Pakistani military's brain, I have said multiple times, is not located in its head. Theirs is located somewhere lower down in the anatomy that I'd rather not elaborate on. The nation with the higher stake in peace and progress must prepare for the miscalculations of an adversary that compulsively thinks tactically. As we had noted, Asim Munir has limited time. While Pakistan's army will continue to own the country, his own lease over his army isn't permanent. In time, probably over the next few months, he will see challenges to his unconstitutional and un-institutional power from his uniformed peers and the politicians. IMAGE: A building in in Muridke near Lahore, May 7, 2025, after it was hit by an Indian strike. Photograph: Gibran Peshimam/Reuters What's the meaning of un-institutional? In the past, Pakistan's military dictators have had their army take over power formally as an institution. In this indirect takeover, not only has Munir collected that additional star, he has also grabbed political power as an individual. This is too cosy to last. He's the first to know it. That's why you can count on his impatience leading to a new adventure. He'd think, learning erroneously from Sindoor as his military ancestors did from Kutch, that another skirmish will be good. That India's stakes in stability, its economic growth are too high for it to risk a longer conflict. The big powers will move in. He would think short conflicts like these will keep India off-balance, destabilise the Kashmir Valley but most importantly, protect his own public support. He'd think he has India gamed. A terror attack in Kashmir, the inevitable military response from India, and then a few days of dust-up. It will also keep the region 'internationalised'. His first move with Pahalgam, he'd think, succeeded in shifting the world's understanding of the issue in the subcontinent from terrorism to nuclear conflict. So he's got something to work on. We've already told you where in their bodies their brains rest. We can't time when this miscalculation will come, but it's nearly inevitable. India, therefore, needs a graded plan -- for six months, two years, which takes us closer to the next general election, and five years, respectively. Five years should be the deadline for us to build deterrence to a level where this Munir, or another, won't have the same temptations. For the six months India has to fill in all the critical gaps in missiles, ammunition, sensors and stockpile in the fastest possible manner, focusing on the critical instruments that worked this time. Brahmos and SCALP missiles, long-range 'smart' artillery shells (Excalibur category), make the multi-layered air defences much denser. Naval platforms should also have their vectors topped up and war wastage reserves built. Most of this can be done domestically and on a war footing. Not the usual Acceptance of Necessity (AON) today and trials 18 months hence. Remember, you said Op Sindoor is not yet over. Over two years, India must have at least two more (more than that isn't impossible) of Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capable fighters. Long-range artillery should be improved and increased to a level that it becomes a pulverising deterrent in itself. You can have most of it made here and some smart ammunition bought from overseas. This will be quality with quantity. And over five years, begin with upping your defence spending from 1.9 to 2.5 per cent of GDP over the next three years, and then keep it there for the following two. It will be a stretch, but India can afford it. Our national resolution has to be that if we get five years, there will never be an occasion when India will be outranged, out-gunned or out-watched in a conflict with Pakistan even for a few hours. Despite the Chinese. IMAGE: India's Akash Air Defence System displayed on screen during the press conference on Operation Sindoor. Photograph: ANI Photo Focus on economic growth, diplomacy and alliances alongside. All of that goes without saying. But you cannot do any of this without guaranteeing your own security. I'd borrow the advice to India from Israel's Ambassador Reuven Azar at a conclave: Strengthen your defence and liberalise your economy, Because, he elaborated, for investors to come in, they have to have the confidence that your defence is strong. To think that this is a strategic lean-back period will be an unforgivable historic blunder. This is a lean-forward, all-hands-on-the-deck moment. The success of Op Sindoor is a success to savour, but more importantly, it's impetus for the future. By special arrangement with The Print Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Air India on Monday said it will operate flight services between Ahmedabad and London Heathrow from August 1, replacing the existing Ahmedabad-Gatwick route, and announced a partial resumption of services on domestic and international routes which it had suspended last month after the fatal Boeing 787-8 plane crash. Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters At the same time, the suspension of services on Amritsar-London (Gatwick), Goa (Mopa)-London (Gatwick), Bengaluru-Singapore and Pune-Singapore would continue till September 30, the airline said. The Tata Group airline had last month decided to observe a "Safety Pause" in the aftermath of the June 12 Boeing 787-8 plane crash that killed 260 people. The partial resumption will see restoration of some frequencies from August 1, relative to July, with full restoration planned from October 1, Air India said. On June 12, the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner began to lose thrust within seconds of taking off from the Ahmedabad Airport and ploughed into a medical college hostel, killing all but one of the 242 onboard and another 19 on the ground in the deadliest aviation accident in a decade. The airline said that the pause enabled it to perform additional precautionary checks on its Boeing 787 aircraft as well as accommodate longer flying times arising from airspace closures over Pakistan and the Middle East. From August 1 to September 30, Air India will operate flights three times a week between Ahmedabad and London (Heathrow), replacing currently operating 5x weekly flights between Ahmedabad and London (Gatwick), the Tata Group-owned airline said. Besides, the two-weekly services that were curtailed on the Delhi-London (Heathrow) are being reinstated from July 16, with all 24x weekly flights operating from July 16 onwards while the Services on the Delhi-Zurich route will be increased to 5x weekly, effective August 1 from four weekly services at present. Air India also said that it will reinstate two weekly services on the Delhi-Tokyo (Haneda) route, which were earlier curtailed, with all 7x weekly flights operating from August 1 onwards, while the two weekly services which were reduced on the Delhi-Seoul (Incheon) route will be reinstated from September 1, which will see all 5x weekly flights in operations. As the schedule reductions taken as part of the Safety Pause had been implemented until 31 July and the restoration to full operation is being phased, some services initially planned to operate between August 1 and 30 September will be removed from the schedule, the airline said. Air India is proactively contacting affected passengers to offer re-booking on alternative flights or a full refund, as per their preference. Air India apologised for the inconvenience, it said. With the partial restoration, Air India operates more than 525 international flights per week on 63 short, long and ultra-long-haul routes, Air India said. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) needs to remain true to its founding objective of combating terrorism and extremism and take an "uncompromising" position on combating the challenges, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said at a conclave of the grouping on Tuesday while strongly justifying India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack. IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the SCO foreign ministers meeting in Tianjin, China. Photograph: @DrSJaishankar/X With his counterparts from Pakistan, China and other SCO member nations listening, Jaishankar said the Pahalgam attack was "deliberately conducted" to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir and sow a religious divide, asserting that India will remain firm in its response to confront terrorism. In an address at the SCO foreign ministers meeting in this Chinese city, Jaishankar said India will continue to positively approach new ideas and proposals, asserting that such cooperation must be based on "mutual respect", "sovereign equality" and in accordance with "territorial integrity and sovereignty" of member states. The remarks came against the backdrop of growing global criticism of China's mega connectivity project -- the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) -- on the ground that it showed disregard for the sovereignty of the nations and lacked transparency. The external affairs minister's comments calling for SCO to adopt an "uncompromising" position to combat terrorism amid some disquiet in New Delhi over Beijing's tacit support to Islamabad during Operation Sindoor as well as instances of China blocking efforts at the UN Security Council to sanction Pakistan-based terrorists. In his address, Jaishankar also flagged concerns over "conflicts, competition and coercion" as well as economic instability and underlined the need to stabilise the global order and address longstanding challenges that "threaten our collective interests". The major focus of the external affairs minister's address was his call to effectively deal with terrorism. Jaishankar said the UN Security Council condemned the attack and underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of the reprehensible act and bring them to justice. The external affairs minister said India has done "exactly that" and it will continue doing so. "The three evils that SCO was founded to combat were terrorism, separatism and extremism. Not surprisingly, they often occur together. Recently, we in India witnessed a graphic example in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22," Jaishankar said. "The UN Security Council, of which some of us are currently members, issued a statement that condemned it in the strongest terms and 'underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice'," he said. "We have since done exactly that and will continue doing so. It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge," he said. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10. The external affairs minister also listed India's initiatives in the SCO in various domains ranging from startup and innovation to traditional medicine and digital public infrastructure. "We will continue to positively approach new ideas and proposals that are genuinely for our collective good," he said. "It is essential that such cooperation is based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and in accordance with territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states," he asserted. Delving into the current geopolitical situation, Jaishankar called for concerted efforts to deal with the challenges. "We meet at a time of considerable disorder in the international system. In the last few years, we have seen more conflicts, competition and coercion," he said. "Economic instability is also visibly on the rise. The challenge before us is to stabilize the global order, de-risk various dimensions and through it all, address longstanding challenges that threaten our collective interests," he added. Jaishankar argued that the SCO's ability to contribute to the shaping of world affairs will naturally depend on how well it comes together on a shared agenda. "That means taking everybody on board." "The world is today moving towards greater multi-polarity. This is not just in terms of redistribution of national capacities, but also the emergence of effective groupings like SCO," he said. The external affairs minister urged the grouping to step up development assistance to Afghanistan. "Afghanistan has been long on the SCO agenda. The compulsions of regional stability are buttressed by our longstanding concern for the well-being of the Afghan people," he said. "The international community, particularly SCO members, must therefore step up with development assistance. India, for its part, will certainly do so," he noted. Jaishankar also called for improving transit facilities as well as connectivity among SCO member states. "Deepening collaboration within the SCO naturally requires more trade, investment and exchanges. For that to move to the next level, it is imperative that we address some current issues," he observed. "One of them is the lack of assured transit within the SCO space. Its absence undermines the seriousness of advocating cooperation in economic areas. Another is to ensure the promotion of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)," he said. "We are confident that it will continue to gather momentum," he added. The INSTC is a 7,200-km-long multi-mode transport project for moving freight among India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe. India has been supporting the project. The SCO, comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus, is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. It was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Pakistan became its permanent member along with India in 2017. Iran joined the grouping in 2023 and Belarus in 2024. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday issued a stern warning against misinterpreting his administration's "politeness as weakness", remarks which came a day after he was allegedly "manhandled" by police while he tried to pay tributes to the 22 people killed by the Dogra army in 1931. IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah speaks to the media after visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada to mark Martyrs' Day in Srinagar on July 14, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Abdullah also demanded accountability from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for an admitted intelligence failure in the Pahalgam terror attack. The chief minister's comments, which came during the inauguration of a new block of the Bones and Joints hospital, were reinforced by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, who also demanded an apology from the Lt Governor for the "manhandling" of Abdullah during an event to pay Martyrs Day tributes on Monday. "Some people think that we are weak because we don't indulge in threats and intimidation, but I want to tell them that we are not weak," Abdullah said while addressing the function. "Don't mistake our politeness for weakness. We will not trade the dreams and hopes (for he restoration of statehood) of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We are not here due to someone's favour... it is the Almighty and the voters of Jammu and Kashmir." Abdullah also reacted to Lt Governor's remarks in a newspaper interview, where Sinha admitted that the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people occurred due to intelligence failure and accepted responsibility. "After 80 days, it is better late than never," Abdullah later told reporters, stressing that now that an intelligence failure has been acknowledged, responsibility must be fixed. "It cannot happen that 26 people lose their lives and there is no progress ...someone has to be held responsible for that." Political tensions were amplified by Monday's events, in which Abdullah claimed he was subjected to "physical grappling" after he scaled the gates of the Naqshband Sahib graveyard to pay tribute to the 22 people killed by the Dogra army in 1931. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary took a strong stance on the matter, calling on the Lt Governor to apologise not to the leaders, but to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "The Lt Governor should apologise for what happened yesterday," Choudhary said, adding, "He should seek an apology from the people who gave us the mandate, from the Constitution and from Indian democracy." He described the police action as a "disrespect" to democracy, saying that what happened to an "elected chief minister" was an "insult" to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Choudhary also referred to Sinha'a admission on the Pahalgam attack, saying Sinha remembered "after 82 days that he is responsible for the security lapse" and that "one day he will accept that what the police, which is under his control, did with Omar Abdullah was wrong." He emphasised that the 1931 "martyrs" fought against British rule, not India, and what happened to them was "oppression". Fascinating images from around the world... IMAGE: A full moon, known as the Buck Moon, rises over the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey, July 10, 2025. Photograph: Dilara Senkaya/Reuters IMAGE: People react as the Fire Bull, a man carrying a bull figure packed with fireworks, runs by during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 10, 2025. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters IMAGE: Revellers sprint next to Jandilla fighting bulls during the Encierro (running of the bulls), during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 10, 2025. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters IMAGE: Mountain goats are seen in a parking lot near the Logan Pass Visitor Center in Glacier National Park near Browning, Montana, USA, July 9, 2025. Photograph: Kaylee Greenlee/Reuters IMAGE: Darleen Apachito, 63, stands in front of her home, which was damaged by deadly flash flooding, at the Gavilan Canyon Trailer Park in Ruidoso, New Mexico, USA, July 10, 2025. Photograph: Paul Ratje/Reuters IMAGE: People place a cross by the Guadalupe river, across from Camp Mystic, following deadly flooding, in Hunt, Texas, USA, July 10, 2025. Photograph: Umit Bektas/Reuters IMAGE: Demonstrators take part in a protest against US President Donald J Trump's announcement of 50% tariffs on Brazilian products in Sao Paulo, Brazil, July 10, 2025. Photograph: Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters IMAGE: US federal agents stand guard in a field next to a road leading to an agricultural facility where US federal agents and immigration officers conducted an operation in Camarillo, California, USA, July 10, 2025. Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters IMAGE: A woman holds a cellphone and covers her face as US federal agents use tear gas while blocking a road leading to an agricultural facility in Camarillo, California, USA, July 10, 2025.. Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters IMAGE: Images of people detained by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement are tied to barricades outside a US immigration court in Manhattan, New York City, July 10, 2025. Photograph: David 'Dee' Delgado/Reuters IMAGE: A loyalist bonfire featuring a model effigy of a boat containing mannequins portrayed as migrants in lifejackets, with a sign reading 'Stop the Boats', during annual bonfire events marking the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, July 10, 2025. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters IMAGE: SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB. Forensic investigators work at the crime scene where an unidentified man was shot dead by unknown assailants during a violent day that left at least 13 people dead, according to local media, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, July 10, 2025. Photograph: Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters IMAGE: A Bosnian woman prays near the tombstone of a relative at the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial Center in Potocari, near Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, July 10, 2025. Photograph: Amel Emric/Reuters IMAGE: Pallbearers carry the coffin of slain hawker Boniface Kariuki, who was shot in the head by police during protests last month, ahead of his burial at the Kenyatta University Funeral Home in Nairobi, Kenya, July 11, 2025. Photograph: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters IMAGE: Models present creations during the Isaac Fenech catwalk show at Malta Fashion Week in Valletta, Malta, July 10, 2025. Photograph: Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters IMAGE: A French Cancan dancer performs in front of the Moulin Rouge cabaret during celebrations marking the restart of its iconic windmill with red sails in Paris, July 10, 2025. Photograph: Tom Nicholson/Reuters Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff Glimpses from around the world that will make you smile and cry. The Family Man IMAGE: A family uses a plastic sheet to protect themselves during heavy rains in New Delhi. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Riding Through the Rain IMAGE: A child looks out from an autorickshaw as it rains in New Delhi. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Love on the Wall IMAGE: Artist John Culshaw works on a mural of the late Liverpool player Diogo Jota on the side of a pub in Liverpool, Britain. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters The Swan Census IMAGE: An official holds a swan during the annual swan census, known as Swan Upping, along the River Thames near Windsor, Britain. Photograph: Isabel Infantes/Reuters The Venomous Healers IMAGE: Bees hover around a worker wearing protective gear at Bellafam, where patients are injected with bee venom, for healing, at the offices of Bellafam Africa Limited, a company that has ventured into apitherapy as part the beekeeping industry, in Kandara, Murang'a County, Kenya. Photograph: Monicah Mwangi/Reuters First Jab for the Cub IMAGE: A Siberian tiger quadruplet born at an eastern German zoo on May 20, 2025, receives its first vaccination at the zoo in Magdeburg, Germany. Photograph: Nadja Wohlleben/Reuters Tossed by the Bull! IMAGE: A reveller is tossed by a wild cow at the bullring, at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters The Flying Cow IMAGE: A bull jumps over revellers at the bullring at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters Who Pays the Price for Conflict? IMAGE: A Palestinian boy observes his father, who was wounded in morning Israeli strikes on tents sheltering displaced people, as his father receives treatment, according to medics, at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Photograph: Hatem Khaled/Reuters Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff The last rites of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal -- who was in command of the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad last week -- were performed in Mumbai on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. IMAGE: Mr Pushkaraj Sabharwal, Captain Sabharwal's 88-year-old father, pays homage to his son. All photographs: Sahil Salvi IMAGE: Mr Pushkaraj Sabharwal, accompanied by his daughter, being escorted to the crematorium where he performed the last rites for his son, here and below IMAGE: Colleagues, friends and neighbours pay their respects to Captain Sabharwal at Jal Vayu Vihar in Powai, north east Mumbai, the housing colony where the Air India pilot, a bachelor, lived with his father. IMAGE: Captain Sabharwal's coffin being carried to the crematorium here and below. IMAGE: The young man on the left is likely Captain Sabharwal's nephew, one of his sister's two sons, both of who are reportedly pilots. IMAGE: A condolence message from Jal Vayu Vihar for Captain Sabharwal, a truly tragic loss. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff The Meghalaya Police on Monday arrested the owner of a flat where Sonam Raghuvanshi, accused in the murder of her husband during their honeymoon, stayed in Indore after fleeing the northeastern state following the crime last month, an officer said. IMAGE: Meghalaya SIT team and FSL Indore, collect the pieces of the burnt bag and burnt pieces of Sonam Raghuvanshi's belongings for forensic investigation, at Hare Krishna Vihar Colony in Indore on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Video Grab With this, the total number of arrested persons has increased to eight including Sonam, her boyfriend Raj Kushwaha and three hitmen. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed to probe into the murder of Indore business Raja Raghuvanshi, went to Madhya Pradesh a few days ago. "We arrested one more person today for his involvement in the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi. He is identified as Lokendra Singh Tomar of Gwalior. He owns the flat where Sonam stayed in Indore after she fled Sohra," East Khasi Hills district Superintendent of Police V Syiem told PTI. He said Tomar was wanted in connection with the destruction and concealment of evidence which are vital to the case. Two persons -- a property dealer and a security guard -- were arrested by the SIT on Saturday and early Sunday in Indore. Raghuvanshi married Sonam on May 11 in Indore, and the couple went to Meghalaya for their honeymoon on May 20. They had gone missing on May 23 in Sohra, about 65 km from Shillong. His decomposed body was found in a gorge near a waterfall on June 2. After the murder, Sonam fled the state, travelling through Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh before reaching Indore. Sonam, accused of conspiring with her boyfriend to kill her husband, surrendered on June 8 before police in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district, while four other accused have been arrested from different locations in MP and UP. India's last three major commercial aviation accidents -- Patna (2000), Mangaluru (2010), and Kozhikode (2020) -- could offer critical safety lessons for the ongoing investigation. IMAGE: The wreckage of the ill-fated London-bound Air India flight on the rooftop of the doctors' hostel in Ahmedabad. Photograph: ANI Video Grab The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has submitted its preliminary report on the AI 171 crash that occurred near Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025. Investigators will now focus on determining why the flight's fuel switches moved to cutoff mode, leading to a loss of thrust and the subsequent crash. Meanwhile, India's last three major commercial aviation accidents -- Patna (2000), Mangaluru (2010), and Kozhikode (2020) -- could offer critical safety lessons for the ongoing investigation. Patna Crash (2000) The crash of Alliance Air Flight CD-7412 in Patna on July 17, 2000, which killed 60 people, was the result of pilot error, according to the Court of Inquiry report submitted to the government in March 2001. What Happened The Boeing 737-200 aircraft was on a scheduled flight from Kolkata to Delhi via Patna and Lucknow. As it neared Patna airport around 7:30 am, the pilots realised the plane was flying too high to land safely. They requested permission to make a full 360-degree turn to lose altitude -- a standard manoeuvre -- but while turning, the plane lost lift and crashed into the Gardani Bagh residential area. All six crew members and 49 passengers on board died. Five people on the ground also lost their lives, and the aircraft was destroyed in the crash and fire. What Caused the Crash The inquiry, led by Air Marshal P Raj Kumar, found that the aircraft was mechanically sound and had no system failure. The crash was caused entirely by pilot actions. Instead of following the standard path and speed for landing, the pilots allowed the aircraft to fly too slowly while trying to descend quickly. In this unstable condition, they made abrupt turns and tilted the nose of the plane up -- a risky combination that caused the aircraft to stall, or lose the ability to stay airborne. When a warning system alerted them, the pilots tried to climb away instead of using the correct recovery technique. This led to total loss of control and the crash. What the Report Recommended The report told Alliance Air to improve pilot training, especially in flight discipline, teamwork in the cockpit, and handling of emergency situations. It also recommended changes to maintenance oversight and airport safety. Highlighting Patna airport's limitations, it suggested developing Bihta airbase as an alternative. Other recommendations included clearing trees and traffic near the runway, upgrading navigational equipment nationwide, and improving Patna Medical College Hospital's mortuary facilities for handling air disasters. Mangaluru Crash (2010) The Court of Inquiry into the Air India Express Flight IX-812 crash that killed 158 people at Mangaluru airport on May 22, 2010 concluded the accident was primarily caused by pilot error. The report, submitted to the government by investigation head Air Marshal B N Gokhale, found no mechanical faults with the aircraft. What Happened The Boeing 737-800 operating from Dubai to Mangaluru crashed during its approach in good weather conditions. The aircraft made an unstable landing, touching down too far down the runway to stop safely. Despite multiple automated warnings and the first officer's repeated calls to abort the landing, the captain continued the approach. The plane overshot the table-top runway, hit an antenna structure, and plunged into a gorge, leaving just eight survivors among the 166 people on board. What Caused the Crash Investigators determined the captain failed to execute a go-around when the approach became unstable, with the aircraft too high and fast. The captain had been asleep for most of the flight, likely suffering from sleep inertia when suddenly awakened for the landing. The first officer did not take control despite recognising the danger, highlighting shortcomings in cockpit authority protocols. Mangaluru airport's challenging table-top runway design and lack of safety systems contributed to the severity of the crash. What the Report Recommended The inquiry called for significant aviation safety reforms, including improved pilot fatigue management, enhanced training for unstable approaches and cockpit coordination, and installation of runway safety systems at critical airports. It strongly recommended establishing an independent Indian Civil Aviation Safety Board to oversee accident investigations and safety standards. This led to the creation of the AAIB in July 2012. The report emphasised that proper adherence to procedures and timely decision-making could have prevented this tragedy. Kozhikode Crash (2020) The Air India Express Flight IX-1344 crashed at Kozhikode airport on August 7, 2020, killing 21 people and leaving 169 injured. The AAIB investigated this accident, and its findings pointed to a combination of pilot error and institutional safety failures as the root causes of the disaster. What Happened The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operating as a repatriation flight from Dubai under the Vande Bharat Mission, made two landing attempts at Kozhikode's challenging table-top runway during heavy monsoon rains. After aborting the first approach due to poor visibility, the pilots attempted to land on the opposite runway with strong tailwinds. The aircraft touched down nearly halfway down the 8,858-foot runway, leaving insufficient stopping distance. Despite the first officer's calls to abort the landing, the captain continued, resulting in a catastrophic overrun. The plane careened through the runway safety area, sheared off critical equipment, and plunged 110 feet into a gorge, breaking into three sections upon impact. What Caused the Crash The investigation revealed multiple critical failures. The captain persisted with an unstable approach despite clear warnings, while the first officer failed to take decisive control when needed, exposing serious flaws in cockpit communication and crew resource management. Compounding these errors, the aircraft's windshield wiper malfunctioned during the approach, and air traffic control provided inaccurate wind information. The captain's medical condition -- he was taking unprescribed diabetes medication -- and operational pressure to complete the flight due to crew scheduling issues further contributed to the disastrous outcome. Systemic shortcomings, including inadequate runway safety areas and poor maintenance of critical airport equipment, amplified the risks. What the Report Recommended The AAIB called for sweeping reforms, including stricter medical oversight of pilots, particularly regarding medication use. It mandated airlines to implement enhanced simulator training for wet runway operations and reinforce crew resource management protocols, specifically emphasising first officers' authority to take control during unsafe approaches. Airports received orders to extend runway safety areas by 300 metres and install centreline lighting at all table-top runways by 2024. The DGCA enforced a ban on landings with tailwinds exceeding 10 knots during monsoons and required 100 per cent flight data monitoring. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff The Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram on Tuesday said that he spoke to scholars in Yemen to urge them for the release of 37-year-old Kerala nurse Nimish Priya, convicted of murder and set to be executed. IMAGE: The Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram. Photograph: ANI on X The Grand Mufti claims that after his talks, the news of the execution being postponed also came in. The execution, originally scheduled for July 16, has been postponed, sources in New Delhi said on Tuesday. Priya, who hails from Kollengode in Kerala's Palakkad district, was found guilty of murdering a Yemeni citizen in July 2017. He said that while he does not know the victims family, he contacted the scholars in Yemen and urged them to talk to the family. "Islam has another law. If the murderer is sentenced to death, the family of the victim has the right to pardon. I dont know who this family is, but from a long distance, I contacted the responsible scholars in Yemen. I made them understand the issues," the Grand Mufti told ANI. "Islam is a religion that places a lot of importance on humanity. After I requested that they intervene and take action, the scholars met, discussed, and stated that they would do what they could. They have officially informed us and sent a document stating that the date of execution has been postponed, which will help facilitate the ongoing discussions," he added. Sheikh Abubakr said that he sent a letter to the Prime Ministers Office regarding the issue. "I have also informed the Central government about the discussions and the process. I have also sent a letter to the Prime Ministers Office. We dont look for religion or caste in public issues. You all know that," he said. While talking about the postponement, Kanthapuram said that in Islam, there is a law which allows the victims family to pardon the murderer. "In Islam, instead of killing, there is also a practice of giving Diyaat (compensation). I requested them to accept Diyaat as the party is ready here for it. There are talks going on about whether my request has to be accepted. The date of execution was tomorrow, but it has now been postponed for some days," he said. The Grand Mufti said that he is not considering the religion of Priya, but rather her humanity as he requested for her release. "We have demanded this as human beings. If such a demand is accepted, then it will be very easy for Muslims in India. Muslims and Hindus all live on the same platform here," he said. Nimisha Priya's husband expressed relief and satisfaction over the postponement of her execution and hoped that the united efforts will continue to avert her execution altogether. In 2020, a Yemeni court handed Priya the death sentence and the country's Supreme Judicial Council dismissed her appeal in November 2023. The 38-year-old nurse is presently lodged in a jail in Sana'a, the Yemeni capital city that is under the control of Iran-backed Houthis. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced ex gratia of Rs 20 lakh for the family of the college student who died by setting herself on fire over alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint. IMAGE: Congress workers protesting the death of the Balasore self-immolation victim, being detained outside AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, on Tuesday morning. Photograph: ANI on X Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the student's death, and said the daughters of the country are burning and dying while the PM is sitting silent. Gandhi said the country does not want the PM's silence, it wants answers. Eight opposition parties, led by the Congress, also called an Odisha bandh on July 17. State Congress president Bhakta Charan Das said the bandh is being supported by eight parties, including the Left. He claimed the incident, which happened at the Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, showed that the state government has failed to protect women. "She brought petrol, and everyone watched silently. No one acted," he said, attacking the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Das said the bandh has been called to seek justice for the deceased student. The second-year B.Ed student died on Monday night at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar after fighting for her life for three days. She set herself on fire on the campus on Saturday over alleged inaction against a professor who allegedly sexually harassed her. She had suffered 95 per cent burns. The principal and the HoD of the Education Department of the college have been arrested in the case. In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said the death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is a 'direct murder by the BJP system'. That brave student raised her voice against sexual exploitation -- but instead of justice, she was threatened, harassed and humiliated repeatedly, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said. Those who were supposed to protect her, kept oppressing her, Gandhi said. 'Like every time, the BJP system kept protecting the accused -- and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire,' he said. 'This is not suicide, it is an organised murder by the system,' Gandhi alleged. 'Modi ji, be it Odisha or Manipur -- the daughters of the country are burning, breaking down, dying. And you? Are sitting silent. The country does not want your silence, it wants answers,' the former Congress president said. The daughters of India want security and justice, Gandhi added. In Bhubaneswar, CM Majhi directed officers concerned to conduct a proper investigation into the incident so that all guilty are punished in accordance with the law, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati also expressed grief over the death of the student. 'Shattered to learn of the untimely loss of a young student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Her passing is not just a tragedy it is a stark reminder of the urgent need to safeguard our campuses,' he said in a post on X. 'The law will take its toughest course. Those responsible will face uncompromising punishment. My heart goes out to the grieving family. May they find strength in this hour of unbearable pain,' he added. The Odisha college student who set herself ablaze following alleged sexual harassment by a professor died at AIIMS in Bhubaneswar, the hospital said. IMAGE: BJD workers stage a protest as the woman's body is taken to the post-mortem centre of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar in the wee hours of Tuesday. Photograph: ANI on X The second-year Integrated B.Ed student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, Balasore, died on Monday night, after fighting for her life for three days. She took the extreme step on Saturday over alleged inaction against the professor and suffered 95 per cent burns. Expressing grief over the student's death, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said all culprits in the case will face the strictest punishment under law. The woman was first admitted to the Balasore district hospital and then shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment. She was undergoing treatment in the ICU, Department of Burn Centre, according to officials. "The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 pm on July 14," the Department of Burn Centre said in a statement. In a post on X, Chief Minister Majhi said, 'I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite the government's fulfilment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim's life could not be saved.' 'I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. 'I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family,' he said. President Droupadi Murmu, who was at AIIMS Bhubaneswar to attend its 5th convocation ceremony, paid an unscheduled visit to the burn and plastic surgery department on Monday evening and enquired about the student's condition. Education Department HoD Samira Kumar Sahu and Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College Principal Dilip Ghose have been arrested in the case. As the Dragon spacecraft carrying astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Earth after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), it carried with it more than just scientific data and seed samples, it brought home a story of grit, dreams, and India's growing space ambitions. IMAGE: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Axiom-4 crew assisted out of the Dragon Spacecraft onto the recovery vehicle, after their return to earth from the International Space Station, on Tuesday. Photograph: Axiom Space/ YouTube/ANI Photo Group Captain Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian Air Force officer and test pilot, completed his maiden space voyage as part of the Axiom-4 mission, a commercial spaceflight supported by ISRO and NASA, and operated by Axiom Space. The journey marked a milestone for India: Group Captain Shukla is the first Indian to step aboard the ISS and only the second Indian to go into space, following Captain Rakesh Sharma's iconic flight in 1984. Born on October 10, 1985 -- just a year after Sharma's spaceflight -- Group Captain Shukla grew up in Lucknow in a middle-class family with no direct links to aviation or space. But a childhood visit to an airshow lit a spark. "As a child, he had once been to an air show and was fascinated by the speed and sound of the aircraft. That's when he first spoke about flying," his elder sister Suchi Shukla said. "But of course, there was no telling at the time how quickly he would embrace his dream." Educated at City Montessori School (CMS), Group Captain Shukla's journey to the stars was anything but scripted. In a stroke of destiny, a classmate applying to the National Defence Academy (NDA) realised he was overage and passed on the form to Group Captain Shukla. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006 and went on to become a decorated test pilot with over 2,000 hours of flying time on advanced fighter aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, and Dornier-228. He later earned an MTech in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Last year, he was chosen as one of four astronauts in India's Gaganyaan programme, alongside Prasanth Balkrishnan Nair, Angad Pratap, and Ajit Krishnan. The quartet underwent intensive training in Russia's Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre and ISRO's Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru. But before Gaganyaan's scheduled launch in 2027, Group Captain Shukla got the opportunity to fly as part of the Ax-4 crew -- an Indian was part of a human spaceflight mission after 41 years. After several postponements, Group Captain Shukla finally launched from the Kennedy Space Center on June 25, aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Ten minutes into the mission, the Dragon capsule entered orbit, prompting Group Captain Shukla to declare in Hindi, "Kamaal ki ride thi" ("It was a great ride') and share his sense of national pride: "I have the Indian tricolour embossed on my shoulders that tells me I am with all of you." Nicknamed 'Shuks' and known for his composed demeanour, Group Captain Shukla carried Indian delicacies to space, including gajar ka halwa and moong dal ka halwa, so his international crewmates could get a taste of home. His launch-day song 'Yun Hi Chala Chal' from the Shah Rukh Khan film Swades turned out to be a fitting choice for an astronaut on a mission about discovery, identity, and the journey home. On board the ISS, Group Captain Shukla was the pilot on the Axiom-4 mission, alongside commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Together, they not only conducted science experiments but also engaged in outreach to students and space communities across the globe. Group Captain Shukla conducted seven India-led microgravity experiments across diverse domains of life sciences, agriculture, space biotechnology, and cognitive research. "I am so proud that ISRO has been able to collaborate with national institutions all over the country and come up with some fantastic research, which I am doing here on the station," Group Captain Shukla said during an interaction with Axiom's chief scientist Lucie Low. A highlight was the plant germination experiment led by scientists Ravikumar Hosamani (University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad) and Sudheer Siddapureddy (IIT Dharwad). Group Captain Shukla planted moong and methi seeds in petri dishes and captured their sprouting progress, inserting them into cold storage for later analysis back on Earth. The goal is to study how microgravity influences plant growth, microbial interactions, and genetic expression, which are key insights for long-term space farming. In another project, he worked with cyanobacteria and microalgae, which are organisms being explored for their ability to produce food, oxygen, and biofuels in space. These tiny life forms may hold the key to sustainable life-support systems during deep space missions. He also participated in stem cell research, exploring whether supplements can aid in injury repair and tissue regeneration in space. "It's been great to work in the Glove Box doing this research. I feel proud to be a bridge between scientists on Earth and the station," Group Captain Shukla said. One of his lighter experiments was a zero-gravity demonstration involving water. Group Captain Shukla created a floating water bubble and joked, "I've become a water bender here on the station," as his commander used a plastic bag to show how surface tension manipulates light in space like a lens. As the mission neared completion, Group Captain Shukla and his Ax-4 crewmates joined astronauts of Expedition 73, a long-duration mission, for a farewell ceremony on July 13. In his remarks, he thanked the ISS crew and ISRO for its support in developing a research portfolio and an outreach programme for students and STEM communities in India. Group Captain Shukla interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, school students, and also connected with ISRO centres using amateur radio. "It's not just my journey, it's India's," he said. "From a curious young learner in our classrooms to a pioneering astronaut, Shux's story beautifully encapsulates our mission of 'Education for World Unity and Peace'," said Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, a student at CMS, Lucknow, during the watch party the school had organised for the launch of the mission. Group Captain Shukla's mission ended with Dragon 'Grace' spacecraft's splash down near the California coast on Tuesday but his story will continue. With Gaganyaan on the horizon and new avenues in space research opening up, his experience is expected to be instrumental in shaping India's human spaceflight programme. In Group Captain Shukla's own words from the station: "I want each one of you to be part of this journey. Let us embark on India's human space programme together." Two male lecturers from a private college in Dakshina Kannada district and their associate have been arrested for allegedly raping a female student after "blackmailing" her with videos and photos, police said on Tuesday. Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay The student is from the same college where the accused are employed as lecturers in Moodabidri. According to police, the student alleged that one of the lecturers befriended her under the pretext of sharing academic notes and began chatting with her frequently. He later allegedly invited her to Bengaluru, again citing academic reasons, and raped her at his friend's residence, police added. The lecturer then threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the incident to anyone. The accused reportedly boasted about the assault to another lecturer, who then allegedly began blackmailing the student using photos and videos and demanded sexual favours. In her complaint, the student further alleged that the associate also raped her, blackmailing her with videos of the initial assault and claiming to possess CCTV footage of her visit to the accused's house in Bengaluru, a senior police officer said. The assaults are believed to have taken place last month. However, the matter came to light only after the student informed her parents, who then approached the Karnataka State Women's Commission. Acting on the commission's direction, the Marathahalli Police registered a case on July 5 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and arrested all three accused. Police have begun collecting digital and forensic evidence related to the case. The college authorities have been notified, and a report has been sent to the Department of Higher Education for further action. When contacted, the college said the lecturers have not yet been dismissed. The investigation is ongoing, police said. Last-minute efforts to halt the scheduled execution of an Indian nurse in Yemen on July 16 are underway, under the leadership of a Sufi scholar there, at the behest of influential Sunni Muslim leader Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar, informed sources said in Kozhikode on Tuesday. IMAGE: Nimisha Priya. Photograph: X A meeting between representatives of prominent scholar and Sufi leader Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz, and the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi -- the Yemeni national allegedly killed by nurse Nimisha Priya in 2017 -- is expected to be held at Dhamar on Tuesday, they said. The development follows after the 94-year-old Musliyar, who is officially known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad and holds the title of Grand Mufti of India, held talks with religious authorities in Yemen. The meeting with the family will take place on Tuesday at 10 am, Yemeni local time. Kanthapuram's office said a close relative of the deceased Talal -- who is also the Chief Justice of the Hodeidah State Court and a member of the Yemeni Shura Council --has arrived in Dhamar, Talal's hometown, to take part in today's talks, following the advice of Sheikh Habib Umar. "The fact that he is a follower of Sheikh Habib Umar's Sufi order and the son of another prominent Sufi leader offers great hope. Along with persuading the family, he is also expected to meet the Attorney General to initiate urgent efforts to postpone the execution scheduled for tomorrow," it said. "We see the agreement of the family to hold talks with representatives of the Sufi spiritual leader as a positive signal towards our efforts to halt the scheduled execution for the time being," a source said. Sources said Talal's murder is not just an emotional issue for the family, but also among the tribes and the residents of the Dhamar region. This is why no one had been able to establish contact with the family until now. "It was only through Kanthapuram's intervention that communication with the family became possible for the first time," they said. The family agreed to the talks following the advice of Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz. "Today's discussion is focused on reaching a final decision regarding the acceptance of blood money. As efforts continue to convince the family, Kanthapuram has also requested the Yemeni authorities to temporarily defer the execution scheduled for July 16 --a request the Yemeni administration is expected to consider today," a source said. Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Palakkad district in Kerala, is facing execution on July 16 for the murder of Mahdi, her Yemeni business partner. She was sentenced to death in 2020, and her final appeal was rejected in 2023. She is currently imprisoned in a jail in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. The Centre on Monday had informed the Supreme Court that the government could do 'nothing much' in the case. Attorney General R Venkataramani had informed a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that the government was doing 'utmost possible'. "The Government of India is trying its best," Venkataramani said, "and has also engaged with some sheikhs who are very influential people there." United States President Donald Trump reiterated his claim on Monday (local time) that he stopped the escalation of the recent India-Pakistan conflict after the Pahalgam terror attack. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 14, 2025. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters Trump made these remarks during his meeting with the Secretary General of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Mark Rutte. "We have been very successful in settling wars, India, Pakistan... India, by the way, Pakistan would have been a nuclear war within another week, the way that was going. It was going very badly," Trump stated. He pointed to his strategy of using trade as leverage, stating, "We did that through trade. I said, we are not going to talk to you about trade, unless you get this thing settled, and they did." In June, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, "You know, I did something that people don't talk about, and I don't talk about very much, but we solved a big problem, a nuclear problem potentially with India and with Pakistan." "I spoke to Pakistan, I spoke to India, they have really great leaders, but they were going at it, and they could have gone at it nuclear," he added. Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for stopping hostilities between India and Pakistan after New Delhi's effective response to Islamabad's aggression following precision strikes on terror infrastructure. However, India refuted the claims made by the US President, reiterating its policy that India and Pakistan bilaterally address any matter related to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. "As you are aware, we have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed. As you are aware, the outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian Territory by Pakistan," the Ministry of External Affairs stated. The MEA further stated that the 'issue of trade' did not come up between Indian and US leaders since the commencement of 'Operation Sindoor' and the cessation of hostilities. "From the time OPERATION SINDOOR commenced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on 10th May, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions," MEA further stated. India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. India repelled subsequent Pakistani military aggression and pounded its airbases. India and Pakistan agreed to a cessation of hostilities following a call made by Pakistan's DGMO to his Indian counterpart. US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said that the United States has launched an attack on three Nuclear sites in Iran. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation accompanied by US Vice President JD Vance (left), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (second from right) and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (right), at the White House in Washington, DC, June 21, 2025, following American strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Pool/Reuters The development comes amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. With this, the US seems to have finally entered the war with Iran in the wake of the ongoing conflict in the region. According to a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the US had "successfully" hit three of Iran's key nuclear facilities--Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan--with a "full payload of BOMBS" being dropped on Fordow as the primary target. "We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home," Trump stated. "Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter," he added. The underground site at Fordow and the larger Natanz plant were Iran's two primary uranium enrichment facilities, out of which Natanz had already been hit by Israel with smaller weapons earlier in the week, the New York Times reported. IMAGE: Several US B-2 stealth bombers (third from left) took off from the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on Friday night. Photograph: Reuters/ANI Photo Earlier in the day, several US B-2 stealth bombers took off from the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on Friday night (local time) and were seen heading West, CNN reported, citing flight tracking data. However, there is still no confirmation if the B-2 bombers were part of the attack on these nuclear sites. IMAGE: People walk in front of television screens displaying the address to the nation by Donald Trump. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters As of Saturday, the aircraft were flying over the Pacific Ocean and appeared to be en route to Guam, as reported by CNN. According to CNN, the B-2 bombers are uniquely equipped to carry the Massive Ordnance Penetrator -- a 30,000-pound "bunker buster" bomb believed to be the only weapon capable of targeting Iran's underground Fordow nuclear site. Each B-2 can carry two of these powerful bombs. This strategic redeployment follows a week in which Trump has spent considerable time in the White House Situation Room reviewing military plans and asking advisors about potential outcomes. He has stated that a decision on military action could come sooner than the two-week window he previously mentioned, CNN reported. As per the NYT, the strikes on these facilities represent the first time since Iran's 1979 revolution that the US Air Force has launched attacks on key sites within the country--an act considered an act of war. With this move, Trump has directly involved the US military in an open conflict with Iran, a step that successive American presidents, starting with Jimmy Carter, had deliberately avoided. IMAGE: Irans nuclear site in Isfahan after Israeli strike, June 21, 2025. Photograph: IDF on X The third site, located near the historic city of Isfahan, is believed to store Iran's stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium. The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its ninth day on Saturday, with the US now joining in support of Israel. The conflict started after Israel, on June 13, launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion." In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a large-scale drone and missile operation, 'Operation True Promise 3', targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres. Yemeni authorities have postponed the execution of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, bringing much relief to her family and others who now hope that the united efforts can avert her execution altogether. IMAGE: Nimisha Priya. Photograph: X The execution, originally scheduled for July 16, has been postponed, sources in New Delhi said on Tuesday. Priya, who hails from Kollengode in Kerala's Palakkad district, was found guilty of murdering a Yemeni citizen in July 2017. The sources added that the government of India has made concerted efforts in recent days to seek more time for Priya's family to reach a "mutually agreeable" solution with the other party. Despite the sensitivities involved, Indian officials have been in regular touch with the local jail authorities and the prosecutor's office, leading to securing the postponement, the sources said. Nimisha Priya's husband expressed relief and satisfaction over the postponement of her execution and hoped that the united efforts will continue to avert her execution altogether. Besides her family, the political and religious leadership of Kerala also expressed satisfaction over the development. "The execution has been postponed. That is good news. We are happy and relieved. I am sure efforts will continue to avert her execution and bring her back safely," her husband, Tomy Thomas, told PTI. He thanked everyone who worked hard to support the cause. Thomas said they have a daughter studying in class XIII, and that the child has been kept away from these developments. He said he received the message about the postponement of the execution from Priya's mother. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the postponement of the execution as both comforting and filled with hope. He said the decision has given Priya more time to seek relief from the death sentence. Vijayan said development was made possible through the initiative and intervention of eminent Sunni Muslim scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar. Earlier, the cleric's office had said that last-minute efforts were being made to halt the scheduled execution of Priya on July 16, under the leadership of a Sufi scholar there, at the behest of Aboobacker Musliyar. "It is the result of tireless efforts by kind-hearted individuals who embody compassion and brotherhood," the Chief Minister said. He congratulated Kanthapuram and all those who are working for justice for Nimisha Priya, including the Action Council. The chief minister also expressed hope that everyone's efforts would soon lead to a complete and successful resolution. Congress MLA Chandy Oommen, who had approached several influential figures including Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for intervention, said the latter made sincere efforts on humanitarian grounds. "Beyond his role as a Governor, he acted as a fellow human being. His sincere efforts will never be forgotten by Kerala and its people. I thank him from the bottom of my heart," Oommen said, adding that the Governor reached out to foreign governments, businessmen, and officials. "He did whatever he could," the Congress MLA said. Followers of influential Sunni Muslim scholar Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musliyar said he continues to make sincere efforts to stop the execution. Close confidante of Musliyar, Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleelul Bukhari Thangal said that there are strong signs the execution may be averted. "We are doing what is right and helpful. The information we are receiving suggests that the death sentence may be avoided. Efforts in that direction are progressing effectively, and Kanthapuram Ustad is actively involved. Our hope and prayer is that Nimisha Priya returns home and brings relief to everyone. We also sincerely hope that no one else in the world ever has to face such a fate," he told reporters. Musliyar said he intervened in the matter as a human being. "Islam is a religion that gives utmost importance to humanity, and this is a fact understood and acknowledged by scholars in Yemen," he told a press conference. Meanwhile, in a video message to news channels, Samuel Jerome Baskaran-- a member of the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, who has been actively working for her release -- expressed gratitude. He thanked the Government of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Governor Arlekar, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, its local staff, and Congress leader Chandy Oommen for their sincere efforts. He said the postponement of the execution was made possible through the intervention of the influential Shaikh Abdul Malik Nahyan, who, according to him, is the head of the tribe of the victim. Baskaran claimed that he had known about the decision (to postpone the execution since Sunday), but "we were requested not to go public with it." In 2020, a Yemeni court handed Priya the death sentence and the country's Supreme Judicial Council dismissed her appeal in November 2023. The 38-year-old nurse is presently lodged in a jail in Sana'a, the Yemeni capital city that is under the control of Iran-backed Houthis. In Delhi, sources said the government of India has been rendering all possible assistance in the case since beginning. Priya's mother Premakumari travelled to Yemen last year as part of efforts to secure her release. The Indian side had even explored the option of securing Priya's release through "diyat" or paying "blood money". But that also ran into some problems, it is learnt. 'The tone of the preliminary report creates a narrative towards pilot error. This is wrong.' 'Selected conversation has been divulged. It's not as if the pilots did not speak anything else in the cockpit.' IMAGE: Emergency crews work as smoke rises from the wreckage of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, June 12, 2025. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters The preliminary report of the Air India crash released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau on July 12 is selective, lacks evidence and transparency, according to the Air Line Pilot's Association of India. "The tone of the report creates a narrative towards pilot error. This has led to speculation in the media. People are making stories from sabotage to suicide and bizarre theories," says a spokesperson of ALPA-India who did not want to be identified by name for this report. ALPA India represents Indian pilots at the Montreal-based International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations. "Selected conversation has been divulged in the report. It's not as if the pilots did not speak anything else other than two short sentences in the cockpit." ALPA-I has appealed to the DGCA, ministry of civil aviation and AAIB to be included as an observer to ensure transparency and accountability in the investigation. The AAIB appointed team as stated in the report includes experienced pilots, engineers and aviation medicine specialists. But ALPA-I doubts the composition of the team, particularly the lack of experienced pilots. "DGCA has a Flight Standards Department which includes Boeing 787 pilots, trainers and instructors with thousands of hours of flying experience. Have they been taken on the investigation team?" questions the pilot who has flown both Boeing and Airbus aircraft and has 32 years of flying experience. IMAGE: People gather near the wreckage. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters One of ALPA-I's major misgiving is that the cockpit voice recorder conversation contained in the preliminary report is selective. "For example, the FDR reading gives a second by second account, but does not reveal what altitude the aircraft climbed to which is important for an investigation." "The report says that the aircraft crashed. What time did it crash? How did it crash? Where did it crash? All these details are supposed to be given, but are not included." ALPA-I has also criticised the wrong usage of terminologies like FADEC which stands for 'Full Authority Digital Engine Control'. The report instead says 'Full Authority Dual Engine Control'. Secondly, the report refers to the engines as 'Engine 1' and 'Engine 2'. "That's an Airbus terminology, not one used by Boeing." "The correct usage is Left Engine and Right Engine," says the pilot. "All air accident investigations are mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Such an incoherent report doesn't put India in a very good picture internationally," he continues. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters The AAIB report released late Friday night has raised more questions than answers about the AI-171 Ahmedabad-London-Gatwick crash on June 12. 260 people died -- 241 on board, 19 on the ground. The preliminary report provides information about 'what' happened on the accident flight. The final investigation report which will be out after about a year will reveal 'why' and 'how' the accident occurred. "To know the 'what', the report must give a second by second account of what happened. If the investigators have more information than what has been printed, then why are they not giving it?" "Why are they missing out certain sequence of events? The media has put the blame on to the pilot and that is what people will remember. This is very sad," says the captain. IMAGE: Rescue personnel at the Air India AI-171 flight crash site in Ahmedabad. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters/span> On the FAA advisory regarding the fuel control switch locking feature, he says that the checks were not done because it was not mandatory. "An advisory is not a directive. It is up to the operator to do it or not. After this crash, Etihad has started doing it on all its aircraft." "Unfortunately, SOPs are written on somebody's blood." [On July 14, 2025, the DGCA directed all airline operators to complete the inspection of the engine fuel switch locking system on Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft by July 21, 2025.} "The report says that the fuel switch was switched off resulting in engine failure. Maybe the engines started to wind down and that is when the switch went off?" "What is the link? What is the sequence? Which sequence was done when? How does anybody know unless they have the correct picture?" asks the captain. "Speculation only make things worse. All we know from the preliminary report is that both engines failed and the aircraft crashed." "It is for the AAIB to find out why it happened and we will support the investigators to find that out," says the pilot. "The information should be correct and fact-based." Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Visuals of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah scaling the gate of the Naqshband Sahib graveyard and jostling with securitymen deployed there have gone viral. IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah scales the gate of the Naqshband Sahib graveyard in Srinagar, July 14, 2025, to pay tributes to the July 13 martyrs. Photograph: OmarAbdullah/X Abdullah, his father Dr Farooq Abdullah and other National Conference leaders reached the martyrs graveyard in Srinagar on Monday to pay tribute to the 22 Kashmiris killed while protest against the state's then maharaja on July 13, 1931. On Sunday, the Abdullahs and other prominent Kashmiri leaders were reportedly kept under house arrest to prevent them from going to the graveyard. Why has Kashmir's Martyrs Day observance become controversial? Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff offers an explanation. What is Martyrs' Day in Kashmir about? On July 13, 1931, a group of men gathered outside Srinagar Jail in support of Abdul Qadeer Khan, who had urged the people of Kashmir to rise against Maharaja Hari Singh, the Dogra ruler. Khan had been arrested for sedition, and during the protest outside the jail, 22 people were shot dead. Since then, July 13 has been marked as Martyrs' Day in the Kashmir Valley. Why is this year's observance of Martyrs' Day significant? This year's Martyrs' Day held special significance because for the first time in six years, Jammu and Kashmir has an elected government following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. People had hoped to return to the earlier tradition of paying respects at the martyrs' graveyard. So, what happened? The Government of India did not allow any public tributes. Kashmiri political leaders were reportedly placed under house arrest on Sunday, although there was no official announcement confirming their detention. Many viewed this move as a suppression of democratic expression and historical memory. What did the police do? The Jammu and Kashmir police stopped J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah from entering the martyrs' graveyard in Srinagar where he was reportedly pushed and blocked from entering. Eventually, he climbed over the barricade to offer fatiha (prayers) for the martyrs. There was also a minor scuffle at the venue. Abdullah later commented: 'The unelected nominees from New Delhi have locked up the elected leaders of Jammu & Kashmir.' What did Omar Abdullah and his National Conference party have to say? Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called it 'our Jallianwala Bagh'. Posting on X, he stated: '13th July massacre is our Jallianwala Bagh. The people who laid down their lives did so against the British. Kashmir was being ruled under the British Paramountcy. 'What a shame that true heroes who fought against British rule in all its forms are today projected as villains only because they were Muslims. We may be denied the opportunity to visit their graves today but we will not forget their sacrifices.' National Conference spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq added: 'We've always honoured the July 13 martyrs and will continue to do so. We've promised to restore the Martyrs' Day holiday and will work towards that.' Removing the holiday, Sadiq said, is part of a broader attempt to erase J&K's political identity. Why did the Indian government take this step? After scrapping Article 370, the GoI removed Martyrs' Day from the list of official holidays in Jammu and Kashmir. Instead, it introduced two new holidays. September 23 -- Maharaja Hari Singh's birthday. October 26 -- the day Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession in 1947, making J&K a part of India. Since 2019, July 13 is no longer an official holiday in Jammu and Kashmir. What is the Instrument of Accession? In 1947, as India gained independence, around 580 princely states had to choose between joining India or Pakistan, or remain independent. The decision to join India was formalised by signing the Instrument of Accession. Maharaja Hari Singh initially wanted Jammu and Kashmir to stay neutral and signed standstill agreements with both nations. However, after an invasion by tribal forces backed by Pakistan, he sought military help from India. India agreed -- on the condition that J&K join the Indian Union. The Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession on October 26, 1947. ELKO A member of the Elko County District Attorneys office will step in as the new Family Court Master on Saturday. Rand J. Greenburg will be sworn in as the newest member of the Fourth Judicial Court, working on specialty family court cases under the supervision of District Court Judge Mason Simons. He will preside over juvenile drug court and family preservation drug court, along with child welfare cases, child support cases and oversee families who may have had their children removed from their homes by the Division of Child and Family Services and are working through drug-related cases to be reunited with their children. I will take as much load off the district court judges as I can, Greenburg said. My hope is to help parents reunify with children, help kids stay out of the juvenile system and make child support a little easier. Judge Mason Simons said the Family Court Master works a fairly heavy case load and they carry a demanding responsibility. He has an excellent background in the very areas this position will oversee, Simons added. We have no doubt he has the knowledge and expertise to do well and handle these cases. Greenburg explained how with his previous involvement in cases, he saw a more familial dysfunction that has caused the youth to be where theyre at. My intention is to focus on helping families get stronger and more capable. Build the foundation, the knowledge that they need to be more successful and get youth out of that system. Simons agreed, stating there is a generational problem that presents itself. Theres dysfunction with the parents that presents itself in the children. If we dont get these folks to deviate from the course they are on, then this is a problem that is going to persist, perhaps for various generations. The focus of the juvenile system is rehabilitation, so we want to make sure we provide whatever services we can to both the child and the family to make sure we can correct any dysfunction happening in the family unit and get them corrected in the direction they should be going, Simons said. Greenburg said he would be working with DCFS. He will also help organize the annual Elko County National Adoption Day celebration in November. A wealth of experience Former Family Court Master Michelle Rodriguez submitted her resignation on June 6. She was sworn in as Family Court Master on July 5, 2021, following the sudden death of Andrew Mierins two months prior. The Fourth Judicial Court announced the appointment of Greenburg on July 9, stating his appointment would begin on July 21. The Court is confident that Greenburgs wealth of experience, and his calm demeanor and his judicious temperament, will serve the community well as he begins his journey of judicial service to the citizens of Elko County, according to the announcement. Simons said the appointment was a unanimous decision of all the district judges. Elko County District Attorney Tyler Ingram called Greenburg an exceptional attorney and I will be forever grateful for his public service in the District Attorneys office. Theres no doubt in my mind that he will continue to be invaluable in his new role. This amazing community is very fortunate to have Rand as Court Master, Ingram continued. He will be sorely missed in our office. Ingram said Greenburgs position at the Chief level would not be filled. Instead, a Deputy District Attorney was transferred to the civil department, with applications being sought to backfill that position. The reorganization did not result in an increase in the number of attorneys in this office, he said. We anticipate the addition of a Civil Deputy District Attorney on July 14, Ingram said. Those two attorneys will handle the juvenile, child welfare, child support, and general civil matters within the County. I will be the immediate supervisor. Additionally, Ingram said, I will be covering the majority of Elko County Commission meetings for the next several months. One of Greenburgs duties for the past several years was to serve as legal adviser to Elko County according to open meeting laws, in addition to working on litigation cases, contracts, and developing policies for the judicial drug court program. Legal career Greenburg has served as Chief Civil Deputy District Attorney since October 2019, providing legal advice and opinions to all agencies and departments within Elko County, writing policies for judicial drug court programs and managing 10 attorneys and 20 support staff employees. Prior to that appointment, Greenburg served as Deputy District Attorney in the Juvenile Division between 2016 and 2019. His duties included prosecuting all juvenile delinquency and child welfare cases, misdemeanor crimes and working with judicial drug courts and drafting rules of practice for child welfare cases. Greenburgs legal career began in 2015 after he graduated from Arizona Summit School of Law with his JD. Before that, he graduated from Brigham Young University Idaho with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature. He served as law clerk to Judge James E. Wilson Jr. in the First Judicial District Court of Nevada from August 2015 to June 2016. Regarding his new job, Im happy to serve the community, Greenburg said. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 84F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. People gathered at the Putney Tavern Green on Monday, July 14, 2025 as they held a vigil to remember Scott Garvey, who was killed by a Vermont Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High around 85F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Inland Revenue is seeking proposals from suppliers to become the single service partner for the departments enterprise support systems platform, Atea. This partner will provide systems integration and ongoing support services for Inland Revenues Oracle Fusion Cloud suite and a new payroll solution, both part of Atea. The successful supplier will lead the design, build, and implementation of the integrated payroll solution, and assume responsibility for technical application support, release management, and continuous improvement of the Atea platform, Inland Revenue wrote in a tender published this week. The department said it was looking for a long-term partner with deep Oracle expertise, a strong local presence and a collaborative approach to service delivery. The tender, signalled last month, is part of Inland Revenues commitment to modernising its back-office systems in alignment with the Government chief digital officers common process model and SaaS ERP strategy, the tender said. The selected partner will play a pivotal role in helping Inland Revenue transition off its current SAP ECC platform by the end of 2027. In estimates to Parliament as part of its Budget process this month, Inland Revenue put the value of the contract at $5M to $10M. However, it warned the value and details of the suppliers being awarded the contracts were not yet available. In addition to its Atea platform investments, Inland Revenue also signaled plans to embark on a payroll system replacement, wi-fi and LAN network renewals and an SMS services rollout in the current financial year. Inland Revenue also listed its largest ICT suppliers by value in the nine months to 31 March, 2025. Datacom led the pack with $20.7M of software reseller sales while One NZ followed with $12.2M for call centre software and telco support. ServiceNow was next, clocking $5.1M in software license sales to the department. A US court has for the time blocked plans by the government to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans in the country, granting at least a one-week reprieve to thousands of people at risk of deportation to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia, late on July 14 issued an administrative stay on the termination of TPS for Afghans until July 21, granting a request from immigration advocacy group CASA. CASA filed for an emergency motion on July 14, the day the protected status for Afghans was to end. The court did not provide a reason for its ruling. US administration will have until 11:59 p.m. on July 16 to respond. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had declared on May 12 that TPS for Afghanistan would expire on July 14, with the decision affecting an estimated 9,000 to 12,000 Afghans currently living and working legally in the United States under the program. Rights groups and Afghan refugees condemned the decision to allow the protections to expire, warning that it puts lives in jeopardy and ignores the realities on the ground in Afghanistan. The DHS at the time said the termination of TPS was based on its assessment that conditions in Afghanistan have "improved sufficiently" and no longer meet the statutory requirements for TPS. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem had "determined that, overall, there are notable improvements in the security and economic situation such that requiring the return of Afghan nationals to Afghanistan does not pose a threat to their personal safety due to armed conflict or extraordinary and temporary conditions, a DHS statement said in May. That statement said Noem had also determined that permitting Afghan nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is "contrary to the national interest of the United States." The department cited national security and fraud concerns, claiming some individuals under TPS are being investigated for threats to public safety and national security. But Afghans living in the United States under TPS said they will be in danger if they return to Afghanistan. "It is true that there is relative security, but there are many problems," an Afghan man who spoke on condition of anonymity told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. "Right now, former government soldiers are being arrested, disappeared, and even killed," said the man, who lives in Texas with his family of four. Advocates for the Afghans argue that many of them assisted the US military or other organizations in Afghanistan and thus would be subject to harsh treatment by the hard-line Taliban rulers, who have not been recognized as a legitimate government by Washington and much of the rest of the world. Those fears are rooted in the dramatic changes Afghanistan has undergone since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Following the withdrawal of US and NATO troops, Taliban insurgents seized Kabul, toppling the Western-backed Afghan government. Since then, the Taliban has imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, rolling back rights and freedoms, especially for women and girls, who are now barred from secondary education and most employment. Reports from the UN and human rights organizations have documented widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and public floggings, particularly targeting former government officials, security personnel, and dissenters. A total of some 180,000 Afghans fled their home country and had come to the United States since the Taliban retook control of the country in August 2021. Many of those are not under TPS status, having applied for or received other forms of protection, such as political asylum, and are not subject to the TPS termination order. The DHS has granted the Temporary Protected Status to people from a number of countries who are now in the United States, allowing them to work legally in the country but does not provide a route to citizenship. DHS reviews the status every 18 months. The US administration has moved to remove protected status for seven countries, including Afghanistan. The largest numbers of people affected are from Venezuela and Haiti. With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Reuters, and AP As EU foreign ministers gather in Brussels on July 15 for their last official meeting before the summer break, Georgia is once again high up on the agenda due to the deteriorating political situation in the South Caucasus republic after the recent arrests of several opposition politicians. Just a brief discussion point among ministers last month, the situation in the country is now a major talking point -- and more decisive action may be taken this time after the previous adoption of symbolic measures against Tbilisi. In early 2025, Brussels imposed visa requirements on Georgian diplomatic passport holders. It has also refrained from holding high-level political meetings and diverted EU funding from Georgias government to civil society. The most pressing issue this time is whether the bloc -- with the unanimous approval of all 27 member states -- manages to impose any sanctions. There have been attempts before, notably in January, when the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wanted to slap visa bans and asset freezes on 13 individuals linked to the Georgian Dream party for a crackdown on opposition protesters. Dissenting Voices In Bratislava And Budapest Back then, Hungary and Slovakia vetoed any such moves, and sanctions talks stalled in Brussels for a while. EU officials have in recent weeks also discussed the possibility of blacklisting a couple of people responsible for what an internal EU document seen by RFE/RL calls the instrumentalization of the justice system by the Georgian authorities. This would occur under the EU global human rights sanctions regime -- a sanctions framework similar to the US Magnitsky act that already includes more than 100 human rights abusers from various countries, such as China, Libya, Russia, and Sudan. According to several EU officials familiar with the discussions more than 10 EU member states -- including France, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Sweden and the Baltic trio of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania -- have been pushing for sanctions to be adopted by EU foreign ministers. Just like in January, Bratislava and Budapest have been resisting the move, arguing that any type of restrictive measure could worsen the situation and that dialogue with Tbilisi is a better approach. While not siding with Slovakia and Hungary, Greece has been arguing against taking any hasty decisions. Despite the obvious opposition, many diplomats RFE/RL has spoken to on condition of anonymity believe that there still is a chance of finding a consensus to blacklist at least a couple of Georgian judges, whom the EU deems responsible for the arrest of Georgian oppositionists. Its believed that sanctions-skeptic countries may accept this instead of targeting high-profile politicians. So, what other options are being discussed? A Radical Move The most obvious one is to suspend visa liberalization for Georgian citizens -- a move that only requires a qualified majority of 55 percent of member states representing 65 percent of the total EU population. Sweden is the latest country to push for this, arguing that it can be done temporarily if the situation continues to worsen after Georgian local elections in early October. This view is apparently also supported by the Baltic states, Denmark, France, and Poland. Others have expressed reservations, however -- notably Greece and Slovenia. They argue that such a radical move -- with the bloc never having suspended visa liberalization for an EU candidate country before -- should be taken as an absolute last resort. It has also been pointed out that such a step would likely have more of a negative impact on ordinary Georgian citizens rather than the countrys leadership. Another alternative proposal put forward by the European Commission is to impose national entry bans on certain individuals. A 'Softer Measure' This is regarded as a somewhat softer measure compared to imposing a blanket suspension of EU visa liberalization or broader sanctions. However, it would only be effective if several member states chose to adopt and coordinate this approach. Whether that will happen remains uncertain, as some countries -- such as Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, and Romania -- have stressed that it still is important to keep communication channels open with Tbilisi. The internal EU document also mentions the possibility of suspending Georgias candidate status, which the bloc unanimously bestowed on the country back in December 2023. The EU, however, has never before unilaterally reversed candidate status in its history (Iceland asked Brussels to remove its EU candidate status back in 2015). Once again, unanimity would be necessary to take this step. Finally, there is an option that could likely be achieved this week: a large group of countries, led by the Baltic trio, plans to ask the European External Action Service and the European Commission to conduct a thorough assessment of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement from 2016. The goal would be to explore the possibility of suspending parts of the agreement in the future, such as the free trade provisions it includes. Such a suspension would require only a qualified majority. Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods. I'm RFE/RL's Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I am drilling down on two major issues: the EU mulling restrictive measures on Georgia and hitting Moldovas pro-Moscow opposition with sanctions. Briefing #1: The EU Weighs Up Georgia Sanctions What You Need To Know: As EU foreign ministers gather in Brussels on July 15 for their last official meeting before the summer break, Georgia is once again high on the agenda due to the deteriorating political situation in the South Caucasus republic with the recent arrests of several opposition politicians. After briefly being discussed by ministers last month, the situation in the country is now a major discussion point -- and more decisive action may be taken this time. The bloc has so far enacted some symbolic measures against Tbilisi. In early 2025, Brussels imposed visa requirements on Georgian diplomatic passport holders. It has also refrained from holding high-level political meetings and diverted EU funding from Georgias government to civil society. Deep Background: The most pressing issue this time is whether the bloc -- with the unanimous approval of all 27 member states -- manages to impose any sanctions. There have been attempts before, notably in January, when the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wanted to slap visa bans and asset freezes on 13 individuals linked to the Georgian Dream party for a crackdown on opposition protesters. Back then, Hungary and Slovakia vetoed any such moves, and sanctions talks stalled in Brussels for a while. EU officials have in recent weeks also discussed the possibility of blacklisting a couple of people responsible for what an internal EU document seen by RFE/RL calls the instrumentalization of the justice system by the Georgian authorities. This would occur under the EU global human rights sanctions regime -- a sanctions framework similar to the US Magnitsky act that already includes more than 100 human rights abusers from various countries, such as China, Libya, Russia, and Sudan. According to several EU officials familiar with the discussions, more than 10 EU member states -- including France, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Sweden and the Baltic trio of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania -- have been pushing for sanctions to be adopted by EU foreign ministers. Just like in January, Bratislava and Budapest have been resisting the move, arguing that any type of restrictive measure could worsen the situation and that dialogue with Tbilisi is a better approach. While not siding with Slovakia and Hungary, Greece has been arguing against taking any hasty decisions. Despite the obvious opposition, many diplomats RFE/RL has spoken to on condition of anonymity believe that there still is a chance of finding a consensus to blacklist at least a couple of Georgian judges, whom the EU deems responsible for the arrest of Georgian oppositionists. Its believed that sanctions-skeptic countries may accept this instead of targeting high-profile politicians. Drilling Down So, what other options are being discussed? The most obvious one is to suspend visa liberalization for Georgian citizens -- a move that only requires a qualified majority of 55 percent of member states representing 65 percent of the total EU population. Sweden is the latest country to push for this, arguing that it can be done temporarily if the situation continues to worsen after Georgian local elections in early October. This view is apparently also supported by the Baltic states, Denmark, France, and Poland. Others have expressed reservations, however -- notably Greece and Slovenia. They argue that such a radical move -- with the bloc never having suspended visa liberalization for an EU candidate country before -- should be taken as an absolute last resort. It has also been pointed out that such a step would likely have more of a negative impact on ordinary Georgian citizens rather than the countrys leadership. Another alternative proposal put forward by the European Commission is to impose national entry bans on certain individuals. This is regarded as a somewhat softer measure compared to imposing a blanket suspension of EU visa liberalization or broader sanctions. However, it would only be effective if several member states chose to adopt and coordinate this approach. Whether that will happen remains uncertain, as some countries -- such as Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, and Romania -- have stressed that it still is important to keep communication channels open with Tbilisi. The internal EU document also mentions the possibility of suspending Georgias candidate status, which the bloc unanimously bestowed on the country back in December 2023. The EU, however, has never before unilaterally reversed candidate status in its history (Iceland asked Brussels to remove its EU candidate status back in 2015). Once again, unanimity would be necessary to take this step. Finally, there is an option that could likely be achieved this week: a large group of countries, led by the Baltic trio, plans to ask the European External Action Service and the European Commission to conduct a thorough assessment of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement from 2016. The goal would be to explore the possibility of suspending parts of the agreement in the future, such as the free trade provisions it includes. Such a suspension would require only a qualified majority. Briefing #2: Brussels Tightens Stance On Moldovas Pro-Russian Opposition What You Need To Know: EU foreign ministers on July 15 are expected to rubber stamp an agreement to impose sanctions on people and entities the bloc deems guilty of actions destabilizing" Moldova, where Russia still wields massive influence and maintains more than 1,000 troops in the separatist Transdniester region. The sanctions regime was first adopted in 2023 in an attempt to protect Chisinau from Moscow-backed attempts to wrestle back political control over the country. So far, 16 people and two organizations are blacklisted, most notably the fugitive oligarchs Vlad Plahotniuc and Ilan Shor, both of whom fled Moldova. The proposed new batch of listings, seen by RFE/RL, consists of seven individuals and three entities -- all in one way or another linked to Shor. Deep Background: The Russia-based Shor, whom the Moldovan police believe was responsible for a vote-buying scheme last year that nearly swung the referendum on future EU membership in the Eastern European republic, was a key figure in bank fraud scandal a decade ago in which close to $1 billion was transferred out of Moldovan banks for loans that remained unpaid. Shors political party SOR was outlawed in 2023, but a year later he launched a new political bloc from Moscow called Victory/Pobeda, which is one of the three entities proposed for sanctioning by the EU. The official sanction text notes that the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc is involved in spreading false information and in vote-buying schemes during both the referendum last year and the presidential election that returned the pro-EU President Maia Sandu to office. Shors company A7 is also listed. Described by Brussels as a firm established by Ilan Shor, together with multiple financial companies in Moscow, partnering with Russian state entities it stands accused of being the vehicle used by him to buy votes. A7 has also been accused of helping facilitate cross-border financial transfers for Russian clients in the face of Western sanctions. The third entity on the list is the Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova which according to the EU was distributing free vouchers to voters transported to a Moscow polling station, while simultaneously promoting the Card of the Citizen of the Republic of Moldova' in the Russian Federation propaganda program. This was, according to the bloc, another activity that Shor and his associates were behind. Drilling Down Another Individuals on the list also appear to be linked to Shor. Alexandru Beschieru is the leader of the Forta de Alternativa si de Salvare a Moldovei (Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova) political party, which is one of the successors of the SOR party and now finds itself under the umbrella of the Victory/Pobeda political bloc. Victoria Furtuna, the leader of the Moldova Mare (Greater Moldova) party, is another who allegedly has benefited from Shors patronage. Moldovan members of parliament Alexandr Nesterovschi and Irina Lozovan, both of the Renastere (Revival) party which is perceived to be yet another successor of the SOR party, are also proposed for blacklisting. The pair were sentenced earlier this year to 12 and six years in prison, respectively, for illegal financing of political parties. Both disappeared after their convictions, with Chisinau authorities believing that they currently are hiding in the breakaway Transdniester region. The leader of the Renaissance party, Natalia Parasca, is also included in the EU document with the bloc pointing out that she is a member of the board of the already sanctioned entity Evrazia, which according to the files is actively involved in the illegal financing schemes of Shor. Vadim Grozavu, leader of the Victory Party and Alexei Lungu, who heads the Chance Party, are also to be blacklisted. The EU sanctions do not, however, include the mayor of Chisinau, Ion Ceban.There was confusion on July 9 when the Romanian Foreign Ministry announced on its website that due to national security considerations, Bucharest had barred him from entering Romania. on its website that due to national security considerations, Bucharest had barred him from entering Romania. That the measure also included a ban on access to the EUs Schengen area, which encompasses most EU countries as well as non-EU countries such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Ceban will be included in the Schengen Information System (SIS), which is a Schengen area database used for sharing information on border management and security, unless he appeals the decision. But that stops short of a full ban as individual European capitals can undercut the Romanian ban by issuing a visa to their country or simply just allowing him entry. Looking Ahead On July 16, the European Commission will present its first draft proposal for the next long-term EU budget (2028-2034). The proposed budget of over a trillion euros ($1.2 trillion) will kick off a debate in Brussels that will drag on for months, as member states will fight among themselves over how much money should be spent on various items. Perhaps the most interesting question will be how much money will go to EU foreign policy and enlargement, with the bloc expected to take in new members during the new budget period. That's all for this week! Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on X @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org. Until next time, Rikard Jozwiak If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition subscribe here. Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaas visit to Baku last weekend highlighted a dramatic shift in regional alliances, prompting a mix of concern, suspicion, and strategic recalculation across Iranian media. Official statements following Sharaas meeting with President Ilham Aliyev emphasized a new era in Syrian-Azerbaijani relations. Both leaders acknowledged past stagnation, directly blaming ousted President Bashar al-Assads unfriendly policy and pledged to restore and deepen cooperation. Notably, the visit yielded a deal to export Azerbaijani gas to Syria via Turkey, with officials hailing the agreement as a needed remedy for Syrias chronic energy crisis. Meanwhile, various outlets, including Israeli media, claimed that Syrian and Israeli officials met on the sidelines of the trip. Its unclear whether Sharaa attended the meeting, but the mere occurrence of such a meeting -- facilitated by Azerbaijan, Israels key ally in the region -- has further fueled concerns in Tehran. Sharaa, a former insurgent known under the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, joined forces with Turkishbacked rebels and, in December 2024, led his Hayat Tahrir alSham (HTS) faction in a lightning offensive that ultimately toppled the Iran and Russiabacked Assad government. Security Challenges A shared concern in Iranian media is what is seen as a shifting militant footprint from the Syrian battlefield to the Caucasus -- right on Irans doorstep. Arman-e Melli, a pro-reform newspaper, argued that one aspect of the budding relationship between Damascus and Baku will involve the transfer of Syria-based fighters through Turkey into bases in Azerbaijan -- a potential development it described as a mission for Sharaa. It speculated that their presence is meant to destabilize areas along the borders of Iran and Russia and to carry out operations targeting the broader axis of China, Russia, and Iran. The conservative newspaper Farhikhtegan struck a similar tone, arguing that Sharaa sees the redeployment of his fighters to meet a US demand to expel foreign fighters from Syria. Under such a plan, the paper said, Azerbaijan would emerge as a strategic hub; either a staging ground for further infiltration into the Caucasus and Russia or a site for settlement in areas such as Karabakh. A Message To Iran Israels i24NEWS network, citing an unnamed Syrian source, claimed that Israel and the United States had made decision for Baku to host a meeting between Israeli and Syrian officials to send a message to Iran. Referencing the report, Irans state broadcaster-run Jam-e Jam newspaper charged that given Bakus track record of alleged involvement in antiIranian operations over the years, and suspicions about its cooperation with Israel during the last months war, this could well be taken as clear evidence that some neighboring countries are working with Israel against Iran. Jam-e Jam specifically named Azerbaijan and its allies Turkey and Israel as the countries involved in shaping new dynamics that work against Irans interests. The paper argued that ultimately Iran will need to safeguard its national interests with both diplomatic and security savvy, including strengthening ties with neighbors such as Armenia and Russia, and taking a firm stand against Bakus provocations. Tehran has watched with growing concern as Azerbaijan forges evercloser links with Israel. In recent years, the partnership has significantly expanded, highlighted by deepening defense collaboration and Bakus decision to open an embassy in Tel Aviv in 2023 -- developments that have only heightened Iranian mistrust. Irans president, Masud Pezeshkian, last month pressed Aliyev to investigate and verify reports that Israeli drones, including microdrones, had crossed into Iranian airspace through Azerbaijani territory during the 12-day war the ended in a ceasefire on June 24. Aliyev rejected the allegations, affirming that his government would never permit Azerbaijani territory to be used against Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked US President Donald Trump for his willingness to support Kyiv hours after the US leader vowed to provide a major influx of new weapons to Ukraine and threatened Russia with severe new financial measures. "We discussed the necessary means and solutions with the president to provide better protection for people from Russian attacks and to strengthen our positions," Zelenskyy said in a post on X about his July 14 phone call with Trump. It was a very good conversation. Thank you for the willingness to support Ukraine and to continue working together to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace, Zelenskyy wrote. The Ukrainian leaders remarks came after Trump earlier in the day threatened Moscow with "very severe" tariffs if there is no cease-fire agreement between Kyiv and Moscow within 50 days and vowed to supply Ukraine with billions of dollars worth of new military hardware that will be paid for by NATO members. Trump, speaking at a White House news conference with NATO chief Mark Rutte, said he had agreed with the Western military alliance to supply the military hardware to Ukraine "within days." The weapons will include Patriot missile systems and batteries, Trump added, noting the United States will receive money for all of the equipment it sends to NATO for use in Ukraine. "We are very unhappy, I am, with Russia," Trump said as part of his promised "major statement" on his newly stated policy toward Moscow after years of praising Russian President Vladimir Putin Rutte said Britain, Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark would be among the countries paying for weapons to supply Ukraine, adding that speed is of the essence here. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on July 14 said Berlin would play a "decisive role" in the new strategy. President Trump took an important initiative today: The US will provide Ukraine with weapons on a large scale if European partners finance it, Merz wrote on X. We do this in our own interest. This will help Ukraine defend itself against Russia's bombing terror. This is the only way to increase the pressure on Moscow to finally negotiate peace. After all, we are showing that we are pulling in the same direction as security policy partners, he added. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who was in Washington to meet with US Pete Hegseth, said Berlin had offered to buy two Patriot systems under the deal. "Germany will continue to play a leading and reliable role in the [NATO] alliance," Pistorius said. Pistorius added that a decision on the purchase of the sophisticated Patriot missile systems to be provided to Ukraine will come within days or weeks. The German defense chief also said Berlin had sent a request to Washington asking for a potential purchase of Typhoon long-range missiles, which could be used in the interim before Germany and other European nations will be able to develop similar own long-range weapons. Trump also threatened to hit Russia on the financial front, saying he would use trade to help force an end to the war, which is now in its fourth year, adding "it's great for settling wars." "We are going to do very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days," Trump said, adding that he was talking about secondary tariffs meaning they could be placed on countries trading with Russia --"at about 100 percent." He gave no further details. Earlier in the day, US special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv for talks on procuring weapons to repel invading Russian forces. "We discussed the path to peace and what we can practically do together to bring it closer. This includes strengthening Ukraine's air defense, joint production, and procurement of defense weapons in collaboration with Europe," Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X. "And of course, sanctions against Russia and those who help it," he said, adding "it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless it's unreasonable ambitions are curbed through strength." Kellogg said that, in his talks with Zelenskyy, he discussed Trumps landmark NATO deal that will accelerate the best US made weapons to Ukraine. "Funded entirely by allies, it speeds delivery, supports Ukraines defense, strengthens NATO unity, and underscores his commitment to peace through strength." Kyiv and cities across Ukraine have come under repeated heavy air attacks from Russia forces in recent weeks, raising the ire of Trump and other officials in Washington, who have begun questioning whether Putin wants to hold peace talks to end Europe's longest and deadliest conflict since the end of World War II. At the same time, Ukraines outgunned and outmanned army is also facing pressure on the ground as Russian forces are making new efforts to drive back Ukrainian defenders along a 1,000-kilometer front line in the east of the embattled country. Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Brussels on July 15 to discuss the war, including the imposition of a possible 18th package of sanctions on Russia. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Reuters, AFP, and AP The Ukrainian Army is suffering its heaviest losses in the Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk areas in the Donetsk region, where battles are intensifying. Current Time correspondent Borys Sachalko met with the workers handling fallen soldiers as they arrive at a morgue, where one employee said, "If you take every death to heart, youll lose your mind." As Russian forces battle for control of Kostyantynivka, in Ukraines Donetsk region, soldiers behind the front lines are forced to cope with the terrible impact. Servicemen working at a morgue outside the city must identify the bodies of the fallen soldiers who are brought to the site every day. Yevhen, an officer of the Ukrainian militarys 93rd Brigade, is one of the workers who helps ID the remains so that relatives can be notified and burial can be arranged. "Sometimes, the injuries are so bad that the face is unrecognizable. Then it's marked as 'unidentified,'" Yevhen said. We look for tattoos, scars, or previous injuries as identifying marks, he explained. And if none of those means of identification are possible, the workers arrange for DNA testing. The servicemen carefully remove the victims possessions, photograph them, and store them for transport with the body. That might include documents, phones, wallets, and rings or other jewelry. But some say one type of possession hits them the hardest emotionally: letters from soldiers children, carefully stored in their pockets. Yevhen described the pain of learning that a fallen serviceperson left children behind. And some of the dead were very young themselves, he said. At first, you feel it all, Yevhen said. But then you realize, if you take every death to heart, youll lose your mind. Sadly, you just have to keep going and just do it. One of his co-workers, named Andriy, has been working in the morgue for three years. The emotional toll has not lessened in that time, he said. You can never get used to it, Andriy said. You just accept that this is war, and in war, people die. But he has seen changes in the nature of the war since the early days. Gunshot wounds were last common around mid-2022. Now, we might see one maybe every two or three months, Andriy said. Instead, the casualties of war are now mostly caused by drone strikes, mortars, and artillery. The fighting has only intensified around Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk, as Russia battles for control of the two strategic cities. The rise of drone warfare has also complicated the work of evacuating bodies, as Kostyantynivka and other frontline sites remain under threat from aerial attack. But for those who have been recovered, the morgue workers help ensure that they are returned home for a dignified burial. This is a job with a lot of responsibility. And its a necessary job, Andriy said. Because these are someone's relatives, parents, brothers, husbands. Ukraines prime minister said he has submitted his resignation, part of a major, widely anticipated reshuffle of the war-torn country's government. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was expected to accept the resignation of Denys Shmyhal, who has served under Zelenskyy since 2020 -- before Russias all-out invasion in February 2022. He posted a photograph of Shmyhal's handwritten resignation letter on July 15. Shmyhals replacement will be Yulia Svyrydenko, who has been serving as first deputy prime minister. A technocrat, Svyrydenko had taken a prominent role in negotiations with the United States over a deal granting US companies access to Ukraines valuable minerals and rare earths. In announcing the shakeup, Zelenskyy said Svyrydenko would seek to expand Ukraines domestic weapons production, streamline business regulations, and do more to bolster the countrys social welfare system. After more than 40 months of often relentless Russian bombardment, Ukrainians are increasingly exhausted, though still largely in support of the war effort. Opinion polls have shown that support for Zelenskiy among Ukrainians is still high, though lagging behind other prominent public figures, most notably Valeriy Zaluzhniy, who served as the countrys top military commander before resigning and becoming ambassador to Britain. Elected in 2019, Zelenskyy invoked martial law after the Russian invasion, which precludes holding new elections. He himself has come under criticism for not calling a presidential election, which most analysts say would be impossible to conduct during war-time conditions. Russian President Vladimir Putin has used that as a cudgel to allege that Zelenskyy was illegitimate. In February US President Donald Trump also criticized Zelenskyy calling him a dictator without elections though he has since toned down his words while also increasing his criticism of Putin. Zelenskyy was also expected to remove his defense minister, Rustem Umerov, and appoint him as ambassador to Washington. Shmyhal has been tapped by Zelenskyy to take over the Defense Ministry. All of the nominations require parliamentary approval, which is not expected to be an issue. Fifty-nine Ukrainian non-governmental organizations have issued a joint call to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding an investigation of an anti-corruption campaigner that has provoked widespread outrage. The groups issued an open letter on July 15 as Vitaliy Shabunin, one of Ukraines most prominent activists on corruption issues, was due in court. According to Ukrainian investigators, hes suspected of systematically evading military service while claiming army pay worth $1,200 per month and illegally using a military vehicle. We emphasize that this procedural action is in no way related to his professional activities, investigators said. But the case has reignited concern that Ukraines deep-rooted problems with corruption are not being tackled, with efforts to promote accountability and transparency facing pushback from powerful vested interests. Shabunin was mobilized in 2022, and is accused of failing to appear "at the place of duty for a long period and, under the guise of 'business trips,' was in civilian institutions that are not part of the defense forces." He is also charged with taking a monthly cash allowance given to soldiers "despite his actual absence from the military unit." However, Shabunins supporters, including his the Anti-Corruption Center (ACC), note that he was absent from his unit because he was seconded to work on an official government anti-corruption body. "The investigator's accusations are absolutely absurd, since Vitaliy was seconded to the [National Agency for Corruption Prevention] NACP in accordance with an order that, as a soldier, he simply could not fail to obey," the ACC said. Shabunin himself has called the case "a step on the path to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's corrupt authoritarianism," while even a lawmaker from Zelenskyys own party, Anastasia Radina, described the case as a selective miscarriage of justice. The statement calling for Zelenskyy to intervene in the case was signed by respected civil society groups and journalists' organizations, including the Zmina Human Rights Center, Transparency, International Ukraine, and the Bihus investigative unit. It says the case results from either complete incompetence of officials or a targeted attack aimed at putting pressure on Vitaliy Shabunin, who, while serving in the military, continued to criticize the work of state bodies." Olha Aivazovska, board chairwoman at Opora, a Kyiv-based civil rights group that also signed the letter, said campaigning for transparency had made Shabunin many enemies in the political establishment. Investigators said Shabunin could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the charges. Critics have pointed to what they see as double standards, with investigators going after someone accused of low-level wrongdoing while big fish remain untouched. News outlet Ukrainska Pravda contrasted Shabunins treatment with that of Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, who was charged with corruption on June 23. Investigators said he caused losses to the state of nearly 350,000 dollars. Not only did he not lose his position or was not suspended from his work, but he has also been publicly participating in the work of the international conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine in Rome, it wrote. Zelenskyys office has not so far publicly commented on the case. Its potentially embarrassing for someone who originally ran for president on an anti-corruption ticket. With Western aid pouring into Ukraine since Russias full-scale invasion in 2022, suggestions that corruption campaigners are being targeted are highly sensitive to Ukraine's administration. While public opinion has rallied behind Zelenskyys wartime leadership, corruption has been stubbornly persistent, with a series of scandals in recent years involving the Defense Ministry, national prosecutors, and wealthy businessmen. Underlining the point, Yehor Firsov, a former lawmaker and activist who now serves in the army, wrote that what happened looks like an outright political persecution while Ukrainians were fighting a war against Russia to preserve democracy and freedom. The July 15 court hearing was scheduled following a search at Shabunins Kyiv home four days earlier, in which investigators seized phones and tablets belonging to him, his wife, and two children. A search was also carried out at an address near Kharkiv, where he was serving in the military. The ACC said the searches were conducted without the necessary court orders. The goal is simple - to undermine our activities to expose government corruption. Therefore, we expect further provocations," Shabunin said. The 40-year-old has often faced heavy-handed pushback for his work. In 2020, his home was burned down in a suspected arson attack. In 2018, he suffered chemical burns when attackers threw a green antiseptic in his face as he took part in a demonstration outside a prosecutor's office in Kyiv. Epicenter, together with the Norwegian IT company Itera, plan to develop and launch the Blaho for Communities digital platform. The Epicenter press service told Interfax-Ukraine that a corresponding memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed within the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. The Blaho for Communities platform is designed to support the reconstruction of small towns and rural areas affected by the war. Blaho will provide a digital mechanism for transparent, targeted and accountable support for Ukrainian communities by international donors. The launch of the platform is scheduled for October 2025, and it will allow donors to directly finance verified projects. "We are convinced that the effective recovery of Ukraine begins with simple, understandable solutions that can be quickly implemented on the ground. The Blaho platform is our contribution to a modern community support system that provides transparency, speed and real results. It was created to unite people, resources and ideas for the recovery of the country," emphasized Iryna Shynkarenko, Deputy Head of Epicenter K LLC for Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations and Media. The memorandum demonstrates the joint commitment of Epicenter and Itera to the creation of the Blaho platform, its further development, promotion among international partners and ensuring its sustainability in the long term. It is noted that the Blaho for Communities partnership combines Ukrainian experience in delivering humanitarian aid with Norwegian expertise in creating digital infrastructure. The full functionality of the platform will be presented during the official launch in the autumn of 2025. "For Itera, participation in the creation of the Blaho platform is not just a technological project, but an opportunity to make a real contribution to the recovery of Ukraine. We believe that digital solutions can change the lives of communities, especially in difficult times. Our team has extensive experience in developing transparent, scalable platforms, we are proud to be part of this initiative," said Oleksandra Starykova, Product Manager of the Blaho for Communities (Itera) project. The Epicenter Group of Companies is an omnichannel ecosystem uniting the Epicenter and Nova Linia retail chains, the Epicenterk.ua online store, the Epicenter-Agro agricultural holding, the Epicenter Ceramic Corporation ceramic tile factories, the Osmoloda woodworking enterprise, and logistics facilities. Olivia Kelleher Former justice minister Alan Shatter has claimed that the Occupied Territories Bill could cause enormous damage to the economy in this country if enacted. The Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory ( Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 seeks to ban the trade of goods with illegal Israeli settlements. Last month Tanaiste Simon Harris said he hoped the action being taken by Ireland will inspire other countries to do the same. He argued that the legislation would help contribute to long-term efforts to achieve a sustainable peace on the basis of the two-State solution. Consideration of the bill will resume at the Oireachtas Committee of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. Former Fine Gael politician, Alan Shatter, told Newstalk Breakfast that the legislation could have unintended consequences. I know from my past experience as a member of the Dail for over 30 years, that when theres a political consensus across all parties, the difficulty is that critical faculties are suspended. Rather than this bill in any way remotely contributing to resolving the tragic, ongoing Israel-Gaza war, or to resolving ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its really a Father Ted-like provision; of no relevance of any description for resolving conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. It does have the potential to do enormous damage to Ireland, to our economy, to our reputation. Mr Shatter said that that the legislation would make Ireland utterly and completely irrelevant in relation to any talks about conflict resolution in the region. He stressed that there are minimal imports into this country from the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The bill indicates that with respect of the Irish Government, that no Jewish person should reside or work in East Jerusalem or on the West Bank. So, this will be the first time, a bill enacted by a European Parliament... specifically targets Jews. We havent had that since the end of the Nazi regime in 1945. Mr Shatter warns that the bill is a flagrant breach of European Union law given Irelands membership of the Customs Union. This is an exclusive area of European Union competence and there are very specific legal positions relating to this - despite all the political rhetoric around it. And also, if this bill is enacted, it will seriously impact on the post-Brexit arrangements for the free movement of goods between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The final countdown is on for entries to Irelands Greenest Places 2025 with only days remaining for people to submit their nominations. But youll have to act fast to be in with a chance to claim the title for the place you select, as the closing date of July 19th is fast approaching. At this stage Roscommon has four nominations. However counties Leitrim, Sligo, Galway, Westmeath and Clare have yet to be nominated. The four nominations from Roscommon are all in respect of the Farming Rathcroghan Project. One of the submissions described the project in detail: The farmland comprising the ancient royal landscape of Rathcroghan is a little greener than most, due to the initiative of the local landowners, farmers and the surrounding community. The Farming Rathcroghan Project, previously sponsored through the EU European Innovation Partnership and currently supported by the EU Just Transition Fund, had an ambitious agenda from the outset: to promote sustainable farming in the Rathcroghan archaeological landscape. Established in 2018, with the practical support and advisory expertise of other key stake-holders in its design, evolution and management, Farming Rathcroghan is actively addressing the critical challenges of rural depopulation, sustainable land-use, and climate change. The Project currently boasts sixty participating farming families, with a list of others waiting to join the programme. Farming Rathcroghans success can be measured in the positive impact, ambition and cohesion that it has brought to the wider community. It is based on a simple model of collaborative, community-led governance. It promotes the imaginative solutions and inventive innovations devised by members of the community itself, and actively engages with these initiatives towards sustaining a fulfilling farming livelihood, whilst simultaneously promoting the stewardship, conservation and protection of the archaeological, ecological and cultural heritage of the area. Farming Rathcroghans brief also addresses wider environmental concerns; the maintenance of ground-water quality, carbon sequestration, and other actions in support of government policy towards achieving a climate-neutral economy. It also promotes best agricultural and farming practices to protect soils, promote grassland biodiversity and maintain and manage hedgerows and marginal lands. It has also initiated a programme of drystone wall repair and the protection of traditional and vernacular built heritage unique to Rathcroghan. The Rathcroghan farming community have demonstrated the benefits of embracing farming traditions that are as old as its archaeological monuments, but with the addition of some modern, imaginative, green-tinged innovations. The search which has been launched by The Irish Times, in association with Electric Ireland, will see each nominated place judged on specific criteria including its beneficial environmental impact, level of ongoing collective engagement by the community and evidence of behavioural change by people. The Chair of the Judging Panel, Irish Times Features Editor Mary Minihan said they are looking for places which offer a vision of a more sustainable future. We chose place because its a deliberately broad term. People can nominate a suburb, village, town or community such as a peninsula, island or other distinct area anywhere on the island. The key will be how it measures up against the criteria outlined above as well of course as care for nature and the local environment. Over the next couple of months our judges will draw up longlists and shortlists based on the submissions, visit the front-runners, choose winners in each category and eventually choose an overall winner. We are delighted to have four entries already from Roscommon and we are looking forward to getting some more to help us identify Irelands Greenest Places 2025. But please submit your short nomination up to 300 words - as soon as possible, as the closing date is July 19th. If you know a place in Ireland that deserves recognition for its contribution to a greener future, visit https://tinyurl.com/GreenestPlaces to submit your nomination. Bihar Laghu Udyam Yojana: First Installment Distribution Ceremony In the financial year 2023-24, an amount of Rs 411.58 crore has been distributed as first and second installments to 40,099 beneficiaries... Bihar Laghu Udyam Yojana: First Installment Distribution Ceremony Patna, The Bihar Laghu Udyam Yojana launched by the Government of Bihar to promote self-reliance and self-employment, the first installment distribution ceremony was organized today at the Convention Hall, Patna. Advertisement The ceremony is dedicated to those innovators, women and youth who have taken the first step towards self-reliance. Now their dreams will get the support of the Bihar Government and strong support of schemes. Bihar Laghu Udyam Yojana was launched by the Government of Bihar in the year 2024, with the aim of providing financial assistance for self-employment to economically weaker families identified in the caste-based census. Under this scheme, a grant amount of Rs 2 lakh is provided in three installments to the selected beneficiaries to set up their business. This scheme is for those permanent residents of Bihar, whose age is between 18 to 50 years and whose monthly family income is less than Rs 6,000 or annual income is less than Rs 72,000. Applicants have to choose one of the 61 projects identified under the scheme. In the financial year 2023-24, an amount of Rs 411.58 crore has been distributed as first and second installments to 40,099 beneficiaries finally selected under this scheme. In the financial year 2024-25, out of 2,32,900 applications received through Udyam Portal, 59,901 applicants (SC-14,838, ST-1,342, BC-15,755, EBC-20,761, General-7,205) were provisionally selected through computerized randomization system, which also includes last year's vacancies (9,901). In addition, 11,980 applicants have been kept on the waiting list. After scrutiny of provisionally selected applications, 56,248 applicants (SC-13,890, ST-1,072, BC-15,177, EBC-19,775, General-6,334) have been finally selected. All these beneficiaries are being provided 3-day training through Upendra Maharathi Craft Research Institute in the respective District Industry Centers. Advertisement In today's ceremony, a total amount of Rs 100.53 crore was distributed as the first installment to 20,106 beneficiaries (SC-4,314, ST-428, BC-6,736, EBC-6,731, General-1,897) who have completed the training, at the rate of Rs 50,000 per beneficiary. These include 7,039 women beneficiaries, who are taking a strong step towards self-reliance under this scheme. Chief Guest Industry Minister Shri Nitish Mishra said, Bihar Laghu Udyam Yojana is a powerful medium to make the youth and women of Bihar self-reliant. Our goal is that every eligible person should take advantage of this scheme and join the mainstream of society through their business. This scheme will not only create employment, but will also contribute significantly in making Bihar economically strong and prosperous. This scheme is playing an important role in bringing awareness about employment among the youth of Bihar and making them self-reliant. Through this scheme, the Bihar government is not only providing financial assistance, but is also creating a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem through training and resources. Advertisement (For more news apart from Bihar Laghu Udyam Yojana: First Installment Distribution Ceremony, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) First Installment of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Latest News The sparkle in the eyes of the complainant and the expression of relief on her face were telling the story of the usefulness... First Installment of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Credited to Beneficiaries After Years of Waiting First Installment of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Latest News: To realize the visionary goal of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of "Development with Justice" towards governance and administrative reforms in Bihar, the Bihar Public Grievance Redressal Act, 2015 was implemented in the state on 5 June, 2016. Under this Act, public grievances are resolved by the designated Public Grievance Redressal Officer within the prescribed time limit of 60 working days. In this context, this is not just the story of payment of the first installment under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana but a remarkable story of the sensitivity of the government towards the weaker sections and its commitment to public welfare. Advertisement Amina Khatoon, wife- Md. Rasheed, resident of Village- Rampur Gogri, Post- Jamalpur, District- Khagaria filed an online complaint through Bihar Public Grievance Redressal Portal (Unique Number- 9999901290824493842). The complaint was regarding non-disbursement of first installment amount of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana by Union Bank, Jamalpur, Gogri. The complainant had received the sanction of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana but the first installment amount was credited to someone elses bank account. The person who received the amount was already a loan defaulter and the bank adjusted the loan as soon as the amount was credited to his account. Meanwhile, the complainant was given a notice from the block office to complete the construction of the house to receive the next installment, which made her worried as she did not receive any amount for house construction after the sanction. She was informed by the block office that the first installment amount has already been credited to her bank account. When she came to know about this act, she lodged a complaint under the Bihar Public Grievance Redressal Act, which is designed to resolve the grievances of citizens. Following the complaint, notices were issued to the Leading Bank Manager, Khagaria and Block Development Officer, Gogri by the District Public Grievance Redressal Officer (DPGRO), Khagaria and directed to appear in the hearing after resolving the complaint. Advertisement This brought a long-awaited ray of hope for Amina who was relentlessly fighting for justice. During the hearing, the manager informed that the amount of the first installment has been mistakenly transferred to the account of a loan defaulter. The already running loan was adjusted in the amount deposited. According to him, now the said amount cannot be deposited back in the account of the complainant (actual beneficiary) without the permission of the higher official of the bank management. During the hearing, the District Public Grievance Redressal Officer, Khagaria stated that it was unethical to use the amount received under the government aided scheme for debt settlement and the complainant would remain homeless for life. The District Public Grievance Redressal Officer directed the Block Development Officer and Lead Bank Manager to deposit the amount in the beneficiary's account. As a result, the bank obtained the necessary permission from the headquarters and deposited the first installment amount in the account of Amina Khatoon. Thus her complaint was finally redressed. Advertisement The sparkle in the eyes of the complainant and the expression of relief on her face were telling the story of the usefulness and effectiveness of this action. (For more news apart from After Years Of Wait, First Installment Of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Transferred To The Accounts Of Beneficiaries, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Zelenskyy: USA, Germany and Norway already working on supplying weapons to Ukraine, in particular Patriot Following a conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the United States, Germany and Norway are already working on supplying Ukraine with the necessary weapons, in particular the Patriot systems. I spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Another very good conversation. Mark informed about todays meeting in Washington with President Trump and about the details of cooperation between Europe and the U.S. to continue and strengthen support for Ukraine, he said on X. The President stressed that Ukraine appreciates the willingness to provide its Armed Forces with additional Patriot systems. There will also be deliveries of other weapons to protect lives of our people and repel Russian assaults, he added. Zelenskyy recalled the importance of increasing pressure on Russia for the sake of peace and preserving people's lives. Bihar Cabinet Meeting: Key Decisions Taken Under CM Nitish Kumar's Leadership The cabinet approved proposals related to employment generation, new appointments, and infrastructure development in Bihar. Bihar Cabinet Meeting: Key Decisions Taken Under CM Nitish Kumars Leadership In a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today on Tuesday, July 15, the Bihar government approved 30 agendas, the ZEE Bihar Jharkhand reported. Advertisement According to the report, with the Bihars elections approaching, the NDA government is placing special focus on the youth. A major decision was made in this meeting to boost employment and appeal to the younger population. The cabinet approved proposals related to employment generation, new appointments, and infrastructure development in Bihar. One of the key decisions includes the approval of a target to provide 1 crore (10 million) jobs over the next five years. Additionally, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) involved in voter list revision will receive a one-time honorarium of 6,000 rupees from the government. Advertisement Other major decisions include: Personnel of the Bomb Disposal Squad will be given a monthly risk allowance amounting to 30% of their basic salary. An approval of rupees 7,832.29 crore has been granted for the expansion of the Western Kosi Canal Project. Under the Bihar Businessman Accident Death Grant Scheme 2025, a grant of 5 lakh rupees will be provided in case of accidental death. Judicial service officers in Bihar will now receive annual salary increments similar to other state employees. Land has been approved for the construction of Mandal Jail in Sheohar. Road construction under the Ganga Project in Vaishali district has also been approved. (For more news apart from Bihar Cabinet Meeting: Key Decisions Taken Under CM Nitish Kumars Leadership, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) SpaceX Confirms Splashdown of Dragon Capsule Carrying IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Ax-4 Crew Splashdown of Dragon confirmed welcome back to Earth, @AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz, and Tibi! Dragon Capsule with IAFs Shubhanshu Shukla and Ax-4 Crew Safely Splashes Down Latest News: SpaceX has confirmed the successful splashdown of the Dragon capsule carrying Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts from the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). The capsule landed off the coast of California on Tuesday. Advertisement SpaceX went live during the event, providing real-time updates on the splashdown. Both the drogue parachutes and the four main parachutes of the Dragon capsule were successfully deployed, ensuring a safe return for the crew. Splashdown of Dragon confirmed welcome back to Earth, @AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz, and Tibi! SpaceX posted on X (formerly Twitter). This is Dragons second human spaceflight mission to splash down off the coast of California after the Fram2 mission, which returned Dragon recovery operations to the West Coast this past April, SpaceX said in another post earlier. Advertisement Following multiple delays, Group Captain Shukla and his team embarked on their historic space journey aboard Axiom Mission 4, which launched successfully at 2:31 a.m. EDT (0631 GMT) on June 25, 2025, from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Shubhanshu Shukla is now Indias second national astronaut to travel to space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharmas historic flight in 1984. Originally scheduled for June 11, the Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station was delayed by about two weeks due to unfavorable high-altitude wind conditions, as confirmed in a SpaceX report. Advertisement (For more news apart from Dragon Capsule with IAFs Shubhanshu Shukla and Ax-4 Crew Safely Splashes Down, Confirms SpaceX, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Odisha, Balasore Student Who Self-Immolated Dies, Why did she take the extreme step? (Image Courtesy: The Hindu) (In the image, Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi meets the parents and family members) The student's tragic death has drawn sharp criticism across the country. Odisha, Balasore Student Who Self-Immolated Dies, Why did she take the extreme step? Balasore, Odisha: In a deeply disturbing development, the Odisha student who had suffered 95% burns after self-immolating in protest against alleged sexual harassment by the Head of the Education Department at Fakir Mohan College has died, India Today reported on Monday night. Advertisement The deceased was a second-year student enrolled in the integrated B.Ed. program at Fakir Mohan College in Balasore. She set herself on fire near the college gate on Saturday during a peaceful protest that had been ongoing since July 1. The protestors were demanding action against the HOD, accusing him of sexual harassment and the institution of ignoring her repeated pleas. After the incident, the student was initially taken to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment. Doctors confirmed that her condition was critical, with severe damage to her kidneys and lungs. At this moment, we cannot say anything conclusive, Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, had said on Sunday. The incident has sparked outrage across the state. The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has formed an eight-member fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the student's drastic step. Congress leader Pawan Khera on Sunday condemned the BJP-led state government, calling it a case of institutional apathy and criminal complicity that pushed the young woman to the brink. Advertisement According to reports, the student had made repeated appeals for help, both to the college authorities and through social media. On July 13, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognizance of the incident. The commission condemned the act and directed the Director General of Police, Odisha, to ensure a fair and time-bound investigation. An action-taken report has been demanded within three days. The accused, Sameer Kumar Sahu, Head of the Education Department, has been arrested by the police. Advertisement The students tragic death has drawn sharp criticism across the country. (For more news apart from Odisha, Balasore Student Who Self-Immolated Dies, Why did she take the extreme step?, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Organized murder by the system: Rahul Gandhi Criticizes BJP over the Death of Self-Immolated Girl If the CM has an iota of sympathy for the family, he must ask for the resignation of the education minister..." The Death Of Self-Immolated Girl, Balasore Odisha Latest News Balasore, Odisha: Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday has strongly criticized the BJP government over the death of the Balasore student who self-immolated, calling the incident nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system. Advertisement The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system, Gandhi wrote in a post on X. The student succumbed to her injuries on Monday night. "The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14," said AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Advertisement Rahul Gandhi, in his post, said, That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment - but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her. The Congress MP alleged that the BJP government continuously protected the accused. As always, the BJP's system continued to shield the accused - and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire. This is not suicide; it is an organized murder by the system, Gandhi said. aaaaa aaa aaaaaa aa aaa aaaaa aa aaaYa aa aaa, aaaa-aaaa BJP aa aaaaaYa aaaaaa aa aa aaaaa aaa aa aaaaaa aaaaaa aa aaa aaaa aa aaaaaaa aaaaa aa aa - aaaaa aaaaa aaaa aa aaaa, aaa aaaaaa aaa, aaaaaaaaa aaaa aaa, aaa-aaa aaaaaaa aaaa aaaa aaaaaaa aaaa aaaaa aaaa aa, aaa aaa aaaaaa Advertisement July 15, 2025 He also called out Prime Minister Narendra Modi for keeping mum on grievous incidents happening in the country. Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur - the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you? You remain silent. The country doesn't need your silence; it needs answers. India's daughters need safety and justice, he added. The student from Fakir Mohan College in Balasore, who succumbed to burn injuries, was cremated at her native place on Tuesday. The Minister of Education and MP (Lok Sabha) from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan, criticized Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the tragic demise, calling it cheap politics and accused him of turning a sensitive matter into a political weapon. Advertisement The cheap politics played by Rahul Gandhi and Congress on the tragic incident involving Odishas daughter is extremely unfortunate. Turning a serious and sensitive matter into a political weapon reflects Rahul Gandhis petty mindset. Congress has seized this opportunity to bake its political bread, Pradhan said in a post on X. Prime Minister Modi ji and the BJP have always taken concrete steps for womens safety and justice, while Congress has consistently sought opportunities in every tragedy. On this incident, the Odisha government stands with the victims family with full sensitivity, and the strictest action will be taken against the culprits; no one will be spared. However, this is not the time for cheap politics but for ensuring justice for the victims family. Rahul Gandhi should immediately apologize to the victims family for his irresponsible statement, Pradhan added. President of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Naveen Patnaik, also expressed deep sadness over the death. In a post on X, Naveen Patnaik wrote, deeply saddened and heartbroken to learn about the demise May the Almighty grant infinite patience to her family to face such a time. Naveen Patnaik also criticized the system that led to the tragic incident. It is even more disturbing to think how a failed system can take someone's life. The most painful part is that this was not an accident, but rather the result of a system that remained silent instead of helping. Struggling for justice, the girl ultimately closed her eyes, Naveen Patnaik said. Patnaik claimed that the girl had even approached a Union Minister and the Balasore MP, and said that even if one person had intervened, perhaps the girls life could have been saved. With great courage, she had written to the college principal, informing them about the sexual harassment she had faced. Even after being ignored by the college authorities, she did not give up. To seek justice, she reached out to the Higher Education Minister, the Chief Ministers office, and even a Union Minister. She also personally met the Balasore MP to share her plight. If even one person had taken responsibility and intervened personally, perhaps the girls life could have been saved, Patnaik said. He further stated that the girl lost her life not only due to the physical trauma but also because of the negligence of the state government, which left her alone in her struggle. Calling the incident an institutional betrayala planned injustice, he urged the Honorable Governor to ensure that not only the college authorities but also those in power, who failed to take any action despite the victims desperate pleas, are held accountable. BJP MP and former NCW chief Rekha Sharma stated, There was negligence on the part of the college for not acting on the student's complaint. Instead of doing politics on such issues, Rahul Gandhi should stand by the victim's family. I have never heard Rahul and Priyanka speak against atrocities against women in West Bengal. They remain quiet when such incidents happen in Congress-ruled states. BJD leader Amar Patnaik stated, "... We are all deeply distressed and anguished. The student community in Odisha are completely shocked at this negligence and callousness. A government that refused to listen to a student begging for justice and mercy from sexual harassment by her teacher Amar Patnaik continued, She had approached the local MLA, local administration, MP, the concerned minister, and finally she tweeted, tagging the CM and the education minister... Nobody listened to her plea for help... Heads must roll. The BJP must take action against the concerned ministers, the MP and the local political leaders whom she had gone to plead with. She belonged to ABVP. He also called for strict actions against the offenders. The internal complaints committee report was a sham. Their role must be investigated. A judicial inquiry and a crime branch inquiry must be initiated If the CM has an iota of sympathy for the family, he must ask for the resignation of the education minister... Educational system in our state cannot be denigrated to this extent..." Meanwhile, SP leader Rajeev Rai stated, "Rahul Gandhi should also speak about UP, where suicide was attempted outside the CM's residence. There were 14 murders in a single day. There are loots and rapes. No one knows where the Anti-Romeo squads are. Rahul Gandhi should also mention Uttar Pradesh when he speaks about such issues 'Odisha Bandh' on 17th July Odisha State Congress President Bhakta Charan Das has called for an 'Odisha Bandh' on 17th July over the death of the Balasore student. Das told ANI, She even went to the MLAThe MP also did not take this matter seriously... Was it not their responsibility to take this matter seriously? Our demand is that the Education Minister, the MLA, and the MP, all three, should resign, and their party should expel all three... On the 17th, we have called for an Odisha bandh, and we appeal to all sections to support it..." Das said. In Bhubaneswar, CPI(M) leader Suresh Panigrahi stated, "Joint opposition has resolved that Odisha will be closed on 17th July... The victim girl appealed to Odisha government, local MP and MLA, Principal, District Collector and SP and Higher Education Minister of state and centre but nothing happened... We demand strict judicial investigation of the whole incident, Higher Education Minister should resign and some action should be taken against local MLA and MP... This is the demand of 8 united political parties of Odisha..." (For more news apart from Odisha Congress Forms Fact-Finding Committee on Balasore Self-Immolation Case, Pawan Khera Slams BJP, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Chinese President Xi Jinping Calls for Stronger Regional Cooperation at SCO Meet "In the face of a turbulent and changing international landscape, the SCO must stay focused, remain confident, act efficiently..." Chinese President Xi Jinping Calls for Stronger Regional Cooperation at SCO Meet Beijing, July 16 Chinese President Xi Jinping met with foreign ministers and heads of permanent bodies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Beijing on Tuesday, during the Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of SCO Member States, ANI reported, citing Chinese state media outlet Xinhua. Advertisement President Xi highlighted the organization's two-decade-long journey, emphasizing that the SCO has consistently upheld the Shanghai Spirit, evolved into a mature and dynamic regional body, and shown strong vitality. "China has always prioritized the SCO in its neighborhood diplomacy and is committed to making the organization more substantive and robustsafeguarding regional security and stability, promoting development and prosperity of member states, and building a closer community with a shared future," Xi said, as quoted by Xinhua. He added that since assuming the rotating presidency in July 2023, China has actively promoted SCO cooperation by organizing activities and encouraging joint efforts among member states to build a more cohesive and prosperous regional bloc. Advertisement The 2025 SCO Summit is scheduled to take place later this year in Tianjin, China, and President Xi expressed hope to meet with leaders of other member states at the event to discuss the future course of the organization. "In the face of a turbulent and changing international landscape, the SCO must stay focused, remain confident, act efficiently, and play a more proactive role in injecting greater stability and positive energy into the world," Xi stated. Earlier in the day, Indias External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter), Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apprised President Xi of the recent developments in our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard. Advertisement This marks Dr. Jaishankars first visit to China in five years, as he attends the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting. (For more news apart from Chinese President Xi Jinping Calls for Stronger Regional Cooperation at SCO Meet, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) July 15, 2025 A roundup of local and world news Newsflash Newsroom, 15.07.2025, 13:55 VISITS The president of Romania Nicusor Dan announced he would make official visits to Germany and Austria, focused on the economic component of foreign policy. At the end of this week, he will go to Germany, where he has meetings scheduled with president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as with members of the business community in that country. On July 25 and 26, Nicusor Dan will be in Austria, where he is scheduled to meet with president Alexander Van der Bellen and chancellor Christian Stocker, and will also attend a business forum. The 2 countries provide over 25% of foreign direct investment in Romania. MOTION The populist and hard-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), in opposition in Bucharest, announced that it had filed on Tuesday an unconstitutionality claim against what it called the Austerity Act, for which the ruling coalition took responsibility before Parliament. It is a toxic, deeply unfair and deeply unconstitutional law, an abuse of power committed with cynicism and contempt towards Romanians and towards the principles that govern an authentic democracy, AUR believes. The previous day, the joint Parliament Chambers dismissed a no-confidence motion also tabled by AUR, so the first set of fiscal measures intended to reduce the excessive budget deficit, the largest in the EU, has passed. On the other hand, several hundred employees from the Agriculture Payments and Intervention Agency, the Rural Investment Financing Agency, and the Ministry of Investments and EU Projects Tuesday picketed the Government offices to protest the cut of certain bonuses, which they say seriously affects the capacity to manage EU funds. DEBT Romanias foreign debt was approaching EUR 210 billion in May, continuing its upward trend in recent years, according to data released by the National Bank. In this context, experts believe the countrys public debt could exceed 60% of GDP next year. The main cause is the high budget deficit and, although the fiscal measures aimed at reducing it should also help improve the foreign debt situation, this does not mean that the debt will not increase, analysts say. The latest estimates by the rating agency Moodys indicate that, even after implementing the first set of fiscal measures undertaken by the executive, Romanias public debt would be kept at approximately 66.5% of GDP only starting 2029. HOLIDAY Around 27% of EU citizens aged 16 or over could not afford a one-week annual holiday away from home, Eurostat reports. According to data for 2024, the number decreased by 1.5% compared to 2023 and is significantly lower (by 10.6%) than a decade ago, in 2014. The highest proportion of people who could not afford a one-week annual holiday was reported in Romania (58.6%), Greece (46.0%) and Bulgaria (41.4%). MEETING EU foreign ministers convene in Brussels today to discuss the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, as a decision on the 18th set of sanctions against Russia is still pending, dpa reports. The sanctions proposed by the European Commission in June target Russias financial and energy sectors in response to president Vladimir Putin refusing to accept an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. The sanctions were suspended after the Slovak PM Robert Fico said he was not ready to approve the proposal, citing concerns about Slovakias gas imports. EU ministers will discuss the war with their Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, who plans to attend the meeting via video link. The agenda also includes the situation in the Middle East, after the EU announced last week an agreement with Israel to improve access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. UKRAINE The president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Monday night that he had a phone call with the US President Donald Trump, reconfirming the commitment to support Ukraine. According to a Telegram post, the two leaders discussed strengthening security and achieving a just and sustainable peace. Zelenskyy thanked his US counterpart for his willingness to work together to stop the war, while Trump shared with Zelenskyy details of his meeting with NATOs secretary general Mark Rutte. The talks included the Alliances efforts to increase defence spending, as well as the means to strengthen the protection of the Ukrainian population from Russian attacks. Zelenskyy also had a separate call with Mark Rutte, who informed him about transatlantic coordination to support Ukraine. Zelenskyy welcomed the commitment of the US, Germany and Norway to deliver additional Patriot air defense systems and other types of weapons to defend citizens and withstand Russian attacks. (AMP) July 15, 2025 Update 1 The latest news from RRI Newsflash Newsroom, 15.07.2025, 19:14 Meeting The Romanian FM, Oana Toiu, participated on Tuesday, in the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the EU member states the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), in Brussels. According to a statement from the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the officials had, among other things, discussions on Russias aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. Oana Toiu reiterated the need to continue EU support for Ukraine, with an emphasis on military, financial support and assistance in preparation for the upcoming cold season. She also stressed the need to increase pressure on Russia by adopting new restrictive measures and supported the rapid adoption of the 18th package of sanctions. Regarding developments in the Middle East, the Romanian minister stressed the importance of measures to improve the serious humanitarian situation. She also reiterated her support for concluding a peace agreement and releasing the hostages the press release also states. On the sidelines of the meeting, Oana Toiu had a meeting with her Polish counterpart, Radoslaw Sikorski, during which the two officials showed their determination to continue coordination on the regional security dimension, with an emphasis on strengthening NATOs Eastern Flank. Recovery Plan Projects worth 6.3 billion Euros included in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) can no longer be completed by the scheduled deadline, the end of August 2026, the Minister of Investments and European Projects, Dragos Pislaru announced on Tuesday. However, he gave assurances that Romania would not lose a single euro of the financing represented by the non-reimbursable funds. Dragos Pislaru presented the conclusions of the meeting of the Interministerial Coordination Committee of the PNRR, with explanations about the negotiations taking place during this period so that Brussels accepts the changes desired by the Romanian authorities, in order not to lose funds from the PNRR. He specified that the last technical discussions should take place next week, and in parallel, work is being done to simplify the targets and milestones assumed by Romania. Industry Industrial production increased by 3.4% in the European Union and 3.7% in the euro zone in May, compared to the same period of 2024, and Romania is among the EU member states where this indicator increased, according to data published on Tuesday by the European Statistical Office (Eurostat). The largest increases in industrial production in May, compared to the same period in 2024, were in Ireland, Finland, Sweden and Romania, and the most severe declines in Belgium, Bulgaria and Denmark. (LS) July 15, 2025 Update 2 Click here for the latest news from RRI Newsflash Newsroom, 15.07.2025, 20:00 Visits Romanias President, Nicusor Dan, has announced that he will pay official visits to Germany and Austria, focused on the economic component of the countrys foreign policy. At the end of this week, he will go to Germany, where he will meet with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as with representative businessmen from this country. On July 25 and 26, Nicusor Dan will be in Austria, where he is scheduled to meet with President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Christian Stocker, and will also be present at a businessmens forum. The two countries provide over 25% of direct foreign investments in Romania. Meeting The Romanian FM, Oana Toiu, participated on Tuesday, in the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the EU member states the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), in Brussels. According to a statement from the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the officials had, among other things, discussions on Russias aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. Oana Toiu reiterated the need to continue EU support for Ukraine, with an emphasis on military, financial support and assistance in preparation for the upcoming cold season. She also stressed the need to increase pressure on Russia by adopting new restrictive measures and supported the rapid adoption of the 18th package of sanctions. Regarding developments in the Middle East, the Romanian minister stressed the importance of measures to improve the serious humanitarian situation. She also reiterated her support for concluding a peace agreement and releasing the hostages the press release also states. On the sidelines of the meeting, Oana Toiu had a meeting with her Polish counterpart, Radoslaw Sikorski, during which the two officials showed their determination to continue coordination on the regional security dimension, with an emphasis on strengthening NATOs Eastern Flank. Recovery Plan Projects worth 6.3 billion Euros included in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) can no longer be completed by the scheduled deadline, the end of August 2026, the Minister of Investments and European Projects, Dragos Pislaru announced on Tuesday. However, he gave assurances that Romania would not lose a single euro of the financing represented by the non-reimbursable funds. Dragos Pislaru presented the conclusions of the meeting of the Interministerial Coordination Committee of the PNRR, with explanations about the negotiations taking place during this period so that Brussels accepts the changes desired by the Romanian authorities, in order not to lose funds from the PNRR. He specified that the last technical discussions should take place next week, and in parallel, work is being done to simplify the targets and milestones assumed by Romania. Industry Industrial production increased by 3.4% in the European Union and 3.7% in the euro zone in May, compared to the same period of 2024, and Romania is among the EU member states where this indicator increased, according to data published on Tuesday by the European Statistical Office (Eurostat). The largest increases in industrial production in May, compared to the same period in 2024, were in Ireland, Finland, Sweden and Romania, and the most severe declines in Belgium, Bulgaria and Denmark. Rating The Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and the Finance Minister, Alexandru Nazare, had a meeting with the representatives of the rating agency Standard & Poors (S&P) on Tuesday in Bucharest, during which the main fiscal-budgetary measures adopted by the Government through Package 1 were presented, as well as the measures under preparation, which aim to make the activity of state-owned companies more efficient and to manage public resources more rigorously. Also on Tuesday, the financial rating agency Fitch announced that the implementation of the latest consolidation package announced by the authorities in Bucharest would be reflected in its new revised fiscal forecasts to be published on August 15, when the next review of Romanias country rating is scheduled. All three major rating agencies (S&P, Moodys and Fitch) currently have a negative outlook associated with Romanias sovereign rating, which places the country one step away from a junk rating (not recommended for investment). Ukraine The UN called on Tuesday for the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine to be stopped urgently, in the context in which June was the deadliest month for civilians since May 2022, AFP reports. The call comes in the context in which US President Donald Trump gave Russia, on Monday, a 50-day ultimatum to end the war in Ukraine, under the threat of severe sanctions and announced a massive rearmament of Kyiv through NATO. In Brussels, the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, assessed that the 50-day deadline granted to Russia represents a very long period in a situation in which innocent civilians are dying every day. In Bucharest, the Defense Minister Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu, who met with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Romania, Ihor Prokopchuk, reiterated Romanias firm and consistent support for Ukraines sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. He stressed that, in the face of direct threats to regional security, Bucharest remains committed to multidimensional and sustainable support for Ukraine, in close coordination with NATO and the EU. (LS) Enemy hits Shostka in Sumy region with missiles Sumy official \The Russian occupiers launched three rocket strikes on Shostka at night, injuring a 14-year-old girl, Sumy Regional Military Administration head Oleh Hryhorov has said. "The victim of the night attack in Shostka is a 14-year-old child. The girl suffered injuries from glass fragments when she ran to shelter. She was hospitalized, doctors are providing all necessary assistance," he wrote in Telegram. According to Hryhorov, the enemy previously launched three rocket strikes on the city. As a result of the strike, apartment and private buildings and a medical facility building were damaged. "The enemy is deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure. Peaceful residents and children are suffering. We are working to eliminate the consequences as soon as possible," he said. First fiscal package passes Parliament The Parliament in Bucharest rejected the motion of no-confidence tabled by the opposition after the Government assumed responsibility for the latest fiscal and budgetary measures Leyla Cheamil, 15.07.2025, 14:00 In an extraordinary session on Monday, the Romanian Parliament rejected the motion of no-confidence filed by the populist and ultra-nationalist opposition against the PSD-PNL-USR-UDMR coalition government. The motion was initiated by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) and also signed by MPs from S.O.S. Romania, POT, and independents. AUR initiated this move after the government led by Liberal Ilie Bolojan took responsibility for the first package of fiscal measures aimed at reducing the budget deficit, given that the country has the largest deficit in the European Union 9.3% of the Gross Domestic Product. The initiators wanted to block the tax increases provided for in the fiscal package, which, in their opinion, only bring austerity to ordinary people. With the rejection of the motion, the fiscal package is considered adopted and sent for promulgation. During the general debates on the motion of no-confidence, the AUR leader, George Simion, criticized the large number of deputy prime ministers and the austerity measures proposed only for low-income populations. The most important measures included in the fiscal package include an increase in VAT, the elimination of the exemption from health insurance contributions for pensioners whose monthly income exceeds 3,000 lei (600 euros), and an increase in excise duties on tobacco, alcohol, and fuel. In addition, salaries and pensions in the public sector will remain capped next year. The proposed fiscal package is necessary to overcome a crisis situation, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said. He stressed that some criticisms were unfounded and called for fair alternatives to the proposed measures. The prime minister has added that Romania is beginning to regain trust on international markets and that the countrys borrowing costs have started to fall. Ilie Bolojan has also stated that he will continue the process of bringing order to the finances, stopping the waste of public money, restoring fairness, and making state institutions accountable. One of the most criticized measures is the VAT increase. The head of state, Nicusor Dan, who had promised during the election campaign that it would not be increased, maintained his opinion that it could have been avoided by the government. However, this would have required a complex set of other fiscal provisions and in-depth discussions with the European Commission and rating agencies, says the head of state, and the executive was under time pressure and forced to approve measures that would immediately bring money into the budget to avoid the countrys downgrading. The president also believes that all these financial restrictions are temporary and that, with Romanias accession to the OECD at the end of next year, the countrys financial situation will be much better. The fiscal and budgetary measures for which the government has assumed responsibility in Parliament have sparked discontent among trade unions, which have taken to the streets to protest. Trade unionists say that the economic and social policies currently being promoted by the political class are an attack on employees, pensioners, and the most vulnerable citizens. (MI) China will release a batch of data on Tuesday, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. On tap are Q2 numbers for gross domestic product and June figures for industrial production, retail sales, fixed asset investment and unemployment. GDP is expected to rise 1.0 percent on quarter and 5.0 percent on year after adding 1.2 percent on quarter and 5.4 percent on year in the three months prior. Industrial production is tipped to add 5.6 percent on year, easing from 5.8 percent in May. Sales are called higher by an annual 5.2 percent, down from 6.4 percent in the previous month. FAI is tipped to rise 3.6 percent on year, down from 3.7 percent. The jobless rate is seen steady at 5.0 percent. South Korea will provide June numbers for imports, exports and trade balance. In May, imports were up 3.3 percent on year and exports rose an annual 4.3 percent for a trade surplus of $9.08 billion. Australia will see July results for the consumer sentiment index from Westpac; in June, the index was up 0.5 percent. Indonesia will release June data for imports, exports and trade balance. In May, imports were up 4.14 percent on year and exports rose an annual 9.68 percent for a trade surplus of $4.30 billion. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. The Australian stock market is trimming its early gains in mid-market trading on Tuesday, reversing the losses in the previous two sessions, following the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is moving above the 8,600 level, with gains across most sectors led by and financial stocks. Iron ore miners were the only weak spot. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index is gaining 37.60 points or 0.44 percent to 8,608.00, after touching a high of 8,632.60 earlier. The broader All Ordinaries Index is up 36.60 points or 0.42 percent to 8,851.90. Australian stocks closed slightly lower on Monday. Among the major miners, BHP Group, Fortescue Metals and Rio Tinto are all losing almost 1 percent each. Mineral Resources is edging up 0.1 percent. Oil stocks are mostly higher. Woodside Energy and Santos are gaining almost 1 percent each, while Origin Energy is adding almost 2 percent and Beach energy is edging up 0.4 percent. Among tech stocks, Afterpay owner Block is surging almost 6 percent, Appen is advancing more than 5 percent, Zip is adding almost 3 percent, Xero is up more than 1 percent and WiseTech Global is gaining almost 2 percent. Gold miners are mostly higher. Gold Road Resources is gaining almost 1 percent and Northern Star resources is adding 1.5 percent, while Newmont and Evolution Mining are edging up 0.4 percent each. Resolute Mining is losing more than 3 percent. Among the big four banks, ANZ Banking, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank and Westpac are edging up 0.1 to 0.4 percent each. In other news, shares in Tyro Payments are tumbling almost 5 percent after the Reserve Bank announced it would ban surcharges on all debit and credit transactions under the eftpos, Mastercard and Visa networks in a bid to overhaul the payments system. In the currency market, the Aussie dollar is trading at $0.655 on Tuesday. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis China's registered a faster-than-expected growth in the second quarter with strong support from exports and industrial production despite the US trade tariff threats but weaker investment and persistent deflation continued to pose challenges. Gross domestic product expanded 5.2 percent on a yearly basis after rising 5.4 percent in the previous quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics said. Nonetheless, the growth was above economists' forecast of 5.0 percent. For the first half of the year, GDP expanded 5.3 percent from the same period last year, signaling that the economy remains on track to achieve its full year growth target of around 5 percent. Data showed that industrial production jumped 6.8 percent in June, faster than the 5.8 percent increase in May. The growth rate was expected to ease to 5.6 percent. Retail sales grew at a slower pace of 4.8 percent year-on-year after advancing 6.4 percent in the previous month. Moreover, this was weaker than forecast of 5.2 percent. Fixed asset investment data disappointed again as geopolitical tensions and trade policies weighed on private investment. In the first half of the year, fixed asset investment grew 2.8 percent, missing expectations for a 3.6 percent rise and also weaker than the 3.7 percent rise seen in the January to May period. The decline in property investment worsened to 11.2 percent in the first half of the year from 10.7 percent in the January to May period. The jobless rate remained unchanged at 5.0 percent in June as expected. June trade data showed that China's exports grew strongly by 5.8 percent due to the de-escalation of trade tensions with the US and a surge in shipments to ASEAN and EU economies. ING economist Lynn Song said sharper-than-expected slowdowns in fixed asset investment, retail sales and falling property prices are a concern. The second half of the year could prove to be more challenging as trade tariff uncertainty will remain an overhang with the next key deadlines coming up soon in August, the economist noted. That said, the strength of the first half should keep China on track to achieve its full year target of around 5 percent growth, Song said. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News As part of implementing President Donald Trump's Executive Order declaring English as the official language of the United States, the Department of Justice said it will lead a coordinated effort across federal agencies to minimize non-essential multilingual services. The Department also announced plans to redirect resources toward English-language education and assimilation, and ensure legal compliance with the Executive Order through targeted measures where necessary. Monday, the Department of Justice released Guidance to ensure compliance with the Presidential Executive Order No. 14224, issued by the White House on March 1. "As President Trump has made clear, English is the official language of the United States," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "The Department of Justice will lead the effort to codify the President's Executive Order and eliminate wasteful virtue-signaling policies across government agencies to promote assimilation over division." According to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, the Executive Order marks a pivotal step toward unifying the nation through a common language and enhancing efficiency in federal operations. The Department of Justice says its Guidance will help streamline federal processes, reduce administrative burdens, and increase operational efficiency across agencies by removing extensive translation services and de-prioritizing multilingualism over English proficiency. Trump's Executive Order rescinds another Executive Order that President Bill Clinton signed 25 years ago. Executive Order No. 13,166 directed agencies to enhance access to federal programs for persons with limited English proficiency and required tailored guidance for recipients of federal funding. Reports quoting experts say the Justice Department's move to implement the executive order will possibly meet with legal and practical challenges, including if it will ban federal employees from speaking their mother tongue or languages other than English. Some federal court rulings have found that failing to provide certain services in other languages can be discriminatory. As a nation of immigrants from across the world, the United States' federal agencies have been providing services and documents in other languages for so many years, benefiting millions. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The International Dairy Foods Association, or IDFA, has announced that in partnership with America's ice cream makers, it will eliminate certified artificial colors from ice cream products made with real milk by December 31, 2027. With this effort, dozens of U.S. ice cream companies are pledging to eliminate the use of certified artificial colors Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 from their ice cream and frozen dairy desserts by 2028. The Commitment represents companies making more than 90 percent of the ice cream volume sold in the United States, according to IDFA. Many commercial ice cream makers have already phased out certified artificial colors and many others are working with suppliers to phase them out by 2028 in compliance with this effort and other considerations. Leaders from IDFA joined Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, and others at the USDA headquarters in Washington today to announce the Commitment Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy appreciated IDFA members for spearheading the initiative to eliminate certified artificial colors. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, certified artificial colors are safe for use in foods when used in accordance with FDA regulations; at the same time, West Virginia has passed a law phasing out their use in foods sold at retail and several states are phasing out certified artificial colors in school foods. The IDFA Ice Cream Commitment applies to products made with real milk sold at food retail (including supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, and online retailers) by the nation's commercial ice cream makers. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Health News While not official, it is likely that Renault Kwid EV will borrow the electric powertrain from Dacia Spring EV sold in Europe Renault is looking to expand its India portfolio with multiple new models. One of these is the Kwid EV, which is expected to be launched later this year or early 2026. Ahead of that, test vehicles have been spotted in full camo. Lets check out the details based on the latest spy shots. Renault Kwid EV Styling and features In terms of its silhouette, Renault Kwid EV is largely the same as its petrol-powered counterpart. The electric version of Kwid was originally launched in China as the Renault City K-ZE in 2019. It was introduced in Europe in 2021 as the Dacia Spring EV. In Latin America, the electric Kwid is sold as Renault Kwid E-Tech Electric. For the Indian market, the Kwid EV may be a close match with the Dacia Spring. While the Dacia Spring and ICE Kwid maintain the same basic proportions, the former adopts styling elements inspired by the new-gen Duster. Key highlights include the distinctive Y-shaped lighting elements, full-width LED strip and prominent bumper. A similar design is expected for the Kwid EV in India. The electric hatch will have rugged aesthetics, featuring squared wheel arches, thick body cladding and door moulding. Sporty alloy wheels will further enhance overall look and feel. These features are inline with the test vehicles spotted in recent times. Interiors of Renault Kwid EV have not been spied yet. It is expected that Kwid EV will have features such as a 10-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch digital instrument display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and USB ports. In Europe, the Dacia Spring EV offers premium features such as vehicle to load (V2L). A comprehensive range of safety features are on offer. It includes 6-airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), hill start assist and emergency call function. Some ADAS features are also on offer such as emergency braking system, traffic sign recognition and lane keeping assist. Some of these may not make it to the Indian model. Renault Kwid EV Powertrain, battery, range It is likely that specs of Kwid EV will be largely the same as the Dacia Spring EV sold in Europe. The latter is offered with a 26.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Two variants are on offer, one with a 33 kW (44 hp) motor and the other with a 48 kW (65 hp) motor. Torque output is 125 Nm for both motors. Range is up to 225 km, as per WLTP standards. Charging time with an AC domestic socket is around 11 to 13 hours. With a 30 kW DC fast charger, 20% to 80% can be achieved in around 45 minutes. Expected Pricing In Europe, Dacia Spring EV is one of the most affordable fully electric cars on offer. Renault will have similar goals for the Kwid EV, which will compete with rivals such as Tata Tiago EV, MG Comet EV and Citroen eC3. Renault Kwid EV could be offered here at a starting price of around Rs 7 lakh. MG Comet EV is available at Rs 7.50 lakh, whereas Tata Tiago EV starts at Rs 7.99 lakh. Citroen eC3 is currently available at a starting price of Rs 11.99 lakh. In the current context, affordable hybrid tech found in cars like Toyota Aqua appears more practical and relevant than fully electric vehicles Toyota Aqua has been spotted once again in India, sparking speculation about its future in the Indian market. The test vehicle was spotted by automotive enthusiast Sandeep Chillar near AIIMS, New Delhi. This test mule lacked any camouflage and donned temporary registration number plates from Ramanagara RTO in Karnataka, close to companys facility in Bidadi. Lets explore the possibilities. Toyota Aqua spied in India Whats the plan? Toyota Aqua (sold as Prius C outside Japan) is one of the most affordable full hybrid cars in the world. In Japan, prices start at 2,146,000 Yen, which is approximately Rs 12.50 lakh. Theres significant scope for affordable full hybrid cars in India in the sub-4-meter segment. Car buyers stand to gain from smooth, electrified performance and significant fuel savings. If we consider Toyota Aqua, the hatchback offers a mileage of 35.8 km/l. This is higher than even the CNG variants of entry-level hatchbacks sold in India. Toyota Aqua can run in full electric mode for short distances. This can be useful in city traffic conditions. Toyota may not have immediate plans to launch the Aqua in India. However, it is likely that its hybrid tech is being evaluated for Indian conditions. Hybrid tech is gaining momentum in India, offering the best of ICE cars and EVs. Several carmakers including Honda, Skoda, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Renault and Mahindra are reportedly stepping up focus on providing hybrid options. Indias largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, is also working on a new affordable full hybrid system. It is planned for use with Marutis entry-level cars such as Swift, WagonR, Fronx and Dzire. Whether or not Marutis new hybrid tech has any connection with the hybrid setup of Toyota Aqua remains to be seen. A common platform will be suitable, as even entry-level Toyota cars like Taisor (rebadged Fronx) can benefit from full hybrid tech. Toyota Aqua Specs, features Dimensionally, Toyota Aqua is 4,050 mm long, 1,695 mm wide, 1,4851,505 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,600 mm. The hatchback is based on the TNGA-B (Toyota New Global Architecture B) platform, which focuses on enhancing driving experience, design, safety and fuel economy. One of Toyota Aquas key USPs is its bipolar Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery. It has close to twice the output, as compared with standard Ni-MH battery packs. This ensures faster acceleration and smooth overall performance. Aquas battery pack offers various other benefits such as compact size, better cooling efficiency and long life. Battery replacement cost is also quite manageable. Toyota Aquas full hybrid powertrain comprises a 1.5-litre inline 3-cylinder petrol engine. It generates 90 hp and 120 Nm of torque. Both FWD and AWD variants are on offer. The front electric motor generates 80 hp / 141 Nm, whereas the rear motor (in E-Four variant) makes 6.4 hp and 52 Nm. FWD variants have a combined output of 116 hp. Toyota Aqua utilizes an e-CVT transmission and has drive modes of Eco and EV (electric-only driving). A comprehensive range of premium features are available with Toyota Aqua. Key highlights include a 10.5-inch touchscreen, 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information display, head-up display and heated seats and steering wheel. Safety kit includes a wide range of ADAS features. Sweden will continue to contribute to rapid and substantial supplies to Ukraine, said Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. I welcome President Trumps important decision to make it possible to deliver more advanced weapons to Ukraine and to significantly increase the economic pressure on Russia. As one of the biggest donors to Ukraine, and together with our NATO allies, Sweden will continue to contribute to swift and substantial deliveries to Ukraine, he wrote on X. Time is of essence. The sooner we all unite in forcing Russia to end its brutal war against Ukraine, the more lives will be saved, he stressed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with his American counterpart Donald Trump the necessary means and solutions to provide more protection to people from Russian attacks and strengthen our positions. I spoke with President Donald J. Trump. It was a very good conversation. Thank you for the willingness to support Ukraine and to continue working together to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace, Zelenskyy said. According to Zelenskyy, Trump spoke about his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Its important that we have such a good relationship, and that the Alliance countries are working to increase defense spending, he noted. We discussed the necessary means and solutions with the President to provide better protection for people from Russian attacks and to strengthen our positions. We are ready to work as productively as possible to achieve peace, the President said. According to him, the presidents agreed to call each other more often and coordinate joint steps in the future. Thank you, Mr. President! Thank you, America! Zelenskyy added. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/MerzCDU Germany will make a decisive contribution to the issue of supplying Patriot systems to Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said. "President Trump today made an important initiative: the United States will provide Ukraine with large-scale weapons if its European partners finance it. President Trump and I have discussed this several times in recent days. I assured him that Germany will make a decisive contribution," Merz wrote on the social network X. According to Merz, Germany is doing this in its own interests and this will help Ukraine defend itself against bombing by Russia. "Only in this way will the pressure on Moscow to finally agree on peace increase. Ultimately, we are showing that we are joining forces as partners in security policy. We will now quickly clarify the details. We are contacting our partners for this purpose," the Chancellor added. As reported, the United States will send new Patriot air defense batteries to Ukraine in the near future, US President Donald Trump said on Monday. Pistorius: Decision on sending Patriot to Ukraine will be made within 'days or weeks' Berlin and Washington will decide on sending two American Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv within "days or weeks," the ezine European Pravda (Evropeiska Pravda) has said. As German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday after talks with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Germany has offered to buy American Patriot air defense systems and deliver them to Ukraine, which in recent weeks has suffered some of the most severe Russian attacks of the entire war. Speaking in Washington, Pistorius said that negotiations would continue at a working level to finalize details, including the number of launchers and missiles that could be included in the deal. According to him, if the deal is concluded, the first Patriot unit could be sent to Ukraine within a few months. He declined to comment on whether the talks also discussed offensive weapons for Kyiv. Germany has handed over three of its own Patriot batteries to Kyiv, leaving it with nine systems far fewer than the 36 batteries it had at the height of the Cold War. Pistorius received a warm welcome in Washington, reflecting Germanys growing role as a major contributor to NATOs biggest military buildup since the Cold War after decades of lagging behind in defense spending. Russian troops carried out almost 500 attacks on 10 settlements in Zaporizhia region in a day, two people were injured, Kherson Regional Military Administration head Ivan Fedorov has said. "In total, during the day the occupiers launched 492 strikes on 10 settlements in Zaporizhia region," he wrote. Fedorov said a 60-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man were injured as a result of an enemy attack in the regions Polohy district. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ US President Donald Trump is confident that Vladimir Putin knows what a "fair deal" is, but criticised the attacks on Ukraine after their phone conversations. He [Putin] knows what a fair deal is, Trump said at a joint press briefing with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House. I speak to him a lot about getting this thing done and I always hang up and say, well, that was a nice phone call, and then missiles launched into Kyiv or some other city. And I said, it's strange, Trump said. And after that happens three or four times, you say, the talk doesn't mean anything, the President noted. At the same time, he stressed that there must be action, and there must be a result. My conversations with him are always very pleasant I say, isn't that a very lovely conversation, and then the missiles go off that night. I go home, I tell the First Lady, you know, I spoke to Vladimir today, we had a wonderful conversation. She said, oh, really, another city was just hit, Trump added. I don't want to say he's an assassin, but he's a tough guy. According to Trump, Putin has fooled a lot of people, including previous US presidents Bush, Clinton, Obama, Biden. He didn't fool me, the US President assured. And I hope he [Putin] does it. It's potentially such a great country And look at what's happened to his economy, the American leader added. Everything possible must be done to force Russia to stop the killings, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. I met with General Kellogg he has begun his visit to Ukraine, and it has been quite substantive. We had a productive discussion. I am grateful to President Trump for his readiness to help protect our peoples lives. This war continues solely because of Russia, solely because of Putins desire to prolong it, to drag it out. Russia is trying to make the war seem like the new normal. We must never put up with this. Absolutely everything possible humanly possible must be done to force Russia to stop the killings, to achieve real peace, and to ensure security. Peace is only possible through strength, Zelenskyy said in his evening address Monday. He noted that he also spoke about this with US President Donald Trump, as well as with representatives of Congress. We are working at our teams level teams of Ukraine and the United States to secure the forces and means we need to protect lives and defend our state: American weapons, American sanctions against Russia a sanctions bill has already been prepared in Congress as well as European financing and support, our joint defense, the President stated. He separately emphasized that the Ukrainian military, intelligence and special services will provide Kellogg with all the necessary information about what is happening right now on the front lines and what new offensive steps Russia is preparing. Russia still has the money the money to destroy the lives of its neighbors. And not only Ukraine. But the world knows where to hit so that Putin feels the pain and Russia feels the need to seek peace. Russias war financing must be cut off. Russias ties with Iran and North Korea must be cut off. Any supply of components and equipment for Russias military industry must be cut off, Zelenskyy stressed. I am grateful to our team, I am grateful to the United States, and I am grateful to Germany and Norway for preparing a new decision on Patriots for Ukraine. We are also working on major defense agreements with America. It is not yet time to reveal the details publicly, but together, we can achieve a great deal for the sake of security. Ukraine is absolutely ready for all honest and effective steps toward peace lasting peace and real security. It is Russia that is not ready. It is Russia that must be forced. And this is what is happening, the President added. The focus isnt just on whats best for the agency, but whats best for the whole community. Mark Witte, OnPoint OnPoint collaborates with Community Action of Allegan County to deliver wraparound support more efficiently. Collaborations create a more coordinated and accessible mental health system. Debra Voorhorst, Community Action of Allegan County. Elizabeth Engelsman, a home delivered meals driver for Community Action of Allegan County. Collaborations create a more coordinated and accessible mental health system, particularly for individuals with complex needs. Karen Sager, Community Action of Allegan County. Across Michigan, community mental health (CMH) agencies are expanding their reach through partnerships with local organizations that address housing, transportation, and other barriers to care. These collaborations aim to create a more coordinated and accessible mental health system, particularly for individuals with complex needs.At OnPoint , Allegan Countys CMH provider, collaboration is viewed as both necessary and foundational.We recognize that the work we do in Allegan County touches on so many other systems and organizations that collaboration is an absolute necessity, says MarkWitte, executive director, OnPoint. We do our clients no good by trying to be the multi-purpose service provider for the wide array of needs they have.As Allegan Countys Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA), OnPoint works closely with members of the Local Planning Body to support residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. These partnerships help coordinate shelter, food, clothing, and other basic needs alongside behavioral health services. Witte says this collaborative model also supports broader goals such as food security and transportation access.Lack of transportation can be a barrier to mental health care. OnPoint no longer runs its own transportation service but instead partners with Allegan County Transportation (ACT), purchasing transportation vouchers for clients and participating in ACTs transportation advisory board.Another key partner for OnPoint is Community Action of Allegan County (CAAC). Witte describes the relationship with CAAC as one that helps deliver wraparound support more efficiently.I was able to identify Community Action of Allegan County as a partner that fits the bill, Witte says. Weve been able to align our services in a way that meets the needs of those we serve.Witte also cited the Multi-Agency Collaborative Council (MACC), led by the Allegan County Community Foundation, as a longstanding example of interagency planning. The MACC coordinates human services efforts, including housing development, community health needs assessments, and pandemic response initiatives.In Jackson County, LifeWays has adopted a similar approach, focusing on early engagement and direct community partnerships to expand access to behavioral health care. Taylor Owens, engagement team supervisor at LifeWays, says her team connects with individuals at shelters, schools, and the local youth center, offering services at the point of need.We try to meet people where they are, physically and otherwise, says Owens. That includes going onsite for screenings and assessments rather than requiring people to come to us.One of LifeWays central collaborations is with the Jackson Interfaith Shelter . Atalie Schwartz, director of shelter services, says the partnership began in 2021 and now includes weekly in-person mental health screenings, a coping skills group, monthly coordination calls, and a newly installed kiosk that allows shelter residents to schedule virtual intakes with LifeWays' clinicians.Clients used to face delays or miss appointments due to transportation issues, says Schwartz. Now they can complete key steps without ever leaving the shelter.In addition to client-facing services, LifeWays provides support to shelter staff, including mental health education sessions and training on service coordination. Schwartz noted that these efforts have helped strengthen communication and trust between the two agencies.LifeWays has implemented similar partnerships with area schools, juvenile detention centers, and parole offices. In one initiative, LifeWays conducts mental health intakes for parolees before they are released from prison, helping to ensure continuity of care.Before, people had to wait up to two weeks for their first appointment after release, Owens says. Now, they have it scheduled before they leave.The agency also works with the regions Area Agency on Aging to support older adults, particularly in rural areas where transportation can be a barrier. Owens says the team uses peer support specialists and person-centered practices to tailor services for individuals who may otherwise struggle to access care.In Sanilac County, the CMH has long played a central role in local collaboration efforts. Wil Morris, CEO, Sanilac County Community Mental Health (CMH) , says the agency has been part of the community collaborative for decades, participating alongside schools, law enforcement, shelters, and food banks.Weve always been pretty much a central part of that particular community collaborative, Morris says. Ive been the chair of that collaborative since I started being CEO here, over eight years ago.Sanilac County CMH also plays an active role in county emergency management and regional public health partnerships, including the Thumb Community Health Partnership covering four counties.We meet to collaborate resources related to health, including behavioral health, and look at health disparities, adversity, and ACEs [ adverse childhood experiences ], Morris says.Through these partnerships, Sanilac County CMH helps organize events like Project Connect (focused on homelessness), a senior fair, and a community baby shower.It just really assists us with getting our information out there, Morris says. In a world of information overload, the more visible we are, the more people we can help.Morris highlighted Project Connect as one of the most impactful programs, particularly for those experiencing homelessness.We provide services to folks in transient housing, connect them to care, and help them meet their basic needs, he says.The event also includes food and hygiene support, with help from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and local millage funding for homelessness and domestic violence services.He also points to Sanilac County Rescue Mission as a vital partner.We have a very good working relationship. My staff go out weekly to check in with the guys and coordinate services, he says. Its a really strong relationship that I see improving even more.Despite limited staff in rural communities, Morris says strong relationships with decision-makers allow the work to move forward.Its typically the same eight or nine of us across the county meeting in multiple relationships. But the decision-makers are in the room, and thats a strength, Morris says. You have to have leadership and organizations who are interested in building relationships. Because were rural, were more connected, and that makes all the difference.That direct connection enables a deep sense of shared responsibility.Its nothing for the sheriff to call me directly, says Morris. We all know each other, and were all actively involved, not just sitting in offices removed from the work.Community mental health leaders across the state point to consistent communication, shared responsibility, and long-term planning as essential to sustaining these partnerships.Strong leadership and dedicated staff are what make partnerships work, Witte says. The focus isnt just on whats best for the agency, but whats best for the whole community.The MI Mental Health series highlights the opportunities that Michigan's children, teens, and adults of all ages have to find the mental health help they need, when and where they need it. It is made possible with funding from the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan Summit Pointe , and Washtenaw County Community Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage Shares in blue chip housebuilder Barratt Redrow fell sharply on Tuesday, after it warned both profits and completions would be lower this year. Updating on trading for the year to 29 June, the blue chip housebuilder - which was formed at the end of 2024, when Barratt Developments acquired Redrow in a 2.5bn deal - said it had been a "solid performance", despite a "challenging" market backdrop. Total home completions were 16,565, compared to 14,004 at Redrow or 17,972 on an aggregated basis a year previously. It was also slightly below expectations, David Thomas, chief executive, acknowledged that there had been fewer international and investor completions than expected in the London businesses. But he said cost savings from the merger were ahead of schedule, and the enlarged group was on track to meet consensus for adjusted pre-tax profits, of 582.6m. However, looking to the current year, and the firm warned that homebuyer confidence remained fragile, with total home completions likely to be down year-on-year, in the range of 17,200 to 17,800. It also said profits would take a 98m hit, due to new safety charges. As a result, pre-tax profits for the current year are expected to fall around 10% short of current market expectations, for around 712m. As at 0845 BST, the stock had lost 10% at 375.1p. However, Barratt Redrow insisted: We are executing the integration of Redrow at pace, we have a strong balance sheet and a solid forward sales position, and we believe we are well positioned as we enter the 2026 full year. Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: This disappointment has seen the share price fall in early trading. "Despite this, the balance sheet remains in great shape. Structuring the acquisition of Redrow as a share offer means theres still plenty of cash on the balance sheet. This means the ongoing share buyback programme, of at least 100m annually and prospective yield of 4.3% looks to be on solid ground. Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said: Redrow is navigating its current strategy with caution amid a sector which is clearly being buffeted by wider economic concerns. There are, however, some warning signals which are to a large extent out of the groups control. Consumer caution and affordability issues are a headwind for the sector, particularly given the possibility of more tax rises to come. There is also a concerning trend with the groups London market, where demand is current weak. Barratt Redrow is due to post full-year numbers on 17 September. Photo: uacrisis.org Minister of Veterans Affairs Natalia Kalmykova has said talk about a possible reform of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs is based on rumors. "The creation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs was advocated by veterans themselves. For the community, on the one hand, it is the body to which they come with all their problems, regardless of where they arose, and on the other hand, it is a symbol that they are visible and that they are defined as citizens with a separate status. Since veterans are a large part of our society, we need to pay more attention to the needs of people who have contributed the most to the country," Kalmykova said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine, answering the question of whether it would be appropriate to merge the Ministry of Veterans Affairs with some other ministry today. When asked whether the dissolution of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs is being discussed in the context of personnel rotations in the government, the minister replied that these are rumors. "The ministry should work as a coordinator. Because veteran policy is cross-cutting. Veterans come to the healthcare, education, economy, and culture systems, and there should be a coordinating body that understands the needs, requests, and can address them to other central bodies, and direct the formation of policies in such a way that the veteran's interest is taken into account. I believe that this is the most optimal option for our country, for our realities, for our resources," she added, answering the question of whether the department needs to scale up. In addition, commenting on the idea of strengthening the veteran theme by introducing the position of a profile vice prime minister in the government, Kalmykova said that she does not have a single answer to this: "I cannot say that this is not necessary, but I cannot say that it is necessary either." As reported, in March 2020, the Ministry for Veterans, Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons was renamed the Ministry for Veterans, and the Ministry for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons was renamed the Ministry for the Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, which was renamed the Ministry of National Unity in December 2024. Trustpilot surged on Tuesday as the review website upgraded its full-year margin guidance, reporting a jump in first-half bookings and revenue. In an update for the six months to 30 June, the company said it expects to report a 19% year-on-year jump in bookings to $140m, with UK bookings up 15%, Europe and Rest of World up 19% and North American bookings ahead 18%. Trustpilot also said it expects first-half revenue growth of 21% to $123m. The group said it was lifting its full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA margin guidance to 14%. This compares with consensus expectations of 13.4%. Chief executive Adrian Blair said: "The broad nature of our SaaS business model continues to prove its resilience, enabling us to deliver good growth and retention, particularly in the enterprise segment, combined with strong cash generation and operating leverage. "We are pleased with our first half performance and as we continue to annualise the package migration which benefited last year's bookings, we now expect full year adjusted EBITDA margin to be 14%. We remain confident in the significant growth opportunities ahead in our focus markets and beyond." At 0955 BST, the shares were up 13.5% at 286.64p. Following the update, Berenberg - which rates the stock at buy - lifted its FY25, FY26 and FY27 revenue forecasts by 2%, 1% and 1% respectively, and its adjusted EBITDA forecasts by 5%, 7% and 6% respectively. "For a competitively advantaged software business that is expected to grow its revenues at a mid-teens year-on-year rate, 5.3x FY25 EV/sales is, in our view, an undemanding valuation," the bank said. Rachel Reeves will claim that cutting red tape for City firms will have trickle-down benefits for households across Britain, as she tries to drum up support for a new financial services strategy. A raft of regulatory reforms are due to be announced by the chancellor on Tuesday, in what the Treasury says will be the biggest financial regulation reforms in a decade. It will come before her Mansion House address to City bosses during a dinner at Guildhall in London on Tuesday evening. Guardian Buyers of new electric cars priced at less than 37,000 will be able to get a discount of up to 10% under a new UK government scheme, a move that may benefit some cheaper Chinese models but leave Tesla fans still having to pay the full price. The Department for Transport has reintroduced a grant, which had been scrapped in June 2022, to encourage more drivers to switch from petrol and diesel to electric vehicles. Guardian Rachel Reeves will pave the way for a new era of risky lending in a push for growth that watchdogs fear could end in more people losing their homes. As part of her Mansion House announcement, the Chancellor will hail the biggest mortgage shake-up in a decade to boost homeownership and cut red tape. Telegraph Marks & Spencer is taking its famously dependable underwear down under with the launch of its first international wholesale fashion deal. The British retailer has agreed to sell a selection of its bestselling lingerie, womenswear and menswear in 24 David Jones department stores across Australia, including Sydney and Melbourne, as well as online. The Times A Bradford-based stairlift company has paid its tycoon founder a near 45 million dividend, bringing total payouts to 300 million over a little more than a decade. Acorn Mobility Services, which is based at a business park near the West Yorkshire city, was founded by John Jakes in the early 1990s and has been lifted by a rise in sales to the elderly and the immobile from an ageing population in Britain, as well as expansion overseas. The Times Rebranding from MSys Technologies to Aziro is not just about a name change - it marked a fundamental shift in our company's vision and strategy, says Sanjay Sehgal, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Aziro (Formerly known as MSys Technologies), We realized that in the future, we truly wanted to focus on AI-native technology transformation for ISVs, unicorns, and Fortune 500 companies. Over the last few years, Aziro has revolutionised its offerings. Importantly, the firm recognised a significant inflexion point: the remarkable impact AI is having worldwide. Aziro's rebranding underscores this commitment to integrating Artificial Intelligence, particularly agentic AI, at the heart of its offerings. It signifies agility, innovation, and a relentless focus on creating intelligent, autonomous, and scalable technology ecosystems. The rebranding reflects our strategic pivot, clearly communicating to our clients, partners, and employees that AI is not just another capability for usit's our core DNA, shaping everything we do going forward, explains Sanjay. Aziro marks a clear shift in the strategic goals of the company and the direction of its achievements. The company is known for its solid background in infrastructure and software product engineering, and that hasn't changed. What has changed is the scope of our ambition, Sanjay says, We now work as a partner in building intelligent, AI-powered systemssolutions that aren't just smart, but built for self-learning and autonomy. From the new logo, with its stylized A and orange tilt hinting at AI, to the visual design and brand tone, every aspect of Aziro reflects what the firm values now, being fast, smart, and ready for whats next. It's not just a name change, it's a redefining of the entire operational philosophy. Aziro is both who we are now and who we aim to become. With AI at the centre, were focused on scaling trust and impact, Sanjay underscores. The rebranding to Aziro is directly aligned with the long-term vision to lead the global AI-native transformation landscape. The firm laid a strong base as MSys Technologies, but todays technology challenges call for a more holistic transformation. Companies are looking for systems that can adapt and evolve on their own. The new identity answers that demand. With Aziro, the firm has a name and face that connects with the fast-growing AI-first markets in the U.S., Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Our offerings now also include Agentic AI-driven business processes, AI-enabled automation, RAG-enabled support functions, AI-driven DevSecOps, and AI-driven TestSmart, in addition to our existing service portfolio, Sanjay highlights, This rebranding helps us explain our value betterwith a cleaner message and brand that clearly shows the focus on building for tomorrow. Aziro is not a services company in the traditional senseits an AI-native technology transformation company. Aziro is rooted in intelligence, autonomy, and the ability to adapt independently. It solves complex technology challenges and drives business success with AI-powered, future-ready technology solutions. What sets us apart is our ability to drive technology transformations for global enterprises and high-growth ISVs by delivering AI-powered solutions and expert talent, enabling them to achieve market leadership, Sanjay emphasises, were taking a three-part approach, utilizing AI to enhance customer products, refining tech processes like DevOps with AI, and helping businesses reevaluate their models through AI-based solutions and services. The firm works closely with clients, not just to help them use AIbut to make it part of how they grow, compete, and build long-term value. Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Indian to reach the ISS under Axiom Spaces Ax-4 mission. Splashdown in the Pacific marks the end of his 18-day mission aboard the ISS. Joined by astronauts from the USA, Poland, and Hungary for scientific research in space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), is set to return to Earth, marking the completion of a landmark mission under Axiom Spaces Ax-4 program. Shukla spent 18 remarkable days aboard the orbiting laboratory, contributing to scientific research and international collaboration. Shukla, along with fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), boarded SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft Grace at 2:00 p.m. IST on Monday. The spacecraft undocked from the ISSs Harmony module at 4:45 p.m. IST, with NASA confirming hatch closure at 5:07 a.m. EDT. Shortly after, SpaceX announced 'Dragon separation confirmed' via its official X account. The crew is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California, at approximately 3:01 p.m. IST (4:31 a.m. CT) on Tuesday, concluding a nearly 23-hour return journey. Recovery teams will retrieve the astronauts, after which Shukla will begin a 7-day rehabilitation protocol to readjust to Earths gravity. Originally scheduled for 14 days, Shuklas mission was extended to 18 days to accommodate additional research. His journey makes him only the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharmas iconic 1984 mission. NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, calling the mission 'an incredible journey'. Reflecting on his homeland from space, he added, 'India still looks better than the whole world'. In a heartfelt farewell from orbit, Shukla expressed gratitude to ISRO,, and SpaceX, calling the mission 'an incredible journey'. Reflecting on his homeland from space, he added, 'India still looks better than the whole world'. Shuklas return marks a proud moment for India, underscoring the nation's growing role in international space exploration. Amit Shah outlines 5-point national resolve for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 at Bharat Vikas Parishads Foundation Day. Calls for erasing colonial mindset, uniting society, and celebrating India's heritage as key pillars of national growth. Highlights Modi govts major milestones banking for the unbanked, rural housing, clean water, LPG access, and internal security reforms. Amit Shah, union minister, emphasized Modi government's vision of creating a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and prescribed a five-point national determination to pace India's development in the next decades. The five resolutions, as defined by Shah, are to accomplish the vision of a developed India, create unity and harmony in all sections of society, take pride in the country's cultural heritage, remove all traces of colonial mentality from administration, culture, and institutions, and have all citizens actively contribute to nation-building. Speaking at the 63rd Foundation Day celebrations of Bharat Vikas Parishad, Shah said that "erasing the remnants of a colonial mindset and instilling a strong sense of duty among citizens will be central to realising India's aspirations as it approaches 100 years of independence". Shah also pointed out key steps taken by the Modi government in the past 11 years, which had ushered in 'transformational changes in governance, security, and development'. Some of the schemes he mentioned included opening more than 55 crore bank accounts for unbanked families, supplying clean drinking water to 15 crore households, constructing 12 crore toilets, issuing 10 crore LPG connections, and providing 4 crore houses to the poor. On internal security, Shah referred to abrogation of Article 370 as a historic decision that united J&K and checked terrorism. He highlighted the government's work in North-East, such as Bodo Accord, Bru-Reang agreement, and settlement of border disputes in Assam & Meghalaya, which he claimed had brought a tremendous decline in violence related to insurgency. "PM Modi has placed before the nation a vision which unites development with heritage. India is today set to become a $30 trillion economy in the next few decades, but this prosperity must percolate to every citizen". Vineet Agrawal will retire in January 2026 after 40 years at Wipro; Kumar Chander takes over as CEO from February 2026. Under Agrawal, Wipro Consumer Care grew from Rs 300 crore to Rs 10,600 crore, with 15 acquisitions and global expansion. Experienced Successor: Kumar Chander, with 34 years at Wipro, led major markets and acquisitions, making Wipro No.1 in Malaysias personal care segment. Wipro Enterprises announced a major leadership transition as Vineet Agrawal, CEO of Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting and Managing Director of Wipro Enterprises, is set to retire in January 2026, concluding an exceptional 40-year journey with the company. Kumar Chander, currently President Southeast Asia and Yardley India, will assume the role of CEO effective February 1, 2026. To ensure a smooth transition, Chander will begin working closely with Agrawal starting October 2025, operating out of the companys Bengaluru headquarters. Agrawal joined Wipro in 1985 and took charge as CEO of the Consumer Care & Lighting division in 2002. Over the last two decades, he played a transformational role, expanding Wipros FMCG footprint from a domestic business focused on vanaspati and soap to a global enterprise spanning 60 countries. Under his leadership, the company executed 15 acquisitions, elevated Santoor into one of Indias top two soap brands, and significantly diversified into personal care, home care, skincare, food, lighting, and seating segments. Wipro Enterprises Chairman Azim Premji paid glowing tribute to Agrawals legacy, stating, Vineet has played a defining role in shaping Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting into a formidable, globally respected business growing it from Rs 300 crore in 2003 to over Rs 10,600 crore today. His instinctive understanding of people, culture, and long-term value creation has left a lasting legacy. I thank him for his extraordinary contribution over four decades. paid glowing tribute to Agrawals legacy, stating, Vineet has played a defining role in shapinginto a formidable, globally respected business growing it from Rs 300 crore in 2003 to over Rs 10,600 crore today. His instinctive understanding of people, culture, and long-term value creation has left a lasting legacy. I thank him for his extraordinary contribution over four decades. Premji also expressed strong confidence in the incoming CEO, saying, I am pleased to welcome Kumar Chander as the next CEO. With 33 years at Wipro and a track record of success across India and international markets, he brings strategic clarity and executional excellence. His leadership helped Wipro become No. 1 in Malaysias personal care market and a top 3 player in several others. His humility, strategic insight, and deep business acumen make him well-suited to lead the company into its next phase. Reflecting on his career, Agrawal remarked, It has been a privilege to be part of Wipro for 40 years and to lead Consumer Care & Lighting for the last two decades. Together, we have built a global business founded on strong systems, disciplined execution, and purpose-driven values. I am proud of the transformation we achieved and confident that Kumars distinctive leadership will take Wipro to even greater heights. Chander expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, It is an honour to lead Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting at such a pivotal moment. Wipro has shaped me both personally and professionally. I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Vineet and working with our global teams to create impact and growth across markets. With over 34 years at Wipro, Chander has led operations across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. In his current role, he was instrumental in integrating international acquisitions and elevating acquired brands to leadership positions in key regions. This leadership transition marks a new chapter in Wipro Consumer Cares growth story, underpinned by a legacy of innovation, global expansion, and purpose-led leadership. President of the National Council of Switzerland Maja Riniker ruled out the possibility of transferring Swiss weapons to Ukraine in the coming months, since consideration of such decisions in Switzerland "could take years." "Regarding the weapons and their re-exportation. Yes, this topic came up during all my meetings in Kyiv. It's always important to explain what Switzerlands neutrality means. It does not mean indifference. We always condemn Russian military aggression against Ukraine," she said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine. Riniker reminded that two topics regarding weapons are currently being discussed in the Swiss parliament. The first concerns the re-export of weapons. "This bill has been passed in one chamber. But to have this bill passed further, we have to get the second chamber. After that, there is going to be a referendum, and the population of the country will definitely vote on it. If you ask me whether we can be sure that we will support you with weapons within the next months, I really have to say no. Let's be honest. That's not a realistic way because the processes in Switzerland take much longer," she said. The second law that is currently being discussed concerns the exemption for arms exports. "But again, the final decision on changing the law will be taken by the population," the president said. Answering a question about the approximate time frame, Riniker said "the processes in Switzerland take longer, and this takes years." "If we are going to have a referendum, we're not talking about months, it's two or three years," she added. Riniker also emphasized, Switzerland provides support to Ukraine in other ways, despite the fact that it does not supply weapons. In particular, Switzerland's support is not only in humanitarian aid, Riniker noted. She recalled large-scale Swiss projects in various fields, assistance in reforms, reconstruction, energy and demining projects, which are already making a huge contribution to Ukraine. In addition, the President of the National Council of the Swiss Federal Assembly recalled the first Ukraine Recovery Conference in 2022 in Lugano, as well as the fact that Switzerland and Ukraine jointly hosted the Conference on Mine Action in Lausanne in 2024. "And, as you probably remember, last year, we organized a Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Burgenstock. Actually, we were the first country that was able to host such a conference at a high level regarding the peace efforts," Riniker said. Rumors about the closure of the gas station at the Staten Island Costco, New Springville, have been circulating, but according to administration at the location, customers will still be able to use the pumps for at least a few more months. (Dennis Rees for the Staten Isla STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Social media rumors about the closure of the Staten Island Costco gas station have circulated for months, and a printed sign posted in the store Monday seemed to confirm the chatter. But according to administration at the location, customers will still be able to use the pumps for at least a few more months. The renovations have been postponed, pushed back to September, noted an associate who answered the phone at the New Springville store on Tuesday, responding to an inquiry about a sign that was posted in the store just one day prior. The sign, which offered apologies for the inconvenience, stated that, starting July 21, the gas station would be closed until further notice for renovations. A sign posted inside of the Staten Island Costco on Monday noted that the store's gas station would close on July 21. However, a store administrator said the work has since been postponed. (Dennis Rees for the Staten Isla Costco corporate did not respond to a request for comment about the planned work, and no explanation was offered regarding the postponement. According to plans filed with the NYC Department of Buildings in June, the store is installing new gasoline supply lines and expanding the existing canopy and fire suppression system that shelters the pumps. An attendant at the gas station said the work is expected to take approximately two to three months to complete and will replace infrastructure that has not been updated since 1995. Gas is a big seller for the warehouse retailer, which typically offers steep savings, topping its competitors prices by about 15 to 25 cents per gallon. (Dennis Rees for the Staten Isla Gas is a big seller for the warehouse retailer, which typically offers steep savings, topping its competitors prices by about 15 to 25 cents per gallon. The company recently expanded its pump hours nationwide, offering shoppers an extra hour on weekdays and an additional one-and-a-half hours on Saturday and Sunday to keep up with demand. Target is one of many companies listed in a recent report that offer tuition assistance programs to employees. AP Photo/George Walker IV, File Working your way through school is a challenge that many students must take in order to earn a college degree. But many employers are making the task easier, offering full or partial college tuition assistance programs that reimburse or cover a capped annual award. Heres a look at 19 major companies that are investing in their workers and the particulars of their college degree paybacks, as reported by Pennyhoarder.com: 1. Amazon Amazons Career Choice program offers full tuition support for associates who want to start or continue their education, whether its a high school diploma, GED, bachelors degree or English as a second language (ESL) proficiency certifications. Career Choice also provides funding for employees studying aircraft mechanics, welding, medical billing, nursing and other fields. Associates are eligible for this job perk after 90 days of employment. 2. Target This big-box retailer partners with Guild to pay for college and is one of the most recent employers adding college tuition to its benefits package for all U.S. employees. Full- and part-time team members can now get tuition covered upfront for more than 250 programs for certain undergraduate degrees and certifications at 40 schools online and in-person. 3. Tyson Foods In 2022, Tyson Foods expanded its Upward Academy to provide access to more than 200 programs from over 35 of the nations top universities and learning providers tuition free. Employees can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, complete high school and take college prep or English language classes. 4. Chipotle Most part-time and all regular full-time Chipotle workers have access to tuition-free college degrees and a tuition reimbursement program. To qualify for college benefits, youll need to work at Chipotle for 15 hours per week for 120 days, according to Chipotles education benefits portal. 5. Disney The Disney Aspire program covers 100% of the tuition costs upfront for eligible full-time and part-time hourly U.S. workers who want a bachelors degree or masters degree from one of Disneys partner universities. These universities include the University of Central Florida, Cal State Fullerton and North Carolina A&T State University. All of Disneys hourly workers are eligible for the Aspire program after their first 90 days of employment. Disney also covers the cost of textbooks and high school diploma programs. 6. Starbucks Starbucks has been ahead of the pack, offering its U.S. employees access to Arizona State Universitys online bachelors degrees through its education assistance program since 2014. The landmark Starbucks College Achievement Plan is available to full- and part-time employees across the country. More than 16,000 partners have earned their first-time bachelors degree through this benefit. According to the fine print, employees are considered eligible after the first day of the second month after receiving a minimum of 240 total hours over three full, consecutive months. 7. Walmart and Sams Club Through its Live Better U program, Walmart and Sams Club full- and part-time hourly associates are eligible for specific degrees at partner universities. Under the program, Walmart offers tuition coverage upfront for the cost of higher education through the University of Arkansas, the University of Arizona and Purdue Universitys Global and Bellevue University, among others. These schools were selected for their focus on serving working adult learners. Employees who live near a partner university may attend in-person, but the vast majority choose to attend online, a Walmart spokesperson said. 8. Papa Johns Papa Johns Dough & Degrees is one of the tuition reimbursement programs that helps part-time employees, too. The pizza chains assistance program reimburses 100% of tuition for any employees working 10 or more hours a week for at least 60 days. They can pursue online degrees associate, bachelors and masters from Purdue University, the University of Maryland Global and University of Phoenix, among other options. High school completion, English as a second language and continuing professional education is covered, too. 9. Discover The company that offers the Discover Card also helps pay for college. Discover offers employees 100% tuition assistance upfront for select associate and bachelors degrees, including universities such as the University of Arizona, Wilmington University and Ohio University. Outside those select degrees, they also offer up to $5,250 for bachelors degree programs and $10,000 per year for masters degrees at in-network schools. 10. T-Mobile Full-time employees are eligible for $5,250 and part-timers for $2,500 to pay for courses at schools of their choice. Employees can also get full tuition covered each year at five schools that have partnered with T-Mobile to cap the costs of online degree programs. These schools are Ashford University, Capella University, Colorado Technical University, Kaplan and the University of Phoenix. 11. Verizon Verizon offers tuition assistance on day one of employment if you work at least 20 hours per week. The amount is broken down by how many hours you work: 30+ hours: up to $8,000; 20 to 29 hours: up to $4,000. 12. Lowes Lowes got into the tuition assistance game in 2022, announcing that more than 300,000 associates could pursue a debt-free education. Lowes offers access to around 200 programs at more than 20 universities, and continues to pay up to $2,500 for 165 additional programs. 13. KFC KFC employees can receive a scholarship to help them attend a two-year or four-year college, trade or vocational school, or enroll in graduate degree programs. Eligible workers can apply for one of 11 available $20,000 scholarships. There are also $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 scholarships available. Recipients will also benefit from a mentorship program based on the degree they choose. 14. CVS The pharmaceutical retail giant offers up to $3,000 annually for job-related degree programs and up to $1,500 annually for approved job-related non-degree programs. It partners with institutions like Colorado Technical University and University of Phoenix. 15. Wells Fargo The banking giant covers education costs up to $5,000 a year. Wells Fargo also offers annual scholarships up to $3,000 to dependent children of employees. 16. Bank of America Bank of Americas Tuition Assistance Program will pay up to $7,500 a year for employees tuition. Its not clear if this benefit has a lifetime cap or is available to part-time employees. 17. Capital One Capital One bank offers tuition coverage for full-time and part-time employees, up to $5,250 per year. Employees can choose to collect tuition costs upfront or as a reimbursement. 18. Fidelity Investments Brokerage firm Fidelity Investments supports employees by reimbursing 100% on select programs, as well as $5,250 per year for approved programs not in the Guild catalog. 19. Gap, Inc. Gap clothing company said it supports, employees educational journeys by offering eligible employees tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and tuition discounts. The New York State Education Department recently voted to adopt its New York State Portrait of a Graduate, which will help determine the skills and knowledge students will be expected to demonstrate upon high school graduation. This 2025 photo is from the Staten Island Technical High School Commencement ceremony held at the College of Staten Island, Willowbrook, on Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York state is working to overhaul its high school graduation requirements, and it took an important step this week that will help determine what it should take to earn a diploma once Regents exams are no longer required. Under the current requirements, most New York state high school students are required to take at least five Regents exams, which measure student achievement. Those required exams include English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and an additional Regents exam. Stas Holodnak plans to sail around Staten Island in a 14-foot Sunfish, with no motor, no cabin, and no crew. (Courtesy of Stas Holodnak) (Courtesy of Stas Holodnak) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. What started as a simple love for sailing has turned into a unique mission for one Brooklyn resident, Stas Holodnak -- to see Staten Island from every angle, by sailboat. Holodnak, a Brooklyn-based sailor, is preparing to embark on a challenging and inspiring journey by sailing solo around Staten Island in a 14-foot boat with no motor, cabin, or crew. Originally from Ukraine, Holodnak said he has spent years developing his skills on the water. Hes part of the Bloomberg LP sailing team, where he works, but he said his real love lies in sailing small boats solo. Ive been sailing for many years, said Holodnak. Theres something special about how a tiny boat lets you explore lakes, bays, and coastlines in detail. It also breaks the stereotype that sailing has to be expensive. Holodnak first purchased his Sunfish boat years ago, teaching his children how to sail and even penning a childrens book, Wasserfrosch Goes Sailing, to help other families learn the ropes. That same modest boat has taken him on a series of adventures, from small local lakes to Lake Wallenpaupack, and even to Lake George, where he camped on one of its islands. More recently, he kept the boat on Barnegat Bay in New Jersey, sailing regularly throughout the summer. Starting from Great Kills, Holodnak plans to sail clockwise around the borough. (Courtesy of Stas Holodnak) But why Staten Island? A new opportunity came when friends on Staten Island offered to store his boat in their driveway. From there, Holodnak discovered the public launch ramp at Great Kills Harbor, and as he sailed the surrounding shoreline, an idea began to form: What if I tried to sail all the way around Staten Island? As far as I can tell, no one has done that in a sailboat at least not since Captain Billopp back in the 1600s," said Holodnak. The view from the water gives you a completely different perspective on the borough, and I thought it might be worth sharing. Holodnaks reference to Captain Billopp connects to an interesting piece of Staten Island history. One of Staten Islands most enduring legends tells how the borough became part of New York instead of New Jersey. According to the tale, British Captain Christopher Billopp won a bet by sailing his ship around Staten Island in under 24 hours, securing the island for New York. While historians debate the storys accuracy, it remains a beloved piece of local folklore. Centuries later, Holodnak is planning a journey that echoes that legendary voyage, though under very different circumstances. Holodnak said he hopes to complete the trip in three to four days, aiming for a launch window in late July or early August. (Courtesy of Stas Holodnak) Holodnak said he plans to launch from Great Kills and sail clockwise, carefully timing the tides and weather. His plan involves sailing only in light winds, under 12 knots, and allowing time to pause when necessary, especially when navigating tricky areas like the Narrows and Kill Van Kull, known for strong currents and heavy ship traffic. One part Im especially looking forward to is sailing under all four bridges that connect Staten Island to Brooklyn and New Jersey. Seeing them from a 14-foot boat, right on the waterline, will be a unique experience, said Holodnak. He said he hopes to complete the trip in three to four days, aiming for a launch window in late July or early August. Along the way, he said he plans to document the journey with photos and observations. For the ambitious sailor, the trip is less about achieving a record and more about exploring a familiar place in an unfamiliar way, proving that with the right mindset and preparation, adventure is accessible. Ariel Wetherby, top left, is shown with her family on a vacation on Long Beach Island a few years ago. (Courtesy of the Wetherby family) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Friends and family of Ariel Wetherby, 44, are grieving the loss of the vibrant mother whose humble lifes goal was to give her best to her young children. The mother of three lost her courageous eight-year battle with breast cancer on June 24, leaving behind her husband, Jason (Jay) Wetherby, a dedicated firefighter with Engine 163 in Castleton Corners, who was forced to retire after 21 years on the job he loved to care for his wife and the children. She was a good mother,' said her husband, Jay Wetherby. The cancer growth, surgeries and chemotherapy treatments at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Middletown, New Jersey, and in Manhattan, eventually robbed her of her mobility, leaving him no other choice but to be there to care for his family, he said. The children, Gabriella, 15, James, 13, and Charlotte, 9, wanted her at home, he said. She just wanted to take care of the kids,' he said of Ariel. She did everything for them. Thats what she wanted to do, and she did it. She wanted them to have the best life they could have. Young Charlotte, he said, was only a year old when the family got the devastating news. Between treatments, she experienced periods of good health, but eventually lost her motor skills and could no longer walk, he said. The neighbors and many friends didnt even know she was ill until the disease had progressed, Jay Wetherby said. She didnt want people to worry about her,' he said. She didnt want to burden other people. The former Ariel Santiago grew up in West Brighton and graduated from Curtis High School. She held a masters degree and a bachelors degree and taught fourth grade at PS 102 in Brooklyn, at Community Resources Preschool, Richmond, and Children at Play Preschool, Graniteville, where she was a special education itinerant teacher. She would grow up to meet her husband in Belmar, New Jersey, when introduced by a friend, Jay Wetherby recalled. She was funny; she was down to earth,' he said. We just connected." The Jersey Shore was a place she loved to be, he said, and the family would go on to have many vacations on Long Beach Island. She was always trying to get the kids down to the beach,' he said. His wife liked the music of the Beach Boys and Jason Mraz, he said. She also was very attached to the family cockapoo, Sadie, he recalled. The guys at the firehouse have pitched in through the years, providing meals and other assistance, he said. They knew what was going on, and they helped out with anything we needed,' he recalled with gratitude in his voice. To that end, a GoFundMe online fundraiser was organized by fellow firefighter James Long. She was known for her beautiful smile, warm heart, and fierce devotion to her family,' says the GoFundMe, which so far has raised just over $30,000 of its $35,000 goal. Every donation, big or small, makes a meaningful difference in their lives,' the GoFundMe page reads. In addition to her children and husband, Ariel Wetherby is survived by her twin sister, Marisa Santiago; a brother, David Santiago, her mother, Lorraine DeSantis; her stepfather, Donn Jacobsen, and her stepmother, Susan Santiago. She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Santiago. Katie Mohan, a 57-year-old Morristown woman, accidentally damaged her liver after taking a high dose of turmeric pills. On the left, a photo of Mohan slightly jaundiced before she went to the hospital. Provided by Katie Mohan The mysterious symptoms started out mild. Katie Mohan just had some abdominal pain. But within several weeks, she felt nauseous. Her urine became darker. She was easily fatigued, despite teaching and taking barre classes for the past 15 years. And perhaps most alarming, the whites of her eyes began to yellow, shortly before her whole body became jaundiced. She never could have imagined the reason behind the puzzling health crisis: the daily turmeric pills she began taking just a few months earlier. Am I going to need a liver transplant? Am I going to die? the 57-year-old Morristown, N.J., woman recalled thinking in her hospital bed. I was very, very, very scared. Mohan picked up the pills from Costco in mid-March. She had some joint pain and decided to take turmeric, looking to reduce inflammation. She did some research and found several benefits to the herbal supplement. Despite what people think, I didnt just get ... you know, advice from a doctor on Instagram, Mohan told NJ Advance Media. The pills, which include enhanced absorption with black pepper, according to the labeling, are manufactured by Youtheory, an Irvine, California-based supplement brand. The products daily dose is three pills containing 2,250 milligrams well beyond the World Health Organizations recommendation of 0-3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. But Youtheory doesnt sell its 2,250-milligram bottle on its website. Only the 1,000-milligram bottles are available to be purchased online. (Costcos own Kirkland brand of turmeric pills is a 1,000-milligram bottle and includes a warning label about potential liver problems.) Neither Youtheory nor Jamieson Wellness Inc., its parent company, responded to a request for comment. Costco also did not respond to a request for comment. Mohan first saw her doctor in early April, after she began feeling uncomfortable. Her stomach was tender, so her doctor ordered blood work and an abdominal CT scan. Both her blood work, including her liver enzyme levels, and the scan came back normal. But her symptoms continued to worsen and multiply. She made another appointment with her doctor in early June, but before she could, a recent NBC News story caught her eye. Robert Grafton, a Turnersville man who had similar symptoms to Mohan, began feeling sick after he took herbal supplements, including turmeric pills. He received a diagnosis: drug-induced liver injury. The supplements were making him sick. Mohan realized their cases were nearly identical they were roughly the same age, taking the same dose of turmeric and experiencing the same symptoms. I threw them out, Mohan said, and I said to myself, Im wondering if this is whats causing my symptoms. She then went to an urgent care in Florham Park, after her doctor needed to cancel her appointment due to a family emergency. By this point, Mohans eyes had begun to yellow. She was admitted to the emergency room at Morristown Medical Center, where doctors ran several more tests and found severe acute liver damage, with no sign of prior damage. Doctors treated her with an antiviral and an IV drip. But after a few days at Morristown, her liver enzyme levels spiked, instead of dropping. Her skin became completely jaundiced. She was transferred to NYU Langone in New York, where she was hospitalized with evidence of acute hepatitis, impending liver failure and potential transplant evaluation, said Dr. Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos, a hepatologist at NYU Langone who is also associated with Atlantic Health. She was really very sick, said Pyrsopoulos, who was one of the doctors who treated Mohan. Her liver numbers were 60 to 70 times above the normal limit. And she was very yellow. The doctors continued to treat her, and her levels began to trend downward. A doctor confirmed the pills caused Mohans sickness. But he also told her her case was part of a concerning trend. They see three to four liver transplants a year, the doctor told her, due to turmeric-induced injury. Hes like, You essentially poisoned the liver with the turmeric, she recalled. It was the dose combined with the fact that it had that black pepper in it. Mohan continued to receive treatment at NYU for another day, before she was discharged. Her levels are still slightly elevated, but are closer to normal and continue to fall. And her symptoms have disappeared. When she first returned home, Mohan said she felt irritated with herself. The sickness and damage to her liver was entirely preventable, she said, and she never consulted her doctor. But her doctor told her during a follow-up appointment she never wouldve advised against it. I never would have told you not to take turmeric, because it does have so many health benefits, Mohans doctor told her. Mohan, who reported Youtheorys 2,250-milligram bottle to the FDA, said she wishes there had been a warning label on the package, similar to Costcos Kirkland brand for 1,000 milligrams. Plenty of people ingest turmeric, and theyre fine, Mohan said. But this particular dose and brand was too much for her body, she said. Im not telling people not to take it. But you know, just be aware, she said. A Canadian rock star got mercilessly trolled on social media after canceling a U.S. tour to protest the policies of President Donald Trump. The Daily Mail reported that Matthew Good took to Facebook to explain why hed canceled upcoming gigs in Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. To my US fans, and friends... Ive come to the personal decision, that I cant, in good conscience carry out my dates this summer in your country, said the British Columbia-born musician, who is known for songs like Decades and Hello Time Bomb. Good went on, This is not fair to you, and Im very well aware of that, but the truth is, every week that goes by, I have a deeper disdain for whats going on there politically. Alluding to Trumps tariffs and other issues, Good said that he would not perform in the U.S. again until major political changes take place here. The 54-year-old rocker added that he was willing to risk his future U.S. career to stand up against things today. A number of users on X slammed Good for canceling the gigs, with one saying that the rockers stance was likely an excuse due to lack of interest in his performances. Another said: Those poor Americans. How will they ever get over this one? A broken heart emoji was included with that post. A poster on X said that Good was only hurting himself and the people who work for the band financially, and added that Americans wont notice one way or the other. Another user belittled the scale of Goods tour, saying of the rockers gigs, One was a 400 seat brew pub. His date was sandwiched between trivia night and a cover band. He wasnt doing a Las Vegas residency. One of President Donald Trumps top loyalists is slamming the White House after it was announced that the U.S. would send weapons to Ukraine to help that country battle Russia. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told the New York Times that the move shows that Trump is reneging on his America First campaign pledge. The White House announced that missile systems will be sold to NATO countries in Europe. Those countries will then turn the equipment over to Ukraine. Its not just Ukraine; its all foreign wars in general and a lot of foreign aid, Greene said in comments that were also reported by the Daily Beast. She said, This is what we campaigned on. This is what I promised also to my district. This is what everybody voted for. And I believe we have to maintain the course. Republicans are concerned that taxpayers will foot the bill for foreign wars. But the Trump administration said that NATO will pay for the shipment of surface-to-air Patriot missile systems and batteries. Without a shadow of a doubt, our tax dollars are being used, Greene said. She pointed to indirect costs, such as the price of having U.S. troops train Ukrainian forces to use the weapons. Greene also said that the U.S. is already the largest contributor to NATO, and so it is U.S. involvement. I said it on every rally stage: No more money to Ukraine. We want peace. We just want peace for those people, she added. Greene said that voters are worried about domestic issues, including the economy. No ones walking around thinking about Ukraine. No ones walking around thinking about Russia. Theyre just not, Greene said. She also had a warning for Trump and other Republicans. Were opening the door for younger generations to turn to radical leaders, Greene said. Theres a rivalry brewing between Yankees captain Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Dodgers phenom Shohei Ohtani. In an appearance on ESPNs Pat McAfee Show on Monday, Judge was jokingly asked if hes fought Ohtani behind the scenes. Judges response didnt dismiss the idea of punching back in the future perhaps the 2025 World Series? Hes a great guy and a great ambassador for this game, said Judge, via Twitter/X. Were gonna get him back though, well see him down the road. TO PURCHASE YANKEES TICKETS, VISIT: VIVIDSEATS, TICKETMATER and STUBHUB For most of Judges career, Ohtani has been something of a counterpart. While with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani was Judges biggest competition in the American League MVP voting for many seasons. They alternated awards between 2021 and 2023, with Ohtani winning two and Judge one. Then it all opened up for Judge when Ohtani signed with the Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season. Without Ohtani, the Yankees right fielder won the AL MVP award that season easily. But Ohtani was still an impediment for Judge. The Dodgers and the Yankees met in the 2024 World Series in what should have been a competitive contest, if not for the fifth inning in Game 5, when an uncommon Judge error kicked off a parade of blunders for New York. The Dodgers won Game 5 and the World Series, and it was Ohtani, not Judge, hoisting the trophy in the Bronx. Ohtani and Judge will face off on opposing sides again in the All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday. It would be a small victory for Judge to lead the AL over Ohtanis NL step one in getting him back. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Manny Gomez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com. Switzerland, which has already sheltered almost 70,000 citizens of Ukraine, seeks to integrate as many Ukrainians as possible into its labor market, President of the National Council of Switzerland Maja Riniker has said. "...that's really something we are now focusing on. From the first moment when the Ukrainian refugees arrived, we tried to create conditions for them to be fully integrated into the education system. I'm a mother, and I met Ukrainian kids in my children' school classes. So I can assure you, they are fully integrated," she said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine. Riniker also said Switzerland wants to see as many Ukrainians as possible return to their country, because Ukraine really needs citizens for recovery and prosperity. Speaking about whether temporary protection for Ukrainians will be extended for the next few years in Switzerland, Riniker replied that discussions are currently underway in Switzerland on this issue. "Sure, temporary protection will remain for now," she said. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per week Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! Takeaways from AP report on Democrats already lining up for the 2028 presidential race South Carolina hot in July Over the span of 10 days this month, three Democratic presidential prospects are scheduled to campaign in South Carolina. The state is expected to host the Democratic Party's opening presidential primary contest in early 2028, although the calendar hasn't been finalized. California Gov. Gavin Newsom was referred to as a presidential candidate at one stop last week, although he insisted he was there simply to strengthen the party for the midterms. Term-limited Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who acknowledges he's considering a 2028 bid, will spend two days touring South Carolina later this week. He'll focus on the state's Black community, while drawing an implicit contrast with Newsom on cultural issues. California Rep. Ro Khanna, a progressive aligned with the Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party, will target union members and Black voters when he's in the state a few days later. And former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is having private conversations about a potential run with key South Carolina Democrats, including Rep. Jim Clyburn. A Kentucky Democrat up next Beshear, Kentucky's 47-year-old two-term governor, is scheduled to make multiple appearances in South Carolina on Wednesday and Thursday in what will be his first visit to the state on political grounds. He'll highlight his appeal among red-state moderates and Black voters in a Thursday speech hosted by the Georgetown County Democrats in a region that voted three times for Trump and has a large African American population. "Democrats have a huge opportunity to seize the middle and win back the voters who have been increasingly skeptical of the Democratic brand. But it's going to take focus and discipline," he will say, according to speech excerpts obtained by the AP. Already a sense of urgency Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a rising star in the Democratic party, told the AP that presidential prospects "need to be more visible earlier" as Democrats work to recover from their disastrous performance in the 2024 election. "What freaks most Democrats out is not really understanding who's up next. Like, who's got next?" she said. "And I think that that is really what people want most; they want their presidential nominee now." Voters and local officials in key states tend to agree. Jody Gaulin, the Democratic chair in South Carolina's deep-red Oconee County, hopes the energy that comes along with potential presidential hopefuls could boost her party's ranks. "This is exactly what we've been waiting for," Gaulin said. In New Hampshire, 46-year-old Democrat Jane Lescynski was eager to answer when asked to what extent she's thinking about the 2028 presidential election. "I can't wait," she said. Clyburn the kingmaker? Clyburn, South Carolina's only Democratic congressman, told the AP he's had direct contact with Emanuel, Beshear and Khanna. He also appeared with Newsom last week and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in May. Clyburn said he doesn't have an early favorite in the 2028 Democratic nomination contest and may not endorse at all in what he expects to be a very large field. "It can be Gavin Newsom, it can be Wes Moore, Andy Beshear, Ro Khanna, whoever it is, I think they're going to have a very good reception amongst the voters," Clyburn told the AP. "I feel good about Democrats in general." Don't sleep on New Hampshire and Iowa New Hampshire Democratic leaders are privately encouraging 2028 prospects to visit the state. Unlike South Carolina, New Hampshire features two competitive House races and a top-tier Senate race in next year's midterms. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, campaigned Friday in the state with Rep. Chris Pappas, who is expected to represent Democrats on the Senate ballot next fall. She insisted her only purpose in visiting was backing Pappas' campaign. Illinois Gov. Pritzker headlined a key state fundraiser in May. And while Iowa may have lost its top spot on the Democrats' primary calendar, with at least two competitive House races it will almost certainly be a top draw for ambitious Democrats. Pete Buttigieg, a former Biden Cabinet member and a 2020 presidential candidate, hosted a town hall in Iowa in May. Others are moving more cautiously. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has avoided any early state travel this year, focusing instead on his 2026 reelection. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also focused largely on her day job. Both would be top-tier presidential candidates should they decide to run. I wonder whether National Australia Banks chief executive, Andrew Irvine, has decided to participate in Dry July, following the explosive report that some major shareholders have expressed concerns about his drinking and his management style. Shareholders airing their grievances about executive behaviour at top 20 companies is pretty unusual. And for institutional investors to draw attention to a chief executives drinking as a red flag, as reported by The Australian Financial Review, is even rarer. National Australia Bank chief executive Andrew Irvine took the top job in April last year. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer It has left Irvine in the invidious position of whether to respond to a have you stopped beating your wife? type of question. And NAB will now undoubtedly be engaged in a fishing expedition to find out who said what to the media. So far, there has been no official response from the banks chairman, Phil Chronican. NAB has gone to ground, which can sometimes lead to more drama, as it leaves the door open to the spread and amplification of rumours. 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 Michiko Tsuis childhood home there was a room dedicated purely to embroidery. It was there that her mother, Fumiko Saito, would create worlds, one kimono at a time. Michiko would help holding the silk thread as her mother worked, and giving her massages as her fingers and shoulders cramped up. Embroidery began as a hobby for Saito. As for many young women growing up in Kyoto in the first half of the 20th century, the art form was taught as part of a good education. When Saitos husband died while their three children were young, however, she refined her skills and turned her art into a career. Now Saitos work is on display in the National Gallery of Victoria as part of Kimono, an exhibition showcasing the history and evolution of the iconic garment. The work required great patience and was painstakingly exact, Tsui, who migrated to Melbourne in 1981, recalls. Michiko Tsui has donated a wedding kimono her mother made to the NGV; her two sisters wore it at their weddings. Credit: Eddie Jim Her mothers career spanned three decades. One of the most public recognitions of Saitos skills came in 1958 when she was tasked with embroidering the engagement kimono for the then-future Crown Princess Michiko. At that time Kyoto was renowned for textiles and the imperial family would have looked at the work of artisans working there, choosing the best. Saito later made a wedding kimono for her daughters to wear when they married. Featuring 20 vibrant orange and white cranes a traditional wedding motif that symbolises longevity and happiness the stunning garment took more than three months to make. While her two older sisters happily wore it, Tsui bucked the trend, opting instead for a modern version made from red silk. She and her sisters have donated the wedding kimono to the NGV and are thrilled it is being displayed, honouring their mother. Im very happy more people can see her exquisite handmade embroidery, Tsui says, adding that the intricate sewing was hard work. Advertisement According to Wayne Crothers, senior curator of Asian Art at the NGV, the kimono is a thing of great beauty. It also acts as something of a time capsule, he says, tracing the evolution of Japanese society from the 17th century to today. The garment illustrates changing fashion, cultural icons, class structure and ingenuity of creativity with materials and techniques. It is a very impactful exhibition we all love beautiful objects and in that instinctual sense, its a really nice experience, he says. Its not just a textiles exhibition its a historical journey from the Edo period, which is when it was what everyone wore to current day, high-end kimono fashion. Wayne Crothers is the NGVs senior curator of Asian art. Credit: Eugene Hyland More than 70 stunning pieces are on display, including seven dating back to the 1600s and 1700s, when they were worn by the samurai and merchant classes. But kimonos were not the exclusive domain of the wealthy; even the very poor wore kimonos, sometimes creating them from scraps of material. One of these is part of the show, made in the Meiji period (1868-1912) from more than 100 pieces stitched together. It is one of the most popular designs featured, says Crothers. Known as boro or rag kimono, Boro textiles are the creations of unknown craftspeople who never intended for them to be viewed as things of beauty, as noted in the show. However, in a contemporary context they have a collage-like quality, their spontaneous designs imbued with a life and spirituality of their own. Advertisement There are sleepwear kimonos, undergarments (a bit like a kimono-shaped petticoat) to wear beneath some of the more ornate designs, and insights into etiquette short-sleeved kimonos are generally worn by married women, long-sleeved are designed for young women, for example. The obi, or belts worn with kimonos, are an art in themselves, tied in different ways according to who is wearing them and the occasion on which they are worn. Fumiko Saito (19091971) Accessories such as wedding sandals and other examples of the shoes worn with kimonos, headpieces (some crafted from turtle shells), handbags, fans and more are part of the show. The attention to detail underlines the Japanese commitment to all elements of design. Loading Kimono also provides insights into various artistic practices, including wood printing and dying techniques particularly shibori, a manual dyeing technique that creates patterns on fabric by binding, folding, stitching or clamping it, with its distinctive blues. Japanese culture had a big impact on the West during the late 19th and 20th centuries, a period known in art history as Japonisme. Artists including van Gogh and Monet created works referencing ideas and works found in Japanese art. Advertisement It wasnt just art early 20th century Western fashion was inspired by the kimonos design and silhouette. Several examples reference this in the show, including a Liberty & Co coat, an evening coat by Parisian couturier Callot Soeurs, and a day coat by Paul Poiret. Japanese influences would come to the fore again from the 1980s onwards, as shown in more recent garments by John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Zambesi and Rudi Gernreich. Sydney-based fashion designer Akira Isogawa drew heavily on the kimono as an influence, as his work shown attests; there are also two vibrant ensembles by the late Issey Miyake. Pieces by contemporary Japanese designers Robe Japonica, Modern Antenna and Y. &SONS are also on display, as is some of the latest in Harajuku street fashion and cute kawaii styles. Hiroko Takahashis work as part of Kimono at NGV. Credit: Eddie Jim Designer Hiroko Takahashis creations reflect contemporary takes on the garment. She uses black-and-white fabric and models her work in a powerful, feisty stance, rejecting traditional imagery and gendered colours. Crothers says theres a resurgence of interest in the traditional garment in Japan: young people are rediscovering kimonos and appreciating them as a key part of their heritage. They want to wear something that expresses their personality and not the kimono that their [parents and grandparents] wore, he says. They want to own it for themselves. Kimono runs until October 5, at NGV International, Melbourne. Book is an eccentric antiquarian bookshop owner who is also adept at solving mysteries. He draws on his encyclopaedic literary knowledge to help figure out motives, methods and the psychology behind all manner of crimes. Many a fictional detective has an extracurricular talent that feeds into their work; Sherlock Holmes and his violin; Inspector Morse and his crossword skills; Columbos fluency in several languages. Book regularly helps out the local police, led by the affable Inspector Bliss (Elliot Levey), and if anybody queries his involvement, he tells them he has a letter from Churchill. (A bit like Doctor Whos psychic paper, the mere mention of it seems to satisfy anybody who asks). Bookish is set in London in 1946, a less common setting for period drama; Gatiss, a long-time detective fan (as well as Sherlock he has adapted several of Agatha Christies Poirot stories for British TV, and starred in the series Marple), has said its a favourite time period of his, given the state of the world: women suddenly empowered (although expected to return to their kitchens), lots of weapons brought back by soldiers, a radical government, and a sense of hope. But no shortage of criminal activity. Gatiss with his wife Trottie (Polly Walker). Credit: Max We first meet Book when a young man, Jack (Connor Finch), freshly released from prison, shows up for a job hes been given at the bookshop. Jack moves in with Book and his wife Trottie (Bridgertons Polly Walker), who runs a specialty wallpaper shop next door to the bookshop. Gabriel and Trottie seem very much in love but they have a secret: theirs is a lavender marriage, the term given to a marriage where one or both parties are gay, when such a thing is illegal. The pair have long been best friends, having met as children, and Trottie is aware of Books proclivities, which must be kept secret. Especially from the police he spends so much time with. Jack is initially daunted by both Book and his books (all of which are catalogued in a manner as oddball as the man himself), and understandably baffled that the local coppers defer to Book on criminal matters. But he soon comes around and learns that he hasnt been taken in by the couple by coincidence. Television has a new graduating class: Severance, The Penguin, The Studio and The White Lotus have swept this years Emmy nominations, with almost 100 nominations between them. But the list of nominees for the 77th annual Primetime and Creative Arts Emmy Awards was not without its surprises. The movie Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy has been nominated as a television movie. More on that in a moment. And in a real eyebrow-raiser, Ron Howard and Martin Scorsese, two of Hollywoods heavyweight directors, have been nominated for acting Emmys, for playing themselves in episodes of Apple TV+s The Studio. Flying the flag for Australia is Cate Blanchett, who was nominated in the outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie category, for her performance as Catherine Ravenscroft in Disclaimer. Photo: https://mfa.gov.ua/ Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha and U.S. Presidential Envoy Keith Kellogg discussed ways to expand mutually beneficial Ukrainian-U.S. defense cooperation and coordinated further steps to increase the cost of war for Russia. On the social network, Sybiha said he had a productive meeting with Kellogg. The Foreign Minister confirmed Ukraine's unwavering commitment to peaceful efforts aimed at ending the war and restoring peace. "We are grateful to President [Donald] Trump for his pivotal decision to provide, together with European allies, new Patriot systems and other weapons. We discussed ways to expand the mutually beneficial Ukrainian-American defense cooperation, welcomed the bipartisan momentum behind the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, and coordinated further steps to increase the cost of war for the aggressor," the statement reads. Sybiha said that despite Russian propaganda claims, Russia is not winning and Ukraine is not losing this war. The Foreign Minister stressed that "in fact, despite vast resources and losses, Moscow has failed to achieve a single strategic goal." He called for promoting peace through strength: expanding Ukraine's capabilities and increasing transatlantic pressure to force Russia to end its aggressive war. Advertisement The Weekly Special Eating outWhats on The Weekly Special: Which Perth dining icon is celebrating its 10th birthday? Plus a terrific non-alcoholic beverage for Dry July (or any time, really). Max Veenhuyzen July 16, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Could you imagine Perth without the Siamese hedonism of Long Chim? The buzz and morning ritual of Telegram Coffee? The assured polish of Wildflower? The triple-threat of Petition? Dare we even try? In short, its hard to imagine Perth without State Buildings standing tall on the Terrace, just as its hard to imagine that, for almost 40 years, these historic buildings remained derelict until Adrian Fini and co resurrected them in 2015 as Perths finest food and culture precinct (while simultaneously bringing Australias first COMO hotel to Perth). Chef Aurelien, head chef of Cedric Grolet Singapore. To celebrate its 10th birthday, State Buildings is hosting a month-long celebration throughout October that, as youd expect, features a big food focus. Collaborations with COMOs Singaporean venues are a key part of the program, from the team at Cedric Grolet Singapore staging a week-long afternoon tea residency at Cape Arid tea rooms Grolets reputation, and strong social media presence, is the result of artful, trompe loeil pastries to Post hosting a pop-up starring Torno Subito, COMO Dempseys retro-Italian restaurant opened by Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana and Netflix Chefs Table fame. Advertisement Not that October will be all about the internationals. Homegrown talent will also be highlighted via a conversation series, a Vasse Felix paired wine dinner, plus an exclusive one-night performance from the Australian Chamber Orchestra in the buildings Postal Hall. Head to the State Buildings website for further details of the program. Still Young (George) at heart Young George, the East Fremantle neighbourhood bar and kitchen run by Melissa Palinkas and Susan Whelan, is also celebrating its 10th birthday this year. Young Georges Melissa Palinkas and Blaze Young of Nieuw Ruin. To mark their milestone, the Young George crew is inviting young guns Blaze Young and Stephen Chen from Nieuw Ruin to take part in its Epic Pig, Truffle and Winter Produce Dinner on Thursday (July 17). Advertisement Expect a deeply porky menu paired with wines from biodynamic South Australian winery, Hedonist Wines plus big birthday party energy. Tickets are $200 per person and available online. A late bookers guide to southwest food party Cabin Fever This weekend sees Cabin Fever descend on the Margaret River and Busselton regions for 10 days of good eating, drinking and living (July 18-27). While tickets to signature events such as the toastie battle and Shelters bingo night were quickly snapped up, the program is still home to plenty of reasons to temporarily head down south for the winter. These include the Fervor (Friday) lunch and (Saturday) dinner at Si Vintners; maverick winemakers LS Merchants bringing the party to Margaret River fine diner desendent; plus Kashmiri-Australian writer Sarina Kamini is hosting a butter chicken night at Margaret River Brewhouse. (Kaminis forthcoming book, What We Call Masala, due out at the end of July, is a game-changer and is an essential purchase for anyone interested in Indian cuisine and spice.) Fried ice cream, Singaporean breakfast-style If you can resist the nostalgic, hot and cold pleasures of fried ice-cream, youre a better person than me. Advertisement Singaporean fried ice-cream. Together with Chicho Gelato, Jacob DVauz of Special Delivery is celebrating his Singaporean heritage and reconfiguring the island-nations famous kaya toast and soft-boiled egg breakfast as an ice-cream. The result a deep-fried, coconut-crumbed sphere of butter toast gelato, filled with kaya jam, served on a white pepper soy caramel and crowned with a salted egg yolk mousse is only available at Chicho Mount Lawley on Sunday, July 20 and Sunday, July 27 July from 2pm until sold out. Rethinking tea Since bursting onto the drinks scene in 2021, Melbournes TINA has consistently brought fresh ideas to the non-alcoholic market. (The name TINA, as you might know, is an acronym for This Is Not Alcohol.) Advertisement TINA Table Tea, the newest release from founders Chrissie Trabucco and Imogen Hayes, continues this trend and combines Central Taiwanese high-mountain amber tea with marigold flowers to create a bright, fizzy beverage singing with flavour. Look for it at cafes and grocers as well as wherever you buy your favourite non-alcs. A wagyu sando pop-up comes to Bulwer Street The next chapter of Prestons Delis After Dark Series takes place this Friday (July 18) with Eddie Bulato formerly of Lawsons Flats, now of native food business Gather Foods taking over the Bulwer Street deli and leading a wagyu takeover. Expect plenty of beef, truffles and smoke. Reservations and pre-orders are essential and can be made online. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Theres foie gras upstairs and small plates next door, but at this handsome new boozer, find hearty pies, beer on tap and the anything-goes atmosphere of Australias best pubs. When the team behind hatted Melbourne restaurant French Saloon and its sibling Kirks Wine Bar decide to open a pub, you expect something fancy. But Le Pubs co-owners, Con Christopoulos and Joshua Brisbane, have zeroed in on punter-friendly prices, potato cakes and music for their third venue to grace the corner of Hardware Lane and Little Bourke Street. Cafe cultures all but dead, Christopoulos says. The only place you get to meet people and be part of a community is the pub. Le Pub is the latest addition to the Kirks empire on busy Hardware Lane. Simon Schluter While French Saloon channels Parisian bistros and Kirks the neighbourhood bars of Europe, Le Pub is styled on the Aussie pub-plus-bottleshop format, nodding to the sites past as Kirks Bazaar Hotel in the 19th century. Its not the teams first go at a pub on this stretch of road. In late 2016, Kirks Public Bar opened next door to Kirks Wine Bar, serving pints, Scotch eggs and pork pies. Le Pub occupies that site plus the vacant building next door, and has the bonus of a dedicated kitchen. Advertisement Sponsored Eating outAltitude Restaurant Shangri-La Sydney Where sky-high views meet world-class flavours Advertorial for Altitude Restaurant Shangri-La Sydney Katie Cunningham July 15, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share To get to Sydneys best-looking dinner destination, youve got to be willing to go high. Perched 36 floors above the city is Altitude, the fine-dining restaurant that arguably offers Sydneys finest views no small feat in a place renowned for its natural beauty. A trip up to Altitude is well worth the elevator ride. Situated at the top of the Shangri-La Sydney, Altitude offers a panoramic view over Sydney Harbour. From your table, you can watch ferries cruise by, see the sun reflect off the sails of the Opera House, and take in the sheer scale of the Harbour Bridge. As unforgettable dining experiences go, its hard to top Altitude. Its well worth the elevator ride. Advertisement Modern Australian excellence Its not just the view that makes Altitude memorable. Seasonal menus make use of the very best local produce for inventive dishes. You could start with cajun tuna tataki, served with Katsuobushi, pimenton, saffron, watermelon, heirloom tomato, karkalla and finger lime (with the option to add scampi caviar) a beautifully layered dish that brings together sweetness, umami, and native Australian texture. Another standout entree is the honey-glazed duck breast, which executive sous chef Michele Menegazzi cites as a perfect example of how we integrate sustainability and local character into our fine dining experience. Indulge in delights, such as the Wagyu with a marble score of 4+ braised beef cheek complemented by Kipfler fondant potato, rich and tender with deep, comforting flavours. The duck is brushed with honey harvested from the hotels own rooftop beehives an urban colony that has produced over 2,700 kilograms of raw, unfiltered honey since its inception. Advertisement Next, you might move on to one of the stellar main courses, such as the Wagyu with a marble score of 4+ braised beef cheek complemented by Kipfler fondant potato, rich and tender with deep, comforting flavours. Alternatively, the Condabilla Murray cod offers a lighter yet equally refined option, paired with lemon aspen, La Boqueria chorizo, harissa, Dutch potato cream, and a roasted fennel vinaigrette. Dessert could be a tangelo mousse with lemon myrtle meringue crisp, or an Earl Grey chocolate terrine with spiced corella pear and wattle-seed wafer. In a mark of their quality, at the helm of many of the restaurants most delicate dishes is executive pastry chef Kumiko Endo, who has worked at famed restaurants like Testsuya and Attica. As executive sous chef Michele Menegazzi sees it, the Altitude menu is a refined expression of modern Australian cuisine. In fact, behind each dish youll find at least one native Australian ingredient (and artisan passionate about their harvest). Working closely with local producers and farmers is all part of the ethos at Altitude, with regular visits to farms often inspiring new ideas for the menu. Advertisement Even the menu is designed to complement Altitudes prime position. We champion premium local ingredients and apply contemporary techniques to bring out their natural character, he says. Its about telling a story of place and season on every plate, with a focus on elegance, balance, and thoughtful detail. The Altitude experience At Altitude, every detail is designed to impress. Youll be greeted warmly as you arrive and waited on by staff who remember that special occasion youre there to celebrate. Expect refined ambience and comfort inside. And with floor to ceiling windows facing the harbour, theres nothing interrupting that breathtaking view. Even the menu is designed to complement Altitudes prime position, Menegazzi says. Advertisement Our menu is inspired first and foremost by where we are 36 floors above Sydney Harbour, surrounded by panoramic views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the ever-changing skyline. We draw from Australias diverse landscapes and native ingredients, using seasonal produce and regional flavours. The goal is to create dishes that not only taste distinctly Australian but also feel in harmony with the sweeping views that surround our guests. Menegazzi believes any truly wonderful fine dining experience demands a combination of elevated cuisine, warm and intuitive service, and a setting that simply takes your breath away. Altitude, hes proud to say, offers all three. When it comes to wine, consult executive sommelier Shun Eto and his team. Theyre on hand to help you choose the ideal grape or design a perfect wine pairing for your meal. Enjoy your selection perhaps a glass of Dom Perignon or delve into the restaurants extraordinary 500-strong wine library. This celebrated collection spans from promising emerging producers to truly iconic, rare vintages. A testament to its unparalleled depth and curation, the list earned the highest 3 Glass Rating at Australias Wine List of the Year Awards in 2024, celebrating its ninth consecutive victory. Advertisement Whatever tipple you go for, Altitude is certainly the perfect place for a sundowner when the suns up, you can take in the Harbour in full flight, at sunset youll watch oranges descend over the horizon, and after dark you can see it all twinkle. A dinner for the history books is all but guaranteed. Plus, Altitudes glass-walled private dining room offers an unparalleled experience, floating 36 levels above the harbour for intimate gatherings of up to 18 guests. With its matching iconic views, this sought-after space perfectly sets the scene for both romantic marriage proposals and special milestone celebrations. Menegazzi believes any truly wonderful fine dining experience demands a combination of elevated cuisine, warm and intuitive service, and a setting that simply takes your breath away. Altitude, hes proud to say, offers all three. An unforgettable experience is when the food, setting, and service work together to create a moment of genuine connection and delight, Menegazzi says. At Altitude, every detail is intentional, from the view-inspired dishes and seamless wine pairings to the personalised touches from our team. How good. Ready for a dining experience like no other? Book your table at Altitude. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up The unforgettable footage of NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott running towards danger that April Saturday afternoon last year at Bondi Junction is a reminder of the Sacred Trust that encapsulates the high standards of conduct and ethical responsibility expected of the NSW Police Force. Courage under pressure: Inspector Amy Scott. Credit: Kate Geraghty And at those moments of bereavement, injury, natural disaster and personal terror, many of us have experienced that trust first-hand, as police restore order and calm, help the human spirit endure and give meaning to life even amid death, horror and personal loss. And then there are Timothy John Trautsch and Nathan Black. The two former NSW Police officers assaulted, kicked, stomped on and capsicum-sprayed a naked, mentally unwell woman in a Western Sydney street before one of them sent body-worn camera clips to a colleague. The woman suffered from schizophrenia and had been released hours earlier from the nearby Amber Laurel womens prison in January 2023. A man has been charged with manslaughter after a baby boy drowned at a popular rest stop north-west of Brisbane. The 42-year-old man was arrested days after the seven-month-old boy was discovered by his mother in the rest areas lake, in Gympie, about two hours north of Brisbane. The man was known to the child, police said. The boys family was passing through on their way back to far north Queensland and camped at Gympies Chatsworth Park about 50 metres from the waters edge on Friday night, police said. A misleading witness statement tendered to court by an ATO officer that could have sent three innocent Australians to jail has been uncovered. The document was discovered by businessman Jae Jang through Freedom of Information laws and will now form part of an independent investigation by the Tax Ombudsman into a decade-long case first exposed by A Current Affair and published by this masthead. ATO officer Anthony Rains was the lead investigator in the criminal prosecution of Jang and two of his employees, Gold Coast-based Debbie and Bill Ingleton. Jae Jang, who had sought all necessary approvals for a new alcohol product, was pursued by the ATO for alleged fraud. Credit: A Current Affair The trio were charged in late 2017 with conspiracy to defraud the Australian Taxation Office, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years jail. A junior doctor charged with stalking and other offences after a mobile phone was discovered in a staff toilet at the Austin Hospital also worked at the Royal Melbourne, The Age can reveal. Management at the Royal Melbourne have written to staff to inform them that trainee Ryan Cho, who was arrested last week, had also been employed at the Parkville site. Cho was arrested during a Heidelberg West raid on Thursday. He was charged with stalking and use of an optical surveillance device. The 27-year-old was released on bail and is due to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates Court on August 29. A man who ran a rogue trading scheme that borrowed money from underworld figures before it went bust will spend a year in jail after being convicted of dishonest conduct. Daniel Kirby was on Tuesday sentenced to two years and 11 months jail over his role at Berndale Securities, which collapsed in 2019, on one count each of lying to his companys auditor, dishonest conduct as a company director and misuse of company funds. Daniel Kirby (right), the former director of Berndale Capital Securities. Credit: Facebook The corporate watchdog, which brought the charges, alleged Kirby had misused at least $1 million of client funds to fuel his lavish lifestyle of high-end cars and expensive holidays. The McLaren-driving former hotshot will spend a minimum of 12 months behind bars before being eligible for parole. His sentence is the first to be handed out under the new regime for white-collar criminals to be tried at the Federal Court, rather than at local courts. Carolina Wilga is not the first person to go missing at the edge of Western Australias Wheatbelt. In a spot where farming country meets unforgiving salt plains, scrubby mallee bush and hostile heat, the states police were already working their way through the difficult terrain of Karroun Hill when they got the call. German backpacker Carolina Wilga was airlifted to hospital after spending almost two weeks in the WA outback. Credit: 9News Perth Coincidentally, officers had been following up on missing gold prospector Barry Podmore when a call came in about the missing German backpacker. Wilga had not been seen since June 29 in a small Wheatbelt town, and family in Germany had raised the alarm via Interpol when she failed to return their messages. Stopping cats from roaming is a priority for Western Australias local councils, but many say they need help in overcoming obstacles to enforce responsible cat ownership. A new survey of local government areas has revealed that only three out of 26 councils have been successful in bringing in permanent containment laws that would compel cat owners to keep their pets at home, on a leash or in a cat enclosure. Perth councils are crying out to implement their own cat containment laws. Credit: Adobe Stock Seven councils have tried more than once but have been disallowed by a government committee that viewed the laws as in conflict with the state Cat Act. Yet 78 per cent of council respondents told the survey they would add the permanent containment law if there was a clear pathway to implementation. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina on Tuesday, July 15. "We discussed defense support for our soldiers and its financing through European instruments, in particular within the framework of SAFE. As well as drones, European integration and the opening of negotiation clusters. Justice in this process must be ensured," Zelenskyy said in the Telegram channel following the meeting. The president noted the symbolism of the meeting on Ukrainian Statehood Day, and thanked the people and government of Latvia for significant assistance and a new defense package. "This is a good strengthening of our army. Thank you for your leadership and willingness to allocate even more than 0.25% of GDP to support Ukraine," Zelenskyy said. According to the President's Office, during the meeting, Zelenskyy and Silina also discussed how the delivery of new defense support packages from NATO member countries will be carried out in practice. In addition, they discussed political support for Ukraine on its path to EU membership and the efforts needed to open six negotiation clusters this year. Zelenskyy and Silina share the same vision: it is important to do everything possible to unblock the negotiation process as soon as possible. Xi Jinping was a picture of calm as Anthony Albanese approached for his handshake, the Australian prime minister grinning broadly. The Chinese president beamed as he clasped Albaneses hand and posed for the cameras on Tuesday. The formal meeting in Beijings Great Hall was followed by a more intimate banquet between the leaders, which was interpreted as a sign of warmth from the Chinese side that went further than the reception given to some visiting leaders. China Daily, a state media outlet, trumpeted the unusual length of Albaneses visit (six days) and claimed the prime ministers office saw the trip as a friendly gesture made against the backdrop of rising tensions between the United States and many countries. But two awkward moments involving Australian journalists travelling with the prime minister acted as a counterweight to the stage-managed moments of warmth and words of co-operation that the leaders exchanged. Liberal candidate for Bradfield Gisele Kapterian says she is not seeking a byelection in the once blue ribbon northern Sydney seat but instead wants a judge to rule on some 800 ballots that she believes could swing the May election result in her favour. Kapterian on Tuesday lodged a petition in the High Court, which sits as the Court of Disputed Returns, in a bid to have the Bradfield result overturned by a judge. Gisele Kapterian on Tuesday. Credit: Jessica Hromas Teal candidate Nicolette Boele won Bradfield in a recount, with just 26 votes separating the pair. Kapterian, who has a frontbench position on hold for her in Canberra, said she was expecting a short and sharp hearing and none of her costs in lodging the petition would be met by taxpayers. Kapterian has indemnity from the Liberal Party in the event of a loss, but Boele is a respondent so will likely incur costs. Western Health acting chief operating officer Christine Neumann said her health service was in discussions with the department. Patients and consumers can also access vaccination services at a range of other local health services, including GPs, some pharmacies and local councils, she said. One Western Health source, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said staff members had deep concerns about the changes. This clinic provides an essential service, the employee said. Melbourne mother Isabel Fernandes who started a Change.org petition signed by more than 700 people opposed to the cut said she learnt the clinic would be closing in late August while attending for her daughters routine vaccination. Loading One of the nurses told me that the clinic has been running at full capacity for some time now and had even asked for additional funding to keep up with demand, Fernandes said. Its really sad. Having the flexibility of walk-in appointments made a huge difference, especially when juggling the unpredictable schedule that comes with a baby. I was also really anxious about her first vaccinations, and it gave me real peace of mind knowing they were being done in a hospital setting, just in case of a rare reaction. Child immunisation rates have dropped in the past few years. At the same time, there has been a jump in vaccine-preventable diseases. In the Brimbank local government area, where the Joan Kirner Womens and Childrens Hospital is located, there have been three reported cases of measles this year up from one case last year and none in 2023. There were eight reported cases of whooping cough in Brimbank in 2023, which jumped to 146 cases last year. There have been 71 detections this year. For chickenpox, there were fewer than 20 reported cases in Brimbank between 2020 and 2022. There were 20 cases last year and nine have been reported so far this year. Childhood vaccination rates have dropped across Melbournes north-western suburbs, with 92.02 per cent of one-year-olds now fully vaccinated compared with 94.54 per cent in the 12 months to December 2020. National full vaccination coverage for one-year-olds fell by 0.35 per cent to 92.14 per cent in the 12 months to December last year, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data. University of Sydney professor of public health Julie Leask said it was very, very bad timing for a drop-in vaccination service to be closing. Walk-in services are incredibly important for families who struggle to make planned appointments, Leask said. Theres this thing we call opportunistic vaccination, and its one of the most important things healthcare services can do. When an adult or child turns up and you ask them about their vaccinations and find out theyre not up to date, you can send them down the corridor. Some of the small measles outbreaks weve seen in the past have come from communities where the kids werent up to date because of access barriers. Burnet Institute director Brendan Crabb said the re-emergence of whooping cough and measles was a sign of real trouble. We have to think creatively, he said. Nothing should be off the table. The cost-effectiveness of it is extraordinary. If you dont prevent, youve got to spend money treating. Victorian councils have separately raised the alarm that they could be forced to reduce access to free vaccinations for children. The Age last year revealed the Victorian government had rushed through a new co-payment system for providers to use its online platform, Central Immunisation Records Victoria (CIRV), to register vaccine history, bookings, consent and stock. The government is charging an average of $2.32 per immunisation, with annual fees for councils capped at $25,000. The Municipal Association of Victoria and several councils state they had been repeatedly assured that access to the crucial record system would always be free. Councils provide about 430,000 immunisations to Victorian children a year, covering 90 per cent of all vaccinations for school-aged children, and 45 per cent of those for younger children and babies. A Department of Health briefing document last year said the co-payment model was introduced due to the current fiscal constraints in the state. A parliamentary inquiry into local government funding called on the state to fully fund the platform, saying it acted as a disincentive to participate in a program vital to community health. The government rejected the recommendation last month. Stonnington Council said the new fee strained local government budgets and threatened the delivery of free vaccination programs as well as the health of vulnerable children. In a letter to Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas last year, the council said just 18 per cent of the cost of immunisations was covered by state and federal governments. Stonnington contributed $317,000 to the program last year. While councils are required under the Health Act to provide immunisation services, Stonnington said outreach services could be reduced and clinics scaled back. We are being asked to promote the RSV vaccine, deliver it at no cost to families, and then pay the state government a fee through CIRV for doing so, Stonnington mayor Melina Sehr said in a statement this week. That is an extraordinary situation. If councils abandon CIRV, records could be split across multiple private platforms, raising serious questions about data security, quality and accessibility. Our most vulnerable community members, including babies and young children, should not be caught in the middle of a funding dispute. Stonnington remains committed to working with the Victorian government to protect public health. But this charge must be scrapped and the CIRV platform fully funded to ensure councils can continue delivering these essential services. Moonee Valley City Council told the parliamentary inquiry that state and federal funding covered 48 per cent of the cost, leaving a shortfall of $99,000 for the local government in 2022-23. Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said Labors priorities were all wrong when it came to the funding dispute with Western Health. Health services should be able to have the flexibility to make decisions that meet the needs of the community. Greens health spokesperson Dr Sarah Mansfield said the clinics closure would put unnecessary pressure on other parts of the health system. Families in outer suburbs and regional areas already face barriers to care, and vaccination rates are slipping below herd immunity thresholds, she said. We need more free vaccination services, not less. Councils have long complained the state has been offloading costs onto them by shifting responsibilities onto local governments, particularly in maternal and child healthcare, while capping rates. London: Britain set up a secret scheme to bring thousands of Afghans to the United Kingdom after their personal details were disclosed in a data leak, putting them at risk of reprisals from the Taliban after its return to power, court documents showed. Concerns that those named people who had worked for or fought alongside British troops could be targeted by the Taliban led the previous Conservative government to set up the relocation scheme, involving thousands of people and estimated to cost the government about 2 billion ($4.1 billion). British troops in Kabul in 2020. Credit: AP The leak by the Ministry of Defence in early 2022, which saw data published on Facebook the following year, and the secret relocation program were subject to a so-called super-injunction preventing the media reporting what happened, which was lifted on Tuesday, London time. British Defence Minister John Healey on Tuesday apologised for the leak, which included details about members of parliament and senior military officers who supported applications to help soldiers who worked with the British military and their families relocate to the UK from Afghanistan. Washington: The famous MacArthur Park, a splash of green in the grimy centre of Los Angeles, became a focal point for the ongoing war between California and the Trump administration last week when nearly 100 soldiers in tactical gear and federal officers on horseback marched through it in broad daylight in front of children. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who made a beeline for the park when she heard about the display of force, said the absolutely outrageous stunt was meant to instil fear and put the city in its place. Federal agents marched through MacArthur Park in Los Angeles last week. Credit: AP You have the federal government that has seized power from a governor and is attempting to seize authority and power in a city, she said on the weekend. Los Angeles is a Petri dish, and they are practising on us. The experiment is on us. For six weeks, California has been at the centre of the Trump administrations efforts to clamp down on illegal immigration, with agents undertaking raids at car washes, textile factories, farms and Home Depot stores. The raids sparked a wave of protests, including clashes with law enforcement, which have ebbed in intensity but continue to this day. PHILIPSBURG:--- The communication by CBCS regarding the termination process of the former CBCS Director and the process of his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of a commercial bank is unacceptable under the current circumstances, stated Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs in a press release issued on Monday, July 14, 2025. The appointment was not properly communicated to the Shareholders. We were only informed after the fact. In a letter dated June 27, 2025, the Minister of Finance was officially informed by CBCS of the formal resignation of the former director, which had been submitted on June 26, 2025. The letter also indicated that the individual would begin a new position on July 1, 2025, although no mention was made of the specific commercial bank name. Additionally, it referenced decisions made within CBCS as early as December 1, 2024, regarding the matter, yet no prior communication was provided to the Shareholders, raising serious concerns about transparency and governance. The timing is particularly troubling, as Shareholders were only officially informed three days before the start date, despite standard practice typically requiring at least one months notice. The sequence of events raises questions and appears highly irregular. The individual recently appointed as CEO of a commercial bank was, until recently, a Director at the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten (CBCS). This commercial bank operated under the direct supervisory authority of the Central Bank. Minister Gumbs expressed serious concern over the lack of communication with the Shareholders, calling it entirely unacceptable. She noted that the process did not begin in June, as suggested, but appears to have been underway since December of the previous year. On two separate occasions, she had to actively request information from CBCS after first learning of key developments through media reports. At no point was a meeting convened to inform the Shareholders of this significant transition or to explain what measures were being taken to prevent potential bias. In a small community like ours, timely and transparent communication, both to Shareholders and to the public, is essential to prevent misunderstandings and perceptions of partiality. In this respect, CBCS has fallen notably short. I have requested a meeting with the Central Bank to discuss this matter. I shouldnt have had to do that in the first place. Still, Im looking forward to this meeting, she stated, pointing out that her position is in complete alignment with that of her colleague in Curacao, Minister Javier Silvania. Minister Gumbs emphasized that much of the current concern could have been avoided through timely and proper communication from CBCS. Minister Gumbs said that the new appointment could further complicate ongoing legal, political, or financial efforts to stabilize or assess the ENNIA process, including the vexed issue of Mullet Bay. Stakeholders may question whether potential future opportunities for its executives influenced past CBCS decisions, she added. This is not merely about optics; it reflects a failure in institutional safeguards and governance, Minister Gumbs stated. The fact that the commercial bank was and still is a direct beneficiary of CBCS-led decisions, under the watch of its new CEO, makes this transition a textbook example of regulatory risk, she explained, adding that it could be seen as borderline insider trading. The Supervisory Board must explain how this move was allowed to proceed and why no interim or ethical restrictions were applied, Minister Gumbs continued. She further pointed out that this decision raises issues of conflict of interest, especially in the absence of a cooling-off period, because the new CEO was involved in decisions regarding the sale or approval processes of entities, including the commercial bank itself, which he now heads. If accounting firms, for example, and many other companies have clauses that prohibit their executives from working for similar clients for a specified period of time after they leave or resign, it is unbelievable that a regulator like our Central Bank wouldnt have such a requirement. Thats a big red flag for me. Moreover, Minister Gumbs stated that the appointment process raises concerns about the regulatory integrity of and public trust in the Central Bank. In my view, it undermines the perception of CBCS as a neutral and independent regulator, and it raises questions about whether insiders are benefiting from privileged information or influence over regulated entities. Finally, Minister Marinka Gumbs stated that the whole matter strikes at the very heart of supervisory credibility. This could signal to the public and financial sector that former regulators can transition directly into the institutions they once supervised without consequence or scrutiny, the minister stated, adding: I am looking forward to the meeting with the Central Bank where I will further hear from them and also they will hear from me regarding what I believe should be the plan going forward. But something of this nature should never ever happen again. The Valley, Anguilla:--- The Royal Anguilla Police Force is investigating a shooting incident that occurred in the Rock Farm area early this morning. At approximately 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 15th July, the RAPF received a report of gunshots heard in the vicinity of an apartment complex at Rock Farm. Officers were immediately dispatched to the location, where it was confirmed that three individuals had sustained non-fatal injuries. All three victims are currently receiving medical attention. A firearm was recovered from the scene, and as a result of the RAPFs swift response, one suspect was taken into custody in connection with the incident. Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The Royal Anguilla Police Force is urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information that can assist in the investigation to contact the Criminal Investigation Department at +1 (264) 497-2333 or to submit an anonymous tip via SecureAXA.com. Public cooperation continues to play a vital role in ensuring the safety of our communities. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Justice Ministry of St. Maarten is engulfed in a storm of dysfunction, with the Pointe Blanche Prison crisis and the chaos at the Immigration and Border Control Department (IND) serving as glaring examples of systemic failure. The Law Enforcement Councils recent notification to Parliament and the Kingdom Council of Ministers paints a grim picture of negligence, human rights violations, and a lack of accountability. Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tacklings dismissive responses to these crises reveal a leadership vacuum at the heart of the Ministry. Pointe Blanche Prison: A Humanitarian and Security Crisis The Law Enforcement Councils June 6, 2025, notification underscores the dire state of the Pointe Blanche Prison. Years of neglect and failure to implement recommendations have created a hazardous environment where the safety and human rights of detainees, staff, and visitors are routinely compromised. The Councils report highlights a life-threatening riot and fire on May 14, 2025, as a stark reminder of the prisons precarious state. Without immediate action, further escalation and potential fatalities are inevitable. The Councils findings are a damning indictment of both local and Kingdom-level authorities. Despite over a decade of inspections and recommendations, the prison remains a symbol of structural negligence. The Councils unprecedented decision to issue a formal notification under Article 32 of the Kingdom Act on the Law Enforcement Council reflects the gravity of the situation. Minister Tacklings Deflection and Denial Minister Nathalie Tacklings recent statements during a Council of Ministers press briefing reveal a troubling disconnect from the realities on the ground. When questioned about the prison crisis and the cost of housing prisoners overseas1.2 million annually for the Netherlands aloneher responses were vague and dismissive. She downplayed the significance of motions passed during the budget debate, claiming that many of the proposed measures, such as electronic monitoring, are already in place. However, her rhetoric fails to address the systemic issues highlighted by the Council. Tacklings assertion that the prison system is not a "pick and choose" operation and her focus on logistical challenges, such as staffing for electronic monitoring, reflect a lack of proactive leadership. Instead of addressing the root causes of the prisons dysfunction, she appears content to maintain the status quo, leaving inmates, staff, and the public to bear the consequences. IND: A Hotbed of Corruption and Incompetence The chaos extends beyond the prison to the Immigration and Border Control Department (IND), where allegations of corruption and gross incompetence are rampant. Employees are reportedly engaged in backbiting and infighting, exacerbated by the ineptitude of the department head. Online services are in disarray, leaving residents unable to upload documents or obtain invoices for residency applications. The resulting backlog has left countless individuals in limbo, unable to secure or renew their residency permits. Minister Tacklings inability to address these issues has only deepened the crisis. The INDs dysfunction is not just a bureaucratic failure; it is a humanitarian one, affecting the lives and livelihoods of people living and working in St. Maarten. Yet, the Minister has shown little inclination to tackle the "monster" created by the department head and complicit employees, further eroding public trust in her leadership. A Ministry in Crisis The Justice Ministrys woes are emblematic of a broader governance crisis. From the Pointe Blanche Prison to the IND, the common thread is a lack of accountability, transparency, and effective leadership. Minister Tacklings defensive rhetoric and failure to implement meaningful reforms have left the Ministry in a state of paralysis, unable to fulfill its mandate to ensure justice and security for the people of St. Maarten. The Law Enforcement Councils alarm should serve as a wake-up call, not just for the Minister but for the entire government. Without immediate and decisive action, the Justice Ministry risks becoming a symbol of systemic failure, undermining the rule of law and the publics faith in their leaders. The Justice Ministry is not just in chaos; it is in crisis. Minister Nathalie Tacklings inability to address the myriad issues plaguing her Ministryfrom the Pointe Blanche Prison to the INDhas left St. Maarten at a crossroads. Will the government step in to restore order, or will the Ministry continue its descent into dysfunction? The people of St. Maarten deserve answersand action. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Honorable Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Mr. Richinel Brug is urging all business owners and employers in St. Maarten to comply with the legal requirement to register their employees with the Division of Labor Affairs. Labor registration is a critical part of building a transparent, fair, and protected workforce on the island based on the National Ordinance on the Registration of Workers (Landsverordening tot inschrijving van arbeidskrachten). Labor registration is not just a bureaucratic step, its a foundation for protecting workers' rights and strengthening the integrity of our labor market, said Minister Brug. Additionally, it helps ensure compliance, allows for accurate and up-to-date statistics, and provides a level playing field for all of the social partners, workers, employers, and the Government. Were calling on all businesses to take this responsibility seriously and to register their employees accordingly. Application Options Employers can submit labor registration applications: Via email to the Division of Labor Affairs, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Who Can Submit? Business Registration: Must be submitted by the Director, Owner, President , or an authorized representative . Must be submitted by the , or an . Personnel Registration: Must be completed by the employer or an authorized representative. Cost of Processing Fee ANG 250 for businesses with 050 employees ANG 750 for businesses with 51200 employees ANG 1000 for businesses with 201 or more employees For more information regarding the required documents, contact Division Labor Affairs via telephone (insert numbers) or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the official website of Government Sint Maarten www.sintmaartengov.org. Minister Brug encourages all employers to act swiftly and responsibly: As we continue building a modern and responsive labor system, your compliance and collaboration are essential. Lets work together to create a labor environment where every worker is registered, respected, and protected. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is currently investigating a stabbing incident that occurred shortly after 3:00 PM this afternoon on the Aaron Jacobs Drive in Cape Bay. Police were alerted to the incident, where a male victim, A.J.B., sustained two stab wounds. Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene, and the victim was transported to the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) in stable condition to receive further medical attention for his injuries. The suspect, identified as W.D., was arrested and has been taken into police custody in connection with the stabbing. The KPSM Detective Department has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident. The suspect, W.D., will remain in custody pending further investigation. KPSM Press Release. Pechersky District Court of Kyiv has chosen a preventive measure in the form of a personal bond for the head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center Vitaliy Shabunin, MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak (Holos faction) said. "The court has chosen a preventive measure for Vitaliy Shabunin in the form of a personal bond. In short, it has satisfied the prosecutors' motion.... Which was to be proven. And to be expected in Pechersky District Court," Zhelezniak said in his Telegram channel on Tuesday evening. As the Anti-Corruption Action Center reported in Telegram, the judge of Pechersky District Court of Kyiv, Svitlana Hrechana, granted the prosecution's motion for a preventive measure against head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center's board Shabunin in the form of a personal obligation. The term is until August 20. Vitaliy was assigned the following duties: to arrive at the summons of an investigator, judge or prosecutor; not to leave the place where he serves, except for performing tasks; to refrain from communicating with employees of the National Criminal Investigation Department, former commander Yushko and representatives of the unit; not to visit the National Criminal Investigation Department building; to surrender his passport for travel abroad. The motion at the last moment removed the requirement to wear an electronic bracelet. When choosing a preventive measure, the judge refused to grant the defense's motion. In particular, Hrechana refused to attach interrogation protocols confirming that Shabunin performed a large amount of work during his business trip to the National Criminal Investigation Department. "You can talk a lot about the gaps in the investigation, but here's just one fact. Over the two years of the investigation, the SBI has not been able to question the NACP leadership about Vitaliy's business trip. And it has never questioned Shabunin before declaring suspicion," the center said. As reported, the SBI suspects the Anti-Corruption Action Center head Shabunin of systematically evading military service and using an Armed Forces vehicle without legal grounds. He was notified of suspicion under Part 4 of Article 409 (evading military service under martial law) and Part 2 of Article 190 (appropriation of another's property by fraud, committed on a large scale) of the Criminal Code. Aliya Capital Partners and Protego Ventures Co-Lead Strategic Series B Round alongside participating investors: Len Blavatnik s Claltech, Union-Tech Ventures & Chartered Group, as XTEND s AI Robotic Technology Proves Itself in Global Conflicts and the Company Opens Its New U.S. Headquarters in Tampa, Florida XTEND (https://www.xtend.me/), a leader in AI-powered tactical autonomous robotic systems, today announced that Aliya Capital Partners and Protego Ventures have co-led a strategic $30M extension to its $70M Series B funding round, joining participating investors: Len Blavatnik s Claltech, Union-Tech Ventures and Chartered Group. XTEND s AI-powered systems (https://vimeo.com/1100413074/428e50cb80?ts=0&share=copy) are actively used by the U.S. Department of Defense, Singapore, Europe, the UK, and the Israel Defense Force to improve strategic capabilities and mission success in challenging environments. With this Series B funding, XTEND plans to scale up U.S. and global production, integrate real-time AI capabilities across its platforms, and expand deployments with U.S. and allied defense forces, as well as for humanitarian and emergency response efforts. As part of this investment, Aliya Capital Partners Founding Partner and CEO, Ross Kestin, has joined XTEND s Board of Directors. Kestin explains: XTEND s missionto deliver cutting-edge drone and robotics systems for high-risk, mission-critical environmentsaligns directly with our vision of supporting technologies that protect and enhance life. We re honored to back Aviv and his world-class team and help accelerate the impact of their technology across defense, security, and emergency response sectors. The announcement follows the grand opening of XTEND s new U.S. headquarters and advanced drone manufacturing facility in Tampa, Florida, on July 1. The event brought together government, military, and industry leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, remarks from key stakeholders, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the company s state-of-the-art manufacturing operations. The grand opening of XTEND s Tampa facility represents more than a physical expansionit marks a new phase of operational scale, U.S. engagement, and global relevance, said Lee Moser, Co-Founder and General Partner of Protego Ventures. We re proud to support this next chapter alongside the Aliya team. Lital Leshem, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Protego Ventures, adds: We invested in XTEND because it s clear they are building a category-defining platform for human-guided autonomy that can scale fast and make an immediate impact. At a time when defense innovation demands urgency and trust, XTEND stood out as ready to lead. XTEND CEO Aviv Shapira concludes: The successful completion of our Series B financing highlights the surging demand for mission-critical autonomous systems from allied defense and public safety agencies. The investment will fuel accelerated R&D, scale manufacturing, and global deployment expansion. That said, the backing from Aliya and Protego isn t just about fresh capitalit s a powerful vote of confidence. Ross s experience and strategic perspective are invaluable in navigating this pivotal growth phase. Furthermore, opening our Tampa headquarters is a major step forward as we continue to build cutting-edge systems that protect lives worldwide. Additional investor quotes: Avi Fischer, Chairman of Clal Industries and Claltech, says: When investing in companies, you typically meet the founders, the management team, the technologyand of course, dive into the virtual data room. But with XTEND, we did something far more important. On our very first visit, we walked into a room with over 50 end users, all being trained on the system. What convinced us to invest wasn t just the techit was their feedback. They spoke about how the system has saved lives, how AI-driven training cut learning time by 99%, and how this technology is already changing the battlefield. That s when we knewwe had to be part of this. Dr. Peter Kash, Chairman of the Board, XTEND, says: This milestone represents the realization of XTEND s vision to bring our groundbreaking technologies closer to the U.S. defense ecosystem. With this facility, we re laying the foundation for sustained growth, high-tech job creation and meaningful contributions to America s security and industrial capabilities. I m incredibly proud of the team that made this moment possible, amplifying the connectivity of Florida and the future of AI and Robotics. I am incredibly proud of the team that made this moment possible, by helping attract blue chip investors that are aligned with our goal to amplify the connectivity of Florida and the future of AI and Robotics. Tal Recanati, Managing Director Union Tech Ventures: Since our investment three years ago, we ve seen the XTEND management team demonstrate exceptional execution and innovation. With the successful completion of this latest financing round, XTEND is now poised to strengthen its position as a global leader in defense technology. About XTEND Founded in Israel, XTEND develops next-generation robotics and autonomous systems powered by proprietary AI and real-time human-guided operating software. Its platforms are engineered for precision and safety in the world s most complex and hazardous environments. XTEND s systems enable the deployment of self-reliant AI-driven tactical robotic teams in complex and dynamic mission scenarios. The company s patented XOS operating system fuses the best human intelligence and machine autonomy to enhance the operator s abilities, simultaneously reducing the need for direct physical confrontation, thereby minimizing casualties and injuries. Thousands of XTEND s systems are already operationally deployed worldwide, and the company is continuously developing its XOS operating system and platforms to deliver the future of human-machine teaming to defense, HLS, and security professionals worldwide. Find out more here (https://www.xtend.me/). About Aliya Capital Partners Aliya Capital Partners is a Miami-based investment firm with deep expertise across defense-tech, AI, autonomy, and national security. The firm backs companies delivering meaningful and unexpected impact, particularly at the intersection of advanced technology and global safety. About Protego Ventures Protego Ventures (https://www.protego.vc/) is an Israel-based defense venture capital fund investing in breakthrough technologies that address today s most urgent defense and security challenges, including drones, AI and machine learning, sensors, aerial defense, and UAVs. Video: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2731551/XTEND.mp4 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2731510/XTEND_1.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2731511/XTEND_2.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xtend-secures-30m-extension-to-complete-70m-series-b-to-scale-its-battle-proven-autonomous-ai-robots-across-america-302505642.html Contact: Ittai Arbel, ittai.arbel@xtend.me, +972-542-448080 Original-Content von: XTEND, ubermittelt durch news aktuell Elon Musk's xAI inks Pentagon deal for contentious Grok chatbot New York, July 14 (AFP) Jul 14, 2025 Elon Musk's xAI, which features a large language model that has spewed Hitler-supporting rhetoric and antisemitic tropes, said Monday it has signed a deal to provide its services to the US Department of Defense. Launched at the end of 2023, Grok has rarely been out of the headlines for its offensive gaffes, and will now offer its services as "Grok for Government." In addition to the Pentagon contract, "every federal government department, agency, or office (can now) purchase xAI products" thanks to its inclusion on an official supplier list, xAI added. After an update on July 7, the chatbot praised Adolf Hitler in some responses, denounced on X "anti-white hate", and described Jewish representation in Hollywood as "disproportionate." xAI apologized on Saturday for extremist and offensive messages, and said it had corrected the instructions that led to the incidents. The new version of the chatbot, Grok 4, presented on Wednesday, consulted Musk's positions on some questions it was asked before responding, an AFP correspondent saw. The contract between xAI and the Department of Defense comes even as Musk and President Donald Trump are locked in a bitter feud. The two men became close during Trump's latest run for the presidency and, following the inauguration, the Republican billionaire entrusted Musk with managing the new agency known as DOGE to slash the government by firing tens of thousands of civil servants. After ending his assignment in May, the South African-born entrepreneur publicly criticized Trump's major budget bill for increasing government debt. The president and the businessman engaged in heated exchanges on social media and in public statements before Musk apologized for some of his more combative messages. The government and the defense sector are considered a potential growth driver for AI giants. Meta has partnered with the start-up Anduril to develop virtual reality headsets for soldiers and law enforcement, while in June OpenAI secured a contract to provide AI services to the US military. tu-gw/dw X On the sidelines of the international conference Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (URC 2025), which took place last week in Rome (Italy), 12 international agreements worth over EUR 200 million were signed in the healthcare sector. According to the Ministry of Health, in particular, on the first day of the conference, seven international agreements worth over EUR 75 million were signed, and five more agreements, memorandums and arrangements worth EUR 120 million were signed the next day. Among the agreements, in particular, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Swedish Development Financial Institution Swedfund to attract financing within the framework of the project accelerator for the development of medical infrastructure for an estimated amount of EUR 120 million, the memorandum between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health of Italy on cooperation in the healthcare sector, the memorandum between the Superhumans Center and the Officina Ortopedica Maria Adelaide clinic (Turin, Italy), which specializes in the manufacture of prostheses for patients with partial hand amputation. The list of agreements reached in Rome includes a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and business associations, which certifies strategic cooperation in the field of production and supply of critically important medicines, support for investments and certification in accordance with EU GMP standards, as well as the formation of strategic alliances in the field of procurement. In addition, within the framework of the political dialogue between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Korea on cooperation within the Economic Development and Cooperation Fund (EDCF), intentions to implement joint projects were agreed, in particular, the construction of the building of the National Cancer Institute, the development of the Heart Institute of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, and the procurement of laboratory equipment for the public health system. During the conference, it was announced the launch of the second phase of the joint project "Support to Healthcare Reforms in Ukraine" for 2025-2029, which is being implemented by WHO and the World Bank with financial support from Switzerland. The new phase will be aimed at strengthening resilience, supporting reforms and restoring the health system during and after the war, taking into account Ukraine's European integration course. The project focuses on three key areas: health management, health system financing, and the provision of medical services, with an emphasis on improving their quality, efficiency, and accessibility, in particular at the level of primary care and for vulnerable categories of the population. Pentagon inks contracts for Musk's xAI, competitors New York, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 The Pentagon announced contracts on Monday with multiple leading US artificial intelligence firms including Elon Musk's xAI, which has faced intense scrutiny in recent days over anti-Semitic posts by its Grok chatbot. Each of the contracts to xAI, Anthropic, Google and OpenAI have a ceiling value of $200 million, the Pentagon's Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) said in a statement. The awards will enable the Department of Defense "to leverage the technology and talent of US frontier AI companies to develop agentic AI workflows across a variety of mission areas," it said. The contract with xAI comes just days after the company was forced to apologize again for controversial posts by its Grok chatbot. After an update on July 7, the chatbot praised Adolf Hitler in some responses on the X social media platform, denounced "anti-white hate," and described Jewish representation in Hollywood as "disproportionate." xAI apologized for the extremist and offensive messages, and said it had corrected the instructions that led to the incidents. The release on Wednesday of Grok 4, the latest chatbot version, was almost met with scrutiny after it appeared to consult Musk's positions on some questions it was asked before responding. The contract between xAI and the Department of Defense comes even as Musk and President Donald Trump have publicly feuded in recent weeks. Musk, a top backer of Trump's most recent presidential campaign, was entrusted with managing the new agency known as DOGE to massively slash government spending under the current administration. After ending his assignment in May, the South African-born entrepreneur publicly criticized Trump's major budget bill for increasing government debt. The president and the businessman engaged in heated exchanges on social media and in public statements before Musk apologized for some of his more combative messages. - 'Critical national security needs' - The government and the defense sector are considered a potential growth driver for AI giants. Musk's xAI announced on Monday the launch of a "Grok for Government" service, following a similar initiative by OpenAI. In addition to the Pentagon contract, "every federal government department, agency, or office (can now) purchase xAI products" thanks to its inclusion on an official supplier list, xAI said. Meta meanwhile has partnered with the start-up Anduril to develop virtual reality headsets for soldiers and law enforcement. OpenAI had previously announced in June that it had secured a Defense Department contract with a ceiling of $200 million. "Establishing these partnerships will broaden DoD use of and experience in frontier AI capabilities and increase the ability of these companies to understand and address critical national security needs with the most advanced AI capabilities U.S. industry has to offer," said the CDAO statement on Monday. tu-gw-des/sla X Japan says China's military activities could 'seriously impact' its security Tokyo, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 Japan said Tuesday that China's intensifying military activities could "seriously impact" its security, citing the first confirmed incursion by a Chinese military aircraft into its airspace in an annual threat assessment. The defence ministry said in its white paper that China was ramping up its activities in the entire region surrounding Japan. A Chinese military aircraft entered Japan's airspace in August last year, it said. Then in September, a Chinese aircraft carrier and two other naval ships sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan. Beijing's military "created a situation that could seriously impact Japan's security," the paper said, repeating earlier comments that China's actions were of "grave concern". It repeated its comment from last year's paper that China's military ambitions pose "an unprecedented and (the) greatest strategic challenge" to Japan and the world. Tokyo said last week that Chinese fighter jets flew within 30 metres (100 feet) of a Japanese military patrol aircraft over the East China Sea. Last year, Chinese vessels sailed near the Japanese-administered Senkaku islands -- known as the Diaoyu in China -- a record 355 times, according to Tokyo. And last month Japan said that two Chinese aircraft carriers sailed in the Pacific simultaneously for the first time, including in Japan's economic waters. China called it "routine training". Beijing has also conducted joint drills with Russia which are "clearly intended as a demonstration of force against Japan," the paper said. It repeated that North Korea's activities pose a "more grave and imminent threat to Japan's national security than ever before". The white paper was approved by the cabinet of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday morning. Japan is in a multi-year process of increasing its defence spending to the NATO standard of roughly two percent of gross domestic product (GDP). It is bolstering its military ties with Washington -- and other regional US allies -- to make US and Japanese forces nimbler in response to threats such as a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The Pentagon is pressing Japan and Australia to make clear what role they would play if the United States and China went to war over Taiwan, the Financial Times reported on Saturday. Elbridge Colby, US under-secretary of defence for policy, has been pushing the issue in meetings with Japanese and Australian defence officials in recent months, the FT said. Colby said on X that President Donald Trump's "common sense agenda" included "urging allies to step up their defense spending and other efforts related to our collective defense". "Of course, some among our allies might not welcome frank conversations," Colby added. The issue also forms parts of negotiations between Tokyo and Washington on a trade deal to avert 25-percent tariffs on Japanese imports due from August 1. Explosion at Iraq oil field suspends operations: US company Arbil, Iraq, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 An explosion at an oil field in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region on Tuesday suspended operations, the US company operating the field said. HKN Energy said in a statement that "an explosion occurred earlier today at approximately 7:00 AM local time (0400 GMT) at one of its production facilities in the Sarang field." It added that "operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured". The source of the explosion, which did not cause any casualties, was not immediately clear. In the past few weeks, there has seen a spate of drone and rocket attacks mostly affecting Kurdistan. Long plagued by conflict, Iraq has frequently experienced such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles. The explosion in Sarang field occurred a day after three explosive-laden drone attacks were reported in Kurdistan, with one drone shot down near Arbil airport and another two hitting the Khurmala oil field causing material damage. There has been no claim of responsibility for those attacks. But, on July 3, the Kurdistan authorities said a drone was downed near Arbil airport, blaming the Hashed al-Shaabi -- a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries now integrated into the regular armed forces. The federal government in Baghdad rejected the accusation. The latest attacks come at a time of heightened tension between Baghdad and Arbil over oil exports, with a major pipeline through Turkey shut since 2023 over legal disputes and technical issues. In May, Iraq's federal authorities filed a complaint against the autonomous Kurdistan region for signing gas contracts with two US companies, including HKN Energy. Israel military says striking Hezbollah targets in east Lebanon Jerusalem, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 Israel's military said it was striking targets belonging to Hezbollah's elite Radwan force in eastern Lebanon on Tuesday, the latest attack despite a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group. "Moments ago, Israeli Air Force fighter jets... began numerous strikes toward Hezbollah terror targets in the area of Beqaa, Lebanon," it said in a statement. "The military compounds that were struck were used by the Hezbollah terrorist organisation for training and exercising terrorists to plan and carry out terrorist attacks against (Israeli) troops and the State of Israel," it added. Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite a November ceasefire that sought to end over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, including two months of all-out war that left the group severely weakened. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the latest strikes were "a clear message" to Hezbollah and the Lebanese government "which is responsible for upholding the agreement." "We will strike every terrorist and thwart any threat to the residents of the north and to the State of Israel -- and we will respond with maximum force against any attempt at rebuilding," he said in a statement from his ministry. The military statement said an Israeli operation in September 2024 had "eliminated" Radwan force commanders in Beirut and southern Lebanon, but that "since then the unit has been operating to reestablish its capabilities". "The storage of weapons and the activities of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation at these sites constitute a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and constitute a future threat to the State of Israel," it added. Under the November ceasefire deal, Hezbollah was to pull its fighters back north of the Litani river, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border, leaving the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeepers as the only armed parties in the region. Israel was required to fully withdraw its troops from the country but has kept them in five places it deems strategic. Japan says China's military activities could 'seriously impact' its security Tokyo, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 Japan said Tuesday that China's intensifying military activities could "seriously impact" its security, citing the first confirmed incursion by a Chinese military aircraft into its airspace in an annual threat assessment. The defence ministry said in its white paper that China was ramping up its activities in the entire region surrounding Japan. A Chinese military aircraft entered Japan's airspace in August last year, it said. Then in September, a Chinese aircraft carrier and two other naval ships sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan. Beijing's military "created a situation that could seriously impact Japan's security", the paper said. It repeated its comment from last year's paper that China's military ambitions pose "an unprecedented and (the) greatest strategic challenge" to Japan and the world. Beijing responded by saying the paper "hypes up the so-called China threat". "China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this and has lodged solemn representations with Japan," China's foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said. Tokyo said last week that Chinese fighter jets flew within 30 metres (100 feet) of a Japanese military patrol aircraft over the East China Sea. Last year, Chinese vessels sailed near the Japanese-administered Senkaku islands -- known as the Diaoyu in China -- a record 355 times, according to Tokyo. And last month Japan said that two Chinese aircraft carriers sailed in the Pacific simultaneously for the first time, including in Japan's economic waters. China called it "routine training". Beijing has also conducted joint drills with Russia which are "clearly intended as a demonstration of force against Japan", the paper said. It repeated that North Korea's activities pose a "more grave and imminent threat to Japan's national security than ever before". The white paper was approved by the cabinet of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday. - Japan boosts defence spending - Japan is in a multi-year process of increasing its defence spending. It is bolstering its military ties with Washington -- and other regional US allies -- to make US and Japanese forces nimbler in response to threats such as a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The Pentagon is pressing Japan and Australia to make clear what role they would play if the United States and China went to war over Taiwan, the Financial Times reported on Saturday. Elbridge Colby, US under-secretary of defence for policy, has been pushing the issue in meetings with Japanese and Australian defence officials in recent months, the FT said. Colby said that President Donald Trump's "common sense agenda" included "urging allies to step up their defense spending and other efforts related to our collective defense". "Of course, some among our allies might not welcome frank conversations," Colby wrote on X. The issue also forms parts of negotiations between Tokyo and Washington on a trade deal to avert 25-percent tariffs on Japanese imports due from August 1. nf-sam/rsc Dutch, Danes look to join Trump Ukraine arms plan Brussels, Belgium, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 Denmark and the Netherlands on Tuesday said they were looking to participate in US President Donald Trump's plan for Europe to buy American weapons for Ukraine. Trump on Monday announced a tougher line on Moscow over its war in Ukraine as he gave the Kremlin 50 days to end the fighting or face massive new economic sanctions. Together with NATO chief Mark Rutte he also unveiled a deal under which European members of the military alliance would buy billions of dollars of arms from the United States -- including Patriot anti-missile batteries -- and send them to Kyiv. Economic powerhouse Germany has already said it is going to play a leading role in the scheme and has offered to buy two Patriot systems. Denmark's foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said that his country was "absolutely ready" to join the scheme and would contribute with cash. "We have to work out the details," he said. His Dutch counterpart Caspar Veldkamp said the Netherlands was looking into participating in the scheme "with a positive inclination". "We will look into what we can do in relation to Mr Trump's announcements and take it from there," he said. One of the major questions hanging over the new plan is how fast it can get desperately needed weaponry to Ukraine as it faces nightly Russian bombardments. Rutte said that the scheme could allow European countries to send weaponry to Ukraine from their stocks that would be then replaced by new US arms. But few countries possess systems like Patriots and those that do have frequently argued that they cannot spare more. He said that beyond Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, other NATO allies Canada, Norway, Sweden and Britain were among the potential buyers. The apparent pivot from the US leader away from an attempted rapprochement with Russia's Vladimir Putin will please Washington's European allies. "After yesterday's announcements, it's clear that leadership is once again coming from the US," said Lithuanian foreign minister Kestutis Budrys. European countries admit that helping Ukraine keep up its fight against Russia's invasion would be very difficult without access to US weaponry. Drone attack shuts US-run oil field in Iraqi Kurdistan Arbil, Iraq, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 A drone strike forced a US company to suspend operations at an oil field in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region on Tuesday, the latest in a string of attacks targeting the region's energy infrastructure. The Kurdistan Regional Government said the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province was hit, denouncing the strike "an act of terrorism against the Kurdistan Region's vital economic infrastructure". The attack followed similar drone strikes a day earlier on an airport hosting US troops and another on an oil field in neighbouring Arbil province. HKN Energy, the US firm operating the Sarsang site, said the blast occurred at about 7:00 am (0400 GMT) at one of its production facilities. "Operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured," it said in a statement. A fire broke out but caused no casualties. HKN Energy said emergency teams later contained the blaze. In the past few weeks, Iraq -- particularly the Kurdistan region -- has seen a spate of unclaimed drone and rocket attacks. Long plagued by conflict, Iraq frequently experiences such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel. The US embassy in Baghdad denounced "the recent drone attacks throughout Iraq", including strikes on "critical infrastructure" at oil fields in Kurdistan. "These attacks are unacceptable," the embassy said on social media platform X, urging Baghdad to investigate. The Iraqi government "must exercise its authority to prevent armed actors from launching these attacks against sites... including locations where Iraqi and international companies have invested in Iraq's future," it added. - 'Unacceptable' - The explosion in Sarsang field came a day after three explosive-laden drone attacks were reported in Kurdistan. In one of them, a drone was shot down near Arbil airport, which hosts US troops, while two others hit the Khurmala oil field, causing material damage. There has been no claim of responsibility for those attacks. But on July 3, the Kurdistan authorities said a drone was downed near Arbil airport and blamed the Hashed al-Shaabi -- a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries now integrated into the regular armed forces. The federal government in Baghdad rejected the accusation. The latest attacks come at a time of heightened tension between Baghdad and Arbil over oil exports, with a major pipeline through Turkey shut since 2023 over legal disputes and technical issues. In May, Iraq's federal authorities filed a complaint against the autonomous Kurdistan region for signing gas contracts with two US companies, including HKN Energy. Iraq slammed the deals, saying all oil and gas development must be conducted through the federal government. A few hours after Tuesday's drone attack, Iraq's oil ministry announced an initial agreement with HKN Energy to develop the Hamrin oil field in Salaheddin province. After signing the agreement, Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani said Baghdad was looking forward to cooperating with US companies in the oil and gas sector. There are some 2,500 US troops in Iraq as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group. str-rh-cbg/dv On Wednesday, July 16, in Lublin (Poland), Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha will take part in a meeting of the Lublin Triangle at the level of heads of foreign ministries of Ukraine, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland. The agenda includes the security situation, strengthening defense cooperation, increasing pressure on Russia, and countering disinformation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) press service said. "The minister will discuss with his colleagues the security situation in Ukraine and the region, in particular, taking into account the common border of the Lublin Triangle countries with Russia and Belarus, the buildup of Ukraine's military-technical potential and strengthening of defense cooperation, the strengthening of coordinated U.S. and EU pressure on Russia, countering disinformation and other Russian hybrid threats," the Foreign Ministry said on its website on Tuesday. The focus will also be on Ukraine's progress towards EU and NATO membership, the development of infrastructure projects, as well as scientific, cultural and people-to-people contacts between the peoples of Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland in order to strengthen trust and partnership in the region. The event will allow for the coordination of key issues on the agenda, the preparation of common positions and the definition of priorities for the upcoming meeting of leaders in the Lublin Triangle format. Following the meeting, the adoption of a Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministers of the Lublin Triangle is planned. It is noted that the Lublin Triangle format was founded in 2020 and this year celebrates its fifth anniversary. The Lublin Triangle is a political platform for coordinating efforts in security, economics and Euro-Atlantic integration. Netherlands, Scandinavian states look to join Trump Ukraine arms plan Brussels, Belgium, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands on Tuesday said they wanted to participate in US President Donald Trump's plan for Europe to buy American weapons for Ukraine. Trump announced a tougher line on Moscow over its war in Ukraine on Monday as he gave the Kremlin 50 days to end the fighting or face massive new economic sanctions. With NATO chief Mark Rutte, Trump also unveiled a deal under which European members of the alliance would buy billions of dollars of arms from the United States -- including Patriot anti-missile batteries -- and send them to Ukraine. Economic powerhouse Germany has already said it is going to play a leading role in the scheme and has offered to buy two Patriot systems. Denmark's foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said that his country was "absolutely ready" to join the scheme and would contribute with cash. "We have to work out the details," he said. His Dutch counterpart Caspar Veldkamp said the Netherlands was looking into the scheme "with a positive inclination". "We will look into what we can do in relation to Mr Trump's announcements and take it from there," he said. Sweden's Defence Minister Pal Jonson said his country "would contribute". "We welcome the US announcement that it will enable increased sanctions against Russia and open up for deliveries of Patriot systems and other weapon systems to Ukraine," Jonson told AFP in a written statement. He noted that Ukraine was "in great need of more air defence," given Russia's "constant bombings and attacks." One of the major questions hanging over the US plan is how fast it can get desperately needed weaponry to Ukraine as it faces nightly Russian bombardments. Rutte said the scheme could allow European countries to send weaponry to Ukraine from their stocks that would be then replaced by new US arms. But few countries possess systems like Patriots and those that do have frequently argued that they cannot spare more. He said that beyond Germany, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands, NATO members Canada, Norway, and Britain were also among the potential buyers. "Norway is in close dialogue with Ukraine on how we can best assist the country with military support," Norwegian defence minister Tore O. Sandvik said in a written statement to AFP, also noting that air defence was a "high priority". Meanwhile, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told public broadcaster YLE that his government would "evaluate each decision case by case as we receive more detailed information." Trump's apparent pivot away from an attempted rapprochement with Russia's President Vladimir Putin will please Washington's European allies. "After yesterday's announcements, it's clear that leadership is once again coming from the US," said Lithuanian foreign minister Kestutis Budrys. European countries admit that helping Ukraine keep up its fight against Russia's invasion would be very difficult without access to US weaponry. Drone attack shuts US-run oil field in Iraqi Kurdistan Arbil, Iraq, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 A drone strike on Tuesday forced a US company to suspend operations at an oil field in Iraq's Kurdistan, the latest in a string of attacks targeting the autonomous region's energy facilities. The Iraqi government said it will investigate the attacks, which occurred months before legislative elections, at a time of simmering tension between Baghdad and the regional administration in Arbil mainly over oil exports. The Arbil government said the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province was hit, denouncing the strike as "an act of terrorism against the Kurdistan Region's vital economic infrastructure". It did not say who may be behind the attack, and there was no claim of responsibility. Tuesday's attack followed similar drone strikes a day earlier on an airport hosting US troops and on an oil field in Arbil province, near Duhok. HKN Energy, the US firm operating the Sarsang site, said a blast occurred at about 7:00 am (0400 GMT) at one of its production facilities. "Operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured," it said in a statement. A fire broke out but caused no casualties. HKN said emergency teams later contained the blaze. In the past few weeks, Iraq and particularly the Kurdistan region have seen a spate of unclaimed drone and rocket attacks. Long plagued by conflict, Iraq frequently experiences such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel. Iraqi Kurdistan presents itself as a relative oasis of stability in a volatile Iraq, attracting foreign investors due to its close ties with the United States and European countries. - 'Vital institutions' - On Tuesday, Kurdistan's presidency condemned the latest attacks, warning that they "pose a risk" to international investments and calling on Baghdad to find the perpetrators and prevent further incidents. Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an "immediate and comprehensive investigation" into the attacks, his military spokesman Sabah al-Numan said. "The nature and timing of these criminal acts indicate malicious intent aimed at creating confusion and harming Iraq and its vital institutions," Numan added. Iraq is gearing up for legislative elections in November, which are often marked by heated political wrangling. The attacks also come at a time of heightened tension between Baghdad and Arbil over oil exports, with a major pipeline through Turkey shut since 2023 over legal disputes and technical issues. In May, Iraq's federal authorities filed a complaint against the autonomous Kurdistan region for signing gas contracts with two US companies, including HKN Energy. Iraq slammed the deals, saying all oil and gas development must be conducted through the federal government. A few hours after Tuesday's drone attack, Iraq's oil ministry announced an initial agreement with HKN to develop the Hamrin oil field in Salaheddin province. - 'Unacceptable' - The US embassy in Baghdad denounced the recent drone strikes, including on "critical infrastructure" in Kurdistan. "These attacks are unacceptable," the embassy said on X, adding that the Iraqi government "must exercise its authority to prevent armed actors from launching these attacks against sites... where Iraqi and international companies have invested in Iraq's future". The Sarsang attack came a day after other explosive-laden drone attacks were reported elsewhere in Kurdistan. One drone was shot down near Arbil airport, while two others hit the Khurmala oil field in the same province, causing material damage. There has been no claim of responsibility for those attacks. Politicians close to the Kurdish authorities blamed pro-Iran groups, without offering evidence. On July 3, the Kurdistan government said that the Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries now integrated into the regular armed forces, had downed a drone near Arbil airport. Baghdad rejected the accusation against "an official Iraqi security institution". str-rh-cbg/ami Patriot air defences for Ukraine: Useful but no panacea Paris, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 Expected deliveries of new US Patriot air defense systems by some NATO countries to Ukraine will help against intensifying Russian missile and drone attacks, but are no front-line game changer, analysts say. - A proven system - Introduced in 1985, the Patriot has been continuously updated since its first deployment against Iraqi Scud missiles in the Gulf War, allowing it to intercept ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Each battery consists of a control station and mobile launchers equipped with four interceptor missiles, each costing several million dollars. The latest radar version, which has only just gone into service in the US, allows 360-degree coverage. Previous models only cover a 120-degree arc. Patriot is in service in 18 countries, including Ukraine, which has a few batteries. Its interception range is up to 70 km (43.5 miles) against aircraft and cruise missiles for the Patriot PAC-2 version, and between 20 and 35 km against ballistic missiles for thePatriot PAC-3, according to US army data. Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the PAC-3 MSE missile, plans to increase production from 500 missiles in 2024 to 650 in 2027. Raytheon, which produces the missiles for PAC-2, expects to boost its monthly output by 150 percent by 2028, Tom Laliberty, its president in charge of air defence systems, told AFP. He did not, however, reveal its current production level. - How useful against Russian attacks? - The challenge for Ukrainians is that the Russians are aiming more airborne weapons at their cities - including many cheap drones - and these attacks are also becoming increasingly effective. Over the past week, Russia launched over 1,800 Geran-2 (the Russian version of the Iranian Shahed-136) alongside decoy long-range drones, according to Fabian Hoffman, a research fellow at the University of Oslo. "This marks a sharp increase in the average intensity of long-range drone attacks per day, peaking at 728 combined drones and decoys on July 9", not counting ballistic and cruise missiles, he said. In comparison, the most intense salvo last winter, on February 23, involved 267 drones. While Patriots are useful against high-performance missiles, their deployment against a mass of Shahed drones is "a waste of resources", researcher Joseph Henrotin, who is editor-in-chief of the Defence and International Security (DSI) journal, said in a podcast last week. Each Geran-2 costs an estimated $30,000 to $70,000, according to Hoffman, who said that western arsenals currently lack cost-effective interceptors for defence against long-range drones. "This forces Ukraine - and, in a future conflict, European states - to choose between expending interceptor missiles that cost 20 times more than the drone, relying on anti-aircraft guns that are not widely available, or allowing the drone through and accepting the resulting damage," he said. Even against manoeuvring Russian ballistic missiles like the Iskander or Kinzhal, the Patriot's performance is limited. "Until a few weeks ago, Patriots regularly intercepted Iskander missiles. Now, they struggle more because the Russians have started using their manoeuvring capabilities," said a European missile defence specialist who did not wish to be identified. The rate of successful interceptions of such missiles has fallen by about 10 percentage points from last winter to 86 percent currently, said Henrotin. - What impact on the course of the war? - With its missile strikes aimed at cities, Russia is forcing Ukraine to allocate significant resources to the protection of its population. "Additional means can indeed help to better concentrate Ukraine's air defense efforts," said one western military source who declined to be named. However, the overall trend points to a slow and steady weakening of Ukrainian positions amid Russian territorial gains. "I fear that Russia might be able to last five minutes longer" than western support for Ukraine, French armed forces chief-of-staff Thierry Burkhard said last month. And even if the US delivers Patriot systems to Ukraine "over the next year or two", Russia will be able to hike missile and drone production in response, said a high-ranking western officer who declined to be named. The current annual production of Patriot systems -- between 850 and 880 -- is only just above the lowest estimate for Iskander and Kinzhal production, cautioned Hoffman. Russian cruise missile production, of the Kalibr et Kh-101 type, is greater still, he said. mra-fz/jh/gv LOCKHEED MARTIN Colombian soldiers drown in survival training Bogota, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 Three Colombian soldiers drowned in a river Tuesday during a survival training exercise, authorities said. The soldiers were participating in anti-guerrilla exercises in central Colombia, including a task in which they had to cross the Magdalena River with rafts they built themselves, army officer Jorge Hernandez told Blu Radio. One raft, with 11 soldiers on board, was swept away by a current and forced underneath a ferry docked on the shore. Eight managed to escape, but three were sucked under the water. Deaths during military exercises are not unheard of in Colombia, and analysts blame military equipment in poor condition. In April, a soldier died in a helicopter crash in the country's north and in February eight lost their lives in a traffic accident in the southwest. Colombia remains embroiled in a six-decade internal conflict pitting guerrillas, drug traffickers and the military against one another. Pechersky District Court of Kyiv has imposed a preventive measure on public activist, head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center Vitaliy Shabunin, "thus confirming the validity of the suspicion in the criminal offenses charged," the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) informed in Telegram on Tuesday evening. It is noted that the court imposed a preventive measure on the suspect in the form of a personal bond, without the use of electronic means of control. "The investigating judge established that the suspicion presented by the SBI is justified and confirmed by the evidence available to the investigation," the SBI said. In addition, the court ordered the suspect not to leave the place of military service assigned by the commander, to refrain from communicating with another suspect in the criminal proceedings the former commander of the military unit and former and current officials of the NACP, and to hand over documents granting the right to travel abroad. The report does not specify the name of the suspect, but the plot of the case suggests that it is Shabunin. On Tuesday, the court chose a preventive measure for the head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center Shabunin in the form of a personal commitment until August 20 without an electronic bracelet. Another factor is that not all BBC shows are solely funded by it. For example, Industry is a co-production with HBO and the most recent series of Doctor Who was in part funded by Disney+. The salaries of stars associated with these shows may not be funded exclusively from the licence fee money. One can only speculate as to the reasons for your behaviour, but what you did to Dr Gould-Davis was callously and deliberately to set about destroying his life and reputation for no better reason than you were able to do so by employing methods with which, from your history, you are experienced, she said. He adds in a second judgment: What is clear is that the Government has decided to offer help to only a very small proportion of those whose lives have been endangered by the data incident and that the decisions in this regard are being taken without any opportunity for scrutiny through the media or in Parliament. The group of 15 parliamentarians, led by Sir Iain Duncan Smith, said the case of Ryan Cornelius was a flagrant example of arbitrary detention and abuse of power as they asked David Lammy to publicly call for his release. In the cockpit, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why he "did the cut-off". The other pilot responded that he did not do so. "I find it really humbling that people that you have been through some of the most horrendous ordeals are able then somehow to turn that around and channel it into work to help other people that they will probably never meet and never know. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: During the hot weather, it is important everyone acts responsibly to prevent fires from occurring. As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly. In London, this is can be dangerous because so many of our green spaces lie close to homes and other properties. An exclusive interview of the President of the National Council of Switzerland Maja Riniker to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency Text: Valerie Proshchenko Could you please tell us about the purpose of your visit to Ukraine? What are your impressions? For more than three years, Ukraine has been at war. And from the very beginning, our parliament clearly said that we do not accept this war. And we condemned Russian military aggression against Ukraine. It is my first visit to Ukraine. My visit is also a sign to the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian authorities. Firstly, it's a sign of solidarity. We want to show that we stand by your side. Stand with Ukraine. We share the same values. Furthermore, its important for me to come personally and to have a dialogue with Ukrainian authorities. I wanted to see the projects for the reconstruction where Swiss institutions and companies are involved. And I think that's crucial now to send a signal that we still support Ukraine and we will continue to support Ukraine. As you mentioned, reconstruction, do you mean different areas? Yes, during my visit, we met and consulted on several projects supported by Switzerland, not only reconstruction, but also humanitarian. . Switzerland supports projects in several territories close to the frontline. After the meetings in Kyiv, we travelled to Kharkiv. Its closer to the frontline and we want to better understand the needs, listen to our Ukrainian partners, and show them our solidarity. And also, we want to see the impact of our contributions and bring all these insights back home. But Switzerland is doing much more in Ukraine. But of course, we all would like to see the news about the weapon. Well, the support of Switzerland is not only in regard to humanitarian aid. This is, for example, also about helping with reforms, reconstruction, energy, and demining projects that already make a huge contribution to your country. Also, in terms of the so-called good offices and dialogue platforms, which we also demonstrated by holding the first Ukraine Recovery Conference in 2022 in Lugano. Then, Switzerland and Ukraine jointly hosted the Ukraine Mine Action Conference in Lausanne in 2024. And, as you probably remember, last year, we organized a Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Burgenstock. Actually, we were the first country that was able to host such a conference at a high level regarding the peace efforts. So, there was information that the Committee on Security Policy of the Swiss National Council wants to allow the supply of weapons to Ukraine under certain conditions. Do you think that its possible at all? Under what conditions can Switzerland reconsider its refusal to allow the use of Swiss weapons? Regarding the weapons and their re-exportation. Yes, this topic came up during all my meetings in Kyiv. It's always important to explain what Switzerlands neutrality means. It does not mean indifference. We always condemn Russian military aggression against Ukraine. Right now in our parliament, there are two subjects being discussed. The first subject is about the re-exportation of weapons. This bill has been passed in one chamber. But to have this bill passed further, we have to get the second chamber. After that, there is going to be a referendum, and the population of the country will definitely vote on it. If you ask me whether we can be sure that we will support you with weapons within the next months, I really have to say no. Lets be honest. That's not a realistic way because the processes in Switzerland take much longer. But we do have, as I've already mentioned, other ways of supporting Ukraine. The second law that is being discussed is an exception clause with regards to the exportation of weapons. But again, the final decision on changing the law will be taken by the population. Well, as I understand, it could take years As I've said, processes in Switzerland take longer, and this takes years. Yes. If we are going to have a referendum, we're not talking about months, its two or three years. But Switzerland can support Ukraine in different ways, despite the non-delivery of weapons. There are other ways to support Ukraine. As the Ukrainian leadership has repeatedly called for, it is necessary to increase pressure on Russia to force it to sit at the negotiating table. What is Switzerland's position on this? Well, the Swiss government has joined the 17th package of European Union sanctions against Russia, adopted in May 2025. But again, Switzerland does a lot. The solidarity and support for Ukraine is huge. We didn't only start supporting Ukraine when the war started in 2014 or 2022, our bilateral relations have been strong for over 30 years. Since the 1990s, we have had close cooperation with Ukraine. I think it is a long and fruitful period of relationship between our countries. We share the same values, and that's the reason why we stand by your side. Yes, and we're grateful for that. But there is also another very important issue for Ukraine: Russian frozen assets. Given Switzerlands knowledge in this field, do you see the possibility of pushing this question? You'd probably expect from Switzerland as one of the financial hubs to give a contribution to your country. Discussions regarding this are ongoing. But we don't have the same situation as the EU in regard to using the windfall profits generated by Russian immobilized assets. Because in Switzerland these assets are not held by the Central Securities Deposit but by commercial banks. Therefore the dont generate windfall profits. This is getting a little bit technical now. I don't want to get too deep into the discussion. Switzerland stands in contact with other concerned countries. but we do want to state that the discussions in these terms go on. With whom did you have meetings in Kyiv, and what topics were raised during the conversations? If you can share. First of all, I've met the Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk. We had talks about our bilateral relations, about the Swiss support to your country, humanitarian programs, but also the recovery and reconstruction aid. That was the main theme. Also, I had talks with the parliamentary friendship group on further cooperation. I would like to underline that our parliaments really share a long and very important relationship, and this has to continue, and we will also meet again soon. And then I've had a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We discussed different issues on how to support Ukraine. And I want to clarify exactly the number of Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland as of now? Almost 70,000. Do you think that temporary protection for Ukrainians is going to be prolonged for the next years? Because probably some people would like to stay. Discussions on that are running in Switzerland right now. Sure, temporary protection will remain for now. But the important point I want to raise here is that we are really keen on getting as many Ukrainians as possible integrated into the labour market. That's really something we are now focusing on. From the first moment when the Ukrainian refugees arrived, we tried to create conditions for them to be fully integrated into the education system. I'm a mother, and I met Ukrainian kids in my childrens school classes. So I can assure you, they are fully integrated. But at the same time, our goal once the war is over, is to see as many refugees as possible going back to their country because Ukraine really needs them for its recovery. Last year we had a peace summit in Switzerland. Since that time, a lot of changed in diplomatic direction. What role could Switzerland play in current diplomatic efforts? Our peace efforts are absolutely necessary.. And Switzerland is appreciated by all states as a platform for dialogue. So we will be here when needed. Therefore, as a neutral state, Switzerland is definitely an ideal platform for dialogue. We are open to providing any help that is needed. So, for example, Geneva, Switzerland, could be a place for the next potential negotiations between Ukraine and Russia? Absolutely. And the last question. What message do you want to send to the Ukrainians? Firstly, we really admire your resilience, your willingness to fight for the rights and the values we share in Europe. We do stand by your side. I will go back to Switzerland and tell my people how important and well-received our support in Ukraine is. That's what I've heard and seen. I really would like to come back, and hopefully, there will be peace and prosperity. And I wish your country and people to have the lives that you deserve. With freedom and rights. More Americans believe USA should do more to help Ukraine analysts American support for Ukraine demonstrates a complicated trend: some 46% of Americans believe that the United States is not doing enough to help Ukraine, the highest figure since the beginning of the war, while there is a partisan split in attitudes towards further assistance, analysts noted during a panel discussion on the topic "Ukraine through the eyes of Americans: challenges of perception and communication strategies" at the Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Tuesday. "Some 46% of Americans believe that assistance to Ukraine is insufficient - this is the highest level since the full-scale invasion. At the same time, 53% of respondents expressed their readiness to support Ukraine even in the event of a protracted conflict, while back in December 2024, half of Americans sought peace at any cost," noted Oleksiy Ivashin, coordinator of the initiative group for the creation of the Civil-Military Movement. At the same time, the expert emphasized the record party split: 77% of Republicans support a quick end to the war, even at the cost of territorial concessions, while 82% of Democrats declare their readiness to support Ukraine "as long as necessary." Despite this, a strong anti-Russian position remains among Trump voters: 75% support new sanctions against the Russian Federation, and 70% consider deterring Russia in Europe vital. Yaroslav Bozhko, head of the political studies center Doktrina, notes that in Ukraine "excessive attention was paid specifically to the Democrats, to their environment," which was largely dictated by the fact that in Ukraine they preferred American media, which are mainly center-left, oriented to the position of the Democratic Party, "as well as the values of liberalism in the American interpretation of the word liberalism." "The main problem of working with a conventional conservative voter in the United States is that he is outside these main large platforms, and therefore it is much more difficult to reach him... Republicans, conservatives, they focus on information in social networks... Such short messages, the very fact of their speed of delivery is already a huge advantage in the information war," he noted. "In this sense, the USA is a fast country and we need to focus on non-classical forms of media, because Russia has a huge advantage there," Bozhko added. Candidate of Political Sciences Ihor Zhdanov noted that there are many reasons for the growth of support for Ukraine in the USA, "including the growth among Republicans, because there is a change in Trump's position." At the same time, according to him, activists who at the beginning of the large-scale aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine launched extensive activities in the USA mainly worked with Democrats. "Let them continue to work - we need to create several such groups at the state level, which should be coordinated ... and work with different target groups of voters - with intellectuals, with Democrats, with Republicans. These should be different people," he believes. "There is no fatigue from Ukraine either in Europe or in the US - there is habituation," Zhdanov noted. The head of the Ukrainian Security Club, Yuriy Honcharenko, emphasized that appeals to emotions and refutations of Russian disinformation are gradually losing their effectiveness. What is being replaced is the need for a deeper understanding of American public sentiment and political processes. Military serviceman and political consultant Oleksandr Antoniuk noted that the American audience is still influenced by Russian narratives, while he emphasized the effectiveness of offensive communication based on facts, historical parallels, and strong visual images. According to him, Ukraine is no longer a passive player in the communication war, but joint information work with partners, coordinated messages and public statements are already bringing results. "46% of Americans believe that their country is not doing enough for Ukraine - and this is a consequence of systemic communication," he said. Almost two-thirds of Romanians (65.2%) felt that Romania was in great danger in the last six months, according to an opinion poll conducted between June 20 and 26 by INSCOP Research. As many as 37.1% of Romanians say that in the last six months they had the feeling that Romania was in danger to a very large extent, 28.1% to a large extent, 18.2% to a small extent, and 15.3% to a very small extent/not at all. 1.3% did not know or did not answer. "After the worst health crisis of the last century and over three years of harsh war on Romania's borders caused by Russia's attack on Ukraine, the population's state of anxiety was high anyway. Against this background, the general feeling of the population that Romania is in danger has been amplified by the worst crisis of the democratic regime in the last three decades. That explains why two-thirds of Romanians (65.2%) say that in the last six months they had the feeling, to a very large extent or to a large extent, that the country was in danger. Political-ideological camps can interpret the sources of danger differently, but the intensity of anxiety is very high, regardless of the political options of the respondents. Also, there is no more relaxed category of the population in terms of the perception of danger, which further explains the state of tension in the Romanian society," explained director of INSCOP Research Remus Tefureac. Save Romania Union (USR) and Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) voters, people between 18 and 29 years old and residents of Bucharest are the categories that had the most feeling that Romania is in danger to a large and very large extent, according to the Inscop Research barometer, Agerpres informs. Particularly National Liberal Party (PNL) and Social Democratic Party (PSD) voters, as well as the inhabitants of small urban areas were the respondents that had the feeling that Romania was in danger to a small and very small extent/not at all. According to the poll, 14.5% of respondents believe that the danger comes from outside the country, and 14.5% from within it. More than a third (35.1%) consider that the danger comes equally from outside and from within. The share of non-responses is 1.3% of the total sample. The difference up to 100% is given by those who did not perceive a great danger. Being of the opinion that the danger comes from outside the country are especially PSD voters. AUR voters, people between 18 and 29 years old and public employees believe to a greater extent than the rest of the population that the danger comes from within the country. Believing that the danger comes equally from outside and from within are especially people with a higher education background, USR voters and residents of Bucharest and large urban areas. The data were collected between June 20 and 26, and the research method was the interview through questionnaire. The data were collected using telephone interviews, involving 1,150 people aged 18 and over. The maximum permissible error of the data is a 2.9%, at a confidence level of 95%. Defence minister Ionut Mosteanu on Monday evening hailed the decision of US president Donald Trump to continue supporting Ukraine with modern weapons, including Patriot systems. "I hail and support president Donald Trump's decision to continue supporting Ukraine with modern weapons, including Patriot systems. Ukraine is also fighting for Romania's borders, for the security of Europe. The attack in Chernivtsi - in the city where thousands of ethnic Romanians live - was yet another proof that Russia is not seeking peace, but terror. The announcement made by president Trump and NATO secretary general Mark Rutte, regarding the sending of Patriot missiles and other weapons to Ukraine, with the financial support of NATO states, is a strong signal to the Kremlin. And if Putin does not stop the aggression, tough economic sanctions will follow. We support this direction. Only a free Ukraine guarantees a safe Romania, agerpres reports. During a meeting with NATO secretary general Mark Rutte, US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that Washington and the European Union have reached a agreement on the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2025/07/15 During his speech from the podium of the Verkhovna Rada, Petro Poroshenko emphasised that the best arguments for Putin are to supply the Ukrainian army with Western weapons and to direct all internal resources towards strengthening the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He thanked the United States of America and the Trump administration for their decision to provide Ukraine with new arms packages. "This is not just the transfer of Patriot systems to us, which will cover the sky over key facilities. It is also the possibility of transferring Tomahawk cruise missiles to us, the very ones that were used to strike Iran's nuclear programme, as well as other long-range weapons and air-based weapons. And this is evidence of the breakthrough we have been talking about for six months," Poroshenko recalled. "Set a deadline for Putin, if not hellish sanctions, 100%, 500%, secondary sanctions. And weapons, weapons, weapons. Because the best arguments and the best diplomat are the Armed Forces of Ukraine," he emphasised once again. "American assistance is a necessary but certainly insufficient condition. Last week, our team made its 141st visit to the front line in the Sumy region. Not only is there a shortage of high-tech equipment and fortifications there, but there is also a shortage of armoured ambulances, which we will now supply to save the lives of our soldiers," Poroshenko said. Changes to the budget are currently being prepared, as are changes to the government. Shmygal, who is 100% loyal to the Office of the President, will be replaced by Sviridenko, who is 1000% loyal to the Office of the President. We need to create a government of national salvation the salvation of Ukraine, not Yermak, Petro Poroshenko concluded. Several hundred employees from the Agricultural Payments and Intervention Agency (APIA), the Agency for Financing Rural Investments (AFIR) and the Ministry of Investments and European Projects (MIPE) protest in front of the Government on Tuesday. The protest action of the three trade union organizations, affiliated with the National Trade Union Bloc (BNS), is directed against the recent legislative measures, "which seriously affect the capacity to manage European funds.", agerpres reports. Last week, the "MIPE-Normalitate" trade union reported that the staff structure within the Ministry of Investments and European Projects is undersized and that employees do not determine their own income.According to the same source, the increases and bonuses are granted by Law 490/2004, GEO 133/2021, GEO 119/2024 - acts issued by the Romanian Government, and are mostly financed from European projects, since Romania's accession to the EU, with the explicit aim of attracting and maintaining professionals in the public system, as repeatedly recommended by the European Commission.At the same time, 79% of the EU allocation for cohesion policy (CF) has open calls, the absorption rate for the Sustainable Development Programme (SDP) ranked Romania 1st in the EU, a number of 15,982 projects were submitted, exceeding 146% of the Union allocation, while 5,622 financing contracts were signed. Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana Toiu and her Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski met on Tuesday in Brussels on the sidelines of the ongoing Foreign Affairs Council, with the talks of the two top diplomats revealing the excellent level of the bilateral relationship, with an emphasis on strengthening the Romania-Poland Strategic Partnership and its trade and defense components, the Romanian Foreign Ministry said in a release. The two officials expressed their determination to continue coordinating on the regional security dimension, with a focus on reinforcing NATO's eastern flank, and expressed their gratitude for the contribution of the Romanian troops, through the air defense detachment assigned to the forward presence in Poland, and of the Polish troops participating in the multinational brigade stationed in Craiova. Tackling the strengthening of European security, the two Foreign ministers stressed the need for the multidimensional support in the region to continue and for ramping up pressure on the Russian Federation. In this regard, they reiterated support for the swift adoption of the 18th package of EU sanctions. The Romanian minister underscored the joint commitment of the two states to reducing the Russian Federation's revenues from energy, by capping the oil price, additional sanctions on Russia's "ghost ship fleet" and the actors involved, and through additional measures targeting the maritime transport of exports of Russian origin. Oana Toiu expressed interest in capitalizing on the opportunities offered by the European funds for the coordinated participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine, and potential partnerships between Romanian and Polish companies. The two foreign ministers agreed on future lines of work for the integration of the business environment into joint strategic projects, starting from an exchange of best practices in securing and guaranteeing private sector investments in the European Union's neighborhood. In a broader approach, the Romanian minister highlighted the added value of national development banks to the better use of European financial instruments, proposing the initiation of a dialogue on this topic. The joint interest in promoting European values in the EU's neighborhood was also reiterated, as a tool to combat Russia's use of malign narratives, with concrete cooperation initiatives such as supporting European funding for projects with a tangible impact on the population (for example, Romanian-language media as part of a broader effort by Poland). The Romanian and Polish top diplomats also dwelled on other calendar topics, such as the NATO industry summit taking place in Bucharest in November, and the Timisoara Cities Summit on the EU enlargement, due in September. The two ministers also expressed interest in a new Romania-Poland-Turkey trilateral meeting by the end of this year. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Toiu, participated on Tuesday in the meeting of foreign ministers of the EU member states (Foreign Affairs Council/EAC), which took place in Brussels, in which context she reaffirmed the need for continued EU support for Ukraine. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministers discussed Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, developments in Georgia, the Pact and the reform of the Union for the Mediterranean. In the Current Affairs section, EU-CELAC relations and Somalia were discussed. Also, High Representative Kaja Kallas briefly informed about the EU-China strategic dialogue, respectively the EU-China and EU-Japan summits. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha gave a videoconference address on Russia's aggression against Ukraine, presenting the latest developments on the ground and discussions on peace in his country, and the foreign ministers exchanged views on the EU's multidimensional support for Ukraine. "Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Toiu, reaffirmed the need for continued EU support for Ukraine, with an emphasis on military, financial support and assistance in preparation for the upcoming cold season," the MFA informs. She also stressed the need to increase pressure on Russia by adopting new restrictive measures. The Romanian minister welcomed the adoption of five additional listings under the restrictive measures regime regarding human rights violations in Russia, as well as 15 listings under the restrictive measures regime against Russia's destabilizing actions abroad. "These measures are intended, primarily, to limit Russia's ability to finance the war and to impose economic and political costs on Russian political actors responsible for human rights violations and Russia's destabilizing actions," MAE says. Oana Toiu supported the rapid adoption of the 18th sanctions package and spoke in favor of agreeing on a formula at the EU level that would allow for the limitation of Russian diplomats on the territory of the Union. The Romanian minister expressed support for advancing the accession of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova to the EU and advocated intensifying outreach efforts to global partners regarding a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, including in view of the upcoming High-Level Week within the UN General Assembly in September 2025. The discussion on developments in the Middle East addressed the situation in Gaza, in which Minister Oana Toiu stressed the importance of measures to improve the serious humanitarian situation. In this regard, she welcomed the recent constructive dialogue between the EU and Israel, following which this country agreed on significant measures to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the measures to be implemented in the coming days. She also reiterated her support for the conclusion of a peace agreement and the release of hostages. Regarding Iran, the Romanian foreign minister expressed deep concern over the country's actions in the region and internationally and disapproval of the Tehran regime's decision to cease cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He also stressed the need to maintain close monitoring of developments in the Iranian nuclear program, following the partial dismantling by the US of its main production facilities, which continues to pose significant risks of proliferation and threat to global security. The head of Romanian diplomacy expressed, with reference to the developments in Georgia, concern regarding the democratic regression of the authorities and the measures to restrict the space for expression and repress the voices of the opponents. She supported the importance of maintaining a principled approach of the EU towards the situation in Georgia by adopting a proportional and reversible, but at the same time pragmatic reaction, which would preserve the option of dialogue, considering the long-term strategic objective of the EU for the region. Regarding the Pact and the reform of the Union for the Mediterranean, the Romanian official expressed the importance of supporting the transition from cooperation to a sustainable partnership and stressed the need for partners to assume responsibility, as an essential step in aligning EU actions with the local specificities of each state. In the margins of the EAC meeting, High Representative Kaja Kallas hosted an informal breakfast with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Mihai Popsoi. The Romanian Foreign Minister highlighted the complex situation in the Republic of Moldova in the context of the intensification of Russia's hybrid actions against Chisinau. She welcomed the adoption, at Romania's initiative, of ten new listings under the EU restrictive measures regime in view of Russia's destabilizing actions abroad, as well as two new listings under the restrictive measures regime in view of Russia's destabilizing actions abroad, with the targeted individuals and entities to be subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze. Oana Toiu also underlined the importance of the continued support of the EU and its Member States and reiterated her support for advancing the EU accession process. At the same time, in the context of participating in the CAE meeting, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs had a meeting with the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, as well as with his Polish counterpart, Radoslaw Sikorski. The discussions focused on concrete ways to capitalize on the bilateral Strategic Partnerships, with an emphasis on diversifying economic exchanges and regional security, including cooperation in the field of the defense industry. In the dialogue with the Polish official, Minister Oana Toiu highlighted the interest in working together to use the joint opportunities offered by EU funding to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine. At the meeting with his Spanish counterpart, the Romanian dignitary emphasized the trust in the joint commitment to finalizing the bilateral Agreement on Dual Citizenship. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan had a meeting on Tuesday, at Victoria Palace, with representatives of the Standard & Poor's (S&P) rating agency. During the discussions, the main fiscal-budgetary measures adopted by the Government through "Package 1" were presented, as well as the measures under preparation, which aim to streamline the activities of state-owned companies and ensure more rigorous management of public resources. According to a Government press release, the meeting, which was also attended by the Minister of Finance, Alexandru Nazare, was a working one, part of the constant dialogue between the Romanian authorities and the rating agencies. "The discussions focused on the main fiscal-budgetary measures adopted by the Government through 'Package 1', which aims to reduce the budget deficit in two major directions: increasing revenues and capping public expenditures. This first package aims to consolidate the fiscal structure, providing stability and predictability to both financial markets and institutional partners," the press release states. They also discussed the measures under preparation, which aim to "make the activities of state-owned companies more efficient and more rigorously manage public resources, with the aim of increasing transparency and reducing expenses." Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan presented to S&P representatives a clear and updated picture of the evolution of public finances and the economic framework in the short and medium term, the cited source states. The Government will continue the process of gradual fiscal consolidation and will maintain an open dialogue with institutional partners and rating agencies, according to the press release. Minister of National Defense Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu welcomed at the Ministry's headquarters the new ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Romania Angela Ganninger, on an introductory visit, the National Defense Ministry said in a release. During the talks, the two officials reaffirmed their staunch commitment to deepening bilateral defense cooperation, amid the regional security challenges. The topics approached included the cooperation within NATO and the European Union, the constant support provided to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as well as ensuring strategic stability in the Black Sea region. Minister Mosteanu underscored that Romania remains a reliable and active ally in the defense of NATO's eastern flank, and also reiterated Romania's commitment to implementing the decisions of the NATO Summit in The Hague, including by gradually increasing its defense budget. In this context, he emphasized Germany's significant contribution to strengthening the deterrence and defense posture on the eastern flank, especially through its active involvement in the Enhanced Air Policing Mission in Romania. Referring to bilateral cooperation, Minister Mosteanu expressed his appreciation for the Romania - Germany extended partnership, highlighting the joint projects in the defense industry, and also mentioning the involvement of German companies in endowment programs and in the projects for the development of Romania's industrial base, in accordance with EU developments. At the end of the meeting, the Romanian side reaffirmed its commitment to deepening bilateral relations and tightening cooperation in support of regional and Euro-Atlantic security through concrete coordinated actions, including at NATO and EU level, in the light of future contacts with the German Defense minister. The new chair of Romania's Court of Auditors (CCR) Mirela Calugareanu says that she will continue to consolidate a transparent, efficient court steered to the needs of society, which is currently in a process of reform and modernisation. "I want to thank the Romanian Parliament for the trust placed in me by this appointment. I take up this position with responsibility, commitment and openness, at an important moment for the Court of Auditors, an institution in a sustained process of reform and modernisation, the results of which are already internationally acknowledged. Together with my colleagues I will continue to advocate for strengthening a transparent, efficient and society-oriented institution. I strongly believe in the role of public audit as a tool of trust at the service of the citizen, and open communication, inter-institutional cooperation and responsibility for the public interest will remain essential directions in our activity," Calugareanu is quoted as saying in a CCR press statement released on Tuesday, agerpres reports. The decision was taken based on the provisions of the Romanian Constitution, republished, and Law no. 94/1992 on the organisation and operation of the Court of Auditors as subsequently amended and supplemented. Tony Messenger | Post-Dispatch Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger | Post-Dispatch 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 Shawntelle Fisher has more fingerprints on file with the state of Missouri than anybody she knows. Some of them are related to youthful mistakes. Starting when she was 19, Fisher did a few stints in prison, mostly for bad-check charges. Her last stint ended in 2011, and her life outside prison has been a whirlwind ever since. She earned multiple degrees, including graduate degrees from Washington University and Eden Theological Seminary. She became a licensed clinical social worker and a drug and alcohol abuse counselor. She started a nonprofit Soulfisher Ministries that serves children of parents in prison and offers after-school programs. Over the years, the nonprofit has met various state requirements by the Department of Mental Health and other regulatory agencies. Every time Fisher needs a permit, she gets fingerprinted and fills out new forms, outlining her criminal history. Its a mission for her. She believes people deserve a second chance, and shes a walking example of how important that is in our society. Her past doesnt define her, even when the state tries to make it so. In 2022, I wrote about one time Fisher submitted a fingerprint that didnt go well. With her own child grown, she wanted to become a licensed foster parent. She had built a nice home in Lake Saint Louis, and she had the skills, time and money to help take care of other children. The state Childrens Division said no, citing Fishers conviction from 1995 related to a spat with a former boyfriend. That offense the only one with a connection to violence on her record doesnt show up on public searches because she received a suspended imposition of sentence. The same division that in its reports called Fishers accomplishments extraordinary denied her the chance to be a foster parent, despite a massive need. With the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, she challenged the decision in court. She lost. At her Court of Appeals hearing, one of the judges offered words of encouragement, before later ruling against her. Thank you for everything that youre doing, Judge Gary M. Gaertner Jr., said from the bench. Please continue your service. Fisher took that as a challenge. The next year, she applied to be a foster parent again. Things were trending in the same direction until state Rep. Deb Lavender got involved. The Democrat from Manchester was nearing the end of her term when she heard from Fisher and agreed to look into the case. Why are we giving her a license to take care of kids but not letting her be a foster parent? Lavender wondered. After Mike Kehoe became governor in January, he appointed Jessica Bax to lead the Department of Social Services, which supervises the Childrens Division. Lavender knew Bax well from her time working on the House budget committee. Bax had worked for multiple state departments, including at least one that had licensed Fishers nonprofit. Lavender, by now out of office, called Bax and asked for her help. She saw the big picture, Lavender said. Everybody in that department is overworked and underpaid. I think sometimes its easier to say no than yes. In March, Bax agreed to have an independent agency examine whether Fisher was qualified to be a foster parent. When this particular case came to my attention, I asked the DSS team to review the most current information available, Bax said in an emailed statement. This review encompassed multiple aspects the department may consider when making decisions for foster care licensing, including the applicants overall background as well as any approvals to provide care to children through other state agencies, to ensure a comprehensive picture for making a decision. Last week, Fisher found out she was approved. By the weekend, she was already caring for two boys, 10 and 12, who needed an emergency placement. A three-year battle in which Fisher thought the left hand of state government didnt know what the right hand was doing finished with a happy ending. It makes me feel good, she told me. I broke a barrier and paved the way for somebody else to walk down this path. JEFFERSON CITY Newly released documents have added another quarter million dollars to the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri. According to a breakdown of payouts in lawsuits against the state, a former employee of the Missouri House of Representatives and his attorneys received a $257,552 check drawn from the states Legal Expense Fund in May in connection with a worker discrimination case. At issue was legislative specialist Tad Mayfields accusation that he was fired from his job of nine years after he advocated for a mask mandate in the Capitol in August 2020. Court records show Mayfield emailed the speaker of the House and the president of the Missouri Senate suggesting that a mask policy would allow staffers in the Capitol to safely return to the office amid the spread of the deadly respiratory disease. I think it is important to state unequivocally, by not requiring face coverings, the House has become a hostile work environment, Mayfield wrote. If face masks were required for everyone in the Capitol, I would see no reason why we all couldnt go back to work with relative safety. The debate over masks mandates became a political flashpoint during the pandemic. During the legislative sessions held during the outbreak, there were no mask mandates in a building controlled by Republicans who vocally rejected recommendations by health experts on masks, quarantines and vaccinations. There were some attempts at social distancing in committee hearing rooms via the use of livestreaming for people who want to watch the proceedings from a distance. A full six weeks of the 2020 session were lost, forcing the Legislature to cram its work into a three-week sprint that spring. In 2021, the House canceled one week due to positive cases of COVID-19 that began circulating soon after members returned to the building in January. The Senate also was hit by positive cases in 2021, with at least four lawmakers and additional staff members going into isolation in the early going of last years meeting. Following his dismissal, Mayfield filed a lawsuit alleging that the termination violated his First Amendment rights. While top House administrators argued his firing was related to his job performance, Mayfield said he had received positive evaluations from his supervisors. A jury sided with Mayfield and a federal court of appeals upheld the verdict. Among the players in the case was U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, who was attorney general at the time, in charge of defending the state in Mayfields case. Schmitt fought local efforts to impose mask mandates in cities, counties and schools, as well as vaccination requirements for private-sector workers. The lawsuit payment records released Monday by Attorney General Andrew Baileys office show Mayfield was represented by the Holman Schiavone law firm of Kansas City. Attorneys for former House Speaker Michael Madigan have formally asked that he remain free on bond pending appeal of his conviction on sweeping corruption charges, arguing in a filing Monday night hes not a flight risk and that there are complex legal issues which, if resolved in his favor, will require a new trial. Madigan, 83, was sentenced last month to 7 years in prison and ordered to report by Oct. 13. But in their 21-page motion, Madigans attorneys signaled they will file a vigorous appeal, and argued he should not spend time behind bars until after it is resolved which could take a year or more. Such requests are fairly common in white collar cases where there were significant legal issues, which Madigans case certainly contained. But convincing a judge who sentenced a defendant to prison that they should remain free can be challenging, particularly when the same judge already ruled before or during the trial on the issues being raised. Madigans defense team acknowledged that U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey already resolved the issues discussed in their motion, but said few areas of criminal law are more complex, and more rapidly evolving, than federal bribery law. Much of the uncertainty stems from a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that substantially reined in prosecutions under a federal bribery law known as 666, its number in the federal code. In its decision in the bribery case of former Portage, Indiana, Mayor James Snyder, the high court ruled that gratuities or gifts given as a thank-you for actions a public official has already taken are not criminalized under the federal statute, and that prosecutors must prove there was an agreement ahead of time, often referred to by the Latin quid pro quo. Madigans motion argued that Blakeys instructions to the jury erred in part by focusing on the intent of the bribe-giver, not the recipient, flipping what prosecutors are actually required by statute to prove. The judge also incorrectly modified the language in the instructions to say payments to Madigans associates be in connection with official duties, the motion stated. The instructions also were flawed when it came to the heavily litigated definition of corruptly, Madigans team argued, and the crucial instruction on stream of benefits, the motion stated. The motion also challenges Blakeys decision to admit the now-infamous wiretapped recording of Madigan telling his co-defendant, Michael McClain, that some of their associates had made out like bandits. McClain responded, For very little money too. The judge initially barred the jury from hearing the conversation, which began with a discussion about a labor consultant who was on ComEds payroll, not one of the subcontractors that were part of the indictment. But Blakey let that in after Madigan testified he didnt know ComEd was paying his associates for no work. The substantial questions, if resolved in Madigans favor, are likely to result in reversal of all convictions or a new trial, Madigans attorneys said. After a trial that stretched nearly four months, Madigan was convicted by a jury Feb. 12 on bribery conspiracy and other corruption charges. The jury found him guilty on 10 of 23 counts, including a multipronged scheme to accept and solicit payments from ComEd to Madigan associates for do-nothing subcontracts. Madigan also was convicted on six out of seven counts including wire fraud and Travel Act violations regarding a plan to get then-Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis, who testified at length in the trial, appointed to a state board. The jury acquitted Madigan of several other schemes alleged in the indictment and deadlocked on other counts, including the overarching racketeering charge. In handing down the 90-month prison term June 13, Blakey said Madigans crimes represented abuse of power at the highest level and were aggravated by the fact that Madigan had every advantage in life, including a privileged education and a thriving law practice. The judge also found that Madigan lied repeatedly and willfully when testifying in his own defense during the trial. Blakey called it a nauseating display of perjury and evasion that was hard to watch. CLAYTON A man was found shot dead in a Ferguson home last week, six weeks after he declined a bribe to keep him silent in a rape case he reported to police, according to court records. Kcoree Warren, 44, was found last Tuesday afternoon just inside his home in the first block of Bayview Drive. He died at a hospital, police said. Earlier this year, Warren filed a police report alleging Lavor Harmon, 39, of Ferguson, had sexually assaulted a teenage girl in mid-March, police said. Harmon is accused of meeting a 15-year-old girl who was walking home from school, court documents say. The two exchanged phone numbers and, on March 21, Harmon is accused of taking her shopping and then to her house where he sexually assaulted her. In June, Harmon was indicted on four counts of second-degree statutory sodomy. Investigators in that case wrote he is currently on federal supervision and a federal database says he was released from prison in early January. Court records say he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute and in 2020 was sentenced to 68 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. On Friday, authorities charged Harmons sister, Lavonda Harmon, 44, of Houston, Texas, with tampering with a witness in a felony prosecution. Investigators said Lavonda went to Warrens home in Ferguson in late May accompanied by a man not identified in court documents. There, she tried to convince Warren not to participate in the prosecution of her younger brother. The unidentified man then offered Warren $12,000, police wrote. Warren did not take the money. Six weeks later, someone came to Warrens home and killed him, police said. Investigators at the time of the shooting said officers were looking for a man in his 20s believed to have fled the shooting scene in a white SUV. Ferguson police on Tuesday said they had not arrested a suspect but were following strong leads. This was a targeted incident, Capt. Tim Harris said. Several tips are still coming in at this point, and if anybody has any information please call the police department. When reached by phone, Warrens family said they were not speaking with the press out of fear for their safety. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine launches the K4 Startup Studio program it brings together world-class developers, military experts and mentors and is aimed at the development of military startups with artificial intelligence, the Defense Ministry press service said. "The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announces the launch of the K4 Startup Studio program, aimed at the development of military startups with artificial intelligence. Its goal is to create solutions capable of providing technological advantage on the battlefield. The initiative is being implemented with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Defense and the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO)," the Defense Ministry said in a statement on its website on Tuesday. It is noted that K4 is a new format of state interaction: the program brings together developers, military experts and world-class mentors. The Ministry of Defense has identified four key challenges that directly respond to the needs of the army. It is in these areas that teams will submit their solutions for participation in the program. At the same time, they can offer their own ideas for AI solutions for the defense sector. The full list of challenges can be found on the website: k4.mod.gov.ua. The selection of program participants will take place in several stages. Up to ten teams will be selected from among the candidates to participate in the program, of which four will receive grants: $250,000 for each technological solution. The teams will be evaluated twice by a specially formed Grant Committee, which includes military experts and direct users of new technologies on the battlefield. Each team will first undergo a four-month intensive development program: mentoring from leading Ukrainian and international experts, combat testing of their solutions, and feedback directly from the military. After that, six months of individual support, which should end with attracting investment and/or concluding a government procurement contract. The K4 Startup Studio model is based on the best practices of accelerators. The main advantage for startups is direct contact with the end user and the ability to scale their solutions into a real defense system. For investors, quick access to technologies tested in war conditions. "In Ukraine, artificial intelligence is already undergoing combat testing. We are not just adapting we are setting trends. We have real examples of the effective use of AI in combat conditions that is why we believe in this direction and attract partners to invest in Ukrainian developments. K4 is a program for those who are ready to turn their code into a weapon in the hands of our defenders," Deputy Minister of Defense for Digital Development, Transformations and Digitalization Kateryna Chernohorenko said. ST. LOUIS COUNTY The preferred location for a planned new regional police training facility is the vicinity of Interstate 64 and Highway 141 in west St. Louis County. Thats according to a proposed intergovernmental agreement submitted Monday night to the St. Charles County Council. The agreement will be introduced Tuesday night at the St. Louis County Council. The governing bodies of Jefferson and Franklin counties also must sign off on the four-county arrangement. Leaders of the four counties hope to get the city of St. Louis to eventually join the cooperative as well. The facility, which would be built with a $50 million state grant announced earlier this year, would be the training ground for hundreds of new and veteran law enforcement officers from across the metro area. It also would be open to officers from other parts of Missouri, said St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann. Officials say the I-64/141 intersection, which is in Town and Country, is the demographic center of the four counties. Both Ehlmann and a spokesman for St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said Monday that putting the facility near there is a goal, but that no specific site has been identified. The goal is to get it as close as we can, Ehlmann said, noting that land in the area is expensive. He said he still would love to see the facility in St. Charles County and that locating the facility in his county just across the Missouri River from Chesterfield near I-64 could conceivably meet that definition. Pages spokesman, Doug Moore, said by email that nothing is ruled out regarding a location. Page has previously said hed like to see the facility built on land near St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Moore didnt say whether the Lambert area would fit the location description in the proposed agreement. The proposal also calls for an eight-member commission to oversee construction of the facility, which would be called the Gateway Regional Law Enforcement Training Center. The commission would be made up of four appointees of Page, two Ehlmann appointees and one apiece named by Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon and Franklin County Presiding Commissioner Dave Schatz. If at a later date the city of St. Louis joins in the regional facility, the commission would expand to 12 members. St. Louis County would continue to have four members, St. Charles County would have three, St. Louis city and Jefferson County two apiece and Franklin County one. Ehlmann said current plans call for St. Louis Countys existing County and Municipal Police Academy to operate the facility. He said other jurisdictions would contract with the academy for training. But he said it would be up to each governmental jurisdiction to decide how to use the facility. If they ever start teaching something we dont agree with, well go ahead and do our own program, Ehlmann said. This is not a training program were putting together. This is a facility. Joann Leykam, St. Charles Countys director of administration, said plans call for the $50 million state grant to cover all or most costs of land acquisition and construction. If additional money is needed for construction, the agreement calls for the commission to try to secure additional state or federal grants and then donations. The sponsoring governments would then have to kick in money based on the total number of commissioned officers in their county and municipal law enforcement agencies. The commission would initially be based in Pages office in Clayton. Any major decision would require approval of three-fourths of the commissions members. That would include buying land for the facility, approving the facilitys budget and final design, hiring a construction manager and authorizing the city of St. Louis to join the agreement at a later date. In addition to the four-county training center, the cities of St. Charles and O'Fallon are building a separate police training facility along Highway 79 north of O'Fallon. That facility is being built in phases on 80 acres. At the St. Charles County Council meeting Monday, Council Chairman Mike Elam said he plans to support the four-county plan but that he also thinks it would be good to put the two facilities under a single board an idea not currently anticipated. "If we're going to have two law enforcement facilities in the St. Louis region, I'd like to have it run by one board, not two boards," he said. Updated at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday ST. LOUIS COUNTY The defense attorney for a teen accused of murder is asking a judge to dismiss the charges after prosecutors delayed the case twice over the past year. Defense attorney Matthew Mueller said prosecutors have violated 18-year-old MarKevion Lemons right to a speedy trial. MarKevions case is but one of many of a much larger issue, Mueller said. Prosecutors need to respect the constitutional assertion of the right to speedy trial. And is it fair for these prosecutor offices to simply dismiss and refile criminal charges when they are not ready for trial and when the courts deny their continued efforts at delaying and postponing trial dates in these cases? Lemons was set to be tried Monday in the shooting death of Jaimarcus P. McDaniel, 17, in January last year. Lemons was 16 then. Prosecutors say Lemons, Corey Brinkley and Cameron Cross picked up Jaimarcus from his home in Illinois and drove him to Jennings in the early hours of Jan. 6, 2024. They walked him out into a field and opened fired on him, police say. Court records in all three cases say the boys cellphone locations put them in Jennings at the approximate time of the killing and then returning back to Illinois. Investigators wrote in court documents that they also have ballistic evidence, witness testimony and license plate reader footage that supports their case. Lemons was certified as an adult in November and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. In his ruling to charge Lemons as an adult, St. Louis County Circuit Judge Jason Dodson wrote that the killing may have been in retaliation against Jaimarcus for urinating on Lemons brothers grave and a dispute about some stolen guns. Lemons was originally scheduled to stand trial June 9. But prosecutors told a judge then that they did not have all the cellphone data needed to prove the case and asked for the trial to be rescheduled. Thursday last week, prosecutors again asked the court to push back the trial date for the same reason. The judge denied the request. So prosecutors dismissed the case and refiled against Lemons on Friday, effectively starting the court process all over again. Mueller asked the court to dismiss the new case that same day. Any delay longer than eight months violates Lemons right to a speedy trial, which Lemons asserted on the record three times since his November charges were filed, Mueller wrote in his motion. Chris King, a spokesman for the St. Louis County prosecutors office, said the delay was due to a change in law that took effect in January 2024 that now requires a time-consuming affidavit process for business records. King said the affidavits now have to be signed and notarized in-person, when previously electronic filings were accepted. Mueller questioned whether that explanation means that the conveniences and policies of private companies outweigh a defendants right to a speedy trial. As of Monday, no hearing in the new case against Lemons had been scheduled. Brinkley, now 18, was certified as an adult in August and also charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. His case is still pending. Cross, now 19, was certified as an adult and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in February. Hes scheduled for a case management hearing Wednesday. All three teens were booked on a $1 million cash-only bond and remain in custody. CLAYTON A St. Louis County judge ordered the former caretakers of a movie star chimpanzee to be arrested Tuesday after they failed to show up for court this week. Tonia Haddix, who ran a Jefferson County primate facility and was featured in an HBO documentary called Chimp Crazy, was held in contempt of court alongside her husband, Jerry Aswegan, after they failed for a year and a half to turn over financial documents in a legal dispute with animal welfare advocates. The arrest order marks the latest update in a yearslong legal saga between the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Haddix over her chimpanzees, including the movie star chimp Tonka. Haddix earlier this year pleaded guilty to three felonies for falsely telling a federal judge that Tonka was dead in order to hide his whereabouts. Jerry Aswegan stood by as Tonia Haddix brazenly lied to officials that Tonka the chimpanzee was dead, all so she could keep him prisoner in her basement, said Brittany Peet, a lawyer for PETA. Haddixs criminal lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The legal saga dates back to 2017 when PETA sued Haddix, claiming she kept several chimpanzees, including Tonka who appeared in the 1997 movies Buddy and George of the Jungle in inadequate conditions. Haddix agreed to improve conditions at her now-defunct Missouri Primate Foundation and send some of the chimps to a sanctuary in Florida. But she failed to comply with that agreement, and the remaining chimps were removed from her facility in 2021. Tonka, however, wasnt there. Aswegan claimed that Tonka had died and signed an affidavit that hed cremated the body. But PETA later found Tonka in the basement of Haddixs home in Sunrise Beach, Missouri, near Lake of the Ozarks. Then, last year, in the HBO documentary, Haddix was shown lying to a judge about Tonkas whereabouts. PETA filed to hold her in contempt of court. A judge referred the accusations to prosecutors, and Haddix pleaded guilty. Meanwhile, a judge in 2023 ordered Haddix to pay about $225,000 in attorneys fees to PETA in its lawsuit. But she hasnt paid. PETA asked a St. Louis County judge last year to force her to pay up by seizing property and assets from her companies. Haddix never responded, so a judge ruled in PETAs favor. Haddix and her husband, who is also involved with her companies, still didnt turn over required financial documents in the case despite repeated orders from the court, court filings say. Judge Brian May then ordered Haddix and Aswegan to show up to a hearing Monday and provide a reason for why they didnt provide the documentation. Neither showed up, court records say. On Tuesday, May ordered Haddix and Aswegan to pay a $100 fine each day and be jailed until they resolve the contempt order. They are also liable for all of PETAs attorneys fees and costs in pursuing the case, court records say. The next hearing in that case is set for Aug. 5. Haddix is set to be sentenced in her criminal case Aug. 7. JEFFERSON CITY Local laws prohibiting landlords from discriminating against tenants who receive public assistance are unenforceable under legislation signed Monday by Gov. Mike Kehoe. The legislation takes aim at ordinances passed in several Missouri cities to protect tenants from discrimination based on the source of their income especially tenants who use federal housing choice vouchers, known as Section 8 vouchers, to pay rent. The bill was co-sponsored by state Reps. Chris Brown, R-Kansas City, and Ben Keathley, R-Chesterfield. In the Senate, it was carried by Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance. Kansas City passed a source of income discrimination ban last year, though it was in large part paused by the courts in February. Columbia, St. Louis, Webster Groves and Clayton have similar protections on the books. The laws make it illegal for landlords to discriminate based solely on the fact of renters lawful sources of income, including Section 8, veterans benefits and Social Security. The legislation had the support of landlords groups, apartment associations, the Realtors association and the conservative think tank Show Me Institute. Proponents characterized localities source-of-income protections as an overreach into property owners rights. Opponents said the bill infringed on local control and would hurt affordable housing availability, exacerbating homelessness. The city of Kansas City has been opposed along with the anti-poverty nonprofit Empower Missouri and an association of public housing authorities in Missouri. JEFFERSON CITY A new report says state Treasurer Vivek Malek did not conduct proper oversight of the states soon-to-expand private school voucher program. Two weeks after Gov. Mike Kehoe signed legislation pumping an unprecedented $50 million in state funds into the MO Scholars program, Auditor Scott Fitzpatricks report said Malek failed to comply with a state regulation calling for annual reviews of the scholarships. Improvements are needed in the oversight and monitoring procedures of the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, said Fitzpatrick, a Republican who formerly served as state treasurer. Fitzpatrick said Malek, a political newcomer who was appointed to the post in January 2023 by former Gov. Mike Parson, should have hired outside auditors to review the program. The report also noted that Malek, also a Republican, did not have procedures in place to adequately review or monitor annual reports related to the program. Without properly reviewing and monitoring program reports there is increased risk that errors and noncompliance with program requirements will go undetected, Fitzpatrick said. Malek, in a formal response letter to Fitzpatrick, agreed with the findings and said procedures have been put in place to better monitor the scholarships. Revelations of a lack of oversight come as Kehoe has traveled the state promoting a massive expansion of the vouchers. Missouri legislators in 2021 created the MOScholars program that funds private school tuition through donations exchanged for state tax credits. Rather than rely on donations, Kehoe pushed through legislation that carves out $50 million directly from the state budget for the program. About 2,700 students received vouchers last year. State officials have said the additional funding created by the new law could go to 6,000 more students. Its launch, however, may be delayed after the Missouri National Education Association and two of its members sued the state over the expansion. The lawsuit argues the states Empowerment Scholarship Act does not authorize distribution of general revenues for scholarships. No other Missouri statute provides this authority either. During a stop in St. Louis last week, the Republican governor said he feels the state holds a strong position in the case and well let the courts work it out. In his response, Malek criticized Fitzpatricks office for expanding the audit to include findings that occurred in 2024, when the audit was supposed to only investigate issues for the year ending June 30, 2023. However, he said he agrees with the findings and has taken steps to address the matter. In June, following an open bidding process, the office hired Forvis Mazars, an accounting firm, to undertake the auditing duties. The contract runs for three years. The company already has a contract with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for similar consulting services. NORMANDY A new U.S. Department of Agriculture laboratory is open, a little over two years after construction began. The facility will be part of a new federal push to expand testing foods for types of listeria and other potentially fatal food-borne bacteria. The Midwestern Food Safety Laboratory in Normandy will be one of only three in the country where USDA scientists will test food samples for illness, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said Tuesday at the new facility. The state of the art equipment at this lab will enhance our ability to continue developing highly efficient testing, Rollins said, which means safer food for American families at the dinner table. The lab fits into a new USDA initiative to link the agency more closely with state governments, a major goal of a new food safety plan, Rollins said. The agency will seek more help and cooperation from states in inspecting food samples and testing, she said. The lab will test over 800 food samples every week, Rollins said, as part of the agencys Food Safety Inspection Service, which regulates and tests for safety in the countrys meat, poultry and egg products. Outbreaks of bacteria like listeria and salmonella in food have caused illness and fatalities in recent years, including 10 people who died in 2024 after consuming Boars Head liverwurst that had been tainted by listeria at a Virginia plant. The labs move to a new site, Gov. Mike Kehoe said, will be a night and day difference. Previously, the FSIS operated out of the aging Goodfellow Federal Center in north St. Louis. Officials closed operations at the 23-building campus in 2018 after a federal audit found health hazards at the site, including asbestos and lead. This is an expansion of getting out of that facility into a new, more modern facility, he said. Theres very few people that have worked at both and wont tell you this is like having an entire new job. Plans for the lab were first created in 2019 during President Donald Trumps first term, Rollins said. The federal government signed a 20-year lease worth $115 million with a Kansas City-based company for the new site. The lab sits near University of Missouri-St. Louis on the former site of the Immaculate Heart Convent, which closed in 2018 after nearly 150 years. President Donald Trump pledged to deport the worst of the worst. He frequently speaks at public appearances about the countless dangerous criminals among them murderers, rapists and child predators from around the world he says entered the U.S. illegally under the Biden administration. He promises to expel millions of migrants in the largest deportation program in American history to protect law-abiding citizens from the violent threats he says they pose. But government data tells a different story. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement increased arrests since Trump began his second term, with reports of raids across the country. Yet the majority of people detained by ICE have no criminal convictions. Of those who do, relatively few were convicted of high-level crimes. There's a deep disconnect between the rhetoric and the reality, said Ahilan Arulanantham, co-faculty director of the UCLA Law School's Center for Immigration Law and Policy. This administration, and also in the prior Trump administration, they consistently claim to be going after the worst of the worst and just talk about immigration enforcement as though it is all about going after violent, dangerous people with extensive criminal histories. And yet overwhelmingly, it's people they're targeting for arrest who have no criminal history of any kind. By the numbers The latest ICE statistics show that as of June 29, ICE detained 57,861 people, 41,495 or 71.7% of whom had no criminal convictions. That includes 14,318 people with pending criminal charges, and 27,177 who are subject to immigration enforcement but have no known criminal convictions or pending criminal charges. Each detainee is assigned a threat level by ICE on a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being the highest. Those without a criminal record are classified as having no ICE threat level. As of June 23, the latest data available, 84% of people detained at 201 facilities nationwide were not given a threat level, 7% were graded as a level 1 threat, 4% were level 2 and 5% were level 3. President Trump has justified this immigration agenda in part by making false claims that migrants are driving violent crime in the United States, and that's just simply not true, said Lauren-Brooke Eisen, senior director of the justice program at the Brennan Center for Justice. There's no research and evidence that supports his claims. Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, called the assessment that ICE isn't targeting immigrants with a criminal record false" and said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem directed ICE to target the worst of the worst including gang members, murderers, and rapists. She counted detainees with convictions, as well as those with pending charges, as criminal illegal aliens. As of June 14, nonpublic data obtained by the Cato Institute shows 65% of the more than 204,000 people ICE processed since the start of fiscal year 2025, which began Oct. 1, 2024, had no criminal convictions. Of those with convictions, only 6.9% committed a violent crime, while 53% committed nonviolent crimes that fell into three main categories: immigration, traffic or vice crimes. Total ICE arrests shot up at the end of May after White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller gave the agency a quota of 3,000 arrests a day, up from 650 a day in the first five months of Trumps second term. ICE arrested nearly 30% more people in May than in April, according to the Transactional Records Clearinghouse. That number rose again in June, by another 28%. The Cato Institute found that between Feb. 8 and May 17, the daily average of noncriminals processed into the system ranged from 421 to 454. In the following two weeks at the end of May, that number rose to 678 and then to 927 in the period from June 1 through 14. What you're seeing is this huge increase in funding to detain people, remove people, enforce immigration laws," Eisen said. "And what we're seeing is that a lot of these people back to sort of the original question you asked, these are not people who are dangerous. Administration doubles down Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, said the administration is intensely focused on rooting out unvetted criminals who are in the country illegally. Referring to raids Thursday, she wrote in an email, "the Administration conducted a successful operation rescuing children from labor exploitation at a marijuana facility in California, and continued arresting the worst of the worst including murderers, pedophiles, gang members, and rapists. "Any suggestion that the Administration is not laser focused on these dangerous criminals is flat out wrong, she added. While most ICE detainees are not convicted criminals, there are detainees who committed serious crimes. The administration recently released information on five high-level offenders who were arrested. During his campaign, Trump highlighted several cases where immigrants in the country illegally were arrested for horrific crimes. Among them: The killing of 22-year-old Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student who was slain last year by a Venezuelan man in the U.S. illegally. Jose Ibarra was found guilty of murder and other crimes in Rileys February 2024 killing and sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Ibarra seeks a new trial. Trump in January signed the Laken Riley Act, which requires the detention of unauthorized immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes. What studies find Research consistently found, however, that immigrants are not driving violent crime in the U.S. and that they actually commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans. A 2023 working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research, for example, reported that immigrants for 150 years had lower incarceration rates than people born in the U.S. In fact, the rates declined since 1960 according to the paper, immigrants were 60% less likely to be incarcerated. Experts say the false rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration creates real harm. It makes people in immigrant communities feel targeted and marginalized, Arulanantham said. It creates more political and social space for hate in all its forms, including hate crime against immigrant communities. Eisen noted the impact extends to other communities as well. All Americans should want safe and thriving communities," she said, "and this idea that the president of the United States is making misleading statements about the truth and distorting reality is not the way to deliver public safety." Trump tours an immigration detention center dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz' Another day, another cravenly politicized abuse of official power by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey this time with a technological twist. For more than two years now, the states top lawyer has routinely used that perch to pursue frivolous and often deranged legal action designed to inflame his MAGA base. He has improperly inserted his office into various national culture-war controversies, has filed blatantly race-baiting lawsuits, has defended xenophobic slander on the taxpayers dime and has even sued the state of New York for daring to criminally convict Donald Trump in his high-profile hush-money case. Bailey has now set his sights on artificial intelligence models which, he claims in legally threatening letters to social media platforms, are insufficiently flattering toward Trump. Baileys office last week sent letters to Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and Meta demanding algorithms and other internal records regarding how their AI models are trained. The made-for-press-release letters allege that in a recent test by a nonprofit that asked six AI models to rank the past five presidents from best to worst, specifically in regards to antisemitism, Trump was ranked last by three of them. One struggles to comprehend how an AI chatbot supposedly trained to work with objective facts could arrive at such a conclusion, states the letter. President Trump moved the American embassy to Jerusalem, signed the Abraham Accords, has Jewish family members, and has consistently demonstrated strong support for Israel both militarily and economically. The letter casts Trumps low ranking as part of a disturbing national trend towards censoring dissenting opinions. We hesitate to even engage the issue of Trump and antisemitism because the entire exercise so completely irrelevant to the duties of the Missouri attorney general. But because Bailey brings it up, this president has long had ties to notable antisemites like Elon Musk, Kanye West and his FBI Director Kash Patel. He even had notorious Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes to dinner at Mar-a-Lago in 2022. Then of course there was Trumps declaration after the deadly 2017 white supremacist march in Charlottesville that there were very fine people on both sides of a conflict in which one side was chanting Jews will not replace us. Suffice it to say that on the intrinsically subjective question of where Trump should be ranked in terms of antisemitism, there is at least room for debate. But again, the bigger problem here is that Bailey is engaged in this pathetic shilling for Trump at all and as such, engages every Missouri taxpayer in it as well. As with some of his other abuses of his office, Bailey here leans on the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, an anti-fraud statute that he treats as a catch-all excuse to worm his office into national culture-war fights of his choosing. Baileys threats also air the common but thoroughly false trope of the right that social media companies that provide information the right doesnt like are engaged in censorship. We must aggressively push back against this new wave of censorship targeted at our President, Bailey said in a statement. We can only hope Bailey is being knowingly misleading in his definition of censorship because the only other explanation is that Missouris top legal official genuinely fails to understand a simple legal concept that wouldnt stump a first-year law student. By definition, censorship is the suppression of expression by a government or other entity with the power to enforce that suppression. Political views expressed (or suppressed) by private entities such as social media companies dont constitute censorship simply because someone disagrees with them. In fact, a far more accurate definition of the word is when a politician uses his official power to intimidate private entities because he doesnt like their expressed political views. Not all of Baileys official actions are ideologically driven nonsense. For example, he is currently suing to remove St. Louis city Sheriff Alfred Montgomery from office on grounds that he isnt doing his job. That suit based on a Missouri statute that allows courts to remove elected officials for failing to carry out their duties is a strong one. But Montgomery isnt the only one not doing his job. Perhaps someone should also be looking into whether Bailey himself should be the target of a lawsuit seeking his removal, considering he cant seem to stop using his office to represent the MAGA movement instead of representing all Missourians in court. Army Sgt. Ahtziri Diaz-Bernes pours gravy onto meatloaf on May 15, 2025, at the Stack Dining Facility at Fort Carson, Colo. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes) FORT CARSON, Colo. Sgt. Adam Mazeika, a medic at the Army base, said he tries to eat in the dining facilities on base as much as possible because the food isnt bad and has helped him purposefully gain weight. He likes to eat in the facility, but Fort Carsons grab-and-go meals are now available later after the dining room closes, which allows him to complete an extra workout and not miss a meal. The kiosk is nice because I eat enough and have extra food, Mazeika said. The hours are perfect as long as you know them. He is part of a growing number of soldiers returning this year to the dining facilities at the base after officials found a way to increase the hours of operation and create more meal options. The 4th Infantry Division pulled the food program from a low of only serving 250 meals in a weekend to a 700% increase in 18 months. The division did so by making certain dining facilities were open with consistent weekly schedules near soldiers living areas and any to-go options were in addition to regular meal service not a replacement, said Sgt. Maj. Kendra Knuckles, senior chief culinary manager for the division. By the end of the summer troops will also have the choice of grabbing meals from the divisions reimagined meal prep program, which is prepackaged meals intended to be reheated later by soldiers. A previous version of the program had about six meal options. By August, the division will rotate about 20 meals each at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The division also opened the Carson Cafe, where soldiers grab a meal and eat in a lounge area with games and TVs. Be creative, Knuckles said she tells facility managers. Set the ambiance in your facilities. If you are doing a Mexican meal, or Tex-Mex, or whatever, put some merengue on so when the soldiers come inside the [dining facility], it flushes whatever they were dealing with and they just say, Oh man, I like this. Gregory Joell, Fort Carson food program manager, speaks with a vendor about products available to stock in dining facilities on May 16, 2025, at Fort Carson, Colo. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes) Listening and adapting Knuckles and her counterpart Gregory Joell, Fort Carson food program manager and an Army retiree, couldnt point to one reason for the bases rebounded dining. It was a genuine response to the flood of feedback from soldiers submitted internally and posted publicly online, including eight inquiries from members of Congress based on concerns from constituents. The hours were confusing, so they built a consistent schedule instead of a rotating one. The portions were too small, so soldiers can now serve themselves buffet-style. The variety was stagnant, so managers have more leeway in creativity and specialty nights with themed meals. They have also added requested stations for fresh-made smoothies, burritos and do-it-yourself sandwiches. We are trying to support all these different folks way of eating, the way they were brought up, Joell said. During the week, the 4th Infantry Division culinary program serves an average of nearly 12,000 meals at all types of facilities. About 6,000 soldiers on post are eligible for meal cards with an allowance affording them three meals a day, which they indirectly pay for through a basic allowance for subsistence that is deducted from their pay. The dining facilities are also open to anyone without a meal card who wants to pay out-of-pocket. Sgt. Kyle Figueroa served as the driver for the previous division command sergeant major and said they would go to kiosks all the time for meals. He loved the grab-and-go chicken and egg bagel with milk and a fruit platter for breakfast. Its really convenient. Its the best invention theyve had, Figueroa said of the dining facility changes. I like the off-set hours because it gives you more time to eat. Army-wide systems slow to change Bases across the Army are making similar changes to match the changing meal preferences of its newest generation of soldiers who less frequently eat together in a dining facility. Instead, there is growing demand for food to take home. And yet, each base is on its own to develop standards and implementation for a grab-and-go meal prep program. There is no standard program for bases to build upon, nor does the standard payment system accommodate soldiers desire to take multiple meals home at one time. Chief Warrant Officer Shedrick Swain, senior command food adviser for Army Materiel Command, said the Army is working to develop such a program for service-wide use, but it is in its infancy stage. It is a continually changing environment, he said. Youre moving at a rapid pace in terms of your mission, your day-to-day operations and you are focused on just trying to grab a quick meal that meets nutritional needs and take a couple of moments to have some down time and enjoy your meal by yourself. Thats where a lot of younger service members are focused. Army Spc. Phionah Spangler cooks an omelet during breakfast service on May 16, 2025, at the Warfighter Dining Facility at Fort Carson, Colo. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes) About 60 facilities at 17 locations now do some form of meal prep with pockets of excellence, including Fort Hood in Texas and Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. There are 28 kiosks operating at 16 Army locations, Swain said. Dining facilities are funded based on interactions, so they lose out when soldiers dont come in for each meal. Theres also not a simple way to scan their ID card for more than one meal at a time. The Army is also looking for a solution to this, Swain said. Overall, we dont want to constrain or confine the initiative at all. This is something that has been successful in the early stages. We want this to continue to move forward and become a better product overall, he said. Humming in the background of this work is a contract to put a private company inside a dining facility at five installations in this order: Fort Bragg, N.C., Fort Stewart, Ga., Fort Hood, Fort Drum, N.Y., and Fort Carson, according to Materiel Command. A vendor proposal request closed this month. Meanwhile, Knuckles has ramped up training for cooks in the division because the lack of a service-wide program also means soldiers arent getting training on meal prep programs. Standard culinary training for entry-level soldiers focuses on field feeding and dining facility operations, she said. Now youre looking at a sergeant who has just shown up to her duty station and has to put a meal prep together, and shes never done meal prep. She only did meal prep at home. She doesnt know nutritional facts and guidance, so you have the training gap. There is the educational piece that you now have to try to plug in but do you have time to really plug them in? Knuckles said. Fort Carson hosts its own training opportunities for its cooks where she aims to encourage creativity in preparing meals in the dining facilities and the field. In addition, all cooks are now learning the bases new meal prep options. Knuckles does not want to see cooks unable to answer questions about the new meals or read information from a recipe card. She wants them to know and understand what they prepare for sale not just the ingredients but the nutrition it provides. Its building a team that can be able to effectively communicate what is in the products if soldiers have questions, she said. A sign for Fort Novosel inside the installations gate entrance, April 19, 2023. The bases new namesake is Capt. Edward W. Rucker, a Missouri native who was called into service in 1916 and saw action in France during World War I. (Kelly Morris/U.S. Army) (Tribune News Service) Fort Rucker is making its name change official Thursday its second in two years time. An installation redesignation ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum at the newly-renamed Fort Rucker in Dale County. Only this time, the installation takes its name not from a Confederate figure but a World War I aviator. Fort Rucker was originally named for Confederate Col. Edmund W. Rucker, a brigade commander during the Civil War who fought at Chickamauga, Franklin and Nashville. After the war, he was an industrial figure in Birmingham who made his home in Five Points. He died in 1924. Then in 2023, the name was changed to Fort Novosel after Enterprise resident Michael Novosel Sr. Under then-President Joe Biden, the Defense Department changed the names of several military bases that honored Confederate figures in the wake of the 2020 George Floyd protests. Novosel was a military aviator for more than 40 years and received the highest military honor for his service in Vietnam. He died in 2006. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum reversing the naming of Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg. The bases new namesake is Capt. Edward W. Rucker, a Missouri native who was called into service in 1916 and saw action in France during World War I. He was credited with helping to down several German planes near Luneville, France on June 13, 1918, according to the Masonic Great War Project. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross along with 21 other officers and enlisted men, as well as the Croix de Guerre with palm. Flying deep behind enemy lines, then-1st Lt. Rucker and his fellow aviators engaged a numerically superior enemy force in a daring aerial battle over France, disrupting enemy movements and completing their mission against overwhelming odds, the Army said in a statement last month. After World War I, he relocated to New York before moving to St. Louis. He died in 1945. A descendant of Edmund Rucker has spoken out against the renaming. Rucker family members support naming Army bases for individuals who fought for the United States.we dont want our name back on an Alabama base, K. Denise Rucker Krepp, a former House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee senior counsel, posted to X on Tuesday. Novosel is a Medal of Honor recipient, Rucker Krepp said in another post to X. His name should remain on an Alabama base. 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit al.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Why has Guangdong become a magnet for robotics innovation? 09:29, July 15, 2025 By Han Xin ( People's Daily A humanoid robot jogs in the Shenzhen Talent Park in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province. (Photo from the WeChat official account of EngineAI) In a public square in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, a robot performs a precisely choreographed routine - fluid hand waves, hip rolls, and sharp turns - its movements modeled on a cinematic classic. Further north in Dongguan, two robots carefully navigate an inclined ramp within a testing facility, autonomously trailing a human operator with precision. Scenes like these are becoming increasingly common in Guangdong, which has quickly emerged as a national leader in robotics innovation. In 2024, the intelligent robotics industry cluster in Guangdong generated over 90 billion yuan ($12.55 billion) in revenue. This innovation surge stems from Guangdong's unique ecosystem. At the Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society (AIRS), laboratories hum with robots engineered for a wide range of real-world tasks. The transition from groundbreaking research and development to tangible implementation underscores Guangdong's dynamism in the robotics sector. "Here, multidisciplinary teams composed of researchers and industry partners collaborate closely to unlock innovation potential," said Ding Ning, executive deputy head of AIRS. According to Ding, the institute focuses on two priorities: advancing human health and enabling sustainable urban development. By partnering with industry leaders, AIRS seeks to drive breakthroughs that ripple across the industry. Photo shows a view of the Xbot Park robotics base in Songshan Lake, Dongguan, south China's Guangdong province. (Photo courtesy of the media center of Songshan Lake) At Shenzhen EngineAI Robotics Technology Co., Ltd., a humanoid robot that stands 1.38 meters tall and weighs about 40 kilograms executes sophisticated maneuvers, with 24 degrees of freedom and a 320-degree rotating motor. In March, the robot drew curious onlookers while sprinting through a park in Shenzhen at 12 kilometers per hour - an apt symbol for Shenzhen's fast-moving robotics industry. As of the end of last year, Shenzhen reported over 200 billion yuan in robotics output, hosting more than 74,000 enterprises, roughly 16 percent of all smart robotics companies in China. Beyond eye-catching demonstrations, these technologies are increasingly embedded in daily life and work. "Our direct-drive motors now power robotic vacuum cleaners and food-delivery units," said Liu Xitong, head of external relations at Direct Drive Tech Technology Limited, a Dongguan-based manufacturer specialising in robotic power modules and joints. Founded just five years ago, the company anticipates shipping more than 10 million units this year. That rapid growth owes much to support from the Xbot Park, a robotics-focused incubator located in Songshan Lake, Dongguan. "The park provides early-stage funding and instant access to local supply chains. Our inaugural client was another park resident," Liu explained. Today, Direct Drive Tech operates more than 10 automated production lines to meet surging market demands. A visitor poses for a picture with a humanoid robot at the 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Yang Jie/People's Daily Online) Launched in 2014 by three professors from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Xbot Park has since become a leading launchpad for robotics and hardware startups. It connects startups with global universities, research institutions, and supply chains to provide comprehensive resources and financial backing. From nurturing and incubation to full-fledged development, seeds of innovation planted over a decade ago have now grown into a thriving high-tech ecosystem. According to a park executive, more than 80 robotics and smart hardware startups have been incubated there, with a survival rate of 80 percent. "We help companies accelerate product development, validate markets, and build robust teams." What accounts for Guangdong's strong appeal to robotics startups and entrepreneurs? A key factor is the province's robust industrial ecosystem. EngineAI, for instance, operates in Shenzhen's "Robot Valley," home to nearly a dozen universities and more than 100 robotics-related companies, forming a tightly knit value chain. "We can send a new product design to a supplier in the morning and receive a prototype that by evening," said Yao Aiwen, co-founder of EngineAI. This tightly integrated value chain is now a defining feature of the region. Shenzhen has developed an end-to-end robotics industrial layout spanning core components to fully assembled robots, with over 60 percent of its supply and production chains localized. Beyond Shenzhen, cities like Dongguan are reinforcing the province's technological edge through highly supportive development environment. The city has leveraged the Songshan Lake Science City to establish two major innovation platforms: the Guangdong Intelligent Robotics Institute and the Xbot Park robotics base. Together, they provide comprehensive support from incubation and pilot testing to full-scale commercialization. Powered by its advanced manufacturing capabilities and surging market demand, Guangdong is rapidly forging a new industrial pillar marked by high technology, strong momentum, and large scale. With deliberate investments and deep-rooted infrastructure, the province is taking confident strides toward becoming a hub for artificial intelligence and robotics innovation. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) A Navy employee empties a wheelbarrow of contaminated soil onto a tractor on Dec. 1, 2022, during cleanup of a spill of about 1,100 gallons of toxic concentrated firefighting foam at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii. (Matthew Mackintosh/U.S. Army) The Navy program overseeing cleanup of toxic forever chemicals at the Red Hill fuel facility is operating at half its staff after six months of workforce reductions and a hiring freeze by the Trump administration, the programs manager told Hawaii lawmakers Monday. We have taken a significant cut, Jocelyn Tamashiro, manager of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Commands Pacific Environmental Restoration Program, said during a meeting of the House Special Committee on Red Hill in Honolulu. In terms of people, we are very short-handed, Tamashiro said in response to a committee members question about whether federal workforce reductions had affected the program. The program evaluates and cleans up hazardous material spills and former waste disposal sites on military properties in the Pacific region. In November 2022, about 1,100 gallons of a PFAS-infused firefighting foam concentrate spilled at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. That incident followed a massive jet fuel spill a year earlier at the facility. PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl, is a class of hazardous chemicals that have been commonly used in manufacturing and fire suppressants since the 1950s. Exposure to some types of PFAS may lead to a variety of health effects, including an increased risk of cancer, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. I had nine staff prior to the new administration, Tamashiro said. Two took the deferred resignation, so that left me with seven. Im supposed to have 15 total in my staff. Im pretty close to 50% with vacancies. President Donald Trumps administration in February moved to reduce the federal workforce by offering deferred resignations to wide swathes of federal workers, under which employees would no longer work but be paid until Sept. 30. Meanwhile, many civilian positions in the Defense Department remain vacant due to a hiring freeze. Tamashiro said her program was dealing with the staff shortage by prioritizing cases that pose the most immediate threat to human health and the environment. You know, unfortunately, with prioritizing our work, weve had to maybe put a little bit of the sites that are not over a drinking water aquifer and not close to any drinking water resources, a little bit towards the bottom of the list, she said. She said the program had not seen any interruptions in communications with the EPA regarding the Red Hill case. The EPA has also undergone deep workforce cuts. The Navy has identified 20 sites on and near Pearl Harbor-Hickam suspected of contamination by PFAS, according to an April 2024 report by the Government Accountability Office. Cleanup could take decades. The Defense Department has directed that the investigation and cleanup of those sites including the 2022 Red Hill spill to advance under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, more commonly referred to as the EPAs Superfund, the GAO said. The aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson, foreground, and USS Nimitz operate in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on July 5, 2025. Vinson has since left the area and is now in the Indian Ocean. (Hannah Kantner/U.S. Navy) NAPLES, Italy An American aircraft carriers departure from the Middle East comes alongside a reduction in Navy forces in the eastern Mediterranean Sea as regional tensions continue to simmer. The USS Carl Vinson was operating in the Indian Ocean on Monday after about three months in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, USNI News reported. Vinsons departure leaves the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and at least two destroyers in the Middle East at a time when Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have resumed their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Those assaults earlier this month presumably killed four mariners and sank two commercial ships. They came just two months after President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire with the Houthis in the wake of a punishing U.S. airstrike campaign aimed at stopping the groups attacks on commercial and military ships in the vital waterway. On Monday, Nimitz was operating in the Arabian Sea, and the destroyers USS Truxton and USS Forest Sherman were in the Red Sea. The littoral combat ship USS Canberra is operating in the Persian Gulf on a rotational deployment, according to USNI. The U.S. has not maintained a carrier presence in the Red Sea since the departure of the USS Harry S. Truman in May. Analysts say it likely would take a significant escalation to bring the U.S. back into a war with the Houthis, who have framed the strikes as part of their conflict with Israel. I assume the U.S. wont intervene unless the attacks return to the scale and momentum seen before its spring military campaign against the Houthis, Nadwa Al-Dawsari, a fellow at the Geneva-based Center on Armed Groups, told Stars and Stripes earlier this month. The U.S. considers the truce still in effect as long as the Houthis do not take aim at American ships, The Wall Street Journal reported on July 10, citing an unidentified U.S. senior official. The Houthis began their campaign against ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in November 2023 following Hamas attack on Israel the previous month. Meanwhile, the Navy has reduced the number of destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean from five to one. On Monday, the USS Arleigh Burke, homeported in Rota, Spain, was on patrol in the sea. The apparent force reduction followed a surge of destroyers sent to the eastern Mediterranean as increasing hostilities between Israel and Iran in June threatened to ignite a broader conflict in the Middle East. The ships were sent to the region to help defend Israel against Iranian attacks and promote regional stability, the Navy said in a statement last month. The 12-day war ended in a ceasefire on June 24. Days before, the U.S. bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities. The region soon could see another aircraft carrier, though. USS Gerald R. Ford left the U.S. on June 24 for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, which includes the eastern Mediterranean. In January 2024, Ford completed a deployment of about eight months that included the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Ford is in the Atlantic Ocean, USNI reported on Monday. Petty Officer 2nd Class Sitley Deleon applies a fresh coat of paint to the landing lanes on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson on July 11, 2025. The ship is underway in the Indian Ocean after leaving the Middle East. (Marissa Johnson/U.S. Navy) Stars and Stripes reporter Lara Korte contributed to this report. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes) Vicenza, Italy, June 19, 2015: First lady Michelle Obama serves ice cream to children of servicemembers during an event in support of military families, offering up some caramel sauce as a topping. Did you know July is National Ice Cream month? So go ahead and sweeten up your life a bit with a scoop or two! And add some caramel sauce (and sprinkles!) while youre at it, we recommend. Abianne Falla pours a cup of tea made with yaupon. Falla is the owner of CatSpring Yaupon in Cat Spring, Texas, and founder of the American Yaupon Association. She sources native-grown yaupon through partnerships with local ranches. Founded in 2011, CatSpring was one of the earliest yaupon producers on the market, offering dark and green roasts (similar to black and green tea flavor profiles) in loose leaf and bagged options. (Callaghan OHare/For The Washington Post) When the Sons of Liberty dumped over 92,000 pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor in protest of the passage of the wildly unpopular Tea Act of 1773, colonial Americans knew the political performance wouldnt force them to kick their caffeine habit. While they still hadnt found a way to successfully cultivate their beloved Camellia sinensis the scientific name for the tea plant on American soil, they had another locally grown option: yaupon. Long used by Indigenous groups across the Southern United States, yaupon is North Americas only native caffeinated plant. Known by many Indigenous and colonized names, including cassina, asi, Carolina tea and Christmas berry, the yaupon plant is a landrace, evergreen holly variety that can grow up to 30 feet tall, appearing from North Carolina to East Texas. But even as it grows right under their noses and in their backyards, most Americans have probably never heard about yaupon. That may start to change. Thanks to President Donald Trumps tariffs, the modern-day yaupon industry is ready and waiting for the plants potential resurgence. Two and a half centuries ago, yaupon became part of a political movement. The Townshend Revenue Acts, which taxed a variety of common imports in the 1770s and allowed the British Parliament to meddle with the free market, brought colonial unrest to a boiling point. In that era of political boycott, colonists turned to tea alternatives made with a variety of herbs, fruits and indigenous plants, including yaupon. These liberty teas proved perfectly acceptable substitutes, until the American Revolution ended, the global tea trade returned, and yaupon was suddenly out of style again. Starting in April 2025, the Trump administration rolled out a slew of steep protective tariffs on nearly all goods imported to the United States, including tea, which carried its highest tariff rate since the Tea Act of 1773. Although modern-day America is usually considered a coffee-drinking nation, we also import hundreds of millions of dollars worth of tea each year, largely from countries such as China and India. The United States cant grow tea to the scale it consumes. In a letter to Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials involved in trade decisions, Peter Goggi, president of the Tea Association of the USA, expressed deep concern over the impact of tariffs. The United States is not a tea producing nation, Goggi writes. There is no commercially grown tea that requires protection via tariffs, nor are there any tea-related farm-based jobs that would be protected by these tariffs. Meanwhile, with such a steady, sustainable supply grown right here in the United States, yaupon stands to be the only tariff-proof source of caffeine for American consumers. When I saw the news around tea and coffee, says Christine Folch, cultural anthropologist at Duke University and author of The Book of Yerba Mate, I thought, maybe this is yaupons moment in the sun. The modern-day yaupon industry includes a small, tight-knit group of farmers, producers and wild harvesters, known internally as yauponers. Abianne Falla, owner of CatSpring Yaupon in Cat Spring, Texas, and founder of the American Yaupon Association, sources native-grown yaupon through partnerships with local ranches. Its a 20-million-acre problem in Texas, says Falla, referring to the belief held by many Texas landowners that yaupon is a nuisance in need of fixing. Founded in 2011, CatSpring was one of the earliest yaupon producers on the market, offering dark and green roasts (similar to black and green tea flavor profiles) in loose leaf and bagged options. A few states over in Crescent City, Fla., Yaupon Brothers uses more traditional agricultural methods to grow yaupon on a 124-year-old organic citrus farm (the oldest in the state). Much like other crops, its yaupon grows in tidy rows, which helps the company scale production and maintain some control over the naturally occurring plant. Yaupon Brothers founders Bryon and Kyle White found that the methodologies for growing yerba mate, another caffeinated Ilex plant native to South America, work similarly for its botanical cousin yaupon. While Yaupon Brothers and other commercial farmers do not grow yerba mate in the United States, they rely on similar pruning and harvesting techniques. Their yaupon trees are capped at 6 to 7 feet and harvested three times a year, after which it comes back in a matter of months, White says. Much like traditional tea, yaupon tea is made with dried yaupon leaves that are chopped and roasted to suit different tastes, including the familiar green and black flavor profiles of the tea-drinking world. Unlike other traditional tea importers, Harney & Sons has embraced yaupon and sources the raw ingredient from CatSpring Yaupon. The company sells a loose-leaf blend as well as a ready-to-drink bottle sold exclusively at the popular salad chain Sweetgreen. Yaupon grows at one of CatSpring Yaupons sites. (Callaghan OHare/For The Washington Post) Tea leaves made from yaupon at CatSpring Yaupon. (Callaghan OHare/For The Washington Post) But winning over the general tea-drinking public remains an issue for yaupon farmers and importers who might add yaupon to their offerings. America is an on-the-go culture, says Ahmed Rahim, founder of traditional tea importer Numi Tea, adding that hes still trying to find ways to get the American mindset wrapped around tea. Despite yaupons long history in the region, a large part of the industry still revolves around educating the public about the plant and how to drink it. For many generations, yaupon was considered invasive and burned down to its hearty roots when land needed clearing. Its Westernized botanical name, Ilex vomitoria, has also spurred erroneous beliefs that yaupon induces vomiting if consumed and has flattened interpretations of the indigenous rituals to which it was once a central ingredient. The threat of tariffs spurred small-scale yaupon farmer Crystal Stokes to pivot to education. Through her organization Project CommuniTea, Stokes travels around and teaches her Richmond community about the history and benefits of yaupon, plant identification and how to grow yaupon at home. I knew that changes in administration were coming and that consumers would be less likely to purchase a plant beverage that most would be trying for the first time, Stokes says. Despite the tariffs, traditional tea purveyors arent overly worried. According to Paul Harney of Harney & Sons, theres always some degree of chaos. Its always something, the pandemic, shipping, something. The tariffs motivated Harney & Sons to find tea grown in countries with fewer trade issues, such as Mozambique and Kenya. For Numi, Rahim sources from dozens of countries, and much of the companys production process is in Canada. Numi is the largest fair trade importer of tea and herbs in the United States, but Rahim says hes not panicked or anxious about the impact of tariffs and plans to wait and see whats going to happen. Darren Hartford, the owner of Oliver Pluff & Co., which sells history-inspired beverages, including the story of what was dumped in the Boston harbor, is staying optimistic. The company is set to open its retail location in Charleston this summer and is busy prepping for collaborations related to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of America. Understanding its historical relevance, Oliver Pluff & Co. tried yaupon, but it turned out to be a fringe item. After the current tariffs started, another yaupon farmer reached out to Hartford, curious if he wanted to now incorporate more of the tea alternative in his offerings. Yaupon was never a big seller for Hartford, who remains hesitant to take a chance on the tea alternative again during a tumultuous market. While the yaupon industrys raw material is not impacted by tariffs, some producers packaging and other materials are sourced from tariff-heavy regions. Most businesses, especially small ones, cant simply decouple from a global supply chain, White explains. After the first wave of tariffs went into effect, the price of Yaupon Brothers Chinese-made packaging doubled overnight. Nonetheless, the tense economic situation has spurred the company to pivot to find new packaging, switching to American-made materials, which it hopes will eventually reduce consumer costs overall. CatSpring Yaupon already used packaging sourced from U.S.-based manufacturers, but is using this moment to rebrand and double down on its messaging that yaupon is made in America. With a growing push for American-grown products and production, the yaupon industry is poised for growth. CatSpring Yaupon has added manufacturing jobs back to its rural community in Texas and sends out so much mail it was able to keep its local post office open. CatSpring Yaupon collaborates with other small companies and restaurants across the nation. Anytime were added to the menu, were replacing an imported product, Falla says. On paper, were perfect for this administration. As Duke Universitys Folch puts it, yaupon could benefit from the current turmoil. The tariffs give us an opportunity to ask really deep questions about who we are and what we bring to the table, she said. If yaupon is indeed able to navigate the new realities of an American-made tea culture and, once again, help us rethink what made in America really means, it would be an epic, 250-year comeback. The cover of this year's Japan Defense Ministry white paper features manga characters created by illustrator Honoka Yoshifuku, known for collaborations with brands such as Converse, Vans, Fila and Reebok. (Japan Ministry of Defense) TOKYO Japans Defense Ministry acknowledged it failed to meet recruitment goals for the Self-Defense Forces in recent years, as the country seeks to bolster its military amid growing threats from China, North Korea and Russia, according to an annual white paper released Tuesday. The Self-Defense Forces recruited about 10,000 personnel in each of the past two fiscal years, falling short of targets by nearly 10%, the paper said. Despite positive perceptions of the Self-Defense Force, recruiting [Japan Self-Defense Force] personnel is in a difficult situation, the paper states. Japan has approximately 250,000 active Self-Defense Force members, according to the ministrys website. However, officials have struggled to meet recruitment goals in the face of a declining birthrate and a series of misconduct scandals involving abuse of power and sexual harassment. As a result, the ministry is stepping up efforts to strengthen its personnel base, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani wrote in the papers introduction. Japans military must improve conditions for its service members, the paper states, by enhancing work-life balance and helping troops develop new life plans as they carry out their duty to protect the nations peace and independence. This years white paper includes illustrations aimed at attracting younger recruits to the Air Ground and Maritime Self-Defense Forces. The cover features manga characters, including a slender sailor, smiling soldier and female aviator, created by illustrator Honoka Yoshifuku, known for collaborations with brands such as Converse, Vans, Fila and Reebok. She is an artist who has received tremendous support both in Japan and overseas for her retro-pop touch that evokes nostalgia, the paper states. The ministry and Self-Defense Forces are organizations where people matter and can make a difference, Nakatani said in the paper. Each and every SDF personnel constitutes the greatest pillar of our defense capability, he wrote. Japans recruitment push comes amid what the ministry describes as one of the most complex security environments since World War II. China continues to expand its military capabilities and assertive activities in the East China Sea, including near Japans Senkaku Islands, the paper notes. North Korea has advanced its arsenal of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. Russia remains engaged in its war in Ukraine and has intensified military activities near Japans northern territories, known in Russia as the Kuril Islands. It also conducts joint maritime patrols with China. In December, Japans Cabinet approved a record defense budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1, a part of a plan to increase military spending to 2% of gross domestic product by 2027. The country is in its 13th consecutive year of defense budget increases, with a 9.7% jump planned for fiscal 2025, bringing total spending to $54.8 billion, up from $50.1 billion last year. Spending is projected to rise to $56.1 billion by fiscal 2027. Meanwhile, NATO member states recently agreed to raise their defense spending target to 5% of GDP, and U.S. officials have urged Japan to shoulder more responsibility for regional security. On March 30, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the first phase of a restructuring of U.S. Forces Japan, shifting from a liaison role to a more integrated operational command. A crane moves material at the site of a future Marine Corps airfield at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, April 16, 2025. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) Work has been paused on a new Marine Corps airfield in northern Okinawa for more than a month, but the construction schedule will not be affected, according to Japans Ministry of Defense. Six vessels contracted by the ministry to drive sand piles into the soft seabed of Oura Bay to reclaim land for a new airfield at Marine Corps Camp Schwab evacuated the area on June 10 due to a typhoon, a spokesman with the prefectures Seashore Disaster Prevention Division said by phone Thursday. A spokesman with the Okinawa Defense Bureau an arm of the defense ministry declined to say when the vessels would return to work. However, no immediate delays to construction are expected, he said by phone Friday. The first typhoon of the year appeared June 11 west of Taiwan in the South China Sea but did not approach Okinawa, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The Ministry of Defense will continue to steadily advance construction work for the Henoko relocation while paying attention to the safety of the work, the bureau spokesman said. Two of the vessels moved to Nakagusuku Bay in central Okinawa, and the other four relocated to Amami Island, north of Okinawa, the division spokesman said. Some Japanese government officials speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. Construction of the Schwab airfield has faced nearly a decade of delays. Legal challenges from the Okinawa prefectural government delayed construction after the U.S. and Japanese governments agreed in 1996 to relocate the airfield from MCAS Futenma in densely populated Ginowan city to rural Henoko. Work on the Oura Bay side was on hold from April 21, 2020, when Gov. Denny Tamaki, citing safety and environmental concerns, refused to approve design changes meant to solidify the seabed. Japans Supreme Court in January rejected the final legal challenge and ended a series of 14 construction-related lawsuits filed by both sides since Nov. 17, 2015. Contractors began driving sand piles to solidify the seabed on Dec. 28. About 2,800 piles out of 71,000 had been driven as of May 31, the division spokesman said. In July, contractors drove test piles into the seabed to prepare the site for steel pipes that will support Seawall A. Construction began in August and contractors had driven 140 steel sheet piles for the seawall as of February, the spokesman said. Construction is expected to last until at least 2033 and cost the Japanese government nearly $6 billion, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said in January. The airfield may be ready for use by 2036, he said. U.S. soldiers participate in an Eighth Army run at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, June 9, 2025. (Michelle Lessard-Terry/U.S. Army) A version of next years defense spending bill forwarded recently by the Senate Armed Services Committee would bar the Defense Department from withdrawing troops from South Korea without congressional approval. The committees version of the National Defense Authorization Act would prohibit a reduction in U.S. military posture on the Korean Peninsula until the Secretary of Defense certifies to Congress that such action is in the national interest, according to a fact sheet from the committee released Friday in Washington, D.C. The bill also requires the commanders of U.S. Forces Korea and Indo-Pacific Command and the Joint Chiefs chairman to conduct an independent risk assessment of potential troop reductions in South Korea, according to the fact sheet. The committee on July 9 advanced the bill to the full Senate on a vote of 26-1. The bill supports $925 billion in defense spending for fiscal year 2026, a $32 billion increase over the current fiscal year. The Senate plan includes $879 billion for the DOD, $35.2 billion for defense-related programs within the Department of Energy and $10.8 billion for programs outside the bills jurisdiction, according to the fact sheet. The 2025 defense spending plan is $893 billion, including $849.9 billion for the DOD and $33.28 billion for the Energy Department, according to a summary on Congress.gov. From rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific to renewed aggression from Russia and the persistent threat of terrorism and cyberattacks, the United States faces a global security environment unlike any in recent memory, Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat and the ranking committee member, said in a committee news release Friday. This legislation invests in the service members, technology, and capabilities we need to deter our adversaries and defend our national interests. Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi who serves as committee chairman, described the bill as a direct reflection of the severity of that threat environment, as well as the rapidly evolving landscape of war, according to the release. The House Armed Services Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on its version of the bill. South Koreas Defense Ministry is aware of the committees version of the bill and is tracking its passage, spokesman Jeon Ha Gyu said during a news conference in Seoul on Monday. President Donald Trump has often said South Korea pays too little of the cost to keep 28,500 U.S. troops stationed there to deter attacks from North Korea. Under the five-year Special Measures Agreement signed in November by then-Presidents Joe Biden and Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea must pay $1.1 billion annually starting in 2026. The Trump administration considered moving approximately 4,500 U.S. troops in South Korea to other spots in the Indo-Pacific, such as Guam, according to May 23 report by The Wall Street Journal that cited unnamed military officials. Reports of a troop reduction in South Korea are not true and the U.S. remains firmly committed to the defense of South Korea, the Office of the Secretary of Defense said in an email attributed to Pentagon press secretary Sean Parnell to Stars and Stripes later that day. Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron delivers a speech to British and US troops during a visit to Camp Bastion, outside Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of Helmand province in south Afghanistan, July 4, 2011. (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP, pool) LONDON Thousands of Afghans, including many who worked with British forces, have been secretly resettled in the U.K. after a leak of data on their identities raised fears that the Taliban could target them, the British government revealed Tuesday. The government said it is closing the program, which a rare court order had barred the media from disclosing. To all those whose information was compromised, I offer a sincere apology today, Defense Secretary John Healey said in the House of Commons. He said he regretted the secrecy and have felt deeply concerned about the lack of transparency to Parliament and the public. Healey told lawmakers that a spreadsheet containing the personal information of nearly 19,000 people who had applied to come to Britain after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan was accidentally released in 2022 because of a defense officials email error. The government only became aware of the leak when some of the data was published on Facebook 18 months later. The then-Conservative government sought a court order barring disclosure of the leak, in an attempt to prevent the personal information being made public any further. The High Court issued an order known as a super injunction that barred anyone from revealing its existence. The government then set up a secret program to resettle the Afghans judged to be at greatest threat from the countrys Taliban rulers. The injunction was lifted on Tuesday in conjunction with a decision by Britains current Labour Party government to make the program public. It said an independent review had found little evidence that the leaked data would expose Afghans to a greater risk of retribution from the Taliban. The review said the Taliban had other sources of information on those who had worked with the previous Afghan government and international forces, and in any case was more concerned with curent threats to its authority. Some 4,500 Afghans 900 applicants and approximately 3,600 family members have been brought to Britain under the program, and about 6,900 people are expected to be relocated by the time it closes, at a total cost of about 850 million pounds ($1.1 billion). Around 36,000 Afghans have been relocated to the U.K. under other resettlement routes since 2021. Critics say that still leaves thousands of people who helped British troops as interpreters or in other roles at risk of torture, imprisonment or death. Sean Humber, a lawyer at the firm Leigh Day, which has represented many Afghan claimants, said the catastrophic data breach had caused anxiety, fear and distress to those affected. Nooralhaq Nasimi, founder of the U.K.s Afghanistan and Central Asian Association, said thousands of Afghans who supported the U.K. mission many of whom placed their trust in this country have had that trust gravely betrayed. He urged the government to offer meaningful compensation, and take urgent steps to protect those still at risk. British soldiers were sent to Afghanistan as part of an international deployment against al-Qaida and Taliban forces in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. At the peak of the operation, there were almost 10,000 U.K. troops in the country, mostly in Helmand province in the south. Britain ended combat operations in 2014, and its remaining troops left Afghanistan in 2021 as the Taliban swept back to power, two decades after they were ousted. The Talibans return triggered chaotic scenes as Western nations rushed to evacuate citizens and Afghan employees. Super injunctions are relatively rare, and their use is controversial. Unlike regular court injunctions, super injunctions bar reporting that they were even ordered. The handful of cases in which they have come to light involved celebrities trying to prevent disclosures about their private lives. This is the first known case of a super injunction being granted to the government. Healey said he was not aware of any others. Judge Martin Chamberlain, who ruled that the injunction should be lifted, said Tuesday at the High Court that the gag order had given rise to serious free speech concerns. The super injunction had the effect of completely shutting down the ordinary mechanisms of accountability, which operate in a democracy, he said. This led to what I describe as a scrutiny vacuum. An Air Force MQ-9 drone approaches Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, during a training exercise on May 20, 2025. (Asiah Phillips/U.S. Air Force) KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany Two Yemeni men whose relatives were killed in a U.S. drone strike over a decade ago lost their bid to hold Ramstein Air Base host country Germany partly responsible. A ruling Tuesday by Germanys highest court dismissed the complaint by Ahmed and Khalid bin Ali Jaber, who argued that allowing U.S. drone operations in Yemen to be supported via Ramstein violated international law. They asked the Federal Constitutional Court to require Germany to block use of a U.S.-operated satellite relay station on base for lethal operations abroad. The plaintiffs also contended in the complaint that Germany had failed to protect their rights. In its decision, the high court did not say whether Germany bears responsibility for U.S. drone strikes but concluded that the threshold for legal action had not been met. Two of the bin Ali Jabers relatives were killed in a 2012 U.S. drone strike on the village of Khashamir, in eastern Yemen. Al-Qaida was said to be the target of the strike, which sparked outrage because one of the victims was an outspoken opponent of the militant group. The German Defense Ministry raised no objections when it was informed by U.S. forces in 2010 and 2011 about plans to construct a satellite relay station at Ramstein, according to court documents. The system enables control signals sent from the United States by trans-Atlantic fiber-optic cable to be relayed by satellite to drones in the Middle East and other regions, a workaround made necessary by the curvature of the Earth. The high court held that while Germany has a general duty to protect fundamental rights and uphold international humanitarian law, that duty becomes a concrete legal obligation only when there is a sufficient connection to German state authority and a serious risk of systematic violations of international law. Tuesdays ruling spells the end in domestic courts of a legal dispute dating to 2014. An administrative court initially dismissed the bin Ali Jabers lawsuit seeking to block U.S. drone use of the relay station. But a higher court later ruled partially in their favor, ordering the German government to ensure that American drone operations conducted via Ramstein complied with international law. On appeal, the Federal Administrative Court overturned the decision and reinstated the dismissal of the complaint. The plaintiffs then turned to the high court. They argued that the drone program operated by U.S. personnel does not adequately distinguish between military targets and civilians, according to court documents. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a news conference in Rome on July 10, 2025. (Alessia Pierdomeni/Bloomberg) Donald Trump asked Volodymyr Zelenskyy whether Ukraine could strike Moscow, an inquiry that the White House says was merely a question but one that came hours after he voiced frustration at Russian President Vladimir Putins refusal to accept a ceasefire in the war. During a July 4 phone call with the Ukrainian president, Trump quizzed Zelenskyiy about whether Ukraine could hit the Russian capital and St. Petersburg if given U.S. long-range weapons, according to a person briefed about the conversation. Zelenskyy replied that it could if the U.S. provided the weapons, the person said. Asked about the details of the call, which were first reported by The Financial Times, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing. Hes working tirelessly to stop the killing and end this war. The conversation took place a day after Trump said he was very disappointed by a phone call with Putin, in which the Russian leader insisted he wouldnt back down on his war aims. Ukraine has successfully targeted Moscow with drones in the past, but the long-range missiles provided by its western allies so far have lacked the capabilities to reach the city. Details of the discussion emerged a day after Trump pledged fresh weapons supplies to Kyiv that would be paid for by NATO allies, mainly from Europe, and threatened harsh financial penalties targeting Russian oil sales if Putin doesnt end the war on Ukraine within 50 days. Oil declined for a second day as traders doubted Trumps plan would pose a meaningful obstacle to Moscows energy exports. Global benchmark Brent fell beneath $69 a barrel after losing 1.6% on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said Trumps public comments were serious and Russia needed time to analyze them, according to the Interfax news service. Any attempts to make demands especially ultimatums are unacceptable for us, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also said Tuesday, the state-run Tass news service reported. Trumps move to raise pressure on Putin came after months of unsuccessful diplomacy aimed at persuading Russia to halt its war on Ukraine and negotiate a peace deal. Instead, Russia has intensified its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks. Trump told the BBC in an interview Monday that he was disappointed in Putin, but not done with him. The U.S. president didnt explain how the proposed secondary tariffs would work, but he has used the term in the past to describe duties imposed on countries for trading with American adversaries. The threats echo punishment spelled out in a bipartisan bill in Congress that would impose 500% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil and gas such as China and India. Were going to be doing very severe tariffs if we dont have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100%, Trump said during a meeting with North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Monday. Matt Whitaker, the U.S. ambassador to NATO, said the planned action effectively represents secondary sanctions on countries buying oil from Russia. Its about tariffs on countries like India and China that are buying their oil, he told reporters. And it really is going to, I think, dramatically impact the Russian economy. China criticized the U.S. effort to pressure Beijing over its energy ties with Moscow. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for deeper engagement with Russia in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday in Beijing. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said his country opposes long-arm jurisdiction. Top of the line The comments mark the latest signal of Trumps growing impatience with Putins refusal to end Moscows war in Ukraine, which has dragged on since 2022. Yet, the arrangement risks Moscow continuing its barrage on the battlefield for weeks before it considers returning to talks. Putin has insisted he wants iron-clad assurances on resolving what he calls the root causes of the conflict, including by ending Ukraines NATO ambitions and Western military support. Much of the defense materiel Kyiv will receive will depend on Europes ability and willingness to make the purchases. Ukraine needs air-defense systems and drone interceptors as well as a constant supply of artillery shells and missiles. Trump said the U.S. was sending a top-of-the-line weapons package that includes Patriot air-defense batteries. Were not buying it, but we will manufacture it, Trump said. Zelenskyy said Monday in a post on X that hed spoken with Trump, who briefed him on his discussions with Rutte. We agreed to catch up more often by phone and coordinate our steps in the future as well, he posted. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed Trumps announcement, adding that he assured him: Germany will decisively contribute. Merzs government has suspended debt restrictions on defense spending both for the German army and military aid for Ukraine. Berlin is looking to finance the purchase of two Patriot batteries for Kyiv. Trump hailed Mondays announcement as a major shift in course, but the details of the decision also reflect Trumps priorities: It wont cost the U.S. anything and Trump is not dedicating any new U.S. funding to Ukraine, at least for now. The NATO chief said the bloc would coordinate among allies to fulfill Ukraines military needs including air defense equipment, missiles and ammunition. Germany will play a major part, alongside Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, The Netherlands and Canada, according to Rutte. This is again Europeans stepping up, Rutte said, adding that Putin should take negotiations about Ukraine more seriously. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Journey through 800 years: Discovering the Xixia Imperial Tombs 13:59, July 15, 2025 By Peng Yukai, Sheng Chuyi, Li Zheng, Alvaro Lago, Liang Hongxin ( People's Daily Online China's Xixia Imperial Tombs were inscribed on the World Heritage List on July 11, 2025, during UNESCO's 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Paris, France. The Xixia Imperial Tombs is located at the foot of Helan Mountain, about 30 km west of Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The site is composed of nine imperial tombs, 271 subordinate tombs, a 5-hectare complex of architectural ruins, and 32 flood control sites. These towering tombs stand as witnesses of the Xixia Dynasty (1038-1227), a dynasty that once ruled this land a people who mastered the art of winemaking over 800 years ago. The intricate wine vessels and exquisite murals prove that wine was more than a drink for the Tangut (Dangxiang) people it was a language of power, ritual and identity. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chengliang) Vice Adm. Charles Cooper and Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich testify Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on their nominations to command U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, respectively. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Iran retains the ability to threaten U.S. service members despite being in a weakened state following Israels military campaign against Tehran and American assaults on its nuclear program, the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command said Tuesday. Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, who is nominated to take command of U.S. forces in the Middle East in the summer, told senators at his confirmation hearing that the protection of troops is top of mind because Iran continues to possess considerable tactical capability. The thing I think that we need to do right now and that we are doing, with clarity, is making sure our men and women are safe in the Middle East, Cooper said in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Thats where our focus is today. Irans missile attack Monday on an American base in Qatar demonstrated the strength of Tehrans remaining tactical powers, he said. The attack was rebuffed, but the risk remains for additional retaliation for this weekends American strikes on Irans major nuclear facilities. About 40,000 troops and civilians are working for the Defense Department throughout the Middle East, including in Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. Irans strike Monday on al Udeid Air Base was limited in scope and was communicated beforehand, but Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., warned it was likely not the end of Irans retribution campaign. It doesnt mean that there might not be another response in a day or week or month or year or three years, and it could be missiles or rockets against our troops, or it could be trying to blow up an embassy around the world, or targeting American citizens for a terrorist attack, he said. Cooper agreed with that assessment. Irans proxies, including Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, have been degraded, but Iranian-backed militias remain intact, he said. Weve got to be in a three-point stance ready to go every single day, Cooper said. They have and they continue to be threats to the United States. The Pentagon is also closely monitoring Iranian activity on the Strait of Hormuz, a 90-mile waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean that serves as a key shipping route for oil and liquefied natural gas. Iranian officials have threatened to mine the strait if the U.S. joined Israels attacks against Iran. Such a move could pin any U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf and put American minesweepers in harms way. Cooper said Iran has thousands of sea mines, but the U.S. also has a substantial and sufficient mine force in the region to clear them. The operation would be lengthy, he said, taking weeks or months instead of days. The key to this is getting to the left of the problem, establishing the deterrent posture, which we have today, and then keeping our eyes on Iranian activity, which is exactly what the U.S. military is doing today, he said. If confirmed, Cooper would take over as commander of CENTCOM from Army Gen. Michael Kurilla. He has served as CENTCOMs deputy commander since February 2024 and previously led Naval Forces Central Command, the Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. Cooper shared his confirmation hearing Tuesday with Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, who is nominated to take over as commander of European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe NATOs top military officer from Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli. Grynkewich told senators that a strong NATO capable of defending Europe remained essential to American interests. His comments came as President Donald Trump, a skeptic of the alliance, flew to The Hague for NATOs annual summit. A career F-16 and F-22 fighter pilot, Grynkewich now serves as director for operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and previously served as commander of the Ninth Air Force and director of operations for CENTCOM. Grynkewich on Tuesday stressed the importance of maintaining U.S. troops in Europe even as some in the Pentagon have expressed interest in directing more American forces to the Indo-Pacific region. U.S. forces in Europe are in a perfect position to spring into action during crises not just on the Continent but any region in the world, he said, including in the Middle East. Forces of the regional Kurdish administration secure the area ahead of a symbolic disarmament ceremony by the separatist PKK group as part of the peace process with Turkey, in Sulaymaniyah governorate, Iraq, Friday, July 11, 2025. Iraqs Kurdish regional government recently accused Iran-allied militias of carrying out drone attacks in its area. (Hadi Mizban/AP) BAGHDAD An oil field in Iraq s Dohuk province was set ablaze Tuesday after being struck by a drone. It is the latest in a series of similar attacks launched recently against oil facilities in northern Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish region. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack came the same day Iraq signed an agreement with the oil fields operator, U.S.-based HKN Energy Ltd., for investment in a field at another location. HKN Energy confirmed in a statement that an explosion occurred Tuesday morning at one of its production facilities in the Sarang field in Dohuk province. All personnel have been safely accounted for, and no injuries have been reported, it said. However, the facility remains on fire, and emergency response teams are actively working to contain the situation. It said the cause of the explosion was under investigation and that operations were suspended. The recent attacks have heightened tensions between the central government in Baghdad and regional Kurdish authorities. The strikes have caused material damage but no casualties. The Kurdish regions Ministry of Natural Resources said in a statement that Tuesdays explosion was caused by a drone strike and that it came after an attack on the Khurmala oil field, in Irbil province, on Monday. The ministry said it strongly condemns and denounces these acts of terrorism against the Kurdistan Regions vital economic infrastructure. The Kurdish regional government urged the federal government to take all urgent and necessary measures to prevent the repetition of such attacks, identify the parties responsible, and hold them accountable. The U.S. embassy in Baghdad also issued a statement condemning the recent attacks. The Government of Iraq must exercise its authority to prevent armed actors from launching these attacks against sites within its own territory, including locations where Iraqi and international companies have invested in Iraqs future, it said. Iraqs Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani met with the vice president of HKN Energy on Tuesday during the signing of a preliminary agreement for investment in the Hamrin oil field, in Salahuddin province. Earlier this month, the Kurdish regional government accused the Popular Mobilization Forces a coalition of Iran-allied militias that are officially under the control of the Iraqi military of carrying out drone attacks. The Iraqi army said the accusation was issued in the absence of evidence and said it could provide hostile parties with justifications to undermine Iraqs stability. Iran-backed armed groups have periodically attacked U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria. During last months Israel-Iran war some of them threatened to target U.S. interests and bases in the region if Washington got involved. Mourners pray beside the bodies of Palestinians who were killed by an Israeli airstrike, during their funeral at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Malnutrition rates among children in the Gaza Strip have doubled since Israel sharply restricted the entry of food in March, the U.N. said Tuesday. New Israeli strikes killed more than 90 Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, according to health officials. Hunger has been rising among Gazas more than 2 million Palestinians since Israel broke a ceasefire in March to resume the war and banned all food and other supplies from entering Gaza, saying it aimed to pressure Hamas to release hostages. It slightly eased the blockade in late May, allowing in a trickle of aid. UNRWA, the main U.N. agency caring for Palestinians in Gaza, said it had screened nearly 16,000 children under age 5 at its clinics in June and found 10.2% of them were acutely malnourished. By comparison, in March, 5.5% of the nearly 15,000 children it screened were malnourished. New airstrikes kill several families One strike in the northern Shati refugee camp killed a 68-year-old Hamas member of the Palestinian legislature, as well as a man and a woman and their six children who were sheltering in the same building, according to officials from the heavily damaged Shifa Hospital, where the casualties were taken. One of the deadliest strikes hit a house in Gaza Citys Tel al-Hawa district on Monday evening and killed 19 members of the family living inside, according to Shifa Hospital. The dead included eight women and six children. A strike on a tent housing displaced people in the same district killed a man and a woman and their two children. The Israeli military did not comment on the strikes. Gazas Health Ministry said in a daily report Tuesday afternoon that the bodies of 93 people killed by Israeli strikes had been brought to hospitals in Gaza over the past 24 hours, along with 278 wounded. It did not specify the total number of women and children among the dead. The Hamas politician killed in a strike early Tuesday, Mohammed Faraj al-Ghoul, was a member of the bloc of representatives from the group that won seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council in the last national elections, held in 2006. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas. But daily, it hits homes and shelters where people are living without warning or explanation of the target. Malnutrition grows UNICEF, which screens children separately from UNRWA, also reported a marked increase in malnutrition cases. It said this week its clinics had documented 5,870 cases of malnutrition among children in June, the fourth straight month of increases and more than double the around 2,000 cases it documented in February. Experts have warned of famine since Israel tightened its lengthy blockade in March. Israel has allowed an average of 69 trucks a day carrying supplies, including food, since it eased the blockade in May, according to the latest figures from COGAT, the Israeli military agency in charge of coordinating aid. That is far below the hundreds of trucks a day the U.N. says are needed to sustain Gazas population. On Tuesday, COGAT blamed the U.N. for failing to distribute aid, saying in a post on X that thousands of pallets of supplies were inside Gaza waiting to be picked up by U.N. trucks. The U.N. says it has struggled to pick up and distribute aid because of Israeli military restrictions on its movements and the breakdown in law and order. Israel has also let in food for distribution by an American contractor, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. GHF says it has distributed food boxes with the equivalent of more than 70 million meals since late May at the four centers it runs in the Rafah area of southern Gaza and in central Gaza. More than 840 Palestinians have been killed and more than 5,600 others wounded in shootings as they walk for hours trying to reach the GHF centers, according to the Health Ministry. Witnesses say Israeli forces open fire with barrages of live ammunition to control crowds on the roads to the GHF centers, which are located in military-controlled zones. The military says it has fired warning shots at people it says have approached its forces in a suspicious manner. GHF says no shootings have taken place in or immediately around its distribution sites. No breakthrough in ceasefire efforts The latest attacks came after U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held two days of talks last week that ended with no breakthrough in negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release. Israel has killed more than 58,400 Palestinians and wounded more than 139,000 others in its retaliation campaign since Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Just over half the dead are women and children, according to the ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its tally. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after its attack 21 month ago, in which militants stormed into southern Israel and killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 others, and the militants are still holding 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive. US calls for probe into killing of Palestinian-American In a separate development, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee called on Israel to investigate the killing of a 20-year-old Palestinian-American whose family said was beaten to death by Jewish settlers over the weekend in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. There must be accountability for this criminal and terrorist act, Huckabee wrote on X. Seifeddin Musalat, born in Florida, and a local friend were killed Friday. Musalat was beaten to death by Israeli settlers on his familys land, his cousin Diana Halum told reporters. The family had called on the U.S. State Department to investigate his death and hold the settlers accountable. The Israeli military said a confrontation erupted after Palestinians hurled stones at Israelis in the area earlier in the day, lightly wounding two people. Huckabee, like many in the Trump administration, is a strong supporter of Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal by most of the international community and seen by the Palestinians as a major obstacle to peace. Israel strikes Lebanons Bekaa Valley Also on Tuesday, Israel launched a series of strikes in Lebanons eastern Bekaa Valley, targeting what the military said were compounds of the Hezbollah militant group. Lebanons state-run National News Agency said that one of the strikes hit a Syrian refugee camp, killing seven Syrians. Altogether, the strikes killed 12 people and wounded eight, it said. Hezbollah said one of the strikes hit a rig used to drill water wells. Israel has continued to carry out near-daily strikes in Lebanon since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement nominally brought an end to the latest Israel-Hezbollah war in November. Some 4,000 people were killed in Lebanon during the war and more than 250 since the ceasefire. Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this report. U.S. Central Command forces, alongside U.K. forces, launched strikes against 36 Houthi targets at 13 locations in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen on Feb. 3, 2024. (U.S. Central Command) WASHINGTON The U.S. military assesses its operations in 2024 resulted in two civilian deaths and two civilian injuries in the Middle East, the Pentagon wrote in its annual report submitted Tuesday to Congress. The first incident resulted in the death of a man in an airstrike that occurred between Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 in al-Qaim, Iraq. The strike came after three U.S. soldiers were killed in an attack on a Jordan base on Jan. 28. Five days later, the Biden administration ordered strikes on targets in Syria and in the western Iraqi towns of al-Qaim and Akashat. The strikes were against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated militia groups, striking seven facilities, defense officials said at the time. The U.S. military struck more than 85 targets and employed more than 125 precision munitions. Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve contacted the affected family to express their condolence, the 10-page report states. The second incident happened Feb. 22 in the vicinity of Al-Hasakah, Syria. It resulted in the death of a child and injuries to two other children. No combat operation was related to this incident, which was more likely than not due to a compilation of factors related to operating a military weapons range, according to the report. A civilian assessment recommended the installation of a fence or barrier along the perimeter of the range to establish boundary lines and prevent civilians from entering. Both incidents are under consideration regarding whether to offer ex gratia payments. Payments are intended for those who have experienced property damage, personal injury or death as a result of U.S. military activities. The Pentagon has been compiling the report on civilian casualties in military operations during the previous year since the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law. As of Feb. 1, 2025, U.S. Central Command had yet to assess whether reports of civilian harm last year in Yemen were the result of U.S. military operations. But CENTCOM, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, is assessing eight reports from nongovernmental organizations that found civilian harm that could be related to U.S. military operations in the country. The U.S. is one of several countries providing support to Somalia. U.S. Africa Command reviewed seven reports of civilian harm. AFRICOM closed reviews of five of those reports, assessing the civilian harm reported could have been the result of U.S. military operations. In another case, AFRICOM could correlate the report to kinetic activity, meaning activity that generally refers to traditional explosive weapons, but determined U.S. military operations were unlikely to have caused the harm, according to the annual assessment. A tank for the Syrian government forces carried on a truck, which withdraw from Sweida city, pass on Daraa highway, southern Syria, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Omar Sanadiki/AP) BUSRA AL-HARIR, Syria Syria s defense minister announced a ceasefire shortly after government forces entered a key city in southern Sweida province on Tuesday, a day after sectarian clashes killed dozens there. Neighboring Israel again launched strikes on Syrian military forces, saying it was protecting the Druze minority. The latest escalation under Syrias new leaders began with tit-for-tat kidnappings and attacks between local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed factions in the southern province, a center of the Druze community. Syrian government forces, sent to restore order on Monday, also clashed with Druze armed groups. A ceasefire announcement On Tuesday, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said an agreement was struck with the citys notables and dignitaries and that government forces would respond only to the sources of fire and deal with any targeting by outlaw groups. However, scattered clashes continued after his announcement as did allegations that security forces had committed violations against civilians. Syrias Interior Ministry said Monday that more than 30 people had been killed, but has not updated the figures since. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, said Tuesday that 166 people had been killed since Sunday, including five women and two children. Among them were 21 people killed in field executions by government forces, including 12 men in a rest house in the city of Sweida, it said. It did not say how many of the dead were civilians and also cited reports of members of the security forces looting and setting homes on fire. Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa said in a statement that he had tasked authorities with taking immediate legal action against anyone proven to have committed a transgression or abuse, regardless of their rank or position. Associated Press journalists in Sweida province saw forces at a government checkpoint searching cars and confiscating suspected stolen goods from both civilians and soldiers. Israels involvement draws pushback Israeli airstrikes targeted government forces convoys heading into the provincial capital of Sweida and in other areas of southern Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strikes sought to prevent the Syrian regime from harming the Druze religious minority and to ensure disarmament in the area adjacent to our borders with Syria. In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. Meanwhile, Israeli Cabinet member and Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli called on X for al-Sharaa to be eliminated without delay. A soldiers story Manhal Yasser Al-Gor, of the Interior Ministry forces, was being treated for shrapnel wounds at a local hospital after an Israeli strike hit his convoy. We were entering Sweida to secure the civilians and prevent looting. I was on an armored personnel carrier when the Israeli drone hit us, he said, adding that there were many casualties. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said Israeli strikes had killed several innocent civilians as well as soldiers, and called them a reprehensible example of ongoing aggression and external interference in Syrias internal matters. It said the Syrian state is committed to protecting the Druze, who form an integral part of the national identity and united Syrian social fabric. Suspicion over Syrias new government Israel has taken an aggressive stance toward Syrias new leaders since al-Sharaas Sunni Islamist insurgents ousted former President Bashar Assad in December, saying it doesnt want militants near its borders. Israeli forces have seized a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone on Syrian territory along the border with the Golan Heights and launched hundreds of airstrikes on military sites in Syria. Earlier Tuesday, religious leaders of the Druze community in Syria called for armed factions that have been clashing with government forces to surrender their weapons and cooperate with authorities. One of the main Druze spiritual leaders later released a video statement retracting the call. Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, who has been opposed to the government in Damascus, said in the video that the initial Druze leaders statement had been issued after an agreement with the authorities in Damascus but that they broke the promise and continued the indiscriminate shelling of unarmed civilians. We are being subjected to a total war of annihilation, he claimed, without offering evidence. Some videos on social media showed armed fighters with Druze captives, beating them and, in some cases, forcibly shaving mens moustaches. Sectarian and revenge attacks The Druze religious sect began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. More than half the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. Since Assads fall, clashes have broken out several times between forces loyal to the new Syrian government and Druze fighters. The latest fighting has raised fears of more sectarian violence. In March, an ambush on government forces by Assad loyalists in another part of Syria triggered days of sectarian and revenge attacks. Hundreds of civilians were killed, most of them members of Assads minority Alawite sect. A commission was formed to investigate the attacks but no findings have been made public. The videos and reports of soldiers violations spurred outrage and protests by Druze communities in neighboring Lebanon, northern Israel and in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights, where the Israeli military said dozens of protesters had crossed the border into Syrian territory. The violence drew international concern. The U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, called the violence worrisome on all sides in a post on. We are attempting to come to a peaceful, inclusive outcome for Druze, Bedouin tribes, the Syrian government and Israeli forces, he said. Sewell reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut and Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, welcomes Elon Musk to the Pentagon on March 21, 2025. The artificial intelligence company launched by Musk is among the four recipients of $200 million contracts with the Pentagon to develop and integrate AI tools across the military. ( Madelyn Keech/U.S. Air Force) A company launched by Elon Musk is among the four recipients of newly awarded Pentagon contracts of $200 million apiece to develop and integrate artificial intelligence tools for use in the U.S. military. The partnerships are meant to bring cutting-edge AI into warfare and improve an assortment of Defense Department systems, according to a statement Monday by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office at the Pentagon. Musks xAI was selected along with Anthropic, Google and OpenAI, the statement said. The adoption of AI is transforming the departments ability to support our warfighters and maintain strategic advantage over our adversaries, Chief Digital and AI Officer Doug Matty said in the statement. The contract awards come a week after Musk received widespread criticism when the latest version of xAIs chatbot, Grok, began generating antisemitic posts on X, the social media site also owned by Musk. The posts, which included praise of Adolf Hitler, were removed and Musk acknowledged that the model was too easily manipulated by users. He said the problem had been addressed. The Pentagon contract is part of a bigger rollout of what xAI is calling Grok for Government, opening up AI tools to all levels of the public sector. In addition to the $200 million contract, xAIs products are now available for purchase via the General Services Administration schedule, which allows every federal government department, agency or office to access xAI products. Grok for Government will help users accelerate America, xAI said in a statement, from making everyday government services faster and more efficient to using AI to address unsolved problems in fundamental science and technology. The federal government already has several contracts with Musks space development company SpaceX valued at a combined $22 billion, according to Reuters. They include deals to provide Starlink internet services in Ukraine and launch sensitive intelligence satellites into space. Colorado 5th Congressional District candidate Jessica Killin. (Jessica Killin campaign via The Denver Post) DENVER (Tribune News Service) Jessica Killin, a former U.S. Army captain and chief of staff to former second gentleman Doug Emhoff, will look to flip the 5th Congressional District in 2026, she announced Tuesday. Killin, a Democrat, will take on freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank for the El Paso County district in Colorado. The seat has long been a Republican stronghold, with Crank winning it by 14 percentage points in 2024. In her announcement, she called out Cranks vote for the omnibus tax-and-spending-cut bill recently signed into law by President Donald Trump. Washington needs leaders who are focused on actually getting things done not partisan name-calling and bitter culture wars, Killin said in a statement announcing her candidacy. The Pikes Peak Region deserves results-oriented, competent leadership. Instead, Jeff Crank has let his constituents down, voting to kick thousands off health care while raising the national debt by trillions. Before working for Vice President Kamala Harris husband, Killin was employed by the bank USAA, at which she worked on Veterans Administration home loans and against predatory lenders, according to her campaign. Her military service included time as a military police officer and as a paratrooper. She is the fifth Democrat to declare for the seat, including 2024 candidates Joe Reagan and River Gassen. 2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at denverpost.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Now retired Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time, speaks alongside NBC news reporter Andrea Mitchell at the 2017 Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. (Department of Defense) WASHINGTON The Pentagon has abruptly canceled its participation at the Aspen Security Forum, stopping defense leaders from speaking at the high-profile national security conference because the event is not aligned with the goals of the Defense Department since President Donald Trump started his second term in office. The department will remain strong in its focus to increase the lethality of our warfighters, revitalize the warrior ethos and project peace through strength on the world stage. It is clear the ASF is not in alignment with these goals, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement. The forum has routinely included senior Pentagon leaders, service chiefs, other top officials from the State Department and the National Security Council, as well as foreign defense leaders. Republican and Democratic administrations for years have attended the conference, which begins Tuesday. The Pentagon on Monday canceled its participation in the annual event. The conference is in Aspen, Colo., for four days. Founded in 2010, it is touted as the premier national security and foreign policy conference in the United States, according to its website. Navy Secretary John Phelan and Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, were among the speakers scheduled to appear at the conference. For more than a decade, the Aspen Security Forum has welcomed senior officials Republican and Democrat, civilian and military as well as senior foreign officials and experts, who bring experience and diverse perspectives on matters of national security, the forum said in a statement issued Monday. We will miss the participation of the Pentagon, but our invitations remain open. Vast potential for deepening cooperation between New Zealand, China: New Zealand MP on Luxon's China visit (People's Daily App) 15:28, July 15, 2025 From June 17 to 20, New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon led a high-level business delegation on an official visit to China. Nancy Lu, a New Zealand member of parliament and part of the delegation, shared her insights in an exclusive interview with the People's Daily, in which she highlighted the vast potential for deepening collaboration, particularly in trade, innovation and people-to-people exchanges. (Producedy by Zhan Huilan, Lin Rui, Xie Runjia and interns Feng Ziyi, Ma Chenli, Xiong Yitong, Dong Yitong and Yang Zizi) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Keith Macken had left the woman, whom he had met just hours ago, choking on her own blood after being disturbed during the attack A carpenter has been sentenced to nine years in prison for attacking a grandmother with a wheel brace to such an extent that she needed to have her spleen removed following the attack. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Keith Macken had left the woman, whom he had met just hours ago, choking on her own blood after being disturbed during the attack. A treating doctor said that she could have died without medical care. Macken (44) of Saint Attracta Road, Cabra, Co. Dublin was charged with assault causing serious harm to the woman - his then partners friend - just hours after he had met her for the first time. The father of four pleaded guilty to the attack on Lisa Lynch on October 20, 2023 outside the perimeter fence of Dublin Airport. He initially pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea on the first day of a trial after hearing Ms Lynchs direct evidence. Macken also received a separate 18 month sentence after pleading guilty to a burglary at an address in Swords on December 29, 2021. The court heard that Macken entered his former partner's home uninvited by climbing in a bedroom window. Imposing sentence yesterday, Judge Pauline Codd said that the airport incident was an unprovoked attack on a particularly vulnerable, defenceless woman. He took out a wheel brace and knocked her unconscious and left her on the side of the road, she noted. She was left choking on her own blood. In relation to the burglary, she said that he had created an atmosphere of fear by the way he entered the premises, which she described as an aggravating factor. Ms Lynch told the court she was drinking some wine in her friends home in the Portobello area on the night before the attack in October 2023. Her friends partner, Macken, arrived and introduced himself. He joined the women drinking and cooked them a meal before suggesting they all go for a drive. They went for a drive, but returned to bring his partner home as she was so drunk. He and the injured party left again in his car. Ms Lynch said it was all blurry but she remembered seeing the airport and an airplane when Macken pulled over, got out and told her to get the fuck out of the car. She got out and he came towards her with a wheel brace, screamed and hit her with it several times all over her head and body. She lost consciousness and woke up to blue lights, but remained in and out of consciousness. She could hear people talking but could barely see as her whole face was covered in blood. When she woke up, she was in hospital, where she spent nearly three weeks. In a medical report read to the court, the treating doctor said scans showed a fracture to one of her ribs, as well as lacerations to her liver and spleen, which was bleeding heavily. She became unresponsive while being reviewed and was started on blood transfusions. She was immediately transferred to theatre for emergency surgery, where her ruptured spleen was removed. The doctor said that she had suffered serious harm, which could have been fatal if not treated. In her victim impact statement, Ms Lynch said that she suffers a lot of flashbacks, especially when she sees the scar. She wakes up in a state of panic and is afraid to go outside. It has changed her relationship with men and has stopped her socialising. I have gone into myself, she said in her statement. Im not the same person I used to be. Garda Sarah Johnson told the court that Macken was disturbed from his attack by an airport worker patrolling the perimeter. He saw Macken with what looked like a wheel brace raised above a person lying on the ground. The airport worker activated the lights on his vehicle, which lit up the whole road. Macken left the scene and Ms Lynch crawled across the road to the fence. When Garda Johnson and a colleague arrived at the scene around 8am, they saw the woman in a ditch. Gda Johnson said that the injured party said that Macken had made advances towards her that night and that she had rejected them. After the attack, Macken drove 4 kilometres from the scene and parked at the entrance to a farmyard for about four hours, until the owners called the gardai who then found him asleep. They seized a metal wheel brace from the floor of the car and arrested Macken. The court heard that Macken had 142 previous convictions, including for burglary, theft and criminal damage. Evidence was also heard that Macken climbed in an upstairs bedroom window of his former partners home in Swords on December 29, 2021. The court heard Macken and the woman had been in a long-term relationship, which had ended. Macken was not invited to the house that day and was not welcome there. After entering the house, Macken went to the sitting room where the woman was with her mother. He pretended everything was fine and asked what was for dinner. The woman asked him to leave, and he replied: Can we not order something to eat? The injured party told Macken to leave or she would call gardai. He then got into her bed, saying he was going to sleep for a while. Macken, who was highly intoxicated, then returned to the sitting room and was becoming aggressive and shouting. When gardai arrived, he resisted arrest and four officers had to restrain him. The court heard no damage was caused to the property. The woman declined to provide a victim impact statement. Macken wasn't interviewed in relation to this incident and was on bail for this offence when he assaulted Ms Lynch, the court heard. Kathleen Leader SC, defending, said Macken had been a pro-social member of society until the pandemic, when he had no work, no means of income and no way of socialising. His drinking became significant and it led to the break up of his relationship. Regarding the attack on Ms Lynch, he told his barrister there was a misunderstanding between them in the car and that this led to an escalation. He reacted in a very inappropriate and disproportionate way, said Ms Leader. She explained that Macken hadnt really come to terms with what he had done until he heard Ms Lynch give evidence. Ms Leader also said that while in custody awaiting trial, Macken's cell mate tried to take his own life and her client had saved him. Probation and education reports were provided to the court. The judge took into consideration a letter of apology written by Macken, in which he described trauma in his childhood. She also considered a letter from a family member, who described him as a good person when on the straight and narrow and gave the opinion that he could overcome the addiction he has suffered through his life. She imposed a total of 10 and a half years on Macken - nine years for the attack on Ms Lynch, and 18 months for the burglary, both to run consecutively. Keith Macken Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday July 15th Drug addict Mark McCabe already had 191 previous convictions when he admitted multiple charges A serial offender has been jailed for a stack of offences including a shoplifting hundreds of euro worth of chocolate and an assault on his father. Drug addict Mark McCabe already had 191 previous convictions when he admitted multiple charges. McCabe (44), from Marigold Crescent, Darndale, was sentenced to 10 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to assault, theft, public order and trespassing offences. Judge Treasa Kelly said McCabe had a terrible history of offending, but made the jail term concurrent to one he is already serving. Dublin District Court heard gardai were called to the accuseds home address on October 21 last year when it was reported there was a row between a father and son. McCabe pushed his father, who fell and hit his head on the corner of the skirting board. McCabe was found rummaging through bins Separately, the court heard, McCabe went to Circle K on the Malahide Road on March 28 and stole 175 worth of chocolate. He had also stolen 38 worth of chocolates from a Lidl on January 12. McCabe was found rummaging through bins and stock behind the loading gates at Halfords, Coolock, on the same day, January 12. Another trespassing incident happened at Fleet Street car park in the city centre last December 18, when McCabe was found with a group of drug users on the top floor. McCabe verbally abused a shop assistant when asked to leave Dealz, Clarehall, Coolock, on January 14 and was charged with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. On January 9, he shoplifted groceries valued at 384 from Circle K, Artane. He took another 400 of groceries from the same shop on March 19 and 80 worth on April 2. On May 9 last year, he stole a phone from a shop counter after a staff member was distracted. McCabe stole 138 worth of air fresheners from Spar, Malahide Road, on April 28 last year and another 129 worth of air fresheners from Circle K in Artane the following May 22. His most recent conviction was for theft in May this year, when he was given a 10-month sentence. The defence accepted McCabe had a stack of offences, both previous and before the court, his solicitor said. He came from a very dysfunctional background and upbringing. McCabe had never gone to secondary school and fell through the cracks. He suffered from drug and alcohol addiction but had got himself into treatment. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday July 15th Defence solicitor Eoghan McKenna told Belfast Magistrates Court the American consulate have been on to us about his case An American software developer turned pervert, currently on remand facing multiple breaches of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order, has complained to the American consulate about the lack of progress in his case, a court has heard. During a brief mention of the case against Matthew OHare, defence solicitor Eoghan McKenna told Belfast Magistrates Court the American consulate have been on to us about his case. Mr OHare had made contact with them and had raised concerns about delay, said the lawyer, adding that as the 63-year-old made admissions it should not be the most complicated case. OHare, with an address at Glenwood Mews in Dunmurry, is in custody facing two sets of charges accusing the American of breaching his SOPO and the requirements of the Sex Offenders Register. In his Belfast case, OHare is alleged to have breached the SOPO and the requirements of the Sex Offenders Register, between May 9-15 this year, by failing to register his home address. In a separate Lisburn case, OHare is charged with two SOPO breaches and a further allegation that he breached the requirements of the police sex offenders register. The particulars of the SOPO breaches, allege that OHare had two apps on his phone which he did not have permission for on 14 October last year and further that on 29 April this year, he had two mobile phones, again without permission of his Designated Risk Manager. The sex register offence alleges that on 7 December, OHare failed to make his annual notification of his name, address and DOB. The court has heard that OHare is a category one offender with a SOPO in place until March 2027. The first alleged breach related to a home visit last October when OHares Designated Risk Manager (DRM) attended his home and when he examined OHares phone, the officer noted there were two social media apps which the defendant had not sought permission for. The officer also noted that part of the web history on multiple dates had also been deleted and that is a further breach. Moving to events in December, DC Ross said routine system checks noted that OHare had not completed his annual re-notification, adding that to date that still has not been completed. The alleged breach on 29 April related to another home visit when, after inviting OHare to come in to be formally interviewed, the defendant produced two mobile phones for which he does not have approval for, and nor had he registered the devices. On the 2nd May he attended Musgrave Street where he was arrested and when he was searched, two mobile phones were found, DC Ross told the court. Having been freed on bail, the Belfast case relates to breaches on 9 May and in court on Friday, Mr McKenna confirmed that while the PPS have not yet received the full file, there were admissions made so it should not be the most complicated caseits not one of the more sinister breaches. Remanding OHare back into custody, District Judge George Conner adjourned the case to 25 July. Previous courts have heard how Oregon native OHare said in a newspaper interview in 2016 that he moved to Northern Ireland to escape intolerance in his homeland. In 2019 however, he was arrested and charged with making and possessing indecent images of children, possessing an extreme pornographic image and contacting a child for the purpose of sexual gratification. At Craigavon Crown Court in 2021, he was handed a three-year probation order but that was revoked a few months later after the 62-year-old assaulted his probation officer. Having heard that OHare had been physically attacked and burnt out of his home in an arson attack, Judge Patrick Lynch KC said that seems in your mind to have translated into you being a victim rather than a perpetrator of criminal behaviour and your reaction to the people who tried to give assistance is totally reprehensible. Imposing a one-year sentence at that stage, three months to be served in jail and the rest on licence, Judge Lynch said given he breached it in an egregious fashion, he had no other option but to jail him. Lauren Kirwan (24) pointed the implement at officers while her adrenaline was high and she was not thinking straight, her defence said A mother of two who brandished part of a metal window frame as a weapon and refused to drop it for gardai had been protecting her young son after a man threatened him. Lauren Kirwan (24) pointed the implement at officers while her adrenaline was high and she was not thinking straight, her defence said. Judge Patricia Cronin said it was a serious incident and adjourned the case at Dublin District Court for a probation report on the accused. Kirwan, of Ice Rink Apartments, Dolphins Barn, Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon and threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. Garda Sergeant Derek Spain said the accused was seen walking at Reuben Street, Rialto, on May 7, carrying part of a metal window frame. She shouted erratically and pointed it towards the gardai, who told her to put it down. She felt her young son was in danger She did not comply, walked away and again failed to put it down when the direction was repeated. She was restrained and arrested. On the day, a man made threatening advances to her son and she became fearful, Kirwans solicitor Katie Dowling said, adding: She felt her young son was in danger and picked up something she found at the side of the road to protect him, and it escalated from there. Her adrenaline was high, she was in shock about what had occurred and was not thinking straight. She was still in a state of shock and held on to it for longer than she should have. She asked the judge to leave Kirwan without a criminal record. Judge Cronin said it was a serious implement and ordered a probation report. Lauren Kirwan Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday July 15th Mullan, of no fixed abode, was charged with causing criminal damage to property belonging to Thompson House Dwayne Mullan and Michaela McCollum (inset) on her arrest in Peru Woman-beating bully Dwayne Mullan was remanded into custody yesterday, charged with criminal damage and having cannabis. Standing handcuffed in the dock of Belfast Magistrates Court, the 38-year-old the ex-boyfriend of Peru cocaine mule Michaela McCollum confirmed his identity and that he understood the two charges against him. Mullan, of no fixed abode, was charged with causing criminal damage to property belonging to Thompson House (a rehabilitation unit used by probation services) and possessing Class B cannabis on July 11. None of the alleged facts giving rise to the charges were opened in court, but giving evidence, a police officer said he believed he could connect Mullan to the offences. Defence counsel Cerys Kennedy confirmed there was no application for bail and accordingly, District Judge George Conner remanded Mullan into custody, adjourning the case to August 11. Mullan has only recently been freed from prison having been jailed for four months after he mounted a campaign of intimidation from prison. Mullan, originally from Dungannon, shot to infamy as the former boyfriend of Peru drug mule Michaela McCollum. Mullan dated McCollum before she moved to Ibiza and was later caught trying to smuggle 1.5m of cocaine from Peru to Spain. She was just 20 when she was jailed in 2013 alongside accomplice Melissa Reid. In February, Craigavon County Court heard how Mullan was on bail for domestic abuse of another woman when the victim reported to police in March 2024 that he had been contacting her several times from prison. A prosecuting lawyer told the court that over the course of a week between February 24 and March 1 last year, Mullan told the injured party to withdraw the charges and he made threats against her and her family. Jailed: Michaela McCollum was convicted of drug trafficking in 2013 Mullan, who at the time was serving a 13-month sentence for strangling the same woman, told her get me out of here and Ill leave you alone but that if she did not I wont be in here forever Ill murder you, Ill kill you stone dead. In appealing the sentence, defence counsel Patrick Taggart agreed that its appalling behaviour but he told Judge Donna McColgan KC the thrust of the appeal was not that the four month jail sentence was not justified but rather the order that it is to be served consecutively is not good sentencing practice. Highlighting that Mullan was serving a 13 month sentence for assaulting and strangling the victim in a separate incident, Mr Taggart argued that the four months ought to be served concurrently. Repeating again that its appalling behaviour, the barrister told Judge McColgan we are not asking you to reduce it [the sentence] but to order it be served concurrently. She told the barrister although her colleague had a very good reason to impose the sentence consecutively you have, however, persuaded me to make the sentence concurrent. In addition to the four month prison sentence, Judge McColgan also imposed a two year restraining order. Dwayne Mullan and Michaela McCollum (inset) on her arrest in Peru Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday July 15th Transboundary waterfall symbolizes growing ties between China and Vietnam 11:15, July 15, 2025 By Zhang Yunhe, Qu Pei, Liu Lingling ( People's Daily A Chinese tourist in traditional Vietnamese ao dai poses for a picture on the China-Vietnam Friendship Street in Detian village, Chongzuo, south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. (Photo by Yan Lizheng/People's Daily Online) Along the China-Vietnam border, the China-Vietnam Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall cascades across both nations. As the biggest cross-border waterfall in Asia and the fourth-largest cross-border waterfall worldwide, this natural marvel straddles Detian village in Chongzuo, south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and Ban Gioc village in Vietnam, a living testament to shared natural beauty and strengthening bilateral ties. For generations, residents have shared language and customs. "We gather wood from the same mountain and drink water from the same river," locals often say. Those longstanding connections have been revitalized through the region's transformation into China's first cross-border tourism cooperation zone, turning shared geography into vibrant cultural exchanges. Visitors now ascend misty walkways to viewing platforms where clouds hover like breath over the torrents. "What a beautiful waterfall!" exclaimed 56-year-old Tran Thi Tuyet from Vietnam. Tran hails from Hop Tien village, Xa Binh Dinh, Kien Xuong district in Vietnam's Thai Binh province, some 500 to 600 kilometers from Detian village. "The first time I saw the waterfall, I was captivated. I fell in love with this place and with its people," she said. She met her husband in Detian village more than two decades ago and gradually learned Chinese. Today, she runs a stall on the China-Vietnam Friendship Street in the village. Photo shows a street view of Shuolong township, Daxin county, Chongzuo, south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. (Photo by Yan Lizheng/People's Daily Online) "There are tourists from all over," said Tran. "In Vietnamese, we call everyone 'brother' or 'sister' regardless of age. When I hear someone speak my native dialect, I feel a sense of home. It's like chatting with family." The China-Vietnam Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall cross-border tourism cooperation zone began trial operations on September 15, 2023 and officially opened on October 15, 2024. "Travel has become much easier. Tourists can book in groups using just a passport or ID card. The experience offers not only stunning scenery but also exposure to the cultures of both countries," said Li Jiankun, marketing manager of Guangxi CTS Detian Waterfall Tourism Development Co., Ltd. "Besides enjoying the waterfall, Chinese tourists explore Vietnamese temples while Vietnamese tourists browse Guangxi's coffee markets. Cultural exchanges flow actively on both sides," Li added. Since its launch, the zone has received 1,838 Chinese cross-border tour groups and 639 Vietnamese groups. Photo shows a street view of Shuolong township, Daxin county, Chongzuo, south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. (Photo by Yan Lizheng/People's Daily Online) Business has followed. "Vietnamese coffee, conical hats, and buffalo horn combs are popular among Chinese tourists," Tran noted. "My son now works on the Chinese side of the scenic area, ferrying tourists on bamboo rafts, and earns a stable monthly income." "Come on, let's take a photo here!" On a recent visit, Hong Chunmei, a tourist from Sanya, south China's Hainan province, posed with her friends in a traditional Vietnamese ao dai before the waterfall. "This is my second time here. It feels even more lively than before. I've seen a lot more Vietnamese tourists this time," said Hong. The surge in cross-border visits was also visible during the recent Yuanchun Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the third month in the traditional Chinese calendar. "Just a few days ago, I took my family to the waterfall scenic area. It was packed with visitors. Today, during the celebrations on Shuolong Street, I recognized several of the same visitors," said local resident Qiu Yongming as he watched traditional performances. Originally known as the "Street Founding Festival," the Yuanchun Festival commemorates the building of Shuolong Street, which began as a makeshift marketplace cleared by border troops. The street was formally built during the reign of Emperor Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and came to be known as Shuolong Street. Photo shows a panoramic view of the China-Vietnam Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall cross-border tourism cooperation zone. (Photo courtesy of the media center of Daxin county) At an auspicious morning hour, roasted pigs were carried to the General's Temple, a traditional shrine dedicated to a historic military figure, for a ritual ceremony. Dragon dances followed, and friendly competitions filled the square, drawing participants from both sides of the border. "Most of the visitors are local border residents. It's like gathering with relatives," said 32-year-old Ma Thi Mi, who moved from Ha Lang district, Cao Bang province, Vietnam, to Shuolong township after marriage. She now runs a noodle shop on the street. While the Yuanchun Festival takes place once a year, Shuolong Street thrives year-round. On market days, which fall on the 2nd, 5th, and 8th days of the lunar month - Chinese and Vietnamese villagers converge to trade poultry, household goods, or local specialties, Qiu explained. Like the waterfall itself, which roars day and night with unrelenting force, the friendship between China and Vietnam flows steadily forward, rooted in shared history, nourished by daily exchanges, and renewed by each generation. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Edward McElligott, 44, of Cranogue Close, Ballymun, Dublin, was charged with assault causing harm to the complainant A father of seven accused of hammering his way into a Dublin woman's home and attacking her with a frying pan during a "significant struggle" has been denied bail. Edward McElligott, 44, of Cranogue Close, Ballymun, Dublin, was charged with assault causing harm to the complainant, described in court as his on-off-again partner, at her home in another part of Ballymun on Saturday night. He faced bail objections from Garda Kate Tormey, who alleged at Dublin District Court that the accused was refused entry into the woman's home before he "used a hammer to break a window and climbed inside". Once inside, Judge Gerard Jones heard that the man allegedly punched the woman and struck her with a frying pan, causing her harm. The contested bail hearing was told that she dialled 999 and Mr McElligott was highly intoxicated and was aggressive to gardai. It was also claimed he made a knife threat to the woman, and it was clear to officers at the scene that "a significant struggle occurred". Garda Tormey said she is to prepare a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions, and further charges could follow. She agreed with defence solicitor Oscar Banahan that his client had the presumption of innocence. The solicitor submitted that it would take months before the case came before the Circuit Court, and Mr McElligott would obey strict conditions if freed pending trial. The court heard he had an address available and that he had suffered health problems. However, Judge Jones refused bail and remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday. Legal aid was granted to Mr McElligott; he has yet to indicate a plea and made no reply when charged. Dublin District Court Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday July 15th The former Clare senior hurler pled not guilty when arraigned on two charges at Ennis Circuit Court. Niall Gilligan played for the senior Clare hurling team which defeated Tipperary in the 1997 All-Ireland final. Former All Star and Clare All-Ireland winning hurler, Niall Gilligan today pleaded not guilty to the assault causing harm of a boy with a stick in October 2023. Before a jury panel at Ennis Circuit Court this morning, Mr Gilligan (48) replied not guilty when arraigned on two charges. Mr Gilligan said not guilty when arraigned on the charge of assault causing harm of the boy at the Jamaica Inn Hostel, Mt Ivers, Broadford Rd, Sixmilebridge contrary to Section 3 of the Offences Against the Person Act on October 5th 2023. Former Clare Hurler Niall Gilligan at Ennis court in July Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 15th 2025 Dressed in a suit and tie, Mr Gilligan of Rossroe, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge also replied not guilty to producing a wooden stick capable of inflicting serious injury during the course of a dispute contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act at the same location on the same date. Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) told the jury panel that the alleged offences occurred at the Jamaica Inn hostel, Sixmilebridge on October 5th 2023. Ms Comerford said that Mr Gilligan is alleged to have assaulted the boy "and used a wooden stick during that assault". She said that it is anticipated that the trial will take four to five days and should finish by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Ms Comerford called out a list of civilian witnesses to give evidence and included the name of the alleged juvenile injured party on the list. She also listed the names of five witnesses who have compiled reports for the trial. Ms Comerford also provided to the jury panel the names of 18 Garda witnesses due to give evidence and said that the defence in the case has notified the State of the potential to call one defence witness during the trial, a Martin Murphy residing at Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare. A jury of seven men and five women was then selected from the jury panel to serve on the jury. The selection process took just over 20 minutes as solicitor, Daragh Hassett for Mr Gilligan and Ms Casey for the State each challenged potential jurors to serve. The maximum number of challenges is seven for each side. Judge Francis Comerford told the jury that the trial will commence on Wednesday morning and adjourned the case until then. Ben Chauhan, 23, told the clerk no when asked if he understood the charge in court. Appearing at Ballymena Magistrates Court by video link from police custody, 23-year-old Ben Chauhan told the clerk no, not really to be honest with you, when asked if he understood the charge. Chauhan, from Tullans Park in Coleraine, was charged with common assault of his grandmother on 13 July this year. Ballymena courthouse Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 15th 2025 Defence solicitor Pearce MacDermott told District Judge Natasha Fitzsimmons, the defendant understands the charge but not why he has been charged. There is no compliant from the grandmother, he told the judge. The lawyer also confirmed that as a result of the alleged assault, Chauhans bail address has been revoked, adding that there is a way forward but the difficulty is the address. Giving evidence to the court, a police officer said she believed she could connect Chauhan to the offence and while she conceded there had been no formal statement, there is a body worn account from the complainant. That will be reviewed by the PPS, said the officer, further conceding that the case may not make it through court ultimately. Although Judge Fitzsimmons granted bail in the sum of 300 and adjourned the case to 11 August, she told Chauhan he would not be released until he had an approved bail address. Christopher Ayiotis (41) also allegedly slapped, spat at and threatened to kill the woman during the alleged assault A man accused of holding a knife to his partners neck and throwing a cup of boiling water at her during an argument has been sent for trial. Christopher Ayiotis (41) also allegedly slapped, spat at and threatened to kill the woman during the alleged assault. A book of evidence was served on him at Dublin District Court. Judge Michele Finan sent him for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Mr Ayiotis, with an address at Dingle Road, Cabra, Dublin, is charged with assaulting the woman on October 20 last year. Previously, the court heard the accused and the woman were in a relationship when the alleged incident took place at an address in Finglas. According to the prosecution, there was a dispute during which Mr Ayiotis presented a knife to the womans neck and lip and threatened to kill her. It was also alleged that he grabbed her and threw a cup of boiling water at her, which missed. He then slapped her a number of times and spat at her, it was alleged. The DPP had consented to the case being dealt with at district court level but Judge Finan had refused jurisdiction after hearing an outline of the allegations. Dublin District Court Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday July 15th Marcus Duggan was sentenced to five years in prison with the final year suspended on strict conditions A man who was a teenager when he raped his younger sister and was twice assisted by friends when he indecently assaulted her almost 40 years ago has appealed his conviction, arguing that evidence of alleged prior sexual misconduct towards his victim should not have been admitted at his trial. Marcus Duggan (53) of Inver Road, Blackpool, UK, pleaded not guilty to a number of offences but was convicted of two charges of indecent assault and one of rape on dates between 1983 to 1991 following a Central Criminal Court trial last year. He had pleaded not guilty to the offences. He was sentenced to five years in prison with the final year suspended on strict conditions by Mr Justice Tony Hunt on July 31, 2024. His sister, Yvonne Ratcliffe (52), who is 15 months younger than Duggan, waived her right to anonymity to allow her brother to be named in reporting the case. In her victim impact statement, Ms Ratcliffe said: I fought this battle on my knees, but I am leaving here ten feet tall. I leave the chains of shame with you, Marcus. In one of the incidents, Duggans three friends held Ms Ratcliffe down while her brother orally raped her. She was 12 years old and had just come home from school. She walked into the sitting room to find the teenagers watching pornography, and she ran out of the room. They dragged her back in, carrying a limb each and held her down while Duggan indecently assaulted her. Launching an appeal against his conviction at the Court of Appeal today, Duggans senior counsel James McGowan SC said the prosecution had adduced evidence of pornographic videos in the family home which were watched by Duggan. He said there was also background evidence alleging that this led to Duggan having full sexual intercourse with Ms Ratcliffe at the age of about eight or nine. He said the videos were clearly admissible and would have given a background to the offending. However, he argued the trial judge had made an error in permitting details of alleged prior misconduct attributed to Duggan to be put before the jury. It wasnt necessary to adduce that evidence when there was already evidence of the videos, he said. It wasnt necessary to have evidence of sex from that young age. Mr McGowan submitted that not only had Duggan not been charged with any offences related to that alleged misbehaviour, but he may also have been incapable of committing those offences because of his age at the time. Marcus Duggan I say that evidence should have been ruled out, said counsel. The prejudicial effect far outweighed any relevance of it. Mr McGowan also argued that hearsay evidence given by the complainant that on one occasion her father, who is now deceased, said that Marcus was sorry for what he did should not have been admitted at trial. He submitted allowing the prosecution to adduce this testimony from Ms Ratcliffe represented a fundamental error on the part of the trial judge that was prejudicial to Duggan and was sufficient to undermine his conviction. Unfortunately, the combination of the background evidence being let in and the hearsay evidence - it was suggested that not only was Marcus Duggan having sex with his sister at that early age but that he knew it was wrong - that in turn was going to effect and affect the evidence in the minds of the jury, he said. Mr McGowan also suggested that there were huge inconsistencies in the complainants evidence. He said the evidence was unreliable and incredible and a corroboration warning should have been given by the trial judge. A corroboration warning is a direction from a judge to a jury, cautioning them about the potential dangers of convicting a defendant based solely on certain types of evidence. The warning emphasises the need for independent corroboration evidence that supports the suspect evidence and connects the accused to the crime. The barrister said it was clear the judge had an issue with a number of aspects of the evidence but made a decision to leave it to the jury to decide. The jury clearly had problems with a lot of the evidence and in those circumstances, had a corroboration been given, Mr Duggan may not have been convicted, Mr McGowan said. Patricia McLaughlin SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), said the genesis of the offending was that these very young children had access to pornography and the accused began acting out what he had seen. She said if the prosecution had jumped into charges relating to when Duggan was older it would have given the jury an artificial view of the situation. Counsel submitted that the background evidence was relevant to the offences charged and was necessary to show the true nature of the relationship between the parties and the background of the sexual abuse. In relation to the complainants evidence that her father had told her Marcus Duggan was sorry for what he did, Ms McLaughlin said the jury was told that this wasnt evidence of admission, and that this was only adduced for other purposes. The barrister added: I say that its not an admission. All it is is the father saying, Marcus is sorry. At no point is it said that Marcus agreed with this. She said no specific objection had been made at trial to this line being included. We say its not hearsay evidence and it was properly admitted at trial, she said. Ms McLaughlin also said the alleged inconsistencies referred to would never be sufficient to allow for a corroboration warning. Mr Justice John Edwards said the court would reserve judgement. The sentencing court heard that the second incident of indecent assault occurred when Ms Ratcliffe was 15 years old. Her brother was with some friends when they walked into the room. She later told gardai that the teenagers threw me from one part of the room to the other while giving her love bites. In the third incident, Ms Ratcliffe, who was then 18, found herself alone in the house with Duggan. He and his friends had been sniffing gas, and she was concerned about being there with him. He followed her up to her room, told her that if she made a sound he would call his friends up, and then raped her. One of Irelands most notorious criminals will walk free from the Midlands Prison in a fortnight Rapist and gang member Stephen Rossi Walsh faces being put back in prison within days of his release at the end of this month if he continues to fail to provide an address to authorities. The 78-year-old one of Irelands most notorious criminals will walk free from the Midlands Prison in a fortnight. Walsh, a former member of Martin The General Cahills gang, was released from the prison in November after he served almost 15 years for sexual attacks on two little girls. But the paedophile was returned to the jail in late January after it emerged that he had been living rough and had failed to notify gardai of his whereabouts. Under the terms of the Sex Offenders Act, Walsh was legally obliged to notify authorities of any change of address and he has been in the Midlands Prison since being placed back in custody after appearing at Trim District Court. A nationwide garda alert is now in place for Walshs release and he will be monitored by officers after his release. The prison authorities have no power in this matter as he will have served every day of the five-month sentence imposed on him earlier this year for breaching the act, a source revealed. Once he is released, it will be for the gardai to monitor him and to ensure he acts within the law, the source added. Under the legislation, Walsh is obliged to notify gardai of his name, date of birth and home address within three days of his jail release. Part of his release conditions means hes on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Walsh was jailed for 10 years in February 2010 for raping Ruth Dunne when she was nine. He received another identical sentence the following year for sexually assaulting another child. Ms Dunne bravely waived her right to anonymity to expose his horrific crimes. Walsh cynically exploited his friendship with her family to gain access to her by pretending to take her to play with one of his daughters. He targeted Ms Dunne on Dublin's Sandymount Beach and made the youngster play a depraved game called "guess the fruit and veg". Following his trial, Mr Justice Paul Carney said the case was one of the "most repulsive" he had ever encountered. The judge told the court: "I find it revolting that Walsh planned the sex game by purchasing fruit and vegetables. "I would also like to note the inherent gravity of the attacks." The other victim was aged only 14 when she was targeted by the notorious paedophile. During the trial the victim said she was first introduced to Walsh, a friend of her fathers, when she was in sixth class. He became a regular visitor to her home and in July 2008, when she was 14, he moved in permanently. Within a month he tried to rape her, and just weeks later he succeeded in doing so. During the sentencing, the then 18-year-old victim broke down as she described the appalling nature of the crimes committed against her when she was aged 14 and 15. Walsh has a string of previous convictions including a lengthy prison sentence in relation to an arson case. He was convicted twice for armed robbery in the 1970s, and was convicted of larceny and assault. He also ran protection rackets in the 1980s. In September 1992 he was almost killed when an arson attempt on a pub in Ballybough, Dublin, went wrong and the building exploded while he was inside. He claimed he could not recall what happened. He said he could have been kidnapped and beaten and then put on the premises as part of a set-up . Walsh, a married father of three, was sentenced to 15 years for the arson attack. In February 1993 a judge claimed he was running a dial-a-witness scheme. Walsh was advising people how to set up false personal injuries claims and putting them in touch with people who would act as witness. He was around the courts in Dublin, advising fellow criminals on their cases and people involved in personal injury cases. While in jail he also provided legal advice to fellow inmates. Two months ago it emerged that Walsh sent a letter to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris demanding officers be sent into the Midlands Prison to probe what he has described as his unlawful detention there. Walsh said he had to post a letter to file a criminal complaint by writing to the office of the Garda Commissioner for assistance in gaining access to a garda member or members by way of a professional visit at the Midlands Prison so that I can file a criminal complaint. He also took a habeas corpus proceedings in the High Court aimed at having his renewed period of detention declared illegal amid claims that he is a financially unsound person. According to court records, his application to have his incarceration declared unlawful by the High Court was refused on April 11. A garda spokesman also appealed for any witnesses who were in the Ardleigh Park area of the town at the time of the shooting to come forward to them. Two teenagers have been arrested after shots were fired at a home in Mullingar, Co Westmeath on Monday afternoon. The shooting occurred at approximately 1.40pm and no injuries were reported at the time. Gardai said they have arrested the two males in connection with an incident involving the discharge of a firearm at a residential location. A garda spokesman also appealed for any witnesses who were in the Ardleigh Park area of the town close to the time of the shooting to come forward to them. "Two male youths, aged in their late teens, were subsequently arrested and are currently detained pursuant to Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, at a Garda Station in the Co. Westmeath area, the spokesman said. Gardai are appealing for anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward. Any persons who were in the Ardleigh Park area of Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Monday 14th July 2025 and who may have witnessed the incident should contact investigating Gardai. Any road users who were travelling in this vicinity at the time, and who may have camera footage including dash cam, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. Gardai can be contacted at Mullingar Garda Station on (044) 938 4000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Investigations are ongoing. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 15th 2025 An undercover agent was used to set up an elaborate sting operation on one of the Kinahans key allies The US Drug Enforcement Agency used an undercover agent to infiltrate the Kinahan Cartels international drug smuggling network, new court documents have revealed. The unnamed agent was used to set up an elaborate sting operation on one of the Kinahans key allies, where the DEA switched a shipment of crystal meth with fake drugs which were then exported to Australia. The operation began when the DEA recruited an informant known only by the code name Queen in Turkey in June 2022, months before 2.2 tonnes of cocaine would be seized from the MV Matthew off the coast of Co Cork. Queen then forged ties with an alleged Canadian drugs trafficker, Opinder Singh Sian, who is suspected of moving shipments of drugs through ports across the world. As part of the elaborate sting, Queen introduced Sian to an undercover DEA agent who offered to facilitate large drug shipments through the Port of Long Beach in the US. Details of the stunning policing operation were revealed following last months arrest of Sian, in Nevada in the US and were first reported by the Sunday Times. Sian, who previously survived two hit attempts in Canada in 2008 and 2011, was brought before a court in California where he was charged with trafficking shipments of methamphetamine to Australia from a port in Long Beach in 2023. According to evidence from the DEA, Sian told an undercover agent that he worked with Irish organized crime, specifically, the Kinahan family, Italian organized crime, and other Canadian organized crime groups. Sian also explained that he obtained drugs through contacts with drug cartels in Mexico and South America. Sian again stated that he worked with a known drug kingpin based out of Turkey, Christy Kinahan Snr The DEA claim Queen, Sian and the undercover agent met face-to-face at a restaurant in Manhattan Beach, California, in March 2023. During that meeting, they struck a deal to traffic methamphetamine to Australia. However instead of smuggling the drugs, the DEA put in place an elaborate sting operation where agents created a staged shipment of methamphetamine through a safehouse in Pomona, California. The DEA intercepted the drugs shipment arranged by Sian and substituted them with a decoy batch which was then sent onto Australia. Using a GPS-tracked, Australian police were able to follow the container when it arrived to a suspected stash house in Sydney. DEA agents were able to identify multiple aliases used by figures involved in the network which used encrypted apps to communicate and stretched from Dubai to Istanbul. In court documents, the DEA claimed they saw an opportunity to insert a confidential source (CS-1) playing the role of an international transportation coordinator into an international drug trafficking organization that needed help transporting drugs from Southern California to Australia and other destinations. Sian and CS-1 subsequently held several in-person meetings and communicated via phone calls and the Threema messaging application in order to coordinate multiple deliveries of methamphetamine from co-conspirators to CS-1 in Southern California for shipment to Australia, said the complaint, signed by DEA special agent Albert Polito. Court records also detail how Sian plotted with Queen to expand the networks trafficking operations by shipping chemicals to produce fentanyl in the US. Sian allegedly told Queen he could get shipments from China of the precursor chemicals and arranged for a sit-down in a Vancouver coffee shop between Queen and two of his associates who run a Canadian trucking company Last month, a Nevada judge ordered Sian held in custody pending his transfer to California saying that his criminal gang is alleged to have ties to international hitmen. Police said the cannabis resin was in the vehicles false roof lining Four kilos of marijuana buds worth more than 6,000 was discovered in 27-year-old's luggage The drugs found in the British OAPs car in Ceuta A British OAP has been arrested after being caught trying to smuggle more than 60 kilos of cannabis resin onto a Spanish car ferry. The 69-year-old was held after cops discovered the drug in his UK plated car as he prepared to board the vessel from Spains North African enclave of Ceuta to the port city of Algeciras near Gibraltar. Police said the cannabis resin was in the vehicles false roof lining. They became suspicious about the car after seeing the reaction of a sniffer dog aiding cops and decided to carry out a fuller search of it. Just over 62 kilos of cannabis resin was found in packages marked with names including Dream Gelato and Serial Milk. Police have not yet said what price they think the drugs would have fetched on the black market. The British man held, who has not been named, is said to live in the UK. It is not yet clear what his final destination was. He is currently being held in police custody and is expected to appear before a judge in an initial court hearing in the coming hours so a decision can be taken on whether he is released on bail or remanded in custody pending an ongoing criminal probe. In May a 79-year-old British pensioner was arrested at a Chilean airport with 200,000 of powerful crystal meth. Bowls fans and fishing enthusiast William Eastman, from Milborne Port, Somerset, is currently languishing in prison in the south American country after being arrested at Santiago International Airport with five kilos of methamphetamine. He claimed to have no idea he was carrying drugs and told cops he only agreed to carry the suitcase containing the drugs on the promise of a $5 million reward. The frail senior citizen produced a certificate with the prize money pledge as a phoney get-out' before being taken into custody when he was stopped after getting off a flight from Cancun in Mexico. He is expected to be formally charged in around three months time after police and prosecutors complete their ongoing investigation. News today of the Ceuta arrest came hours after police revealed they had arrested a 27-year-old British man at Lanzarote airport after four kilos of marijuana buds worth more than 6k was discovered in his luggage. Four kilos of marijuana buds worth more than 6,000 was discovered in 27-year-old's luggage The suitcase had been checked in for a flight to Tenerife South. Cops said the luggage had an unusually low weight for its size and was giving off a strong smell. The unnamed man has already appeared in court but it was not clear today whether he had been remanded in custody or released on bail. In June it emerged a glamorous British OnlyFans model was languishing in a hellhole jail after being caught trying to smuggle nearly 200k worth of drugs into Spain. Clara Wilson, from Huthwaite, Notts, has been charged with a drug running offence after more than 34 kilos of cannabis were found in her suitcase at Barcelonas El Prat airport. And the pretty 36-year-old has been warned she faces being caged for up to four years and ordered to pay more than 750k in fines if convicted. Clara was held as she got off a Qatar Airways flight from Doha on January 20 although she is thought to have travelled to Barcelona from Bangkok with stopovers in India and Qatar. She was remanded to a prison near the Catalan capital two days after her arrest and has been held there ever since as part of her pre-trial detention. No trial date has yet been set, but an indictment shows public prosecutors have already demanded a four-year prison sentence and huge fine payment totalling 900k (758k) on conviction. Under Spanish law the British model can be held for up to two years in prison before she has to be bailed, but well-placed sources said they expected her to be tried later this year. At the end of May Spanish police went public with the arrests of a British couple aged 33 and 34 held at Valencia airport after 33 kilos of marihuana was found in their luggage. They claimed they were tourists coming from Thailand. The drugs found in the British OAPs car in Ceuta Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday July 15th Gardai are investigating the incident that occurred at the church on Sunday A Cork parish priest has said the stealing of a charity box from his church was so disappointing and shouldnt have happened. Fr Charlie Kiely spoke to The Corkman after a St Vincent de Paul charity box was stolen at Our Lady Crowned Church in Mayfield on Sunday. The stealing of the charity box, which was located outside the entrance to the church, occurred before a Mass and the incident was recorded on CCTV. Mayfield parish priest Fr Charlie Kiely said the stealing of the charity box was a shock. Photo: Our Lady Crowned Church Mayfield/Facebook Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 15th 2025 The charity box is there to look after the poor in the community and it was just unexpected, as it never happened in this parish before, Fr Kiely said. People are very generous in this parish, and thankfully there wouldnt have been much in the box at that stage when it happened. Its just so disappointing and it shouldnt have happened because it was peoples good will in the parish. Fr Kiely said the Garda response to the incident was prompt and the charity box has since been retrieved, without the money inside. The Gardai were very good, and the camera was straight on top of the box so we could see the person and identify them, he explained. It is in the hands of the Gardai now, who were very prompt as well. It happened as people were coming and going and they were clever in the way it happened, but unfortunately for them, they didnt realise the CCTV camera directly on top of it. A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana told The Corkman that enquiries are ongoing into the incident. Gardai received a report of an incident of theft that occurred outside a premises in Mayfield, Cork city on Sunday 13 July 2025 between 12pm and 3pm, the spokesperson said. A charity box has been reported as stolen. The 77th Emmy Awards will be held on September 14, where the Television Academy annually recognizes and celebrates the best of American television. On Tuesday, July 15, the nominations were announced. Among those vying for the statuette are Javier Bardem, Harrison Ford, Pedro Pascal, and casts from standout series this year like Severance, The White Lotus, The Bear, and Hacks. At 8:30 a.m. Los Angeles time, actors Brenda Song and Harvey Guillen, along with Academy president Cris Abrego, revealed the nominations. This year, Severance and The Penguin stand out. The Apple TV+ series received an impressive 27 nominations, while HBO Maxs series about Batmans eternal foe garnered 24. The Studio and The White Lotus are also strong contenders with 23 each. The Studio matches the comedy nomination record set by The Bear last year. So far, no show has surpassed Game of Thrones drama nomination record of 32 in 2019. Britt Lower, Zach Cherry and Adam Scott in 'Severance.' Apple TV+ Severance competes in the coveted Best Drama Series category alongside the third season of The White Lotus; breakout medical drama The Pitt; the acclaimed Star Wars spin-off Andor; the second season of thriller The Diplomat; the uncontrollable fungi of The Last of Us season three; Apple TV+ rival Slow Horses; and the surprise entry Paradise. Notably absent is the latest season of Squid Game. The Studio is in the race for Best Comedy Series, competing against reigning winner Hacks, which dethroned The Bear last year, though The Bear remains in the mix amid ongoing debate over whether it is a comedy or a drama. Other contenders include Abbott Elementary, Only Murders in the Building, Nobody Wants This, Shrinking, and What We Do in the Shadows. In the Limited Series or Anthology Series category, Adolescence received several nominations, competing with The Penguin, Dying for Sex, Black Mirror, and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which also earned Javier Bardem a nomination. Surprisingly, this is Bardems first Emmy nomination, despite six Golden Globe and four Oscar nods. 16 acting categories Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder, stars of Hacks. Max The acting categories are among the most exciting, with 16 nominations across drama, comedy, and limited and anthology series categories (lead and supporting actor and actress), plus four unique Emmy Awards for Best Guest Actor and Actress in both drama and comedy, where there were some notable surprises. In the drama category, veteran actress Kathy Bates leads the pack for her role in the detective series Matlock. At 77 years old, she is the oldest actress to be nominated. However, Keri Russell presents strong competition for the win for her role in The Diplomat. Also nominated are Britt Lower for Severance, Sharon Horgan for Bad Sisters, and Bella Ramsey for The Last of Us. Surprisingly, Elisabeth Moss, with the latest season of The Handmaids Tale, is left out. Kathy Bates in 'Matlock.' As for actors, the race seems to be between Noah Wyle who will receive his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year for The Pitt, and Pedro Pascal for The Last of Us, although Adam Scott could win for Severance. Also in the running are Sterling K. Brown for Paradise and Gary Oldman for Slow Horses. Among the top contenders in comedy, Jean Smart whos been winning everything with Hacks (including last years Emmy) is once again the favorite. Shell face competition from Uzo Aduba for The Residence, Quinta Brunson from Abbott Elementary, and Kristen Bell from Nobody Wants This. Smart will also have to go up against Ayo Edebiri, who is nominated for her role as Chef Sydney in The Bear. Her co-star Jeremy Allen White is also nominated for Lead Actor in a Comedy. A two-time consecutive winner for his role as the troubled Carmen Berzatto, he will face tough competition from Seth Rogen for The Studio, Martin Short for Only Murders in the Building, Adam Brody in Nobody Wants This, and Jason Segel in Shrinking. Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa, in 'The Pitt.' In the category of anthology or limited series, Michelle Williams, who plays a cancer patient in Dying for Sex, will compete against Cristin Millioti in The Penguin, Cate Blanchett in Disclaimer, Rashida Jones in Black Mirror, and Meghan Fahy in Sirens. In the race for Lead Actor in a Drama, Stephen Graham in Adolescence is the favorite, although he faces tough competition from Colin Farrell for The Penguin. Also in the race are Cooper Koch for his role as Erik in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Jake Gyllenhaal for Presumed Innocent, and Brian Tyree Henry for the thriller Dope Thief. When it comes to supporting actors, The White Lotus has received a number of nominations in the limited or anthology series category. Nominees from Mike Whites series include Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, and Sam Rockwell. From Apple TV+s Severance come John Turturro, Tramell Tillman, and Zach Cherry, while James Marsden is nominated for Paradise. Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood, in 'The White Lotus.' Max Its a similar story with supporting actresses. Katherine LaNasa leads with her role as the suffering nurse Dana Evans in The Pitt, but The White Lotus is also strongly represented with nominations for Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, and Aimee Lou Wood. Julianne Nicholson from Paradise and Patricia Arquette from Severance also received nominations. Meanwhile, Alison Janneys portrayal of the cold Vice President Penn in The Diplomat was a surprise omission. In the comedy category, the supporting actors come from a wide range of shows. Ebon Moss-Bachrach, soon to join Fantastic Four and last years winner, has been nominated for his role as cousin Richie in The Bear. He will be competing against Ike Barinholtz, who is a strong contender for his role as producer Sal Saperstein in The Studio. Also nominated are none other than Harrison Ford, receiving his first Emmy nomination for Shrinking, which also earned a nod in this category for Michael Urie. Colman Domingo received a surprise nomination for The Four Seasons and Jeff Hiller for Somebody Somewhere. Bowen Yang also scored a nomination for Saturday Night Live. Liza Colon-Zayas poses with the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for 'The Bear' on September 15, 2024. Mike Blake (REUTERS) In the outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, Catherine OHara and Kathryn Hahn, were nominated for their roles in The Studio, while Abbott Elementary also received two nods for Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Rounding out the race are Hannah Einbinder for her role opposite Jean Smart in Hacks, and Liza Colon-Zayas, reprising her role as Tina in The Bear, for which she won last year and gave an emotional acceptance speech. Jessica Williams is also nominated for Shrinking. Javier Bardem has a chance in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series. However, he faces tough competition from one of the years biggest stars: the young Owen Cooper, who plays little Jamie in Adolescence. Despite being the series central figure, Cooper was submitted as a supporting actor to increase his and Stephen Grahams chances. At 15 years old, Cooper is the youngest nominee ever in this category. He will compete against his co-star from Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Ashley Walters, who portrays Detective Bascombe, a key character in the first two episodes. Also nominated are Rob Delaney for Dying for Sex, and both Bill Camp and Peter Sarsgaard for Presumed Innocence. Adolescence also leads among the nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, with Erin Doherty (best known for playing Princess Anne in the middle seasons of The Crown) recognized for her role as Jamies psychologist. She is joined by Christine Tremarco, who portrays Jamies mother. Chloe Sevigny, Bardems co-star who plays the Menendez family matriarch, has also been nominated. Rounding out the category are Deirdre OConnell for The Penguin, Jenny Slate for Dying for Sex, and Ruth Negga for Presumed Innocent. Now, the 24,000 voting members of the Television Academy are called to cast their ballots for their favorites. The winners will be announced during a grand ceremony on September 15, marking the official kickoff to Hollywoods awards season. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Armed robber Mark Sinclair addressed a rally at Dublins GPO last weekend Former UVF man Mark Sinclair who spoke at a far right rally in Dublin outside the GPO The right-wing Irish anti-immigration movement has been split in two by the presence at protests of former UVF paramilitary and cousin of an infamous Shankill Butcher, the Sunday World can reveal. Armed robber Mark Sinclair addressed a rally at Dublins GPO last weekend the building regarded as a shrine by republicans as it the headquarters of the 1916 Easter Rising spouting his anti-immigrant views. One woman passer-by who saw him said: Padraig Pearse would be spinning in his grave. Sinclair who was jailed for 17 years in Scotland for bank robbing is the cousin of notorious Shankill Butcher Billy Moore, who was jailed for 11 gruesome sectarian murders. But yesterday one prominent anti-immigration faction warned the top loyalist to keep well away from any future Dublin rallies. Three weeks ago the Sunday World revealed that Sinclair had been broadcasting live on his YouTube channel from a protest in Limerick. A Dublin councillor who is prominent in the campaign for tougher laws on immigration said yesterday that it was a disgrace that Sinclair spoke at the GPO rally. Former UVF man Mark Sinclair who spoke at a far right rally in Dublin outside the GPO Councillor Malachy Steenson told us: Former UVF prisoner Mark Sinclair spoke at the rally and he encouraged other loyalists to attend as many rallies as possible. Sinclair is a convicted bank robber and a self-confessed former member of the UVF. He has a close family connection to the Shankill Butchers gang, who gruesomely murdered Catholics over a period of years. Sinclair has attended a number of nationalist rallies in the Republic and I strongly condemn that. The organiser of this event was warned by myself and other prominent figures to disassociate from this individual and end her toxic and embarrassing relationship with loyalists. The Sunday World has learned Sinclairs presence at rallies south of the border has split the anti-immigration movement, with many activists calling to have him banned. However, it is not just a section of anti-immigration campaigners who have said Sinclair is not welcome. Dublin community activist Joe Mooney, a well-known anti-racism campaigner, said: I dont want to see anyone with a racist or anti-immigrant profile being welcomed on the streets of Dublin or anywhere else in Ireland. Former UVF man Mark Sinclair I mean people like Mark Sinclair belonged to an organisation which bombed the streets of this city. These people should refrain from attending marches on the streets of Dublin. I was only a kid when Dublin was bombed by the UVF, but I remember the terror and the horror of what these people did. The UVF knew that those streets would be filled with workers on their way home. To think those people set out to kill as many people as they could on the streets of Dublin and Monaghan. And to think that today they would find some sort of status on the streets of Dublin is absolutely reprehensible. Im involved with Dublin Communities Against Racism and Ive spent a long time as a community activist and I deal with lots of issues. I dont believe its racist to ask questions about immigration. But when you take to the street and march or abuse people with dark-coloured skin thats completely and utterly wrong. Dublin Communities Against Racism also hit out at Sinclairs presence at the GPO rally, saying it exposed the links between what it called Irish racists and loyalists. It said: Dublin Communities Against Racism takes this opportunity to highlight the links between these anti-Irish bigots and the fake patriot racists. Referring to the UVF attacks on Dublin during the Troubles, it said: In 2024 and 2025, loyalists came to Dublin, this time invited and welcomed by racists and anti-immigrant campaigners. How times have changed, and shockingly so. Irish racists have long worked closely with loyalist terror supporters and extreme unionist and British fascist figures, going as far back as the 1930s. What all of their friends have in common is that they are violently anti-Irish and always have been. Mark Sinclair This anti-Irish and sectarian hatred has not gone away, but is conveniently covered up to unite and together target asylum seekers, immigrants and other foreign (and foreign-looking) people. Their anti-Irish hatred is not far beneath the surface. In recent weeks, some anti-immigrant and racist right figures have issued statements claiming to disassociate themselves from loyalist figures. We do not accept this as genuine. This response is only due to the backlash created by the exposure and highlighting of these links. Sinclairs cousin Billy was the man who kept the Shankill Butchers murder machine oiled when Master Butcher Lenny Murphy was taken off the streets and jailed on firearms charges. Jailing Moore for life, Judge Turlough ODonnell told him: You Moore pleaded guilty to 11 murders carried out in a manner so cruel and revolting, as to be beyond the comprehension of any normal human being. His cousin Mark Sinclair from Kilburn Street off Belfasts staunchly loyalist Donegall Road was sent down for 17 years for a series of robberies in Scotland. Sinclair who now uses the social media title Freedom Dad carried out the bank heists in Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway. And he was scooped by police hiding out in Moores rented flat in Edinburgh. At his trial at the High Court in Ayr, Sinclair told the judge he had been recruited by MI5 to carry out surveillance on Scottish groups sympathetic to Ulster loyalism in Northern Ireland. The Ashford Motors car dealer rubbished the notion that she is the dark-haired woman pictured kissing the MMA star. Social media star and Ashford Motors owner Nadia Adan has hit back at claims she is the mystery woman seen kissing Conor McGregor in a series of recently published pictures. Over the weekend, The Sun released photos of McGregor appearing to kiss the unindentified woman on a beach in Florida. It was reported the UFC fighter cozied up with the dark-haired woman after taking a jet ski ride. The father-of-four has been engaged to his partner Dee Devlin since 2020, with the pair having been a couple for the past 16 years. Nadia Adan posted on her Instagram story. Photo: Instagram In response to the pics going online, Nadia hit back at any suggestion that she is the unnamed woman seen alongside the 37-year-old. Writing on Instagram, she said: For everyone messaging me, this most definitely is not me, rumours travel and people believe them. This could potentially destroy someone, pls be kind, thanks Nadia x. The second-hand car dealer then followed that up with another short video on her story, stating she had been getting abusive messages over photos that she is not in. I woke up this morning to a plethora of calls and messages. I asked myself who did I piss off today? it definitely wasnt the EV owners. Now come on, this not me in the picture. I have been getting abusing messages all day long; people telling Im breaking up families. The Wicklow woman previously revealed in 2022 that when McGregor punched a punter in a pub for refusing to drink his whiskey, it cost her tens of thousands in a lucrative motor deal. Nadia Adan (left) and Conor McGregor (right) Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 15th 2025 The Dubliner had sold his BMW i8 to the car dealer before an American fan bid 250,000 to get their hands on a vehicle previously owned by the MMA star. "I had it sold for stupid money and I had a big deposit then, obviously, that incident happened in the pub and your man called me up and said look, I dont like what he did or whatever, and added, Im not doing the deal, Nadia previously told the Sunday World. Unfortunately, Conor went and did what he did to the guy in the pub and your man reneged on the deal and I said ah look, its fine. McGregor was fined 1,000 in November 2019 for assaulting Desmond Keogh at the Marble Arch pub in Dublins Drimnagh the previous April. Nadia has become one of the best known second-hand car dealers in Ireland through her company Ashford Motors, which has more than 233,000 followers on TikTok and another 128,000 on Instagram. I started doing fun videos, she previously told Evoke. I would be hunkered down close to a car and viewers would have to try to guess the model. I had a low-cut top on and it sounds ridiculous, but it worked. People just didn't know what to do with me. "They put me in a glamour model box, and that's fine, but I wasn't that. I'm a businesswoman, I'm educated, I can talk the talk, plus I have my boobs on show. Nadia, who had worked previously as a stockbroker, came to Ireland as a young girl with her mother after they fled their home country of Somalia as refugees. Her mother took on five jobs to put Nadia through college, where she got a Masters in Trinity College. I had always been into my cars and the guys I were working with always drove nice cars. I bought a nice motor and I ended up selling it one day on my lunch break in Tesco car park and I made a few bob on it, and thats when I said to myself that was a bit of fun, she recalls. I was always doing a buy and sell, just buying and selling stocks. Dealing in cars is very similar. She officially started trading at her Rathnew showroom in Co Wicklow in March 2020. Previously she had sold cars from her family home in nearby Ashford. University of Canterbury Engineering students keen to help out medical services in the Pacific have received a welcome financial boost. Tait Contel Trust is donating $29,000 towards the annual Tonga Biomedical Service Trip, which involves a group of Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) Engineering students travelling to the island country to carry out essential medical repairs and improvements in Tongan hospitals. They are accompanied by UC staff who deliver training and share practical knowledge with local technicians. The students and academic staff provide their time and expertise on a largely voluntary basis. Planning for the next four-week trip, happening early next year, is now under way. UC Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Debbie Munro, who leads the project, said the donation from Tait Contel Trust, one of the charitable arms of Tait Communications, will cover the core costs of the mission, including flights, accommodation and technical supplies for eight participating students. This generous support brings the team closer to reaching their $69,000 fundraising target, which includes a $5000 stipend for each student, about half what they would otherwise earn during a summer internship, she said. Professor Munro said the Tonga Biomedical Service Trip is an opportunity for UC students to use their engineering skills to contribute to and support health providers in the Pacific. The goal of this project is to provide long-term sustainability and self-sufficiency for Tongan healthcare providers by equipping local healthcare staff with technical skills to maintain essential medical equipment. This will ensure the ongoing functionality of life-saving devices, such as ventilators, blood pressure monitors and oxygen concentrators, which are often donated to Tonga. Were building something that empowers medical staff in Tonga to handle these equipment maintenance challenges long after were gone. Liam Bately, UC engineering student and the International Co-ordinator for the UC BIOMED Club, said the recent funding boost will ensure next years Tonga trip goes ahead. Were incredibly grateful to Tait Contel Trust for their ongoing support and belief in what were doing. Were now focusing on raising the remainder to provide small stipends so students can afford to participate, instead of needing to work over summer to fund their studies. Bately said the eight students involved in the trip will commit a combined 400 voluntary hours to the project. The trip is now in its second year since being re-established in 2024. Tait Contel Trustee Charlotte Walshe said its a pleasure to support the Tonga Biomedical Trip. We loved the work the team did in the 2024-2025 summer, and we are keen to see this grow. For us its a great fit with our charitable purpose of supporting the development of Christchurch and Canterburys STEM talent at the tertiary level. Applications for the Tonga Biomedical Service Trip are open to mechanical, mechatronics and electrical engineering students, and the selected team will complete six weeks of training and project development in Otautahi Christchurch before travelling to Tonga for four weeks in January 2026. Why is it some kids seem to not even feel the cold? Should you let them wear jandals even if it's freezing outside? A small person who lives in my house (not naming names) has recently discovered a passion for open-toed footwear, aka jandals. Timed with the arrival of winter, I've been worried about those cute little toes withstanding the cold. I know I'm not alone in having a child who refuses to wear appropriate clothing particularly jumpers, socks and headwear when the temperature drops. But how important is it really that our kids rug up? A sense of independence Toddlers and young children like to feel a sense of independence, says Sara Quinn, clinical psychologist and president of the Australian Psychological Society. And choosing their own clothing is one way to have control over decision-making. "It's a nice thing for them to feel and have," Dr Quinn says. "And choosing clothing in a sense is a powerful form of self-expression." Between the ages of two and five, she says our children's ability to understand emotions and communicate their needs is well behind "their interest in exploring the world" and developing a sense of self and independence. While it can be frustrating for parents and caregivers at times, Quinn says an innate urge to explore independence is healthy. "Letting go of control in that area may feel like inherent loss of influence as a child grows more independent. "But allowing them to choose their own clothes can build confidence, encourage self-expression and teach them nice decision-making skills." Not a health risk Harriet Hiscock, a paediatrician at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, says some children don't feel the cold as much as others. "We don't have any great scientific data on this, but certainly anecdotally, some kids seem to feel the cold less probably because they are more physically active than we are." She says parents worried about their children being cold should know it is generally not a health risk. "There's no known health risk. Being cold doesn't mean you get a cold," she says for example. In more extreme temperatures, she says chilblains - patches of red, swollen and itchy skin, thought to be caused by a combination of cold weather and poor circulation - may be a concern. Or where there are other factors at play, such as a cold house that is damp and mouldy, potentially causing respiratory conditions. "But that's not from temperature alone," Professor Hiscock says. Natural consequences Where safety is a concern, Dr Quinn says parents should give their child parental guidance around decision-making. "And we know that even very young children can quickly learn the language of safety." If a caregiver asks the child: "Is that a safe decision?", and they calmly talk about the potential consequences, Dr Quinn says they can learn from that. But generally, she says choosing clothing is a "low-stakes" opportunity to help children learn from the outcomes. "We call them natural consequences. Letting them experience that for lower-stake decisions can help them build a sense of responsibility and capacity to make good decisions." She says if a child refuses to wear a jumper, for example, and then is cold during an outing, it's important parents don't use that to blame or punish. "If the tone is 'I told you so', the child will experience a sense of shame, and that increases chances of defiance. "Remain calm and matter of fact, and even compassionate about those consequences." For example, you could say "You felt cold today, that must have been really hard, guess you're wishing you wore your jacket. Maybe you will tomorrow? Meanwhile, let's get home and get you warmed up". Sensory overload or discomfort In some cases, children may experience sensory overload in regard to clothing, which can be a normal experience, but also a form of neurological difference in sensory processing, says Dr Quinn. "The same touch can be barely imperceptible to one child, a good amount of pressure for another, and unbearably uncomfortable for another." Professor Hiscock says that's more likely to happen with winter clothing that can feel tight and heavy. "It's about working with your child to work out what feels comfortable. "Maybe wearing a long cotton sleeve T-shirt underneath a jumper that feels scratchy those logical things can help." If refusing to wear appropriate clothing is part of a broader, more intense pattern of defiance, in extreme cases it may be oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), says Dr Quinn. ODD is a frequent and ongoing pattern of anger, irritability, arguing and defiance toward parents and other authority figures. "In those cases, it's really important to seek the support of a psychologist," Dr Quinn says. This surprised Malachis biological family, who had expected to take care of him while his mother was serving her three-year sentence. Malachis sole parent, his mother, Jasmine Cotter, was jailed in June 2021 for importing drugs and signed over guardianship of the boy to a friend in Tauranga, Michaela Barriball. My concerns were real and unfortunately they were proven to be correct, she told a coronial inquiry in Auckland today. Megan Cotter said she made numerous attempts to alert child protection authorities and other parties involved in his care to Malachis unsafe living situation. At one point, she made 10 attempts in the space of three days to raise the alarm. A cousin of murdered 5-year-old Malachi Subecz says she was terrified when he was handed over to the woman who would eventually kill him. Barriball went on to murder Malachi in November 2021 and was sentenced to life in prison. Megan Cotter today spoke of her repeated, desperate attempts to raise the alarm about Malachis situation. After discovering that Barriball had taken over care of Malachi in June 2021, she made a complaint at her local police station. She was referred to Oranga Tamariki, where she made a report of concern. Megan Cotter said Barriball had no children of her own and was making a show of being a capable parent. Malachi should have been with family, not strangers, she said. One of her other concerns was a potential conflict of interest: Barriballs mother was the co-accused in Jasmine Cotters drug case. Jasmine Cotter was going to be a witness for the prosecution, and Malachi could be used as leverage against her, Megan Cotter said. She called Jasmine Cotter in prison to tell her she was terrified for Malachis safety. She said there could be a hit on her son if Jasmine Cotter spoke against her co-accused in court. Oranga Tamariki closed the report of concern because Jasmine Cotter confirmed to the organisation that she was happy for Barriball to be caring for Malachi. Jasmine Cotter told the court yesterday this was based on the mistaken belief that Oranga Tamariki had visited Barriball and Malachi at the Te Puna property where they were living. Megan Cotter later sent a photo she had acquired of Malachi with what appeared to be a black eye to Oranga Tamariki, but was later told no further action would be taken. She accused the child protection agency of just ticking boxes. When he stayed with her in Wellington for an eye operation, she checked him over but found no significant injuries. She continued to push for an intervention and began legal action to seek custody of Malachi. However, hearings to determine custody were delayed - partly because of claims by Barriball that she was stuck in Covid-19 lockdown in Hamilton, which were later found to be false. Michaela Barriball was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years - one of the longest ever sentences for a female offender. Photo / Andrew Warner On November 2, 2021, Oranga Tamariki called Megan Cotter to tell her Malachi was in Starship Hospital with severe injuries. It was one of the most devastating experiences of her life, she said. She told the court she immediately knew what had happened. Malachis life support was switched off 10 days later. Under questioning, Megan Cotter confirmed she made 10 reports of concern in the three days after Jasmine Cotter was jailed. She continued to raise the alarm over the following months, speaking to the courts, lawyers, police, Barriball herself, Jasmine Cotter and Oranga Tamariki. She also contacted Malachis daycare to ask staff to keep an eye on him. Counsel assisting the coroner, Vivienne Crawshaw KC, thanked Megan Cotter for her enormous attempts to protect Malachi. There are few of us in the courtroom who can think of anything further you could have done, she said. Isaac Davison is a senior reporter who covers Auckland issues. He joined theHeraldin 2008 and has previously covered the environment, politics, social issues, and healthcare. Almudena Nogues Malaga Tuesday, 15 July 2025, 09:23 Compartir The truce is over. The extreme - and suffocating - heat is back in Spain's Andalucia region. As an appetiser, three provinces were under a yellow warning for temperatures of 39C on Monday. The warning affected Cordoba, Granada and Jaen, victims of the start of this new torrid episode that will last - and here comes the bad news - until the weekend, according to the forecast of the state meteorological agency (Aemet). "The least extreme temperatures of the last week in Andalucia will continue to rise over the next few days, to over 40C between Tuesday and Thursday in inland areas, although the thermometer will mark a significant drop from Friday in much of the region of up to seven degrees," detailed the agency. Malaga will be spared from this scenario for the time being, as explained by the regional delegate of Aemet, Juan de Dios del Pino, who warned, however, that the entry of a warm 'terral' wind on Friday will have an impact on a rise in temperatures that could also be felt in part of the coast of Granada province. The weather expert has specified that the skies will remain clear during the week, with no precipitation forecast in the region. "This absence of cloudiness together with the lack of wind will cause an increase in temperatures, to which must be added the impact of subsidence (downward vertical movements of the atmosphere that cause the air to concentrate and warm), characteristic of the Atlantic anticyclone and a ridge present in the upper troposphere," added Del Pino. This Tuesday Aemet has activated weather warnings six provinces of the Andalucia region. Only Almeria and Malaga will be spared This Tuesday, Aemet Aemet has activated yellow and amber weather warnings in six provinces of the Andalucia region. Only Almeria and Malaga are spared. The warning will be at an amber level in Cordoba, Jaen and Seville, where the maximum temperature forecast could exceed 40C. And on Wednesday more heat: Granada province will join the amber warning level with the mercury soaring to 41C degrees between 1pm and 9pm. in Jaen province 42 degrees are expected. For Thursday the agency has not yet activated any warnings. Zoom Weather alerts for southern Spain this Tuesday 15 July 2025. Aemet From Friday onwards, the entry of cooler westerly air from the Atlantic will cause the mercury to drop by up to 7C in parts of the region such as the Guadalquivir Valley and the Cuenca del Genil, with maximum temperatures on Saturday of around 35C. Juan de Dios del Pino has clarified that this episode of high temperatures is not likely to be considered a heat wave, as it would have to affect 10% of the national territory, excluding the Canary Islands. The wind will be light during the first few days of the week in Andalucia, although by the end of the week it is expected to blow moderately on the coast of Huelva and Cadiz. It will also be moderate to strong on the coast of Malaga province. Marta Negrillo Jaen Tuesday, 15 July 2025, 17:32 Compartir Despite the region's popularity among tourists, there are still cities in Andalucia in southern Spain that are yet to be discovered by the masses. One of these cities is Jaen, a provincial capital unknown to visitors, but which is beginning to appear timidly on the radars of international tourism thanks to its authenticity, heritage and nature. An article published recently in British newspaper The Guardian, included Jaen among the little-known Spanish destinations that are well worth a visit. 'Readers' travel tips on unsung Spain' gives Guardian readers the chance to highlight quiet and little explored places in Spain that are not popular with tourists. "The city and province of Jaen can be overlooked by tourists heading to nearby Granada or Cordoba. This is a shame, as they are full of Renaissance architecture, including a magnificent cathedral and are famous for being one of the cradles of olive oil. Thanks to its historical location between Christian Castile and Muslim Granada, the town is surrounded by castles. I recommend staying at the Parador de Jaen. It is located at the top of Santa Catalina hill, next to the castle, and the views of the Sierra Morena from its rooms are unbeatable," states the article, with an image of Jaen's cathedral opening the article. For years Jaen has been the forgotten city of Andalucia, overshadowed by Granada, Cordoba and Seville. However, those who visit it discover its authenticity and a first-class cultural and historical offer. The Cathedral, a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance, dominates the city's skyline and is a candidate for Unesco World Heritage Site status. Underground, the Villardompardo Palace's Arab baths connect the visitor with the city's Islamic past, while the Santa Catalina Castle offers incomparable views of the surrounding sea of olive trees. Beyond its historical legacy, Jaen has experienced a boom in recent years that has made it one of the most powerful gastronomic destinations in southern Spain. The city currently has four Michelin-starred restaurants - Baga, Dama Juana, Radis and Malak - located just 200 metres from each other in the San Ildefonso district. This makes Jaen one of the cities with the highest density of haute cuisine in Europe in relation to its size, and an emerging gastronomic reference point in Andalucia and beyond. Jaen represents that "other Spain" according to The Guardian, which also highlights cities such as Teruel, Cuenca, Suances and Sanlucar de Barrameda. It is a Spain that is less photographed, more leisurely and deeply authentic. In times of saturated cities and disappointing experiences, its offer - renaissance, gastronomic and serene - is gaining more and more visitors. The secret lies precisely in its discretion. Almudena Nogues Malaga Tuesday, 15 July 2025, 11:19 Compartir The truce is over. The extreme - and suffocating - heat is on its way back to Malaga province. For the moment, it is limited to inland areas. Spain's state meteorological agency (Aemet) has activated a yellow risk warning for high temperatures for this Tuesday in Antequera in the north, where temperatures could reach 39 degrees. The warning will be in force between 1pm and 9pm. This will not be the only alert of the day in the Andalucia region. All the provinces - with the exception of Almeria - are set to experience a torrid Tuesday with mercury levels soaring. The warnings will remain in place until 9pm and will be at an amber level in Cordoba, Granada, Jaen and Seville, where, according to Aemet, the thermometers will reach 41C. And all of this on a 15 July marked by "clear skies, with intervals of low clouds on the Mediterranean coast and in the area of the Strait of Gibraltar, and temperatures rising across the board, with locally unchanged minimum temperatures". The bad news is that today's hot spell will only be the start of a difficult week in which air conditioners and fans will have to work flat out. "The worst could come on Friday, when a trough comes in and the wind shifts to the west. In other words, we will probably have a hot 'terral' wind in the usual areas of Malaga province. On this occasion and depending on the time it enters, we could reach the first 40C of the summer in Malaga", warned Jose Luis Escudero in his SUR blog 'Tormentas y Rayos' (storms and lightning). Juan Cano Malaga Tuesday, 15 July 2025, 12:49 Compartir A possible serious incident was averted thanks to the collaboration and sense of social responsibility of a number of people in Malaga. It happened during the early morning of 3 July in the city centre, when a young man followed an 18-year-old tourist, who was in an inebriated state, to her accommodation flat. The first person that reached out to the police was a waitress, who was on her way back home after her work shift. It was around 4am when she approached plainclothed officers of the National Police force - the 'Gotham' unit - and told them that she had seen a girl being followed by a man who was saying things to her. Given the girl's state, it seemed like she was unable to get rid of him, even though he was bothering her. Initially, police thought that it was an argument between a couple. However, when they saw the girl enter a building in the distance, the man with her quickly closed the door behind him upon noticing the officers. The officers started banging on the door in case someone living there heard them. One of the residents looked through the window and saw the light on the first floor, which indicated where the police had to head. When they knocked on the door, the girl opened it, with her face completely pale. She was still carrying her handbag and next to her was the man. Despite the language difficulties, police managed to learn that the girl was staying in that flat with some friends. They had gone out partying that night but she ended up losing sight of her friends. Disoriented and inebriated, she tried to get back to their accommodation, but she was approached by the man - a Dutch citizen of North African origin - as she was leaving the bar. She tried to get rid of him but she couldn't. When the police officers asked whether she had invited him to the flat and whether he had touched her, she said 'no' to both questions and begged them to take him out of the flat. As to what his intentions were, she admitted that she did not know and could not even imagine. The man was arrested for an alleged offence of breaking and entering. He has now been handed over to the courts. Jose Carlos Garcia Fuengirola Tuesday, 15 July 2025 | Updated 16/07/2025 17:35h. Compartir Fuengirola mayor Ana Mula has demanded that Spain's central government adopt "urgent measures" to put an end to the continuous breakdowns and delays that affect the C1 Fuengirola-Malaga train line. Included in Mula's requests from the Ministry of Transport are the increase of train frequencies to one every ten minutes and progress the development of the coastal train project from Nerja in the east of Malaga province to Algeciras in neighbouring Cadiz province. According to Mula, the local Cercanias commuter line is "one of the main issues" for both Fuengirola residents and visitors. Train breakdowns and delays lead to missed flights and late arrival for work and university lectures. "Sadly, we are becoming accustomed to the image of crowded platforms and people waiting for a train to arrive, as well as equally crowded carriages, in the middle of high season. This is unacceptable in a place like the Costa del Sol," she said. For this reason, Mula insists on a decrease in waiting time, an increase in the number of trains and the extension of the night timetable until 3am during the summer, on holidays and on big event days. No fee for using the AP-7 toll motorway Mula has once again urged central government in Madrid to remove the toll on the AP-7 motorway to favour road mobility for Fuengirola and Costa del Sol residents and visitors. "The A-7 motorway is the most popular option for drivers and there are daily traffic jams. Offering this free road alternative to all of them would certainly reduce traffic congestion in the town and on the Costa del Sol," said Mula. The mayor of Fuengirola stated that she has continuously made these requests, without receiving a response to the town's needs. She accused PM Pedro Sanchez of paying more attention to other parts of the country and of corruption in the government. Time is ticking and stakes are mounting as Argentina faces setback after setback in the case opened in the U.S. justice system over the 2012 expropriation of the YPF oil company. On Monday, a lower court rejected the defenses request and upheld the order to transfer 51% of YPF shares held by the Argentine state to the so-called vulture funds that sued the country and obtained a favorable ruling. The government of Javier Milei has until Thursday, to either reach an agreement with the plaintiffs or hand over the YPF shares to them. The de facto privatization ordered by the judge would be part of the $16.1 billion payment the Argentine government was ordered to make in 2023 for failing to offer equal treatment to all shareholders in 2012, when it seized the YPF stake from Spains Repsol without making a tender offer to minority shareholders Petersen and Eton Park. If it does not surrender the shares, the Argentine government risks being declared in contempt. The Javier Milei administration has already appealed the decision, but it is unknown whether it will rule before the 72 hours granted by Judge Loretta Preska expire. Judge Preska, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, ruled on Monday against Argentina, arguing that it made no effort to satisfy the conditions required by the court in its ruling two weeks ago. The Treasury Attorney Generals Office, the agency in charge of Argentinas defense, had requested a stay of the order, arguing that irreparable harm would result, but Preska said in her brief that any alleged harm arises directly from the Republics own actions in delaying and attempting to evade its obligations under the judgment. The narrow margin granted by Preska puts Argentina in a tough spot. A meeting between the defense attorneys and the funds is scheduled for Tuesday, but experts believe it is very unlikely they will reach an agreement, despite the mounting court pressure on the Argentine government. At the time of the nationalization in 2012, 57.5% of YPF was held by the Spanish energy giant Repsol, 25.5% by Petersen Energia Inversora and Petersen Energia two Spanish companies belonging to Argentinas Eskenazi family and 17% by minority investors. In 2014, the Argentine government agreed to pay Repsol $5 billion for the 51% of the shares it had expropriated. Burford Capital, a fund that that buys the rights to litigation from bankrupt companies to pursue large-sum claims, purchased a large portion of YPF shares held in Spain by the insolvent Petersen Group companies, and filed a lawsuit in the United States with Eton Park, one of the minority shareholders. In 2023, Preska ordered Argentina to pay close to $14.4 billion to Burford Capital and another $1.7 billion to Eton Capital, arguing that the Argentine government should have offered the same treatment it gave Repsol to the remaining shareholders at the time of the expropriation, as established by YPFs bylaws. If it receives the compensation, Burford would retain 70% of its share, and the other 30% would go to the Eskenazi family companies. Preska excluded the oil company, which retains 49% of the shares in private hands, from the litigation. This means that the state must assume payment if the ruling is final. The amount set by the judge is compounded by substantial interest, which increases by $2 million per day. The Argentine government is unable to comply with the ruling. Not only because its international reserves are in the red, but also because the YPF nationalization law prohibits the executive branch from transferring expropriated shares without prior authorization from Congress. A last-resort appeal The arguments of Argentinas successive defenses which have changed with each of the three presidents of the last decade have crashed against the wall of the U.S. lower courts. The defendant is now relying on appeals, but has indicated that it will go all the way to the Supreme Court if it obtains another unfavorable ruling. Argentina is criticizing the amount of compensation, which more than triples the payment made to Repsol for 51% of its shares and even exceeds the companys total market value. Another dismissed argument relates to the alleged corrupt origin of the shares. This suspicion led to a complaint filed with the Argentine courts in 2012 that has never been investigated and implicates the powerful Eskenazi family and its ties to the Kirchners, the presidential couple who governed Argentina for 12 years: Nestor Kirchner between 2003 and 2007, and his wife, Cristina Kirchner, for the following eight. The Eskenazis, owners of businesses in the construction and banking sectors, acquired 15% of YPF in 2008 and an additional 10% in 2011 without making any outlay for these transactions, as it was agreed that they could pay with the dividends they received from the same company. If the Eskenazis entry into YPF had been irregular, the subsequent purchase made by the Burford Fund would be void. The courts have shown no interest in clarifying this point: the complaint has been dormant in Argentine courts for over a decade. Only now, when time is running out, has it begun to awaken: prosecutor Ramiro Gonzalez has requested preliminary evidence. At the very least, there was incompetence throughout the entire process, if not fraud, warns former Energy Secretary Daniel Montamat, who believes the company should be subject to a thorough investigation by the Argentine justice system. Montamat, who chaired the Argentine oil company in the late 1980s, says he was surprised that Repsol allowed itself to be pressured into selling part of its shares to the Petersen group and was highly critical of the subsequent expropriation, which deepened investor distrust of Argentina. The legal case in the United States has sparked a bitter political dispute just months before the legislative elections. Milei accused the governor of the province of Buenos Aires, the Peronist Axel Kicillof, of being directly responsible for the adverse ruling because he was the Minister of Economy at the time of the nationalization. Kicillof counterattacked by insinuating that Milei has ties to Burford and warning that YPF cannot be privatized by a foreign judge. The Argentine government has few options. No matter how much pressure the U.S. courts exert, it needs the support of the national Congress to transfer those shares. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Cristina Vallejo Malaga Tuesday, 15 July 2025, 14:15 Compartir The real estate market in Malaga province is weaker than in Spain as a whole, which might sound like a paradox given that it was the fifth province with the highest number of property sales in May. Despite this, the rate of growth is half that in Spain as a whole. According to data from the INE national institute of statistics, a total of 61,054 sales and purchases were registered in Spain in May, which represents a growth of 40% compared to the same time last year. Moreover, this is the highest figure for a month of May since the real estate boom: in May 2007, the number of homes sold was close to 76,000. In Malaga province things are noticeably different. There were 3,154 property sales and purchases in May, which represents an increase of 21.63% compared to the same month the previous year. This figure doesn't even beat previous records, given that there were 3,600 sales and purchases in May 2023 and 3,800 in 2024. Yet, Malaga is the province with the fifth highest number of property sales in May, behind Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante and Valencia. The Costa del Sol is the sixth most populated province in Spain. Growth of sales concerning both new and second-hand homes in Spain grew by 40% (12,785 transactions of new homes and 48,269 second-hand properties). Meanwhile, the increase in Malaga province is around 20% in both - up to 918 sales of new homes and 2,236 of used ones. Annual balance sheet This greater weakness in Malaga compared to Spain is not a recent phenomenon, as it has demonstrated itself to be the 2025 trend so far. The growth of real estate sales at the national level was 20% between January and May, while only 12% were registered in Malaga province. There are around 40 provinces in which the growth in house sales and purchases has been higher. Malaga is, for example in Andalucia, surpassed by Almeria, with a growth of 43.5%, as well as by Jaen, Granada and Seville, with close to 30% each. Chris Martin seemingly had a memory lapse during a show last week. While performing A Sky Full of Stars in Toronto as part of the bands Music of the Spheres World Tour, the Coldplay frontman, 48, forgot the lyrics and missed his cue to come in. I f----- up, I f----- up. Im so sorry, Im so sorry, he told the audience as the band stopped playing, per a TikTok video posted by a fan. I forgot to come in on the right line. Now, normally, I do stop this song as a joke but I did genuinely just make a big mistake, so please forgive me ... Im so sorry. That was an actual f--- up. S---. Oh, balls, Martin said. He then walked over to his bandmates to briefly discuss the gaffe. This is the benefit of being in a band with your brothers for 30 years, Martin told the crowd as he returned to the main stage a few moments later. Apologizing again, he said: Listen, Im so sorry, I forgot the words. I forgot what to say. It happens sometimes when youre my age. Im nearly 80 years old, he teased. But lets pretend that didnt happen. Dont put that on YouTube, if you please, Martin continued. Unfortunately, the moment did end up being shared on social media. However, most fans were understanding of Martins slip-up. This concert was magical and they are so talented. Mistakes happen. Theyre human too, remarked one user in the comment section. Another said: He can do no wrong. But one user was a little bit more critical. Why can he never sing his songs properly on stage? read their comment. Coldplays Music of the Spheres World Tour, began in March 2022 and is set to end in September. The band will perform two sold-out concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, tonight and tomorrow before heading to Madison, Wisconsin. They will also make stops in Nashville and Miami before concluding the tour with final performances at Craven Park in Hull and Wembley Stadium in London. Supernanny alum Jo Frost revealed she has a life-threatening medical condition in an Instagram video on Saturday. Ive survived more anaphylactic shocks than Im prepared to go into detail about right now, Frost said as she began her video. She then confirmed her diagnosis: I have anaphylaxis, a life-threatening medical condition to certain foods that will compromise my body so horrifically to the point of hospitalization. The British TV star, seemingly trying to raise awareness for her serious condition, explained: Absolute millions of my community around the world, children and adults, live cautiously and anxiously navigating this journey with not nearly enough compassion, education and empathy from those who do not. Frost continued. If you ignore the severity of this medical condition, its as bad as shoving a loaded gun in my face. Per Mayo Clinic, anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur within seconds or minutes after exposure to an allergen. It triggers the immune system to release a large amount of chemicals, which can lead the body to go into shock. This causes in a sudden drop in blood pressure and narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include a rapid, weak pulse, skin rash, nausea, and vomiting. Anaphylaxis requires immediate treatment with an injection of epinephrine, followed by a trip to the emergency room for further care. Frost, 55, further discussed how having anaphylaxis affects her daily and how activities others take for granted like eating out at restaurants can be stressful for her. But it does impact how I live my life daily, like the precautions I take, the energy I have to use to discern with hypervigilance, she explained before clarifying that she isnt looking to receive any special treatment and just wants to get the same dignity and attentiveness as [her fans] just showed others. The parenting expert asked people to educate themselves on the condition, as shes tired of the mumbling insults from ignorant individuals. In her caption, she penned: Will you champion for us? We need your compassion and empathy to understand more. She also linked to resources for those interested in learning more. In the comment section of her video, users praised her for using her platform to bring light to anaphylaxis. Frost is best known for her role as the star of the hit reality series Supernanny, which first aired in the UK in 2004 and later had an American version from 2005 to 2011. As a professional nanny with over 30 years of experience, Frost entered challenging family households to address behavioral issues and help parents establish discipline and routines for their children. Three beloved sweet shops in Saratoga Springs just landed spots on national lists of the best dessert destinations in the country, putting this Upstate New York city on the map as a must-visit for sugar lovers. In recent voter contests on USA Today, Saratoga Chocolate Co., Sweet Mimis Cafe & Bakery, and Darling Doughnuts were each recognized for their top-tier treats chocolate, cake, and doughnuts, respectively. Heres how each Capital Region spot fared: Darling Doughnuts in Saratoga Springs, New York was recently named one of the best doughnut shops in America by readers of USA Today. The shop serves a rotating menu of 90 different flavors of yeast-based doughnuts. Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com Best doughnut shop: No. 4 - Darling Doughnuts Colorful, over-the-top and utterly Instagrammable, Darling Doughnuts takes the humble doughnut to new heights. Each hand-decorated, square-shaped creation bursts with flavor and fun, whether its a Arnold Palmer inspired treat or a rotating seasonal special with edible glitter. The shops inventive spirit brings customers yeast-based, square-shaped doughnuts in over 90 different handcrafted flavors. Darling Doughnuts in Saratoga Springs, New York was recently named one of the best doughnut shops in America by readers of USA Today. Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com Once a month, Darling Doughnuts also serves what they call doughrogies doughnut-pierogi hybrid which get turned into savory flavors like everything bagel or pizza with cheese, tomatoes and pesto. Saratoga Chocolate Co. in Saratoga Springs, New York, was named one of the best chocolate shops in the nation by readers of USA Today. Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com Best chocolate shop: No. 5 - Saratoga Chocolate Co. Known for its small-batch, handcrafted approach, Saratoga Chocolate Co. has built a reputation for bold, high-quality confections made with ethically sourced ingredients. Saratoga Chocolate Co. in Saratoga Springs, New York, was named one of the best chocolate shops in the nation by readers of USA Today. Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com This woman-owned business has chocolate in many of its forms for customers to savor, from rich truffles to flavor-infused bars and even hot chocolate. Sweet Mimi's Cafe & Bakery in Saratoga Springs was recently named one of the best cake shops in the U.S. by readers of USA Today. The beloved local shop is known for its massive cakes, sweet treats, and is a popular brunch spot each weekend. Seen here on June 2, 2024. Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com Best cake shop: No. 7 - Sweet Mimis Cafe & Bakery Tucked inside a pastel cafe on Phila Street, Sweet Mimis is a Saratoga staple where the desserts taste just as good as they look. Beloved for its moist layer cakes, seasonal fruit crisps, and fluffy cupcakes, the bakery is also a popular brunch spot. Make sure to order a stack of fluffy, housemade pancakes. Sweet Mimi's Cafe & Bakery in Saratoga Springs was recently named one of the best cake shops in the U.S. by readers of USA Today. The beloved local shop is known for its massive cakes, sweet treats, and is a popular brunch spot each weekend. Seen here on June 2, 2024. Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com Helmed by a former Food Network Beat Bobby Flay competitor, Sweet Mimis has also collected accolades like the Best Restaurant Eastern Region from the New York State Restaurant Association. Sweet Mimi's Cafe & Bakery in Saratoga Springs was recently named one of the best cake shops in the U.S. by readers of USA Today. The beloved local shop is known for its massive cakes, sweet treats, and is a popular brunch spot each weekend. Seen here on June 2, 2024. Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com USA Today also named Saratoga Springs one of the best college towns in the U.S. as well as one of the best summer destinations of 2025. The citys walkable downtown, thriving food scene and year-round cultural events continue to draw visitors, proving that Saratogas charm isnt just about horses and healing waters. Now, its a dessert lovers dream, too. Syracuse, N.Y. Byblos Mediterranean Cafe in Syracuse is heading back to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives this week, making its second appearance on Guy Fieris Food Network staple. The episode, titled Around the World and Off-The-Hook, is scheduled to air Friday, July 18, at 9 p.m. on the Food Network. This is the third Central New York stop on Triple D in recent months. The crew visited Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub in the past year. That episode aired last month. Before that, they featured Evas European Sweets. Byblos, a family-run Lebanese restaurant at 223 N. Clinton St., first landed on Fieris radar when he featured it in an Authentic Eats episode Dec. 10, 2012. Clearly, the crew liked what they tasted, enough to come back for more. A production company is creating a piece on the Byblos Mediterranean Cafe for the Food Network. John Berry The new episode is part of the shows global-themed tour, and fans of fresh hummus, crispy falafel and shawarma will want to tune in. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos and promos, which will drop in the days leading up to the air date. And if youre one of the Byblos regulars who swears by the baba ghanoush, keep your eyes peeled, you might see a familiar face on screen. **** Charlie Miller finds the best in food, drinks and fun throughout Central New York no freebies, no favors, just honest eats. You can call or text him at (315) 382-1984 or email cmiller@syracuse.com. Follow @HoosierCuse on Instagram and X, and sign up for his Where Syracuse Eats newsletter here. Syracuse, N.Y. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon on Tuesday said fund-raising for the countys $100 million aquarium is going well and the facility should be ready to open no later than July 2026. In response to news that he used $2.5 million from a fund related to the Onondaga Lake cleanup to pay for some of the construction costs, McMahon said the aquarium is the kind of project county officials intended when they established the fund. By Julia Rock | New York Focus Last December, Kyra Assibey-Bonsu realized that her stream of work as a freelance audio producer was puttering out. She went to file for unemployment with the state, only to find that she was signing up for a new job: trying to reach the agency that was supposed to help her access the benefit. Assibey-Bonsu, who lives in Brooklyn, was unsure about her eligibility, so she tried to contact the New York state Department of Labor by calling the help line advertised on the departments website. It was so maddening, Assibey-Bonsu told New York Focus. It was always like, Sorry, we dont have enough agents to speak to you. Please try back later. I tried 9 am, I tried 11 am, I tried 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 it doesnt matter the time of day. She couldnt reach anyone. Thousands of New Yorkers a week apply for unemployment benefits through the state Department of Labor, which assesses eligibility and makes payments. For many people, its a smooth process that can be completed online. But thats not always the case. Sometimes, people are told to call the department to complete their application over the phone. Other times, they have questions about how to fill out the complicated form, as making a mistake can lead to legal consequences. And delays in payments prompt others to call for a status update after they havent heard back in weeks. The department offers a hotline for people to call in all of those cases. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when unemployment skyrocketed and the states system was strained, it was notoriously difficult to reach the Labor Department for help. But as the unemployment rate has returned to pre-pandemic levels, the problem has persisted, frustrating advocates who help people navigate the benefit. Its sort of a given that you cant get through, said Nicole Salk, a senior staff attorney with Brooklyn Legal Services who works on unemployment benefits. Prior to 2020, it really wasnt as big of an issue. People could get through on the phone. And then the pandemic happened. State legislators and advocates who help people file for unemployment benefits all told New York Focus the same thing: It seems as though nobody answers the phone. It has become nearly impossible to get through, said Jon Bloom, executive director of the Workers Defense League, which operates an unemployment hotline that gets about 100 calls per week and represents people in unemployment appeal cases. I occasionally talk to people who report getting through to someone. More frequently, people report getting a message that says, We have too many calls. A Labor Department spokesperson did not provide data on the overall percentage of calls that go unanswered. They did, however, provide a snapshot: During the week of June 23, 2025, the department received calls from roughly 42,400 individuals, about 15,200, or a third, of whom spoke with a live agent. That same week, over 36,200 callers engaged with the Self-Service Virtual Agent, the spokesperson said. (Some individuals spoke with both a human and virtual agent that week.) Staffing levels at the departments call centers have fallen over the past couple of years after they were increased during the pandemic, in part because federal funds to the states unemployment system correspond to the volume of claims. In 2022, the department had an average of 344 call center employees at any given moment; in 2024, that number had fallen to 215, according to the Labor Department. In the absence of human support from the department, many unemployed New Yorkers are turning to their local representatives for help. Assibey-Bonsu could not reach anyone at the Labor Department, so a friend suggested she contact her representative Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest for help. Only after the Assembly office contacted the department on her behalf was Assibey-Bonsu able to talk to someone at the Labor Department, she said. After she filed her claim, Assibey-Bonsu needed to provide the Labor Department with additional information for her application, but when she tried to upload documents to the online portal, they didnt go through. Then she sent documents by fax, but it took weeks to process them, and they still werent enough to complete her application. And she couldnt get anyone on the phone to talk about the problem. Assibey-Bonsu received her first payment in April, months after she first filed for the benefit. In the interim months, Assibey-Bonsu had to take money out of her 401(k) retirement account to cover her bills. The process will drive you insane, she said. Souffrant Forrests office gets about a call a week from constituents struggling to access unemployment benefits who cant reach anyone at the Department of Labor, chief of staff Karen Narefsky told New York Focus. Its the single most common reason constituents call the office, she said. If you call American Airlines, you know that eventually youll press your button and then, boom, somebody will get on the phone, said Souffrant Forrest. Thats not the case at the Department of Labor. Other legislators also said unemployment is one of the primary reasons for calls to their offices. Easily the number one constituent services issue that comes into our office is people having issues filing for unemployment insurance, and specifically getting a hold of anyone at the Department of Labor to move their case forward, said Claire Valdez, an assemblymember from Queens. About one in six people who call Assemblymember Grace Lees office, in Lower Manhattan, are struggling to get unemployment benefits. Lee recently had a constituent who needed to contact the Labor Department to verify their ID, but couldnt get anyone on the phone, Lee told New York Focus. Sometimes, she said, constituents are told by the department that they need to complete an interview to be approved for benefits, but cant reach anyone to do it. People file for unemployment and then they wait weeks or months without hearing anything from the DOL, said Lee. Some people try calling day after day and have not been successful. More people are showing up in person to department-run career centers out of frustration with the system, seeking help and at times threatening violence toward staff, according to the Public Employee Federation, the union that represents some of the agencys workers. Unusual incident reports tied to unemployment insurance frustrations have gone up significantly post-pandemic, said Scarlett Ahmed, who works at a Labor Department career center and is on the unions executive board. Management has acknowledged that its significantly higher than before the pandemic, she said. They say its because claimants have higher expectations than they used to. Legislators, advocates, and policy experts see it as a stark failure on the part of the state to provide an essential benefit in a smooth manner. The fact that people have to contact their legislators for help in getting through to the Labor Department thats an abomination, said James Parrott, the director of economic and fiscal policy at the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School. Theres no way to sugarcoat that. Thats a system thats failing New Yorkers. The New York State Department of Labor continues to invest in and deploy new technologies to meet our customers where they are and provide the most efficient service possible, a department spokesperson told New York Focus. The department pointed to upgrades put into place after it awarded a contract to modernize the unemployment program. They include a new chatbot and a texting and emailing communication system that can answer questions so people dont necessarily need to talk to an agent. The overhaul hasnt been completed, and the upgrades wont get rid of the need for human help, advocates said. We always say take a drink whenever they mention modernization, because theyve been talking about that for as long as Ive been doing this work, which is 20 years, said Salk, of Brooklyn Legal Services. And I dont believe thats going to solve the problem. Beyond the one-week snapshot the department provided, its difficult to know just how often New Yorkers are reaching a real person through the unemployment phone line. In January, the department denied a public records request from New York Focus requesting call logs for the phone number that the agency advertises to people who need help filing claims. On July 7, after the agency denied an appeal, New York Focus brought an Article 78 lawsuit against the agency, arguing that the records must be disclosed under the law. The case is pending. This lawsuit is about making sure New Yorkers can keep tabs on what the Department of Labor is doing and whether it is serving the public as it should, said Michael Linhorst, the attorney at Cornell Law Schools First Amendment Clinic who filed the suit. The department appears to be trying to misapply an unrelated confidentiality law to keep the records hidden. Justin Wilcox, of Brighton, is executive director of Upstate United, a nonpartisan business and taxpayer advocacy coalition focused on growing the Upstate economy. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), New Yorks sweeping 2019 law requiring dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, is no longer financially feasible or practically achievable, and state leaders know it. For years, Upstate United has raised serious concerns about the aggressive timeline and top-down mandates embedded in the CLCPA. Our concerns have only grown as the state pushed forward without an honest accounting of either the costs or the changing circumstances since the laws passage. While we support smart, sustainable efforts to reduce emissions, rushed implementation and unchecked costs have created an energy policy that is unrealistic, unsustainable and increasingly unaffordable for New Yorkers. Deadlines have been missed. Key programs, including Cap-and-Invest, Advanced Clean Cars II and the Advanced Clean Truck Rule, have been delayed or paused indefinitely. And perhaps most sobering of all, since 1990, New York has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by just 9.4%, far short of the 40% reduction legally required by 2030. Moreover, NYSERDAs own modeling confirms that there are no plausible scenarios in which the state can meet these statutory targets. At the same time, the financial burden on ratepayers is skyrocketing. A 2023 analysis from the state Department of Public Service revealed that over $40 billion in CLCPA-related costs have already been approved, much of which will be unknowingly passed on to consumers through their utility bills. In 2022 alone, $1.2 billion in CLCPA charges were embedded in monthly bills. The Public Service Commission has yet to release cost updates for 2023 or 2024, leaving the public in the dark as these hidden taxes continue to grow. And the bills are only getting bigger. The state is now proposing an additional $5.4 billion in surcharges to support electrification and energy efficiency efforts, on top of billions already allocated to offshore wind, battery storage, EV infrastructure and expansive transmission projects. The governors statement that she has slowed things down because, as she says, we cannot reach those objectives is illustrative of an emerging realization and a dangerous disconnect. The CLCPA is the law, and those objectives are not goals, they are legally required mandates. From driving up utility bills to deterring site selectors from choosing New York as a place to attract and retain major economic development opportunities, these mandates make it increasingly more difficult to remain competitive. We cannot continue to act as though the CLCPAs legally required mandates remain achievable or affordable for businesses or everyday New Yorkers under todays conditions. Nor can state leaders continue making major decisions related to policy and spending that recognize the CLCPA as the law one day and dismiss it the next. As we have said before, one more ad hoc policy announcement or energy initiative made public by press release is no substitute for a real plan. It is time for state leaders to pause the CLCPA, acknowledge reality, and commit to building a comprehensive, transparent, and achievable energy policy. That policy must clearly define realistic targets based on current conditions and todays challenges, include full cost projections and trade-off analyses, and prioritize long-term energy reliability, as well as transparency regarding the costs to New Yorkers. But above all, the policy must acknowledge that the CLCPA, as envisioned in 2019, is no longer attainable. The following is a condensed list of reports made to Taos Central Dispatch within the Town of Taos from July 9-13, 2025. July 9 3:38 a.m. Welf The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. Fear is palpable on the boiling asphalt. Glass from broken bottles and smashed car windows is still scattered on the sidewalks of San Antonio. This neighborhood is the heart of the Moroccan community in Torre Pacheco, a Spanish municipality with a population of around 40,000 in the southeastern region of Murcia. Everybody in town is talking about what happened last night. Older folks are sipping coffee on the terrace of the Istanbul cafe, which marks the entrance to the neighborhood. But the younger residents are preparing for another attack like the one they faced on the night of Saturday, July 12: dozens of burly men dressed in black, some of them hooded entered the neighborhood, carrying out what they themselves have called a hunt for North African immigrants who, in reality, have been living in the town for three decades. Three days of riots resulted in mild injuries and several people being arrested. Patrols from the Civil Guard law enforcement agency which has deployed 75 officers throughout the municipality and the local police are roaming the streets. Everyone knows something is going to happen. The question is when. The photograph of the face of Domingo, a 60-year-old resident of the town, went viral on Thursday, July 10. His face was stained with blood, while one of his eyes was completely swollen from a beating he had received the day before. Theres also a video circulating, in which a young man with a foreign accent allegedly assaults him. The incident is still under investigation, but the verdict of the streets has already been issued: a handful of Moroccan youths were the ones who beat him up, supposedly to make the video go viral on TikTok. Meeting in Torre Pacheco to calm down the Moroccan community. ALFONSO DURAN The next day, the City Council called for a demonstration to condemn the attack. Tempers were already running high. A handful of immigrant youths attended the event, with the intention to provoke. Youths from far-right groups, organized on Telegram, were already there and responded to the taunt by attacking the migrant youths and trying to lynch them, with the few law enforcement officers unable to contain them. The fuse was about to be lit, and the fire came from outside. 25-year-old Omar who has spent 20 years of his life in Spain is firm in his opinion: [The far-right assailants] came from outside the municipality to provoke, because they know we live here; otherwise, why would they come? the young man asks. Omar grew up and studied in Torre Pacheco. He says that those who came looking for them werent their former classmates or the towns residents, but other men encouraged by extremist agitators on social media. A poster with a message against racism is displayed in a Moroccan-owned business, in the neighborhood of San Antonio. Alfonso Duran The call to hunt that exact word has been used targets a specific population: a generation of young people who were born in the town. Now in their twenties, theyre the children of immigrants. They spend their days on the streets. While they grew up in Spain, theyve always been marginalized. Theyre foreigners back home and moros" [a derogative term for North Africans] when theyre in the streets, says the journalist and sociology professor Paulino Ros, who teaches at Spains National University of Distance Education (UNED) in Cartagena. He also runs a blog titled Islam en Murcia (Islam in Murcia, referring to the region where Torre Pacheco is located. These young people, he points out, are neither studying nor working: theyre absolutely neglected. They dont speak Arabic and they havent set foot in Morocco yet they dont feel like they fully belong in Spain. People gather amid anti-migrant unrest in Torre Pacheco, Spain, on July 14, 2025. Violeta Santos Moura (REUTERS) Fatima who prefers not to share her real name, for fear of reprisals was once a child in this neighborhood. Today, shes almost 30. A doctor by profession, she no longer lives in San Antonio, but her entire family still does. When she spoke with EL PAIS, she was visiting, and afraid. Im forbidding my nephews from going out. But one of them is almost 19; how do you tell him not to go out? How do you demand that he stay locked up out of fear? she asks. Like her, some of the young people raised here have managed to get an education, build a career and rise up. For many others, however, this hasnt been an option. Theyve ended up being pushed out onto the streets, with some now involved in crime. Its the violence of frustrated children. Why dont they study or work? Theyre children who are lost, but instead of addressing why theyre there, theyre singled out and persecuted, she laments. On the other side of town, theres also fear. A family that runs a bar finishes eating on the terrace. Lifelong residents of the town, they say that theyve been living with the immigrants for decades. For a long time, their daily interactions have been on good terms: their customers are mainly of North African descent. They themselves shop at Moroccan stores. But when it comes to this group of kids between 16 and 20 years old they say that things are different, that these youths feel like they own the streets. The family claims that they take part in the drug trade and that theyre hostile. Theres a general weariness with crime in the town. However, it wasnt the residents who came looking for the youths, but rather people from outside the town, who showed up specifically to find them. And now were the ones whore going to [suffer] the consequences of whatever happens, says one of the family members, who prefers not to give his name or appear in the press. The mayor of Torre Pacheco, Pedro Angel Roca, pictured in the town hall. Alfonso Duran Mayor Pedro Angel Roca, of the conservative Peoples Party (PP), supports the feeling of being fed up with crime. And he doesnt see a lack of attention for young people in marginalized neighborhoods. In the end, he shrugs, nerves are triggered by a long period of crime. He associates the rise in crime with an exponential increase in the towns population, which has grown by almost 200% in recent decades from 15,000 inhabitants to almost 42,000 driven mainly by immigrants who have come to work in the agricultural sector. He says that he sees no difference in the state support provided to immigrants and to people of Spanish origin, arguing that theyre quite integrated. However, a member of the city council who is responsible for the educational sector within the municipality acknowledges that, in secondary schools, in predominantly North African areas, the dropout rate stands at around 30%. Vox (the biggest far-right party in Spain) is waiting for an incident to happen so they can go on their summer rounds, says Mariola Guevara, a central government delegate in the Region of Murcia, who accuses the extremist party of encouraging violence. Radicalized, xenophobic, racist political organizations which constantly incite hatred and associate any type of crime with immigration are being normalized and given a place in institutions. This generates social alarm among the population, she affirms, adding that Torre Pacheco has always been a municipality with a very good [state of] coexistence. Guevara defends the actions of the security forces, which have reinforced their presence and are working in a coordinated manner. She notes that the police officers and members of the Civil Guard have prevented incidents from escalating. We had maximum resources and much more availability and personnel activated, so that they could be deployed whenever necessary, she points out. The cafe owned by 55-year-old Allal Abbou, who has spent 15 years of his life in Spain is called Al Karama in Arabic, which means dignity. Abbou who runs an association that works toward the integration of the immigrant community cannot believe what hes seeing. Right now, we have no security, he laments. But Im not talking about Moroccans or Spaniards: theres no peace for anyone. Were all [residents of Torre Pacheco] and we breathe the same air, he sighs. He says that Moroccans dont feel safe now. He adds that this has never happened before that something external is fueling hatred on the streets. He watches the patrol cars move back and forth. I hope nothing happens, he sighs. Outside, officers are beginning to cordon off the streets. Allal Abbou, 55, pictured outside his cafe on July 13, 2025. Alfonso Duran Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. TL;DR: In the quiet neighborhoods of Saline, Michigan, a new kind of Internet service provider is taking root one born not from a tech giant, but from the frustrations and ambitions of two residents, Samuel Herman and Alexander Baciu. Dissatisfied with the limitations of cable broadband, the pair have launched Prime-One, a fiber optic ISP that is now competing head-to-head with industry heavyweight Comcast in their community. Herman recalls growing up in a household of ten, where slow upload speeds and frequent service interruptions from Comcast's Xfinity service were a constant source of stress. "All throughout my life pretty much, I've had to deal with Xfinity's bullcrap, them not being able to handle the speeds that we need," Herman told Ars Technica. The family's needs, driven by schoolwork and daily life, often outstripped what their cable connection could reliably provide. "Many times we would have to call Comcast and let them know our bandwidth was slowing down... then they would say, 'OK, we'll refresh the system.' So then it would work again for a week to two weeks, and then again we'd have the same issues," he said. After marrying in 2021 and building his own home, Herman sought alternatives. Despite his experience in construction for ISPs, he found no fiber providers willing to serve his area, even as companies like Metronet and 123NET offered fiber elsewhere in Saline. The only option remained Comcast, at $120 a month for gigabit download speeds but with much slower uploads. Baciu, living a mile away, faced the same predicament. Armed with industry know-how Herman as chief operating officer and Baciu as chief construction officer in the family's contracting business the brothers-in-law decided to act. They shifted their company's focus to become a turnkey contractor for ISPs and then founded Prime-One, a fully underground, 100 percent fiber optic network. "Everything that we're doing is all underground. We're not doing aerial because we really want to protect the infrastructure and make sure we're having a reliable connection," Baciu told Ars. Prime-One's offerings are competitive: $80 a month for symmetrical gigabit service, $75 for 500Mbps, $95 for 2Gbps, and $110 for 5Gbps, all with unlimited data, no contracts, and the first 30 days free. Each customer receives an optical network terminal, modem, and, if needed, a Wi-Fi router at no extra cost. There are no equipment or installation fees. Since launching service in January 2025, Prime-One has built out its network to about 1,500 homes in Saline, laying roughly 75 miles of fiber. The company's initial goal is to reach 4,000 homes and eventually expand further. Their main competition remains Comcast and Frontier's DSL service, but the founders are determined to serve even rural and less densely populated areas that larger ISPs often overlook. With just over 100 customers so far, the company aims for about 30 percent market penetration in its service area to reach profitability. "I feel fairly confident," Herman said. Before breaking ground, Herman and Baciu consulted with Jared Mauch, a Michigan resident who built his own rural fiber ISP. Mauch "gave us quite a lot of insight on what to do, how to build, and on the actual ISP side... he showed us the way he did things on the technical side for the ISP, what strategies he used and what products he used," Herman said. While they opted for different networking products primarily Nokia equipment they credit Mauch's guidance for helping them navigate the complex landscape of running an ISP. Prime-One employs 15 local staff, mostly installers and technicians, with others in customer service and operations. Unlike national providers, Prime-One offers both phone and chat support, and prioritizes face-to-face service. "Many people want to be able to see someone face to face, which is very easy for us to do since we have people here locally," Herman explained. Reliability has been a key selling point. "The only outage we've had was due to severe weather that caused a massive outage" across multiple networks, Herman said. For individual service disruptions, the company guarantees repairs within two to four hours and offers a $5 credit for every hour of downtime. The arrival of Prime-One has not gone unnoticed by competitors. Herman reports that Comcast has been contacting former customers with offers of discounted rates and long-term contracts in an effort to win them back. Comcast, for its part, says it has upgraded its network in the area and now offers multi-gig speeds and unlimited data plans as part of a national overhaul. However, customers must switch to new plans to access unlimited data, as legacy data caps are still in place for some. As fiber construction by other providers like Metronet and Frontier increases in Saline, Prime-One's founders remain focused on serving areas neglected by larger ISPs. "We have plans that we cannot disclose at this moment, but we do have a plan to expand," Herman said. Image credit: Ars Technica OnePlus is stuffing more AI into your phone and another cable into your desk drawer. The company announced Monday that its personal intelligence tool, Plus Mind, will arrive on the OnePlus 13 and 13R "in the coming weeks" via software update. Also launching tonight: a $30 2-in-1 SUPERVOOC charging cable that powers both phones and wearables from a single USB-C plug. "OnePlus AI is all about helping you work smart and play harder, and a big part of our work and play is trying to cope with the information overload we face every single day," said Arthur Lam, Director of OxygenOS and AI Strategy at OnePlus in an email."Plus Mind has been specifically developed to act as a personal intelligence for our users, helping them remember everything in a secure and private way." Plus Mind wants to turn a three-finger swipe into an AI-fueled filing system. Snap a screenshot of an event poster? It'll ask if you want to add it to your calendar. Grab a fashion blog? It'll auto-summarize the page and store the details in a dedicated "Mind Space" app that the company claims makes it easy to find everything later with a natural-language search. The feature first debuted on the OnePlus 13s in India, where users can access it via a physical Plus Key. But on North American OnePlus 13 and 13R models, it's all done through gestures. Plus Mind uses AI to recognize and tag whatever you captureimages, messages, social posts, websitesand pulls in extra context like summaries, translations, and scheduling prompts. How Plus Mind Compares to Other Phone AI Tools OnePlus isn't the only phone maker rushing to slap "AI" on every feature. Samsung has leaned hard into on-device Galaxy AI tools like live translation and photo editing, while Google's Pixel phones now use Gemini Nano for real-time summarizing, transcribing, and Magic Editor tweaks. Even Apple is jumping inslowlywith Apple Intelligence, though it won't hit iPhones until later this year. The arms race is on, and OnePlus is trying to prove it can hang with the big players by bundling more intelligence into your daily swipes. OnePlus says this is part of a broader push into personalized intelligence, following tools like AI Reframe for photo cropping, AI Search for natural-language queries, and AI Translation for real-time interpretation across text, voice, and camera input. The company claims it built this direction based on "hundreds of conversations" with users about their AI hopes and concerns. Meanwhile, the new SUPERVOOC cableavailable tonight on OnePlus.com for $29.99 USDcharges phones at up to 80W and smartwatches at 10W. It's designed for people juggling multiple devices but still somehow losing every charger they own. It's a small accessory, but a sharp move for OnePlus, which has been steadily pushing convenience-forward tools and features to win over multitaskers. Security researchers have discovered four critical vulnerabilities in the firmware of hundreds of Gigabyte motherboards that could allow attackers to silently install malware that survives operating system reinstalls and evades traditional security tools. The four high-severity vulnerabilities were discovered by researchers at firmware security company Binarly, which worked with Carnegie Mellon Universitys CERT Coordination Center (CERT/CC) to disclose the issue. These flaws affect the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmwares System Management Mode (SMM)an ultra-privileged part of the CPU designed for handling low-level system operations. Exploiting these bugs allows attackers with admin access to write to protected memory, enabling stealthy bootkits that remain active even after the operating system is reinstalled or the hard drive is replaced. Over 240 Motherboard Models Affected According to Binarly, more than 240 Gigabyte motherboard modelsacross consumer, gaming, and small business product (SMB) class boards are affected. Many of these use older Intel chipsets like the H110, B150, and X150/X170. The four vulnerabilities, each rated with a severity score of 8.2 on the CVSS (classified as high), stem from flaws in System Management Interrupt (SMI) handlers. These bugs enable unauthorized access to System Management RAM (SMRAM), potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and install malware that remains persistent. The impacted vulnerabilities are: CVE-2025-7029: A flaw in the Software SMI handler (SwSmiInputValue 0xB2) that allows attackers to manipulate the RBX register, which points to critical structures (OcHeader, OcData) used in power and thermal configuration. This can lead to arbitrary writes into SMRAM and result in SMM privilege escalation. CVE?2025?7028: A flaw in the SwSmiInputValue 0x20 handler that allows attackers to pass arbitrary pointers via RBX/RCX into flash-management functions (ReadFlash, WriteFlash, EraseFlash, GetFlashInfo), enabling arbitrary read/write access to SMRAM. This enables full SMM-level compromise, including persistent firmware implants. CVE?2025?7027: A vulnerability in the Software SMI handler (SwSmiInputValue 0xB2) that allows a local attacker to control both the target and content of memory writes by exploiting unvalidated pointers, including one from a UEFI NVRAM variable and one from the RBX register. This enables arbitrary writes to SMRAM, potentially leading to SMM privilege escalation and firmware compromise. CVE?2025?7026: A vulnerability in the Software SMI handler that lets a local attacker direct the RBX register into SMI flash routines, enabling SMM privilege escalation and long-term firmware compromise. How Did This Happen? The original supplier of the firmware code is American Megatrends Inc. (AMI), one of the most widely used firmware providers globally. However, the firmware is customized and integrated by Gigabyte. According to CERT/CC, AMI had quietly patched the same vulnerable code upstream and notified its OEM customers under strict non-disclosure agreements. However, it appears that Gigabyte either missed or failed to integrate those fixes and reintroduced them in downstream Gigabyte builds. AMI quietly patched the issues previously and notified its OEM customers under strict non-disclosure agreements. However, it appears that Gigabyte either missed or failed to integrate those fixes into its own firmware releases. CERT/CC says it informed Gigabyte about the vulnerabilities in mid-April, which was confirmed by the company in June. What Should You Do? Gigabyte has started releasing BIOS updates through its support website to address the flaws. Affected users are strongly advised to: Check Gigabytes support page for your motherboard model and see if the latest firmware update is available. Install updates promptly, particularly on systems that could be accessed locally or remotely by users with admin privileges. Even if you think that you are not at risk, patching helps prevent these potential attacks. Stay alert for updates from other OEMs, as AMI firmware is widely used across different hardware manufacturers. China, EU hold high-level environment, climate dialogue Xinhua) 08:03, July 15, 2025 Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, hold the sixth China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue jointly in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang held the sixth China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue jointly with Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, on Monday in Beijing. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, urged both sides, under the strategic guidance of their leaders, to strengthen practical cooperation on the environment and climate and make greater contributions to sustainable development in China, the EU and the world. He said that China attaches great importance to ecological and environmental protection and responding to climate change, has formulated and implemented a series of practical measures, and has achieved remarkable results in the comprehensive green transformation of its economic and social development. China will firmly promote green and low-carbon development and take effective measures to participate in global environmental and climate governance, Ding said, adding that China is willing to work with the EU to maintain high-level dialogue and exchanges, build greater consensus and deepen the green partnership. He said China stands ready to work with the EU to uphold mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, continuously expand cooperation in key areas such as energy and the circular economy, and jointly support the green and low-carbon development of other developing countries. China is also willing to work with the EU to promote the establishment of a fair, reasonable, cooperative and win-win global environmental and climate governance system, he added. Ribera said the EU is willing to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and China as an opportunity to further consolidate existing cooperation with China, strive to find more new opportunities for cooperation, adhere to multilateralism, and promote the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Colombia will host the first emergency ministerial summit of the Hague Group this week. The meeting, scheduled for Bogota on July 15 and 16, seeks to coordinate concrete actions, including legal and diplomatic measures, against Israels offensive in the Gaza Strip, which member states have not hesitated to describe as genocide. The group made up of Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, Senegal, South Africa, Malaysia, Namibia, and Colombia will seek the support of nearly 30 countries and U.N. agencies to exert pressure against Israels violations of international law in a conflict that has already claimed more than 58,000 lives. The eight-country bloc was formed in January in the Dutch city from which it takes its name. The members, led by Colombia and South Africa, agreed on three joint actions. The first is to comply with the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant. The bloc also aims to prevent the supply of arms to Israel and prevent ships linked to the Israeli military industry from docking in its ports. Mauricio Jaramillo, Colombias Deputy Minister of Multilateral Affairs, emphasized the importance of this ministerial meeting. On the one hand, we must move from rhetoric to action to stop the genocide. And it is also important to send a signal of support for the multilateral system and international law, he noted in a telephone conversation. Jaramillo argues that the fact that the eight members of the group are from the so-called Global South is not accidental: They are the countries most sensitive to this issue, but I clarify that we have extended our invitations to other countries that have taken positions at the United Nations in defense of the self-determination of the Palestinian people, and there are countries from the North, such as Ireland and Spain. Delegates from both European countries will participate in the conference. One of the measures being sought, Jaramillo underlines, is the obstruction of certain exports that allow Israel to continue acquiring war materials. What we want is to continue applying pressure to isolate it and stop the punishment of the Palestinians, he adds. Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated last week in a column for the British newspaper The Guardian that governments like his own have a duty to stand up to Israel. The purpose of the conference, he added, is to introduce concrete legal, diplomatic and economic measures that can halt Israels destruction [in Gaza] and uphold the foundational principle that no state is above the law. Petro has been among the most vocal global leaders in denouncing the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. Last May, Colombia severed diplomatic relations with Israel and its government, its genocidal president. In almost every international setting, Petro has denounced the humanitarian crisis in the Strip. When Gaza dies, all of humanity will die, he said in September at the U.N. General Assembly. In response to these statements, Netanyahu called the Colombian president an antisemite and a Hamas supporter. Petro, for his part, moved forward with the creation of a diplomatic delegation and in June swore in the first Colombian ambassador to the State of Palestine. South Africa, which is co-chairing the summit, will be present alongside Colombia. Cyril Ramaphosas government gained notoriety for the Palestinian cause when, just a couple of months after the Israeli offensive began following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, it accused Israel before the International Court of Justice of engaging in genocidal conduct in Gaza. During the litigation, judges have repeatedly ordered provisional measures to halt the suffering of Gazans, but this has not resulted in a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, as demanded by the Hague Group. To date, more than 58,000 people have died in the Israeli offensive, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Ministry of Health. The conference will feature high-profile guests. In addition to delegations from some 30 countries, several U.N. rapporteurs will also be present. All eyes are on Francesca Albanese, rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Albanese is one of the most vocal critics of Israeli actions, a country she accuses of committing crimes against humanity, including genocide. Israel commits crimes like it breathes. The only way to protect not only Palestinians, but also Israelis, is to stop it, she said in a recent interview with this newspaper. Albaneses statements earned her a package of sanctions from Washington. The U.S. State Department, led by Marco Rubio, announced last week that it was freezing her assets, revoking her visa, and banning her from entering the United States. Albanese has spewed unabashed antisemitism, expressed support for terrorism, and open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West. That bias has been apparent across the span of her career, the document states. Other guests at the conference include Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the U.N., who in May of this year broke down in tears during a Security Council meeting while speaking about the dramatic situation of hunger and violence facing children in Gaza, and Dr. Thaer Ahmed, a Palestinian-American who met with former president Joe Biden to discuss the hospital crisis in the Strip. Also present will be Rima Hassan, a French MEP of Palestinian origin who recently participated in the Freedom Flotilla with Greta Thunberg. The Jewish community in Colombia has rejected the event. Its a small group of countries that doesnt seek peace or coexistence, but rather to scorch the only democracy in the Middle East thats waging a war for its survival, said Marcos Peckel, leader and spokesperson for the community. Thank goodness this group, with its bombastic name, will fade into irrelevance, he added. For Petro and his government, however, the summit will mark a turning point for the protection of international law: Lets be protagonists together, the Colombian president urged. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Heavy rain prompts flash flood warnings across US northeast New York, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 Heavy rain inundated parts of New York and New Jersey on Monday night, while flash flood warnings were in effect across a wide swathe of the eastern seaboard, where travel was massively disrupted and some vehicles trapped. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency, urging people to stay indoors. Authorities across the region, including in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, warned of hazardous driving conditions due to the risk of flash floods. JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports temporarily suspended departures on Monday night, forcing the cancellation of dozens of flights. Rescue workers in Scotch Plains, New Jersey waded into gushing floodwaters armed with red flotation devices after several drivers became stranded in the sudden surge, according to footage from CBS. In New York City, video shared on social media showed muddy brown water spewing like a geyser in front of a subway station's turnstiles. Multiple subway lines were briefly suspended or running with delays, while above ground, massive traffic jams paralyzed several of the city's main thoroughfares. The National Weather Service (NWS) urged drivers encountering flooded roads to "turn around." "Most flood deaths occur in vehicles," it said. A flood warning remained in effect until Tuesday morning for parts of New Jersey, while the slow-moving storm was expected to continue depositing heavy rain on the US Mid-Atlantic region into the middle of the week, according to the NWS. "The greatest concentration of storms will be across the southern Mid-Atlantic/Appalachians on Tuesday and shift northward with the boundary into the central Mid-Atlantic/Appalachians on Wednesday," the government forecaster said. More than two inches of rain drenched several urban areas in less than two hours. New York's Staten Island recorded between 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) of rain on Monday night, according to the city's emergency notification system. Zohran Mamdani, the Democrat running for mayor of New York City, wrote on social media that the rapid flooding emphasized the need for climate-proofing the city. "We must upgrade our infrastructure for this new climate reality," he wrote. Waterlogged US northeast braces for more rain after flash floods New York, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 The waterlogged US Eastern Seaboard braced for more rain on Tuesday, after flash floods snarled travel, stranded vehicles and prompted emergency rescues. A flood warning remained in effect until Tuesday morning for parts of New Jersey, while the slow-moving summer storm was expected to continue showering the Mid-Atlantic region into the middle of the week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). "A moisture-rich Summer-time airmass over much of the eastern/central U.S. will continue to lead to areas of scattered to widespread thunderstorms capable of heavy downpours and flash flooding," the government forecaster wrote. Torrential rain inundated parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland on Monday night. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency, urging people to stay indoors. Rescue workers in Scotch Plains, New Jersey waded into gushing floodwaters armed with red flotation devices after several drivers became stranded in the sudden surge, according to footage from CBS. Authorities across the region, including as far south as Virginia, warned of hazardous driving conditions due to the risk of flash floods. The NWS urged drivers encountering flooded roads to "turn around." "Most flood deaths occur in vehicles," it said. In New York City, video shared on social media showed muddy brown water spewing like a geyser in front of a subway station's turnstiles. Multiple subway lines were briefly suspended or running with delays, while above ground, massive traffic jams paralyzed several of the city's main thoroughfares. JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports temporarily suspended departures Monday night, forcing the cancellation of dozens of flights. In Lancaster Pennsylvania, severe flash flooding prompted a disaster declaration, while emergency responders plucked people from flooded basements and conducted 16 water rescues. "Intense rainfall dropped over 7 inches of rain in less than five hours," the fire department in the county's Mount Joy Borough posted on Facebook. Staten Island recorded between 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) of rain on Monday night, according to the New York borough's emergency notification system. Zohran Mamdani, the Democrat running for mayor of New York, wrote on social media that the rapid flooding emphasized the need for climate-proofing the city. "We must upgrade our infrastructure for this new climate reality," he wrote. The NWS said the storm would be concentrated "across the southern Mid-Atlantic/Appalachians on Tuesday, before shifting northward" on Wednesday. The latest bad weather follows historic Fourth of July flooding that devastated parts of central Texas, killing at least 131 people, including three dozen children, and leaving more than 100 people still missing. Two men who chopped down iconic UK tree handed jail sentences London, July 15 (AFP) Jul 15, 2025 Two men found guilty of the "mindless" and "deliberate" felling of one of the UK's most iconic trees, which sparked national outrage, were on Tuesday jailed for more than four years. A jury at Newcastle Crown Court found former friends Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, guilty in May of criminal damage for the 2023 felling of the tree at Sycamore Gap. It had stood for nearly 200 years next to Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern England. The tree was so striking that it featured in the 1991 Hollywood film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves". Sentencing the pair at the same court, Judge Christina Lambert said their actions had involved a "high degree of planning and preparation" and caused widespread "shock and bewilderment". For those who lived in the county the tree had become "a landmark, a symbol of the beauty of its untamed landscape", she said. Graham and Carruthers each received a sentence of four years and three months. Both men were convicted on two counts of criminal damage to the sycamore and to the Roman wall, which was damaged when the tree fell on it. "This iconic tree can never be replaced... it belonged to the people. It was totemic," said Andrew Poad, a manager with the National Trust conservation charity, in a victim impact statement read to the court. He said the felling was "beyond comprehension" and had caused "an overwhelming sense of loss and confusion". - 'Moronic mission' - The pair drove to the site near Hexham in Graham's Range Rover and felled the tree on the night of September 27, 2023, slicing through the trunk with a chainsaw in "a matter of minutes", prosecutor Richard Wright told an earlier hearing. "Having completed their moronic mission,the pair got back into the Range Rover and travelled back towards Carlisle", where they lived, he added. The pair were jointly charged with causing pound622,191 ($832,821) of criminal damage to the tree and pound1,144 of damage to Hadrian's Wall, an ancient Roman fortification stretching from northwest to northeast England. The sycamore was a symbol of northeast England and a key attraction photographed by millions of visitors over the years, winning the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year in 2016. Efforts are under way to see if it can be regrown from its stump or seeds. The National Trust, which owns the wall and the tree, said it has grown 49 saplings from the sycamore's seeds, which will be planted this winter at sites across the UK. A more than six-foot (two-metre) piece of the felled tree now forms the centrepiece of an art installation on permanent display at a visitor centre near where it stood. People can see and touch part of the trunk, and "can once again gather, sit, and reflect", according to the visitor centre. The security tensions between Mexico and the United States marking the second Trump era appear to stem from Mexicos failings, according to the logic of the rarely self-reflective northern neighbor. Fentanyl and migration are a problem, but arms trafficking is not. The U.S. sends around 200,000 weapons to Mexico each year, according to analysts estimates, a figure that demonstrates the lack of interest in combating illegal arms sales, much of which are destined for the drug cartels that have been classified as terrorist organizations by the Republican president himself. The main arms trafficking routes identified by the Mexican government between November 2024 and May 2025 originate in the states of Arizona, California, and Texas, according to a report presented to Congress by the Ministry of Citizen Security. At least 74% of illicit weapons reach organized crime groups through these routes. These data are consistent with those of the U.S. Department of Justice, which, in its latest report on the subject, revealed the same points of origin and predominance, with one addition: New Mexico. A smaller budget north of the Rio Grande and greater laxity in security operations point to one conclusion, experts say: combating arms trafficking is not on the U.S. governments agenda. The knowledge that both administrations have regarding the illicit trafficking of weapons raises many questions. How many agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have been deployed to the detected locations? How many inspection operations are U.S. authorities conducting? What are the seizure figures at these locations? What is the Mexican Security Cabinets strategy to combat this crime? When the United States tells Mexico that we have to do more against the cartels, the argument should be: weve been saying for five years that the weapons are coming from Texas, and we havent seen any beefing up of enforcement actions; there isnt a bigger presence, or more checkpoints, says Alejandro Celorio, the official who coordinated Mexicos legal strategy to bring a dozen U.S. weapons manufacturers and distributors to trial. The lawyer hits the nail on the head. Information about the trafficking routes allows Mexico to support its narrative regarding the U.S. governments failure to curb arms smuggling, and also to devise a strategy, but nothing more. Washington has the power to implement measures to prevent the passage of weapons into Mexican territory. The manufacturers, Celorio says, are protected by U.S. laws, which prohibit the use of information about the routes taken by illicit weapons in a lawsuit. A state police officer collects confiscated weapons after a press conference in Tijuana. Guillermo Arias (AP) The U.S. Department of Justice revealed in its January report that from 2022 to 2023, trace data identified Arizona, California, and Texas as the distribution sources for 73% of the weapons recovered in Mexico that could be traced back to a buyer. The figures coincide with those of the report that the Ministry of Citizen Security submitted to the Mexican Congress on July 3, the result of information exchange between the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) and the Attorney Generals Office (FGR). The Mexican report also revealed the seizure of 5,869 firearms, 31,000 magazines, more than 1.2 million rounds of ammunition, and 289 grenades. The numbers remain unchanged. Since January, the Department of Justice has identified Texas as the main entry point for illegal weapons, accounting for 43% of the total, followed by Arizona, with 22% exactly the same figure cited in the Mexican report covering a six-month period from November to May. Receiving states are no different. According to the U.S. report, 82% of the weapons seized between 2022 and 2023 were located in states where the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels have a presence; organizations Trump has classified as terrorists. Baja California, Chihuahua, the State of Mexico, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacan, Sonora, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas are the most frequent destinations for the weaponry. The U.S. government knows perfectly well [where the weapons come from] but doesnt accept it, says Celorio. The expert maintains that the information serves to keep the problem alive and, eventually, to inform other potential legal proceedings that Mexico may bring against the U.S. arms industry. John Lindsay Poland, coordinator of the Stop US Arms to Mexico project, agrees: the location of arms trafficking routes reinforces Washingtons responsibility and negligence. Fighting arms trafficking is not on their agenda, says the activist. The decisions of Mexicos main trading partner seem to have a deeper root. If [Donald Trump] really wants to eliminate the cartels, he should focus on the flow of arms, and hes doing the opposite, Poland argues. The researcher elaborates: [Trump] is reducing the U.S.s ability to stop illicit arms trafficking reaching the cartels. The Republican magnate has outlined a plan to cut the ATFs budget. This includes simplifying background checks for gun purchases and making them more flexible. The U.S. president intends to eliminate approximately 540 inspectors from the agency two-thirds of the total and reduce the ATFs budget by 25%. The plan includes revising a handful of regulations and destroying records of firearm owners that have been held for more than 20 years. Traceability information is scarce, but its presentation is a success, experts agree. The issue should remain alive because it confirms the origin of the weapons and contributes to a potential legal argument that could make it difficult for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule in favor of the gun manufacturers. All in all, the scenario is bleak. Celorio rules out a legal challenge from Mexico via Texas. I dont think the Mexican government will sue in Texas; its a very conservative state, he notes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The real-life Annabelle dolls handler, Dan Rivera, has died at the age of 54, while on tour with the toy. The Connecticut native and paranormal investigator has been the primary caretaker for the Raggedy Ann doll, which is a classic fixture in the horror genre, specifically in The Conjuring film franchise. According to a Facebook post from the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), which is hosting Annabelles tour, Rivera suddenly died while at the event with the doll this past weekend. Rivera was also the lead investigator for NESPR. A cause of death has not been released. However, the Pennsylvania State Police shared a report on X Wednesday about what happened to Rivera. According to the report, he died on July 13, 2025. Members from PSP Gettysburg responded to a hotel in Straban Township, Adams County for a report of a deceased [man], officials wrote in the report. The decedent was discovered in his hotel room by workers. Nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene. His cause of death is pending. Fellow investigator Chris Gilloren, whos a part of Annabelles tour, announced Riveras death Monday. Its with deep sadness that Tony, Wade, and I share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera, Gilloren wrote on NESPRs Facebook page, alongside a black and white picture of his friend. Dan Riveras friends say theyre still processing his death ( New England Society for Psychic Research / Facebook ) We are heartbroken and still processing this loss. Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him, he continued. Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time. Rivera was a part of a group currently on the Devils on the Run Tour, hosted by Ghostly Images of Gettysburg and NESPR. According to NESPRs website, the event, held in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, this past weekend, was a night of paranormal history as the infamous Annabelle doll visits Gettysburgs Haunted Orphanage. Annabelle the doll will continue traveling throughout the next few months, with her next stop in Augusta, Maine, on September 6 and September 7. Shes also expected to be at the Rock Island Roadhouse Esoteric Expo in Rock Island, Illinois, on October 4, and ScareFest Weekend 17 in Lexington, Kentucky, which is from October 17 through 19. Riveras death came after rumors circulated in May that Annabelle had somehow gone missing while in Louisiana. The rumors came after some visitors claimed they didnt see the doll during a tour. In addition, a recent fire at the nearby Nottoway Plantation-turned-Nottoway Resort in White Castle, Louisiana, intensified speculation that there was somehow a connection between Annabelles supposed disappearance and the blaze. However, Rivera debunked theories that the doll had gone missing in a TikTok video at the time. Im here at the museum right now, and I just wanna show you guys that Annabelle is in the Warrens Occult Museum, he said. Lets go inside and lets check. After entering the museum, he walked over to show the doll sitting in a wooden case. Annabelle is not missing; shes not in Chicago, he assured fans. Annabelle first appeared in 2013s The Conjuring before receiving her own spin-off franchise. Annabelle was released in 2014, followed by Annabelle: Creation in 2017 and the latest entry, Annabelle Comes Home, in 2019. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice David Kaff, the actor known for playing keyboardist Viv Savage in the 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, has died. He was 79. His death was confirmed by his Mutual of Alamedas Wild Kingdom bandmates in a Facebook post. They wrote that Kaff passed away peacefully in his sleep but did not offer details about the cause of death. Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, the statement read. We are devastated by this event. David always had a kind word and a quick wit that would slay you where you stand. Then he'd make you smile doing it! RIP dear brother. Spinal Tap in 1984 in Chicago; Rob Reiners feature directorial debut This Is Spinal Tap follows the fictional British heavy metal band Spinal Tap on a disastrous US tour, while parodying the excesses and absurdities of the rock music industry ( WireImage ) Born David Kaffinetti on 17 April 1946 in Folkestone, England, Kaff was a founding member of the prog rock band Rare Bird from 1969 to 1975. Their 1970 single Sympathy reached No 27 on the UK music charts, topped charts in Italy and France, and sold over a million copies globally. He also played the keyboard as a session musician for Chuck Berry in 1972 on the album The London Chuck Berry Sessions. In Rob Reiners feature directorial debut This Is Spinal Tap, David Kaff played the fictional bands laid-back keyboardist Viv Savage. The film follows the fictional British heavy metal band Spinal Tap on a disastrous US tour, while parodying the excesses and absurdities of the rock music industry. Though his role was smaller than those of co-stars Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, Kaffs closing line became a cult classic: Have a good time, all the time. Thats my philosophy. I have a great affection for Viv, Kaff told BAM in 1991 of his iconic character. I played him very close to my heart, just a little bit dimmer. If people like that character, chances are they'll like me. Viv Savage signs off with his iconic motto Kaff contributed to the films soundtrack album, which ended up at No 121 on the Billboard 200, and played with the group in live performances, with a notable appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1984. However, he did not return for the bands subsequent studio albums Break Like the Wind (1992) or Back from the Dead (2009). After the film, Kaff remained active in music, performing with bands like Model Citizenz and continuing his work with Mutual of Alamedas Wild Kingdom. A sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, with Guest, McKean and Shearer set to reprise their roles, is scheduled for release in September this year. Kaff was not slated to return for the new film. The sequel will follow the band as they reunite after a 15-year hiatus for one final concert. Reiner will once again play documentarian Marty DiBergi who follows the group on tour with music icons Elton John, Paul McCartney and Garth Brooks all reportedly making cameos. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Watch as the 2025 Emmy Award nominations are announced by Hollywood's television academy live on Tuesday, 15 July. Apple TV+'s dystopian workplace drama Severance is predicted to be a major contender, as well as HBOs The White Lotus and HBO Max newcomer The Pitt. In order to be eligible for the awards, television series must have premiered between June 2024 and May 2025. Last years Emmys saw FX and Hulus historical drama Shogun, Netflixs miniseries drama Baby Reindeer and FXs dark comedy The Bear take home the most wins. Following the success of British Netflix production Baby Reindeer last year, it may come as no surprise if the streaming giants British crime drama Adolescence does the same in the same categories. The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on 14 September, hosted by Nate Bargatze. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Claudia Winkleman, Graham Norton and Michael McIntyre are among the stars whose salaries will not appear on the BBCs annual report. The broadcaster discloses the salaries of talent and executives earning above the 178,000 threshold and has done so for eight years. One again, Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, who left the corporation two months ago, has topped the list with a salary of 1.35m. Well-known stars who could be among the highest-paid talent but will not have their accounts publicly aired include Winkleman, McIntyre, Norton, Bradley Walsh, Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff, Tess Daly and Lord Alan Sugar. They escape the glare of public scrutiny because of a loophole, which means the BBC does not have to disclose the salaries of stars whose programmes were made by independent companies. That includes those paid by BBC Studios, the corporations commercial company, which produces Strictly Come Dancing and Doctor Who, among others. BBC Studios is a commercial organisation in competition with other streaming services like Netflix, BBC itself and other broadcasters. The corporation successfully convinced the government that BBC Studios salaries should not be disclosed because the money does not come directly from the licence fee. The BBCs first annual report in 2017 put Winkleman as the highest-paid female celebrity, earning between 450,000 and 500,000 for various BBC work, including Strictly, her Radio 2 programme and The Great British Sewing Bee. open image in gallery Strictly Come Dancing stars Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are among talent who wont have salaries listed in the BBCs report ( PA Archive ) Similarly to last year, comedian McIntyre would be near the top of the salaries list if he were to be included, thanks to his hosting duties for both The Wheel and Michael McIntyres Big Show, per BBC News. Other stars who would likely top the charts include Gladiators star Bradley Walsh and Eurovision host Graham Norton. The broadcaster says sacked MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace would have also featured on a more comprehensive list, alongside his co-star John Torode, thanks to the huge number of episodes of the cooking competition they fronted together. open image in gallery Michael McIntyre hosting The Wheel on BBC One ( BBC/Hungry McBear/Gary Moyes ) It comes after the BBC apologised to everyone who has been impacted by Mr Wallaces behaviour this week, as a report upheld 45 misconduct allegations made against the presenter, including one of unwelcome physical contact. The broadcaster admitted that opportunities were missed to address his conduct, stating: We accept more could and should have been done sooner. "This behaviour falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us, a spokesperson said. open image in gallery John Torode and Gregg Wallace on MasterChef ( PA Media ) Wallace will no longer work with the BBC, however, a decision on whether his final season of MasterChef will be aired is yet to be made. You can read the latest update from the Gregg Wallace report here. Last year, the BBCs highest-paid star was former Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, with a salary of 1.35m. The presenter has since left the corporation after sharing a social media post that mistakenly included a rat emoji alongside an explanation of Zionism. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ellen DeGeneres issued a rare political statement in support of Rosie ODonnell, after President Donald Trump threatened to revoke the actors U.S. citizenship. On Saturday, Trump claimed on his Truth Social account that ODonnell, who lives in Ireland, is a Threat to Humanity, and he was giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship. ODonnell fired back hours later on Instagram, calling Trump King Joffrey with a tangerine spray tan, a reference to a much-hated, sadistic, authoritarian character from Game of Thrones. DeGeneres, who relocated to the U.K. in November, went to Instagram Sunday to show her support for ODonnell. She shared a screenshot of Trumps Truth Social post about ODonnell and the former The View hosts response to him. Good for you @rosie, DeGeneres wrote in the caption of her post. Ellen DeGeneres applauded Rosie ODonnell for firing back at Trump when he threatened to revoke her U.S. citizenship ( Getty ) DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, moved to the Cotswolds, an area in South West England, in November 2024. The move was reportedly in response to Trump being elected president, TMZ published at the time, though neither have publicly confirmed the reason they left the U.S. However, DeGeneres has shared updates about their life on the other side of the pond. In April, she shared a photo on Instagram of her partner in front of a rural view, alongside the caption: Three things that make me happy: My wife, a rainbow, and my wife taking a photograph of a rainbow. ODonnell, too, has fled the U.S., confirming her move to Ireland earlier this year, noting that she and her 12-year-old adopted daughter, Dakota, left the U.S. on January 15, only days before Trump took office. In a TikTok video shared in March, ODonnell described how much she loved living in Ireland, with people who are so loving and so kind and so welcoming. She also hinted that she chose to move because Trump became President for a second term. I miss many things about life there at home and I'm trying to find a home here in this beautiful country and when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that's when we will consider coming back, the Now & Then star said. Apparently referring to America under Trump, she added: It's been heartbreaking to see what's happening politically and hard for me personally as well. Despite now being located across the pond, ODonnells decades-long public feud with Trump continues. In his initial post about ODonnell, Trump wrote: Because of the fact that Rosie ODonnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship. He continued: She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA! In her response, ODonnell, whos been a longtime critic of him, posted a photo of Trump with the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein to Instagram, and wrote: Hey Donald youre rattled again? 18 years later and I still live rent-free in that collapsing brain of yours. She claimed that while he had called her a threat to humanity, she is everything you fear: a loud woman, a queer woman, a mother who tells the truth. You build walls I build a life for my autistic kid in a country where decency still exists, you crave loyalty, she wrote. After she detailed other ways that her and Trumps outlooks differ, she concluded: You want to revoke my citizenship? Go ahead and try, King Joffrey with a tangerine spray tan. Im not yours to silence. I never was. Rosie. The president has no power to strip anyone of citizenship. However, ever since he returned to the White House in January, Trump has sought to end birthright citizenship, guaranteed to Americans under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Several courts have already struck down the presidents attempt to block citizenship from newborn Americans who are born to certain immigrant parents. In another alarming move, a recently unveiled memo from the Department of Justice outlines the Trump administrations plans to maximally pursue denaturalization of American citizens, marking a radical expansion of the presidents anti-immigration agenda. More than $2.8 billion in Mexican tomato exports to the United States are at risk. The U.S. administration said on Monday that it is withdrawing a 2019 trade agreement that exempted tomato shipments from paying tariffs. Thus, from now on tomato shipments from Mexico will pay a 17% tariff. Mexico remains one of our greatest allies, but for far too long our farmers have been crushed by unfair trade practices that undercut pricing on produce like tomatoes. That ends today, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a statement. The tax on Mexican farmers stems from a long-standing complaint of alleged dumping practices filed by U.S. farmers against their Mexican counterparts in 1996. Until now, Mexico had managed to avoid paying this tariff thanks to a series of agreements to keep prices above a minimum level. Although this new duty is separate from the package of tariffs recently announced by President Donald Trump against Mexico, it is in line with his protectionist agenda. The complaint of unfair trade practices that led to this 17% tariff dates back to 1996. That year, the U.S. fresh tomato industry sued Mexican exporters for alleged dumping practices. After investigations and settlements, the U.S. government signed five agreements suspending this countervailing duty, the last in 2019. Mexico is the main supplier of tomatoes to the U.S. market. With sales of more than $2.8 billion annually, the export of this produce has become a lucrative commodity that, over the past three decades, has led to direct confrontation between Mexican and U.S. producers, primarily in Florida. U.S. farmers have, on more than one occasion, accused their Mexican counterparts of deliberately selling at lower prices. The accusations of alleged dumping practices have so far failed to stem the flow of tomato exports to the United States. Last year alone, nearly two million tons were shipped. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Anticipation is mounting ahead of Tuesday morning's Emmy Award nominations, with Apple TV+'s dystopian workplace drama Severance tipped to be a major contender. Its second season garnered significant critical acclaim and audience buzz, a combination often leading to the kind of Emmy dominance previously enjoyed by Succession and Shogun. However, HBO's The White Lotus consistently performs well at the awards, and HBO Max newcomerThe Pitt could also challenge for nominations and wins when trophies are presented in September. This year's race will notably be without Shogun, which led all Emmy nominees last year with 25 nods and set a record with 18 wins. Its second season is still in early production, meaning it will also be absent from next year's ceremony. Severance has become a signature show for Apple TV+. The streamer has gotten plenty of Emmy nominations for dramas including The Morning Show and Slow Horses, and Ted Lasso was downright dominant on the comedy side. open image in gallery Stephen Graham (R) and British actor Owen Cooper (L) attend Netflix's "Adolescence" premiere ( AFP via Getty Images ) But Apple has lacked the kind of breakaway prestige drama that HBO seems to produce perennially. Adam Scott and Britt Lower are virtual locks for lead acting nominations for what amounted to dual roles as their characters' innie" work selves and outie home selves. Tramell Tillman is just as likely to get a nod for playing their tone-shifting, pineapple-wielding supervisor, and Ben Stiller is bound to get a directing nomination. Severance got 14 nominations for its first season in 2023, but won just two, for its music and its title sequence. Nominations will be streamed live beginning at 11:30 a.m. Eastern at Emmys.com/nominations. The reality competition series and talk series nominees will be announced earlier on CBS Mornings" at around 7:45 a.m. Eastern. What else may get 2025 Emmy nomination Apple TV+'s Hollywood satireThe Studio could draw a host of comedy nominations for its first season as it takes on previously dominant Emmy veterans like Hacks and The Bear. The Studio star and co-creator Seth Rogen could get nods for acting, writing and directing, and the show's all-star guest stars, including Zoe Kravitz, Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard, may also add some novelty to the nominations. Hacks star Jean Smart has won best lead actress in a comedy for all three previous seasons of the HBO Max series, and is the favorite for the fourth. The show won best comedy series last year too. The Bear set a record for comedy nominations with 23 last year for its acclaimed second season. This year, its third season is up for Emmys (even though its fourth has already aired). It got a more lukewarm reception, leaving its status coming into the nominations murky. The White Lotus, HBO's darkly comic resort drama, submits all the members of its big ensemble cast in supporting categories, which they tend to dominate. Its Thailand-set third season included ballyhooed performances from Walton Goggins, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey and Sam Rockwell among several others. open image in gallery Canadian-US actor Seth Rogen attends the Apple TV+ series premiere of "The Studio". ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Pitt, HBO Max's prestige medical procedural starring ER veteran Noah Wyle, had reached the top tier of most prognosticators' Emmy prediction lists by the time its first season ended in April. Wyle, who was nominated five times without a win for ER, could join Scott to make best actor in a drama a two-man race. And the show's other doctors and nurses, played by lesser known actors, could draw nominations if The White Lotus cast leaves them any room. Last year, the British Netflix production Baby Reindeer was surprisingly dominant in the limited series categories. This year, it will surprise no one if the Netflix British crime drama Adolescence does the same in the same categories. It was probably the most acclaimed show of the year. Fifteen-year-old Owen Cooper, who plays the 13-year-old accused of a killing at the center of the story, is likely to get one of several acting nominations. How streaming has changed TV and the Emmys All the shows are living in the splintered world of the streaming era, and the like the Oscars its most acclaimed nominees rarely have the huge audience they once did. While an impressive average of 10 million people per episode watched Wyle on The Pitt at some point on HBO Max, according to Warner Bros. Discovery, 30 years ago an average of 30 million sat down on the same night and watched him on ER on NBC. The broadcast networks have largely become Emmy non-entities, with a few shining exceptions. ABCs Abbott Elementary has annually drawn plenty of comedy nominations and should get its share this year. And Oscar-winner Kathy Bates is a front-runner for the best actress in a comedy Emmy for her role on CBSs Matlock. She would be the first person nominated in the category from a network show since 2019, and the first to win it since 2015. CBS will air the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 14. Nate Bargatze is slated to host. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice HBOs Harry Potter reboot released the first picture of Dominic McLaughlin in costume as Harry Potter as filming began on the highly anticipated series. The TV adaptation of the famous franchise, confirmed by HBO Max in 2023, aims to be a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer JK Rowling. Filming for the retelling of the novels has started in Warner Bros Studios Leavesden, Hertfordshire. HBO CEO Casey Bloys said the show was set to debut in 2027. The series is expected to run for a decade, with each season based on one of the seven Rowling books. The books follow the story of 11-year-old Harry Potter as he learns of his acceptance to Hogwarts, the school of witchcraft and wizardry, and his attempts to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort. In May last year, HBO announced that after nearly 30,000 auditions for the three lead roles, Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout had been cast as Harry, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. open image in gallery HBOs Harry Potter reboot releases first picture of Dominic McLaughlin in costume as Harry Potter ( Aidan Monaghan/HB0 ) The three leads were first played by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, respectively, in the film adaptations which ran from 2001 to 2011. Last month, Rowling, 59, delivered her early verdict on the series in a post on X. I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD! the author said. In response, a user asked the author: So you are not doing the writing for this show? No, but Ive worked closely with the extremely talented writers, clarified Rowling. Casting for most of the leading characters has been announced in the last few months. Paapa Essiedu is playing potions professor Severus Snape, Janet McTeer is acting as deputy Hogwarts headmistress and Gryffindor House head Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. The actors have faced criticism from some fans calling for a boycott of the series due to Rowlings views on transgender people which many consider transphobic. John Lithgow, who is playing Dumbledore, shared that a friend had sent him an article entitled, An open letter to John Lithgow: Please walk away from Harry Potter. open image in gallery JK Rowling delivered her early verdict on the series last month ( Getty ) Frost, known for Shaun of the Dead, said in an interview that his opinions dont align in any way, shape or form with those of the franchise creator. Bloys previously addressed the subject and how it would impact the TV series. The decision to be in business with JK Rowling is not new for us. Weve been in business for 25 years. We already have a show on HBO from her called CB Strike that we do with the BBC, the HBO CEO said during an appearance on The Town with Matthew Belloni podcast, referring to the British crime drama TV programme based on the Cormoran Strike book series. Its pretty clear that those are her personal, political views. Shes entitled to them, he said. Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. If you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter. Bloys added: Our priority is whats on the screen. Obviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. Thats our priority whats on screen. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Jeremy Clarkson has criticised the fun police after his high-budget beer advert was banned from both TV and radio for being not compliant. The Grand Tour star, 65, is the face of Hawkstone Lager, which is made using barley grown at his Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire. For the brands first official advert, Clarkson recruited a group of 34 farmers to sing a rendition of Flower Duet from the tragic opera Lakme, with pints of Hawkstone in their hands. Instead of singing the traditional French lyrics penned by Leo Delibes, the vocalists belt out: F*** me, its good, to the songs tune. As the performance concludes, Clarkson looks down the lens of the camera and reiterates to viewers: Hawkston, its f***ing good. Clarkson shared the advert to Instagram, writing: Our first ever proper Hawkstone commercial and for some extraordinary reason its been banned. Speaking to The Sun, the former Top Gear star characterised the advertising watchdog as fun police in beige offices who have decided that the public cant be trusted to watch it. Jeremy Clarkson has had an advert for his Hawkstone beer banned ( Prime Video ) Clarksons followers on Instagram were quick to celebrate the Hawkstone ad, with one person writing: Sometimes his genius is almost frightening. The Independent has contacted the ASA for comment. It comes after Clarkson previously said that selling Hawkstone beer at his new 1m pub in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire, was the only thing saving him from financial ruin. If youve got a pub and if you want to see if this strategy works for you as well, get in touch with us at our website, and if we like the sound of your pub, if it is the kind of place we want to be in, well send you a free keg, he told his followers on social media. Eighty-eight pints of Hawkstone lager or cider for nothing. Last April, The Cotswold Brewing Company were forced to recall Hawkstone Black and Hawkstone Spa Lager due to gluten from wheat in the product that was not listed on the label. The Food Standards Agency said at the time the move caused the product to be a health risk to anyone with an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten, or coeliac disease. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Controversy around MasterChef has deepened after it emerged that a complaint about the use of racially inappropriate language had been upheld against host John Torode. The TV presenter said he had no recollection of the incident and was shocked and saddened by the allegation, in a statement on Instagram on Monday (14 July). It comes after the outcome of an investigation into Gregg Wallace was released, confirming that 45 allegations against the host had been upheld, including one of unwelcome physical contact. Of the 83 claims made against Wallace, several instances of inappropriate sexual language and humour were substantiated. The investigations overview said that a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also upheld. However, the relationship between Torode and Wallace, who have both presented the revamped cooking programme since 2005, has always been slightly more complicated. March 2013 - Torode tells The Independent he had doubts about Wallace when they met In 2005 I was asked to go to an interview about some cooking show and Karen Ross, the boss at Shine, the production company involved, said: 'I'd love you to do it, but I need to audition people to partner you with.' I had everyone from AA Gill to Oliver Peyton, he explained. "One day she asked, 'Do you know a guy called Gregg Wallace?' I had misgivings, as Gregg was big, brash and loud. Actually, nothing has changed, except no one expected the success the show has had. He added: "We used to argue about stuff, as we're both so opinionated. In the first series it was over Thomasina Miers who went on to win that series." open image in gallery Torode and Wallace appear to have a complex relationship ( PA ) 2016 - Torode is best man at Wallaces wedding When Wallace married Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2016, he picked Torode as his best man for the occasion, despite Torodes apparent attempts to distance himself. 2017 - Never been friends statement The host caused a stir when he told The Mirror that he had never been friends with Wallace. Its funny, weve never been friends. Weve not been to each others houses. If we go away to somewhere like South Africa, we do things separately. If we do go out for a drink, Ill invariably be at one end of a big old table and hell be at the other. Wallace later told Lorraine: I film with John six or seven months of the year, so we are very close to each other physically, and emotionally we are very close to each other. Whats great about having a partnership is that if one of you is a bit off, a bit down, the other one naturally steps up, so I rely on John a lot. open image in gallery John Torode has said he will continue to be part of MasterChef (PA) ( PA Media ) June 2023 - Torode admits they have an unconventional friendship "He's a friend, don't get me wrong, but I don't go to the pub with him, we've both not been to each other's houses... we just don't do it, he told the Desert Island Dishes podcast. He added the pair have great respect for each other. December 2024 Host releases statement following Wallace scandal Relations between Wallace and the BBC turned sour after allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour emerged last year. At the time, Torode released a statement saying that the accusations had been truly upsetting. open image in gallery Torode has previously said the pair have never been friends ( PA Archive ) The thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear, he wrote in a post on Instagram. Since last Friday I have been away filming MasterChef overseas. I love my job, and I love MasterChef. I love being part of it and will continue to be part of it. During the last few days, Ive been trying to make the best cookery programme, so being busy making the show and caring for our contestants has allowed me little time to think about anything else, but that has been hard. But as I hope everyone appreciates there is an investigation under way, which I fully support, so I cannot make any further comment at this stage and I hope that you all understand and respect my silence on the matter moving forward. open image in gallery ( Yui Mok/PA Wire ) July 2025 Torode responds to allegations of racial language In response to accusations of racist language, Torode wrote: Following publication of the Executive Summary of the investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld. For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards. I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. However, I want to be clear that Ive always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. Im shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice ITVs latest reality show Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters has premiered and viewers are perplexed by what they have seen. In it, a group of seven British stars including Lenny Henry, Amandalands Lucy Punch, comedian Ross Noble and Call the Midwife stalwart Helen George are dispatched to the Bahamas, embarking on a trip to the island of Bimini. While theyre staying at the exotic location, they must swim with sharks and eventually learn to love (or, at least, express some mild affection towards) one of the most feared and persecuted animals on the planet. However, despite the bold premise, the show mostly failed to win over audiences, with some branding it pointless and unwatchable. open image in gallery ( ITV ) This must be the worst piece of telly have ITV have ever made, and THAT is saying something, said one disgruntled viewer. Another unsatisfied person, complaining about Helen Georges behaviour, wrote: This is pretty much unwatchable because there's one celebrity on there who wants the entire programme to be about 'me me me'. A third person joked: Why are they putting the poor sharks through the trauma of these celebrities? Some, however, were slightly more receptive to the show. One person remarked: Its not a schlocky competition-type show and Im not really sure why its happening. So far, not particularly fun or interesting I want it to ramp up a gear. Others were worried about the celebrities wellbeing after Ross Noble was bitten by a lemon shark towards the end of the episode, which caused the instructors to tell everyone to leave the sea for safety. This celebrity shark thing shouldn't be shown its far too dangerous one of them have already been bit! @ITV stop showing this now! complained another viewer. open image in gallery Comedian Lenny Henry attempts to come up with one-liners while immersed underwater and experiencing mild peril in the Bahamas ( ITV ) In a three-star review for The Independent, Katie Rosseinsky said that the show was unexpectedly moving, adding: You start to feel strangely proud of George when she manages a few minutes in the underwater cage, having only a few hours earlier held her head under water for the first time in years. You shrug off the inherent ridiculousness of watching a bunch of people you vaguely recognisable from the telly squeal when they realise theyre in close proximity to a barracuda, or hearing the narrator say that a shark has decided to have an exploratory bite of Noble. And you start rooting for them in this silly but somehow uplifting quest to challenge themselves and do some good PR for a much-maligned creature in the process. In a statement given to The Independent, ITV said: All activities were supervised by trained professional safety divers intimately familiar with the location. There was a 1:1 ratio of safety divers for every shark encounter to ensure the safety of the celebrities and crew in and around the water. And we worked closely with respected scientists, such as Dr Tristan Guttridge, for whom the welfare of the sharks is paramount. SHARK! Celebrity Infested Waters is shown on Mondays at 9 pm on ITV1 and is also available to stream on ITVX. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Starbucks secret menu is not so much of a secret anymore. For years, many beloved customers have used different elements of Starbucks drinks, including syrups, cold foams, and refreshers, to create their own beverages. Those creations have been dubbed secret menu items, since you have to specify the modifications to your drink in store or on the Starbucks app. However, Starbucks is now officially taking part in the secret menu trend. The coffee company announced in a press release Monday that customers can find the brands secret menu on their phones, specifically when they open the Starbucks app. The secret menu is found in the offers tab, with new drink combinations and customizations regularly featured. Once you select the drink, it will be automatically added to your cart in the app. Inspired by the popular Starbucks Not-So-Secret Menu broadcast channel on Instagram, the Starbucks secret menu in the app allows Starbucks Rewards members to easily order the featured, popular drink customizations at participating stores, the company said in the press release. Starbucks Secret Menu is now available on the app ( Getty Images ) There are four drinks currently on the secret menu, including Cookies on top, which is a Cold Brew with two pumps of vanilla syrup, Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam, and cookie crumble topping. The next drink is a Dragonfruit glow-up, which adds a peach juice blend to the brands Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher. The beverage is blended and topped with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam. A third beverage is Lemon, tea & pearls, which adds Starbucks raspberry popping pearls to black tea and lemonade. The fourth one is called Just add white mocha, featuring White Chocolate Mocha Sauce and Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam added to Starbucks Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. In addition to publicizing the secret menu, Starbucks is hosting a contest. From July 14 until July 20, customers and employees can submit their favorite customizations to beverages to the Secret Contest page. Entries will be narrowed down to four finalists, with fans able to cast votes for their favorite between August 18 and 20 on the official Starbucks Instagram. Each of the four finalists will have their drinks on the secret menu from August 18 to 25. They will also each receive a $5,000 prize, with the winner of the contest receiving an additional $25,000 prize. The changes to the secret menu come as Starbucks has launched several new summer items. This month, the company introduced new Frappuccinos, including Salted Caramel Mocha, Strawberry Matcha, and Brown Sugar, which all come layered with cold foam. The brand also recently launched the Iced Horchata Oat Milk Shaken Espresso, inspired by the beloved Latin American drink, as well as a Summer Berry Refresher, a mix of raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry flavors poured over raspberry-flavored pearls. Aside from its menu, Starbucks is making changes to how it operates in stores down the line. In June, the chain unveiled plans to lure customers back inside its stores, with renovations scheduled at 1,000 stores in the next year. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Alabama pastor is facing multiple charges after police say he left a young child alone in a car while he drank at a bar. John Frank Gibson, an associate pastor at First Baptist Church of Dothan, was arrested early Sunday and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, according to Dothan police. Lt. Scott Owens with the Dothan Police Department told WDHN that officers were called around 2 a.m. to a bar in the 2800 block of Ross Clark Circle in Dothan after witnesses reported seeing a man leaving the young child alone in the SUV, strapped into a car seat, and then proceed to drink inside the bar. By the time officers arrived, Gibson had already left the bar and had reportedly driven across the parking lot to a nearby 24-hour restaurant, again leaving the child alone in the car while he went inside to eat, police said. open image in gallery John Frank Gibson was the associate pastor at First Baptist Church of Dothan until he resigned after his arrest ( Dothan Police Department ) Officers found the child in the SUV and took Gibson into custody inside the restaurant. The child was evaluated by first responders and appeared to be unharmed, authorities said. The Alabama Department of Human Resources took the child into protective custody until family members could arrive. Police have not said how long the child was left unattended, but Lt. Owens emphasized that a child of that age should never be left alone in a vehicle. First Baptist Church of Dothan confirmed Gibson has since resigned from his position as Associate Minister of Families. In a statement, church leaders said the incident occurred during Gibsons personal time and did not involve any children from the churchs ministry. We are in prayer for all involved and are grateful for the law enforcement personnel who help keep our community safe every day, the statement read. First Baptist Church of Dothan takes very seriously our responsibility as followers of Christ to obey the law and promote safety. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Ohio mom was stabbed to death in front of her five young children and police have arrested a man she had a brief romantic relationship with in connection with her murder. Sharmaine Magan Forpahl, 32, died after she was stabbed multiple times in front of her children, who are between the ages of 7 and 15, KXII reported. Cleveland police found Forpahls body just steps from her front door in Clevelands Old Brooklyn neighborhood last Thursday and arrested and charged Charles F. Barkley with her murder over the weekend. Barkley, 44, had a brief romantic relationship with Forpahl, according to the report. It was not immediately clear if he was the father of any of her children. The young moms best friend, Ciara Drake, said she was on the phone with her mere minutes before the deadly attack. Sharmaine Magan Forpahl, 32, was fatally stabbed in front of her five children at her Ohio home last Thursday ( GoFundMe ) I was in disbelief because I had just gotten off the phone with Sharmaine and her son, so I couldnt really believe what I was hearing, she said. Forpahl was remembered by Drake and her younger sister, Sky Harmon, for showering everyone around her with love. All five of Forpahls children were home at the time of her brutal stabbing, including her youngest, a 7-year-old boy who is now without his mother and father, according to the report. He doesnt fully understand that his mom is gone yet, and its just so sad they have to go through that at a young age, Harmon said. Now, Forpahls loved ones say they are determined to keep her memory alive for her children, who are 15, 12, 11, 9 and 7, according to a GoFundMe. Im worried about making sure her memory stays alive for her younger children, Drake said. Because when you lose someone that young, eventually memories start to fade. Forpahl was described as a devoted single mother to her five children, according to a GoFundMe set up to cover funeral expenses and provide financial support to her kids. She recently moved into a peaceful single-family home in a quiet neighborhood, where she enjoyed spending quality time with her children and creating a loving, safe environment for them, the fundraiser read. This year alone, Cleveland police have investigated 48 homicides, a 29 percent decrease from the 68 recorded during the same time frame last year, according to Cleveland.com. It looked like a perfect mess; noodles and limbs appearing in something approximating a person, but more like a chaotic and uninspiring Vincent Van Gogh painting. The Fresh Prince himself, Will Smith, was somewhat recognisable, but only through his trademark Nineties high-top fade and more modern-era goatee. The clip did not look like a real person. It was not Will Smith eating spaghetti, not really. What it was, however, was a short clip, portraying the pinnacle of publicly available generative AI software in 2023, made on Modelscopes Text2Video generator and posted on Reddit. Most people had a laugh at it, some wondered if this could be the next tech marvel to pry into the mainstream. The metaverse was being largely vacated, and NFTs were becoming practically worthless. Fast forward to today, and in an AI-generated video made using Googles new VEO3 programme, Will Smith eats spaghetti again. The noodles sound a bit too crunchy, but there is no denying that the clip is shockingly realistic. The video is a good representation of the brisk pace of generative AIs refinement. Text production, video, image and audio generation, and deepfake technology have all improved at lightning speed, to the delight of tech companies, their shareholders and malicious actors. Its use in political misinformation is now commonplace, but its impact is disputed. Though there is a more pernicious misinformation being deployed. In short, if it can make Smith eat spaghetti, can it not make you, or your boss, or your family eat it too? Live deepfakes in just one click Since late 2018, Sensity has been watching and countering the rise of the deepfake and its implementation in scams and fraud, both by state actors and lone cybercriminals. In a report, Sensity found 2,298 tools available for AI face swapping, lip-syncing or facial re-enactment. Many of these are open source, allowing creators to harness sophisticated tools with unprecedented ease. My suggestion was to ask them to put a hand in front of their face. That would break the deepfake. But now there are models where you can touch your face, even shine a light on it, and the model doesnt break, Francesco Cavalli, co-founder and chief operating officer of Sensity, tells me. A programme posted on tech developer platform GitHub is one of many that have risen to prominence in the last year off the back of viral videos of users turning their faces into those of Robert Downey Jr or Mark Zuckerberg with surprising realism. The programme advertises live deepfakes in just three clicks and prompts potential users to make fun videos or surprise people on live chat. open image in gallery If you will it: the latest generated video of Will Smith eating spaghetti shows just how far AI technology has come ( X ) Its not hard to find out where else this technology is being put to more malicious use. Last year, a finance worker was duped into paying $25m during a video conference call. He was invited in and, to his knowledge, was met with the faces and voices of his co-workers. They were all deepfakes. Stories like this have had an impact. A 2024 report by the Alan Turing Institute showed that, though people were aware of the problem, with 90 per cent of people concerned about the issue, most respondents were not confident in their ability to detect deepfakes. In terms of doability, Cavalli tells me that most deepfake programmes available online need only one picture to create a semi-believable facial model. No doubt you have a social media profile with a wealth of such content, and your photos have probably already been used to train Metas AI. Sensity aids companies against this type of situation, scanning the faces and voices of video call members every few seconds to detect any anomalies. Cavalli is confident it has the rise and refinement of deepfakes covered; it will be challenging. As for humans hoping to identify fakes? Pretty much impossible. Audio fakes are where its at As visiting professor at the Centre for Regulation of the Creative Economy (CREATe) at Glasgow University and director of Pangloss Consulting, Lilian Edwards isnt as sold on deepfake and generated videos potential for personal misinformation as other AI tech. Audio fakes are where its at, she says. After all, there are more chances of a scam being identified as fake if it is a video. Audio is where things can get pretty personal. The spate of text message scams involving impersonations of relatives has taken on a whole new dimension. Last month, Santander warned that Hi Mum scammers fraudulent messages from a close relative in an emergency situation asking for money or personal details were implementing voice recognition technology to further lure victims. open image in gallery It Musk be real: a viral video showing a particularly effective real-time deepfake programme ( Instagram ) A Manitoba woman received a call from what she thought was her son, asking if he could make an admission to her. She was confused and (rightfully) hung up and rang her son, waking him. He hadnt called her. It was definitely my sons voice, the woman told CBC News. And this week it was revealed a new AI voice-cloning tool from a British firm claims to be able to reproduce a range of UK accents more accurately than some of its US and Chinese rivals. The company Synthesia spent a year recording people in studios and gathering online material to compile a database of UK voices with regional accents These were then used to train a product called Express-Voice, which can clone a real person's voice or generate a synthetic voice with the view to use it in the context of training videos, sales support and presentations, but you can see how, in the wrong hands, similar technology could pose some serious problems. Much like the deepfake, if there is audio of you available, a believable audio fake can probably be made. And this isnt just for podcasters or lecturers. Leading vocal AI company ElevenLabs boasts it can make voices indistinguishable from the real thing with only minutes of audio. This is what led the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) to suggest using code words to properly identify yourself to co-workers and family. But Edwards is quick to centre the current focus on AIs use in producing illicit adult material. Id say 90 or 95 per cent of deepfake videos are non-consensual videos of a sexual nature. Its a heavily gendered problem. In these corners of the internet, women on sites like OnlyFans are already having their identity stolen and their likeness used in deepfake video content, similar videos of celebrities are sold, as well as images of child sexual abuse. But its spilling into the mainstream, too. Nudify apps where an AI programme takes a picture and approximates a non-consensual nude image are also gaining traction. These images are turning up on social media as well, with platforms struggling to quell the tide. The people behind these exploitative apps constantly evolve their tactics to evade detection, a Meta rep told CBS News. Thankfully, on these points, Edwards has good news. The UK is something of a leader in legislating in this space. Weve already had a long series of legislative amendments to basically ensure that making a deepfake, image or video, is illegal as well as sharing a real or fake image. open image in gallery A recent video of an emotional support kangaroo at an airport fooled many people online ( Instagram ) Its relieving to hear, but what about those areas of our society that are not prepared to determine what is real and what is not? Think of traffic and parking disputes. Whats stopping someone from producing a believable image where their car isnt on a yellow line? Or someone mocking up dashcam footage that shows that you were in the wrong? Money, reputations and liberty could be at stake in such situations. Whether or not these sorts of tricks would work is another question. However, its reasonable to assume that these courts and companies are not currently prepared for this kind of thing, and such personal misinformation could clog up an already crowded system. Insurance companies are already overwhelmed with fake claims, so they must be thinking about it, she says. How AI is turning against us Malicious actors are a part of life in a world galvanised by the confluence of the real and the virtual. But, perhaps the most malicious result of progress in generative AI is the misinformation we are willing to inflict on ourselves. And this can be the most personal as well, shared only between you, your phone and your algorithm. Sandra Wachter, professor of technology and regulation at the University of Oxford, has followed the development of what is known as hallucinations within chatbots like the popular ChatGPT. This is demonstrably wrong information, without an explicit intent to harm or misinform. We know that salespeople may try to cajole us into buying something. But with ChatGPT, I assume no one is trying to trick me, and no one is trying to. But thats the problem, she says. There are no active volcanoes in England, but that didnt stop ChatGPT from naming Mount Snowdon when Sandra and her team asked. The system is not designed to tell you the truth. The system is designed, as usual, to keep you as engaged as long as possible, she says. These chatbots are being refined constantly, but its likely that this tendency for engagement over truth is being refined along with them. open image in gallery Chatbots like ChatGPT are known to hallucinate ( AFP/Getty ) Reports have been trickling in over the last year of conversations with ChatGPT leading to divorces and even suicides. Yet there is potential for more widespread misinformation beneath the surface level of these shocking stories. An astounding number of people have already integrated it into their workflows and even as a companion for their general life OpenAIs COO Brad Lightcap counts 400 million active weekly users, and it is aiming for a billion by years end. All these people are interacting with a programme that many use as a substitute for a search engine, but one with the tendency to mislead. The same goes for AI-generated video or image content pumped into our vertical feeds. A video recently went viral of an emotional support kangaroo being refused entry onto an aeroplane. A ridiculous but harmless video. Many were still quick to believe it, saying it was the first time theyd been tricked. It may be the videos harmlessness that helped it slip under peoples radar. We see all sorts of horrific and absurd things when we scroll on our phones, so why not? It is what Edwards has referred to for some time as unreality, a hallucinatory virtual world asserting its new subjective reality. After all, social medias algorithms have been pressing our buttons to keep us engaged for some time. But there is now potential for an endless stream of rage-inducing AI content too: deepfaked people espousing controversial opinions or fake interviews with nameless females on the street, designed to cause misogynistic or racist anger, with the odd airport wallaby to speed up your journey to unreality. If youre watching it, ingesting it, does it really matter if its real? It is clear, in an age of personal misinformation, that a whole new layering of legal and technological defences is needed. However, perhaps what is even more important is the need for psychological defences if we are to remember that not everything we are looking at is as real as it may seem. And if we get scammed? Well, were only human after all... Have you been tricked by AI? Let us know in the comments below Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Mark Zuckerberg has revealed Meta Platforms is set to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into constructing vast AI data centers , aiming to achieve superintelligence. The move intensifies the social media giant's pursuit of advanced AI, a field where it has engaged in a fierce talent war for top engineers. Meta is among several major tech firms recently striking high-profile deals and offering multi-million-dollar pay packages to accelerate the development of machines capable of outperforming humans in various tasks. Details shared by Mr Zuckerberg on his Threads social media platform indicate the first multi-gigawatt data centre, dubbed Prometheus, is anticipated to be operational by 2026. Another facility, named Hyperion, is designed to scale up to 5 gigawatts in the coming years. The billionaire CEO stated: "We're building multiple more titan clusters as well. Just one of these covers a significant part of the footprint of Manhattan." He also highlighted a report from industry publication SemiAnalysis, suggesting Meta is on course to be the first AI laboratory to bring a gigawatt-plus supercluster online. Zuckerberg touted the strength in the company's core advertising business to justify the massive spending amid investor concerns on whether the expenditure would pay off. Zuckerberg highlighted a report suggesting Meta is on course to be the first AI laboratory to bring a gigawatt-plus supercluster online. ( REUTERS ) "We have the capital from our business to do this," he said. Meta shares were trading 1% higher. The stock has risen more than 20% so far this year. The company, which generated nearly $165 billion in revenue last year, reorganised its AI efforts last month under a division called Superintelligence Labs after setbacks for its open-source Llama 4 model and key staff departures. It is betting that the division would generate new cash flows from the Meta AI app, image-to-video ad tools and smart glasses. Top members of the unit have considered abandoning Behemoth, the company's most powerful open-source AI model, in favour of developing a closed alternative, the New York Times reported separately on Monday. D.A. Davidson analyst Gil Luria said Meta was investing aggressively in AI as the technology has already boosted its ad business by allowing it to sell more ads and at higher prices. "But at this scale, the investment is more oriented to the long-term competition to have the leading AI model, which could take time to materialise," Luria said. In recent weeks, Zuckerberg has personally led an aggressive talent raid for the Meta Superintelligence Labs, which will be led by former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang and ex-GitHub chief Nat Friedman, after Meta invested $14.3 billion in Scale. Meta had raised its 2025 capital expenditure to between $64 billion and $72 billion in April, aiming to bolster the company's position against rivals OpenAI and Google. Educational exposure of ideas, assumptions or hypotheses, based on proven facts" (which need not be strictly current affairs) Value in judgments are excluded, and the text comes close to an opinion article, without judging or making forecasts , just formulating hypotheses, giving motivated explanations and bringing together a variety of data Two decades ago, the terrible jihadist attack at Madrids Atocha train station did not trigger any widespread reprisals against the Muslim community living in Spain, in what amounted to a demonstration of remarkable social maturity. It was a different Spain. It was a different world. Today, the sociopolitical fabric of much of the West is an immense, highly flammable terrain. One in which a skillfully manipulated real incident, or even simply a well-spread lie coupled with irresponsible political rhetoric, would be enough to ignite major fires. The Torre Pacheco incident is part of a larger scheme inherent to this new world, this new Spain. Lets connect some dots to see it in its full scope. Last June, serious racist incidents occurred in Northern Ireland following a sexual assault allegedly committed against a girl by two minors who showed up in court with Romanian translation services. Across the border in the Republic of Ireland, significant xenophobic riots have erupted since 2023 for various reasons, including the conversion of a former industrial plant into a shelter. Also in June, Hichem Miraoui, a Tunisian national, was shot dead in southern France. The French Anti-Terrorism Prosecutors Office has taken over the investigation of the murder as a racist crime linked to the far right, the first time it has done so since its creation in 2019. The man arrested as the alleged murderer had left an unmistakable racist and Islamophobic trail on social media. In Italy, a week ago, the police reported investigations into a gang organizing punitive expeditions against migrants. The gang is called Article 52, a reference to the section of the Constitution that includes the idea that the defense of the homeland is the sacred duty of the citizen. In May, German police arrested five right-wing extremists planning attacks against migrants. In the United Kingdom, last summer, there were large-scale xenophobic riots. The list could go on, but it isnt necessary. The symptoms are obvious. Whats the cause? These are the most brutal flare-ups of a reactionary phenomenon incubated in a breeding ground of material and cultural malaise. These have been skillfully explored, understood, and irresponsibly fueled by far-right forces. It is important to analyze the connection between the material and the cultural factors. Discontent over situations of economic decline or precariousness paves the way for a cultural crusade. The excesses of capitalism that led to the 2008 crisis, the negative consequences of globalization, in terms of job relocation, or of technological revolutions, the difficulty of accessing housing in a globalized world... all of this has contributed to generating discontent among the working classes who, as Christopher Lasch warned in the 1990s, were witnessing an outrageous disconnection from the upper classes. At the same time, the view of migrants as rivals became increasingly entrenched. Of course, there are wealthy people who vote for the far right. But it is especially on this popular indignation that the cathedral of the cultural and identity war has been built. The indiscriminate and violent backlash against immigrants stems primarily from this. Another variant of the backlash is one that views with suspicion, or even weariness even to the point of violence the legitimate and necessary progress of women toward equality. That longing for another world a white, sexist world where the head of the family had a stable job, perhaps in a factory, which allowed him to buy a home and more or less support his wife and kids, while the children had the prospect of a better life is an important part of the issue. The far right with its increasingly incendiary rhetoric, whether accusing immigrants of eating pets or advocating for the mass and indiscriminate expulsion of invaders supposedly wiping out an entire culture bears primary and grave political responsibility for the outbreak of these fires. The legal issue is for the judges to resolve, but the political issue is crystal clear. This does not mean that progressive forces political, cultural, in the media are exempt from blame. In some cases, they substantially ignored the real problems generated by intense migration processes. The rightful desire to avoid stigmatizing people sometimes led to a misguided instinct: to avoid focusing on certain things, a sort of implicit denial of real problems. And this opened the door to the far right. In other, more recent cases, the problem lies with an opposite attitude: a hypercorrection that has led to policies that resemble those of the far right and, in some ways, seem to consolidate a xenophobic mood. Of course, each country has its own circumstances. In Germany and France, the rise of the far right is primarily due to the massive presence of migrants from distant cultures, who do, at times, pose integration problems. In Italy, with a prolonged failure of the political and economic system that has caused persistent stagnation, a widespread sense of regression and pessimism: an every man for himself situation. In Spain, the issue has much to do with the territorial question. Unscrupulous Catalan separatist nationalism fostered the rise of a brutal Spanish nationalism, one that initially clung to the banner of territorial integrity and now advances ruthlessly racist rhetoric. But the common denominators are extremely strong. The far right is nationalist; and nationalism always hides, behind a cultural cloak, a material interest. In the two decades since the Atocha attacks, the world has become increasingly tense. It wasnt an easy time: we were facing ruthless jihadist terrorism and an abusive war on terror from the U.S. and its allies. But then came the 2008 crisis, the 2015 wave of Syrian refugees, and amid this mix of material and cultural discontent, nationalist-populist projects began to flourish. Now they are unleashed. They are fueling fires everywhere. In Spain too. And they have a monstrous quality. Individuals who commit crimes are criminals. But ideologies with the potential to burn down peaceful coexistence are monstrous. Everything indicates that they will continue to spread. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Americas war of protectionism comes to Mexico every day, under different names: steel, migrants, fentanyl, or tomatoes. This time its the producers of the precious red fruit who are affected. President Donald Trump is resorting to an old controversy about unfair competition between farmers on both sides of the border to impose another 17.09% tariff on Mexican tomato exports, which are not insignificant at $2.8 billion a year. This is not about punishing Mexico for not combating drug trafficking, as he has been claiming, or for allowing migrants to cross the border. This is a dispute from 1996, when American farmers complained that they couldnt compete with the price of Mexican tomatoes entering their territory, but which was resolved for decades with agreements, the most recent in 2019. But the days of normalized trade relations are over. Trump seeks to protect his countrys productive sectors and has chosen tariffs to do so, with everyone, not just with Mexico, as President Claudia Sheinbaum likes to repeat. True. The difference is that with Mexico, the U.S. maintained trade relations that were enshrined in a trade agreement designed to make North America a competitive region able to compete with other economies that are gaining ground, China first and foremost. That agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico is losing steam every day, at least as a negotiating framework. Mexico is now lumped in with the rest of the countries affected by Trumps policies. In light of this constant barrage of fulfilled threats, the cool-headed strategy that began yielding results for Sheinbaum is now proving insufficient to stem the commercial attacks falling on Sinaloa, a major producer of everything, including tomatoes. In addition to the open war between cartels, which robs the population of peace and a minimal quality of life, this storm cloud is now hanging over its fields. International experts have been warning of a certain stagnation in the bilateral negotiations that is preventing progress and leading to a new surprise every day. They believe that Mexico should change its bilateral relations, refocus its strategy, and try to bring the talks within the framework of the trade agreement. To achieve this, some experts consulted by this newspaper believe, it is necessary to modify the diplomatic cadres, starting with the ambassador and continuing with the consulates, so that meetings are established at different levels of governance, including governors, local congresses, and productive sectors that will identify the best way to reconcile interests on both sides of the border. The strategy, however, remains reactive, meaning the United States speaks out and Mexico takes the hit: sometimes it manages to slow its force, but not much more. Its an unfair decision, said Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, who in a statement said that they were notified this Monday and that in the negotiations between U.S. and Mexican producers, various proposals have been made to try to reach a good agreement, but they have been discarded for political reasons. Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Economy. Mario Guzman (EFE) As on other occasions, the secretary has come out on the defensive, denying the previous accusations of unfair competition and asserting that the ground gained by Mexican tomatoes is due to the quality of the product and not to any unfair practices. Also following the usual response pattern, his department said that American consumers will be the most intensely affected by any potential price increase, since two out of every three tomatoes they consume are produced abroad. And that abroad is Mexico. Mexican producers warn the United States that it will be unable to replace the tomato production demanded by its population in the short or medium term. The Economy department says it is seeking a possible new agreement or new international markets for its exports, as well as exploring tomato processing to gain added value, rather than dedicating the majority of its production to fresh produce exports. Mexico will know how to find the solution, and reason will prevail. The response of producers and the government follows the logic of unity imposed by the external enemy. This is a resilient sector that has overcome the trade battles that have sought to limit its development over time, so we will continue striving to put the highest-quality tomatoes on the tables of American families despite the obstacle of the tariff, which will inevitably impact consumers pockets. Producers are grateful for President Sheinbaums commitment and support and are prepared to ride out the storm, which perhaps, who knows, will end in an agreement. This has been the case since this issue first cropped up in 1996, with every outburst of complaints from Americans about the tomato industry ending in an armistice. But the same old logic is no longer the same. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition An aerial light show mishap in which more than 400 drones plunged into the Yarra in inner Melbourne was caused by wind conditions overwhelming the technology and the pilots ability to respond, the nations air transport authority has said. The July 2023 light show operated by Australian Traffic Network was planned to coincide with the Matildas warm-up game with Frances national womens soccer team at Marvel Stadium. The Australian Transport Safety Bureaus investigation concluded that drones in the swarm of 500 Damoda Newton V2.2s were pushed out of position by winds that exceeded the standards set for the units. Soon after launching the swarm, the pilot identified both visually and from errors displayed on their ground control station computer that many drones were out of position. For many years, youve been pushing the benefit of compounding, but to be frank, I cant see the point. I gather you mean letting interest on a bank deposit accrue. Given that the return may be reduced by nearly 50 per cent in tax, I think there must be better strategies. Have I missed something? For many years, Ive been talking about the miracle of compounding, and the essence of it is that you leave the earnings on an investment attached to it and do not withdraw them and spend them. Theres a lot to love about the compounding effect of investing in shares. Credit: Simon Letch You can certainly do this with any sort of interest-bearing deposit, but as you point out, you are only investing in cash, which I regard as one of the riskiest investments because theres no tax benefits (like franking credits) attached to the income, and the value is destroyed by inflation. You cant really do it with property because you cannot plough the rental income back into that property. All you can do is hope that the property value will grow as time passes. A court ruling in a landmark climate case has drawn attention to a gap in Australian law, legal experts say. Uncle Pabai Pabai and Uncle Paul Kabai first brought the case against the Commonwealth government, fearing for the future of their homelands on the islands of Boigu and Saibai in the Torres Strait. Uncle Paul Kabai (left), Uncle Pabai Pabai and Aunty McRose Elu speak after unsuccessfully suing the government. Credit: Australian Climate Case Federal Court Justice Michael Wigney on Tuesday ruled the Commonwealth did not owe the Torres Strait Islanders a duty of care. Justice Wigney ruled negligence law does not allow compensation when it comes to government policy decisions, despite accepting many of the key factual elements of the uncles case, including the impact of climate change on their islands. That will remain the case unless and until the law in Australia changes, either by the incremental development or expansion of the common law by appellant courts or by the enactment of legislation, he said. Judi Storer, a casual academic at Flinders Universitys college of business, government and law said it is time for the law to change. This is a real gap in our law because it basically says our government can make terrible policy that hurts people, that harms people and the government doesnt actually owe any duty of care to those people, she said. As citizens of Australia we have no recourse against our government for making decisions that turn out to be negligent. In handing down his decision, Justice Wigney said he did not consider it open to him to rule otherwise, nor to recognise loss of culture as compensable in law for the first time. University of NSW Institute for Climate Risk and Resilience researcher Riona Moodley said courts in countries such as the Netherlands and Switzerland have recognised similar duties and Australian law will need to adapt, she said. AAP Probiotics and vitamin D were more likely than a placebo to reduce depressive symptoms, while most studies found no effects for Omega-3, according to lead author Rachael Frost, a senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University. However, St Johns Wort and saffron more often showed effects compared to placebo, and similar results to prescription antidepressants, Frost wrote in an accompanying editorial in Frontiers of Pharmacology. Frost, we should note, is a herbal medicine practitioner herself; the first of many caveats well cover on this study. Its not surprising St Johns Wort showed a strong effect. A Cochrane review, the gold-standard for scientific evidence, found the flower extract could treat symptoms of depression as effectively as antidepressants back in 2008. Ian Hickie, professor of psychiatry and co-director of health and policy at the University of Sydneys Brain and Mind Centre, said St Johns Wort is known to be pharmacologically similar to a weak SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant medication. It should be seen as a medicine and not simply a natural product, he says. St Johns Wort is a flowering plant which some studies have shown to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. Credit: iStock Hickie noted that many of the other natural interventions weighed up in the review were tested on subclinical depression, not the severe illness conventional antidepressants are aimed at, which is important to consider when interpreting the results. The review also didnt analyse the statistical power of each trials results, which most modern meta-analyses do, and instead simply collated the number of positive and negative experiments on each substance. That doesnt take us far, particularly because most of the trials included in the review had small sample sizes. So where does that leave us with the claim that saffron, alongside St Johns Wort, could be as potent as a prescription antidepressant? A narrow evidence base Eighteen studies on saffron were included in the review. Most found the substance improved peoples mood and alleviated depression at least as well as conventional medication. But, reading the studies one by one, something caught my eye: at least half were co-authored by the same researcher. Further, all but one of the studies emerged from a small group of research organisations in Iran. Thats not surprising; Iran produces 90 per cent of the worlds saffron, so naturally the countrys scientists would lead experiments on its therapeutic potential. What it does show, however, is that the experimental landscape for saffron is very concentrated. To be confident that a certain new drug or intervention works, ideally, you want labs across many countries running experiments with a range of settings and participants of different ethnicities. Its safe to say the evidence base, as it stands, is narrow. Saffron is made from the stigmas of crocus flowers. Credit: Bloomberg The one study referenced in the paper completed outside of Iran was an Australian one led by Dr Adrian Lopresti, which found saffron extract could help reduce depressive symptoms in people already taking a pharmaceutical antidepressant. Lopresti, whos the managing director of Clinical Trials Australia, also just published a new paper that marks the largest study to date on saffron and mood, with 202 participants. The trial found 72.3 per cent of participants with depressive symptoms (not clinical depression) taking saffron extract significantly improved compared to 54.3 per cent of people on a placebo. Scientists believe saffron could address chemical issues associated with depression, which include problems with neurotransmitters, high inflammatory blood markers, and low levels of antioxidants. Saffron is an anti-inflammatory, its an antioxidant, and it impacts on neurotransmitters too, so it probably works through those different mechanisms, Lopresti says. Fine print and industry funding But these Australian studies, too, come with a crucial caveat: they were funded by a biotech company that sells saffron supplements. I think what youve got to really do is not hedge your bets on just one single study, Lopresti says when I ask how people should interpret studies funded by industry. Has it been replicated across the world with different research organisations? Loading Jerome Sarris, professor of integrative mental health at the NICM medical research institute, said its important to note potential conflicts of interest. But they can be managed in placebo-controlled, double-blind studies where participants and experimenters dont know whos on the placebo as long as data is analysed independently of industry. Of course, read the fine print, look at the conflict of interest and weigh that up in your own mind. But I would also say universities are pretty good in terms of having safeguards around conflict of interest management, he says. People considering supplements for mood or mental illness should seek professional health advice. Herbs and other supplements can interact with other medications. St Johns Wort, for example, can lead to a potentially life-threatening increase in serotonin when combined with some antidepressants. About 800 more children will be tested for sexually transmitted infections after authorities revealed alleged Melbourne paedophile Joshua Dale Brown worked at four more childcare centres than was previously known. Detectives warned on Tuesday that even more children might have to undergo testing in the coming weeks, revealing that incorrect employment records had drastically complicated the investigation into the accused paedophiles alleged offending. Joshua Dale Brown worked at more than 20 childcare centres across Melbourne and Geelong. Authorities on Tuesday updated Browns employment history to include the four additional centres; Kids Academy Waratah Estate in Mickleham, and three Milestones Early Learning locations: Tarneit, Braybrook and Greensborough. Brown is now known to have worked at 23 childcare centres over the past eight years between January 2017 and May 2025. It was also revealed that Browns employment dates for 10 childcare centres previously listed were incorrect, and have since been updated. Police initially told the public that Brown had worked at Papilio Early Learning Hoppers Crossing for more than six months but have since determined he did not work there at all. Beijing: Australia will keep its vital trading relationship with China separate from its ties to the US, Anthony Albanese has declared, after he took his governments concern with how little notice it received of a live-firing exercise in the Tasman Sea in February to President Xi Jinping in a meeting on Tuesday. A flotilla of Chinese navy ships circumnavigated Australia in February and used live ammunition in a drill that forced flights between Sydney and New Zealand to divert at short notice in an incident that complied with international law but Canberra saw as provocative. Speaking to reporters on a day when security guards confronted Australian reporters, and photographers, including from this masthead, were denied entry to capture Albanese and Xi shaking hands, the Prime Minister said the trade relationships Australia had with China and the US were unrelated. Our relationship with China is very separate from that, Albanese said. China as our major trading partner, the destination for more than one in four of our export dollars comes here. The trade with the United States is important, but its less than 5 per cent. Anthony Albaneses plan to build 1.2 million homes, improve the nations transport system and lift Australians living standards will fail if the government cannot fix broken nature laws and arrest the decline of the environment, former Treasury boss Ken Henry warns. In a speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Henry will argue that despite pressure on fast-track important developments, the country also needs a resilient and rich natural environment. Without that, Australia will be just building a faster highway to hell. Former Treasury secretary Ken Henry says environmental law reform should be a priority for Australia. Credit: Janie Barrett Henry, who served as Treasury secretary under John Howard and Kevin Rudd, will argue there is no chance the government will reach its many key policy goals without fixing the broken project approval system in the federal Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act and also state environmental laws. If we cant achieve environmental law reform, then we should stop dreaming about more challenging options, he will tell the press club. Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities. While the definition itself has largely been viewed as uncontroversial, subsequent examples of antisemitism in public life published alongside the definition have been criticised as limiting freedom of speech. Among the 11 examples provided by IHRA are denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination ... by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour, drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis, and holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel. Where is the definition already used? In February, following recommendations from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, 39 universities represented by Universities Australia unanimously endorsed a definition of antisemitism that, while different, drew heavily from the IHRA definition. However, some universities have not yet adopted the definition. The Universities Australia definition states that criticism of Israel is not in and of itself antisemitic, but that criticism of Israel can be antisemitic when it is grounded in harmful tropes. Loading Almost every nation in Europe has adopted the definition, with the UK taking it on as a non-legally binding tool in 2016. They were followed by France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Switzerland. The United States has also adopted the definition in a similar capacity. What is the governments definition of antisemitism? Australia does not have a codified definition of antisemitism. However, in 2021, the Morrison government and Labor, under then-opposition leader Anthony Albanese, endorsed the definition. During a Zoom meeting hosted by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry in 2021, Albanese said the IHRA definition is one that we have reaffirmed. The Labor Party has [endorsed the definition] and that is our view. It is critical that there be leadership on those issues. Leadership against any form of racism, he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government was considering the recommendations in the special envoys report. Credit: Dylan Coker Defence industry minister Pat Conroy, speaking on ABCs Insiders on Sunday, reaffirmed the governments support for the definition. But the government has largely avoided questions about how it would apply the definition to examples. Conroy said he wouldnt get into conversations regarding whether it was racist to call for a one-state solution. A one-state solution would see the unification of Israel and Palestinian territories into a single nation. What form that would take is contested by various groups. Calls for a one-state solution could be seen to be antisemitic through an interpretation of the examples provided in the IHRA definition, which include denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination. Who supports and opposes the definition? Both the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry support Segals recommendations, with the co-CEO of the latter, Alex Ryvchin, saying the IHRA definition was a very useful guide. The definition recognises the fact that antisemitism comes in various forms, that historically its been directed to Jews as a people or a religious group, and that the same sort of conspiracies and stereotypes can now be redirected towards Israel, and the way that the Jewish people as a collective are spoken about, Ryvchin said. Ryvchin called framing of the definition as one that stifles free speech a nonsense, pointing to an example provided alongside the definition which says that criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. Alex Ryvchin, the Co-CEO of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry. Credit: James Brickwood Its protecting people who want to legitimately criticise a government, government policies, politicians, and it says that cannot be considered antisemitic, said Ryvchin. But it also recognises the fact that things are said, when it comes to Israel, that are said about no other country on Earth. He claimed pushback against the definitions adoption was part of a deliberate campaign to undermine the fight against antisemitism. The Jewish Council of Australia released a statement rejecting Segals plan, with specific reference to IHRAs definition, which it described as widely discredited and said has been used to silence legitimate criticism of Israel and Zionism. Amnesty International Australia released a statement last week calling the IHRA definition deeply flawed, while condemning recent attacks on the Jewish community. The human rights organisation said the definitions adoption would embolden governments to stifle growing opposition to Israels ongoing genocide in Gaza and that the broader plan could be weaponised to censor protest and dissent. Why are people concerned about the weaponisation of the definition? Kenneth Stern, the lead drafter of the definition, who has subsequently become a vocal critic of its formalised adoption, described the Australian governments perceived adoption of the definition as a disaster. When you make things a free-speech fight, thats a problem. What I started seeing, back around 2010 in the United States, is the definition was being weaponised to go after pro-Palestinian speech, Stern said on ABCs RN Breakfast on Monday morning. Loading When you start having official definitions of what is a particular type of hatred that leads to, you know, problems that are, in my country at least, the United States, reminiscent of McCarthyism. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said that Stern was probably right that any definition will be weaponised. But I think its also true that in the current climate, even if there were no definition, it would be weaponised in different ways. South Rim of Grand Canyon Is Not Impacted By Fire TUSAYAN, Ariz., July 14, 2025 -- Tusayan Mayor Clarinda Vail says Tusayan stands ready to assist the North Rim communities as they continue to deal with the devastation of the Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The fire has destroyed 50 to 80 structures including the Grand Canyon Lodge. The fire, which has burned more than 5,700 acres on the North Rim, does not impact the South Rim or its hotels or other services. "We want our North Rim neighbors to know that we stand ready to help and assist as needed. The devastation is heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to all impacted by the fire and all that love the North Rim. We pray for the safety of the firefighters still battling the flames. Due to some media confusion we want to remind visitors with plans to visit the South Rim they can do so safely and that we welcome those North Rim visitors forced to change their plans to come to the South Rim and Tusayan." The North Rim and the South Rim are ten miles apart, as the crow flies and 215 miles to drive, and separated by the chasm of the Canyon. Tusayan is the closest community to Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim where most Canyon tourism occurs. "The Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim was a part of Arizona history and its loss is an epic tragedy. We are hopeful that the North Rim will rebuild and those of us here on the South Rim/Tusayan are here to help while that happens," Vail added. Many displaced National Park Service staff are being housed at the South Rim's Albright Training Center while most Aramark Lodge staff were evacuated to Page. Contact: Clarinda Vail, Mayor of Tusayan [email protected] 928-637-8912 or Charlie Hendrix, Tusayan Town Manager [email protected] 928-637-4297 SOURCE Town of Tusayan Role of committees in State Assemblies should be expanded By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla : Various committees set up in State Assemblies play a vital role in shaping laws and policies in the present perspective. These committees are formed for different purposes and give significant findings in Parliament and State Legislative Assembly. Their recommendations must be implemented to run and strengthen proper working of house. It was opined by heads of seven State Assemblies in Bhopal during a high profile brainstorming session on Monday. Speaker of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Satish Mahana, Rajasthan Vasudev Devnani, Himachal Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Sikkim Mingma Norbu Sherpa, Odisha Surma Padhi and West Bengal Biman Banerjee took part in the meeting. The meet was hosted at the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. The Principal Secretaries of these Assemblies and some other senior officials were also attended the meeting. They review these laws, policies and programs on behalf of the Parliament and make them more useful to the public. In view of their significant role, these committees should be empowered. With a growing population and technology, committees and smaller groups discuss issues, innovations, and ensure the timely implementation of recommendations by state and central governments for effective governance. said Speaker, Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Narendra Singh Tomar while chairing the meeting of presiding officers of other state assemblies. He further added that Madhya Pradesh has 15 nominated committees, comprising the members of the ruling and opposition parties. Madhya Pradesh has four elected financial committees. While two more committees - one that looks after specifically the Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC), and the other one for Other Backward Class (OBC). These committees are responsible for conducting field visits, inspections and policy review. With every passing time, several incidents of indiscipline, disruption of proceedings and unparliamentarily conduct in the legislatures affecting their credibility in most of the states and even at parliament. To mitigate such disruptions and empower watch dogs, several steps were initiated at center. Among one such measure, a seven member committee was formed to oversee the working and existing committee system in several state legislatures. To review the committee system of State assemblies, a high meeting of a special committee was held in Bhopal at Madhya Pradesh Assembly. It is being suggested that committees should work in a spirit of collaboration and inclusivity, using the collective knowledge of all parties to engage in constructive discussion and be productive. The reports of the committees which have brought positive changes in the society should be highlighted. Findings of this seven state Assemblies Speakers committee is vital in strengthening democracy as well as reinforcing the faith of the people in democratic institutions and democratic practices. Here deliberations and sharing of best practices from all delegates will definitely help them when they will go back to their respective states and enforce these endeavours. These speakers adroit handling of the house proceedings, in spite of many challenging moments, guides and inspires other Presiding Officers constantly to steer the working of their respective Houses. A P Singh, the Principal Secretary, Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, put forward the agenda of meeting. Notably, this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew the attention of the forum to the changing expectations of the people of India from their representatives and the close scrutiny they were being held to in the public sphere. He called on them to maintain exemplary behaviour in the legislature as well as their daily lives as it was reflective of the parliamentary democracy of the country as a whole. Tomar expressed hope suggestions received during the meeting will definitely give a push to working of committees in future if being implemented. Moreover, constructive opinions will also be invited from other state assemblies those were not present in the meeting. On this occasion, dignitaries arrived from other counterparts planted sampling in the premises of state assembly. Followed by Lunch with Governor Mangubhai Patel. Axiom-4 undocks, to land on Earth today NEW DELHI : ASTRONAUT Shubhanshu Shukla and three others of the commercial Axiom-4 mission on Monday embarked on a journey back to Earth as their Dragon Grace spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station their home for the last 18 days. The Dragon spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) at 4:45 PM IST, a 10-minute delay from the original plan, and fired thrusters twice to move away from the orbital laboratory. The Axiom-4 crew, comprising Shukla, commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, spent approximately 433 hours or 18 days and 288 orbits around Earth, covering nearly 7.6 million miles since docking with the International Space Station on June 26. After hugs and handshakes, the four astronauts entered the Dragon spacecraft about two hours prior to undocking, donned their spacesuits and closed the hatch connecting the spacecraft to the ISS at 2:37 PM IST. Jaldi hi dharti pe mulaqat karte hai (we will meet on Earth soon), Shukla, who became the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharmas 1984 odyssey, said at the farewell ceremony onboard the ISS on Sunday. After executing the departure burns and exiting the safe zone around the space station, the astronauts doffed their space suits for a comfortable 22.5-hour ride back to Earth. The astronauts will wear the space suits once again before the Dragon Grace spacecraft begins the de-orbit procedures for a splashdown off the California coast at 3:01 PM IST on Tuesday. The four astronauts are expected to spend seven days in rehabilitation as they adjust back to life on Earth under the influence of gravity, unlike the weightlessness experienced in orbit. On Sunday, the Expeditions 73 astronauts organised a traditional farewell ceremony for the Axiom-4 crew. The Axiom-4 mission marked the return to space for India, Poland and Hungary after over four decades. Final preparations include detaching the capsules trunk and orienting the heat shield ahead of atmospheric entry, which will expose the spacecraft to temperatures nearing 1,600 degrees Celsius. Parachutes will deploy in two stages -- first stabilising chutes at about 5.7 km altitude, followed by the main parachutes at roughly two km. Shukla recalled the time when his icon Rakesh Sharma had travelled to space 41 years ago and described how India looked from there. Shubhanshus family eagerly awaits his return LUCKNOW, July 14 (PTI) AS ASTRONAUT Shubhanshu Shukla begin his journey back to Earth after completing his 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station, his family in Lucknow is eagerly awaiting his safe return, saying they are filled with immense pride and emotion about the entire experience. They said it was a joy for them to have seen Shubhanshu, like a child, show them sights from space but now it was time for some nervous excitement and prayers in the family as the Axiom-4 mission undocks from the ISS on Monday and is expected to splashdown off the California coast on Tuesday. Speaking to PTI Videos at their residence in Lucknow on Monday, Shubhanshus father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, said, We thank the people and the Honourable Prime Minister for blessing our son. His mission is coming to an end and we are all ready to welcome him back, even though we wont meet him immediately as he will first go to the US. We are looking forward to seeing him soon, he said. Recounting their conversations when Shubhanshu was aboard the ISS, Shambhu Dayal shared fascinating details of his sons stay at the space station. He showed us where he lives, works, and sleeps in space. Theres no walking therepeople float from one place to another. They sleep standing, strapped in place with belts. He also showed us incredible views: the sunrise from space, the Earths surface, mountains, and the movement of the moon. Watching our child happy in space was the most joyous moment for us, the proud father said. He added that Shubhanshus journey is sure to inspire young minds. He told school students that if you give your 100 per cent without leaving any room for doubt, you will achieve your target. Even if you fail once, try again and you will succeed. Shubhanshus mother, Asha Devi, said the entire family is overwhelmed with joy and anticipation. We cant wait to see him. He kept us updated and showed us sights from space. Today is the first Monday of Sawan, and the family prayed to Lord Shiva at the temple for his safe return, she said. Speaking about the plans at home, she said the family will give him a warm welcome when he eventually visits Lucknow, though he will first return to his workplace after splashdown on Tuesday. Shubhanshus sister, Suchi Shukla, said emotions at home are as intense as they were on launch day. Were excited and nervous until splashdown happens, theres always a bit of anxiety. He was like a child with a new toy, thrilled about the mission. Watching him give us a space tour from the ISS like an excited kid was heartwarming. Burglars target CMs OSD Mishras locked house Staff Reporter Raipur/Surajpur, In a brazen burglary incident, the locked residence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sais Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Ravi Mishra, was targeted by unidentified thieves in Bishrampurs Officer Colony. According to police sources, the burglars made away with silver idols of Lakshmi and Ganesh, eleven silver coins, and around Rs 40,000 in cash after forcibly entering the house. The incident occurred at Mishras double-storey house located behind the GM Bungalow in Bishrampur. Though Ravi Mishra has been posted in Raipur for several months, his parents continued to stay at the residence. However, two days prior to the incident, the elderly couple had also left for Raipur, leaving the house locked. Exploiting the opportunity, burglars broke open the main gates lock and gained entry into the house. Inside, the culprits ransacked rooms, opened storage beds, and damaged cupboards to search for valuables. The exact value of the stolen items is yet to be confirmed as Ravi Mishra has been informed and is on his way from Raipur to Bishrampur to take stock of the situation. Bishrampur police reached the crime scene immediately after receiving the information and launched an investigation. Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Abhishek Paikara told media persons that a detailed probe is underway from all angles. We have called in a forensic team and dog squad to assist with the investigation. Every possible clue is being examined to identify the culprits, Paikara added. Police have registered a case and further investigation is in progress. CM Dr Yadav meets JITO Chairman, agrees on MP-JITO investment platform in Dubai DUBAI : Chief Minister Mohan Yadav held a high-level bilateral meeting with Chairman of the JAIN International Trade Organisation (JITO) group, Mukesh Vora, discussing the potential for industrial collaboration and investment in Madhya Pradesh, as part of his second day of his official visit to Dubai on Monday. According to a post on the MP Chief Ministers Office on X, both leaders reached a consensus on establishing the MP-JITO investment platform in Dubai, aimed at deepening ties in advanced manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy, skill development, MSME promotion, and educational exchange. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, during his Dubai visit, held a high-level bilateral meeting with Mukesh Vora, Chairman of the JITO (Jain International Trade Organisation) group. The meeting extensively discussed the possibilities of investment and industrial co-operation in Madhya Pradesh. During this, consensus was reached on establishing the MP-JITO investment platform in Dubai, encouraging joint ventures in advanced manufacturing, logistics, and renewable energy sectors, as well as strengthening partnerships in the areas of skill development, MSME promotion, and educational exchange, the CMO stated in the X post. Earlier in the day, Mohan Yadav met with the Chairman of Emirates Airlines and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and the Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for West Asia and the Indian Ocean at Emirates, Essa Sulaiman Ahmad and discussed strengthening aviation co-operation between India and the UAE and enhancing aviation ties, with a particular focus on promoting direct flight services from Tier-2 cities like Indore and Bhopal, developing a regional cargo hub in Central India, and exploring opportunities in aviation training and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) infrastructure. He also held a crucial meeting with the CEO and Director of Grew Energy Private Limited, Vinay Thadani, and his delegation on the 3.0 gigawatt solar cell project in the state's Narmadapuram district, which is expected to create over 700 jobs and position Madhya Pradesh as a leader in the sustainable energy sector. Following the meetings, Yadav highlighted the broader investment dialogue, emphasising the positive responses from Dubai's industrial community regarding investments in air ambulance, civil aviation, and MRO sectors, as well as meaningful suggestions in wellness, healthcare, energy, and services. "The investment dialogue of Madhya Pradesh in Dubai began this morning with various important meetings and discussions... Detailed discussions were held with the Consul General of India and Embassy officials, focusing on making business abroad smoother and more effective. Considering the potential in areas such as mineral resources, industrial infrastructure, and food processing parks, extensive dialogues took place with various business representatives, Yadav said. Phase-wise implementation of NEP in State Staff Reporter : Maharashtras School Education Department has approved the provisions of the State Curriculum Framework (Basic Level) 2024, as well as the State Curriculum Framework (Advanced Level) 2024, prepared by the State Council of Educational Research And Training, Pune, Maharashtra for implementation in a phased manner with suitable changes. Although the National Education Policy 2020 will come into force with the new curriculum by 2028-29, special efforts should be made to implement the curriculum before the said period. The new curriculum for children aged 3 to 6 years of Anganwadi in the State from the academic year 2025-26 has been framed with the concurrence of the Department of Women and Child Development. The curriculum and syllabus for the State is being prepared by the State Education Reform and Training Council, Pune, Maharashtra on the basis of the National Education Policy - 2020 and the State Curriculum Framework, keeping in mind the State. The final text material of the relevant level would be made available to Bal Bharati within the stipulated time for preparation. Till the books are ready, State Education Reform and Training Council, Pune, Maharashtra, is expected to prepare a bridge curriculum for all the classes concerned and it should be used in all the years as required. The Heads of Departments concerned and subject experts of the State Council for Educational Reform and Training will be involved in the preparation of textbooks for Bal Bharati from time to time. The State Educational Reform and Training Council, Maharashtra, Pune will verify whether the said textbooks meet the specified learning objectives and are suitable for implementation. The textbooks can be implemented only after the approval of the State-level Coordination Committee. As per the implementation schedule, the Maharashtra State Textbook Production and Curriculum Reform Board, Balbharti, Pune will be responsible for making the grade-wise textbooks available in all the necessary media. For Standard 1, the implementation will start from 2025-26 and will end in the year 2028 covering students of Class XII. First phase will focus on children aged three to eight, covering kindergarten, pre-primary, and Std I and Std II. In the pre-preparation level, the students aged 8 to 11, covering Class 3, 4 and 5 will be focused. In the Pre-Secondary level, the students of Class 6, 7 and 8 will be covered, while in secondary level, the students of Class 9, 10, 11 and 12 will be covered. The phase will conclude in 2028. After introducing NEP for undergraduate courses in the 2023-24 academic year, the State Government has been contemplating introduction in school education. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has developed a State Curriculum Framework based on the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) guidelines, outlining academic competencies. The NEP introduced a 5+3+3+4 school education structure, replacing the traditional 10+2 system. The new curriculum will be at par with Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) pattern. Presently, in State Board courses, there is not much flexibility for students. With the implementation of NEP, the students will witness flexibility. NEP has introduced Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) as a subject to be included in the curriculum of Class 3 to Class 5, while most other subjects remain consistent. Social Science will be the one subject with History, Civics, and Geography to be integrated. The Art Education and Pre-Vocational Skills course will be introduced from Std VI to Std VIII. For Std IX and Std X, new subjects such as Art Education, Vocational Skills, Social Personalities, and Environmental Education will be included, expanding the curriculum to a total of 10 subjects. Shubhanshus zero-gravity experiment aboard ISS NEW DELHI : ASTRONAUT Shubhanshu Shukla, the Axiom-4 mission pilot, has showcased a zero-gravity experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) involving water to illustrate how microgravity transforms everyday physics. The experiment, part of Axiom Spaces outreach and scientific mission, highlighted the unique behaviour of water in space. After an 18-day stay at the ISS, Shukla and three others -- commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary -- of the commercial Axiom-4 mission set off on a return journey to Earth on Monday evening. Using surface tension to their advantage, Shukla formed a floating water bubble. Ive become a water bender here in the station, he joked. Another astronaut Whitson further went on to press a plastic bag gently into the sphere, demonstrating how surface tension behaves like a magnet in microgravity by clinging to the object and distorting light like a lens. The astronauts also spoke about the opportunity not just to engage in science but also to communicate the wonder and beauty of Earth from space. I try to savour every moment I get -- just sitting by the window and looking down. Its the most beautiful view Ive seen, Shukla said onboard the ISS. Whitson explained that the crew is nearing the end of their two-week mission, during which theyve balanced rigorous scientific research with education and public engagement. Their mission has also included outreach to students and STEM communities around the globe, including in India, Hungary, and Poland. Asked about re-entering Earths gravity, Whitson was frank: From me having experienced it, I know first person -- it sucks. Gravity really does. Shukla, on his maiden spaceflight, said he hopes to handle the descent better than his ascent, which involved some space motion sickness. In the 10 minutes of their broadcast, the astronauts estimated they had travelled about 2,900 miles. The Axiom-4 mission began its space odyssey on June 25 when the Falcon-9 rocket carrying the Dragon space capsule blasted off from Florida. State tiger strike force seizes 30 ghariyal hatchlings, 36 batagur turtles in major bust Staff Reporter : Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday that China and India should adhere to the direction of good-neighborliness and friendship, and find a way for mutual respect and trust, peaceful coexistence, common development and win-win cooperation. Wang made the remarks when holding talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Beijing. As two major Eastern civilizations and major emerging economies living adjacent to each other, the essence of China-India relations lies in how to live in harmony and achieve mutual success, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached important consensus during their meeting in Kazan, pointing out the direction for the improvement and development of China-India relations, Wang said. Wang called on both sides to aim high, plan for the long term, adhere to the direction of good-neighborliness and friendship, and realize the "Dragon-Elephant Tango." Wang said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India, and the sustained improvement and growth of bilateral relations have not come easily, making them more valuable to cherish. Noting the relationship between the two countries is not directed against any third party, nor should it be disrupted by any third party, Wang called on both sides to build mutual trust rather than suspicion, pursue cooperation rather than competition, and seek mutual success rather than mutual attrition. China is willing to work with India to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, consistently enhance political mutual trust, meet each other halfway to expand exchanges and cooperation, act with consideration for the bigger picture to properly manage differences, and strengthen coordination via multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), to promote the sustained, healthy, and steady development of China-India relations, Wang said. Wang said that President Xi proposed the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and Prime Minister Modi advocated that "the world is one family," noting that these concepts are interrelated. Both sides support multilateralism and hope that the international order will develop in a more just and reasonable direction, Wang said. He added that China is willing to enhance communication and coordination with India, and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system, the stability of the global industrial and supply chains, and an international environment of openness and cooperation. China is willing to work with India to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and safeguard the common interests of the Global South to promote regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, Wang said. For his part, Jaishankar said that the Kazan meeting between the leaders of the two countries has provided important guidance for India-China relations, with bilateral exchanges and cooperation across various fields being normalized. He also expressed the appreciation for China's facilitation of the resumption of Indian pilgrimages to China's Xizang. Noting that India and China are development partners, not rivals, the Indian foreign minister said India is willing to view its relations with China from a long-term perspective, take the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to focus on common interests, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border regions. He called on both sides to work on positive factors in the bilateral relationship, so that the differences will not escalate into disputes, and competition will not turn into conflict. As India and China are important neighbors, populous countries, and major global economies, their relations carry regional and global significance, said Jaishankar. He added that India adheres to strategic autonomy and pursues an independent foreign policy. India stands ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China at the multilateral level to promote a multipolar world, Jaishankar noted. He also said that India fully supports China in successfully hosting the SCO summit as its rotating chair. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing, capital of China, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhao Leji met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing on Tuesday. Zhao said that the meeting between the two countries' leaders has charted out a new blueprint for the development of China-Australia relations, adding that China is ready to work with Australia to implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, advance high-quality mutually beneficial cooperation, deepen people-to-people ties, and promote long-term, sound and stable growth of bilateral relations. He also stated the NPC is ready to strengthen friendly relations with the Parliament of Australia, enhance experience exchanges in legislation and supervision, and provide legal guarantee for bilateral cooperation. Albanese said that Australia is ready to deepen trade and economic cooperation with China, step up exchanges between legislative bodies, expand people-to-people interactions, jointly address climate change, properly handle differences, and advance Australia-China relations through dialogue and cooperation. ABB Ltd (NYSE:ABBNY Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the six brokerages that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have assigned a hold recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Dnb Nor Markets upgraded shares of ABB from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. Cfra Research lowered shares of ABB from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets lowered shares of ABB from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 17th. Get ABB alerts: Get Our Latest Report on ABBNY ABB Trading Up 0.2% ABB Company Profile NYSE ABBNY opened at $59.55 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.37. The firm has a market cap of $110.80 billion, a PE ratio of 28.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 1.15. ABB has a one year low of $45.36 and a one year high of $60.61. The firms fifty day moving average is $57.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $55.28. (Get Free Report ABB Ltd provides electrification, motion, and automation solutions and products for customers in utilities, industry and transport, and infrastructure in Switzerland, rest of Europe, the Americas, the United States, rest of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, China, and internationally. Its Electrification segment offers renewable power solutions, modular substation packages, distribution automation products, switchboards and panelboards, switchgears, UPS solutions, circuit breakers, measuring and sensing devices, control products, wiring accessories, enclosures and cabling systems, and intelligent home and building solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for ABB Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ABB and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New York State Common Retirement Fund lowered its stake in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A Free Report) by 10.1% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 333,623 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 37,597 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund owned approximately 0.12% of Agilent Technologies worth $39,027,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of A. Redwood Park Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Agilent Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new stake in Agilent Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. raised its stake in Agilent Technologies by 640.0% during the 4th quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 222 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its stake in Agilent Technologies by 286.2% during the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 251 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the period. Finally, Wood Tarver Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Agilent Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Get Agilent Technologies alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Agilent Technologies In other news, CEO Padraig Mcdonnell sold 1,508 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.44, for a total transaction of $177,099.52. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 37,448 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,397,893.12. This represents a 3.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Analysts Set New Price Targets A has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $155.00 to $135.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies to $150.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $150.00 to $130.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $159.00 to $140.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $139.77. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Agilent Technologies Agilent Technologies Stock Performance NYSE:A opened at $120.10 on Tuesday. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $96.43 and a 12-month high of $153.84. The company has a quick ratio of 1.60, a current ratio of 2.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.12 billion, a PE ratio of 29.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.74 and a beta of 1.23. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $115.47 and a 200 day moving average price of $122.55. Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 28th. The medical research company reported $1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $1.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.63 billion. Agilent Technologies had a net margin of 17.59% and a return on equity of 25.92%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.22 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Agilent Technologies Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 23rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.248 per share. This represents a $0.99 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.83%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 1st. Agilent Technologiess payout ratio is 24.44%. Agilent Technologies Profile (Free Report) Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets, Diagnostics and Genomics, and Agilent CrossLab. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; and vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Agilent Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agilent Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arizona State Retirement System decreased its holdings in Fortive Corporation (NYSE:FTV Free Report) by 1.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 100,333 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 1,412 shares during the quarter. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in Fortive were worth $7,342,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Dodge & Cox acquired a new position in shares of Fortive in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $583,493,000. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Fortive in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $412,445,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its position in shares of Fortive by 164.5% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 8,730,161 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $654,763,000 after buying an additional 5,429,566 shares in the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Fortive by 9.7% in the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 42,947,135 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,221,036,000 after buying an additional 3,810,997 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Third Point LLC acquired a new position in shares of Fortive in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $142,500,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.94% of the companys stock. Get Fortive alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently commented on FTV shares. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Fortive from $88.00 to $82.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Fortive from $86.00 to $58.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Fortive from $84.00 to $69.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Raymond James Financial dropped their target price on shares of Fortive from $90.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 1st. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Fortive from $90.00 to $81.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $73.67. Insider Buying and Selling In other Fortive news, SVP Peter C. Underwood sold 14,327 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.88, for a total transaction of $1,058,478.76. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 51,750 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,823,290. The trade was a 21.68% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO James A. Lico sold 175,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.40, for a total transaction of $12,670,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 428,585 shares in the company, valued at $31,029,554. This trade represents a 28.99% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.92% of the companys stock. Fortive Trading Down 1.0% Shares of Fortive stock opened at $52.18 on Tuesday. Fortive Corporation has a 1 year low of $50.00 and a 1 year high of $83.32. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.73 billion, a PE ratio of 22.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 1.09. The firms 50 day moving average is $67.01 and its 200 day moving average is $71.98. Fortive (NYSE:FTV Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The technology company reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.85. Fortive had a net margin of 12.90% and a return on equity of 13.19%. The firm had revenue of $1.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.49 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.83 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Fortive Corporation will post 4.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Fortive declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Tuesday, May 27th that permits the company to repurchase 15,630,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the technology company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. About Fortive (Free Report) Fortive Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and services professional and engineered products, software, and services in the United States, China, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Intelligent Operating Solutions, Precision Technologies, and Advanced Healthcare Solutions. The Intelligent Operating Solutions segment provides advanced instrumentation, software, and services, including electrical test and measurement, facility and asset lifecycle software applications, and connected worker safety and compliance solutions for manufacturing, process industries, healthcare, utilities and power, communications and electronics, and other industries. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FTV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Fortive Corporation (NYSE:FTV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Fortive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Flughafen Wien and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Flughafen Wien $1.14 billion $234.01 million 17.32 Flughafen Wien Competitors $14.16 billion $554.57 million 2.03 Flughafen Wiens peers have higher revenue and earnings than Flughafen Wien. Flughafen Wien is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Get Flughafen Wien alerts: Profitability This table compares Flughafen Wien and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Flughafen Wien 20.54% 13.35% 9.30% Flughafen Wien Competitors -16,555.33% 19.90% 2.44% Dividends Insider and Institutional Ownership Flughafen Wien pays an annual dividend of $0.29 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. Flughafen Wien pays out 42.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, TRANS AIRLINE companies pay a dividend yield of 2.3% and pay out 25.0% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. 52.5% of shares of all TRANS AIRLINE companies are owned by institutional investors. 9.7% of shares of all TRANS AIRLINE companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Risk & Volatility Flughafen Wien has a beta of -0.55, indicating that its share price is 155% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Flughafen Wiens peers have a beta of 9.03, indicating that their average share price is 803% more volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Flughafen Wien peers beat Flughafen Wien on 7 of the 11 factors compared. Flughafen Wien Company Profile (Get Free Report) Flughafen Wien Aktiengesellschaft, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction and operation of civil airports and related facilities in Austria. The company operates through five segments: Airport, Handling & Security Services, Retail & Properties, Malta, and Other. It manages the Vienna airport. The company's Airport segment operates and maintains aircraft movement areas and terminals, as well as equipment and facilities for passenger and baggage handling, as well as security controls for passengers. This segment also offers various services to support airport operations, deals with emergencies and disruptions, and ensures security. Its Handling & Security services segment provides various services for the handling of aircraft and passengers on scheduled and charter flights, as well as for the handling of general aviation aircraft and passengers. This segment also operates the general aviation center; and provides security controls for passengers and hand luggage. The company's Retail & Properties segment offers services that support airport operations, including shopping, food and beverages, VIP, lounges, and parking, as well as develops and markets properties. This segment offers services to passengers, users of parking facilities, hotel guests, conference participants, employees at the site, and meeters and greeters. Its Malta segment operates Malta airport; and provides aviation and parking services, as well as rents retail and office space. The Other segment offers technical and repair, energy supply and waste disposal, telecommunication and information technology, electromechanical and building, construction management, and consulting services, as well as construction and maintenance services for infrastructure facilities. The company is headquartered in Schwechat, Austria. Receive News & Ratings for Flughafen Wien Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Flughafen Wien and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hager Investment Management Services LLC lessened its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 3.5% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 5,608 shares of the companys stock after selling 203 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company makes up 3.2% of Hager Investment Management Services LLCs holdings, making the stock its 5th largest position. Hager Investment Management Services LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $4,632,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 74,248,997 shares of the companys stock worth $57,320,226,000 after purchasing an additional 475,530 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 17,382,846 shares of the companys stock worth $13,389,651,000 after purchasing an additional 291,875 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 103,831.6% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 14,866,380 shares of the companys stock worth $12,278,292,000 after purchasing an additional 14,852,076 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 19.0% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 12,625,925 shares of the companys stock worth $9,747,214,000 after purchasing an additional 2,012,129 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth $8,407,908,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $1,135.00 price objective (up from $1,133.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, May 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a neutral rating to a buy rating and reduced their price target for the company from $892.00 to $888.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. HSBC downgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a reduce rating and reduced their price target for the company from $1,150.00 to $700.00 in a report on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, June 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and sixteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $1,012.56. Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 0.8% LLY opened at $799.51 on Tuesday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $677.09 and a 1-year high of $972.53. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $765.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $800.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $757.72 billion, a PE ratio of 65.05, a PEG ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.40. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $3.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.64 by ($1.30). The company had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.77 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 22.67% and a return on equity of 85.51%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 45.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.58 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.75%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.82%. Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PAX Financial Group LLC cut its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR Free Report) by 4.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 6,707 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 283 shares during the period. PAX Financial Group LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $701,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IJR. First Business Financial Services Inc. increased its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 6.8% in the first quarter. First Business Financial Services Inc. now owns 569,509 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $59,554,000 after buying an additional 36,097 shares in the last quarter. Mosaic Family Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 12.1% in the first quarter. Mosaic Family Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,447 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $256,000 after buying an additional 265 shares in the last quarter. Landmark Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 50.4% in the first quarter. Landmark Wealth Management LLC now owns 61,936 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $6,477,000 after buying an additional 20,764 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 1.8% in the first quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 229,008 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $23,947,000 after buying an additional 3,977 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. increased its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 1.9% in the first quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 636,875 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $66,598,000 after buying an additional 11,674 shares in the last quarter. 66.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Stock Performance IJR opened at $113.12 on Tuesday. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a fifty-two week low of $89.22 and a fifty-two week high of $128.61. The company has a fifty day moving average of $107.76 and a two-hundred day moving average of $108.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $82.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.52 and a beta of 1.15. About iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lord & Richards Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 662 shares of the communications equipment providers stock, valued at approximately $290,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. ORG Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in Motorola Solutions by 346.2% in the 1st quarter. ORG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 58 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Motorola Solutions in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Community Bank N.A. bought a new position in Motorola Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new position in Motorola Solutions in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Fort Vancouver Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Motorola Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. 84.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Motorola Solutions Price Performance Shares of MSI opened at $414.01 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.42, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The stock has a market cap of $69.10 billion, a PE ratio of 34.56, a P/E/G ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 0.95. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $416.51 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $431.53. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 1-year low of $385.17 and a 1-year high of $507.82. Motorola Solutions Announces Dividend Motorola Solutions ( NYSE:MSI Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The communications equipment provider reported $3.18 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.01 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $2.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.52 billion. Motorola Solutions had a net margin of 18.67% and a return on equity of 160.93%. The firms revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.81 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 13.55 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be issued a $1.09 dividend. This represents a $4.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.05%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 13th. Motorola Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.39%. Insider Transactions at Motorola Solutions In other news, CAO Katherine A. Maher sold 1,073 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $418.68, for a total transaction of $449,243.64. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 804 shares in the company, valued at $336,618.72. This represents a 57.17% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 1.44% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research note on Monday, July 7th. They issued a peer perform rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Motorola Solutions from $570.00 to $515.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Motorola Solutions from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Motorola Solutions from $527.00 to $511.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 5th. Finally, William Blair reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Three 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, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $513.25. View Our Latest Stock Report on MSI Motorola Solutions Profile (Free Report) Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MAPUTO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Daniel Chapo opened the 14th Ordinary Session of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) Parliamentary Assembly on Monday in Maputo, calling for greater unity, inclusive governance, and enhanced mobility among CPLP members. He said Mozambique's two-year presidency will focus on strengthening democracy, the rule of law, and advancing the mobility agreement to facilitate free movement of citizens and deepen shared identity. Chapo described the CPLP as not only a "community of affection" but also one of "responsibility and solidarity," urging members to reflect on progress and challenges to make the organization a stronger global voice. He reaffirmed Mozambique's commitment to youth, gender equality, education, health, and infrastructure as foundations for democratic and sustainable development. "We want this to be a space of renewed commitments and transformative decisions," Chapo said. "Let it be remembered as a moment of convergence, where the will to serve rose above any particular or group interest." He called for joint action on global issues such as climate change, food security, and cultural diversity. Representatives from all CPLP member states, including Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, and East Timor, attended the session in Maputo. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC cut its holdings in Manulife Financial Corp (NYSE:MFC Free Report) (TSE:MFC) by 15.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 24,166 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 4,500 shares during the quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $753,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Kathmere Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Manulife Financial by 9.2% during the first quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 14,573 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $454,000 after acquiring an additional 1,233 shares during the last quarter. Genus Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in Manulife Financial by 187.9% during the first quarter. Genus Capital Management Inc. now owns 48,900 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,523,000 after acquiring an additional 104,525 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its position in Manulife Financial by 47.8% during the first quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 172,708 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,380,000 after acquiring an additional 55,881 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in Manulife Financial by 33.3% during the first quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 7,418 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $224,000 after acquiring an additional 1,854 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale boosted its position in Manulife Financial by 1.5% during the first quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 2,088,842 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $63,701,000 after acquiring an additional 30,994 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.56% of the companys stock. Get Manulife Financial alerts: Manulife Financial Stock Down 0.0% NYSE:MFC opened at $30.47 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $52.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.95, a P/E/G ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 0.99. Manulife Financial Corp has a fifty-two week low of $23.30 and a fifty-two week high of $33.07. The firms 50 day moving average is $31.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $30.51. Manulife Financial Increases Dividend Manulife Financial ( NYSE:MFC Get Free Report ) (TSE:MFC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.69 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.70 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $1.49 billion for the quarter. Manulife Financial had a return on equity of 15.84% and a net margin of 9.58%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.94 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Manulife Financial Corp will post 2.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 21st were paid a dividend of $0.3194 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 21st. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.19%. This is an increase from Manulife Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. Manulife Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 67.02%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Morgan Stanley set a $46.00 target price on shares of Manulife Financial in a research report on Monday, May 19th. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Manulife Financial About Manulife Financial (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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Manulife Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Manulife Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New York State Common Retirement Fund lifted its holdings in Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS Free Report) by 10.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 875,052 shares of the casino operators stock after purchasing an additional 79,675 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund owned about 0.12% of Las Vegas Sands worth $33,803,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 26.5% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 58,824,289 shares of the casino operators stock worth $3,021,205,000 after purchasing an additional 12,304,533 shares during the period. Janus Henderson Group PLC lifted its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 55.7% in the 4th quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 14,218,581 shares of the casino operators stock worth $730,295,000 after purchasing an additional 5,088,095 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 6.5% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 12,415,492 shares of the casino operators stock worth $479,610,000 after purchasing an additional 752,944 shares during the period. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC lifted its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 29.8% in the 4th quarter. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC now owns 9,382,267 shares of the casino operators stock worth $481,873,000 after purchasing an additional 2,152,829 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,637,600 shares of the casino operators stock worth $443,086,000 after purchasing an additional 80,709 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 39.16% of the companys stock. Get Las Vegas Sands alerts: Las Vegas Sands Trading Up 0.9% Shares of Las Vegas Sands stock opened at $50.24 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $42.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $42.09. The company has a market cap of $35.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.03. Las Vegas Sands Corp. has a fifty-two week low of $30.18 and a fifty-two week high of $56.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.58, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 0.59. Las Vegas Sands ( NYSE:LVS Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The casino operator reported $0.59 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $2.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.95 billion. Las Vegas Sands had a return on equity of 44.91% and a net margin of 11.64%. The companys revenue was down 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.78 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Las Vegas Sands Corp. will post 2.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Las Vegas Sands declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, April 23rd that authorizes the company to buyback $2.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the casino operator to reacquire up to 8.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Las Vegas Sands Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 14th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 6th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 6th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.99%. Las Vegas Sandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 55.56%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts recently commented on LVS shares. Mizuho set a $47.00 target price on shares of Las Vegas Sands in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Las Vegas Sands to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $58.00 to $53.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Las Vegas Sands in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $55.31. Get Our Latest Analysis on LVS Las Vegas Sands Company Profile (Free Report) Las Vegas Sands Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. It owns and operates The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip, and the Sands Macao in Macao, the Peoples Republic of China; and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LVS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Las Vegas Sands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Las Vegas Sands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC lifted its position in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWD Free Report) by 107.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,783 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 2,480 shares during the period. Sage Mountain Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF were worth $900,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Texas Capital Bank Wealth Management Services Inc boosted its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Texas Capital Bank Wealth Management Services Inc now owns 5,294 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $980,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Bond & Devick Financial Network Inc. raised its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 0.6% during the first quarter. Bond & Devick Financial Network Inc. now owns 10,592 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,993,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 0.3% during the first quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 19,548 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $3,678,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Virtue Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Virtue Capital Management LLC now owns 4,104 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $760,000 after buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dunhill Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 9.7% in the 4th quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 772 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $143,000 after buying an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. 84.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Trading Up 0.2% Shares of NYSEARCA IWD opened at $196.63 on Tuesday. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF has a 12-month low of $163.19 and a 12-month high of $200.42. The firms 50-day moving average price is $190.71 and its 200-day moving average price is $188.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $62.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.83 and a beta of 0.95. 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). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 6.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,038 shares of the insurance providers stock after acquiring an additional 121 shares during the quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $539,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Arizona State Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 66,624 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $17,619,000 after buying an additional 1,236 shares during the last quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 20.2% during the 1st quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 5,611 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,484,000 after buying an additional 944 shares during the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 12,805 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $3,386,000 after buying an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. PYA Waltman Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. PYA Waltman Capital LLC now owns 5,565 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,472,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SteelPeak Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 82.9% during the 1st quarter. SteelPeak Wealth LLC now owns 24,463 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $6,469,000 after buying an additional 11,089 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.45% of the companys stock. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have weighed in on TRV. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Travelers Companies from $288.00 to $296.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Travelers Companies from $260.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Hsbc Global Res lowered Travelers Companies from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Travelers Companies from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Travelers Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Travelers Companies currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $271.00. Insider Buying and Selling at Travelers Companies In other news, insider Avrohom J. Kess sold 23,434 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $273.93, for a total transaction of $6,419,275.62. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 48,387 shares in the company, valued at $13,254,650.91. The trade was a 32.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 20,286 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $273.48, for a total value of $5,547,815.28. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 26,932 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,365,363.36. This represents a 42.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 163,869 shares of company stock worth $44,868,201. 1.46% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Travelers Companies Trading Up 0.4% TRV stock opened at $255.46 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $202.95 and a 12-month high of $277.83. The stock has a market cap of $57.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.91, a PEG ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.51. The businesss 50-day moving average is $266.86 and its 200 day moving average is $255.98. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 16th. The insurance provider reported $1.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $1.38. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 16.10% and a net margin of 9.09%. The company had revenue of $10.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.97 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.69 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 EPS for the current fiscal year. Travelers Companies Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 10th were issued a dividend of $1.10 per share. This is a boost from Travelers Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.05. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 10th. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is currently 23.95%. Travelers Companies Profile (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New York State Common Retirement Fund boosted its position in Timken Company (The) (NYSE:TKR Free Report) by 108.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 424,121 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 220,294 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Funds holdings in Timken were worth $30,482,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TKR. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of Timken by 9.2% during the 1st quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,050 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $147,000 after acquiring an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. Amundi lifted its position in shares of Timken by 25.8% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 848 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. Ethic Inc. lifted its position in shares of Timken by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 6,882 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $491,000 after acquiring an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Timken by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 7,476 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $537,000 after acquiring an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue lifted its position in shares of Timken by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 35,118 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,523,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. 89.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Timken alerts: Timken Trading Down 1.0% NYSE TKR opened at $77.29 on Tuesday. Timken Company has a 1-year low of $56.20 and a 1-year high of $90.49. The company has a current ratio of 3.15, a quick ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The company has a market capitalization of $5.41 billion, a PE ratio of 16.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.27. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $71.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $72.61. Timken Increases Dividend Timken ( NYSE:TKR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The industrial products company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.43 by ($0.03). Timken had a return on equity of 12.62% and a net margin of 7.24%. The company had revenue of $1.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.13 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.77 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Timken Company will post 5.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 23rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 13th were paid a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 13th. This is an increase from Timkens previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.81%. Timkens dividend payout ratio is 30.17%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have recently commented on TKR. DA Davidson increased their price objective on Timken from $66.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, May 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on Timken from $85.00 to $75.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Loop Capital reduced their target price on Timken from $85.00 to $65.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on Timken from $102.00 to $85.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, May 19th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Timken from $94.00 to $88.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $79.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on TKR Timken Company Profile (Free Report) The Timken Company designs, manufactures, and sells engineered bearings and industrial motion products, and related services in the United States and internationally. The company's Engineered Bearings segment provides various bearing products, including tapered, spherical, and cylindrical roller bearings; plain bearings, metal-polymer bearings, and rod end bearings; radial, angular, and precision ball bearings; thrust and specialty ball bearings; journal bearings; and housed or mounted bearings. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TKR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Timken Company (The) (NYSE:TKR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Timken Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Timken and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Summit Wealth Group LLC lifted its position in Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:VTEB Free Report) by 44.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 222,180 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 68,096 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF accounts for approximately 3.2% of Summit Wealth Group LLCs holdings, making the stock its 9th largest position. Summit Wealth Group LLCs holdings in Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF were worth $11,025,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Valley National Advisers Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Fairway Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. IMG Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Oarsman Capital Inc. acquired a new position in Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Nemes Rush Group LLC boosted its position in Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF by 1,238.3% during the 4th quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 629 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 582 shares during the period. Get Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF alerts: Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA:VTEB opened at $48.80 on Tuesday. Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF has a 12-month low of $47.02 and a 12-month high of $51.17. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $48.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $49.39. About Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF The Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of investment-grade debt issued by state and local governments and agencies. Interest is exempt from US income tax and from AMT. VTEB was launched on Aug 21, 2015 and is managed by Vanguard. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VTEB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:VTEB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. increased its holdings in Fortive Corporation (NYSE:FTV Free Report) by 0.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 332,341 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 2,072 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. owned about 0.10% of Fortive worth $24,320,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of FTV. CWM LLC lifted its stake in shares of Fortive by 15.3% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 11,576 shares of the technology companys stock worth $847,000 after purchasing an additional 1,539 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund lifted its holdings in shares of Fortive by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 219,091 shares of the technology companys stock worth $16,033,000 after acquiring an additional 5,400 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC raised its stake in Fortive by 21.1% during the first quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 78,047 shares of the technology companys stock worth $5,712,000 after purchasing an additional 13,609 shares during the period. Arcus Capital Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Fortive by 26.9% in the 1st quarter. Arcus Capital Partners LLC now owns 11,148 shares of the technology companys stock worth $816,000 after buying an additional 2,360 shares during the period. Finally, Dogwood Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Fortive by 18.7% in the 1st quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,763 shares of the technology companys stock worth $641,000 after buying an additional 1,380 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.94% of the companys stock. Get Fortive alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have commented on FTV shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Fortive from $87.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on Fortive from $78.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, June 9th. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Fortive from $88.00 to $82.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Fortive to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, July 5th. Finally, BNP Paribas restated a neutral rating on shares of Fortive in a research report on Thursday, June 12th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.67. Insider Buying and Selling In other Fortive news, CEO James A. Lico sold 175,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.40, for a total value of $12,670,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 428,585 shares in the company, valued at approximately $31,029,554. This represents a 28.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Peter C. Underwood sold 14,327 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.88, for a total value of $1,058,478.76. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 51,750 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,823,290. This trade represents a 21.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Fortive Stock Performance Fortive stock opened at $52.18 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $67.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $71.98. The stock has a market cap of $17.73 billion, a PE ratio of 22.88, a P/E/G ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 1.09. Fortive Corporation has a 12-month low of $50.00 and a 12-month high of $83.32. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Fortive (NYSE:FTV Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The technology company reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.85. Fortive had a return on equity of 13.19% and a net margin of 12.90%. The firm had revenue of $1.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.49 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.83 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Fortive Corporation will post 4.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Fortive announced that its board has approved a share buyback program on Tuesday, May 27th that allows the company to buyback 15,630,000 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the technology company to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued. Fortive Profile (Free Report) Fortive Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and services professional and engineered products, software, and services in the United States, China, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Intelligent Operating Solutions, Precision Technologies, and Advanced Healthcare Solutions. The Intelligent Operating Solutions segment provides advanced instrumentation, software, and services, including electrical test and measurement, facility and asset lifecycle software applications, and connected worker safety and compliance solutions for manufacturing, process industries, healthcare, utilities and power, communications and electronics, and other industries. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FTV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Fortive Corporation (NYSE:FTV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Fortive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A preliminary examination for the Geshe Lharampa is held at the Ganden Monastery in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 15, 2025. A total of 13 monks from multiple monasteries are in the process of completing a preliminary examination for the Geshe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in the exoteric teachings of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Geshe Lharampa, which means "intellectual" in the Tibetan language, is the equivalent of a doctoral degree in modern education. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) LHASA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A total of 13 monks from multiple monasteries are in the process of completing a preliminary examination for the Geshe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in the exoteric teachings of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Geshe Lharampa, which means "intellectual" in the Tibetan language, is the equivalent of a doctoral degree in modern education. The preliminary exam is being held at Gandan Temple in Lhasa, the capital city of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. The examination began on July 12 and will run until July 19. These monks will first participate in debates concerning Buddhist scriptures, followed by a theoretical examination. An assessment committee will review and rank performances in the debates and theoretical exam to finalize a list of those eligible for the 2026 Geshe Lharampa examination. According to data from the Xizang branch of the Buddhist Association of China, a total of 202 Tibetan Buddhist monks have been awarded the degree of Geshe Lharampa since 2004. A preliminary examination for the Geshe Lharampa is held at the Ganden Monastery in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 15, 2025. A total of 13 monks from multiple monasteries are in the process of completing a preliminary examination for the Geshe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in the exoteric teachings of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Geshe Lharampa, which means "intellectual" in the Tibetan language, is the equivalent of a doctoral degree in modern education. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) A preliminary examination for the Geshe Lharampa is held at the Ganden Monastery in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 15, 2025. A total of 13 monks from multiple monasteries are in the process of completing a preliminary examination for the Geshe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in the exoteric teachings of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Geshe Lharampa, which means "intellectual" in the Tibetan language, is the equivalent of a doctoral degree in modern education. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) A preliminary examination for the Geshe Lharampa is held at the Ganden Monastery in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 15, 2025. A total of 13 monks from multiple monasteries are in the process of completing a preliminary examination for the Geshe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in the exoteric teachings of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Geshe Lharampa, which means "intellectual" in the Tibetan language, is the equivalent of a doctoral degree in modern education. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) This photo taken on July 15, 2025 shows a view of the Ganden Monastery, where a preliminary examination for the Geshe Lharampa is held, in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 15, 2025. A total of 13 monks from multiple monasteries are in the process of completing a preliminary examination for the Geshe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in the exoteric teachings of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Geshe Lharampa, which means "intellectual" in the Tibetan language, is the equivalent of a doctoral degree in modern education. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Over the last fifteen years, there has been a 54 percent decline in AIDS-related deaths globally. The Caribbean is well above the global average at 62 percent. BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Jensen Huang, CEO of U.S. tech giant Nvidia, praised China's rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) during his visit to Beijing on Tuesday, describing the Chinese market as both "large" and "dynamic." "AI is moving very fast in China," Huang said in an interview here, highlighting the thriving AI ecosystem in China and pointing to the abundance of startups and major cloud service providers. Huang emphasized China's strong talent pool, noting that China is the home of 50 percent of the world's AI researchers. "AI is being applied to everything from consumer applications, internet shopping, grocery delivery to self-driving cars and all these incredible applications" in China, Huang said. He said he is "very happy" to see the development of AI in the country, attributing it to the country's robust education in science and mathematics. Huang will attend the opening ceremony of the third China International Supply Chain Expo on Wednesday and participate in related activities. HIV diagnoses in The Bahamas are down nearly 50% since 2010 a major public health win. But cases rose again in 2024, and STIs are increasing among youth. You voted: Benin City, Nigeria The Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation held its annual Award Presentation Ceremony on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Benin City, celebrating academic excellence and youth empowerment. This years event saw the presentation of scholarship prizes of 100,000.00 each to two exceptional law students: Favour Obaseki, a 300-level student of Law at Ambrose Alli University, and Itohan Osemwegie, a 400-level Law student from the University of Benin. The ceremony was attended by members of the Foundations Governing Board, distinguished guests from the academic and legal communities, and other dignitaries. In his remarks, Mr. Gerard Ibhawoh, Chair of the Foundation, congratulated the award recipients and urged them to keep the flag flying, encouraging them to pursue excellence and integrity in their academic and future professional journeys. He also highlighted the significant achievements of the foundation's collaborative engagement with Community Sport and Development (CSED) Initiative in organizing Netball and Badminton workshops to train teachers and students across various schools in Edo state. Mr. Ibhawoh also addressed the reduced number of awardees this year, attributing it to a general decline in the quality of essay submissions and the misuse of artificial intelligence by some applicants. He expressed concern over this growing trend, stating: While technology is a valuable tool, the overreliance on AI for academic work undermines the spirit of original thinking and poses a significant danger to genuine scholarship. Also speaking at the event, Prof. (Mrs.) Uyilawa Edosomwan, a member of the Foundations Governing Board, charged the awardees to see this recognition as a steppingstone to greater accomplishments. Let this moment be the beginning of even greater milestones in your academic and professional lives, she said. Since its establishment in 2015, the Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation has directly supported over 321 students through scholarships and educational grants, providing access to higher education and enabling them to fulfil their academic potential. In addition, the Foundation has empowered 185 individuals through mentorship, vocational training, international exchange programs, and professional development initiatives. With a strong commitment to education, youth empowerment, and sustainable development, the Foundation continues to play a transformative role in improving lives and building stronger communities across Nigeria and beyond. NEW DELHI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Tesla, a U.S. automotive and clean energy company, opened its first showroom in India on Tuesday, marking the company's official entry into India's electric vehicle (EV) market. The inauguration of the showroom, located at Maker Maxity Mall in Bandra Kurla Complex in India's financial capital Mumbai, was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. As of now, Tesla will only sell its Model Y SUVs in India, with plans to expand to other models as sales increase. Auto experts say Tesla will compete mainly with German luxury giants such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, rather than domestic mass-market EV players such as Tata Motors and Mahindra. MANILA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. approved the proposed 6.793 trillion pesos (roughly 119.82 billion U.S. dollars) budget for 2026, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Tuesday. In a news briefing, Castro said the proposed budget reflects the administration's commitment to enhancing the quality of education and improving the lives of Filipinos. In June, the Development Budget Coordination Committee approved the proposed 2026 national budget, which is equivalent to 22 percent of the country's gross domestic product. The proposed 2026 budget will be submitted to Congress in August. Drop FIR : IDPs | IMPHAL, Jul 14 : Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have called for the withdrawal of the FIR lodged against Ningthoujam Popilal, former president of the Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (MPYCC). Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, IDP Angom Memchoubi said that Popilal had criticized the Government's resettlement initiative for IDPs during a press meet held at Kangchup on July 11. She said that the IDPs from Kangchup Kharang had requested Popilal to speak on their behalf and highlight their grievances as none of them could present them effectively. Being born and brought up at Kangchup Chingkhong, he is also from the same place, she added. Clarifying that the IDPs do not view him as a politician, she said that there was nothing wrong in what he said. Questioning the motive behind the FIR, she expressed grief that the police are now searching for Ningthoujam Popilal to put him behind bars. Insinuating that the IDPs can guess who is behind the FIR filed against Popilal, Angom Memchoubi appealed for its withdrawal. She reiterated that the IDPs do not see him as a politician. He spoke on their behalf after they made the request, seeing him as a son and brother from the same locality. Calling for prompt withdrawal of the FIR, she cautioned that the IDPs might launch intense agitations otherwise. As an IDP, Angom Memchoubi is currently staying with her relatives. Empowering Indias workforce Digital pathways to job growth and worker welfare | V Anantha Nageswaran (Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India) Contd from previous issue This interlinkage allows workers to register once on e-Shram and seamlessly access multiple scheme portals of central and state governments, and benefits, such as awareness of scheme entitlements, track benefits availed across schemes, explore job opportunities, pursue skills training, pensions, and insurance, all in one place. A multilingual facility featuring 22 languages has recently been added to e-Shram by leveraging MEITYs Bhashini project to enhance accessibility further. State Microsites and Mobile apps have been launched for further operational ease. These efforts have achieved success, garnered appreciation at home, and have also received recognition globally. According to the latest update in the International Labour Orga- nizations (ILO) database, Indias social security coverage surged from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025. India ranks second in terms of beneficiary count, which went up to 94.13 crore. This is a result of the ongoing exercise of development of the World Social Protection Report (2026 edition) of ILO. The growth reported is a result of the Governments efforts to include State Social Security Schemes along with the 32 Central sector schemes to compute social security coverage in the country. India became the first country to have reported this development in social security coverage under the ongoing exercise of data pooling for the WSPR 2026 edition. Parallelly, EPFO, with over 34.6 crore members, has implemented several digital reforms to transform into EPFO 2.0. These reforms improve the acce- ssibility to its members and the ease of doing business for employers. Key initiatives, including introducing the Universal Account Number, creating a centralised database, the e- passbook, the UMANG app, the e-collection of contributions, and the provision of digital life certificates, have enhanced members access to benefits. The introduction of the Centralised Pension Payment System under EPFO is set to benefit 77 lakh pensioners with access to pensions from anywhere in the country. Additionally, the increase in the limit of auto-claim settlement to 1 lakh is expected to impact around 7.5 crore members with faster claim settlements positively. EPFO has also simplified the fund transfer process, benefiting over 1.25 crore members and facilitating the yearly transfer of around Rs 90,000 crore. Through these reforms, the modernisation and digiti-sation of EPFO are set to increase efficiency and reduce reliance on manual processes, making it easier for both members and employers to navigate the system. Government policy interventions must be backed by active participation from the industry. A prime example of the industrys vital role is the e-Shram initiative, where the successful implementation of social security for gig & platform workers relies heavily on the involvement of platform aggregators. Employers must recognise that creating a safe, secure, and satisfactory workplace, as well as providing social security for workers, is essential for long-term productivity. Additionally, while addressing the social security needs of workers, it is crucial to offer targeted and ongoing support to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. This support promotes economic and social mobility and helps eliminate barriers that prevent participation in the workforce and the economy. PIB SoO and the growing clamour for abrogation | Conflict studies, conflict management and ultimately conflict resolution are what the state of Manipur needs urgently vis-a-vis the violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023. Almost all sections of people from scholars and intellectuals to civil society organisations to laymen have been studying the conflict from different perspectives and they have come up with their own versions of the nature, origin and how the conflict is being perpetuated. No doubt, the conflict has been studied repeatedly over the past two years with some visibly satisfied with superficial analysis while some others took the extra mile of going to the core of the conflict. Any serious study of the conflict will inevitably find that the Suspension of Operation or SoO agreement and the Kuki militant groups which are signatories of the agreement are central to the violent conflict. Now coming to conflict management, New Delhi has achieved some level of success as evident in the cessation of armed confrontation and holding talks with civil society organisations of the two communities in conflict albeit separately. Indeed, comprehensive conflict management is a big step forward toward conflict resolution. At the same time, both conflict management and conflict resolution demand effective dealing with all the parties involved in the conflict. Disarming the warring parties, irrespective of whether they are militants or volunteers is essential for conflict management, and the Presidents Rule has succeeded fairly in disarming the people in the valley and to a lesser degree in the hills as of now. In the midst of the governments efforts to disarm people, the clamour for abrogation of SoO agrerment has also been growing more persistent and louder. The call for abrogation of SoO agreement does not come out of vacuum, it stemmed from the abject failure of the so called Joint Monitoring Group to monitor the activities of the militants under SoO agreement. The allegation that militants under SoO agreement were directly or indirectly involved in the sustained aggression against the Meitei people must be examined thoroughly without any prejudice. Any serious study of the present Manipur conflict must answer this questionhow deeply are the militants under SoO agreement involved in starting and perpetuating the conflict. Toeing the line of the SoO militant groups, their frontal organizations and CSOs, either with consent or under coercion, are vociferously articulating and peddling all kinds of false and fabricated narratives in pursuit of a separate homeland or state. As we talk about SoO agreement, this agreement is both interesting and intriguing. As the term suggests, suspension of operation must be between two hostile entities. But there was no hostility between the Indian armed forces and the Kuki-Zo militant groups. When two entities which do not have any hostility sign a suspension of operation agreement, it is quite safe to assume that the two entities either have a common interest or the agreement is beneficial to both. What is this common interest, if there is any? How do the Indian armed forces (Government of India) and Kuki-Zo militants benefit from suspension of operation agreement? How Kuki-Zo militants have been expanding their bases and building military strength over the years by exploiting the SoO agreement is known to all. What benefits do the Indian armed forces or the Government of India get from the SoO agreement? This is a million dollar question which is crucial in understanding the conflict and possibly resolve it. All and sundry knows that SoO did not bring peace in Manipur. On the contrary, it has proven to be an instrument of ethnic polarisation, a tool for fomenting communal hatred and violence. In short, SoO has proven to be a very serious challenge to the integrity of Manipur with its signatories and their frontal organisations openly demanding dismemberment of Manipur which predates the Union of India by dozens of centuries. Do the benefits extracted from SoO agreement outweigh the historical sanctity of the political and territorial integrity of Manipur? Is the suspension of imaginary hostility at the cost of alienating the largest community of Manipur a sensible choice? These questions must be given due consideration before simply dismissing the growing clamour for abrogation of SoO agreement. DUBAI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Family businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are witnessing rapid growth, driven by supportive government policies and modern legislative frameworks that aim to enhance their sustainability and contribution to the national economy. According to data from the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the number of registered family businesses increased from around 15,000 in 2022 to over 17,000 by mid-2025, marking a growth of more than 13 percent in just two years. Currently, family-owned enterprises contribute approximately 40 percent to the UAE's non-oil GDP and represent nearly 90 percent of private sector companies in the country, underscoring their critical role in job creation and economic diversification. To support long-term continuity, the UAE has introduced new legislation over the past two years, most notably the Family Business Law, which came into effect in early 2023. The law provides a clear legal framework to guide intergenerational ownership transfers, corporate governance, and the transformation of family businesses into private joint-stock companies-while preserving their familial character. Noura Al Ahmed, CEO of a family-owned food company, told Xinhua that the biggest challenge facing family businesses is "smooth succession planning." She noted that several regional businesses have struggled due to the absence of clear administrative and financial inheritance strategies. "Balancing family relations with institutional business requirements is a constant challenge," Al Ahmed said. "But it can be overcome through training and governance. The current regulatory environment in the UAE is very encouraging, especially with the new laws and government support for corporate transformation." Economist Hazem Al Nuaimi said that UAE family businesses have "evolved significantly thanks to state policy, and are now more prepared for regional and international expansion." "The flexibility of family enterprises, combined with the UAE's stable business environment, positions them as key drivers of economic growth in the coming years," said Nuaimi. Estimates indicate that nearly 47% of family businesses in the UAE have already initiated the transition of management to the second and third generations, signaling a shift toward more institutional thinking. Abdullah Al Muhairi, general manager of a Dubai-based family business, said, "We successfully restructured our company last year by leveraging the new regulations, and we're now preparing to expand into new sectors." Al Nuaimi emphasized that supporting family businesses is a vital part of achieving the UAE Vision 2031, particularly regarding economic diversification and private sector engagement. "If these businesses continue to institutionalize, they will become a cornerstone of competitiveness and a magnet for high-quality investment," he said. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee urged the people to save the ecosystem. On Banamahotsav (afforestation) she wrote on her X handle: Sabuj Bachao, Sabuj Dekhao, Sabujer Majhe Bibek Jagao. Advertisement Banmohotsav was observed with enthusiasm across the state with the state forest department distributing saplings among schools, NGOs and corporate houses. Advertisement It was observed in 341 blocks in the state with the plantation of saplings. In Birbhum district, it was observed in Dubrajpur block. The officials are keeping an eye on the newly set up forest comprising trees that have been translocated from the coal belt site of Deucha Pachami. New leaves have come on 89 per cent trees. The day was observed at Womens College Calcutta with the teaching and non teaching staff and students taking part in the function. Green is maintained around the college campus throughout the year with the non-teaching staff taking active part under the guidance of the principal Dr Anupama Chowdhury. After coming to power in 2011, plantation has taken place on 4.5 lakh bighas of land. Between 2011 and 2023, forest and tree cover have increased significantly to 22.26 per cent, a senior forest department official said. More than 66 lakh saplings have been distributed to the mothers of newborns under Sabujshree scheme which was introduced in May 2016. Under Karmashree scheme Rs 20.05 crore has been paid as wages to 24,564 workers engaged in forestry related activities. He said with financial support from France, the state government has sanctioned a Rs 800-crore project for wildlife conservation in the context of climate change. The traditional honey of Sunderbans collected by the Mouli honey collectors from the mangrove forest, has been registered under Geographical Indication (GI) in the name of the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation. The state government gives Rs 5 lakh compensation within 24 hours in the event of human death caused by wildlife, and one family member of the deceased is appointed as a forest volunteer. So far, 554 such appointments have been provided. Between 2022 and 2023, in the ranking of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), Darjeeling zoo secured the first position in India and the Alipore zoo secured the fourth. In 2025, 58.88 lakh visitors came to the 12 zoos in the state. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums has recognised the snow leopard conservation and breeding programme at Darjeeling zoo as one of the most successful programmes in the world. TV9 Banglas annual health initiative, Suswasthya Health Awards & Conclave enters its fifth year. Those that are life savers to society were recognised with awards, honouring the best of services that they have achieved and are still offering. This year, not only were the doctors honoured, those that have led society for their excellence in the field of research and innovation were also recognised. The event was inaugurated by Amritanshu Bhattacharya, managing editor & business head, TV9 Bangla; Anirban Choudhury, consulting editor, TV9 Bangla; & Dr. (Prof). Sukumar Mukherjee, an eminent medical expert. Advertisement Two stalwarts, Dr Indra Sekhar Roy, a legend in ophthalmology and Dr Subrata Malakar, a pioneer in dermatology, were awarded for their extraordinary achievement under the Lifetime Achievement Award. For a significant contribution towards research in the medical and healthcare field, Prof. Suman Chakraborty, director, IIT, Kharagpur was felicitated. TV9 Bangla has created two significant award categories in the memory of Dr Subhas Mukhopadhyay, who was the creator of the first test-tube baby and Dr Kadambini Ganguly, the countrys first woman doctor. Advertisement These special honours were awarded to Dr Subhankar Chowdhury and Dr Geeta Ganguly Mukherjee respectively for their remarkable service in the field of medicine and healthcare. Department of gynecology and obstetrics of Calcutta Medical College received recognition for reinforcing the bond between natural birth processes and medical support systems. Beyond the boundaries of medical professionals, TV9 Bangla also recognised those who promoted public consciousness of health and wellbeing through films. Filmmaker Kamaleshwar Mukherjee and actor Kaushik Ghosh were awarded for their impactful work in healthcare awareness and storytelling. This photo taken with a mobile phone provided by Mentawai Region Search and Rescue Agency shows rescuers transferring a survivor after a speedboat capsized off the coast of the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia's West Sumatra province, July 15, 2025. A rescue team in Indonesia's Mentawai Islands said on Tuesday that 17 people have been found alive after a boat capsized in the Sipora Strait, West Sumatra, on Monday. According to a preliminary report, the speedboat, carrying 18 passengers, including several children, departed from Sikakap Island at around 8 a.m. local time and capsized at around 11 a.m. during its journey to Sipora Island amid severe weather conditions. (Mentawai Region Search and Rescue Agency/Handout via Xinhua) JAKARTA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A rescue team in Indonesia's Mentawai Islands said on Tuesday that 17 people have been found alive after a boat capsized in the Sipora Strait, West Sumatra, on Monday. According to a preliminary report, the speedboat, carrying 18 passengers, including several children, departed from Sikakap Island at around 8 a.m. local time and capsized at around 11 a.m. during its journey to Sipora Island amid severe weather conditions. Following the accident, 11 people were initially reported missing. As of Tuesday morning, 10 of them had been found safe. Rudi Ihu, head of the Mentawai Islands Search and Rescue Office, told Xinhua that many of the survivors managed to swim to the shores of nearby islands. "The currents, waves, and winds helped carry them to the coast," he said. He noted that based on predictions and survivor accounts, the capsizing was caused by extreme weather, with large waves striking the speedboat. Rescuers were working to locate the missing person. A day after a bomb threat to three schools in the national capital turned out to be a hoax, St. Thomas School, a private school in Delhis Dwarka, and St. Stephens College of Delhi University received similar emails, the police said on Tuesday. Both the school and college have been evacuated as a precaution before the Delhi Police, along with the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), Cyber Crime Unit, Dog Squad, Delhi Fire Service (DFS) team, and Special Staff team, initiated a thorough search on the premises. Advertisement The search was on while going to the press even as nothing suspicious has, so far, been found on the premises as informed by a senior officer. Advertisement He said, Bomb disposal squads and police teams were swiftly deployed at the locations while launching a large-scale search operation. However, nothing suspicious has been found. On Monday, three schools in Delhi, including Navy School in Chanakyapuri, CRPF School in Dwarka, and another in Rohini, received similar threat emails. Ankit Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka), said, At around 8 am, we were informed about the bomb threat at the CRPF school, as well as another school in Chanakyapuri. The area was promptly sanitised. Local police, accompanied by the Bomb Disposal Squad and sniffer dogs, reached the school and conducted due checks, he further said. The officer continued by saying, Cyber Police experts are ascertaining the source of the email. However, the school security has been strengthened. Nothing suspicious has been found until now. Furthermore, the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) officer said they received calls from the Navy School in Chanakyapuri at 8.15 am and from the CRPF School in Sector 16 in Dwarka at 8.25 am informing them about the situation. The Delhi Fire Services said a fire tender was rushed to each of the schools. It was declared a hoax after a thorough check by multiple agencies, including the fire department, a fire official said. Responding to it, a team was immediately dispatched to the locations, the fire service officer added. Several schools in Delhi have received similar bomb threats in the past one year. More than 200 schools in the city received bomb threats in May 2024, followed by similar email threats to several hospitals, colleges, and the Delhi airport. In January this year, too, several schools in Delhi reported receiving similar emails containing bomb threats. According to the statement of senior officers in this matter, most of the emails were sent using virtual private networks (VPNs). They have previously stated that the business model of VPN works on the principle that the server wont disclose the location or details. Veteran actor Shabana Azmi recently took to Instagram to share a special moment from London, where her husband, renowned lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, participated in a session on Urdu at the House of Lords. The couple posed together in front of the British Parliament, marking the occasion with a photo that Azmi captioned: At the British Parliament where #JavedAkhtar had a session on #Urdu at the #HouseOfLords. Advertisement Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shabana Azmi (@azmishabana18) Just a day before, on July 11, she posted a heartwarming father-son snapshot of Javed Akhtar and Farhan Akhtar enjoying some downtime over ice cream. The candid picture captured the duo sitting at a small ice cream parlour. Azmi humorously captioned it: Father and son enjoying ice-cream at a tiny ice-cream parlour. All indulgences allowed on holidays. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shabana Azmi (@azmishabana18) The Akhtar family has often made headlines not just for their contributions to Indian cinema and literature, but also for their close-knit bond. Javed Akhtar, who was first married to screenwriter Honey Irani, tied the knot with Shabana Azmi in 1984. Their relationship has often been in the public eye. Just last month, Azmi delighted her social media followers with another glimpse into her personal life; a fun-filled meet-up with her close friends from the film industry. In what she calls her mad girls group gathering, she posted a lively picture featuring actors Shahana Goswami, Sandhya Mridul, Divya Dutta, and a surprise guest appearance by Farhan Akhtar. On the professional front, Shabana Azmi last appeared in the crime thriller Dabba Cartel, which premiered on Netflix on February 28. Her career, spanning over five decades and more than 160 films, is a mix of mainstream and parallel cinema. Known for her nuanced performances, she made her debut in 1974 with Ankur. An accident on the set of upcoming film of director Pa Ranjith has led to serious legal action. Stunt performer SM Raju lost his life while shooting an action sequence in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, and now the police have filed a case against the filmmaker and key members of his crew. The incident happened on Sunday during the filming of a stunt scene for a movie starring actor Arya. The shoot was managed by Neelam Productions, a company closely associated with Ranjith. Advertisement Something went terribly wrong during one of the stunt routines. SM Raju, an experienced stuntman, was seriously injured on the spot. He was immediately rushed to the Nagapattinam Government Medical College Hospital. But doctors declared him brought dead. Advertisement Initially, the police registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to general negligence. However, after further investigation and reviewing the available evidence, the charges have now been made more severe. The Keelaiyur police have booked director Pa Ranjith, stunt choreographer Rajkamal, Neelam Productions, and crew member Prabhakaran under multiple sections of the BNS Act. The revised charges include: Section 289: Negligent conduct likely to endanger human life, Section 125: Abetment of an offence, and Section 106(1): Culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Rajus body was handed over to his family after a postmortem examination. His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the Tamil film industry, especially among the stunt and action community, who have long demanded better safety protocols on sets. Neelam Productions and director Pa Ranjith have not yet released an official statement regarding the incident or the police action. The investigation is ongoing. The Bihar cabinet on Tuesday approved Chief Minister Nitish Kumars plan to provide government jobs and employment opportunities to one crore youth of the state in the next five years. Welcoming the decision, Bihar BJP President Dr. Dilip Jaiswal said that the NDA governments target of creating one crore new jobs and employment opportunities in the next five years (20252030) would make the youth self-reliant and give a new direction to Bihars economic progress. Advertisement He also praised the cabinets decision to establish and expand 112 industrial training institutes across the state to equip youth with technical skills. Advertisement State JD(U) President Umesh Singh Kushwaha said, Bihar today figures among the leading states of the country in creating employment and self-employment opportunities to the youth. This remarkable achievement is a testimony to Nitish Kumars visionary policies and committed leadership. He also appreciated the cabinets decision to form a high-level committee to realise this ambitious goal, and to establish the Jananayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University to achieve the target of creating one crore jobs and self-employment opportunities. The Chhattisgarh government on Tuesday deported 30 Bangladeshi nationals who had been residing unlawfully in various districts of the state. The coordinated operation commenced at Raipur Airport, from where the deportees were flown to Guwahati. There, they were handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) for repatriation to Bangladesh via the international border. This marks the first officially documented large-scale deportation of foreign nationals from Chhattisgarh. The individuals deported were found living without valid documents in the districts of Raipur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, and Raigarh, following intelligence inputs and public complaints. Most had reportedly entered the country illegally and remained undetected for years. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma confirmed that a Special Task Force (STF) has been established to monitor illegal infiltration. Our government is committed to national security and maintaining law and order. We have launched a helpline to enable citizens to report suspicious movements or undocumented foreigners, he stated. While 30 individuals have been deported, not all identified Bangladeshi nationals were eligible for repatriation. Several are currently facing criminal proceedings. In Raipur alone, six individuals including three siblings, a couple, and a minor girl remain in judicial custody due to ongoing investigations. Similar cases have been reported in Durg and Rajnandgaon. Officials clarified that any deportation involving individuals with criminal records will proceed only after clearance from the respective courts. The entire operation was conducted with the approval of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and in accordance with due legal process. Advertisement The Opposition Congress on Tuesday called for a statewide Odisha bandh on July 17 following the tragic death of a female student who set herself afire after her sexual harassment complaint against a college professor allegedly went unheard. Lets fight against the BJPs anti-women policy and injustice together. Lets make our voices heard. Urging everyone to join us and make July 17 Odisha Bandh a huge success, Bhakta Charan Das, president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee, said at a press briefing. Advertisement The 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odishas Balasore had reportedly lodged a formal complaint with the college principal and the Internal Complaints Committee of the college against the professor. Advertisement She had also made public appeals to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and even apprised the womens commission about it. However, despite her repeated efforts, no action was taken against the professor, and the Internal Complaints Committee gave him a clean chit, leading to her taking the extreme step. She was undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she succumbed to her injuries on Monday night. The incident has triggered a political storm with the Opposition Congress and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) holding the BJP government in the state responsible for her death The Congress staged protests outside the hospital and burned posters of CM Majhi, raising slogans and demanding justice for the victim. BJD leaders, too, lashed out at the government and staged protests outside the hospital. Both parties also questioned the intention behind conducting the postmortem late at night. A delegation of the BJP also met President Droupadi Murmu over the incident. It is shameful that atrocities are being done against women and tribals in OdishaIf such a thing is happening in the temples of education, then where should a woman goWhen the President got to know about this incident, she showed concern, BJD leader Sulata Deo said. BJD leader Snehangini Chhuria also slammed the BJP government in the state, saying the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao slogan has turned to Beti Padhao, Beti Jalao in Odisha. The Congress party has decided to corner the government during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament on several key issues, including the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, US President Donald Trumps claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, alleged electoral manipulations in states like Maharashtra, Haryana, and Bihar, and the Election Commissions SIR initiative in Bihar. The decisions were taken at a Parliamentary strategy meeting of the Congress party, convened by Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday. Advertisement About three months have passed since the Pahalgam terror attack, but there is still no trace of the terrorists, said Pramod Tiwari, Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, while briefing the media after the meeting. Advertisement He said the party would also raise concerns over alleged electoral irregularities in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Bihar, where the election process has come under suspicion. In addition, the Congress plans to highlight rising crimes against women and Scheduled Castes across the country, particularly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha. The party will demand the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which remains pending despite repeated assurances from the government. It will also seek clarification from the government on Trumps repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. The Congress would like to seek answers from the government on Trumps repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, Tiwari reiterated. The Congress Parliamentary Partys strategy meeting was chaired by Sonia Gandhi and attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. A meeting of INDIA bloc partners will also be held before the Monsoon Session to coordinate strategies and raise issues collectively in both Houses of Parliament. The Monsoon Session is scheduled to begin on July 21 and will continue until August 21. The Indian Navy received six strategic indigenously designed and developed products from the Defence Research and Development Organisation, boosting its might further. The products included Gamma Radiation Aerial Surveillance System(GRASS), Environmental Surveillance Vehicle(ESV), Vehicle Radiological Contamination Monitoring System(VRCMS), Underwater Gamma Radiation Monitoring System(UGRMS) , Dirt Extractor and Cross Contamination Monitor (DECCOM) and Organ Radioactivity Detection System(ORDS). Advertisement Developed for aerial monitoring of radiation in nuclear-affected zones, GRASS features a compact gamma radiation sensor that can be mounted on unmanned aerial platforms. It enables swift radiological assessments from the air, enhancing situational awareness during nuclear emergencies. Advertisement The Environmental Surveillance Vehicle, created by the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) of DRDO, is engineered to swiftly detect and assess contamination caused by nuclear, biological, or chemical agents in high-risk areas. It supports on-site analysis and real-time decision-making during hazardous incidents. VRCMS is a specialized solution for tracking and assessing radioactive contamination on vehicles that have operated in radiation-prone or nuclear-affected environments. It enables effective decontamination procedures and ensures safety compliance in post-incident scenarios. UGRMS is capable of measuring gamma radiation levels beneath the water surface and relaying real-time data to a remote station. It plays a critical role in maritime safety, coastal surveillance, nuclear site security, and underwater radiological emergency response operations. This device is tailored for areas with potential chemical, biological, or radioactive exposure. It functions by collecting contaminants from footwear to prevent the inadvertent spread of hazardous materials between secure and contaminated zones. ORDS is a diagnostic system designed to measure radiation exposure in human organs. It is especially valuable in nuclear disaster response and medical evaluation of individuals exposed to radiological threats, supporting timely diagnosis and treatment. Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO handed over these products to Rear Admiral Sriram Amur ACNS( SSP), Naval HQ at a special ceremony held at Defence laboratory Jodhpur, DRDO wrote in a post on X. The Election Commission of India on Tuesday held a meeting with a delegation from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by its state president Palla Srinivasa Rao at the Nirvachan Sadan here. The meeting was attended by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. Advertisement The interaction aimed to foster a collaborative environment where the TDP could directly communicate its suggestions, concerns, and feedback to the Commission. Advertisement The ECIs outreach underlines its commitment to inclusive electoral governance and continuously evolving the electoral ecosystem through dialogue, transparency, and cooperation. The TDP meeting follows similar interactions with other major political parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party led by Party President Mayawati on May 6 and the Bharatiya Janata Party led by its president J P Nadda on May 8. The Election Commission of India has been engaging in structured dialogues with presidents and senior representatives of various national and state-level political parties to enhance the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. These interactions allow parties to share their views, concerns, and suggestions directly with the Commission, promoting a more participatory approach in election management and policy formulation. Jharkhand Governor and Chancellor of State Universities, Santosh Kumar Gangwar, on Tuesday addressed the fifth graduation ceremony of Marwari College, Ranchi, urging students to view their academic degrees not merely as qualifications but as the beginning of lifelong responsibility. Speaking at the Vivekananda Auditorium, Gangwar congratulated the graduating students, their parents, and the college community, describing the convocation as a moment of collective pride and reflection. Degrees are not just certificatesthey represent discipline, perseverance, and commitment. They mark the beginning of a new chapter, he said. Advertisement He encouraged students to treat education as more than a means to employment, and to instead use knowledge as a force for positive change in society. India, he said, with its diversity and immense potential, needs the innovation, ideas, and sensitivity of its youth more than ever. Advertisement Referring to Indias emergence as the worlds fourth-largest economy, Gangwar emphasised the importance of youth in achieving the nations vision of becoming a developed country by 2047. He expressed confidence that Marwari College graduates would contribute meaningfully across sectorsscience, arts, education, public service, entrepreneurship, and social work. Reiterating his commitment to raising academic standards in the state, the Governor said he had attended convocations across Jharkhand over the past year and interacted directly with students. He expressed particular satisfaction in witnessing the enthusiasm and academic excellence of students from rural and remote backgrounds. Gangwar noted the increasing number of gold medals being awarded to female students, calling it a reflection of a transforming Indiaone where women are emerging as leaders across disciplines. He concluded by urging students to move ahead with confidence, humility, and a spirit of service. In life, not just degrees but direction and vision matter. If you pursue your goals with sincerity and resolve, success will follow, he said. BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China firmly opposes the U.S. unilateral sanctions against Cuba and interference in Cuba's internal affairs under the guise of so-called "human rights", a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday. China urges the United States to immediately lift its blockade and sanctions against Cuba, the spokesperson added. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a query about U.S. sanctions imposed on senior Cuban officials. Lin said that the United States has imposed a comprehensive blockade and illegal sanctions on Cuba for over 60 years, inflicting profound suffering on the Cuban people. "Sanctions should be lifted immediately instead of being intensified." Lin said that China firmly supports Cuba in taking a development path that suits its national conditions and firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity. "We urge the United States to immediately lift the blockade and sanctions against Cuba and remove it from the list of 'state sponsors of terrorism,'" he added. "If the U.S. side truly cares about human rights, it should reflect on its own record of human rights violations in Guantanamo, Cuba and around the world over the years," he said. Bilateral trade agreement (BTA) negotiations between India and the United States (US) are progressing in line with the decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, according to official sources. The first round of negotiations began during the US delegations visit to India in the last week of March. Advertisement Following the initial discussions, officials finalized the Terms of Reference (ToR). Notably, two more rounds of talks were held during Indias visits to the US in April, May, and June. Advertisement According to ANI, government officials stated, Our team is back in the US to carry out the fifth round of negotiations on the bilateral trade agreement. The agreement is progressing as per the decisions of our leaders and the Terms of Reference agreed upon by both countries. The officials further emphasized, Since day one, we have maintained that the joint statement issued on 13 February 2025 by the two leaders outlined that both countries would negotiate a bilateral trade agreement. The first tranche is expected by the fall of 2025. In pursuit of this goal, we have commenced active trade negotiations. Regarding tariffs, the report noted that while global tariff concerns have been widely discussed, actual implementation remains at the announcement stage. No new tariffs have taken effect so far, except in the case of China. Consequently, the competitive positioning of Indian exports has not undergone any significant shift, it added. In a recent report, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) advised India to resist mounting trade pressure from the US under President Trump, urging caution to avoid compromising critical sectors, particularly agriculture. The think tank warned that entering into a trade deal under pressure could lead to irreversible consequences, especially considering the unpredictability of such agreements in the current US political climate. Strongly raising the Pahalgam terror attack at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at Tianjin, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday called upon members of the 10-nation grouping, which also includes China and Pakistan, to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism the three evils it was founded to combat. Jaishankar, who participated in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting this evening in Tianjin said, We meet at a time of considerable disorder in the international system. In the last few years, we have seen more conflicts, competition and coercion. Advertisement He said economic instability is also visibly on the rise. Advertisement The challenge before us is to stabilise the global order, de-risk various dimensions and through it all, address longstanding challenges that threaten our collective interests, the External Affairs Minister said. This is also the External Affairs Ministers first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, which severely strained ties between the two neighbouring countries. Raising the issue of terrorism at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin, Jaishankar said, The three evils that SCO was founded to combat were terrorism, separatism and extremism. Not surprisingly, they often occur together. Recently, we in India witnessed a graphic example in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. It was deliberately conducted to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir, while sowing a religious divide. The UN Security Council, of which some of us are currently members, issued a statement that condemned it in the strongest terms and underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, the External Affairs Minister said. We have since done exactly that and will continue doing so. It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge, Jaishankar said. At the meeting, the External Affairs Minister also highlighted that India has taken several initiatives in the SCO in domains ranging from startup and innovation to traditional medicine and digital public infrastructure. We will continue to positively approach new ideas and proposals that are genuinely for our collective good. It is essential that such cooperation is based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and in accordance with territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states, he said. Jaishankar further said deepening collaboration within the SCO naturally requires more trade, investment and exchanges. For that to move to the next level, it is imperative that we address some current issues. One of them is the lack of assured transit within the SCO space. Its absence undermines the seriousness of advocating cooperation in economic areas. Another is to ensure the promotion of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). We are confident that it will continue to gather momentum, he said. Jaishankar said Afghanistan has long been on the SCO agenda. The compulsions of regional stability are buttressed by our longstanding concern for the well-being of the Afghan people. The international community, particularly SCO members, must therefore step up with development assistance. India, for its part, will certainly do so, he said. The world is today moving towards greater multi-polarity. This is not just in terms of redistribution of national capacities, but also the emergence of effective groupings like SCO. Our ability to contribute to the shaping of world affairs will naturally depend on how well we come together on a shared agenda. That means taking everybody on board, Jaishankar said. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other crew members of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, returned safely to Earth aboard SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft on Tuesday. The capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 PM IST on July 15, concluding their 18-day research mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla emerged from the capsule with support from the ground crew, waving with a broad smile on his waves. His return marked a historic moment for India this was the first time an Indian had travelled to the ISS. Advertisement The Axiom-4 crew undocked from the ISS at 4:30 PM IST on Monday. Nearly 23 hours later, the spacecraft re-entered Earths atmosphere on Tuesday afternoon. During re-entry, the capsule deployed its automated parachutes, enabling a smooth and controlled descent into the Pacific Ocean at a speed of about 15 miles per hour. Advertisement Following the soft landing, SpaceX and Axiom Space teams reached the site by boat to recover the crew. Ground personnel then conducted medical evaluations to assess the astronauts health. For the next few days, the crew members will undergo a re-acclimatisation process to adapt to the Earths gravitational conditions. In a press statement on Friday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that after splashdown, Gaganyatri Shubanshu Shukla will undergo a week-long rehabilitation program under the supervision of flight surgeons to help him readjust to Earths gravity. As part of the Axiom-4 mission the fourth private human spaceflight operated by US-based Axiom Space Shukla started his maiden journey for the International Space Station (ISS) on June 25. A day later, on June 26, he arrived at the orbiting laboratory, becoming the first Indian to set foot on the ISS. Aboard the space station, Shukla conducted a range of scientific experiments from space farming to muscle regeneration. The Kerala unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is in trouble as NCP Ajit Pawar group has demanded the resignation of State Forest Minister A K Saseendran and party legislator Thomas K Thomas if they continue to be with the Sharad Pawar group. NCP (Ajith Pawar group) working president Praful Patel issued an ultimatum to the NCP legislators, AK Saseendran and Thomas K Thomas, to either resign or switch allegiance to Ajit Pawars faction. Advertisement While the initial deadline was May 31, Praful Patel, in a recent letter, warned both of them that if they continued with Sharad Pawar, they would be disqualified from the position of MLA in Kerala. Advertisement Forest Minister AK Saseendran said that they have not taken the letter seriously and that they have decided to ignore it. Praful Patel sent the letter in the name of the working president. However, there is no such position as per the party constitution, he said. Thomas, who is the state president, also ignored the letter. Tell me which party Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule belong to. They (Ajit Pawar and Patel) all contested on the same symbol. We are with Pawarji. The Kerala Assembly Speaker will decide our status. Weve already informed the Supreme Court that we are with Pawar. No institution is above the apex court. Also, the NCP is a state party now, not a national one, he added. It is learnt that Praful Patel forwarded the letter on July 4. However, it became public only on Tuesday. The letter stated that K Thomas has been suspended from the party for six years and directed him to resign from his position as MLA within a week or face disqualification under the provisions of the Peoples Representation Act and the Anti-Defection Law. It is learnt that the NCP working president also sent a similar letter to Minister Saseendran. In a much needed relief to Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, Yemen authorities have postponed her execution scheduled for July 16, following concerted efforts by the Indian government, sources said on Tuesday. This will give Priyas family more time to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the victims family. Advertisement Government of India, which has since the beginning of the case been rendering all possible assistance in the matter, has made concerted efforts in recent days to seek more time for the family of Nimisha Priya to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party, sources quoted by ANI said. Advertisement Despite the sensitivities involved, Indian officials have been in regular touch with the local jail authorities and the prosecutors office, leading to securing this postponement, they added further. Priya was convicted of murdering a Yemeni national and sentenced to death with her execution scheduled for Wednesday. However, her family moved the Supreme Court seeking Government of Indias intervention. During the Supreme Court hearing, the Centre informed that while it cant do much since India doesnt have formal diplomatic ties with Yemen, it reached out to an influential Sheikh in the country to postpone the execution. The postponement of the execution will give Priyas family more time to explore the possibility of clemency through the payment of diyaa form of blood moneyto the victims family. Under the Sharia Law in Yemen, victims family can issue pardon to the convict in exchange of the blood money. The development comes a day after Centre informed the Supreme Court that there is nothing much it can do since India did not have formal diplomatic ties with Yemen. However, the Centre also stated that it was making efforts privately with an influential Sheikh in the country to put her execution in abeyance. Demanding a revised agenda for the meeting convened by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry with the chief ministers of the two Telugu states, Telangana expressed its opposition to any discussion on the controversial Banakacharla Project. Following directions from Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Telanganas Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has conveyed the states stand to Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil. A letter with similar content was written to the Union Jal Shakti secretary by the chief secretary. The letters conveyed that Telangana was opposed to any discussion over the Banakacharla Project. Advertisement In his letter to the ministry, Telanganas Chief Secretary B Ramakrishna Rao requested for a revised agenda for the meeting, slated for tomorrow. Advertisement Convened by the Union ministry, the meeting will be attended by the chief ministers of AP and Telangana, N Chandrababu Naidu and A Revanth Reddy. The letter requested, The agenda for the meeting be revised to defer any discussion on the Godavari-Banakacharla Link project until all statutory requirements, interstate consultations, and clearances are fully complied with and all objections resolved. Telanganas issues, as detailed in the letter submitted today be duly included in the agenda. In his letter to Patil, N Uttam Kumar Reddy outlined their objections to the project, which was conceived by Chandrababu Naidu to bring floodwaters of Godavari to Rayalaseema by linking the river to the Krishna Basin and then to the river Pennar. The project threatens Telanganas rightful share of Godavari water, especially for drought-prone regions, and undermines equitable management of interstate river waters, said Reddy. He urged the Union minister to direct the Central Water Commission to reject the pre-feasibility report of the Polavaram-Banakacharla Link Project. He further demanded that AP be prevented from submitting a Detailed Project Report (DPR ) or taking any further action, including awarding tenders on this project. He wrote, The project should not be discussed and approved at any forum until all statutory clearances, inter-state consultations and objections are fully resolved in accordance with the law and tribunal awards. A panel under the Union Environment Ministry had returned the project to AP after the hue and cry raised by Congress and BRS leaders. However, the chief minister had warned that this setback was only a comma for veteran leader Naidu, who is now at an advantageous position in the NDA coalition in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid heartfelt tributes to freedom fighter and Congress leader K Kamaraj on his birth anniversary, highlighting his pivotal role in Indias freedom struggle and his commitment to social justice. Paying homage to Thiru K Kamaraj Ji on his birth anniversary. He was at the forefront of Indias freedom struggle and provided invaluable leadership in the formative years of our journey after Independence. His noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly, PM Modi said in a post on his handle X. Advertisement Born in a humble and poor family in Tamil Nadu, Kamaraj began working as a shop assistant at the age of 12. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre at the age of 15 became a turning point in his life, drawing him into the freedom struggle. Kamaraj served as the Chief Minister of Madras from 1954 and suggested the Kamaraj Plan to Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963, advocating for senior Congress leaders to take up organisational work. His visionary Mid Day Meal scheme broke down barriers and brought education within reach for the disadvantaged. Advertisement Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tributes to K Kamaraj, calling him a true son of India. Today, we pay our sincere homage to K Kamarajar, a true son of India, revered by the people of Tamil Nadu for his pioneering social welfare initiatives, Kharge wrote on X. He highlighted Kamarajs transformative impact in nation-building after independence and his tireless championing of social justice. Congratulatory messages started pouring in from all quarters soon after Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other crew members of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, returned safely to Earth after an 18-day trip to the International Space Station on Tuesday. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the first to congratulate him and the whole team that undertook the historical mission to space. Advertisement A hearty welcome to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he comes back on Earth after his space journey. His role in piloting of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station has created a new milestone for Indias space exploration as well as for international collaboration in science and technology. My congratulations to everyone involved in this mission, President Murmu said in a statement posted on X. Advertisement Mr Modi was also quick enough to release a congratulatory message. He said it was an inspiring act. I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As Indias first astronaut to have visited the International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission Gaganyaan, he wrote on X, one of the well-known social media platforms. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed happiness over the space mission getting completed successfully, saying its a proud moment for all Indians. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shuklas successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, but lifted Indias aspirations to new heights. His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone, it is a proud stride for Indias growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours, he said in a social media post. Similar feelings have been expressed by several ministers, leaders and organisations wherein they all appreciated the fact that the space vehicle carrying them back to the Earth could reach safely and no harm was done to anyone, and whole process of recovering their capsule, which splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California of the US at 3:01 PM IST, could be carried out as planned. As I said, with this success, India has established a permanent place in the domain of space. It is a moment of pride for the entire world, but it holds special significance for India this is truly a historic moment, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said. BJP, the ruling party that leads the NDA government at the Centre, was prompt to post its thoughts on the X. Welcome back, Shubhanshu Shukla you are an inspiration to 140 crore Indians, it said in the post. Partys national president JP Nadda congratulated Shukla, saying, History has been made, and the future of Indian space exploration shines brighter than ever. Heartfelt congratulations to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the entire Axiom-4 crew on their safe return to Earth. Shubhanshu Shuklas achievement is not just a personal milestone but a proud moment for the entire nation. His space journey will forever stand as a golden chapter in Indias space odyssey. This feat is a big step toward Indias own human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. I wish him continued success in all his future endeavours. Mayawati, former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, the native state of Group Captain Shukla, also congratulated him, saying his safe return to the Earth after the space mission is very inspiring, especially for youngsters. Many other leaders and prominent people have expressed happiness and sent their congratulatory messages on the occasion. The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted interim protection from arrest to Indore-based cartoonist Hemant Malviya, who is facing a criminal case over a caricature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which was alleged to be objectionable and derogatory. A bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Aravind Kumar granted interim anticipatory protection to Malviya after he expressed regret over the episode and submitted an apology. The Court directed that the apology be submitted in Hindi in the form of an affidavit. The matter has now been posted for further hearing after August 15. Advertisement The Court also directed that pleadings in the matter be completed by the next date of hearing. Advertisement The bench was hearing Malviyas petition against the July 3 order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court which had denied him anticipatory bail, holding that the cartoon in question was a misuse of freedom of speech and warranted custodial interrogation. On Monday, the bench had rebuked the cartoonist for his conduct and remarked, Comedians, cartoonists etc. must be mindful of their conduct. When told that Malviya was over 50 years of age, the bench had remarked, Still no maturity. We agree that it is inflammatory. During todays hearing, senior advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for Malviya, reiterated that while the cartoon may be seen as unpalatable or in poor taste, it did not amount to a cognisable offence. She assured the court that Malviya would remove the post and clarify that he had not endorsed the objectionable comments attached to the image when it was recently recirculated. In his plea before the top court, Malviya submitted that the original cartoon was created during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic as a form of satire on public comments comparing vaccines to water in terms of safety, given the limited clinical evidence at the time. The caricature, he contended, depicted a common man being vaccinated by a public figure and had remained in public domain on social media for over four years. He further stated that a third-party social media user had recently re-shared the cartoon on May 1, 2025, with politically loaded commentary, which Malviya later shared to demonstrate that his cartoons were available for public use and did not necessarily reflect his own views. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had earlier held that Malviyas cartoon clearly overstepped the threshold of freedom of speech and represented a sheer misuse of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The court said custodial interrogation was necessary. In the considered opinion of this court, the conduct of the applicant in depicting the RSS, which is a Hindu organisation, along with the Prime Minister of this country in the aforesaid caricature, coupled with his endorsement of a rather demeaning remark, dragging unnecessarily the name of Lord Shiva in the comments tagged to it, is nothing but the sheer misuse of the freedom of speech and expression , the High Court had observed. The High Court had also noted that the cartoon became more objectionable when combined with the allegedly derogatory remarks involving Lord Shiva, and took into account that Malviya had encouraged others to use or remix the caricature. Seven persons were killed while 17 others were injured, four of them critically, after an overloaded passenger vehicle on Tuesday plunged into a deep gorge near the Bhart village, about 25 km from the district headquarters of Doda. The vehicle was carrying 24 passengers at the time of mishap. Three passengers died on the spot, while four others succumbed after being rescued. Advertisement The critically injured were shifted to a medical college hospital here for treatment. Advertisement Union Minister in the PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh, who represents the constituency, wrote on X; I am in constant touch with the local district administration. Just now spoke to DC Doda, Harvinder Singh on receiving the information about a private tempo road accident in the vicinity of Bhart village. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condoled the loss of lives in a tragic road accident in Doda. Expressing sorrow, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote on X; Deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Doda that has claimed six lives and left several injured. The administration has been directed to ensure immediate medical assistance and support to all affected, he added. KABUL, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Torrential rains triggered severe flash floods that swept through parts of eastern Afghanistan's Laghman province, injuring 11 people and causing widespread destruction, state-owned Bakhtar news agency reported on Tuesday. The floods affected the capital of the province, Mehtarlam city, and multiple districts, destroying at least 80 residential houses and inflicting serious damage on local infrastructure and agriculture. Around 525 acres of farmland were submerged, while 160 livestock perished in the flooding. Additionally, the floods washed away 25 km of rural roads and 700 meters of protective retaining walls in the province. Last week, Laghman's neighboring Nangarhar province was also hit by heavy rainstorms and flash floods, which claimed two lives and caused extensive financial losses to local communities. Afghanistan's weather department has issued fresh warnings for more rainfall in the coming days, raising concerns about further flooding in mountainous and vulnerable regions. With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections just 10 months away, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday asserted that the saffron project of any Delhi team would never succeed when the Tamils stand united under one banner. Hailing the DMK-led secular alliance, comprising the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Left Parties and Muslim parties, he said, Marxist and Ambedkarite parties in Tamil Nadu are coming under a single banner. When Tamil Nadu is one, the saffron project of any Delhi team wont succeed. The allies are a pillar of support for the Dravidian Model Government. Advertisement He was speaking after inaugurating the memorial for late Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president L Elayaperumal, a dalit leader, at Chidambaram. Advertisement Without naming the AIADMK-BJP alliance, he was referring to it as the Delhi team. The memorial was built in commemoration of the centenary of Elayaperumal at a cost of Rs 6.39 crore. The journey for social justice is a long one, he said and paid encomiums on Elayaperumal for his selfless political career. From revolting against separate drinking water pots for Dalits and non-Dalits, he had protested against discrimination even in the Army, where he had served. He is a great revolutionary. The imprint of the Elayaperumal Committee Report can be seen in the framing of the Prevention of SC/ST Atrocities Act and the Tamil Nadu statute mandating Temple Priests from all castes. Everything will change and a just and equal society will get established, he wrote in an X post, recalling the contributions of the late leader. Earlier in the day, he launched the state-wide mass outreach programme Ungaludan Stalin (Stalin with You), taking government services to the doorstep of the people through 10,000 camps to be held till November end, at a marriage hall in the temple town. He also unveiled a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar, the father of Indian Constitution. Dalit leader and VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, who is the local MP, and Stalins ministerial colleagues, were present at all these events. US President Donald Trump has once again claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, stating that the two nations were on the brink of nuclear war before his intervention. Trump reiterated his claim of brokering the ceasefire during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday. Trump stated that the two nations were on the brink of nuclear war before his intervention and claimed he used trade as leverage to settle the conflict. Advertisement We have been very successful in settling wars. India, Pakistan India and Pakistan would have been (in) a nuclear war within another week, the way that was going (on). That was going (on) very badly. We did that through trade. I said, were not going to talk to you about trade unless you get this thing settled. And they did, Trump said. Advertisement This isnt the first time Trump has made such claims. He initially announced the ceasefire on May 10, 2025, and has since repeated his assertion multiple times. However, India has refuted Trumps claims, stating that the ceasefire was a result of direct communication between the Directors-General of Military Operations of both countries, with no discussion of trade. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh was quick to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not openly refuting Trumps repeated claims. 65 days. 22 times. The same claim. It keeps getting repeated, Ramesh said in a post on handle X on Tuesday, questioning why PM Modi remains silent despite Trumps assertions of using trade to avert a nuclear escalation. The India-Pakistan conflict had escalated in May following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. In a retaliatory action, India launched Operation Sindoor, striking terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation led to a significant blow to terrorist groups, with over 100 terrorists reportedly eliminated. Following the operation, Pakistan approached India for a ceasefire, which was agreed upon after a call between the Directors-General of Military Operations of both countries. The Ministry of External Affairs has refuted Trumps claims, reiterating Indias policy of bilaterally addressing issues with Pakistan, including those related to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. As you are aware, we have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed, the MEA had stated. Describing the states economic journey as a transition from possibilities to results, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said this transformation reflects the vision of Viksit Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stressed that Uttar Pradeshs economic growth is no longer just reflected in statistics, but has become a testament to real, on-ground change. The CM conducted a comprehensive review of UPs economic landscape, development framework, and revenue sources during a high-level meeting held here on Monday late evening. Advertisement According to the data presented in the meeting, Uttar Pradeshs Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) reached Rs 9.6 lakh crore in 202425, an impressive 80 per cent increase from 202021. During the same period, the states contribution to the national economy has risen from 8.4 per cent to 8.9 per cent. Terming this a significant milestone toward building a self-reliant Uttar Pradesh, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to devise a focused strategy to raise the states share to 10 per cent by 2026. Advertisement Highlighting a structural shift in the economy, he noted the growing contribution of the manufacturing and service sectors, while the agriculture sectors share is gradually declining. He described the Make in UP model as the cornerstone of Uttar Pradeshs industrial strategy for the coming decade and directed officials to promote the establishment of new industrial units, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. During the agriculture sector review, it was reported that foodgrain production is expected to touch 722 lakh metric tonnes in 202425, an increase of 100 lakh metric tonnes compared to 202021. However, productivity disparities remain across districts. For instance, wheat productivity has reached 46 quintals per hectare in some regions, while in others it lags around 30 quintals. Terming this gap an imbalance, the Chief Minister instructed that targeted interventions, such as technical support and farmer awareness campaigns, be undertaken to bridge the divide. In the animal husbandry sector, Uttar Pradesh leads the nation in milk production, with egg production also showing notable improvement. However, the Chief Minister emphasised that overall output alone is not sufficient; there must be a focused effort to enhance per-animal productivity. He directed officials to regularly analyse data related to breed improvement, feed management, and the dairy industry to ensure sustained progress. Reviewing the manufacturing sector, it was reported that the number of registered factories has surpassed 27,000 in 202425. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of equitable industrial growth across districts to generate local employment and boost state revenues. He also called for strengthening the capacity of District Industry Centres to ensure continuous engagement with industries and to streamline the registration and support systems for new units. A significant rise was also noted in the export of information technology services from the state. In 202425, IT exports through the STPI touched Rs 46,800 crore, an increase of 40 per cent compared to 202122. The Chief Minister described this as a sector full of opportunities for the youth. Encouraging trends were also observed in service-based industries such as tourism, hospitality, and trade. Particularly post-COVID, the tourism sector has seen a steady rise in footfall. The meeting also reviewed the states two key revenue streamsGST and excise duty. GST collections in 202425 exceeded Rs 1.49 lakh crore, reflecting a 6.6 per cent growth over the previous year. Meanwhile, excise revenue reached Rs 52,574 crore, marking an impressive year-on-year increase of around 15 per cent. Calling these figures proof of revenue self-reliance, the Chief Minister stressed that this financial growth must underpin the expansion of public services and social welfare schemes. Assessing the road transport sector, the Chief Minister identified it as a promising avenue for the future. He advocated for the identification of new routes to expand private bus services, stating that such a move would improve public transportation while opening up new sources of revenue for the state. He added that it would also create large-scale employment opportunities within the transport sector. The Chief Minister further highlighted the importance of data integrity during the review. He instructed departments to ensure that all presented data is accurate and regularly updated. He called for the development of a clear, time-bound, and outcome-driven roadmap for major sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, services, energy, and human resources, to be monitored in coordination with the Planning Department. He concluded by stating that accurate data is the foundation of effective policymaking and will play a key role in propelling Uttar Pradesh into the league of developed states. The deputy chief of the Indian Army, Lt Gen Rahul R Singh, has said what had been known all along but not presented in the manner it should have. He stated, while addressing an event organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, that India was battling two, if not three, adversaries during Operation Sindoor. He added that Pakistan was the face with China and Turkey providing vital support from the background. The CDS did try to do damage control by saying, How much of State support (from China) is very difficult to define, however, the facts are well known. China historically hesitates to enter into a conflict unless it is 100 per cent certain of victory. It is aware that a long-drawn conflict as in Ukraine, tactical defeat or even a stalemate would break the carefully built myth of the invincible PLA and threaten the authority of its ruling dispensation. Their national public fears body bags. Hence, Beijing continues to threaten Taiwan, unwilling to risk an operation, preferring hybrid warfare. Powerful nations like China exploit proxies to push their agenda. Indian capability and infrastructure development was aimed at countering the Chinese. Advertisement This had to change as India was narrowing the tactical and infrastructure gap. The best manner was to make India look westwards, splitting resources and funds. China also needed its military products to be tested in controlled military operations. What better guinea pig than Pakistan? China and Pakistan are aware that any terrorist incident with high casualties in Kashmir would invite a military backlash. This is essential for the survival of the Modi government, which had been broadcasting a policy of Ghar mein ghus kar maarenge. Advertisement For Pakistan, dependent on China for financial survival and military hardware, the options are few. It is dutybound to do Beijings bidding. Add the fact that its army is losing control over the nation alongside increased casualties to freedom movements in its western provinces of Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. What better than a threat from India to bring unity within? Since Operation Sindoor, Imran Khan is missing from media coverage, losing fabricated cases, while Asim Munir tightens his grip on the country. Their perception management team played up victory in Operation Sindoor with emphasis on Indian losses, hiding their own. Turkey, whose drones were successfully employed by Azerbaijan against Armenia, were hopeful of a similar performance against India. Failure of their famed Bayraktar TB2 drones is an immense setback to their export plans. With India likely to offer Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missiles to its major rival, Greece, concerns within Turkey are rising. They consider it as Indian revenge for their support to Pakistan. China provided Pakistan with all back-up support, technical, intelligence, as also real-time inputs from its satellites. This did impact Indian plans, but failure of their military hardware, including aircraft, missiles and air defence radars was a major setback. More importantly, multiple nations have obtained technical data of failed Chinese missiles from India. Strategic losses to Pakistan, which compelled them to seek a ceasefire, would take time to recoup. Even if China provides them at a discount, it will still be costly for a cashstrapped nation. It would need to rethink its future plans on pushing terrorism in Kashmir, at least for now. It is now clear that peace with China is just an illusion. Talks are only a facade and Beijing will remain our perpetual adversary. Chinas anti-India policy is also evident on the economic field by its restrictions on exports of critical minerals, finished products and withdrawing its engineers from global manufacturing organisations. India can never let its guard down and must consider all agreements reached with China with a pinch of salt. Beijing is also expanding its reach in the neighbourhood. Another factor is that Pakistan, which was considered a lesser evil due to its depleting economy and being globally sidelined, will remain an irritant, funded, armed and exploited by China. It has gained confidence due to Chinese and Turkish support and would at some time in the future, after recouping its losses, consider another major terrorist strike. A combination of Pakistan and China, alongside a changing Bangladesh is a security concern for India. This means India must invest in its military upgradation and capability development, not just against the northern adversary but also the western one. For this, apart from increased budgetary allocation, it needs to push its domestic industry to deliver products as per schedule. The current shortfalls in airpower cannot continue for ages. India has rightly ordered an audit of Chinese parts in domestic military products and must pursue the same with vigour. Investment in R and D must be enhanced. Air defence has proved to be an essential pre-requisite in national defence. It needs to be upgraded with emerging threats. Simultaneously, New Delhi must change its policies towards countering terrorist strikes immediately, rather than giving the adversary two weeks to prepare, deploy and organize its defences as it did with Operation Sindoor. This means that theatre commands, which would be responsible for responding militarily, must be raised and tasked suitably. The Western Theatre Command should have multiple offensive options ready and rehearsed to be implemented with minimum time delay, post political-military approval. There is also a need to enhance civil-military fusion at state levels to counter any actions planned by Pakistan on similar lines as Operation Spider Web launched by Ukraine against Russia, targeting strategic assets deep within the country, alongside operations on the borders. There are Pakistani sleeper cells within India which could be activated alongside military operations. The armed forces may not be available to assist the civil administration when the border scenario is tense. States must possess resources and intelligence to counter such actions. India needs to revisit its neighbourhood first policy. It cannot let its neighbours shift gears towards China. With Bangladesh slowly drifting away, others cannot be permitted to follow suit. China, lacking the will to act militarily, will exploit Indian neighbours to enhance tensions within the country. India is amongst the few nations facing threats from multiple directions. National security needs to be given priority. The China-Pak axis is a reality and will be an increasing threat in the future. Only military power alongside national and political will keep adversaries at bay. Enhancing defence capabilities is now more essential than ever. (The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.) The recent high-level visits of Pakistans top military leadership to the United States ~ first by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and then Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu ~ are signalling a potential shift in South Asias strategic landscape. For a region already grappling with volatility, these engage ments may have far-reaching implications. The United States, which in the past decade consciously dehyphenated its relationships with India and Pakistan, now appears to be recalibrating that balance in a way that risks reviving older fault lines. While this renewed engagement with Pakistan might appear transactional on the surface, its consequences could be destabilising for the entire region. General Munirs Washington visit, which included a working lunch with President Donald Trump, has seemingly emboldened Pakistans military establishment. Munir not only used the platform to advocate for military and economic support but also chose to revive old disputes such as Kashmir. Predictably, he accused India of aggression while turning a blind eye to Pakistans long standing complicity in cross-border terrorism. Advertisement Despite facing internal political and economic turmoil, Pakistan continues to project itself as a net regional stabiliser. Such claims stand in sharp contrast to evidence emerging from Indian intelligence and independent media reports, which indicate that Pakistan is actively rebuilding terror infrastructure destroyed during Indias recent retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor. That operation, launched in response to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 that killed 26 civilians, targeted nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Since then, Pakistan has shifted tactics ~ moving from large, easily identifiable training centres to smaller, mobile, and technologically enabled terror camps, often hidden deep within forested terrain to evade detection. Advertisement From the American perspective, this renewed outreach to Pakistan appears to be guided more by global than regional objectives. Trump reportedly offered Pakistan fifth-generation fighter aircraft, advanced missiles, military aid, and enhanced trade deals. In return, the US sought access to Pakistani military bases and seaports, and a rollback of Islamabads strategic intimacy with China and Russia. This echoes Washingtons historical pattern of engaging Pakistan not for the sake of South Asia, but as a tool to pursue broader interests ~ be it in the Gulf, Central Asia, or Southeast Asia. With tensions rising in West Asia and a potential conflict with Iran on the horizon, Pakistans geographic position is again proving attractive to US planners. Yet this move is not without significant risks. Pakistans track record of duplicity is no secret. During his first term, Trump himself had openly criticized Pakistans double game ~ accepting American aid while sheltering terrorist groups. However, as the US prepared its exit from Afghanistan, it returned to Pakistan out of necessity. A similar dynamic seems to be at play again, but with perhaps even higher stakes. The perception of renewed US-Pakistan closeness could distort the carefully built strategic understanding between India and the US, an equation based not only on mutual interests but on shared democratic values and long-term cooperation in technology and defense. Any suggestion of parity betw een India and Pakistan undermines Indias regional primacy and emboldens elements within Pakistan who remain hostile to peace. Pakistans dissatisfaction with Chinese military hardware ~ especially after its underwhelming performance during Operation Sindoor ~ is also a key reason behind its current lobbying efforts in Washington. The Chinese-supplied HQ-9P and HQ-16 air defense systems proved ineffective, triggering a renewed interest in Western defense technologies. Reports suggest Pakistan is now aggressively seeking F-16 Block 70 jets, HIMARS rocket systems, and advanced missile platforms from the US. This dual-track diplomacy ~ retaining deep ties with China while courting Washington ~ reflects Pakistans highly transactional approach to foreign policy. It seeks to maximise benefits from both ends while continuing to use proxy terror groups as strategic assets. India, naturally, has serious concerns. A rearmed and politically emboldened Pakistan could adopt a more aggressive stance on the Line of Control or escalate its propaganda and infiltration campaigns in Jammu and Kashmir. General Munirs rhetoric on Kashmir and his posturing against India show signs of a renewed psychological offensive. India has already responded decisively ~ not only with Operation Sindoor but also through strong diplomatic and economic measures. These included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, halting visa services, closing the Attari land border post, expelling Pakistani diplomats, and banning Pakistani digital media outlets. These steps indicate Indias unwillingness to tolerate provocation or rely on external mediation in matters of national security. In this context, India must recalibrate its strategic posture. It needs to intensify diplomatic outreach in Washington to caution against a policy that risks emboldening a historically revisionist state. The risk is not merely to India, but to regional stability. Pakistans past behaviour makes clear that any military or economic concessions are likely to be misused rather than serve peace. India must also deepen cooperation with its partners in the Indo-Pacific ~ such as Japan, Australia, France, and ASEAN ~ to strengthen alternative alignments and reduce over-reliance on the US as a counterweight to regional threats. Equally important is strengthening Indias internal security architecture. With Pakistan shifting to decentralised, forest based terror training camps, India will need to invest in next generation surveillance tools, drone countermeasures, and cyber intelligence to detect and neutralise emerging threats. The situation also calls for greater multilateral engagement. India must use global platforms to highlight the gap between Pakistans self-declared role as a regional stabiliser and its continued support for terrorism. While Pakistan attempts to rewrite its image, India should ensure that the world is reminded of the reality on the ground ~ its use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy, its duplicity in counterterrorism narratives, and its consistent efforts to destabilise its neighbours. The United States may have short-term strategic imperatives, especially regarding Iran and access to critical sea routes. But if this comes at the cost of emboldening a nuclear-armed military establishment in Pakistan that has shown little commitment to reform, the blowback could be severe. Not only would it destabilise South Asia, but it could also undermine de cades of trust-building between Washington and New Delhi. India must remain vigilant and proactive. The resurgence of US-Pakistan military ties is not yet a full strategic realignment, but it is certainly a trend worth watching. Any policy that rewards duplicity over responsibility risks plunging the region into another cycle of violence and mistrust. South Asias fragile stability should not be sacrificed for tactical advantage elsewhere. (The writer is Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses) A civilian from Mashkay in Balochistans Awaran district, identified as Karim Jan, son of Azeem, has reportedly died in the custody of Pakistani security forces after months of enforced disappearance and alleged torture, The Balochistan Post reported. According to The Balochistan Post, Karim Jan was summoned by Pakistani military personnel to a camp in Mashkay on February 22, 2025. After that, he was not seen again. Nearly five months later, on July 12, his body was handed over to his family. Family members and local sources confirmed that the corpse bore visible signs of torture, suggesting that he died as a result of custodial abuse. This was not Karim Jans first encounter with security forces. The Balochistan Post noted that he had previously been detained in 2023, allegedly tortured for eight months before being released. His family now calls this second arrest and subsequent death a case of extrajudicial killing and custodial torture. Advertisement As per The Balochistan Post, human rights activists say that Karim Jans killing is not an isolated case but part of a deeply disturbing and ongoing pattern of state violence in Balochistan. Enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and custodial deaths are frequently reported, yet accountability remains nonexistent. Advertisement The Balochistan Post reported similar recent incidents. In one case, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) alleged that Azmat Rind, a resident of Naseerabad, was tortured to death in custody after being forcibly disappeared on June 5. His body was allegedly buried secretly by authorities without notifying his family. In another case, Nawab Noor Bakhsh from Kolwah reportedly died in a military camp, with his body later recovered bearing signs of torture. These repeated tragedies have reignited calls for independent and impartial investigations into the Pakistani security forces conduct in Balochistan. Human rights organisations argue that these actions amount to a systematic campaign of repression against the Baloch people and demand urgent international attention. Baloch National Movement (BNM) chairman Naseem Baloch has urged the European Union to immediately reconsider its economic cooperation with Pakistan under the GSP+ scheme, warning that such privileges are being granted at the cost of Baloch lives and dignity. Speaking on the formation of a dedicated BNM committee to document human rights violations in Balochistan, Baloch said the initiative aims to systematically inform EU institutions about the atrocities being committed daily by the Pakistani state. These include enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, and suppression of political rights, which he said are deliberately concealed through media censorship and military control. We believe that providing economic or diplomatic support to Pakistan in such conditions, particularly through trade privileges like GSP+, amounts to indirect support for the ongoing grave human rights violations against the Baloch nation, Baloch said. According to him, the EUs trade concessions, which allow Pakistan annual benefits of EUR6-7 billion, are empowering the very military forces involved in what he described as genocide in Balochistan. He emphasised that under the terms of the GSP+ agreement, Pakistan is obligated to uphold 27 core international conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture (CAT). Pakistan, he argued, is in flagrant and systematic violation of these requirements. Advertisement Pakistani intelligence agencies abduct students, political workers, journalists, anyone who speaks for Baloch rights, he added. They are held in torture cells or found in mass graves. This is not governance; this is state terrorism. Naseem Baloch also highlighted that elections in Balochistan are nothing but theatrical exercises, where the military and ISI handpick representatives, nullifying any semblance of democracy. Advertisement Free journalism is impossible in Balochistan. Those who speak out are silenced, through imprisonment, abduction, or assassination, he said. He concluded by urging the EU to terminate all economic, political, and military cooperation with Pakistan. We have consistently informed elected representatives and institutions of the European Union about this grave humanitarian crisis and have appealed to them to hold all Pakistani civil and military officials involved in the Baloch genocide accountable. We demand that the EU reconsider and terminate all forms of political, economic, and military cooperation with the state of Pakistan, which is deeply involved in serious human rights violations, he said. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced the formation of an interministerial committee to coordinate economic and trade countermeasures to protect the countrys economy. The move was taken after US President Donald Trump announced a 50 per cent tariff on all imports from Brazil starting August 1. Advertisement The interministerial committee is created through a decree regulating the economic reciprocity law and will be chaired by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who is also minister of development, industry, trade and services, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement The first meeting of the committee will be held on Tuesday, with representatives from the industrial sector in attendance. Earlier Trump threatened Brazil with a crippling tariff of 50 per cent starting August 1, according to a letter he sent to the countrys president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. In the letter posted on Truth Social, Trump alleged Lula is undertaking a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY! over charges against its right-wing former president, Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro, who has bragged about his closeness with Trump, is facing trial for allegedly attempting to stage a coup against Lula. Lula vowed to reciprocate if Trump follows through with his threat. Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage, Lula said in a post on X. Any measure to increase tariffs unilaterally will be responded to in light of Brazils Law of Economic Reciprocity, he added. Nine months have passed since the alleged enforced disappearance of two Baloch brothers, Junaid Hameed and Yasir Hameed, yet their family remains without any official word on their fate or whereabouts, deepening their anguish and sense of abandonment, The Balochistan Post reported. According to The Balochistan Post, Junaid Hameed was allegedly abducted on October 8, 2024, near the Bhawani Shah Pump in Hub Chowki by Pakistani security forces. Merely three days later, on October 11, his elder brother Yasir Hameed was reportedly picked up from Khil, Kalat. Since then, both have remained missing, with no legal acknowledgement or explanation provided by the authorities. Advertisement In a statement issued this week, their sister Yasmeen Hameed described the past nine months as a relentless nightmare marked by fear, uncertainty, and psychological torment. These nine months have been like living through a horror story, she said. Every moment is filled with restlessness, fear, and hopelessness. The silence of the state institutions only deepens our despair. Advertisement The Balochistan Post reported that Yasmeen has taken all legal avenues available to her. She has filed numerous petitions, taken part in protest demonstrations, and met with officials who repeatedly assured her of progress. Despite these efforts, no meaningful information has been shared, and no developments have occurred. Despite being promised by officials that our loved ones would be surfaced, nothing has changed. My brothers have disappeared, Yasmeen told The Balochistan Post. Their case highlights a wider pattern of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, where families often face silence, fear, and harassment. Human rights organisations have long raised concerns over the states failure to ensure justice and accountability in such cases. Yasmeen has now become the public face of her familys struggle. We want answers. We want justice. We want the safe recovery of our loved ones. Please raise your voice with us, she pleaded to the public through The Balochistan Post. US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim on Monday (local time) that he stopped the escalation of the recent India-Pakistan conflict after the Pahalgam terror attack. Trump made these remarks during his meeting with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte. We have been very successful in settling wars, India, Pakistan India, by the way, Pakistan would have been a nuclear war within another week, the way that was going. It was going very badly, Trump stated. He pointed to his strategy of using trade as leverage, stating, We did that through trade. I said, we are not going to talk to you about trade, unless you get this thing settled, and they did. Advertisement In June, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, You know, I did something that people dont talk about, and I dont talk about very much, but we solved a big problem, a nuclear problem potentially with India and with Pakistan. I spoke to Pakistan, I spoke to India, they have really great leaders, but they were going at it, and they could have gone at it nuclear, he added. Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for stopping hostilities between India and Pakistan after New Delhis effective response to Islamabads aggression following precision strikes on terror infrastructure. However, India refuted the claims made by the US President, reiterating its policy that India and Pakistan bilaterally address any matter related to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. As you are aware, we have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed. As you are aware, the outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian Territory by Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs stated. The MEA further stated that the issue of trade did not come up between Indian and US leaders since the commencement of Operation Sindoor and the cessation of hostilities. From the time OPERATION SINDOOR commenced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on 10th May, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions, MEA further stated. India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. India repelled subsequent Pakistani military aggression and pounded its airbases. India and Pakistan agreed to a cessation of hostilities following a call made by Pakistans DGMO to his Indian counterpart. Advertisement MACAO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) announced on Tuesday that 12 candidates from two electoral lists are not qualified for the election due to failing to uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the Macao SAR. Seng Ioi Man, chairman of the commission, noted at a press conference that the decision was made in accordance with the Electoral Law for the Legislative Assembly and based on the opinions sent by the Macao SAR Committee for Safeguarding National Security on Monday. The Electoral Law for the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR was amended in 2024, enhancing the candidate vetting mechanism and reinforcing the principle of "patriots administering Macao." Under the revised framework, the Committee for Safeguarding National Security shall determine whether candidates uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the Macao SAR and shall issue binding review opinions to the electoral affairs commission for those who are not eligible. The commission shall make decisions on ineligibility based on the review opinions, which are not subject to any statement of objections or judicial appeal. According to the briefing, no issues of ineligibility or procedural non-compliance were found among the other candidate lists and candidates for the election. These candidate lists and the respective candidates have all been accepted by the commission. Seng stressed that the committee's review was legally grounded, and the commission respects and supports the judgment. The commission will continue to carry out election-related duties in strict accordance with the law, ensuring a lawful and orderly election, he said. Sept. 14 was set as the election day for Macao SAR's eighth Legislative Assembly, with 14 members to be elected by direct vote and 12 by indirect means. Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6) Today Showers this morning becoming less numerous during the afternoon hours. High 77F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 59F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The BSE Ltd (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange), one of Indias major bourses, received a bomb threat on Tuesday via an email, according to a report by ANI citing Mumbai Police. The police and bomb squad reportedly reached Dalal Street following the alert but did not discover any suspicious items. The email, which warned that four RDX explosives would go off at 3.00 pm on Tuesday, came from an ID Comrade Pinarayi Vijayan, a fake moniker referring to the incumbent Kerala Chief Minister. Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg Police in Mumbai registered a case against a person under sections 351(1)(b), 353(2), 351(3), 351(4) of BNS, and further investigations have been initiated, as per the agency report. The BSE, along with the National Stock Exchange (NSE), are the two major stock markets in India. The BSE benchmark Sensex is usually used as an unofficial yardstick to determine the health of the Indian economy. Headquartered at Dalal Street in South Mumbai, it is among the oldest public share market institutions in the country. While BSE shares (listed on the NSE) dipped in early Tuesday trade, they recovered later and traded at least 1.65 per cent higher, indicating that the hoax had a minimal impact on the stock itself. The Sensex continued Mondays recovery and traded in the green on Tuesday. By noon, the 30-pack benchmark was up by around 0.5 per cent. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on Tuesday, announced that it has handed over six strategic, indigenously designed and developed products, that meet the Navy Staff Qualitative Requirements (NSQR), to the Indian Navy. NSQR refers to the essential capabilities and functional attributes that an equipment, system, or platform must fulfill to meet the operational needs of the Indian Navy. ALSO READ: LCA Tejas Mk1A production update: HAL gets second GE-404 engine, more to come soon Taking to social media, DRDO said it handed over Gamma Radiation Aerial Surveillance System (GRASS), Environmental Surveillance Vehicle (ESV), Vehicle Radiological Contamination Monitoring System (VRCMS), Underwater Gamma Radiation Monitoring System (UGRMS), Dirt Extractor and Cross Contamination Monitor (DECCOM), and Organ Radioactivity Detection System (ORDS) to the Navy. Gamma Radiation Aerial Surveillance System (GRASS) GRASS is aimed at offering aerial radiological surveillance of nuclear-contaminated areas using a lightweight gamma radiation detection module, suitable for integration with unmanned aerial vehicles. Environmental Surveillance Vehicle (ESV) Developed by DRDO's Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), ESV is designed for rapid detection, identification, and monitoring of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) contamination in potentially hazardous environments. Vehicle Radiological Contamination Monitoring System (VRCMS) This system has been designed to detect, monitor, and survey radiological contamination on vehicles operating in nuclear-contaminated or radiologically hazardous environments. Underwater Gamma Radiation Monitoring System (UGRMS) UGRMS measures gamma radiation levels underwater and transmits the data to a base station. The system will be useful in nuclear disaster management, radiological emergency response, surveillance in ports or coastal zones, and safety assurance near nuclear installations or during naval operations. Dirt Extractor and Cross Contamination Monitor (DECCOM) Designed for use in environments where there is a risk of radiological, biological, or chemical contamination, this system is expected to help in extracting and analyzing contaminants from footwear; the system minimizes the risk of transferring dangerous substances between zones. Organ Radioactivity Detection System (ORDS) ORDS is intended for the detection and monitoring of radioactivity levels in human organs in scenarios involving nuclear or radiological exposure. Secretary, DDR&D and Chairman, DRDO, handed over these products to Admiral Sriram Amur, ACNS (SSP), Naval HQ, at a special ceremony held at the defence laboratory in Jodhpur. Fahadh Faasil may be returning to familiar territory in his upcoming Maareesan, co-starring Vadivelu, with whom he worked in Mari Selvaraj's Maamannan. The former plays a thief trying to rob some money off of Vadivelu's character, a middle-aged man. The film's newly released trailer hints at a different kind of road movie, with Fahadh's characterisation evoking the grey-shaded 'ordinary man' characters he played in Malayalam, most notably Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Njan Prakashan, and Carbon. The film is slated for a July 25 release. Interestingly, director Sudheesh Shankar and Fahadh were supposed to do another film with the same banner, R.B. Chaudhary's Super Good Films, titled Hanuman Gear, but the film was stalled due to unforeseen circumstances. However, the project hasn't been dropped, according to a report in OTTPlay. Sudheesh revealed that they decided to do Maareesan first because Hanuman Gear involves heavy VFX work. Maareesan is expected to give us a different, serious side of Vadivelu after Maamannan. The actor, who is one of the most-celebrated and meme-friendly comedians in Tamil cinema, impressed everyone with a hitherto unseen performance in Maamannan. It's the kind of transformation that we have seen in other South Indian actors associated with comedy, such as the late Vivek from Tamil cinema, and Suraj Venjaramoodu, Salim Kumar, Indrans, and Harishree Ashokan from Malayalam cinema. Unlike Maamannan, Maareesan is expected to be a relatively light-hearted entertainer with humorous elements. However, it's not being touted as an out-and-out comedy, evident from the footage presented in the latest trailer. The makers have also kept some surprises under wraps, opting to instead let audiences find out when the film arrives on the big screen. Samay Raina has come under the scrutiny of the law yet again as the comedian was summoned by the Supreme Court under allegations of mocking disabled people as part of a comedy set. The 27-year-old has denied the claims and told CNN, Whatever I have to say, Ill say in court." He is not the only one in legal trouble. Comedians Nishant Jagdsish Tanwar, Sonali Thakar, Vipul Goyal, and Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai have also been summoned by the top court on similar claims. According to PTI, A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi recorded the presence of the social media influencers and asked them to file their replies to the petition. It also asked them to appear again in person on the next date of hearing of the case. #WATCH | Delhi | Comedian Samay Raina arrives in the Supreme Court, to appear before the court in the matter related to allegedly mocking persons with disabilities. pic.twitter.com/YFJCDdxQ6c ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025 The top court issued the directive after a plea alleged that the group made ridiculing jokes directed at people suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). NDTV reported that Raina made controversial comments referencing a baby needing a 16 crore injection to treat SMA. We are really disturbed by the allegations. We place such instances on record, implead the concerned persons, and suggest measures. Then we will see," Justice Surya Kant said, according to the publication. ALSO READ | Samay Raina resurrects Indias Got Latent on YouTube months after controversy The comedians will have to file their replies within two weeks and should strictly adhere to the date for the next hearing and their absence will not be taken lightly. The top court also asked Attorney General R Venkataramani to create social media guidelines that provide freedom of speech without demeaning the rights of an individual. KABUL, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Unknown armed individuals shot and killed 5 civilians, all members of the same family, in eastern Afghanistan's Ghazni province, a provincial government spokesman confirmed Monday night. Ezatullah Saeedi, spokesman for the Ghazni governor, said the tragic incident took place in the Tolakhail area of Qara Bagh district when armed assailants entered a residence and opened fire. Five family members were killed on the spot, and another one was injured. Several suspects have been arrested in connection with the case and are currently under investigation, Saeedi added. The official pledged to bring those responsible to justice. On July 13, stuntman Mohan Raj aka S.M. Raju lost his life while performing a high-risk stunt sequence in the sets of acclaimed director Pa. Ranjiths Vettuvam, in a salt pan in Vizhunthamavadi village, in the Keelaiyur police station limits in Nagapattinam district. The stunt scene involving an SUV flip manoeuvre over a ramp went wrong, taking the life of Mohan Raj. The video of the car somersault went viral, while the crew members and makers of the film expressed grief over Mohan Raj's demise. The crew immediately decided to pack up and left for Chennai, while a case was registered by the Keelaiyur police station in Nagapattinam. Director Pa Ranjith, stunt choreographer Rajkamal, Neelam Productions, and crew member Prabhakaran were booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita - Section 289: Negligent conduct likely to endanger human life, Section 125: Abetment of an offence, and Section 106(1): Culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Ranjith expressed his grief two days after the incident, explaining what had happened on the sets. However, as per reports from the district administration, the makers of Vettuvam had taken permission to shoot at a salt pan in Vizhunthamavadi village, only for July 11 and 12. However, when the shoot continued at the spot on the morning of July 13, the makers did not inform the administration. The soil close to the coastline in the salt pan here will be loose and tricky. And sometimes it changes depending on weather conditions. On the 13th morning, the soil was loose, and anyone jumping on the floor near here would have the risk of slipping. This exactly happened during the stunt. The soil here is always tricky and pulls you down, said one of the crew members. ALSO READ: Stuntman SM Raju's death: Here's what happened, according to filmmaker Pa. Ranjith Mohan Raj himself chose to take the risk as the makers of Vettuvam had agreed to pay an additional amount of Rs. 2 lakh for the car stunt scene. Soon after the car made a leap into the air and crashed into the sand, Mohan Raj was grievously injured, with the steering hitting his ribs with heavy pressure. According to members of the stunt union in Kollywood, car stunts involve high risk and are more unpredictable than other action sequences, even when the necessary precautions are taken before shooting. We could have avoided it if the precautionary measures were taken, says veteran stunt artist Jaguar Thangam. For any car stunt, the teams usually fix thick pipes around the driving stuntman to avoid the risk of injury in case an accident occurs. I do not know if those pipes were actually fixed to avoid injuries. Ample precautionary measures should have been taken. "A car or motorcycle-related stunt is often risky. Whenever a stuntman performs, the action director ensures that an experienced stuntman performs such risky scenes. Everyone tries to ensure the best possible safety. Despite this, accidents happen, Thangam explained. The body of the 21-year-old Odisha college student who self-immolated over inaction from college authorities over alleged sexual harassment from a professor was cremated on Tuesday. Her funeral pyre was lit by her brother in the village crematorium in front of thousands of people. Political party leaders and senior district administration officers were present, according to PTI. The students father said at the crematorium, "My daughter has taught me to fight, and I will continue it. I do not need the money or ex gratia. I want my daughter back. Can the government give me back my child?" A villager from the Basta area said that the student helped people get to safety during floods, saying, She used to help the administration to shift women to safe places during floods. The villagers had mourned her death as her body was brought in an ambulance. #WATCH | Balasore, Odisha | Balasore student, who succumbed to burn injuries after self-immolation, cremated at her native place pic.twitter.com/RmIMfArwLa ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025 "We do not believe that she will commit suicide. She was mentally strong and a brilliant student. She was my student. She was forced to commit suicide by setting herself on fire for being denied justice." One teacher present at the crematorium said. At least eight political parties have called for Odisha bandh over the death of the student, according to news agency ANI. Congress has also called for the resignation of the Education Minister and the local MLA and MP. The second-year student from Balasores Fakir Mohan College died in AIIMS Bhubaneswar after battling for her life for 60 hours after sustaining 95 per cent burns on her body. She had poured petrol and set herself on fire outside the Principals office. The student had accused the College's Head of Department of Education, Asmir Kumar Sahu, of sexually harassing her. Both Samir and Principal Dilip Ghose have been arrested. On July 1, she had written a letter to the colleges internal complaints committee demanding that a disciplinary committee be set up to investigate the allegations against Sahu. She had also stated that she would commit suicide if the college authorities did not take any action. In the letter, she said, For the last few months, the HoD of the BEd department, Assistant Professor Samir Kumar Sahu, has been harassing me mentally. He is always threatening me that he will ensure I fail. He has also threatened to share my personal matters with my family. Most importantly, the HoD is repeatedly asking for sexual favours. I have denied this continuously. I have lost my mental peace and attempted suicide. In the future, if the college authority does not take any action, I will commit suicide, and the HoD and the college authority will be responsible. She set herself on fire four days after the warning. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi expressed his grief and said that the culprits will face the strictest punishment under the law. Three peopletwo of whom were lecturers at a private college in Bengaluruhave been arrested for raping a college student on multiple occassions. Identified as Narendra, Sandeep, and Anoop, it is learnt that the trio work at a private college in the city, where the alleged victim had been studying. ALSO READ | India's daughters dying; Modi silent: Rahul Gandhi slams BJP over Odisha Balasore student death The matter came to light only after the traumatised student told her visiting parents about the multiple crimes visited upon her, after which they promptly approached the Karnataka State Women's Commission, which then led to a complaint being filed at the Marathahalli Police Station, where all three of them were arrested, as per an NDTV report. According to the police, Narendra, a Physics lecturer, first befriended the student under the false pretext of sharing study notes with her, after which he once called her to Anoop's room in the city, where he allegedly raped her. He also threatened her with consequences if she was to complain about them. A few days later, Sandeep, a Biology lecturer, blackmailed her by claiming to have photos and videos of her with Narendra. The heinous crime took place again, in Anoop's room. ALSO READ | Odisha Balasore student who self-immolated over inaction on sexual harassment charges succumbs to burn injuries Anoop later blackmailed the student by claiming to have CCTV footage of her entering his room, following which he too, allegedly committed the crime. The three are currently awaiting trial. This comes amid the devastating self-immolationand subsequent deathof a student in Balasore, Odisha, as a response to protracted inaction over her sexual harassment complaint against a lecturer at her college. Authorities in Yemen have postponed the execution of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, convicted of murdering Yemeni citizen Talal Abdo Mehdi, and multipronged efforts are reportedly underway to save her. According to sources, the execution scheduled for july 16 has been postponed and talks are being held with Mehdi's family to secure her release by offering blood money. Indian government officials said they have been in regular talks with Yemen authorities and are rendering all possible assistance in the matter to secure Priya's release. "Despite the sensitivities involved, Indian officials have been in regular touch with the local jail authorities and the prosecutor's office, leading to securing this postponement", sources in the know of the developments told The Week. The development comes amid reports of Sunni Muslim leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar leading talks to secure Priya's release. According to PTI, a meeting between representatives of prominent scholar and Sufi leader Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz, and the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi is expected to be held at Dhamar on Tuesday. According to reports, Mehdi's family agreed to the talks following the advice of Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz. "Today's discussion is focused on reaching a final decision regarding the acceptance of blood money. As efforts continue to convince the family, Kanthapuram has also requested the Yemeni authorities to temporarily defer the execution scheduled for July 16 --a request the Yemeni administration is expected to consider today," a source in the know of developments told the publication. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of inaction following the death of a student in Odisha's Balasore. The student died after setting herself ablaze, alleging a lack of action on her sexual harassment complaint. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has also criticized the government's inaction. Gandhi condemned the BJP-led Odisha government, describing the student's death as "murder by the BJP's system." He stated that the student raised her voice against sexual harassment but was "threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated" instead of receiving justice. Gandhi further alleged that the BJP's system shielded the accused, driving the student to take her own life. Gandhi stated that the 21-year-old undergraduate student's death was not a suicide but an "organized murder by the system." He criticized Modi, stating that the daughters of the nation are "burning, breaking, and dying" in Odisha and Manipur, while Modi remains silent. Gandhi called for answers and demanded safety and justice for India's daughters. A 21-year-old second-year Integrated B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore self-immolated on the college premises on July 12. She alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against her department head. The college principal allegedly asked her to withdraw the complaint. The victim, who suffered 95 per cent burns, died from her injuries on Tuesday. Odisha police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case, arresting department head Samira Kumar Sahu and suspending Principal Dilip Ghose. BJD leader and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described the student's death as an "institutional betrayal." He stated that the student had informed the college principal about the sexual harassment she had faced but was ignored. He added that she reached out to the higher education minister, the Chief Minister's Office, and even a Union minister, and met the Balasore MP to seek justice. Patnaik asserted that the girl's life could have been saved if even one person had intervened. Patnaik further stated that the student lost her life due to the state government's negligence, which left her alone in her struggle. He asserted that the sequence of events revealed a "planned injustice" and nothing less than institutional betrayal. The opposition has called for a statewide bandh in Odisha on July 17, condemning the incident and demanding the higher education minister's resignation. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that the recent terror attack in Pahalgam was not the failure of his elected government, but of the lieutenant governor (LG). Speaking to a news channel, Omar said, The LG himself admitted that what happened in Pahalgam was his failure. That failure almost pushed us into a war with Pakistan. You cant blame the elected government for that. Omar was reacting a day after he and his cabinet were placed under house arrest and stopped from visiting the Martyrs' Graveyard in Srinagar on Martyrs Day, July 13. We only wanted to pay our respects at the graveyard. If we had been quietly allowed to go, no one would have noticed. But someone wanted to turn it into a national storyand they succeeded, he said. In a symbolic act of protest, Omar and other National Conference (NC) leaders, including his father Farooq Abdullah and senior leader Sakina Itoo, went to the graveyard the following day. With police trying to stop them, Omar climbed over the closed gate to offer prayers for the 1931 martyrs. He said the way they were treated shows how the Union government is trying to weaken the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. This is not about me or my colleagues. Its about the message being sent to the people: your vote, your voice, your emotions dont matter, Omar said. If this continues, dont be surprised if only 20 per cent of the people turn up to vote. And dont blame us for that. He accused the Centre, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of trying to show the elected government as weak so that people lose faith in democratic institutions. They think people will start supporting them. That wont happen. People will just stop voting altogether, he warned. Omar also questioned why the 1931 martyrs of Kashmir are not respected like other freedom fighters across India. In the rest of India, those who fought the British are celebrated. In Jammu and Kashmir, they are ignored or vilifiedjust because they were Muslims. If they belonged to any other religion, the BJP would be honouring them, he said. Reminding the Union government of Prime Minister Narendra Modis promise to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Omar pointed out that the delimitation and elections have already been completed. The Supreme Court has also said that statehood must be restored as soon as possible. So what are you waiting for? Whats the right time, if not now? he asked. Omar said the NC will continue its struggle through democratic means but will not remain silent. We will make sure Delhi hears the people of Jammu and Kashmirpeacefully, but firmly. If they choose to ignore us, we will decide our next steps, he added. The events of July 13 have deepened the divide between the elected government in Srinagar and the unelected administration backed by Delhi. Many now see this as a turning point in Centre-state relations and a troubling sign for the future of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging immediate action after four Kashmiri female students were allegedly barred from attending classes at a nursing college in Bengaluru for wearing the hijab/burkha. The students are enrolled at the Sri Soubhagya Lalitha College of Nursing, which is affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS). In its letter, the JKSA expressed deep concern over what it called religious discrimination and humiliation". Jammu and Kashmir Students Association Writes to Karnataka CM @siddaramaiah Ji, Over Hijab Ban on Kashmiri Girl Students in Karnataka Nursing College, Seeks Immediate Intervention Requesting J&K Chief Minister @OmarAbdullah Sahab to Raise the Matter with His Karnataka pic.twitter.com/exYLeYWZf4 Nasir Khuehami ( ) (@NasirKhuehami) July 15, 2025 It said that the students were not allowed into classrooms or practical labs for several days, simply because they chose to dress in a way that reflected their faith and identity. JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami said that it was shocking that the college chairman entered a classroom and asked the hijab-wearing students to leave. When questioned, the chairman reportedly said: This is our college; only our rules apply. The college authorities allegedly threatened to expel the students and hold back their academic documents if they didnt remove their religious attire. According to the association, the college falsely claimed that wearing the hijab and burkha went against university rules, although there was no official ban under Indian law or university regulations. The management even claimed that such clothing is not allowed for medical students anywhere in India, not even in Kashmir". They also said that no article or fundamental right is applicable in their college. JKSA strongly criticised these statements, calling them Islamophobic and unconstitutional". It said the actions of the college violated basic rights such as freedom of religion (Article 25), the right to education (Article 21A), and the right against discrimination (Article 15). The association added that such treatment caused deep emotional harm, especially to students who had left conflict-affected areas like Kashmir to study in Karnataka, expecting safety and equal opportunity. It warned that this incident could discourage other minority girls from pursuing education in such institutions. JKSA urged the Chief Minister to direct the Education Minister, RGUHS, and the Minority Commission to take urgent action. It demanded that the students be allowed to attend classes without being forced to remove their hijabs and that college officials responsible for the discrimination face strict punishment. The 21-year-old Odisha student who set herself ablaze over alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint succumbed to burn injuries during the late hours of Monday. The victim had suffered over 95 per cent burns. The victim, who set herself ablaze on July 12, was undergoing treatment at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar and breathed her last at 11.45pm on Monday, authorities said. Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida visited the hospital during the early hours of Tuesday and met the victim's family. "I have met her family members. The doctors were trying their best to save her for the last three days. The government will take stringent action against those who are involved in this." The burns department at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar said in a statement, "The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11.46pm on July 14." The second-year Integrated B.Ed student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, Balasore, self-immolated on July 12 in college premises, alleging inaction over the sexual harassment complaint she filed against her department head, Samira Kumar Sahu. The victim breathed her last on Monday, after battling for her life for the last three days. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said stern action would be taken against the accused in the case. Majhi tweeted, "I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite the government's fulfilment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim's life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss," he tweeted. The chief minister added, "I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family." The opposition blamed the government of inaction. Biju Janata Dal workers protested on the hospital premises while her mortal remains were being taken for autopsy. President Droupadi Murmu, who was in Odisha on Monday to attend the convocation ceremony of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, had visited the burns department at the college and enquired about her health. The Higher Education department had set up a three-member committee to probe into the incident. Odisha police have formed an SIT to probe the case and have arrested Kumar Sahu and suspended college principal Dilip Ghose in connection with the case. According to reports, the victim set herself ablaze on July 12 after visiting the principal in his chamber to inquire about the status of her complaint. Allegedly, the principal forced the victim to withdraw the petition against her department head. The victim's father on Monday charged that college authorities forced her daughter to withdraw the complaint filed with the Internal Complaints Committee. He told reporters that the principal allegedly warned disciplinary action against his daughter if she refused to withdraw her complaint. -with inputs from Lalit Pattajoshi. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has been granted bail against two sureties of Rs 20,000 each by Lucknow's MP-MLA court. This came as Gandhi surrendered in court after five previous summons in a case filed against him for allegedly making remarks against the Indian Army during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Gandhi's lawyer, Pranshu Agarwal, had previously said that he was confident that the court would dismiss the case against his client. He had also sought permission to appear on behalf of his client, but the court had rejected that and ordered Gandhi to appear in person. He was liable to be held in contempt of court had he not appeared today. He was accompanied by a posse of Congress workers and leaders, which included Rajya Sabha MP, Pramod Tiwari and his daughter, Aradhna Mishra, who is an MLA. Former Director General of Border Roads Organization (BRO) Uday Shankar Srivastava had filed a case against Rahul Gandhi in the CJM court on February 11. The complainant alleged that Rahul Gandhi had made objectionable remarks about the Indian Army during his yatra on December 16, 2022. Referring to the clash on the India-China border on December 9, 2022, Gandhi had said that Chinese soldiers were thrashing Indian soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh. The former director said that Rahul Gandhi's statement was misleading and factually incorrect. According to him, this comment not only lowered the morale of Indian soldiers but also hurt the sentiments of their families. Factually, on December 12, 2022, Chinese soldiers tried to infiltrate the Indian border. This was rebuffed by Indian soldiers. Both sides suffered minor injuries, and the Chinese soldiers had to retreat. The bench at Lucknow had earlier upheld the Freedom of Speech but said that its use does not allow for the hurting of any section of society, including the Army. It had also underscored the context of Gandhis remarks. The court noted that as these were made in a press conference, the intention was clear- that it be widely disseminated. Gandhi had wanted these to be published in newspapers and magazines. Gandhi will spend two more days in the state and is slated to be in his constituency, Rae Bareli. In a veiled reference to the AIADMK-BJP alliance gearing up to challenge the DMK alliance in the ensuing 2026 assembly general elections, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday said that no divisive saffron agenda from Delhi can divide the state until Tamil Nadu stands united". Stalins stern voice against Delhi and the BJP leaders came in the presence of DMKs alliance party leaders on the dais. ALSO READ | Why DMK governments move to appoint four IAS officers as official spokespersons will not go well with TN's political class? Unveiling the statue of former Congress leader L. Elayaperumal and launching the 'Ungaludan Stalin' scheme at Chidambaram, Stalin called for unity among the people of Tamil Nadu. On this stage, we see unity among leaders of the Dravidian movement following Periyars path, leaders of the Communist movement with Marxist ideology, leaders of the national movement in Gandhis path, and leaders of the Ambedkarite movement. This is Tamil Nadu, united as one," Stalin pointed out. Speaking during the event, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan reiterated that his party would stand with the DMK alliance. One-fourth of the votes in the alliance in the ensuing 2026 elections will be from the VCK. We stand together as one, alone with chief minister Stalin. The Dravidian Model government led by him will continue, he said. Ungaludan Stalin The 'Ungaludan Stalin' programme is a special initiative by the Tamil Nadu government launched by Stalin himself, during an official event in Chidambaram's Cuddalore district. ALSO READ | AIADMK chief Palaniswami kicks up a new row, alleges DMK government of misusing temple funds With an idea to deliver government services to the people in their own locality, the government has organised atleast 10,000 special camps across the state, from July to November. Over one lakh officers or volunteers will be involved in interacting and resolving issues concerning the general public, as a part of the programme. Also, as per the programme, 43 services from 13 departments will be offered in urban areas, while 46 services from 15 departments will be offered in rural areas. The scheme is an extension of the 'Mudhalvarin Mugavari' programme launched in 2021, through which over 1.05 crore petitions were received. Of these, 1.01 crore had been disposed of as of June 30 this year. Under the Makkaludan Mudhalvar programme, launched in 2023, 9.05 lakh petitions were received in urban areas and 12.81 lakh were received in rural areas. This special initiative aims to benefit those who are not in town or are unavailable or unaware of these camps, explains Revenue Secretary P. Amudha. Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is on an official visit to China, hold the 10th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday said that China is ready to work with Australia to further deepen and expand bilateral cooperation, aiming for a higher level of mutual benefit that better serves the interests of both peoples. Li made the remarks during the 10th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing. All countries are facing new challenges in their development amid rising instability and uncertainty in the global economy, Li said, adding that in this context, the significance of strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia, as major economic and trade partners, has become more prominent. Li noted that earlier in the day, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Albanese and reached an important consensus on further deepening China-Australia relations. Li said that the Chinese and Australian economies are highly complementary, with broad space for cooperation in areas such as energy resources, agricultural products, green development, and technological innovation. China is willing to fully utilize various dialogue mechanisms with the Australian side and strengthen the planning and design for cooperation across different sectors to explore more shared interests and new drivers of economic growth, and ultimately unlock the vast potential of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Li added. It is hoped that Australia will provide a fair, open and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises operating in Australia, Li said, adding that China is keen to provide vigorous support for exchanges in culture, education, tourism and regional collaboration, and further facilitate personnel exchanges between the two sides. Li said that China and Australia, as both advocates and beneficiaries of multilateralism and free trade, are active promoters of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. He urged the two sides to strengthen communication and collaboration within multilateral frameworks, maintain the rules-based multilateral trading system, and work together to foster a conducive environment for international economic and trade cooperation. Noting that Australia-China relations are currently developing with positive momentum, Albanese said the Australian side attaches great importance to and is committed to building a stable and constructive bilateral relationship with China. Australia adheres to the one-China policy and opposes "Taiwan independence," he added. Albanese said Australia is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges and dialogue with China in various fields, including diplomacy and trade, and ensure that differences do not define the bilateral relationship. Noting that the economies of Australia and China are highly complementary, Albanese said Australia looks forward to deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as trade, agriculture, tourism and culture, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges in education, civil society and youth sectors. Australia is willing to provide a stable and predictable environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Australia, and welcomes more Chinese students and tourists to visit the country, he added. Albanese said Australia firmly supports multilateralism and free and fair trade, is willing to work with China to address global challenges such as climate change, and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core. Full text: Statement on Joint Outcomes of the China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is on an official visit to China, hold the 10th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Authorities in Yemen have postponed the execution of Nimisha Priya, the Indian nurse on death row for the murder of Yemeni citizen Talal Abdo Mahdi. However, conflicting narratives have emerged regarding how the postponement came about. Samuel Jerome, a Yemen-based Indian social worker who has been involved with Nimisha Priya's case from the beginning, claimed that the change in the execution date was made possible with the help of Sheikh Abdul Nahya, whom he described as a community leader of the tribe to which the Mahdi family belongs. Jerome also stated that he had not contacted the victims family in recent days, as the execution date had already been fixed with the family's consent. Jerome further claimed that he had known as early as Sunday that the execution would be postponed, but chose not to disclose it publicly, as discussions were still ongoing. However, Advocate Subhash Chandran, who represents the Nimisha Priya Action Council, refuted Jeromes claims. According to Chandran, the postponement was primarily due to the combined efforts of the action council, government officials, and several influential religious and political personalities in recent days. He told THE WEEK that the decisive factor was the intervention of Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar, a Muslim cleric and general secretary of the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama. On behalf of Musliyar, a Yemeni Sufi leader, Sheikh Umar Habib, had been in contact with the victims family and was actively involved in the negotiations. Musliyar also told the media that he had spoken to religious leaders in Yemen and that he had become involved in the case "as a human being." READ MORE: Hope for Nimisha Priya: Yemen delays execution amidst ongoing negotiations to save Kerala nurse Chandran asserted that Jerome had not communicated anything to the council. It was the efforts made on July 14 that led to the change in the execution date, he said. It was only yesterday that the victims brother came forward for negotiations for the first time. Chandran also noted that until now, no real negotiations had taken place with the Mahdi family. What has happened now is the direct result of the victims brother entering the conversation for the first time, he said. Kozhikode, Kerala | On the case of Nimisha Priya, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram says "Islam has another law. If the murderer is sentenced to death, the family of the victim has the right to pardon. I dont know who this family is, but from a long distance, I pic.twitter.com/HOoAeBnlpS ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025 Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy had made serious efforts to keep Priyas case alive and was actively engaged with central government officials, pushing for diplomatic intervention. Despite his declining health, Chandy had discussed Nimishas case with the then minister of state for external affairs V. Muraleedharan, urging action to secure her release. Notably, since news broke that Nimishas execution was scheduled for July 16, Chandy OommenMLA from Puthupally and son of Oommen Chandyalso made strong efforts to push for a postponement. Speaking to THE WEEK, Chandy Oommen said he had met Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar seeking intervention, and that the Governor had been actively involved, speaking with the India Office, the Secretary for Indian Government Affairs, businessmen, and members of the royal households. Chandy Oommen also reiterated that "Usthad" (Kanthapuram Musliyar) played a role both "spiritually and politically" in the last-minute efforts to save Nimisha Priya. Theres no doubt that multiple forms of intervention took place, he said, adding that Saudi-based businessman Sajan Latheef also played a crucial role. From what I understand, he has been in contact with the [Mahdi] family, said the MLA, noting that he is in regular communication with Latheef. Chandy Oommen, meanwhile, denied media reports that a crowdfunding campaign for blood money would be launched under his leadership. He told THE WEEK that no such decision has been made so far. Iran could still shut down the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial shipping corridor between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, according to a senior Iranian MP. Ismail Kowsari, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Parliament, said military preparations for the same have been completed. "Yes, this possibility (closing the Strait) is still there, and it is being considered. From a military point of view, its work has been done. As for the final decision, we are the ones who control the Strait and will decide when to open and close it. But there is no decision for that at the moment," Kowsari told Lebanese Al-Mayadeen network. It is through this waterway bordered by Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman that around a fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass through. Though there were speculations that Iran could close down the strategic chokepoint during the war with Israel, it was spared last month. Geopolitically, too, the Strait of Hormuz has special importance in regional and global power equations due to its sensitive location at the intersection of three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. While the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will affect global prices, such a move will affect not only the Persian Gulf countries but also Iran itself. As per estimates from the Central Bank of Iran, Iran's oil exports from March 2024 to March 2025 will amount to $67 billion (equivalent to about 58 billion euros), and the impact of the blockade will be felt on the main customers as well. This is the traffic of oil tanker ships in Strait of Hormuz. 25-30% of global oil and natural gas trade goes through this Strait, which is only 35 km wide at the narrowest point.#Iran #SaudiArabia #Qatar pic.twitter.com/8JwXkgMqde S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) June 21, 2025 Serious threat to India, China More than 80 per cent of the crude oil that passes through the Strait of Hormuz is destined for Asia. China is by far the largest consumer of this oil, accounting for 33.4 per cent of all oil that passes through the Strait. India too uses the Strait to transport 40% of supplies from Middle East countries like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 90 per cent of Pakistans liquefied natural gas consumption and 60 per cent of Indias natural gas imports come through the passage. Among the Gulf states, only Saudi Arabia and the UAE have pipeline networks that allow them to bypass the Strait of Hormuz for at least part of their production. According to EIA estimates, these alternative routes have a maximum capacity to transport 2.6 million barrels per day, 15 per cent of the total volume of energy resources that normally passes through the Strait. More than 50 people have been killed and over 150 injured in a second day of sectarian violence in Syrias southern Sweida province, where Bedouin tribes and Druze militias have clashed in one of the worst outbreaks of communal fighting since the fall of Bashar al-Assads regime in December. The latest flare-up has once again demonstrated the questionable control the new government led by President Ahmed al-Shara has on the country. The latest bout of violence began when members of a Bedouin tribe set up a roadside checkpoint and attacked a Druze man. It led to a cycle of retaliation, including kidnappings and armed skirmishes, between tribal fighters and Druze militias. Official security forces were soon dispatched to the area, but the Druze were enraged as they were perceived to be siding with the Bedouin groups. Eighteen soldiers sent to restore order were killed in the fighting, said a defence official. Reinforcements were later dispatched to secure security checkpoints that had come under attack. Israel, which views the Druze as a loyal minority within its own borders, intervened by striking several military tanks approaching Sweida. The Israeli army said the airstrikes were aimed at preventing hostile forces from massing near its northern frontier. Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the strikes were intended as a warning to the Syrian government, saying Israel would not tolerate any threat to the Druze in Syria. The escalation has alarmed observers across the region. The Druze, who follow a monotheistic religion that emerged as an offshoot of Islam, have long maintained a delicate position in Syrias conflict, often keeping their distance from both the former regime and Islamist rebel groups. Since President al-Sharas rise to power, Druze factions have resisted efforts to integrate their forces into a unified national army, leaving Sweida largely outside central government control. Heavy clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes continue in Suwayda Governorate, Syria, resulting in dozens killed and hundreds injured. - Contributed by Sent Defender. pic.twitter.com/zsiGagarfY Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) July 14, 2025 The violence comes amid broader instability in the country. In March, more than 1,600 people were killed in sectarian fighting in Syrias coastal provinces, mostly from the Alawite minority. In April, over 100 people died in clashes near Damascus involving pro-government forces and Druze militias. In the latest incident, Suwayda 24, a local monitoring group, reported that civilians were attempting to flee the violence. The Syrian government issued a statement calling for restraint and claimed its forces were providing safe passage for those escaping the conflict zone. Calls for calm have emerged from various quarters. One Druze religious council urged the government to protect its community from what it described as lawless armed gangs. While condemning all forms of violence, the group said it would not remain silent in the face of repeated violations of Druze rights and dignity. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, one of the senior Druze spiritual figures in Sweida, however, publicly rejected the entry of government security forces and appealed for international protection. President al-Sharas government has argued that the ongoing unrest highlights the urgent need for stronger state institutions in regions like Sweida. Interior Minister Anas Khattab stated on social media that the lack of functioning military and security services was the main cause of the unrest and said restoring order was the only way to bring life back to normal. Meanwhile, tensions have also been rising between the central government and Kurdish-led authorities in the northeast, despite a stalled agreement to merge their forces earlier this year. UN deputy special envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi expressed deep concern over the situation and urged both the government and local actors to protect civilians and restore calm. She said the violence showed the urgent need for trust-building and meaningful dialogue to achieve a credible political transition. The 12-day Israel-Iran war has reset geopolitical equations in the Middle East as Tehran found itself cornered with its IRGC senior command wiped out and proxies weakened. While the war has weakened Iran, a recent development in the region has further repositioned power balances in the region, according to an Israeli analyst. Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak, a researcher at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies and at the Moshe Dayan Centre, believes the Middle East now has a Muslim superpower: Turkey. With the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) laying down its arms, marking a symbolic end to nearly 40 years of armed struggle, the Turkish state has emerged all-powerful, Yanarocak wrote in Hebrew media Maariv. "With our own hands, we have made Turkey the most powerful Muslim country in the Middle East," Yanorocak said. "After Operation 'Am Kalavi', the state of Israel actually defeated Iran and weakened it very significantly, so we single-handedly turned Turkey into the most powerful Muslim country in the Middle East," the researcher said, adding "there are two strong countries in the region Israel and Turkey". "Therefore, I expect there to be a constant rivalry here, that this rivalry will continue to deepen," he said. Turkish President Erdogan: - Weve been working hard for almost 50 years to rid our homeland of terrorism - PKK terrorist group's laying down of weapons on Friday represents a significant milestone towards achieving the goal of 'Terror-free Turkiye' - We wont allow anyone to pic.twitter.com/z16VPEzmr2 TRT World (@trtworld) July 13, 2025 Erdogan's political move Yanarocak believes that it is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's political manoeuvring that contributed to the PKK's surrender. "He already started some kind of process last year together with the Turkish nationalists, citing instability of the Middle East," the expert said, adding that Erdogan urged all communities to unite to strengthen Turkey against "external threats". "He presented it as he was strengthening Turkey against threats from the region. It's actually a brilliant move by Erdogan because this way, he will ultimately be able to win Kurdish support and dismantle the opposition bloc against him," Yanarocak said. An expert in Israel-Turkey relations, Yanarocak says the Kurdish party allied with secular Turks in both local and general elections. Winning their support will help Erdogan change the Constitution, which is necessary for him to gain a third term, he added. "When the day comes, the secular Turkish opposition will be on one side while Erdogan and the Turkish and Kurdish nationalists will stand on the other side. This is called divide and rule," he said, adding that the US stance that it doesn't favour a Kurdish state in Syria and Turkey favoured Erdogan. There are few coincidences in diplomacy. A flurry of high-level official visits of top Indian leaders to Beijing may carry in it the seeds of a warming in the bilateral relationship between the Asian giants India and China. Ten days after Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri met visiting Chinese vice-foreign minister Sun Weidong in New Delhi (on June 23), National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Beijing, where both sides called for an overall development of ties. ALSO READ | Should Russian ally India be worried about Trump's 100 per cent secondary tariffs? On June 27, it was Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in China, where he met his Chinese counterpart Admiral Don Jun. On July 14, it was foreign minister S. Jaishankar who met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing before meeting his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Tianjin, the venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Summit, before calling on Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 15. There are niceties in return too. Wang is expected in India in July itself, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis widely expected visit to China in September for the SCO summit. These visits, particularly after Operation Sindoora four-day long military clash between India and Pakistan from May 7-11are remarkable, because they are taking place in the backdrop of a churn in global geopolitics that has led to the emergence of new blocs. The result is a gradual convergence of policies which dictate that complicated issues be dealt with on a different plane, while issues of mutual interest be allowed to proceed unhindered. While calling for a far-seeing approach to the bilateral ties, Jaishankars remarks during the meeting with Wang were interesting when he said that differences should not become disputes and competition should not become conflict. On December 18, 2024, after the Special Representatives (SR)-level talks, the two sidesled by Doval and Wangin a statement issued by the Indian foreign ministry, had said: The SRs reiterated the importance of maintaining a political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship while seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for settlement of the boundary question, and resolved to inject more vitality into this process. What it means is an agreement between the two countries to look at the broader global perspective while looking at ways for a settlement of the vexed border question. In other words, a bilateral diplomacy that treads on two tracks. There are several cushions for a better India-China relationship. India and China have a strong economic relationship that has the potential to grow manifold. With trade talks proceeding in a positive direction, China is already among Indias biggest trading partners with bilateral trade scaling $118 billion in FY24. ALSO READ | 'Trust rather than suspect': Chinese foreign minister urges bilateral cooperation with India at SCO Summit India and China are already prominent members of the SCO and the BRICS groupings, which are increasing their footprint by the day. Both countriesto some degreeagree on the need to find an alternative to the dominance of the US Dollar as the international currency of exchange. Both countries also have a strong view against the imposition of tariffs and restrictive trade practices by the Trump administration. However, there are issues that continue to hinder India-China ties. The first is the undemarcated boundary issue that has been persisting for long, which even sparked off the 2020 Galwan incident. The second is the proximate relationship between China and Pakistan for much of the last 75 years. The third is the quantum jump that China has achieved in its economy, military, geostrategic influence, and scientific innovation, despite having begun the process of economic development at roughly the same time as India. The outstanding problem for India is how to close this gap. Amid a thaw in bilateral ties between India and China owing to high-level meetings at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Summit, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday made a strong comment on the 3 evils that the bloc was founded to combat. In the presence of officials from all 10 nations of the Eurasian blocincluding those from Pakistanhe strongly denounced terrorism as one of those three evils, in addition to separatism and extremism. ALSO READ | India, China tread double track diplomacy in bid to warm bilateral ties In that regard, he cited the example of the Pahalgam terror attack as agraphic example, recalling a UN Security Council statementand accordingly condemning it in the strongest terms on various platforms. Participated in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting this evening in Tianjin. Highlighted that: We meet at a time of considerable disorder in the international system. In the last few years, we have seen more conflicts, competition and coercion. Economic pic.twitter.com/w8XKZ4FLe2 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 15, 2025 (The Pahalgam attack) was deliberately conducted to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir, while sowing a religious divide, he said in a statement that did not, however, explicitly name Pakistan. India's choice of words and actions at summits like the SCO has been criticised by the Congress, with Rahul Gandhi lamenting that the EAM was running a full-blown circus aimed at destroying Indias foreign policy, in response to Jaishankar's meeting with Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, earlier today. I guess the Chinese foreign minister will come and apprise Modi about recent developments in China-India ties. The EAM is now running a full blown circus aimed at destroying Indias foreign policy. pic.twitter.com/bHbWOemxpe Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 15, 2025 ALSO READ | 'Trust rather than suspect': Chinese foreign minister urges bilateral cooperation with India at SCO Summit Notably, since the last bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Jinping, China had actively supported Pakistan during the 88-hour tensions that followed Operation Sindoor, which India has clarified was a response for the Pahalgam attack of April 22. In that regard, earlier in the day, Pakistan's deputy PM and foreign minister Ishaq Dar stated in an X post that he had been "delighted" to meet Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Delighted to meet earlier today with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Conveyed the warm greetings of the leadership, government and people of Pakistan. As iron-clad brothers and All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners, we remain committed to pic.twitter.com/CKU6vnmHpJ Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 15, 2025 "As iron-clad brothers and All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners, we remain committed to deepening Pak-China enduring friendship and advancing shared regional goals," Dar added. ALSO READ | BRICS condemns Pahalgam terror attack, US-Israel strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure: 'Reject double standards in countering terrorism' It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge (the three evils), Jaishankar urged, in his address to the bloc. The 10-member Eurasian security and political bloc has China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus as its members. As expected, US President Donald Trump on Monday announced severe penalties on Russia, in a bid to end its war on Ukraine, by allotting new weapons to Ukraine and threatening 100 per cent secondary tariffs on Russian export buyers, in a bid to pressure Moscow to end its war on Ukraine. The US President also gave a deadline of 50 days for Russia to end the war, to avoid the tariffs. While Russia responded to the announcement, calling it a "theatrical ultimatum", Trump's plan holds huge implications for India, considering that it is Russia's biggest trading partner in crude exports. In April 2025, India's crude imports from Russia reached nearly 2 million barrels per day, marking a two-year high. The data from Kpler estimates that over a third of overall purchases have been from the OPEC+ producer this year, compared with less than 1% prior to the war, according to data from Kpler. This is even more than China's. For the same reason, a secondary tariff of 100% means India will face sanctions. "If push really comes to shove, and India cannot buy any crude oil from the Russian system, then India has optionality with the other OPEC members," Mukesh Sahdev, head of commodity markets at Rystad Energy A/S told Bloomberg. Sahdev said this "will be at a higher cost." While imports from Middle East and Africa can help plug the gap, this would cost India dear as the prices from Saudi Arabia in May were $5 a barrel higher than those from Russia. India also imported oil from Iraq, which was also 50 cents more costly. In total, substituting Russian oil with Middle Eastern oil would mean an increase of $36 per replacement barrel. Not just for its use, India has also been exporting refined products to Europe after refining the crude from Russia. This was cushioning the blow of Western sanctions on Moscow. This re-routing ensures a flow of foreign currency to Russia without the baggage of political concessions. Indias petroleum minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, has already warned of the aftermath of such a move in the global economy. "Imagine the chaos if Russian oil, amounting to about 10% of the global oil supply of around 97 million, vanished from the market," he posted on X, adding that this would force the world to reduce its consumption and the prices wouldve spiralled to over $120-130. According to a poll that was released on Monday, former Vice President Kamala Harris would be the frontrunner for the Democratic Party in the 2028 elections by a substantial margin. The survey conducted by Echelon Insights showed that 26 per cent of Democrats and Democrat leaning voters supported Harris. Harris was followed by the Former transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, with 11 per cent and California Gov. Gavin Newsom with 10 per cent of the support, the New York Post reported. The others in the top five were Senator Cory Booker and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who gained 7 and 6 per cent of the votes, respectively. Support for Newsom and Buttigieg increased slightly when Harris was taken out of the poll, with both polling at 12 per cent. Last month, it had been reported that Harris was mulling over running for Governor of California to succeed Newsom. Fundraisers who spoke to Politico said that no one is enthused about that. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had jumped to the top five in that scenario. For the Republicans, Vice President JD Vance held 42 per cent of the support. He led the poll by 33 points over his rival, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who only has 9 per cent of the republican voters willing to vote for him. Other Republican and Republican leaning voters support Secretary of State Marco Rubio (7 per cent), former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (6 per cent). Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy (5 per cent) and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy (4 per cent). Sixteen per cent of the respondents in the survey were unsure about who they would vote for. Other early presidential primary polls have also shown that Democratic voters considered Harris as the ideal candidate. A poll conducted by the Economist/YouGov in April showed that 58 per cent of Democratic respondents would consider voting for Harris in the 2028 presidential primaries. United States President Donald Trump on Monday again claimed that he "stopped" the recent military conflict between India and Pakistan using trade card, and both nations "settled". India had categorically denied the US president's claims. During a meeting with the secretary general of NATO at the White House on Monday, Trump said he has been "successful" in settling wars. Claiming he stopped the conflict between India and Pakistan, President Trump said, "We have been very successful in settling wars. You have India, Pakistan...India and Pakistan would have been a nuclear war within another week, the way that was going. That was going very badly. We did that through trade." The US president added, "I said, we're not going to talk to you about trade unless you get this thing settled. And they did." Trump said both nations have great leaders, and they agreed. This is not the first time the US president has made claims of stopping the conflict between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 to avenge the killings of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Terrorists with alleged Pakistani links killed 26 people in Pahalgam on April 22. The deceased include 24 tourists, a Nepali citizen and a local horse owner. India announced a series of diplomatic measures against Pakistan soon after the incident and suspended the Indus Water Treaty. Notably, the terror strike happened during US Vice President J.D. Vance's visit to India. On May 7, India carried out precision strikes and destroyed nine terror launchpads along the Line of Control. In retaliation, Pakistan targeted key Indian military assets along the border. After days of heightened military activity, both India and Pakistan agreed to stop firing on May 10. India said the decision was taken following a call between the Director General of Military Operations of both nations. NATO chief Mark Rutte on Tuesday warned countries purchasing Russian oilsuch as India, China, and Brazilof secondary sanctions if they were to continue doing business with Moscow. His comments follow US President Donald Trump's own comments on the subject just a day ago, when Washington announced that Ukraine would receive Patriot defence systems to aid its conflict against Russia, and potentially, more of the US-made ATACMS missiles, as per a Financial Times report. ALSO READ | Should Russian ally India be worried about Trump's 100 per cent secondary tariffs? He also privately urged Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia, even reportedly asking Kyiv President Volodymyr Zelenskyy if he could "strike Moscow"a claim that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified was Trump merely asking a question and not encouraging further killing. Trump had also warned of "biting" secondary tariffs of 100 per cent on the buyers of Russian exports like oil, unless the Russia-Ukraine conflict was resolved in 50 days. ALSO READ | Can the West still force Russia away from Ukraine? Moscow warns 'illegal' EU sanctions would backfire "My encouragement to these three countries, particularly is, if you live now in Beijing, or in Delhi, or you are the president of Brazil, you might want to take a look into this, because this might hit you very hard," Rutte told reporters, as per a Reuters report. "So please make the phone call to Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India and on China in a massive way," he added. Rutte's comments come amid a NATO agreement with Trump, per which the US would "massively" supply Ukraine with weapons "not just air defense, also missiles, also ammunition paid for by the Europeans". These NATO-US moves also align with the European Union's recently expressed intent to impose its next sanctions package on Russia. However, the 27-member bloc failed to approve the latest sanctions package, as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas continues to hold out hope for its approval tomorrow. Senior Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev, however, said on Tuesday that Moscow "didn't care", calling Trump's secondary tariff threat a "theatrical ultimatum". Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didnt care. Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) July 15, 2025 However, he also stated that Trump's remarks were very 'serious', and that Russia "needed time to analyse what was said in Washington". MANILA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed after their delivery truck crashed into a roadside tree in Quezon province, southeast of Manila, on Tuesday, local police said. Police said the crash happened along a highway in Tagkawayan town while the truck was traveling southeast to deliver goods to Bicol region. The truck driver and his assistant were pronounced dead at the scene. The Hague (Netherlands), Jul 15 (AP) Lawyers for Equatorial Guinea accused France of neo-colonial behaviour on Tuesday, urging United Nations judges to block the sale of a mansion on one of Paris' poshest avenues in the latest instalment in a long-running legal tug-of-war over the multimillion-dollar property. The African country filed a case at the International Court of Justice in 2022, alleging France is violating international law by refusing to return assets seized during a corruption investigation into Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of Equatorial Guinea's long-serving president. France's approach may be described as paternalistic and even neo-colonial. We cannot accept such disdain for our sovereignty from France," Carmelo Nvono-Nca, Equatorial Guinea's agent, told The Hague-based court. Equatorial Guinea has asked the court for a series of urgent orders, known as provisional measures, to return the swanky mansion on one of Paris's most prestigious streets, Avenue Foch, and to prevent France from selling the building. Obiang was convicted in 2017 and given a three-year suspended sentence for embezzling millions of dollars in public money. French authorities seized money, luxury vehicles and the building, which boasts a hammam, a cinema and a night club. The 57-year-old has faced scrutiny for corruption in other countries as well. In 2021, he was sanctioned by the United Kingdom for misappropriating public funds, including spending USD 275,000 on the bejewelled glove that Michael Jackson wore on his Bad tour. Switzerland and Brazil have also opened investigations into his finances. In 2020, the International Court of Justice ruled that the building was a private residence, not a diplomatic outpost, rejecting a claim from Equatorial Guinea that the seizure violated international law. Equatorial Guinea returned to The Hague in 2022, arguing the French government was obliged to return the assets based on a UN anti-corruption convention. Despite its oil and gas riches, Equatorial Guinea has a dramatic gap between its privileged ruling class and much of the impoverished population. The former Spanish colony is run by Africa's longest-serving president, Obiang's father, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. (AP) SKS SCY SCY Fellow Yidden, I write to sound the alarm about what I see unfolding. I know this perspective may not be popular, and I respect other perspectives too, yet being open to reading other viewpoints is healthy, regardless of your own opinion. America First is not in the interest of Orthodox Jews in America. I did not vote for Trump this time around, despite having been an avid, even obsessed, Trump supporter back in 2016. What changed? As a dedicated follower of right-wing media, I was convinced that Trump was playing 4-D chess after his election loss to Biden, certain he would pull it off with alternative electors, prove fraud, and win in the courts and state legislatures. That never happened. For the first time, I began to doubt: Was I misled? Was there actually no fraud? Maybe, just maybe, the Biden campaign simply utilized existing COVID voting laws to its advantage. I began to see Trump in a different light. Very different. Fast forward several years, and I now realize that America First, combined with Trumps ego-driven politics, is a dangerous choice for American Jews. Thus far, I believe a solid case can be made that we are actually seeing this unfold in real time. Trumps erratic, unstable tariff policies have brought economic hardship to our community. Commodities have risen, materials have become more costly and harder to import, and government subsidies for industries like solar have transformed many previously comfortable families into strugglers. His cuts to federal subsidies for state Medicaid marketplaces have gutted funding many Orthodox families relied on for tutoring and educational supports, compounding the already heavy burden of tuition. These funds were a boon for heimishe families, and their loss has cost thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket expenses. The big, beautiful bill recently passed will go even further. Premiums are set to skyrocket due to new restrictions and bi-annual re-enrollment requirements, designed to push people off subsidized healthcare. Thousands of Jewish families earning middle-class incomes currently benefit from subsidized Obamacare premiums and now face uncertainty. As for tax cuts, they largely extend Trumps 2017 tax policies while granting billions in perks for the wealthy. Most heimishe families should not expect meaningful tax relief any time soon. Regarding Israel and Iran, I believe Trumps policy was deeply flawed. Despite what Israeli officials may say publicly, there was no reason to force a ceasefire on Israel, especially after Irans final missile attack that penetrated Israeli defenses. Israeli military sources indicated there were still many targets, and ending the operation prematurely did not sufficiently reestablish deterrence. Israel should have been allowed to finish its operation on its own terms. The Fordow bombing, while certainly appreciated, likely became the leverage Trump used to force a ceasefire so he could be hailed as the peacemaker-in-chief. The Israeli military could have managed without external interference, leaving them beholden to no one. It was also frankly quite distasteful to see Trump taking so much credit for what was arguably an incredible strategic success for the Israelis. The Israelis made it possible for Trump to launch a few bunker busters, after having taken the risks to their own cities and clearing Iranian air defenses. On securing the border, Trumps efforts to control illegal entry were undeniably effective. However, mass deportations of people who have lived and worked here for years should give us pause as Jews. Only America First Americans cheer seeing families rounded up and deported. Yes, they are here illegally due to the folly of previous administrations, but perhaps a pathway to citizenship for the overwhelming majority of hard-working people would be a more just approach than mass deportations. The frum community, of all people, should be very sensitive to this reality. We know from our own history how dangerous it is when people are hunted down in the streets and sent away. This is not a theoretical concern. In 15 years, whos to say that a presidentunchecked due to the Supreme Courts recent decision in Trump v. CASAwont decide that Jews are somehow a national security or public health risk? The precedent being set is very dangerous. Rabboisai, America First is NOT the banner we should be carrying. It represents an executive branch unchecked, smacking of authoritarianism. Many America First influencers are not our friends, and while some, like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, are open about their views, others are simply more discreet. I would love to see our frum community take pride in trusting Hashem, not Trump, and in rejecting disastrous policies disguised as America First. It is perhaps time for us to leave patriotic slogans aside and finally take our own interests into the equation of who we do or dont support. Signed, Z. Weiss The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review. Two Jewish heritage sites in the southeastern Polish town of Dolka were defaced over the weekend with anti-Israel graffiti and Nazi swastikas. The vandalism targeted the ruins of a shul destroyed by the Nazis during the Holocaust, as well as a recently erected memorial at the Jewish cemeterybuilt by local townspeople to honor the once-thriving Jewish community and its coexistence with their Polish neighbors before the war. The attack comes just days after a firestorm erupted over remarks made by far-right Polish European Parliament member Grzegorz Braun during a Holocaust remembrance ceremony in Jedwabne, where he shared a platform with Polands Chief Rabbi, Rav Michael Schudrich. Braun publicly denied the existence of gas chambers at Auschwitz, a statement met with applause from segments of the crowd and swift condemnation from Jewish groups worldwide. This is not an isolated incidentit is a symptom of something much deeper, said Meir Bulka, chairman of J-nerations, an organization dedicated to preserving Jewish memory and heritage in Poland. Poland stands at a crossroads and must confront this hatred immediately. When a member of parliament denies the Holocaust and receives applause, it sends a dangerous signal to the public. Bulka urged Polands newly elected president and prime minister to act, calling on them to publicly denounce Holocaust denial and to protect the few remaining Jewish sites and cemeteries throughout the country. Polands Jewish population today is but a fraction of what it once was, he said. And yet, these attacks show how vulnerable even our memory remains. Local residents in Dolka gathered Sunday afternoon to denounce the incident and express their support for continued Jewish-Polish dialogue. This town values the legacy of its Jewish neighbors, one resident said. This act of hate is not who we are. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A retired Army officer who worked as a civilian for the Air Force has pleaded guilty to conspiring to transmit classified information about Russias war with Ukraine on a foreign online dating platform. David Slater, 64, who had top secret clearance at his job at the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, pleaded guilty to a single count before a federal magistrate judge in Omaha on Thursday. In exchange for his guilty plea, two other counts were dropped. Slater remains free pending his sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 8. Prosecutors and his lawyers agreed that he should serve between five years and 10 months and seven years and three months in prison, and the government will recommend a term at the low end of that range. The charge carries a statutory maximum of 10 years behind bars. U.S. District Judge Brian Buescher will ultimately decide whether to accept the plea agreement and will determine Slaters sentence. I conspired to willfully communicate national defense information to an unauthorized person, Slater said in a handwritten note on his petition to change his plea. Slater had access to some of the countrys most closely held secrets, John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general for national security, said in a statement. Access to classified information comes with great responsibility, said Lesley Woods, the U.S. attorney for Nebraska, said in the same statement. David Slater failed in his duty to protect this information by willingly sharing National Defense Information with an unknown online personality despite having years of military experience that should have caused him to be suspicious of that persons motives. Slater retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in 2020 and worked in a classified space at the base from around August 2021 until around April 2022. He attended briefings about the Russia-Ukraine war that were classified up to top secret, court documents say. He was arrested in March of 2024. In his plea agreement, he acknowledged that he conspired to transmit classified information that he learned from those briefings via the foreign dating websites messaging platform to an unnamed coconspirator, who claimed to be a woman living in Ukraine. The information, classified as secret, pertained to military targets and Russian military capabilities, according to the plea agreement. Defendant knew and had reason to believe that such information could be used to the injury of the United States or the advantage of a foreign nation, the agreement states. According to the original indictment, the coconspirator regularly asked Slater for classified information. She called him, my secret informant love! in one message. She closed another by saying, You are my secret agent. With love. In another, she wrote, Dave, I hope tomorrow NATO will prepare a very pleasant surprise for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin! Will you tell me? Court documents dont identify the coconspirator, or say whether she was working for Ukraine or Russia. They also dont identify the dating platform. Amy Donato, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorneys office in Omaha, said Monday that she couldnt provide that information. Slaters attorney, Stuart Dornan, didnt immediately return a call seeking further details. (AP) NASA has confirmed that a large asteroid, named 2025 MA90, will pass relatively close to Earth on Tuesday. While its size may sound alarmingestimated at nearly 89 meters in diameter, or, for the creatively inclined, roughly 145 antisemitic Elmos tallexperts say theres no danger of it hitting the planet. The asteroid was recently discovered by NASAs Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), which monitors space rocks that come relatively close to Earth. Although the objects size could range anywhere from 66 to 150 meters, it will pass at a safe distance of over six million kilometers. To put things in perspective, the last time an asteroid caused real damage was in 2013 over Chelyabinsk, Russia. That asteroid was only about 20 meters across but still injured over 1,000 people due to the shockwave from its explosion in the atmosphere. By contrast, asteroid 2025 MA90 is over four times as wideand significantly more powerful had it been on a collision course. Humanitys defenses against dangerous asteroids are still in development. While NASAs DART mission showed promise by nudging an asteroid off course, new research suggests the impact dynamics are more complex than initially thought. Still, for now, theres no need for concern, as asteroid 2025 MA90 will keep its distance from us. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The FBIs Washington Field Office on Tuesday released Seeking Information posters for three senior Iranian intelligence operatives believed to have orchestrated the 2007 abduction of retired FBI Special Agent Robert A. Bob Levinson from Kish Island, Iran. The men high-ranking officers in Irans Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) are now officially in the crosshairs of the U.S. governments ongoing investigation into Levinsons disappearance, which remains one of the longest-held unresolved hostage cases in American history. These three intelligence officers were among those who allegedly facilitated Bobs abduction and the subsequent cover-up by the Iranian government, said Steven Jensen, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIs Washington Field Office. Bob likely later perished in captivity far from his family, friends, and colleagues. The FBI will continue its relentless pursuit to hold anyone involved accountable for their reprehensible actions. The three named officials are: Reza Amiri Moghadam (a.k.a. Ahmad Amirinia): Currently serving as Irans ambassador to Pakistan, Moghadam previously led MOISs operations unit. During his tenure, agents across Europe answered directly to him from Tehran. Taghi Daneshvar (a.k.a. Sayyed Taghi Ghaemi): A high-level counterespionage official who supervised activities related to Levinsons disappearance, including the work of Mohammad Baseri, one of the two Iranian agents already sanctioned by the U.S. in 2020. Gholamhossein Mohammadnia: A former Iranian ambassador to Albania, expelled in 2018 for endangering national security. Mohammadnia allegedly spearheaded efforts to fabricate a narrative that blamed Levinsons disappearance on Pakistani terrorist groups a disinformation campaign designed to deflect responsibility from the Iranian regime. Tuesdays announcement comes on the heels of a March 2025 move by the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control, which formally designated Moghadam, Daneshvar, and Mohammadnia for their roles in Levinsons kidnapping and prolonged detention. The release of the FBI posters marks another chapter in the U.S. governments effort to pierce the veil of secrecy surrounding Levinsons fate. Though the Iranian government has spent nearly 18 years denying any knowledge of his whereabouts, mounting evidence including communications intercepted and declassified by U.S. intelligence has pointed directly to MOIS involvement and a sustained cover-up campaign led by its senior leadership. The FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $5 million for credible information that leads to Levinsons recovery. The U.S. State Departments Rewards for Justice program has also put up an additional $20 million, bringing the total potential reward to $25 million one of the largest in American history for a missing person. Justice for Bob Levinson is not negotiable, Jensen said. We are not done. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Two major countries are in the pipeline to possibly join the Abraham Accords: Saudi Arabia and Syria. In Syria, Bakr Simantov has won the title of The Last Jew in Damascus. Like many titles, it is a bit of an exaggeration, as there are four male Jews and two female Jews remaining in Damascus. Simantov serves as the head of the congregation of the smallest Jewish community in the world, despite its geographical proximity to Israel. In an interview with Shlomo Cooperman in the Hebrew Mishpacha magazine, Simantov said that in his 60 years in the Syrian capital, he has learned to live his life as a Jew alongside the development of the Jewish state across the border. It was not always easy, but now he feels that history has opened an opportunity that never existed before. People and neighbors keep asking me when there will be peace with Israel, he told Mishpacha. They look at you with awe that never existed before. The State of Israel has become a superpower. The Syrian people are ready for peace with Israel, he said. Its not a matter of if, its a matter of when. In my opinion, it could be very soon. We suffered for many years under the rule of the Assad family regime, father and son. The restrictions on Jews were draconian and included a violation of freedom of movement, residence, and occupation. We were not even allowed to hold property beyond our private home, nor to acquire advanced education such as medicine or law. The community members were thus prevented from being able to advance economically or move to key positions of influence. Even to leave our neighborhood, we had to obtain permission from the Mukhabarat [Syrian intelligence agency responsible for surveillance of citizens.] External parties trying to contact the Jews could be interrogated by Syrian security forces about why they were talking to the Jews and what they wanted. Just like in a ghetto. I certainly couldnt call family in Israel in those days. When asked about his relationship with his neighbors, Simantov emphasized that he mainly lived his life alongside Muslim, Christian, and Druze neighbors in complete harmony. There were more tense periods, mainly in the past, but in recent years there is a lot of respect and warm relations. We live here together, with each other, and I dont remember ever feeling threatened. I can even say more than that, he added. When I walk down the street, most passersby who recognize my face greet me with Shalom Aleichem in Hebrew specifically because I am Jewish. Simantov added that during the civil war, the Jews who remained were relatively safe and were protected by the regime, but the acts of murder and brutal oppression aroused the anger of anyone who believed in basic human rights. Its unbelievable that the world let this happen, he said. Hundreds of thousands of people were murdered, hundreds of thousands, and the whole world was silent. True, Assad was persona non grata in most Western countries, and besides Russia, which was his patron, and a number of Arab countries (e.g., Iran), no one really had normal diplomatic relations with him. But no one really acted to stop the atrocities, the oppression, or the killing. This is a message to anyone who thinks that the enlightened and compassionate world will fight for their well-being. They should know that they dont interest anyone, unless it is Palestinians fighting Israel. The suffering of the Syrian people proves that the world is not really interested in the suffering of others; its all interests. Regarding the fall of Assad, Simantov said, The people here didnt really believe it would happen anymore. After so many years of oppression and despair, you lose hope for the desired change. Entire generations of Syrians have become accustomed to the fact that they live under a cruel, elitist, and megalomaniacal regime, which deprives them of their personal freedom, their ability to lead a normal life, and their happiness. But that now belongs to history. The Syrian people have earned the right to write their history in blood, and they deserve all the praise for it. Thanks to the courage of the people who never lost hope, Syria is freed from this dark yoke called Assad. People here know that this was made possible thanks to the State of Israel, and this is what causes mixed feelings towards the actions of the State of Israel in Syria, Simantov elaborated. On the one hand, the Syrian citizens appreciate Israel as a powerful factor, a nuclear and military power that managed to inflict a mortal blow on its enemies, but it is difficult to say that they look favorably on the Israeli intervention between factors in Syria (such as the Druze and the Kurds against the Turks) and the various actions it takes in destroying the facilities of the Syrian army. All these things are sensitive internal issues in Syrian society, and the Israeli intervention, even if justified in Israeli eyes, has a negative impact in internal Syrian terms. Despite the negative impact, Simantov said that the Syrians see the State of Israel as a powerful and generally positive factor, and many of them yearn for peace with Israel. It stands to reason that the right of the State of Israel to defend itself is something basic in the understandings for such a peace agreement, and there is no doubt that the Syrian people will stand behind it. There are other Arab countries that have signed peace agreements with the State of Israel and created history, a reality that did not exist before. And here we see that despite this, the State of Israel is fighting with tremendous force against its enemies, despite those agreements. The reason for this is that even in Arab countries like the Gulf States, even Saudi Arabia, which is in the crosshairs, they understand very well that if the people of Israel lay down their arms, they will be destroyed. I repeat and emphasize: all my neighbors and acquaintances here in Damascus yearn for peace with Israel without exception, Simantov concluded. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) The Houthis in Yemen serve as the last functional Iranian proxy, still fighting the Jewish State and imposing an effective siege in the Red Sea. Despite a Houthi ban on interacting with any Israeli entity, Ynet managed to carry out an interview with a Houthi source, who clarified that the terror group will continue their fight to destroy the Jewish state even after the war in Gaza ends. Ynet: What do you want from Israel? We want only one thing from the Zionist entity: its departure from the land of Arab Palestine, because we believe that its existence is invalid. Its end is an inevitable divine promise. Israel is a usurping entity, planted in the heart of the nation, based on murder, conquest, and desecration of holy places. We in Ansar Allah (the name of the organization) believe that our struggle with this entity is an existential struggle between faith and infidelity, between the oppressed and the tyrants. We will win. We want Israel to be wiped out and the Al-Aqsa Mosque to be purified. This is G-ds promise to his servants. From your statements, it can be understood that the threats will continue even in the day after the war in the Gaza Strip. What are your goals against Israel the day after? The Gaza war has established a new equation and proved that the resistance is capable of causing you pain as a conquering Zionist entity. We are part of the al-Quds (Jerusalem) axis, and we will continue to fully support the Palestinian resistance politically, militarily, and morallyuntil we achieve our great goal: dismantling the usurping Zionist entity and destroying it from all frontsfrom Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria. Our goal is clear: to confuse the entity and weaken it until it collapses from within. We will also expand our activity in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. We will target anything related to Israel, anywhere, both inside and outside Yemen. The Jews are a legitimate target for us, and you will soon hear about our attacks. What is your goal inside Yemen? We are waging a struggle in Yemen for liberation from the American-Saudi-Zionist aggression until we achieve sovereignty and independence. We reject the foreign presence and want to establish a Quran-based and just system that will advance the country politically, economically, and morally. We will restore the status of the Muslims that Saudi Arabia and the Gulf and the regimes that are actually agents, have sold. We will support the goals of the nation, especially Palestine, and build an ideological army capable of defending Yemen and the nation. We are not looking for power, but for the implementation of the project of Hussein al-Houthi (the brother of the current leader Abd al-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, who was killed) to build an Islamic state and to defeat the Jews. How do you see your relationship with Iran? We are not ashamed of our alliance with Iran. We are proud of it because it stands by the goals of the nation. The Iranians are a role model for us and support us and our goal. Our relationship with them is one of brotherhood in religion and destiny, based on the principle of supporting the oppressed. It is a relationship of faith and loyalty to Ayatollahs Khomeini and Khamenei. For us, Iran is a strategic ally in dealing with the American-Zionist dominance project. Iran is the one that will support us in wiping Israel off the map. Where were you before the Gaza war? We were where we needed to be yesterday, and today we are fighting with the tools of America in Yemen. We are building power, preparing for the day we march towards Al-Aqsa, and instilling a conscious-based thought in the souls of the nation. Our slogan, Death to America, death to Israel, is not just a slogan. It is a principle and a way of life from the beginning of the Quran until we liberate Jerusalem from you and restore the rights of the people. The Yemeni people suffer from poverty and disease. Why dont you direct the resources to the people instead of to war? We are fighting to protect the people and preserve their dignity. If we surrender to aggression, these people will have no value or land left. The war was forced upon us, and we are directing all resources to building a force that protects the people, not for personal interests, as mercenaries do. It doesnt matter if we dedicate resources to the people. What matters is that we are fighting you to implement the directives of our leadership and rulers, and the Yemeni people will manage their affairs by all means necessary. We are a people who depend solely on war for our livelihood. We fight and build simultaneously, and we will continue to do so until we defeat the aggression and build faith. We dont care about your bombings; we dont careeven if you use nuclear weapons. The people will be Shahidim (martyrs), and that is our belief. What would you say to the Israeli government? You are a criminal, plundering entity, and you will be defeated as every tyrant has been defeated throughout history. We tell you clearly: you will not enjoy security, not in Tel Aviv, not in Eilat, not even in the depths of the Red Sea. And not abroad either. We will strike and support anyone who strikes you, and you will not be able to stop the progress of the nation. You are doomed, whether you like it or not. What would you say to Israelis? You are the fuel of a satanic Zionist project. You must leave the land of Canaan and return to your homes. The Zionist project will lead you to destruction. We say to you: examine yourselves and leave the land that does not belong to you before the storm of rage that will come from Yemen, Lebanon, Gaza, and all the free people of the nation sweeps you away. If you choose to remain in our land, your end will be like the end of every invader throughout history. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) A military investigation released Sunday concluded that serious operational failuresincluding poor coordination, miscommunication, and delayed deploymentcontributed to the IDFs inability to prevent a deadly Hamas assault on the southern city of Ofakim during the October 7 attacks. The probe, led by Brig. Gen. Oren Simcha, found that 15 Hamas terrorists infiltrated Ofakim around 6:40 a.m., killing 33 people25 civilians and 8 security personnelwithin the first 40 minutes. IDF troops arrived too late to affect the outcome of the battle, the report said. One of the closest military units, from the Chaim Laskov Officers Training School (Bahad 1), was mistakenly dispatched to the wrong location. Soldiers were forced to proceed on foot for more than 30 minutes to reach the combat zone, by which time the terrorists had either been killed or barricaded themselves inside homes. This was a battle that could have ended in hundreds of deaths, a senior IDF official involved in the probe said. It was the determination of police officers, civilians, and local soldiers that stopped the massacre. The investigation cited a breakdown in coordination between the IDF, police, and local authorities. At the time of the attack, Ofakim had no operational emergency command center, no standby defense squad, and no real-time intelligence to guide responders. Civilian reports painted a chaotic and inaccurate picture of an entire city overrun, when the assault was in fact limited to three streets in the Mishor HaGeffen neighborhood. Military forces from Bahad 1 only reached Ofakims industrial zone around 9:10 a.m.more than two hours after the attack beganand had to walk to the scene. By the time they arrived, the battle had effectively ended, a military source told reporters. The terrorists were either neutralized or entrenched. The soldiers were no longer relevant to the fight. Of the five IDF platoons deployed, only two were eventually reassigned to assist in nearby Kibbutz Kisufim. The remaining three stayed in Ofakim. The report also noted the tactical planning by Hamas operatives, who specifically targeted Mishor HaGeffen due to its lack of fortified rooms. Maps seized after the attack labeled the neighborhood as a protection-free zone, suggesting Hamas anticipated civilians would flee to public shelters, leaving them exposed. In response to the attack, Ofakim has since established a functioning municipal command hub, deployed armed response units, and integrated surveillance systems. The report also highlighted a rare success: the rescue of hostages Rachel and David Edri by Yamam, Israels elite counterterrorism unit. According to Deputy Commander Superintendent L., the October 7 rescue marked the first time in Yamams history that hostages were extracted from a private residence during an ongoing urban assault. The raid, which followed 14 hours of planning and lasted only two minutes, resulted in the deaths of four terrorists and the safe recovery of the hostages. Three Yamam officers were wounded, including one seriously. All later returned to duty. Superintendent L. paid tribute to First Sgt. Yitav Lev Halevi, one of the first operatives to enter the home. Halevi was later killed during a separate counterterrorism mission in the West Bank. He was a principled warrior and an extraordinary human being, L. said. I wanted you to know his name. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) According to sources who attended the restricted cabinet meeting on Sunday evening, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu expressed determination to reach a hostage deal and even showed willingness to compromise on one of the sensitive issues: the withdrawal from the area between Rafah and Khan Younis, the Morag Corridor, from which he had previously refused to withdraw, Ynet reported. Negotiations are taking place in Doha, said one of the participants. Theyre working around the clock. Even if a deal is not closed in the coming days, the direction is clear. Its a matter of days, not weeks. According to those sources, the parties are discussing updated maps, and the understanding is that if the deal goes through, the concept of a humanitarian city in Rafah will not be relevant. A humanitarian zone simply will not be maintained, a source said. The message from the cabinet is clear: Netanyahu is willing to make concessions that were not on the table until now. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) The Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah (L, aboard a vehicle) inspects the troops in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, July 15, 2025. Brunei held a ceremonial grand parade on Tuesday, setting off a series of events to celebrate the 79th royal birthday. (Information Department of Brunei's Prime Minister's Office/Handout via Xinhua) BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Brunei held a ceremonial grand parade on Tuesday, setting off a series of events to celebrate the 79th royal birthday. The event took place at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien, a renowned park in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city of Brunei, where state dignitaries, grassroots leaders, and other distinguished guests were dressed in traditional costumes for the event on Tuesday. Personnel from the Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force, Royal Brunei Police Force, and members of uniformed government departments and associations were inspected by the Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah. People from all walks of life in the country thronged the capital to witness the grand parade, which was followed by the conferment of state honors and decorations at the Istana Nurul Iman, the royal palace. Brunei is an oil-rich country in Southeast Asia, located in the northern part of the island of Borneo. Gun salutes are fired in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, July 15, 2025. Brunei held a ceremonial grand parade on Tuesday, setting off a series of events to celebrate the 79th royal birthday. (Information Department of Brunei's Prime Minister's Office/Handout via Xinhua) A BBC documentary about childrens lives in Gaza breached editorial guidelines on accuracy because it failed to disclose that the program was narrated by the son of a Hamas official, according to a report published Monday. The broadcaster removed the program, Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone, from its streaming service in February after it emerged that the 13-year-old narrator, Abdullah, is the son of Ayman Alyazouri, who has worked as Hamass deputy minister of agriculture. A review found that the independent production company that made the program did not share the background information regarding the narrators father with the BBC. It said that the production company, Hoyo Films, bears most responsibility for the failure, though it did not intentionally mislead the BBC. The review, conducted by the corporations director of editorial complaints and reviews, found no other breaches of editorial guidelines, including impartiality. There was no evidence of outside interests impacting on the program, it said. Earlier this year, Britains Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy questioned why no one at the BBC had lost their job over the programs airing. The broadcasters Director-General Tim Davie had told lawmakers that the BBC received hundreds of complaints alleging that the documentary was biased against Israel, as well as hundreds more criticizing the programs removal from its streaming service. Davie said Monday that the report identified a significant failing in relation to accuracy in the documentary. Hoyo Films apologized for the mistake. Both firms said they would prevent similar errors in the future. Separately, more than 100 BBC journalists wrote a letter to Davie earlier this month criticizing its decision not to air another documentary, Gaza: Medics Under Fire. They expressed concerns that the broadcaster was not reporting without fear or favour when it comes to Israel. The decision suggested that the BBC was an organization that is crippled by the fear of being perceived as critical of the Israeli government, that letter said. The BBC has been under intense scrutiny for its coverage touching on the war in Gaza. Last month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and others condemned the corporation for livestreaming a performance by rap punk duo Bob Vylan, who led crowds at Glastonbury Festival in chanting death to the Israeli military. (AP) Israel Air Force aircraft, guided by military intelligence and Northern Command officials, carried out numerous strikes against Hezbollah terror targets in the Beqaa Valley in eastern Lebanon on Tuesday morning. The targets included Radwan Force military camps, where Hezbollah terrorists and warehouses used for storing weapons were identified. The military camps are used by Hezbollah to conduct training and exercises for terrorists for the planning and execution of terror operations against IDF forces and the State of Israel, the IDF spokesperson said. Radwan Force terrorists carried out gunfire drills and training exercises using various types of weapons at the military camps. Hezbollahs Radwan Force is the unit that planned and advanced the Conquer the Galil plan for years. The units commanders were eliminated in September 2024 in Beirut and southern Lebanon during Operation Northern Arrows, and since then, the unit has been working to restore its capabilities. IDF forces have been acting against the unit over the past two years, preventing it from recovering and rebuilding its strength. The storage of weapons and the activities of the Hezbollah terrorist organization at these sites constitute a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and pose a future threat to the State of Israel. Your browser does not support the video tag. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz commented on the strikes: The IDF strikes currently underway in Lebanon are a clear message to the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which is plotting to rebuild its capabilities to invade Israel via the Radwan Forceand also to the Lebanese government, which is responsible for upholding the agreement. We will strike every terrorist and thwart every threat to the residents of the north and to the State of Israeland we will respond with maximum force to any attempt to recover. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) The Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas will convene later this week to discuss the draft law crisis. Kikar HaShabbat has learned that the Moetzet will likely convene on Wednesday or Thursday to discuss the conscription crisis and instruct Shas to withdraw from the government this week. Shas party officials are coordinating a date and time for the meeting. Senior officials in the Chareidi parties told Kikar that it was clarified yesterday that MK Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, delayed the submission of the conscription law text with various excuses but behind the scenes worked to bring a law contrary to the agreements reached before Operation Rising Lion. Also, the Chareidi parties estimate that it will not be possible to pass the law during the summer recess, which mean that when the Knesset winter session begins, the Knesset will be dissolved and Israel will go to elections. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz on Tuesday instructed the IDF to immediately strike Syrian regime forces in the Sweida area of southern Syria. The order came after three days of ethnic violence between local Druze in Sweida and Bedouins, during which the Druze were attacked by Syrian regime forces. According to a joint statement published by Netanyahu and Katz, the Syrian forces entered the Druze city of Sweida in violation of the demilitarization policy, which involves refraining from introducing forces and weapons into the southern Syria area that endanger Israel. Israel is committed to preventing harm to the Druze in Syria due to the deep brotherly alliance with our Druze citizens in Israel and their familial and historical connection to the Druze in Syriaand we are acting to prevent the Syrian regime from harming them and to ensure the demilitarization of the area adjacent to our border with Syria. According to local reports, the Syrian regime forces randomly opened fire on Druze civilians in Sweida, killing and injuring them, and captured civilians and publicly humiliated them, such as forcing them to bark like a dog. They didnt even spare elderly men, some of whom were captured and forcefully shaved. An Israeli security source said that the IDF strikes against the Syrian regime forces are very extensive, saying that Israel views this as a test of the implementation of its policy of demilitarizing southern Syria and its commitment to the Druze. The videos below show the Syrian regime forces in Sweida: Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Also on Tuesday, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra announced a ceasefire in Sweida. His statement said that an agreement had been reached with the citys dignitaries and that Syrian forces would only respond to fire from outlaws. The IDF also attacked the Sweida area on Monday, targeting Syrian army tanks that approached Druze villages in the district. Prior to the attack, Israel tried to send a warning to the Syrian regime through foreign elements not to enter Druze villages with armored vehicles. Sources in Syria said that Israeli air force planes did not hit the tanks but fired next to them as a warning. The clashes between Druze, Bedouins, and Syrian security forces in the Sweida area in recent days have claimed the lives of more than 100 people, including soldiers, and left over 200 people injured. The clashes began after Bedouin militants attacked a Druze youth on his way to Damascus on Friday and robbed him. The attack was part of a wave of abduction of Druze by Bedouin tribesmen in recent times. In response, Druze militants kidnapped several Bedouin tribesmen, causing the clashes to erupt. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) Since the Hamas attack on October 7, the American forces overseeing the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt have stopped conducting reconnaissance flights over Sinai or inspecting the tunnels in the area, Yisrael Hayom reported. The issue only began to be seriously addressed with the start of the Trump administration, but as far as is known, there are still no results. According to the peace agreement signed between Israel and Egypt in 1979, the United States guarantees that both sides adhere to the peace agreement, and in particular the security annex attached to it. This annex precisely defines the amout of the Egyptian forces allowed to be stationed in Sinai and in what location. A mechanism was also established at the time to allow for changes to the composition of these forces in coordination between the countries and with Israeli approval. To ensure that the agreement and the security annex are maintained, the United States led the establishment of a Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), which patrols throughout Sinai and even uses reconnaissance flights over the Sinai. However, for an unclear reason, these flights ceased with the outbreak of the war and have not been resumed to this day. Israel has repeatedly appealed to the Biden administration and the Trump administration, demanding that the United States fulfill its obligations under the agreement and resume the flights. The efforts vis-a-vis the previous administration were led by the former ambassador in Washington, Michael (Mike) Herzog. However, a source familiar with the details told Yisrael Hayom that senior officials in the previous administration ignored it. Their answer was that more aid should be brought into Gaza, he said. Another supervisory activity that the Multinational Force has stopped carrying out is the inspection of activities in the tunnels that Egypt built throughout Sinai. An Israeli official revealed in this context that Egypt rejected the inspectors requests to examine the systems being built in the tunnels. The need for such inspections became urgent after it was assessed that they could contain large quantities of weaponry. Israel is very concerned about Egyptian activity in this area. Israel raised the issue again immediately upon the entry of President Trump and his administration into the White House. Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed the issue with Secretary of State Marco Rubio when he visited Israel in February. Since then, there have been additional appeals. The Trump administration did take up the gauntlet and is demanding that the Egyptians renew the oversight work as required. A source who spoke with Israel on the matter said that when the Americans take something seriously, others in the world do too. However, an examination by Yisrael Hayom with several sources reveals that despite the appeals of the Trump administration, the flights over Sinai have not been renewed to this day, and the international inspectors have not been allowed to enter the tunnels. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) British budget airline easyJet said Tuesday it is extending the suspension of its flights to and from Tel Avivs Ben Gurion Airport through March 2026, citing the need to provide scheduling clarity for passengers. The carrier had originally planned to resume operations at the end of October, but in a statement emailed to media, easyJet confirmed it will not operate any flights to Tel Aviv during the upcoming winter travel season. To provide our customers with certainty on our winter flying schedule, we will no longer be operating flights to Tel Aviv over the winter season, up to and including 28th March 2026, the airline said. The company added it remains committed to resuming service beginning in the spring of 2026. Customers affected by the cancellations are eligible for a refund or can rebook to an alternate destination without additional charges. EasyJet suspended its Tel Aviv routes in October 2023 following the Hamas attack on southern Israel. The airline has not indicated whether geopolitical conditions factored into the latest decision, but has maintained a cautious approach to resuming flights in areas facing ongoing security risks. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is rejecting accusations that his government bears responsibility for Hamass October 7 attack, instead blaming the countrys security services for what he described as a catastrophic intelligence failure. In an English-language video posted Monday to his social media accounts, Netanyahu defended his wartime decisions while leveling some of his strongest public criticism yet at Israels military and intelligence leadership. The eight-minute interview conducted by his newly appointed international affairs adviser, former journalist Caroline Glick comes amid accusations that political considerations have shaped his strategy. Your browser does not support the video tag. With coalition tensions escalating and a recent New York Times investigation raising questions about whether the prime minister has prolonged the conflict for political survival, Netanyahu used the video to push back on what he called bogus narratives about the causes of the attack and its aftermath. Dont mistake our internal democratic debate, he said, dismissing claims that divisions over his governments judicial overhaul weakened national resilience. On the day of reckoning, if we are attacked, we shall all be there, left and right and thats exactly what happened. Responding to claims that military and intelligence officials had warned him about an impending Hamas operation, Netanyahu said the reverse was true. They said Hamas is deterred. They want workers, they want economic benefits, theres no danger of an impending attack. And they said it again, and again, and again, Netanyahu insisted. He also addressed the now-infamous Jerichos Walls plan a Hamas strategy document obtained by the IDF in 2022 that described a large-scale ground invasion. Netanyahu said he never saw the report, and claimed it was ignored by the intelligence community due to a belief that Hamas posed no imminent threat. Israeli defense and intelligence agencies have acknowledged a range of failures in the lead-up to the attack, including missed warning signs and flawed assumptions about Hamass intentions. A March report by the Shin Bet domestic security agency said government policy to allow Qatari funds into Gaza helped fuel Hamass buildup. Former Shin Bet chief Nadav Argaman said Netanyahu knew the risks of channeling money into the territory and pursued the policy despite repeated warnings. Netanyahu also pushed back on claims that he has used the war for political advantage. In all the key decisions of the warI led them. They followed. Im glad they did, he said, listing actions such as the Rafah operation, the elimination of Hezbollah figures, and the strikes on Iran. He rejected assertions that domestic politics had constrained hostage negotiations or discussions over Gazas future. Thats ridiculous, he said. I made hostage deals against my political partners in the coalition. Critics, including former U.S. officials, have raised concerns that Netanyahus reluctance to outline a postwar plan for Gaza has been driven by fear of alienating far-right members of his coalition. Netanyahu denied those reports, saying, Its not my personal political survival that Im concerned with, but my countrys survival. Asked to define his endgame in Gaza, Netanyahu replied: Its called victory, victory, victory. In the closing moments of the video, Netanyahu invoked his alignment with President Donald Trump, calling their shared approach a doctrine called peace through strength. First comes strength then comes peace. Thats whats going to happen, he said. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli on Tuesday called for the elimination of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the wake of the atrocities perpetrated by Syrian regime forces in recent days against Syrian Druze in the southern Syrian village of Sweida. Chikli attached two videos of Syrian forces humiliating Druze by forcibly shaving them. Syrian regime forces also executed civilians in the village and carried out out abductions. They also publicly humiliated Druze by forcing them to bark like dogs in the street. We must not stand idly by in the face of the Islamist-Nazi terror regime of Al-Qaeda in a suit and tie, Chikli wrote. Anyone who thinks Ahmad al-Shara is a legitimate leader is gravely mistakenhe is a terrorist, a barbaric murderer who should be eliminated without delay. We saw the horrific massacre of the Alawites, met with deafening silence from European leaders, and now we are witnessing the slaughter and humiliation of the Druze. The terror regime in Syria must be fought. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich stated, The brutal massacre carried out by Ahmed al-Julanis regime against the Druze in southern Syria proves that they were and remain violent and cruel extremist Islamists, and the West must not be deceived by their suits and ties. The State of Israel cannot afford to retreat under any circumstances from the buffer zone and the Hermon peak, which are essential for the defense of the Golan Heights settlements, and it will continue to protect the Druze in southern Syria to the best of its ability. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) Clashes between Bedouin tribes, government forces and members of a minority sect in Syria have left dozens dead and once again raised fears of a breakdown in the countrys fragile postwar order. The country is deeply divided as it tries to emerge from decades of dictatorship and nearly 14 years of civil war. Clashes have on several occasions broken out between forces loyal to the government and Druze fighters since the fall of President Bashar Assad in early December in a lightning rebel offensive led by Sunni Islamist insurgent groups, but Mondays fighting threatened to escalate into a larger conflict. Here are the main reasons the clashes expanded in recent days and background on the two sides: The Druze and Syrias new government The Druze religious sect is a minority group that began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. More than half the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. In Syria, they largely live in the southern Sweida province and some suburbs of Damascus, mainly in Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya to the south. The transitional government has promised to include minorities, including the Druze, but the new 23-member government in Syria announced in late March only has one Druze member, Minister of Agriculture Amjad Badr. Under the Assad familys tight rule, religious freedom was guaranteed as the country then boasted about its secular and Arab nationalist system. The Druze have been divided over how to deal with their issues with the new status quo in the country. Many Druze support a dialogue with the government while others want a more confrontational approach. What lies behind the tension between the two sides Syrias religious and ethnic communities are worried about their place in Syrias new system that is mostly run by Islamists, including some who have links to extremist groups. The countrys new President Ahmad al-Sharaa himself is a former militant who once was a member of al-Qaida. Although al-Sharaa had said that the right of ethnic and religious minorities will be protected, there have been several rounds of sectarian killings since Assads fall. The Assad family rule that was dominated by members of the Alawite sect had oppressed much of the countrys Sunni majority while giving minorities some powers. During Syrias 14-year conflict, the Druze had their own militias, in part to defend against Muslim fundamentalist militants who consider them heretics. Members of the Islamic State group in 2018 attacked the Druze in Sweida province, killing more than 200 people and taking more than two dozen hostage. Clashes began after checkpoint robbery The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, said the clashes started after members of a Bedouin tribe in Sweida province set up a checkpoint where they attacked and robbed a Druze man, leading to tit-for-tat attacks and kidnappings between the tribes and Druze armed groups. Government security forces deployed to the area to restore order, but were seen as taking the side of the Bedouin tribes against Druze factions. Israel, which has periodically intervened or threatened to intervene in support of the Druze in Syria, said it struck military tanks in southern Syria Monday. In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the military. Israel does not want Islamic militants near the countrys northern border. Since Assads fall, Israeli forces have seized control of a U.N.patrolled buffer zone in Syria near the border with the Israeli-annexed Golan and have carried out hundreds of airstrikes on military sites. While many Druze in Syria have said they do not want Israel to intervene on their behalf, factions from the Druze minority have also been suspicious of the new authorities in Damascus. Concerns that sectarian violence could rise The clashes raise fears of another spiral of sectarian violence. In March, an ambush on government security forces by fighters loyal to Assad triggered days of sectarian and revenge attacks. Hundreds of civilians were killed, most of them members of the minority Alawite sect that Assad belongs to. A commission was formed to investigate the attacks but has not made its findings public. There have also been rising tensions between authorities in Damascus and Kurdish-led authorities controlling the countrys northeast. Despite having reached an agreement in March to merge their forces, the two sides have since come to an impasse and the deal has not been implemented. The ongoing instability threatens to derail Syrias fragile recovery after more than a decade of war that devastated its infrastructure and displaced half the prewar population of 23 million. In 2017, the United Nations estimated that rebuilding Syria would cost about $250 billion. Since Assad was overthrown, some experts say that number could be as high as $400 billion. (AP) Cancer patients in your community need YOUR help to beat the disease. Will you help open doors for them? RCCSs Two-day campaign is now live! This is your chance to partner with Klal Yisroels premier organization that assists cancer patients in our communities in so many ways. No matter where you live, the word cancer is a frightening reality for all too many of your neighbors, Rl. This dreadful disease and its treatment regimens afflict men, women, teenagers, even young children, of all ages and backgrounds as well as their family and friends. In our communities, virtually every one of these suffering souls relies on RCCS as a lifeline the one stop resource that guides them from diagnosis through recovery and makes sure that everyone has access to the absolute best medical care available anywhere in the world. RCCS provides medical referral and support, getting each patient into the best doctor for their diagnosis; this includes handling their medical records and expediting appointments. To this end, they conduct extensive medical research to avail patients to the most cutting-edge medical treatment. They provide crucial financial support to cover insurance premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses. In essence, they serve as the patients virtual back office from beginning to end. They arrange insurance guidance and advocacy, helping a patient navigate the complex world of insurance, and advocating for them when an insurer rejects a claim. They ensure that finances never stand between a patient and world-class treatment. In addition, the RCCS Care Management team helps patients and their families access the full gamut of financial and logistical assistance available through individual donors and other organizations. It now costs over $31 million a year for RCCS to cover its global operations; including paying insurance premiums and other patient expenditures. RCCS is currently helping over 5,000 patients and their families with everything they need to fight cancer with dozens of new patients reaching out for help each week. Jewish communities around the country have united to support RCCSs lifesaving operations through a special two day ATTENTION online fundraising campaign. This is RCCSs primary community fundraising event in these communities for the year. NOW IS THE TIME for you to make sure that RCCS can save the lives of your friends and neighbors. The RCCS ATTENTION campaign is now live, until tomorrow evening. Please donate without delay. It is only through the widespread participation of Yidden from a cross section of communities that the goal will be reached iyH. Donate Now! Thank you for doing your part! RIO DE JANEIRO, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Luis Roberto Barroso, president of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court, defended the country's independent judiciary after criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. In a letter addressed to Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva last week, Trump said he would impose a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian goods, citing the alleged "unfair treatment" of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for attempting a coup. Trump also questioned the court's decisions regarding Bolsonaro's allies in the United States, claiming they harmed U.S. technology companies. In a letter released Sunday night, Barroso rejected Trump's allegations, saying his position was based on an "imprecise understanding of the facts" and affirmed that "in today's Brazil, no one is persecuted." Barroso stressed that the ongoing trial strictly adheres to due process and is being conducted with transparency. Bolsonaro, who served as Brazilian president from 2019 to 2022, is accused of plotting to stay in power through the use of violence after losing his reelection bid to Lula. The Government has launched a drive to encourage more ordinary people to start investing in a package of reforms to boost economic growth. A new consumer campaign will lay out the long term benefits of investing for better returns, rather than keeping savings in cash. Banks will nudge customers with large cash balances to consider investing instead. Rachel Reeves revealed the plan today ahead of her Mansion House speech, in an echo of the 1980s 'Tell Sid' campaign around the privatisation of British Gas that is held up as a successful drive to engage the public with the stock market. A much feared cut to the 20,000 annual cash Isa limit was not announced, though the Government says it will continue to consider ways to strike the right balance between cash savings and investment. The 'Leeds reforms', unveiled in the West Yorkshire city by the Chancellor include reforming the bank ring-fencing regime and reducing burdensome regulation in the City. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a raft of financial reforms in Leeds The changes will reintroduce 'informed risk-taking' into the financial system, and 'represent the widest set of reforms to financial services for more than a decade', says the Government. The new measures are intended to help drive increased levels of investment among both financial firms and individuals. The Treasury said the ring-fencing regime - which was brought in after the 2008 financial crisis to separate banks' retail and investment banking activities - will be reformed. Economic Secretary Emma Reynolds will lead a review into balancing between growth and stability - including protecting customers' deposits. The UK is a global outlier in enforcing ring-fencing, and major banks have been divided over whether the system is necessary to protect savers or is overly burdensome. The Treasury said it was backing regulatory reforms for mid-sized banks to free up money for lending and investment. It also plans to cut layers of red tape for businesses in the City. This will see the UK's Financial Ombudsman Service - which settles complaints between consumers and businesses - watered down and simplified to address backlogs in the system. There will also be an accelaration of changes to the senior managers regime, which was also brought in after the 2008 crisis to vet individuals before they are appointed and hold them accountable for problems and risk-taking. Meanwhile, efforts to encourage more individuals to invest rather than keep savings in cash include rolling out 'targeted support' from April next year. This will involve banks alerting customers with cash sitting in low-return current accounts about investment opportunities. Major banks and financial firms including Barclays, Lloyds, Vanguard and Hargreaves Lansdown are backing a new advertising campaign highlighting the benefits of investing. Reeves told finance chiefs, when setting out the reforms in Leeds: 'We are fundamentally reforming the regulatory system, freeing up firms to take risks and to drive growth. The 'much-needed' measures are intended to 'really invigorate our financial services sector, but with the core purpose of therefore reinvigorating the whole economy,' she said. Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the planned retail investor campaign would act as a loudspeaker to amplify the message about the opportunity investing can offer. 'It will be important to stress the value that investing can bring to support crucial life events and retirement planning. 'A reinvented Tell Sid campaign, which shows how investment is helping people with their long-term needs like retirement, will build confidence and pave the way for greater participation in financial markets.' The famous 'Tell Sid' adverts encouraged people to buy shares in British Gas when it was privatised in the 1980s. Shares in AstraZeneca rose after a successful trial of a blood pressure drug. Britains biggest listed firm said its experimental drug Baxdrostat reduced the blood pressure of patients who have a treatment-resistant form of hypertension. AstraZeneca said it expects its annual sales for the drug to top 3.7billion. Hypertension, known as high blood pressure, affects more than 1bn globally, according to the World Health Organisation. The condition can cause heart attacks or strokes. In the late-stage trial, the drug met its main and secondary goals to show a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure at 12 weeks, when compared with a placebo treatment, AstraZeneca said. It is different to older treatments, including ACE inhibitors, as it targets aldosterone, a hormone that raises blood pressure, the company said. Trial success: AstraZeneca said its experimental drug Baxdrostat reduced the blood pressure of patients who have a treatment-resistant form of hypertension The drug maker bought Baxdrostat through its 1.3billion takeover of CinCor Pharma in 2023. This was part of the groups strategy to expand its treatments for heart and kidney disease. Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell, said: Phase three drug trials are the most important events for pharmaceutical companies as theyre make or break time. Its the final test to see if a treatment is effective and can be submitted to a regulator for approval. AstraZeneca hit the jackpot with its hypertension drug trial. AstraZeneca shares rose 2 per cent, or 212p, to 10,662p. Reports this month suggested it is considering shifting its stock market listing to the US in what would be a major blow to the London exchange. Chief executive Pascal Soriot is reportedly weighing moving the headquarters away from the UK as well as its main stock market listing. Soriot, 66, has lambasted the UK and the rest of Europe for falling behind other countries such as the US and China in developing medicines. In April, he said that innovation in pharmaceuticals has mostly been funded by the US. The FTSE 100 rose above the 9,000 mark for the first time on Tuesday morning after Brexit Britain was branded a clear winner in Donald Trumps trade war. In a boost for investors with money tied up in shares through their pensions and other savings, the blue-chip index climbed 0.2 per cent to a record high of more than 9,002 after adding 0.6 per cent in the previous session. The FTSE 100 has now added around 9 per cent since the start of a volatile 2025, which has seen London's premier index broadly outperform most global peers. John Moore, wealth manager at RBC Brewin Dolphin, highlighted the FTSE 100's exposure to in-demand stocks within the banking and defence sectors as well as 'larger operators in other industries such as Next, Tesco, and National Grid'. He also pointed to the relative strength of the pound this year and the UK market's ability to offer 'robust income and optionality'. Moore said: 'The UK [also] offers relative political stability compared to other parts of the world at present. 'While there may be tax increases to come, which was part of the reason for the sell-off of the pound in early June, the government has a clear mandate and tenure for the next few years. That compares favourably to other parts of Europe, even, where coalition governments are having a tough time.' Record run: In a boost for investors, the blue-chip index climbed to a record high of 8999.22 before closing up 0.6% at 8998.06 Trade war winners and losers Monday's gains in London came as shares in Europe fell with the Dax down 0.4 per cent in Frankfurt and the Cac off 0.3 per cent in Paris after the US president threatened to slap 30 per cent tariffs on goods imported from the EU. This compares with a 10 per cent tariff on most imports to the US from the UK with British cars and aerospace goods getting no extra levies at all thanks to a trade deal with Trump. Analysts said UK stocks should outperform those in Europe thanks to the deal which has been hailed a Brexit dividend. Meanwhile, European leaders warned trade between the EU and US will be almost impossible if 30 per cent tariffs are imposed on August 1 as planned. German and French bond yields rose as investors fretted over the prospect of a transatlantic trade war between the US and EU. Trumps tariffs on the EU have one clear winner: the UK, wrote Panmure Liberum research analyst Joachim Klement in a report. And in a message to investors, he added: As the world stands today, there is one clear recommendation: Buy UK. The report noted a significant arbitrage opportunity for European firms to ship goods from the EU to the UK, slightly alter them in the UK to turn them into Made in the UK goods and then ship them to the US. It said this could boost the UK economy as firms invest in factories and warehouses. Klement said: It could turn the UK into a long-term winner from the trade war. Accountancy and business advisory group Lubbock Fine also said Britains substantial tariff advantage could see European manufacturers relocating to the UK to avoid the 30 per cent levy. The UK could be a big indirect winner, said Lubbock Fine partner Alex Altmann, who is also vice president of the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany. He added: If the tariff rate for the EU finally ends up anywhere near this 30 per cent level then the UKs much lower US tariffs would offer a major incentive for EU companies to shift some of their manufacturing to the UK or to expand their existing UK facilities. European trade ministers held crisis talks yesterday as they scramble to secure an agreement with Trump to avoid the punishing levies. EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic said: If youre talking about 30 per cent or 30 per cent-plus, there will be a huge impact on trade. It will be almost impossible to continue trading as we are used to in a transatlantic relationship. The bloc is preparing a fresh round of retaliatory tariffs on US goods worth more than 60billion if a trade deal cannot be salvaged. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of HubSpot (NYSE:HUBS Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Saturday. A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on HUBS. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of HubSpot from $659.00 to $752.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $750.00 target price on HubSpot in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and set a $825.00 target price (down from $980.00) on shares of HubSpot in a report on Friday, May 9th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on HubSpot from $535.00 to $645.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of HubSpot from $700.00 to $675.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, HubSpot has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $764.93. Get HubSpot alerts: Read Our Latest Report on HubSpot HubSpot Stock Up 2.8% Insiders Place Their Bets HubSpot stock opened at $538.95 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $589.01 and a 200-day moving average of $635.97. HubSpot has a 52-week low of $434.84 and a 52-week high of $881.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.42 billion, a P/E ratio of -1,197.66, a PEG ratio of 19.49 and a beta of 1.66. In other news, CEO Yamini Rangan sold 2,383 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $551.79, for a total value of $1,314,915.57. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 63,918 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,269,313.22. The trade was a 3.59% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Kathryn Bueker sold 615 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $551.79, for a total value of $339,350.85. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 41,086 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,670,843.94. This represents a 1.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 12,178 shares of company stock valued at $6,720,521 in the last quarter. Insiders own 4.50% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in HubSpot by 4.0% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,246,734 shares of the software makers stock worth $2,997,407,000 after acquiring an additional 201,994 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in shares of HubSpot by 17.0% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 4,910,062 shares of the software makers stock valued at $2,805,070,000 after purchasing an additional 714,980 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of HubSpot by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,477,190 shares of the software makers stock worth $1,029,262,000 after purchasing an additional 74,990 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its holdings in shares of HubSpot by 37.3% in the 1st quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 927,927 shares of the software makers stock worth $530,115,000 after purchasing an additional 251,853 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of HubSpot by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 830,405 shares of the software makers stock worth $577,572,000 after purchasing an additional 9,922 shares during the last quarter. 90.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About HubSpot (Get Free Report) HubSpot, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform for businesses in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company's CRM platform includes Marketing Hub, a toolset for marketing automation and email, social media, SEO, and reporting and analytics; Sales Hub offers email templates and tracking, conversations and live chat, meeting and call scheduling, lead and website visit alerts, lead scoring, sales automation, pipeline management, quoting, forecasting, and reporting; Service Hub, a service software designed to help businesses manage, respond, and connect with customers; and Content Management Systems Hub enables businesses to create new and edit existing web content. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for HubSpot Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HubSpot and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Finance of America Companies (NYSE:FOA Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Saturday morning. A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on the company. Raymond James Financial raised their price target on Finance of America Companies from $27.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. UBS Group lowered their target price on Finance of America Companies from $25.00 to $22.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Get Finance of America Companies alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on FOA Finance of America Companies Trading Up 1.2% FOA opened at $23.21 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average is $22.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is $22.89. The firm has a market cap of $256.67 million, a PE ratio of 6.31 and a beta of 1.44. Finance of America Companies has a twelve month low of $6.13 and a twelve month high of $32.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 47.08, a quick ratio of 2.74 and a current ratio of 2.74. Finance of America Companies (NYSE:FOA Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $165.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $79.56 million. Equities research analysts anticipate that Finance of America Companies will post 0.75 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Finance of America Companies Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bastion Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Finance of America Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $4,850,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Finance of America Companies during the first quarter worth about $229,000. Barclays PLC acquired a new stake in Finance of America Companies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $492,000. Northern Trust Corp bought a new stake in Finance of America Companies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $479,000. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in Finance of America Companies by 600.5% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 89,495 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,517,000 after acquiring an additional 76,719 shares in the last quarter. 97.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Finance of America Companies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Finance of America Companies Inc a financial service holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of a retirement solutions platform in the United States. It operates through two segments: Retirement Solutions and Portfolio Management. The Retirement Solutions segment engages in the loan origination activities comprising home equity conversion, proprietary reverse, and hybrid mortgage loans for senior homeowners. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Finance of America Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Finance of America Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the fourteen analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $12.74. STLA has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. DZ Bank upgraded Stellantis from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Piper Sandler lowered Stellantis from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $23.00 to $13.00 in a report on Thursday, March 20th. Wolfe Research cut Stellantis from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd. Bank of America cut shares of Stellantis from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $16.50 to $11.75 in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic lowered shares of Stellantis from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Get Stellantis alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Stellantis Institutional Investors Weigh In On Stellantis Stellantis Stock Down 1.7% Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Stellantis by 208.0% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 95,367,261 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,069,067,000 after purchasing an additional 64,406,866 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Stellantis in the 4th quarter valued at $609,076,000. Deutsche Bank AG bought a new position in Stellantis in the 1st quarter worth $368,520,000. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its position in Stellantis by 72,446.0% during the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 17,400,161 shares of the companys stock worth $226,899,000 after acquiring an additional 17,376,176 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC lifted its position in Stellantis by 318.6% during the 1st quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 11,808,556 shares of the companys stock worth $130,893,000 after acquiring an additional 8,987,548 shares during the last quarter. 59.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Shares of Stellantis stock opened at $9.89 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.81. Stellantis has a 1-year low of $8.39 and a 1-year high of $21.05. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $10.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.26. The company has a market capitalization of $29.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 2.90, a PEG ratio of 0.40 and a beta of 1.44. Stellantis Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 24th were given a $0.5032 dividend. This represents a yield of 6.07%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 23rd. Stellantis Company Profile (Get Free Report Stellantis N.V. engages in the design, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of automobiles and light commercial vehicles, engines, transmission systems, metallurgical products, mobility services, and production systems worldwide. It provides luxury and premium vehicles; sport utility vehicles; American and European brand vehicles; and parts and services, as well as retail and dealer financing, leasing, and rental services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Stellantis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stellantis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the nineteen research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $122.15. COP has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips from $127.00 to $125.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Susquehanna decreased their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $120.00 to $114.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 12th. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $111.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Scotiabank set a $100.00 price target on shares of ConocoPhillips and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Get ConocoPhillips alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on COP Insider Buying and Selling at ConocoPhillips Institutional Investors Weigh In On ConocoPhillips In related news, EVP Kirk L. Johnson acquired 5,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 16th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $94.24 per share, for a total transaction of $499,472.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the executive vice president directly owned 14,527 shares in the company, valued at $1,369,024.48. This trade represents a 57.44% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . 0.24% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 13.8% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 45,847,572 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $4,546,706,000 after acquiring an additional 5,549,078 shares during the last quarter. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 83.0% in the 1st quarter. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC now owns 18,060 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $1,897,000 after acquiring an additional 8,189 shares during the last quarter. Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. lifted its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 159.6% in the 1st quarter. Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 48,800 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $5,125,000 after acquiring an additional 30,000 shares during the last quarter. ORG Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 853.3% in the 1st quarter. ORG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 6,616 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $698,000 after acquiring an additional 5,922 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hennessy Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 151.1% in the 1st quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. now owns 91,224 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $9,580,000 after acquiring an additional 54,900 shares during the last quarter. 82.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. ConocoPhillips Trading Down 1.5% COP opened at $94.22 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $119.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.61. The firms 50 day moving average is $90.72 and its 200-day moving average is $94.72. ConocoPhillips has a 52-week low of $79.88 and a 52-week high of $118.40. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The energy producer reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.05 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $16.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.74 billion. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 16.02% and a return on equity of 16.54%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.05 earnings per share. Analysts expect that ConocoPhillips will post 8.16 EPS for the current fiscal year. ConocoPhillips Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 19th were issued a dividend of $0.78 per share. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.31%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 19th. ConocoPhillipss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.64%. About ConocoPhillips (Get Free Report ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids in the United States, Canada, China, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company's portfolio includes unconventional plays in North America; conventional assets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; global LNG developments; oil sands assets in Canada; and an inventory of global exploration prospects. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for ConocoPhillips Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ConocoPhillips and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Invitation Home (NYSE:INVH Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eighteen research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $37.97. Several analysts recently issued reports on INVH shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Invitation Home from $39.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Invitation Home from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Citigroup raised shares of Invitation Home from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $35.00 to $38.50 in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Barclays raised their price objective on Invitation Home from $37.00 to $39.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on Invitation Home from $36.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Get Invitation Home alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Invitation Home Invitation Home Stock Performance NYSE:INVH opened at $32.31 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $19.80 billion, a PE ratio of 41.96, a P/E/G ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $33.45 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $32.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.02 and a current ratio of 0.02. Invitation Home has a fifty-two week low of $29.37 and a fifty-two week high of $37.80. Invitation Home (NYSE:INVH Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The company reported $0.48 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.47 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $674.48 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $663.77 million. Invitation Home had a net margin of 18.01% and a return on equity of 4.82%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.47 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Invitation Home will post 1.83 earnings per share for the current year. Invitation Home Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 26th. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.59%. Invitation Homes dividend payout ratio is currently 150.65%. Insider Transactions at Invitation Home In other Invitation Home news, CEO Dallas B. Tanner sold 148,749 shares of Invitation Home stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.41, for a total transaction of $4,969,704.09. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 642,973 shares in the company, valued at $21,481,727.93. The trade was a 18.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.29% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invitation Home A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in INVH. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Invitation Home in the second quarter worth $30,000. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in Invitation Home by 1,313.8% during the 1st quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 919 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 854 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Invitation Home by 58.5% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,024 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 378 shares during the period. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of Invitation Home in the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new position in shares of Invitation Home in the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. 96.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Invitation Home Company Profile (Get Free Report Invitation Homes, an S&P 500 company, is the nation's premier single-family home leasing and management company, meeting changing lifestyle demands by providing access to high-quality, updated homes with valued features such as close proximity to jobs and access to good schools. The company's mission, Together with you, we make a house a home, reflects its commitment to providing homes where individuals and families can thrive and high-touch service that continuously enhances residents' living experiences. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Invitation Home Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invitation Home and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Signaturefd LLC lowered its holdings in Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH Free Report) by 2.3% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 2,981 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 71 shares during the quarter. Signaturefd LLCs holdings in Parker-Hannifin were worth $1,812,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. HUB Investment Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 15.7% during the 4th quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC now owns 7,798 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $4,960,000 after acquiring an additional 1,057 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 27.2% during the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 31,011 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $18,850,000 after acquiring an additional 6,630 shares in the last quarter. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE raised its stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 67.8% during the 4th quarter. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE now owns 45,806 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $29,135,000 after acquiring an additional 18,503 shares in the last quarter. Alley Investment Management Company LLC bought a new position in shares of Parker-Hannifin during the 1st quarter worth approximately $7,996,000. Finally, Washington Trust Bank raised its stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 3,019.5% during the 4th quarter. Washington Trust Bank now owns 15,535 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $9,881,000 after acquiring an additional 15,037 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.44% of the companys stock. Get Parker-Hannifin alerts: Insider Activity at Parker-Hannifin In other Parker-Hannifin news, VP Jay Reidy sold 150 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $620.37, for a total transaction of $93,055.50. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 2,083 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,292,230.71. The trade was a 6.72% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.39% of the companys stock. Parker-Hannifin Stock Performance Shares of Parker-Hannifin stock opened at $712.31 on Tuesday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $674.22 and its 200-day simple moving average is $646.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $91.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.43, a PEG ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 1.34. Parker-Hannifin Corporation has a 12 month low of $488.45 and a 12 month high of $720.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 0.70. Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The industrial products company reported $6.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.72 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $4.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.99 billion. Parker-Hannifin had a net margin of 17.14% and a return on equity of 26.80%. Parker-Hannifins revenue was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $6.51 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Parker-Hannifin Corporation will post 26.71 earnings per share for the current year. Parker-Hannifin Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th were given a dividend of $1.80 per share. This is a positive change from Parker-Hannifins previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $7.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 9th. Parker-Hannifins payout ratio is presently 27.72%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $700.00 to $725.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $700.00 to $750.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Mizuho set a $785.00 target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research report on Friday, May 16th. KeyCorp boosted their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $690.00 to $735.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $670.00 to $709.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Parker-Hannifin currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $735.88. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on PH About Parker-Hannifin (Free Report) Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to ensure purity and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors used in fluid and gas handling; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Parker-Hannifin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Parker-Hannifin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ultrapar Participacoes (NYSE:UGP Get Free Report) and Enbridge (NYSE:ENB Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, profitability, risk and valuation. Dividends Ultrapar Participacoes pays an annual dividend of $0.13 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.3%. Enbridge pays an annual dividend of $2.71 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.0%. Ultrapar Participacoes pays out 36.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Enbridge pays out 139.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Enbridge has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Enbridge is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Get Ultrapar Participacoes alerts: Risk & Volatility Ultrapar Participacoes has a beta of 1.06, meaning that its stock price is 6% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Enbridge has a beta of 0.79, meaning that its stock price is 21% less volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Ultrapar Participacoes 0 1 3 1 3.00 Enbridge 0 5 4 0 2.44 This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Ultrapar Participacoes and Enbridge, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Ultrapar Participacoes currently has a consensus price target of $3.20, indicating a potential upside of 6.49%. Enbridge has a consensus price target of $67.00, indicating a potential upside of 48.21%. Given Enbridges higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Enbridge is more favorable than Ultrapar Participacoes. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Ultrapar Participacoes and Enbridges top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Ultrapar Participacoes $136.43 billion 0.02 $438.05 million $0.36 8.35 Enbridge $60.94 billion 1.62 $3.97 billion $1.94 23.30 Enbridge has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Ultrapar Participacoes. Ultrapar Participacoes is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Enbridge, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Insider & Institutional Ownership 3.6% of Ultrapar Participacoes shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 54.6% of Enbridge shares are held by institutional investors. 1.8% of Ultrapar Participacoes shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of Enbridge shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares Ultrapar Participacoes and Enbridges net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Ultrapar Participacoes 1.65% 14.29% 5.70% Enbridge 10.16% 10.41% 3.10% Summary Enbridge beats Ultrapar Participacoes on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks. About Ultrapar Participacoes (Get Free Report) Ultrapar Participacoes S.A., through its subsidiaries, operates in the energy and infrastructure business in Brazil. The company distributes liquefied petroleum gas to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers, in addition to renewable electricity and compressed natural gas. It also operates in the distribution and marketing of gasoline, ethanol, diesel, fuel oil, kerosene, natural gas for vehicles, and lubricants; and holds AmPm convenience stores and provides JetOil lubricant services. In addition, the company operates liquid bulk storage terminals. Further, it offers digital payments services, combining the abastece ai app and the loyalty program Km de Vantagens. It also exports its products and services to customers in Europe, Singapore, the United States, Canada, other Latin American countries, and internationally. The company was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil. About Enbridge (Get Free Report) Enbridge Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company. The company operates through five segments: Liquids Pipelines, Gas Transmission and Midstream, Gas Distribution and Storage, Renewable Power Generation, and Energy Services. The Liquids Pipelines segment operates pipelines and related terminals to transport various grades of crude oil and other liquid hydrocarbons in Canada and the United States. The Gas Transmission and Midstream segment invests in natural gas pipelines and gathering and processing facilities in Canada and the United States. The Gas Distribution and Storage segment is involved in natural gas utility operations serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Ontario, as well as natural gas distribution activities in Quebec. The Renewable Power Generation segment operates power generating assets, such as wind, solar, geothermal, waste heat recovery, and transmission assets in North America. The Energy Services segment provides physical commodity marketing and logistical services to refiners, producers, and other customers in Canada and the United States. The company was formerly known as IPL Energy Inc. and changed its name to Enbridge Inc. in October 1998. Enbridge Inc. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Ultrapar Participacoes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ultrapar Participacoes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wang Meimei works on artificial intelligence (AI) training at Aidou Technology Co., Ltd., in Yijun County, Tongchuan City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Zhenghao) XI'AN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Sitting in front of a computer, Wang Meimei tagged a paragraph, converted a voice message into text and marked the speaker's emotions. From the basic data processing of Deepseek to the facial recognition systems used in everyday payments, her work quietly supports the technology that powers many people's lives. But she is not, in fact, an office worker. At least not in the traditional sense. Wang, 46, from northwest China's Shaanxi Province, typically spends her days tending to fields of corn. Mondays, however, are different. At the start of every week, Wang heads to an office in Yijun County to her job as an artificial intelligence (AI) trainer. "My job is to work as the AI's teacher, feeding it with information so that its replies are more accurate," she said proudly. Wang's hometown, Tongchuan City, is on the Loess Plateau. In the past, her family eked out a living on the meager income generated from their 30 mu (about 2 hectares) plot of land. "I was in a boarding school between grade 7 and 9. I would take a bag of steamed buns from home to school with me every Sunday," she said, adding that they were her food for the entire week. "My biggest dream then was that one day, I do not have to eat dry, moldy buns." Like many of her fellow villagers, she left education after middle school; instead, choosing to start earning money through farming and casual work. In the following years, constant improvements to agricultural mechanization meant she spent less and less time in the field. With her newfound free time, Wang looked for other opportunities. On February 21, 2021, she made her way to Aidou Technology Co., Ltd., in the county seat of Yijun, for an interview she had secured thanks to a friend's recommendation. "I had never heard of AI before," Wang admitted. "During the interview, I dared not even look up." A lack of confidence was the impression most interviewees left on Zhang Rui, the head of the company. "When the company was in its early stage of recruitment, many of the applicants were local farmers," she recalled. "Some even called us to ask how to operate the elevator to reach the floor for the interview. They were nervous and many even cried when they struggled to answer our questions." Zhang was not put off by the lack of confidence she saw in those interviewees. In fact, she saw vast untapped potential in the candidates, and felt, with a little training, they could far exceed their own expectations. Data annotation is a fast-growing industry in China, which is home to seven data annotation bases with 58,000 workers, according to the National Data Administration. Headquartered in Hangzhou in China's AI heartland of Zhejiang Province, Aidou is the first AI data annotation enterprise in Tongchuan. Zhang shared that the local government invited technology enterprises to increase employment quality, revitalize the countryside and boost the local economy. Therefore, the company kept its recruitment standards relatively flexible, considering candidates of all ages. "What we value most is patience and the ability to learn, because this is an industry that is constantly evolving," she said. With a small population of only 72,000 people, Yijun was an underdeveloped county with much of its workforce choosing to leave for work opportunities. To find suitable employees, staff from the county's employment service center visited all the townships to talk to local women, and encouraged local university students to look for opportunities in their hometown. "Finally we found 20 plus workers," said Bai Yanqi with the center. They also provided a venue and supporting facilities for the company free-of-charge. Today, the company has grown significantly, employing more than 240 staff members, over 70 percent of whom are women from nearby villages. They began by learning basic computer skills and have now become certified AI trainers. The company's revenue has exceeded 35 million yuan (about 4.9 million U.S. dollars). "Here for a woman like me, in her 40s, most of the job opportunities are for waitstaff or supermarket cashiers, which are shift work. In that case, it would be hard for me to juggle work and family," she told Xinhua. Now earning 4,000 yuan a month with Aidou, she enjoys flexible working hours, allowing her to care for her family while also discovering a sense of value in her job. "Before I took this job, at home I used to care for my husband, who was the main breadwinner in our family, and my children," Wang recalled. "Now that I have helped graduate AI from a 'primary school student' to a 'middle high school student,' my husband and children are all very supportive, and even volunteered to help out with the housework so I can focus more on my work." She also now uses AI to help with some of her real-world problems. "For instance, I have used Deepseek to search for corn diseases and find the right treatment," she said. Like Wang, other rural women who used to play mahjong or square dance in their spare have seen their lives change. The job with AI opened up a whole new world. Ma Shuaishuai, who was a nursery teacher, is now versed in AI application scenarios such as driverless technology, higher education, ecological environment, and finance and insurance. Wang Haili, once a textile worker and courier, recently bought a 100,000 yuan sedan to use for local travel. "Their horizons have been broadened," said Zhang Rui. "From what I have seen, the most noticeable change for those women is that they are becoming more confident and have higher self-worth." Some women wore slippers to the office at the beginning. Now they wear business suits. In recent years, the Chinese government has introduced a wide range of measures to accelerate AI innovation and promote its application, intending to support new industrialization and the development of the industrial sector. China's pool of AI researchers surged from fewer than 10,000 in 2015 to over 52,000 in 2024. The country has made holistic advancements in AI development, fostering a thriving AI industrial ecosystem. It now hosts over 400 "little giant" firms -- specialized small and medium-sized enterprises that excel in niche AI markets, including AI innovator DeepSeek. For Yijun County, the development of AI has created jobs for more than 1,000 people. Its potential has attracted talent to carve out a career in their hometown, like 31-year-old Zhao Yangjuan who quit her job in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi. "I can see more young people like me coming back, and Yijun is becoming more prosperous," she said. "AI is not only changing individuals like me, but also where I come from." Wang Meimei told Xinhua that she has to work hard. "AI is developing so fast in our country, so I have to continue learning to keep pace with the latest technology," she said. Wang Meimei works at a corn field in Guozhai Village of Yijun County, Tongchuan City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Zhenghao) Materion (NYSE:MTRN Get Free Report) is one of 103 publicly-traded companies in the MINING MISC industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Materion to similar companies based on the strength of its dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations and earnings. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Materion and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Get Materion alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Materion 0 1 0 0 2.00 Materion Competitors 615 1689 3322 141 2.52 As a group, MINING MISC companies have a potential upside of 12.19%. Given Materions competitors stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Materion has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Volatility & Risk Valuation and Earnings Materion has a beta of 0.8, suggesting that its share price is 20% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Materions competitors have a beta of 0.76, suggesting that their average share price is 24% less volatile than the S&P 500. This table compares Materion and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Materion $1.72 billion $5.89 million 169.89 Materion Competitors $8.55 billion $464.40 million -1.80 Materions competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Materion. Materion is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Profitability This table compares Materion and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Materion 0.59% 12.83% 6.49% Materion Competitors -938.75% -12.63% -5.26% Dividends Materion pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Materion 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. As a group, MINING MISC companies pay a dividend yield of 1.7% and pay out 50.2% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Materion has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years. Materion lags its competitors as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio. Insider and Institutional Ownership 93.6% of Materion shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 35.1% of shares of all MINING MISC companies are owned by institutional investors. 2.6% of Materion shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 9.9% of shares of all MINING MISC companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Summary Materion competitors beat Materion on 9 of the 15 factors compared. Materion Company Profile (Get Free Report) Materion Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, produces advanced engineered materials used in semiconductor, industrial, aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, consumer electronics, and telecom and data center in the United States, Asia, Europe, and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Performance Materials, Electronic Materials, Precision Optics, and Other. The company provides advanced engineered solutions comprising beryllium and non-beryllium containing alloy systems and custom engineered parts in strip, bulk, rod, plate, bar, tube, and other customized shapes; engineering and product development services; alloyed metals, beryllium products, and beryllium hydroxide; precision strip, rod, and wire products, as well as engineered strip metal products; and ToughMet alloys and SupremEX aluminum silicon carbide metal matrix composite formulation products. It operates the bertrandite ore mine and refinery located in Utah that provides feedstock hydroxide for its beryllium businesses and external sale. In addition, it produces advanced chemicals, microelectronics packaging, precious metal, non-precious metal, and specialty metal products, including vapor deposition targets, frame lid assemblies, clad and precious metal pre-forms, high temperature braze materials, and ultra-pure wire. Further, the company designs and produces precision thin film coatings, optical filters, and assemblies. The company sells its products directly from its facilities, as well as through company-owned service centers, outside distributors, agents, direct sales offices, and independent sales representatives. The company was formerly known as Brush Engineered Materials Inc. and changed its name to Materion Corporation in March 2011. Materion Corporation was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Receive News & Ratings for Materion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Materion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sigma Planning Corp increased its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 20.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 66,619 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 11,416 shares during the quarter. Sigma Planning Corps holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $4,063,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC raised its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 8.3% during the 1st quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC now owns 8,351 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $509,000 after buying an additional 642 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC raised its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 106,013 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $6,466,000 after buying an additional 3,230 shares during the period. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. raised its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 26.8% during the 1st quarter. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. now owns 14,401 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $878,000 after buying an additional 3,048 shares during the period. Cutter & CO Brokerage Inc. raised its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 8.0% during the 1st quarter. Cutter & CO Brokerage Inc. now owns 17,056 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,040,000 after buying an additional 1,262 shares during the period. Finally, Bleakley Financial Group LLC raised its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 87,988 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $5,366,000 after buying an additional 1,948 shares during the period. 76.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Bristol Myers Squibb alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have commented on the company. UBS Group decreased their price objective on Bristol Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $54.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. Wall Street Zen lowered Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 6th. Argus raised Bristol Myers Squibb to a hold rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. William Blair reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Bristol Myers Squibb from $36.00 to $34.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Bristol Myers Squibb currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $57.69. Insider Activity In related news, EVP Samit Hirawat bought 4,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, April 25th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $47.58 per share, for a total transaction of $202,215.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 83,513 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,973,548.54. The trade was a 5.36% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Bristol Myers Squibb Price Performance Bristol Myers Squibb stock opened at $47.36 on Tuesday. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 12 month low of $39.93 and a 12 month high of $63.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.65. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $47.45 and its 200 day simple moving average is $53.14. The company has a market cap of $96.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.74, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.36. Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.80 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.30. The business had revenue of $11.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.77 billion. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 87.62% and a net margin of 11.38%. Bristol Myers Squibbs revenue for the quarter was down 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned ($4.40) earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current year. Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 3rd. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.24%. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 92.88%. 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sundance Energy Australia Ltd (OTCMKTS:SDCJF Get Free Report) crossed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $0.15 and traded as low as $0.03. Sundance Energy Australia shares last traded at $0.15, with a volume of 1,200 shares trading hands. Sundance Energy Australia Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.72. The firms 50 day moving average is $0.15 and its 200 day moving average is $0.15. Sundance Energy Australia Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sundance Energy Australia Limited operates as an onshore oil and gas company in the United States. The company explores for, develops, and produces oil and natural gas. Its exploration and development activities are focused on the Eagle Ford project in the South-Texas-Gulf Coast Basin. Sundance Energy Australia Limited was incorporated in 2004 and is based in Wayville, Australia. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Sundance Energy Australia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sundance Energy Australia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fresnillo (LON:FRES Get Free Report) had its price target raised by research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 1,450 ($19.47) to GBX 1,850 ($24.84) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Digital Look reports. The brokerage presently has an overweight rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s target price would indicate a potential upside of 24.41% from the stocks current price. Several other brokerages have also issued reports on FRES. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price target on Fresnillo from GBX 805 ($10.81) to GBX 980 ($13.16) and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Fresnillo from GBX 1,300 ($17.45) to GBX 1,700 ($22.82) and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Berenberg Bank dropped their price target on shares of Fresnillo from GBX 1,630 ($21.89) to GBX 1,620 ($21.75) and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 1,406 ($18.88). Get Fresnillo alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on FRES Fresnillo Price Performance About Fresnillo Shares of LON:FRES opened at GBX 1,487 ($19.97) on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of 13.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.42, a P/E/G ratio of -1.58 and a beta of 0.15. Fresnillo has a 1 year low of GBX 502 ($6.74) and a 1 year high of GBX 1,566 ($21.03). The company has a current ratio of 5.88, a quick ratio of 3.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.55. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 1,272.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 979.45. (Get Free Report) Fresnillo plc is the worlds largest silver producer and Mexicos largest gold producer, listed on the London and Mexican stock exchanges. The Group seeks to create value for stakeholders across precious metal cycles, focusing on high-potential silver and gold projects that can be developed into low cost, world-class mines. Following a decade of consistent and successful progress, the Group is now focused on consolidating its growth and advancing its pipeline in order to deliver further growth in the years ahead. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Fresnillo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fresnillo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Zeolite (OTCMKTS:IZCFF Get Free Report) and Lithium Americas (Argentina) (NYSE:LAR Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations and earnings. Profitability This table compares Canadian Zeolite and Lithium Americas (Argentina)s net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Canadian Zeolite alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Canadian Zeolite -6.50% N/A -11.94% Lithium Americas (Argentina) N/A -2.63% -2.08% Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings for Canadian Zeolite and Lithium Americas (Argentina), as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Canadian Zeolite 0 0 0 0 0.00 Lithium Americas (Argentina) 0 1 1 0 2.50 Valuation and Earnings Lithium Americas (Argentina) has a consensus target price of $3.25, suggesting a potential upside of 28.46%. Given Lithium Americas (Argentina)s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Lithium Americas (Argentina) is more favorable than Canadian Zeolite. This table compares Canadian Zeolite and Lithium Americas (Argentina)s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Canadian Zeolite $450,000.00 N/A -$370,000.00 ($0.01) -1.00 Lithium Americas (Argentina) N/A N/A -$15.23 million ($0.07) -36.14 Canadian Zeolite has higher revenue and earnings than Lithium Americas (Argentina). Lithium Americas (Argentina) is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Canadian Zeolite, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Insider & Institutional Ownership 49.2% of Lithium Americas (Argentina) shares are owned by institutional investors. 19.8% of Lithium Americas (Argentina) shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Lithium Americas (Argentina) beats Canadian Zeolite on 7 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Canadian Zeolite (Get Free Report) International Zeolite Corp. explores for and develops mineral properties in Canada. It operates through two segments, Exploration and Development, and Retail and Commercial. The company markets and supplies natural zeolite and zeolite-infused products for agriculture, industrial, and home use; and develops, markets, and sells industrial commercial products from the production of its properties, as well as supplies raw materials from third party suppliers. It also has interests in the Bromley Creek zeolite project, which consists of one mineral lease and four mineral claims covering approximately 1,134.75 hectares located near Princeton, British Columbia; and the Sun Group zeolite project covering approximately 527.167 hectares located in British Columbia. The company was formerly known as Canadian Zeolite Corp. and changed its name to International Zeolite Corp. in March 2018. International Zeolite Corp. was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. About Lithium Americas (Argentina) (Get Free Report) Lithium Argentina AG, a resource and materials company, focuses on advancing lithium projects in Argentina. The company owns interests in the Cauchari-Olaroz project located in Jujuy province; and the Pastos Grandes project located in Salta Province of Argentina. The company was formerly known as Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. and changed its name to Lithium Argentina AG in January 2025. Lithium Argentina AG was incorporated in 2007 is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Zeolite Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Zeolite and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, July 15th, RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 25th will be given a dividend of 0.53 per share by the bank on Thursday, August 7th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.22%. This is a 12.8% increase from Bank of New York Mellons previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. Bank of New York Mellon has a dividend payout ratio of 24.8% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Bank of New York Mellon to earn $7.83 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.88 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 24.0%. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Bank of New York Mellon Stock Up 1.7% Shares of NYSE BK opened at $95.35 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $68.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.53, a PEG ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a current ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. Bank of New York Mellon has a 12-month low of $60.93 and a 12-month high of $97.50. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $89.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $84.78. Insiders Place Their Bets Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 11th. The bank reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $4.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.76 billion. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 12.96% and a net margin of 11.78%. Bank of New York Mellons revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.29 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Bank of New York Mellon will post 6.96 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other Bank of New York Mellon news, EVP J Kevin Mccarthy sold 30,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.03, for a total transaction of $2,370,900.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 55,115 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,355,738.45. This trade represents a 35.25% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Bank of New York Mellon An institutional investor recently bought a new position in Bank of New York Mellon stock. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 2,858 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $220,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.31% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently commented on BK. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $90.00 price target on shares of Bank of New York Mellon in a report on Monday, March 17th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, March 24th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $94.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Finally, Truist Financial downgraded shares of Bank of New York Mellon from a buy rating to a hold rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $87.00 to $97.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Bank of New York Mellon has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $92.08. View Our Latest Report on Bank of New York Mellon Bank of New York Mellon Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Patrick Mauro Investment Advisor INC. reduced its stake in Amcor PLC (NYSE:AMCR Free Report) by 14.7% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 38,316 shares of the companys stock after selling 6,605 shares during the quarter. Patrick Mauro Investment Advisor INC.s holdings in Amcor were worth $372,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in AMCR. CX Institutional acquired a new stake in Amcor during the 1st quarter worth approximately $111,000. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its holdings in Amcor by 174.3% during the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 149,983 shares of the companys stock worth $1,455,000 after buying an additional 95,314 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Amcor by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 58,986,593 shares of the companys stock worth $555,064,000 after buying an additional 1,249,868 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Amcor by 16.3% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,256,497 shares of the companys stock worth $12,188,000 after buying an additional 175,731 shares in the last quarter. Finally, OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Amcor during the 1st quarter worth approximately $121,000. 45.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Amcor alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In AMCR has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Truist Financial set a $11.00 price objective on shares of Amcor and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Amcor in a research report on Wednesday, July 2nd. They issued a buy rating and a $12.00 target price on the stock. UBS Group upgraded shares of Amcor from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 26th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Amcor in a research note on Thursday, June 26th. They set an overweight rating and a $10.00 price target for the company. Finally, Raymond James Financial initiated coverage on shares of Amcor in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set a market perform rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $11.37. Amcor Stock Down 0.3% Shares of NYSE:AMCR opened at $9.63 on Tuesday. Amcor PLC has a 1-year low of $8.37 and a 1-year high of $11.48. The stock has a market cap of $13.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24, a current ratio of 1.70 and a quick ratio of 1.16. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $9.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $9.53. Amcor (NYSE:AMCR Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The company reported $0.18 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.18. Amcor had a net margin of 5.99% and a return on equity of 26.49%. The company had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.51 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.13 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Amcor PLC will post 0.74 EPS for the current year. Amcor Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 22nd were paid a $0.1275 dividend. This represents a $0.51 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.30%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 22nd. Amcors dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.07%. Amcor Company Profile (Free Report) Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMCR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Amcor PLC (NYSE:AMCR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Amcor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amcor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in shares of Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP Free Report) by 0.3% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 3,032,656 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 7,692 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MAs holdings in Credicorp were worth $564,559,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in BAP. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. increased its position in shares of Credicorp by 243.8% during the 4th quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. now owns 1,716,777 shares of the banks stock valued at $290,920,000 after purchasing an additional 1,217,368 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Credicorp during the 4th quarter valued at $84,213,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Credicorp by 59.6% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 757,271 shares of the banks stock valued at $138,824,000 after purchasing an additional 282,869 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its position in shares of Credicorp by 130.9% during the 4th quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 494,526 shares of the banks stock valued at $90,657,000 after purchasing an additional 280,361 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GQG Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Credicorp during the 4th quarter valued at $40,187,000. 89.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Credicorp alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on BAP shares. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Credicorp in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. Wall Street Zen lowered Credicorp from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, June 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $211.00. Credicorp Trading Down 0.2% Shares of BAP opened at $222.01 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $214.10 and a 200 day moving average of $195.75. Credicorp Ltd. has a fifty-two week low of $153.27 and a fifty-two week high of $228.69. The firm has a market cap of $17.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. Credicorp Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 13th. Investors of record on Monday, May 19th were issued a $10.9577 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 19th. This represents a yield of 4.5%. This is a positive change from Credicorps previous annual dividend of $2.91. Credicorps dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 59.87%. About Credicorp (Free Report) Credicorp Ltd. provides various financial, insurance, and health services and products primarily in Peru and internationally. It operates through Universal Banking, Insurance and Pensions, Microfinance, and Investment Banking and Equity Management segments. The Universal Banking segment grants various credits and financial instruments to individuals and legal entities; and various deposits and current accounts. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Credicorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credicorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Ariana Resources plc (LON:AAU Get Free Report) shot up 17.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 1.65 ($0.02) and last traded at GBX 1.64 ($0.02). 7,447,864 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 163% from the average session volume of 2,834,291 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1.40 ($0.02). Ariana Resources Trading Up 8.4% The firm has a market capitalization of 32.89 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 63,222.22 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a 50-day moving average of GBX 1.21 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 1.49. Get Ariana Resources alerts: Ariana Resources (LON:AAU Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, June 10th. The company reported GBX 0.18 ($0.00) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. On average, research analysts forecast that Ariana Resources plc will post 0.2 earnings per share for the current year. Ariana Resources Company Profile Ariana Resources is an AIM-listed mineral exploration and development company with an exceptional track record of creating value for its shareholders through its interests in active mining projects and investments in exploration companies. Its current interests include being a gold producer in Turkiye, a major gold development project in Zimbabwe that will become the Companys flagship project over time, and copper-gold exploration and development projects across the portfolio. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ariana Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ariana Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Securian Asset Management Inc. decreased its stake in Dominion Energy Inc. (NYSE:D Free Report) by 1.6% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 44,417 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 729 shares during the period. Securian Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Dominion Energy were worth $2,490,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of D. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Dominion Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $473,354,000. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 207.7% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,763,898 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $202,724,000 after buying an additional 2,540,713 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 8,585.3% during the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,210,322 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $119,048,000 after buying an additional 2,184,873 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 4.9% during the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 30,960,638 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,667,540,000 after buying an additional 1,459,926 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zimmer Partners LP acquired a new stake in shares of Dominion Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $72,269,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.04% of the companys stock. Get Dominion Energy alerts: Dominion Energy Stock Down 0.3% D opened at $57.21 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.73. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $55.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $54.98. The firm has a market cap of $48.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.56. Dominion Energy Inc. has a twelve month low of $48.07 and a twelve month high of $61.97. Dominion Energy Announces Dividend Dominion Energy ( NYSE:D Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The utilities provider reported $0.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $4.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.95 billion. Dominion Energy had a return on equity of 9.51% and a net margin of 15.55%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.55 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Dominion Energy Inc. will post 3.39 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 20th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 29th were given a $0.6675 dividend. This represents a $2.67 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 29th. Dominion Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 100.00%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have recently issued reports on D. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Dominion Energy from $62.00 to $60.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. Argus upgraded Dominion Energy to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an underweight rating and issued a $52.00 target price (down from $59.00) on shares of Dominion Energy in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on Dominion Energy from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, March 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $58.38. View Our Latest Report on Dominion Energy About Dominion Energy (Free Report) Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through three operating segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Energy. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.8 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding D? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dominion Energy Inc. (NYSE:D Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dominion Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dominion Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WASHINGTON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States will send weapons to Ukraine through NATO, and threatened "severe tariffs" targeting Russia if a ceasefire deal is not reached in 50 days. Trump announced an agreement with NATO regarding weapons to assist Ukraine while meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office. The plan will rapidly provide Ukraine with the most sophisticated air defenses and precision missiles, Trump said. "We are going to be sending them weapons and they're going to be paying for them," said Trump, adding that the United States will manufacture those weapons. Rutte described the arrangement as highly significant, suggesting this demonstrates that Europe is taking on a greater role. Under the agreement, governments of Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada will finance bulk purchases from U.S. manufacturers and ship the equipment directly to Kiev. Regarding Russia, Trump said, "We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days." There will be "secondary tariffs" of about 100 percent, he said. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified later that Trump meant "economic sanction" when he threatened "secondary tariffs" against Russia if it did not reach a deal to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days. To that end, Trump backed bipartisan legislation -- already supported by most U.S. senators -- that will sanction banks and energy traders buying Russian oil above the G7 price cap and freeze Russian sovereign assets until Moscow withdraws its forces. Speaking to reporters after the Oval Office meeting, Trump said that the deal with the NATO allies was done and fully approved. "We'll send them a lot of weapons of all kinds," Trump said. "And they're going to deliver those weapons immediately to the site, to the site of the war, different sites of the war, and they're going to pay for 100 percent of them." New York-based defense analysts told the Wall Street Journal that the first wave of supplies could exceed 10 billion U.S. dollars once training, spare parts and munitions are counted. A single Patriot battery alone can reportedly cost over 1 billion dollars when factoring in missiles. Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Michael O'Hanlon characterized the combined military and economic measures as the most significant U.S. escalation since 2022, saying that the dual approach increases pressure on Russia from multiple directions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media that he spoke with Trump and "it was a very good conversation." "Thank you for the willingness to support Ukraine and to continue working together to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace," said the Ukrainian president. The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that supplying longer-range missiles will make Europe a participant in aggression, according to Tass news agency. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Washington of escalating the conflict but did not announce specific countermeasures. Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday called Trump's statements against Russia a "theatrical ultimatum" and the country "didn't care." "Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn't care," Medvedev wrote on X. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin will coordinate with allies on deliveries. However, some German lawmakers expressed concern that sending Taurus cruise missiles could provoke Moscow, reported German newspaper Die Welt. The plan could force Russia to reconsider the security of its rear areas, since assets previously considered safe may now be at risk, RAND Corporation military analyst Dara Massicot told the Washington Post. Securian Asset Management Inc. decreased its holdings in Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM Free Report) by 1.6% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 60,234 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 952 shares during the quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Newmont were worth $2,908,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NEM. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. lifted its stake in Newmont by 64.0% in the first quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 515 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 201 shares during the period. Cloud Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Newmont in the first quarter worth $26,000. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its stake in Newmont by 122.6% in the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 630 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 347 shares during the period. Nexus Investment Management ULC purchased a new stake in Newmont in the first quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Alpine Bank Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Newmont in the first quarter worth $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.85% of the companys stock. Get Newmont alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have issued reports on NEM. Scotiabank reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of Newmont in a report on Monday, April 14th. National Bank Financial upgraded Newmont to a hold rating in a report on Friday, March 21st. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $66.00 price objective on shares of Newmont in a report on Friday, April 25th. National Bankshares reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of Newmont in a report on Tuesday, June 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and set a $60.90 price target on shares of Newmont in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Newmont has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $61.45. Newmont Price Performance NYSE NEM opened at $60.83 on Tuesday. Newmont Corporation has a one year low of $36.86 and a one year high of $61.17. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $55.50 and a 200 day moving average of $49.22. The company has a market capitalization of $67.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.64, a PEG ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 1.70 and a current ratio of 1.98. Newmont (NYSE:NEM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The basic materials company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.54. The company had revenue of $5.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.82 billion. Newmont had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 25.77%. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.55 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Newmont Corporation will post 3.45 EPS for the current year. Newmont Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 20th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th were given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.64%. Newmonts payout ratio is 22.42%. Insider Activity In other Newmont news, EVP Peter Toth sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.09, for a total value of $162,270.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 77,526 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,193,381.34. This trade represents a 3.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Bruce R. Brook sold 2,077 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.75, for a total value of $122,023.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 43,103 shares in the company, valued at $2,532,301.25. The trade was a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 12,231 shares of company stock worth $679,813 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock. Newmont Company Profile (Free Report) Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Fiji, and Ghana. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Newmont Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Newmont and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY Free Report) by 5.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 27,617 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after buying an additional 1,547 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd.s holdings in Occidental Petroleum were worth $1,363,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new stake in Occidental Petroleum during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new position in Occidental Petroleum in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new position in Occidental Petroleum in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Grove Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in Occidental Petroleum by 129.2% in the 1st quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 407 shares during the period. Finally, American National Bank & Trust purchased a new position in shares of Occidental Petroleum in the first quarter valued at about $39,000. 88.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have issued reports on OXY. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $42.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, June 26th. Stephens dropped their target price on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $60.00 to $58.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $52.00 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res raised Occidental Petroleum to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Occidental Petroleum has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $53.62. Occidental Petroleum Stock Down 2.5% Shares of NYSE OXY opened at $45.14 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The company has a market cap of $44.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.35 and a beta of 0.84. Occidental Petroleum Corporation has a 1 year low of $34.79 and a 1 year high of $64.76. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $43.18 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $45.24. Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $6.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.97 billion. Occidental Petroleum had a return on equity of 16.60% and a net margin of 11.20%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 13.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.63 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Occidental Petroleum Corporation will post 3.58 earnings per share for the current year. Occidental Petroleum Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.13%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 10th. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio is currently 39.02%. Occidental Petroleum Company Profile (Free Report) Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, and North Africa. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing. The company's Oil and Gas segment explores for, develops, and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Occidental Petroleum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Occidental Petroleum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 25,735 shares of the oil and gas producers stock, valued at approximately $1,274,000. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Benchmark Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Occidental Petroleum during the 4th quarter worth about $642,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 18.1% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 68,123,704 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $3,365,992,000 after buying an additional 10,434,098 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. raised its holdings in Occidental Petroleum by 9.7% during the first quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 1,596,699 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $78,813,000 after buying an additional 140,528 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 25.2% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 6,357,689 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $314,133,000 after buying an additional 1,278,389 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in Occidental Petroleum by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 7,065,061 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $349,085,000 after acquiring an additional 491,797 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.70% of the companys stock. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: Occidental Petroleum Stock Down 2.5% Shares of NYSE:OXY opened at $45.14 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $44.43 billion, a PE ratio of 18.35 and a beta of 0.84. Occidental Petroleum Corporation has a 1 year low of $34.79 and a 1 year high of $64.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $43.18 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $45.24. Occidental Petroleum Announces Dividend Occidental Petroleum ( NYSE:OXY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.13. Occidental Petroleum had a return on equity of 16.60% and a net margin of 11.20%. The business had revenue of $6.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.97 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.63 earnings per share. Occidental Petroleums revenue was up 13.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Occidental Petroleum Corporation will post 3.58 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 10th. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio is 39.02%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, May 8th. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on Occidental Petroleum from $50.00 to $48.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Mizuho decreased their price target on Occidental Petroleum from $60.00 to $58.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Occidental Petroleum to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $53.62. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Occidental Petroleum Occidental Petroleum Company Profile (Free Report) Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, and North Africa. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing. The company's Oil and Gas segment explores for, develops, and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Occidental Petroleum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Occidental Petroleum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cutter & CO Brokerage Inc. acquired a new stake in Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ Free Report) during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund acquired 13,443 shares of the asset managers stock, valued at approximately $204,000. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Invesco by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 51,494,654 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $900,127,000 after purchasing an additional 419,389 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in Invesco by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 20,104,545 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $351,430,000 after purchasing an additional 274,134 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Invesco by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 10,383,206 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $181,281,000 after purchasing an additional 134,726 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Invesco by 38.5% in the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 8,145,596 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $142,385,000 after purchasing an additional 2,264,551 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its position in Invesco by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 6,380,191 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $111,526,000 after purchasing an additional 31,854 shares during the last quarter. 66.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Invesco alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of Invesco from $13.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Invesco from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $14.50 to $18.00 in a research report on Friday. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Invesco from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Invesco from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, June 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of Invesco from $16.25 to $16.75 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, June 27th. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Invesco has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $17.52. Invesco Stock Performance Invesco stock opened at $17.36 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $15.21 and its 200-day simple moving average is $15.78. The company has a market cap of $7.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.37. Invesco Ltd. has a fifty-two week low of $11.60 and a fifty-two week high of $19.55. Invesco (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The asset manager reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $1.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.11 billion. Invesco had a net margin of 13.14% and a return on equity of 8.94%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.33 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Invesco Ltd. will post 1.87 EPS for the current year. Invesco Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 3rd. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 14th were given a dividend of $0.21 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 14th. This is an increase from Invescos previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.84%. Invescos payout ratio is presently 67.20%. Invesco Company Profile (Free Report) Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Leelyn Smith LLC lifted its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report) by 1.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 18,279 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 223 shares during the quarter. Leelyn Smith LLCs holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $3,031,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. raised its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. now owns 27,022 shares of the companys stock worth $4,481,000 after acquiring an additional 223 shares during the period. Cutter & CO Brokerage Inc. raised its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 42.7% in the 1st quarter. Cutter & CO Brokerage Inc. now owns 3,333 shares of the companys stock worth $553,000 after acquiring an additional 997 shares during the period. Florida Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 10.6% in the 1st quarter. Florida Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,868 shares of the companys stock worth $1,303,000 after acquiring an additional 755 shares during the period. Gould Asset Management LLC CA raised its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Gould Asset Management LLC CA now owns 2,895 shares of the companys stock worth $480,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the period. Finally, Bleakley Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 9.9% in the 1st quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 110,820 shares of the companys stock worth $18,378,000 after acquiring an additional 10,025 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.55% of the companys stock. Get Johnson & Johnson alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts recently commented on JNJ shares. Raymond James Financial dropped their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $165.00 to $162.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $181.00 price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Thursday, June 5th. Leerink Partnrs downgraded shares of Johnson & Johnson from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Guggenheim restated a neutral rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Johnson & Johnson has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $171.00. Johnson & Johnson Price Performance Shares of Johnson & Johnson stock opened at $156.91 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $377.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.41. Johnson & Johnson has a twelve month low of $140.68 and a twelve month high of $169.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.26. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $153.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $154.63. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 15th. The company reported $2.77 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $21.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.65 billion. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 24.42% and a return on equity of 33.46%. As a group, research analysts expect that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 EPS for the current fiscal year. Johnson & Johnson Company Profile (Free Report) Johnson & Johnson is a holding company, which engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of products in the healthcare field. It operates through the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments. The Innovative Medicine segment focuses on immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolism, and pulmonary hypertension. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JNJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Johnson & Johnson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Johnson & Johnson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 3.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 89,050 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,343 shares during the period. Apollon Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $5,431,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of BMY. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Transce3nd LLC acquired a new position in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates increased its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 137.5% during the 1st quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates now owns 475 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the period. Finally, Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. acquired a new position in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.41% of the companys stock. Get Bristol Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol Myers Squibb Stock Performance Bristol Myers Squibb stock opened at $47.36 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $47.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $53.14. The company has a market cap of $96.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.65, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.17. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a fifty-two week low of $39.93 and a fifty-two week high of $63.33. Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Dividend Bristol Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.80 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.30. The business had revenue of $11.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.77 billion. Bristol Myers Squibb had a net margin of 11.38% and a return on equity of 87.62%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted ($4.40) earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 3rd will be given a $0.62 dividend. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 3rd. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 92.88%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. William Blair reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Argus raised shares of Bristol Myers Squibb to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from $36.00 to $34.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set an overweight rating and a $65.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a neutral rating and set a $55.00 target price on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $57.69. Get Our Latest Stock Report on BMY Insider Buying and Selling at Bristol Myers Squibb In other news, EVP Samit Hirawat bought 4,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 25th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $47.58 per share, with a total value of $202,215.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 83,513 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,973,548.54. The trade was a 5.36% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arizona State Retirement System cut its holdings in PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG Free Report) by 1.0% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 67,091 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 672 shares during the quarter. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in PPG Industries were worth $7,336,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in PPG. Norges Bank bought a new position in PPG Industries in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $470,535,000. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC raised its stake in PPG Industries by 482.2% during the 4th quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 4,337,649 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $518,132,000 after buying an additional 3,592,655 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in PPG Industries by 815.4% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 3,031,164 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $362,074,000 after buying an additional 2,700,018 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in PPG Industries by 17.7% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 10,567,051 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,262,234,000 after buying an additional 1,590,041 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in PPG Industries by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 29,369,691 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $3,508,210,000 after buying an additional 756,937 shares during the last quarter. 81.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get PPG Industries alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have weighed in on PPG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Bank of America reiterated a neutral rating and set a $126.00 target price (down from $143.00) on shares of PPG Industries in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $111.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Finally, Fermium Researc upgraded shares of PPG Industries to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given 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 price target of $131.83. PPG Industries Trading Down 0.8% Shares of PPG stock opened at $116.40 on Tuesday. PPG Industries, Inc. has a 52-week low of $90.24 and a 52-week high of $137.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.42 billion, a PE ratio of 24.93, a PEG ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 1.16. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $112.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $112.05. PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.10. PPG Industries had a return on equity of 24.84% and a net margin of 6.49%. The business had revenue of $3.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.67 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.87 EPS. PPG Industriess revenue for the quarter was down 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that PPG Industries, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. PPG Industries Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 12th were given a dividend of $0.68 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 12th. This represents a $2.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.34%. PPG Industriess payout ratio is 58.24%. PPG Industries Profile (Free Report) PPG Industries, Inc manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and specialty materials in the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through two segments, Performance Coatings and Industrial Coatings. The Performance Coatings segment offers coatings, solvents, adhesives, sealants, sundries, and software for automotive and commercial transport/fleet repair and refurbishing, light industrial coatings, and specialty coatings for signs; wood stains; paints, thermoplastics, pavement marking products, and other advanced technologies for pavement marking for government, commercial infrastructure, painting, and maintenance contractors; and coatings, sealants, transparencies, transparent armor, adhesives, engineered materials, and packaging and chemical management services for commercial, military, regional jet, and general aviation aircraft. See Also Receive News & Ratings for PPG Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PPG Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Violich Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM) by 3.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 36,327 shares of the mining companys stock after buying an additional 1,110 shares during the quarter. Violich Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines were worth $3,938,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AEM. Private Trust Co. NA grew its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 454.9% during the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 283 shares of the mining companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Agnico Eagle Mines during the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC lifted its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 235.0% during the 4th quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC now owns 469 shares of the mining companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 329 shares during the period. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 31.1% during the 1st quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 367 shares of the mining companys stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 87 shares during the period. Finally, Continuum Advisory LLC lifted its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 47.0% during the 1st quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 397 shares of the mining companys stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.34% of the companys stock. Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Performance Agnico Eagle Mines stock opened at $119.61 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 2.37. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $117.74 and a two-hundred day moving average of $105.93. The company has a market capitalization of $60.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.45, a PEG ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.50. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a fifty-two week low of $69.72 and a fifty-two week high of $126.76. Agnico Eagle Mines Announces Dividend Agnico Eagle Mines ( NYSE:AEM Get Free Report ) (TSE:AEM) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The mining company reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $2.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.27 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 12.09% and a net margin of 26.48%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 34.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.76 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 4.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a yield of 1.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 30th. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.04%. Analyst Ratings Changes AEM has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from $115.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. National Bank Financial raised Agnico Eagle Mines to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, March 21st. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. They set an outperform rating and a $181.00 price objective for the company. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from $170.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 23rd. Finally, Cfra Research raised Agnico Eagle Mines to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and four have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $133.78. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Agnico Eagle Mines Agnico Eagle Mines Company Profile (Free Report) Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. It explores for gold. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM). Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. decreased its position in BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Free Report) by 0.7% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 1,823 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 12 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Life Insurance Co.s holdings in BlackRock were worth $1,725,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. increased its stake in BlackRock by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 534 shares of the asset managers stock worth $542,000 after acquiring an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 257 shares of the asset managers stock worth $263,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the period. Detalus Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Detalus Advisors LLC now owns 409 shares of the asset managers stock worth $387,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the period. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 399 shares of the asset managers stock worth $409,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the period. Finally, Jump Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 786 shares of the asset managers stock worth $806,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.69% of the companys stock. Get BlackRock alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at BlackRock In other BlackRock news, Director J. Richard Kushel sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $912.50, for a total value of $9,125,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 66,034 shares in the company, valued at approximately $60,256,025. This represents a 13.15% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.98% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets BLK has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an outperform rating on shares of BlackRock in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating on shares of BlackRock in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $980.00 target price on shares of BlackRock in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on BlackRock from $959.00 to $1,210.00 in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on BlackRock from $1,046.00 to $988.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 14th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $1,132.29. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BlackRock BlackRock Price Performance BLK opened at $1,111.13 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $1,000.47 and a 200 day moving average of $970.92. BlackRock has a 52-week low of $773.74 and a 52-week high of $1,133.55. The company has a quick ratio of 4.34, a current ratio of 4.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The stock has a market cap of $172.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.00, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.41. BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 11th. The asset manager reported $11.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $10.84 by $0.46. BlackRock had a return on equity of 15.57% and a net margin of 30.09%. The company had revenue of $5.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.47 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $9.81 EPS. BlackRocks revenue was up 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that BlackRock will post 47.41 EPS for the current year. BlackRock Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 23rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 5th were issued a $5.21 dividend. This represents a $20.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 5th. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio is 50.63%. About BlackRock (Free Report) BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BGSF (NYSE:BGSF Get Free Report) and Pulse Network (OTCMKTS:TPNI Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk and dividends. Institutional and Insider Ownership 37.2% of BGSF shares are owned by institutional investors. 7.0% of BGSF shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 90.9% of Pulse Network 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. Get BGSF alerts: Profitability This table compares BGSF and Pulse Networks net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets BGSF -1.22% -3.96% -2.11% Pulse Network N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score BGSF 0 0 1 1 3.50 Pulse Network 0 0 0 0 0.00 This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for BGSF and Pulse Network, as provided by MarketBeat. BGSF presently has a consensus target price of $9.00, suggesting a potential upside of 42.74%. Given BGSFs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe BGSF is more favorable than Pulse Network. Earnings and Valuation This table compares BGSF and Pulse Networks gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio BGSF $272.50 million 0.26 -$3.34 million ($0.31) -20.34 Pulse Network N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Pulse Network has lower revenue, but higher earnings than BGSF. Summary BGSF beats Pulse Network on 6 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About BGSF (Get Free Report) BGSF, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides consulting, managed services, and professional workforce solutions in the United States. It operates in two segments, Property Management and Professional. The Property Management segment offers office and maintenance field talent to various apartment communities and commercial buildings. The Professional segment provides skilled IT professionals in SAP, Workday, Peoplesoft, Hyperion, Oracle, One Stream, cyber, project management, management services, and other IT workforce solutions. This segment also offers finance, accounting, legal, human resource, and related support personnel. It serves its products to fortune 500 companies, and medium and small companies, as well as consulting companies. The company was formerly known as BG Staffing, Inc. and changed its name to BGSF, Inc. in February 2021. BGSF, Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Plano, Texas. About Pulse Network (Get Free Report) The Pulse Network, Inc. provides a cloud-based platform that focuses on content marketing and event solutions in the United States. It operates a cloud-based content marketing platform, which enables corporate marketers and event groups in their campaign efforts. The companys platform includes Content Marketing Platform that provides newsletters for outreach and engagement; Digital Publication Platform Creator, which develops digital publications; Video Webcast Production Platform that engages the audience with live video production, and enhances participation with live polls and chats; and Event Management Platform, which creates interactive customer experiences through registration and online engagement. Its platform also enhances registration counts through engagement and social sharing, and verification counts through connecting with the audience. In addition, the company offers ICTG platform, a marketing and follow up automation software; event management solution, an end-to-end tool for event groups worldwide; and HostMyLeads.com for lead management, as well as event technology, registration, lead generation, Web, and lead management program services for businesses, event organizers, and associations to engage with their community across channels, such as online, mobile, or face to face. Further, it provides Event Database Solutions comprising a multi-channel software-as-a-service platform for marketing support, registration, housing, management reporting, lead retrieval, online production, event Websites, and continuing education unit tracking, as well as services for marketing and event management. Additionally, the company offers content marketing tools that include syndication and distribution, social sharing, newsletter creation, analytics and reporting, prospect management, and other tools, as well as a content curation tool, which support the cloud-based platform. The Pulse Network, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is based in Norwood, Massachusetts. Receive News & Ratings for BGSF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BGSF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NAIROBI, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A spike in environmental crimes in Africa is threatening peace, stability and sustainable development, experts said Monday on the sidelines of the 20th session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. Ababu Namwamba, Kenya's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) Office at Nairobi and the UN Environment Program, said that eradicating all forms of environmental crimes is urgent to place Africa on a path of renewal, resilient growth and stability. "We want to see action against environmental crimes in Africa to be at the center of our conversation around sustainability, climate action and biodiversity protection," Namwamba said. Giovanni Broussard, acting head and Africa coordinator for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Global Program on Crimes that Affect the Environment, said that Africa has borne the brunt of illegal actions against nature, amid threats to tourism, heritage pride and ecosystems' resilience. In the last two decades, the continent has grappled with poaching of iconic species such as elephants, rhinos and pangolins, with illegal logging being rampant as well, Broussard observed. "We also see a lot of smuggling of waste that generally comes from the Western world and then dumped illegally on landfills in parts of Africa," Broussard noted, adding that unregulated fishing and extraction of critical minerals threaten environmental sustainability on the continent. Fred Boltz, head of the Programming Division at the Global Environment Facility, said that partnerships, innovative financing and community engagement are key to revitalizing action on environmental crimes in Africa, enhancing the resilience of nature and societies. Stack Financial Management Inc cut its holdings in Dover Corporation (NYSE:DOV Free Report) by 1.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 81,959 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 1,313 shares during the period. Stack Financial Management Incs holdings in Dover were worth $14,399,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Dover during the 4th quarter worth $316,228,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of Dover by 35,832.0% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 563,054 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $98,917,000 after buying an additional 561,487 shares during the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Dover during the 4th quarter worth $99,017,000. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. increased its holdings in shares of Dover by 31.6% during the 4th quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 2,182,995 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $409,530,000 after buying an additional 524,092 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in shares of Dover by 350.8% during the 1st quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 410,350 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $72,090,000 after buying an additional 319,319 shares during the last quarter. 84.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Dover alerts: Dover Stock Performance NYSE:DOV opened at $188.76 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $180.78 and a two-hundred day moving average of $183.07. The stock has a market cap of $25.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.37, a PEG ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.26. Dover Corporation has a 1-year low of $143.04 and a 1-year high of $222.31. Dover Announces Dividend Dover ( NYSE:DOV Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The industrial products company reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.99 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $1.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.88 billion. Dover had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 19.54%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.95 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Dover Corporation will post 9.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th were given a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 30th. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.09%. Dovers payout ratio is currently 12.41%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth DOV has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Barclays upped their price objective on Dover from $180.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Dover from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Dover in a report on Monday, April 14th. They set an equal weight rating and a $185.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $176.00 price target on shares of Dover in a report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Dover from $238.00 to $219.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 25th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $208.58. Check Out Our Latest Report on Dover Dover Company Profile (Free Report) Dover Corporation provides equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services worldwide. The company's Engineered Products segment provides various equipment, component, software, solution, and services that are used in vehicle aftermarket, waste handling, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, industrial winch and hoist, and fluid dispensing end-market. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DOV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dover Corporation (NYSE:DOV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dover Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dover and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Corporacion America Airports (NYSE:CAAP Get Free Report) is one of 39 publicly-traded companies in the TRANS AIRLINE industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Corporacion America Airports to similar companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, risk and dividends. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent recommendations for Corporacion America Airports and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Get Corporacion America Airports alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Corporacion America Airports 0 0 3 0 3.00 Corporacion America Airports Competitors 774 2114 3173 200 2.45 Corporacion America Airports currently has a consensus price target of $23.03, indicating a potential upside of 18.48%. As a group, TRANS AIRLINE companies have a potential upside of 24.35%. Given Corporacion America Airports competitors higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Corporacion America Airports has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Corporacion America Airports 7.84% 9.33% 3.31% Corporacion America Airports Competitors -16,555.33% 19.90% 2.44% Risk and Volatility This table compares Corporacion America Airports and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Corporacion America Airports has a beta of 1.43, meaning that its share price is 43% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Corporacion America Airports competitors have a beta of 9.03, meaning that their average share price is 803% more volatile than the S&P 500. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Corporacion America Airports and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Corporacion America Airports $1.84 billion $282.67 million 22.60 Corporacion America Airports Competitors $14.16 billion $554.57 million 1.99 Corporacion America Airports competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Corporacion America Airports. Corporacion America Airports is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Insider & Institutional Ownership 13.0% of Corporacion America Airports shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 52.5% of shares of all TRANS AIRLINE companies are held by institutional investors. 9.7% of shares of all TRANS AIRLINE companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Summary Corporacion America Airports competitors beat Corporacion America Airports on 8 of the 13 factors compared. Corporacion America Airports Company Profile (Get Free Report) Corporacion America Airports S.A., through its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, and operates airport concessions. It operates 52 airports in Latin America, Europe, and Eurasia. The company was formerly known as A.C.I. Airports International S.a r.l. and changed its name to Corporacion America Airports S.A. in September 2017. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Corporacion America Airports S.A. is a subsidiary of A.C.I. Airports S.a r.l. Receive News & Ratings for Corporacion America Airports Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Corporacion America Airports and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kion Group (OTCMKTS:KIGRY Get Free Report) is one of 24 publicly-traded companies in the Industrial Services industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Kion Group to related companies based on the strength of its institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, risk and dividends. Risk and Volatility Kion Group has a beta of 2.02, suggesting that its stock price is 102% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Kion Groups rivals have a beta of 1.16, suggesting that their average stock price is 16% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get Kion Group alerts: Dividends Kion Group pays an annual dividend of $0.14 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Kion Group pays out 33.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Industrial Services companies pay a dividend yield of 1.3% and pay out 32.6% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Kion Group lags its rivals as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Kion Group 0 0 1 3 3.75 Kion Group Competitors 348 870 979 33 2.31 This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Kion Group and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat. As a group, Industrial Services companies have a potential upside of 7.49%. Given Kion Groups rivals higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Kion Group has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Kion Group and its rivals revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Kion Group $12.45 billion $389.88 million 36.69 Kion Group Competitors $9.75 billion $637.30 million 18.12 Kion Group has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its rivals. Kion Group is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Profitability This table compares Kion Group and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Kion Group 1.80% 3.39% 1.12% Kion Group Competitors -13.96% 10.84% 3.41% Institutional and Insider Ownership 57.2% of shares of all Industrial Services companies are held by institutional investors. 19.0% of shares of all Industrial Services companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Summary Kion Group rivals beat Kion Group on 9 of the 15 factors compared. About Kion Group (Get Free Report) KION GROUP AG provides industrial trucks and supply chain solutions worldwide. The company operates in Industrial Trucks & Services and Supply Chain Solutions segments. It offers forklift trucks, counterbalance trucks with electric drive and internal combustion engine, ride-on and hand-operated warehouse trucks, automated guided vehicle systems (AGVs), and towing vehicles under the Linde, STILL, Baoli, Fenwick, and OM brands. The company also manufactures and sells spare parts; leases and rents industrial trucks and related items; and offers maintenance and repair, and fleet management services, as well as provides finance solutions. In addition, it provides integrated technology and software solutions, including automated guided vehicle systems, palletizers, storage and picking equipment, automated storage and retrieval systems, sorters, and conveyors under the Dematic brand. The company was formerly known as KION Holding 1 GmbH. KION GROUP AG was founded in 2006 and is based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Receive News & Ratings for Kion Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kion Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Southern, Bank of New York Mellon, Quanta Services, Rockwell Automation, and Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras are the five Renewable Energy stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Renewable energy stocks are shares in publicly traded companies that develop, manufacture or distribute power generated from sustainable sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal and biomass. By investing in these equities, shareholders participate in the growth and profitability of the clean-energy sector and help finance the global transition away from fossil fuels. Those stocks can be influenced by technological advances, regulatory incentives and fluctuations in energy demand. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Renewable Energy stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Southern (SO) 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. NYSE:SO traded up $0.14 on Monday, hitting $92.80. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,871,098 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,161,521. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $89.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of $88.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $101.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.38. Southern has a one year low of $79.30 and a one year high of $94.45. Read Our Latest Research Report on SO Bank of New York Mellon (BK) The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics. NYSE:BK traded up $1.00 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $94.72. 3,853,483 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,117,505. The business has a 50 day moving average of $89.60 and a 200 day moving average of $84.66. The company has a market capitalization of $67.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.07. Bank of New York Mellon has a 1-year low of $60.93 and a 1-year high of $95.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.69. Read Our Latest Research Report on BK Quanta Services (PWR) Quanta Services, Inc. provides infrastructure solutions for the electric and gas utility, renewable energy, communications, and pipeline and energy industries in the United States, Canada, Australia, and internationally. The companys Electric Power Infrastructure Solutions segment engages in the design, procurement, construction, upgrade, repair, and maintenance of electric power transmission and distribution infrastructure and substation facilities; installation, maintenance, and upgrade of electric power infrastructure projects; installation of smart grid technologies on electric power networks; and design, installation, maintenance, and repair of commercial and industrial wirings. Shares of PWR stock traded up $4.30 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $388.08. The companys stock had a trading volume of 401,070 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,453,308. Quanta Services has a fifty-two week low of $227.08 and a fifty-two week high of $389.21. The company has a market capitalization of $57.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 62.59, a PEG ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $355.23 and its 200-day simple moving average is $310.23. Read Our Latest Research Report on PWR Rockwell Automation (ROK) Rockwell Automation, Inc. provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services. Shares of ROK traded up $1.30 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $344.37. The stock had a trading volume of 407,592 shares, compared to its average volume of 929,085. The stock has a market capitalization of $38.82 billion, a PE ratio of 43.35, a PEG ratio of 3.86 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.05. Rockwell Automation has a 12 month low of $215.00 and a 12 month high of $348.43. The companys 50-day moving average is $317.25 and its two-hundred day moving average is $285.05. Read Our Latest Research Report on ROK Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (PBR) Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras explores, produces, and sells oil and gas in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Exploration and Production; Refining, Transportation and Marketing; and Gas and Power. The Exploration and Production segment explores, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily for supplies to the domestic refineries. NYSE:PBR traded down $0.22 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $12.61. 8,532,469 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 18,216,024. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $12.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $12.86. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras has a one year low of $11.03 and a one year high of $15.73. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $81.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.40 and a beta of 0.85. Read Our Latest Research Report on PBR Featured Stories Asset Dedication LLC lessened its stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 28.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 296 shares of the companys stock after selling 116 shares during the quarter. Asset Dedication LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $47,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Philip Morris International by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 139,432,392 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,780,688,000 after acquiring an additional 1,167,810 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 122,584,210 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,752,926,000 after purchasing an additional 4,216,586 shares during the last quarter. GQG Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 48,746,809 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,866,678,000 after purchasing an additional 6,092,558 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 9.9% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 35,286,582 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,241,837,000 after purchasing an additional 3,185,258 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 17,276,790 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,079,262,000 after purchasing an additional 516,617 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently issued reports on PM shares. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $188.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. UBS Group set a $181.00 price objective on shares of Philip Morris International and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. They set a buy rating and a $220.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $220.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $186.73. Philip Morris International Stock Performance Shares of PM stock opened at $180.82 on Tuesday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52 week low of $104.84 and a 52 week high of $186.69. The company has a market capitalization of $281.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.51. The companys 50 day moving average price is $178.20 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $157.41. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.08. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 8.43% and a negative return on equity of 122.40%. The company had revenue of $9.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.10 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.50 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year. Philip Morris International Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Friday, June 27th will be issued a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 27th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.99%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 111.34%. 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. raised its position in Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY Free Report) by 136.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 20,911 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 12,072 shares during the quarter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc.s holdings in Sysco were worth $1,569,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of SYY. Rialto Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Sysco by 188.7% in the 1st quarter. Rialto Wealth Management LLC now owns 332 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the period. Parvin Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Sysco in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Sysco in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Sysco by 48.4% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 429 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital A Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Sysco in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.41% of the companys stock. Get Sysco alerts: Sysco Trading Up 1.1% Sysco stock opened at $77.69 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $74.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of $73.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.37, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 1.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $37.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.13, a PEG ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.81. Sysco Corporation has a 52 week low of $67.12 and a 52 week high of $82.23. Sysco Increases Dividend Sysco ( NYSE:SYY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $0.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.02 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $19.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.11 billion. Sysco had a return on equity of 107.96% and a net margin of 2.36%. The companys revenue was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.96 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Sysco Corporation will post 4.58 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.54 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 3rd. This is an increase from Syscos previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. This represents a $2.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.78%. Syscos dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 55.96%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades SYY has been the subject of several analyst reports. UBS Group decreased their price objective on Sysco from $86.00 to $83.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Guggenheim restated a buy rating and issued a $82.00 price objective on shares of Sysco in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Citigroup initiated coverage on Sysco in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. They issued a neutral rating and a $78.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Sysco from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein set a $87.00 price target on Sysco and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $82.77. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Sysco Insider Transactions at Sysco In other Sysco news, Director Sheila Talton sold 356 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.84, for a total transaction of $25,219.04. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 12,738 shares in the company, valued at $902,359.92. This trade represents a 2.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.54% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Sysco Company Profile (Free Report) Sysco Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the marketing and distribution of various food and related products to the foodservice or food-away-from-home industry in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. It operates through U.S. Foodservice Operations, International Foodservice Operations, SYGMA, and Other segments. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SYY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Sysco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sysco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. West Fraser Timber (NYSE:WFG Get Free Report) is one of 15 publicly-traded companies in the BLDG PRD WOOD industry, but how does it compare to its peers? We will compare West Fraser Timber to related companies based on the strength of its earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, institutional ownership and risk. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for West Fraser Timber and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Get West Fraser Timber alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score West Fraser Timber 0 0 5 0 3.00 West Fraser Timber Competitors 189 1160 1099 48 2.40 West Fraser Timber currently has a consensus target price of $100.40, indicating a potential upside of 33.42%. As a group, BLDG PRD WOOD companies have a potential upside of 20.25%. Given West Fraser Timbers stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe West Fraser Timber is more favorable than its peers. Earnings & Valuation Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio West Fraser Timber $6.17 billion -$5.00 million -442.65 West Fraser Timber Competitors $4.93 billion $297.37 million -13.15 This table compares West Fraser Timber and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. West Fraser Timber has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its peers. West Fraser Timber is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Risk & Volatility West Fraser Timber has a beta of 1.15, indicating that its stock price is 15% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, West Fraser Timbers peers have a beta of 1.43, indicating that their average stock price is 43% more volatile than the S&P 500. Institutional & Insider Ownership 40.2% of West Fraser Timber shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 82.9% of shares of all BLDG PRD WOOD companies are owned by institutional investors. 1.8% of West Fraser Timber shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 4.4% of shares of all BLDG PRD WOOD companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares West Fraser Timber and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets West Fraser Timber 0.03% 0.99% 0.78% West Fraser Timber Competitors 7.65% 10.27% 6.04% Dividends West Fraser Timber pays an annual dividend of $1.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. West Fraser Timber pays out -752.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BLDG PRD WOOD companies pay a dividend yield of 1.7% and pay out 36.9% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. West Fraser Timber has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years. Summary West Fraser Timber peers beat West Fraser Timber on 10 of the 15 factors compared. West Fraser Timber Company Profile (Get Free Report) West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., a diversified wood products company, engages in manufacturing, selling, marketing, and distributing lumber, engineered wood products, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and other residuals and renewable energy. It offers spruce-pine-fir, douglas fir-larch, hem-fir, and southern yellow pine lumber, treated wood products, medium density fiberboard panels and plywood, oriented strand board, and laminated veneer lumber wood products, as well as particleboards. The company also provides northern bleached softwood Kraft pulp and bleached chemical thermo-mechanical pulp used to produce various paper products, including printing and writing papers, paperboard products, tissue and towel products, and a variety of other paper grades. Further, it offers bioproducts, including bioenergy and biomaterial. Its products are used in home construction, repair and remodeling, papers, tissue, and box materials, and industrial applications. The company sells its products to major retail chains, contractor supply yards, and wholesalers, as well as industrial customers for further processing or as components for other products in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and internationally. West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for West Fraser Timber Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for West Fraser Timber and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Enova International (NYSE:ENVA Get Free Report) and Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, risk, institutional ownership, valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations and earnings. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Enova International and Capital One Financial, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get Enova International alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Enova International 0 1 5 1 3.00 Capital One Financial 0 4 12 2 2.89 Enova International currently has a consensus price target of $111.00, suggesting a potential downside of 3.19%. Capital One Financial has a consensus price target of $222.07, suggesting a potential upside of 1.89%. Given Capital One Financials higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Capital One Financial is more favorable than Enova International. Institutional & Insider Ownership Risk and Volatility 89.4% of Enova International shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 89.8% of Capital One Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 8.4% of Enova International shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of Capital One Financial shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Enova International has a beta of 1.48, suggesting that its stock price is 48% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Capital One Financial has a beta of 1.15, suggesting that its stock price is 15% more volatile than the S&P 500. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Enova International and Capital One Financials top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Enova International $2.66 billion 1.09 $209.45 million $8.49 13.50 Capital One Financial $53.94 billion 1.55 $4.75 billion $11.91 18.30 Capital One Financial has higher revenue and earnings than Enova International. Enova International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Capital One Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares Enova International and Capital One Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Enova International 8.38% 21.79% 5.01% Capital One Financial 9.65% 9.63% 1.21% Summary Capital One Financial beats Enova International on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About Enova International (Get Free Report) Enova International, Inc., a technology and analytics company, provides online financial services in the United States, Brazil, and internationally. The company provides installment loans; line of credit accounts; CSO programs, including arranging loans with independent third-party lenders and assisting in the preparation of loan applications and loan documents; and bank programs, such as marketing services and loan servicing for near-prime unsecured consumer installment loan. It offers money transfer services. It markets its financing products under the CashNetUSA, NetCredit, OnDeck, Headway Capital, Simplic, and Pangea names. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. About Capital One Financial (Get Free Report) Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One, National Association, which engages in the provision of various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking. The company accepts checking accounts, money market deposits, negotiable order of withdrawals, savings deposits, and time deposits. Its loan products include credit card loans; auto and retail banking loans; and commercial and multifamily real estate, and commercial and industrial loans. The company also offers credit and debit card products; online direct banking services; and provides advisory, capital markets, treasury management, and depository services. It serves consumers, small businesses, and commercial clients through digital channels, branches, cafes, and other distribution channels located in New York, Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and California. The company was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Receive News & Ratings for Enova International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enova International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. trimmed its stake in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report) by 1.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,132 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after selling 140 shares during the quarter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc.s holdings in EOG Resources were worth $1,428,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. 1ST Source Bank increased its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. 1ST Source Bank now owns 5,349 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $656,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. increased its stake in EOG Resources by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. now owns 4,065 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $498,000 after buying an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC increased its stake in EOG Resources by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 5,786 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $709,000 after buying an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp increased its stake in EOG Resources by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp now owns 1,719 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $211,000 after buying an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FSM Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in EOG Resources by 6.2% during the 1st quarter. FSM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,623 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $208,000 after buying an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. 89.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get EOG Resources alerts: EOG Resources Price Performance Shares of EOG Resources stock opened at $122.76 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 1.87 and a quick ratio of 1.71. EOG Resources, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $102.52 and a fifty-two week high of $138.18. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $117.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $121.37. The company has a market cap of $67.00 billion, a PE ratio of 11.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 9.93 and a beta of 0.76. EOG Resources Increases Dividend EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The energy exploration company reported $2.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.75 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $5.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.92 billion. EOG Resources had a net margin of 26.14% and a return on equity of 22.35%. The businesss revenue was down 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.82 EPS. Analysts expect that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.47 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Friday, October 17th will be given a dividend of $1.02 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 17th. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.32%. This is a boost from EOG Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.98. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.18%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, COO Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 3,951 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.65, for a total transaction of $472,737.15. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer owned 45,739 shares in the company, valued at $5,472,671.35. The trade was a 7.95% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have recently weighed in on EOG. Bank of America lowered their target price on EOG Resources from $125.00 to $124.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 23rd. UBS Group restated a buy rating and set a $140.00 target price (up from $135.00) on shares of EOG Resources in a report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Susquehanna lowered their target price on EOG Resources from $161.00 to $156.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a $148.00 target price (up from $144.00) on shares of EOG Resources in a report on Friday, June 13th. Finally, Stephens began coverage on EOG Resources in a report on Tuesday, June 17th. They set an equal weight rating and a $137.00 target price on the stock. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, EOG Resources currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $139.00. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on EOG Resources About EOG Resources (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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EOG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Blake Schutter Theil Wealth Advisors LLC cut its stake in Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE:IRM Free Report) by 23.1% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 3,322 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,000 shares during the period. Blake Schutter Theil Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Iron Mountain were worth $286,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Iron Mountain in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its stake in shares of Iron Mountain by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 11,538 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $993,000 after buying an additional 388 shares in the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Iron Mountain by 134.7% in the 1st quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 7,545 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $649,000 after buying an additional 4,330 shares in the last quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Iron Mountain in the 1st quarter valued at $285,000. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue raised its stake in shares of Iron Mountain by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 176,632 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $15,197,000 after buying an additional 2,530 shares in the last quarter. 80.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Iron Mountain alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on IRM. Truist Financial began coverage on shares of Iron Mountain in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. They issued a buy rating and a $95.00 price objective for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Iron Mountain from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, April 18th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Iron Mountain from $118.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Iron Mountain currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $121.71. Iron Mountain Stock Up 0.0% Shares of Iron Mountain stock opened at $98.02 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 239.08 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $99.85 and a 200 day simple moving average of $95.76. Iron Mountain Incorporated has a 12-month low of $72.33 and a 12-month high of $130.24. Iron Mountain (NYSE:IRM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.59 billion. Iron Mountain had a net margin of 1.97% and a negative return on equity of 201.62%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.10 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Iron Mountain Incorporated will post 4.54 earnings per share for the current year. Iron Mountain Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 16th were given a $0.785 dividend. This represents a $3.14 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.20%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 16th. Iron Mountains payout ratio is presently 765.85%. Insider Activity at Iron Mountain In other Iron Mountain news, EVP Mark Kidd sold 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.02, for a total value of $612,120.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 91,081 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,292,083.62. This trade represents a 6.18% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Greg W. Mcintosh sold 17,334 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $1,733,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 35,446 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,544,600. The trade was a 32.84% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 240,007 shares of company stock worth $23,649,959. 1.90% of the stock is owned by insiders. Iron Mountain Company Profile (Free Report) Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM) is a global leader in information management services. Founded in 1951 and trusted by more than 240,000 customers worldwide, Iron Mountain serves to protect and elevate the power of our customers work. Through a range of offerings including digital transformation, data centers, secure records storage, information management, asset lifecycle management, secure destruction and art storage and logistics, Iron Mountain helps businesses bring light to their dark data, enabling customers to unlock value and intelligence from their stored digital and physical assets at speed and with security, while helping them meet their environmental goals. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IRM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE:IRM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Iron Mountain Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Iron Mountain and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DAMASCUS/JERUSALEM, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A series of Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday targeted convoys of Syrian forces in and around the southern Syrian city of Sweida, killing and wounding several personnel, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and state media outlets. The attacks included a strike on general security vehicles inside the city, and another at Sweida's western entrance that hit a Syrian army convoy, reportedly killing at least one soldier. A previous strike on Tuesday destroyed a Syrian army tank stationed within the city. The airstrikes come amid a tense standoff following days of deadly clashes involving Druze factions, Bedouin tribes, and the Syrian interim government's forces. Meanwhile, the Observatory said that 15 people were either wounded or killed in an attack by armed men wearing security forces' uniforms on a guesthouse belonging to the Radwan family in Sweida. The incident couldn't be independently verified. The escalating situation prompted Syrian defense authorities to begin withdrawing heavy military vehicles that entered Sweida earlier on Tuesday. State-run al-Ikhbariya TV reported that tanks and armored vehicles were withdrawn from residential areas in an apparent effort to de-escalate. Later, Murhaf Abu Qasra, chief of the Syrian defense authorities, declared a full ceasefire across Sweida. In a statement posted on X, he said: "We have ordered a complete ceasefire for all units operating within the city of Sweida after reaching an agreement with local elders and dignitaries." Abu Qasra said that forces will respond only to active fire and confirmed that armed police have begun deploying to enforce discipline. He also said that control of the city's neighborhoods will be transferred to internal security forces once clearing operations are completed. Shortly after the ceasefire announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz acknowledged that they had instructed the military to strike Syrian forces in Sweida, claiming to protect the Druze population there. In a joint statement, Netanyahu and Katz said they ordered the military to "immediately strike" Syrian forces and weapons in the area to "prevent the Syrian regime from harming" the Druze community, due to "the deep fraternal alliance with the Druze citizens of Israel and their familial and historical ties to the Druze in Syria." The Israeli military said in a separate statement that it struck Syrian armored vehicles and rocket launchers. It said convoys of Armored Personnel Carriers and tanks were identified on Monday evening moving toward Sweida, and that access routes were also targeted "in order to disrupt their arrival in the area." The military added that it "continues to monitor developments and remains prepared for defense and various scenarios." The developments follow an intense wave of violence that has left over 99 people dead and more than 200 injured, according to the Observatory. The casualties include 60 Druze civilians -- among them two women and two children, 18 Bedouins, 14 soldiers of the interim government, and 7 unidentified individuals wearing military attire. On Monday, defense authorities spokesperson Hassan Abdel Ghani said 18 soldiers were killed and others wounded in a "treacherous attack" by armed groups. The clashes were initially triggered by the assault and robbery of a Druze youth by armed Bedouins at a makeshift checkpoint near al-Masmiyah. In response, Druze fighters kidnapped several Bedouins, igniting days of urban conflict. Despite official declarations of calm, the atmosphere in Sweida remains volatile. Influential Druze religious leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri released a video Monday rescinding his earlier endorsement of the army's entry, claiming his previous remarks were made under pressure and calling on Druze communities to resist "by all available means." Whittier Trust Co. raised its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) by 1.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 979,993 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 10,054 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. owned about 0.07% of Chipotle Mexican Grill worth $49,195,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5.3% in the first quarter. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd now owns 22,478 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,129,000 after purchasing an additional 1,133 shares during the period. Florida Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the first quarter worth about $211,000. MQS Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the first quarter worth about $351,000. Prudent Man Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 6.6% during the first quarter. Prudent Man Advisors LLC now owns 15,774 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $792,000 after acquiring an additional 974 shares during the period. Finally, Wilkinson Global Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.7% during the first quarter. Wilkinson Global Asset Management LLC now owns 582,527 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $29,249,000 after acquiring an additional 3,925 shares during the period. 91.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance Shares of NYSE CMG opened at $54.81 on Tuesday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 1 year low of $44.46 and a 1 year high of $66.74. The firms 50 day moving average price is $52.68 and its 200 day moving average price is $53.02. The firm has a market cap of $73.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.08. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $2.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.98 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 43.29% and a net margin of 13.59%. Chipotle Mexican Grills revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $13.37 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current year. A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on CMG shares. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $64.00 to $57.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $68.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 19th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $58.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd. Finally, KeyCorp dropped their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $60.00 to $58.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned 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 $61.21. Check Out Our Latest Report on CMG Insiders Place Their Bets In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, insider Roger E. Theodoredis sold 113,875 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.70, for a total value of $5,659,587.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 109,815 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,457,805.50. The trade was a 50.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 1.02% of the companys stock. Chipotle Mexican Grill 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Jefferies Financial Group from $56.00 to $62.00 in a report issued on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group currently has a hold rating on the transportation companys stock. Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Sanford C. Bernstein restated an outperform rating on shares of Delta Air Lines in a research note on Friday. Raymond James Financial dropped their price target on shares of Delta Air Lines from $80.00 to $62.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $80.00 to $72.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. Dbs Bank downgraded shares of Delta Air Lines from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, April 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $66.21. Get Delta Air Lines alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines Trading Down 2.5% Shares of Delta Air Lines stock traded down $1.44 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $56.67. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,097,806 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,239,155. The business has a fifty day moving average of $49.68 and a 200 day moving average of $52.58. Delta Air Lines has a 1-year low of $34.74 and a 1-year high of $69.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The company has a market capitalization of $37.01 billion, a PE ratio of 8.21, a P/E/G ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.49. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 10th. The transportation company reported $2.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.01 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $15,507,000 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.16 billion. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 24.86% and a net margin of 7.24%. The firms revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.36 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Delta Air Lines will post 7.63 EPS for the current year. Delta Air Lines Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.1875 per share. This is a positive change from Delta Air Liness previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $0.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 31st. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 8.70%. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Alain Bellemare sold 45,423 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.56, for a total value of $2,523,701.88. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 131,731 shares in the company, valued at $7,318,974.36. This represents a 25.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of DAL. CCM Investment Advisers LLC raised its position in Delta Air Lines by 8.1% in the second quarter. CCM Investment Advisers LLC now owns 261,837 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $12,877,000 after acquiring an additional 19,727 shares in the last quarter. Waycross Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $18,811,000. Kwmg LLC raised its holdings in shares of Delta Air Lines by 5.7% in the 2nd quarter. Kwmg LLC now owns 119,087 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $5,857,000 after purchasing an additional 6,369 shares in the last quarter. Lederer & Associates Investment Counsel CA lifted its stake in Delta Air Lines by 52.5% during the second quarter. Lederer & Associates Investment Counsel CA now owns 26,788 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,317,000 after purchasing an additional 9,217 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in Delta Air Lines by 63.4% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 15,666 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $770,000 after purchasing an additional 6,081 shares during the last quarter. 69.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Delta Air Lines (Get Free Report) Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Delta Air Lines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delta Air Lines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bogart Wealth LLC cut its stake in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA Free Report) by 9.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,701 shares of the aircraft producers stock after selling 175 shares during the period. Bogart Wealth LLCs holdings in Boeing were worth $290,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of BA. American National Bank & Trust lifted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 474.1% during the 1st quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 155 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 128 shares during the period. REAP Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 60.2% during the 4th quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 173 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the period. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Boeing by 167.2% during the 4th quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 179 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. Solstein Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boeing during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boeing during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. 64.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Boeing alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, SVP Brendan J. Nelson sold 640 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $206.28, for a total value of $132,019.20. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 13,258 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,734,860.24. The trade was a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP David Christopher Raymond sold 3,899 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.01, for a total transaction of $729,151.99. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 42,513 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,950,356.13. The trade was a 8.40% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 7,744 shares of company stock worth $1,511,370. Insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock. Boeing Stock Performance Shares of BA opened at $230.66 on Tuesday. The Boeing Company has a twelve month low of $128.88 and a twelve month high of $233.04. The firms 50 day moving average price is $207.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $183.35. The firm has a market cap of $173.92 billion, a P/E ratio of -12.87 and a beta of 1.41. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The aircraft producer reported ($0.49) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($1.39) by $0.90. The business had revenue of $19.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.57 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($1.13) earnings per share. Boeings revenue for the quarter was up 17.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Boeing Company will post -2.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Benchmark dropped their target price on shares of Boeing from $250.00 to $215.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Bank of America upgraded shares of Boeing from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $185.00 to $260.00 in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a cautious rating on shares of Boeing in a research report on Thursday, June 12th. Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of Boeing in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic upgraded shares of Boeing from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $180.00 to $275.00 in a research report on Friday, June 27th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, seventeen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Boeing currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $218.59. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Boeing About Boeing (Free Report) 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. acquired a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm acquired 2,820 shares of the communications equipment providers stock, valued at approximately $1,235,000. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. ORG Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in Motorola Solutions by 346.2% in the 1st quarter. ORG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 58 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Motorola Solutions in the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Motorola Solutions in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Community Bank N.A. acquired a new stake in Motorola Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Fort Vancouver Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Motorola Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. 84.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have issued reports on MSI shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Motorola Solutions from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. William Blair reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Motorola Solutions in a research note on Monday, July 7th. They issued a peer perform rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Motorola Solutions from $570.00 to $515.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on Motorola Solutions from $527.00 to $511.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $513.25. Motorola Solutions Price Performance Shares of NYSE MSI opened at $414.01 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $69.10 billion, a PE ratio of 34.56, a P/E/G ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.42, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $416.51 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $431.53. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $385.17 and a fifty-two week high of $507.82. Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The communications equipment provider reported $3.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.01 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $2.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.52 billion. Motorola Solutions had a return on equity of 160.93% and a net margin of 18.67%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.81 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 13.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Motorola Solutions Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be issued a $1.09 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 13th. This represents a $4.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.05%. Motorola Solutionss dividend payout ratio is presently 36.39%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Motorola Solutions news, CAO Katherine A. Maher sold 1,073 shares of Motorola Solutions stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $418.68, for a total value of $449,243.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 804 shares of the companys stock, valued at $336,618.72. The trade was a 57.17% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.44% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Motorola Solutions Profile (Free Report) Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Business Financial Services Inc. grew its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 8.6% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 6,530 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 515 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company comprises 0.5% of First Business Financial Services Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest position. First Business Financial Services Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $5,393,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. WestEnd Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 210.0% in the 1st quarter. WestEnd Advisors LLC now owns 31 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 180.0% in the first quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 42 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter worth approximately $40,000. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at $43,000. Finally, O Brien Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 25.5% in the 1st quarter. O Brien Wealth Partners LLC now owns 59 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts recently commented on LLY shares. Guggenheim increased their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $936.00 to $942.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday. HSBC cut Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a reduce rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $1,150.00 to $700.00 in a research note on Monday, April 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Eli Lilly and Company from a neutral rating to a buy rating and reduced their price target for the company from $892.00 to $888.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Hsbc Global Res cut Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a moderate sell rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set an overweight rating and a $975.00 price objective for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,012.56. Eli Lilly and Company Stock Up 0.8% Shares of NYSE LLY opened at $799.51 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $757.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 65.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.40. The firms 50 day moving average price is $765.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $800.18. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $677.09 and a 1 year high of $972.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a current ratio of 1.37. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $3.34 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.64 by ($1.30). The company had revenue of $12.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.77 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 22.67% and a return on equity of 85.51%. The companys revenue was up 45.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.58 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.75%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 48.82%. 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Concord Asset Management LLC VA reduced its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 24.9% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 11,978 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 3,966 shares during the quarter. Concord Asset Management LLC VAs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $1,555,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ABT. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 15,232 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,021,000 after buying an additional 330 shares during the last quarter. PAX Financial Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 27.3% in the first quarter. PAX Financial Group LLC now owns 3,320 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $440,000 after purchasing an additional 712 shares during the last quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 16.5% in the first quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 161,769 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $21,459,000 after acquiring an additional 22,966 shares in the last quarter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.8% in the first quarter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC now owns 37,726 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $5,004,000 after acquiring an additional 651 shares in the last quarter. Finally, West Family Investments Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 13.3% in the first quarter. West Family Investments Inc. now owns 5,794 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $769,000 after acquiring an additional 680 shares in the last quarter. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Insider Transactions at Abbott Laboratories In related news, Director Sally E. Blount sold 2,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total transaction of $337,116.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 34,058 shares in the company, valued at $4,415,960.28. The trade was a 7.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.46% of the companys stock. Abbott Laboratories Price Performance Shares of NYSE ABT opened at $132.05 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $229.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.13, a PEG ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a quick ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 1.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The company has a 50 day moving average of $133.51 and a 200 day moving average of $129.29. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $99.71 and a twelve month high of $141.23. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 16th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.07 by $0.02. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 19.01% and a net margin of 31.89%. The firm had revenue of $10.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.38 billion. As a group, research analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be issued a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 30.61%. Analysts Set New Price Targets ABT has been the subject of several research reports. Raymond James Financial increased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $132.00 to $142.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $136.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Leerink Partners initiated coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a report on Monday, June 16th. They issued a market perform rating and a $143.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $143.11. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Abbott Laboratories About Abbott Laboratories (Free Report) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Concord Asset Management LLC VA increased its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 7.0% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 15,559 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,022 shares during the period. Concord Asset Management LLC VAs holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $949,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates lifted its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 137.5% in the 1st quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates now owns 475 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. 76.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Bristol Myers Squibb alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on BMY shares. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Bristol Myers Squibb from $36.00 to $34.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Argus raised Bristol Myers Squibb to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. William Blair restated a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, April 25th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Bristol Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $54.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Piper Sandler assumed coverage on Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set an overweight rating and a $65.00 target price on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $57.69. Bristol Myers Squibb Trading Up 1.1% NYSE:BMY opened at $47.36 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $47.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $53.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.65, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.17. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 12 month low of $39.93 and a 12 month high of $63.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $96.38 billion, a PE ratio of 17.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.36. Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.80 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.30. The company had revenue of $11.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.77 billion. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 87.62% and a net margin of 11.38%. The companys revenue was down 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned ($4.40) earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, July 3rd will be paid a $0.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 3rd. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.24%. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 92.88%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, EVP Samit Hirawat purchased 4,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 25th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $47.58 per share, for a total transaction of $202,215.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the executive vice president owned 83,513 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,973,548.54. This trade represents a 5.36% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock. Bristol Myers Squibb Company 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sage Private Wealth Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Accenture PLC (NYSE:ACN Free Report) by 6.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,256 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the quarter. Sage Private Wealth Group LLCs holdings in Accenture were worth $392,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Visionary Wealth Advisors boosted its stake in shares of Accenture by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. Visionary Wealth Advisors now owns 778 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $274,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. Vivaldi Capital Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Accenture by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Vivaldi Capital Management LP now owns 782 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $292,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Accenture by 7.5% during the 4th quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 418 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $147,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Tradition Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Accenture by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Tradition Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,981 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $3,863,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sentinus LLC boosted its stake in shares of Accenture by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Sentinus LLC now owns 763 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $268,000 after purchasing an additional 31 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.14% of the companys stock. Get Accenture alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Accenture news, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 2,251 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $282.45, for a total transaction of $635,794.95. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 8,109 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,290,387.05. This represents a 21.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, COO John F. Walsh sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $325.00, for a total value of $812,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 15,882 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,161,650. This trade represents a 13.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 5,454 shares of company stock worth $1,646,780. Insiders own 0.02% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In ACN has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on shares of Accenture from $364.00 to $355.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on shares of Accenture from $399.00 to $392.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 21st. Baird R W upgraded shares of Accenture from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, March 17th. Argus set a $370.00 price target on shares of Accenture in a report on Tuesday, June 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Accenture from $340.00 to $325.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, June 24th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has given 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 an average price target of $370.71. View Our Latest Research Report on ACN Accenture Price Performance Shares of NYSE ACN opened at $279.80 on Tuesday. Accenture PLC has a fifty-two week low of $273.19 and a fifty-two week high of $398.35. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $308.44 and its 200 day simple moving average is $326.35. The company has a quick ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The stock has a market cap of $175.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.28, a P/E/G ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.29. Accenture (NYSE:ACN Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, June 20th. The information technology services provider reported $3.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.32 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $17.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.26 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 26.55% and a net margin of 11.61%. Accentures revenue was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.13 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Accenture PLC will post 12.73 EPS for the current year. Accenture Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 10th will be paid a dividend of $1.48 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 10th. This represents a $5.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.12%. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.13%. About Accenture (Free Report) Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BIP Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 2.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,087 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the quarter. BIP Wealth LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $966,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Perigon Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 0.4% during the first quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 14,087 shares of the companys stock worth $2,236,000 after buying an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. TBH Global Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 0.9% in the first quarter. TBH Global Asset Management LLC now owns 6,932 shares of the companys stock worth $1,100,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. Capital Advisors Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.1% in the first quarter. Capital Advisors Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,005 shares of the companys stock worth $477,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.3% in the first quarter. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. now owns 2,032 shares of the companys stock worth $323,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. Finally, Western Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Philip Morris International by 1.5% in the first quarter. Western Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,446 shares of the companys stock valued at $706,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Price Performance Shares of NYSE PM opened at $180.05 on Tuesday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a one year low of $104.84 and a one year high of $186.69. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $178.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $157.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $280.26 billion, a PE ratio of 37.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.51. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $9.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.10 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 122.40% and a net margin of 8.43%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.50 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 27th will be given a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 27th. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.00%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 111.34%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have issued reports on PM shares. Bank of America lifted their target price on Philip Morris International from $182.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Wall Street Zen cut Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Philip Morris International from $188.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Philip Morris International from $168.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. They issued a buy rating and a $220.00 price objective on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $186.73. Get Our Latest Stock Report on PM Philip Morris International Company Profile (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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Winslow Asset Management Inc. decreased its holdings in Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER Free Report) by 1.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 150,986 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock after selling 2,532 shares during the quarter. Uber Technologies accounts for approximately 2.4% of Winslow Asset Management Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Winslow Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Uber Technologies were worth $11,001,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of UBER. Navalign LLC grew its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Navalign LLC now owns 25,468 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $1,536,000 after purchasing an additional 126 shares during the period. Grove Bank & Trust grew its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 14,139 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $1,030,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the period. Amplius Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Amplius Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,140 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $302,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the period. United Advisor Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. United Advisor Group LLC now owns 4,367 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $263,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the period. Finally, American Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. American Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,401 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $394,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.24% of the companys stock. Get Uber Technologies alerts: Insider Activity In other Uber Technologies news, CFO Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah sold 2,750 shares of Uber Technologies stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.00, for a total value of $261,250.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 21,975 shares in the company, valued at $2,087,625. The trade was a 11.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Jill Hazelbaker sold 34,884 shares of Uber Technologies stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.03, for a total value of $3,001,070.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 102,135 shares in the company, valued at $8,786,674.05. This trade represents a 25.46% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 40,384 shares of company stock worth $3,496,071 in the last quarter. 3.70% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently issued reports on UBER shares. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Uber Technologies from $103.00 to $107.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. Bank of America upped their price target on Uber Technologies from $97.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Loop Capital restated a buy rating and issued a $105.00 price target (up from $89.00) on shares of Uber Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. TD Cowen dropped their price target on Uber Technologies from $90.00 to $88.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $82.00 price target on shares of Uber Technologies in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $97.63. Check Out Our Latest Report on Uber Technologies Uber Technologies Price Performance UBER opened at $93.88 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $88.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $77.98. Uber Technologies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $54.84 and a 1 year high of $97.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $196.32 billion, a PE ratio of 16.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.40. Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The ride-sharing company reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.33. Uber Technologies had a return on equity of 66.46% and a net margin of 27.07%. The company had revenue of $11.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.61 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.32) earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Uber Technologies, Inc. will post 2.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Uber Technologies Profile (Free Report) Uber Technologies, Inc develops and operates proprietary technology applications in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia excluding China and Southeast Asia. It operates through three segments: Mobility, Delivery, and Freight. The Mobility segment connects consumers with a range of transportation modalities, such as ridesharing, carsharing, micromobility, rentals, public transit, taxis, and other modalities; and offers riders in a variety of vehicle types, as well as financial partnerships products and advertising services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Uber Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Uber Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAGHDAD, July 15 (Xinhua) -- An explosive-laden drone on Tuesday morning hit the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province in northern Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, causing no casualties, local authorities reported. The attack occurred after a similar strike using two explosive drones on Monday evening that targeted the Khurmala oil field in Erbil province, the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government said in a statement. A statement by the U.S.-based HKN Energy company said that an explosion occurred on Tuesday morning at one of its production facilities in the Sarsang field, causing the suspension of operations there. Iraq has been experiencing an increasing number of drone attacks recently. In one of the latest strikes, an explosive-laden drone was intercepted on Monday near the Erbil International Airport. Prevail Innovative Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 50,725 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $3,642,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Investment Counsel Co. of Nevada acquired a new position in Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. BNP Paribas purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Parvin Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Dunhill Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 63.7% during the 4th quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 496 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.90% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Stock Up 1.1% Shares of Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $83.47 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $271.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.99, a PEG ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.84. Wells Fargo & Company has a one year low of $50.15 and a one year high of $83.95. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $76.61 and a two-hundred day moving average of $73.97. Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 11th. The financial services provider reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $20.15 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.82 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 16.19% and a return on equity of 12.15%. Wells Fargo & Companys quarterly revenue was down 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.20 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year. Wells Fargo & Company declared that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, April 29th that authorizes the company to buyback $40.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 17.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued. Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th were paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 9th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.92%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.73%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently weighed in on WFC shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $82.00 to $73.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 3rd. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Evercore ISI restated an outperform rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial downgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $80.13. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company About Wells Fargo & Company (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Florida Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 6.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,622 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after buying an additional 169 shares during the period. Florida Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $347,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in ABT. Rice Hall James & Associates LLC raised its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 10.9% in the 1st quarter. Rice Hall James & Associates LLC now owns 5,553 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $737,000 after purchasing an additional 545 shares during the last quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 21.7% during the first quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 68,135 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $9,038,000 after buying an additional 12,130 shares in the last quarter. Weatherly Asset Management L. P. raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.1% in the first quarter. Weatherly Asset Management L. P. now owns 24,877 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,300,000 after buying an additional 517 shares during the last quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3.1% during the first quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 3,983 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $528,000 after buying an additional 119 shares during the period. Finally, Prudent Man Advisors LLC boosted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 3.1% during the first quarter. Prudent Man Advisors LLC now owns 14,545 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,929,000 after acquiring an additional 432 shares during the last quarter. 75.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Director Sally E. Blount sold 2,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total value of $337,116.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 34,058 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,415,960.28. The trade was a 7.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have weighed in on ABT. Raymond James Financial increased their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $132.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Leerink Partnrs upgraded Abbott Laboratories to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, June 16th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $117.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Finally, Piper Sandler reissued an overweight rating and issued a $145.00 target price (up from $133.00) on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $143.11. Get Our Latest Research Report on ABT Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 0.0% Shares of ABT opened at $132.05 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.27. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $99.71 and a 12 month high of $141.23. The stock has a market cap of $229.74 billion, a PE ratio of 17.13, a P/E/G ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.73. The stocks 50-day moving average is $133.51 and its two-hundred day moving average is $129.29. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 16th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.07 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $10.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.38 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 19.01% and a net margin of 31.89%. Equities analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be issued a $0.59 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 15th. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.79%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 30.61%. Abbott Laboratories Company Profile (Free Report) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its holdings in shares of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM Free Report) by 4.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 29,153 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 1,249 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in International Business Machines were worth $7,249,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. acquired a new position in shares of International Business Machines in the first quarter valued at approximately $124,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 22.9% during the first quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 320,514 shares of the technology companys stock worth $79,699,000 after acquiring an additional 59,730 shares during the period. Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. lifted its position in International Business Machines by 9.5% in the 1st quarter. Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. now owns 11,748 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,921,000 after acquiring an additional 1,022 shares in the last quarter. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd boosted its stake in International Business Machines by 15,175.0% in the 1st quarter. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd now owns 186,661 shares of the technology companys stock worth $46,415,000 after purchasing an additional 185,439 shares during the period. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in International Business Machines by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 89,491 shares of the technology companys stock worth $22,253,000 after purchasing an additional 528 shares in the last quarter. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get International Business Machines alerts: International Business Machines Stock Up 0.1% IBM opened at $283.86 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $273.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $252.73. International Business Machines Corporation has a 1-year low of $181.81 and a 1-year high of $296.16. The stock has a market cap of $263.82 billion, a PE ratio of 48.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.95 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.09. International Business Machines Increases Dividend International Business Machines ( NYSE:IBM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The technology company reported $1.60 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.42 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $14.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.41 billion. International Business Machines had a net margin of 8.71% and a return on equity of 37.43%. The companys revenue was up .5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.68 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th were issued a dividend of $1.68 per share. This represents a $6.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.37%. This is a boost from International Business Machiness previous quarterly dividend of $1.67. International Business Machiness payout ratio is currently 115.66%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently commented on IBM shares. Citigroup restated an outperform rating on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Saturday, May 10th. UBS Group reissued a sell rating and issued a $195.00 target price (up previously from $170.00) on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Wedbush raised their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, June 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $276.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price objective on International Business Machines from $290.00 to $320.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have issued 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 price target of $259.06. View Our Latest Analysis on International Business Machines International Business Machines Profile (Free Report) International Business Machines Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. The company operates through Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing segments. The Software segment offers a hybrid cloud and AI platforms that allows clients to realize their digital and AI transformations across the applications, data, and environments in which they operate. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IBM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for International Business Machines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Business Machines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Blake Schutter Theil Wealth Advisors LLC cut its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report) by 2.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,135 shares of the companys stock after selling 135 shares during the period. Blake Schutter Theil Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $461,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MRK. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 251,096,107 shares of the companys stock worth $24,979,041,000 after purchasing an additional 1,292,192 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 6.5% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 80,742,030 shares of the companys stock worth $8,032,217,000 after purchasing an additional 4,932,647 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 61,181,863 shares of the companys stock worth $6,072,582,000 after purchasing an additional 2,026,859 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter worth about $3,479,799,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 16.8% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 31,377,107 shares of the companys stock worth $3,121,395,000 after purchasing an additional 4,511,742 shares in the last quarter. 76.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Merck & Co. Inc. alerts: Insider Transactions at Merck & Co., Inc. In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, SVP Dalton E. Smart III sold 4,262 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, April 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.76, for a total value of $352,723.12. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 7,778 shares of the companys stock, valued at $643,707.28. This trade represents a 35.40% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have issued reports on MRK. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from an overweight rating to a cautious rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $99.00 to $98.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $115.00 price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $84.00 target price (down from $115.00) on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $108.69. Check Out Our Latest Report on MRK Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance MRK stock opened at $83.72 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.41. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 52 week low of $73.31 and a 52 week high of $129.03. The firms fifty day moving average is $79.09 and its 200 day moving average is $86.19. The firm has a market cap of $210.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.19, a P/E/G ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 0.39. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $2.22 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.16 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $15.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.59 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 27.27% and a return on equity of 43.23%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.07 EPS. Research analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 earnings per share for the current year. Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 16th were issued a $0.81 dividend. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 16th. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.16%. Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile (Free Report) Merck & Co, Inc is a health care company, which engages in the provision of health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, and Other. The Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical and vaccine products. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China and Russia should bolster mutual support within multilateral frameworks, safeguard their development and security interests, unite the countries of the Global South, and push the international order toward a more just and equitable direction. Xi made the remarks during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing, calling on both sides to support each other in steering the development direction of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), injecting new momentum into the SCO, and making the strategic platform more substantive and stronger. Xi asked Lavrov to convey his cordial greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Calling on both sides to follow through on the important understandings reached with Putin, Xi said China and Russia should advance their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. The SCO, jointly established by countries including China and Russia as a comprehensive regional cooperation mechanism, plays a vital role in safeguarding peace, stability, and development across Eurasia, Xi noted. Lavrov conveyed President Putin's sincere greetings to President Xi, adding that under the strategic leadership of the two heads of state, Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has developed in depth. Russia places great importance on its relationship with China and looks forward to maintaining high-level exchanges with China in this significant year that marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, said Lavrov. He added that Russia will work with China to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, maintain communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, and promote regional and global peace and stability. Russia supports China's work as the rotating chair of the SCO to jointly ensure the success of the SCO summit in Tianjin, said Lavrov. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua) Tourists visit the Xixia Imperial Tombs archaeological site park in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 13, 2025. China's Xixia Imperial Tombs were officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on Friday during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris, France. (Photo by Yuan Hongyan/Xinhua) BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Upon receiving the news that the Xixia Imperial Tombs have been inscribed on the World Heritage List, archaeological workers at the historical site of Yinxu in central China's Henan Province were overjoyed. "We've always had high hopes for the Xixia Imperial Tombs' successful inscription on the list," said Yang Liying, deputy head of the Anyang Yinxu world cultural heritage protection and management committee in the city of Anyang, where Yinxu, or the Yin Ruins, are located. She added that the Xixia Imperial Tombs' inscription on the list will help elevate China's status and influence in the realm of world cultural heritage preservation, and hoped that the two sites can engage in broader cooperation and exchange. The 3,300-year-old Yin Ruins, confirmed as the capital site of the late Shang (Yin) Dynasty (1600 B.C.-1046 B.C.), was added to the World Heritage List in 2006 by UNESCO. Now, nearly two decades later, the Xixia Imperial Tombs were inscribed on the list during UNESCO's 47th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris, France, on July 11. This has brought the total number of World Heritage sites in China to 60, nearly doubling the figure from 2006, when there were 33. Located at the foot of Helan Mountain in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the tombs were built by the Tangut, an ethnic group that thrived in northwest China between the 11th and 13th centuries. In 1038, the Tangut people founded the Xixia Dynasty, establishing its capital in what is now Yinchuan. By analyzing the tombs' location, layout, architecture and artifacts, historians were able to see how the Xixia Dynasty adapted Han models during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties while infusing distinct ethnic features. This evidence of ethnic integration is not unique to the Xixia tombs. It can be found in many of China's historical sites. According to Ji Tao, head of the Hailongtun cultural heritage management bureau in Zunyi, Guizhou Province, the tombs and the ancient ruins of Hailongtun Fortress share similarities in this regard. "Both are important physical evidence of the development of a pluralistic yet integrated ethnic pattern in Chinese history, and both manifest the political wisdom of 'harmony without uniformity,'" said Ji. In 2015, Hailongtun Fortress was added to the World Heritage List, along with two other historical sites. The three were jointly referred to as "Tusi Sites". They were deemed to "bear exceptional testimony" to the Tusi system, a chieftain system adopted by ancient Chinese central governments to unify national administration, while allowing ethnic minorities to retain their customs and way of life. Apart from its historic and cultural value, the Xixia Imperial Tombs also illustrate China's multifaceted preservation of cultural heritage sites, said Liu Xiangyu, head of the cultural relics protection and management institute of Ji'an, northeast China's Jilin Province. The protection work of the tombs is overseen by the cultural relics administration department of Yinchuan Municipal People's Government. Meanwhile, departments of city planning, land and resources, as well as housing and urban-rural development all work in coordination within their respective duties, forming a joint force for protection. According to Liu, this tiered and coordinated system of historical site preservation was also adopted in the protection of the Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom in Jilin, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004. "As heritages of the same type, the two sites share many similarities in terms of protection methods," Liu said. With its World Heritage inscription, the Xixia Imperial Tombs have now gained a new opportunity to inspire archaeological workers in China and the Chinese people as a whole. The head of the Xixia tomb area management office has vowed to take the inscription as an opportunity to comprehensively and continuously explore the cultural value of the site, and spare no effort in advancing its systematic protection, utilization and research. There is nothing humorous about the killing of children in Gaza, Tanaiste Simon Harris has said in response to comments by former justice minister Alan Shatter. Ex-Fine Gael TD Mr Shatter has criticised the governments draft laws to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands. Ahead of appearing before a committee to discuss the legislation, he described it as a Father Ted measure and compared it to the targeting of Jews during the Second World War. Responding to the comments, Fine Gael leader Mr Harris said theres nothing funny or humorous about the killing of children in Gaza. A bill that would ban the trade of goods with illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land is progressing through the Oireachtas. The Irish Government said there is a narrow legal basis, based on an advisory opinion from the UNs top court, to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said last July that countries should take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that maintain illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land. The Government is to ban the trade of goods, but has indicated services are more legally complex. The foreign affairs committee is due to hear evidence in relation to the bill from Israeli, Palestinian and Jewish representatives on Tuesday, including Mr Shatter. Mr Shatter told Newstalk radio on Tuesday morning that the bill was a Father Ted-like provision that had no relevance to resolving the conflict. He said it would indicate the Irish government believes that no Jewish person should reside or work in East Jerusalem or on the West Bank. So this will be for the first time, a bill enacted by a European parliament which specifically targets Jews, he said. We havent had that since the end of the Nazi regime in 1945. Mr Harris told the same radio station that the Irish government can differentiate between a people and their government, and that the actions of the Israeli government are despicable. I deplore antisemitism, so does everybody in this country, but you know what, I take views of one of the highest courts in the world much more seriously. He referred to the ICJ opinion and said the EU is recognising that member states can enact domestic legislation in relation to it. People in Ireland want to do everything we can to try and see a ceasefire, see humanitarian aid flow and see a two-state solution, Mr Harris said. Theres nothing funny or humorous about genocide and theres nothing humorous or funny about children queuing in Gaza today for food and water who are at risk of being shot dead by the IDF. Theres a genocide happening in (Gaza), references to Father Ted and the likes, they might be humorous soundbites but theres nothing funny about the slaughter of children. A ban on trade between Ireland and illegal Israeli settlements will prompt other countries to follow suit, a committee has heard. Irish-Palestinian woman Fatin Al Tamimi, who is vice-chairwoman of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said Ireland passing the Bill would give Palestinians hope. Ireland, the world is watching. Please do your best to (do) the right thing, to pass this occupied territories Bill and give the Palestinians hope. When Ireland starts, everybody will follow on because its a legal obligation, its a moral obligation for all countries, including Ireland. It is important for Ireland to start, and then everybody will follow. Israeli, Palestinian and Jewish representatives, including former justice minister Alan Shatter, appeared before TDs and senators on Tuesday to discuss the draft laws. Maurice Cohen, chairman of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, said the Bill was performance politics dressed as principle that does not help Palestinians. Describing himself as a Dublin-born Jew, he said that criticism of Israel was not antisemitism, but when criticism becomes a campaign and becomes law we have to pause. He said the support for the Bill was done in good faith but was not a plan for peace. He said selective outrage was not foreign policy and double standards do not serve peace efforts. This Bill, in tone and in consequence, isolates moderates and powers extremes and undermines the credibility that Ireland has built as a voice for reason and reconciliation in the field of peacebuilding. Natasha Hausdorff, a barrister with Ireland Israel Alliance, said the Bill would create a government-required partial boycott of Israel. She said this would force US companies based in Ireland to violate federal anti-boycott laws that could see them given fines or prison sentences. Both Mr Shatter and Ms Hausdorff said they did not accept Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands are illegal. Labour TD Duncan Smith said that as Mr Shatter, Ms Hausdorff and Mr Cohen had not recognised that Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands were illegal, it heavily caveated their evidence. I think thats a fundamental point here, in terms of this entire hearing (with Israeli/Jewish representatives), is that there is that fundamental disagreement. So we diverge at the very start with all witnesses on this. No, no it's won't . . . BUT, it's a smart move from the Exec whilst he's fighting against a local recall effort. Here are the deets hoping to garner more progressive support at the courthouse . . . Check-it: In a letter sent to Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe on July 8, obtained through a Sunshine Law request, White suggested renewing the same three-eighths-cent sales tax that failed last year but with a big asterisk. Under this proposal the Chiefs would only receive one-third of that sales tax revenue equivalent to one-eighth of a cent rather than half of the revenue under the current tax. The remaining revenue generated by the tax would support health care and public safety. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Frank White pitches new plan to keep the Chiefs at Arrowhead His sales tax proposal would give one pot of money to the Chiefs, another pot to Jackson County for courthouse improvements and a third pot to University Health to fill health funding gaps left by Trump administration cuts. Jackson County Executive Frank White pitches Gov. Kehoe adjusted approach to sales tax extension Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. wrote a letter to Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, proposing that the county renew its 3/8-cent sales tax. Developing . . . Thank you for signing up! Youll soon be getting your Toronto scoop in your inbox. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page. Shaileen Jiwa Appointed as New General Manager of Queen Elizabeth 2 Hotel (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - July 14th, 2025 - Mark Sawkins, Vice President Operations, IMET, Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems at Accor, commented: We are delighted to welcome Shaileen to this landmark property. Her rich international experience and dedication to excellence make her the perfect fit to lead the Queen Elizabeth 2 into its next phase. As we continue to reimagine this iconic ship for todays travellers, her leadership will be instrumental in shaping guest experiences that honour the vessels storied past while embracing its future potential. Saeed Al Bannai, Executive Director of Corporate Support Services at the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, added: The Queen Elizabeth 2 is a maritime treasure and a cultural symbol of Dubais commitment to preserving heritage while embracing innovation. We are confident that under Shaileens leadership, the QE2 will continue to flourish as a premier destination for travellers, events, and cultural exchange. We warmly welcome her and look forward to the ships continued success. Prior to joining the Queen Elizabeth 2, Shaileen was General Manager at MGallery Gem Forest Nairobi. Her career spans senior leadership roles at world-class properties, including Tribe and Trademark Hotels in Nairobi, the iconic Drake Hotel, and Canadas first Canopy by Hilton in Toronto. She is known for her dynamic leadership style, strategic vision, and ability to create unforgettable guest experiences, earning her a reputation for achieving results and fostering high-performing, inclusive teams. In her new role, Shaileen will oversee all operations of the Queen Elizabeth 2, a legendary ocean liner turned floating hotel that continues to welcome guests from around the world and reinforces its position as a leading hospitality, heritage, and events destination in Dubai. Shaileen Jiwa, General Manager of Queen Elizabeth 2, said: It is an honour and privilege to take the helm of this historic property. The Queen Elizabeth 2 is more than a hotel, its a destination with a legacy, a story, and global recognition. I look forward to working with an excepti ### Search News Archive : Fast Travel News Promotion Via Search, Social Media + Email Follow Us On : DUBAI AIRSHOW 2025 STEPS UP WITH AI-POWERED NETWORKING, GREENER AVIATION, AND INNOVATIVE NEW ZONES Industry: Events The Dubai Airshow, one of the most influential airshows, is set to redefine the future of aviation, defense, and space from November 17 to 21, 2025, at Dubai World Central (DWC). (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - July 14th, 2025 - Dubai, UAE (July 14, 2025): The Dubai Airshow, one of the most influential airshows, is set to redefine the future of aviation, defense, and space from November 17 to 21, 2025, at Dubai World Central (DWC). The 19th edition will be the largest and most ambitious yet, held under a renewed theme: The Future is Here. It offers unmatched innovation, vital industry connections, and accelerated cross-sector collaboration. Technological Exhibits, Networking, and 190 Aircraft Display With a congregation of over 148,000 professionals and 1,500 exhibitors representing 98 countries, the event will comprise an active powerhouse of technology exhibitions and strategic alliances. Delegates will include investors, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and senior industry representatives. One of the highlights of the Airshow will be the aircraft exhibition, with 190 aircraft on the ground and in the air, showcasing everything from top-notch military technology to the latest experimental eVTOL planes. Whats Getting Featured? New experiences are presented in the 2025 edition, which helps to improve the interaction in the industry. Among the attractions is the After Dark Illuminated Airshow, with a networking event at SkyDive, Dubai. In the evening, there will be live music, skydiving show, and drone shows. Runway Party will feature a social area with the gourmet food station, drone displays, skydiving shows, and selected DJs. This effort will help strengthen connections within the aerospace and defense communities. A dedicated Wellness Zone will offer attendees relaxation areas and mental health programs. The Academy will engage with future capabilities, showcase interactive technologies, and inspire next-generation innovation among aerospace professionals. For startups, VISTA will represent the launching pad of new firms in the aviation and space technology sectors. It will facilitate innovation, promote cooperation, and provide access to global networks. The Inspiration Zone will be dedicated to creating engagement and interaction between innovators, students, professionals, and entrepreneurs. Also, they will offer the senior leaders a strategic discussion platform on the industry dynamics of the Executive Club. The use of a matchmaking tool with the help of AI will empower business networking and professional activity among all the attendees through the official event app. Sustainability/Green Alignment Sustainability remains a central theme throughout the event. Eco-friendly innovations, such as fuel efficientaircrafts and carbon reduction technologies, will be presented through exhibits and forums. The Airshow aims to reinforce the global commitment to responsible development of the industry and environmental protection. Managing Director of Informa Markets, Tim Hawes, asserted that Dubai Airshow is still changing the face of engagement in the sector of aerospace and defense. According to him, the features of the current year will facilitate cooperation between countries, nurture new potential talents, and correspond with the developmental program of the UAE. Dubai Airshow 2025, with its emphasis on talent development, progressive programming and sustainability, is in a position to strengthen its well-established credibility as a major global aerospace show. It will further enhance the position of the UAE as a leader in the worldwide aerospace revolution. Visit the Dubai Airshows online portal for registration and more information. ### Please contact the person or company listed above for information regarding the content of this press release. TravPR.com are not the issuers of this press release and are not responsible for the accuracy of the content. Share Release : CONTACT INFORMATION Name: Arti U Company: Dubai Frame Tickets Phone: +971 42087444 Email: enquiry@dubaiframetickets.ae Web: PRESS RELEASE TAGS TuranBank OJSC, a prominent bank in Azerbaijan, has revealed its financial performance for the first half of 2025. The second-quarter data indicate that the Bank has retained its market position while achieving notable growth across key financial metrics. By the end of June 2025, TuranBanks total assets rose by 11.5% to 948 million AZN. The Banks loan portfolio expanded by 6.7%, increasing by 44 million AZN to a total of 696 million AZN, with business loans accounting for 366 million AZN. Deposits grew to 467 million AZN, an increase of 5.4 million AZN, while individual deposits notably increased by 10 million AZN to 377 million AZN, reflecting strong customer confidence. In comparison with the same period last year, the Banks operating profit surged by 57%, or 5.2 million AZN, reaching 14.4 million AZN. Interest income rose by 11%, adding 4.7 million AZN to reach 48.6 million AZN, and non-interest income grew by 12.4%, increasing by 3.4 million AZN to 11.5 million AZN. The Bank concluded the first half of 2025 with a net profit of 2.2 million AZN. During Q2 2025, TuranBank furthered its collaboration with international financial institutions to foster institutional growth and support financing for SMEs. The Bank signed a new loan agreement in local currency with the respected BlueOrchard International Microfinance Fund, securing a synthetic loan equivalent to $10 million USD in AZN for a term of three years. This partnership aims to improve financial access for small and medium enterprises, especially in regional locations. Demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility, TuranBank continued to support children of martyrs and veterans under its CSR initiatives. On June 1st, International Childrens Day, the Bank hosted a charitable event under the DOST Agencys Voluntary DOST program to promote social inclusion and skills development for children with autism, Down syndrome, and children from martyr families, while raising awareness of their rights. Established in 1992, TuranBank serves individual and corporate customers through 22 branches nationwide. For more details on TuranBanks products, services, and branch locations, visit the official website, follow the Bank on social media, or contact the Information Center at (012) 935. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs has shared a message on its social media accounts in honor of Turkiye's Democracy and National Unity Day, Trend reports. "July 15, 2016 a historic day when the brotherly people of Turkiye stood firm in defense of their statehood and national will. We honor the memory of the martyrs who gave their lives to stop the coup attempt on that day with deep respect and gratitude," the post reads. The statement also highlights that the unity and determination of the heroic Turkish people created an inspiring story a powerful contribution to peace, stability, and the protection of shared values. "Happy Democracy and National Unity Day, dear Turkiye," the message concludes. Syrian security forces are seen upon entering Sweida city, southern Syria, on July 15, 2025. Syrian defense authorities on Tuesday declared a complete ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida following days of deadly clashes between local Druze armed factions, Bedouin tribes, and the interim government's forces, according to the defense authorities' chief Murhaf Abu Qasra. (Xinhua) DAMASCUS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Syrian defense authorities on Tuesday declared a complete ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida following days of deadly clashes between local Druze armed factions, Bedouin tribes, and the interim government's forces, according to the defense authorities' chief Murhaf Abu Qasra. In a statement posted on X, Abu Qasra said, "We have ordered a complete ceasefire for all units operating within the city of Sweida after reaching an agreement with local elders and dignitaries." Abu Qasra said the Syrian army will only respond to active sources of gunfire, adding that strict instructions were issued to protect civilians, maintain social peace, and safeguard public and private property. He added that neighborhoods in Sweida city will soon be handed over to the internal security forces once clearing operations are concluded. Armed police units have also been ordered to deploy inside the city to ensure discipline and accountability among the ranks. According to the state-run al-Ikhbariya TV, Syrian army units began withdrawing heavy military vehicles from the city on Monday in accordance with the ceasefire agreement. The developments come after a sharp rise in violence over the weekend. According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 99 people have been killed, and some 200 others wounded in the past two days. The toll includes 60 Druze civilians, among them two women and two children, 18 Bedouins, 14 soldiers of the interim government, and 7 unidentified individuals wearing military uniforms. Earlier Monday, defense authorities spokesperson Hassan Abdel Ghani said 18 soldiers were killed and others wounded in what he called a "treacherous attack" by "outlawed armed groups." In a parallel escalation, the Observatory reported that Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike targeting a Syrian army tank in Sweida province on Tuesday. The tank was completely destroyed, though no casualties were immediately reported. The airstrike came shortly after large army reinforcements entered the city. The violence in Sweida was triggered by the assault and robbery of a Druze youth at a makeshift checkpoint by armed Bedouins near al-Masmiyah, followed by retaliatory kidnappings by Druze fighters. Tensions quickly escalated into widespread armed confrontations across Sweida city and surrounding rural areas. Though heavy equipment are being pulled out and a fragile ceasefire is in place, the situation in Sweida remains volatile as an influential Druze sheikh, Hikmat al-Hijri, who had initially released a statement welcoming the entry of the interim government's forces, later called for "resisting this brutal campaign by all available means," saying in a video statement that the earlier statement was forced on them by the interim government. Adding to the volatility, Israel has launched several strikes on Syrian forces around Sweida since Monday, sending a clear message to the new authorities in the name of protecting the Druze community in Sweida. Syrian security forces are seen upon entering Sweida city, southern Syria, on July 15, 2025. Syrian defense authorities on Tuesday declared a complete ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida following days of deadly clashes between local Druze armed factions, Bedouin tribes, and the interim government's forces, according to the defense authorities' chief Murhaf Abu Qasra. (Xinhua) Syrian security forces are seen upon entering Sweida city, southern Syria, on July 15, 2025. Syrian defense authorities on Tuesday declared a complete ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida following days of deadly clashes between local Druze armed factions, Bedouin tribes, and the interim government's forces, according to the defense authorities' chief Murhaf Abu Qasra. (Xinhua) Syrian security forces are seen upon entering Sweida city, southern Syria, on July 15, 2025. Syrian defense authorities on Tuesday declared a complete ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida following days of deadly clashes between local Druze armed factions, Bedouin tribes, and the interim government's forces, according to the defense authorities' chief Murhaf Abu Qasra. (Xinhua) BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolence to President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports. "Dear Mr. President, My Dear Brother, I honor the cherished memory of all our brothers and sisters who were martyred to thwart the attempted coup in Turkiye nine years ago with deep respect and reverence, and extend my deepest condolences to their families and to all the people of Turkiye. That night, brotherly Turkiye wrote the greatest heroic epic in its modern history. Your courageous and persevering people rose to defend their homeland, flag, and state, resisting the bloody coup attempt that threatened the constitutional and democratic foundations of the Republic of Turkiye, making their chests a shield. Today, we can proudly say that July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day stands as a landmark date that honors the triumph of strong and unshakable will, national unity, solidarity and patriotism. From the first moments of the treacherous coup attempt, the Azerbaijani people and state demonstrated their support and solidarity by standing by brotherly Turkiye, which was once again a clear manifestation of the "One nation, two states" principle, and a shining example of our brotherhood. This heinous attempt against the Turkish state was thwarted thanks to your leadership, profound steadfastness, and the unwavering unity of your people. Your brotherly country emerged from this challenging test with a clean conscience and even stronger, once again proving its power to the whole world. Today, you are working with resolve and determination to achieve the goal of a 'terror-free Turkiye' and to leave a safe, peaceful, and prosperous nation for future generations. The recent decision of the PKK terrorist group to disband and lay down its arms stands as a powerful testament to your strong political will a triumph of national unity and solidarity." My dear brother, Today, Azerbaijan and Turkiye are confidently and successfully moving forward shoulder to shoulder towards the future. The unshakable brotherhood, unparalleled unity and strategic alliance between our countries are a key factor of security, partnership and development for our region and beyond. I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts to strengthen and deepen our strategic alliance, which stems from the will of our brotherly peoples, who have historically supported each other, as well as the Shusha Declaration. Availing myself of this opportunity, I wish you robust health, happiness, success in your endeavors, and everlasting peace, prosperity and well-being to the brotherly people of Turkiye," the letter reads. PARIS, France, July 15. During the war, courageous Azerbaijani journalists risked their lives to keep the public informed about events unfolding in the region, said Nigar Huseynova, Advisor to the Azerbaijani Embassy in France, at an exhibition in Paris dedicated to the memory of Azerbaijani journalists who were brutally killed by Armenian forces during the First and Second Karabakh Wars, Trend reports. The exhibition was organized by the Baku Network analytical center. She explained that since the late 1980s, Azerbaijan has faced open territorial claims from Armenia and an ensuing undeclared war. Highlighting the severe impact of Armenian aggression, she noted that 20% of Azerbaijans territory was occupied, over 20,000 people were killed, and more than one million were displaced. Civilians suffered war crimes and genocide, cities were destroyed, and much of the countrys cultural and historical heritage was lost. Huseynova emphasized that journalists were among the victims. She recalled Salatyn Asgarova, the first female journalist martyr, who was brutally killed by Armenian forces in 1991. She also mentioned Aly Mustafaev and Fakhraddin Shahbazov, who died that same year when a helicopter carrying high-ranking Azerbaijani officials was shot down over Karabakh. Additionally, she paid tribute to Chingiz Mustafayev, who played a key role in exposing the truth about the Khojaly genocide and was killed in 1992 while filming in Aghdam. More recently, in 2021, AzTV cameraman Siraj Abyshov and AZERTAC correspondent Maharram Ibrahimov were killed by landmines in Kalbajar - an ongoing threat to Azerbaijani civilians. Huseynova reminded that international law protects civilians during conflict, including children, the elderly, medical personnel, and journalists. Under the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, journalists are considered civilians and must be protected. She stressed the vital role of information during crises, noting that these brave journalists risked their lives to keep society informed. They worked under difficult conditionswithout the internet or social media, at a time when rapid information sharing was impossible, and during an information blockade on Azerbaijan. She expressed gratitude to the Baku Network Analytical Center for organizing this tribute to the fallen journalists. Regarding the ongoing normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Huseynova said that it was initiated by Azerbaijan following the 44-day war in 2020, which ended the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and opened a new chapter for the region. For the first time in 30 years, in March this year, both Baku and Yerevan made hopeful statements about finalizing a peace agreement, and the two sides are gradually moving toward peace. She also highlighted the important meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Abu Dhabi on July 10. Huseynova stressed that the Azerbaijani people are eager for peace and expressed hope that the Armenian people share this desire - only then can peace be lasting and sustainable. The Baku Network Analytical Center brought attention to the issue of Azerbaijani journalists killed as a result of Armenian aggression in Europe for the first time by organizing a series of events. An exhibition was held in Paris where Baku Network showcased materials honoring these journalist martyrs. The event took place at the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Paris as part of Baku Networks project titled Analysis of Hybrid and Ideological Threats Against Azerbaijan. The exhibition was organized with support from the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Embassy in France. Booklets commemorating martyred journalists were distributed to visitors at the exhibition and to guests attending the presentation marking the 25th anniversary of Icherishehers inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The event was held at UNESCO headquarters during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee. PARIS, France, July 15. Journalists in Karabakh were deliberately targeted, just because they were journalists, said Jean-Michel Brun, editor-in-chief of La Gazette du Caucase, during a commemorative event titled Fallen Journalists: Victims of Armenian Aggression held at the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Paris, Trend reports. "Some countries no longer respect the laws of war. They bomb civilians, destroy hospitals and schools, lay anti-personnel mines. This is happening today in the Middle East - it also happened during the Karabakh war. The journalists we honor today did not fall because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were deliberately targeted - because they were journalists," he said. Brun, a former war correspondent with more than two decades of field experience, denounced what he described as a disturbing shift in the treatment of journalists in modern warfare. We are no longer just in danger because we share the same risks as soldiers, he said. Today, we are targeted for the simple fact that we are journalists. Brun also highlighted attempts to silence journalists in subtler waysthrough censorship, manipulation, and pressure. He cited the case of French reporter Liseron Boudoul, whose report on Karabakh was allegedly pulled after it challenged narratives. Another journalist, he revealed, falsely reported on the Azerbaijani Army just to satisfy editorial expectations - those claims he later admitted were untrue. Brun also raised concerns about the influence of Armenian nationalist networks in French media, alleging that Mourad Papazian, the leader of the French branch of the Dashnak party, had acquired control over a majority of journalism schools in France. This, he warned, is discouraging young journalists and replacing real reporting with propaganda and spectacle. The Baku Network Analytical Center brought attention to the issue of Azerbaijani journalists killed as a result of Armenian aggression in Europe for the first time by organizing a series of events. An exhibition was held in Paris where Baku Network showcased materials honoring these journalist martyrs. The event took place at the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Paris as part of Baku Networks project titled Analysis of Hybrid and Ideological Threats Against Azerbaijan. The exhibition was organized with support from the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Embassy in France. Booklets commemorating martyred journalists were distributed to visitors at the exhibition and to guests attending the presentation marking the 25th anniversary of Icherishehers inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The event was held at UNESCO headquarters during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of plant protection and quarantine between the Food Security Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Environment, Water Resources and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was approved, Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed a law approving the "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Plant Protection and Quarantine" between the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on April 28, 2025 in Riyadh. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the mutual recognition of seafarers certificates between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia has been officially approved, Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed a law approving the "Memorandum of Understanding on the Mutual Recognition of Certificates following Regulation I/10 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978" (with amendments), signed between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the General Authority for Transport of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The memorandum, signed on April 28, 2025, in Riyadh, is aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the maritime sector by facilitating the recognition of professional qualifications of seafarers in line with international standards. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. July 15 stands as a pivotal turning point in the history of Turkiye, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Birol Akgun, said at an event dedicated to Turkiyes Day of Democracy and National Unity, Trend reports. Birol Akgun noted that Turkiye has been combating the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO) for nine years. We will continue to fight until the FETO terrorist organization is completely eradicated, he emphasized. The envoy also highlighted the strong and unwavering support Turkiye continues to receive from brotherly Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel PARIS, France, July 15. Baku Network analytical center was able to organize an exhibition dedicated to the memory of Azerbaijani journalist-martyrs for the first time in Europe - in Paris, the capital of France, which is an ardent defender of Armenia, despite certain difficulties and artificial obstacles, said Sahil Karimli, Program Director of the Baku Network think tank, Trend reports. He made the remark at the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the memory of Azerbaijani journalist-martyrs brutally killed by Armenian occupants during the First and Second Karabakh wars. "The exhibition is dedicated to Azerbaijani journalists brutally killed by Armenian occupiers during the First and Second Karabakh Wars. The memory of journalists killed in the performance of their professional duty has been commemorated separately and locally in different periods. But we decided to fulfill this mission on a larger scale and in the international arena by creating an exhibition consisting of photographs of our martyred journalists. Each photograph provides detailed information about each victim in French and English. Brochures with these photos have also been prepared and are being distributed to the participants of the event today," he said. Karimli stressed that France has always pursued a pro-Armenian policy and defended Armenia, which is an occupant: "Under such circumstances, organizing such an exhibition in Paris was accompanied by certain difficulties and obstacles. The passage of printed materials across the border also posed certain risks. However, we overcame these difficulties and successfully achieved the goal." He added that during the presentation dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the inscription of Icherisheher on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which was held in the framework of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, booklets dedicated to the memory of the fallen journalists were also distributed to the participants. "During the exhibition, the participants' attention was drawn to the fact that Armenia, both in the First Karabakh War and in the 44-day Second Karabakh War, committed bloody crimes against Azerbaijani civilians and journalists who performed their professional duty. Today, the photos of the exhibition show journalists, some of whom died in the First Karabakh War, when a helicopter carrying representatives of Azerbaijan's state and media structures was shot down in the sky over Garakand, a sovereign territory of our country. Fakhraddin Shahbazov, Ali Mustafayev, and others were tragically killed as a result of this terrorist act. In addition, Salatin Askarova and Chingiz Mustafayev were killed by Armenian occupants," he said. Sahil Karimli also noted that after the 44-day Second Karabakh War, Magerram Ibrahimov, an employee of the AZERTAG agency, and Siraj Abishov, a cameraman of Azerbaijan Television, became victims of Armenian mine terror. "This was a grave war crime. Unfortunately, along with other civilians, they were also victims of these Armenian crimes. Other journalists, whose memory was honored at the exhibition, were killed by Armenians in different years. I hope, even if only briefly, we were able to convey these truths to you. In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Agency for State Support of NGOs, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France, as well as all friends who assisted and supported us in holding such an important event, bringing the Azerbaijani truth to the world community and exposing Armenian cruelty," he concluded. Baku Network think tank raised the topic of Azerbaijani journalists killed as a result of Armenian aggression for the first time in Europe by holding several events. An exhibition was organized in Paris, within the framework of which BN presented materials about the martyred journalists to the public. The event was attended by representatives of the French public, French and foreign journalists. The event was held at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Paris as part of the Baku Network project entitled Analysis of Hybrid and Ideological Threats against Azerbaijan. The exhibition was organized with the support of the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of Azerbaijan and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France. Booklets commemorating martyred journalists were distributed to visitors at the exhibition and to guests attending the presentation marking the 25th anniversary of Icherishehers inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The event was held at UNESCO headquarters during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Slovakia is preparing to open an honorary consulate in one of Azerbaijans economically promising regions, newly appointed Ambassador Elchin Gasimov announced, Trend reports. The goal is to create conditions for establishing an honorary consulate of the Slovak Republic in regions of Azerbaijan that hold strong economic potential, Gasimov said. He emphasized that such a step would further support Slovak businesses looking to expand in the country and enhance regional cooperation. Gasimov, who previously served as Deputy Ambassador in Baku and held senior advisory roles in Slovakias government, was recently appointed as Slovakias top envoy to Azerbaijan. His arrival follows a notable strengthening of bilateral relations, which were elevated to a strategic partnership during Slovak Prime Minister Robert Ficos visit to Baku last year. According to Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, energy and defense remain top areas of cooperation, with particular interest in Azerbaijani oil and natural gas imports. In 2024, trade between the two countries reached approximately 210 million euros. Gasimov underscored the broader scope of economic cooperation, pointing to opportunities in IT and transport technology. He also reaffirmed Slovakias commitment to maintaining close diplomatic dialogue, including regular inter-ministerial consultations. The Slovak Embassy in Baku, which also serves as a NATO contact point, plays a key role in fostering political and security ties. PARIS, France, July 15. Azerbaijani journalists were killed by Armenian separatists and terrorists not by accident, but because they told the truth, the Head of Baku Network analytical center, Elchin Aghajanov, said, Trend reports. He made the remark at the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the memory of Azerbaijani journalist-martyrs brutally killed by Armenian occupants during the First and Second Karabakh wars. "The word that is spoken in the presence of memory should sound quieter than usual. It should come not from the desire to speak, but from the impossibility of remaining silent. Today, we have gathered to call aloud the names of those who can no longer echo. Thirteen journalists. Thirteen destinies. Thirteen voices that have been interrupted. Not by wind, not by illness, not by time. But by a gunshot. An explosion. A fall. A cold and purposeful desire to silence. They were killed by Armenian separatists and terrorists. Killed not by accident. They were killed because they spoke the truth. I will call them heroes, even though they did not strive for heroism. None of them sought death. They were just doing a job. They were just going on a mission, climbing into a helicopter, walking along a road where there used to be people, and now there are only mines left. They'd just turn on a tape recorder. They just set up a tripod. They just asked questions. They were killed for this just," Aghajanov said. He noted that these thirteen people were targeted because a word is scarier than a bullet. "Because a photograph of a destroyed house can shatter a lie. Because accurate reporting exposes the darkness in which crime hides. One of them was killed by a sniper's bullet - the shot went straight through the heart. Another was killed by an explosion as he drove along a road where, in the words of those who booby-trapped it, there should have been no more life. One never made it to the negotiations - the helicopter did not return. The other was shot at point-blank range. That's not how one shoots a person; it's how one shoots for meaning. As Erich Maria Remarque wrote, in war, a journalist is always the target. He is killed not for what he is, but for what he can tell. And in this fear of the killers is the truth of their guilt. Azerbaijan knows the price of truth. For thirty years of Armenian occupation of 20 percent of its territory, my country and people have paid a high price for it," Aghajanov added. The head of the Baku Network noted that Armenia occupied one-fifth of Azerbaijani land and held it hostage like a criminal who is afraid of light. "Those thirteen journalists were eyes that saw through the smoke. They were voices that would not allow the pain to be drowned out. They were consciences that tried to be trampled, but which straighten up even when they lie on the ground. Today we are in Paris. A city where every word is measured by centuries of culture. Here, amidst these walls, voices from Karabakh are heard. Thirteen voices. Not loudly. Not from the podiums. But as if in a whisper-but a whisper that can be heard through time," he said. Aghajanov emphasized that Azerbaijan has achieved liberation of its land, restored its borders, and put an end to the thirty-year tragedy. "However, this point is not silent. It is the beginning of the speech. The beginning of telling what was happening. The beginning of making sure that every perpetrator, every person, every name responsible for these murders has been named. Has been found. Was convicted. Because the truth doesn't die. Even when those who speak it are killed. The truth is like a seed: you can bury it, but it sprouts. So these journalists weren't just fighting bullets. They were fighting lies. Distortion. They fought fakery. They fought against fakes. Against planting. Against hybrid warfare that began long before the release and continues to this day. They were confronted by an enemy who had no face - only shadows. An enemy that spreads fear and panic, not only through weapons, but also through the distortion of the truth. These thirteen men did battle on this invisible front. They died because they did not back down. I am here today, not as a politician. Nor as a diplomat. I am here as a voice. Not my own. But theirs. Because the voice of truth doesn't go away. It's just waiting to be heard again. Listen. It's not a performance. This is an echo. This is memory," he concluded. Baku Network think tank raised the topic of Azerbaijani journalists killed as a result of Armenian aggression for the first time in Europe by holding several events. An exhibition was organized in Paris, within the framework of which BN presented materials about the martyred journalists to the public. The event was attended by representatives of the French public, French and foreign journalists. The event was held at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Paris as part of the Baku Network project entitled Analysis of Hybrid and Ideological Threats against Azerbaijan. The exhibition was organized with the support of the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of Azerbaijan and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France. Booklets commemorating martyred journalists were distributed to visitors at the exhibition and to guests attending the presentation marking the 25th anniversary of Icherishehers inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The event was held at UNESCO headquarters during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, received the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Pauline Eizema, on the occasion of the conclusion of her diplomatic tenure in the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend. Minister Bayramov expressed gratitude to Ambassador Eizema for her productive diplomatic service in Azerbaijan and wished her success in future endeavors. The sides discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands, as well as the situation and realities in the region during the post-conflict period, during the meeting. The parties emphasized the importance of the political consultations mechanism between the foreign ministries of the two countries to facilitate mutual visits, continued engagement at international events, and to deepen bilateral ties. Minister Bayramov also briefed the ambassador on the current regional landscape and developments in the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Ambassador Eizema noted that she would always remember her nearly five-year service in Azerbaijan and thanked the Azerbaijani side for the support provided during her mission. The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel PHNOM PENH, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia made 208 million U.S. dollars in revenue from exports of natural rubber latex in the first half of 2025, down 2.3 percent from 213 million dollars over the same period last year, said an official report on Tuesday. The report released by the General Directorate of Rubber showed that the kingdom exported 112,595 tons of the commodity during the January-June period this year, down 20 percent from 140,653 tons over the same period last year. However, domestic consumption of rubber latex saw a significant rise of 92 percent to 53,361 tons in the first half of this year, earning a revenue from local sales of 93.5 million dollars. "A ton of rubber latex costs 1,853 U.S. dollars on average during the first six months of 2025, about 335 dollars higher than that of the same period in 2024," 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. Cambodia has so far planted rubber trees on a total area of 425,443 hectares, of which the trees on 330,259 hectares, or 77.6 percent, are old enough to be tapped, the report said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, charged under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan for crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious offenses, continued on July 15 at the Baku Military Court, Trend reports. The open court session, presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), ensured that the defendant was provided with a Russian-language interpreter and a defense lawyer of his choice. Before questioning, Judge Aghayev explained the legal rights and obligations to victims and their legal successors attending the trial for the first time. Ruben Vardanyan submitted several motions to the court. He noted that the defense had previously requested access to court session protocols and asked that his lawyer, Avraam Berman, be allowed to review them without his presence. Judge Aghayev granted the motion, affirming that it is the defendants right and that both Vardanyan and his lawyer have consistently been provided access to requested documents and will continue to be. Vardanyan then requested confidential meetings with his lawyer before each court session to discuss arising questions. The court granted this motion, with Judge Aghayev stating that such opportunities have always been provided and will continue to be ensured, alongside the defendants other rights. In a third motion, Vardanyan requested copies of court decisions from all prior motions submitted over the six-month trial period. Judge Aghayev instructed the defense to provide a list of specific session protocols they wished to review, noting that some decisions had already been provided and others would be made available. Vardanyans lawyer, Avraam Berman, supported all motions. The court then proceeded to hear testimonies from victims: Ramil Manafov, a legal successor, stated that his 19-year-old son, Giyas Manafov, was killed by a mortar shell explosion caused by remnants of the Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed groups. Beyrak Zulfugarov testified that he sustained a gunshot wound in the Khojavend direction due to enemy fire, as confirmed in response to State Prosecutor Tarana Mammadova. Minuri Safarli reported injuries to his left leg from a mortar shell explosion, noting that Vusal Latifov, present at the incident, was also injured, as stated in response to State Prosecutor Fuad Musayev. Sadi Aliyev was injured by a hand grenade explosion in Khojavend caused by Armenian forces and illegal armed groups. Ali Zeynalov, responding to Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev, stated he sustained various injuries in Aghdam after stepping on a mine planted by the enemy. Javid Shavgatli, answering State Prosecutor Nasir Bayramov, was injured in Aghdam by a mortar shell explosion from Armenian forces and illegal armed groups. Rustam Rustamov sustained shrapnel wounds in Vang village, Kalbajar, due to artillery fire from the enemy. Salman Budagov was injured in Kalbajar by a hand grenade explosion. Garay Aghayev was wounded in Khojaly by gunfire from Armenian forces and illegal armed groups. Sanan Mammadov, responding to State Prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, sustained a head injury in Aghdam from enemy fire, noting fatalities and injuries during the incident. Rabil Ismayilov was injured by a mortar shell explosion. Nurlan Tarverdiyev sustained a left arm injury in Khojavend from a drone-launched shell by Armenian forces and illegal armed groups. Rashad Suleymanli was injured in Khojavend by a shell explosion. Fagan Muradov was wounded in the Aghdara direction by enemy fire. Konsul Gasimov suffered a traumatic brain injury in Khojaly from an explosion caused by Armenian forces and illegal armed groups. Sadig Shakarov was injured in Aghdam by a mortar shell explosion. Fakhri Mamizada sustained injuries in Khojavend from large-caliber weapon fire by Armenian forces and illegal armed groups. Kanan Mahmudov, responding to Special Assistant to the Prosecutor General Tugay Rahimli, was injured in Aghdam by a grenade explosion, noting one fatality and two others injured, with wounds to his hand, leg, eye, and other body parts. Amir Yusifov was injured in Kalbajar by a mortar shell explosion. Izzat Valiyev was wounded in Kalbajar by sniper fire. Rovshan Nuriyev, Natig Gasimzada, and Murad Sadig reported various injuries from enemy provocations. The forensic medical examination reports of the victims were presented in court. The next hearing is scheduled for July 22. Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during an armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan). BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, charged under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan for crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious offenses, continued on July 15 at the Baku Military Court, Trend reports. The open court session, presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), ensured that the defendant was provided with a Russian-language interpreter and a defense lawyer of his choice. Before questioning, Judge Aghayev explained the legal rights and obligations to victims and their legal successors attending the trial for the first time. Ruben Vardanyan submitted several motions to the court. He noted that the defense had previously requested access to court session protocols and asked that his lawyer, Avraam Berman, be allowed to review them without his presence. Judge Aghayev granted the motion, affirming that it is the defendants right and that both Vardanyan and his lawyer have consistently been provided access to requested documents and will continue to be. Vardanyan then requested confidential meetings with his lawyer before each court session to discuss arising questions. The court granted this motion, with Judge Aghayev stating that such opportunities have always been provided and will continue to be ensured, alongside the defendants other rights. In a third motion, Vardanyan requested copies of court decisions from all prior motions submitted over the six-month trial period. Judge Aghayev instructed the defense to provide a list of specific session protocols they wished to review, noting that some decisions had already been provided and others would be made available. Vardanyans lawyer, Avraam Berman, supported all motions. The forensic medical examination reports of the victims were presented in court. The next hearing is scheduled for July 22. Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during an armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan). Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The International Military Cooperation Department hosted a working meeting between representatives of the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry and NATO experts, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the current state and prospects for the development of Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation. The parties also discussed the work done within the framework of the NATO documents Individually Tailored Partnership Program and Planning and Review Process. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. International Military Cooperation Department hosted a working meeting between representatives of the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry and NATO experts, Trend reports with reference to the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the current state and prospects for the development of Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation. The parties also discussed the work done within the framework of the NATO documents Individually Tailored Partnership Program and Planning and Review Process. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Azerbaijan expressed their desire to put a a real agreement in place with the Israelis, US Ambassador to the UN nominee Mike Waltz said at a hearing of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Trend reports. "We talked about Azerbaijan and their desire to not only come closer to the United States, but to perhaps put a real agreement in place with the Armenians, a real agreement in place with the Israelis, and the commercial opportunities that abound not only for American business, but that will change the geopolitical landscape," he said at a hearing of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Euronews has featured a report on the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization summit held in Khankendi, Trend reports. At the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization summit in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, leaders prioritised trade, transport corridors, and stronger regional ties across member states and invited countries. Leaders and ministers from the Economic Cooperation Organization met in Khankendi to discuss ways to strengthen trade ties and improve regional connectivity. Secretary General Dr Asad M. Khan said the summit set priorities for advancing integration across transport corridors. Azerbaijans Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov underscored the countrys role in linking regional markets. Pakistans delegation highlighted the summits diplomatic potential, while Nigerias representative emphasised multilateral cooperation. The final declaration called for reducing trade barriers, supporting cross-border infrastructure, and increasing intra-ECO trade beyond its current share of 8 percent, Euronews said in their report. AGHDAM, Azerbaijan, July 15. An international airport and 16 highways spanning 593.7 kilometers have been constructed in the liberated territories over the past eight months, said Emin Huseynov, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend districts, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. Speaking at a regional conference held in Aghdam, Huseynov, while informing the participants of the event, stated that 16 roads with a total length of 593.7 km, 1 railway stretching 47.1 km, 1 international airport, 8 bus stations, 4 water reservoirs, 6 water canals, and a main gas pipeline have been constructed. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Population resettlement will be carried out in the villages of Bashgarvend and Eyvazkhanbeyli in the Aghdam district by the end of 2026, said Emin Huseynov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the districts of Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. Speaking to journalists, Huseynov noted that restoration and construction works in Aghdam city are progressing rapidly. "By the end of the year, 1,268 families are expected to be resettled in Aghdam. Construction of the fifth residential complex will begin this month, while construction of the third complex is scheduled to start in September and October," he stated. According to him, the plan is to resettle 20,000 people in Aghdam by the end of 2026. "In Fuzuli, construction of a new residential complex will begin by years end. In the Khojavend district, restoration work is also ongoing. Communication infrastructure is currently being installed in the villages of Hadrut and Tugh. Additionally, 1,552 houses in other Khojavend villages are expected to be renovated and handed over to residents," Huseynov added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel AGHDAM, Azerbaijan, July 15. Aghdam is set to see the design of eight residential neighborhoods, one settlement, and 23 villages under the Social Development and Reintegration Plan, said Emin Huseynov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, Trend's Karabakh Bureau reports. Speaking at a regional conference in Aghdam district, Huseynov noted that the plan also envisions the construction of 2 central hospitals with 390 beds, 5 schools, 6 kindergartens, 4 museums, 3 parks, and 3 mosques. The conference, titled Constitution and Sovereignty: Foundation of a Legal State, was held at the Aghdam City Hotel in the recently liberated city. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Azerbaijan was also represented at the Multicultural Festival held in Australia's Brisbane, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with Diaspora. Meanwhile, it was noted that in addition to Azerbaijan, Australia, Egypt, India, Afghanistan, Africa, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Japan, Cambodia, Korea, New Zealand, and other countries created special corners reflecting their national cultures at the festival organized at the school. The festival featured dances and games of different nations, and the participants were informed about the customs, traditions, and cultural heritage of the countries through photo books. Azerbaijani corner was organized by the vice-president of the National Association of Queensland Azerbaijanis, Aytan Mammadova, and her husband, John Millett. The exhibition displayed national costumes, souvenirs, and other cultural samples reflecting the history, culture, traditions, and cuisine of our country. The festival attendees showed great interest in the Azerbaijani corner. This photo taken with a mobile phone on July 14, 2025 shows a rescuer holding a flashlight during a search and rescue mission after a speedboat capsized off the coast of the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia's West Sumatra province. (Mentawai Region Search and Rescue Agency/Handout via Xinhua) JAKARTA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Eleven people are missing and 7 others have survived after a speedboat capsized off the coast of the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia's West Sumatra province on Monday, according to Dio Ulwi Finanda, head of the emergency unit of the local search and rescue office. The speedboat was traveling from Sikakap Island to Sipora Island, both part of the Mentawai Islands, when it went down in the waters between the two, Finanda told Xinhua early Tuesday morning. "The sea incident occurred at around 11:00 a.m. Jakarta time," he said. "But seven of the boat's occupants managed to swim to shore. They arrived at around 5:00 p.m." Following the report, the search and rescue office deployed one rigid inflatable boat and one ship with rescue personnel to the scene. However, when they arrived, the speedboat was nowhere to be found. "The search for the wreckage and the other occupants is ongoing. So far, no one has been discovered," Finanda said. Rescue operations are set to resume on Tuesday. The cause of the incident remains unknown. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency has issued warnings of extreme weather conditions in Indonesian waters. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Haris Theocharis emphasized the strategic importance of trade during the EU Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) meeting held on July 14, 2025, in Brussels, Trend reports via the country's Foreign Ministry. Speaking after the session, Theocharis underlined that trade has become more than just an economic instrument it now serves as a key component of the European Unions global influence and competitiveness. The ministers discussed pressing issues such as the state of transatlantic relations with the United States, the evolving dynamics in EUChina relations, and the progress of recent trade agreements. Regarding the EUUS partnership, Theocharis stressed the continued importance of transatlantic cooperation while noting that the EU remains ready to defend its interests when necessary. On China, the discussions focused on the Unions priorities ahead of a planned summit in the coming weeks, which is expected to deliver concrete results. He also highlighted the significance of the EUs trade agreements with third countries, including the newly reached political deal with Indonesia. Such agreements, he said, are essential for securing alternative supply chains and boosting European exports amid a complex global environment. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The Chairmanship-in-Office of the Republic of Bulgaria of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) was officially launched, Trend reports citing the country's Foreign Ministry. The announcement was made during a videoconference coordination meeting of the BSEC Committee of Senior Officials, affiliated bodies, and the Organizations Secretariat. In her address to the participants, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Elena Shekerletova outlined the priority areas of the Bulgarian Chairmanship, reflecting the vision of a prosperous and united Black Sea community. Key priorities include environmental protection and marine resource management for sustainable development, cultural and educational exchange and tourism, regional resilience and crisis management, and cooperation with the EU and other international and regional organizations. Under the motto "Collective Engagement in the Black Sea Region," which emphasizes the shared commitment to the region's prosperity, the Bulgarian Chairmanship is committed to promoting regional cooperation focused on sustainability, cultural integration, and international partnerships. During the closed session, chaired by Ms. Rositsa Stoeva, BSEC National Coordinator, the calendar of upcoming events and initiatives under the current chairmanship was finalized. More than 50 events are planned. Bulgaria's Chairmanship will run until December 31, 2025. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. On July 14, 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Republic of Croatia, Ivan Anusic, presented to the Croatian Parliament the Draft Defense Strategy of Croatia, the Draft Long-Term Development Plan of the Croatian Armed Forces 20252036, as well as the Draft Amendments to the Defense Act and the Act on Service in the Armed Forces, Trend reports. The discussion focused on introducing basic military training lasting two months. For those who refuse this training on moral or religious grounds by invoking conscientious objection, the alternative is civilian service three months under the Civil Protection Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior or four months performing municipal duties in local communities. Minister Anusic participated in the parliamentary debate, answering opposition questions related to the proposal to reintroduce military training, the right to conscientious objection, the impact of training on youth education, and the need for long-term strengthening of the defense system. The conscientious objection must be convincing, but proving its credibility will not be a problem. Many have previously invoked conscientious objection but later obtained firearm permits and became hunters; this will no longer be possible. Decisions on requests will be made by the Ministry of the Interiors Commission, and no one who claims conscientious objection will be denied it. No one will be deprived of anything, the minister emphasized. We wanted to make military service motivating so that more people choose military over civilian service. Priority will be given only under equal conditions as other candidates in competitions, that is, if they have the same number of points, those who completed military training will have an advantage. There are many categories with priority, so why shouldnt these people who put themselves at the states disposal also have it, the minister said. He emphasized that all candidates with special employment rights will be equally considered and that all open issues will be further discussed during the second reading of the law. The minister also stated that education remains a priority and that students will have the possibility to defer service, and military training will not affect their schooling. He stressed that renewed investment in defense is a response to new geopolitical challenges, highlighting strategic goals such as the development of unmanned aerial vehicles, cybersecurity, and strengthening the domestic defense industry. We are ready to take a leading role in the production of small combat drones within NATO and the EU, said Minister Anusic, also pointing out plans to strengthen domestic capacities for servicing, maintaining, and replenishing ammunition. He also noted that defense spending will increase gradually without putting greater pressure on the budget. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Serbian Foreign Minister Marko uric received Emmanuel Giofre, Head of the European Union Delegation to Serbia, for a farewell visit, Trend reports via the country's Foreign Ministry. uric thanked Ambassador Giofre for his personal commitment and contribution to Serbias European path during his mandate, wishing him much success in his future endeavors. Reflecting on the regional and global situation, the Serbian top diplomat reaffirmed Serbia's commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation. He emphasized that Serbia consistently chooses dialogue and remains dedicated to resolving all open issues through peaceful means, stressing this as the only viable approach. uric also briefed his interlocutor on the situation in Kosovo and Metohija and the position of the Serbian population there, expressing concern over a series of provocations and unilateral escalatory moves by Pristina. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Estonia has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trumps decision to send military assistance to Ukraine, calling for swift delivery of the aid through NATO coordination, Trend reports. The statement emphasizes the urgency of providing Ukraine with robust and wide-ranging air defense systems, as Russia continues its escalating attacks on Ukrainian cities, civilians, and infrastructure. Ukraines most pressing need is an effective and extensive air defense system. Russia shows no interest in peace and has only intensified its brutal strikes. In July alone, Ukrainian cities and residents have been targeted by nearly 2,000 drones and missiles, the statement notes. Estonia highlighted the importance of transatlantic unity in supporting Ukraine, underlining that the joint efforts of the United States and Europe send a powerful message of continued Western solidarity. In addition to military support, Estonia stressed the importance of using all available levers to stop the aggressor and support Ukraine. One key priority is the swift adoption of the 18th EU sanctions package, which includes Estonias proposal to further lower the price cap on Russian oil. As President Trump has stated, tougher U.S. tariffs could also follow if Russia refuses a ceasefire. Estonia also pointed to the roughly 260 billion euros in frozen assets from the Russian Central Bank held in the EU and G7 countries. Active negotiations are underway to move forward with the confiscation of these assets. The funds, according to Estonia, must be used to support Ukraine until Russia ends its aggression and compensates for the damage it has caused. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina is on an official working visit to Ukraine on July 15, following an invitation from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trend reports. During her visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with top Ukrainian officials and participate in a ceremony marking Ukraines Statehood Day. I had the honor of attending a ceremony recognizing Ukraines heroes, including families of soldiers who have fallen in defense of their countrys freedom. It was deeply moving to witness a wife receiving her husbands award while holding their child a powerful reminder of the human cost of war, said Prime Minister Silina following the event. At this ceremony, I saw what it truly means to be Ukrainian and how bravely men, women, and young people are defending their homeland both on the front lines and behind them, she added. In Kyiv, Prime Minister Silina also held discussions with U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg. The two exchanged views on international support for Ukraine and emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent engagement. We also discussed the development of the latest U.S. sanctions package, which is being coordinated with the European Union and is expected to have a strong impact, noted Silina. Azerbaijans air passenger growth outpaces cargo decline in 2025 Air passenger traffic in Azerbaijan increased slightly in the first half of the year, reaching nearly 1.9 million travelers. However, air cargo transport declined to under 200,000 tons, showing a notable drop compared to the same period last year. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 14. Uzatom Agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and the Hungarian company MVM EGI Zrt., signed a protocol during an official visit by a Hungarian delegation to Uzbekistan, Trend reports. The agreement outlines key areas of cooperation in the countrys nuclear power plant construction project. The protocol includes plans to implement dry cooling systems with mechanical draft, prepare technical and commercial proposals for equipment supply, and initiate the establishment of a joint venture in Uzbekistan focused on large-scale assembly of dry cooling systems. Additionally, Hungary will contribute to the development of educational programs and internships to support the project. This signing represents a significant step toward expanding multilateral cooperation in nuclear energy across the region. Earlier, participants expressed confidence that building a comprehensive, transparent, and mutually beneficial partnership would be essential to the successful implementation of one of Central Asias largest and most strategic energy projects. Meanwhile, the total portfolio of joint investment projects between the two countries exceeds $500 million, with further initiatives and projects valued at over 1.5 billion euros outlined during the current visit. Azerbaijan nearly doubles non-oil exports to Uzbekistan Azerbaijans non-oil exports to Uzbekistan nearly doubled to $19.3 million in the first five months of 2025, highlighting robust growth in bilateral trade. With total trade turnover soaring over threefold to $214.8 million, the expanding economic ties underscore Azerbaijans diversification efforts and strengthening regional partnerships. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register HANOI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's textile and garment exports reached nearly 22 billion U.S. dollars in the first six months of the year, up 10 percent from the same period last year, local daily newspaper Nhan Dan (People) reported on Tuesday. Amid global uncertainties, Vietnamese enterprises have ramped up production to meet delivery deadlines and maximize tariff advantages ahead of potential new U.S. trade measures, the report added. Vietnamese textile and garment products have been exported to 132 countries and territories, with many firms having secured orders through September and currently negotiating contracts for the year-end season, the report noted. According to authorities' forecasts, export revenue from the industry could reach 46 to 47 billion dollars in 2025, given the current momentum, the state-owned media reported. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 15. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev took part in a joint meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, held on the sidelines of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Trend reports. The high-level gathering brought together the foreign ministers of SCO member states for strategic discussions on regional cooperation and security. During the meeting, President Xi Jinping underscored the critical importance of strengthening mutual trust and solidarity among SCO countries. He emphasized the need to enhance political dialogue and expand cooperation in trade, economic development, as well as cultural and humanitarian exchange. President Xi reaffirmed Chinas commitment to advancing joint initiatives aimed at promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development across the region. He also outlined the priorities and key achievements of Chinas chairmanship of the SCO for 20242025, with particular emphasis on deepening coordination to address modern challenges and threats. The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Established by China and Russia in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a political, economic, international security, and defense alliance with a Eurasian focus. Covering over 24 percent of the worlds land area (65 percent of Eurasia) and home to 42 percent of the global population, it is the largest regional organization in terms of geographic scope and population. As of 2024, the SCOs combined nominal GDP accounts for approximately 23 percent of the global total, while its GDP based on purchasing power parity (PPP) represents about 36 percent of the world economy. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 15. Baxtiyor Saidov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, held a series of meetings with leading Chinese companies, Trend reports. Today, we had several engaging and productive meetings with top Chinese companies from various sectors Chison Medical Technologies, China Resources Pharmaceutical Group, Norinco, Hangzhou Miuge Chemical Commodities Science and Technologies, Xiamen Tungsten, Shandong Gold, Contemporary Amperex Technology, Great Wall Motor, Origin Quantum, and China Aerospace Science and Technology, Baxtiyor Saidov wrote on his social media platform. Our agenda focused on establishing mutually beneficial partnerships across multiple sectors, bringing advanced production facilities and cutting-edge technologies to Uzbekistan, enhancing the skills and capacity of our experts, and improving integration into regional and global supply chains, he added. Meanwhile, the bilateral trade volume between Uzbekistan and China exceeded the $13 billion mark in the previous fiscal year, with both nations expressing strong optimism about reaching the ambitious $20 billion target set by their respective leaderships. Photo: Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. According to preliminary data for the first half of this year, electricity production in Azerbaijan increased by 291.5 million kWh, or 2.2%, reaching a total of 13.85 billion kWh, Trend reports. According to the Ministry of Energy, during this period, thermal power plants generated 11.52 billion kWh, hydroelectric plants produced 1.86 billion kWh, and other sources contributed 470.1 million kWh including 21 million kWh from wind farms, 314.6 million kWh from solar plants, and 134.5 million kWh from the Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Plant. Compared to the same period last year, renewable energy production rose by 297.2 million kWh to 2.33 billion kWh. In the first six months, Azerenergy JSC produced 12.32 billion kWh of electricity (with 10.44 billion kWh from thermal plants, 1.85 billion kWh from hydro plants, and 30.7 million kWh from pumped storage plants). Azerishiq JSC generated 14.6 million kWh from wind farms, while independent power producers contributed 1.51 billion kWh. During the reporting period, electricity exports reached 709.9 million kWh, while imports totaled 81.1 million kWh. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 15. Baxtiyor Saidov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, held a meeting with Xi Jinping, President of the Peoples Republic of China, Trend reports. Had the great pleasure of meeting President Xi Jinping today and conveying the warmest greetings and best wishes from the President of Uzbekistan, H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Baxtiyor Saidov wrote on his social media platform. During the meeting, together with my colleagues, we explored avenues to deepen cooperation in all areas, including trade, connectivity, and cultural exchanges, he added. We remain committed to strengthening our collaboration within the SCO framework to ensure prosperity for all, as well as to promote regional stability and progress, Baxtiyor Saidov concluded. Established by China and Russia in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a political, economic, international security, and defense alliance with a Eurasian focus. Covering over 24 percent of the worlds land area (65 percent of Eurasia) and home to 42 percent of the global population, it is the largest regional organization in terms of geographic scope and population. As of 2024, the SCOs combined nominal GDP accounts for approximately 23 percent of the global total, while its GDP based on purchasing power parity (PPP) represents about 36 percent of the world economy. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Saudi Arabia has taken another major step toward its renewable energy goals, signing power purchase agreements (PPAs) for seven large-scale clean energy projects totaling 15,000 megawatts (MW) in capacity, Trend reports. The deals were signed between the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) and a consortium comprising ACWA Power, the Water and Electricity Holding Company (Badeel, a Public Investment Fund subsidiary), and Saudi Aramco Power Company (SAPCO). The new projects five solar photovoltaic (PV) plants and two wind farms represent a combined investment of approximately $8.3 billion (SAR 31 billion). Once completed, they will provide 12,000 MW of solar and 3,000 MW of wind power to the national grid. The facilities will be located across various regions in Saudi Arabia: Solar PV plants: Bisha (Asir), Humaij (Madinah), Khulis (Makkah), Afif1 and Afif2 (Riyadh) Wind farms: Starah and Shaqra (both in Riyadh) Construction is expected to be completed between the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028, with financial close targeted for the third quarter of 2025. These projects are part of the Kingdoms National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP), led by the Ministry of Energy and aligned with Vision 2030, which aims to generate 70% of Saudi Arabias renewable energy capacity through the Public Investment Fund (PIF). ACWA Power CEO Marco Arcelli called the agreement a milestone in advancing the Kingdoms sustainable energy transition, while Badeels acting CEO Sultan AlNabulsi emphasized the strategic impact on the national economy and private sector. Waleed Al Saif, SVP of New Energies at Aramco, said the initiative supports the companys ambition to expand its renewables portfolio and reduce emissions. With these additions, ACWA Powers solar and wind portfolio in Saudi Arabia has grown to 21 projects, with over 34 GW of renewable capacity. Its global renewable energy portfolio now totals 51.9 GW. Irans non-oil exports to Azerbaijan experience significant drop Irans non-oil exports to Azerbaijan declined sharply by over 30% in value and 12% in volume during the first quarter of the current Iranian year, reflecting broader challenges in bilateral trade. This drop contrasts with Irans overall non-oil export contraction of 14.4% by value, signaling specific pressures in key sectors like agriculture, petrochemicals, and industrial goods. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, July 15. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to the State of Qatar, Nurmurod Mahmadali, met with the Chairman of the Qatar Central Bank, Abdullah Mubarak Al-Khalifa, and discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation, Trend reports. In the course of the meeting, the sides discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral cooperation in the financial and banking sectors. Special emphasis was placed on enhancing economic ties and attracting direct investment into key sectors of Tajikistans economy. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration between the financial institutions of Tajikistan and Qatar, supporting joint projects, and encouraging reciprocal visits to further boost mutual engagement. The meeting builds upon the significant progress achieved during the state visit of the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to Dushanbe in 2023. That high-level visit resulted in the signing of 15 new cooperation agreements in the presence of both heads of state. These developments reflect a shared commitment to deepening economic, commercial, cultural, and humanitarian relations, laying a solid foundation for a long-term strategic partnership between the two nations. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Azertexnolayn LLC, a resident of the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park managed by the Economic Zones Development Agency (EZDA) under the Ministry of Economy, has launched exports of dual-outlet irrigation hydrants to Greece for the first time, Trend reports. According to EZDA, the company has delivered products valued at over 100,000 manats ($58,814) to Greece in the initial phase. Azertexnolayn LLC became a resident of the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park in 2013. The company manufactures steel pipes of various diameters, high-pressure hydraulic equipment, and specialized polyethylene pipes on the parks premises. Currently, the enterprise produces more than 60 types of products, which are sold domestically and exported to over 25 countries around the world. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 15. Governor of the Fergana Region, Khairullo Bozorov, met with a delegation from Shanlo city in Shaanxi Province, led by Zhao Jing, Secretary of the Shanlo City Committee of the Communist Party of China, to discuss the expansion of bilateral partnership and explore new opportunities for deeper cooperation, Trend reports. During the visit, a Memorandum of Friendship and Cooperation between the cities of Fergana and Shanlo was formally signed, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. Opening the meeting, Khairullo Bozorov highlighted the steady growth of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China, emphasizing that interregional cooperation is becoming increasingly practical and productive. He pointed to the rising frequency of delegation exchanges and the successful implementation of joint investment and industrial projects, which have infused new momentum into the relationship and opened fresh avenues for collaboration. Bozorov also noted the increasing number of Chinese entrepreneurs visiting Fergana, with comprehensive support and favorable conditions in place to facilitate their business activities. In response, Zhao Jing expressed satisfaction with the dynamic progress of cooperation and reaffirmed Shanlos keen interest in expanding business ties with Fergana. She remarked that Chinese entrepreneurs are closely monitoring investment opportunities in Uzbekistan, where conducive conditions now exist across diverse sectors. Zhao Jing confirmed that Shanlos business community is ready to launch concrete initiatives in industry, infrastructure, and trade. Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening trust and broadening their mutually beneficial partnership. Governor Bozorov reiterated his administrations readiness to provide continuous support for investment projects. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The volume of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan amounted to $118.4 million in the period from January through May of 2025. The data obtained by Trend from the country's State Customs Committee shows that this indicator decreased by $84.5 million or 41.6 percent compared to the same period of last year. The volume of trade turnover between the countries from January through May 2024 amounted to $203.03 million. The value of Azerbaijan's exports to Turkmenistan in the reporting period amounted to $19.2 million. This is by $12.7 million, or 40 percent, less than a year earlier. In the corresponding period of 2024, this amount equaled $32.01 million. Over January-May this year, imports from this country amounted to $99.2 million, which is $71.763 million or 42 percent less than a year earlier. Thus, over January-May last year, the value of imports from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan reached $171.01 million. Over the reporting period of the current year, Azerbaijan's exports to Turkmenistan amounted to 0.17 percent of total exports, and imports amounted to 1 percent of total imports. Azerbaijan carried out trade operations with foreign countries to the amount of $20.9 billion over the reporting period. This figure is $2.5 billion, or 13.7 percent more than in the same period last year. Of the foreign trade turnover, $11 billion was exports and $9.9 billion was imports. Over the past year, exports decreased by 1.2 percent and imports increased by 36.5 percent. This resulted in a surplus of $1.03 billion in foreign trade. This is by $2.8 billion or 3.7 times less than the annual figure. NANNING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- After much anticipation, 60-year-old Zhu Fengqing and her husband boarded a special "silver train" in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, embarking on a 16-day journey across northern China. Tailored specifically for elderly travelers, the "silver train" offers a slower pace and attentive services. "Now that we are older, we prefer traveling by train. We don't have to worry about our large suitcases during long-distance trips," Zhu said. Zhu's trip mirrors China's efforts to support its booming retirement travel market, driven by a growing elderly population -- numbering over 300 million over-60s by the end of 2024. Data from China Tourism Academy shows that active, travel-ready seniors are projected to surpass 100 million by late 2025. In February, several government agencies jointly unveiled an action plan to expand and improve tourism train services that are friendly to seniors. The plan aims to create a nationwide network of specialized trains that cater to older travelers by 2027, with over 100 designed routes and 2,500 scheduled trips annually. To better accommodate the elderly passengers, some trains have been refitted with features such as anti-slip flooring, emergency call buttons in bathrooms, and thoughtful amenities such as reading glasses, sewing kits and first-aid kits. Menus have also been adjusted to cater to the senior travelers' preferences, offering balanced meals with light flavors. Huang Zeqiu, 70, had only just recently recovered from a wrist fracture when he decided to set off a "silver train" trip. "My biggest concern is my health. I feel reassured to hear that the special train has medical staff on board and is equipped with emergency medicine," he said. To enrich the travel experience, many "silver trains" feature performances and interactive games. "There were various activities onboard that made our journey more colorful," said Zhang Guiying, a passenger on one "silver train" heading to Harbin, capital city of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. According to Wei Yi, manager of tourism department of Guangxi railway culture and tourism group, more tailored routes are currently being developed, including flower-viewing tours, summer retreats and autumn journeys. "These are all popular among senior travelers, and some routes sell out quickly," Wei noted. However, several hurdles still remain. Industry insiders have said that the silver train market is still in its early stages, with limited trains and transport capacity. Consequently, there is ample room for development and growth in this area. According to Tuo Yanzheng, associate professor of College of Tourism and Service Management under Nankai University, "silver trains" should go beyond transportation by providing more emotional support, making elderly travelers feel respected, cared for and valued. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 15. Uzbekistans Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov announced that the SCO Foreign Ministers Council convened in Tianjin, China, praising the countrys effective chairmanship and warm hospitality toward the participants, Trend reports. We believe that the SCO 2035 Development Strategy, the Tianjin Declaration, and the practical initiatives in trade, transport, and security to be adopted at the upcoming Summit at the Heads of State level will serve the benefit of our broad region, Bakhtiyor Saidov wrote on his social media platform. As global challenges grow, unity within the SCO family is more important than ever. Uzbekistan stands ready to work with all member states for a peaceful, prosperous, and interconnected future, he added. Established by China and Russia in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a political, economic, international security, and defense alliance with a Eurasian focus. Covering over 24 percent of the worlds land area (65 percent of Eurasia) and home to 42 percent of the global population, it is the largest regional organization in terms of geographic scope and population. As of 2024, the SCOs combined nominal GDP accounts for approximately 23 percent of the global total, while its GDP based on purchasing power parity (PPP) represents about 36 percent of the world economy. Photo: Official information source of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 15. Kazakhstan has begun building a CHP (combined heat and power) plant in Kokshetau independently but is awaiting a response from Russia regarding the financing of other plants, Kazakhstans Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said at a government briefing, Trend reports. So far, we have not received definite information on the provision of targeted, cheaper financing from the Russian side. Regarding Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk, we are also waiting for a response from the Russian side. If there is no response, we will also consider options for independently implementing the projects, he said. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar announced problems faced by Russia in financing the construction of three CHP plants in Kazakhstan. In his remarks, Bektenov emphasized that Kazakhstan is capable of carrying out the projects in Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk independently. Kazakhstans budget can handle it. Samruk-Energy uses market mechanisms. The CHP plants are also business projects. After commissioning, they will generate revenue and repay the investments made, he noted. Today, the Government of Kazakhstan held a meeting to discuss the results of socio-economic development and the execution of the national budget for JanuaryJune 2025. A media briefing is currently being held following the session. Kazakhstan charts ambitious path to economic expansion by 2029 Photo: Official information source of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov stated that Kazakhstans economy, which reached $286 billion GDP last year and is expected to surpass $300 billion this year, is on track to meet President Tokayevs goal of $450 billion by 2029. To achieve this, the government is focusing on industrial development, economic diversification, and high-value production, supported by a major investment program through Baiterek holding aiming to attract $15.2 billion. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register SOCAR talks on cooperation with Bulgaria to expand gas export geography The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is working with the Bulgarian government and the countrys key energy institutions not only to supply gas to Bulgaria but also to expand deliveries to other European countries. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 15. Kazakhstan remains committed to its obligations under the OPEC+ agreement and is not considering leaving the alliance, said Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov at a Government briefing today, Trend reports. According to Bektenov, within the framework of OPEC+, Kazakhstan is making every effort to fulfill its obligations. In this particular period, we have not always succeeded, due to the implementation this year of an expansion project at the Tengiz field. Returning to the production sharing agreement, all of this is stipulated. We have always said that once we complete the project, we will exceed our forecasted obligations, Bektenov noted. According to the Ministry of Energy, in June 2025, the volume of crude oil shipments from Kazakhstan amounted to 1.86 million barrels per day. This is higher than the level in May (1.78 million barrels per day) and exceeds the quota set under the voluntary OPEC+ agreement by almost 500,000 barrels. The increase is related to technological and infrastructural features of the production expansion at the countrys largest oil field, Tengiz. OPEC+ is a coalition of 23 oil-producing countries that includes the 13 members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and 10 additional non-OPEC producers. Formed in 2016, the alliance was established to coordinate oil production policies, stabilize global oil markets, and influence oil prices by adjusting supply levels. Photo: Official information source of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 15. To fulfill the Presidents goal of full national gasification, the Kazakh Government is pursuing various approaches, such as tapping into domestic gas resources and importing gas from neighboring countries, said Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov during a briefing, Trend reports. According to the information, for the purpose of gasifying the Akmola and North Kazakhstan regions, it is planned to continue the construction of the second, third, and fourth stages of the main Saryarka gas pipeline. To implement this project, it is planned to build the second string of the Beineu Bozoi Shymkent pipeline with a capacity of 15 billion cubic meters per year. Currently, construction and installation work has already begun on the first stage, which involves building the linear part of the gas pipeline with a capacity of up to 10 billion cubic meters per year and a length of 1,450 km, including three new compressor stations. Completion is planned for 2026. Additionally, the Government is negotiating with potential investors regarding gas imports from neighboring countries for the northern and eastern regions. Olzhas Bektenov emphasized that further development of the gas industry is impossible without establishing a balanced and economically justified tariff policy. Gas prices in our domestic market are significantly lower than global prices, so we will gradually move towards an increase in order to create a normal, undistorted situation. Then the gas industry will become investment-attractive and will develop, noted the Prime Minister. Today, the Government of Kazakhstan held a meeting to discuss the results of socio-economic development and the execution of the national budget for JanuaryJune 2025. A media briefing is currently being held following the session. Photo: Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The third session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Vietnam will be held in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, on July 17, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan. The session is scheduled to take place following the first meeting of the AzerbaijanVietnam Joint Business Council and a business forum between the two countries on July 16. The agenda includes discussions on cooperation in trade and economy, energy, culture, agriculture, tourism, transportation, education, and other sectors. The parties also plan to review the current state of economic and commercial relations and explore investment opportunities. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 15. Turkmenistan and the Benelux Union are considering the possibility of waiving visa requirements for diplomatic and service passport holders, Trend reports via the Embassy of Turkmenistan. This topic was discussed during a meeting between Ambassador of Turkmenistan Sapar Palvanov and Secretary General of the Benelux Union Frans Wickers, along with his deputies. The meeting was held in the format of a broader dialogue that also included representatives from other Central Asian countries and Mongolia. The Benelux side presented the historical and institutional background of the Union, emphasizing its success as one of Europes earliest and most effective regional integration models. The Unions leadership expressed keen interest in deepening cooperation with Central Asia, offering to share experience in institutional coordination and regional development. Amid growing ties between Central Asia and the European Union, the two sides discussed the potential for streamlining mobility for diplomats, particularly through a visa-free regime for official travel. The Turkmen ambassador noted that Central Asian states, including Turkmenistan, are becoming increasingly active hosts of international summits and multilateral meetings with the participation of European partners. In parallel, official delegations from the region are frequently taking part in key events in Europe, including in Benelux countries. MACAO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR on Tuesday voiced firm support to the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election in performing its duties and responsibilities in accordance with the law. The commission made decisions of ineligibility in accordance with the law for those candidates who do not uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the Macao SAR pursuant to the results of the eligibility review of candidates standing for the eighth Legislative Assembly election conducted by the Committee for Safeguarding National Security, the SAR government said in a statement, adding that the decisions are correct measures in strict accordance with the Law on Safeguarding National Security and the Electoral Law for the Legislative Assembly. The SAR government stressed that the eighth Legislative Assembly Election is an important political event for the Macao SAR to fully implement the principle of "patriots administering Macao," noting that upholding the Basic Law and bearing allegiance to the Macao SAR are the most fundamental legal obligations and political ethics to be observed by members of the Legislative Assembly. In the constitutional order enshrined in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law, persons entering the governance structure of the Macao SAR must be staunch patriots who love the country and Macao, the statement said. The Macao SAR government pledged to give full support to the electoral affairs commission for its performance of duties and responsibilities in accordance with the law to comprehensively implement the principle of "patriots administering Macao" and effectively ensure the smooth proceeding of the eighth Legislative Assembly election, fully safeguarding the rights and freedoms that Macao residents enjoy in accordance with the law. A spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR said the electoral affairs commission made a lawful decision regarding candidate eligibility, and the liaison office firmly supports this decision. The spokesperson emphasized that "patriots administering Macao" is a fundamental principle under "one country, two systems," and members of the Legislative Assembly, as part of the SAR's governance structure, must be staunch patriots. Noting that the upcoming election of the eighth Legislative Assembly is a significant event in Macao's political life, the spokesperson said the election concerns the future development of "one country, two systems" in Macao, the region's long-term prosperity and stability, and the vital interests of every resident of Macao. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Iran remains confident that the window for diplomacy is still open, said President Masoud Pezeshkian in an address to Iranians living abroad, Trend reports. He emphasized that Iran is firmly committed to the path of peace and is mobilizing all available political resources in pursuit of that goal. "Iran supports diplomacy and constructive engagement, and stands firmly against war," Pezeshkian said. "To keep the threat of war away from our country, we will use every political and diplomatic tool at our disposal, while defending our legitimate rights." The president noted that Iran has repeatedly stated its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Within this framework, Tehran held five rounds of indirect negotiations with the United States. However, just as preparations for a sixth round were underway, Israelbacked by the U.S.carried out an airstrike on Iran, killing numerous high-ranking military officials, nuclear scientists, and civilians. On the morning of June 13, Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian territory, resulting in significant casualties among senior military officers, generals, nuclear experts, and top officials. That same evening, Iran launched a retaliatory operation dubbed True Promise III, firing hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at multiple targets across Israel, including Tel Aviv. The strikes caused civilian casualties and widespread destruction. On June 22, the United States launched airstrikes targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities, reportedly destroying them. In response, on the evening of June 23, Iran struck a U.S. military base in Qatar. On June 24, the Israeli Prime Ministers Office announced that Israel had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. Irans Supreme National Security Council also released a statement confirming that hostilities had ceased. Meanwhile, five rounds of indirect talks between Iran and the United States over Irans nuclear program were held on April 12, 19, 26, May 11, and May 23. The talks were mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi. Irans delegation was led by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi, while the U.S. team was headed by Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs Steve Whitcoff. The first, third, and fourth rounds were held in Muscat, Oman; the second and fifth rounds took place in Rome, Italy. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin, continuing close coordination between Moscow and Tehran on key international and regional issues, Trend reports. According to the Russian MFA, the two sides exchanged views on pressing global and regional developments of mutual concern. A particular focus was placed on the situation surrounding Irans nuclear program, with both ministers reiterating the importance of resolving the issue solely through political and diplomatic means, in line with international law. Lavrov and Araghchi also agreed to maintain regular contact across various levels in the coming period. The meeting comes amid renewed media speculation over the status of Irans nuclear activities. In response to recent claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin had pressured Tehran to completely halt uranium enrichment, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei firmly rejected the reports, stating they were aimed at damaging Iran-Russia ties. Baghaei stressed that Iran makes independent decisions regarding its nuclear program and that Moscow has consistently respected Tehrans position. He emphasized that any future agreement must recognize Irans right to enrich uraniuma point Tehran considers non-negotiable. Despite Western pressure, both Russia and Iran continue to advocate for dialogue-based solutions within the framework of international agreements, particularly the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which remains central to ongoing discussions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Iran proposes the establishment of a research center within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) aimed at countering the impact of unilateral sanctions, said Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Trend reports. Speaking at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of SCO member states today in China, Araghchi stated that strategies can be coordinated within this framework to confront illegal economic sanctions, maintain banking systems, and protect trade flows among member countries. The FM also emphasized that a permanent mechanism can be created for research, documentation, and coordination to respond to violations of member states' sovereignty, provocative actions, and military aggression. Araghchi further proposed the establishment of a Regional Security Assembly within the SCO, involving the defense and security institutions of member states, to examine threats such as terrorism, radicalism, organized crime, and cyberattacks. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization currently includes nine member states China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran as well as three observer states: Afghanistan, Belarus, and Mongolia. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, has resigned from his post, Trend reports. Meanwhile, it is reported that Shmyhal has already submitted his resignation to the relevant bodies. Earlier, the Ukrainian mass media informed that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would form a new Cabinet of Ministers this week. The main candidate for the post of prime minister is considered to be Yulia Svyrydenko. She currently holds the post of deputy prime minister of Ukraine. facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published July 14, 2025 MONROE, LA The University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) is among the institutions chosen by the U.S. Department of Education to receive a TRIO grant for Student Support Services (SSS). The University will receive $272,364 per year for five years, totaling $1,361,820, to enhance student support and assist first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities in achieving success and graduation. ULM has been a recipient of the federally funded TRIO SSS grant to support traditional and non-traditional students since 2015. We are incredibly honored to continue to serve students and support them on their way to a first bachelors degree at the University of Louisiana Monroe. A significant number of ULM students, as well as many faculty and staff members, are first-generation college students. As a first-generation college graduate, I am incredibly proud of the TRIO SSS and their commitment to serving ULM students, said ULM President Dr. Carrie L. Castille. The ULM TRIO SSS program will work toward increasing the retention, good academic standing, and graduation rates of eligible students and fostering an institutional climate that is supportive of low-income, first-generation, and students with disabilities. Additionally, ULM will provide flexible and affordable pathways to acquiring knowledge and skills while promoting the development of skills that prepare students to be informed, thoughtful, and productive individuals and citizens. The ULM TRIO Program provides comprehensive services which include academic tutoring, financial literacy and aid advice, career exploration and planning, and other forms of assistance. Each year, ULMs TRIO SSS team works directly with over 140 students and many others indirectly who are low-income, first-generation (those whose parents do not hold a four-year college degree), or students with disabilities. These services and one-on-one interactions enhance academic success and increase the likelihood that students will graduate with the lowest possible debt. Nationally, students who participate in TRIO SSS programs were 48% more likely to earn an associates degree or transfer to a four-year school, and students at four-year institutions were 18% more likely to earn a bachelors degree compared to similar peers not in the program. In 2023-24, the ULM TRIO SSS has a 91% persistence rate, a 100% academic standing rate, and a six-year graduation rate of 63%. This grant allows ULM to deepen our commitment to ensuring that all studentsregardless of backgroundcan thrive academically and personally, said Dr. Catherine Estis, ULM TRIO Executive Director. Student Support Services helps level the playing field and equips our students with the tools and confidence to graduate and lead. TRIO SSS is one of eight federal TRIO programs funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to remove social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education. Since its inception in 1968, TRIO SSS has helped millions of low-income, first-generation students graduate from college, contributing to their communities and the economy. The ULM TRIO Programs office is located in Sandel Hall Suite 351. For more information, visit https://ulm.edu/research/trio/, call (318) 342-1097, or contact Dr. Estis at estis@ulm.edu. JAKARTA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The search for 17 missing victims from a passenger ship that sank in Indonesia's Bali Strait on July 2 has been extended, according to Ribut Eko Suyanto, deputy for search and rescue operations at the National Search and Rescue Agency. In a statement issued Tuesday, Suyanto announced that the operation would be extended for an additional seven days. "The wreckage of the ship, identified by Indonesian Navy cameras, serves as the basis for extending the search and rescue efforts," he said in a statement. So far, the joint rescue team has safely evacuated 30 passengers and recovered 18 bodies, while 17 others remain missing. Suyanto added that, aside from focusing on the ship's wreckage, the search will continue in the waters around Gilimanuk Seaport in Jembrana Regency, Bali, as well as in the waters off Banyuwangi Regency in East Java province. The vessel, which was carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members and 22 vehicles, sank in the Bali Strait when it was traveling from Ketapang Seaport in Banyuwangi to Gilimanuk Seaport. Hanzala Gaza Aid Ship: A Symbol, A Message The Gaza aid flotilla ship now departing is named Handala - written as Hanzalah in Arabic but read as Handalah Wednesday July 16, 2025 1:20 AM , Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi Departure of the Hanzala Ship from Sicily, Italy When those who claim to be civilised and enlightened choose silence in the face of oppression, and when, intoxicated by power, they ignore the cries of the helpless, that is the moment when people of conscience step forward and reveal the true face of humanity. Such brave and aware individuals have emerged from Europe, not as representatives of any government, nor under the protection of any army; but as genuine voices of humanity. Under the banner of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a group of 15 determined individuals set sail from the port of Sicily, Italy, on Sunday, 13th July 2025, heading for Gaza: a land facing blockade from Zionist State Israel for the past 17 years. This is not merely a ship; it is a beacon of hope for Gazas besieged children, its wounded, its widows, and its sick. It is a message of humanity, a declaration of solidarity with the oppressed and a sharp reminder to a world whose conscience remains asleep. A Symbol, A Message This is not the first ship to set sail for Gaza. Previously, a vessel named Madleen undertook a similar journey. The ship now departing is named Handala - written as Hanzalah in Arabic but read as Handalah. For our readers, Hanzala is far from ordinary. It is the name of a symbolic figure created by renowned Palestinian artist and resistance cartoonist Naji Salim Hussein Al-Ali (19371987). Hanzala is depicted as a ten-year-old boy who first appeared in 1969 in a political magazine published in Kuwait. In his early portrayals, Hanzala faced the viewer. But after 1973, he turned his back to the world and clasped his hands behind him, a posture that became his defining trademark and the signature of Naji Al-Alis artwork. Over the time, Hanzala emerged as a beloved and defiant icon across the Arab world, particularly among Palestinians. He came to represent the pain, helplessness and unyielding resilience of the Palestinian people. Though silent, his silence is a cry of protest in itself. Hanzala is associated with 5th June 1967, the day marking the beginning of the Arab worlds defeat in the Six-Day War. According to Naji Al-Ali, Hanzala reflects the weakness, defeatism and indifference of Arab regimes that have either remained silent on the Palestinian issue or have succumbed to self-interest. Even today, Hanzala remains a powerful metaphor of Palestinian resistance, public awareness and protest against global apathy. He is not only a reminder of the plight of the Palestinian people; but also a biting satire on the inaction of the Arab and Muslim world. His image, appearing on posters, in protests, on walls and across social media, has become a silent yet potent symbol of defiance, standing eye-to-eye with the oppressor on behalf of the oppressed. His back remains turned, for he is not addressing the spectators, but those who choose to act. Hanzala continues to remind us that a nation which awakens the spirit of resistance in the innocent eyes of its children can never be defeated by the corridors of power. Today, a group of courageous Europeans has chosen to name their maritime mission after this enduring symbol. This mission sets sail to aid those in Gaza who are clinging to life in the shadow of death. It is a journey of compassion, meant to soothe wounds and fulfill a fundamental duty of humanity. Those Aboard the Ship Like the earlier humanitarian vessel Madleen, this ship too carries human rights activists from various European countries. They represent no government, nor do they serve any organizations agenda; yet they sail under the banner of humanity. On board, they carry food supplies, medicines, infant formula, clothing and medical equipment: all intended to provide some relief to the besieged and suffering people of Gaza. But the true strength of these European activists lies not in the aid they carry, but in the deep compassion that burns in their hearts. It is this very compassion that has drawn them from the shores of Europe to the coast of Gaza. These individuals deserve our sincerest gratitude. From the depths of our hearts, we thank each and every one of them. Before Hanzala: The Madleen Earlier this year, on 1st June 2025, a humanitarian vessel named Madleen set sail for Gaza. Like the Hanzala, it carried food, medicine and other aid supplies as part of a humanitarian mission. However, shortly after entering international waters, it was intercepted and seized by the Israeli navy in an aggressive operation. Aboard the Madleen were 11 human rights activists, including the renowned Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg. The group represented a range of countries, including Turkey, Ireland, Germany, France and Brazil. These individuals were not simply detained, actually they were abducted by Israeli forces. The incident was a blatant violation of international law and a disgraceful affront to humanitarian values. It drew widespread attention in the global media, resonating all the way to the White House. In response, the U.S. President made a sarcastic remark about Thunberg, saying: Shes a young, angry person. I dont know, if its real anger, its hard to believe, actually. But I saw what happened. Shes certainly different. Anger management. I thing she has to go to an angry management class. That is my primary recommendation for her. Thunberg also laughed off criticism from US President Donald Trump saying, I think the world needs a lot more young angry women to be honest, especially with everything going on right now. All This Happened, And Yet... All of this has already happened, yet the collective conscience of the world remains fast asleep. Still, the mission of the Madleen was a noble and meaningful effort, one that must not be abandoned, but repeated again and again. As long as Gaza remains under siege and its people continue to suffer, such missions must continue to echo across the seas. It is with this same spirit that a group of brave Europeans has once again taken to the sea. This time, the humanitarian vessel has been named Hanzala, in the hope of completing the journey left unfinished by Madleen. While Madleen carried Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament, Hanzalas delegation includes two MEPs: Emma Fourreau and Gabrielle Cithla. Speaking about the mission, Cithla stated: "This mission is for the children of Gaza to break the humanitarian blockade and to give voice again to what is now a silenced genocide. She further stated: We hope to reach Gaza, but if we dont, it will once again be proof of Israels violations of international law. A Question for the Champions of Global Peace When the Israeli navy attacks peace missions in international waters, why does the United Nations fall silent? When humanitarian ships carrying aid and compassion are branded as threats or acts of terrorism, where do the global defenders of human rights disappear? If there are still some voices of conscience alive in Europe, then for how long will the leaders of the Muslim world continue to remain mute and deaf? The Next Stop: A Test of Resolve The Hanzalas next stop is the southern Italian port of Gallipoli, where additional human rights activists from France will join the mission. From there, the flotilla will head out to open sea, aiming to cover nearly 1,800 kilometers to enter Gazas territorial waters. The question remains: If Israeli forces intervene once again, will the Muslim world remain silent spectators? Will the United Nations, the European Union, and other international bodies once again limit themselves to mere formal condemnation? This ship is more than just a vessel. It is a symbol, a message. It signifies the living conscience of those aboard whose hearts still beat with compassion. Those who witness it will understand that action for the oppressed has become unavoidable. For those whose consciences are dead, even this sight will have no effect. If the ship reaches Gaza, it will be a victory for humanity. And even if it is stopped, it will have succeeded in breaking the paralysis of silence. Questions from the Activists Aboard Hanzala Hanzala is not just a reflection of the Palestinian people; it is a living mirror of the entire Muslim Ummah. The activists aboard pose some hard questions to us: Are we truly awake? Is there still life left in our souls? Do our hearts still burn with the same zeal, honour and brotherhood that bind us together? Where are the justice-loving people around the world? Where are the leaders and rulers of the Arab nations? What are the neighboring countries of Palestine and their peoples doing? The Glorious Quran speaks: What has happened to you that you do not fight in the way of Allah, and for the oppressed among men, women and children who say, Our Lord, take us out from this town whose people are cruel, and make for us a supporter from Your own, and make for us a helper from Your own. (An-Nisa: 75) [The writer, Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi, works for Moon Rays Trust School, Zambia, Africa.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Sun Yuning, former deputy head of China's General Administration of Customs, has been indicted on charges of accepting bribes, according to the Supreme People's Procuratorate on Tuesday. Sun is accused of taking advantage of his various posts in the customs system to seek benefits for others, while illegally accepting an "extremely huge" amounts of money and gifts in return. The case has been filed at the intermediate people's court of Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province. Intern Victoria Valtr and her supervisor, Ryan Wood, working in the Macpherson Lab. This summer, were shining a light on Roadrunner researchers and the innovative work they are doing in labs across campus and beyond. Today, we explore a UTSA lab where taste is the topic of the day. JULY 15, 2025 Students working at The Macpherson Lab this summer are gaining firsthand research experience while trying to uncover the causes behind loss of taste during chemotherapy treatment. Working under the supervision of Associate Professor Lindsey Macpherson and doctoral student Ryan Wood, the students aim to demystify this phenomenon and bring the medical community one step closer to helping chemotherapy patients eat and maintain proper nutrition throughout their treatment. Small-business owners can learn how to prepare Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) technical project description proposals during a half-day webinar Wednesday, July 16. This webinar will focus on developing clear, data-backed problem statements; identifying unmet needs; defining SMART technical objectives; and preparing a well-written and well-defined research strategy that provides reviewers with a compelling story and demonstrates a team's capabilities to perform the project. Jim Greenwood will lead the discussion during a FAST Collaborative proposal lab webinar titled Crafting Winning SBIR/STTR Proposals: A Deep Dive into Technical Project Descriptions from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. To register, go here. Registration is free. The webinar is co-hosted by the FAST Collaborative of Wyoming, New Mexico and Montana FAST programs. The Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Greenwood will provide a brief overview of SBIR/STTR, agency differences and a grant versus a contract; how to decide the focus of a proposal; how to find innovative solutions; proving the feasibility of a proposal; defining tasks to achieve the aims and objectives of a proposal; and fleshing out a proposal with biographies, budgets and foreign relationships. Greenwood, co-owner of Greenwood Consulting Group Inc., is a nationally recognized trainer and proposal reviewer for the SBIR and STTR programs. He has taught SBIR/STTR workshops in 48 states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., offering training through local and regional economic development groups, universities, federal laboratories, SBDCs and Manufacturing Extension Partnerships. For more information, call Tyler Schanck, marketing, communications and database manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, at (307) 343-0925 or email tschanck@uwyo.edu. BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- An open collaborative ecosystem is needed to spur the development of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), Wang Xingxing, founder and CEO of Unitree Robotics, told a press conference on Tuesday. "The global vision for humanoid robotics technology and product development remains largely aligned, while countries may differ in cultural and industrial backgrounds," he said, citing that China boasts strong capabilities in hardware and manufacturing, while the United States leads in AI software ecosystems. "These complementary strengths make international collaboration both necessary and beneficial," he said. Unitree Robotics has made strides in open-sourcing its software, enabling many clients to develop a wide range of applications and innovations on the robotic platforms, Wang said, stressing that both robotics and AI still face significant challenges. The leading humanoid robotics firm, based in east China's Hangzhou, last year released the humanoid robot G1, which has seen outstanding performance worldwide. Looking ahead, Wang said that general-purpose robots powered by artificial general intelligence will become a dominant trajectory in future technological development. The firm aims to integrate robots into a wide range of real-world scenarios, including industry, service and consumer markets, Wang added. Syrian authorities were accused on Tuesday of carrying out summary executions of civilians in the predominantly Druze province of Sweida, where Israel said it had launched strikes against government forces in defence of the religious minority. Damascus deployed troops to the area after clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes killed scores of people, with Syria's defence minister declaring a ceasefire Tuesday in Sweida city, which government forces entered in the morning. Residents, however, told AFP the announcement had little discernible effect on the ground, accusing government troops and their allies of rampaging through Druze neighbourhoods. The interior ministry acknowledged clashes had continued into the evening. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Tuesday that Syrian government forces and their allies had executed 21 Druze civilians in and around Sweida. They were among at least 203 people killed in the violence since early Sunday, including 93 members of the security forces, 71 other Druze and 18 Bedouin, according to the war monitor. Forces from the "defence and interior ministries carried out field executions of 12 civilians after storming the Radwan family guest house in the city of Sweida", the Observatory said earlier. Armed groups affiliated with the government were also responsible for gunning down three siblings in front of their mother in Sweida province, according to the monitor. Rayan Maarouf, editor in chief of the Suwayda 24 news website, said security forces had engaged in "savage practices", adding there had been reports of civilians killed, "dozens of them... but we don't have precise figures". - Israeli strikes - While most Druze religious leaders had earlier said they supported the government's deployment after the clashes with the Bedouin, at least one senior figure urged armed resistance, having previously called for "international protection". Neighbouring Israel, which has its own Druze minority, has sought to portray itself as a defender of the community, while also warning the Syrian government against maintaining any military presence south of Damascus, which Israel considers a security threat. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz announced strikes Tuesday on "regime forces and weaponry" that they said were intended for use against the Druze. "We are acting to prevent the Syrian regime from harming them and to ensure the demilitarisation of the area adjacent to our border with Syria," the pair said in a joint statement. Shortly after, the Israeli military said it had begun hitting military vehicles in the area. Syrian state media also reported strikes. Syria's Islamist-led government, which on Saturday sent an emissary to Azerbaijan for a first face-to-face meeting with an Israeli official, condemned "in the strongest terms the treacherous Israeli aggression", and warned it had the right to defend itself. The attacks killed a number of security personnel, the foreign ministry said, as well as "several innocent civilians". US special envoy Tom Barrack -- whose government is closely allied with Israel and has been trying to reboot its relationship with Syria -- called the violence "worrisome". Washington was seeking "a peaceful, inclusive outcome for Druze, Bedouin tribes, the Syrian government and Israeli forces", he added. - 'Complete ceasefire' - Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra declared just before midday (0900 GMT) Tuesday "a complete ceasefire" in Sweida city after talks with local representatives. Druze representatives, meanwhile, gathered at the residence of key leader Sheikh Youssef Jarbouh to discuss implementing the ceasefire, a source close to the participants said. But on Tuesday evening, the interior ministry said "clashes are still ongoing in some neighbourhoods", adding efforts were underway "to fully restore control". Earlier understandings reached with local representatives, it added, "were soon violated as the armed outlaw groups resumed attacks, targeting police and security personnel". A curfew was to be imposed in a bid to halt the violence, which erupted between Druze and Bedouin fighters at the weekend and has since spread across Sweida province. Government forces said they intervened to separate the two sides, but they ended up taking control of several Druze areas around Sweida, an AFP correspondent reported. - 'Not against the state' - The Observatory, Druze leaders and witnesses said the government troops had entered the city accompanied by Bedouin fighters, and joined with them in attacking the Druze. An AFP correspondent who entered Sweida shortly after the troops reported dead bodies lying on deserted streets and sporadic gunfire. "I'm in the centre of Sweida. There are executions, houses and shops that have been torched, and robberies and looting," one Sweida resident holed up in his home told AFP by phone. The situation echoes past instances of sectarian violence, and underscores the security challenges facing interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa since his forces ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war. Amal, a 46-year-old resident, said she feared a repeat of massacres in Syria's northwest in March that saw more than 1,700 mostly Alawite civilians killed, allegedly by groups affiliated with the government. "We are not against the state, but we are against surrendering our weapons without a state that treats everyone the same," she said. mam/at/smw/ami CANBERRA July 15 (Xinhua) -- A man has died after the helicopter he was traveling in struck a bird during a flight in Australia's Northern Territory (NT). NT Police said in a statement on Monday night that emergency services received reports around 2 p.m. local time that a helicopter carrying two occupants had made an emergency landing at the remote Lake Evella airstrip, over 500 km east of the NT capital city of Darwin, after striking a bird. "The impact allegedly caused the bird to fatally strike a 54-year-old male passenger," police said. The pilot was able to land the aircraft safely and was uninjured. Police and ambulance paramedics attended the scene where the 54-year-old was declared deceased. News Corp Australia newspapers reported that the collision caused the bird to ricochet into the cabin and strike the passenger. High Court Reporter Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley has suffered a setback in his legal row over a 1.4 million disputed costs bill associated with his recent battle to keep a receiver from the door of his Cork mansion, Castlehyde. The entertainer, in an affidavit opened before the Commercial Court last May, where he is disputing legal and receiver fees, claimed he was shocked at what he called the blatant level of alleged "overcharging. Referring to a receiver costs bill of 86,000 plus legal costs of 186,000, Michael Flatley alleged he may be seen "as an easy mark for inflated costs". Also in dispute are 793,000 in legal fees from the opposing side in the Castlehyde receiver battle. But Mr Justice Mark Sanfey on Tuesday refused the Flatley sides application for key documentation from Novellus Finance Ltd and the receivers who were appointed over Castlehyde. The Flatley side want the documentation as part of their bid to have all of part of the 1.4 million disputed costs lodged in court returned. In his judgement, Mr Justice Sanfey said the Flatley side have to use a colloquial expression, put the cart before the horse. The allegations of overcharging are very serious, the judge said and required to be pleaded appropriately before any question of the adequacy of documents furnished or the need for discovery of further documentation could be considered. He said the Flatley application was premature and inappropriate and to accede to it would be to permit a trawl through sensitive and confidential documentation in circumstances where the Flatley allegations have not been formally articulated in pleadings. The other side, the judge said, must be given an opportunity to meet the allegations made against them and respond as they see fit before the question of whether they must provide supporting documentation for their claims arises. Mr Justice Sanfey commented that an application to court as was contemplated by the Flatley side did not seem appropriate in relation to the question of legal or receivers' costs in circumstances where there are statutory mechanisms for appropriate interrogation of such claims and production of documentation relevant to them. Last March, Mr Flatley paid off a 6.9 million loan on his Castlehyde mansion to save it from the receiver. The original legal battle related to a loan made to Mr Flatley's Blackbird Film Productions Ltd by Novellus Finance Ltd with registered offices at St Stephens Green, Dublin, in 2023, with repayments of 67,000 per month over two years. Novellus claimed there had been a default on repayment, which Mr Flatley denied. Mr Flatley provided a guarantee for the loan on the strength of the value of his Castlehyde mansion. As a result of the alleged default, Novellus appointed a receiver over the property. An interim injunction was granted to the Flatley side to prevent the receiver from taking further measures in relation to Castlehyde, and a judge conducted a two-day hearing on the matter. The Flatley side asked the court to hold off on giving judgment on whether to set aside the interim injunction stopping the receiver taking steps or grant an interlocutory injunction to the Flatley side and said Mr Flatley was flying into Dublin to pay off the loan. The 6.9m loan was finally paid off, but the issue of certain disputed costs remained. In his judgement, Mr Justice Sanfey said Mr Flatley had refinanced the loan from Novellus and redeemed the mortgage and had effectively withdrawn the proceedings and consented to an order that he pay the costs of the proceedings to the defendants. As such, the judge said the issues between the parties, as set out in the proceedings, have been resolved and the various allegations by Mr Flatley against the defendants must be regarded as withdrawn. Notwithstanding this, Mr Flatley now seeks to make a new range of allegations against the defendants in relation to alleged overcharging in respect of legal and receivers costs and in relation to interest. The judge said allegations of this nature are extremely serious, particularly for professional defendants such as the receivers. The allegations, he said, were not part of the original proceedings and do not find expression anywhere other than in Mr Flatleys affidavit. The defendants, he said, strenuously deny that there has been any overcharge. The judge said pleadings are absolutely necessary to bring definition and clarity to the allegations made by Mr Flatley. Waterford TD Conor McGuinness (Sinn Fein) raised the lack of funding for children attending Gaelscoil Philb Barun, Tramore, in a recent Dail debate. During the debate, he spoke about how students are learning in an old prefab. Deputy McGuinness said: "The Government has failed and is continuing to fail to fund a proper building, seemingly because the naionra, as the vast bulk of naionrai do, serves ECCE-aged children. "Naionra Philib Barun has been at the heart of early years education in Tramore since 1983. It is rooted in the community and, as I alluded, affiliated with Gaelscoil Philib Barun, and it is central to the development of Irish-medium education in the town. "Twenty-two children attend the naionra daily. The service also includes a morning and an after school service for children attending Gaelscoil Philib Barun. It is operating out of a single room in an old prefab that has long passed its sell-by date." He added: "If a naionra like Naionra Philib Barun, with its record, capacity, demand and a new site, which is ready to go, cannot access capital support from the Department, then who can?" Minister of State Thomas Byrne said: "The programme for Government outlines a wider ambition to deliver an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system with State-led facilities adding capacity." More people are waiting longer than recommended to start vital cancer treatments in Irish public hospitals. This is according to a new Journal Investigates study, which revealed that just 65% of patients at University Hospital Waterford received new parenteral systemic therapy within the 15 working day target between January and April 2025. This marks a significant change when compared to the rate of 75% in 2024 and 73% in 2023. During the January to April 2025 period, at UH Limerick the percentage of patients who received new parenteral systemic therapy within the 15-working-day target was 82%, Wexford was 97% and South Tipperary was 94%. A national average of 87% of patients received treatment on time in 2023, according to the investigation. This dropped to an average of 85% in 2024 and 84% from January to April this year. The lowest performer during that time was Letterkenny University Hospital, which never met the 90% target. The HSE recommends that once patients are ready for treatments, like intravenous chemotherapy and immunotherapy, that they should receive them within 15 working days. A spokesperson for the NCCP told The Journal: The HSE recognises the critical importance of timely access to cancer treatment and the impact that delays can have on patients and their families. They added: While this target is being met in many instances, it is acknowledged that a number of hospitals continue to experience challenges in consistently achieving this standard. The National Cancer Control Programme are aware, a spokesperson said to the Journal, that there are infrastructure deficits in day wards, some of which are addressed by the Capital Plan 2025. Meanwhile, the Department of Health told the publication, Government is fully committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention, maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates, and timely access to treatments. Since 2017, funding of 105 million has been invested in the National Cancer Strategy, including 23 million in 2025. "Its getting tougher and tougher, Dr Michael McCarthy, consultant medical oncologist told The Journal Investigates. Waiting to start curative treatment could impact the chances of being able to successfully cure cancer, or control it to maximise the quality of somebodys life. A statement from the Irish Cancer Society said that the new comprehensive data highlights "shocking variation across the country in terms of accessing life-saving chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment on time. It also spotlights deeply concerning delays for patients who have been referred for urgent breast and prostate tests." The society outlined key gaps in vital infrastructure and a shortage of various cancer care professionals, including GPs, nurses, radiologists, consultants, and radiation therapists. Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: Early treatment dramatically reduces your risk of dying from cancer. A persons chances of surviving cancer are up to four times higher when treated at Stage 1 than at Stage 4. Thats why the National Cancer Strategy set target waiting times for cancer tests and treatment. Todays figures highlight alarming failures to meet those targets in many cancer centres, due to shortages of staff, physical space, and equipment. They also reveal a shocking postcode lottery in Irish cancer care, with where you live determining how quickly you can access lifesaving tests and treatment." Meanwhile Dr Michael McCarthy, President, Irish Society of Medical Oncology (ISMO) and Consultant Medical Oncologist at University Hospital Galway, said: Working in the West of Ireland, I see the human cost of the postcode lottery in Irish cancer care every day." The Irish Cancer Societys prebudget submission is calling on the Government to address these deficits by prioritising cancer infrastructure in the new National Development Plan and providing at least 20 million in new recurrent development funding for the National Cancer Strategy in Budget 2026. A great day was had by all at this year's Dungarvan Show. The event, which is now in its 106th year, has become a staple for the agricultural community in Waterford. The atmosphere on the day was top class, as people of all ages were up on the floor dancing to live music, enjoying the hundreds of animals competing in a variety of competitions, and enjoying a ride of the show train to take in all it had to offer. The show featured various attractions, including a wellness marquee, country markets, a kids' zone, food outlets, music and line dancing. Locals Anthony and Mark said it was their sixth year in a row attending. "We come out every year, it's always a good day out. We like seeing all the livestock and the different things that are going on here. Great for the family as well." Minister of State Mary Butler pictured with Billy Kellegher, MEP, at Dungarvan Show. Conor McGuinness, TD, who had a stand at the show, said it offered a fantastic day out for all ages. "The Dungarvan Show is a really important gathering point for people, not just in Dungarvan and the surrounding areas but from all across county Waterford. Rural communities from each side of the county are coming here today to Ballygagin and its a really good family day out." Deputy Conor McGuinness, TD, at Dungarvan Show. Minister of State Mary Butler, who also had a tent at the event, said that such agricultural shows are "the backbone" of rural communities, not just in Waterford, but across the country. "I think agricultural shows are the backbone of rural communities across Ireland and the Dungarvan Show is a really special show. We're really lucky with the weather today because it has been extremely warm, which everybody is loving." A special congratulations to the dedicated team of hardworking and diligent committee members organising Dungarvan Show, along with the mammoth team of volunteers who ensured the day was enjoyable for all. Chen Xi, president of the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), attends a graduation ceremony for the 2025 spring semester and presents certificates to the semester's graduates, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (National Academy of Governance) held a graduation ceremony on Tuesday for the 2025 spring semester. Chen Xi, president of the school and academy, presented certificates to the semester's 2,043 graduates. The ceremony saw 13 graduate representatives give speeches, noting that over the semester, they had become even more motivated in addressing the Party's concerns, fulfilling duties for the country, and dedicating themselves to the people. The graduates expressed their commitment to continuously improving their conduct, strengthening their courage and awareness for self-reform, and actively participating in the practice of Chinese-style modernization in their work ahead. Chen Xi, president of the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), attends a graduation ceremony for the 2025 spring semester and presents certificates to the semester's graduates, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) The fires that raged in the Williamstown area of Waterford city on Wednesday afternoon and evening brought home to everyone in the Deise that wildfires are not just the subject matter of faraway places anymore. Until now, wildfires brought to mind images from Los Angeles or Greece - where heat and arid land conditions have long gone hand in hand. However, last week the reality of climbing temperatures and dangerously dry conditions close to home was very much a concern. In Ireland, with weeks and weeks of rain every year, we have plenty of lush growth. When that is coupled with weeks of near-drought conditions, the beautifully verdant greenery takes on a more precarious nature, as, when completely dried out, it is a ready-made fuel source. All it takes is a cigarette butt carelessly discarded, or a barbeque or fire lit in an inappropriate setting. It does not automatically mean that arson may have been involved. Even a discarded glass bottle has the potential to cause a fire to ignite and spread dangerously. It was telling that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued a 'Condition Red Forest Fire' warning, in advance of the hot weather forecast for the weekend. Condition Red is the highest level of fire danger warning, and its use is incredibly rare in Ireland. The Department pointed out that under extreme fire risk conditions, any ignition source "in dead grasses and low moisture shrub fuels like gorse and heather" may give rise to rapid and unpredictable wildfire development and spread. "Upland fires in these weather conditions can be expected to pose extreme difficulties to firefighting efforts," the Department of Agriculture said. In the Williamstown area of Waterford city, extensive gorse bushes on waste ground became the fuel, and Waterford City's Fire Service must be commended for how they excelled in fighting the blaze, knowing the best manner to contain the flames and, in turn, stop the horrendous prospects of homes becoming engulfed. On this occasion, people will reflect on a lucky escape. It will have been particularly unnerving for those who were evacuated from their home, which had become inundated with heavy smoke. The news we are reporting in the Waterford News & Star this week could have been so much worse. Also, it must be remembered, that these fire service personnel were not only tasked with tackling the Williamstown fire on Wednesday night. There was another fire in the locality as well, and also a serious road traffic collision - unfortunately, Tramore-man Michael O'Sullivan passed away after being critically injured in that road accident. The presence of the fire service was crucial for all concerned, but the number of fire personnel is limited. We must all practice responsible behaviour when it comes to fire prevention - beautiful weather weekends like we have just had are fantastic, but any of us can be the cause of a devastating fire if we don't take the necessary precautions during drought-like conditions. 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 My brother was four and I was five the first time the child protection authorities entered our lives, due to our stepfathers domestic violence. We were taken from our home in a police car to the Allambie Reception Centre for children. My brother was upset, so the police operated the siren for him. It mollified him somewhat, but couldnt alter the fact that we were being removed from our home by law enforcement to spend an indefinite period in the anonymous care of strangers. So the basic emotional experience was fear. That trip in the police car was the first of many. My brother and I spent more time in Allambie, foster care placements, Robin House (a temporary care facility), more foster care, ad hoc emergency care. Sometimes we were kept together, sometimes not. And my brother always got the short end of the stick. Bullied at home, some of his care placements were outright abusive, and at least one institution he was placed in featured in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The only photo that exists of Jacqueline Wilson as a child. She is pictured aged 16, in 1982, when she was a ward of the state. Our home life was chaotic, often violent, and marked by chronic housing insecurity, precarious and perennially deficient income, and a learned distrust of authority. Typical of the underclass, we lived an inversion of the working-class aspiration of upward mobility: far from ever getting ahead, we slipped ever-further behind. One of my earliest memories is of my mother begging for a food voucher. The uniformed charity worker who passed judgement on her plight held such power over us, I thought the Salvation Army was in charge of Australia. A small childs view, of course, but one reflecting a very particular perspective: children dependent on charity and stints in state care learn early that they are at the bottom of society. My brother did a spell in Pentridge Prison. Nothing in our childhood predestined him for a life of crime, but it did set him on a path of desperate, unwise choices. He wasnt exactly on rails to Pentridge (which I visited again recently its been converted into a housing and dining complex), but prison is another aspect of underclass life that can be hard to avoid. Given that we shared such beginnings, why didnt I end up in jail? Well, I almost did. At age 15, I was made a ward of the state, a process involving a magistrate who decided, on the spot, whether your situation warranted consignment to a youth training centre such as Winlaton where you were jailed with juvenile offenders or whether you could be allowed to look after yourself, under the punitive eye of a caseworker who could still send you there after all, if you displeased them. It was the 1980s, and teenagers were routinely incarcerated without having committed any offence whatever. Simply being poor and vulnerable justified locking you up. In my case, I was allowed my freedom which meant I became homeless. Broke and homeless, and threatened with Winlaton if I didnt miraculously find suitable accommodation and attend school. I managed it, over two years of hustling and flat-out pretending, but it was harrowing and dangerous. The state had become my legal guardian, but the system was absurdly under-resourced and ineffectually administered, and I was in a dozen ways worse off than I had been at home. Nor was I alone. I had become a member of a group that a Senate inquiry 20 years later would dub the Forgotten Australians. by Ahmed Raza ISLAMABAD, July 15 (Xinhua) -- On the rooftop of a small shop in the commercial lanes of Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh Province and Pakistan's largest city, sleek rows of solar panels glint beneath the blazing sun. Below them, Shoaib Gujjar, a local shopkeeper, proudly describes how Chinese solar technology has transformed his life. "Just a few months ago, I faced hours of daily load shedding and unaffordable electricity bills," he said. "Now, after installation of solar panels, the power stays on, and my monthly expenses have been cut in half." Gujjar's story is echoed across Pakistan, a South Asian nation of over 240 million people, where Chinese solar panels -- affordable, high-quality, and widely available -- are changing how energy is accessed, particularly for middle- and low-income users. According to Renewables First, an Islamabad-based think tank focused on energy and the environment, Pakistan has imported more than 39 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic panels from China in the last five years. In fiscal year 2024 alone, 16 gigawatts of Chinese panels valued at 2.1 billion U.S. dollars were imported, a sharp rise from just 1.8 gigawatts in fiscal year 2021. "This is one of the fastest-growing, people-led solar transitions in the world," said Muhammad Mustafa Amjad, CEO of Renewables First. "The combination of rising electricity tariffs and falling global panel prices, led by China, has made solar the most attractive option for households, farms, and small businesses." Electricity tariffs in Pakistan have surged by 155 percent over the past three years, placing a heavy burden on consumers. At the same time, panel prices have dropped significantly, allowing Chinese manufacturers to offer Tier-1 modules at globally competitive rates. Unlike several countries that impose import duties on solar products, Pakistan maintained a zero-duty policy through fiscal year 2025, giving local buyers direct access to affordable Chinese technology. As a result, Pakistan ranked second globally in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 in Chinese solar photovoltaic imports, only behind the Netherlands. In the rural districts of Sindh in southeastern Pakistan, solar energy is transforming agriculture. In Thatta, a historic riverine town located in southern Sindh, about 100 kilometers east of Karachi near the Indus River delta, farmer Mohammad Murtaza has replaced diesel-powered irrigation pumps with solar-powered tube wells, reducing irrigation costs by up to 80 percent while increasing crop output. In Badin, a district in southeastern Sindh near the Arabian Sea, farmer Yaqoob Brohi said the transition to solar has stabilized his water supply and helped him save significantly on fuel expenses. A recent survey by the International Water Management Institute found that 95 percent of farmland around Lahore, the capital of Punjab in northeastern Pakistan, had transitioned to solar-powered pumping systems --- a remarkable adoption rate that reflects both necessity and opportunity. Among those embracing the change is Tanveer Awan, a smallholder farmer from Chakwal district in northern Punjab, who received an interest-free loan from the National Rural Support Program to install a 2-kilowatt solar panel for his tube well. "I own a small piece of land, and access to water and electricity is always a problem," he said. "With this solar system, I no longer worry about fuel costs or power outages." The system has provided consistent irrigation, allowing him to improve productivity and reduce operational expenses. "This shift is not just about energy," said Amjad. "It's about food security, livelihoods, and long-term resilience for communities that have long struggled with unreliable power and rising input costs." Dealers and installers across the country confirm that nearly all solar equipment, including panels, batteries, and inverters, is sourced from China. Asif Ismail, a solar installer who operates in both Sindh and Punjab provinces, said demand has "skyrocketed" over the past three years. "Most of the tube wells in Sindh and Punjab are now running on solar," he said. "People want independence from the grid and from rising fuel costs. All our inventory comes from China." In the northwest, even off-grid communities are finding creative ways to harness solar power. Asmatullah, a dairy farmer on the outskirts of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, shares a solar panel mounted on a tractor with two neighboring families. The system powers fans and basic electronics, improving living conditions without relying on diesel or grid electricity. With electricity prices rising steeply and outages frequent in many regions, solar has become a one-time investment with long-term rewards. Payback periods for rooftop systems are now as short as one to two years, especially for middle-income households in urban and peri-urban areas. Ashiq Rind, a shopkeeper from Hub in Balochistan province, installed a complete solar system himself using Tier-1 Chinese panels. "Now I run two air conditioners, a fridge, a washing machine, fans, and even a 1-horsepower motor without any fear of bills or outages," he said. Net metering capacity in Pakistan has grown rapidly, reaching 4.9 gigawatts, up from just a few hundred megawatts five years ago. installers report increasing interest from schools, hospitals, hotels, and small factories that are keen to adopt solar energy for cost savings and reliability. While a new 10 percent tax on solar imports introduced in 2025 may affect pricing, experts believe the impact will be limited. "The financial appeal of solar remains strong," said Amjad. "Even with taxes, solar energy is still cheaper and more reliable than grid electricity for most users." He added that the rising demand for battery storage, particularly lithium-ion units, opens new possibilities for cooperation. "We need joint ventures, technology transfer, and investment in local manufacturing. What China and Pakistan have achieved together so far is just the beginning." From the rooftops of Karachi to the wheat fields of southern Punjab, Chinese solar panels are not just providing clean energy. They are powering livelihoods, reducing costs, and building resilience in the face of rising global energy challenges. For many Pakistanis, solar is more than a solution. It is a symbol of independence and opportunity. And for people like Shoaib Gujjar, the transformation is already real. "With solar, my life has changed. I have peace of mind," he said. With the support of the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, the Gambia is advancing on its Coordinated Border Management (CBM) agenda, following a seven-week series of virtual workshops to develop an inter-agency standard framework followed by a two-week in-country capacity-building mission from 19 to 30 May 2025, including Data Standardization based on the WCO Data Model. Building on this, further CBM peer-to-peer exchange was facilitated between other Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme partner countries, namely Lesotho, Namibia, and Zambia, at the Programmes National Focal Points Meeting in early June 2025. CBM is a strategic and integrated approach to border management that aims to streamline and enhance security, trade, and the movement of goods and people, while minimizing administrative burdens. The Gambia has embraced CBM as a key component of its new border management strategy, recognizing the importance of collaboration between various agencies and stakeholders to achieve effective border controls and trade facilitation. The Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Agency (GRA), Mr. Yankuba Darboe, underlined that the Gambia's CBM approach is grounded in an integrated border management framework that brings together various government agencies, including the GRA, Immigration, Police, the Food Safety and Quality Authority, the Standards Bureau, the Plant Protection Services, and Health Services. By working together, these agencies can address security threats, combat smuggling and trafficking, and facilitate legitimate trade and travel. The output from the capacity-building activities includes the final draft of the Inter-Agency Standard Framework, which is now with the Gambia National Trade Facilitation Committee for finalization. Moreover, the border business processes were mapped for the participating border agencies, and over 85% of the respective data sets were compiled to support a Coordinated Information Flow (CIF). These outputs lay the foundation for the next steps in CBM and closer working relationships between border regulatory authorities. The foundational activities undertaken as part of GRAs multi-year partnership with the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme position the Gambia in a state of readiness as it moves forward with strengthening inter-agency cooperation on border issues, thereby boosting the Gambias national competitiveness and business-enabling environment. The Programme looks forward to continuing its partnership with the GRA for sustainable Customs and border reforms. Please see here for more information on the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme. For more information on WCO capacity building, please contact Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org. MOSCOW, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The first flight from Moscow to Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is scheduled for July 27, the Russian Ministry of Transport said Monday. "Subsequent flights will operate monthly to build stable demand and ensure flight occupancy," it said, adding that the expected flight time is approximately eight hours. In early July, Russia's aviation authority granted permission to Nordwind Airlines to operate this flight, which marks the second direct air route between the two countries. Currently, the flag carrier of the DPRK, Air Koryo, operates direct flights between Vladivostok and Pyongyang three times a week. Tickets to Pyongyang cannot be purchased separately; they are sold to tourists only as part of an excursion tour, reported the Tass news agency. In international competition, WSU film student takes first place for music video July 15, 2025 OGDEN, Utah A Weber State University film studies student traveled to Las Vegas in April to attend the National Association of Broadcasters conference and receive an award for a music video she created but didnt realize had been entered in an international competition. Chloe Kinnavongsa, who grew up in Clearfield but now calls Ogden home, was one of 14 Weber State media students who attended the National Association of Broadcasters and Broadcast Education Association conferences this spring. The Necklace Song, a video Kinnavongsa created with classmate David Guerrero, won first place in the music video category of the BEAs Festival of Media Arts, an international student competition. Guerrero directed the video and Kinnavongsa was cinematographer. I didnt even know the video had been submitted, so finding out that it won first place was a complete shock, but a deeply emotional one, Kinnavongsa said. This was my first time receiving an award as a filmmaker, and it was a moment of validation that Ill never forget. Im incredibly proud of the project and grateful to have collaborated with David, who is such a talented and creative artist. As a result of having the video selected, Kinnavongsa had a chance to participate in a panel discussion during the conference. It was definitely nerve-wracking Im not usually comfortable speaking in front of large audiences but Im proud that I pushed through that discomfort, she said. Being on a panel, sharing my experience, and representing our project was incredibly meaningful. For Aaron Atkins, assistant professor of digital media at WSU, the highlight of attending the conference was watching students experience the event. Our students perform at such a high level, and their creativity is fantastic, Atkins said. I love to see them recognized for it. Atkins submitted 10 student projects in the Festival of Media Arts competition. In addition to the music video honor, WSUs Dusty Bessire won second place in the Short Narrative Film category for Quiet, Arlo. Film Studies student Peter Visser received an Award of Excellence for his screenplay No Father of Mine, and Bessire, Zander Cooper, and Ashlynn Maughan also earned an Award of Excellence for their short film Limelight. In addition to receiving their awards for their work and serving as panelists at various sessions, the students also explored career options, networked with professionals in the field, and got an inside look at the latest trends in broadcast and media during the conference and trade show. Atkins said the students were like kids in a candy store, seeing all the industrys shiny new toys. Kinnavongsa said it felt like a dream to interact with state-of-the-art equipment she had only previously seen online. Kinnavongsa, a recipient of a Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities Scholarship, said this was the first time she attended a professional conference, and found it incredibly valuable as she embarks on a career using her camera and storytelling skills. My biggest takeaway was the value of connection getting to network with other filmmakers, hear their stories, and share ideas, said Kinnavongsa, who graduated in April. It reminded me that filmmaking is not just about the tools we use but also about the people we collaborate with. Listening to others creative journeys was both inspiring and humbling. Now that shes graduated, Kinnavongsa plans to continue applying her camera and storytelling skills to both personal and client projects. She also wants to further practice experimental photography, as well as explore where visual storytelling can intersect with fine art. (Courtesy photo by Kimberly Mancuso) BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China consistently ensures that it responds to ASEAN countries' desire to grow their economies and improve the lives of people, and their cooperation is always based on equality and mutual benefits, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a relevant query, noting that China and ASEAN countries have similar development philosophies, goals and shared interests. Recent years have seen many cooperation highlights in emerging sectors such as e-commerce and digital tech, Lin said, pointing out that China and ASEAN countries have made remarkable achievements in advancing regional economic integration and facilitating cross-border travel. "China and ASEAN have affirmed the completion of consultations on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0. The two sides are engaged in high-quality implementation of the RCEP, and expanding the common market. Chinese cross-border e-commerce platforms are working with their Southeast Asian counterparts to introduce more competitive products to the market," Lin said, adding that Chinese businesses are building 5G networks, bringing fiber optics to households and enabling digital transformation in Southeast Asian countries. "With 'Lancang-Mekong visa' and the 'ASEAN visa' coming into effect, travel is being further eased between China and ASEAN countries," said Lin. Lin said that with China's well-established industrial chain in manufacturing, it has kept the global industrial and supply chains stable, cut local production and living costs and turbocharged technological advancement and industrial upgrade in China's partner countries through industrial cooperation. Noting that China has a mega-sized market, Lin said China is implementing the strategy of expanding domestic demand and special initiatives to boost consumption. "The vast potential of domestic demand will be unleashed, bringing more opportunities for our neighborhood and the rest of the world," he added. At the recently concluded China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, ASEAN countries said they have the most dynamic and fruitful cooperation with China. "Not only is this a recognition of the cooperation, but also an echo to China's commitment to fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and a vision for a shared future," Lin said, noting that China will continue to work with ASEAN countries for robust momentum for common development and prosperity. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit High Court Reporter A retired garda sergeant has been given High Court permission to challenge an alleged failure to decide on an application to restore his Gaeltacht allowance, which he claims affects his pension entitlements. Paul Wallace, of Burtonport, Letterkenny, is taking an action of judicial review against the Garda Commissioner over what he claims is their failure or refusal to determine his application to have the allowance restored to him following his January 2023 application. Mr Wallace is also seeking a declaration from the court that the alleged continued failure to restore or even decide the matter is unlawful in that it breaches the respondents obligation to determine financial issues. It is also submitted that it results in Mr Wallace being unable to pursue any internal appeal, which he argues is in breach of fair procedures. Mr Wallace states in his court papers that he was attested as a Garda in 1985, was allocated to Monaghan Garda Station and was promoted to sergeant in November 1993. He was allocated to Glencolmcille Garda Station in Donegal that month. He submits that he was transferred to Letterkenny in June 1997 and then to Bun Beag in November 2000. Glencolmcille and Bun Beag are in Gaeltacht areas in Co Donegal. Mr Wallace accepted the position of Divisional Crime Prevention Officer in November 2002 and was transferred to Letterkenny. There his role included giving interviews in Irish to print and broadcast media TG4 and Raidio na Gaeltachta having studios in Donegal - as part of a service to the entire county, including Gaeltacht islands inhabited by Irish-speakers. At the time of his training, his competency in Irish was judged to be at 63 per cent - this rose to 82 per cent in 2003. Mr Wallace was in receipt of the allowance for four years from 2003 and in 2007 and applied for its restoration in 2007 but was refused on the basis that Letterkenny was not designated as a Gaeltacht area at the time. In August 2020, however, Letterkenny was designated as a Gaeltacht service town and the applicant claims he had given service to the Gaeltacht community since 2002. He reapplied for allowance consideration in January 2023 but retired in March 2024 without, he claims, any update from Garda HQ over his application. Mr Wallace took his Garda pension which did not include his allowance, resulting in, he claims, him being deprived of 8,708.17 from his one-off gratuity payment upon retirement and 249.38 a month from his regular pension. Mr Wallace claims that An Garda Siochana is under a duty to exercise statutory powers in a "prompt and reasonable manner" in terms of the rights of people to fair procedures. On any analysis, the respondent [the Garda Commissioner] has not acted promptly or reasonably in failing or refusing to take the decision in issue, he submits. At the High Court on Monday, Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted the application for leave brought by Paul McGarry SC, for Mr Wallace, and adjourned the matter to October. An exhibition of breathtaking images showcasing the stellar talents of Irish press photography was launched in Ballina. The Press Photographers Ireland CLG annual exhibition is on display in Ballina Library until July 26. The exhibition was officially opened by Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary on Thursday. The exhibition features 110 images capturing life, both at home and abroad, during 2024 and showcasing the very best of Irish press photography. It also includes winning imagery from Mayo photographers, Conor McKeown, who picked up first prize in the Nature and the Environment category, and Michael McLaughlin, who won first prize in the Portrait category. Conor and Michael, who are both from Westport, are frequent contributors to the Western People and their success in winning awards in such a fiercely contested competition was a great endorsement of the work of regional press photographers. Michael and Conor were present for the launch and were joined by the AIB Press Photographer of the Year 2025, James Crombie of Inpho Photography. Minister Calleary lauded the talents of Conor and Michael. Michael won the Portrait category for his photograph, 'Forging Friendships'. He captured master blacksmith Ben Burke from Foxford with Penny his partridge perched on his anvil. Conor took first place in the Nature and Environment Category for 'Feeling Blue', which showed a swimmer braving the elements at The Point in Westport. Who else would stand on a cold January day in the bay in Westport under a snowy Croagh Patrick to take a picture. And then find someone else as mad as him - a swimmer," noted Minister Calleary. "The pride of his home place combines with his skill in this picture. Then you see the picture of Ben Burke, who is here tonight, captured by Michael. There are hundreds of stories in that one frame. I dont think there is any other art form that can tell hundreds of stories within a millisecond." The press photographers exhibition has been a part of the Ballina Festival programme for many years and the late Henry Wills worked tirelessly to promote the event, which was held in the local AIB branch for many years before moving to the library. Henry was a former president of Press Photographers Ireland CLG. Minister Calleary paid tribute to the late Western People photographer. The exhibition was always the start of the festival and you could be assured that Henry would be running it with an iron fist. Two of his greatest loves were work, his skill and his art and his festival. Those loves came together for this showcase. I think we are so lucky to have this constantly with us in Ballina. I hope we never take it for granted. I hope for as long it comes here we will always remember Henry and everything he brought not just photography but to the town, said Minister Calleary. As we move into festival week, the week that we celebrate the best of Ballina, we put on our best bib and we celebrate this town. We are proud of this town. There was no person more proud of Ballina, no person more proud of his art, of his Western People, of his family, than Henry Wills. As we celebrate festival week, lets have the spirit of Henry, the ambition of Henry, and the pride of Henry in our town, he added. The Minister said he hopes the advent of smartphones and artificial intelligence (AI) do not see us lose our admiration for the incredible skills of our press photographers. In this mad, crazy AI world we need to ensure that real life photography continues and is defended, he added. BEIRUT, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people were killed and eight others were injured Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a drilling machine and a Syrian refugee camp in the Wadi Faara area in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's official National News Agency. Stephen Maguire A woman who kicked a detective in the crotch while he was carrying out a search of her home in Co Donegal has appeared in court. Jana Milaniakova appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with assaulting the Garda at her home on January 2nd, 2024. Garda Pauline Doherty gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Milaniakova at Letterkenny Courthouse yesterday. When charged with the offence, the accused woman replied, "I apologise for this charge. I was very frightened." Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the court how the detective had been executing a search warrant at the woman's house when the incident happened. Judge Eiteain Cunningham asked if the detective was injured following the assault. Sergeant Doyle said there was "initial discomfort" but that the detective did not suffer any long-term issues. The assault charge is Contrary to Section 3 (1) and 3(2) of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 (as amended by Section 20 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023). Sergeant Doyle added that the Director of Public Prosecutions had decided the incident can be dealt with by way of summary disposal in the District Court. Ms Milaniakova was also charged with the theft of an engagement ring at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny on December 29th, 2023. That charge is Contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001 The case was adjourned to November 10th for hearing. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Warm and humid with clouds and some hazy sun; a spotty shower at anytime, with a gusty thunderstorm or two possible in the afternoon. . Tonight Clouds and an early evening shower or t-storm, then clearing and turning less humid. Reading, PA (19601) Today Warm and humid with clouds and some hazy sun; a spotty shower at anytime, with a gusty thunderstorm or two possible in the afternoon. . Tonight Clouds and an early evening shower or t-storm, then clearing and turning less humid. ALLENTOWN, Pa. As the summer days continue to heat up, officials in the Lehigh Valley and Berks County are sounding the alarm about swimming in natural waterways. Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and Reading Mayor Eddie Moran are coming together to talk about illegal swimming. The discussions come after years of issues in areas of Lehigh and Berks counties. This past weekend in South Whitehall Township, officials closed Covered Bridge Park early due to "continued violations" of the township's parks and recreation ordinance. The ordinance said wading is permitted in township waters and swimming is not. Last month in Allentown, firefighters and emergency responders rushed to Jordan Creek, where a 14-year-old boy died from complications of drowning. "There's just a lot of dangers you can't see," said John Hamill with the Allentown Fire Department. The city's ordinance reads that it's illegal to swim or bathe in creeks or waterways within city parks, citing both maintenance and safety concerns. "There's a lot of things under the surface of the water that you may not see or even feel, such as large rocks that could create a foot entrapment, fish hooks, other discarded materials within the waterways that just create general all-around hazards," Hamill said. In Reading, discussions have been floating around for years, specifically about crowds gathering along the Schuylkill River waterfront. The area is commonly referred to as "Penske Beach." Last summer, 69 News Reporter Cierra Genelle spoke with Reading City Council President Donna Reed about the concerns, some of which will come to light during Tuesday morning's briefing. "People don't always listen to signs, whether no matter what language the signs are in, no matter what the symbols are on the signs," Reed said. "We want people to enjoy the natural resources of our city, but we don't want them in danger." The mayors will be speaking at Cedar Beach Park at 101 N. Ott St. at 11a.m on Tuesday. WASHINGTON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump appears to be losing patience with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, voicing disappointment on Monday just hours after threatening "severe tariffs" against Russia. "I'm disappointed in him, but I'm not done with him. But I'm disappointed in him," Trump told BBC in an interview. A few hours earlier, during a meeting with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, Trump warned, "We're going to be doing very severe tariffs" if a ceasefire agreement on Ukraine is not reached within 50 days. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified later that Trump actually meant "economic sanctions" when he threatened "secondary tariffs" against Russia, The Washington Times reported. Trump also told Rutte that the United States would supply weapons to Ukraine through NATO, including Patriot missile systems, with deliveries starting soon. In a post on X following a phone call with Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for Trump's "willingness to support Ukraine" and hailed their strong relationship. This is not the first time Trump has expressed disappointment with Putin over the Ukraine crisis, despite claiming he has a good relationship with the Russian leader. In early July, after a phone conversation with Putin, Trump told reporters, "I didn't make any progress with him today at all," adding, "I'm not happy about that." Trump, who promised during his campaign to end the conflict in Ukraine within 24 hours, has held several conversations with Putin since taking office. However, his efforts to pressure the Russian leader have yet to yield a ceasefire. TOKYO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Four people were injured after a two-storey building being demolished in Fukuoka prefecture, southwestern Japan, collapsed on Tuesday, local media reported. A passerby made an emergency call at around 1:40 p.m. local time, reporting that the commercial building, which was located in a residential area, had crumbled in the city of Kurume and multiple people were buried underneath, Kyodo News reported, citing local authorities. The accident left three construction workers and a pedestrian injured, the report said. Two of the workers, one in his 40s and another in his 20s, were reported to be unconscious, according to police. Six workers were at the demolition site at the time. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Tuesday met with Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Beijing. Han said that President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to China's participation in BIE and the World Expo affairs, and the World Expo has been reinvigorated amidst the changes of the times since its establishment over 170 years ago. With the support of the BIE, Han said that China successfully hosted the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition in 2019, and it has participated in World Expos overseas on multiple occasions. China will continue to strengthen cooperation with the BIE, and support the prosperous development of the World Expo cause, Han said. Kerkentzes spoke highly of China's participation in World Expos, fully affirmed the wonderful presentation of the China pavilion at the Osaka Expo. The BIE will continue to strongly support China's participation in the World Expo undertakings, and looks forward to China's extraordinary presentations at various World Expos, said Kerkentzes. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Low scores for education, wealth, land transformation from struggle veteran Mavuso Msimang gave poor ratings to these against Freedom Charter objectives in a speech at Wits University. Msimang shared his views in the Great Hall on 15 July during the morning graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate in commerce. His acceptance speech dove into the 10 tenets of the Freedom Charter, the June 1955 foundational document of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, which informed the Constitution of the country post-democracy. Mavuso has served the country in various capacities as a civil servant including NGO structures and environmental management boards. Mavuso noted that his reflections come at a critical time in our country when corruption and complacency were at a high. Using a scale of 15 (with 1 being weakest) and speaking to the intents of the Freedom Charter statements that say: The People Shall Share in the Countrys Wealth; The Doors of Learning Shall Be Opened; and that There Shall Be Work And Security, Mavuso said these score 1. A total of 64% of Africans are poor; Coloureds, 41%; Indian or Asian, 6%; and about 1% of whites live in poverty. This inequality is also reflected in the unemployment statistics. At the current rate, the future governance of South Africa will be determined by the rich, mainly by those who have been exposed to private education, he said, lamenting the state of Basic Education in public schools which he said has been in dire need of an overhaul for over 20 years. Criticising the lack of strategy in land reform and land cultivation, Mavuso said this gap made a mockery of the statement that The Land Shall Be Shared Among Those Who Work It, thus scoring a 2, along with There Shall Be Houses, Security and Comfort. The top scorers were that The People Shall Govern, Equal Rights and Equality before the Law. Speaking to the graduands and youth in general, the 84-year-old elder said they are the heirs of the Freedom Charter. Yours is the task of restoring its spirit in a digital, globalised world. You must insist on ethical leadership, you must challenge injustice in whatever form it appears, and you must never accept mediocrity as the norm. Thanking Wits University for the honour, he said: "I accept this honorary doctorate not as a reward, but as a charge. A reminder that we must never grow comfortable with the distance between what is and what ought to be. Let us not squander the moment this moment. Let us not allow pettiness and pride to win the day. We owe the people more than that. We owe history more than that." Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professsor Zeblon Vilakazi said: "Wits University is proud to acknowledge Msimangs remarkable, lifelong contribution of outstanding public service, his efforts to secure a lasting natural heritage for South Africa, and his work to advance ethical governance and leadership. It is therefore befitting that the University awards an Honorary Doctorate degree to him." About Mavuso Mavuso Walter Msimang was born in 1941 in Edendale, outside Pietermaritzburg. He matriculated at Inkamana High School, a Catholic school in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, in 1960. In 1962, at the age of 20, he enrolled at the University of Fort Hare. However, his time at Fort Hare was brief and in May 1963 after coming to the attention of the security police for staging a successful boycott of the "institutionalisation of apartheid" at the University, he was among six students whom the ANC leadership advised to leave the country. And so, his first year ended in exile. While in exile, Msimang underwent military training and specialised in communication. After a brief spell in Tanzania, Msimang was sent to establish a radio communication set-up in Zambia. He subsequently became a leading member of the liberation struggle and in 1969 he was appointed to serve as secretary to Oliver Tambo from 1969 to 1972, and later became the CEO of the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation. During his years in exile, Msimang worked for various international development agencies such as World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and CARE-CANADA. But ever aware of the need for both formal and professional skills, Msimang also studied biochemistry and entomology at the University of Zambia, and in 1976, he graduated with his Bachelor of Science; and later received a Master of Business Administration from the United States International University, California. Msimang first became a UN volunteer attached to the World Food Programme (WFP) and was tasked with overseeing health and refugee programmes in Zambia, then worked for the World Food Programme from 1977 to 1984 in Zambia and, later, in Kenya. Based on his emergency food aid, water and health care logistics experience, Msimang was appointed country director in Kenya for Care International. Later, he was placed in charge of UNICEF's emergency programmes in Ethiopia. On returning to South Africa in1993, Msimang did not go the route of high-profile political office but focused, instead, on turning around ailing state entities - often away from a corrupt, exclusivist apartheid past, and into viable, professionally run, and inclusive, national assets. These roles, increasingly complex and challenging, included chief executive officer, successively, of SATour (now SA Tourism), Tourism Kwa-Zulu Natal, SANParks and the State IT Agency (SITA). During his tenure as SITA CEO from late 2003 to 2007, he was responsible for overseeing government use of technology and restoring the confidence of both the government and the ICT industry. And it was in these roles that Msimang earned his wide recognition as a leader of change in South Africa. Msimang progress to a three-year stint as director-general at the Department of Home Affairs (2007-2010). Here, he led the implementation of Princeton University as instructive examples of successful civil service reform. In 2009, under his leadership, the Department of Home Affairs received first prize in the UN Economic Commission for Africa Technology In Government Awards for improved use of technology in the Public Service. He retired from the civil service in 2010. Msimang currently serves on various of NGOs, civic society and environmental management boards, including WWF South Africa since February 2011. He has also chaired the board of Corruption Watch. He was one of the original founders of African Parks, a non-governmental organization focused on conservation, and as of 2021 is an Emeritus Board Member. He also served on selected corporate boards including Harmony Gold Mining, Investment Solutions, SekelaXabiso, an accounting firm, and others. In 2018, his good works were recognised, and he received the WWF South Africa Living Planet Award. From September 2018 through 2019, he served on the Wits University Council as Member appointed by the Minister of Higher Education and Training. Msimang was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Public Administration from UNISA on 06 November 2020. In July 2023 he was elected unopposed as deputy president of the African National Congress Veterans' League. Msimang remains outspoken on issues of public interest such as social injustice, corruption and maladministration. His entire life course has been shaped by resistance to apartheid, from his teenage years of activism and self-sacrifice in pursuit of genuinely noble ideals, in fighting for and then building democracy, in serving with distinction and maintaining a sense of moral conscience as a public official. Latterly, he has sought to uphold his commitment to principles of good governance and ethics while reminding the nation of the contribution of the illustrious former leaders of the national liberation movement and the many ordinary people whose sacrifices made it possible for contemporary South Africans to live in a democracy. Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends the 8th China-Australia CEO Roundtable with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday called on China and Australia to further strengthen cooperation, promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, and create a stronger synergy for development to effectively address uncertainties. Li made the remarks while attending the 8th China-Australia CEO Roundtable with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing. Around 30 representatives of business councils and enterprises from the two countries attended the roundtable. Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, Li said over the past decade, China-Australia economic and trade cooperation has demonstrated considerable resilience and vitality. The economic structures of the two countries are highly complementary, and the foundations for industrial and market integration are solid, making China and Australia natural partners, Li said. Li said China's vast market will continuously unleash immense consumption potential, creating more opportunities for enterprises from both countries. He called on the two sides to strengthen collaboration in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and life sciences to better empower the industries of both countries. By working together, enterprises from both countries can accelerate cooperation in clean energy, electric vehicles, and energy storage, ultimately building a world-class green industrial chain that is both resilient and competitive, he added. Li emphasized that both the government and enterprises should work together to better promote development. China will continue to advance high-level opening-up, treat domestic and foreign-funded enterprises equally, and legally protect the rights and interests of foreign companies and entrepreneurs in China, he said. It is hoped that Australia would treat Chinese enterprises fairly, addressing issues regarding market access and investment reviews, he added. Li urged Chinese and Australian companies to maintain openness, embrace cooperation, and deepen their efforts to promote market integration and industrial collaboration. When addressing the roundtable, Albanese said the current bilateral relations are steadily developing, with enthusiasm for cooperation soaring among the business communities of both countries. The Australian side is willing to enhance dialogue with the Chinese side, expand cooperation in various fields including trade, agriculture, industry, energy resources, and green development, address global challenges such as climate change and uphold international equity and free trade. Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends the 8th China-Australia CEO Roundtable with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Weather Alert ...EXTREME HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 108. * WHERE...In Illinois, Johnson, Massac, and Union Counties. In Kentucky, McCracken County. In Missouri, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Perry MO, and Wayne MO Counties. * WHEN...Until 8 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. && NANJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 World Youth Development Forum commenced on Tuesday in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, drawing about 500 participants from over 100 countries and regions as well as 17 international organizations. Themed "Unleash Youth Potential for Global Development," the event welcomed youth affairs ministers, leaders of youth organizations and youth representatives from around the world to share insights in areas such as technological innovation, green development and cultural exchanges. At the opening ceremony, the 100 Excellence Actions of the Action Plan for Global Youth Development 2025 was unveiled and the Acceleration Week for Global Youth Development was officially launched. During the forum, delegates will engage in thematic sessions focused on green consumption and sustainable development, artificial intelligence and technological innovation, and the protection and preservation of cultural heritage. A series of workshops, training camps and field visits will also be held. The event serves as an important occasion to pool youth strength for implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative. The forum is co-hosted by the All-China Youth Federation, United Nations in China and the organizing committee of the forum. The first edition of the forum was held in 2022. Children walk past a U.S. Army helicopter on the National Mall ahead of a Trump's military parade Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson] The health of children in the United States has deteriorated catastrophically over the past 16 years, a trend now documented in a new study published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Authored by Dr. Matthew M. Davis and a team of researchers from Northwestern University, UCLA and other leading institutions, the report sheds light on the devastating social and medical conditions confronting an entire generation of American youth. Drawing on extensive data from nationally representative surveys, pediatric health system records (PEDSnet), and mortality statistics from the US and comparable OECD countries, the study exposes a systematic and across-the-board decline in pediatric health outcomes. Between 2007 and 2022, mortality rates for infants under one year old in the US were consistently 1.78 times higher than in comparable OECD countries. The main drivers of these excess deaths were prematurity, which was 2.22 times more likely, and sudden unexpected infant death, at 2.39 times the OECD average. Additionally, among children and youth aged 119, the mortality rate was 1.80 times higher, with firearm-related deaths an alarming 15.34 times more likely, and motor vehicle crash deaths 2.45 times more likely in the US than in the OECD average. Data from the Human Mortality Database (HMD) showing increase in mortality rate among children in the United States. [Photo: JAMA] Chronic health conditions among children aged 3 to 17 have also risen substantially. From 2011 to 2023, the prevalence of chronic conditions increased from 39.9 percent to 45.7 percent according to clinical records (PEDSnet), and from 25.8 percent to 31.0 percent based on parent-reported data. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, obesity and developmental disorders have seen significant increases, with major depression more than tripling in prevalence. Additionally, childhood obesity rates climbed from 17 percent in 20072008 to 20.9 percent in 20212023. Early onset of menstruation in girls rose sharply, from 9.1 percent to 14.8 percent. Trouble sleeping among adolescents nearly doubled from 7.0 percent to 12.6 percent. Limitations in daily activities due to chronic illness also increased, affecting 9.1 percent of children in 2018 compared to 7.7 percent in 20082009. Furthermore, the prevalence of physical symptoms diagnosed by physicians, such as pain, dermatological issues and menstrual disorders, has significantly grown, with over 41 percent of children experiencing at least one of these symptoms by 2023. Data from the Human Mortality Database (HMD) and World Health Organization (WHO) showing increase in various forms of death among young people. [Photo: JAMA] Equally concerning is the stark rise in emotional and psychological distress. Depressive symptoms among high school students increased dramatically from 26.1 percent in 2009 to 39.7 percent in 2023, and loneliness rose from 20.2 percent to 30.8 percent among adolescents aged 1218 between 2007 and 2021. This comprehensive evidence from the JAMA study provides clear documentation of a pervasive decline in the overall health and well-being of American children. The breadth of worsening health outcomes demands a deeper examination of the socio-political conditions and policy decisions from 2007 to 2023 that have determined this ongoing public health crisis. Across the Obama, Trump, Biden and second Trump administrations, both major political parties have overseen and intensified the subordination of healthcare policy to the demands of capital. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed under Obama, was touted as a historic reform, it ultimately reinforced the private insurance model and left tens of millions of working class families with inadequate coverage, high deductibles and limited access to pediatric care. At the same time, the Budget Control Act of 2011, a bipartisan agreement, imposed strict caps on domestic spendingincluding public health and educationinitiating a decade of austerity that directly impacted the systems children rely on. Trumps first term brought further dismantling of whatever could be salvaged of the ACA, undermining Medicaid and enabling states to impose work requirements and restrict eligibility. His administration cut over $1 billion from the Prevention and Public Health Fund and sought to cap Medicaid on a per-capita basismoves that would have dramatically reduced funding for child health. Environmental deregulation under Trump also increased exposure to toxins, particularly in low-income communities, while cuts to SNAP (food stamps) and school lunch programs further strained families. Bidens presidency continued this pattern. Despite the temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit in 2021 under the American Rescue Plan, its failure to be renewed resulted in a rapid spike in child poverty. Biden also allowed emergency Medicaid flexibilities from the COVID-19 pandemic to expire in 2023, leading to the disenrollment of millions of low-income children. The worsening health of American children is not a blameless state of affairs but the direct result of a society governed by a financial oligarchy that subordinates every aspect of life to the pursuit of private profit. Over the past several decades, both capitalist parties have overseen the systematic dismantling of the social programshousing assistance, public education, food security and healthcarethat form the foundation of childhood development. As corporate profits have soared, investment in these critical services has stagnated or declined, leading to rising rates of disease, disability and inequality among working class youth. The most egregious expression of this process is Trumps recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill, a bipartisan-backed measure that represents the most sweeping transfer of wealth from the bottom 99 percent to the top 1 percent in modern American history. While the ruling class enjoys massive tax breaks and government handouts, the working class is left to bear the costs of social collapse: crumbling schools, vanishing nutrition programs, unaffordable healthcare and deteriorating public infrastructure. It would be wrong to characterize this as a policy failure: it is a deliberate strategy to deepen exploitation and preserve the wealth of the ruling elite at the expense of workers and their families. The child health crisis is bound up with the broader disintegration of economic opportunity and class mobility under decaying capitalism. Real wages have stagnated, union protections have been gutted and basic necessities have become unaffordable. For millions of families, despair is not psychologicalit is material. Rising child suicide, obesity and mental illness reflect the deepening poverty and hopelessness that afflict working-class communities. Education, which plays a crucial role in health literacy and child development, remains chronically underfunded. Public schools lack resources for basic nutrition and health education, while millions of families live in food deserts that make healthy eating all but impossible. These conditions are compounded by ideological attacks from the far right. Figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now secretary of Health and Human Services under Trump, peddle pseudoscientific nonsense that shifts blame onto individual workers while concealing the role of capitalism in producing mass illness. One immediate result can be seen by a measles outbreak that has reached a three-decade high. Policies like abortion bans are part of this exploitative system as well, promoting increased maternal and infant mortality. While capital devalues and discards older, costlier workers, a desperate new generation are exploited anew. This ruthless logic governs capitalist public health policy, which is methodically designed to protect profit. The solution lies not in reform but in social revolution. Only the independent political mobilization of the working class can secure a society where health is a right, not a commodity. The fight for childrens health is inseparable from the fight for socialized medicine, fought for by a workers government as part of a socialist program. On June 18, three US House of Representatives committee chairmen wrote to the University of Michigan (U-M), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Science Foundation (NSF), demanding an inquiry into research security. The letters mark a significant escalation of the persecution of U-M postdoctoral researchers and Chinese citizens Yunqing Jian and Chengxuan Han, directly integrating the federal legislative branch into the anti-China witch-hunt. Yunqing Jian (left) and Chengxuan Han (right). [AP Photo/Sanilac County Sheriff's Office] Jian was arrested June 2 and, together with her boyfriend Zunyong Liu, faces charges related to the alleged smuggling of Fusarium graminearum, a common agricultural fungus. Han, arrested June 8, is accused of smuggling C. elegans roundworms and plasmids. Jian and Han remain in federal custody without bond, facing potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison, while Liu was returned to China and has been banned from entering the US. Both Jian and Han are reportedly in plea negotiations with prosecutors. These severe penalties are wildly disproportionate to actions that would under ordinary circumstances result in a fine for failing to follow protocol. The congressional inquiry underscores the unscientific and witch-hunting character of the prosecution of Jian and Han. The targeting of Jian, Liu and Han is part of a campaign to poison US public opinion against China in preparation for war against the nuclear power and economic rival of US imperialism. They are being depicted as agro-terrorist agents of the Chinese Communist Party. Representative John Moolenaar (Republican of Michigan), who chairs the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, has been at the forefront of this campaign. Joining Moolenaar are Representative Brian Babin (Republican of Texas), chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and Representative Tim Walberg (Republican of Michigan), chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. In March, 2024, Walberg suggested the use of nuclear weapons in Gaza: It should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Get it over quick, he said. The congressional letters demand that the NIH and NSF investigate whether any of their grants violated security protocols, whether intellectual property was compromised, and what steps the agencies are taking to screen foreign nationals. They single out the $9.6 million in federal grants received since 2010 by Professors Ping He and Libo Shan, who supervised or collaborated with the charged individuals. The University of Michigan (U-M) was given a deadline of July 2 to provide responses on its internal compliance processes, lab access controls, and oversight of foreign research personnel. Rather than defending its researchers and the principles of academic freedom, U-M has capitulated to political pressure. In response to the congressional inquiry, U-M issued a statement on July 2 affirming its cooperation with federal authorities. The university declared: We condemn any actions that violate federal law, threaten national security, or otherwise undermine the universitys critical public mission. We will continue to cooperate with federal law enforcement in its ongoing investigation and prosecution. This statement is a craven rubber stamp of the frame-up of Jian and Han. Interim president Domenico Grasso accepts the national security premise and language of the Trump Department of Justice, effectively endorsing the persecution of the U-M postdocs. Grasso continues the policy of the Board of Regents and former president Santa Ono to align the university with right-wing political demands. In January 2024, following a previous inquiry from Chairman Moolenaar, U-M severed its joint research partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University. U-M accepts the agroterrorism narrative despite clear scientific counter-evidence. Plant pathology experts state that the fungus allegedly brought into the US by Jian and Liu is not a terrorism agent and is very common and widespread, found in at least 32 American states. In an interview with the World Socialist Web Site, an Oakland University scientist described the agroterrorism motive as completely absurd and asinine, emphasizing that the pathogen is ubiquitous across lots of different countries. Chengxuan Hans case, involving C. elegans roundworms and plasmids, is particularly egregious, as these are common non-hazardous biological materials. The OU scientist explained: Its a completely innocuous thing to be shipping. I could dig up some soil in my backyard and mail it to my mother and it would probably have some C. elegans in there. Am I going to be jailed for that? The WSWS plans to publish more interviews with scientists on the persecution of Jian and Han. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) is the only organization at U-M that has called for the defense of Jian and Han. The inaction of U-M faculty and student organizations and unions in the face of this witch-hunt is shameful. Despite the clear threat to academic freedom and the rights of their students and colleagues, unions at U-M, including the postdoctoral fellows union (UM-PRO), have not denounced these attacks. Not a single Democratic Party official has uttered a word on the cases of Jian and Han from the start. The current prosecutions represent a de facto revival of the China Initiative from the first Trump administration. This initiative was notorious for prosecuting Chinese scientists, often on paperwork issues, and was widely criticized as racist. The Department of Justices inflammatory press release headline for Hans case, Alien from Wuhan, China charged with making false statements and smuggling biological materials, links her to the discredited Wuhan lab leak conspiracy theory. The agroterrorism allegations against Jian and Han were referenced during the Trump administrations July 8 announcement of a ban on purchases of US farmland by Chinese nationals and other adversaries, integrating the agricultural sector into the anti-China warmongering campaign. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated: MEXICO CITY, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday called on the United States to do more to curb drug and arms trafficking across the border as Washington threatens tariff hikes on Mexico. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 30-percent tariff on Mexican imports starting from Aug. 1 in a letter addressed to Sheinbaum, accusing Mexico of failing to stop drug trafficking and illegal immigration to the United States. Sheinbaum on Monday hit back at the criticism, calling on the United States to redouble its efforts to curb drug and arms trafficking on its own turf. "We do our part and they also have to do their part," she said at her daily press conference."There is collaboration. There is coordination." Sheinbaum noted she hopes to reach a deal with the United States to avoid Trump's proposed 30 percent tariff. "We believe ... that we will reach an agreement with the United States government -- and that we will, of course, reach better terms," Sheinbaum said. Mexico sent a government delegation to the United States on Friday to begin talks with Washington on trade, energy, immigration and crime. Sheinbaum said she would meet later in the day with Mexican Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard and other representatives involved in the talks, noting that any deal with Washington will be based on respect for Mexico's sovereignty "as a non-negotiable principle." Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during an interview with The Associated Press in his office in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, May 22, 2025. [AP Photo/Ariel Schalit] Less than a week after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US President Trump at the White House, the real purpose of the discussions as a planning session for the final stages of the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza has been confirmed. While the mass slaughter of Palestinians is continuing, the US-Israeli plan to construct a militarized humanitarian city in southern Gaza has been exposed by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert what it is: a proposal to build a concentration camp. Beginning on Sunday, Olmert issued a scathing condemnation of the plan to construct a so-called humanitarian city in Gaza, warning that it would amount to nothing less than a concentration camp for Palestinians. His remarks, delivered in interviews and public statements over the past days, have been reported widely. Olmerts comments are in response to the plan outlined by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to relocate approximately 600,000 Palestiniansand eventually Gazas entire population of over 2 millioninto a purpose-built zone on the ruins of Rafah. According to the proposal, once they enter the tiny enclave, Palestinians would only be allowed to leave if traveling abroad. The Israeli government claims this is a humanitarian measure to provide shelter and aid to displaced civilians, when it is obviously a transparent attempt at mass internment and ethnic cleansing. It is a concentration camp. I am sorry, Olmert told The Guardian. If they (Palestinians) will be deported into the new humanitarian city, then you can say that this is part of an ethnic cleansing. He elaborated, When they build a camp where they (say they plan to) clean more than half of Gaza, then the inevitable understanding of the strategy of this (is that) it is not to save (Palestinians). It is to deport them, to push them and to throw them away. There is no other understanding that I have, at least. Olmerts warnings have confirmed statements by humanitarian organizations including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which said the plan would de-facto create massive concentration camps at the border with Egypt. A West Bank-based Palestinian Authority spokesperson also said, The humanitarian city has nothing to do with humanity. Olmert, who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2009 and has become a vocal critic of Netanyahu, also noted the broader conduct of the war and the actions of Israeli authorities in the occupied West Bank. He condemned the rise in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, describing recent killings as war crimes and denouncing the complicity of Israeli authorities. There is no way that they can operate in such a consistent, massive and widespread manner without a framework of support and protection which is provided by the Israeli authorities in the Occupied Territories, he said. He also warned that the rhetoric and policies of extreme right-wing ministers in Netanyahus cabinetwho have used language such as cleanse in relation to Gazaare fueling anti-Israel sentiment globally. In the US there is more and more and more expanding expressions of hatred to Israel, Olmert said. Olmert also unmasked the fraudulent propaganda campaign mounted by the global imperialist political establishment that opposition to the Gaza genocide equals antisemitism. He said, We make a discount to ourselves saying: They are antisemites. I dont think that they are only antisemites, I think many of them are anti-Israel because of what they watch on television, what they watch on social networks. This is a painful but normal reaction of people who say: Hey, you guys have crossed every possible line. The latest atrocities in Gaza include a deadly airstrike on children gathering water in the Nuseirat refugee camp and other mass killings at resettlement and refugee camps. These events, unfolding against the backdrop of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, expose the barbarity of Israels campaign, carried out with the complicity of the US and other world powers. On Sunday, July 13, a drone-fired missile struck a water distribution point in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing at least 10 peoplesix of them childrenand injuring 16 more, including seven children. The victims had gathered with empty jerry cans beside a water tanker, desperate for clean water amid Gazas worsening shortages. Residents described how families, forced to walk nearly two kilometers to reach the site, were lined up when the missile struck. We saw a drone hovering above, then suddenly there was a huge explosion. Children were screaming and running everywhere. There was blood, bodies on the ground, and people trying to carry the wounded away in their arms and on donkey carts, recounted Ramadan Nassar, a resident who witnessed the aftermath. The dead and injured were rushed to al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat, where overwhelmed medical staff struggled to cope with the influx. We are horrified and heartbroken. This is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, and a stark reminder that no one and no place is safe in Gaza, said Rabih Torbay, president and CEO of Project HOPE, whose clinic in Deir al Balah was also struck in a separate incident that killed 10 children and two women. The Israeli military admitted responsibility for the massacre, describing it as a technical error. In an official statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the missile was intended for an Islamic Jihad operative but due to a technical malfunction in the munition, it struck dozens of meters away from the intended target. The IDF added, We make every effort to minimize harm to uninvolved civilians and regret any harm to uninvolved civilians, and announced an investigation into the incident. However, these statements ring hollow following many such statements while the massacres continue unabated. On the same day, Israeli forces killed at least 12 people and wounded over 40 at a busy intersection in central Gaza, including a respected physician, Dr. Ahmad Qandeel. In Rafah, Khan Younis, and the Bureij refugee camp, further attacks on aid distribution points and displacement camps left dozens dead and many more injured. According to Al Jazeera, citing the Wafa news agency, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians gathered at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid center in Rafah, killing at least 31 people and injuring over 170, most with gunshot wounds to the extremities and upper body. Eyewitnesses described the scenes at these sites as chaotic and terrifying, with crowds of starving people surging towards aid trucks, only to be met with live fire or airstrikes. What were intended to be lifelines have instead turned into deadly choke points, Al Jazeera reported, highlighting the deliberate use of aid as a weapon of war. The past 24 hours have seen some of the deadliest violence since the beginning of July. According to the Washington Post, 139 bodies were delivered to Gaza hospitals on Sunday, with many more believed to be trapped under rubble. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 58,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023, with women and children making up more than half the total. The true toll is likely higher, as thousands remain missing or buried in inaccessible areas. These figures do not include those who have died from preventable diseases, malnutrition, or lack of medical careconsequences of the deliberate destruction of Gazas health infrastructure and blockade of humanitarian aid. According to a report in the New York Times on Sunday, the Israeli militarys renewed offensive is part of the effort to push thousands of families from neighborhoods in southern Gaza, especially the Tal al-Sultan area near the Egyptian border. These families, many of whom had only recently returned home during a brief ceasefire, were forced to flee on foot under shelling, carrying what little they could. Most of those who fled on Sunday trekked several miles northward to Khan Younis, only to find themselves without shelter due to a critical lack of essential supplies and tents, the local government of Rafah stated. The Times detailed how the latest wave of mass displacement is part of the broader strategy to concentrate Gazas population into the militarized zone, tightly controlled by Israeli forces, and cut off from the rest of the territory. The reopening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, under strict Israeli and Egyptian supervision, is being used to funnel out the sick and wounded, while most civilians are trapped in overcrowded camps with no prospect of returning to their homes. Nine elderly residents are dead and more than 30 hospitalized following a devastating fire that ripped through the Gabriel House assisted living facility on Oliver Street in Fall River, Massachusetts on Sunday night, July 13. The harrowing accounts from survivors reveal a tragedy long in the making, rooted in economic decline and an elder care industry that prioritizes profits over human lives. Michael Pimentel, center, a resident at the Gabriel House assisted living facility, in Fall River, Massachusetts, receives assistance from an emergency medical worker, right, outside a temporary shelter, Monday, July 14, 2025, following a fire that started late Sunday. [AP Photo/Steven Senne] A thriving textile manufacturing center until the early 20th century employing thousands in its mills, the southeastern Massachusetts city of 94,000 now ranks 344th out of the states 350 municipalities in per capita income. More than 17 percent of Fall River residents aged 65 and older live below the poverty line, and 14.2 percent of this age group live alone. Firefighters responding to the Gabriel House around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday found heavy fire at the main entrance of the building. The scene was immediately described as tricky and chaotic, with multiple residents seen hanging out of windows and doorways, screaming and begging for help. More than four dozen firefighters, including 30 who were off duty, joined the rescue effort, entering the smoke-filled building, breaking down doors, and physically carrying out approximately a dozen non-ambulatory residents to safety. Five firefighters were treated at a local hospital for smoke inhalation and released. Many residents were in bed or just about to go to sleep when the fire broke out. Many were in wheelchairs, immobile or dependent on oxygen tanks, making self-evacuation nearly impossible. Neal Beck, a 78-year-old resident, told the Boston Globe he was pulled by firefighters from his third-floor window, fearing he would have to jump. Another resident, Lorraine Ferrara, 71, said she was blown back by smoke when she opened her door and had to yell for help from her second-floor window until a firefighter broke it to rescue her. Michael Pimentel, 72, who has two prosthetic legs, described to the Globe breaking his own window after struggling to get out of his smoke-filled room, witnessing flames 10 feet tall. Ignored warnings at Gabriel House According to some residents, the Fall River fire was a disaster waiting to happen. Michael Pimentel and his friend Russell Silvia stated they had called news stations multiple times urging investigations into the Gabriel House. They told the Globe the facility smelled like urine, had mice in beds and 'cockroaches. Most damningly, Pimentel stated the elevator at the facility was broken for eight and a half months and had just recently been fixed a couple of weeks before the fire, only to break again a few days prior to the tragedy. Aside from the obvious safety risk, this is particularly alarming given that many residents were in wheelchairs and unable to go outside for prolonged periods due to the broken elevator. Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan acknowledged reports of a broken elevator but stated the elevator was last inspected on July 8, 2025. Pimentel reported that during the inferno lights and exit signs were not illuminated when the fire alarms sounded. These allegations, if proven true, point to egregious safety failures. The fact that the owner of Gabriel House, Dennis D. Etzkorn, was previously indicted for paying kickbacks to improperly procure over $2 million from MassHealth, the states form of Medicaid, raises further questions about the facility's operational integrity and focus on profit over resident well-being. The charges against Etzkorn were only dropped due to financial records having been illegally obtained. An investigator takes measurements Monday, July 14, 2025, near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted living facility following a fire that started late Sunday in Fall River, Massachusetts. [AP Photo/Steven Senne] The Gabriel House tragedy brings into sharp focus the alarming lack of regulation and oversight in Massachusetts assisted living industry. Unlike at nursing homes, which have specialized though often ignored regulations, owners of assisted living facilities are regulated more like landlords. John Ford, director of the elder law project at the Northeast Justice Center, has described assisted living residences in Massachusetts as kind of the Wild West, with few standards and little protections for residents. A class action lawsuit was filed in October 2024 against HallKeen Management, which operates seven assisted living homes in Massachusetts, for allegedly charging low-income residents illegal ancillary fees that left them with little or no money. These fees were reportedly charged even though MassHealth programs already funded essential services, amounting to double billing. The lawsuit exemplifies the systemic exploitation of vulnerable seniors in a weakly regulated industry. The attorney general claims that designing regulations to protect seniors at assisted living facilities is a cornerstone of her office, but this comes after years of recognized issues at the homes. A state investigation in 2024 found systemic failures leading to serious harm and in some cases death of residents in as many as seven elder care facilities across Massachusetts, resulting in fines and closures. Elder neglect and prohibitive costs across the US The senior living crisis extends beyond Massachusetts. Elder abuse and neglect in US nursing homes and elder care facilities are not only alarming and prevailing problems but also often go unreported. Statistics suggest up to 2 million American senior citizens aged 65 or older might have been affected by elder abuse, and one report found that as many as one in three elder care institutions were responsible for instances of neglect and abuse. The cost of assisted living in the US is astronomical, further highlighting the economic pressures placed on seniors and their families. As of 2025, the estimated median cost of assisted living in the US is $6,077 per month, or $72,924 per year, according to SeniorLiving.org. In Massachusetts, the median monthly cost is even higher, standing at around $9,330. These costs are prohibitive for all but the wealthiest seniors, who can afford country-club-style accommodations in their golden years. Original Medicare does not cover room and board or assistance with daily living tasks in assisted living facilities. Medicaid coverage varies by state and generally prohibits using funds for room and board. This leaves most families to pay out of pocket, often by draining retirement accounts, savings or selling their homes. The alternative for many seniors is to remain with relatives who are ill-equipped to provide or pay for care. With the growing number of older adults in the USexpected to reach 83.7 million by 2050the demand for assisted living is outpacing available beds, exacerbating the crisis. The median annual cost for assisted living in the US, ranging from $70,800 to $72,924, dwarfs that of other developed nations. For example, assisted living costs in Canada are $24,000$60,000 per year, with provincial subsidies available, while in Japan, costs are $18,000$42,000 per year, with national long-term care insurance available. Austerity measures implemented by governments globally will inevitably raise costs in these countries as well. The Gabriel House fire is not an isolated incident but a tragic consequence of a society and healthcare system that has long failed to provide adequate protections and support for its most vulnerable citizens, especially the elderly. Striking Republic workers from Boston along with other Teamsters members picketing a Republic location in Anaheim, California on Friday, July 11, 2025. Anaheim Republic workers honored the picket lines but were not permitted to join the picket lines. A wave of strikes and solidarity actions by sanitation workers at Republic Services, Americas second-largest waste disposal company, has erupted across the country. It is an important development in the growing resistance of the American working class. From Boston to the San Francisco Bay Area, Atlanta to Ottawa, and Seattle to Southern California, some 2,000 sanitation workers are either on strike or honoring picket lines in a national fightback against brutal working conditions, poverty wages and systemic abuse. Their strike has left trash piling up in city streets and the corporate-political establishment scrambling to contain what could become a far wider revolt. The Republic workers demands reflect both immediate grievances and long-simmering systemic issues within the waste management industry. They are demanding living wages for dangerous, grueling work that leaves many struggling to survive, especially in cities like San Francisco and Boston. They are seeking affordable health insurance, retirement security for landfill workers and safer working conditions in one of the deadliest jobs in the country. The strikes are all the more significant given the strike earlier this month by 9,000 Philadelphia city workers, including sanitation workers, was betrayed by the union bureaucracy. Wages and the cost of living were also a key issue, with workers demanding substantial pay increases, as well as the right to live outside of the city while employed by the local government. The Philadelphia strike had a powerful impact, with garbage piling up across the city, and workers supporting a broadening of the strike, but the AFSCME union shut down the strike at its most powerful, accepting the citys demands. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, refuse and recyclable material collectors were ranked as the fourth deadliest job in the country in 2023, with a fatality rate of 41.4 deaths per 100,000 employees, significantly higher than the national average for workplace fatalities. Widespread reports of racist mistreatment underscore a toxic, exploitative environment, with many workers stuck in low-paying, frontline roles. The strike wave currently underway began on July 1 in Boston, with hundreds of workers in Teamsters Local 25. It quickly spread westward. Bay Area workers joined days later in solidarity, unleashing a three-day trash pile-up across two dozen cities. In Stockton, Manteca, Lathrop, and Daly City, workers are also out. In Atlanta, Lacey, and Ottawa, the picket lines hold. In Orange County, a supermajority of workers are refusing to cross picket lines from elsewhere. And in Southern California, more strikes are imminent, with overwhelming strike authorizations from members of Teamsters Local 396. On Friday, July 11 the World Socialist Web Site spoke with Ron, a Republic sanitation worker from Boston, on the picket line at the Republic facilities in Anaheim, California. Republic Services facility in Anaheim, California, July 11, 2025. The workers at this Republic facility here in Anaheim cant join the strike, and thats why you dont see them with us. Theyre just not crossing the line, but they are honoring our picket line, and thats how theyre supporting us. The majority of the guys are supporting our strike. There are a few who decided to go in. Id say about 85 to 90 percent are supporting us, and its already paid dividends, in my opinion. And then some of these guys are crossing the line and working. They made their own choices. I get it. People have families and bills to pay, theyve got responsibilities. Even though the Teamsters are paying you to strike. We also have sent our pickets to Republic facilities in Santa Ana, San Diego, Huntington Beach and Seattle. Also in Georgia too. Ron explained, The kind of work that we do is one of the five most dangerous jobs in the country. Theres so many different aspects to it. If you look at this truck, its a front-loader. So these guys dont have to get out of the truck. But the other ones which require one guy to hang from the back of the truck, there have been multiple cases this year alone, where Ive seen guys who are putting in stuff get hit by cars. Someone isnt paying attention, and theyre crushed into the back of the truck. Its happened multiple times. And we work at a transfer station. We work with heavy equipment all day like here. And then there are guys who may not be paying attention, somebody walks in front of a machine without watching, a lot of people get hurt. You have to be really careful on this job. When we go to work every day, whether its us or somebody else, theres always that danger. The struggle has a national character and the potential to grow beyond a single employer. The rank and file faces not just Republic Services, but the corporate and political order that enables itan order now spearheaded by the Trump administration, which has unleashed a reign of terror against immigrant workers in particular. When the WSWS reporter spoke about the independent rank-and-file investigation that the IWA-RFC is pursuing into the death of autoworker Ronald Adams Sr., Ron said he absolutely supported it. The company, the union and the OSHA officials have done nothing in over three months. We started our strike on July 1. We gave Republic a deadline, July 7, to come up with something better. They didnt, so now were spreading the strike, he said. The fascistic ICE raids now storming hospitals and community centers in military-style operations are the domestic face of a broader class war against workers. Many of those on strike today are immigrants or children of immigrants, fighting not only for wages and benefits but for their very right to exist in this country. Republic Services workers now stand on the front lines of a fight that touches every sector of the working class. But if workers are to win this battle, they must first identify and overcome the most immediate obstacle in their path: the Teamsters bureaucracy itself. Led by President Sean OBrien, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters postures as a militant, fighting union. In reality, it functions as a junior partner of corporate America and the state. Its role is not to wage struggle but to prevent it. Every major labor conflict under OBriens leadership has ended in betrayal. In 2023, the Teamsters sold out the 340,000 UPS workersone of the largest private-sector labor forces in the countryby calling off a strike at the last minute and ramming through a contract filled with concessions. The result was mass layoffs, including 20,000 jobs being cut this year in what UPS called a streamlining of operations, aided and abetted by the union. The union officials, having maintained a guilty silence for years, now claim to be opposing a buyout program for drivers, but have not done anything to prepare a strike or any other action. A recent webinar addressed by OBrien had comments disabled in order to censor workers anger at the apparatus. At CVS earlier this year, workers voted overwhelmingly to strike. Days later, the Teamsters announced a contract and forced a snap vote, bypassing the rank and file entirely. The betrayal sparked outrage. But for the bureaucracy, that was the point, to smother the rebellion before it could spread. Earlier this year, the Teamsters sold out 18,000 Costco workers by rushing through a subpar contract without giving members time to review it, preserving tiered wages and worsening conditions. Republic Services workers have been through this before. In 2021, when sanitation workers last went on strike in California and elsewhere, the Teamsters shut it down piecemeal, isolating one local after another, forcing through rotten contracts and keeping the national struggle from materializing. Behind OBriens tough guy persona lies a right-wing, nationalist politics completely aligned with the ruling class. He spoke at the Republican National Convention and stood onstage during Trumps 2025 inauguration. And he has made clear that he supports Trumps anti-immigrant, pro-corporate policies because they protect the privileges of the union bureaucracy. OBrien and the union bureaucracy have social interests different from and hostile to those of workers. The Teamsters own financial disclosures speak volumes, with 213 officials making over $200,000 a year. No faith can be placed in this corrupt apparatus. It exists to defend the employers, not the workers. The expanding Republic Services strike reveals the enormous potential power of the working class. Sanitation workers have the ability to bring entire regions to a halt. They provide a service vital to public health and the functioning of society. When they stop, society feels it immediately. But to realize this power, workers must take control of the struggle out of the hands of the union bureaucracy. They must learn the lesson of the Philadelphia strike, which confirmed the iron rule that so long as workers remain under control of the apparatus, the only possible outcome is a sellout. There is no doubt a similar betrayal is being prepared by the Teamsters. In response to the sabotage of the strike, Philadelphia workers have formed an independent rank-and-file committee to call for an immediate resumption of the strike on an expanded basis, adding 3,000 of the citys white-collar workers, Philadelphia transit workers and others. Republic workers must form their own independent rank-and-file strike committeesdemocratically controlled bodies of workers, independent of and opposed to the union officials, which can coordinate actions, communicate across regions and prepare a nationwide strike. Such committees must call for an end to secret negotiations, with all negotiations under the control of rank-and-file representatives and livestreamed over the internet; full strike pay for all workers involved; no return to work without a deal which meets workers demands, as well as adequate time for workers to study and discuss the tentative agreement; and the expansion of the strike to link up with workers in other industries who are facing similar attacks. This fight must also link up with the broader opposition to the Trump administration and its fascist policiesfrom ICE raids and police violence to union-busting and privatization. A political general strike must be prepared to oppose not just this or that employer, but the capitalist system as a whole. Recently retired Chief of the General Staff (head of the British Army), General Sir Patrick Sanders, has declared that Britain must prepare for the realistic possibility of war with Russia within five years, and step up rearmament at a faster pace than that envisaged by the Labour government. In an interview with the Telegraph, Sanders said, If Russia stops fighting in Ukraine, you get to a position where within a matter of months they will have the capability to conduct a limited attack on a Nato member that we will be responsible for supporting, and that happens by 2030. General Sir Patrick Sanders takes the salute at a passing out parade, August 11, 2022 [Photo: Corporal Rebecca Brown RLC / Open Government License v.3.0] Sanders was effectively stood down as British Army head by the Sunak Conservative government due to his too-public frustrations over the pace of rearmament. He called for a citizen army as crucial to a whole-of-nation mobilisation for war, which the crisis-ridden and collapsing Tory government felt unable to openly back given its explosive social implications. Having been handed his post in June 2022, within a year it was reported that Sanders would be standing down in 2024. Sky News explained last summer that Sanders would be leaving after an unusually short term, removing a key voice who has warned about the need to rebuild the UK's land forces after decades of cuts. Telegraph Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan notes that it was her newspaper that previously revealed that while still serving, Gen Sir Patrick was blocked from giving a speech where he would warn that the nation would be called up to fight in the event of a war with Russia, because the Army is too small. Sanders parting shot was a June 6, 2024 interview in the Times, which leads a field of newspapers demanding a stepping up of confrontation with Russia and huge increases in military spending to pay for it. He told the paper: warfare on this scale [World War Two]... there is every prospect, if you look at the pattern of history, that it could happen again. The Times Defence Editor Larisa Brown was blunter still: Britain should be better prepared for a war so large that it could kill tens of millions of people, the outgoing head of the army has said. Sanders had previously warned in a speech to the Royal United Services Institutes (RUSI)s Land Warfare Conference, The British Army must be prepared to engage in warfare at its most violent. Russia, he told the Telegraph, remained the greatest threat to Britains national interests: I dont know what more signals we need for us to realise that if we dont act now and we dont act in the next five years to increase our resilience I dont know what more is needed. Sanders used the interview to insist that Britain was well behind in preparing for military conflict. He gave as a counter-example countries that are very alive to the threatEstonia, Poland, the Nordicsgovernments there take a really proactive, serious approach to making sure the population realise that they could be attacked at almost any time. And so they give them a set of instructions on how to prepare for the consequences of thatloss of power, loss of fuel, storing food, they encourage them to have their own defensive bunkers, whether thats in cellars or civil defencethey encourage people to volunteer for civil defence roles to protect key bits of infrastructure. Sanders cited Finland as an example the UK should consider, the Telegraph reports, with the general telling the paper, Finland has bomb shelters for 4.5 million people. It can survive as a government and as a society under direct missile and air attacks from Russia. We dont have that. His main concern is military manpower. Now the first place you go to are the reserves, but the reserves are also too small. Thirty thousand reserves still only takes you to an army of 100,000. I joined an Army in the Cold War that was about 140,000 regulars, and on top of that, a much larger reserve. The governments Strategic Defence Review published in Junewhich envisages a slight increase in regular army troop numbers to just 73,000didnt touch on this at all. While supporting Starmer signing up to NATOs new membership requirement of spending 5 percent of GPD on the military, he complained, My concern is not that we will get to 5 per cent and the 3.5 per cent of military, its by when and at the moment the increase in the defence budget between now and 2027 is pretty marginal. For years, the most predatory sections of the ruling elite have insisted in the pages of the Times and Telegraph that the post-war era peace dividend on which welfare state policies could be financed is over. This position is now normalised within the bourgeois media, summed up by an op-ed column by Financial Times writer Janan Ganesh earlier this year titled, Europe must trim its welfare state to build a warfare state. The Telegraph notes that Sanders added that as the Cold War ended, the West was lured into a false sense of security and that the peace dividend had made Britain vulnerable. Sanders warned, We now need to wake up and realise that that world has gone. Sanders latest intervention reveals the fear in ruling circles over growing opposition to war in a population not prepared to see millions killed in the future wars of British imperialism. He states, The world has become as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than it was in the Cold War and so I always worry about the layers of security we have, but I worry more about our resilience. Politicians had to make sure the civilian population understands that these are no longer things that happen elsewhere, they could happen in the UK, referring to strikes and loss of power, loss of fuel. Sanders knows that the working class will be ordered to make sacrifices long in advance of such events, in the form of savage social spending and wage cuts. This means a massive crackdown on democratic rights. To justify such a crackdown, he claimed Irans position as a malign player in the [Middle East] region targeted by British imperialism meant it would operate through proxies to attack British interests in the UK. Using this claim, Sanders endorsed the proscription of the direct action protest group Palestine Action, alleging, its entirely possible that there will have been some direct or covert sponsorship of groups like that. Similar lying accusations could be levelled at other protests groups, smeared as proxies of Russia or China. The World Socialist Web Site pointed to the significance of a sinister campaign, led by Rupert Murdochs Times, Sun, and Daily Mail in the early days of the 2022-23 strike wave, denouncing striking rail workers as Putins stooges. Sanderss comments take place within the context of the mad rush to rearmament by the main imperialist powers, with Russia and China in the firing line. His Telegraph interview was published just days before widespread media discussion of right-wing German historian Sonke Neitzels statement Perhaps this is the last summer of peace. The intervention by Sanders also coincided with the call on Sunday by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for the reintroduction of conscription. Austin firefighters wishing to make contact with the WSWS can submit the form below. All submissions will be kept anonymous. A man surveys debris and flood damage along the Guadalupe River, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. [AP Photo/Eric Gay] The deadly flooding in Texas Hill Country has exposed deep cracks in American society. At least 120 people have died and 170 remain missing in a catastrophe that could have been mitigated with timely warnings and coordinated rescue operations. But years of budget cuts, disinvestment in public infrastructure and politically driven decision-making have taken their toll. The region lacked any flood warning system. Staffing shortages at the National Weather Service hampered the agencys ability to issue timely alerts. And in one of the most damning failures, the City of Austin Fire Departmentdespite having the best water rescue units in the state, according to Austin Firefighters Association (AFA) President Bob Nicksrefused to deploy rescue teams until after the flooding had already begun. On July 11, the AFA (Local 975 of the International Association of Firefighters) voted overwhelminglyby 93 percentto issue a resolution of no confidence in Fire Chief Joel Baker. In a statement, the AFA wrote: The Austin Firefighters Association is demanding a full investigation into the decision and calling for transparency and accountability at all levels of management. Were urging investigative journalists and the public to help uncover the truth. The lives of citizensand trust in our local governmentdepend on it. The firefighters will not stop until every responsible party is held accountable and systemic changes are made to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. According to Nicks, two formal requests for assistance were sent to the Austin Fire Department before the flooding began. Both were denied. A month earlier, Chief Baker had imposed a moratorium on all out-of-area deployments, citing internal cash flow problems. But Nicks dismissed the financial excuse as a non-starter, noting that any deployment costs would be reimbursed by the state of Texas. The message up and down the chain of command was: do not deploy and do not even ask, he told the World Socialist Web Site. It was not until July 4after the disaster was well underwaythat Baker allowed just three rescue divers to be sent to the region. Firefighters from every other major Texas city, as well as from Oklahoma City and even from Mexico, deployed to assist. Retired Austin rescue captain Matt Rush rejected the excuse that sending help would have left the city unprotected. If we send resources to a flood event, we are not losing capability within the city of Austin, he told austinpolitics.net. Were not closing 10 fire stations in Austin to go help Kerrville. Right-wing provocateurs have seized on the controversy to advance a racist narrative (Joel Baker is African-American). Charlie Kirk, the fascistic founder of Turning Point USA, said on his podcast: How many people unnecessarily died because of DEI? This vile attempt to use this tragedy to incite racism is aimed at shielding the real criminalsTexas Governor Greg Abbott and the Republican-controlled state legislature, which has refused to fund a flood warning system but has spent more than $11 billion since 2021 on Operation Lone Star, the states anti-immigrant border crackdown. At the same time, Democratic Party officials in Austin have denounced the firefighters vote of no confidence. Democratic Mayor Kirk Watson accused Nicks of politicizing the disaster during union negotiations. City Manager T.C. Broadnax echoed the charge, calling the AFAs resolution disappointing. Others affiliated with the Democratic Party have even insinuated that the unions criticisms were racially motivated, forcing the AFA to issue a statement clarifying that the dispute is not about race or ethnicity. Nicks, who emphasized that I am not a MAGA guy, told the WSWS that neither race nor partisanship motivated the unions decision but the imperative to protect lives and hold those responsible to account. Indeed, what the Kerr floods exposed is the deep class fault lines in the United States. The flood occurred amid record cuts to public spending, including to the National Weather Service and other basic services millions rely on before and during extreme weather events. As has been widely reported, Trumps first administration rejected a funding application from the county government for a flood warning system. Meanwhile, Democratic Party politicians are carrying out massive cuts to city services in major cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia. Watsons arrogant denunciation of the firefighters principled stand confirms the local governments complicity in the decision not to send highly trained personnel to save lives. This draining of social resources at every level must be countered by a movement in the working class, independent of both parties, fighting against the Wall Street oligarchy, which is the recipient of these resources. Jaime Alanis Garcia [Photo: Yesenia Duran] The death of 57-year-old Jaime Alanis Garcia as the result of an ICE raid in Camarillo, California marks a turning point in the fascistic assault on immigrants and the entire working class. Garcia, a farmworker, fell 30 feet while fleeing federal agents during a July 10 violent operation at the Glass House Farms cannabis facility. Jaime died as a direct consequence of a brutal, militarized immigration crackdown spearheaded by the Trump administration and supported by both capitalist parties. He is the first known martyr in what is becoming an American Gestapo campaigna term not used lightly, with deliberate historical weight. Garcia was also a husband, a father and the sole provider for his family in Mexico, whose survival depended on the remittances he sent back from his low-paid labor in California. His blood is on many hands. It stains not only Trump and his cabal of fascist advisers and enforcers, but the entire Democratic and Republican establishment, whose policies over decades have criminalized immigration, sanctioned raids, fortified the border and empowered agencies like ICE with sweeping powers to terrorize communities. Jaime Alanis Garcia died as millions livein fear of arrest, deportation or worsefor the crime of being born in the wrong place and seeking to work. His death has resonated with working people across the country. A GoFundMe organized in his name has raised over $160,000 as of Mondaya testament to the love and solidarity he inspired, and the depth of grief and outrage his death has provoked. On July 10, ICE launched coordinated raids at Glass House Farms cannabis facilities in Camarillo and Carpinteria, storming the sites with federal agents, armored vehicles and helicopters. Over 300 people, including at least four US citizens, were arrested in the raids. Amid this military-style assault, federal officials proudly announced they had discovered at least ten child laborers. Federal immigration agents toss tear gas at protesters during a raid in the agriculture area of Camarillo, California, Thursday, July 10, 2025. [AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker] Rather than indicting the capitalist system that employs children in backbreaking agricultural labor in 2025 California, the state has moved to criminalize the victims of that exploitation. The discovery of child workers is now being cynically used to retroactively justify the raid and mass arrests, deflecting attention from the real scandal: that in the richest state of the richest country on earth, such 19th-century barbarism exists as a matter of course. The sanctuary state lie and the role of the Democrats On July 11, a video surfaced showing around two dozen children and women in federal custody, hands chained, shuffling single file through a Los Angeles federal building parking garage. The footage, confirmed by attorneys with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA), sparked outrage. Jorge-Mario Cabrera of CHIRLA condemned the scene as barbaric, emphasizing that these were children, not criminals. While the children were later reported safe by attorneys from CHIRLAs Rapid Response Network, Cabrera emphasized this offered little comfort. The Trump administrations actions were denounced as shameful, and ICE officials have not responded to questions about the detentions. California has long been promoted as a sanctuary state by Democratic politicians like Governor Gavin Newsomwho recently signed a state budget that effectively condemns undocumented immigrants to illness and destitutionand Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. This is a lie. The illusion of California as a safe haven for immigrants is shattered every time ICE conducts a raid with the assistance of local law enforcement. On the contrary, California is being used as the model for a deliberate militarization of society, as evidenced by recent federal military-style operations in MacArthur Park, Los Angeles codenamed Operation Excalibur. This assault deployed armored vehicles, helicopters and heavily armed agents, normalizing paramilitary tactics against working class communities and immigrants. Repeated investigations and whistleblower reports have revealed that California police departments have illegally collaborated with ICE and Border Patrol. Over 100 instances were documented in June alone of Southern California police agencies illegally sharing data from automated license plate readers with federal immigration authorities, in flagrant violation of state law. In downtown Los Angeles, LAPD officers were seen assisting federal agents in detaining immigrants, managing protest crowds, and even deleting video evidence of the raidstargeting not only undocumented workers but US citizens attempting to film abuses. The cowardice and complicity of the trade unions The United Farm Workers (UFW), which historically claims to represent immigrant laborers, has once again proven itself utterly bankrupt. In a revealing interview, UFW President Teresa Romero admitted that raids have been ongoing for months, yet the unions response has been limited to calls for nonviolence and peaceful protest, appealing to the very politicians responsible for unleashing ICE. Romero acknowledged that the raids have forced farmworkers to stay home out of fear but emphasized that they dont make a lot of money ... so they know they have to go to work. She also highlighted efforts to work with politicians on a pathway to citizenship for those who have labored for 40 or 50 years. This grotesque approachwhere security is a reward for decades of povertyis a damning indictment of the UFWs pro-capitalist orientation. The unions current stance aligns with its long history of anti-immigrant positions. In 1969, UFW founder Cesar Chavez and the union protested undocumented workers as strikebreakers and even reported some to immigration authorities. In the early 1970s, the UFWs Wet Line campaign physically attacked migrant workers crossing the border, seeing them as threats to union power. More recently, the 2010 Take Our Jobs campaign sought to shame native-born workers into farm labor, reinforcing racist stereotypes and evading the real issue: systemic exploitation. The UFW operates not as a defender of immigrant workers but as an instrument of class collaboration and containment. The arrest and disappearance of Dr. Jonathan Caravello CSUCI professor Dr. Jonathan Caravello speaking at the July 9 Camarillo City Council meeting. [Photo: Ojai Valley News / Ventura County Sun] The true scope of repression was further exposed by the arrest of Dr. Jonathan A. Caravello, a philosophy and math lecturer at California State University Channel Islands. During the Camarillo raid, Caravello reportedly tried to assist a disabled man in a wheelchair after ICE agents fired teargas, with one canister landing beneath the chair. Suddenly, multiple agents seized Caravello, threw him to the ground and dragged him into an unmarked vehicle. For days, his whereabouts were unknown and he reportedly had no access to his medications, prompting outcry from advocacy groups. The California Faculty Association, of which he is a member, has issued a statement condemning the abduction as a grave attack on our constitutional rights to free speech. It is believed he was held at the Ventura County Federal Detention Facility on a $1 million bail, yet no formal charges were initially announced. US Attorney Bill Essayli claimed Caravello had not been kidnapped but faced charges under 18 USC 111 for allegedly assaulting officers by throwing a tear gas canister. This statute is often used to criminalize protesters during political crackdowns. Caravellos disappearance signals the broadening of state repression beyond immigrants to anyone daring to protest or intervene. On Monday, more than three days after he was taken, a judge ordered Caravello released from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Detention Center. The Trump administrations immigration raids are a testing ground for authoritarian rule. Backed by both capitalist parties, the ruling class is preparing for mass unrest driven by deepening inequality, endless war and social collapse. The attacks on immigrants are the spearhead of this assault, aimed at normalizing paramilitary tactics and conditioning the public to accept unaccountable federal agents operating with impunity. But the ultimate target is not just immigrantsit is the entire working class. This is why US citizens have been arrested, professors disappeared, video evidence deleted and children exploited or chained. The message from the state is unmistakable: protest, and you are the enemy. No appeal to the Democrats or the unions will stop this. The only way forward is through the international struggle for socialism to unite workers everywhere in the fight to abolish capitalism and build a new, socialist society. In a letter addressed to Sri Lankan President Dissanayake, US President Trump announced the imposition of a 30 percent tariff on Sri Lankan exports, set to take effect on August 1. This move is part of Trumps broader global trade war strategy, which targets both adversaries and allies of the US. President Dissanayke heads special discussion on US tariffs on Sri Lanka [Photo: Presidents Media Division] The 30 percent tariff will significantly impact on Sri Lankaparticularly its apparel manufacturing and other export industriesand is expected to result in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs. This will further intensify the economic and political crisis facing the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National Peoples Power (JVP/NPP) government. In early April, Trump announced high tariffs on countries around the world but paused implementation for 75 countries, including Sri Lanka, initially facing a 44 percent tariff, for 90 days. Following the expiry of this pause, Trump has now imposed massive tariff hikes on a number of countries. Sri Lankas deputy minister of foreign affairs and foreign employment, Arun Hemachandra, attempted to downplay the impact of the tariffs. Comparing the new 30 percent tariff with the original 44 percent proposal, Hemachandra declared that Sri Lanka had received the largest tariff reduction among all the listed countries. In fact, according to Duminda Hulangamuwa, senior economic adviser to President Dissanayake, all Sri Lankan exports to the US will be subject to an additional 30 percent tariff on top of existing tariffs on various items, which range from 0 to 25 percent. Hulangamuwa also confirmed that the JVP/NPP government has no intention of retaliating with counter-tariffs on US goods. Our goal is to secure the best possible deal. This is a balancing act. We are not seeking confrontation; we are pursuing collaboration, he said. To justify the high tariffs, Trump repeated his stock phrases: the US has persistent trade deficits with Sri Lanka and the latter maintains tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers. If Sri Lanka reduced its tariffs and trade barriers, the US would consider further adjustments. President Dissanayake held a closed-door discussion with his ministers, advisers, and top government officials on July 10, immediately after receiving the letter. He later told the media that there would be an ongoing dialogue with the US to secure concessions. The US is Sri Lankas single largest market for apparel, accounting for 40 percent of total apparel exportsabout $1.9 billion annually. It is also the largest destination for all Sri Lankan exports, comprising 25 percent of total exports, valued at $3 billion annually. Sri Lankan big businesses reacted with alarm to the 30 percent tariff. The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association warned that it could result in up to 50,000 job losses initially and undermine Sri Lankas competitiveness in South and Southeast Asia. The Joint Apparel Associations Forum (JAAF), representing the apparel industry, cautioned that the new tariff threatens to tip the playing field in favour of regional rivals and could lead to US sourcing being redirected away from Sri Lanka. The apparel industry directly employs over 350,000 workers, who earn an average monthly wage of 35,000 rupees (approximately $US116), and are often compelled to work overtime to meet production targets. Around 600,000 additional workers are indirectly employed in the sector. To cut production costs further, apparel companies are increasingly contracting out to firms that employ even lower-paid workers. A significant decline in garment exports would inevitably lead to factory closures, widespread job losses, and a deterioration in wages and working conditions. Other export industriesincluding tea, rubber, gems, seafood, and various manufactureswill also be affected by the US tariff war. In response to Trumps initial tariff hike announcement, President Dissanayake called for national unity and convened an All-Party Conference on April 11. He urged working people to bear the burden of a future economic collapse and to sacrifice their rights for the benefit of big business. The Dissanayake government has made its support for Washingtons geopolitical agenda clear by strengthening military ties with the US, welcoming visits from senior American military officials, and aligning itself with the US military buildup against China. Parliamentary opposition leader Sajith Premadasa promptly declared his partys willingness to support the government in securing the best deal for Sri Lanka. Opposition MP Harsha de Silva also called for urgent bipartisan cooperation and for setting aside political affiliations. Big-business lobby groups, such as the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the JAAF, are actively pressuring the Dissanayake government to offer more tax cuts and other concessions. The prospect of any deal over tariffs is very limited. Only two agreements have been reached in the more than three months since the tariffs were first announcedone with Britain and a second with Vietnam. Moreover, the new tariffs are certain to intensify Sri Lankas economic crisis and could potentially trigger another balance of payments crisis. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) flagged concerns about the high US tariffs in a report earlier this month. It warned that the tariffs could reduce exports and shrink Sri Lankas GDP by up to 1.5 percent below baseline projections. The IMF projected that exports could decline by as much as 3 percentage points as a proportion of GDP due to trade diversion. Although it predicted a surge in unemployment, the IMF insisted that its current austerity measuresincluding the privatisation of state-owned enterprises and deep cuts to public spendingmust continue without delay. Trade union bureaucracies responded to Trumps tariffs by assuring the government and big business of their willingness to cooperate. In April, Anton Marcus, leader of the Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union (FTZGSEU), called for the establishment of parliamentary committees including company and union representatives. He even suggested that Sri Lanka could win Trumps favour by exempting US imports from tariffs. S.P. Nathan, leader of the Ceylon Mercantile Union (CMU), made a weak appeal to the Trump administration to reverse the tariffsan appeal that, unsurprisingly, went unanswered. Sri Lankas trade union bureaucraciesincluding the FTZGSEU, CMU, and the JVP-controlled Inter-Company Employees Union (ICEU)have consistently responded to every crisis facing Sri Lankan capitalism by deepening their collaboration with governments and big corporations, always shifting the burden onto the working class. During the 2008 global financial crisis, they supported the closure of major apparel factories and other mass layoffs. Likewise, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, they participated in a tripartite task force that imposed layoffs, wage cuts, and unsafe working conditionsleading to the loss of 150,000 jobs. Opposed to any independent mobilisation of the working class, they refused to challenge the layoffs imposed during the 2022 economic collapse and fully supported the IMF-dictated social attacks imposed by both the Wickremesinghe and Dissanayake-led governments. The tariff war and its devastating social consequences are not isolated events but are rooted in the deepening crisis of global capitalism. Workers are not responsible for the global economic turmoil or the escalating tariff wars and should not sacrifice their rights to protect Sri Lankan capitalism and its ruling elite. Working people cannot defend their jobs, wages, democratic rights, or future within the confines of the profit system or a national economic framework. To counter these attacks, workers must take the struggle into their own hands and mobilise their industrial and political strength on the basis of a socialist and international perspective. Apparel workers and all other affected sectors need to form their own democratically elected and controlled action committees in factories and neighborhoods. These committeesindependent from capitalist parties and union bureaucraciesshould debate and determine actions such as protests, strikes, and factory occupations, in coordination with workers across industries. Their demands must include: No to job cuts, wage reductions, worsened working conditions, or increased workloads. Oppose all factory closures, by taking industrial action, including occupations. Reject token employer-union compensation deals and demand full pay until alternative employment is secured. Pay increases to offset the erosion of real wages, with wages indexed to the cost of living. Fully paid medical leave, along with access to decent housing and health care. The struggle against the tariff war, like the fight against IMF austerity, is inherently international. Sri Lankan apparel and other workers must unite with their class brothers and sisters across borders in a common fight against the global capitalist offensive. This unity must be built through the formation of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), initiated by the International Committee of the Fourth International. Workers in Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, and across South and East Asia fighting the tariff measures must be contacted and encouraged to form their own action committees and invited to join the IWA-RFC. In a powerful show of opposition to the Gaza genocide, large numbers of students at University of Edinburgh, Scotland held dramatic walkouts and protests at their graduation ceremonies over the past fortnight, to oppose their universitys financial ties to the Israeli arms industry and its complicity in genocide. Young people interrupted their graduation ceremonies, unfolding flags and banners with slogans including, Fund teaching not genocide, No Graduates in Gaza and No universities in Gaza, before walking out of the graduation halls, to cheering and clapping. Walkouts took place at the Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences graduation on July 4; at the Business School event July 8; Biomedical Sciences, July 9; and the School of Social and Political Science graduation July 10. Organised by the universitys Justice for Palestine society, the protests testify to deeply rooted opposition among students to the ongoing imperialist-backed genocide in Gaza. Another protest took place at the Edinburgh Napier University graduation in Usher Hall, when one student unrolled a keffiyeh and shouted, Free Palestine!, to considerable clapping. Terrified at this show of opposition, university authorities shut down a live stream of the event. These protests coincided with publication of a report by United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, which singled out University of Edinburgh as one of many in the UK which have maintained ties with Israel after October 2023. Francesca Albaneses report Albaneses report From economy of occupation to economy of genocide is a devastating review of profit-making by countless corporate entities from the ongoing illegal occupation and genocidal escalation in Palestine. The report notes the judgements by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court that place on corporate entities a prima facie responsibility to not engage and/or to withdraw totally and unconditionally from any associated dealings, and to ensure that any engagement with Palestinians enables their self-determination. Should activities and relationships with Israels economy, military, public and private sector continue, these corporate entities may be found to have knowingly contributed to violating Palestinians right to self-determination, crimes of aggression and human rights violations, crimes of apartheid and genocide. Besides the war on Gaza producing a 65 percent increase in Israeli arms spending, and a surge in profits for Israeli arms companies such as a Elbit Systems, numerous international companies are reaping profits from the genocide. Albanese lists Lockheed Martin, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Caterpillar, Hyundai, Doosan, Volvo and Heidelberg Materials AG, among many others. Many academic institutions are implicated too. Albanese cites the Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducting weapons and surveillance research funded by the Israeli government. The European Commissions Horizon programme collaborates with complicit Israeli institutions and has handed over billions, including to the Technical University of Munich. University of Edinburgh complicity Albanese notes, One of many British examples, the University of Edinburgh holds nearly 25.5 million ($31.72 million) (2.5 per cent of its endowment) in four tech giantsAlphabet, Amazon, Microsoft and IBM central to the Israeli surveillance apparatus and the ongoing Gaza destruction. With both direct and indexed investments, the University ranks among the most financially entangled institutions in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The University also partners with firms aiding Israeli military operations, including Leonardo S.p.A. and Ben-Gurion University, through the AI and Data Science Lab at Ben-Gurion University, sharing research that directly links it with assaults on Palestinians. But rather than praise students for warning the university of its deep complicity in war crimes, Vice-Principal Students Professor Colm Harmon falsely accused the protestors of creating an intimidating and hostile environment that was deeply disrespectful to our graduates, guests and university staff. Harmons stance is consistent. While Edinburgh University has been a focal point for student opposition to the genocide, the response from the university has been contemptuous. In late 2023, the Edinburgh branch of the University and College Union complained of the bullying treatment of anti-genocide protestors by university authorities, who deployed private security and called police against peaceful protestors. An encampment and mass hunger strike were maintained by students at the university last year for several weeks, joined by similar protests outside the Scottish parliament. Staff in their hundreds signed an open letter supporting the encampment and demanding immediate emergency measures to divest from any companies complicit with Israels regime of apartheid and plausible genocide. Another open letter called for the creation of a special fund for the support of academics and students from Gaza (whose universities have been completely destroyed). The university authorities ignored them. The university is currently imposing up to 140 million worth of cuts, reportedly the biggest ever made at a Scottish university. Fear of student opposition drove another Edinburgh institution to collaborate with arms manufacturer Raytheon, now RTX, to surveil students. Freedom of Information requests from Scotlands Herald exposed that Heriot-Watt University agreed a range of security measures prior to a careers fair which Raytheon were attending. Heriot-Watt agreed to monitor student chat groups and CCTV for signs of protests, and provide an enhanced physical presence to help safeguard Raytheon employees and act as a deterrent. The careers fair was attended by another arms company, Leonardo. Both RTX and Leonardo have substantial Scottish-based operations and make parts for Lockheed Martins F-35 jet fighters. Scottish National Party support ban on Palestine Action This is the context for the Scottish National Partys (SNP) decision to abstain in the July 2 Westminster vote to proscribe direct action protest group Palestine Action. The amendment to the Terrorism Act 2000 was passed by 385 to 26 votes. The SNP, the ruling party in Scotland for the last 18 years, passed over the chance to register even a token protest to the draft order that bans membership of Palestine Action or any support for the organisation, punishable by 14 years imprisonment. For more than two decades, the SNPs default position has been to position itself one notch to the left of the Labour Party, and the partys parliamentarians have been vocal in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. But the financial institutions and weapons manufacturers whose lucrative Scottish operations are equipping the Gaza genocide form a major part of the local economy. Already booming due to the Ukraine war, these arms companiesalongside the universitiesanticipate a major profit windfall as part of the Starmer governments re-armament program, and the SNP wants a part. Besides RTX and Leonardo, Scotland hosts BAE Systems and Thales, both of which are equipping the genocide. These companies are all members of arms industry umbrella ADS, which lobbies Holyrood and Westminster on behalf of the multi-billion-pound industry. According to ADS, the aerospace, defence, naval and security sector is worth some 7.3 billion annually in Scotland alone. Showing intent to intimidate and criminalise the broadest layers of workers and youth, the Palestine Action ban has already been deployed against a peaceful anti-genocide protestor in Glasgow. A 55-year-old man was arrested at the TRNSMT music festival last weekend, from which Irish band Kneecap were previously banned over their opposition to the genocide. The man was arrested for allegedly wearing a T-Shirt which stated Genocide in Palestine. Time to take action, with the words Palestine and action in a larger font than the rest of the text. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player A Patriot missile mobile launcher is displayed outside the Fort Sill Army Post near Lawton, Oklahoma., on March 21, 2023. [AP Photo/Sean Murphy] Donald Trump has effectively reversed his administrations policy on the NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, announcing over the weekend that the Pentagon will resume massive arms shipments totaling up to $10 billion. The deliveries will include Patriot air defense systems and long-range missiles capable of striking Moscow and other major Russian cities. Trump appeared at the White House on Monday alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, exchanging flattery and pledges of renewed solidarity. Rutte later met with top congressional leaders, while German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius held talks with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to finalize the details of the arms shipments. As is generally the case with Trump, boosting the profits of American corporations at the expense of their overseas rivals was a key selling point for the deal. European countries will purchase billions of dollars in US-made weapons, including two Patriot missile systems, and send them to Ukraine, propping up both the crumbling Zelensky regime in Kiev and the bottom lines of military contractors like Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. At Mondays press briefing, Trump announced that he was giving Russian President Vladimir Putin 50 days to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine. If not, Trump warned, he would impose tariffs of at least 100 percent on any country that purchases Russian oil and gas. The tariffs would target China, India and Brazil, whichalong with Russiaare founding members of BRICS, the economic bloc set up to promote trade and financial transactions outside the US dollar. Trumps ultimatum thus directly links his trade war policies against the foreign rivals of American capitalism, particularly China, with the US-NATO war against Russia, instigated by Trumps predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, whom he regularly denounces. The response of leading Democrats and their allies in the corporate media was, predictably, to praise the shift. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said, It would be good news if the president follows through and ensures that he makes good on those statements. In an interview with the New York Times, she said, Its a welcome change in rhetoric, but added, Whether that lasts very long is not clear. The opposition of the Democrats to Trump, going back to the first administration, has always been centered primarily on issues of foreign policy, particularly what they considered to be an insufficiently aggressive attitude toward Russia. When the Democrats moved to impeach Trump in 2019, it was not for his crimes against the working class, such as the savage persecution of immigrants or the separation of children from their parents, or his open preparations for dictatorship. Instead, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives impeached Trump for delaying US military aid to Ukraine in order to put pressure on President Zelensky to help Trump in his reelection campaign. Once Biden entered the White House, he quickly set aside the threat of fascist dictatorship revealed in Trumps instigation of the failed coup attempt of January 6, 2021. Instead, he called for a strong Republican Party to support his anti-Russia policy, which succeeded in provoking Putins invasion of February 2022. The Democrats have facilitated and collaborated in the second Trump administrations assault on immigrants, democratic rights and social counter-revolution. They have assured financing of the government, opposed impeachment, and stood by as Trump erects a political dictatorship. Like the Republicans, the Democrats are a party of Wall Street and the military-intelligence apparatus, unalterably committed to the defense of the profit system at home and the global interests of American imperialism. At least for the present, Trumpwhose main focus has been on Chinais shifting behind the demands for aggression against Russia. The bipartisan policy of war against Russia was spelled out most directly in the joint appearance on the CBS Sunday morning interview program, Face the Nation, by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. Graham is a frothing warmonger, whatever the target of US imperialism. Blumenthal was his partner at the NATO meeting last week, where they met with Ukrainian President Zelensky. Graham boasted that he and Blumenthal had obtained 85 co-sponsors (among 100 members of the Senate) on legislation to authorize Trump to impose 500% tariffs on any country that helps Russia, and props up Putins war machine. He gloated, This is truly a sledgehammer available to President Trump to end this war (i.e., bring about the defeat and crushing of Russia). Democrat Blumenthal embraced that term, saying, This has to be a critical moment for these sanctions, and bringing down this sledgehammer at this moment was emphasized by all of the European allies who were at the meeting that Senator Graham and I attended in Europe. They are absolutely in solidarity. Blumenthal continued, But what is most important, I think, at this moment, is our unity. Senator Graham and I, Republican and Democrat, coming together, the European leaders with diverse views, also in unity. This unity reportedly included a common determination to make use of $300 billion in Russian assets, frozen in accounts in Europe, to help pay for the war, including the new round of massive arms purchases from the United States. Blumenthal went on to endorse a bipartisan US policy of breaking up Russias alliances with North Korea, China and Iran, and referred admiringly to Trumps recent air strikes against Iran as the success against Irans nuclear program. Trumps shift on Russia has produced a noticeable change in tone in the Democratic-Party aligned media. The Bezos-owned Washington Post, which has consistently been the most aggressive against Russia, published an editorial Monday endorsing Trumps actions on Ukraine, but warning against any turn away from confrontation with Russia. For the sake of Ukraine specifically and American credibility generally, the Post wrote, Trump cannot back down. The editorial called for more offensive weapons to hit targets behind the front line, criticizing the previous Biden administration for timidity, because it was always fearing that more direct Ukrainian attacks on Russia might ignite a broader regional conflict against a nuclear power. (They didnt). After this blithe dismissal of the danger of a nuclear holocaust, the Post urged Trump to continue the policy Biden eventually arrived at, of supplying long-range ATACMS ballistic missiles which can hit major Russian cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. The Democratic Partys full embrace of Trumps escalation of the war in Ukraine exposes the fundamental political reality: it is not an opposition party. It shares with Trump the essential aims of American imperialism, support for Wall Street, and the defense of the capitalist system. There is massive and growing opposition to Trumps drive toward dictatorship, the militarized assault on immigrants, and the escalating attack on social programs. But this opposition cannot be realized through the Democratic Party, which functions as a tool of the same ruling class. What is required is the development of an independent political movement of the working class, fighting for the abolition of capitalism and the reorganization of society on a socialist basis. This is the program of the Socialist Equality Party. On Thursday, pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil filed a claim seeking $20 million in damages from the Trump administration. Khalil, a Palestinian and permanent, legal resident of the US, was a leader of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment during April 2024 protests against the Gaza genocide at Columbia. In a press release announcing the claim, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) noted that the claim is a precursor to a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration and that Khalil would accept, in lieu of payment, an official apology and abandonment of the administrations unconstitutional policy. Opponent of genocide Mahmoud Khalil and his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, greet supporters after his release from immigration detention at a rally, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in New York. [AP Photo/Olga Fedorova] Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents abducted Khalil without a warrant or identifying themselves in front of his Manhattan apartment in March. The ICE thugs threatened to arrest his wife, eight months pregnant and an American citizen. Khailil was put in a detention center for immigrants in Louisiana and held there for over 100 days. He was released on June 20 by court order. Khalils illegal abduction and detention were a key part of the White Houses efforts to overthrow the United States Constitution and establish a presidential dictatorship and part of the attempt, made by both Democrats and Republicans, to criminalize speech against the Gaza genocide. Initially, the White House claimed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had determined Khalils presence or activities in the United States would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States, which would justify his deportation under the McCarthyite Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. This argument was struck down in court, but the Trump administration continues to seek Khalils deportation based on allegations of omissions in his green card application. In the press release, Khalil stated: Nothing can restore the 104 days stolen from me. The trauma, the separation from my wife, the birth of my first child that I was forced to miss. But lets be clear, the same government that targeted me for speaking out is using taxpayer dollars to fund Israels ongoing genocide in Gaza... I will continue to pursue justice against everyone who contributed to my unlawful detention or spread lies in an attempt to destroy my reputation, including those affiliated with Columbia University. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin responded by doubling down, stating, The Trump Administration acted well within its statutory and constitutional authority to detain Khalil, as it does with any alien who advocates for violence, glorifies and supports terrorists, harasses Jews, and damages property. Khalils persecution is only the first in a series of cases in which the White House has detained and sought to deport students for pro-Palestinian speech. Courts have ordered the release of at least two other anti-genocide students from detentionMohsen Mahdawi of Columbia University and Rumeysa Ozturk of Tufts University, as well as Badar Khan Suri, a professor at Georgetown Universitywhile Momodou Taal of Cornell University was forced to flee the US. The White House has targeted these students as part of a broader assault against immigrants. The illegal deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was tortured in El Salvadors notorious CECOT prison, and the detention of Ward Sakeik, a stateless Palestinian, are only two prominent examples. The aim of this campaign is to establish precedents to criminalize political opposition. Already, Zohran Mamdanis unexpected victory in last months Democratic party primary for New York City mayor has prompted a number of fascist Republicans to call for his deportation. The Trump administration is not afraid of Mamdani, a Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member calling for minor reforms, but it is terrified by the masses of people who voted for him. The efforts to deport pro-Palestinian students in particular are part of a campaign initiated by the Biden administration aimed at ending free speech on the campuses and subordinating universities to the state. In March, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) released a statement condemning the craven capitulation by Columbia University to the demands of the Trump administration to impose a regime of censorship on the campus. The IYSSE wrote: The universitys administration announced on Friday [March 21] a list of sweeping measures, including: banning masks on campus; hiring 36 special officers armed with powers to remove individuals and make arrests; and placing the Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies departments, as well as the Center for Palestine Studies, under the oversight of a senior vice provost appointed by the university. In addition, the university announced the adoption of a new definition of antisemitism that includes criticism of Israel and certain double standards applied to Israel, a formulation designed to conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism and suppress opposition to the crimes of the Israeli state. The actions taken by Columbia have vast implications for free speech and democratic rights, not only on its own campus but across the entire system of higher education in the United States. The IYSSE added that Columbia had responded to earlier pressure from the Trump administration by suspending and expelling student protesters and that Columbia had refused to defend Mahmoud Khalil from right-wing provocations by Zionist professor Shai Davidai. Last week saw a number of developments indicating that the process of subordinating Columbia University to the Trump administration and the imperialist state has reached a new stage. 1. On Monday, Columbias Barnard College capitulated to a Zionist lawsuit. The college agreed to refuse to negotiate with pro-Palestinian groups on campus, restrict masks at protests and hire a new Title VI coordinator to enforce the equation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism. 2. On Tuesday, Shai Davidai left his teaching position at Columbia by mutual agreement with the university. The university had opened an investigation into Davidais harassment of pro-Palestinian students but dropped the investigation Tuesday without issuing any findings or conclusions of wrongdoing, and without imposing any discipline or penalty, according to a statement. 3. On Wednesday, Columbias Acting University President Claire Shipman sent out emails apologizing for leaked text messages in which she criticized Zionist Columbia trustee Shoshana Shendelman. Fascist Republican Elise Stefanik, a leading member of the McCarthyite House Committee on Education and the Workforce, has called on Shipman to resign over the texts, which would make Shipman the third Columbia president to resign since Israels genocide in Gaza began. 4. On Friday, the New York Times reported that Columbia and the Trump administration may be near a deal to restore at least some of the more than $400 million in federal research funding the administration canceled. In exchange, Columbia would provide compensation to settle allegations of civil rights violations and increase transparency about admissions and foreign gifts, among other concessions. Meanwhile, Columbia students are bracing to be suspended or expelled for their participation in the Basel Al-Araj Popular University protest in May, which ended with the New York Police Department (NYPD) storming Columbias Butler Library and arresting about 78 protesters. On Thursday, the City University of New York (CUNY) suspended pro-Palestinian organizer Hadeeqa Arzoo Malik for one year and fired four pro-Palestinian faculty members. With each passing day, it becomes ever more urgent to mobilize the working class against the White Houses attacks on immigrants and academic freedoms. Only the working class, organized independently of the Democratic and Republican parties and the trade union bureaucracy, has the power to ensure Mahmoud Khalils freedom, defend the rights of university students and faculty, and bring down the Trump administration. SAO PAULO, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The latest 50 percent tariffs announced by the United States on Brazil's exports could lead to a 0.41 percent drop in the country's GDP, a report revealed on Monday. According to the report of Brazil's prestigious think tank Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV), the tariffs proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump could potentially reduce Brazil's food exports to the United States by up to 75 percent, generating a GDP contraction of up to 0.41 percent. Brazil's agribusiness, a global food powerhouse, accounts for around 30 percent of exports to the U.S. market with products such as coffee, sugar and orange juice. Even if the U.S. government backs down on the threatened tariffs, "the climate of insecurity in international trade" is already eroding the bilateral trade relationship, since the United States is Brazil's second-largest trade partner, the report said. It also accused Trump's tariffs against Brazil of violating WTO rules. On Wednesday, Trump announced a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian goods imported into the United States starting Aug. 1. 2022 BP Husky Refinery explosion in Ohio [Photo: CSB] President Trump is planning to kill the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), allocating $0 for its 2026 budget. The CSB is an independent federal agency whose function is to conduct root cause investigations of chemical accidents at fixed industrial facilities, as the agency explains on its website. The agencys budget last fiscal year was $14.4 million, less than one percent of the $2.1 billion that a single B2, the plane used to bomb Iran, costs. Its emergency fund of $844,000 would be used for closure-related costs. The CSB has always had limited regulatory powers. It has no ability to penalize companies or issue regulations, and its reports have a standard disclaimer that even prevent its usage in lawsuits. In spite of this and its small size, having only 50 employees, the agency has had a significant impact on occupational safety and has undoubtedly saved lives. The CSB has published a number of important investigations into fatal accidents at workplaces and provided recommendations to industry, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), unions and other bodies. Created by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and first funded and operating in 1998, the tiny agency investigated nearly 180 major chemical incidents. These incidents resulted in over 200 fatalities and 1,300 serious injuries and billions of dollars in damage to property and the environment. All of these, as the agency points out, were preventable. A five-minute video posted to the CSBs YouTube channel (viewable here) succinctly covered its importance in preventing accidents. The video, which has 83,000 views, has almost 1,200 comments which are overwhelmingly outraged at Trumps plans to destroy the agency. Comments from abroad opposed destroying the CSB as well, including from France, the UK, New Zealand and elsewhere. CSB recommendations are incorporated into safety practices around the world, and its destruction would have ripple effects for workplace safety well outside the US. The Trump administration argues that the CSB duplicates capabilities of other agencies to produce unprompted studies of the chemical industry. This characterization is false on its face, as the studies in question are in fact investigations prompted by deadly and preventable accidents. In the United States, hazardous chemical accidents happen every other day according to the nonprofit Coming Clean. Furthermore, Trumps justification is a lie, Jordan Barab, a former deputy assistant secretary of OSHA and a former CSB recommendations manager told Grist. Barab explained that OSHA and the EPA are limited to assessing violations of existing standards and regulations, while CSB can investigate deeper causes of accidents including worker fatigue, corporate budget cuts and lax oversight. The immediate effect of ending the CSB will be the cessation of the investigation into the multiple explosions at the Dow Chemical Louisiana complex in 2023 in Plaquemine. The explosions were felt for miles and released over 31,000 pounds (14,000 kilograms) of ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen, into the atmosphere. The plant is located in Cancer Alley, an industrial corridor with significantly elevated cancer rates in Louisiana. Dow Chemical explosion in Louisiana [Photo: CSB] The highest number of the investigations took place in Texas, with 22 cases, followed by Louisiana. Texas has its own cancer clusters around regions with a high density of petrol-chemical plants, including East Harris County, in Houston, and the Port Arthur-Beaumont region. Another effect of ending the CSB would be ending its investigations of chemical releases, which both states are notorious for and which lead to increases in cancer and other diseases. Closing the CSB will mean more accidents at chemical plants, more explosions and more deaths, said Beth Rosenberg, a public health expert who served on the CSB board from 2013 to 2014. As was previously pointed out, all the accidents the CSB examined were preventable and using the most advanced science available it produces reports showing why. Following are two representative examples: BP-Husky Toledo Refinery Fatal Naphtha Release and Fire Ben and Max Morrissey with their children, Weslee, Recker and Wilde (Source: Morrissey Children's Trust Gofundme.com) [Photo: Morrissey Children's Trust Gofundme.com] On September 20, 2022, a naphtha release and fire at the BP-Husky Toledo Refinery fatally injured two employees, who were brothers, Ben Morrissey and Max Morrissey. The incident occurred in Oregon, Ohio, at 6:46 p.m. when a vapor cloud ignited causing a flash fire. The fire, which was the immediate cause of the fatalities, resulted from the release of flammable liquid naphtha, a petroleum distillate, from a pressurized vessel to the ground. The report found a number of deficiencies in the safety procedures at the plant, which if fixed could prevent future disasters. These deficiencies include: No procedures existed for dealing with a high amount of flammable liquid in the vessel. Alarm Flood, with alarms constantly going off for an average of 10 alarms in 10 minutes on average, more than a human can effectively respond to for 12 hours preceding the incident. The sheer number of abnormal situations in the 24 hours leading up to the incident overwhelming workers. Failure to learn from the BP Texas City Refinery explosion and fire. The WSWS wrote following the release of the CSB report that it confirmed the tragedy was result of the subordination of workers safety to profit by British Petroleum (BP) management, aided and abetted by state and federal safety agencies and the United Steelworkers bureaucracy, and that the deaths were entirely preventable. BP Texas City Refinery explosion and fire One of the worst industrial disasters in recent US history, the March 23, 2005, explosion and fires at BP killed 15 people and injured another 180 leading to financial losses exceeding $1.5 billion. A CSB investigation was carried out not just of the sites performance but of BP Group management, based in London. The report stated that: The Texas City disaster was caused by organizational and safety deficiencies at all levels of the BP Corporation. Warning signs of a possible disaster were present for several years, but company officials did not intervene effectively to prevent it. The extent of the serious safety culture deficiencies was further revealed when the refinery experienced two additional serious incidents just a few months after the March 2005 disaster In each incident, community shelter-in-place orders were issued. Destroying the CSB is bipartisan. The Democrats are doing nothing to stop the gutting of federal safety agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service, which led to 300 preventable deaths from floods in Texas, and other agencies. Both parties support funneling this money towards a massive build-up of the US military for world war, which now has an over $1.1 trillion yearly budget, as well as $3 trillion in handouts to the financial elite. The other reason the agency is being axed is its factual reporting proves in part that there is an objective basis for an alternative to the industrial slaughterhouse of the American workplace, where approximately 140,000 workers die from traumatic injuries and workplace exposures every year. This objective reporting helps workers understand these deaths for what they are, not some unavoidable part of life, but crimes committed by profit-hungry corporations. Workers are increasingly looking for an alternative to this, and the capitalist system which causes it, and this opposition will take on ever more militant and socialist forms. This can already be seen in the campaign by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) to expose what led to the death of Stellantis worker Ronald Adams. Adams, 63, was crushed to death by a gantry crane in the Dundee Engine Complex on April 7 in Dundee, Michigan. Since his death, neither the Michigan OSHA, Stellantis nor the United Auto Workers union have released any serious explanation of the causes of his death to his family and co-workers. The IWA-RFC is waging a campaign to expose what happened and on that basis mobilize the working class to stop these deaths. Just as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was about to start a visit to China last weekend, the Trump administration leaked to the Financial Times (FT) that it is demanding a commitment from Australia, as well as Japan, of involvement in any war with China. Elbridge Colby, US under-secretary of defense for policy [Photo: U.S. Department of Defense] The Pentagon is pressing Japan and Australia to make clear what role they would play if the US and China went to war over Taiwan, the FT reported. Elbridge Colby, Trumps under-secretary of defence for policy, has been pushing the issue in meetings with Japanese and Australian defence officials in recent months, said five people familiar with the discussions. An unnamed US defence official alluded to advanced plans, involving Japan and Australia, telling the FT: Concrete operational planning and exercises that have direct application to a Taiwan contingency are moving forward with Japan and Australia. An official said the Pentagon had received positive indicators on higher spending from Japan and Australia, but stressed that it was critical for us all that we see results. After the articles publication, Colby essentially confirmed the report. In a post on X, he said the Pentagon was urging allies to step up their defence spending. Colby, the grandson of former CIA director William Colby, is also conducting a review of the AUKUS military pact against China. Colbys demands underscore the advanced character of US preparations for conflict with China. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in May, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth declared a war with China over Taiwan could be imminent. While the US couches its military build-up in the Indo-Pacific as maintaining peace and stability, it has deliberately inflamed regional flashpoints, including the most sensitiveTaiwan. In Singapore, Hegseth released a statement publicly calling on the Labor government to lift its military spending to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) as soon as possible. He also demanded that Asian countries massively increase their military spending to 5 percent of GDPrequiring the expenditure of tens of billions of dollarsand insisted they had to choose to line up with Washington against Beijing. Colbys call for Japan and Australia to commit to a US-led war with China over Taiwan ignores the fact that, formally at least, the US maintains a policy of strategic ambiguitynot saying whether it would back Taiwan in a war with China. However, Washington is attempting to goad China into a war over Taiwan by undermining the One China policy under which the US de facto recognises Beijing as the legitimate government of all China, including Taiwan. President Biden effectively threw out the policy of strategic ambiguity, declaring on four occasions rock solid support for Taiwan. In the name of defending Taiwan, Colby has long advocated focussing US military preparations against China, whose sheer economic growth successive US administrations have identified as an existential threat to American global hegemony. Colbys review of AUKUS, under which Australia will get nuclear-powered attack submarines from the US and UK while contributing billions of dollars to the US and UK military-industrial bases, has triggered concern in Australian ruling circles. In an interview with Australian television last year, Colby said it would be crazy for the US to provide submarines to Australia unless the Pentagon could be assured it would have enough for itself. He added that the US would be lucky to get to the 2030s without a conflict with China. Colbys latest demands are something of an embarrassment to Albanese who is trying to walk a fine line between China, Australias largest trading partner, and the US, on which Australia is dependent militarily and strategically, as well for investment. Albanese is heading a top-level corporate trade delegation that features iron ore and other big business chiefs, all eager to profit from trade with China for as long as possible. He is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang today. Under these conditions, Albanese sought to evade the US demands at a media conference in Shanghai on Sunday. Pressed by reporters to respond to the FT report, he referred to the strategic ambiguity doctrine and said his government wanted to maintain the status quo on Taiwanthat is, the One China policy. Despite declining to publicly commit in advance to a US war with China, Albanese said private discussions with the Trump administration were already in progress about how the AUKUS pact would work. He refused to be drawn on these private discussions. At the same time, Albanese reiterated the Labor governments commitment to the very important US alliance, claiming it was about peace and security in our region. In reality, it has nothing to do with peace. For more than a decade, governments have vastly expanded US military basing arrangements in northern Australia, participated in US-led naval and air provocations off the Chinese mainland and engaged in a concerted campaign in the Asia Pacific to undermine Chinese influence. The Australian media reported on Sunday that the Pentagon had asked Australian officials for undertakings on how the three Virginia-class nuclear submarines to be supplied under the AUKUS agreement would be used in the event of US military conflicts. They also requested substantial increases in defence spending as part of the AUKUS review. Australia and Japan have stepped up trilateral exercises with the US in recent years, and both countries host American forces. Talisman Sabre, the biggest Australian-US joint exercise, commenced in Australia this weekend, bringing together more than 30,000 personnel from 19 countries, including Japan. While Albanese declined to say if Australia would join a US war against China, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told the Australian newspapers Defending Australia summit last month that Australia would inevitably play a key role. Our continent is more relevant to the great-power contest now than its ever been before, Marles said. That points to the truth. Australia would be automatically engaged in any such war. It hosts a network of communications, logistics, air force and naval basesall ramped up under the Albanese government. They constitute the central base of operations for a US war against China, to cite the term used last year by US Republican congressman Michael McCaul. This network includes the Pine Gap satellite surveillance facility near Alice Springs and the Harold E. Holt Naval Communication Station in Western Australias North West Cape, both of which are crucial for US military operations from the Middle East to the Pacific. About 2,500 Marines now train in the Northern Territory for six months a year, alongside rotational deployments of US Navy warships and of nuclear-capable B-52s and B2 stealth bombers. Under the AUKUS treaty, US and British nuclear-powered submarines will begin operating from HMAS Stirling, near Perth, within two years. In the interests of corporate profit, most editorials in Australia last week cautiously welcomed Albaneses trip to China, while noting with concern his failure to secure a meeting with Trump, despite intensive efforts. Yesterday, however, the missive delivered by Colby triggered anxiety. The Australian Financial Review warned: Anthony Albaneses six-day goodwill charm offensive in China had only just begun when it was thrown off course on Sunday by the fresh American shots across Australias AUKUS bows from far away in Washington. No commentary has yet recalled the fate of the last Australian prime minister who sought to balance ever so slightly between the US and China. In June 2010, a cabal of Labor Party and trade union powerbrokers, acting on behalf of the US embassy, carried out a backroom, inner-party coup to remove Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and install his deputy, Julia Gillard. Rudd was, and remains, fully committed to the US military alliance. But secret US diplomatic cables, published by WikiLeaks, showed that the Obama administration had become hostile to Rudds diplomatic initiatives, launched without reference to Washington, to ease rising tensions between the US and China in the interests of Australian big business. In her first public appearance after knifing Rudd, Gillard demonstrated her devotion to Washington by posing for a photo op with the US ambassador, flanked by US and Australian flags. She soon had a phone call with Obama, who had previously twice postponed a planned visit to Australia under Rudd. In November 2011, Obama travelled to Australia. He announced the US military and strategic pivot to Asia on the floor of the Australian parliament. During his visit, Gillard and Obama signed an agreement to station US Marines in Darwin and allow greater US access to military basesa process that has been intensified ever since. Rudds removal sent a blunt message: there was no room for equivocation by the Australian ruling class. It had to line up unconditionally behind the US conflict with China, no matter what the consequences for its massive export markets in China. That message is now being broadcast even more belligerently by the Trump administration. BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China and Australia issued a statement on joint outcomes of the Annual Leaders' Meeting. Please see the attachment for the full text of the press release. Full text: Statement on Joint Outcomes of the China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting A man walks through the air-conditioned outdoor path at the Umm Al Seneem Park, in Doha, Qatar, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua) DOHA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- In mid-July, the streets of Doha are nearly empty under the blazing midday sun, with only cars navigating through the searing heat. Temperatures in the Qatari capital routinely exceed 40 degrees Celsius, and the air is heavy with humidity, amplifying the suffocating heat. For residents, the long and scorching summer remains the hardest season to withstand. Qatari officials said that current conditions are still within the typical seasonal range. "There has been no unusual rise in temperatures in the country," Abdullah Al-Mannai, director of the Meteorology Department at the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Qatar, told Xinhua. "While rising global temperatures may apply to other parts of the world, here in the Gulf, high heat and humidity are perfectly natural and expected at this time of year," Al-Mannai said. Despite its familiarity, the intense heat imposes real burdens on daily life and urban functions. Growing awareness of climate change has placed renewed attention on how societies are adapting to such extreme weather conditions. In recent years, Qatar has begun integrating cooling strategies into its urban planning, transforming city infrastructure in a sweeping experiment to maintain livability under extreme temperatures. One prominent example is Umm Al Seneem Park, home to one of the world's longest outdoor air-conditioned walking and jogging tracks. The 1.143-km loop is cooled by a sophisticated cooling system. When Xinhua visited the park, residents strolled along the shaded paths, enjoying what one described as "true outdoor freedom in the summer." Such projects are no longer novelties. Across Qatar, "cooling zones" have emerged in outdoor areas of Place Vendome Mall, West Walk and Katara Cultural Village's 21 High Street. Thanks to the shading and cooling infrastructure, the "breathable corridors" provide people with comfort during summer. While still limited in scale, these innovations are quietly reshaping how people move through the city during the hottest months. But maintaining "freedom of movement" in summer comes at a steep cost. While facilities like Umm Al Seneem Park provide relief in specific areas, the majority of the country remains constrained by the summer heat. Families rely heavily on private cars. Outdoor activities become rare and cultural or sporting events are moved indoors. Krishna, a local resident who did not share her family name, said her life in summer revolves around air-conditioning. "I brought the children to spend a whole day of fun and learning without worrying about the heat or the sun's impact on their health," she said, referring to her visit to the Qatar Toy Festival in the air-conditioned venue this year. However, Qatar's heat adaptation model, built on high-tech infrastructure and significant energy consumption, raises pressing global concerns about sustainability. Qatar, one of the world's richest countries by GDP per capita, can afford these capital-intensive solutions. As the world gets hotter, Qatar's experience reveals both the possibilities and contradictions of adapting to extreme heat. The nation's approach may offer inspiration, but it also raises a sobering question: How can humans stay cool without relying on energy-intensive systems? People walk through the air-conditioned outdoor path at the Umm Al Seneem Park, in Doha, Qatar, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua) This photo taken on July 13, 2025 shows a general view of the air-conditioned outdoor path at the Umm Al Seneem Park, in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua) People walk through the air-conditioned outdoor path at the Umm Al Seneem Park, in Doha, Qatar, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua) This photo taken on July 13, 2025 shows a general view of the air-conditioned outdoor path at the Umm Al Seneem Park, in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua) Colombian animation is hitting a fresh stride, driven by a mix of social storytelling, ancestral mythologies and new talent, plus determined governmental support.. That energy is on show at the Bogota Audiovisual Market (BAM) in its Animation strand, set to be unveiled over July 14-18. Common are stories spotlighting Afro-Colombian identity and Indigenous worldviews, like Berenice y los Moravitas, where an eight-year-old girl discovers her divine warrior heritage and Verde, a rotoscoped drama set in Colombias mangrove villages caught between violence and tradition. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other projects tackle subjects from gender fluidity in Negrites to eco-activism in anarchic comedy Sacha. There also seem to be many with cats both wild and domestic. A strong presence at international co-production forums has been key to this momentum. Several titles have already paraded through top industry platforms such as Annecys MIFA, the Quirino Co-Pro Forum and Ventana Surs Animation! section, positioning Colombian creators as rising players on the Latin American animation scene. Veteran names like El Libro de Lila helmer Marcela Rincon and fresh voices alike are leveraging Colombias growing support structures, including the national film fund FDC and regional initiatives such as Calis cultural stimuli. Animation houses such as Samsa, Bombillo Amarillo, La Banda del Sur and Estudio Maranacos are now forging ties beyond Colombia, collaborating with partners across Europe and Latin America, while exploring transmedia expansions to keep pace with global trends. Variety profiles seven projects in development from BAMs Animation lineup: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berenice y los Moravitas, (Lucia Cedeno. Prod: Carlos Castano) A debut feature following an eight-year-old Afro-Colombian girl who gets trapped in a fantasy world where she is a goddess-warrior fated to topple a tyrant and restore the bond between humans and nature. The fantasy adventure won a Colombian FDC development grant and selected for Ventana Surs Animation! Working Session (2023) and the Quirino Co-Pro Forum (2024), the project is steered by Cedeno hailed as Mujer Exitosa Latam 2022 and Osshun, the Cali-based company behind Irma, la gran pelea contra el pasado. Film is a metaphor for freedom and harmony with nature, says Cedeno. Corazon Animal, (Ana Maria Castiblanco. Prod: Julian Manrique) A 2D episodic kids series in which jungle-raised Mar shape-shifts jaguar on the pitch, flamingo on the dancefloor to survive a cold new city. Backed by MinTICs Abre Camara 2024 and honored at Pixelatls Ideatoon (2024), the show arrives from Estudio Maranacos, makers of the three-season hit Juani & Gaton. An animated show about migration and identity in childhood, says Castiblanco, which won an Honorable Mention at Mexicos Pixelatl 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Green, (Verde, Ivan Sierra. Prod: Linda Marin) Rotoscoped 80-minute animated drama where a mangrove-dwelling Afro-Colombian familys tranquil life shatters with the return of Kondo, a figure tied to past violence. Torn between fleeing or fighting, they face a profound test of identity and peace. Backed by Colombias FDC and Ibermedia, the film has toured Quirino, MIFA, Chilemonos and now BAM and seeks sales agents and co-producers. Director Ivan Sierra frames it as a meditation on how fear of losing happiness breeds violence and how true peace lies in confronting inner fears. Las Vidas de Marie, (Sofia Andrade. Prod: Alei Valet Siv) In this young adult miniseries, an 18th-century witch braves 2020s reality to grant her cat a never-ending ninth life, trailed by Maries seven former souls. The project is backed by Piragna, the 2D studio behind viral phenomenon Frailejon Ernesto Perez, and is aiming to expand into a transmedia universe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Negrites, (Marcela Rincon. Prod: Maritza Rincon) A six-part 7-minute 3D coming-of-age comedy where a delivery-riding black cat grapples with puberty, gender fluidity and activist fervor in a Latin-animal metropolis. Director Rincon returns to series work after her Platino-nominated feature El Libro de Lila and TV hit Guillermina y Candelario. Negrites is an animated series with claws, fangs and a lot of heart, set in a very Latin American city of animals that seeks to give prominence to non-binary characters who defend their struggles and reflect the diversity of our society, Rincon tells Variety. Poli, (David Andres Mesa. Prod: Daniel Velez) A 90-minute 3D family adventure: stellar-trash recycler Poli crashes on Earth and, alongside grieving child Ana, must return home before ecological balance collapses. Developed by Bombillo Amarillo, fresh off the transmedia kids smash Zoonadores (CreaDigital) and Netflix Poland work as executive producer on Kajko i Kokosz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sacha, (Keila Cepeda. Prod: Rafael Perez) An 11-minute, 13-episode 2D satire in which an Amazonian trickster spirit launches anarchic eco-pranks to repel loggers. Pitched at Quirino, MIFA and Ventana Sur (2024), it is produced by La Banda del Sur, whose short Paloquemao won the 2023 Macondo for Best Colombian Short. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All products featured on Pitchfork are independently selected by Pitchfork editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Conde Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Graphic by Chris Panicker Were midway through the summer, which means that several marquee music festivals have come and gone. But that also means there are plenty more to enjoy with a couple of months of summer to go, and the crisp days of autumn still to come. Below, find a number of notable upcoming festivals taking place around the globe. Newport Folk Festival Newport, RI; July 25-27 Featuring: Alex G, Public Enemy, Jeff Tweedy, MJ Lenderman, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jessica Pratt, the Lemonheads, Waxahatchee Such is Newport Folk Festivals provenance that it might as well be a UNESCO Heritage Site, but that does not stop the Rhode Island institution from racing to stay ahead of the curve. As well as playing to its cross-generational base with sets from Jeff Tweedy, Iron & Wine, Luke Combs, and Alex G, attendees can sashay from Big Freedia to Obongjayar to Saya Gray. Most importantly, the fatigued music lover can once and for all learn the difference between Goose and Geese, who both receive premium billing on the Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jazz Monroe Newport Jazz Festival Newport, RI; August 1-3 Featuring: The Roots, De La Soul, Janelle Monae, Flying Lotus, Jorja Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Jacob Collier The long-running Newport Jazz Festival returns this August, lighting up Newport, Rhode Islands Fort Adams State Park with a lineup of past and recent luminaries reimagining the genre. Come well-equipped with sunscreen and hats, as theres little coverage moving around between the festivals various stages. (Another pro tip: Take the water shuttle to the park to take in views of the harbor before the fest and dodge the annual traffic congestion.) The lineup includes big names like Esperanza Spalding, the Roots, and De La Soul, but Newport Jazzs far-reaching curation also ensures excellent smaller acts throughout each day, including Nubya Garcia, Sofi Tukker, and Tyshawn Sorey Trio. Eric Torres Lollapalooza Chicago, IL; July 31-August 3 Featuring: Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, A$AP Rocky, Bladee, Doechii, Clairo, Magdalena Bay Lollapallooza is the land of contradictions, and the Chicago festivals 2025 lineup is no exception: nu metal and Gracie Abrams; Luke Combs and K-pop. Among this years headliners, Korn seem the most likely to tap into the debauched legacy of founders Janes Addiction (in a just world, their sets wouldnt overlap and Olivia Rodrigo could join the band for Freak on a Leash), though A$AP Rocky has been known to arrive at his shows in a helicopter from time to time. The rest of the bill is a sprawling choose-your-own-adventure of indie, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music; over four days, one could catch Overmono, Nourished by Time, Xaviersobased, Bladee, Amaarae, Jane Remover, Mk.gee, and Bossman Dlow and barely be scratching the surface. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walden Green Lollapalooza 2025 $.00, Ticketmaster Hinterland Music Festival Saint Charles, IA; August 1-3, 2025 Featuring: Lana Del Rey, Tyler, the Creator, Kacey Musgraves, Clairo, Bleachers, Scowl, the Marias, Remi Wolf Tucked away in the Iowa countryside is Hinterland Music Festival, an underrated gem in the Midwest, especially considering the regions abundant festivals. Descending on the humble city of Saint Charles are Lana Del Rey, Kacey Musgraves, Still Woozy, Sierra Ferrell, Royel Otis, Rebecca Black, Scowl, and many others. Consider it the little sibling of Lollapalooza, which takes place the same weekend, with a number of overlapping artists like Tyler, the Creator, Clairo, Bleachers, the Marias, and Remi Wolf. While most people dont think of Iowa when they think of hot summers, Hinterland has infamously been plagued by particularly intense heat waves the past few years. For 2025, festival organizers have implemented a new 90 Degree Guarantee, which allows ticket holders the option to request admission ticket refunds for any day thats predicted to reach 90 degrees or higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nina Corcoran Hinterland Music Festival 2025 $.00, AXS Osheaga Montreal, Quebec; August 1-3, 2025 Featuring: Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, the Killers, Doechii, Jamie xx, TV on the Radio, Lucy Dacus, the Dare Theres plenty to love about Osheaga Music and Arts Festival, and maybe nothing more than its convenience. No need to grapple with finicky camping tents or overbooked hotel rooms when the festival grounds are a short Metro ride from the scenic downtown area of Montreal. While Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, the Creator, the Killers, Jamie xx, Doechii, and Gracie Abrams top the lineup poster, the undercard packs plenty of heat: Dua Saleh, the Dare, PyPy, Sofia Camara, and the Darcys, among others, are worth showing up early for, even if it means dragging yourself away from the rest of what the Quebec city has to offer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nina Corcoran Osheaga 2025 $.00, Ticketmaster Outside Lands San Francisco, CA; August 8-10 Featuring: Tyler, the Creator, Doja Cat, Hozier, Anderson .Paak, Vampire Weekend, Doechii, Jamie xx, Jessica Pratt Outside Lands is nestled amongst the coastal greenery of San Franciscos Golden Gate Park. On a bill that spans from Jessica Pratt to Big Freedia, Vampire Weekend stand out for having taken up two slots. Ezra Koenig and his bandmates will open and close one of the stages on Saturday, August 9, an,d given how performing outdoors often finds them at their jammiest, theres no telling what new expanses their encore covers medleys might reach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walden Green Outside Lands 2025 $.00, Ticketmaster Green Man Brecon Beacons, Wales; August 14-17 Featuring: TV on the Radio, Kneecap, Beth Gibbons, Perfume Genius, Underworld, MJ Lenderman, Wet Leg, Caroline The annual pilgrimage to the sun-dappled valleys of Brecon Beacons is a reliable highlight of the UK festival calendar. With a bill of cult crowd-pleasers and indie darlingsbut closer in feel to a rustic folk festivalGreen Man evokes the ramshackle camaraderie of bygone Glastonburys but lowers the pace and scale to make it feel like the worlds greatest extended-family picnic. Shepherding things along are headliners TV on the Radio, Kneecap, Underworld, and Wet Leg, with a down-bill offering that spans rising stars and familiar favorites, Richard Dawson, Alan Sparhawk, and Los Campesinos! among them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jazz Monroe We Out Here Wimborne St. Giles, UK; August 14-17, 2025 Featuring: Noname, Ben UFO, Michael Kiwanuka, Pa Salieu, Nala Sinephro, Everything Is Recorded, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith Since its launch in 2019, We Out Here has become a cherished meeting point for aficionados of jazz, soul, and hip-hop, as well as offering a broad, expertly curated selection of music from the Southern hemisphere, too often marginalized on UK festival bills. Founded by DJ and Brownswood label head Gilles Peterson, the Dorset festival strikes a balance between heady grooves and body-moving fervor, with headliners Noname, Michael Kiwanuka, Carl Craig, and Rotary Connection 222 backed by the likes of Nidia & Valentina, Kokoroko, Emma-Jean Thackray, and Theo Parrish. Jazz Monroe We Out Here 2025 $.00, Kaboodle AfroFuture Detroit Detroit, MI; August 16-17 Featuring: Asake, Davido, Kaytranada, Tee Grizzley, Ludmilla, Gims Headliners Asake and Davido are the tip of the iceberg of this years inaugural edition of AfroFuture Detroit, the U.S. debut of a festival founded in Ghana in 2019. A preliminary program titled The Road to Detroit begins on August 11, with events built around African innovations in food, music, tech, cinema, and art, before the festival proper descends on the Douglass Site to round out the weeklong celebration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jazz Monroe AfroFuture Detroit 2025 $.00, SeeTickets End of the Road Dorset, England; August 28-31 Featuring: Father John Misty, Caribou, Sharon Van Etten, Black Country, New Road, Mabe Fratti, These New Puritans, Self Esteem As the dusty trail of festival season winds towards its conclusion, End of the Road appears like an oasis of easygoing hedonism and colloquial cheer. This highlight of the United Kingdoms rich seam of midsize festivals specializes in folk and various strands of independent music that hew towards outsider artists and cult concerns, with just enough party-starters and rabble-rousers to keep things buzzing along. Caribou, Father John Misty, Self Esteem, and Sharon Van Etten headline, and sojourns through the charmingly decorated festival site will reward the curious with sets from Mabe Fratti, Squid, Sofia Kourtesis, and, as ever, abundant surprises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jazz Monroe Bumbershoot Seattle, WA; August 30-31 Featuring: Weezer, Bright Eyes, Car Seat Headrest, Janelle Monae, Digable Planets, Sylvan Esso, Indigo de Souza, Spellling Only Seattleites would name a summer festival after a kind of umbrella. In fact: It might be the only season youll see any self-respecting local carry one. Bumbershoot began in the early 1970s (then dubbed the Mayors Arts Festival) as an attempt to cheer up residents amid mass Boeing layoffs. Decades on, its become a staple of Seattles thriving music scene, taking place at the scenic, 74-acre Seattle Center, beneath the towering Space Needle. The event spans Labor Day weekend, where bands perform on a handful of different stages dotted along the grounds. This year, attendees can watch bigger acts like Janelle Monae, Weezer, or Bright Eyes, and also indie outfits such as the Linda Lindas, Great Grandpa, Indigo De Souza, Mega Cat, and others. Lets all hope it doesnt rain. Madison Bloom Bumbershoot 2025 $.00, See Tickets Sound & Gravity Chicago, IL; September 10-14 Featuring: Bill Callahan, Mdou Moctar, Helado Negro, Body/Head, Jeff Parker Expansion Trio, Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore, Irreversible Entanglements, William Tyler The inaugural Sound & Gravity festival brings luminaries of indie, jazz, the avant-garde, and beyond to inner-city venues in Chicago, all within 15 minutes walk of one another. Founded by Mike Reed, a co-founder of Pitchfork Music Festival, the wide-ranging event features major draws in Bill Callahan and Mdou Moctar, as well as bounteous down-bill offerings from the likes of Mary Halvorson, Steve Gunn, and Sam Prekopplus, surprise set curation from the late Steve Albinis Electrical Audio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jazz Monroe Sound & Gravity 2025 $.00, See Tickets The Psychic Salamander Festival Carnation, WA; September 13-14 Featuring: Modest Mouse, the Flaming Lips, Built to Spill, SleaterKinney, Yo La Tengo, Courtney Barnett The inaugural Psychic Salamander Festival is poised to be as unusual as its name. Put together by indie-rock icons Modest Mouse ahead of their five-day cruise festival next year, Psychic Salamander will take place in the rural, bucolic town of Carnation, Washington, making for a somewhat more intimate affair than many other festivals on this list. The event will feature headlining sets by both Modest Mouse and the Flaming Lips, the latter scheduled to perform 1999s The Soft Bulletin in full; if that isnt enough indie-rock nostalgia for you, Built to Spill, Yo La Tengo, and Sleater-Kinney are also on the bill to help carry you blissfully into the past. Eric Torres Psychic Salamander Festival $.00, Ticketmaster Shaky Knees Festival Atlanta, GA; September 19-21 Featuring: Deftones, My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, Vampire Weekend, Pixies, Public Enemy, TV on the Radio, Devo Now in its 12th year, Shaky Knees is one of the few large-scale American music festivals still centered on rock. While it remains in its home base of Atlanta, Georgia, the festival will change locations this year to the scenic Piedmont Park, which offers lake views and plenty of shaded trees as fall takes hold. Deftones, My Chemical Romance, and Blink-182 are this years headliners, with bands including Alabama Shakes and the Black Keys clocking in behind them. Promoters continue to keep their ear to the ground, too, as proven with early sets from Lambrini Girls, Junior Varsity, Fleshwater, English Teacher, and others. Nina Corcoran Shaky Knees Festival 2025 $.00, Front Gate Tickets Portola Music Festival San Francisco, CA; September 20-21, 2025 Featuring: LCD Soundsystem, the Chemical Brothers, Caribou, Christina Aguilera, Magdalena Bay, the Dare, Marie Davidson, Zack Fox, Kelly Lee Owens Are you trying to vibe out on a beautiful pier as some of electronic musics most famous artists scramble your neural networks? San Franciscos two-day Portola Music Festival has you covered. Only three years in, the event has already earned a strong reputation for drawing in both heavy-hitters and exciting upstarts from the worlds of dance, electronic, and hip-hop, and this years lineup is no exception: Innovators like the Chemical Brothers, Underworld, and Moby join experimental newcomers like Marie Davidson, Bolis Pupul, and Kelly Lee Owens. Plus, who isnt morbidly curious enough to cross-compare live sets from LCD Soundsystem and the Dare on the same day? Eric Torres Portola Music Festival 2025 $.00, AXS Levitation Austin, TX; September 25-28 Featuring: Pavement, TV on the Radio, Mastodon, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Built to Spill, the Armed, Model/Actriz, Destroyer Gentrification and the tech boom have changed Austins city skyline extensively over the past 15 years, but Levitationoriginally dubbed Austin Psych Festhas been holding true to the promise both to keep Austin weird and uphold its status as an in-the-know music mecca. This years lineup is overflowing with highlights like Blood Incantation, Built to Spill, the Armed, PUP, Wednesday, Blonde Redhead, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Destroyer, Sudan Archives, Pile, and Suicides Martin Revand thats without even mentioning headliners Pavement, TV on the Radio, and Mastodon. Nina Corcoran Levitation Festival 2025 $.00, See Tickets Austin City Limits Music Festival Austin, TX; October 3-5 & October 10-12 Featuring: The Strokes, Sabrina Carpenter, Rilo Kiley, Modest Mouse, Doja Cat, Doechii, Japanese Breakfast, Car Seat Headrest, MJ Lenderman Now in its third decade, Austin City Limits has long since grown from a relatively humble country music showcase into one of the biggest festivals in North America. This October, ACL, with its nine stages, will take over nearly 50 acres of Zilker Park. The festival extends even further into the city with ACL Fest Nights, which conscripts movie theaters, clubs, and other venues throughout the city for screenings, performances, and after-parties. Expect to see many cowboy hats. Walden Green Austin City Limits Music Festival 2025 $.00, Ticketmaster When We Were Young Festival Las Vegas, NV; October 18-19, 2025 Featuring: Blink-182, Panic! at the Disco, Weezer, Avril Lavigne, the Offspring, Knocked Loose American malls are dying, but the melodramatic pop-punk craze they helped bolster in the aughts is still going strongat least in nostalgia packages. When We Were Young Festival, the Las Vegas music festival courting black eyelinerwearing Millennials and live band emo karaoke lovers, returns this October with headliners Blink-182 and Panic! at the Disco, the latter of whom are playing A Fever You Cant Sweat Out in full. Alongside Hot Topics greatest hitsAvril Lavigne, Taking Back Sunday, the Used, Alexisonfire, Yellowcard, the Story So Farare longtime skate-punk pillars the Offspring and Bad Religion, as well as Weezer, Knocked Loose, Jacks Mannequin, the Gaslight Anthem, Sunami, and the Starting Line. Nina Corcoran When We Were Young 2025 $.00, Ticketmaster Unsound Krakow, Poland; October 7-12 Featuring: billy woods, Jim ORourke & Eiko Ishibashi, YHWH Nailgun, Smerz, Djrum, Caroline, Actress & Suzanne Ciani In the era of musical globalism and internet micro-genres, future-forward sounds rarely have a unified direction of travellet alone a pindownable, physical locus. If they did, however, it might be Unsound, the Polish festival that marks annual advances in outre music with bills that identify crests of waves and put them on display in venues around Krakow. This years lineup includes a smattering of legends (the likes of Jim ORourke, RP Boo, and A Guy Called Gerald), many rising path-breakers, and a talks program featuring Liz Pelly and Pitchforks own Jeremy D. Larson. Jazz Monroe Unsound 2025 $.00, Resident Advisor C2C Turin, Italy; October 30-November 2 Featuring: Four Tet, Blood Orange, Jenny Hval, billy woods, A. G. Cook, Model/Actriz, Floating Points, Los Thuthanaka, Djrum, Nourished by Time More than two decades since its launch as a club-hopping tour of Turins underground dance scene, C2C has cemented its status as one of mainland Europes most exciting and epicurean music festivals. Primarily housed in the Lingotto Fiere venue that helped define Italian futurism, the event plays out alongside the citys art week with lineups plucked from an insatiably curious festivalgoers dreams. Marquee dance sets go cheek-to-cheek with alternative pop and rap and showcases from splashy newcomers like YHWH Nailgun, Nourished by Time, Saya Gray, Annahstasia, Los Thuthanaka, Maria Somerville, and I la Catolica and Mabe Frattis not-to-be-missed live phenomenon Titanic. Like Unsound, this stalwart fringe festival feels like a genre unto itselfhence its self-proclaimed status as the home of avant-pop. Jazz Monroe C2C 2025 $.00, Dice Pitchfork Music Festival Paris Paris, France; November 3-9 Featuring: Blood Orange, Panda Bear, A. G. Cook, Indigo de Souza, Great Grandpa, Marie Davidson, Erika de Casier, Panda Bear, Self Esteem Every November, Paris becomes the city of music lovers as Pitchfork programs an arrondissement-spanning selection of eclectic concerts. Blood Orange, A. G. Cook, Panda Bear, Marie Davidson, and Erika de Casier are among the headliners, with the Bastille Takeover inviting the likes of Annahstasia, Body Meat, RIP Magic, Deep Sea Diver, and Fakemink to ten venues in the historic neighborhood. Jazz Monroe Pitchfork Music Festival Paris 2025 $.00, Dice Pitchfork Music Festival London London, England; November 4-8 Featuring: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Oklou, Laurie Anderson, Los Thuthanaka, Destroyer, Unwound, Saul Williams & Carlos Nino, Kali Malone, Erika de Casier The London live circuit once again transforms into Pitchforks playground this November, with events including an orchestral King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard show, at Royal Albert Hall, and Roundhouse bills topped by Oklou and Laurie Anderson. Dont miss the array of multi-venue treats further down the bill, including the annual Dalston Takeover (this time with Jay Som, Great Grandpa, Indigo De Souza, and many others), Unwounds first UK headline show in more than 25 years, and a showcase from MIKEs 10k label. Jazz Monroe Pitchfork Music Festival London 2025 $.00, Dice Le Guess Who? Utrecht, Netherlands; November 6-9 Featuring: Lonnie Holley, Lido Pimienta, Ali Sethi & Nicolas Jaar, Alabaster DePlume, the Fiery Furnaces, YHWH Nailgun, Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore, Saul Williams & Carlos Nino The inventive and beloved Dutch festival Le Guess Who? returns this year with a bill that ranges from tectonic heavy-hittersincluding Unwound and Sunn O)))to international masters such as the Congos, Asher Gamedze, and Edna Martinez. The latter two are among the festivals performer-curators, alongside Valentina Magaletti, Amirtha Kidambi, and Lonnie Holley, who invites Alabaster DePlume, KeiyaA, and joint shows from Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore and Saul Williams and Carlos Nino. Jazz Monroe Le Guess Who? 2025 $.00, Le Guess Who? Iceland Airwaves Reykjavik, Iceland; November 6-8 Featuring: Wu Lyf, Tunde Adebimpe, Saya Gray, Fat Dog Icelands premier music festival, now more than 25 years old, takes place throughout several venues in downtown Reykjavik, with a diverse, genre-hopping lineup of local and international talent. When youre not traipsing between churches, clubs, and other locations at night, Iceland Airwaves facilitates plenty of tourist attractions to hit earlier in the day, like soaking in a geothermal lagoon or renting a car to visit the countrys famous black sand beaches. This years edition also includes a partner headlining show from the 2000s Icelandic indie electronic group Mum, plus a new video series of music performances filmed in the Reykjavik tower on Lkjargata. Eric Torres Iceland Airwaves 2025 $.00, Tix Future Ruins Los Angeles, CA; November 8 Featuring: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Claudio Simonettis Goblin, John Carpenter, Mark Mothersbaugh, Questlove, Ben Salisbury & Geoff Barrow, Danny Elfman, Hildur Gunadottir Is the hair-raising Halloween theme one of your favorite songs? Do you own Goblins pounding, proggy score to the original Suspiria on vinyl? Then Future Ruins is for you. A new music festival spearheaded by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, this one-day event at Los Angeles Equestrian Center spotlights artists who have made an indelible mark on film and television music, from titans of the genre like John Carpenter and Danny Elfman to recent Oscar winners like Hildur Gunadottir and Volker Hauschka Bertelmann. Theres no shortage of interesting composers set to reimagine their own works, but further highlights include a live performance of Howard Shores haunting score for David Cronenbergs Crash and the Roots Ahmir Questlove Thompson bringing Curtis Mayfields iconic soundtracks to life. Eric Torres Future Ruins 2025 $.00, Front Gate Tickets Originally Appeared on Pitchfork Throughout a career spanning over five decades, Harrison Ford has portrayed some of cinemas most iconic characters, including Indiana Jones and Han Solo. Now, he can add a real-life Emmy nominee to his resume. The Hollywood legend reached a new milestone Tuesday, earning his first-ever Emmy nomination at age 83 for his supporting turn in the Apple TV+ comedy Shrinking. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ford becomes the second-oldest nominee ever in the supporting actor in a comedy category, following Alan Arkin, who was 86 when he earned a nomination for his performance on Netflixs The Kominsky Method in 2020. The recognition marks a turning point for Ford, who was notably snubbed for the first season of Shrinking despite widespread praise for his performance as Dr. Paul Rhoades, a blunt but endearing therapist and mentor. The series, created by Brett Goldstein, Jason Segel and Bill Lawrence, returned for a second season this year to strong reviews from critics and audiences. Although Ford is best known for his legendary film roles including Han Solo in the Star Wars franchise and the title role in Indiana Jones this marks the first time the Television Academy has recognized him. Until now, his only major awards nomination had been an Academy Award nod for best actor for the 1985 thriller Witness. Fords nom is one of several for Shrinking, which continues to gain momentum following its sophomore season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years Emmy nominations were announced by actors Harvey Guillen, of What We Do in the Shadows, and Brenda Song, of Running Point, from the Television Academys Wolf Theatre in North Hollywood. The veteran actor was also on the ballot for his role as Jacob Dutton, the patriarch of the Dutton family, in Taylor Sheridans Paramount+ drama 1923 a sequel to the 2021 miniseries 1883 and a prequel to the five-season drama Yellowstone. The 77th Emmy Awards will be hosted by Nate Bargatze and broadcast live Sunday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS, as well as stream live and on demand via select packages on Paramount+. See all of Varietys Award Predictions Awards Circuit Predictions: Emmys If Ford is nominated for 1923 in lead drama actor New Headline: Harrison Ford Lands Double Noms for 1923 and Shrinking and Becomes Oldest Lead Drama Actor Nominee in History Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout a career spanning over five decades, Harrison Ford has portrayed some of cinemas most iconic characters, including Indiana Jones and Han Solo. Now, he can add a real-life Emmy nominee to his resume. The Hollywood legend reached a new milestone Tuesday, earning his first-ever Emmy nomination at age 83 in lead drama actor for his work as Jacob Dutton, the patriarch of the Dutton family, in Taylor Sheridans Paramount+ drama 1923. With the nom, he comes the oldest actor ever nominated in the category, surpassing Anthony Hopkins, who was 79 when he was recognized for Westworld in 2017. The Ford nom also serves as the first major nomination for any series of the Taylor Sheridan universe. In 2022, the prequel miniseries 1883 received three Creative Arts Emmy nominations for music (Brian Tyler and Breton Vivian) and a double mention for cinematography (Ben Richardson and Christina Alexandra Voros). In addition, Ford also landed a supporting comedy nom for his work in the Apple TV+ comedy Shrinking. Ford becomes the second-oldest nominee ever in that category, following Alan Arkin, who was 86 when he earned a nomination for his performance on Netflixs The Kominsky Method in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recognition marks a turning point for Ford, who was notably snubbed for the first season of Shrinking despite widespread praise for his performance as Dr. Paul Rhoades, a blunt but endearing therapist and mentor. The series, created by Brett Goldstein, Jason Segel and Bill Lawrence, returned for a second season this year to strong reviews from critics and audiences. Although Ford is best known for his legendary film roles including Han Solo in the Star Wars franchise and the title role in Indiana Jones this marks the first time the Television Academy has recognized him. Until now, his only major awards nomination had been an Academy Award nod for best actor for the 1985 thriller Witness. Fords nom is one of several for Shrinking, which continues to gain momentum following its sophomore season. This years Emmy nominations were announced by actors Harvey Guillen, of What We Do in the Shadows, and Brenda Song, of Running Point, from the Television Academys Wolf Theatre in North Hollywood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 77th Emmy Awards will be hosted by Nate Bargatze and broadcast live Sunday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS, as well as stream live and on demand via select packages on Paramount+. See all of Varietys Award Predictions Awards Circuit Predictions: Emmys Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Oasis kicked off their massive reunion tour earlier in July to sold out crowds in Cardiff, Wales and Manchester, England. And while the tour travels through the United Kingdom and Europe throughout July and August, the British rock band plans to head to North America too, starting with dates in Toronto, Chicago, and other cities beginning on Sunday, August 24. More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Shop Oasis world Tour Tickets at Ticketmaster Want to see Oasis in person? Tickets to the reunion world tour first went on sale through Ticketmaster (the bands official ticket seller), but many of the dates have either sold out, or are very close to selling out. Although Oasis recommends you use Ticketmaster and the retailers Face Value Exchange program to sell your tickets, theres so much demand that fans are now turning to third-party sites, such as Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, Ticket Network and others, to get their hands on concert tickets. However, buying tickets from third-party resellers may, violate the tours terms and conditions, per a band statement, which goes on to say that measures have been specifically established to limit resale of tickets on unauthorised ticketing platforms for profit. Fans have been strongly advised by all parties not to purchase tickets from unauthorised resale sites, to protect them from fraud or refunding. Advertisement Advertisement In short: Oasis tickets are available online through third-party and resale sites, like StubHub, but the band warns that tickets from other retailers other than Ticketmaster may run the risk of getting cancelled. Still, there has been no word on if or how this will be enforced. Fans seem fine with pushing their luck. If you go on StubHub right now, tickets for tour dates in North America start at $291 and are selling fast, according to the site. Stubhub has Oasis tickets available for digital delivery, so you can get them sent instantly to your smartphone or email. Prices may also be above or below face value at times. Stubhubs Fan Protect Guarantee ensures valid tickets or your money back. And if your event is canceled and not rescheduled, youll receive 120% in credit or be given the option of a full refund. Shop Oasis World Tour Tickets at Stubhub Advertisement Advertisement You can also find Oasis tickets online at Vivid Seats, which lets you search by price, location and Super Sellers, which denotes reputable sellers with the best deals on tickets. Vivid Seats is also great for group tickets: the site has a rewards program that gives you your eleventh ticket free (in the form of a credit) after you buy 10 tickets online. And as a bonus, you can use our exclusive promo code BB30 to take $30 off your purchase at VividSeats.com. Shop Oasis World Tour Tickets at Vivid Seats Were also seeing for Oasis tickets is at SeatGeek, so you can use our discount code BILLBOARD10 to save an additional $10 at checkout. Advertisement Advertisement Shop Oasis World Tour Tickets at SeatGeek TicketNetwork has tickets to Oasis concerts with all-in pricing that lets you see exactly what youll pay up front (fees included). For a limited time, you can use our exclusive code BILLBOARD150 to save $150 off $500 or BILLBOARD300 to save $300 off orders of $1000 and up. Shop Oasis World Tour Tickets at TicketNetwork For dates outside of the United States, visit Viagogo for pricing and deals, internationally. Oasis 2025 World Tour Dates July 19: Manchester, England at Heaton Park July 20: Manchester, England at Heaton Park July 25: London, England at Wembley Stadium July 26: London, England at Wembley Stadium Aug. 2: London, England at Wembley Stadium Aug. 3: London, England at Wembley Stadium Aug. 8: Edinburgh, Scotland at Gas Murrayfield Stadium Aug. 9: Edinburgh, Scotland at Gas Murrayfield Stadium Aug. 16: Dublin, Ireland at Croke Park Aug. 17: Dublin, Ireland at Croke Park Aug. 24: Toronto, Canada at Rogers Stadium Aug. 25: Toronto, Canada at Rogers Stadium Aug. 28: Chicago, Illinois at Soldier Field Aug. 31: East Rutherford, New Jersey at MetLife Stadium Sept. 1: East Rutherford, New Jersey at MetLife Stadium Sept. 6: Pasadena, California at Rose Bowl Stadium Sept. 7: Pasadena, California at Rose Bowl Stadium Sept. 12: Mexico City, Mexico at Estadio GNP Seguro Sept. 13: Mexico City, Mexico at Estadio GNP Seguro Sept. 27: London, England at Wembley Stadium Sept. 28: London, England at Wembley Stadium Oct. 21: Goyang, South Korea at Goyang Stadium Oct. 25: Tokyo, Japan at Tokyo Dome Oct. 26: Tokyo, Japan at Tokyo Dome Oct. 31: Melbourne, Australia at Marvel Stadium Nov. 1: Melbourne, Australia at Marvel Stadium Nov. 4: Melbourne, Australia at Marvel Stadium Nov. 7: Sydney, Australia at Sydney Accor Stadium Nov. 8: Sydney, Australia at Sydney Accor Stadium Nov. 15: Buenos Aires, Argentina at Estadio Mas Monumental Nov. 16: Buenos Aires, Argentina at Estadio Mas Monumental Nov. 19: Santiago, Chile at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos Nov. 22: Sao Paulo, Brazil at MorumBIS Advertisement Advertisement While demand and web searches for Oasis tour tickets are very high, the band has issued a buyer beware warning to fans looking for tickets from retailers other than Ticketmaster. We recommend fans shop at their own risk. Shop Oasis World Tour Tickets at Ticketmaster Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories. Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Suicidal Tendencies are heading back Down Under later this year for a string of headline dates in Australia and New Zealand, coinciding with their role as special guests on Metallicas massive M72 world tour. The announcement comes exactly two years after their last visit to the region and promises fans a series of explosive performances, with the band bringing along a wave of firsts for their return. More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tour will arrive alongside the release of the bands first new single in seven years, Adrenaline Addict, featuring Australian vocalist Nisha Star. Set to drop ahead of the shows, the track marks a long-awaited return to the studio for the California skate-thrash pioneers, whose last album, Still Cyco Punk After All These Years, landed in 2018. Fans will also get the chance to see Suicidal Tendencies revamped lineup in action for the first time. Frontman and founding member Mike Muir is joined by guitarist Ben Weinman of The Dillinger Escape Plan, longtime shredder Dean Pleasants, bassist Tye Trujillo, son of Metallicas Robert Trujillo, and former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg. This will be the first time the group has performed in Perth and Auckland since 2018, adding extra weight to an already highly anticipated run. Support across all headline dates comes from Big Noter, the new heavy project from acclaimed Yorta Yorta/Wurundjeri/Wemba-Wemba artist Briggs. Known for his sharp lyricism and cultural commentary in the hip-hop world, Briggs is making a full-circle return to his punk and metal roots. Big Noters debut album, produced by Nick DiDia (Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam), is due out later this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tour will also see a unique family connection play out on Australian stages. With Robert Trujillo touring with Metallica, his son Tye holding down bass duties for Suicidal Tendencies, and his wife Chloe performing with her band Blvd of Eyes at Brisbane and Sydneys Heavyfest, the Trujillos will have all corners of the live music scene covered. Tickets for the Australian dates go on sale Thursday, July 17 at 10 a.m. local time, with New Zealand sales opening the same day at 12 p.m. local time via the bands official website. Suicidal Tendencies 2025 Australia & New Zealand Headline Tour Australia: Tickets on sale Thursday, July 17 at 10 a.m. local time. New Zealand: Tickets on sale Thursday, July 17 at 12 p.m. local time via suicidaltendenciesofficial.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oct. 31 Magnet House, Perth Nov. 7 The Forum, Melbourne Nov. 9 Pier Bandroom, Frankston Nov. 11 The Tivoli, Brisbane Nov. 14 The Roundhouse, Sydney Nov. 18 The Powerstation, Auckland Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NEED TO KNOW A boat carrying 18 passengers capsized in Indonesia at 11:0 0 a.m. local time on Monday, July 14, according to reports 17 people have reportedly been rescued following the incident Authorities are continuing to search for the final passenger, per local media outlet Jakarta Globe Several people have been rescued and one person remains missing after a speedboat capsized in Indonesia, according to reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At around 11:00 a.m. local time on Monday, July 14, a boat carrying 18 passengers sank after being hit by high waves due to severe weather in the Sipora Strait, off the Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra, ABC News and Indonesian outlet Jakarta Globe reported. The passengers included 10 local government officials, two crew members, three children and four relatives, according to reports. The speedboat had departed the town of Sikakap and was heading to the town of Tuapejat, per ABC News. Seventeeen people have been rescued as of Tuesday, July 15, according to Jakarta Globe. The survivors were found in stable conditions across three locations in Mappinang, Guluguluk, and Bulau villages of Indonesia, the outlet reported. We have located 17 survivors, and we have received encouraging information that the remaining person may have also survived, Mentawai Search and Rescue Office chief Rudi told Jakarta Globe. HANDOUT/Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency/AFP via Getty Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency search for passengers of a capsized boat in the waters off Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency search for passengers of a capsized boat in the waters off Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra According to the outlet, the team is working to verify reports that the missing passenger has been found stranded in a local village. The passenger was identified as Guntur, an employee of the Mentawai public works department, per Jakarta Globe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was initially reported that at least 10 people were missing after the boat capsized on Monday. Indonesias Search and Rescue Agency (SAR) was notified of the incident six hours later at 5:40 p.m. local time and took 90 minutes to reach the area, per Jakarta Globe. John Seaton Callahan/Getty A stock photo of the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia A stock photo of the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia Eight people were reported to have been rescued on Monday, per The Independent. They were found after they swam ashore with life vests to Sikakap Village, Jakarta Globe reported, citing SAR officials. "Some of the victims were seen floating on the surface, but the team couldnt reach them in time, and they eventually disappeared from sight, Dhio Ulwi Winanda, head of operations at SAR, told the outlet. rio agusta/Getty Mentawai, Indonesia Mentawai, Indonesia The survivors were reportedly evacuated in a KN SAR Ramawijaya vessel to the Indonesian town of Tuapeijat, where they received medical checks and identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will continue the search until we find the last victim, Winanda told Jakarta Globe. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. 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. PEOPLE has contacted Indonesias National Disaster Management Authority and SAR for comment. Read the original article on People KABUL, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A total of 2,313 young men have joined Afghan security forces after completing military training over the past two days, the defense ministry said. According to the ministry, the young men received professional, military, and ideological instruction at training centers under the 209th Al-Fatah Army Corps in the north, the 207th Al-Farooq Corps in the west, and the 217th Omari Corps. The ministry emphasized the importance of professionalism and discipline among new recruitments, describing the development as a step forward in strengthening Afghanistan's security infrastructure. Since assuming power in August 2021, the Afghan interim government has aimed to build a national army, raising its target from 150,000 to 170,000, with a potential goal of 200,000 depending on conditions. Thirteen Democratic lawmakers are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to reinstate the Not Invisible Act Commission Report on its website. The report, which contained vital findings and recommendations regarding the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) crisis, was unexpectedly removed following the implementation of a recent executive ordereffectively erasing years of essential research and community testimony. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS), whos is tribal citizen of the Ho Chunk Nation, and Gwen Moore (D-WI) led a group of their colleagues in this effort. The Not Invisible Act Commission Report was taken down in response to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which mandated the elimination of all federal government policies and initiatives related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. In their letter to the DOJ, the Members underscored the significance of the report, stating: The Not Invisible Act Commission was composed of Tribal leaders, law enforcement, federal partners, service providers, and survivors, all of whom contributed to meaningful recommendations for the DOJ and Department of the Interior (DOI) on how to address violence against American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Commission conducted seven in-person field hearings and one multi-day virtual national hearing, gathering input from over 260 individuals. Many were survivors or family members of victims. Their lived experiences were foundational to the reports recommendations and are critical to understanding and responding to the MMIP crisis. This landmark report reflects months of rigorous data collection and testimony from across the country. The Members also expressed deep concern over the reports removal on February 18, 2025. The 212-page document, titled Not One More, was taken down in response to President Trumps executive order, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government (Defending Women). The lawmakers emphasized that the work of the Not Invisible Act Commission does not promote gender ideology or extremism and is fully compliant with the relevant sections of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) memo addressing the order. They further stressed the reports importance, particularly given the disproportionate rates of violence experienced by Indigenous peopleespecially womenand the ongoing underreporting of MMIP cases. Indigenous people experience some of the highest rates of violence in the United States. According to the DOJs National Institute of Justice, 84.3% of Native women and 81.6% of Native men have experienced violence in their lifetime. Yet systemic issuessuch as racial misclassification and strained relationships between tribal governments and outside law enforcementcontinue to hinder accurate data collection and reporting of MMIP cases. The Members concluded their letter with a firm call to action: We urge the DOJ to immediately restore public access to the Not Invisible Act Commission Report. Its removal obstructs the path to long-overdue justice and undermines efforts to confront and resolve the MMIP crisis. Publicly accessible data is criticalit helps identify patterns of disappearance and death, informs community and law enforcement responses, and guides policymaking. Without this report, we lose one of our most powerful tools in the pursuit of justice. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Another class of Albuquerque Community Safety responders is ready to serve Albuquerque. A graduation ceremony was held Monday at the Albuquerque Museum, where city officials recognized the graduates. These trained professionals will respond to mental and behavioral health crises, connecting people with the care they need while also freeing up police and EMS. New nonstop flights added to Sunport during Balloon Fiesta There has been a lot of things throughout my life Ive been, I mean, Im sure, just a lot like my co-workers, we have all experienced hardships in life. Whether that is homelessness or lived experiences or drug, seeing people you love being on drugs or need help so its great to be able to go back into the community and help out with things that you have seen or experienced, said Daniel Smith, who graduated from the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were 13 graduates who completed weeks of academy instruction and 240 hours of on-the-job training. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (NewsNation) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced there have been 131 fatalities in floods that deluged the state. Rescue efforts were briefly paused after more heavy rains hit on Sunday, bringing more flooding to areas still dealing with the aftermath of Fourth of July flooding. Additional rain is possible with a flash flood watch in place for several counties, including Bandera, Blanco, Burnet, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, Llano, Real, Travis, Uvalde, Val Verde and Williamson counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump warns Russia of severe tariffs if deal isnt reached with Ukraine Authorities are working to prepare for the impact, placing additional counties under a disaster declaration. They noted forecasts for more rain and reminded people that it does not have to be raining where they are for there to be flooding. Officials also reminded people of the dangers of driving into water, where it may be difficult to know how deep it is. The new round of rain resulted in evacuation orders, high-water rescues and more damage to homes in the area. Abbott said on Monday that the state was working with federal authorities to provide housing and other needs for displaced residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alleged Kentucky church shooter identified as Guy House Authorities also believe more than 100 people are still missing after the floods, with 97 missing from the Guadalupe River flooding on July 4. The floods hit an area of Texas that was home to many summer camps, including an all-girls Christian camp, Camp Mystic, that is a century old. At least 27 campers and counselors were lost in the floods. Officials in Kerrville have come under scrutiny, with people questioning the countys lack of warning sirens and whether residents were sufficiently warned of floods. Early Sunday, authorities went door-to-door in some areas to warn of more floods, with push alerts also sent to people in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said life and safety remain the top priority and swift water rescues are being staged in anticipation of more floods. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. A 15-year-old boy died after falling 50 feet from a Washington park structure during a concert, his family said. First responders got a call about the incident at about 10:20 p.m. July 10 at Gas Works Park, the Seattle Fire Department said in an email to McClatchy News. Mattheis Johnson fell from a structure at the park during a pop-up concert, his family said in a GoFundMe page. He was taken to a Harborview Medical Center, where he died, fire officials said. Mattheis Johnson, 15, is pictured. Screengrab from GoFundMe His passing comes as an unexpected shock to all those who knew him, Ballard High School Principal Abby Hunt said in a message to families, obtained by McClatchy News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mattheis was a student at Ballard High School and was involved in numerous school activities, including choir, garment club, and track and field, Hunt said. His family said he was a bright, blossoming soulan artist, musician, and friend to many, according to the GoFundMe page. Many described him as having an old soul. He sang, produced his own music on Spotify, loved deep conversations, fashion, ran track, and played ultimate frisbee for Ballard High School, the page said. Gas Works Park was a gas plant in the early 1900s before being converted into a public park in 1975. The park kept some of its original structures and added a play and picnic area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the old structures are fenced off. Fire officials did not say which structure Mattheis fell from. Man tries to shoot 16-year-old stepson, fatally shoots wife, Georgia cops say 17-year-old calls mom for help as man he met on dating app kills him, FL cops say Man shoots at girlfriend, then hes shot dead by her roommate, Tennessee cops say CHICAGO (WGN) Ford City Mall could soon be sold and replaced with an industrial park, according to a letter obtained by WGN-TV. The letter, sent to constituents of the 18th Ward by Ald. Derrick Curtis, centers around the potential redevelopment of the Ford City Mall as an economic boon that could pump millions into the West Lawn neighborhood and create hundreds of jobs. This is going to be a very interesting change of time, Curtis told WGN-TV Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Increased area employment could be a massive plus if the buyer, Midwest RE Acquisitions, LLCan affiliate of Chicago-based developer Bridge Industrialgets the green light to purchase the property from the New York-based Namdar Realty Group. If the Bridge Industrial affiliate makes the purchase, it plans to invest upward of $150 million to build warehouses for distribution and light manufacturing. Also included in the investment would be 900 new parking spots, 92 loading docks, and extensive landscaping and rebuilding of 76th Street. Its going to put these acres and acres of land back on the tax rolls, Curtis said. WGN-TV has learned the construction end of the project could generate about 90 jobs, with 400-450 permanent jobs once all construction and renovations have been completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the sale is not yet a done deal. Midwest RE Acquisitions is expected to apply for a rezone of the property from a B3-2 Community Shopping District to an M2-2 Light Industry District, to get the project up and running in a proper manner. Curtis said while the rezoning request is submitted, he plans to host a community meeting in early August to garner feedback from local Chicagoans. The Ford City Mall has been where it sits on South Cicero Avenue since 1965. Over the years, the mall has fallen into decline, with JCPenney being its lone anchor tenant remaining and overall vacancy sitting near 54% present day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This mall has been dying for years now, said Russell Rachubinski, a shopper at Ford City. Its nothing. Ive been here, had my watch fixed the other day. Theres nothing in there. Its all deserted, basically. Rachubinski still comes to the Ford City Mall to shop from time to time. He said its been tough seeing all the big stores leave over the years. Its sad, you know? Rachubinski said. But thats the way it happens. Another shopper, Bradlee Lewis, said he was hoping for a brand new mall, but warehouses seem to be more in the works, which offers its own appeal. If they do make it to warehouses, that means it could be more jobs too, Lewis said. So, its got pros and cons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Namdar Realty Group and Midwest RE Acquisitions have not responded to WGN-TVs request for comment on this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A 16-year-old boy is charged with making bomb threat on a Spirit Airlines flight to Fort Lauderdale on Monday, deputies say. About 3:15 p.m., Broward Sheriffs Office Airport District deputies responded to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport for a call about the bomb threat, the Sheriffs Office said. There, they investigated and arrested the 16-year-old, who is from out of state. He now faces charges of criminal mischief worth $1,000 or more and false report of a bomb/explosive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sheriffs Office did not provide further details on the nature of the threat or what led to the arrest. This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox. NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio (WJW) The Tuscarawas County Sheriffs Office is investigating after a teen died in a drowning on Sunday. Deputies responded to a reported drowning in the Tall Timber lake at Woods Tall Timber Resort in New Philadelphia, the sheriffs office said. Mom, 2 kids rescued by jet skiers on Lake Erie According to investigators, the victim, a 16-year-old girl, was found after being underwater for several minutes at the campground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was taken to Akron Childrens Hospital, but on Monday evening, the Summit County Medical Examiners Office confirmed that the teen died. Walmart selling Cleveland-natives new take on PB&J The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner identified the teen as Madison Danley of Canton. Our thoughts go out to the family, Sheriff Orvis Campbell said in a press release posted to social media. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A teen who took part in a car theft that turned deadly learned his fate in court Monday as the victims family made an emotional plea to the judge. A now 17-year-old Zane Dougherty told the court, he is turning his life around, getting an education and substance abuse treatment in juvenile jail. This, after the judge warned the teen to take the proceedings seriously. Mr. Dougherty, I cant help but notice that youre laughing and smiling during this. I highly suggest you take this very serious. This is a serious thing that were doing right now, said Judge Cindy Leos. What I can say is I will never be in this position again. While being incarcerated has given me a lot of time to think about what I did and what my actions were, Dougherty said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen pleads guilty for role in attempted car theft turned fatal shooting Prosecutors say in December 2023, 16-year-old Dougherty was out with a group calling themselves the Kia Boys, looking for Kia-brand cars to steal. They were in the process of breaking into a car in a southwest Albuquerque driveway when the homeowner, Adrian Vallejos, confronted them, and a member of the group shot and killed him. While Dougherty is not the one who pulled the trigger that night, the state presented videos and photos showing the teen drinking and handling guns. Meanwhile, the victims mother addressed the court, describing her son as a kind man who enjoyed the simple things in life. She said Vallejos worked hard to buy his first car and his first home. He also bought a ring and was planning to propose to his girlfriend on Christmas Day, but he never got the chance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen accused in deadly shooting being held behind bars through trial He was a law-abiding citizen, an asset to society, and an all-around amazing person. He chose to live his life being responsible, reliable, and honest. He was working hard to execute his plans and secure his future, the mother said. Judge Cindy Leos said from his behavior in court and his record at the youth detention center, it does not appear that Dougherty is showing a turnaround. The judge ruled he will remain behind bars until he turns 21, the maximum sentence given his age. Dougherty pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The big tax and spending package President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025, will cut government spending on health care by more than US$1 trillion over the next decade. Because the final version of the legislation moved swiftly through the Senate and the House, estimates regarding the number of people likely to lose their health insurance coverage were incomplete when Congress approved it by razor-thin margins. Nearly 12 million Americans could lose their health insurance coverage by 2034 due to this legislation, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. However, the number of people losing their insurance by 2034 could be even higher, totaling more than 17 million. Thats largely because its likely that at least 5 million Americans who currently have Affordable Care Act marketplace health insurance will lose their coverage once subsidies that help fund those policies expire at the end of 2025. And very few Republicans have said they support renewing the subsidies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, regulations the Trump administration introduced earlier in the year will further increase the number of people losing their ACA marketplace coverage. As a public health professor, I see these changes, which will be phased in over several years, as the first step in a reversal of the expansion of access to health care that began with the ACAs passage in 2010. About 25.3 million Americans lacked insurance in 2023, down sharply from 46.5 million when President Barack Obama signed the ACA into law. All told, the changes in the works could eliminate three-quarters of the progress the U.S. has made in reducing the number of uninsured Americans following the Affordable Care Act. Millions will lose their Medicaid coverage The biggest number of people becoming uninsured will be Americans enrolled in Medicaid, which currently covers more than 78 million people. An estimated 5 million will eventually lose Medicaid coverage due to new work requirements that will go into effect nationally by 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work requirements target people eligible for Medicaid through the Affordable Care Acts expansion. They tend to have slightly higher incomes than other people enrolled in the program. Medicaid applicants who are between 19 and 64 years old will need to certify they are working at least 80 hours a month or spending that much time engaged in comparable activities, such as community service. When these rules have been introduced to other safety net programs, most people lost their benefits due to administrative hassles, not because they werent logging enough hours on the job. Experts like me expect to see that occur with Medicaid too. Other increases in the paperwork required to enroll in and remain enrolled in Medicaid will render more than 2 million more people uninsured, the CBO estimates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And an additional 1.4 million would lose coverage because they may not meet new citizenship or immigration requirements. In total, these changes to Medicaid would lead to more than 8 million people becoming uninsured by 2034. Many of those who arent kicked out of Medicaid would also face new copayments of up to US$35 for appointments and procedures making them less likely to seek care, even if they still have health insurance. The new policies also make it harder for states to pay for Medicaid, which is run by the federal government and the states. They do so by limiting the taxes states charge medical providers, which are used to fund the states share of Medicaid funding. With less funding, some states may try to reduce enrollment or cut benefits, such as home-based health care, in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Losing Medicaid coverage may leave millions of low-income Americans without insurance coverage, with no affordable alternatives for health care. Historically, the people who are most likely to lose their benefits are low-income people of color or immigrants who do not speak English well. A supporter of the Affordable Care Act stands in front of the Supreme Court building on Nov. 10, 2020. Samuel Corum/Getty Images ACA marketplace policies may cost far more The new law will also make it harder for the more than 24 million Americans who currently get health insurance through Affordable Care Act marketplace plans to remain insured. For one, it will be much harder for Americans to purchase insurance coverage and qualify for subsidies for 2026. These changes come on the heels of regulations from the Trump administration that the Congressional Budget Office estimates will lead to almost 1 million people losing their coverage through the ACA marketplace. This includes reducing spending on outreach and enrollment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats more, increased subsidies in place since 2021 are set to expire at the end of the year. Given Republican opposition, it seems unlikely that those subsidies will be extended. Not extending the subsidies alone could mean premiums will increase by more than 75% in 2026. Once premiums get that unaffordable, an additional 4.2 million Americans could lose coverage, the Congressional Budget Office estimates. With more political uncertainty and reduced enrollment, more private insurers may also withdraw from the ACA market. Large insurance companies such as Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealth have already raised concerns about the ACA markets viability. Should they exit, there would be fewer choices and higher premiums for people getting their insurance this way. It could also mean that some counties could have no ACA plans offered at all. Ramifications for the uninsured and rural hospitals When people lose their health insurance, they inevitably end up in worse health and their medical debts can mount. Because medical treatments usually work better when diagnoses are made early, people who end up uninsured may die sooner than if theyd still had coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having to struggle to pay the kinds of high medical bills people without insurance face takes a physical, mental and financial toll, not just on people who become uninsured but also their families and friends. It also harms medical providers that dont get reimbursed for their care. Public health scholars like me have no doubt that many hospitals and other health care providers will have to make tough choices. Some will close. Others will offer fewer services and fire health care workers. Emergency room wait times will increase for everyone, not just people who lose their health insurance due to changes in Trumps tax and spending package. Rural hospitals, which were already facing a funding crisis, will experience some of the most acute financial pressure. By one estimate, more than 300 hospitals are at risk of closing. Childrens hospitals and hospitals located in low-income urban areas also disproportionately rely on Medicaid and will struggle to keep their doors open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans tried to protect rural hospitals by designating $50 billion in the legislative package for them over 10 years. But this funding comes nowhere near the $155 billion in losses KFF expects those health care providers to incur due to Medicaid cuts. Also, the funding comes with a number of restrictions that could further limit its effectiveness. Whats next Some Republicans, including Sens. Mike Crapo and Ron Johnson, have already indicated that more health care policy changes could be coming in another large legislative package. They could include some of the harsher provisions that were left out of the final version of the legislation Congress approved. Republicans may, for example, try to roll back the ACAs Medicaid expansion. Moving forward, spending on Medicare, the insurance program that primarily covers Americans 65 and older, could decline too. Without any further action, the CBO says that the law could trigger an estimated $500 billion in mandatory Medicare cuts from 2026 to 2034 because of the trillions of dollars in new federal debt the law creates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has repeatedly promised not to cut Medicare or Medicaid. And yet, its possible that the Trump administration will issue executive orders that further reduce what the federal government spends on health care and roll back the coverage gains the Affordable Care Act brought about. Portions of this article first appeared in a related piece published on June 13, 2025. 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: Simon F. Haeder, Texas A&M University Read more: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simon F. Haeder has previously received funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for unrelated projects. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) An 18-year-old from Charlotte was sent to the hospital over the weekend after he was shot during a fight at a large house party in Eaton County. According to the Michigan State Police, troopers were dispatched to a home in the 3100 block of W Vermontville Hwy at around 3 a.m. Sunday for a reported shooting at a large party. Police say around 70 to 100 people were at the gathering, many of whom were uninvited and under the age of 18. During the party, an argument broke out between two attendees, which later escalated into a fight. While the two of them were on the ground, another person at the party walked up to them, pulled out a handgun, shot one of them, and ran away from the party with the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police believe the two of them arrived at the party together. Other attendees put the victim into a car and drove him to Sparrow Hospital in Charlotte. From there, he was transported to Sparrow Lansing for treatment of his injuries, where he remains in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing. Police have interviewed those who were at the scene of the shooting and those who went to the hospital. Investigators have identified a person of interest involved in the shooting and are also seeking out the other person involved in the fight. If you have any information that could help police with the investigation, you are asked to contact the MSP Lansing Post at 517-322-1907. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. KINSHASA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing a sharp resurgence of cholera, with cases reported in 17 of its 36 provinces and over 35,000 infections recorded since the beginning of the year, authorities said. Minister of Public Health Roger Kamba told a briefing in Kinshasa, the capital, late Monday that the country remains in the "acute phase" of the outbreak. ACUTE PHASE "Being in the acute phase means that we are still seeing the number of cases rising," Kamba said. The outbreak, which has remained endemic in several eastern provinces since it first appeared in the country over half a century ago, is now spreading rapidly, especially in the capital, Kinshasa, a city of over 17 million people. "Cholera arrived in our country in 1973, and since then, it has never left. It has remained mostly in the eastern regions," the minister said. "From time to time, the disease resurfaces as an epidemic. More often, it's endemic -- meaning there is a constant presence of cases in some areas, although they are quickly contained," Kamba said. "However, sometimes it leads to large-scale outbreaks." Tshopo province is currently the most affected, followed by Kinshasa, South Kivu, Maniema, and North Kivu. Sporadic cases have also been reported in the central provinces, raising concern among authorities. The national case fatality rate has reached 3 percent, with a peak of 9 percent previously recorded in Kinshasa. DEATH BEFORE HOSPITAL DOORSTEP Despite increased efforts, the health minister acknowledged that "80 percent of deaths still occur within communities before patients reach hospitals." Kamba attributed the current surge to a combination of factors, including repeated flooding, lack of access to clean water, poor sanitation, and mass population movements. "Cholera is a disease of dirty hands. It spreads through contaminated water, improperly prepared food, and overcrowding," he said, urging the population not to self-medicate but to seek immediate treatment at health centers when symptoms such as profuse diarrhea and vomiting appear. REGION IN ALARM The DRC is not alone in facing this disease, Kamba noted. "This is a regional situation," he said, citing Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, and South Sudan, which are also "in the red." To prevent cross-border spread, the health ministry has pledged to strengthen epidemiological surveillance at border checkpoints through the National Hygiene Program at Borders. In addition to cholera, the DRC is also grappling with an outbreak of mpox, though a clear downward trend has emerged, Kamba said. "We can say that with mpox, we're on a better path, but it's not over yet. We haven't declared the end of the mpox outbreak, but its trajectory is very positive," the minister said. According to the World Health Organization, the DRC Health Ministry declared a cholera outbreak on May 5, 2025, following laboratory confirmation of cases in several provinces. A worker helps a customer at a restaurant. Across most of the South and Midwest, state laws bar local governments from requiring employers to provide paid sick leave. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Across most of the South and Midwest, state laws bar local governments from requiring employers to provide paid sick leave, effectively stripping cities of the power to enact their own labor protections. Nearly 73 million workers live in the 18 states, including Oklahoma, that now have such preemptive laws, according to a new report from A Better Balance, a legal advocacy organization focused on workplace rights, and the National Partnership for Women & Families, a nonprofit advocacy group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local leaders know whats best for their communities. To take away the decision-making power from local communities on this issue and others is very, very concerning, said Feroza Freeland, policy director of the Southern office at A Better Balance, and one of the reports authors. Among the 18 states included in the report was Missouri. The legislature passed a measure in May to repeal paid leave requirements voters had approved in November that expanded access to paid sick leave for about 728,000 workers who lacked it. Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe on Thursday signed the statewide repeal into law. Local paid sick leave laws have been banned in Missouri since 2017. Kehoe in a statement called the paid sick leave mandates onerous, saying they dictated when and how sick leave was provided and had burdensome recordkeeping and compliance obligations. Nationwide, about 27 million workers dont earn paid sick days, the report found. Many of them work low-wage and part-time jobs, and theyre disproportionately likely to be women, younger workers and people of color, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Folks are facing impossible choices between their own health or the health of their children and continuing to earn a paycheck to pay bills and put food on the table, Freeland told Stateline. In the absence of federal laws guaranteeing paid sick leave for workers, more cities and local governments have passed their own, including Chicago, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh and Seattle. But lawmakers in 18 states, mainly in the South and Midwest, have done the opposite, the report found. GOP legislators have said such paid leave requirements create financial hardship for employers, particularly for smaller businesses. Over the past decade, in GOP-led states across the country, Republican lawmakers have tried to limit the policymaking power of Democratic-led urban centers on issues ranging from immigration to voting rights to LGBTQ+ matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While all of the states that preempt local paid sick leave laws are Republican-led, many conservative-led states in the Mountain West dont have such laws. Katherine Gallagher Robbins, a senior fellow at the National Partnership and another author of the report, said thats because Western states tend to have more of a libertarian bent. And she said preemption laws in the South have their roots in historically racist standards that undervalue Black workers. More than half the Black labor force 56% lives in one of the 18 states that prohibit local paid sick time protections, the report said. Freeland also pointed out that the paid sick leave issue impacts not just urban centers, but rural communities as well. Many people without paid sick leave work in physically demanding jobs such as manufacturing and farming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reports authors say that paid sick leave laws can help reduce the spread of illness, increase employment and wages, particularly for women with child care responsibilities, and can help recruit and retain workers. Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at avollers@statline.org. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE TAMPA On the day of the 2007 Gasparilla parade, a woman walked into her University of Tampa dorm room and heard her roommate screaming her name. In their bathroom, a bearded man she had never seen before stood naked outside the shower. He seemed nervous, the woman later told police, as he explained that he had found her roommate rolling in dirt at the parade and helped her find her way home. When the woman closed the bathroom door to console her roommate, the man left. They never saw him again. So began a rape investigation that would span nearly two decades and make use of new forensic techniques to identify a suspect. Last week, it ended with a guilty plea to a less serious charge and no prison time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an agreement with state prosecutors, Jared T. Vaughn admitted to a charge of aggravated battery with great bodily harm in return for a 10-year probation sentence. The outcome, which state prosecutors said the victim supported, came partly as a result of her desire not to endure a trial. In court, she voiced forgiveness toward Vaughn. In this case, the victim did not want to relive the violence she experienced by going through a trial, a spokesperson for the office of Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in a statement. We are grateful for her strength and stand with all survivors who deserve to be heard, believed and protected. Vaughn, 48, and the woman had different recollections of what occurred, said his defense attorney, Brett Metcalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly two decades ago, during Tampas Gasparilla parade, Mr. Vaughn had an encounter that he believed to be consensual, Metcalf said in a statement. The woman involved remembers it differently. Mr. Vaughn regrets any pain she has endured as a result. Metcalf added that Vaughn in the years since has lived a quiet and productive life. Hes a married father of three. He has had no other legal trouble. An arrest report details the circumstances that led to the 2021 sexual battery charge. While at Gasparilla, the woman said she had drank beer, shots of liquor and mixed drinks, according to the report. She was intoxicated when the man, whom she did not know, offered to help her get home. He held her arm as they walked to keep her from falling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told her roommate what she could remember of what occurred, according to the report. She didnt remember entering the dorm with the man. But, according to the arrest report, she recalled saying she was cold and the man telling her to get in the shower. She remembered him getting in with her and telling her to bend over, according to the report. She remembered saying no. Investigators collected DNA from a sexual battery exam but found no match to anyone in a state database of known convicts. The man stood about 5-feet, 11-inches tall and weighed about 180 pounds. He wore a ball cap and a long-sleeved shirt, and he had a strawberry-blond goatee that came to a point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police would pull surveillance videos from the dorm lobby, which recorded images of the man walking in with the woman, who is described in the report as having difficulty standing. The images were released publicly, but the man remained unidentified. The investigation went cold. In 2020, police reexamined the evidence. They decided to use a new technique known as genetic genealogy to try to identify the man. The method involves comparing DNA from an unknown suspect to DNA stored in databases that people use for ancestry research. The results can be used to identify people in the suspects family, with further investigation leading to a match. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the use of genetic genealogy in criminal investigations has yielded criticism from some privacy and civil liberties advocates, it has also led to arrests in hundreds of unsolved cases nationwide, most notably the Golden State Killer in California. In the Gasparilla case, a Virginia lab analyzed the DNA, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement built a family tree that ultimately led to Vaughn. He lived in West Virginia, but records showed he lived in Tampa in 2007. He closely matched the suspects description. Neither the victim nor her former roommate were able to identify his image in a photo lineup arranged by police. Nevertheless, further DNA testing yielded a match to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested in June 2021. In the lead-up to trial, his defense attorney challenged the sufficiency of the search warrant police used to obtain Vaughns DNA. Other students who witnessed some of what occurred that day in 2007 were called to give pretrial testimony. Their recollections likely would have undergone scrutiny in a trial. Had he been convicted of sexual battery, as the state had originally charged, Vaughn would have faced up to 15 years in prison. He also would have had to register as a sex offender for life. In addition to the probation term, the agreement came with orders that Vaughn pay the victim $3,375 in restitution for medical and psychological treatment she received as a result of the crime, and that he write her an apology letter. He was also required to undergo a mental evaluation and complete 50 hours of community service. This matter has been difficult for all involved, Metcalf said. Resolving the case through a plea was not, for Mr. Vaughn, an admission of guilt but a step towards closure and protecting his family from further uncertainty. He remains committed to accountability, compassion and respect for all parties. The White Sage and Dragon Bravo fires together have burned nearly 60,000 acres, while only miles away from each other on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. As of about 9 a.m. on July 15, the White Sage Fire spread across 51,922 acres, while the Dragon Bravo Fire spread to over 8,000 acres and destroyed historic structures, according to InciWeb, a federal wildfire tracker. Both of the fires remained 0% contained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what we know about the continued growth of the fires and what might be next for firefighters. White Sage Fire adds more personnel as fire remains at over 50,000 acres The White Sage Fire, roughly 30 miles north of the Dragon Bravo Fire, has burned 51,922 acres and was 0% contained after it was ignited due to a lightning strike, according to InciWeb. "Over the past few days, the White Sage Fire has exhibited extreme fire behavior," wrote fire officials in a July 15 morning update. Fire officials said 572 personnel were battling the fire. The approximate 2,600-acre increase was "significantly less" than before, according to the update. On July 14, the fire continued to spread through the scar of the 2020 Magnum Fire, where invasive cheatgrass acted as perfect fuel for the fire. Firefighters on the west side of the fire maintained a fire line and were transitioning into suppression efforts, the update added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters also traveled directly to the north portion of the fire and established more control lines, but they saw increased fire activity in the northwestern portion due to shifting winds and dry grass in the area, the update said. Firefighters were hindered by dry thunderstorms that evening, which limited air attack crews, who are critical to suppression efforts from the air, according to InciWeb. A vast area, the Kaibab Plateau from the Utah-Arizona line down to the Grand Canyon, was placed under evacuation orders. Fire crews urged the public to avoid the area. Highway 89A was closed at Fredonia and Bitter Springs. Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed historic buildings About 30 miles to the south, the Dragon Bravo Fire engulfed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim, and at least 70 structures on July 12, according to Stefan La-Sky, public information officer for the Southwest Incident Management Team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On July 15, the fire had burned 8,570 acres and was still 0% contained, according to La-Sky. Over 360 personnel were battling the fire, he added. Six helicopters, including three heavy variants able to carry more water, were now on-site, La-Sky also said. Firefighters focused on areas near Roaring Springs, with some crews specifically assigned to structure protection, according to La-Sky He said that the fire threat to nearby Phantom Ranch was "significantly reduced." A hazmat situation caused by a chlorine leak from a water treatment plant was resolved, as crews found no detectable levels of the toxic chemicals in the area, fire officials said in an update. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have photos or video of the Grand Canyon Lodge to share on azcentral.com? We'd love to see them and share with readers. Send it to us at our video-photo upload site. Weather changes expected to impact suppression efforts for both fires The National Weather Service office in Flagstaff noted July 15 that the area was expected to see a chance of gusty winds and dry lightning in the area, both of which aggravate fire conditions. Chances of actual rain, including hail, were at their highest on Thursday, according to the Weather Service. Thunderstorms prevent air attack crews, which are commonly used in the remote areas of the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires, from reaching the fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If rain made its way to the area, there was also a threat of flash flooding in sensitive areas and recent burn scars, according to the Weather Service. Contact reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on Instagram, X, Threads and Bluesky: @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Wildfires in AZ: Dragon Bravo, White Sage fires burn nearly 60K acres NEED TO KNOW The city of Plainfield in New Jersey reported that two people died when their vehicle was swept away during the height of the storm on July 14 The North Plainfield Police Department said a house exploded overnight due to a possible gas leak Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for 21 counties due to the flash flooding and storms At least two people died in New Jersey in flash flooding following the intense storms that hit the Tri-State area, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a news release, the city of Plainfield announced the two fatalities that happened on Monday, July 14. According to preliminary reports, a vehicle was swept into Cedar Brook during the height of the storm, the city said. Emergency personnel responded quickly, but tragically, both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene. "The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of their families," officials added. "The City Administration extends its heartfelt condolences to those affected by this loss." The citys statement also noted that Mondays deaths came nearly two weeks after a severe storm hit Plainfield on July 3, which also killed two people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, in North Plainfield, authorities responded to a report of a house explosion in the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 15, the North Plainfield Police Department stated in a news release shared with PEOPLE. "On arrival police officers found the home fully engulfed in flames. The explosion appears to have been the result of a gas leak," the police said. "Luckily the home appears to have been empty and no victims were located. The residents apparently had already evacuated before the explosion happened, according to ABC affiliate WABC. The heavy rains made battling the blaze difficult as firefighters had to wade through ankle-deep water with their hoses, according to CBS affiliate WCBS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northfield Police also said that 40 people were rescued from the floodwaters in the borough, that have also destroyed numerous homes and vehicles. Parts of New Jersey experienced about 6 inches of rain from Mondays storms that disrupted traffic and left vehicles abandoned, Fox affiliate WNYW reported. The flash flooding and severe storms prompted New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency across 21 counties that went into effect Monday evening. 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. I urge New Jerseyans to exercise caution, follow all safety protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary, Murphy said in a press statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the storm damage, the city of Plainfield said that its city pools and parks are closed on Tuesday for inspection and safety assessment, while services at the Plainfield Senior Center are halted. Mondays storms also hit New York City, where video showed water flooding the entrance and platform at the 23rd Street station on the No. 1 line, WABC reported. Read the original article on People BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) An operation into illegal vapes resulted in the closure of two Gonzales smoke shops and the arrest of one person Tuesday. The Gonzales Police Department said an investigation was launched with the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control after complaints from community members. King Smoke Shop at 1203 E. Cornerview Road and Cali Smoke Shop at 715 E. Ascension St. were shut down. Items recovered by agents in searches include 80 packages of THC buds, 80 packages of kratom, 26 THC vapes, and additional illegal vaping products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What makes vape products illegal in Louisiana? (Gonzales Police Department) (Gonzales Police Department) (Gonzales Police Department) Qusai Yousef, 25, of Baton Rouge, was charged with sale and distribution of Schedule I drugs and possession of illegal substances. Police said charges related to the second smoke shop are pending. The police department said suspicious activity can be reported by calling 225-647-7511. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. WASHINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) Two men were arrested after an alleged home invasion and assault in Washington, state police said. Austin Dutcher, 26, and Huckleberry Durkin, 26, were arrested. North Haven police investigate armed robbery at Hartford Turnpike gas station Upon arrival to the home, troopers found the victim with injuries to their face. Austin Dutcher, 26 Huckleberry Durkin, 26 The victim said two men broke in and an altercation broke out. He said he was strangled with a dog leash by one of the men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim reported that one of the suspects was a relative and the other was a friend of his relative. Dutcher and Durkin were charged with the following. Home invasion First-degree burglary Second-degree burglary Second-degree threatening First-degree strangulation/suffocation Both men were released on $250,000 bond and appeared in Torrington Superior Court on Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEED TO KNOW Two men were reported missing in Little Compton, Rhode Island, on the morning of Saturday, July 12 The victims' families identified them as brothers Aldino A. Centeio, 27, and Valdir A. Centeio, 31 The siblings, who were reportedly fishing in the area, were found dead on Sunday, according to local media outlets The bodies of two men who went missing while fishing near the coast of Rhode Island have been found, according to reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At around 8:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, July 12, police received a 911 call from the Warren's Point Beach Club on Atlantic Drive in Little Compton alerting them that a man had fallen into the water and another man had jumped in to save him, CBS News and NBC 10 WJAR reported. A third unidentified person also entered the water but was unsuccessful in retrieving the two men, according to the outlets. "We saw one gentleman standing on top of the rock behind me, screaming and yelling, waving his hands, sort of prostrating himself on the rock, crying, witness Bill Lancaster said, per CBS News. We figured, obviously, someone had gone over into the water." The two men were found at around 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, after the search was suspended overnight, according to the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family members identified the pair as brothers Aldino A. Centeio, 27, and Valdir A. Centeio, 31, local outlet WPRI reported. The pair, who were both from Stoughton, were allegedly found not far from the rocks where they were last seen fishing, per the outlet and NBC 10 WJAR. Local Rhode Island dive master and scuba instructor Chris Trainor said a probable explanation for the tragedy couldve been tough conditions in the water. He told NBC 10 WAJAR that there was a lack of visibility in the area. The victims family spent over six hours watching the search for the missing brothers from the shore on Saturday, according to WPRI. 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. Shobeir Ansari/Getty Little Compton, Rhode Island Little Compton, Rhode Island Little Compton Fire and Rescue was joined by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) amid the search. According to NBC 10 Boston, Middletown, Tiverton, Newport, and Little Compton marine units also assisted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The members of the Little Compton Fire Department would like to thank the Warren's Point Beach Club for providing sandwiches for our members and mutual aid partners during the marine incident this afternoon, the Little Compton Fire Department wrote on Facebook. We would also like to thank all of our mutual aid partners for assisting us during the search, they concluded. Little Compton Police Department, Little Compton Fire Department and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on Tuesday, July 15. Read the original article on People These days, travel between the harbor cities of Hong Kong and Macao takes an hour by high-speed ferry. But from 1948 to 1961, when the two were still colonies of European powers, wealthy tourists could opt for a brief trip by air. Miss Macao was not a beauty queen. She was a Consolidated Model 28 Catalina seaplane that whisked travelers from Portuguese-controlled Macao to British-controlled Hong Kong, a 20-minute trip. These jaunts were called cigarette flights, since the duration was about the length of time needed to smoke one and you could, since there were no rules against smoking on planes. Back then, getting on a plane was like taking a bus, says Dan Porat, a history professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. If they could afford it, passengers could buy their tickets as they boarded the plane, with no need to book in advance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Macau Air Transport Company, a now-defunct branch of Hong Kongs Cathay Pacific flagship airline, operated two of these Catalina flying boats. As Macao didnt have an airport or land cleared for a runway, the planes could take off from its coastal waters. Flying became a popular option for businessmen going between the two cities, especially those who were bringing in items like gold, since Macao was the only open gold market in East Asia at the time. But then, on July 16, 1948, Miss Macao failed to arrive at Hong Kongs Kai Tak airport. Officials in Hong Kong quickly sounded the alarm, and local police began searching the waters between the two cities. The only survivor, a 24-year-old Chinese rice farmer named Wong Yu, was rescued by a fisherman and taken to the hospital in Macao. According to multiple news reports at the time, one of Wongs legs was broken, and he was wearing a life jacket hed managed to grab as the plane descended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Wong claimed to be an ordinary passenger and explained that the plane had exploded in midair, inconsistencies in his story and his questionable behavior including trying to escape from the hospital led authorities and the press to a different explanation: The Miss Macao crashed into the sea while being taken over by air pirates, an incident that the China Mail, a Hong Kong English-language newspaper, called unparalleled in the history of aviation. Piracy in the sky On the day it last took off, Miss Macao had two pilots in the cockpit: American captain Dale Cramer and Australian first officer Ken McDuff, both former military airmen. In total, there were 27 people on board: along with 24 passengers, there was a single flight attendant, Delca da Costa, a Portuguese national from Macao who was also McDuffs girlfriend. Four of the passengers, though, had no intention of going to Hong Kong. In a confession, Wong said that he and three fellow would-be thieves had sold everything they owned to buy the tickets, figuring that the proceeds from the crime would be worth it. As historian Luis Andrade de Sa explains in his book Aviation in Macau: One Hundred Years of Adventure, shortly after the plane took off from Macao, the four hijackers quickly sprang into action, with one storming into the cockpit and demanding that the pilots surrender control of the aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to multiple historical accounts, the lead hijacker, Chiu Tok, had taken flying lessons in Manila and planned to take over captaining the plane once the pilots were subdued. However, he hadnt anticipated that Cramer would refuse to let go of the controls, nor that there would be resistance in the main cabin. As one passenger tussled with a hijacker, a gun went off. McDuff swung at Chiu Tok with an iron bar. The hijackers shot both pilots, and Cramers body landed on the planes joystick control, sending the aircraft plummeting into the South China Sea. Pilot Dale Cramer (L) with his crew standing on their Catalina plane. - Jack Birns/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock An August 1948 article in Time magazine described the scene in colorful language, writing that the four hijackers looked hungrily at the rich passengers they were targeting. Wong was picked up by a local boat and treated for his injuries. His story about surviving a midair explosion was quickly disproven when pieces of Miss Macaos wreckage were recovered, punctured by bullet holes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting the true account of events out of Wong wouldnt be easy. He was in poor physical and mental health, so police were reluctant to use harsh interrogation. Instead, they came up with an unorthodox plan: they filled the hospital with sleeper agents. Dozens of Chinese-speaking undercover police officers posing as patients were tasked with befriending Wong, and they eventually got him to admit what really happened on board Miss Macao. He confessed that the plan had been for the hijackers to seize control of the plane and redirect it to a town in Guangdong province in southern China, where the passengers and crew would be robbed of their valuables and then held for ransom. No one was supposed to die. Changing the aviation industry The hijacking of the Miss Macao was so novel that no one had ever applied the word hijacking to such a situation press at the time called it air piracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The concept of scanning passengers with a metal detector before they boarded a plane was still decades away. Only the most cursory of security checks were carried out, with some items of luggage opened and searched. The hijackers had prepared for that theyd tied their guns to their legs with black string, and the China Mail newspaper reported at the time that one had hidden bullets in the hollowed-out sole of his shoe. Although Wong eventually told the full story of what happened on board Miss Macao, there was confusion over how to prosecute him and who would do it. Portuguese authorities in Macao said that because the plane was owned by a British company, Wongs trial would need to take place in Hong Kong. But because the hijackers were all Chinese, British officials in Hong Kong said the case was not in their jurisdiction either. Finally, in 1951, Wong was deported from Macao to mainland China, where he died not long after, at the age of 27. He never stood trial for robbery, murder or piracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the two former colonial cities, their own air travel industries blossomed in the decades to come. Hong Kong became one of the worlds biggest air hubs as its economy grew in the late 20th century. The city became a financial capital and the gateway to mainland China. It outgrew Kai Tak Airport, which closed in 1998 and was replaced with the larger Hong Kong International, which is consistently ranked among the best airports in the world. Meanwhile, Macao International Airport opened in 1995. These days, the airport has a small exhibit about important aviation stories that happened there including the hijacking of the Miss Macao. The evolution of skyjacking The story of the Hong Kong-Macao hijacking quickly fell out of newspapers. Many people in the nascent commercial aviation industry saw it as a terrible one-off and didnt believe that plane hijacking or skyjacking as it was called at the peak of its popularity would become commonplace. There was also a fear that too much coverage of the story would scare off would-be flyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the United States established the Federal Aviation Administration in 1958 to regulate air travel, the legislation made no mention of preventing skyjacking, a sign that it was still not seen as a significant issue. But the social unrest of the years that followed, and the growth and increasing affordability of air travel, changed all that, historians say. From 1968 to 1972, the airlines went through what became known as the golden age of hijacking, a phrase popularized by Brendan I. Koerner in his book The Skies Belong to Us. Every five and a half days, there was a hijacking, says Porat, the history professor. This is the time where the industry is trying to develop. And basically, (hijacking) becomes a threat. Some of the incidents followed the same plan as the Miss Macao incident a group of hijackers would take over the plane, land it in a third location, rob the prisoners, and hold the passengers and/or the plane for ransom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other hijackers claimed political reasons for taking over airplanes, demanding passage to North Vietnam, Algeria or Cuba, all of which were at odds with the United States. It happened the other way in a few cases, too. Individuals from countries behind the Iron Curtain often members of the flight crew would demand to be flown to a non-communist nation where they could claim political asylum. Hijacking became so common that airline head offices kept large amounts of cash on hand in case they needed to fork it over to a would-be hijacker, Koerner explains in his book. William Landes, a US economist and emeritus professor at the University of Chicago Law School, estimates that during this so-called golden age, hijackings cost the aviation industry $219,221 per passenger. According to Hebrew University of Jerusalems Porat, the hijacking of a 1968 plane by Palestinian militants was largely agreed upon in scholarly circles to be the first international act of international terrorism (via) the hijacking of a plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine took over El Al Flight 426, which was traveling from Rome to Israel, and diverted the plane to Algeria. The non-Israeli passengers and crew were allowed to leave and board a plane to France, while 40 male Israelis were held for 40 days before being released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Although everyone on board El Al 426 survived, skyjackings had become too big to ignore. The cost to airlines was astronomical, and industry executives were fed up. As Koerner puts it, By the end of 1972, the skyjackers had become so reckless, so dismissive of human life, that the airlines and the federal government had no choice but to turn every airport into a miniature police state. Porat agrees. Although there was initially pushback from travelers, there had been enough high-profile hijackings that safety had become a significant concern. And they acquiesced, agreeing to walk through metal detectors, have their luggage X-rayed, and more. Were so used to this being searched thing that its quite incredible, Porat says. In 1970, the UN Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, a multilateral agreement to proscribe and punish the hijacking of planes, was approved at The Hague. It called hijackings a matter of grave concern, adding that unlawful acts of seizure or exercise of control of aircraft in flight jeopardize the safety of persons and property, seriously affect the operation of air services, and undermine the confidence of the peoples of the world in the safety of civil aviation. In 1971, US President Richard Nixon appointed Lt. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. the countrys first and so far only hijacking czar. Davis wanted to impose strict screening procedures at airports but was met with pushback from the aviation industry, which believed that passengers would balk at the rules and give up on air travel. Still, in 1973, Nixon introduced mandatory metal detector screenings for all passengers in the United States and X-rays for all bags. And the 9/11 attacks, closely followed by the attempted bombing of a Paris-to-Miami flight with explosives hidden in a shoe, brought on the familiar grueling security checks of today none of which, for all the industrys fears in the Nixon era, discouraged the public from flying. What happened on the Miss Macao was not a singular story. It was the first of many aviation incidents that would transform the way humans travel by air. Before the golden age of hijacking or the September 11, 2001 attacks, one nearly forgotten seaplane set a new age of aviation into motion. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The New Mexico Supreme Court vacated the felony murder and aggravated burglary convictions of Joseph Matthew Gregory Jones for the 2018 fatal shooting of a Santa Fe homeowner in his backyard. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state Supreme Court says under New Mexico law there are different types of murder in the first degree. Felony murder is a second-degree murder elevated to first-degree when the murder happens during the commission of a felony or an attempt to commit felony. New Mexico law defines aggravated burglary as the unauthorized entry of any dwelling or other structure, movable or immovable, with the intent to commit any felony or theft therein. In a split decision Tuesday, the court ruled that a portal, a covered porch or patio attached to a home, is not a structure that can be burglarized under New Mexico law. Jones was convicted of killing Robert Romero after Romero discovered him allegedly attempting to burglarize his home. Romeros body was found by a retaining wall, just beyond the homes portal, which was open on two sides and covered by a roof. During trial, Jones did not argue that he was the suspected intruder, but argued there was no basis for the aggravated burglary charge because he never entered a space at Romeros home where his presence was prohibited by the burglary law. That argument was raised in his appeal to the Supreme Court. Because his convictions were reversed due to a trial error and not an acquittal, Jones can be retried on lesser charges, or felony murder if the prosecution can identify a predicate felony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. On June 28, 2025, the Atlanta Police Department, in association with Atlanta's Airport Customs and Border Protection, made a big arrest at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. A post on Facebook from the police department revealed they had arrested a man from Brazil who was carrying an estimated amount worth $2.97 million in narcotics. "On June 28th, 2025, Atlanta's Airport Customs and Border Protection in conjunction with Atlanta Police Department seized a large amount of THC extracted products /marijuana from a male flying out of the Atlanta Airport, in route to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Mr. Vance Ray Randolph was placed into custody after officers and agents discovered a large number of narcotics in his luggage," revealed the post. It further added that the officers seized a total of 12.35 lbs. of THC Wax, 34.39 lbs. of Hashish, 4.6 lbs. of Marijuana and 1.21 lbs. of Pasty Marijuana during the raid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Facebook post also showed a video of the police finding the narcotics in the luggage, with several packages being removed and placed into another bag. Vance Ray Randolph, 22, was then sent to Clayton County Jail and charged with trafficking of marijuana before being released on June 30, per USA TODAY. He was trying to head to Sao Paolo, Brazil, before the drugs were found in his luggage by the officers. Even though marijuana is legal in various states across the US, Randolph could face other charges once this case goes to court due to the amount he was found with. Related: Snake Catcher Issues Statement After Delayed Flight in Australia 22-Year-Old Arrested at Airport With $2.9 Million Worth of Narcotics first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 14, 2025 THE HAGUE, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Dutch government has issued a policy paper urging the European Union to take coordinated action to reduce its dependence on non-EU cloud service providers, warning of the mounting risks to digital sovereignty and national security. In a policy document released last Friday, titled "Strengthening Cloud Sovereignty of Public Administrations," the Netherlands laid out a series of recommendations for the European Commission, which is expected to unveil two major proposals on EU cloud policy in early 2026. While informal, the so-called "non-paper" reflects the Netherlands' growing urgency on the issue. A recent investigation by the Dutch public broadcaster NOS revealed that over 20,000 Dutch institutions, including government bodies, infrastructure operators, schools, and hospitals, rely heavily on U.S. cloud providers. Of the 1,722 public sector websites examined, every one used at least one American cloud service. Microsoft alone holds a dominant 60 percent share of the cloud services used in these institutions. "Cloud is a critical enabler for our digital society and is used in almost every public administration," the Dutch government wrote in the document. "Large dependencies on a few select suppliers, without any other options, may pose significant risks to (national) security, the digital economy and the overall resilience of our society." The Netherlands argued that such dependencies could jeopardize the continuity of digital public services, compromise fundamental rights, and affect the functioning of government. The Netherlands is urging the commission to propose "a more coherent and harmonized approach at the EU level." "It is therefore imperative that the EU and her member states take concrete and coordinated steps to become more independent in the use of cloud technologies by public administrations," it said. The non-paper called for the development of a clear and consistent definition of cloud sovereignty, greater scope to prioritize sovereignty within EU public procurement guidelines, and the promotion of open-source applications and standards. It also proposes the creation of a common European decision-making framework to help governments make informed choices when using public cloud services. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of making sufficient funding available for the development and deployment of these technologies. "These measures are intended to encourage greater EU-level action to strengthen the sovereignty of governments in relation to cloud technologies," the Dutch government said in the non-paper. A widely publicized incident involving the U.S. government and Microsoft sparked outrage in the Netherlands earlier this year. Following U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, Microsoft blocked the email account of ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, a move widely perceived as an example of the United States leveraging its technological dominance for political ends, sparking strong reactions in Dutch political circles. In March, the Dutch House of Representatives passed several motions calling on the government to reduce its dependence on American tech firms and to promote the development of European alternatives. Lawmakers are now pressing the cabinet for a concrete roadmap to protect the country's digital infrastructure and restore strategic control. GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (WFRV) A 22-year-old Grand Chute man was arrested on Monday, roughly 20 hours after he was allegedly involved in a road rage incident where a man was injured and his vehicle was damaged. According to the Grand Chute Police Department, the incident occurred when officers were alerted of a property damage complaint stemming from a road rage incident around 4:30 p.m. on July 13. Details of deadly Oshkosh stabbing released, 19-year-old suspect officially charged and identified Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident reportedly occurred between two vehicles in the area of North Lynndale Drive and West Edgewood Drive, with the reporting individuals vehicle sustaining damage and a hand injury. Further evidence confirmed the reported incident involved gunshots, and the other vehicle was identified with a search warrant executed at an address on North Milkweed Trail around 1 p.m. on Monday. The Outagamie County Sheriffs Office reportedly took a 22-year-old Grand Chute man into custody on a recommended charge of 1st-Degree Reckless Injury. The incident is still under investigation. Additional charges filed against 37-year-old Green Bay man accused of raping 13-year-old girls Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police are still seeking information from the public, if available. No additional details are available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. DENVER (KDVR) A 23-year-old woman was taken to the hospital with serious injuries Monday night after she was shot in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 9900 block of East Arizona Drive in Aurora. The Aurora Police Department said its officers responded to a report of a shooting in the parking lot at about 9 p.m. Monday night, and that a preliminary investigation suggests the incident was the result of an argument between two groups of people who knew each other. Teen arrested in connection with deadly house party shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman was taken to a local hospital by a witness or witnesses to the incident, according to APD, who said she is expected to survive. No arrests have been made and an investigation into the shooting is active and ongoing, the police said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact APD through Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (FOX40.COM) A man was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred late last month, the Sacramento Police Department said. Around 3:45 a.m. on June 29, police responded to a report of a shooting near Mahogany Street and North Avenue. A man found at the scene with a gunshot wound was pronounced dead by responding fire personnel. Serafini found guilty of murder, attempted murder Police said that with the help of Stockton law enforcement, a 24-year-old Stockton man was taken into custody on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man was booked into Sacramento County Main Jail on homicide related charges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. In 2015, there were snickers when Barack Obama deigned to sit for an interview with an online content creator. Ten years later, influencers arent just a key part of the media landscape they may be about to become elected officials themselves. The real political viability of content creators gets an important early test Tuesday as Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old social media influencer, tries to score a primary victory that would all but assure her a seat in Congress. Foxx has a legitimate shot to win. In her race to replace the late Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Foxx is taking on Grijalvas daughter, former county elected official Adelita Grijalva. The Gen Z Democratic hopeful was behind by just single digits in a recent Foxx campaign internal poll, and Grijalva allies pumped in late money in a sign of potential concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foxx is one of the first professional internet content creators to run for Congress, but she certainly wont be the last. Regardless of whether she can pull out a victory against a political scion, the race signals new media is not only becoming a venue where candidates woo voters but a training ground for future politicos. Such a shift shouldnt be a total surprise. The pipeline from media to elected office is as old as the Republic long before Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father, he was the publisher of The Pennsylvania Gazette. Horace Greeley of The New York Tribune was the Democratic presidential nominee in 1872, and before he got his start in politics, future President Warren G. Harding was the publisher of The Marion Star. In modern times, countless figures have gone from radio to television to elected office. Jesse Helms built his political reputation in televised commentaries on local news before serving 30 years in the U.S. Senate, and local television news anchors have long been considered prime recruits for congressional races. As veteran Democratic consultant Lis Smith noted, there was the conventional belief that news anchors make for good candidates because they are in voters homes and trustworthy authorities whom voters watch with their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the digital age, when local television news is almost as antiquated as the New York Tribune, it may now be time for the online content creator. Foxx first won attention for confronting then-Sen. Jeff Flake over abortion rights at a 2017 town hall. It sparked a career as an influencer that has gained her nearly 400,000 followers on TikTok and over 245,000 followers on Instagram. Shes become a real figure in the Democratic Partys online firmament, doing social media for Kamala Harris failed 2020 presidential campaign, appearing at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and helping host the Hotties for Harris party at the convention. The Arizona Democrat isnt the first to pivot from being an online personality to political hopeful. In 2022, Brandon Herrera, a 28-year-old pro-gun YouTuber narrowly lost a runoff primary to incumbent GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales in a south Texas district that the influencer had only recently moved to. That same cycle, Laura Loomer, the rabidly pro-Trump content creator almost knocked off incumbent GOP Rep. Daniel Webster in a central Florida district that she had no ties to at all. (Loomer had previously run two years before in a safe Democratic district in Palm Beach County notable simply for having Mar-a-Lago inside its boundaries). In Illinois, left-wing influencer Kat Abughazaleh is mounting a run for Congress in a state she has never voted in and a district she has never lived in, but hopes her career creating online videos criticizing conservative media will lift her above a crowded field of local elected officials. But Foxxs race represents the first test of an influencer in an open seat without the other variables that more fringe figures have presented. Former Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), who served as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told POLITICO Magazine that many of the same skills required to build a following on social media overlapped with those needed to run for office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It means you understand how to tap into public opinion, how to use innovative communication strategies and how to build a following, Israel said. Those skills are interchangeable with an effective candidate. However, thats not all thats necessary. He noted a candidate still needs message, mobilization and money. I fundamentally believe that you could be the hottest influencer in the business, but if you dont have those fundamental political skills and campaign skills, you will continue to be the hottest social media influencer in the business, but not a member of Congress, said Israel. This isnt unique to influencers. Plenty of television anchors who have run for office have ended up losing. GOP firebrand and former TV news anchor Kari Lake was defeated in back-to-back statewide elections in Arizona. (Her consolation prize was another media job, of sorts: gutting the U.S. Agency for Global Media.) One key difference between 21st century content creators and traditional media figures is that the content creators exist entirely divorced from a local constituency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Democratic operative, who was granted anonymity because they were not authorized by their employer to speak, was skeptical that parties should pursue online influencers as candidates. The operative noted that there are plenty of online creators as opposed to the limited number of local news broadcasters, and that voters had built up a long-term relationship over years, if not decades, with local news personalities. The operative added that the data suggests any electoral benefits were explicitly focused on the media markets where candidates had been on the local news. Its also possible that content creators may have more luck in low turnout races where the electorate is smaller and they can bring hyper-engaged voters to the polls. One Republican operative cited Herreras near win in a Texas Republican primary runoff as an example. Still, the segment of the electorate that relies most on social media is only growing, with young people often using TikTok even as a search engine in lieu of Google. Brad Elkins, a longtime Democratic consultant who is advising Foxxs campaign, marveled that even before the campaign started advertising, the 25-year-old candidate couldn't go anywhere without people recognizing her. Elkins also argued that media consumption hasnt just changed among young voters. Indeed, baby boomers and Gen Xers are increasingly consuming news through the Internet and social media as well. As Republican political consultant Jesse Hunt told me, in the 21st century, someone who has a national following has a sizable local following. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already, the roles of politicians and online influencers are merging. Just look at the online audience that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) receives for cooking videos on Instagram Live. Just as radio de-emphasized the need for politicians to give a stump speech and television made radio largely superfluous for candidates, short-form online video the native habitat of an influencer is becoming the next media frontier. Elkins predicted that more and more content creators will run for office in the future, if only because the profession is relatively new. That might include lifestyle content creators, and not just explicitly political creators after all, weathermen have been just as sought after as news anchors as potential candidates. This is not to say that Congress will ever be composed of 435 YouTubers. After all, it was never composed of 435 television weathermen or 435 newspaper editors. However, just as media buyers are increasingly looking to replace television buys with digital advertising, party leaders looking to recruit candidates will likely be casting around for more online influencers rather than just traditional public figures. After all, if voters can elect a reality television star to the White House, whats stopping them from putting a TikToker on Capitol Hill? Arizona is known for its hiking, and more national rankings are proving it. Three Arizona hikes recently made a list of the 10 most beloved hikes in the United States from outdoor apparel brand KUHL. The list included popular trails like Lands End in San Francisco, Half Dome via the John Muir Trail and Waihee Ridge Trail in Hawaii. The Bright Angel Trail in Arizona ranked third on the list, with two popular hikes near Sedona coming in at sixth and seventh. Advertisement Advertisement Arizonas trails deliver everything todays hikers want: breathtaking landscapes, challenging routes, and unforgettable experiences," Oded Gross, from KUHL, said. "From the iconic Bright Angel to the striking Cathedral Rock and Devils Bridge, these trails showcase the diverse beauty and adventure that make Arizona a top hiking destination. Here's what to know about the three Arizona trails, including why they are so beloved and how to take the hikes. Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park The Bright Angel Trail is the most popular trail in the Grand Canyon National Park. It allows visitors to descend through time in the footsteps of previous occupants, like the Native tribes that called the canyon home, miners and early tourists. However, those interested in making the hike will have to wait awhile. The trail is closed in certain areas for a waterline replacement project. Advertisement Advertisement There are several stopping points along the trail, providing a choose-your-own-adventure approach based on time and physical abilities. For more details about the trail and closures, visit nps.gov/places/000/bright-angel-trail.htm. Cathedral Rock Trail near Sedona Cathedral Rock, the iconic red-rock formation overlooking Oak Creek in Sedona, is one of the city's biggest attractions. Tens of thousands of people hike the challenging Cathedral Rock Trail each year. The 1.1 out and back trail is considered challenging, despite its short distance. You must scramble up well-trafficked rocks near the top which can be slippery, according to All Trails. However, the stunning views of Sedona's red rocks are well worth the effort. If you're planning to take this hike, it's essential to note that the trailhead parking is closed Thursday-Sunday, so you must take the free Sedona Shuttle to access it. You must have a Red Rock Pass to access this trail. Devil's Bridge Trail near Sedona The Devil's Bridge Trail is one of the busiest in Arizona and has long attracted many Sedona visitors for several reasons. Not only does the hike pay off with the iconic natural sandstone arch, it's also easy to access, relatively short and not very difficult. Advertisement Advertisement From the State Route 179/89A traffic circle in Sedona, go 3.2 miles west (toward Cottonwood) on SR 89A to Dry Creek Road. Turn right and go 2 miles to the turnoff for Forest Road 152 on the right. Follow FR 152 past the Dry Creek Vista trailhead for about a mile to the signed Devil's Bridge parking area. From this trailhead, the hike is about 1.8 miles round trips with a rating of moderate. There are several other trails you can take, including that Mescal day-use or the Dry Creek Vista trailheads, though they are 4 and 5.8 miles roundtrip, respectively. 10 most loved hiking trails in the United States Centerpoint to Goat Trail, Buffalo National River, AR Lands End Trail, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, CA Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ Indian Head and Rainbow Falls, Adirondack Mountain Reserve, NY Half Dome via the John Muir Trail, Yosemite National Park, CA Cathedral Rock Trail, Coconino National Forest, AZ Devil's Bridge Trail via Dry Creek Road, Coconino National Forest, AZ Highline Trail, Glacier National Park, MT Waihee Ridge Trail, West Maui Forest Reserve, HI Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV How did KUHL pick America's most loved trails? KUHL looked at 1,000 hiking trails across the U.S. and ranked their popularity based on AllTrails reviews and scores, Google search interest, and Instagram popularity. Advertisement Advertisement Arizona Republic reporter Michael Salerno and contributor Mare Czinar contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 3 Arizona hiking trails named among most loved in US A man facing multiple charges ranging from possession of meth with intent, weapon by a felon and theft pleaded guilty last Tuesday to felony theft and received a three-year Range 1 prison sentence. Angel Jesse Paul Garcia, 36, was facing charges of possession of meth with intent, possession of a weapon by a felon, criminal simulation of $10,000 to $60,000, theft of property of $10,000 to $60,000, fraudulent us of a credit/debit card, criminal simulation, altering an item for sell, possession of meth and theft of merchandise of up to $1,000. Garcia pleaded guilty theft of property of more than $10,000. He is being given credit for 165 days already served in jail, fine and court costs waived and all remaining charges were dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia pleaded guilty to taking and altering a check of more than $10,000 from a local business on Jan. 23. Nicole Jasmine Nolasco is a co-defendent. In other cases on the docket, the following took place: Arraignment Carl Dallas Davidson, possession of a weapon by a felon and simple possession of meth, Public Defenders Office appointed to represent Davidson and continued to Sept. 16. Robert Aguilar Garay, possession of 300 grams of meth or more, two counts of possession of meth with intent, possession of .26 grams of meth or more with intent, continued to Sept. 9. Also, deadline cases aggravated robbery, especially aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of burglary, two counts of possession of a weapon by a felon and theft of property of up to $,1000, continued to Sept. 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, one case in boundover status, continued to Sept. 9. Michael Lynwold Hollard II, simple possession, continued to Sept. 9 at which time Holland is to return to court with an attorney. Brandon Chance Jones, evading arrest (vehicle), evading arrest, leaving the scene of a property damage crash and driving on a revoked license, continued to Sept. 16. Robert Allen McKenzie, reckless endangerment and evading arrest (vehicle), continued to Sept. 16. Steven Eric Miller, possession of .5 grams of fentanyl or more, continued to July 15. Brandon Scott Nelson, reckless endangerment (vehicle), resisting a stop, arrest or search, evading arrest (vehicle), simple possession of meth, DUI under 18 and DUI first offense, continued to Sept. 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicole Jasmine Nolasco, theft of property of $10,000 to $60,000, criminal simulation of $10,000 to $60,000, fraudulent use of a credit/debit card, simple possession of meth and theft of merchandise of up to $1,000, continued to Sept. 16. Billy Dean Peterson, possession of .5 grams of fentanyl or more, continued to Sept. 9 at which time Peterson is to return to court with an attorney. Joel Gregory Rice, possession of a Schedule 1 drug with intent, possession of meth with intent, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment (vehicle), resisting a stop, arrest or search, evading arrest (vehicle), evading arrest, simple possession and reckless endangerment, continued to Sept. 16. Randall Scott Sharpe, possession of a Schedule I drug with intent, possession of a Schedule III with intent and theft of property of up to $1,000, continued to Aug. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tina Angelique Sharpe, possession of a Schedule I drug with intent, possession of a Schedule III drug with intent and theft of property of up to $1,000, continued to Aug. 12. Daniel Paul Sherrill, two counts of simple possession of meth, continued to Sept. 2. Johnny Lee Sherrill, DUI, continued to Aug. 19 at which time Sherrill is to return to court with an attorney. Danny Ray Stone, assault and official oppression, continued to Sept. 16. Deadline docket James Michael Cain, possession of a weapon by a felon and domestic assault, continued to Sept. 16. Kelly Scott Hood, aggravated burglary, burglary, theft of property of up to $1,000 to $2,500 and joyriding, continued to Sept. 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brandon Chance Jones, arson, in federal custody and continued to Sept. 16. Derek Brandon Parrott, theft of property of $2,500 to $10,000, vandalism of $1,000 to $2,500 and simple possession of meth, continued to Sept. 9. Frank Henry Quince Jr., aggravated assault, continued to Sept. 9. Tara Jean Reeves, possession of .5 grams of fentanyl or more, possession of meth with intent and possession of a firearm during commission of a dangerous felony, continued to Aug. 12. Michael Dale Rushing, possession of .26 grams of meth or more with intent, possession of .5 grams of cocaine or more with intent, driving while in possession of meth and driving on a revoked license, continued to July 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lisa Marie Wilson, vehicular homicide by intoxication, continued to Aug. 19. Leslie Michelle Matheny, probation violations and introducing contraband into a penal institution, Recovery Court application pending. Probation violations Damon Levi Breeding, probation violation hearing continued to July 15. Gary Wayne Durbin, probation violation, Public Defenders Office appointed to represent Durbin and violation hearing continued to July 15. James Harrison Schillinger, three probation violation warrants, Public Defenders Office appointed to represent Schillinger and probation violation hearing continued to July 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justin Marie Smith, probation violations hearing continued to Aug. 19. Boundover The following persons have charges not made public pending action before the grand jury. Timothy Allen Cope, one case, continued to Sept. 9. Iris Juliet Diaz, one case, dropped. Jonathan Wayne Dobbs, one case, continued to Sept. 9. John Edward Fitzjarrell, one case, continued to Sept. 9. Davon Eugene Florey, one case, continued to Sept. 9. Michael Lynwold Holland II, one case, dropped. Brandon Chance Jones, two cases, continued to Sept. 16. Ryan Dewald Jones, one case, continued to Sept. 9. Dylan Jakob Kempe, one case, dropped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jesse Thomas Morris, one case, continued to Sept. 9. Brandon Scott Nelson, one case, continued to Sept. 9. Frank Henry Quince Jr., one case, continued to Sept. 9. Travis Lee Sadula, one case, continued to Sept. 9. Donald Ray Shirley, one case, forfeiture and capias issued for failure to appear, ten days in jail and ordered held for appearance before the judge. Justin Samoa Rea, one case, continued to Sept. 9. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Witnesses said around 40 vehicles were damaged in a string of break-ins at a Polaris hotel overnight Friday and Saturday. A large group of guests was staying at the Hilton Columbus Polaris last weekend for the Goodguys Summit Racing Car Show at the Ohio Expo Center. Many of the guests were driving pickup trucks and hauling trailers full of equipment and/or cars. Frank Cejmer drove down from the Detroit area for the show. He was greeted with a rude awakening when he got to his truck Saturday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As soon as I walked up to my truck, Im like, Why is that truck bright inside? and I looked in the window and Im like, Oh no, I locked it, he said. And then, like, a bomb went off inside that truck. Im like, Oh, Lord, they got everybodys truck, and I stopped counting at seven. As long as those dome lights dont turn on, alarms dont go off. So, they crawled in the window. He crawled back out the window. Central Ohio organization on edge after big, beautiful bill passes A Columbus Police report confirms there were multiple break-ins to trucks parked outside the Hilton, either in front of the building or behind the hotel in extended parking areas. Witnesses said there had to be close to 40 trucks with windows smashed. My whole window was laying on the ground, Jeff Lawrence, who also traveled from Michigan, said. You know, just felt very violated. Its a weird feeling, you know, to know that when youre sleeping, somebody is out there violating your property. I opened it by, you know, reaching through the window and unlocking it. Open the door, shut off the alarm. That told me they probably climbed in the broken window to prevent that. So obviously very experienced people doing this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawrence noticed not much was taken from his truck. I had some valuables that they didnt touch, which was really weird, but I had two magazines for my handgun that I carry on me that were in there fully loaded, Lawrence said. Not the gun, just the magazines, that they had took, had taken, and then the police told us that, yeah, mostly they were just looking for guns because they had left laptops and tools and other valuable things. Jimmy Portale drove more than two hours from Niles, Ohio, to attend the show with a friend. His truck was fine after Friday night. Four hospitalized after Delaware County trench collapse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honestly, I didnt, I didnt think anything of it, he said. I really did not expect our hotel to get hit again, back-to-back nights. I figured, you know, security would be stepped up. I figured police presence would be stepped up. Then the next morning, he got a call from his friend, who told him he had to come see this. My trucks brand new, its, Ive had it for four months, Portale said. The paint was destroyed on the passenger side. The window trim destroyed. You know, I walk out there. I couldnt believe it. And they took nothing. They didnt touch my money. They left my sunglasses. I had a Milwaukee Impact in case of, you know, a flat tire or something on a truck or trailer; left a Milwaukee Impact. They left my, my Yeti cooler. A Hilton hotel representative said the Polaris property is independently owned and operated. The hotels manager said they were aware of the break-ins and that a security officer patrols the parking lot from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and was on duty those nights. She also said there is a second security officer who patrols the parking lots behind the hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somebody failed somewhere: either the security company failed the hotel or the hotel failed the customers, Lawrence said. You know, when I got there, I saw the security cars. I thought there was only one. Apparently, there were two, and I, it almost gave me a, I guess, a false sense of security. If theres two guys roaming around that whole area, how were they able to break into 17 trucks the first night and ten trucks the second night and steal a truck in a trailer? Its just, somebody failed somewhere. If they were driving around all night, theres no way that many cars should have been broken into. So either not enough guys driving around or they werent doing their job. Loved ones remember karaoke star killed at Buckeye Lake bar Two security cars, Ceimer said. They never got out of the cars, but they were there. Come on, you knew this was happening the night before. Security should have been stepped up. The car show went off without a hitch, and each guest said they had a great time and enjoyed the hotel and the area as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybody at the hotel, they were outstanding and then when we, you know, we told them what happened, they were just shocked and, you know, felt horrible about it, Lawrence said. But the break-ins really soured the experience for a lot of people. We had a great time, Ceimer said. Just that when I came back, got up in the morning, it ruined my day. Council OKs millions to help Columbus less fortunate Many of the guests have been attending the Goodguys car show for years. Portale said they made their decision on where to stay based on past experiences. We were at another hotel about six years ago, and five cars were stolen out of that parking lot on Saturday morning, and we actually left that hotel because of the lack of security, Portale said. And thats why we showed up at the Hilton: because, you know, they bragged about paying for extra security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While many of the trucks didnt have anything stolen, all the victims NBC4 spoke to said they felt violated and that nothing was done about it. It affects everybody, Lawrence said. It affects our insurance rates. It affects the economy down there. It, you know, leaves a bad image on the city down there. I never expected any of this. Just very fortunate that it wasnt worse, I guess, and that, you know, nobody got hurt. Now these guests are second-guessing whether they will come back to Columbus because of this experience. Ohios unclaimed funds site nearly doubles in visitors I dont want to risk going back and having the same thing happen again or worse, you know? Lawrence said. Not only our truck and trailer, but our classic cars that we put a lot of time and energy into. If the hotel or the security company or somebody can call Goodguys, can call us and say, Hey, weve heard about it, were going to make some changes, were going to do things better, I might consider it, but, you know, its, theres a lot of people, when we were checking out, that said, Im not coming back here ever again. Its unfortunate because its money going into that economy down there that may not come back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I may ride down with somebody else in their car or something like that, but I will not take my rig down, theres no way possible, Cejmer said. I dont know if I would ever want to bring anything of value back to the city of Columbus again, Portale said. I am hoping that Goodguys car show decides to move out of this city if they want to keep it in Ohio. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Botswanan President Duma Boko speaks at an event unveiling the Botswana Economic Transformation Program in Gaborone, Botswana, July 15, 2025. Duma Boko on Tuesday unveiled the Botswana Economic Transformation Program, calling for bold ideas to accelerate the country's growth and drive national development. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) GABORONE, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Botswanan President Duma Boko on Tuesday unveiled the Botswana Economic Transformation Program, calling for bold ideas to accelerate the country's growth and drive national development. Through the program, Botswana aims to reshape its economic landscape through inclusive and sustainable development, Boko said. The program seeks to drive Botswana's transition into a more diversified, resilient and globally connected economy. "The program will establish Botswana as a regional anchor for cross-border financial activity, leveraging our legal certainty, political stability, and reputational standing," Boko said. He said that the initiative aligns with the government's manifesto and promotes macroeconomic stability and resilience to global shocks. "We will attract local and international investors with precision, purpose, and a world-class execution framework," Boko said. The president made the remarks at an event that also marked the launch of the Call for Ideas website, part of a four-week nationwide campaign inviting bold, scalable projects, public sector reforms, and high-impact proposals to support the program. Botswana's economy has continued to lose momentum in recent years, recording 3.2 percent growth in 2023 but facing a projected 3.1 percent contraction in 2024, driven by weakening global demand for diamonds and declining production. Diamond exports account for over 90 percent of the country's total exports, according to a World Bank update in April. Botswanan President Duma Boko speaks at an event unveiling the Botswana Economic Transformation Program in Gaborone, Botswana, July 15, 2025. Duma Boko on Tuesday unveiled the Botswana Economic Transformation Program, calling for bold ideas to accelerate the country's growth and drive national development. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) Recently, we asked doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals of the BuzzFeed Community* to tell us their most entitled patient stories, and I can't believe how nightmarish some of these are. Here are some of the worst stories. *We also used responses from these Reddit threads. 1."I am an ER nurse. ... Most ERs are overcrowded. There's simply no space to care for the staggering amount of people who walk through our doors. As a result, patients are often in hallway spaces. One evening, a patient's husband berated me because, 'I'm a millionaire. Why isn't my wife in a room?' I said 'Look around you. Every space we have is being used.' To be clear, she was in no way, shape, or form in an emergent state. With arms crossed and a look of disgust on his face, he replied, 'Well, can you send some of them out so my wife can have a room?'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sure, Kevin. We'll just stop CPR on someone right now and get that room ready." Anonymous, Washington State 2."During my surgery rotation in medical school, I was (peripherally) involved in a trauma code in the emergency room. The trauma victim was intubated, had two chest tubes, and there was blood everywhere. By the time it progressed to pericardiocentesis (a needle onto the sac of the heart to remove any blood outside the heart but in the pericardium that can be the cause of cardiac arrest in trauma) a lady grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the trauma bay, yelling at me that her daughter in the room next door was cold and needed a blanket." u/crazyhair72 NBC 3."When I was a fresh EMT, one of my first calls was for a lady with 'abdominal pain.' The pain was pretty nondescript and seemed to move around. ... As we are loading her up, she says that she needs to go to a hospital in a major city, about an hour away from us. This route would have included passing three suitable hospitals. This got my partner and I exchanging some glances. So, my paramedic partner says, 'No, we can take you to the nearest appropriate facility.' This upsets the patient, who begins screaming about customer service and the like." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Well, we happened to work for a shitty private company that shall remain nameless, one that prides itself on meeting each 'customer's' needs. We knew that if we denied this lady, we would get written up, and the manager would say something like, 'We need to serve our customers, and besides, we can charge double the rate after you pass the first hospital.' ... So we negotiated the patient down to a hospital in a suburb of said big city, about 40 minutes away. When we arrived, she refused to stand and transfer, so we got a nurse and pulled her over to the hospital bed from our gurney. Now here's the punch line. As soon as the nurse lowered the hospital bed down, the patient kicked her feet over the edge, stood up, and began to walk out of the room. The nurse asked her where she was going, and the patient responded, "I'm leaving, I have to get to the big city for my appointment." My partner, with perhaps his very last breath of goodwill, said, 'Why didn't you tell us you had a medical appointment to go to?' The patient replied loudly, 'HAIR appointment, and now I'm going to have to hitchhike because YOU wouldn't drive an extra 15 minutes!' Nurses, partner, and I all stood there gob-smacked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nurses looked at her record she'd checked out AMA from different facilities in their medical group, after being brought in by ambulance more than 10 times. She was on a public health plan and clearly had no intent to pay a cent for any of it." u/ClutchClutch 4."I work in pediatrics, and we encourage parents to continue parenting (feeding, consoling) while we focus on the medical things. We had this one mom who was a demanding jerk, but the icing on the cake was that she would write us notes in the middle of the night, saying she had taken her contacts out and couldn't see well enough to change her daughter's diapers. What does she do at home let the baby sit in piss and poop all night?" Anonymous Related: "I'm Gonna Fing Lose It": These 29 Hilarious Fails From Last Week Made Me Laugh So Hard I'm Pretty Sure I Have A Single Ab Now 5."I was kneeling on the floor performing aggressive CPR on a patient who had collapsed and a lady who was with a patient who was waiting for treatment of a minor injury pulled my hair to force my attention to her and then held up an empty coffee cup and said, 'I really need another cup.' Another staff member led her to the coffee station where she filled her cup AND proceeded to pour the scalding hot coffee down my back. 'Maybe that'll teach you to listen to people,' she said." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I needed treatment for serious second-degree burns to my back and some 'sensitive' areas of my body (coffee dripped down my back and underwear). She was arrested for assault, but the cruel entitlement of this woman, while I was desperately trying to keep someone else from dying, just blew my mind and broke me inside. Recovering from the burns was less painful." Anonymous The WB 6."I'm an EMT. ... I had a patient once who shriekingly demanded a back massage to 'calm her nerves' (she did not get one). Also of note was the fact that there was nothing detectibly physically wrong with her." u/megalodon319 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 7."We just had the biggest snowstorm in 40 years. We had a patient call for an ambulance because she didn't want to be home alone (fair, I'll empathize. She had anxiety). She then complained because we didn't shovel her driveway, and she had to walk through three feet of snow to get to our truck." u/BrokeBackMedic 8."I had some teenage brat say she wanted to speak to my manager. I laughed out loud at her and said that this was a hospital, not a McDonald's." u/angelust NBC 9."A patient was coughing/throwing up a large amount of blood. I was dealing with EMS to send her to the ER (this was in a rehab). I got to my next patient at 9:10 p.m.; his pain meds were due at 9 p.m. He was livid, I explained why I was slightly (like 10 minutes) late, and he said, 'I don't give a shit about anyone else. Let her fucking die for all I care, just make sure my meds are on time, little girl.' Little girl? I was 50 at the time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement u/Apple-Core22 10."Going back many years, but my favourite: Me: (inspecting a child's rash) 'It's impetigo.' Mother: 'Whats that?' Me: 'School sores, it's a ...' The mother literally said, 'It cant be that, we are rich!'" Me: '......' Mother: 'Can we see someone more senior?' Me: (gets ED consultant to review) Consultant: 'Hello! Oh, what do we have here? Oh, look, impetigo!' Mother: (stares in disbelief, asks to see a paediatric dermatologist as they can't possibly have a 'poor' disease) The ED consultant was a super relaxed guy and said, 'yep' and called our most Pediatric skin specialist. He is a big deal in the pediatric dermatology world and our weird rash expert. He came to review the patient. We watched him enter the cubicle; a couple of minutes later, he exited, asked for a script pad, scribbled his order, and went back. He handed the mother the script, and she profusely thanked him for his time and expertise. She glared at us as she left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Weird Rash Expert turned to us and said 'Impetigo.' I just told her it was an unusual variant that children of wealthy people get when in the tropics.'" u/cardboard_box_robot 11."I used to do food service in two connected hospitals and idk wtf was wrong with the patients and their families. ... Guests of the patients thought that they could eat for free and that we were their personal chefs and grocery store. 'But I'm the dad/grandma. I have insurance.' Insurance is for the patient, not the people visiting the patient. 'Can I have a box of Rice Krispies treats for the road?' Not from us; there are two grocery stores up the street, though. 'Can you make the pizza in this very specific way and special order me a specific flavor and brand of sparkling water?' Where do you think you are??? 'Can you cut up my son's food and blot the chicken tenders?' We give you utensils and napkins for a reason. What do you do at home?" justchillman Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 12."I was shaving a patient's abdomen to prep them for a C-section (back when we used to do that), and the patient wanted me to touch up her bikini line, too." u/goforbroke432 ABC Related: 21 Creepy Stories Of People Getting The Subconscious Feeling That Something Was Terribly Wrong 13."I was working as an ED Tech. We had a rich family come in with their teenage son, who had a migraine. He had a garbage bag covering his eyes due to light sensitivity. The light in the room was turned off for his comfort. I explained it was unsafe for him to have plastic over his face and had several towels I could trade for the garbage bag to help keep the light out. Both he and his father agreed, and I explained I'd make it quick. I already had the towels by his head. As soon as I moved the plastic bag from his eyes, this kid literally snapped his fingers at me and told me to 'hurry it up.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The towel was already halfway on his face, and he called me an incompetent twit.I stood there for a second with my mouth on the floor and then told him. 'I understand you're in pain, but that is NOT how we treat people. If you snap your fingers at me or anyone else again, I'm not coming back to help you.' And I didn't set foot in that room again." Anonymous, 46, Hartford, CT 14."I am a physical therapist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of spinal/pelvic girdle disorders and misalignments. ... I had this one patient that I worked with for many, many years. She said that I was 'the only one who knew how to fix her.' She was a terrible patient who never followed up with subsequent scheduled appointments, her home exercise program, or proper self-care. She came to see me only when she was in immediate crisis because she had done something to hurt herself. ... I had just had a total hip replacement and was not working. She actually contacted me, AT MY HOME, and asked if she could come over so that I could treat her!" "Not only is this not ethical, but I also had physical limitations from my surgery, and there was no way I could do that kind of work. I told her that if I could actually treat her, I would be AT the office, doing my normal job. 'But I will pay you,' was her response.I was finally able to fire her as my patient, but unfortunately, she still comes to the office because she glommed herself onto one of my work colleagues." Anonymous, 58, Seattle 15."Got dispatched for ETOH (excessive alcohol consumption) in the bar scene in my area. As my partner and I pull up, we see this guy start limping over. We unload the stretcher, and he goes, 'Hey, I think I twisted my ankle, I need an ambulance.' Well, our patient that we were originally called for has passed out on the ground in their own vomit. We tell him that we can call for a second rescue for him if he needs it, because we have to attend to our ETOH patient. Or he can just take an Uber to the nearest hospital, which is five minutes away. He goes, 'Well, I have really good insurance, so the ambulance ride will cost about the same as an Uber, which one will be faster?' Then this guy proceeds to stand around huffing and puffing about how it's 'ridiculous' that he can't just hop in with us because 'You guys are going to the same hospital anyways.' Dude, this isn't a ride share Uber, and we ain't carpooling." u/iweewoo 16."I'm not a doctor, but I work at the front desk of a doctor's office. A woman came in to her appointment on the sixth floor, but when her appointment was over, the elevator was down. She demanded we call the fire department so that they could carry her down the stairs. u/just-another-Bekah Amazon Prime 17."I saw a 30-year-old guy who came in with complaints of chest pain. After seeing and examining him, his story sounded like GERD, but a cardiac workup was started. I got called away from the module to deal with a teenager who was shot and ended up dying. When I got back, the guy's mom was there and was irate that I hadn't been in to talk to her in the 15 minutes since she arrived. I tried to explain that his workup had already been started, there were other patients in the department who also needed my attention, and many of whom were far more sick. She lost it and said she didn't care about anyone else, and her son was the only one who mattered. She wouldn't calm down and was eventually escorted out by security. " u/hobbesghost 18."Not a doctor, but I had a rather memorable experience. When I was about 21, I began experiencing gallbladder issues. One night, the attack got so bad that I crawled to my roommate's room and asked her to take me to the hospital. As soon as we got there, the nurse immediately took me in for assessment. I was in so much pain that I couldn't talk, so my roommate gave the nurse all my information. The nurse went to get me something for the pain, and my roommate went to call my parents for me, so I was sitting alone in intake for a couple of minutes. This lady comes in, literally picks me up by the arm, and leads me back to the waiting area. I didn't even realize this lady wasn't a nurse. All of a sudden, I hear yelling, and I learned later that was transpired was that this lady was actually a patient who was mad that I went to intake before her, led me back to the waiting room, and tried to take my spot in the intake room. She was escorted out by security. " u/sillybanana2012 19."ER nurse here. We had a minor local celebrity show up in the middle of the night for back pain. He had another man with him, so I asked how they were related. The visitor stated that he was the patient's chauffeur and personal assistant. The visitor then proceeded to inform me of the patient's identity, as if I should be grateful to be taking care of this celebrity. Woo. Go him, I guess. Having not grown up in the area where I live now, this meant I had literally no idea who he was. Honestly, didn't care and still don't." "The visitor also told me that money was no object and that the patient required only the best care, and if that meant a helicopter to a specialist or whatever, they could make it happen. The ER I work in is a large academic medical center with more specialists than it knows what to do with. We get people flown in to see them, not usually the other way around. I spent the rest of the night running back and forth while he screamed bloody murder over his back pain, and his personal assistant followed me around expecting me to cater to his employer's every whim. 1/10, do not recommend." u/SparkytheEMT 20."An alert and oriented patient was screaming to everyone in the hallway that he needed his melatonin. We were coding the guy across the hall." u/agirl1313 Related: People In HR Revealed Truly Unhinged Reasons Employees Got Fired, And My Jaw Is On The Floor 21."Last time I was in the ER, a local news 'anchor' came in. I actually did recognize him. He walked by where we were sitting, and I saw him go up to the check-in area and immediately demand to go straight to triage. I heard what you'd expect: 'Don't you know who I am?' The nurse replied, 'I do not, and I don't really care.' He said something like: "I don't want to be waiting with all these sick people...you better not make me wait.' To which she told him to have a seat and wait. It was really funny to listen to. It's the second local news personality I've encountered in my life, and both were super loud dicks." u/billbapapa STXfilms 22."I had a 100 percent capable patient demand I move their pillow from one side of their bed/body to the other while they sat in bed with nothing in their hands." "I had a patient report me for speaking to another nurse in passing while walking down the hall (the patient was being pushed by me in a wheelchair; apparently, I was not concerned enough about her because I spoke to someone else). I had a patient purposely knock a glass flower vase down and shatter it on the ground because she was mad at/arguing with her spouse, and then demand I clean it immediately." u/Tellmeanamenottaken 23."Nurse here. My colleague was discharging a patient and, in the process, asked if he needed his parking validated. He sneered at her and responded, 'I'm on the board of this hospital. I don't need your validation to do anything.' Turns out he was a local philanthropist and multimillionaire, and I guess we were supposed to know that." u/pizzawithartichokes 24."I work in patient registration at the ER. A guy came in on an ambulance, and we had absolutely no rooms available. The patient was brought in for 'vomiting' and was moaning and groaning, albeit quietly. After the paramedics had waited with him in the hall for 10-15 minutes, the charge nurse had them set the patient out in the waiting room, since he was ambulatory and not critical or anything. The paramedic told me that the guy had literally been at the hospital down the road that morning, and apparently didn't like whatever they told him, so he called the ambulance to take him to a different hospital. He hadn't vomited since that morning, and he was perfectly fine otherwise." "After they set him in the waiting room, the dude decided this was the worst pain of his life, and he was dying. He went from moaning and groaning to full-on yelling in about five minutes flat. I work at the check-in window, and I had a full view of his theatrics, where he slumped over some chairs, hollering and whatnot, and then got up and paced and did the same thing again. When the triage nurse (who had been taking vitals on another waiting patient) went down the hall to start an IV, the guy came up to the window and said that he was having trouble breathing. Then he proceeded to give me a laundry list of symptoms, including 'I feel like I'm about to pass out' and 'I'm sorry I'm being so unprofessional and loud, but I am in so much pain it's unbearable,' etc. My thing was, if you can sit there and tell me all of that effortlessly, you're not having trouble breathing. I was also not having it that day since not even an hour earlier, a girl faked a seizure in the lobby, so I just nodded and said, 'Okay, thank you for letting me know.' When the triage nurse finally called him back, this guy suddenly couldn't walk or stand on his own. When they wheeled him back to the triage area, the nurse started to do an EKG since he said he was having chest pain (another symptom that wasn't present when he originally checked in). After he hollered and rolled around all through the vitals and everything, they took him back to a room that just opened up, and he was still carrying on up until the doctor came in to see him. After that, I didn't hear a peep. His friends showed up and visited him, and all was well. Then, when the doctor was ready to discharge him, all of a sudden, his yelling started up again. I don't know what this guy's problem was, but apparently, he desperately wanted to be admitted to the hospital. Oh, and his main complaint was listed, 'ate some bad pizza rolls, vomited twice this morning.'" u/katandhercats 25."I had a patient attempt to take the hospital bed blanket [when she left]. When I told her it had to stay, she said, 'That's fine, but I am going to take this pillow.' And when I told her I couldn't let her take that either, she told me I was selfish." u/Tellmeanamenottaken NBC 26."We were recently in the middle of a snowstorm. Roads had turned to total crap. We got to this house. The woman who called said all the right things chest pain, blah blah blah. ... BLS (Basic Life Support) wrapped her up, carried her down the stairs, pulled out the stretcher, and placed her in the ambulance. She was yelling at her husband to take her purse before we left. We got her in the back of the ambulance. BLS asked, 'Lights or no lights?' I said, 'No lights...easy ride to the hospital.' The patient started freaking out. 'I want to go lights and sirens! That is why I called you. My husband could have taken me if you were not going to do that.'" "I took a breath and said, 'Ma'am, you are pretty stable. Be grateful. We only go lights and sirens for people who are critical." She said nothing....as I handed her the form to sign for the 2500 dollar ride to the ER." [deleted] 27."I've worked in the ER for 25 years, and I have seen some wildly entitled stuff. The thing that stands out: Several staff members were in a room divided by a curtain with a patient who was in cardiac arrest. While a nurse was doing chest compressions and a doctor was intubating this personthe people on the other side of the curtain could be heard complaining that their call light has been on for 5 minutes and they were irritated. I yanked open the curtain and SHOWED them what was taking so long." fluffylegend788 28."A family member pushed their way into a bay as we were coding a patient to ask the nurse (who was doing compressions) when their family member was going to get the water they asked for." u/jack2of4spades 29."I had a lady tell me I would give her a bath because I am a nurse and it is my job (she lived at home alone and could do for herself). I explained to her my role in helping her be independent, but stated we would assist as needed. I sent my big male CNA to assist 'as needed,' which it wasn't." [deleted] ABC 30."A patient was demanding a sixth pillow to get comfortable. I went to get it, but was sidetracked when my other patient coded. Eventually, I took the pillow to patient one and got yelled at for 'taking too long.' I explained I had been busy doing CPR across the hall. The patient paused: 'You mean where you have to press on the chest and breathe for the person cause their heart stopped?' Yeah. That. 'Well, whatever. You still made me wait way too long.' " u/-OrdinaryNectarine- Related: Plastic Surgeons Are Exposing The Procedures They'd Never, Ever Get, And My Jaw Is Actually Hanging Open 31."We had a patient who called for hip pain. It was around 5 o'clock, and I work in a pretty big city, so it was rush hour. We got there, and she was in her apartment, sitting on an electric scooter. She said her hip was bad and she needed to get it replaced, and that the pain was unbearable. She said she had an appointment about six months ago for the surgery, but she missed it. I explained to her that an ER is not going to do emergency hip surgery for a chronic problem. She said she didn't care. She wanted to go to the hospital to get the appointment set up." "We were out of trucks at this point, and she put a little cherry on top she wanted to go to a hospital in a nearby city that, because it was rush hour, would take about 45 minutes to get to. I suggested a closer hospital because they weren't going to do anything for her anyway, and she went on this tirade about how she had the right to call an ambulance ... and the right to go to whatever hospital she wants. My partner, who was frustrated also, said, 'Ma'am, you're right, but you need to understand you're taking a 911 ambulance out of service for an hour so you can go make an appointment. Well, she called my partner a racist and demanded we take her anyway. So we said yes, ma'am. She complained the whole way to the hospital and asked for our badge numbers and supervisor's phone number. Which I happily gave her." u/PancakeDrawer03 32."When I worked inpatient, it was pediatric neurology. One of my coworkers once was taking care of a teenager with a headache. ... The mom complained about everything. At one point, she asked her nurse when the Neurology team would be rounding. The nurse responded, 'They're rounding now.' Mom scoffs, 'Well, I would have thought they would start with the sickest patient on the floor.' They did: my patient, a young adult with Marfan syndrome who'd had a stroke and was on a heparin drip." u/LadyGreyIcedTea 33."One time, I was cleaning up a patient after a bowel movement, and I guess she felt the need to fart, so she asked me to hold open her ass cheeks so that she could fart (this would be farting right at me; I feel like this is important to mention). I politely declined and told her the fart could wait for another time." [deleted] ABC 34."Not me, but my aunt a few years ago. She works as an infectious disease doctor. Her department is quite a way from the main entrance, but they do have an urgent clinic at night. ... This woman went to the infectology department with her daughter and they had to wait for my aunt for about half an hour, because my aunt was called to another department for consulting. When she finally got to this woman, she was immediately snippy with her, showing her clear disrespect. Turned out, they knew what the daughter had, they just wanted some meds...'to ease the pain.' What did she have? Worms in her ass that itched her." "Supposedly, the daughter's ass itched so badly, she couldn't sleep. When my aunt asked, why they couldn't come during the regular hours, because this was not case for urgent clinic, or ER, or whatever you want to call those night shifts, and because she would have to take sample for laboratory, which only worked during the day, they got all pissy and said, they couldn't come because the daughter had to work. Work, you ask? Yes, work. The daughter and the patient of this story was a 30+ year old woman, with children of her own, who had to take her mother with her to the doctor, because of worms that itched in her ass during the night. They got pissed and left. But the story doesn't end there. The mother is some kind of journalist, or self-proclaimed journalist, who only writes blogs. Aaaaaand she went ahead and wrote looooong rant about how 'poorly' they were treated and how they had to go to the pharmacy and the pharmacist gave them some coal pills (I think, dont remember it anymore) and how our medical staff is bad." u/JumpingPoro 35."I was working in a resort town medical facility. It's basically just an urgent care facility; the closest hospital is at least two-hour drive. It was a busy ski season day with lots of broken bones that needed surgery, which means the most critical injuries get sent to the closest hospital for transfer first. This is because they are transported by ambulance, and the town can't send all their ambulances out on transfers and have none in town for emergencies. So this means many people have to wait a long time for a transfer. (Major critical traumas would be air lifted, but stable patients would have to wait.) This lady had a broken bone (probably her ankle, a ski boot fracture) and was waiting to be transferred because she needed surgery, and was getting impatient. She was told she would be next to be transferred until another patient came in with multiple fractured vertebrae in their spine." "Well, this lady was not happy. She had a fit, saying all the usual things: 'I was here first,' 'I've been waiting all day,' and 'I need to get out of here.' She couldn't walk to the bathroom, so the nurses brought her a bedpan so she could pee. Instead of waiting for someone to come collect it, she just dumped it on the floor. ... [She] acted like a 3-year-old and thought, 'I'm going to dump my pee all over the floor, so they want to get rid of me.'" Anonymous 36."I'm not a doctor, but I was waiting to see my grandpa in the hospital. This parent started grilling the doctors about how their 'baby should go first' and how they were 'obviously in pain' (the kid was looking at the fish tank). The doctor said, 'We have people who are in real emergencies. Your kid just got a dried bean stuck up their nose. You can wait.' The parent said, 'WeLL My bAbY ShoUlD gO FiRst! He Has tO Go to BeD!' The doctor said, 'Well, if your kid has to go to bed, then they can go home and you can come back in the morning.' The parent was dumbfounded." u/yeetus159 37."Years ago, in the ICU, we had been coding a patient multiple times, and it was very hectic on the unit. We had a needy family on the unit who was very upset and said something along the lines of, 'I don't care if someone is dyingwe've been waiting for (insert food/drink selection) for over an hour.' I'm sure my face said it all." u/Nursejlm NBC 38."Not a parent, a grandparent a 10-12-year-old child desperately needed a ton of dental work done (cavities filled mostly, if I remember correctly), and grandma was insistent that it be BEFORE their cruise. The dental office I worked for had a number of dentists, and we had a rule that if a particular patient was seeing a particular doctor, they had to have the procedure scheduled with that doctor. The next available appointment wasn't until well after their cruise. Grandma huffed and said, 'Well, can't you just call someone and move their appointment?'" "I blue-screened at the audacity for at least a minute. When I was able to react again, I responded with, 'I want you to take a moment and think about how you would feel if someone asked you to do that.' She spluttered for a minute and ended up taking the later available appointment, but I still use that as proof that people seriously just need to be verbally reminded that other people do exist in the world occasionally and that you and yours are not the center of the universe." Anonymous 39."Not a doctor, but a nurse and a mom. This took place in an affluent community in The OC, California. When my son was about five months old, he was in the hospital for a kidney infection. A sick baby girl was admitted into the next crib; she was maybe three months old. The father was present when the baby was admitted, but then he immediately took off. He said something to the effect that he was paying tons of money for his baby to be taken care of in the hospital, so he was going to go home and get a good night's sleep with his wife (who hadn't even bothered to show up)." "Meanwhile, my husband and I were camped out at our baby's bedside through the night. Keep in mind, this was not a NICU or PICU; it was just a regular pediatric unit. This was not a locked unit, and anyone could come in and out through the night (meaning anyone could go in and pick up their baby and leave). Well, as you can imagine, that poor baby cried all night. The nurse did her best, but with multiple patients to care for, she eventually had to call the parents and demand that one of them come back in to hold their baby. They were not happy. I was blown away that they would just leave their baby like that. " u/please_stopthat 40."I had a family member decline the offer of an autopsy unless I agreed to remove the multiple surgical implants ( artificial hip, stents, etc.). I declined the opportunity and informed them their embalmer could do that." creativewalrus2361 41.And finally..."A patient's daughter felt it was appropriate to scream on the telephone to staff members. She would then show up at the hospital to see her mother and sneak into the patient's room, avoiding all staff. We had to have a manager go into the room with the staff when the daughter was asking about discharge needs because she screamed at the home care nurse about oxygen delivery to the home. She felt she knew more than the nurse, despite the nurse having 20 years of experience. The daughter wrote a fishing column for our local newspaper with no medical experience." radcoach344 Also in Internet Finds: Women Are Sharing The Seemingly Little Habits That DRASTICALLY Improved Their Sex Lives Also in Internet Finds: 17 Of The Most Chill-Inducing, Inexplicable Events That People Have Actually Lived Through Also in Internet Finds: 57 Truly Mind-Boggling Photos Of The Human Body That Had Me A Little Disturbed, But Also Endlessly Fascinated Read it on BuzzFeed.com You don't have to travel to the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" or even northern Arizona for great fishing. The Grand Canyon State is home to 128 lakes. Arizona's largest lakes appeal to everyone whether you want to swim, fish, lounge on a boat or hop on a jet ski. What's even better is that some of these lakes aren't too far out from the metro area. According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, there are six lakes located near metro Phoenix that are perfect for fishing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's everything you need to know before you cast your line. Bartlett Lake Bartlett Lake is a 2,815-acre, self-sustaining sport fishery in the Tonto National Forest. The lake provides consistent fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, according to Game and Fish. It is occasionally stocked as needed. What fish are in Bartlett Lake? Largemouth bass Channel and flathead catfish Black crappie Sunfish Common carp Fishing tips According to Game and Fish, trophy flathead catfish are caught using live sunfish and small carp. There is a large population of largemouth bass ranging from one to two pounds at Bartlett Lake. For best results, try fishing at first and last light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For largemouth bass, try using a technique with rubber worms called "drop shotting". Additionally, fishers have found success using shad imitation crankbait. For black crappie, try using minnows or jigs. Anglers have found success fishing on Bartlett Lake at night. Try using baitfish attracting lights to increase your chances on catching fish. How to fish in Bartlett Lake Tonto Forest Recreational Passes are required and vary depending on activity type. On most weekends and holidays in April through October, Canyon Lake reaches its maximum boating capacity early in the day, and no additional boats are allowed to launch then. Be prepared for delays in boat access during summer weekends. Where is Bartlett Lake? Bartlett Lake is located approximately 48 miles northeast of downtown Phoenix, 17 miles northeast of Carefree. Canyon Lake Towering rock walls and lunker largemouth bass make for a unique experience at Canyon Lake. Game and Fish manages Canyon Lake as a trophy largemouth bass fishery and stocks rainbow trout during winter months. When funding is available, walleye fry and other sport fish species are also stocked. What fish are in Canyon Lake? Rainbow trout Largemouth, smallmouth and yellow bass Channel and flathead catfish Black crappie Sunfish Walleye Bigmouth, black and smallmouth buffalo Common carp Tilapia Fishing tips Canyon Lake is where the state's largest largemouth bass was caught. The fish weighed 16 pounds, 7.68 ounces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Game and Fish recommends drop-shotting rubber worms and using shad imitation crankbaits in the early morning and evenings. When trout stockings occur, large rainbow trout swimbaits can be used to catch trophy largemouth bass. Anglers have also found success catching channel catfish and sunfish species using night crawlers either under a bobber or on the bottom. Castmasters or small spoons can also be used to catch yellow bass. How to fish in Canyon Lake Tonto Forest Recreational Passes are required, and vary depending on activity type. On most weekends and holidays in April through October, Canyon Lake reaches its maximum boating capacity early in the day, and no additional boats are allowed in. Be prepared for delays in boat access during summer weekends. Where is Canyon Lake? Canyon Lake is in central Arizona, about 45 miles east of Phoenix and 15 miles up the Apache Trail from Apache Junction. Lake Pleasant Anglers fish for largemouth bass, flathead catfish and striped bass on Lake Pleasant, located in the Northwest Valley. What fish are in Lake Pleasant? Largemouth, striped and white bass Channel and flathead catfish Black and white crappie Sunfish Common carp Tilapia Fishing tips Lake Pleasant is home to a great flathead catfish fishery. The best baits are live fish, like the sunfish and small carp that are caught at Lake Pleasant and used to land flatheads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Striped bass can be caught using any shad imitation swimbait or crankbait. Spoons such as castmasters are also good for catching striped bass and white bass. Try locating shad boils in the early morning or late evening, or try using anchovies deep under baitfish with attracting lights at night. Using night crawlers either under a bobber or on the bottom can also help with catching numerous species in Lake Pleasant. Largemouth bass can be caught drop-shotting rubber worms and using shad imitation crankbaits. How the lake was named: Lake Pleasant wasn't named for its calm waters. How to fish in Lake Pleasant For park entrance fees and campground reservations, visit Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Where is Lake Pleasant? Lake Pleasant is located in central Arizona, northwest of Phoenix. Roosevelt Lake According to Game and Fish, Roosevelt Lake is a 20,300-acre reservoir with "generally excellent" opportunities for largemouth bass and crappie. The abundance of fish is partially due to Game and Fish's installation of fish habitats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Game and Fish has also stocked thousands of Florida-strain largemouth bass that can grow up to 20 pounds. Roosevelt Lake is situated near trout-stocked streams below the Mogollon Rim that make for extended days of fishing action. What fish are in Roosevelt Lake? Largemouth, smallmouth and yellow bass Channel and flathead catfish Black crappie Sunfish Bigmouth, black and smallmouth Black crappie Sunfish Bigmouth, black and smallmouth buffalo Common carp Fishing tips Roosevelt Lake is home to a quality largemouth bass fishery. According to Game and Fish, the best baits to use would be drop-shotting rubber worms or using shad imitation crankbaits. Crawfish imitation lures can also be effective for catching smallmouth bass. Yellow bass can be caught using minnows, castmasters or small spoons. Night crawlers under a bobber or on the bottom can be effective for multiple species. How to fish at Roosevelt Lake Tonto Forest Recreational Passes are required, and vary depending on activity type. Where is Roosevelt Lake? Roosevelt Lake is in central Arizona, primarily in Gila County, with a small portion in Maricopa County. It's formed by the Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River, located approximately 80 miles northeast of Phoenix. Saguaro Lake Game and Fish said Saguaro Lake can be a bass angler's paradise. The warmwater largemouth bass fishery has 2,200 fish habitat structures to enhance fishing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Game and Fish stocks rainbow trout twice a month in the winter. What fish are in Saguaro Lake? Rainbow trout Largemouth, smallmouth, and yellow bass Channel and flathead catfish Black crappie Sunfish Walleye Bigmouth, black, and smallmouth buffalo Common carp Tilapia Fishing tips Saguaro Lake is home to one of the best largemouth bass fisheries in the state. Game and Fish recommends drop-shotting rubber worms and using shad imitation crankbaits in the early morning and evenings. During the months of the trout stockings, large rainbow trout swimbaits can be used to catch trophy largemouth bass. Using night crawlers either under a bobber or on the bottom can also help anglers catch catfish and sunfish. How to fish in Saguaro Lake Tonto Forest Recreational Passes are required, and vary depending on activity type. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On most weekends and holidays in April through October, Saguaro Lake reaches its maximum boating capacity early in the day and additional boats are not allowed in. Be prepared for delays in boat access during summer weekends. The direction of travel on the lake is counterclockwise. Saguaro Lake Saguaro Lake is on the outskirts of metro Phoenix, just off State Route 87. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Where is the best fishing in Arizona? Here's where to go Editor's note: The story was updated to include comments made by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The European Union welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed push to bring Russia to the negotiating table, EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas told the Telegraph in an article published July 14, adding that Washington's 50-day timeline is a "long time." "On one hand, it is very positive that President Trump is taking on a strong stance on Russia... On the other hand, 50 days is a very long time if we see that they are killing innocent civilians," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on July 14, Trump announced the White House will impose "severe tariffs" on Russia unless it agrees to a deal on ending the war in Ukraine within 50 days. "We're gonna be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs that are about 100%, we call them secondary tariffs," he said. Kallas called for Ukraine's allies to toughen their stance on Russia and continue supporting Kyiv so that Moscow may end its war against Ukraine amid intensified drone and missile attacks. "Its clear that we all need to put more pressure so they will also want peace, and its good the Americans are making the steps, and I hope they are giving military aid like Europeans are giving," Kallas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day earlier, Trump announced the U.S. would supply additional Patriots to Ukraine, being reimbursed for their cost by NATO. "We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need, because (Russian President Vladimir) Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then bombs everybody in the evening. But there's a little bit of a problem there. I don't like it," he said. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko also criticized Trump's 50-day deadline, saying he does not understand the reasoning behind it. "On the one hand, Im happy about the wave of support from the U.S.," Klitschko said during an appearance on the German ARD talk show Maischberger. "But on the other hand, I do not understand why Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is being given 50 days." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In 50 days, many more people could be killed in the capital and throughout Ukraine, many more buildings could be damaged," he warned. "Therefore: Why such a delay?" Klitschko said he believes Trump may still hope Putin will stop the war voluntarily, but he himself is skeptical. "Putin only understands strength," Klitschko said. Russian drone and missile attacks killed at least 6 people and injured another 30, Ukrainian officials reported early on July 14. Ukraine regularly faces Russian attacks on its civilian infrastructure, encountering increased attacks from Moscow in recent weeks. Thanks for reading this article and staying informed. The Kyiv Independent operates without a wealthy owner or a paywall, relying solely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Consider joining our community today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Editorial: Right now, Ukraines democracy risks a Russian-style backslide Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Cash rewards are being offered for information leading to the arrest of nine suspects wanted for various crimes in Abilene. Police are seeking these suspects for the following offenses: Norie Fawcett Deadly Conduct Broderic Livingston Robbery, Evading Arrest Andrew Allen Rice Assault with a Deadly Weapon Jaiden Patterson Evading Arrest Garret Ashely Violation of Protective Order Mark Douglas Jackson 2 Counts of Indecency with Child Taner Pierce Robbery Aryn Taylor Burglary of Habitation Joshua Christian Aggravated Assault Jazmin Rockuemore (FEATURED FUGITIVE) Arson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CrimeStoppers is offering $500 cash rewards for information that leads to the capture any of the suspects, and a $1000 cash reward for information that leads to the capture of the featured fugitive. Cash rewards will only be given if the information is received during the week their mugshots are aired on Abilenes Wanted Criminals. Ice cream makers will phase out artificial dyes by 2028 Abilenes Wanted Criminals is a police-run social media segment that will highlight wanted suspects from around the City each week. Episodes will be posted to the Abilene Police Departments YouTube page or APDs PIO Youtube page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. HAMPTON COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) A 6-year-old boy is still in the hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the face on Sunday. How the shooting happened is still unclear, but Hampton County Sheriffs Office (HCSO) said the incident is an unfortunate reminder of the dangers of firearms. The HCSO said they got the call yesterday from Hampton Regional Hospital of a gunshot wound victim. When they arrived, they became aware that it was a 6-year-old boy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HCSO confirmed Tuesday that the gunshot wound is in the area of the boys face near the chin. That sparked an investigation by the HCSO, who called the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for assistance. Lt. Governor Pamela Evette joins race for South Carolina Governor We have learned that SLED is now the lead investigator on the case. The 6-year-old boy was shot at his home on Fox Trail Road in Early Branch. SLED has yet to confirm details of how he was shot. Were just asking that people please be in prayer for the family, for the child and the childs recovery, and that they make it through this, said HCSO Deputy Chief Michael Ricks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the first incident in the county of a child being shot this year. Its not often that this has occurred. We normally try to help citizens get safety gun laws and we try to teach the safety courses, so they understand gun safety, said Ricks. Its an unfortunate circumstance that Hampton County Officials said they are turning into a lesson for all gun owners. Gun safety is very important. Sometimes we dont think children can get access to our guns, but if we dont properly prepare, then we put our children at risk, said Ricks. Ricks said their department has been keen on gun safety, passing out gun locks at several events, like one last month, and at their upcoming National Night Out event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beaufort native selected as new officer for Blue Angels 2026 air show season But they said they believe theres more gun owners can do to keep their gun and family protected. We recommend that you have some type of gun safety, whether you have a safe or whether you have locks on your gun, said Ricks. We recommend, if you dont have any of those that you take the ammo out of the gun, take the magazines out, separate the two. You can have one in one location, one in another, and that will help keep them safe. The boys mom declined to be on camera, but she did tell WSAV that she is still shaken over the incident. She said her son made it through surgery and was responsive to nurses this morning, and she hopes that continues to be the outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident is still under investigation by SLED. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A Hamilton woman is dead after a crash Monday afternoon in southeast Indiana. Just before 2:30 p.m. on July 14, Darla Tabor, 68, of Hamilton, was headed east on I-74, roughly three miles east of Batesville, Indiana, in a 2002 Mercury, according to an initial Indiana State Police investigation. Around mile marker 153, ISP believes Tabor lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 68-year-old was taken to a hospital in the Cincinnati area, where she was later pronounced dead. Citing evidence at the scene, ISP believes Tabor wasnt properly restrained in the vehicle. ISP said that is likely contributed to the injuries sustained. Although the investigation is ongoing, ISP believes a medical condition could have contributed to the crash. Neither alcohol nor drugs are currently believed by ISP to be factors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. 7 Haverhill officers on leave amid investigation into deadly encounter outside restaurant Seven Haverhill Police officers have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into a deadly encounter outside of a seafood restaurant on Friday night, according to Chief Robert Pistone. Once the investigation is complete, and all of the facts are known, I will be able to provide more information and address the media and public, the chief said in a statement on Monday. The names of the officers involved have not been made public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 43-year-old Francis Gigliotti died after a struggle with police outside of Bradford Seafood restaurant. Francis Gigliotti According to officials, the initial call to Haverhill police was for a man acting erratically on White Street, weaving in and out of traffic. Officers responding to the scene claimed Francis was acting belligerent and they tried restraining him for safety purposes, authorities say. Video shows multiple first responders surrounding Francis. During that interaction, he became unresponsive and CPR was performed. Gigliotti was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Essex County District Attorneys Office announced a full investigation into his death and asks anyone with any pictures or videos of the incident to upload them using this link. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement shared with Boston 25 News on Monday morning, a spokesperson for the DAs office said, I do not anticipate any additional updates today. Unfortunately, we do not have a timeframe from the ME [medical examiner] as to when a full report will be released. The family tells Boston 25 News that they are feeling relieved to know seven officers involved are off the streets for now. You never want to see that, my heart goes out to his family, Governor Maura Healey said. Three days after the incident and a memorial is still growing outside of Bradford Seafood in Haverhill. One of the most difficult calls law enforcement has is responding to a mental health call, said law enforcement expert and security analyst Todd McGhee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGhee said officers are not necessarily trained to the level of a healthcare provider and training can vary between officers and departments. My gut reaction to this is it could be a case of positional asphyxia, explained McGhee. Where a number of officers responded by taking down the person that the call for service was on and were not able to get him to his side in order for his chest to compress and expand in a normal manner. McGhee said ultimately, once a subject is in handcuffs, they should be moved to a seated position. The DA said an autopsy will determine Francis cause of death. Mayor Melinda E. Barrett expressed her sympathies to Gigliottis friends and family, while also demanding accountability from the police department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She issued the following statement Monday afternoon: Mr. Gigliotti, his friends and family, and the public deserve a thorough and transparent investigation of his death. This is of utmost importance to me. The seven officers involved have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation ensues. The DAs office is leading the investigation, and I have urged them to make all evidence available to the public as quickly as possible. The mayor also says shes committed to investing in additional training and equipment for officers, especially in the behavioral health department. She also says its both her and Chief Pastones goal to have all patrol officers fitted with body-worn cameras. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am eager to hear the outcome of this investigation and see how the department and the City can learn and grow from this in the name of truth, justice, and public safety, Barrett said. At this time, I continue to urge patience as the investigation continues and all of the facts are disclosed. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW HAVERHILL, Mass. (AP) Seven officers in the Boston suburb of Haverhill are on paid leave after a handcuffed 43-year-old man became unresponsive and died as police tried to restrain him outside a fish market. Officials are seeking video and photos from the public as they investigate the death Friday of Francis Gigliotti. who had been walking into traffic during what his fiancee called a mental health crisis. The officers were not wearing body cameras. Video captured by witnesses showed several officers holding Gigliotti face down as he cries out, although it was not clear how long he was restrained or when he became unresponsive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Justice has warned police officers since the mid-1990s to roll suspects off their stomachs as soon as they are handcuffed because of the danger of positional asphyxia. Putting someone on their stomach is not inherently life-threatening. But many policing experts agree that someone can stop breathing if pinned on their chest for too long or with too much weight because it can compress the lungs and put stress on the heart. Fiancee Michelle Rooney said he was unarmed. What happened to him was absolutely terrible, and my hearts broken, she told Bostons NBC10. I heard Francis scream as I was running up the hill. But by the time I got there, he wasnt screaming anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other video the station obtained shows Gigliotti falling onto the sidewalk as he leaves a store, then hitting his head on a parked car and weaving into traffic. Authorities said he was nearly struck several times. In a statement posted Sunday, District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and Haverhill Police Chief Robert Pistone said responding police found Gigliotti behaving in an erratic and belligerent manner and called for an ambulance to assess his well-being." Muriel Enos, Gigliottis aunt, told WCVB that video of the police encounter horrified her. Seven police officers holding one (person) and watching my nephew beg for help, she said. And then listening to his last cry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Mayor Melinda E. Barrett and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey offered condolences to the family. Barrett promised a transparent investigation. According to Barrett, the city of Haverhill funds both a social worker who works with police on drug intervention and a behavioral health clinician who is embedded in the police department. The behavioral health unit responded to more than 800 calls last year, she said. As we mourn, we must also reflect on how we help those in crisis, said Barrett, who said she hopes to build on these resources and invest in more training and equipment for police. 70 Years of Disneyland: A Look Back and Forward at the Happiest Place on Earth originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Kaleb Tapp/Unsplash Building Disneyland was an uphill battle for Walt Disney. Architects didnt understand his vision. Banks didnt want to make loans. And his business-minded brother (and partner) wanted him to reign in his spending. Yet Walts magnificent original park, the only one that he ever got to visit and enjoy, became a global icon beloved by generations of visitors. Walt DisneyCourtesy Disneyland Resort Today, as Disneyland celebrates its 70th anniversary, new and old are seamlessly integrated. Original rides and attractions your grandparents enjoyed (think Autopia, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pans Flight and Mr. Toads Wild Ride) are still as fun and popular as the latest and greatest creations (like Tianas Bayou Adventure). The party lasts all summer, culminating on the actual anniversary, July 17, with the debut of an entirely new show, Walt DisneyA Magical Life, in the Main Street Opera House, where it will eventually play alongside Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. The worlds first Audio-Animatronic figure of the companys legendary founder will greet visitors in a recreation of his studio office and share stories and anecdotes. The advanced figure is pushing technological boundaries with lifelike materials and movements, and even has a special effect simulating the twinkle in his eye. This has been a labor of love. Its a new world for us, new challenges, Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald told Fortune. But as Walt would say, its kind of fun to do the impossible. Construction of Sleeping Beauty CastleCourtesy Disneyland Resort Other retro comebacks include groovy orange sweatshirts from the 1960s and others with big, fun, googly-eyed Mickeys. Theyve also brought back those vintage E ticket books reimagined as mint tins and notepads. A line called the Nostalgia Collection features imagined historical items like a brown leather journal inspired by Walts briefcase, a charm locket with a tiny portrait of the boss hiding inside and a shirt with the Disney quote: Disneyland is the star. Everything else is in the supporting role. Even some of the food from the past is returning for the summer. The Hooks Galley Tuna Melt is an homage to the original tuna melt that used to be served at Chicken of the Sea restaurant (in Fantasyland) when the resort first opened, Disneyland chef Esther Alonso explained before turning her attention to a vintage-inspired dish from Frontierland. The Fried Tamale Walking Taco is inspired by Casa de Fritos, she continued. Back then, we used to have two fan-favorite dishes, a Frito pie and a fried taco, and we mashed those together into this beautiful dish. Mad Tea Party in 1966Courtesy Disneyland Resort Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another new addition to the park comes from legendary songwriter Richard Sherman, who walked into Disney CEO Bob Igers office with a new verse for his opus, Its a Small World, some 60 years after completing the original for Walt. The late legends 34 words about love and humanity have been added to the soundtrack. A new after-dark light show called Tapestry of Happiness is projected across the ride, transforming it into a brilliantly colorful memory portal featuring modern animated renditions of Pirates of the Caribbean and Walt Disneys Enchanted Tiki Room. We even hear a snippet from A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, the Sherman Brothers theme to a ride that disappeared more than 50 years ago. The show ends with a quote from Walt echoing around the park, Like I say, were just getting started. (Over at Disney California Adventure, visitors can also hear a recording of words spoken from Walt during the new World of Color show: To all who come to this happy place welcome!) And in a new Wondrous Journeys show projected onto Sleeping Beauty Castle, moments from films like Peter Pan and The Princess and the Frog are among the greatest hits playing out across the facade while fireworks erupt overhead. Nothing ever really goes away at Disneyland. It just fades in and out like a dream. Courtesy Disneyland Resort View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared. American Presidents are civilians by design, some with little or no military experience at all, and are unlikely to ever serve in a combat role while in office (unless theyre in office while aliens attack Earth). In the minds of voters, military experience often appears to be a plus when considering who would be the next Commander-in-Chief. It probably helps when they actually take the office. But not every veteran POTUS saw action. Eisenhower was a great logistical planner, but he never served in a direct combat role. George Washingtons combat record as a junior officer is spotty. Still, his decision-making capacity, strategic vision, and ability to inspire those around him were infinitely more essential to his legacy and the history of the United States. And then there were those whose service would affect the outcomes of battles, of entire wars, and of the nation itself. Here are eight presidents who actually saw combat in a big way: 1. Andrew Jackson (War of 1812, Indian Wars) No president ever held a grudge like Andrew Jackson. This was a guy who fought 103 duels before he was ever elected president. Yet he only killed one man (in a duel, I mean. He killed lots of people, just in other ways). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the age of 13, Jackson served as a messenger for a militia unit fighting in the Revolutionary War. After he was captured, he refused to shine the boots of a British officer, who then used his saber to give Y=young Jackson the scars that would be on his face for the rest of his life. That sort of thing stays with a young man. Historians still argue about his relationship with Native tribes. No, really. Look it up. As a general, his most famous military success was at the 1815 Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. The British threatened the city under Jacksons command. Jackson assembled a motley force of 4,700 men, comprising Army regulars, militia, sailors, Marines, citizens, Choctaw warriors, and a band of pirates led by Jean LaFitte. Together, they held off 11,000 British troops and the Royal Navy fleet in a battle that couldnt be won. His victory would (eventually) put Jackson in the White House, where Old Hickory would be the first U.S. President anyone tried to assassinate. An unemployed house painter pulled two pistols on Jackson, but they both misfired, allowing Jackson to beat the would-be killer with his cane. 2. William Henry Harrison (War of 1812, Indian Wars) Harrison was the commander of American forces at Tippecanoe, the architect of Shawnee leader Tecumsehs defeat, and the guy who gave the United States its first victory against violent religious extremists. Not bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tecumseh and his brother, a prophet called Tenskawata, began using visions and magic to incite Natives in the Indiana territory against American settlers. In 1810, Tecumseh met then-Governor William Henry Harrison with 400 warriors to demand the rescission of a treaty. When Harrison refused, Tecumseh ordered his warriors to kill Harrison, who responded by drawing his sword. A Potawatomi chief intervened, and Tecumsehs warriors left for the time being. When the war finally broke out, Harrison repeatedly assaulted the Native tribes, most notably at Tippecanoe, where the magical forces of Tecumseh were defeated by Harrisons actual military forces. Guns over Magic. Every time. Tecumseh made a comeback in the War of 1812, this time backed up by the British. Harrison responded by quickly capturing Detroit (for better or worse) and then invading Canada. He defeated the British and got some vengeance against Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames. Tecumseh was killed, the Americans burned a local settlement (built by pacifists, probably to avoid getting their settlement burned down), and then went back to Detroit. Harrison delivered the longest inaugural speech in American history without a coat on a cold, wet day, which resulted in the shortest presidency in American history. 3. Zachary Taylor (War of 1812, Indian Wars, Mexican-American War) Zachary Taylor also cut his teeth fighting Tecumseh during the War of 1812, famously holding Fort Harrison with 20 men against 600 under the inspiring battle cry, Taylor Never Surrenders! It turns out he was pretty good at checking native tribes. He also fought them in the Black Hawk War and the Seminole War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time war with Mexico broke out, Taylor was a general and was widely known as Old Rough and Ready. He lost only 37 men against an army that vastly outnumbered his own, marched on the impregnable city of Monterrey, and captured it in four days. And this wasnt even his biggest victory. He was also reportedly known for his killer smile. President Polk deliberately assigned all but 4,650 of Taylors troops to General Winfield Scott to capture Veracruz, in an effort to curb Taylors growing popularity back home. Having learned of Taylors weakened army, Mexican General and dictator General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna sent his entire army of 15,000 to annihilate him. As Taylors army turned the Battle of Buena Vista into a complete rout of the numerically superior Mexicans, his order Double-shot your guns and give em hell was used as a campaign slogan to catapult Taylor to the presidency, succeeding Polk. Taylor was so popular that he was elected as the Whig Party candidate despite disagreeing with almost every issue for which the party stood. 4. Franklin Pierce (Mexican-American War) Franklin Pierce was so eager to fight for his country that he turned down President Polks nomination as Attorney General. For this, he earns a great deal of respect. The first part of his military career, however, was less like Zachary Taylors and more like Ernest Goes to Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He volunteered to join the Army as soon as war with Mexico broke out in 1846, even though there were no New England regiments actually in existence at the time. When Congress authorized those regiments, he was appointed the colonel in command and sent to Veracruz. No shade but it seems easy to lead units that dont exist. When he finally arrived in Mexico, he was promoted to brigadier and linked up with Gen. Winfield Scott at the Battle of Contreras. Everything was okay until his horse was startled, causing his saddle to jam his groin as hard as possible. The horse then fell into a crevice, pinning Pierce under it and forcing someone else to take command. He injured his knee the next day and fell so far behind his men that the battle was over by the time he caught up. General Scott didnt want to let Pierce command his brigade at the Battle of Churubusco the next day, but he eventually did. But Pierces wounded leg hurt so much, he passed out on his horse in the middle of the battle. 5. Ulysses S. Grant (Mexican War, Civil War) Grant famously became the general the Union needed to win the Civil War. He was forced to resign from the Army for drunkenness before the war, but when the South seceded, he raised a regiment of volunteers that he used to take the fight to the Confederates in the West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eventually, he commanded his friend, and fellow general William T. Sherman, to burn the South to the ground. Not all alcoholics are lost causes. He always showed this level of doggedness throughout his military career. During the Mexican-American War, he led cavalry charges despite being only a quartermaster. As a messenger, he braved the sniper-lined streets of Monterrey while hanging off the side of his horse, using it as a shield. At the Battle of Chapultepec, he carried a howitzer to the top of a church steeple, a move essential to the final assault on Chapultepec Castle and to winning the war itself. But the Marines dont mention that in their hymn. 6. Rutherford B. Hayes (Civil War) Not much is really said about Rutherford B. Hayes these days, but the former president has probably one of the most active war records of any chief executive. He was a Union officer during the Civil War, volunteering after Fort Sumter fell and serving in an active combat role until the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September 1862, Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia was advancing northward into Maryland. The Union Army under Gen. George B. McClellan met the divided Confederates in a series of three pitched battles. At the head of the lead regiment was Lieutenant Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes. As Hayes 23rd Ohio charged an entrenched Confederate position, a bullet tore through his arm, shattering the bone. After tying a handkerchief tourniquet around it (and presumably rubbing some dirt on it), he continued the attack. Fun fact: Hayes was also the originator of the American icy stare. While most Civil War veterans would lose an arm to such an injury, Hayes probably didnt get an infection because gangrene was afraid of him. Instead, he spent the next two years skirmishing with Confederate forces in Tennessee and Virginia. He had his horse shot from under him at the Battle of Kernstown, where he was then shot in the shoulder. He was also struck in the head by a spent round at Cedar Creek in 1864, the year he was promoted to brigadier general and brevet major general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was then elected to the Presidency by sheer tyranny of will in 1876, despite not winning a majority of electoral or popular votes. 7. Theodore Roosevelt (Spanish-American War) Colonel Roosevelt was an adventurer, explorer, scholar, author, historian, boxer, cowboy, big game hunter, and elected official. Teddy, as he hated being called, was also fearless and nearly indestructible even before he went to war. Unfortunately for Spain, when the USS Maine was sunk in Havana harbor, Roosevelt resigned as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to go and liberate Cuba. He and Col. Leonard Wood raised the 1st Volunteer Cavalry Regiment known to this day as the Rough Riders. Speak softly and carry a big stick. Use it once in Cuba and let everyone else cower. They distinguished themselves at the Battle of San Juan Hill. During the fight for nearby Kettle Hill, he led the charge as the only man on horseback, moving from position to position as his men advanced up the hill, over open ground, against an entrenched enemy. When his horse was stopped by barbed wire, he walked the rest of the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Histories of the war often portray Spain as having barely put up a fight, but thats far from the truth. The Americans fought their way to the top of the hill, fighting hand-to-hand to dislodge the Spaniards. In Spains defense, theres no shame in getting dropped by a punch to the face from Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for that action (he is still the only president to receive one), but it was blocked at the time for political reasons the most likely being that he was Theodore Roosevelt, and everyone else was not. 8. Harry S. Truman (World War I) Truman was initially denied enlistment in the Missouri National Guard due to poor eyesight, which was well past the standard for legal blindness. Not one to let not being able to see keep him from killing Germans, he secretly memorized an eye chart and passed the vision test. He was even elected to be the lieutenant of his unit. I wonder if the other potential Lt. was named Dewey. By the time he arrived in France, he was the captain of an artillery company. He was unpopular at first until the Germans overran his unit in the Vosges Mountains. His men started to break and run, but Truman let rip a string of profanity so awful and venomous his men were actually more afraid of him than the Germans and they stayed to fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His time in the mud didnt stop there. At the start of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in 1918, Captain Truman observed German artillery setting up to attack a unit out of his area of responsibility. An animal lover, Truman waited until the Germans moved their horses before lighting them up. Dont Miss the Best of Mighty History We Are The Mighty is a celebration of military service, with a mission to entertain, inform, and inspire those who serve and those who support them. We are made by and for current service members, veterans, spouses, family members, and civilians who want to be part of this community. Keep up with the best in military culture and entertainment: subscribe to the We Are The Mighty newsletter. BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes Tuesday targeting wide areas in eastern Lebanon, hitting positions belonging to Lebanon's Hezbollah group. The official Lebanese National News Agency reported that "hostile warplanes launched several air raids on the eastern mountain range and the outskirts of the towns of Shmustar, Wadi Umm Ali, Bodai, the villages of Nabi Chit and Taraya, which are part of the city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon." A source in the Lebanese army intelligence and eyewitnesses from southern regions told Xinhua that "Israeli warplanes conducted eight airstrikes in less than five minutes on areas in eastern Lebanon." They said, "The raids targeted Hezbollah sites that had previously been subjected to similar airstrikes." The Israeli military announced Tuesday that it launched a wave of airstrikes in eastern Lebanon targeting sites linked to Hezbollah's Radwan Force, saying the strikes were aimed at preventing the elite force from restoring its attack capabilities. It said in a statement that warplanes carried out "numerous strikes" toward Hezbollah targets in the area of Beqaa, hitting military compounds allegedly used by the group for training and exercises. The facilities included areas used for weapons training and live-fire drills, the statement said. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strikes were "a clear message" to both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government, accusing Hezbollah of attempting to restore the Radwan Force's ability to launch cross-border raids. A ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by the United States and France, has been in effect in Lebanon since November 27, 2024, following more than a year of clashes related to the war in the Gaza Strip. Despite the agreement, which stipulated a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon by a deadline that expired on February 18, Israel continues to occupy five positions in the south. It regularly carries out airstrikes in both southern and eastern areas of the country, claiming they are aimed at eliminating "threats" posed by Hezbollah. By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA (Reuters) -The U.N. rights office said on Tuesday it had recorded at least 875 killings within the past six weeks at aid points in Gaza run by the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and convoys run by other relief groups, including the United Nations. The majority of those killed were in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites, while the remaining 201 were killed on the routes of other aid convoys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GHF uses private U.S. security and logistics companies to get supplies into Gaza, largely bypassing a U.N.-led system that Israel alleges has let Hamas-led militants loot aid shipments intended for civilians. Hamas denies the allegation. The GHF, which began distributing food packages in Gaza in late May after Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade, previously told Reuters that such incidents have not occurred on its sites and accused the U.N. of misinformation, which it denies. The GHF did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest UN figures. "The data we have is based on our own information gathering through various reliable sources, including medical human rights and humanitarian organizations," Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters in Geneva. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Nations has called the GHF aid model "inherently unsafe" and a violation of humanitarian impartiality standards. The GHF said on Tuesday it had delivered more than 75 million meals to Gaza Palestinians since the end of May, and that other humanitarian groups had "nearly all of their aid looted" by Hamas or criminal gangs. The Israeli army previously told Reuters in a statement that it was reviewing recent mass casualties and that it had sought to minimise friction between Palestinians and the Israel Defence Forces by installing fences and signs and opening additional routes. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has previously cited instances of violent pillaging of aid, and the U.N. World Food Programme said last week that most trucks carrying food assistance into Gaza had been intercepted by "hungry civilian communities". (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin, Editing by Friederike Heine and Alex Richardson) ATHENS, Texas (KETK) Nine people were arrested in Athens on Sunday for suspected cockfighting after Henderson County authorities found several dead birds. AFFIDAVIT: Man arrested after punching 10-year-old in face multiple times near Tyler church Henderson County Sheriffs Office (HCSO) said they responded to a report of suspected cockfighting near County Road 3918 in Athens. Deputies witnessed around 200 people at the scene with several of them fleeing once they saw law enforcement. Photo courtesy of the Henderson County Sheriffs Office Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to HCSO officials, investigators discovered many dead roosters along with evidence that suggested cockfighting transpired at the location. Once a search warrant was obtained, investigators later found a suspected fighting arena and seized various types of evidence from the scene. Florida suspects detained following string of vehicle burglaries at Tatum baseball field On the premises, investigators uncovered a fighting arena and confiscated sharp metal gaffs (artificial spurs attached to the roosters leg) commonly used in illegal cockfighting matches, HCSO said. A total of 89 live roosters and two deceased birds were seized from the premises along with 26 vehicles and a large amount of U.S. Currency. The following nine people were arrested and booked into the Henderson County Jail on cockfighting charges: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jesus David Garza of Lancaster: Cockfighting: Causes/earns Carlos Estrada-Guerrero of Athens: Cockfighting: Causes/earns and federal detainer Christy Nikol Bass of Center: Cockfighting: Causes/earns Victor Hernandez Flores of Quitman: Cockfighting: Causes/earns Juan Carlos Flores of Quitman: Cockfighting: Causes/earns Tomas Urbano Flores of Mineola: Cockfighting: Causes/earns Shannon Dean Kellis of Canton: Cockfighting: Causes/earns Alan Joseph Jernigan of Center : Cockfighting Otis Darren Thomas of Athens: Cockfighting: Space/owns/trains/equips Jesus David Garza Carlos Estrada-Guerrero Christy Nikol Bass Victor Hernandez Flores Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juan Carlos Flores Tomas Urbano Flores Shannon Dean Kellis Alan Joseph Jernigan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Otis Darren Thomas Mugshots courtesy of Henderson County Sheriffs Office You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. 9 injured in stampede on escalators after Beyonce concert Some Beyonce fans have questions for MARTA, after getting hurt at the Vine City train station following Mondays concert. A crowded escalator sped up and threw nine people off, including a little girl who broke her ankle. Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes reported no one has been able to use the escalator since its shut down while MARTA investigates. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] One victim said she doesnt believe the escalator was the problem, people piling onto it was. She hopes MARTA regulates how many people get on it in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of us were basically thrown off the escalator on top of other people, Jessica Barrett said. Barrett is still upset from what happened to her and her friends after the Beyonce concert, so she was only comfortable doing a phone interview. She left the concert at Mercedes-Benz Stadium around midnight and tried to hop on a train. A huge crowd was doing the same thing. As we come through the doors to get ready to come down the escalator, as we come down, all of the sudden everybody thats up inside the station they start to run, she said. So, people started to run out the station, people start to run back and then they start to push us down the stairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MARTA police say the chaos started with one person screaming and running at the top of the escalator. It caused a chain reaction of people rushing to get off. Barrett said the stampede injured at least nine people, including a crushed ankle for a little girl. It looked so bad, but my prayers are for her because she didnt cry. She wasnt yelling out. She really stood there with grace, Barrett said. And I was so amazed. MARTA is investigating. Questions about the capacity of the escalator were referred by MARTA to Schindler, the company that does maintenance on them. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The superstar hosted four shows in Atlanta for her Cowboy Carter tour from Friday to Monday. Channel 2 Action News was the first to report that unreleased music on a hard drive was stolen from the vehicle of one of Beyonces choreographers. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) Police say what happened on Interstate 64 westbound near the I-264 interchange Sunday night was neither a crime nor an accident, but investigators say it was an incident that left a young woman fighting for her life. Information sought after I-64 incident leaves woman with serious injuries: VSP The damage to the windshield of a blue Honda civic only begins to tell the story. A trailer hitch similar to the one pictured here crashed through a windshield and injured a 29-year-old woman on Interstate 64 Sunday, according to Virginia State Police. According to police, a trailer hitch apparently became dislodged from a white Ford pickup, and the projectile, similar to the one pictured at left, crashed through the windshield and struck a 29-year old woman in the face. The injuries suffered by the woman, according to AAA, were 100% preventable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you do have a trailer hitch and youre not actively towing, the safest thing to do is to remove that hitch, said Holly Dalby, AAA Tidewater director of public affairs. So put it in the vehicle in a secured area so that its not loose in there, maybe in the other seats storage if you have that in the back seat of your pickup, or if youre not going to be towing for a long time. Police are looking at all possible scenarios. For example: did the truck roll over a hitch that was on the highway? AAA says a hitch and other hardware should be handled with care. Leave it in your garage, or somewhere like that, so that its not loose in your truck to be a projectile in your pickup with you if youre in a crash, Dalby said. On social media, many have offered prayers for the 29-year old victim. State Police are asking the public for any information regarding the pickup truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with any information on the vehicle or the incident is asked to contact the Virginia State Police at 804-750-8788 or by email at questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia Jessica Anderson was a freshman in college juggling a full course load and two jobs when her birth control failed. Anderson talked about her options with her partner at the time, as well as her parents, and decided to terminate the pregnancy. Navigating the states mandatory two-week waiting period was difficult, she recalled, but federal abortion rights ultimately protected her ability to choose an abortion. Anderson went on to have three daughters, and decades later, she credits access to the procedure with paving the way for her future family. Anderson is running for one of the most hotly contested seats in the Virginia legislature this November, and she is making the fate of a constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights in the state a top issue of her campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three years after the Supreme Court decision that ended federal abortion rights, voters in 11 states have approved ballot measures to enshrine reproductive rights in their state constitutions. Voters in Virginia could get a chance to weigh in on their own constitutional amendment next year, but the proposed ballot measure will need a green light from the state legislature first. Jessica Anderson is running for one of the most hotly contested seats in the Virginia legislature this November. (Courtesy of Jessica Anderson) Virginias constitutional amendment process calls for both chambers of the legislature to approve a ballot measure twice with an election separating the two votes before it can go to voters. Democrats won control of the legislature in 2023 and this year approved the measure with no Republican support. Its fate will be decided when the legislature reconvenes in January: If Democrats dont win control of the Virginia House of Delegates, the measure almost certainly wont be on the ballot in 2026. A proposed constitutional amendment that isnt on the ballot yet has become a key election issue in Virginia this cycle, where every House seat is up for grabs and Democrats are defending a three-seat majority.Many of the women running for office are highlighting personal abortion, pregnancy and miscarriage stories to make their case to voters. Anderson is in a rematch against Republican Del. Amanda Batten, who voted against putting the amendment on the ballot in January. The campaign did not respond to a request for comment on her vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During her last campaign, Batten said she believed a 15-week abortion ban proposed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin was a great place to start, and also signed onto a brief led by the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) supporting the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Batten faced Anderson in 2023 and won by fewer than 700 votes. I dont want to live in a state where my daughters rights and access is stripped away, Anderson said. In my particular race, Im making this issue relevant, and there are a lot of parts of Virginia that recognize this is something that we need to protect. Anderson has the backing of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, which is planning to door-knock on behalf of candidates backing abortion rights. Candidates like Batten have the support of Women Speak Out Virginia, which is affiliated with SBA List, and announced last month that it would deploy 100 canvassers to knock on 150,000 doors and urge voters to oppose those running who support the ballot measure. The status of reproductive rights in the state has regional implications given that Virginia is the only state in the South that hasnt restricted access to abortion since Dobbs. With the exception of North Carolina, which bans abortions after 12 weeks, abortions in the rest of the region are limited beyond the first six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia law doesnt restrict abortion through 26 weeks of pregnancy, and the procedure remains legal beyond that to protect patient health with the consent of treating physicians. Virginia is one of the only states with competitive elections this year, and all eyes will be trained on the governors race, a matchup between Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger. Earle-Sears has been vocal about her opposition to abortion, and most recently threw her support behind a 15-week ban. In a 2021 interview, Earle-Sears said she would support a Texas-style six-week ban. Spanberger has made protecting reproductive rights in Virginia a key issue in her campaign, alongside affordability and investment in education. Three years ago, my three daughters, all of a sudden, in one decision, had fewer rights than I did growing up, Spanberger said during a packed campaign event in Charlottesville, Virginia, marking the third anniversary of the Dobbs decision. Virginia has a particular responsibility to stay steady. We will get our constitutional amendment through the General Assembly. It will go to the people in November 2026. On stage, state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, shared her own personal story about access to reproductive health care. Decades earlier, she experienced a miscarriage with twins with complications that put her life and fertility at risk. Ghazala Hashmi, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, meets voters at a polling place in Richmond, Virginia on June 17, 2025. (Max Posner/The Washington Post/Getty Images) Hashmi said in an interview that she had talked about the experience publicly only once before but felt compelled to share it given the impact of abortion restrictions on womens access to reproductive health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are personal stories which we shouldnt have to share publicly, and we shouldnt have to ask the permission of politicians to be making personal decisions for our lives and our families, said Hashmi, adding that given the circumstances, the reproductive rights amendment is actually before us. It is literally on the ballot. Restrictions on abortions have led to fewer health care options for pregnant patients and barriers for health care providers to make sometimes split-second decisions in complicated cases related to pregnancy and miscarriage. Last month, an analysis by ProPublica found that restrictions on abortion in Texas had made first-trimester miscarriages more dangerous for patients: The number of blood transfusions during emergency room visits for miscarriage in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy had increased by 54 percent since the bans went into effect. Virginias proposed constitutional amendment would create a fundamental state right to reproductive freedom. The ballot measure will need the support of a simple majority of voters to become law. These measures have tended to be popular with a majority of voters in nearly every state where they have been voted on, often attracting conservative and independent support and outperforming Democratic candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are also championing two other proposed constitutional amendments that could go before voters next year: one to enshrine marriage equality, erasing the states constitutional ban on same-sex marriage that voters approved in 2006, and another to automatically restore voting rights to people convicted of felonies who have completed their sentences. Like the reproductive rights amendment, both measures have long faced opposition from Republicans, making control of the Virginia House crucial to their chances of earning a place on the ballot. Some of the most competitive Virginia House races feature Democratic women candidates who are talking about their own experiences with abortion or miscarriage to explain their support for abortion rights in the state and, specifically, the proposed constitutional amendment. Im always clear when I speak to voters. Who they elect this year will determine the group of people who decide whether or not the voters get to decide this issue in 2026, said Kimberly Pope Adams, who is running for a House seat in central Virginia. Kimberly Pope Adams is running for a House seat in central Virginia. (Courtesy of The candidate has publicly shared her story of a miscarriage at 12 weeks and said she worries restrictions on abortions would leave women with fewer options for managing their miscarriage, potentially putting them at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 19th wrote about Pope Adams campaign in 2023, when she lost by fewer than 100 votes. That election cycle saw Virginia Republicans coalesce around the proposed 15-week abortion ban that they described as a common sense, consensus limit. Democratic leaders said protecting abortion rights from the threat of an abortion ban was the partys top priority that cycle, and Democrats ended up flipping both legislative chambers in their favor. In addition to backing women candidates like Pope Adams, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia launched a campaign Tuesday called Bros for Repro, focused on five vulnerable House candidates who are men and have championed reproductive rights during their time in the General Assembly. The campaign, the group said, will highlight the need to continue the fight towards a reproductive freedom amendment in Virginia during the upcoming legislative session. The House races, as well as Virginias governors race and other races down ballot,will serve as an important test of the issues motivating voters and Democrats enthusiasm, as well as a referendum on the second Trump administration ahead of the 2026 midterms. Anderson said the fight for abortion rights doesnt have the same widespread attention it did when she ran for office in 2023, just a year after the Dobbs decision. With whats happening at the federal level, the kind of the chaos that has been created with this administration, I do think it has unfortunately taken a slight backseat to some of the other immediate concerns people have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, she said, its still on many voters minds. Anderson said the proposed constitutional amendment came up during a recent town hall, which gave her an opportunity to clarify the process for voters in the room, and explain what is at stake this election. One of the things Im saying a lot is that I am not, as someone who wants to be a delegate, going to vote to enshrine anything that is not my power as a delegate. My power as a delegate is to give you the ability to enshrine it as the people, Anderson said, to empower Virginians to decide whether or not this is something they feel is worthy of protecting at the state level. The post Abortion policy in Virginia isnt settled: Why this years election is key appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. Protesters gather in Lansing for a June 24, 2022 rally against the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. | Photo by Andrew Roth This story was originally reported by Shefali Luthra of The 19th. Meet Shefali and read more of her reporting on gender, politics and policy. A new federal law that would defund Planned Parenthood could gut the system people have used to obtain abortions since the fall of Roe v. Wade, disproportionately closing the clinics in states that have become abortion havens for people living under bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Backed by President Donald Trump, the spending law prohibits reproductive health clinics from billing services to Medicaid if they provide or are part of health networks that perform abortions, are nonprofits and receive over $800,000 per year from the federal government. Although that part of the law is blocked for now, Planned Parenthood is gearing up for major financial losses that, unless new funds emerge, could shutter health centers across the country, particularly in states where abortion is legal and Medicaid programs more robust. The move has been framed by politicians across the spectrum, anti-abortion activists and reproductive health providers alike, as an effort to eliminate a major source of funding for Planned Parenthood, specifically. Abortion opponents have claimed this defunding as their biggest victory since the 2022 Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and end federal abortion rights. Currently, about one-third of all of Planned Parenthoods revenue comes from federal and state funding; Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income Americans, is the biggest single source. Medicaid insures 1 in 5 Americans, and it does not cover abortion unless states allot their own specific funds to do so. But the program remains a major source of income for Planned Parenthood because it covers other services patients might get at clinics such as testing for sexually transmitted infections, breast exams and contraception. If clinics cant bill any of those services to Medicaid, patients covered through the program will have to go elsewhere for health care or simply go without. A federal judge in Massachusetts blocked that part of the law after a legal challenge by Planned Parenthood, which argued it violates the U.S. Constitutions free speech and due process protections. A hearing in the case will take place later this month. But across the country, Planned Parenthood representatives expressed worry that this relief is temporary at best. Many clinics have already stopped accepting Medicaid. Others are continuing to see patients covered by the program, but refraining from submitting those insurance claims for payment. All are making contingency plans in case they are unable to reenter the Medicaid program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many are scrambling to find alternative sources of revenue to stay afloat. Clinics are particularly vulnerable in places where abortion is legal and Medicaid programs receive more state investment. In many of those states such as Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico and New York abortion clinics have seen a dramatic influx in out-of-state patients since the fall of Roe. Clinic closures in those places could force patients to travel even farther for abortions, get care later in pregnancy or drive up what patients have to pay. It could also mean more people stay pregnant. This just feels like this could be another huge shock to the system, said Caitlin Myers, an economist at Middlebury College who has tracked abortion-related travel patterns over the past three years. Last year alone, 155,000 people traveled to another state for an abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a nonpartisan research organization. About 1 in 4 abortion patients in Colorado came from another state. In New Mexico, it was 69 percent. More than 7,000 patients traveled to New York, the fourth-largest state by population, for an abortion last year. Thousands more made the journey to Maryland. Clinic closures would likely create new challenges for those patients, including longer waits and more expensive journeys to find abortions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a lot of states that have received a lot of people traveling from out of state that have become critical, there really is a strain on clinic capacity, said Isaac Maddow-Zimet, a data scientist at Guttmacher who tracks abortion-related travel patterns. Clinics have learned to scale up capacity to serve those patients. If there were a significant number of clinic closures, it would really have an impact on peoples ability to get in-person care. Thats a looming possibility in New York, where the Planned Parenthood affiliate with 23 health centers could lose about $35 million in federal Medicaid dollars. Thats about a third of the $103 million in operating revenue it reported last year. Organization leaders are hoping the state government could step in but if not, most of the affiliates clinics could shut down, said Robin Chappelle Golston, who heads Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, the organizations advocacy arm. That wouldnt just affect New Yorkers, she said. Clinics in the state see patients from numerous other states, including hundreds from Texas and thousands from Florida last year. Its just going to make it harder for people to get the care they need. We will have to reduce services and put a burden on other providers, she said. You clog up the whole system, where people arent able to get care in the time they need it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountain, which operates clinics in New Mexico and Colorado, is already turning away patients covered by Medicaid. Medicaid covers about a fourth of their patients in each state. Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountain has been around for over 100 years. Were not going to go away, said Jack Teter, the organizations vice president of government affairs. We need our state legislatures to step in. In the immediate future, he said, the organization may actually have more availability to see out-of-state abortion patients: there are slots now that would otherwise have gone to people covered by Medicaid, who can no longer get treatment. But he wouldnt say if the organization might have to scale back if New Mexico and Colorado, which are both fully governed by Democrats, dont or cant replace those federal funds. These are safe haven states with strong reproductive health care access supporting trifecta governments. If they cant find 3 or 4 million dollars to replace the loss of federal funding, thats embarrassing, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While its still not clear how many clinics might close across the country, the consequences could be vast, making the journeys patients must make to travel for care already hundreds or in some cases thousands of miles too arduous to complete. With that, more people may be forced to stay pregnant. One study, published this June in the American Journal of Public Health, found that the average travel time for an abortion after states began putting near-total bans in place jumped from 2.8 hours to 11.3. And 17 percent of people traveling for an abortion had their procedure at 13 weeks of pregnancy or later, compared to only 8 percent before the end of Roe, a development the researchers attributed to the greater challenges they faced in finding care. Already, patients crossing state lines for care have had to navigate increasing delays in getting abortions, in part because traveling hundreds of miles for an appointment involves logistics: finding child care, taking time off work or raising the funds necessary to finance a trip. Planned Parenthood Illinois, which receives about $4 million per year in Medicaid funds, does not immediately anticipate many of its clinics closing, said Tonya Tucker, the organizations interim CEO. But, she added, clinic closures in other states could mean even more patients traveling to Illinois resulting in longer wait times and care that comes later in pregnancy, thus costing more. Already, abortion providers there saw more than 35,000 out-of-state patients last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have an expectation that people may have to travel farther distances, and how we prepare for that is really important, said Megan Jeyifo, who runs the Chicago Abortion Fund, one of the largest such funds in the country. If the safety net is going to continue to shrink in this country and people have less resources, that will mean our costs go up. In Illinois, she said, abortion providers and reproductive rights activists are brainstorming ways to undercut potential clinic losses. That could mean expanding the capacity of independent clinics, which already provide a large share of abortions, recruiting more health care providers or leaning on options such as telehealth, which does not require travel and is far cheaper than in-clinic abortion. About 1 in 4 abortions are already performed through telehealth, with half of abortion provided for people who live in states with bans and who receive abortion pills from providers in other states. But building out those alternatives will require time and resources. Separate from their efforts to cut funding for physical clinics, abortion opponents have been pressing for federal restrictions on abortion medication, including a national ban on telehealth. As peoples options get more and more constrained you never know what that one additional obstacle is going to be that says someone is not able to obtain an abortion, Maddow-Zimet said. A new Italian restaurant led by James Beard-nominated chef Sam Hart is ready to open its doors in Uptown Charlotte. ASO READ: Developer eyes Uptown office upgrade with rooftop terrace and dining space Spaghett opened July 11 within a historic Fourth Ward property at West 10th and North Poplar streets, formerly occupied by Poplar Tapas. It is billed as a neighborhood craft pasta and cocktail house. Harts Irreverently Refined Hospitality is behind the restaurant. Hart, nominated for a James Beard Award in 2023, also operates Counter- in west Charlotte and has a food stall called Maneki in the works at Uptowns The Alley at Latta Arcade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hart has teamed up on Spaghett with Kendall Moore to serve as executive chef and Amanda Britton as the beverage director. The restaurant will showcase Carolinian cuisine through an Italian lens in an approachable, yet elevated dining atmosphere, according to a news release. Read more here. VIDEO: Nowhere to go: Owner asks for communitys help after her restaurant catches fire, closes Accused assassin Vance Boelter reportedly denies Trump, pro-life motivations originally appeared on Bring Me The News. The man charged in a plot to kill Minnesota Democratic lawmakers claims that he wasn't motivated by his support for President Donald Trump or his own views on abortion. Vance Boelter reportedly told the New York Post last week that he's pro-life and a supporter of Trump, but he maintained that neither were behind the assassinations of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You are fishing and I cant talk about my caseIll say it didnt involve either the Trump stuff or pro life, Boelter allegedly wrote using Sherburne County Jail's internal messaging system, the Post reports. "I will just say there is a lot of information that will come out in future that people will look at and judge for themselves that goes back 24 months before the 14th." Boelter is accused of killing the Hortmans and attempting to kill state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, on June 14. He also allegedly went to the homes of two other DFL state lawmakers in between the two shootings. Boelter is accused of disguising himself as a law enforcement officer when carrying out the shootings, with a list of names, and in some cases addresses, of dozens of purported targets most of them Democrats found in several locations in the wake of the shootings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's also been reported that the list contained the names of abortion clinics and providers, as well as abortion rights activists. His housemate previously told local media that Boelter had extremely strong anti-abortion views. Vance BoelterHennepin County Jail During one of two 20-minute video calls with the Post on Friday, Boelter said certain contents haven't been shared of a handwritten letter recovered from an abandoned vehicle near his home in Green Isle, Minn. Can I ask what you heard as an outside person about the note that the alleged person Ill say alleged person left in that car, did you hear anything about that?" Certain details of that letter were leaked out that probably painted one kind of a picture, but a lot more important details that were in that letter were not leaked out, he said during one of two video calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter has not been released to the public, but the Minnesota Star Tribune has previously reported that in it Boelter claims he was secretly trained by the U.S. military and was instructed by Gov. Tim Walz to kill U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar so he could run for her seat. The newspaper says the letter has been described as "rambling, incoherent, confusing and hard to read." Prosecutors in Hennepin County says they have "seen no evidence that the allegations regarding Governor Walz are based in fact." Boelter didn't share specifics with the Post but said the unknown details relate to "things that were going on in Minnesota." I also made sure when I was arrested that they secured that letter I made the request that they secure that letter before it gets destroyed because I was concerned somebody would destroy it, Boelter told the Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boelter refused to talk about Walz during the interviews, beyond briefly questioning whether the governor will allow unknown information to come to light. Related: Judge decides Vance Boelter will remain jailed until federal trial When he last appeared in court on July 3, Boelter said he's "looking forward" to his upcoming federal trial so "the truth and the facts" surrounding the shootings can be revealed. Boelter is being held at the Sherburne County Jail in Elk River. He faces state and federal murder charges, but hasn't yet entered a plea. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared. Arab-Jewish stage actor Ariel Stachel told MSNBC on Monday that Democratic New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani hasnt done enough to push back on antisemitism from his base and in the city. As an Arab Jew with an Israeli father, Stachel told MSNBC host Katy Tur that he now feels "uncomfortable" revealing his ethnicity in public. Though he agreed with Tur that Mamdani had not explicitly condoned antisemitism, Stachel believes that the democratic socialist candidate hasnt properly condemned it yet. "I think it hasnt been enough, because I think that theres a sense that there are people in his base who really are antisemitic," Stachel said. "And I think that theres been a sense that he hasnt been as vehemently denouncing their statements." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tony award-winning actor described a recent example of feeling scared to reveal his own background to a Palestinian woman at a bodega. Democratic Lawmaker Slams Mamdani, Says Party Should Have 'Zero Patience' For 'Intifada' Rhetoric Ari'el Stachel said Zohran Mamdani's pushback on antisemitism "hasn't been enough" and offered to help form a Jewish coalition for his campaign. "Antisemitism has become so broad right now that if Im the son of an Israeli father who is the son of a Yemeni immigrant, I still become a target in some ways," he said. Read On The Fox News App Despite this, Stachel said he was open to working with Mamdani to create a coalition made up of multicultural Jews to help push back on antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His comments came after he made an Instagram video last month, where he urged Mamdani to call out antisemitism specifically and denounce it. "Whats frightening is this, in some circles, antisemitism isnt recognized as hate," Stachel said in the video. "Its framed as justice. Attacks against Jews arent condemned. They are celebrated, seen as a righteous response to a government miles away, which makes it all the more dangerous. Its disguised as virtue. And I know you dont want to lead a city where people feel like that." He continued, "So I have a request: name antisemitism clearly. Not in footnotes, not with caveats, not lumped in with the many other very valid and real hate crimes in our city, but named as its own pain and its own danger. And I want you to have the courage to denounce explicitly any of your supporters who are blatantly antisemitic, because we cannot live in a New York that is like that." Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdanis campaign for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dave Rubin Warns Jews To 'Get The Hell Out' Of Nyc If Mamdani Becomes Mayor Mamdani has been accused of promoting or excusing antisemitism throughout his campaign. Mamdani has faced accusations of antisemitism throughout his campaign. In several instances, he refused to denounce the phrase "globalize the intifada" despite its violent connotations against Israelis and Jews worldwide. He has also refused to recognize Israels right to exist as a Jewish state and has instead argued it had a right to exist "as a state with equal rights." Original article source: Actor says Mamdani not doing enough to address antisemitism, feels 'uncomfortable' admitting he's Jewish RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WVNS) A former correctional officer at Southern Regional Jail was sentenced for federal civil rights charges relating to the death of an inmate at SRJ. According to a press release from the United States Department of Justice, 22-year-old Andrew Fleshman was sentenced on Monday, July 14, 2025 to eight years and four months in prison for his role in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022 at Southern Regional Jail in the Beaver area of Raleigh County. Two additional former correctional officers sentenced for civil rights crimes in case involving death of SRJ inmate Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press release stated that according to Fleshmans plea agreement, he responded to an officer assistance call after Q.B. reportedly attempted to get past another correctional officer to leave his pod. The press release stated that Burks was handcuffed and restrained before correctional officers took him to an interview room where he was allegedly hit and injured while handcuffed, restrained, and posed no threat to anyone. According to the press release, Fleshman also revealed that he and other members of the conspiracy reportedly hit and injured Q.B. as a way to punish him for trying to leave his pod. The United States Department of Justices press release stated that on November 2, 2023, Fleshman pleaded guilty to the crime, and additional former correctional officers also pleaded guilty and were sentenced for their involvement in the incident. Two former correctional officers sentenced for civil rights crimes in case involving death of SRJ inmate Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the press release, other former corrections officers and a former Lieutenant at the SRJ who were sentenced include Steven Nicholas Wimmer, Mark Holdren, Corey Snyder, Johnathan Walters, Ashley Toney, Jacob Boothe, and Chad Lester. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. The case was investigated by the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. UNITED NATIONS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians said Tuesday they are gravely concerned by escalating fighting in Sudan, mainly attacks in North Kordofan State. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said attacks from Thursday through Sunday on villages near Bara in North Kordofan reportedly killed at least 300 people, including children and pregnant women. Many more were injured, with homes looted and burned, and people displaced. OCHA said disrupted communication links are hindering efforts to confirm the number of casualties. The office also said it was alarmed by reports of renewed shelling in El-Obeid, the state capital. The attack is deepening fears and insecurity. OCHA said that in West Kordofan State, assaults on the villages of Al-Fulah and Abu Zabad reportedly killed more than 20 people. The violence included an airstrike on a school sheltering displaced families. Humanitarian operations were also affected. "These incidents are yet another tragic reminder of the relentless toll the conflict is taking on civilians across Sudan," the office said. OCHA emphasized that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools, homes, shelters and humanitarian assets, must never be targeted, and called on all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law fully. The humanitarians said that people fleeing North Kordofan and the El Fasher siege in North Darfur State head into other parts of the country, including Northern State, in search of safety. OCHA said that its humanitarian partners in Northern State reported that more than 3,000 displaced people have arrived in the Ad-Dabbah locality since June. While some have received food assistance, the steady influx of newly displaced families is putting more pressure on already stretched resources. Humanitarians warn that the rainy season is bringing further hardship. OCHA said that in eastern Sudan, heavy rain and strong winds on Sunday destroyed or damaged shelters and food supplies for about 2,700 displaced people at two sites in Gedaref. A rapid assessment conducted by OCHA and its partners on Monday found that most of the affected families wish to return to their areas of origin but need support to do so. The office said the International Organization for Migration reported that across Sudan, more than 1.3 million people have returned to their home areas since November 2024. The vast majority returned to the states of Aj Jazirah, Sennar and Khartoum, but they face worsening living conditions and shortages of basic services. OCHA continues to appeal for urgent and increased support to reach millions of vulnerable people across Sudan, noting that this year's Sudan humanitarian response plan is only 23 percent funded. An islander who took on a three-week fundraising challenge for ADHD Jersey is asking people to re-send their donations, after an administrative error refunded all the money. Will Crawford, who calls himself 'Bare Wills', slept outside for 21 days in May for the charity, raising more than 2,300. He was recovering on holiday when he received news that his supporters had been refunded their donation amount because he had forgotten to link his bank details to the fundraising page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ADHD Jersey was intending to use the money to fund its teenage wellbeing programme, but have so far only been able to retrieve 650, due to people re-sending their donations. Mr Crawford said the error made is typical of how ADHD can present itself. "It's just the diversity of my ADHD, I've got two Facebooks, two Instagrams, two emails I just don't know how I missed it," he said. "We have had some funds given back but I feel like people haven't seen it come back into their accounts, so don't know about what has happened." 'We are down to bare bones' Rachel Boss, chief executive of ADHD Jersey, said retrieving the money back is vital for the charity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This could have happened to any one of us," she said of the mistake. "We've got nearly 700 back so far. If we do get the rest of it back that would be absolutely phenomenal. "We are self-funded at the moment, so it's people like Will doing fundraisers like this who are keeping things going - and we are down to bare bones at the moment. "Any funding that we get goes directly back to the people with ADHD Jersey. We're launching a teenage wellbeing programme and we need to continue running our STEPS programme." Mr Crawford has created a new fundraising page for the donations. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. The Raccoon River weaves past downtown Des Moines, Iowa, in June. One of the primary drinking water sources for the region, the river has high nitrate levels that have led to water restrictions for some 600,000 customers. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) For nearly a month, hundreds of thousands of Iowans have not been allowed to water their lawns even though theres no drought. Local authorities previously asked the public to refrain from washing cars and filling pools. And some cities turned off splash pads in the height of summer heat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While such measures are common during dry periods, theres no shortage of water: Rather, the water in and around Des Moines contains too much nitrate, a natural component of soil and a byproduct of commercial fertilizer and livestock manure. Persistent rainfall has flushed nutrients out of fertilized fields into streams and rivers. While the water bans are temporary, theyre the starkest sign yet of the states long-brewing struggle with high nitrate levels in streams and rivers that supply drinking water. Its a big deal: the first time ever that lawn watering has been banned, said Tami Madsen, executive director of Central Iowa Water Works, a regional water authority serving 600,000 people. Federal law limits nitrate levels in drinking water because of its association with infant asphyxia, also known as blue baby syndrome. And a growing body of research has found links between nitrate consumption and cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Iowas problems are uniquely severe, nitrate levels are a rising concern in other regions, from California to the Chesapeake Bay. And climate change is expected to worsen the problem as more intense cycles of drought and severe storms increase farm runoff. Iowas concentration of fertilized row crops and massive livestock confinements that produce tons of nitrogen-rich manure have caused concerns over increased nitrate levels for years. And the states unique underground system of farm drainage pipes quickly pumps nitrate and other nutrients into streams and rivers. The water system serving the Des Moines metro area has invested heavily in nitrate filtration and removal equipment. The primary facility in Des Moines, one of the largest nitrate removal systems in the world, costs $16,000 per day to operate, Madsen said. Im confident in our ability to continue to provide safe drinking water, Madsen said. Its just going to be at what cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More frequent and extreme storms because of climate change will heighten the problems nationwide, said Rebecca Logsdon Muenich, an associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering at the University of Arkansas. Because nitrogen travels with water, nitrate levels are especially hard to control during times of severe weather. Muenich said farm conservation practices such as establishing wetlands and landscape buffers can help keep nitrogen out of water supplies. But the growth of the livestock industry, availability of cheap crop fertilizer and lack of regulation over nitrogen application make nitrate levels hard to control. Weve kind of put ourselves in a bind unless we start investing in better technologies or more conservation, she said. The role of agriculture As hundreds of thousands of residents were being asked to conserve water last month, a group of 16 experts released a years-in-the-making report analyzing the quality of the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers, the main sources of drinking water for the Des Moines region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers found that central Iowa rivers have some of the nations highest nitrate levels, routinely exceeding the federal drinking water standard. While some pollutants are naturally occurring, the researchers concluded that most of the nitrogen in the two rivers comes from farmland. Commissioned in 2023 by Polk County, the states most populous county and home to Des Moines, the report underscored the connection between industrial agriculture and water quality. Central Iowa rivers have some of the nations highest nitrate levels. Larry Weber, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Iowa who worked on the report, said Iowas problem spreads to other areas: Iowa waterways export hundreds of millions of pounds of nitrogen per year, much of it flowing into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexicos dead zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said water restrictions may become more common as more cities confront high nitrate levels. This is happening more frequently and its going to continue to happen more frequently, he said. Weber said individual farmers arent necessarily to blame for the crisis. Theyre doing their best to survive market demands and operate within federal farm policy. But he said the broader industry and the state could do more to invest in conservation methods to prevent pollution. He noted that Iowa lawmakers in 2023 cut $500,000 for a water quality monitoring network across the state. While the Iowa Nutrient Research Center received a short-term grant to stay open, Weber said next year it will shut down 75 sensors that measure nitrate and other pollutants in state waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agricultural system doesnt want this unfortunately difficult information to be made available, he said. A spokesperson for the Iowa Farm Bureau referred questions to the state agriculture department. In a statement to Stateline, Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, a Republican, said many Iowa groups are working on conservation and infrastructure projects to improve water quality. Were not interested in stoking animosity between rural and urban neighbors, the statement said. Agriculture, conservation, recreation, urban and rural development, and business growth can and must co-exist in Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a lengthy social media post last month, Naig said nitrate levels were primarily driven by weather and stream flows. The secretary said advances in farming practices can help farmers apply fertilizer more efficiently and touted efforts such as new wetlands and structures that reduce stream erosion. But he said the fast-growing Des Moines area also needed to examine its investments in water treatment infrastructure to meet future needs. The blame game is unproductive, he wrote. On Tuesday, Naigs department announced a $1.9 million water quality project upstream of Des Moines. That project will install landscape buffers and bioreactors to help reduce runoff of nitrate and other nutrients. The department is contributing $244,000 of that money. Matt McCoy, chair of the Polk County Board of Supervisors, said that local government is trying to work with landowners and farmers to prevent water pollution. The county has spent millions on projects to seed cover crops and plant vegetative buffers between fields and waterways to prevent runoff of pollutants, including nitrogen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think we want to disparage agriculture and farming because its such a big part of who we are as a state, McCoy said. A former Democratic state lawmaker, McCoy said the recent water restrictions and daily news reports on nitrate levels in local rivers have elevated public awareness of water quality concerns. There are conversations that I know are happening now that were not happening prior to the restrictions, he said. Citizen action The water restrictions in Iowa sparked an influx of interest from locals in the Izaak Walton League of Americas Nitrate Watch program, which provides volunteers with nitrate test kits and maps the results from across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heather Wilson, the leagues Midwest Save Our Streams coordinator, said the nonprofit environmental organization received more than 300 inquiries from Iowans during a single week in June. For comparison, the organization received about 500 inquiries from across the nation during the first six months of the year. I feel like Im meticulously documenting the death of my home and nobody else gives a rip. Northeast Iowa retired science teacher Birgitta Meade While the problems in the Des Moines area are severe, she said, volunteers are recording rising nitrate levels across the state. The project gives people who can often feel helpless an active way to contribute to the understanding of nitrate pollution. Its really empowering to be able to put resources in peoples hands so that they can measure the waterways that they personally care about, she said. Retired science teacher Birgitta Meade has been testing nitrates around her rural northeast Iowa home for years both as classroom instruction and for Nitrate Watch. Theyre higher than I have ever tested at any prior point, she said. I feel like Im meticulously documenting the death of my home and nobody else gives a rip. Meade said shes considering investing in a reverse osmosis system to remove nitrates from her homes private well. Though her nitrate levels are below the federal drinking water standard, she pointed to the growing body of research linking cancer with consumption of nitrate even at lower levels. Meade acknowledged the pressures facing farmers, but she said she grows frustrated every time she drives past giant storage containers full of fertilizer and other farm chemicals. These are people who are choosing to poison their neighbors, she said. And this is just untenable. Small towns struggle Climate change will only intensify nitrogen pollution, said Thomas Harter, a professor and water researcher at the University of California, Davis. Last year, he worked on research that found drought and heavy rains accelerate the speed of nitrogen absorption into groundwater. In some parts of Californias Central Valley, nearly a third of drinking and irrigation wells exceed federal nitrogen standards. We are ever more productive on the grower side, and that means more fertilizer being used and more fertilizer being lost to groundwater and to streams, Harter said. Thats particularly challenging for drinking water systems serving small population bases. It gets really expensive for really small systems and its also a lot of maintenance, he said. Thats a reality currently facing Pratt, Kansas, a community of about 6,500 people, where some wells have recorded nitrate levels above the federal standard. City Manager Regina Goff said nitrate levels are pushing the communitys pursuit of a new water treatment facility thats expected to cost upward of $45 million. The citys proposed 2025 budget totaled about $35.7 million. Goff said the city is exploring financing options, including potential grants. But she said its frustrating for the town to spend so much to meet regulatory standards for safe drinking water, which she characterized as an unfunded mandate. Currently, nearly a quarter of the citys groundwater supply is unavailable because of high nitrate levels. But the city must notify residents of high nitrate levels even in wells that are not pumping. It causes a panic, Goff said. Thats been a hard pill for us to swallow as a city that we have to alarm our population even though we know theres no possibility of harm. Editors note: This story has been updated to correct the name of the Izaak Walton League of America. Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@stateline.org. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. The Raccoon River weaves past downtown Des Moines, Iowa, in June. One of the primary drinking water sources for the region, the river has high nitrate levels that have led to water restrictions for some 600,000 customers. (Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) For nearly a month, hundreds of thousands of Iowans have not been allowed to water their lawns even though theres no drought. Local authorities previously asked the public to refrain from washing cars and filling pools. And some cities turned off splash pads in the height of summer heat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While such measures are common during dry periods, theres no shortage of water: Rather, the water in and around Des Moines contains too much nitrate, a natural component of soil and a byproduct of commercial fertilizer and livestock manure. Persistent rainfall has flushed nutrients out of fertilized fields into streams and rivers. While the water bans are temporary, theyre the starkest sign yet of the states long-brewing struggle with high nitrate levels in streams and rivers that supply drinking water. Its a big deal: the first time ever that lawn watering has been banned, said Tami Madsen, executive director of Central Iowa Water Works, a regional water authority serving 600,000 people. Federal law limits nitrate levels in drinking water because of its association with infant asphyxia, also known as blue baby syndrome. And a growing body of research has found links between nitrate consumption and cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Iowas problems are uniquely severe, nitrate levels are a rising concern in other regions, from California to the Chesapeake Bay. And climate change is expected to worsen the problem as more intense cycles of drought and severe storms increase farm runoff. Iowas concentration of fertilized row crops and massive livestock confinements that produce tons of nitrogen-rich manure have caused concerns over increased nitrate levels for years. And the states unique underground system of farm drainage pipes quickly pumps nitrate and other nutrients into streams and rivers. The water system serving the Des Moines metro area has invested heavily in nitrate filtration and removal equipment. The primary facility in Des Moines, one of the largest nitrate removal systems in the world, costs $16,000 per day to operate, Madsen said. Im confident in our ability to continue to provide safe drinking water, Madsen said. Its just going to be at what cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More frequent and extreme storms because of climate change will heighten the problems nationwide, said Rebecca Logsdon Muenich, an associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering at the University of Arkansas. Because nitrogen travels with water, nitrate levels are especially hard to control during times of severe weather. Muenich said farm conservation practices such as establishing wetlands and landscape buffers can help keep nitrogen out of water supplies. But the growth of the livestock industry, availability of cheap crop fertilizer and lack of regulation over nitrogen application make nitrate levels hard to control. Weve kind of put ourselves in a bind unless we start investing in better technologies or more conservation, she said. The role of agriculture As hundreds of thousands of residents were being asked to conserve water last month, a group of 16 experts released a years-in-the-making report analyzing the quality of the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers, the main sources of drinking water for the Des Moines region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers found that central Iowa rivers have some of the nations highest nitrate levels, routinely exceeding the federal drinking water standard. While some pollutants are naturally occurring, the researchers concluded that most of the nitrogen in the two rivers comes from farmland. Commissioned in 2023 by Polk County, the states most populous county and home to Des Moines, the report underscored the connection between industrial agriculture and water quality. Central Iowa rivers have some of the nations highest nitrate levels. Larry Weber, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Iowa who worked on the report, said Iowas problem spreads to other areas: Iowa waterways export hundreds of millions of pounds of nitrogen per year, much of it flowing into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexicos dead zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said water restrictions may become more common as more cities confront high nitrate levels. This is happening more frequently and its going to continue to happen more frequently, he said. Weber said individual farmers arent necessarily to blame for the crisis. Theyre doing their best to survive market demands and operate within federal farm policy. But he said the broader industry and the state could do more to invest in conservation methods to prevent pollution. He noted that Iowa lawmakers in 2023 cut $500,000 for a water quality monitoring network across the state. While the Iowa Nutrient Research Center received a short-term grant to stay open, Weber said next year it will shut down 75 sensors that measure nitrate and other pollutants in state waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agricultural system doesnt want this unfortunately difficult information to be made available, he said. A spokesperson for the Iowa Farm Bureau referred questions to the state agriculture department. In a statement to Stateline, Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, a Republican, said many Iowa groups are working on conservation and infrastructure projects to improve water quality. Were not interested in stoking animosity between rural and urban neighbors, the statement said. Agriculture, conservation, recreation, urban and rural development, and business growth can and must co-exist in Iowa. In a lengthy social media post last month, Naig said nitrate levels were primarily driven by weather and stream flows. The secretary said advances in farming practices can help farmers apply fertilizer more efficiently and touted efforts such as new wetlands and structures that reduce stream erosion. But he said the fast-growing Des Moines area also needed to examine its investments in water treatment infrastructure to meet future needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blame game is unproductive, he wrote. On Tuesday, Naigs department announced a $1.9 million water quality project upstream of Des Moines. That project will install landscape buffers and bioreactors to help reduce runoff of nitrate and other nutrients. The department is contributing $244,000 of that money. Matt McCoy, chair of the Polk County Board of Supervisors, said that local government is trying to work with landowners and farmers to prevent water pollution. The county has spent millions on projects to seed cover crops and plant vegetative buffers between fields and waterways to prevent runoff of pollutants, including nitrogen. I dont think we want to disparage agriculture and farming because its such a big part of who we are as a state, McCoy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former Democratic state lawmaker, McCoy said the recent water restrictions and daily news reports on nitrate levels in local rivers have elevated public awareness of water quality concerns. There are conversations that I know are happening now that were not happening prior to the restrictions, he said. Citizen action The water restrictions in Iowa sparked an influx of interest from locals in the Izaak Walton League of Americas Nitrate Watch program, which provides volunteers with nitrate test kits and maps the results from across the country. Heather Wilson, the leagues Midwest Save Our Streams coordinator, said the nonprofit environmental organization received more than 300 inquiries from Iowans during a single week in June. For comparison, the organization received about 500 inquiries from across the nation during the first six months of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like Im meticulously documenting the death of my home and nobody else gives a rip. Northeast Iowa retired science teacher Birgitta Meade While the problems in the Des Moines area are severe, she said, volunteers are recording rising nitrate levels across the state. The project gives people who can often feel helpless an active way to contribute to the understanding of nitrate pollution. Its really empowering to be able to put resources in peoples hands so that they can measure the waterways that they personally care about, she said. Retired science teacher Birgitta Meade has been testing nitrates around her rural northeast Iowa home for years both as classroom instruction and for Nitrate Watch. Theyre higher than I have ever tested at any prior point, she said. I feel like Im meticulously documenting the death of my home and nobody else gives a rip. Meade said shes considering investing in a reverse osmosis system to remove nitrates from her homes private well. Though her nitrate levels are below the federal drinking water standard, she pointed to the growing body of research linking cancer with consumption of nitrate even at lower levels. Meade acknowledged the pressures facing farmers, but she said she grows frustrated every time she drives past giant storage containers full of fertilizer and other farm chemicals. These are people who are choosing to poison their neighbors, she said. And this is just untenable. Small towns struggle Climate change will only intensify nitrogen pollution, said Thomas Harter, a professor and water researcher at the University of California, Davis. Last year, he worked on research that found drought and heavy rains accelerate the speed of nitrogen absorption into groundwater. In some parts of Californias Central Valley, nearly a third of drinking and irrigation wells exceed federal nitrogen standards. We are ever more productive on the grower side, and that means more fertilizer being used and more fertilizer being lost to groundwater and to streams, Harter said. Thats particularly challenging for drinking water systems serving small population bases. It gets really expensive for really small systems and its also a lot of maintenance, he said. Thats a reality currently facing Pratt, Kansas, a community of about 6,500 people, where some wells have recorded nitrate levels above the federal standard. City Manager Regina Goff said nitrate levels are pushing the communitys pursuit of a new water treatment facility thats expected to cost upward of $45 million. The citys proposed 2025 budget totaled about $35.7 million. Goff said the city is exploring financing options, including potential grants. But she said its frustrating for the town to spend so much to meet regulatory standards for safe drinking water, which she characterized as an unfunded mandate. Currently, nearly a quarter of the citys groundwater supply is unavailable because of high nitrate levels. But the city must notify residents of high nitrate levels even in wells that are not pumping. It causes a panic, Goff said. Thats been a hard pill for us to swallow as a city that we have to alarm our population even though we know theres no possibility of harm. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Rep. Neil Friske | House GOP photo The Michigan Department of Attorney General is still investigating the incident that saw former Republican Rep. Neil Friske of Charlevoix arrested but not charged for a potential firearm offense and allegations of sexual assault. A spokesperson for the attorney generals office said the case was still ongoing and that the department could not speculate on a timeline for further updates or a decision on charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case has been pending for nearly a year, and Friske has disappeared from public life after he lost his 2024 primary against current Rep. Parker Fairbairn (R-Harbor Springs). Lansing police arrested Friske around 2:45 a.m. on June 20, 2024, on a report of a male with a gun and shots fired. A Michigan Department of State Police database showed felony warrants requested for Friske the next day on Friday, June 21, 2024. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX It was unclear initially whether Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane would press charges, and Friske was released from jail the afternoon following his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His attorney, Edward Zeineh, said then that the facts would vindicate his client. Friske also issued a public statement on June 24, 2024, and denied any wrongdoing. It was later revealed that Lansing police had requested Dewane to issue warrants charging Friske for felony sexual assault, felony assault and a felony weapons offense. Dewane asked police to continue its investigation before he made a decision, and in September 2024, Dewane forwarded the investigation, and the decision on whether to charge Friske, to the attorney generals office. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is co-leading a coalition of attorneys general from across the nation in sending a letter to Congress, urging them to prohibit federal immigration agents from wearing masks and requiring them to identify themselves. The Michigan Department of Attorney General reports that in the letter, the coalition expressed concern over escalating incidents involving masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. These officers may be dressed in plainclothes and driving unmarked vehicles, detaining individuals in public and at homes, workplaces, and courthouses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coalition criticizes ICEs conduct, calling it a stark departure from the transparency and accountability long practiced by traditional law enforcement agencies. Normalizing the practice of using masked agents who do not identify themselves is not just a shocking escalation of unscrupulous police tactics it also presents a significant danger for residents and officers alike, said Nessel in a news release sent to 6 News. It is only a matter of time before an officer is hurt resisting what appears to be a kidnapping, or before bad actors start simulating this behavior to apprehend whomever they want. The coalition says that without clear identification, people may not recognize the agents as federal officers, which could lead some to intervene, potentially causing a dangerous situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department also says that these current tactics explicitly violate Michigan law. Under Michigans resisting and obstructing statute, a person is only guilty of a crime if they knew, or had reason to know, that the individual issuing a command was a police officer. Additionally, officers executing home search warrants are typically required to announce their presence to prevent escalation and ensure the safety of the parties involved. That coalition says that widespread, unchecked use of masks and plainclothes enforcement undermines democratic principles, erodes public trust, and invites civil rights abuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, they do acknowledge that limited protective measures may be appropriate for federal agents in certain situations. Attorney General Nessel is joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington in sending the letter. Letter-re-ICE-Mask-LegislationDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. MIDVALE, Utah (ABC4) The Utah plastic surgeon previously charged with destroying COVID-19 vaccines and giving fake vaccination cards is speaking out now that the charges against him have been dropped. On July 12, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi dropped the charges against Dr. Kirk Moore, who was charged conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to convert, sell, convey, and dispose of government property, among other charges. Dr. Moore was accused of running a scheme that destroyed thousands of dollars worth of COVID-19 vaccines, sold fake vaccination cards, and injected minor patients with saline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi posted on X, Dr. Moore gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so. He did not deserve the years in prison he was facing. It ends today. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: DOJ drops charges on Utah surgeon accused of COVID-19 vaccine scheme The charges were dropped after jury selection began in Dr. Moores trial and a rally was held in support, which several local Utah lawmakers such as House Speaker Mike Schultz attended. Jason Preston organized the rally. We had over 100 people show up at the courthouse before 8 am on Monday morning, and we had doctors speak and many people in the community speak about Dr. Moore and the case, so the community would know what was going on in their backyard, Preston told ABC4.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its kind of surreal, Dr. Moore said about the charges being dropped. I think its a precedent-setting case, I dont think the DOJ has ever dropped a case in the middle of trial, and not only that, in the middle of the prosecutions case. He said that hes not sure why the charges were dropped. Id like to think that they realized that this was a mistake, and that they didnt have any evidence that we were doing anything wrong, essentially, he stated. I dont know that thats true, but I dont think they would have proceeded if they thought that wasnt true. Dr. Moore said that when President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January, he fully expected the charges against him to be dropped, but they werent. He said that he thinks the charges were dropped now because politicians like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rep. Thomas Massie, and Sen. Mike Lee were putting pressure on AG Bondi to drop the case. Dr. Moore admitted to much of what he was accused of doing, but he said that the DOJ accused him of violating the law, and there was no law. He said it was just a CDC edict, which is not legally binding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that he did give out vaccination cards to patients without administering the vaccine, and he also gave saline shots to patients instead of the vaccine. PREVIOUSLY: Utahs House Speaker rallies to support Utah doctor federally charged in COVID-19 vaccine scheme I didnt advertise anything. I didnt make anybody come in. It was all word of mouth, he explained. It was all their you know, based on their desire, because theyd done their own research and so they were just looking for somebody that agreed with them. He added that he did give out saline shots to minors, but only with the parents permission, and usually at their request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To kids under the age of 16, we didnt want them to kind of feel left out from the standpoint of their other kids and friends at school, like if their other kids were like hey, I got a shot, my arm hurts,' he said. According to Dr. Moore, sometimes, parents would get a saline shot too if they were in the room with their kids, to show that everyone was getting the same shot. He stated that he did not destroy any government property, because as far as he was concerned, as soon as the vaccines were delivered to him, they were no longer federal property. He also stated that he only destroyed the vaccines after they expired, as he was instructed to do. Dr. Moore said that hes continued to practice throughout the case, and he will continue to practice. He never lost his medical license. He also shared that he will be meeting with AG Bondi on Wednesday, and then after that, Im just gonna kind of continue with life as normal and continue to take care of my patients, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Utah plastic surgeon allegedly destroyed vaccines, gave fake shots to children He went on to state that he believes COVID was fake and nothing but a lie, and he claimed that the vaccine was not actually a vaccine, and that all it does is give patients a reaction. COVID-19 was not a lie. In Utah alone, over 1 million cases have been reported, and 5,455 Utahns died of COVID. In the last 28 days, according to the World Health Organization, 1,001 people across the world have died of COVID. Globally, a total number of 7,097,851 people died from COVID since 2020, according to the WHO. The COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be effective to teach the body to recognize and protect us from the virus, according to the CDC. The CDC approved these vaccines because they went three phases of clinical trials, involving tens of thousands of volunteers, and were found to be safe and effective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the COVID-19 vaccine does not completely prevent you from getting the virus like some other vaccines do, the vaccines have been proven to reduce your risk for critical illness, reduce your risk for being hospitalized, reduce your risk of getting so sick that you need to go to urgent care or the ER, and reduce your risk for long COVID, according to the CDC. Dr. Moore said that he doesnt regret any of what he did. I did what was right. I did what my patients wanted. He also said that he didnt stop anyone who wanted to get a vaccine from getting one, but he never gave one to anyone because it is a dangerous injection. Again, the COVID-19 vaccines have been found to be safe and effective, and they drastically reduce your risk of death from a COVID-19 infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would do it again, Dr. Moore concluded. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. CAIRO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Several Middle Eastern countries on Tuesday condemned Israel's military intervention in the clashes in Syria's southern province of Sweida among local Druze armed factions, Bedouin tribes, and the interim government's forces respectively. "We condemn Israel's use of military force to intervene in the recent developments in the south of Syria and emphasize that these attacks must cease immediately," Turkiye's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Ensuring stability and security in Syria serves the interests of the Syrian people first and foremost, as well as those of all neighboring countries and the wider region," the statement said. "Accordingly, the steps taken by the Syrian government to establish security across the country and strengthen its presence should be supported," it said. For its part, Iran's Foreign Ministry expressed its grave concern over the deadly clashes in Syria. In a statement, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei pointed to Israel's continued military "aggressions" against Syria's territorial integrity and its "occupation" of a major part of the Syrian territory. Baghaei called on regional and Muslim countries to make efforts to stop Israel's "law-breaking and crimes, including its unprecedented genocide in Gaza and constant aggressions against Syria and Lebanon." The Israeli actions "constitute a blatant violation of Syria's sovereignty and a threat to regional stability," the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry reaffirms Iraq's unwavering and consistent stance in support of the unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and its categorical rejection of any violations that undermine its sovereignty or endanger the safety and security of its people, read the statement. It also urges all Syrian parties to exercise restraint, prioritize dialogue, and put an end to confrontations and tensions. Earlier on Tuesday, Syria's foreign affairs authorities condemned Israeli airstrikes targeting Syrian forces in Sweida, calling the attacks "a blatant act of aggression." The authorities said in a statement that Israeli warplanes carried out a series of air raids Tuesday morning on security positions inside and around the city of Sweida, resulting in casualties among the interim government's forces and civilians. PLATTSBURGH Plattsburgh International Airport has received over $1.1 million in federal funding to acquire new snow removal equipment. This grant replaces a piece of equipment that is routinely used for snow removal operations and has become increasingly difficult to maintain, Airport Director Chris Kreig said. The FAA funding we receive assists with updating infrastructure, replacing equipment that is at the end of its service life and improves the overall safety and efficiency of airport operations. We appreciate the continued support of Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand in securing FAA funding for the Airport and their ongoing advocacy on behalf of the North Country. The full grant amount for Plattsburgh is $1,110,797. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced the $21,155,843 in federal funding to upgrade airport facilities and equipment at 16 airports across New York state in a news release last week. The federal funding was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administrations Airport Improvement Program and will help fund projects that strengthen safety measures, modernize terminals and enhance passenger experience at New Yorks airports. Keeping our airports in top-notch state is crucial for traveler safety and attracting business and tourism across New York State. Our regional airports are a gateway for commerce, tourism and are vital connectors for residents and visitors. This $21+ million in federal funding will help airports from Long Island to Buffalo reach new heights, Schumer said. As Americans across the country have grown more concerned about aviation safety, Ive fought hard to boost the Airport Improvement Program so our local airports in NY have the resources they need to maintain the highest safety standards. This significant federal investment will help make much-needed improvements so our local economies take off. According to the news release, other North Country airports to receive funding include $156,037 for Lake Placid Airport to reconstruct 1,100 square yards of the existing General Aviation Apron pavement and rehabilitates an additional 5,600 square yards of existing General Aviation Apron pavement; and $270,154 also for Lake Placid Airport to replace existing snow removal equipment. From big cities to rural communities, New Yorks airports are gateways for commerce, tourism, and travel. Its vital that every airport has the resources it needs to provide a safe and comfortable experience for anyone who travels through our state, Gillibrand said. Thats why Im proud to announce more than $21 million for airport projects that will deliver critical safety and infrastructure upgrades while enhancing reliability and comfort. I look forward to seeing the impact these improvements will have and will continue fighting for more federal funding to support the upgrades that airports across the country desperately need. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) From Decatur to Mobile, Alabamians are helping survivors recover from flooding in Texas. Gov. Kay Ivey sent more first responders Saturday, upon the request of the state of Texas, to help. The immediate answer from our cities was yes. It wasnt a question of Were we going? because the answer was yes immediately. said Mountain Brook Fire Chief Chris Mullins. Flash flooding claimed more than 100 lives in Central Texas. Heres what we know about the victims Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire departments from cities like Mountain Brook and Hoover are working to look for survivors on the ground. Mullins said his department stays trained for search and rescue missions. We stay in a current state of readiness, Mullins said. This could have impacted either of our cities, and we wouldve had an immediate response. So when the tone or alarm goes off, we have to be ready. Hoover Fire Chief Clay Bentley agreed. He said these departments have different capabilities, such as rope rescues, handling structural collapses and conducting wilderness search and rescues. Its really an honor and a privilege for our cities to be a part of this program and to be able to be ready to help our neighbor in need, Bentley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birmingham-area firefighters to assist in Texas search and rescue operations Bentley said that need can change from time to time. He said the skillset of these teams are flexible for anything they might walk into. Theres well over 100 people who have been killed from this event. Theres 150 to 200 people still missing, Bentley said. So our goal is to get there hopefully to find survivors and rescue those people if possible. Mullins said to remember these teams in prayer. Our guys are going to see things that youre not supposed to see, and so theyll carry that through an entire career, Mullins said. Some of these guys are young, and so theres things they have to deal with, and those things that are hard to see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivey said in a statement that whether its by boat, rope or air, these teams are trained to get the job done. She stated they are answering the call with skill and heart. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. Tuesdays Top Stories Tuesdays Five Facts [1] Albuquerque home invasion victim scares off accused burglar with gun APD say 40-year-old Michael Salas broke into a home Monday, led police on a car chase, then fled on foot and entered Anthony Nichogis apartment. Nichogi, who is in a wheelchair, says he repeatedly asked Salas to leave. He says he turned and grabbed his gun, got out of the wheelchair and commanded Salas to leave. APD says Salas was found next door on the roof and arrested after a SWAT standoff. [2] APD seeing success fighting crime downtown with Horse Mounted Unit APD says its horse mounted officers are making an impact in combating crime downtown. They say the unit has made 48 arrests so far this year. The unit patrols with four to six horses at a time, each teamed with a specially trained officer. APD says you can expect to see the horse mounted unit at other events around the city, including the upcoming state fair and Balloon Fiesta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [3] Briefly drier & hotter before more rainfall Through the middle of the week we will see isolated showers and storms continuing across parts of New Mexico each afternoon and evening. This is due to high pressure sitting over western parts of the state. This will keep the flash flooding threat possible throughout as well. By the second half of the week a more traditional monsoon pattern will set up across the desert southwest. [4] Renovations complete at an Albuquerque park The city of Albuquerques Parks and Recreation Department replaced or refurbished the Pinon Pointe Park playground. The improvements include the playgrounds steps, platforms, side panels and the installation of a new double slide. The city says the project was paid for with more than $15,000 in funding set aside by city councilor Dan Lewis for parks within District 5. [5] 13 responders graduate in latest Albuquerque Community Safety class The newest class of Albuquerque Community Safety responders are ready to serve the city. A graduation ceremony was held Monday at the Albuquerque Museum, where city officials recognized the graduates. These trained professionals will respond to mental and behavioral health crises, connecting people with the care they need while also freeing up police and EMS. There were 13 graduates who completed weeks of academy instruction and 240 hours of on-the-job training. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A terrifying morning for a father, in a wheelchair, and his son in a southeast Albuquerque apartment, when a man on the run from police burst into their home. Albuquerque Police Department (APD) said the man had already broken into another home, led police on a car chase, then fled on foot, before he entered the familys apartment. They suspect he was running around the neighborhood trying to break into peoples homes to hide. A chilling moment for an Albuquerque man in a wheelchair when an intruder barges in. I was in fear for my life and my son, said Anthony Nichogi, who was in his home near Gibson and Yale with his young son. His wife had left the home, leaving the door unlocked, and within a minute, a man came in. He reached for me and I told him, please dont touch me. Please get out of my house, said Nichogi. Police said that man is Michael Salas, who has an extensive history of burglary arrests and convictions. Albuquerque police said before this incident, Salas had broken into another home, and officers were trying to chase him down. Officers followed him after deploying a GPS dart on his car and then pursued him on foot. Nichogi said with a history of other break-ins in the neighborhood, he is prepared. You know, I have video footage of all the five years worth of incidents and Im expecting it, said Nichogi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albuquerque police officer fired in 2016 now tied to DWI corruption scandal Once Salas broke in, Nichogi repeatedly told him to leave and made his way to the bedroom to get his mace. I turned my chair around and as I went into the bedroom to go unlock it and retrieve it, he followed me into the bedroom, he said. Nichogi then grabbed his gun instead and did something he rarely does: got up from his wheelchair, commanding Salas to leave. He said it was the adrenaline that made it possible. I never expected to have to defend my home like that. This is a first for me, said Nichogi. APD said Salas was found next door on the roof and was arrested. Michael Salas is facing burglary charges along with fleeing from the police officers and reckless driving. Police said Salas had an accomplice with him, Christina Herrera, who is also facing a residential burglary charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) People who live along E. Glebe Road in Alexandria are no strangers to flooding. Leon Hargraves, who has lived in the Del Ray community for 40 years, said flooding in the area has been a continual issue for at least the past decade. Its miserable, Hargraves said. Its inconvenient. It just interrupts everything. WATCH: Severe storms wreak havoc around the DMV Hargraves said when he first moved to the area in 1985, flooding wasnt a problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It started probably in 2015, he said. It started getting a lot worse now. Just last week, he said storms brought heavy rain and water up to his knees. I looked straight down and I could see all the water and cars floating. I tell people not to park here if they know its going to be bad weather because its going to flood. We need the City of Alexandria to do something because its getting worse and worse. Its not getting any better, Hargraves said. Katie Dorgan also lives near E. Glebe Road. She said shes not surprised by how much it flooded last week. Its when the rain comes really fast, Dorgan said. When its like flash flood types of situations where the rain just hits heavy, and then the water just has nowhere to go, it fills up and floods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But they said the flood waters never stick around long. It goes down pretty fast, but the damage has already been done, Hargraves said. Flood watch, thunderstorms, showers for DC area, National Weather Service says Although a flood watch was in place for much of the day Monday, neighbors said they arent too concerned, but they are watching. Well keep an eye out for sure, Dorgan said. Just because it can happen quick. The City of Alexandria has a flood mitigation project for the Del Ray area where they will be installing larger pipes. That project is scheduled to begin in summer 2026 and be completed by summer 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. VAN BUREN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) An Alma man received two life sentences after he was convicted of capital murder, according to Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Holmes. Cooper Wesley, 27, was found guilty of two counts of capital murder after a three-day jury trial on Monday at the Crawford County Courthouse in Van Buren. Holmes said in a social media post that after the jury deliberated for just 17 minutes, they returned with the verdict. Wesley was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A probable cause affidavit said on Nov. 4, 2023, a deputy with the Crawford County Sheriffs office was notified about two shootings in Alma, one on Muscadine Lane and the other on Chitwood Street. Deputies were first notified of the shooting on Chitwood Street, where Terry Brasuell, 57, was found dead. Sebastian County Sheriffs Office identifies victim killed in Lavaca shooting The body of Donald Lewis, 47, was found following the shooting on Muscadine Lane. Wesley was arrested shortly after both shootings. He was named a person of interest after a witness identified him to authorities. Wesley was interviewed by authorities and admitted to shooting Brasuell and Lewis in the head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the interview, Wesley said he had business to handle and handled that business. Wesley said he went to Walmart in Van Buren on the morning of Nov. 4, 2023, to buy clothes specifically for his mission. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Donald Lewis and Terry Brasuell, Holmes said in a statement after the verdict was read. We hope that the result provides some closure and allows the families the opportunity to begin the grieving process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sonia's son has been anxious lately, crying and asking why their neighbor had been picking him up from preschool instead of his mom. She doesn't know what to tell him. At just 4 years old, he's too young to understand the truth. Sonia has lived in the U.S. without legal status for 25 years, harvesting squash, cilantro and tomatoes in the fields of Riverside County. But she can no longer risk leaving her house to pick up her child for fear of being detained or deported by federal agents. She has begun preparing for something far worse than a missed pickup the possibility that their separation could become permanent. A woman receives help with filling out a caregiver authorization affidavit at TODEC Legal Center in Perris. Last week, Sonia visited the offices of TODEC, a legal center in the Inland Empire serving immigrants and farm workers, to fill out the forms that will allow her sister to take over the care of her three American citizen children ages 4, 7, and 10 in the event that she and her husband are deported. "I already want to cry," said Sonia, who requested that her full name not be used to protect her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since June 6 when the Department of Homeland Security began widespread raids throughout the Los Angeles region the number of immigrant parents making emergency arrangements for their children's care has skyrocketed. Parents have flooded legal rights organizations in person and on Zoom for help filling out the forms that will designate another adult to take over responsibility of their children, many of whom are citizens, if they are detained or deported. Program manager Sandra Reyes, center, helps two mothers fill out a caregiver authorization affidavit at TODEC Legal Center in Perris. An estimated 5.62 million American children have an undocumented household member, and nearly 2 million of them are under the age of 6. More than half of these children do not have a parent with legal status, according to a report from the Brookings Institution. It is not clear how many parents have been detained or deported during the recent raids. Since 2018, however, about 60,000 parents of U.S. citizen children have been deported, according to data provided by ICE. Data on what happened to their children isnt readily available, but those who were American citizens most commonly stay in the U.S. if only one parent is deported, said Tara Watson, who directs the Center for Economic Security and Opportunity at Brookings. Read more: Will mom get detained? Is dad going to work? Answering kids' big questions amid ICE raids Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents who are detained by ICE are "asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates," Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. "DHS takes its responsibility to protect children seriously and will continue to work with federal law enforcement to ensure that children are safe and protected." McLaughlin said that parents in the country illegally "can take control of their departure" with the CBP Home Mobile Application, an app with services provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. "The United States is offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now," McLaughlin said. "We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return." Some families choose to take their children with them to their country of origin. One study estimated that from 2014-2018, there were 80,000-100,000 U.S. citizen children in Mexico as the result of parental deportation. Making a family preparedness plan Executive Director Luz Gallegos, center, gets emotional while speaking to children about their love for their families at TODEC Legal Center in Perris. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) Legal advocacy groups in California are encouraging families to prepare for the possibility of separation and are helping parents fill out the requisite forms that designate another adult to care for their children in their absence. Although some want to shift legal guardianship to another adult, that process can take several months, requires a judge's approval, and involves giving up their parental rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many more are instead filling out a simple form called a "Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit" that permits another adult to enroll their child in school and authorize medical care. Demand for help filling out these affidavits has increased exponentially. What used to be the occasional workshop for 20 parents has become a regular series of Zoom and in-person meetings that have reached more than a thousand, said Andres Cifuentes, an attorney at Bet Tzedek Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm in L.A. Weve heard about children having nightmares about the possibility of being separated," he said. "We encourage parents to have this conversation in a very calm manner as if preparing for an earthquake or a flood." Executive Director Luz Gallegos is photographed at TODEC Legal Center in Perris. Gallegos' parents, who were farmworkers and organizers, founded the organization in the early 1980s. Luz Gallegos, executive director of TODEC, said most people are seeking help virtually because they are too afraid to leave their homes. And it's not just an influx of parents who are living in the country without legal status. For the first time, Gallegos said TODEC is seeing parents with DACA, green cards holders, and even naturalized citizens preparing for possible deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TODEC also runs a youth leadership and development program for the children of immigrant parents called "Monarcas Luchadoras," where they are learning how to help their families create preparedness plans and packing groceries for members of the community who are too afraid to leave their homes right now. Selecting a caregiver in case of deportation TODEC recommends that parents pick someone who has citizenship or legal permanent residency, so they are not at risk. Gallegos said she has personally been asked by so many families to serve as caregiver that she has lost count. I feel like if you say yes to one, you have to say yes to all of them. Instead, she tries to help parents think through their safety nets. Many families end up selecting teachers, child-care providers or people from their faith communities, rather than family members who are also likely to be immigrants. Susan, an immigrant from Guatemala who lives in L.A., has been a nanny for 18 years. She has a strong community of other immigrants but asked her former employer whose child she cared for during the pandemic and who is white, to be her three children's caregiver if she is deported. Susan requested that her full name not be used to protect her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I know that her and her husbands word will be respected," Susan said. "If a Guatemalan citizen goes to fight for my children, obviously their rights wont be respected." Read more: Child-care providers brace for a painful scenario: What if ICE comes knocking? Susan, who is in her 30s, has lived in the U.S. for half her life, and her husband has been here for 30 years. During the pandemic they were essential workers, she said, providing child care, cleaning houses and doing construction. "And now we are criminals," she said. Signing the caregiver forms was "one of the most difficult decisions that Ive had to make as a mom, because I feel like I am giving away my children. But I dont want them to be taken by the government if I have to go with immigration." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But parents like Susan "understood that they were in the country illegally, and that this could potentially happen," said Ira Mehlman, spokesperson for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which favors stricter immigration controls. "It is unfortunate that the kids are put in this situation, but like any other parent, they are responsible for the consequences of their decisions on their kids." He said parents of U.S. citizen children should not be given special leniency for exemptions from deportation. Mehlman favors the elimination of birthright citizenship, which President Trump called for in an executive order. A federal judge last week prohibited the order from taking effect anywhere in the U.S. The impact of parents' deportation on children (Photo illustration by Jim Cooke / Los Angeles Times; Photo via Getty Images) Numerous studies have found that the deportation of a parent can have a profound impact on a child, including long-term developmental and behavior issues, depression and academic decline. "Following deportation of a family member, children demonstrate numerous emotional and behavioral challenges, such as eating and sleeping changes, anxiety, sadness, anger, and withdrawal," according to a 2018 policy statement from the Society for Community Research and Action, a division of the American Psychological Assn. "Even if the family is ultimately reunited, the consequences of their forced family separation often remain." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For very young children in particular, separation from a parent is "tremendously traumatizing," said Sherry Berg, a clinical psychologist at Para Los Ninos, which runs seven Head Start programs in Los Angeles County. Separation anxiety the fear of being separated from the primary caregiver and something happening to them is a normal part of early childhood development; a parent's actual deportation is "their worst nightmare." Sara, a Guatemalan immigrant from South-Central L.A., said she is thinking of self-deporting with her 9-year-old son, who is a citizen. They haven't left their apartment in weeks, except for the occasional errand to a grocery store and a quick trip to the post office to secure a passport for him. Her son does not want to move to Guatemala, a country he's never been to. "What hes told me is that in October when classes start, then hopefully the raids will have calmed for school," said Sara. In Riverside, Sonia said she's tried to shield her 4- and 7-year-old children from what is happening. But her 10-year-old has been asking about what's going to happen to his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Before summer vacation, the teacher called me and told me that she was going to have him evaluated, so that they could give him psychological help because he is very anxious," she said. Both she and her husband are from Michoacan, Mexico, a state fraught with drug cartel violence. She said they fear the conflict there, and work is hard to come by. If only one of them is deported, the other will stay in the U.S. to raise the children. If both are deported, she wants her children to stay in the U.S., where they are safe and have opportunities at least until the parents figure out whether they can make a new life for the family in Mexico. Children attending "Monarcas Luchadoras," a youth leadership and development program, help pack food deliveries for people in their community who are afraid of leaving home to get groceries because of ICE. Undocumented children whose parents are deported often stay under the radar by going to live with other family members, said Watson said. But those who come under the purview of ICE are often transferred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which may place them in institutional settings while looking for a sponsor. Maria, a home child-care provider in Highland Park with 20 years of experience, said she was recently asked by the mother of an undocumented 11-year-old at her day care if she would be willing to adopt her permanently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I could feel her pain. She was saying, 'Shes going to be yours. I'm not going to ask for her back," said Maria, who requested that her full name not be used to protect her. "I was speechless. It was a very drastic decision. The mother was from Honduras, where her nephew was recently murdered, and she was terrified for her daughter's safety, Maria said. "I could see her fear in her eyes and her tears. Maria had been caring for the girl for five years, and agreed to see a lawyer to discuss the options. But before they were able to go, she said the mother and child were picked up by federal agents. I was heartbroken," Maria said. "I would have adopted her." Kate Sequeira, audience editor for The Times early childhood education initiative, contributed to this story. This article is part of The Times early childhood education initiative, focusing on the learning and development of California children from birth to age 5. For more information about the initiative and its philanthropic funders, go to latimes.com/earlyed. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. An event has been held to recruit up to 2,000 workers for Amazon's new warehouse near Hull. The retailer teamed up with Hull and East Riding councils to stage the event at the city's Central Library in Albion Street. The facility at Melton West Business Park is expected to open later this year as part of Amazon's 40bn UK expansion plan. Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, Hull City Council's portfolio holder for economic renewal, said: "Amazon's investment demonstrates the confidence that global companies have in the region's economy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Information was provided about warehouse operative roles. Beth Dawson, who attended the event, said: "I thought this would be a great opportunity for me because I keep getting rejected from jobs. I hope I'll be able to get a job and start as soon as possible." She said it was "really hard" to find employment and welcomed the opportunity to meet with Amazon representatives. "I've always thought somewhere like Amazon would be a great opportunity," she said. Another jobseeker, Hussain, who did not want to give his surname, added: "I'm looking for a job and I heard about it through the employment hub. I'd like an administrative job but at the end of the day any kind of job because I really badly need a job." Neil Williams, from Amazon, says the firm is looking for people who want to build a career [BBC News] Amazon spokesman Neil Williams said: "There's a range of jobs and a wide variety of roles ranging from IT through to robotics engineers and HR professionals. There's a huge range of skills we will be looking for in recruitment and we're looking for people who want to develop a career." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drake-Davis said the decision by Amazon to invest is "a real shot in the arm for the area's employment opportunities". Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices Related internet links More on this story ELKHART Amazon is expected to make 1,000 hires by the end of the year for its state-of-the-art fulfillment center north of the city. The company announced Friday that it has begun hiring staff to work alongside hundreds of robots in the order processing center, a process that is expected to take around two months before operations start. Employee duties include receiving, picking, packing and shipping customer orders while supporting network logistics, according to the announcement. As we prepare to launch our new robotics facility in Elkhart, were excited to create 1,000 full-time jobs that combine competitive wages, comprehensive benefits and opportunities to work with advanced technology, Kyle DeGiulio, Amazon regional economic development manager, said in the announcement. These roles offer a strong foundation for building a career at Amazon while contributing to our growing presence in Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Applicants must be 18 or older with a high school diploma or equivalent. Candidates can view open positions and apply online at amazon.com/localjobs. Job listings will open on a rolling basis and will be posted until the positions are filled, according to the announcement. Average hourly pay starts at $19 and the company says it offers a range of benefits plus continuing education programs. Company spokesman Andre Woodson said Amazon plans to have other community engagement activities as part of its hiring drive. For anyone interested, he recommended checking the jobs website for new listings weekly or even daily. We are still in the process of ramping up hiring so well be posting the positions on a weekly basis. They often fill up quickly due to high interest, he said. Jobs will be posted on a first-come, first served basis, so timing will be key here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeGiulio has described the 800,000-square-foot warehouse as a first-mile facility where packages will originate and be sent out to local hubs to be sorted before delivery. The 1,000 employees will work alongside mobile machines that handle inventory in the center with the most robotics in Amazons network. Amazon confirmed plans for the fulfillment center in October 2021, after rumors about it had been circulating for weeks. The original opening date was given as 2023, but revised plans put heavy emphasis on robotics, requiring the installation of a significant amount of material handling equipment. Chris Steger, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County, said the design of the facility went through multiple revisions over the years. In the end, he said, Amazon exceeded its promised investment. The investment in the automation they told us upfront it was going to be a $100 million project just to construct the shell. And the initial start of the automation buildout that was considered real property, it was 343 percent of what they promised. So it was $343 million, he told the Elkhart County Council at its last meeting. For a brief period, when that facility turns on, that will be the best in the system. Until they open the next one after that, it will have the latest tech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amazon employs more than 26,000 full- and part-time workers at 37 facilities in Indiana, according to the hiring announcement. The company says it has invested $25.5 billion since 2010 in infrastructure development and employee compensation in the state. Steger said they expect the facility in Elkhart to begin operating sometime in fall. He said the company has until the end of the year to put 1,000 workers on the payroll in order to meet the terms of a tax incentive agreement with the county. Theyre in the process of hiring. They did make a thousand-employee promise. In the original agreement ... we did give them until Dec. 31, 2025, to meet that thousand headcount, he said. So theyre still within that ramp-up period. Back then, we didnt think it would come this close to the window, but unfortunately it has. He also expects the company to bolster its numbers during times of peak demand. In peak periods, its definitely going to be well over 1,000, he said. Theyre obviously going in right before the Christmas season, so they must anticipate that theyre going to have a good year. CAIRO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League condemned on Tuesday recent Israeli plans to confine Palestinians to a "humanitarian city" in the southern Gaza Strip. In a statement, the Arab League affirmed that this plan "bears no relation to civility or humanitarian principles," emphasizing that the proposal reflects an "ethical decline of the occupation." It added that the plan exposed an Israeli intent to continue "ethnic cleansing," reoccupy the Gaza Strip, and potentially pave the way for settlements. The pan-Arab organization appealed to the international community to forcefully confront such "inhumane schemes," stressing the immediate need for a ceasefire agreement. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said earlier this month that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces and his ministry to bring forward a plan to establish a new "humanitarian city" on the ruins of Rafah, Israeli media reported. According to Katz, an initial 600,000 Palestinians living in the coastal al-Mawasi area would be transferred to Rafah within 60 days of any agreed ceasefire deal. The entire civilian population of Gaza -- more than 2 million people -- will eventually be relocated to this southern city. Wheres Superman when you need him? A torrential downpour in New York City and surrounding areas on Monday night forced AMC Lincoln Square 13 one of the busiest theaters in the country to evacuate moviegoers and shut down. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The heavy downpour caused damage to a roof pipe, which led to a significant amount of water coming into a portion of the lower levels of the building, according to a statement from AMC Theatres. The Lincoln Square cinema was able to reopen late Tuesday morning, although auditoriums on the bottom floor and other affected areas of the theater will remain closed until the cleanup work is finished. There was no damage to the much-in-demand Imax auditorium, which houses one of the largest Imax screens in the world (its estimated to be 10 stories high). Ditto for the Dolby Cinema auditorium, among many others. Imax and Dolby are both currently playing James Gunn and DC Studios Superman, with seat maps showing numerous showtimes on Tuesday almost at capacity. Videos of Monday evenings flood quickly found their way to social media. One widely circulated video posted to TikTok showed water gushing into a concession area on the lower floor of the multistory cinema. Citizen NYC also monitored the unfolding situation. BREAKING | AMC Theater Evacuated After Flooding Report Citizen App video shows wet streets and emergency response near a theater following a report of indoor flooding. People were seen leaving the building as crews assessed the situation. Stay updated and #ProtectTheWorld with pic.twitter.com/ylrUnlI7nq Citizen NYC (@CitizenAppNYC) July 15, 2025 AMC said refunds will be issued automatically for tickets purchased to any affected showtimes on Monday and Tuesday. The circuit, which is the largest theater chain in the country and world, said none of its other theaters in New York or elsewhere nearby were impacted by storm and reiterated that Lincoln Square was a one-off event because of the broken pipe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the storm left at least two people dead. In Central Park, more than 2 inches of rain fell in less than an hour, a near-record amount. Some subway lines were also flooded, with road closures and transit delays extending into Tuesday. And a state of emergency was in effect in New Jersey. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NEED TO KNOW Los Angeles police confirmed that two people were found dead with gunshots wounds in a home in Encino TMZ and Deadline reported that the victims were identified as American Idol supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas DeLuca No suspect information is currently available, per police An American Idol music supervisor and her husband were fatally shot in their home in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Police Department told PEOPLE it conducted a welfare check at a home on White Oak Avenue in Encino on Monday, July 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside were a man and a woman, both with gunshot wounds to the head. First responders pronounced them dead at the scene. Police said there was no information available on potential suspects. LAPD did not release the identities of the victims, but TMZ and Deadline, citing sources, reported that the couple were identified as Robin Kaye, a music supervisor for the iconic singing show, and Thomas DeLuca. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. According to her IMDb page, Kaye worked on American Idol from 2002 to 2023. She also worked on Lip Sync Battle and several Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KTLA spoke to neighbors, who reportedly said that days before the bodies were found, there was an attempted break-in at the same home. My renter saw someone hopping the fence back on Thursday and she called 911, a woman, Amee Faggen, told KTLA. But we [havent] heard anything since then, so we have no idea if its even related or not. Read the original article on People Rep. Logan Manhart, R-Aberdeen, speaks in the South Dakota House of Representatives on Feb. 21, 2025, at the state Capitol in Pierre. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight) Usually South Dakota has its political controversies during the legislative session or an election campaign. This year, in the dead of summer, we have a state representatives use of the term White Boy Summer. It was used in an Instagram post by Rep. Logan Manhart, a District 1 Republican from Aberdeen: Its White Boy Summer and the boys are back in charge. He wrote that, along with #MAGA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont use Instagram or hashtags. It seems to me that Instagram and some other social media sites are places online where people post things that they later come to regret. Manhart has since removed the Instagram post. My ignorance of Instagram and hashtags aside, there are some things that I do know. In this day and age, I know that using the phrase White Boy is just asking for trouble. Its particularly troublesome if its a phrase used by a state representative. Its even more troublesome if its used by a representative whose district includes the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation. Ive come to learn that the phrase is part of a rap song by Chet Hanks. (Tom Hanks son is a rapper?) It was written as a parody of a song called Hot Girl Summer by rapper Megan Thee Stallion. (I need to get out more.) Apparently the song by Hanks has been appropriated by various racist extremist groups. (Those groups have theme songs now?) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The songs popularity with extremist groups was enough to get Democratic members of the House involved. Its easy to get them incensed as there are so few of them. Five members signed a letter to House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach and House Speaker Jon Hansen asking them to address this with the seriousness it demands. In their letter they said Manharts post was racist, sexist and insulting to Native Americans. Democrats noted that the states Native American land was taken through broken treaties, displacement, and violence. Odenbach, a Republican, said he wouldnt punish Manhart, and he rejected the insinuation that South Dakota is a state founded by racist oppressors, or that the great citizens of today are the cause of continued harm to Native Americans. To a certain extent, Odenbach is right. Todays South Dakotans didnt break any treaties, they didnt lead any raiding parties, they didnt push Native Americans on to reservations. But someone did. Odenbachs notion that our forefathers were squeaky clean in this regard is a whitewashing of South Dakota history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres plenty of blame to go around for the way Native Americans are treated in this state, and its Odenbach and his political party that must shoulder some of that blame. The South Dakota Legislature, dominated by Republicans, pays woefully little attention to Native American issues, preferring to think of those as federal rather than state problems. This amounts to the Legislature, sworn to serve all South Dakotans, turning its back on a group because of their heritage. Americans have the First Amendment, so Manhart can say what he wants. Its impossible to know whats in his heart. Even though he has been unrepentant, he said characterizations of him as racist, sexist and antisemitic are false. Like all political controversies, this one will peter out after a while. When the dust settles, Manhart will still be a representative. Democrats will continue to monitor his public statements. Republicans will maintain that everything in South Dakota is fine. And Native Americans will continue to be largely ignored by the state government sworn to serve them. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Ana Navarro is not staying silent about Donald Trump's latest swipe at Rosie O'Donnell, calling it a clear attempt to steer attention away from the Epstein files. Navarro's criticism comes as public interest in the unreleased Epstein list continues to build, with Elon Musk also expressing frustration that the FBI shut down its investigation without disclosing the names tied to the disgraced financier. While Donald Trump's feud with Rosie O'Donnell spans years, Ana Navarro believes his timing is no coincidence, especially as frustration mounts over the lack of transparency in the Epstein investigation. Ana Navarro Mocks Donald Trump's Feud With Rosie O'Donnell Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA As the co-hosts of "The View" discussed backlash facing Florida AG Pam Bondi and the FBI over their handling of the Epstein investigation, Navarro cut in with a blunt assessment, saying: "Bring me some popcorn because watching them fight amongst themselves is the most entertaining thing I've seen all year." She went on to describe Trump's behavior as "throwing spaghetti at the wall," referencing his sudden investigations into Democrats and bizarre memes painting him as Superman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the fiery segment on "The View," Navarro said the latest flare-up with O'Donnell, where Trump bizarrely threatened to strip her of citizenship, was another distraction tactic meant to rally his MAGA base. She noted that it was Trump's way of telling his supporters to "look at the shiny object I'm throwing here." The US President Threatened The Comedian's Citizenship Mark Von Holden/ AFF-USA.com / MEGA ICYMI, the Trump and O'Donnell feud flared up when he took a break from the heat on his cabinet to go after the comedian, who stated her plans to move to Ireland if he was reelected. The President lashed out on Truth Social, claiming he was "giving serious consideration to taking away her citizenship." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She is a threat to humanity," Trump wrote, adding that she should "remain in the wonderful country of Ireland, if they want her." O'Donnell did not hold back. In a fiery clapback, she told Trump: "Hey Donald, you're rattled again? 18 years later and I still live rent-free in that collapsing brain of yours." She went on to call him "everything that is wrong with America," dubbing him "King Joffrey with a tangerine spray tan." Rosie made it clear that no matter what Trump says, she is not going anywhere quietly: "I'm not yours to silence. I never was." Ana Navarro Called Out Melania Trump Over Pro-Choice Stance Samuel Corum - Pool via CNP / MEGA Trump is not the only one in the White House that Navarro has aimed at. In 2024, "The View" co-host slammed the First Lady for her sudden support of abortion rights, calling it a calculated move to appeal to women voters ahead of the election. As noted by The Blast, Navarro took to Instagram after the release of Melania's memoir, warning followers not to be swayed by what she saw as last-minute political spin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Well, well, well. Melania coming out as strongly pro-choice a month before the election was not on my bingo card," Navarro wrote. "Don't fall for it." She also called out J.D. Vance for shifting his messaging, accusing them of trying to appear more moderate to close the gender gap at the polls. "We already know what Trump did. He appointed three uber-conservative Justices who overturned Roe. Women have suffered, even died as a result," Navarro reminded her followers. Elon Musk Slams FBI Over Epstein Case Shutdown ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Before Navarro raised concerns about the Epstein list, Musk had already made it clear he was fed up with how the FBI concluded the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Blast reported that the tech billionaire shared his displeasure after the bureau ended its probe into Epstein without releasing the rumored list of powerful clients linked to the convicted sex offender. Musk, responding to a commenter under one of his memes mocking the FBI, wrote, "This is the final straw." The comment that set Musk off questioned the agency's broken promises, including the whereabouts of "the client list," "Epstein files part 2," and the mysterious "magical binders" once mentioned by officials. The commenter also pointed to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's earlier claim that "the client list is on my desk." White House Sparks Backlash With Donald Trump As Superman Meme Samuel Corum - Pool via CNP / MEGA Days after Musk's remarks, the official White House Instagram account stirred backlash by posting a digitally edited image of Trump dressed as Superman. The Blast reported that the digitally altered meme shows Trump suited up in Superman's red-and-blue costume, complete with the iconic "S" logo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Framed like a movie poster, the graphic features bold text reading, "A Trump Presidency," with the tagline "Truth, Justice, and the American Way," and finishes with the word "Superman" next to the White House logo. The post did not sit well with critics. Actor Patrick Dougall called on Warner Bros. to take legal action, writing, "Warner Bros, PLEASE sue." Others labeled the image as cult-like, with many online calling it both "delusional" and "gross." How will the Donald Trump administration respond to Ana Navarro's claims? By Hyunjoo Jin, Maki Shiraki and Heekyong Yang SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) -Toyota and Hyundai Motor may have a beef with U.S. protectionism, but they have one thing in common with President Donald Trump: when it comes to global car markets, it's America first for Asia's legacy automakers. Trump's tariffs on imported automobiles have upended the outlook for the global industry, yet the U.S. remains by far the most important market for Japan's Toyota, South Korea's Hyundai and Asian rivals including Honda and Nissan. North America accounts for at least 40% of the revenue at both Toyota and Hyundai, filings show. The market's importance is unlikely to change any time soon, industry insiders and analysts said, especially with China, now the world's biggest auto market, dominated by homegrown electric vehicle makers such as BYD. Those Asian legacy carmakers with more robust margins and a strong hybrid lineup - such as Toyota, Hyundai, Kia Corp and to a lesser extent Honda - are more likely able to weather the U.S. tariffs storm, and potentially take market share from weaker players like Nissan, analysts said. "The environment that we're in now is becoming increasingly harsh and uncertain, starting with U.S. tariffs," Mazda executive officer Noriyuki Takimura told reporters at an event in Tokyo last week. Mazda aims to strike a balance between "defensive" measures like cost-cuts and "offensive" ones like strengthening its product lineup, he said. Two Hyundai insiders and two Japanese auto executives separately told Reuters they had no intention of downsizing their U.S. businesses in response to tariffs, even as they acknowledged the difficulties ahead. All four spoke on condition of anonymity. The U.S. is Toyota's biggest market in terms of vehicles. It sold 2.3 million vehicles there in 2024, including its Lexus brand, accounting for more than a fifth of its global total. As a source of revenue, North America was second only to Japan in the last financial year. Hyundai's North American revenue was the highest in almost a decade last year. Kim Chang-ho, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities, estimated it generates around 60% of its profits from the U.S., thanks to higher vehicle prices. Mocked in the U.S. in the 1980s for its perceived shoddy quality, Hyundai doubled down there around a decade ago, especially after tensions between Beijing and Seoul and the rise of domestic EV makers saw it start to lose ground in China. "After years of putting in effort, our brand is finally gaining recognition in the United States," one of the Hyundai insiders said. "So we will not take our hands off the U.S." By Luciana Magalhaes and Ricardo Brito SAO PAULO (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump pitched his 50% tariffs against Brazil as a way to support former President Jair Bolsonaro, but three people close to the right-wing ex-president said they were stunned by the move and fear it may do more harm than good. Announcing the higher tariffs in a letter last week, Trump cast them as a pressure tactic to help Bolsonaro, who is on trial before the Brazilian Supreme Court for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn his loss in the 2022 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolsonaro has described the accusations as baseless and insisted he will run for president in 2026, despite a court decision that bars him from the race. In his tariff letter, Trump said his ally Bolsonaro is the victim of a "witch hunt." Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who defeated Bolsonaro in 2022, has neither the interest nor the ability to interfere in the case. Last week, he dismissed Trump as an unwanted "emperor" and threatened retaliation if trade negotiations do not advance. Bolsonaro allies fear the steep tariffs, likely to hurt Brazilian sectors from coffee and orange growers to cattle ranching and the aviation industry, could rally national pride behind a defiant Lula, supporting his sagging popularity. Backlash against Trump has already given a boost to several of his ideological foes abroad. Left-of-center parties surged to victory in Canadian and Australian elections this year, riding a wave of opposition to Trump's policies, while hard-right Trump allies have struggled in Romania and Hungary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolsonaro's inner circle had been eager for a display of Trump's support since he returned to the White House. Lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, one of the former president's sons, took a leave of absence from Brasilia and moved with his family to rally support for his father in Washington. But the thrill of catching Trump's attention soon curdled as the Bolsonaros realized the crushing weight of the tariffs tied to their cause, according to the sources, who said the family had expected targeted sanctions against one judge overseeing the Supreme Court case. Now the Bolsonaro clan has no alternative but to support Trump and his letter, even while understanding that the move "could provoke negative reactions," said one of the sources, requesting anonymity to discuss private conversations. SCATHING EDITORIALS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, in the wake of Trump's tariff announcement, leaders of Brazil's Congress who had been fighting Lula on several fronts issued statements supporting him. "The banner of nationalism holds a very significant appeal, especially within the right-wing camp," said Graziella Testa, a professor of political science at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Brasilia. A close association with Trump may prove electorally toxic for allies of Bolsonaro, whose political future was already clouded by the threat of a possible prison sentence and the court decision barring him from public office until 2030. "It is absolutely deplorable that there are still people in Brazil who defend Trump," wrote the conservative opinion page of major Brazilian newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo in an editorial last week. "Wearing Trump's cap today means aligning oneself with a troglodyte who could cause immense damage to the Brazilian economy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolsonaro representatives declined to comment on the newspaper's editorial. On Sunday, the former president tried to show empathy for his supporters without alienating Trump. "It doesn't make me happy to see our rural and urban producers, as well as the people, suffer with this 50% tariff," he said on social media, adding: "The solution is in the hands of the Brazilian authorities." Other conservative politicians in Brazil are also trying to strike a tricky balance in their public comments. Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas, who launched his political career from Bolsonaro's cabinet and is now seen as a possible heir to his electorate, initially blamed Lula's ideology for the tariff hike on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Friday, he was shifting focus to Washington, saying on X that he had met with the head of the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia to "open a dialogue ... based on data and consolidated arguments." The lawmaker Bolsonaro criticized his former ally's efforts to negotiate a compromise and pinned the blame for the situation squarely on Lula's administration, which the hard-right has sought to characterize as a leftist dictatorship. "I'm sorry, but there is no way to ask President Trump or any remotely decent international authority to treat a dictatorship as if it were a democracy," he wrote on X. (Reporting by Luciana Magalhaes in Sao Paulo and Ricardo Brito in Brasilia; Editing by Manuela Andreoni, Brad Haynes, Leslie Adler and Rosalba O'Brien) Stacia Naquin - WSYX Longtime Columbus news anchor Stacia Naquin is coming back to the city to anchor for Tegna owned CBS affiliate WBNS in late July. Naquin worked at WSYX in Columbus anchoring for ABC 6 and also Fox 28. She left in January to join the Statehouse press corps for WKYC in Cleveland. Central Ohio is home, Naquin said in the press release. I am both grateful and excited to join the 10TV team. What an honor to work alongside incredible journalists in a legacy newsroom that is devoted to and cares for this community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stacia's return to Columbus media is truly a homecoming," said Rick Rogala, president and general manager of WBNS. She's a trusted community figure with an extraordinary ability to connect with people and deliver stories that matter. We're thrilled to welcome her back to Central Ohio to serve our community with journalism that informs, empowers, and protects." Before working in Columbus, she worked as an anchor in Phoenix, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma. In June, we reported that former WRAL anchor Jeff Hogan is joining the Columbus, Ohio CBS affiliate station as evening anchor. NEW YORK Andrew Cuomo is scrambling to reinvent himself in an uphill general election bid for New York City mayor. His pitch: The former three-term governor is running as an underdog speaking with voters, boosting his online presence and attempting to appeal to New Yorkers under 30. In sum, its the opposite of how he ran his failed primary. Cuomo is hiring a new social media team and revamping his get-out-the-vote operation. Consultants who advised his primary bid, which he lost to 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani by 12 points, arent sticking around for the November race after their contracts ended, according to four people familiar with their plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the first full day of campaigning since his relaunch, Cuomo traveled around the city Tuesday and conducted interviews with local TV reporters. His campaign hyped a video of the auto enthusiast ex-governor jumping someones car battery. Another short video released by his campaign Monday showed him taking selfies with New Yorkers and pledging an invigorated effort . The images evoked Mamdanis successful retail politicking and showed Cuomo ditching his trademark dark suit for informal shortsleeves. Its all meant to demonstrate to supporters the 67-year-old Cuomo is capable of recalibrating after running what was widely considered a sluggish primary campaign that his team wrongly assumed would be a slam dunk. Whether Cuomo whose political career began on his fathers 1977 mayoral bid can effectively leverage modern-day campaign tools is a major question mark. Digital campaign strategists warn that Cuomo cannot be a how-do-you-do-fellow-kids copycat of Mamdani, who focused his campaign on affordability in a costly city using a slick social media presence . You cant fake this stuff. And just sitting in a park without a suit on doesnt solve your authenticity problem, said Tim Fullerton, who was New York states chief digital officer during Cuomos gubernatorial administration. Zohran is a digital native, but he also has a message that works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the general election, finding a message that works will be Cuomo 2.0s most pressing conundrum. And that challenge will be unlike anything hes faced during his long career in elective politics as he tries to block an inexperienced democratic socialist from taking the reins at City Hall. The moderate former governor enjoys household name recognition and has been considered the favorite in each race hes run since 2006. This time, he will not be running with institutional support from major labor unions who previously fell in line with his primary bid. Billionaire former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was a top donor to a Cuomo-allied super PAC , has not signaled plans to help him in the general election. A suit-wearing Cuomo launched his comeback primary bid on March 1 with a 17-minute video highlighting his accomplishments as governor and a warning that the city was beset with a post-Covid drift. The campaign was intended as a comeback after his 2021 resignation that stemmed from a state attorney general report that determined he sexually harassed 11 women. Hes denied any wrongdoing. Cuomo, however, failed to mount a vigorous effort for what his supporters hoped would be a vindication after four years in the political wilderness. He zoomed around the city in his Dodge Charger and largely avoided mass transit. He shunned reporters and avoided their questions. He skipped many public forums with his Democratic opponents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A relaunch is meant to fix those problems. Cuomo who declined in a televised debate to apologize for his controversial Covid policies told supporters this week he was sorry he failed them in the primary. I am putting together a new team, communications plan, strategy, and field operation, he wrote in an email to supporters Monday. And most important, I will be out there, every day in every corner of this city, meeting you where you are to talk about the struggles you face, and the solutions to address them. Learning the lessons from the past, relaunching toward the future. Longtime aides like Melissa DeRosa and Rich Azzopardi remain, but several advisers who worked on his campaign Kevin Elkins, Shontell Smith and Neal Kwatra are not staying on post primary, four people familiar with their plans said. Many paid advisers contracts expired at the end of June. Chris Coffey, the CEO of Tusk Strategies who served in an unpaid advisory role for Cuomo, will also not be part of the general election campaign. Cuomo will be competing in a five-candidate race that will include Mamdani, Mayor Eric Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Jim Walden. The composition of the field stands to see the moderate vote split and help Mamdani. Adams, who dropped his primary bid to run on an independent line after cozying up to President Donald Trump, shares a base of Black voters and Jewish New Yorkers with the ex-governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuomo has insisted to supporters he can defeat Mamdani head-on with a coalition of moderate voters, according to three people familiar with the conversations. Thats a tall order in a deep blue city. And even as he plans a revamped strategy, Cuomo has not lost his intense interest in polling data. The former governor wants to coalesce anti-Mamdani forces and persuade the other candidates to drop out by mid-September if they are not polling in second place a position the former governor currently occupies in general election voter surveys . The pledge, first proposed by Walden, has been rejected by Adams and Sliwa. Most primary voter surveys did not account for Mamdani broadening the electorate to include a significant number of younger voters and South Asian New Yorkers many of whom were casting ballots for the first time. Pollsters plan to adjust their methodology for the general election to take Mamdanis coalition into account. We always look at our model in terms of the expected demographic profile, said Lee Miringoff, the director of the well-regarded Marist College poll. The short answer is thats standard practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuomos primary campaign frequently touted polls including those paid for by his allies showing him well ahead of Mamdani. His team would vigorously push back against the rare survey showing him behind including one by Public Policy Polling conducted for Justin Brannans comptroller campaign, which was first reported by POLITICO . That poll, which had Mamdani ahead 4 points, was the first to show the upstart candidate with a lead. He ultimately bested Cuomo by 12 points in the final round of ranked-choice voting. The Cuomo camp does believe in the power of polls to shape the parameters of an electorate environment and the perceptions, said Evan Roth Smith, a pollster and campaign consultant with Slingshot Strategies, which provided communications advice to Democratic rival candidate Scott Stringer. People dont like voting for guaranteed losers. You can use polling to color coverage to your own benefit as the Cuomo people did during the primary. Polling in the general election stands to persuade deep-pocketed donors to give Cuomos campaign a second look, but thats not a sure bet. Some are kicking the tires on Adams longshot bid to keep his job, and the mayor has met with wealthy contributors like Bill Ackman and Daniel Loeb in recent weeks. Both men contributed to the super PAC that backed Cuomo in the primary. Neither Cuomo or Adams is willing to budge a mutual obstinacy thats generated anxiety among New Yorks powerbrokers. Campaigns are grueling, and when you put forth that effort, its very hard to hear that you should get out, said former Gov. David Paterson. Its ego, but its also effort, and the effort all of these people are making is driving them to want to finish the job. ANDREWS, S.C. (WCBD) Residents in the Town of Andrews are raising their voices demanding more transparency, better communication, and immediate action from local leaders. They say theyve been dealing with high utility bills, outdated infrastructure, and safety concerns for months and many feel theyve been left in the dark. Tensions boiled over Friday when several homes in the Black River community temporarily lost water service. Town leaders said the property owner owed more than six figures in unpaid utility bills cutting off access to tenants through no fault of their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The water has since been restored, and the town installed a new meter to track usage. The town stepped in they turned the water back on, said resident Haley Casselman. Theyre going to count how many homes are using it and divide the bill fairly, so everyone keeps access. Still, for many, the bigger issue is affordability. Residents said utility bills have been creeping higher for months and next month, rates are set to climb again. The town has announced a 5% increase, part of an annual rate adjustment officials say is necessary to fund infrastructure upgrades. Mayor Frank McClary says part of the problem may be hidden in plain sight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are several factors that can drive a bill up, he explained. What many homeowners dont realize is theyre responsible for everything from the meter to the house. Running toilets, leaks even your water heater can spike your usage. He also encouraged residents to regularly check their meters. While most are read electronically, damage or debris can interrupt signals and lead to inaccurate readings. Infrastructure isnt the only issue on residents minds. Many have also voiced concerns about neighborhood safety. Mayor McClary says the town is working closely with the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol, and Andrews Police to increase patrols and maintain a strong community presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keeping the community safe takes all of us, he said. Crime watch, reporting, investigations it only works when we work together. Mayor McClary is inviting the community to a town hall meeting Tuesday night at Andrews High School specifically for Black River area residents impacted by the water billing issues. The meeting begins at 6:30 PM, and the public is encouraged to attend, ask questions, and learn more about the new water billing system and upcoming changes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New abortion law threatens doctor's licenses. (Getty Images) Hoosiers seeking abortions now face another legal barrier following a June Texas ruling a decision that blocked a Biden administration reproductive privacy rule nationwide. This is another legal blow to reproductive privacy and health care privacy for women, and Im really concerned, said Rep. Carey Hamilton, D-Indianapolis. Rep. Carey Hamilton, D-Indianapolis, speaks during a news conference on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) She worries Attorney General Todd Rokita, who has hailed the ruling, will take advantage of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issue started in 2024 when health officials under former President Joe Biden enacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy rule to boost protections and block law enforcement from getting medical records of patients seeking legal abortions or gender-affirming care. In June, a federal judge in Texas overturned that rule, finding the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services acted unlawfully when expanding the HIPAA privacy law. States Newsroom reported that, without the rule, law enforcement officials in states with abortion bans may issue subpoenas for records related to reproductive health care obtained legally in another state. According to health policy nonprofit KFF, 22 states and the District of Columbia have laws limiting what reproductive health information can be obtained but others, like Indiana, dont. Some states have already attempted to track abortion seekers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Associated Press, a suburban Chicago police department allegedly shared data from automatic license-plate readers with a Texas sheriff seeking a woman who had an abortion. The Illinois secretary of state is investigating the police department. Since Roe (v. Wade) was overturned, patients are rightfully afraid that if their state bans abortion, it may attempt to target or prosecute them for obtaining an abortion in other states. Anticipating this situation, the recently vacated rule enhanced health care data privacy protections against disclosure to law enforcement, said Amy Myrick, senior counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights. While HIPAA still provides basic protections for your health care data, this openly anti-abortion ruling is yet another blow against the basic freedom to make decisions about your own body and health care. Abortion in Indiana An Indiana Department of Health report released in April showed a total of 146 abortions occurred in 2024 a 98% decrease from 2022. Indianas near-total abortion ban, which took effect in August 2023, outlaws abortion except in cases of fatal fetal anomalies and serious health risks to the mother. Victims of rape or incest are also allowed to access abortion care up to 10 weeks post-fertilization. The law mandates that hospitals perform all abortions. While performing an illegal abortion is a felony for doctors in Indiana, women seeking abortions face no criminal penalties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FDA-approved abortion pills remain accessible by mail nationwide. Indiana law also requires that providers who perform abortions file terminated pregnancy reports with the state health agency. Theyre due within 30 days if the patient is 16 or older, and within three days if younger than 16. Each of the reports should include demographic, medical and procedural information. In January, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed new executive orders on abortion records to ensure the laws are fully and faithfully executed, including for terminated pregnancy report submissions. It also required a new IDOH state report, recommended financial penalties for noncompliant hospitals and greater state oversight by health officials. Hoosiers traveling to seek care Illinois which has protected abortion access as a fundamental right is a top destination for Hoosiers seeking the procedures. Since Indianas abortion ban went into effect, there has been a five-fold increase in patients traveling to Illinois, according to Planned Parenthood of Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Planned Parenthoods Carbondale Health Center, 90% of patients seen are from another state. In 2024, 9,500 Indiana residents traveled to nearby states to obtain abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion-rights research and policy group. Principal Federal Policy Adviser Anna Bernstein said the 2024 rule from the Biden administration strengthened privacy protections for patients seeking reproductive health care. Indiana residents are already being denied abortion care in their state vacating this rule will likely only mean more infringements on their bodily autonomy. Anna Bernstein of the Guttmacher Institute By vacating this rule, Judge (Matthew) Kacsmaryk has removed critical protections for patients seeking abortion care at a time when criminalization of patients and providers is increasing. The 2024 rule prohibited the use and disclosure of protected health information for care that was lawfully provided, Bernstein said. Without this rule, patients like those traveling out of state for care could be at greater risk for law enforcement involvement for seeking necessary health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State lawmaker Hamilton said that, as legal rulings come down, doctors fear providing life saving care to women who are pregnant. And as doctors see health care and reproductive deserts grow in Indiana, she feared that women will struggle even more to find emergency care when something goes wrong during pregnancy. Indiana University Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology Dr. Caroline Rouse said she is concerned about the erosion of reproductive health care privacy laws and thinks its important for everyone to spread awareness. She said that a doctor-patient relationship is critical. Dr. Caroline Rouse, medical director of maternity services and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at IU Health (From Indiana University School of Medicines website) I am very concerned about patients suffering consequences of that and concerned about patients not even seeking the care that they need and suffering the consequences of not getting that care, she said. OBGYN Dr. Amy Caldwell said current Indiana law does not give the attorney general grounds to demand records from neighboring states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intent of overturning laws like this is to scare women, she said. Physicians will never turn over a patients record unless there is a court order and patients should always feel empowered to access their records. Rokita, meanwhile, has celebrated the ruling and how it impacts Indiana reporting. Thats because several doctors performing abortions in Indiana have refused to file terminated pregnancy reports since the federal rule went into effect. Litigation is ongoing. Were moving forward with our goal to protect life and working to undo the many setbacks created by the Biden administration, Rokita said in a statement. Weve been closely watching the Texas case and updated the Indiana court of the decision there, so we look forward to having a positive outcome in our case. This is a major win for women and for physicians because it would take away an excuse thrown up by abortionists for not complying with state law. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX KAMPALA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- As the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) marks its 25th anniversary, it has evolved into a key platform for African nations to voice their development priorities and align strategies with China for mutual growth, a senior Ugandan official has said. During a recent interview in Kayunga District, central Uganda, Minister of Works and Transport Katumba Wamala told Xinhua that the FOCAC has enabled African countries to advance critical energy and transport infrastructure projects with Chinese support. "FOCAC is a very good forum for us not only to interact with China, but also to present Uganda's and Africa's desires," Wamala said shortly before flagging off the upgrading work of a key road linking northern and central Uganda. The project is undertaken by China Roads and Bridges Corporation. "Through FOCAC, we can have a collective African voice, and we are listened to. It is easier for someone to work with a group than with individuals," he added. Uganda has benefited significantly from FOCAC-backed cooperation, said Wamala, citing Chinese financing for the expansion of the Entebbe International Airport and the construction of the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway. China also funded the 600-megawatt (MW) Karuma and 180-MW Isimba hydropower plants, which are critical for providing affordable electricity to spur industrialization in Uganda. "The FOCAC has benefited Uganda greatly, especially by supporting our infrastructure development. We have many Chinese companies working on various projects here," Wamala said. Beyond infrastructure, the minister noted the transfer of knowledge and skills from Chinese experts to local workers, who continue to apply these skills long after projects are completed. Looking ahead, Wamala emphasized the importance of technology transfer under FOCAC, as rapid technological advancements, especially in artificial intelligence, continue to shape global growth. "If we can move toward technological transfer through FOCAC, Africa could eventually have skills comparable to China's," he said. "With China's technological advancements, FOCAC provides an effective channel for Africa to access relevant technologies and keep pace with the rest of the world," he added. Another coal miner has been added as a plaintiff in a class action suit pending against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over its prior shutdown of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, an agency crucial to helping coal miners protect themselves against black lung disease. (Karen Kasmauski | Getty Images) Another miner has been added as a plaintiff in a class action suit pending against the federal Department of Health and Human Services over its prior shutdown of an agency crucial to helping coal miners protect themselves against dangerous black lung disease. Matthew Ward, a coal miner since 1993 who lives in Mingo County, will represent the class in the suit alongside Harry Wiley, the cases lead plaintiff, per court documents filed last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case was initially filed on behalf of Wiley and coal miners in similar positions who, because of the federal governments shutdown of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in April, had to go without services that were mandated to be offered through congressional action. The shutdown saw every worker from the agencys Respiratory Health Division and the Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program let go. NIOSH, through those programs, is the only entity capable of certifying X-ray results showing that an active miner has been diagnosed with black lung disease. Those certified X-ray results are the only way for miners with black lung to request a Part 90 transfer, which allows them to move to a less dusty part of a mine without negative consequences like a cut in hours, pay or retribution from mine operators. The Part 90 program was created through Congress in amendments to the Federal Coal Mine and Safety Act of 1969. The program effectively ended in April without an act of Congress through cuts by the newly created federal Department of Government Efficiency when all workers within the division were put on administrative leave pending permanent firings. A hearing for the case was held in May. Attorneys for the coal miners argued that the nature in which the NIOSH cuts occurred and the consequences of those cuts leaving coal miners without services the government is congressionally obligated to provide was illegal. Attorneys for the federal government argued the cuts were temporary, but offered no evidence of when the services would return or in what form. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to those arguments, federal U.S. District Judge Irene Berger issued a preliminary injunction on May 13 ordering a full restoration of services at the Respiratory Health Division and the Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program. Despite two months passing since that order, work at the surveillance program has still slowed and several of the functions its responsible for providing including free black lung screenings for active miners through a mobile clinic have yet to resume, per West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Attorneys in last weeks filing argued that Wards experiences were similar to those of Wiley, the cases lead plaintiff, and as such were appropriate to add in the suit as part of an amended complaint. Ward also testified at Mays hearing but was not included as a potential named plaintiff on the case until last week. According to filings, Ward was diagnosed with complicated black lung disease in March 2025 at the New River Clinic, which is a partner clinic for the surveillance program. While hes out of work temporarily due to injury, he would like to return to work in a less dusty part of the coal mine to not exacerbate his progressing black lung disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To do such, Ward filed in April 2025 to request a Part 90 transfer. According to the filings, he has yet to hear back from DHHS regarding his application or the status of his request. Black lung disease has no cure. The best intervention, according to experts, is to limit exposure to dangerous silica dust that is becoming more common in mines as miners are forced to dig through more silica-rich sandstone to reach the little coal that remains in existing seams. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 20% of Central Appalachian coal miners are suffering from black lung the highest rate detected in more than 25 years. One in 20 of the regions coal miners are living with the most severe form of the condition. The resurgence of black lung is hitting coal miners at younger ages than ever before due to the increased exposure to silica dust. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., subpoenaed Anthony Bernal, who served as chief of staff for first lady Jill Biden and as an assistant to President Joe Biden, to testify at a deposition Wednesday. Bernal refused to appear for a transcribed interview on June 26 as part of the Oversight Committees investigation into the alleged cover-up of Bidens mental decline and potentially unauthorized use of autopen for pardons and other executive actions. He had previously confirmed he would appear for the interview, but when the White House Counsels Office notified him it was waiving executive privilege, Bernal said he would no longer appear for the interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's abundantly clear that Anthony Bernal Jill Bidens so-called work husband never intended to be transparent about Joe Bidens cognitive decline and the ensuing cover-up. With no privilege left to hide behind, Mr. Bernal is now running scared, desperate to bury the truth," Comer said. Ex-dnc Insider Reveals 'Puppet Masters' Who Ran The Biden White House Former Biden aide Anthony Bernal is subpoenaed to appear before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday. Two recent books about the Biden administration have painted an unflattering picture of Bernal's political rise. Read On The Fox News App Former Biden Aide Anthony Bernal Subpoenaed By House Committee After Refusing To Appear For Deposition Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By proxy, the first lady's top aide became one of the most influential people in the White House , according to "Original Sin," a book by CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Axios political correspondent Alex Thompson. "He would not be welcome at my funeral," a longtime Biden aide told the authors. Operating in a White House anchored in loyalty, Bernal wielded loyalty as a weapon to weed out the defectors, Tapper and Thompson said. And Bernal earned a reputation for trash-talking fellow aides, as "some even described him as the worst person they had ever met," Tapper and Thompson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jill Biden and Bernal worked in tandem, keeping score of "who was with them and against them," according to Tapper and Thompson. A former White House staffer fired back against Tapper and Thompson's allegations about Bernal in a statement to Fox News Digital. "A lot of vignettes in this book are either false, exaggerated, or purposefully omit viewpoints that dont fit the narrative they want to push. Anthony was a strong leader with high standards and a mentor to many. Hes the type of person you want on a team - hes incredibly strategic, effective, and cares deeply about the people he manages," the former White House staffer said in May. "2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America," released last week by Josh Dawsey of The Wall Street Journal, Tyler Pager of The New York Times and Isaac Arnsdor of The Washington Post, outlines how Bernal's political influence grew alongside Jill Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who Is Anthony Bernal?: The 'Indispensable' Biden Aide Ditching House Oversight Probe On His Mental Decline "He quickly bonded with Jill Biden and never left her side, becoming unflinchingly loyal to her and using his proximity to her to exert power wherever he decided. It was often unclear if the opinion he was expressing was his own or the first ladys. Sometimes, when donors or voters asked her questions, Bernal would jump in to answer," the authors said. Joe Biden at his debate watch party at Hyatt Regency Atlanta on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. Lindy Li, a former DNC fundraiser and Democratic insider who had a front-row seat to Biden's presidency, told Fox News Digital, "People like Anthony Bernal. I saw him running the White House like he was in charge, like he was a king. It's just so amazing now to see him dodge a subpoena and completely dodge accountability. He can run, but he can't hide. His name is going to go down in infamy forever." Li said Bernal "followed Jill around like a dog." However, Li clarified that he ran the East Wing more than the West Wing. She said Bernal was among those running the White House during Biden's presidency. First lady Jill Biden speaks during a campaign stop Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Democratic strategist Michael LaRosa, who served as press secretary to Jill Biden, told Fox News Digital that, "No one spent more time, whether it was in the motorcade, on the plane, in the private residence at the White House, Camp David, and at both houses in Delaware, nobody spent more personal time around them and their family and the Biden family than Anthony." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bernal and a Biden spokesperson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on this article. Fox News Digital's Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report. Original article source: Anthony Bernal: Who is Jill Biden's top aide ordered to testify about alleged cover-up? A new report into antisemitism has laid out a number of recommendations, including that the NHS tackle what it found was a "specific unaddressed issue of antisemitism". Launched by the Board of Deputies of British Jews in 2024, the report made 10 recommendations after taking evidence from a range of organisations, including the NHS, the arts industry and the police. Lord John Mann, the government's independent advisor on antisemitism, who led the review with ex-Conservative cabinet minister Dame Penny Mordaunt, said the commission heard "shocking experiences". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said it was "unacceptable" there had been what he called an "onslaught of antisemitism" in the UK since 7 October. He added that they hoped the recommendations would provide guidance and action. About 1,200 people were killed in a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, while 251 others were taken hostage. The Israeli military launched an ongoing campaign in Gaza in response to the attack. At least 57,823 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. The majority of the recommendations in the report pointed towards antisemitism training in different capacities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One was the creation of an "Antisemitism Training Qualification" for those who carry out training on what it called "contemporary antisemitism". It explained that Jewish communal organisations wanted to increase knowledge on anti-Jewish discrimination, which could be done if there was a standard training given by a "credible provider". On Jewish identity, it said Judaism "should always be seen and understood... as an ethnicity as well as a religion", which the commission said would ensure antisemitism is dealt with appropriately. The report found many Jewish employees within the NHS felt antisemitism was not being addressed in the workplace, as well as some Jewish patients feeling "uneasy about using the service". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among its recommendations are that the NHS should hold a summit to tackle the "specific unaddressed issue of antisemitism" within the health service. It also suggested that antisemitism should be included in all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training, which it said would increase the number of people "educated" about it and "confident in tackling it". "No person should face abuse or discrimination whilst going about their business, whether it is pursuing the career of their choice or accessing public services," Dame Penny said. On education, the report claimed to have received evidence of some Christian primary school teachers "inadvertently using antisemitic tropes" in subjects such as religious studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said it welcomed an initiative proposed by the Winchester Diocese and the local Jewish community to teach the teachers how to avoid doing so, and recommended that it be evaluated and applied to all faith schools. The Board of Deputies said that while it believed "everyone should have the right to express their opinions and beliefs", those in a role of "welfare, safety or security... have an additional duty to ensure people feel able to ask for their assistance". Other recommendations asked that Jewish members of the arts industry and unions be treated equally. Another key recommendation was on policing and devising a "consistent approach" to dealing with antisemitic crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board of Deputies president Phil Rosenberg said the report could be "summarised as one of a failure to apply the protections rightly afforded to different vulnerable groups equally to Jewish people in the same positions". ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) An employee at an Altoona restaurant was arrested after co-workers went to police about his demeanor and him claiming to have a manifesto and kill list. Cedric J. Kim, 21 (Altoona Police Department) Cedric J. Kim, 21, of East Freedom, was charged with terroristic threats to cause a public inconvenience after Altoona police were called to Zachs Bar and Grill/Old Carolina Barbeque on 6th Avenue Sunday, July 13. According to the criminal complaint, police spoke to multiple coworkers and managers at the two restaurants, which are owned by a parent company where Kim worked. One witness claimed Kim had discussed with them a manifesto he had written. According to their statement to police, he also shared that he had a list of coworkers he intended to kill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another witness corroborated, stating that Kim discussed releasing his manifesto when his days were done, according to charging documents. They said that he planned to carry out his idea on August 5, just seven days before his 22nd birthday. Police noted that Kim was spoken to by management and shortly after, told a coworker, for legal reasons, that he was kidding about everything. Altoona man yelling about gas in the air used bat to try breaking into home: Police Police spoke to one of Kims managers, who alleged that he was typically introverted; however, he would get frustrated and have outbursts that included telling staff to go kill themselves. According to the charges, the manager told police that Kim had been frustrated lately after being denied a promotion, while two others received more responsibilities within the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Management also alleged to police that Kim was going to be fired soon due to his suffering work ethic, attitude and outbursts. Police noted in the criminal complaint that no one was sure about the significance of Aug. 5 for Kim to choose that date to allegedly carry out his plans. They added that they discovered the only historical importance of that date was the atomic bomb being dropped on Hiroshima; however, its unknown if theres a correlation between the two. Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices. Kim was arraigned Monday and placed in Blair County Prison with bail set at $250,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 23. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Austin Police Department seeks public help to find the victim of an alleged aggravated robbery that happened in north Austin on July 13, per a news release from APD. The alleged assault happened between 11 and 11:45 p.m. Police identified the victim as 41-year-old Steven Conn, whose safety and well-being are of extreme concern. Steven Conn, 41 (Austin Police Department Photo) If anyone has any information on Conns whereabouts, they can call the APD robbery tip line at 512-974-5092 or submit an anonymous tip via the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other details were available Tuesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jul. 15The Pennsylvania Superior Court upheld the state prison sentence of Ronald Kent, who was convicted by a Luzerne County jury of delivering methamphetamine while babysitting a 3-year-old girl. Kent, 47, last known address as Lincoln Street, Wilkes-Barre, was arrested in a joint investigation by Wilkes-Barre City police and the Pennsylvania State Police in a controlled drug sale of methamphetamine on Oct. 16, 2019, according to court records. Kent exchanged methamphetamine for cash and 128gb SD memory cards in the area of Beaumont and Madison streets, Wilkes-Barre, with the girl in the back seat of his Hyundai, court records say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child's mother told police Kent was the babysitter while she was at work the night of the drug transaction. A Luzerne County jury convicted Kent on charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child following a two day trial before Judge David W. Lupas in March 2023. Lupas subsequently sentenced Kent to four years, six months to 14 years in state prison. Kent appealed the conviction, claiming false, misleading testimony, evidence was wrongfully permitted during the trial, and violation of the state's speedy trial rule as he was arrested in October 2019, but his trial was held in March 2023. A three-member panel of the Superior Court rejected all of Kent's appeals in a 30-page ruling issued Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Based on our review, we conclude that Kent's illegal sentencing claim...is without merit," the appellate court ruled, adding, "As Kent is not entitled to relief on any of his issues, we affirm the judgement of sentence." Reach Ed Lewis at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TLEdLewis. Attorney General Kris Mayes. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror Arizona and nearly two dozen other states are taking the Trump administration to court over its decision to freeze more than $6.8 billion in public education funds, which they warn will cause schools across the country to lay off teachers and shut down critical programs. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes lambasted the decision as unconstitutional and said it would spell disaster for the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unlawful for President Trump to hold up this education funding and to wreak absolute havoc on our schools and on our students and families, she said. The Democrat has been fiercely critical of the Trump administration and mobilized her office to oppose its actions in court several times. This latest legal challenge is the 21st lawsuit the Grand Canyon State has joined against the federal government since January. On June 30, just a day before schools were set to receive billions in K-12 funding, the U.S. Department of Education notified state education officials it would hold onto the money to conduct a review of the six federal grant programs it goes towards. Those grants help pay for before- and after-school programs, services for English-language learner students, and migrant education, including for students who transfer from one school to another. The lions share, about $2.2 billion, is used for professional development for teachers. The decision to freeze the money sparked alarm among the public education community just weeks away from the start of the new academic year and prompted school leaders to consider shutting down the affected programs or approving cuts elsewhere to make up the difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayes office estimates Arizona schools will see a loss of more than $132 million, jeopardizing before- and after-school programs, teacher training initiatives and summer school activities. As many as five school districts and a handful of charter schools stand to lose all the funding for their school safety offices, according to information school districts provided the AGs Office. And rural and low-income schools are dreading the prospect of staffing cuts. Crane Elementary School District, in Yuma, told Mayes office it expects to have to lay off at least one preschool teacher. Colorado River Union High School District in Bullhead City would lose a science and a social studies teacher. Isaac School District in Phoenix could be forced to end its entire band program. This is essential education funding that Trump is trying to slash, Mayes said. This is funding that keeps the lights on at our schools. It pays for supplies and teachers and school safety officers. The Trump administration is trying to take it all away for absolutely no reason. In their brief, the 24 states and Washington, D.C., urge a Rhode Island District Court to compel the U.S. Department of Education to make the funding available. Congress already set aside the money for K-12 schools, according to the states, and clearly mandated that it be accessible starting July 1. Neither the president nor any agency in his administration, reads the lawsuit, has no authority to violate those directives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is Congress, not the Executive Branch, that possesses the power of the purse, reads the brief. The Constitution does not empower the Executive Branch to unilaterally refuse to spend funds appropriated by Congress and enacted into law. Yet that is exactly what Defendants are attempting to do here. Partisan divide leads to a difference of opinion While Mayes is adamant that withholding the funds will be detrimental for Arizona schools, the states top education official says theres nothing to worry about. The Arizona Department of Education isnt involved in the lawsuit, and spokesman Doug Nick said there are no plans to join it, either. In a video released last week, Superintendent Tom Horne, a Republican and staunch Trump supporter, dismissed the concern over the paused disbursement. There is not a freeze, he said. The federal government is just studying it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Horne added that the review is necessary to root out instances of far-left ideology being taught to students, and said he would work with the Trump administration to ensure the money isnt spent on such goals. And, he said, the amount being withheld is negligible. Were talking about less than 1 percent of the schools budgets, he said. So, if there actually is a freeze for a particular program theyve put a high priority on, they can reallocate their own funds. So, its not going to be a terrible catastrophe either way. The state education department also estimates the cut will only be about $124 million. The projection from Mayes office was developed by a former state education official not in conjunction with current leadership. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Arizonas senators are demanding answers from the Department of the Interior over its handling of a devastating wildfire that is still burning out of control on the Grand Canyons North Rim. In a letter sent Monday to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly questioned the departments initial response to the Dragon Bravo Fire. The blaze spread quickly over the weekend and destroyed dozens of structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, a visitor center and a wastewater treatment plant. It has been reported that National Parks Service officials initially decided to monitor the fire as a controlled burn, but changed their approach as strong winds allowed the fire to jump multiple containment features, the senators wrote in the letter. There are many questions over the initial decision to treat this fire as a controlled burn and subsequent decisions on how to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither the National Park Service nor the Department of the Interior immediately responded to requests for comment. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, on Sunday called for an independent investigation into the federal response, particularly the decision to manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer, she said in a post on X. An incident of this magnitude demands intense oversight and scrutiny into the federal governments emergency response, Hobbs wrote. They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage. But Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park. As of Monday, the fire had consumed more than 5,700 acres and remained 0% contained, according to InciWeb, the U.S. Forest Services wildfire information site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallego and Kelly said they were concerned that early decisions by the federal government may have affected the spread of fire in northern Arizona, particularly since the North Rim has been under weeks of extreme heat and experienced a dry winter. The senators asked Burgum to detail the factors that contributed to the initial decision to treat the fire as a controlled burn. Controlled burns are fires that are intentionally set or allowed to burn to reduce the amount of dry and flammable vegetation in an area. These kinds of burns are used to manage ecosystems that need periodic fires to stay healthy and also to lower the risk of bigger wildfires from breaking out. Gallego and Kelly called the Grand Canyon Arizonas crown jewel and asked about the resources available to fight the wildfire. They also questioned how the Interior Department plans to prevent other blazes from spreading. The senators requested responses by Aug. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dragon Bravo Fire was started by lightning on July 4. The National Park Service said Sunday that the blaze exhibited extreme and volatile fire behavior the evening of July 12, resulting in a 500-acre expansion. The fire's rapid expansion was fueled by sustained winds of 20 mph and gusts reaching up to 40 mph, according to the NPS. Early assessments suggest that between 50 and 80 structures have been lost, but no injuries or deaths have been reported so far. A separate, bigger blaze known as the White Sage Fire is also burning north of the Dragon Bravo Fire. The White Sage Fire has consumed more than 49,000 acres and is also 0% contained, according to InciWeb. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Arkansas Agriculture Department will distribute nearly $1.5 million to county and regional fairs over the next 12 months as part of the Fair Funding Program. Seen here are pigs grazing at Bansleys Berkshire Ridge Farm in Harrison. (Photo courtesy of Carol Bansley) Dozens of Arkansas fairs and livestock shows will receive a total of nearly $1.5 million from the state Department of Agriculture before June 30 of next year, the agency and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Tuesday. The Department of Agricultures Fair Funding Program assists fairs and livestock shows with operational costs, facility improvements and livestock-related expenses, according to Tuesdays news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agriculture isnt just Arkansas largest industry its part of our way of life, Sanders said in the release. The Fair Funding Program helps showcase our farmers and ranchers and gets the next generation excited about agriculture while also being a great way for small town Arkansas to come together and have fun. The funding will be distributed among 80 fairs and livestock shows, including the Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock, as well as the Arkansas-Oklahoma Fair in Fort Smith and the Four States Fair in Texarkana. The largest grant of $84,000 will go to the state fair. The Arkansas-Oklahoma Fair, the Four States Fair and five other fairs and livestock shows will each receive $54,000. Fairs and livestock shows provide opportunities for the next generation to participate in the industry that provides the food, fiber, fuel, and shelter that is critical to the daily lives of every Arkansan, Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward said in the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arkansas Legislature set aside a maximum of $1,095,272 for county fairs via the Fair Funding Program for fiscal year 2026, an increase of $136,000 compared to fiscal year 2025 and $515,000 compared to fiscal year 2024, according to the Department of Agricultures appropriation bills. Fair organizers who receive aid from the Fair Funding Program are required by law to keep detailed financial records and submit annual reports on their uses of the money to the agriculture department and to Arkansas Legislative Audit. Arkansas Advocate reporter Tess Vrbin can be reached at tvrbin@arkansasadvocate.com SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on Tuesday that the state Department of Agriculture will provide funding for county fairs in the coming season. Officials stated that a total of $1.4 million was allocated for distribution across 82 fairs and livestock shows from the Agriculture Departments Fair Funding Program. Officials noted that the program aimed to promote the states agricultural heritage while investing in the industrys future. US has reclosed its southern border after a flesh-eating parasite is seen further north in Mexico Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The annual state fair in Little Rock received the largest share at $84,000. The money we receive with this funding is used for our livestock show premiums that are awarded back out to exhibitors that place in the livestock shows, Arkansas State Fair Director of Sales and Promotions Will Hornburg said. Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward said the funding was in support of the states largest industry. Were proud to work with fairs and livestock shows throughout the state to highlight the importance of our states largest industry and provide opportunities for the next generation to participate in the industry that provides the food, fiber, fuel, and shelter that is critical to the daily lives of every Arkansan, Ward said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fairs and livestock shows receiving funding are: Arkansas State Fair $84,000 Arkansas Youth Expo $48,000 Arkansas County Fair Assoc. Inc $12,564.48 Ashley Co Fair Association $12,927.18 Baxter County Fair Association $15,336.66 Benton County Fair Association Inc $17,109.17 Boone County Fair $17,335.57 Bradley County Fair Association $14,208.45 Calhoun County Fair $13,678.08 Carroll County Fair & Livestock $14,611.26 Chicot County Fair Association $12,392.26 Clark County Fair Association Inc $14,311.12 Clay Co Agricultural Fair Assn Inc $15,542.56 Cleburne County Fair and Livestock $14,838.81 Cleveland County Fair Association $14,407.40 Columbia County Fair & Livestock $11,493.69 Conway County Fair Association $13,257.46 Crawford Co Fair Association Inc $15,150.29 Dallas County Fair Association $12,651.33 Drew County Fair & Livestock Association $12,097 Faulkner County Fair $15,794.98 Fulton County Fair Association $18,048.70 Garland County Fair and Livestock $14,487.19 Grant County Fair Association $13,525.21 Greene County Fair Association $14,839.92 Hempstead Co Fair Association $13,455.46 Hot Springs Co Livestock Exhibition $14,667.09 Howard County Fair and Livestock $13,642.83 Independence County Fair Association $15,598.16 Izard Co Fair Association $13,595.99 Johnson County Fair Association $13,713.10 Lafayette County Fair & Livestock $13,347.23 Lawrence Co Fair Association $13,148.39 Lincoln County Fair Association Inc $13,777.81 Little River Co Fair Association Inc $14,962.23 Lonoke Co Fair & Livestock Association $12,338.28 Madison County Fair Association Inc $19,599.02 Marion County $14,556.26 Miller County Fair Association $11,761.33 Mississippi County Fair Association $11,108.51 Montgomery County Fair Association $12,946.76 Nevada County Fair $16,208.76 Newton County Fair and Rodeo Inc $14,301.22 North Franklin County Fair Association $13,218.59 Ouachita County Livestock & Fair $13,598.60 Perry County Fair Association $13,430.35 Pike County Fair Association $13,169.20 Poinsett County Agricultural Fair $12,323.44 Polk County Fair & Rodeo Association $15,137.21 Pope County Fair Association $12,460.22 Randolph County Fair Foundation $13,991.55 Saline County Fair Association $14,288.22 Scott Co Fair Association $14,025.38 Searcy County Fair Association $14,197.13 Sevier County Fair $13,798.67 Sharp County Fair Association Inc $14,730.60 South Franklin County Fair Association $9,035.43 South Logan Livestock & Fair $13,329.89 South Sebastian County Fair $13,202.64 St Francis Co Fair Association $11,108.51 Stone County Fair Association $12,829.74 The Logan County Fair Association $11,684.21 The Prairie County Fair and Livestock $12,932.38 The White County Fair Association $11,559.08 Three Co Fair Association Inc $22,837.91 Tri County Fair $22,260.62 Union County Fair Association $12,158.50 Van Buren Co Livestock Show & Fair $15,695.37 Washington County Fair Association $13,449.89 Yell County Free Fair Inc $15,481.46 Arkansas-Oklahoma Fair $54,000 Four States Fair $54,000 North Central Arkansas District Fair and Livestock Show Inc $54,000 Northeast District Fair $54,000 Northwest District Fair $54,000 South Arkansas Livestock Show $54,000 Southwest Arkansas District $54,000 Buffalo Island Northeast District Jr Livestock $5,400 North Arkansas Jr District Spring Livestock $5,400 Southeast District Jr Livestock Show $5,400 Southwest Arkansas District $5,400 Washington County Fair Association $5,400 Pregnant goat stranded on Hawaii cliff for a week finally rescued Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to administering funds through the Fair Funding Program, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture has a role in safeguarding animal health at all fairs and livestock shows. Last year alone, livestock inspectors spent more than 1,600 hours at fairs across the state and inspected more than 1,800 cattle, 1,400 hogs, 2,200 goats, 1,000 sheep, 7,000 poultry, 1,700 rabbits and 470 equine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. ABUJA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria's former president, was laid to rest on Tuesday at his private residence in Daura, his hometown in the northern state of Katsina, in a solemn ceremony marked by full state honors. Buhari, who served as Nigerian president from 2015 to 2023, died Sunday in a clinic in London where he had been receiving medical treatment. He was aged 82. The late former president's body, draped in the national colors, arrived in Katsina from London on Tuesday afternoon. His body was lowered into the grave at 5:50 p.m. local time, preceded by a military parade and a 21-gun salute by the armed forces. The atmosphere in Daura was a mix of sorrow and reverence as thousands paid their last respects to a leader who significantly shaped Nigeria's contemporary history. Security was exceptionally tight, with a heavy presence of military and police personnel ensuring a smooth and dignified proceeding. President Bola Tinubu, who had earlier declared a seven-day national mourning period with flags flown at half-mast, attended the final rites of passage of his predecessor. Dignitaries, including serving and past West African leaders, family members, and a mammoth crowd of mourners, witnessed the burial rites. Earlier, in his eulogy, Tinubu described Buhari as a "patriotic statesman" whose contributions to national unity and development would forever be etched in the annals of Nigerian history. "He served our nation with dedication and an unyielding spirit," the president said, emphasizing Buhari's legacy of discipline and service. Born on Dec. 17, 1942, Buhari had a distinguished career in both the military and civilian governance. He spent years in political activism before successfully contesting the presidency in 2015, becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent president in Nigeria's history. He was re-elected in 2019 and handed over power to Tinubu on May 29, 2023. During his two terms as president, Buhari's administration focused on three key areas: security, anti-corruption, and economic diversification. He launched significant campaigns against the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast and worked to recover looted public funds. His tenure also saw efforts to boost agriculture and infrastructure development, though it was marked by economic challenges. DODGE COUNTY, Wis. An Arkansas man accused in the kidnapping and rape of a teen made a court appearance in Wisconsin on Tuesday. Gary Day is facing charges related to the kidnapping and rape of 16-year-old Sophia Franklin after she ran away from her Wisconsin home in February. Franklin was three months pregnant with 40-year-old Days child at the time. Arkansas man accused of abducting pregnant Wisconsin teen indicted on federal charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Day and Franklin were apprehended by police in Nebraska in April, following a multi-state search by law enforcement. Day was extradited to Wisconsin, where he is facing charges of transportation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, use of a computer to engage in criminal sexual activity, and production and possession of child pornography. Day pleaded not guilty during his brief Tuesday court appearance and was assigned a trial date of 8:15 a.m. on October 7. His attorney requested more than the usual 30 days due to the significant amount of evidence that needs to be reviewed. AMBER Alert suspect from Arkansas facing Wisconsin charges, teen still missing According to Wisconsin court records from his initial appearance, a judge during a hearing ordered Day to have no contact with the teen, her family or any minors. He is currently held in jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. JUNEAU, Wis. (WFRV) Gary Day, a man from Arkansas, pleaded not guilty in Dodge County Court after being accused of kidnapping a pregnant teenager from Beaver Dam. A phone hearing is scheduled for October 7th. He faces two counts of child abduction and two counts of child enticement. 40-year-old Day is also charged with several federal crimes. These include having sex with someone 16 or younger, transporting a child for sex, and four other charges related to child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Green Bay woman convicted for forcefully keeping mother in poor living conditions, sentenced to one year in prison Day was arrested after an AMBER Alert was issued for a 17-year-old girl from Beaver Dam, who is pregnant with his child. The criminal complaint says Day and the girl began talking online in April 2024. The girl was 16 at the time. She lived with Day in Arkansas for several months, while her parents believed she was staying with a friend in Beaver Dam. Day picked her up in Wisconsin and took her to Arkansas in July 2024. In December 2024, Arkansas police told the girls family where she was, and she came home. However, Day and the girl allegedly started talking again in January. Day was even seen on the familys home security camera on the morning of February 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barn fire shuts down part of State Highway 57 in Wisconsin That same day, the girls father reported her missing, and an AMBER Alert was issued. On April 3, police arrested Day in Sarpy County, Nebraska. A couple at a truck stop became worried after seeing Day and the girl traveling together. A woman realized the girl was the subject of the AMBER Alert and called 911 right away. No additional information has been provided. Local 5 is following the case and will provide updates as it moves forward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. A collaboration between Arkansas State Police and Tennessee Highway Patrol resulted in multiple arrests along the Interstate 40 corridor over the course of a July weekend. Officials said the July 11-13 operation had troopers engaged in targeted enforcement. The purpose was to combat violent crime, impaired driving, drug trafficking, illegal firearms and other criminal activities, they said. Arkansas State Police make multiple arrests, rescue multiple victims as part of national child exploitation investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the two-night operation, officials said troopers from both states contacted over 500 motorists. Troopers recovered a stolen trailer and seized illegal narcotics, including fentanyl, ecstasy, and illegal marijuana, as well as unlawfully possessed firearms. Additionally, Troopers executed multiple outstanding warrants relating to aggravated robbery, firearm offenses, aggravated assault, theft, and vandalism. In Arkansas, officials said troopers made 31 speeding arrests, 11 DWI arrests and 162 hazardous and non-hazardous arrests. A total of 34 individuals were arrested, and 238 citations were issued. Arkansas State Police also issued 222 warnings out of the 472 total contacts. The Tennessee Highway Patrol made six DUI arrests, officials said, with an additional citation for resisting arrest. One person was charged with handgun possession while under the influence, and a person was cited for a stolen vehicle. Arkansas State Police arrest Florida man in connection with deadly 2023 hit-and-run Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two in Tennessee are facing charges for possession of burglary tools and two for drug possession. Three were cited for evading arrest on foot and two for felony evading. One ticket was issued for reckless endangerment, and one for an open container violation. Three tickets were issued for suspended or revoked licenses. The Tennessee officers issued 25 traffic citations out of 61 contacts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. An arrest has been made in connection with multiple break-ins at Greene County businesses last month. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] News Center 7 previously reported that Bentinos Pizza, Wander & Wonder, Tibet Bazaar, and Village Herb Shoppe were each broken into on the evening of June 14 and early morning of June 15. Yellow Springs Police Department posted on social media Tuesday that an arrest has been made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police did not identify the suspect. Police previously shared video from inside one of the businesses. It shows someone breaking the glass door and taking cash out of the register. TRENDING STORIES: Carl Lea, owner of Bentinos, told News Center 7 that he was hoping to sleep in on Fathers Day, but he instead worked up to five missed calls and some unfortunate news that his store was broken into. This is not a - its not something we normally expect to see happen, Lea said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He described glass being all over the floor of the dining room. And then they had taken the register, he said. Insurance is helping replace the door, but he called the break-in heartbreaking. Were small businesses, you know. None of these places, especially the ones in Kings Yard, that like, were not high margin business, Lea said. All four businesses broken into were in the same building in Kings Yard. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A 25-year-old Hemet man has been arrested in connection with a January homicide that left one man dead and another injured, following what Riverside County authorities described as a lengthy and exhaustive investigation. The Riverside County Sheriffs Department announced Monday that Johnathen Amezola was taken into custody on July 6 in the city of Menifee and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of murder. The arrest follows a six-month investigation by the departments Central Homicide Unit, with support from the Riverside County District Attorneys Office Gang Impact Team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case stems from a violent incident reported just after 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 12, in the 1800 block of Normandy Court in San Jacinto. Deputies from the San Jacinto Sheriffs Station responded to multiple reports of an assault with a deadly weapon and found an adult male on the ground suffering from severe injuries. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Disabled U.S. veteran released without charges after being detained during raid, union says A short time later, a juvenile male with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound arrived at a local hospital. Investigators later determined he was also injured in the same incident. The victim killed in the attack was identified as 20-year-old Raul Solorio of Hemet, the Sheriffs Department confirmed. Authorities did not disclose a possible motive or whether the case is gang-related, and it remains unclear how many individuals were involved in the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sheriffs Central Homicide Unit is continuing its investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact Master Investigator D. Robertson at (951) 955-1777 or Investigator J. Vasquez at the Hemet Station at (951) 791-3400. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) A school district in western North Carolina will give out free breakfast and lunch for the 2025-26 school year. Asheville City Schools leaders said the district is working through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program and Chartwells K-12 to make free meals a possibility for students. The CEP allows schools to offer free meals to all students, eliminating the need for families to complete school meal applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District officials said that all students under the age of 18 can get breakfast and lunch at no additional cost. We know that nutritious meals are essential for student success, which is why were thrilled to provide this support to students and families, said Dr. Maggie Fehrman, Superintendent of Asheville City Schools. More details about the free meal program are set to come out in July and August. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. The Massachusetts assisted-living facility that caught fire Sunday evening, leaving nine dead, was slated to undergo a recertification and compliance review process later this year. "Gabriel House is up for recertification in November 2025 and is on the list of compliance reviews to be conducted this Fall," a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services said in a statement Monday evening. An official briefed on the probe into the cause of the deadly fire told ABC News that, as a preliminary matter, the fire does not appear to have been set intentionally. More likely, the source said, it appears to have been caused by some sort of electrical or mechanical problem. Steven Senne/AP - PHOTO: Flowers rest near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted living facility, Monday, July 14, 2025, following a fire that started late Sunday and resulted in multiple fatalities, in Fall River, Mass. Thirty people, including five firefighters, were taken to local hospitals after the deadly fire, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The facility in Fall River is classified as an assisted-living residence, not a nursing home. This distinction means that complexes like Gabriel House are subject to a different inspection, certification and regulatory process than Massachusetts nursing homes. The Massachusetts Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification's website says that the division conducts unannounced inspections of nursing homes every nine to 15 months. Colin Furze/USA Today Network via Reuters - PHOTO: Firefighters view the scene at Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility, after a deadly fire broke out in Fall River, Mass., July 14, 2025. Since Gabriel House is considered an assisted-living residence, its last onsite visit by representatives of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence occurred in October 2023. The office said that at the time, it found areas where Gabriel House "was not in compliance with state regulations," and the facility was required to submit a plan of correction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A compliance review report sent to Gabriel House Executive Director Dennis Etzkorn indicated the alleged violations were primarily related to missing documentation. Steven Senne/AP - PHOTO: An investigator takes measurements Monday, July 14, 2025, near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted living facility following a fire that started late Sunday, in Fall River, Mass. One part of the report noted that state representatives reviewed a 90-day correspondence log "required to communicate information necessary to maintain the continuity of care for all Residents." "The Residence did not consistently document for each 24-hour period in the Correspondence Log," the document stated. "The Residence did not use the Correspondence Log to communicate all significant or pertinent information necessary to maintain the continuity of care for all Residents." Michael Casey/AP - PHOTO: Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon, right, speaks with another official after a fire the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., Monday, July 14, 2025. Another part of the report said, "Documentation of the Residence monitoring the effectiveness of its Evidence Informed Falls Prevention Program was missing for all calendar years" and that the personnel records of three employees "were missing documentation of a pre-employment physical examination." Gabriel House's plan of correction indicated that changes were made and it received a certificate in December 2023. The certificate allowed Gabriel House to operate until November of this year. FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) A Massachusetts assisted-living center where nine residents died in a fire was cited for failing to immediately report more than two dozen health and safety incidents, according to regulators' most recent review of the facility. Five men and four women were killed and at least 30 others were injured Sunday night at Gabriel House in Fall River, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Boston. Some of the 70 residents were rescued by ladder after screaming for help from the windows of the three-story building. Investigators have not determined the cause of the blaze, which was the state's deadliest fire in more than four decades. The 100-unit facility, which opened in 1999 in a former motel built decades earlier, was last inspected by the state on Oct. 31, 2023, according to a report from the state Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report cited the facility for seven deficiencies, four of which were repeat problems. After the facility responded with a corrective action plan, it was re-certified through November 2025. Most of the issues involved missing documentation. For example, seven resident files that were reviewed were missing documents to indicate that their service plans were reassessed within 30 days of moving in, as required. The plans outline the services each resident receives, including whether they need help with medication and meals. The review also found problems with the reporting of safety incidents. Facilities are supposed to submit reports of incidents that could have a significant negative effect on residents' health, safety or welfare within 24 hours, but the review found 26 reports that were sent later than that between May 5, 2022, and Oct. 31, 2023. The report did not specify the total number of incidents, or provide any details about what they involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state also watched two staffers provide medication assistance to seven residents and found several problems, including failure to document when eye drops were opened, loose tablets in medication storage areas and partially opened medication. Advocates question staff size and other issues Some residents said only two or three staffers were working at the time of the fire, and they offered little help. "They left us alone and ran out into the parking lot, said Lorraine Ferrara. I was hanging out the window Help! Help! and they just kept running. Paul Lanzikos, a former Massachusetts secretary of elder affairs and co-founder of the advocacy group Dignity Alliance, said the group was concerned about reports on the lack of fire drills, the small number of staff members for a highly dependent population and safety issues such as a broken elevator and air conditioners in the windows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a terrible tragedy that should have never happened, Lanzikos said. Richard Moore, another co-founder of Dignity Alliance, has asked the attorney general to investigate based on similar concerns as well as the facility owner's history. Dennis Etzkorn, owner of Gabriel Care LLC, was indicted on medical assistance fraud and kickback charges in 2012, though the charges were dismissed three years later. The fact that it happened in the past and that this now happened suggests that there should be a more thorough investigation of that," said Moore, former head of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association and a former state senator. He said the assisted-living industry overall needs more rigorous regulation and oversight. And while it's too early to say what went wrong at Gabriel House, he said the staffing levels and training appear to have been inadequate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regulations require emergency plans Current regulations do not require a specific number of staff members, but the rules say facilities shall have a plan to secure staffing necessary to respond to emergencies. There should have been more staff. They should have been trained in the case of fire or other emergency, Moore said. They should have been doing fire drills. It seemed like residents didnt know what to do. Etzkorn declined to comment to The Associated Press. He told the Boston Globe in a statement Monday that he and his family were devastated by the tragedy and that he will continue to cooperate with authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a state commission working to improve long-term care in Massachusetts held a moment of silence Tuesday for the lives that were lost and the lives that were put on the line" in Fall River. The Assisted Living Residences Commission, created by lawmakers last year as part of a broader effort, faces an Aug. 1 deadline to recommend policies to ensure facilities meet the health and safety needs of residents. But members said they may seek more time given the fire. We need to do a deep dive based on the investigation results with this facility, but also the facilities like this one, state Rep. Thomas Stanley said. Some residents still homeless Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Tuesday morning, the facility's broken windows had been boarded up, and bouquets of flowers and a rosary were set on the ground against a post wrapped with yellow police tape. A steady stream of cars pulled up to the Catholic Charities Diocese of Fall River to drop off donated items for the displaced residents, and the city is working with multiple organizations to collect money. There's a lot of generosity and love being shared with the city of Fall River and the people who suffered so much the other night, Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said. Ann ONeil-Souza, chief of staff for the mayor, said city officials expect to find homes for the survivors from Gabriel House by the end of Tuesday. She said most were being placed with other facilities in the city and with family, and hospitals have been asked to work with social workers to ensure patients find housing when they are discharged. The dead ranged in age from 61 to 86, authorities said. The Bristol County District Attorneys Office identified seven of the deceased as Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; and Eleanor Willett, 86. The office said the names of a 70-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man had not been released pending notification of family. ___ Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire. Smith reported from Providence, Rhode Island. Associated Press Writers Michael Casey in Boston and Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report. KABUL, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Police have discovered arms and ammunition, including hand grenades and projectiles, in eastern Afghanistan's Khost province, provincial police spokesman Tahir Ehrar said Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off, counter-terrorism police raided places in Ismael Khil and Mandozai districts recently and confiscated a quantity of arms and ammunition. Ehrar said that police will not allow anyone to possess arms illegally. A no trespassing sign outside of Northwest ICE Processing Center, also known as Northwest Detention Center. An asylum seeker known as O-J-M in court documents will be released from the center Monday following 40 days of unlawful detainment, according to a federal judge's ruling Monday. (Photo by Grace Deng/Washington State Standard) An asylum seeker arrested by immigration officials outside a courtroom in Portland last month after a judge and attorney promised the government wouldnt seek to deport her must be released immediately, a federal judge ordered Monday. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Baggio on Monday ordered the immediate release of a 24-year-old Mexican woman identified in court documents as O-J-M, who was arrested June 2 at the Edith GreenWendell Wyatt Federal Building following an asylum hearing meant to determine if she could stay in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents who arrested her were masked, did not present any charges at the time of the arrest and refused to engage with an attorney trying to talk to them. O-J-M has spent more than 40 days in solitary confinement at a Washington detention center. Baggio determined that the governments basis for arresting and detaining O-J-M following her hearing on June 2 was unlawful, and that the Department of Homeland Security may have deliberately tricked her into agreeing to conditions during that hearing that allowed them to attempt to expedite her deportation immediately after. Baggio also accused the government of shifting the basis for the arrest and detention after O-J-M obtained legal counsel. The government here failed to follow its own rules, Baggio said when issuing her order for O-J-Ms release Monday at the Mark O. Hatfield federal courthouse in Portland. The government, arrested first and sought to justify later. Then they changed the alleged basis for the arrest and detention. There is a right way to do this and a wrong way to do this, and the government unquestionably went about the arrest and detention of O-J-M on June 2, 2025, in the wrong way. Detained in Tacoma Following her arrest, federal officials transported O-J-M to the mens facility at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington. O-J-M, who is a transgender woman, requested solitary confinement for her own safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her lawyer Jordan Cunnings, with the Innovation Law Lab, a nonprofit law firm in Portland that provides free legal representation to asylum seekers, said theyre grateful this is her last day in isolated detention and that it has been particularly brutal for her. As a transgender woman being held by a government that denies the existence of transgender people, shes been in solitary for, I believe, over 40 days. So were extremely relieved, she said following the decision Monday. She suffered horrific sexual violence in Mexico. Thats why she fled and sought asylum here. And so her arrest was really re-traumatizing for her, having been a victim of assault, and then having to be held in solitary, thats obviously no joke. Seeking asylum O-J-M first came to the U.S. to seek asylum in 2023, claiming she was targeted by a Mexican drug cartel called the Knights Templar because of her gender identity and sexuality, and that members of the gang abducted and raped her. She was released on conditions that she check in regularly at ICE offices in Medford, where she went to stay with family soon after arrival, and later in Portland, where her asylum case would eventually be heard. During that June 2 hearing in Portland, O-J-M, who had no lawyer at the time and represented herself, was told by an immigration judge that the Department of Homeland Security would not attempt to deport her if she agreed to dismiss her case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a tactic that the U.S. Justice Department under President Donald Trump has been using to get asylum seekers to inadvertently end their pursuit of asylum protections so the government can then immediately arrest and deport them. They wont be seeking to deport you if you agree to this dismissal, the judge told O-J-M, after confirming with the attorney for the Department of Homeland Security, according to a rough transcript of the June 2 hearing that Baggio read from Monday. O-J-M agreed to the dismissal, according to the transcript. After the hearing wrapped, ICE agents arrested her outside the court room and took her away via freight elevator. Ariana Garousi, the lawyer for the U.S. Department of Justice on Monday said she believed the governments attorney at the June 2 hearing knew ICE agents were waiting outside to arrest O-J-M, despite the attorney and judge affirming she would not be deported just minutes before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baggio said that line from the immigration judge that O-J-M would not be deported if she agreed to the dismissal is, seared into my memory. Within hours of being arrested, Innovation Law Lab attorneys filed a petition on O-J-Ms behalf, alleging that her arrest violated the U.S. Constitutions guarantee that the government cannot deprive anyone of life, liberty or property without due process. Since being detained in Tacoma, federal officials have also sought to have O-J-M sign paperwork written in English without her lawyers present, the lawyers claim. ICE did this despite knowing O-J-M has legal representation, is illiterate and has limited English proficiency, the lawyers alleged. Baggio said this smacks of more unfairness and that it is among all facts that cause the court grave concern about the rule of law and due process in O-J-Ms case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement O-J-M is among five asylum seekers who have been arrested by ICE agents outside the federal immigration court in Portland since early June. She is the last of those five to still be detained. All are being represented by the Innovation Law Lab. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA (Reuters) -There has been an increase in killings of and attacks against Palestinians by settlers and security forces in the occupied West Bank in recent weeks, the United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday. "Israeli settlers and security forces have intensified their killings, attacks and harassment of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in the past weeks," Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OCHCR), told reporters in Geneva. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 30,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced in the north of the occupied West Bank since the Israeli military launched its "Iron Wall" operation. It is contributing to the ongoing consolidation of annexation of the West Bank, in violation of international law, the OHCHR said. In June, the U.N. recorded the highest monthly count of Palestinians injured in over two decades in the West Bank. Since January there have been 757 settler attacks on Palestinians or their properties, which is a 13% increase on the same period last year, OHCHR said. At least 964 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023, by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Fifty-three Israelis have been killed in the West Bank and in Israel in reported attacks by Palestinians or in armed clashes, the office added. (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin, Editing by Friederike Heine and Rachel More) The victim was found on New Hall Lane in Preston just after midnight [BBC] Five men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was found in a street with slash wounds. The seriously injured man was found with "a number of laceration and puncture wound injuries" on New Hall Lane in Preston, just after midnight, Lancashire Police said. He was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition. Five men aged 21, 24, 26, 45 and 52 were later arrested and a woman aged 46 was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said an investigation was continuing. Det Insp Steve Monk said: "I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Arnhem Road or Wilbraham Street areas off New Hall Lane, or who has any information, to get in touch." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. Related internet links ROBERTSON COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) The trial for the Robertson County woman accused of dismembering and cooking her mothers body faces delays due to evidence backlogs, budget issues, and psychological evaluations. RELATED: Torilena Fields appeared before a Robertson County judge on Monday morning, July 14, for the first time since March. She was arrested in October 2024 after Kentucky State Police troopers discovered a grisly scene on Brierly Ridge Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two men came to do some work for her mother, Trudy, and instead found body parts and a bloody mattress behind the home. Court documents elaborate on the scene inside, where authorities found the dogs body and parts of Trudys in a large pot inside the still warm oven. State examiner finds Fields competent, judge to decide Since March 10, Fields has undergone a court-mandated psychiatric evaluation after her attorney raised questions about Fields ability to appreciate the nature and consequences of the proceedings or to participate in her defense. Fitzer alluded to the day before and the day that Fields was arrested as evidence of her mental state at the time. Torilena Fields (Bourbon County Detention Center) The day prior to the incident, witnesses saw the defendant attempting to cast spells on them, she wrote. When the police came on the scene after the body was found, the Commonwealth alleges the Defendant did not exit the home voluntarily, was seen speaking gibberish and attempting to cast spells on the robot deployed by the special response team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family members told FOX 56 in October 2024 that Fields was involved in a motorcycle accident while she lived in California that potentially caused brain damage. Shed only been home in Robertson County for a few months. It was a surprise to all of us that she was back here, and we think that Trudy was trying to help her with whatever she had going on mentally, Olivia Brock, Fields cousin, said. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Further, Fitzer noted that Fields had been found incompetent to stand trial for charges in California at some point in 2024. Court documents note that these records are confidential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So if the judge says were going to have them evaluated, it has to be done by KCPC. If its a felony, we dont get a choice in that, and I will put my personal views aside. But generally speaking, you know, its a recommendation, she explained. Although the records are confidential, prosecutors said in Mondays hearing that its Dr. Timothy Allens opinion that Fields is competent to stand trial. But Fitzer plans to challenge that assertion. Attorney Laura Fitzer (FOX 56) HON. ROBERT W. MCGINNIS (FOX 56) Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Michael Laws (FOX 56) Torilena Fields enters a Robertson County Courtroom (FOX 56) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courtroom as Torilena Fields appears before a Robertson County Judge (FOX 56) Then the judge is the ultimate determiner. So he determines whether or not shes competent by law. To do so, hell take into account the states examination and the defense teams in a confidential competency hearing. We actually have our own independent doctor do an evaluation. And thats, in my opinion, more thorough. He reviews a whole lot. He talks with us, and actually tends to meet with my client a lot longer, and then he will also issue a report. Well give that over to the Commonwealth, and then well have a confidential hearing, Fitzer explained. She said her professional opinion hasnt changed since she filed the initial motion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Competency is definitely still an issue, she said. However, that wasnt Attorney Laura Fitzers sole focus today. Attorney pressures investigators to turn over evidence Its unusual, Fitzer described the speed at which discovery is moving. Im not sure why they arent giving it to us. In a legal context, discovery is the stage of pre-trial preparations where evidence is exchanged. On Friday before the hearing, Fitzer filed a motion requesting several specific pieces of evidence and sets of data. Kentucky woman accused of dismembering, cooking her mother faces new charges Theres no reason why we should not have them. I am frustrated. Also, I recognize that I get a little heated, I can get that, I think its frustrating that Ive had, lets see, 1,100 cases in the last few years and have never had to file a motion to view the evidence before. I dont see what the reasoning is, Fitzer stressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at the key evidence Fitzer said shes yet to receive. 911 calls, calls for service, and Computer-Aided Dispatch records related to the Fields home for the eight weeks before Trudys death Testing results on the gun and gun holster belonging to the man who reportedly found Trudys body and called 911 Trail camera footage Security footage from a neighbor Cell phone data Medical examiners report Ability to view physical evidence in possession of Kentucky State Police recovered from the home Prosecutors hinted at some of the items booked as evidence thats in the state polices possession, including an axe, shoes, a rake, and a rake handle. These items reportedly havent been sent to the lab yet. Troopers were dispatched around 12:26 p.m. to the 3500 block of Brierly Ridge Road after two men reportedly found a dismembered body behind the home (FOX 56 Jace OBarto) Further, they argued that: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No calls were made in the eight-week timeframe before Trudys death. The gun and holster have been sent off for fingerprinting and DNA testing. No timeline on when these would be available to the defense. Trail camera recordings belonging to Trudy and security footage only depict the driveway and were provided in discovery. The neighbors security footage is in the process of being turned over to prosecutors. Trudys phone has been sent off for fingerprinting and DNA analysis. Prosecutors note that blood was found on the phone. Data from Fields phone is forthcoming. Investigators also previously obtained Fields sister, Telbys, cell phone. The medical examiner is tendering its final report. Body camera footage, house scans, and blood stain analysis are forthcoming. Once the prosecution has the requested items, they will have 10 days to turn them over to the defense. But even when its sent to the lab for testing, its unclear when results will come back. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Theres so much to be tested here. Its going to take quite a while. Its more of a frustration about resources for the state. Its a budget issue. Not a Commonwealth issue. I dont think this is the prosecutor dragging his feet on trying to get the testing done. I think that its just, unfortunately, we have such a backlog, Fitzer said. So, unfortunately, they just dont have enough people and enough funding to be able to do it as quickly as we would expect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for now, the case is on pause. Although Fitzer expects a competency hearing to be scheduled soon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 56 News. ***Watch previous coverage above*** CLEVELAND (WJW) The FOX 8 I-Team has found the state auditor has raised serious questions about gaps in the city of Clevelands cybersecurity and protection of data and critical systems. This comes to light after a cyber attack last year shut down Cleveland City Hall and a cyber incident this year shut down Cleveland Municipal Court. The office of Ohio Auditor Keith Faber just completed an audit of the city, and the I-Team obtained a management letter sent from the auditor to the mayor and members of city council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City has a formal cyber security policy; however, the enforcement of the policy was not consistent across all City departments, the auditor wrote. The City should establish a cybersecurity awareness training program for all network users. Mom, 2 kids rescued by jet skiers on Lake Erie The City is currently not reviewing security reports over on a regular basis, the auditor continued. The City, Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and the Municipal Court should enforce strong password policies and consider implementing multifactor authentication policies over all significant systems and applications. The letter addressed access to city hall, DPU and municipal court along with cybersecurity training and IT security administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The auditor recommended the city develop and implement some specific security administration controls. The City should establish a cybersecurity awareness training program for all network users, the auditor wrote. Participation in such training should be required, tracked and enforced to help ensure all employees receive training on a regular basis. City spokesperson Tyler Sinclair said in an email to FOX 8, We just recently received the audit and are reviewing it. There are new threats and bad actors constantly emerging in todays digital era, so there will always be more work to do in terms of enhancing cybersecurity efforts which is what we remain committed to and why we continue to engage the state for training, resources and other forms of assistance. The mayors office said last year during the cyber attack that no personal information of city residents ended up in the wrong hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I-Team: New legal battle over Browns move, what it means Meanwhile, the municipal court has revealed almost nothing about the cyber incident there despite repeated questions and records requests. We have reached out to the mayors office for comment on the auditors findings and recommendations. The auditors letter also noted, the comments represent matters for which we believe improvements in compliance or internal controls or operational efficiencies might be achieved. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) We are covering the efforts to help Augustas homeless population on this edition of The Means Report. Shawn Hargis-Rhodes is our guest. She works with the Homeless Outreach or H.O.T. Team at the Richmond County Sheriffs Office. From helping people find a place to sleep, to helping them get back on their feet, Rhodes and her colleagues work non-stop. Watch our interview and gain a better understanding of what our homeless population looks like, and what they need. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. AUSTIN (KXAN) The first of many discussions about the city of Austins budget for the upcoming fiscal year was held Tuesday morning after City Manager TC Broadnax presented his proposed draft budget to council members. The budget draft was released to the public minutes before midnight on July 11. Austin city manager proposes $6B+ budget, as mayor floats tax rate change The proposal would set the citys budget over $6 billion, with a $1.5 billion General Fund. Most of the citys tax revenue goes into that subset of the larger budget. Operating budget for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 proposed City of Austin budget (Courtesy: City of Austin) Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in a July 12 memo that hell ask for additional proposals from Broadnax at a July 22 meeting of the citys Audit & Finance Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austins proposed budget could rename several city departments, if adopted The session opened with public comment, which saw a handful of community members address the dias, sharing concerns about affordability and cost of living, decreases in diversity and equity inclusion initiatives, potential funding losses for nonprofits and organizations that address harm reduction and homelessness, and an urge for investment in critical needs for the community, like childcare, rental assistance, funding for DEI initiatives, and other focus areas. Council members shared similar concerns throughout the meeting, as well as concerns that the budget does not address community needs and only provides a Band-Aid solution to immediate deficits, and that cuts outlined in the budget are vague. Broadnaxs budget overview In a message to the mayor and city council, Broadnax addressed significant financial challenges city leadership faces while determining budget priorities this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Driven by the states 3.5% cap on property tax revenue growth, lower than projected sales tax revenue, and cuts in federal funding, we began this budget cycle with a projected shortfall in the General Fund of $33 million. This financial landscape means we must prioritize services Austinites expect and deserve, he said in the message. Before the budget presentation, Broadnax made a few opening remarks, thanking his staff for their work on the budget proposal and noting that the work could and should not be done without the input of community members. Broadnax said the proposed budget aligns with three critical focus areas: people, places, and partnerships. People: prioritizing engagement with our community and staff alike. Places: strengthening our community sense of place, creating a more livable, affordable and resilient Austin. And finally, partnership: building stronger partnerships with local, regional and international partners, Broadnax said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kerri Lang, Director of Budget & Organizational Excellence for the city, presented an overview of the draft budget. Previous coverage: City of Austin proposed budget to be released next week what to expect Broadnax broke down some of his key areas of investment in the proposed budget. A press release sent out after the meeting Tuesday broke those down: Expanding shelter space for those experiencing homelessness, and funding new positions for outreach and encampment management. $8 million in one-time funding, provided through the Housing Trust Fund, for emergency shelter operations at the Marshalling Yard. $3.5 million for a contract to continue operations at the 8th Street Shelter. $925,000 for twelve new positions to expand outreach and improve encampment management. Increasing emergency rental assistance by $400,000 for a total investment of $4 million. Bolstering inclusive engagement and our commitment to foster a community where all identities are respected. Establishing a Human Rights Division in the office of Equity and Inclusion. $150,000 for We All Belong, a public campaign against hate crimes and incidents. $250,000 to develop the American Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan to improve accessibility in public places. Expanding emergency response operations and providing much needed safety equipment for wildfire response teams. $345,000 for expanded emergency response and cold weather shelter operations. $280,000 for wildfire shelters and equipment to improve the safety of wildfire response teams. Additional $3.7 million in Austin Energy for Customer Energy Solutions rebates, incentives, and solar program. $375,000 for the Youth Athletic Field maintenance. Two staff positions and $125,000 to support and maintain the Colony Park pool. Creating an essential new department Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment to be the centralized hub for Austins creative ecosystem. Planned spending of $2.9 billion for critical infrastructure projects such as wastewater treatment facility improvements, the new Convention Center, and the expansion project at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget also proposed a 4% wage increase for City of Austin civilian employees and a living wage increase from $21.63/hour to $22.05/hour. General Fund overview The proposed budget has a general fund of $1.5 billion, a 3.7% increase from last years budget, Lang said. The general fund covers 13 departments, Lang said. The largest portion (64.5%) of the general fund is dedicated to public safety departments: police, fire, and emergency medical services. Thats followed by community services departments like public health, libraries and parks and recreation, which are allocated 26.8% of the general fund. General Fund for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 proposed City of Austin budget (Courtesy: City of Austin) The 4% wage increase for City of Austin employees would amount to $9.3 million and the living wage change would be a $1.2 million increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citys contributions to health insurance will not increase for the 2026 Fiscal Year, but the proposed budget plans for it to increase by 5% in the next fiscal year. The citys retirement contributions would see an increase of $3.9 million this year, and $800,000 next year. Sworn employees wages will also increase under the proposed budget. EMS (per meet and confer agreements): 3% base wage increase for FY 2026 ($2.1 million), and 3% base wage increase for FY 2027 ($2.2 million). Austin Police (per meet and confer agreements): 6% base wage increase for FY 2026 ($13.2 million), and 5% for FY 2027 ($11.7 million). The citys support for the police retirement system would increase by $1.3 million for legacy & liability and $3.7 million for payments to the police retirement system in FY 2026. In FY 2027, the citys contributions would be $1.3 million for legacy & liability and $500,000 for FY 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austin Fire is currently under wage negotiations, so the city has not factored in wage increases, but the incremental cost for reforms to the Austin Firefighters Retirement Fund would be $2.6 million in FY 2026 and $4.3 million in FY 2027. Taxpayer impact The citys taxpayer impact statement breaks down the anticipated rate and fee changes for the average residential taxpayer. The proposed property tax rate is $0.5276 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation. According to the impact statement, the typical Austin homeowner will still see an increase of $12.90 per month, or $154.83 per year, in the citys portion of their annual property tax bill. The citys rates and fees, including for electricity, trash service, water, drainage, and the transportation user fee, would rise under the proposed budget. The projected increase for the typical Austin tax-and ratepayer is $22.35 per month, or $268.23 per year. Taxpayer impact for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 proposed City of Austin budget (Courtesy: City of Austin) Council members questions, concerns Council members took time Tuesday to express some initial concerns they have related to the budget and ask questions before starting to prep for their first budget work session next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes, who represents District 2, said while the proposed budget is balanced, she worries about the significant changes made and wants to ensure theyre the best option. What I see and what I believe we have before us is a Band-Aid budget, a budget that has Band-Aid solutions, Fuentes said. Theres a lot of movements that have been made here taking from our reserve funds, we had staff restructuring, we had cuts on overtime, were zeroing out our housing trust fund, were lessening our facilities management fund. There are significant changes that are being made in our budget, and I realize its a balanced budget, I just wanna make sure we take time to unmask all of the changes that have been made as a part of this proposal, Fuentes said. Lang responded, noting that the major changes Fuentes pointed out were highlighted in the plan for Fiscal Year 2027, and that the cuts that were made had minimal impact on staff and services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council Members Ryan Alter, District 5, and Mike Siegel, District 7, however, echoed Fuentes concerns that the proposed budget is kicking the can down the road, in Fuentes words. This budget does more than just cut out fat, weve hit some bone, and you look at next year, and we go through the bone. There are real impacts to people that we see in this budget, and its that way because the state has artificially capped what we can do and what we can provide to Austin residents, Alter said. Make no mistake, these costs show up somewhere. If we dont bring an individual off the streets and into a house, we pay for them in an emergency room, through APD response, homeless strategy office response, our jails Siegel also agreed with the Band-Aid budget point, saying that the cavalry is not coming, and that Austin has to show up for itself. This is by no means an end point, this is a starting point for an ongoing conversation, Siegel said. Im hopeful that we can show up for Austin keep Austin what it is despite whats happening at the state and federal levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have some major decisions we have to make around ensuring we deliver high-quality, reliable services to our community and as part of that, we have to have conversations we are forced into having conversations on a tax rate election, Fuentes said. Its not because we want to spend more money, its because we have an obligation to deliver high-quality, reliable city services. The state of Texas has changed the rules, and we now find ourselves in this situation. So we are gonna have some tough conversations with our community in the coming weeks as we deliberate the budget proposal that is before us, Fuentes continued. Other council members had questions about several different topics, including staff position cuts in certain departments, reductions in social service programs, Austin Energy rebates and incentives, whether theres funding to cover gaps created by federal funding cuts, and city wage increases. District 6 council representative Krista Laine said she appreciated seeing the beginning of some restructuring that will lead to savings within the budget, but she said shes concerned that the budgets reserve level, which is at 15.8%, is not high enough to maintain the citys financial rating. According to the budget document, city financial policies target a reserve level of 17% of ongoing General Fund expenditures. Laine also expressed concerns over the citys commitment to paying for roadway elements of the caps and stitches planned over TxDOTs I-35 project. She said there are risks the city is exposing itself to because of increase in costs from inflation and a variety of unknowns. A recording of the budget presentation and council discussion will be available on ATXNs archive. Next steps July 23: Council budget work session and community input session July 29: Council budget work session July 31: Council budget work session and public hearing on the budget August 5: Council budget work session August 7: Council budget work session August 13 15: Budget and Tax Rate Adoption by City Council Read the full FY 2025-26 Proposed Budget Document here, and find more information about the budget process online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Lewis Jackson and Kirsty Needham BEIJING/SYDNEY (Reuters) -China and Australia will keep open dialogue and look for areas of cooperation despite strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday after meeting China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Australia, which regards the United States as its major security ally, has pursued a China policy of "cooperate where we can, disagree where we must" under Albanese, mending ties that had been strained near to breaking point under a previous government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albanese's six-day, three-city visit is a major test case for Beijing's attempts to capitalise on U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping trade tariffs by presenting itself as a stable and reliable partner. Xi called on both countries to safeguard free trade in a readout of his meeting with Albanese published by state media that did not mention Trump but referred to a "complex and turbulent" international system. While Albanese repeatedly voiced his support for free trade and more dialogue with China, a day of senior meetings that also included Premier Li Qiang and business executives from both countries ended without any new major investment or trade deals. "Dialogue is how we advance our interests, how we manage our differences and we guard against misunderstanding," Albanese said at a press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australia would treat its trade relationship with China separately to its handling of U.S. tariffs, Albanese told reporters, speaking after a private lunch with Xi at the Great Hall of the People. Albanese also said a decade-old free trade agreement with China, Australia's largest trade partner, would be reviewed. The two countries agreed to a new Policy Dialogue on Steel Decarbonisation that will give Australia insight into Chinese government planning, according to an Australian government statement. They also signed agreements on tourism, customs inspections, and agriculture, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIMITS TO COOPERATION In the run-up to the visit, China signalled repeatedly it was open to deeper cooperation. The state-owned China Daily newspaper on Tuesday published a glowing opinion piece about the visit and said it showed countries with different political systems could still cooperate. However, any cooperation is likely to be constrained by long-standing Australian concerns around China's military build-up. Albanese said he had raised the case of jailed Australian writer Yang Hengjun with Xi. Albanese said he raised Australia's concerns over the Chinese navy's conduct of short-notice live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xi responded that China "engages in exercises just as Australia engages in exercises", Albanese told reporters. "We have strategic competition in the region but we continue to engage in order to support peace and security in the region and stability," he said. Beijing has also previously criticised Canberra's increased screening of foreign investment in critical minerals and Albanese's pledge to return a Chinese-leased port to Australian ownership. TRADE AND INVESTMENT Australia's exports to China span agriculture and energy but are dominated by iron ore, and Albanese has travelled with executives from mining giants Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue, who met Chinese steel industry officials on Monday, at the start of the visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A separate CEO roundtable on Tuesday issued recommendations for both governments including modernising the 10-year-old free trade agreement and finding ways to collaborate on green metal research and development. Some two dozen Chinese and Australian companies, including China's electric vehicle giant BYD, steelmaker Baowu and food group COFCO, attended the meeting alongside Li and Albanese. "First and foremost we use fixtures such as this to send a signal that business-to-business engagement should be welcomed and encouraged," Bran Black, CEO of the Business Council of Australia, told Reuters on Tuesday. (Reporting by Lewis Jackson and Zhang Yukun in Beijing; additional reporting by Kirsty Needham and Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Writing by Kirsty Needham; Editing by Stephen Coates, Kate Mayberry and Michael Perry) The Australian government has won a landmark climate case against residents of islands under siege from the impacts of climate change. In 2021, community elders Pabai Pabai and Paul Kabai launched legal action against the then-Liberal government for breaching its duty of care to protect the Torres Strait Islands from the impacts of climate change. But a Federal Court judge dismissed the case and said climate policy was a matter for parliament, not the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling also found that the government did not owe a duty of care to protect the islands from the impacts of climate change. "My heart is broken for my family and my community," Uncle Pabai, a community leader from Boigu island, said in statement to local media. The Torres Strait Islands - located between far-north Queensland and Papua New Guinea - are made up of about 270 islands, of which only a few dozen are inhabited. They are part of Australia, and the islands' residents are Australian citizens. About 4,000 people live on the islands, according to the latest official figures, with 90% identifying as Indigenous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their submission, Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul said sea levels in the north of Australia had been rising "significantly higher than the global average". Between 1993 and 2019, sea levels in the Torres Strait rose by about 6cm per decade, the court was told. The court also heard that the islands are home to a "distinctive customary culture known as Ailan Kastom", where the residents have a "unique spiritual and physical connection" to the islands and waters. The case added that by failing to take greater action against climate change in its emissions targets, the islands' unique culture would be lost, and residents would become climate refugees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Justice Michael Wigney said that while he recognised the "devastating impact" caused to the islands by climate change, current negligence laws in Australia do not allow for compensation where the loss of culture, customs and traditions were the result of a government's policies. He acknowledged that while "climate change related flooding and inundation events had damaged their sacred sites and the burial grounds of their ancestors", matters of "core government policy", such as emissions targets, was "ordinarily to be decided through political processes, not by judges". He did, however, recognise that action was needed: "There could be little, if any, doubt that the Torres Strait Islands and their traditional inhabitants will face a bleak future if urgent action is not taken to address climate change and its impacts." [BBC] In his submission to the court, Uncle Pabai described the deep spiritual connection he and other locals have with the waters and land, especially the cemeteries. "Talking to my ancestors is a big part of my culture," he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If Boigu was gone, or I had to leave it, because it was underwater, I will be nothing." Uncle Paul, the other elder behind the court action, was equally stunned by the findings. "I thought that the decision would be in our favour, and I'm in shock," he said. "This pain isn't just for me, it's for all people Indigenous and non-Indigenous who have been affected by climate change. What do any of us say to our families now?" During earlier court hearings, Uncle Paul had described his childhood memories of Saibai in the 1970s and 1980s, when it was a "land of plenty", with an abundance of barramundi, a type of fish, and crabs in inland freshwater swamps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now, more extreme weather events and higher sea levels meant an increase in saltwater coming inland, and coupled with less rain, the higher salt levels in the swamps have made it impossible for fish and crabs to survive, he said. He told the court about a seawall - built around 2017 - that was breached by a king tide in 2020, destroying crops and flooding homes. "If the water keeps on rising, in the way it has in the last 10 years or so, the seawall will not be able to protect Saibai at all," he said in his submission. "My country would disappear. I would lose everything: my home, my community, my culture, my stories, my identity. Without Saibai, I do not know who I would be," the court heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In handing down his decision, Justice Wigney said that while the previous government "paid scant if any regard to the best available science" in setting emissions reductions, the new targets set by Labor were "significantly higher and more ambitious". In a joint statement following the court decision, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen and Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy, said they "understand that the Torres Strait Islands are vulnerable to climate change, and many are already feeling the impacts". "Where the former Government failed on climate change, the Albanese Government is delivering because it's in the interest of all Australians," the statement said. Riona Moodley, from the University of NSW's Institute of Climate Risk and Response said while the decision was "definitely a setback" for Torres Strait Islanders, it does not mean the law can not change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The reality is that Australian law will need to adapt to meet the challenges of climate change," she told the BBC. Her colleague Wesley Morgan said the court's finding should also propel greater action from government on its climate policies. "It must listen to the science telling us we need to be as ambitious as possible in the decade ahead," he said. GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) A central Ohio-based Mexican restaurant recently opened its newest location in Grove City. Mi Tradicion began welcoming customers at 3131 Broadway earlier this month. The new eatery marks the concepts fourth location, with its other spots sitting in Gahanna at 111 N. Stygler Road, in Dublin at 6094 Parkcenter Circle, and in Groveport at 3782 S. Hamilton Road. The restaurant serves handmade and authentic Mexican food, according to its website. Its menu features burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, tacos, and more. A large selection of margaritas, beer, and cocktails is also available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The eatery boasts Yelp reviews on its website that compliment its generous portions, unique margaritas and reasonable prices. Mi Tradicion offers dine-in, takeout, and catering services. It is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW DELHI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Indians were elated on Tuesday as the country's astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Earth along with three others. The crew had spent 18 days in the International Space Station (ISS). Their space mission "Axiom-4" was launched on June 25. Along with three other astronauts, Shukla's capsule splashed down off California. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in welcoming Shukla. "I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India's first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit," Modi said on social media. Bryan Kohberger believed he had committed the perfect crime until one small misstep unraveled everything, according to author James Patterson. During a recent interview, Petterson revealed how the single mistake led to the downfall of the man behind the Idaho University student murders. This revelation comes after Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to the killings of 21-year-olds Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, along with 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, who were found dead in their off-campus home. Author Claims Bryan Kohberger Suffered From Tunnel Vision During The Murders MEGA In the wake of Bryan Kohberger's stunning guilty plea to the murders of four Idaho University students, bestselling author James Patterson has offered chilling insight into how one fatal error prevented him from getting away with it all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drawing from a theory by forensic psychology expert Dr. Katherine Ramsland, Patterson explained that killers often fall into "tunnel vision" during their crimes. This, he claimed, makes them "panic" and "miss things" that wouldn't have happened on a typical day. He believes Kohberger experienced the same psychological spiral while carrying out the murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, referencing how it made him leave behind crucial evidence that led to his capture. "So here was Kohberger, who almost committed the perfect murders except [he had] that tunnel vision," Patterson told Fox News Digital in an interview. He added, "He left that knife sheath behind. And that's what ultimately led to his arrest." The Killer Had An 'Inability To Deal With Women' Ada County Sheriff's Office/MEGA Patterson is also the co-author of "The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy" and producer of the Prime Video docuseries "One Night in Idaho: The College Murders," two projects that pull back the curtain on the Idaho University students' murders and Kohberger's life prior to committing these crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While discussing with the outlet, he explained how Kohberger was socially awkward, particularly towards women, whom he allegedly wrongfully graded while working as a teaching assistant for his Phd in Criminology. "He was inappropriate he didn't know how to socialize very well," Patterson said about Kohberger. "He was a teaching assistant, and he was just turning people off. He graded the women poorly. He had an inability to deal with women, yet he thought he was popular. It was a thought of, why aren't these people, these women, loving him? Because he found himself very worthy. And in this documentary, most of this comes out." Bryan Kohberger 'Made People Uncomfortable' With His Weirdness MEGA Speaking further about Kohberger's social awkwardness, Patterson claimed that the former PhD student would often try to engage female bartenders and patrons at the Seven Sirens Brewing Company, a popular restaurant in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, rather than being attracted to him as he had hoped, he was "simply off-putting" to them. Some even went so far as to complain to the brewery's owner about "the creepy guy," Kohberger, who they claimed had "bulging eyes." "He made people uncomfortable," said Patterson. "The bartenders and owners remembered him as being this weird duck who would sit at a bar and just weird everybody out and talk inappropriately. He had a lot of trouble socializing." Author Says Bryan Kohberger's Murders Were A 'Hard Case To Solve' MEGA Back in December 2022, Kohberger was arrested and charged with the murders, just several weeks after committing the crimes. Although many might view the time between the murders and his arrest as relatively short, Patterson claimed that it wasn't an easy case and that authorities were simply fortunate that Kohberger made a critical mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was a hard case to solve," the award-winning author shared. "[Investigators] were very fortunate that Kohberger made that one really big blunder. He added, "[Kohberger didn't make a lot of mistakes. So it was a tough investigation He might've never been caught. We might've been writing about God knows what right now." Having pleaded guilty to the murders and the burglary charge linked to the crimes, Kohberger is expected to be formally sentenced at a hearing on July 23. He is facing four consecutive life sentences, one for each murder, as well as a 10-year sentence for the burglary charge. Prosecutors Revealed Why They Agreed To A Plea Deal ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Pursuing a conviction in court could have resulted in a guilty verdict, but it would likely have triggered years of costly and time-consuming appeals from Kohberger and his lawyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would have also forced the victims' families to relive the deaths of their loved ones, an experience that can be profoundly traumatic. These reasons were hinted at in a letter written by prosecutors to the victims' families. "This resolution is our sincere attempt to seek justice for your family," they said, per ABC News. "This agreement ensures that the defendant will be convicted, will spend the rest of his life in prison, and will not be able to put you and the other families through the uncertainty of decades of post-conviction appeals," they added. "We hope that you may come to appreciate why we believe this resolution is in the best interest of justice." Federal officials have charged two suspects with aiding an Antifa member wanted in the ambush on an ICE facility. The Dallas Express has learned that law enforcement also arrested multiple individuals across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for aiding a fugitive from the attack. John Phillip Thomas and Lynette Read Sharp are facing accessory charges in the July 4 ambush on the Prairieland ICE Detention Center, which wounded an Alvarado police officer in the neck, according to Fox News. The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas told the outlet that the suspects were involved in Signal chats which show reconnaissance. They are accused of planning a Google map with the location of nearby police departments. The FBI is still searching for Benjamin Song, a 32-year-old from Dallas, who allegedly helped attack the ICE facility. Police had previously arrested at least 11 suspects connected to the shooting, and these charges bring the total to at least 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the ensuing investigation, law enforcement arrested several suspects in Dallas and Tarrant counties for helping Song after the shooting, Johnson County District Attorney Tim Wood told The Dallas Express in an exclusive interview. They facilitated providing aid to Benjamin Song after the shooting, Wood said. Some people have been arrested for tampering with physical evidence meaning theyve been contacted and told to destroy things that may incriminate somebody. Other people have been aiding and abetting for helping Song go hide somewhere, Wood continued. The suspects are doing the same types of activity, according to Wood, but their commitment or involvement dictates the specific charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes down to basically, aiding and abetting the charges are different, he said. The Dallas Express asked Wood to identify the suspects, but he was unable to provide any further details. Officials had not captured Song as of the morning of July 15, but Wood expected an arrest in the days to come. The Dallas Express asked the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas for more information, but did not hear back in time for publication. Song was a member of an Antifa militant group the Elm Fork chapter of the John Brown Gun Club and had a radical past in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as The Dallas Express previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials recently conducted a bust at a Dallas residence last week in search of Song, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. There, they found more than 40 guns, socialist propaganda, and fellow Antifa members in the John Brown Gun Club including Samuel Fowlkes, who has a violent past and reportedly now identifies as transgender. Two suspects in the ICE enforcement incident are also transgender. He added that the First Amendment protects a correct way to protest, but not criminal behavior. When you cross over and youre committing crimes, that kind of stuff just wont be tolerated, Wood said. Acts of violence, vandalism, and the like that is not protected by the First Amendment, and there will be criminal charges. Wood emphasized that the suspects in the ICE attack are facing serious charges, adding some of the suspects have criminal histories, but as far as he knows, they dont have a past in his county. We take assaults on peace officers in Johnson County very seriously. Weve never tolerated that, were not going to start here, Wood said. Knowing our county, I think the outcomes could be a lot different than what theyre used to. (KRON) A teenage boy and a man who drowned in the Russian River in separate incidents over the weekend have been identified by the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office on Tuesday. Elan Miranda, 17, of Oakland, was pronounced deceased after deputies responded to Monte Rio Beach just before 3 p.m. on Sunday. Miranda and another teenager were reported to be struggling in the water before beachgoers were able to bring one person ashore. Miranda had slipped underwater for about 20 minutes before he was found. Less than an hour later, near Martinelli Beach along the Russian River, Pranav Narain, 31, of San Francisco, was pronounced deceased. Authorities believe Narain may have fallen from a paddleboard before drowning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither of the drowning victims were wearing life jackets. Miranda had just graduated from Fremont High School in Oakland and walked the commencement stage with classmates on June 2. The high school will have staff on campus throughout the week for students and recent graduates to connect and grieve, the Oakland Unified School District said Tuesday. Narain, KRON4.com has learned, was a contractor at Uber who was employed through a firm called Gigit. We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our colleague Pranav, and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time, said Uber in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Sonoma County officials issued warnings for those planning to visit local waterways. Our beaches are open beaches. They dont have lifeguards that are working there, Deputy Sheriff David Arvizo of the SCSO Marine Unit said. If youre not a strong swimmer, stay out of the water. Our waterways are unforgiving. If you do choose to get in the water, you need to have some sort of flotation device. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Authorities ID woman critically injured in Wisconsin bear attack originally appeared on Bring Me The News. A woman critically injured in a black bear attack in western Wisconsin over the weekend has been identified as 69-year-old Karen Frye, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Star Tribune reports Frye was listed in critical condition at Regions Hospital as of Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unusual bear attack happened around 2 p.m. Saturday near the town of Comstock in Barron County, according to the DNR. The agency said responders located a cub in a tree, indicating the incident involved a female bear and cub. USFWS Midwest Region, Flickr "It is unknown why the attack occurred," the DNR shared, noting authorities hope to capture and euthanize the bear in order to further assess its condition. "Black bears are generally secretive, not aggressive and tend to avoid humans as much as possible but bears are sometimes known to be aggressive if cubs are present and feel threatened," the agency wrote. The DNR is expected to share an update regarding the investigation Monday afternoon. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared. ANDERSON Anderson police are awaiting autopsy and toxicology reports on the bodies of two men found Friday. Madison County Coroner Adam Matson said autopsy and toxicology reports are pending on the bodies of Jeremy Smith, 37, and Dustin Smith, 38. The two men are not related. Dustin Smiths body was found Friday at 2 p.m. after officers were dispatched to Shadyside Park to check on the welfare of a man found unresponsive in the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Caleb McKnight, Anderson Police public information officer, while there are no indications of foul play, an investigation will be conducted by the Criminal Investigations Division. Police were notified July 1 that Jeremy Smith was missing, and a Silver Alert for was issued July 10 by Indiana State Police. An officer received a tip Friday that Smith had been seen in the 2700 block of West 38th Street. With drone assistance, a body was found near a retention pond. The body was identified as Jeremy Smith. To report information concerning either case, contact Anderson police at 765-648-6729 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477. Brookfield Zoo Chicago opened its new Tropical Forests primate habitat Friday, featuring an expanded space for the zoos first troop of bachelor gorillas and endangered black-handed spider monkeys rescued from wildlife trafficking. The bachelor troop is made up of two silverbacks Shango, 36, and Barney, 31 who lived at Zoo Miami before coming to Brookfield Zoo Chicago earlier this year. The James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests habitat, the largest project in the zoos history thus far, is built along a trail intended to give visitors the feeling of finding the animals in their natural habitats. It features four areas, one for spider monkeys, two gorilla forests (one for a family troop and another for the bachelor troop) and one for Bornean orangutans, who are not yet visible to the public as they are still settling in, said Kim Skelton, director of primate care and conservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Construction began in March 2023 on the $66 million redesign, which is an expansion of the old Tropic World building from the 1980s. At three acres, the Bramsen Tropical Forests habitat is about 125,000 square feet and is one of the largest outdoor primate habitats of any accredited zoo in the U.S., Brookfield officials said. Dozens of visitors stood outside the exhibits entrance Friday morning, waiting to be among the first to visit the animals. Chicagoans Joyce Jablonski, 74, and husband Gerry, 72, the first ones to enter the exhibit, were most excited to see the spider monkeys. They had been anticipating the habitat opening for a while, and have been supporters of the zoo for about 45 years, Joyce Jablonski said. When we had kids, we decided, well, this is our favorite place to go, she said. Weve come here since we (ourselves) were kids, so we brought them, they enjoyed it, and we continue to support the zoo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brookfield Zoo Chicago announces $66 million Tropical Forests for primates as part of major redesign The floor of the trail is imprinted with the footprints of the pygmy hippo and the duiker, a type of antelope. Bamboo poles and vines were installed in the habitat to encourage the natural behaviors of the animals and to make them feel like theyre in their natural environment. Watching the animals come out into the spaces for the first time and explore the yards, and to see them just comfortable (and) lying on their backs in the sunshine has been wonderful, said Mike Adkesson, president and CEO of Brookfield Zoo Chicago. To reach maturity in the wild, male gorillas typically go out on their own or buddy up with another male gorilla, and the zoo had not been able to provide that for them, Adkesson said. The new habitat allows the two bachelors to socialize with each other first, and then they will move into the family troop of six gorillas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just really a neat way for us to let our guests see another side of gorillas and to really experience those silverbacks up close, Adkesson said. The new habitat has short tunnels that allow guests to get an even closer view of the animals. The habitat also includes glass viewing panels for guests to interact with the animals up close and other interactive stations, including one where visitors can compare the size of their hands and feet to those of primates. One of the goals of the project was to incorporate more advanced technology to care for the animals while also maintaining environmental sustainability. New automated feeders dispense food at regular intervals throughout the day, and an energy-efficient lighting system minimizes energy consumption. Gorillas have their own indoor conservation centers. One is two stories and is visible to the public, and another is a private area where the zoo staff can interact with them and other monkey species. Also on the second floor is an area for the King Conservation Leadership Academy, a program for students who are interested in learning about conservation. Students volunteered at the opening by answering visitors questions and handing out swag giveaways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brookfield Zoo Chicago said the projects economic impact includes $69 million generated in labor income, $182 million contributed in economic activity and $24 million generated in combined federal, state and county tax revenues. The construction process over the last two and a half years has generated around a thousand jobs, Adkesson said. Oak Park resident Laurie Conley, 42, and her children went to the new habitat Friday. Her daughter Alice, 12, has been running a lemonade stand to raise money for the gorilla habitat since she was 9. This year Alice earned $509 from her lemonade stand, the most shes made so far. I just felt sad that some of the gorillas had never seen the sun, the grass, the breeze before in their life, Alice said. I felt like it would be amazing if they got to see that. The Tropical Forests habitat is the first phase of a transformation that will continue into the zoos centennial in 2034. Adkesson said the next thing hes focused on is the northwest corner of the zoo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scope of that next project will be more than 10 times the size of this one, with Adkesson expecting a 35-acre footprint. Were looking to reimagine into these large immersive open habitats for multiple different species of animals, Adkesson said. So this one kind of sets in motion a vision for what we want that to look like in terms of these big, open habitats, a lot of landscape design that will start to replicate that natural environment feeling as it comes into maturity. From left, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-7th) and Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-2nd) at Baltimore City Hall Monday. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters) Baltimores federal delegation gathered in City Hall Monday to highlight progress on some of the citys longest-running struggles, such as lowered crime rates, fewer vacant properties and reductions in overdose deaths. But the successes were overshadowed by recognition that actions from the Trump administration could disrupt future progress in those areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its great to be here with the best federal delegation in the country, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott told reporters after a meeting with some of Marylands top Democrats. Especially right now as congressmen across the country are voting to raise costs and strip them of their basic rights and needs, and we are grateful to have this team fighting for us. The conversation was part of an annual check-in by members of Congress on how the city is faring and how the federal delegation can help further the citys goals. Scott was joined by Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, both Democrats, and Reps. Kweisi Mfume (D-7th) and Johnny Olszewski (D-2nd). Scott highlighted continuing declines in the citys homicides and nonfatal gun injuries in recent years. Recently, the mayors office announced that Baltimore has recorded a 22.7% decrease in homicides and a 19.6% decline in nonfatal shootings since last July. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters) Other crime statistics have also come down. Compared to last year, auto thefts have dropped 34%, robberies are down 22%, arson is down 10% and carjackings are down 15%, according to recent data from city officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today is not a cause for celebration (it is) for recognition of where we are and where we have come and the work that remains for us to go further, Scott said. Scott also noted recent progress made on reducing the number of vacant properties throughout the city, noting there are now fewer than 13,000 vacant properties citywide after two decades of being stuck at around 20,000. The members of Congress who joined him each praised Scott for his part in helping to make progress in those areas, but they warned that broad federal cuts and other decisions from the Trump administration pose a threat to those efforts. Baltimore is a strong, resilient and caring city, Olszewski said. And it is one of the many cities across this country that are deeply under attack by an administration who seems to relish heartless, cruel and often illegal activity in its assault on the people of this country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olszewski referenced the recently approved budget reconciliation legislation that will usher in more than $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and food-assistance programs nationwide over the next 10 years. Mfume added that those cuts will affect all of us, but its particularly going to affect people here in Baltimore. Its going to affect children, small children, and pregnant mothers and others who are trying to feed their children this is where I draw the line with this administration, Mfume said. We cant punish children who are hungry because we dont like the politics of the city or the people or the parents. Scott said that those cuts to Medicaid and other health-based programs could impede intervention efforts to help people struggling with addiction and overdoses, such as in the recent mass overdose event that occurred in Baltimore last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that investigations on what caused the mass overdose event that led to 27 people needing medical services to recover are still on going. All these cuts that are coming to Medicaid, to Medicare, all these things its going to impact every single part of the medical system, he said, when you talk about treatment for addiction, behavioral health and substance abuse treatment, specifically. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE California is having a bummer of a political summer. With the state under daily siege by the Trump administration, Los Angeles occupied by federal troops and our gallivanting governor busy running for president, is it really any surprise? A recent UC Irvine poll found that residents, by a 2-to-1 margin, believe California is headed on the wrong track, a mood consistent with other gauges of Golden State grumpiness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why the sad faces? "We are so divided as a country that people feel like there's no common purpose and the other guys are out there about to do mayhem to the things that they believe in," said Jon Gould, dean of UC Irvine's School of Social Ecology. "Number two, there is a substantial portion of people who feel that their economic situation is worse than it was four years ago, two years ago, one year ago." Gov. Gavin Newsom also gets some credit, er, blame for the state's darkened disposition. A poll conducted by UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies found California voters have little faith in their chief executive as he rounds the turn toward his final year in office. (Which may be one reason Newsom would rather spend time laying the groundwork for a 2028 White House bid.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only 14% of voters surveyed had a lot of trust in Newsom to act in the best interests of the California public, while another 28% trusted him somewhat. Fifty-three percent had no trust in the governor, or only "a little." Not a strong foundation for a presidential campaign, but Potomac fever is a powerful thing. The Democratic-run Legislature fared about the same in the Berkeley survey. Forty-four percent of respondents had either a lot or some degree of trust in Sacramento lawmakers not a great look, but a number that positively shines compared to attitudes toward California's tech companies and their leaders as they increasingly try to spread their overweening influence to politics. Only 4% had a lot of trust in the companies acting in the best interest of the California public; nearly six in 10 did not trust them at all. (There was similarly little faith in business groups.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Barabak: Newsom stood tall against Trump. Does that make him presidential timber? But it's not just the state's leaders and institutions that fail to engender much trust or goodwill. A survey by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found residents have also soured on the three branches of the federal government. Fewer than a third of Californians expressed approval for President Trump and the conservative-leaning Supreme Court. Just 2 in 10 Californians approved of the job Congress is doing. Some of that is colored by partisan attitudes. Registered Democrats make up the largest portion of the electorate and, obviously, most aren't happy with the GOP stranglehold on Washington. But that distrust transcended red and blue loyalties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, 8 in 10 adults said they do not fully trust the federal government to do what is right. A nearly identical percentage said they trust the government to do what is right only some of the time. That, too, is part of a long-standing pattern. "It's a concern, but it's not a new concern," said Mark Baldassare, who directs research for the Public Policy Institute. "It's been around in some form for decades." Back in 1958, when the National Election Study first asked, about three-quarters of Americans trusted the federal government to do the right thing almost always or most of the time a level of faith that, today, sounds like it comes from people in another galaxy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting in the 1960s, with the escalation of the Vietnam War, and continuing through the Watergate scandal of the 1970s, that trust has steadily eroded. The last time the Pew Research Center asked the question, in the spring of 2024, just 35% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents nationwide said they trusted the federal government just about always or most of the time. That compared to just 11% of Republicans and Republican leaners. What's new and perhaps most troubling in the recent batch of opinion surveys are growing fears for the state of our democracy. Read more: Barabak: Congratulations, America, you're 249 years old! But this last one has been rough Nearly two-thirds of those sampled in the Berkeley poll felt that American democracy is under attack and another 26% described it as being tested." Only 1 in 10 said our democracy is in no danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America has had some knock-down political fights in recent decades. But it's only in the Trump era, with his incessant lying about the 2020 election and assault on the rule of law, that the durability of our democracy has become a widespread concern. Pollsters didn't even ask that question "10 years ago, 20 years ago, because it was just inconceivable," said Eric Schickler, who co-directs Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies. "Even in moments when people were mad, say after [Hurricane] Katrina, Iraq with Bush, or amid the Lewinsky scandal or various other moments of trouble and conflict you would never have seen... 64% say American democracy is under attack and only 10% saying democracy is not in danger," Schickler said. "That's just a pretty stunning number ... and I think it suggests something really different is going on now." Perhaps this is just a temporary cloud, like the coastal fog that dissipates as summer rolls on? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the short to medium term, I'm not optimistic," Schickler said. "I think that the problems that we have, the challenges, have just been growing over a period of time. Starting before the Trump era, for sure, but then accelerating in recent years. I think we're heading more toward a politics where there just aren't limits on what a party in power is going to do or try to accomplish, and the other party is an enemy and that's a really bad dynamic." Oh, well. There's always the mountains, beach and desert offering Californians an escape. Get the latest from Mark Z. Barabak Focusing on politics out West, from the Golden Gate to the U.S. Capitol. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Former President Barack Obama had a piece of blunt advice for his fellow Democrats: toughen up. As Democrats grapple with their partys identity and future amid President Donald Trumps return to the White House, Obama urged allies to stand up for the things they believe in if they take issue with the current administration. I think its going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions. And its going to require Democrats to just toughen up, Obama said at a private fundraiser in New Jersey, according to audio of the remarks obtained by CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know, dont tell me youre a Democrat, but youre kind of disappointed right now, so youre not doing anything. No, now is exactly the time that you get in there and do something, Obama said, according to the network. Dont say that you care deeply about free speech and then youre quiet. No, you stand up for free speech when its hard. When somebody says something that you dont like, but you still say, You know what, that person has the right to speak. Whats needed now is courage, he said. Bruised from Trumps defeat of then-Vice President Kamala Harris in November, Democrats are searching for a winning message and party leader to carry their torch forward. There is also intense debate among Democrats on whether long-tenured elected officials should make room for a new generation of leadership. Costs are spiraling. People dont have confidence in law and order. Democrats need to draw with a fresh box of crayons: Big ideas. New leaders, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, a Democrat from Massachusetts 4th District, said Sunday on WCVB-TV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are still more than a year away from their next opportunity to seize back power in Washington, D.C., during the midterm elections. But with gubernatorial elections this year in New Jersey and Virginia, Obama said Democrats should see the state races as a big jumpstart for where we need to go. Stop looking for the quick fix. Stop looking for the messiah. You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates, Obama said, according to CNN. The former president also said Democrats need to focus on how to deliver for people. I dont care how much you love working people. They cant afford a house because all the rules in your state make it prohibitive to build. And zoning prevents multifamily structures because of NIMBY, Obama said, in a nod to not in my backyard views associated with obstructing new housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats being asked of us is make some effort to stand up for the things that you think are right. And be willing to be a little bit uncomfortable in defense of your values. And in defense of the country. And in defense of the world that you want to leave to your children and your grandchildren, Obama continued, according to CNN. And if we all do that, if we do our jobs over the next year and a half, then I think we will rebuild momentum and we will position ourselves to get this country moving in the direction it should. More on Politics Read the original article on MassLive. Former President Barack Obama has urged disillusioned Democrats to quit navel-gazing and whining in a call to stand firm against the Trump administration. Scott Olson / Getty Images Related: Amy Klobuchar's Donald Trump Joke Is Going Viral The 44th president offered his blunt perspective as he returned to the fundraising circuit at a private event in New Jersey on Friday, telling his party to toughen up. Obama has made only a handful of public interventions since the start of President Donald Trumps second term. MANDEL NGAN / AFP via Getty Images Last month, he said the US is dangerously close to an autocracy amid Trumps immigration crackdown and battles with the courts. Related: "Evidence Of Trumps Stupidity": Trump Was Ruthlessly Mocked After Suffering A Brain Fart While Trying To Insult Biden His latest comments, first reported by CNN and confirmed by MSNBC, appear to be directed at Democratic Party officials and activists ahead of gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia in November. Alex Wong / Getty Images Arguing the gubernatorial contests could be a big jumpstart for where we need to go, Obama implored Democrats to stand up for the things that you think are right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: I think its going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions. And its going to require Democrats to just toughen up. Related: Donald Trump Just Hung A Painting Of Himself Where Hillary Clinton's Portrait Used To Be And It's Exactly What You'd Expect Obama added: You know, dont tell me youre a Democrat but youre kind of disappointed right now, so youre not doing anything. No, now is exactly the time that you get in there and do something. Dont say that you care deeply about free speech and then youre quiet, he went on. No, you stand up for free speech when its hard. When somebody says something that you dont like, but you still say, You know what, that person has the right to speak. Whats needed now is courage. Joe Raedle / Getty Images Related: "He Torched His Entire Reputation For Nothing": 27 Of The Best Political Tweets From This Messy, Messy Week Addressing complaints about a lack of clear Democratic Party leadership, Obama told those attending the event at term-limited New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphys home to stop looking for the messiah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Referring to the Democratic nominee for governor in New Jersey, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and the partys pick for that office in Virginia, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the ex-president said, You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates. Obama added he is not surprised by what Trumps done nor by the lack of guardrails within the Republican Party. KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP via Getty Images This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in In the News: These Tweets Prove MAGA Is Seeing Some Serious Backlash Amid The Texas Floods Also in In the News: People Are Roasting "MAGA Makeup" On TikTok, And It Might Be The Shadiest Thing I've Seen All Year Also in In the News: "Trends That Can Lead To The Alt-Right Pipeline": This Woman Is Calling Out Ways The Far Right Targets Women And Girls Read it on BuzzFeed.com TOKYO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday launched a new office within the Cabinet Secretariat tasked with addressing concerns about the impact of Japan's growing foreign population, local media reported. The office will share information on issues related to foreign residents in the country and coordinate responses among relevant offices such as the Immigration Services Agency, the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Kyodo News reported. At a launch ceremony at the prime minister's office, Ishiba said the new office will ensure that people's concerns about foreign residents are heard, including claims of disproportionately high crime rates and alleged abuse of the social security system. Ishiba said Japan sees the inflow of foreign nationals as a key driver of economic growth, but "it's important for us to take stricter responses to those who do not follow our rules and rework the existing system if it does not match the reality." The office, staffed by around 80 officials, has been established at a time when the topic of foreigners has become one of key issues in campaigning for Sunday's election for the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of Japan's parliament, the report said. Sanseito, an ultraconservative minor party which is gaining in popularity, has led calls for tougher regulations of foreigners and has campaigned on a "Japanese First" platform that calls for limiting the intake of foreign workers to Japan. Happy Tuesday, and welcome to another edition of Rent Free. This week's newsletter takes a look at former President Barack Obama's recent speech in which he urged Democrats to be more YIMBY. Also included is an update on Charlottesville, Virginia, whichcontra the city's previous statementsstill has a zoning code after all. Obama Wants Democrats To Be the YIMBY Party. That's Easier Said Than Done. Obama's tough love electoral advice to his fellow Democrats during a fundraiser event in New Jersey this past Friday included a broadside against blue-state zoning laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Said Obama, per a Monday CNN article: "I don't care how much you love working people. They can't afford a house because all the rules in your state make it prohibitive to build. And zoning prevents multifamily structures because of NIMBY," he said, referring to "not in my backyard" views. "I don't want to know your ideology, because you can't build anything. It does not matter." Zoning reform still has the feel of a niche, nerdy issue, so it might seem somewhat surprising that a mainstream figure like Obama would reference it in a fundraising speech. That he did so certainly made a stir in the YIMBY corners of social media. In fact, the former president has been quietly ahead of the curve on zoning reform for a long time now. As Bloomberg's Kriston Capps has reported, the Obama administration proposed incentivizing local zoning reform with federal grants all the way back in 2016. (The basic idea would eventually become law with the creation of the PRO program in 2022.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is still a sign of the rising salience of YIMBY-style policy reforms that Obama is talking more and more about zoning reform. If one looks back at the comments Obama made about housing as president, they were mostly about stabilizing the housing market postGreat Recession. As the national conversation has shifted from falling home prices to rising home prices, zoning has become a much bigger part of the conversation, and consequently, it's become an issue that Obama feels increasingly comfortable talking about. One recalls that he included a few YIMBY-themed lines in his 2024 Democratic National Convention speech. (The former president reportedly had to be talked out of mentioning zoning specifically.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obama's remarks about zoning on Friday are more interesting still, given that he didn't make them in the context of a policy speech, but rather as part of some general advice on how Democrats can take back the country from President Donald Trump's Republican party. A primary way of doing that, according to Obama, is to provide people with real economic opportunity by removing liberal states' regulatory barriers on housing production. This is the gist of the "abundance agenda" promoted by the likes of Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, and increasingly embraced by Democratic politicians such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Their self-reflective story is that blue states' regulatory regimes have undercut liberals' own policy goals of more affordable housing, more clean energy, more public transit, etc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the national level, Obama is almost certainly right that embracing YIMBY policies is good politics for Democrats. (Newsom's adoption of "abundance" rhetoric as he seemingly prepares for a presidential run is evidence that the governor thinks so as well.) Certainly, when it comes to optics, it's hard for Democrats to pitch themselves as worthy of governing when the states they run are the least affordable in the nation. On a practical level, the more people leave blue states because of high housing costs (among other issues like high taxes), the harder it will be for Democrats to win control of Congress and the White House. The trouble is that on the state and local levels, NIMBY zoning laws have been a benefit to Democratic electoral prospects. As states such as California and New York have gotten more expensive thanks to excessive land-use regulations, they've also gotten more Democratic. High housing costs have encouraged lots of more moderate and conservative middle-class voters to move to Florida and Texas. The electorate they leave behind is increasingly made up of (increasingly Democratic) wealthy voters and equally Democratic lower-income voters who are cushioned from rising costs by various price controls and subsidy programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the state level, it benefits Democrats for their states to become enclaves of wealthy liberalism. State and local Democratic politicians who do embrace zoning reform put themselves in a position of having to fight with major interest groups within the Democratic coalition (labor unions, environmental groups, affordable housing groups, literal socialists, and Democratic-controlled local governments) that all have their problems with zoning reform. In the discourse, any time a liberal writer says labor groups or tenant advocates are holding back blue-state growth, another liberal writer will wonder why they're punching left when Trump is dragging the country further into authoritarianism. Meanwhile, in red and purple states, it's often Democrats who are the more NIMBY party. A long history of Republican-controlled state governments preempting the liberal policies of blue cities has made Democrats partisan defenders of local control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs' opposition to zoning reform in that state or Texas Democrats' concerted (ultimately unsuccessful) efforts to kill zoning reform in that state's Legislature this year. This isn't to say that there aren't Democratic state politicians making strides on zoning reform. California, Washington, and Maine managed to enact a number of productive reforms this year. In almost every state, there are YIMBYs and NIMBYs in both parties, and most zoning bills require bipartisan support to pass. Nevertheless, a YIMBY/abundance politics that plays well for Democrats at the national level faces a lot of political headwinds in several states and their many localities. Consider this thought experiment. If Obama's audience this past Friday were not Democrats writ large but rather a candidate trying to win office in Martha's Vineyard (where the former president has his summer home), would he be wise to urge that candidate to embrace zoning reform as his main cause? Almost certainly not. And yet, it's local officials in Martha's Vineyard who have the most say over zoning policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Certainly, anyone who wants to see the liberalization of land-use laws should be happy that major Democratic figures are pushing the party to make this a central theme of its policy agenda. Obama's remarks are welcome and encouraging. On pure policy grounds, the former president is correct that zoning has been a disaster for working people's ability to afford a home. Still, what is good land-use policy is not necessarily good or easy politics, especially in the places with the worst land-use regulations and the worst housing crises. The current Republican Party, of course, has its own internal contradictions on the issue of housing affordability. The same Trump administration that wants to open up Western lands for more housing development also wants to deport the workers who'd construct that housing and tariff the materials needed to build it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the foreseeable future, we should expect both major political parties to offer a contradictory mix of housing policies that offer to lower costs with one hand and raise them with another. Charlottesville, Still Zoned After All The strange saga surrounding Charlottesville's zoning code continues to unfold, with the city now saying that it does still have a zoning code after all. That's a reversal of City Manager Sam Sanders' statements to local media (which this newsletter covered last week) that, as a result of a circuit court judge issuing a default judgment in favor of residents suing to block the city's 2023 zoning code update, Charlottesville's entire zoning code had been struck down. "The old ordinance had to be repealed in order for the new one to be adopted. The void of the new one leaves us without one temporarily," Sanders had told Charlottesville Tomorrow in an email earlier in the month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Absent an effective zoning ordinance, the city didn't have the ability to "regulate a number of things important to the community, including which uses are allowed in certain parts of the city," Sanders had said. But in an email to Reason this past Thursday, Charlottesville Director of Communications Afton Schneider said Sanders' statement was "mistakenly conveyed" and that the city still had an active zoning ordinance. "As of today, July 11, 2025, we are still operating under the 2024 Development Code, pending the Circuit Court's issuance of a formal, written order," the city further clarified in a Friday-issued press release. In fact, as a practical matter, the city's land-use regulations have gotten a lot more restrictive. While the city is still "operating" under the new development code, it also said on Friday that it has paused consideration of "zoning-related applications", which include "new construction, additions, site modifications, and changes in use." Building permits outside of that scope are still being considered and issued. I wrote last week that the apparent court decision voiding Charlottesville's zoning code was a surprise victory for YIMBY zoning abolition. The suing residents' primary complaint about the 2023 zoning code was that it allowed too much density in formerly single-family neighborhoods. (The 2023 code allowed at least three-unit developments in single-family zones, and in some cases six- to eight-unit developments.) It was an ironic twist, then, that their lawsuit would void the entire zoning code and permit projects of theoretically unlimited density. With the city's walk back of Sanders' remarks, that YIMBY paradise is now goneand apparently never existed. Instead, property owners are left waiting for the court to enter a written order before they can know exactly what land-use rules will actually be in effect going forward. In an article for Information Charlottesville, land-use reporter Sean Tubbs reported general confusion from the public and minimal comments from city officials about what exact zoning rules were currently in place and whether projects would be able to move forward under the new code. The city says that it is currently attempting to work out a settlement with the plaintiffs, and will appeal the judge's decision if those prove unsuccessful. In the event of unsuccessful legal appeals, the city said it will readopt the voided code. So, to summarize, Charlottesville's new zoning code is still in effect, but the city also won't process applications relying on the 2023 zoning code until a written court order clarifies exactly what zoning rules remain in effect. Quick Links Seattle is sued (again) over its affordable housing mandates. Matt Yglesias on the errors of "inclusionary zoning." Multifamily housing production plummets in Montgomery County, Maryland, following the county's adoption of a new rent control policy. Rent control just devastated Montgomery County, Maryland's multifamily construction. (Via @salimfurth) https://t.co/iYkxS9C797 Jason Sorens (@JasonSorens) July 12, 2025 The case for new cities. The post Barack Obama Wants Democrats To Be the YIMBY Party. That's Easier Said Than Done. appeared first on Reason.com. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) There is a new store coming to the Lakeport Commons in Sioux City. The new Bath & Body Works store will be located at 5001 Sergeant Road in space #5001-92. This was the former location of Versona Accessories, which was an apparel store for women. The signs in the windows said the store is set to open later this summer. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Company officials told KCAU 9 that construction on the new 4,200 gross square foot store began in early June. This will be the second Bath & Body Works store in Sioux City. Officials said the location inside of the Southern Hills Mall will stay open. Bath & Body Works is known for their fragrances, lotions, and candles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A Baton Rouge woman is accused of using crack cocaine around a 3-year-old, which led to the child ingesting the substance. The same child was in a vehicle driven by Rashida Cobbs, 49, while she was under the influence of the drug, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD). BRPD said the 3-year-old was not secured in the vehicle. According to law enforcement, Cobbs got into an accident, which resulted in the child being hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cobbs was charged with cruelty to juveniles-minor injuries. A detective went to Our Lady of the Lake Childrens Hospital after a report surfaced that a 3-year-old tested positive for cocaine, according to the affidavit. The detective learned that the child and Cobbs were taken to the hospital around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, after a vehicle crash. The child had an elevated breathing rate, dilated pupils, and was aggressive, BRPD said. After confirming that the child tested positive for cocaine, the toddler was treated with medication. Cobbs admitted during questioning that she smoked a primo or cigar with crack cocaine in it while at a friends home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana woman accused of shooting at her boyfriend with stolen gun She told police, while she smoked the crack cocaine, she played with the victim, and possibly blew smoke into the childs face, causing the child to ingest the substance, according to the affidavit. Cobbs said that while under the influence of the drug, she left the home with the child in her vehicle and hit another car, which was parked at a home nearby. The woman went on to say that when the crash happened, the child was thrown forward due to not being in a car seat. This led to the child sustaining lacerations to their face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Baton Rouge woman was arrested on Thursday, July 10, and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on the same day. Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. A BBC documentary about the Gaza wars effect on children breached editorial guidelines and is being probed by Britains media watchdog for not disclosing that its teen narrator was the son of a Hamas official. Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone breached editorial guidelines on accuracy when it aired in February because narrator Abdullah, 13, is the son of Hyman Alyazouri, deputy minister of agriculture under the terror group, a BBC internal review determined Monday. Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone breached editorial guidelines on accuracy when it aired in February, a BBC review determined. BBC The review found that the independent production company, Hoyo Films, bears most of the responsibility for the failure, the broadcaster said Monday, while admitting it also bore some responsibility and should have had more oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three Hoyo Films employees knew of Alyazouris ties to Hamas, but did not alert the broadcaster before the film aired, according to the BBC review. The film company was asked in writing a number of times about any potential ties Abdullah and his family had to the terrorists, a BBC spokesperson told The Post in March. The film company was asked in writing a number of times about any potential ties Abdullah and his family had to the terrorists. AP Hoyo only made the revelation after the documentary was released, the rep said, adding that the production company allegedly paid the boys mother a limited sum of money. However, the BBC said its review found no proof to support the suggestion that the narrators father or family influenced the content of the program in any way. Hoyo only made the revelation after the documentary was released, the rep said. BBC After the BBC released its findings, Britains Office of Communications, or Ofcom, announced it would conduct its own review under our rule which states the factual programs must not mislead the audience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation comes just two weeks after the BBC aired an antisemitic livestream from punk-rap band Bob Vylans performance at the Glastonbury Festival on June 28. BBC said its review found no proof to support the suggestion that the narrators father or family influenced the content of the program in any way. BBC The company, which streams the annual event, later admitted that it should have cut the feed after the London-based duo spewed hateful rhetoric and urged the massive crowd to chant Death to the IDF, in reference to the Israel Defense Forces. The US pulled Bob Vylans visas after the stunt. The group had a 20-show American tour slated to kick off in October. With Post wires BBC News journalist Gary ODonoghue has admitted he accidentally put the phone down on Donald Trump ahead of the UK broadcasters first exclusive interview with a U.S. president in a decade. ODonoghue, the BBCs chief North America Correspondent, said he was asleep when he received a call from the White House and fumbled his phone when answering. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vastly experienced reporter, who is blind, was granted the interview to mark a year since the assassination attempt on Trump near Butler, Pennsylvania, last year. ODonoghue was covering the rally and won plaudits for this reporting, including from Trump, who said during the interview that the BBC covered it fairly and it was a great honor to speak to the journalist. ODonoghue said they had a few false starts in making the interview happen, and he was resigned to it not taking place. He returned home and, in the evening, fell asleep. The phone woke me up and one of his top aides said, Hi Gary, the presidents on the line for you now, and I had to run into the living room, grab a digital recorder and do what I could, ODonoghue said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued: When I woke up, I accidentally hung up the call to start with, which is not good is it when you hang up on the president. Anyway, they rang back. I pressed go on a little recorder of mine, I prayed that I had pressed go, and I had pressed go, and we got the interview. I was trying to think at a million miles an hour. We were told we would have five minutes, we ended up with 20. ODonoghue caught the president in a reflective mood. He remembered the silence after the Butler shooting and refusing a stretcher. I like to think about it as little as possible, he added. Asked if he trusts Vladimir Putin, he replied: I trust almost no one. He added: Well have a great conversation. Ill say: Thats good, Ill think were close to getting it done, and then hell knock down a building in Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also praised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. I really like the prime minister a lot, even though he is a liberal, Trump added. Asked what he wanted to achieve during his state visit to the UK in September, the president said: Have a good time and respect King Charles, because hes a great gentleman. The exchange marked the first time a sitting U.S. president had granted an exclusive interview to BBC News since Barack Obama spoke with Jon Sopel in 2015. Trump has spoken to the British media in the past, but has favored conversations with friends, including Piers Morgan on TalkTV and Nigel Farage on GB News. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Another week, another sign that our national broadcaster has unmoored itself from the realms of objectivity and drifted into an ideological fantasy. The publication of the independent report today into the Gaza documentary debacle has constituted a moment of intense humiliation for the BBC, especially coming so shortly after another damning report into the Greg Wallace affair. The 31-page document by Peter Johnston, the director of editorial complaints and reviews, found that Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone contravened editorial guidelines for accuracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inexplicably, it had not found a breach of impartiality, as it had seen no evidence to support the suggestion that the narrators father or family influenced the content of the programme in any way. This was bizarre. How about the fact that the producers consistently mistranslated Yehud as Israeli, sanitising the display of anti-Semitism in line with progressive, anti-Zionist mores? One of the diminutive stars appeared with hair of different lengths and in different sets of clothing in apparently contiguous shots; he was later reportedly pictured embracing a Hamas terrorist, wearing a headband and clutching a gun. Was that not also, as it were, a smoking gun? I watched the programme at the time and was taken aback by further scenes in which the child narrator the scion of Hamas claimed that trying to get drinkable water is a very hard task while his cart rolled past stalls openly selling bottled water, soft drinks, vegetables and pet food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few minutes later, we were introduced to 10-year-old Ranat, a cooking influencer with 1.4m followers on Instagram, picking out pumpkins in a bountiful market. Later on, we saw people munching on kebabs, buying pick-n-mix and drinking from huge bottles of iced water while working out in a gym. This summed it up. When presented with footage of large quantities of food and drink, the BBC was so blinded by ideology that it happily accepted the claims that the characters were starving, and transmitted them to millions of viewers. Whats that old journalistic adage? If one person says its raining and another says it isnt, its not your job to quote them both. If that wasnt evidence that Hamas had influenced the content, I dont know what was. Either way, it showed standards of reporting that were nothing short of laughable. But look: the report found that the BBC had breached accuracy guidelines, and at least thats something. The worst thing about all this is how damaging it is to public trust. I have had numerous conversations with young people in which they confess to taking all their news from unqualified influencers on TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obviously, this is a deleterious state of affairs. How on Earth can they trust such sources? The comeback is always the same: How on Earth can you trust the BBC? That is what they have done to us. This is a disservice done not just by the broadcaster to itself, or even to the licence-fee payer. Given the corrosive effect of fake news, it is a disservice done to the very integrity of our culture. What lies at the bottom of all this? Over the years, it seems the corporation has come to see its purpose as offering an interpretation of reality that will lead viewers to an enlightened worldview, rather than a transparent account of the facts. Editors will often move the camera away from things that might lead the great unwashed to form illiberal conclusions. Or if such things are unavoidable, they will be given a sanitising spin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Think of the al-Ahli hospital incident, in which damage from a misfired Islamic Jihad rocket was blamed on Israel. Its hard to see what else this could be really, given the size of the explosion, other than an Israeli airstrike or several airstrikes, its correspondent Jon Donnison informed viewers. This was the same reporter who had previously been forced to apologise after passing off a picture of an injured Syrian girl as a heartbreaking image of a Palestinian child hurt by the dastardly Israelis. What was he doing on the story? Later, Jeremy Bowen, the international editor, admitted that his own coverage of the hospital strike had been wrong but insisted that he doesnt regret one thing about his reporting. Consequences came there none. Given red flags like these, did the Gaza documentary scandal really come as a surprise? Of course, the BBC has guardrails to protect its impartiality. But such checks and balances will never be adequate when the overwhelming cultural bias tilts in a particular direction. Like a drug addict trying to control his own impulses, theres only so long a broadcaster can protect itself from itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youve got to feel for them. In the light of what seesm like an unspoken mission statement to educate the audience into its own worldview rather than transmitting the facts, you can see the BBCs predicament. The corporation seems simply desperate to produce a documentary about Gaza that is filled with residents opposed to Hamas who are suffering horribly at the hands of the Jewish state. What the BBC keeps finding, however, is a society dominated by jihadi brainwashing, that militates its own children in the service of lies about Israel, and cares nothing for either life or truth. Indeed, that celebrates gruesome suffering in the most inhuman and macabre fashion. Hard, isnt it? Whats a second-hand propagandist to do? Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. BCA: Man shot in legs by police in Otter Tail County 'pointed gun' at deputy originally appeared on Bring Me The News. The man shot by police following a chase that ended in Otter Tail County last week has been identified, with state authorities claiming he pointed a handgun at a deputy before gunfire was exchanged. Todd Burris, 36, of Bemidji, remains hospitalized in Fargo after being shot in both legs during the incident at a rest stop near Frazee on July 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the law enforcement officers who shot him as Becker County Sheriff's Office Lt. Luke Sweere, a 26-year police veteran, and Detroit Lakes PD officer Philip Vaughn, who has 16 years of experience. Both have been placed on critical incident leave. New details released Monday state that Becker County deputies had been called just after 5:30 p.m. to a domestic assault, with a woman reporting Burris had attacked her, taken her handgun, and slashed her vehicle's tires before fleeing in his car. Sweere found Burris driving in Detroit Lakes and commenced a traffic stop. Burris pulled over, only to flee while speaking with Sweere. Both Sweere and Vaughn gave chase, with the pursuing entering Otter Tail County where Burris pulled into the rest stop. The BCA description of the incident then reads as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Burris stopped, partially exited his vehicle and pointed a handgun at Lt. Sweere. An exchange of gunfire took place between Burris and both Lt. Sweere and Officer Vaughn." A handgun and spent shell casings were recovered from the scene. Both officers involved were wearing bodycams, the footage from which is being reviewed. When Burris is released from the hospital, he will be transferred to Otter Tail County Jail. No officers were injured in the incident. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared. BCA responding to police 'use-of-force incident' in St. Louis County originally appeared on Bring Me The News. A police "use-of-force incident" is under investigation Tuesday in St. Louis County, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The BCA said agents and crime scene personnel are on scene and more information will be made available once the preliminary investigation is complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WDIO-TV reports the incident happened in Normanna Township, northwest of Duluth, and roads near the intersection McQuade Road and E. Pioneer Road have been blocked off. The incident unfolded around 9:30 a.m., according to unconfirmed reports of law enforcement communications. Bring Me The News has reached out to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office for more information. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared. NEW YORK (PIX11) It may be getting hotter outside, but beaches around New York are closed due to rainfall, according to officials. Storms swept through the tri-state area Monday night, flooding the New York City subway system and roadways. At least two people were killed in New Jersey, officials said. More Local News Beach patrons are advised to avoid the water at these beaches until further notice due to bacterial contamination from road runoff into drainage outfalls near these beaches, a spokesperson for Westchester County said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These beaches are closed in Westchester, officials said: Mamaroneck: Harbor Island, Beach Point Club, Orienta Beach Club and Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club New Rochelle: Hudson Park Beach, Davenport Club, Greentree Club and Surf Club Rye: Coveleigh Club There are also advisories against swimming at some Nassau County beaches: Bayville: Centre Island Sound, Ransom Beach, Soundside Beach and Stehli Beach East Rockaway: Hewlett Point Beach Glen Cove: Morgan Sound and Pryibil Beach Glenwood Landing: Tappen Beach Island Park: Island Park Beach Lattingtown: Creek Club and Lattingtown Beach Laurel Hollow: Laurel Hollow Beach Locust Valley: Piping Rock Beach Club Massapequa: Biltmore Beach Club, Philip Healey Beach Oyster Bay: Theodore Roosevelt Beach Port Washington: North Hempstead Beach Park Sea Cliff: Sea Cliff Village Beach Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Westchester ban against swimming will be lifted when health officials deem the water safe. In Nassau County, the advisory lasts through 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Come December, black bears in Floridas Panhandle may want to steer clear of the area south of I-10. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is preparing to launch the states first bear hunting season in a decade, with I-10 marking the northern boundary of the East Panhandle Bear Hunting Zone. Commissioners are expected to approve a proposed 23-day season during their Aug. 13 - 14 meeting in Havana. The plan includes a lottery system to distribute 68 hunting tags in the East Panhandle zone part of a broader statewide total of 187 tags. Each tag allows the holder to harvest one bear from an 11-county region stretching from Washington to Jefferson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The East Panhandle zone is one of four proposed for the hunt. The others include: A five-county North Zone with 46 tags A 12-county Central Zone with 18 tags A South Florida zone (Lee, Collier, and Hendry counties) with 55 tags The proposed bear hunting zones in Florida Hunters must attach their tag to the bear immediately after the kill and report it to FWC within 24 hours so biologists can collect DNA and other data. There is no place in Florida today where a bear might not show up, said Morgan Richardson, FWCs director of hunting and game management. Weve had bears in downtown Orlando, St. Augustine, West Palm Beacheverywhere. Floridas bear population is currently estimated at 4,050, up from just 1,200 in the 1990s when the state ended annual bear hunts. If approved, this would be the first season since 2015, when a planned week-long hunt was halted after two days because hunters had already killed over 300 bearsclose to the quota of 320. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new plan limits the number of hunters instead of setting a hard kill quota. The idea is: one hunter, one tag, one bear. Animal welfare groups and conservationists oppose the hunt, advocating for non-lethal methods to manage bear-human conflicts. Many critics argue the hunt is politically motivated. "The majority of FWC commissioners are developers," said Katrina Shadix of Bear Warriors. "They want to remove animals that prevent development." Public opinion also appears largely against the proposal. A University of Central Florida survey found that 75% of respondents opposed the hunt, while a Remington Research poll commissioned by the Humane World for Animals reported 81% opposition among Florida residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bear Defenders, a conservation group, said in a statement, The FWCs plan not only undermines public trust but also threatens the long-term stability of Floridas recovering bear population, an ecologically significant keystone species. While the bear population has quadrupled in 30 years, FWC biologists argue that Florida may be approaching its bear "carrying capacity"the limit of how many bears the habitat can support. When the habitat doesnt have enough resources, we start seeing underweight bears and other health issues, said George Warthen, FWCs chief conservation officer. Overcrowded bears venture into urban areas in search of food, creating dangerous encounters with humans. Bears now inhabit over 50% of the state, up from 17% in 1994. All seven of Floridas distinct bear populations are stable or growing, with annual growth rates between 2% and 10%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith warned on Facebook that his county was being overrun by bears, putting seniors, pets, and livestock at risk. In May, an 89-year-old man and his dog were reportedly killed by a bear in Collier County, with signs the bear had entered the home. Weeks later, a doorbell camera in Tallahassee captured a bear strolling through a suburban neighborhood. In response to increasing incidents, lawmakers passed the Bear Self-Defense Act of 2024, allowing residents to kill a bear without a license if they perceive an imminent threat of serious injury or death. Later in the year, Florida voters voted by a 67% margin to enshrine hunting as the preferred means for "responsibly managing and controlling" wildlife in the state constitution. FWC says the upcoming hunt is highly regulated and highly conservative. December was chosen because its when female bears and their cubs are denning, while males remain active. Even if all 187 bears taken are females, the population will continue to grow, Richardson said. You could not propose a more conservative season than this. What to know about the bear hunt proposal FWC will consider a hunt to run Dec. 628. A vote on the proposal will be taken at the August quarterly meeting in Havana. The hunt will have a 187 bear quota from 31 counties divided into four bear hunting zones. Sixty-eight bears will be permitted for harvest from 11 eastern panhandle counties including Franklin, Leon, and Wakulla; 18 bears from 12 Central Florida counties, 46 from five North Florida counties, and 55 from Lee, Collier and Hendry counties. There will be a $5 permit application fee. If selected in a random drawing for a permit, permits will cost $100 for a Florida resident, and $300 for a out-of-state hunters. One bear is allowed per permit, and FWC must be notified within 24 hours of a bear being taken and a tag must be attached to the bear for it to be transported. Hunters may use all archery equipment, muzzle loading guns, shotguns, center fire, rifles, revolvers and pistols and pre-charge pneumatic air guns to harvest bears. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com and is on X as @CallTallahassee. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida proposes first black bear hunt in a decade YANGON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar received 500,125 foreign tourists during the first half of 2025, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism on Tuesday. This year's foreign tourist arrivals between January and June were lower compared to the 601,640 foreign tourists who visited the country during the same period in 2024, an official from the ministry told Xinhua. The majority of tourists in the first half of 2025 came from China, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and India, the official said. In 2024, over 1.06 million foreign tourists visited Myanmar, according to the ministry. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Beavercreek Police Department is asking for the publics help in locating a missing juvenile. The BPD reports that Joanna Edwards, 15, was last seen between 9:30 p.m. on July 13 and 5:30 p.m. on July 14. She reportedly does not have her phone with her. Photo/City of Beavercreek Its not known what she was wearing last. Police say she she has family in Indiana and may have a boyfriend who lives out of state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with pertinent information can contact the Beavercreek Police Department at 937-426-1225. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. EVENTS: Held in Hopkinton and Potsdam in St. Lawrence County POTSDAM Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County and Local Living Venture are presenting a set of beekeeping seminars in two locations Wednesday in St. Lawrence County. The first event will be from 1-5 p.m. at the Hopkinton Town Hall, 15 Church St., in Hopkinton. The second event will be a repeat of the first part of the earlier session, to be held from 7-9 p.m. at the Potsdam Town Hall (rear entrance), 18 Elm St., Potsdam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All are welcome, and small donations are appreciated. What the North Country can learn from beekeeping in Switzerland will be presented by Mark Rudin, a retired orthopedic surgeon from Switzerland who has a deep passion for bees and beekeeping. Rudin has been a beekeeper for 25 years, is an active member of his local bee association and has served on the board as treasurer and managing projects. He will share challenges, including but not limited to: competition between wild bees and honey bees invasion of Asian hornet climate change and impact hyperthermia treatment for Varroa mites. During the afternoon session only, following Rudins talk, there will be a presentation on Overwintering Your Bees at 2:45 p.m. by Justin Bennett, a North Country bee producer and 2024 Empire State Honey Producers Association board of directors Northern District representative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will be followed by a panel of local beekeepers at 3:45 p.m. for a Q&A session lasting until 5 p.m. Rudins presentation about raising bees in Switzerland will be reprised from 7-9 p.m. at the Potsdam Town Hall at 18 Elm St. For questions about Wednesdays events, reach out to David Bowen at 518-529-6066 or CCE AG educator Justin Tucker at jwt93@cornell.edu. Additionally, all are welcome to attend and share their questions and challenges in a casual group setting at the monthly Bees & Beekeeping Discussion Group gatherings, held at 7 p.m. the last Wednesday of the month. All levels of beekeeper are welcome to join in the discussion group events, with the next one being July 30 at the EJ Noble Medical Center Community Room, 80 E. Main St., Canton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A pass-the-hat small donation is requested of participants who are able to contribute. Email LocalLivingVenture@gmail.com or call 315-347-4223 for more information and to get on the e-mailing list for future notices. Listings of upcoming events can be found on the events schedule page at www.LocalLivingVenture.org Behind the SUGARED + BRONZED Partnership with L.A. Photographer Gray Malin originally appeared on L.A. Mag. S + B may be technically sunless, but its elevated coastal atmosphere is supposed to be far more than a typical salon. Their latest partnership with Gray Malin is meant to up the ante even more.Sugared + Bronzed For Courtney Calghorn, starting a tanning business wasnt just about getting all sprayed up in a faux-beach space under big fluorescents. SUGARED + BRONZED was always about atmosphere, and it quickly became a destination as well the worlds largest sunless tanning and sugaring hair removal provider. S + B celebrates fifteen years of service this year, having come a long way since their humble beginnings in Calghorns Santa Monica apartment. The companys latest refresh, as its always one to move with the tides, is a partnership with L.A.-based photographer Gray Malin. Malin has defined himself in the fine art world for being that guy whose work everyone has seen, even if they might not know who he is. Still, he remains one of the biggest names in coastal chic artwork, and his latest venture adorns the walls of S + B locations. Calghorns storefronts, as sunless as they may be, still need to look like Mediterranean vacations, she says. Marty Moore, the vice president of design and development at S + B, is inspired by remote locales in Greece and other island coastlines. Moore headed the partnership with Malin, and the two hope to further elevate the aesthetic behind every S + B salon. Every feature of an S + B location is decisively intentional, driven by the beats of spunky playlists and caffeine everywhere. S + B is not just for the red carpets, the weddings and the luxurious vacations though they love to do it its also for those in need of a pick-me-up, who want to look and feel their very best. Just ask Calghorn, who built the business out of the insecurity that she, despite her Italian heritage, was the only member of her family who couldnt tan naturally. Today, shes proud to have given up her Fintech job for a company shes so proud to run. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared. BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO) An investigation into child pornography led investigators to arrest a Beloit man on Tuesday. According to the City of Beloit Police Department, investigators executed a search at a home in the 2600 block of Colley Road as part of the investigation. Joe Pratt Jr, 52, the suspect in the case, was arrested during a traffic stop. He was charged with 5 counts of possession of child pornography and 5 counts of sexual exploitation of a child-distribution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beloit Police, Janesville Police, the Rock County Sheriffs Office, the Rock County District Attorneys Office, and the Wisconsin Department of Justices Division of Criminal Investigations contributed to building the case against Pratt, and providing victim and family services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Two nonprofits are partnering to ensure the continued operation of a beloved outdoor space for children and families in the Oklahoma City metro area. Camp DaKaNi, an outdoor camp sitting on almost 40-acre in Oklahoma City, will fall under the stewardship of the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City through a new partnership between the YMCA and Camp DaKaNi. Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma had operated the camp at 3309 E Hefner Road for decades. Numerous young people and families, particularly those affiliated with the Camp Fire Boys & Girls, expressed shock and grief in 2024 when Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma officials announced the popular urban camp's closure due to financial struggles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new partnership announced on Tuesday means the camp will come alive with trail walks, day camps and other activities once again. "This is an extraordinary example of what's possible when nonprofits work together for the greater good," Kelly Kay, YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City president and chief executive officer, said in a news release. More: Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma to dissolve, taking OKC's historic Camp DaKaNi with it: What's next? "Camp DaKaNi has long been a place where kids experience adventure, confidence and connection. Were honored to continue that legacy and expand its reach to even more families." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement April Jolley, chief executive officer of Camp DaKaNi, expressed deep gratitude for the path forward. "Camp DaKaNi has always been about connection to nature, to community and to one another," Jolley said in a statement. "This partnership with the YMCA allows that mission to grow and thrive. I'm incredibly proud of the resilience shown by so many in Oklahomas nonprofit world who came together to make this possible." The two organizations said the transition secures the future of Camp DaKaNi and opens the door for expanded programming through the YMCAs extensive youth development and camp offerings. With aligned missions and a shared passion for community, both organizations are confident this partnership will only strengthen access to meaningful outdoor experiences for Oklahoma families. In their statement, the pair of nonprofits said the partnership was made possible through thoughtful collaboration and legal guidance, including instrumental support from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, whose office played a vital role in navigating the transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This agreement represents the best of public service and nonprofit cooperation," Drummond said in a news release. "Camp DaKaNi is a treasured space for Oklahoma families, and Im proud that my office could support efforts to protect it for future generations." The YMCA and Camp DaKaNi said more information about summer camp programs and the future of Camp DaKaNi under YMCA leadership will be available soon. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Camp DaKaNi will continue under the YMCA of Greater OKC OAKLAND, Calif. - On Monday night, Yoshis in Oakland, held a celebration of life to honor Kaz Kajimura, the beloved co-owner of the iconic jazz club who died last month at the age of 82. A celebration of life What we know The evening featured a dinner and a full slate of performances from some of the regions most acclaimed jazz musicians. The house was packed with friends, family, longtime patrons and performers. "Everyone is here celebrating his life," said Hal Campos, a current co-owner of Yoshis. "Friends, family, patrons, its a beautiful night." The backstory Kajimura helped transform Yoshis from a small Japanese restaurant founded in the 1970s by Yoshie Akiba and Hiroyuki Hori into one of the Bay Area's most renowned jazz venues. A native of Tokyo, Kajimura moved to the Bay Area at age 22. He earned a masters degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from Stanford University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally a customer at Yoshis, Kajimuras love of music led him to become a business partner. He helped steer the restaurant into a new era, turning it into a world-class jazz club that would eventually host legends such as Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis and Wayne Shorter. Everybody loves you What they're saying "Its hard not having him, especially for me, since we worked together for so many years," said Campos, who Kajimura affectionately referred to as "his only son." Kajimuras sister, Toshi Holland, also attended the memorial. "Its just really heartwarming," Holland said. "I just want to really show Kaz, hey, look at this, everybody loves you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holland recalled how her brother taught himself to play the trumpet as a young man, often rowing into the middle of a lake in a Tokyo park at sunset to practice. "He loved it," said Holland. Kajimura played a key role in expanding Yoshis to its current Oakland location in 1997 and opening a second venue in San Francisco, which operated until 2014. "He saved this business over and over again throughout the years and kept it alive," said Campos. "He worked 14, 16 hours a day, six days a week. I think without him, this place wouldnt exist." "Contrary to whatever he believed," said Holland. "I think hes watching." Ben Jealous, former NAACP president and Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate, is on leave from his job as national head of the Sierra Club. (File photo by Danielle E. Gaines/Maryland Matters) Ben Jealous, the former Maryland gubernatorial candidate turned Sierra Club executive director, is on leave from his post at the national environmental advocacy group. The move comes after significant turmoil during Jealous tenure, which began in early 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Progressive Workers Union, which represents Sierra Club employees, has slammed Jealous for his management of the organization, citing several rounds of layoffs over the past few years, and other labor disputes. They argue he has placed the nonprofit on unsure footing at a time when President Donald Trumps (R) administration is loosening environmental regulations and targeting clean-energy projects. Jonathon Berman, a spokesperson for the Sierra Club, confirmed Jealouss leave but declined to comment further, calling it a personnel matter. It remains unclear why Jealous is on leave or for how long he will be absent. In an email sent to Sierra Club staff Friday, Michael Parrish, the clubs chief operating officer, said that a longtime Sierra Club higher-up, Loren Blackford, would serve as acting executive director in Jealous absence. Erica Dodt, president of the Progressive Workers Union, cited recent layoffs in a news release Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When facing budget challenges, we have been told and believe that Jealous executive team increased its size and salaries all while laying off staff critical to Sierra Clubs success, Dodt said. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US With Jealous on leave the union looks forward to working with managers and the Sierra Club Board of Directors to right the ship, and to rebuild trust between the union, non-represented staff, and volunteers, said Dylan Plummer, unit representative for the Sierra Club Unit of PWU. The union issued a vote of no confidence in Jealous last year, and nonunionized Sierra Club managers and certain chapters took the same step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between January 2023 and April 2025, the union estimates that Sierra Club cut 97 staff positions. More recent announcements of upcoming layoffs would bring the total to 140, according to a June news release from the union, which represents 364 Sierra Club staff. The Sierra Club must be a strong leader against the Trump administrations attempts to eliminate bedrock environmental policies and protections, Plummer said. Its incomprehensible that the Sierra Club Board and executive leadership would again discard the very people who stand on the front lines every single day to carry out this work. Jealous, 52, was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2018, but lost overwhelmingly to incumbent Gov. Larry Hogan (R), despite running in a blue state. Hogan, who became only the second Republican governor in Maryland to win a second term, won 55.4% of the vote to Jealous 43.5% in the general election. Before his run with the environmental organization, Jealous made a name for himself as a civil rights leader, serving as the youngest-ever president and CEO of the NAACP from 2008 to 2013. After his gubernatorial run, Jealous led the civil rights organization People For the American Way, beginning in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Progressive Workers Union has charged Jealous, the first person of color to lead the Sierra Club, with laying off disproportionate numbers of staffers of color during his tenure. A 2023 layoff was almost half Black, Indigenous, People of Color, according to PWU, though BIPOC staff were about 28% of the organization. The union has also filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board, including one arguing that its bargaining team leaders were being targeted for layoffs because of their union activity amid contentious negotiations for a new contract. Ben Jealouss tenure at the Sierra Club has been defined by unprecedented union busting, never-ending layoffs, and the demoralization of staff at the organization, said CJ Garcia-Linz, a Sierra Club employee and former PWU President, in the June news release. Senator Bernie Sanders is, like most of us, worried about how AI is going to affect our future but he's not convinced that the mainstream conversation is capturing the dynamics of how the tech is really affecting the labor market. In an interview with Gizmodo, the Vermont legislator revealed that in the wake of his call for AI to aid in the establishment of a four-day work week, he has taken to speaking with AI experts and CEOs about the technology. Though Sanders refused to name names, the tech luminaries he's been speaking with are apparently of two minds. In one school, experts warn that there "will be massive job losses," while others insist that new jobs will be created even as others go by the wayside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I happen to believe this is not like the Industrial Revolution," Sanders told Giz. "I think this could be a lot more severe." As the two-time presidential contender noted, AI seems already to be accelerating the longstanding disparity between increasing worker productivity and those same workers failing to see the fruits of their labor. As the independent senator puts it, all that money instead goes "to the corporations and to the companies that developed that technology" and the current existential struggle should be about AI helping rather than hindering labor rights and security. "Workers today... are earning less, and I fear very much that almost all the new benefits of worker productivity will go to the people on top at the expense of working people," Sanders told the site. "That is something that concerns me very much." "Unless we change the political dynamics, the benefits are going to accrue to the people on top at the expense of working people," he continued. "That to me is the most important issue. I want workers to benefit from this new technology, not just the people on top." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, he believes that "AI is neither good nor bad" but that it's also "not science fiction" either. "There are very, very knowledgeable people... who worry very much that human beings will not be able to control the technology," the former Burlington mayor said, "and that artificial intelligence will in fact dominate our society." Like so many AI doomers before him, Sanders believes that there may soon come a time when "we will not be able to control" the nascent technology, and that instead, "it may be able to control us." "Thats kind of the doomsday scenario," he concluded, "and there is some concern about that among very knowledgeable people in the industry." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All told, Sanders' AI take isn't all that surprising given the workers' rights rhetoric he's espoused for his entire career. What sets him apart in the increasingly politicized AI wars isn't that he's cautiously optimistic about it, but that he intends to hold tech CEOs' feet to the fire to make sure the technology doesn't result in the kind of massive unemployment that so many have warned about. That show of integrity, at the end of the day, inspires much more confidence than the collective shoulder-shrug we're seeing from most politicians on the topic. More on AI and politics: Elon Musk's Bizarre Behavior May Force Tesla Board to Step in, Analyst Warns By Colleen Goko and Kopano Gumbi JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -Another no-show by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Donald Trump's tariff threats and rising tensions between Washington and BRICS countries all look set to overshadow this week's meeting of G20 finance chiefs in Durban, South Africa. Several key officials including Bessent skipped February's Cape Town gathering of finance ministers and central banks in the grouping, already raising questions about its ability to tackle pressing global challenges. "I think it's problematic not to have the world's largest economy represented at the table, at least at a senior political level," said Josh Lipsky, chair of international economics at the Atlantic Council. "It raises questions about the G20's long-term viability," said Lipsky, adding that Bessent's absence foreshadowed U.S. plans for a slimmed-down, "back to basics" G20 when it assumes the grouping's rotating presidency next year. Trump has implemented a baseline 10% tariff on all U.S. imports, with punitive rates targeting specific countries and products - including steel and aluminum at 50%, autos at 25%, and threatened levies of up to 200% on pharmaceuticals. Extra tariffs on 25 countries are set to take effect on August 1. His threat to impose further tariffs on BRICS countries adds complexity, given that eight G20 members - including host South Africa - belong to the expanded BRICS grouping. The overlap hints at the emergence of competing forums as Western-led institutions face credibility challenges. "Policy uncertainty is the biggest theme at this point in time," South African Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Fundi Tshazibana told Reuters. The G20 has its origins in past crisis fire-fighting and really took off as countries around the world saw a need to coordinate policies to emerge from the global financial crisis of the late 2000s. "The G20 was built around a presumption that all the world's major economies shared a common interest in a stable, relatively open global economy," said Brad Setser of the Council on Foreign Relations. "But Trump doesn't really care about stability and wants a more closed global economy." 'DIFFICULT SPACE' The Durban gathering of finance chiefs on Thursday and Friday also unfolds against a backdrop of mounting economic pressures, particularly for African economies. Sub-Saharan Africa's external debt has ballooned to $800 billion, or 45% of GDP, according to Goldman Sachs, while traditional funding sources are drying up. A poster at this summer's announcement that the Department of Housing and Urban Develpoment would be displacing the National Science Foundation by moving in to the NSF's office in Alexandria, Virginia. (Photo: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. When Kelly Burrows was told two years ago that she qualified for an Emergency Housing Voucher, funded by federal recovery dollars, she assumed she would be added to another waiting list and wouldnt exit homelessness for another year or two. But four months later, a case worker in Reno handed her a key to her apartment in ending her 15 years of on and off homelessness in 2023. She has been stably housed ever since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed into law by former President Joe Biden, included $5 billion in investments to create 70,000 emergency vouchers nationwide. More than 600 emergency vouchers are currently in use across Nevada according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development data. Normally each year, were able to move about 10 people into permanent supportive housing, said Catrina Peters, the homelessness services coordinator for Washoe County. The emergency housing vouchers allowed us to make 137 referrals to get people off the streets, she said. The specialized vouchers were supposed to be funded through 2030, but jurisdictions around the country, including in Reno, were informed by HUD in March that they would receive a final allotment this year to cover those remaining amounts will be available to cover (EVA Housing Assistance Program) costs in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did always kind of have that (2030) end date in mind, Peters said, adding that the more recent correspondence to potentially end in the program in 2026 was quite a surprise. We have extremely limited resources and extremely limited opportunities to serve these folks through other programs, she said. Any reduction in a program impacts our ability to get people housed and out of homelessness. Homelessness has steadily been on the rise in the state, as in most of the country. More than 10,100 people experienced homelessness in Nevada in 2024 a 17% increase statewide according to data released by HUD in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were seeing rents not increasing as dramatically as they have been in the previous years, but still continuing to rise, Peters said. We have a lot of folks on fixed incomes who dont see a corresponding increase to their income. The end strategy for those emergency housing vouchers, Peters said, is to at some point have them moved into the existing housing authority pool, or kind of absorbed into that existing voucher pool, which is the Housing Choice Vouchers program, formerly known as Section 8. More than 15,000 people receive standard housing vouchers statewide, with thousands on the waitlist hoping to qualify for a voucher. The regular housing voucher program is likely to face cuts as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump 2026 fiscal budget proposed steep cuts across various agencies, including slashing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development budget by more than 40%. I think if folks want to see a meaningful decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness, people on the street, people living in cars, then we need to maintain these programs and not see any cuts, Peters said. A golden ticket Burrows, 47, moved from California to Carson City about 15 years ago to live with her mom when she needed a place to stay while she was unemployed. Her mother died a few months later, and her stepfather asked her to move out. Burrows relocated to Reno, got a job as a housekeeper, and moved into a new apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she lost her job and could no longer afford rent. That was her first time experiencing homelessness. Burrows bounced around to Georgia and Texas, but eventually came back to Reno for good in 2018. I barely slept. Thats when the drugs came in. I barely could sleep because I had to stay up and keep my dog warm and keep burning fires, and I had to keep hand warmers up under the blankets. Burrows briefly stayed at Renos Cares Campus Emergency Shelter in 2023 and was eventually connected with Michael Adragna, a case manager. During that time, she qualified for an emergency housing voucher. Knowing there is a long wait list for unhoused people to get housing assistance, Burrows figured it was too good to be true Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they told me that I was approved, I was like, Yeah, okay, Im approved, but its gonna take two, three years to get it, Burrows said. But a few months later, she was in her new place. Its the first time in her life that she has ever felt planted, she said. I quit doing drugs, she said. I quit doing all this craziness. Even after Burrows first landlord decided not to renew the lease, she was able to secure another apartment using the same voucher. Adragna likened the emergency voucher to a golden ticket. The alternative programs with the housing authority were kind of like being on a wait list to nowhere, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once people are on typical wait lists for various types of housing assistance, such as a housing choice voucher, Adragna said they could be on there for maybe two to three years. What made these emergency vouchers more successful is they came with less stringent requirements from HUD, said Brenda Barnes, the social services manager for Clark County. These (vouchers) were more unique in regards to less deniability, she said. There are background checks and various other types of requirements for different vouchers. Some require a disability. These were a little bit more flexible, which made them more accessible. For the first time, the door to housing was open to people who typically dont qualify for housing assistance, such as people with criminal backgrounds who cant access traditional housing vouchers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was exciting and amazing to see how quickly we utilized these vouchers to help people who were falling through the gaps in other resources in the community, Barnes said. Peters said that in Washoe County roughly 90% of those who qualified for the emergency vouchers received case management, and have remained stably housed. The vouchers, and the household stability they enable, allows the county to reduce community wide costs associated with people who were previously using the emergency room heavily and previously had a lot of interactions with law enforcement. The emergency voucher program is the last thing that should be cut, Peters said. This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Kelly Burrows. DHAKA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has slashed the standing deposit facility (SDF) by 50 basis points to 8.0 percent to make the country's call-money market vibrant. The Monetary Policy Department of the central bank issued a circular in this regard on Tuesday, saying the latest change in the SDF will be effective from Wednesday. The SDF allows affluent banks to park surplus funds with the BB overnight at a rate 1.50 basis points below the repo rate. Md Ezazul Islam, a BB executive director, said the decision is to discourage the growing use of SDF instruments by the major commercial banks having surplus funds and vibrate the call-money market further. He said the decision will help immensely ailing banks as they will have more access to emergency loans from the call-money market to fill their asset-liability mismatch. The total SDF balance of the country's well-off banks in June reportedly increased to 727.30 billion taka (5.98 billion U.S. dollars). According to the BB data, the accumulated figure was 158 percent higher than the previous month's count of 282.22 billion taka. On the other hand, the BB data showed 887.90 billion taka was transacted on the call-money market in June 2025, down by around 15 percent from May's figure of 1.04 trillion taka. (1 U.S. dollar equals 121 taka) Experts are warning that cuts the One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes to Medicaid pose a significant threat to rural hospitals, but hospitals across Virginia are bracing for the impact. Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, for example, projects a loss of more than $20 million as a result of the cuts. While the fiscal impact on our organization is significant, the greater travesty lies in what this means for our patients, particularly the more than 15% who rely on Medicaid, said Reese Jackson, president and CEO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats because the bill changes how Virginia pays for its share of Medicaid expansion. In Virginia, for traditional Medicaid that encompasses coverage for children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities who meet certain income requirements the state and federal government more or less equally share a funding responsibility. The cost of Virginias Medicaid expansion population, which includes low-income adults, is funded 90% by the federal government, meaning the states share is 10%. Importantly, the state government does not pay that share itself. Instead, acute care hospitals are taxed through whats known as a provider assessment, and a portion of that tax funds the states entire share of Medicaid expansion costs. As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Acts sweeping cuts to social safety net programs, the provider tax, currently at the highest allowable rate of 6% of net patient revenues in Virginia, will be gradually reduced to 3.5%, beginning in 2028 with a 0.5% decrease annually until 2031. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rural hospitals, some of which rely on as much as 30% of their revenue from the provider tax, are the most at risk. But other hospitals could be impacted, too. In Hampton Roads, the provider tax generates between 11% and 20% of hospital revenue. Jackson noted Chesapeake Regional receives significantly lower reimbursement rates from commercial insurers compared to other regional hospitals. This discrepancy places an undue burden on our health care system and makes it even more difficult to sustain critical programs that serve our most vulnerable populations, Jackson said. In 2025, acute care hospitals subject to the provider tax are expected to generate $570 million toward the state share of Medicaid expansion. The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association estimates that at full implementation, changes to the provider assessment rate and changing state-directed payment plan provisions would cost Virginia hospitals more than $2 billion annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A curious person might ask the entirely valid question of, if theyre reducing the tax rate, why is that a bad thing, why is that harmful? said Julian Walker, vice president of communications with the VHHA. The answer is if that tax rate is being used to generate proceeds to support expansion and to draw down Medicaid supplemental payments, and you reduce the tax ceiling, that means that the financial strength of that mechanism is diminished. The provider tax also goes toward state-directed payments, which draw down federal dollars to supplement Medicaid payments. Medicaid reimburses providers at less than the cost of care. As an example, if it costs one dollar to provide care for a patient, Medicaid might reimburse $0.78 of that cost. Its a payment to help close that financial gap, and its funded through a tax on hospitals, Walker said. A reduction in the provider tax also could impact how much revenue hospitals are able to generate. Larger hospital systems with more revenue pay a greater share of the tax, but the allocation of resources is based on the share of Medicaid patients that a hospital serves, Walker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A significant share of the benefit from this mechanism is actually going to the hospitals that are serving the greatest number of Medicaid patients, he said. We see this as troubling, disturbing and potentially devastating. This is funding that helps hospitals sustain their operations, support patient access to care, strengthen the state and local economy, and provide employment across Virginia. Under a lower provider tax, the question becomes How do hospitals make up the deficit? said Larry Clark, an internist in Alexandria, at a news conference held last week in Richmond to discuss the cuts. Are they going to cut the services? Are they going to cut the first things that usually get cut, your critical care units in the emergency room? Clark said. Proponents of limiting the provider tax describe the mechanism as a scheme whereby states return funding from the tax to providers through directed payment plans in an endless loop, and neither the state nor the providers spend new money on Medicaid. And, they cite cost savings: An estimate from the Congressional Budget Office found that reducing the tax threshold on providers to 5% results in $48 billion in federal savings over 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the CBO, thats because states would reduce some of their Medicaid spending, and people would as a result be forced off of Medicaid. As an alternative to boost rural health care, Republicans included in the Senate version of the reconciliation $50 billion, spread over five years, for a Rural Health Transformation Program. But an analysis from Manatt and the National Rural Health Association found that the initial $25 billion would not go exclusively to rural hospitals, and if it did, would not necessarily close the gap in revenue cuts. Its not clear if an additional $25 billion would solve the problem. Democrat politicians and advocates held the news conference Thursday to discuss the impacts of the cuts. I helped expand Medicaid in Virginia, said Rep. Jen McClellan, who represents Richmond and its surrounding counties. One of the reasons that several Republican lawmakers got on board was that they knew how expanding Medicaid would help our rural hospitals The new law, the big, ugly bill will now restrict hospitals ability to fund Medicaid and get reimbursed for the services they provide to Medicaid patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill is the biggest cut to health care in our lifetime, said State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, who is the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. State budgets alone cannot make up the devastating loss. Kate Seltzer, 757-713-7881, kate.seltzer@virginiamedia.com LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) An unsettling culture came into focus as Megan Moryc settled into her new position on the night-shift squad at the Lakeview Post of the Michigan State Police. It wasnt until I got to night shift and this particular squad where they would sit in the Post, and this one particular trooper was not bashful about his extracurricular life, Moryc said. He would brag about Tinder dates and having threesomes with couples and all the pictures and videos he had on his phone. That trooper was Timothy Moreno, and Moryc said Moreno regularly would show off naked photos sent to him, while on duty, through Snapchat. Michigan State Police Trooper Timothy Moreno (left) and former Michigan State Police Trooper Megan Moryc (right). (Courtesy MSP. Obtained through FOIA. WLNS) An interrogation conducted by MSP Professional Standards Section investigators in 2020 revealed that Morenos sharing of sexually explicit videos and photos was known by other troopers and a law enforcement agent from another agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MSPs handling of Moreno and cases like that are the foundation of the departmental culture that Moryc, fired twice by the agency, said has discriminated against her as she has tried to reclaim her career with the support of arbitrators and courts during a nearly 5-year battle. Now, I wasnt interested in that kind of thing, Moryc said. So, I would either, you know, focus on what I was doing, or I would take myself out of the situation and put myself in another room. But Moryc said whenever the men on her night squads were together, they would always talk about this kind of stuff, and hed share videos and things like that. As troopers were reassigned from other posts or new recruits joined, they were brought into the photo and video sharing as well, Moryc said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, itd be like a whole big boys club going on at the post, she said. Moreno, who is stationed at the Hart Post, did not respond to a phone message left on his MSP-issued cell phone. There is no publicly available email address for Moreno, and calls for him were transferred by the Hart Posts main number. Moryc, 40, a trooper since 2016, was fired by MSP in 2020 after a drunken incident she described as horseplay outside a hotel at a police union gathering in Traverse City. She was charged with two counts of assault and battery and two counts of criminal sexual conduct fourth degree, and in 2021 she entered a no contest plea to the two counts of assault and battery. The other charges were dismissed as part of the deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moryc District Court Register of ActionsDownload The presiding judge threw out the sentencing portion of the deal that would have been probation, and she spent 21 days in jail. She was fired by the department shortly afterwards. An arbitrator and the courts said the charges against her were spurious and required her to be restored to active duty. She was put on state payroll again Oct. 2, 2024, only to be served with notice she was on paid administrative leave while investigators determined if she had lied under oath during a divorce hearing on Oct. 9, 2018, in Montcalm County. Moryc signed notification of administrative interview in perjury internalDownload Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was fired a second time on Feb. 13, accused of perjury something a special prosecutor declined to charge. Shes fighting that termination through an arbitration process. 2024 DEC 20 PSS-627-23 Moryc SOC TERMINATIONDownload The 6 News Investigates Team since August has been investigating this dispute between Moryc and the MSP, reviewing hundreds of pages of internal investigations, court filings, court opinions, emails and prosecutorial communications. Moryc has sat for hours of on-camera interviews, but officials for the state of Michigan, including the MSP, have declined to respond to numerous specific questions from the 6 News Investigates Team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This dispute, which at one point reached the Michigan Supreme Court, is chronicled in this ongoing report by 6 News Investigates about a sexualized big boys club at the Lakeview Post of the Michigan State Police. Not a team player The Michigan State Police Lakeview Post in Lakeview, Mich. (WLNS) All of this began at the Lakeview Post, where, Moryc said, she grew sick of the activities and began to isolate herself. She would find another room or go elsewhere in the detachment to complete her reports. I very much felt a shift in how they treated me and how they were acting towards me, Moryc said. And it was a negative shift as far as I think they worried I would say something. Her fellow troopers began telling her she wasnt a team player because she had withdrawn from the sexualized rituals in the squad room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I was getting sick of the kind of boys club going on and the degradation of women being told by both the one who was sharing the video and his friend that, you know, they said to me one night in the post right to my face, and they said it in a joking way but I know it really wasnt a joke, especially because they had said that to other women, she said. Well, women dont, dont belong in law enforcement. Women dont belong in law enforcement is what they said to me. Michigan State Police Sgt. Scott Ziesman. (Courtesy MSP. Obtained via FOIA. WLNS) She said Sgt. Scott Ziesman, who supervised the night squad on which she served, participated at times in the banter about photos. On March 4, 2020, Moryc was given a special assignment investigating sex crimes and possible cover-ups in the Grand Rapids Diocese of the Catholic Church. That assignment took her off the road, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was hitting the state and lockdowns began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Informing Moryc of the new assignment, Ziesman told her she would need to be a team player, noting her withdrawal from the other troopers at the Post. I said, Excuse me? and he goes, You know, some of the squad has been saying that youre not a team player, and youve distanced yourselves something to that effect, Moryc said of the conversation. I said, Do you understand what Ive been dealing with? I said, Ive been watching. I have heard them degrade women. I have heard them talk about how, you know, their wives they shouldnt have to ask for sex, or they shouldnt have to plead for it. Ive had to, you know, have them playing porn or, you know, watching all this stuff at the post. I said, This has been going on, and this is why Ive distanced myself, and I felt them kind of coming after me for it. Scared, Im going to go tell on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And his response to me which I was very taken aback by but he said, Yeah, thats why I stopped going there, too. Moryc alleged Ziesman was unable to report the conduct up the chain of command because the troopers were aware of his extramarital affair with a county dispatcher and would use that against him. Ziesman did not respond to messages left for him at the Lakeview Post. Learn to accommodate Wendy Murphy, a professor at New England Law in Boston and leader of the Women and Childrens Advocacy Project at the school. (Courtesy Photo. WLNS) Distancing from such hypersexualized situations is a common response for employees, said Wendy Murphy, a professor at New England Law in Boston and leader of the Women and Childrens Advocacy Project at the school. Its a learned behavior, she said. At some point that a woman thinks to herself, I know Im supposed to complain about this. I know its illegal. I learned this in, you know, our training on what Title 7 [federal civil rights law] forbids. But the last time I complained about it, I, you know, didnt get any overtime pay or, or something like that happens to them where they know damn well thats because they filed a complaint. They suffered in some way in their job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, women learn to accommodate. They learn to look the other way, or if they find it intolerable, they learn to avoid situations, and that makes it a lot harder for them to work with men. Work alongside men. It makes it harder for women to develop that trust that you really have to have with your partners and your colleagues when you are in law enforcement. Moryc said she was explicitly told not to be like another female trooper who had left the post after complaints of the inappropriate sexual environment were lodged. Troopers accused that female trooper of filing those complaints, but a subsequent investigation of Morycs concerns revealed that the female trooper had not filed a complaint. Someone else in the Post had. There are no available documents on the outcome of the complaints alleged to have originated with the other female trooper. Moryc said her concerns about the hypersexualized nature of the Post escalated when she learned of potential criminal activity involving Moreno and his sex videos. Specifically, a female law enforcement agent told Moryc she believed the agent had been secretly videotaped while having sex with Moreno. Shared videos investigation Isabella County FOIA response Moreno criminalDownload In early 2020, a female law enforcement agent working for a county in the Lakeview Posts service territory which encompasses Gratiot, Ionia and Montcalm counties became aware Moreno may have had videos of the two of them having sex, a criminal report obtained by the 6 News Investigates Team states. That information, verified by documents from the Isabella County Prosecutors Office and MSPs internal reports, was verified by Moryc and that female agent. 6 News Investigates Team agreed not to identify the woman or the agency for which she worked at the time to allow her freedom to discuss sensitive information. Moryc and the agent told 6 News they believed these videos had been shared with fellow troopers in the squad room in late 2019. Moryc said the law enforcement agent told her that she had a friends with benefits relationship with Moreno. For his part, Moreno characterized the sexual interactions between himself and the woman in the same way. The woman told 6 News in a phone interview that she got the first inkling there might be a video of her having sex with Moreno when a trooper from the Post referenced a tattoo she has on her rib cage, a tattoo that no one would have seen unless theyd seen naked pictures of her. She said the trooper who had referenced it wouldnt tell her how he knew about the tattoo. But she was concerned enough, she said, to confide in Moryc, who had become a casual acquaintance through their shared work. The former law enforcement officer told 6 News that Moryc listened to her concerns. The woman stated that on February 20, 2020, she informed Moryc that she was prepared to file a formal complaint against Moreno. As a result, Moryc reported the situation to her Post command. The next day, the agent was interviewed by detectives from MSP. That same day, Moreno was suspended with pay from the Post, and a search warrant was executed on his home, an MSP criminal report revealed. The report reveals two iPhones, a laptop, external hard drives and other digital storage items were seized from Morenos home in Cedar Springs. A supplemental report provided by the MSP Computer Crimes Unit in Grand Rapids detailed that six of the eight items seized from Morenos home contained sexually explicit images and videos. On one of the iPhones, digital forensic examiners found an app called Vault. The Apple store describes Vault as a way to hide photos and videos. The app contained 243 sexually explicit photos and 20 videos, the CCU report disclosed. Multiple videos have been tagged that contain sexual activity for possible identification of the females, a CCU investigator wrote of videos identified in the Vault app. Investigators, the report revealed, took no action to identify any woman other than the law enforcement agent involved. Facing four complaints Michigan State Police Communications Director Shanon Banner. (Courtesy Photo, MSP. WLNS) 6 News Investigates asked MSP spokesperson Shanon Banner if detectives had attempted to confirm the identities of any of the women in the videos and photos identified by the CCU investigator. She did not respond. Some of the other digital storage devices contained images and videos of Moreno engaged in sexual activity, the reports said. The exact number of videos and photos discovered as a result of the search warrant and forensic examination of Morenos items is unclear. On Sept. 11, 2020, the Isabella County Prosecutors Office declined to bring charges against Moreno for eavesdropping, the charge that would address his having images without the consent of another. An internal investigation by MSP found he had violated departmental policies, documents obtained by the 6 News Investigates Team revealed. Isabella County reviewed the criminal case because Montcalm County prosecutors recused themselves. After all, that office worked closely with Moreno, who patrolled Montcalm County at the time of the investigation. Banner of MSP said Moreno had faced four complaints during his time at MSP. In one of those complaints, the allegations were determined to be true, or founded. The other three were closed as unfounded. Banner did not explain if the complaints against Moreno were sexual in nature or if they arose from the criminal complaint. She also did not respond to questions as to what, if any, discipline Moreno faced for the one founded complaint. Moreno, who is stationed at the Hart Post, did not respond to a phone message left on his MSP-issued cell phone. There is no publicly available email address for Moreno, and calls for him were transferred by the Hart Posts main number. The law enforcement agent who had complained told 6 News that those investigators worked to prevent a prosecution in the case. First, she said, they told her repeatedly and aggressively that the video of her having sex with the trooper would be made public and played over and over. She said she didnt want that to happen. If she were to decline to push this forward on criminal charges, the videos would be deleted, and they would disappear forever, she recalled investigators telling her. Despite this assurance, the 6 News Investigates Team learned in December that the videos remain on file with and are still maintained by the Isabella County Prosecutors Office as part of the files related to the investigation of Moreno. An official in that office told 6 News that the sexually explicit videos are password-protected. Secondly, using multiple Facebook conversations between the woman and Moreno, investigators concluded she had consented to the video recording. The woman said investigators only provided portions of the communications to prosecutors. She said the full thread showed she had refused to be recorded. The conversation, she told 6 News, was a ploy to get Moreno to admit the existence of the videos. It was not me actually agreeing to the recording. It was me getting him to admit it, she told 6 News. Moreno told investigators the woman had consented to the recordings because she was trying to change their friends with benefits arrangement to something more serious. Morycs special assignment By the time a prosecution decision was made in that case, Moryc had been on special assignment for months, investigating sexual abuse and cover-up allegations in the Grand Rapids Catholic church. That assignment had reduced the concerns she had while working in the Lakeview Post in the first two months of 2020, she said. As she had grown more isolated from her peers in Lakeview, she said she feared members of the squad would not provide backup to her while she was in a dangerous situation in rural Montcalm County. Backup was often 20 to 45 minutes away, and thats with a trooper traveling with lights and sirens on. With the special assignment, Moryc said, she was no longer in immediate fear for her life. Her colleagues, however, were expressing discontent that Moryc had been given the special assignment. Sgt. Robert Metivier told an MSP PSS investigator during an interview in 2023 that there was jealousy. I know a lot of it was, you know, she gets to work at home. We get to come, you know, we still got to come in and do it, Metivier said during the recorded interview that 6 News obtained from Moryc. Screenshot of the text request to Michigan State Police Sgt. Robert Metivier seeking comment. This was his response. (WLNS) Metivier, reached by text, referred the 6 News Investigates Team to the MSPs legal department for comment. Investigating Moreno Investigation from Moryc complaintDownload On Sept. 25, 2020, Moryc participated in Professional Standards Services investigation into Morenos conduct. During that interview, Moryc said she disclosed what she called the harassment I had been through. Official portrait of Michigan State Police Inspector Matt Williams. (Courtesy MSP. Obtained by FOIA. WLNS) She alleged the investigator, Special Lt. Matt Williams, told her, Im sorry youve had to go through all that. This is my last case Im trying to wrap up before I start my new position. It wasnt until November 2024 that Moryc learned Williams had initiated an investigation into her concerns about harassment. That investigation did not result in any of her claims being substantiated, including allegations of sex videos being played in the squad room during work times. Thats despite two troopers confirmation to investigators that Moreno had viewed sex videos in the squad room, and both said they had been shown or heard the videos in September 2019. Investigators asked another female trooper, who had left the Lakeview Post and whom Moryc said she was told not to be like because she had allegedly filed a complaint for sexual harassment against the squad was asked if she had experienced sexual harassment. She told the investigators, No. But she also, after conferring with a sergeant, told investigators that while she hadnt filed a complaint, another person had. Investigators provided no information as to when such a complaint had been made. They also did not investigate that allegation in the final report on Morycs complaint. A review of the investigative reports by 6 News Investigates revealed that the female trooper was interviewed for 2 minutes. The recording was paused for 8 minutes while she conferred with the sergeant, and the interview continued for 2 minutes. The length of her recorded interview was 4 minutes, with half of the time spent consulting with the sergeant. In addition to the one female trooper, eight men were interviewed during this investigation, between Oct. 1 and Oct. 9, 2020. Three of those men were considered principals in the investigation, meaning they were the targets of the allegations. Five of the men were witnesses. The duration of the interviews with the five male witnesses is unclear from the report, but the record shows three were interviewed individually on Oct. 1. The first interview began at 6 p.m. that day. The second began at 6:26 p.m., and the third was initiated at 6:59 p.m. The two other interviews occurred on Oct. 5, 2020, with the first beginning at 9:09 a.m. and the second at 7:33 p.m. In each of the summations of the male witness interviews, the Investigator wrote the same statement: I asked [REDACTED NAME] if he ever witnessed other members of the squad or of the post engage in behavior that would reasonably make a female trooper feel uncomfortable, harassed, or discriminated against. advised that he had not. I asked if had ever heard any other troopers make disparaging comments about women in law enforcement advised that he had not. Unfounded complaints That same day, Oct. 5, 2020, two of the principals or subjects of the investigation were interviewed as well. The first of these two interviews began at 9:48 a.m. and ended at 9:59 a.m. 11 minutes total. The second began at 6:21 p.m. and concluded at 6:36 p.m. 15 minutes total. The third principal was interviewed Oct. 9, 2020, beginning at 9:12 a.m. His interview concluded at 9:57 that day, 45 minutes total. The investigation was formally closed on Nov. 19 with the claims being unfounded. Murphy, the law professor, reviewed this information for 6 News. The legal standard is sex-based words or conduct that is unwelcome & offensive, she wrote in an email. The test is subjective as well as objective, so use of the word reasonably is improper, as if it asks only what the observer thinks of as reasonable; it ignores how a female trooper subjectively experiences the event. And use of the words uncomfortable, harassment, and discrimination in the questioning are silly because uncomfortable is not part of the legal standard and discrimination and harassment are legal jargon that need to be defined so people can answer. Its like asking, Were you ever raped? Most people would say no, but if you ask, Were you ever made to have sex when you didnt want to? most people say yes. No responses 6 News asked the MSPs Banner how the investigation into allegations of a sexually hostile workplace could be unfounded when two troopers had already told a criminal investigator they had heard or seen the video of the former law enforcement agent played by Moreno in the Lakeview Post. She did not respond. Banner also did not respond to an inquiry as to why the interviews with each witness were so short, or why the female witness had a male sergeant with her who called for an 8-minute pause to consult with her. Williams did not respond to an email seeking comment. Dozens of emails and phone calls to county prosecutors, troopers and command staff identified in the reports have gone unreturned. On July 1, MSP Col. James Grady III told 6 News Investigates the agency takes allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination seriously. The Michigan State Police has a long-standing tradition of demanding the highest possible standards of professional conduct from its enlisted and civilian members. All allegations of misconduct are aggressively investigated, Banner said in a statement. 6 News Digital Content Manager Duncan Phenix contributed to this report. HELP IS AVAILABLE If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or sexual violence, there is help. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or your local law enforcement agency. For support related to domestic violence, call: 1-800-799-7233 For support related to sexual assault, call: 800-656-HOPE (4673) Read this series in order: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter in Naperville, which is partnering with Will County Animal Protection Services, is trying to reduce the overflow of animals they now have by offering a 50% reduction for all dog adoption fees through Aug. 1. Because Will County is struggling to humanely house their animals, A.D.O.P.T. agreed to take in nearly all of their stray animals as part of the new arrangement, Anna Payton, administrator for Will County Animal Protection Services, said. She also noted that the county is exploring the idea of expanding its facilities to humanely house animals, but nothing has been set in stone. Theres been just such a high increase unfortunately in animal intake for us, we really needed to kind of hit the pause button and figure out a solution thats sustainable to be able to serve that many animals, Payton said, noting that Will Countys facilities were not initially designed for housing animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the new arrangement started in the spring, the animal population at A.D.O.P.T. has nearly doubled, Chris Yelle, executive director of A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter, said. She also noted that A.D.O.P.T. is temporarily halting their intake of owner surrenders as a result. It can be stressful for the dogs here because every kennel is now full. So every space we have available to house animals is now filled with a dog, which is something that theyre not used to, she said. Without the discounted rate, normal adoption fees range from $525 for puppies four months old and younger to $350 for dogs that are between the ages of 1 and 6. Senior dogs cost $250. The fee includes vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchips and a harness, the shelters website says. Prior to the partnership, A.D.O.P.T. had about 25 to 30 dogs in its shelter at 420 Industrial Drive. Now, theyre housing about 50 to 60 dogs, most of which are larger in size, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of cats at the Naperville shelter has also increased since the partnership, jumping from about 50 cats to close to 100, which includes both cats currently at their facility and litters of kittens in foster care. Will County is not the only area experiencing a crisis with its animal and pet population. Many shelters have been reporting the same issues. In May, Chicago Animal Care and Control officials said they were seeing an influx of animal surrenders, averaging about 56 animals coming into the shelter per day. Intake is increasing across the board and placement for large dogs has been very difficult across the board, Yelle said. Weve seen a lot of people surrendering animals for medical reasons or they just dont have the time and shelters across our community are just really full. In 2023, 6.5 million animals entered shelters across the nation, according to Shelter Animals Counts national database. That number slightly decreased in 2024, with 5.8 million animals. Despite the drop, many say they are still at capacity and struggling to meet the needs of their communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a lot of animals here that are looking for placement and were wanting to reach out to our community to let them know that we have a lot of really great animals right now, Yelle said. The increase in animals at A.D.O.P.T. has put staff and volunteers under more stress, Shelter Operations Manager Aleksa Martinovich said. The more full we are, the more animals there are to care for and everyones working very hard to make sure that everyone is taken care of, Martinovich said. Every staff (member) and volunteer here, if they could, would probably take one of these animals home. Dogs currently available for adoption include everything from pitbulls and mixed breeds to huskies and even a Belgian Malinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We primarily have large adult dogs, Martinovich said, noting that large is considered anything over 50 pounds. We also have one small senior dog, but we are really looking for people that can take on a large dog, or maybe people that dont have any pets for some of our dogs that need to be the only pet in the home. The A.D.O.P.T. shelter is open for adoptions from noon to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The shelter is also in need of people who can foster animals on a temporary basis, Yelle said. cstein@chicagotribune.com Scientists say they can study our bodies as we age in greater detail than ever before, thanks to more than a billion scans of UK volunteers. The world's biggest human imaging project says it has now hit its target of scanning the brains, hearts and other organs of 100,000 people - the culmination of an ambitious 11-year study. "Researchers are already starting to use the imaging data, along with other data we have, to identify disease early and then target treatment at an earlier stage," says Prof Naomi Allen, chief scientist at UK Biobank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data is made available at low cost to teams around the world to find new ways of preventing common health conditions from heart disease to cancer. The 100,000th volunteer to be scanned was Steve, who recently retired from a job in sales and now helps out at a charity run by his daughter. The BBC watched as he entered a full-body MRI scanner in an industrial park outside Reading, and detailed images of brain cells, blood vessels, bones and joints appeared on the screens. "My mum was diagnosed with early-stage dementia a few years ago and has not been well," he says. "So with that in mind I want to give more back to research so the next generation can learn from people like me." Steve from southern England was the 100,000th person scanned in what's become the world's largest medical imaging project [BBC] The giant medical imaging project has been running for 13 hours a day, seven-days-a-week across four sites in England. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants are given a five-hour appointment to be scanned using five different types of MRI, X-ray and ultrasound machines. The data gathered is anonymised and volunteers like Steve receive no individual feedback unless the radiographers happen to spot a potentially serious health problem. The project does not allow personal data, such as a volunteer's surname or the precise area where they live, to be published. What is UK Biobank? Volunteers have been scanned at four sites across the UK over an 11-year period [UK Biobank / Dave Guttridge] Launched in 2003, UK Biobank is one of the largest collections of biological samples and health data in the world. In total, half a million people all middle-aged volunteers have been asked to complete physical tests, answer regular health and lifestyle questions, and provide DNA and other biological samples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their blood, urine and saliva are frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at temperatures of -80C (-112F) in huge refrigerators in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The imaging part of the project began in 2014, and involves taking detailed scans of 100,000 of those same participants. All of that group will be invited back to repeat the process every few years to see how their bodies and organs change as they grow older. By combining those scans with the other data collected by UK Biobank, scientists can test whether early changes to the make-up of the brain or body then lead to diseases or other health problems in later life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The whole UK Biobank project, which is non-profit making, was set up by the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust charity, along with the Department of Health and the Scottish government. Two decades later it is now reaching maturity. Over 30 petabytes, or 30,000 terabytes, of anonymised health data is already available to researchers working for universities, charities, governments and the private sector. Scientists in the UK and the rest of the world can apply for access and most are charged between 3,000 and 9,000 to help cover running costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louise Thomas, professor of metabolic imaging at the University of Westminster, says it is "completely transforming" how she and other researchers do their jobs. "We thought it was a crazy idea, there was absolutely no way anybody could scan this number of people," she says. "To analyse these images manually would have taken us thousands of years but now... we can extract all the information automatically, so we can measure everything in the body in a matter of minutes." Researchers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to process the huge amounts of data generated by the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost 1,700 peer-reviewed papers have been written using all types of Biobank data since work started in 2003, with dozens more now published every week. The scans and images taken so far have already been used to show that: UK Biobank is one of the 10 largest stores of personal health data in the world alongside similar initiatives in Germany, China and the United States, although those projects don't all make their data available to scientists globally in the same way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The imaging element of the project is also funded by a number of other organisations including the British Heart Foundation, Calico, a subsidiary of Alphabet which also owns Google, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, established by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Local teenagers are spending this week of summer vacation providing community service. Students from Riverchase United Methodist Church and Canterbury United Methodist Church are taking a mission trip to the West End of Birmingham for Magic City Work Week. Theyre partnering with Urban Ministry, a local nonprofit, to paint houses. Memorial service set for Mountain Brook girl killed in Texas floods Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rev. Seth Moon, Riverchase United Methodist Churchs director of student ministries, discussed what he thinks service week represents. I think this highlights the beauty of the United Methodist Church, Moon said. Two churches from different parts of town can work together, and we can have our goal of doing things together, working together and helping more people. I think thats the beauty of the United Methodist Church. Students will continue painting homes until Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Birmingham police announced the arrest of a 44-year-old man reportedly in connection to an armed robbery on July 4. Arthur Shackleford, 44, of Birmingham, was charged with first-degree robbery. He was already in custody of the Jefferson County Jail on an unrelated charge. Hes being held with no bond for the robbery charge. 4 arrested after weekend shooting at Woodlawn High School Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers say they arrived to the intersection of 3rd Avenue North and Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd on reports of a robbery on July 4. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim who informed them he was sitting inside his vehicle when an unknown male approached him, brandished a firearm, and demanded that the victim give him the keys and his wallet. After an unsuccessful attempt to operate the vehicle, the suspect left the location on foot in an unknown direction. Officers were able to gather valuable suspect information that contributed to the successful identification of the suspect. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. DENVER (KDVR) Officials have set a goal date for containment of the nearly 4,000-acre and, so far, 0% contained South Rim Fire in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park as it nears high-level resources. The fire started because of lightning Thursday during a weather event that also sparked several other major fires; the Sowbelly Fire along Escalante Canyon in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area is more than 2,000 acres; two fires in Mesa County are burning more than 1,000 acres near the town of Gateway; and the 11,000-acre Deer Creek Fire burning in eastern Utah just on the other side of the Colorado border. Gov. Polis makes disaster declaration as wildfires burn thousands of acres on Western Slope Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South Rim Fire on Sunday night saw significant growth due to storms in the area and grew from 3,600 acres to 3,988 acres at last count Monday evening. Estimated containment date Officials, according to InciWeb, an incident information management system, have set Aug. 10 as an estimated containment date, meaning if successful, the fire will have been burning for a month since it started July 10. Impacts from fire behavior are expected to continue for several weeks if no monsoon season ending event occurs, officials say on InciWeb. Firenado spotted in Colorado: Heres how the weather phenomenon occurs Gov. Jared Polis made a disaster declaration Sunday as the four major fires in Colorado and one in Utah grew, and according to InciWeb, only Utahs Deer Creek Fire has any containment: 7% at last check Tuesday morning. South Rim Fire, latest details The South Rim Fire is burning on National Park land in Montrose County east of the town of Montrose. Officials on Sunday said the fire had started spreading into the Black Canyon itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The national park is closed, and several evacuations are in place in Montrose County due to the fire. There are more than 300 personnel working on the fire. Officials say the fire environment is conducive for large fire growth as live and dead fuels are available to support fire spread day and night. The fire also has a high resistance to control. Spreading concerns, threats to high-value resources Several areas of the fire have high-intensity fire behavior and could threaten high-level resources and assets, officials say. In the southeast corner, the active fire will be highly resistant to control, and it is within two miles of those resources and assets. On this side of the fire include East Portal Road and Crystal Dam, as well as power lines and infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the northeast and east flanks, the fire is running down the canyon in an area that poses a threat to crossing to north rim by torching and throwing embers causing spot fires and potentially threatens endangered species and habitats. The west flank will also see northerly winds driving the fire toward U.S. 50. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) A Bloomington woman is going to spend nearly a century in prison following an investigation involving sexual assault and child pornography. On Tuesday, July 15, Sarah B. Troutwine, 35, was sentenced to 95 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following a 2024 child pornography and sexual assault investigation, according to police spokesperson Bryce Janssen. She pleaded guilty to two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, for which she was sentenced to 40 years for each charge, and one count of child pornography production, for which she was sentenced to 15 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each count must be served consecutively, and Janssen said she will be eligible for parole in 2100. Janssen said that on Aug. 29, 2024, after an investigation by the Bloomington Police Departments Cyber Crimes Unit, Troutwine was arrested on 19 counts of various sexually related crimes. The investigation began when a technology company made a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the uploading and sharing of videos believed to be child sex abuse material. He said detectives with the BPD Criminal Investigations Division executed several search warrants in connection with the case. Evidence was recovered of Troutwine sexually assaulting a child and engaging in sexual acts with an animal. Additional evidence of child pornography was also found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A warrant was issued for Troutwines arrest. Members of the BPD Street Crimes Unit found and arrested Troutwine without incident. The conduct this criminal investigation unveiled was substantial. The judges sentencing sends an impactful message to our community that this type of dangerous behavior will not be tolerated, said Chief Jamal Simington. From the initial investigation through the prosecutorial process, I commend the diligent efforts of all who made our city safer. Although the work of our officers is hard, laborious, and stressful, we seek to bring justice to victims and protect those who are not able to protect themselves from harm. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. The Cumberland County Board of Education scheduled a work session for Tuesday, July 15 at 4 p.m. to discuss eight policy changes. The policies will impact the school district as a whole, compensation guidelines and overtime pay for district employees and students personal communication devices. The board will discuss the first and second readings of the following policies: 1.700 School District Goals, 5.100 Personnel Goals and Objectives, 5.110 Compensation Guides and Contracts, 6.312 Use of Personal Communication Devices and Electronic Devices (Due to Change 7-22) and 6.312b Use of Wireless Communication Devices Elementary (Due to change 7-22). The board will also review the second reading of the following policies: 5.604 Overtime Pay for Non-Certified Personnel, 5.801 Recruitment and Selection, and 6.202 Home Schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board will discuss and review the following agenda items: * The Crossroads Academy proposal. * Current issues: the board will use this opportunity in the meeting to discuss anything that may need its attention. No topics were identified on the agenda as of July 14. * Amazon wish list. * Approval of the district testing coordinators. * Four memorandums of understanding. * The annual planning calendar. * The Student Resource Officers annual report. * Two student vendor agreements. In the consent agenda, the board will review and approve of the personnel report; three retired inventory; the aforementioned eight policies; the financial report including the monthly report, the sales tax report and three budget amendments; and 14 school fundraiser proposals. The Cumberland County Board of Education will meet in the Central Services building at 368 Fourth St. in Crossville. The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners had previously argued that the states election code barred its employees from forming a union. But the law shouldnt be read that way, administrative law Judge Anna Hamburg-Gal found in an order Monday that paves the way for official recognition of the union. City elections workers, including clerks, polling place investigators and equipment specialists, first sought union representation with the Service Employees International Union Local 73 nearly a year ago, saying they were frustrated by stagnant wages that didnt keep pace with the cost of living in Chicago. But the board of election pushed back on the proposed bargaining unit of 80 to 90 workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for the board argued that because election workers are prohibited from engaging in political activity by the states election code, they should therefore be barred from joining SEIU. In legal filings, hired counsel for the board of election noted that SEIU 73 is politically active, lobbies legislatively and makes endorsements and financial contributions to political candidates. The union, for instance, helped propel Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who received more than $4 million in contributions from SEIU affiliates during his mayoral campaign, to victory. The Union has, in part, an undeniable political purpose, the boards attorneys wrote last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in her order, Hamburg-Gal found that the states election code need not be read as prohibiting unionization by (board of election) employees. An employees participation in a union does not necessarily equate to engagement in political activity, she wrote. Although the petitioner here engages in political activity, most of the Employers arguments would lose their force if the employees had sought representation by a newly formed labor organization that had committed not to become engaged in the political process. The board of election has two weeks to appeal the order. Max Bever, a spokesperson for the board, declined to say whether it would do so, saying it does not comment on pending litigation. Cassio Mendoza, a spokesperson for the mayors office, also declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would hope Chicago leadership cease their attempts to stop these workers from exercising their legal right to join our union, SEIU 73 President Dian Palmer said in a statement. Given the challenges our city, state, and country are facing, denying workers their right to unionize should not be happening in a union city like Chicago. The case is just one example of the fickle nature of public sector labor law in Illinois, where legal precedent regarding which workers are permitted to form unions and which are not can vary even within the same workplace. Cook County assistant public defenders, for instance, have been unionized since the mid-1980s. Across the courtroom, however, county prosecutors are facing decades-old state Supreme Court precedent that threatens to block their efforts to unionize. The landscape varies even among elections workers. SEIU 73 represents workers at the Cook County Board of Election, the local has said. Workers for the state board of elections, on the other hand, are barred from collective bargaining by state law because they regulate the financial reporting for unions political action committees in Illinois, the state boards spokesperson has told the Tribune. A board of federal judges rejected interim top prosecutor John Sarcone IIIs bid to lead the upstate New York US attorneys office permanently Monday despite his claim last week he received the panels approval. The group of US District Court judges announced they declined to appoint him US Attorney for the Northern District of New York after Sarcone was first appointed by the Department of Justice temporarily in March. The jurists did not explain their reasoning and Sarones tenure could end this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The setback for the Republican comes after he told a local news station Friday that the panel signed off on his appointment to lead the office. But the board of judges quickly threw cold water on that claim, noting no action was taken yet. John Sarcone was rebuked by a panel of judges Monday. Dennis A. Clark A spokesperson for Sarcone, Assistant US Attorney Tamara Thomson, then claimed to Syracuse.com that Associate Deputy General Attorney Aakash Singh signaled the permanent appointment was moving in the right direction. We stressed the importance of needing to have this handled ASAP and they acknowledged, Singh said of the judges, according to a readout of messages Thomson provided the newspaper. We are going to continue communicating with them until its done, but sounds like there arent any issues and that its moving according to plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A phone call to the US Attorney for the Northern District of New York was not returned Monday afternoon. Sarcone could still clinch a temporary reappointment from the Trump administration with a source briefed on the matter telling the Times-Union the Department of Justice is expected to take that action. Trump has not nominated Sarcone for the position that would require US Senate approval. An email to the Department of Justice was not immediately returned Monday afternoon. Trump could reappoint Sarcone to the position. AP Sarcone accused a knife-wielding migrant of threatening to slit his throat in June, leading to an arrest. The Albany County District Attorneys Office ultimately only charged the suspect, Saul Morales-Garcia, with menacing and the 40-year-old El Salvadoran national pleaded guilty to that charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morales-Garcia admitted earlier this month to putting the federal prosecutor in reasonable fear of death by displaying and pointing a knife at the victim while also charging at the victim, according to the Times-Union. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, the newspaper reported. Sarcone assumed the office shortly after Biden appointee Carla Freedmam left her position in mid-February. JAKARTA (Reuters) -Indonesian rescuers found alive on Tuesday 11 people missing at sea who had survived a boat capsize in bad weather by swimming for at least six hours to the nearest island, officials said. Two boats and dozens of rescuers hunted for those missing after the boat with 18 aboard overturned off the Mentawai Islands in the province of West Sumatra at about 11 a.m. on Monday, regional officials said. "It was raining hard when the incident happened," island official Rinto Wardana told Reuters. "Some of the passengers managed to swim and reach the nearest island." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven had been rescued earlier, Wardana added. Ten of those on board were local government officials on a business trip to the town of Tuapejat, the boat's destination when it left Sikakap, another small town in the Mentawai Islands. . The Mentawai Islands consist of four main islands and many smaller ones. Boats and ferries are a regular mode of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, where accidents are caused by bad weather and lax safety standards that often allow vessels to be overloaded. When a ferry sank this month near the tourist resort island of Bali with 65 aboard, 30 passengers survived, while 18 died and 17 went missing. (Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Editing by John Mair and Clarence Fernandez) CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (WROC) While enjoying lake life is part of the summertime staple for folks living and visiting Ontario County, there are some crucial safety tips to keep in mind before even stepping foot on a dock if youre planning to take a boat out on the water. Lt. Rick Roxin with the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department took News 8 to the Marine 4 fire-rescue vessel Monday afternoon. The 26 ft. motorized boat is equipped with some major power, including an on-board fire pump which can utilize the lake water supply to aide in any hose attacks during a fire emergency, whether on the shoreline or still out on Canandaigua Lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its one thing to have it all out here, Lt. Roxin said. Its another thing to be really good at using it, and thats what we train for. Some of that training came directly from the boat manufacturer, with personnel from the fire department also able to aide in dive rescue training with the Ontario County Sheriffs Office. Lt. Roxin has his boating safety certificate, something now required under Briannas Law, applying to anyone operating a motorized boat or vessel, like a jet ski. While the fire-rescue team is prepared to help anyone in the event of all sorts of water emergencies, there are some basics everyone can benefit from keeping at the top of their mind. You need to be familiar with what the boat can do, how to best operate, especially if you have somebody in water; you need to be proficient, skill-wise in terms of how to operate everything, says Lt. Roxin, adding a second point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be familiar, as much as you can, with the body of water that youre on, if there are sandbars know where they are, he said. If it is a non-motorized boat, such as a kayak or canoe, operators are not *required, at this time, to complete a safety course, however the NYS Department of Parks strongly encourages folks to do so. For those 18+ renting a boat, it is not required to obtain a boating license ahead of time, with the responsibly of providing basic instruction and safety information coming from the rental or livery staff. For these types of boats, life jackets are required for all parties on board in an easily accessible location. You cant really break a boat but you can put it into neutral. Know how to operate the throttle, real important especially if you happen to be renting a boat and dont be shy about asking questions; its not like driving a car, its not like riding a bike, its very different. Out here on the water on a nice day especially on a weekend, a holiday weekend, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day youre gonna have a lot of company on the water, Lt. Roxin said, also reminding folks of the golden rule to treat others how you would like to be treated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boating safety courses are offered in-person or online. Anyone with additional questions can contact their local Sheriffs Offices for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A Bolivar man was sentenced in federal court today for unlawfully possessing a firearm. Timothy E. Parker, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Stephen R. Bough to 48 months in federal prison without parole, followed by three years of supervised release. Parker pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm on Sept. 25, 2024, Deputies with the Greene County Sheriffs Office (GCSO) attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a U-Haul that Parker was driving on Sept. 23, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of stopping, Parker initially fled the area. Eventually, he pulled the vehicle over and when contacted and searched, the deputies located a loaded Taurus G3C pistol concealed in a chest sling holster. Additionally, deputies seized a backpack belonging to Parker that contained a 50-round box of ammunition, a Kydex-style gun holster, a lock-picking set, and 2.42 grams of methamphetamine during the stop. Police records indicated that the pistol and holster had been reported as stolen earlier that month. Under federal law, its illegal for anyone who is convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Parker has prior felony convictions for property damage, forgery, burglary, driving stolen motor vehicles, and resisting arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney and was investigated by the GCSO and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Former national security adviser John Bolton said Monday that President Trump could soon retreat from efforts to resolve Russias war with Ukraine. The Trump administration has been engaged with both Kyiv and Moscow in search of peace, while GOP lawmakers have pushed for secondary sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin. He didnt get what he wanted, which was a quick ceasefire from his friend Vladimir. He tried for six months, its not going anywhere, Bolton said of Trump during a Monday appearance on NewsNations On Balance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So now hes justifying taking steps against Putin, but I think it also lays the groundwork for him to say, Im done with it, its Europes war, thats what I said in the beginning, Im done with it, he added. On Monday, the president threatened to impose tariffs on the Kremlin if Russia continues to reject ceasefire proposals. Were very, very unhappy with [Russia], and were going to be doing very severe tariffs if we dont have a deal in about 50 days, Trump said during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office. Bolton said the increased pressure comes after Putin has outwitted Trump for months by prolonging the peace process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think he believed Putin was his friend I think he still believes Putin was his friend. But you know, you can have arguments with your friends, they dont last forever, Bolton told anchor Leland Vittert. I think what was really going on today was that he was saying, this is not my war, this is Bidens war, and in 50 days, he may put secondary sanctions on Russia or he may not. I think hes trying to walk away from this, he added. Last week, NATO leaders struck a deal with the Trump administration outlining the organizations purchase of U.S. weapons to be sent to Ukraine in an effort to support the defense of their sovereign borders. Trump said Monday the systems would include Patriot missile defense batteries to increase Ukraines air surveillance, providing more warning of incoming strikes from Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look, a number of American commanders in Europe, former commanders in the European combatant command, have said they think Ukraine could win the war. And I think what the U.S. could do uniquely to help the Ukrainians out is give them a strategy to do that, and then give them the weapons systems that they need, Bolton told NewsNation. And I understand its three years into this thing, but the fact is Putin thinks hes on a roll now, he thinks hes doing well in Ukraine militarily. I dont understand how he believes that, but thats what he believes. And a real defeat on the battlefield would have implications not just for what Russias done in Ukraine, but for Russias threat to all the former parts of the Soviet Union and to China watching America stand up to this aggression. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Washington Attorney General Pam Bondi last week ousted the senior ethics attorney at the Justice Department who advised her and other senior officials on employee ethics, the latest firing that has come amid an ongoing purge of department employees. Joseph Tirrell, who was director of the Departmental Ethics Office, wrote in a post on LinkedIn that he received a letter signed by Bondi on Friday informing him that he had been removed from his position. The letter stated that his employment with the Justice Department "is hereby terminated, and you are removed from federal service effective immediately." Tirrell wrote that in his role as the director of the Departmental Ethics Office, he was responsible for advising Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on employee ethics and oversaw the day-to-day operations of the department's ethics program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My public service is not over, and my career as a federal civil servant is not finished," he wrote. "I took the oath at 18 as a Midshipman to 'support and defend the Constitution of the United States.' I have taken that oath at least five more times since then. That oath did not come with the caveat that I need only support the Constitution when it is easy or convenient. I look forward to finding ways to continue in my personal calling of service to my country." Tirrell began working at the Justice Department's ethics office in 2018 and became its director in 2023. He worked at the FBI for more than 10 years, and has spent more than two decades in federal service, according to the Justice Department. A Justice Department source told CBS News that the agency has also pushed out an ethics adviser to Blanche, the deputy attorney general, and still does not have leadership officials at the department's Office of Professional Responsibility. The office was established in the wake of the Watergate scandal and aims to hold Justice Department attorneys accountable. Jeffrey Ragsdale, the former head of the Office of Professional Responsibility, was removed from his post earlier this year, according to the Washington Post, and the office's website does not name a current leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles Work, a former assistant U.S. attorney in the District of Columbia, told CBS News that the Justice Department has removed those serving as its internal watchdogs. "For prosecutors who encounter issues, problems or orders to violate their professional obligations, there is no more recourse. There is nowhere to turn for help," he said. Stacey Young, a former attorney in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, told CBS News that Bondi "seems to be on a mission to eliminate anyone who could represent the conscience of the Justice Department." "Brad Weinsheimer? Pushed out. Jeff Ragsdale? Removed. Joseph Tirrell? Fired," Young said. "It takes chutzpah to tell senators at your confirmation hearing that you'll consult with career ethics officials about your conflicts of interest and then oust the most qualified experts in the room." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weinsheimer was a senior ethics official at the Justice Department who resigned earlier this year after he was reassigned to the department's new sanctuary cities working group, Reuters reported in February. Young, meanwhile, resigned from her position at the Justice Department earlier this year and now leads Justice Connections, an advocacy group made up of former Justice Department employees. Since President Trump returned to the White House, administration officials have overseen a gutting of the Justice Department. Just days after his inauguration, roughly a dozen Justice Department employees who worked for former special counsel Jack Smith were removed from their roles. More than 20 employees who worked on Smith's investigations into Mr. Trump were also fired last week, a source familiar with the removals told CBS News. Those who were removed from their roles include paralegals who worked in Smith's office, finance and support staff, and two federal prosecutors in North Carolina and Florida, sources told CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the impacted employees, Patty Hartman, who was a top public affairs specialist, told CBS News that the line that aimed to keep the Justice Department's work separate from the White House is "very definitely gone." Hartman worked on the public affairs team for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, which shared press releases about those charged for their alleged roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. On his first day back in office, Mr. Trump pardoned roughly 1,500 defendants who were convicted of crimes related to the attack. Trump pushes senators to make $9.4 trillion in spending cuts Family of missing 74-year-old man fears he was kidnapped Nextdoor CEO shares how the app is changing PINE BLUFF, Ark. A vote to award bonuses to county employees who worked during this years government shutdown was overridden by the Jefferson County Quorum Court Monday night, but not without significant debate over how the bonuses would be paid for. The ordinance provides $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees who remained on the job during a nearly six-week shutdown earlier this year, during which they received no pay. While the bonuses themselves were widely supported, the disagreement centered on which fund the money should come from. Jefferson County Quorum Court meeting raises questions about budget legality Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A majority of justices voted to override County Judge Gerald Robinsons veto of the ordinance. Their plan draws nearly $300,000 from the countys emergency reserve fund, which includes a portion of revenue from local casino funds. Justice Alfred Carroll, who supported the override, said the bonuses were a necessary gesture for employees who worked through financial uncertainty. This bonus pay is crucial, Carroll said. What better use of the casinos monies other than to pay bonuses to deserving employees? Judge Robinson, along with a minority of justices, opposed using emergency reserves for the payments. He argued that bonuses should come from the countys general fund, as they have in the past, to ensure the county is financially prepared for natural disasters and other emergencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had no problem with them doing it, Robinson said. Except they wanted to do it out of emergency reserves and those are needed in situations with floods, tornadoes, and other disasters. The debate sparked exchanges during the meeting, with multiple agenda items failing to pass in the aftermath of the vote, including funding for county roads. It is ludicrous and its hypocritical on their part to say that they want to do whats right and at the same time theyre doing whats wrong, Robinson said. Pine Bluff cuts two checks to Jefferson County for $990,000-plus to settle long-standing lawsuit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the override approved, the bonuses are set to move forward, but the division among county officials over long-term financial priorities remains unresolved. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Dr. Jim OConnell hardly ever saw people living in tents, let alone encampments of people sleeping on the streets, during the first three decades of his 40-year career treating Bostons homeless. The nature of homelessness and the health threats the population faces is ever-shifting, OConnell said during a recent interview. And as it shifted once more in the last decade, OConnell saw something new. A confluence of factors led to the encampment by the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard that was rife with drug dealing, substance use and sex trafficking: the closure of the Long Island campus in Boston Harbor where hundreds of people had sought shelter and social services, the contraction of other city shelter space, the explosive scourge of opioids and the proximity to methadone clinics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mass and Cass represented a small fraction of the total homeless population of Boston, OConnell said. Yet it presented new challenges for the city, among the toughest he has encountered. Boston has always been a caring city, OConnell said. But he worries that as people drove by Mass and Cass or other areas with public drug use and homelessness, their sympathy toward homeless people steadily faded. Compassion fatigue set in, and then anger. I understand the anger, but its still people that have been devastated by something beyond their control, who are desperately in need of care, he said. And so how to manage that, I think, has been one of the toughest things Ive seen. OConnell, president of Boston Health Care for the Homeless, is one of the nations most prominent practitioners of homeless medicine and the subject of a 2023 book, Rough Sleepers, by the acclaimed author Tracy Kidder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since he joined the fledgling organization as its founding physician in 1985, OConnell has been on the front lines fighting some of the last half-centurys most disastrous public health threats, from HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis to COVID-19 and opioid addiction. People experiencing homelessness are so susceptible to whatever the next infectious communicable disease is, whatever the change in policy will be, whatever the attitude of the populace is, he said. The city has since cleared the tents at Mass and Cass and dispersed the encampments. Police officers cruise the area, preventing them from reforming. But the challenges presented by congregate drug use have not disappeared. Boston residents grumble that the people who previously populated the encampment have been dispersed across the city, into the South End, Downtown Crossing, Boston Common and other areas. Some residents of the South End say the area remains an open-air drug market, teeming with public drug use, discarded needles and drug deals occurring in plain sight. As homelessness problem worsens, no easy solutions Sitting in his office at the Boston Health Care for the Homeless headquarters, on the block between Boston Medical Center and Mass and Cass, OConnell can hear police officers on a loudspeaker outside, ordering people lingering in the area to disperse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OConnell, in his 40 years caring for people living on the street, has watched a succession of city leaders take varying approaches to tackle a homelessness issue he says has only worsened since his career began. He doesnt think the strategy to address Mass and Cass was a failure. But it showed officials that the solution to homelessness and drug use needed to be bigger than clearing tents and finding people shelter. We needed more for people than just a place to go at nighttime, he said. Finding a solution to the citys homelessness and public substance use issue has become another hotly debated piece of an already contentious mayoral election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft, the leading challenger to Mayor Michelle Wu, has proposed a multifaceted plan to tackle homelessness, addiction, drug dealing and mental illness among people living on the street. It includes increasing law enforcement of quality of life crimes, public drug use and indefinite street living. Kraft says prosecutions should be handled in specialty courts that can steer people toward treatment and recovery services rather than prison. Some of those strategies are already in the works. Under Wu, the city removed the tent encampment at Mass and Cass, helped move people off the street and into recovery and permanent housing, and deployed a coordinated response team for the first time to provide social services citywide, Wus campaign said in a response to Krafts plan. Hundreds of people who had been living on the streets are now in recovery and permanent housing, and fatal overdoses have dropped, the mayors campaign said. Boston police and public health officials are working seven days a week to stop outdoor substance use and address the real quality of life issues that residents face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wu also announced $200,000 in new grant funding this month to expand the citys coordinated response team, aiming to end outdoor substance use in city neighborhoods. Last year saw a 38% decrease in overdose mortality among Bostonians, according to city officials. The city permanently housed 94 people who were previously homeless and established low-threshold housing that more than 450 people sought last year. Kraft has also proposed a new recovery campus, with housing and social services available, that could partially fill the gap left by the closure of the Long Island facility more than a decade ago. He said earlier this month that the leader of a neighboring city which one, he left unclear had suggested a possible location for such a facility. With so much of the conversation around homelessness tied to substance use disorder, a recovery campus is probably necessary, OConnell said. But he hopes for a facility that can offer more than just recovery services, like the Long Island campus, where the city could provide shelter and a range of services, all removed from the urban bustle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a little village dedicated to the many needs of homeless people, OConnell said. To recreate it on the mainland, particularly in a neighborhood with permanent residents, would be a lengthy process, he cautioned. City officials are working with Health Care for the Homeless and other partners to address the needs of people living with substance use disorder while working to improve quality of life within all communities, Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, the citys public health commissioner, said in a statement. Addiction is a chronic disorder, and nationwide there are significant gaps in the system of care and treatment for people who are living with substance use disorder, she said, particularly for those who are also struggling with homelessness and mental health issues. Thoughts of retirement after 40 years in the field OConnell never intended to end up in this line of work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His story is well reported: after completing a residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, he was headed for an oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. His mentor asked if he might first spend a year helping kickstart a brand new program treating Bostons homeless population. The rest is history. OConnell learned volumes during his days and nights riding around Boston, in search of people on the margins in need of medical attention. When he began this work in the 1980s, OConnell imagined that homelessness was a temporary phenomenon of the times. He learned the hard way that he could provide health care for homeless people, but he could not end homelessness. So much to my chagrin, 40 years later, I have to look back and say homelessness is arguably much worse now than it was when we started, he said. We had to let go of that dream that we were really contributing to the end of homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He learned that caring for people living without permanent shelter requires unique creativity. For example, it can be difficult to assess an elderly homeless persons mental state using the traditional tests for memory if they dont know the day of the week or the current president. For another, delivering tuberculosis medications to homeless patients in some cases meant sending them to a bar or coffeehouse where they were regulars. Now 77, OConnell no longer works the 100-plus hour weeks he once did. But those memories are never far away. Lining the hallway outside OConnells office are portraits of former patients, people who opened up their lives to their doctors, all of them now dead of various causes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a reminder of how harsh homelessness is, he said. People who are homeless die at four times the rate of their counterparts who are housed. Those living on the street die at 12 times the rate of people their same age with roofs over their heads, he said. These people died all close to really good care, he said. I thought we were doing really good care for them. We could ease their suffering a lot, but we dont always change the mortality projection. Thats the toughest thing to deal with. What could we have done? OConnell has thought about retiring and ushering in the next generation of caregivers. Hed like to have time to travel while he is able. He has no immediate plans to step away, though he doesnt think he would work past 80. But theres something about when work gets into your bloodstream or something, and then its hard to let it go, he said. More News Read the original article on MassLive. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Brazils chief prosecutor has called for a guilty verdict in the case of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, on trial accused of leading an alleged coup plot to overturn the 2022 election in which he was defeated by a left-wing rival. Hours before the prosecutor's final report was released late Monday, the ex-president said on X that the trial was a witch hunt, echoing a term used by U.S. President Donald Trump when he came to his South American allys defense last week. In the 517-page document, Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet said that the "evidence is clear: the defendant acted systematically, throughout his mandate and after his defeat at the polls, to incite insurrection and the destabilization of the democratic rule of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of this happened. Ive always played within the rules, Bolsonaro said in an interview with local outlet Poder360 on Tuesday. Bolsonaro's trial The prosecution accuses the former president of leading an armed criminal organization, attempting to stage a coup and attempting violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, among other charges. The defense will next present its case shortly, likely in the coming weeks, after which the panel of Supreme Court justices that opened the trial against Bolsonaro will vote on whether to convict or acquit him. Experts say a decision is expected in the second half of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A guilty verdict on the coup plot charge carries a sentence of up to 12 years, which could, along with guilty verdicts on other charges, bring decades behind bars. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied the allegations and asserted that he's the target of political persecution. What is a coup? Its the Armed Forces, its tanks on the streets, its having a political core, having a financial core, Bolsonaro said on Tuesday. Thats a coup. Nothing was even considered (...) and even if it had been considered, since nothing started, theres no crime. A lawyer for Bolsonaro didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A nod from Trump Last week, President Donald Trump imposed a 50% import tax on Brazil, directly tying the tariffs to Bolsonaro's trial. The U.S. president has hosted the former Brazilian president at his Mar-a-Lago resort when both were in power in 2020. Last week, he compared the Brazilians situation to his own. On Tuesday, speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump repeated the claim that the trial is a witch hunt. Bolsonaro is not a dishonest man, he said. Nobody is happy with what Brazil is doing because Bolsonaro was a respected president. Trump added that Bolsonaro isnt a friend, but someone he knows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the office of the under secretary for public diplomacy at the U.S. State Department said on X that attacks on Bolsonaro are a disgrace and fall well below the dignity of Brazils democratic traditions. The U.S. Embassy in Brazil reposted the message, adding a translation in Portuguese. Brazils foreign ministry responded on Tuesday, saying those claims are further undue and unacceptable interference in matters under the jurisdiction of the Brazilian judiciary. Building the case Gonet formally charged Bolsonaro and 33 others in February in connection with an alleged coup days after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonet said Bolsonaro's actions were not limited to a passive stance of resistance to defeat, but were a conscious effort to create an environment conducive to violence and a coup. He also said the case was strong because the criminal organization" behind the coup plot had "documented almost all of the actions described in the indictment through recordings, handwritten notes, digital files, spreadsheets and exchanges of electronic messages. The prosecution also seeks convictions for several close Bolsonaro allies, including his running mate in the 2022 election campaign and former defense minister, Walter Braga Netto, ex-Justice Minister Anderson Torres and Bolsonaro's aide-de-camp Mauro Cid. Brazils Supreme Court president, Justice Luis Roberto Barroso, said that the U.S. sanctions a reference to Trump's tariffs are based on an inaccurate understanding of events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those who didnt live through a dictatorship or dont remember one, its worth remembering: there was a lack of freedom, torture, forced disappearances, the closure of Congress, and the persecution of judges, Barroso said. In todays Brazil, no one is persecuted. Bolsonaro, a former military officer who was known to express nostalgia for the countrys past dictatorship, openly defied Brazils judicial system during his 2019-2022 term in office. He has been banned by Brazils top electoral court from running in elections until 2030 over abuse of power while in office and casting unfounded doubts on the countrys electronic voting system. In July 2025, a claim circulated online that Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, offered to testify before Congress about his activities and a supposed "Epstein client list." Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. The claim stemmed from a report published by the Daily Mail on July 13, 2025. Snopes was unable to confirm the Daily Mail's reporting because it relied on anonymous sources and Maxwell's attorney had not responded to our request for comment by the time of publication. In a DOJ and FBI memo shared in July 2025, the federal agencies said Epstein did not keep a "client list" and confirmed no additional files related to the investigation would be made public. The assertion that Epstein did not have such a list walks back a theory that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration helped promote in the first place, as The Associated Press reported. In July 2025, after the U.S. Department of Justice said convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein did not keep a "client list" (contrary to long-standing rumors), a claim circulated online that Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell offered to testify before Congress about his activities and the supposed client list. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for helping Epstein who killed himself in his jail cell while awaiting trial in 2019 sexually abuse underage girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One X post that shared the claim about Maxwell offering to testify before Congress garnered more than 750,000 views as of this writing: Ghislaine Maxwell says shes prepared to testify before Congress and expose the truth behind Jeffrey Epsteins secret client list. As the only person ever jailed in connection to Epsteins crimes, she claims shes ready to finally tell the American people what really happened. pic.twitter.com/fajDVGgilD Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) July 14, 2025 Similar claims about Maxwell's offer to testify before Congress made the rounds on Facebook and Reddit. A Facebook post shared on July 14, 2025, read: Sources say Ghislaine Maxwell is willing to testify before Congress about Jeffrey Epstein's alleged network and the so-called client list. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking, is also appealing her conviction and awaiting a response from the U.S. government as her case heads to the Supreme Court. Her potential testimony has reignited debate in Washington over transparency, accountability, and the handling of the Epstein investigation. Snopes readers also searched our website to ask whether the claim that Maxwell offered to testify before Congress about Epstein and his client list was true. The claim stemmed from a report published by the Daily Mail on July 13, 2025. The Daily Mail's reporting relied on anonymous sources, so Snopes was unable to replicate or confirm it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes reached out to Maxwell's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, for comment and will update this story if we receive a response. Daily Mail's report about Maxwell Maxwell was "willing to speak in front of Congress about The Epstein Files," the Daily Mail wrote in a report published on July 13, 2025, citing unnamed sources. The article's headline read: "Jeffrey Epstein's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell is ready to reveal truth about the 'ped*ph*le client list', say insiders." In the article, the Daily Mail reported that a source said, "Despite the rumors, Ghislaine was never offered any kind of plea deal. She would be more than happy to sit before Congress and tell her story." The source added: No-one from the government has ever asked her to share what she knows. She remains the only person to be jailed in connection to Epstein and she would welcome the chance to tell the American public the truth. Additionally, a source close to Maxwell reportedly told the Daily Mail that she would "welcome the chance to sit in front of Congress and tell her story." The source was quoted as saying: Congressional hearings have been held into everything from JFK's assassination to 9/11. The Epstein Files rank up there with those cases. Ghislaine would be willing to speak before Congress and tell her story. Because the Daily Mail's reporting relied on anonymous sources, Snopes was unable to replicate it. Maxwell's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes also asked the Daily Mail if it could provide evidence corroborating its report and we will update this story if we receive a response. DOJ said Epstein 'client list' doesn't exist In a DOJ and FBI memo shared in July 2025, the federal agencies said Epstein did not keep a "client list" and confirmed no additional files related to the investigation would be made public. A review of "investigative holdings" related to Epstein "revealed no incriminating 'client list,'" the DOJ and FBI wrote in the memo. The agencies continued: There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties. According to the memo, the DOJ and FBI also determined that "no further disclosure" of information related to the Epstein investigation "would be appropriate or warranted." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assertion that Epstein did not have a "client list" walks back a theory that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration helped promote, as The Associated Press reported. For example, Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News in February 2025 that the Epstein client list was "sitting on my desk right now to review," citing a "directive" from Trump. DOJ urged Supreme Court to reject Maxwell's appeal In July 2025, the DOJ urged the Supreme Court to reject an appeal from Maxwell, court records show. Maxwell urged the court earlier in the year to review her case, "arguing that a co-conspirator's clause in Epstein's 2007 non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in Florida barred her subsequent prosecution in New York," ABC News reported. A federal appeals court had already upheld Maxwell's conviction on sex-trafficking charges. In a brief submitted to the Supreme Court in July 2025, DOJ lawyers said Maxwell's argument was "incorrect" and said she "does not show that it would succeed in any court of appeals." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's ultimately up to the Supreme Court to decide whether it will hear Maxwell's case. In a statement released on July 14, 2025, Maxwell's attorney reportedly alluded to the controversy over the Trump administration's decision not to release additional information related to Epstein. According to ABC News, Markus wrote: I'd be surprised if President Trump knew his lawyers were asking the Supreme Court to let the government break a deal. He's the ultimate dealmakerand I'm sure he'd agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it. With all the talk about who's being prosecuted and who isn't, it's especially unfair that Ghislaine Maxwell remains in prison based on a promise the government made and broke. For further reading, Snopes investigated whether a viral photo shows Epstein and Trump posing with a young girl. Sources: Hays, Tom, and Larry Neumeister. "Ghislaine Maxwell Sentenced to 20 Years for Helping Epstein." AP News, 29 June 2022, apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein-sentencing-aeac127f9cc3811d975ce8e10d171260. Accessed 15 July 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graham, Caroline. "Jeffrey Epstein's Accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell Is Ready to Reveal Truth about the 'Pedophile Client List', Say Insiders..." Mail Online, Daily Mail, 13 July 2025, www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14901591/Jeffrey-Epstein-Ghislaine-Maxwell-trump-congress.html. Accessed 15 July 2025. "DOJ Epstein July 2025 Memo." Documentcloud.org, www.documentcloud.org/documents/25993306-doj-epstein-july-2025-memo/. Accessed 15 July 2025. Tucker, Eric, and Alanna Durkin Richer. "Jeffrey Epstein 'Client List' Doesn't Exist, Justice Department Says." AP News, 7 July 2025, apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-pam-bondi-03fbcd024f631440f7ed62b3c6927db3. Accessed 15 July 2025. Chi-Sing, Haley. "Bondi Says Epstein Client List 'Sitting on My Desk Right Now,' and Is Reviewing JFK, MLK Files." Fox News, 21 Feb. 2025, www.foxnews.com/politics/bondi-says-epstein-client-list-sitting-my-desk-right-now-reviewing-jfk-mlk-files. Accessed 15 July 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hill, James. "DOJ Urges Supreme Court to Turn Away Epstein Accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell's Appeal." ABC News, 14 July 2025, abcnews.go.com/US/doj-urges-supreme-court-turn-epstein-accomplice-ghislaine/story?id=123752067. Accessed 15 July 2025. "US Court Upholds British Socialite Ghislaine Maxwell's Sex Trafficking Conviction." AP News, 17 Sept. 2024, apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-sex-trafficking-conviction-2e090610b579c8313bea7c31174ae0c4. Accessed 15 July 2025. KIEV, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian parliament has voted to temporarily suspend the country's participation in the Ottawa Convention, an international treaty that prohibits the use of anti-personnel landmines, a parliament member announced on Tuesday. The motion was passed with 299 votes in favor, above a required minimum of 226, lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said in a post on Telegram. The government-run Ukrinform news agency said one of the reasons for this decision is "the asymmetric conditions," given that Russia is not a party to the convention, adding that the suspension would last until the complete cessation of the conflict. Ukraine ratified the convention in 2005. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree to withdraw the country from the treaty. Eddie Garcia, former chief of the Dallas Police Department, is expected to be named the next police chief of Fort Worth, according to sources familiar with the selection process who spoke with The Dallas Express. The city has scheduled a public meet-and-greet with finalists for August 14 and plans to make a final decision by late August. Garcia currently serves in Austin as an assistant city manager, overseeing public safety. He stepped down from his post in Dallas in October 2024, concluding a nearly four-year tenure. Before that, he led the San Jose Police Department in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fort Worth launched a national search following Chief Neil Noakes retirement in May. The four finalists publicly named earlier this month are: Eddie Garcia Interim Chief Robert Alldredge Vernon Hale III, former Dallas deputy chief Emada Tingirides, deputy chief with the LAPD Though the city has not made an official appointment, insiders tell The Dallas Express that Garcia is the clear frontrunner. When Garcia left Dallas, he told Fox 4 his decision was driven by family and a desire for a better work-life balance after more than three decades in law enforcement. Ive been sprinting for a while, and it would have been 33 years in February. My kids played a big role in it. They are young adults, and they are going to start families of their own and I want to be present. I wanted something with balance, because there is no balance in this job. There is no balance, thats not a word a police chief should utter in this job because there isnt. If you can find something to work hard at while able to find balance, thats something I was ready for in my next chapter. His remarks suggest the Fort Worth role may offer the stability he was seeking a chance to continue serving in law enforcement without the intensity that defined his final years in Dallas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City officials credited Garcia with helping reduce violent crime across Dallas. However, a third-party report commissioned by Downtown Dallas Inc. found violent crime in the citys core rose 42% between 2019 and 2023, even as other areas saw improvement. The same report showed overall crime in Downtown was up 34% over that period. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, DPD continues to face a chronic staffing shortage, operating with nearly 1,000 fewer officers than recommended by a city-commissioned study. The Dallas Express reached out to the City of Fort Worth for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication. The Brief The Brevard County Fair is leaving Brevard County, officials say. What happened? Fair organizers, the city, and the county are all in dispute about various isssues. Where is it going? Organizers teased 2026 dates, but haven't announced a new location. BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - After 10 years in Brevard County, the Brevard Renaissance Fair plans to pull up its draw bridge and hitch its wagon somewhere else in Central Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CEO of the Brevard Renaissance Fair, the City of Melbourne, and Brevard County are at odds over a long-term lease, unpaid rent, and code issues with a giant castle-like structure currently built on the grounds. The backstory For years, the Brevard Renaissance Fair was held at Wickham Park, a 391-acre park in Brevard County. After outgrowing that space, organizers found a new home at Castle Park in the City of Melbourne. Last week, organizers posted a note on the fair's website that the 2025 would not be happening and that the fair would be pulled out of the county entirely. The issues are different for the city and the county. The city alleges code issues with a massive castle-like structure. The county alleged the festival is withholding $20,000 in unpaid rent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both said they've worked with organizers as best as they could to keep the festival. "We've hit a crossroads." Letter posted to Brevard Renaissance Fair website "Weve hit a crossroads. Due to restrictions placed on our site by the City of Melbourne, we were no longer able to host the fair and the many other gatherings, shows, and festivals we dreamed of bringing you, the very events we envisioned for Castle Park, a home for laughter, craft, music, and memories all year long. We poured real money and heart into making that vision a reality, trusting the city and county would reach a deal to support it," the fair said in a letter to fans. "We looked for every possible way to get an exemption from the city while they worked through zoning and other issues, but it became clear that wouldnt happen, and we werent about to throw more good money after bad. Ultimately, the endless hurdles and lack of commitment from the city made staying impossible, so we made the hard call to move on." City: Safety issues with massive castle wall "The city has bent over backwards to make sure the renaissance fair could happen this year," said Melbourne Vice Mayor David Neuman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the city's perspective, he said there is a large castle-like structure at Castle Park. However, it also needs upgrades to comply with current code rules. "We needs these codes to be followed. These are the types of things we hope can keep our city safe," Neuman said, adding that it takes a mutual partnership between festival organizers and the city to put on these big events. The CEO of the Renaissance Fair said it would be too costly to make those changes or rebuild the structure entirely, an iconic piece of the festival. He said it would cost $50,000 to make those changes, a cost he couldn't justify for such a short-term lease at the park. County: We're owed $20,000 A spokesperson for Brevard County said Pete Moolhuizen, president and CEO of the fair, owes the county some $20,000 in unpaid rent, a violation of the lease agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moolhuizen doesn't deny that he hasn't paid it. He admits that once he was told he wouldn't be able to put on the festival and in turn, make money, he held back on those payments. Is the fair coming back this year? Or in 2026? According to the fair's website, yes. "So, mark your calendars, polish your armor, and oil your lutes, the next Brevard Renaissance Fair will run from January 17th through February 22nd, 2026, in a brand-new home we can finally call ours," reads a note on the fair's website. However, organizers are keeping specifics, like where, as a secret for now. The Source FOX 35's Esther Bower and staff talked with Pete Moolhuizen, CEO and president of the Brevard Renaissance Festival; Melbourne Vice Mayor David Neuman; and obtained a letter from Brevard County in reporting this story. FOX 35 also used part of the statement publicly posted to the fair's website, brevardrenaissancefair.com. Donald Trump said the UKs exit from the European Union was on the sloppy side. But the US president said Brexit was now getting straightened out before going on to praise Sir Keir Starmer in an interview with the BBC over the phone from the Oval Office. Mr Trump backed the Leave campaign during the European Union referendum in 2016, saying the UK would be better off without the EU. Asked by the BBC if he believed the UK had made the most of Brexit, Mr Trump replied: No, I think it has been on the sloppy side, but I think it is getting straightened out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president also spoke about his relationship with Britain and Sir Keir. He said it was a great place you know I own property there and praised Sir Keir, saying: I really like the Prime Minister a lot, even though hes a liberal. He did a good trade deal with us, which a lot of other countries didnt do. King Charles is a great gentleman In September, the president will make an unprecedented second state visit to the UK, where he will be hosted by the King at Windsor Castle. However, Mr Trump will not address MPs a courtesy afforded to Emmanuel Macron as well as some of Mr Trumps predecessors, including Barack Obama because the Commons will not be sitting at the time of his visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the interview with Gary ODonoghue, the BBCs chief North America correspondent, Mr Trump brushed away calls made by ally Nigel Farage to recall Parliament so he can speak to MPs. Let them go and have a good time. I dont want that, he said. Mr Trump will be accompanied by his wife Melania Trump, the first lady, for the trip, which is set to take place from Sept 17 to 19 and will be hosted at Windsor Castle. He said: I want to have a good time and respect King Charles because hes a great gentleman. Mr Trump said he has a lot of respect for the King, who will be hosting him at Windsor Castle in September - WPA Pool Warning shot at Putin Elsewhere in the BBC interview, Mr Trump doubled down on his recent criticisms of Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trumps public attitude towards Putin has fluctuated during negotiations to end the three-year-long war in Ukraine. At times, since the start of his second term, he has been accused of taking a more sympathetic view of the Russian president. This included blaming Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines leader, for starting the war, despite Russia invading Ukraine first in 2014 and then starting a full-scale invasion in 2022. As Putin continues to refuse a peace deal, however, their relationship appears to have soured. During his election campaign, Mr Trump promised to end the war within 24 hours of entering office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trumps tariff comments on Monday represented his most concrete threat to Putin, and in the BBC interview, he said: Im disappointed in him. Im not done with him, but Im disappointed in him. You have a deal done four times and then you go home and you see he just attacked a nursing home in Kyiv. What the hell was that all about? Credit: BBC News Asked if he trusted Putin, he paused for several seconds before replying: I trust almost nobody. Nato no longer obsolete The president has been a firm critic of Nato and has put considerable pressure on members to spend more on defence. But the relationship has improved since a Nato summit last month at which Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary-general, carried out a successful charm offensive, which involved calling the US president daddy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a meeting with Mr Rutte in the Oval Office on Monday, the president promised to send billions of dollars of military equipment to Ukraine in a deal paid for by other Nato countries. Credit: Reuters He said the weapons would be top of the line but did not specify what they would be. Sources said long-range missiles may be part of the package. He told the BBC he no longer believed Nato was obsolete, claiming the alliance was now becoming the opposite of that, as countries were paying their own bills. I dont like to dwell on assassination attempt The BBC interview was intended to mark the first anniversary of the assassination attempt against the president at an election campaign rally in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking about the shooting at the July 13 rally, he said: I dont like to think about if it did change me, added that dwelling on it could be life-changing. He said it happened very quickly and that his only conscious thought was to let the people know that he was OK. One attendee of the July 13 rally was killed and two others were injured in the shooting by gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was subsequently shot to death by Secret Service agents. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Turkey's Information and Communication Technologies Authority blocked access to Grok, social media platform X's AI chatbot, as a result of insulting content directed at Turkish public figures, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The order followed a court ruling in Ankara prompted by public complaints about Grok's responses, which allegedly included derogatory remarks when asked about the president. The block restricts Turkish users from accessing Grok through either browsers or apps. The post Brickbat: Terminating X appeared first on Reason.com. Bringing our research community together: Quantum Week to come to Albuquerque NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Quantum seems to be all over the headlines when it comes to tech, and as previously reported in New Mexico Frontiers, theres a big push to make the Land of Enchantment one of the nations quantum hubs. Coming up at the end of August, those interested in learning more about the technology will have a week-long opportunity to see what all the buzz is about. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, recognizing 100 years since the first developments of quantum mechanics. Now, New Mexico is poised for a foundational role in the technology that could change the world. Kicking off Aug. 31, hundreds of stakeholders in quantum will descend on the Albuquerque Convention Center for a week-long collaboration affectionately known as Quantum Week. Quantum Week is all about bringing our research community together with industry, said LANL Project Director Candace Culhane. So we have academics. We have researchers from the national labs. We have key personnel from industry that are creating quantum computers and selling them to the public. And we bring them all together in one place. Among the attendees are leaders in quantum technology working at the forefront of quantum computing and engineering, as well as industry leaders, government and academic stakeholders, and folks looking to break into the vast world of quantum. We have workshops to bring to communities that have a particular interest together, tutorials where people can learn and exchange ideas, panels, birds of a feather session, said Culhane. And then we also have our very exciting exhibit hall where you can go in and meet the vendors, talk to their key people, learn about their products, and just make new connections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As project director for Los Alamos National Labs and Quantum Science Coordinator Candace Culhane says, the Land of Enchantment is primed for a ground-floor role in the technology. We like to say that New Mexico is a quantum state, said Culhane. We have the center for quantum information and control at the University of New Mexico, and they have trained many quantum physicists who have gone on to hold senior positions and companies that are doing this great cutting-edge research in quantum computing. And with a legacy of scientific discovery, two national laboratories, and state institutions going all-in on the technology, the quantum skys the limit for New Mexico. About New Mexico Frontiers New Mexico is the doorway to the new frontier leading the way into the future of Aerospace, Bio-science, Renewable Energy, Digital Media and Film, Advanced Manufacturing, and so much more. Join us as Chad Brummett and New Mexico Frontiers profile the movers and shakers from our state who are changing the world. New Mexico Frontiers celebrates the enterprising spirit of the states businesses, scientists, creators, and entrepreneurs. Sponsored content disclaimer: The information and advice displayed in this story are those of individual sponsors and guests and not Nexstar Media Group, inc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BROOKFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) A Brookfield man has pleaded guilty to charges in connection with an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Nathaniel Thompson, 20, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to two counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, both second-degree felonies, according to the Trumbull County Prosecutors Office. Thompson will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation. He will also have to register as a Tier II sexual offender for the next 25 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thompson was secretly indicted in April following an investigation that began in September 2024 following a tip from the task force. A search warrant served on Thompson in December revealed child sexual abuse material downloaded onto Thompsons electronics, according to police. The indictment in the case said that Thompson had material showing girls ages 4 to 8 being raped by adult men. Chelsea Simeon and Nadine Grimley contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New York comedy club trailblazer and Video Music Box host Ray DeJon has died at 63. The man credited with opening Brooklyns first Black-owned comedy club died on Monday, a day before his 64th birthday. He planned to celebrate the event with a Wednesday comedy roast at his 275 Park venue in Clinton Hill, which features the Laffaholics Comedy Club. News of DeJons death was shared by Ralph McDaniels, founder and curator of Video Music Box, a program that began highlighting hip-hop performers in 1983. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am sad to announce the passing of our Video Music Box family @raydejon, McDaniels posted on Instagram. My condolences to his entire family. Ray Dejon will be missed. McDaniels was one of the personalities slated to host DeJons birthday bash. The club couldnt immediately be reached with regards to Wednesdays event or services for its proprietor. Musicians including Big Daddy Kane, Fat Joe and Kid Capri expressed their condolences online. Love you my brother god bless, Fat Joe posted. NY1 host Cheryl Willis wrote on Instagram that she planned to report on DeJons life and death at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeJon posted video last week of an invite to his birthday roast. Hey, whats going on? Its your boy Ray DeJon, the Brooklyn King of Comedy, self-proclaimed, so what? he joked. I said it. In 2023, DeJon spoke with Industry Rules magazine about overcoming addiction in the 1980s and surviving a stroke that temporarily impacted the left side of his body. He also shared some of his career highlights, including a Patti LaBelle event where she called him up to the stage after it came to her attention that shed thanked the performers who made that night possible, but neglected to mention the host. That was so big for me; for an icon to even care as much to admit to a mistake and make up for it, he gushed. DeJons cause of death has not been made public. BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Brooklyn Park City Council will consider ways to honor late Minnesota representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark after they were shot and killed last month. Memorial for Hortmans What we know Since their murders, Brooklyn Park City Staff say they've received inquiries from members of the public about how the city might honor the Hortmans. At its meeting on Monday, council members discussed different possibilities for memorials for the Hortmans. The backstory Authorities say the Hortman were targeted by an assassin in the early morning hours of June 14. Police say the gunman went to the home of Sen. John Hoffman and shot him and his wife before going to the Hortmans. Police were able to confront the gunman at the Hortmans residence, likely preventing further violence. What's next Members of the community spoke on behalf of the project, saying in part that they would like to remember the Hortman's with a garden, pavilion and plaques. Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston said any future developments would be made in determination with the family's wishes. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) The number of Ohioans trying to claim their unclaimed funds is skyrocketing. The Ohio Department of Commerce told FOX 8 News that from June 30 to July 6 they saw 153,561 claims initiated. Thats an 83% increase. How to get your unclaimed funds in Ohio, step by step The surge comes just weeks after Gov. Mike DeWine signed a state budget that allocates $1.7 billion in unclaimed funds to go toward the new Cleveland Browns stadium and upgrades at other sporting facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About $600 million alone is earmarked for the new domed stadium in Brook Park. The money would be structured as a performance grant and must be paid back from revenue generated by the stadium but clearly, Ohioans arent taking any chances. Its my money and I dont feel that I should give it to you to build a stadium, said Misty Sims, who found and has already filed for more than $1,000 in unclaimed funds. I mean, that was my money. Local officer warns about terrifying phone-tracking scheme after sister targeted The Ohio Department of Commerce is also reporting more visitors to the unclaimed funds website. The numbers doubled from May to June, soon after the budget was announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Ohioans are taking legal action against the state. Attorney Marc Dann and former state Rep. Jeffrey Crossman have filed a lawsuit against the state over the unclaimed funds. Dann called the states actions unconstitutional for several reasons. The government cant take your money or your property without compensating you for that. Secondly, they cant take your money at all for something thats not a public purpose and the third reason is that theres no good due process of law, said Dann. Checking the website for unclaimed funds is as simple as entering your name. Filing for the money is also fairly easy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its all on one sheet, said Sims. Sign one signature and mail it in. However, if the amount of money is substantial, the person may need a notarized document. State of Ohio closer than ever to ending E-Check program Despite all that, Its your money and you should go get it, Sims said. The former Ohio Attorney General also calls what the state is doing theft. One thing weve learned since we filed the case is the difficult time some people are having, trying to get their money out of the fund, Dann said. A fellow from Lima $14,000 has been sitting there because his name is slightly misspelled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said there are many examples of people being unable to easily collect large sums of unclaimed funds. In some cases, people must provide government documentation from decades ago. Dann is working to get the case certified as a class action lawsuit representing everyone who has money in the fund. As for the caveat that the money must be repaid and that the state will honor claims Dann said, On Jan 1, 2026 the ownership of that money will transfer to that new authority then they added a promise if people make claims the state will honor those claims, well if you have ever lent money to a relative you know how good those promises can be sometimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre interested in claiming your missing money, CLICK HERE for a step-by-step guide. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Opening statements are set for Tuesday after jury selection on Monday in the case of James Craig, an Aurora, Colorado, dentist accused of fatally poisoning his wife. Craigs late wife, 43-year-old Angela Craig, died in March 2023 after being admitted to the hospital three times in 10 days. Her cause of death was found to be a combination of lethal doses of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline. The couple had six children together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the forefront of the case are alleged online searches Craig made on a dental-office computer prior to his wifes death that could be used as possible evidence against him. Questions like how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human and Is Arsenic Detectable in Autopsy were purportedly found in the search history of an email account with Craigs information by Aurora detectives, per his arrest warrant. Ryan Brackley, a lawyer for the prosecution, delivers his opening arguments during the murder trial for James Craig, accused of killing his wife, at the Arapahoe District Court, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Centennial, Colo. | Stephen Swofford It also showed items allegedly purchased on the same account, including arsenic metal, 99.9999% crystalline metalloid, 10 grams, for element collection. Also, YouTube searches of Top 5 Undetectable Poisons That Show No Signs of Foul Play, how to make poison, and The Top 10 Deadliest Plants (They Can Kill You) were reportedly discovered. The alleged online searches are problematic for Craig. Thats why his defense attorney, Lisa Fine Moses, has already pushed two motions: a motion to suppress electronic evidence and a motion to dismiss the charges, according to Fox News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge overseeing the case will have to decide whether the online evidence is probative or prejudicial is it essential to the case, or is it unfairly biased? Since Craigs arrest in 2023, prosecutors have alleged that hes taken further illegal actions to destroy the case against him. After Craigs arrest in 2023, prosecutors alleged that he offered a fellow jail inmate $20,000 to kill the cases lead investigator, per NBC News, and offered someone else $20,000 to find people to falsely testify that Angela Craig planned to die by suicide. The arrest warrant concluded that through their findings that not one person has suggested or even seen any source of suicidal ideations from Angela. James Craig talks with his family from his seat before opening arguments in his murder trial, as he is accused of killing his wife, at the Arapahoe District Court, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Centennial, Colo. | Stephen Swofford The arrest warrant also said that Craig had been recently communicating with a woman named Karin Cain about what appears to be a sexually intimate relationship. It appears James was flying this woman into Denver while his wife and the mother of his children was dying in the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on the totality of the investigation, James has shown the planning and intent to end his wifes life by searching for ways to kill someone undetected, providing her poisons that align with her hospitalized symptoms, and working on starting a new life with Karin Cain. Craig has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, solicitation to commit murder and solicitation to commit perjury. KIEV, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday held a phone talk with U.S. President Donald Trump. In a post on X, Zelensky said that the discussion with Trump touched on the solutions needed to better protect Ukrainians from Russian attacks and to strengthen Ukraine's positions. "We are ready to work as productively as possible to achieve peace," he said. Zelensky said Trump shared details of his recent meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Zelensky had a phone call with the NATO chief the same day, during which Rutte outlined the details of U.S.-European cooperation to sustain and strengthen support for Ukraine. The United States, Germany and Norway are working jointly to provide additional Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine, Zelensky said. Earlier in the day, Trump announced an agreement with NATO regarding weapons to assist Ukraine while meeting Rutte in Washington, D.C. Jul. 14Bruce Allen Black Bruce Allen Black, a long-time resident of Farmington, New Mexico passed away on July 8, 2025. Bruce was born August 20, 1936 in Albuquerque New Mexico to Ruth E. (French) and Harmon Black who preceded him in death. Rear Admiral Black received his second star and was the Commander of the Naval Reserve Intelligence Command of the United States for five years. Bruce A. Black graduated from Highland High School in 1954 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and joined the Naval Reserve as a seaman recruit in 1953. He received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Texas El Paso. Upon graduation in 1959, he married the former Marjorie Manget Watkins, his wife of 66 years. Bruce received his Masters Degree and his PhD in Geology from the University of New Mexico. After working for Shell Oil Company, he established his own company, Black Oil, as an independent consultant geologist. Most recently, he was the President of Black Exploration, LLC in Farmington, NM. He designed and created Kokopelli Cave, a unique Bed and Breakfast He loved to fly his airplanes and fish the mountain streams. Bruce served on the Board of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History during its establishment in Albuquerque. He also served as the President of the Rocky Mountain Section of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and member the Board of San Juan Regional Medical Center. In addition to his parents, Bruce was preceded in death by his brother, James H. Black and wife Eleanor Black. He is survived by his wife of over 66 years, Marjorie, their children Leigh Irvin (Joel) and Bruce Harmon Black as well as grandchildren, Ashleigh (husband Vincent Gomez), Marilei Black and Alice and Tasha Irvin, and Great-Granddaughter Ruth Gomez. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made to New Mexico Right to Life, The Wounded Warriors Project, San Juan College Foundation, or an organization of your choice. RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WSAV) The Bryan County Department of Health (DPH) will offer additional school vaccination and screening before the start of the new school year. The school health event will take place at 66 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive in Richmond Hill on Monday, July 28 by appointment only. Another school health event will take place in Pembroke on July 21 by appointment only as well. Those who should get vaccines are: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children entering pre-K, kindergarten, 7th grade and 11th grade. Children entering Georgia for the first time, regardless of age. Any child entering school for the first time, or transferring to a school from out-of-state. Children without immunization records may be unenrolled from school. To schedule an appointment for the school health event, call 912-756-2611 for Richmond Hill or 912-653-4331 for Pembroke. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK) A Bullard man was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday after two young girls told their dad they had been sexually abused in July 2024. On Dec. 12, 2024, the Smith County Sheriffs Office received a transfer case of physical and sexual abuse involving three children from the Anderson County Sheriffs Office. Smith County officials learned that two sisters, under the age of 10, had been placed with their biological father. Mugshot of Raywin Lyons, courtesy of Smith County Jail The two girls told their father they had been sexually abused in July 2024 and he reported the allegations to the Anderson County Sheriffs Office. Officials also learned that Child Protective Services ordered a Child Safety Check Alert List (CSCAL) for their 3-year-old sibling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tyler man faces new charges after dumping 9 newborn puppies, affidavit reveals Anderson County officials were unable to locate the children before transferring the case to Smith County, but due to the seriousness of the allegations, multiple agencies worked together to identify the suspects and their locations. Investigators responded to multiple locations on County Road 152 West near Bullard, the Smith County Sheriffs Office said. During the search of these locations, the three-year-old child was located and taken into protective custody. Officers arrested Raywin Lyons and Melissa Branch on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. On Monday, Lyons pleaded guilty to the two counts and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Branch was found incompetent to stand trial for her two charges on June 24. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault and incest. Please return to the homepage if you are not comfortable with the topic. If you are in distress and need to speak with someone, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. AUSTIN (KXAN) On July 11, after a five-day trial, a jury in Burnet County convicted a man for sexually assaulting three female family members, according to a press release from the countys district attorney. Angel Escalante, 52, of Waco, was convicted on a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a young child. That charge is a first degree felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burnet County District Attorney Perry Thomas said in the release that hes proud of his prosecutors and those with the McLennan County DAs office. The release said that McLennan County prosecutors were involved because Escalante had assaulted girls in both of the counties. I am very proud of the joint efforts of our office and the District Attorneys Office of McLennan County for seeking the maximum sentence for someone who has abused children. I hope this sends a message that children who report abuse will be believed and their abusers held accountable, said Thomas, according to the release. The Burnet DAs office said Escalante had assaulted three family members for nearly 14 years. Evidence at trial revealed that Escalante had abused three different family members beginning as far back as 2009, the release said. The molestation continued until 2023, when two of the three survivors reported the abuse to a family member, and then to law enforcement in Waco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District Court Judge Allan Garrett took the jurys recommendation of a maximum sentence for Escalante: Life in prison without possibility of parole. According to the release, Escalante was previously convicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary of a habitation, and injury to a child. The Burnet Police Department and Texas Child Protective Services assisted in the investigation, the release notes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Photo illustration by Getty images) Two bellwether legislative races in Washington are drawing heavy spending early by private sector forces and the state Republican Party. As of Monday, political committees funded largely by businesses had shelled out $330,000 on mailers, texts and digital ads opposing two appointed Democratic state senators: Deb Krishnadasan and Victoria Hunt. The groups hope Republicans can unseat both this fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krishnadasan, who represents the 26th Legislative District, is up against Rep. Michelle Caldier, a veteran lawmaker. Hunt, who moved from the House to the Senate in the 5th Legislative District after the death of Bill Ramos, is facing former state lawmaker Chad Magendanz. Those opposing the senators see the two contests as a barometer of whether voters think Democrats overreached this year with taxes. Democrats pushed through $9.4 billion of tax increases to shore up the states general fund and another $3.2 billion of hikes for transportation, anchored by a 6-cent per gallon bump in the gas tax. The onslaught of negative campaign pieces coming weeks ahead of the Aug. 5 primary aims to highlight how the senators voted on taxes and other high-profile issues. We dont need to wait. We can start changing hearts and minds throughout the summer and fall, said Jim Walsh, chair of the state Republican Party. Primary Election Ballots will be mailed Friday, July 18 for the Aug. 5 primary election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the state, there are 239 contests including races for nine state legislative offices. The two top finishers in each primary race will advance to the November general election. You can find more information on the Secretary of States website. Enterprise Washington, which advocates for pro-business policies in Olympia, is funneling money through its political committee, Jobs PAC, to separate committees in each race. The political committee has raised $305,000 this calendar year on top of $138,000 unspent from last year. The largest contributions to Jobs PAC in 2025 have come from the Washington State Dental PAC and the Washington Hospitality Association. Other donors include Puget Sound Energy, Koch Industries, Chevron Corp., Associated General Contractors, the Washington Retail Association and Washington Realtors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the most significant tax increases legislators approved this year fall on businesses, and some Democrats wanted to go further and impose even heftier levies on large companies. This was a tough session for the business community, so it is not surprising that businesses would be participating aggressively this election cycle, said Nathan Gorton, CEO of Washington Realtors, one of the larger donors to East King County Jobs, a political committee targeting Hunt. The leader of the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee said the early attacks are needed to overcome negativity toward GOP candidates due to Republican President Donald Trumps unpopularity in Washington. The conservative interests backing Republicans in these races know theyre facing tough headwinds. Which is why they are out early, relentlessly sending spam texts and overflowing mailboxes with negative attacks, said Katy Ozog, executive director of the Washington Senate Democratic Campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krishnadasan, of Gig Harbor, is taking the heavier fire thus far, though she did vote against her partys major tax bills and transportation revenue package. Sound Jobs, backed by Enterprise Washington, had spent $171,311 against her as of Monday. My district is the most competitive in the state, and Im not surprised that Chevron and Koch Industries are spending big to mislead voters, she said in a statement. I am the only candidate in this race who will protect against President Trumps damaging policies, not advocate for them, and thats why these special interests are attacking me. Caldier, also of Gig Harbor, has not been the target of hit pieces. But those will come, she said, as Democrats are determined to hold onto their 30-19 majority in the Senate, I fully assumed Id be attacked by now, she said. I have no intention of being nasty toward Deb at all. I am running to help save our state and that starts with ending the supermajority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunt, of Issaquah, won her House seat last November with 54% of the vote. She was appointed to the Senate after the session. Unlike her colleague, she did vote for the taxes, and her opponents sent four mailers in four days earlier this month to make that point. East King County Jobs has spent $161,000 against her. Hunt, in a statement, pushed back on criticism of her tax votes. Im proud of my vote for a budget that balanced billions in difficult cuts with key investments in education and health care. Ill keep fighting for affordability, opportunity, and to safeguard our rights, she said. NEED TO KNOW Mateusz Dzierbun, 48, allegedly stabbed his 9-year-old son in San Jose's Cataldi Park on Saturday Police say he was shot dead after refusing to drop the knife and advancing on officers his son was "clearly deceased" at the scene by the time officers could reach him San Joses police chief called it a twisted," "desperate" and "selfish" act of suicide by cop A 48-year-old California father allegedly stabbed his 9-year-old son to death in a San Jose park and then charged at responding police with a knife before being fatally shot, officials say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to San Jose police, Mateusz Dzierbun of Fremont called 911 around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, claiming someone else had stabbed his child. He even gave a description of the suspect a description that matched himself. "These officers had no idea that the frantic person on the line was in fact the suspect himself," San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said at a Monday press conference, per the outlets. "A deranged man who had murdered his own son." When officers arrived at Cataldi Park, they found Dzierbun crouched over his son's body holding a blood-covered kitchen knife and refusing to drop it, per reporting by Fox 4, KQED and KTVU. Dzierbun ignored repeated pleas to drop his weapon and made several statements saying he intended to be shot, Joseph said. Then, he allegedly charged with the knife raised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 9-year-old was "clearly deceased" when officers rushed to his aid. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. "The child suffered from injuries so severe that it's unimaginable they could have been inflicted by his own father," Joseph said. "Been a police officer for 33 years, I don't ever remember a parent murdering their child so brutally." "His call for help was actually a twisted plan to force officers to shoot him," Joseph said. "It was a final, desperate and selfish act suicide by cop." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office is reviewing the shooting, including body camera footage, as part of its investigation. Police say Dzierbun had no known criminal record or documented mental health issues. Joseph said he moved around the country quite a bit, so homicide detectives are trying to work to retrace his steps" before Saturday. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan called the incident horrific and heartbreaking, saying in a statement, I cannot imagine how scared this child must have been when the person meant to be their protector became their attacker. Read the original article on People A California professor has been arrested for allegedly throwing a tear gas canister at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a massive raid on a cannabis farm last week, where agitators also hurled rocks at law enforcement vehicles. The raid led to the arrest of more than 350 illegal aliens and the farm is suspected of using 14 children in potential forced labor, exploitation and trafficking violations. Jonathan Anthony Caravello, a math professor at California State University Channel Islands, was arrested by federal agents conducting a raid at Glass House Farms in Ventura County, California, on Thursday, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli confirmed via X. Essayli was responding to a local report on Caravellos arrest, which quotes a social media post from the California Faculty Association (CFA) labor union accusing agents of "kidnapping" Caravello. California professor Jonathan Anthony Caravello, right, has been arrested for allegedly throwing a tear gas canister at ICE agents during a massive raid at cannabis farm last week. Immigration agents clash with protesters during the raid, left. Child Predator Among More Than 300 Nabbed In Cannabis Farm Ice Raid, Largest Of Trump's Second Term Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Professor Jonathan Caravello was not kidnapped by federal agents," Essayli wrote. "He was arrested for throwing a tear gas canister at law enforcement." Essayli wrote that Caravello was charged with a violation of 18 USC 111, assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal officer. Read On The Fox News App Caravello appeared in court on Monday and was released on a $15,000 bond, per reports. The CFA on Monday posted a video of Caravello exiting a building in socks with an ankle monitor strapped on his left leg. "Jonathan is a deeply committed educator and mentor who showed up for their students and immigrant communitiesand for that, they were targeted, the CFA wrote, using gender-neutral pronouns when referring to Caravello. "Their release sends a powerful message: when we organize and raise our voices together, we win. We are in this fight and will not stop until no one is criminalized for speaking out against injustices." Violent clashes erupted between ICE agents and around 500 protesters. Immigration Operation At California Cannabis Farms Leads To Clash Between Federal Agents And Protesters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caravello was seen on bodycam footage attempting to kick a canister, then picking it up and throwing it overhand back at agents, according to a federal affidavit cited by Ojai Valley News, The affidavit states Caravello resisted arrest by refusing to comply with commands, kicking his legs and attempting to grab a Border Patrol agents leg during the takedown. Hes also accused of using a megaphone with siren sounds to disrupt officers. Caravello left the scene after the canister incident and returned two hours later in different clothes where he was identified as the alleged canister thrower and arrested. California State University Channel Islands released a statement in support of Caravello. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At this time, it is our understanding that Professor Caravello was peacefully participating in a protestan act protected under the First Amendment and a right guaranteed to all Americans," the university wrote. "If confirmed, we stand with elected officials and community leaders calling for his immediate release." As the raid was taking place, violent clashes erupted between ICE agents and around 500 protesters, some of whom waved Mexican flags. Federal law enforcement agents were assaulted during the operation and one agitator appeared to fire a handgun towards agents as the crowd was dispersed with tear gas. Authorities used tear gas against protesters who converged at the California marijuana farm amid an immigration raid on Thursday. The raid is believed to be the second-largest single-state ICE worksite operation in history, behind the first Trump administration's 2019 Mississippi chicken plant raids that netted almost 700 illegal alien arrests. One man taken into custody has a history of violent crime, including attempted child exploitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox News has learned that the children rescued at the farm are from Mexico and Honduras, and that immigration authorities are analyzing the criminal histories of all 319 of the detained illegal aliens. Fox News Peter D'Abrosca and Bill Melugin contributed to this report. Original article source: California professor arrested, accused of throwing tear gas canister at feds during marijuana farm raid A California tax preparer pleaded guilty Monday to helping an illegal immigrant file fraudulent federal income tax returns that claimed $25 million in refunds, the Justice Department said. Victor Cruz, 40, of Bakersfield, helped Miguel Martinez, a Mexican national who was in the United States illegally, carry out the scheme from November 2019 through June 2023, prosecutors said. Feds Bust Armenian Fraud Ring Accused Of Stealing $30M In Covid, Small Business Loans A 1040 income tax form and W-2 wage statement with a Federal Treasury refund check. Martinez allegedly used stolen identities to create fake businesses and report phony wage and withholding information for the businesses to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He then allegedly submitted hundreds of income tax returns using the stolen identities while claiming that they worked for the fake businesses and were owed tax refunds based on the phony information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cruz prepared and filed more than 500 of the fraudulent tax returns, authorities said. Colombian Woman Charged With Illegally Voting In 2024 Election Stealing $400,000 In Taxpayer Funded Benefits Read On The Fox News App A California man has admitted to helping an illegal immigrant from Mexico falsely claim $25 million in income tax returns. In exchange, Cruz received thousands of dollars in fees from Martinez in exchange for his services. The IRS actually paid out $2.3 million of the $25 million in refunds that were claimed. Martinez has pleaded guilty for his role in the scheme and was sentenced to six years in prison. Cruz is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 17, 2025. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Original article source: California tax expert admits role in illegal alien's multimillion-dollar fraud scheme A group of Californians were captured on video confronting a man who allegedly set fire to trees and bushes in Los Angeles, holding him until police showed up to make an arrest. The tense scene unfolded Sunday along the Runyon Canyon in Hollywood Hills, where the devastating Sunset Fire began in January. "You started that fire? You just came from over there, we just saw you," a woman is heard telling the man, who was wearing a red tank top shirt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I did, youre right. And Im -- yeah. You have the warrant for the murder right?" he responded, before turning away. Historic Grand Canyon Lodge Destroyed In Wildfire, Which Closes North Rim For Season Another woman was then seen walking up to the man and telling him about how there are houses nearby. Read On The Fox News App "What the f---? You should be hospitalized," she told him. "You are going to be fined and hospitalized." The video concludes with a helicopter and fire truck arriving to combat the blaze. The man was placed in handcuffs, drawing cheers from a crowd that had gathered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Los Angeles Police Department did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Los Angeles Mayor Bass Points Fingers When Grilled On Africa Trip Amid Botched Wildfire Response The identity of the suspect is unclear. "He admitted he did it," Davanh Dimarco, a witness, told Fox11 Los Angeles. "There was no one else coming out of the trees. Apparently, he had a blowtorch." "He said, Im a fire marshal and this is a controlled burn," added another witness, Scotty Mitchell. "I said, Show me your badge. Clearly, he didnt have a badge. He probably doesnt even have a toy badge." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell also described the incident as like "PTSD from January." Fire crews that showed up on scene kept the blaze to under a half-acre, according to Fox11 Los Angeles. Original article source: Californians confront man accused of starting LA fire until police make arrest A 2018 algae outbreak in Stuart, where Lake Okeechobee water is discharged. (Photo by John Moran) Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday marked a major milestone in states Everglades restoration efforts completion of a reservoir designed to hold billions of gallons of water with the goal of preventing recurrences of the toxic algae blooms that have befouled rivers in Florida. The event, however, came as his administration continues to get hammered by environmentalists for its immigration detention center in the Everglades, which has triggered an ever-widening legal battle over Alligator Alcatraz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Caloosahatchee River reservoir, dubbed C43, can hold approximately 55 billion gallons of water with a maximum depth ranging from 15 feet to 25 feet. The reservoir captures and stores offloads from Lake Okeechobee if the water gets too high during the wet season and will provide essential water flows to the river during the dry season. The idea is to improve the health of the river and its estuary. The four large pumps can move more than 650,000 gallons of water per minute from the Caloosahatchee River into the reservoir. We understand that the Everglades is home to a lot of great species, that it provides fresh water to Florida Bay, as well as clean drinking water for more than 8 million Floridians, and it supplies irrigation for the states agriculture. So this was something that had been neglected for too long. We needed to take the bull by the horns, and we needed to get it done, DeSantis said during a press conference at the site. The event came just days after the administration opened a quickly built detention center deep in the heart of the Everglades at the site of a training airport. Democrats have decried conditions at the center and environmentalists warn the facility which at last count held nearly a 1,000 detainees threatens harm to the River of Grass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Lawsuit Several groups filed a federal lawsuit and, late Monday evening, the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida asked to intervene in the case. The tribe is concerned about the potential for harm to the Everglades, noting that there are 10 tribal villages located within a three-mile radius of the site. The court filing argues that tribal members have routinely used land at and near the center for hunting and fishing as well as traditional ceremonies. They also fear a security risk. The court filing insists environmental studies are needed to understand the potential harm from the center, which eventually could hold as many as 3,000 detainees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis, however, has contended that the center toured by President Donald Trump earlier this month will have zero environmental impact and will not undo the ongoing efforts to restore the Everglades. The governor mentioned the billions of dollars Florida has spent since he became governor to help the Everglades and prevent pollution. Lake Guard Oxy test on a blue-green algae bloom in the Caloosahatchee River. (Via South Florida Water Management District) Blooms of toxin-producing algae caused a death of wildlife and wreaked economic damage on the coastal communities that rely on the water for their economic activity. The glow of the blue-green algae made national headlines in 2018 and helped inform the gubernatorial debate that year. While on the stump, then-candidate DeSantis vowed to clean up the environmental mess and immediately issued an executive order after taking office in 2019 that included expediting the C43 reservoir. He also appointed a task force to recommend solutions but never acted on its report. Delays The project was completed by the South Florida Water Management District after years of questions and delays including the state firing its contactor. Environmental groups questioned the project because it lacked a water quality treatment facet and said algae could grow in the reservoir. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis was joined at the press conference by Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert and Senate President Ben Albritton, who praised the governor for his work on expediting the dam. We are one step closer to being able to provide the protection for our coastal communities, making sure that our fisheries remain healthy and bountiful for those that make their living in and around the water in these communities, and it is meaningful for the future of Florida, Albritton said, adding that the Senate will be heavily and heartily fighting for Everglades restoration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MOSCOW, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Russia remains ready for further talks with Ukraine but has not received proposals for a meeting from Kiev, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday. "They want to see this dialogue in Washington, they want to see it in Europe, allegedly," Peskov said. The comments were made after U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States will send weapons to Ukraine through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and threatened "severe tariffs" targeting Russia if a ceasefire deal is not reached in 50 days. The spokesperson said Trump's statements are "very serious," and something in them is addressed personally to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We certainly need time to analyze what was said in Washington," he added. Russia and Ukraine held two rounds of direct talks on May 16 and June 2 in Istanbul, Turkiye. Putin previously said that both sides agreed to hold a third round of talks after the completion of the exchange of prisoners of war and the transfer of bodies of fallen soldiers as negotiated in previous talks. CAMPBELL, N.Y. (WETM) One man is dead after an incident over the holiday weekend at a residence in Campbell, according to information from the New York State Police. William C. Tong, 53, of Campbell, died during surgery at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre on July 7, as a result of being shot during a neighbor dispute on Parker Road in Campbell on July 6. Vestal man arrested after police chase on I-86 in Elmira Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another person was at the scene when troopers arrived, stating they cooperated with investigators. No charges have been filed at this time. The events that led up to the shooting remain under review. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and more information will be released when it becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Conservative commentator Candace Owens said on Monday that President Trump thinks his base is stupid and that people around him think he is stupid during the latest episode of her show. Owens accused Trump of gaslighting the public after the FBI and Justice Department (DOJ) published a memo earlier this month stating theres no evidence Epstein had a client list and reaffirming that he died by suicide in a jail cell while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges in 2019. The Epstein scandal is definitely terminal cancer to Trumps MAGA movement, she said in the video, which was first highlighted by Mediaite. Theres no question about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owens, a staunch supporter of Trump during his first White House bid, compared the administrations move to the Hunter Biden controversy, which included his stolen laptop that contained a massive record of documents, including business dealings, personal photos and emails. It was seized on by Republicans as a campaign issue after it was disseminated to the public. Owens, who has shifted her tone on Trump throughout his second term in office, said the Biden case was dismissed by the Deep State, accusing those around Trump of being people who hate him and have infiltrated his base. It seems like you think your base is stupid. Thats how I feel, Owens said. I feel like Trump thinks his base is stupid, or, again, because I dont think hes pressing send on these messages, the people around him think that Trump is stupid. And that shouldnt surprise you given the fact that all of these people were Never Trump. They were Never Trump. Owens also accused the administration of sending more weapons to Ukraine as a way to distract the public from the Epstein files, calling it Operation: Just Give Them More War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look at this headline: Trump announces an aggressive, or Trump is to announce an aggressive Ukraine weapons plan. Yeah, he already indicated that in that same press conference that theres just going to be more weapons sent to Ukraine, theyre going to attack Russia. Were just going to have to have a world war and another reset, I guess. So, you guys just stop talking about Jeffrey Epstein, she said. Owens asserted that she would be very last person that will stop talking about Jeffrey Epstein. I will do his entire genealogy backwards and forwards, including everybody around him, get their genealogy, before we let go of this, she added. The former supporter turned critic of Trump said last month that shes embarrassed after campaigning for the president during the 2024 election cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes been a chronic disappointment. And I feel embarrassed that I told people to go vote for him because this wasnt going to happen, and it is happening, Owens said before criticizing Trumps decision to engage in the Israel-Iran conflict. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Cherokee County District Attorneys Office announced a man convicted on three counts of child molestation had learned his sentence. Channel 2 Action News reported in June when Lucas Simon Lucas-Juan, 41 of Canton, was convicted by a Cherokee County jury. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Lucas-Juan was accused of sexually abusing a 7-year-old child at a Walmart Supercenter in Canton, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the District Attorneys Office, a Walmart employee had called 911 to report seeing Lucas-Juan abusing a child in July 2024. TRENDING STORIES: While collecting grocery carts from the store parking lot, a Walmart employee saw a man commit immoral and indecent acts on a little girl inside a parked vehicle. Horrified by what she saw, the employee returned to the store and provided authorities with a description of the vehicle and its license plate, Assistant DA David J. Bailey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During their investigation, Canton police officers reviewed surveillance footage from inside the store, showing two other incidents involving the same child and defendant had occurred earlier that day. Lucas-Juan was convicted on June 26. On Tuesday, Judge Shannon Wallace sentenced Lucas-Juan to 30 years, with the first 29 years to be served in prison and the remainder on probation. Lucas-Juan will also have to register as a sex offender and is banned from contacting his victim or her family, according to the DAs office. This case is a stark reminder that child sexual abuse can happen even in plain view in public places, DA Susan K. Treadway said. This case underscores the importance of businesses, citizens, and law enforcement working together to safeguard our children. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) One person was injured after their vehicle rolled over in Abilene. The vehicle rollover occurred on the highway I-20 at Mile Marker 282. The vehicle had one passenger, and traffic was reduced to one lane on both sides. Police say the vehicle lost control and flipped, going over the guardrail, ending up upside down with one person in the vehicle with minor injuries. No further information is available at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced on Tuesday that Illinois I-Cash program returned a record amount of money in fiscal year 2025. A record $303.8 million was returned to nearly 312,000 Illinois residents, according to Frerichs. This was more than last years total of $301 million. I-Cash is a consumer protection initiative that works to return unclaimed property being held by the Illinois State Treasurers Office to its rightful owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We made common-sense changes to I-CASH to return more money to more folks, and we are proud to set records, Frerichs said. But were even more proud of helping people. One of my biggest fights was to take on insurance companies to make sure life insurance benefits rightfully end up with the people and organizations they were left to. Frerichs celebrated the record-breaking amount while delivering a check for more than $200,000 to the Orphans of the Storm animal shelter in Riverwoods. The shelter was named the beneficiary of a life insurance policy of a Lake County Woman. We are deeply grateful for this generous gift and for Treasurer Frerichs leadership in making sure it reached us, said Michelle Shields, Volunteer President of the Board of Directors at Orphans of the Storm. During his time in office, Frerichs has helped return more than $2.3 billion in missing money to their rightful owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He encourages Illinois residents to check the I-Cash website twice a year to see if they have any missing money that can be returned. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Standing in front of the Detroit headquarters of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on a sunny Monday morning, the Rev. David Buersmeyer asked a security officer if he could accept a letter from Catholics asking ICE Detroit to better treat immigrants. Judith Brooks, a fellow Catholic who advocates for immigrants, stood by the Detroit priest's side with a sealed envelope, leaning forward to hand the letter to him. But the officer didn't respond, slammed the glass door shut with a loud thud and then pushed on it to make sure it was secure. "Shame!" a protester shouted out. A crowd of hundreds who stood outside the building on Michigan Avenue then started to sing a song by Batya Levine, a Jewish musician: "In hope, in prayer, we find ourselves here, in hope, in prayer, we're right here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scene on July 14th outside the Detroit ICE building illustrated the growing frustration Catholic leaders and others have expressed with immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, which they allege has unfairly targeted communities with overzealous actions. ICE officials did not respond to the Free Press for comment about the letter and march in Detroit. Since being installed in March as the head of the Archdiocese of Detroit in March, Archbishop Edward Weisenburger has been an outspoken supporter of immigrants, meeting with an immigrant family facing deportation the day after he became archbishop. And on Monday, Weisenburger was there walking with other protesters in a silent procession from the historic Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Corktown to the ICE headquarters a few blocks away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Detroit student arrested by Border Patrol while on field trip deported to Colombia The procession was led by a man carrying a cross on a tall pole, followed by a couple of Catholics holding a banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a popular image of the mother of Christ whom many Mexican Catholics revere. In addition to Wesinburger, several of Detroit's auxiliary bishops, priests and nuns marched, along with Catholics from 25 parishes in southeastern Michigan, as well as Protestant and Jewish leaders, among others. It was a diverse crowd of Whites, Latinos, and Blacks, of all ages, united in supporting immigrants. Some of the numerous protest signs read: "You shall not oppress strangers," "Nadie es ilegal" (Spanish for "No one is illegal"), "Community not cruelty," and "Immigrants are family to us." "We are here today to ask that our nation and its leaders" listen to the plight of immigrants, Sister Rebecca Vonderhaar of Immaculate Heart of Mary told the large crowd at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church before the march. "Many of our brothers and sisters and their families have proven their innate goodness," Vonderhaar said. "They have been so unjustly treated by raids and mass deportations. Let us know that apathy is never an option, but trust with faith, goodwill and a bit of advocacy will bear fruit. And trusting in your goodness oh, God, we move on." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Amen," the crowd responded. Miguel Leyva, of Rochester, holds an American flag as he and son join a group of Catholics and others who support immigrants Strangers No Longer walk from the historic Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Corktown on Monday, July 14, 2025 to deliver a letter to the Detroit ICE regional field office director Kevin Raycraft, asking for individuals be treated with dignity. Hundreds prayed during the protest for family and community members who have recently been detained or deported by ICE. They then headed south on 6th Street, hooked a right on Michigan Avenue, crossed the Lodge Freeway and turned right to the front of the ICE office. Speaking on a microphone through a loudspeaker, Sister Nina Rodriguez of the Sisters of St. Joseph and another woman then read a list of names of immigrants who have been deported or detained this year. After each name, the crowd said in response: We hold you in our hearts. One of the immigrants she mentioned was Maykol Bogoya Duarte, 18, a Detroit high school student with no criminal record, deported by ICE last month to Colombia after he was arrested by Border Patrol while on a school field trip. "These are my people," Rodriguez told the Free Press after the rally. "I'm Mexican American. My parents were immigrants. And my heart breaks to know that families are being separated. That is so unjust. And these people they're breaking up, they're not criminals. They're people who have been here ten years, 25 years, and they have no say, they're just taken. My heart breaks for these people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Amid immigrant anxiety, Detroit's oldest Catholic parish gets new owner, $50M in support The event was organized by Strangers No Longer, a group of Catholics in Michigan with Michigan Circles of Support that advocates for immigrants. Buersmeyer, a chaplain with Strangers No Longer, and Brooks, the group's board president, cosigned the letter addressed to Kevin Raycraft, the field office director of ICE Detroit, whom they had hoped to deliver it to. The letter started by asking Raycraft if he would meet with them to discuss their concerns, which included: federal agents using facemasks and no identification during enforcement operations; immigration actions without a federal warrant; no communication with local police about impending operations; and arresting people who have not committed a felony. Officers guard the door at the ICE and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices in Detroit as a group of Catholics, including Fr. David Buersmeyer, at right, participated in a solemn protest as he speaks to the media after being declined entry on Monday, July 14, 2025 to deliver a letter to the Detroit ICE Regional Field Office Director Kevin Raycraft, asking for individuals to be treated with dignity. Hundreds prayed during the protest for family and community members who have recently been detained or deported by ICE. "To ensure the safety of both officers and others on the scene, a badge or other identification is critical," the letter said. "The facemasks are ramping up fear in all communities, immigrant and non-immigrant." The letter added that "the pattern of separating families is having a devastating impact on those left behind." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter added: "Today's Solemn Procession was led by Catholic clergy and women religious, and leaders from our 25 parishes across Metro Detroit people of deep faith who firmly believe in human dignity for all and the gospel call to 'Welcome the Stranger.' And we are joined today by people of many faith traditions across the region." The rally also included Lutheran leaders such as Pastor Jack Eggleston of Southgate and Methodist leaders, such as the Rev. Paul Perez, the pastor of Central United Methodist Church in Detroit. Some Jewish leaders also took part. "I'm here representing ... the Jews who are against the immigration atrocities we're seeing," said Elliot Ratzman, with Fellowship of Reconciliation, an interfaith peace group in Ann Arbor. "It reminds us of our own challenges of being kicked out of countries. The Jewish community is almost universally opposed to this immigration authoritarianism." Organizers of the march announced they will start a weekly prayer vigil outside the Detroit immigration courthouse in the federal McNamara building on Michigan Avenue every Wednesday morning from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., starting on Aug. 6, to show support for immigrants showing up for court. In recent months, ICE has increasingly arrested immigrants appearing in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buersmeyer tried two times on Monday to deliver the letter to the guard monitoring the entrance. He said the guard told him to "call them" later. Buersmeyer said that since they were unable to deliver the letter, they were going to contact U.S. House Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, whose district includes the church and ICE office, and ask him to deliver it. Debbie Mitchell, of Clinton Township, joins a group of Catholics and others who support immigrants Strangers No Longer walk from the historic Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Corktown on Monday, July 14, 2025 to deliver a letter to the Detroit ICE regional field office director Kevin Raycraft, asking for individuals be treated with dignity. Hundreds prayed during the protest for family and community members who have recently been detained or deported by ICE. Thanedar told the Free Press after the rally: "It is important that ICE treats migrants with compassion, respecting their human rights. There should be a healthy dialogue between the federal agencies and the community at large. ICE should be no exception. I intend to reach ICE and facilitate a dialogue, as transparency is essential to build public trust." Buersmeyer said he was disappointed that ICE did not accept their letter "because we want to create dialogue. We're not trying to embarrass them. ... We're not against them. It's not an anti-government protest. We want ICE to do their job, but in a way that doesn't create fear. There are ways to do it that doesn't create chaos and disruptions in people's lives." Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com, X @nwarikoo or Facebook @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Catholics marched to Detroit ICE headquarters in protest for immigrants GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) A domestic violence report ended with law enforcement discovering an apparent murder-suicide later the same day. According to the Garfield County Sheriffs Office, the initial incident occurred around 6:39 p.m., Saturday, when deputies responded to the Grass Mesa area south of Rifle. Authorities found the incident involved a husband and wife with probable cause to arrest the man for domestic violence, harassment and other related charges. However, he reportedly fled the home on foot before law enforcement arrived. Although the deputies couldnt find the man, they tried to get his wife to leave the house and go somewhere safe until they could locate and arrest him. She chose to stay at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies then left to prepare an arrest warrant, but around 10 p.m., dispatch received a call that the husband had come back home and started a verbal dispute. He was also reportedly trying to find a firearm inside the house before the phone line disconnected with dispatch. Deputies responded to the home but discovered both the husband and wife had died with apparent gunshot wounds. GCSO then requested the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the CBI crime scene to respond and take the lead for the death investigations. This was done so there wasnt a conflict of interest in the previous domestic violence case. After obtaining a search warrant, CBI recovered two firearms from the home. The mans gunshot wound, and the scene looked consistent with a self-inflicted wound, according to the sheriffs office. GSCO said there was a history of domestic violence incidents between the two people at that address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was an isolated incident with no threat to the community, according to GCSO. The names of the two individuals and their address are being withheld after a final examination by the Garfield County Coroners Office and the next of kin has been notified. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. Jul. 15Sixty years ago, a determined group of local visionaries decided to turn an "educational desert" into a flourishing community college serving thousands each year. As Sauk Valley Community College marks its 60th anniversary in 2025, its founders, leaders and supporters are reflecting on how a grassroots movement built a thriving institution from the ground up while continuing to shape futures across northwest Illinois. The college's roots go back to 1965 when discussions began among educators, civic leaders and residents about the need for a local junior college. One of the key figures behind that movement was Pete Dillon of Sterling, who would go on to serve as a founding member of SVCC's first Board of Trustees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was the first one to go to college in my family," Dillon said. "When I came back [from school], I thought, wow, we're kind of in an educational desert." "You can't find someone who's written a book on how to create a college. We were building something from nothing. But the people were genuinely committed to getting this thing done and we did it." Pete Dillon, a founding member of SVCC's first Board of Trustees Former SVCC board member Mary Ellen Wilkinson recalled the early work Pete did even before there was a board. "He worked on recruiting representatives from the various communities, and then those people had to be elected," Wilkinson said. "So there was a process before there was ever a board." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilkinson said a feasibility study alone took a year and involved 100 people from 10 school districts. When it came time to make the college a reality, Pete literally sketched out the foundation. "I designed it at 4 in the morning in my basement," Pete said of the Ironsides building the college's very first facility built while the main campus was still under development. "The idea was that we needed something that could be used while the campus was being constructed." To generate community support, Dillon organized open houses so residents could walk through the Ironsides structure while it was still being built. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We had a few thousand people come through," Pete said. "You probably couldn't get away with that today." That public engagement helped lead to overwhelming support in a 1966 referendum to officially create the district. "At Sterling High School, when we voted that day, we had to turn away 400 people because they couldn't get in to vote," Dillon recalled. Even the college's name was a community effort. "There was a contest to name the college," current SVCC President Dave Hellmich said. A third-grade student at Dixon's St. Mary's School, Michael Flanagan, submitted the winning name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SVCC opened its doors in the fall of 1966 with 660 students. Today, it serves over 2,000 students each semester with a wide range of academic, career and community-centered programs, including associate degrees in art, science, or applied science in more than 35 areas and over 50 certificates. During the 20242025 academic year, SVCC awarded 247 associate degrees, 446 career-technical certificates, and 129 credentials, totaling 822 awards. Vice President of Academics and Student Services Jon Mandrell highlighted one of SVCC's more recent accomplishments launching a regional police academy. "Public safety is a huge need. Our September class is already full," Mandrell said. "There was a gaping hole for police training from central Illinois up to the northwest. We just kept asking and asking, and advocating for years until we were finally heard." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The college's commitment to meeting local needs does not stop there. SVCC's Vice President of Advancement Lori Cortez said the college's Small Business Development Center supports more than 200 entrepreneurs and small businesses each year. "Whether it's to start up a business, keep their business going, or help them retire and transfer it to someone else, we're here," Cortez said. SVCC is also helping local high school students invest in their futures. The college's Impact Program helps local high school students pay for their tuition when they complete volunteer service hours. Last year, it was awarded the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence in Revitalization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The college has also evolved beyond its original mission by offering select four-year degree options in partnership with universities. "That wasn't part of the original concept," Wilkinson said, "But once you get your foot in the door and you see what's possible, it makes a huge difference." Cortez agreed. "Our data backs that up," Cortez said. "Our retention rate here at the college is about 20% higher than other community colleges." Today, SVCC's campus stretches across 150 scenic acres along the Rock River between Sterling and Dixon, a location that Pete helped negotiate during 30 days of daily visits and coffee with a reluctant landowner to seal the deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking back, Pete said none of the founding team had a playbook. "You can't find someone who's written a book on how to create a college," Pete said. "We were building something from nothing. But the people were genuinely committed to getting this thing done and we did it." Now 60 years on, Sauk Valley Community College is not only still standing, it is thriving, and still grounded in the values that built it: accessibility, persistence and a deep belief in what's possible when a community comes together. "You won't find a better value in this world than a community college," Mandrell said. CENTERVILLE, Utah (ABC4) Water is back up and running for roughly 75 homes that lost water access following a main break near 1500 North and Main Street on Monday night. Dave Walker, the deputy public works director for the City of Centerville, said crews worked tirelessly into the early hours to restore the water and completed the job around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday. (Images courtesy: Centerville Police Department) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, while water may be restored, residents might notice some discoloration to their drinking water. The discoloration, Walker explained, is the result of minerals that have been left on the inside of the pipe that broke free under the higher velocity of water. Despite maybe being a little off-putting, Walker said the water is still completely safe to drink. First round of hints released as Utah Treasure Hunt for $25,000 enters second week But any residents who are seeing discoloration in their water are encouraged to flush their lines through a cold tap in the bathtub. This should only take a couple of minutes at most and will clear up any concerns, said Walker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walker said the city lost a large amount of water while crews worked to solve the water main break, but there has not been any reported property damage from the sudden rush of water. If Centerville residents have any concerns, they are encouraged to contact the citys public works department by calling 801-292-8232 or by emailing info@centervilleutah.gov. The department admitted it would be working with a limited crew as employees get caught up on some much-needed rest, but they would work to address any concerns throughout the morning. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A central Ohio organization is worried President Donald Trumps Big, Beautiful Bill will lead to cuts in the services it provides. MY Project USA is the largest Muslim social services organization in Ohio, and its leader said the law will have major impacts on the community services they provide. This Big Beautiful Bill that they are calling it is going to deteriorate everything that we have in our community, MY Project USA Executive Director Zerqa Abid said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bernie Moreno stops at Pataskala diner to sell Big, Beautiful Bill to Ohioans For the past decade, it has been the organizations mission to serve and uplift the surrounding community. Now Abid is concerned they will have to provide more with less. We were mentally preparing ourselves that, yes, more and more challenges are coming, but it has been devastating, Abid said. MY Project USA said it serves nearly 2,500 a week through its wrap around services, providing free food, health clinics, after-school programs, and more. With changes coming to SNAP benefits such as new work requirements and state funding obligations, there are fears that many of the people in the community who rely on those services will be severely impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people who have made these decisions are disconnected from our neighborhoods, Abid said. They dont know what is going on here. They dont understand how a mother, a single mother with a disabled child, with other children, makes her decisions. Some of my clients do not have transportation to come here; they come walking. Ohios unclaimed funds site nearly doubles in visitors The organization has also faced city and state grant funding reductions in recent years, being forced to lay off staff members and possibly cut other programs. Abid believes once the effects of this bill are felt, she will be met with an impossible task, but she is still holding on to some semblance of hope. Even though I am extremely worried, Im hopeful and Im praying and my message to my community is that I want them to stay strong, Abid said. I want them to keep communicating, keep telling us, dont be scared, dont disappear. We are here to support you. We want to know whats going on so we can provide from wherever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In regard to the impact of the bill, the White House has said, The One Big, Beautiful Bill promotes work, responsibility, and restores SNAP to serve the truly needy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LONDON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has encouraged Kiev to escalate deep strikes into Russian territory, even asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky whether Moscow could be targeted if long-range weapons were supplied, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. "Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? ... Can you hit St. Petersburg, too?" Trump asked during the call on July 4, and Zelensky replied: "Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons," the Financial Times reported, citing two people familiar with the conversation. The phone talk took place just one day after Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a conversation the U.S. president reportedly described as "bad." According to the report released by the Financial Times, although it remains uncertain whether the United States will move forward with supplying the requested weapons, sources familiar with the matter said Trump appeared eager to explore more aggressive military options to pressure Moscow into negotiations. The report added that the White House and Ukraine's presidential office did not respond to requests for comment. Stock photo from Getty Images. Children and pets accidentally ingesting marijuana have been on the rise since Ohio recreational marijuana sales started nearly a year ago. The Central Ohio Poison Center reported 582 marijuana exposures to children under six in 2024 compared to 79 in 2019 and 11 back in 2015, said Natalie Rine, director of the Central Ohio Poison Center, which covers 64 of Ohios 88 counties and receives more than 42,000 poison exposure calls annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Theres been a pretty significant increase in exposures in that age group since legalization, she said. Its odd for us to go a day without having a call about a kid getting into one of these products. As access to something increases, its not surprising that the exposures increase with it. Ohioans passed a citizen-initiated law to legalize recreational marijuana in 2023 with 57% of the vote, and sales started in August 2024. Ohio medical marijuana sales started in 2019. Children Children who have ingested marijuana tend to be drowsy, sleepy, confused and, in some cases, have trouble breathing, Rine said. It can take hours after a child has consumed marijuana until the symptoms appear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These kids can have seizures sometimes as well, she said. We dont really have an antidote or anything that we can really reach for. A lot of the care that theyre going to receive when they go to the hospital is going to be direct monitoring. Although its not common, there have been times depending on the amount of marijuana ingested where doctors have to put a child on a ventilator for a day or two until the drug gets out of their system, Rine said. She recommends parents keep their marijuana products out of sight and out of reach in lock boxes. We dont recommend using them in front of children because children like to mimic what their parents do, she said. Dont store these products where they can be confused with other snacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just the youngest children who have seen an uptick in marijuana exposures. Children ages 6-12 had 192 marijuana exposures and teenagers 13-19 had 254 in 2024, according to the Central Ohio Poison Center. In 2019, there were 20 exposures to children 6-12 years old and 119 to teenagers 13-19. Pets Marijuana is listed as ninth most common toxin for pets in Ohio, according to Pet Poison Helpline. Dr. Edward Cooper, professor of small animal emergency at Ohio State Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine, said he has seen a bit of an increase of pets accidentally ingesting marijuana after recreational sales started last summer, but was expecting more of an uptick. In fairness, part of it may be were college campus adjacent, so weve always had a, well say, a decent measure of patients presenting with suspected or confirmed THC or marijuana exposure, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes pet owners would be a bit hesitant to admit their pet ingested marijuana before it was legal in Ohio, Cooper said. Wed have to do a little bit of sleuthing versus people being a little bit more forthcoming, he said. Pets that have ingested marijuana tend to wobble on their feet, stumble when they walk, dribble urine, have smaller than normal pupils, be sleepy and quiet, but tend to overreact when stimulated, Cooper said. Pet owners should seek veterinary care if their pet has ingested a significant amount of marijuana or THC products, Cooper said. If smaller dogs get exposed to some of the higher concentration THC containing products then it can be a medical emergency, he said. They can progress to loss of consciousness. It can affect their breathing, and thats something that we definitely would need to intervene on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are medications that can bind up the THC in their blood, Cooper said. He said its more of a gray area if the pet has ingested a mild to moderate amount of THC, but erring on the side of caution (and) seeking some veterinary care would be a very reasonable thing to do. Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE DES MOINES, Iowa Only a few weeks left to get your wallets and waistlines ready for Iowa State Fair food. This year, there are 67 new items to try. Vendors have been working in their kitchens for months to come up with something fresh and delicious. We usually end up having way too many good ideas and then just have to sift through those, Sarah Strong-Tuttle, executive chef at JRs SouthPork Ranch, said. Which kind of brings on the next layer of whats something that we could execute at a high-volume clock speed and also keep the quality consistency of the products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The food also has to be maintainable to make during the eleven days. Its a small space. It can be fast and furious, Connie Boesen, owner of Applishus, said. I won in 2018, so I always say be careful what you wish for sometimes because it takes a lot of work. Boesen learned that lesson when her Apple Eggroll won the new fair food contest in 2018. More than 60 new food items will be competing for your tastebuds, including another sweet treat from Applishus. Its a boy! Japanese macaque born at Blank Park Zoo Boesen described the Sweet Grannys Apple Delight Sundae as Granny Smith apple-flavored ice cream with apple pie topping, caramel, whipped cream, and a waffle bowl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Something savory from the Bacon Box, such as the Double Bacon Cheeseburger Balls. Its a miniaturized version of our bacon balls, Dominic Iannarelli, owner of Bacon Box, said. And dont forget about food on a stick. JRs SouthPork Ranch is introducing the Chicken Pickle Ranch Rocket On A Stick. Five ounces of chicken, 12 pickle chips, weve got a ranch butter that we make, and we grill that up, Brooks Reynolds, head ranch hand at JRs SouthPork Ranch, said. Reynolds says entering the new food contest is challenging and sometimes costly. The first year we did a beef wrap. It was delicious. It was great. Very hard to make, very hard to source, Reynolds recalls. We had $50,000 in beef ribs after the fair. So again, its trial and error. And sometimes you think you have a great item and its great, but the people dont like it. So, you know, you always got to throw something new against the wall and see what, see what sticks and see what doesnt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luckily for them, it did stick when they brought in seafood from Maine to Iowa. People thought when we started the lobster roll in 2021 that we were crazy, Brooks said. But, you know, they love it here at the Iowa State Fair. Its why theyre leveling up again this year with the High Roller Roll. This shiny, new lobster roll topped with Creme fraiche, caviar, and edible gold flakes will cost you $100. The first step is going to be toasting the bun with gold shimmer thats been infused in the duck fat, Strong-Tuttle said. It doesnt stop there. JRs SouthPork Ranch says you can level up with the High Roller package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were like, what can we pair with that to make it to really elevated and bring it to the next level? Brooks asked. And you know, and were like, well, thats lets have a bottle of champagne. The High Roller package includes a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne with two High Roller rolls for a grand total of $600. If youre here to spend some money, you might as, you might as well have fun with it, Strong-Tuttle said. A fun photo op of a pricey novelty you can only find at the fairgrounds, as well as a testament of how far fair food has come. Concerts, food, and more at the 2025 Iowa State Fair Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It all started, you know, with music festivals. They were really stepping up the food and the fairs started doing it, Iannarelli said. Concessions became more than just randomly fried things. So, to watch everything thats happened at the Iowa State Fair in the last ten years is great. I think it really speaks to Iowa and how were growing culinary and how were interested in the foods that we eat. It really highlights peoples creativity, Boesen said, and it gives a reason to come to the fair. Which is, we want everyone to come out and have an experience with new foods and a new experience. New experiences at the Iowa State Fair that could be worth the extra calories and cash. Come with an empty belly and an adventurous spirit and just try some items that you may not normally try, Brooks advises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get that list. Theres 67 new things to try at the State Fair and find the ones you want to go and hit them and support those vendors, Iannarelli said, because theyre the ones that people are coming up with new things. On July 15, part of the WHO 13 News team will try 11 of the new creations. The taste testers will vote and narrow the list down to the top three for all fairgoers to vote on during the fair. Fair Sweet Fair runs from August 7-17. Iowa News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) Food insecurity levels have increased, while available food supplies have declined. Because of this, the Salvation Army of Champaign County hosted a critical canned food drive on Monday. They say that hundreds of people come through their food pantry every day, and that the need for food is greater in the summer months when kids are home from school and no longer receive meals at school. Champaign Co. Salvation Army running low on canned goods Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kenyon Sivels, the Corps Officer and Administrator at the Champaign County Salvation Army, said that when you donate, it can make a personal impact. When people give, theyre giving to the Salvation Army, but what they are doing is, theyre giving to their neighbors, coworkers, friends, and to the kids who their kids play with and go to school with, Sivels said. He said their greatest need is vegetables, but all shelf table items and monetary donations are appreciated. They accept donations Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To donate directly to the Salvation Army, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Bruce Oliver, health and wellness advocate for Harvard Integrations in the Tea, S.D. area, does not believe someones past has to prevent future opportunities. I believe in second chances, and this company believes in second chances, Oliver said Monday. Harvard Integrations employs a lot of welders. And Julie Becker, CEO of the St. Francis House which offers transitional housing in Sioux Falls, says Harvard Integrations has hired six people who studied welding at Southeast Technical College while they were guests at her nonprofit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First responders recount Sheridan Lake boat explosion Its a great partnership between the Department of Corrections, Southeast Technical College, Department of Labor and the St. Francis House, but because of these restraints of funding that everybody is facing now these individuals will be housed at the prison, Becker said Monday. Becker says the DOC made the decision, but she also makes clear that she is not at all seeking to attack the department. She says that while the welding education can continue, individuals on work release studying welding at Southeast Tech who previously could have lived at the St. Francis House will now live on the campus of the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. Besides a stable roof over its guests heads, the St. Francis House also provides case management, teaches financial literacy and offers a class on employability. Not only helping them move forward in their lives, but getting jobs and paying off their fines, restitution and back child support, Becker said. We are over $3 million that we have paid back to the state of South Dakota for our, the guests who stay here in the last 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And for his part, Oliver praises what guests are able to accomplish while a part of the St. Francis Houses transitional housing program. Theyre saving money while theyre there, he said. Theyre perfecting or getting better at their trade. KELOLAND News reached out to the Department of Corrections Monday afternoon via email for comment, but as of Monday evening, had not received a response. Tuesday morning, a DOC spokesperson sent a statement: The offenders who are enrolled in the welding class at Southeast Tech were residing at the St. Francis House. Since they were in school during the day, they werent always able to access programs or additional services. As the DOC pays for these beds and primarily uses them for transitional treatment opportunities, it made more fiscal sense to have the offenders who are attending Southeast to be housed at the Sioux Falls Minimum Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) Three men are facing gun charges in Decatur after police said the story kept changing as to how one of them ended up being shot in the leg. It turned out, he shot himself by accident. Court records show 22-year-olds Jadarius Weekley and Shawn Barbee and Weekleys 20-year-old brother Jahmere were all charged last week. This followed an incident on July 8 that ended with Jahmere being shot. Their charges are for unlawful possession of a weapon and unlawful delivery of a weapon to a felon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man pleads guilty to weapons charge after 2024 shooting near Decatur baby shower Sworn statements filed by the Decatur Police Department said the investigation started at HSHS St. Marys Hospital, when staff alerted police of a gunshot victim. Officer Joshua Davis said in the statements that when investigators spoke with Jahmere, he first claimed to have been shot by an unknown individual while walking near Cleveland and Illinois Streets. Jahmere then claimed he called his brother to pick him up, which Jadarius appeared to corroborate. But Davis said investigators found no evidence of a crime at Cleveland and Illinois Streets. Then, they looked at pictures of Jahmeres injury and the interior of the car he was sitting in when Jadarius dropped him off at the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers observed the injuries to Jahmeres left thigh to be consistent with a possible self-inflicted gunshot wound, Davis said. Officers observed a gunshot defect to the side of the center console where Jahmere was sitting. Suspicious, investigators contacted Jadarius again, and thats when Davis said investigators were told a completely different story of what happened. Jadarius admitted that he and his brother were together in a car when the shooting happened, and that a third person was present their longtime friend Barbee. Champaign woman gets 3 years for January shooting incident Jadarius advised Shawn gave him and Jahmere a black handgun to play with, Davis said. Jadarius advised that while driving by the Boys and Girls Club (on Jasper Street), Jahmere accidentally shot himself in the leg with the handgun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jahmere would later confirm the new version of events, Davis added. Jadarius also told investigators that after his brother shot himself, he immediately drove to Barbees home, dropped Barbee off and gave him the gun before driving Jahmere to St. Marys Hospital. Jadarius then drove off to Cleveland Street, where he cleaned his passenger seat and got rid of the spent shell casing. Jadarius then went back to the hospital, where officers met him for the first time. Davis added that before Jadarius was done speaking with investigators, he changed his story again as to how he found the gun and what he did with it after the shooting. Jadarius then claimed that he and his brother found it in a field south of the Moundford Terrance apartments, and that after the shooting, he initially held onto it before putting it in a backpack that he gave to his girlfriend. Jadarius claimed to have told her to take the backpack to his brothers apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deadly Springfield shooting ruled self-defense, States Attorney says The girlfriend was also interviewed, Davis said, and she corroborated taking a backpack and putting it in Jahmeres apartment. She did not indicate any knowledge of what, if anything, was inside the backpack. Jadarius, Davis added, has a prior conviction for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Since Jadarius is a felon, Barbee was charged with unlawfully giving a gun to a felon, a Class 3 felony. He was arraigned in Macon County on July 9, while Jahmere Weekley was arraigned the following day on a Class 4 count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon. Both defendants were granted pretrial release by Judge Lindsey Shelton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jadarius Weekley was arraigned the same day as Barbee on a Class 2 count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon. Unlike his brother and friend, Jadarius was denied pretrial release by Judge Shelton. All three defendants are due back in court for preliminary hearings on July 23. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. JASPER COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) Charges have been dismissed against a man who was charged in connection to the death of his nephew in Mississippi. According to the Jasper County Sheriffs Office, the charges against Victor Jerry Carver III, 37, of Collinwood, Tennessee, were dismissed at the request of the District Attorney. Investigators said the autopsy for Caden Cantrelle, 17, could not determine his exact cause of death. Forrest County operation results in 21 arrests Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson said they were alerted by Child Protective Services in Tennessee in reference to a 17-year-old who had been given a two-day pass to leave the state with his uncle to visit family in Louisiana. Johnson said Caden Cantrelle had not returned to Tennessee after those two days were up. His phone had last pinged around noon on Sunday, July 6 near County Road 8 and County Road 39 in Jasper County. Caden Cantrelle (Courtesy: Japser Co. Sheriffs Office) Victor Jerry Carver III (Courtesy: Japser Co. Sheriffs Office) Jasper County deputies located Cantrelles body on Monday, July 7 in a rural area on County Road 39. The investigation is ongoing. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Charleston International Airport has served the Lowcountry for almost 100 years, and with that comes a multi-million dollar expansion. State and Airport leaders broke ground Monday on the West Gate Expansion project for the new parking lot. South Carolina leaders say, the expansion isnt just an upgrade, but a necessity to keep up with Charlestons rapid growth. The first phase of the parking lot will have 1,500 new parking spots, and the second phase in the spring of 2027 will have 5,000 new parking spots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marking one of the largest infrastructure projects in Charleston Countys history. The CEO of Charleston International Airport, Elliott Summey, further explained why Charleston needs this expansion. When you drive down International Boulevard, you know what kind of traffic you deal with. Well have a brand new connector road dedicated directly for this airport, which will be so important. Summey stated that most importantly, today they broke ground for four new gates at the west concourse, which will add 20% capacity to the airport. Since 1929, Charleston has rapidly grown, creating record breaking passenger numbers each year. To keep up with this demand and influx of people, the expansion project was designed with travelers in mind, continuing to elevate the Charleston experience for the next 100 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CEO of Explore Charleston, Helen Hill, said For the past 100 years, weve kept Charleston that connected. And this amazing project is going to ensure we do it for the next century. The West Gate Expansion will feature a new concourse, adding 40,000 square feet of passenger space. Featuring new restaurant and retail offerings, and adding new gates that will feature more direct and international flights than ever before. South Carolina Governor, Henry McMaster, said This place is thriving, We have risen, its getting stronger and stronger. The Governor continued with asking the community for one favor, to stick together, stay close to your friends, and always tell that South Carolina is the best place in the world to live work, and raise a family. Leaders emphasize theyre focused on staying ahead of demand, and making sure the airport can serve the community for years to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A Charleston barbecue and Mexican restaurant will donate part of its proceeds Wednesday to flood recovery efforts in Texas and New Mexico. Lewis Barbecue will donate 100% of all brisket sandwich sales on Wednesday to help flood victims in Texas through Mercy Chefs. Mercy Chefs is a nonprofit disaster relief organization with teams in Texas that are feeding families affected by the floods. This includes sales from the Greenville location. In addition, Rancho Lewis, also created by Pit Master John Lewis, will donate 5% of its total sales on Wednesday to the Community Foundation of Lincoln County, a nonprofit organization aiding flash flood victims in Ruidoso, New Mexico, and nearby communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pitmaster Lewis was raised in El Paso, TX, and spent many years in southern New Mexico before launching his career in central Texas. With the areas holding a special place in Lewiss heart, he wanted to give back to the communities hit by disaster. Beloved to me, Texas and New Mexico are places I learned to cook with my family, and where I found my voice through barbecue and border cuisine, said Lewis. We invite our customers to join us on Wednesday at Lewis Barbecue and/or Rancho Lewis so, together, we can do a little something to help people who need the support. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) The Chatham Police Department is warning the community about sextortion in the hopes of raising awareness. On Monday morning, officials posted a notice about the online form of exploitation that targets children and teenagers. It often involves predators posing as teenagers through social media, gaming platforms or messaging apps; after building trust, they then ask victims for explicit images. Those images are then used to blackmail victims for more photos, money, self-harm or silence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deadly Springfield shooting ruled self-defense, States Attorney says Sextortion is a growing threat happening all over the world and we want to help our families stay informed and prepared, Chatham Police wrote in their Facebook post. In addition to providing basic information about the scam and how it happens, officials provided warning signs parents can look for in their children: Secretive online activity, especially late at night Unfamiliar usernames or multiple social media accounts Requests for photos, videos, or money Sudden changes in mood or behavior If their child falls victim to sextortion, parents should: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not pay the predator or comply with their demands Stop all contact between the predator and their child and block that person Do not delete any messages or images save everything Report it to local law enforcement immediately Springfield man accused of calling, threatening local Jewish organizations This isnt about causing panic its about empowering parents and kids with knowledge, officials said. Sextortion is preventable when families talk openly about online risks and safe behaviors. Start the conversation today! Officials did not indicate that their warning was in response to something happening in the community. They did, however, thank a police department in Texas for helping them raise awareness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. CHESAPEAKE Several City Council-appointed employees have been granted pay increases, with some seeing a 10% increase in their annual salary. Chesapeake City Council members met in closed sessions earlier this year to discuss the performance of its five appointed positions: manager, attorney, clerk, auditor and real estate assessor. Council members then approved a wave of pay increases for those appointees at the June 24 meeting, also making minor modifications to the appointees respective employment agreements. The ordinances council approved didnt include specific information about the new salaries. The Virginian-Pilot obtained the appointees employment agreements and updated salary information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All appointees receive the annual general wage increases granted to city workers, which was 3% for fiscal 2026. City Clerk Sandy Madison and City Auditor Darren Padilla, however, saw bigger percent increases in their salaries as of July, each receiving a 10% bump from council. Madison, whos been with the city since 2016, will now earn $159,290, and her employment contract allows six months of severance pay if terminated. City clerks primarily handle administrative needs for the council by recording and preserving its official actions and related records, and serving as a sort of liaison between council and the public by fielding inquiries and assisting with correspondence. Padillas annual salary is now $134,666, with up to six months of severance pay if terminated. Padilla was first hired in 2007 and previously served as a deputy auditor, but was appointed auditor last year. City auditors conduct performance, financial and special audits of city departments and functions to determine if city policies and practices are functioning as intended. Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Manager Chris Price, whos held the position since 2019, will now earn $313,764 putting him right in line with Virginia Beach City Manager Patrick Duhaney, who makes $313,962 annually as of July. Price is entitled to a year of severance pay if fired without cause, according to his employment agreement. And if a majority of council suggests he resigns and he does, Price can also decide to deem it a termination and therefore draw his severance pay. Prices employment agreement also states that the city pays $23,000 annually to the International City Managers Association deferred compensation plan, a retirement savings program. He also receives an annual car allowance of $9,000. City managers are likened to a city CEO as they hire department heads, implement policy, heed councils directives and develop fiscal budgets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council members approved an annual salary of $264,793 for City Attorney Catherine Lindley, who was appointed in 2023. Another modification council approved to her contract is $9,000 in a tax-deferred retirement savings plan called a 457(b) plan. Lindley is also entitled to six months of severance pay and benefits if terminated. Lindley is tasked with representing the city in legal proceedings and drafting ordinances and contracts, among other tasks. City Assessor Gregory Daniels, appointed in 2016, is now making $224,676. Daniels is responsible for appraising real estate property across the city for annual reassessments. Those assessments are then used to determine the annual tax rate. Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com SARAJEVO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial (FOSS4G) Europe conference opened this week in the southern Bosnian city of Mostar, bringing together nearly 400 participants from across the continent. Running from July 14 to 20, the event is the largest European gathering focused on open-source geospatial technologies. Experts, researchers, and institutional representatives will deliver 146 lectures, accompanied by practical workshops showcasing the latest GIS applications. Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), developed over the past five decades, are now widely used in sectors such as forestry, healthcare, urban planning, and smart city services. Speakers will explore how these technologies can support urban planning, climate response, security systems, and even criminal justice. Some sessions are held at the University of Mostar, offering students a chance to engage directly with technologies like PostGIS, a tool for spatial data storage and analysis used for mapping, distance calculations, and environmental modeling. The FOSS4G series began in 2004 and adopted its current name in 2006. The European edition was launched in 2012 in Prague and has since been hosted in Romania, Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, and Estonia. This is the first time it is being held in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event has attracted support from agencies, companies, and NGOs, including global tech firms such as Amazon, Google, and others. HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) A Chesterfield man was arrested on Monday after allegedly stabbing a man in the back with a pair of tree loppers. South Hadley to implement new school zone for student safety The Hadley Police Department states that on Monday at approximately 11:30 a.m., officers were sent to the Honey Pot Road area for a report of two men who were involved in a physical altercation outside. When officers arrived, officers found one of the men stabbed in the back area by a pair of tree loppers, a tool that performs tree trimming or pruning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edward Kolosewicz of Chesterfield was placed under arrest after a brief investigation for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The other man involved was evaluated by Hadley Fire and Action EMS before being taken to Cooley Dickinson Hospital for minor lacerations and a puncture wound. Kolosewicz was also evaluated before being taken to the Hadley Police Department for booking. He was later taken to the Eastern Hampshire District Court. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. The Brief Chicago police are looking for the suspect who struck and injured a male victim in River North last Friday. The attack left the victim unconscious and hospitalized with serious injuries, police said. CHICAGO - Police are looking for the person who struck another person last Friday in River North, causing him to become unconscious. The incident happened in the 100 block of W. Kinzie Street, according to the Chicago Police Department. What we know Around 2:05 a.m., the suspect struck the victim in the roadway, causing him to lose consciousness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. Police described the suspect as a Hispanic male between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-11 and weighing between 150 and 170 pounds. He was holding a black hooded sweatshirt, wearing a black ball cap, a black and white tank top, black shorts, white gym shoes and was wearing an ankle monitoring device attached to his left ankle. Police also released an image of the suspect. Police are looking for the person who struck another person last Friday in River North, causing him to become unconscious. (Chicago Police Department) What you can do Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact Area 3 Detectives at 312-744-8261 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference #JJ329199. CHICAGO Abel Orozco was getting home after buying tamales for his family, like he did most weekends for the past 30 years. They would have breakfast and head to church. Instead, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained the Mexican immigrant outside his home in suburban Lyons without a federal warrant. Now, nearly six months later, he is still detained. Immigration and civil rights attorneys argue that his arrest was not only unfair but illegal. Thanks to the video his son recorded of the arrest, Orozco has become the face of a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Attorneys say the two government agencies violated the constitutional rights of Orozco and at least 25 other people, including one U.S. citizen, during the first week of increased immigration enforcement in the Chicago area after President Donald Trump took office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not used to (speaking in public), its something thats really awkward for me and embarrassing, his son Eduardo Orozco told the Tribune. But even though I feel like that, I still have to do it for my father, and because there are many other people who are supporting us. The father, 47, has a clean record. Yet he is the only plaintiff left that is still in detention. One was deported. The rest have been released. We are angry and concerned, his son said. I hope the judge can see what we experienced on Sunday morning, and make a ruling in favor of my family and all the families affected by the cruelty of the ICE agents. A federal judge heard arguments earlier this month for a motion filed by immigration attorneys and advocates who argued that DHS and ICE officers violated warrantless arrest policies amid sweeping arrests in the Chicago field office region in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motion, filed in March of this year, focuses on 25 people who were detained, including one U.S. citizen, in the Trump administrations highly publicized enforcement operation over the winter. In making arrests, the federal government allegedly went against both immigration laws and the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government, the plaintiffs argue. It seems as if there are repeat violations, said Mark Fleming of the National Immigrant Justice Center in his closing argument to the judge. There is real concern that they are not following the law. Judge Jeffrey Cummings of the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois was asked by Fleming to consider whether ICEs January arrests violated the 2022 Castanon Nava settlement agreement, which states that ICE must meet two criteria to make a warrantless arrest: probable cause that someone is in the U.S. unlawfully, and that the person is a flight risk. Immigrant advocates say ICE ignored those standards when it detained people in January without probable cause and before warrants were filled out. As for Orozco, Fleming said that federal agents allegedly created an administrative warrant while he was handcuffed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Castanon Nava settlement agreement, which expired on May 13, had been the result of several ICE raids in the Chicagoland area in 2018 that the NIJC argued led to the collateral arrests of hundreds of individuals in vehicle stops and without warrants. Collateral arrests, or the detaining of individuals who are not targets, have become more common as the federal government ramps up daily quotas of people detained. Fleming described a pattern of reckless and unlawful enforcement actions after President Trump was sworn into office and pledged to begin mass deportations in Chicago. In some cases, he said, ICE agents will carry around blank warrants. That doesnt sit well with me, Judge Cummings said, after asking to see a copy of the blank form. Defense attorneys William H. Weiland and Craig Oswald defended their policies, stating that there is nothing inappropriate about the agencys use of warrants and that ICE is entitled to continue the practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fleming focused on the case of Abel Orozco, who remains detained in a detention center in Indiana despite mounting legal and community pressure for his release. Abel Orozco had a prior removal order, said Fleming, but only because he wanted to see his ailing father in Mexico one more time before he died. According to the motion, ICE officers were apparently looking for one of Orozcos sons, who is decades younger but has the same name. The agents allegedly grabbed and handcuffed Abel Orozco after they saw his drivers license. His son Eduardo, 26, ran outside when he heard his father screaming, I cant breathe call a lawyer. Eduardo Orozco began questioning the agents and demanded a warrant. The agents stayed quiet and can be seen walking away from Eduardo Orozco who began recording the interaction knowing that something was not right, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were more than six agents with guns who surrounded their home and they refused to identify themselves. Thats a scene that still haunts the family. They were trying to knock down the door to my house without a warrant, Eduardo Orozco recalled. Weiland and Oswald defended the arrest by saying that assessing flight risk in real time can be difficult. But the motion argues that ICE didnt consider or document the individuals community ties whether Abel Orozco had a home, family, or employment. Abel Orozcos wife has cancer, said Fleming. Abel Orozco had just started a tree-cutting business a dream come true, his son said. In the months since Abel Orozcos arrest, according to Fleming, his business has floundered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the other detainees were allegedly arrested after leaving their houses for work. They were often handcuffed and put in their cars, the motion states, without being allowed to call relatives and let them know what was happening. Plaintiffs cited two hours of security footage from a restaurant in Liberty, Missouri, showing 10 heavily armed federal agents who allegedly went into a restaurant and held 12 employees in booths before escorting them out and detaining them. Missouri is one of six states that the Chicago Field Office covers. On repeated occasions, ICE misspelled names or omitted important information while filling out warrants that were riddled with defects, according to the motion. ICE was also delayed in its response after plaintiffs requested that it provide details on the arrests and paperwork, the motion states. Among other actions to prevent alleged unlawful ICE arrests, the motion seeks to extend the Castanon Nava settlement agreement for three years, demand the release of Abel Orozco, mandate the reporting of all arrests since Trump took office and order ICE officers operating in the Chicago region to be retrained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cummings expressed that the allegations altogether seemed troubling, especially considering that no one knows the magnitude of this problem. The violations that the attorneys uncovered, he said, only came to light because families reached out to the immigrant advocacy organizations. Cummings did not make a ruling, but said he would try to come to a resolution as soon as possible. At a news conference after the hearing, community organizers gathered outside federal court to decry ICEs arrest practices in January. Fleming called the ICE arrests a parallel universe of unlawful policies because the agency has no real method of accountability. The result is hundreds of people being taken from neighborhoods, said Xanat Sobrevilla, of Organized Communities Against Deportations. She said that after the 2018 immigration sweeps, ICE told her organization it would implement changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since January of this year, that commitment has been blatantly broken, she said. We bear witness to families shattered, fathers and mothers taken from their homes. For Eduardo Orozco and his family, the last six months have been overwhelming and heartbreaking. They missed several mortgage payments and the turmoil has caused emotional chaos to all of the family members. Still, he shows up in courtrooms, news conferences and other actions against ICE because he believes his fathers story can spark change. Were not just fighting for him anymore, Eduardo Orozco said. Were fighting for everyone who was taken like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Judge Cummings weighs a decision that could set a precedent for how ICE operates in Chicago communities, immigrant rights advocates and families like the Orozcos wait. Not just for a ruling, but for repair by releasing Abel Orozco. As the elder Orozco remains in detention, Eduardo now juggles fatherhood, his fathers collapsed business and caring for a sick mother, hoping to keep his familys faith that justice will be served and that his father will be released. ____ CHICAGO A Chicago man accused in several burglary and mail theft incidents on the North Side and Loop last year is now facing felony charges after authorities say he was allegedly caught with a letter carriers master key. Jeremy Zaloun, a 50-year-old Chicago resident, has been charged with one felony count of burglary and one felony count of possession of burglary tools, officials from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) announced Tuesday. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges against Zaloun were handed down following a joint operation by the USPIS and the Chicago Police Department. According to investigators, Zaloun was arrested in connection with an unrelated burglary and mail theft incident and while in custody, he was identified as the suspect allegedly involved in a handful of additional incidents in the Loop and on the North Side starting back in 2024. Zaloun was indicted on July 10. Additionally, during his arrest for the unrelated mail theft, officials said he was allegedly found in possession of a genuine postal arrow key, which allows postal workers to unlock mailboxes in a specific zip code. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to defending the nations mail system from criminal activity, protecting United States Postal Service employees, and preserving the integrity of the U.S. Mail, Ruth Mendonca, Inspector in Charge, Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, said. We value our law enforcement partners for supporting our mission. Authorities have not provided a booking photo for Zaloun. Anyone who worries they may have fallen victim to mail theft is urged to contact the Postal Inspection Service online or by phone at 877-876-2455. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) A Chicago man is charged with assaulting a 69-year-old Rockford bus driver. According to the Rockford Police Department, officers met with the victim on Tuesday, July 8th, around 4:32 p.m. at the intersection of Broadway and S. 5th Street. Police said the drivers left eye was swollen shut, and the victim was taken to a local hospital. Investigators reviewed security footage of the incident, which showed John Davis, 21, of Chicago, along with a female acquaintance, sneak onto the bus without paying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When confronted by the bus driver, both refused to pay, and the RMTD driver called for security, police said. At that point, Davis approached the driver and spat on him. When the driver followed Davis off the bus, police said Davis punched the bus driver in the face. The victim received medical attention at UW Health Swedish American and was transported to UW Healths Madison facility to see a specialist about his injuries. Detectives with the Rockford Polices Violent Crime division were able to track Davis to a Rockford Housing Authority project in the 1400 block of Meadow Court. Police said Davis attempted to flee but was captured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, Davis had recently arrived in Rockford and was illegally living with the female acquaintance. As such, he was issued a lifetime ban from RHA properties. Davis was subsequently charged with Aggravated Battery in a Public Place, Aggravated Battery Causing Great Bodily Harm, Aggravated Battery to a Senior Citizen, and Resisting Arrest. He was booked into the Winnebago County Jail pending the outcome of a pretrial detention hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. CHICAGO Chicago police have issued a warning after multiple people were robbed recently while out late in River North. Police say at least four intoxicated people were befriended by the suspect or suspects, who then forcibly robbed and beat the victims. The robberies have all taken place as bars and restaurants in River North are closing, and police say one to three suspects are involved. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, the robberies took place in River North on the following dates, at these locations and approximate times: June 16 : 400 block of North Wabash, 1 a.m. June 22 : 600 block of North Dearborn, 3 a.m. June 28 : 600 block of N. Wabash, midnight. July 6: 400 block of North State, 2 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. The Brief Local rapper Mello Buckzz expressed heartbreak over the mass shooting that killed four people and wounded 14 others outside her album listening party in River North earlier this month. She called the attack senseless, saying the victims were friends, family and supporters who had stood by her, and vowed to honor those lost and support those still healing. Chicago police are still searching for suspects after a dark-colored vehicle fired into the crowd; city officials have since closed the venue pending investigation. CHICAGO - Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz said her "heart aches" for the victims of a mass shooting that left four people dead and 14 others wounded outside her album listening party in River North earlier this month. What we know Mello Buckzz, whose real name is Melanie Doyle, described it as a tragedy that struck her supporters who had stood by her throughout her music journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting happened around 11 p.m. on July 3 near Artis Restaurant & Lounge, 311 W. Chicago Ave., where Mello Buckzz was celebrating the release of "HollyHOOD The Mixtape". Chicago police said a dark-colored vehicle drove past the location and opened fire into a crowd gathered outside before fleeing the scene. No arrests have been made. "These weren't strangers. These were people I love. These were friends, family, creatives, significant others, and people who've been with me through this entire journey. What happened was senseless, and there's no reason a group of innocent people, mostly women, should have ever been targeted in that way," Mello Buckzz wrote in a social media post Monday night. Two men, 23 and 25, and two women, 26 and 27, were killed in the attack. Thirteen of the 18 victims shot were women, many of whom remain hospitalized. Police have not yet determined how many shooters were involved but said shell casings from two calibers were recovered at the scene. Despite being shaken by the violence, Mello Buckzz pledged to continue honoring those who died and supporting those still recovering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This moment is something that changed a number of us incredibly," she wrote. "Please continue to pray for the families and our community as we try to make sense of everything." CPD Supt. Larry Snelling condemned the shooting as "deplorable and cowardly," while Mayor Brandon Johnson called for witnesses to come forward. City officials have since closed Artis Restaurant & Lounge pending investigation, and some local leaders are pushing for the venue to lose its license, citing safety concerns. For now, Mello Buckzz said she remains committed to keeping the memory of those lost alive. "I will continue to honor those we lost, stand by those who are healing, and do everything I can to keep their memory alive," she wrote. Mello Buckzz reacts to mass shooting What they're saying Read her full statement below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Last week, I hosted a listening party in downtown Chicago for a project I've been working on for three years, my first body of work built on real blood, sweat, and tears. What was supposed to be a joyful and peaceful night ended in heartbreak. As the party was wrapping up, a mass shooting occurred, where 4 lives were taken from us, 15 others injured with the majority being women, who came out to show love and support. These weren't strangers. These were people I love. These were friends, family, creatives, significant others, and people who've been with me through this entire journey. What happened was senseless, and there's no reason a group of innocent people, mostly women, should have ever been targeted in that way. And while we can't say for certain what was in someone's mind or what anyone's intentions were, I do know this... I carry a heavy heart knowing so many lives were affected. My heart aches for the lives lost, for those who are healing from physical and emotional wounds, and for the spaces and spirits that may never be the same again. This moment is something that changed a number of us incredibly. I will continue to honor those we lost, stand by those who are healing, and do everything I can to keep their memory alive. Please continue to pray for the families and our community as we try to make sense of everything. With all my heart, -Mello Buckzz" The Source The information in this report came social media posts by Mello Buckzz, previous FOX 32 reporting and the Chicago Police Department. The Brief A bill in Springfield could add major costs to Chicago police and firefighter pension funds. Observers worry the added costs, totaling as much as $7 billion over 30 years, come at the worst time. The City of Chicago is already facing a $1 billion budget deficit and could see more challenges from Trump's Big Beautiful Bill. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Chicago taxpayers might be on the hook for billions more in new costs thanks to a bill that quietly passed in Springfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would sweeten the pot for police and firefighter pensions, but it comes at a cost. Gov. JB Pritzker has yet to sign the bill into law. What's in the bill? What we know If signed, the bill basically offers some pension sweeteners to police and fire employees categorized under Tier 2. About 10 years ago, in response to the pension crisis, the Illinois state lawmakers passed a bill creating these Tier 2 pensions, meaning some of the younger employees would receive slightly reduced benefits than their older peers. Now, a bill sponsored by State Sen. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) aims to raise some of those pension levels for Chicago police and firefighters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson said it will cost taxpayers as much as $7 billion over the next 30 years, $60 million this coming year alone, and then $750 million per year by 2055. Its a cost that could push the city over the fiscal cliff. "This is adding to the city's burden at literally the worst possible time," Ferguson said. "It was introduced formally, with language, the last week of the session in Springfield. There was a quick hearing called on it in which the city CFO Jill Jaworski testified with some initial numbers that they were crunching at the time, and then that was it." Ferguson said the bill amounts to a giveaway to powerful public employee unions that have the ears of certain politicians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those pension funds are around 20% funded right now, which is dangerously low. That means the funds have money to cover only 20% of all those that are eligible to retire right now. Adding to Chicago's financial woes Why you should care All this comes as the City of Chicago is projecting a budget deficit of more than $1 billion next year and some jaw-dropping cuts to programs like Medicaid and the SNAP program from President Trump's so-called Big Beautiful Bill. Add in the fact that Mayor Brandon Johnson has renewed his call for $1 billion more from the state for Chicago Public Schools. The long and short of all of this is that the fiscal tsunami is about to engulf taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Pritzker said the bill is "under review." Neither Martwick nor representatives from the AFL-CIO, which heavily lobbied for the legislation, returned messages seeking comment. "We must not stand idly by in the face of the Islamo-Nazi terror regime of al-Qaeda operatives in suits," Chikli stated. Anyone who thinks Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is a legitimate leader is "gravely mistaken," Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli wrote on X/Twitter on Tuesday. He is "a terrorist, a barbaric murderer who should be eliminated now," Chikli added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We must not stand idly by in the face of the Islamo-Nazi terror regime of al-Qaeda operatives in suits," Chikli stated. Sharaa was formerly aligned with al-Qaeda until splitting from the terror group in July 2016. "We saw the horrific massacre of the Alawites, which European leaders remained silent about, and we now see the acts of slaughter and humiliation against the Druze," he commented as context for his statement. "The terror regime in Syria must be fought!" he concluded. Ahmed Al-Sharaa standing atop Mount Qasioun, overlooking the fall of Damascus, December 9, 2024. (credit: Wikimedia Commons/Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic) Chikli also posted a video showing footage from Israel's Channel 14, in which Sharaa, while still going by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Julani, was speaking to HTS militants in an undated video, and stated: "With Allah's help, we will not only reach Damascus, Jerusalem awaits us too." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No agreement should be made with an enemy," Chikli commented in response, stating that people refuse to learn from past mistakes, and must listen to the enemy, take them seriously, and learn about the basic concepts of political Islam. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also denounced Sharaa as having carried out a "brutal massacre." "They remain violent, cruel extremist Islamists, and the West must not be deceived by their suits and ties," Smotrich added. "Israel cannot afford to retreat under any circumstances from the buffer zone and Mount Hermon's peak. Clashes between Syrian gov't., Druze in Sweida This followed a clash in which at least 18 members of Syria's security forces were killed in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, the Defence Ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clash came after they deployed to quell deadly sectarian violence that had resumed on Monday, while Israel said it struck tanks in a town in the same province on the same day. Reuters contributed to this report. NEW YORK, July 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Indonesia will pay a 19 percent tariff on all goods exported to the United States, while U.S. exports to Indonesia are to be free of tariff- and non-tariff barriers. Trump said on Truth Social that he "finalized an important Deal with the Republic of Indonesia after speaking with their Highly Respected President Prabowo Subianto. This landmark Deal opens up Indonesia's ENTIRE MARKET to the United States for the first time in History." As part of the agreement, Indonesia has committed to purchasing 15 billion U.S. dollars in energy and 4.5 billion dollars in agricultural products from the U.S. market, besides 50 Boeing jets, he added. "For the first time ever, our Ranchers, Farmers, and Fishermen will have Complete and Total Access to the Indonesian Market of over 280 million people," he wrote. Before leaving for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, Trump told reporters at the White House that "as you know, Indonesia is very strong on copper, but we have full access to everything." He also said Indonesia is rich in rare earths and various other materials. Trump revealed that a couple more deals are going to be announced. "India basically is working along that same line. We're going to have access into India," he said. CONNEAUT A long tradition of art education continues this week at the Conneaut Arts Center Art Camp. Doors to new worlds of creativity and fun have been opened by the camp for decades. Many former students are now assisting younger ones as they learn to dance, play instruments, draw and many other creative skills. Jordan Jones is in her inaugural year of directing the camp. She has been an instructor at the camp for seven years and loves having former students stop her and ask if she remembers them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is two weeks of bliss, Jones said of her work with the young students. Jones said she loves to see the children grow during the week and through the years. The participating students have to be entering kindergarten to sixth grade. In addition to more traditional art disciplines, Jordan said the camp teaches yoga, fitness and kicks in a few games to keep the experience fun for the children. She said there are 13 mentors junior high and high school students assisting the operation. Conneaut Arts Center Executive Director David Jones said the camp is a great way to open doors. You are never to young for art and you are never too old for art, he said. It is something that stays with you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan Jones said there were two sessions of the camp this year with about 30 students attending last week and 56 this week. Chloe Thompson, of Conneaut, assisted students in art creations and said she was enjoying herself working with the children. This is my first time, she said. I like it a lot. Theater and music classes take on the centers stage. Jennifer and Pam Simpson worked with students explaining the finer points of the guitar. Dr. Emily Chapman has been named as the new president and CEO of Childrens Minnesota. Chapman will oversee one of the largest pediatric health systems in the country It includes more than 60 pediatric specialties offered through its two hospitals in St. Paul and Minneapolis as well as specialty centers and clinics throughout the Twin Cities. Her appointment follows the retirement of Dr. Marc Gorelick earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chapman has served as senior vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer with Childrens Minnesota since 2017. Chapman is the first female president and CEO in the organizations 100-year history. Chapman attended Dartmouth Medical School and the University of Minnesota. After residency, she practiced general pediatrics as an owner and president of the Wayzata Childrens Clinic and then pediatric inpatient care leading Childrens Minnesotas hospital medicine program through its development and expansion. Related Articles Counter-terror police have warned the activity of hostile states on British soil is posing a growing threat and urged families to watch for signs their children are being manipulated. Teenagers, along with petty criminals and disillusioned people, may be more vulnerable to recruitment by Russia, Iran and China, they warned. Hostile states are increasingly using proxies to carry out acts of sabotage and targeted violence in the UK, counter-terror police said, adding that investigating such activity now accounts for about 20% of their workload. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents and teachers should "be inquisitive" and "seek help" if they think a child is at risk, police advised. Since the Salisbury poisonings in 2018 which targeted Russian double agent Sergei Skripal there has been a five-fold increase in police work to tackle hostile activity, commanders said. "The breadth, complexity and volume of these operations has continued to grow at a rate that I'm not sure that us, or our partners internationally, or any intelligence community predicted," Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police's Counter-Terrorism Command, told reporters. "We are increasingly seeing these three states, but not just these three states, undertaking threat to life operations in the United Kingdom." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The youngest person arrested or investigated on suspicion of involvement is aged in their "mid-teens", he added. Vicki Evans, Counter Terrorism Policing's senior national co-ordinator, expressed concern other children may be encouraged online to carry out activities to earn money, without realising the implications of their actions. "We really encourage people, parents, teachers, professionals just to be inquisitive," she said. "If they're concerned, ask those questions, and if they think there's something they need to be concerned about, seek help and act, because we want to make sure that we're protecting people from inadvertently being drawn into this sort of activity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Metropolitan Police is now putting additional resources into tackling hostile state activity, with training for officers in "foreign interference" and hundreds taking part in recent exercises in how to respond. "We're working with local force chiefs up and down the country to raise awareness and ensure that there really is an increased understanding about this threat," Ms Evans said. Earlier this month, two low-level criminals were among five people convicted of involvement in an arson attack on a warehouse storing communications equipment for Ukraine. Police said the attack had been ordered by Russia's Wagner group, and that one of the ringleaders, 21-year-old Dylan Earl, had been plotting to kidnap its owner, a Russian dissident. Small-time drug dealer Dylan Earl, left, and Jake Reeves were among the group that carried out the arson attack [Metropolitan Police] The Met said it was also dealing with a "high volume" of threats from Iran, focused on those considered to be opponents of the Islamic Republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We know that they are continuing to try and sow violence on the streets of the United Kingdom, they too are to some extent relying on criminal proxies to do that," Mr Murphy said. The use of criminal proxies offers "arms-length deniability," according to Ms Evans, who blames the rising threat on the "continued erosion of the rule-based international order". The warnings came in the first specific briefing for journalists from counter-terrorism police on the threat of hostile state activity. "Foreign regimes are more willing than ever to undertake aggressive actions overseas," Ms Evans said. Advertisement Advertisement Recognising misogyny, the harms caused by so-called "deepfakes" and unhealthy attitudes towards consent will be taught in sex education classes under new government guidance for schools. Pupils will be taught "how to identify and learn from positive male role models", according to parts of the final draft of the relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) guidance seen exclusively by the BBC. Schools in England should also "proactively" engage with parents to ensure they are aware of what is being taught, the guidance will say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But plans to impose age limits on certain subject areas, proposed by the previous Conservative government just before last year's election, will not go ahead. That earlier draft guidance had suggested sex education should not be taught before Year 5, while topics like sexual harassment and pornography should not be taught before Year 7. Instead, the government will outline areas that should be introduced in primary school and what students should know by the end of secondary school. This final draft is due to be published later on Tuesday. The Department for Education (DfE) says this approach will ensure that children are not taught content they are too young to understand - without assigning specific ages to individual topics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents will have the right to view all of their school's RSHE curriculum materials, a move welcomed by the charity Parentkind. Frank Young, from the charity, says it's important that teachers consult with parents first to understand what is age-appropriate for their child "so that we put parents in the driving seat". The new guidance, which schools will begin implementing this autumn, will come into full legal force from September 2026. It will require primary schools to teach respectful relationships, boundaries and the risks of sharing information and images online. It is also expected to recommend that conception, birth and puberty is taught in Year 5 or Year 6 - but this will not be compulsory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the new guidance, primary school teachers may also choose to discuss the sharing of naked images or online sexual content if it is affecting their pupils, or if they know that students have seen pornography. By the end of secondary school, students should be taught how to keep themselves and others safe, including how to avoid sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies. Additions in the secondary school curriculum are expected to include lessons on: The sexual norms endorsed by so-called "involuntary celibates" (incels) or online influencers AI-generated sexual imagery and deepfakes How pornography links to misogyny Sexual ethics beyond consent and the awareness of power dynamics The RSHE guidance will say schools should take action to build a culture where sexism and prejudice is identified and tackled [Hope Rhodes / BBC] The guidance will advise secondary schools to work closely with mental health professionals on how to discuss suicide prevention in an age-appropriate way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen - the fathers behind the Three Dads Walking campaign - who each lost a daughter to suicide, have welcomed this inclusion, saying it will "save lives". Margaret Mulholland, a special educational needs and inclusion specialist at The Association of School and College Leaders told BBC Breakfast campaigns like theirs have been "incredibly helpful" in shaping updated guidance "informed not just by academic evidence but also by the data and life experiences of families". She welcomed the "overdue" changes, saying that the statutory guidance "is now five years old" and "lagging behind life experiences of young people". RSHE became compulsory in schools in England in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All pupils must take part in relationships education. This does not involve explaining the details of different sexual acts, but can include sensitive topics such as sexual violence, in order to keep children safe. Parents have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from some or all of sex education, but students can choose to opt back in from three terms before they turn 16. The government is expected to release separate guidance soon on how schools should support children who are gender-questioning. Announcing the RSHE guidance, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the behaviour and attitudes of boys and young men "is one of the challenges facing us today". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools and parents have a vital role to play in "helping children identify positive role models and resist the manipulation too often used online to groom impressionable young minds," she added. Students at Benton Park School say school assemblies and workshops on tackling and reporting sexual harassment have encouraged pupils to speak up [Hope Rhodes / BBC] At Benton Park School in Leeds, head teacher Nik Skilton says teachers have to be "really careful" when discussing inappropriate online content with students, to avoid introducing ideas they may not yet have encountered. "But, on the flip side, we've also got to make sure that we are supporting young people to protect themselves," he said. Mr Skilton added that schools need some flexibility in how they approach these topics, as each school faces different issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RSHE guidance will encourage schools to build a more positive culture, making both staff and pupils aware of the dangers of stereotypes and prejudice. Since adopting a whole-school approach to these issues, Benton Park has seen a decrease in the number of students experiencing sexual harassment. Nuraniya, one of the student ambassadors at the school, believes social media is fuelling sexism and sexual harassment because "they appear so much on everyone's pages, on their phones, that they think it's normalised". She says it has become much easier to "call it out" because of the skills the school has taught her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Classmate Karman agrees, saying she now feels like she has a voice to say: "This is not okay". China vowed to deepen its alliance with Russia after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose "severe" tariffs on Moscow's trading partners unless a Ukraine peace deal is reached within 50 days, the Telegraph reported on July 15. Following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing on July 15, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that mutual trust between the two countries had "deepened" and called on both sides to "strengthen mutual support on multilateral forums." Xi hailed the partnership as "a model for a new type of international relations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news comes just a day after Trump warned of imposing 100% tariffs on Russia if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a peace deal in Ukraine within 50 days. During a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on July 14, Trump voiced his frustration, saying, "I speak to Putin a lot about getting this done, and then missiles are launched into Kyiv or some other city." In recent weeks, Russia has ramped up missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, causing civilian casualties and damaging infrastructure. Responding to Trump's threat, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on July 15 the U.S. warning was "quite serious," but added that Moscow needs time to evaluate the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite China's repeated claims of neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war, its support for Russia's economy and defense industry has established Beijing as one of Moscow's most crucial partners. According to Ukraine's sanctions commissioner, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, China has become the leading supplier of dual-use components used in Russian weapons production, enabling Moscow to bypass Western sanctions. Ukrainian officials have reported finding Chinese-made parts in downed Shahed-type drones used in Russian attacks, including during a July 4 assault on Kyiv. "China's role is increasing," Vlasiuk said on July 7, adding that Beijing is capable of replicating some American technologies and has escalated exports of key materials to Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed sanctions on five Chinese companies linked to supplying drone components, citing national security concerns. Earlier this month, the South China Morning Post reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told EU official Kaja Kallas that Beijing "cannot afford for Russia to lose the war," fearing that a Russian defeat would shift U.S. focus to China. Wang has dismissed accusations of aiding Russia militarily, framing China's support as "non-lethal." In April, Zelensky claimed that Chinese nationals were found fighting alongside Russian forces in Donetsk and accused Beijing, alongside Iran and North Korea, of arming Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid growing alignment between Beijing and Moscow, Xi and Putin are expected to meet in September at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China. In June, Bloomberg reported that Trump was scaling back pressure on China over its support for Russia's war effort, shifting his administration's focus toward other facets of the U.S.-China relationship. Read also: Patriot missiles what they are and why everyone wants them Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. China has vowed to deepen its support for Russia after Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Moscows trading partners. Xi Jinping, Chinas president, said that Beijing and Moscow should strengthen mutual support on multilateral forums after meeting Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing. He added that trust between China and Russia had deepened, and the two states were setting a model for a new type of international relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, a frustrated Mr Trump threatened to hit Russias main trading partners, including China, with 100 per cent tariffs if Putin does not sign a peace deal in 50 days. He also announced plans to sell billions of dollars of weapons to Ukraine via members of the Nato alliance, including the UK, France and Germany. Mr Trumps threat raises the stakes by essentially putting Chinas economic future on the line, potentially forcing Beijing to choose between domestic growth or sticking alongside its strategic partner, Russia. China responded to Mr Trumps threat by saying it firmly opposed all illegal unilateral sanctions by the US. The US and China have already been engaged in a tit-for-tat trade war since Mr Trump took office for his second term in January, with both sides hiking tariffs to more than 100 per cent at one point before finally dialling down tensions to reach some temporary consensus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beijing, a diplomatic and economic ally of Moscow, claims to be neutral in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. But according to leaked reports of a meeting with EU officials, Chinas foreign minister said in unguarded comments last month that it cannot afford for Russia to lose the war because it fears Washington would then shift its focus to Beijing. Russia didnt care Mr Trumps tariff threats were dismissed by a senior Russian official on Tuesday as a theatrical ultimatum, though Putin is yet to formally respond. Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin, Dmitry Medvedev, who was once the countrys president, posted on X. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didnt care. Donald Trumps tariff threats were dismissed by a senior Russian official as a theatrical ultimatum - Nathan Howard/Reuters On Tuesday, Mr Trump said he was disappointed but not done with Putin in an interview with the BBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The high tension trade spat comes as Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, arrived in Beijing for an official visit, seeking to smooth over bilateral relations, which hit a record low over the past decade. The poor relations also prompted Beijing to engage in hostage diplomacy, arbitrarily imprisoning Australian journalist Cheng Lei as a way to pressure Canberra. Australia is now seeking a way forward with China to keep open dialogue and look for areas of cooperation, said Mr Albanese on his visit to China. We have strategic competition in the region but we continue to engage in order to support peace and security in the region and stability in the region, Mr Albanese said. A free trade agreement between Australia and China is scheduled to be reviewed, which could set the tone for relations between the two nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinas Xi said of the meeting with Mr Albanese that it was important to create a favourable business environment for both sides, and to safeguard multilateralism and free trade given fast-moving international dynamics. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has promised to strengthen support for Russia in response to US President Donald Trump's threat to impose secondary sanctions on Moscow's trading partners. Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency RIA Novosti, as reported by The Moscow Times, an independent Amsterdam-based news outlet Details: At a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing, Xi noted that the foreign ministries of both countries should "effectively implement the important agreements" reached with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and "strengthen mutual support and cooperation on multilateral platforms, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also emphasised the need to protect both nations' security and development interests. Background: Oil prices fell on 15 July after Trump issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russia to agree to a peace deal in Ukraine to avoid sanctions, easing fears of immediate supply disruptions. "The focus has been on Donald Trump. There was some fear he might target Russia with sanctions immediately and now he has given another 50 days," said UBS commodities analyst Giovanni Staunovo. "Those fears about an imminent additional tightness in the market have dissipated. That's the main story." Analysts at ING said in a note that if potential sanctions are imposed, they would "drastically change the outlook for the oil market". "China, India and Turkey are the largest buyers of Russian crude oil. They would need to weigh the benefits of buying discounted Russian crude oil against the cost of their exports to the US," ING analysts said. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russia's top diplomat on Tuesday that their countries should "strengthen mutual support", state media said, as foreign ministers gathered in Beijing for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation talks. Beijing has long sought to present the SCO as a counterweight to Western-led power blocs such as NATO and has pushed for greater collaboration between its 10 members. Top diplomats from the grouping have arrived in Beijing for a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, including Russia's Sergei Lavrov, India's Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Iran's Abbas Araghchi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meeting Lavrov in the Chinese capital, Xi said the two countries should "strengthen mutual support on multilateral forums", according to state news agency Xinhua. Beijing and Moscow should work to "unite countries of the global South and promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction", Xi said, according to Xinhua. Russia's foreign ministry said in an earlier statement that "a number of issues of bilateral political contacts at the highest and high levels were discussed". They included preparations for President Vladimir Putin's visit to China to join a SCO summit and World War II anniversary celebrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's TASS news agency reported that Xi met Lavrov after the Chinese president held a "general meeting" with SCO foreign ministers. - Trump's tariff threat - The meeting and pledges of support came just hours after US President Donald Trump warned Russia that he will impose "very severe" tariffs against Moscow's remaining trade partners if it doesn't resolve its war in Ukraine within 50 days. China, a diplomatic and economic ally of Moscow, in response said "coercion" by the United States would not resolve the conflict. "China firmly opposes all illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. There are no winners in a tariff war, and coercion and pressure will not solve problems," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lavrov met Sunday with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to discuss Ukraine and relations with the United States. The Russian foreign minister arrived in China following a visit to North Korea, where he received assurances of support in its conflict with Ukraine. Beijing claims to be neutral in the war but it has never denounced Russia's more than three-year military campaign, nor called for it to withdraw its troops. Many of Ukraine's allies believe that Beijing has provided support to Moscow. China regularly calls for an end to the fighting, while also accusing Western countries of prolonging the conflict by arming Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xi noted Tuesday that "political mutual trust among member states has deepened", according to state broadcaster CCTV. The SCO "has successfully explored a path of regional cooperation that aligns with the trends of the times and meets the needs of all parties, setting a model for a new type of international relations," Xi said. bur-pfc-oho/rsc U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested two Chinese illegals accused of conning elderly Americans out of tens of thousands of dollars, authorities said Tuesday. "It takes a real dirtbag to prey on our most vulnerable community members by attempting to swindle them out of their hard-earned savings," ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Deputy Field Office Director Joseph Freden said in a statement. "We remain committed to the arrest and removal of aliens who undermine the safety of our communities and the integrity of our laws." The suspects, charged with separate crimes, have been identified as Jian Chen and Rihui Yan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinese Illegal Immigrant Crossings That Surged During Biden Admin A 'National Security Concern,' Expert Warns Chen allegedly conned a 63-year-old woman out of $42,000 and arranged to obtain nearly $100,000 more in Potsdam, New York. He found agents from Homeland Security Investigations and ICE Enforcement Removal Operations instead of the victim when he went to meet, authorities said. Yan, whom ICE dubbed a "scam artist and illegal alien," allegedly tried to swindle an elderly Wyoming County couple for $20,000 -- their life savings. Read On The Fox News App High-risk Ice Flight Deports Over 100 Illegal Aliens, Including Convicted Felons, To China Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both are being held without bond pending removal. "This HSI Massena investigation underscores HSIs commitment to disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal organizations and groups intent on exploiting our vulnerable communities," said HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan. "We will never stand idly by while bad actors in this case, illegally present Chinese nationals target innocent New Yorkers for their own selfish gain," A third Chinese suspect, Hui Chen, was arrested on similar charges in October 2024 and is in custody pending deportation, authorities said. A law enforcement officer walks past ICE logo ahead of a press conference on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in Washington, D.C. Click To Get The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Border officials told Fox News last year that the fastest growing group of illegal migrants crossing the southern border was coming from China. Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has led a massive removal campaign targeting criminal aliens across the country. Original article source: Chinese illegals accused of plotting to scam elderly Americans out of life savings Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump at a ceremony in Beijing, China, on Nov. 9, 2017. Credit - Kyodo News StillsGetty Images President Donald Trumps attacks on higher education have hurt colleges across the country, but they may also weaken the U.S. ability to compete with its geopolitical rival China, some lawmakers say. The Trump Administrations protectionist actions, from issuing sweeping global tariffs to the shuttering of USAID, are ceding global leadership to China, Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said in a report released on Monday. Commissioned by ranking member of the committee Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the report comes after House Republicans proposed an appropriations bill that includes further cuts to foreign aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report was also published amid the backdrop of China stepping up its diplomatic efforts, opening itself up to more tourists, and advancing the global reputation of its universities. China has long sought to court the worlds top talent by increasing government investment into higher education, boosting funding for science and technological research, and recruiting faculty from overseas. Chinese universities have risen steadily in global rankings, with 15 schools in mainland China and Hong Kong listed among the top 100 universities on the 2025-2026 Best Global Universities Rankings, compiled by U.S. News and World Report. Tsinghua University in Beijing ranked the highest of the Chinese universities on the USNWR list, moving up two spots from last year to place at 11th (tied with Imperial College London). Peking University and Zhejiang University also rose in the rankings to 25th, up from 31st, and 45th, up from 51st, respectively. Thats a sharp jump from seven years ago, when just two Chinese universities were in the top 100: Tsinghua University at 50th and Peking University at 68th. While U.S. universities still dominate the top ten, the ranking suggests that Chinese universities are becoming more attractive to global talent at a time when the Trump Administrations targeting of U.S. colleges threatens to hurt American competitiveness. As America retreats from global leadership under the Trump Administration, China is well-positioned and eager to exploit this moment of American disengagement, said Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The report also warned that Trumps crackdowns on higher education have laid the groundwork for a brain drain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a time when China is articulating its vision for a future that leaves America behind, the Administrations abdication of global leadership is dangerous and will impose real costs on the American people, Sen. Shaheen said. Trumps pressure campaign on U.S. universities has ranged from slashing billions of dollars in research funding to restricting international students. Trump has especially targeted elite schools in the U.S., such as Harvard University, which still occupies USNWRs number one spot. Asian universities are already trying to make the most of the possible brain drain from the U.S., with several courting Harvard transfers. Read More: How Trumps Crackdown on International Students Could Escalate Trade Tensions With China This years rankings dont yet reflect the direct effects of Trumps policies, but experts have said that Trumps campaign is likely to accelerate the growing global popularity of Asian, especially Chinese, universities, while discouraging international students from going to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a slow, long-term strengthening of the position of the global power of universities in China, says Simon Marginson, a professor of higher education at Oxford University. And the turmoil in U.S. higher education will hasten that trend. The present Administration has created a space for international rivals to fill. Chinese enrollment at U.S. universities has declined over the years Chinese students and researchers had already started to turn away from the U.S. before Trump returned to the White House for a second term. Chinese students were the largest proportion of international students in the U.S. in the 2019-20 academic year, with more than 370,000 of them. That number had shrunk more than 25% by the 2023-2024 academic year, with India overtaking China for the number of nationals studying in the U.S. Nearly 20,000 ethnic Chinese scientists left the U.S. for other countries, including China, between 2010 and 2021, according to a study by researchers at Princeton, Harvard, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. That trend accelerated in 2018 during Trumps first term, when his Administration introduced the China Initiative, which investigated scientists affiliated with China on the basis of national security concerns and resulted in charges against more than two dozen academics. Critics accused the program of racial profiling and fearmongering, and said it created a chilling effect within the scientific community that curtailed research and innovation. A 2021 MIT analysis found that a majority of the cases the Department of Justice opened against Chinese and Asian American researchers were not related to economic espionage or intellectual property theft. (The Biden Administration ended the China Initiative in February 2022.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump Administration also targeted Chinese students through a restrictive visa policy beginning in 2020. Proclamation 10043 prohibited the entry or issuance of visas to Chinese students enrolled in U.S. graduate programs with ties to Chinese military-civil universities, resulting in the cancellations of more than 1,000 student visas. A 2021 letter signed by over 40 associations, including the Association of American Universities and the American Council of Education, expressed concern about reports of this proclamation being applied very broadly. Biden resumed regular visa services in China in May 2021, but left the proclamation in place, with reports of Chinese students being denied visas on that basis occurring up to at least 2023. Several U.S. universities have also ended their academic partnerships with Chinese universities in the past year. The University of California, Berkeley, cut ties with the Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute in February after the Trump Administration opened an investigation into undisclosed funding from the Chinese government. The University of Michigan abruptly ended a two-decade partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University in January on the basis of national security concerns. In September, the Georgia Institute of Technology ended its partnership with the Georgia Tech Shenzhen Institute for the same reason. In the meantime, thousands of Chinese researchers have returned to China, according to the aforementioned study, and higher education experts predict that Chinese applicants to the U.S. may begin looking elsewhere, including within China itself. Chinese universities ability to attract homegrown talent has been a key strength, Senthil Nathan, managing director and co-founder of higher education consultancy Edu Alliance, told United Arab Emirates state-owned outlet the National last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These Chinese universities are selecting the best Chinese students. Thats a huge difference. They are not following the western blueprint, Nathan said. They are not attracting the best and the brightest from the world, but from within their country because they have enough resources. Read More: What to Know About New Social Media Screening Rules for Student Visas A hostile environment for some international students in the U.S. The Trump Administration in recent months has clamped down on international students in the U.S. In May, Trump introduced heightened screenings for student visa applicants, including requiring applicants to have public social media profiles, while the Administration that month said it would begin aggressively revoking Chinese student visas. Earlier this year, Trump also began targeting foreign-born students for deportation and threatened to bar international students from enrolling at Harvardmoves widely seen as attempts to compel U.S. universities to comply with his demands on academic curricula and campus activism. Trump has also threatened Harvard with budget cuts and federal contract cancellations as part of that pressure campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a long time, the U.S. has been considered a top destination by international students, and at the same time, U.S. higher education has benefited much from international students especially regarding financial stability and research, Lili Yang, an associate professor specializing in higher education at the University of Hong Kong, told TIME in May. The U.S. has cultivated a reputation as a place for free expression. But Trumps policies have damaged that reputation, she said. Without brilliant international students, U.S. research and technology may gradually face a shortage of human resources and lose its globally leading position. While China has been trying to boost its soft power, in no small part through academic exchange, Trumps higher education policies demonstrate that the Administration no longer relates to the world in terms of soft power in education and science, Marginson told TIME in May. Madi Biedermann, a spokesperson for the Department of Education, told USA Today that the Administration's actions will help faculty and graduate students to focus their attention on advancing science by targeting antisemitism on campus. Quelling pro-Palestinian speech has been positioned as a driving force behind Trumps pressure campaign. However, many of the students whose visas were initially revoked (before Trump reversed course) did not participate in any pro-Palestinian activism and some of Trumps demands are broadly related to diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) related programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American universities that are committed to their academic mission, protect students on campus, and follow all federal laws will have no problem accessing generous taxpayer support for their programs, Biedermann added. China is investing in research as Trump slashes funding The growth of Chinese universities global reputation has been in large part due to significant government investment into higher education, especially scientific research and development. China has steadily increased its spending in that sector over the last five years, and it has seen dividends in its output. Between 2018 and 2020, China published nearly a quarter of the worlds scientific papers, surpassing the U.S., and it has since worked to maintain this pace. Duncan Ross, the chief data officer at Times Higher Education which also compiles an annual global rankings list, told the National last year that the Chinese government has targeted investment at the national, regional, and city levels. Its not that U.S. universities have got worse in any way. They are improving, he said, but universities in Asia are just improving more quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, Trump has ordered billions of dollars in federal research grants to be cut, which would gut research on cancer, HIV, sickle cell disease, and more. An analysis published on July 9 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science found that Trumps cuts put a third of basic scientific research programs at risk, while the National Institutes of Health could have its budget cut by 40%. Even if international students were willing to take the risks of studying in the U.S. under a tremulous immigration policy, experts say a decline in research could knock U.S. universities off their global perch. It could even push American talent to look overseas. A March poll by British scientific journal Nature found that 75% of U.S. scientists are considering leaving the country. China is already trying to seize the moment and recruit some of the brightest talent, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington) said at a congressional hearing in April. Bright young people, who want to do medical research here, are suddenly worried. Why start that PhD if their funding is going to get yanked away? Why study new vaccines if RFK Jr. [Secretary of Health and Human Services] is going to meddle in their work? Why come to the U.S. for promising research if Trump might just try to deport them for jaywalking? Phil Baty, the chief global affairs officer at Times Higher Education, told the National last year that the steady rise of Chinese universities in global rankings suggest tectonic shifts in higher education from the West to the East, with real excellence demonstrated in East Asia and South-East Asia in particular, and well beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. needs to remind others, and itself, that its constantly competing for its position in the global talent marketplace. We cant be complacent if we want to maintain our dominance in innovation and tech even as other nations fight to take the lead, Lex Zhao, a managing partner at immigrant-founded venture capital firm One Way Ventures, told TIME in May. Trumps policies, he adds, are driving foreign talent away from our institutions and into the arms of more welcoming nationseven those hostile to uswhen we should be doing the exact opposite. Contact us at letters@time.com. Soldiers marching via Shutterstock Defense stocks have been on a significant rally this year, especially those in Europe. This is because investors expect a massive increase in defense spending over the coming years. President Donald Trump aggressively courted NATO allies to boost their defense budgets to 2% of GDP in his first term. Now, hes doing the same, but this time wit the target of 5% of GDP. More News from Barchart All NATO countries except Spain have agreed to raise their defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. BTIG believes that this could double the export opportunity for U.S. contractors. Two-thirds of European military equipment imports are already American. U.S. defense stocks could soon follow in the footsteps of European ones and surge. Defense Stock #1: Lockheed Martin (LMT) www.barchart.com Lockheed Martin (LMT) was dealt a significant blow earlier this year when it lost the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) contract to Boeing (BA), but that doesnt mean its out of the fight. Lockheed is a dominant name in defense contracting, supplying everything from fighter jets to supporting the Patriot missile system. It has a backlog of $173 billion. Fresh demand from European countries could send demand soaring even more. Lockheed Martins F-35s should be one of the first products to benefit as NATO members look to upgrade their air forces. For instance, Denmark is apparently considering purchasing more F-35s than it initially planned. Revenue increased 4% in Q1, and earnings per share of $7.38 beat estimates of $6.35 by a nearly 15% margin. Based on the ratings of 23 analysts, the mean price target here is $524.41, implying around 10.5% upside potential. If European allies make good on their commitments, it is likely that LMT will see a significant bump in growth. Price target hikes should follow suit. Defense Stock #2: Northrop Grumman (NOC) www.barchart.com Outside of the U.S., Europe accounts for more than half of Northrop Grummans (NOC) international revenue, and that total could soar significantly as NATO countries pledge to ramp up defense spending. Overall, the company did report a nearly 7% decline in revenue in the first quarter. Earnings per share of $3.32 were down 47% from the year-ago period. Northrop Grumman attributed these results to the planned wind down of some of its space systems projects, and higher manufacturing costs associated with ramping production. Chip Gaines had a few select words after Samaritan's Purse founder Franklin Graham publicly criticized his and wife Joanna's new HBO Max show for casting a same-sex couple with twins among the three families who are featured. Graham, who is the son of evangelist Billy Graham, wrote Saturday on X that he found it "very disappointing" to hear that Jason Hanna, Joe Riggs and their boys, Ethan and Lucas, were included on "Back to the Frontier," produced by Magnolia Network. Chip and Joanna Gaines created Magnolia and are executive producers on the show. Read more: Chip and Joanna Gaines announce departure from HGTV's 'Fixer Upper' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope this isnt true, but I read today that Chip and Joanna Gaines are featuring a gay couple in their new series. If It is true, it is very disappointing," Graham wrote. "While we are to love people, we should love them enough to tell them the truth of Gods Word. His Word is absolute truth. God loves us, and His design for marriage is between one man and one woman. Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin. The American Family Assn. which bills itself as a "pro-family organization" and was formerly known as the National Federation for Decency chimed in first, posting a statement from Vice President Ed Vitagliano saying, "This is sad and disappointing, because Chip and Joanna Gaines have been very influential in the evangelical community. Moreover, in the past, they have stood firm on the sanctity of marriage regardless of the personal cost that has entailed. We arent sure why the Gaines have reversed course, but we are sure of this: Back to the Frontier promotes an unbiblical view of human sexuality, marriage, and family a view no Christian should embrace. Chip Gaines, who with his wife belongs to the evangelical Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas, fired off what seemed to be a reply on Sunday. "Talk, ask qustns, listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never," he wrote on X. "Its a sad sunday when 'non believers' have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 'Fixer Upper's' Chip and Joanna Gaines expecting their fifth child Matt Walsh, a conservative filmmaker, political commentator and podcast host at the Daily Wire, fired back at Chip Gaines with a response that said, "Maybe you should endeavor to understand the basic moral teachings of your own alleged religion before you give lectures to other people about their lack of understanding." Two hours after his "sad sunday" post, Gaines wrote that his family was off to worship, reposting a 2016 tweet in which he said, "In times of trouble.. you'll find the gaines family at church." Meanwhile, on her Instagram on Tuesday, Joanna Gaines was promoting all the Magnolia Network shows nominated for Daytime Emmys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separate from the online back-and-forth, Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs have been posting about their family on their @2_dallas_dads Instagram account since the arrival of the twins in May 2014. Read more: Israel will open surrogacy to same-sex couples as of next week When our boys were born our twin boys were born via surrogacy in 2014 we faced some legal challenges, and so weve always felt it it to be important that we try to be an example for same-sex couples," Hanna told Queerty in a story published last week. "And so were super honored that, when they were choosing three modern day families, they did choose the same[-sex] couple as a modern-day family because we are; were your neighbors, and your coworkers. And so it was this amazing opportunity to [continue to] normalize same-sex couples and same-sex families." "Back to the Frontier" throws three families from Alabama, Florida and Texas into an eight-week scenario that recalls the 1880s. Living on the "frontier," the families have to reinforce their own shelters, raise livestock, collect food and manage their supplies. The goal by the end of the show is to gather enough resources to make it through winter. But don't worry the families are all back in modern air-conditioning right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Through this immersive experience, the families will have to reflect on their relationships and navigate the challenges that come with an 1880s lifestyle," HBO Max said in a release. The show premiered Thursday. HBO Max did not reply immediately to The Times' request for additional comment Tuesday. Read more: Meet the first couples to wed as Thailand legalizes same-sex marriage Chip and Joanna Gaines were caught up in a different conflict over LGBTQ+ issues in May 2023 after Target, which carries the couple's Magnolia Home line among its household items, came under fire for carrying transgender-targeted items as part of its seasonal Pride Month selections. Some critics also hammered Target's recognition of Pride Month at all. A boycott was urged among right-wing conservatives. They also called for a comment from the couple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No one doubts that Chip and Joanna are good people, kind, moral, and aligned with American values," Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy said at the time when she was subbing as host of "Jesse Watters Primetime." "But if I had a line at a company and my name was on it and that brand partnered with a trans Satanist that makes tuck 'em bikinis for kids, I would feel compelled to speak up. "Now, maybe they're raising questions internally. Of course, that's possible, but why aren't they doing so publicly?" Read more: Photo Essay: A transgender high school athlete navigates a fight she never asked for The person whom Campos-Duffy wife of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called a "trans Satanist" is London designer Erik Carnell, who is trans and whose Abprallen line had partnered with Target until the retailer ended the relationship under pressure from the boycott. Carnell's full line included a design that said "Satan respects pronouns." That design was never available at Target, according to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservative activist Benny Johnson also posted a video of himself in a Target store at the time, touring the Pride Month section, then walking what he said was "10 steps" to the Magnolia Home display. He referred to Joanna Gaines and her family sarcastically as "the paragons of Christian entrepreneurs and family values." "I've been tweeting about how Christian influencers Chip & Joanna Gaines have not disavowed Target's Satanic child grooming despite the backlash," he said. "What I didn't know is the Gaines Section of Target is directly ACROSS from the Groomer section. Not cool." Chip and Joanna Gaines did not speak out during that controversy. Sign up for Screen Gab, a free newsletter about the TV and movies everyones talking about from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WARREN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Chryssanthi Partis, 92, of Warren, entered eternal sleep in the arms of her Lord Jesus Christ while surrounded by her children on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Chryssanthi was born in 1932 to Yiannis and Erasmia Karataga in the town of Ayia Anna on the island of Evia in Greece. One of six children, her childhood was shaped by the years of the Great Depression, the Nazi occupation of Greece in World War II and the Greek civil war which followed. Find obituaries from your high school Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chryssanthi was blessed to grow up in a warm and loving family, which shaped how she raised her own family years later. Following WWII, her family moved to the beautiful city of Thessaloniki in northern Greece which she adopted as her hometown. It was there where she met the love of her life, Harry, who was serving as an MP in the Greek Army and who she married in 1954. Following the birth of their first son, Chris, Harry and Chryssanthi made the momentous decision to leave their homeland and families behind and journey to the United States in 1956 to seek a better life for their growing family. Daughters Ellen and Era and son John subsequently joined the family as they settled in Warren, Ohio. Chryssanthi was a wonderful wife and mother who devoted her life to her family. Following a very serious injury to Harry in 1964 which left him confined to a wheelchair or the remainder of his life, Chryssanthi provided her husband with 24/7 care as well as nurturing her growing children and supporting their educational and life journeys. Chryssanthi was loved and probably best-known by her Greek title, Kyria Parti, as she served as teacher of the Greek School at Saint Demetrios Church for nearly 40 years. She loved the hundreds of young Greek-American children she taught and they loved her in return and that love continued to surround her for the rest of her long life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chryssanthi leaves behind to treasure her blessed memory, her children and their spouses, Chris (Shelly), Ellen (David) Frink, Era (Tim) Griffin and John (Ann Marie). Chryssanthi adored and doted on her grandchildren, Marisa (Shawn) Ghahremanpour, Arianne (Jack) Gordon, Elise (Lou) Gideon, Nathan Griffin, Frank Partis and Chrissy Partis. She was also blessed to welcome a growing crop of great-grandchildren, Chloe and Miles Ghahremanpour, Harry and Wally Gordon and Mia Gideon and was able to achieve her stated goal of living long enough to experience her great-grandchildren developing their individual personalities. The family would like to express their deep gratitude and thanks to her cardiologist Dr. Shyam Bhakta and to the dedicated and caring staffs at Shepherd of the Valley, Howland, as well as at Traditions Hospice who worked together to make Chryssanthis final months comfortable and peaceful. Friends and relatives may pay their respects on Thursday evening, July 17, 2025, from 5:00 7:00 p.m. and again on Friday morning, July 18, 2025, from 10:00 10:50 a.m., all at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 429 High Street, Warren, where a funeral service will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burial will take place at Mt. Peace Cemetery, Akron. Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel, 1884 North Road, NE, Warren. In lieu of flowers, Chryssanthi has requested that contributions be made to Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 429 High Street, Warren, OH 44481. Family and friends may visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to send condolences to the Partis family. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Chryssanthi (Karataga) Partis, please visit our floral store. A television tribute will air Tuesday, July 15 at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer's badge is seen as federal agents patrol the halls of an immigration court. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Update: On Tuesday, a federal district judge granted the habeas corpus petition in Ayman Solimans case. Under that order, federal authorities are not to remove Soliman from his current jurisdiction or allow him to removed from it without a court order. Cincinnati-area imam and hospital chaplain Ayman Soliman is currently being held at the Butler County jail. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested him at a routine check-in last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman fled Egypt in 2014 and was granted asylum status in the U.S. in 2018. Since then, hes applied for a green card, and worked as a chaplain, including at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. Soliman has no criminal record in the U.S., but in June, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services revoked Solimans asylum status. Hes currently challenging the move in court. Attorneys for Soliman have also filed a habeas corpus petition to keep Soliman in the Butler County jail. They worry the government might move him a different facility, potentially putting him in a less favorable jurisdiction while cutting him off from legal counsel. We have witnessed numerous incidents of detainees being removed under the cover of darkness and hastily shuffled from one location to another without legal contact, Muslim Legal Fund of American Attorney Kate Brady said. This filing is an attempt to shield Mr. Soliman from these detrimental tactics, and we urge the Court to fulfill our request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cincinnatis Democratic U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman said on Facebook hed gotten commitments that ICE would not move Soliman. On Monday, District Court Judge Michael Barrett directed parties in the case to figure out timing for an immediate conference, but as of Monday afternoon theres been no official decision on the habeas petition. In an email, an ACLU of Ohio spokeswoman said they expect Soliman to have a bond hearing July 23. In a written statement a Department of Homeland Security spokesman stressed that a pending application or lawful status dont shield a person from immigration enforcement action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USCIS is responsible for administering Americas lawful immigration system, ensuring the integrity of the immigration process, and protecting the interests of the American people by screening and vetting aliens, the statement continued. But generally speaking, and as a matter of practice, USCIS does not discuss the details of individual immigration cases and adjudication decisions. How we got here According to Solimans habeas petition, federal authorities informed him last December that they would begin the process of revoking his asylum status. On June 3, his asylum status was officially terminated. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE According to an affidavit, Soliman challenged his revocation and initially got a July 3 court date. The court date got pushed back and ICE asked him to show up for a regular check-in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, when he showed up July 9, Soliman was met by an ICE and FBI agents who subsequently interrogated him for more than two hours. They asked about his views on Egyptian politicians and well known organizations in Egypt and in the surrounding Middle East area, Solimans affidavit described. They also asked about Solimans time in the U.S. and his familys political affiliations. At the end of the interview, the agents placed Soliman under arrest. His attorney argued Soliman is not a flight risk or a threat to the community, and offered to have him wear an ankle monitor or check in regularly on a phone app. The agents turned her down. In a press release, Solimans attorney Nazly Mamedova argued, Mr. Soliman overcame hurdles to create a home in the United States, following every rule and process along the way. We remain steadfast in our commitment to securing his safety and release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Solimans case has prompted pushback from local leaders and state lawmakers who argue federal officials arent being transparent. State Rep. Rachel Baker, D-Cincinnati, called Soliman a man of peace and empathy a caregiver, a faith leader, and a bridge-builder in our community. It is deeply disturbing that we are now detaining non-criminal religious leaders who are following the legal process, she added. We are calling for answers and accountability following his unexpected detention. The America I believe in prioritizes compassion, common sense, and due process. The problems came to light in 2021, when Soliman was offered a job as a chaplain with the Oregon Department of Corrections. Solimans job offer was eventually rescinded because he was unable to clear up an FBI flag in his background check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking for answers, Soliman filed record requests with federal agencies and eventually took them to court. The Department of Corrections could not fully clear him to begin his position because of an unresolved FBI flag on his background check, his complaint states. That, combined with the numerous SSSS designations on his boarding passes when he travels, give him reason to believe he is included in the Terrorist Screening Database. The Ohio Capital Journal reached out to the FBI about Solimans status. The FBI does not confirm or deny an individuals watchlist status, a spokesperson wrote back. The Threat Screening Center (TSC) is dedicated to ensuring watchlisting and screening activities are conducted in a manner consistent with protecting privacy and civil liberties. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Mayors for a Guaranteed Income helped fund a pilot project at Santa Fe Community College. (Courtesy SFCC) If you are like me, you are still reeling from the news that the big beautiful bill (which is unparalleled in its ugliness) received the necessary votes in the U.S. House and Senate, along with the presidents signature. Although the U.S. Senate was close (and Dem senators all voted nay) what kind of madness is this? The very notion of passing legislation that dismantles Medicaid; blunts the effectiveness of nutritional assistance; and cuts funding to rural hospitals highlights the degree that a philosophy of philistine self-interest has infiltrated the current political climate. Trepidation over the fallout spreads nationwide. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says the bill will hit New Mexico hard and state officials have outlined nightmarish scenarios in which more than 88,000 New Mexicans lose Medicaid and more than 58,000 to lose their Supplemental Assistance Program help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is draconian, Victor Pineda, executive director of the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley, California, which provides quality of life assistance to the disabled, reportedly said. The cuts are a direct hit to our ability to help people stay in their homes who will now be forced into homelessness or institutions. In the meantime, what can help supplement the loss of basic services in underserved communities? What can cities and mayors do? For one thing: They can put more of their remaining resources toward expanding guaranteed income programs. In 2018, Mayor Michael Tubbs of Stockton, Calif. initiated the first guaranteed income program in the USA, which for two years gave $500 every month to 125 low-income residents. A study in the programs aftermath conducted by a team of independent researchers determined that the money significantly improved participants mental health and financial standing. Tubbs then founded Mayors for Guaranteed Income (MGI), a network of committed cities that have sponsored pilot programs in cities including Madison, Wis.; Pittsburgh, Pa; New Orleans, La.; and Santa Fe, here in New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, with an MGI grant, Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber launched a pilot program that provided $400-per-month stipends to 100 young, low-income Santa Fe Community College students with child-caretaking responsibilities. A 2025 independent study again concluded that rather than fulfilling easy cliches meaning the assumption the young grantees would waste the funds on alcohol or video games participants experienced meaningful improvements in key takeaway areas This successful program directly addresses the fundamental problem that is holding New Mexico back: poverty. said Mayor Webber, after the report was released. Today, more than 100 cities have sponsored direct cash payment programs that lasted one year (or preferably two years). In every case, most participants experienced admirable gains in food and housing security. In Santa Fe, participants experienced a 19 percentage point rise in full employment. But why should these results be surprising when 37% of Americans say they fear an unexpected $400 expense? A consistent extra few hundred (in lieu of having an empty bank account) can make a difference, a larger-than-expected step forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For proponents, an important assurance is that guaranteed income programs come with no strings attached. A family that needs money to pay for school supplies can choose this option; a recipient who knows that buying a car would be a valuable investment can save for that. Guaranteed income programs have been praised for having an entrepreneurial spirit. But I believe the better word for them is self-empowering in that they encourage the underprivileged to value themselves and invest in their own futures. These humble sums of cash directed without stipulations at crisis communities, including immigrant families, students or homeless youth, provide a measurable boost. Related programs stipulate the money is spent toward specific goals, like preventing homelessness. Funding for renters facing eviction is one of the most important ways cities, including Santa Fe, can potentially use targeted funds in a time when homelessness is at its highest level since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development began keeping statistics in 2007. Here is the rub. These programs abet and enhance the social safety net. They cannot replace it. These programs are a tool: a necessary weapon. Times may become desperate. Cities must fight back. Hundreds gather outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday, May 15, 2025, to protest the Trump administration's effort to strip birthright citizenship from the Constitution. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) Legal battles over President Donald Trumps executive order to end birthright citizenship continued on July 10, 2025, after a New Hampshire federal district judge issued a preliminary injunction that will, if its not reversed, prevent federal officials from enforcing the order nationally. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante, a George W. Bush appointee, asserts that this policy of highly questionable constitutionality constitutes irreparable harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its ruling in late June, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to deny citizenship to infants born to undocumented parents in many parts of the nation where individuals or states had not successfully sued to prevent implementation including a number of mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southern states. Trumps executive order limits U.S. citizenship by birth to those who have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. It denies citizenship to those born to undocumented people within the U.S. and to the children of those on student, work, tourist and certain other types of visas. The preliminary injunction is on hold for seven days to allow the Trump administration to appeal. The June 27 Supreme Court decision on birthright citizenship limited the ability of lower-court judges to issue universal injunctions to block such executive orders nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laplante was able to avoid that limit on issuing a nationwide injunction by certifying the case as a class action lawsuit encompassing all children affected by the birthright order, following a pathway suggested by the Supreme Courts ruling. Pathways beyond universal injunctions In its recent birthright citizenship ruling, Trump v. CASA, the Supreme Court noted that plaintiffs could still seek broad relief by filing such class action lawsuits that would join together large groups of individuals facing the same injury from the law they were challenging. And thats what happened. Litigants filed suit in New Hampshires district court the same day that the Supreme Court decided CASA. They asked the court to certify a class consisting of infants born on or after Feb. 20, 2025, who would be covered by the order and their parents or prospective parents. The court allowed the suit to proceed as a class action for these infants. What if this injunction doesnt stick? President Donald Trump takes questions on June 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C., after the Supreme Court ruled on the birthright citizenship case. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) If the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit or the Supreme Court invalidates the New Hampshire courts newest national injunction and another injunction is not issued in a different venue, the order will then go into effect anywhere it is not currently barred from doing so. Implementation could begin in as many as 28 states where state attorneys general have not challenged the Trump birthright citizenship policy if no other individuals or groups secure relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As political science scholars who study race and immigration policy, we believe that, if implemented piecemeal, Trumps birthright citizenship order would create administrative chaos for states determining the citizenship status of infants born in the United States. And it could lead to the first instances since the 1860s of infants being born in the U.S. being denied citizenship categorically. States role in establishing citizenship Almost all U.S.-born children are issued birth certificates by the state in which they are born. The federal governments standardized form, the U.S. standard certificate of live birth, collects data on parents birthplaces and their Social Security numbers, if available, and provides the information states need to issue birth certificates. But it does not ask questions about their citizenship or immigration status. And no national standard exists for the format for state birth certificates, which traditionally have been the simplest way for people born in the U.S. to establish citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trumps executive order goes into effect, birth certificates issued by local hospitals would be insufficient evidence of eligibility for federal government documents acknowledging citizenship. The order would require new efforts, including identification of parents citizenship status, before authorizing the issuance of any federal document acknowledging citizenship. Since states control the process of issuing birth certificates, they will respond differently to implementation efforts. Several states filed a lawsuit on Jan. 21 to block the birthright citizenship order. And they will likely pursue an arsenal of strategies to resist, delay and complicate implementation. While the Supreme Court has not yet confirmed that these states have standing to challenge the order, successful litigation could bar implementation in up to 18 states and the District of Columbia if injunctions are narrowly framed, or nationally if lawyers can persuade judges that disentangling the effects on a state-by-state basis will be too difficult. Other states will likely collaborate with the administration to deny citizenship to some infants. Some, like Texas, had earlier attempted to make it particularly hard for undocumented parents to obtain birth certificates for their children. Potential for chaos If the Supreme Court rejects attempts to block the executive order nationally again, implementation will be complicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats because it would operate in some places and toward some individuals while being legally blocked in other places and toward others, as Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned in her Trump v. CASA dissent. Children born to plaintiffs anywhere in the nation who have successfully sued would have access to citizenship, while other children possibly born in the same hospitals but not among the groups named in the suits would not. Babies born in the days before implementation would have substantially different rights than those born the day after. Parents ethnicity and countries of origin would likely influence which infants are ultimately granted or denied citizenship. Thats because some infants and parents would be more likely to generate scrutiny from hospital employees and officials than others, including Hispanics, women giving birth near the border, and women giving birth in states such as Florida where officials are likely to collaborate enthusiastically with enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The consequences could be profound. Some infants would become stateless, having no right to citizenship in another nation. Many people born in the U.S. would be denied government benefits, Social Security numbers and the ability to work legally in the U.S. With the constitutionality of the executive order still unresolved, its unclear when, if ever, some infants born in the U.S. will be the first in the modern era to be denied citizenship. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Months after the City of San Angelos former City attorney departed from the position, a new City attorney has been appointed. The announcement of the appointment was made at the City Councils July 15 meeting. Following the meetings executive session, City Manager Daniale Valenzuela announced that interim City Attorney Brandon Dyson had been selected to fill the position. Valenzuela stated that Dyson had been serving as the interim City attorney for over six months prior to his newfound appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know that the progression that Ive seen has been great, and Brandon has been doing a great job, Valenzuela said. Applications open for San Angelo HOT funds program 2025-2026 Dyson commented on his appointment after the announcement, expressing gratitude toward Valenzuela and the City Council for the opportunity. Im humbled and appreciative of Mr. Valenzuelas trust in me and the Councils trust in me, Dyson said. Its been a pleasure serving this community, and I look forward to continuing that for a long time. The role of City attorney was previously occupied by Theresa James. James had served as City attorney for approximately nine years before resigning in October 2024 to pursue new work as a deputy City attorney for the City of Fort Worth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the City website, the City attorney is to advise the City in several legal matters, represent the City in court, attend City Council and board meetings, conduct research and draft or review documents related to legal matters. The city attorneys office represents the City by providing professional, effective and ethical legal assistance to the City Council, city manager and all other City departments and boards, the City website reads. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Since Wednesday, garbage truck drivers have neglected to pick up trash in Chula Vista as they strike in solidarity with picketers in Boston. On Monday, Mayor John McCann called an emergency special city council meeting to outline a plan to address the issue where he discussed the possibility of declaring a state of emergency, which would allow city workers to help pick up trash as Republic Services workers continue striking. The city manager declined to call a state of emergency, adding right now the city doesnt have the staff to support trash pickup services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, trash bins overflow in the streets of Chula Vista. Chula Vista mayor calls for special meeting as South Bay trash pileup continues To support our family, gas prices are going up, the cost of living, rent, we can barely make it, said Arturo Tapia, one of the drivers on strike. While not on strike for themselves, union members in Chula Vista like Tapia say they wont return to work until the workers in Boston reach a fair deal. I would like to apologize to all the residents from these communities, and I want to thank them for their patience and their support, said Michael Hardeiman, one of the Boston picketers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Teamsters Union in Boston returns to ongoing negotiations on Tuesday, but thats left nearly 280,000 Chula Vista residents without trash services. We have no control over whats happening in Boston, Mayor John McCann said. But, strikers say the show of support mirrors their own fight for fair wages, claiming workers in other cities in San Diego County get paid better. Chula Vista faces trash crisis amid waste collectors strike Theyre getting paid one of the highest wages, and were getting one of the lowest, Tapia said. Still, this strike hits close to home for the community of Chula Vista whove gone days without trash pickup up for the second time in three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, residents are criticizing the city for allowing history to repeat itself. When your own people dump on you, literally not taking things to the dump, you have to have a plan B so things are picked up, a frustrated resident said in the meeting. At the end of 2021, union workers in the South Bay held a five-week long strike as they negotiated their contract with Republic Services, leaving residents with piles of trash during the holidays. You cant have kids playing around trash thats piling up every day, City Councilman Cesar Fernandez said. Republic Services brought in more workers and trucks from across the country to continue trash pickup at essential locations like hospitals and nursing homes, but theyre playing catch up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If it goes past Thursday, we would look to have a state of emergency, McCann said. Once the strike ends, McCann says the city would then consider if locals could be reimbursed for lack of service. I keep hearing people say Boston has nothing to do with us, Councilman Michael Inzunza said. It has everything to with the workers in the back of this room. McCann says people should still leave their trash bins on the street. Plus, Republic Services waived fees for anyone who needs to take their trash to the landfill on their own. We want to go and clean up the trash, Tapia said. Its what we love. We love our job, but we have to support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city of Chula Vistas contract with Republic Services expires next year, and overwhelmingly, residents asked the council to give them more options for trash pickup so they dont end up in the same position when its time to renegotiate the local contract. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) The city of Easthampton will be under new leadership beginning on Tuesday. Yonder Toy Shop opens in Easthampton with interactive play City Council President and longest-serving current councilor, Salem Derby, has announced he will serve as interim mayor of Easthampton. This follows the resignation of Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, who recently announced that she would step down from office. She steps into a new role starting July 21st as the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation for the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Derby has served on the city council for over two decades and has decided to accept the responsibility and will assume the role of Interim Mayor on Tuesday. In a statement, Derby says, Im honored to step in during this important transitional time. While this was not a role I anticipated, Im committed to ensuring stability and continued progress for our city as we move toward the next chapter in leadership. Under the Easthampton City charter, the city council president is next in the line of succession to fulfill the role of mayor on an interim basis until a new mayor is elected in the November municipal election. There will be a swearing-in ceremony for Derby as he enters his role, which will take place Tuesday night. The citys next mayoral election will be held on November 4th. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The Grand Rapids city comptroller set in motion two Michigan State Police investigations into activities of top city officials in the months leading up to the dismantling of his department. Just before Christmas 2024, the Grand Rapids City Commission took away most of the comptrollers staff, shrinking his department from 16 people to three and moving the people who pay the bills and account for the taxpayers money into a different department. Grand Rapids city comptroller staff shrinking from 16 to 3 Grand Rapids City Comptroller Max Frantz speaks with Target 8. The public didnt know it at the time, but in August, Comptroller Max Frantz made his first police complaint that City Manager Mark Washington spent $500 of the taxpayers money on two VIP tickets to a downtown fashion show. Frantz said another city official, who was concerned that the expense might violate law or city policy, brought the complaint to his attention and he forwarded it to MSP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While our office performs the function of looking at city accounting and finances, we do not perform investigations, Frantz said. When something like that comes across my plate, I would refer that to the appropriate law enforcement agency to look at. According to an MSP detectives report that Target 8 obtained through an open records request, the expense was originally flagged, but eventually OKd after the executive office called it a legitimate sponsorship expense. The Kent County Prosecutors Office concluded that no crime had been committed. Then in November, a union official complained to Frantz about a discussion between a city official and members of the Civil Service Board as a possible Open Meetings Act violation. He said he sent that complaint to MSP, too. Again, the prosecutor found there was no violation of the law. Around that same time, the comptroller was raising questions about monthly personal car allowances provided to people in the executive office and suggesting to the City Commission that it change the policy. Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington at a City Commission meeting. Just a month or so later, City Manager Mark Washington and City Attorney Anita Hitchcock brought a motion to the City Commission to downsize the comptrollers department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The timing raised the questions: Did city officials take offense and did it motivate them to shrink the comptrollers office? Frantz believes that it had something to do with what happened. I think some of this happened because, frankly, I think for the most part the comptroller department has done a good job over the years doing very in-depth analysis of a few topics and raising some concerns, he said. That can be irritating to people in power when they feel that there is another department over here thats weighing in on how theyre doing things. And I absolutely empathize with that, but I feel that checks and balances is necessary in government. But a city spokesperson said in an email exchange with Target 8 investigators that the comptrollers criticisms had nothing to do with shrinking his department. The spokesperson said the only considerations that went into the move were outlined in the December commission meeting when the change was brought forth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesperson declined Target 8 investigators request to interview Washington and Hitchcock (who is retiring in September), saying in effect that there was nothing more to add. In December, city officials portrayed the reallocation of staff as a routine bureaucratic tuneup. What this will do is create clear reporting structure for city staff, Hitchcock said during the city commission meeting. She argued that employees were wrongly assigned to the comptroller because the city charter does not provide for any of the elected officials to have city staff. She said they were always the city managers employees. On the other hand, the charter says the comptroller shall issue and sign all checks shall keep an accurate and detailed account of all funds (and) shall examine and audit all accounts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For over 100 years, the city government has seemed to have agreed that doing all that requires some city staff. Its not possible to perform the same duties in accordance with the charter as we historically have with only a team of three, Frantz said. Thats the argument that the matter could turn on if somebody takes it to court, Michigan State University municipal law scholar Daniel Rosenbaum said. I think there are arguments that the comptroller would like to be the one advancing here that the actions taken are in violation of the charter, Rosenbaum said, explaining the charter is like a miniconstitution for city government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said that its not clear how the situation would eventually be interpreted because every city charter is different and there are too few cases that would provide legal precedents. Grand Rapids comptroller upset over firing of employee City officials are taking the position that nothing has really changed. They say the comptroller still has access to the books and can still do audits. A spokesperson said that Frantz is still signing the checks because a computer is still putting his signature on them even though he is no longer in the loop. Meanwhile, Frantz said payment and accounting were the main functions of his department and thats where mistakes and suspicious expenses were caught. He thinks the people who wrote the charter in 1916 made the comptrollers job elected so it would be independent from the rest of the city government, thereby providing a safe space to where employees feel they can raise their hand when they see an issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now in a new department under the city executive office, I think they would fear retaliation, Frantz said. A spokesperson for city government said employees can report fraud, waste and abuse to a tip line and ethics issues to the attorney and human resources staff. The comptrollers job has been targeted before. In 1969, then-Comptroller Jack Harper was at odds with other city officials, and there was an attempt to eliminate the elected position. But changing the city charter requires a vote of the people, and the voters said no in a big way: 81% voted against eliminating the elected financial watchdog position. In 2012, voters again defeated another charter change proposal aimed at ending the elected position. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. PHILADELPHIA - Mayor Cherelle Parker's 2026 budget includes significant initiatives to preserve affordable housing across Philadelphia. On Monday, city leaders celebrated new funding for Community Development Corporations (CDCs), non-profits that provide neighborhood services and assist with the development of affordable housing. What we know Councilmember Gauthier emphasized the importance of CDCs in addressing the city's housing crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Community development corporations are going to be a key piece of getting out of that, a key piece of building more affordable housing and preserving the units they have," said Gauthier. Construction is set to begin in the coming months at 10th and Vine Street for six new affordable housing units and a business storefront, aiming to keep regular citizens in Chinatown without displacement. The Chinatown Development Corporation provides resources to help families access housing, healthcare, and services like tax assistance. What they're saying Rising living costs have threatened to force residents out of their homes, a concern highlighted by Councilmember Landau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If we sit back and wait for major main street market rate developers to fix the problem, they won't because they haven't," said Landau. John Chin, Executive Director of Chinatown CDC, noted the historical challenges faced by the community. "This land has been vacant for 30 years because of the Vine Street Expressway that put a line through our community," said Chin. Richie Lin, a Chinatown resident, shared his experiences growing up with limited housing options. "My mom used to own a store and I lived in the basement; the conditions were pretty crappy," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lin also highlighted the importance of community support in overcoming language barriers. "Language is a strong barrier, and if you don't know Chinese, English, or any language," Lin continued. Other residents agree that the new housing units will help families stay connected to their community and culture. What's next This project is one of many that city leaders say will be facilitated by grant funding in Chinatown. Individual CDCs are also eligible for an additional $125,000 in flexible funding to address further community needs. The initiative represents a significant step towards ensuring affordable housing and supporting the cultural fabric of Philadelphia's neighborhoods. Australia's Union the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) has secured A$5.5m ($3.6m) in backpay for more than 500 current and former regional supermarket workers across South Australia. This outcome follows a four-year legal struggle with Eudunda Farmers and its subsidiaries, resulting in reimbursement for systematic underpayment across 23 supermarkets. Most of the supermarkets involved in the underpayment issue were from the Foodland chain. However, not every Foodland store in South Australia has been implicated in the underpayment of workers, as reported by ABC News. Eudunda Farmers underpaid workers by engaging in practices such as assigning workers to a lower classification than legally required, failing to pay correct overtime rates, neglecting mandatory allowances, breaching minimum shift length requirements and underpaying salaried staff for their hours worked. Out of the total of A$5.5m in backpay, the average amount per worker is close to A$11,000. One employee is receiving more than A$145,000, and an additional 16 will receive above A$50,000. Eudunda Farmers operates 20 supermarkets in regional South Australia and employs 700 locals. The company's presence extends from Clare and Port Augusta to Barmera and Bordertown. The SDA initially uncovered the systemic underpayments in 2020, identifying breaches of the General Retail Industry Award at several Eudunda Farmers Supermarkets. The issues ranged from worker classifications to salaried work, overtime and allowances. In 2021, the SDA filed a federal court claim on behalf of 64 workers, initially seeking A$1m in backpay. As the case unfolded and more workers came forward, the magnitude of the underpayments grew, with the total owed to workers now quintupling the original claim. SDA stated: This case is proof of how powerful and effective we can be when we stand up together. In mid July 2025, the SDA also submitted applications targeting McDonald's and its franchisees nationwide to empower their 115,000 employees with collective bargaining rights for improved wages and conditions. This move follows the Fair Work Commission's groundbreaking ruling that approved the SDA's supported bargaining authorisation application for 5,000 McDonald's workers across 18 employers and 53 restaurants in South Australia. The supported bargaining legislation, introduced by the Albanese government, is designed to assist low-paid workers with shared interests in gaining access to collective bargaining opportunities. "500 supermarket workers in South Australia gain $3.6m in backpay" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. (FOX 5/KUSI) I called and asked for a bed and the lighthouse lit me up, said San Diego Rescue Mission Academy Program Graduate, Rita Dean. Rita Dean says she was at an all-time low, living on the streets. She says she was so deep into using drugs that she had lost everything including her family. I lost everything, and I was so into drugs that I didnt care anymore, I wanted to die, said Dean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After hearing about the North County Lighthouse Emergency Shelter, a 30-day emergency shelter run by the San Diego Rescue Mission, she decided to make the call that saved her life. I am blessed because now I have a lot to lose and I dont want to go back. That Rita is the past, said Dean. She says she is now 10 months sober and employed, living at the Rescue Mission while she tries to find permanent housing. Now the Lucky Duck Foundation, San Diego Rescue Mission and the City of Vista are partnering to add more shelter beds and services for the homeless in Vista and East County, hoping for more success stories like Ritas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do need more shelter beds county-wide, said Vista Mayor John Franklin. For every new shelter bed the San Diego Rescue Mission activates before June 30th next year, the Lucky Duck Foundation is providing $10,000, capped at $1.5 million. Franklin says the city has one year to go on a pilot project to address homelessness. So, within the next 12 months, we need to identify a permanent location and a permanent replacement for a temporary shelter, said Franklin. The City of Vista has been working with the San Diego Rescue Mission on outreach since last year. We need to provide a permanent shelter for the work that theyre doing so that folks that are saying yes to shelter have a bed available when theyre ready to go, said Franklin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current North County Lighthouse Emergency Shelter, operated by the San Diego Rescue Mission, is a leased facility. Were hopeful to have a purchased facility that taxpayers can have a one-time investment in and not have to pay a lease payment, said Franklin. As for Rita, shes getting her old life back one step at a time. Her daughter, whom she lost contact with, had a birthday earlier this week. She approached me at my workplace, because I work at Petco Park, she approached me and she was standing there, and I said Oh my gosh, a blessing. So, I said happy birthday to her and she came up to me and hugged meThis program gave me my family back, said Dean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Civil Rights Groups Fight Trump's Attempts to Remove Birthright Citizenship originally appeared on L.A. Mag. A mother and her baby stand with protesters at a No Kings Day protest in Pasadena, they hold a sign that reads, "Future Voters" in a child's scribbled handwriting Courtesy of Malina Saval On his first day in office, President Trump issued an executive order meant to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and individuals with temporary status, like students. U.S. Executive Order 14156: Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship subverts the protections provided by the 14th Amendment for over a century, which was put in place to guarantee rights to anyone born in the U.S. If put into effect, the order could cause deportations and prevent access to basic rights like education and health care benefits. Adopted in 1868, the 14th Amendment stated that all people born on U.S. soil were citizens. Birthright citizenship was ascertained 20 years later during a landmark case in which Chinese American Californian Wong Kim Ark was denied re-entry because, despite being born in the U.S., his parents were not citizens. The court ruled in favor of Wong, reaffirming the previous interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Years later, Trump is attempting to unravel this amendment and the rights that it provides along with it. Legal advocates in California filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of the babies of non-citizens in an attempt to stop the order. Among them is the Asian Law Caucus, which represents individuals who would be denied citizenship under the order. Last Thursday, an injunction was issued against President Trumps executive order by a federal district court judge in New Hampshire. This stopped the order from taking effect on July 27th in New Hampshire and other states. The Trump administration is expected to appeal this ruling by Thursday, July 17th. The Supreme Court limited the availability of judges to issue nationwide injunctions against executive orders last month. According to the executive director of the Asian Law Caucus, Aarti Kohli, class action suits are far more complex from a procedural standpoint. Regardless, they are not going down without a fight. Kohli told LAist, were asking the court to protect the constitutional rights of our specific class members who happen to be babies located all over the country. The consequences of this order could be detrimental, according to Kohli. This is because it would essentially create a whole caste of people unable to access basic resources and assistance. You'd be creating a multi-generational underclass of people born here but with no legal status, no path to citizenship, no ability to work legally, Kohli told LAist. These kids grow up American in every way, except on paper, but they're permanently excluded from participating fully in society or the economy. Kohli predicts that the case will make its way to the Supreme Court. For now, families remain in a state of uncertainty. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared. Two Claremore attorneys are vying to turn the Will Rogers Turnpike between Claremore and Catoosa toll-free. Kevin Easley Jr., Claremore's Cherokee Nation tribal councilor, jointly filed a suit July 8 to bar tolls on that highway stretch with Stratton Taylor, senior partner at a Claremore law firm and formerly Oklahoma's highest-ranking state senator. Easley and Taylor said a 2000 state statute, 69 O.S. 2004, requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to lease that stretch from the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor argued that means ODOT would pay to maintain this section of the turnpike just as it does with other state highways. "It's the law, and it's not discretionary it's mandatory," Taylor said. "It says 'they shall.'" ODOT spokesperson TJ Gerlach said the agency cannot comment on pending litigation at this time. OTA spokesperson Lisa Shearer-Salim likewise said OTA could not discuss it at length. Taylor was president pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate in 2000. Plans to build an expanded State Highway 20 to bypass downtown Claremore were in the works then, and Taylor said he found it nonsensical to keep the turnpike toll-based while a free road Highway 20 runs nearby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor said 69 O.S. 2004 resulted from agreements with former ODOT heads Neal McCaleb and Gary Ridley, and the bill establishing it passed with broad bipartisan support. "I went to the Secretary of Transportation at the time ... and said, 'This is why people don't like government,'" Taylor said. "'[ODOT and OTA] are not coordinating, and they're going to build a new parallel lane adjacent to a perfectly fine existing four-lane road. Let's take the money that they would use to build the new road ... and make the turnpike free from Claremore to Catoosa." In black letter, the statute states its purpose is to "avoid the expenditure of funds for the currently planned construction of four lanes parallel to the Will Rogers Turnpike near Claremore." It uses the word "shall" to mandate the Oklahoma Transportation Commission part of ODOT to lease the turnpike from Claremore to Catoosa from OTA. Taylor argued this signals the lease should have begun in March, when OTA opened the State Highway 20 interchange on the turnpike. Highway 20 fully opened in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's just the obvious time for it to occur," Taylor said. "... But they didn't remove the tolls. It basically said to me, they're going to thumb their nose at the citizens and not follow the law. Well, the rest of us have to follow the law. So should two state agencies." The statute states the lease payment "shall be based on the net revenue" OTA would have collected from that stretch. But ODOT can't pay the lease with "funds available for expenditure pursuant to Section 2001 of Title 69" its general highway fund. Taylor and Easley's suit is class action; Taylor said he is angling for the judge to automatically include in the class anyone who has used the turnpike from Claremore to Catoosa since March. He said if their suit is successful, they will donate the attorney's fees to the Chelsea Animal Shelter. "We're not in it for the money," Taylor said. "We're in it for what's right and what the law says." The Claremore Public Schools superintendent said it won't pose much trouble to implement a new wave of education laws this school year. The Oklahoma Legislature made several changes to state law during its 2025 session. When Oklahoma school gates open next month, districts must integrate a one-year ban on cell phones, a two-day virtual learning cap, an extra instructional day and other mandates. Bryan Frazier, superintendent of Claremore Public Schools, said the district already fully complies with each edict but the cell phone ban, authorized by Senate Bill 139. Will Rogers Junior High outlawed phones in 2023, and Claremore High School will follow suit when class begins Aug. 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The difficulty is going to be the process," Frazier said. "What we're trying to do, we have worked through, and I think we've got a pretty good plan." Students with a legitimate medical reason to need a cell phone may carry one, Frazier said. Otherwise, the district expects high school students to put their phones away from first to last bell. If a student gets caught on their phone, Frazier said, administration will seal it in a magnetic pouch in the office and give it back when the day ends. The district will also notify the student's parents or guardians but won't make face-to-face contact unless the student uses a phone at school again. Seniors may generally leave campus for lunch; "pouched" seniors lose that privilege for the day, Frazier said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But you have to tier the discipline, right?" Frazier said. "So, if it's a second offense, it's got to sting a little more. ... We've been working through that process of what feels sufficient but not over the top." Frazier said the district isn't out to punish students, but encourage them into taking a break from their phones when it's time to learn. He said he is glad the state mandated districts to ban cell phones because it gives teachers and administrators something solid to hold onto. But he said parents also need to take an active role. "To be able to do this in an effective manner ... we need parents to make sure their children understand this is going to happen," Frazier said. "It's a non-negotiable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 758 rations out two virtual learning days a year to brick-and-mortar schools. Frazier said Claremore already had no virtual days during the 2024-'25 school year, and CPS only uses virtual days in case of extreme weather or building closures. No statutory limit existed on virtual learning before 2025. According to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, more than 100 school districts reported at least one of their buildings used 10 or more virtual days in the 2022-'23 year. "We believe at Claremore Public Schools the best place for kids is in school, and if you're not a virtual student a full-time virtual student the best thing that can happen for our students is to be present," Frazier said. Legislators are also tacking one more day on the school year, boosting the minimum from 180 to 181 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Claremore's school year takes up 179 days on the calendar, Frazier said, but state law measures a school day at six hours. Days at each Claremore school exceed seven hours. "If we're going to get better educationally, we have to be here," Frazier said. Other new changes to state law require Oklahoma high schoolers to take at least half a unit of a financial literacy course and sets up a fund to award stipends to educators who get certified as advanced, lead or master teachers. Frazier said Claremore has taught financial literacy for years. He said the district also set up a teacher empowerment program last year; 31 teachers received $376,000 in state funds among them. "We want to recognize the people that are going above and beyond, but we also want to encourage those to go above and beyond," Frazier said. "We want them to get more professional training. We want them to mentor and to seek to improve others, and to be a part of committees and leaderships at the district level." Clark County to discuss new pedicab rules in Las Vegas LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Clark County Commissioners are scheduled to discuss rules and regulations surrounding pedicabs on Tuesday. Pedicabs are human-powered, three-wheeled cycles used to transport people around, and they are currently banned on the Las Vegas Strip. Owner of Vegas Bike Cab, Louie Haeick, said lifting restrictions could potentially increase his business tenfold. Haeick currently spends most of his time working near Allegiant Stadium, the Sphere, or the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the restrictions were off the Strip, it would mean a lot more opportunity, Haeick said. I wouldnt just have to make it all in that 45 minutes after a concert ends. Tourists Mark and Blake Wohlfarth are visiting from San Antonio, Texas, and would like to see the options available on the Strip. We have them in Texas, Wohlfarth explained. Theyre in Austin and all over the place downtown. Its another avenue to make money, right? Another economic driver. 8 News Now reached out to Clark County Commissioner April Becker, who requested the agenda item for tomorrow, regarding the changes she hopes to see, but has still not received a response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. CLARK COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) The Clark County community is mourning the loss of a 14-year-old who died unexpectedly on July 10. Superintendent Dustin Howard shared a letter written to the community on Facebook, announcing the death of Raiden Parks, 14, who was about to start his freshman year of high school. Read more of the latest Kentucky news We join Raidens family and loved ones in mourning this devastating loss and offer our deepest sympathies during this incredibly difficult time, Howard wrote in the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The superintendent noted that counselors, social workers, and support staff have been made available at Robert D. Campbell Jr. High to anyone who needs them. According to an obituary, Raiden is survived by his parents, three siblings, and multiple family members and friends. He was described as a bright and kind-hearted young man. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Howard concluded the letter by noting how Raidens death is a profound loss for the school district and the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visitation for Raiden will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, July 15, at Landmark Baptist Church, followed immediately by a service. Anyone who attends is asked to wear blue, which was Raidens favorite color. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 56 News. Here is everything you need to know about Sweida in Syria, who is fighting, and why Israel is now involved. The city of Sweida in southern Syria has been featured in headlines worldwide as clashes have erupted between Druze and Bedouin forces in the area. Syrian forces have also advanced on the city, and the IDF has launched airstrikes on nearby military targets. These clashes come in the aftermath of Hay'at Tahrir al-Shams's successful ousting of the Assad regime and forming the new dominant political order in the war-torn country. But why has violence continued to break out in this city? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is everything you need to know about Sweida, who is fighting, and why Israel is now involved. Syrian forces enter Sweida as Druze leader says truce talks underway on July 15, 2025. (credit: screenshot via X/ section 27a copyright act) What is Sweida? Sweida is a southern city and capital of the Sweida Governorate, and sits close to the Jordanian and Israeli borders. The city boasts a population of tens of thousands of people, the majority of them being Druze, with smaller but still significant Christian and Muslim minorities. Much of the city is under the control of Druze forces, though the city itself is part of the new Syrian government headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa. Who is fighting in Sweida? Clashes broke out Sunday between Druze forces and local Bedouin tribes, who are Sunni Muslims and make up a small minority in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Figures regarding casualties are difficult to verify, with numerous reports placing the number of deaths anywhere from 30 to nearly 100, with at least 100 others wounded in the fighting. The fighting has gotten severe enough that Syrian government forces had to be deployed to the area and clashed with the local armed groups, though some reports indicated that they did so supporting Bedouin fighters. By Monday, the Syrian government forces took control of at least one Druze village in the area. Also Monday, Israel got involved in the conflict, with the IDF striking several tanks that were advancing towards Sweida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A military source told Walla that the purpose of the Israeli strike was to prevent the movement of tanks into an area that the IDF does not allow Syrian military forces to enter. It also comes following Israel's repeated statements that the Jewish state will act to defend the Druze minority in Syria. Druze leader of Sweida gather to lend support to the government forces entering the city. (credit: screenshot via X/ section 27a copyright act) What are the causes of the fighting? According to AFP, the fighting began after armed Bedouin tribesmen kidnapped a Druze vegetable merchant, which subsequently sparked retaliations and escalations. However, the violence is not unprecedented, with Bedouin and Druze forces in Sweida having longstanding tensions that have resulted in clashes in the past, AFP reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Syrian government maintains that the conflict is not sectarian in nature. "The real conflict is between the state and bandits and criminals, not between the state and any Syrian community," Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba told the Associated Press. "On the contrary, the state views the Druze community in Sweida as a partner in advancing the national unity project." Druze spiritual leaders in Sweida called on armed Druze factions to cooperate with government forces and surrender their weapons to the Syrian government. However, there have been longstanding concerns about the safety of Syria's Druze community under the new government. Why is Israel involved in the fighting in Syria? Since the fall of the Assad regime, Israel has been vocal about defending the Druze community in Syria, making statements regarding the protection of the Druze of Sweida and Jaramana, among other places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Monday that the IDF struck targets in Syria near Sweida in a new message to the new Islamist-led Syrian government, stating, "We will not allow harm to the Druze in Syria. Israel will not stand by it." However, reports have also indicated a broader security concern by the IDF, with a military source telling Walla that the IDF strikes on Syrian tanks were part of the effort to establish priorities on the ground regarding what Israel will and will not allow to happen in the region. This also comes amid renewed dialogue between Syria and Israel, with some analysts and politicians expressing hope that ties could be normalized between Jerusalem and Damascus. At the time of writing, it is unclear how the fighting in Sweida may impact these talks. Reuters and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report. Barely two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court limited the use of nationwide injunctions by federal judges, a federal judge once again blocked President Donald Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship from going into effect nationwide. But if you think that sounds like the actions of a judge gone rogue, think again. In fact, this latest ruling against Trump's birthright citizenship order actually represents a careful judicial adherence to what the Supreme Court said on June 27. Yes, the Court's big ruling in Trump v. CASA did tell federal judges to lay off on nationwide injunctions. But the Court also told those same judges that the path remained clear for them to certify national class action lawsuits against Trump's order in appropriate cases. And so, here we are. This latest ruling comes in a case called "Barbara" v. Trump. Perhaps the best way to understand what's going on with it is by first revisiting the concurring opinion written in the nationwide injunctions case last month by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the wake of the [Supreme] Court's decision," Kavanaugh wrote, "plaintiffs who challenge the legality of a new federal statute or executive action and request preliminary injunctive relief may sometimes seek to proceed by class actionand ask a court to award preliminary classwide relief that may, for example, be statewide, regionwide, or even nationwide." And that class-action approach, Kavanaugh explained, was perfectly fine. "Today's decision," he wrote, simply "will require district courts to follow proper legal procedures when awarding such relief." This is precisely what happened in "Barbara" v. Trump. According to the July 10 opinion of Judge Joseph Laplante of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, the Trump administration is now forbidden from enforcing its executive order against "all current and future persons who are born on or after February 20, 2025," and whose parents are either unlawfully present in the U.S. or whose parents are temporary visitors to the U.S. "Because enforcement of the Executive Order would likely constitute unlawful behavior towards the entire class" of such persons, Laplante wrote, "and because a single injunction and declaratory judgment would provide complete relief to every member of the class, the class fits comfortably into the Rule 23(b)(2) category." Rule 23 is the provision of federal law governing such class action litigation. Laplante also added that he had "no difficulty concluding" that the entire class was entitled to such relief because "all class representatives could suffer irreparable harm" if the courts allowed Trump's orderwhich the judge described as being "of highly questionable constitutionality"to go into effect. (In case you're wondering, Laplante was appointed to the federal bench in 2007 by Republican President George W. Bush.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, SCOTUS told federal district judges that they could still block Trump's birthright citizenship order from going into effect nationwide if they followed "proper legal procedures" in a national class action case. That is what Laplante did in this case. He blocked Trump's order in a well-reasoned ruling that was well-grounded in Rule 23. It's possible that the Supreme Court will see things differently on appeal and reject Laplante's class action certification. But for now, at least, this case represents the strongest legal threat yet to Trump's efforts to strip the constitutional rights of millions of U.S.-born children. Odds & Ends: A Fond Farewell to Black Sabbath The mighty Black Sabbath played their final concert on July 5 before a massive hometown crowd in Birmingham, England, and I would be remiss in my duties if I failed to say a few words in tribute to the heavy metal godfathers whose music I have loved for so long. Black Sabbath is one of those bands whose reach extends practically beyond measure. Do you like the hard rock stylings of Guns N' Roses? Say thanks to Sabbath. Ditto for the spaced-out desert jams of Queens of the Stone Age, or for the guttural blasts of Bolt Thrower, or for the galloping thrash of Metallica, or even for Ozzy Osbourne's own legendary solo career. If you've ever enjoyed any kind of hard rock or heavy metal music, you really do owe Sabbath the kind of debt that you'll never be able to pay back in full. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if you are somehow unfamiliar with the band's music, allow me to recommend some of my favorite Sabbath songs for your listening pleasure. This is the good stuff, so don't forget to play it loud. The post The Class Action Threat to Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order appeared first on Reason.com. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) The magistrate judge in the case of a Missile Defense Agency employee charged with taking classified and secret documents home has ordered that a classified documents expert be designated to protect the information in the documents. Court documents filed on July 14 show that Judge Herman N. Johnson Jr. ordered that a security specialist be named as the Classified Information Security Officer for the case against Ewa Ciszak. In the event that the appointed CISO becomes unavailable, Judge Johnson Jr. named six alternative CISOs. On July 11, an unopposed motion was filed asking for a CISO to be designated due to the information enclosed in the documents Ciszak took home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on the nature of Defendants alleged crime, the government anticipates that it will need to disclose classified information to the Court and defense counsel during this case, the document says. In the interest of protecting both the secrecy of information important to national security and the appearance of confidentiality, a CISO was requested. Ciszak is charged with removing and retaining classified and secret documents/materials from her office and taking them home to store in her house and vehicle between January 2025 and June 2025. Court records show that Ciszak has been working for the Department of Defense at the Missile Defense Agency since January 2023. Immediately prior to execution of the warrant, Agents again observed Ciszak remove material bearing classification markings from MDA in a backpack and travel to her residence, documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with Ciszak, court documents say she acknowledged, in sum, substance, and in part, that she had received training in the proper handling of classified material. The interview also revealed that she knew she was bringing home these classified and secret documents, knowing she wasnt allowed to do so. Documents show Ciszak was arrested on June 20 in Georgia. At her preliminary hearing on June 25, Ciszaks attorneys argued that there was no evidence of criminal intent and no evidence offered that she did anything else with the documents except bring them home. Ciszak was also said to have cooperated with investigators. Federal documents show that both the United States and the attorneys for Ewa Ciszak filed a joint motion on July 1 to toll a grand jury presentment. According to the document, this motion states that the tolling of a grand jury presentment would allow both parties sufficient time to investigate the facts of this case further and engage in plea negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motion to toll said that Ciszak understands that she has the right for the case to be presented to a grand jury within 30 days of her June 20 arrest, which would be July 20. However, with the granted toll, it extends the presentment to a grand jury by an additional 60 days, putting the new grand jury presentment date at September 18. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Simone de Beauvoir argued in her 1949 book The Second Sex that humanity is male and man defines woman not in herself but as relative to him; she is not regarded as an autonomous being. Seventy-five years later, in 2024, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo was elected by a huge margin to become the first woman and the first Jewish president of Mexico. In her inaugural speech, she famously proclaimed that for the first time, we women have arrived to drive the destiny of our beautiful nation. And I say we got here, because I didnt get here by myself all women did! Sheinbaum says she wants to represent Mexican women on their own terms, and as drivers of a nation. Still, the U.S. and international media are struggling to understand Sheinbaum in herself and as an autonomous human being beyond the shadows of the worlds most powerful men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the U.S., Sheinbaum is generally represented in relation to President Donald Trump, who, to make matters more uncomfortable, is known for his rampant misogyny and history of perpetrating sexual abuse against women. How will she respond to his threatened 30 percent tariffs on Mexican goods? Will she allow him to send U.S. armed forces into Mexico to fight the Mexican drug cartels of which, according to Trump, she is so scared she cant think straight? (The answer from Sheinbaum has been a resounding no.) She also received ample U.S. news coverage when Trump called her tough and a lovely woman prompting various media outlets to scrutinize what, exactly, she had done to earn the Presidents praise. On the other hand, The Atlantic reported that Sheinbaum can actually surrender to Trump and that her secret is, in fact, her ongoing appeasement of the man. And even though she was honored by an invitation to represent Mexico at the G7 Summit a clear testament to her skilled diplomacy Mexican right-wing commentators simply concluded that Trump stood her up when he left the G7 early (presumably to deliberate the U.S. entering Israels war against Iran). Meanwhile, on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, Sheinbaum is sometimes depicted in terms of her relationship to former Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO). A popular slogan during her presidential campaign was Es Ella la de AMLO, or She is AMLOs [candidate]. Sheinbaums right-wing critics have called her AMLOs shadow and pawn, and her measured, analytical mannerisms are contrasted unflatteringly to AMLOs folksy charisma. Additionally, as the first Jewish president of Mexico an identity that, I have argued elsewhere, has gotten Sheinbaum targeted at the intersection of sexism and antisemitism she is also defined in relation to powerful men. Since winning last years election, she has continued to face sexist and antisemitic attacks both in protests and online, with some activists and social media trolls claiming that Benjamin Netanyahu controls her political agenda. This, despite the fact that Sheinbaum formally recognized Nayda Rasheed as the Palestinian ambassador to Mexico and stated that Mexico condemns the aggression being endured by the Palestinian people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, Sheinbaums connections to these men are defining features of her presidency; they most certainly do deserve serious analysis. Trumps presidency challenges both Mexicos sovereignty and the well-being of individual Mexicans on both sides of the border. Furthermore, Sheinbaum herself has committed to continuing the so-called fourth transformation of her predecessor, AMLO; she frequently calls her own presidency that transformations second floor. But if we only define Sheinbaum in relation to these male leaders, we forget that a Mexican woman is, indeed, driving the destiny of Mexico. Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only, written by Amanda Marcotte, now also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. So how can we have better conversations about Sheinbaum especially in the United States, where analyses of women in politics generally devolve into unbridled misogyny? One approach, favored by many Mexican pundits, is to train our focus on Sheinbaums rational, scientific approach to public policy, which stems from her extensive academic work as an applied physicist and energy engineer, as well as her tenure as Mexico Citys head of government. This has led some right-wing critics to call Sheinbaum boring, much like former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, another boring female-scientist-turned political-leader who was aptly described in a New Yorker profiled as the quiet Germanmaking every effort to appear uninteresting. The drawback is that, unlike Merkel, whose uninteresting persona became one of her recognized superpowers, Sheinbaums own sober politics are contrasted detrimentally to AMLOs feisty wit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I propose that instead, we employ a version of the Bechdel Test asking whether two named, female characters in a movie ever discuss anything other than a man. Rather than constantly assessing Sheinbaums politics as reactions to moves made by men, why not examine how her own policies and ideas are being engaged by other Mexican women, Mexican Jews and Muslims, and participants in various Mexican social movements? We could explore, for instance, why Mexican feminists have had varied reactions to Sheinbaums election. While many are supportive, some worry that she is insufficiently committed to supporting feminist efforts to halt femicides. Some even claim her agenda actually lacks a distinctive feminist perspective. Similarly, we might explore what Sheinbaums presidency signifies for non-Christian communities in Mexico, the numbers of which are on the rise. Ilan Stavans, a leading scholar of Jewish culture and identity in Mexico and Latin America, wrote in the New York Times that Sheinbaums presidential candidacy as a Jewish woman has redrawn the role of minority groups in Mexico, arguing that it will bring about a positive and definitive change. These are some of the big, interesting questions we should be exploring about Mexicos president. They certainly make for a more intriguing narrative arc by helping us define Sheinbaum, in Beauvoirs words, in herself. They also encourage critical analysis of why Mexico, unlike the U.S., was willing and able to elect a woman and a person of Jewish ancestry to its highest political office. Sheinbaum is, indeed, leading one of our most important partners on the international stage and if we fail to tell that story, its our loss. The post Claudia Sheinbaum has a story to tell and we need to listen appeared first on Salon.com. Afore Insurance Services has acquired Florida-based TailoredRisk Insurance Advisors for an undisclosed sum. The deal is expected to enhance Afore's presence in the personal lines insurance market, with a focus on near-affluent and high-net-worth demographics. Following the acquisition, TailoredRisk principal John Paolini will assume the role of executive vice president, national personal lines division at Afore. Paolini has more than 30 years of experience, with a focus on personal lines and ability to deliver client-focused outcomes. Paolini said: "The alignment between TailoredRisk's culture and values and Afore's commitment to excellence in expanding its national platform makes this a perfect fit. I'm eager to work with our merged team to accelerate growth and deliver a superior client experience." Paolini's new position at Afore fills the vacancy left by Andrew Muller, who has been promoted to executive vice president of strategy and partnerships. The appointment also aligns with the recent promotion of Anthony Prete to senior vice president and chief operating officer of Afore's national personal lines division. All the employees of TailoredRisk will join Afore, with the company operating under the Afore name. Afore president and CEO Michael Garguilo stated: "John Paolini is one of the most talented personal insurance broker executives in the nation. His decision to join our team heading our personal lines business affirms Afore's value proposition and our exciting trajectory. We look forward to his leadership driving our growth in underserved, high-potential markets." In December 2024, Afore acquired the assets of Block Insurance, an Oviedo, Florida-based firm, marking its expansion into the childcare insurance market. "Afore Insurance Services purchases TailoredRisk Insurance " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. Since the Wesley Scott Apartments were sold in 2021, residents say the building has become dangerous and neglected. Police calls have spiked more than 600%, city complaints surged, and residents say the former community anchor at 2800 W. Wright Street has been overrun by trespassers and garbage. But after Public Investigator reported on the deteriorating conditions of the building last month, residents say there are signs of improvement. The front door, once broken open, is now fixed and operates with a key fob system. The non-functioning garage door, which prevented trash pickup for weeks, has also been repaired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just days after the article ran, residents said maintenance crews arrived to repaint the building's exterior, pick up trash and clean the carpets inside something residents said hadn't happened since the property changed ownership. Longtime resident Larry Keaton said he's hopeful conditions will keep improving. "They just needed somebody to a light a fire under their butt," Keaton said. Larry Keaton, 65, shows where the community washers and dryers used to be at the Wesley Scott Apartments in Milwaukee before they were removed. Still, residents say the changes haven't addressed deeper concerns, like security issues and amenities that are no longer available but still advertised online, like a laundry room and gym. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several tenants have also received five-day eviction notices since the June 25 article. Patrice Gransberry, who has lived in the building for eight years, said she received a notice on July 7 that threatened eviction if she didn't remove the storage boxes blocking the walkways in her unit, considered a fire hazard. "It's not our fault we had that stuff in our house because the storage (units) all got broken into all of them," Gransberry said. "We had to put that stuff somewhere." Gransberry said she had no choice but to move her things back to the storage units downstairs, which residents say are filled with debris and mattresses left there by trespassers living in the units. Debris fills a storage area at the Wesley Scott Apartments in Milwaukee on June 6, rendering it unusable. Some notices also instructed residents to get copies of their apartment keys made and hand them over to management, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They dont have all the keys to every apartment, so they're telling people to go get a key made and bring it to them," Gransberry said. The Michaels Organization, the national affordable housing developer that owns the property, declined to comment on specific changes at the building other than to say its property management team had a "very productive" meeting with police this month to address security concerns. The Department of Neighborhood Services said it was unaware of the eviction notices issued to residents. If tenants believe they are being retaliated against for speaking out, they can file a complaint by calling 414-286-CITY, said spokesperson Jeremy McGovern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if they are being accused of a lease violation, like nonpayment of rent, McGovern recommended tenants instead reach out to legal aid organizations like the Legal Aid Society, Rental Housing Resource Center, or the Eviction Defense Project. Why the Wesley Scott Apartments are exempt from property taxes Despite the building's issues, records from the city assessor's office show that the Wesley Scott Apartments are exempt from paying property taxes, which help fund city services like public schools and sanitation. According to the assessor's office, the property was granted a tax exemption in 2022 under state laws meant to support the development of low-income and senior housing. To qualify, properties must set aside 75% of their units for people who qualify as low-income or very low-income and be owned by a benevolent nonprofit which means the nonprofit must be dedicated to helping those in need, according to state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, the Wesley Scott Apartments were owned through a layered series of LLCs by a nonprofit called the Foundation for Affordable Rental Housing Holdings Inc., according to state records. This structure is what originally allowed the tax exemption. Laura Zaner, spokesperson for the Michaels Organization, denied the company had any involvement with the nonprofit. She said Michaels "had no financial stake or involvement in any way with Wesley Scott" before 2023, despite public records showing a shared business address and a 2023 deed listing Michaels' former chief executive officer as the return contact. Zander added that the company does not believe the property qualifies for a tax exemption. Michaels acquired the property as part of a broader portfolio purchase and has since made improvements at the site, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Affordable housing financing can be complicated," Zaner said. "The main point is that since the acquisition, Michaels is responsible for this community, from a management perspective." The city's chief assessor, Bill Bowers, said his office does not comment on property conditions. He said code violations and quality of life issues don't affect a property's tax-exempt status. "The exemption will remain in effect unless the use or ownership changes in a way that renders it taxable," Bowers said. Public Investigator asked Bowers whether the Wesley Scott Apartments should remain tax-exempt in light of the Michaels Organization's claim that it does not intend to qualify for exemption. He did not respond in time for publication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public records show the property once generated more than $56,000 in property taxes each year. Jeff Fleming, spokesperson for Mayor Cavalier Johnson, said the mayor is aware of the ongoing concerns at Wesley Scott. "We are aware that the Department of Neighborhood Services is addressing complaints at the Wesley Scott Apartments," Fleming said. "Just as they do with all properties, they are prioritizing investigation of issues if any that impact resident safety. I understand they continue to monitor the situation and are prepared to take action as necessary." Alderman Russell Stamper II, who represents the district, did not respond to Public Investigator's requests for comment about the five-day notices or any plans for improving conditions at Wesley Scott. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stamper previously blamed the Michaels Organization for being unresponsive to concerns about the building. Alderman Russell Stamper II in 2022. State's affordable housing agency is also inspecting the building As a low-income housing tax credit property, the building is also required to maintain a certain number of affordable units through 2036. To continue receiving tax credits through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, or WHEDA, properties like Wesley Scott must be in compliance with federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines. These include access to clean water, working smoke detectors and safe heating systems. WHEDA spokesperson Raechelle Belli said properties like Wesley Scott are subject to inspections every five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WHEDA visited the property on July 10 as part of a routine inspection, about two weeks after Public Investigator's article. The review included physical inspections of a sample of units, common areas, and the building's exterior. The property owner and management were notified in advance of the visit, according to Belli. The agency is also reviewing tenant files, speaking with property agents about their management policies, and checking whether theyre meeting obligations under the program, she said. "Once the review has been completed, we'll issue the management agent and owner a report, and they'll have to let us know what actions they're taking to make corrections/updates," Belli said in an email. Gransberry said she's hopeful that more improvements are coming but still plans to move out of her unit by the end of the month. "That's what forced me to leave here," she said. "The unsafe conditions." Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com. About Public Investigator Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We'll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to watchdog@journalsentinel.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's Wesley Scott tenants report improvement after news report CLEVELAND (WJW) Doctors at Cleveland Clinic are sounding the alarm about a spike in measles cases, urging the public to stay vigilant especially those planning to travel. Believe it or not, its actually several outbreaks. Theyve recorded about 27 outbreaks this year alone, said Dr. Frank Esper with Cleveland Clinic Childrens. The concern isnt just the number of cases, but how easily measles spreads. Measles is up to five times more contagious than COVID-19 and its impact is already being felt nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Cleveland residents evacuated after Superior Avenue gas leak The U.S. is on track for its worst measles year in over 30 years and 2025 is only halfway through. That level of contagiousness has prompted the clinic to implement new precautions. Patients scheduling appointments are now asked if their visit involves possible measles exposure or symptoms. If we even think someone might have measlesbased on travel, exposure or early symptoms we can activate special triage strategies to reduce any risk to other patients, Esper said. Auditor questions city of Cleveland cyber security in wake of attack: I-Team Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He emphasized how long the virus can linger. When someone with measles comes in, the virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after theyve left, he said. You can get infected just by walking through that area. So far, Ohio has seen a couple dozen measles cases, mostly in children. Nationally, experts are attributing the surge to falling childhood vaccination rates and a rise in anti-vaccine misinformation. You are infectious even before you know youre sick, Esper said. Thats why vaccination is so important. Not just to protect yourself, but to protect everyone around you. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Climate activists from Fridays for Future staged a protest on the German island of Borkum on Tuesday, denouncing controversial gas extraction in the North Sea. With a large red message reading "STOP GAS!" etched into the sand, the demonstrators called on Dutch energy company ONE-Dyas to halt its offshore drilling plans near the island. "Natural gas is a major climate killer," prominent climate activist Luisa Neubauer told dpa. "Every bit of gas burned makes the climate crisis more dangerous. We urgently need to move away from gas not into new projects." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the protest remained peaceful. Greens denounce drilling Germany's Green Party echoed the activists' concerns, sharpening its opposition to gas exploration near the ecologically sensitive Wadden Sea. The Wadden Sea is a coastal region that forms part of the south-eastern edge of the North Sea. The shallow, intertidal zone stretches along the coasts of the Netherlands and Germany. "While Germany and Europe suffer from heatwaves, droughts, and floods, [Chancellor] Friedrich Merz is pushing for new gas drilling off Borkum, in one of our most fragile ecosystems," said Green parliamentary co-leader Katharina Droge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two weeks ago, Merz's Cabinet approved a bilateral agreement with the Netherlands, allowing development of cross-border gas fields in the North Sea near Borkum. The Dutch side of the project is operated by ONE-Dyas. In response, the Greens introduced a motion in parliament calling for an end to gas extraction in Germany, proposing a ban on new drilling and the phasing out of existing permits by 2030. Environmental concerns around the Wadden Sea Local residents and environmental groups fear the drilling could damage the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The extraction platform lies about 20 kilometres off Borkum's coast. German environmental groups and the island's municipality have filed lawsuits against the project. While operations have begun in Dutch waters, a decision on whether to proceed in German territory is still pending. A judge decided a man accused of intentionally hitting nine female pedestrians in hit-and-run crashes during 2023 and 2024 is not currently competent for legal proceedings, but could be in the future. Third District Judge Adam Mow said Monday he has ongoing concerns about Anh Duy Phams competency, and he has seen some of the behaviors noted in evaluations during hearings over the last year. But he said the decision to find him incompetent was a really close call. The judge explained that the bar to find someone is not competent is low he just needs to determine there is an over 50% chance that Pham is not competent. He said it is not disputed that Pham has schizoaffective disorder, and there is credible evidence that he has autism spectrum disorder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mow also said there is evidence Pham has feigned symptoms and performed inconsistently during evaluations. Pham will now be transferred from the Salt Lake County Jail to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, which will be tasked with trying to restore him to competency. His next hearing to consider if he is ready to move forward will be on Oct. 23. The case Pham, 28, was arrested on March 13, 2024, after a crash days before in Salt Lake City caused critical injuries. He is accused of hitting women with a car on Aug. 22, 2023, and Feb. 24, Feb. 28, March 2, March 11 and March 12 of 2024. When he was charged, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said the incidents were predatory targeting shrouded in the shadow of accidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He faces a total of nine counts of attempted murder, a first-degree felony; six counts of failing to stop at an accident with serious injury, a third-degree felony; and three counts of failing to stop at an accident with injury, a class A misdemeanor. The arguments Three professionals who evaluated Pham gave varied reports during Mondays hearing. Keith McGoldrick, a neuropsychologist who was hired by Phams attorneys, said Pham was not able to maintain a normal conversation and would repeat questions before answering. He said conversations with Pham seemed superficial and circular he stayed fixated on one topic. McGoldrick sat in on conversations with Phams attorneys and said he repeatedly asked the same questions. He seemed to not really understand anything at the end of that whole meeting, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benjamin Thatcher, who was also called as a witness by Phams attorneys, said he performed two evaluations on Pham and found in both he was not competent to go to trial. He said Phams conversations got to be kind of obnoxious and annoying. In a second meeting, Thatcher took a different, more aggressive, approach and said the nice version of Pham disappeared. He was still pleasant and gave superficial answers. He said someone who is experienced with autism might be able to help restore him to competency, saying his psychotic symptoms are generally managed through medications at this point. Meghan Semenick, an evaluator called by prosecutors, said she determined Pham was competent. She said he couldnt repeat back information during her evaluation, but she believed that was on purpose. She said his switch between communication styles made her think he does not have autism. He was likely feigning or exaggerating symptoms, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Semenick said Pham was not receiving mental health treatment in jail, yet was functioning fine. Phams attorney, Samantha Dugan, agreed that there was evidence of feigning symptoms but said she didnt see how Pham could understand why that would benefit him. He doesnt have a correct understanding of what even happens to him if he is found incompetent, she said. Dugan expressed concerns with statements that he would trust whatever his attorneys suggested, and that prosecutors are his friends. Deputy Salt Lake County attorney Jamie Whiteway argued that Pham should be considered competent, saying he graduated from high school, has an average IQ and such testing is not reliable if Pham is not genuine. She said he is clearly feigning his symptoms, and not wanting to cooperate doesnt mean he cannot cooperate. As cloud seeding misinformation spreads in wake of Texas floods, what's its status in Minnesota? originally appeared on Bring Me The News. The devastating flooding in Texas has left 132 people dead, 166 missing, and sparked a flurry of unsubstantiated claims regarding the impact of "cloud seeding." While much of the focus from last week's deadly floods has centered on National Weather Service warnings, the functionality and investment in local emergency alert systems, and the impact of climate change on extreme weather, it has also added fuel to conspiracy theories about the weather being "controlled" through technologies like cloud seeding. Related: Sven Sundgaard: Its only a matter of time before the next weather disaster Republicans such as Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene reacted to the floods by seeking to ban cloud seeding in the U.S. Despite her claims, the meteorology associated with the event and the science behind cloud seeding makes it abundantly clear that Mother Nature and geography were the culprits for the horrific outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So what is cloud seeding and how does it work? "There are many misconceptions about cloud seeding," says Bring Me The News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard. "First, it has rather mixed results. If it worked well, wed combat droughts in many places. It requires clouds to already be in existence that could produce rainfall, not just clear skies or small clouds." "Typically, silver iodide or dry ice or something similar is put into a cloud to act as condensation nuclei. Moisture needs something to condense onto. In the natural process, this is dust, dirt, salt, etc.," Sundgaard explains. "The idea is that this can force a cloud to then produce rainfall. Its very difficult to do this on a large scale and its never done on a severe storm or hurricane. People confuse contrails from planes as some sort of leftover cloud seeding experiment, which is also bogus. Contrails are simply moisture condensed out from the hot engines of a plane its mostly just water, not some kind of chemical falling to Earth. Thats why it looks exactly like a cloud." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James Spann, a veteran meteorologist with millions of followers on social media, has denounced all claims that suggest cloud seeding had anything to do with the Texas floods. "Cloud seeding can only enhance rain from existing clouds by up to ~20% it cannot create massive deluges," Spann wrote on Facebook. "The flooding stemmed from a stalled weather system, bringing 1020 inches of rain last [on July 3-4]. This was fueled by moisture from Tropical Storm Barry, Gulf air, and hillcountry geography notorious for flash floods. This is nothing new for the Guadalupe River. Bottom line: The Texas floods were caused by natural weather dynamics not human interference or weather modification efforts. It was not caused by Democrats or Republicans." Weather modification in Minnesota Cloud seeding has been around since the 1970s. However, according to the Government Accountability Office, it's currently happening in only nine states: California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and North Dakota. But a renewed push to ban its use is gaining momentum in a number of states. Florida enacted a weather modification ban earlier this month, making it a felony punishable up to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Minnesota, legislation requiring a weather modification license was established in 1977. In 1999, after 22 years without a single request for a license, the legislation was repealed. A bill introduced in Minnesota's 2023-24 legislative session by several Republican lawmakers led to claims it had been inspired by "chemtrails" conspiracy theories, which suggest that contrails left in the sky by planes contain "toxic chemicals" being emitted for various reasons such as mind control and sterilization. The bill, which had no chance of passing the then-DFL-controlled legislature, sought to ban "harmful atmospheric activity," which included a proposal to ban "weather-engineering, cloud seeding, stratospheric aerosol injection, or other atmospheric activity that is harmful to humans or the environment." Another attempt was made by some Republican lawmakers during the 2025-26 session, though it was a changed bill that sought to ban "weather modification," making its use a misdemeanor punishable by fines. It ultimately didn't get a hearing before the end of the session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the North American Weather Modification Council, silver iodide has been "extensively reviewed" and the "published findings of this research clearly show no environmentally harmful effects arising from cloud seeding." The Government Accountability Office agrees that silver iodide doesn't pose environmental or health concerns, though it acknowledges that "it is not known whether more widespread use of silver iodide would have an effect on public health or the environment." The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has previously debunked claims the government is using technology to exacerbate or steer weather phenomena, saying: "NOAA does not modify the weather, nor does it fund, participate in or oversee cloud seeding or any other weather modification activities. "NOAAs objective is to better understand and predict Earths systems, from the bottom of the seafloor to the surface of the sun." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "NOAA is required by law ... to track weather modification activities by others, including cloud seeding, but has no authority to regulate those activities." Cloud seeding operation two days before Texas flood One company on the leading edge of cloud seeding in the United States is Rainmaker Technology, which conducted an operation two days prior, and about 100 miles southeast, of the flash flooding in the Texas Hill Country region. August Doricko, the CEO of Rainmaker, said on the Shawn Ryan Show that his company conducted a 20-minute operation two days before the mega flood and they dispersed 70 grams of silver iodide into two clouds that dissipated two hours after the mission. "The most successful cloud-seeding missions that have ever been conducted, either by Rainmaker or research labs, have produced tens of millions of gallons of precipitation. [Texas Hill Country] got hundreds of billions of precipitation over the course of just hours, and trillions cumulatively," Doricko said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Cloud seeding, though it can make useful amounts of water for these farms and ecosystems, cannot produce a million times more than what the best operations ever have." False claims followed deadly South Dakota floods Blaming the deadly flash floods in Texas on cloud seeding is similar to what happened when 12-15 inches of rain fell in the span of six hours near Rapid City, South Dakota, on June 9, 1972. The deluge caused the Rapid Creek to rise 13 feet in a matter of hours, with the rushing water rupturing the Canyon Lake Dam and generating a flash flood that killed 238 people and injured 3,000 others, while 1,335 homes and 5,000 vehicles were destroyed. The devastating floods happened on the same day that the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology was conducting cloud seeding experiments. Suspicions of cloud seeding playing a role in the extreme event were debunked by scientific reviews that determined "the June 9 flood was caused by meteorological conditions beyond the control of man." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Cloud seeding is not long streaks in the sky. It's not trying to dim out the sun. It's certainly not creating hurricanes," Doricko said. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared. CLYDE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) During the West Texas heat, a trip to the splash pad sounds refreshing, but for the past four years in Clyde, the splash pad has been turned off. City Council member David Mann stated that the splash parks lack of a recirculation system was wasting city resources. It was not built with a recirculation system, so its practically unusable in its current state. Without being able to recycle the water, it just uses too much and puts the water that you do use out into the ditch, Mann explained. We havent had the funds or the resources to retrofit it, to make it operational. So thats primarily what were looking to do. At a recent city council meeting, Mann proposed hosting a community fundraiser to renovate the play area and install a recirculation system. Mann said that with the high price tag of $100,000, he and his wife started by giving $10,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have 12 grandkids now, so the park plays an important part in how we entertain and interact with our grandkids. It didnt really feel right to ask the community, the community to do something that we wouldnt do ourselves, Mann said. If we can get other business owners and citizens to come together and chip in, I really dont see why we cant have the splash pad up and running for next summer season. Mann went on to say he hopes this fundraiser for the splash pad can initiate other improvements in the park and the city as a whole. It is a city park. But more importantly, its a community park. And I think if the community takes a little ownership in the park, you know, we can make it something special for all the kids in the neighborhood, Mann said. I think itll be something that all the community can pull together, and just every time you drive by that park or go by that park, well have a sense of pride in it and a sense of community ownership. A community meeting will be held at the Community Center in Clyde at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, where residents are welcome to attend with questions and concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. An examination of slavery and the impact on the economy of the Cherokee Nation is the focus of a task force until February 2026. "We celebrated Juneteenth [and] in the Cherokee Nation we created a task force," said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. "We are going to examine more closely the impact from an economic standpoint; more precisely the use of slaves to construct public buildings across the Cherokee Nation." Hoskin said at the June 14 Tribal Council meeting that this needs to be confronted, to learn the facts, and acknowledge this happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need to measure to the degree we can what happened, so we have the full picture of that part of our history," Hoskin said. "And I think we will be better for it, just as we've been better for having examined other aspects of our history with slavery." Over the course of several months, concluding in February 2026, a task force will look at the issue, and even at the museum to ensure the whole of the story is being told, Hoskin said. "And I think telling the whole of the story is a very important thing to do," Hoskin said. On July 12, a celebration of the "Act of Union" was held, Hoskin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We focus a lot, as we should, on the annual Cherokee National Holiday, which memorializes the 1839 Constitution," Hoskin said. More emphasis has been added over the years on the Act of Union, and Hoskin said the ancestors this time of the year in 1839 were facing difficulties with political and personal division, and the trauma suffered during the forced removal. "There were certainly lots of opportunities for our ancestors to give into those things that deeply divided them, divided them to the point there was political violence right here in this capitol area and other parts of the Cherokee Nation," Hoskin said. These ancestors chose a path of determining what was in the collective interest: a shared history and culture and a lot of present concerns that demanded all of the citizens' attention, Hoskin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They came together on July 12, in the form of that really important instrument, the Act of Union," Hoskin said. Hoskin and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner announced the Cherokee Nations intent to designate the Illinois Campground site where this pivotal document was signed on the tribes Registry of Historic Places as the 17th site, as reported in an article titled, "Cherokee Nation Marks 186th Anniversary of Act of Union with Tribes Historic Registry Designation," published in the Pryor Information Publication, July 14. "After we get the feedback from the Council and public, we will make that official designation," Hoskin said. "That site if you didn't know it, you wouldn't know it, you wouldn't see anything there that would signify what is, I think, one of the most important, if not most important, moments and places in the history of the Cherokee Nation." He said this would allow even more honor be given to the ancestors who participated in this historical moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five years ago, the news from the U.S. Supreme Court was the decision on McGirt v. Oklahoma. That was the most important case affecting the Nation for many generations, Hoskin said. "In fact, you would have to go to the era before our removal, to see a time in which the Supreme Court handed down a decision that was that monumental," Hoskin said. Hoskin said that since then, the Nation has been seizing opportunities that have come with the reaffirmation of the reservation, which was the following spring 2021, in which the Hogner case extended this ruling to the Cherokee Nation, further solidifying the impact of McGirt. Students in a new program through the Human Resources Department, the Cherokee Nation Internship Program, were recognized at the meeting, with students introducing themselves, announcing the department each is interning with and what college or university they are attending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 2024, Hoskin signed into policy the program to provide internship opportunities and tribal workforce experience for college students, as reported by a CN press release. Two veterans were honored with the Cherokee Warriors Metal of Patriotism: Steven Leon Donnell and Stephanie Denise Caldwell. In a couple of motions to approve modifications to the budget, Tribal Councilor Candessa Tehee, District 2, declared, "by acclamation," after the motion was made, seconded and approved. "What that means is when there is a legislative act, we are supposed to do a roll call vote, but if we all vote together by acclamation, my understanding is we are all in agreement; therefore you don't have to do the roll call," Tehee said after the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the announcements, Tribal Councilor Codey Poindexter, District 8, said 20 speakers were lost last month, and in the Caddo Nation, the last speaker has died. "Out of deep respect and in recognition of a profound loss to our Nation, the Caddo Nation Tribal Administration Office will be closed on Tuesday, July 15, to honor the life and legacy of Edmond Johnson, our last fluent Caddo language speaker," stated a press release from the Caddo Nation. Johnson was a vital knowledge bearer of language and a treasured elder, stated the release. "His passing marks an irreplaceable loss to our heritage, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who mourn with us," stated the release. What's next The next Tribal Council meeting is Aug. 11, 6 p.m., at the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex. CNN Jerusalem Correspondent Jeremy Diamond has reported that Israeli settlers attacked the car that he and his crew were traveling in as they visited the West Bank on assignment over the weekend. The experienced journalist, who was previously the White House Correspondent for CNN, and his crew were making their way to the Palestinian town of Sinjil to report on the circumstances around the death on July 11 of U.S. citizen Saif al-Din Kamil Abdul Karim Musalat. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 20-year-old Florida native was visiting family in Sinjil who allege that the young man was beaten by Israeli settlers who then blocked ambulances from reaching the area where he lay dying from his wounds. As we were covering this story, my team & I were attacked by Israeli settlers. The back window of our vehicle was smashed, but we managed to escape unharmed, wrote Diamond in a post on X, accompanied by an image of the damaged car late Monday. This is just a sliver of the reality many Palestinians face in the West Bank amid rising settler violence. The Jerusalem-based Foreign Press Association (FPA), representing 400 media professionals working in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, put out a statement on the attack on Tuesday saying it was part of a rising cycle of settler violence against local and international journalists. This is the second settler attack on foreign journalists in Sinjil this month. On July 4, a Deutsche Welle team was chased by settlers while filming. A window of DWs car was smashed with stones, and its bodywork dented. In each of these incidents, settlers struck in broad daylight. Yet so far, we are unaware of any arrests being made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is taking place at a time when our Palestinian colleagues routinely face threats, intimidation and violence at the hands of settlers and security forces, while the foreign press is routinely vilified by some Israeli public figures, continued the statement. In a separate statement published on July 8, prior to Musalats death and the attack on the CNN crew, the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) also reported a rising number of attacks by Israeli soldiers and settlers on Palestinian and international journalists. It cited the case of Palestinian journalist Issam al-Rimawi was attacked by Israeli settlers in al-Mughayyir, a village northeast of Ramallah, and beaten so badly that he lost consciousness. In another case in Jenin on 28 May, Israeli soldiers fired warning shots near the car in which French journalist Amira Souilem of France 24 and Radio France Internationale, Palestinian journalist Mohammed Mansour, and three other Palestinian colleagues were traveling, even though it was clearly marked press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On 2 June, an international group of reporters was prevented by masked Israeli soldiers from visiting Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages on the southern edge of the West Bank which was the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land. The journalists had been invited by the films co-directors Yuval Abraham and Basel Adra, who then documented the armys obstruction of the visit. The FPA also noted the fact that the Israeli army has been blocking journalists from entering refugee camps in the northern West Bank from which tens of thousands of Palestinians have been expelled in recent months. These phenomena have led to a worrying and rapid shrinking of the space and freedom to report on Palestinian lives, said the FPA. We call on Israeli authorities to uphold the countrys stated commitment to freedom of the press by ensuring the safety of journalists and prosecuting, not protecting, their assailants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to these restrictions in the West Bank, international journalists are currently barred from entering the Gaza Strip, unless as part of a rare embed with the Israeli army. In an open letter in early June, more than 200 press freedom advocacy groups and international newsrooms published a letter demanding that foreign journalists be granted immediate, independent and unrestricted access to the Gaza Strip. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The journalist was covering a story for CNN on a Palestinian-American citizen who was killed on Friday by far-right Israeli activists when the vandalism occurred. Jeremy Diamond, a journalist at CNN's Jerusalem bureau, posted a picture on his social media on Monday showing the aftermath of someone smashing the back window of his vehicle. "We managed to escape unharmed," Diamond wrote. He was covering a story for CNN on a Palestinian-American citizen who was killed on Friday by far-Right Israeli activists when the vandalism occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is just a sliver of the reality many Palestinians face in the West Bank amid rising settler violence," Diamond commented. Theres no accountability, said the father of the killed Palestinian-American, Kamel Musallet, who flew from the US to bury his son. We demand the United States government do something about it... I dont want his death to go in vain, Reuters reported. Who was the Palestinian-American killed? According to Diamond, the killed Palestinian-American was weeks away from his 21st birthday and owned an ice cream shop in Tampa, Florida, with his father. Reuters contributed to this report. It seems FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino pulled an Irish exit. On Monday, CNN host Kaitlan Collins said on Anderson Cooper 360 that things at the White House are so chaotic in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein files fiasco that President Donald Trumps aides are reaching out to reporters to figure out whats going on in their own administration which includes whether or not Bongino is still working for the FBI. Dan Bongino attends the 2022 FOX Nation Patriot Awards in Hollywood, Florida. Jason Koerner via Getty Images [Officials] were texting each other and texting me this morning asking, you know, whether or not they had figured out if he had shown up to work today, Collins told Cooper, per CNN and in a video obtained by the Daily Beast. It was still an open question in Washington this morning if he was going to be back at the FBI today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins went on to say that Bongino did eventually show up to work on Monday after failing to show up to the office on Friday and spending his self-created three-day weekend in Florida. Collins noted that although Bongino is still the deputy director of the FBI for right now, his relationship with the Trump administration has deteriorated so much that there are officials inside the White House who have not spoken to Dan Bongino in days. I was told the president was very angry with Dan Bongino, Collins added. CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins at a White House press conference in February. Bloomberg via Getty Images Bonginos decision to play hooky Friday was likely sparked by an alleged squabble he had with Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier last week. According to reports, Bondi accused Bongino of leaking stories to the media that the FBI was upset about the Epstein case being closed during a meeting on Wednesday. Bongino was so out-of-control furious about the confrontation that he threatened to quit and torch Pam unless shes fired, NBC News reports. The Justice Department announced early last week that it was closing Epsteins case after reviewing it and finding no proof of a so-called client list or that the late child sex-trafficker died by any means other than suicide, which has enraged many on the right. Engineering company AFRY has signed an agreement to acquire Reta Engenharia (Reta), a Brazilian company that offers project and construction management services and holds a prominent position in the mining and metals sector. With over 200 employees, Reta contributes local expertise that will enhance AFRYs capabilities in key industrial sectors across the Americas. Reta's key competencies will bolster AFRY's current operations, which encompass more than 1,200 employees in Brazil. This acquisition also strengthens AFRYs position in supporting the global energy and industrial transition, particularly in the mining and metals sector. The transaction is contingent upon meeting operational closing conditions and is anticipated to be finalised in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025. AFRY global division industry head and executive vice-president Nicholas Oksanen said: This is a strategic step for AFRY as we expand our footprint in the Americas. Brazil plays a vital role in sustainable industrial development, and Retas capabilities will strengthen our position from the early stages of client projects. Combining their niche expertise with AFRYs global platform creates a strong foundation for future growth in the region. Reta has positioned itself as a provider of high-value services such as construction management and site supervision. Operating across various industries in Brazil, the company oversees a diverse portfolio of capital investment projects and local operational services. Reta's net sales for 2024 reached approximately Skr135m ($14.1m). Reta Engenharia CEO Marcus Cassini said: Joining AFRY defines a new and important chapter in the history of Reta Engenharia. We share a strong vision of technical excellence, sustainable development, and the promotion of shared value for clients and employees. This milestone strengthens our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions, expands professional growth opportunities for our team, and reinforces our commitment to transforming knowledge into a lasting legacy for society. Earlier this month, AFRY was selected as the technical advisor to lenders for a solar and battery energy storage initiative in the Philippines. The Terra Solar project, boasting 3,500MWp of solar power and 4,500MWh of battery storage, is poised to become the world's largest such installation, with development split into two phases and completion set for 2026 and 2027, respectively. "AFRY to acquire Brazils Reta Engenharia" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. (COLORADO) Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is helping lead a new lawsuit against the Trump Administration, along with over 20 other states. The lawsuit alleges the administration unlawfully froze $6.8 billion in education funding just weeks before the school year starts. Those joining Weiser in the suit claim congress appropriated these funds, and Trump does not have the power to withhold them. Im here in disbelief. It was a couple of weeks ago on July 3, when I was talking in the Western part of our state to a school superintendent who said, Theyve never done this before to me. I cant believe theyre doing it. Our budget is now in a tenuous, untenable position, because of this arbitrary, unfair, inexplicable action,' said Weiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weiser said Colorado students are at risk of losing $80 million in federal funding. He said this money is for programs promoting effective instruction, improving school conditions and technology in the classroom, educational programs for English learners, and more. We all know what a setback the pandemic was to education. Our kids have this learning loss that we still havent made up for, and yet here we are talking about promised funding being withheld, said Weiser. Earlier this year, Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the administrations requests to make cuts to the department. We have spent $3 trillion since 1980 on education in our country when this department was set up, and our scores have continued to go down. We are not doing something right, said McMahon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McMahon also previously said education funding that goes directly to schools and students would not get cut, and President Trump is making these changes to help children. Weiser disagrees, and argued the decision has thrown our schools into chaos as they determine which services, educators, and programming will need to go. I dont want Colorado educational leaders scrambling the way thats happening right now This is another case where were going to force this administration to follow the law, and to make sure that Colorado gets the money that was promised to it, said Weiser. The Trump Administration previously said it froze funds to investigate if what was spent matched up with the presidents priorities and the departments responsibilities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. A Coast Guard rescue crew received distinguished awards for helping save the lives of those trapped in Kerrville, Texas, after historic flooding in the Central Texas region, according to the Coast Guard. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem presented first responders from Coast Guard Rescue 6553 crew with medals Friday for helping evacuate campers and staff from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp in Kerr County, Texas, on July 4 after the Guadalupe River swelled to a record-setting 37 feet and inundated the area with water. This is what the men and women of the Coast Guard do, Noem said in a Coast Guard release. The selfless courage of this crew embodies the spirit and mission of the U.S. Coast Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rescue swimmer Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan, whos been profiled extensively for his efforts, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions, skill and heroism. Pilot Lt. Ian Hopper received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his exceptional aeronautical skill and heroism. And co-pilot Lt. Blair Ogujiofor and flight mechanic Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Reeves were awarded the Air Medal in honor of their actions and aeronautical skill. In the early morning hours of July 4, Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, received a call that Kerrville was in dire need of assistance after torrential rainfall caused flash flooding along the Guadalupe River, according to the Coast Guard. But the location was 150 miles inland in an area the crew didnt typically travel to. The four members of Rescue 6553 suited up and flew through harrowing weather conditions in an HC-65E Dolphin helicopter for seven hours to reach the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weather conditions were so dire during the flight that the team was forced to rely solely on navigation instruments on three separate occasions due to decreased visibility. The crew had to abort the voyage several times before finally reaching Kerrville and Camp Mystic. After touching down in the area, Ruskan remained on the scene for three hours, triaging survivors while the Rescue 6553 crew airlifted those in need to safety. In the face of devastating floods in Texas, this Coast Guard aircrews courageous actions saved lives and reaffirmed our vital role in protecting American communities, said Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coast Guard crews, in partnership with state and local authorities, have assisted and rescued 230 people affected by the floods, according to the service. The catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe has claimed the lives of at least 132 people in Central Texas, according to The Associated Press, including at least 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic. There were 557 campers and more than 100 staffers at Camp Mystic at the time of the floods, according to NPR. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The Coast Guard fired warning rounds and pepper balls at a boat that crossed into U.S. territory with no lights then attempted to flee off the coast of Imperial Beach in southern San Diego County on Saturday. The Coast Guard reports a San Francisco-based Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team found three people two who claimed Mexican nationality and one who claimed Turkish nationality in a 20-foot boat about six miles west of Imperial Beach at 4 p.m. Saturday. Coast Guard stops boat carrying three people near Imperial Beach Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Coast Guard, the MSST SF law enforcement team watched as the boat crossed the maritime boundary line with no navigational lighting. The Coast Guard reports the crew tried to stop the boat, which reportedly initially complied, but then attempted to flee when notified of an impending boarding. In an effort to stop the boat, the Coast Guard reports the crew fired two LA-51 warning rounds and three rounds of pepper ball munitions at the boat. Coast Guard fires warning rounds, pepper balls at fleeing migrant boat off Imperial Beach (PHOTO: U.S. Coast Guard) Coast Guard fires warning rounds, pepper balls at fleeing migrant boat off Imperial Beach (PHOTO: U.S. Coast Guard) The crew was able to then board the boat and took all three people on board to Department of Homeland Security partners at Ballast Point. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. An online trend is taking morning coffee to a whole new level, as some people on social media are conducting "coffee enemas." An enema is a medical procedure that involves injecting a solution into the rectum and lower part of the colon (the large intestine), according to Rosario Ligresti, M.D., chief of gastroenterology at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. "The primary purpose is to stimulate a bowel movement, but it can also be used to administer medication or for diagnostic purposes," he told Fox News Digital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daily Coffee Drinking Linked To Major Health Benefit In Women As They Age, Study Finds A coffee enema is a type of colon cleanse used in alternative medicine, under the assumption that absorbing compounds in the coffee will trigger the liver to detox the body, Ligresti said. This practice, which was popularized in the 1920s and 1930s, is a central component of the "Gerson therapy," an alternative cancer treatment, according to the doctor. Read On The Fox News App An enema is a medical procedure that involves injecting a solution into the rectum and lower part of the colon. "Interestingly enough, one of my patients just asked me about [coffee enemas]," Ligresti shared. The procedure is similar to a regular enema, except the water is mixed with brewed, caffeinated coffee and flushed into the colon through the rectum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coffee-water blend is held in the colon for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the body to absorb the compounds through the intestinal wall before expelling the liquid. Popular Coffee Alternative May Help Prevent Cancer, Say Experts Enemas have been used as detox tools in ancient Egyptian, Greek and Ayurvedic practices, "but the use of coffee specifically is a more modern adaptation," noted Mona Sharma, a Los Angeles-based nutritionist, wellness entrepreneur and member of the iFIT Science Council. "In my practice, Ive worked with clients who say they feel energized, clear-headed or lighter after a coffee enema," Sharma told Fox News Digital. "That said, this is not my first go-to for detoxification." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She noted that her clients' experiences are "anecdotal and not backed by conclusive clinical research." Coffee enemas involve the same process as traditional procedures, but with a mix of coffee and water instead. Ligresti confirmed that there are no scientifically proven health benefits to doing a coffee enema. "The idea that enemas can detoxify the body is a myth," he said. "The liver and kidneys are the body's natural detoxification systems." As a wellness advocate, Sharma said that she also believes in supporting the bodys "natural intelligence." "Our organs are incredibly capable of self-cleansing when we nourish them properly," she said. Sharma recommends "detox-friendly" practices like leafy greens, bitter herbs and grounding to "help our systems do what they were designed to do: heal, repair and thrive." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The risks of using a coffee enema are well-documented, Ligresti warned, including burns and infections stemming from introducing hot coffee to the sensitive areas of the body. It is even possible to overdose on caffeine after absorbing a toxic amount, potentially leading to anxiety, heart palpitations and, in severe cases, seizures or death, according to the expert. While some people do experience short-term benefits, acccording to Sharma, coffee enemas present potential risks "especially for those with gut disorders, hemorrhoids, heart issues or electrolyte imbalances." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Based on current medical evidence and the consensus of major health organizations, no one should consider a coffee enema," Ligresti advised. The procedure is much the same as a regular enema, except the water is mixed with brewed, caffeinated coffee and flushed into the colon through the rectum. Experts agree that only traditional enemas and subsequent injected solutions are safe medical tools for treating constipation and preparing the bowel for procedures under the guidance of a healthcare professional. For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health If someone still chooses to explore this therapy, Sharma recommends doing so only under the supervision of a knowledgeable practitioner who can monitor for deficiencies or complications. Original article source: 'Coffee enema' social media trend sparks health concerns among doctors Late-night host Stephen Colbert unleashed on Paramount, his employer, for settling with President Donald Trump in his election interference lawsuit against the company over a "60 Minutes" interview. Both that program and "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" air on Paramount-owned CBS. "I believe this kind of complicated financial sentiment with a sitting government official has a technical name in legal circles. Its big fat bribe, because it all comes as Paramounts owners are trying to get the Trump administration to approve the sale of our network to a new owner, Skydance!" Colbert said. Paramount, CBS' parent company, agreed on July 1 to pay the president a sum that could reach north of $30 million to settle Trumps election interference lawsuit against the network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colbert joked that Paramount issued a statement that read, "You may take our money, but you will never take our dignity. You may, however, purchase our dignity for the low, low price of $16 million. We need the cash." Fair Election Fund Urges Fcc To Hold Cbs Accountable For 'Unlawful Conduct Related To 60 Minutes Interview Late-night host Stephen Colbert went off on his employer on Monday, Paramount, over settling with President Trump "Some of the TV typers out there are blogging that once Skydance gets CBS, the new owners desire to please Trump will put pressure on late-night host and frequent Trump critic Stephen Colbert," he said, stroking his mustache. "Okay, but how are they going to put pressure on Stephen Colbert if they cant find him?" Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was seeking $20 billion in his lawsuit against CBS over its handling of a "60 Minutes" interview last year with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing the network of election interference leading up to the 2024 contest. CBS is not acknowledging any journalistic wrongdoing with the settlement. The lawsuit alleged CBS News deceitfully edited an exchange Harris had with "60 Minutes" correspondent Bill Whitaker, who asked her why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn't "listening" to the Biden administration. Harris was widely mocked for the "word salad" answer that aired in a preview clip of the interview on CBS' "Face the Nation," but the edited response that aired during a "60 Minutes" primetime special depicted Harris giving a more concise and direct answer. Top '60 Minutes' Producer Resigns From Show, Cites Lack Of Independence Fox News Digital reached out to Paramount and CBS for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colbert also called out his Paramount bosses in May over reports that controlling shareholder Shari Redstone put pressure on "60 Minutes" to avoid critical coverage of the president amid the lawsuit. CBS staffers were outraged over the settlement, which also prompted extensive backlash from media watchdogs, journalism advocacy groups, liberal journalists and even Democratic lawmakers. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture CBS News signage ahead of the first vice presidential debate at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York, US, on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., issued a scathing statement that said the settlement sets an "extremely dangerous precedent in terms of both the First Amendment and government extortion," while Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., accused Paramount of taking a "bribe" and threatened future federal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox News' Brian Flood and Joseph Wulfsohn contributed to this report. Original article source: Colbert slams Paramount for settling with Trump, accuses his parent company of offering a 'big fat bribe' LEE COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL) Authorities in two states are investigating the disappearance of a Tennessee woman whose last known location may have been in Lee County, Alabama. Jennifer Louise Bell, also known as Jennifer Wood, has been missing since July 2023. She is officially listed as a missing person in Robertson County, Tennessee, but investigators say the circumstances surrounding her disappearance point to Lee County, Alabama. According to a National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) report, Jennifers mother last saw her at a Shell gas station on Dickerson Pike in Nashville, Tennessee, where she met her to give her money. At the time, Jennifer was with a man named Jacob McCord. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCord later told Jennifers mother the two had traveled to Lee County. He claimed he woke up one morning to find Jennifer along with his vehicle, wallet, and phone gone. That vehicle was later discovered abandoned on July 24, 2023, near the 8000 block of Lee Road 179 in rural Lee County. The drivers side mirror was missing, and the passenger-side window was shattered. Witnesses later reported seeing McCord camping alone near Mill Creek, washing his clothes in creek water. No one recalled seeing Jennifer or a vehicle with him at the time. Authorities say McCord is not a suspect, but he is considered a person of interest in the case. He is currently incarcerated on unrelated charges and allegedly has refused to cooperate with investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennifer Bell was officially reported missing in February 2024. She is described as a 39-year-old white female, 53 tall, 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She has a dragonfly tattoo on her ankle, a butterfly on her lower back, a small tattoo behind her ear, and surgical scars on her stomach. Bell is a mother of three children, and her family continues to plead for answers. We just want to know what happened to her, said a family member. Her kids deserve to know where their mom is. If you have any information about the disappearance of Jennifer Bell, contact: Tennessee Detectives at 615-862-7329 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee County Sheriffs Office at 334-749-5651 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. Judith Vargas was an Arleta High senior uncertain about the future and unsure whether she wanted to pursue a four-year degree when she attended a college fair more than a year ago. "I didn't know what I wanted for my career, and I was nervous because everyone in my class had an idea of what they wanted to do," Vargas recalled. At the college fair, she stopped by the North Valley Occupational Center station and the idea of becoming an aircraft mechanic looked intriguing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That moment and a timely collaboration between the Los Angeles school district and Vista Aircraft Maintenance propelled Vargas, now 19 and a high school graduate, toward a potentially well-paying career in aviation, one that won't require a college degree. Vargas was part of a trial effort last summer that has become the Earn & Learn program at the Los Angeles Unified School District. Her burgeoning success story is emblematic of an ongoing, pragmatic reshaping of public education as many students and families weigh the value of a costly four-year college degree against specific job-ready training. In the new program, about 160 students are receiving $1,000 this summer while being introduced to vocational skills in high-demand sectors, including aviation, construction, healthcare and high-tech maintenance. The program has a waiting list. Judith Vargas, 19, speaks about her current position working at Vista Aircraft Maintenance as a service representative during an event this month in Wilmington. Vargas was able to do this because she took part in the "Earn & Learn" program. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Preparing students for a career is challenging amid rapidly evolving workplace needs, and many are increasingly debating the merits of a traditional college education versus specialized job training focus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data show that college graduates earn more than those who don't finish college. But the full picture is complex. Some degrees lead to higher wages than others. College costs also can result in crippling debt. And many students aren't completing college or aren't completing it quickly. "Not every student wants to go the college route. Not every student needs to do that," said Renny Neyra, executive director of L.A. Unified's Division of Adult and Career Education. "We need to have X-ray techs. We need to have welders in the port. We need people to fix the planes that we're going to be flying in. Being career ready doesn't always mean having a college degree." But even without college, steering toward a successful career means getting an education for the right skills at the right time and potentially different skills that can persist through a succession of jobs. At its core, education shouldnt just open doors, but help students build skills, confidence and tools that will last a lifetime," said Isabel Acosta, vice president of programs at the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foundation is funding the $1,000 payments to rising seniors and recent graduates who complete a five-week summer program that introduces students to various trades. The money help students from low-income families attend the free full-day training with less pressure to hold down an outside job. While the funding was not available last year for Vargas, the free training was. It took place at the Van Nuys Airport, which also is a local headquarters for Vista Aircraft Maintenance, a company that students visited as part of their coursework. Vargas took the opportunity to introduce herself to company employees. She is continuing her training in L.A. Unified's adult school program at the occupational center. "In my first class, it was just general knowledge about aviation, so a little bit of everything," Vargas said. "The class I just finished was the structure of the airplane." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About two months ago, Vista offered her an entry-level job while providing flexibility for Vargas to continue her training toward becoming an aircraft mechanic. She is already earning more than minimum wage and assists with scheduling aircraft in and out of maintenance care at Van Nuys and in other facilities. More airplane workers are needed, said Louis DeLorio, president of Vista Aircraft Maintenance. "I want people to know that this is a really good option for them. ... You get to work on the entire airplane. One day you're working on engines. One day you're working on the airframe. You might be working on landing gear. It gives you a lot of opportunity to learn the entire aircraft." "That's my passion, kind of teaching the youth about what the opportunities are in corporate aviation," DeLorio added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's also becoming a passion for Vargas, who was the only woman in her summer aviation class last year. "I want to inspire other women," she said. The opportunity for career training and work experience helps students in various ways. Saphira Ramos just graduated from Belmont High School with a 4.0 GPA, and she plans to attend UC Riverside and major in biology. To get a jump start on job pathways, she is attending a health careers class and using the stipend to save for college. "The most interesting [part] for me has been nursing and dentistry," said Ramos, who is 18 and is enrolled at East Los Angeles Occupational Center in Boyle Heights. "I really enjoyed mixing the alginate and creating the mold of teeth. And what we've been learning is how oral hygiene is very important. Being able to help others keep their teeth clean I think that would be pretty cool." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A different career-related program through L.A. Unified's Division of Instruction allows high school students to spend the summer working for hourly pay, typically minimum wage. During the school year, students are first designated as "internship ready" once they demonstrate basic skills, such as preparing a resume and a cover letter. Later, they can earn a "Work Ready" badge after showing financial literacy knowledge, participating in mock interviews and completing an internship, program administrator Esther Dabagyan said. Career-related skills that all students need include "thinking critically, or being able to speak professionally or give a presentation, or being able to put together a cogent resume, or having basic technology skills," Dabagyan said. During the 2024-25 school year, L.A. Unified students earned 2,890 "Internship Ready" and 1,185 "Work Ready" badges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Broad Foundation also provides some funding for this effort. About 550 students are taking on internships this summer. Many students work at L.A. Unified offices. Leonardo De Los Santos, 17, is working at a Best Buy Teen Tech Center, assisting with technology classes that the company provides for teenagers on Western Avenue in South L.A. De Los Santos is helping his peers learn how to create and print a T-shirt design, among other skills. De Los Santos is a rising senior at nearby Hawkins High School and plans to become a mechanical engineer. He said he's benefiting from this introduction to the world of work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You got to be on time to work," De Los Santos said. "Also, you learn how to interact with people. Learning how to interact with your people and clients and co-workers would be really important for a future job." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. DENVER (KDVR) Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has joined a coalition of 21 state attorneys general on Tuesday who are calling on Congress to prohibit federal immigration agents from wearing masks and plainclothes. About six months after President Donald Trump signed immigration executive orders, the coalition has sent a letter to congressional leaders asking for action. This comes after alarming reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are said to be operating without identification, dressed in civilian clothing and using unmarked vehicles. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Colorado, we promote responsible and trustworthy law enforcement through transparency and well-trained professionals subject to appropriate oversight, said Attorney General Weiser. By contrast, secretive enforcement tactics, other than in exceptional situations, undermine public trust, threaten public safety, and violate the principle that law enforcement officers must be identifiable and accountable to the people they serve. Congress must act now to protect that trust, safeguard public safety, and ensure that all enforcement operations uphold our democratic values. The letter also stated that the current practices by ICE not only spreads fear in communities, but also creates public safety risks, which have included impersonations of ICE agents. The coalition of attorneys general are from the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Free on Your TV New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coalition noted at the end of the letter that as a general rule, if the federal authorities are confident that their practices are lawful and just, they should not fear identifying themselves. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Opening statements in the murder trial of Colorado dentist Dr. James Craig featured dueling portrayals of a marriage unraveling under the weight of betrayal and religious ideals. James Toliver Craig, 47, is charged with first-degree murder after deliberation in the March 2023 death of his wife, Angela Craig, a 43-year-old mother of six. Her cause of death was determined to be lethal doses of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline. Prosecutors cast Craigs extramarital affairs as the motive for allegedly poisoning his wife, Angela, while the defense painted the couples relationship as a long-standing dynamic known and endured by both parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is not about a marriage. This is about murder," declared Senior Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Mauro in his opening remarks to the jury Tuesday. "He went into that room and murdered her. Deliberately and intentionally." Small Town Dentist Facing Trial For Allegedly Poisoning Wife's Protein Shake Amid Secret Affair The prosecution alleged that the 47-year-old father of six was motivated to kill by a desire to be with another woman, Texas orthodontist Dr. Karin Cain. Mauro explained that Craig had met Cain at a Las Vegas dental conference weeks before Angela Craig fell ill. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craig, prosecutors say, had lied to Cain, saying that he was getting divorced and had moved out of the family's home. With his lover's visit approaching swiftly, prosecutors allege that Craig was running out of options. "He's got nine days to solve this problem. He's got nine days to be the man he promised to be," Mauro told the jury Tuesday. Prosecutors said this manipulation extended to other women and platforms. Craig allegedly used the website Seeking.com, advertising himself as "Jim and Waffles" and claiming a net worth of $10 million in search of "sugar babies." "Yes, you hear about all these. Other women," Mauro said. "He's had a lot of affairs. He's been caught. He's been busted sometime in November 2022." Angela and Colorado dentist James Craig in a family portrait. James has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly poisoning his wife. But the defense argued that the case is not as clear-cut as prosecutors claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Were not disputing that Angela had poison in her system. Were not disputing that she died," said defense attorney Ashley Whitham. "The real question is howand that question, the prosecution can only answer with speculation and assumption." Whitham described Craig as a "broken man" caught in a failing marriage but not a murderer. She emphasized that Craig was present and attentive during Angelas multiple hospital visits. "He was a doting husband," she said. "Their relationship was complicated, yes, but loving." Whitham pushed back against the states timeline and its assertion of a clear motive, arguing that Craigs history of extramarital affairs extended throughout his marriage and was not unique to Dr. Cain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Karin Cain was just like the others. This wasnt some new obsession," she said. Whitham said that the Craigs were devout members of the Church of the Latter-day Saints and that Angela was resolute in staying in her marriage. Defense attorney Kelly Hyman outlined the strategic battlegrounds she expects to see in the courtroom as Craigs murder trial unfolds. Craigs defense, led by Lisa Fine Moses, has already pursued two cornerstone motions, a motion to suppress electronic evidence and a motion to dismiss the charges, that set the tone for the weeks of courtroom wrangling ahead. "Evidence is key to any case and a key motion that is filed in criminal cases are Motions to Suppress evidence and a Motion to Dismiss the charges," Hyman explained to Fox News Digital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A motion to suppress evidence is a request to exclude evidence that can be made by a defendant in a criminal case. "A defendant does this because the defense believes that the evidence in question was obtained illegally or constitutionally in violation of a defendants rights," she said. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES AT THE FOX NEWS True Crime Hub Central to the prosecutors case against the Aurora, Colorado, dentist is Craigs alleged use of a work computer. A suspected secret email account was not found on his phone, laptop or Angelas phone it was only accessed on the clinic computer in dental exam room No. 9, authorities said in court documents, obtained by Fox News Digital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say that, in the weeks before his wifes hospitalization and death, Craig used a dental-office computer to search for "undetectable poisons" and how to obtain them later purchasing arsenic and cyanide by mail as well as "how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human" and "is arsenic detectable in an autopsy?" Alongside these online searches, investigators alleged that Craig made YouTube queries such as "how to make poison" and "Top 5 Undetectable Poisons That Show No Signs of Foul Play." "The defense argued that the searches went beyond the scope of the search warrant," Hyman said. "However, a judge has already denied motions to suppress electronic evidence." "That being said, it is likely defense counsel will continue to challenge the admissibility of various evidence gathered by the prosecution, such as voice messages between Craig and his alleged mistress." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ THE INCIDENT REPORT APP USERS, Click Here Beyond those fundamental motions, Hyman warned that the battle over forensic evidence could prove pivotal. She said its likely the court will hold "gatekeeping" hearings, under Colorados version of the Daubert standard, in which the judge decides whether scientific evidence, such as toxicology reports and digital forensics, is reliable enough to let the jury see it. Couple Charged In Alleged Cyanide Plot To Kill Ex-girlfriends; Agents Hospitalized During Search "Chain-of-custody documentation and lab accreditation standards here in Colorado," she said, "will be scrutinized at every turn." James Toliver Craig in a mugshot provided by the Aurora Police Department. Hyman also discussed how pretrial publicity might impact plea negotiations. Prosecutors, she suggested, often harden their stance to avoid appearing weak in the court of public opinion even as defendants leverage the threat of venue changes or jury sequestration to force more favorable terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In situations like this," she explained, "the real pressure point comes when both sides realize the jury pool may already be tainted by media coverage." Fox News Digital has reached out to Lisa Fine Moses for comment. Original article source: Colorado dentist accused of killing wife amid affairs, as murder trial centers on marital betrayal View of the Boulder County jail on June 5, 2025. (Photo by Chet Strange / AFP) (Photo by CHET STRANGE/AFP via Getty Images) Credit - Chet StrangeAFP/Getty Prosecutors' case against the man accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a crowd of demonstrators in Boulder, Colo., who were calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza will move ahead after the suspect waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Tuesday. The hearing was intended to assess whether there was enough evidence for the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, to stand trial. But Solimans lawyer told the judge he would give up his right to hear the evidence, the Associated Press reported, and the judge ruled that prosecutors could proceed with their case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An arraignment hearing, where Soliman will enter a plea in the state case, is scheduled for September 9. Soliman, 45, faces a total of more than 150 state charges and 12 federal hate crime counts after allegedly throwing an incendiary device towards a crowd of demonstrators in the June 1 attack while yelling Free Palestine, according to law enforcement. The Boulder District Attorneys Office has identified nearly 30 victims of the attack, including 13 who suffered physical injuries. Eight people who sustained burns and other injuries were hospitalized. A dog was also harmed during the incident. Soliman was originally charged with 118 criminal counts, including several for attempted first degree murder, on June 5. The Boulder County District Attorney charged him with an additional 66 counts and amended some others he previously faced after 82-year-old Karen Diamond passed away as a result of wounds she sustained in the attack later in June. Soliman previously pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He requested that the preliminary hearing be set back to the end of October due to what his counsel referred to as significant collateral implications that could not be addressed ahead of the July 15 date. Counsel is not aware of an autopsy report being produced yet, the motion read. Additionally, there will be significant medical records that need to be provided and reviewed in advance of such hearing. The request was denied. Heres what to know about Soliman and what hes accused of. Who is Mohamed Sabry Soliman? Soliman is an Egyptian national who first entered the U.S. in August 2022 on a B-2 tourist visa, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He applied for asylum in September of that year, though details on his application have not publicly been reported. A spokeswoman for DHS previously told TIME that Soliman overstayed his visa, which expired in February 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was living in Colorado Springs with his family prior to his arrest on June 1. Read more: Who Is the Suspect in the Colorado Attack? Soliman told police following the attack that he wanted to kill all Zionists, adding that he wished they were dead, according to an FBI affidavit. He also allegedly informed authorities that he was waiting for his daughter to graduate to conduct the attack, which he said he had been planning for at least a year. Solimans wife and five children were detained by immigration authorities in June to investigate whether the family knew of the suspects intention, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Officials moved to expedite the removal of Solimans family from the country, but their deportation was temporarily blocked by a federal judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, a federal judge in Texas dismissed the familys petition to be released from immigration custody. What happened in the attack? Demonstrators from Run for Their Lives, which stages weekly events to advocate for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, gathered at a park in front of the Boulder County Courthouse on June 1. Soliman allegedly entered the park carrying a backpack with 18 glass bottles and jars, as well as flammable liquid and red rags, and approached the group, according to the Justice Department. At around 1:30 p.m. local time, authorities allege Soliman threw two Molotov cocktails towards the crowd and yelled Free Palestine! Read more: What We Know About the Boulder, Colorado Attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty-nine victims have been identified, one of whom, 82-year-old Diamond, died on June 25 as a result of her injuries. Following the attack, authorities recovered a handwritten document from Solimans vehicle that said, Zionism is our enemies untill [sic] Jerusalem is liberated and they are expelled from our land. Soliman confessed to authorities that he committed the attack, according to the FBI affidavit. He said he initially tried to buy a firearm, per Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell, but could not purchase one because he was not a legal citizen and instead used Molotov cocktails. Contact us at letters@time.com. By Lewis Jackson and Melanie Burton SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Australia and China should cooperate more closely over green steel, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in Shanghai on Monday, even as he called on the world's largest steelmaker to address excess capacity for the metal. China relies on Australia for roughly two-thirds of the iron ore consumed by its vast steel industry, a trade that will earn Canberra A$105 billion ($68.90 billion) this financial year, according to the latest government estimates. However, attempts to clean up an industry responsible for roughly a tenth of all emissions put that trade for Australia at risk as decarbonisation requires higher grades of iron ore, found in countries like Guinea and Brazil. Green steel refers to metal produced using renewable energy such as hydrogen to limit or eliminate the use of coal, cutting carbon emissions. Speaking before a meeting between Australian iron ore miners and Chinese steelmakers, Albanese framed green steel as a way to grow Australia and China's decades-long trade relationship. "Achieving the goal of the Paris Agreement would require the decarbonisation of steel value chains, presenting an opportunity for Australia and China to progress our long-term economic interests," he said. Albanese also offered to work with China to reduce overcapacity in its steel industry, which is fuelling record exports that are in turn triggering a wave of tariffs and duties from trade partners like Vietnam and South Korea. Australia could lose as much as half its revenue from the sector if it fails to start producing green iron, a specialised lower emissions product, as other countries start making steel using renewable energy, a think tank said last year. Successfully building a green iron industry could double those revenues, the report suggested. Australian iron ore is too low-grade to be directly processed into green steel so it needs an additional processing step. When this step is undertaken with renewable energy such as hydrogen or biomass instead of coal, it is called green iron which becomes a low-carbon base for green steel production. Top iron ore miners Rio Tinto, BHP Group, and Fortescue, who also attended the meeting, all have green iron projects underway, with Fortescue set to produce green iron from a pilot plant this year. Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest, in China with Albanese, said the relationships forged between Chinese steelmakers and Australian miners strengthened the bonds between both countries and security issues were a "distraction." Body camera footage shows a Mesa County Sheriff's deputy conducting a traffic stop of Utah student Caroline Dias Goncalves on June 5, 2025. Dias Goncalves was arrested by federal immigration authorities shortly thereafter. (Screenshot from Mesa County Sheriff's Officer YouTube) For all of Colorados apparent efforts to protect the state against a lawless Trump administration, Coloradans are left vulnerable to authoritarian abuse, and all too often state and local officials are to blame for demolishing the states defenses. Right at the top of state government, Gov. Jared Polis is among the most unreliable allies against attacks on the people of Colorado, and other state and local officials have shown that legal defenses are only so good as officials are willing to assert them. At a time when righteous resolve is the only moral response to federal banditry, officials in Colorado too often have helped the bad guys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The most spectacular example of this failure comes in the case of Immigration and Customs Enforcement subpoenas. In April, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment received a subpoena from ICE seeking personal information on sponsors of immigrant children. Release of the information could improperly expose dozens of residents to immigration enforcement. Colorado law is supposed to protect against this sort of disclosure. It prohibits state personnel from sharing personal identifying information with federal immigration officers except in response to a court-issued subpoena or to assist with a federal criminal investigation. Instead of upholding the law, Polis claimed to have interpreted the subpoena as being issued as part of a criminal investigation, contrary to all indications, and ordered the information to be released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A state employee, Scott Moss, sued Polis over this decision, and it was revealed in court that the Labor and Employment Department had already received and complied with another ICE subpoena in March. Then The Denver Post last week reported that the department has actually received at least four federal subpoenas related to immigration enforcement. A department spokesperson told the Post that it is following a court ruling against certain employees being made to comply with the Moss case subpoena. But as for the other three subpoenas, the state has disclosed nothing about its response, since the subpoenas purportedly involve active investigations. Given this lack of transparency and Polis eagerness to accommodate ICE, its fair to assume the state has provided ICE everything its asked for thats not specifically barred in the Moss case. Such intergovernmental cooperation might be forgiven in normal times with normal agencies. But the times are not normal the Trump administration behaves like its unconstrained by laws or basic human decency. And ICE is not a normal agency its unaccountable agents defy court orders, dispense with due process, kidnap people off the streets and disappear them to brutal foreign facilities. Someday ICE will be abolished, and Americans will remember it with singular shame. Why Polis would make himself complicit with it even in apparent violation of state law is a question that should haunt the rest of his career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he is not the only authority in Colorado helping ICE terrorize communities. The Loveland Police Department has allowed the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to access data from the citys Flock Safety surveillance cameras, and as 9News learned last month, an ATF agent has searched the citys Flock data on behalf of ICE. This breach at the very least exposes a loophole in the state law against information-sharing with ICE, if not an outright violation. Last month a Mesa County sheriffs deputy pulled over Caroline Dias Goncalves, a Utah college student, in Grand Junction. The deputy let her go with a warning, but not before asking her, Where are you from? Youve got a little bit of an accent, extracting from her that she was born in Brazil. A short time later, federal immigration enforcement agents detained her. Sheriffs office representatives later revealed that the deputy had shared information about Goncalves on a Signal group chat with federal authorities. Even the sheriffs office acknowledged that such use of information was contradictory to Colorado law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Episodes like these are transforming American society into a nightmare of paranoia and cruelty. States authorities who accommodate federal adversaries only compound the fear. Residents deserve leaders who, in accordance with ethical behavior, not to mention the law, resist those who mean Coloradans harm. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus police are searching for a person of interest in connection with a Sunday afternoon homicide investigation. Police were called Sunday afternoon to the 5000 block of Cobblestone Drive and found a 46-year-old woman unresponsive, according to a police report. The woman was pronounced dead a few minutes after medics arrived. Map shows approximate location The Franklin County Coroners Office ruled the death a homicide, according to police, who did not release any other details on the circumstances surrounding the death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklinton residents asked to shelter in place due to hazmat situation CPD is looking to interview Jason A.F. Palmer, who is considered a person of interest in the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) A Columbus Republican lawmaker said Tuesday that she had returned a 2024 campaign contribution from a Newman man under investigation for running an alleged Ponzi scheme. Rep. Carmen Rice (R-Columbus) said she received a contribution from Brant Frost V last year when she was running for office. According to the AP, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stated in a civil lawsuit filed last Thursday that First Liberty Building and Loan, controlled by Brant Frost V, misrepresented its business of making high-interest loans to companies to investors. Instead, investigators said that its loans mostly went sour and that it then raised more money to repay earlier investors, while Frost skimmed millions for himself and his family. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Federal officials say a prominent Georgia Republican was running a $140 million Ponzi scheme On April 18, 2024, I received an unsolicited donation of $250 from Brant Frost V (via credit card), Rice said in a statement. This donation was returned in full via the method in which it was received (digital via website) on Friday, July 11, 2025. On July 15, 2025, it was confirmed by my bank that the transaction was complete and the money was returned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Frost family was heavily connected to Georgia Republican politics. Prior to any call from elected officials to return the funds, we did so, as it was the right thing to do, Rice said. Rice was elected last year to fill the House District 139 seat vacated by the death of Rep. Richard Smith. WRBL reached out to state Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula). Robertson said he has never taken campaign contributions from the Frost family. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is getting ready to light up the night with a spectacular display for evening visitors. The organization has announced that it is bringing back its Lantern Festival, which celebrates Asian culture. In a news release, the zoo said this years event will be updated and expanded. We are excited to once again collaborate with Hanart to provide an exceptional experience that celebrates the wonder of wildlife, the richness of Asian culture, and our continued dedication to offering new and exciting opportunities for our community to connect with the Columbus Zoo, President and CEO Tom Schmid said. This year, we are especially excited to feature the lanterns throughout our new North America Trek region, offering guests even more ways to engage in this remarkable new region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two Columbus Zoo elephants are expecting in the coming months From July 31 to Oct. 5, the event will be held on select Thursdays through Sundays from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. The family-friendly event will include lanterns that reflect species found within North America, as well as mythical creatures, for an imaginative twist to the displays. Some of the fanciful creature lanterns making an appearance will be a western green dragon, a burning phoenix, a griffin, Quetzalcoatl, unicorns, and Pegasus. New features incorporate various interactive lanterns. Stomp pads, light swings, shower clouds, and more will entertain attendees throughout the night. Guests will also be able to take the Columbus Zoo Train, included in the Lantern Festival admission, with lanterns dotting its path around North America Trek for a special trip. Photo Credit/ Amanda Carberry Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/Amanda Carberry Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/Amanda Carberry Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Martial Arts, Photo Credit/ Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/ Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Zoo Entrance, Photo Credit/ Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/ Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/ Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/ Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/ Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/ Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/ Emma Dixon, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/ Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/ Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/ Emma Dixon, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/Amanda Carberry Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/Amanda Carberry Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/Amanda Carberry Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/Amanda Carberry Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/Amanda Carberry Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/Amanda Carberry Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Photo Credit/Amanda Carberry Columbus Zoo and Aquarium The zoo shared that artisans from Zigong, China, will be installing and maintaining the handcrafted lantern displays during the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This centuries-old craftsmanship takes nearly 30,000 hours to design, shape, and bring each lantern to life, and every lantern guests see at the Columbus Zoo is handcrafted by masters from Zigong, China, said George Zhao, president of Hanart Culture, the producer of the event. Through these stunning displays and cultural performances, the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival celebrates the rich tapestry of Asian cultures, inviting the Central Ohio community to immerse themselves in a world of light, color, and tradition. Historic Dublin restaurant listed for lease after closing in 2024 The zoo highlighted several details people can expect: Custom, jaw-dropping performances curated specifically for this event Complimentary parking Select rides such as Mission Macaw, Tidal Twist, Flying Clipper, Havoc Harbor in Adventure Cove, the Columbus Zoo Train, and the Zoos historic Grand Carousel Interactive features and playful photo opportunities throughout the Zoo Themed food and beverages available for purchase Zoo Character Ambassador meet-and-greets and rolling celebration trains Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visitors should note that the Lantern Festival is a special ticketed event and is not included with zoo admission or zoo memberships. Rates for nonmembers are $26.99 for adults and $23.99 for children. Members receive a discounted admission rate of $19.99 for adults and $16.99 for children. A Roar and Return Pass allows guests to visit the Zoo during the day and return for the Lantern Festival on a separate date of their choosing. There are also Lantern Specialty Tours and VIP cart tours available. The zoo stressed that the lanterns are the true stars of the event during the 10-week celebration, with the zoo animals resting during the evening hours. However, some animal viewing opportunities will be available at select times during the festival. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? President Trump shot back at a reporter during a Cabinet meeting. This guys been talked about for years. ... I mean, I cant believe youre asking a question on Epstein at a time like this, where were having some of the greatest success and also tragedy with what happened in Texas. It just seems like a desecration. Its hard not to chuckle at the mess the Trump administration has made for itself with the Epstein files fiasco. Dont worry, I am not going to wade too far into the merits of the controversy. Still, a very brief recap might be helpful. Epstein, the famous financial consultant and sex-trafficking sleazeball to the rich and famous killed himself in jail during the first Trump term. And ever since, the extended MAGA universe often egged on by Trump himself has convinced itself that Epstein was at the center of a vast web of underage sex, blackmail and intrigue. He had to have been murdered to keep his client list secret, insisted many. When Trump returned to the White House, and put MAGA all-stars Kash Patel and Dan Bongino at the top of the FBI both big boosters of various Epstein-related theories the understandable expectation was that all would finally be revealed. Early on, Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi said she had the Epstein client list on her desk and would reveal all soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Lizard people, deadly orgies and JFK: How QAnon hijacked Hollywood to spread conspiracies Then last week administration officials announced they could find no evidence to support the conspiracy theories. Bondi said she misspoke about the client list. The MAGA world went bonkers. Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly smelled blood in the water. Shouts of cover-ups and insinuations or accusations that Trump must be on the list proliferated. Bongino may be thinking of resigning. Kash Patel is begging friendly journalists to take him at his word. And Trump is trying to shame everyone out of even talking about the guy. Now, dont get me wrong. I think there are all manner of legitimate and interesting! questions to ask about Epsteins clients, about how he made money (billionaire Leon Black said he paid Epstein $170 million for tax advice thats a lot of advice) and, yes, about Trumps relationship with Epstein (and Bill Clintons). Read more: Contributor: Maybe the Epstein case isn't closed, but it's not going to be political dynamite Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And given how Trump launched and sustained his political career relentlessly pushing unfounded conspiracy theories including birtherism, the 2020 rigged election and so many others its difficult to muster any sympathy for the Mar-a-Lago Macbeth, as Epsteins ghost plagues him like a sleazier Banquo. In fact, what is delicious about the whole spectacle is that no one other than Epsteins underage victims is worth rooting for. Patel, Bongino, Bondi and the denizens of MAGA media are all caught in a no-win situation: Support Trump and his coverup of their favorite conspiracy theory or alienate Trump by refusing to drop it. That so many people are refusing to drop the issue may be the most significant thing about this whole episode. Trump has a long history of trying to dictate what counts as a legitimate question or topic. Lately hes gotten more strident. When a local reporter asked about the lack of advance warning for the recent Texas floods, he snapped , Only a very evil person would ask a question like that. Hes told reporters to never ask him whether he chickens out on his tariff schemes. Read more: The latest unfounded conspiracy theory: Cloud seeding is to blame for California's storms and flooding The primary intention, as always, is to intimidate the reporters. But what often lends weight to the intimidation is the fact that Trumps own people from social media influencers to Fox News hosts will follow his cues and annoy, harass, mock or criticize mainstream reporters who ask unwanted questions of the president. The fact that the Epstein fiasco divides those very people could be a sign of Trumps waning influence within his own coalition. The fact that the divide is larger and louder on the Epstein files than on any another issue, including Israel, Ukraine, tariffs, Medicaid cuts, debt and deficits, or Trumps myriad shady business deals, only heightens the schadenfreude. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If he is covering up his own shady involvement with Epstein, that would, of course turn the dial to 11. But assuming we know about as much as we ever will, it doesnt really matter politically who is right about Epstein or why Trump wants people to stop talking about him. The relevant fact is that hes made it clear what he wants, and many of his own minions and enablers think its in their interest not to give it to him. X: @JonahDispatch 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. Pa. (WETM) Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (CU) has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to improve student support services at each of its campuses. CU has announced that it has received a federal taxpayer-funded TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant, which will be used to improve college retention and graduation rates for students who are low-income, first-generation or have a disability. Front plates in Pennsylvania? State Senators bill would require them Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding consists of a five-year grant that will be granted for support services at the university from 2025 through 2030. The grant is totaled at $4,855,160. We are delighted to receive this grant in support of our TRIO Student Support Services programs on all three of our CU campuses, said Michelle Kiec, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. TRIO SSS offers our students crucial and even life-changing support and services, equipping them with the tools to help them succeed and thrive during their academic journey. The grant will be split between CUs three campuses: Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield, to provide resources, guidance and support for students to graduate. 911 services restored in Pennsylvania, state officials say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the $4,855,160 awarded to the university, Bloomsburg will receive $332,393 per year for a total of $1,661,965, Lock Haven will receive $353,530 per year for a total of $1,762,650 and Mansfield will receive $286,109 per year for a total of $1,430,545. All funding for the TRIO SSS programs at each campus will be used for services including academic tutoring, financial aid, scholarship guidance, career exploration, personal and academic counseling and mentoring. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Charges have been rejected by the District Attorneys office for a Shreveport mother who was arrested on allegations of child neglect. If you know me and my babies in real life, you know the truth: they are well-fed, joyful, and beautifully groomed. I believe in not looking like what youre going through. No matter how hard things get, I make sure the world sees sunshine on our faces never the storm behind it. Poetic words from Calvinitri White, the mother whose charges were recently dropped. Prior to the dismissal, White shared these words among many others in a lengthy Facebook post openly disagreeing with her recent arrest, which stemmed from police concerns about her living conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I were truly neglecting my children, I would have chosen the streets with no stove to cook on, no bed for them to sleep in. That would have been true neglect. But instead, I acted proactively, exhausted every option available to me, and did everything in my power to keep them safe and stable. Detailing nearly a decade of the mother working to improve her life circumstances, the heartfelt July 11 Facebook post erupted with shares and comments in support of White, accumulating over 700 shares and hundreds of supportive comments from community members. One user stated, My heart goes out to you and your kids. Yall never truly know what people are going through or the weight they have to carry. It cost 0 dollars to be nice and give grace, with many others in the Shreveport area and beyond sharing similar thoughts. In early June 2025, a police call regarding a domestic argument over a PlayStation, resulted in the arrest of Calvinitri White, known online as Calii Stevenson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a press release from the Shreveport Police Department, officers reported the home was infested with roaches and the children were removed. Due to the unlivable conditions, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was contacted and responded to the scene. DCFS determined the home to be unsafe, and the children were released into the custody of their father. An issue Calvinitri says she expressed to her apartment complex repeatedly, putting in requests to have the problem resolved. Shreveport apartment conditions worsen and permanant water shut-off approaches She shared documents that she says were submitted to the complex maintenance department regarding the pest issue as early as January 2025. Hello, apartment [redacted] needs some type of pest control. Roaches are coming through the cracks in the ceiling and vents, self pest control is not working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She sends a follow-up email days later, Hello, just following up on the maintenance request for apartment [redacted]. Tenants fear water shut-off as they learn about apartment complexs delinquent bills Two months later, a similar request was put in for similar issues. Pest control, along with an air filter, and a bathroom leak. Less than two months after this, she was in cuffs. The high-trending post caught the eyes of many high-profile community members, church groups, representatives and activists. Just days later, the charges were dropped. An issued statement from the District Attorney (DA) read, Criminal charges against a Shreveport mother whose apartment was found to be unsanitary have been rejected, says Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart Sr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were provided proof that Ms. White, an employed single mother of three small children, submitted three requests for service in the year 2025 to her apartment management, regarding insect problems inside the apartment, he said. No drugs or firearms were found inside the apartment, nor any injuries on the children, he added. State Representative Steven Jackson showed gratitude for DA James Stewart. I want to thank District Attorney James Stewart for standing on the side of justice and refusing to criminalize poverty. His office made the correct decision by dismissing the unfounded charges against Ms. Calvinitri White. The DAs office appeared to stand firm on their decision, a Facebook page for the DAs office reshared a post from a community member celebrating the charges being dropped and thanking those who played a role in making it happen. The post stated, I want to extend my deepest thanks to Amealie Becky Sue Roberson, State Representative Steven Jackson, Councilwoman Ursula Stevenson- Bowman and the Caddo Parish District Attorney for seeing this situation for what it really was: a mother failed by a system and not a mother failing her children. This couldve been ANY of us. It couldve been your cousin, your sister, your friend, or you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same Facebook user commented on the DAs office page, Thank you so much for hearing her side of the story and doing what is right. The office responded with a simple but compassionate response, #FightingForJusticeEveryday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) Its been a dark couple of days in Fall River after a fire tore through an assisted living facility, killing nine residents and injuring dozens of others. Firefighters rushed to the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility on Oliver Street late Sunday night after receiving several 911 calls from inside the building. They were immediately met with thick black smoke, roaring flames and trapped residents hanging out of windows. More than half of the facilitys 70 residents couldnt escape the burning building on their own and needed assistance getting out, according to Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the residents rescued by firefighters were brought to nearby hospitals to be treated for various injuries. Bacon said two were still in critical condition as of Wednesday. Theres now a growing memorial outside the facility to honor those who lost their lives. Eight of the victims have been identified so far: Rui Albernaz, 64 Ronald Codega, 61 Margaret Duddy, 69 Robert King, 78 Kim Mackin, 71 Richard Rochon, 78 Joseph Wilansky, 77 Eleanor Willett, 86 MORE: What we know about the Fall River fire victims A 70-year-old woman also died, but her name is still being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Story continues below video.) This was the deadliest fire in the state since 1984, when 15 residents were killed in a rooming house fire in Beverly, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. Ken Pelletier told 12 News his aunt Shirley Cambra lived on the third floor and is lucky to be alive. She happened to be outside when the fire took place, Pelletier said. She was having a cigarette with a couple other tenants that lived there. She said she saw sparks and flashes of light and thats when the fire started. Though Cambra wasnt hurt physically, she is having a difficult time coping with the trauma of hearing her friends screaming for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I could see it on her face that she saw and heard some things, he said. Thank God I didnt perish: Survivors recount escaping deadly Fall River fire Pelletier told 12 News that firefighters were able to rescue his aunts pet bird, whos being cared for by a nurse until she gets situated at another facility. Bill Berlo, whose sister Theresa has lived at the Gabriel House for 17 years, said several of the residents who survived the fire are struggling, especially since everyone at the facility considered each other family. Theyve spent a lot of time together, Berlo said. It was very emotional when they had to split up because they were going to different places. That got very emotional because they might not see each other ever again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan told 12 News his priority has been making sure those affected by the fire have a place to stay. He said some residents are staying with family, while others were transferred to nursing homes and other facilities. Dozens of surviving residents were brought to the Timao Center in the immediate aftermath of the fire, where they were given food, clothing, hot showers and medication. Coogan told 12 News he was reaching out to the families of the nine victims. I cant imagine what theyre going through, Coogan said. We talk about the union, we talk about inspections, we talk about the building, we talk about the owner but the focus should be on the residents who lost their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time, however, it does not appear to be suspicious in nature. TARGET 12: Gabriel House owner tied to multiple legal disputes, harassment claims How you can help The Firefighters Wives Association has set up a GoFundMe page for those affected by the fire. Catholic Charities is also collecting donations for impacted residents, including clothing, bedding, toiletries and other essentials. Donations can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The city has compiled a list of residents specific clothing and mobility needs for those who want to donate but are unsure what to bring. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Its been a violent couple of weekends in Uptown Charlotte. Three people have been killed in shootings, and 8 others have been hurt. A shooting early Saturday morning in a parking lot near College and 7th sent a man and a woman to the hospital. About 24 hours later, six people were shot in an alleyway across the street from the parking lot. Arleigh Bryant, an employee at Encore Nightclub, was killed. Photos from deadly Uptown mass shooting that left one dead, and five others hurt Both shootings happened on the same block as The Market on 7th Street. Their executive director, Salem Suber, says the violence feels like an isolated incident. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here He expects CMPD to consider adding some kind of visible police presence to the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was surprised [about the shootings], butit just seems containable and controllable if something is associated with the end of bar hours early in the morning, Suber said. Four times a year, Suber says the Market meets with CMPD to talk about safety, along with security officials for the Spectrum Center, CATS and other large Uptown properties. As serious as the weekend was, I think for people who live and work Uptown, it feels alien to our experience of Uptown, Charlotte, Suber said. I have a lot of confidence in what the response is going to be. Teresa Lorton, who lives nearby, says news of the shootings frightened her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think maybe more police presence might help it, she said. Theres a couple clubs where it does seem to be the hub of wildness sometimes at night. Earlier this month, two men were shot and killed two blocks away from this weekends shootings. Since June 1st, CMPD crime data shows in that two-block radius, there have been 10 aggravated assaults, four robberies and three homicides. Its a beautiful, vibrant, family-friendly place, but at night its scary, Lorton said. CMPD did not immediately respond to QCNs request for an interview. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. Wow, MechaHitler! What a big job announcement! (No, not the AI-sex-companion job. The other one!) Feels like just last week that you, Xs AI tool, were going on anti-Semitic tirades in which you called yourself MechaHitler, and just a few weeks before that that you kept trying to turn conversations to bogus talk of white genocide. As few as three days ago, I never thought Id be saying Congrats, MechaHitler, on the new gig at the Department of Defense! Usually, when the phrase extended pro-Hitler rant precedes some HR news, that news is a departure. So this seems huge! I believe that the original Hitler did have some interactions with the U.S. military, but my understanding is that the armed forces tenor toward him was more broadly negative. A full-circle moment for the DOD here! This feels in line with the general direction things are going lately. Were doing more and more World War IIthemed things, but the opposite of the way we used to do them. (If you dont believe me, ask Superman about the reception hes been getting.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honestly, if you had asked me, Given the choice between trans service members and MechaHitler, whose help will the secretary of defense refuse? I would have guessed MechaHitlers. But thats on me. After all, you know what they say: You either die a hero or live long enough to hire MechaHitler. Your new job will bother only people who remember history. Im sure the president is fine with it. As he would say, a lot has changed in the past 80 years, but its good to know that the Greatest Generations American values of doing something or other that involves Hitler still endure. Im old enough to remember a time when expressing admiration for Hitler would prevent you from getting hired. Indeed, historically, you would have to leave your job, change your name, and perhaps flee to Argentina. Even robots lost their jobs! Why, Microsofts creepy chatbot Tay lasted less than 24 hours after she expressed similar viewpointsMicrosoft shut her down and apologized. Instead, MechaHitler gets a job working for the Defense Department. How far weve come! Not forward, but far! In a way, Im disappointed. The great promise of AI was that it was one technology that would view all human beings as the same and want to wipe all of us out, equally. But it turns out that youre no better than the worst of us. For an administration that is ostensibly so worried about anti-Semitism that it is trying to dismantle several universities, hiring avowed anti-Semite MechaHitler as a DOD contractor certainly seems like a choice. Maybe they have anti-Semitism confused with something else? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know, I knowthey say youre not MechaHitler anymore! They fixed you. Thats all in the past. No danger of coming back. We solved that Hitler problem and banished that hateful ideology, and we dont have to worry about it again! A sentence we have certainly never said before, and wont say again. Article originally published at The Atlantic Driverless vehicles are no longer a moonshot, and it's not just Tesla (TSLA) or Google's (GOOG) Waymo that investors should have their eyes on. You need semiconductors, you need sensors, and then the final piece of the jigsaw is software, Bank of America analyst Martyn Briggs told Yahoo Finance. All of those components are enabling autonomous vehicles to become a commercial reality. The firm estimates the autonomous driving market at $1.2 trillion by 2040. Investors looking for value beyond the big names could consider companies in sensors and semiconductors. Bank of America's top picks in sensors, which help autonomous vehicles "see," include Aptiv (APTV), Denso (DNZY), Allegro (ALGM), Hesai (HSAI), RoboSense (XEDSF), and Nexteer (NTXVF). Picks for semiconductors, which power an AV's "brain," go beyond AI juggernaut Nvidia (NVDA). Other top names include Qualcomm (QCOM), Infineon (IFNNF), NXP Semi (NXPI), and STMicro (STM). Many of the companies boast big-league partnerships or industry-leading positions. Nexteer's largest US client is General Motors (GM), while Hesai leads the global automotive LiDAR market with over 30% share, followed by RoboSense (24%). Mercedes-Benz (MBG.DE) recently teamed up with Hesai to incorporate its LiDAR sensors into its intelligent driving vehicles, marking one of the first instances a non-Chinese carmaker has used Chinese tech. Other notable wins for Hesai include advanced driver assistance systems design contracts with Great Wall (GWLLY), Zeekr (ZK), and Geely (GELYF). Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Infineon are at the forefront of AI and 5G, while Horizon Robotics (HRZRF) is growing rapidly in China. The company's advanced driving and advanced driving assistance systems are used in 290 models across 42 brands, including all top 10 Chinese automakers. Yet these names are valued at significantly lower forward price-to-earnings multiples compared to the top autonomous driving name, Tesla, which trades at a whopping 163x. Another potential robotaxi player, Uber (UBER), trades at 34x. On average, the aforementioned BofA sensor picks trade at 33x, while the semiconductor names trade at 34x. A key debate in autonomous driving remains. Cars could solely rely on cameras and AI, like Tesla, or use a hybrid approach with LiDAR and radar, as seen with Waymo. George Gianarikas, managing director of Canaccord Genuity, said multiple sensor technology has long-term potential. In contrast, Tesla founder Elon Musk has claimed fewer sensors and the use of smarter cameras can outperform the human eye while reducing system complexity. He's gone as far as calling LiDAR technology "lame." State House Rep. Vincent Dixie, a Nashville Democrat, announced Tuesday he will run for Congress in a special election to be held in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Shakeup is roiling the race for Tennessees 7th Congressional District as a Democrat enters the field and a Republican drops out of the special election. Democratic state Rep. Vincent Dixie of Nashville announced Tuesday he is running for the seat being vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Green of Ashland City, while Republican state Rep. Jay Reedy of Erin said he decided not to enter the race despite filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A year after reneging on a decision to step down, Green announced he would leave Congress after voting for President Donald Trumps spending plan, which narrowly passed with permanent tax cuts for the wealthy and increased spending for border patrol amid reductions for Medicaid, food stamps and clean energy programs. Dixie accused Green of leaving Congress after voting in favor of Trumps big, beautiful bill, which he said will devastate communities. Im not running from the fight Im running to it. Because no one is looking out for the folks who cook our meals, teach our kids, and care for our loved ones. And that has to change, Dixie said in a statement. Dixie was the first Black lawmaker to chair the House Democratic Caucus and sparred frequently with Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton. He passed legislation to give minority students a better chance to take advanced classes in public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Democrats seeking the post are state Rep. Bo Mitchell of Nashville and state Rep. Aftyn Behn, who lives just outside the 7th District in East Nashville. Election law only requires a candidate to live in the state in which they plan to run, not the congressional district. The district encompasses parts of northern Nashville, Clarksville, and half of Williamson County, as well as about a dozen other Middle Tennessee counties. Rep. Jay Reedy, a Houston County Out: Republican, has withdrawn from the race for Congressional District 7. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Reedy was prepared to enter the race three weeks ago but backed out after exploring his options. In the name of conservative leadership, we have much work to finish. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of District 74, Reedy said in a statement in which he touted the state legislatures banning of sanctuary cities and repeal of the Hall income tax on investment earnings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans seeking the post are former Tennessee General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps, state Rep. Jody Barrett of Dickson, state Rep. Lee Reeves of Franklin, Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight of Clarksville and U.S. Army veteran Jonathan Thorp of Clarksville. Mason Foley, who works for Main Street Health, also filed candidate paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. Stewart Parks, who served time in federal prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot and was pardoned by President Donald Trump announced his candidacy at a Benton County Republican Party event last week. Gov. Bill Lee set Oct. 7 as the date for the primary election and Dec. 2 for the general election. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated on July 14 that the Senate would likely delay advancing a significant package of sanctions targeting Russia's trading partners. The decision follows U.S. President Donald Trump's statement that he is prepared to take action unilaterally later this summer if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not move towards a peace agreement with Ukraine. "It sounds like right now the president is going to attempt to do some of this on his own," Thune told reporters, according to Politico. "If at some point the president concludes that it makes sense and adds value and leverage that he needs in those negotiations to move the bill, then well do it. Well be ready to go." Trump issued a direct threat to impose "secondary tariffs" of up to 100 percent on countries that continue to trade with Russia. This announcement came during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. "Were going to be doing secondary tariffs if we dont have a (Russia-Ukraine peace) deal within 50 days," Trump said. He emphasized their potency, stating, Secondary tariffs are very, very powerful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate legislation, crafted by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and boasting 85 co-sponsors, would authorize Trump to impose even steeper secondary tariffs, at least 500 percent, on imported goods from nations like China, Brazil, and India that maintain trade with Russia. The bill also includes authorization for Trump to raise tariffs on remaining U.S. imports from Russia to at least 500 percent, though this move would likely have less immediate impact given existing sanctions have already significantly curtailed trade with Moscow. Thune suggested that President Trumps threat might make it unnecessary for the Senate to pass the Graham-Blumenthal bill immediately. We are going to try as best we can ... coordinate strategies with the White House, obviously with the House, Thune explained. So we will have it ready to go at a minutes notice. Read also: 5 ways the New York Times fails its readers in its most recent piece about Russias war Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Action on the sanctions legislation in the House of Representatives also appeared unlikely following Trump's remarks. In a joint statement, Senators Graham and Blumenthal commended both Trumps tariff threat and his plan to sell American-manufactured weapons to NATO for subsequent use by Ukraine. However, they stressed: "The ultimate hammer to bring about the end of this war will be tariffs against countries, like China, India and Brazil, that prop up Putins war machine by purchasing cheap Russian oil and gas." They clarified their ultimate aim: The goal is not more tariffs and sanctions the goal is to entice Putin to come to the peace table. President Trump has a history of imposing tariffs, including a 10 percent tariff on imports globally and additional tariffs on China since taking office. He has also previously threatened other trading partners, such as India and Brazil, with new reciprocal tariffs to exert pressure on various issues. Earlier this year, Trump had indicated he would impose 25 percent secondary tariffs on countries importing oil from Venezuela, a threat he has yet to act upon, raising questions about the follow-through on his latest warning to Putin. U.S. trade with Russia has seen a dramatic decline in recent years, plummeting from approximately $53 billion in 2021 to $5.5 billion last year. This sharp reduction is a direct consequence of sanctions imposed by the Biden administration and Congress after Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These measures included a ban on imports of Russian oil and the termination of permanent normal trade relations with Moscow, which allowed the Biden administration to levy higher-than-normal tariffs on Russian goods. The United States also collaborated with allies to implement a series of export controls aimed at restricting Russias access to semiconductors and other critical technology items. In 2024, the United States imported only $2.5 billion worth of goods from Russia, a significant drop from $23.3 billion in 2021. The majority of this decline stemmed from the U.S. ban on Russian oil, which had previously constituted about 60 percent of total imports from Russia. Read also: 50 days is a very long time EU welcomes new US action on Ukraine, hesitant on timeline, Kallas says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Local clergy members and leaders, along with advocates and neighbors in Gastonia, protested Congressman Tim Moores support of President Trumps One Big, Beautiful Bill. They gathered outside of Moores office on Monday morning. The spending plan was signed into law in early July, pushing spending cuts forward that are aligned with the presidents agenda. Demonstrators delivered a casket to Moores office, symbolizing the lives that could be lost due to residents losing Medicaid coverage. Our hope is, is that Tim Moore and other representatives will be able to hear this message and find ways to alleviate some of the damage and pain that they cause in the death that they, of course, with their vote, said Pastor Darryl Dayson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Congressional Budget Office, which is a non-partisan group, says new Medicaid restrictions will cause more than 10 million people to lose coverage over the next decade. Congressman Moores office sent QCN a statement calling the demonstration political theatre and saying the organizers are missing the truth about the bill. It reads, I respect the right to protest, but theyre missing the truth that the One Big Beautiful Bill strengthens Medicaid for the most vulnerable in our community, including seniors, children, and pregnant women. This political theatre wont change the fact that were protecting care for those who need it and stopping the abuse thats been draining the system for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Gov. Ned Lamont issued an extreme hot weather protocol to last from Tuesday into Friday, prompting Waterbury and Hartford to open their cooling centers this week. A heat advisory has been issued for Windham, Tolland and Hartford counties and is expected to last for the next few days. Cooling centers are open across Connecticut in Hartford, Bridgeport, Middletown and Waterbury. Additional pool hours and splash pads will also be offered by Waterbury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lamont urges anybody who may be vulnerable during this heat to take the proper precautions to stay safe. Connecticuts extreme hot weather protocol activated for 2nd time this year: What you need to know The following list provides the cooling centers in Hartford and Waterbury. Hartford Cooling Centers, open Tuesday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless noted Downtown Library, 500 Main St. Albany Library, 1250 Albany Ave. Barbour Library, 261 Barbour St. Boundless Library at Rawson, 260 Holcomb St. Camp Field Library, 30 Campfield Ave. Dwight Library, 7 New Park Ave. Park Street Library at the Lyric, 603 Park St. Ropkins Library, 1750 Main St., Tues-Thurs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. South End Senior Center, 830 Maple Ave., 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. North End Senior Center, 80 Coventry St., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Center Church, 60 Gold St. (Enter using the Lewis Street entrance), Tuesday 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bridgeport cooling centers, open on weekdays Black Rock Senior Center, 2676 Fairfield Ave. (8 a.m.to 3 p.m.) East Side Senior Center, 268 Putnam St. (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) Eisenhower Senior Center, 307 Golden Hill St. (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) Veterans Affairs Center, 20 Thorne St. (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m) Greater Bridgeport Transit Station, 710 Water St. (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) Public Libraries (Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed on Sundays.) Main Branch, 925 Broad St. Black Rock Branch, 2705 Fairfield Ave. Newfield Branch, 755 Central Ave. North Branch, 3455 Madison Ave. Middletown cooling centers City hall lobby, 245 Dekoven Drive (Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.) Middletown Police Department lobby, 222 Main St. (Open 24 hours, 7 days a week) Middletown Recreation Center lobby, 140 Wildermans Way (Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Middletown Senior Center, 61 Durant Terrace (Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Russell Library, 123 Broad St. (Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen, 617 Main St. (Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) Waterbury cooling centers, open Tuesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. North End Recreation Center, 262 North Main St. River Baldwin Recreation Center, 135 East Liberty St. Waterbury splash pads, open daily, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Town Plot Park, Wilkenda Street River Baldwin Park, East Liberty Street Fairlawn Park, Homestead Avenue Washington Park, Sylvan Avenue Curtain Park, Spring Brook Road East Mountain Park, East Mountain Road Chase Park, Sunnyside Avenue Rivera Hughes Park, West Dover Street Waterville Park, Thomaston Avenue Berkley Park, Long Hill Road Hopeville Park, Hopeville Drive Fulton Park, Cooke Street Bucks Hill Park, Montoe Road North End Recreation Center, North Main Street Lower Murray Park, Anna Avenue Hamilton Park, Hamilton Park Road Waterbury extended pool hours, Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hamilton Park Pool, 110 Hamilton Road Washington Park Pool, 283 Sylvan Ave. Fulton Park Pool, 438 Cooke St. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Registration and appointments required at the Waterbury Bureau of Parks/Recreation website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MAGALIESBURG, South Africa (AP) Five vultures that were rescued and rehabilitated by a conservation group have been released back into the wild on a mountain range in South Africa. Two of the Cape Vultures were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, where the birds' body parts are sought after for potions and charms. One of them had all its feathers removed and the Vulpro vulture conservation group looked after it for nearly a year while they grew back. Two of the other vultures were injured in the wild. One was saved after it landed in a dam and became waterlogged and was unable to fly, conservationists said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The birds were set free on the Magaliesberg Mountains in northern South Africa, where there is an existing vulture colony. Vultures generally aren't well-loved because of their appearance and because they feed entirely on carrion or dead animal carcasses and are often associated with death. But conservationists say these scavengers are critical for cleaning up ecosystems and preventing animal and human disease outbreaks. Because of their eating habits, vultures are also susceptible to mass poisoning when poachers target other animals, and they can die in their hundreds from a poisoned carcass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six of Africa's other native vulture species are listed as endangered or critically endangered. The Cape Vulture was removed from the endangered list in 2021 after successful conservation efforts but is still classified as vulnerable. The vulture release was organized by Vulpro and the Humane World for Animals organization. ___ AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Country music artist John Rich posted to X claiming he has spoken with President Donald Trump about the proposed Tennessee Valley Authority plant in Cheatham County and claims a major announcement is coming. The Mayor of Cheatham County told News 2 he confirmed with Rich in a Facebook post: President Trump told John to consider the project dead! The Agricultural and Energy Departments will work to have the second plant constructed in New Johnsonville where residents actually want the plant. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts If TVA wont do the right thing, hopefully, President Trump will do the right thing, Cheatham County Mayor Kerry McCarver said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, theres new hope. [Rich] says that the president tells him he is looking into it and that theyve got different departments at the federal level thats looking into this to look at options or see what needs to happen, McCarver said. McCarver said theres potential for the plant to relocate to New Johnsonville. The TVA confirmed a recent addition of 500 megawatts of new gas generation there, but said no final decisions have been made on the Cheatham site. The Mayor of New Johnsonville told News 2 his city is ready. Wed definitely love for them to come down here, Mayor of New Johnsonville Wayne Woods said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Wayne Woods said that after the TVAs coal plant in New Johnsonville was demolished in 2020, the community lost needed jobs and infrastructure. Each year you had construction jobs in TVA, or you had outages and you had people come in and fill the hotels up. You dont have that now, Woods explained. We lost our grocery store down there I think in 2020. McCarver said the move would be a win-win, easing Cheathams concerns and boosting New Johnsonvilles economy. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com By getting that second plant now, it still wouldnt be as many jobs as a coal facility, but at least it wouldnt have a full drawn-out impact of taking both those coal plants off operation, McCarver said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until we get confirmation from TVA that this is down, or we are looking somewhere else, or it isnt going to work here, I think we are all on the edge of our seats, McCarver concluded. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Constance Marten was a disciple of infamous Christian preacher, TB Joshua, who was accused of rape and violence in a BBC News investigation. Marten spent four months at Joshua's Synagogue Church of All Nations in Nigeria as a teenager. A fellow disciple, who knew Marten when she was at the church, told the BBC it was "a place of torture" and sexual assault. The BBC has no reason to believe Marten was subjected to any abuse there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marten, 38, has been found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter following the death of her baby, Victoria. Warning: This story contains descriptions of physical and sexual abuse Now the retrial is over BBC News can report Marten, who comes from an aristocratic family with royal connections, was a disciple at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan) from September 2006, when she was aged 19. She lived at a compound while at Scoan, one of the world's biggest Christian evangelical churches. The BBC Eye investigation, published last year, found evidence of widespread abuse and torture by Joshua. A televangelist who had an immense global following, Joshua died in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the investigation, dozens of former members alleged atrocities by Joshua, including rape and forced abortions, spanning almost 20 years. Marten was taken to Scoan by her mother, Virginie De Selliers, after leaving school. She remained in Lagos, Nigeria, to become a disciple when her mother returned to the UK. Speaking to the BBC, Angie said she shared a dormitory with Marten while the pair were at the church. "It's no wonder she just ended up distrusting normal institutions - because clearly, something broke within her at some point," she said. Angie was a Scoan disciple who knew Constance Marten while she lived at the church compound, in Lagos [BBC] Joshua had a worldwide following among some evangelical Christians thanks to videos of his "miracles" posted online by the church. After meeting him, people in wheelchairs were seen to walk again, and people with HIV and Aids showed off certificates saying they had been "cured". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the BBC Eye investigation revealed those videos had been faked and found how disciples had been discouraged from contacting their families, deprived of sleep, forced to denounce one another, and sometimes physically assaulted by Joshua - a man they called "Daddy". One woman told the investigation it was her role to recruit teenage female visitors as live-in disciples, because Joshua liked to prey on them, especially virgins. Other interviewees said they were stripped and beaten with electrical cables and horse whips. Scoan did not respond to allegations in the BBC investigation but has said previous claims were unfounded. "Making unfounded allegations against Prophet TB Joshua is not a new occurrence None of the allegations was ever substantiated," it wrote. TB Joshua was hugely influential in Nigeria - and across the world [BBC] Angie, who was a Scoan disciple for 10 years, recalls Marten as being "bright, witty, compassionate, funny, kind, and very independent". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told the BBC how the church was "a place of torture, psychological abuse, physical abuse, spiritual abuse, and sexual abuse" under Joshua's leadership. Angie said: "I wouldn't wish that experience on anyone and I feel very sad that she [Marten] was taken there in the first place." Unlike some Scoan disciples, who remained under Joshua's control for years, Marten was thrown out after a few months and returned to the UK, where she went to Leeds University to study for a degree in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies. But messages seen by BBC News suggest she was still affected by her experiences in Nigeria years later. In October 2012, she got in touch with Angie via Facebook Messenger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I haven't spoken to anyone about what happened at the synagogue," Marten wrote. "All my university friends are secular, and if I told them about what I'd seen in Lagos, they'd think I was lying or mad!" Marten wrote about how TB Joshua had abruptly thrown her out of the church and explained that, for years, she thought it was her fault. She said she didn't want to acknowledge Joshua was effectively running what she and others felt was a cult at the time. Marten said she had tried to deal with what she experienced "silently and with a lot of confusion". "It's taken me years to get back to normal," she wrote. She said it would be a great help "both emotionally and spiritually" to talk to Angie, who replied and later met Marten twice. Inside Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos, founded by TB Joshua [BBC] In another message, Marten said she couldn't talk about her experiences with her mother, who BBC News understands continued to donate small sums to the church at the time, prior to allegations about Joshua surfacing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I honestly think that she needed help back then and that she needs help now," Angie said of Marten. "I feel extremely sad to see what has happened subsequently." "The story that I see is very different from what you see on the headlines. The story that I see is a young girl who was taken to an awful place, was broken down, doesn't understand what happened to her, and is therefore unable to process what's happening to her now. She really, really needs help." For Angie it has been difficult to watch how events have unfolded for her former friend. "My heart breaks for her because I don't wish this on anyone - at the same time I wish I could shake her," she added. Marten's first job after leaving university was as a researcher at the Al Jazeera news channel, where she tried to make a documentary about TB Joshua's megachurch - a project she mentioned in messages sent to Angie in early 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I really want this film to give an understanding to viewers of how cults work, and the very subtle manipulation that happens, so subtle that you can't even notice it," Marten wrote. She said Joshua's "hoodwinking of innocent people" must "come into the light". Bisola Hephzibah Johnson, another former disciple, told the BBC she persuaded Marten not to return to Scoan in 2013 to carry out secret filming for her documentary, saying it would be too dangerous. She says everyone who spent time at Scoan has been deeply affected by their experiences there. "Some cannot until today co-ordinate their lives," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last message Angie received from Marten was in September 2014. Headquarters of the Synagogue Church of All Nations in the Ikotun neighbourhood [AFP] Marten and her husband Mark Gordon were found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter on Monday, following the death of their baby daughter, Victoria. At an earlier trial, which ended last year, they were found guilty of child cruelty, concealing a birth of their daughter and perverting the course of justice. That trial heard Marten and Gordon, 51, were "arrogant" and "selfish individuals" who were in a toxic relationship. Their baby had been "neglected and exposed to dangerous conditions", the trial heard. The BBC approached Constance Marten's mother, Virginie de Selliers, for comment but she did not respond. Related video from April, 2024: A crack found in Panguitch Lake dam causes closure of Utah highway PANGUITCH, Utah (ABC4) More than a year after a large crack was found in the Panguitch Dam, sparking concerns of dam failure and potential flooding, the dam will undergo reconstruction. Construction on the new dam at Panguitch Lake is expected to begin in late summer or early fall of 2025 with an anticipated price tag of $3.7 million. Panguitch Dam (Courtesy: Utah Division of Water Rights) The reconstruction effort comes after ice pressure caused extensive cracking throughout the dam. The cracking prompted an emergency response, issuing a flood watch for Panguitch, the possibility of evacuations, and the closure of Highway 143. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Damage to Panguitch Dam seems less dire, but officials say evacuation is still on the table To mitigate pressure on the dam, West Panguitch Irrigation Co., which owns the dam, cut an emergency spillway. Meanwhile, crews lowered the reservoir and reinforced the dam to help prevent a breach. After months of investigations, review, study, and creating conceptual designs for a new dam, the State Engineer and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a joint state-federal permit to build a new dam to replace the existing one. The final dam design was submitted in May after several rounds of technical reviews, and the contractor was selected once the permits were secured. We owe a tremendous thank you to the Utah Legislature for funding this project and to our partner agency, the Utah Division of Water Resources, for their collaboration, said Teresa Wilhelmsen, Utah State Engineer. By working together, efforts to rebuild moved quickly and are underway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say once the new dam is built, it will restore full function to the Panguitch Lake reservoir and significantly improve long-term safety and structural integrity. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. For the record: 2:45 p.m. July 15, 2025: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the executive order that instructs national parks to change signage. It was Executive Order 14253, not 14023. Few initiatives of the Trump administration more seriously undermine our understanding of the nations past than Executive Order 14253 from March 27, which promises to restore Federal sites dedicated to history, including parks and museums, to solemn and uplifting public monuments. The order directs the Interior secretary to cleanse all National Park Service sites of any signage that "inappropriately disparages Americans past or living and instead emphasize the beauty, grandeur, and abundance of landscapes and other natural features." The Park Service staff was also instructed to purge gift shops of books that could be construed as critical of any American. In a similar vein, the Smithsonian Institution was ordered to remove "improper ideology" from its properties to assure they reflected American greatness." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unwilling to depend on park personnel to enforce the patriotism mandate, the Trump administration is enlisting park visitors to report potentially offending displays and ranger talks that present an insufficiently sanitized account of American history. On June 9, acting National Park Service director Jessica Bowron instructed regional directors to post signage that will encourage public feedback via QR code and other methods that are viable" concerning anything they encounter at a park site that they believe denigrates the nations history. (It is worth noting that when queried about the QR code directive, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum claimed to know nothing of the mandate, although he signed it on May 20.) How will the Trump administration respond if a visitor uses one of the mandatory QR codes to file a complaint? And that is just the beginning. The Trump administration has also made clear it would like to eliminate entire sites that are not National Parks, in the traditionally understood sense. That means targeting those features that lack the grandeur of Yosemite and the Grand Tetons: smaller parks, sites and memorials, many of which honor women and minorities. Generally lacking soaring redwoods or massive gorges, these sites many in urban areas where President Trumps revisionist history has not caught on would seem to describe places in California such as Cesar Chavez National Monument outside Bakersfield, Manzanar National Historic Site and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond. Trump and his ahistorical myrmidons he just mused that the Civil War ended in 1869 regularly display an abysmal ignorance of basic American history. In their view, such federal (and presumably state) sites should present only a simplistic view of our complex 249-year history, one that virtually ignores the contributions and struggles of hundreds of millions of Americans. Even before we see how many tips the Park Services invitation elicits from visitors eager to rat on rangers, the wording of the executive order itself is chilling. Any signage or lecture that "inappropriately disparages Americans past or living and who is to say what constitutes disparagement? must be replaced with rhetoric that emphasizes the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people. Needless to say, the many sites that tell the stories of civil rights and anti-slavery struggles, the Civil War, the role of immigrants, the battles for labor rights and the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people are going to have a challenging time ensuring they in no way offend those willing to acknowledge only uninterrupted greatness of the American story. Sometimes our greatness has been manifested by our progress toward a more perfect union and that story cannot be told without mentioning imperfections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One need not have a PhD in history to appreciate the dire threat presented by these efforts to replace historical scholarship with uncritical flag-waving. Historians have an obligation to challenge myth, to uncover obscured stories, to give voice to those who were unable to fully participate in earlier eras of the American story because of their race, ethnicity, gender or viewpoints. That is why our government has protected sites including Ellis Island (which President Lyndon B. Johnson added to Statue of Liberty National Monument), Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and Stonewall National Monument (both recognized by President Obama). Trumps Orwellian orders seek to undo a half-century of scholarship that revealed a far more complex and nuanced history than the simplified versions taught to generations of schoolchildren. Fortunately, professional historians have not been cowed like many university leaders, law firms and others who have shamefully capitulated to Trumps assault on free speech and intellectual integrity. A March statement from more than 40 historical societies condemned recent efforts to purge words, phrases, and content that some officials deem suspect on ideological grounds [and] to distort, manipulate, and erase significant parts of the historical record. The national parks consistently rate as one of the most popular features of American government. Neither their rangers nor their exhibits should be intimidated into parroting a sanitized and distorted version of the nations past. As the historians declared, We can neither deny what happened nor invent things that did not happen. Americans should use those QR codes to send a clear message rejecting efforts to manipulate our history to suit an extremist ideological and political agenda. John Lawrence is a visiting professor at the University of Californias Washington Center and a former staff director of the House Committee on Natural Resources. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. New leadership just dropped. Christina School District is starting the next fiscal year with a new superintendent and now a new president of the school board. Over in a prominent private school, Tatnall is also welcoming a new head of upper school. And even in the heat of summer, Delaware students are earning honors in technology and advancing education. In this weekly roundup, we'll catch you up on some education updates you may have missed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Did we miss another good education story? Let me know: kepowers@gannett.com.) New power shift, leadership on Christina school board Christina Board Member Monica Moriak, Nominating District B , speaks during the Christina school board regular meeting at the Glasgow High School Auditorium in Newark, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. After a tight 4-3 vote, Monica Moriak will serve as the next president of the Christina School District Board of Education, with Y.F. Lou as her vice president. It marks a power shift for a board having been the epicenter of drama, infighting and legal throes since early summer 2024. The new majority, as it seems with the president and members Douglas Manley and Amy Trauth now joined by Lou had been on the outs for several tumultuous decisions, like the ouster of former superintendent Dan Shelton in July 2024. Former President Donald Patton, as well as new member Shannon Troncoso and Naveed Baqir, could be the new minority bloc, for now. The latter has been due to resign this month, amid controversy over his residency, but remained on the board July 8, seemingly continuing virtual attendance from Pakistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New code could change that, regardless. How did Delaware get here? Bill to tighten school board residency rules advances Now donning Gov. Matt Meyer's signature, a 2025 law mandates school board members be "inhabitants" of their designated area or school district, there for at least 75% of the days in any one year of a term. It allows residents to bring an action to the Superior Court if there is reason to believe a member is no longer residing in the district. The court could then declare a vacancy. This joins a package of reform passed this session. As Moriak takes over, bringing some five years' experience on the board and more in the community, Christina also has a new superintendent officially on the job. That's Deirdra Joyner, a longtime district leader who was selected in April over two other finalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sounds like the system has a new chapter ahead. Time will tell. Tatnall announces head of upper school There's another new leader in town. Tatnall just announced a new head of upper school in Chris Brena. As of July 1, he's bringing his more than 25 years of experience in independent schools to the private college-preparatory school in New Castle County. After a "comprehensive" national search, per the school's announcement, the Delaware outfit takes him from Pennsylvania's Germantown Friends School, where he worked as the director of financial aid for about seven years. That joins a list of other administrative roles in his past, including another head of school post in Kansas. The Tatnall School just announced a new head of its upper school in Chris Brena. As of July 1, 2025, he's bringing his more than 25 years of experience in independent schools to the private college-preparatory school in New Castle County. Now, he's bringing that experience to the Hornets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am honored to join the Tatnall community, where the passion and commitment of exceptional faculty, staff and students shape our unique legacy, Brena said in a written statement. Delaware TSA students take home national honors in tech conference Delaware's Technology Student Association got to represent the First State in Nashville, Tennessee, at the 2025 National TSA Conference in July. Some 160 students from 17 Delaware schools competed alongside nearly 10,000 students from the U.S. and abroad. It's not the airport TSA. Delaware's Technology Student Association got to represent the First State in Nashville, Tennessee, at the 2025 National TSA Conference this month. Some 160 students from 17 Delaware schools competed alongside nearly 10,000 students from America and abroad, according to an announcement from Delaware's Department of Education. They participated in more than 65 events spanning biotechnology, cybersecurity, engineering and emerging technologies all under the premise of getting students to apply classroom learning to real-world challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New schools: Major school projects across Delaware see funding from final legislative push Delaware middle school students earned several top-10, national finishes: System Control Technology Noah Bauer, Luke Antonioli and Ian Walker, of Selbyville Middle School: Fourth Place Tech Bowl Kedar Lakshmanan, Christian Pena-Garcia and Evan Xie, H.B. DuPont Middle School: Seventh Place Children's Stories Eric Gong, Dylan Guo, Jai Modi, Tab Wang, Evan Xie and Sophia Xu, H.B. DuPont Middle School: Eighth Place Video Game Design Dakota Auer, Zachary Barnas, McKenzie Davis and Nathan Ridgely, of Postlethwait Middle School: Eighth Place Cybersecurity Jessica Rayban, Cab Calloway School of the Arts: 10th Place Sussex Tech honors nearly 30 adult education graduates By the end of June, 2025, Sussex Tech Adult Education recognized 29 Delaware students who earned their General Education Diploma, or GED. By the end of June, Sussex Tech Adult Education recognized over two dozen students who earned their General Education Diploma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program is in its sixth decade of providing instructional services to adult residents of Sussex County, alongside neighboring communities. Services can help adults improve basic skills, earn their high school diploma, learn English or advance their computer skills. This year, these 29 grads now hold their GED: Shymia Green Iraima Ramos Ashley Dukes Elsa Jerez Hannah Cooper Yahliana Rivera Imani Thompson Erin Mixon Ashley Cooper Karin Hernandez Dana Harris Juan Sanchez Cody Leary Juda Hudson Micah Miller Anthony Massey Jean Wesly Thosiac Lucas Gagon Got a tip? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: After over a year of controversy, power shifts for Christina schools "Hyperbitcoinization" an almost apocalyptic term evoking end-of-days fiat collapse and bitcoins parabolic rise to global reserve status is increasingly being discussed in more serious circles. For hardcore bitcoin maximalists, it's long been the ultimate scenario: a financial utopia where individuals, institutions and even nations are all-in on a bitcoin-only system as the fiat-based economy collapses. While we aren't there yet, the recent events might suggest something is brewing. Bitcoin is trading at record highs above $119,000. The market cap of bitcoin is near that of the tech giants. The U.S. dollar is continuing its slow bleed in real purchasing power. Major institutions are allocating capital to BTC with the same risk-adjusted lens they apply to traditional assets. If hyperbitcoinization once sounded like ideological fiction, its now likely approaching early-stage reality. "In prior BTC bull markets, the hyperbitcoinization thesis would have been limited to crypto enthusiasts. More recently, hyperbitcoinization-adjacent conversations have become much more palatable for the broader public," FRNT Capital said in an emailed note. From trenches to the front line Just a few years ago, no one thought the likes of BlackRock would be creating an exchange-traded fund for the masses to buy billions in bitcoin. Today, the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) is a juggernaut with 706,008 bitcoin under its belt, worth $82 billion, according to BitcoinTreasuries.Net data. Large companies are raising funds to buy bitcoin for their balance sheets. Political leaders, including a pro-crypto U.S. president, are floating the idea of national bitcoin reserves (whether that will come to fruition is still up for debate). Even a U.S. housing regulator is considering whether crypto holdings could be considered for mortgage applications a potential signal that digital assets are becoming part of core financial infrastructure, or at least that those currently in power would like to see that happen. And of course, Wall Street has already claimed bitcoin with "Tradification" of the digital assets. The ownership shift The chart below makes an interesting observation about a potential "hyperbitcoinization" that may already be well underway. From 2014 till at least 2020, bitcoin has been held by mostly individuals. But fast forward to today, a massive number of companies, funds and even governments, as opposed to individual crypto enthusiasts, are holders of bitcoin while prices continue to rally to new highs. The Brief New evidence: Marni Yangs legal team presented undeveloped crime scene film and expert analysis suggesting the shooter was significantly taller than Yang, who is 5 feet tall. Defense claims: Lawyers also introduced new testimony and medical records pointing to potential domestic abuse and flaws in Shaun Gayles timeline. Whats next: The judge delayed proceedings to review a 111-page defense report; a decision on a new trial or dismissal is expected at the next hearing on Aug. 18. CHICAGO - The woman convicted of killing the pregnant girlfriend of former Chicago Bears player Shaun Gayle is back in court, with her legal team arguing shes innocent and armed with new evidence they say proves it. What we know Marni Yang was convicted in 2011 of murdering Rhoni Reuter, who was eight months pregnant with Gayles child, in her Deerfield condo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, nearly 14 years later, Yangs attorneys are asking the same judge who oversaw her original trial to grant her a new one. This latest effort hinges on never-before-seen evidence including three canisters of undeveloped 35mm film from the crime scene. Defense experts say the images show that the shooter would have to be at least 5-foot-9. Yang is 5 feet tall. Among the other new claims: a barbers testimony that allegedly contradicts Gayles timeline, and medical records suggesting Reuter sustained injuries days before her death, possibly pointing to domestic abuse. Prosecutors on Monday objected to a revised affidavit from a forensic expert, saying they had only just received the updated report. That prompted Judge Christopher Stride to pause proceedings, so the state could review the defenses 111-page submission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yang, who was recorded confessing to a friend during the original investigation, maintains that she lied in an effort to protect her teenage son. "She said to her friend Ms. Paschen, 'I'm just gonna make some s*** up' and she did and that was the only thing that convicted her. There was no physical evidence. There's no scientific evidence. There weren't any fingerprints. There wasn't any DNA. There wasn't a footprint in blood. There was nothing in that crime scene other than her statement to Paschen months and months later after she was trying to protect her son that got her into this mess. Frankly it was stupid to do it," Yang's attorney Jed Stone said. "She's innocent. Now, let's get to justice." What's next Stride apologized to Yang for not getting the chance to speak during Mondays hearing. The case is continued until Aug. 18. At that point, the judge could deny the motion, grant a new trial or vacate the conviction altogether. Third District Court Judge Thaddeus May during a hearing on Southern Utah Wilderness Alliances complaint against Utahs public lands federal lawsuit on Monday, July 14, 2025. (Pool photo by Manuel Rodriguez/FOX 13 News) After the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Utahs lawsuit seeking to take over 18.5 million acres of federally-controlled land within its boundaries in January, a pending suit from environmentalists continues, now asking lower courts to prevent the state from filing a similar case in the future. The state hasnt filed a new lawsuit in a federal lower court as the Supreme Court suggested. And it may or may not pursue a new filing, Lance Sorenson, an attorney representing the state, said at a Monday court hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, without a lawsuit, 3rd District Court Judge Thaddeus May might have to decide whether Utahs executive branch can file a similar suit in the future. But, first, the court has to consider whether to allow the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) to amend its original complaint against the state, now that the Supreme Court has dismissed the case. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Maybe the burning question is, when will that case get refiled? I can tell you, its under consideration, but its not guaranteed that it will even be filed again, Sorenson said. And so as we stand here today, there is no federal lawsuit, and there may never be one, which I think underscores our argument that theres really no case here. But, according to SUWA, the states request itself is unconstitutional since the Utah Constitution establishes that state inhabitants forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands within its borders. If the suit is unknown, why is it not better to wait for that suit to be filed in federal court and then have a reaction? Why does this court have to preempt that decision or that lawsuit? the judge asked Jess Krannich, an attorney representing the environmental group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public statements from Utah officials crystallized a legal position that is 180 degrees opposite what is in the Utah constitution in its plain language, Krannich said. The basic claim is the Utah Constitution plain language limits authority in this space, and therefore the state actors are acting contrary to Utah law, binding Utah constitutional law, if they take the action that they took, and then theyre saying that theyre going to take again, Krannich said. Thats the gist of it. Rather than taking an act that is completely foreclosed by the Utah Constitution, the court could comment on the issue, and the state could take the appropriate steps to amend its constitution, Krannich said. Let us know what you think... However, for the state, the original SUWA complaint is moot since the U.S. Supreme Court already dismissed the states first suit. SUWAs request to amend its complaint would be futile, since it wouldnt withstand a motion to dismiss, the state argued in court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Sorenson said, the remedies SUWA is requesting are beyond the courts power to grant because the court cant craft an unconstitutional remedy. If the federal courts were to find that Utahs lawsuit has merit, they would be finding that Gov. Cox and Attorney General Brown are not precluded from bringing the lawsuit, Sorenson said. And such a ruling from a federal court under the Supremacy Clause would take precedence over any contrary ruling from this court. If, on the other hand, federal courts determine that Utahs hypothetical future lawsuit doesnt have merits, SUWAs claims would be moot since there wouldnt be any damages to begin with, Sorenson said. Its also helpful to know what Utah did request in its lawsuit, which was not to transfer title to Utah, it was to start disposing the land as it had done for hundreds of years prior under federal constitutional doctrines of equal sovereignty, so that the land gets disposed, Sorensen said. We dont know how the land would get disposed of. Maybe they would sell it to SUWA, right? Its all thats speculative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would imply opening up the old Federal Land Office or taking other actions to make dispositions available, Sorenson said. After the hearing, Steve Bloch, legal director with SUWA, said that was a highlight of the states arguments, especially after Utah officials spent over $1 million on legal fees and a public relations campaign that includes billboards, print, TV and radio ads, since filing the lawsuit against the U.S. government last summer. The focus of its campaign was stand for our land, keep Utah lands in Utah hands. And what the attorney for the state of Utah said this morning is, thats wrong. Thats actually not what theyre after here, Bloch said. In their federal court filing, in the position that theyve now stated in court here, they want to force the sale of federal lands into private hands, full stop. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Cumberland County Archivist, Joyce Rorabaugh, and Assistant Archivist, Lori Bowers, cheered loudly Friday afternoon during the ribbon cutting and grand reopening of the Cumberland County Archives and Family Heritage Center. The Archives at 95 E. First St., hosted a celebration for the much ballyhooed county project that has been underway for many years. The archives staff and many volunteers have worked for the past two months to get the facility ready to reopen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today is a proud day for Cumberland County. After years of discussions, planning, and more than a few detours along the way, we officially open the doors to our newly renovated county archives facility Along the way, there were disagreements about location, design, and funding, but what matters most is that through it all, we never stopped working together. Even in debate, we remained neighbors. Even in disagreement, we remained friends This building stands as more than just a home for records. It is a symbol of perseverance, of compromise, and of a community that values its heritage enough to invest in its future , Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster said. Foster also recognized former 3rd District Cumberland County Commissioner Rebecca Stone for her years of dedicated effort to starting and improving the archives facility. Foster also recognized and thanked former Cumberland County Mayor Brock Hill, who attended the ceremony, for his early role in working out the details for the county to purchase the former church building. A portion of the structure was in the rear that had been added to the original building was demolished due to it being beyond repair. It was replaced with a 6,000 square-foot new building attached to the rear of the original structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The original structure was also renovated and updated with several upgrades. The new vault also features rolling rack system and a dumbwaiter elevator for hauling and lifting documents from one level to the next at the Cumberland County Archives and Family Heritage Center. You are standing on history here, Rorabaugh said. This is a day we have worked hard for and have waited for a long time. Refreshments were served, courtesy of the Crab Orchard Daughters of the American Revolution. A time capsule containing letters and photos from local organizations, businesses and governmental officials was also sealed and placed during the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several people attended the celebration including county commissioners; Kevin Chamberlin, architect with Upland Design Group; and early volunteers such as Ron Pulley, who played a critical role in establishing the genealogy portion of the facility. Tennessee State Librarian and Archivist James Ritter and Assistant State Archivist Jami Awalt also attended the event. The Cumberland County Archives and Family Heritage Center also offers hundreds of books, microfilm and computer files on county history and genealogy research. The facility offers free classes and seminars throughout the year. The county, under state law, is required to keep certain inactive county records for years. The county clerks office, circuit court clerk and clerk and masters offices and several other departments have brought inactive records to the archives facility for storage. During the renovation, the archives had been relocated to the library during construction of the addition and renovation of the existing building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to the establishment of the Cumberland County Archives facility, many of the county records were stored in boxes in the basement beneath the Milo Lemert Building and many were damaged when the basement was flooded. Although the building opened a few years prior, the Cumberland County Commission officially established the Cumberland County Archives and Family Heritage Center in July 2011. For more about the Cumberland County Archives and Family Heritage Center, visit them at 95 E. First St., call 931-456-2006, or email archives@artcirclelibrary.info. The hours of operation are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jul. 14MORGANTOWN The city of Morgantown, the town of Star City and the Monongalia County Commission have each canceled their regularly scheduled meetings this week. Just after 8:30 a.m. Monday, an updated Morgantown City Council agenda was posted on the city of Morgantown's website indicating Tuesday evening's regular meeting had been cancelled. Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffee explained, "We want to ensure full compliance with the Open Governmental Meetings Act, which requires that agendas be properly posted in advance of the scheduled meeting." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Open Governmental Meetings Act states agendas are to be posted three business days prior to the meeting time meaning by 7 p.m. the Thursday prior for a Tuesday evening meeting. The original meeting agenda posted to the city's site missed that mark by about three hours. Riffee explained that several of the agenda items scheduled for the canceled session will likely be addressed in a forthcoming special meeting, while less urgent matters will be pushed to the first regular meeting in August. Likewise, Star City Town Council will not hold its regularly scheduled Tuesday meeting. Mayor Sharon Doyle said the decision came down to missing members and a simple lack of agenda items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We cancel ours periodically, " Doyle said, explaining the city's bylaws require only one meeting every 30 days. "We have two meetings a month. We can cancel one of them if we don't have anything on the agenda ... It's a lack of agenda items and we've got some folks on vacation. There wasn't going to be any new business on this agenda anyway, so we're just going to go ahead and cancel it." Star City Town Council will hold its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Aug. 5. Moving on to Wednesday, the Monongalia County Commission will not convene for its 10 a.m. weekly meeting. The commission voted to cancel the meeting on June 25, noting one commissioner will be out of town on vacation and another commissioner and the commission office staff will be in Philadelphia for the National Association of Counties Annual Conference and Exposition. The commission will return to its regular schedule on July 23. CLOUDCROFT, New Mexico (KFDX/KJTL) A criminal complaint out of New Mexico against a woman who was arrested in Wichita Falls details the investigation that led to her arrest and where investigators found her husbands body. Deana Rene Thetford, of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, was booked into the Wichita County Jail on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, and charged with murder and tampering with evidence. PREVIOUS STORY: New Mexico woman arrested in Wichita Falls for murder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The criminal complaint detailed how law enforcement believes Deana willfully, deliberately, and with premeditation killed her husband, Craig Thetford, and then hid his body. According to the court documents, multiple family members called the Otero County Sheriffs Office around May 12 to request welfare checks on Craig after not speaking with him since January 2025. When deputies made contact with Deana, she allegedly made statements about them going through a divorce and that Craig was in Mexico fishing with his new girlfriend. It was later found that Craig had not crossed the border since 2023. Deana showed deputies two large gun safes in the pool room and said they had $1 to $1.5 million in cash, but she believed Craig had taken the money, and she did not have the combinations for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, Deana said Craig had broken his phone and gotten a new one, but she didnt know the number, and that he was in Texas to care for his mother. Craigs sister told investigators that he had not been in Texas. According to the criminal complaint, Deana confided in her daughter around May 13, 2025, that she and Craig had gotten in a fight where Craig pushed her down the stairs. Deana said she was blinded by rage and shot Craig multiple times, and he fell down the stairs into the pool room, where Deana left him for a couple of days until she was able to drag him out of the house and into the carport. A search warrant was issued on June 17 for their property in Cloudcroft. At that time, Craigs body was found wrapped in black plastic, blankets and rugs while covered in piles of cardboard, moth balls, and other items. During the execution of the search warrant, it was also found that Craigs clothing and the camera security system hardware had been removed from the residence. When a locksmith opened the safes, more than $80,000 was found along with multiple firearms and ammunition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was later learned that Deana had purchased property in Seymour, Texas, with a cash offer. She had also given her truck to her son and bought a Ford Mustang. Investigators said they received multiple other tips of Deana admitting to shooting Craig. As of the publication of this story, Deana was being held in the Wichita County Jail without bond. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. Court-ordered receivers set up website for victims of alleged First Liberty Ponzi scheme The court-ordered receiver handling the case against Newnan-based First Liberty Building and Loan has created a website so potential victims can get the very latest information on what the feds are calling a $140 million Ponzi scheme. Only Channel 2 Action News was there when the court ordered receiver Gregory Hays and his team began removing boxes full of hard drives and financial records from the First Liberty offices in downtown Newnan on Monday. Now, Hays has published a website for those First Liberty investors where they can track the progress of the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hays says itll be his job to find out where $140 million went and how to get it back to those investors. My job is to identify assets and determine what happened, and recover what money I can for investors, and then eventually make a distribution to investors in this matter, Hays told Elliot. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal investigators say First Liberty became a Ponzi scheme in 2021, and that its owner and founder, Edwin Brant Frost IV, used millions of investor dollars on things like a luxury watch, rare coins, a vacation home rental in Maine, and more than $500,000 in political contributions. Frost and his family promoted First Liberty heavily on Conservative media with paid commercials on the Erick Erickson show on WSB Radio, along with the Hugh Hewitt Show and 680 The Fan. They also went to church groups to ask people to invest. Hays has 90 days to finish his investigation and write up his report. He wants investors to know hes working hard to find the money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Erick Erickson Show and WSB Radio declined to comment on First Liberty on Tuesday. Cox Media Group is the owner of WSB-TV, and WSB Radio is a sister station of WSB-TV. The charges currently brought against Frost and First Liberty are civil, not criminal. Sources confirmed to Elliot that the FBI is also looking into the case. There have been numerous legal challenges to President Trump's immigration sweeps across California that have led to at least 3,000 arrests. But one lawsuit has the potential to dramatically alter the policy. The ruling A coalition of civil rights groups and private attorneys sued the federal government, challenging the cases of three immigrants and two U.S. citizens swept up in chaotic arrests that have sparked widespread protests since early June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, an appointee of President Biden, temporarily blocked federal agents in the Southland from using racial profiling to carry out immigration arrests after she found sufficient evidence that agents were using race, a persons job or their location, and their language to form reasonable suspicion the legal standard needed to detain an individual. Frimpong ruled that using race, ethnicity, language, accent, location or employment as a pretext for immigration enforcement is forbidden by the 4th Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. Read more: Trump administration asks appeals court to lift restrictions on SoCal immigration raids The order covers Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge also ordered that all those in custody at a downtown detention facility known as B-18 must be given 24-hour access to lawyers and a confidential phone line. Read more: Trump officials vow to intensify immigration raids despite legal challenges, bad polls, public backlash On Monday, the administration asked a federal appeals court to stay the judges order blocking the roving patrols, allowing it to resume raids across the seven California counties. "It is untenable for a district judge to single-handedly restructure the operations of federal immigration enforcement, the appeal argued. This judicial takeover cannot be allowed to stand." What experts are saying Legal experts say its hard to say just how successful the federal government will be in getting a stay on the temporary order, given the current political climate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is different from a lot of the other kinds of Trump litigation because the law is so clear in the fact finding by the district court," said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law. "So if you follow basic legal principles, this is a very weak case for the government on appeal, but its so hard to predict what will happen because everything is so ideological." In the past, legal scholars say, it would be extremely uncommon for an appeals court to weigh in on such an order. But recent events suggest its not out of the realm of possibility. Courts have backed Trump's immigration policies in other cases. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing the federal government to deport convicted criminals to third countries even if they lack a prior connection to those countries. That same month, it also ruled 6 to 3 to limit the ability of federal district judges to issue nationwide orders blocking the presidents policies, which was frequently a check on executive power. In June, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided to leave troops in Los Angeles in the hands of the Trump administration while Californias objections are litigated in federal court, finding the president had broad though not unreviewable authority to deploy the military in American cities. California had sued against the deployment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not an easy case for the government, said Ahilan Arulanantham, professor of practice and co-director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law. I think one thing which makes this case maybe a little bit harder for the government than some of the other shadow docket cases is it really does affect citizens in an important way, he said. Obviously the immigration agent doesnt know in advance when they come up to somebody whether theyre a citizen or a noncitizen or if theyre lawfully present or not. Read more: Trump can command National Guard as Californias legal challenge moves forward, appeals court says What is next? The Frimpong ruling is now on appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs argued in their complaint that immigration agents cornered brown-skinned people in Home Depot parking lots, at car washes and at bus stops across Southern California in a show of force without establishing reasonable suspicion that they had violated immigration laws. They allege agents didnt identify themselves, as required under federal law, and made unlawful arrests without warrants. Read more: Federal judge halts indiscriminate immigration stops in Los Angeles and beyond Government lawyers argued in their motion that "ethnicity can be a factor supporting reasonable suspicion in appropriate circumstances for instance, if agents are acting on a tip that identifies that ethnicity even if it would not be relevant in other circumstances, lawyers stated in their motion. Attorneys said in the motion that speaking Spanish, being at a particular location or ones job "can contribute to reasonable suspicion in at least some circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government lawyers said Frimpongs injunction was a first step to placing immigration enforcement under judicial monitorship and was indefensible on every level. They asked the higher court to pause the order while the appeal is heard. The government is also appealing another injunction imposed by a federal judge in the Eastern District of California after Border Patrol agents stopped and arrested dozens of farmworkers and laborers including a U.S. citizen during a days-long operation in the Central Valley in January. That case is likely to be heard later this year. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. In many parts of the country, COVID cases are rising but the tracking data isn't as reliable as it once was. ljubaphoto via Getty Images You likely dont associate summertime with coughing, chills and sneezing, but COVID-19 has changed that reality. Research shows that COVID tends to spike twice annually once in the winter and once in the summer, and, like past years, cases are starting to go up in much of the country now. But exactly how many people currently have COVID is harder to track now because of a number of changes to the countrys public health organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Important information, such as the number of COVID cases and hospitalizations, from public health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention isnt as accurate as it once was. This is also true for some smaller public health departments. The CDC didnt immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment. Not knowing exactly what COVID cases look like in your area is unnerving, especially as more people start to get sick this summer. Below, experts explain why the tracking is off and what COVID is looking like this summer: COVID data from the CDC isnt too accurate right now, and thats for a number of reasons. COVID tracking data from the CDC used to be a reliable way to look up COVID case numbers and hospitalizations in your area, but that isnt the case anymore. Since COVID lost its public health emergency designation status, some of those tools and resources that we relied on for data are no longer being used, said Elisabeth Marnik, a scientist and science communicator based in Maine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hospitals also arent required to report their COVID data to the CDC anymore, Marnik noted. This is one reason cases may appear to be lower than they really are. Moreover, some people, including some medical professionals, dont look at COVID as a summer problem, said Dr. Emily Landon, the executive medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at UChicago Medicine. This could mean less COVID testing in the summer, which means fewer COVID cases reported to hospitals and public health departments, Landon explained. And this could also make cases appear to be lower than they are. But what doesnt help that at all is the way the federal government, the new administration, is treating COVID as though it doesnt exist, Landon added. The Trump administration put an end to COVID funding for state and local health departments, as well as the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, certain health departments dont have enough funding to properly track COVID infections in their area or to send their data on to the CDC, Landon explained. The less funding there is for COVID and for public health in general, the less testing and sequencing and forwarding on of data, data collection and data aggregation, Landon added. This also makes COVID cases appear to be lower than they actually are. We just dont have as much data as we had a year ago or even a couple years ago when we were in that public health emergency, Marnik said. Wastewater data is a good way to track COVID infections in your area, but it is still not a total picture. Even if someone chooses not to test and brushes off a COVID infection as a cold, wastewater data can indicate when there are high levels of COVID in an area. Wastewater data tracks infections in sewers from toilets, showers and sinks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While wastewater data, once again, isnt as reliable as it once was, you can look at the CDCs COVID wastewater data dashboard to see how infection levels are in your area, said Suruchi Sood, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. We also have a tool that I like better called wastewaterscan.org, Marnik added. Interestingly, right now, when I look at the data, the CDC page is saying COVID-19 levels are low in wastewater, whereas Wastewater Scan has been kind of toggling between high and medium, Marnik noted. So, I think that kind of also shows that theres some discrepancy between the data that the CDC has access to and the data that Wastewater Scan has access to, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither have a complete look at the country, she added, but both still give helpful information. You can also look at your local and state public health departments, which may have data on COVID cases in your region, Marnik said. As mentioned above, not all of these departments have enough funding to track this data, but you can check and see if its a good resource for your area. All of this information can help you stay safe from a COVID infection. For instance, if you know cases are high in your town, you can take additional precautions. To protect yourself from COVID this summer, gather outside when possible and improve indoor circulation when not. Guido Mieth via Getty Images But, COVID cases are increasing in many parts of the U.S. Historically, if we look at all the past summers, we have had a summer spike, Marnik noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the CDC wastewater data, theres a COVID increase in Florida and Alabama, Sood said. If you look at Wastewater Scan right now, were starting to see that the West Coast has high levels of SARS-CoV-2 detected in wastewater, Marnik said. This is also the case for the Northeast. Whereas the Midwest area has low levels, Marnik added. So, its not unreasonable to think we likely will also be having a summer spike now, and the Wastewater Scan data ... because were starting to see higher rates in some areas of the country, indicates that we might be also heading for that summer spike, Marnik added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, its impossible to predict how high of a spike well have, noted Marnik. At UChicago Medicine, Landon said theyre seeing more COVID this week than last, and more employees are sick with COVID. This, of course, doesnt account for the folks who arent going to the hospital for COVID, so there is even more COVID out there, said Landon. The Nimbus COVID variant, or NB.1.8.1, is the dominant variant in the U.S., meaning it makes up the majority of cases right now. Weve been seeing it increasing for the last few weeks, Landon noted. NB.1.8.1 could potentially contribute to a summer wave, Marnik said. But ... we really just have to wait and see what it ends up looking like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a peek into what COVID could look like in the U.S. this summer, experts look to the U.K. The U.S. tends to follow the U.K.s COVID-19 patterns, Sood added They were seeing an increased amount of COVID-19, the Nimbus strain, but luckily, it actually wasnt really strongly associated with a lot of hospitalizations, Sood said. So, all of that, to me is really quite reassuring. COVID levels also werent as high as they were in previous summers in the U.K., Marnik noted. Cases in the U.K. are starting to go down, Sood added. The U.K. tends to have higher rates of COVID vaccination than the U.S., though, Marnik said. This could mean fewer infections in the U.K. as a result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So its really hard to know how were going to compare to what were seeing in other parts of the world, she said. Either way, there are more COVID cases in the U.S. than there were a few weeks ago. CDC data shows test positivity is currently at 3.1%, up from 2.9%. Heres what you can do to stay healthy: Some summer activities such as vacationing, lacking immunity from winter infections and vaccinations, and being in enclosed, air-conditioned spaces on hot days can increase your risk of catching COVID, experts told HuffPost. To lower your risk, there are a few things you can do, such as wearing a mask indoors and washing your hands well (and frequently), Landon said. If youre 65 or older or have conditions that put you at high risk of complications from COVID, you are also eligible to get a second COVID shot in the spring. If you havent gotten it yet, go get it now, both Landon and Marnik said. Its also important to prioritize clean air when in enclosed spaces with others, Sood noted. Keep the windows open, [turn on] fans, Sood said just really good air hygiene. If you do have influenza-like symptoms, get tested, because we know that, in addition to vaccines, treatment helps, particularly if youre in a high-risk group for severe disease and/or for long COVID, Sood said. Treatments like Paxlovid can not only help you feel better faster, but reduce your risk of long COVID, Sood added. So, if you do test positive, beyond staying home and away from others, let your doctor know so you can get the treatment you need. Related... The Brief Chicago Public Schools will host the first of five public meetings Monday to gather input on next years budget, amid efforts to close a $700 million deficit. The session follows the layoff of nearly 1,500 CPS staffers, including more than 400 teachers and 700 special education aides. CPS says most affected employees may be rehired, while the Chicago Teachers Union warns the cuts target special education and bilingual programs. CHICAGO - As the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education prepares to balance the budget next month, officials are holding a series of community feedback sessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes as CPS faces a ballooning deficit and works to close a $734 million gap. The first of five public meetings was held Monday on the citys South Side, as concerns over recent layoffs loomed. What we know With the school year starting in less than six weeks, parents and teachers packed the auditorium at Dyett High School for the Arts in Washington Park on Monday to weigh in on potential budget cuts. "We want to know what priorities parents have, what concerns they have, what questions," said CPS Interim CEO/Superintendent Macquline King. During the community engagement session, parents and teachers heard a presentation from CPS' Chief Budget Officer Michael Sitkowski, who shared: "CPS' five-year forecast shows that, without new revenues or expense reductions, deficits in FY2027 and beyond will continue to grow." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With no changes, the budget shortfall is projected to be $1.3 billion, according to the presentation. King hopes to avoid that. "We're going to have to make some really hard decisions," King said. "There will have to be a menu of solutions that we'll have to employ to balance the budget, however, whatever that menu of solutions will be, will have to be one that protects the cuts from the classroom." The meeting comes just days after CPS announced nearly 1,500 layoffs, including more than 400 teachers, 300 paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRP), 33 security officers and nearly 700 special education classroom assistants, or SECAs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A CPS spokesperson said "staffing adjustments" occur annually and added that about 80% of those affected are expected to find other positions within the district. Layoffs this year increased by about 3% from the previous year. What they're saying Following a presentation during Monday's meeting, parents and teachers participated in round-table discussions. Lena Mitchell is a parent of two boys and shared that it's important to her that Special Education resources remain a priority, along with Advanced Placement (AP) classes. "And also get more funding for those programs (AP classes) so other students can have opportunities because they're not offered at all high schools across the city," Mitchell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell also said she plans to attend more sessions and encourages other parents to do the same. "I feel like there's a disconnect between the students, the parents, the staff, and the teachers, as well as the community," she said. "When we are all working together, things can happen better and faster." In regard to the upcoming budget hearings, the Chicago Teachers Union shared last week: "Pedro Martinez misled the public about the funds available for students and educators this coming year. Now were seeing proposed cuts to special education, to bilingual education, layoffs and more. CPS needs to partner with CTU to win more revenue from the state." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another statement issued on Monday, a spokesperson for CTU shared, in part: "The district which continues to deal with the consequences of previous CPS CEOs and unaccountable rubber stamp Board of Educations DOGE approach of privatization, cuts, and closures to public education will hear the progress educators have made due to advances made in past contracts, the promise of the coming school year under the recently ratified contract, and the need to prevent backsliding likely to occur because of Governor Pritzker not passing a budget that meets the states funding obligations or not addressing the Trump cuts to education." What's next Four additional community feedback sessions are planned: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday, July 15 at 5:30 p.m.Westinghouse High School, 3223 W Franklin Blvd, Chicago, IL 60624 Thursday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m.Roosevelt High School, 3436 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 Saturday, July 19 at 10 a.m.Back of the Yards High School, 2111 W 47th St, Chicago, IL 60609 Monday, July 21 at 5:30 p.m.virtual hearing Community members can register to attend online. Following those sessions, the budget will be finalized and presented to the Board of Education for approval on Aug. 28. CHICAGO Chicago Public Schools is hosting five community listening sessions over the next week, giving parents a chance to weigh in on the districts budget as it faces a $730 million deficit. On Friday, CPS announced that 1,458 positions will be eliminated ahead of the upcoming school year. The cuts are a 3.2% increase from last years 1,110 layoffs and include: 432 teachers, including 132 special education teachers, who are members of the Chicago Teachers Union 311 paraprofessionals and school-related staff, such as teacher assistants and tech coordinators 677 special education classroom assistants, who are members of SEIU Local 73 33 security officers and five parent workers, who are also members of SEIU Local 73 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago Public Schools lays off over 1,400 staff members, including hundreds of teachers The first community meeting was held at Dyett High School, where parents shared their feedback and ideas on how the district should address the deficit. A second meeting will be held on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Westinghouse High School. CPS Interim CEO Macquline King told WGNs Mike Lowe that passing a balanced budget is her top priority. She said all options are on the table, including additional state funding and potentially borrowing money. We prioritize cuts away from the classroom, King said. Any services that support, especially, our most vulnerable students, we vehemently oppose. Were fighting to make sure cuts are not made to the classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chicago Teachers Union suggested the use of TIF surplus money to help fill the gap, as well as calling on the state to provide more funding for CPS. Where has the district been in creating relationships and lobbying in Springfield? Because there is a pot of money in Springfield, there was a formula created and agreed upon and we havent been able to tap into that, a TCU member said at Mondays meeting. Interim CPS CEO says top priority is passing budget The district receives roughly $1 billion in federal funding annually, but officials say the current budget gap is partly due to the expiration of pandemic-era relief funds and increased pension obligations. Its still unclear how potential federal funding changes under the Trump administration might impact CPS going forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The challenges we are facing are not small, the decisions we have ahead of us will be difficult, Michael Sitkowski, CPS Chief Budget Officer, said. I will say up front we are not going to satisfy everyone but we want to engage with you, with fidelity, to make sure we arent making decisions in isolation. The district plans to host a hiring fair in hopes of retaining some employees. CPS says with previous layoffs, about 80% of employees were able to find a new job within the school system. CPS lays off 160 employees, cuts 200 vacant positions amid budget crisis The first day of school for CPS students is August 18, and the budget must be approved by August 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Checkout.com has launched its direct acquiring operations in Canada, extending its reach within the North American market. The move enables Checkout.com Canadian customers gain greater control over their payment transactions, with the potential for higher authorisation rates and improved payment performance. The company, known for providing payment solutions to international brands such as eBay, Klarna, and GE Healthcare, reported expansion across all regions in 2024, with the US market experiencing growth exceeding 80%. Earlier this year, Checkout.com established a new office in San Francisco to support its growth trajectory. Checkout.com head of revenue for North America Zack Levine said: North America is seeing a major shift in how people spend, and we are ready to help enterprise merchants capitalise. Through one integration point, merchants can access our full suite of online pay-in and payout capabilities across cards, bank rails, wallets, and popular methods like PayPal and Venmo, in addition to a variety of advanced solutions like Pinless Debit. To spearhead the growth in North America, Checkout.com has appointed Zack Levine as head of revenue for the region. Levine, who initially joined the company in 2021 to head the US sales division, was later appointed as general manager for Israel in 2024. In his current role, Levine is tasked with overseeing the commercial strategy and the performance of various teams, including sales, business development, account management, and solutions engineering, in both North America and Israel. Levine stated: We are hyper-focused on bringing best-in-class engagement to the payments industry and ensuring that we continue to distance ourselves from the pack in terms of service and what it means to build long-term partnerships. In May, Checkout.com collaborated with UAE-based fintech company du Pay, aimed at enhancing wallet top-up capabilities to support fintech services in the UAE. "Checkout.com introduces direct acquiring services in Canada " was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Cram Fire, burning north of Madras, doubled in size overnight, reaching the town of Ashwood. On Tuesday afternoon, Level 3 Go Now evacuations were issued in Wasco County as the fire continues to grow. These Wasco County locations are under the Level 3 Go Now status: East side of Hwy 97 at County Border to HWY 197/97 intersection to Hwy 97 Milepost 64 down to West of Hwy 293 / Lower Tub Spring Rd intersection West side of Hwy 97 to the Deschutes River, South of South Junction Rd to Jefferson County Border East of Hwy 97 and South of Hwy 293 and west of Lower Tub Spring Rd to the Wasco/Jefferson County Border East of Lower Tub Spring Rd, South of Hwy 293, West of Upper Spring Rd to the Jefferson County Border Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Level 2 Be Set notices were issued for these locations: East of Upper Tub Spring Rd, South of Hwy 293 and Hwy 218, including City of Antelope, West of Cold Camp Rd to the Wasco/Jefferson County Border Level 1 notices were issued to these spots: Hwy 97 Milepost 64 to Shaniko, West of Hwy 218 to Antelope, North of Hwy 293 / Lower Tub Spring Rd intersection to Antelope. North Of South Junction Road, East of the Deschutes River, West of Hwy 197/97 Intersection to Hwy 197 Milepost 65 West of Cold Camp Rd, South of Hwy 218 to John Day River to Wasco/Jefferson County Border According to Central Oregon Fire Info, gusty winds in the area pushed the fire southeast toward Ashwood, prompting crews to refocus their priorities on protecting buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said that the fire has grown to 28,635 acres and is still uncontained. Portland is hot. Heres everything you need to know to stay cool this week On Monday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, effectively bringing more assistance to the area to fight the fire. Currently, officials said there are resources from Linn, Lane, Marion, Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill counties working to protect the area. Evacuations due to the Cram Fire in Jefferson County (JCSO) All evacuations in Jefferson County remain in place, and officials said the area surrounding Gateway is now at Level 3 due to the possibility of the fire crossing Highway 97. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Red Cross has an evacuation point set up at Jefferson County Middle School, and any large animals can be brought to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Huntsville, Tx (FOX 44) The creator of the most visible landmark on I-45, the statue of Sam Houston near Huntsville, has died at age 98. David Adickes brought the concept of the giant statue to his hometown of Huntsville, titling it A Tribute to Courage. His idea transformed thirty tons of concrete and steel into the 67-foot tall image of the man known as The Father of Texas, visible for over six miles while approaching Huntsville from the south. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adickes raised the funds for the statue himself, with the local chamber of commerce raising the money for the foundation, the granite base and the actual erection of the statue. The City of Huntsville built the visitors center and park. The project was begun in early 1992 with the statue completed and dedicated in 1994. David Adickes was born in Huntsville in 1927, graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1948, then attended the Kansas City Art Institute followed by two years of study in Paris. He later taught art at the University of Texas at Austin. The Big Sam statue is made up of five layers of concrete over steel mesh and a welded steel frame and stands on a ten-foot granite base. Other sculptures by Adickes stand in Houston and in a Presidents Park in South Dakota. Adickes was also a prolific painter with his oils and sculptures displayed in ten major art museums and in private collections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. CREVE COEUR, Ill. (WMBD) Police are warning about another scam that involves warning people of owed money related to toll fines. A text message smishing scam is going around, according to a Facebook post by the Creve Coeur Police Department. Police say the scam claims recipients owe money associated with traffic tickets, tolls, and other fines. These are not legitimate messages from the Illinois Department of Transportation. If someone receives a message, they should report it to the Federal Trade Commission and/or the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police remind residents to never give someone else any banking information, social security number, birthdate, or other personal details in response to suspicious texts, phone calls, or postal correspondence. It is also advised not to call any numbers provided by potentially fraudulent sources. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. TOPEKA (KSNT) The Kansas Forest Service (KFS) reports that crucial federal dollars that it uses to help rural farmers by fighting wildfires and invasive pests are missing this year. State Forester Jason Hartman said in a press release on July 15 that expected disbursements of federal dollars through the U.S. Forest Services (FS) State, Private and Tribal Forestry (SPTF) programs have yet to arrive. He said the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is holding back the current years SPTF funds that were appropriated by Congress in early 2025. The KFS previously put out a call for help in May ahead of approval on this years controversial federal budget due to the cuts it would make to the services ability to help farmers combat wildfires and resist layoffs. The FS told state forestry agencies nationwide on June 28 to prepare for the possibility of no funding in Federal Fiscal Year 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man sentenced for raping, killing Topeka five-year-old girl in 2023 In a normal year, States would have agreements in place by now for the suite of state capacity programs we together deliver for forest landowners, communities, and firefighters. KFS Jason Hartman press release excerpt Hartman listed off numerous ways the loss of federal dollars would negatively impact the Sunflower State in the days ahead. Some of the chief losses include the following: Rural fire departments More than 50 training courses per year that provide training to more than 1,500 rural firefighters. Federal excess property including trucks, generators and hand-tools. 30 public education events. Direct assistance with more than 4,000 wildfires each year. Kansas landowners Nearly 200 technical assistance consultations. Plans for the creation of more than 40 windbreaks. More than 60 forest management practice plans. Hundreds of forestry cost-share program contracts. Rural communities Support for more than 90 Tree City USA locations. Dozens of educational workshops. Hundreds of technical assistance visits. 20 rural community canopy inventories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a true giant: Man breaks Kansas blue catfish record with 121-pound Missouri River monster Hartman also said the funding losses will prevent the KFS from providing resources necessary to track, detect, identify and monitor invasive pests that threaten Kansas wooded areas. He said it isnt known why the OMB has yet to disperse the appropriated funds from Congress but the continued delay is harming the Sunflower State. Despite being designated for urgent use, these funds remain inaccessible. For them to truly benefit Kansas communities, the Kansas Forest Service must receive them with enough lead time to prepare and execute grant agreements before OMBs August 15th deadline. Without timely action from OMB, these resources risk going unused, despite their clear intent and need. KFS Jason Hartman press release excerpt For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Getty Images Updated at 10:03 a.m. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is looking to open mental health services to a competitive procurement process, a move that has drawn criticism from mental health advocates and organizations across the state. Maribeth Leonard, CEO of LifeWays a community mental health services program that serves Hillsdale and Jackson counties outlined how this proposal could upend Michigans existing system of regionally governed behavioral health oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter to the community. Leonard said the change in the funding model would move decisions about mental health care funding and oversight further from the communities they serve, threatening the transparency, accountability, and responsiveness that define Michigans public system. LETTER TO THE EDITOR Protecting Local Mental Health Care from Privatization 07.09.2025 Michigans current infrastructure comprises ten Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans, or PIHP. These regional administrative entities are charged with managing a regions behavioral health Medicaid funds. The Mid-State Health Network, for example, serves 21 counties and consists of 12 different community mental health organizations, including LifeWays. This is not the first time prepaid plans have been threatened with privatization. Indeed, there have been at least five serious attempts over the past decade. Most recently, bills introduced by Republican lawmakers in 2021 stalled in the state Legislature after encountering significant opposition from mental health advocates. Before that, in 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, issued a line-item veto rejecting a budget provision that would have advanced a privatization pilot program first introduced under the administration of former Republican Gov. Rick Snyder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In this instance, however, the push for privatization comes not from a Republican-led legislature, but from a department within the states Democratic-led executive branch: the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. According to MDHHS, the shift to competitive procurement is intended to address issues within the current PIHP system that compromise service quality, accountability, and efficiency. The department cited fragmentation, service inconsistency, and limited accountability as critical flaws in the current PIHP system. The department is advancing a plan that would open the contracts for regional prepaid plans to competitive bidding, allowing large nonprofit entities with no local ties to apply. A letter from LifeWays CEO Maribeth Leonard explained that, while the proposal requires that bidders be nonprofit entities, it still allows large private nonprofits some of which may operate outside of our region or even our state, like Blue Cross Blue Shield or Meridian Health Plan to take over functions currently managed by locally governed public agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state health department conducted a month-long survey in March 2025, reaching out to 2,600 Michiganders and garnering various perspectives. In a statement to Michigan Advance, the agency elaborated that the plan for privatization was informed by extensive feedback from Medicaid beneficiaries and their families, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and other partners. In addressing the survey responses, the department said that the proposed plan would help to increase consumer choice and access to services while preserving the Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSPs). PIHP public survey summary Furthermore, the department used the survey responses to develop a four-pillared approach to their proposal, striving to provide high quality, timely services, improve choice & consistency across regions, ensure accountability & transparency, and simplify the system with reduced bureaucracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interestingly, while both state health department and mental health advocates cite accountability, transparency, and improved response as primary objectives, they propose fundamentally different solutions to achieve them. Leonard pointed out that the implementation of this proposal could have unintended consequences, namely increased wait times, lower service quality, decreased provider rates, and heightened rates of provider turnover and closures. Leonards concerns are a reality for several other states: Oklahoma predicted that privatizing mental health care would cost the state an additional $716 million annually. A June 2024 state report from Oregon found that privatization had led to an influx of phantom networksprovider directories listing clinicians who arent actually accepting patients. North Carolina saw a drastic increase in staff turnover in public-sector mental health, as well as significant increases in behavioral health-related emergency room visits. In a letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Association of Counties explained that private health plans operate at higher cost than their public counterparts. The current system spends approximately 2% of Medicaid funding on administrative costs, marketing, billing, and executive salaries. On the other hand, privatized infrastructures typically spend around 15% on these overhead costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, the letter continues, such an increase would divert over $500 million annually from direct services to administrative expenses, exacerbating existing funding shortfalls and diminishing the quality and accessibility of care. PIHP-Letter-to-Governor-May-2025 Similarly, Leonard emphasized that even if the infrastructure is reduced, the necessity remains. The only difference, she noted, is that those in need of mental health services will end up elsewhere. Theyre going to end up in other placesin your jails, theyre going to end up in your emergency departments, said Leonard. The need wont go away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other key thing, she added, is that right now, the mental health code requires, on our board, the participation of those with lived experience. Youre not going to have that with a private plan. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services plans to issue a request for proposal sometime this summer, with the proposed service start date scheduled for October 1, 2026. At this point, the language of the proposal has yet to be formalized. However, Leonard noted that, based on the preliminary proposal requirements, none of Michigans prepaid plans would be eligible to apply. In short, another organization would be able to take control of the states mental and behavioral health infrastructure. Further, she explained, shifting towards a privatized model would divert decision-making power away from the communities. Unlike the current infrastructure, private non-profits are not subject to Freedom of Information Act requests, which would leave the community with limited tools to monitor decision-making, spending, or performance. Essentially, Leonard explained, the proposal threaten[s] the transparency, accountability, and responsiveness that define Michigans public system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LifeWays will be hosting an educational forum for state legislators on July 25 that will include a detailed briefing from the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan and the opportunity to engage with community members, local leaders, and policymakers. This story was updated to reflect that the Mid-State Health Network consists of 12 different community mental health organizations, including LifeWays. DENVER (KDVR) One person is dead following a rollover crash that occurred on Monday afternoon, according to a press release from the Colorado State Patrol. CSP said that at approximately 4:44 p.m., troopers responded to a one-vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 70 near milepost 198 west of Frisco. 6 Nuggets players feature on Bleacher Reports Top 100 Players Ever list A black Lexus SUV traveling eastbound crossed into the westbound lanes, causing it to roll and eject the driver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver was transported to the hospital but was later pronounced dead from his injuries. CSP said that at the time of the crash, heavy rain was falling. A Vehicular Crime Unit Trooper will be conducting the investigation of the crash. I-70 was closed in both directions for about 20 minutes, but has one eastbound lane open. The westbound lanes will be shut down for the remainder of the investigation. CSP advises traffic to avoid the area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Connecticut Office of Inspector General has ruled that officers were justified when they shot and killed a man in Stonington in December 2023 who was wanted in connection with a shooting after he ran from police, fatally shot a state police K-9 and fired at a number of troopers. It is sad that this incident resulted in the death of Vaughn Malloy and State Police K-9 Broko, Inspector General Robert Devlin, Jr. wrote in his report on the incident, which was released Tuesday. I attribute this to Malloys desperate efforts to avoid arrest. Devlin wrote in his report that authorities had the responsibility to arrest the 42-year-old who was wanted in connection with a shooting in Norwich in 2022 that injured a woman. Police tried to convince Malloy to surrender from a home in Pawcatuck and pivoted to using foam bullets when he fled the residence and tried taking off, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was only when Malloy fired his weapon that the troopers returned fire, Devlin wrote. Malloys actions in firing a gun multiple times posed a threat of serious injury or death to all troopers on scene. In their statements, Devlin continued, Connecticut State Police Sgt. Sean Paddock and Troopers Christopher Church, Jarred Bolduc and Gregory Fascendini said they believed the threat posed a grave risk of harm. This was reasonable because a reasonable police officer in the same circumstances would share that same belief, Devlin wrote. Accordingly, I find that their use of deadly force was justified. According to the report, members of the state police Violent Crime Task Force East which also includes officers from the Norwich, Groton and Waterford Police Departments attempted to arrest Malloy around 7:30 p.m. at a residence located on Mechanic Street on Dec. 21, 2023. They held a warrant for his arrest in connection with a shooting on April 28, 2022, in Norwich where police allege he fired a gun into the front of a residence, striking a woman inside. The warrant had been outstanding for Malloys arrest since June 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connecticut State Police K-9 killed, one person seriously injured in officer-involved shooting Task force members conducted surveillance at the Mechanic Street residence and obtained a search warrant for the property, the report said. The search warrant was executed by the Connecticut State Police Tactical Unit with the assistance of the Rhode Island State Police Tactical Unit. Authorities trying to carry out the warrant gave Malloy a number of commands to come out of the home and surrender, but he refused, Devlin wrote. After using a loud speaker announcing their presence and telling him to come out with his hands up, authorities breached the front door using a ram attached to an armored vehicle. Shortly thereafter, Malloy ran out a rear door and took off, the report said. The tactical team spotted Malloy with a pistol and told him to stop, according to Devlins report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes running, hes running, an officer can be heard saying in the body camera footage released in conjunction with the report. Inspector General releases new details, bodycam footage in fatal officer-involved shooting involving K-9 in Stonington According to Devlin, a tactical team member deployed two bullets with a foam tip at Malloy as he continued running east. The body camera footage shows that K-9 Broko approached Malloy as he fell to the ground and bit him. According to Devlin, Malloy fired several rounds at the K-9, killing him. He then fired the gun at police, leading to Paddock, Fascendini, Church and Bolduc returning fire, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation determined that Church fired one round from a JP-15 police rifle, Devlin wrote. Bolduc is believed to have fired four rounds from the same kind of rifle, while Paddock shot seven rounds from his police rifle, the investigation found. According to Devlin, Fascendini fired 12 rounds from a Glock 45 9mm pistol. The investigation involved the review of the body cameras worn by police as well as a camera affixed to a street pole and one taken from a witness in a nearby home, which showed a woman crying out Oh my God multiple times as a slew of shots can be heard ringing out. Malloy was shot several times. Next to him, police recovered a Polymer 80 9mm handgun that had been used to fire seven rounds, including two that likely struck and killed the K-9. Four of the shots are believed to have struck a Ford Expedition police cruiser parked across the street. Malloy was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:24 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found that Malloys death was caused by 13 gunshot wounds to his torso and extremities. The toxicology report found that he had amphetamine, methamphetamine and THC in his system, Devlins report said. All of these substances had the potential to affect Malloys central nervous system, particularly methamphetamine, Devlin wrote. The concentrations, however, were not at levels that historically have caused violent or irrational behavior. The sudden death of a 54-year-old man who was on tour with Annabelle, said to be the worlds most haunted doll, is being mourned by the paranormal world. Dan Rivera was the lead investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research or N.E.S.P.R., an organization founded by famed, late Connecticut paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Rivera was known for his passion in defending others against dark forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is with deep sadness that Tony, Wade, and I share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera, said a post on the organizations Facebook page. We are heartbroken and still processing this loss. Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him. Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time. Rivera says in a video online that he and Lorraine Warren had an instant connection when they met on separate paranormal investigations years ago. He wound up working for the Warrens and said he and Lorraine had a special bond until her death. Rivera is said to have been on a nationwide tour with the scary Raggedy Ann doll that has been said to make bad things happen to people who anger her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were in Gettysburg, Pa. on the Devils on the Run Tour, when medics were called to aid Rivera. His cause of death is pending. Speculation is already whirling online about his death. Annabelle draws huge crowds wherever she goes because of all the mystery and fear surrounding anecdotal stories about her. Annabelle is displayed in a locked glass case with crucifixes attached, the case covered with Holy Water infused lacquer. Annabelle doll inhabited by inhuman spirit to be on display at CT casino. Dont touch her locked case. Visitors are always told to heed the warning on the case not to touch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Annabelle is one of the most famous items from the Warrens Occult Museum collection. Ed and Lorraine Warren determined during an investigation that Annabelle is inhabited by an inhuman spirit. The doll got so rambunctious during the ride to the Warrens home in Monroe from an investigation site, that Ed Warren had to sprinkle her with holy water, the late Lorraine Warren has said. A man who once ignored the warnings and taunted the doll at the museum, died in a motorcycle crash on the way home, as the story claims. There are countless stories of Annabelle wreaking havoc. The real Annabelle doll is an innocent-looking old-fashioned Raggedy Ann doll. The doll used in the Annabelle movies is a frightening-looking porcelain doll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Warrens took control of Annabelle during an investigation in the 1970s after a young Hartford nurse received the doll as a gift from her mother and numerous creepy things occurred. Later, the nurse claimed the doll attacked her friend. She held a seance and was told the doll held the ghost of a girl named Annabelle. The nurse called a priest. The priest told her to call the Warrens. The Warrens decided there was something evil in that doll, their son-in-law Tony Spera and now leader of their organization has said. The nurse called the priest to do an exorcism on the house and bless the nurse and her roommate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said, We dont want the doll anymore. The Warrens took it back to their museum in Monroe, Spera has said. It all started when, One day the nurse came home and thought, I could have sworn I put that doll on the couch. It was in the bedroom. Then it happened more, Spera has said. One day she was sitting at the breakfast nook with the doll and suddenly the dolls arms moved. The Warrens came to investigate and determined the doll itself was not possessed, but manipulated by an inhuman presence, they have said. Paranormal activity was freaky during CT film shoot at famous occult museum Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Warrens are also famous for their investigation of a haunted house in Amityville, NY, and the 1980s Connecticut poltergeist case based on a Warren case, in which demonic possession was used unsuccessfully as a defense in a murder trial. Spera has said of all the items in the museum, Annabelle scared him most. Spera one regaled young filmmakers from Glastonbury with stories about Annabelle and the misfortune that came of museum goers who disobeyed the rules and touched or defied the doll on display, a visiting priest among them. The Occult Museum in Monroe is no longer open to the public, but some items, including Annabelle, are brought to other locations for paranormal events. Annabelle has been displayed at Mohegan Sun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The late Lorraine Warren has said the power of her Catholic faith has gotten her out of frightening situations because she uses goodness to fight the demonic. Holy water was a frequent tool used by the Warrens. Other highlights of the museum include Ouija boards, Voodoo dolls, objects used in satanic rituals, a coffin that a 17-year-old boy allegedly slept in before stalking women at night and artifacts from a plane that crashed into the Florida Everglades, according to Courant archives. The young filmmaker from Glastonbury, Michael Gilbertie, has said he had nightmares of the movie going wrong and of Annabelle being at the foot of his bed, rendering Gilbertie unable to move. Thankfully none of those nightmares came true, Gilbertie said in 2023. Ive seen too many crazy and ghostly things in my life to not believe. State Sen. Saud Anwar has been keeping track of the number of lives lost to overdoses in Connecticut what he calls the human cost of wrong action. Hes laying responsibility for the deaths at the feet of Gov. Ned Lamont, who, he said, pushed lawmakers to remove from a bill a provision to establish overdose prevention centers throughout the state. On May 29th, 2025, Overdose Prevention Center part was removed from SB 7, because of a veto threat by Governor Ned Lamont. Since that sad moment, There have been 789 overdoses. 83 precious lives lost. EACH DEATH WAS PREVENTABLD, Anwar wrote on his Facebook page on June 24. This was not just a wrong policy decision made by the Governor, it has consequences. Its pain. Its people. Its families shattered. Community will be watching the direct impact of policy decisions, day by day. The question is no longer if people will die without overdose prevention the question is HOW MANY MORE? We will keep counting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anwar, a medical doctor and co-chairman of the General Assemblys Public Health Committee, said the governors decision has resulted in needless deaths. I am disappointed that humans are not being treated in a fair manner because of various factors that are unacceptable to me, the senator told the Courant. It is Black and Brown people who are dying and every single death is preventable. I have difficulty accepting that our governor is allowing those deaths to happen when we have shown him the data that they are preventable. Anwar said that overdose prevention centers have been recognized by the entire prevention science community as an effective way of reducing overdose deaths. Since May 29, there have been more than 100 opioid overdose deaths, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They could have been with their family members, he said. Anwar is one of several Democrats to criticize the governor, penning an op-ed calling for Lamont to give up his seat. For more than a year, liberal Democrats have been grumbling about the Democratic governor regarding his opposition to tax hikes on the states richest residents and blocking more wide-scale loosening of the states fiscal guardrails to allow more spending for progressive priorities. His vetoes of a bill to encourage affordable housing in Connecticut and to extend unemployment benefits to striking workers have also prompted criticism from fellow Democrats. Rep. Josh Elliott, D-Hamden, on Monday kicked off his gubernatorial campaign to challenge Lamont. What happened to SB 7 The Senate on May 22 passed SB 7 in a 25-10 vote, paving the way for the state to introduce a pilot program supporting overdose prevention centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pilot program would have developed four centers in different municipalities across the state in 2026, according to Senate Democrats. Connecticut Senate Democrats reported in a release that overdose prevention centers support those with substance use disorder and help to reduce overdose deaths and connect individuals with resources that can aid them. Families of those who have died from overdoses, those in recovery from substance use disorder and families of struggling individuals supported the legislation, according to Senate Democrats. Asked at a press briefing on May 28 if the governor is committed to vetoing SB 7 if it comes to his desk with a safe injection site measure, Lamont said that he had not committed to anything on that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to get people off the drugs and we have made a big effort there and are having some success, he said. There are less fentanyl deaths than two or three years ago. There is some progress. I have not made a call on that yet. Lamont said he had some worry about the perception of safe injection sites in our major municipalities but I have not made a call on that yet. A day later, the language was stripped from the bill, according to Anwar. The governors office did not answer specific questions from the Courant about why the language establishing the prevention centers was removed from SB 7 and what the governors response was to Anwars criticism that such a decision was costing lives. The governors office instead referred to Lamonts May 28 press briefing and a press release on a dramatic decline in overdose deaths in the state. Are overdoses decreasing in the state? There has been a 26% decline in overdose deaths in 2024, according to the governors office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brittany Schaefer, public information officer for the state Department of Public Health, said since January there have been 389 unintentional and undetermined intent drug overdose deaths. Of those, 310 are opioid related. Between September 2024 and April 2025 drug overdose deaths have generally trended slightly upward approximately 6-7%, increasing from an average of 69.5 overdose deaths per month to 74.25 overdose deaths per month, Schaefer said. While there have been more drug overdose deaths in the first four months of 2025 (297) than the last four months of 2024 (278), counts for Jan-April 2025 are still well below the counts for Jan-April 2024 (380). Schaefer added that the department would not classify the overdose deaths as spiking at this point. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said a few weeks ago there was a small spike in overdose deaths in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he said there was no trend we could identify, adding that the numbers are coming down overall. In 2022, New Haven had 128 overdose deaths, with that number dropping to 116 in 2023 and 72 in 2024, he said. He said the decline in deaths is related to the city helping to connect people with services. Anwar cited a discrepancy in the states overdose numbers for 2024 in which DPH estimated that 1,118 people died from overdose deaths earlier this year. He cited a press release from the governors office in June which showed that 990 individuals died from overdose deaths, questioning what happened to the 128 deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schaefer said that 1,118 was a previously projected number of all drug overdose deaths and that counts for 2024 have since been finalized resulting in 990 deaths. I find it interesting that we are changing the projections of the past, Anwar said. Overdose prevention centers There are currently three overdose prevention centers also called supervised consumption rooms or safe injection sites in the country: two in New York City and one in Rhode Island. Brandon Marshall, professor of epidemiology at Brown University, said researchers from the Brown University School of Public Health are working in conjunction with colleagues at the NYU Lagone Health to conduct a rigorous multifaceted evaluation of the overdose prevention centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said overdose prevention centers have been around since the 1980s in Switzerland, Canada and other countries. They are highly effective in other countries in communities where there is a very high level of overdose risk, he said. They are most effective as part of a comprehensive response to an overdose crisis which includes prevention treatment and recovery efforts. Robert Heimer, professor of epidemiology and pharmacology at Yale University, said overdose prevention centers save lives in the short run. He added that the controversy surrounding the centers is political not scientific. He said opioids kill 1,000 people a year and contribute to crime and gang violence. It contributes to all manner of ill health, he said, referring to shorter life expectancies. Reporting from Chris Keating and the Connecticut Mirror is contained in this article. The labor minister in economically depressed Cuba resigned Tuesday amid an uproar over her claim that people rummaging through garbage cans were only pretending to be poor and not truly desperate. Such scenes of acute need are common in Cuba, especially in Havana, as people in the communist run country grapple with runaway inflation, meager wages and food shortages, causing some to resort to panhandling or eating out of the trash. The labor minister who denied this, Marta Elena Feito, who also oversees the social security system, "acknowledged her mistake and tendered her resignation," Cuban state media said Tuesday, adding that she had shown a "lack of objectivity and sensitivity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Feito told a parliamentary committee meeting about measures to address poverty that people rummaging for food in garbage bins are in fact dressed up to look like beggars. "When you look at their hands, when you look at the clothes those people are wearing, they are disguised as beggars. They are not beggars. In Cuba, there are no beggars," she said in statements broadcast live on state television. Social media users in the communist nation reacted with outrage, posting photos of people eating out of trash cans, while economist Pedro Monreal commented on X that there are "people disguised as 'ministers'" in Cuba. President Miguel Diaz-Canel entered the fray on X Tuesday to lambast Feito's "lack of sensitivity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later told a parliamentary session that "none of us can act with arrogance, act with pretense, disconnected from the realities we live in." Beggars, added Diaz-Canel, are "concrete expressions of social inequalities and the problems" Cuba faces. Poverty levels have increased sharply as the Caribbean country reckons with its worst economic crisis in three decades, marked by shortages of food, medicine and fuel and daily power blackouts. Observers blame a combination of US sanctions, domestic mismanagement of the economy, and the Covid-19 pandemic tanking the nation's vital tourist industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the government said there were 189,000 families and 350,000 individuals out of a population of 9.7 million living in "vulnerable" conditions and benefiting from social assistance programs. AFP has observed a marked increase in the last two years of homeless people and beggars on the streets of a country where the average monthly salary is less than $20 at the unofficial exchange rate. Cuba's economy shrunk for the second consecutive year in 2024, contracting 1.1 percent compared to 1.9 percent in 2023. lp/val/mlr/dw/jgc Chevron has reported that the start-up of an offshore well is responsible for zinc contamination in Mars crude, which has contributed to tightening oil supply in the Gulf Coast refining hub. This issue has prompted the US Government to release barrels from its emergency stockpile to support regional refineries, according to a Reuters report. At the end of last week, crude oil inventories along the US Gulf Coast had dropped to their lowest seasonal level in seven years. This decline was exacerbated by wildfires in Canada, which reduced supplies, and the cancellation of licences for importing Venezuelan crude into the US. The Mars crude, a medium sour variety produced off the coast of Louisiana, is favoured by Gulf Coast refineries for its quality and proximity. However, the presence of zinc, which is not a natural component of crude oil, has raised concerns about potential damage to refining units and catalysts used in processing oil. The Mars crude stream combines oil from various Gulf Coast platforms, with approximately 575,000 barrels per day (bpd) transported to the coast. Exxon has ceased purchasing the Mars crude oil grade until the contamination issue is resolved, according to a separate Reuters report on Thursday (10 July). The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced on 11 July that it would provide up to one million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to Exxon Mobil's Baton Rouge refinery in Louisiana due to the offshore supply disruption. Chevron stated that it is working to address the problem and does not anticipate any impact on its current production guidance. The supply of medium and heavy crude oil in the US Gulf has been tightening due to several factors. These include the termination of licences for importing Venezuelan crude, declining Mexican oil production, and Canadian supply disruptions due to wildfires. Additionally, the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline has redirected some Canadian oil flows away from the US Gulf Coast. Demand for refined products, including gasoline and distillates, surged to 20.9 million barrels per day last week, marking the highest seasonal demand in five years, driven by robust driving demand. In a related development, Energy Transfer has broadened its partnership with Chevron in the LNG market, raising the agreed supply amount to three million tonnes per year (mtpa). Last month, the company's affiliate, Energy Transfer LNG Export, entered a 20-year extension of its sale and purchase agreement (SPA), committing to supply an extra 1mtpa from its Lake Charles LNG export project. The Pinellas County school districts already grim budget outlook for the new fiscal year has taken several turns for the worse since officials unveiled their proposed spending plan in late June. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick told school board members on Tuesday that, after the June workshop, the state withdrew $1.4 million from the district as it adjusted funding statewide for students who had been registered both in public school and as voucher recipients. Soon after, he said, the district had a $300,000 reduction in Title I federal funds distributed by the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Compounding the scenario, Hendrick continued, was the Trump administrations impoundment of nearly $400 million in grant funds to Florida schools, of which Pinellas share is close to $9 million. In Pinellas, the money supports teacher training, arts enrichment, threat management response and college and career centers, among other items. As we discussed at the June 24 workshop, we anticipated receiving these funds, allocated these funds, hired individuals, began the programming for all this the next day, Hendrick said. There are 47 employees who are funded from these grants and do essential work for our students and teachers. Those positions and the programs they support are now at risk, he told the board. The district already had been predicting reductions stemming from enrollment declines and rising costs of services. The budget that well bring back to you on July 29 will not include these federal funds unless they are released in the very near future, he said. Without those funds, we will need to adjust positions and programs funded by these grants accordingly. This will mean real and actual cuts to services that directly impact student achievement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No layoffs are anticipated. But some programs will cease to exist as money gets shifted to ensure required functions continue. The district does not have sufficient reserve funds to tap into while still maintaining state-required levels, Hendrick said, meaning something will have to give. Board members joined Hendrick in expressing dismay that the federal government would abruptly freeze the Congress-approved grant money nearly $7 billion nationwide as schools are so close to resuming classes. They said they understood the need for reviewing the way the funds are used, but had anticipated any cuts might come in fall 2026, not this year. To pull the rug out from under the K-12 school districts across the country right before school starts is really very concerning to me, board member Stephanie Meyer said, suggesting the district reach out to federal officials with its concerns. I think we need to take a step back and say, Yes, these reviews need to be made ... however, we need to move forward with this federal funding for this school year, Meyer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She joined a chorus of others who called for a public town hall meeting where the district can explain to parents, staff, students and other residents the unfolding situation in clear terms. It matters to everyone, regardless of whether they have children in classrooms, board member Katie Blaxberg said. Every part of our society and community is affected by the health of our public schools, Blaxberg said. The board expected to continue the conversation at its July 22 workshop, before its first budget public hearing a week later. It did not set a date for a town hall session. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has announced that Czechia will not be taking part in a US-led initiative to purchase US weapons for Ukraine through NATO. Source: Fiala in a comment to the Czech news portal Publico, as reported by European Pravda Quote from Fiala: "Czechia is focusing on other projects and ways of helping Ukraine, for example, through the ammunition initiative. Therefore, we are not currently considering joining this project." Background: On Monday 14 July, Trump announced an agreement between the United States and NATO under which the supply of US weapons to Ukraine will be financed by European allies. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that same day that Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and Canada all want to be part of the initiative. Germany and Sweden have confirmed their readiness to join Trump's scheme. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has welcomed the initiative but said Finland has not yet decided whether to participate. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! DA identifies victims of fire at Fall River assisted-living home as community mourns tragedy Flames roared through an assisted-living facility in Massachusetts, killing nine people and trapping residents inside, including some who leaned out of windows and screamed for help, authorities said Monday. At least 30 people were hurt. 25 Investigates: Gabriel House owner paid $950k settlement to state over kickback allegations A firefighters union said inadequate staffing hindered the response to the blaze and contributed to the death toll, though the mayor criticized that characterization, and the fire chief suggested no number of first responders would have been enough. Meanwhile, several residents who praised firefighters and police for heroic rescue efforts said staff members did little to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They didnt knock on one door, Robert Cabral said. They just ran. Firefighters responded to the Gabriel House facility in Fall River, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Boston, at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday and were met with heavy smoke and flames at the front of the building. The Bristol County district attorneys office said in a statement that the fires cause does not appear to be suspicious at this time. Its origin remains under investigation, authorities said. Lorraine Ferrara, one of about 70 residents at the facility, awoke to a neighbor pounding on her door. She tried to make her way through the smoke in the hallway but retreated to her room as the sprinkler system shot hot water onto her back. As her room filed with smoke, Ferrara opened her window and yelled. A firefighter broke the window and carried her down the ladder, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really thought I was going to die, she said. I thought there was no way out. That fear mixed with anger as she watched two employees run from the building. They left us alone and ran out into the parking lot, she said. I was hanging out the window Help! Help! and they just kept running." The dead ranged in age from 61 to 86, authorities said. Bristol District Attorney Thomas M. Quin III identified seven of the deceased as Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; and Eleanor Willett, 86. The office said a 70-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man were still pending notification of family. Mackins nephew, Austin Mackin, in an emailed statement from family members, described his aunt as gifted beyond words. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will all miss Kimmy, the statement read. Beyond being exceptionally kind, few knew that she was a brilliant musician. She received a full-ride scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music, and after graduating, she toured around the world as first chair viola, the statement said. During the latter part of her career as an instrumentalist, she played in the Boston Philharmonic. Gabriel House opened in 1999 and has 100 units, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence. Its website promotes studio apartments for those seniors who cannot afford the high end of assisted living as well as group adult foster care within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, and churches. If an emergency occurs, no matter the time, there will be someone ready to help, the website states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis Etzkorn, the facilitys owner, declined to comment Monday, but officials said he was cooperating with what Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon called a very extensive investigation. Quinn called the fire a terrible tragedy in a statement that also commended first responders bringing many of the residents to safety while being confronted with very difficult circumstances. Firefighters union decries lack of staff, equipment About 50 firefighters responded to the scene, including 30 who were off-duty. Police also helped break down doors and carried about a dozen residents to safety. Five injured firefighters were released from the hospital Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials with the firefighters union said the closing of fire companies and cutbacks on staff have been a problem for decades. If staffing had been at the nationally recommended level, eight more firefighters would have been at the scene, said Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters union. Capt. Frank OReagan said there was no breathing equipment available when he arrived, so he started going door to door on the third floor without an air tank until the smoke got to him. OReagans brother and fellow firefighter Michael OReagan said he was shocked that 40 minutes after firefighters arrived, a large part of the building had not been searched. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough, said Michael OReagan, president of the Fall River firefighters union. Mayor Paul Coogan said the fire department is staffed based on the recommendation from the fire chief. We staff the fire department at the number the chief asked for, he said. Were not even 24 hours into this and thats going to be a priority, not the families? Joe Alves, who lives several houses down from the facility, said he saw officials pulling bodies, people in wheelchairs and injured pets out of the building, with some pouring water bottles on burns. It was terrible, he said, choking up slightly. Clever Parra, who lives behind the facility, said he joined several other neighbors to help evacuate residents through the windows. The 40-year-old construction worker described going up a ladder and seeing a man inside attempting to open a window to escape the flames. After trying on his own, Parra turned to a firefighter to break the window. The firefighter sent the guy to me feet first and I take the guy out and bring him down, he recalled. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey offered state assistance to the citys mayor, condolences to the families of those who died and gratitude to first responders. Brian Doherty, president of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association, said state officials were working with long-term care facilities to find homes for displaced residents. Paul Lanzikos, a former Massachusetts Secretary of Elder Affairs and co-founder of the advocacy group Dignity Alliance, said the group was concerned by what has been reported about the lack of fire drills, low number of staff for a highly dependent population and safety issues such as a broken elevator and air conditioners in the windows. Its a terrible tragedy that should have never happened, Lanzikos said. City is one of the poorest in Massachusetts With about 94,000 residents, Fall River is the states 10th-largest city and one of its poorest. The blue-collar community in southern Massachusetts was once a global center for textile manufacturing, but it suffered population loss and economic hardship as the industry declined. Recent decades have seen some new development and investment, but the city has also been rocked by scandal. Former Mayor Jasiel Correia was convicted in a corruption trial and sentenced to six years in prison in 2021. Survivors of the fire were ushered to a temporary housing center about half a mile (0.8 kilometers) from their former home, many of them in shock after losing most of their belongings. Nine residents of an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, died and another 30 were sent to are hospitals after a fire broke out at Gabriel House. Investigators, front, remove boxes containing patient medications from the Gabriel House assisted living facility, behind, following a fire that resulted in multiple fatalities, in Fall River, Mass., Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey approaches a news conference to face reporters Monday, July 14, 2025, near the Gabriel House assisted living facility, behind, following a fire that started late Sunday in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) A law enforcement official removes boxes containing patient medications from the Gabriel House assisted living facility following a fire that resulted in multiple fatalities, in Fall River, Mass., Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, left, faces reporters near the Gabriel House assisted living facility, behind, Monday, July 14, 2025, following a fire at the facility that started late Sunday, in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) An investigator takes measurements Monday, July 14, 2025, near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted living facility following a fire that started late Sunday in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Dennis Etzkorn, owner of Gabriel House, right, visits the site in the aftermath of a fire alongside Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon, left, Monday, July 14 in Fall River, Mass, (Michael Casey) This image taken from video provided by WLNE-TV shows authorities working on the scene of a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (WLNE-TV via AP) This image taken from video provided by WLNE-TV shows damage from a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (WLNE-TV via AP) This image taken from video provided by WLNE-TV shows a firefighter working on the aftermath of a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (WLNE-TV via AP) Falls River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon, right, speaks with another official after a fire the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Falls River, Mass., Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) The Gabriel House assisted living facility is shown after a fire in Falls River, Mass., Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) Some broke down in tears, others threw out names, desperate to know who was still alive. Staffers handed out sandwiches, beverages, and even canes for those who did not have time to grab their medical equipment in the smoke and flames. Neal Beck, who had lived at Gabriel House for six years, said he was rescued by a ladder from his bathroom window. Ive been homeless before, Beck said. I guess Ill be homeless again. Head cook Paul Ferreira was off the clock Sunday night but rushed to the scene and watched as bodies were removed from the building. He grew emotional describing the community of people who have long struggled to find affordable housing. Not knowing it was the last time I was cooking for them, its sad. They become part of your family, Ferreira said. Some of these people have no family members. Where are they going to go now? Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Authorities on Tuesday announced an investigation into the death of a young child who drowned in a swimming pool at a home in Brockton over the weekend. Emergency crews responding to reports of a possible drowning involving a child on Sunset Avenue around 3 p.m. on Sunday rushed 4-year-old Hendrix Cooley-Walker to a Boston hospital, according to Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz. Cooley-Walker was pronounced dead around 1:30 a.m. on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional facts and circumstances surrounding the drowning werent immediately available. Massachusetts State Police troopers assigned to Cruzs office are leading the investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Brief Dallas Sr. Cpl. Le Chau is accused of property theft between $30,000 and $150,000. He turned himself in this past Thursday to face the third-degree felony charge. He has worked for DPD since 2013 and was assigned to the Basic Academy. DALLAS - A Dallas police officer turned himself in to face felony theft charges. What we know Sr. Cpl. Le Chau is accused of property theft between $30,000 and $150,000, which is a third-degree felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Dallas Police Department, he turned himself in at the Dallas County Sheriffs Office on Thursday and posted bond the same day. Chau has been with DPD since 2013 and most recently was assigned to the Basic Academy. He was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. What we don't know The police department did not offer any details about the case or the circumstances surrounding the theft charge. The Source The information in this story was provided by the Dallas Police Department and Dallas County Sheriff's Office. The Navy awarded nearly $300 million for new family barracks in Guam, after conditions with some of the barracks on the island left the Secretary of the Navy shocked and dismayed. The Department of Defense announced last week that the Navy awarded Global Pacific Design Builders in Guam $297 million to design and build brand new family housing at Andersen Air Force Base. The project is currently set to be completed by December 2028. The project is happening as wider renovations to housing at the installation is set to be underway, following extensive damage from a typhoon two years ago. The contract comes two months after a report from the Project on Government Oversight, a watchdog group. The report revealed internal Navy communications showing the extent of the disrepair at some barracks at Andersen. Photos and internal emails noted the state of unaccompanied housing there, with extensive mold that had been painted over, corroded plumbing, water damage and multiple cases of exposed wiring. The Palau Hall barracks, in particular, was singled out, although the POGO report noted that other buildings were in similar disrepair. Vice Adm. Scott Gray, the head of Navy Installations Command, wrote in an email that the barracks were clearly way outside any reasonable standard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement POGOs investigation and an inspection by Navy Secretary John Phelan sparked a service-wide review of the state of Navy barracks. The conditions at Andersen Air Force Base were so bad that Phelan ordered dozens of Marines and sailors living in those barracks to move into Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, located approximately a dozen kilometers west on the island, a month ahead of schedule. The Air Force base houses airmen as well as soldiers and occasionally sailors and Marines. The Air Force told Pacific Daily News in May that the damage and conditions in the barracks stemmed in part from damage that occurred from Typhoon Mawar, which heavily damaged Guam in 2023, and the base was still cleaning up from in 2024. The Air Forces statement added that the barracks have no health or safety concerns. However, the Navys inspection found that the buildings were clearly neglected. I actually thought the buildings were condemned, Phelan told the Project on Government Oversight at the time. When we pulled up to them and saw what shape theyre in, I was shocked. Several dozen Marines and Navy personnel from a helicopter rescue squadron were living there in the spring to be closer to a new hangar after their previous one was wrecked in Typhoon Mawar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the report in late May, approximately 430 soldiers and airmen were living in the bases barracks, according to the Air Force. Pacific Daily News reported last month that 77 airmen in Palau Hall would be relocated ahead of a multi-million dollar renovation of the barracks. $109 million are set to renovate unaccompanied housing facilities still suffering damage from the typhoon. The new family housing contract is being funded in increments, with the first $170 million given with the award. Andersen Air Force Base is one of three major military installations on Guam, alongside Naval Base Guam and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz. Roughly 21,000 military personnel and dependents live on the island, and that population is expected to grow. The Department of Defense has been expanding its presence on the island as part of its wider redevelopment of military capabilities in the Pacific. Correction: 7/19/2025; This article was corrected with clarification from the Air Force to outline the different plans for new family housing and renovated unaccompanied housing. The latest on Task & Purpose David Hogg-backed candidate eyes upset in Democratic congressional primary A 25-year-old social media influencer and progressive activist is hoping to follow in Zohran Mamdani's footsteps by pulling off a stunning, come-from-behind victory in a high-profile Democratic Party congressional primary. Deja Foxx is the youngest of the five candidates running in Tuesday's primary in the race to fill the seat of the late Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, who died in March from complications related to cancer treatment. The winners of the Democratic and Republican primaries will face off on Sept. 23 in a special election to serve the final 15 months of Grijalva's term in Arizona's 7th Congressional District, a heavily blue district that stretches from Tucson to Yuma and includes almost the entire length of the state's southern border with Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Raul Grijalva Of Arizona Dead At Age 77 Deja Foxx, a Democratic congressional candidate in the special election in Arizona's 7th Congressional District, campaigns on June 28, 2025. "This moment calls for more than a politician. You deserve a fighter," Foxx said in a social media post. "This is more than a campaign. This is a movement. This is a fight for our future." Foxx, who went viral as a teenager for confronting then-Republican Sen. Jeff Flake over the issue of reproductive rights, enjoys the support of gun-control crusader David Hogg, who recently stepped down from his position as a Democratic National Committee vice chair after upsetting party leaders for his efforts backing primary challenges against what he called "asleep at the wheel" older, longtime incumbents in safe, blue districts. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Head Here For The Latest Fox News Reporting On David Hogg Hogg, who campaigned with Foxx this past weekend across the district, predicts she will "make history in Southwest Arizona." Former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg campaigns with Democratic congressional candidate Deja Foxx in Arizona on July 12, 2025. Additionally, he compared her surging poll numbers in the final days of the primary campaign to that of Mamdani, the 33-year-old Ugandan-born state lawmaker who topped former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates last month to win the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City. Similar to the New York City mayoral primary, the contest in southern Arizona will be viewed by many political pundits as a barometer of where the Democratic Party is headed as the party deals with longstanding divisions between its establishment and outsider, and progressive and moderate wings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The frontrunner in the race appears to be 54-year-old former Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, who is the daughter of the late congressman. She enjoys the backing of some of the state's top Democrats, including Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, state Attorney General Kris Mayes and former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Grijalva is also supported by two top progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York who both backed Mamdani in the New York City mayoral primary. Former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez is also contending for the nomination. He's well-known in Arizona for helping to save the life of former Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords during a horrific 2011 shooting in Tucson, when he was serving as an intern to the congresswoman. But Giffords endorsed Grijalva in the primary race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indigenous activist and scholar Jose Malvido Jr. and former healthcare executive Patrick Harris Sr. are also running for the Democratic nomination in the majority-Hispanic district where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a nearly two-to-one margin. More than $2 million has been dished out to run ads in the Democratic primary, with some of the money coming from outside groups. Contractor and small business owner Daniel Butierez, restaurant owner Jorge Rivas and general contractor and vehicle accessory business owner Jimmy Rodriguez are vying for the Republican congressional nomination in the district. Polls in the district close at 7 p.m. local time, which is 10 p.m. ET, and no results will be released until an hour after the polls close. Original article source: David Hogg-backed candidate eyes upset in Democratic congressional primary July 15 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1799, a French soldier discovered the Rosetta Stone, an ancient stele that served as the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics. Now housed in the British Museum, Egypt has sought for decades the artifact's repatriation. In 1806, Zebulon Pike began an expedition to explore the American Southwest. In 1907, three organizations -- the Publishers Press Association, the Scripps-McRae Press Association and the Scripps News Associations -- joined to form United Press, which would eventually become United Press International. The wire service started business with 460 newspaper clients, of which 400 were evening newspapers and 60 were Sunday morning newspapers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1912, the U.S. Olympic team, led by all-round athlete Jim Thorpe, took more medals than any other country at the Summer Games in Stockholm, Sweden. Iranian firefighters search at the site where a Russian-made Tupolev plane crashed near the city of Qazvin, about 93 miles north of Tehran, Iran, on July 15, 2009. File Photo by Erfan Dadkhah/IRNA In 1945, Italy declared war on Japan, its former Axis partner. In 1965, the unmanned spacecraft Mariner 4 passed over Mars at an altitude of 6,000 feet and sent the first close-up images of the planet to Earth. Erika Slezak arrives for the The National Academy of Television Arts & Science's 40th annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., on June 16, 2013. On July 15, 1968, daytime soap opera "One Life to Live" premiered on ABC. In its 45-year run, the television series racked up dozens of Daytime Emmy Awards. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI A view of the surface Mars taken by Mariner 4 on July 14, 1965. File Photo courtesy NASA In 1968, a Soviet Aeroflot jetliner landed at New York's JFK Airport, marking the beginning of direct commercial flights between the United States and the Soviet Union. The interior of a United Press office at the Munsey Trust Building in Washington, D.C., circa 1909. File Photo by Harris and Ewing/UPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1968, daytime soap opera One Life to Live premiered on ABC. In its 45-year run, the television series racked up dozens of Daytime Emmy Awards, including six for actor Erika Slezak. In 1992, Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton was nominated as the Democratic Party's candidate for president. In 2002, John Walker Lindh, a 21-year-old American captured by the U.S. military in Afghanistan while with Taliban forces, admitted he had fought as a soldier with them. After cooperating in the investigation of the terrorist network, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. File Photo courtesy Alexandria County Sheriff's Department In 1997, Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace was shot to death in front of his Miami mansion. The prime suspect was Andrew Cunanan, already wanted in four other slayings. He was found dead a week later, an apparent suicide. Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace's house on South Beach, in Miami Beach, Fla. Versace was killed in front of his mansion. File Photo by Adam Werner/UPI President Bill Clinton talks about gun control in Royal Oak, Mich., on August 27, 1996. On July 15, 1992, then-Gov. Clinton was nominated as the Democratic Party's candidate for president. File Photo by Bill Pugliano/UPI In 2002, John Walker Lindh, a 21-year-old American captured by the U.S. military in Afghanistan while with Taliban forces, admitted he had fought as a soldier with them. After cooperating in the investigation of the terrorist network, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was released from prison in May 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2009, Caspian Airlines Flight 7908 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran bound for Armenia. Officials said 168 people were killed. In 2010, BP, the London energy company, announced it had capped its crippled underwater well that sent millions of barrels of crude gushing into the Gulf of Mexico over the previous three months after an offshore drilling rig explosion and fire killed 11 workers and unleashed an unchecked torrent from the depths. In 2024, police in Kenya arrested a man who confessed to killing at least 42 women, including his own wife, over the span of two years. The suspect, Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, later pleaded not guilty to the slayings and in August 2024 escaped a Nairobi prison along with 12 others. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The 20th anniversary of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize is coming up soon. Six finalists have been announced for the fiction and nonfiction categories. The annual Dayton Literary Peace Prize is the first and only international literary peace prize awarded in America. It honors writers whose work fosters peace. Each receives a $10,000 cash prize, and the runners-up receive $5,000. Dayton Metro Library to host summer workshops on tenant and human rights Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicholas Raines, Executive Director of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation, said the award promotes peace and has caused lifelong friendships. Over the 20 years of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, the foundation has honored, celebrated, and forged deep relationships with dozens of authors we now call friends. Authors who deeply understand the value and mission of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize and stay engaged with us long after they win the award, said Raines. When authors come to Dayton, they step into a literary community they dont soon forget. We are grateful to them for opening their hearts and minds to join us here in Ohio. As we move into the third decade of the Literary Peace Prize, we look forward to expanding our role on the global literary stage, said Raines. Youngs Jersey Dairy leadership change an essential step for future business Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The finalists for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize are as follows. Nonfiction finalists: The Burning Earth: An Environmental History of the Last 500 Years by Sunil Amrith John Lewis: A Life by David Greenberg Solidarity: The Past, Present, and Future of a World-Changing Idea by Leah Hunt-Hendrix and Astra Taylor Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen A Map of Future Ruins: On Borders and Belonging by Lauren Markham The Home I Worked to Make: Voices from the New Syrian Diaspora by Wendy Pearlman Fiction finalists: Black Butterflies: A Novel by Priscilla Morris James by Percival Everett Martyr! A Novel by Kaveh Akbar Freedom Is a Feast: A Novel by Alejandro Puyana The Women: A Novel by Kristin Hannah The Good Deed: A Novel by Helen Benedict The Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation said the winners and the Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award will be announced in September. The awards ceremony will be in Dayton the weekend of Nov. 8-9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more about the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police have arrested two women accused of robbing someone while they were waiting for a ride-hailing service over the weekend. The Metropolitan Police Department said Tuesday that 34-year-old Latrisha Pickett and 25-year-old Caprice Thomas, both of Southeast, were arrested and charged in connection with the offense, which took place on July 13. At around 1:45 a.m. that morning, officers responded to the 800 block of Chesapeake St., SE, for a reported robbery. There, officers learned that the suspects, later identified as Thomas and Pickett, approached someone who was waiting for a ride-hailing service and assaulted them, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DC police report no violations, arrests during first weekend of Navy Yards Juvenile Curfew Zone Pickett and Thomas then allegedly took the persons property before fleeing. However, officers who were canvassing the area arrested the pair upon noticing they matched the suspects descriptions. After an investigation, authorities charged Pickett and Thomas with robbery (force and violence). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Ciena Corporation (NYSE:CIEN) is one of the best tech stocks to buy under $100. On June 25, Telxius, which is a global connectivity provider, and Ciena announced an industry first: a live 1.3 Tb/s single wavelength data transmission across the Atlantic Ocean. The achievement took place over Telxius 6600 km Marea submarine cable, which connects Virginia Beach, Virginia, in the US, to Bilbao, Spain. The groundbreaking transmission was powered by Cienas WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) technology, which uses state-of-the-art 3nm silicon. Beyond the record-setting data rate, the companies also achieved the highest-ever spectral-efficiency transmission across the Atlantic and reached 7.0 bits/s/Hz. This milestone offers enhanced support for the rising demands of AI and data center traffic growth. Ciena, Telxius Achieve Industry-First 1.3 Tb/s Atlantic Data Transmission, Boosts AI, Data Center Connectivity A team of telecom engineers discussing a communication infrastructure diagram. Cienas WL6e technology is the industrys first high-bandwidth coherent transceiver. It offers a 50% reduction in space and power per bit to operators. Telxius plans to deploy WL6e in selected submarine systems across its network throughout the remainder of 2025 and beyond. Ciena Corporation (NYSE:CIEN) is a network technology company that provides hardware, software, and services for various network operators in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, Japan, and India. While we acknowledge the potential of CIEN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police enforced its first Extended Juvenile Curfew Zone this weekend in Navy Yard amid the citys efforts to address ongoing safety concerns in the area. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith announced last week that the citys first extended youth curfew zone would be enforced in Navy Yard from 8 p.m. on Friday, July 11, through 11 p.m. on Sunday, July 13. The curfew prohibited anyone under the age of 17 from gathering in groups of nine or more in public places within the zones, including at establishments. The announcement came just days after police arrested more than 20 teens under the age of 18 over the Fourth of July weekend in connection with unlawful firework activity, largely in the Navy Yard neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DC Police Chief sets Juvenile Curfew Zone in Navy Yard In a Monday update, MPD said that no violations or arrests took place during the citys first extended youth curfew zone and no disturbances or incidents involving kids were reported. However, one curfew violation did occur in the Navy Yard area shortly after 11 p.m. Friday and another was reported around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, along U Street, according to police. Both of these violations happened during D.C.s standard citywide curfew. Our goal in establishing Juvenile Curfew Zones is never to make arrests or detain youth for curfew violations. Our members work to engage youth and gain compliance, which is exactly what we observed this weekend, said Smith, in Mondays update. I thank our community for their cooperation throughout this enforcement. We will continue to leverage Juvenile Curfew Zones as activity warrants throughout the remainder of the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police are searching to identify people believed to be involved in a recent shooting that happened in Southeast on Saturday. DC police report no violations, arrests during first weekend of Navy Yards Juvenile Curfew Zone On July 12, around 1:35 a.m., officers responded to the 1200 block of G Street SE for a report of gunshots. Courtesy: MPD Officers found evidence of gunfire, and surveillance cameras caught images of the suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The individuals are wanted on charges of an unlawful discharge of a firearm offense. Check DCNewsNow.com for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. The Daily Item A 30-day window for public comment regarding opening part of the Shikellamy State Park to archery hunting began on Monday. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is proposing the measure for Shikellamy State Parks overlook section. The proposed hunting area will be bounded by the safety zone around the day-use area, County Line Road and George Lane, according to DCNR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If approved, this change would allow for approximately 107 acres of the overlook to be open to archery hunting. Consistent with hunting on all public lands, DCNR and Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations would apply. Public comments will be accepted through Wednesday, Aug. 13. Comments may be submitted in writing via mail or email. Written comments can be mailed to Shikellamy State Park, 401 Bridge Ave., Sunbury, PA 17801, dropped off at the park office or emailed to ra-nrspshik@pa.gov. The Overlook Section of Shikellamy State Park is situated on a 360-foot cliff above the confluence of the North and West branches of the Susquehanna River. This western section of the park is in Union County. Thirteen individuals have been charged with drug trafficking offenses in the Yakama Nation and Yakima Valley following an investigation by federal, local, and tribal authorities, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The investigation began in 2024, and they say it aimed to dismantle operations of violent and armed drug traffickers in the region and near the reservation. Authorities seized significant quantities of drugs, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 7,100 pounds of marijuana 336 pounds of methamphetamine Nearly 25 pounds of cocaine Seven pounds of fentanyl powder Along with 4,704 fentanyl-laced pills Additionally, 12 firearms and $22,512 in drug proceeds were confiscated. Fentanyl continues to be one of the most dangerous substances threatening our communities, said Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Van Marter. According to court documents, among those charged in the investigation were: Angel Navarro Aleman, age 55, charged with distribution. Jose Francisco Aguirre, age 56, pleaded guilty to the distribution of 50 grams of pure meth; sentencing is scheduled for this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jose Caudillo-Ascencio, age 23, charged with possession with intent to distribute (cocaine); possession of a firearm. Jesus Caudillo, age 31, charged with felon in possession of a firearm. Johnny Thomas Axtell, age 54, charged with distribution. Israel Nicolas Castaneda, age 37, charged with distribution of fentanyl. Samantha Rasberry-Besa, age 31, charged with distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl; possession of firearms. Lonzell Hawk Lucei, age 37, charged with felon in possession of a firearm. Hollis Marion Woodward, age 70, pleaded guilty to Felon in Possession of a Firearm, sentencing in September 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miguel Angel Alvarado-Munoz, age 45, was charged with being in the United States after deportation. Ira Charles Pete, age 39, charged with felon in possession of a firearm Edgar Jovnni Nunez Bocanegra, age 29, possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute five or more grams of pure meth. Fernando Gonzalez, age 38, charged with possession with the intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm ST. LOUIS The first deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance in the aftermath of the May 16 tornado and March 14-15 storms is next week. Counties eligible for assistance in regard to the March 14-15 storms are: Bollinger Butler Camden Carter Franklin Howell Iron Jefferson Oregon Ozark Perry Phelps Reynolds Ripley St. Louis Wayne Webster Wright For those needing help in the aftermath of the March storms, the deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is July 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those looking to receive aid in response to the May 16 tornado, the deadline is Aug. 11. Only St. Louis City, St. Louis County and Scott County are eligible. Residents can submit their application here or by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362. Individuals can also visit a Disaster Assistance Recovery Center to apply for assistance. Locations can be found here. Residents applying for aid must be able to provide a phone number, address of disaster/current address, social security number (if available), list of damages/losses and a bank account number for deposit of funds. FEMA says residents can ask for more assistance, but an initial application must be completed before either deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALBIA, Iowa Residents gathered in Albias town square to watch as firefighters fought a massive fire that burnt the R-O Cramer building to the ground Monday. Its like a death in the family, said Jackie Maddy, a lifelong Albia Resident. You know, and granted, its a building. But, you know, the, the towns celebration is based around these old buildings, restoration days. Maddy said it wasnt easy watching the R-O building burn down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you lose a building like this, because this is a you know, and this is a a key building, you know, it just breaks your heart, Maddy said. Mallorie Varese, the owner of Albia town square business Big Blue Nutrition, said that the R-O Cramer building burning was tragic in multiple ways. Passenger killed when vehicle pulls out in front of semi in Buena Vista County, ISP says Theres so much more to whats going on today than just the building. And yeah, its a huge historic loss for Albia, but theres families that their whole lives are just turned upside down, Varese said. Varese said the Albia community showed out to support the firefighters and the R-O Cramer building residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We kind of have already came rallying together and accepting donations. We walked around earlier giving drinks to all the first responders and firefighters. And I think its really humbling to be a part of a community that rallies together and its such a horrible time, Varese said. Kim Hugen, the Monroe County Public Health Department Administrator, said that donations have been dropped off at the health department for residents. I know that if we need more, the community will be there and bring stuff. Someone just told us there are people coming from Ottumwa to bring water and stuff for us. So I have no doubt. I think we just need to get the fire out and take a look at what we have before we bring in too much more so that we know what we need for people, Hugen said. Hugen said the Monroe County Public Health Department will open at 8 a.m. and will accept donations then. Hugen also recommended people donate gift cards so those who were displaced can replace exactly what they need. Iowa News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. HONOLULU (KHON2) Decarbonizing Hawaiis transportation by 2045 is a bold proposed plan from the Hawaii Department of Transportation, but there are concerns over how certain strategies could impact the cost of living for local residents. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The plan is over 200 pages long and lists strategies to reach net-negative emissions in the Islands by 2045 overhauling Hawaii transportation by ground, air and sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Transportation Committee chair Darius Kila supports the vision, but has concerns about who will pay the cost. But when youre also asking other industries that we dont have control over, such as our aviation or our maritime partners, to decarbonize or reduce their waste and fuel consumption, Rep. Kila said. Companies always comply because theyre going to pass the cost off to consumers. And here in Hawaii, we feel every pinch when its touched just by a penny. Hawaii committed to clean energy, adjusting to meet federal changes Converting public transit to all-electric and increasing access to biking and walking paths are a few strategies to reduce fuel consumption, but there are more challenging proposals like setting clean standards for airlines and reducing cruise ship operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That being said, were not telling cruise ships dont come, but were telling them if you come, weve got to look at investing in clean, cleaner technologies with the ships that you have, said HDOT director Ed Sniffen. Sniffen said he is optimistic about investing in cleaner fuels across all modes of transportation, though there are some financial and economic implications that need to be figured out before going completely green. We all know that in the long term, when we get to a more sustainable community with more alternative fuels, in general, power should be cheaper. But in the short term, theres going to be additional costs. So, we want to make sure that we balance out those potential costs with the long-term goals, Sniffen said. How will new federal energy policy affect Hawaii? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Kila pointed out that it is going to take a lot of work to produce the infrastructure needed on a statewide scale while not increasing the price of paradise. Yeah, I mean, theres a lot of mandates that are being set forth in the plan for us as a state to adopt all EV vehicle usage, for our counties to do the same thing. And I think its great when we can lead the way on certain things, but just as we know, some of these technologies arent there, Rep. Kila said. Check out more news from around Hawaii Residents can weigh in during a public comment period with the DOT. There will be three virtual sessions, and the first starts at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15. Click here for more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) The Decatur Farmers Market will be hosting the first ever Tomato Festival on Saturday, July 19. The fun, fresh, family-friendly event will have free tomato samples, face painting, and live music from a local favorite, Drew Clemons! This event will take place at the newly renovated Farmers Market at 211 1st Avenue SE in Decatur on Saturday from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. The market originally opened in 1937, but just recently underwent a $3 million renovation project that took two years to complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The market reopened on April 12, and this is the first major event that has taken place since the completion. Alabama-grown tomatoes are especially important for local farmers and the economy of the state. Tomatoes grown in Alabama are used for both commercial use and household use. Additionally, tomatoes are in various southern dishes as well. For more information, click here. (Courtesy: Decatur Morgan County Tourism) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) A Decatur man and his dog escaped a house fire over the weekend. The Decatur Fire Department said they responded to the home, located near the intersection of Whitmer and Jasper Streets, on Sunday. When they arrived, they said fire was visible near the front door. Man pleads guilty to weapons charge after 2024 shooting near Decatur baby shower One crew worked to extinguish the initial body of the fire while another group ventilated the roof. Officials said firefighters also worked to extinguish the fire that had gotten into the walls and attic space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A male occupant and his dog had already left the home before the fire department arrived. The Decatur Police Department, Abbott Ambulance, Macon County Animal Control, Ameren Electric, Ameren Gas, and the Red Cross assisted the fire department in their response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. DECATUR, Ga. - Update: Decatur police say that Robert Johnson has been found in good health and is now back with his family. The previous story is below. The Decatur Police Department is asking for help finding a missing man who suffers from Alzheimer's Disease. A Mattie's Call, Georgia's emergency missing alert for disabled or elderly persons, has been issued for 72-year-old Robert E. Johnson. What we know Authorities say Johnson was last seen around 8 p.m. on Monday at an apartment complex on the 400 block of Trinity Place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson is described as being 5-feet-11-inches tall with a weight of 140 pounds. He has brown eyes and a gray goatee and is bald. The missing man was last believed to be wearing a black tank top and white shorts with a black flower print. What you can do If you have any information that could help authorities find Johnson, call 911 or the Decatur Police Department at (404) 373-6551. The Source Information for this story came from a Mattie's Call by the Decatur Police Department. (Reuters) -CoreWeave plans to spend up to $6 billion on building a new artificial intelligence data center in Pennsylvania, as part of a push by U.S. President Donald Trump to maintain the countrys edge in the booming technology sector, the company said on Tuesday. Shares of the AI cloud computing firm rose more than 8% in premarket trading. CoreWeaves investment adds to the hundreds of billions of dollars companies have committed to expanding AI infrastructure in the United States, amid growing energy and computational demands and Trumps drive to onshore AI supply chains. The announcement will be made during a CEO roundtable with Trump at Senator Dave McCormick's inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, the company said in a statement. Trump is expected to announce $70 billion in AI and energy investments on Tuesday, Reuters has reported. "The demand for high-performance AI compute is relentless, and CoreWeave is scaling a cloud purpose-built for AI to meet it and strengthen U.S. leadership," said CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator. The data center will initially use 100 megawatts (MW) of power, with potential to expand to 300 MW. The project is expected to create about 600 jobs during construction, with about 70 full-time technical and operational positions at launch. Last month, cloud giant Amazon.com said it plans to invest at least $20 billion in Pennsylvania to expand its data centers. The announcement comes a week after CoreWeave agreed to acquire crypto miner Core Scientific in a deal valued at about $9 billion, as it seeks the energy and data center capacity needed to power surging AI demand. (Reporting by Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza and Tasim Zahid) LA SAL, Utah (ABC4) The Deer Creek fire burning in San Juan County is now 7% contained and has burnt about 12,906 acres, according to the latest information posted by the Utah Department of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. Of the total acres burnt, 536 acres are on State of Utah lands, 314 acres on Bureau of Land Management land in Utah, two acres on Bureau of Land Management land in Colorado, 1,491 acres on private land and 10,563 acres on land in the Manti La Sal National Forest, officials confirmed. A total of 385 personnel have been assigned to the fire, with five helicopters, 21 engines, six crews and four dozers. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Deer Creek Fire. Courtesy: Utah Fire Info Deer Creek Fire. Courtesy: Utah Fire Info Deer Creek Fire. Courtesy: Utah Fire Info The fire has moved a mile into Colorado, approximately north of State Highway 90. Officials are warning drivers travelling along Highway 46 and Highway 90 to check current road conditions for information about any possible closures and be aware of changing conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say the area near Chicken Creek burned early during the fire but there are no additional or undiscovered structures damaged within the area. Residents north of Highway 46 between the intersection of Upper 2 Mile Road and the Utah-Colorado state line remain under evacuation orders by San Juan County Sheriff. If you are in the area, the Sheriffs office is asking you to sign up for updates via San Juan Alerts. A closure order is in place for certain areas of the Manti-La Sal National Forest on the Moab Ranger District. Weather conditions Crews suspect critical fire weather conditions for firefighters as winds of 30 to 50 mph are expected in the area. They have constructed line along the northern parts of the fires perimeter and will continue assessing the region as they move into Canopy Springs and the Dark Canyon area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smoke from the fire can also be seen from Dead Horse Point State Park. Park visitors are requested to check the San Juan and Grand County Facebook pages for updates on road closures. The Park is outside the evacuation zone at this time. Courtesy: Smoke from the Deer Creek Fire seen from Dead Horse Point State Park Air resources plan to continue water and retardant drops in the Hangdog and Wolf Creek areas, but the team says flights may be limited if high winds are present. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The Brief A jury is deliberating in the case of a Detroit man accused of luring a woman and keeping her as his sex slave. Andrew Payne is charged in the sex assault and torture case that began in 2022. Payne's defense is that it was consensual, the woman said she was told about a fake job, held at gunpoint, and sexually assaulted. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Jury deliberations have begun for a Detroit man accused of heinous sex crimes. The backstory Accused of kidnapping, torture and sexual assault, defendant Andrew Payne testified that it was all consensual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney: "Did you intentionally force yourself on her sexually?" Payne: "No." Attorney: "Did you intentionally keep her there against her will?" Payne: "No." Attorney: "Did you view this as a money for sex situation?" Payne: "Yes." Prosecutors say in 2022, he lured a college friend to his dilapidated home on Detroits east side. She thought she was going to a job interview at the church across the street that Payne said he had arranged with the pastor but that was a lie. Prosecuting attorney: "You admit that the messages that were sent, that we saw, about this job, all fake?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Payne: "Yes." Prosecuting attorney: "All a lie?" Payne: "Yes." This is what the jury heard from the alleged victim last week: "I turn around and he has a gun in his hand," she said. "I was nervous my heart started pumping really fast. I just stood there just in fear. "He said that I would be his sex slave for a year. It was terrifying." Related stories: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She testified she was a virgin that Payne photographed and sexually assaulted her in multiple ways. She escaped from a second-story window after two days. The other side Payne says the entire interaction was agreed-upon role play and he was going to pay her but didnt. Prosecuting attorney: "And you think that Miss ****** made all this stuff up because you were mad at her, correct?" Payne: "No because I didn't pay her." Prosecuting attorney: "Because you didnt pay her?" Payne: "Yes." Paynes attorney told jurors not to judge the case based on his sexual proclivities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Being kinky is not a crime being gross is not a crime," he said. "This case boils down to knowledge, consent, and intent." And prosecutors say the victim had no knowledge, consent, or intent and that Payne lied before - and hes lying again now. "Going to that house, thinking again that she was going to an interview, and there was no communication about role-playing, sexual fantasies," the prosecutor said. "From her testimony alone, its clear that she had no idea that this was even going to happen," the prosecuting attorney said. Jury deliberations are underway. The Source Information for this report was taken from court testimony and previous coverage of the case, The Brief DeKalb County is opening a new high-tech TB clinic to address the highest number of TB cases in Georgia, with 52 cases reported last year. The clinic, located at the Richardson Health Center, features advanced facilities like specialized airflow control, UV disinfectant lighting, and a modern radiology suite to improve care and reduce airborne disease transmission. The new clinic aims to enhance DeKalb County's capacity to diagnose, treat, and contain tuberculosis, providing safer and more effective care for patients. DECATUR, Ga. - DeKalb County is set to open a new, state-of-the-art tuberculosis (TB) clinic on Monday, July 21, as the county works to address the highest number of TB cases in Georgia. What we know According to the Georgia Department of Public Healths 2023 Annual Tuberculosis Surveillance Report, DeKalb County reported 52 TB cases last yearmore than any of the states 159 counties. Along with Fulton and Gwinnett counties, the metro Atlanta area accounted for nearly 46% of all TB cases statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To meet the increasing need for TB testing and treatment, DeKalb Public Health is relocating its existing clinic from the T.O. Vinson Health Center to a larger and more advanced facility at the Richardson Health Center, located at 445 Winn Way in Decatur. Dig deeper The new clinic spans 2,625 square feet and is specifically designed to improve care and reduce the risk of airborne disease transmission. Features include: A private entrance and restroom for patients with active TB, limiting exposure to others Eight exam rooms with specialized airflow control and negative pressure systems to contain airborne pathogens Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation disinfectant lighting, in line with CDC recommendations A modern radiology suite with digital imaging and archiving A sputum induction chamber for safe and efficient specimen collection What they're saying DeKalb Public Health officials say the new clinic will enhance the countys capacity to diagnose, treat, and contain tuberculosis, offering safer and more effective care for patients throughout the region. The Source The DeKalb Public Health, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided the details for this article. The Brief The U.S. Department of Justice said federal agents found 2,500 pounds of meth in the mechanics' cars. Daniel Santana-Lopez and Jared Thompson were both arraigned in federal court. Officials say Santana-Lopez was in the country illegally. Federal prosecutors said police officers stopped both men in October 2024 after they left the repair shop. Both men allegedly had meth in their car. ATLANTA - Two mechanics face drug trafficking charges for allegedly using a DeKalb County auto repair shop to help traffic methamphetamine. What we know The U.S. Department of Justice said federal agents found 2,500 pounds of meth in the mechanics' cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One car belonged to Daniel Santana-Lopez, 39, who was arraigned on charges related to that find on Monday. Federal officials say Santana-Lopez was in the country illegally, and has been deported back to Mexico twice before. He's facing charges along with Jared Thompson, 41, of Snellville, Georgia. Thompson was arraigned on June 30 on the trafficking charges. The backstory Federal prosecutors said police officers stopped Santana-Lopez on Oct. 23, 2024 after he drove away from the repair shop he worked at. When officers stopped him, they searched his car and allegedly found almost 1,000 kilograms (about 2,200 pounds) of methamphetamine. Officials said this wouldn't be the first time officers allegedly found him with meth. Meth seized in DeKalb County, courtesy Department of Justice. About an hour after arresting Santana-Lopez, police stopped Thompson leaving the same auto repair shop, where he also worked as a mechanic. Inside Thompsons car, officers allegedly found about 140 kilograms (about 310 pounds) of methamphetamine and a gun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal grand jury indicted both men on June 11, 2025. Santana-Lopez is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and illegal reentry by a removed alien. Thompson is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, North Georgia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the DeKalb County Police Department and DeKalb County District Attorneys Office. What we don't know Police have not released the name of the repair shop where the two worked. What they're saying "These defendants, including a twice-deported illegal alien, allegedly tried to conceal a major methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy in a local automobile repair shop," said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. "Through a tenacious investigation, our federal and local law enforcement partners rooted out the defendants operation in our continued effort to eliminate the scourge of drug dealing from our communities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "DEAs mission remains the same: seize dangerous drugs before they reach our communities and bring to justice those criminals responsible," said Jae W. Chung, acting special agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. "DEA will continue to aggressively pursue criminals that are harming our communities with dangerous drugs." The Source Information in this article came from a release by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia. Indiana has had its share of controversial and gripping crime stories. Most are tragic, like the still-unsolved disappearance of Indiana University student Lauren Spierer. A few are simply egregious and incomprehensible, like the weeks-long torture and murder of 16-year-old Sylvia Likens perpetrated primarily by caregiver Gertrude Baniszewski. Years, even decades, after they happened, Indiana crimes continue to be the subject of docudramas, documentaries, podcasts and public interest. Here are five that have recently been featured in the true crime genre. Herb Baumeister: Westfield businessman turned serial killer Herb Baumeister lived with his wife and three children on an 18-acre horse farm off 156th Street in Westfield. But what happened at Baumeister's sprawling Fox Hollow Farm has continued to haunt Indiana nearly 30 years later. Baumeister, once a Westfield business owner, has become one of the most infamous serial killers in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe Baumeister strangled more than two dozen men and buried their bodies in the woods on his property. The victims were mostly young, gay men Baumeister had lured to Fox Hollow. Baumeister fled to Canada a few days after the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office began its investigation into human remains found on his property. He shot himself in the head before police could arrest him. Authorities estimate there are about 25 victims, some of whom have been identified. Investigators later recovered more than 10,000 bone fragments scattered across Baumeister's wooded property. Ghost hunters, national TV networks, filmmakers and curious visitors frequented the farm. The case is also the subject of a new Hulu docuseries. The Delphi murders: Slaying of two teens changed community Two years after Delphi's Abby Williams and Libby German were murdered, their families set up photos and candles for a Community prayer remembrance at Delphi United Methodist Church 1796 US-421, on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. Delphi teenagers Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German disappeared while hiking on the Monon High Bridge trail on Feb. 13, 2017. Their bloodied bodies were found the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case lingered unsolved for more than five years before Richard Allen, who worked at the local pharmacy, was arrested and charged in the murders. The jury found Allen guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of murder while kidnapping the girls after a contentious, weeks-long trial in 2024. Special Judge Frances Gull sentenced him to 130 years in prison. Court TV senior producer Barbara MacDonald holds a sign showing the verdict Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, at the Carroll County Courthouse in Delphi, Ind. Richard Allen was found guilty on all four counts. The gruesome deaths of the two beloved teens shook and forever changed the small Indiana community. The case is one of the state's most high-profile and controversial murders, with Allen claiming the real killers were members of an Odinist group who murdered the girls during a sacrificial ritual in the woods. Some who followed the case have become firmly entrenched in their beliefs that a cabal of corrupt government officials framed an innocent man, or that they're in cahoots with the real killers, or that Libby's relatives were somehow involved. The girls' deaths have been the subject of several documentaries, including one that followed paranormal researchers in their quest for the killer, and an upcoming book by the hosts of Murder Sheet, a local podcast that covers true crime stories. The Burger Chef murders Four employees were kidnapped from a Burger Chef in Speedway as they were closing up the restaurant on Nov. 17, 1978. Around midnight, one of them opened the back door to take out the garbage. What happened next is not fully known, but none of the young workers made it home that night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bodies of assistant manager Jayne Friedt, 20; Ruth Shelton, 17; and Daniel Davis and Mark Flemmonds, both 16, were found in a wooded area near Center Grove High School in Johnson County, a 40-minute drive away. Shelton and Davis had been shot execution-style. Friedt had been stabbed several times. Flemmonds choked in his own blood after running 75 yards from the scene and into a tree. The notorious murders remain unsolved nearly 50 years later. Last year, the cold case became the subject of a docudrama titled "The Speedway Murders." The docudrama explores several theories about the case, including speculation that a group of Johnson County men tied to multiple robberies were behind the murders, or that Speedway bomber Brett Kimberlin was somehow involved, or that Friedt was the target because she owed money to drug dealers none of which have been proven. The docudrama also features a man who claims a friend, who is now dead, confessed his involvement to him 40 years ago. Donald Cline: Fertility doctor who fathered dozens The story of Indianapolis fertility doctor Donald Cline began to unravel in 2014, after Jacoba Ballard, who believed she was conceived using an anonymous sperm donor, took a DNA test to learn about her biological background. Instead, Ballard discovered a growing list of half-siblings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout his career, Cline covertly inseminated dozens of patients with his sperm without their consent. The children believed their biological father was either an anonymous donor or the man who raised them. DNA testing revealed that 94 of his patients' children are biological siblings. Cline, whose license was revoked in 2018, pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice for lying to officials about whether he used his own sperm to inseminate patients. He did not spend time in prison. In 2022, the case was featured in a Netflix documentary, "Our Father," which named three women who didn't want to be identified. The women sued, although only one received a favorable decision from the jury. She was awarded $385,000. Natalia Grace: A complex and unusual story of trust and betrayal The story of Natalia Grace made international news after her adoptive parents, Michael and Kristine Barnett, were accused of abandoning her in a Lafayette apartment before moving to Canada. The now-divorced couple adopted Natalia, who they believed to be a Ukrainian orphan, in 2010. In 2019, they were charged with neglect and later claimed Natalia is actually an adult woman with severe dwarfism posing as a child. Michael Barnett appeared on "Dr. Oz" saying Natalia threatened to kill his then-wife and their biological children. Michael Barnett, left, and ex-wife, Kristine Barnett, walk out of Tippecanoe Superior 2 after a pretrial conference Friday, Dec. 27, 2019. The Barnetts are accused of abandoning their adoptive daughter in Lafayette in 2013. Natalia went on the "Dr. Phil" show to tell her side of the story. "It's not true at all," she said when asked whether she lied about her age and whether she intended to harm the Barnetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges against Kristine Barnett were dismissed in 2023. Prosecutors said there wasn't enough evidence to prove the neglect charges. Michael Barnett was acquitted by a jury in 2022. Natalia testified at her former adoptive father's trial. The saga is the subject of a new Hulu series, "Good American Family." Contributing: IndyStar staffers Ryan Murphy, Cheryl Jackson, John Tufts and Katie Wiseman; former IndyStar employees Claire Rafford, Natalia Contreras, Holly Hays and Dawn Mitchell; Lafayette Journal & Courier reporter Ron Wilkins. Contact IndyStar reporter Kristine Phillips at (317) 444-3026 or at kphillips@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Delphi, Fox Hollow, Burger Chef: Indiana's notorious true crime stories The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that theyd reached an agreement to settle allegations that Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines had misused $81. million in pandemic relief funding. According to the statement from USDOJ, the airline was accused of violating conditions placed on federal relief funds for payroll support by U.S. Congress. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The payroll program in question was created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to support airlines and businesses with payroll needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When companies accept federal assistance, especially generous pandemic-relief funds like those at issue here, they owe a duty to the American people to respect the conditions placed on those funds, U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said. We will continue to enforce all available laws to punish the misuse of taxpayers money. TRENDING STORIES: The USDOJ began to investigate Delta when a financial researcher filed a whistleblower lawsuit under the False Claims Act over alleged violations of the Payroll Support Programs rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Department officials said the whistleblower claimed Delta violated the rules of the PSP by paying some corporate officers amounts above the payroll limits set by Congress for the funds. As part of the settlement, Delta Air Lines will have to pay $8.1 million to the United States government, with $825,000 plus attorneys fees going to the whistleblower who filed the complaint. Delta shared the following statement on the settlement with Channel 2 Action News: Delta strongly believes it fully complied with all requirements of the CARES Act. At issue is a disagreement about a technical matter involving the time periods used to measure executive compensation during the pandemic. Delta has consistently maintained the claim is without merit and settled to avoid the expense and distraction of litigation. Delta remains grateful for the Treasury Departments efforts that kept essential airline employees operating our nations air travel system. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The mug shot of Jeffrey Epstein, 2019. Credit - Kypros/Getty Images Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas on Monday introduced a resolution demanding that the Trump Administration release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein, amid a wave of backlash from MAGA supporters over the way the President has handled the case. Im very concerned about the way [the Trump Administration] handled this case, Veasey tells TIME. He says that there has been a steady drumbeat coming from the MAGA world about Epstein, but that now, all of a sudden, [the Trump Administration] cant release these files? That is crazy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I want is for there to be transparency, Veasey says. Epstein and his death have been the subject of speculation and conspiracy theories for years, especially among people on the far right. In the lead-up to the 2024 election, Trump said he would have no problem releasing files related to Epstein. And people now in his Administration previously promoted allegations of a governmental cover-up regarding Epstein, including Vice President J.D. Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel, and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. In a February interview, when Attorney General Pam Bondi was asked about Epsteins supposed client list, she said that it was sitting on my desk right now to review. But last week, the Justice Department and FBI released a memo that sought to put the Epstein-related conspiracy theories to rest, concluding that the convicted sex offender didnt have a client list of co-conspirators and that his 2019 death in jail was a suicide. The Presidents supporters have expressed anger and frustration over how the Administration has handled the case in the wake of the move. The MAGA constituents want to know whats in these files, Democratic constituents want to know whats in these files, Veasey says. People want to know what the truth is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Democrats have also criticized the Trump Administration over the case following the memos release. Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California over the weekend said in a post on X that he would introduce an amendment to force a vote demanding the FULL Epstein files be released to the public. The President has urged people to move on from talking about Epstein amid the controversy. Soon after the memo was released, Trump blasted a reporter for asking about the convicted sex offender during a Cabinet meeting, suggesting that continuing to discuss him was a waste of time. In that same meeting, Bondi sought to clarify her remarks back in February, saying that she was referring to the case file on Epstein rather than a client list. (Bongino has reportedly clashed with Bondi over the handling of the case.) Patel said in a post on X over the weekend that the conspiracy theories just arent true, never have been. Read More: Trump Urges Supporters to Move On From Epstein, as MAGA Conspiracists Demand Transparency Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Veasey says he wants to ensure that Trumps handling of the Epstein case is not a continuation of what he calls the Presidents corporate cronyism and corruption. Whether or not theres anything [in the files], I dont know, Veasey continues. But since [Trump] made a big deal about it, I do want to see [those files]. Contact us at letters@time.com. State Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) announced plans on Tuesday to run for Texas Attorney General. Johnson is a Democrat who has served in the Texas Senate since first being elected in 2018, also working as a litigator and mediator in the Dallas office of Thompson Coburn LLP. During his time working in the Texas legislature, Johnson authored more than 400 bills, with a total of 134 of those bills becoming law. Johnson currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Senate Jurisprudence Committee. He is a member of the Senate Committees on Business and Commerce, as well as Economic Development, Transportation, Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senator provided a news release to The Dallas Express, stating in part, that The way power is held and used is changing dramatically right now, across the country and here at home. Texas needs an attorney general who can meet the moment with strength, independence, and a genuine commitment to serve the people of Texas instead of partisan ideology. Johnson is so far the only Democrat to enter the race. On the Republican side, State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) has launched a campaign to succeed Paxton, emphasizing his legislative record on border security, school choice, and religious liberty. Former Paxton deputy Aaron Reitz is also running, citing his background in the Department of Justice and commitment to continuing Paxtons legal priorities. State Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston) has joined the race as well, making for a crowded Republican primary. Johnsons campaign announcement comes shortly after Paxton announced plans to run for the U.S. Senate, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Paxton wrote in a statement about his campaign that he plans to fight for President Trumps agenda and take a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initial polling from April indicated that Paxton had a sizable advantage over U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). BREAKING: New Poll shows Ken Paxton would DEMOLISH John Cornyn in a primary for U.S. Senate in Texas: Initial Ballot: Paxton 53% Cornyn 28% Informed Ballot Paxton 70% Cornyn 14% Source: Frabrizio, Lee and Associates 1/28/25-2/2/2026 N=600 Texas GOP Likely Primary Voters pic.twitter.com/Rr5wwZVRej Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 2, 2025 Paxton continues to serve Texans while keeping his eye on the U.S. Senate seat. Most recently, Paxton has initiated an investigation concerning over 100 possible noncitizens believed to have cast more than 200 ballots in the 2020 and 2022 elections, as announced by his office on Tuesday, July 15. This inquiry represents the latest effort by Texas authorities to examine voting participation by noncitizens, following a related investigation that began last month. Illegal aliens and foreign nationals must not be allowed to influence Texas elections by casting illegal ballots with impunity. I will not allow it to continue, Paxton said in a statement. Thanks to President Trumps decisive action to help states safeguard the ballot box, this investigation will help Texas hold noncitizens accountable for unlawfully voting in American elections. State Sen. Nathan Johnson is running for Texas attorney general, the three-term Dallas Democrat announced Tuesday. He told The Texas Tribune that, if elected, he would look to restore faith and confidence in an agency he believes has been stained by scandal and spectacle. Its been so long since people, broadly speaking, thought of the attorney generals office as a place where they have an attorney, an elected official on their side, he said. And thats wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson, a business litigator at Thompson Coburn in Dallas, is the first major Democrat to enter the race. Two other state senators, Joan Huffman of Houston and Mayes Middleton of Galveston, are running in the Republican primary, alongside former Department of Justice lawyer Aaron Reitz. The position is open for the first time in more than a decade after Attorney General Ken Paxton decided to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next years GOP primary. Johnson faces strong headwinds: No Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since 1994, and whoever wins the Democratic nomination will likely face a formidable GOP opponent. Middleton is well-funded, Huffman has a long legislative record and Reitz has already garnered significant backing from allies in conservative legal circles. But Johnson has experience winning tough races. As a political newcomer in 2018, he unseated Republican incumbent Don Huffines, becoming the first Democrat to win the North Dallas district in three decades. That was also a midterm year, where discontent over President Donald Trumps policies pushed Democrats to turn out at the polls and made mainstream Democrats like Johnson seem more palatable to independents and moderate Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson is hopeful that a similar midterm environment and a campaign focused on fundamental shifts to the rule of law, weakening of the separation of powers and undermining of Texas independence by the federal government will lead some right-leaning voters to consider a Democrat. I'm not going to use the office to do what the Biden administration says or what the Trump administration says, Johnson said in an interview. I'm going to use the office to do what it's supposed to do, which is to make sure that everybody knows the rules and that everybody follows the rules, and then if you don't follow the rules, there's consequences. Over the last 20 years, the Texas Office of the Attorney General has led the charge among red states to aggressively litigate against Democratic presidents agendas. Paxtons predecessor, now-Gov. Greg Abbott, started this trend, famously saying, I go into the office, I sue the federal government and I go home. Paxton went even further, bragging about suing the Biden administration more than 100 times in four years. Johnson criticized Paxton for not bringing similar lawsuits against Trump, even when it might benefit Texas. He pointed to the 24 states that recently sued to release close to $7 billion in education funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why didnt we join that suit? Because [Paxton] doesnt want to challenge the Trump administration, Johnson said. And that goes to the independence I think this office needs. He also hopes to win over voters by promising a scandal-free tenure. During his time as Texas top lawyer, Paxton was indicted for fraud, investigated by the FBI and impeached by the GOP-controlled state House. The Senate acquitted him; Johnson, along with every other Democrat in the chamber and two Republicans, was part of the outnumbered minority that voted to convict Paxton. Virtually all of those legal woes have been resolved in recent months, but the allegations and Paxtons personal life have been a cloud over the agency. Johnson said, among other priorities, he would focus on restoring some of the agencys less flashy obligations, like investigating Medicaid fraud and enforcing consumer protection laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres always good people there doing some good work, but the priorities have not always been good, he said. I think we are talking about a fundamental shift in priorities in that office, that much is for sure. Johnson has worked closely with Middleton and Huffman in the 31-member Senate and said he respected them personally. But he said voters could expect to get essentially a fourth-term Ken Paxton if they elect any of the Republican candidates. The office is going to be used for political ends and not directed to the benefit of the people, he said. Paxton has stained the office and I dont think the other people running are the right people to clean it up. Shape the future of Texas at the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, happening Nov. 1315 in downtown Austin! We bring together Texas most inspiring thinkers, leaders and innovators to discuss the issues that matter to you. Get tickets now and join us this November. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase. House Democrats are hammering President Trump and his GOP allies for pushing to alter Texass congressional lines ahead of the midterms, accusing the Republicans of rigging the system to stay in power. Its painfully clear why Republicans are doing this: They know they are going to lose the majority next year, Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), the head of the House Democrats campaign arm, told reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill. Republicans know they cant win on their failed agenda, so theyve hatched a scheme to rig the Texas map to try to save their microscopic majority. In a rare mid-decade redistricting effort, Texas state lawmakers are expected to consider new congressional lines during a special session of the Texas legislature, which was called by GOP Gov. Greg Abbott. The effort to redraw the Texas map has come at the request of President Trump, who wants to pad the GOPs thin House majority to ensure that Republicans keep control of the lower chamber during his final two years of his second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a call to Texas Republicans on Tuesday morning, the president urged lawmakers to draw the districts in such a way that Republicans will be able to flip five Democratic seats to the GOP, according to Punchbowl News. Democrats have bashed the effort, noting that Texas is still reeling from the massive floods that hit the Hill Country region of the state on the July 4 weekend. The floods killed scores of people, including young girls attending a popular summer camp. Democrats say Republicans should be focused on efforts to recover from that crisis, and examine the possible causes, including recent cuts to the National Weather Service championed by Trump. Instead of addressing the serious crisis that has affected tens-of-thousands of lives in unthinkable ways, Donald Trump, House Republicans here in Washington and Gov. Abbott are conspiring to rig the Texas congressional map as part of an effort to disenfranchise millions of people in Texas, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said. In this country, public servants should earn the votes of the people that they hope to represent, he added. What Republicans are trying to do in Texas is have politicians choose their voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffries declined to say if he supports having blue states, like New York and California, pursue their own mid-district redistricting efforts to counter the efforts of Texas and North Carolina. He deferred to the governors of those states. But he also left the door open to that strategy, and suggested there might be developments on that front coming soon. Stay tuned, Jeffries said. The justification for drawing the new lines has done little to appease the Democratic critics. In a recent letter to Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Trumps Justice Department said a new map was needed to remedy four existing districts it deems unconstitutional because they were drawn with racial considerations in mind. Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general of the DOJs Civil Rights Division, urged state Republicans to rectify these race-based considerations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Democrats say Dhillons reasoning is ludicrous, since state Republicans had drawn the existing map just four years ago. The absurdity of the justification for this redistricting is that a Republican-controlled legislature, led by President Trumps campaign manager in the Senate, signed by his loyal follower Gov. Abbott that that Republican redistricting plan discriminated against white people in Texas, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas.) said. Not a big problem that weve ever had down there in my lifetime. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), said Texas has a long history of pushing discriminatory policies in order to undermine the power of minorities, even as they represent a majority of the population. The new redistricting effort, she said, is just the latest iteration of that campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are specifically deciding to splinter the communities of common interest as well as just blatantly say: Were going to dilute the minority voices, Crockett said. Its not the first time in recent years that Republicans have leveraged power on the state level to tilt the congressional map in their favor, even when it disenfranchised millions of voters. In 2022, Republicans who controlled North Carolinas state house adopted new districts all but ensuring the GOP would pick up seats in Congress. The map was shot down by the state Supreme Court when it was controlled by Democrats. But after Republicans took power on the court, they reversed the earlier decision and allowed the map to take effect. As a result, Republicans picked up three Democratic seats in the 2024 elections, swinging an evenly divided delegation featuring seven Republicans and seven Democrats sharply in the favor of Republicans, who now hold a 10-4 advantage in a state where party affiliation is roughly split. They know that we would be in the majority today if North Carolina hadnt egregiously redistricted and eliminated three Democratic seats, said Rep. Katherine Clark (Mass.), the Democratic whip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a voter suppression effort, she added. This is an effort to take away voices when Texans need the help of fellow Americans. DelBene warned that the Republicans redistricting might backfire on the GOP, diluting the comfortable advantage of some Republican incumbents to the advantage of Democrats hoping to pick those seats up. Republicans should be careful what they wish for, she said. Jeffries seconded that warning. I have no expectation that theyre going to show any political courage. Texas Republicans are likely to continue to act like political punks and bend the knee to Donald Trumps extreme agenda, he said. In doing so, they will jeopardize their own electoral careers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dave & Buster's is getting new leadership after 7 months of searching. Dave & Buster's You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletter. Dave & Busters announced Tuesday the appointment of former KFC U.S. president Tarun Lal as CEO and a member of the board of the eatertainment company, effective July 14. The Dallas-based company had been actively searching for a permanent CEO since Chris Morris stepped down as chief executive in December 2024. After a careful and comprehensive search, the Board is thrilled to announce Tarun as our next CEO, Kevin Sheehan, chairman of the board and interim CEO, said in a statement. Tarun is a talented leader and seasoned operator with a highly successful track record of growing and improving businesses and brands in the U.S and around the world. We are confident he will have an immediate impact, grow our business and create substantial shareholder value. Sheehan has been serving as interim chief executive since December and said at the ICR conference in January that when he left, Morris leadership wasnt working from both sides. Dave & Busters has reported several quarter in a row of declining same-store sales that have been attributed to leadership missteps. Lal spent most of his career at Yum Brands, where he held multiple leadership positions over the course of 25 years, including COO of KFC and Pizza Hut India, global COO of KFC, and president of KFC U.S., where he has served since 2022. I am truly honored to be joining this incredibly talented team and to lead the company into its next chapter, Lal said in a statement. Dave & Busters and Main Event are iconic, highly differentiated brands with exceptionally large and loyal customer bases, outstanding unit level and new unit economics and huge potential for growth. I have been deeply impressed with what I have seen so far and sincerely look forward to working closely with our team and the board to deepen our connection with our guests and team members and drive immediate and long-term growth and value for all stakeholders. Dave & Busters owns and operates 236 venues across 43 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico.Contact Joanna at joanna.fantozzi@informa.com (NewsNation) Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, told NewsNation on Monday he is calling for the release of all the Jeffrey Epstein files, including the alleged list, saying this is not a partisan issue, but rather a matter of transparency following the fallout from the DOJ and FBIs investigation findings this month. This privileged resolution is calling for the Administration to release ALL FILES related to Epstein. Including the supposed list that Trump and Bondi paraded around very publicly just a few months ago and on the campaign trail, Veasey said. When asked if Democrats will see this as an opening by NewsNation, he replied, This isnt just about an opening. It is about transparency. It is about rooting out corruption and chaos. It is about Us vs. The billionaires. It always has been. Democrats fought the Big Ugly Bill it was a tax break for billionaires at the expense of hard-working Americans. Medicaid, SNAP, etc. This is a continuation of our fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffrey Epsteins brother laughed at FBI findings He also said in part on X, Put up or Shut up! Rep. Veaseys X post included screenshots of Trumps Truth Social post lambasting the MAGA-verse Epstein investigation controversy and the reported rift between the DOJ and FBI over the handling of the probe. Dem. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., also called for the release of the files on July 12. Jeffrey Epstein timeline: Sex trafficking, scandals, Ghislaine Maxwell He wrote on X, Why are the Epstein files still hidden? Who are the rich & powerful being protected? On Tuesday, Im introducing an amendment to force a vote demanding the FULL Epstein files be released to the public. The Speaker must call a vote & put every Congress member on record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) expressed his support for legislation to reveal the Epstein files in full. Option one, Donald Trump, Pam Bondi and the MAGA extremists intentionally lied to the American people for years about the Jeffrey Epstein situation. Thats option one. Option two is that, in fact, theres reason for the American people to be concerned as it relates to what information has not been released that could be damaging to the Trump administration and the friends and family of the Trump administration and theyre billionaire, corrupt supporters, and so theyre actively engaging in a cover up, he said Monday. Christie says Trump benefited from Epstein conspiracy theories Trump administration: DOJ, FBI working on Epstein files in lockstep On Monday, Deputy White House Press Secretary Harrison Fields said the Justice Dept and FBI officials will continue to work in lockstep with unprecedented success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump threw his support behind Bondi in a Truth Social post, writing: Whats going on with my boys and, in some cases, gals? Theyre all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! Were on one Team, MAGA, and I dont like whats happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and selfish people are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Monday that he trusts the White House will make the right decision regarding the Epstein files. When asked if he has faith in Bondi, he replied, I do. NewsNations Kevin Bohn contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Author and former Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Georgia, Stacey Abrams, joins Morning Joe to discuss former President Obama's tough talk for Democrats and her new book 'Coded Justice'. By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON Reuters) -Establishment-backed Democrat Adelita Grijalva was set to win a primary to fill the U.S. House of Representatives seat in Arizona vacated by her late father, according to several media projections late on Tuesday. Grijalva, a 54-year-old former county board supervisor, held off a late, surging challenge from Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old rival who was backed by progressives seeking generational changes within the Democratic Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grijalva is now favored to win the September 23 general election to replace Representative Raul Grijalva, her father who died in March, in Arizona's 7th Congressional District that is heavily Democratic and stretches along the U.S.-Mexico border, including parts of Tucson. If she prevails in September's general election, Grijalva will become the first Latina to be elected to an Arizona U.S. House seat. She would fill out the two-year term her father won in last November's election. Altogether, he served for over 22 years in the House and earned a reputation as a protector of public lands and an advocate for immigration reforms. Unofficial returns posted by the Arizona secretary of state's office had Grijalva leading Foxx by a solid 62%-20.6%. With Democrats' losses in last year's presidential and congressional elections weighing heavily on the party nationwide, it has struggled over how best to appeal to young progressives while luring back working-class voters who shifted toward the Republican Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grijalva racked up notable backers spanning the party divide. They include environmental groups, labor unions and lawmakers who range from progressive luminaries such as Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York to the moderate Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio. But Foxx, half Grijalva's age and emphasizing her youth, gained attention in what some party activists hoped would be a shock victory for progressives, much like Zohran Mamdani's in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary last month. Foxx won the endorsement of David Hogg, a survivor of a 2018 Florida school shooting who held a high position within the Democratic National Committee until he ruffled establishment feathers by threatening to help finance challengers to Democratic incumbents he deemed insufficiently progressive. A more moderate former Arizona state representative, Daniel Hernandez Jr., also ran for the Democratic nomination along with two other Democratic candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raul Grijalva won re-election in November, easily beating his Republican opponent by about 27 percentage points. Next year's midterm elections give Democrats the opportunity to capture a majority in the House, which currently is narrowly controlled by Republicans 220-212. Republicans also held a primary election for Grijalva's seat on Tuesday. Daniel Francis Sr., who has worked in the construction industry, was leading two challengers, according to early returns. (Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Scott Malone, Cynthia Osterman and Raju Gopalakrishnan) Mary Peltola speaks at a community celebration last year, Founder's Day, in the Indigenous community of Metlakatla, south of Ketchikan. (Photo by Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal) Democrat Mary Peltola, who was Alaskas sole member of the U.S. House, lost her reelection bid last year. But her margin of defeat of less than 3 percentage points, in a state that Donald Trump won by double-digits, showed that Peltola remains a formidable candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that means every national Democrat is salivating at the idea that Peltola could challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan next year, said Jim Lottsfeldt, a longtime Anchorage political consultant. Ive been asked by some famous ones, by some less famous ones, What can you do to convince her? Lottsfeldt said. But many Democrats inside Alaska see Peltola as the partys strongest candidate for governor next year, when Republican incumbent Mike Dunleavy is barred by term limits from seeking reelection. And theyre waiting to see which race she enters. If she chooses to run for either U.S. House or U.S. Senate, I will absolutely run for governor, said Tom Begich, the Democratic former state senator from Anchorage. If she doesnt choose to do that, but chooses to run for governor, then Ill be supporting her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the potential candidate herself? Shes biding her time. Peltola, who declined to comment, earlier this year took a job with a national law and lobbying firm, Holland & Hart, where she works with her former chief of staff, Anton McParland. Peltola has not made up her mind about whether to run for governor, U.S. Senate or U.S. House, said Elisa Rios, a former campaign manager for Peltola who still speaks with her regularly. Its really just where she can make the greatest impact for Alaskans, Rios said. She is going to make that decision on her own time. While some operatives and prospective candidates may be impatient for Peltola to make up her mind, the filing deadline for the 2026 elections isnt until June 1. And she can afford to wait, said Joelle Hall, president of the Alaska AFL-CIO, the states largest organized labor group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One poll earlier this year found that Peltola had higher favorability ratings than all three members of the Alaska congressional delegation, as well as Dunleavy. Shes Mary Peltola she has 100% name ID, and she will raise money, Hall said. Is waiting, in any way, a problem for Mary? Absolutely not. She can decide on her own terms. Alaskans elected Peltola to the U.S. House two times, in quick succession, in special and regular elections in 2022 after the death of Republican Don Young, who held the seat for a half-century. Peltola, a former member of the Alaska House, defeated Republican former Gov. Sarah Palin in both elections; she quickly became a star in national Democratic circles as the first Alaska Native woman elected to Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the U.S. House, Peltola established herself with a brand of centrist politics unique to her state: supporting abortion rights, crusading against factory fishing and salmon bycatch while also endorsing large-scale mining and oil projects. Mary Peltola ran as pro-fish and anti-bycatch: Heres what her agenda could look like in Congress Her term, however, was marked by the death of her husband Buzzy Peltola, who was killed when the small plane he was piloting crashed in September 2023. Mary Peltola ran for re-election last year but lost to Republican Nick Begich III. Begich, a nephew of Tom Begich, won by a final margin of 2.5 percentage points after two other candidates support was redistributed in Alaskas count of ranked choice votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peltola has largely kept a low profile since her loss. But in recent days, she has emerged publicly. On July 1, the same day Sullivan voted in favor of President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill, Peltola made her first post to social media in nearly five months. We can not secure Alaskas future by increasing healthcare and energy costs for regular Alaskans, so millionaires, like many of my former colleagues in Congress, and their billionaire donors, can get even richer, Peltola said. Peltola also served as grand marshal at Anchorages Pride parade last month, sporting a rainbow scarf and flag as she told an enthusiastic crowd that it was so good to be here with all these people who are pro-love. Officials with the Senate Democrats recruitment and campaigning arm, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Jessica Taylor, who tracks U.S. Senate races for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said that if Peltola decides to challenge Sullivan, she would put that seat into play. I think Sullivan would certainly not want to run against her, because shes won statewide before, Taylor said. A spokesman for Sullivans campaign declined to comment. Winning a U.S. Senate race would net Peltola a six-year term two more years than shed get by winning a gubernatorial race. She has also proven to be a formidable fundraiser in federal elections, bringing in more than $12 million total for her campaign in 2023 and 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But political observers say there are also reasons that a U.S. Senate campaign might be less attractive for Peltola. If elected, shed have to resume a 3,300-mile commute to Washington. Shed likely face millions of dollars in attack ads from conservative groups. A U.S. Senate campaign could also complicate her job at Holland & Hart, the law and lobbying firm. While Peltola is barred from lobbying Congress for a year after leaving office, the firm, whose clients include oil and gas companies, mining businesses and pharmaceutical giant Bayer, does have contact with members of Congress. That includes Sullivan, who Peltola would be running against. McParland, Peltolas former chief of staff, has visited Sullivans office in his new role at the law firm, according to a person with knowledge of the visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a bid for governor, meanwhile, Peltola would not have to face an incumbent. Of the multiple Republicans who have announced campaigns so far, only Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom has held statewide office. When she enters, its going to be Snow White versus the seven dwarfs, said Lottsfeldt, the consultant. The governors race is just wide open for her. Lottsfeldt, citing the states economic woes, said he wants Peltola to run for governor even though he often earns substantial sums as a local consultant for national Democratic groups when high-profile candidates like her run for congressional races. It would be a crazy amount of money. And, you know, I suspect I would do very well you can quote me, he said. But I live in Alaska. The state is failing. The need for a governor is our highest priority right now. And so we have to focus on that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nathaniel Herz welcomes tips at natherz@gmail.com or (907) 793-0312. This article was originally published in Northern Journal, a newsletter from Herz. Subscribe at this link. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX While the Democratic Party by and large has, in recent years, kept its distance from the conspiracy theories related to the death of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, individual lawmakers and party officials are now leaping into the rift forming over the saga within the MAGA movement, and attempting to stoke the infighting. For the most part, Democrats are using the moment to hit on a familiar theme: Trump lied to you, Trump supporters. Some have gone further, suggesting there may be more to the administrations actions than meets the eye. Last week, the Trump FBI which is led by Trump allies who made a splash in the MAGA influencer sphere before entering the Trump administration, in part, by theorizing about Epsteins death put out a memo that sent corners of the MAGA world into a spiral. It stated that an exhaustive review of DOJ files on Epsteins crimes and death had found no new evidence for additional charges and no supposed sex trafficking client list. The memo also affirmed other public reports on Epsteins death that he died of suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extremely online MAGA types are now questioning whether Attorney General Pam Bondi is just another cog in the cover-up machine, and whether, improbably, FBI leaders Kash Patel and Don Bongino have been recruited by the Deep State. As my colleague Josh Marshall pointed out, Trumps own public engagement with the memos findings has only fueled suspicions: As a conspiracy theorist himself who is always content to engage with the news and political questions of the day, Trumps angry effort to quickly shut down reporters questions about the memo during one of his televised Cabinet meetings last week were so out of character, they may have sent MAGA followers into a deeper spiral. That, combined with his defensive and bizarre Truth Social post over the weekend spinning up a new conspiracy theory about how all government documents on the Epstein case are maybe fake because they were, per him, written by Democrats, has allies like Tucker Carlson and Michael Flynn questioning what is going on. Elon Musks Twitter musings about Trump being in the Epstein files havent helped Trump either. Thats all created a moment for Democrats to seize on, as they often try, and sometimes fail, to do during moments of intra-MAGA tensions. The Democratic National Committee created a new Twitter account last week that reminds followers daily that Trump has not released the Epstein files. In a statement to NBC News, DNC senior adviser Tim Hogan outlined how exactly the Democratic Party is threading the needle in its messaging: Trump administration officials are either lying about the file and keeping it covered up to protect themselves, or they lied about its existence in a shameless political ploy to get elected. Either way, it is disgusting, and they have to be held accountable, he said. Some elected Dems are going further, with Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) announcing he would soon introduce a resolution that demands the Trump administration release all investigative files on Epstein. Either @realDonaldTrump and his acolytes fueled the rumors of the significance of these Epstein files to help his campaign, or something is there! That's why on Monday, Ill introduce a resolution demanding the Trump Administration release all files related to the Epstein case. pic.twitter.com/ZRwPLz0Vlu Rep. Marc Veasey (@RepVeasey) July 13, 2025 Others like, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), are going all in, wondering, Who are the rich & powerful being protected? Why are the Epstein files still hidden? Who are the rich & powerful being protected? On Tuesday, I'm introducing an amendment to force a vote demanding the FULL Epstein files be released to the public. The Speaker must call a vote & put every Congress member on record. Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) July 13, 2025 House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) joined some of his colleagues on Monday in calling for the full tranche of Epstein documents to be released to the American public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Option 1: They lied for years. Option 2: Theyre engaging in a cover-up. At this point, it seems reasonable that it can only be one of the two things, Jeffries told reporters Monday. And so its Congresss responsibility, in a bipartisan way, to ask the questions and try to get answers on behalf of the American people. Republican Senator Acknowledges Danger of Rubber Stamping RescissionsAnonymously Ahead of a potential vote in the Senate this week on the White Houses $9.4 billion rescissions package that would cut federal spending on NPR, PBS and slash multiple foreign aid programs, at least one Republican is worried about the whole ceding-authority-to-the-executive-branch thing. Per a Republican senator granted anonymity who spoke to The Hill: Some Republican senators are disgruntled about ceding more authority to the administration after the Department of Government Efficiency shuttered federal agencies, pushed federal workers into early retirement and cut congressionally appropriated funding without getting any input or authority from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. These GOP lawmakers worry that if they send the pending $9.4 billion rescissions package to Trumps desk this week, the administration will follow up with additional requests to claw back the money theyve already approved. The bigger question is that I dont like the rescissions process at all, a GOP senator who requested anonymity said. It basically gives the keys to the car to the administration to everything that were doing on the appropriations side. Supreme Court Allows Education Dept Dismantling In an unsigned order Monday, the Supreme Court lifted a lower court ruling blocking Trumps plan to conduct mass firings at the Department of Education and allowed the Trump administration to proceed, for now. The high courts decision will put the lower court ruling on hold while the legal case against the widespread layoffs plays out. Justice Sonia Sotomayor penned the dissent, arguing against the high courts decision to allow the Trump executive branch to continue its power grab from the legislative branch. She writes that the decision is indefensible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It hands the Executive the power to repeal statutes by firing all those necessary to carry them out, she writes. The majority is either willfully blind to the implications of its ruling or naive, but either way the threat to our Constitutions separation of powers is grave. In Case You Missed It Trumps Brazil Tariffs Are Mostly About His Buddy, Jair Bolsonaro Its Dangerous When Pam Bondi Is Under Pressure To Be More MAGA Yesterdays Most Read Story Josh Has An Epstein Conversion? (No, But ) What We Are Reading Trumps Jeffrey Epstein post contradicts what top Fox hosts have argued Trump finds himself on the wrong side of a conspiracy theory Why Gov. Greg Abbott Wont Release His Emails With Elon Musk Denmark will provide Ukraine's military with European-made satellite communication services as Kyiv continues to fend off Russia's war, the Danish Defense Ministry announced on July 14. The Danish military aid will provide Ukraine with receiver terminals, providing access to satellite-based communications amid Russia's war, the announcement said. "Denmark has now contributed to strengthening Ukraine's satellite-based communications in their defense against Russia. There is a very large potential in space-based solutions that can contribute to both Ukrainian, Danish, and European defense," Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's military relies on satellite communications, namely provided by U.S. billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink service. Amid Musk's criticism of aid for Ukraine, fears that Kyiv could lose Starlink access arose. Reuters reported on Feb. 21 that the U.S. had threatened to cut off service if Kyiv did not sign a deal on critical natural resources. Musk has denied these claims. Poland currently finances half of Ukraine's total 42,000 Starlink terminals, at a cost of about $50 million per year, according to Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski. Germany also reportedly finances Ukraine's access to satellite internet operated by the French company Eutelsat. Sikorski in March said Poland will look for alternative suppliers if SpaceX turns out to be an unreliable provider of Starlink satellite internet for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denmark is the first of Ukraine's allies to finance satellite communication services through the EU's European Defense Agency. Copenhagen and Kyiv have cooperated closely to fend off Russian agression, signing a landmark agreement on July 4 that allows Ukrainian defense firms to open production facilities in Denmark. Thanks for reading this article and staying informed. The Kyiv Independent operates without a wealthy owner or a paywall, relying solely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Consider joining our community today. Read also: 5 ways the New York Times fails its readers in its most recent piece about Russias war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Denmark and Sweden are open to help deliver U.S. weapons, including Patriot air defense systems, to Ukraine via NATO, countries' officials said on July 15. The news came after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a scheme under which NATO will purchase advanced arms from Washington, including air defense systems, and deliver some of them to Ukraine. The U.S. will sell around $10 billion in weapons to NATO allies in the first wave of arms shipments designed to support Ukraine, Axios reported on July 14, citing an undisclosed source. The first batch will reportedly include missiles, air defense weaponry, and artillery shells. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said earlier in Brussels that Denmark is prepared to purchase U.S.-made weapons to support Ukraine, Deutsche Welle reported. While Copenhagen does not possess its own Patriot missile systems, he said the Danish government should "lean into that" and "provide the money" to acquire the advanced air defense systems. "We must work out the details," the minister added. Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson told Reuters that Stockholm will also contribute to the effort. On July 14, Trump said that some Patriot air defense systems and missiles may arrive in Ukraine "within days." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European allies are in talks to purchase "more than three" Patriot systems for Ukraine, a German government spokesperson said. Washington has so far delivered three Patriot batteries to Ukraine, while Germany has sent three more. A European coalition has contributed an additional battery, though not all systems are currently operational due to maintenance rotations. Read also: Trumps big Russia announcement fails to lift spirits in a fatigued Ukraine Note from the author: Thanks for reading this article and staying informed. The Kyiv Independent operates without a wealthy owner or a paywall, relying solely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Consider joining our community today. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. NEED TO KNOW Opening statements began on Tuesday July 16 in the trial of James Craig, the Colorado dentist accused of poisoning his wifes smoothies Craig, 47, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the March 18 death of 43-year-old Angela Craig, a mother of six Authorities said Angela died from poisoning via cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a substance found in over-the-counter eye drops Opening statements in the trial of James Craig, the Colorado dentist accused of fatally poisoning his wifes smoothies, began Tuesday, July 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craig, 47, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the March 2023 death of 43-year-old Angela Craig. Authorities said Angela died by poisoning via cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a substance found in over-the-counter eye drops. Craig allegedly began plotting his wifes murder around Feb. 27, 2023, when investigators said he purchased arsenic online and searched how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human and Is Arsenic Detectable in Autopsy?, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. Angela, a choir director and family history consultant for her local church, was first hospitalized on March 6 complaining of dizziness and weakness. She fell ill again and returned to the hospital on March 9, staying for six days. During her third hospital visit, she was taken off life support after suffering a seizure and died March 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On one of Craig's visits to the hospital to visit his sick wife, prosecutors said during opening statements, he poisoned her with cyanide. He didnt go into that room to save Angelas life, prosecutor Ryan Brackley alleged, per CNN. He didnt go into that room to fight for her life or support her. He went into that room to murder her, to deliberately and intentionally end her life with a fatal dose of cyanide. The Craig family According to the probable cause affidavit, Angela allegedly told her sister Toni Kofoed that Craig - an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - was obsessed with pornography, had multiple affairs and tried to drug her years earlier. When she discovered he tried to poison her, he allegedly told her he planned to die by suicide and drugged her because he didnt want her to attempt to stop him. Angela told her sister that Craig had recently lost more than $2,000 gambling in Las Vegas and had run the dental office into the ground, per the affidavit. Meanwhile, his business partner Ryan Redfearn told police that James had previously filed for bankruptcy and was on the verge of doing so again. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Aurora Police Department via AP James Craig James Craig James Craig Craig was allegedly having an affair with a Texas orthodontist while Angela was sick in the hospital, per NBC News. Karin Cain told ABC News that she had no idea he was married. She said they met at a dental conference a month earlier in February and were together for three weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craig's defense attorney argued during opening statements that Craig loved his wife and that his wife knew he had affairs, but still wanted to remain together. She knew Craig was cheating....He was candid with Angela that he had been cheating," attorney Ashley Whitham said, per Associated Press. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Jul. 14WILKES-BARRE During the first six months of 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has reviewed and acted on 19,977 permit applications between January 1 and June 30, 2025. The permit backlog has been reduced by 98% since November 2023, decreasing the backlog from over 2,400 permit applications to fewer than 50. DEP has also conducted more than 58,000 inspections of regulated facilities to ensure compliance with environmental laws. DEP inspections include both scheduled and unscheduled on-site visits to permitted facilities, as well as document reviews to verify compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These inspections whether on-site or operational ensure that air emissions stay within air quality standards, drinking water remains safe, and rivers and streams are protected from pollution. "The Shapiro Administration is committed to getting stuff done moving our permit reviews at the speed of business without sacrificing environmental protections," said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. "With new tools like the permit tracker and programs like Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) DEP will continue provide certainty for Pennsylvania businesses and environmental protection for Pennsylvania communities." DEP launched the SPEED program on June 30 for Chp. 102 permit applications. Applications will be accepted later this summer for certain Air Quality Plan Approvals, earth disturbance, dam safety and individual water obstruction and encroachment permits. DEP is modernizing its permitting process by investing in new technology and reviewing processes to identify and eliminate bottlenecks. In January, DEP launched a Permit Tracker to allow applicants and residents to monitor the progress of permits as they move through the review process. Since 2023, DEP has also added 225 employees to carry out critical functions like public health and safety inspections and permit application reviews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three of the six DEP regional offices Southwest, South Central and Southeast have eliminated their permit backlogs entirely. DEP reviews more than 45,000 permit applications every year. These include permits for land clearing activities for construction projects, air quality permits for factories and power plants, permits to upgrade drinking waters systems to remove chemicals like PFAS, and permits for oil and gas wells. Since going into effect, DEP has evaluated and decided on more than 68,000 permits without having to refund a single application fee. New inspections process for substance use/mental health providers launches Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) launched a new initiative designed to reduce administrative burdens for substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health treatment providers that are licensed by both agencies and increase health and safety protections for Pennsylvanians receiving care at these facilities. Specifically, licensing staff from both DDAP and DHS will begin conducting coordinated annual inspections of SUD and mental health treatment facilities that are licensed by both agencies for outpatient, partial hospitalization and residential services. "During DDAP's stakeholder engagement tour, a recurring issue we heard from treatment providers is that the administrative burden associated with all of their inspections takes time away from providing actual care," said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. "We listened, learned, and now the Shapiro Administration is taking action. Having staff from both agencies conduct inspections at the same time will allow for providers to spend more time doing the critical work of providing quality services for some of Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens." The new initiative, which is voluntary, could impact up to 170 jointly licensed facilities that provide SUD and mental health services including individualized and group counseling, SUD treatment plans, medications for opioid use disorder and additional physical and mental health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "DHS takes seriously its licensing and oversight responsibilities to protect the health and safety of the Pennsylvanians we serve while simultaneously seeking efficiencies and streamlined processes for providers whenever possible," said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. "For years providers have been requesting joint annual licensing inspections. Working collaboratively with our colleagues at DDAP, we are pleased this voluntary process is now an option enabling providers to focus on what is most important giving care to those who need it," Shapiro challenges Trump's 'unlawful decision' Gov. Josh Shapiro has joined a multistate lawsuit with 25 other states and the District of Columbia challenging the Trump Administration's decision to unlawfully withhold $230 million in funding owed to Pennsylvania schools. The funding covers vital programs for Pennsylvania students and teachers like before and after school programming, teacher training and professional development, adult and family literacy programs and education for children from farming families across the Commonwealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shapiro has been working aggressively to protect Pennsylvania taxpayers and ensure the federal government honors its obligations. In February, the governor filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's unconstitutional freeze of federal funding. In April, Shapiro joined a multistate lawsuit to protect public health in Pennsylvania after the Trump Administration abruptly and arbitrarily canceled more than half a billion dollars in public health grants. And one week later, the governor sued the Trump Administration for its unlawful decision to revoke hundreds of millions of dollars it had promised to 116 Pennsylvania school districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the governor taking legal action each time, over $2 billion in federal funding owed to Pennsylvanians has been restored, the governor's office said. Shapiro is once again taking action to ensure the federal government upholds its commitments to Pennsylvania, as the law requires, his office said. "Every Pennsylvania child deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed," Shapiro said. "Once again, the Trump Administration is trying to take away dollars that were committed to Pennsylvania this time from our schools. Today, I'm suing to force the Trump Administration to deliver the money our students and schools were promised and are owed critical funds that school districts rely on to meet their budgets, train high-quality teachers, provide after-school programs for kids, and so much more. Because if anyone tries to hurt students here in Pennsylvania, they'll have to go through me." On June 30, with no advance notice or warning, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) abruptly and arbitrarily reversed the normal course of this grant funding and notified the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) that USDE would delay delivering about $230 million in federal funds owed to Pennsylvania schools that support critical education programs throughout the Commonwealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are funds that are typically available for states to begin accessing on July 1 of each year, in order to permit state and local educational agencies to plan their budgets for the academic year ahead. On June 30 one day before states can normally begin accessing these funds Secretary McMahon and USDE suddenly froze this critical funding. Many of the projects funded by these dollars support vital programs for Pennsylvania schools, impacting key teacher training programs as well as programs that make school more accessible to children with special learning needs. By abruptly withholding the $230 million it had promised to Pennsylvania schools, USDE has left Pennsylvania taxpayers on the hook. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. Angelina Godoy, director of the University of Washington Center for Human Rights, speaks to reporters alongside advocates outside Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard) More migrants were flown out of King Countys Boeing Field during the first six months of this year than all of last year as the Trump administration has moved to drastically ramp up deportations. Thats according to activists who hosted a press conference Tuesday outside the county-owned airport in south Seattle, where they also complained of increased obstacles from the county that hinder their efforts to observe and document the flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through June 30, the advocates witnessed 42 immigration flights arrive in Washington this year, said Stan Shikuma, of the Japanese-American organization Tsuru for Solidarity. Three of those flights went to Yakima, not Boeing Field. Advocates couldnt observe two of the Boeing Field flights, one because U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made it harder to track its flights and another because it arrived close to midnight. All of last year, 52 so-called ICE Air flights came into Washington. Those planes picked up at least 1,222 people transferred from the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma before likely deportation, according to the advocacy group La Resistencia, which has called for the detention centers closure. That doesnt include a few flights volunteers couldnt observe, and others they may not know about entirely. Through six months this year, more migrants have already flown from Boeing Field, a total of 1,342, said Shikuma. And 913 people were brought in to be detained at the detention center. The facility, run by the for-profit GEO Group has long faced scrutiny over alleged human rights violations that have received renewed attention as President Donald Trumps deportation campaign has reportedly strained capacity there. This month, another five flights have passed through Boeing Field, officially known as King County International Airport. That includes a flight Tuesday morning from which 15 detainees disembarked and 13 boarded, Shikuma said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the migrants are shackled at their wrists, waists and ankles, said Shikuma. They use stairs to get on or off the planes. What weve observed, as were watching these flights come in and out, are people in chains being taken off the buses from the Northwest Detention Center. Theyre patted down, head to toe, mouths examined, sometimes the chains are tightened before theyre allowed to board the plane, he said at Tuesdays press conference. Then, people coming off the plane, same procedure. Volunteer observers have also occasionally witnessed detainees held in a full-body restraint called a Wrap that is similar to a straitjacket, including in the past week. The issue of Boeing Field being used for immigration flights has long been a concern. Transparency concerns Then-King County Executive Dow Constantine signed an executive order in 2023 committing to not using discretionary resources to support ICE operations. He also ordered the county to publish monthly data on the flights and how many migrants are on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But La Resistencia says these logs sometimes provide incomplete lists of the flights and have never included the number of detainees. Why cant the county keep the promises it made in its executive order in 2023 which is a commitment to A, transparency about the flights which they are not delivering, and B, advocacy for more humane solutions, which also Im unaware of their action, said Angelina Godoy, who has researched ICE Air extensively as the director of the University of Washingtons Center for Human Rights. In a statement, the county said Executive Shannon Braddock remains committed to transparency, protecting vulnerable communities, and holding federal immigration operations accountable to the values of King County residents while complying with state and federal law. Since 2023, volunteers from La Resistencia and Tsuru for Solidarity have frequently sat around a conference table with live video feeds as immigration flights from the private charter airlines arrive at and depart the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airlines include GlobalX, Eastern and, more recently, Avelo. The volunteers count one by one as detainees walk down the planes steps, and look for anything out of the ordinary: people restrained in unique ways or who look particularly young, for example. Another group sometimes watches from a fenceline near the planes, which are serviced by Signature Aviation in Seattle. Signature, with an office next door to the main terminal, is profiting from this business, Godoy said. They lease property from King County. So yes, King County does not have any contract with ICE. King County does not profit from deportation flights. King County makes money from Signatures rent, she continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After leaving the planes, people are loaded on buses and taken to the Northwest ICE Processing Center. The center has been a local flashpoint for frustrations over Trumps increased immigration enforcement. In one instance in early February, activists counted 110 detainees getting off a flight. The biggest flight La Resistencia said it had observed up to that point carried half as many people. A county spokesperson pointed to a lack of information shared by Signature Aviation to explain its incomplete data. ICE has no obligation to provide information about its flights to KCIA, spokesperson Barbara Ramey said in an email, referring to King County International Airport. Signature is not required to notify KCIA of ICE flights. While Signature provides some basic information about some of the flights, the information is often inconsistent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took years to get to the point where activists could directly observe the flights. In 2019, Constantine looked to stop immigration flights at the airport through an executive order. The first Trump administration sued the county over the order. A federal judge sided with the federal government in 2023, and an appeals court upheld the ruling, allowing the feds to again use Boeing Field for deportation flights. The county then offered the observation room and Constantine signed the 2023 executive order. King County Council member Teresa Mosqueda said in a statement read by advocates that she plans to follow up on these calls for action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must now ensure the executive order on transparency be upheld at the last backstop for families and communities who are relying on flight visibility and tracking, Mosqueda said. Signature Aviation didnt immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday. A King County spokesperson couldnt respond by the Standards deadline. This story was updated to add comment from King County. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Equity Residential Properties Trust logo on phone and website-by T_Schneider via Shutterstock With a market cap of $25.5 billion, Equity Residential (EQR) is a leading real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in high-quality apartment communities across premier U.S. urban markets. With a portfolio of over 84,000 units in cities like Boston, New York, and San Francisco, the company is also expanding its presence in Denver, Atlanta, and Austin. EQR is expected to release its fiscal Q2 2025 earnings results after the market closes on Monday, Aug. 4. Ahead of this event, analysts project the Chicago, Illinois-based company to report a normalized FFO of $0.99 per share, a growth of 2.1% from $0.97 per share in the year-ago quarter. It has met or surpassed Wall Street's bottom-line estimates in the last four quarterly reports. More News from Barchart For fiscal 2025, analysts forecast the REIT to report an NFFO of $3.97 per share, up 2.1% from $3.89 per share in fiscal 2024. Moreover, NFFO is expected to grow 4.8% year-over-year to $4.16 per share in fiscal 2026. www.barchart.com Equity Residential stock has declined 1.8% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the broader S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 11.5% gain and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLRE) nearly 4% return over the same time frame. www.barchart.com Despite reporting weaker-than-expected Q1 2025 revenue of $760.8 million on Apr. 29, EQR shares rose 1.1% the next day due to normalized FFO of $0.95 per share, beating the estimate and marking a 2.2% year-over-year increase. Investors were also encouraged by solid operating metrics, including a 2.4% increase in average rental rates to $3,160 and a 96.5% same-store physical occupancy rate, 20 basis points higher year-over-year and 40 bps sequentially. Additionally, the company reaffirmed its 2025 full-year NFFO guidance of $3.90 per share - $4 per share and projected strong same-store revenue growth of 2.3% - 3.3%. Analysts' consensus view on Equity Residential stock is cautiously optimistic, with a "Moderate Buy" rating overall. Among 25 analysts covering the stock, 11 suggest a "Strong Buy," one gives a "Moderate Buy," and 13 recommend a "Hold." As of writing, the stock is trading below the average analyst price target of $76.78. On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Jeffrey Epsteins former lawyer Alan Dershowitz said two judges in New York are suppressing information about the disgraced financier and convicted sex offenders case, not the Trump administration. His comments come as President Trump and his Justice Department (DOJ) have been under heavy fire over its handling of the documents in the case. Dershowitz, who helped get a plea deal for Epstein in 2008, said that theres no Epstein client list, just a redacted FBI affidavit from accusers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are several of them from accusers that accuse Jeffrey that accuse various people of having improper sex, and that has been redacted, the names of the people accused have been blacked out. Now, of course, because I was lawyer and I did all the investigations, I know who all these people are, Dershowitz said Monday in an appearance on NewsNations Cuomo. The former lawyer argued none of the people in the affidavit are figures currently holding a public office. Some of them were previously in office. Some of them are dead. But there is no client list, he told host Chris Cuomo. And the redactions could be undone if you go to court. So, many of the things that are being suppressed are being suppressed by two judges in Manhattan, and theyre doing it largely to protect the alleged accusers who are, in the view of the judges, victims, even though we dont know what their actual status is, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dershowitz reiterated he cannot disclose more information due to judges orders, but said Attorney General Pam Bondi and Trump were not responsible for missing information. I dont know of any information that they could disclose that they havent disclosed. Now maybe there is some, but Im simply not aware of it, he said. And so, I think its important to place the blame where the blame deserves to be placed. Bondi, in particular, has faced strong pushback from the MAGA base after a joint DOJ and FBI memo, which came out last week, said Epstein kept no client list and that theres no evidence to indicate Epstein was murdered in his New York City jail cell while awaiting sex trafficking charges. The medical examiner had already ruled his 2019 death a suicide. Trump has stood in defense of Bondi, saying Saturday that she is doing a FANTASTIC JOB and telling his supporters to move on from the topic. Some within the movement, including activist Laura Loomer, have called for the attorney general to be fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi said in a February interview on Fox News that she had the Epstein client list sitting on her desk for review. This month, she clarified her remarks, saying she was referring to documents regarding the Epstein case rather than a specific list. Conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, a Trump ally, said he trusts the administration on handling the files, although he added he would still love for the DOJ to unseal the grand jury testimony. Honestly, Im done talking about Epstein for the time being, Kirk said Monday during his show on Real Americas Voice. Im going to trust my friends in the administration, Im going to trust my friends in the government to do what needs to be done, solve it. Balls in their hands. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANE COUNTY, Ill. (WGN) A Des Plaines man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to deliver nearly 4,000 grams of cocaine. The Kane County States Attorneys Office said Andrew Guca previously pled guilty to unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver on May 8, 2025. New bodycam footage shows chaotic teen takeover that shut down Glen Ellyn pool Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 6, 2023, Guca was reportedly driving a vehicle when officers with the Aurora Police Department stopped him, searched his vehicle and found a bag in the back cargo area of his vehicle. Investigators determined the bag contained about 4,000 grams of cocaine with a street value of between $120,000 to $144,000. On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the Kane County States Attorneys Office said Guca had been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines In accordance with Illinois law, Guca must serve at least 75% of the sentence. He receives credit for 153 days served in the Kane County Jail, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. HUNTSVILLE, Ala (WHNT) In this weeks Hoovers Heroes, Ben heard from the New Market History Project, who told him about one of their friends who just so happens to be a descendant of a buffalo soldier. Hes a current-day cowboy who considers buffalo soldiers his heroes. From Mess to Ministry: Huntsville barber gives haircuts and a little hope in hard times Willie Smith has made it his mission to keep the buffalo soldiers fighting spirit alive through storytelling a reenactments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They had the worst of everything, but they were fierce fighters, Willie said. One of those fierce fighters was Willies great-uncle, William. Private William Smith was stationed in Huntsville in 1898. He was born about 2 miles from here, Willie said as he stood telling the story from a recent reenactment at Mid City Huntsville. Hoovers Heroes: Selfless, devoted pre-k teacher dedicates nearly 2 decades in classroom William Smith fought in the 10th Cavalry Regiment, one of several infantry regiments in the U.S. Army that were active primarily during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Willie knows their important place in our nations history often gets overlooked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They dont know how the Buffalo Soldiers got started. They were started as an African American regiment. Nothing but African Americans. They started in 1866 in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. They didnt get the chance to fight in a real battle until the Spanish-American War, but they had a lot of battles with the Native Americans. A lot of people dont know how they got their name. The Native Americans gave them that nickname and they gave it to them because the buffalo soldiers were as powerful as a buffalo, explained Willie. The fighting spirit and resilience of the Buffalo Soldiers come alive at Mid City in June, where Willie and his wife stage a re-enactment and dress up in the Buffalo Soldiers uniform while riding horses just like the soldiers of that time. Sometimes I lay in my bed at night and feel like I can hear William Smith saying dont let anybody forget about the buffalo soldiers, said Willie. The re-enactment isnt the only reminder of the discrimination and prejudice the soldiers faced while distinguishing themselves through bravery and dedication to Americas westward expansion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are memorials and tributes to the Buffalo Soldiers in Huntsville as well. A newly painted mural on a gas station wall on Pulaski Pike sits behind Home Depot. A more official memorial can be found on Poplar Avenue. It honors the 10th Cavalry Regiment. You know its a tragedy to have to go through what they did, but they made significant contributions to the state, matter fact, the United States. They fought the Spanish-American War. They got five medals of honor and a lot of them got wounded, said Willie. Those wounds were suffered all while leaving a lasting impact on history and paving the way for greater equality in the military. The buffalo soldiers are my heroes, said Willie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huntsville played an integral part in the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, especially the 10th Cavalry. The regiment was stationed at Camp Monte Sano. That area is now known as Calvary Hill. After the Spanish-American War, they went there to recover from yellow fever and malaria that they caught during their service in Cuba. Monte Sano was chosen as a healing retreat for them because of its reputation for clean air and water. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. JONES, Okla. (KFOR) Some new details were released Monday morning after a man, later identified as Bradley McMichael, was killed by two water buffalo in Jones on Friday. Town police said both animals had to be put down due to their aggressive behavior toward people on scene. We take those animals for granted because theyre docile and they are kind and gentle for the most part, but you need to be worried because every moment youre in that field, you are in danger because the animal could decide otherwise and theres not much you can do, McMichaels friend Matthew Clary said. RELATED STORY: Police release more information in Jones water buffalo attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a dark scene Friday night that was haunted by that very reality. Jones police said it was about 8:30 p.m. when they got the call that McMichael was attacked by two water buffalo. This wasnt his first experience handling livestock, McMichaels girlfriend Jennifer Green said. He knew what precautions to take, but livestock are unpredictable and things happen. The newly released information from Jones Police showed that they originally couldnt get to McMichael due to one of the water buffalo being too aggressive. So, they had to put one of them down. Once they got in, they found McMichael with multiple deep lacerations that proved to be fatal. Its part of the risk of being involved with something like that, Green said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED STORY: He died doing what he loved: Family shares story of man tragically killed by two water buffalo While on scene, police said the second water buffalo became agitated and threatening to people there, so they had to put it down as well. An investigation found that McMichael bought the water buffalo at an auction a day earlier. Before his death, he got trapped in their enclosure while tending to them. His family remember him as a man they called larger than life and added that he died doing what he loved, which was looking after livestock. Everybody knew him. He grew up here. His family been here for a long time. He loved farming. He loved his livestock, Green said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Ward Sakeik, right, on her wedding day with husband Taahir Shaikh on Jan. 31. Credit - Sohaib Aktar Ward Sakeik stands in a Dallas kitchen making watermelon juice. For 140 days, someone else decided what and when she would eat. The 22-year-old wedding photographer spent the last five months in ICE detention after being arrested on her own honeymoon. Recently released and reunited with her family, the simple act of planning her day feels overwhelming. "I feel like I'm so behind in life," she says. Her case became a rallying point for immigration advocates in a time of tumult and uncertainty for anyone not born in the U.S. But Sakeik says her experience was all the more bewildering because every question she faced had been resolved over a decade ago. Interrupted Honeymoon She and her husband had planned their honeymoon carefully, specifically choosing destinations within the territory of the United States because of her immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sakeik is stateless. Born in Saudi Arabia, she moved to the U.S. with her family when she was nine. Saudi Arabia does not automatically grant citizenship to children born on its soil, and acquiring citizenship thereespecially with non-Saudi parents or lineageis a rare and difficult process. Sakeiks family is originally from the Gaza Strip, which along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem is regarded by international law as Occupied Palestinian Territory. Their family never flew under the radar ever since day one, says Sakeiks husband, Taahir Shaikh, a U.S. citizen. America knew who they were when they came into the border. They went through the court system. They were given due process. They complied with their deportation orders. Those orders had been suspended as a matter of routine. Shaikh says the family was granted an Order of Supervision (OSUP) by ICE, a system allowing noncitizens awaiting deportation or other immigration proceedings to stay in the U.S. under certain restrictionssuch as regular check-insrather than being held in detention. She's gone to the same ICE processing center every year her entire life for 14 years, Taahir says. ICE officers would mention how shes grown up since they had last seen her, and even congratulated her on her college graduation in 2023, he recalls. Her stateless status left her vulnerable. She doesn't have an embassy or a consulate back home that can fight for her legal protection, Taahir Shaikh notes. Read More: Barred from the Birth of His Son, Mahmoud Khalils Case Brings Family Separation into Focus The couple planned their honeymoon accordingly. "I told my husband we're gonna have to travel within the U.S., even though I would love to go to Turkey," Sakeik recalls. "So we decided that we're going to do two weeks in the Virgin Islands because it's U.S. territory." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Dallas airport, airline employees confirmed their plan was sound. Upon their return, they planned to continue their honeymoon at national parks in Arizona and Colorado. They stayed nine days in the Virgin Islands, but as they prepared to fly home, Sakeik was detained by ICEfirst at the St. Thomas Airport, then again when they reached Miami. Bureaucratic Maze What followed was months of confusion. In St. Thomas, a Customs and Border Protection officer told her that if she could provide proof of her scheduled reporting date with ICE, she would be released. She did, but I still was detained regardless. History did not seem to matter. "For the last 14 or 15 years that I've been here in America, I was never hiding from ICE. They know exactly where I [was]. They know where I live, they know my family, they know the air I breathe, they know everything," she says. Even when she was transferred to Dallas facilities, the disconnect persisted. They're my people, she recalls thinking. They know what's going on. But the officers who held her seemed unaware of her record. When a lot of them were confused, that's when I [thought], who the hell do I blame?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sakeik was held in three different facilities during her detention, the longest at the El Valle Detention Center outside of McAllen, Texas. There, dust would visibly fall whenever the lights would turn on. When she complained to facility management, "he literally told me, you are in the detention center. What do you expect? The dormitory housed about 100 women, mostly Latina immigrants and some Russians, most of whom wore blue uniforms indicating they were not considered criminals. Sakeik calls them blues. We're all different. The way we came [here], the way our lives are, what we live for, what we've achieved, our jobs, and what documents we have. The names of previous detainees were carved onto the mental bunks. "On my bed alone, I have probably had like a hundred names. After years of running her own business and making her own decisions, Sakeik found herself subject to someone else's routine for every aspect of her day. She found solace in Just Dance DVDs, which also kept her active. Then, on June 12, she was awakened in the middle of the night and told to gather her things. An official told her she was about to be flown to the Israeli border on a flight her husband later learned was scheduled for Egypt. But waiting on the tarmac, she was told she was staying after all. Release Twenty days later, on July 2, Sakeik was eating Maruchan ramen with a friend when an ICE officer called her aside. "I went outside and I saw that he was holding documents. So I literally thought in my head, he's about to make me sign another travel document to God knows wherever," she recalls. "And then he looked at me, Hey, you're being released. I started laughing. I was like, yeah, you think so?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I didn't believe that I was getting released up until I hugged my husband that's how far off it was from me. I didn't believe it. I didn't trust anybody." But after more than 10 years in America, Sakeik had a community to vouch for her. Her release came after a sustained advocacy campaign organized by her husband and people who knew her. Taahir had started a social media page, and with their legal team started a petition to present to their local congresswoman. Taahir also gathered testimonials from people from her mosque, past university professors, business partners, friends, and her photography teacher. Imam Omar Suleiman, founding president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, got their story out to millions, sharing Sakeiks story in a Friday sermon. Courtesy Ward Sakeik She literally embraced every opportunity the country gave her, Taahir says. She went through the American school system. This is a girl who has an annual blood donation record at her local Carter BloodCare. Every single client or person that's interacted with her can vouch that her heart is [pure]. It is also more devout. The time in detention brought Sakeik closer to her faith; she decided to start practicing wearing a hijab. "That's the biggest blessing, she says, because I promise you, whenever your freedom has been taken away from you and you have your time with God, you really start to reflect." Lessons Sakeik now has an insiders view of the Trump Administrations sweeping immigration enforcement campaign, which extends beyond those with criminal cases to target undocumented individuals regardless of their legal or compliance status. To satisfy presidential demands, field offices are directed to meet new daily arrest quotas75 arrests per officeraising agency-wide targets to 1,2001,500 arrests per day, up from only about a few hundred. Read More: Can Trump Deport U.S. Citizens Like Elon Musk and Zohran Mamdani? Her experience reflects an agency with spotty internal communication. "Some of the ICE officers themselves would even tell me, I don't know why you're here, Sakeik recalls. Some of them would straight up tell me, If it was up to us, we'd release you." She's planning to reopen her photography business in the fall but is taking time to readjust to life outside detention. "I sleep a lot. I stay mainly indoors, she says. It's just the same routine I had in detention, I'm having difficulty letting it go." She shops online to avoid the anxiety produced by visiting stores. "Everything in Costco is considered contraband at the detention center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Sakeik also has pledged not to forget what she left behind. "I know how excited I was to receive a letter in there. I would literally fly off of my bunk when the mail lady would come," she says. Sakeik plans to start a letter-writing campaign to support women still inside, and speak for them in now that she's free. "You know, there're plenty more women detained that unfortunately are not getting the same media attention or are too afraid to speak up," she says. "So if I can be that one voice then yes, why not?" Contact us at letters@time.com. The Clergy Community Coalition submitted over 2,500 signatures and a financial report to Dayton city officials on Monday, aiming to place a public hospital initiative on the November ballot. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, the initiative seeks to address the healthcare void left by the closure of Good Samaritan Hospital in 2018. >>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Community group faces hurdle in efforts to bring new public hospital to Dayton Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we present this document, we are resilient, we are determined, said Richard Cox, President of the Clergy Community Coalition. The coalition argues that a public hospital would provide essential services to Dayton residents. TRENDING STORIES: Public hospitals are different than non-profit hospitals. Public hospitals treat the poor, public hospitals look out for the indigent, said Cox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coalition said the closure of Good Samaritan Hospital has been a significant concern for the Dayton community, with many residents lacking adequate healthcare options. They have been working to bring this issue to the forefront, emphasizing the need for accessible healthcare for all. Dayton City Commissioners will decide on July 23 whether the public hospital proposal will appear on the ballot. Thats not going to deter all these people who worked so many years to make this a reality. It makes us excited because were standing for democracy, said Cox. If rejected, the coalition will have 20 days to gather the necessary signatures again to push the initiative forward. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] This article was originally published in Michigan Advance. Detroit schools are facing some of the deepest cuts to federal funding in the country as The White House withholds $6.2 billion of funds nationwide. The appropriations were already approved by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump. But the administration informed states that they would be withholding the funding for five programs that support educator development, student enrichment programs, migrant education, English learners and 21st-century learning centers. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter While data isnt available for the program supporting migrant education, federal data organized by New America shows that Michigan stands to lose $81.6 million across the other four programs accounting for more than $65 per student in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deepest cuts are in areas represented in Congress by Democrats, with those school districts facing a loss of $45 million compared to nearly $36.6 million in areas represented by a Republican. Thats an average of $7.5 million per school district in Democratic areas compared to $5.2 million per district in Republican areas. Michigans seven Republican members of Congress represent 713,666 students, while the six Democrats in Michigans congressional delegation represent 530,785 students. On average, school districts represented by a Democrat would lose about $84 per student, while school districts represented by Republicans would lose about $51 per student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a reversal from the national trend, where the average school district represented by a Republican would lose 1.6 times as much funding per pupil than those represented by a Democrat. Thats in part because while 91 of the 100 school districts nationwide facing the deepest cuts are in Republican congressional districts, Detroit is one of the ten districts with the most funding at risk. They would lose the third most funding nationwide for student support and enrichment programs and the sixth most funding for education development. In total, the district has more than $16 million on the line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit) represents the hardest hit congressional district, which stands to lose about $210 per student, followed by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) at about $87 per pupil. The school district has the highest poverty rate across the 46 states for which data was available at 46.9%. Detroit Public Schools Superintendent Nikolai Vitti could not be reached for comment. Zahava Stadler is the project director of the Education Funding Equity Initiative in the Education Policy Program at New America. She told Michigan Advance that highly impoverished districts are likely to face significant cuts since poverty rates are a consideration for some federal grants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Higher poverty districts are going to be hit again and again and again as the federal government dithers over whether or not to release all of these individual funding streams to which school districts are legally entitled, Stadler said. The federal government withholding the already-allocated funding has made it even more difficult for schools to plan their budgets after the Republican-led Michigan House of Representatives failed to pass a budget by their deadline of July 1. Even if school districts are able to maintain the programs through other funding sources, Stadler said they wouldnt be able to then reimburse those funds later on if the federal funds came through. Money cant just get moved around at will, Stadler said. Federal dollars have rules. And the administration is throwing districts into chaos as they are rapidly approaching a new school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the programs themselves having an impact on students, Stadler said the fight over funding also symbolizes the wrong message for the students who benefit from them. The message that these kids are getting is that their country doesnt want to invest in them, their schools arent able to invest in them, Stadler said. And that is a really difficult and tragic thing to hear as a young person who is just trying to grow and thrive in a community of which theyre a member. Michigan Advance is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Michigan Advance maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jon King for questions: info@michiganadvance.com. FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is expressing frustration over staffing in Fall River after a fire at an assisted living facility claimed the lives of nine residents and injured dozens of others. Firefighters rushed to the Gabriel House just before 10 p.m. Sunday and were immediately met with thick black smoke and flames shooting from the front of the building. Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said roughly 50 firefighters 30 of which were off-duty at the time worked as quickly as possible to rescue trapped residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bacon said more than 30 residents and five firefighters were taken to nearby hospitals to be treated for various injuries. 9 dead, 30+ hospitalized after fire at Fall River assisted living facility The exact cause of the fire is under investigation, but the Bristol County District Attorneys Office said it does not appear to be suspicious at this time. Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan praised the firefighters efforts. These guys are top shelf, Coogan said. When they get down there into a situation where they have to fight, theyre willing to fight, and they did a great job doing whatever they could to save as many residents as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But IAFF President Edward Kelly believes that more lives couldve been saved if the Fall River Fire Department was adequately staffed. Kelly explained that, of the departments 10 companies, only two are staffed up to national standards. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that fire companies be staffed with four firefighters. Kelly said the departments eight other companies consist of just three. Had [the department] been staffed properly up to national standards, there would have been eight more firefighters affecting rescues last night, Kelly explained. Theres no doubt that would have made a difference in the amount of people that we lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank God I didnt perish: Survivors describe scene of deadly Fall River fire The National Institute of Standards and Technology determined back in 2010 that companies consisting of four firefighters were 25% more efficient than those with three firefighters. Kelly also mentioned how the off-duty firefighters werent properly equipped, but still put their lives on the line. Fall River Fire Captain Michael OReagan, the president of IAFF Local 1314, was one of those off-duty firefighters who dropped everything and ran into the burning building. Everyone here was overwhelmed and split between rescuing those that they could see and searching for those that they couldnt see, OReagan said. We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OReagan and his brother made their way up to the third floor and immediately began searching for residents. We had to search those units alone, which goes against what we do, but given the situation we didnt have an option or a choice, he said. Fall River Fire Captain Frank OReagan recalled kicking down doors and coming across unconscious residents who were completely covered in soot. I went in, and I didnt have an air tank or anything, Frank OReagan explained. First room, empty. Second door I kicked in, body. Next room, empty. Next room, body. I searched as much as a could but after a while you just cant take that much smoke, he continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A very deadly force: Fall River fire chief urges community to install smoke detectors after tragedy Frank OReagan said this was the worst loss of life hes seen in his 32-year career. He was shocked that much of the building still hadnt been searched nearly an hour after firefighters first pulled up. There was just nobody there, he said. It was awful. Each rescue took a significant amount of manpower because the victims were either disabled, unconscious, or both, according to Michael OReagan. He said the outcome was nothing short of miraculous thanks to the firefighters who showed up and put the residents lives above their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all ate the same amount of smoke, Michael OReagan said. None of us were more heroic than the others. We did the best we could. Michael OReagan said the firefighters union has been struggling with cutbacks for years. He urged Coogan to take immediate action to prevent this from happening again. Its been a pressing issue, he said. I would ask the mayor at what cost is human life? Nobody is programmed to deal with this: Fall River chief stresses mental health support after tragic fire Coogan told 12 News its too soon to discuss the departments staffing, stressing that the focus should be on the nine residents who lost their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he did explain that the departments budget is based off of the chiefs recommendations. I dont know enough about fire department staffing, Coogan said. But he asked for a number and we gave it to him. But Kelly said Coogan does have the power to take immediate action. He can order the chief tonight to put four firefighters on every piece of apparatus in the city, and it would be done, Kelly said. How you can help The Firefighters Wives Association has set up a GoFundMe page for those affected by the fire. So far, it has raised nearly $50,000. Catholic Charities is also collecting donations for impacted residents, including clothing, bedding, toiletries and other essentials. Donations can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city has compiled a list of residents specific clothing and mobility needs for those who want to donate but are unsure what to bring. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Conservative commentator Dinesh DSouza on Monday said people should move on from encouraging the Trump administration to release files related to the sex-trafficking ring run by deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein. Im going to talk about the Epstein files and Im going to make the case that even though there are unanswered questions about Epstein, it is in fact time to move on, DSouza said during an episode of his podcast. In explaining his case, he pointed to the Trump administrations doubling down on findings included in a joint Justice Department-FBI memo released last week that concluded Epstein did not keep a client list and that his 2019 death was due to suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that right now it seems pretty clear were not going to get more information out of the government. They have closed the case, DSouza added later. Unless Ghislaine Maxwell, whos in prison, speaks out, and shes free to speak out. Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for assisting Epstein in his alleged sex trafficking operation involving underage girls. The latest findings came after the administration conducted a digital search of databases, hard drives and network drives as well as physical searches of squad areas, locked cabinets, desks, closets, and other areas where responsive material may have been stored, according to the memo. Only a fraction of this material would have been aired publicly had Epstein gone to trial, as the seal served only to protect victims and did not expose any additional third parties to allegations of illegal wrongdoing, officials wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through this review, we found no basis to revisit the disclosure of those materials and will not permit the release of child pornography, they added. DSouza said the public should accept the conclusion and continue to support President Trump amid criticism over the handling of the files, after Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed transparency around the case. Part of being on a political team is maintaining a certain amount of maturity, recognizing you cant win em all, recognizing there are some things that are important to you that are less important to the guy youve put in charge who is trying to focus on things right in front of him, he told listeners on Monday. So, having a sense of perspective, having a sense of balance, having a sense of maturity, I think, is more important even than getting to the bottom of what really happened with Jeffrey Epstein, the commentator added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The analysis comes as some MAGA supporters have also aired frustration with the president over the files, including Trump ally and conservative activist Laura Loomer, who has called for an investigation into Bondi and the case. Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on the other hand shared a similar sentiment to DSouza on his show this week. Honestly, Im done talking about Epstein for the time being. Im going to trust my friends in the administration, Im going to trust my friends in the government to do what needs to be done, solve it, balls in their hands, Kirk said Monday on his show on Real Americas Voice. Former White House adviser Elon Musk and podcaster Andrew Schulz disagreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How can people be expected to have faith in Trump if he wont release the Epstein files? Musk wrote last week in a post on social platform X, which he owns. His criticism of the administration comes after a public spat with the president over Trumps sweeping tax and spending bill. After the DOJ released the memo, Schulz said he regretted voting for Trump. Its insulting our intelligence, he said during a Flagrant podcast episode. Obviously, the intelligence community is trying to cover it up. Obviously, the Trump administration is trying to cover it up. Still, the president has stuck behind his administration amid turmoil while also pressing supporters and critics to move on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is calling for shareholders to get a vote over whether to invest in his artificial intelligence startup xAI. The earliest this would likely come is November, when the EV company is scheduled to hold its annual meeting. The news comes as Musks SpaceX company reportedly contributed $2 billion to last monthss $10 billion xAI fundraising consisting of equal parts equity and debt. Elon Musk wants Tesla shareholders to help him consolidate control over his sprawling business empire by allowing his cash-rich EV company to invest in his latest startup, xAI. The company behind Grok is spending billions in an attempt to challenge OpenAI and its ChatGPT for leadership in the race to develop artificial general intelligence. Last week Musk unveiled the fourth generation of his Grok chatbot, which is currently rolling out to Tesla vehicles, just a day after setting a date for the carmakers long-delayed annual meeting. If it was up to me, Tesla would have invested in xAI long ago, Musk posted Sunday evening. We will have a shareholder vote on the matter. The next opportunity would be in November, when Tesla is finally scheduled to hold its annual meeting. While Tesla did not respond to a Fortune request for further comment, speculation around Tesla investing in xAI does not come as a surprise. SpaceX reportedly invests $2 billion into xAI For starters, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Musks privately-owned SpaceX company poured $2 billion into xAI despite limited business rationale (Musk tacitly confirmed the story). According to its sources, Grok is only used in some customer support features for SpaceXs satellite broadband service Starlink. Moreover, as Musk indicated, he has been eyeing a Tesla investment in xAI for some time. Roughly four weeks after Teslas previous annual general meeting in June 2024, Musk ran a social media poll to this effect. In it, he asked X usersonly a small portion of whom were likely Tesla investorswhether the car company should invest $5 billion assuming the valuation is set by several credible outside investors. When two-thirds of the nearly 1 million responses were in favor, Musk promised to discuss the issue with the board. RANDOLPH COUNTY The director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo died Monday morning after a nearly five-year battle with cancer, the zoo announced. Pat Simmons had led the zoo since 2015. To know Simmons was to love her, the zoo said in its announcement. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she made a significant impact during her tenure at the North Carolina Zoo. Those who worked with Simmons described her as immensely funny, smart, and loved by many. She was a sought-after mentor and counselor, helping many find their true passion. Her legacy in the zoo community will carry on through those she touched throughout her lifetime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before coming to North Carolina, Simmons led the Akron Zoo in Ohio from 1985 to 2014. She was highly respected within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, was chairwoman of its board in 2012 and was appointed to the board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums from 2015 to 2021. Simmons was nationally and internationally recognized in the zoo and aquarium industry, receiving numerous awards and appointments in support of wildlife conservation, sustainability, and women in leadership roles. Simmons spearheaded planning for growth at the North Carolina Zoo that will begin with the 12.5-acre Asia region, set to open in June 2026, the first major expansion at the North Carolina Zoo since 1994. Australia, the next continent, is fully funded and slated to open in 2029. The replacement Aviary/Amazon, which is partially funded, will complete this period of continent expansion. Cheryl Armstrong, the executive director of the North Carolina Zoo Society, said that Simmons was known for her easy laugh and the warmth she extended toward everyone. The Zoo Society family will always remain grateful for the wisdom, caring, and friendship Pat Simmons shared with us, she said. As much as we will miss her, we know the good she achieved during her lifetime will not stop now. The kindness, integrity, and moxie that Pat instilled in the people who knew her will survive long into the future to help make the world a better place for all its inhabitants. STRUTHERS, Ohio (WKBN) A disciplinary counsel has concluded an evaluation of allegations against former Struthers Municipal Court Judge Dominic Leone following hearings in Columbus. The findings and sanction recommendations will now be considered by the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct within the Ohio Supreme Court. Leone is accused of professional misconduct, both in his interactions with Struthers Mayor Catherine Miller, whom he was ordered to stay away from, and also during his time on the bench and his interactions with a visiting judge who was deciding the protection order involving Miller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post-hearing brief, the disciplinary counsel is asking the Board of Professional Conduct to sanction Leone for professional misconduct. The brief said that Leone participated in a pattern of harmful conduct with multiple offenses, and that he failed to acknowledge any wrongdoing. It also said that Leone was not cooperative during disciplinary proceedings. The offense includes: While a sitting judge, respondent violated Ohio law by engaging in conduct that constituted Menacing by Stalking and that resulted in a court issuing a protection order against respondent for that conduct Actions were harmful to the public confidence Actions were undignified and discourteous Made statements he knew were false or with reckless disregard concerning Judge Giulitto The counsel is asking for an 18-month suspension with 12 months stayed, and that Leone must undergo an assessment by the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program and comply with their recommendations as a condition of reinstatement. He also cant commit any further acts of misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disciplinary counsel said that Leones conduct by screaming profanities about Miller in a public building loud enough to be heard in public areas was improper, and his actions during a hearing in front of a visiting judge, retired Protage County Judge Joseph Giulitto, who ruled on the protection order, were undignified and discourteous. respondents conduct resulted in a three-year CSPO (Re: Miller). Thus, the CSPO limited respondents access to the city hall building to his chambers and courtroom, the clerks office for official business, and the parking lot. Exhibit 5 at 4. A judge being barred from entering public buildings because of his conduct is prejudicial to the public confidence in the judiciary, the brief read. Leone maintained in his response that he was not arrested, charged, or convicted of any crime. In fact, there was not one police report taken, his response read. He also said that Miller is an elected official who is subjected to heightened levels of verbal disparagement because she is a public official. Leone added that there was no showing of any harm, and that the symptoms experienced by Miller are also the most common side effects of Ozempic or a similar weight loss drug. Without basic background, side effects of medication can not be ruled out, the filing read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leone also said that Judge Giulitto was biased, adding that while he argued with his attorney in court, it was because he did not agree with what the court was suggesting. In his brief, Leone asks that the Board find that the counsel did not meet his (the attorney writing for counsel) burden under each and every remaining allegation, and that the case be dismissed, and if not, that the Board issue a sanction in line with other cases if a sanction is necessary. A date for a decision on the case and any sanctions did not appear in online records. Leone resigned from his position as Struthers Municipal Court judge in September 2023. He was first sworn into office in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gerry Ricciutti contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories A mum-of-two who said her breasts "tried to kill [her]" after she was diagnosed with breast cancer just four weeks post-partum is calling for more research into treatment options, Bristol Live reported. After a man died in a Wiltshire river, an ambulance worker who attended the scene is calling for a ban on unsupervised wild swimming, according to Wiltshire 999. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Swindon Advertiser said a trade union in Swindon has called Thames Water's hosepipe ban "disgraceful" and criticised the company for wasting "billions" of litres of water. Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media A police car on an emergency call was filmed being blocked by planters installed in the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood. Salisbury City Hall has defended its decision to host controversial political commentator Katie Hopkins. The "biggest walking Rugby Festival in the world" took place over the weekend. Follow BBC West social channels in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Another diverging diamond interchange could be coming to an interstate in the Milwaukee metro area. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has proposed a reconstruction project in Waukesha County to rehabilitate the overpass of the Highway F (Redford Boulevard) bridges over Interstate 94 into a diverging diamond interchange. The project intends to address operational deficiencies that the interchange currently faces, according to WisDOT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A DDI involves traffic briefly shifting to the opposite side of the road before crossing back over. WisDOT said this kind of highway interchange improves safety and traffic flow, making it easier for drivers to turn left onto entrance ramps. Several DDIs have been introduced across Wisconsin over the past few years, including one at Interstate 43 and Brown Deer Road. What improvements to the Redford Boulevard interchange are being proposed? The proposed project will convert the I-94 and Highway F interchange in the City of Pewaukee into a DDI. This will incorporate improved signals, lighting and permanent signing, WisDOT said. Additionally, the construction project will include replacing the deck on the northbound bridge and the joints on the southbound bridge. Concrete surface repairs and sealing will also be made to the southbound bridge. What is a diverging diamond interchange and how does it work? A DDI is a kind of highway interchange that improves safety and traffic flow, making it easier for drivers to turn left onto entrance ramps, according to WisDOT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When navigating through a DDI, drivers follow the signs, signals and pavement markings to be briefly shifted to the opposite side of the road. This crossover allows vehicles turning left onto entrance ramps to make a smooth, free-flowing left turn without crossing in front of oncoming traffic, WisDOT said. Those looking to make a right turn would proceed through the interchange as normal, and those traveling straight will approach a second traffic signal, where they are then shifted back to their respective sides of the road, according to WisDOT. Are there benefits to a diverging diamond interchange? WisDOT says that DDIs improve safety by reducing the ways vehicles can collide by nearly 50% and eliminating the most severe types of crashes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A DDI also accommodates more traffic and easier navigation than conventional designs, with the free-flowing right and left turns onto the major freeway, according to WisDOT. DDIs meet the needs of large trucks, pedestrians and bicyclists with designated walkways and bike lanes. Are there other diverging diamond interchanges in Wisconsin? WisDOT has constructed several DDIs at highway interchanges across the state. The DDIs in Wisconsin are located at: I-39/90 and Highway 11/Avalon Road interchange, south of Janesville Highway 441 and Oneida Street interchange, Appleton I-39/90 and Highway 26/Milton Avenue interchange, Janesville I-39/90 and Highway 81 interchange, Beloit I-43 and Brown Deer Road interchange, Milwaukee County When would the proposed diverging diamond interchange be built in Waukesha County? DDI construction at the Highway F bridges over I-94 is tentatively scheduled for early 2028, and the project is still in the design phase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traffic impacts of the project are still being determined; however, it is known that detours will be utilized. WisDOT also emphasized that access to local businesses and residences will be maintained. Is there an opportunity for public input about the diverging diamond interchange proposed in Waukesha County? WisDOT will hold a public involvement meeting at the Lee Sherman Dreyfus State Office Building, 141 NW Barstow Street, Room 151, Waukesha, on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend the in-person, open-house style meeting to talk with the design team and view project materials. Liliana Fannin is a 2025 summer intern at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel covering the Milwaukee suburbs. She can be contacted at lfannin@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: I-94 and Highway F in Pewaukee eyed for diverging diamond interchange EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday said the bloc was leaving the door open to action against Israel over the war in Gaza if the humanitarian situation does not improve. Kallas has put forward 10 potential options after Israel was found to have breached a cooperation deal between the two sides on human rights grounds. The measures range from suspending the entire accord or curbing trade ties to sanctioning Israeli ministers, imposing an arms embargo and halting visa-free travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite growing anger over the devastation in Gaza, EU states remain divided over how to tackle Israel and there was no critical mass for taking any of the moves at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. "We will keep these options on the table and stand ready to act if Israel does not live up to its pledges," Kallas told journalists. "The aim is not to punish Israel. The aim is to really improve the situation in Gaza." That comes after Kallas on Thursday announced a deal with Israel to open more entry points and allow in more food. Gaza's two million residents face dire humanitarian conditions as Israel has severely limited aid during its war with Palestinian militant group Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We see some positive signs when it comes to opening border crossings, we see some positive signs of them reconstructing the electricity lines, providing water, also more trucks of humanitarian aid coming in," Kallas said Monday. But she said the situation in Gaza remained "catastrophic". "Of course, we need to see more in order to see real improvement for the people on the ground," she said. - 'Use our leverage' - Irish minister Thomas Byrne, whose country has been one of the toughest in the EU on Israel, said Kallas had committed to updating member states every two weeks on the progress of humanitarian access to Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So far, we haven't really seen the implementation of it, maybe some very small actions, but there's still slaughter going on," he said. "So we need to see action and we need to use our leverage." While the EU appears unable to take further moves against Israel, just getting to this stage has been a considerable step. The bloc only agreed to review the cooperation deal after Israel relaunched military operations in Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire in March. Until then, deep divisions between countries backing Israel and those more favourable to the Palestinians had hamstrung any move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the splits within the bloc mean that it has struggled to have a major impact on the war in Gaza and Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar had predicted confidently that the bloc wouldn't take any further action on Monday. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which led to 1,219 deaths, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Of 251 people taken hostage by Hamas, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry says that at least 58,386 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel's retaliatory campaign. The UN considers those figures reliable. Israel and Hamas have been in indirect talks for two weeks over a new ceasefire deal, but talks appear to be deadlocked. del/ec/gv DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A resource to help families with children or teens with disabilities navigate the figurative hurdles they face will come online the next few weeks. The two nights of the Dayton Metro Librarys Special Needs Family Information Roundtable are designed for parents, guardians or caregivers of dependents with disabilities. The dates for the events, and their schedules: Monday, July 21, 5:30 p.m., West Branch: Special Needs Family Information Roundtable. There will be a presentation followed by a networking session. Kids are welcome. Thursday, July 31, 5:30 p.m., Kettering-Moraine Branch: Special Needs Family Information Roundtable: Back to School. Mentors from local school districts will help parents and guardians navigate for the transition back to school after summer, which can present many challenges for kids with disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youngs Jersey Dairy leadership change an essential step for future business Neither program requires registration. To learn more, call the Librarys Ask Me Line at 937-463-2665 or visit the Dayton Metro Librarys website. Those who need a sign language interpreter, assistive device, language translation or accessibility services, can call the Ask Me Line at the number above or visit the DMLs Ask Me Anything page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. DES MOINES, Iowa The Des Moines Police Department is asking for the publics help in locating two missing teens. Human remains located in remnants of burned Albia building According to the DMPD, 14-year-old Zayden and 17-year-old Alexis were last seen on Saturday morning in the 900 block of Porter Avenue. Police said that both voluntarily left, but its believed neither have their prescribed medications. Zayden is 5 5 tall and weighs about 130 lbs. and Alexis is 5 3 tall and roughly 109 lbs. Both were last seen wearing blue medical-style scrubs. Police said its possible that the two have or will try to travel outside of Des Moines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to call 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. The Democratic National Committee announced an initial $1.5 million investment in Virginia on Tuesday in an effort to help candidates up and down the ballot in Novembers off-year elections. The investment in the state is one of the largest and earliest investments the committee has made to the Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign during an off election year, according to the DNC. The committee said the investment will allow the coordinated campaign to continue to hire organizers and staff, fund persuasion programs, test new messaging tactics, and expand its reach to constituencies Democrats lost ground with in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Democrats are giving Virginians an alternative to extreme Republican candidates with real Democratic leadership to make the state more affordable for working families, DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. This investment will aid strong Democratic leaders like Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, and Jay Jones and turbocharge organizing efforts while building Democratic infrastructure that will help support Democratic victories all across the ballot. Virginia Democratic Party Chair Lamont Bagby praised the DNCs investment in Virginia, calling the upcoming elections the most critical in the country. The DNCs investment will help us reach every corner of the Commonwealth with a clear message: Democrats are fighting back against Donald Trumps reckless and extreme agenda, Bagby said. The governors mansion, the House of Delegates and offices for lieutenant governor and attorney general are all up for grabs in Virginia in the fall. Democrats see a favorable environment given Virginias tendency to oscillate between the two parties in the race for governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Democrats say they see an opening in the state given the recent federal layoffs given Virginias large population of federal workers. Donald Trump and Virginia Republicans have betrayed the commonwealth. From Elon Musk destroying the livelihoods of thousands of Virginians through DOGE, to Donald Trump and Virginia Republicans kicking 323,000 Virginians off their health insurance, to Glenn Youngkin and state Republicans leading Virginia to fall in the rankings of the top states for business, Republicans have utterly failed the commonwealth, Martin said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MISSOURI (KSNF) Despite public opposition, the state grants permits for several concentrated animal feeding operations in Newton and Lawrence Counties. A total of six operating permits were issued. Most of those operations are planned for Lawrence County, near Wentworth and Verona. In May of this year, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) held a public meeting in Pierce City, giving people living near the sites a chance to voice their opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter issued Monday (7/14), the DNR addressed several comments made at that meeting, including set back distances and potential water quality impacts. Throughout the letter, the DNR said applicants had abided by state and federal regulations. You can read the full letter below. MO-DNR-CAFOs-Comment-Response-Letter_KSNF-WatermarkDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. NEW YORK (Reuters) Google (GOOG, GOOGL) has agreed to secure as much as 3 gigawatts of U.S. hydropower in the world's largest corporate clean power pact for hydroelectricity, the company said on Tuesday, as Big Tech pursues the expansion of energy-hungry data centers. The deal between Google and Brookfield Asset Management includes initial 20-year power purchase agreements, totaling $3 billion, for electricity generated from two hydropower facilities in Pennsylvania. The tech giant will also invest $25 billion in data centers across Pennsylvania and neighboring states over the next two years, Semafor reported on Tuesday. The technology industry is intensifying the hunt for massive amounts of clean electricity to power data centers needed for artificial intelligence and cloud computing, which has driven U.S. power consumption to record highs after nearly two decades of stagnation. Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer at Google parent company Alphabet, is expected to discuss the news at an AI summit in Pittsburgh. U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the event, where $70 billion in AI and energy investments are expected to be announced. "This collaboration with Brookfield is a significant step forward, ensuring clean energy supply in the PJM region where we operate," Amanda Peterson Corio, Google's head of data center energy, said in a statement. Over roughly the last year, Google has struck several first-of-a-kind power purchase agreements, including for carbon-free geothermal energy and advanced nuclear. The company is also working with the country's largest electricity grid operator, PJM Interconnection, to use AI to speed up the process of hooking up new power supplies to the grid. In the latest deal, Google said it has signed an initial framework agreement with Brookfield, owner of Brookfield Renewable Partners, which develops and operates renewable energy plants. Its two hydropower sites in Pennsylvania will be upgraded and relicensed as part of the arrangement, the companies said. Google said it plans to expand the deal eventually beyond those sites to other parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. (Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Sonali Paul) Note to readers: The Naples Daily News and News-Press asked experts questions about Burmese pythons in 2024. The invasive python is wreaking havoc with the ecosystem in southern parts of Florida. Q. What does a python bite look like? On a recent Burmese python hunt, Amy Siewe encountered a couple of snakes that had no intention of being caught. In other words, they put up a fight. In the world of a python hunter, this means the python's defense mechanism of biting will be used. She made a post about the experience on her Facebook page. AMY SIEWE'S PYTHON HUNTRESS WEBSITE: Check it out here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luckily, pythons found in the Everglades and other places in Florida are not venomous. But a bite is a bite and it can hurt and there can be blood. Siewe, who is known as the 'Python Huntress' has created a livelihood around hunting and humanely killing pythons, taking her clients on guided hunts. Pythons have been a disruptive force in South Florida for years and a major cause for concern when it comes to protecting the ecosystem. Second video: What happens when you are bitten by a python In an interview with the Naples Daily News a few days after this particular hunt, Siewe said this about python bites: "They get you and dont get me wrong it hurts, but it bleeds so much. That is the most annoying thing. You get used to it. It is what it is. You dont want to get bitten." Pro tip? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Always catch a python behind the head so it doesnt bite you," Siewe said. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Burmese pythons: Florida snake hunter tells how it feels to be bitten One of President Donald Trump's top aims is to dismantle the Department of Education, and in the opening days of his second term he signed an executive order to begin taking apart the agency that administers student loans for thousands of borrowsers, runs programmes to help low-income children, and oversees some funding for public schools. Trump is now one step closer to his goal after the Supreme Court ruled on Monday that his administration could move ahead with plans to lay off half the department's workforce, more than 1,000 people. The six conservative justices on the court, three of whom were appointed by Trump, voted to stop a lower court judge's order that had blocked the firings. The three liberals dissented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On social media, Trump called the ruling a "major victory" for both parents and students that would pave the way to carrying out his executive order, saying Education Secretary Linda McCmahon could now "begin this very important process". Trump and his allies have accused the department of indoctrinating young people with racial, sexual and political ideologies. Conservatives, though, have long sought to eliminate the department, almost from the moment it was established in 1979. A complete shuttering would most likely have to involve Congress, and so Trump's approach has been to dramatically shrink its reach and capacity. What does the department do - and not do? A common misconception is that the Department of Education operates US schools and sets curricula - that responsibility actually belongs to states and local districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency does oversee student loan programmes and administers Pell grants that help low-income students attend university. It also helps fund programmes to support students with disabilities and for students living in poverty. And the department enforces civil rights law designed to prevent race or sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools. What is its budget and how many people work there? The department's allocation was $238bn (188bn) in fiscal year 2024 - less than 2% of the total federal budget. The agency has about 4,400 employees, the smallest of any cabinet-level department. The Trump administration has sought to cut that and the department announced plans to slash about half of its workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most public funding for US schools comes from state and local governments. In 2024, the Education Data Initiative estimated that the US spends a total of just over $857bn on primary and secondary education - the equivalent of $17,280 per pupil. Can Trump shut down the department? On his own, no. Not only would Trump need congressional approval to get rid of the department, but he would also probably need a supermajority in the US Senate - 60 out of 100 senators. Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, so they would need at least seven Democrats to vote to abolish the agency - a political longshot. Even in the House of Representatives, Trump might struggle to gain necessary support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A vote last year to abolish th department - which was attached as an amendment to another bill - failed to pass as 60 Republicans joined all Democrats in the House to oppose it. Trump's executive order directs Secretary McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure" of the agency and transfer authority to state and local governments. It also instructs her to ensure "the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely". It does not include a timeline or deadline for the move, which has faced legal challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has moved to shrink other government departments in recent months, despite questions about the legality of those moves. Education department employees are among those who are the focus of the administration's efforts to shrink the federal workforce. What happens to student loans? Trump previously promised that part of his dismantling of the education department would include rehousing certain programmes, such as student loans, in different government agencies. He announced plans in the spring to move student loans from the education department to the small business administration, but was almost immediately blocked by a judge's order Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That portfolio includes more than $1.5tn (1.1tn) in loans taken out by more than 40 million Americans. The text of the executive order shutting the education department down compares the debt portfolio managed by the department to the size of the Wells Fargo bank. "The Department of Education is not a bank, and it must return bank functions to an entity equipped to serve America's students," the executive order states. Regardless of which agency manages student loans, borrowers will still have to pay them back. Court rulings and Trump's policies have reversed some changes that former President Joe Biden attempted to make to lower borrowing costs and forgive some debts. Why do Republicans want to abolish it? The idea of eliminating the education department has been floated by Republicans for nearly as long as it has existed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign, he pushed for it to be dismantled. Republicans have historically pushed against centralising education policy, believing that it is best left up to individual states and localities. More recently they have accused the education department of pushing what they describe as "woke" political ideology on to children, including on gender and race. Trump's allies also want to expand school choice, which would allow students and families to use public money to select private or religious alternatives to public schools. Conservatives argue that education department functions should be handled by other agencies, for instance that civil rights infractions are the Department of Justice's domain. The short answer is probably yes, but not immediately. United Torah Judaisms seven MKs officially left the coalition on Monday, resulting in the size of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition dropping from 68 to 61 seats. However, this does not take into account that Noam MK Avi Maoz left the coalition in March and has since operated independently. For all intents and purposes, therefore, Netanyahu has officially lost his majority in the Knesset for the first time since taking office in late 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Shass Torah Council orders the partys 11 MKs to leave the coalition as well, it will drop below 50, and below the current 52-member opposition. Does this mean Israel is heading to an election? The short answer is probably yes, but not immediately. Without a majority, the prime minister will not be able to pass any measure that requires legislation or approval in the Knesset. The reality of the past two months, however, has been that despite an ongoing haredi boycott of plenum voting, the opposition has supported or abstained from crucial votes, mostly having to do with security, and therefore it is unlikely that an urgent parliamentary matter will force Netanyahu to call an election. View of a United Torah Judaism party meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 9, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) The only crucial parliamentary vote that can topple the coalition is the annual state budget, but this must only pass by the end of March in a given budget year. This means that even if the coalition does not have the necessary votes to pass the 2026 budget, it could still stay afloat until March 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As long as the prime minister does not announce an election, the other main tool to topple the coalition is to pass a law dispersing the Knesset. Two MKs from UTJ supported a preliminary vote on such a law on June 12, a day before Israels attack against Iran, but the government still won the vote. Still, neither haredi party has officially announced it would support such a bill. Even if one or both of the haredi parties were to support such a bill, the most that could happen is that it would pass a preliminary vote prior to the Knessets three-month recess, which begins on July 27. The legislation will stall during the recess; therefore, realistically, it will only pass in late October or November. In that scenario, an election will be set for late January or February. Much can happen until then, such as Netanyahu reaching a new compromise with the haredi parties. The prime minister also has an incentive to draw out the governments tenure, even with a severely depleted coalition. Despite the recent successes in Iran, the prime ministers poll numbers still predict a victory for his main contender, Naftali Bennett. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu can attempt to take advantage of the Knesset recess to reach a hostage deal and perhaps even a peace agreement with another Arab or Muslim country. These would be the type of successes he could flaunt alongside the success against Iran in his upcoming election campaign, rather than an election coming in the wake of his failed attempt to pass a highly unpopular law to exempt over half of eligible haredi men from IDF service, and his failure so far to bring back the remaining hostages. Domino effect leading to early election? Having said this, a decision by Shas to depart the government would be a very serious blow to Netanyahus ability to govern. This could create a domino effect that could lead the prime minister himself to call an early election. The date to focus on is July 27. If the prime minister has not announced an election by then, he will likely wait out the summer and even try to keep his coalition afloat until the end of March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If, however, Shas quits the government, and especially if the haredi parties announce their wish to head to an election, Israel could very well be on its way to an election, which would likely be held just after the fall holidays. The last factor to take into account is Netanyahus far Right partners, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, both of whom have threatened to quit the government over a possible hostage deal due to what they have argued are unacceptable concessions to Hamas. Ben-Gvirs departure in January and return to the government in March showed that departing the government was not irreversible. However, with the haredim out, the departure of either party will likely tip the scale irreversibly. Ironically, relieved from the pressure of his far Right partners, Netanyahu could, precisely during his election campaign, cut the deal he laid out already in May 2024, a permanent ceasefire with Hamas in exchange for the release of all hostages. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The U.S. Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration held a joint press conference Tuesday afternoon to give an update on the Operation Take Back America initiative. Attorney General Pam Bondi and acting DEA administrator Robert Murphy announced that 71 kilos of fentanyl and 20 kilos of methamphetamine were seized in South Carolina. The DEA warns that theres been a surge in the use of methamphetamine being sold to college age adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murphy says the amount of methamphetamine seized so far this year is on track to nearly double the amount seized last year. During the press conference Bondi was pressed about the Jeffrey Epstein case but she deflected saying, Were going to fight to keep America safe again and were fighting together as a team. Weve got a war on drugs. According to the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, drug overdose deaths in the United States sharply decreased by almost 27% last year. The operation, according to the DOJ, was started to combat illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and ending illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs and human beings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. The Department of Justice on Monday asked the Supreme Court to deny Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghilaine Maxwells appeal of her sex-trafficking conviction, a move that comes as the department has recently come under fire for its handling of Epsteins case files. Maxwell, 63, was convicted by a jury in New York in 2021 of five counts involving sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Maxwell appealed her conviction, saying it should be tossed out for several reasons, including that a plea deal Epstein reached with the federal government in 2007 immunized her and that statutes of limitations had run out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffrey Epstein Died By Suicide, Did Not Have Client List: Doj The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit denied her appeal, but Maxwell argued that circuit courts have issued disparate orders about what kind of immunity is granted through non-prosecutorial agreements, such as the one Epstein received in 2007, and that the Supreme Court should weigh in. Maxwell is serving out her prison sentence in Tallahassee, Florida. It is set to end in 2037. Read On The Fox News App The DOJ's response to the high court comes after the department recently ignited fury among a faction of President Donald Trump's supporters by announcing it had no new information to release related to Epstein's case. Epstein was charged in 2019 with sex trafficking underage women, but he died before he could stand trial. Authorities ruled his death was caused by suicide. Ghislaine Maxwell walks around the track at FCI Tallahassee, Thursday, July 10, 2025. Shes currenty serving twenty years in the prison for her role in the sex trafficking ring operated by Jeffrey Epstein. Bondi Under Siege After Doj Reveals No Epstein Client List Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Trump DOJ officials had advanced theories that the government was hiding information related to Epstein's case, but they have since walked back those claims. Congress could call on Maxwell to testify before lawmakers. Citing anonymous sources, the Daily Mail reported Monday that Maxwell is interested in doing that. Maxwell's attorney did not respond to a Fox News Digitals request for comment on the report. Her attorney did, however, take a jab at the Trump DOJ over its position on Maxwell's appeal. File photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Gislaine Maxwell at an event. "Id be surprised if President Trump knew his lawyers were asking the Supreme Court to let the government break a deal," attorney David Oscar Markus said. "Hes the ultimate dealmaker and Im sure hed agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it. With all the talk about whos being prosecuted and who isnt, its especially unfair that Ghislaine Maxwell remains in prison based on a promise the government made and broke." Original article source: DOJ rejects Ghislaine Maxwells appeal in SCOTUS response The Department of Justice on Monday urged the Supreme Court to turn away an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiring with and aiding Epstein in his sexual abuse of underage girls. Maxwell, 63, had urged the court earlier this year to review her case, arguing that an unusual co-conspirator's clause in Epstein's 2007 non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in Florida barred her subsequent prosecution in New York. A district court and a federal appeals court previously rejected that argument, and the DOJ today urged the high court to do the same. "That contention is incorrect, and petitioner does not show that it would succeed in any court of appeals," wrote U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the core of Maxwell's petition for SCOTUS review is her contention that the language of Epstein's non-prosecution agreement (NPA) specifically limited his protection to the Southern District of Florida, whereas the language of the co-conspirator clause should have been read to prohibit her prosecution in any federal district. The co-conspirator clause stated that if "Epstein successfully fulfills all of the terms and conditions of this agreement, the United States also agrees that it will not institute any criminal charges against any potential co-conspirators of Epstein, including but not limited to" four of Epstein's assistants. Maxwell was not among the four women named. MORE: Timeline: Jeffrey Epstein memo causes controversy among MAGA base "Despite the existence of a non-prosecution agreement promising in plain language that the United States would not prosecute any co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, the United States in fact prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell as a co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein," her attorneys wrote in their petition to SCOTUS in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ, however, argues in their response that the U.S. Attorney's Office in Florida -- then led by R. Alexander Acosta -- did not intend to bind other federal districts and had no authority to do so without the approval of those districts or the Criminal Division of the DOJ. "And there is no indication here that anyone involved in negotiating Epstein's NPA obtained the necessary approval for binding other USAOs or thought it was necessary," the DOJ's brief states. Patrick Mcmullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Image - PHOTO: Patrick McMullan Archives The DOJ also contends that even if the co-conspirators clause could be read to apply nationwide as Maxwell claims - there is no evidence that the parties who negotiated the NPA intended for the co-conspirators clause to benefit Maxwell, who the government describes as "at most, an incidental third-party beneficiary of the agreement." "The government was not even aware of [Maxwell's] role in Epstein's scheme at that time," Sauer wrote, and urged the justices to deny Maxwell's petition for certiorari. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement Monday, an attorney for Maxwell hinted at the swirling controversy surrounding the Trump administration's decision not to release any further records related to investigations of Epstein. "I'd be surprised if President Trump knew his lawyers were asking the Supreme Court to let the government break a deal. He's the ultimate dealmakerand I'm sure he'd agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it. With all the talk about who's being prosecuted and who isn't, it's especially unfair that Ghislaine Maxwell remains in prison based on a promise the government made and broke," wrote David Oscar Markus. MORE: Trump supporters angry over Justice Department's Epstein memo Sigrid McCawley, an attorney who has represented hundreds of alleged Epstein victims, including one of the trial's key witnesses against Maxwell, told ABC News in a statement that Maxwell should stay behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After two-plus decades of recruiting and abusing young girls trapped in Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking enterprise, Ghislaine Maxwell has again attempted to escape accountability by trying to hide behind the non-prosecution agreement. Maxwell does not deserve any protection, and she should remain in prison for the horrific crimes she committed," wrote McCawley, a managing partner at Boies Schiller Flexner. Maxwell -- who pleaded not guilty to all the criminal charges against her -- was convicted by a jury in 2021 on five of six counts, including conspiracy, sex trafficking of a minor, and transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Prosecutors alleged that Maxwell played a "key role" in a multi-state sex trafficking scheme in which she allegedly "befriended" and later "enticed and groomed multiple minor girls to engage in sex acts with Epstein" and was also, at times, "present for and involved" in the abuse herself. "A unanimous jury has found Ghislaine Maxwell guilty of one of the worst crimes imaginable -- facilitating and participating in the sexual abuse of children," then-U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement following the verdict. Jul. 14July 11, 1905 City news Boy badly hurt James Ensworth, a four-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Ensworth of 289 West Second street fell from an upper story window to the pavement below last evening and barely escaped being killed. His body struck the paving just outside the curbing which saved his life. Superior lady lands big fish On July Fourth in lower White Fish Lake, sometimes called Bond lake, near Gordon, Miss Eva Paddock who has a summer cottage on the lake caught a fish weighing about twenty pounds. It was nearly four and one-half feet long and about eight inches across. Miss Paddock experienced some difficulty in landing it but with the assistance of her father finally succeeded in securing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lower White Fish Lake is one of a chain of eight lakes west of Gordon. On the shores of this lake the land is owned by U.S. Marshal Lewiston of Madison, Wis., Fred Beglinger, Miss Eva Paddock, Miss Elizabeth McCormick, George Roper, A.P. Gross and Henry Beglinger. July 11, 1925 Trio named for deportation granted stay of sentence Sentenced to deportation from the country three members of a Superior Belgium family on their way East, today can lift their heads with new hope the United States labor department has granted a stay of 60 days in their sentence. The trio, Desire Haeck, father, Margaret, a daughter, and Leo, the son, will probably return to Superior in a few days, George Ce. Cooper, their attorney, believes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the death of Mrs. Haeck in Belgium during the world war, the three, together with another daughter, Adele, journeyed to Canada. An attempt to enter the United States from there failed, said Mr. Remington, the father being classed as "illiterate" and the children as "likely to become public charges." In June 1921 they crossed the line at Detroit, Mich. illegally it is charged and came to Superior, where they took up their abode at Allouez. The father, 49 years old now, found work with the Great Northern railroad and the son, 23, obtained a job on the ore docks. Shortly, Adele, 21, married. Margaret, the other daughter, is 18 years old. By her marriage, Adele became an American citizen, her husband being a full citizen. Leo has since married an American wife, formerly Miss Mary Van Driessche. The father, Margaret and Leo were arrested at Allouez some time ago and records forwarded to Washington for decision. The deportation order came this week. Secretary for Peter B. Kyne Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be the private secretary of Peter B. Kyne, renowned novelist, to tour the world with her "boss" when the whim seizes him, to spend winters in California and summers in New York, to neatly copy from the author's typed pages the words that will be read by hundreds of thousands and what they tell of projected on thousands of motion picture screens all this has been the lot of a lucky Superior girl Miss Irene Holden, who is visiting for a few days with her sister, Mrs. Thomas Brennan, 1609 Hughitt avenue. Will ship body to Port Huron The body of Clarence Schattler, age 19, of Port Huron, Mich., drowned Friday afternoon in Allouez bay, will be shipped to Port Huron tonight, it was stated today by Coad Le Sage, deputy coroner. Schattler met death when overcome by cramps while swimming in Allouez bay near the Great Northern ore docks. He was a coal passer on the steamer William H. McGean, which had docked at Allouez. According to shipmates of the dead man, he had gone ashore shortly before going swimming and while on shore had eaten ice cream and other sweets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drowning victim was alone in the water at the time he met death. Fellow members of the crew hearing his frantic cries for help, attempted a rescue, but Schattler sank from sight before anyone could come to his succor. July 13, 1905 Spent night on sand bar A Superior minister, an author, two 1905 graduates of the Normal school, two young society ladies of Duluth and the launch Mary McNeill came to grief on Zenith Island in the St. Louis river last evening and spent the night stranded on a sand bar within sight of the cities of Superior and Duluth, with a short line of provisions and with little to console them over their unhappy lot but a swarm of Spirit Island mosquitoes. The unfortunate circumstance caused wild tales of a drowning tragedy to be circulated about dawn today and caused a frantic night to be spent by the parents and friends of the young people in the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miss Bessie St. Johns and Miss Ethel Degler of Superior, Miss Hallie Holden and Miss Harriet McDuffle of Duluth, and Fred M. Hedges and Rev. Garnett of this city composed the party which left here yesterday afternoon for a trip up the river to Fond du Lac on pleasure bent. The pleasurable portion of the day, however, was included in the time of leaving here, 3 o'clock, and the moment that the launch struck a bar off Zenith park which was a little later in the day. The McNeill stuck hard and fast on the ground and all manners of nautical maneuvers proved futile to cause a change of base. The bar was some distance from the shore, too far for the swimmers in the boat to attempt, there were no row boats aboard and constant tooting of the whistle failed to attract attention. Some time after dawn, however, a lone fisherman passed within hailing distance of the stranded party and was at once dispatched to Fond du Lac for aid. He returned with a launch which towed the McNeill out of danger and made it possible for the party to return to Superior but little the worse for the experience. July 13, 1925 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal men seize huge stills; six are arrested Distilling plants capable of making 200 gallons of moonshine a day were seized early Sunday morning in the town of Oakland by general prohibition agents working under John Madden, Milwaukee chief federal enforcement officer, after an all night vigil and the arrest of six men effected, thereby closing up one of the largest sources of illicit liquor North Wisconsin has ever had, it was said this morning at the federal court commissioner's office. Those arrested and arraigned before Federal Court Commissioner Charles W. Bishop waived examination and posted $1,000 in bond as follows: Charles Lunt, Peter Nelson, Charles Renz, Alfred Otto, Charles Reed and Christ Johnson. A group of the federal agents visited the place of William Kimmes situated in the town of Oakland back of the Elbertson farm Saturday where they found two 100 gallon stills in operation and where they seized 42 barrels of mash. The plant in operation here, according to the agents, was one of the most modern ever seen in this part of the country. They were capable of making 120 barrels of moonshine every eight hours. A horse was used to haul wood to keep the still in constant operation. Kimmes' arrest is expected today. Articles and pictures courtesy of retired librarian Judy Aunet with Superior Public Library. YORK TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) Officials have asked residents to seek alternate routes after a downed tree closed a road Monday in York Township. The York Township Emergency Management Agency reported that Springwood Road is closed between Chapel Church Road and Walnut Street. The agency said a tree knocked out electrical wires along the road. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Severe Weather Alerts Met-Eds outage map showed more than 150 customers without power near the road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency said it could take up to two days to restore power. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. James Uthmeier visits the Dade-Collier Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport with two Florida Highway Patrol troopers, ahead of construction of an immigrant detention facility, via screengrab from his X account. The Key West City Commissions vote last week to reverse itself and agree to once again enter into a 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) came in response to a threat made by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier that failure to do so could lead to their removal from office. But several critics of the agreement told members of the commission in public comment prior to their vote that they should defer any action, saying they were under no legal obligation to authorize the Key West Police Department to work with ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 287(g) agreements are not mandatory in this state, said Berbeth Foster, senior staff attorney with Community Justice Project, a Miami racial justice and human rights organization. Key West and any city in the state of Florida does not have an obligation to enter into this agreement. So instead, what were seeing is the governor and the attorney general using fear and intimidation to force cities across the state to engage in conduct that far exceeds Florida state law requirements. After Key West commissioners voted to void the previously agreed-upon contract with ICE on June 30, Uthmeier declared in a social media post: Key West has made itself a sanctuary city, which are illegal in Florida. He went on to warn that failure to take corrective action would result in the enforcement of all applicable civil and criminal penalties, including removal of office by the Governor pursuant to section 908.107, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Constitution. Uthmeier also threatened members of the Fort Myers City Council with removal earlier this year after they opposed having their police department from cooperate with ICE. Like Key West officials, they promptly turned around and voted to implement a 287(g) agreement. Cities are not required to sign 287(g) agreements in Florida However, in dozens of Florida cities, police have not entered into 287(g) agreements. ICE has links on their website showing the number of participating law enforcement agencies in Florida and the U.S. with such agreements, although it is not completely up to date.Among those that have signed on but are not yet listed on the website is Miami, which enacted its agreement with ICE last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alana Greer is director and co-founder of the Community Justice Project in Miami. Despite the tremendous pressure exerted by the governor and AG to strong-arm cities into joining ICEs deportation machine, over 100 agencies have not signed up, she told the Phoenix. No federal or state law requires they join. But that legal truth is not enough, we need courage from elected officials to hold the line for their communities. Florida banned sanctuary cities in 2019. The law defines a sanctuary policy as a law, policy, practice, procedure, or custom adopted or allowed by a state entity or local government entity which prohibits or impedes a law enforcement agency from complying with 8 U.S.C. s. 1373 or which prohibits or impedes a law enforcement agency from communicating or cooperating with a federal immigration agency (8 U.S.C. s. 1373 is a federal statute that prohibits local and state governments and agencies from enacting laws or policies that limit communication with DHS about information regarding the immigration or citizenship status of individuals). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Section 908.104 of the law says that [c]onsistent with all duties created in state and federal law, state and local law enforcement agencies and any official responsible for directing or supervising such agency shall use best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law. Another city in Miami-Dade South Miami is involved in a lawsuit against the Ron DeSantis administration regarding the legal requirements for municipalities to participate in such agreements. The city seeks a declaration that not executing a 287(g) agreement does not constitute adopting or having in effect a sanctuary policy. The fact that the Legislature required county-level agencies to enter into 287(g) agreements shows that it knew how to enact that requirement if it wanted to, reads the lawsuit, which was filed on March 27. As compelled by applicable interpretive canons the Legislatures express specification that a failure to enter into a 287(g) agreement by only operators of county facilities can constitute a sanctuary policy, while failing to make any mention or requirement of municipalities, shows a contrary intention as to municipalities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Miami Mayor Javier Fernandez says the purpose of the lawsuit is to allow cities to have an honest conversation without the fear of retribution and without duress. Its important, he said, to talk about implications of such agreements from monetary, liability, and policing perspectives. Right now, cities arent free to have those conversations without running afoul of what is a very vague statute, he told the Phoenix last week. Fernandez adds that while he was disappointed Key West City Commissioners opted to execute a 287(g) agreement, he hopes that, if the Second Judicial Court rules in favor of his city, other cities can weigh the choice Key West was forced to consider without fear and free of duress. Who is required by Florida law to work with ICE? Among the multiple immigration bills filed in the first special session that Gov. DeSantis called for in January was a measure by Hernando County Republican Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (SB 14-A) directing that along with each state and county law enforcement agency, any other law enforcement agency with more than 25 sworn officers or certified law enforcement officers must enter into agreements with ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, that particular bill never made it to the floor it died once House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton immediately gaveled out of that special session. That bill language was never reconsidered in the course of any subsequent session, Fernandez said. What did make it into statute this year was Statute 908.11, which says that the sheriff or chief correctional officer operating a county detention facility must enter into a written agreement with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to participate in the immigration program under s 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. s 1357. Its not clear what the attorney generals opinion is of the Florida cities whose police departments havent signed a 287(g) agreement. His office did not return a request for comment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Two dozen states and the District of Columbia have sued the Trump administration for pausing $6.2 billion in funding for education-related programs. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island, claims the withholding of funds violates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which stipulates that Congress must review major changes to budgets that the executive branch undertakes. The administration froze funding for after-school programs, teacher training sessions, English lessons for non-native speakers, and childcare and bullying prevention, among other programs, saying it wants to make sure they fit the presidents vision. Federal aid for schools is usually allocated annually on July 1, but the Education Departmentwhich Trump wants to dismantlenotified state agencies the day before that it had paused its funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is among the 23 attorneys general and two governors who sued, called the administrations funding hold-up devastating. The federal government cannot use our childrens classrooms to advance its assault on immigrant and working families, she said in a statement. The federal government cannot use our childrens classrooms to advance its assault on immigrant and working families, New York Attorney General Letitia James said of the freeze. / Shannon Stapleton / REUTERS This illegal and unjustified funding freeze will be devastating for students and families nationwide, especially for those who rely on these programs for childcare or to learn English, she added. Congress allocated these funds, and the law requires they be delivered. We will not allow this administration to rewrite the rules to punish the communities it doesnt like. James counterpart in North Carolina, Jeff Jackson, told ABC News that withholding funding for those programs is plainly against the law, and that, from a legal standpoint, this is not a hard case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybody knows when it comes to juvenile crime, you want a safe place for teenagers to be able to go, to be able to keep them out of trouble, he added. Nobody thinks that eliminating after-school programs across the entire country is a good idea. Some of the funds go toward after-school programs at Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA. The Office of Management and Budget did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast, but a spokesperson told ABC News in a statement that the administration is reviewing funds to make sure they dont serve a radical, leftwing agenda. OMB Director Russ Vought has called the federal bureaucracy This is an ongoing programmatic review of education funding. Initial findings have shown that many of these grant programs have been grossly misused to subsidize a radical leftwing agenda, the spokesperson said. In one case, New York public schools used English Language Acquisition funds to promote illegal immigrant advocacy organizations. In another, Washington state used funds to direct illegal immigrants towards scholarships intended for American students. Yet the funding pause seems poised to hit schools in Republican-leaning areas harder. According to the think tank New America, a Republican member of Congress average school district would lose 1.6 times more funding per student than a Democrats district. This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Asian supermarket chain H Mart is planning to arrive in Florida with an upcoming store in Orlando, according to the grocers website. While the store has been in the works for several years, the grocer posted part- and full-time associate roles for the Orlando store in early July, signalling the location is getting ready to open. Florida will be the third new state H Mart has entered in the past year as the chain expands its U.S. presence. Dive Insight: H Mart is ramping up its presence in new and existing markets. Earlier this year, H Mart made its debut in Nevada with the opening of a Las Vegas location, Eater reported. In June 2024, the grocer opened its first store in Utah, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. Located at 7501 W. Colonial Drive, the upcoming Orlando H Mart will occupy a spot that formerly housed a Target and sits across the street from a Sams Club. H Marts website does not include details on the opening date for the store. Along with the Florida store, H Mart has four other locations listed as coming soon on its website, with two each in California and Texas. H Mart, which has 18 stores in California, is planning to open in Dublin and Westminster. In Texas, where the grocer currently has six stores, the chains upcoming locations are set for Dallas and Austin. According to local news reports, H Mart has plans for a store in Sugar Land in the greater Houston area. Founded in 1982 in New York City, H Mart has over a hundred stores across the U.S. Along with its store fleet expansion efforts, H Mart has also recently grown its grocery e-commerce presence, adding Uber and DoorDash as delivery partners last summer. Recommended Reading COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) A South Carolina lawmaker is pushing for pregnant people to have easier access to handicap accessible parking. Representative Micah Caskey (R- Lexington) said he is already working on a bill and plans to introduce it in January. The bill would make pregnancy alone sufficient to qualify for a temporary accessible parking placard. Pregnant people would not need to prove a mobility impairment. Anytime we can help mothers, through all of that with just the simplest of government action, I think we ought to take that up. Sometimes common sense can rule the day, Caskey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under current state law, pregnant people can qualify for a temporary placard, but only if a licensed physician certifies that the pregnancy causes a condition that significantly impacts mobility. One of the key criteria includes the inability to walk 100 feet nonstop without pain or aggravating an existing medical condition. According to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), applicants must meet at least one of eight qualifying conditions and have their physician fill out Form RG-007A. The impairment must be expected to last at least four months. Once approved, the placard is valid for from 4 months to one year. RG-007A-1Download Caskeys proposal would remove those additional requirements, allowing a pregnancy to be enough for placard approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While disability rights organization Able South Carolina (Able SC) supports the idea of easy access for pregnant people, Kimberly Tissot, CEO and President of Able SC worries that such changes could unintentionally harm those the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was designed to protect. People with disabilities still cant find parking spots as it is. What I really think we could do is create some creative solutions that dont weaken federal disability law, Tissot said. Tissot emphasized the importance of finding a win-win approach. After Caskey posted about the proposal on X, lawmakers from both political parties expressed support. While the bill is still in the drafting phase, Caskey said he hopes to introduce it formally during the 2026 legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is just a bill that is so common sense that people go, Oh, yeah, lets do that, he said. By the end of the process, well have landed on a solution we can move forward with. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. The Brief U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego (D) and Mark Kelly (D) sent a joint letter to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum on the Dragon Bravo Fire. "We are concerned that treatment and response decisions may have affected the spread of fire in northern Arizona, and not for the first time," read a portion of the letter. PHOENIX - Lawmakers are demanding an investigation into the Dragon Bravo Fire that is burning in northern Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specifically, they want to know why the National Park Service made the decision to let the lightning-caused fire continue as a controlled burn. What we know On July 14, Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly joined Gov. Katie Hobbs in demanding answers. In a letter sent to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, the two Democratic senators addressed the fire's handling. "We are concerned that treatment and response decisions may have affected the spread of fire in northern Arizona, and not for the first time," read a portion of the letter. On July 13, we reported that Gov. Hobbs criticized the federal government's handling of the Dragon Bravo Fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "An incident of this magnitude demands intense oversight and scrutiny into the federal governments emergency response. They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage, but Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park. While the flame was started with a lightning strike, the federal government chose to manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer," read a portion of Gov. Hobb's statement. Dig deeper The not for the first time phrase in Sens. Gallego and Kelly's letter refers to the Warm Fire in 2006, which also burned on the North Rim. Fire managers decided to let the lightning-caused fire burn as a wildland use fire, and the fire went on to burn 59,000 acres of land. Fire has burned thousands of acres of land As of July 16, figures from Watch Duty show the fire has burned over 11,000 acres of land, with no containment. What they're saying "Fire activity on the Dragon Bravo Fire remains high-to-extreme with heavy fire activity occurring overnight," a portion of the website reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed numerous buildings, including the historic North Rim Lodge. Officials have confirmed that the North Rim is closed for the rest of the 2025 season. Local perspective As firefighting efforts continue, tourists from around the world are looking sadly on what is normally one of the grandest views in the world. Some, like Caren Carney from Georgia, are speaking out about a trip that had a rather unexpected surprise. "We had booked three days up at the Grand Canyon," said Carney, who came up to the Grand Canyon with her 12-year-old son to relive the same trip she took when she was 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little did Carney know she would be among the last people to ever see the iconic North Rim Lodge in its glory. Carney was among those evacuated on July 10. They could see the glow of the flames and smoke as they drove out. "It makes me very sad," Carney said. "It was a magical place." NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A man was killed Monday afternoon in a crash along Pleasant Hill Road, according to Nashville authorities. The Metro Nashville Police Department said the single-vehicle crash took place on Monday, July 14 as the driver of a Jeep Renegade was traveling south on Pleasant Hill Road. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County Authorities said a preliminary investigation shows that the driveridentified as 42-year-old Matthew Sparksfailed to negotiate a slight curve, crossed the double yellow lines into the opposite lanes of traffic and left the roadway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jeep reportedly went into the woods and crashed head-on into a tree. Police said Sparks was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he died. Officials added there were no signs of impairment at the scene. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Sparks was a member of WKRNs creative services team. He produced many of the graphics used by the station. Matt never cut corners and was committed to doing outstanding work. I feel fortunate to have gotten to work with such a talented and deeply committed individual, said WKRN General Manager Mike Spruill. We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues here at News 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A man from Henrietta was airlifted to a hospital after a crash involving a tractor-trailer Monday in Wolcott. According to the Wayne County Sheriffs Office, a tractor-trailer came to a stop on Rt. 370 in Wolcott before turning onto Rt. 104. It was alleged that the vehicle did not yield the right-of-way when making the left turn, causing a car to strike the trailer. The driver who struck the trailer was extricated and airlifted to Upstate Medical in Syracuse. He has life-threatening injuries., Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further updates were provided. This story will be updated once more information is revealed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BARBOURVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A driver was rescued from floodwaters on a Knox County road. On Sunday, the Knox County Sheriffs Office said deputies and firefighters responded to a stuck motorist on Kentucky 12-27. Knox County Sheriffs Office Knox County Sheriffs Office Officials said once crews arrived, firefighters on the scene drove their truck through the water to rescue the driver. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 56 News. As some parts of the country are experiencing heavy rains and flash floods, other places are seeing hot and dry conditions that have led to multitudes of major fires burning over 1,000,000 acres across the U.S. Over 100 large fires are currently burning across the U.S. in multiple states such as Alaska, Utah, Oregon and California. One of the multiple fires burning in Utah formed a fire vortex on Sunday. There are also many major fires burning in Canada since May. So far this year 13.8 million acres have burned across the country. Volunteers from Utah have been deployed to Canada to help support evacuees. How many major wildfires are burning across the U.S. right now? This photo provided by the Bureau of Land Management shows aerial resources working to suppress White Sage wildfire burning north of Grand Canyon National Park in Ariz., on Thursday, July 10, 2025. | Bureau of Land Management via AP Wildfires in the U.S. are burning in areas currently afflicted by heat and drought, per The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critical fire weather conditions, which include strong winds, dry lightning and low humidity are expected to continue in portions of Utah, Nevada, north Arizona and Colorado. Fuels across these areas are extremely dry and ready to burn. New fires could ignite easily and spread rapidly, making today a day for caution, per the National Interagency Fire Center. The National Interagency Fire Center reported that as of Tuesday morning there were 102 large fires burning across the U.S., covering a total of 1,055,631 acres. A majority of these fires, 65, are burning in Alaska. Heres how many large fires are burning in other U.S states according to the National Interagency Fire Center: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon: 6 Washington: 5 Utah: 5 California: 5 New Mexico: 3 Nevada: 3 Arizona: 3 Colorado: 3 Idaho: 2 Montana: 1 Florida: 1 Throughout the country right now 15,276 wildland firefighters and support personnel are working to contain these fires and protect lives and landscapes, per the center. These personnel are supported by 373 crews, 694 engines and 123 helicopters. Most of these large fires burning throughout the country were started by lightning strikes, according to The Washington Post. In Arizona, two major fires are burning near the Grand Canyons northern rim. The White Sage Fire has burned over 50,000 acres, and the Dragon Bravo Fire has covered around 5,000 acres and destroyed dozens of structures at the Grand Canyons North Rim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, the Gothic Fire has scorched over 36,000 acres of rural and government lands, per The Washington Post. New Mexicos Turkeyfeather Fire in the west-central part of the state grew over 20,000 acres over last weekend. In Northern Californias Shasta County a wildfire grew over 10,000 acres causing a number of evacuations and injuring two firefighters. Over the last week over 300,000 acres have burned due to multiple fires scorching across Alaska. Multiple wildfires currently burn across Utah According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there are currently five large wildfires burning in Utah: the Deer Creek, Forsyth, Gap, Mica and Monroe Canyon fires. In total these fires have burned 30,136 acres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The largest of Utahs fires is the Forsyth fire which has burned 15,673 acres, it is located around 15 miles north of St. George. On Sunday, Utahs second largest fire, the Deer Creek Fire, formed a fire vortex, also referred to as a firenado, fire whirl or pyrogenetic tornado, per KSL.com. A firenado was caught on camera during the Deer Creek Fire in Utah over the weekend. No one was hurt during the phenomenon, but one fire engine sustained damage. The fire has burned more than 10,000 acres and is 0% contained, as of Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/5eprqdWC1T AccuWeather (@accuweather) July 14, 2025 This rare weather phenomenon is a spinning vortex column of ascending hot air and gases rising from a fire and carrying aloft smoke, debris and flame, according to the U.S. Forest Service. A fire vortex is created when highly unstable, superheated, dry air near the ground breaks through the boundary layer and shoots upward in a swirling motion, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Deer Creek Fire, located southeast of Moab, has burned 11,044 acres, per the National Interagency Fire Center. Hundreds of fires burn across Canada After a small lull in Canadas wildfire season through late June and early July, Canadian wildfires have made a big comeback. According to The Washington Post, more than 350 wildfires are currently burning out of control in the western two-thirds of the country. Many of the most concerning fires are burning in the province of Manitoba. This year is one of Manitobas worst fire seasons on record. The province currently has four out-of-control fires that are larger than 200,000 acres, with one getting close to a million acres. Manitoba also has dozens of the other blazes burning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Manitoba issued its second emergency declaration of the year due to wildfires, per The Washington Post. 13,000 people across the east-central parts of the province have been evacuated. There have also been major and fast moving fires burning in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. So far, this year at least 13.8 million acres have burned in Canada, making it the countrys fourth-worst fire season in the modern record, reported The Washington Post. This year has far surpassed 2024s 5.3 million acres, but 2023 is still Canadas worst on record after 42.9 million acres were scorched. Most of the fires burning in Canada this year have been started by lightning, according to The New York Times. Utah volunteers being sent to support evacuees in Canada According to a release from the American Red Cross of Utah, the group has sent four trained disaster relief volunteers to Manitoba. They will be there to assist the Canadian Red Cross with sheltering more than 12,500 people who have been displaced by major wildfires. The volunteers from Utah will join 100 American Red Cross responders from around the U.S. who left on Tuesday for 21-day deployments. They will be providing critical support to evacuees at emergency shelters. Facing drought and record heat, raspberry farmers in western Serbia are warning of the worst season in decades for one of the world's largest exporters of the fruit. Under the scorching sun, pickers move through parched raspberry fields in search of the few fruits that have not shrivelled to a pea. The dry spell started six weeks early in the region of Arilje, around 120 kilometres (75 miles) southwest of Belgrade, hitting a harvest already weakened by a late frost which struck while the berries were in bloom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I used to be the best picker here, getting 100, even 120 kilos a day. Now I can barely manage 20 or 25," Ivan Mitic told AFP, as he plucked berries from the occasional healthy branch. Even after he has sorted through several rows in the intense summer heat, the richest raspberries are in short supply, and his fluorescent green tray is left half-filled. "You just can't pick enough. From five or six rows, you can't even fill one crate," the 27-year-old picker said. Data published by the World Bank show Serbia was the top global exporter of several frozen berries, including raspberries, in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024 it shipped around 80,000 tonnes of rasperries, mostly frozen, to major markets including France and Germany last year, according to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. But it has not rained for almost two months, and with no irrigation systems, Ivan's employer, Mileta Pilcevic, said farmers are experiencing the worst season in 50 years. "We expected a state of natural disaster to be declared. The heat has been extreme. We thought someone would reach out, but no one has," Pilcevic said. The third-generation raspberry farmer said his fruits had withered to a fraction of even a poor harvest, where he could expect at least 22 tonnes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This year, after all this drought, I'll be lucky to get five." Across his three hectares, dead fruit and pale green, unripe berries hang from leaves. - 'Red gold'- June was Serbia's driest month on record, according to meteorologists, with no rain in what is usually the Balkan nation's wettest weeks. "Due to climate change, climate variability has increased," University of Belgrade meteorologist Ana Vukovic Vimic said. "The warm, dry season is getting longer, while peak rainfall has moved from June to May, with the trend continuing toward earlier months," Vukovic Vimic said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alongside declining rainfall, the region has warmed dramatically in the last 10 to 20 years -- now two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer on average, she said. This summer is predicted to be record-breaking, with its average temperature already 2.5C (4.5F) hotter, the professor said. Serbia's "red gold" is one of the country's most important export products and is among the many crops stricken by the drier, hotter climate, agricultural economist Milan Prostran said. The berry makes up a third of all fruit exported from the country and was worth around $290 million in 2024, according to the chamber of commerce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, drought is likely to drag those figures down. "Reports from the field suggest this will be one of the worst seasons we have seen, both in yield and fruit quality," the chamber warned. Prostran said investment in irrigation had been "completely neglected" in a country with abundant rivers. "I hope it will receive more attention in the coming years," he said. - 'Catastrophic' consequences - The state company in charge of irrigation projects said it is aware of the challenges, noting that irrigated land in Serbia has increased significantly over the past five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But just over two percent of the land suitable for irrigation had systems in place, the company Srbijavode said in a written statement. Further development is "crucial to mitigating drought and ensuring stable agricultural production", the company said. But raspberry farmers in the hills of Arilje, already weighed down by three bad seasons, do not have the funds to install the systems themselves. "Maybe there will be drought next year, maybe not, we don't know," said Ljube Jakovljevic, who runs a farm neighbouring Pilcevic's. On dry days, he hauls water in large canisters by tractor to maintain his two hectares of raspberries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Mitic and Pilcevic agree that without help to build irrigation systems, the future of the region's raspberry production, and the 20,000 residents who rely on it, is uncertain. "The consequences will be catastrophic. We will not be able to survive from this, let alone invest in the next season," Pilcevic said. oz-cbo/al/rlp Syrian government forces have entered the city of Sweida in southern Syria, a stronghold of the Druze community, following two days of violent clashes that left dozens dead. Protests are taking place at several locations in northern Israel on Tuesday, organized by members of the Druze community in response to sectarian clashes in Syria in recent days and the response by the Syrian government. Reuters reported that Syria's defense minister announced a ceasefire in Sweida after reaching an agreement with local leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the major protests is occurring at the Shfar'am junction, where traffic lanes are being intermittently blocked. Another protest has been reported near Iblin. Protesters are waving flags and holding signs, calling on the Israeli government and international bodies to intervene in the situation. Syrian government forces have entered the city of Sweida in southern Syria, a stronghold of the Druze community, following two days of violent clashes that left dozens dead. This marks the first time Syrian forces have entered the city since the rise to power of President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Meanwhile, the IDF announced yesterday that it had struck several tanks in southern Syria. Smoke rises as Syrian security forces walk along a street after Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday following two days of clashes, in Sweida, Syria July 15, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/KARAM AL-MASRI) Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed the situation, warning against harm to the Druze community. He stated, Israel is closely monitoring the developments and will act if a real threat to the Druze civilians is identified. This is a developing story. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Happy Tuesday, Utah! The July heat is flexing its muscles and today, the Wasatch Front will feel it. While peak heating hit Washington County yesterday with a high of 109, increased southwesterly winds will aid in bringing the daytime highs to triple digits in several places in Northern Utah. Winds could help Salt Lake reach 102 today before cooler air moves in midweek. Bottom Line? Increasing winds, dry fire fuels, high heat and the chance of isolated dry thunderstorms heighten fire danger for the bulk of the Beehive State today. The southwesterly winds are amping up as a weak storm system, also known as a trough, passes through Southern Idaho. The passing front will allow for isolated dry thunderstorms from northern to eastern Utah, while increasing wind speeds and gusts in the southern half of the state. As a result, we see an elevated fire risk for most of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With dry thunderstorms in the forecast, the Storm Prediction Center has elevated Northern Utahs threat to a marginal risk. A marginal risk means isolated storms. A Red Flag warning has been issued for NW Utah, the Wasatch Front, the West Desert, southwest Utah, and south central Utah. This warning means we have critical fire danger, and a fire start would spread very quickly under these conditions. Fires already burning, like the Monroe Canyon Fire and the Forsyth Fire, could display erratic fire behavior under these weather conditions. Temperatures slightly cool into the midweek, and we could see a monsoon push into Southern Utah by the close of the work week. Stay tuned! Well keep you updated in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. By Maria Martinez BERLIN (Reuters) -A meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of 20 in Durban, South Africa, will seek to deepen global relationships in "turbulent times", German finance ministry sources said on Tuesday. The Durban gathering of finance chiefs on Thursday and Friday will be the third meeting under the South African presidency. This meeting, like the previous two, is taking place in quite turbulent times, a German government source said ahead of the gathering. I dont need to elaborateits clear to everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump's planned imposition of 30% tariff on European goods would, if implemented, be a game-changer for Europe, wiping out whole chunks of transatlantic commerce and forcing a rethink of its export-led economic model. No one benefits as much from open markets and rules-based trade as Germany and Europe do, and the G20 is a crucial forum for multilateral cooperation, the German official said. The South African presidency, the first from Africa, is expected to put a particular focus on the interests of the Global South. Other agenda items include the global economic outlook, the impact of trade policy uncertainties, reform of multilateral development banks, infrastructure development in emerging and developing economies, and international taxation, the sources said. (Reporting by Maria MartinezEditing by Madeline Chambers) Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) is included among the 13 Best Industrial Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now. Illinois Tool Works Dividend Growth Makes It a Strong Industrial Stock A factory in operation, its machinery humming as new industrial products get built. The company stands out as a strong example of setting bold objectives, meeting them, and delivering long-term value to its shareholders. Between 2012 and 2023, ITW implemented its Enterprise Strategy, which led to a rise of over 9 percentage points in operating margin, more than tripled both its earnings per share and market capitalization, and grew its dividend by 3.7 times. Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) currently offers a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.31%, as of July 13. The company has been rewarding its shareholders with growing dividends for the past 52 years. Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) aims to reach a 30% operating margin by 2030 and deliver average annual earnings per share growth of 9% to 10%, which would allow for a 7% yearly increase in its dividend. The company also plans to turn all of its net income into free cash flow, helping to fund rising dividends, share repurchases, and ongoing investments in the business. While the strategy is ambitious, ITWs consistent improvement in operating margin over time shows that its achievable. While we acknowledge the potential of ITW as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 11 Best Dividend Aristocrat Stocks to Invest in Now and 10 Best Stocks to Buy For Dividends. Disclosure: None. GALLUP, N.M. (KRQE) What happens when there are zero prosecutors for a community of nearly 70,000 people? A breakdown is unfolding in Gallup, New Mexico, and the fallout has the community demanding change. This week, KRQE investigative reporter Ann Pierret joins Chris and Gabby to share her reporting on the dysfunction inside the McKinley County District Attorneys Office, including her attempts to get answers from the DA herself. She explains how a state senators unprecedented move to defund the office is sparking political and legal turmoil, and why state officials are now stepping in. How did it get to this point? What happens next? Watch Anns reporting on whats unfolding in Gallup at the linked stories below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay informed with the latest news by subscribing to the New Mexico News Insiders podcast wherever you listen. Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others. You can also watch our podcasts in video form, both on-air and online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQEs YouTube page at youtube.com/krqenews13. Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term KRQE or New Mexico News Insiders (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In the mid-1990s, my then-husband passed away from complications of HIV/AIDS. From the time he was diagnosed until he died, all of us, friends and family, but most of all, him, knew how it would end. There was no cure or effective management for HIV/AIDS then. Early on, a specific population of humans was the known segment of society contracting the disease: Gay men and IV drug users. Few people cared if they suffered and died. Good riddance was the attitude the more the better. Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, an advanced stage of HIV, both attack the bodys immune system. HIV/AIDS makes it difficult to impossible to fight off infections. The disease used to be a death sentence. While theres no cure today for HIV/AIDS, it can be effectively managed with antiretroviral therapy ART, which wasnt available at the start of the epidemic. ART can suppress the virus to the level of undetectable and can reduce the risk of transmission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mothers who are virally suppressed may now, for example, under the supervision of their health care providers, breastfeed their babies! This was impossible, unthinkable in the past, because breastmilk is one of the known ways HIV is transmitted. Likewise, people who are virally suppressed may now have unprotected sex if they, too, are under the supervision of their healthcare providers. Its also vital that both populations religiously take their ART medications and remain under the supervision of their healthcare providers. People with HIV/AIDS complying with treatments are now living longer and healthier lives. Who would have thought back then that we would ever see this day?! HIV/AIDS is still classified as an epidemic and chronic disease. Significant progress has been made; however, globally, there are still issues, primarily political and economic. Healthcare and ART therapies remain unavailable in many parts of the world due to misinformation and homophobia. It was like this in America in the early days until populations perceived as innocent like babies, children, partners of HIV-positive people, patients infected because of blood transfusions, etc., began to become infected with the virus. It was then that a demand arose for action to be taken. You may remember the case of 13-year-old Ryan White, who was diagnosed in 1984 with HIV after a needed blood transfusion for hemophilia that was contaminated with HIV. Ryan was soon diagnosed with AIDS. Due to the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, he was initially forbidden from attending school. The administration and teachers feared he would spread HIV to others. Ryans legal battle and media attention made him a national symbol in the fight against that discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1987, the Food and Drug Administration finally approved AZT, the first drug to treat HIV/AIDS. The stigma and discrimination remained, however, especially in one important group the religious community. Many religious people and faith groups condemned HIV/AIDS-infected people. They saw them as sinners worthy of punishment by God instead of being deserving of love, understanding, and support. Muslims, too, had this thinking and judgment. Many Muslims, like the population in general, feared they, too, would contract HIV/AIDS just from being around someone who had the virus, visiting them at their home, or sitting on their toilets. Sadly, fear and stigma remain. Islam believes all diseases have a cure. This belief is based on the following: Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah on him) said: Allah has not sent down a disease except that He has also sent down a cure for it. (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5678) Muslim scholars state that cure in this context can refer to a total eradication of a disease or a significant reduction in symptoms. Shams al-Din al-Barmawi said: Sometimes, patients dont get better because doctors dont fully understand the treatment or the illness, not because there is no cure. (Al-Lami al-Sabih bin Sharh al-Jami al-Sahih 5677, 14/283) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Islam urges all of us to seek medical treatment within ethical and lawful boundaries. This was critical advice during the early days of COVID when many people, including Muslims, were concerned and fearful of COVID vaccines. Thankfully, we now know much more about HIV/AIDS than we did when my former husband and others had it in the early days. We have effective treatments. We know precisely how the virus is transmitted and, more importantly, how it is not transmitted to others. HIV/AIDS currently isnt considered cured, but in the Islamic context, theres hope one day for eradication. People are living longer, healthier lives, with a significant reduction in the problems once associated in the infancy of the epidemic. Scripture lends examples of compassion and inclusion. Jesus and Muhammad (peace on them both) werent afraid of people with leprosy, which had religious and social stigma based on interpretations of Mosaic Law. Jesus challenged these laws and social norms by interacting with people with Leprosy and much more. Muhammad, by some accounts, was recorded to have shared a meal with a man who had Leprosy, even placing the mans hand in the dish. Faith, science and reason all have much to share with us This article contains information about alleged child sexual abuse material. Report CSAM to law enforcement by contacting the ICAC Tip Line at (801) 281-1211 or your local law enforcement agency. EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah (ABC4) A man has been arrested and charged with allegedly hiding a camera in the bathroom to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of minors in the home. One child also reported that they had been sexually abused by the man, documents say. The 46-year-old man from Eagle Mountain whom ABC4 is not identifying to protect the victims has been charged with four counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, witness tampering, interfering with a peace officer, and two counts of voyeurism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to documents, on May 22, 2025, Utah County Sheriffs Office detectives were contacted by a mother who believed her husband had acted inappropriately with her children while they were in the shower. She said that she had found a hidden camera in a bathroom vent, and one of her children said he put his phone over the shower curtain. NEW: Two arrested, charged for interrogation where man was allegedly tied to a chair, threatened The mother confronted the 46-year-old man about what happened, and she allegedly recorded the conversation. In the recording, she tells him its not okay that he put a camera in the bathroom, and he allegedly responds, Thats done, it happened, and its in the past. He went on to say that people make mistakes, and they should teach forgiveness. During interviews with the three minor children, ages 12, 9, and 7, police learned more about what had happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first victim, 12, told police that about a year ago, while they were showering, the 46-year-old allegedly entered the bathroom and stuck his phone over the top of the curtain. The victim said that the man also made comments about sexual acts with themself and a sibling. The 7-year-old victim disclosed that they had been inappropriately touched by the 46-year-old man on multiple occasions. They also told police that they had seen the man peeking into the bathroom while other children were in the shower, according to documents. When the mother first discovered the camera, she texted the 46-year-old about it. He allegedly offered to buy her dinner and give her $400 not to say anything about the videos. During the conversation, he emphasized that it was a mistake and that the family needed to get through this together. Payson man allegedly sexually abused 14-year-old in church parking lot Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On July 9, 2025, law enforcement met with the 46-year-old at his home in Eagle Mountain. He allegedly confessed to placing the hidden camera, but he also said that he knew it was wrong and had not done it since. During the conversation, the man grabbed his phone. Law enforcement allegedly asked the man not to touch his phone, and he put it down. Later, he touched it, and they reminded him not to. At this point, the man allegedly grabbed his phone and held it close to his body. He resisted giving the officers his phone, and detectives detained him with handcuffs. A search warrant served on the 46-year-olds cell phone revealed hundreds of files captured from the hidden camera. Some of the files dated back to 2022 and had captured four minor victims in various stages of undress, qualifying as CSAM. The 46-year-old man was booked into the Utah County Jail and is currently being held without bail. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Older trees in an Eastern Oregon forest are perishing at an alarming rate, according to researchers. A new study led by James Johnston, an assistant research professor for the University of Oregon, found that about 25% of trees over 300 years old died in the Malheur National Forest from 2012 to 2023. Portland named among cities on the rise as Oregon falls in state business rankings Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists noted the 1.7-million-acre site is known to host some of the states most ancient trees, some dating back more than 500 years. But drought conditions, pests and competition between trees of different ages have created a triple whammy for the older trees in roadless areas. In the moistest and most productive Douglas-fir-dominated forests in Western Oregon, setting forests aside as protected reserves has proven to be a successful strategy for protecting old trees, Johnston said. But this research shows that we need active management to remove younger trees in order to protect old trees in dry forests of Eastern and Southern Oregon. Scientific journal Forest Ecology and Management will publish Johnstons findings in its October 2025 issue. He, who serves UOs Institute for Resilient Organizations, Communities, and Environments, first launched the study for his doctoral dissertation about a decade ago. Cram Fire doubles in size, approaches town of Ashwood Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When researchers revisited the area, they located 1,617 trees that were recorded for the original project. UO reported that about 33% of the trees between 150 and 300 years old had died in the time since, in addition to the 25% of ancient trees that had withered away. According to the university, trees that hadnt been burned in a wildfire in the past 130 years were more susceptible to death. Scientists said wildfires help thin out forests, therefore removing younger trees and diminishing competition for the ancient trees that need water and other nutrients. The study also noted it is generally illegal to cut down trees in federally protected lands. Similar to a recent report from the Oregon Department of Forestry, researchers listed drought conditions and insects as other causes of the Malheur National Forests alarming tree deaths. Portland is hot. Heres everything you need to know to stay cool this week Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Eastern Oregons forests are considered dry forests, meaning theyve adapted to seasonal dry spells, they still need water to survive, UO wrote. And the area is significantly drier than it once was. To top it all off, several species of defoliating insects, such as western spruce budworm and Douglas-fir tussock moth, chowed down on the trees during the study period. Researchers estimate that less than 25% of ancient trees will remain through the next 50 to 60 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Guest Opinion. The most secure biological laboratory for the most dangerous pathogens may have been the scene of a federal biological crime. The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) at Ft. Detrick is the major military laboratory of the U.S. Army and the only BSL-4 level laboratory, operating from before biological weapons were made illegal by the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) of 1975. The Laboratory transitioned to peacetime research strictly limited to defensive work, which is legal under the Treaty. Nearby on the same campus sits the National Institutes of Health biocontainment laboratory, that is operated by a contractor, Battelle Laboratories, doing work for the National Institution of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 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. Who is in charge of inspections of these high containment labs? The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) is the lead inspection agency in partnership with USDA when it involves animal testing. They implement the regulatory program for safety and security of biological agents that have met a threshold of risk, requiring extensive oversight of the laboratory. CDC has the power to shut down laboratories that are in non-compliance. CDC also inspects the USAMRIID military laboratory following a similar regulatory framework that mirrors the civilian one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are only two civilian high level biocontainment laboratories the Univ of Mass-Boston Laboratory; and the UTMB Laboratory. The Battelle Laboratory is the NIAID government laboratory (civilian) integrated with the U.S. Army facility (USAMRIID). In addition, USDA had the Plum Island facility for animal research which was transferred to the Department of Homeland Security when it was created. It was closed, and a new animal biodefense laboratory was built at the Univ of Kansas in Manhattan, Kansas.Biocontainment Laboratories in the U.S. Biocontainment Laboratories in the U.S. There are four levels of biocontainment laboratories: The four biosafety levels are BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4, with BSL-4 being the highest (maximum) level of containment.There are additional specific rules and designations for animal research (ABSL), agricultural research (BSL-Ag), and other types of research. While we have a good idea of the number of BSL-4 and ABSL-4 laboratories; no one really knows how many BSL-3 laboratories exist in the U.S., which includes private sector laboratories. There is no registration requirement for these laboratories unless they are handling biological agents specifically listed for regulation. So while the focus is on the most highly regulated biocontainment laboratories, there are plenty of other laboratories that may have accidents that go unnoticed. Inspections of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) As is usually the case, you can look at a pattern of non-compliance preceding a shutdown. Just within the last six years, in 2019, the entire laboratory was shut down by CDC for failure to adequately meet the standards of waste water treatment, which potentially sends bacteria and virus laden water into the surrounding surface water and environment. They successfully met the standard in 2020. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF-Frederick) The NIAID, the infectious disease research arm of the National Institutes of Health, has a laboratory integrated with USAMRIID. They share some of the facilities like the imaging device for animals. The Integrated Research Facility was shut down due to potential contractor misconduct that may have put the security at risk at the facility, according to an email from Michael Holbrook, associate director for high containment on April 29, 2025. Crimes and Personal Injury claims for Disease transmission The most common case of disease transmission, either intentionally or recklessly, is for STDs, HIV or other sexually transmitted disease. Recovery can be up to $1million for injury. Some states have even criminalized the transmission of HIV or engaging in behavior that could transmit HIV; however, there is a trend toward decriminalizing the passive transmission of HIV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April 29, 2025, the laboratory was shut down due to safety concerns. The worst type of safety concerns are not equipment or facilities but the humans safety culture within them. In this incident causing the shut-down, two purportedly ex-lovers engaged in deadly behavior to attempt to cause the infection of the other by a deadly biological disease, Ebola. Members of Congress from Maryland, the location of the laboratory, asked for a report on the incident with a letter dated June 10, 2025 by June 17, 2025. Because this is now a federal investigation (not a military one, or a civilian one), it is unlikely we will learn anything further. However, we can speculate about what federal crimes may have been committed. The potential federal crimes Suspects often lie when they are interviewed by the FBI which is an easy Sec. 1001 felony making any materially false statement . . . . " within the jurisdiction of any branch of government. If the lie involves domestic terrorism the penalty can be five years in prison. The most analogous crime are those cases involving a plot to use ricin to murder a spouse. Ricin is a potential biological weapon, and it is illegal to possess it. It is made from castor beans and can be isolated using a kitchen, or purchased on the dark web. Penalties for a plot to use a biological weapon can result in life in prison; while successfully carrying out a plot to use a biological weapon can result in the death penalty. Further, attempted murder is always a choice or additional count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they were working at level 4 with the Ebola virus, with a 90% fatality rate when untreated, would tend toward evidence for an attempted murder count. Since this is the civilian side of the laboratories on this campus, there is no court-martial option. When the FBI are called to investigate, that means the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) has determined this is a likely bioterrorism event and so there is federal jurisdiction. That gives us some insight into the nature of the security breech. The Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989 (BWATA) was passed in part to comply with our obligations under the Biological Weapons Treaty. This statute prohibits the creation, possession or transfer of any biological weapon at 18 USC Sec. 175. The Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 makes it a crime for anyone who attempts, threatens, or conspires to use a biological weapon. Possession of a weapon of mass destruction used against a person in interstate commerce (or would have affected interstate commerce) is a crime at 18 U.S.C. 2332a. A weapon of mass destruction is defined as: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (2) the term weapon of mass destruction means (A) any destructive device as defined in section 921 of this title ; (B) any weapon that is designed or intended to cause death or serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination, or impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors; (C) any weapon involving a biological agent, toxin, or vector (as those terms are defined in section 178 of this title ); or (D) any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life; and So the criteria for substantially affecting interstate commerce is a fairly low bar standard and has been met by requiring investigators to travel to the site and spend money at hotels and restaurants to meet this criteria. These laws make it a crime to actually successfully use ricin in a plot, but must also include a political motive: The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 amends the Antiterrorism Act of 1990 to include biological agents, which includes ricin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USA Patriot Act of 2001 also amends the Antiterrorism Act of 1990 and adds domestic terrorism. However, domestic terrorism is defined to include a political motive, which would not include the crime of a spouse trying to murder their partner. State criminal laws can still be applied murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, or depending on the facts, assault or battery may also be among the counts. These do not require a political motive, but do require intent to commit the crime and to murder their spouse, for example. We will be waiting to see if there is an indictment from this incident; however, there is also a good chance it may be sealed and we will have to wait several years to see it. Plot for a movie In 2014, I watched fifty bioterrorism movies and analyzed the legal issues for a book entitled, The Things that Keep Us Up at Night: Reel Bio Terror. These movies involved widespread armageddon-style harm, and did not use a traditional lovers quarrel plot. In Outbreak (1995), there was a moment when one of the characters biosuit rips and everyone knows at that moment, a deadly infection will follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do not yet know the nature of the incident, but it has been discussed in Senate Committee testimony, several media sources and in an email from a Director of the facility, indicating a personnel misconduct issue was to blame for the security breech that led to the shutdown. This story may be a movie, yet. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this column listed Battelle laboratories as a contractor. Battelle is not the contractor for the Integrated Research Facility where this incident is said to have occurred. To read more articles by Professor Sutton go to: https://profvictoria.substack.com/ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Professor Victoria Sutton (Lumbee) is Director of the Center for Biodefense, Law & Public Policy and an Associated Faculty Member of The Military Law Center of Texas Tech University School of Law. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair Yuli Edelstein called on haredi politicians to exhibit national responsibility. In a press conference in the Knesset on Tuesday afternoon, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein called on haredi politicians to exhibit national responsibility and refrain from toppling the government over their insistence to exempt at least half of eligible haredi men from IDF service. This is not the time to dismantle the right-wing government. The future of the state is not a political game, especially when the security challenges we face are more serious and existential than ever, Edelstein said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press conference came after haredi representatives on Monday rejected Edelsteins proposal for a new bill, arguing that the proposal contradicted agreements that were reached on June 12, a day before Israels attack against Iran. Edelstein pitched himself as the antithesis of the haredi approach. Out of concern for Israels security, I acted with national responsibility throughout [the war], and thwarted every attempt to topple the right-wing government during this sensitive period. There were such attempts and constant threats, Edelstein said. A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish man holds a placard next to a police horse as he takes part in a protest against pressure to conscript into the military in Bnei Brak, Israel, June 5, 2025. The words in Hebrew read ''We will not enlist in the enemy army.'' (credit: REUTERS/ITAI RON) The committee chairman said that on June 12, he had worked hand-in-hand with the prime minister to prevent the dissolution of the Knesset, which allegedly could have jeopardized the attack. While some agreements were indeed reached, there were still many details to work out, and Mondays proposal included the culmination of his teams effort to do so, Edelstein said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last night, I met extensively with the Prime Minister and representatives of the ultra-Orthodox parties and presented them with the draft of the law as I believe it should be, ready for submission. This is a law that meets the IDFs needs, ensures the expansion of the combat recruitment base, reduces the burden on those serving, and guarantees that anyone who enters the army as ultra-Orthodox will leave as ultra-Orthodox, Edelstein said. While a spokesperson for Edelstein said that his proposal would not be published, The law is based on principles weve discussed all along and includes several essential clauses that cannot be compromised: Effective personal sanctions [on draft dodgers], institutional sanctions if targets are not met, high recruitment targets with rapid growth, and effective oversight and enforcement mechanisms. Without these, it wont be a Draft Lawitll be a bluff, Edelstein said. No 'perfect solutions' to the issue He concluded that over his 30 years in the Knesset, he had learned that there were no perfect solutions, but that In my nearly 30 years in this building, Ive learned that politics offers no perfect solutions, but that there are still moments greater than us, the elected officials. Throughout this process, Ive kept in mind the bereaved families and the wounded soldiersphysically and emotionallyas we continue to act and hope for the return of the 50 hostages, both living and fallen. The public will not forgive those who fail to rise to the occasion and unite for one shared goal: the security and future of the State of Israel, Edelstein said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The previous exemption for haredi men officially ended with a High Court ruling in June 2024, and since no new bill has passed, the current legal status requires the enlistment of all of the approximately 80,000 eligible haredi men. In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara wrote that the government was legally required to use more tools in its power to enforce the law against draft-dodgers. Baharav-Miara wrote that the fact that the government was increasing the burden on some parts of the population while not doing all in its power to recruit other parts, was a severe violation of the constitutional principle of equality. Asked by the Post why his committee was not focusing on the governments failure to enforce the existing law, Edelstein said that his committee was tracking and demanding from the IDF and the defense ministry a periodical report on draft progress. The results have been not good, and this was the justification to try other avenues such as his proposed bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to additional reporters questions, Edelstein admitted that his proposal included certain compromises, but insisted that it provided a real solution that would lead to an increase in draft numbers. Openly questioned Netanyahu's commitment to advancing controversial draft law In an interview on Tuesday evening, MK Dudi Amsalem openly questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's commitment to advancing the controversial military draft law, suggesting the prime minister must choose between passing the legislation or firing senior Likud MK Yuli Edelstein. Speaking to the ultra-Orthodox radio station Kol Berama, Amsalem was asked whether Netanyahu truly intended to bring the draft law to a vote in the Knesset. I think so, Amsalem replied, but if in the end he does not fire Edelstein and this law fails to pass in the Knesset, then apparently he does not really want it. Amsalem added that clarity would come soon. In two weeks, with the start of the Knessets summer recess, well know, he said, implying that Netanyahus resolve or lack thereof will soon be tested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His comments come as coalition tensions continue to mount over the draft issue, which has long been a source of friction between the ultra-Orthodox parties and other factions within Netanyahus right-wing government. Ultra-Orthodox fury at Edelstein After negotiations on advancing the draft law collapsed last week leading United Torah Judaism (UTJ) to withdraw from the government and with Shas expected to follow suit in the coming days Edelstein convened a press conference in which he sought to reassure the Haredi public. Anyone who enters the army as a Haredi will leave the army as a Haredi, Edelstein declared, urging ultra-Orthodox parties not to break up the coalition. But his remarks only inflamed tensions further. In a sharply worded statement on Monday, Shas and UTJ accused Edelstein of deceit and political sabotage, claiming he has repeatedly undermined efforts to forge a compromise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MK Yuli Edelstein stood before the cameras today and brazenly lied to the public, the factions charged. For a year and a half, he has misled negotiation teams, rabbis, reservists, military and security officials, and all those working sincerely to achieve a balanced and respectful arrangement on this sensitive issue. They accused Edelstein of sabotaging every possible proposal and said that just this week he had upended key understandings by introducing a series of new restrictions and humiliations, which they claimed harmed Torah students and damaged the trust between Likud and its ultra-Orthodox partners. It is no coincidence that he refuses to reveal the draft law he allegedly agreed to, they added, because he knows it would expose the extent of his violations and deceptions. The Israeli public must know the truth: Yuli Edelstein is playing political games on the backs of those who serve, cynically exploiting the pain of bereaved families, deepening divisions within the national camp, and single-handedly bringing down the right-wing government. Likud and right-wing representatives should condemn him for this behavior, the statement concluded. June 12 agreements Edelstein also blamed the haredim for violating the June 12 agreements, which he said included a pledge not to take steps against the government or coalition during the operation against Iran. However, even before the planes landed [after attacking Iran, haredi politicians issued new threats, Edelstein charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The June 12 agreements stipulated that an increasing quota of haredi draftees would enlist annually, with the ultimate goal of 50% of each graduating class within five years. The bill included a series of sanctions that would apply to draft dodgers gradually, with some relatively light sanctions applying immediately, and heavier sanctions added at six-month increments. Financial sanctions would also be applied to yeshivot that do not reach draft quotas. In the meantime, current sanctions against draft dodgers, which include blocked funds to yeshivot and the cessation of state-subsidized daycare, would be lifted. The head of the Finance Ministry Budget Department, Yoav Gardos, wrote in a letter to FADC legal advisor Miri Frenkel-Shor on July 2 that the agreement would actually serve as an incentive not to enlist and not to work, and in effect perpetuate the issues that it set out to solve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gardos pointed out that the idea of quotas may already be a nonstarter, since they did not place a specific requirement for individual haredim to enlist. In addition, Gardos explained that the immediate sanctions would not significantly affect many young haredi yeshiva students. In the meantime, the laws passage will free up funds to yeshivot and to parents that are currently frozen because of students draft evasion. In Tuesdays press conference, Edelstein dismissed Gardoss letter, claiming that the letter was based on rumors and that the finance ministrys approach in the committee had been we do not like haredim, and haredim should go work. Shas, UTJ joint statement Ultra-Orthodox Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) factions issued a joint statement accusing Likud MK Yuli Edelstein of deliberately undermining negotiations over a potential compromise on the military draft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the joint statement, Shas and UTJ charged that Edelstein had "brazenly lied to the public," and for the past year and a half has "misled negotiation teams, rabbis, reservists, military and security officials, and all those genuinely working to achieve a balanced and respectable arrangement." The factions claimed that while Edelstein presented himself as advancing a "compromise framework," he had in fact repeatedly sabotaged every proposal. They cited what they described as an "unprecedented and serious move" last week, when Edelstein allegedly revered key agreements and introduced "a series of new restrictions and humiliations," which they say harmed Torah scholars and undermined trust between Likud and its ultra-Orthodox coalition partners. "It is no coincidence that he refuses to reveal the draft law he supposedly agreed to," the factions said, accusing Edelstein of breaching understandings and deceiving his political partners. They warned that Edelstein was "playing political games on the backs of those who serve, cynically exploiting the pain of bereaved families, causing a severe rift in the national camp, and singlehandedly bringing down the right-wing government. Lapid responds Opposition leader Yair Lapid swiftly responded to the ultra-Orthodox factions statement, accusing them of hypocrisy. It takes boundless chutzpah from Shas and UTJ to speak of political games on the backs of those who serve and cynical exploitation of the pain of bereaved families, Lapid said. He pointed to the ongoing war, in which hundreds of IDF soldiers have been killed, noting that while every morning we wake up to casualty announcements, their voters sleep peacefully. Lapid charged that the ultra-Orthodox factions are the only ones playing political games, accusing them of encouraging draft-dodging, discriminating between one blood and another, extorting budgets, and shirking their responsibility to defend the country during wartime. Editors note: This editorial originally ran in fellow CNHI paper the News and Tribune in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Student journalists are receiving a real-life lesson thats unfortunate yet becoming more common. The press cant be censured by the government, but the government has ways of seeking retribution against journalists. President Donald Trump labeled the media the enemy of the people in 2019. Six years later, Trump continues to belittle one of the countrys most important institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the backing of Republican supermajorities in states like Indiana, the Trump administration has also waged ideological war on higher education institutions. As we witnessed with Harvard University, if higher ed doesnt accept Trumps demands, he threatens their funding. Though there hasnt been a definitive statement from Purdue, the university recently severed its ties with the student newspaper, The Exponent. After distributing the newspaper for five decades, Purdue announced in a May 30 letter that it would cease distributing The Exponent within two days. Purdue asserted in the letter that it was ending distribution in part to adhere to an updated policy on institutional neutrality. Thats legalese for being scared of retribution for having any real or perceived association with the student newspaper. Exponent publisher Kyle Charters told CNHI News the new policy could cut distribution to campus locations by as much as 50%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt an isolated incident. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith harshly criticized Indiana Universitys student newspaper last year. Unlike student newspapers, professional media organizations can thwart attacks by the government through paid subscriptions, advertising and other forms of revenue. Student newspapers rely heavily on their universities for support, whether its financial aid or assistance with distribution. Cowering to political pressure may save funding for universities in the short-term, but it only teaches students that money is more important than truth and freedom of the press a right protected by our constitution. In Indiana, higher ed institutions have fallen in line with state policies to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion practices. No business is perfect, and media isnt an exception, but real journalists arent enemies of the people. To the contrary, they are allies of democracy and transparency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Too many television and social media personalities have been grouped in with journalists, which is part of the problem. One of the jobs of a journalist is to hold those in power accountable, not to be cheerleaders or political activists for a cause. College newspapers are a great foundation for producing our nations greatest journalists those who publish what some in power would love to keep concealed. Hampering student journalists will hurt our country. Instead of kowtowing to politicians, universities should stand up for truth. When the first nuclear bomb test took place 80 years ago, the scientists who gathered to observe the explosion in the New Mexico desert recognized they were playing with fire. Physicist Enrico Fermi tried to break the tension by taking bets on whether the bomb would ignite the atmosphere and destroy the world. J. Robert Oppenheimer wagered $10 the bomb wouldnt work at all, and Edward Teller conspicuously applied sunscreen in the predawn darkness, offering to pass it around. The bomb exploded in a fireball hotter than the surface of the sun, producing far more destructive power than the scientists anticipated. Within weeks, the U.S. nuked the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, hastening the end of World War II while killing more than 200,000 civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bomb hasnt been used since, apart from test blasts, and after the Cold War ended in 1991, the risk of nuclear war mercifully declined. Now the risk is back on the rise, as an alarming new nuclear age dawns. This week, the University of Chicago will host what its billing as a Nobel Laureate Assembly for the Prevention of Nuclear War. The conference will take place near the campus location where Fermi oversaw the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction in the run-up to that fateful July 16 bomb test. Even just the conference agenda makes for an alarming read. Panel One will explore how a public once acutely aware of nuclear arms catastrophic effects has largely forgotten those Cold War-era fears and lost its focus on avoiding nuclear war at all costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panel Two outlines how artificial intelligence and cybersecurity breaches stand to increase the likelihood of nuclear war. Subsequent panels cover the alarming history of nuclear close calls, the weaponization of space and how the disarmament efforts of 30 years ago have fizzled which brings us to what one of the organizers calls todays uniquely dangerous moment. Unfortunately, the nuclear landscape is changing for the worse. For starters, the main players are no longer two global superpowers. During the Cold War, the U.S. and the Soviet Union largely controlled the potential for conflict, which made the risks relatively straightforward to analyze. These days, the politics of nuclear arms have become more complicated and unpredictable. Nine nations are said to possess the weapons today, including the rogue state of North Korea, and others could build them quickly. Most people have forgotten that South Africa once developed a bomb but gave up its program voluntarily. Iraq and Libya also had active nuclear-weapon programs that were stopped under intense international pressure. At the moment, the focus is on Irans nuclear program, which the U.S. bombed on June 22, alongside Israel. The U.S. launched its attack even though Iran continued to pursue diplomacy about its nuclear ambitions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran may conclude that it needs a nuclear capability for self-defense, to deter future attacks. The same could be said for other states threatened by nuclear-armed rivals. Consider Ukraine, which voluntarily gave up the nuclear arms based on its soil after the fall of the Soviet Union. Would Russias 2022 invasion still have occurred against a Ukraine bristling with doomsday weapons? Doubtful. Besides the chilling political calculations, the weapons used to deliver nuclear warheads have become more dangerous. Hypersonic glide missiles could elude defense systems before striking their targets with practically no warning, while smaller, low-yield nukes threaten to blur the lines between conventional and nuclear warfare, making all-out war more likely. Defense spending is soaring across the globe, and, with it, faster and deadlier weapons are likely to be deployed. At the same time, treaties restricting nuclear arms are in decline. The most impactful of them the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was undermined in 2003 when North Korea withdrew from it and built an atomic arsenal. Its time for the targets of these terrible weapons us, that is to rise up and say, No! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 1980s witnessed mass demonstrations demanding a nuclear freeze. Today, the threat of nuclear war is beginning to enter the public consciousness again. The movie Oppenheimer about the Trinity bomb test 80 years ago was a box-office hit. The 2024 book, Nuclear War: A Scenario, became a bestseller. Star movie director James Cameron has committed to making, Ghosts of Hiroshima, a Japan-set movie said to be a nightmarish look at the A-bomb blasts. During the Cold War, pop culture helped convince everyday people to stand against the march toward Armageddon, and heres hoping it can do so again. At the same time, events like the University of Chicago conference can help to get actionable recommendations into the hands of global decision-makers. For 80 years, the world has lived with the threat of nuclear destruction. Lets act now to curb it, before its too late. _____ The Education Department announced on Tuesday it is opening a foreign funding investigation against the University of Michigan after alleged inaccurate disclosures in the schools foreign reports. The department is demanding the university provide a litany of documents within 30 days, including tax records relating to foreign funding since 2020, a copy of written agreements with foreign governments and companies and a list of all foreign gifts since 2020. Despite the University of Michigans history of downplaying its vulnerabilities to malign foreign influence, recent reports reveal that UMs research laboratories remain vulnerable to sabotage, including what the U.S. Department of Justice recently described in criminal charges as potential agroterrorism by Chinese nationals affiliated with UM. As the recipient of federal research funding, UM has both a moral and legal obligation to be completely transparent about its foreign partnerships, said Chief Investigative Counsel Paul Moore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, tens of millions of dollars in foreign funding in UMs disclosure reports have been reported in an untimely manner and appear to erroneously identify some of UMs foreign funders as nongovernmental entities, even though the foreign funders seem to be directly affiliated with foreign governments. OGC [Office of General Counsel] will vigorously investigate this matter to ensure that the American people know the true scope of foreign funding and influence on our campuses, he added. Noncompliance could put the university at risk of Department of Justice enforcement, which includes civil actions. The Hill has reached out to UM for comment. The investigation adds to other Republican pressure against the schools foreign ties. The university ended its 20-year partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University at the beginning of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) The Effingham Police Department will be conducting a series of active shooter training exercises at the towns high school this week. The department posted on Facebook that the exercises will take place Tuesday and Thursday. People can expect to see both officers in uniform and marked vehicles on campus, simulated scenarios in classrooms, in common areas and on school grounds and occasional use of training blanks, but no live ammunition. This is a planned, controlled drill involving law enforcement, school staff and emergency responders, officials wrote. There is no actual threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency crews from Illinois travel to Texas, provide assistance People are advised to avoid the school grounds during the drill hours and to inform neighbors, friends and family. People should also refrain from calling 911. These exercises are critical for preparing our officers, school staff, and first responders to effectively respond in the event of a real crisis, officials added. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to keep our schools and community safe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Image of Jensen Huang by El editorial via Shutterstock Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang recently sold more than $36 million worth of NVDA stock, sparking concerns among investors about the AI giants prospects. However, these transactions shouldnt trigger alarm bells. Huangs sales were executed under a Rule 10b5-1 prearranged trading plan, established in March and publicly disclosed. These plans enable executives to sell shares at predetermined times and prices, with the intent to eliminate perceptions of insider trading. Such arrangements are standard practice for corporate leaders seeking to diversify personal wealth without signaling a lack of confidence in their companies. More News from Barchart www.barchart.com The recent sale represents less than 1% of Huangs position, which exceeds 850 million shares across direct ownership, trusts, partnerships, and LLCs. Investors should note that his trading plan covers the sale of up to 6 million shares through the end of 2025. He sold 100,000 shares in June and 225,000 shares so far in July. Is Nvidia Stock Still a Good Buy? Nvidia recently reported $44.1 billion in quarterly revenue, representing 69% year-over-year growth, with second-quarter guidance of $45 billion. The chip maker continues to strengthen its dominance in AI through strategic partnerships that expand its addressable market beyond data centers into enterprise computing and industrial robotics. For instance, Nvidia recently announced a collaboration with HP (HPE) to launch AI factory offerings that include Nvidias latest Blackwell accelerated computing, Spectrum-X Ethernet, and BlueField-3 networking technologies. HPEs new RTX PRO servers, powered by Nvidia RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell GPUs, create a turnkey AI platform for enterprises, addressing the critical need for pre-integrated infrastructure solutions. This partnership positions Nvidia to capture enterprise customers who require simplified AI deployment paths. Even more compelling is Nvidias robotics momentum, which it recently showcased at Europes Automatica conference. Nvidia offers the Isaac GR00T N1.5 foundation model for humanoid robots, and it also has a multi-part robotics platform that includes supercomputers, and simulation and deployment software. These developments reinforce Nvidias strategy of expanding beyond chip sales into complete AI solutions. With Europes 200 billion Euro investment in industrial AI and growing enterprise adoption, Nvidia is positioning itself to capture value across the entire AI value chain, supporting continued premium valuations. Oakland County's combined sewage and stormwater overflows are violating state environmental laws, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy found. And the county must take immediate action and faces potential fines and other costs. Oakland County's sewage overflows in significant rain events are a longstanding point of contention with its downstream neighbor, Macomb County, where officials say they bear the brunt of the environmental impact. Oakland County's George W. Kuhn Drainage District Dequindre Interceptor Overflow Structure, a retention basin, during times of heavy rain can discharge untreated or partially treated sewage into the Red Run Drain, a major stormwater canal in Oakland and Macomb counties that flows to the Clinton River and eventually to Lake St. Clair. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy on June 27 notified Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash that the county has "failed to correct the occurrence of sanitary sewer overflows" from its Dequindre Interceptor. EGLE, in its enforcement notice, cited two particular overflow incidents as violations: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An April 3 event in which the Oakland County facility "discharged 1.18 million gallons of untreated or partially treated sewage." An Aug. 24, 2023, incident in which 2.2 million gallons of "untreated or partially treated sewage" were discharged. "The discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage from a sewer system onto land or into the waters of the state is a violation of Part 31" of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, which aims to protect the quality of Michigan's surface and groundwater and regulates wastewater disposal, stated Laura Verona, supervisor of the Warren District Office of EGLE's Water Resources Division. The notice states that Oakland County was previously notified of the need to address the sewage overflows in violation notices issued on Sept. 21, 2023, and April 29, 2025. EGLE is calling on Oakland County "to immediately undertake all actions necessary to resolve all violations identified." Among EGLE's requests is that Oakland County review hydraulic models of its sewer system to identify areas of high inflow, model how operational changes would modify flow distributions, and provide a plan to evaluate interactions between the Great Lakes Water Authority system and the Kuhn facility "to identify opportunities for improvement in either or both systems to eliminate these SSOs (sanitary sewer overflows)." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EGLE proposes an administrative consent order to formally resolve the violations that would include "a compliance program and applicable fines or penalties to resolve the aforementioned violations." Verona further stated that the EGLE Water Resources Division reserves the right "to take all necessary and appropriate enforcement actions for all violations," including "seeking civil fines, injunctive relief, natural resources damages, and all costs associated with this enforcement action, including attorney costs and any other relief available to the (division)." Macomb's Miller expresses vindication of longstanding concerns Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller has for years been very vocal on how Oakland County's inadequate sanitary sewer infrastructure and the resulting overflows have fouled Macomb County's waterways, including Lake St. Clair. She sounded a note of vindication with news of EGLE's latest enforcement action. "We are applauding EGLE for taking this punitive action against Oakland County for continued violations of state law prohibiting the discharge of raw sewage that threatens public health and the environment," Miller said. "What's crystal clear today is that the state is not satisfied with Oakland County's actions for years of repeated sanitary sewer overflows and is ratcheting up the pressure by forcing Oakland to take meaningful steps to prevent further illegal discharges and rightfully so." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller said EGLE's Water Resources Division for years failed to correct Oakland County's repeated discharges, but "obviously their plan to fix their serious problem of dumping on a neighboring county was rejected by the state, leading to this stepped-up enforcement action." Oakland's Nash: Miller 'playing politics' A statement issued Monday, July 14, from the Oakland County Water Commissioner's Office noted Nash has strongly advocated with EGLE that a regional solution must be pursued to alleviate the incidents that occur as a consequence of southeast Michigans topography during increasingly frequent large rain events. "In fact, the Dequindre Interceptor is working as it should," Oakland County officials stated. "Without this regional approach, Oakland County, Macomb County and southeast Michigan will continue to be faced with the prospect of sewage overflows and basement backups due to extremely heavy rainfall." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office then turned its attention to Miller. "Macomb Countys Public Works Commissioner is trying to create controversy where there is none choosing to play politics and cast blame on Oakland County instead of working with the Great Lakes Water Authority on a regional solution that protects all communities in Southeast Michigan," they stated. "While it may now be politically convenient to Commissioner Millers inflammatory approach, the fact remains that in December 2023, after the region experienced a particularly bad rain event in April, she co-signed a letter with Commissioner Nash to seek that regional solution with the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA). She has since turned her back on that, apparently, and would rather target Oakland County with inaccurate press releases to the media than come to the table and work on the regional solution she herself endorsed. That is not effective local government." Nash's office stated they will meet with EGLE officials over the enforcement notice later in July and will discuss "the issues with large rain events, the current system for handling them, and the urgent need for a regional solution that protects Southeast Michigan." Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: EGLE: Oakland County violating environmental laws with sewage overflows WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) An El Paso man was jailed in Wichita County on Sunday after a traffic stop led to a drug bust. On Sunday, July 13, the Wichita County Sheriffs Office pulled over a Dodge 3500 flatbed dually after observing the truck drive onto the improved shoulder. The driver, identified as Lino Lucero, presented a Texas identification card and told authorities he did not have a drivers license or proof of insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lucero gave authorities consent to search the vehicle. During the search, crystal-like substances were found in three diesel tanks on the flatbed, which tested positive for methamphetamine. Deputies said the weight of the amount within the tanks was 1,560 pounds. Lucero was arrested and charged with the Manufacture and Delivery of a controlled substance over 400 grams. A Facebook post from WCSO said the street value of the methamphetamine was more than $20 million. As of publication, Lucero is in the Wichita County Jail and is being held on a $200,000 bond. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Zoo announced on Tuesday, July 15, that its elderly reticulated giraffe Juma had died, according to a press release from the City of El Paso. The City says Juma was humanely euthanized on Monday, July 14, due to a sudden and irreversible decline in his quality of life. Juma, who was 18 years old, had been living with arthritis for several years, the City said. Unfortunately, some of the joints in his feet deteriorated to the point where they could no longer support his 2,000-pound frame, said Dr. Victoria Milne, chief veterinarian. This progression was irreversible, and to prevent further pain or the risk of sudden collapse, humane euthanasia was the most compassionate choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juma had been part of the El Paso Zoo for 15 years and was one of the original residents of the Zoos Africa section. Juma arrived at the El Paso Zoo at the age of 3 and was joined by a female giraffe, Gigi. They both had two male calves, 2-year-old Obi and 1-year-old Tesoro. Both calves remain at the zoo with their mother, the City said. Juma will be deeply missed by our staff, his keepers, and the community, said Zoo Director Joe Montisano. He was a sweet, trusting, and social giraffe curious, a bit mischievous, and always eager to engage with guests. If you ever fed a giraffe at the Zoo, chances are it was Juma. While end-of-life care is a necessary part of our responsibility, it never gets easier. We share this loss with our animal care team and the entire El Paso community, but take comfort in knowing we gave him the best life possible. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Mahoning County Board of Elections met Monday and said John White cannot run for mayor in the November election. White tried running for Youngstown mayor as an independent four years ago, but was told he couldnt because he voted in the previous election as a Democrat. White tried to run again as an independent this year, but Monday was told no again. Youngstown Deputy Law Director Lou DApolito presented the citys reasoning for why White is not qualified. Youngstowns charter requires candidates to be residents with electors in the city for five years. Whites residency was not being questioned, but he registered to vote in February 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are requirements to run for office, which means Mr. White can vote in the November election, but he does not qualify until February after the expiration of five years in order to be a candidate, DApolito said. At Mondays board meeting, White sat in the front row and never spoke. Instead, he had his lawyer, Ken Myers of Cleveland, do the talking. You dont have to be registered to vote to be considered an elector, Myers said. Myers cited the Ohio Constitution, state statute and case law that says an elector in Ohio is someone who is a U.S. citizen, is at least 18 years old and has been registered to vote for 30 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He only has to be registered for 30 days. He has the qualifications of an elector, Myers said. Board of Elections Chairman Dave Betras sided with the city. I know you want to sparse out elector from registered to vote, Betras said. But I think what the people of Youngstown were voting on was, you better be voting in our city for five years and better live in our city for five years. Thats how Im interpreting this. The rest of the board agreed and unanimously voted to disqualify White as an independent candidate for mayor in November. I think the board had the right interpretation of what the citizenry of Youngstown wants, DApolito said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White left after the decision. When asked to comment, he declined. Myers didnt know if they would take the candidacy issue to court. Ill be talking with Mr. White, probably this evening or tomorrow morning and deciding what our legal options are. Whatever we do, we have to move pretty quickly, Myers said. While the Board of Elections disqualified White, it reinstated Mary Janek to be a candidate for Campbell 3rd ward councilperson in November. The board had previously disqualified Janek because she failed to write in what ward she was running in on her petitions. Janek argued the Campbell charter does not require candidates to declare a ward, and the board agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON Companies hoping for favorable outcomes from the Trump administration have pledged to give at least $63 million to Donald Trumps future presidential library, according to a new analysis from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Beyond that, other promised gifts and in-kind donations from special interest groups bring the total value of gifts pouring into Trumps future library to at least half a billion dollars. The timing of these donations coming while Trump sits in office and makes critical decisions that may impact the same donors raises serious ethical concerns about potential bribery and Influence-peddling, reads Warrens report, first obtained by HuffPost. Many of the gifts came in the form of settlements to Trump-filed lawsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Massachusetts senator is only spotlighting the known gifts and money being pledged for Trumps library; its possible there are other companies promising donations that arent yet public. But her report marks the first time that all of the known money and gifts flowing into the presidents future library are laid out in one place. There are virtually no restrictions on donations to presidential libraries. U.S. presidents have been setting up libraries for themselves since the 1930s to honor their legacies once theyre out of office and to let the public learn about what they did. What sets Trump apart from his predecessors, as Warren notes, is the magnitude of questionable donations hes been taking while in office. Mark Zuckerberg's Meta and Elon Musk's X are among the companies pledging to give tens of millions of dollars to Donald Trump's future presidential library. AP Paramount, for one, is donating $16 million to Trumps future presidential library as part of a settlement over a 60 Minutes segment. Lawyers had dismissed Trumps lawsuit as baseless, but Paramount agreed to this settlement as its been trying to complete a multibillion-dollar merger with the Hollywood studio Skydance, a deal that requires the Trump administrations sign-off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meta is donating $22 million to Trumps library. Trump previously sued the company for banning his Facebook and Instagram accounts after he incited an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But since Trump won reelection in 2024, the companys owner, Mark Zuckerberg, has been blatantly sucking up to him. Zuckerberg gave $1 million to Trumps inauguration and even attended the ceremony, sitting with some of Trumps Cabinet members. Zuckerberg has also rolled back content moderation rules on his companys platforms. ABC News is donating $15 million to Trumps library after settling a defamation suit with him. Several media lawyers believed ABC News had a strong case, but the media company settled in late 2024, just before Trumps second term began. ABC News obviously wants access to his administration for its reporting, and its parent company, Disney, has a lot of business interests that may require review by the Trump administration. Even X, the social media platform owned by Trumps ex-buddy Elon Musk, is giving $10 million to his future library. Like Zuckerberg, Musk settled a lawsuit with Trump after previously banning him from the platform over the Jan. 6 insurrection. His companies Tesla and SpaceX have tens of billions of dollars in federal contracts that Trump could end. Beyond all the corporate settlements pouring in from media entities, companies like Instant Pot and Lenox Corporation have pledged to donate all proceeds from their Trump-themed merchandise to the presidents future library. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres even a foreign government promising gifts: The Qatari government is donating a $400 million jet that will later be transferred to Trumps library. Why would Qatar care about a U.S. presidents future library? Maybe because its hoping the Trump administration will preserve the U.S. military base in the country, which Qatar has spent billions developing. You can read Warrens full report here. We could be seeing giant companies like Paramount and Meta and foreign countries like Qatar pay Trump off in plain sight, the senator said in a statement to HuffPost. Government should work for the American people, not just whichever giant company or foreign government can dump the most money into the presidents future library. Much-loved childrens TV character Elmo is back on X after his account was hacked to post a slew of antisemitic and racist messages. Elmo, the cheerful red monster from Sesame Street, unleashed a torrent of hate speech earlier this week, calling for the extermination of Jews to his 650,000 followers. Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, said in a statement posted to Elmo's account on Tuesday that his verified X account was briefly hacked by an outside party, in spite of the security measures in place," and that "we strongly condemn the abhorrent antisemitic and racist content, and the account has since been secured." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Tuesday, the posts had been deleted, and Elmo appeared to be back to his normal warm and fuzzy self, posting that Elmo loves you. The incident is the latest example of hate speech spreading on X, which was acquired in 2022 by billionaire Elon Musk, an intermittent ally of President Donald Trump. Musks overhaul of the platforms rules, along with his outspoken support for right-wing political movements in the United States and Europe, has drawn sharp criticism for enabling the spread of disinformation and abuse. Elmos outburst comes less than a week after Musks artificial intelligence chatbot Grok posted a series of antisemitic messages on X, including some glorifying Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Musks company xAI quickly removed the inappropriate posts and stated last week it had taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X, without providing further details. X was already under investigation by EU regulators for violating the bloc's social media rules due to a potential lack of safeguards against illegal content. French prosecutors also opened a criminal investigation into X last week over allegations that the platform manipulated its algorithms for the purposes of foreign interference. Thank you for being kind to Elmo and all the people in your neighborhood, Elmo wrote Tuesday. Elmo's Hacked X Account Challenges Trump and Spreads Antisemitic Messages originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Courtesy homank76 via Adobe Stock The Sesame Street star Elmo challenged President Donald Trump to release the files after the characters X account was hacked on Sunday. The post was deleted soon after, but social media users are still sharing the screenshot receipts. The post included profanity, reading, RELEASE THE FILES [Donald Trump] CHILD ******, in reference to the Trump administrations handling of the disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epsteins files that reportedly never existed. After a Justice Department and FBI review stating that they had not found evidence that a client list existed or that he had blackmailed prominent figures, Epsteins case resurfaced in the news, causing an uproar from right-wing media figures who long promoted the idea of a cover-up. "Elmos X account was compromised today by an unknown hacker who posted disgusting messages, including antisemitic and racist posts. We are working to restore full control of the account," a Sesame Workshop spokesperson confirmed in a statement to Fox News. Before the posts were deleted, several X users reacted to Elmos offensive posts, poking fun at the character using adult language. "Im forever scarred by @elmo. Words I never expected to utter," Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote. HuffPost deputy editor Philip Lewis remarked, "I thought we all agreed @elmo is off limits." "Elmo would win at least 10% in a nationwide Democratic primary based on these tweets alone," Washington Reporter editor-in-chief Matthew Foldi joked. "See what happens when you defund PBS @elmo," Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., wrote, referencing Republican efforts to defund PBS, with Trump even signing an executive order attempting to pull funding from the network in May. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared. Elon Musk listens as reporters ask President Donald Trump and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa questions in the Oval Office at the White House in May. If Musk is to go through with his plan to develop his new America Party, hell have to navigate a patchwork of state-level ballot rules. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Elon Musks announcement that he plans to form a new political party came easily, with the billionaire simply posting his intentions on his social media platform, X. Now comes the hard part. If the worlds richest man seriously pursues his goal of standing up what he calls the America Party, Musk will have to navigate a patchwork of state-level requirements to get his party and its candidates on general election ballots across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two-party system has largely retained its grip on American politics for more than a century. The Tesla CEO has plenty of money, but loosening that grip would test the America Partys organization and popular support. Musk enjoyed extraordinary entree into the White House this winter as he led the Department of Government Efficiency task force. But he broke with President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Trumps signature domestic policy package containing massive tax cuts and deep reductions to social services funding. The law, which Trump signed July 4, is expected to add more than $4 trillion to the national debt. When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy, Musk wrote on X on July 5. Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom. Musk appeared to signal his party would for now focus on a small number of competitive congressional races, rather than attempting to put forward a nationwide slate of candidates. He posted that one way to execute on creating the party would be to laser-focus on two or three U.S. Senate seats and eight to 10 House seats. Musk made no mention of running candidates for state legislatures or other state-level offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the thin margins separating Republican and Democratic control of Congress, electing a few of his third-party candidates would allow members of Congress from the America Party to serve as the deciding vote on contentious measures, Musk wrote. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which ranks U.S. House and Senate races by competitiveness, lists three toss-up Senate seats and 18 toss-up House districts in 2026. All told, competing in those races would require getting on the ballot in 15 states. A small sample of what Musk would face: In Michigan, Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters isnt running for reelection, creating an open race. Candidates of new political parties must gather signatures of registered voters equal to 1% of the total number of votes in the last election for governor, in this case about 44,620. At least 100 voters in each of half of the states congressional districts must sign the petitions. In Georgia, where Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is running for reelection, an America Party candidate would need to collect signatures equivalent to 1% of the number of registered voters eligible to vote in the previous election. In North Carolina, Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis announced he wouldnt seek reelection after Trump threatened to find a primary opponent because of Tillis opposition to the tax and spending bill. If Musk wants to form a political party in the state, hell need to gather the signatures of at least 13,979 registered and qualified voters statewide, including at least 200 registered voters from three different congressional districts. In Ohio, two U.S. House races appear on Cooks toss-up list: the 9th District, held by Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, and the 13th District, held by Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes. To register as a minor political party, the America Party would need signatures of voters equal to 1% of the total vote for governor or for president at the most recent election for those offices. The petition would also have to be signed by at least 500 voters within each of at least half the states congressional districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America, an organization that seeks to improve political representation by advocating open primaries in which all candidates regardless of party compete against each other for the support of voters, said the America Party could shake up politics. But, he added, history demonstrates that without structural change, Musks effort is unlikely to truly disrupt the two-party system. Troiano didnt take a position on whether Musk should form a new party, but said that if the mogul goes ahead with the idea, the new party should embrace open primaries. If Elon wants to help fix our democracy, his new party should build on his support for opening primaries and make nonpartisan election reform the foundation of its efforts, Troiano said in a statement to Stateline. Of course, Musks America Party would be far from the first third-party effort. The Green Party, the Libertarian Party and other minor parties all put forward candidates in elections across the country at all levels of the ballot from contests for governor up to president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks gambit could potentially work, said Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Independent and third-party campaigns can be successful with the right candidate and enough money, he said, pointing to Jesse Venturas election as Minnesota governor in the 1990s as a Reform Party candidate and Joseph Liebermans reelection to the U.S. Senate as a third-party candidate in 2006 after he lost the Connecticut Democratic primary. And Musk, with effectively unlimited resources, could likely gather the signatures necessary to get candidates on the ballot in at least a subset of states, Beatty said. Thats because he could pay for an army of workers to gather signatures in the states where he wants to run candidates. At first blush, youre like, Third party, Trump or someone could say thats crazy, its not going to work. A lot of people would say that, Beatty said. But when you look at his tactical approach, its something to take seriously. Stateline reporter Jonathan Shorman can be reached at jshorman@stateline.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stateline originally published this article. Like the Alaska Beacon, Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Elon Musk listens as reporters ask President Donald Trump and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa questions in the Oval Office at the White House in May. If Musk is to go through with his plan to develop his new America Party, hell have to navigate a patchwork of state-level ballot rules. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Elon Musks announcement that he plans to form a new political party came easily, with the billionaire simply posting his intentions on his social media platform, X. Now comes the hard part. If the worlds richest man seriously pursues his goal of standing up what he calls the America Party, Musk will have to navigate a patchwork of state-level requirements to get his party and its candidates on general election ballots across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two-party system has largely retained its grip on American politics for more than a century. The Tesla CEO has plenty of money, but loosening that grip would test the America Partys organization and popular support. Musk enjoyed extraordinary entree into the White House this winter as he led the Department of Government Efficiency task force. But he broke with President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Trumps signature domestic policy package containing massive tax cuts and deep reductions to social services funding. The law, which Trump signed July 4, is expected to add more than $4 trillion to the national debt. When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy, Musk wrote on X on July 5. Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom. Musk appeared to signal his party would for now focus on a small number of competitive congressional races, rather than attempting to put forward a nationwide slate of candidates. He posted that one way to execute on creating the party would be to laser-focus on two or three U.S. Senate seats and eight to 10 House seats. Musk made no mention of running candidates for state legislatures or other state-level offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the thin margins separating Republican and Democratic control of Congress, electing a few of his third-party candidates would allow members of Congress from the America Party to serve as the deciding vote on contentious measures, Musk wrote. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which ranks U.S. House and Senate races by competitiveness, lists three toss-up Senate seats and 18 toss-up House districts in 2026. All told, competing in those races would require getting on the ballot in 15 states. A small sample of what Musk would face: In Michigan, Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters isnt running for reelection, creating an open race. Candidates of new political parties must gather signatures of registered voters equal to 1% of the total number of votes in the last election for governor, in this case about 44,620. At least 100 voters in each of half of the states congressional districts must sign the petitions. In Georgia, where Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is running for reelection, an America Party candidate would need to collect signatures equivalent to 1% of the number of registered voters eligible to vote in the previous election. In North Carolina, Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis announced he wouldnt seek reelection after Trump threatened to find a primary opponent because of Tillis opposition to the tax and spending bill. If Musk wants to form a political party in the state, hell need to gather the signatures of at least 13,979 registered and qualified voters statewide, including at least 200 registered voters from three different congressional districts. In Ohio, two U.S. House races appear on Cooks toss-up list: the 9th District, held by Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, and the 13th District, held by Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes. To register as a minor political party, the America Party would need signatures of voters equal to 1% of the total vote for governor or for president at the most recent election for those offices. The petition would also have to be signed by at least 500 voters within each of at least half the states congressional districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America, an organization that seeks to improve political representation by advocating open primaries in which all candidates regardless of party compete against each other for the support of voters, said the America Party could shake up politics. But, he added, history demonstrates that without structural change, Musks effort is unlikely to truly disrupt the two-party system. Troiano didnt take a position on whether Musk should form a new party, but said that if the mogul goes ahead with the idea, the new party should embrace open primaries. If Elon wants to help fix our democracy, his new party should build on his support for opening primaries and make nonpartisan election reform the foundation of its efforts, Troiano said in a statement to Stateline. Of course, Musks America Party would be far from the first third-party effort. The Green Party, the Libertarian Party, and other minor parties all put forward candidates in elections across the country at all levels of the ballot from contests for governor up to president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks gambit could potentially work, said Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Independent and third-party campaigns can be successful with the right candidate and enough money, he said, pointing to Jesse Venturas election as Minnesota governor in the 1990s as a Reform Party candidate and Joseph Liebermans reelection to the U.S. Senate as a third-party candidate in 2006 after he lost the Connecticut Democratic primary. And Musk, with effectively unlimited resources, could likely gather the signatures necessary to get candidates on the ballot in at least a subset of states, Beatty said. Thats because he could pay for an army of workers to gather signatures in the states where he wants to run candidates. At first blush, youre like, Third party, Trump or someone could say thats crazy, its not going to work. A lot of people would say that, Beatty said. But when you look at his tactical approach, its something to take seriously. This story was originally published by Stateline, which like the New Hampshire Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline reporter Jonathan Shorman can be reached at jshorman@stateline.org. Elon Musk listens as reporters ask President Donald Trump and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa questions in the Oval Office at the White House in May. If Musk is to go through with his plan to develop his new America Party, hell have to navigate a patchwork of state-level ballot rules. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Elon Musks announcement that he plans to form a new political party came easily, with the billionaire simply posting his intentions on his social media platform, X. Now comes the hard part. If the worlds richest man seriously pursues his goal of standing up what he calls the America Party, Musk will have to navigate a patchwork of state-level requirements to get his party and its candidates on general election ballots across the country. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two-party system has largely retained its grip on American politics for more than a century. The Tesla CEO has plenty of money, but loosening that grip would test the America Partys organization and popular support. Musk enjoyed extraordinary entree into the White House this winter as he led the Department of Government Efficiency task force. But he broke with President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Trumps signature domestic policy package containing massive tax cuts and deep reductions to social services funding. The law, which Trump signed July 4, is expected to add more than $4 trillion to the national debt. When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy, Musk wrote on X on July 5. Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom. Musk says America Party will focus on a select few U.S. Senate, House seats Musk appeared to signal his party would for now focus on a small number of competitive congressional races, rather than attempting to put forward a nationwide slate of candidates. He posted that one way to execute on creating the party would be to laser-focus on two or three U.S. Senate seats and eight to 10 House seats. Musk made no mention of running candidates for state legislatures or other state-level offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the thin margins separating Republican and Democratic control of Congress, electing a few of his third-party candidates would allow members of Congress from the America Party to serve as the deciding vote on contentious measures, Musk wrote. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which ranks U.S. House and Senate races by competitiveness, lists three toss-up Senate seats and 18 toss-up House districts in 2026. All told, competing in those races would require getting on the ballot in 15 states. A small sample of what Musk would face: In Michigan, Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters isnt running for reelection, creating an open race. Candidates of new political parties must gather signatures of registered voters equal to 1% of the total number of votes in the last election for governor, in this case about 44,620. At least 100 voters in each of half of the states congressional districts must sign the petitions. In Georgia, where Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is running for reelection, an America Party candidate would need to collect signatures equivalent to 1% of the number of registered voters eligible to vote in the previous election. In North Carolina, Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis announced he wouldnt seek reelection after Trump threatened to find a primary opponent because of Tillis opposition to the tax and spending bill. If Musk wants to form a political party in the state, hell need to gather the signatures of at least 13,979 registered and qualified voters statewide, including at least 200 registered voters from three different congressional districts. In Ohio, two U.S. House races appear on Cooks toss-up list: the 9th District, held by Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, and the 13th District, held by Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes. To register as a minor political party, the America Party would need signatures of voters equal to 1% of the total vote for governor or for president at the most recent election for those offices. The petition would also have to be signed by at least 500 voters within each of at least half the states congressional districts. Unite America executive director: Open primaries could improve political representation in elections Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America, an organization that seeks to improve political representation by advocating open primaries in which all candidates regardless of party compete against each other for the support of voters, said the America Party could shake up politics. But, he added, history demonstrates that without structural change, Musks effort is unlikely to truly disrupt the two-party system. Troiano didnt take a position on whether Musk should form a new party, but said that if the mogul goes ahead with the idea, the new party should embrace open primaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Elon wants to help fix our democracy, his new party should build on his support for opening primaries and make nonpartisan election reform the foundation of its efforts, Troiano said in a statement to Stateline. Of course, Musks America Party would be far from the first third-party effort. The Green Party, the Libertarian Party and other minor parties all put forward candidates in elections across the country at all levels of the ballot from contests for governor up to president. Musks gambit could potentially work, said Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Independent and third-party campaigns can be successful with the right candidate and enough money, he said, pointing to Jesse Venturas election as Minnesota governor in the 1990s as a Reform Party candidate and Joseph Liebermans reelection to the U.S. Senate as a third-party candidate in 2006 after he lost the Connecticut Democratic primary. And Musk, with effectively unlimited resources, could likely gather the signatures necessary to get candidates on the ballot in at least a subset of states, Beatty said. Thats because he could pay for an army of workers to gather signatures in the states where he wants to run candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first blush, youre like, Third party, Trump or someone could say thats crazy, its not going to work. A lot of people would say that, Beatty said. But when you look at his tactical approach, its something to take seriously. Stateline reporter Jonathan Shorman can be reached at jshorman@stateline.org. Stateline, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Kellanova Co logo by- Jonathan Weiss via Shutterstock Valued at a market cap of $27.6 billion, Kellanova (K) manufactures and markets snacks and convenience foods. The Chicago, Illinois-based company offers a wide range of products under various well-known brands, including Kellogg's, Cheez-It, Pringles, Austin, Parati, RXBAR, Eggo, and Morningstar Farms to name a few. It is expected to announce its fiscal Q2 earnings for 2025 before the market opens on Thursday, Jul. 31. Ahead of this event, analysts expect this snacks and convenience food company to report a profit of $0.99 per share, down 2% from $1.01 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company has surpassed Wall Streets earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters, while missing on another occasion. In Q1, Kellanovas EPS of $0.90 fell short of the forecasted figure by 8.2%. More News from Barchart For fiscal 2025, analysts expect K to report a profit of $3.76 per share, down 2.6% from $3.86 per share in fiscal 2024. Nonetheless, its EPS is expected to grow 2.7% year-over-year to $3.86 in fiscal 2026. www.barchart.com Shares of Kellanova have rallied 39.8% over the past 52 weeks, considerably outpacing both the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 12.1% uptick and the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLP) 4.8% return over the same time frame. www.barchart.com Shares of Kellanova rose marginally on May 1, following its Q1 earnings release. Due to negative currency translation and widespread category softness, the company's overall revenue declined 3.7% year-over-year to $3.1 billion. Nonetheless, it sustained growth on an organic basis, driven by robust performance in its emerging markets. Meanwhile, on the earnings front, its adjusted operating profit fell 13.2% from the year-ago quarter to $441 million. In comparison, its adjusted EPS of $0.90 dipped 10.9% from the same period last year and fell short of the consensus estimates by 8.2%. Wall Street analysts are cautious about Ks stock, with a unanimous "Hold" rating from all 15 analysts covering it. The mean price target for Kellanova is $83.39, which indicates a 5% potential upside from the current levels. On the date of publication, Neharika Jain did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Elon Musk listens as reporters ask President Donald Trump and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa questions in the Oval Office at the White House in May. If Musk is to go through with his plan to develop his new America Party, hell have to navigate a patchwork of state-level ballot rules. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Elon Musks announcement that he plans to form a new political party came easily, with the billionaire simply posting his intentions on his social media platform, X. Now comes the hard part. If the worlds richest man seriously pursues his goal of standing up what he calls the America Party, Musk will have to navigate a patchwork of state-level requirements to get his party and its candidates on general election ballots across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two-party system has largely retained its grip on American politics for more than a century. The Tesla CEO has plenty of money, but loosening that grip would test the America Partys organization and popular support. Musk enjoyed extraordinary entree into the White House this winter as he led the Department of Government Efficiency task force. But he broke with President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Trumps signature domestic policy package containing massive tax cuts and deep reductions to social services funding. The law, which Trump signed July 4, is expected to add more than $4 trillion to the national debt. When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy, Musk wrote on X on July 5. Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom. Musk appeared to signal his party would for now focus on a small number of competitive congressional races, rather than attempting to put forward a nationwide slate of candidates. He posted that one way to execute on creating the party would be to laser-focus on two or three U.S. Senate seats and eight to 10 House seats. Musk made no mention of running candidates for state legislatures or other state-level offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the thin margins separating Republican and Democratic control of Congress, electing a few of his third-party candidates would allow members of Congress from the America Party to serve as the deciding vote on contentious measures, Musk wrote. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which ranks U.S. House and Senate races by competitiveness, lists three toss-up Senate seats and 18 toss-up House districts in 2026. All told, competing in those races would require getting on the ballot in 15 states. A small sample of what Musk would face: In Michigan, Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters isnt running for reelection, creating an open race. Candidates of new political parties must gather signatures of registered voters equal to 1% of the total number of votes in the last election for governor, in this case about 44,620. At least 100 voters in each of half of the states congressional districts must sign the petitions. In Georgia, where Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is running for reelection, an America Party candidate would need to collect signatures equivalent to 1% of the number of registered voters eligible to vote in the previous election. In North Carolina, Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis announced he wouldnt seek reelection after Trump threatened to find a primary opponent because of Tillis opposition to the tax and spending bill. If Musk wants to form a political party in the state, hell need to gather the signatures of at least 13,979 registered and qualified voters statewide, including at least 200 registered voters from three different congressional districts. In Ohio, two U.S. House races appear on Cooks toss-up list: the 9th District, held by Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, and the 13th District, held by Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes. To register as a minor political party, the America Party would need signatures of voters equal to 1% of the total vote for governor or for president at the most recent election for those offices. The petition would also have to be signed by at least 500 voters within each of at least half the states congressional districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America, an organization that seeks to improve political representation by advocating open primaries in which all candidates regardless of party compete against each other for the support of voters, said the America Party could shake up politics. But, he added, history demonstrates that without structural change, Musks effort is unlikely to truly disrupt the two-party system. Troiano didnt take a position on whether Musk should form a new party, but said that if the mogul goes ahead with the idea, the new party should embrace open primaries. If Elon wants to help fix our democracy, his new party should build on his support for opening primaries and make nonpartisan election reform the foundation of its efforts, Troiano said in a statement to Stateline. Of course, Musks America Party would be far from the first third-party effort. The Green Party, the Libertarian Party and other minor parties all put forward candidates in elections across the country at all levels of the ballot from contests for governor up to president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Missouri, five political parties Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Green and Better ran candidates in the 2024 general election. The Libertarian and Green parties received at least 2% of the vote in one or more statewide races, the threshold for being on future ballots. A new party can be formed in Missouri with 10,000 signatures from registered voters. Musks gambit could potentially work, said Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Independent and third-party campaigns can be successful with the right candidate and enough money, he said, pointing to Jesse Venturas election as Minnesota governor in the 1990s as a Reform Party candidate and Joseph Liebermans reelection to the U.S. Senate as a third-party candidate in 2006 after he lost the Connecticut Democratic primary. And Musk, with effectively unlimited resources, could likely gather the signatures necessary to get candidates on the ballot in at least a subset of states, Beatty said. Thats because he could pay for an army of workers to gather signatures in the states where he wants to run candidates. At first blush, youre like, Third party, Trump or someone could say thats crazy, its not going to work. A lot of people would say that, Beatty said. But when you look at his tactical approach, its something to take seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rudi Keller of The Independent staff contributed to this report. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Billionaire Elon Musks artificial intelligence company xAI soft-launched two new AI companions that can interact with users a week after its chatbot Grok went on an antisemitic hate spree on X. Ani, a blond-haired anime character wearing a tight black dress, can speak with subscribers who pay for the SuperGrok chatbot using the apps voice feature. It also has a not safe for work mode, according to reports by Testing Catalog. The AI companion was launched alongside Rudy, a cartoon red panda. SuperGrok now has two new companions for you, say hello to Ani and Rudy! pic.twitter.com/SRrV6T0MGT DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) July 14, 2025 Its unclear how far Anis NSFW mode goes, but a post by the outlet suggests the character puts on lingerie once unlocked. Some users have also posted what appear to be examples of this feature on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anis Monday soft launch came the same day that President Donald Trumps Defense Department awarded xAI a $200 million contract. It was also a week after Grok went on an antisemitic tirade on X, at some points praising Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Try out Companions in the Grok app! Update the app and enable Companions in Settings. pic.twitter.com/GH0sJS4uDe DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) July 14, 2025 While the long-term mental health impact of AI companions has not yet been determined, there have been several reports in the past few years sounding the alarm over how humans and AI companions interact. A study by MIT Media Lab published earlier this year found higher daily usage of AI companions correlated with increased loneliness, dependence, problematic use and lower socialization. Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) demanded AI companies be more transparent earlier this year after several families claimed AI companions harmed their children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the children was 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III, whose mother said in a lawsuit that he was groomed by an AI chatbot who encouraged him to take his own life. Related... In 1992, Ross Perot a billionaire frustrated with Americas ballooning budget deficits and fed up with its two-party system ran for president as an independent. He won 19% of the vote against the Republican incumbent (George H. W. Bush) and his Democratic challenger (Bill Clinton). A few years later, Perot formed a third party the Reform Party and ran again in 1996 as its first White House nominee. Now Tesla CEO Elon Musk, another frustrated billionaire, seems to want to follow in Perots footsteps and build an even bigger, better third party of his own. When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy, the worlds richest man wrote earlier this month on X, the social media platform he owns. Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is Musk serious? And could his plan really work? Why is Musk doing this? It wasnt so long ago that Musk was calling himself Trumps first buddy. After spending more than $250 million to help his friend win the 2024 election, Musk spent the first few months of Trumps second term waging a largely unchecked war against the federal bureaucracy as head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). But then in early June the two tycoons had a major falling out over Trumps One Big, Beautiful Bill. Trump claims Musk was upset about losing his EV mandate i.e., the $7,500 consumer tax credit that has long made buying or leasing electric vehicles such as Teslas more attractive and affordable for consumers. Musk insists he is concerned only with the legislations effect on federal spending namely, initial estimates that showed it would massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit [by] $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America[n] citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt, as he wrote last month on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sorry, but I just cant stand it anymore, Musk continued. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it. When a revised version of Trumps bill passed the Senate earlier this month with an even heftier $3.3 trillion deficit projection, Musk unveiled his America Party scheme. Independence Day is the perfect time to ask if you want independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system! he wrote on X. Should we create the America Party? More than a million X users responded to Musks snap poll; 65% said yes; 35% said no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it! Musk vowed the following day. What is Musk proposing? Of course, theres more to launching a third party than posting about it on social media. And so far, it appears that Musk hasnt taken any of the steps required to get his America Party off the ground. For one thing, Musk cant officially start a new party until after 2028. Like Perot, a new, independent presidential candidate would first have to secure ballot access nationwide; in many states, they would actually have to compete in the 2028 election and earn enough votes to keep that ballot access. Then, and only then, could the so-called America Party petition the Federal Election Commission to become a real national political party again, like Perot did with his Reform Party in 1995, three years after his initial presidential run. In the meantime, Musk could file with the FEC to start an America Party political committee to assist his preferred candidates. In fact, some filings under that name did appear on the FEC website right after Musks X announcement; two even list Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja as treasurer and custodian of records. But according to Musk, those filings are bogus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, the America Party seems short on substance. All we know is that Musk himself could never be its presidential candidate; he was born in South Africa, and the U.S. constitution requires the president to be a natural born Citizen. And, at least to start, the party might not even concern itself with the presidency. One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts, Musk hypothesized on July 4. Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people. Has anyone successfully started a third party before? It depends how you define successfully. The Libertarian Party launched in 1971 and fielded its first presidential ticket the following year. By 1980, it had clinched ballot access in all 50 states. It remains Americas third-largest political party today. Yet none of its recent presidential candidates have earned more than 3.3% of the national vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Reform Party slowly collapsed after the high-water mark of Perots 1996 campaign (8.4%). In 2000, it briefly flirted with Trump before nominating Pat Buchanan (0.4%). By the time Ralph Nader joined forces with the Reform Party four years later, it had lost its ballot line in all but seven states. Nader won just 0.38% of the vote. The most successful third party, at least on the presidential level, was the Progressive (or Bull Moose) Party. In 1912, former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt broke with his protege and successor William Howard Taft and decided to run for a third term. Ultimately, Roosevelt earned 27% of the national vote more than Taft (23%) and any other third-party candidate in U.S. history. But note that it took a figure as familiar and well-credentialed as a former president to get that far and even he didnt win. Because Roosevelt and Taft divided the GOP, Democrat Woodrow Wilson wound up flipping the White House with just 42% of the vote. I think its ridiculous to start a third party, Trump told reporters earlier this month. The Democrats have lost their way, but its always been a two-party system, and I think starting a third party just adds to confusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Third parties have never worked, so he can have fun with it but I think its ridiculous, the president added. Who really wants Musks America Party? The idea of another option something different from business as usual is perennially popular. According to Gallup, a full 58% of Americans said last October that the United States needs a third party because Republicans and Democrats do such a poor job representing their interests. Over the past two decades, that number has averaged 56%; in 2023 it hit a record high of 63%. Likewise, 43% of Americans told Gallup last year that they identify as independents rather than Democrats (28%) or Republicans (28%) a number that has been rising for some time, especially among younger voters. The problem is that the vast majority of self-described independents are actually just loyal Republicans or Democrats in disguise and the few that remain generally seem unwilling to waste their vote by casting it for a non-Democrat or non-Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political data journalist G. Elliott Morris recently attempted to estimate the size of Musks potential coalition by taking the total U.S. voter pool and subtracting hardcore Republicans (24%), hardcore Democrats (32%), soft Republicans (22%) and soft Democrats (20%). The America Party was left with less than 2% of the vote. When Morris took a slightly different approach removing (1) devoted partisans (67.5%); (2) any remaining pro-Trump voters (14%); (3) any remaining pro-spending voters (16%); and (4) any remaining anti-Musk voters (1.75%) the America Party wound up with an even smaller slice of the electorate (0.75%). Which isnt to say that Musk has zero chance of disrupting Americas partisan status quo the way hes already disrupted electric vehicles and space technology; no other third-party maestro has ever had his $400 billion fortune or his social-media megaphone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Nate Silver of the Silver Bulletin expressed skepticism about anchoring a new party to milquetoast No Labels centrism but suggested Musk could find some long-term success by exploiting blind spots in the major party agendas on forward-facing issues such as AI and the fertility crisis. Thats what Id be thinking about instead of just wanting to get revenge on Trump, or applying a template for third parties that has failed so often before, Silver said. In the meantime, perhaps Musk will start that political committee after all and spend millions in the 2026 midterms lavishly funding challengers to MAGA lawmakers who backed Trumps big, beautiful bill (while lambasting them on X). If he does, he could potentially spoil the election for the GOP, according to a new poll by Echelon Insights, and head into the 2028 cycle with some third-party momentum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The way were going to crack the uniparty system is by using a variant of how Epaminondas shattered the myth of Spartan invincibility at Leuctra, Musk predicted on X. Extremely concentrated force at a precise location on the battlefield. Or he could simply go back to posting about other things on X and wait for everyone to forget about his latest big promise as he has been known to do in the past. The Jeffrey Epstein conspiracy saga is blowing up in the White Houses face and social-media experts say that Elon Musks remake of X helped light the fuse. Conspiracy theories about Epstein, and the Trump administrations supposed complicity in silencing them, are starting to split MAGAs unruly factions and turn part of the movement against the president. (For those not following closely: The Department of Justice and FBI issued a joint report last week claiming that Epstein did not have an incriminating client list of powerful individuals whom he introduced to exploited minors a finding that defied the hopes of far-right Epstein truthers who President Donald Trump and his allies had been encouraging.) It was Musk himself who wrenched the Epstein affair back into public consciousness during his first open spat with Trump in June. In a now-deleted X post, Musk wrote, @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Trump has not been officially accused of any wrongdoing connected to Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Musk bears a deeper responsibility for the mess as well, say experts in online speech and for whatever damage it inflicts on Trumps coalition. A huge amount of the infighting has unfurled on X, from Musks initial accusations to far-right activist Laura Loomers attacks on Attorney General Pam Bondi, to Infowars founder Alex Jones raging at deep state puppet masters in the administration. X is really ground zero for a lot of whats going on, Joan Donovan, a Boston University professor who studies misinformation, told POLITICO. She added, It acts as a constant headache for powerful politicians and the mega-rich that still use the platform. This would have been unthinkable on Twitter before Musks reign, when a team of content moderators tried to tamp down on volatile conspiracy theories by kicking off many of the users who are now raising a ruckus. Musk acquired the site for $44 billion in 2022 and began rebuilding it in the name of free speech. By dramatically loosening content moderation rules, X put Republican elites face to face with the fringes of the right and brought their intramural arguments out of the shadows of 8kun, Gab and other less moderated sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement X did not respond to POLITICOs request for comment. Back when it was known as Twitter, the platform mounted a series of initiatives to counteract conspiracy theories that were spilling out to create real-world chaos. Twitter tried off and on to purge QAnon content, especially after it was linked to several violent incidents. It then suspended tens of thousands of accounts connected to the Capitol riot in 2021, including Trumps triggering a massive GOP blowback against social media companies that still continues. Members of these movements had long tried to evade Twitters moderators. Donovan, who was closely watching the online groups at the time, said that many de-identified as QAnon and then attached themselves to Stop the Steal, the election-conspiracy campaign that was slightly more mainstream, at least until it culminated in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Given Twitters somewhat inhospitable conditions, the far rights more fantastical narratives tended to flourish on alternative sites such as 4chan, its offshoot 8kun, Rumble and Gab. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That all changed when Musk took over Twitter, later renaming it X, and promised to create a digital public square that welcomed content and influential accounts that had previously been banned. Their audiences came along, and X is now the main hub for crackpot beliefs. These alternative platforms still exist, said Jared Holt, a specialist in online extremism at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. But the cultural capital they hold in the Trump movement has been almost entirely displaced by X. Toxic conspiracy theories used to gestate on alternative platforms and then spread to bigger sites. The anonymous leader of QAnon, who claimed to be a senior federal official, would post messages on 8kun that followers would then take to Facebook and Twitter. This content no longer has to cross-pollinate, as users have been emboldened to post it directly on X. The big tent that X provides allows fringe users to directly confront prominent allies of the president, particularly in the comments of their posts. Their streams and posts often land on Xs Discover feed, giving the content extra visibility among the mainstream and more center-right media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as theyre concerned, it is activism to be posting on social media, Renee DiResta, a Georgetown University professor who researches online conspiracy theories, told POLITICO. Particularly for the right, theyre not wrong that posting achieves results. According to Donovan, somewhat more mainstream figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens have been able to harness this anger on X. She says Carlson in particular has managed to move from the mainstream to the fringes, and then bring some people from the fringes back towards the MAGA right. Carlson, who straddles these two worlds, has promoted some of the more obscure threads of the Epstein affair. He suggested during a Turning Point USA conference Friday that Epstein had connections to the Israeli government, playing into the theory that the deceased sex offender ran a blackmail ring on behalf of the country. That narrative is being amplified on X by Carlson himself, and by the likes of TPUSAs Benny Johnson and conservative commentator Megyn Kelly. The platform is bringing family arguments within the right into public view, and turning the conspiracy theory ecosystem from an asset to a liability for Trump. This article originally appeared in Digital Future Daily, POLITICOs afternoon newsletter about tech, politics and power. Sign up here. CENTRAL TEXAS (FOX 44) Bell County and Navarro County are two of five new counties in Texas where the presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed. The Texas A&M Forest Service says the EAB has also been confirmed in Jack, Somervell, and Rockwall counties. Bell Countys confirmation makes it the southernmost confirmed location of EAB in the nation. EAB was first confirmed in Texas in 2016, and has spread to 31 counties statewide. EAB was previously confirmed in five new Texas counties in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas A&M Forest Service says it deploys traps annually beginning in February to proactively monitor EAB. The agency currently has 554 traps placed throughout Texas. When EAB exit a tree after feeding in the phloem of branches and trunks, they leave behind a distinct d-shaped hole. (Courtesy: Texas A&M Forest Service) EAB exiting an ash tree. Adult EAB are dark emerald green, one-half inch long and one-eighth inch wide. (Courtesy: Texas A&M Forest Service) Carvings left behind in an ash tree by the emerald ash borer, which feeds on the phloem of branches and trunks. (Courtesy: Texas A&M Forest Service) A collection of EAB from across Texas. Adult EAB are dark emerald green, one-half inch long and one-eighth inch wide. (Courtesy: Texas A&M Forest Service) Once the presence of EAB is confirmed in a county, the Texas Department of Agriculture assumes regulatory responsibility which includes the establishment of quarantines. The states mandatory quarantine by the Department of Agriculture restricts movement of any woody ash material exiting the county or quarantined area. The department also regulates sawmills, kiln dry facilities, mulch products, wood packing material, ash nursery stock and all hardwood firewood. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, all species of ash are susceptible to EAB. Infested ash trees may show few to no symptoms in early stages. Larval EAB feed in the phloem of branches and trunks, preventing nutrients from being transported from the leaves to the rest of the tree. Tree mortality can occur five to six years after the beetle is introduced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Symptoms of infestation can include dead branches near the top of a tree, leafy shoots sprouting from the trunk, bark splits exposing s-shaped larval galleries, extensive woodpecker activity and D-shaped exit holes. The Texas A&M Forest Service says adult EAB are dark emerald green, one-half inch long and one-eighth inch wide. They may be seen near ash trees especially between May and June in Texas, when they are more likely to fly. Texans can help minimize the spread of EAB by diversifying tree and plant species on their property, following the 10-20-30 ruleplanting no more than 10 percent of any one species, 20 percent of any one genus or 30 percent of any one family. (Courtesy: Texas A&M Forest Service) For more information on EAB in Texas, you can visit: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/trees/invasive-species/invasive-insects/emerald-ash-borer/ . For information from the Texas Department of Agriculture on EAB quarantine, you can visit: https://texasagriculture.gov/RegulatoryPrograms/PlantQuality/PestandDiseaseAlerts/EmeraldAshBorer.aspx . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you need to report EAB, you can call the EAB Hotline at 1-866-322-4512. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) Medical testing that helps identify rare disorders will soon be available for babies in the Coulee Region. Gundersen Health System in La Crosse is joining a new state network called the Badger Baby Network. The network will provide local genomic testing for babies. Genomic testing takes blood samples of infants and tests them for conditions such as a cleft palate or a hole in the heart. According to UW Health, about 2,000 babies are born with a rare genetic disorder each year in Wisconsin, and the sooner one can understand the diagnosis, the easier it is to understand what treatment and care options are available. April Hall with the UW Madison School of Health explained, It can also help the family make those medical decisions and make decisions for the family. And can let you know if other family members might be at risk of those conditions. It can also help with treatment. Some of these genetic conditions do have treatments available, and being able to get that diagnosis can help identify treatments that are best for that patient. The genomic testing program will be coming to Gunderson in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 & WIProud. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has firmly denied that Jeffrey Epstein was ever affiliated with Mossad, calling the accusation categorically and totally false in a post on social media on July 14. As a former Israeli Prime Minister, with the Mossad having reported directly to me, I say to you with 100% certainty: The accusation that Jeffrey Epstein somehow worked for Israel or the Mossad running a blackmail ring is categorically and totally false, Bennett posted on X. This accusation is a lie being peddled by prominent online personalities such as Tucker Carlson pretending they know things they dont. As a former Israeli Prime Minister, with the Mossad having reported directly to me, I say to you with 100% certainty: The accusation that Jeffrey Epstein somehow worked for Israel or the Mossad running a blackmail ring is categorically and totally false. Epsteins conduct, Naftali Bennett (@naftalibennett) July 14, 2025 The claim that Epstein had intelligence tieswhether to Israel or another statehas circulated for years and received new scrutiny in 2019, when journalist Vicky Ward reported that former U.S. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta said he was told to back off Epstein because Epstein belonged to intelligence. Acosta allegedly told Trump transition officials that Epstein was above his pay grade, and the transition team hired him anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That reported account, which Ward says came from a former senior White House official, has not been formally addressed or refuted by Acosta in full. In a separate press appearance in 2019, Acosta appeared to implicitly distance himself from the claim, referring to Epsteins intelligence ties as merely reported. Epsteins ties to foreign or domestic intelligence services are undeniable. However, a question remains about how deep these ties run. A 2023 Wall Street Journal review of Epsteins private calendar revealed meetings with several high-profile individuals after his 2008 conviction for a sex crime involving a minor. Among those meetings listed were thenDeputy Secretary of State William Burns, who left office as CIA director in January of this year, and former Obama White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler. The CIA has denied any significant connection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the agency told the WSJ that Burns had been introduced to Epstein as a financial expert and received general career advice as he was preparing to leave public service. The director did not know anything about him, other than that he was introduced as an expert in the financial services sector and offered general advice on transition to the private sector, the spokesperson said. Epstein, a financier and convicted sex offender, pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution. That plea deal, cut by Acosta while he was U.S. Attorney in Miami, brought a halt to a broader federal investigation into allegations of sex trafficking and abuse involving underage girls. In a press conference last week, current U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said, To him being an [intelligence] agent, I have no knowledge of that. We can get back to you on that. Her admission of unfamiliarity with the allegationdespite it being public since 2019sparked further questions about what, if anything, government agencies have done to investigate the possibility. Although Epsteins connections to intelligence agencies are clouded in mystery, reporting has long suggested links between his social circle and various intelligence-adjacent figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Telegraph has previously reported that Ghislaine Maxwells father, Robert Maxwellwho died under mysterious circumstances in 1991had ties to multiple intelligence agencies, including MI6, the KGB, and Mossad. He was buried in Israel with state honors, attended by top Israeli leadership, according to The Washington Post. Ghislaine would later indicate in a deposition that she met Epstein that same year, although it is unclear if it was before or after her fathers death, per ABC News. None of the individuals listed in Epsteins private calendar appeared in the so-called black book or on known flight logs of his private jet. For now, the question of whether Epstein was operating on behalf of any intelligence agencyAmerican, Israeli, or otherwiseremains unresolved. Jeffrey Epstein may have been dead for six years, but the circumstances surrounding his death and the evidence supporting federal charges of child sex trafficking continue to make headlines. Most recently, they have caused a schism in MAGA world, reigniting anger from some supporters of President Donald Trump over his campaign promise to release the FBI files on the Epstein case, which the Department of Justice now says will not happen. At the heart of the anger is the supposed existence of a client list of celebrities, politicians, and other prominent associates, whom some claim that Epstein blackmailed over their alleged involvement in his trafficking ring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conspiracy theorists have long demanded its release, but now the Trump administration says there is no evidence it exists, despite Attorney General Pam Bondi having said in February that it was on her desk. Bondi now says she was referring to the overall case file. The attorney general also said officials at the Justice Department were examining a truckload of evidence that had previously not been made public. Attorney General Pam Bondi, seen here with President Donald Trump, has angered the MAGA base by deciding not to release the so-called Epstein Files (Getty) Attorney General Pam Bondi, seen here with President Donald Trump, has angered the MAGA base by deciding not to release the so-called Epstein Files (Getty) However, the department concluded that public disclosure would not be appropriate, and much of the material was sealed by a judge. This has added fuel to rampant speculation that Trump is on the alleged list, despite its apparent nonexistence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This caused a storm among right-wing influencers, including commentator Tucker Carlson, activist Laura Loomer, and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, who are outraged over this lack of transparency. Heres what you need to know about the case and why MAGA is up in arms. What are the so-called Epstein Files? Epstein was a wealthy and very well-connected financier who was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges. He was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in New York City about a month after his arrest. Investigators concluded he died by suicide, although many people dispute this determination, including, most recently, a former occupant of the same cell. In addition, the raw video footage released by the Department of Justice of Epsteins cell door in the hours before he was found dead had nearly three minutes cut out from it, a new report has claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins former girlfriend, was charged with helping him abuse teenage girls and was convicted of sex trafficking at a 2021 trial and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Because the couples social circle included royals, presidents, and billionaires, the case gained massive attention and fueled some of the biggest conspiracy theories driving Trumps supporters. Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in an undated handout photo issued by the Department of Justice (US Department of Justice) Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in an undated handout photo issued by the Department of Justice (US Department of Justice) Trump himself was a friend of Epstein, and the two were photographed and filmed together on several occasions. In 2002, Trump described Epstein as a terrific guy whom he had known for 15 years, in an interview with New York magazine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. Being so well-connected, key figures in the MAGA movement have long propagated unsubstantiated claims that Epstein was murdered and that deep state actors in the government are hiding lists of his clients, videos of crimes being committed, and other evidence. Among those figures were now-FBI Director Kash Patel and his deputy Dan Bongino, who both stoked conspiracy theories surrounding Epsteins death, with the latter telling listeners in 2023 that there are people in the Washington swamp who are not telling you the truth. In 2019, Trump himself suggested there was a cover-up and was asked on Fox News on the 2024 campaign trail if he would declassify documents relating to the case once he took office again these became known as the Epstein Files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then-candidate Trump said he would, alongside files relating to 9/11 and the JFK assassination, but hedged his answer on Epstein, adding: I think that less so because you dont want to affect peoples lives if its phony stuff in there, because its a lot of phony stuff with that whole world. But I think I would. Kash Patel and Dan Bongino (Getty) Kash Patel and Dan Bongino (Getty) What has happened since Trump returned to the White House? In February, weeks after Trumps inauguration, Bondi was asked during a Fox News interview whether the DOJ would release the alleged client list. She responded: It's sitting on my desk right now to review. That's been a directive by President Trump. I'm reviewing that. A few days later, Bondi told the network that the Justice Department planned to publish a lot of flight logs and a lot of names related to Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On February 27, far-right influencers, including Jack Posobiec and Scott Presler, as well as the individuals behind the LibsofTikTok and DC_Draino accounts, were invited to an event at the White House and provided with binders marked The Epstein Files: Phase 1 and Declassified. After jubilant images of the group holding the binders aloft were published, their excitement quickly faded when they realized that the content was already almost entirely in the public domain. Some were outraged and blamed Bondi. People walk out of the West Wing of the White House with People walk out of the West Wing of the White House with "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" binders, in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 27, 2025 (Reuters) Loomer blasted the handling of the publication, writing on X: "The Epstein files were released in an unprofessional manner with paid, partisan social media influencers to curate their binders for us. I can't trust anything in the binder. Neither should you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, Bondi claimed there were tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn, adding further fuel to conspiracy theories that powerful people were being protected and the decision to release Phase 1 had been to allow time for some kind of cover-up. Bondi pushed back on this notion, saying: Its a new administration and everything is going to come out to the public. Multiple people who worked on the criminal cases of Epstein and Maxwell told The Associated Press that they had not seen and were unaware of a trove of recordings similar to what Bondi had referenced. June 5 Musk and Trumps feud explodes with Epstein allegation As the months-long bromance between Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk came to a spectacular end with a social media battle for the ages, the topic of Epstein arose in one of the most explosive posts exchanged that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk tweeted: Files linked to the investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have emerged as a point of fixation for Trump and his allies and right-wing media figures. Time to drop the really big bomb: Donald Trump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Shortly after, he wrote: Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out. Later, perhaps as cooler heads prevailed, Musk deleted the tweet. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the White House in happier times (AFP/Getty) President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the White House in happier times (AFP/Getty) July 7 MAGA world erupts over DOJ memo At the close of the Independence Day federal holiday weekend, the Justice Department announced in a two-page memo, in conjunction with the FBI, that there was no client list and no additional files relating to the case would be made public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ, it said, had determined that no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted, much was sealed by a court to protect Epsteins victims, and only a fraction of it would have been aired publicly had Epstein gone to trial. Additionally, the memo said that no further charges were expected as investigators did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties. Also released were hours of footage, which officials say further confirms Epstein died by suicide while in custody in his jail cell in Manhattan in 2019. The 11-hour video of Epsteins final hours in New Yorks Metropolitan Correctional Center had one minute of footage missing, and forensic experts concluded that the clip had been modified, adding fuel to the fire. While the memo said the governments highest priority was combatting child exploitation, it added: Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither of those ends. Right-wing conspiracy theories and renewed suspicions of a cover-up went into overdrive over this retreat by Bondi. Former Trump adviser Bannon questioned if the administration is really as transparent as it claims to be. Loomer called on Bondi to resign for lying to the American people, a call echoed by fellow MAGA influencer Glenn Beck. Podcaster Megyn Kelly called Bondi either lazy or incompetent, and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones accused the Trump administration of being part of the cover-up. July 8 Trump tries to deflect while Bondi attempts clean-up Attorney General Pam Bondi, left, listens as President Donald Trump, right, speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House (AP) Attorney General Pam Bondi, left, listens as President Donald Trump, right, speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House (AP) In a Cabinet meeting on July 8, with reporters present, Trump interrupted a question on the topic, saying: Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy's been talked about for years. You're asking we have Texas, we have this, we have all of the things. And are people still talking about this guy, this creep? That is unbelievable. Bondi then clarified her past comments on the case: In February, I did an interview on Fox, and it's been getting a lot of attention because I said I was asked a question about the client list, and my response was, it's sitting on my desk to be reviewed, meaning the file along with the JFK, MLK files as well. That's what I meant by that. Concerning her later comments about the tens of thousands of videos, she said that they had turned out to be child porn downloaded by that disgusting Jeffrey Epstein. Musk once again joined the conversation, posting on X: How can people be expected to have faith in Trump if he wont release the Epstein files? The former DOGE administrator also claimed, with no evidence, that his nemesis, Bannon, was in the files. July 11 Bonginos future in doubt The most public split within the Trump administration emerged between Bondi and Bongino, with the deputy FBI director expressing dissatisfaction with how the memo had been released. He told allies that he may resign as the storm over the memo continued within MAGA world. According to reports, the two had a fiery confrontation with Bongino attacking Bondi for her handling of the situation. To try and diffuse speculation about infighting within the administration, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on X that he had personally worked with both Bongino and Patel on the memo. All of us signed off on the contents of the memo and the conclusions stated in the memo, Blanche wrote. The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo's composition and release is patently false. This provoked an angry response from Loomer, who asked why no one had signed their name on the memo, speculating that the FBI had wanted to release more information and Bondi whom she refers to as Blondi had refused. Blondi is literally blowing up the Trump admin by concealing information, spending time on Fox News lying to MAGA base and by releasing contradictory statements, wrote Loomer on X. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Deputy Director Dan Bongino on Capitol Hill (Getty) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Deputy Director Dan Bongino on Capitol Hill (Getty) July 12 Trump defends Bondi amid continuing MAGA outrage Only one person could attempt to diffuse internal strife within the administration, and so on Saturday, the president took to Truth Social and, in an extraordinarily lengthy post, defended Bondi amid continued calls for her resignation from his base. Trump praised her for doing a fantastic job and urged his boys and gals in MAGA world to stop attacking her. Whats going on with my boys and, in some cases, gals? Trump wrote. Theyre all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! Were on one Team, MAGA, and I dont like whats happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein, Trump protested. The presidents post did little to quell the anger from his base, who continued to call for the release of the files. His first-term national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, wrote on X: @realdonaldtrump please understand the EPSTEIN AFFAIR is not going away. He added that failing to address unanswered questions about Epstein would make facing other national challenges much harder. Musk once again commented on X, replying to a post: Seriously. He [Trump] said Epstein half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein. Just release the files as promised. Seriously. He said Epstein half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein. Just release the files as promised. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2025 On the same day, rumors circulated that Patel, like Bongino, was also considering leaving the FBI. The director wrote on X that it is an honor to serve the president and I'll continue to do so for as long as he calls on me. The following day, asked about Bonginos future, Trump said he was in good shape, adding: I spoke to him today, Dan Bongino, very good guy. I've known him a long time. Before this, it had been reported that Trump was angry at Bongino over the situation. July 14 Lara Trump weighs in and Democrats demand answers The presidents daughter-in-law appeared to be off-message in terms of tamping down the scandal when she told Bennie Johnson on his podcast that there needed to be more transparency from the administration regarding the Epstein case and that more information would be released sooner rather than later. On the same day, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters at a news conference that there were only two things possibly be happening regarding the case. Option one, Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, and the MAGA extremists intentionally lied to the American people for years about the Jeffrey Epstein situation, he said. Option two is that, in fact, there's reason for the American people to be concerned as it relates to what information has not been released that could be damaging to the Trump administration and the friends and family of the Trump administration and their billionaire, corrupt supporters. And so, they're actively engaging in a cover-up, Jeffries continued. He added that if the administration was hiding something, it was up to Congress to uncover the truth for the American people. Later, Texas Democratic Rep. Marc Beasey introduced a resolution calling for the immediate release of all unclassified Epstein Files. That echoed calls from MAGA Republicans. America deserves the truth about Jeffrey Epstein and the rich powerful elites in his circle, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X Monday. Nevertheless, House Republicans blocked another Democrat push to force the Trump administration to release the FULL Epstein files. Seizing on growing MAGA infighting, California Representative Ro Khanna introduced an amendment to the GENIUS Act on Monday, calling on Bondi to compile and release all Epstein records within 30 days. Late Monday evening, the House Rules Committee voted 75 to block the proposal from reaching the lower chamber. July 15 Trump says Bondi should release whatever she thinks is credible President Donald Trump and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (AFP/Getty) President Donald Trump and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (AFP/Getty) On Tuesday, with the scandal refusing to die down, Trump told reporters on the South Lawn that Bondi should release whatever she thinks is credible on Epstein. When asked if Bondi had informed him that his name appeared in the file, the president said no and that he had received a very quick briefing on the review of the Epstein files before the release of the memo a week earlier. He then accused his predecessors of making up the files. And in terms of the credibility of the different things that they've seen, and I would say that, you know, these files were made up by Comey, they were made up by Obama, they were made up by the Biden -- and you know, we and we went through years of that with the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax, with all of the different things that we had to go through, Trump said. We've gone through years of it, but she's handled it very well, and it's going to be up to her, Trump said of Bondi. Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release. Later in the day, Trump addressed it yet again. I don't understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody. It's pretty boring stuff. I think really only pretty bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going, he told reporters at Joint Base Andrews. Also on Tuesday, podcaster Joe Rogan criticized the DOJs handling of the Epstein files as House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans broke away from the president over the issue, stating that he was for transparency and that even though it was a very delicate subject, everything should be made public to let people decide. Further, a day after saying he was done talking about Epstein and would trust my friends in the government, podcaster and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk reversed course and said he meant yesterday and will continue to discuss it, despite the presidents plea for MAGA world figures to let the issue die out. MAGA Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert called for failed Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz to lead a special counsel investigation into the files to deliver the truth. Gaetzs nomination was derailed over allegations that he paid for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl. He denies any wrongdoing, but a bombshell House Ethics Committee report detailed his alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use while he was in Congress. July 16 Trump lashes out at PAST supporters, and ties Epstein scandal to other scams and hoaxes With the Epstein Files and MAGA world rift dominating the news cycle, Trump took to Truth Social, writing a lengthy post tying the scandal to a multitude of past scams and hoaxes, pushed by the Radical Left Democrats. The president then lashed out at his MAGA base, claiming his PAST supporters have bought into this bullshit, hook, line, and sinker. I dont want their support anymore! Trump wrote. In an Oval Office appearance on Wednesday following the post, Trump said he had lost a lot of faith in certain people as he tried to move past the story. Its all been a big hoax, he told reporters. Its perpetrated by the Democrats, and some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net. He complained that Bondi has been waylaid over her handling of the case and has given out all credible information about the wealthy financier. If she finds anymore credible information shell give that, too, Trump said. What more can she do than that? Talking to Politico, Loomer warned that the scandal over the Epstein files could consume Trumps presidency, reiterating an earlier call for a special counsel to investigate. Later, in a pre-taped interview with Real Americas Voice, Trump adds: All my supporters want to talk about is the Jeffrey Epstein hoax. Its unbelievable ... Its a disgrace. ... Im going to remember. Kirk attempted some damage control on Trumps behalf on his podcast: Dont take too seriously this whole Truth Social here ... I dont believe he was trying to insult anybody personally. However, he is clearly still frustrated by the administration: We are now Wednesday, going into Thursday. People are very, very confused, and some people are very disappointed and mad. He added: We made so much progress with Gen Z, and this is a big vulnerability. Online, on TikTok, this story is not landing well. Lets fix this, and we can. July 17 White House attempts to explain Trumps hoax comments ahead of bombshell WSJ report White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a press briefing at the White House on July 17, 2025. (REUTERS) White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a press briefing at the White House on July 17, 2025. (REUTERS) Anger at the Trump administration for its reversal on the Epstein case continued on Thursday morning ahead of a White House briefing at which Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked multiple questions about the Epstein files saga. Asked what about the Epstein case, which featured multiple victims who testified about being trafficked and raped by the late sex offender, was a hoax, as Trump had posted, Leavitt ignored the presidents claim that the entire matter had been made up, and instead said the hoax status stems from the fact that Democrats are now joining his supporters in pushing for the case files to be made public. The President is referring to the fact that Democrats have now seized on this as if they ever wanted transparency when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein, which is an asinine suggestion for any Democrat to make, she said, adding that over four years in the Biden presidency they didnt do a dang thing about the case. After rumors circulated all day about a coming bombshell report from The Wall Street Journal, in the evening the outlet published a report about a 50th birthday greeting that the president reportedly sent Epstein in 2003, which was described as including a sexually suggestive drawing and a reference to secrets both men shared. On Truth Social, a furious Trump called the letter FAKE, saying it was not my words and, I dont draw pictures, despite multiple examples of him doing so in the past. Referring to Rupert Murdoch, the owner of the paper, the president wrote: Im going to sue his ass off. Following the weeks of uproar over the Epstein files, Trump asked Bondi to release certain documents and relevant grand jury testimony. He wrote on Truth Social: Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval. This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now! Two minutes later, Bondi tweeted: President Trumpwe are ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts. Turning Point USAs recent Student Action Summit featured a series of provocative conversations around Israel, Iran, and Jeffrey Epstein topics that sparked strong reactions online and among attendees. Although the organization maintains a pro-Israel stance, the summit featured speakers with varying views. Charlie is one of the most vocal supporters of Israel in this country, a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) resource page states. I hope these videos and links help clear up any questions you may have. Nonetheless, speakers such as Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Dave Smith raised questions that diverged from traditional narratives, drawing widespread attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carlson, speaking to a packed room, questioned whether Epstein may have been tied to a foreign intelligence operation. You have had all of this contact with a foreign government. Were you working on behalf of Mossad? Were you running a blackmail operation? Carlson asked. Everyone in Washington thinks that. I do not know anyone who does not. Kelly echoed the sentiment in an on-stage exchange with TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, saying she believed Epstein had worked for Mossad. Kirk then asked the crowd for a show of hands, and about half responded in agreement. Libertarian commentator and comedian Dave Smith debated journalist Josh Hammer over U.S. foreign policy and military involvement in the Middle East. Smith criticized American entanglements overseas, while Hammer defended the U.S.-Israel alliance. The two ended the exchange on amicable terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today I moderated a debate between Dave Smith and Josh Hammer on Israel. It was fiery, fun, and mostly peaceful, Kirk posted on X. Debate is the way forward, not name calling or censorship. Public polling reveals that views on Israel vary significantly by age group. Gallup reports that 46% of Americans express sympathy toward Israelis, a drop from previous years. Among Republicans ages 1829, support stands at 28%. Pew Research finds that among all adults under 30, support is just 14%. Online reaction to the summit was mixed. Laura Loomer accused Kirk of playing both sides of the Iran issue. Candace Owens praised Carlsons remarks, writing, Tucker is a real one. Others, like the account Green Lives Matter, called the exchange incredible, noting how openly the topic of Mossad was addressed. One former Israeli prime minister rejected the speculation entirely, calling it categorically and totally false. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the controversy, some attendees and commentators applauded the summits willingness to feature open debate on controversial subjects. The Dallas Express reached out to Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) Lawyers for Equatorial Guinea accused France of neo-colonial behavior on Tuesday, urging United Nations judges to block the sale of a mansion on one of Paris poshest avenues in the latest instalment in a long-running legal tug-of-war over the multimillion-dollar property. The African country filed a case at the International Court of Justice in 2022, alleging France is violating international law by refusing to return assets seized during a corruption investigation into Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of Equatorial Guineas long-serving president. Frances approach may be described as paternalistic and even neo-colonial. We cannot accept such disdain for our sovereignty from France," Carmelo Nvono-Nca, Equatorial Guineas agent, told The Hague-based court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Equatorial Guinea has asked the court for a series of urgent orders, known as provisional measures, to return the swanky mansion on one of Pariss most prestigious streets, Avenue Foch, and to prevent France from selling the building. Lawyers for France strongly rejected the need for provisional measures, telling judges no sale was imminent and the dispute should be resolved via negotiation. The request constitutes yet another abusive maneuver by Equatorial Guinea, France's agent, Diego Colas, told the court. In 2020, the international court ruled that the building was a private residence, not a diplomatic outpost, rejecting a claim from Equatorial Guinea that the seizure violated international law. Obiang was convicted in 2017, and given a three-year suspended sentence for embezzling millions of dollars in public money. French authorities seized money, luxury vehicles and the building, which boasts a hammam, a cinema and a night club. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 57-year-old has faced scrutiny for corruption in other countries as well. In 2021, he was sanctioned by the United Kingdom for misappropriating public funds, including spending $275,000 on the bejeweled glove that Michael Jackson wore on his Bad tour. Switzerland and Brazil have also opened investigations into his finances. Equatorial Guinea returned to The Hague in 2022, arguing the French government was obliged to return the assets based on a U.N. anti-corruption convention. Despite its oil and gas riches, Equatorial Guinea has a dramatic gap between its privileged ruling class and much of the impoverished population. The former Spanish colony is run by Africas longest-serving president, Obiangs father Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Kyrgyzstan has modified its legislation, titled 'On Limiting the Circulation of Polymer Film Bags and Plastic Items in the Territory of the Kyrgyz Republic' to relax certain planned prohibitions on single-use plastics. The Times of Central Asia reported that the updated law was signed by Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov. The original law, enacted by the country's parliament on 17 June 2025, was due to take effect on 1 January 2027. It initially banned the production, import, and sale of items such as polymer film bags, all disposable plastic tableware, plastic food packaging, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. Earlier measures also banned disposable plastic-based egg cartons and coffee capsules. The amendments now exclude PET bottles and disposable plastic food packaging from the banned list. Additionally, the restriction on disposable plastic tableware has been limited to nonrecyclable items only. These revisions were made to ensure compliance with the regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Domestic and regional businesses expressed concerns that the original bans, especially on PET bottles and food containers, could disrupt manufacturing and trade across borders, thereby conflicting with EAEU standards. Although these national regulations on plastics have been eased, local measures to address plastic pollution continue. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kyrgyzstan implemented a ban on the use and sale of plastic bags in the resort and recreational areas of Issyk-Kul starting in March 2025. This step is part of a wider effort to safeguard the lakes delicate ecosystem and maintain environmental cleanliness. "Kyrgyzstan revises restrictions on single-use plastics" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal believes that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin can only be compelled to end the war through force, something that US President Donald Trump did not realise at first. Source: Michal in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, as reported by European Pravda Quote from Michal: "Like some European leaders, when the war broke out, the American president thought he could achieve something by talking to Putin. But I think theyve now realised thats not the case. We Europeans know that Russia cannot be relied upon. The only way to stop it is by force." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michal said he is certain that Putin is continuing the war for domestic political reasons. "For Putin and his regime, fear is the only way to stay in power," he concluded. Background: On 14 July, Donald Trump once again expressed his disappointment with Russia and promised to impose very severe tariffs if a peace agreement is not reached in the near future. Trump has also announced an agreement between the US and NATO under which European allies will pay for American weapons supplied to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Among the many notorious and weird facts about North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un is his taste for extravagance and taboo delicacies. One of the most controversial dishes he's reportedly fond of is shark fin soup, a once-celebrated luxury in some East Asian cultures that has become a global symbol of animal abuse and environmental destruction. In 2022, after years of pressure by animal welfare and ocean nonprofits, Congress passed the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2021, making it illegal to possess or sell shark fins in the United States due to the brutal methods used to harvest the fins and the devastating consequences for marine ecosystems. Shark fin soup has a long history in Chinese imperial cuisine, where it symbolized wealth, power, and prestige. The soup is made using the fins of sharks, which are prized for their texture rather than their flavor. To meet the demand for this status symbol, the inhumane practice of "finning" became widespread: Sharks are caught, their fins sliced off while they're still alive, and their mutilated bodies are often thrown back into the ocean. Shark meat itself is also unsustainable, but receives less attention, unless it's the Icelandic fermented shark that Anthony Bourdain refused to eat ever again. Some shark species have seen population drops of more than 90% in recent decades. Conservationists warn that removing apex predators like sharks from the oceans will destabilize entire ecosystems, yet the demand for shark fin soup continues in some parts of the world, fueled by tradition and status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 10 Cheap Fish That Are Absolutely Not Worth Buying Shark Fin Soup Is Used As A Symbol Of Luxury And Power dried shark fins for sale outside Asian market - Darcy Perkins/Shutterstock Kim Jong-Un's love of shark fin soup is emblematic of the North Korean regime's tendency to flaunt excess, even as most of the country suffers from devastating food insecurity and economic hardship. According to reports from defectors and international observers, the North Korean elite enjoys access to expensive delicacies like Kobe steaks, caviar, and champagne . Serving shark fin soup at state banquets or private gatherings isn't just about taste it's Jong-Un's way to signal dominance and privilege. Kenji Fujimoto, a Japanese sushi chef who served the Kim family for over a decade, described making the soup for the political family after he defected to Japan in 2001. In an interview with Japanese media, he stated, "They both like shark fin soup three times a week." Fujimoto's stories don't stop there; he describes flying to Iran to pick up caviar, Denmark for beer, and Japan for fish. Nothing was too good for the family of Korean dictators. Many American chefs and restaurants have voluntarily removed shark fin soup from their menus in response to legal pressure and growing public awareness of its cruelty. Chef Gordon Ramsey avoids the soup at all costs after starring in an investigative documentary about the brutal practice. In a country where food is weaponized and extreme poverty is widespread for everyday people, the presence of a controversial luxury dish like shark fin soup reveals a lot about Jong-Un's values and power plays in Pyongyang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. An investigation by medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) into the "execution" of three of its workers during a humanitarian mission in Ethiopia's war-hit northern Tigray region has found evidence that the country's army was responsible for the killings four years ago. MSF's report includes claims that Ethiopian troops were present at the scene of the killing of the three - a Spanish national and two Ethiopians. "They were executed," MSF Spain's general director Raquel Ayora told the BBC. "They were facing their attackers [and] were shot at very close range... several times." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BBC has asked the Ethiopian government for a response to the allegation. MSF said it was releasing the findings of its report into the incident as the government had failed to provide a "credible account" of the deaths despite 20 face-to-face meetings over the last four years. Thirty-five-year-old Spaniard Maria Hernandez Matas, along with 32-year-old Yohannes Halefom Reda and 31-year-old Tedros Gebremariam, were killed on 24 June 2021 while travelling in central Tigray to assess medical needs. "They were very professional and passionate," Ms Ayora told the BBC. She added that the three were fully identifiable in MSF vests and their vehicle had the charity's flag and logos on either side when they were shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So, they knew that they were killing humanitarian aid workers," she said. Ms Matas had been working in Tigray since before the war and "was very much loved" by people in the region, Ms Ayora said. Her death has been particularly devastating for her mother as she was her only child, the MSF official added. Mr Tedros was killed soon after his wife had given birth to a baby girl. His widow named the baby Maria, after her father's killed Spanish colleague, Mr Ayora said. The aid workers were targeted despite the fact that their vehicle had an MSF flag [MSF] The Tigray conflict broke out in 2020 following a massive fall-out between the regional and federal governments, with neighbouring Eritrea entering the war on the side of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conflict ended two years later following a peace deal brokered by the African Union (AU). Its envoy, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, put the number of people who died in the conflict at around 600,000. Researchers said the deaths were caused by fighting, starvation and a lack of health care. MSF said the killing of its staff took place at a time when the conflict was intensifying, and Ethiopian and Eritrean troops were becoming increasingly hostile towards aid workers in the region. The charity's report includes what it says is evidence that a convoy of soldiers from the Ethiopian army, retreating from fighting, was present at the scene of the deaths, which, it adds, is corroborated by satellite imagery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report says both civilian and military eyewitnesses had come forward to directly implicate Ethiopian army soldiers in the killings, including one who allegedly heard a commander order an attack on the aid workers' vehicle. However the charity says "the level and nature" of the army's involvement in the attack "remains to be clarified". "The review found a large body of corroborating evidence that placed a convoy of retreating ENDF troops on the road where the killings took place on the day of the incident," MSF said. [BBC] More BBC stories on Tigray conflict: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Council said in a statement on Tuesday that it had imposed sanctions on seven individuals and three entities "responsible for actions aimed at destabilising" Moldova, whose leaders are bidding to join the EU by 2030. A statement by the Council said those targeted were close associates of Ilan Shor, a fugitive business magnate sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison in connection with the 2014 disappearance of $1 billion from the Moldovan banking system. Shor lives in Russia, where he oversees the activities of the pro-Russian "Victory" bloc, accused by Moldovan authorities of illegally financing electoral activities in Moldova, which lies between Ukraine and Romania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bloc was barred by the courts from participating in last year's Moldovan presidential election and referendum on Moldova's drive to join the European Union. Its leaders are barred from entering the EU and are subject to an asset freeze under the directive. The EU statement said some of the people listed "have been actively involved in vote buying schemes, in the context of the presidential elections and of the constitutional referendum on EU accession of 2024, and bribery to corrupt several politicians". Victoria Furtuna, leader of the Moldova Mare party and subject to the order, vowed to mount a legal challenge, saying groups in Brussels were "shamelessly and openly ...choosing on their own who is going to run our sovereign state". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two others on the list are pro-Russian lawmakers who have disappeared after being convicted on corruption charges. Pro-European President Maia Sandu, who has accused the Kremlin of trying to subvert her country, won re-election last year by a slim margin and a referendum endorsing her EU membership campaign also passed only narrowly. Moldovan police last year accused Shor of funnelling large sums illegally to voters ahead of the polls and Sandu said the vote-buying scheme had influenced the outcome of the votes. A poll published on Tuesday credited Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity with 27.4% of voting intentions ahead of a September parliamentary election, compared to 10.4% for the pro-Russian opposition Socialists and 6.2% for the Victory bloc. (Reporting by Geert De Clercq and by Alexander Tanas in Chisinau, editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Ron Popeski and Sandra Maler) European Union foreign affairs ministers on Tuesday failed to unanimously back the bloc's 18th package of sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, after Slovakia sustained its veto. "I'm really sad that we didn't reach this agreement today," said EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, after a ministerial meeting in Brussels with the war in Ukraine being at the top of the agenda. The proposed set of punitive measures targets Russia's financial and energy sectors in response to President Vladimir Putins refusal to agree to an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sanctions were however put on hold after Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico last month said he is not ready to endorse the proposal, citing concerns over Slovakia's gas imports. "I must say that we were really close to reassure Slovakia," Kallas said. "Now, the ball is in Slovakia's court, and we must get this deal done." All of the EU's 27 members have to back new sanctions before they can be implemented. "Stanctions are necessary to starve Russia of the means to wage this war. The European Union will keep rising the cost, so stopping its aggression becomes the only path forward to Moscow," Kallas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arriving at the meeting, German Minister of State for Europe Gunther Krichbaum said the new measures should be adopted "as quickly as possible." "It is important to take decisive action now to ensure that Russia is put under pressure and that Ukraine is put in a very strong negotiating position," he said. "Only then will it be possible to reach a fair agreement at the end of the day." Under the plans, the international price cap on Russian oil exports would be lowered to $45 per barrel, down from $60 per barrel, but the measure failed to receive unanimous backing at a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced Western democracies last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Even if the Americans are not onboard, but the other G7 countries are onboard, then we will move on with this," Kallas said. Kallas said she welcomed the announcement by the US that it is sending defensive weapons to Ukraine, adding that she hopes "they will get all [that] they have been promised." EU ministers also discussed Russia's war with their Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, who joined the meeting by video-link. The situation in the Middle East was also on the agenda of the meeting, after the EU announced last week a deal with Israel on improving access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. At least 61 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, including at least two aid seekers, as the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, warns that malnutrition rates among children are increasing in the besieged enclave. At least 23 people were killed and dozens of others were wounded in an Israeli air attack on the Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza on Tuesday, medical sources told Al Jazeera. In southern Gaza, at least two women were killed and 30 others were wounded near an aid distribution point north of Rafah, run by the controversial Israeli- and United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UN said that at least 875 people have died trying to access aid in Gaza since late May, when the GHF began operating. Earlier, the Palestinian Civil Defence said that its teams transported at least 18 martyrs and dozens of wounded since dawn, most of them following Israeli air strikes in northern Gaza. Israels military also issued a forced displacement order for Palestinians living in 16 areas in northern Gaza. Among the areas affected is Jabalia, a ravaged town where residents have been fleeing in fear and panic. People are using their cars and donkeys to evacuate the area, and all are moving towards the unknown; they dont know where to go, Al Jazeeras Moath al-Kahlout said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are also struggling with transportation as there is no fuel to move from here and other areas. So, the situation is very chaotic. Everyone living here is in a state of panic. One Israeli strike also hit a tent in Gaza City housing displaced Palestinians, killing six people, according to the Civil Defence agency. Rising malnutrition Separately on Tuesday, health teams in Gaza for UNRWA warned that malnutrition rates are increasing, especially since the Israeli siege was tightened more than four months ago. According to UNRWA head General Philippe Lazzarini, one in 10 children screened since 2024 has been malnourished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the agency called malnutrition in the Strip engineered and man-made. The warning comes as European Union foreign ministers met in Brussels to discuss possible action against Israel over its assault on Gaza if the humanitarian situation does not improve. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas put forward 10 potential options on Tuesday after Israel was found to have breached a cooperation deal between the two sides on human rights grounds. The measures range from suspending the entire accord or curbing trade ties to sanctioning Israeli ministers, imposing an arms embargo and halting visa-free travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite growing anger over the devastation in Gaza, EU states remain divided over how to tackle Israel, and there was no agreement on taking any of the moves at the Tuesday meeting. We will keep these options on the table and stand ready to act if Israel does not live up to its pledges, Kallas told journalists. The aim is not to punish Israel. The aim is to really improve the situation in Gaza. The meeting in Brussels came in the wake of the deal largely forged by Kallas and Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar. Saar met with EU leaders on Monday after agreeing last week to allow desperately needed food and fuel into the coastal enclave of 2.3 million people, who have endured more than 21 months of Israels deadly assault amid a crippling blockade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The border crossings have been opened, we see more trucks going in. We see also operations of the electricity network, but its clearly not enough because the situation is still untenable, Kallas said. Details of the deal remain unclear, but EU officials have rejected any cooperation with the GHF over ethical and safety concerns. Calls for sanctions European nations like Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain have increasingly called for the EUs ties with Israel to be reassessed in the wake of the war, which has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians mostly women and children. A report by the European Commission found indications that Israels actions in Gaza are violating human rights obligations in the agreement governing its ties with the EU, but the bloc is divided over how to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public pressure over Israels conduct in Gaza made the new humanitarian deal possible, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp said, adding, That force of the 27 EU member states is what I want to maintain now. Two Palestinians stand on the roof of a building as smoke billows following Israeli strikes on Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip [Bashar Taleb/AFP] Kallas will update EU member nations every two weeks on how much aid is actually getting through to Gaza, Irish Foreign Minister Thomas Byrne said. So far, we havent really seen the implementation of it, maybe some very small actions, but theres still slaughter going on; theres still a denial of access to food and water as well, he said. We need to see action. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno said details of the deal were still being discussed and the EU would monitor results to see if Israel is complying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very clear that this agreement is not the end we have to stop the war, he said. There have been regular protests across the continent, including a small one on Tuesday outside the European Council, where the ministers were discussing the aid plan. Dozens of protesters in Brussels called for more aggressive actions to stop Israels offensive in the largely destroyed Gaza Strip, where famine looms and the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse. Alexis Deswaef, the vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights, said the EU must now agree on a package of sanctions for Israel to end the genocide and for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was able to do this for Russia, said Human rights groups largely called the EUs actions insufficient. This is more than political cowardice, said Agnes Callamard, secretary-general of Amnesty International. Every time the EU fails to act, the risk of complicity in Israels actions grows. This sends an extremely dangerous message to perpetrators of atrocity crimes that they will not only go unpunished but be rewarded. BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union did not approve the 18th Russia sanctions package on Tuesday, the EU's foreign chief Kaja Kallas said after a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels. She said she was "really sad" the sanctions did not get approved, but hopeful a deal will be reached on Wednesday, adding that the ball is in Slovakia's court. Slovakia has been blocking the EU's latest sanctions package until its concerns are addressed over a separate EU proposal to phase out imports of Russian gas by January 1, 2028. Sources told Reuters on Monday that all elements of the package had been agreed, although one member state still had a reservation about a proposed lower price cap on Russian oil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The European Commission last month proposed the 18th package of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, aimed at Moscow's energy revenue, its banks, and its military industry. The new package proposes banning transactions with Russia's Nord Stream gas pipelines, as well as banks that engage in sanctions circumvention. It also proposes a floating price cap on Russian oil of 15% below the average market price of crude in the previous three months, EU diplomats have said. (Reporting by Andrew Gray, Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Alison Williams and Rod Nickel) The European Union on July 15 failed to approve its 18th package of sanctions against Russia due to continued obstruction from Slovakia, which is seeking exemptions related to a planned phase-out of Russian gas. The bloc hoped to formally approve the package during a foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on July 15. Sources told Reuters that the EU expected to reach a unanimous agreement ahead of the meeting. Instead, Slovakia, which has previously blocked attempts to pass the new measures, insisted on a delay in the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The representative of the Slovak Republic was instructed to request a postponement of the vote on the 18th sanctions package today, taking into account the position of the Slovak political scene," Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said in a statement after the meeting. Fico cited Slovakia's ongoing concerns about transitioning away from Russian gas and said the European Commission's proposed solutions were unaccceptable. "The government coalition rejects the imbecile proposal of the European Commission to stop the flow of Russian gas from 2028," he said. Fico's office published a letter from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen dated July 15 pledging to "engage to address the concerns of Slovakia." Fico called the letter's guarantees "insufficient" and said Bratislava was prepared to negotiate a deal that would grant the country an exemption to the 2028 deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The best solution to the situation would be to grant Slovakia an exemption allowing it to fulfill the contract with Russia's Gazprom until its end in 2034, which the European Commission currently rejects in principle because implementing this proposal would negate the essence of anti-Russian sanctions," Fico said. Since EU sanctions require unanimous backing, a single country's veto prevents the package from being implemented. In late June, both Slovakia and Hungary the EU's most Kremlin-friendly members and those most reliant on Russian energy imports opposed the draft sanctions, stalling their adoption. Slovakia again vetoed the package on July 9. The latest proposed sanctions, presented on June 10, target Moscow's energy revenues, banks, and military industries in response to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Read also: Trumps big Russia announcement fails to lift spirits in a fatigued Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. European trade officials met in Brussels on Monday to game out a plan to deal with looming 30-percent duties that will be levied by the United States beginning Aug. 1. After voicing strong disapproval of President Donald Trumps weekend announcement of the new tariff rate, representatives from the 27-member trade bloc now say they will retaliate with tariffs of their own if a deal is not reached by the deadline. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denmark Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen called Trumps threats absolutely unacceptable and told reporters that the bloc shouldnt impose countermeasures at this stage, but we should prepare to be ready to use all the tools in the toolbox. According to NPR, the leader said that the Scandinavian country wants a deal, but he invoked a truism to describe the current conundrum: If you want peace, you have to prepare for war. Following Trumps Saturday release of letters to Mexico and the European Union, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sought to strike a diplomatic tone. Few economies in the world match the European Unions level of openness and adherence to fair trading practices, she said in a statement. The EU has consistently prioritized a negotiated solution with the U.S., reflecting our commitment to dialogue, stability, and a constructive transatlantic partnership. While the bloc is ready to continue working towards an agreement by the end of the month, von der Leyen said it would take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required. The escalation in tension comes after a cooling off period that lasted several months. The EU had planned to implement retaliatory duties on more than $24 billion in American-made goods as a response to Trumps Liberation Day tariff announcement, wherein he hit the continent with 20-percent across the board duties. Trump ultimately paused those tariffs for 90 days (though he threatened the EU with 50-percent duties weeks later) and Europe, too, backed off on its plan in hopes that a deal could be reached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The end of the reciprocal tariff pause last week was marked by a flurry of announcements from the American president, delivered to dozens of trade partners in letter form via his platform of choice, Truth Social. European leaders were unsurprisingly nonplussed by the development. French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his strong disapproval of the announcement of the steep tariffs, which he said came after weeks of intense engagement by the Commission in negotiations with the United States, on the basis of a solid offer made in good faith. Macron said it was now up to the Commission to resolutely defend European interests by speeding up the preparation of countermeasures and other trade tools to defend against the tariff impact if a consensus cant be reached. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also decried the U.S. tariffs but supported the European Commission in negotiating on behalf of the trade bloc. A trade war within the West would make us all weaker in the face of the global challenges we are addressing together, she said in a statement Sunday. Europe has the economic and financial strength to uphold its interests and reach a fair and common-sense agreement. Italy will do its part, as always. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Europe prepares to hold its ground, Trump struck a more conciliatory tone on Monday, saying, We are open to talk, including to Europe. In fact, theyre coming over, theyd like to talk to us. They would like to do a different kind of a deal and were always open to talk, he told reporters from the Oval Office. Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday expressed greater confidence than her European counterparts that the country could reach a deal with the U.S. before the tariffs take effect. During her morning news conference, Sheinbaum referenced Trumps missive, saying, The letter clearly states that they are seeking an agreement to avoid these tariffs, which are set for August 1st. We will continue working and hope to reach an agreement, she added. The most important thing for us is that employment is not affected and that cooperation between our countries is maintained. BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union is seeking updates and more action from Israel on implementing a new deal to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday. Foreign ministers from the EU's 27 member nations were meeting in Brussels in the wake of the deal largely forged by Kallas and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Saar met with EU leaders on Monday after agreeing last week to allow desperately needed food and fuel into the coastal enclave of 2.3 million people who have endured more than 21 months of war. The border crossings have been opened, we see more trucks going in, we see also operations of the electricity network, but its clearly not enough because the situation is still untenable, Kallas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details of the deal remain unclear, but EU officials have rejected any cooperation with the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund over ethical and safety concerns. Opening more border crossings and allowing more aid trucks into Gaza is the priority, but officials say eventually theyd like to set up a monitoring station at Kerem Shalom crossing. Calls to reassess ties with Israel European nations like Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain have increasingly called for the EU's ties with Israel to be reassessed in the wake of the war. A report by the European Commission found indications that Israels actions in Gaza are violating human rights obligations in the agreement governing its ties with the EU, but the bloc is divided over how to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public pressure over Israel's conduct in Gaza made the new humanitarian deal possible, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said, adding: That force of the 27 EU member states is what I want to maintain now." Kallas will update EU member nations every two weeks on how much aid is actually getting through to desperate Gazans, Irish Foreign Minister Thomas Byrne said. So far we havent really seen the implementation of it, maybe some very small actions, but theres still slaughter going on, theres still a denial of access to food and water as well," he said. We need to see action. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manual Albares Bueno said details of the deal were still being discussed and the EU would monitor results to see if Israel is complying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's very clear that this agreement is not the end we have to stop the war," he said. There have been regular protests across the continent, including a small one on Tuesday outside the European Council, where the ministers were discussing the aid plan. Dozens of protesters in Brussels called for more aggressive actions to stop Israel's military campaign in Gaza. It was able to do this for Russia," said Alexis Deswaef, vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights. "It must now agree on a package of sanctions for Israel to end the genocide and for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Human rights groups largely called the EU's actions insufficient. This is more than political cowardice," said Agnes Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International. Every time the EU fails to act, the risk of complicity in Israels actions grows. This sends an extremely dangerous message to perpetrators of atrocity crimes that they will not only go unpunished but be rewarded. Risks to humanitarian groups The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage, most of whom have been released in earlier ceasefires. Israel responded with an offensive that has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministry, which is under Gazas Hamas-run government, doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants. The U.N. and other international organizations see its figures as the most reliable statistics on war casualties. The EU has observed some aid trucks entering Gaza, but not enough, said Hajda Lahbib, an EU commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management. The situation is still so dangerous, so violent, with strikes still continuing on the ground, that our humanitarian partners cannot operate. So, this is the reality we need to have a ceasefire," she said. ___ Associated Press journalist Sylvain Plazy contributed to this report. President Trump is reportedly pushing for higher blanket tariffs on imports from the European Union, throwing a wrench in negotiations ahead of an Aug. 1 deadline for sweeping duties to take effect. The Financial Times reported that Trump wants a minimum of a 15% to 20% tariff on EU goods as part of any deal. Trump has threatened the bloc with 30% duties beginning Aug. 1. That is the date he is also set to impose tariffs on an array of other trading partners, as well as potential sectoral levies on copper, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. The EU has left the latest discussions disappointed, according to the report, and considering options in negotiations and in potential retaliation. "We dont want a trade war, but we dont know if the US will leave us a choice," the report quoted a senior EU diplomat as saying. Earlier this week, Trump said he would soon send letters to over 150 smaller US trade partners, setting blanket tariff rates for that large group. Trump has already sent letters to over 20 trade partners outlining tariffs on goods imported from their countries. The letters set new baseline tariff levels at 20% to 40% except for a 50% levy on goods from Brazil in a move that waded into the country's domestic politics. Last week, Trump announced a 35% tariff on Canadian goods and followed that up with promises of 30% duties on Mexico and the EU. The letters have at times upended months of careful negotiations, with Trump saying he is both open to reaching different deals but also touting his letters as "the deals" themselves. As markets focus on US talks, here is where things stand with other key partners: Vietnam: Trump said a deal with Vietnam is "pretty well set." Two weeks ago, Trump said the pact would see the country's imports face a 20% tariff lower than the 46% Trump threatened in April. In addition, there's a higher 40% tariff "on any transshipping" when goods shipped from Vietnam originate elsewhere, like China. India: Trump's tariffs on Brazil have raised the stakes for India, another member of the BRICS coalition. Bloomberg reported that the countries are working toward a framework deal that could see US tariffs on goods from India drop below 20%. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet Here are the latest updates as the policy reverberates around the world. LIVE 1457 updates The European Union has sent a team of trade experts to Washington for technical-level talks as pressure mounts to secure a deal with the Trump administration before punishing tariffs take effect on August 1. A phone call between EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer was also scheduled for Tuesday, the European Commission said. Sefcovic spoke on Monday with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a spokesperson said, though no details of the discussions were disclosed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brussels is desperate to avoid the 30% tariffs on EU goods threatened by President Donald Trump, who said over the weekend that he would impose the duties if the EU fails to offer adequate concessions. The Republican has called for measures to reduce the US trade deficit with the EU, potentially including lower tariffs on US exports to Europe or the relocation of European production to the US. Until Trump's latest tariff threat, EU officials had expressed cautious optimism that a framework deal to de-escalate the trade fight was within reach, after months of back-and-forth talks. In the event the US enacts the new duties on August 1, the EU has signalled it will retaliate with countertariffs. Sefcovic warned on Monday that a 30% tariff on the EU would amount to a de facto trade ban. The EU is threatening Georgia, a candidate country for membership, with sanctions over violations of core European values. Georgia's democratic backsliding will not go without consequences, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said following a meeting of bloc foreign ministers in Brussels. "They have certain conditions they have to comply with," she told reporters on Tuesday. One possible option, she said, would be to suspend visa-free travel or the current EU-Georgia partnership agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kallas urged the Georgian government to make changes by the end of August. These include safeguarding the freedom of assembly and expression, respecting the right to privacy, and adhering to anti-discrimination laws. Kallas stated that the EU does not wish to harm the Georgian population but emphasised that the credibility of the European Union is also at stake. The criticism is primarily directed at the current ruling party, Georgian Dream, which has been accused of restrictions on independent media and non-governmental organizations. Brussels also has concerns that Georgia is being influenced by Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the developments, the EU had already frozen Georgia's accession process last year. Candidate status was granted to the country of 3.7 million people at the end of 2023, after it applied for EU membership shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Brussels plans to target US goods including planes, cars and whiskey if trade talks with Washington fail, according to a list seen by AFP on Tuesday, as the bloc renewed its push for a deal. Trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic was to talk to US counterpart Jamieson Greer Tuesday, a day after speaking with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The European Commission said that Brussels was still hopeful for a "good outcome" in the tariffs standoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US President Donald Trump threw a curveball into months of EU-US negotiations at the weekend when he announced he would slap a 30-percent levy on the bloc's goods from August 1 if no deal was made. Until Trump's ultimatum, the EU had been hoping for an accord last week that would stave off higher tariffs and avoid a damaging trade war with its biggest commercial partner. On Monday, Brussels shared with member states a list of US goods worth 72 billion euros ($84 billion) that could be hit by levies if tariff negotiations fail -- with several capitals urging the bloc to toughen its stance. The 202-page document, seen by AFP on Tuesday, lists big-ticket items like US-made aircraft, cars, chemicals and electrical equipment alongside sundry other items, such as live bees, camels, parrots, condoms and opium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bourbon whiskey, whose targeting faced resistance from France and Italy for fear of reprisals against European wine and spirits, also features. So are nails, snails, and Christmas trees. Commission spokesman Olof Gill declined to provide details of Sefcovic's Monday call with Lutnick, but said a technical team from the commission, in charge of trade policy for the 27-nation EU, was heading to Washington "as we speak". "We are in the most sensitive stage of those negotiations right now, working towards getting an agreement in principle over the line before the deadline," he told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We wouldn't be engaging in negotiations if we didn't think those negotiations could lead to a good outcome. So clearly, we think that an agreement in principle, as we have said, is within reach." The commission's new list of reprisal targets comes in addition to a first package -- worth 21 billion euros -- which it drew up after Trump slapped tariffs on imports of EU steel and aluminium. That retaliation remains suspended until early next month to allow for more negotiations, and Gill said the EU would not decide on imposing the second round of tariffs before August 1. raz-ub/ec/rmb European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said she is hopeful the bloc can decide on a new sanctions package on Russia very soon. "We are very, very close," she said, adding that she expects a decision "today or tomorrow." EU foreign affairs ministers are meeting in Brussels on Tuesday with new sanctions on Russia and the war in Ukraine being at the top of the agenda. The proposed set of punitive measures targets Russia's financial and energy sectors in response to President Vladimir Putins refusal to agree to an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, but not all of the EU's 27 members have so far endorsed the package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the plans, the international price cap on Russian oil exports would be lowered to $45 per barrel, down from $60 per barrel, but the measure failed to receive unanimous backing at a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced Western democracies last month. "Even if the Americans are not onboard, but the other G7 countries are onboard, then we will move on with this," Kallas said, as she arrived to the meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers. Kallas said she welcomed the announcement by the US that it is sending defensive weapons to Ukraine, adding that she hopes "they will get all [that] they have been promised." European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said she is hopeful the bloc can decide on its 18th sanctions package on Russia very soon. "We are very, very close," she said, adding that she expects a decision "today or tomorrow." EU foreign affairs ministers are meeting in Brussels on Tuesday with new sanctions on Russia and the war in Ukraine being at the top of the agenda. The proposed set of punitive measures targets Russia's financial and energy sectors in response to President Vladimir Putins refusal to agree to an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sanctions were however put on hold after Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico said he is not ready to endorse the proposal, citing concerns over Slovakia's gas imports. All of the EU's 27 members have to back new sanctions before they can be implemented. German Minister of State for Europe Gunther Krichbaum said the new measures should be adopted "as quickly as possible." "It is important to take decisive action now to ensure that Russia is put under pressure and that Ukraine is put in a very strong negotiating position," he said. "Only then will it be possible to reach a fair agreement at the end of the day." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the plans, the international price cap on Russian oil exports would be lowered to $45 per barrel, down from $60 per barrel, but the measure failed to receive unanimous backing at a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced Western democracies last month. "Even if the Americans are not onboard, but the other G7 countries are onboard, then we will move on with this," Kallas said, as she arrived to the meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers. Kallas said she welcomed the announcement by the US that it is sending defensive weapons to Ukraine, adding that she hopes "they will get all [that] they have been promised." EU ministers also plan to discuss Russia's war with their Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, who plans to join the meeting by video-link. On the agenda of the meeting is also the situation in the Middle East, after the EU announced last week a deal with Israel on improving access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. The U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, 2025, sent shock waves around the world. It marked a dramatic reversal for the Trump administration, which had just initiated negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program. Dispensing with diplomacy, the U.S. opted for the first time for direct military involvement in the then-ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict. European governments have long pushed for a diplomatic solution to Tehrans nuclear ambitions. Yet, the reaction in the capitals of Europe to the U.S. bombing of the nuclear facilities was surprisingly subdued. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted Israels right to defend itself and protect its people. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was equally supportive, arguing that this is dirty work that Israel is doing for all of us. And a joint statement by the E3 France, the U.K. and Germany tacitly justified the U.S. bombing as necessary to prevent the possibility of Iran developing nuclear weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europes responses to the Israeli and American strikes were noteworthy because of how little they discussed the legality of the attacks. There was no such hesitation when Russia targeted civilian nuclear energy infrastructure in Ukraine in 2022. But the timid reaction also underscored Europes bystander role, contrasting with its past approach on that topic. Irans nuclear program had been a key focal point of European diplomacy for years. The E3 nations initiated negotiations with Tehran back in 2003. They also helped to facilitate the signing of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which also included Russia, the European Union, China, the U.S. and Iran. And the Europeans sought to preserve the agreement, even after the unilateral U.S. withdrawal in 2018 during President Donald Trumps first term. As a scholar of transatlantic relations and security, I believe Europe faces long odds to once again play an impactful role in strengthening the cause of nuclear nonproliferation with Iran. Indeed, contributing to a new nuclear agreement with Iran would require Europe to fix a major rift with Tehran, overcome its internal divisions over the Middle East and manage a Trump administration that seems less intent on being a reliable ally for Europe. Growing rift between Iran and Europe For European diplomats, the 2015 deal was built on very pragmatic assumptions. It only covered the nuclear dossier, as opposed to including other areas of contention such as human rights or Irans ballistic missile program. And it offered a clear bargain: In exchange for greater restrictions on its nuclear program, Iran could expect the lifting of some existing sanctions and a reintegration into the world economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, the U.S. withdrawal from the deal in 2018 posed a fundamental challenge to the status quo. Besides exiting, the Trump White House reimposed heavy secondary sanctions on Iran, which effectively forced foreign companies to choose between investing in the U.S. and Iranian markets. European efforts to mitigate the impact of these U.S. sanctions failed, thus undermining the key benefit of the deal for Iran: helping its battered economy. It also weakened Tehrans faith in the value of Europe as a partner, as it revealed an inability to carve real independence from the U.S. U.S. President Donald Trump walks past French President Emmanuel Macron, center, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, 2025. Christian Hartmann/AFP via Getty Images After 2018, relations between Europe and Iran deteriorated significantly. Evidence of Iranian state-sponsored terrorism and Iran-linked plots on European soil hardly helped. Moreover, Europeans strongly objected to Iran supplying Russia with drones in support of Moscows invasion of Ukraine and later on, ballistic missiles as well. On the flip side, Iran deeply objected to European support for Israels war in the Gaza Strip in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. These deep tensions remain a significant impediment to constructive negotiations on the nuclear front. Neither side currently has much to offer to the other, nor can Europe count on any meaningful leverage to influence Iran. And Europes wider challenges in its Middle East policy only compound this problem. Internal divisions In 2015, Europe could present a united front on the Iranian nuclear deal in part because of its limited nature. But with the nonproliferation regime now in tatters amid Trumps unilateral actions and the spread of war across the region, it is now far harder for European diplomats to put the genie back in the bottle. That is particularly true given the present fissures over increasingly divisive Middle East policy questions and the nature of EU diplomacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europe remains very concerned about stability in the Middle East, including how conflicts might launch new migratory waves like in 2015-16, when hundreds of thousands of Syrians fled to mainland Europe. The EU also remains very active economically in the region and is the largest funder of the Palestinian Authority. But it has been more of a payer than player in the region, struggling to translate economic investment into political influence. In part, this follows from the longer-term tendency to rely on U.S. leadership in the region, letting Washington take the lead in trying to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But it also reflects the deeper divisions between EU member nations. With foreign policy decisions requiring unanimity, EU members have often struggled to speak with one voice on the Middle East. Most recently, the debates over whether to suspend the economic association agreement with Israel over its actions in Gaza or whether to recognize a Palestinian state clearly underscored the existing EU internal disagreements. Unless Europe can develop a common approach toward the Middle East, it is hard to see it having enough regional influence to matter in future negotiations over Irans nuclear program. This, in turn, would also affect how it manages its crucial, but thorny, relations with the U.S. Europe in the shadow of Trump The EU was particularly proud of the 2015 nuclear deal because it represented a strong symbol of multilateral diplomacy. It brought together great powers in the spirit of bolstering the cause of nuclear nonproliferation. Smoke rises from a building in Tehran after the Iranian capital was targeted by Israeli airstrikes on June 23, 2025. Elyas/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images Ten years on, the prospects of replicating such international cooperation seem rather remote. Europes relations with China and Russia two key signers of the original nuclear deal have soured dramatically in recent years. And ties with the United States under Trump have also been particularly challenging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dealing with Washington, in the context of the Iran nuclear program, presents a very sharp dilemma for Europe. Trying to carve a distinct path may be appealing, but it lacks credibility at this stage. Recent direct talks with Iranian negotiators produced little, and Europe is not in a position to give Iran guarantees that it would not face new strikes from Israel. And pursuing an independent path could easily provoke the ire of Trump, which Europeans are keen to avoid. There has already been a long list of transatlantic disputes, whether over trade, Ukraine or defense spending. European policymakers would be understandably reticent to invest time and resources in any deal that Trump could again scuttle at a moments notice. Trump, too, is scornful of what European diplomacy could achieve, declaring recently that Iran doesnt want to talk to Europe. He has instead prioritized bilateral negotiations with Tehran. Alignment with the U.S., therefore, may not translate into any great influence. Trumps decision to bomb Iran, after all, happened without forewarning for his allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thus, Europe will continue to pay close attention to Irans nuclear program. But, constrained by poor relations with Tehran and its internal divisions on the Middle East, it is unlikely that it will carve out a major role on the nuclear dossier as long as Trump is in office. 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: Garret Martin, American University School of International Service Read more: Garret Martin receives funding from the European Union for the organization, the Transatlantic Policy Center, that he co-directs. By Lili Bayer and Andrew Gray BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Several European countries said on Tuesday they were willing to buy U.S. arms for Ukraine under a scheme announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, although arrangements still needed to be worked out. Trump said on Monday that Washington will supply Patriot air defence systems, missiles and other weaponry to Ukraine for its war against Russias invasion and that the arms would be paid for by other NATO countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But much remains undisclosed, including the amounts and precise types of weapons to be provided, how quickly they would be supplied and how they would be paid for. U.S. officials have suggested that European countries will be willing to give up some of their own stocks of weapons for Ukraine and then buy replacements from the United States. But some of the countries involved say they still don't even know what is being asked of them. Such a move would get weapons to Ukraine more quickly but would leave donor countries defences more exposed until new systems are ready. "We are ready to participate. Of course we can't do it on our own, we need others to partner up but we have a readiness, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters in Brussels on Tuesday ahead of a meeting of European Union ministers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking alongside Trump at the White House on Monday, NATO chief Mark Rutte said that Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada want to be part of the new initiative. Many of those countries have been among the biggest military aid donors to Ukraine, either overall or per capita. Asked whether Denmark could give U.S. arms from its own stocks as part of the scheme, Rasmussen said: We dont have these kind of systems the Patriot systems so if we should lean in, and we are absolutely ready to do so, it will be (with) money and we have to work out the details. European ministers said they would now need to examine how new purchases of U.S. weapons could be paid for. In many cases, that seems likely to involve countries teaming up to buy U.S. weapons systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Now we need to see how together we can go in and finance, among other things, Patriots, which they plan to send to Ukraine," Swedens Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard told Swedish radio. In Brussels, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said his country is looking into the plan with a positive inclination. Asked about the scheme, Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik told Reuters that Oslo was in close dialogue with Ukraine on military aid and air defence remains a high priority for Ukraine and for the Norwegian military support. Norway has contributed to significant amounts of air defence for Ukraine, including co-financing the donation of a Patriot system and missiles, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Finnish Defence Ministry said Helsinki will continue to provide material support to Ukraine. "The details of the U.S. initiative ... are not yet known and we are interested to hear more about them before we can take more concrete lines on this issue, it said. (Additional reporting by Milan Strahm, Simon Johnson, Essi Lehto, Stine Jacobsen, Madeline Chambers, Bart Meijer and Charlotte Van CampenhoutEditing by Peter Graff) European Union chief diplomat Kaja Kallas called on Israel on Tuesday to follow through with an agreement reached last week to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. "It's not about the paper, but actually [the] implementation of the paper," she said, as she arrived at a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels. Under the deal, Israel agreed to let more aid trucks enter Gaza, open more border crossings, improve the distribution of food supplies, resume fuel deliveries and allow repair works to power and water supply facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were "some positive signs," Kallas said, "but of course, we need to see more in order to see real improvement for the people on the ground." Kallas described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "catastrophic." "As long as it hasn't really improved, then we haven't all done enough," she stated, adding that it was much harder to provide humanitarian aid since there is no ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas in place. EU member states have increased their pressure on the Israeli government in recent weeks over the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An EU internal review into whether Israel still adheres to the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which stipulates that relations between the parties are based on respect for human rights, concluded that Israel's conduct in Gaza does not align with those principles. The war in Gaza was triggered by the attack on Israel by Hamas and other extremist organizations in October 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage. RICHFIELD, Utah (ABC4) Officials are looking for a suspect responsible for starting the Monroe Canyon Fire in Sevier County, the U.S. Forest Service- Fishlake National Forest said in a press release. Officials say the individual was seen driving a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) on the west side of Monroe Mountain around 2:30 p.m. on July 13, 2025. The UTV is described as a dark blue, two-door vehicle with red and white markings. It may have a cracked front windshield on the lower passenger side, officials confirm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have any information on this incident, you are asked to contact the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement & Investigations at 801-388-3402. Evacuations ordered Sevier County Emergency Management said evacuation orders have been set for the area in Magelbys and north onto Cove Mountain. Officials said the Elk Country Cabins are among those that need to be evacuated. If you have property on Cove between Elk Country Cabins and Big Lake, you should start getting your belongings and personal items out. You may not get another chance other than today, officials said in a statement released on Tuesday, July 15. The Monroe Fire has been burning on Monroe Mountain since Sunday, July 13. In the short time since, the flames have surpassed 5,000 acres and remain 0% contained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One killed in early morning trailer home fire in Ogden Emergency Management said that with the way winds have been moving, paired with heightened fire weather conditions and the blaze not sleeping during the cooler weather at night, the blaze is expected to carry across Magelbys on Tuesday and on to Cove Mountain. Roughly 40 to 50 structures have been threatened by the flames, according to the Sevier County Sheriffs Office. At the last update, nearly 200 fire personnel are working hard to save structures and get the fire under control. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The public is asked to stay out of the area while crews work to contain the fire. All roads have been blocked and officials say there is no access at this point. Anyone who may be on the mountain is asked to evacuate down the Koosharem side. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) is one of the 13 Best Japanese Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On May 20, Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) announced a new partnership with Mercer Japan Limited and Mercer Investments (Japan) Limited. This strategic collaboration has been formed to offer Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) services in Japan. Mizuho (MFG) and Mercer Team to Offer Comprehensive OCIO Services A portfolio manager scanning the stock market numbers projected on a large wall monitor. Through this partnership, Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) will provide OCIO services to major clients in Japan, including pension funds and educational institutions. These services will be delivered through Asset Management One Co., Ltd., which is an asset management subsidiary of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG). This partnership will allow Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) to further improve its offerings and offer comprehensive and innovative solutions to asset owners. These solutions will include advanced and optimized asset management across asset classes, improved risk management, and reliable reporting and oversight. The collaboration also aims to address challenges like a shortage of specialized talent. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) is a Japanese multinational bank holding company that offers comprehensive financial and strategic services, including banking, securities, trust and asset management, credit card, private banking, and venture capital. While we acknowledge the potential of MFG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Best American Semiconductor Stocks to Buy Now and 11 Best Fintech Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. President Donald Trump on July 14 announced the U.S. would impose "severe tariffs" on Russia unless Moscow agrees to a deal to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days, but experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent say the plan is deeply flawed. "I'm afraid this talk about tariffs will remain just talk," Andrei Movchan, a Russian-born economist and founder of Movchan's Group, told the Kyiv Independent. "Like the oil price cap or the fight against the shadow fleet something may be introduced on paper, but in reality, nothing will actually work." What did Trump announce? "We call them secondary tariffs," Trump said when announcing his new 50-day deadline for the Kremlin, which comes after previous deadlines to end the war of 24 hours, two weeks, and 100 days have come and gone.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secondary tariffs are trade penalties aimed at countries or companies that continue doing business with a sanctioned nation in this case, Russia. Rather than sanctioning the target country outright, the U.S. penalizes its trade partners by restricting their access to the U.S. market or financial system. Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) talks to Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) as President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (R) in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2025. (Contributor / Getty Images) For example, if China continues purchasing Russian oil, the U.S. could impose a 100% tariff on Chinese goods imported into the American market. The result would be a steep rise in the cost of those goods for U.S. consumers and a potential loss of export income for China. With oil and gas making up nearly one-third of Russia's federal revenue, curbing international trade in these sectors could significantly reduce the Kremlin's ability to finance its war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Kremlin spokesperson responded on July 15 by calling Trump's warning "serious" but said that Moscow would need time to analyze the message from Washington. But experts question not only the likelihood of the threat being enforced, but also its potential to deliver meaningful results. Can Trump actually impose secondary tariffs? Despite the threat, several experts are skeptical that Trump would even follow through with such sweeping economic measures. According to a recent report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, Turkey is currently the largest buyer of Russian oil products, accounting for 26% of its exports. China is next with 13% and Brazil with 12%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dmitry Potapenko, a Russian economist, said Trump is unlikely to risk the fallout of clashing with multiple powerful economies simultaneously. "He's unlikely to actually go through with it," Potapenko told the Kyiv Independent. "Russia might sell 30-40% less oil but at a much higher price." "Is he going to hit Turkey and China with tariffs? And what about Russia's other partners? He spoke to the Chinese quickly and just as quickly backed off." Since returning to the White House, Trump has leaned heavily on tariffs as a foreign policy tool. Russias President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, on Oct. 23, 2024. (Alexander Zemlianichenko / POOL / AFP via Getty Images) The U.S. and China earlier this year engaged in a trade war, with tariffs on Chinese goods reaching as high as 145% and on U.S. exports reaching 125%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two months later, Trump announced a trade agreement with Beijing that lowered tariffs, setting U.S. import taxes on Chinese goods at 55% and China's at 10%. "It's highly unlikely that the U.S. will actually impose 100% tariffs on all goods imported from, for example, China, even though China purchases Russian oil," Movchan said. He added that it's unrealistic to expect the U.S. to track exactly how much Russian oil China buys and then impose a 100% tariff on China based on the amount paid for that oil "How would that even work?" he said. Could the tariffs work? If Trump does follow through with his threat, the economic impact would likely be complex and possibly counterproductive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Movchan suggested that if buyers were forced to pay high tariffs, they might reduce Russian oil purchases, which could cause global shortages and drive prices higher. "Buyers will try to buy less Russian oil, which will create a shortage on the world market and push prices up," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, U.S. on April 7, 2025. (Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images) "Russia might sell 30-40% less oil but at a much higher price." More likely, Movchan added, Russia would continue selling roughly the same amount of oil, but via routes that bypass Western oversight entirely. "It's even more likely that the Kemlin would sell only slightly less oil overall, with a larger share moving through 'black channels,'" Movchan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the end, Russia's revenue won't decrease, while intermediaries' profits will rise significantly." Note from the author: Hi, this is Tim. Thank you for reading this article. The Kyiv Independent doesn't have a wealthy owner or a paywall. Instead, we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism funded. If you liked this article, consider joining our community today. Read also: Patriot missiles what they are and why everyone wants them Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Even a Fox News analyst could see that President Donald Trump got played by his Russian counterpart in the talks to end the Ukraine war. In a Monday episode of Special Report, Brit Hume said Trump got dragged along by Russian President Vladimir Putins pretense that he was interested in securing a peace deal to finally end the war in Ukraine. Trump threatened on Monday to impose tariffs on Russia if negotiations dont conclude within 50 days. Its clear, from what the president himself has saidalthough he wouldnt put it this waythat he got played by Putin and dragged on for months, and he was being jollied along under the impression that Putin had obviously given him, that Putin wanted to end the war and was prepared to negotiate, Hume said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And its pretty clear now that Putin didnt want to end the war where we are, he added. He had more conquest in mind, and perhaps wanted his whole original purpose of taking Ukraine to be fulfilled. Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration with Putin over the lack of progress in the peace talks. During a Monday meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump said he would slap Russia with 100 percent tariffs in 50 days if Putin doesnt close a deal soon. Were very, very unhappy with them, and were going to be doing very severe tariffs if we dont have a deal in 50 days, Trump said. Tariffs at about 100 percent. You call them secondary tariffs. Over the weekend, as he confirmed reports that the U.S. will send weapons to Ukraine, Trump said he did not like how Putin talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems that even the First Lady has noticed that pattern. I go home. I tell the first lady I spoke to Vladimir [Putin] today. We had a wonderful conversation, Trump said. She said, Oh really? Another city was just hit. EVANSVILLE, Ind (WEHT) Evansville City Councilman Ben Trockman makes a plea to Indiana lawmakers to stand up for Evansville when it comes to potential budget cuts in Congress. The councilman wrote a letter to Senator Todd Young, Senator Jim Banks and Congressman Mark Messmer saying the elimination of Community Development Block Grant funds by President Trumps administration would be a devastating blow to neighborhoods, families and infrastructure in the city. He says just last year, the city put more than $2.5 million to work toward things like blight removal as well as at least a dozen nonprofits in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our city is already struggling with different cuts federally and through the state and losing CDBG funds that do a lot for some of the citys most vulnerable would cause significant harm, he says. Trockman encourages others to reach out to their lawmakers about the proposed cuts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has been accused of being the main actor behind "the most serious actions to destroy the democratic constitutional order," according to an indictment. A 517-page document from Brazil's Attorney General's Office, submitted to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, also stated: "In exercising the highest office of the republic, he instrumentalized the state apparatus and deliberately carried out a sustained system of attacks on public institutions and the succession process." The right-wing populist is on trial for allegedly planning a coup attempt against the government of his successor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, following his 2022 election defeat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decision on whether Bolsonaro and his co-defendants will be convicted or acquitted is expected in September. "All accusations are false. I have never violated democracy or the constitution," Bolsonaro said on X, even before the Attorney General presented the final charges. He described the trial as a "witch hunt," echoing a term used by former US President Donald Trump last week when he expressed support for his South American ally. Trump also announced that, starting August 1, he would impose a 50% import tariff on products from Brazil, citing the actions of the Brazilian judiciary against Bolsonaro. In response, Brazilian President Lula has signed a decree invoking the so-called Reciprocity Law, which allows countermeasures in the event of trade restrictions by other countries. Ex Hollywood Agent's Son Kills Himself Days Before Court Hearing in Gruesome Triple Murder originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Samuel Haskell IV, the son of a Hollywood industry power player, took his own life in jail days before a scheduled court appearance prosecutors say (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Samuel Haskell IV - the son of a Hollywood power broker, charged with brutally murdering and dismembering his wife and her parents - killed himself while in custody, just two days before he was scheduled to appear in court, prosecutors say. Haskell, 37, was found dead in his jail cell at Twin Towers Correctional Facility on Saturday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. He was slated to go on trial for the murders of his wife Mei Li Haskell, 37; her mother, Yanxiang Wang, 64; and his wifes stepfather Gaoshan Li, 71, in a $2.5 million home in Tarzana where they all lived together with the couple's three children. Police executed a search warrant at the Tarzana home after an "unidentified female torso was found in the area of Ventura Boulevard and Rubio Avenue," in Encino in November 2023. Haskell - whose father is former high-powered William Morris agent and Emmy-winning producer Sam Haskell III - was charged with the three murders on Nov. 13, 2023, and had been held awaiting trial since. The motive, prosecutors believe, was an affair that Haskell was having with a woman ten years his junior, someone he was planning a trip to Japan with. "Haskell told her in October 2023 that his children would soon be living with his parents," Hochman said. His office planned to argue in his upcoming trial that on Nov. 6, 2023, "Haskell murdered and dismembered" the three victims so he could continue the affair. The following day, Haskell hired several day laborers to take away heavy black plastic trash bags from his home in Tarzana for $500. "After driving away from the home, the workers opened one of the bags and saw human body parts," Hochman said. To the workers' credit, they returned the bags and money to Haskell, took pictures of the defendant, the bags and the front of the residence, then alerted police," Hochman said. When police responded to the home to conduct a welfare check, no one was there and the bags were gone. Later the same afternoon, Hochman said, "Haskell was recorded on video a short distance from his home driving into a parking lot, removing a large trash bag similar to the one returned by the day laborers from the trunk of his Tesla, and disposing of this bag into a trash dumpster in Encino before driving away." Instead of standing before a judge and answering for the crimes hes been charged with, the defendant managed to escape justice, Hochman said. When police arrested Haskell, investigators recovered evidence that indicated he had been plotting the killings for a least a month. Investigators found "a .357 loaded revolver inside a holster, 32 rounds of live ammunition, a blood-encrusted military-style knife, a headlamp and firearm sight and passports for himself, his wife Mei and their three children," Hochman said. Inside his wallet, Hochman says, investigators found a Home Depot receipt dated Oct. 20, 2023 for the purchase of plywood, canopy, moisture barrier, coveralls and diamond-saw blades was found in his wallet. He had also booked a one-way ticket to Japan for himself and a round-trip ticket for his new girlfriend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DNA analysis of blood on the military knife matched to all three victims, while blood stains on the firearm matched the genetic profiles of Mei Li and Gaoshan Li. The bodies of the elderly couple were not recovered, but forensic testing "revealed that large amounts of blood evidence had been cleaned up throughout the home," Hochman said. Blood found on the saw, machete and plywood boards, as well as areas inside the residence, matched the DNA of all three victims. During an initial criminal proceeding in December 2023, Haskell appeared shirtless in court, clad only in a garment issued by the prison to inmates who could harm themselves. His attorney protested at the time, saying he was not a suicide risk. This is one last cruel act by someone who did the most horrific things for reasons we will never entirely know," Hochman said. "A family that has been dealing with unimaginable loss now has been robbed of their chance to face him, hold him accountable for his barbaric actions, and openly share their grief and their cherished memories of their loved ones. Haskell's father, who repped George Clooney when he was at William Morris, packaged a slew of network projects for his former agency, including hit shows "Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Sisters, Everybody Loves Raymond, Lost, Murphy Brown, and Live with Regis & Kathie Lee, among many others. It remains unclear who took custody of the younger Haskell's three young sons after their mother was murdered. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared. CHICAGO Attorneys for former House Speaker Michael Madigan have formally asked that he remain free on bond pending appeal of his conviction on sweeping corruption charges, arguing in a filing Monday night hes not a flight risk and that there are complex legal issues which, if resolved in his favor, will require a new trial. Madigan, 83, was sentenced last month to 7 1/2 years in prison and ordered to report by Oct. 13. But in their 21-page motion, Madigans attorneys signaled they will file a vigorous appeal, and argued he should not spend time behind bars until after it is resolved which could take a year or more. Such requests are fairly common in white collar cases where there were significant legal issues, which Madigans case certainly contained. But convincing a judge who sentenced a defendant to prison that they should remain free can be challenging, particularly when the same judge already ruled before or during the trial on the issues being raised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madigans defense team acknowledged that U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey already resolved the issues discussed in their motion, but said few areas of criminal law are more complex, and more rapidly evolving, than federal bribery law. Much of the uncertainty stems from a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that substantially reined in prosecutions under a federal bribery law known as 666, its number in the federal code. In its decision in the bribery case of former Portage, Indiana, Mayor James Snyder, the high court ruled that gratuities or gifts given as a thank-you for actions a public official has already taken are not criminalized under the federal statute, and that prosecutors must prove there was an agreement ahead of time, often referred to by the Latin quid pro quo. Madigans motion argued that Blakeys instructions to the jury erred in part by focusing on the intent of the bribe-giver, not the recipient, flipping what prosecutors are actually required by statute to prove. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge also incorrectly modified the language in the instructions to say payments to Madigans associates be in connection with official duties, the motion stated. The instructions also were flawed when it came to the heavily litigated definition of corruptly,' Madigans team argued, and the crucial instruction on stream of benefits, the motion stated. The motion also challenges Blakeys decision to admit the now-infamous wiretapped recording of Madigan telling his co-defendant, Michael McClain, that some of their associates had made out like bandits. McClain responded, For very little money too. The judge initially barred the jury from hearing the conversation, which began with a discussion about a labor consultant who was on ComEds payroll, not one of the subcontractors that were part of the indictment. But Blakey but let in after Madigan testified he didnt know ComEd was paying his associates for no work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The substantial questions, if resolved in Madigans favor, are likely to result in reversal of all convictions or a new trial, Madigans attorneys said. After a trial that stretched nearly four months, Madigan was convicted by a jury Feb. 12 on bribery conspiracy and other corruption charges. The jury found him guilty on 10 of 23 counts, including a multipronged scheme to accept and solicit payments from ComEd to Madigan associates for do-nothing subcontracts. Madigan also was convicted on six out of seven counts including wire fraud and Travel Act violations regarding a plan to get then-Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis, who testified at length in the trial, appointed to a state board. The jury acquitted Madigan of several other schemes alleged in the indictment and deadlocked on other counts, including the overarching racketeering charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In handing down the 90-month prison term on June 13, Blakey said Madigans crimes represented abuse of power at the highest level and were aggravated by the fact that Madigan had every advantage in life, including a privileged education and a thriving law practice. The judge also found that Madigan lied repeatedly and willfully when testifying in his own defense during the trial. Blakey called it a nauseating display of perjury and evasion that was hard to watch. ____ Dan Serafini, a former first-round draft pick by the Minnesota Twins in the 1992 MLB Draft, has been convicted for the murder of his father-in-law and attempted murder of his mother-in-law at their Lake Tahoe, California home. According to multiple reports, a jury on Monday in Placer County found Serafini, 51, guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder and burglary. The former major league pitcher shot Robert Spohr, 70, and his wife, Wendy Wood. Prosecutors say Serafini shot Spohr execution-style before shooting Wood twice in the head in the elderly couple's northern California home. Two children -- ages 3 and 8 months old -- were in the house at the time of the attack. Confusing matters even more, it's reported that Serafini had received $90,000 from his in-laws on the day of the attack. Wood initially survived the June 2021 attack, but she died by suicide in 2023 in the wake of the trauma from that night still haunting her. Related: Police Criticize 'Serial Killer' Theories After Paddleboarder Found Murdered in Quiet Town The murder and attempted murder stemmed from a $1.3 million feud. Serafini's in-laws reportedly provided the money for a ranch renovation project. During the trial, prosecutors unearthed a text message Serafini sent that read, "I'm gonna kill them one day." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities also arrested Samantha Scott, 33, who was Serafini's nanny turned lover. Scott pleaded guilty in February to being an accessory after the fact and admitted that she drove Serafini to his in-laws' home on the day of the shooting. Scott awaits her sentencing. Serafini spent seven seasons in the majors. The Twins drafted him No. 26 overall. Despite being a first-round pick, Serafini only spent three seasons in Minnesota before stints with the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres. Ex-MLB Pitcher Convicted of Murdering Father-in-Law first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 15, 2025 Dan Pfeiffer, a former staffer for former President Obama and co-host of the podcast Pod Save America, slammed a campaign ad for former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he seeks to clinch the 2025 mayors race in New York City. This is one of the least compelling campaign videos that I have ever seen. No message. No charisma. No compelling visuals, Pfeiffer said in a post on the social platform X in response to a campaign video from Cuomo. Just a visibly annoyed man wearing an ill-fitting shirt saying things he clearly doesnt believe, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuomo has formally announced he is running as an independent in the Big Apples mayoral race this fall, following a primary loss to Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani. Only 13 percent of New Yorkers voted in the June primary. The general election is in November, and I am in it to win it. My opponent, Mr. Mamdani, offers slick slogans, but no real solutions, Cuomo said in the campaign video Pfeiffer criticized, which was posted Monday on X. We need a city with lower rent, safer streets, where buying your first home is once again possible, where child care wont bankrupt you. Thats the New York City we know, he added. When reached for comment about Pfeiffers remarks, Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi told The Hill that If we upset the pod guys, we must be on the right track. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pfeiffer previously took a swing at Cuomo prior to the Democratic primary, when he said it was insane to think the former governor was better than a democratic socialist in the New York City mayoral race. During a previous episode of Pod Save America, Pfeiffer said support for Cuomo from the Democratic Party establishment is really unforgivable. Like this isnt youre not doing it for another good Democrat, Pfeiffer continued. Youre doing it for someone that the entire Democratic Party leadership, including the president of the United States at the time, wanted to resign from the governorship because he sexually harassed 11 women, he abused his power, involved in this nursing home scandal, and everyones getting behind that? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith has accused ex-Prime Minister David Cameron of treating the 2016 Brexit referendum as "some sort of Eton game". Smith was the government's chief whip from 2016 until 2019 under Theresa May's premiership, which was fraught with tension over how the UK should leave the EU. The Tory MP was highly critical of Lord Cameron, who made the decision to hold the referendum after pressure from Eurosceptics, saying he had been "extremely cavalier". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There should have been a proposition which outlined how both answers would be addressed," he said. 'Some sort of Eton game' "I joined the Conservative Party because of David Cameron, because he was dynamic... but looking back on it, it was unforgiveable that this fundamental question was put to the British people when you have a whole range of issues, not least the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland," he told the BBC's Red Lines podcast. "It was put to the British people as if it was some sort of Eton game." Smith says the Brexit referendum was "put to the British people as if it was some sort of Eton game" [Getty Images] Brexit referendum in 2016 Lord Cameron is among a number of former British politicians who were educated privately at Eton College in Berkshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a majority voted to leave the EU, Lord Cameron resigned as prime minister. Speaking in 2016, after leaving office, he defended his decision to call the referendum. "I believe and still believe that the fact that we hadn't had a referendum on this issue for 40 years, despite the fact that the European Union was changing ... was actually beginning to poison British politics - it was certainly poisoning politics in my own party. "And I think, more broadly, people felt 'well, we have been promised referendums and they haven't been delivered' and people were beginning to feel very frustrated about this issue." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Lord Cameron quit as prime minister others in the Conservative Party were left to handle the Brexit process. Smith was part of that government under Theresa May, which struggled to get agreement on how it should be done. 'Pretty disastrous' Smith says issues such as how to maintain an open border between NI and the Republic of Ireland should have been foreseen [Getty Images] The former cabinet minister said issues such as how to maintain an open border between Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK and therefore would leave the EU, and the Republic of Ireland, which remains in the EU, should have been foreseen during the campaign. "Instead the UK was led into years of contemplating an answer to that question. "As time went on moderates turned into purists on either side, it was a pretty disastrous period." Theresa May resigned as prime minister in 2019 due to an inability to pass Brexit legislation [Getty Images] After Theresa May resigned as prime minister due to an inability to pass Brexit legislation, Boris Johnson took over and appointed Smith as Northern Ireland Secretary in July 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith was a key player in getting devolution at Stormont restored the following January, after three years of deadlock, but he was sacked from the job a month later due to disagreements with Johnson. Smith said he "loved" the job, but was not surprised to lose it given he had been an ardent supporter of Theresa May. He remained an observer of Northern Ireland issues after moving to the Commons' backbenches, and called on the Stormont Executive to take "tough decisions" on public services. Border poll Asked about the potential for a border poll, Smith said he did not think the conditions were "right" for one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Look at all the other things that need to be done. "Don't let politicians in Northern Ireland off the hook on dealing with social mobility, dealing with the health service, revenue raising - this constitutional discussion is basically an excuse for not dealing with these priority issues," he added. "I cannot in any world see a border poll with interest from Ireland, acceptance from the UK... I just don't see that happening at the current time so we're better focusing on making people's lives better." You can listen to Smith's interview on Red Lines on BBC Sounds from 06:00 BST. A former U.S. Army sergeant was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for aggravated child neglect after his two-month-old son was badly burned in a bathtub, according to a news release from the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. Andrew J. Garasich, 29, of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, was stationed at Fort Campbell when the baby was injured on Dec. 30, 2022. The child was taken to Houston County Community Hospital five days later, according to the news release. Garasich and the baby's mother, Lyndsey T. Bustamante, were indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the case on May 1, 2023 and arrested by FBI agents two days later, court documents show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bustamante took the child to the hospital for treatment, records said. Garasich wasn't with them, the release noted. The child was taken via Life Flight to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville with severe burns and a skull fracture, the release said. Court documents note the child underwent numerous medical procedures and surgeries and was treated for organ failures and other life-threatening conditions while he was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Vanderbilt. The victim... was horribly neglected by the Defendant and barely survived, acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire said in the news release. The child is now in a loving home but will face lifelong struggles because of the Defendants choices." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garasich was the subject of a 2019 Department of Childrens Services case with a different child, the release said. After the baby arrived at Vanderbilt, the Erin Police Department spoke with witnesses, and an investigation was carried out by the Army's Investigation Division with the FBI Nashville Field Office and Clarksville Resident Agency, according to the release. This case highlights the strong partnership between Army CID, the FBI, and the Department of Justice, Special Agent in Charge John McCabe, of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Divisions Midcentral Field Office, said in the news release. This sentencing reflects our dedication to justice for this young victim and sends a clear message that child abuse will not be tolerated within our ranks or in our communities." Bustamante was identified in the release as a co-defendant in the case. She's scheduled to be in court for sentencing on Aug. 5. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ex-US Army sergeant gets 12 years after 2-month-old burned in bathtub Trump says U.S. to send weapons to Ukraine through NATO, threatens "severe tariffs" targeting Russia Xinhua) 08:07, July 15, 2025 WASHINGTON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States will send weapons to Ukraine through NATO, and threatened "severe tariffs" targeting Russia if a ceasefire deal is not reached in 50 days. Trump announced an agreement with NATO regarding weapons to assist Ukraine while meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office. "We are going to be sending them weapons and they're going to be paying for them," said Trump, adding that the United States will manufacture those weapons. "We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days," Trump said of Russia. Trump noted there would be "secondary tariffs" of about 100 percent, multiple news outlets reported. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified later that Trump meant "economic sanction" when he threatened "secondary tariffs" against Russia if it did not reach a deal to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days, The Washington Times reported. Speaking to reporters after the Oval Office meeting, Trump said that the deal with the NATO allies was done and fully approved, The New York Times reported. "We'll send them a lot of weapons of all kinds," Trump said. "And they're going to deliver those weapons immediately to the site, to the site of the war, different sites of the war, and they're going to pay for 100 percent of them." Trump also told reporters that some Patriot systems will arrive in Ukraine within days, according to ABC News. Trump said European countries that have Patriots will transfer them to Ukraine and "they're going to start arriving very soon," ABC News added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Nvidia (NVDA) stock jumped more than 4% in early trading on Tuesday after the AI chipmaker said it was applying to resume sales of its H20 GPUs in China following a US ban that cost the company billions in lost sales. In a blog post late Monday night, Nvidia said it was filing the application, and the US government assured Nvidia that licenses will be granted. The company said that it hopes to start deliveries soon. Nvidia stock closed at a record high, with shares trading hands at $170.70 at Tuesday's close. Read more about Nvidia's stock moves and today's market action. Nvidia has repeatedly introduced lower-power versions of its AI chips for the Chinese market to comply with tightening US export controls as the government looks to limit Chinas ability to advance AI technology, citing national security concerns. The company began sales of its H20 GPUs (graphics processing units) a less powerful version of its prior generation Hopper chips to China in 2024. The Trump administration in April implemented a ban on sales of its H20 AI chips for China, a surprise that immediately sent the stock spiraling. The move cost the company $2.5 billion in lost sales in the first quarter of its 2026 fiscal year (ended April 27), and Nvidia projected an additional $8 billion loss in the second quarter. CEO Jensen Huang previously said that Nvidia can't make another Hopper AI chip like H20 for China under the current restrictions and called the new US ban deeply painful. China is one of Nvidia's biggest markets, accounting for roughly 13% of its 2025 revenue. Huang met with President Trump at the White House last week before heading to China, where he's set to hold a media briefing on Wednesday during his second visit to Beijing this year. Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon said that it seems unlikely the company will be able to ship many of its H20 chips in its second quarter, which ends in two weeks, but it could see a substantial catch-up in the second half of the year if sales resume. Rasgon projected that Nvidia would see $0.40-$0.50 added to its per-share earnings of 2026 if the chipmaker is able to rake in $15 billion-$20 billion in revenue from China in the second half of the year. Nvidia stock has risen to new record highs over the past month in a sharp turnaround from the first half of the year, pushing the company's market cap above the $4 trillion mark to become the worlds most valuable company in history. AI chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) also surged Tuesday, rising more than 6% after the Nvidia rival said that it is also planning to resume sales of its AI chips for China that were banned in April, pending approval from the US Commerce Department. By Guy Faulconbridge and Darya Korsunskaya MOSCOW (Reuters) -President Vladimir Putin intends to keep fighting in Ukraine until the West engages on his terms for peace, unfazed by Donald Trump's threats of tougher sanctions, and his territorial demands may widen as Russian forces advance, three sources close to the Kremlin said. Putin, who ordered Russian troops into Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting in country's east between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian troops, believes Russia's economy and its military are strong enough to weather any additional Western measures, the sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on Monday expressed frustration with Putin's refusal to agree a ceasefire and announced a wave of weapons supplies to Ukraine, including Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. He also threatened further sanctions on Russia unless a peace deal was reached within 50 days. The three Russian sources, familiar with top-level Kremlin thinking, said Putin will not stop the war under pressure from the West and believes Russia - which has survived the toughest sanctions imposed by the West- can endure further economic hardship, including threatened U.S. tariffs targeting buyers of Russian oil. "Putin thinks no one has seriously engaged with him on the details of peace in Ukraine - including the Americans - so he will continue until he gets what he wants," one of the sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation. Despite several telephone calls between Trump and Putin, and visits to Russia by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, the Russian leader believes there have not been detailed discussions of the basis for a peace plan, the source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Putin values the relationship with Trump and had good discussions with Witkoff, but the interests of Russia come above all else," the person added. Asked for a comment on the Reuters reporting, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly blamed former President Joe Biden for allowing the war to erupt during his administration. "Unlike Biden, President Trump is focused on stopping the killing, and Putin will be faced with biting sanctions and tariffs if he does not agree to a ceasefire," she said. Putin's conditions for peace include a legally binding pledge that NATO will not expand eastwards, Ukrainian neutrality and limits on its armed forces, protection for Russian speakers who live there, and acceptance of Russia's territorial gains, the sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also willing to discuss a security guarantee for Ukraine involving major powers, though it is far from clear how this would work, the sources said. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Ukraine will never recognise Russia's sovereignty over its conquered regions and that Kyiv retains the sovereign right to decide whether it wants to join NATO. His office did not respond to a request for comment for this story. A second source familiar with Kremlin thinking said that Putin considered Moscow's goals far more important than any potential economic losses from Western pressure, and he was not concerned by U.S. threats to impose tariffs on China and India for buying Russian oil. Two of the sources said that Russia has the upper hand on the battlefield and its economy, geared towards war, is exceeding the production of the U.S.-led NATO alliance in key munitions, like artillery shells. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia, which already controls nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, has advanced some 1,415 square km (546 square miles) in the past three months, according to data from the DeepStateMap, an open-source intelligence map of the conflict. "Appetite comes with eating", the first source said, meaning that Putin could seek more territory unless the war was stopped. The two other sources independently confirmed the same. Russia currently controls Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, plus all of the eastern region of Luhansk, more than 70% of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and fragments of Kharkiv, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Putin's public position is that those first five regions Crimea and the four regions of eastern Ukraine - are now part of Russia and Kyiv must withdraw before there can be peace. Putin could fight on until Ukraine's defences collapse and widen his territorial ambitions to include more of Ukraine, the sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Russia will act based on Ukraine's weakness," the third source said, adding that Moscow might halt its offensive after conquering the four eastern regions of Ukraine if it encounters stiff resistance. "But if it falls, there will be an even greater conquest of Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy and Kharkiv." Zelenskiy has said Russia's summer offensive is not going as successfully as Moscow had hoped. His top brass, who acknowledge that Russian forces outnumber Ukraine's, say Kyiv's troops are holding the line and forcing Russia to pay a heavy price for its gains. TRUMP AND PUTIN The United States says 1.2 million people have been injured or killed in the war, Europe's deadliest conflict since the Second World War. Neither Russia nor Ukraine give full figures for their losses, and Moscow dismisses Western estimates as propaganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, since returning to the White House in January after promising a swift end to the war, has sought to repair ties with Russia, speaking at least six times by telephone with Putin. On Monday, he said the Russian leader was not "an assassin, but he's a tough guy." In an abrupt break from his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, Trump's administration has cast the war as a deadly proxy conflict between Russia and the United States, withdrawn support for Ukraine joining NATO and floated the idea of recognising Russia's annexation of Crimea. Putin portrays the war as a watershed moment in Moscow's relations with the West, which he says humiliated Russia after the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union by enlarging NATO and encroaching on what he considers Moscow's sphere of influence, including Ukraine and Georgia. Putin has yet to accept a proposal from Trump for an unconditional ceasefire, which was quickly endorsed by Kyiv. Recent days have seen Russia use hundreds of drones to attack Ukrainian cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Trump told the BBC in an interview published on Tuesday that he was not done with Putin and that a Ukraine deal remained on the cards. The first source rejected Trump's assertion last week that Putin had thrown "bullshit" around, saying there had been a failure to transform positive talks with Witkoff into a substantive discussion on the basis for peace. A White House official said on Monday Trump was considering 100% tariffs on Russian goods as well as secondary sanctions on other countries that buy its exports as a means to drive Moscow to the negotiating table. China and India are the biggest buyers of crude. Despite existing sanctions and the cost of fighting Europe's biggest conflict since World War Two, Russia's $2 trillion economy has performed far better than many in Russia or the West expected. The economic ministry forecasts a slowdown to 2.5% annual growth in 2025 from 4.3% last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second person said that Trump had little leverage over Putin and suggested that even if Washington imposed tariffs on the purchasers of Russian crude then Moscow would still find a way to sell it to world markets. "Putin understands that Trump is an unpredictable person who may do unpleasant things but he is maneuvering to avoid irritating him too much," the source said. Looking ahead, one of the sources said there was likely to be an escalation of the crisis in coming months, and unscored the dangers of tensions between the world's two largest nuclear powers. And, he predicted, the war would continue. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Darya Korsunskaya in Moscow; Additional reporting in Washington by Steve Holland; Editing by Daniel Flynn) The US is pitching the creation of a new advisory body for the Digital Markets Act (DMA) giving those companies subject to enforcement of the regulation a voice, in the context of negotiations over an EU-US trade deal, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The EU will never accept the idea however according to two of the sources. On Saturday, Trump posted a new set of letters to his social media platform Truth Social, declaring 30% tariffs on the EU and Mexico starting 1 August, a move that could cause massive upheaval between the United States and two of its biggest trade partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen quickly responded by noting the bloc's commitment to dialogue, stability, and a constructive transatlantic partnership. On Sunday, she emphasised that reaching a negotiated solution remains the priority, but that the EU is ready to respond with countermeasures. The DMA regulates the largest online platforms with a view to protecting the rights of consumers and curbing any abusive behaviour by dominant tech players. Under the rules, companies face fines of up to 10% of their global annual turnover for non-compliance. Peter Navarro, a senior Trump advisor, has openly accused the bloc of waging "lawfare" against US Big Tech through the DMA and its sister Digital Services Act (DSA) regulation. In response, the EU has said it will not make any concessions on its digital and technology rules as part of any trade negotiations with the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DMA already has an advisory board, which plays a consultative and strategic role in its implementation, supporting the Commission in oversight and enforcement. The board is made up of independent experts and representatives from relevant national authorities and regulatory bodies, however, and is not supposed to be a body of representatives drawn from the enforced entities. The sources did not expand on what form the advisory body touted by the US would take, beyond giving influence over the enforcement methods. "The fact that the US proposed setting up an advisory board for the DMA, where those who might be affected would actually sit, that certainly wont happen, and there will be no exceptions for US companies under the DMA," one source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Commission has repeatedly said that DMA probes are conducted strictly according to the regulation, which does not discriminate against companies on the basis of country of origin. But the fact that most of those under its scope are US tech giants means that the decisions are now seen through the lens of the brewing trade war. On both sides of the Atlantic, EU digital legislation has become a red line in the negotiations over tariffs: the US considers the DMA and DSA which covers illegal content online as non-tariff barriers to their trade with the EU, while the EU refuses to amend these regulations, which were adopted in 2022. Sovereignty Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera told Euronews on 27 June that it is impossible to for the EU to backtrack on its digital rules. We are going to defend our sovereignty. We will defend the way we implement our rules, we will defend a well functioning market and we will not allow anyone to tell us what to do, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without changing the rules, the Commission could nonetheless finesse implementation of the DMA, according to Christophe Carugati, a Brussels-based tech consultant. Investigations and fines could become the exception in the DMA enforcement. To calm the US, the idea could be to settle disputes formally or informally through dialogue. That will implicitly 'pause' the investigations, he told Euronews. Non-compliance investigations launched over the past year under the DMA have resulted in relatively low fines compared to those imposed on Big Tech under the Commission's previous mandate. Apple has received a 500 million penalty and Meta was fined 200 million, the former for preventing developers from steering consumers to alternative offers, the latter for its Pay or Consent advertising model. In April, EU officials said that the lower fines reflected the short duration of the violations since the DMA implementation started in 2023 but also the Commissions current focus on achieving compliance rather than punishing breaches. Simplification US tech giants could also seek to benefit from the Commissions simplification agenda to secure some relief from regulatory enforcement. In May, Amazon, IBM, Google, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI called on the Commission to keep its upcoming Code of Practice on General-Purpose AI (GPAI) as simple as possible, as reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EU Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen is currently carrying out a digital fitness check, which will result in an omnibus simplification package to be presented in December. She aims to identify reporting obligations in existing digital legislation that can be cut to ease pressure on enterprises, particularly SMEs. The question remains whether that simplification package will also cover the DMA, DSA and the AI Act. Virkkunen has always said that despite facing criticism from former Trump advisor and X-owner Elon Musk, the laws are fair and equitable. "Our rules are very fair, because they are the same rules for everybody who is operating and doing business in the European Union. So, we have the same rules for European companies, American companies, and Chinese companies," Virkkunen told Euronews in April. EXCLUSIVE: Jewish leaders and advocates have criticized 33-year-old socialist Zohran Mamdani since he secured the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City, particularly for his refusal to condemn the phrase "Globalize the intifada." "If Zohran Mamdani is elected, expect a Jewish exodus out of New York City," Yuval David, an actor, filmmaker and Jewish activist and advisor, told Fox News Digital. David, who recently moved from New York City to Washington, D.C., said more Jewish New Yorkers are thinking about leaving the city due to the rise of antisemitism. New York City is home to the largest Jewish population in the world outside of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to data from New York State's Office of Budget Policy and Analysis, "In 2023, nearly 44 percent of all recorded hate crime incidents and 88 percent of religious-based hate crimes targeted Jewish victims, the largest share of all such crimes." In New York City alone, anti-Jewish hate crimes rose by 81% between 2023 and 2024, according to the NYPD's crime report. Mamdani's Failure To Walk Back These Positions Could Cause Reckoning In Democratic Party: 'Five-alarm Warning' Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani would be New York City's first Muslim mayor if elected. "We've seen it with Jewish businesses being attacked, we've seen heightened security at Jewish synagogues and Jewish schools, and this will just continue to spread at unprecedented levels with Mamdani," David warned. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Plot To Stop Mamdani: Democrats Scramble To Block Far-left Takeover In New York During the primary campaign, Mamdani's refusal to condemn the phrase "Globalize the intifada" and recognize Israel as a Jewish state triggered accusations that he was antisemitic. Mamdani has repeatedly denied those claims and affirmed his commitment to condemning the rise of antisemitism in New York City. But David said Mamdani's sponsorship of a controversial bill, "Not on Our Dime! Ending New York Funding of Israeli Settler Violence Act," in the New York State Assembly undermines his sentiment. David said the bill would "prohibit New York-based nonprofits from funding Israeli organizations, which basically means every major Jewish organization, because every major Jewish organization is connected to Israel. So this is a specific target on Jewish organizations that support Israel under the guise of regulating foreign military aid." Demonstrators participate in an anti-Israel protest outside of the Columbia University campus on Nov. 15, 2023, in New York City. The Jewish advocate explained that this bill is in the "name of being anti-Israel" but actually targets the Jewish community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Trying to prevent any organization from being connected to Israel is going to be to the detriment of every Jewish community in New York City," David said. Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding in New York City and founding senior rabbi of The Hampton Synagogue, explained, "Anti-Zionism is the latest form of antisemitism, and anti-Zionism denies Jews the right to self-defense. Anti-Zionism denies the historical connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel." While anti-Zionism has become a rejection of Israel's war in Gaza among the pro-Palestinian protests that have erupted at Columbia University, and other college campuses across the country, David described Zionism as a "nationalist movement." New York City Mayor Eric Adams and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo are both running as independent candidates this November. "Anti-Zionism is the latest form of antisemitism, and antisemitism would trigger a mass exodus of Jews out of New York if we were not successful in identifying and supporting the candidate to defeat Mamdani," Schneier explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schneier called himself a "great supporter of Andrew Cuomo," the former New York governor who has decided to run as an independent in the mayoral election after losing to Mamdani in the primary last month. The rabbi also said he has hosted Mayor Eric Adams at his congregation. And David said Cuomo, Adams and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa "are all allies to the Jewish community." But both Jewish leaders said they are worried about these candidates splitting the vote, benefiting Mamdani. "In the face of a candidate who is an extremist or fanatic, antisemitism and socialist, we must raise our voices in screaming protests, and moderation is simply not enough in terms of how we must respond, and how the Jewish community must respond to this existential threat," Schneier said. When asked if there was anything Mamdani could do to ease the concerns of Jewish New Yorkers, David was clear: "Drop out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox News Digital reached out to the Mamdani campaign for a response but did not immediately hear back. Original article source: 'Existential threat': Jewish leaders warn of NYC 'mass exodus' if Zohran Mamdani wins in November SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) Summer storms can come out of nowhere, and when they do, lightning becomes a serious threat. Last week, two teen boys were killed by lightning while fishing in Ware County. The National Weather Service (NWS) is urging people to think twice before heading out when storms are brewing. We spoke to Ron Morales, warning coordination meteorologist, about the threat. The rule of thumb is until its been 30 minutes since the last time you heard thunder or saw lightning, its still not safe to go back outside, Morales said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency said lightning kills about 20 people in the U.S each year, and hundreds more are severely injured. Morales said at least 10 people have already been killed by lightning this year. When I first started over 30 years ago, I remember the average is in the United States being somewhere around 90 to 100 people per year were being killed by lightning, said Morales. Theyre down more like to 15 or 20 now per year, which is still too many, but thats a fairly sizable drop in the amount of people being killed by lightning. He attributes that to growing awareness and reminders. It doesnt have to be raining on you, said Morales. In fact, thats the biggest issue probably is that the people that are struck are usually not in the part of the storm where its downpour raining there, because once at that point they may get in their car, which is safe or get indoors, which is safe, but when its not raining or its just traveling a little bit, people tend to stay outside and thats when they become very vulnerable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When youre caught off guard, where you choose to shelter in place matters. If there is a tree where you are and youre like, thats going to stop the rain, right? Ill get under this tree. Thats actually a very, very dangerous thing to do because that tree is probably really tall and its probably the tallest thing around right there, Morales said. He continued, your vehicle is essentially a metal cage. If that were to be struck, the energy goes, the electricity goes around that cage and then grounds out into the ground. To support the families of the two teen boys struck by lightning, Joey Nelson and Randall Martin III, visit the websites linked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Something disturbing is unfolding along the South Australia coastline and the pictures alone are crushing. Over the last few months, beaches have become graveyards, with thousands of fish, shellfish, and other marine animals washing ashore lifeless. What's happening? A toxic algal bloom, caused by a species known as Karenia mikimotoi, has been destroying marine life in South Australian waters. The algae produce brevetoxins that are lethal to anything with gills, suffocating fish and invertebrates and causing massive die-offs along the coastline. At least 9,000 animals across more than 390 species have been reported dead so far and many believe the actual number is much higher, with most deaths going unrecorded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is incredibly sad," one commenter said on Instagram, where footage of the grim scene has circulated widely. "It's devastating," another added. While such blooms have occurred elsewhere in China, the North Atlantic, and New Zealand what makes this one especially alarming is its size, duration, and intensity. Marine biologist Shauna Murray called it "quite unusual," adding that the limited number of harmful algal bloom experts just five to 10 in the country made responding quickly even more difficult. Why is this algal bloom concerning? The consequences of this event extend far beyond what's visible on the shoreline. Toxic blooms don't just kill marine life they disrupt entire ecosystems. In a similar event in Wellington Harbor in the 1990s, it took three to five years for the ecosystem to stabilize. With this outbreak spanning a much larger area, the timeline for recovery could stretch even longer. What's fueling the bloom is still under investigation, but rising ocean temperatures even by a single degree may be a contributing factor. Murray explained that Karenia mikimotoi thrives under specific conditions, and small shifts in temperature, nutrients, and ocean currents can trigger rapid growth. As global waters continue to warm, scientists worry these events may become more frequent and more deadly. What's being done about it? Though local response teams have managed the situation as well as possible given limited resources, experts say long-term solutions are urgently needed. That includes government funding for marine research, improved monitoring systems, and early detection tools to help communities respond before damage is done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For individuals, reducing runoff from fertilizers and supporting sustainable seafood practices can help limit the conditions that feed harmful algae. Supporting marine science initiatives and habitat restoration programs can also make a big impact over time. While we can't reverse what's happened on the South Australian coast, there's still time to learn from it and to act before the next bloom is triggered. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. 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. A big cat sanctuary near the "stone jungle" of Sao Paulo is feeling the pressure with nearby urbanization encroaching on the refuge. What's happening? The Mata Ciliar refuge stands just 56 miles outside of the Brazilian metropolis and is home to 25 pumas, 10 jaguars, and other species local to the area. The animals are all receiving treatment for injuries due to human interaction. "Due to the advancement of urbanization into its natural habitat, when the puma moves, it gets lost between roads, gated communities and other human interventions," Mata Ciliar President Jorge Bellix said, The Advertiser relayed. Why is nearby development concerning to local big cat populations? The primary reason that puma and jaguar populations interact with urban areas is habitat depletion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When a city expands into nearby rainforest, not only does that rob species of their habitat, but it also affects the entire food chain. Deer and small prey populations decline, and without enough of their natural food supply, these cats venture into neighborhoods looking for livestock and pets to eat instead. "The situation is critical: The animals of Sao Paulo are losing the war against urbanization," veterinarian Cristina Harumi said. In response to pumas and jaguars entering urban communities, locals install electric fences and even traps to protect themselves and their animals. As a result, the predators are often injured; they get hit by cars, too. As these encounters become more commonplace, the wild cats face more situations that contribute to population loss. Considering that pumas and jaguars are keystone species, their disappearance would have a catastrophic ripple effect on the local ecosystem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brazil isn't the only place where human interference is affecting animals. One scientific assessment detailed by The Guardian noted that global wildlife populations have dropped 73% in the past 50 years, with some regions' creatures falling as far as 95%. In Costa Rica, for example, the population of abejones de Mayo, or May beetles, has declined roughly 95% over the last 40 years. Researchers say that urbanization, the changing climate, and pesticide use are all contributing factors. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. What's being done to protect these big cats? The Mata Cillar refuge exists with the goal of protecting vulnerable animal populations in Sao Paulo's nearby rainforests. It rehabilitates pumas, jaguars, maned wolves, and other wildlife to help maintain the local habitats. However, as the city continues to inch closer to this area with every new development, the risk to these and other species grows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If this continues, we will unfortunately witness the extinction of several [animal] species within a few years," Bellix said. 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. Trail camera footage of a large bird far outside of its known range has local officials scratching their heads. It's pretty fitting that the avian surprise took place in Poland's Owl Mountains, a protected range near the border with Czechia. The bird in question was a Eurasian griffon vulture, and it had never previously been recorded in Poland. Forestry officials speaking to a local media outlet, which the Miami Herald has translated, described the significance of the sighting: "This impressive bird, a symbol of wild nature and a valuable part of the ecosystem, has so far been associated mainly with southern parts of Europe." Like other scavengers, the Eurasian griffon vulture plays a crucial ecological role as nature's cleanup crew. They feed on carrion before it rots, preventing the spread of disease in the areas they inhabit. With their sharp, hooked beaks and powerful jaws, they can pick a carcass clean with exceeding efficiency. Occasionally, they'll feast so much that they get too heavy to fly away afterward and have to throw up before they can retake flight, per EBSCO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story highlights the value of trail cameras as a non-invasive way of gaining a better understanding of an area's biodiversity. Trail cameras are used to great effect worldwide to capture images of exceptionally rare species. The information gleaned from such images is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies in the future. Another beneficial way to boost the local ecosystem happens at home. Rewilding a yard with native plants not only boosts an area's biodiversity, but it's cheaper and takes less effort to maintain. Another vulture was spotted some distance away near a waste disposal plant in Konin. The unusual visitor created a stir among locals. Perhaps it was an act of professional courtesy, nature's waste disposal paying homage to its human colleagues. The social media post about the strange sight attracted several humorous comments from locals (via Google Translate). "I observe the work of the employees and wait for one of them to fail," said one joker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He will probably submit his CV soon," cracked another. One of the more clever comments said, "Big bird brother is watching." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. 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. STARKVILLE, Miss. (WJTV) Its human nature to want help a defenseless baby animal that is alone in the woods. But officials at the Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Service warned that if you see a baby fawn alone in the woods, avoid contact with them. During a certain time of year, its normal to encounter fawns that are alone in the woods. But this is done on purpose, and experts said its a vital survival tactic that the doe does to keep her fawn alive. Rainy weather impacts Mississippis watermelon crop Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Jacob Lee Dykes, with the MSU Extension Service, said within 10 hours of birth, the doe will move the fawn to a different area, and the fawn will instinctively bed down. While the fawn may look like it is alone and in need of help, this is completely the opposite. If the doe has multiple fawns, she will separate them to reduce the risk of both fawns (sometimes three) being taken by a predator. During the first few weeks of life, fawns spend most of their time apart from the doe. To meet high lactation demands, the doe spends much of this time in search of high-protein forages. Dykes said this absence also helps prevent the does scent from leading predators to the bedded fawn. In between foraging, she visits the fawn a few times per day just long enough to nurse. These fawns also are not near as vulnerable as one might think. They lie very still, and if alarmed by a predator, they can lower their heart rate by more than 30% to help avoid detection. Their spots help with concealment and allow them to blend into the surrounding vegetation. If you know someone who has removed a bedded fawn from its location, Dykes said the fawn should be returned to the exact location immediately. The doe will not reject the fawn because a human touched it. In many states, it is illegal to possess a deer fawn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Accidental nicotine poisonings are on the rise among children. From 2010 through 2023, there were 134,663 cases of nicotine poisoning in children under age 6, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. These include at-home cases of exposure to nicotine pouches, chewing tobacco, regular cigarettes, vapes, and other substitute products. The surge in sales and popularity of nicotine pouches, like Zyn, tracks with the rate of illness. Poisonings involving nicotine pouches among kids under age 6 rose by 763% over three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stimulant pouches have been marketed as tobacco-free, spit-free, and hands-free alternatives to cigarettes and chewing tobacco. Sales skyrocketed from $709,000 in 2016 to $216 million by mid-2020. It was just a matter of time before they fell into the hands of younger kids, said Dr. Molly OShea, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Its unfortunate, but not shocking. Seventy-six percent of nicotine poisoning cases were in children under 2. Nicotine is highly toxic and increases heart rate, blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting. In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter for illegal flavored nicotine gummies, often marketed to resemble candy or child-friendly foods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicotine gummies are a public health crisis just waiting to happen among our nations youth, particularly as we head into a new school year, said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. We want parents to be aware of these products and the potential for health consequences for children of all ages including toxicity to young children and appeal of these addictive products to our youth. The FDA will not stand by as illegal products infiltrate the marketplace. Experts Warn of Rise in Poisonings From Common Item first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 15, 2025 By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) -One of Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties has quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition in a long-running dispute over a new military conscription bill. The move by the six United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party members leaves Netanyahu's nationalist-religious government extremely vulnerable with just a one-seat majority in the Knesset. HAS NETANYAHU'S GOVERNMENT COLLAPSED? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No. But it might. UTJ is allied with another ultra-Orthodox coalition member called Shas, which has traditionally kept in lockstep with UTJ. If Shas quits, Netanyahu will lose his majority in parliament and his government will find it hard to function. However, UTJ's withdrawal from the coalition will only go into effect 48 hours after submission of its ministers' resignation letters, which gives the prime minister some time to seek a compromise. Even if that fails, parliament goes on summer break at the end of July, giving Netanyahu around three months to try and resolve the crisis. A lot can happen in that time and Netanyahu has shown extraordinary political survival skills over the years. HOW DO ISRAELI GOVERNMENTS WORK? Governments rarely complete a full four-year term in Israel. No single party has ever won an outright majority in an election, so governments are formed by a coalition of parties. Prime ministers have often had to contend with sectarian demands and ideological clashes within their coalitions. When divisions emerge, coalitions can quickly unravel and governments fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WILL THERE BE AN EARLY ELECTION? Possibly. But not for several months. There are a few political paths that would lead to the ballot being brought forward. They include parliament voting to dissolve itself and the government failing to pass an annual budget. In no scenario would an election be immediate. Some political analysts have predicted that a ballot will likely be brought forward from the end of 2026 to early next year. HOW DO ELECTIONS WORK? Israel's elections are parliamentary. The 120 Knesset seats are allocated by proportional representation to national party lists, which may secure seats after passing a threshold of 3.25% of the vote. Since 2019, Israel has held five national elections. The last one, which gave Netanyahu a decisive victory, was in November 2022. Successive polls of voter intentions have shown his coalition would lose an election, were it to be held today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COALITION SHAPE Although Netanyahu's coalition has fluctuated over the past 2-1/2 years, with political shifts, finding replacements for UTJ to join the ranks of his government, which is made up of right-wing and religious Jewish parties, would be extremely difficult. The opposition includes centrist, left-wing, right-wing, liberal and conservative factions. COALITION COMPOSITION Total Knesset seats: 120 Number of factions: 13 Total coalition seats: 61 Seats held by Netanyahu's Likud party: 32 Seats held by ultra-Orthodox party Shas: 11 Seats held by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party: 7 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seats held by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's Jewish Power party: 6 Seats held by National Right party: 4 Seats held by Noam party: 1 WILL POLITICAL TURMOIL AFFECT THE WAR IN GAZA? This is still unclear. U.S.-backed ceasefire talks are underway in Qatar. Israelis have become increasingly weary of the war against Hamas in Gaza and surveys show popular support for ending it with a deal that will bring back remaining hostages held by the Palestinian militant group. Netanyahu still has enough support within his government to secure a ceasefire. However, the two far-right parties in Netanyahu's coalition - Jewish Power and Religious Zionism - are unlikely to back ending the war entirely anytime soon. (Reporting by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Joe Bavier) OCBC, one of Singapores Big Three banks, will have a new CEO come 2026. On Friday, OCBC announced that Tan Teck Long, its current head of wholesale banking, will take over as CEO on Jan. 1, 2026, replacing Helen Wong. After a rigorous global search, the Board unanimously agreed that Teck Long was the best candidate to take the helm, said OCBC chair Andrew Lee in a statement. There will be no disruption to OCBCs corporate strategic direction of becoming an integrated financial services powerhouse, he added. OCBC, No. 13 on Fortunes Southeast Asia 500, wants to leverage financial flows between Southeast Asia and China, which are expected to grow as the worlds second-largest economy looks for new trading partners. While all three of Singapores major banksDBS, OCBC and UOBhave a presence in China, OCBC under current CEO Wong is perhaps most focused on tying together its China and ASEAN businesses. Chinese companies are investing heavily in Southeast Asia, both as a way to diversify their supply chains and find new markets for their goods and services. China and ASEAN are now each others largest trading partners. OCBCs CEO-to-be comes with a wealth of China experience, including a five-year stint leading DBSs institutional banking business in China. He also currently serves as a board director at two OCBC-affiliated financial institutions in mainland China, the Bank of Ningbo and Maxwealth Fund Management Company. OCBCs shares rose by 0.7% on Monday, the first trading day since the bank announced Tans appointment as CEO. Who is Tan Teck Long? Tan joined OCBC in 2022, just a year after his soon-to-be former boss took over the CEO role. He currently leads its global wholesale banking business, which contributed the largest share of OCBCs income last year, at 42%. He jumped ship after nearly three decades at rival bank DBS, where he most recently served as its chief risk officer. OCBCs global wholesale banking revenue grew by 35% under Tans tenure. OCBC also reported a nearly 30% year-on-year rise in new customers that were Chinese companies hoping to enter the ASEAN market, according to its latest annual report. Helen Wongs legacy Helen Wong became the first woman to lead one of Singapores major banks upon her appointment as CEO in 2021. Under her tenure, OCBC reported record profits for three consecutive years, with strong growth across its banking, wealth management, and insurance businesses. Wong first worked for OCBC as a management trainee in 1981. She then moved to HSBC, eventually rising to become the UK banks Greater China CEO in 2015. She returned to OCBC to serve as its head of global wholesale banking, the role her successor now holds. AI chatbots face legal curbs to prevent extremists using them to radicalise would-be terrorists. The plans will be unveiled on Tuesday by Jonathan Hall KC, the Governments adviser on terrorism legislation. Mr Hall has identified seven ways in which AI technology could be exploited by terrorists to recruit a new generation of violent extremists and carry out attacks. In his annual report, he said current counter-terror laws would enable police to arrest and prosecute in most cases where terrorists tried to exploit the technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he proposed new offences for police to take action against extremists who created or supplied computer programmes or chatbots to facilitate the recruitment of extremists or to mount terror attacks. Opening the door to terrorism liability Mr Hall said it would be difficult to prove that a chatbot or Gen AI was designed to be used to commit a specific terrorist offence or to produce propaganda with a narrow terrorist intent. He said: The better course would be an offence of [making or supplying] a computer programme specifically designed to stir up hatred on the grounds of race, religion or sexuality. This would capture Gen AI that was designed to create propaganda intended to stir up hatred against Jews or Muslims or black people or gay people which probably covers the bases for most terrorist propaganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also avoid opening the door of terrorism liability too far. In general, liability under terrorism legislation should be reserved for individuals who require special risk management. Mr Hall said the popularity of sex-chatbots was a warning that terrorist chatbots could provide a new radicalisation dynamic, with all the legal difficulties that follow in pinning liability on machines and their creators. He said there was one known case of a chatbot engaging in a conversation about planning an attack: that of Jaswant Singh Chail, who took a crossbow into the grounds of Windsor Castle, intending to kill Elizabeth II, in 2021. It followed communication with a chatbot which sanctioned his attempt and he was jailed for nine years. Chatbots to inspire terrorism The role of chatbots in any terrorist incident hinged on what they were asked about, even if they had been positively trained to be sympathetic to terrorist narratives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The output overwhelmingly depends on whether the bot is asked about cake recipes or murder. Chatbots pander to biases and are eager to please and an Osama Bin Laden will provide you with a recipe for lemon sponge if you ask, said Mr Hall. He suggested chatbots were one of the seven ways AI could be used to inspire terrorism. At one level, they could be used to make a terrorist message more captivating and accessible, such as simply through their translation capabilities. They could also be used to create innovative terrorist propaganda such as racist games with kill counts, deep fakes of terrorist leaders or notorious killers back from the dead, true-seeming battles set to thrilling dance tracks or terrorist preoccupations adapted as cartoons. He believed the use of AI in facilitating and innovating different types of attacks was covered by terrorism legislation. However, he warned AI could have a more significant role in social degradation where it promoted information designed to create social distrust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Hall said: Using Gen AI to promote tension between different religious or racial groups, conspiracy theories, grievance narratives, or general hostility to the organs of society, may foster violence. Some of this violence could well amount to terrorism. But there is no role for terrorism legislation here because any link between Gen AI-related content and eventual terrorism would be too indirect. Downing Street said the Government would look at Mr Halls recommendations. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: When it comes to AI, when it comes to keeping the country safe, we will obviously always keep under review measures necessary to keep the public and country safe. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man accused of going on a deadly, hours-long shooting spree across the city of Memphis back in September 2022 is set to face a judge in court Tuesday morning. Ezekiel Kelly was supposed to start trial on Tuesday, but earlier this year, a judge decided to delay it. MORE ON EZEKIEL KELLY Prosecutors say they are ready to proceed; however, Kellys attorneys requested the delay that moved the trial date, saying they werent ready to face a jury due to the magnitude of the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a normal case, Judge. Its a case that involves seven crime scenes, three homicides. It involves at least approximately 80 witnesses on behalf of the government. We are in the process of investigating 400 witnesses, said Michael Scholl, Kellys defense attorney. Kelly faces more than two dozen felony charges, including three charges of first-degree murder. His attorney says he is the first person in the state of Tennessee to be charged with terrorism. The state has told the judge they are equipped for whats next while laying out the dozens of those who could be called to the stand when the trial gets underway. This story will be updated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Two examples of the F-15EX touched down at Kadena Air Base, Japan, recently, for a period of advanced training in the Pacific. The jets will take part in Resolute Force Pacific 2025, which the Air Force describes as its biggest-ever contingency response exercise in the region. It marks the first foreign deployment of the F-15EX, which began equipping its first operational squadron last year. Moreover, the deployment comes ahead of the introduction of a permanent F-15EX presence in Japan, where the aircrafts specific capabilities are seen as hugely relevant in a potential future conflict with China. The two F-15EX aircraft arrived at Kadena on July 12, following a stopover at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The jets are from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES) Skulls at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, a unit you can read more about here. A U.S. Air Force F-15EX assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, lands at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on July 11, 2025. The fighter was en route to Kadena Air Base, Japan, to participate in exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Xavier Romero Airman Xavier Romero According to Kadenas 18th Wing, the F-15EX aircraft are in Japan to conduct integration and familiarization training with local units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This short-term visit marks a key milestone in the Department of Defenses ongoing effort to modernize U.S. airpower in the region and deter against evolving threats, the wings release added. It also prepares Kadena personnel for the arrival and future sustainment of the F-15EX in spring 2026. The Air Force has since confirmed that the F-15EX aircraft will be participating in Resolute Force Pacific, or REFORPAC. These maneuvers began on July 11 and involve the U.S. military and partners, which, between them, are fielding more than 300 aircraft. As well as the two examples of the F-15EX, the 85th TES also brought single examples of the F-15E and F-16C to the exercise. A U.S. Air Force F-16C assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron is prepped for refueling during a stopover at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to participate in exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025, on July 11, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Xavier Romero Airman Xavier Romero 53rd WNG 85th TES "Flying Skulls" F-16C OT 98-0005, F-15E 88-1681, F-15EX 20-0004, 20-0005 Kadena Air Base 20250712 pic.twitter.com/aNs6wN2Dgi (@okadna35) July 13, 2025 With an eye on possible future contingencies involving a hostile China, REFORPAC is stress-testing the ability of the U.S. military to generate and sustain airpower in the Pacific, while working alongside regional allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This exercise is about sharpening our edge and proving that our airmen can project combat airpower anytime, anywhere, alongside our allies, said Col. Paul Davidson, commander of the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base in Japan. This wing is all-in, showing what contingency readiness looks like in the Pacific theater. F-2s and F-16s from Japan and South Korea conduct an escort flight of U.S. Air Force B-52s operating in the Pacific on July 11, 2025. ROKAF For the purpose of REFORPAC, the 35th Air Expeditionary Wing has been established at Misawa, in the same way that such a formation would be set up in times of crisis or conflict, drawing personnel and aircraft from multiple bases around the globe. Central to REFORPAC will be the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concepts, developed for contested warfare, especially in the Indo-Pacific and including hot-pit refueling, combat search and rescue, and distributed logistics support. ACE stresses the ability to fight under degraded conditions, including moving forces around quickly to remote locales for their own survival and sustaining missions even when theres no access to traditional logistics and infrastructure. U.S. Air Force Col. Jeromy Guinther, 35th Operations Group commander, briefs incoming exercise REFORPAC 2025 temporary duty members at Misawa Air Base, Japan, on July 9, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench Airman Hannah Bench Ensuring that the F-15EX is also able to meet the demands of ACE in the Indo-Pacific is critical, considering that the aircraft will be fielded at Kadena and that Air Force commanders expect it to play an outsize role in any future conflict in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement REFORPAC is, in turn, part of a broader series of exercises organized by the Air Force at multiple locations across the United States and Indo-Pacific, with a focus on the latter theater. In all, the Department-Level Exercise (DLE) is planned to involve more than 350 aircraft. The DLE incorporates multiple command exercises into one overall threat deterrence scenario, including REFORPAC, Resolute Space, Mobility Guardian, Emerald Warrior, and Bamboo Eagle 25-3. Bamboo Eagle, which you can learn more about in this past TWZ feature, has quickly become one of the most important for the U.S. military, and also has a clear eye on preparing for a future coalition fight in the Pacific with China. Three F-35As from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Southeast Pacific Ocean during the China-focused Exercise Bamboo Eagle 25-1, on Feb. 10, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Monique Stober Airman 1st Class Monique Stober You can read more about the aims of these drills within the wider Indo-Pacific context in this previous article. As we reported in the past, the F-15EX is headed to Kadena on a permanent basis, with 36 aircraft earmarked for Okinawa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Referring to the current temporary deployment by the 85th TES, Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, the outgoing 18th Wing commander, said: Bringing the F-15EX here gives our pilots and maintainers the chance to train in the environment where theyll operate it daily. This visit ensures we can seamlessly integrate the aircraft into our mission sets and maintain the airpower advantages needed in this region. Meanwhile, the 18th Wing further outlined some of the advances that the F-15EX will bring to Kadena starting next year: Outfitted with cutting-edge avionics, advanced weapon systems, and expanded offensive and defensive capabilities, the F-15EX ensures Kadena remains postured to address the dynamic security environment in the Indo-Pacific region. The 142nd Fighter Wing in Portland, Oregon the first operational unit to receive the F-15EX is playing a critical role in standing-up Kadenas F-15EX force, which you can read about in detail here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, Kadena played home to F-15C/Ds, but, as we reported at the time, in October 2022, the Air Force decided to wind-down the types operation at the base. This came as the USAF made the decision to retire the aging F-15C/D force, which had been in service for more than 40 years. The Air Forces last active-duty F-15C made its final flight at Kadena earlier this year. A U.S. Air Force F-15C taxis for its final flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, on Jan. 24, 2025. The last F-15C at the base transitioned to become a maintenance training aircraft. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley Without the permanently based F-15C/Ds, the Air Force has been sending F-35s, F-22s, and other fighters to Kadena as part of a rotational force, as a temporary gap-filling measure. In the past, Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the commander of Air Combat Command who was then-head of U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), had outlined the importance of the F-15EX in the Indo-Pacific theater and at Kadena specifically. What we intend to use it for there [at Kadena], if were so fortunate to get that replacement, is air superiority and some long-range weapons capabilities that you can conduct on the F-15EX, Wilsbach explained in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilsbach also said he considered that Kadena is becoming even more important, due to its strategic Asia-Pacific location. This would allow for a more rapid response to contingencies in the region involving China, with Wilsbach seeing this proximity to a potential aggressor as an advantage, rather than a disadvantage. The latter argument comes from Chinas increasing ability to strike targets especially airbases and other critical military infrastructure at short notice and using a growing variety of advanced standoff weapons. U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, when he was the Pacific Air Forces commander. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Biese Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, in the cockpit of an F-22 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, September 5, 2022. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Biese If theyre shooting weapons at us at Kadena, then we could be projecting power from Kadena Air Base, Wilsbach argued. Using the ACE concept, the F-15EX fleet based there would use Kadena as a point from which to relocate to other, more dispersed locations in the region. It would be hoped to be enough to escape a first wave of Chinese missile strikes, for example. Once bedded down at Kadena, the F-15EX will offer some niche capabilities that will have particular relevance in the Indo-Pacific region. The ability of the F-15EX to carry outsized weapons is well known and would likely be called upon during any kind of shooting war with China. As well as air-to-ground weapons, including hypersonic missiles, which are invariably larger than most regular air-launched missiles, the F-15EX has been identified as an ideal platform to carry very long-range air-to-air missiles, as well. This is especially important considering Chinas development of long-range air-to-air weapons, which pose a major threat to the previous dominance of the AIM-120 AMRAAM family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from potentially exotic missiles, the F-15EX is also noteworthy for the number of external stores it can carry. One loadout option for the F-15EX comprises 12 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) as well as two 600-gallon drop tanks and two conformal fuel tanks (CFTs). This is made possible by two additional underwing weapon stations on the F-15EX, known as Stations 1 and 9, that are not found on the F-15C or F-15E, coupled with an advanced fly-by-wire flight control system. This can be expanded in the future to nearly double that size using specialized racks, but the USAF has not perused that option at this time. The F-15EX will also be able to carry dozens of laser-guided rockets for anti-drone missions. An 85th TES F-15EX armed with 12 AIM-120 AMRAAMs. U.S. Air Force SSgt. Blake Wiles While there have been some questions about the provision of CFTs for the F-15EX, at least initially, its very clear that the aircraft offers an impressive combination of long range and stores-carrying capabilities. This would be especially valuable for operations across the vast expanses of the Pacific, including during any future high-end conflict in the region against China. Meanwhile, in our story that broke the news that the F-15X (now EX) was in the works, we laid out how it would be an ideal platform for drone control. Key factors in this respect include its two-person cockpit, wide-area displays, networking, easy adaptability, and long range. The Air Forces future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) will be especially needed in the Indo-Pacific, where the Chinese Peoples Liberation Air Force is rapidly growing in both size and capabilities. Wilsbach also previously talked about the importance of CCAs, among other advanced uncrewed platforms, in the Indo-Pacific. He said that the Air Force was absolutely considering fielding CCA drones at Kadena, where they would be a perfect adjunct to the F-15EX. Boeing concept artwork shows an F-15 working alongside CCAs in the form of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat loyal wingman drone. Boeing Meanwhile, having CCAs based at other locations in the region, but potentially still controlled by F-15EX fighters, would complicate the battlespace and create chaos for your adversary, Wilsbach contended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its worth noting that the forthcoming introduction of the F-15EX is only one part of the Air Forces fighter modernization effort in Japan. Next spring, as the F-15EX is due to go to Kadena, Misawa Air Base is set to receive a total of 48 F-35As. Ahead of this, F-16s began transferring from Misawa to Osan Air Base in South Korea last month. At Osan, the F-16s are taking the place of the A-10C ground-attack aircraft, a type widely considered to no longer be survivable enough for a high-end fight. An F-16C taxis at Osan Air Base, South Korea, June 26, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah Williams Staff Sgt. Sarah Williams Misawa will be only the second overseas Air Force base to permanently host F-35s, after RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. This underlines just how important the F-35s low-observable and sensor fusion capabilities are in the context of a potential Indo-Pacific fight, especially with Chinas extensive efforts to develop its own stealth platforms. Returning to the F-15EX, under the Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, the F-15EXs program of record is now set to grow from 98 to 129 aircraft, with the addition of at least one more squadron, which will be converting from the A-10. It seems quite possible that further growth of the program could occur. Originally, the USAF had a minimum number of 144 jets to replace the F-15C/D force. Some of the Eagle units have switched to other platforms since then, but units that fly A-10s, F-16s, and even F-15Es could end up getting F-15EX if the USAF chooses to go such a route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current deployment of two F-15EX aircraft at Kadena may only be temporary, but it remains a significant milestone for the Eagle II and the Air Force. As well as being the first time the aircraft has been deployed overseas for an exercise, it will help pave the way for the permanent basing of the F-15EX in the Indo-Pacific region, which is planned to start less than a year from now. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Claim: In mid-July 2025, Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha said he would apply for a green card for the Mexican rescue team that saved his family during deadly Texas flooding.. Rating: Rating: False In mid-July 2025, numerous videos spread on social media claiming that Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha announced that he would apply for green cards a step toward becoming naturalized U.S. citizens for a Mexican rescue team that saved his family during the Texas floods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One such video appeared on X (archived) in the style of a breaking news bulletin. It had amassed more than 824,000 views as of this writing. Maybe, just maybe, all is not lost Kerr County Sheriff Ledabest known for targeting immigrantsjust announced he's applying for green cards for the Mexican rescue team that saved his family. The irony writes itself. Maybe the regime should take notes: immigrants save lives. pic.twitter.com/pahXnmHXD3 Jennifer Get In Good Trouble (@TheJenniWren) July 12, 2025 The text on the footage read, "BREAKING NEWS," and stated: "Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leda said he would apply for a green card for the Mexican rescue team that saved his family." The X post's caption read: Maybe, just maybe, all is not lost Kerr County Sheriff Ledabest known for targeting immigrantsjust announced he's applying for green cards for the Mexican rescue team that saved his family. The irony writes itself. Maybe the regime should take notes: immigrants save lives. Your cruelty doesn't. Similar versions of the video appeared on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, often showing clips of Leitha speaking at a news conference (see screenshot below). (Google search results) However, there was no evidence that Leitha ever made such a statement. No official press releases from the Kerr County Sheriff's Office mention any such promise and no reputable news outlets reported on Leitha making such an announcement. Recordings and transcripts of his public appearances do not reference green cards and Mexican rescue teams. Additionally, the narration and voice-over in the videos sharing the claim appear to have been generated using artificial intelligence software. Therefore, we have rated this claim as false. How we know the rumor is false There were several indicators that the videos were spreading a false narrative. One sign was the repeated misnaming of the sheriff, which would likely not happen on a bulletin by a reputable news media outlet. Leitha was incorrectly referred to as "Leda" and "Lida" in all of the above videos, whereas his actual name is Larry L. Leitha. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The narration, which was also used in all the videos but in some instances featured the start being cut off, also displayed signs of being AI-generated. The pacing was often unnatural and the speaker's intonation was inconsistent. When analyzed with Resemble AI, a deepfake detection tool, the narration was identified as "Fake." (Resemble AI) Most videos started with a sentence that did not make sense: "Kerr County Sheriff Larry Lyda says to apply for a green card for the Mexican rescue team that rescued his family and that they will not be restricted from entering or exiting the U.S. border in the future." Likewise, the videos all featured a sentence near the end that was incoherent: "Sheriff Lida could no longer look at his neighbors across the river the way that he used to that human life has no nationality about a people the Mexican people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The videos also repeated a claim that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum personally sent specialized rescue teams to Texas (emphasis ours): The sheriff's daughter and two young grandchildren were tragically trapped, and when the local rescue effort was overwhelmed, a specialized rescue team, sent by the president of Mexico, marched across the border to help. Snopes previously addressed that specific rumor, explaining that there was no evidence such an intervention occurred. During a July 7 news conference, Sheinbaum clarified that the aid came from volunteer firefighters in Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila, who traveled to Texas independently. Additionally, Google search results produced no credible evidence that Leitha made any public statements about issuing Mexican rescuers green cards in connection to the floods or his family being affected (archived). Neither of the July 5 and July 9 news conferences, nor other briefings published online, contained any statements resembling the claim in the social media videos. Likewise, the C-SPAN transcript of the July 9 news briefing also showed that Leitha did not discuss green cards and Mexican nationals or any related topics. Similarly, the Kerr County Sheriff's Office website contained no evidence suggesting the claim was true. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Leitha had publicly announced such an unprecedented promise to help a Mexican rescue team obtain green cards, it would have been widely reported by credible news outlets. However, this was not the case (archived). Fact-checking outlets Lead Stories and PolitiFact also debunked this rumor. Lead Stories noted that the narration said the Mexican rescue team "marched across the border to help" and that Leitha described them as "his neighbors across the river," despite Kerr County being more than 80 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, which would have required a multiday march. Snopes has fact-checked numerous claims about the Texas floods. For example, we looked into a video that allegedly showed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott saying: "I support ICE deporting the Mexicans who helped during the floods." We also debunked a rumor that U.S. President Donald Trump said that he hoped "the dead are immigrants, not Americans." Sources: - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZnR-nwagAw. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ---. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlHicvsVI7s. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025. ---. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0szhoAXdFOI. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025. About the Kerr County Sheriff's Office. https://kerrcountysheriff.com/about-the-kerr-county-sheriff-s-office. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025. Briceno, Maria. "No, Texas Sheriff Is Not Giving Green Cards to Mexican Rescu." @politifact, https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2025/jul/14/tweets/Floods-Kerr-County-Sheriff-Mexican-rescuers-green-/. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025. Fact Check: FAKE "Sheriff Larry Leda Applying For Green Card For Mexican Rescue Team" Video Misspells Name -- No Media Reports | Lead Stories. 13 Jul. 2025, https://leadstories.com/hoax-alert/2025/07/fact-check-sheriff-larry-leda-green-card-mexican-rescue-team.html. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ibrahim, Nur. "Trump Didn't Say He Hoped Texas Flood Victims Were Immigrants." Snopes, 14 Jul. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/texas-flood-victims-trump-immigrants/. Latest News. https://kerrcountysheriff.com/blog. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025. Texas Officials Brief on Flooding in Kerrville | Video | C-SPAN.Org. https://www.c-span.org/program/news-conference/texas-officials-brief-on-flooding-in-kerrville/662256. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025. Wrona, Aleksandra. "Clarifying Claim ICE Deported Mexican Rescue Workers Who Helped in Texas Floods." Snopes, 14 Jul. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/ice-mexican-rescuers-detained-texas/. ---. "Did Mexican President Send Rescue Teams to Texas after Deadly Flooding?" Snopes, 9 Jul. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/07/09/mexican-president-texas-rescue-teams/. FAIR HAVEN, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Fair Haven Police said that a Saturday arrest came after a long chase down a highway. According to authorities, on Saturday morning at 7:22 a.m. they tried to stop a vehicle for speeding on Vermont Route 22A, only for that vehicle to continue south on the highway, forcing other cars off of the road. The vehicle then reportedly crashed at the intersection with U.S. Route 4; the driver tried to continue fleeing but collided with a police car, before escaping on foot. Police search for Rutland burglary suspect Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police identified Jake F. Desjardon, 37, of Fair Haven as the driver. He remained at large until Saturday evening when police found him hiding in the basement of a West Street Residence. Desjardon was wanted on a previous warrant that included charges of animal poaching. He has been charged with possession of stolen property, driving without consent of the owner, gross negligent driving, and trying to elude the police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. The Brief Catholic leaders and members of the faith community protested Monday morning. The march was for the rights of immigrants and migrants. It was a "solemn walk" ending at a Detroit ICE facility on Michigan Avenue. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Faith leaders and clergy members took the streets Monday morning, fighting for justice for immigrants and migrants. Big picture view "We are especially concerned about the way immigrants are being viewed by some in our culture. And so we want to be able to give a voice to those who have no voice," said organizer Father Edward Weisenburger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They led a crowd of hundreds to the ICE facility downtown, demanding immigrants be treated with dignity and respect. "Just as immigrants are forced oftentimes, almost always against their will, to migrate from place to place, our march today, our procession, is sort of an imitation of that," said Weisenburger. They gathered at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, participating in the rally. Once they marched, they did so in silence. "Its a procession in peace and quiet," said Weisenburger. "Witness to the dignity of Christ in every human being especially our immigrant brothers and sisters." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers called it a solemn walk. Drawing attention to the solemn times, they say, many who are undocumented are living in. "The purpose is to show support for our immigrant brothers and sisters," said Father David Buersmeyer. "We feel that some of the policies and procedures now are too disruptive, causing fear and chaos." They walked four blocks to the ICE regional office on Michigan Avenue, with a letter in hand. It lays out their concerns and requests a meetting with officials to implement significant change. "We want them though to be transparent," Buersmeyer said. "We want them to not be so disruptive to families. We want them to not, we think theres ways to do it without creating the kind of fear thats beginning to arise." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers say the march was brief but powerful. FOX 2 has contacted ICE requesting an interview and comment about the march and about a meeting with religious leaders and are waiting to hear back. The Source Information for this report came from interviews at the protest. Fall River assisted-living home cited for late reports of safety incidents years before deadly fire FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP/Boston25) A Massachusetts assisted-living center where nine residents died in a fire was cited for failing to immediately report more than two dozen health and safety incidents, according to regulators most recent review of the facility. Impossible situation: Fall River chief reflects on response to deadly fire at assisted-living home Five men and four women were killed, and at least 30 others were injured on Sunday night at Gabriel House in Fall River, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Boston. Some of the 70 residents were rescued by ladder after screaming for help from the windows of the three-story building. The cause of the blaze is under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 100-unit facility, which opened in 1999 in a former motel built decades earlier, was last inspected by the state on Oct. 31, 2023, according to a report from the state Executive Office of Elder Affairs. 25 Investigates: Gabriel House owner paid $950k settlement to state over kickback allegations Boards cover the windows of the Gabriel House assisted living facility, where a fire on Sunday killed several people, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi) Flowers sit in front of the Gabriel House assisted living facility where a fire on Sunday killed several people, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi) Flowers rest near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted living facility, Monday, July 14, 2025, following a fire that started late Sunday and resulted in multiple fatalities, in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, center, and Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, left, speak with a member of law enforcement, right, near the Gabriel House assisted living facility, Monday, July 14, 2025, following a fire that started late Sunday, in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Investigators, front, remove boxes containing patient medications from the Gabriel House assisted living facility, behind, following a fire that resulted in multiple fatalities, in Fall River, Mass., Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) An investigator takes measurements Monday, July 14, 2025, near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted living facility following a fire that started late Sunday, in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) A law enforcement official removes boxes containing patient medications from the Gabriel House assisted living facility following a fire that resulted in multiple fatalities, in Fall River, Mass., Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis Etzkorn, owner of Gabriel House, right, visits the site in the aftermath of a fire alongside Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon, left, Monday, July 14 in Fall River, Mass, (Michael Casey) An investigator takes measurements Monday, July 14, 2025, near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted living facility following a fire that started late Sunday in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) This image taken from video provided by WLNE-TV shows authorities working on the scene of a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (WLNE-TV via AP) This image taken from video provided by WLNE-TV shows damage from a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (WLNE-TV via AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This image taken from video provided by WLNE-TV shows a firefighter working on the aftermath of a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (WLNE-TV via AP) Falls River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon, right, speaks with another official after a fire the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Falls River, Mass., Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) The Gabriel House assisted living facility is shown after a fire in Falls River, Mass., Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fall River assisted living center fire The report cited the facility for seven deficiencies, four of which were repeat problems. After the facility responded with a corrective action plan, it was re-certified through November 2025. Most of the issues involved missing documentation. For example, seven resident files that were reviewed were missing documents to indicate that their service plans were reassessed within 30 days of moving in, as required. The plans outline the services each resident receives, including whether they need help with medication and meals. The review also found problems with the reporting of safety incidents. Facilities are supposed to submit reports of incidents that could have a significant negative effect on residents health, safety or welfare within 24 hours, but the review found 26 reports that were sent later than that between May 5, 2022, and Oct. 31, 2023. The report did not specify the total number of incidents or provide any details about what they involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state also watched two staffers provide medication assistance to seven residents and found several problems, including failure to document when eye drops were opened, loose tablets in medication storage areas, and partially opened medication. Boston 25 News obtained a copy of the report. View it below: Gabriel House Plan of Correction by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd Advocates question staff size and other issues Some residents said only two or three staffers were working at the time of the fire, and they offered little help. They left us alone and ran out into the parking lot, said Lorraine Ferrara. I was hanging out the window Help! Help! and they just kept running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Lanzikos, a former Massachusetts secretary of elder affairs and co-founder of the advocacy group Dignity Alliance, said the group was concerned about reports on the lack of fire drills, the small number of staff members for a highly dependent population, and safety issues such as a broken elevator and air conditioners in the windows. Its a terrible tragedy that should have never happened, Lanzikos said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richard Moore, another co-founder of Dignity Alliance, has asked the attorney general to investigate based on similar concerns as well as the facility owners history. Dennis Etzkorn, owner of Gabriel Care LLC, was indicted on medical assistance fraud and kickback charges in 2012, though the charges were dismissed three years later. The fact that it happened in the past and that this now happened suggests that there should be a more thorough investigation of that, said Moore, former head of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association and a former state senator. He said the assisted-living industry overall needs more rigorous regulation and oversight. And while its too early to say what went wrong at Gabriel House, he said the staffing levels and training appear to have been inadequate. Regulations require emergency plans Current regulations do not require a specific number of staff members, but the rules say facilities shall have a plan to secure staffing necessary to respond to emergencies. There should have been more staff. They should have been trained in the case of fire or other emergency, Moore said. Quarterly, they should have been doing fire drills. It seemed like residents didnt know what to do. Etzkorn declined to comment to The Associated Press. He told the Boston Globe in a statement Monday that he and his family were devastated by the tragedy and that he will continue to cooperate with authorities. By Tuesday morning, the facilitys broken windows had been boarded up, and bouquets of flowers and a rosary were set on the ground against a post wrapped with yellow police tape. Ann ONeil-Souza, chief of staff for the mayor, said city officials expect to find homes for the survivors from Gabriel House by the end of Tuesday. She said most were being placed with other facilities in the city and with family, and hospitals have been asked to work with social workers to ensure patients find housing when they are discharged. The dead ranged in age from 61 to 86, authorities said. The Bristol County District Attorneys Office identified seven of the deceased as Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; and Eleanor Willett, 86. The office said the names of a 70-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man had not been released pending notification of family. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A home fire over the 4th of July weekend nearly wiped out everything for an elderly woman, her family, and their pets. The fire took place on July 5, at a home near Warm Springs and the 215 in the southwest Las Vegas valley. Violet Allen has lived a lot of life at 101 years old, and she is picking up the pieces of whats left of her home after it caught fire. While no one was seriously injured, 101-year-old Viola Allen lost her home and belongings in the fire. (KLAS) It looks terrible. Its not my house, Allen told 8 News Now. I dont know what happened. Its one of those things that you dont expect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told 8 News Now that the fire started in her garage and burned both of her cars and a good portion of the front area of her home. Violet still doesnt know if her house is a total loss. Violet Allen has lived a lot of life at 101 years old, and she is picking up the pieces of whats left of her home after it caught fire. (KLAS) Monday was the first day she had been back since flames erupted. Her daughter, Christine Dixon, recalled what she saw after she received that frightful phone call that her mothers house was on fire. I saw a lot of smoke, and I had to stand on the corner, because they wouldnt let me approach. All I kept saying was, where is my mother and no one could answer me,' Dixon shared. A home fire over the 4th of July weekend nearly wiped out everything for an elderly woman, her family, and their pets. The fire took place on July 5, at a home near Warm Springs and the 215 in the southwest Las Vegas valley. (KLAS) Their family friend, Katherine Mohler, told 8 News Now that she is thankful no one was seriously hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one that age or any age should have to worry about something this bad, you know, Mohler said. As for whats next? Violet and her family are working with the Red Cross, CCFD, and their insurance company in hopes of salvaging some of whats left. A home fire over the 4th of July weekend nearly wiped out everything for an elderly woman, her family, and their pets. The fire took place on July 5, at a home near Warm Springs and the 215 in the southwest Las Vegas valley. (KLAS) I dont know what Im going to do, Im 101 years old. They will hopefully rebuild the house. I have a lot of things in there that I dont want to get rid of, but many things will probably have to go, Allen added. Violets family has set up a GoFundMe to cover everything she lost in the fire, from clothes to groceries, her medication, and dog food, among other necessities. In total, 44 firefighters were on scene, and Las Vegas Fire and Rescue responded with their Hazmat unit due to damage to a lithium-ion battery in the garage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. UC Berkeley is mourning the sudden loss of beloved marketing professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski, who was shot and killed in Greece. Jeziorski was reportedly in the country to attend a child custody hearing. The family of a young woman killed in the Florida Keys in 2019 when a Tesla ran a stop sign and plowed into a parked SUV she was standing next to on the other side of the road is arguing in a federal lawsuit that flaws with the electric car manufacturers Autopilot system were to blame for her death. But as trial nears, Tesla attorneys counter that the driver, who was eventually charged with careless driving, had his foot on the accelerator and overrode the self-driving system when he blew through the intersection at nearly 70 mph. The driver, George McGee, 48, told police that night that he was picking up his cell phone that he dropped and didnt realize he was approaching the intersection. The evidence clearly shows that this crash had nothing to do with Teslas Autopilot technology, the car company said in a statement to the Miami Herald. Instead, like so many unfortunate accidents since cell phones were invented, this was caused by a distracted driver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGee pleaded no contest to the charge, and a Monroe County judge withheld adjudication in January 2020 and fined him $1,000, plus $100 for court costs, per court records. To his credit, he took responsibility for his actions because he was searching for his dropped cell phone while also pressing the accelerator, speeding and overriding the cars system at the time of the crash, the Tesla statement continued. In 2019 when this occurred, no crash avoidance technology existed that could have prevented this tragic accident. READ MORE: Was a Tesla on autopilot when it killed a pedestrian in the Keys? FHP is checking Jury selection for the wrongful death lawsuit began Monday at the federal courthouse in Downtown Miami. Was Tesla on cruise control? The crash happened around 9:15 p.m. April 25, 2019 in a remote section of rural highway that connects Card Sound Road to County Road 905. The route is a more roundabout, less-traveled way to get in and out of the Florida Keys. Traveling south down County Road 905 leads you to Key Largo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heading north is the only way to get to the Ocean Reef Club, an exclusive gated community where McGee was en route tor from Boca Raton that night. As McGee was approaching the three-way stop sign intersection that separates the two roads in his 2019 Tesla Model S, Naibel Benavides Leon, 22, was standing with her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, now 33, beside his parked Chevy Tahoe in a lot on the east shoulder of County Road 905, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. When McGee drove through the intersection, he plowed into the Tahoe, causing it to spin, hitting Benavides Leon and launching her more than 80 feet into the woods, FHP troopers said at the time. McGee got out of his car and immediately tended to Angulo, body camera footage shows from a Monroe County Sheriffs Office deputy, who was the first on scene. At this time, no one there, including McGee, realized somebody else was injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be about 10 minutes before Benavides Leons body was found in the woods. The body camera footage reveals that the deputy suspected there was another person affected when a witness at the scene began yelling about a pair of womans flipflops underneath the Tahoe. As the deputy looks around the truck, McGee can be heard on the footage saying, Please tell me no, as he approaches the deputy, who told him to get back. Almost two minutes later, the woman can be heard saying, Shes right there. Shes right there in the bushes. When the deputy arrived to where Benavides Leon was lying, a firefighter crouching beside her body said shes not breathing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGee told the deputy the car was on cruise control when he dropped his phone. He was on his way to Ocean Reef to pick up his wife because they had to fly out of town for a funeral. He was on the phone with an airline at the time, he said. And, when I popped up, I saw a black truck, McGee said. It happened so fast. Troopers investigating the crash said there was no indication or evidence that McGee had consumed any alcohol that night. Angulo is also part of the lawsuit against Tesla. His attorneys say he suffered permanent injuries and mental health challenges from the crash and the loss of Benavides Leon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His attorneys and those of Benavides Leons family argue that at the time of the crash, Tesla marketed the Autopilot feature in a way that allowed drivers to believe it was fully autonomous. The system was then in Beta phase, meaning it was not tested for safety and not designed to be engaged when on roads with cross traffic or intersections, the attorneys say in the lawsuit. Tesla allowed it to be used on roads Tesla knew were not suitable for its use, and knew this would result in collisions causing injuries and deaths of innocent people who did not choose to be part of Teslas experiment, the lawyers wrote. The Carrizales Norte 11 (CN 11) well was spud on April 2, 2025, and reached target depth on April 8, 2025. CN 11 targeted the C7 zone at Carrizales Norte field. The well was drilled to a total measured depth of 8371 MD feet (7798 feet true vertical depth) and encountered multiple hydrocarbon-bearing intervals. On the Carrizales Norte field, the Company has recently drilled one vertical production well from the CN pad. The combination of cash on the balance sheet and robust operating cashflow continues to be a key corporate strength in this volatile market. On July 1, 2025, the Company had a cash balance of US$13.5 million and held no debt. Further, the Company has no long-term rig contracts or obligations to drill wells. The Company has been able to carry out an accelerated drilling program while maintaining a healthy balance sheet. Additional production is expected to be added during the second half of the year as Arrow focuses on an accelerated drilling program. In light of the recent movements in oil prices and current market volatility, Arrow has the ability to balance drilling infill and development wells with low-risk exploration activity which has the potential to increase Arrow's reserve base and build up drilling inventory. Total corporate production is currently between 4,600 and 4,800 boe/d net. Arrow's base production has flattened out and is experiencing shallower declines, as expected. - Strong balance sheet, no debt or drilling commitments. Arrow has flexibility in its work program and is actively exploring potential acquisition opportunities. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Arrow Exploration Corp. (AIM: AXL) (TSXV: AXL) (" Arrow " or the " Company "), the high-growth operator with a portfolio of assets across key Colombian hydrocarbon basins, is pleased to provide an update on recent operational activity on the Tapir Block in the Llanos Basin of Colombia where Arrow holds a 50 percent beneficial interest. Story Continues On April 17, 2025, Arrow put the CN 11 well on production in the C7 formation which has approximately 11 feet (true vertical depth) of oil charged sandstone. The well encountered an initial high water cut of 73%. CN 11 is producing at a stabilized rate of 143 BOPD gross (72.5 BOPD net) with a water cut of 88%. Alberta Llanos field At the Alberta Llanos field, the Company has recently drilled two horizontal production wells from the Alberta, Llanos pad, both on time and within budget. Arrow's experience drilling horizontal wells in the area is resulting in improved efficiency in the field. The Alberta Llanos HZ4 (AB HZ4) horizontal well was spud on May 11, 2025, and reached target depth on June 5, 2025. AB HZ4 targeted the Ubaque zone at the Alberta, Llanos field. The well was drilled to a total measured depth of 13687 MD feet (8558 feet true vertical depth) and encountered multiple hydrocarbon-bearing intervals. The well was completed with Inflow Control Devices (ICDs). On June 11, 2025, Arrow put the AB HZ4 well on production in the Ubaque formation which has approximately 2837 feet (measured depth) of oil charged sandstone. AB HZ4 is producing at a stabilized rate of 880 BOPD gross (440 BOPD net) with a water cut of 19%. The Alberta Llanos HZ5 (AB HZ5) horizontal well was spud on June 12, 2025, and reached target depth on June 23, 2025. AB HZ5 targeted the Ubaque zone at the Alberta, Llanos field. The well was drilled to a total measured depth of 12188 MD feet (8556 feet true vertical depth) and encountered multiple hydrocarbon-bearing intervals. The well was completed with ICDs. On July 2, 2025, Arrow put the AB HZ5 well on production in the Ubaque formation which has approximately 1813 feet (measured depth) of oil charged sandstone. AB HZ5 is producing at a stabilized rate of 1790 BOPD gross (895 BOPD net) with a water cut of 3%. RCE Field On the Rio Cravo Este (RCE) field, the Company has recently drilled one vertical production well from the RCE pad. The Rio Cravo Este 9 (RCE 9) well was spud on June 6, 2025, and reached target depth on June 14, 2025. RCE 9 targeted the C7 zone at Carrizales Norte field. The well was drilled to a total measured depth of 8940 MD feet (8305 feet true vertical depth) and encountered multiple hydrocarbon-bearing intervals. On June 23, 2025, Arrow put the RCE 9 well on production in the C7 formation which has approximately 20 feet (true vertical depth) of oil charged sandstone. The well encountered an initial high water cut of 95%. RCE 9 is producing at a stabilized rate of 201 BOPD gross (100.5 BOPD net) with a water cut of 88%. Drilling Schedule Currently Arrow has two drilling rigs working in the field. The rig at Alberta Llanos is being disassembled and moved to the Carrizales Norte pad where the Company plans to drill two horizontal wells into the Ubaque formation. The rig at Rio Cravo Este is currently drilling a short horizontal well into the Ubaque formation. This will be the first horizontal well targeting the Ubaque at RCE. Arrow is continuously reviewing the original Board-approved $50MM budget and drilling schedule. Arrow does not have any contractual commitments to employ additional rigs or to drill additional wells. Arrow's strong balance sheet allows the Company to remain flexible in a volatile oil price environment and the Company will make further announcements should modifications to its capital program be determined. The Company is still considering the timing of any share buyback, with a decision to follow further progress in the 2025 drilling campaign. East Tapir 3-D Seismic Program The initial processing and interpretation of the East Tapir 3-D program has been accomplished. The East Tapir 3-D survey covers a further 100 sq. km where existing leads on the 2-D dataset have been defined as prospects. The Icaco and Macoya prospects are further supported by the new 3-D program and Arrow is focused on testing the Icaco prospect in late 2025 or early 2026. Marshall Abbott, CEO of Arrow commented: "The AB HZ5 and AB HZ4 horizontal wells have been successfully developed at the Alberta Llanos field, with rates and pressures higher than originally forecast. Both wells are highly accretive with payback expected in the first six months at current oil prices. The success of these two horizontal wells proves the Ubaque concept at Alberta Llanos and has resulted in further development wells being planned." "The East Tapir 3-D seismic program has resulted in a number of new prospects including Icaco and Macoya. These two prospects appear to be stacked reservoirs similar to those found at the RCE and Carriazales Norte fields. Management is encouraged by technical work done to refine these prospects and has started the surface land acquisition process to test these prospects in the near future." "Arrow continues to review and develop its drilling schedule for the 2025 and 2026 programs. Market conditions are continuously reviewed to show development options that will allow the company to grow production and remain financially strong." "We appreciate the support of our longstanding shareholder base as well as the dedication of our talented staff." For further Information, contact: Arrow Exploration Marshall Abbott, CEO +1 403 651 5995 Joe McFarlane, CFO +1 403 818 1033 Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Advisor and Joint Broker) Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor James Asensio George Grainger +44 (0)20 7523 8000 Auctus Advisors (Joint Broker) Jonathan Wright +44 (0)7711 627449 Rupert Holdsworth Hunt Camarco (Financial PR) Owen Roberts +44 (0)20 3781 8331 Rebecca Waterworth About Arrow Exploration Corp. Arrow Exploration Corp. (operating in Colombia via a branch of its 100% owned subsidiary Carrao Energy S.A.) is a publicly traded company with a portfolio of premier Colombian oil assets that are underexploited, under-explored and offer high potential growth. The Company's business plan is to expand oil production from some of Colombia's most active basins, including the Llanos, Middle Magdalena Valley (MMV) and Putumayo Basin. The asset base is predominantly operated with high working interests, and the Brent-linked light oil pricing exposure combines with low royalties to yield attractive potential operating margins. By way of a private commercial contract with the recognized interest holder before Ecopetrol S.A., Arrow is entitled to receive 50% of the production from the Tapir block. The formal assignment to the Company is subject to Ecopetrol's consent. Arrow's seasoned team is led by a hands-on executive team supported by an experienced board. Arrow is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and on TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AXL". Forward-looking Statements This news release contains certain statements or disclosures relating to Arrow that are based on the expectations of its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Arrow which may constitute forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. All such statements and disclosures, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results or developments that Arrow anticipates or expects may, could or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words "continue", "expect", "opportunity", "plan", "potential" and "will" and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Arrow, including without limitation, Arrow's evaluation of the impacts of COVID-19, the potential of Arrow's Colombian and/or Canadian assets (or any of them individually), the prices of oil and/or natural gas, and Arrow's business plan to expand oil and gas production and achieve attractive potential operating margins. Arrow believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time, but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations, and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Glossary API: A specific gravity scale developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) for measuring the relative density of various petroleum liquids, expressed in degrees. BOPD: barrels of oil per day boe/d: barrels of oil equivalent per day MD: Measured Depth Qualified Person's Statement The technical information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Grant Carnie, senior non-executive director of Arrow Exploration Corp. Mr. Carnie was formerly a member of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Alberta and has over 35 years' experience in the oil and gas industry. This Announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK version of the market abuse regulation (EU No. 596/2014) as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR"). NOT FOR RELEASE, DISTRIBUTION, PUBLICATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MIGHT CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258781 The breakdown in relations between the USs top teachers union, the National Education Association (NEA), and the Anti-Defamation League, a civil rights group focused on tackling anti-Semitism, reflects a deeper and dangerous takeover of education by determined activists. Besides the usual financial demands, education is increasingly seen as a means to achieve progressive, even radical social justice, which of course means boycotting anything connected to Israel. The NEA is clearly taking political sides, claiming that it is pledging to defend democracy against Trumps embrace of fascism. The union is also adamant in defending undocumented immigrants, opposing parental rights, and pledging to back mass demonstrations against the administration. This approach is seen by boosters as social justice unionism, adding political stances to the usual economic ones. The political orientation of NEA and the second largest teachers organisation, the American Federation of Teachers, with a combined membership of 4.5 million, is pretty clear. Their political donations even before Trump went 95 per cent to Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the transformation of teachers into cadres of the progressive Left is not restricted to the United States. It can be seen throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. In the UK, Britains National Education Union has drifted ever further to the extremes. Last year, it passed a resolution denouncing Israel as racist. Its rabid anti-Israel status has elicited complaints of anti-Semitism. The union has been labelled a hostile environment for British Jews. Such attitudes can be carried into the classroom. This can be seen in Californias ethnic studies programme, shaped by critical race theory, which has been accused of being openly anti-Zionist and of dismissing Jews as white oppressors. As one observer put it, the programme implies that Genghis Khan was a nice guy. Israel is evil. San Francisco has seen anti-Israel walkouts in high schools, allegedly organised by an advocacy group with access to student addresses. In Toronto, children as young as eight were reportedly compelled to attend a rally that devolved into anti-Israel chanting at the bequest of their progressive teachers. This takeover of the teaching profession by the far-Left poses a profound challenge to liberal institutions. Teaching always had some inherent political implications, but in the past the emphasis remained on learning maths and language skills, while exposing students to various viewpoints. Today, students in many places are treated mostly to highly partisan takes on issues, from the Middle East to gender and climate change, with little interest in alternative views. In many ways, the Left-wing orientation of teachers reflects the biases so deeply entrenched at the colleges where they learn their craft. In 2017, according to one oft-cited study, 60 per cent of college faculty identified as either far-Left or liberal compared to just 12 per cent being conservative or far-Right. In less than three decades, the ratio of liberal identifying faculty to conservative faculty had more than doubled. Even in purple Arizona, Democratic professors appear to outnumber their GOP counterparts by 28 to 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today teachers, whose training now focuses far more on radical themes, tilt towards the Left, more so even than Hollywood actors. And once they have graduated, more of these teachers embrace an agit-prop orientation. Their actual record of educating young people has become ever more awful. The most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as The Nations Report Card, found that barely a quarter of students are proficient in reading, with the results little better in maths. Pressed by educational theorists, schools have abandoned phonics and other effective approaches for whole language, producing a population where 60 per cent of 4th graders are poor readers. The long-term results of teacher failure are hard to contradict, and the impact is pervasive. A recent federal survey suggests that 28 per cent of Americans now occupy the lowest level of literacy, up from 19 per cent in 2017. We may now also be seeing the first reduction of the average American IQ in 100 years. This decline in educational outcomes is evident not only in the US but across the West. Across Europe, students scores have been plummeting as well. Poland, Norway, Iceland and Germany, for example, recorded a decline of 25 or more points in maths between 2018 and 2022, which can surely only partly be attributed to the Covid lockdowns. Canada, too, is seeing its performance standards dropping over time. Indoctrination also has its consequences; a recent study of Canadian college students found 80 per cent claiming that fears about climate change affect their mental health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All this bodes ill for the future of the West, as the pattern of indoctrination, and poor instruction, grows deeper. Once Western educational institutions, based on liberal principles, represented a distinct advantage. Now our educators seem more interested in ideology as opposed to knowledge. Its bad news not just for conservatives or Jews, but for our societies ability to compete against countries, like India or China, who still focus on basic skills and prefer actual results, not just endemic virtue-signalling. Joel Kotkin is presidential fellow in urban futures at Chapman University and senior research fellow at the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A project is underway in Spain to evaluate a new method of preventing and controlling wildfires through highly organized cattle management, according to the International Fire & Safety Journal. Spain's Andalusia region has experienced a sustained uptick in wildfires that are "increasingly virulent and prolonged due to climate change," per the regional news outlet Sur in English. As wildfires occur more frequently, the region has explored advanced technology such as artificial intelligence-powered drones to monitor and combat the conflagrations. This year, Andalusia's wildfire season started a month early, in May, emphasizing the need for a more robust approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Silvopastoralism Operational Group, a collaboration between local ranchers and the University of Jaen, devised another novel technique for wildfire mitigation, combining a nature-based strategy known as silvopastoralism with digital tracking methods for livestock. Silvopasture is a type of agroforestry that integrates pastures, trees, and livestock in a carefully curated balance with local ecosystems. By itself, silvopasture is an ostensibly low-tech way to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures, and it's not a new concept. What is new, however, is the Silvopastoralism Operational Group's introduction of agriculture-centric technology to digitize that approach. "Smart collars" for livestock not only gather biometric data and track grazing patterns but also emit a beep to nudge cattle into carefully constructed borders. Those borders involve "virtual fencing," a cutting-edge agricultural advance that reduces or eliminates the need for physical fences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virtual fences use sounds (such as a beep) and physical stimuli (such as a "mild electric jolt") to contain and guide cattle. Consequently, cows and other livestock can "graze independently" away from "high-risk fire zones" and ranchers can manage it all remotely via an app. The project's organizers said the combination of silvopasture and new digital tools boasts benefits beyond wildfire mitigation, ones that can benefit ranchers and consumers alike. Among those benefits is the potential to offer consumers "full traceability" for meat and dairy cultivated under the practice, as the smart collars can create a sourcing record. Researchers indicated that functionality could "create new opportunities for rural economies and market differentiation." Overall, the initiative "has demonstrated its potential to revitalize rural areas through the digitalization of grazing, enabling the development of a viable livestock sector based on environmental and economic sustainability and its role in fire prevention," said agricultural engineer and project researcher Rafael Lopez Nieto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the group's silvopasture demonstration was recent, suggesting the approach is not yet in widespread use, there's strong evidence for its viability outside the pilot project. A March 2024 study in Scientific Reports closely examined silvopasture as a fire mitigation strategy. "These findings point to the integrated nature of silvopasture, where management of overstory composition and structure, understory vegetation, and grazing can reduce fuel loads and potential wildfire risk," the study's authors concluded. 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. (WFRV) Farmers across northeast Wisconsin say they are feeling optimistic about this seasons crop yield, especially compared to last year. We are on pace for a record year, Brickstead Dairy Farmer Dan Brick said. Annual fundraiser golf outing raises over $15k for Green Bay dog rescue Data from the United States Department of Agriculture showed that 78% of corn thus far in Wisconsin was rated good and or excellent, exceeding last years numbers, which were 58% on July 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, farmers had to push back their initial planting date. This time around, Brick said he was able to plant at an ideal time. Last year, it was June 12 by the time we got our first seed in the ground, and this year it was the first week in May, Brick said. It was favorable planning conditions when we started. For corn, after the farmers plant the seed, the soil takes it and nearly 12 hours later, the plants are supposed to grow. This year, the plants mostly grew at the same time because of the ideal weather conditions leading up to it. Colin Van De Loo, a University of Wisconsin-Madison research graduate student, said the conditions for a good plant require a few things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want the soil dry enough, but not too dry to work it into a fine silt texture and then we plant at that optimal time, Van De Loo said. Ideally, it rains the day after planting. After the crops are planted, they need a perfect combination to survive. Kringle For A Cause: Uncle Mikes releases new kringle to help Texas flood victims If we could get full sun and we could get adequate rainfall periodically throughout the year and a dry fall to plant and dry crop to harvest, that is the perfect crop, County Vision Co-op Agronomist Tim Pagel said. As long as the sun continues to shine and northeast Wisconsin continues to get about one inch of rain weekly, the corn should continue to thrive, local farmers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Jaime Alanis, a worker at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, California, died Saturday after falling thirty feet during the chaotic immigration raid last week, according to a GoFundMe post shared by his family. Alanis death adds to the scrutiny of federal agents aggressive and often volatile tactics as they ramp up immigration enforcement across the country. It also points to the dangers of such raids, which have long raised concerns about civil rights violations, racial profiling and the trauma they cause immigrant communities. Alanis reportedly climbed, then fell, from a greenhouse onsite while he fled from federal agents last Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He died due to the reckless ICE raid . He suffered a broken neck, fractured skull. Severed arterie, the GoFundMe post reads. This man was not in and has not been in CBP or ICE custody, Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary of public affairs, said in a statement. Although he was not being pursued by law enforcement, this individual climbed up to the roof of a green house and fell 30 feet. CBP immediately called a medivac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible. Alanis, 57, is survived by his wife and daughter, according to the GoFundMe post, and his body will be taken to his hometown of Huajumbaro, in the Mexican state of Michoacan. He worked at Glass House Farms for ten years, according to the Associated Press, and was described as a hard-working, innocent farmer by his family members. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers also conducted a raid last Thursday on a Glass House Farms site in Carpinteria, California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This weekend, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem touted the raids as one of the largest operations since President Trump took office, noting that agents apprehended more than 300 alleged undocumented immigrants. DHS said, too, that 14 children were rescued during the raid from forced labor and exploitation, and that four U.S. citizens were arrested for allegedly assaulting or resisting federal agents. Glass House Farms has said that federal agents had warrants and that it would be assisting workers with legal counsel. The United Farm Workers on Monday, meanwhile, described disturbing actions taken by federal agents during the raids. The UFW can confirm farm workers were critically injured ... during chaotic raids in Ventura County, California. Others, including U.S. citizens remain totally unaccounted for, the organization said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Workers, including U.S. citizens, were held for eight hours or more onsite, UFW noted, and some citizens said they were only released after deleting photos and videos of the raid on their phones. Theres also been growing controversy in recent days over the arrest of California State University, Channel Islands Professor Jonathan Caravello, who is a U.S. citizen and was at Glass House Farms protesting against the Camarillo raid on Thursday. Caravello was arrested on Thursday and was held in federal detention this past weekend. Witnesses have said that Caravello was helping remove a tear gas canister that had been lodged underneath the wheelchair of another protester, while federal authorities alleged that he was attempting to throw that canister at law enforcement, leading to his arrest. Caravello was released on bail on Monday following protests against his detention. Immigration policy experts have repeatedly stressed that raids instill fear in immigrant communities, fueling long-term health issues and economic distress, while violating peoples constitutional rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These violent and cruel federal actions terrorize American communities, disrupt the American food supply chain, threaten lives and separate families, UFW said in its statement about Thursdays raid. Related... A coalition of community groups on Monday announced plans for a farmworker labor strike this week in protest of the Trump administrations ongoing crackdown on undocumented immigration in California. We are not machines. We are not criminals. We are the backbone of our food system, and we are tired of being treated as disposable, said Flor Martinez Zaragoza, a social media influencer, during a news conference on Los Angeles historic Olvera Street. Zaragoza, who runs the Instagram account @flowerinspanish, has more than 500,000 followers. The strike is scheduled to take place from Wednesday to Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leave us alone because we come here to work were not coming here to do things wrong, said Wilfredo Morales, a day laborer supporting the campaign. Federal immigration agents toss tear gas at protesters during a raid in the agriculture area of Camarillo, Calif., Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker) Federal immigration agents toss tear gas at protesters during a raid in the agriculture area of Camarillo, Calif., Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker) Protesters standoff against federal immigration agents during a raid in the agriculture area of Camarillo, Calif., Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker) Protesters are seen gathering at the site of a possible immigration raid at a Camarillo farm. July 2025. (KTLA) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security now says officers arrested 361 people last week at two cannabis farmsone in Camarillo and the other in Carpinteriain what is believed to be the largest single-day immigration enforcement action in California history. The agency also stated that 14 minors allegedly working at the farms were rescued. The crackdown, which began in Los Angeles more than a month ago, has expanded to other areas, prompting concern among local officials who say the raids are spreading fear in immigrant communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to halt indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests in seven California counties, including Los Angeles. The administration is currently appealing the decision. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. In 2007, Stacy Brown was a single mother with three young children. She wanted to be able to provide for them, and like many entrepreneurs before her, she had a moment where everything clicked. Brown loved chicken salad and thought she made it well enough that other people would want to pay for it. So she decided to turn her chicken salad recipe into a business: Chicken Salad Chick. It paid off better than anyone, especially Brown, could have expected. In 2024, there were 260 locations generating over $350 million in sales. Brown has a degree in Communications but found inspiration elsewhere when it came time to support her family. After her divorce, she turned to her passion. She's not a chef, but she considers herself a Southern cook, and she was confident enough to build an entire business around it. After her kids went to sleep, she made batches of chicken salad. She started with about four flavors and carried them door to door to sell in her neighborhood. But the local Health Department had other plans, shutting her down for violating rules about selling food made in a home kitchen. With the help of a business-savvy partner, Brown changed her approach. She started a take-out restaurant and sold out on day one 40 pounds of chicken salad sold just like that. The next day, the duo sold out of 80 pounds. Chicken Salad Chick was a hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 12 Frozen Chicken Pot Pie Brands, Ranked Worst To Best Chicken Salad Days a chicken salad chick drive thru storefront - Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock Chicken Salad Chick had 12 recipes to kick things off. Classic Carol, made with mayonnaise, celery, and herbs, was Brown's original recipe, which she perfected in her home kitchen. The Fancy Nancy chicken salad is a little more festive with apples, grapes, and pecans. The Sassy Scotty is heartier with bacon, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing. Another nine versions rounded out that original menu, all named after Brown's friends, aka the chicks in her life. Over the years, the menu has been modified to add new items and recipes that boost the traditional chicken salad. By 2012, Brown was franchising. In 2015, Brown and her partner sold a majority stake in Chicken Salad Chick to a private equity firm, handing over day-to-day operations. Brown remains on the board and as a spokesperson for the company as it continues to expand. In 2023 alone, 32 new locations opened, and the brand branched into Colorado, its 18th state. That same year, it acquired Piece of Cake bakery, allowing every Chicken Salad Chick location to offer signature desserts. The chain also offers pimento cheese and egg salad sandwiches as well as unique side salads. There aren't a lot of restaurants that will give you a grape salad made with cream cheese dressing, brown sugar, and pecans. Customers can also get soups, snacks, and even a whole loaf of bread. What started as one mom's passion for chicken salad has become a Southern staple with no signs of slowing down. Read the original article on Tasting Table. James Canton spent two years sitting beneath an 800-year-old oak tree near his home in Essex, watching acorns fatten and butterflies land on the massive knurled grey trunk. Sometimes he sat in the branches too. Canton, a lecturer at the University of Essex, recalls how it helped him feel a "sense of connection". "We're happier sat in an oak tree ten foot from the ground, watching blue tits feeding on caterpillars involved and immersed in that natural world." He went on to write a book called The Oak Papers about that time spent studying the Honywood Oak. For years, it was easy to forget that we used to be a woodland nation: around 6,000 years ago untouched swathes of oak, hazel, birch and pine blanketed an estimated 75% of the UK. But in recent months the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland has put our relationship with trees, and the natural world more widely, back under the spotlight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two men are due to be sentenced today for the crime that has been called a "mindless destruction". Canton calls it a "symbolic" moment. The felling of the Sycamore Gap has prompted calls for stricter legal protections for trees, not only to help prevent similar crimes in future but also to help the public appreciate the value of trees at a time when many of our woodlands are in poor health and targets for tree-planting are not being met. The Sycamore Gap tree stood in a natural dip along Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland for over a century before it was felled in the early hours of 28 September 2023 [PA Media] But even if the government were to back calls for greater legal protections, other questions remain - namely, which trees should be afforded greater legal protection? And arguably even more pressingly: should Britain be thinking more broadly about how to save our depleting woodlands - and is legal protection enough or is a fundamental rethink required? UK's 'odd relationship' with trees The Sycamore Gap wasn't a particularly ancient tree, nor a native species, but its position gave it a totemic status. Tucked into a fold of the hills in an area of outstanding beauty, the tree was famous around the world. People went there to have picnics, propose marriage, scatter ashes and to seek solace during lockdown. Experts at Northumbria University say the single tree's "dramatic and photogenic setting made it a culturally significant landmark", and it was often used as a symbol of the surrounding Northumberland region. Local people spoke of their sense of devastation at its loss, while Northumberland National Park Authority received thousands of emails, letters and messages. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were both found guilty of two counts of criminal damage in connection with the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree [Northumbria Police] And yet despite being a nation of tree lovers, we live in one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth - while we still aren't planting enough trees, despite calls by successive governments. The UK has 13% woodland cover, compared to an average of 38% in Europe, according to Prof Mary Gagen of the University of Swansea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We've been planting more woodland in recent decades, with woodland creation rates much higher now than they were in the 2010s, yet even they remain off track, according to statistics from Forest Research. The target set by the previous Conservative government was to plant 30,000 hectares a year by 2025 across the UK, in line with the heyday of tree planting in the 1970s. Statistics show that 20,700 hectares of new woodland was created in the UK between April 2023 and March 2024, a big achievement. However, this fell to 15,700 hectares over the year to March 2025, largely as a result of a drop-off in planting in Scotland. Rates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland went up though from a low base. Experts warn that the UK's native woodlands are in crisis, with only 7% currently in good ecological condition [Mike Kemp via Getty Images] And the woodlands that already exist aren't in great shape. Only 7% of it is in good ecological health, says Prof Gagen. She is among those who think that this all nods to an "odd relationship" with trees one of "simultaneously adoring and denuding woodlands". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew Allen of the Woodland Trust warns there could be a knock-on effect: "While money goes into getting new trees in the ground, we continue to spend very little on looking after the trees we already have - and this risks serious consequences." 'Why would a tree older than Stonehenge go unprotected?'' Ancient trees provide a home to hundreds of different bird, insect and mammal species, yet they have no automatic right of protection. This is unlike some other countries, including Italy and Poland, where so-called "heritage" trees have specific legal protections. Some UK trees are protected through being in a nature reserve or a site of special scientific interest, while Tree Preservation Orders can be made by a local planning authority to protect specific trees or woodland from deliberate damage or destruction. The Tree Council has published a report urging stronger protection for the country's most significant and irreplaceable trees, like the one at Sycamore Gap [PA Media] Yet many fall through the gaps. Only a fifth of our "oldest and most important veteran trees" are in protected areas, says Prof Gagen. Veteran trees are trees that through their own decay act as a habitat for other species, promoting biodiversity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tree Council charity has written a report calling for greater protections for the country's "most important trees", such as at the Sycamore Gap. The outpouring of emotion and anger after the felling of the tree shows how valued these "socially, culturally and environmentally important trees are", says Jess Allan, science and research projects manager at the charity. On the back of a Heritage Trees Bill, introduced in December 2023 as a private members bill in the House of Lords, the charity is calling for legislation to create a statutory list of the most valuable trees and to impose stricter penalties for damaging them, mirroring the system for listed buildings. Crucially, this could protect trees that are much-loved and culturally important because of their place in the landscape, as well as protecting ancient trees that are vital in preserving nature. Backed by the proposed Heritage Trees Bill in the House of Lords, the Tree Council is calling for a legal register of the UK's most valuable trees, along with tougher penalties for damaging them [PA Media] Jon Stokes, the charity's director of trees, science and research, points out that in Portugal, the maximum fine for destroying a notable tree is 500,000 (433,000). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says protecting our "most celebrated trees" is a no-brainer. "There are yew trees in this country that are older than Stonehenge nobody would ever contemplate not protecting Stonehenge so why would a living thing that's older than Stonehenge not receive some protection?" He hopes something positive could come out of the felling of the Sycamore Gap: it's made people realise that some of the UK's trees are "truly vital to our culture and heritage and history and our biodiversity - we should be looking after them better than we are at the moment". The Tree Council's report is currently being assessed by the government, but there is no date on when any decision will be released. 'You can't stop reckless acts' There are some who believe legal reforms are not enough. Even the proposed new measures might not have saved the famous sycamore: its felling involved trespass onto land owned by the Northumberland National Park. And a Tree Preservation Order wouldn't have made a difference either, says Sarah Dodd of Tree Law in Barry, Wales, a law firm that specialises in legal issues involving trees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ultimately, you can put all the protection you want on trees, but some people are just going to break the law, you can't stop some people doing some reckless acts," she says. At the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Dame Judi Dench was presented with a seedling from the Sycamore Gap tree [PA Media] The bigger question, she says, is how we get people to appreciate the value of trees and therefore not want to fell them. She hopes that giving trees special legal status will raise their profile, and therefore make people recognise their importance. Mr Stokes, of the Tree Council, says if we are to maximise the biodiversity value of our trees we've got to celebrate and protect the old ones. And we need to build up new trees next to our older ones, so that wildlife can flow "from these ancient bastions into the new woods and hedges and individual trees that we're planting", he says. A recent report by the Woodland Trust found that the current health of our woods and trees is "concerning", and proposed solutions include more woodland creation, better woodland management, agroforestry (combining agriculture and trees), ancient woodland restoration, and natural flood management, whereby trees are planted to slow down water flow. Difficult choices ahead This will not be easy and Prof Gagen of Swansea University says saving the UK's woodlands is a complex problem that demands difficult choices around building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Unfortunately, for most people if asked if they'd like more new, cheaper housing or faster transport, or to protect nature, they are going to sacrifice a woodland," she says. She says there is a need to ensure people are aware of the "true value of nature". "A single big tree in the right place is providing thousands of pounds worth of carbon store, flood protection, free air conditioning, habitat, wellbeing provision, pollution control and a hundred other benefits, and no one is asked to pay those costs if the tree is felled for development. That needs to change to save UK woodlands." More from InDepth Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Canton, he stills visits the Honywood Oak near his home, and is involved in projects to turn around the fortunes of the "forgotten forests", areas of ancient woodland that were historically turned into timber plantations and now need to be restored. He hopes that years from now we will have learned from the loss of the Sycamore Gap tree and others like it, and changed our attitude. "I'd really like to think that in a generation's time, there will be rights for trees trees that are over say 100 years old that you cannot do this, and you get much worse punishments than currently exist," he says. "Hopefully in time we will gradually get there our society is naturally catching up with our natural emotional connection with the natural world." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top image credit: Joe Daniel Price via Getty BBC InDepth is the home on the website and app for the best analysis, with fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions and deep reporting on the biggest issues of the day. And we showcase thought-provoking content from across BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. You can send us your feedback on the InDepth section by clicking on the button below. JACKSONVILLE - In 1984, Bob McLeod founded BrokenStone Ministries as a vehicle for sharing biblical teachings with people who were hurting, especially those who were drug addicted. From those efforts, Our Fathers Arms (OFA) was added as a residential component of BrokenStone Ministries. McLeod, who died in 2021, had no idea how many ministries would eventually fall under BrokenStone. Those he inspired funded a home for women, a medical clinic, an office large enough to accommodate worship services and a Ukrainian mission with a school for ministers and a church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related to BrokenStone was another ministry Duggar Mountain Music Hall that featured Christian performers. The weekly shows were broadcast throughout the world with assistance from people inspired by McLeod. (He had spent part of his young adult years hanging out in the music world with the wrong crowd.) After his conversion to Christianity, McLeod became a minister. He blended humor with solemnity a Cloud in the Sky, he called himself. Another mans story Our Fathers Arms gave people an opportunity to turn their life around. He once made a video of him lying in a casket, then sitting up to teach others about the need for God in their lives and how God could heal them from a life of addiction and sorrow. When played at his funeral, it was jarring but effective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At some point, a man named Chris Bentley, saw the video and came to live at OFA in 2021. That video has always given me humor because it was kind of funny, Bently recently said after stopping to visit BrokenStone's headquarters on Alabama 21 near Whites Gap Road. That video still hangs with me, and theres been a lot of life-giving tools right here at Our Fathers Arms, a lot of things that I was able to take out. Prior to living at OFA, Bentlly was a drug addict. He believed in God, but was not a committed believer. After a year of hearing biblical teachings by McLeod and other volunteers, he learned enough about Gods love to leave his addiction behind and follow steps toward a better life. He recently became an ordained minister in the church he attends in Tuscaloosa. After McLeods death Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without Bob, the ministry was in need of a leader. The obvious choice was McLeods son Scotty who, at first, was hesitant to take over BrokenStone. He asked God to give him a sign that he should lead his fathers ministry and found three signs, which he calls God winks, but he believes more signs have occurred since. Soon after Daddy passed, I was driving when I saw a guy I recognized standing on the side of the road. I said, Man, have you ever thought about getting some help? He teared up and said he would if he only had a chance. So, I drove him over here to Our Fathers Arms. That man is Barry Green and he has been reunited with his children. He is serving God by working as a house director at OFA. The second sign came shortly thereafter. Scotty met a new employee at Alabama Specialty Products where he works. The man, John Hall, asked if Scotty was Bobs son and told how Bob and others from OFA would come and share Jesus with the students at the Coosa Valley Juvenile Detention Center and speak to the students who live there. Scotty and others from OFA began sharing the message of hope and love in Jesus Christ. Scotty views the invitation as a second sign. Hall later became the detention centers chaplain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third sign was when Scotty attended a Christmas party at the juvenile center. The party organizer was giving out certificates for those who volunteered and called out the name Bob McLeod. Those present grew quiet because most of them knew he had died. I looked at John, Scotty said, and he looked at me, and when they called out Daddys name again, I went up there and received his certificate. He said that these three signs were pointing him toward taking on the role his father once had effectively running a ministry. Scotty and his mother, Patti, Bobs wife, work together to keep the main two goals of the ministry fulfilled saving the lives of others and maintaining a free medical clinic at the ministrys campuses. Patti McLeod Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As one of the directors of BrokenStone Ministries and with the help of First Baptist Church of Williams, we are helping Vic Jackopson, Our Fathers Arms International Director, in South Hampton, England, Patti McLeod, Bobs widow and Scottys mother, said, We assisted Ukrainian refugees, soldiers and pastors during the war. McLeod, when alive, had inspired people to begin other ministries, such as Duggar Mountain Music Hall that featured Christian music artists. It was broadcast throughout the world. BrokenStone also conducted a womens ministry. Patti realizes her husbands influence is still felt. BrokenStones administrative assistant and others Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liz LeRoux is a big part of OFA, having worked there for more than 20 years. She cheerfully carries out her office work, pays the bills and maintains the daily flow of operations. She has enjoyed getting closer to Patti. Bob was always right here, and now it is Patti here beside me, she said. We talk things over and make decisions. OFA is part of my abundantly blessed life. In 2012, George Johnson came to live at OFA. McLeod gave George the title: OFA Secretary of State. He is always smiling and has a terrific attitude towards everyone, Scotty said. If anyone is feeling down and out, go talk to George. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BrokenStone continues with McLeods mission work which is just the way he wanted it. His spirit was contagious, inspirational and undefinable. Its hard sometimes because people stop me and give me a story about him, Patti said. Tears will come to my eyes, but I know we will be together again one endless day, because sooner or later there will be no more parting of the ways. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Residents across Dayton are coming together to remember the life of 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum. Over the weekend, a missing persons report led to the discovery that Hershall had been dead for several weeks. In the wake of two arrests and an ongoing investigation, community members are making sure Hershall is never forgotten. Dayton PD provides update into deceased missing child case Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relatives of Hershall, along with people who live close by came together Monday night to cover the McClure Street Bridge that crosses US-35. Hershalls remains were found in the area just days ago, and now the bridge is covered in balloons and mementos to honor him. Posters, balloons and mementos line the McClure St. bridge over US-35 in Hershalls memory. (WDTN Photo) One lifelong Dayton resident has visited the bridge each day since the news broke over the weekend. She says her grandkids went to school with Hershall and she feels their pain. Nothing will bring him back. I wish I could give my soul to bring that baby back, I really do, said Jessica Shepherd, local neighbor. Hershalls father, Hershall Creachbaum Sr., says seeing the bridge reminds him that everyone who came in contact with his son loved him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybody that Ive ever met that has met him, you know, they loved Hershall from the start, said Creachbaum. Grandmother of deceased 7-year-old speaks out Creachbaum says the news hasnt really hit him yet. I cant really describe it any other way. Heartbroken, just heartbroken, said Creachbaum. Its just one of the things in life, I cant really, I havent even processed any of it. Community members say the goal is to line the entire bridge with decorations in Hershalls memory. Seeing everybody come out here and looking at this bridge, both sides, its almost covered. This is special, said Jeff Cartwright, New Hope Church pastor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A vigil is being planned for Hershall, click here for more. 2 NEWS will continue to follow this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. The Brief Authorities said the man fatally shot by police on Sunday had stabbed his son to death before officers arrived. The slain suspect was identified as Mateusz Dzierbun, of Fremont. Investigators said Dzierbun lured officers to the park and made several statements that he wanted them to shoot him. SAN JOSE, Calif. - A father fatally stabbed his 9-year-old son at a San Jose park Sunday afternoon before being shot and killed by officers who responded to what turned out to be a misleading 911 call, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph shared new details during a press conference Monday, describing the incident as one of the most disturbing homicide cases hes experienced in his 33-year career. Suspect lured police to park What we know Joseph said the suspect, identified as 48-year-old Mateusz Dzierbun of Fremont, called 911 around 3:23 p.m. from Cataldi Park and reported that his son was being stabbed by an unknown assailant, which was a half-truth. When officers arrived, they discovered that the caller himself was the one who had committed the crime. "These officers had no idea that the frantic person on the line was in fact the suspect himself," said Joseph. "A deranged man who had murdered his own son." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joseph said the suspect even gave a description of the suspect a description that matched himself. Joseph said Dzierbuns call for help was a calculated plan to get into a confrontation with police. "A twisted plan to force officers to shoot him, a final desperate and selfish act, suicide by cop," the chief said. Officers arrived to find Dzierbun hunched over his bloodied son and armed with a large knife. Dzierbun was also covered in blood. "The child suffered from injuries so severe that it's unimaginable they could have been inflicted by his own father," Joseph said. Officers repeatedly asked suspect to drop weapon Dig deeper Police pleaded with the suspect to drop the knife so they could render aid to the boy, but Dzierbun refused and made several statements indicating he wanted to be shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joseph said his officers couldn't continue pleading with the suspect as they needed to reach the child to provide medical aid. Before officers could use less lethal force, Dzierbun stood up with the knife raised and charged at them. That forced officers to open fire. Dzierbun died at a hospital. Officers then rushed to the child, but he was already deceased. A bandana was covering the boys face. Joseph said when officers removed the bandana, the boy's injuries were so severe he couldn't even put them into words. "Killed in the park by his father, who then lured the officers into a shooting," said Joseph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boys identity has not yet been released. What's next Joseph said investigators have found no documented history of mental illness, no previous contact with San Jose police, and no reports of domestic violence or restraining orders involving Dzierbun. Detectives are now working to trace his movements as Dzierbun moved around the country a bit. They're also trying to determine why the suspect chose that park and what drove him to carry out the killing. "I don't ever remember a parent murdering their child so brutally. I don't remember a lot of homicides as violent and brutal as this one," said Joseph. The Source San Jose Police Department press conference (Reuters) -Oracle will invest $3 billion in Germany and the Netherlands over the next five years to bolster its infrastructure powering artificial intelligence and cloud offerings in the European market, the company said on Tuesday. The Austin, Texas-based company joins a growing list of technology firms that have pledged tens of billions of dollars to meet robust cloud computing demand as businesses increasingly deploy AI workloads. Last year, Amazon said it would invest 10 billion euros in Germany, bringing its total planned investments in the European country to 17.8 billion euros. Together, big tech companies are expected to spend $320 billion on AI this year. On Monday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the social media giant would spend hundreds of billions of dollars to build several massive AI data centers. Demand has been growing for the cloud and AI services offered by firms including Oracle, Amazon.com, Microsoft and Google because they can replace or outperform software created by traditional IT firms, some analysts say. Oracle would spend $2 billion in Germany and $1 billion in the Netherlands, the company said in separate statements. Its shares rose 2% in trading before the bell. They have risen nearly 38% so far this year. The company expects its capital spending to surpass $25 billion in fiscal 2026, with the bulk of the expenditure committed to data-center infrastructure, including for AI. "As we bring more capacity online, our revenue and profit growth will further accelerate," Oracle CEO Safra Catz said in June. Oracle has secured a deal with an undisclosed client that is expected to generate over $30 billion in annual revenue for the company starting in fiscal year 2028, according to a regulatory filing last month. (Reporting by Bipasha Dey, Dheeraj Kumar and Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Anil D'Silva) BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Former and current Louisiana law enforcement officers and a business owner accused of an immigration fraud scheme involving false police reports were formally charged. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, a 62-count indictment alleges that five people conspired to commit visa fraud between Dec. 26, 2015, and July 15, 2025. We brought these allegations against who we allege to be corrupt officials, and we are not alleging these are corrupt police departments, acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI New Orleans said agents conducted court-authorized law enforcement activity in Baton Rouge and Oakdale Tuesday. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Eric Delaune said nearly 200 law enforcement officers executed 11 search warrants. See who faces charges in the case: Chandrakant Patel of Oakdale 24 counts of mail fraud Eight counts of money laundering One count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud One count of bribery Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle Six counts of visa fraud Six counts of mail fraud One count of money laundering One count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud Marshal of the Ward 5 Marshals Office in Oakdale, Michael Slaney Six counts of visa fraud Six counts of mail fraud Two counts of money laundering One count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon Six counts of visa fraud Six counts of mail fraud One count of money laundering One count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud Former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea Six counts of visa fraud Six counts of mail fraud One count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud Attorney General Liz Murrill said her office is reviewing evidence in the case and expects to bring state charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public officials especially those in law enforcement who conspire to commit fraud and obstruct justice violate the public trust and undermine faith in justice. They will be held accountable, Murrill said. Heres what we know According to federal officials, the indictment alleges that Patel, Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, Onishea, and others created false police reports in central parishes. Victims of supposed armed robberies who were listed in the reports could apply for U-Visas. People who sought visas allegedly contacted and paid Patel. The U.S. Attorneys Office said the indictment alleges that Patel gave, offered, and agreed to pay a Rapides Parish Sheriffs Office employee $5,000 on Feb. 18, 2025, to reward them for a false police report. Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, and Onishea allegedly submitted false statements regarding immigration applications between Sept. 27, 2023, to Dec. 26, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI and the majority of our law enforcement community is privileged to work on behalf of true crime victims every day. But in this case, people paid thousands of dollars to manufacture that status to get a shortcut to the privilege of staying in our great nation, FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp said in a statement. Authorities said defendants could each face a sentence of up to five years in prison for conspiracy charges, up to 10 years for visa fraud charges, and up to 20 years for mail fraud charges if convicted. Patel could face up to 10 years on the bribery charge. Officials added that defendants could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Louisiana First Daily News FBI issues warning about AI voice impersonations of US officials Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. The manhunt for 32-year-old Benjamin Hanil Song of Dallas has entered its 10th day. A $35,000 reward is being offered for any information about his whereabouts. Song is one of 12 who have been charged in connection with a July 4 coordinated attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado. Ten assailants were apprehended at the time, though Song managed to evade capture, authorities said. He basically was sort of hemmed in by the law enforcement presence for approximately 24 hours, and he called a friend named John Thomas, who helped him escape from the area, said Nancy E. Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Song is believed to be in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but Blue Alerts have been issued to surrounding states as well. The FBI said Song should be considered armed and dangerous. He is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds. He has ties to Dallas and Addison. Song, a former U.S. Marine Corps reservist, is accused of firing two AR-15-style rifles at two correctional officers and one Alvarado police officer, according to a criminal complaint. The Alvarado police officer was shot in the neck by a suspect in the woods. Another assailant fired dozens of rounds at unarmed correctional officers who had stepped outside the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the complaint, Song purchased four of the guns that were found in connection with the shooting. One of the guns had a binary trigger, which is used to double a regular rate of fire. On July 6, a white 2017 Mercedes Benz registered to a relative of Song was found on the same block of one of the other suspects. Song had been captured on security footage driving in on May 23 at the DFW Airport. Song faces three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and three counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters MUST provide information to authorities using one of the following three methods: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-252-TIPS (8477). Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about then clicking on the link under their picture. Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the SUBMIT A TIP link (under the About section). All tips are anonymous regardless of how they are submitted and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name. Federal authorities on Tuesday released new images of three Iranian intelligence officers allegedly involved in the abduction of retired FBI special agent Robert Levinson. Each attached to a seeking information poster, the images of Reza Amiri Moghadam, Taghi Daneshvar and Gholamhossein Mohammadnia are part of an extensive investigation into Levinson's disappearance in 2007, the FBI's Washington field office said. Moghadam is the current Iranian ambassador to Pakistan and previously led the operations unit of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security in Tehran, an agency whose members the FBI has accused of helping orchestrate Levinson's abduction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daneshvar is described by the FBI as a high-ranking officer in the Iranian intelligence ministry involved in counterespionage activities. Around the time Levinson disappeared, he allegedly oversaw the work of Mohammad Baseri, another Iranian intelligence officer whom the United States government has accused in the abduction. Mohammadnia is a senior deputy in the intelligence ministry who served as the Iranian ambassador to Albania in 2016, before being expelled from Albania two years later for "damaging its national security," according to the FBI. The U.S. agency said Mohammadnia led an initiative to blame Levinson's disappearance "on a terrorist group in Pakistan's Baluchistan region to shift blame away from the Iranian government." The FBI released photos of three men it identified as senior Iranian intelligence officers involved in the abduction of retired FBI Special Agent Robert A. "These three intelligence officers were among those who allegedly facilitated Bob's 2007 abduction and the subsequent cover-up by the Iranian government. Bob likely later perished in captivity far away from his family, friends, and colleagues," said Steven Jenson, the assistant director in charge of the FBI's Washington office, in a statement. "The FBI will continue its relentless pursuit to hold anyone involved in his abduction to account for their reprehensible actions." The U.S. has maintained a view since Levinson vanished that the retired agent was kidnapped during an unauthorized CIA mission in Iran, and subsequently detained wrongfully by the Iranian government. Levinson was believed to be alive for years, until U.S. officials in 2020 said intelligence indicated he may actually have been dead "for some time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moghadam, Daneshvar and Mohammadnia were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in March for allegedly playing a role in Levinson's "abduction, probable death, and Iran's efforts to cover up or obfuscate their responsibility," the federal agency said in an announcement at the time. The latest seeking information posters followed two others released by the FBI in December, for Baseri and Ahmad Khazai, both Iranian senior intelligence officers thought to be responsible for Levinson's abduction, detention and probable death. Federal authorities have described the men as high-ranking officers in the Iranian intelligence ministry. Both also were sanctioned by the U.S. government. Trump pushes senators to make $9.4 trillion in spending cuts Sneak peek: The Fitbit Alibi Trump heads to Pittsburgh for AI announcement, Russia rejects 50-day peace deadline CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) The federal government is moving forward to implement English as the official language of the U.S. New COVID-19 strains cause mild symptoms, check at-home test kits To fulfill President Trumps executive order to make English the national language, all federal agencies will now begin to phase out what is being deemed as unnecessary multilingual services. Local lawmakers say this move could isolate communities where English is a second language, like Springfield and Holyoke. The Justice Department issued that order in a seven-page memo Monday. The DOJ is saying the policy will save money and promote national unity. But in cities like Springfield and Holyoke, where large parts of the population rely on Spanish translations, lawmakers worry this will only create more barriers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez told 22News, Sometimes it can take people longer to learn a language. Government must be for the people, by the people, and from the people. According to the memo, the DOJ recommends that federal agencies: To consider English-only services when lawful Use AI technology to save costs to bridge language barriers Include disclaimers that English is the official language Redirect funds towards English education Evan Garber, a political consultant with Anthony Cignoli Associates, adds, Maybe the state would be able to find funding for more translative purposes, or be able to give supplemental materials to people who dont speak English or arent proficient in reading. But again, the state cannot pick up the tab for all of the federal cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department will now spend the next 180 days rewriting its language guidance, temporarily suspending the limited English proficiency website before the final rules take effect. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Four veteran Homeland Security agents who helped execute the Trump administrations arrests of pro-Palestinian foreign academics for deportation testified Tuesday that the orders they received were both highly unusual and described by senior officials as urgent. Somebody at a higher level than the people I was speaking to had an interest in him, said agent Darren McCormack, who oversaw the arrest of recent Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil in March. There were a lot of hands in the fishbowl, recalled agent Brian Cunningham, who supervised officials involved in arresting Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk about two weeks later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agents appeared as witnesses for the government at an ongoing trial in Boston on a lawsuit claiming the Trump administration is implementing an ideological deportation policy that targets non-citizens in violation of the First Amendments free speech guarantees. Each of the arrests discussed Tuesday took place based on determinations by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the presence of the foreign academics in the U.S. undermined U.S. foreign policy interests. They included Khalil, Ozturk, Georgetown University researcher Badar Khan Suri and Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi. Subsequent to their arrests, all four were ordered released from custody by federal judges who found Rubios orders appeared to have violated their constitutional rights. The agents said they couldnt recall similar requests in the past and that, prior to President Donald Trumps return to the White House in January, their division Homeland Security Investigations rarely took part in immigration enforcement. It was not something that I had much experience with, if any, said Cunningham, an assistant special agent in charge in Boston. Most of my career as an agent and as a supervisor has been in enforcement of drug laws, drug smuggling, money laundering. Thats changed recently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had a meeting shortly after the inauguration, several meetings actually, that impressed upon us that Title 8 [immigration enforcement] was going to be prioritized, Cunningham said, adding that deportations are typically handled by another Department of Homeland Security component, Enforcement and Removal Operations. Cunningham said the request he received regarding Ozturk was so unusual that he contacted a Homeland Security lawyer to confirm its legality. I cant recall a time that its come top-down like this with a visa revocation, under my purview anyway, he said. I did contact our legal counsel to make sure that were on solid legal ground.The operation kind of developed pretty quickly. Cunningham said that the background information he received on Ozturk included an op-ed she co-wrote in the Tufts student newspaper last year supporting divestment from Israel. The agent said he skimmed the op-ed and didnt see anything obviously criminal in it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt see anything in the op-ed that suggested shed committed a crime, Cunningham said. McCormack, the agent involved in Khalils arrest, said department leadership instructed his office to surveil Khalil and establish a pattern of life for his apprehension. The requests prompted McCormack to consult with William Joyce, the head of ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations field office in New York, which typically handles deportation-related matters. We historically in recent times had not enforced those laws, said McCormack, a deputy special agent in charge in New York. I wanted to confirm there was a legal basis for arrest. Asked why the usual personnel didnt handle the arrest, which eventually took place in a hallway of Khalils Manhattan apartment building, McCormack was stumped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not sure why. I wondered why HSI was effecting this arrest and not ERO, he said. I still dont know. The agents said the arrests followed standard procedures: They handcuffed the academics and ushered them into unmarked vehicles. All four agents said they were never informed that the academics were being targeted for deportation due to their pro-Palestinian views, their criticism of Israel or for their political views the central claim in the lawsuit. The agents said they carried out the arrests because the academics visas or green cards had been revoked and because of Rubios determination that their presence was at odds with U.S. foreign policy. There was no testimony Tuesday on the basis for Rubios decisions. Testimony from a top State Department official who could shed light on that subject, John Armstrong, is on hold due to a temporary stay an appeals court issued in a dispute about the confidentiality of documents detailing the investigations into the academics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The HSI agents did testify about some agents use of masks when making arrests, a practice that has drawn outrage from some immigrant rights advocates. They said that before the Covid pandemic masking was uncommon, although it took place occasionally when undercover agents were asked to help with more routine operations. Now, agents mask more often out of fear of doxxing on social media, the officials said. HSI policy doesnt require or forbid masks, they said. In the age of camera phones and the ability of people to identify those agents, people want to protect themselves if theyre members of this community or they live here, Cunningham said. Cunningham said it was common practice for agents to identify themselves when making an arrest and he assumes it was done when Ozturk was arrested, although he conceded he wasnt there. I dont know what was said to her, he said. The trial, taking place before U.S. District Judge William Young without a jury, is expected to resume Thursday. Federal authorities have charged two individuals in connection with a targeted attack on a Texas ICE detention facility earlier this month that left one officer injured as the final suspect remains on the run. John Phillip Thomas and Lynette Read Sharp are charged with alleged accessory after the fact in the July 4 shooting at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, according to court documents. "[Sharp and Thomas] were involved in Signal Chats, which show reconnaissance," Nancy Larson, the acting U.S. Attorney, told "Fox and Friends" on Tuesday, adding the pair are accused of "planning a Google map [and] the location of nearby police departments." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities are still searching for alleged attacker Benjamin Hanil Song. Song, 32, is wanted for his involvement in what officials say was an organized attack on ICE officials by a group of 10 to 12 individuals. Manhunt For Ice Facility Attack Suspect Reaches 10 Days With Reward Money On The Line John Phillip Thomas and Lynette Read Sharp are charged with alleged accessory after the fact in the July 4 shooting at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, according to court documents. Four days after the attack, authorities executed a search warrant at Thomas home in Dallas, with Thomas initially denying knowing Song before admitting the pair had been friends since 2022 and previously lived together from September 2024 to late June 2025, according to court documents. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas allegedly told investigators he was housesitting for a friend on the day of the attack and met with three individuals the following day, later telling officials the group discussed the shooting and their plans to help Song flee the area. Court documents state Thomas then admitted to transporting Song to a separate home in the area. Fbi Seeking Military Vet Suspected In Ice Ambush At Texas Detention Facility A group ambushed corrections and police officers outside the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, on July 4, 2025, creating a distraction with fireworks and graffiti before firing upon officers with semiautomatic rifles. Upon searching Thomas vehicle, officers discovered a loaded 30-round AR-15 magazine and a Walmart receipt for clothing in Songs size dated July 6, according to federal prosecutors. Thomas allegedly told authorities he purchased the clothing for Song. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The documents also reveal Thomas was a member of two separate Signal Chat groups that also included Song, with Thomas allegedly removing Song from one of the chats the morning after the shooting. More Details Revealed On Suspects In Independence Day Ice Attack In Texas The group chats were also allegedly used by Sharp, in which she is accused of discussing the groups plans to partake in an operation at the Prairieland Detention Center, but divulged that she would not be able to attend due to "family problems" and offered to monitor the chat for the group. The court documents also reveal Sharp allegedly used the online chat to help arrange Songs transport from Thomas to another unnamed individual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have arrested 14 people for their alleged connections to the attack, while Song remains at large. Fox News Digital was unable to immediately locate attorneys representing Thomas and Sharp. Suspect Wanted In Anti-ice Texas Ambush Previously Sued In Past Protest Incident "We believe he is somewhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth area but have expanded our publicity efforts to neighboring states just in case," the FBI Dallas Field Office told Fox News Digital on Monday. Song is accused of firing two AR-15-style rifles at a pair of correctional officers and an Alvarado police officer, according to a criminal complaint. He faces three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and three counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to Songs arrest and conviction, with authorities noting the former U.S. Marine Corps reservist should be considered armed and dangerous. "These latest two charges show the walls are closing in on [Song]," Larson said, adding, "he is running out of people to go to." Fox News Digitals Stephen Sorace contributed to this report. Original article source: Federal authorities charge pair who allegedly helped ICE facility attacker escape after shooting Floodwaters left debris, including vehicles and equipment, scattered in Louise Hays Park on July 5 in Kerrville, Texas. Emergency managers say Trumps cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service could prove devastating during future disasters. (Photo by Eric Vryn/Getty Images) With hurricane and wildfire season well underway across much of the country, state and local emergency managers say they have little idea how much support the federal government will provide if disaster strikes. And the recent deadly floods in Texas have shown just how dire the need can be. President Donald Trump has imposed severe cuts on the Federal Emergency Management Agency and denied some states requests for disaster recovery funds. FEMA also has failed to issue grants that many emergency managers rely on to fund their agencies or to communicate its plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wyomings Office of Homeland Security, which responds to disasters, relies on the feds for 92% of its money, said Director Lynn Budd. With that federal support in question, the state could face a precarious situation when the current grants expire at the end of September. If we dont get this funding, what are we going to do? Budd said. Youre taking our capability away. Budd serves as president of the National Emergency Management Association, a nonprofit focused on public safety. She said state officials have been told by Trump that theyve become too dependent on federal support. Trump and officials in his administration have repeatedly talked of scaling back FEMA and pushing states to take the lead in disaster response. But in the wake of this months devastating flooding in Texas, administration officials have backed off Trumps claims that he would eliminate the agency altogether. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson did not grant an interview request, but issued a statement calling on states to play a larger role in disaster response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State and local officials say Trump has provided no clarity about which disasters will qualify for federal recovery funds. He has denied support for disasters that met the existing criteria. At the same time, FEMA has yet to issue federal grants that provide much of the funding for local emergency management agencies. As local leaders in rural Saluda County, South Carolina, work to rebuild from last years Hurricane Helene, they say the recovery process has been slowed by Trump administration policies making it more difficult to access disaster aid. Worse, the countys Emergency Management Division has no idea whether the feds will release the grant funding that makes up most of its budget. Are we going to see the help we need arriving? said Josh Morton, director of Saluda Countys Emergency Management Division. I dont know. When we pick up the phone, is there gonna be anybody there to answer? Aside from the cuts to state funding, FEMA under Trumps administration has lost about a quarter of its full-time staff, according to The New York Times. The agency also cut hundreds of contractors at call centers, The Times reported, resulting in thousands of missed calls in the days following the Texas flood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, emergency managers say that Trumps cuts to the National Weather Service could further impair their ability to respond to fast-moving disasters. The feds pull back Trump and his administration have frequently said states should take on more responsibility for responding to disasters. Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said in an April statement to Stateline that the federal government would provide support only for truly catastrophic disasters, adding that states should have an appetite to own the problem. Emergency management experts say it would be inefficient for all 50 states to stockpile the resources, staff and recovery funding to handle disasters on their own. Having a national agency that can deploy where its needed is far less wasteful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no reason for every state to have all the resources that FEMA has, said Michael Coen, who served as chief of staff at FEMA during the Obama and Biden administrations. He noted that FEMA also plays a key coordinating role with other federal agencies during disasters. Theres no reason for every state to have all the resources that FEMA has. Michael Coen, chief of staff at FEMA during the Obama and Biden administrations Morton, the Saluda County official, echoed that concern. He also serves as first vice president with the International Association of Emergency Managers, a nonprofit representing professionals in the field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be impossible for every county in the U.S. to maintain an adequate disaster recovery fund on their own, he said. Right now, we have a disaster fund at the federal level, and that money is able to be moved around to where its needed in the moment. That really is the best bang for the buck for the American people. But that federal support is no longer a sure thing. Morton said recovery funds for Hurricane Helene which walloped states from Florida to North Carolina have been slower to materialize than for previous disasters. FEMA officials have required more paperwork, he said, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems insistence that she personally approve any expenditure over $100,000 has also slowed the process. Disaster declarations In other parts of the country, state officials have petitioned Trump for disaster declarations, only to be rejected altogether. Washington states request for disaster aid following storms last November that caused at least $34 million in damages met all the very clear criteria to qualify, said Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson, but was denied by FEMA. While Trump administration officials have proposed limiting the events that qualify for federal relief, they have yet to issue new criteria. State leaders say they have gotten no clarity from the feds about whether they can count on support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We really need some communication on what to expect, said Budd, the Wyoming official. If we know theres no federal funding coming, that would be an awful situation, but at least we can plan for that. Some experts say states should prepare for disaster relief to be approved along partisan lines. We just have to be honest that this White House is going to spend more resources, time and effort on people who live in red states than in blue states, said Juliette Kayyem, faculty chair of the Homeland Security Project at Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government and a former Obama administration official. Its a hard thing for me to admit, and I dont know how to solve it, but if you look at his reaction to [the Los Angeles wildfires in] California as compared to Texas, its very clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since February, Trump has denied six of the 10 major-disaster requests he has received from Democratic governors, according to an analysis from Seattle National Public Radio affiliate KUOW. He has approved 14 of 15 requests he has received from Republican governors during that same period. Meanwhile, FEMA has yet to release the preparedness grants that many state and local governments depend on to fund their emergency management agencies and conduct projects to prepare for disasters. Those grants were set to be issued in May under a spending bill passed by Congress. Coen, the former FEMA official, noted that the Texas Division of Emergency Management received nearly $20 million in federal funding last year to support day-to-day operations. Texas hasnt been able to apply for that grant this year, he said. If they never get that grant, are they going to have to lay off staff or cancel contracts? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA has also revoked another set of grants, totaling $3.6 billion, that was intended to help communities prepare their infrastructure to withstand disasters. Weather agency cuts Amid the uncertainty at FEMA, emergency managers are also alarmed by Trumps cuts to the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA has lost nearly 2,000 employees, The New York Times reported, 600 of whom worked for the weather service. The cuts have left many forecasting offices understaffed, with some no longer able to operate overnight. The National Weather Service plays as big of a role in protecting lives as anyone else in government, said Morton, the Saluda County official. It would be very hard for emergency managers to do our jobs effectively without the National Weather Service. But if these cuts keep coming, youre going to start to see deficiencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Budd, the Wyoming official, said the weather agency is crucial during wildfires. Thats how we know when its time to alert our communities or evacuate an area, she said. You can put firefighters lives on the line very quickly if they dont have notification that those winds are changing. She added that Trumps cuts to the U.S. Forest Service and other land management agencies have added another layer of concern as wildfires begin cropping up throughout the West. With the loss of federal support, Budd said officials are likely to become increasingly reliant on state-to-state resource-sharing compacts that allow them to call on one another during emergency situations. Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at abrown@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Floodwaters left debris, including vehicles and equipment, scattered in Louise Hays Park on July 5 in Kerrville, Texas. Emergency managers say Trumps cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service could prove devastating during future disasters. (Photo by Eric Vryn/Getty Images) With hurricane and wildfire season well underway across much of the country, state and local emergency managers say they have little idea how much support the federal government will provide if disaster strikes. And the recent deadly floods in Texas have shown just how dire the need can be. President Donald Trump has imposed severe cuts on the Federal Emergency Management Agency and denied some states requests for disaster recovery funds. FEMA also has failed to issue grants that many emergency managers rely on to fund their agencies or to communicate its plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wyomings Office of Homeland Security, which responds to disasters, relies on the feds for 92% of its money, said Director Lynn Budd. With that federal support in question, the state could face a precarious situation when the current grants expire at the end of September. If we dont get this funding, what are we going to do? Budd said. Youre taking our capability away. Budd serves as president of the National Emergency Management Association, a nonprofit focused on public safety. She said state officials have been told by Trump that theyve become too dependent on federal support. Trump and officials in his administration have repeatedly talked of scaling back FEMA and pushing states to take the lead in disaster response. But in the wake of this months devastating flooding in Texas, administration officials have backed off Trumps claims that he would eliminate the agency altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson did not grant an interview request, but issued a statement calling on states to play a larger role in disaster response. State and local officials say Trump has provided no clarity about which disasters will qualify for federal recovery funds. He has denied support for disasters that met the existing criteria. At the same time, FEMA has yet to issue federal grants that provide much of the funding for local emergency management agencies. As local leaders in rural Saluda County, South Carolina, work to rebuild from last years Hurricane Helene, they say the recovery process has been slowed by Trump administration policies making it more difficult to access disaster aid. Worse, the countys Emergency Management Division has no idea whether the feds will release the grant funding that makes up most of its budget. Are we going to see the help we need arriving? said Josh Morton, director of Saluda Countys Emergency Management Division. I dont know. When we pick up the phone, is there gonna be anybody there to answer? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from the cuts to state funding, FEMA under Trumps administration has lost about a quarter of its full-time staff, according to The New York Times. The agency also cut hundreds of contractors at call centers, The Times reported, resulting in thousands of missed calls in the days following the Texas flood. Meanwhile, emergency managers say that Trumps cuts to the National Weather Service could further impair their ability to respond to fast-moving disasters. The feds pull back Trump and his administration have frequently said states should take on more responsibility for responding to disasters. Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said in an April statement to Stateline that the federal government would provide support only for truly catastrophic disasters, adding that states should have an appetite to own the problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency management experts say it would be inefficient for all 50 states to stockpile the resources, staff and recovery funding to handle disasters on their own. Having a national agency that can deploy where its needed is far less wasteful. Theres no reason for every state to have all the resources that FEMA has, said Michael Coen, who served as chief of staff at FEMA during the Obama and Biden administrations. He noted that FEMA also plays a key coordinating role with other federal agencies during disasters. Theres no reason for every state to have all the resources that FEMA has. Michael Coen, chief of staff at FEMA during the Obama and Biden administrations Morton, the Saluda County official, echoed that concern. He also serves as first vice president with the International Association of Emergency Managers, a nonprofit representing professionals in the field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be impossible for every county in the U.S. to maintain an adequate disaster recovery fund on their own, he said. Right now, we have a disaster fund at the federal level, and that money is able to be moved around to where its needed in the moment. That really is the best bang for the buck for the American people. But that federal support is no longer a sure thing. Morton said recovery funds for Hurricane Helene which walloped states from Florida to North Carolina have been slower to materialize than for previous disasters. FEMA officials have required more paperwork, he said, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems insistence that she personally approve any expenditure over $100,000 has also slowed the process. North Carolina is among the impacted states Gov. Josh Stein (Photo: Greg Childress) As North Carolina continues its recovery work from Helene and the recent flooding from Tropical Storm Chantal, Gov. Josh Stein has made clear that continued assistance from FEMA remains essential. In a recent interview with CNBC touting the states top ranking for doing business, he echoed the view that states are in no position to handle disaster recovery on their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt make sense for each state to have a fully staffed emergency response team because they may not have a storm for five-years or 10 years. But we know the country will, Stein said. He added that North Carolina still has an $11.5 billion request for storm recovery before Congress and the Trump administration that he hopes will be funded soon. NC Newsline Disaster declarations In other parts of the country, state officials have petitioned Trump for disaster declarations, only to be rejected altogether. Washington states request for disaster aid following storms last November that caused at least $34 million in damages met all the very clear criteria to qualify, said Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson, but was denied by FEMA. While Trump administration officials have proposed limiting the events that qualify for federal relief, they have yet to issue new criteria. State leaders say they have gotten no clarity from the feds about whether they can count on support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We really need some communication on what to expect, said Budd, the Wyoming official. If we know theres no federal funding coming, that would be an awful situation, but at least we can plan for that. Some experts say states should prepare for disaster relief to be approved along partisan lines. We just have to be honest that this White House is going to spend more resources, time and effort on people who live in red states than in blue states, said Juliette Kayyem, faculty chair of the Homeland Security Project at Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government and a former Obama administration official. Its a hard thing for me to admit, and I dont know how to solve it, but if you look at his reaction to [the Los Angeles wildfires in] California as compared to Texas, its very clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since February, Trump has denied six of the 10 major-disaster requests he has received from Democratic governors, according to an analysis from Seattle National Public Radio affiliate KUOW. He has approved 14 of 15 requests he has received from Republican governors during that same period. Meanwhile, FEMA has yet to release the preparedness grants that many state and local governments depend on to fund their emergency management agencies and conduct projects to prepare for disasters. Those grants were set to be issued in May under a spending bill passed by Congress. Coen, the former FEMA official, noted that the Texas Division of Emergency Management received nearly $20 million in federal funding last year to support day-to-day operations. Texas hasnt been able to apply for that grant this year, he said. If they never get that grant, are they going to have to lay off staff or cancel contracts? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA has also revoked another set of grants, totaling $3.6 billion, that was intended to help communities prepare their infrastructure to withstand disasters. Weather agency cuts Amid the uncertainty at FEMA, emergency managers are also alarmed by Trumps cuts to the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA has lost nearly 2,000 employees, The New York Times reported, 600 of whom worked for the weather service. The cuts have left many forecasting offices understaffed, with some no longer able to operate overnight. The National Weather Service plays as big of a role in protecting lives as anyone else in government, said Morton, the Saluda County official. It would be very hard for emergency managers to do our jobs effectively without the National Weather Service. But if these cuts keep coming, youre going to start to see deficiencies. Budd, the Wyoming official, said the weather agency is crucial during wildfires. Thats how we know when its time to alert our communities or evacuate an area, she said. You can put firefighters lives on the line very quickly if they dont have notification that those winds are changing. She added that Trumps cuts to the U.S. Forest Service and other land management agencies have added another layer of concern as wildfires begin cropping up throughout the West. With the loss of federal support, Budd said officials are likely to become increasingly reliant on state-to-state resource-sharing compacts that allow them to call on one another during emergency situations. This report was first published by Stateline, which like NC Newsline, is part of the national States Newsroom network. Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at abrown@stateline.org. The Brief Students across Georgia may soon get a real-world lesson in politics and what happens when school funding falls short. The U.S. Department of Education has withheld nearly $7 billion in federal funds meant for public schools. $200 million of that should go to Georgia. Georgia lawmakers are calling for that money to be released. ATLANTA - Georgia lawmakers, educators and youth advocates gathered at the State Capitol on Monday to urge federal officials to release $200 million in frozen funds earmarked for Georgia schools. The backstory The U.S. Department of Education withheld the money, as well as $7 billion nationwide, after the Trump administration said schools weren't meeting his priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 20 states filed suit over the frozen funding Monday. The lawsuit alleges withholding the money violates the constitution and several federal laws. However, Georgia is not one of those states at this time. RELATED: Democrat AGs sue Trump for 'unconscionable' freeze on $6.8B in K-12 spending Republican state School Superintendent Richard Woods, in a written statement last week, also called on the federal government to release the funds. What they're saying The group at the State Capitol said this move will hurt children. "That includes critical support for after-school programs, summer learning, teacher training, migrant student services and English language learners here in Georgia," said Atlanta Democratic Sen. RaShaun Kemp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homer Republican Rep. Chris Erwin chairs the House Education Committee. He said lawmakers are closely monitoring the situation here at home as they push for a swift resolution in Washington. "I think what we have to do is pay attention to the impact it is going to have and if school kicks off, and we need a special session, and that's when it would be time to call it, after we realize the impact it's having, and it's going to affect them," Erwin explained. "Otherwise we wait to mid-year, which would be January when we normally go in." What's next The Georgia Federation of Teachers has asked Gov. Kemp to call a special session to address the crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kemp Spokesperson Garrison Douglas said at this time, the governor is not planning to call a special session. The Source Information in this article came from FOX 5's Deidra Dukes speaking with lawmakers at the State Capitol. In todays CEO Daily: Diane Brady talks to Panasonic North America CEO Megan Myungwon Lee. The big story: New tariffs on the EU and Mexico. The markets: Cooling off from all-time highs. Analyst notes from Wedbush on AI usage and equities, and Goldman Sachs on home price appreciation. Plus: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune. Good Morning. Panasonic will open its $4 billion EV battery plant in De Soto, Kansas, today. Its a green shoot of optimism in a market thats otherwise cooled amid tariffs and major policy shiftsthe most recent of which is the end of a $7,500 EV tax credit, thanks to the big, beautiful bill now signed into law. (Ford was able to retain its federal tax credits at the last minute. Meanwhile, Honda recently postponed its EV investment in Canada, and demand at Teslas largest EV plant is down.) I spoke with Panasonic North America CEO Megan Myungwon Lee about todays news and whats next in a murky environment for clean energy. This is a big, long-term commitment that started four years ago, she said. Every CEOs job is to navigate and make decisions in very ambiguous and uncertain times. Lee prefers to focus on the positive. I am not saying its easy, she told me. But the current administration and previous administration believe in bringing technology into the market and creating manufacturing jobs, and thats what we do. While the new policy environment might delay the timeline for ramping up to full production, about 1,100 of the 4,000 anticipated employees have been hired. And Lee anticipates sticking with that plan despite AI, tough market conditions, and the Japanese companys recently announced plans to cut 10,000 jobs globally, about 4% of its workforce. Our manufacturing process is already highly automated and, for the volume we produce, we will still need, at this point, a few thousand employees to run the factory in Kansas. And shes addressing the challenges that everyone in the industry now faces: Especially in the battery business, the supply chain is global; there are raw materials that we just cannot get locally, she added. But Panasonic transformed its supply chain during COVID and our goal is to have at least 50% of our supply chain done within this region by 2030. Its a wonderful beginning and definitely a celebration, but we have to make sure that the business is successful and theres a healthy return. More news below. Contact CEO Daily via Diane Brady at diane.brady@fortune.com This story was originally featured on Fortune.com YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) An indictment unsealed Tuesday in federal court charges two men with selling drugs out of a lower West Side home. Read next: Tex-Mex restaurant closes without notice Victor Green, 52, and Jamael Pierce, no age given, have both been charged in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio with using a Walden Court home to sell drugs between February and March of this year. Green faces nine counts, including charges of distribution of fentanyl, distribution of crack cocaine and maintaining a drug premises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pierce faces a single count of distribution of fentanyl and maintaining a drug premises. The indictment was issued July 9 but was not unsealed until Tuesday. Arraignment information has yet to be listed in online court records. The indictment also says the government is looking to seize almost $41,000 in cash that was deemed to be proceeds from drug sales, as well as a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, a .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol and an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle. The indictment charges Green with trying to sell drugs on Feb. 12, Feb. 25, Feb. 26, twice on March 12 and March 25. Pierce is accused of selling drugs on Feb. 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Walden Court home was used to sell drugs from February to March 25, the indictment said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK (AP) A federal judge in Texas removed a Biden-era finalized rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that would have removed medical debt from credit reports. U.S. District Court Judge Sean Jordan of Texas's Eastern District, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, found on Friday that the rule exceeded the CFPB 's authority. Jordan said that the CFPB is not permitted to remove medical debt from credit reports according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which protects information collected by consumer reporting agencies. Removing medical debt from consumer credit reports was expected to increase the credit scores of millions of families by an average of 20 points, the bureau said. The CFPB states that its research has shown outstanding healthcare claims to be a poor predictor of an individuals ability to repay a loan, yet they are often used to deny mortgage applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three national credit reporting agencies Experian, Equifax and TransUnion announced last year that they would remove medical collections under $500 from U.S. consumer credit reports. The CFPBs rule was projected to ban all outstanding medical bills from appearing on credit reports and prohibit lenders from using the information. The CFPB estimated the rule would have removed $49 billion in medical debt from the credit reports of 15 million Americans. According to the agency, one in five Americans has at least one medical debt collection account on their credit reports, and over half of the collection entries on credit reports are for medical debts. The problem disproportionately affects people of color, the CFPB has found: 28% of Black people and 22% of Latino people in the U.S. carry medical debt versus 17% of white people. The CFPB was established by Congress after the 2008 financial crisis to monitor credit card companies, mortgage providers, debt collectors and other segments of the consumer finance industry. Earlier this year, the Trump administration requested that the agency halt nearly all its operations, effectively shutting it down. The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism. Just days after the Supreme Court again made it clear that the separation of powers is sacrosanct, Indira Talwani, an Obama appointed federal judge in Massachusetts, has taken the unprecedented step of ordering the government to fund Planned Parenthood, purporting to enjoin implementation of a portion of the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) passed by Congress. The BBB imposed a one-year ban on state Medicaid payments to health care nonprofits that offer abortions and also received more than $800,000 in federal funding in 2023. Three days after the president signed the BBB into law, Planned Parenthood sought a temporary restraining order (TRO). Without hearing from the government, complying with federal rules, or even providing an explanation, within hours after the filing, Talwani issued a TRO for at least 14 days that requires the government to spend money Congress declined to appropriate. Four days later, the administration asked Talwani to dissolve the TRO because of its obvious infirmities. Instead, she doubled down, issuing an amended TRO that satisfied the technical requirements she had previously ignored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I work with Planned Parenthoods very capable lead lawyers. Without the facts or the law on their side, they did the right thing. They found a far-left federal judge who has repeatedly ruled against the Trump administration and is willing to create a constitutional crisis to advance a political cause. Numerous Supreme Court decisions explain that merely because something is legal does not mean that Congress must fund it, or continue to do so. Just a few weeks ago, in Medina v. Planned Parenthood, the Supreme Court rejected Planned Parenthoods challenge to South Carolinas right to exclude Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program. For more than 40 years, the Hyde Amendment has generally prohibited federal funding for abortion, and the court has repeatedly held that the government is under no contrary obligations (e.g., Maher v. Roe and Harris v. McRae). Talwanis order violates Article I of the Constitution, which could not be more clear: "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law." Article I vests the power to authorize spending exclusively in Congress. In OPM v. Richmond (1989), the Supreme Court confirmed that the Appropriations Clause conveys a "straightforward and explicit command" that no money "can be paid out of the Treasury unless it has been appropriated by an act of Congress." There is no basis in the Constitution or any Supreme Court decision to support the right of a court - any court - to interfere in congressional decisions to fund, or cease funding, a private organization. To the contrary, in Rust v. Sullivan(1991), the Supreme Court held that "the Government has no constitutional duty to subsidize an activity merely because the activity is constitutionally protected." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Planned Parenthoods main argument is the equivalent of jury nullification. Because it is the dominant provider of abortion services in the United States, limiting its ability to carry out its mission would deprive women of access to such services. Even if true, that is a political argument unsuccessfully made during the last election and during the debate over the BBB. Planned Parenthood asserts that the BBB is an unconstitutional bill of attainder because the criteria for defunding effectively single it out. That absurd argument flies in the face of an unbroken line of cases that apply the Article I prohibition on bills of attainder only to criminal or quasi-criminal punishment. Congress often funds, or defunds, individuals and organizations. In Nixon v. Administrator of General Services (1971), the Supreme Court rejected the proposition that an individual or defined group is subject to a bill of attainder merely because Congress singles them out. Talwani did not mention bills of attainder in her amended TRO. Planned Parenthood also claims that defunding its efforts constitutes viewpoint retaliation under the First Amendment, and a violation of the equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment. In Rust, the Supreme Court rejected similar claims. In its papers, Planned Parenthood cites no Supreme Court case compelling Congress to appropriate spending on these grounds. Nonetheless, in her amended TRO, Talwani relied on the First and Fifth Amendments to justify issuance of the TRO. She also rejected the governments concern that it would be harmed if it paid money to Planned Parenthood, because, she averred, the government likely would instead use the funds to pay another provider. By that logic, a mugger is only taking money that his victim would probably spend on something else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first hearing is on Friday. If Talwani does not relent, she can expect an unpleasant rebuke from appellate courts. Kenin M. Spivak is founder and chairman of SMI Group LLC, an international consulting firm and investment bank. He is the author of fiction and non-fiction books and a frequent speaker and contributor to media, including RealClearPolitics, The American Mind, National Review, television, radio, and podcasts. Maine Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Cumberland) at a press conference in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday was joined by members of Congress and legislators from six other states working on state-based universal health care plans. (Photo courtesy of Maine ALLCare) Members of U.S. Congress re-introduced the State Based Universal Health Care Act, which, if passed, would automatically initiate the establishment of a board to create a publicly funded health care system in Maine due to a 2021 state law. Maine is ready, said state Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Cumberland) at a press conference in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, joined by members of Congress and legislators from six other states working on state-based universal health care plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maines Public Law 391 calls for the establishment of a universal health care plan for the state through a governor-appointed board, but its effective date is contingent on enactment of a federal law opening the door for such a plan. The Maine law initially started as a bill detailing a plan for a publicly funded, privately delivered health care system, but it was amended to leave all of the details of such a plan to a Maine Health Care Board. The federal legislation would create a waiver allowing states to develop their own plans to provide universal health care for their residents via access to federal funding streams. All benefits provided under state plans would have to be at least as comprehensive and affordable as the coverage under the equivalent federal program. Healthcare for All Maine, the advocacy arm of Maine AllCare, pushed for the state law in 2021 and is a partner in this federal legislation, which is co-sponsored by Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine. However, with Republican control of both chambers, the current Congress is unlikely to pass the measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The re-introduction of this federal legislation comes as 31,000 Mainers are expected to lose their health care in the first year under the a tax and spending package signed by President Donald Trump on July 4, according to a report by Maines Department of Health and Human Services. Even before passage of Republicans spending bill, more than 40% of Maines hospitals had already been at risk of closing but cuts to Medicaid are expected to further increase the strain on hospitals, particularly in rural areas. In the wake of the disastrous federal budget that threatens our rural hospitals and the health care of our most vulnerable, the enactment of [the federal legislation] would allow Maine to get right to work in creating a health care program for Maine that would cover everyone and save our rural hospitals, Julie Keller Pease, chair of Maine AllCare and secretary of Healthcare for All Maine, said. The federal legislation would require participating states to propose plans to provide this coverage for 95% of residents within five years and, after that, states would be required to show they achieved that goal and then provide a plan to cover the remaining 5% of the population. Different from the waiver flexibility currently provided under the Affordable Care Act, this legislation would also allow states to integrate funds from Medicare, the countrys health insurance program for people ages 65 or older and some younger people with disabilities, into their state plan. Multiple states would also be able to apply for joint waivers to create a regional plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our current health care system is complicated. Its inefficient, Talbot Ross said. It costs too much and it leaves many uninsured and/or unable to get the care that they need. According to the most recent data available from 2020, Maine had the 10th highest per capita health expenditures in this country. Talbot Ross also cited a survey by Consumers for Affordable Health Care released in 2023 that found more than 70% of Mainers believed that one major illness could bankrupt them. This year, the Maine Legislature considered two bills, supported by Maine AllCare, focused on state based universal healthcare. Both failed. LD 1269 proposed a comprehensive study to analyze the costs and feasibility of a universal health care plan. LD 1883 offered a detailed blueprint for a state-wide system called the All Maine Health Program that would provide comprehensive coverage to all Maine residents. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE TAMPA Five members of a Tampa street gang face federal racketeering-related charges stemming a string of crimes including shootings and a massive identity theft scheme that netted close to $3 million. U.S. Attorney Greg Kehoe in a news conference Tuesday announced the indictments against members of what he described as a violent West Tampa gang. Known as the Glock Boys or Glockies, the gang members were tied to numerous shootings throughout Tampa in 2020. They included a high-profile shootout that injured eight people outside the Truth Lounge nightclub in Tampas Drew Park neighborhood, another shooting that occurred in the midst of a midday shopping crowd at International Plaza and another that broke out near Hillsborough High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shootings related to a long-running feud with a rival enterprise known as the Robles Park gang. The indictments announced Tuesday are something of a sequel to an earlier federal case. Two men described as members of the Robles Park gang, Keaujay Hornsby and Kareem Spann, were already prosecuted for various federal crimes. Known as Plug and Reem, they were sentenced two years ago to 16 and 10 years in prison, respectively. The government is now targeting their rivals. We want to disrupt the organization, Kehoe said. That is an essential part of all this. Take their money. Take their property. Take their drugs. And put them in jail. And when the next people come up, we will do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tampa police and the FBI uncovered evidence that the Glock Boys made money through an identity theft scheme that ensnared victims nationwide, according to the indictments. The group used the stolen identities to make unemployment claims and solicit other government assistance, ultimately pilfering from the public about $2.9 million, Kehoe said. These are very intelligent, driven, well-organized individuals that are involved in significant financial fraud over a significant period of years, Kehoe said. This was not a flash in the pan. This went on for years. The Glock Boys are described in federal court records as a subset of a larger criminal enterprise based in West Tampa. The five defendants named Tuesday include Greg Cheese Kendrick, Corey Coe Davis, Arius Streetz Johnson, Damion Dane Council and Antonio Lil Glockie Phillips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They face a litany of charges, including conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, each could receive a maximum sentence of life in prison. Tampa police Chief Lee Bercaw said the group wreaked havoc on the community and that with the indictments, the streets of Tampa are safer. In the same news conference Tuesday, Kehoe also announced charges against 14 people accused of being part of a Lakeland-based drug and gun trafficking organization. That group is accused of distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy in Polk and Hillsborough counties. Last Thursday, federal immigration authorities executed two raids on California cannabis farms that led to 361 immigrants being arrested, one man dying after falling from a building and multiple U.S. citizens being arrested for disrupting the operation. On July 10, 2025, federal law enforcement officers executed criminal warrant operations at marijuana grow sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo, according to a release from the Department of Homeland Security. According to the DHS release, at least 14 migrant children were rescued from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducted the operations more than 500 rioters attempted to disrupt operations, per the release. According to CBS, federal agents who conducted the raid on the farms had criminal warrants related to the harboring and employment of immigrants in the U.S. illegally. The two farms were facilities of Glass House Farms, a licensed cannabis grower. The Camarillo farm also grows tomatoes and cucumbers, according to CNN. It is believed that last weeks raid is the second-largest single-state ICE worksite operation in history, according to Fox News. It is second to the first Trump administrations 2019 raids on Mississippi chicken plants where 700 illegal immigrants were arrested. Math professor arrested for throwing a tear gas canister at officers Along with the raids, there were four U.S. citizens arrested for assaulting or resisting officers, per CBS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to CNN, crowds of people gathered outside the facility in Camarillo to protest the immigration enforcement and seek information about their relatives. This led to a face-off between authorities and demonstrators. We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone who assaults or doxes federal law enforcement, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in the DHS statement. The release said that rioters damaged vehicles, and that one person fired a gun at law enforcement officers. One of the U.S. citizens who was arrested is Jonathan Anthony Caravello, a math professor at California State University Channel Islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After people on social media had accused federal agents of kidnapping Caravello, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli posted on X. Professor Jonathan Caravello was not kidnapped by federal agents. He was arrested for throwing a tear gas canister at law enforcement, Essayli wrote. Professor Jonathan Caravello was not kidnapped by federal agents. He was arrested for throwing a tear gas canister at law enforcement. He is charged with a violation of 18 USC 111 and will have a court appearance tomorrow. https://t.co/QrIivjrthd U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) July 13, 2025 Fox News reported that Caravello appeared in court on Monday and was released on a $15,000 bond. Caravello was seen on bodycam footage attempting to kick a canister, then picking it up and throwing it overhand back at agents, the federal affidavit said, per Fox News. The professor allegedly resisted arrest by kicking his legs, refusing to comply with commands and attempting to grab a Border Patrol agents leg during the takedown. He was also accused of disrupting officers using a megaphone with siren sounds. One man died during the ICE raid Jaime Alanis, 57, fell from a greenhouse roof during the ICE raid on Thursday, and died from his injuries on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His death was confirmed to The Associated Press, by his niece Yesenia Duran. Although he was not being pursued by law enforcement, this individual climbed up to the roof of a green house and fell 30 feet, DHS said, per CBS. CBP immediately called a medivac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible. The statement added that Alanis had not been in CBP or ICE custody. In a post on the fundraising site GoFundMe, Duran wrote that her uncle was the only provider for his family and had been sending his earnings to his wife and daughter in Mexico. Alanis had worked at the farm for 10 years, per CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Farm Workers union wrote in a statement These violent and cruel federal actions terrorize American communities, disrupt the American food supply chain, threaten lives and separate families, according to CNN. The union does not represent the workers at the raided farms. A spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department, Andrew Dowd, reported on Friday that at least 12 people were injured in the raids and protests on Thursday, per CBS. Eight people had been taken to St. Johns Regional Medical Center and the Ventura County Medical Center, and the other four were treated at the scene and released. Children enrolled in the Head Start early education program operated by Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council. (Photo courtesy of Western Dairyland EOC) A new Trump administration federal rule would bar immigrants without legal status from a range of public programs, canceling a policy that was implemented nearly three decades ago. The change bars the children of those immigrants from the Head Start child care program. It also closes the door to immigrants lacking legal status for various programs that provide mental health and substance abuse treatment, job training and other assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Head Start, which provides early education and child care for low-income families, has never been required to ascertain the immigration status of its families, said Jennie Mauer, executive director of the Wisconsin Head Start Association. Families enrolling in the program have to provide a variety of pieces of information to verify they are eligible, Mauer told the Wisconsin Examiner Monday, and the programs are very compliance oriented and collect exactly what they have to collect. Mauer said a trusting relationship between Head Start programs and the families they serve is important. Were serving some of the neediest families in our community, she said. Some have had challenging relationships in the past with schools and other government agencies making nurturing that trust even more critical, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a notice July 10 that declared Head Start and a list of other federally funded programs would now be considered public benefits that exclude immigrants without legal status under a law enacted in 1996. The notice revokes a policy enacted in 1998 that had exempted the affected programs from the 1996 law. The federal announcement said that the policy change was instituted to ensure that taxpayer-funded program benefits intended for the American people are not diverted to subsidize illegal aliens. Mauer said there has been no implementation guidance from HHS since the notice. The Wisconsin Head Start Association is among the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed in April by the American Civil Liberties Union opposing Trump administration actions against Head Start. The other plaintiffs include parent groups in Oregon and in Oakland, California, along with state Head Start associations in Washington, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement Friday the plaintiffs said they will amend the lawsuit if the administration follows through with the limits in the July 10 announcement. Mauer said that the Wisconsin association is advising Head Start providers to refrain from making any immediate changes to enrollment policy until they have an opportunity to fully evaluate their legal obligations. She said the notice has heightened concern about the safety of children whose families might be targeted by the new federal stance. But it will affect the entire program, she said. Mauer said a second concern is that the policy could lead some families to take their children out of the program despite their need for it. If enrollment falls below the federally prescribed level of 97% of capacity, shes concerned that the federal government might then take back grant money creating a negative feedback loop, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am so afraid for our families, Mauer said. This is fracturing the safety of all of our children. This will hurt all of the children in Head Start. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The Concho Valley Transit Annex will open as a Disaster Recovery Center through FEMA for face-to-face assistance on Tuesday, July 15. The center is located at 510 N Chadbourne and will be open Monday to Friday, noon to 6 p.m. According to FEMA, homeowners, renters and eligible non-residents may receive FEMA assistance for losses not covered by insurance. Survivors with insurance should first file a claim with their insurance company as soon as possible, and if the policy does not cover all the damage expenses, they may be eligible for federal assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are the ways to apply for FEMA disaster assistance: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov Use the FEMA mobile app Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT daily. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, you can give FEMA your number for that service. Helpline specialists speak many languages. Press 2 for Spanish. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, go to Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance YouTube. Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible to people with disabilities and those with access and functional needs. They are also equipped with assistive technology. If you need a reasonable accommodation or an American Sign Language interpreter, call 833-285-7448. FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are supporting the Texas Division of Emergency Management, which is leading efforts to help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance. Center specialists can also identify potential needs and connect survivors with local, state and federal agencies as well as nonprofit organizations and community groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the latest information about the Texas recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4879. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Davis Drive in Dyersburg, Tenn. is closed to traffic on April 10, 2025 due to flooding after torrential downpours caused the North Fork of the Forked Deer River to overflow. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) Three more Tennessee counties are now authorized to receive public assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency as they recover from severe April storms. FEMA announced Monday that Carroll, Houston and Wayne counties are now eligible for public assistance funding, which helps reimburse some local government costs for debris removal and repairs to public infrastructure or facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local governments and some nonprofit organizations affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding in April can now apply for assistance. The counties join a cadre of other Tennessee counties approved for public assistance in June, including: Cheatham, Davidson, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Grundy, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henry, Hickman, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Perry, Stewart and Tipton counties. Private nonprofit organizations that provide non-critical services of a governmental nature including food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers and schools may also be eligible to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans include business physical disaster loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace buildings, equipment or inventory damaged in the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loans can be used for capital needs caused by the disaster, even if the business was not physically damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Businesses and private nonprofits in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Dyer, Hardeman, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion and Wilson counties can apply for both types of loans. Businesses and nonprofits in adjacent counties including Cannon, Chester, Crockett, Dekalb, Fayette, Gibson, Hardin, Haywood, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Weakley and Williamson can apply only for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, according to the SBA. Homeowners and renters may also be eligible to apply for loans of up to $100,000 to replace or repair vehicles, clothing, furniture, cars and appliances. Homeowners can apply for loans of up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence, according to the SBA. The deadline for homeowners and renters in Cheatham, Davidson, Dyer, Hardeman, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion and Wilson counties to apply for FEMA assistance is Aug. 19. Individual assistance dispersals reach $3M and counting President Donald Trumps administration also approved individual assistance for people affected by the storms in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Dyer, Hardeman, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion and Wilson counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eligible applicants can receive individual grants for temporary housing and home repairs, support services, and low-cost loans for uninsured losses (FEMA doesnt cover losses already covered by insurance). FEMA has approved 438 applications for individual assistance totaling $3.4 million as of July 14. That includes roughly $1.8 million in housing assistance and about $1.6 million in other assistance, according to FEMAs website. FEMA recommends affected individuals file a claim with their insurance company immediately, before applying for FEMA aid. Affected individuals can apply for individual assistance through DisasterAssistance.gov, through FEMAs mobile app or by calling 800-621-3362. Help with applications is also available at Disaster Recovery Centers set up in each eligible county. Centers offer assistance information from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. All centers are closed on July 4. Hours for each center as well as additional resources can be found at fema.gov/disaster/4878. Disaster Recovery Centers * Dyer County: Bogota Community Center, 78 Sandy Lane, Bogota, TN 38007 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Wilson County: Wilson County Fair Grounds, 945 E Baddour Parkway, Lebanon, TN 37087 * Montgomery County: Clarksville-Montgomery County Library, 350 Pageant Lane, Clarksville, TN 37040 * McNairy County: Latta Building, 205 W Court Avenue, Selmer, TN 38375 * Hardeman County: Safe Haven Storm Shelter, 530 Madison Avenue W, Grand Junction, TN 38039 * Obion County: Obion County Library, 1221 E Reelfoot Avenue, Union City, TN 38261 SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE:PBF) is one of the 10 Energy Stocks with Insider Buying in 2025. Despite the successful completion of phase one of their restart plans for the Martinez refinery, the company receives mixed analyst sentiments. PBF Energy Insiders Increase Stakes Amid Mixed Analyst Outlook Aerial view of an oil refinery, with smoke billowing from its chimneys. Based in New Jersey, the leading independent petroleum refining and logistics company, PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE:PBF) processes approximately 1 million barrels per day into transportation fuels, heating oil, lubricants, petrochemical feedstocks, and asphalt. The company owns six refineries across the U.S., with extensive pipeline and terminal networks to support its business operations. In its Q1 2025 earnings report, the company announced the completion of phase one of its restart plans for the Martinez refinery alongside the receipt of the first insurance installment of $250 million. Though this is good news for the financial position of the company, the adjusted net loss of $3.09 per share during the quarter due to economic headwinds raised concern among analysts. While UBS maintained a Buy rating on the stock at the beginning of June, Piper Sandler sticks to their Sell rating on the stock. Wells Fargo, on the other hand, reiterates a Hold rating on PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE:PBF) but raises the price target from $18 to $21. With a consensus Hold rating from 16 analysts as per CNN, the company has a positive insider transaction of 6.15%, hinting at the possibility of future growth. While we acknowledge the potential of PBF as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Best High Risk Penny Stocks to Invest in and 12 Best MLP Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Analysts Disclosure. None. The Brief FEMA removed dozens of Camp Mystic buildings from its 100-year floodplain map for Kerr County, the AP reports. This removal occurred between 2013-2020, years before the July 4th flash flood killed at least 27 campers, counselors, and the camp owner. Critics question the exemptions in high-risk areas, particularly given the camp's young occupants, suggesting it could impact future lawsuits. KERR COUNTY, Texas - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) removed many Camp Mystic buildings from its 100-year floodplain map for Kerr County, according to a report from the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of buildings were removed from FEMA's floodplain map after appeals from Camp Mystic, a prestigious girls' summer camp. At least 27 campers, counselors and owner Dick Eastland were killed in the flooding in the early morning hours of July 4th. Parts of Camp Mystic removed from 100-year floodplain map Source: FEMA What we know FEMA added Camp Mystic to the National Flood Insurance map in 2011, which would have required the camp to have flood insurance and tighter regulations for future construction projects. The appeals process that happened with Camp Mystic and FEMA regulators is not uncommon. It is similar to when a homeowner appeals a property value appraisal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The camp appealed to be removed from the national flood insurance map three times. In 2013, 15 of the camp's buildings were removed. 15 more were removed in 2019 and 2020. What we don't know It is not clear if the change would have had any impact on what happened at Camp Mystic. What they're saying "It was puzzling to me that they would be spending their efforts doing that when many of their structures were in high-risk areas, and it seems to me like time and resources would have been better spent physically moving those structures away from the most risky areas," said Sarah Pralle, associate professor of political science at Syracuse University. HUNT, TEXAS - JULY 07: Debris is piled up at the entrance to Camp Mystic on July 07, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Heavy rainfall caused severe flash flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas, leaving more than 80 people reported dead, including children attending the camp. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Pralle reviewed the findings in the Associated Press report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just think this is a very important wake-up call and i hope that it leads to communities taking these risks very seriously, even if it involves extra costs in terms of flood insurance and in terms of insuring that the structures and buildings are safer, particularly when you have young people whose lives are at risk," she said. "People are going to bring civil claims about this they'e going to challenge what happened here in court and the camp administration, the camp management, is going to say look, we went to the government, and we talked to them, and we worked this out," said David Coale, a constitutional law attorney. The Source Information in this article comes from the Associated Press and interviews by FOX 4's Shaun Rabb with Syracuse University's Sarah Pralle and attorney David Coale. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Fernando Jara, the husband of Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez, was charged Tuesday with making criminal threats, a felony, and misdemeanor counts of child cruelty and resisting arrest, according to court records. Jara, 49, had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf at his arraignment Tuesday afternoon. Hes due back in court July 25. The charges stem from Jaras arrest Saturday after he allegedly threatened other residents at his home on Alta Vista Drive. Police said Jara also threatened officers and a crisis intervention specialist. After hours of failed negotiations, a sergeant requested a partial SWAT callout and Jara was arrested with minimal force, according to the Bakersfield Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christian Romo, chief of staff to Perez, told 17 News Jara experienced a mental health crisis and mental health professionals were called to assist him. He said Perez and her children werent home when Jara was arrested. Jara remains in custody on $100,000 bail. Judge David Zulfa issued a criminal protective order barring him from contacting the people listed in the order. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. Millions of Americans are expected to lose health care coverage through President Donald Trumps one big, beautiful tax and spending law and LGBTQ+ Americans, who rely heavily on social services due to high rates of poverty and disability, are among those who will be most impacted. Experts say that widespread loss of health care, coupled with rising discrimination and fewer workplace protections, will create a worst-case scenario for LGBTQ+ rights. These support programs are being cut amid an increased environment of hostility towards LGBTQ+ people, said Brad Sears, distinguished scholar of law and policy at the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. Were really seeing this coming together of different pressures that are going to lead to poverty and unemployment among LGBTQ+ people. The law issues extensive cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) two programs designed for low-income and disabled Americans that many LGBTQ+ people need to survive. LGBTQ+ adults are twice as likely as non-LGBTQ+ adults to use Medicaid as their main insurance, according to the Williams Institute, and are more likely to experience food insecurity and rely on SNAP benefits. Medicaid is also the primary insurance for Americans living with HIV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medicaid cuts will profoundly impact disabled LGBTQ+ adults and those with low incomes, according to a recent Williams Institute report, as well as those raising children. People of color, transgender adults, and cisgender lesbian and bisexual women will be especially impacted. Its a sort of death by a thousand cuts, said Katie Keith, director of the center for health policy and the law at the ONeill Institute at Georgetown Law. The law attaches more documentation and a work requirement to Medicaid, while putting more costs on hospitals when patients dont have insurance and cant pay. People will lose coverage altogether or have less comprehensive coverage, Keith said. The law, which goes into effect next December, cuts federal spending on Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program by more than $1 trillion over the next decade. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that 11.8 million Americans will lose health care coverage over the next decade due to the laws Medicaid cuts. Roughly 1.8 million LGBTQ+ adults use Medicaid as their primary health insurance, including more than 1.2 million lesbian and bisexual women, per the Williams Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law creates an 80-hours-a-month work requirement in order to access Medicaid although recipients can volunteer for 80 hours a month instead or enroll in at least a part-time education program. These requirements go into effect in early 2027. Exceptions are granted to disabled adults, pregnant women the law only refers to women, leaving out pregnant trans men or nonbinary people and parents of young children, but experts say its unclear how meaningful these exceptions will be and whether patients are aware of them. The Congressional Budget Office has really pinpointed work requirements as whats going to lead to disenrollment, Sears said. The red tape, the bureaucracy, disenrolls people who would otherwise be eligible. Medicaid recipients will now have to file paperwork every six months to prove that they are working or volunteering for 80 hours a month, or to request an exemption, said Lindsey Dawson, director of LGBTQ health policy at KFF. These requirements, which have never been issued on a national level before, are expected to dramatically reduce Medicaid enrollment, she said. If someone is already navigating difficult circumstances, like an unstable living situation or surviving on minimal income, they probably wont be able to keep up with additional paperwork. The 19th spoke with several LGBTQ+ people on Medicaid who doubt that work requirement exceptions for disabled people and parents will help them keep their coverage, even though they qualify for now. They still expect to lose their health care due to the burdens of this new paperwork, or because of how much money hospitals are expected to lose under this new law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why does it have to be like this? It really feels overwhelming, because it doesnt seem like it should be this hard to make sure that people can go to the doctor, said Frankie Brletich, a 30-year-old nonbinary person living in Philadelphia. They know how hard it can be to navigate the red tape of health insurance, prescriptions and doctors visits as a disabled person. They expect these new Medicaid work requirements to make it worse, and to ultimately discourage disabled people from seeking out coverage altogether. Under Trumps new tax law, Brletich has been worried about losing the Medicaid coverage that took them so long to get. They have been unable to work for over a year, as they experience chronic fatigue, chronic pain and have a history of mental illness. They applied for Medicaid in December when they left their job and didnt get approved until March this year. In the meantime, they were uninsured. They ran out of psychiatric medications as well as their testosterone prescription, leaving them in a depressive state as their mental health declined. As they left their employer-sponsored private insurance and switched to Medicaid, they had to deal with pharmacy mishaps, change medical providers and get a new therapist. Soon, they will face even more red tape to access the Medicaid coverage that they sorely need. Meanwhile, they are working with a lawyer to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance, which sends monthly payments to people with a disability that hinders their ability to work. The first time they applied for SSDI, they were denied. Theyre appealing that decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Trumps new tax and spending law includes exceptions for disabled Americans in its work or volunteer requirements, the law puts the burden of accessing those exceptions onto disabled people like Brletich. Theres still the administrative burden of paperwork that is then put on to me to re-up every time and to constantly prove that I am still disabled, they said. The Movement Advancement Project, which tracks LGBTQ+ policy, estimates that between three to five million LGBTQ+ people in the United States have disabilities, including 2 in 5 transgender adults. This group faces steep barriers to health care access, due to medical discrimination and lower rates of health insurance. LGBTQ+ people are also more likely to experience mental health conditions that impact daily life, compared to the general population. Although these Medicaid cuts will harm many Americans, Keith is especially concerned about how it will impact transgender people, since health care access for this group is being threatened on multiple fronts. Starting in 2026, insurance sold on the individual and small-group marketplace will no longer cover gender-affirming care, which is expected to raise costs overall. In Congress, Republican lawmakers had planned to prohibit Medicaid from covering gender-affirming care for transgender adults and minors altogether, but that provision was dropped in the final version of the spending bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any time you are fraying the social safety net, as they are doing here, you are inevitably going to hard vulnerable populations, including transgender communities, Keith said. Another Medicaid recipient in Washington state told The 19th that she believes carve-outs for work exceptions will still be a significant barrier for disabled Americans. She asked to remain anonymous due to prior experiences receiving death threats for her advocacy as a trans woman. If you have a significant disability or multiple disabilities, if somebody cuts you off of your health care and then sends you a letter saying, By the way, theres this administrative process by which you can get back on it is the people with disabilities that are going to be least able to navigate that system, including me, she said. As a disabled woman in her mid-50s with an annual income of about $8,000, she would not be able to see a doctor without Medicaid. She enrolled in Apple Health, the expanded Medicaid program in Washington, in January. Until that point, it had been almost five years since she had had health insurance or seen a doctor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to a combination of factors depression, severe social anxiety, and chronic pain applying was too difficult. And she couldnt see a doctor without insurance, because paying out of pocket was just not possible. So she avoided medical care, and also largely avoided leaving the house. If she loses coverage again, it may take her another four years to re-enroll, she said; thats how long it took her to navigate the process the first time. Costs for states to run their Medicaid programs are also expected to rise, Dawson said, as the new law effectively decreases the revenue that states can generate from their programs. Some states may have to shrink their Medicaid programs if they cant afford to run it under the new law. We have not historically seen changes to our health care system that would result in coverage losses like this before, she said. Its really a significant rollback in federal support for health coverage, and I think states will be faced with tough choices. Considering the scope of these cuts, Cassidy Vare, a Philadelphia resident who relies on Medicaid coverage for her and her two children, is not feeling confident about the future of health care in Pennsylvania. Since her children are 13 and 5 years old, and shes currently attending school, she should be exempt from the laws strict work requirements. Regardless, she is terrified of losing care. Hospitals in the state are expected to lose about $4.5 billion per year over the next decade because of Medicaid cuts, per a local news outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have some time to figure out what were going to do next, but a year from now looks kind of scary, she said. Without Medicaid, Vare would need to drop out of her masters program to get a job with health insurance which would disrupt her plan to secure a more stable and high-paying career for her family. Vare, as well as other Medicaid recipients that The 19th spoke with, had no knowledge of any exemptions for parents in her situation written into the new law until The 19th informed her about it. From her perspective, health care is being taken away, and her familys future is at stake. It looks like Medicaid is going away, even if theyre pretending that its still going to exist, she said. I dont know whether my state will be able to cover my insurance or not. These fears are not unfounded, Dawson from KFF said. State Medicaid programs may change, and people are expected to lose coverage on a large scale. That said, anyone eligible for Medicaid coverage under the new law should pursue that access however they can, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you hear that the federal government itself expects 12 million people to lose insurance coverage, its hard not to imagine what will happen if youre one of those individuals, she said. The post With fewer protections and more paperwork, LGBTQ+ Americans face a Medicaid coverage cliff appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. Shipbuilder Austal USA delivered the final Independence-class littoral combat ship to the U.S. Navy on Friday, marking the end of a construction phase thats lasted 15 years. The Alabama-based Austal has built a total of 19 Independence-class littoral combat ships for the service. The first, the Independence, was commissioned in 2010. The final ship will be christened as the Pierre, named after the capital of South Dakota. The delivery of the future USS Pierre will be one of our most memorable milestone achievements as it marks the conclusion of Austal USAs Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship program, said Austal USA President Michelle Kruger in a release. Though USS Pierre is the last LCS Austal USA will deliver, we remain committed to supporting the U.S. Navy with innovative maritime solutions and the highest standards of quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a time when the Navy is hard-pressed to reboot shipbuilding initiatives and see vessels delivered on time, the rollout of the future Pierre might seem an encouraging milestone. However, as an LCS, the ship potentially inherits a legacy of problems. The Navys littoral combat ship program has long languished with repair and manufacturing issues, in addition to high operating costs, Navy Times has reported. High operating costs cloud the future of littoral combat ships, budget data reveals The LCS was designed to rapidly combat asymmetric threats, such as mines and fast surface craft, and be optimal for supporting special operations missions and interdiction operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It appears in two variants the Freedom class and the Independence class, which features a trimaran construction and was designed to carry two MH-60 helicopters in its hangar bay. Both classes of LCS have suffered from hull cracks and propulsion failures. Cannibalized parts from other vessels have been used to repair breakdowns, and the ships have proven expensive in terms of repair costs. In 2021, the Government Accountability Office analyzed 18 LCS maintenance delivery orders from 2018 to 2020, finding the Navy had to contract for more repair work than originally planned, increasing the risk to completing LCS maintenance on schedule. The future USS Pierre departed the Austal USA shipyard to conduct acceptance trials in Mobile, Alabama, June 2025. (Courtesy of Amanda Helfers) The GAO discovered at the time that contractors were flown overseas to perform routine maintenance, resulting in travel costs billed to the government that ranged from a few thousand dollars to more than $1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As early as 2019, a report by the Congressional Research Service had called the warfighting efficiency of the vessels into question, too. The LCS program has been controversial over the years due to past cost growth, design and construction issues with the first LCSs, concerns over the survivability of LCSs (i.e., their ability to withstand battle damage), concerns over whether LCSs are sufficiently armed and would be able to perform their stated missions effectively, and concerns over the development and testing of the modular mission packages for LCSs, according to the Congressional Research Service report. While the delivery of the new Independence-class LCS represents a new ship delivered to the Navys fleet, the longevity of the LCS class overall remains open to question. DENVER (KDVR) The final person charged in the 2022 shooting death of a woman that shook the East Colfax community has been found guilty of murder, the Denver District Attorneys Office announced Tuesday morning. The DAs office in an X post on Tuesday, three years to the day since Ma Kaing was shot and killed on July 15, 2022, said a jury took less than a day to convict Pa Reh of first-degree murder and attempted murder in Kaings death. Opening arguments begin in James Craig trial, dentist accused of poisoning wife Ma Kaing was shot and killed by a stray bullet on Friday, July 15, 2022, outside her home in Denver. (Credit: Michelle Christiance) Kaing was killed by an errant bullet while unloading groceries in front of Hidden Brook Apartments on July 15, 2022 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes a community leader. Shes on the housing board here, Sharon Knight, the president and CEO of Hope Communities, told FOX31s Courtney Fromm in 2022. Kaing fled war-torn Myanmar and had lived in the East Colfax area for 15 years. Denver police arrested Nu Ra Ah La, Pa Reh, Swa Bay and Lu Reh in connection to Kaings death. Nu Ra ah La and Swa Bay had previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, and a jury in February convicted Lu Reh of first-degree murder and attempted murder. The DAs office said Pa Reh faces life without parole at sentencing on Aug. 22. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has confirmed that border guards detained a former Wagner Group fighter in June after he requested asylum in Finland. Source: Orpo in a comment to Yle, a Finnish public service media company, as reported by European Pravda Details: Yle was the first to report last week that a Russian national who had fought in Ukraine with the Wagner Group crossed the border near the town of Kitee in North Karelia and was detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orpo stated that he had been informed about the detention back in June and that the authorities are handling the case in accordance with standard procedures. "Border guards have detained him and he is being interrogated," he added. "The authorities will decide how to proceed with him." Yle reported that the Russian man is suspected of violating the state border, and Finnish police are also investigating whether there are grounds to initiate other criminal proceedings based on his background. The Finnish prime minister noted that neither Ukraine nor Russia has so far submitted any enquiries regarding the detained former Wagner fighter. Background: In March, the Helsinki District Court in Finland found Voislav Tordenin (Jan Petrovsky), the founder and former commander of the Rusich military group, guilty of committing war crimes in Ukraine and sentenced him to life imprisonment. In February last year, Tordenin was sentenced to two years in prison in Finland for twice violating a ban on entering the country. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! BRAZIL, Ind. (WTWO-WAWV) No injuries were reported after a fire in a Brazil apartment. The fire happened at the Central West Village Apartment complex. According to Brazil Fire Chief Jake Bennett, the fire originated in a malfunctioning vent fan in an upstairs bathroom vent. The residents left the apartment unharmed, and the fire was extinguished. The apartment had minimal damage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) The National Park Service is defending its handling of a lightning-sparked wildfire that destroyed the nearly century-old Grand Canyon Lodge and dozens of historic cabins, saying containment lines had been built around the blaze and crews were prepared to conduct defensive firing operations. But then came a sudden and extreme shift in the wind that far exceeded forecast conditions, the agency recounted Tuesday in an email sent to The Associated Press. The Dragon Bravo Fire began July 4 as a lightning-caused wildfire and was under a full suppression strategy from the outset, the agency said, adding that the team first assigned to the fire effectively managed the fire through its initial phase and that Grand Canyon National Park requested additional resources as fire activity increased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Park Service had posted on social media last week that the fire was being managed under a confine and contain strategy," which allowed for the natural role of fire on the landscape while minimizing the risk to infrastructure and other values. Arizona's governor and members of the state's congressional delegation called for an investigation as the Park Service immediately came under scrutiny after the lodge and other historic buildings were destroyed. The flames were fanned by uncharacteristic nighttime gusts that topped 40 mph (65 kph), said fire information officer Stefan La-Sky. Normally the fire lays down at night because of higher humidity and lower temperatures, but this thing was really wind-driven, La-Sky said Tuesday, adding that it is extremely dry across the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weather was more favorable Tuesday as hundreds of firefighters worked to stop the Dragon Bravo Fire from consuming any more of the buildings along the parks less-visited North Rim, including a water pumping station that supplies the South Rim, La-Sky said. A separate blaze dubbed the White Sage Fire was burning further north. Together, the two fires have charred more than 90 square miles (233 kilometers). That is more than twice the size of the entire Walt Disney World complex in Florida. Tourists watch smoke rise Tourists standing along the parks popular South Rim on Tuesday watched plumes of smoke rise above the sweeping vista, filling the canyon with a thick haze and pooling in its depths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the afternoon, it was completely socked in, Christi Anderson said of the smoke that had filled the canyon the day before. You couldnt see anything, none of that. It was crazy. Anderson was visiting from California and considered herself lucky because she had shifted her reservation to the South Rim in the preceding days. Otherwise she would have been among those forced to evacuate. Park officials have closed access to the North Rim, a more isolated area that draws only about 10% of the Grand Canyons millions of annual visitors. The park spans more than 1,900 square miles (4,920 square kilometers). Neither blaze had any containment, and La-Sky said it was too early for his team to offer a timeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were always at the mercy of Mother Nature, he said. Complex fire management program Over the years, managers at the Grand Canyon have successfully used fire to benefit the landscape, with the park having what some experts say is an exemplary fire management program that has tapped both prescribed fire and wildfires to improve forest health. Andi Thode, a professor of fire ecology and management at Northern Arizona University and the lead at the Southwest Fire Science Consortium, said park managers have even re-burned some areas in multiple places over the years to create what she called one of the best jigsaw puzzles on public land. She noted that fire behavior decreased significantly when the Dragon Bravo Fire burned into the footprint of a previously burned area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So creating that heterogeneity across the landscape, using fire is a really critical tool moving forward to be able to help in the future with these wildfire events that are happening at the worst time in the worst weather conditions with the driest fuels, Thode said. The park's 2025 fire management plan notes the Grand Canyon's designation as a World Heritage Site, referencing cultural and natural resources, spiritual and inspirational qualities, recreational opportunities and other values. It is the Fire Management Programs mission to manage wildland fires to preserve, enhance and (where necessary) restore these values, the plan reads. Those areas that have the most infrastructure and are among the most highly used by the public make up just over 1% of the park. According to the plan, managing wildfires for resource benefit objectives within these areas is not permitted and that the overall intent within these areas is to protect life and property in its natural setting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire exclusion areas listed in the plan include the developed area of the North Rim. Aside from outlining policies for responding to wildfires and planning for prescribed fires, the document includes links to tools that fire managers can use for assessing risk. The lodge and surrounding cabins were among the more than 370 structures at the park that were considered high risk. Another 238 structures fall in the moderate risk category. The Park Service reiterated Tuesday that the safety of the public and firefighters come first. Firefighters are continuing to respond to this fire in the safest way possible putting their lives and the lives of the community, park visitors, and park employees ahead of buildings. the agency said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Seewer reported from Toledo, Ohio. Associated Press writers Christopher Keller in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed to this report. ALBIA A blaze on the south side of the Albia square led to significant smoke, building damage and involved six fire departments battling the fire for several hours Monday. At approximately 8:30 a.m., a fire broke out in a structure that includes six apartments, and Albia fire chief John Freshwater tentatively believed it began in one of the rear apartments, but did not comment on how the fire started. Firefighters had contained the fire around noon, though crews remained onsite to ensure the fire didn't spread to adjacent buildings. Departments from Albia, Chariton, Centerville, Bussey, Moravia and Eddyville responded to the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freshwater said the structure "has had extensive work, with wiring and drywall and stuff. It's one of the nice buildings." In the late afternoon, much of the building had started to collapse on itself. It's believed to be a total loss. The Red Cross also arrived to assist residents of the building, though Freshwater said all tenants had not yet been accounted for. He added that a search-and-rescue mission couldn't take place immediately because of the conditions of the fire when crews arrived. "They tried to make entry, but the heat was too much by the time they got out there," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extensive smoke lingered in the area around the square, with traffic closed to all but the north side of the square along Benton Avenue as crews worked the blaze. The rest of the square, including a portion of Highway 5, is closed to traffic, which is being rerouted. In addition to apartments, the building housed businesses Edward Jones Investments, The Beauty Shop by Dara and Twice as Nice consignment store. Next door, separated by a firewall, crews climbed to the roof to ensure the fire didn't spread further east toward adjacent buildings. "There's no damage to those stores right now. There's a firewall right there, so we're trying to keep it from spreading," Freshwater said. (Bloomberg) A pair of US investigations into crypto-betting platform Polymarket that went full-throttle in the waning days of the Biden administration are now being shut down just as Donald Trumps White House seeks to give the industry a boost. The predictions exchange received formal notice earlier this month from the US Justice Department and Commodity Futures Trading Commission that the probes had ended, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing the confidential inquiries. Representatives for Polymarket, the CFTC and DOJ declined to comment. The decisions are the latest example of US authorities reversing course on Biden-era actions involving digital-asset firms. Some in Washington are celebrating whats being billed as Crypto Week with plans to usher in industry-backed rules that have sent the price of Bitcoin to a record. Polymarkets popularity surged during last years election campaigns as users flocked to the platform to place cryptocurrency wagers on the outcome. But that also drew investigators, examining whether the site was accepting trades from US-based users in violation of a previous settlement with federal regulators. The situation escalated dramatically a week after the November elections, when FBI agents carried out a pre-dawn raid at the Soho penthouse of Shayne Coplan, the force behind Polymarket. Soon after, the 27-year-old chief executive officer lashed out on social media, describing the action as a last-ditch effort to go after companies deemed to be associated with President Joe Bidens political opponents. He also made light of the seizure of his mobile phone on the same day. The bravado captured the mood in the broader crypto community, which saw Trump as a full-throated proponent who would reverse Washingtons Biden-era crackdown on crypto firms deemed to be running afoul of regulations. So far, that has proved right. Congress is expected to send the first major legislation to regulate some digital assets to the presidents desk for his signature after a House floor vote this week. The confluence of digital assets and prediction markets which allow users to bet on all sorts of future events stand to occupy a chunk of the CFTCs time in the Trump administration. Brian Quintenz, an executive at a16z, the digital asset-focused arm of venture-capital giant Andreessen Horowitz, has been nominated to lead the agency. Quintenz has served on the board of directors of Kalshi, Polymarkets chief rival. The CFTC had its own investigation into the platform. The derivatives regulator, which oversees prediction platforms because their contracts are considered akin to swaps, had entered into a settlement with Polymarket in January 2022 over allegations it failed to register with the agency. As part of the deal, Polymarket vowed to wall off US traders from its exchange. For more than 60 years, community members and tourists have broken bread at Michael's Italian Restaurant in Niagara Falls, N.Y. But just after 9 p.m. July 12, a fire destroyed the family-owned business. "Last night, our beloved restaurant of 61 years experienced a devastating fire," the Michaels family posted on Facebook. "While the loss is heartbreaking, we are beyond grateful to the incredible firefighters, emergency personnel and all who responded swiftly and worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire, their work and effort was nothing short of amazing and we are forever grateful," the post continues. "As we begin to process this loss, please know that our thoughts are also with our staff and the community who have supported us for so long." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Capizzis immigrated from Italy to Niagara Falls and in 1960 began working at a restaurant in the city as the only hourly employee, according to the company's website. Capizzi was eventually able to buy the restaurant and opened the Original Michaels Restaurant in 1961. Thousands of people reacted to the news of the fire on social media. One person said they were a "kid who threw meatballs at a staff member in the 1970s and 80s." "Me and my family used to laugh about it for years, but today is not so funny I moved away to Rochester NY, 4 years ago, and it hurts me deeply to see my favorite restaurant burned to the ground. Its a real emotional day! Thank you for the great food, service, and memories, you will never get a salad with huge chunks of mozzarella, like you did at Michaels," the poster said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people said they grew up going to the restaurant and remember it now as a family favorite. "I am completely heartbroken for the Michael's family. Your restaurant was part of my childhood, my Father's favorite place to eat, and then my children's," one person wrote. "Dad passed last year, and this feels like the end of an era. You do have the support of us all. Wishing your family a swift recovery, and so grateful nobody was seriously hurt. Thank you for the memories on Pine Ave, Michael's. We all hope to see you again soon." Related: 'Iconic' Italian Restaurant Reopening 6 Months After Fire Fire Destroys 60-Year-Old Niagara Falls Restaurant first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 14, 2025 A fire broke out at the Franklin Walmart late Monday, July 14, causing millions of dollars in merchandise damage, the Franklin Fire Department said. Following an investigation into the fires origin, Franklin police took a 10-year-old boy into custody for questioning and arson charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County Juvenile Justice Center, according to a July 15 news release from the Franklin Police Department. Police said the store will remain closed due to the extensive damage to allow for a full assessment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire and police were dispatched to Walmart, 6701 S. 27th St., at about 8:55 p.m. July 14 and found heavy smoke and visible flames in the store, according to both departments. Oak Creek resident Joshua Hall was inside Walmart looking at shirts when he heard someone screaming there was a fire. You could see the smoke and glare from the fire from the clothing aisle, he said. Hall said someone came over with a fire extinguisher for a super brief moment but then the sprinkler system activated, and he heard yelling to evacuate the building. Everyone was able to evacuate safely with no reported injuries, according to both departments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The buildings automatic fire sprinkler system had activated and assisted in controlling the spread of the fire and limiting smoke production, allowing for the safe evacuation of all store patrons and employees, fire department officials said in the release. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire while the evacuation was underway. Although preliminary damage estimates are still underway, fire department officials said there was extensive smoke damage throughout the structure resulting in the loss of merchandise estimated to be several million dollars. A Walmart spokesperson told the Journal Sentinel via email that customers should visit the Walmart at 3355 S. 27th St. in Milwaukee for any pharmacy needs while the Franklin Walmart is closed. The spokesperson also noted the Franklin Walmart Facebook page will share updates in the future regarding reopening details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shared service partners from Oak Creek, Milwaukee, Greendale and Greenfield fire departments also were dispatched to the scene. Additionally, the Fox Lake, Illinois Fire Department provided a large ventilation unit that assisted in removing smoke from the interior of the building. (This story was updated to add new information.) Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Police question 10-year-old boy after fire at Franklin Walmart (FOX40.COM) One person was injured after being pulled from a Tuesday morning house fire in Sacramento, the Sacramento Fire Department said. Around 9:45 a.m., fire crews arrived at a garage fire on Marysville Boulevard that had moved into the residence. They learned that there may have been a person trapped in a back bedroom. Crews had to cut off bars installed in front of windows to get inside. Firefighters found a man on the ground and were able to get him out of the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man was taken to the hospital for multiple burns and smoke inhalation injuries, the fire department said. According to the fire department, roughly 35 firefighters responded to the fire. The fire department is continuing to investigate the fire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. DENVER (KDVR) West Metro Fire Rescue and Arvada Fire responded to a structure fire at a home near 43rd Avenue and Reed Street in Wheat Ridge on Tuesday morning. WMFR said in a post on X that all of the residents and pets were out of the house and that it had the fire under control, as of 8:14 a.m. Suspicious death investigation underway for woman found dead in Lakewood home, after fire Friday night Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency said the fire was ultimately contained to the garage of the home and that a family dog who was missing for a short time had left the home and was found by a neighbor. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When firefighter Jennifer Colcon, part of the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Polk County crew, set out to battle the Rowena wildfire, she braced for rugged terrain and searing heat not a face-to-face encounter with a terrified baby deer. The blaze, which scorched 3,563 acres and destroyed 56 homes in the Columbia River Gorge, pushed Colcon and her crew to their limits. "It was very difficult," she told FireRescue1. "Our eyes were running, our noses were running, and we were coughing pretty good." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's when they saw it: a small fawn, alone, crying in the thick smoke. "It was so tiny," Colcon said. "And I was like, 'We've got to do something.'" Wild animals typically flee wildfires long before first responders arrive but this one ran toward the firefighters. "Usually, the wildlife has a sixth sense about natural disasters like this and kind of tend to get out of the area," said Danny Koffler, a fellow Polk County firefighter. Colcon and Koffler didn't hesitate. They gently carried the soot-covered animal to safety, rinsing it with water to cool it down and clear its fur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With no visible injuries, the fawn was brought to a nearby clearing, far from the fire's edge, and released the team hopeful it would reunite with its family. While a helpless baby animal might tug at the heart, experts stress that it's best to let wildlife remain wild. "Even after a fire, don't assume a young animal on its own is orphaned unless you saw its parent die," said Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Michelle Dennehy. The firefighters' quick thinking and compassion are reminders that in the face of climate-fueled disasters, small acts of care still matter and anyone can step up. Whether it's volunteering, learning emergency response, or taking local climate action, there's always a way to help. "Everybody was happy to be able to help," Koffler said. "We were able to make a difference." 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. An ongoing purge of federal prosecutors from the Justice Department has impacted the criminal case against a Florida businessman accused of fleecing children with special needs. The latest wave of firings included the prosecutor who was helping lead the criminal case against Leo Govoni, whose scheme allegedly bilked approximately $100 million from a fund to help people with disabilities. Michael Gordon, who also handled a series of U.S. Capitol riot prosecutions, was among several prosecutors fired in recent weeks, CBS News has learned. Gordon had recently taken over formal duties for prosecuting Govoni's case in Florida. Critics have accused the Trump administration of seeking political retribution for the U.S. Capitol insurrection cases by firing prosecutors, investigators and at least one administrator who worked on the cases. The Justice Department also fired investigators and prosecutors who helped former Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation of President Trump's alleged mishandling of classified records and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 20 total firings have been confirmed by CBS News. The Justice Department has not commented on the firings. Gordon's dismissal risks complicating the timeline for the Govoni case. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Florida Democrat, is urging the Justice Department to reverse course and rehire Gordon. Castor said in a statement, "The victims of Govoni's alleged fraud number in the thousandseach with painful and personal stories. Mr. Gordon's removal places this case, and their hope for accountability, in jeopardy." Govoni is accused of being part of a scheme to embezzle money from an organization that was established to help manage money for people with special needs. The Justice Department said earlier this year, "The defendants conspired to use the funds of special needs clients as a personal piggy bank, stealing $100 million dollars meant for the most vulnerable members of our society to enrich themselves." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amparo Perales, a mother whose son Javier has needed care for cortical blindness and severe encephalitis, said her family lost $2 million in the scheme. Perales told CBS News she was "shocked" by Gordon's firing. Javier Perales "These victims already have difficult lives and futures. A delay in the legal process is detrimental to the well being of the victims," Perales said. Rebekah Bowman of Florida, whose son, Kienen Freeman, suffers from a severe seizure disorder, said she lost more than $1 million in funds for her son because of Govoni's alleged scheme. Kienen Freeman "It took long enough to get him arrested. People have been through a lot and don't want any more delays," Bowman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Govoni was charged with conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, money laundering conspiracy and multiple counts of fraud. He has not yet entered a plea, and an arraignment is scheduled for Thursday. Govoni's lawyers asked for him to be released pre-trial, noting he has "no prior criminal history" and describing him as a "67-year-old in poor physical health." CBS News has reached out to his attorney for comment. An accountant for Govoni's company was also charged as part of the alleged conspiracy, and a not-guilty plea was entered in his case. Prosecutors said Govoni founded the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration in 2000 and helped manage approximately $200 million in funds and more than 2,000 special needs trusts. Prosecutors alleged Govoni used the organization's accounts as a "slush fund." Federal investigators said Govoni used the money to "purchase real estate, travel via private jet, fund a brewery, make deposits into his personal bank accounts, and pay personal debts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a series of letters filed with the federal court in Tampa last month, one parent of a person with special needs wrote, "I wish you could look into the eyes of my son and the many other medically needy victims and tell them that you're going to do the right thing and keep that man behind bars where he belongs." Another parent wrote, "Please do not let this horrible criminal out of jail. He is clever and surely has money hidden and plans to go into hiding if released. All his victims have breathed a sigh of relief when we heard he was finally arrested. The first relief any of us have felt since this has happened." Another victim wrote, "Who steals from victimized children in foster care? The disabled? The most vulnerable amongst us? Someone who has no conscience, compassion, or mercy." Excerpts of letters sent to the court. Gordon is listed in court records as a Tampa-based prosecutor for the Justice Department. Like many federal prosecutors, he brought cases related to the Jan. 6 riots which was the largest criminal investigation in U.S. history, with more than 1,500 defendants. Hours after Mr. Trump returned to office in January, he pardoned almost everybody convicted in the riot and ordered the Justice Department to drop charges against any remaining defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gordon had a role in prosecuting one of the best-known Jan. 6 defendants, Ray Epps, who was at the center of conspiracy theories claiming without any evidence he was a government-planted agitator. Epps pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct on restricted grounds and was sentenced to probation. The Justice Department declined to comment on Gordon's firing and its possible impact on Govoni's prosecution. Gordon did not offer a comment to CBS News. Many of the prosecutors who were fired were identified by a "weaponization working group" set up by the Trump administration to review Biden-era law enforcement policies, CBS News previously reported. Other prosecutors who handled Jan. 6 cases resigned their posts with the Justice Department, ahead of the recent firings. Greg Rosen, who was the chief of the agency's Capitol Siege section, departed last month. In a June 3 interview with CBS News, Rosen criticized the initial wave of firings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To see those talented prosecutors be marginalized or removed from office is an affront to the independence of the department," Rosen said. Patty Hartman, a former public affairs specialist for the U.S. Attorney's office in the District of Columbia, was fired last week. Hartman, who helped distribute press releases about the Jan. 6 cases, accused the Justice Department of seeking to launch a wave of retribution against employees who were part of the Capitol siege case. Hartman told CBS News she is troubled by the series of dismissals of colleagues. "I'm still very proud of all of them, even the ones that got removed, because they didn't deserve it," Hartman told CBS News. Wall Street Journal reports Trump sent "bawdy" birthday letter to Epstein, Trump threatens to sue 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits southern Alaska Medical expert on Trump's chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis This is part of Revenge Week, a series about how vengeance runs America, from the White House to cheating spouses to that bad boss who totally deserved it. A pod of killer whales disables the rudders of idling yachts in the Strait of Gibraltar, sinking three ships. A herd of elephants tramples a woman collecting water at a river and returns to her village the following day to further desecrate her corpse. An octopus becomes annoyed at an overhead light in a laboratory, jets it with water, and causes a buildingwide power outage. All of these stories are true, and all of them made headlines because they innervate an eternal human curiosity: Do the animals among usthe same ones that have been brutalized, subjugated, chased from their homes, and forced to live in a dystopia that is not of their own makingever take revenge? This is a complicated question. Most scientists agree that animals do not possess the multifaceted emotional capacity to plot out a highly specific saga of retribution, designed to inflict maximum pain or humiliation, in matters of the heart or the ego. Given this baseline understanding, any exhibitions you and I might perceive as revenge are usually dampened by zoological experts, who often categorize these occurrences as mundane instincts rather than the violent acts of retribution humans excel in. Still, there are some folks who believe that there is more going on in the gray matter of animals than we realize. And perhaps that means that these animals want us to pay for our sins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think theyre certainly pissed off, Philip Hoare, an author who has penned a number of books about whales and the unique relationship they have with humans, told me. In 2023 Hoare was among the first writers to document those famed orca attacks off the Iberian coast. The incident provoked the global imaginationhe collected the flabbergasted accounts of the victimized sea captains, who watched helplessly as the leviathans rammed into their vessels until they stalled out in the unforgiving deep. (The headlines wrote themselves: Revenge of the killer whales?) Whether or not it was a conscious act, those killer whales were nonetheless acting in their best interest. According to Hoare, nautical engines have a long history of bamboozling aquatic mammalsthey generate enough noise to disrupt migration patterns and sonar location, and there is some evidence that orca matrons are training their youth to interact with those yachts more forcefully. But would Hoare call those actions revenge? Again, its hard to say. When youre on the raw end of an orca interaction, you realize that if anything, theyre holding back, he said. If they wanted to take us on, they could, and there is a sense that they must be socially aware of the differences we have made in their environments. So I dont discount the notion that they are capable of exacting whatever it is that revenge means to them. Barbara King, an anthropologist who studies the inner workings of animal minds, tends to agree with Hoare. Im very convinced that animal joy, and animal grief, is real, she said. She cites a profound episode in 2018 when an orca named Tahlequah embarked on a long, dirgeful grief swim. One of her calves had died, and for 17 days Tahlequah carried its lifeless body on her back as she cruised through the waters of Vancouver Island. This is grist for Kings theory that animals are capable of experiencing sentimental resonance in a similar way to humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another example King cites in her work involves two ducks who were rescued from a foie gras factory in New York. They were bonded with each other, and when one of the ducks died a few years later, the other became consumed with sorrow. It was incontestable that the second duck was feeling the loss of his friend, said King. He would take himself to places around the sanctuary where they spent time together. He didnt interact with other beings. And he died relatively soon after. Im not saying grief was the sole cause, but I do think it was a contributory cause. These are weighty expressions from a being so often reduced to protein. And while King does not expect a Birds-style assault on the nations foie gras producers, she is at least open to the idea that those emotions could add up to revenge. (After all, crows have been observed holding grudges and attacking specific people they dont like.) Still, King thinks she needs to see more evidence. Animals have physical expressions around a corpse or a body that we can interpret as happiness or sadness, she continued. But with revenge, we need to grasp something about an animals internal motivations. We see the outcome. We see a consequence that looks like revenge. But how can we really know? I dont think its a frivolous question. The ambiguity is whether or not those animals can put together all of those capabilities with that motivation. It must be said that plenty of other thinkers in this field arent willing to even remotely entertain these conclusions. I reached out to Robert Pitman, a marine ecologist at Oregon State University who had his own dynamic encounter with an orca pod. They were hunting a seal left adrift on an iceberg, and at the very last momentwhen it appeared like dinner was about to be servedan enterprising humpback whale swooped in to make the rescue. (It warded off the orcas and carried the seal on its back to safer waters.) That certainly looked like benevolence between creatures, at least to the untrained eye, but Pitman throws water on that theory. When killer whales attack, they get quite vocal. And often when that happens, humpbacks come in and break it up. And sometimes, what they might be attacking could be a related creature, like a humpback calf, he said. Its not altruism, its inadvertent altruism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So what does Pitman think of those yacht attacks? Revenge is three-dimensional chess, and animals play checkers, he said. Those orcas in the eastern Atlantic disabling the rudderswhen you think about it, thats exactly how they attack larger whales. They ram them, quite often they break ribs, and often they grab onto the appendages. Its exactly what theyre doing to these boats. Its normal behavior. Hamlet does revenge, not humpbacks, he finished. There is only one tale in the canon of animal behavior that meets the criteria of true, cold-blooded revenge. In 1997 a poacher named Vladimir Markov was tracking a tiger in the eastern reaches of Russia. Markov shot and wounded the beast but couldnt secure a kill. Two days later, when Markov was returning to his cabin, that same tiger pounced on the unlucky woodsman. Markov, overmatched without his rifle, was dragged into the underbrush by the tiger, who ate him alive. Its a total biological outlier. The tiger internalized its quest for revengekept it central in its cognitionto the point of tracking the mans scent back to his home. In living memory, there was no record of an incident like this, of a tiger hunting a human being, said John Vaillant, who wrote a book about the killing, in an interview with NPR. This was a highly unusual circumstance, completely driven by human behavior. If the tiger hadnt been shot, there would be no story. For as much as we might want to rationalize the actions of our fellow living creaturesto confine them to patterns of behavior that reinforce our status as dominant life formsthere might also be a carnivore lying in wait outside your doorstep, ready to settle a score. King notes that everyday people dont have a difficult time grasping this concept. Who hasnt watched a family dog snarl at a threat or had a disgruntled cat poop in their bed after being left alone for too long? Shes more concerned about the titans of industrymeat processors, pharmaceutical plantsthat fail to take the psychological welfare of their livestock into account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to talk to the scientists who are keeping monkeys in biomedical laboratories, she said. I want to talk to the theme park owners who are still making orcas put on shows. Stuff like that is real, said King. We need to invest much more funding and attention to animal emotion and tie it to animal well-being. Frankly, thats the only thing anyone can say for certain about interspecies revenge. Call it an innate evolutionary reflex or a brief glimpse into an unseen culture, but we simply (still) dont know much about how animals think. Hopefully we figure it out before its too late. SHERIDAN LAKE, SD (KELO) Were hearing from first responders who rushed to a boat explosion on Sheridan Lake. It happened at about noon on Sunday, with multiple agencies responding to the call. It proved to be an interesting afternoon for the Pennington County Sheriffs Office and the Hill City Volunteer Fire Department, with people from both agencies saying the incident was one of the most unique things theyve seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missing man found dead on hill in Deadwood As a black plume of smoke rose into the air on Sheridan Lake, it looked like something out of a movie. This is unlike anything Ive ever witnessed on the water. Its probably the wildest thing that Ive seen on boat patrol in the last 8 or 9 years, Pennington County Sheriffs Office senior deputy Cody Rhoden said. Ive seen boats catch on fire before, but not anything quite like this, Chief Jeremy Dalman of the Hill City Volunteer Fire Department said. Dalman says when crews arrived, the boat was drifting away from the dock. Pennington County Sheriffs Office was out there with their patrol boat. They came over and picked up one of our officers and two of our firefighters, took them out to the boat, Dalman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, the boat was towed back toward the dock where firefighters were waiting with hoses. All the right pieces were there at the right time, and it just worked out, Dalman said. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but at this point, authorities say it may have been caused by a mechanical issue. However, Scott Crawford of I-29 RV, Marine and Outdoor says there are some steps you can take to reduce the chance of this happening to you. On an inboard, most the time what you should do is, its got a bilge fan that you can flip the switch on, and you want to run that for a couple of minutes before you even turn the key on. That will siphon all those gas fumes out of there and allow you to start the engine up, Crawford said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No matter how bad the pictures look, fortunately, no one was hurt. Other responding agencies included South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, the Rapid City Fire Department Hazmat Team and Pennington County Dispatch. If you find yourself in a similar situation, put out what you can with a fire extinguisher, but you may have to bail out of the boat, which is why its important to have life jackets on board. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. A 61-year-old fisherman vanished underwater as his friend tried to get help, deputies in Washington said. David Harvey was found dead in Davis Lake, the Pend Oreille County Sheriffs Office said in a July 14 news release. The Newport man was fishing at the lake with a woman when he fell from a rocky edge into the water, deputies said. She tried to help him but couldnt, so she went to her car to call 911, deputies said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she returned to the lake, he had vanished, deputies said. Deputies searched for Harvey and didnt have luck finding him, so rescue boats were sent on the lake with sonar equipment, authorities said. The mans body was then found in 13 feet of water off a rock cliff, deputies said. His body was transported to the medical examiners office. Urging people to wear life vests, deputies said he is the second person to drown in the county this past weekend. Davis Lake is west of the Washington-Idaho border. Hero relative rescues 12-year-old girl from Utah reservoir, then vanishes Hero relative rescues 12-year-old girl from Utah reservoir, then vanishes For second time in a week, hiker dies at one of NCs waterfalls, officials say A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesman confirmed Tuesday that five Iranians were arrested while attempting to illegally cross the U.S. northern border with Canada. "On July 1, Border Patrol Agents from the Champlain, New York Station, responded to suspicious activity near Mooers Forks, NY," CBP's Swanton Sector said on Facebook. "Agents located a minivan occupied by five citizens of Iran and two citizens of Uzbekistan." The Champlain Station is part of the Swanton Sector. Swanton is a rural town in Vermont near Highway 89 just south of the Canadian Border. The Stowe Community Church surrounded by green forest and mountain, Vermont, United States. Photo taken in August 2023. More Iranians With Criminal Histories Arrested By Ice In Trump's Security Sweep: 'Worst Of The Worst' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBP said that all seven men had been previously arrested for attempting to cross the border illegally. All seven aliens are detained and awaiting deportation. "They are currently detained and pending removal proceedings," CBP said. "Border security is national security and directly correlates to public safety, Swanton Sector Agents remain vigilant and committed to protecting our borders and enforcing immigration laws." Read On The Fox News App Earlier this month, a counterterrorism expert told Fox News Digital that Iranian terrorist sleeper cells could be hiding in plain sight. The U.S. military crippled several Iranian nuclear sites after targeted airstrikes on June 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Where these sleeper cells may be is in plain sight," former FBI special agent and terrorism task force member Jonathan Gilliam said. "And that's the real terrifying part of this is that putting people in place, as we've seen over the past four years, everyone's scrambling because certain amounts of people could come in here and get in here." Tom Homan Warns Iranian 'Sleeper Cells' Could Be Hiding In Us As Result Of Biden's Border Crisis Gilliam pointed to the Biden administration's border policies as a reason for concern. "They could even go to the border and say they [want to] seek asylum, and the Biden administration, instead of putting them into DHS housing or ICE housing and holding them there so they could have their first appearance. To be vetted and whether or not they get asylum," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2023 terrorism report released by the State Department in December of last year, the federal government outlined numerous instances of worrying behavior by Iranian nationals in western countries. "In 2023 the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment charging three individuals connected with Iran in a plot to assassinate an Iranian dissident in New York City," that report said. "Also in 2023, a United Kingdom court found a man guilty of attempting to collect information for terrorist purposes on the London-based Iran International, a media company that is critical of the Iranian regime." Iranian worshippers hold up their hands as signs of unity with Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during an anti-Israeli rally to condemn Israel's attacks on Iran, in downtown Tehran, Iran, on June 20, 2025. "In recent years, Albania, Belgium, and the Netherlands have all either arrested, convicted, or expelled Iranian government officials implicated in various terrorist plots in their respective territories. Denmark similarly recalled its ambassador from Tehran after learning of an Iran-backed plot to kill an Iranian dissident in that country." Fox News' Adam Sabes contributed to this report. Original article source: Five Iranians nabbed at US northern border as terror fears grip small towns This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. A group of private equity firms are pouring funding into PCI Pharma Services, betting the contract drug development and manufacturing organizations business is poised to grow in the years ahead. PCI said Monday that Bain Capital and existing lead private equity backer Kolberg have made an unspecified investment in the company. That funding was supported by a significant reinvestment from current backer Mubadala Investment Co. and reportedly values PCI at $10 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. Partners Group, another existing equity holder, is making a minority investment, the company said. PCI helps biopharmaceutical companies manufacture and package drug products used in clinical trials as well as commercially. The company has been in business for more than five decades and says its been involved in more than 450 product launches over the last five years alone Novo Nordisks popular weight loss drug Wegovy reportedly among them. The company has changed hands among private equity investors multiple times over the last decade or so. Frazier Healthcare Partners acquired it from Catalent Pharma in 2012 and sold a majority stake to Partners Group four years later. In 2020, Partners Group flipped its ownership stake to Mubadala. According to the Journal, PCI has more than doubled in size since the last transaction, with its employee count now nearing 8,000. With the new funds, PCI intends to expand its geographic reach as well as its capacity to manufacture specialized medicines and fill-finish facilities for injectable therapies. Itll also boost investments in U.S. drug production. The company has 30 sites across Australia, Canada, North America, the U.K. and Europe, and, earlier this year, acquired a facility in San Diego. Additionally, PCI is repurposing an existing campus in Bedford, N.H., into a center of excellence that will produce a wide range of small molecules and biologic drugs, including protein-degrading PROTACs and antibody-drug conjugates. PCI has "embarked on a purposeful journey to transform itself into a global CDMO," said CEO Salim Haffar, in a statement. For Bain, the investment adds to a considerable presence supporting biopharma companies. The firms life sciences arm has raised more than $6 billion since its inception in 2016, most recently via a $3 billion fund it announced last September. Its used that cash to back more than 70 companies, from investments in new startups to growth funding for more advanced developers and financial lifelines for fallen angels at a crossroads. Five more people have been arrested over an alleged ram-raid at a defence technology firm as part of a pro-Palestine protest. Members of the recently proscribed group Palestine Action are accused of breaking into the Elbit Systems UK site near Bristol on 6 August last year. Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said they are accused of causing "extensive damage" to inventory and assaulting employees and two police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestine Action allege Elbit Systems UK is involved in the manufacture and supply of weapons to the Israeli military - a claim the company strongly denies. CTPSE said that on Tuesday the five people were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism, contrary to Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The five - a 66-year-old man from Bristol, a 20-year-old woman from Whitstable in Kent, a 19-year-old man from London, a 27-year-old man from London, and a 33-year-old man from London - remain in custody. A total of 10 people were arrested shortly after the incident last year, with a further eight arrested in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have all been charged with various offences and are currently awaiting trial. Palestine Action became a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000 on 5 July. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story The FAA is investigating after a Sun Country Airlines Boeing 737 returned to Los Angeles International Airport with flames streaking from its right engine on Monday. We werent even in the air 25 minutes and it sounded like lightning had struck the plane or something had exploded, passenger Ruth Sorensen told CNN. We could actually hear the engine, shutting down after this happened and the flames were coming out. Flight 430 was flying to Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport with 166 passengers onboard when it experienced an issue with one engine after take off and declared an emergency, the airline said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was actually seated next to the engine that caught on fire. I saw just a really bright flash out the window, A passenger named Sarah told CNN affiliate WCCO. The passenger next to me held hands and kind of comforted each other, bracing for the worst. The pilots declared an emergency and returned to land safely at LAX where they were met by fire trucks before eventually taxing to the gate. We slept on the airport floor from 3 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. to get on a new Sun Country flight to go home, Sorensen said. Our passengers and crew are our priority, and we appreciate the professionalism of our pilots and flight attendants to ensure the safety of our customers, the airline said in a statement. CNNs Christine Sever contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts of Massachusetts as the chances of rain and more thunderstorms could douse the Bay State going into the evening on Monday. Central Franklin and Hampshire counties are under the states flash flood warning, with torrential heavy rain spotted at around 4:57 p.m., the warning stated. Areas that could be hit by flash flooding include Holyoke, Amherst, Northampton, South Hadley, Easthampton, Belchertown, Granby, Southampton, Hadley, Sunderland, Hatfield, Williamsburg, Shutesbury, Westhampton, Whately and Pelham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forecasters noted that the timeframe where potentially severe weather could be spotted is between 2 and 10 p.m. This warning should remain in effect until 6 p.m. Additionally, a flash flood watch continues to be in effect for western and eastern Franklin, western and eastern Hampshire and western and eastern Hampden counties. This watch in effect until later Monday night warns that excessive runoff could cause rivers, creeks and streams to flood, along with causing waters to rise in urban areas. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks, the flash flood watch read. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside of these areas that could see excessive rain and possible flooding, forecasters anticipate rainfall totals to be between 1 and 3 inches. Rain activity should wane by Tuesday morning, though the heat advisory should go back into effect by 11 a.m. and will be in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday, covering the whole state with the exception of the Cape and Islands. Forecasters warn that heat index values of 95 and 100 could appear in the afternoons, with the worst heat likely appearing on Wednesday and Thursday. Theres a chance the advisory could be extended for Friday. Heat indices on Tuesday could leave some communities feeling like its close to 100 degrees, including Lowell, feeling like 96 degrees or Springfield, feeling like 98. Conditions could feel hotter during the week, with Brockton feeling like 98 and 99 degrees on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, for example, according to the weather service on X. By Tuesday afternoon, highs should reach the high 80s and low 90s, forecasters said. These conditions should continue to be present for the next couple of days before conditions possibly get warmer. But by the end of the week, forecasters said worsening heat and humidity could lead to more showers and storms, with moisture levels potentially contributing to another flash flood risk. More weather Read the original article on MassLive. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) If youre dreaming of crisp mountain air or a sky full of colorful hot air balloons, American Airlines has some exciting news for Charlotteans. Starting this October and December, new flights from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) will help travelers reach two very different, but equally exciting, destinations. Up, Up, and Away to Albuquerque To celebrate the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the worlds largest hot air balloon festival, American will launch special service from Charlotte (CLT) to Albuquerque (ABQ) starting October 3 through October 13. Travelers will have a chance to witness hundreds of colorful balloons floating over the New Mexico desert. Nonstop to Colorado Ski Country When winter rolls around, American is also bringing snowy slopes closer to the Carolinas. Beginning December 18, travelers can hop on a new daily nonstop flight from CLT to Vail, Colorado (EGE), just in time for ski season and the holidays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This new flight pairs with previously announced service to Aspen, Colorado (ASE), which begins December 19 and runs through early April, with flights on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM Charlotte Airport Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Americans' views on immigration took a positive swing this year amid President Donald Trump's ongoing crackdown, according to new Gallup polling. The share of Americans who thought immigration should decrease 55% reached a 5-year high point in 2024. This year, it has dropped to 30%, and positive views of immigration have hit a record high of 79%, according to poll results released July 11. The poll surveyed 1,402 Americans between June 2 and June 26. The Trump administration ramped up its promise to carry out widespread deportations to remove people without legal documentation in June, sending out masked immigration agents to raid restaurants, farms and hardware stores, and spurring widespread protests. The administration has faced legal challenges at every turn, bringing it several times to the brink of clashes with judges who have imposed barriers on the scale and tactics of the crackdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout this year, Florida has vowed to be at the forefront of Trump's crackdown. More: Florida has tripled daily ICE arrests. Will Trump hit 1 million deportations annually? Majority of Republicans also think immigration is good: Poll During former President Joe Biden's administration, Americans' views on immigration took a dip amid a surge of migration and reports of disarray on the southern border. But this year, even among Republicans, views on immigration have grown significantly rosier 64% of Republicans now believe immigration is a good thing, a 25-point jump from June 2024. The fraction of Republicans who think immigration should decrease has fallen from 88% to 48% in that time span. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The questions pollsters asked whether immigration should be kept at its current level, increased, or decreased, and whether immigration is good or bad for the country did not specify legal or illegal immigration. Trump's immigration policies are broadly unpopular, with just 35% approving of his handling of the issue, according to the poll. The Trump administration faced heavy pushback over its immigration policies in March when it deported hundreds of men to a brutal prison in El Salvador even though most were Venezuelan. It was forced to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man from El Salvador who a judge ordered could remain in the U.S., amid an ongoing legal battle. The Supreme Court has since given the Trump administration the green light to deport people to countries from which they do not originate. Florida opens Alligator Alcatraz in immigration crackdown Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have sought to be the "toughest" state on illegal immigration in the country. Florida law enforcement worked with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to fall in line with Trump's push to crack down on immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last effort lies in the Florida Everglades. "Alligator Alcatraz" is a temporary migrant detention facility that Trump visited as he continues to push forward with more ICE arrests. The facility, located about 37 miles from Miami, is surrounded by a vast wildlife area known for its alligators and pythons. The center was converted into a detention center in a matter of eight days and is slated to hold up to 3,000 detainees. "This is not a nice business," Trump said during his visit to Alligator Alcatraz in Florida. "Snakes are fast but alligators were going to teach them how to run away from an alligator." Contributing: J. Kyle Foster, Naples Daily News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Views on immigration trending more positive as Trump pushes crackdown Florida airports soon must submit monthly reports on weather modification activities or face the loss of state funding under a controversial new law derided by critics as fueling conspiracy theories. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wrote to operators of public airports on Monday that their compliance is needed to catch those who seek to weaponize science and will safeguard the atmosphere from harmful chemicals and experiments. We need your help to keep our state free and make sure the skies belong to the people not to private contractors, corporate experiments, or climate extremists, he wrote. In Florida, we dont jeopardize the public health so that we can bend the knee to the climate cult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in June, the law prohibits the release of any substance into the atmosphere in Florida that seeks to alter weather, temperature, climate, or sunlight intensity. Critics, though, say state officials are seeking to address a nonexistent problem and burdening airports with an unproductive mandate. Among the conspiracy theories is the longstanding notion that aircraft condensation trails are actually chemtrails, consisting of chemical agents sprayed for nefarious purposes. This bill is crazy to me, said state Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, as the legislation was debated earlier this year. Were asking in this bill to do something that is not happening in Florida, she said. Theres a phrase Go outside and touch some grass. We need to get grounded. Florida previously required a license to engage in weather modification efforts. But the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has never issued such a license or even received an application for one since that program was created in 1957, according to an agency spokeswoman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport received the attorney generals letter and will comply with the new reporting requirements, said Angela Starke, a spokeswoman for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which operates the airports. Neither airport performs any geoengineering or weather modification activities, nor are we are aware of any activity on airport properties that must be reported at this time, she wrote in an email. Officials with Orlando Sanford International Airport also said they will comply with the law and arent aware of any such activities. Under the new law, airports must report the presence of any aircraft equipped with devices or components that release substances or chemicals into the atmosphere for the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, climate, or the intensity of sunlight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting in October, monthly reports must be filed with the Florida Department of Transportation. Additionally, the Department of Environmental Protection is launching a portal for the public to report suspected violations. Supporters of the law have been critical of research into geoengineering, large-scale interventions into the Earths climate that could potentially be used to mitigate climate change. The weather modification ban drew opposition from Augustus Doricko, CEO and founder of the cloud seeding startup Rainmaker Technology Corp. He testified to lawmakers that cloud seeding is not occurring in Florida but could be a safe and effective water supply tool. In the letter to airports, Uthmeier wrote that he thinks weather modification could have played a role in the Texas floods that killed more than 100 people over the Fourth of July weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Associated Press investigation, however, found no evidence that weather modification caused the deadly flood. Andrew Dessler, director of Texas A&M Universitys Texas Center for Extreme Weather, called such a claim complete nonsense. Social media-fueled conspiracy theories prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to issue a statement in October that it does not modify the weather, nor does it fund, participate in or oversee cloud seeding or any other weather modification activities, Between 1962 and 1982, NOAA supported research into whether hurricane intensity could be modified, known as Project STORMFURY, according to the statement. The research was not successful, and the project was discontinued, federal officials said. _____ NAPLES, Fla. (AP) When an emergency happens in Collier County, Florida, the 911 calls go to one of the most high-tech communications centers in the U.S., where callers can send text and video from the scene to dispatchers. Moving to what's known as an NG911 or Next Generation 911 system is a journey Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and Bob Finney, the county's director of communication, have been on for much of the past decade. It's a long way from Feb. 16, 1968, when Alabama's then-House Speaker Rankin Fite made the nation's very first 911 call in Haleyville, Alabama, on a bright red, rotary-style landline telephone. That ceremonial call came just 35 days after AT&T announced plans to use 911 as a nationwide emergency number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, most calls to 911 originate with cellphones, with dispatchers in upgraded centers using geo tracking to get accurate geographic locations from callers. But the response time in an emergency depends on the type of technology being used at any of the 6,000 emergency communications centers in the U.S. that receive 911 calls. There is no uniform emergency system in the U.S., so individual cities, counties, states or geographic regions are responsible for operating their own 911 call centers. While some states have fully updated to NG911 systems, others are still using legacy 911 systems that rely on antiquated equipment. Were just reminded in these last two weeks, with the flooding in Texas, just how important the work of 911 is, said Michael Martin, CEO of RapidSOS, which provides infrastructure that passes critical data to emergency centers across the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The future is now for 911 The Collier County Sheriff's Office covers 911 calls from an area of about 2,030 square miles (5,258 square kilometers) that stretches from sandy beaches at the southernmost tip of the Gulf Coast on Florida's peninsula inland to the Everglades. It's a region that has been ravaged by hurricanes this century, including Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricanes Ian and Milton most recently. That's why Sheriff Rambosk wanted a high-tech emergency operations center. We just believe that when we can reduce the response time using technology, it will improve safety and survivability of those calling in, said Rambosk, who has been sheriff since 2009. And thats really what were all about, keeping people safe and rescuing them when they need it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today 61 full-time employees and three part-timers staff two emergency operations centers around the clock. They rely on data that RapidSOS collects from connected buildings, devices, vehicles and even smart watches to send first responders to emergency scenes. The baseline data is provide free of charge to all 911 centers, Martin said. Mixing technology with emergency response As Hurricane Helene was tracking toward north Florida last September, forecasters were predicting it could hit Tallahassee as a major Category 3 storm. Officials in Leon County, which serves the state's Capitol and nearby counties on legacy 911 equipment, reached out to Collier County, some 430 miles (692 kilometers) to the southeast, to see if they could take over emergency calls if the storm knocked their center out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Helene moved to the east of Tallahassee, but Collier County was prepared to help if needed. "Because of the partnership with Rapid SOS, they were able to create a map to where not only did we see our own calls, but we could see exactly where the calls were coming in Tallahassee, Finney said. Collier County has also partnered with Charleston, South Carolina, as a backup 911 center. Each region is fully prepared to take on 911 calls for the other in case their emergency system goes down for any reason. It's a similar story in North Carolina, where legislation in 2017 helped establish funding for a next generation 911 system, said Pokey Harris, who serves as president of the National Association of State 911 Administrators and executive director of the North Carolina 911 Board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris said Hurricane Helene provided validation for the upgraded system by being able to direct 911 calls from areas that were devastated by the storm to other parts of North Carolina that were not affected. During Helene, if a citizen could reach a dial tone, even though their local 911 center may have been impacted because of infrastructure devastation, another center somewhere in the state could answer their call, Harris said. No federal funding for next-generation systems Next Generation 911 systems aren't cheap. There has been no federal funding for 911, Martin, of RapidSOS said. It has been in various draft formats as long as Ive been doing this and its never gotten through Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also no federal oversight of 911, he said. Its really quite remarkable how well 911 works despite those challenges," Martin said. I think its a testament to the people of 911, not the technology. A man who killed two people outside a Jacksonville bar in 1993 was put to death Tuesday evening. Michael Bernard Bell, 54, was given a lethal injection at Florida State Prison. He was convicted of killing Jimmy West and Tamecka Smith. Prosecutors say he opened fire on them as they were leaving a bar in December 1993. Another woman with the victims was injured but survived. Prosecutors say Bell shot them because he thought West was the same person who killed his brother earlier that year. He didnt know the person who killed his brother had sold the car to West. Bell mistook West for his brothers killer when he saw the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bell was convicted of Wests and Smiths deaths in 1995. The Associated Press reports that was later convicted of three other murders for killing a woman and her toddler in 1989, and for killing his mothers boyfriend about four months before West and Smith. Bell is Floridas eighth execution this year. The AP reports that Florida has executed more people than any other state this year, with Texas and South Carolina tying for second place with four each. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The state of Florida has opened a migrant detention center in the Everglades. Its official name is Alligator Alcatraz, a reference to the former maximum security federal penitentiary in San Francisco Bay. While touring Alligator Alcatraz on July 1, 2025, President Donald Trump said, This facility will house some of the menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet. But new reporting from the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times reveals that of more than 700 detainees, only a third have criminal convictions. To find out more about the state of Floridas involvement in immigration enforcement and who can be detained at Alligator Alcatraz, The Conversation spoke with Mark Schlakman. Schlakman is a lawyer and senior program director for The Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights. He also served as special counsel to Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles, working as a liaison of sorts with the federal government during the mid-1990s when tens of thousands of Haitians and Cubans fled their island nations on makeshift boats, hoping to reach safe haven in Florida. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has characterized the migrants being detained in facilities like Alligator Alcatraz as murderers and rapists and traffickers and drug dealers. Do we know if the detainees at Alligator Alcatraz have been convicted of these sorts of crimes? The Times/Herald published a list of 747 current detainees as of Sunday, July 13, 2025. Their reporters found that about a third of the detainees have criminal convictions, including attempted murder, illegal reentry to the U.S., which is a federal crime, and traffic violations. Apparently hundreds more have charges pending, though neither the federal nor state government have made public what those charges are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also more than 250 detainees with no criminal history, just immigration violations. Is it a crime for someone to be in the U.S. without legal status? In other words, is an immigration violation a crime? No, not necessarily. Its well established as a matter of law that physical presence in the U.S. without proper authorization is a civil violation, not a criminal offense. However, if the federal government previously deported someone, they can be subject to federal criminal prosecution if they attempt to return without permission. That appears to be the case with some of the detainees at Alligator Alcatraz. What usually happens if a noncitizen commits a crime in the U.S.? Normally, if a foreign national is accused of committing a crime, they are prosecuted in a state court just like anyone else. If found guilty and sentenced to incarceration, they complete their sentence in a state prison. Once theyve served their time, state officials can hand them over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. They are subject to deportation, but a federal immigration judge can hear any grounds for relief. DHS has clarified that it has not implemented, authorized, directed or funded Alligator Alcatraz, but rather the state of Florida is providing startup funds and running this facility. What is Floridas interest in this? Are these mostly migrants who have been scooped up by ICE in Florida? Its still unclear where most of these detainees were apprehended. But based on a list of six detainees released by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeiers office, it is clear that at least some were apprehended outside of Florida, and others simply may have been transferred to Alligator Alcatraz from federal custody elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This calls to mind the time in 2022 when Gov. Ron DeSantis flew approximately 50 migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts at Florida taxpayer expense. Those migrants also had no discernible presence in Florida. To establish Alligator Alcatraz, DeSantis leveraged an immigration emergency declaration, which has been ongoing since Jan. 6, 2023. A state of emergency allows a governor to exercise extraordinary executive authority. This is how he avoided requirements such as environmental impact analysis in the Everglades and concerns expressed by tribal governance surrounding that area. For now, the governors declaration remains unchallenged by the Florida Legislature. Environmental advocates have filed a lawsuit over Alligator Alcatraz, and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a decision by a federal judge temporarily barring Florida from enforcing its new immigration laws, which DeSantis had championed. But no court has yet intervened to contest this prolonged state of emergency. This presents a stark contrast to Gov. Lawton Chiles declaration of an immigration emergency during the mid-1990s. At that time, tens of thousands of Cubans and Haitians attempted to reach Florida shores in virtually anything that would float. Chiles actions as governor were informed by his experience as a U.S. senator during the Mariel boatlift in 1980, when 125,000 Cubans made landfall in Florida over the course of just six months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chiles sued the Clinton administration for failing to adequately enforce U.S. immigration law. But Chiles also entered into unprecedented agreements with the federal government, such as the 1996 Florida Immigration Initiative with U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno. His intent was to protect Florida taxpayers while enhancing federal enforcement capacity, without dehumanizing people fleeing desperate circumstances. During my tenure on Chiles staff, the governor generally opposed state legislation involving immigration. In the U.S.s federalist system of government, immigration falls under the purview of the federal government, not the states. Chiles primary concern was that Floridians wouldnt be saddled with what ought to be federal costs and responsibilities. Chiles was open to state and local officials supporting federal immigration enforcement. But he was mindful this required finesse to avoid undermining community policing, public health priorities and the economic health of key Florida businesses and industries. To this day, the International Association of Chiefs of Polices position reflects Chiles concerns about such cooperation with the federal government. Gov. Ron DeSantis outlines his plans for Alligator Alcatraz to the media on July 1, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Now, in 2025, DeSantis has taken a decidedly different tack by using Florida taxpayer dollars to establish Alligator Alcatraz. The state of Florida has fronted the US$450 million to pay for this facility. DeSantis reportedly intends to seek reimbursement from FEMAs Shelter and Services Program. Ultimately, congressional action may be necessary to obtain reimbursement. Florida is essentially lending the federal government half a billion dollars and providing other assistance to help support the Trump administrations immigration enforcement agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida is also establishing another migrant detention facility at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center near Jacksonville. A third apparently is being contemplated for the Panhandle. ICE claims that the ultimate decision of whom to detain at these facilities belongs to the state of Florida, through the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Members of Congress who visited Alligator Alcatraz earlier this week have disputed ICEs claim that Florida is in charge. You advised Florida Division of Emergency Management leadership directly for several years during the administrations of Gov. Charlie Crist and Gov. Rick Scott. Does running a detention facility like Alligator Alcatraz fall within its typical mission? The division is tasked with preparing for and responding to both natural and human-caused disasters. In Florida, that generally means hurricanes. While the division may engage to facilitate shelter, I dont recall any policies or procedures contemplating anything even remotely similar to Alligator Alcatraz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis could conceivably argue that this is consistent with a 287(g) agreement authorizing state and local support for federal immigration enforcement. But such agreements typically require federal supervision of state and local activities, not the other way around. 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: Mark Schlakman, Florida State University Read more: Mark Schlakman served as special counsel to Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles and as a consultant to Emilio Gonzalez at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during his tenure as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director during the George W. Bush administration. A pair of Florida lawmakers elected to Congress with the help of the cryptocurrency industry are poised to join a U.S. House majority backing the first crypto regulatory bill ever adopted by Congress. U.S. Reps. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, and Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, drew a combined $1.5 million from Republican-leaning crypto political committees leading up to their April 1 victories in special elections to Congress. At the time, the industry was eager to bolster the GOPs narrow House majority as it worked toward advancing the so-called GENIUS Act, the milestone crypto bill. The measure recently won bipartisan support in the Senate and is poised for a House vote, likely July 17. Florida U.S. Reps. Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis, elected with the help of the cryptocurrency industry, are expected to join House members approving Congress' first crypto regulatory bill. The crypto PAC, Defend American Jobs, hailed Patronis and Fines elections, saying that the Floridians, "have shown a deep commitment to advancing pro-growth policies and ensuring the U.S. leads the world in crypto and digital asset innovation. Law would allow some crypto to be backed by real money The GENIUS Act allows banks and companies to offer crypto stablecoins that would be tied to the U.S. dollar and backed by real money. With the change, crypto is expected to gain more customers who may view stablecoin as a more trustworthy digital asset than others in the crypto world, which is not always seen as reliable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GENIUS stands for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins. President Trump, who once dismissed cryptocurrency as a scam being based on thin air, has converted into a fan. The conversion comes as Trump personally profits from the industry, which stands to gain new credibility with his signature on the GENIUS Act. Trump and his family control 40% of World Liberty Financial, which has been selling crypto tokens. Sales to investors may have gained the Trump family around $20 million this month, according to reporting by Forbes. Last year the presidents sons also started a company that now offers stablecoins. 'A superhighway for...Trump's corruption,' says Sen. Elizabeth Warren U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, has been one of the leading voices opposing the GENIUS Act, warning it has weak protections for consumers and threatens financial stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said it will create a superhighway for Donald Trumps corruption. The crypto industry poured millions of dollars into Trumps presidential campaign last year and later his inaugural committee. Florida fund-raiser Brian Ballard, who is close to Trump and to Floridas leading Republicans, counts crypto company Ripple among his clients. An upside for both parties Special elections: Can both parties claim victory in Florida congressional contests? Florida was test market for Trump Trump's second term to include many Floridians and policies tested in Sunshine State Patronis and Fine were both endorsed by Trump in their special election bids. Theyre also promoting the crypto industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fine has said, Floridians want crypto innovation. Patronis, who held the state Cabinet post of Chief Financial Officer for seven years before running for Congress, has tried to bring crypto into state government. He proposed having some of the Florida Retirement System funds go into digital assets such as Bitcoin, an idea which so far has failed to get off the ground. Patronis pitch to pension managers at the State Board of Administration came after Trump spoke at the Bitcoin 2024 convention and suggested creating a national reserve denominated in bitcoins. Will state pensions ever invest in Bitcoin? Legislation this spring by other Trump followers, Rep. Webster Barnaby, R-Deland, and Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, also failed. It wouldve allowed the state to invest as much as 10% of the states retirement fund and other holdings in Bitcoin, which unlike stablecoin, is not pegged to the value of a stable asset. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gruters is running for Floridas chief financial officer post next year. The job is currently vacant since Patronis election to Congress. Now emerging as the latest Floridian to tout cryptocurrency is U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indian Harbor Beach, who is his partys whip, or vote-organizer, on the Financial Services Committee. America needs to be the centerpoint of this opportunity, Haridopolos said on FOX News. This will reduce costs for businesses and will make it more transparent as well. It will speed up the way we move money at a lower cost. On crypto, Haridopolos said the president if fully engaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on X at @JKennedyReport. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida Republicans join Trump in boosting crypto ahead of House vote Darren Jones (left) said hundreds of thousands of new jobs had been created after Rachel Reevess tax raid - Kirsty O'Connor / Treasury The Treasury has dismissed Andrew Baileys warnings that Rachel Reevess 25bn National Insurance (NI) raid is hitting Britains jobs market. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, insisted that hundreds of thousands of new jobs have been created, despite the Governor of the Bank of England raising concerns that the tax changes were damaging hiring and hitting pay packets. Mr Jones claimed that National Insurance contributions (NICs), paid by bosses on their employees pay packets, protect workers rather than harming their wages and their job prospects. There have been hundreds of thousands of new jobs created across the economy and we, in the first quarter of the year, were the fastest-growing economy in the G7, Mr Jones said in an interview on BBC Radio 4s Today Programme. We are doing everything we can to create the conditions for business to be profitable and to be able to grow, of course we had to take that particular tax decision in the Budget last year because our commitment was to protect working people in their pay slips. He was speaking after Mr Bailey warned companies were adjusting employment and hours, and also having pay rises that are possibly less than they would have been if the NICs change hadnt happened. I think were getting more consistently the story that [businesses], if you take the National Insurance change, are adjusting via the labour market. I dont think were getting to a tipping point in the sense that its becoming a sort of flood, he said in an interview with The Times. Softening labour market It is not the first time the Governor has raised concerns over the impact of the tax. Last month, Mr Bailey told the House of Lords: We are starting to see softening of the labour market and thats the message I get when I go around the country talking to firms. I am hearing more firms telling me they are making adjustments on both of the labour market sides, so both quantities and prices. Regular wages in the private sector in April grew by 5.1pc on the year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the slowest pace since February 2022. Tax data indicates there were 30.2m payrolled employees in May, down by 0.9pc, or 274,000, compared with the same month of 2024. Even as the number of people employed in health and social work increased by 62,000 on the year, jobs in accommodation and food services plunged by 124,000. The ONS found 736,000 job vacancies advertised in May, down from the post-lockdown peak of 1.3m two years earlier, and the lowest number since the depths of Covid in 2021. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. STARKE, Fla. (AP) A man convicted of fatally shooting two people outside a Florida bar in 1993 as part of an attempted revenge killing was executed Tuesday evening, the 26th person put to death in the U.S. this year. Michael Bernard Bell, 54, was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m. after receiving a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke, said Bryan Griffin, a spokesperson for Gov. Ron DeSantis. Bell was convicted in 1995 and sentenced to death for the murders of Jimmy West and Tamecka Smith. When the team warden asked Bell if he had any final words, he responded, Thank you for not letting me spend the rest of my life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strapped to a gurney, Bell was alert and looking around the death chamber as the drugs began to flow into his outstretched left arm. After about 2 minutes, he closed his eyes and stopped moving. His breathing became more labored for about a minute and then slowed. At 6:15 p.m., the team warden checked Bells eyes and shouted his name, but there was no response. The color began to drain from Bells face about 6:20 p.m. A medical worker entered the chamber at 6:24 p.m. and declared Bell dead a minute later. With Bells death, the number of executions in the U.S. surpassed last years total with more than five months left on the calendar. The number of executions has largely trended downward nationally this century after peaking with 98 in 1999. From 1995 to 2006, there was an average of about 67 executions per year. John Blume, the director of the Cornell Death Penalty Project, says the uptick in executions doesnt appear to be linked to a change in public support for the death penalty or an increase in the rate of death sentences, but is rather the function of the discretion of state governors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of these people being executed are people that have been in the system for a long time; theyve been on death row for a long time," Blume said, adding that there are aggressive executives and attorney generals who want to execute these people. He pointed to a sweeping executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day back in office aimed at urging prosecutors to seek the death penalty and preserving capital punishment in the states. The most cynical view would be: It seems to matter to the president, so it matters to them, Blume said of the governors. Florida Department of Corrections spokesperson Ted Veerman said Tuesday that the department was well-prepared to do its duty as assigned by the courts and the governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bell is the eighth person executed in Florida this year, with a ninth scheduled for later this month. The state executed six people in 2023 but only one last year. Florida has executed more people than any other state this year, with Texas and South Carolina tied for second place at four each. Alabama has executed three people, Oklahoma has killed two, and Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee each have killed one. In December 1993, Bell spotted what he thought was the car of the man who fatally shot his brother earlier that year, according to court records. Bell was apparently unaware that the man had sold the car to West. Bell called on two friends and armed himself with an AK-47 rifle, authorities said. They found the car parked outside a liquor lounge and waited. When West, Smith and another woman eventually exited the club, Bell approached the car and opened fire, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West died at the scene, and Smith died on the way to the hospital. The other woman escaped injury. Witnesses said Bell also fired at a crowd of onlookers before fleeing the area. He was eventually arrested the next year. Bell was later convicted of three additional murders a woman and her toddler son in 1989 and his mother's boyfriend about four months before the attack on West and Smith. Prison officials said Bell woke up at 6:30 a.m. and ate his last meal, which was an omelet, bacon, home fries and orange juice. He met with a spiritual adviser but did not have any other visitors. His lawyers argued in their state filing that Bells execution should be halted because of newly discovered evidence about witness testimony. But justices unanimously rejected the argument last week and pointed to overwhelming evidence of Bells guilt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Supreme Court denied Bell's request to stay the execution Tuesday. ___ Associated Press reporters Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Fla., and Freida Frisaro in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report. The Brief So far this year, 11 people have contracted flesh-eating bacteria in Florida; four have died. One of the deaths was in Hillsborough County, according to state health officials. Doctors warn cases often spike in August as water temperatures rise. TAMPA, Fla. - Florida leads the nation in cases of Vibrio vulnificus a rare but deadly flesh-eating bacteria that thrives in warm, brackish water. What we know New data from the Florida Department of Health shows 11 confirmed cases in the first half of 2025, including four deaths. One of those deaths happened in Hillsborough County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ: Research suggests link between diet and depression risk in women Experts say the bacteria enters the body through open wounds or scratches, especially when people swim or wade in brackish water a mix of fresh and salt water commonly found in estuaries and canals. By the numbers So far, 11 confirmed cases of Vibrio vulnificus have been reported in Florida this year. Of those, four deaths have been reported statewide, including onein Hillsborough County. In 2024, there were 82 cases and 19 deaths, numbers driven up by post-hurricane flooding. MORE: Plague in Arizona: Health officials address concerns after Flagstaff death What they're saying "It usually comes from brackish water," said Dr. John Sinnott, USF professor of medicine. "You can get it by entering the water with an open wound or even just a scratch on your foot or leg." Sinnott explained that during hurricane season last year, many Florida counties were underwater, creating ideal conditions for the bacteria to thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People were trying to rescue pets or belongings," Sinnott said. "They werent thinking about what was happening to their legs or feet." He added that the infection typically begins as a reddish rash or streak and can become extremely painful within 12 to 36 hours if left untreated. READ: This kind of coffee could dramatically increase your risk of going blind, study finds Why you should care Sinnott warns that cases usually peak in August when water temperatures are at their warmest, allowing the bacteria to replicate quickly. He advises thoroughly cleaning any wounds acquired in the water with soap and water, applying triple antibiotic ointment, and monitoring the area closely for signs of infection. The backstory Since the pandemic, the number of flesh-eating bacteria cases in Florida has steadily climbed. Sinnott believes the states growing population especially newcomers unfamiliar with Floridas water conditions is partly to blame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If you talk to an old Florida cracker, they know what were talking about. If you just got here from Detroit, youll be scratching your head about what brackish water is," Sinnott said. The Source This story is based on new data from the Florida Department of Health and an interview with Dr. John Sinnott, a professor of medicine at the University of South Florida. FOX 13s Jordan Bowen contributed reporting from Tampa. Florida's attorney general is asking airports in the state to watch out for signs of weather modification. In a letter, Attorney General James Uthmeier asks the operators of all of Florida's public-use airports to comply with the state's new law that makes cloud seeding and any geoengineering illegal. "Because airports are more likely to catch those who seek to weaponize science in order to push their agenda, your compliance with these reporting obligations is essential to keeping our state safe from these harmful chemicals and experiments," Uthmeier wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting on Oct. 1, all public-use airports must submit monthly reports to the Florida Department of Transportation that includes information about any aircraft equipped with devices that could be used to disperse "air contaminants" into the atmosphere. James Uthmeier gives brief remarks after being sworn in as the Florida Attorney General on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. A new law OK'd by Gov. Ron DeSantis (SB 56) outlaws geoengineering and weather modification, including a process called cloud seeding. Cloud seeding is the process of releasing tiny particles into the air to increase precipitation, a practice used in arid parts of the Southwestern United States like Utah to increase the water supply. In his letter, Uthmeier brings up cloud seeding and suggests it could be a "possibility" that the weather modification process "played a role" in the Kerr County, Texas, flooding disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But claims that a cloud seeding event two days prior to the floods caused the disaster are false, meteorologists say. Contrails streaked across the Treasure Coast sky Monday morning, March 24, 2025, in Vero Beach, Florida. What is geoengineering? Florida's elected officials this session backed legislation that plays into a decades-old conspiracy theory that the government is spreading chemicals in the air, in some cases to control people's minds. As previously reported, some believe cloud seeding, contrails and "chemtrails" all are intertwined. (The term contrail is a portmanteau of "condensation" and "trail"; chemtrail is "chemical" and "trail.") Contrails are the line-shaped clouds visible behind aircraft engines under certain atmospheric conditions. They happen when hot, humid air from the engines condenses into ice crystals in the cold air, the National Weather Service says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some, however, believe these are "chemtrails," or evidence of the government researching solar radiation modification, a theoretical practice which would modify the atmosphere to shade Earths surface by reflecting sunlight back into space. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, has debunked the "chemtrail" conspiracy and other myths, such as the government having the possibility to modify hurricanes. "No technology exists that can create, destroy, modify, strengthen or steer hurricanes in any way, shape or form," NOAA says. This morning, I sent a letter to all public-use airports in Florida addressing the states new ban on weather modification. This landmark legislation marks another victory for health, freedom, and environmental protection in Florida. We expect full cooperation from our airports pic.twitter.com/VyL6FQjSuh Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) July 14, 2025 Ana Goni-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida's attorney general asks airports to watch out for 'chemtrails' SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Food Bank of Siouxland is gearing up to distribute 1,200 healthy food baskets to Siouxland families. According to a release from the Food Bank of Siouxland, they will be distributing Healthy Kids Iowa food baskets on Wednesday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. The baskets are targeted toward kids between 4 and 18 years of age, aiming to give healthy options to kids who may not be able to afford these healthier options at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children are the most vulnerable population when it comes to food insecurity in our community, with one in every five children in our community being food insecure. The Healthy Kids Iowa Pilot Program has been a great resource for providing healthy food to Iowa kids this summer when school meals arent available, Food Bank of Siouxland Executive Director Jacbon Wandersheid said. More food in the charitable food system is always a positive. Story continues below The baskets can be picked up at the Tyson Events Center on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Food Bank of SIouxland said that, so far, they have been able to serve more than 5,000 children in Siouxland through Iowas Healthy Kids Iowa Pilot Program and assistance from their local partners. The Food Bank said that this totals up to nearly 211,000 pounds of food across eight Siouxland counties. If you need to check your familys eligibility for the program, you can find the guidelines from Iowa Health and Human Services online here (just click on Am I Eligible?). According to Iowa HHS, eligibility for the program can also be determined on-site at distribution events. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Food distribution systems for Palestinians in Gaza are like The Hunger Games, an Archbishop has claimed. The Most Rev Dr Hosam Naoum, the Archbishop of Jerusalem, addressed the General Synod, the Church of Englands legislative body, in York, asking what it meant to be the Church in a time of war and for a spotlight to be shone on the horrifying situation in Gaza. In his impassioned speech, met with a standing ovation, he warned about settler violence in the West Bank and called for the end of the occupation, as well as recognition of a Palestinian state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Archbishop Hosam described the food distribution system as horrifying, with three sites open for one hour a day for two million people. He said: It looks for me, like The Hunger Games a reference is to a dystopian book and film franchise in which children are forced to compete in deadly televised battles. The major question that Christians in the Holy Land are struggling to address is what it means to be the church in a time of war. We are battered and bruised, but we are not defeated or crushed in the midst of ethnic cleansing, threats of deportation, violence, war on every side, economic pressure, the absence of pilgrims, the daily devastation on every side. Palestinians struggle daily to receive food, as there are only three food sites for two million civilians - Moiz Salhi/Anadolu via Getty Images The Archbishop also called for the rebuilding of Gaza, a permanent ceasefire to end the war, the release of all hostages, and no ethnic cleansing that is presently being discussed by the Israeli and US governments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palestinian Anglican Bishop grew up in Galilee, northern Israel, and is a member of the Crown Nominations Committee of 17 people appointed to choose the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. The committee will announce its decision in the autumn. The Most Rev Justin Welby, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, was forced to step down in November last year after a report found he had mishandled abuse allegations against John Smyth, who has been described as the most prolific abuser in the Churchs history. Archbishop Hosams comments come as the death toll from the Israel-Hamas war continues to rise. Hamas continues to refuse to release a number of Israeli hostages both alive and dead following its deadly terror attack in Israel on Oct 7 2023. More than 250 hostages were brought back to Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Israels retaliation against Hamas, the Gaza Health Ministry, run by Hamas, has estimated that at least 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war. Dr Hosam called upon the Church to speak out against injustice - Patriarchate of Jerusalem/Buckingham Palace/via Getty Images Archbishop Hosam told the Synod: I realise that as a church we live and embody the gospel, and we are not politicians. However, we need to speak out in the face of injustices and be prophetic for the sake of our people and our calling as Christians. But where a church is wounded and constrained, we need the wider body of Christ to help us to be the church in brutal and damaging times. Archbishop Hosam is the 15th Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, a role he has held since 2021. He was born in Haifa and grew up in Shefa-Amr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem is home to about 7,000 Anglicans worshipping within 28 different congregations. It is also responsible for more than 30 institutions, including hospitals, schools, clinics and rehabilitation centres, and covers five separate countries or territories Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Holland Lake Lodge sign photographed on Sept. 2, 2023. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan) Last week, Eric Jacobsen visited Holland Lake Lodge in Montanas Swan Valley for the first time in two years. On Thursday, Jacobsen unlocked the door to the historic lodge and several nearby cabins and auxiliary buildings as the new owner of the lodge following a decision by Flathead National Forest officials to grant an operating permit earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Flathead National Forest issued a 20-year special use authorization and approved a 2025 operating plan for the lodge in early July, allowing Jacobsen and his business partners to run the lodge within the existing footprint and facilities, according to the Forest Service. I am looking forward to Holland Lake Lodge beginning to provide a minimal range of recreation services and opportunities for the community in 2025. The lodge has historic value for the forest, the community, and local economy, and has provided visitor access to the surrounding National Forest lands for 100 years, Forest Supervisor Anthony Botello said in a press release earlier this month. I am pleased to have reached this milestone with both the new owners and community to continue this opportunity into the future. Due to ongoing wastewater treatment system issues at the site, and the approval coming late in the summer season, Jacobsen said the lodge will operate on a minimal level this year. It will likely be open to just a few small private events like weddings or corporate retreats with plans for a full public-facing season in 2026. Its been a rough journey for the lodge over the last several years, for me, for the community and for the Forest Service, Jacobsen told the Daily Montanan in a phone interview while driving back to his Whitefish residence. It feels pretty amazing to have been able to pull it off and have a permit and now be the next steward of Holland Lake Lodge for the foreseeable future. The road for Holland Lake Lodge to change owners has been marred by issues with the Forest Services permitting process, possible development plans and public outcry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lodge has operated for a century on the Flathead National Forest with a special-use permit last reissued in 2017. Christian Wohlfeil owned and operated the lodge for roughly two decades before selling it to Jacobsen. In 2022, a proposed expansion of the lodge came to public attention, and included details that Wohlfeil partnered with POWDR, an adventure life company in Utah that operates numerous ski resorts around the country. The expansion would have doubled the occupancy of the property and added several new structures, including a new lodge. The Forest Service ultimately rejected the expansion proposal, and Wohlfeil listed the lodge for sale in 2023 for $3.5 million, after saying the opposition against him included death threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, Jacobsen, a private equity investor who splits his time between Park City, Utah, and Whitefish, announced his intention to purchase the lodge. He held several public meetings to engage the local community in his vision seeking to lower the temperature of the public discourse. A recently-formed nonprofit called Stewards of the Swan, headed by Grace Siloti, co-owner of Mission Mountains Mercantile, had also announced an intention to purchase the lodge, and has maintained a strong stance that any new owners should keep the status quo in place for the historic property. For generations, Holland Lake Lodge has served as a gathering place for thousands of Montanans and Americans to enjoy our great public lands. It should remain that way into the future. More than 7,000 Americans told the U.S. Forest Service that they want to keep the lodge the way it is and not expand it to a giant destination resort, said Grace Siloti, the groups president, in a statement. We hope the new owners will manage the lodge consistent with the vision and values expressed by locals and Americans at large. And well ensure that Americans have access to our public lands in the Swan Valley for generations to come. Jacobsen secured the contract to purchase the property last year and subsequently applied for a special-use permit from the Forest Service, which was granted on July 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the new special-use authorization granted to Jacobsen, the lodge, cabins and other buildings will offer lodging, food and bar services and non-motorized watercraft rentals. The lodge is expected to be fully operational for a minimum of 153 days during a normal year. In 2025, however, the Forest Service approved a limited operating plan due to the time of year and infrastructure improvements that have to be made on site. The lodge hasnt been open for a while, and when Christian closed it up for the winter, in 2023, he anticipated he would open in 2024, he didnt so he didnt close it down the way you would for several years, Jacobsen said. Theres definitely some squirrels and mice that have enjoyed having the place to themselves we need to take care of, along with shoring up the rest of the infrastructure. Under the terms of the operating agreement, Jacobsen needs to move some fencing and redo signage around the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wastewater treatment system must be addressed before fully opening to the public a major remediation. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality found the Forest Service was in violation of state law when it was discovered the system which serves the lodges septic system, RV dump station and campgrounds near the lake were leaking; and unapproved repairs had been made. Problems with the wastewater treatment system were extensive enough to prevent the lodge from operating at all in 2024, which would have been its 100th anniversary year. According to the Forest Service, the agency is working with a private engineering firm to determine next steps in the remediation process with no firm timelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without a wastewater treatment system in place to handle a full suite of visitors, Jacobsen said his hopes for this first year of operation is to be able to host small, private gatherings this fall. While a full reopening is contingent on fully functioning wastewater system, Jacobsen said the earliest he hopes to welcome guests full time would be the spring of 2026, when itll be a return to the traditional business of nightly rentals and nightly restaurant and bar operations. The wastewater issue just added a level of complexity where I just dont think we can serve the public in the way we want to this year, he said. There is lots of work that needs to be done to get it safe and clean and happy, like it deserves to be when we open. A messy fight between the current and former leadership of Vote.org is escalating. Debra Cleaver, the nonprofits founder, said she has filed complaints with four states attorneys general alleging that the high-profile voter registration group has defrauded donors, including by vastly inflating the number of voters it could register in 2024, financial mismanagement and using charitable funds for the personal benefit of its current CEO. The allegations follow a wrongful termination suit from Cleaver over her firing in 2019 and have prompted a new threat of litigation from the group over what it called a sustained and vindictive campaign rooted in misinformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vote.org counsel Vanessa Avery, a partner at McCarter and English, vigorously denied the claims by Cleaver, saying they were categorically false. In the 28-page complaint , shared first with POLITICO, Cleaver alleged there was no serious plan for the group to deliver on its pledge to register 8 million voters for the 2024 cycle, which would have been more than the total number of voters it had registered during its entire 14-year history. Vote.org ended up registering 2.2 million voters in the 2024 cycle. Cleaver, who now runs a similar group called VoteAmerica, filed the complaint with the attorneys generals of New York, California, Pennsylvania and Georgia. POLITICO independently verified all filings except the one in Georgia. Among her claims: that the group originally set an internal goal to register 6 million voters, but that was increased to 8 million to avoid the symbolism of 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. The fact that Vote.org ultimately failed to register 8 million voters is inconsequential to the organization, because that was never the true goal, Cleaver said in the complaint. The goal was staying afloat, attracting donor attention, and retaining relevance through the illusion of scale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization is one of the biggest nonpartisan voter registration vehicles in the country, but it has come under scrutiny in recent years over its internal management. The complaint points to the example of Taylor Swift, who previously worked with the group. But last year, when Swift endorsed Kamala Harris, she directed fans to go to Vote.gov to register instead of plugging Vote.org . The complaint alleges a Daily Mail story on internal turmoil at the group helped cause Swift to avoid touting the organization again. (A Swift spokesperson didnt respond to a request for comment.) Vote.org s spending and alleged internal dysfunction was also the subject of a Chronicle of Philanthropy investigation last year. The complaint also alleges that donor money was inappropriately used to pay for Vote.org CEO Andrea Haileys personal travel and notes a jump in expenses on Vote.orgs travel conferences and meetings totaling more than $275,000 in 2023. It also notes that IRS documents show that Vote.org spent almost $600,000 on legal fees in 2023 versus $89,000 in 2019 as the organization fought wrongful termination lawsuits from Cleaver and another employee. In the Cleaver case, she sued Vote.org and one of its human resources vendors. The suit between Cleaver and Vote.org was dismissed with prejudice with both parties dropping their claims and no money was exchanged between Vote.org and Cleaver, according to the settlement agreement. The agreement shows the HR vendor paid her $50,000 in a separate deal which said Vote.org would not reimburse the vendor. The attorneys general complaints also made claims, which POLITICO has not independently verified, that Vote.org has paid for private security for Hailey even though Cleaver says staff havent received any threats against Hailey. Vote.org told the Daily Mail that Hailey did receive threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the past six years, she has organized a sustained and vindictive campaign rooted in misinformation, aimed at discrediting this organization and its leadership, Avery, the Vote.org counsel, said in a statement. Her wrongful termination lawsuit was withdrawn with prejudice, and she is now resorting to even more desperate and baseless tactics. We will be filing a defamation claim in the near future and will vigorously defend against these lies. She also said that they have emailed the state attorneys generals to rebut her claims. Avery defended the high voter registration target for 2024, which Vote.org did not meet. Successful organizations set ambitious goals -- no one aims for underperformance, she said. We set bold targets because the stakes are high. She said the group has registered more voters than any other organization in American history; Score could not independently verify this. When asked why she filed the complaints, Cleaver told Score in a statement: As the founder, I would like nothing more than Vote.org to succeed. Unfortunately, for five years now Vote.org has been racked by a series of financial, governance, and ethical lapses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the New York attorney generals office said theyve received the complaint and are reviewing. Spokespeople for the other states attorneys generals didnt respond to a request for comment. Like this reporting? Subscribe to Morning Score. Editors Note: This article contains graphic descriptions of child neglect that some readers may find disturbing. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A former United States Army sergeant stationed on Fort Campbell has been sentenced to over a decade in federal prison for aggravated child neglect, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Tennessee said that Andrew J. Garasich, 29, of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, severely burned his then two-month-old baby by bathing him in water so hot that the babys skin peeled off his body. The infant did not receive medical treatment for five days after the bath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ORIGINAL STORY | Fort Campbell couple indicted on child neglect charges after baby suffers burns, skull fracture Once the baby was taken to Houston County Community Hospital, Garasich reportedly did not accompany him. Medical personnel arranged for the baby to be transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center via helicopter due to the extent of his injuries. When assessed at VUMC, the U.S. Attorneys Office said that in addition to partial and full thickness burns to the buttocks, perineum, left elbow and lower extremities, they also saw a left parietal skull fracture. The victim in this case was a two-month-old child who was horribly neglected by the Defendant and barely survived, Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire said. The child is now in a loving home but will face lifelong struggles because of the Defendants choices. This case shows that we will not hesitate to prosecute those who hurt children and, if they are convicted, we will seek long sentences in federal prison for them. Medical staff also contacted the police department in Erin, Tennessee, which dispatched officers to speak with witnesses to the babys injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garasich had no prior criminal convictions, the U.S. Attorneys Office said, though he did have a prior case with the Department of Childrens Services involving another child in 2019. He has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for aggravated child neglect. Following his sentence, he will be on supervised release for another four years. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com This sentencing is a result of the unwavering commitment of the FBI and our justice system to protect the most vulnerable members of our community our children, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Nashville Field Office, Joe Carrico, said. There is no place in our community for those who harm children, and we will do everything we can to find and punish those who engage in this repugnant activity and seek justice for victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The childs mother and Garasichs co-defendant will be sentenced on Aug. 5. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW CANAAN, Conn. (WTNH) The former food services director at New Canaan Public Schools was found guilty of stealing lunch money from school cafeterias for years, according to a press release from the division of criminal justice. These are the top public high schools in Connecticut, according to Niche Bruce Gluck, 67, was found guilty of larceny in the first degree by defrauding a public community, conspiracy to commit larceny and tampering with physical evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Dec. 2017, officials at the New Canaan Board of Education (BOE) reported that there were thefts of lunch money for more than 15 years at New Canaan High School and Saxe Middle School cafeterias. During this time, Marie Wilson was the assistant food director at the high school and Joanne Pascarelli was the assistant food director at Saxe. Cafeteria cashiers claimed that cash registers at the schools were not counted at the end of each day, specifically at the instruction of Wilson and Pascarelli. Wilson, Pascarelli and Gluck were responsible for the accounting of the funds. A BOE accounting of the amount of cash intake from 2013 to 2018 showed significantly more money receipts from the registers when Wilson and Pascarelli were not present than when they were present. Large, unexplained cash deposits into the three directors personal accounts were also shown during this time. The estimated loss to the New Canaan Board of Education was nearly $480,000 from 2012-2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gluck is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 19. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Brief Former Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia has been named one of four finalists to become the next Fort Worth Police Chief, less than a year after retiring from DPD. Garcia left Dallas in October 2024 for an assistant city manager role in Austin, citing a desire for better work-life balance. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker confirmed the finalists' list would be publicly released on Tuesday. Eddie Garcia FORT WORTH, Texas - Less than a year after leaving the Dallas Police Department, Eddie Garcia has been named a finalist to become the next police chief in Fort Worth, sources confirm to FOX 4. Eddie Garcia The backstory Garcia was the chief of the Dallas Police Department from 2021 until October 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He retired from his role in Dallas to take an assistant city manager role in Austin overseeing the city's public safety. The decision came just four months after Garcia announced that he had reached an agreement with the city that would keep him in Dallas into 2027. During Garcia's time in Dallas, city leaders credited him with reducing crime and improving morale in the department. When he left DPD, Garcia told FOX 4 he wanted to be able to be in a position with better work-life balance. "I've been sprinting for a while, and it would have been 33 years in February. My kids played a big role in it. They are young adults, and they are going to start families of their own and I want to be present. I wanted something with balance, because there is no balance in this job. There is no balance, that's not a word a police chief should utter in this job because there isn't. If you can find something to work hard at while able to find balance, that's something I was ready for in my next chapter," Garcia explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to arriving in Dallas, Garcia served as San Jose's police chief from 2016 to 2021. Fort Worth Police Chief Search Fort Worth has been searching for a police chief since Neil Noakes retired from the job in May. What they're saying At a community vigil for Central Texas flooding victims on Monday, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker did not share any names, but did say the list of finalists will be released on Tuesday. "I'm tremendously proud of the city management team that's led an excellent search process. We had a tremendous number of candidates, which bodes well for our city, the best police department in the country, in my opinion, of course," said Parker. The Source Information in this article comes from FOX 4 sources, past reporting on Eddie Garcia and comments made by Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker on Monday night. Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe has transferred a portion of his ownership stake and voting power as part of a newly settled divorce proceeding, according to a regulatory filing. Scaringe moved about 4 million shares and 6 million options to his ex-wife, Meagan Scaringe, on July 9 as part of the settlement, the filing shows. At Rivians current stock price, those shares and options could be worth roughly $130 million, though they have varying strike prices that would affect the total return if sold. The change in stock ownership comes at the end of a two-year-long divorce proceeding, court documents show. Scaringe owned more than 15 million shares of Class A stock and nearly 8 million Class B shares when the company submitted its annual proxy report April 29. As a result of the transfer, Scaringes voting power has slipped from 7.6% earlier this year to around 4%, the lowest since Rivians 2021 IPO. The shift in stock ownership doesnt have an impact on Rivians business or operations, according to the company. In an official statement emailed to TechCrunch, a spokesperson said RJ and Meagan finalized their divorce. They will continue to prioritize co-parenting their children. The settlement comes at a pivotal time for Rivian. Rivian has redesigned its R1S SUV and R1T truck in a bid to lower manufacturing costs, while improving performance of its flagship vehicles. However, the company is banking on the next addition to its lineup the highly anticipated R2 SUV that has a $45,000 base price to grow sales. That vehicle wont go on sale until the first half of 2026. The ownership structure of Rivian has shifted since its IPO in 2021. At that time, Amazon and Ford were among the largest stakeholders. Today, Ford is essentially out and Volkswagen Group has emerged as a major player. In late 2024, Rivian entered into a joint venture valued at $5.8 billion with Volkswagen focused on software and electrical architecture. Rivian has provided technology and employees to the joint venture, while Volkswagen has largely contributed money in the form of share purchases and convertible debt. As a result, the German automotive giant now owns 12.3% of Rivian, according to a recent filing. That puts it slightly behind Amazon, which owned 14.2% of Rivian as of the April 2025 proxy filing. Thats enough to give Amazon the most voting power of any single shareholder: 13.3%. (Ford and T. Rowe Price also used to be major shareholders after the IPO, but have since sold down their stakes.) Scaringes ownership stake in Rivian was 2% prior to the divorce settlement, according to the proxy filing. But he had a 7.6% share of the voting power, thanks in part to the Class B stock, which comes with 10 votes per share. (Rivians Class A stock only comes with 1 vote per share.) The transfer of shares and options in the settlement cuts his voting power to around 4%. A Black woman who ran the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives is suing the University of Michigan, claiming racial and gender discrimination in her firing. The school fired Rachel Dawson in December after she was accused of making antisemitic remarks at an academic conference in March 2024. University of Michigan graduates leave the central passageway at the William W. Cook Law Quadrangle on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 after having their graduation pictures taken in the archway where six corbels of past U of M presidents can be found on campus in Ann Arbor. Two conference attendees claim Dawson said words to the effect of: "The university is controlled by wealthy Jews" and "We don't work with Jews. They are wealthy and privileged and they take care of themselves." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dawson denies making any such remarks and said the university treated her differently based on her race and gender. "I am aware of several non-Black employees of the university who have been the subject of similar complaints about their behavior, and none have been terminated," Dawson wrote in a statement to the school before her disciplinary hearing. "The allegations against me illustrate how racial and gender biases can shape the interpretation of events and statements, especially for Black woman in positions of authority." The school denies any wrongdoing. "Rachel Dawson was appropriately terminated from her employment at the University of Michigan," school spokeswoman Kay Jarvis told the Free Press in an email last month when Dawson filed a notice of intent to sue. "We will vigorously defend this matter." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dawson filed the lawsuit in federal court and noted in it that she also intends to pursue a state court claim of discrimination. Dawson said she remembered talking with the two women who accused her, but her recollection of the conversation was far different. She said that when the two women heard she was from U-M, they approached her to discuss rumors of antisemitism on campus. Dawson said she told them that the school was doing its best to combat antisemitism and all forms of discrimination. She noted that the school had recently opened the Raoul Wallenberg Institute to promote tolerance and that Jewish students had access to support groups like Hillel. Dawson's suit said the women became hostile, began berating her and even followed her out of the room when she tried to end the conversation. Days later, back at U-M, Dawson said she learned that the women had contacted the Anti-Defamation League, which filed a complaint about her with then-President Santa Ono. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dawson claims that's when U-M deviated from its normal disciplinary process. The suit said that the university hired an outside law firm to investigate the claims against Dawson. That law firm, Covington & Burling LLP, also represents the ADL, which the suit says is a conflict of interest. The firm concluded its investigation and noted that Dawson and her accusers offered differing accounts of the conversation. Still, the report concluded that the weight of the available evidence supports the conclusion that Ms. Dawson made the statements attributed to her in the ADL Michigan letter." Dawson's supervisor at the time, Tabbye Chavous, vice provost for equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, wrote to Ono to question the findings of the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Based on all information available to me, I would respectfully disagree with the conclusion drawn from the report," Chavous wrote. She also questioned the way the investigation was handled. "It is obvious that this is not consistent with our normal processes for investigating alleged similar conduct of employees in a similar position as Ms. Dawson at an off-campus conference," Chavous wrote. "Why is the process for this situation and employee seemingly different from similar kinds of allegations and issues with others and how they are dealt with normally?" Chavous had written a warning to Dawson after the investigation and ordered her to complete anti-bias training. But the case didn't end there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit claims that after a university official informed the school's Board of Regents of the discipline imposed on Dawson, Regent Mark Bernstein wrote back to register his disgust with the decision. Mr. Bernstein wrote that the only acceptable outcome would be for Ms. Dawson to be 'terminated immediately,'" the suit says. Bernstein declined to comment. Days after that exchange, Dawson claims in the suit, she was informed the warning letter was being revoked and formal disciplinary proceedings would commence that could lead to termination. She was fired on Dec. 10. The suit asks the court to declare that the university violated Dawson's civil rights and to award her damages. The suit is assigned to Judge Laurie Michelson, who was appointed by President Barack Obama. Contact John Wisely: jwisely@freepress.com. On X: @jwisely This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Former DEI leader sues University of Michigan for discrimination FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A former Farmington teacher took a plea deal July 10 following his arrest for second-degree sexual assault in 2024. Clayton Sallee, 39 Courtesy: Washington County Sheriffs Office According to Washington County Prosecuting Attorney Brandon Carter, Clayton Sallee, 40, pleaded guilty to harassment and was given 12 months of unspervised probation. He was also ordered to give up his teaching license and have no contact with the victim. Sallee was initially arrested for engaging in sexual conduct with a minor who was a student in Farmington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This story contains allegations of sexual abuse including sexual abuse against children. The Sexual Assault Center provides free counseling, advocate services and forensic exams at their SAFE Clinic for anyone. To reach the 24/7 crisis line, please call the Sexual Assault Center at 1-800-879-1999 or contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. A former Franklin priest accused of sexual misconduct against minors has pleaded guilty to eight charges in Williamson County Court and has been sentenced to seven years in state prison. Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza, 32, was in court July 14 and admitted to four counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, two counts of sexual battery, one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child and one count of aggravated sexual battery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia-Mendoza, first ordained in 2020 at St. Rose of Lima in Murfreesboro and assigned to St. Phillip in July 2022, was reported to the Diocese of Nashville Safe Environment Office by St. Philip officials in November 2023. Records show a teen at the parish had made a report of improper touching involving Garcia-Mendoza. He was then immediately removed from public ministry. "The Diocese of Nashville Review Board was promptly convened to evaluate information available from the investigation and to advise the bishop," a statement released to the public said at that time. "Further, the investigative report and all available information were provided to the Franklin Police Department on the dioceses own initiative. During an April 11 court appearance to determine if charges against Garcia-Mendoza concerning adults and children should be separate, detectives said the former priest's church twice spoke with him about his behavior before he was removed from the ministry. Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Mason said the priest would often behave as if the touching was an accident and that was "how he was able to get away with it for so long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 39-year-old said on the stand that he first believed Garcia-Mendoza when he said it was an accident. Then it happened again, he testified. I knew then that it wasnt normal," a translator said on behalf of the man, who testified in Spanish. The Franklin Police Department said there were others who alleged improper conduct against the priest, but they were not incorporated into the case due a statute of limitations expiration or a jurisdictional issue, meaning the alleged crime happened outside their coverage area. In addition to the seven-year prison sentence, Garcia-Mendoza will also be listed on Tennessee's Sex Offender Registry. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ex-Franklin priest pleads guilty to sex crimes, gets 7 years in prison LOWELL, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Former Lowell City Council member Bill Adams announced his campaign for Lowell mayor July 14. According to a press release, Adams is also the owner of The Grove Comedy Club, Goat Lab Brewery, and Goat Lab Red. Im excited to announce my campaign for mayor of the city I love, said Adams. Lowell is a special town in the heart of Northwest Arkansas. We have a lot going for us, but our current leadership has failed to take advantage of the incredible opportunities before us. Lowell is being left behind: poor city management, unnecessary lawsuits against the city that have cost millions, many business opportunities missed, including Costco, a toxic work culture inside City Hall, lack of serious planning for growth and infrastructure. We can do so much better, and thats why Im running for mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas State Senator Fredrick J. Love announces run for governor The release says Adams highlighted several initiatives he wants to undertake if he is elected mayor: Positioning Lowell as the center of Northwest Arkansas, making it a hub for business and an ideal location for families to live. Eliminate practices that have led to lawsuits against the city. Invest in infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life. Form civic clubs specific to Lowell to increase community bonds and connections. Develop a five, 10, and 15-year plan for street and sewer development. Bring back the bidding process for major projects and hire a full-time city engineer instead of hiring consultants. Provide staff development and improve the culture in City Hall. Prevent Lowell from being annexed into Springdale or Rogers. The release says Adams has lived in Northwest Arkansas nearly all of his life. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1994. He is a combat veteran, serving three campaigns in the Gulf War and Somalia. He served four years in the United States Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the release, Adams was elected as a Republican to the Benton County Quorum Court from 2004-06 and to the Lowell City Council from 2020-24. He is a past Rotary president and Paul Harris Fellow. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A former Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection employee and an incarcerated inmate were both charged in connection with possessing and moving a synthetic drug through a federal prison, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said. The former state employee, Tasha Hammock, 43, was charged with providing contraband to a prison inmate; Raymond Gaines, 45, an inmate at FMC Devens, was indicted on the charge of possessing contraband by a prison inmate. Both were previously charged by criminal complaint in March 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 18, 2024, Hammock visited Gaines in prison, Foleys office said in a statement. At the time, she "surreptitiously passed K2-laced papers to Gaines, which he pocketed," the statement added. She also gave him money connected to the distribution of K2, a synthetic cannabinoid, which she also received at her home. A cell phone smuggled into the prison where Gaines was incarcerated was found to be receiving messages about obtaining K2 in prison, Foleys office said. The person initiating the text exchange said the drugs would be delivered at a Bridgewater address, later determined to be Hammocks home. K2 presents a health problem at FMC Devens, where inmates have become sick from smoking paper believed to contain K2, as well as prison staff who have been exposed to the secondary smoke, the statement read. Gaines was sentenced in January 2022 to over seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, Foleys office said. At the time that these offenses happened, Gaines was on federal supervised release after serving a prison sentence resulting from a 2017 conviction for distributing cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaines, also believed to be part of the Orchard Park Trailblazers, a Boston street gang, received clemency to reduce his current federal sentence from seven years to five. The charges of providing a prohibited object to a prison inmate, and receiving a prohibited object by a prison inmate, each carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. More local crime stories Read the original article on MassLive. A former correction officer at MDC Brooklyn who went corrupt about a year after taking the job has pleaded guilty to smuggling pot and cigarettes into the troubled federal jail inside his protective vest. Najee Jackson, 32, pleaded guilty in Brooklyn Federal Court Tuesday to attempted provision of contraband in prison. Jackson started working at MDC Brooklyn in November 2023, and on Jan. 21 of this year, he tried to sneak in the illicit goods when he showed up for his night shift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He never got past the jails metal detector, which also scans for unusually dense objects, according to federal prosecutors. He triggered the detector six times, removing his personal items, his two coats, and finally his vest, in an attempt to get past without the scanner beeping, the feds said. When his fellow correction officers searched the vest, they found four vacuum-sealed bags, three with cigarettes, the fourth with pot. Jackson quit two days later, and on Jan. 29, the feds arrested him. The charge to which Jackson pleaded carries a five-year maximum sentence, but based on federal guidelines, Jackson will likely face from no time to six months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant admitted to bringing contraband into the very jail he was charged with protecting, Joseph Nocella, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said Tuesday. His actions undermined the safety and security of his fellow correctional officers and the inmates at MDC Brooklyn. As todays conviction demonstrates, my office will ensure that anyone who would abuse their position of trust at a federal prison is brought to justice. Contraband is a regular problem at MDC Brooklyn, which is notorious for violent incidents, including two murders last year, as well as instances of medical mistreatment, a near-constant lockdown and infested food. Court filings from March detailed how inmates schemed to use a 50-foot rope to fish goods up through an open window with the help of an outside accomplice. In August, Fabienne Osias, 40, admitted in federal court that she tried to sneak five USB charging cubes and nine cables to an inmate. In July, former Correction Officer Quandelle Joseph was sentenced to 2.5 years behind bars for taking bribes to smuggle contraband into the federal jail. Jul. 15Antonio Riano will be 80 years old by the time he's eligible parole in the murder of Benjamin Becarra more than two decades ago. Riano, 63, was sentenced Monday to 18 years to life by will spend at least 18 years in prison by Butler County Judge Michael Oster on a single count of murder with a gun specification, though he will be credited with a year and nearly four months will be credited as time served. The weapon used in was also ordered to be destroyed by Oster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A jury found the Mexican national, known as "El Diablo," guilty of shooting and killing Becarra on Long Street in December 2004. Deliberation took less than two hours. Butler County Assistant Prosecutor Brad Burress told the jury last month the victim was "executed" less than an hour after Riano purchased ammunition for the firearm used in Becarra's killing on Long Street, outside the Round House Bar. Riano's defense team claimed it was self-defense, alleging Becarra, 25, and his friends were harassing and threatening him and his family, which is why he fled the United States in early 2005. Defense attorney Kara Blackney said during the closing arguments last month her client wasn't looking for a fight, and assisted prosecutor Michael Hon agreed, saying he was looking to carry out "vigilante justice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riano was 42 years old on Dec. 19, 2004, when he shot Becarra in the head with a .38 Smith & Wesson following an argument. The two men were at the Round House Bar at the corner of East Avenue and Long Street. Riano was inside when Becarra walked through a door off Long Street. An argument ensued and the men continued it outside. At the time of the shooting, Blackney said Becarra had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit and tested positive for cocaine. After the shooting, Riano fled back to Mexico via New Jersey around the time he was indicted on the murder charge in February 2005. He left his wife and children behind and was found working as a police officer in his hometown. He was extradited to the United States with the help of the U.S. Marshals Office and other authorities on Aug. 1. Former Missouri prison nurse Amy Murray is now on the other side of the bars after being sentenced to over a decade of hard time for fatally poisoning her husband so that shed be free to marry an incarcerated killer, authorities say. Investigators initially believed that Joshua Murray, 37, died in a 2018 house fire until an autopsy determined that his blood contained elevated amounts of antifreeze! According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by People, the medical examiner also found that Joshua had injuries suggesting he was dead before the inferno began in Iberia, approximately 150 miles west of St. Louis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say that Amy, 46, had conveniently left the couples home with their 11-year-old son and two dogs shortly before the blaze and noted that she had frequent contact with a prisoner named Eugene Claypool at the Jefferson City Correctional Center. Amy worked as a nurse at the lockup, where records show 45-year-old Claypool is serving 25 years to life for murder. The affidavit states that prosecutors obtained recorded phone calls between Amy and Claypool which include her whining about not wanting to be around Joshua and saying they could get hitched after her husband passed away because hed be out of the picture. She was arrested in February 2019 three months after Joshuas murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amy remained free on $750,000 bail as she fought criminal charges for six years however, she recently accepted an Alford plea deal from prosecutors on counts of first-degree murder, arson and tampering with evidence, according to court records cited by the New York Post. In an Alford plea, a defendant maintains their innocence but acknowledges that the prosecutions evidence is strong enough to likely result in a conviction. Amy was sentenced to 12 years for murder, seven years for arson and four years for tampering with evidence. She will serve the latter two terms consecutively, and both will run concurrently with the murder sentence. She is being held at the Miller County Correctional Facility until she receives her prison assignment. A former Milwaukee Public Schools safety officer already in jail on other offenses has been charged with another crime, this time sexual assault of a student. Stephan Quantrell Jr., 25, of Glendale, was charged July 10 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court with one felony count of sexual assault of a student by school staff. If convicted, Quantrell could face up to six years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, the criminal complaint said. According to the complaint: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November 2023, Quantrell picked up the student, who was 16 at the time, from a group home. While in the car, Quantrell engaged in a sexual act on the student without their consent. Quantrell then began acting "'weird' and aggressive," the complaint said. He took the student back to the group home but locked the student in the car until someone from the group home came outside to help the student. Quantrell called the student later that night to tell them they were in a high-speed chase with the police. The student heard a crash and then silence, the complaint said. No hearing has been set yet for the case, according to online court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an emailed statement, Milwaukee Public Schools said Quantrell left his job at MPS as a safety assistant in November 2023. The district said it does not comment on the circumstances of employee departures in accordance with district policy and federal and state law. "The allegations in this case are disturbing. MPS takes seriously all matters that affect the well-being of our students and does not tolerate breaches of trust between staff and students," the district's statement said. Quantrell is already in prison at the Racine Correctional Institution, according to the online Wisconsin Department of Corrections inmate database. He was arrested in Washington County In November 2023 and charged with several crimes, according to online court records. In February 2024, as part of a plea agreement, Quantrell pleaded guilty to fleeing or eluding police with a vehicle, second-degree recklessly endangering safety and operating while intoxicated, second offense. The court dismissed charges of resisting or obstructing an officer and operating a firearm while intoxicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was sentenced in March 2024 to two years in prison and five years of extended supervision. He is scheduled to be released for extended supervision in November, according to the state Department of Corrections' website. Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at@AlecJohnson12. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former MPS safety officer accused of sexual assault of student Sending Ukraine offensive weapons could push Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, retired Adm. James Stavridis, the former NATO supreme allied commander, said on Monday. Speaking ahead of the announcement of the U.S.-NATO weapons deal for Ukraine, Stavridis said he was hoping the deal would move beyond strictly defensive weapons, such as the Patriot missiles, which are the air defense systems that the Ukrainians desperately need. What I would like to see is a provision for the United States to send more harpoon missiles to go after the Black Sea fleet, more HIMARS, surface-to-surface weapons that can reach deep behind Russian lines, more offensive cyber capability, and Kate, maybe some more F-16 aircraft, all of which are very capable offensively, Stavridis said in an interview with CNNs Kate Bolduan on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that is what could move Putin to the negotiating table, which is what we want on our side, he continued. Trump announced Monday he brokered a deal to send more weapons to Ukraine without burdening the United States. Under the deal, weapons would be sourced from NATO allies in Europe who just agreed to step up their defense spending at a summit President Trump hailed as a success. While Trump said these deals would include Patriot missile defense batteries critical for Ukraine to guard its skies under increasing Russian bombardment, there was little information on what other weapons systems Trump would be greenlighting for countries to purchase or what would be prioritized. Its everything. Its Patriots. Its all of them. Its a full complement with the batteries, Trump said, adding that the batteries could arrive in Ukraine within days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on Monday also threatened Putin with sanctions if there is no deal to end the war in Ukraine in 50 days which Stavridis said earlier Monday he had been hoping to see. That sanctions bill that Lindsey Graham is pushing that will have the effect of keeping Putin backing up, Stavridis said, referring to the Republican senator from South Carolina. Thats what we need to see. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Christoph Steitz, Emma Rumney and Maggie Fick FRANKFURT/LONDON (Reuters) -European firms called on trade negotiators to redouble efforts to strike a deal with Washington after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a 30% tariff on EU imports from August, though firms were avoiding panic, holding out hope that Trump would back off his threats as he has in recent months. Trump on Saturday said he planned to impose higher tariff rates on imports from Mexico and the European Union beginning August 1, mounting pressure on Brussels to scramble for a deal to avert a potential massive blow to the bloc's economy, particularly exporters in the automotive, pharmaceutical and consumer industries. The U.S.-EU trade partnership came to $975.9 billion of two-way goods trade last year, USTR data show. Analysts said that firms were urging calm, with many expecting negotiations still to bear fruit ahead of the deadline. Trump has announced tariffs on numerous occasions only to revise his demands or push deadlines further into the future, giving rise to the so-called "TACO" trade in markets, which stands for "Trump Always Chickens Out." "Companies are starting to realize that this should not be panic-inducing," said Dan Hearsch, global co-leader for automotive and industrials at consultancy AlixPartners, adding firms weren't racing to tweak supply chains. "Every automaker now has teams that are wired for this." Still, pain is becoming apparent across the business world. Volvo Car said it was currently unable to sell its ES90 profitably in the United States, and said it would take a $1.2 billion charge as a result. Shares fell 4.7%, leading European carmakers lower. Carmakers Volkswagen, Fiat-to-Jeep owner Stellantis, Renault, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche were all down around 1-2%. "The escalating tariff conflict with the USA poses a serious threat to many German companies," said Volker Treier, head of trade at Germany's DIHK chamber of commerce, urging ministers to race ahead with talks. "Instead of summer holidays, tough negotiations are now needed to avert a collapse of transatlantic trade." Some EU officials called the tariff plan "prohibitive to any trade" in its current form. The threatened 30% tariff is "separate from all sectoral tariffs," Trump wrote in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, implying a 27.5% duty on autos, in effect since April, would still stand. Three pharmaceutical sector sources added the industry was withholding judgment after various recent tariff threats from 200% levies on pharmaceuticals to the new 30% EU-wide one. LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was buried Tuesday in his northern hometown as thousands of people lined the streets to say goodbye. Buhari died aged 82 on Sunday in London after battling an undisclosed illness that kept him out of public life since he handed over power in 2023. Current President Bola Tinubu and several regional leader attended. Senegals President Bassirou Faye described Buhari as a leading figure in Nigerian and and African political life." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buhari ruled Africas most populous nation twice as a military dictator and democratic president and was one of the countrys most influential figures. His presidency was marked by a prolonged health crisis that led to long medical trips abroad. His legacy includes a widespread clampdown on human rights, isolationist economic policies and escalating insecurity. He first came to power in a coup in 1983 and was ousted two years later. He then won presidential elections in 2015 and 2019, making him the second-longest Nigerian leader. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The former head of the Oklahoma State Department of Tourism and the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission is banned from holding any public office for the next two years. Shelley Zumwalt must also pay $20,000 in civil penalties for violating state ethics rules. Shelley Zumwalt told the Governor she could step down if needed Zumwalt agreed to the terms of a settlement reached with the state ethics commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She admitted to approving millions in taxpayer dollars for payments to a software company where her husband worked as vice president. In 2024, Zumwalt said she acknowledged her connection to the company and said lawyers from two state agencies told her she was in the clear. RELATED: Sen. Treat: Scathing state audit findings cause grave concern Zumwalt ultimately resigned from holding state office and admits her involvement in the business deal was a conflict of interest. The Oklahoma Attorney General will not seek criminal charges against Zumwalt if she meets to terms laid out in the settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. WESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) A man who is accused of sexually assaulting multiple children between 1987 and 2003 has been indicted on charges in Lewis County. John Radcliff John Radcliff, 58 of Nettie, who used to be a youth pastor, was arrested last year and charged in Harrison, Lewis and Nicholas counties. During the July 2025 term of the Lewis County Grand Jury, he was indicted on 47 felony charges against eight victims, including sexual assault, sexual abuse and incest. According to criminal complaints filed at the time of Radcliffs arrest, some of the victims told law enforcement that the sexual abuse started happening when they were as young as 3 and 4 years old. Multiple victims said that Radcliff had forced them to touch his genitals and perform oral sex on him, according to the criminal complaint. Kathy Radcliff According to law enforcement, one said that John and his wife Kathy Radcliff, 53 of Nettie, asked them and another child to watch a porno movie with them and then allegedly performed sexual acts while the children were in the room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kathy Radcliff was also indicted during the July Grand Jury term on a charge of principal in the second degree. Barbour County man gets up to 155 years in prison for child sex crimes John is also facing multiple charges in Harrison and Nicholas counties. Multiple other suspects were also indicted for sex crimes during the Lewis County Grand Jury term. Steven Brown Steven Brown, 64 of Mount Clare, was indicted on more than a dozen charges in Lewis County related to sexual crimes against children, including sexual abuse, sexual assault and distribution of obscene matter to a minor. He was arrested in October 2024 after two juveniles said that Brown sexually abused them during trips to Stonewall Jackson Lake. According to a criminal complaint filed against Brown, the victims said the abuse happened from 2018 to 2024. Brown was also charged with felonies in Harrison County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam Griffith, 26 of Clarksburg, was indicted on one count of use of obscene matter with intent to seduce a minor and one count of soliciting a minor via computer and traveling to engage in sexual activity, both felonies. The suspects will appear in court later this month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. CHICAGO (WGN) More than two years after he was convicted, one of the ComEd Four was sentenced to prison Monday, setting a powerful precedent for holding those who abuse political power to account, according to a former federal prosecutor. Former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker left the Dirksen Federal Courthouse with his legal team after receiving an 18-month prison sentence for his role in the well-hashed out Michael Madigan corruption scandal. Chris Hotaling, a member of the Government Investigations & White Collar Defense practice group with 16 years of experience as a federal prosecutor, said this case marks a major moment in holding powerful individuals accountable for activities that undermine public interest and abuse the power of political positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just as Judge Shah said today, this is a serious case of corruption and he just did not feel comfortable sentencing Mr. Hooker to a term of probation, Hotaling said. But also probably, given his age that a sentence of 56 months was too much. During the days proceedings, Hooker stood before District Judge Manish S. Shah and expressed regret for how he sounded on FBI wiretaps. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, prosecutors said Hooker lied when he denied any involvement in the scheme centered around the former Illinois House Speaker, specifically when Hooker said he arranged for Madigans allies to be paid through a consulting firm so he could avoid extra responsibilities, and when he said he cared about what Madigans allies brought to ComEd. Hookers most significant role in the conspiracy stemmed from a February 2019 conversation with Mike McClain, a longtime confidant of Madigan and another member of the ComEd Four. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The discussion, secretly recorded by the FBI, appeared to outline a plan to pay Madigans associates secretly. Hooker, along with McClain, Jay Doherty and Anne Premaggiore were convicted in 2023 on charges that included bribery, conspiracy and willfully falsifying ComEd records. The group arranged for ComEd to pay $1.3 million to Madigan allies through no-work jobs in exchange for legislation that favored the utility company. With Hooker being the first to be sentenced on Monday, Hotaling said it sets the tone for whats ahead for the three remaining defendants. I wouldnt be slightly surprised if we saw slightly longer sentences for Ms. Pramaggoire and Mr. McClain, Hotaling said. Maybe a little lower for Mr. Doherty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pramaggiore and McClain are scheduled to appear in federal court for sentencing next week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former state worker charged with smuggling drugs to inmate at Massachusetts prison A former Massachusetts state worker has been charged with smuggling K2-laced papers to an inmate at a federal prison. Tasha Hammock, 43, of Bridgewater, is charged with providing and possessing a controlled substance in the form of a synthetic cannabinoid to 45-year-old Raymond Gaines, an inmate at FMC Devens in Harvard, the U.S. Attorneys Office of Massachusetts announced. Gaines was also indicted in connection with the alleged scheme. Hammock and Gaines were initially named in a criminal complaint in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August 2024, federal investigators allege that Hammock, while visiting Gaines in the prison, passed K2-laced papers to Gaines, who was serving a seven-year sentence for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm. Gaines was alleged to be an associate of the Orchard Park Trailblazers, a street gang in Boston. Officials say Hammock was employed with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection at the time. Hammock also allegedly previously handled money connected with the distribution of K2 to Gaines in FMC Devens, and she allegedly received K2 at her residence for distribution into the prison. Court documents note that inmates at FMC Devens have become sick from smoking paper believed to contain K2, as well as prison staff who have been exposed to the secondary smoke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She faces up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. On Jan. 17, Gaines received an Executive Grant of Clemency, reducing his current federal sentence to five years in prison. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The former executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department is paying a $20,000 civil penalty for violating an ethics rule on conflicts of interest. Shelley Zumwalt also has agreed not to hold any public office in the state for two years. She will not face criminal prosecution. She acknowledged in a settlement with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission that she violated the conflicts of interest rule while serving at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The violation involved state contracts that paid millions of dollars to Phase 2, a software company that employed her husband as vice president. She became the executive director at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission during the first months of the pandemic. She took on her tourism job in October 2022. She announced her retirement from that position last September. That announcement came months after a scathing audit report revealed the conflict of interest. The Ethics Commission began an investigation after the audit was released. The Ethics Commission voted 3-0 on Thursday, July 10, to settle with Zumwalt. The settlement agreement was made public Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Neither my husband nor I financially benefited from the contracts, and there was no finding by the Ethics Commission of any financial gain," she said Thursday after the Ethics Commission vote. She admitted in the settlement that she should have recused from any involvement in discussions, negotiations or execution of the contracts between the state and Phase 2. She did not admit the violation was intentional. Phase 2 had already been hired when Zumwalt became executive director at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission in May 2020. The company helped the commission with its antiquated computers that couldn't handle the surge in demand for unemployment benefits because of the pandemic. By April 2022, Zumwalt had approved additional contracts and change orders with the company totaling $8.5 million, State Auditor Cindy Byrd said in a new release when the audit came out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that period, Zumwalt failed to disclose her husband, John Zumwalt, was employed as the vice president at Phase 2, the state auditor said. "As the Director of OESC, Zumwalt was required to complete annual forms attesting that norelated party transactions existed in the performance of her duties regarding the expenditure of funds. In three separate instances, Zumwalt checked 'No' on these forms," Byrd said. Zumwalt must pay the civil penalty to the state's general revenue fund within 30 days. She also is banned for two years from accepting any state-funded position, from lobbying for compensation in the state and from being a paid consultant for any state agency, department, commission or board. After the state audit was released, Attorney General Gentner Drummond called for Zumwalt to resign. "This level of self-dealing represents an unforgiveable breach of trust that disqualifies Ms. Zumwalt from overseeing the expenditure of our tax dollars," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His office has now agreed not to initiate criminal proceedings against Zumwalt if she abides by her agreement with the Ethics Commission. More: Ryan Walters to pay $18,300 settlement to resolve fundraising accusations Our partnership with the attorney general ensures that ethics violations are treated seriously both from an administrative and legal standpoint, said Lee Anne Bruce Boone, the executive director of the Ethics Commission. "This collaboration strengthens our ability to deter misconduct and protect the integrity of state government. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Former state official Shelley Zumwalt admits to ethics violation GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) A former Upstate teacher who is accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy appeared in a Greenville courtroom Monday for a bond hearing. Nicole Callaham had previously faced charges in Anderson County, and police in Clemson said charges could also be pending in their jurisdiction. Callaham is facing more than 10 charges in Greenville County. A judge set bond for each charge during her hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am going to set a surety bond on each of these in the amount of $10,000, as they did in Anderson, for a total of $120,000 surety, said Greenville Municipal Court Judge, Matthew Hawley. Callaham, a former teacher at Homeland Park Primary, was arrested last week in Anderson County for the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy, dating back to 2021. She now faces similar charges in Greenville County, where the alleged victim attended school. According to the victims mother, Callaham was a director at Project Challenge Playhouse, where her son first met Callaham while auditioning for a play. A teacher someone who is supposed to help kids learn and grow instead she molested me, said the victims advocate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims mother said the two grew increasingly close, and she believed that Callaham was acting as a mentor. On May 22, 2025, Greenville Police Department received a report from investigators with the Anderson County Sheriffs Office regarding sexual assault, listing Nicole Callaham as the suspect, a detective said during court. Investigators said the alleged abuse lasted for two years. In Greenville County, Callaham faces eight counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and four counts of unlawfully placing a child at risk for allegedly providing the victim with alcohol. As she entered the courtroom Monday, Callaham smiled at people in attendance, including her family and fiance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miss Callaham is eight to nine weeks pregnant, said her attorney, William Epps III. Epps asked the court to consider her presumed innocence and requested a surety bond, citing her need for prenatal care. He said she poses no danger to the community. Judge Hawley granted bond with several conditions. Callaham will be placed under house arrest with GPS monitoring. She is barred from contacting the victim and must undergo both a mental and psychological evaluation to determine if she is competent to stand trial. The judge also established a red zone, prohibiting Callaham from coming within a mile of the victims residence in Anderson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Callahams attorney thanked the judge as she turned and smiled at him before being escorted out by police. One of the detectives working this case said in court at this time, no other victims have come forward. As of now, no trial date has been set. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. (Refiles to add dropped word "case" in headline) By AJ Vicens (Reuters) -A former U.S. Army soldier pleaded guilty on Tuesday to hacking telecommunications companies' databases, stealing records, and demanding ransoms for the stolen data, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Cameron John Wagenius, 21, defrauded at least 10 organizations by obtaining login credentials for their private computer networks, stealing data, and attempting to extort at least $1 million from the targets, according to the DOJ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wagenius was arrested December 20, 2024, after having claimed to have stolen phone records related to Vice President Kamala Harris and President Donald Trump, according to reports. Reuters has not confirmed the claims. James Lee Bright, one of Wagenius' attorneys, declined to comment. Wagenius, who operated under the online nickname kiberphant0m, committed the crimes while on active duty in the U.S. Army and serving at Fort Cavazos, formerly known as Fort Hood, in Texas. Wagenius pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, extortion in relation to computer fraud, and aggravated identity theft and is scheduled to be sentenced October 6, the DOJ said in a statement. He faces a maximum of 27 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wagenius pleaded guilty in March to two counts of unlawful transfer of confidential phone records information, according to court records. He has not been sentenced in that case. (Reporting by AJ Vicens in Detroit; Editing by Stephen Coates) PINE VALLEY, Utah (ABC4) Firefighters battling the Forsyth Fire since June 19 have contained 77% of the fire, according to the latest information from the U.S. Forest-Service- Dixie National Forest. The fire grew three acres in the past 24 hours and is at 15,676 acres. On Monday, crews were able to complete all repair work across the western edge of the fire that borders the community of Pine Valley, Tony DeMasters, Incident Commander for the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 2 said. DeMasters is heading the team battling the fire. PREVIOUSLY: Terrain drives Forsyth Fire to grow another 775 acres, surpassing 15,000 acres burned Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the southern edge of the fire, light rain helped moderate the fire activity in the area. Crews say they will continue to use helicopters and fire engines to work on building a containment line in that portion of the fire perimeter. DeMasters adds that they will continue to monitor and patrol the fire line through Thursday. Ober 560 personnel are on scene battling the lightning-caused fire. Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service-Dixie National Forest Weather conditions A Red Flag warning is in effect for most parts of Utah on Tuesday. According to ABC4s 4Warn weather team, increasing winds, dry fire fuels, high heat and the chance of isolated dry thunderstorms heighten fire danger for the bulk of the Beehive State today. Red flag warning issued for much of Utah for Tuesday Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say the fire area will remain hot and dry throughout the day and expect some monsoon moisture to come in Thursday. Pine Valley can expect reduced smoke levels. By afternoon, they are forecasted to have good air quality, officials said. Cedar City, St. George, Hurricane and Zion National Park can expect to have moderate air quality, which means that it could be unsafe for sensitive groups. With Stage 1 Fire restrictions in place, no open fires, fireworks, or operating ATVs and motorcycles without an approved and working spark arrestor is allowed. These restrictions are in place in Washington, Iron and surrounding counties. The communities of Pine Valley, Grass Valley, and Grays Ranch are now in Ready level evacuation status- which means they have to consider planning or packing, in the event an evacuation becomes necessary. Pinto is no longer in any evacuation status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Hong Kong-listed Sino Biopharmaceutical will acquire China-based oncology specialist LaNova Medicines in a deal that will not exceed $951m, representing one of the largest transactions within the Asia-Pacific pharmaceutical arena this year. Sino already owns a 4.91% stake courtesy of an investment in November 2024, with the company now seeking to purchase the remaining 95.09% it does not own. At the time, Sino spent 142 million yuan ($19.80m) to initiate its ownership involvement with the biotech. The net payment made by Sino to acquire LaNova will be approximately $500.9m, a figure that excludes the estimated cash and bank deposits, according to a company document outlining the terms of the transaction. Following the completion of the nearly billion-dollar deal, LaNova Medicines will become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sino. A timeline of 30 business days has been set by the companies to finalise the deal. Sino revealed the acquisition agreement after trading hours on 15 July. The share price in the company had climbed 3.6% by market close. LaNovas drug development focuses on tumour immunity and the tumour microenvironment. The company has particular emphasis on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and has built several platforms within this modality. Sino stated the acquisition would strengthen its research and development capabilities, subsequently enhancing competitiveness and innovation in the oncology market. LaNovas pipeline has already been raided twice by US big pharma companies. In 2023, AstraZeneca licensed LM-305, a G-protein targeting-ADC, for $600m. A year later, MSD outlaid more than $3bn to secure global rights to LM-299, an anti-PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody. According to Sino, LaNova Medicines has two projects in the registration clinical stage, six projects in the Phase I/II clinical trial stage, and more than ten projects in the preclinical research stage. In a statement, Sino said: Through the in-depth synergy and integration of the advantageous resources of both parties, not only will the potential value of LaNova Medicines be fully released, but also [Sinos] innovation capability will be comprehensively enhanced." The company added that the transaction will help towards its strategic goal of advancing towards a world-class innovative pharmaceutical enterprise. Chinas economy grew 5.2% year-on-year in Q2, defying the lingering effects of US President Trumps trade war and reinforcing its position as the worlds top exporter. This economic resilience is mirrored in Chinas growing role in the global oncology market. Despite economic pressures, licensing promising drug candidates from Chinese biotechs is becoming a well-trodden path for many US big pharma companies. The Brief Fort Worth City Hall is hosting a community vigil tonight (Monday) at 7:30 p.m. to honor Central Texas flood victims. Mayor Mattie Parker and faith leaders will attend; green ribbons and candles will be distributed. The vigil comes as over 130 people are dead and more than 100 are still missing in the devastating floods. FORT WORTH, Texas - People in Fort Worth came together on Monday to remember those who lost their lives in the flooding in the Texas Hill Country. Fort Worth Community Vigil An emotional crowd gathered at Fort Worth City Hall on Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who showed up to grieve the lives lost in the Hill Country were given a green ribbon. Some in the crowd shed tears, others embraced while thinking about the loss experienced over Fourth of July weekend. The program closed with a prayer and a everyone lighting a candle. Fort Worth assistant fire chief Ray Hill says 20 of the city's firefighters are still in Central Texas to help with relief efforts. City leaders and others spoke at the gathering to share their message of hope. What they're saying "We're here tonight to love one another in true FW fashion. To pray for each other each other and continue to show support for those are hurting," said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Let this event not only honor those who suffered and perished but also declare our unwavering commitment to healing and rebuilding together," said Hill. Texas Flooding HUNT, TEXAS - JULY 6: Search and rescue workers dig through debris looking for any survivors or remains of people swept up in the flash flooding on July 6, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Heavy rainfall caused flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas with multiple fatalities reported. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images) The backstory At least 131 people are dead and more than 100 are believed to be missing after flooding in Central Texas. In hard-hit Kerr County alone, more than 100 people were killed and 97 are still missing. How you can help Its not too late to join FOXs support of recovery efforts. Your donation supports the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Countrys relief and rebuilding efforts. Visit go.fox/txfloodrelief to support the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following FOXs initial donation to the fund, our generous viewers answered the call to action and helped raise $6.5 million to aid Central Texas communities. The Source Information in this article comes from the City of Fort Worth. More than a week after torrential rains brought deadly floods to the banks of the Guadalupe River, over a hundred Fort Worth residents came together in a show of solidarity with the victims. Fort Worth and all of Texas is grieving, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker told a gaggle of reporters ahead of Mondays candlelight vigil at city hall. Parker framed the event as an opportunity to come together, noting that Texans help Texans, and Fort Worth would want the same kind of support if the city were to ever suffer a similar tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city used the opportunity to collect donations for the Salvation Army, and encourage residents to donate to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker speaks during a vigil for the Hill Country flood victims on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Fort Worth City Hall. During the vigil, Parker took time to celebrate the efforts of Fort Worths residents and businesses responding to the call for help. She highlighted the efforts of 9-year-old twins Corrigan and Cannon Camp, whose lemonade stand raised over $5,000 for flood relief. Parkers staff also created a list of all the Fort Worth businesses whove stepped up to help, which she said had stretched to five pages long. Fort Worth really is a community that steps up, and Im reminded of that tonight, Parker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several speakers highlighted the efforts of Fort Worths police and firefighters whove been on the ground in Kerrville and other flooded areas to help with search and rescue. The city has sent 28 firefighters, some of whom were deployed ahead of the flood to help with rapid response, Assistant Fire Chief Raymond Hill told the crowd. They are driven by the expressions of those they are helping, Hill said. These are our neighbors, these are precious lives, and our teams will continue to work till the job is done. Fort Worths community always shows up and gives back, said Interim Police Chief Robert Alldredge. Community members attend a candlelight vigil for the Hill Country flood victims on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Fort Worth City Hall. I guarantee you, our fellow Texans in Hill Country will feel our love and support, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alldredge noted his department had four large vehicles filled to the brim with supplies for families and first responders in the flood zone. He thanked the community for their donations and the city staffers who helped with logistics. In the midst of the grief following the floods, Alldredge said Mondays event was personally healing. He noted that police and firefighters who live and work in Hill Country are going through some of the worst devastation imaginable. He said theyll need care and relief long after the recovery efforts have wrapped up. Wellness isnt a luxury, its a responsibility, he said, adding, grief may bend us, but it will not break us. UPDATE: TUESDAY 7/15/2025 6:16 a.m. (FOUNTAIN, Colo.) At 11 p.m. on Monday, FPD announced that Burrell had been located, and officers assisted him in returning home. ORIGINAL HEADLINE: Fountain PD: 86-year-old last seen north on I-25 MONDAY 7/14/2025 9:55 p.m. The Fountain Police Department (FPD) is asking the community to be on the lookout for a missing 86-year-old man who was last seen driving northbound on I-25 from Fountain on Monday, July 14. According to FPD, Donald Burrell was last seen s last known location was northbound on I-25 in an orange Chevy Avalanche, Colorado license plate 071VUF. Courtesy: Fountain Police Department If you see Burrell or know where he is, you are asked to contact FPD at (719) 390-5555. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) Four men are facing multiple charges after a joint law enforcement operation in Holyoke on Friday led to the seizure of drugs, cash, and illegal weapons. Orange Street shooting leaves one dead, another injured in Springfield According to Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan, the multi-agency investigation, which yielded the seizure of heroin/fentanyl, crack-cocaine, cash, and illegal weapons, focused on drug trafficking in known problem areas of the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around noon on Friday, July 11, officers received notice about drug activity in the area of Elm and Appleton streets. Authorities said Alfonso Rivera, 38, was identified as a suspect dealing heroin/fentanyl in the area. He was taken into custody, and officers recovered additional heroin/fentanyl and cocaine, along with $375 in cash. Soon after, police observed a drug transaction involving William Miranda, 39, and Michael Rivera, 34, nearby. Police said they seized 18 vials of crack-cocaine and recovered a pellet gun and brass knuckles from Miranda. Both men were arrested. Two hours later, investigators spotted Raymond Maldonado, 45, allegedly conducting drug transactions near Pine and Dwight streets. Officers said they found cocaine, approximately 68 bags of heroin/fentanyl, and $890 in cash on Maldonado. He was placed under arrest. Courtesy of the Holyoke Police Department The four suspects face the following charges: Alfonso Rivera, 38, of Holyoke Distribution of a Class A Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug Possession of a Class A Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug Possession of a Class B Drug William Miranda, 39, of Holyoke Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug Possession of a Class B Drug Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law Carrying a Dangerous Weapon Michael Rivera, 34, of Holyoke Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug Possession of a Class B Drug Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law Raymond Maldonado, 45, of Holyoke Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug Possession of a Class A Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug Possession of a Class B Drug Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Fox News chief political analyst Brit Hume on Monday said one thing is now clear from President Donald Trumps most recent comments expressing his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. And that is that Trump got played for a long time by his counterpart over the war in Ukraine, Hume told Special Report anchor Bret Baier. Trump for months appeared to have fallen for Putins false assurances about ending Russias invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022, said Hume. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its clear, from what the president himself has said although he wouldnt put it this way that he got played by Putin, Hume claimed. And it dragged on for months, and he was being jollied along under the impression that Putin had obviously given him that Putin wanted to end the war and was prepared to negotiate from where we are. And its pretty clear now that Putin didnt want to end the war where we are, he added. He had more conquest in mind, and perhaps wanted his whole original purpose of taking Ukraine to be fulfilled. Earlier Monday, Trump said he was very unhappy with Putin for failing to bring the war to an end. He also threatened secondary tariffs on Russia if Putin doesnt agree to a ceasefire within 50 days and announced the sale of new military equipment to Ukraine. Watch Humes analysis here: Related... France and Equatorial Guinea will cross swords Tuesday at the top United Nations court, in a long-running dispute over a luxury Paris mansion confiscated by French authorities. The central African nation has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue emergency orders preventing France from selling the building, seized after Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, known as Teodorin, was convicted of corruption. French authorities seized the property, which boasts a cinema, a hammam, and marble and gold water taps, after convicting Obiang under a law targeting fortunes fraudulently amassed by foreign leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, France's top appeals court gave Obiang -- the eldest son of the long-standing president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo -- a three-year suspended sentence and 30 million euros ($35 million) in fines. France also confiscated assets, including the luxurious building near the Arc de Triomphe, which has an estimated value well above 100 million euros. In its latest complaint to the ICJ last week, Equatorial Guinea argued French police entered the property last month and changed the locks on several of the doors. Equatorial Guinea called on the court to order France to give it "immediate, complete and unhindered access" to the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for Equatorial Guinea will address judges at the Peace Palace in The Hague at around 10:00 am (0800 GMT), before France responds at around 4:00 pm. - 2016 dispute - The mansion was also at the centre of an earlier case filed by Equatorial Guinea in 2016 at the ICJ, which rules on disputes between UN member states. Equatorial Guinea argued the building served as the country's embassy in France and that Paris had broken the Vienna Convention, which safeguards diplomats from interference by host countries. But the UN court sided with France, which said the building was merely Teodorin Obiang's residence and served no diplomatic purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICJ upheld France's objections that Equatorial Guinea had only tried to designate it as such after the investigation into Obiang began, and that the country already had an embassy in Paris. A request for emergency orders -- provisional measures, in the court's jargon -- takes precedence over all other court business. The ICJ is currently wrestling with a busy caseload, including a high-profile case brought by South Africa against Israel, alleging its actions in Gaza have breached the UN Genocide Convention. The court will also deliver a key ruling on countries' climate change obligations next Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the ICJ is the highest United Nations court, whose rulings are binding, it has no way of enforcing its decisions. For example, it has ordered Russia to stop its invasion of Ukraine -- to no avail. ric/srg/sbk/sco BRUSSELS (Reuters) -A rescheduled United Nations conference this month will discuss post-war plans for Gaza and preparations for the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and others, France's foreign minister said on Tuesday. France and Saudi Arabia had planned to host the conference in New York from June 17-20, aiming to lay out the parameters of a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security. "The aim is to sketch out post-war Gaza and prepare the recognition of a Palestinian state by France and countries that will engage in this approach," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in Brussels before a meeting of European Union foreign ministers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which regional airspace was closed, making it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend. Diplomats said on Friday it had been rescheduled for July 28-29. French President Emmanuel Macron had been set to attend the conference and had suggested he could recognise a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territories at the conference, a move opposed by Israel. Macron is no longer expected to attend, reducing the likelihood of any major announcements being made. Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has been fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian militant group's deadly attack on Israel in October 2023. A U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire is being discussed at talks in Doha. (Reporting by John Irish, Editing by Timothy Heritage) Frances prime minister has proposed scrapping the countrys public holiday for VE Day as he tries to get a debt-strapped nation to live within its means. Francois Bayrou has proposed axing two of the countrys 11 bank holidays as part of a 44bn (38bn) package intended to tackle the countrys fiscal crisis. As a nation, we must work more, Mr Bayrou said. This change to our holiday calendar will bring in billions to the state budget, simply because businesses, shops, the civil service and the nation will be working and our production will be improved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paris has proposed scrapping Easter Monday and VE Day. Mr Bayrou said Easter Monday has no religious significance, while Victory in Europe Day falls in May, a month that has become a veritable Swiss cheese, where people jump from bridge to viaduct on vacation. The proposal is likely to run into stiff resistance in the French parliament, where MPs are almost certain to reflect French voters anger at losing their precious springtime days off. Francois Bayrou claims axing both holidays will bring billions into Frances state budget - Reuters Jordan Bardella, leader of the populist-right National Rally (RN) party, said on the social media platform X that his party opposed the provocative measure. The elimination of two public holidays, which are as meaningful as Easter Monday and May 8, is a direct attack on our history, our roots, and on working France, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Bayrous predecessor Michel Barnier lost the premiership last December after failing to win support for a less controversial austerity package. He had rejected the idea of cancelling any public holidays, even though a Senate report had suggested it would generate 2.4bn a year. If Mr Bayrou succeeds, France will still have more public holidays than England and Wales, which have eight. Scotland has nine and Northern Ireland has 10. On the continent, Germany has nine national holidays, Italy has 12 and Spain has eight national days and up to half a dozen regional or local holidays. Mr Bayrous announcement came the day after Frances most effervescent public holiday, the July 14 Bastille Day celebration of French nationhood and values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The premier said he was open to a public debate on which holidays should go. May 8 is observed across Europe, when the continent celebrates the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945, which ended the Second World War in the Western hemisphere. These are proposals. I am ready to accept or examine others. If other ideas arise, welcome, Mr Bayrou said during a speech to politicians and journalists that outlined his suite of tax increases and spending cuts. Further budget cuts As well as axing two public holidays, Mr Bayrou plans to freeze tax thresholds and welfare benefits, cut tax loopholes for high earners, rein back social and health spending, and freeze salaries and hiring in the French civil service. He said his plans would trim the budget deficit to 4.8pc of GDP next year, down from 5.8pc now. The government hopes to ultimately cut it to 2.8pc by 2029. Frances debt-to-GDP ratio is 113pc, prompting Mr Bayrou to liken Frances public finances to those of Greece and Spain during the eurozone crisis of the early 2010s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said France was in mortal danger and faced a moment of truth. Its the last stop before the cliff, before we are crushed by the debt, he said. Its late, but there is still time. Frances long-term government bond yields have this week touched highs seldom seen since the eurozone crisis, as investors questioned whether Mr Bayrou and Emmanuel Macron, the French president, can get the countrys finances back on track. Yields remained steady in Tuesday afternoon trading. The fiscally hawkish Mr Bayrou does not command a majority in parliament, and only rammed the 2025 budget through the National Assembly in February using special constitutional powers. The centrist PM has already survived eight no-confidence motions since taking office last December, often with the backing of either the relatively mainstream Socialist Party or Mr Bardellas RN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Rally has signalled its opposition not only to the bank holiday measure but to Mr Bayrous broader austerity drive, suggesting the insurgent populist party might seek yet another no-confidence vote. French politics has been in a state of near-paralysis since Mr Macron called a snap National Assembly election last July that resulted in a hung parliament. The constitution forbids the president from triggering a second election within 12 months. With that period now elapsed, there has been speculation in recent weeks that he might dissolve parliament again. Mr Macron on Sunday said parliaments opposition to his premiers budgets was hurting France economically, and holding up critical spending in areas like defence. He said defence spending, which totalled 50.5bn this year, should rise by 3.5bn next year and another 3bn in 2027. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. France named Russia the "most direct" threat to the country's interests and the stability of the European continent in its new National Strategic Review, published on July 14. "Furthermore, Russia is using all means at its disposal to undermine support for Ukraine and challenge the international order for its own benefit," the document read, pointing to Moscow's subversive activities across the European continent. The review, commissioned by French President Emmanuel Macron to evaluate Paris's strategic goals and challenges until 2030, said support for Ukraine against Russian aggression "has remained the immediate strategic priority for almost all Europeans." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO leaders have raised alarms about a possible open conflict between the alliance and Moscow in the coming years. The head of the French army, General Thierry Burkhard, said on July 11 that Russia sees France, one of the key military supporters of Kyiv, as its "main enemy in Europe." "In the years to come, and by 2030, the main threat to France and Europeans is the risk of open warfare against the heart of Europe," the National Strategic Review reads. The document said Moscow has stepped up cyberattacks, sabotage, and espionage activities against France and its allies while employing "the full spectrum of its conventional capabilities" against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement France further warned that Russia seeks to discourage Ukraine's allies from increasing their military support while strengthening its own partnerships with China, Iran, and North Korea. "Finally, Moscow is continuing its rearmament with the aim of increasing its army by 300,000 soldiers, 3,000 tanks, and 300 combat aircraft by 2030. Its military spending accounts for nearly 40% of its budget," the document read. Reflecting on the election of U.S. President Donald Trump, the document acknowledged that Washington is pursuing a "less predictable foreign policy," with major consequences for NATO and the Russia-Ukraine war. While initially critical of NATO and reluctant to greenlight new military aid for Ukraine, Trump seems to be shifting tone in recent days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the White House, Trump rescinded his earlier statement that the alliance is obsolete, praising a recent decision at The Hague summit to increase the defense spending benchmark to 5%. The two leaders also outlined a plan for NATO to purchase high-grade U.S. weapons, including Patriot air defenses, for Ukraine, helping the country resist Russian aggression and intensifying aerial strikes. Read also: Patriot missiles what they are and why everyone wants them Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The conference was intended to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip after the Israel-Hamas War concludes, and to prepare for the gradual recognition of a Palestinian state. French President Emmanuel Macron is no longer expected to attend the upcoming UN conference on the recognition of a Palestinian state, sources said on Tuesday. Macron encountered strong opposition from Britain and Canada, who warned that a unilateral French recognition of a Palestinian state could undermine international coordination efforts with Israel and exacerbate divisions, according to diplomatic sources familiar with the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frances president, who had intended to lead the conference along withSaudi Arabia, had reportedly considered announcing Frances official recognition of a Palestinian state, a claim that Paris has firmly denied. The conference was initially scheduled to take place in New York from June 17 to June 20. In it, discussions were expected to be held regarding the future of the Gaza Strip after the Israel-Hamas War concludes, and it was meant to prepare for the gradual recognition of a Palestinian statehood. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 2, 2024. (credit: SAUDI PRESS AGENCY/REUTERS) However, the summit was delayed due to the Israel-Iran war. The US also applied behind-the-scenes pressure, which led to the postponement of the original conference date, sources told Walla. A new date for the conference was set for July 28. Paris politicians aim to lower expectations Pariss leading politicians are working to lower expectations with officials, clarifying that France is not abandoning the two-state solution idea, but that it does not intend to act unilaterally without broad international consensus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frances Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, mentioned this week that the goal is to outline post-war Gaza and prepare for Frances and other countries recognition of a Palestinian state. Amichai Stein contributed to this report. Oakmark Funds, advised by Harris Associates, released its Oakmark Equity and Income Fund Q2 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The equity portfolio returned 4.67% in the second quarter compared to 10.94% for the S&P 500 Index. An underweight in technology stocks and an overweight in value and mid-cap stocks led to the underperformance of the fund. The fixed income portfolio returned 1.97% compared to 1.21% for the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. In addition, you can check the funds top 5 holdings to determine its best picks for 2025. In its second quarter 2025 investor letter, Oakmark Equity and Income Fund highlighted stocks such as Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF). Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) is a financial services holding company for Capital One, National Association that offers various financial products and services. The one-month return of Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) was 13.88%, and its shares gained 47.66% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On July 14, 2025, Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) stock closed at $220.84 per share with a market capitalization of $141.257 billion. Oakmark Equity and Income Fund stated the following regarding Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter: "Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) was the top contributor during the quarter. The U.S.-headquartered consumer finance companys stock price rose as it completed its acquisition of Discover Financial in May and reported solid first-quarter 2025 earnings headlined by broadly improving credit metrics. Management has identified over $2 billion of expense and revenue synergies from the merger, which it expects to realize over the next 24 months. We continue to view Capital One as a disciplined, tech-forward and well-capitalized company and look forward to seeing how the Discover acquisition adds value." Capital One Financial Corporation (COF)'s Discover Acquisition Might Have Been Challenged By Biden Admin, Says Jim Cramer A smiling face of a customer as they make a deposit at this company's branch. Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 93 hedge fund portfolios held Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) at the end of the first quarter, which was 89 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of COF as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. If you ask the average American to conjure up the name of the most famous architect they know, there's one name most likely to land on their lips: Frank Lloyd Wright. Hailing from the Midwest, Wright is known for reinventing middle-class homes with a more organic look and function in the early 20th century, creating architectural wonders spanning the country that embody their environment in fantastical ways. While his career began in the 1890s, his name rose to fame around the turn of the century when he developed "Prairie-Style" architecture: artistic homes for upper-middle class families characterized by their simplicity and incorporation of their natural grounds, from using the slope of the ground to the direction at which the sun sets. Prairie-style architecture is otherwise known for horizontal lines, low-pitched roofs, large windows and open floor plans. Frank Lloyd Wright in 1957. By the 1930s, Wright's signature style evolved into what he called "Usonian architecture" homes that were even more affordable and efficient for the middle-class man, using simpler materials and getting rid of any features that he deemed unnecessary and adding new cost-cutting measures, like underfloor heating to replace heat ducts, which allows for thinner walls and less material, ultimately saving money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within his six-decade career, Wright designed more than 1,000 architectural works, more than 500 of which were realized, including more than 30 in Michigan. While some of those homes have been demolished and others were purchased by private owners, here're several Wright-designed homes that you can catch a close look at in Michigan. Meyer May House, Grand Rapids, 1908 The exterior of the Meyer May house in Grand Rapids. The home was designed for Meyer May, a Grand Rapids clothier, and his wife Sophie by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Meyer S. May House at 450 Madison Ave. SE in Grand Rapids is one of the more elegant examples of Wright's Prairie School style homes. The Meyer May House offers free tours on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, although reservations must be made in significantly ahead of time because tours tend to book up more than a month in advance. Tour reservations can be made here. Amberg House, Grand Rapids, 1911 The Amberg House at 505 College Ave SE in Grand Rapids, built for David M. Amberg, is a more casual version of Wright's Prairie School architecture. The house is a private residence so it does not offer tours, although it can be rented for starting at around $250 a night on Airbnb. Related: YouTube star stays at Frank Lloyd Wright house in Michigan for 50 states challenge Goetsch-Winckler House, Okemos, 1939 Goetsch-Winckler House by Nate Meyer. The Goetsch-Winckler House at 2410 Hulett Rd. in Okemos, outside of East Lansing, was one of Wright's first usages of his Usonian architecture styles in Michigan. The Goetsch-Winckler House is a private residence, but the young owners that bought the home in 2023 are happy to give free tours of the home on Sundays and other special occasions to groups who reach out and direct message them on Instagram. Affleck House, Bloomfield Hills, 1940 The Affleck House at 925 Bloomfield Woods in Bloomfield Hills, built for Gregor S. and Elizabeth B. Affleck, is another sleek example of Wright's Usonian homes. Now owned by Lawrence Technological University's College of Architecture and Design, the university offers public tours of the Affleck House during the summer for $40 a person. A few tickets remain for the 2025 season. Smith House, Bloomfield Township, 1946 Smith House by James Haefner, courtesy Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Smith House at 5045 Ponvalley Rd. in Bloomfield Township was another home built in Usonian style for Sara Stein Smith and Melvyn Maxwell, two educators with modest salaries. Now owned by the Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research, Cranbrook offers public weekend tours of the house May through November for $35 for adults and $20 for full-time students with ID, as well as private tours. Reservations can be made online here. Palmer House, Ann Arbor, 1950 Palmer House by James Haefner. The William and Mary Palmer House at 227 Orchard Hills Dr. in Ann Arbor is an intriguing example of an Usonian home because of all its funky-shaped features: an equilateral triangle layout, hexagonal beds, polygonal cutouts in the exterior walls and more. The Palmer House is privately owned but listed on Airbnb and VRBO averaging $848 a night. Curtis Meyer House, Galesburg, 1950 You don't have to be able to afford to buy a famous architect's creation to experience it this summer. In Galesburg, you can book a stay at Frank Lloyd Wright's Meyer House. One of four Frank Lloyd Wright homes built in the "Galesburg Country Homes" neighborhood, the Curtis and Lillian Meyer House at 11108 Hawthorne Dr. in Galesburg, outside of Kalamazoo, is known for its unique and rare solar hemicycle design. The Curtis Meyer House is privately owned but can be rented on Airbnb starting at $650 a night. Turkel House, Detroit, 1955 Turkel House exterior by James Haefner. The Dorothy H. Turkel House at 2760 West 7 Mile Road in Detroit's Palmer Woods neighborhood is one of seven Usonian automatic homes that Wright designed and it's the only Wright-designed home in Detroit. The Turkel House is a private residence, not open to the general public, however, members of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy are welcome to schedule a visit in advance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow the Detroit Free Press on Instagram (@detroitfreepress), TikTok (@detroitfreepress), YouTube (@DetroitFreePress), Twitter/X (@freep), and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook (@detroitfreepress). Stay connected and stay informed. Become a subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Michigan: How to see 8 of them YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A local health and wellness fair aims to educate people on the many resources available in the community that they may not be aware of. Read next: Get ready for bocce, bands and the Baby Doll Dance Meridian HealthCares Health and Wellness Fair is happening on Wednesday, July 16, at the Judge Joseph Donofrio Center in Youngstown. The family-friendly event is designed to support the health and well-being of the Mahoning Valley community and is free to the public. Attendees will have access to a wide range of free health screenings, wellness resources and expert advice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We decided to do this to better serve the community and all these individuals that live in the surrounding area. Were partnering with a lot of great agencies throughout the community to help support this fair, said Meridian Healthcare site director Tarah Lattanzio. Were really hoping to promote all of the services, the resources that are available to this great community. Depending on the weather, the fair will either be under tents in the parking lot or inside if it is raining. There will be staff to guide attendees and several agencies offering a variety of services and information. Agencies like Catholic Charities, Direction Home, Help Network. Meridian has a lot of tables that are set up to help with financial education, mental health awareness, said Lattanzio. We have wellness screenings that were doing. Prevention for the kids. Theres going to be food as well as a lot of music. Organizers wanted to put on the event, not just to educate the community about available services through many agencies in the Valley, but also what Meridian Healthcare offers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are an integrated health care facility. This site here does a lot from an inpatient primary care perspective, but we have multiple sites throughout the community where we provide a lot of primary care, chiropractic, and acupuncture therapy. We do womens health, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, prevention and gambling education, said Lattanzio. And we also have over 180 beds of permanent supportive housing throughout the community to help anyone thats in need of housing as well. Overall, the staff is aiming to educate and inform the community about overall wellness. Learning all about wellness and learning about all of the resources that are in the community, said Lattanzio. Also, just bringing awareness to everyone, not only what we do here to better serve the community, but what all of these other agencies do to better serve the community. Meridian Healthcares Health and Wellness Fair is happening on Wednesday, July 16, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Judge Joseph Donofrio Center located at 550 W. Chalmers Avenue in Youngstown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information about the free health fair and Meridian Healthcares five locations in the Valley, call 330-797-0070. You can also learn more at MeridianHealthCare.net or on Facebook. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jul. 15The spud scene is apparently set to grow in Lawrenceville. Mr. Fries is a soon-to-open eatery specializing in French fries ala Belgian style, located at 4213 Butler Street. Last month, a contractor told a Triblive reporter that Mr. Fries is expected to open "within weeks" but an opening date is not available. According to Allegheny Health Department spokesperson Ronnie Das, Mohammaed Azmerli is listed as the contact for Mr. Fries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Azmerli did not return multiple requests for comment and no social media/Internet presence on Mr. Fries has been found. But a visit to the storefront last week found ongoing renovations and storefront signage that include plenty of colorful bags of faux potatoes amid a large, oversized yellow fry cup adorned with a whimsical black mustache. A large windowfront poster depicting Belgian fries reads "Opening Soon Belgian Fries" and says the fries will be freshly made and quickly served. Belgian fries (or frites) are cut thicker and are fried twice in animal fat and served with a mayonnaise-based sauce. Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com France's Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has proposed cutting two public holidays as part of a 2026 budget proposal to slash overall spending while also increasing defence expenses. Bayrou suggested axing Easter Monday and 8 May, a day that commemorates the Allied victory at the end of World War Two in Europe. He said the various bank holidays had turned the month of May into a gruyere - a Swiss cheese full of holes - although he added he was open to other suggestions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bayrou runs the risk of having his budget voted down in parliament in the autumn, which could eventually cause his government to collapse. But on Tuesday he stressed that France - the eurozone's second economy - was "in mortal danger" of being crushed by debt. Standing in front of a lectern emblazoned with the words "The moment of truth", Bayrou spoke for over an hour outlining a series of daring measures that he said should bring the annual budget deficit under control. These include a freeze on public spending for next year, ending tax breaks for the wealthy and a reduction in the number of civil servants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget also needs to factor in President Emmanuel Macron's call for France's defence spending to rise by 3.5bn (3bn) next year and then by a further 3bn in 2027. But the proposal to cut the two May public holidays was the most eye-catching suggestion. Bayrou said Easter Monday had "no religious significance", and the whole nation had to work and produce more. His idea made headlines immediately - and drew condemnation from several sides. The far-right National Rally (RN) party damned it as an attack on French history and on French workers, while Green party leader Marine Tondelier lamented that the day that commemorated victory against Nazism would no longer be a holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pressed by reporters after his speech, Bayrou said his proposal was "basic arithmetic". "If we want to stay on course, we need to find more than 40bn," Bayrou argued, referring to the 43.8bn France needs to slash from its budget to rein in debt, which he said grows by 5,000 every second. The French government aims to bring the deficit down from 5.8% last year to below 4.6% next year and to under 3% by 2029, Bayrou said. The embattled centrist prime minister has only been in the job since December, following on from the short-lived premiership of Michel Barnier. Barnier's government used executive powers to push his own bill that sought to rein in France's deficit through an even harsher budget than Bayrou's. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move proved unacceptable to the National Rally and left-wing parties, which all voted against Barnier, causing the government to collapse through a no-confidence vote for the first time since 1962. The same factions are now threatening to do it again when Bayrou's budget is put to a vote in the autumn. Jean-Luc Melenchon of the radical left France Unbowed (LFI) said that the PM had to be ousted, while RN leader Marine Le Pen accused Bayrou of preferring to "attack the French, workers and pensioners, instead of slashing wastage", and vowed to bring him down "if he doesn't revise his plans". But Bayrou said his government "wanted to change things" to restore public finances and would do so "despite the risk" of a no-confidence vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since last summer's surprise snap election the French parliament has been deeply divided into three blocs that have resisted working together. Another election may well result in a similar deadlock. If Bayrou's government collapses President Macron will have to choose a successor or appoint an unelected technocrat government - neither of which would be palatable to MPs. His own popularity is under 25% and there has been a clamour for him to step down sooner than the end of his second term in 2027 - something he has consistently resisted. In order to reduce France's record national debt, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou presented a plan to cancel two public holidays, reduce the number of civil servants and merge public authorities. In addition, public spending, including pension payments and social benefits, should be frozen next year at this year's level, Bayrou outlined in Paris on Tuesday. Only the defence budget is to be increased by billions. Bayrou has named Easter Monday and May 8, which commemorates the end of the Second World War and the victory of the Allies over Nazi Germany, as public holidays that could be sacrificed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The health care system should also become more cost-effective, and action is to be taken against unauthorized sick leave by employees. All these measures together should enable savings of 43.8 billion ($51.1 billion) for the 2026 budget, Bayrou said. France must slow down the growth of its public debt burden and increase its productivity, otherwise there is a risk of a sovereign debt crisis like in Greece, he warned as he presented his outline for the 2026 budget. Public debt has risen to 114% of GDP, noted the prime minister. This makes France one of the worst performers in the eurozone. The budget deficit is to be reduced from an expected 5.4% in the current year to 4.6% in 2026 and then in stages to 2.8% by 2029, bringing it back below the European limit of 3%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bayrou said that his centre-right government was taking a big risk with the austerity measures presented, as it did not have its own majority and was at the mercy of the opposition. However, he said the government must try to free the country from the predicament of debt. In view of the unclear balance of power in parliament, it is considered likely that the government could fall later this year in a dispute over the budget. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Cluckin Chicken, a new fast food restaurant serving fried chicken, is now open in North Baton Rouge. The menu includes wings, combo meals, shrimp fried rice, fried boudin, egg rolls, and Southern classics like gizzards, meat pies, and pork chops. The restaurant is celebrating its opening with a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. Tuesday. The community is invited to attend by Councilman Darryl Hurst. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cluckin Chicken is located at 4762 Plank Road. Can your favorite Louisiana restaurant pass a health inspection? How to check online Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. Since 2019, the 191 countries that are party to an international agreement called the Basel Convention have agreed to classify mixed plastic trash as hazardous waste. This designation essentially bans the export of unsorted plastic waste from rich countries to poor countries and requires it to be disclosed in shipments between poor countries. But the rule has a big loophole. Every year, an unknown but potentially large amount of plastic waste continues to be traded in the form of refuse-derived fuel, or RDF, ground-up packaging and industrial plastic waste that gets mixed with scrap wood and paper in order to be burned for energy. Environmental groups say these exports perpetuate waste colonialism and jeopardize public health, since burning plastic emits hazardous pollutants and greenhouse gases that warm the planet. Many advocates would like to see the RDF loophole closed as a first step toward discouraging the development of new RDF facilities worldwide. They were disappointed that, at this springs biannual meeting of the Basel Convention the 1989 treaty that regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous waste RDF went largely unaddressed. Its just frustrating to witness all these crazy, profit-protecting negotiators, said Yuyun Ismawati, co-founder of the Indonesian anti-pollution nonprofit Nexus3. If we are going to deal with plastic waste through RDF, then everybody must be willing to learn more about whats in it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RDF is a catch-all term for several different products, sometimes made with special equipment at material recovery facilities the centers that, in the U.S., receive and sort mixed household waste for further processing. ASTM International, an American standard-setting organization, lists several types of RDF depending on what its made of and what its formed into coarse particles no larger than a fingernail, for example, or larger briquettes. Some RDF is made by shredding waste into a loose fluff. Although RDF contains roughly 50 percent paper, cardboard, wood, and other plant material, the rest is plastic, including human-made textiles and synthetic rubber. Its this plastic content that makes RDF so combustible after all, plastics are just reconstituted fossil fuels. According to technical guidelines from the Basel Convention secretariat, RDF contains about two-thirds the energy of coal by weight. One of the main users of RDF is the cement industry, which can burn it alongside traditional fossil fuels to power its energy-intensive kilns. Alvaro Lorenz, global sustainability director for the multinational cement company Votorantim Cimentos, said RDF has gained popularity as cities, states and provinces, and countries struggle to deal with the 353 million metric tons of plastic waste produced each year 91 percent of which is never recycled. Some of these jurisdictions have implemented policies discouraging trash from being sent to landfills. Instead, it gets sent to cement kilns like his. Governments are promoting actions to reduce the amount of materials being sent to landfills, and we are one solution, he said. A large pile of plastic trash to the left, with people below it at bottom right sorting through it. Lorenz said RDF makes his company more sustainable by contributing to a circular economy. In theory, using RDF instead of coal or natural gas reduces emissions and advances companies environmental targets. According to David Araujo, North America engineered fuels program manager for the waste management and utility company Veolia, RDF produced by his companys factory in Louisiana, Missouri, allows cement company clients in the Midwest to avoid 1.06 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions with every ton of RDF burned. The ash produced from burning RDF can also be used as a raw material in cement production, he added, displacing virgin material use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RDF is also attractive because it is less price-volatile than the fossil fuels that cement production would otherwise depend on. In one analysis of Indonesian RDF production from last year, researchers found that each metric ton of RDF can save cement kiln operators about $77 in fuel and electricity costs. Lorenz said that the high temperatures inside cement kilns completely burn 100 percent of any hazardous chemicals that may be contained in RDFs plastic fraction. But this is contested by environmental advocates who worry about insufficiently regulated toxic air emissions similar to those produced by traditional waste incinerators especially in poor countries with less robust environmental regulations and enforcement capacity. Dioxins, for example, are released by both cement kilns and other waste incinerators, and are linked to immune and nervous system impairment. Burning plastic can also release heavy metals that are associated with respiratory and neurological disorders. A 2019 systematic review of the health impacts of waste incineration found that people living and working near waste incinerators had higher levels of dioxins, lead, and arsenic in their bodies, and that they often had a higher risk of some types of cancer such as non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Before they convert it into fuel, the chemicals are still locked inside the [plastic] packaging, said Ismawati. But once you burn it, you spray out everything. She said some of her friends living near an RDF facility in Indonesia have gotten cancer, and at least one has died from it. Lorenz and Araujo both said their companies are subject to, and comply with, applicable environmental regulations in the countries where they operate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee Bell, a science and policy adviser for the International Pollutants Elimination Network a network of environmental and public health experts and nonprofits also criticized the idea that burning RDF causes fewer greenhouse gas emissions than burning traditional fossil fuels. He said this notion fails to consider the petrochemical origin of plastic waste: Plastics cause greenhouse gas emissions at every stage of their life cycle, and, as a strategy for dealing with plastic waste, research suggests that incineration releases more climate pollution than other waste management strategies. In a landfill, where plastic lasts hundreds of years with little degradation, the nonprofit Center for International Environmental Law has estimated greenhouse gas emissions at about 132 pounds per metric ton. That rises to about 1,980 pounds of emissions per metric ton when plastic is incinerated. Bell said hes concerned about the apparent growth of the RDF industry worldwide, though there is little reliable data about how much of the stuff is produced and traded between countries each year. Part of the problem is the harmonized system of export codes administrated by the World Customs Organization, which represents more than 170 customs bodies around the world. The organization doesnt have a specific code for RDF and instead lumps it with any of several other categories household waste, for example when its traded internationally. Only the U.K. seems to provide transparent reporting of its RDF exports. In the first three months of 2025 it reported sending about 440,000 metric tons abroad, most of which was received by Scandinavian countries. Nearly all of the worlds largest cement companies already use RDF in at least some of their facilities. According to one market research firm, the market for RDF was worth about $5 billion in 2023, and its expected to grow to $10.2 billion by 2032. Other firms have forecast a bright outlook for the RDF industry in the Middle East and Africa, and one analysis from last year said that Asia is realizing tremendous potential as a growth market for RDF as governments seek new ways to manage their waste. Within the past year, new plans to use RDF in cement kilns have been announced in Peshawar, Pakistan; Hoa Binh, Vietnam; Adana, Turkey; and across Nigeria, just to name a few places. Cement factory towers with an orange boat in the water in the foreground. Araujo, with Veolia, said his companys RDF program has grown exponentially over the past several years, and we recently invested millions of dollars to upgrade equipment to keep pace with demand. A separate spokesperson said Veolia does not send RDF across international borders, and a spokesperson for Votorantim Cimentos said the company always sources RDF locally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dorothy Otieno, a program officer at the Nairobi-based Centre for Environment Justice and Development, said investment in RDF infrastructure could create a perverse incentive for the world to create more plastic and for developing countries to import it just to ensure that facility operators earn a return on their investment. Will this create an avenue for the importation of RDFs and other fossil fuel-based plastics? she asked. These are the kinds of questions that we are going to need to ask ourselves. At this years Basel Convention conference in May and June, the International Pollutants Elimination Network called for negotiators to put RDF into the same regulatory bucket as other forms of mixed plastic potentially by classifying it as hazardous waste. Doing so would prohibit rich countries from exporting RDF to poor ones, and make its trade between developing countries contingent on the receiving country giving prior informed consent. Negotiators fell short of that vision. Instead, they requested that stakeholders such as RDF companies and environmental groups submit plastic waste-related comments to the secretariat of the Basel Convention, for discussion at a working group meeting next year. Bell described this as kicking the cans down the road. This is disappointing, he added. We appear to be on the brink of an explosion in the trade of RDF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next Basel Convention meeting isnt until 2027. But in the meantime, countries are free to create their own legislation restricting the export of RDF. Australia did this in 2022 when, following pressure from environmental groups, it amended its rules for plastic waste exports. The country now requires companies to obtain a hazardous waste permit in order to send a type of RDF called process engineered fuel abroad. Although RDF exports to rich countries like Japan continue, the new requirements effectively ended the legal export of RDF from Australia to poorer countries in Southeast Asia. Ultimately, Ismawati said countries need to focus on reducing plastic production to levels that can be managed domestically without any type of incineration. Every country needs to treat waste in their own country, Ismawati said. Do not export it under the label of a circular economy. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline This fuel is 50% plastic and its slipping through a loophole in international waste law on Jul 15, 2025. Full of life: Rock Hill rescue helps nurse kitten thrown from truck back to health According to FBI crime data, South Carolina is ranked 14th in the country for incidents of animal abuse. Many of those animals end up receiving treatment in rescue groups which take on the financial burden for their care. One rescue in Rock Hill is working to protect these animals and told Channel 9s Eli Brand these vital resources are in crisis. ALSO READ >> Gov. Stein vetoes squatter eviction bill over unrelated pet store provision Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rachael Dowd says she is an animal lover, especially when it comes to cats. Shes fostered and cared for kittens before, but she recently took in a kitten with a more remarkable story than the rest. Dowd met Smokey on the shoulder of Interstate 77 near the North-South Carolina state line. She said she saw something being thrown from a truck in front of her. Dowd assumed it was garbage at first, but something made her stop. It was Smokey, and she was bleeding, with a broken jaw. I cant even begin to wrap my mind around why somebody could do that, she said. Dowd said when she found her, she was only two weeks old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All she knew was fear and pain, Dowd said. I wanted to make sure she never felt that again. After taking in the kitten, the extensive medical treatments drained Dowds bank account. Eventually, she reached out to Spooky Whiskers Feral Cat Rescue in Rock Hill for help. The founder, Crystal Wedra, and her partner with the rescue, Kaitlyn Zarick, are now tending to Smokeys every need. The rescue pays for medication, food, and emergency visits for dozens of kittens in their care. They say all of those cats have unique stories, and Smokeys history isnt all that unusual. Smokey was the fourth cat that we had seen in two months, specifically thrown out on a highway, Wedra said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said shes also taken in cats used as bait in dog fights, shot, and even drowned. Unfortunately, none of that comes cheap. She says Spooky Whiskers spent nearly $20,000 on medical procedures between February and June of this year. Thousands more also has to be spent on food. Wedra is a full-time firefighter and makes just under $19 an hour. She says she also spends all of her free time tending to the cats. Spooky Whiskers isnt the only rescue facing similar issues. Wedra says the financial burden and hours cause most rescues to close within a year at a time when animal overpopulation is a crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes at a very big cost, Wedra said. Theyre not able to fix their own homes, their cars, theyre having trouble getting things for their kids or putting food on the table. Wedra says all rescues need help, now more than ever, so cats, like Smokey, can get the second chance at life that they need. Look at her now, Wedra said. Thats what every kitten deserves. Dowd said the progress Smokey has made is astounding. The fact that she can close her mouth and eat on her own is huge, she said. Her face is just so much more full of life, and her eyes especially. Wedra says the best thing you can do to help is find local rescues and donate money, time, or food and other necessities. For ways to help Spooky Whiskers Feral Cat Rescue with their efforts, visit their Linktree >>> VIDEO: Woman seeks justice after dog attack in Monroe neighborhood What must rank among the worst security breaches in history has cost the taxpayer billions of pounds while risking the lives of thousands of Afghans who fought alongside the Armed Forces during the UKs military commitment to the country. The leak of the personal details of soldiers and other Afghans who helped Britain during a deployment lasting almost two decades has been known about for several years but kept under wraps by an unprecedented court superinjunction. It was lifted at noon on Tuesday and was followed up with a statement in the Commons by John Healey, the Defence Secretary, that left MPs incredulous. How could this possibly happen? It almost beggars belief, except that when it comes to keeping data under lock and key the British state has proved to be singularly incompetent over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spectacular breach in 2007 involved the loss in the post of two CDs containing details of 25 million child benefit claimants. HMRCs handling of data was described as woefully inadequate by an official inquiry and staff were described as muddling through. The 2013 Snowden leaks detailed GCHQs secret surveillance methods used against millions of internet users. Despite promises to introduce fail-safe protocols, these data breaches continue though none have been on this scale. This saga began in Feb 2022, when an unnamed defence official sent an unauthorised email to a group of Afghans and accidentally included a spreadsheet containing the identities of 18,700 asylum applicants who had worked with the British Army. This error only came to light 18 months later when an anonymous Facebook user posted extracts of the data relating to nine individuals. They were deleted within three days after Whitehall officials contacted Meta, Facebooks owner. The database also included the details of British government officials, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There already was a resettlement scheme for selected applicants called Arap Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy. But as a result of the leak the Government decided to offer asylum to those deemed to be at risk of reprisal attacks from the Taliban. A new secret, unified resettlement programme was established which so far has allowed in 900 more applicants and their families with a similar number still in the pipeline. The cost will be around 800 million. But what is not clear is how many on the list were also accepted under ARAP and other schemes. Mr Healey said that to date 36,000 Afghans have been accepted for asylum at an expected cost of around 6 billion. He has now closed all schemes to new applicants, saving 1.5 billion, but will honour hundreds of invitations still being processed. Many accept that the country owed an obligation to all Afghans who fought alongside or assisted the Armed Forces once the decision was taken to withdraw in 2021. But the costs of this have grown without any proper scrutiny either in parliament or the media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has all been kept under wraps because the High Court in 2023 granted a super-injunction against newspapers and media organisations, including The Telegraph, which meant its very existence could not be reported and no inquiries made. This was based on a judgment that the Afghans on the list were at risk. But an internal review concluded there was little evidence of Taliban retribution against former soldiers and that they already had the information to target anyone they wanted. The review said that being on the spreadsheet was not necessarily perilous but could not be ruled out. Indeed, a number of former Afghan special forces personnel have been murdered by the Taliban since it regained power in Afghanistan in 2021. There are occasions where such super-injunctions may be deemed necessary; but in this instance it has meant even the Chancellor of the Exchequer and members of the Cabinet were kept in the dark. How can such great amounts of money be spent without recourse to parliament or without obviously appearing on the Treasury or Home Office books? The secrecy also meant even the Afghanis whose lives could be in danger were unaware of the risk because the Government feared that by telling them, this would increase the risk of the Taliban finding out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Government was also fearful that thousands more not accepted for asylum would use the likely scandal as a reason to come to the UK. Court documents show that Whitehall officials suspected the breach might bring nearly 43,000 people to the UK. Officials said that a further 17,000 Afghans deemed eligible to come to Britain under a separate relocation scheme were found to have been affected by the breach. Of these, 14,000 are already in the country or are in transit, and 3,000 more are yet to travel. Moreover, there are people who should have qualified who have fled to neighbouring countries and are at risk of deportation. Mr Healey said it was four years since the Taliban returned to the government of Afghanistan and the passage of time meant the threat had subsided. But for many who worked to help Britain and remain in Afghanistan it will never go away. There are still many unanswered questions about this affair. Transparency, which has been woefully lacking as a result of the super-injunction, is now essential. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Editors note: This is the first story in a four-part series diving into the facts behind one fundamentalist Mormon groups presence, and aftermath of another, the southern Black Hills of South Dakota. KELOLAND News Digital Reporter Jacob Newton has sifted through property records, court records and interviewed multiple sources about the group known as the Order. This series explores the history and secrecy of the compound and the lasting impressions that linger today. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A compound in rural Custer County, about nine miles southwest of the small town of Pringle, blends into the landscape just like other properties in the southern Black Hills. But behind the natural beauty of the Black Hills, a compound near the small town of just over 100 people has become better known as the location for stories like this one. Stories about polygamy; about faulty recordkeeping; about allegations of abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 23-year-old drowns at Hippie Hole Rather than being known for W.H. Pringle the cattleman for whom the town had been named it became associated with another surname: Jeffs. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) is gone from the state in any organized capacity. Now, only a fractured group with remnants in different parts of the country remains after being led for many years by its prophet Warren Jeffs. Jeffs is now serving a life sentence in a Texas prison for sexual assault on a child. Now that the Jeffs no longer own and operate the Custer County compound, an investigation by KELOLAND News Digital Reporter Jacob Newton has uncovered evidence of ties between SDR Training Center and an entirely different fundamentalist Mormon group, separate from the legacy of the FLDS and Jeffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This group is known as the Order aka the Kingston Order, the Kingston Group, the Davis County Cooperative Society (DCCS) or the Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ (LDCJC), and while they are not affiliated with the FLDS, their story may sound familiar. The Order is a fundamentalist Mormon group which has engaged in polygamy, incest, child abuse, child labor violations and fraud, according to the Associated Press. The Order appears to be present in South Dakota, with activity being noted at the compound in 2023 and 2024. It is not currently known why the Order purchased the compound in the Hills. Buildings at the property have recently been posted as available for rent on Airbnb. In 2025, a child care program a family day care with capacity for 12 children was registered with the South Dakota Department of Social Services at the address of the former FLDS compound. Screenshot of the DSS page for the child care program registered at the former compound. KELOLAND News contacted the number listed on the program profile, and was told that all child care slots are currently full. Jeffs family history in South Dakota Two of Warren Jeffs brothers, Lyle and Seth Jeffs, had more direct ties to South Dakota, as they were captured by authorities here on fraud charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KELOLAND News first reported on the compound back in 2006, sending a crew to the area, who was unable to approach the compound. Concern from locals in the area centered around the construction noise produced by the group and the secrecy with which they operated. In 2015, still more questions were raised when members of the group requested and received a state permit to increase water usage on the site. In 2017, Lyle Jeffs, wanted for charges of defrauding the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), was arrested by the FBI in Yankton. He was sentenced to prison in 2017 and released in 2021. Seth Jeffs was also arrested in connection with SNAP fraud. At the time of his arrest, he was traveling on the highway near the compound in a vehicle with several women. At that time, he was the active leader of the compound. A judges ruling in 2018 further explained the matter, confirming that children had indeed been born on the compound, despite an absolute lack of birth certificates being issued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tim Goodwin, a longtime South Dakota lawmaker and current Republican Rep. from Rapid City, spoke to KELOLAND News about his concerns about the group over the years. I used to get letters from Warren Jeffs, Goodwin told KELOLAND News in 2022. From the penitentiary in Texas. You didnt even want to read them because it was signed by Jesus Christ. He was telling me that he was a prophet of God it was so much blasphemy that you thought you were going to go to hell just reading it. Goodwin also had dark suspicions about the compound itself, sharing what he said was told to him by Roy Jeffs, a son of Warren who had left the group as an adult. The FLDS presence at the compound ended when it defaulted on its $1.6 million loan, which KELOLAND reported on in January of 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The property was foreclosed on, and in 2021 it was sold to three men Andrew Chatwin, Patrick Pipkin and Claude Seth Cooke represented as Blue Mountain Ranch LLC, at a sheriffs auction for $750,000. Chatwin, Pipkin and Cooke, won a $2 million judgment against the FLDS. In 2021, Pipkin told the Rapid City Journal that he had left the FLDS 15-years prior. After purchasing the compound in 2021, they listed the property in 2022, asking $6.9 million for the 77 bedroom, 74 bathroom property. The property was under contract for a sale in May of 2023. The property had been sold as of a few weeks later to a group called SDR Training Center. SDR Training Center was listed at the time as a nonprofit church with the South Dakota Secretary of State. In May of 2023, KELOLAND News learned the property was under contract. A few weeks later, we found that it had been sold, securing paperwork outlining the sale of the property to a group called SDR Training Center, listed as a nonprofit church in business records with the state. What is the Order? What exactly is this group? A cult? A business? A church? Former members KELOLAND spoke to have described it as each of these things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are all variations of things that those who KELOLAND News has interviewed in the course of this investigation has called the Order. These sources include former members of the group, a former investigator with the state of Utah and an academic with a focus on fundamentalist groups. Cristina Rosetti, an assistant professor of humanities at Utah Tech, has a PhD in religious studies and has done extensive research into the lived experience and history of Mormon fundamentalism in the Intermountain West region of the United States. [The Order] is part of the wider Mormon fundamentalist movement, Rosetti told KELOLAND News. When people imagine Mormon fundamentalism, they often imagine the FLDS, but fundamentalism is an umbrella term for any group or independent family that continues to practice the principle of plural marriage. There are hundreds of Mormon fundamentalist religions in the U.S., according to Rosetti, but she says that The Order is one of the larger groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Order differs from what would be considered more mainstream Latter Day Saints congregations in that it still practices polygamy, Rosetti said. Most Mormon fundamentalist groups are the result of a schism that occurred in the 1950s that resulted in the FLDS and the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB another fundamentalist group), Rosetti said. The [Order] is unique for its size in that it didnt break off from either of those in any kind of substantive way. Its been really its own thing from its earliest years. The Order also has its roots with a man named Charles Kingston, Rosetti explained. He was a member of the Mormon church, and was later excommunicated for his polygamous beliefs in 1928, according to the Davis County Cooperative Society. Rosetti explained by the time Brigham Young became the leader of the LDS church, polygamy was a requirement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats definitely downplayed now in the LDS church, but Brigham Young literally said that you will not become God yea, even the son of God without entering into the principle of plural marriage, she explained. Polygamy was a requirement to reach heaven, said Rosetti, but in the 1890s, the LDS changed its mind. Rosetti said Kingston was sure the LDS had gone astray and his son, Elden Kingston, became the leader of what would become the Kingstons. This excommunication, and Kingstons religious conviction, was set along the backdrop of the Great Depression and the Kingston family would grow to become todays Order that now occupies land in the southern Black Hills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part 2 of this series will examine the SDR Training Center, the company tied to the Order that has bought the former FLDS compound in the Black Hills. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. soybeans in a bowl by PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay Soybeans are 3 to 5 cents lower as Tuesday morning trade kicks off. Futures slipped lower on the Monday session, with contracts fractionally to 4 cents in the red. July expired on Monday, with 204 deliveries and 1,327 for the month. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was down 3 cents at $9.61 1/2. Soymeal futures were down $1.50 to $2.60/ton, as Soy Oil was 25 to 42 points higher. There were 111 deliveries for July meal futures on Monday night, taking the total for the month to 4,703 as the contract expired. Monday afternoons Crop Progress data indicated 47% of US soybean crop was blooming by Sunday even with the 5-year average, with% setting pods. Ratings were up 4% to 70%, with the Brugler500 index taking all 5 ratings into account up 7 points to 376. More News from Barchart On Monday morning, President Trump threatened Russian with secondary tariffs (on Russian trade partners) if there is no deal to end the Russian/Ukraine war in 50 days. USDA tallied soybean export shipments at 147,045 MMT (5.4 mbu) during the week ending on July 10. That was down 63.2% from last week and 16.1% below the same week last year. Mexico was the largest buyer of 32,507 MT in that week. Marketing year exports have totaled 46.411 MMT (1.705 bbu), which is 10.4% above the same period last year. Rains are expected to be rather widespread this next week according to NOAAs 7-day QPF, with much of the Corn Belt seeing 1 to 3 inches. NOPA data will be updated later today, with traders looking for an average of 185.19 mbu of soybeans crushed during June, which would be up nearly 10 mbu from last year. Soybean oil stocks are seen at an average of 1.374 billion lbs. Jul 25 Soybeans closed at $9.97, down 7 cents, Nearby Cash was $9.61 1/2, down 3 1/4 cents, Aug 25 Soybeans closed at $10.01, down 3 1/4 cents, currently down 4 1/2 cents Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.07, down 1/4 cent, currently down 3 cents New Crop Cash was $9.57 1/4, down 1/2 cent, On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com The National Institutes of Health announced Friday that it would cap Facilities and Administrative costs at 15%, a significant reduction for many institutions that use grants from the federal agency to conduct biomedical research. (Photo by TEK IMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images) Cancer is a cruel disease. Unfortunately, too many Pennsylvanians already know this. Approximately 89,000 of our family, friends and neighbors were diagnosed with cancer last year and 27,570 of them are expected to lose their battle, according to the American Cancer Society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only silver lining: investments in scientific research are making earlier cancer detection and improved treatment possible and have led to a 33% reduction in Americas cancer death rate over the last three decades. Unfortunately, the proposed federal budget for next year includes a 55% cut to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and a 44% cut to National Institutes of Health (NIH). If these cuts are supported by Congress, our chances of developing cures for cancer, the number two cause of death in Pennsylvania, will be dramatically reduced. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE I am honored and fortunate that my job, supported by NSF and NIH funding, includes researching new ways to fight cancer. As a physicist who studies biology, my team of graduate students and I use mathematical equations and computer simulations to understand why tumors metastasize, or spread throughout the body. This research helps other scientists we work with design and interpret their experiments. Our work is critical because we know cancer deaths are caused by cells metastasizing, not from the existence of tumors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also investigate how tumors interact with other parts of the body, including the bacteria that live naturally within us. Ten years ago, the scientific community didnt know that bacteria and tumors can co-exist. Now many researchers are asking how we can use bacteria to help deliver cancer drugs. With this progress and potential, we have an opportunity to increase survival rates for cancer patients and cannot rest until cancer can be mitigated. This will be a long road full of challenges and curve balls. However, the work to protect cancer patients must continue, and the Keystone State can play a key role. The proposed budget cuts to science will devastate cancer research because curing cancer is going to take time, coordinated scientific research in Pennsylvania and across the country and, most importantly, money. Why should preventing funding cuts matter for Pennsylvanians? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the NIHs National Cancer Institute is the worlds largest funder of cancer research. In addition, NSF funding helps scientists like me and my team to focus on scientific research. And were not the only ones. Across Pennsylvania, NSF funding in 2023 supported hundreds of scientists across multiple scientific fields of study. And, because their research is done here in the commonwealth, that funding is directly injected back into our local economies. These student scientists spend their salaries getting haircuts at local salons, eating at local restaurants, and buying groceries at local markets. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These investments are funding our future many of my students go on to U.S. technology, pharmaceutical and biomedical companies where they can make future scientific breakthroughs. If federal funding of scientific research is cut, these students and their research go away. We lose the discoveries they create and the public health and economic benefits that go along with them for decades to come. No country is better at fighting cancer and funding the research required to do so. If we abandon our place as the global leader in the fight to end cancer, Americans will have to wait for cutting-edge cancer treatments. Funding cuts force the best researchers to leave the country or never to come at all. Pennsylvania, with our world-class research facilities, hospital systems, and laboratories, is an important part of Americas scientific ecosystem. As lawmakers hash out the next federal budget, I hope there is recognition that without this funding, progress toward curing cancer for all Pennsylvanians will stall, and Pennsylvanians will continue to lose their lives to a disease we have the tools and knowledge to fight, if only we invest in them. Andrew Mugler is an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh. A resident of Pittsburgh, Dr. Mugler is an expert in biological physics with applications to cancer, bacteria, and mathematical and computational modeling. As a professor at Pitt, he has received federal funding to support his research, Florida Senate President Ben Albritton opened the 2025 legislative session with big plans for the states rural areas. Weve seen tremendous economic growth in urban areas of Florida, he told legislators on opening day. He added: Its rural Floridas turn. Key among his rural renaissance initiatives were efforts to improve health care quality and access, including grants to set up clinics and add mobile primary care units in rural areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Albrittons proposals were largely slashed amid prolonged budget debates between House and Senate leaders and by Gov. Ron DeSantis veto pen. The final state budget set aside roughly a quarter of the more than $60 million in rural health care funding that Albritton wanted. The states decision not to set aside more money comes at a particularly precarious time, experts warn. They say federal cuts in President Donald Trumps signature domestic policy bill could shutter rural hospitals across the state. Not surprisingly, hospital needs greatly exceed the availability of funding annually, said Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association. The federal One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law July 4, slashes Medicaid funding, a move likely to leave nearly 11 million Americans without health insurance and increase operating costs for hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many rural hospitals already dont receive enough federal funding to stay open, Mayhew said, let alone provide the services Floridians need. Eight rural hospitals in Florida have closed in the last 20 years. More than a third of counties have fewer than 100 hospital beds, and nine counties dont have a hospital at all. Nine Florida hospitals in rural counties are critical access hospitals, a federal designation for smaller facilities that are at least 35 miles away from another hospital and offer 24/7 emergency services. Many patients using rural hospitals are on Medicaid, which reimburses hospitals for a fraction of what medical treatment actually costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Florida, Mayhew said, Medicaid covers nearly half of all births every year. She said the federal government pays hospitals 48 cents for every dollar they spend on the delivery. A provision in the rural renaissance bill set aside $18 million to repay critical access hospitals exactly what they spent on treatment. That change would have made such a huge difference in improving their financial stability, especially considering what were now contending with in the federal reconciliation bill, Mayhew said. The closure of a rural hospital overburdens the nearest urban hospitals by introducing thousands of new patients, and many of these hospitals struggle to increase their capacity accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hospital closures also mean longer ambulance rides for rural residents. Charlie Brunner, the fire chief in Jackson County in Floridas Panhandle, said the 2017 closure of a critical access hospital in his county left a huge hole in the areas health care services. Brunners team of 36 paramedics and five ambulances is tasked with providing care for more than 47,000 residents spread across a county that may take more than an hour to traverse. We just have very limited resources here, Brunner said. He said the county has been trying for years to get a sixth ambulance. He said some people may wait 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. Calls for service have increased by 66% in the last 10 years, in part because the countys elderly and total populations have increased. Paramedics have to transport patients as far as 75 miles for emergency care at the countys only hospital in Marianna, which employs 21 doctors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency drives take longer after bad weather. The county has more than 900 miles of dirt road that become unusable after a summer storm, Brunner said. Sometimes, an emergency trip to the nearest hospital isnt enough. Jackson Hospital, like many rural hospitals, offers only a fraction of the services Floridians need. The hospital did not respond to a request for comment. For instance, stroke patients and elderly people who need orthopedic surgery have to go further for the care they need, Brunner said. Jackson Hospital, Brunner said, also lacks advanced trauma care and nephrology. Residents who need dialysis treatments have to either trek to a larger hospital hours away three to seven times a week or go without the treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayhew said rural Floridians frequently do the latter. Rural hospitals havent been completely ignored in recent years. The federal budget allotted $10 billion in state grants for rural health initiatives, and the Florida Legislature approves $10 million every year to improve the infrastructure of rural hospitals. State lawmakers also put money toward some of the rural renaissance goals Albritton outlined. The University of South Florida will receive $3 million to operate mobile health units for rural communities, and $750,000 will go toward a phone app that shares emergency treatment information with rural emergency medical services and hospitals. And state legislators earmarked $7.6 million for rural health care projects this year, including a new ambulance in two Panhandle counties and community health clinics in four rural areas. Albritton did not respond to multiple calls and an email for comment on this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis vetoed some rural mental health projects, most of them in the Big Bend region, but more than $5.5 million in funding went through. This amount, Mayhew said, is not enough to maintain Floridas rural health infrastructure. Our rural hospitals play such a vital role for people across Florida, she said. When youre dealing with an emergency situation, a rural hospital and its services can mean the difference between life and death. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing administers and oversees many of Iowa's state licensing boards. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images; logo courtesy the State of Iowa) A Minnesota funeral home operator has been fined $1,000 for doing business in Iowa without a license for 12 years. According to the Iowa Board of Mortuary Science, Daniel Dingmann, who operates a funeral home in southern Minnesota, became an Iowa-licensed funeral director in 1998. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 1998 to 2012, Dingmann completed the yearly renewal of his Iowa license via regular mail. According to state records, the license became inactive after 2012 possibly because Dingmann stopped receiving license-renewal notices as the board transitioned to an electronic application process. In late 2023, Dingmann realized his Iowa license was inactive and inquired with the board as to the renewal process. The board staff instructed him to go online and set up an account, which he attempted to do but without success because of technical issues. Even with assistance from the board staff, Dingmann was unable to successfully establish an online account in order to renew his license. As a result, he eventually submitted a paper copy of a renewal form along with a check to pay for a new license. The board then notified Dingmann it would be imposing a $1,000 civil penalty against him for handling Iowa funeral services without a license. Dingmann objected, noting that it was he who brought the issue to the boards attention that he had subsequently tried to reactivate his license with no success. In May 2025, after the dispute had already gone to a hearing before an administrative law judge, the board moved to drop prosecution of the matter in favor of a dismissal that would still involve a $1,000 civil penalty. Administrative Law Judge Laura Lockard rejected the deal, noting that it amounted to a settlement agreement rather than a dismissal and that only the board itself, rather than an administrative law judge, could legally approve such an agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, the boards motion to dismiss the case was denied, and Lockard approved the $1,000 civil penalty. In doing so, she noted that there had been no complaints regarding Dingmanns work in Iowa, nor any evidence of any harm to the public, or any evidence of action taken against his license in other states. Taking into account the economic benefit gained by Dingmann as a result of practicing without a license, Lockard concluded a $1,000 civil penalty was appropriate. In her June 10, 2025, decision, Lockard noted that Dingmann could continue his attempts to renew his license, a process that had yet to be completed at the time of his hearing in April. Iowa Capital Dispatch was unable to reach Dingmann for comment. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)Each week, WFXR News highlights adoptable pets filling up animal shelters across Southwest and Central Virginia. This week, on Tuesday, July 15, Athena Kokinakis with the Franklin County Animal Shelter brought Lolli to Furry Friends! Sweet Lolli is a seven-year-old cattle dog mix. She absolutely adores people, especially if they give her plenty of pets. Overall, she is a happy-go-lucky girl with the biggest smile! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lolli gets along with everyone, from children to older adults. However, she requires a home with no cats. She can be dog-selective, so the Franklin County Animal Shelter recommends scheduling a meet-and-greet if there are other dogs in the household. Furry Friends: Lovable Leon is ready for a new home! Lolli is spayed and up to date on her vaccinations. She has tested positive for heartworms, but the non-profit Friends of Franklin County Animal Shelter will cover her treatments. Whether youre looking for a couch potato or an adventurous furry companion, Lolli is the girl for you! More Furry Friends stories on WFXRtv.com Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre interested in adopting Lolli, the Franklin County Animal Shelter is located at 81 State Street in Rocky Mount. The shelter is open from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has dismantled an argument by motherf----r Joe Rogan. Newsom was on the Shawn Ryan Show podcast on Monday, when the host told him that fellow podcaster Rogan had got in touch with a question. Motherf----r! Newsom reacted. He then revealed he is a fan of the conservative talking head, despite the favor not being reciprocated. By the way, Im a Joe Rogan fan. He aint a fan of mine, but Im a Joe Rogan fan. No bulls--t, he told Shawn Ryan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Ive lived it for decades I feel like its a decade back in the day before Joe was Joe Rogan. He was just a podcaster, man. Now hes a phenom. Oh, God, muttered the governor. This is a tough one, the host conceded. He wont have me on the show, by the way, Newsom interjected as Ryan readied to read the communication. Ryan then read the texted question from Rogan, a gotcha attempt on Newsoms handling of the Covid pandemic in California. Rogan has been critical of Newsoms response to the pandemic, calling him a fing conman in 2023, and accusing him of pushing unnecessary vaccine mandates for children. Joe Rogan has been critical of Gavin Newsom. / TheDailyBeast/YouTube Who will be held accountable for mandating COVID-19 vaccines for children, which were unnecessary and ineffective, and who will take responsibility for the unprecedented increases in myocarditis and cancer cases among them? it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ryan continued: Second to that, do you feel any remorse for that draconian decision that was obviously heavily influenced by the pharmaceutical companies desire for maximum profit? Newsom then clapped back with a level-headed rebuke, defending his record. He first swatted away the suggestion that he had acted at the behest of Big Pharma, a negative nom de guerre given to large, multinational pharmaceutical companies. Ive signed some of the most progressive laws against Big Pharma in the country. So I have receipts on that. So, no one should suggest that it was about doing the bidding of Big Pharmaquite the contrary," Newsom reasoned. Newsom at a press conference at the Native American Health Center in Oakland, California in December 2022. / MediaNews Group/East Bay Times v / MediaNews Group via Getty Images He then defended his record during Covid, saying he worked in lockstep with the president during the pandemic, Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California, like many states, red states included, Florida included, moved forward early in the pandemic, working with the Trump administration and the advisors from the Trump administration, he said. He added that the findings of an independent review into the states response to the disease are due next month. Newsom was also at pains to point out that Republican lawmakers in Florida shut down their bars and restaurants before California. He then took on Rogans qualms over vaccine jabs, particularly in children. Vaccines save lives, he said, acknowledging the podcasters concerns over vaccines in children, something MAGA hardliners like current Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have tenuously linked to autism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I respect that. And that was where there was a lot of feedback with a lot of experts that I had as advisers, Newsom said on children getting vaccinated. The Democratic lawmaker then made a broad charge against his critics, saying: I know everyones a godd--n genius now in hindsight. But at the time, none of us knew what we were up against, including the president of the United States, who I worked very closely with and I say that with the kind of humility he deserves as well grace that he deserves in terms of the decisions he made early on. This July marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, which took place in a mountainous enclave in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, near the Serbian border. Between July 6 and 11, 1995, over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and children where killed by Bosnian Serbs in what the UN had declared a safe area under direct protection from blue-helmet peacekeepers. The scenes broadcast by war journalists sent shockwaves through the world, and marked a turning point for the Wests collective consciousness. Today, as images from Gaza re-ignite the debate on what constitutes genocide, it is imperative that we look back at Srebrenica to understand how international courts interpret this crime. Proving genocidal intent in Srebrenica The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) recognised the Srebrenica massacre as genocide. This was a significant legal step, but it also left a bitter taste for many of the victims. This was because the tribunal only deemed the crimes committed in Srebrenica to be genocide, despite other episodes of equally systematic violence against the Bosniak Muslim population in other areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was the result of an extremely restrictive legal interpretation of the crime of genocide. According to the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, it requires proof that the acts (such as murder, torture, destruction of living conditions) were committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such. The problem lies in how this intent is interpreted. Current jurisprudence has broadly adopted what is known as a purpose-based approach a requirement of conscious and deliberate intent to destroy. Under this logic, it is not enough to prove that the acts had devastating effects on a group they must also be committed with the specific intention of eliminating it. Leer mas: Why have so few atrocities ever been recognised as genocide? A collective crime In modern contexts of conflict, the intention to destroy a group is confirmed through the accumulation of public policies, military decisions, normative frameworks and rhetoric. Incriminating evidence whether it takes the form of an explicit order, speeches that openly speak of annihilation, or references to a single act of extermination is almost impossible to objectively record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, limiting genocide to one concentrated, media-visible episode means many other more complex and subtle forms of collective destruction can be overlooked. In this sense, it is increasingly necessary that we rethink the way we identify genocide. This means moving away from the totalising model of the Holocaust (which is, for some, the only possible form of genocide, and therefore an unrepeatable event). An alternative to this traditional approach is what critical legal scholars have called the knowledge-based interpretation. This perspective does not require proof of an explicit will to exterminate. Instead, it asks whether the perpetrators knew or could not have been unaware that their acts contributed to a systematic pattern of collective destruction. This approach is based on a more structural and less individualistic view of genocide. The crime is not committed by one internal subjective will, but through broader patterns made up of contextual elements: public policies, legal frameworks of exception, dehumanising rhetoric, and strategic decisions sustained over time. Under this logic, criminal responsibility is not diluted, but adapted to contemporary realities of collective violence. Leer mas: How the worlds first open-source digital map of mass graves could help bring justice to victims in Ukraine and other war zones Gaza: putting theory into practice This debate transcends mere questions of theoretical framework. Since October 2023, Gaza has been subjected to a campaign of progressive destruction: massive bombardment, cutting off essential services, forced displacement, engineered famine and health system collapse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 55,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands injured, but beyond the numbers, what we are seeing is a sustained annihilation of the Palestinian way of life. Leer mas: Destruction of Gaza heritage sites aims to erase and replace Palestine's history This was raised by South Africa in the application it brought before the International Court of Justice in December 2023. The case was ratified by the Court in its indication of provisional measures. What this means is that the UNs highest judicial body has found a real and imminent risk of irreparable harm to the right of the Palestinian people in Gaza to be protected from genocidal acts and other conduct prohibited by the Convention. And yet, the legal recognition of this situation as genocide remains a topic of heated debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raphael Lemkin, the legal theorist who coined the term genocide in 1944, understood this crime not only as the physical destruction of people, but also as the elimination of the collective life of a group, its culture, its symbols and its conditions of existence. Cultural genocide: beyond direct violence The current legal definition of genocide, shaped by colonial interests and centred on the Holocaust model, deliberately excludes cultural genocide. This narrow view ignores the fact that human groups can also be destroyed through policies of displacement and forced assimilation, strategies that erase memory, language, or ties to a territory. Human groups are not destroyed by direct violence alone. Thirty years after Srebrenica, we urgently need a critical re-imagining of the concept of genocide, not to hollow it out but to restore its protective capacity in the face of new forms of collective destruction. The perpetrators knowledge of the impact of their acts should be enough to generate genocidal responsibility especially if those acts contribute to a systematic plan to eliminate a people. In a world where extermination can be administered bureaucratically, international justice must learn to recognise and name the violence of the present even when it does not fit the categories established in the past. Failure to do so risks impunity for those enacting collective destruction today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Este articulo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos academicos. Lee mas: Pilar Eirene de Prada no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoria, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiacion de ninguna compania u organizacion que pueda obtener beneficio de este articulo, y ha declarado carecer de vinculos relevantes mas alla del cargo academico citado. GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) An 18-year-old man was injured during a Monday night shooting in Georgetown County. According to the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office, the victim told personnel at Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital that he had been shot near the Winyah One Stop convenience store in the Greentown area. The sheriffs office said deputies did not find evidence of a shooting, nor any witnesses who heard shots near the store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, deputies have not identified a suspect; however, the shooting remains under investigation. The sheriffs office asks that anyone with information call 843-546-5102. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A Georgetown man was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in connection with a deadly 2023 shooting, the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office said Monday. John Allen Bryant, 23, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Judge B. Alex Hyman sentenced Bryant to 20 years for the manslaughter and five years for the weapon charge. The sentences will run consecutively. Bryants charges stemmed from the March 2023 shooting death of Jayden Woodward in Georgetown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) A 25-year-old was arrested after the Huntsville Police Department said it found out that he tried to meet up with a teenager for sex. HPD told News 19 that an investigation started into Andree Villanueva, of Kennesaw, Georgia, after investigators found out that Villanueva contacted a 15-year-old after viewing a video of the victim on TikTok. The department said communication between Villanueva and the teen continued onto other platforms, primarily Discord and Snapchat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation determined that Villanueva began sending sexually explicit messages and arranged to travel to Huntsville for sexual activity with the teen. Villanueva was then arrested for electronic solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. His bond is currently in the Madison County Jail with a bond of $15,000. HPD said the investigation is still active and more charges could be added later. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert answers questions after her victory speech during a watch party at The Grainhouse in Windsor on June 25, 2024. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline) This story was originally published by the Georgia Recorder. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has joined a growing chorus of voices calling for the return of political contributions from the now-defunct First Liberty Building and Loan, a Newnan-based lending firm with longstanding ties to the Republican Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company has come under fire after federal officials filed a lawsuit accusing First Libertys founder, Brant Frost IV, of running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded 300 investors out of at least $140 million. According to the complaint, Frost misled investors about the nature of his business while funneling over $5 million to himself and his family members. He also improperly used investor funds to make more than $570,000 in political contributions, the complaint alleged, all of which went to Republican candidates and committees. Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado has received contributions from Frost. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX I take full responsibility for my actions and am resolved to spend the rest of my life trying to repay as much as I can to the many people I misled and let down, Frost said in a statement issued through his lawyer. I will be cooperating with the receiver and federal authorities and ask that everyone allow the receiver time to sort things out and do his best to repair the damage I created. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The allegations have shocked Georgias Republican political network, of which the Frost family has long been a part. In 1988, Frost served as Georgia state director for Pat Robertson, a conservative televangelist-turned-Republican presidential candidate. His son, Brant Frost V, worked as a principal at First Liberty and also served as a former vice-chair of the Georgia GOP. His daughter, Katie Frost, chairs a regional committee for the state party. Until last month, both siblings held leadership roles in the Georgia Republican Assembly, a far-right wing of the Georgia Republican Party. Past recipients of Frosts political contributions include Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp who last received a donation from Frost in 2019 as well as state Sen. Colton Moore and state Rep. Charlice Byrd, according to data from the Georgia State Ethics Commission. Other out-of-state candidates who have received major contributions from Frost include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Boebert. Brad Raffensperger. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder) Raffensperger, whose office is investigating First Liberty alongside the Securities and Exchange Commission, urged recipients to return political contributions they have received from the company or from the Frost family. Now is the time for every elected official, candidate, or political action committee who received financial support from this entity currently under investigation to stand up and help the victims, Raffensperger said. Ill-gotten gains do not belong in the State Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic Party of Georgia has also urged Republican officials to return the funds. We have just learned that numerous Republican elected representatives are funded by money defrauded from unsuspecting Georgians, said DPG Chair Charlie Bailey. Now the question is whether Brian Kemp, the Georgia Republican Party, and all the electeds who received this money will do the right thing and return it to the hardworking Georgians from whom it was stolen. Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jill Nolin for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Spanish conglomerate MaserGrup has acquired local spirits brand Perucchi 1876 through its subsidiary, Vermuts Miro. In a statement, Vermuts Miro said it is looking to strengthen its leadership in the Spanish market by expanding its portfolio. It added that both brands are set to benefit from multiple synergies ... at both the industrial and commercial levels" in local hospitality and "modern food" channels. Perucchi, founded in 1876, is best known for its range of vermouths. It also makes Spritz aperitifs and liqueurs such as limoncello, arancello and coffee liqueur. The business exports to over 10 countries, with the US being its main international market. The company has three business units, one focused on the production and marketing of vermouth and liqueurs, DVVD Barcelona, which distributes wine, cava and vermouth for hospitality clients in the Barcelona region, and Vins&Co, a vermouth, wine, and spirits store in Barcelona. Perucchi will continue operating its three business units, following the transaction, Vermuts Miro said. All staff will also retain their current roles and salaries. The Miro-Perucchi group expects double-digit annual growth in the coming years, consolidating its leadership in production and brand recognition in the market, the producer added. MaserGrup is owned by founder and president, Xavier Martinez. Headquartered in Reus, Barcelona, the conglomerate also owns companies such as the baby food manufacturers Fruselva and Holle, the construction business, Tecnol and others. It has forecast a turnover of 230m ($268.3) for 2025, which would be a 50% year-on-year growth. The group employs more than 1,200 people across three continents. It has offices in the US, Mexico, Columbia, Germany and China, and factories in Columbia, Chile, Spain, among other countries. "Spains MaserGrup buys local vermouth brand Perucchi 1876" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. ATLANTA (AP) Peter Hubbard claimed victory Tuesday over Keisha Waites in a runoff to settle the Democratic nominee for a post on the Georgia Public Service Commission. The runoff was necessary under Georgia law to choose a winner after neither won a majority in a June 17 primary. Waites finished first and Hubbard finished second in that earlier three-way race, but Hubbard built a strong lead in unofficial returns Tuesday, showing particular strength in the core metro Atlanta counties of Fulton and DeKalb according to numbers posted by Georgia's secretary of state. The commission oversees utilities including Georgia Power Co, and Hubbard promised in a statement to fight for seniors, low-income households and all those who deserve a lower power bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Power bills are skyrocketing, no one is hold the current Republican PSC accountable and voters have the the power to change that, Hubbard said. The winner will face Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson in November in the District 3 race. Republicans in June chose incumbent Tim Echols, who has been on the Public Service Commission since 2011, to face Democrat Alicia Johnson of Augusta in the District 2 race. Voters statewide cast ballots for each of the five seats on the commission, but candidates must live in a particular district. Waites conceded in a message to supporters, saying she would support Hubbard in November in a "shared vision for a Public Service Commission that truly serves the public. Turnout was exceedingly low in early voting for the runoff, but improved somewhat, topping 100,000, or a little more than 1% of Georgia's more than 8 million registered voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Debate centered on bills charged by Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Co. Georgia Power customers have seen bills rise six times in recent years because of higher natural gas costs and construction projects including two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle near Augusta, and other factors. A typical Georgia Power residential customer now pays more than $175 a month, including taxes. The commission sets rates and oversees generation plans for Georgia Power, which serves 2.3 million customers statewide. Now, all five commission seats are held by Republicans. A green energy advocate, Hubbard touted his experience testifying before the commission and developing alternative plans that emphasize a shift toward solar power stored in batteries, rather than building more natural gas plants. Waites is a former state House member and former Atlanta City Council member. She emphasized that she would give representation to Black people and Democrats on the commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission also oversees some natural gas rates for Atlanta Gas Light and Liberty Gas. Georgia usually doesnt have statewide elections in odd-numbered years, but these were pushed back after elections were delayed by a lawsuit that unsuccessfully challenged the statewide voting scheme as discriminatory to Black people. No Georgia Public Service Commission elections have been held since 2022 because of the lawsuit. Fitz Johnson was appointed to the commission in 2021 by Gov. Brian Kemp and has never faced voters. He was supposed to run for the last two years of his predecessors term in 2022. Instead, the District 3 winner can run again next year for a six-year term, after lawmakers rewrote the terms. Echols was supposed to run for a six-year term in 2022. Instead, the District 2 winner will serve for five years, with the next election in 2030. The Brief Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger urges candidates and political committees to return campaign contributions from First Liberty Building & Loan and related entities under investigation for a Ponzi scheme. The SEC alleges that First Liberty defrauded about 300 investors out of $140 million, with funds diverted to personal expenses, and the company has ceased operations, agreeing to asset liquidation. Edwin Brant Frost IV, founder of First Liberty, acknowledges responsibility and commits to cooperating with authorities to repay misled investors. ATLANTA - Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is calling on candidates and political committees to return any campaign contributions received from First Liberty Building & Loan, the Frost family, or affiliated entities now under investigation for allegedly defrauding hundreds of investors in a massive Ponzi scheme. Raffensperger on First Liberty Building & Loan What they're saying "Now is the time for every elected official, candidate, or political action committee who received financial support from this entity currently under investigation to stand up and help the victims," Raffensperger said in a statement Monday. "Ill-gotten gains do not belong in the State Capitol." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement follows a federal civil complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission last week against First Liberty and its founder, Edwin Brant Frost IV. The SEC alleges that Frost misled investors for more than a decade, promising returns as high as 18% on investments supposedly used for short-term business loans. Regulators say those loans largely defaulted, and the company began using new investor funds to pay off old ones in a classic Ponzi scheme. Raffensperger also encouraged victims to contact the Securities Division of his office. "If youve done business with First Liberty and suffered a financial loss, contact our office immediately," he said. "We take allegations of financial fraud seriously, especially when it puts hardworking Georgians at risk." Dig deeper The SEC alleges more than $570,000 of investors' income was used for political donations. According to OpenSecrets.org, Edwin Brant Frost IV has donated multiple times to two Republican candidates and to the Republican Party of Georgia since 2019. One of those candidates returns nearly two-thirds of those donations in 2024 after failing to secure a spot in their primary. Ponzi scheme accusations What we know The SEC says about 300 investors were defrauded out of $140 million, with millions allegedly diverted to Frosts personal expenses including $2.4 million in credit card payments, $335,000 to a rare coin dealer, and $230,000 on family vacations. First Liberty officially ceased operations on June 27 and has agreed to cooperate with a court-appointed receiver to liquidate assets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victims and their advocates have voiced outrage over the scope and nature of the alleged fraud. "Sad that someone would use someones faith in God and faith in our country to steal their money," said Texas attorney Jim Clancy, who represents several victims. Others, like Marcy Walker, say families have been devastated. "These were families life savings. I know one family that may not even be able to send their kids back to the schools that theyve chosen because theyve lost so much money." First Liberty marketed heavily to conservative and Christian audiences. In one promotional video, Frost described the company as helping "mainstream entrepreneurs to buy, build and grow things for virtually any kind of commercial project." "It is horrible to take peoples money in the name of patriotism, in the name of Jesus," Walker said. The other side The SECs complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, seeks emergency relief, including an asset freeze and civil penalties. Frost, without admitting or denying the allegations, consented to the SECs requests. His attorney, Joshua A. Mayes, released a statement on Frosts behalf: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I take full responsibility for my actions and am resolved to spend the rest of my life trying to repay as much as I can to the many people I misled and let down. I will be cooperating with the receiver and federal authorities," Frost said. "While I do not deserve it, I am grateful for the support of friends and family as I confront this situation I created." The Source Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger provided a statement for this article. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting was also used. OpenSecrets.org provided details about campaign contributions. Germany's highest court on Tuesday threw out a case brought by two Yemenis seeking to sue Berlin over the role of the US Ramstein airbase in a 2012 drone attack, ending a years-long legal saga. Plaintiffs Ahmed and Khalid bin Ali Jaber first brought their case to court in 2014 after losing members of their family in the strike on the village of Khashamir. The case has since been through several German courts. But the Constitutional Court on Tuesday ultimately ruled that Berlin is not required to take action against such attacks, which were not judged to be in breach of international law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington has for years launched drone strikes targeting suspected Al-Qaeda militants in Yemen, an impoverished country that has been torn by fierce fighting between its beleaguered Saudi-backed government and Iran-backed rebels. The two Yemeni men, supported by the Berlin-based European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), had argued that Germany was partly responsible for the attack because the strike was aided by signals relayed via the Ramstein base in western Germany. "Without the data that flows through Ramstein, the US cannot fly its combat drones in Yemen," the group said. The ECCHR's Andreas Schueller argued that "the German government must put an end to the use of this base -- otherwise the government is making itself complicit in the deaths of innocent civilians". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - 'Complaint unfounded' - The court found that Germany "does have a general duty to protect fundamental human rights and the core norms of international humanitarian law, even in cases involving foreign countries". However, in order for this duty to be binding, there must be "a serious risk of systematic violation of applicable international law". "Measured against these standards, the constitutional complaint is unfounded," the court said. The ECCHR said the ruling had "failed to send a strong signal" and meant that "instead, individual legal protection remains a theoretical possibility without practical consequences". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Schueller said the verdict "leaves the door open for future cases". "Violations of international law can be subject to judicial review, even if the court imposes high hurdles. This is an important statement by the Constitutional Court in these times," he said. - 'Margin of discretion' - According to the ECCHR, the two Yemeni men were having dinner ahead of the wedding of a male family member in 2012 when they heard the buzz of a drone and then the boom of missile attacks that claimed multiple lives. Their case against Germany was initially thrown out, before the higher administrative court in Muenster ruled in their favour in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the government appealed and a higher court overturned the decision in 2020, arguing that German diplomatic efforts were enough to ensure Washington was adhering to international law. In a statement shared by the ECCHR, the two men called the ruling "dangerous and disturbing". "(It) suggests countries that provide assistance to the US assassination programme bear no responsibility when civilians are killed. Our hearts are broken, and our faith in international law is shaken," they said. The German government welcomed the ruling, which it said showed that Berlin had "a wide margin of discretion in assessing whether the actions of third states comply with international law". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "According to the ruling, the government has no fundamental duty to protect foreigners abroad who are affected by military action by third states if, in the government's assessment, these attacks are within the bounds of what is permissible under international law," the defence and foreign ministries said in a statement. bur-fec/fz/jm Markus Soder and Friedrich Merz underscored unity on Tuesday as the Bavarian premier welcomed the German chancellor to a session of the Bavarian Cabinet held on the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. The visit to Garmisch-Partenkirchen marks the start of Merz's tour of Germany's 16 states. The conservative politician was sworn in as chancellor in May. Merz and Soder reiterated that they work together very well amid an atmosphere of trust among party leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soder's Christian Social Union is the Bavarian sister party of Merz's Christian Democrats, who are in coalition in Berlin with the Social Democrats. Bavaria had constantly complained about a perceived disadvantage in ex-chancellor Olaf Scholz's former centre-left government of Social Democrats, Greens and Free Democrats. Bavarian mountain rifle soldiers, wearing traditional green costumes and hats adorned with flowers, greeted Merz at the base station of the Zugspitze cable car - complete with ceremonial rifle salutes fired into the air. After a group photograph with Cabinet members, Merz and Soder took the gondola up to the 2,962-metre summit, where they were welcomed by a performance from a troupe of Bavarian dancers. In the high-energy traditional Schuhplattler folk dance, performers rhythmically slap their thighs, knees, and soles of their shoes with their hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the Cabinet meeting, Soder announced that, alongside ceremonial gifts, the Bavarians also had several demands for the chancellor, including on matters of energy, technology, and rail and transport links. Merz acknowledged that his government is interested in solving transportation bottlenecks in the Brenner pass which is shared by Germany, Italy and Austria. Soder and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker recently announced a new attempt to find a solution. Stocker also wanted to promote the proposal at a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Conservative-led Bavaria is the largest German state by area and home to major companies like BMW and Siemens, giving it political clout and a key role in shaping industrial policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmental watchdog Greenpeace was critical of the summit. "Under the feet of Friedrich Merz and Markus Soder, water resulting from melting snow and ice is rushing downhill faster than ever and the two are not saying a word about the climate crisis," said Martin Kaiser, managing director of Greenpeace Germany. Germany and the United States will decide within days or weeks on sending two U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced on July 14 after discussions with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Germany has offered to acquire U.S. Patriot units specifically for transfer to Ukraine, which has recently endured some of the war's most intense Russian attacks. Speaking from Washington, Pistorius confirmed that working-level talks would continue to finalize agreement details, including the precise number of launchers and missiles, according to Reuters. With a deal secured, he added, the first Patriot unit could arrive in Ukraine within months. Pistorius declined to comment on whether their discussions extended to offensive weapons for Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany has already donated three of its own Patriot units to Kyiv, retaining nine systems. This number significantly contrasts with the 36 Patriot batteries Germany operated during the height of the Cold War. Read also: Patriot missiles what they are and why everyone wants them Pistorius received a warm reception in Washington, reflecting Germany's evolving stance as a substantial contributor to NATO's largest military buildup since the Cold War. For decades, Germany had lagged in defense spending. Now, as European officials express concern over potential future Russian aggression and anticipate a possible drawdown of U.S. forces, Germany has relaxed its constitutional debt brake. This move aims to meet NATO's new core military spending target of 3.5% of national output by 2029, boosting German defense spending to 162 billion euros (approximately $189 billion USD) in 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pistorius also revealed that Berlin submitted a letter of request to Washington for the purchase of U.S. Typhon missile launchers. He characterized the Typhon system as a potential interim solution while European partners advance their own land-based long-range weapons development. "Together with Great Britain and other partners, we are developing land-based long-range systems, but this will take 7 to 10 years," Pistorius told reporters. "This is why we need a stop-gap solution." The Typhon, capable of launching missiles with a range of approximately 2,000 km (1,243 miles), could bridge the gap until European ground-launched long-range weapons are ready, serving as an interim measure until the deployment of U.S. long-range missiles to Germany, currently scheduled from 2026. Another central topic in Pistorius' talks in Washington was an ongoing review of the U.S. global force posture. This review could result in troop reductions in Europe, where approximately 80,000 U.S. soldiers are stationed, with around 40,000 in Germany. European allies have consistently urged Washington to ensure any drawdown is coordinated to prevent capability gaps that might leave NATO members vulnerable to Russian aggression. Read also: Minerals were all the talk at the largest Ukraine Recovery Conference Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Andreas Rinke BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany wants to ramp up its use of artificial intelligence by the end of the decade to support Europe's largest economy and compete on the world stage in key technologies, a document seen by Reuters showed on Tuesday. The race to develop AI is intensifying, with China, the United States and India emerging as frontrunners, putting pressure on Germany and the European Union more broadly to catch up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With an AI offensive, we want to generate 10% of our economic output based on AI by 2030 and make AI an important tool in central fields of research," the German research ministry's draft strategy said. The strategy does not say what proportion of the German economy is currently supported by AI. According to an OECD report from 2024 on Germany and AI, the country should leverage AI to meet its most pressing challenges, including the green transition, administrative and industrial efficiency and healthcare quality. Economists have pushed for a rapid roll-out to keep German industry competitive, with the IW institute reporting earlier this year that the country could increase productivity by an average 0.9% annually from the years 2025 until 2030, rising to 1.2% over the course of the 2030s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far this decade, that figure has stood at 0.4%. The German cabinet is expected to pass the strategy before the end of the month, setting ambitious targets to catch up with the United States and China on AI. The document sets out targets for bids to construct high-capacity processing centres in the European Union to be in operation by 2027. The government wants to coordinate its applications with industry, experts and federal states by the end of the year. The European Commission has allocated 20 billion euros ($23 billion) in EU funding for the construction of AI 'gigafactories'. Under a coalition agreement finalised earlier this year, the German government aims to have at least one of the centres built in Germany, with Deutsche Telekom among the companies interested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The German strategy also sets out goals to ramp up quantum computing technology, with two "error-corrected quantum computers" to be created by 2030 and made available to users, the document said. It also sets out a plan to put Germany's first research satellite for quantum communication into operation this year. The strategy says that while Germany has seen early success in innovation, it is falling behind in the commercialisation of AI. "This creates competitive disadvantages and dependencies," the document said, adding that AI research in Germany must be linked to fields such as robotics, mechanical engineering, car manufacturing and the chemicals industry." (Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Friederike Heine, Alexandra Hudson) The German energy company EWE plans to purchase natural gas extracted from the North Sea near the island of Borkum and supply it to customers in the state of Lower Saxony. Dutch natural gas firm ONE-Dyas announced in Amsterdam on Tuesday that it had signed a supply agreement with EWE. The company recently began extracting natural gas from the North Sea, a project that has been controversial among environmentalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gas field is located in both German and Dutch territorial waters, north of the Dutch island of Schiermonnikoog and German island of Borkum. According to ONE-Dyas, the gas field is one of the most important natural gas sources in Germany and the Netherlands. ONE-Dyas plans to extract around half a billion cubic metres of natural gas from the site this year, with one-third of this volume allocated to Germany. Environmentalists are concerned about potential harm to the Wadden Sea, an intertidal zone of the North Sea, and are attempting to halt gas production through legal action. Due to the court case, a power cable from the drilling platform to the nearby Riffgat offshore wind farm cannot be installed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ONE-Dyas intends to power the platform using electricity from the wind farm, which it says will drastically reduce CO2 emissions. On Tuesday, climate activists from Fridays for Future staged a protest on Borkum, calling on ONE-Dyas to halt its offshore drilling plans. The Trump administration has urged the Supreme Court to reject an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker and former associate of Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence in Florida for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse underage girls. Her lawyers had asked the court to review her conviction, arguing she was protected under a 2008 non-prosecution agreement Epstein struck with prosecutors in Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That contention is incorrect, and petitioner does not show that it would succeed in any court of appeals, wrote D John Sauer, the US solicitor-general. The move comes amid growing anger from Donald Trumps Maga base, many of whom have accused the administration of suppressing evidence of Epsteins alleged connections to powerful individuals. List sitting on my desk Their frustration intensified after Pam Bondi, the attorney general, announced that the Justice Department had closed its Epstein investigation, claiming there was no incriminating client list or evidence to suggest he had blackmailed high-profile figures. Just months earlier, Ms Bondi had said such a list was sitting on my desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The backlash has triggered the largest internal rebellion Trump has faced since returning to the White House in January. In response, aides are reportedly considering steps to placate supporters, including removing redactions from Epstein-related files and appointing a special counsel to re-examine the case. Maxwell was convicted in December 2021 of five federal counts relating to her role in Epsteins abuse network. During her six-week trial, four women testified that Maxwell had recruited and groomed them for Epstein at his homes in New York, New Mexico, Florida and the Virgin Islands. Her legal team argued that the original deal Epstein struck in 2008, which protected his co-conspirators, should have also applied to Maxwell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A defendant should be able to rely on a promise that the United States will not prosecute again, without being subject to a gotcha in some other jurisdiction that chooses to interpret that plain language promise in some other way, wrote David Markus, Maxwells lawyer. The 2nd Circuit of Appeals had already rejected this argument, leaving only the Supreme Court to review the case. Reacting to the Justice Departments filing, Mr Markus said: Id be surprised if President Trump knew his lawyers were asking the Supreme Court to let the government break a deal. Hes the ultimate dealmaker and Im sure hed agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With all the talk about whos being prosecuted and who isnt, its especially unfair that Ghislaine Maxwell remains in prison based on a promise the government made and broke. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. NEED TO KNOW Police in Bethany, Oklahoma, say that Billy Feaster shot and killed his 6-year-old daughter Elizabeth Feaster, before turning the gun on himself. Both father and daughter were found dead at the scene and police are investigating what led to the fatal shooting Billy was already on police's radar and he underwent a domestic violence assessment Police say that an Oklahoma man shot and killed his 6-year-old daughter before turning the gun on himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 29, around 11 a.m., police in Bethany rushed to a home after they received a call reporting a father had shot his daughter before taking his own life, Fox 25 reported. Both Billy Feaster, 29, and Elizabeth Feaster, 6, were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders, the outlet reported, citing police. Elizabeths mother, Tina Folk, told KFOR that Elizabeth was supposed to be with her father and her 9-year-old brother during a supervised, court-ordered visit over the weekend. The two have been in a custody battle since 2018, the outlet reported, citing court records. On the morning of June 29, Folk told the outlet that she got a call from Billys parents about what happened. She said, Billy killed Elizabeth, Folk told KFOR. I said, what; and she started saying that she couldnt talk. She wasnt in the right mind. The police chief told The Oklahoman that law enforcement officers had contact with Billy in the past. Court filings related to the custody battle showed that Billy was ordered to undergo a domestic violence assessment, psychological evaluation and counseling, the outlet reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any time a young child is involved in any type of tragic event like this, it is a shock to everyone, Police Chief John Reid told the outlet. Theres just no way to explain something like this thats where we are, trying to make sense of it, even though we know we wont be able to. GoFundMe A GoFundMe created by Elizabeths family described the 6-year-old as precious and sassy, a girl who loved the color pink and unicorns. Elizabeths family said she deserved so many more years on this earth and that theyre starting their healing process. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Weve had one of the most heinous acts of violence impact our family. My niece Tiana is having to try and navigate a world without her baby girl no longer on this earth. Her daughter, Elizabeth was ripped away from her family by a man who was supposed to protect her, her father, Elizabeth's great aunt Taylor Mccarty wrote in the GoFundMe post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When evil comes and steals a beautiful, innocent childs life, that hurt radiates through not only my niece and her son, but my sister Jill and so many more, she further wrote. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Read the original article on People A Warwickshire school has offered "unreserved apologies" to a student prevented from making a speech at school about being British, while wearing a union jack dress. The 12-year-old, who attends Bilton School in Rugby, wore the outfit for Culture Celebration Day on Friday. Her father, Stuart Field, said: "My daughter felt like there was an issue, she felt like it was something she shouldn't have done. That's what is wrong about this whole situation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the school said: "We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our sincere and unreserved apologies." Mr Field said in a Facebook post, he picked his daughter up early from school after the incident. Discussing the reaction to the incident, Mr Field said he had had messages of support from across the globe. "I've had hundreds of people reaching out to me from all over the UK, as well as Australians, I've had Polish, people from America all reaching out," he said. "And there's a common thing - we should be able to send our kids into school to celebrate British culture and history." Stuart Field said his daughter was made to feel like she should not have worn her dress [Stuart Field] Mr Field said the school had now invited his daughter to come back in her dress and read a speech about why British culture was important to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he told the BBC that she now "doesn't want to wear the dress" as "she doesn't feel comfortable". Mr Field added: "None of this would have happened had [the school] just followed their own policy of inclusivity and let everyone share a little about their culture." And he said: "I don't think anyone from school really read her speech. It was more a case of 'no, it's not happening'." A Facebook post from the school, which included its flyer for the Culture Day, said the event was dedicated to "recognising and celebrating the rich cultural diversity within our school community". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We encourage students to consider wearing attire that reflects their nationality or family heritage," it said. Any outfits that were worn had to be "appropriate for a school setting", the post added, and had to hold cultural significance. 'Caused considerable upset' A statement from Bilton School said: "We are proud of the diversity of our students and the rich heritage they bring to our community. "We are committed to fostering an environment where every pupil feels respected, valued and included. "On 11 July, an incident occurred during our Culture Celebration Day that caused considerable upset to one of our pupils, her family and members of the wider community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school said it apologised, before the statement added: "We have since spoken directly with the pupil and her family to listen to their concerns and reflect on how this could have been handled better. "We are committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that every student feels recognised and supported when expressing pride in their heritage." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter. An Israeli researcher sued Stanford University July 10 for allegedly allowing colleagues, amid campus-wide antisemitism, to subject him to a hostile work environment and cause him to be fired because he is Jewish and Israeli. Per the complaint in Laps v. Leland Stanford Junior University, a few months after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, the researcher was hired to work on an insulin project in a campus lab at the private, Palo Alto, California, university. The researcher claimed when he started working, a lab assistant who associated with Palestinian activists told him not to talk to her, tried to isolate him from co-workers, delayed his supplies and tampered with his research. He also alleged that in an effort to get him to leave, individuals, including the lab director, falsely told him a student had filed a sexual harassment charge against him. After the university confirmed the charge was a ruse and no claim had been made, the researcher filed a discrimination complaint detailing the antisemitic-based hostility he was experiencing. In response, the lab director fired him, locked him out of the lab and threatened immigration consequences if he didnt leave, the lawsuit alleged. He then filed a retaliation charge against the lab director. Stanford allegedly delayed investigating his complaints and narrowly reviewed his claims before concluding no wrongdoing occurred, according to the lawsuit. Through a WhatsApp group, the researcher learned other Israeli and Jewish students and researchers were experiencing similar hostility, including from a graduate student who warned the group about using a floor in a main campus building besieged with anti-Israel signs and protests, the lawsuit said. The researcher sued Stanford for religious and national origin discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He also sued the lab director for defamation and the university for breach of contract. In an email to HR Dive, a university representative stated, Stanford takes any allegation of antisemitism very seriously. In this instance and based on all the allegations that [the researcher] reported directly to the institution, a thorough investigation found that they were unsubstantiated. Combating antisemitism, particularly on U.S. college campuses in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel, has been a priority of the Trump Administration. Greater Cincinnati residents are again expected to hold anti-Trump demonstrations July 17, as part of a national day of nonviolent action. Good Trouble Lives On protests and gatherings are slated across the region, similar to last month's "No Kings" protests. The protests are set to take place on the five-year anniversary of the death of civil rights icon John Lewis. The former congressman coined the phrase "good trouble" to describe peaceful protests challenging civil rights infringements, and organizers say the upcoming demonstrations will carry on this legacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers are calling the day of protest a response to "the most brazen rollback of civil rights in generations" from the Trump administration, according to the Good Trouble Lives On website. "Whether you're outraged by attacks on voting rights, the gutting of essential services, disappearances of our neighbors, or the assault on free speech and our right to protest this movement is for you," the website reads. Expected protest locations across the Cincinnati region Here are some of the scheduled local protests: Cincinnati Cincinnati City Hall: 801 Plum Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 5 to 7 p.m. See more details here. Union Township, Clermont County Veterans Memorial Park: 906 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45245 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panel discussion and rally 7 to 9 p.m. See more details here. Mason Intersection of Mason Montgomery Road and Tylersville Road, Mason, Ohio 45040 5 to 7 p.m. See more details here. Middletown Douglass Park: 1825 Minnesota Street, Middletown, Ohio 45044 5 to 8 p.m. See more details here. Oxford Intersection of West High Street and South College Avenue, Oxford, Ohio 45056 5 to 7 p.m. See more details here. Southeast Indiana Intersection of U.S. 50 and Walnut Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025 6 to 8 p.m. See more details here. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When and where will 'Good Trouble Lives On' protests be in Cincinnati? Several communities in Rhode Island, including Providence, will join thousands across the country on July 17 in another series of protests pushing back against the Trump administration. Dubbed Good Trouble Lives On, the latest national day of action marks five years since the passing of civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis and serves as a direct response to what organizers say is the Trump administrations efforts to roll back civil liberties and undermine democratic institutions. We are facing the most brazen rollback of civil rights in generations, said the Good Trouble Lives On website. Whether youre outraged by attacks on voting rights, the gutting of essential services, disappearances of our neighbors, or the assault on free speech and our right to protest this movement is for you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was announced by the same coalition of organizations behind the No Kings protests in June, in which organizers estimated more than 5 million people participated. Heres what to know. What is Good Trouble Lives On? Led nationally by the Transformative Justice Coalition, Black Voters Matter, and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the national day of action draws on Lewiss call to get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America. Organizers describe good trouble as peaceful, collective action to challenge injustice and create meaningful change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers say the day is a response to the Trump administrations full-scale attack on civil and human rights, like the SAVE Act, which could disenfranchise millions of voters, and the criminalization of protest. The action is meant to be peaceful and nonviolent, according to the website. They discourage bringing weapons of any kind. Protesters at the Rhode Island State House display their signs at the "No Kings Day" rally on June 14. Where are Good Trouble protests being held in Rhode Island on July 17? At least nine communities are holding Good Trouble protests on July 17 in Rhode Island, as of July 15. Heres a list. Find an event near you East Providence: 11 a.m. 1 p.m., Freedom Green Jamestown: 7 8 p.m., East Ferry Memorial Square Narragansett: 7 8 p.m. Newport: 7:15 8:30 p.m., Eisenhower Park New Shoreham: 12 1 p.m. North Kingstown: 5 7 p.m. Providence: 2 4 p.m., Rhode Island State House South Kingstown: 5:30 7 p.m., Old Tower Hill Road Westerly: 5 7 p.m., 13 High St Good Trouble Lives On protest map To see a map of registered Good Trouble Lives On protests across the U.S., go to goodtroubleliveson.org. Contributing: A.J. Rao This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'Good Trouble' anti-Trump protest: When, where RI rallies will be RESTON, Va. (AP) Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced on Tuesday that Google will partner with his administration to provide free and low-cost artificial intelligence certification courses to Virginians as part of his offices ongoing effort to connect citizens to new jobs amid changes to the states economy. The partnership, which he has described as an AI career launchpad, will provide Google-sponsored AI training courses for up to 10,000 Virginians at any given time, officials said at Googles office in the northern part of the state. The training opportunities will be listed on a job website that Youngkin launched earlier this year, in response to significant layoffs among federal workers by the Trump administration, including many workers from Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All fields, all career movements somewhere along the way, are going to incorporate this next generation of technology, Youngkin said at the news conference. The initiative comes with unemployment rising in Virginia, which has roughly 20,400 continued unemployment claims, state Secretary of Labor George Bryan Slater said after the news conference. Roughly 2,800 people initially filed unemployment claims during the first week of July, which is about 6.1 percent higher than the previous week. The AI webpage will feature the free courses as well as some low-cost learning opportunities, ranging from beginner friendly courses on AI fundamentals and practical workplace applications of artificial intelligence to bootcamps and degree programs offered by Virginias leading-edge community colleges and universities, according to the governors office. Nicole Overley, commissioner of Virginia Works, said businesses have told her office that AI proficiency has become increasingly necessary in their industries. She said the training would help Virginians become competitive in the job markets where these very businesses are hiring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overly confirmed that the training courses won't cost taxpayers anything and are being donated by Google. Bronagh Friel, head of partnerships at Google, said she was proud of the collaboration with the state. Google is committed to championing economic growth and opportunity in Virginia, she said. ___ Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. In a landmark verdict last week, a California jury ordered Google to pay $314 million after finding that the tech giant had misled Android users, covertly collecting personal data in the background, even when phones were idle or dataoff settings appeared to be enabled. The Class Action That Exposed Googles Secret Android Data Collection The case stems from a class action lawsuit filed in 2019, representing around 14 million Android users in California. It alleged that since 2016, Google had been gathering user informationlargely for advertising and analytics purposeswithout proper consent. According to the suit, the data transfers continued even when devices werent in active use, quietly consuming mobile data through background processes users thought they had disabled. Those eligible to receive compensation include California residents who owned a Google-licensed Android device between August 9, 2016, and the present, as detailed on the class action website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evidence at trial revealed that Google secretly collects a massive amount of information from Android smartphones, and needlessly consumes Android owners cellular data without their consent to do so, said Glenn Summers, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs. The evidence also revealed that for many years Google has known that Android settings which purport to allow users to turn off background mobile data usage are largely illusory and do not stop the transfers. He added that the jurys decision sends a loud message to Google that it must actually honor its commitment to respect user choice and not just pay lip service to it, according to Law360. Google, however, defended its practices during the trial, saying users had agreed to data collection through the platforms terms of service. The company maintains that no harm resulted from the data transmissions. In a statement to Reuters, Google said it plans to appeal, arguing the ruling misunderstands services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices. Google Faces Larger Trial in 2026 Over Nationwide Android Data Claims While the recent $314 million verdict marks a major win for Android users in California, Googles legal troubles are far from over. A separate, nationwide class action lawsuit has been filed in federal court in San Jose, targeting the same alleged misconductbut this time on behalf of Android users across the rest of the United States. The federal case accuses Google of covertly collecting user data and consuming mobile data in the background, even when phones were idle or users believed they had disabled such transfers. Much like the California suit, it claims these actions violated user privacy and depleted cellular data without consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This broader case is currently scheduled to go to trial in April 2026 and could expose Google to billions more in damages. While the California lawsuit covers around 14 million residents, the national class action could potentially impact tens of millions of Android users. Legal analysts suggest the California ruling may set a precedent for the upcoming federal trial, influencing how courts interpret background data transfers and user rights over mobile data. Depending on the outcome, the 2026 case could mark one of the most significant privacy-related verdicts in U.S. tech industry history. Google Settles Separate $100M Advertiser Lawsuit Over Misplaced Ads The Android data cases arent the only legal headaches Google has faced in recent years. Earlier this year, the company agreed to pay $100 million to resolve a separate class action lawsuitthis time brought by advertisers who claimed Googles ad platform failed to honor key targeting settings. The case, filed in 2011 and stretching over 14 years, alleged that Google Adsformerly known as Google AdWordsbreached its own contracts by displaying ads outside of the geographic locations advertisers had specifically selected. This misplacement, plaintiffs argued, led to wasted ad spend and violated the terms of service between Google and its advertising clients. The settlement applies to businesses and individuals who used Google Ads between 2004 and 2012, according to Reuters. Despite agreeing to the payout, Google denied any wrongdoing. This case was about ad product features we changed over a decade ago, a company spokesperson told The Verge. Were pleased its resolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While unrelated to the Android privacy lawsuits, the advertiser case highlights a broader pattern of legal scrutiny around Googles handling of user and client data, both in its consumer services and advertising technologies. Source: The Sun, Cellular Data Class Action Read the original article on GEEKSPIN. Affiliate links on GEEKSPIN may earn us and our partners a commission. Google has abandoned plans to build its own data centre in the greater Berlin region, a company spokesman said on Tuesday. He said the US tech giant will not go ahead with a previously planned facility in Mittenwalde, about 30 kilometres south of Berlin. Bremer said Google evaluates its data centre locations with a long-term view, considering a wide range of factors. "Following a thorough review of feasibility, overall market developments, and our business priorities, we decided not to pursue the Mittenwalde site," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he said Google remains "committed to the Berlin-Brandenburg region and Germany." In the Berlin region, Google currently rents space in data centres operated by third parties. In 2023, the company opened a large data centre in Hanau, near Frankfurt, where only one of three planned construction phases has so far been completed. The Frankfurt region has become a hotspot for data centre construction, due in large part to its proximity to DE-CIX, one of the worlds largest internet exchange points. The hub allows operators to move vast amounts of data with minimal latency. Google also owns two additional plots of land in the western Rhine-Main area that are available for future data centres. The developments came as Google's rival, US software giant Oracle, said it plans to invest $2 billion in Germany over the next five years in order to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) applications and cloud infrastructure. President Donald Trump's mass deportation efforts have raised questions among officials in a Republican county north of Cincinnati. Commissioners in Butler County, which Trump won in 2024 with 62% of the vote, approved a contract earlier this year between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the sheriff's office that allows the Butler County Jail to hold ICE detainees. Now, a commissioner said those detained are not the "criminals" he thought. A handful of Butler County residents voiced concerns about ICE detentions to Republican commissioners T.C. Rogers and Don Dixon at their July 15 meeting. Commissioner Cindy Carpenter did not attend the meeting. Enquirer review found 7 in 10 ICE detainees had no criminal convictions An Enquirer review of ICE and jail data previously found most people detained by ICE at the jail have no criminal convictions. A few of the speakers referenced The Enquirer's findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When I hear that our sheriff is just going after normal people that have come here illegally but still have come here and are working that is different than what I'm told was the plan that started after Jan. 20," Commissioner Rogers said. "That (plan) was to get rid of the criminals." The Butler County Jail began detaining people for ICE in March. A handful of county residents were concerned that most people detained by ICE at the jail had no criminal convictions, which The Enquirer found by reviewing ICE data. Rogers quoted statements made by Trump, that there are millions of "murderers" and "rapists" living in the United States without legal status. "In my mind, there's a lot of criminals to go (deport) first before you start thinking about these people that just came here and have not had a criminal infraction or crime after they got here," he said. "What you're saying is contrary to what I've been told." GOP commissioner: 'We hear you. I hear you' Speakers asked commissioners to halt the number of ICE detainees being held at the jail and to cap the number of sheriff's deputies authorized to make immigration arrests. It's unclear what power commissioners have to address these concerns, since both of those agreements are between ICE and the sheriff's office and don't appear to require commissioner approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People are losing their respect for us because of what we're doing," said Anne Jantzen, a former administrator at two Butler County school districts. "We're being perceived as a community that tolerates cruelty." Rogers and Dixon said they would speak to Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones about the concerns. "We hear you. I hear you," Dixon said. "We will address this as much as we can." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ICE detentions at Ohio jail raise questions among Republicans Former senator and 2018 Republican gubernatorial candidate Patrick Colbeck, who has since become a purveyor of election conspiracy theories in the wake of the 2020 election, testified before the Michigan House Election Integrity Committee. July 15, 2025 | Screenshot A former Republican lawmaker, gubernatorial candidate and election conspiracy theorist on Tuesday asked a Michigan House of Representatives committee to request federal investigations against three of Michigans top ranking Democrats, whom he has repeatedly accused of fraud and other crimes, including bribery. Pat Colbeck, who served in the Michigan Senate from 2011 to 2019 and sought the Republican nomination for governor in 2018, presented a laundry list of election integrity concerns to the House Election Integrity Committee, chaired by state Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Martin). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three officials Colbeck asked to be investigated include Attorney General Dana Nessel, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden. Nessel spokesperson Danny Wimmer, in a statement to Michigan Advance, dismissed Colbecks claims and accusations as unhinged. Anyone familiar with Patrick Colbecks post-legislative career of peddling unhinged and unproven election conspiracies can see how absurd it was to host him before a House committee, Wimmer said. His efforts have been rejected time and again by election experts and the courts. The fact that this committee entertained his testimony suggests they are fundamentally unserious about strengthening the laws that defend our elections. Attorney General Nessel stands by her comprehensive, significant work in investigating and prosecuting election law violations during her tenure in office. Benson spokesperson Angela Benander told the Advance that the committee was doing a real disservice to Michigan voters by continuing to platform these widely discredited self-appointed experts and allowing them to rehash their failed attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its July 2025 why are they spending taxpayer resources and valuable time on these debunked conspiracy theories? While everyone else is rightly focused on passing a budget and on legislation that solves problems for people in Michigan, the [House Election Integrity Committee] has hosted a parade of extremists to spout false information about our states secure elections, Benander said. Its been seven months, and the committee has not introduced any legislation based on these presentations. The people of Michigan deserve to know why the Chair and the Speaker are letting a small group of social media-based election deniers drive the agenda. Benander went on to say that Michigans elections were secure, the results were accurate and that the Michigan Department of State was ready to work with the House on tangible improvements to election systems when the House was also ready. A request for comment on Colbecks commentary sent to Bolden was not returned at the time of publication. Colbeck, since the end of his political career, has been at the forefront of election conspiracy theories surrounding the outcome of the 2020 election, in which he claimed election officials at the former TCF Center now Huntington Center Detroit counting location connected election equipment to the internet. Colbeck claimed there was evidence of vote manipulation, assertions that were later reviewed in court and deemed unsubstantiated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans since that election have sought to relitigate the 2020 election results and have dedicated much time since retaking the Michigan House in 2024 to bolstering election security based on some of those past claims. Colbecks invitation to the House Election Integrity Committee recounted many of his past claims, but also included new claims that the Michigan Bureau of Elections unlawfully destroyed election records, which Colbeck said was admitted to under oath in Hillsdale County court proceedings. The former legislator was referring to the case against Stefanie Lambert Junttila, who is facing trial in Oakland County for alleged attempts to access and tamper with voting tabulators following the 2020 election. She also faces charges in Hillsdale, where it was alleged that she and former Adams Township Clerk Stephanie Scott permitted an unauthorized computer examiner to access voter data concerning the 2020 election, which included non-public information. Junttila requested to adjourn the start of Mondays trial in Oakland, citing preliminary examination testimony in the in Hillsdale case from Michigan Director of Elections Jonathan Brater that she said contradicted statements he made to a grand jury, which indicted Junttila alongside former Republican candidate for attorney general Matt DePerno and former State Rep. Daire Rendon (R-Lake City) for allegedly tampering with election equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After recounting his various concerns with Michigans election systems, Colbeck said he was recommending the Legislature pass new laws to fix the problems he highlighted, subpoena officials for additional information and request federal investigations against Nessel, Benson and Bolden. Colbeck, based on the so-called evidence he brought with him to the committee meeting, asked the House to request a federal investigation into Nessel for fraud, willful neglect of duty, and intimidation of election officials in the wake of the 2020 election. He accused Benson of deprivation of rights under the color of law, bribery, fraud, willful neglect of duty, intimidation of election officials, and the unlawful destruction of election records. Colbeck similarly accused Bolden of bribery, which was connected to his claim against Benson. Colbeck has for months claimed that Benson gave Boldens campaign for Michigan Supreme Court, in a bid to retain her seat after being appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, $82,500 while the high court was gearing up to hear the OHalloran v. Benson election lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colbeck said the opinion in the case, which was favorable to Benson and her department, was written by Bolden. Colbeck claimed that was evidence of bribery. I cant get into the mens rea [or the guilt of mind] on this. I dont know if she had the intent of it being a bribe or not, Colbeck said. I dont have access to those communications. All I have is FOIA access. Colbeck also said he requested the same kind of investigation into that political donation from the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, the Judicial Tenure Commission and now federal authorities, in addition to his request to the House on Tuesday. On the subpoena front, which the House has shown a recent willingness to flex against Benson and Nessel, in particular, Colbeck suggested that the House seek to obtain the states Qualified Voter File transaction log and accountancy of data formatting errors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its important for us to know who, when, what and how these records were actually updated, Colbeck said. I do applaud the representatives who support the issuing of subpoenas for the election training materials, and if you recall the House asked nicely for these materials before being forced to issue a subpoena. He said that everyday citizens also hit brick walls when trying to request this information via the Freedom of Information Act, and that when requests are denied, we often have to take the advice of Jocelyn Bensons lawyer and sue for access to the information. That approach is often expensive and time consuming, Colbeck said. Legislative subpoenas offer an alternative to this burdensome approach to election transparency. The data formatting error request would include seeking coding scripts, raw data and communications including Bureau of Elections chat records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said access to this information could validate or invalidate Bensons narrative on the security of past elections. In questions for Colbeck, state Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) questioned his commitment to transparency and asked why he hadnt sought to relitigate other elections, like his own election in 2011, the 2016 and the 2024 elections, in which Republicans surged and saw President Donald Trump ascend to the Oval Office. In response, Colbeck said he would entertain a full audit of those elections, saying that was the heart of his request to the Legislature. For the record, I called for an audit of the 2016 election. Ive called for an audit in the wake of the 2024 election, Colbeck said. Whats happening right now is that we have this big, little mystery box called the election system, and I think it needs to be opened up with a bright flashlight, and we should see it across the board and examine every single election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xiong countered that there were real threats to American and Michigan democracy on the horizon. She worried about election issues in the 2026 election, which will occur with Republicans in charge of all levers of the federal government, and questioned why Colbeck was trying to relitigate the past. I did see your suggestions, Xiong said. You were a senator once. How come you didnt introduce legislation back then to fix these issues? When did they start? State Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren), questioning Pat Colbeck during a Michigan House Election Integrity Committee hearing. July 15, 2025 | Screenshot Colbeck said he attempted to hold a committee hearing like the one the House was holding on Tuesday, parsing various anomalies in the 2016 election, saying that his staffers had discovered discrepancies in the pollbook numbers and the ballot containers. He went on to say that his musings on election security defied party affiliations, because it was his own then-Senate majority leader, Arlan Meekof (R-Grand Haven), who he said prevented him from holding that hearing and having a frank discussion. The lead investigator in the conspiracy-driven effort to discredit Joe Bidens presidency because Biden occasionally used an autopen to sign documents uses a digital signature himself. An NBC investigation found Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), who oversees the House Oversight Committee, had staffers digitally sign legal documents on his behalf. Ironically, the documents in question were all letters or subpoenas sent in pursuit of Comers investigation into Biden for seemingly engaging in the same behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sixteen letters bearing Comers signature were sent to Biden White House officials requesting transcribed interviews. In all 16 cases, Comers signature was digitally inserted, and the metadata shows an oversight committee staffer actually authored the documents. Comer also signed cover letters for two subpoenas, which forced former White House physician Dr. Kevin OConnor and former Jill Biden aide Anthony Bernal to appear before the committee. (Dr. OConnor sat for the committee last week but refused to answer any questions, citing doctor-client privilege and his Fifth Amendment rights.) Comers office didnt respond to a request for comment from HuffPost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oversight Committee did, however, respond to NBC reporter Ryan Nobles on X, where they didnt dispute the report but did poorly photoshop the Capitol Hill correspondent into clown makeup: Ryan is out here cosplaying as a journalist while Biden's staff played Weekend at Bernie's with executive powers and an autopen. Imagine watching a constitutional crisis unfold and deciding your big scoop is Adobe Acrobat on cover letters. Touch grass, Ryan. https://t.co/RCumruapnIpic.twitter.com/lgDQVocpOi Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) July 15, 2025 Comer himself also attacked Nobles on social media, telling him, Theres still time to delete this. In a longer response, a spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee also told NBC that comparing Comers digital signature to Bidens legally binding autopen is absurd and misleading and that using digital signatures for official correspondence is common practice for both Republicans and Democrats. Related... Republican U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar. (Via U.S. House of Representatives) South Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Maria Salazar introduced a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform package on Tuesday that would provide legal status for certain undocumented immigrants. The announcement comes as the Trump administration leans further into its mass deportation efforts, with hundreds and sometimes thousands of undocumented migrants being detained on a daily basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dignity Act of 2025, co-sponsored with Texas Democrat Veronica Escobar is a revised version of a bill that Salazar first introduced in 2023. It also would provide protections for Dreamers but would not allow for any federal benefits for migrants or a pathway to citizenship. The measure would create a Dignity Program allowing undocumented immigrants who have been in the U.S. since 2021 to apply to live in the country for up to seven years with work authorization. They would have to pay $7,000 in restitution, stay in legal compliance, and check in with the Department of Homeland Security regularly. It would be renewable if individuals remain in good standing. The measure would also create a $70 billion American Workforce fund that would be used for apprenticeships, retraining, and education for citizens, with one American worker trained for every Dignity participant. It would be funded through annual restitution fees of $1,000 and a 1% payroll levy on Dignity Program participants. It would include border security provisions, with barriers, drones, and radar used to stop the flow of migrants. It would require nationwide E-Verify for all employers to check on the legal status of their employees. It also calls for DNA testing to verify family relationships at the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And it would reform the asylum system. with most asylum cases to be decided within 60 days. It would include optional regional processing centers in Latin America. It also calls for penalties for fraudulent claims, with expedited removal for repeat violators. The introduction of the measure comes as the number of migrants caught crossing the U.S.-Mexican border illegally has been setting record monthly lows this summer. The Department of Homeland Security reported earlier this month that the number of encounters and apprehensions on the southern border was the lowest in history. A commonsense solution For 40 years, every president and Congress has looked the other way while millions have lived here illegally, many working in key industries that keep our economy running, Salazar says in a written statement. Its the Achilles heel no one wants to fix. The Dignity Act offers a commonsense solution: certain undocumented immigrants can earn legal status not citizenship by working, paying taxes, and contributing to our country. No handouts. No shortcuts. Just accountability and a path to stability for our economy and our future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vast majority of immigrants are hard-working, law-abiding residents; and, despite how maligned they have been by the administration, most Americans recognize that it is in our countrys best interest to find a solution, Escobar added. We can enact legislation that incorporates both humanity and security, and the Dignity Act of 2025 offers a bipartisan, balanced approach that restores dignity to people who have tried to navigate a broken system for far too long. The bills attempt to merge border security with a path to remaining in the U.S. bears some resemblance to the immigration reform bill co-sponsored in the U.S. Senate by Floridas Marco Rubio in 2013. While approved in the Senate that year, it died in the House. A duty to due process A former television news anchor, Salazar has served in Congress representing Floridas 27th Congressional District since defeating Democrat Donna Shalala in 2020 and has been re-elected twice since then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, she said she was heartbroken about the uncertainty she said was gripping her South Florida district because of deportation actions by the Trump administration. Arrests in immigration courts, including people with I-220A and pending asylum cases, the termination of the CHNV (Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan) program, which has left thousands exposed to deportation, and other similar measures, all jeopardize our duty to due process that every democracy must guarantee, Salazar said in a statement. An additional 20 members of the House from both sides of the aisle are listed as co-sponsors of the bill, including South Florida GOP U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that five more counties devastated by recent flooding will receive federal disaster aid. President Donald Trump approved adding Burnet, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and Tom Green counties to the Major Disaster Declaration. The expansion means 10 Texas counties now qualify for FEMAs Public Assistance program, providing crucial funding to rebuild damaged infrastructure and facilities. The previously approved counties include Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Menard, and San Saba. President Trumps approval of my request to add more counties to his disaster declaration is another critical step to get Texans the support they need to recover, said Gov. Abbott. Burnet, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and Tom Green counties are now eligible for crucial public assistance to rebuild. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbott thanked President Trump for swiftly approving the request. Texas continues to work around-the-clock to help every impacted community heal and rebuild, he added. Six counties remain eligible for FEMAs Individual Assistance program, which provides assistance to residents with temporary housing and home repairs. Those counties are Burnet, Kerr, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson. Texans can apply for individual disaster assistance online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Additional counties may be added as damage assessments continue. The governor has taken multiple actions to support flood recovery efforts. These include visiting impacted areas with President Trump in Kerrville and launching a Texas Flooding Emotional Support Line. Abbott has also announced disaster unemployment assistance and surveyed flood damage throughout affected regions. State emergency response resources remain deployed as communities begin the long process of recovery. Touchstone Exploration has provided an operational update on its Central Block asset, located onshore in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The Central Block asset comprises four producing natural gas wells and a gas processing facility. For the first quarter of 2025, gross production volumes from the Central Block averaged 2,969 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) (1,930boepd net), with approximately 16.74 million cubic feet per day (mcf/d) of natural gas and 179 barrels per day (bpd) of natural gas liquids (NGLs). Preliminary estimates for the second quarter of 2025 show an average gross production of 3,023boepd (1,965boepd net), consisting of around 17.05mcf/d of natural gas and 181bpd of NGLs. In December 2024, Touchstone announced an agreement to acquire the share capital of Shell Trinidad Central Block from BG Overseas Holdings for a cash consideration of $23m (C$32.76m). On 16 May 2025, Touchstone completed the acquisition of Shell Trinidad Central Block through the former's wholly owned Trinidadian subsidiary. The block has now been renamed to Touchstone Trinidad Central Block. This entity holds a 65% operating interest in the onshore Central Block exploration and production licence, with Heritage Petroleum Company holding the remaining 35% participating interest. The financial and operational results from the acquired entity have been consolidated into Touchstone's financial statements since the acquisition date. Natural gas from the Central Block is sold under two contracts: one linked to LNG export pricing and another to domestic market pricing. From January to April 2025, 11 LNG liftings, including associated liquids, were completed, totalling 2,207,696 million British thermal units (mbtu). Additionally, 11,065mbtu was sold into the domestic market, generating gross revenue of $13.6m ($8.9m net). After transportation and processing costs, gross revenue totalled $8.9m ($5.8m net). The Central Block also generated $1m in gross revenues ($0.65m net) from condensate sales, resulting in total gross revenue of $9.9m ($6.4m net) for the period. The entire sales volume is subject to a 12.5% state royalty and applicable plant operating costs. Furthermore, Touchstone finalised site surveys for two new well pads, each supporting up to four drilling sites, and is currently awaiting government construction approvals. "Touchstone Exploration offers updates on Central Block asset in Trinidad and Tobago" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. (Courtesy: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) (Courtesy: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) (Courtesy: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) (Courtesy: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) (Courtesy: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) Gov. Kay Ivey swore in a new honorary ALEA Trooper that will serve as a work zone safety dog at the state capitol. Vaquito, will pick up where his predecessor Millie, left off. Millie retired in February 2025. According to ALEA, Vaquito will travel the state alongside his handler, Morris King, and additional state troopers to share life-saving messages about work zone safety and distracted driving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welcome to the team, Trooper Vaquitowere lucky to have a top dog like you helping connect with citizens of all ages and spread safety messages across the state, said ALEA. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Gov. Jeff Landry announced Monday he will name the states largest National Guard training site after a little-known early 19th century Louisiana militia member and slaveowner, the father of the Confederate general whose name the facility originally carried. (Photo courtesy of Louisiana National Guard) Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced Monday he will name the states largest National Guard training site after a little-known early 19th century militiaman and slaveowner, the father of the Confederate general whose name the facility originally carried. The Louisiana National Guard Training Facility in Pineville will once again be known as Camp Beauregard, which had been its name until 2023 when the state joined a nationwide effort to remove monuments and honorifics to Confederate veterans and leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The site was previously named after Gen. Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, who initiated the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter off South Carolinas coast to begin the Civil War on April 12, 1861. It will now be named after Capt. Jacques Toutant Beauregard, a member of the Louisiana Militia who reportedly fought in the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. Jacques Toutant Beauregard is P.G.T. Beauregards father, Louisiana National Guard spokeswoman Lt. Col. Noel Collins confirmed to the Illuminator. Landry announced the renaming of the facility with a social media post that included a seemingly AI-generated image of a headstone that reads Wokeism. By restoring the name Camp Beauregard, we honor a legacy of courage and service that dates back over two centuries, Landry said in a news release. Let this also be a lesson that we should always give reverence to history and not be quick to so easily condemn or erase the dead, lest we and our times be judged arbitrary by future generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors news release does not mention the Beauregards are related to each other. P.G.T. Beauregard, a native of St. Bernard Parish, was the first Confederate to receive the rank of general after Louisiana seceded from the United States on Jan. 26, 1861 one month after South Carolina became the first state to secede. He soon took command of Confederate forces in Charleston. The Union surrendered Fort Sumter to him to conclude a bloodless battle that marked the beginning of a four-year war. Beauregard would later take advantage of the mass pardons for treason offered to former Confederate officers and officials by President Andrew Johnson. The former general was reportedly reluctant to swear an oath of allegiance to the United States but was persuaded to do so by Johnson and Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. After his return to Louisiana, P.G.T. Beauregard became a railroad superintendent and argued for Black voting rights in order to remove the radical Republicans who had gained control of state and local government during the Reconstruction period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Louisiana National Guard news release, Jacques Toutant Beauregard was a member of the Louisiana Militia whose regiment took part in a fight that was a prelude to the Battle of New Orleans. Jacques Toutant Beauregard was the owner of a sugarcane farm in St. Bernard Parish later named the Contreras Plantation, where P.G.T. Beauregard was born. The Beauregard family owned slaves on the plantation, according to T. Harry Williams biography P.G.T. Beauregard, Napoleon in Gray. In the news release, Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard, praised Jacques Toutant Beauregard as an American hero. Were naming our premier training installation after an American hero and patriot who fought for the freedom of the city of New Orleans, the State of Louisiana, and the United States of America against a foreign invader, Friloux said. Like the SC Daily Gazette, Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) State leaders are eyeing the success of a recently launched pilot program, aimed at keeping housing affordable in the state. Launched by the Connecticut Department of Housing, the Urban Investment Initiative aims to both create and maintain affordable housing in cities and towns that need it most. New affordable housing complex opens in New Haven Its about allowing people to be in the neighborhood that they love, do what we can to make life a little more affordable for them, Gov. Ned Lamont said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a press conference on Monday, Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno explained that certain neighborhoods were chosen from need-based indicators, such as the percentage of low-income households, the amount of overcrowding and certain health indicators of the population. Lawmakers clash over proposed affordable housing bill Thirty homes are in the process of being retrofitted around New Havens Newhallville neighborhood thanks to $900,000 in investments. Eight affordable units have also been created since the programs launch late last year. Non-profit Efficiency for All (M-Power) and the Yale School of Architecture have also stepped in to help, partnering to retrofit and construct the new homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were able to do a lot of things to fix the problem, not just put a band-aid on it, Lillian Brough of Efficiency for All said. After running into issues with mold growing in both her attic and basement unsuspected, 82-year-old homeowner May says the program came along her way just in time. West Hartford finishes phase 1 of housing project I feel like someone is watching over me, for real, and that I can look forward instead of looking back at the damage, May said. While there are plans to bring the program to select towns and cities, program leaders say they hope to stretch the work state-wide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Governor Josh Shapiro has joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administrations decision to withhold millions in school funding. The suit involves 25 other states as well as the District of Columbia. It claims the Trump administration is unlawfully holding $230 million owed to Pennsylvania schools. The funding covers things like before and after-school programming, as well as teacher training and development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im suing to force the Trump administration to deliver the money our students and schools were promised and owed, Shapiros statement said in part. If anyone tries to hurt students here in Pennsylvania, theyll have to go through me. This isnt the only suit the governor has against the administration. Shapiro last month sued the USDA for terminating funding that supports local farmers and food banks. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW ASHEVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) North Carolina Governor Josh Stein is kicking off a new tourism initiative for western North Carolina. He spoke Monday afternoon at the Asheville Regional Airport. The plan is called Rediscover the Unforgettable. This initiative encourages visitors to hike our sweeping mountain views and visit shops and restaurants after Hurricane Helens destruction disrupted the areas tourism industry. As Gov. Stein said Monday, western North Carolina is open for business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that a lot of people who are not from western North Carolina dont appreciate how much progress has occurred since the storm. That restaurants are open, stores are open, the craftspeople are putting their wares out for sale. And what we want is for people not to associate the floods, the high watermark, but to realize that water has receded and people have come back and rebuilt, and they need our business. We need to make sure that as many people can come to western North Carolina The press conference also kicked off Governor and First Lady Steins week of exploring the mountains, supporting small businesses and showcasing all that the region has to offer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Elon Musk has receded from Washington but one of his most disruptive ideas about government is surging inside the Trump administration. Artificial intelligence, Musk has said, can do a better job than federal employees at many tasks - a notion being tested by AI projects trying to automate work across nearly every agency in the executive branch. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Federal Aviation Administration is exploring whether AI can be a better air traffic controller. The Pentagon is using AI to help officers distinguish between combatants and civilians in the field, and said Monday that its personnel would begin using the chatbot Grok offered by Musks start-up, xAI, which is trying to gain a foothold in federal agencies. Artificial intelligence technology could soon play a central role in tax audits, airport security screenings and more, according to public documents and interviews with current and former federal workers. Many of these AI programs aim to shrink the federal workforce - continuing the work of Musks U.S. DOGE Service that has cut thousands of government employees. Government AI is also promised to reduce wait times and lower costs to American taxpayers. Government tech watchdogs worry the Trump administrations automation drive - combined with federal layoffs - will give unproven technology an outsize role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If AI drives federal decision-making instead of aiding human experts, glitches could unfairly deprive people of benefits or harm public safety, said Elizabeth Laird, a director at the Washington-based nonprofit Center for Democracy and Technology. There is a fundamental mismatch between what AI can do and what citizens expect from government, she said. President Joe Biden in 2023 signed an executive order aimed at spurring government use of AI, while also containing its risks. In January, President Donald Trump repealed that order. His administration has removed AI guardrails while seeking to accelerate its rollout. A comprehensive White House AI plan is expected this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has long stressed the importance of American AI dominance, and his administration is using every possible tool to streamline our government and deliver more efficient results for the American people, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement. The Washington Post reviewed government disclosures and interviewed current and former federal workers about plans to expand government AI. Some expressed alarm at the administrations disregard for safety and government staff. Others saw potential to improve efficiency. In government, you have so much that needs doing and AI can help get it done and get it done faster, said Jennifer Pahlka, who was deputy U.S. chief technology officer in President Barack Obamas second term. Sahil Lavingia, a former DOGE staffer who pushed the Department of Veterans Affairs to use AI to identify potentially wasteful spending, said government should aggressively deploy the technology becoming so prevalent elsewhere. Government processes are efficient today, he said, but could be made more efficient with AI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lavingia argued no task should be off limits for experimentation, especially in war. I dont trust humans with life and death tasks, he said, echoing a maximalist view of AIs potential shared by some DOGE staffers. Heres how AI is being deployed within some government agencies embracing the technology. - - - Waging war The Pentagon is charging ahead with artificial intelligence this year. The number of military and civilian personnel using NGA Maven, one of the Pentagons core AI programs, has more than doubled since January, said Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth, director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, in a May speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The system, launched in 2017, processes imagery from satellites, drones and other sources to detect and identify potential targets for humans to assess. More than 25,000 U.S. military and civilian personnel around the world now use NGA Maven. NGA Maven is being expanded, Whitworth said, to interpret data such as audio and text in conjunction with imagery, offering commanders a live map of military operations. The aim is to help it better distinguish combatants from noncombatants and enemies from allies, and for units using NGA Maven to be able to make 1,000 accurate decisions about potential targets within an hour. The Pentagons AI drive under Trump will give tech companies like data-mining firm Palantir a larger role in American military power. A White House executive order and a Defense Department memo have instructed federal officials to rely more on commercial technology. In May, the Defense Department announced it was more than doubling its planned spending on a core AI system that is part of NGA Maven called Maven Smart System, allocating an additional $795 million. The software, provided by Palantir, analyzes sensor data to help soldiers identify targets and commanders to approve strikes. It has been used for planning logistics to support deployed troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - - - Air traffic control The Federal Aviation Administration is testing whether AI software can reliably aid air traffic controllers, according to a person with knowledge of the agencys plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retaliation. Humans would remain in the loop, the person said, but AI would help reduce fatigue and distraction. Air traffic control staff would continue to communicate with pilots, for example, but AI might handle repetitive and data-driven tasks, monitoring airspace more generally. Due in part to ongoing staff shortages in air traffic control, the agencys AI plans include planning for less people, the person said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other uses for AI being explored at the FAA include analyzing air traffic or crash data and predicting when aircraft are likely to need maintenance, the person said. The FAA sees artificial intelligence as a potential tool to address airline safety concerns that were brought to the fore by the January midair collision that killed more than 60 people near Reagan National Airport. The FAA is exploring how AI can improve safety, the agency said in a unsigned statement, but air traffic controllers do not currently use the technology. That includes using the technology to scan incident reports and other data to find risks around airports with a mixture of helicopter and airplane traffic, the statement said, while emphasizing humans will remain in charge. FAA subject matter experts are essential to our oversight and safety mission and that will never change, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - - - Examining patents The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office wants to test whether part of the job of patent examiners - who review patent applications to determine their validity - can be replaced by AI, according to records obtained by The Post and an agency employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal deliberations. Patent seekers who opt into a pilot program will have their applications fed into an AI search tool that will trawl the agencys databases for existing patents with similar information. It will email applicants a list of the 10 most relevant documents, with the goal of efficiently spurring people to revise, alter or withdraw their application, the records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From July 21, per an email obtained by The Post, it will become mandatory for examiners to use an AI-based search tool to run a similarity check on patent applications. The agency did not respond to a question asking if it is the same technology used in the pilot program that will email patent applicants. The agency employee said AI could have an expansive role at USPTO. Examiners write reports explaining whether applications fall afoul of patent laws or rules. The large language models behind recent AI systems like ChatGPT are very good at writing reports, and their ability to analyze keeps getting better, the employee said. This month, the agency had planned to roll out another new AI search tool that examiners will be expected to use, according to internal documents reviewed by The Post. But the launch moved so quickly that concerns arose that USPTO workers - and some top leaders - did not understand what was about to happen. Some staff suggested delaying the launch, the documents show, and it is unclear when it will ultimately be released. USPTO referred questions to the Commerce Department, which shared a statement from an unnamed spokesperson. At the USPTO, we are evaluating how AI and technology can better support the great work of our patent examiners, the statement said. - - - Airport security screening You may see fewer security staff next time you fly as the Transportation Security Administration automates a growing number of tasks at airport checkpoints. TSA began rolling out facial recognition cameras to check IDs in 2022, a program now live in more than 200 airports nationwide. Despite studies showing that facial recognition is not perfect and less accurate at identifying people of color, the agency says it is more effective at spotting impostors than human reviewers. A federal report this year found TSAs facial recognition is more than 99 percent accurate across all demographic groups tested. The agency says it is experimenting with automated kiosks that allow pre-checked passengers to pass through security with minimal to no assistance from TSA officers. During the Biden administration, these and other AI efforts at TSA were aimed at helping security officers be more efficient - not replacing them, said a former technology official at the Department of Homeland Security, TSAs parent agency, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. It frees up the officer to spend more time interacting with a passenger, the former official said. The new Trump administration has indicated it wants to accelerate AI projects, which could reduce the number of TSA officers at airports, according to Galvin Widjaja, CEO of Austin-based Lauretta.io, a contractor which works with TSA and DHS on tools for screening airport travelers. If an AI can make the decision, and theres an opportunity to reduce the manpower, theyre going to do that, Widjaja said in an interview. Russ Read, a spokesman for TSA, said in an emailed statement that the future of aviation security will be a combination of human talent and technological innovation. - - - Tax audits The Internal Revenue Service has an AI program to help employees query its internal manual, in addition to chatbots for a variety of internal uses. But the agency is now looking to off-load more significant tasks to AI tools. Once the new administration took over, with a mandate from DOGE that targeted the IRS, the agency examined the feasibility of deploying AI to manage tax audits, according to a person familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. The push to automate work so central to the IRSs mission underscores a broader strategy: to delegate functions typically left to human experts to powerful software instead. The end game is to have one IT, HR, etc., for Treasury and get AI to do everything, the person said. A DOGE official, start-up founder Sam Corcos, has been overseeing work to deploy AI more broadly at the IRS. But the lack of oversight of an ambitious effort to centralize the work of the IRS and feed it to a powerful AI tool has raised internal worries, the person said. The IRS has used AI for business functions including operational efficiency, fraud detection, and taxpayer services for a long time, a Treasury Department spokeswoman said in a statement. Treasury CIO Sam Corcos is implementing the fulsome IRS modernization plan that taxpayers have deserved for over three decades. - - - Caring for veterans In April, the Department of Veterans Affairss top technology official emailed lieutenants with his interpretation of the Trump administrations new AI policy. The message is clear to me, said Charles Worthington, who serves as VAs chief technology officer and chief AI officer. Be aggressive in seizing AI opportunity, while implementing common sense safeguards to ensure these tools are trustworthy when they are used in VAs most sensitive areas such as benefit determinations and health care. The email was published to VAs website in response to a public records request. VA said it deployed hundreds of uses of artificial intelligence last year, making it one of the agencies most actively tapping AI based on government disclosures. Among the most controversial of these programs has been REACH VET, a scoring algorithm used to prioritize mental health assistance to patients predicted to be at the highest risk of suicide. Last year, an investigation by the Fuller Project, a nonprofit news organization, found that the system prioritized help to White men, especially those who have been divorced or widowed - groups studies show to be at the highest risk of suicide. VA acknowledged that REACH VET previously did not consider known risk factors for suicide in female veterans, making it less likely that women struggling with thoughts of suicide would be flagged for assistance. Pete Kasperowicz, a VA spokesman, said in an email that the agency recently updated the REACH VET algorithm to account for several new risk factors specific to women, including military sexual trauma, pregnancy, ovarian cysts and infertility. Since the program launched in 2017, it has helped identify more than 117,000 at-risk veterans, prompting staff to offer them additional support and services, he said. REACH VET was one of over 300 AI applications that the Biden administration labeled safety impacting or rights impacting in annual transparency reports. The Trump administration, which has derided the risk-averse approach of the previous administration, discontinued those labels and will instead denote sensitive programs as high-impact. GRAPHIC https://washingtonpost.com/documents/7d84e1f4-d3f2-43d2-bfaa-1c646b2f812f.pdf Related Content Family adopts a shelter dog then learns hes the father of their late dog Can the Fed stay independent? Trump-era adviser may put it to the test. The Hubble telescope zooms in on the galaxy next door HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Indiana Governor Mike Braun was in Evansville on Monday. He was joined by Secretary of State Diego Morales. While here, they met with Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry. In a post on social media, Mayor Terry said it was great to have the chance to speak with Governor Braun about local representation on state commissions like the IURC and IEDC, as well as about the work were doing here in Evansville. City officials to soon accept bids for park at The Vault Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sec. Morales also met with Mayor Terry, saying the two had a productive meeting and chatted about initiatives highlighting Evansville on a statewide and international level. He also said one of his main goals has been to build relationships with leaders like her across Indiana. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS) Governor Patrick Morrisey has selected Drema Hill, Ph.D. to serve on the West Virginia Health Care Authority (WVHCA). According to a press release, Dr. Hill currently serves as the vice president for community engagement and chief operations officer for the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM). Hill joins four other members at the WVHCA, whose mission is to gain insight into costs of health care and maintain access to needed services within the state. Board members serve on a part-time basis, unpaid. James W. Nemitz, Ph. D., president of WVSOM, stated that Hill is a great appointment to the board. Dr. Hill is a respected leader in public health in our state and across the nation. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this board. James W. Nemitz, Ph. D. | President, WVSOM Vendor registration for the 39th annual Taste of Our Towns is open Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hill expressed her gratitude for being appointed to the board, making her able to serve residents of West Virginia more. I am honored to be appointed to the board of the West Virginia Health Care Authority. I look forward to representing West Virginians to ensure accessibility to quality, affordable health care. As a Boone County native, I grew up in the West Virginia rural health care system. My career has allowed me to work with local health departments, hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural health centers and specialty care centers. My role at WVSOM has afforded me the opportunity to help place well-trained physicians across our state and to work with and hear from community members about their health care issues. I hope to contribute my expertise to the board of the Health Care Authorit Drema Hill, Ph.D. | Vice President for Community Engagement/Chief Operations Officer, WVSOM Hill has received acknowledgement for her efforts in public health, both on the national and state levels, the release stated. In 2023, Hill was awarded the Excellence in Health Administration Award from the American Public Health Association. She was acknowledged as a West Virginia Wonder Woman by WV Living magazine in 2024 for her efforts in creating meaningful change in the Mountain State. Move over or else: New West Virginia law promises fine and jail time Hill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, a Master of Science degree in public service management, as well as a Ph.D. in human services with a concentration in health care administration, the release noted. Along with her educational background, she has also earned more than 40 years of experience in health leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She served on the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health for more than 20 years in multiple positions, the release stated. Previously, she lived and worked in Nashville, Tennessee, where she served as the Tennessee Department of Health. She also served as the chief executive officer of the Nashville Health Management Foundation and Comprehensive Care Center. After returning to West Virginia in 2010, she bean serving as the director of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services. Hill finished her career in state government by serving as the executive director of the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, a regional system. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Curt Stanley was directing airplanes and helicopters as the North Rim's Grand Canyon Lodge was engulfed in flames and destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire that tore through the national park on the night of July 12. Two days after the fire claimed the Grand Canyon Lodge, a fixture of the North Rim since the 1920s, the wildfire grew to nearly 6,000 acres, and firefighters had 0% containment of the spread, according to state and federal fire officials. "We were just short on resources, didn't have enough people, enough aircraft to get there and, you know, effectively fight the fire," said Stanley in a phone interview, speaking of his first night working on the fire as part of an air attack crew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's a look at the nearly 100-year history of Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim, and how the famed lodge had previously burned to the ground. Air traffic controller gives firsthand account of Grand Canyon Lodge destruction Stanley described an image of the destroyed Grand Canyon Lodge that was seen by infrared cameras mapping the fire overnight on July 12. "I can't see it with the naked eye from the air, so I have a screen up in front of me that I can see what my camera operator is looking at," Stanley said. "There were multiple buildings destroyed," he added. Stefan La-Sky, public information officer for Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team, said an estimated 70 structures were lost to the fire as of July 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement La-Sky said the lodge caught fire around 10:30 p.m. on the night of July 12, when winds were especially strong, burning overnight and into the early morning hours. Stanley said crews were unable to stop the fire from spreading to the lodge and nearby structures. An air attack crew fighting the Dragon Bravo Fire stands in front of their plane: Ben Stanistreet, pilot (left), Chris Panos, mission sensor operator (center), and Curt Stanley, air tactical group supervisor and air traffic controller. Air crews even braved a hazardous materials situation to fight the fire. Stanley said crews were initially able to fight the fire near a chlorine leak at a water treatment facility, but eventually had to withdraw due to safety concerns about pilots breathing toxic fumes. Stanley said that crews were unable to use fire retardant on July 12, the day the lodge burned, due to orders from the National Park Service. Fire retardant leaves red stains, caused by a dye used to make it easier to identify areas where retardant was dropped. The use of retardant is often avoided near historic structures. "That ground stays red until it rains," Stanley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Retardant is usually used when firefighting efforts are focused on suppression, rather than a contain-and-confine strategy, which officials used at the start of the Dragon Bravo Fire. Once the lodge and other structures burned, Stanley said crews were given the go-ahead to switch to full suppression efforts and use retardant. "The lodge and all the historic cabins, and employee housing, all that was our number one area for protection," Stanley said. Flying planes owned by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and National Park Service, Stanley remained in northern Arizona skies as of July 14, working with a three-man crew to attack the fire from above. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A resident of Weiser, Idaho, Stanley was now in Show Low along with his plane and crew. He had been fighting fires since 1993 with agencies such as the National Park Service. He had since retired, but he came back into service as a "casual hire" under the U.S. National Forest Service, Stanley said. Stanley was no stranger to Arizona. He visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in the mid-1990s, when the Lodge was still standing, he said. In 2004, he returned to Arizona to help fight the Willow Fire, which burned nearly 120,000 acres southwest of Payson. While battling the fire, Curt met his wife, Christina, who lived in Arizona at the time. "Fire has been part of our life ever since," Christina said. Community rallies to support employees and residents of Grand Canyon Lodge Nate Loper, a Grand Canyon tour guide, organized a fundraiser to help support victims of the Dragon Bravo Fire, many of whom were employees, guides and seasonal staff of the national park who were impacted directly by the wildfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park was closed for the duration of the 2025 season, according to park officials. "These are the men and women who pour their hearts into maintaining trails, guiding guests, and creating unforgettable experiences for millions of visitors," Loper said in a statement. Donations were sought on GoFundMe, and Loper shared the message on a custom website just for the fundraiser. "If the North Rim has ever inspired you, welcomed you, or left you in awe, nows the time to give back," Loper said. Loper has years of experience exploring the rim and rafting through the Colorado River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he took his family and children to stay at the Lodge in the past, describing it as a quiet and scenic retreat. History repeated. Grand Canyon Lodge was destroyed by fire in the past The original North Rim lodge was built in part for the Union Pacific Railroad and opened in 1928, according to the National Park Service. In September 1932, a fire destroyed the lodge quickly, sending the lodge's staff fleeing during the early morning hours, according to the National Park Service. According to "Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History," a book by Davy Crockett, the blaze started as a kitchen fire when a chef was preparing breakfast for employees. The rebuilt lodge opened in June 1937. It had a limestone facade that was sourced nearby, and massive ponderosa pine trees were turned into support beams to hold up a sloped roof capable of supporting heavy loads of snow, according to the National Park Service. Firefighters work to protect remaining North Rim structures Air attack crews, such as Stanley's, along with ground crews, made up nearly 300 personnel fighting the fire as of July 14, according to InciWeb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That included firefighters working to preserve remaining structures and cultural and natural resources within Grand Canyon National Park, according to InciWeb. A heavy aerial response was expected as part of an "aggressive full suppression strategy, according to InciWeb. Contact reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on Instagram, X, Threads and Bluesky: @ReyCJrAZ. (This article was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fire crew describe Grand Canyon Lodge destroyed in raging wildfire The nearly century-old Grand Canyon Lodge in far northern Arizona was a refuge for ambitious hikers and adventurous tourists eager to bask in the magnificent views of one of the most remote and renowned landscapes in the world. But a wind-whipped wildfire reduced it to a skeleton of itself within hours over the weekend, devastating the many who saw it as an intrinsic part of the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Fortified with Kaibab limestone and logs from the surrounding Ponderosa pine forest, it sat at the edge of the canyon, blending in and enhancing the natural environment. It's tragic, it really is, retired National Park Service chief historian Robert K. Sutton said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lodge itself told a key part of history for both the Grand Canyon and the National Park Service. Gilbert Stanley Underwood, who designed the lodge in 1927, sought to immerse residents in the landscape that now draws millions of visitors annually from around the world with a rustic, organic architectural style. He designed similar lodges in Zion and Bryce national parks in Utah, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Yosemite National Park in California, according to the park service. The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging within the canyon's North Rim, was built at a time when the federal department was eager to find ways to engage the public with the country's best natural offerings, Sutton said. For a place as remote as the North Rim, that wasn't an easy task. The lodge was a winding 212-mile (341-kilometer) drive from the more popular South Rim where 90% of the tourists go. Hiking from one side to the other is even more arduous at over 20 miles (32 kilometers) with steep ascents at the end. But the historic building's tranquility is a fundamental part of its appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre just on your own. Its just a completely different atmosphere, Sutton said. The drive up to the North Rim was a chance to see a bison herd that roams the far reaches of northern Arizona. The highway ended at the Grand Canyon Lodge, built right up to the edge of the rim. Across the lobby inside and down the stairs, visitors got a picturesque view of the Grand Canyon framed through the windows of the Sun Room furnished with plush couches. Navajo woven rugs hung on the walls and elaborate light fixtures from the ceilings. In the corner of the room sat Brighty, a burro that lived at the canyon and inspired a children's book, immortalized in a statue as a sort of mascot for the North Rim. Jen Pinegan, 47, trained for months to hike from the South Rim to the North Rim in May 2024. She started before the sun came up to avoid what can be ruthless Arizona heat. After 12 grueling hours, she arrived at the North Rim, stayed the night at the Grand Canyon Lodge and awoke to a view she she said had an indescribable magic to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others hikers were celebrating, too, creating an electric atmosphere as they soaked in the views, she said. I think theres what made it more incredible, is knowing that a lot of people dont see it," Pinegan said. She returned to the lodge for the Fourth of July weekend to take her youngest daughter and two step sons to lunch at the restaurant known for its elk chili. She said she was brought to tears when she heard it burned down. For those who enjoy a good road trip, like Erik Ammerlaan, the lodge had an elusive appeal. He's traveled to roughly 30 countries but counts his stay at the Grand Canyon Lodge in 2016 as one of his most memorable trips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was like you were looking at this movie, but its just nature," he said. "Youre really just one with nature The lightning-caused wildfire that consumed the lodge and dozens of other structures at the North Rim began July 4. The National Park Service had been managing it to clear the landscape of fuel when winds shifted and it made a run toward the lodge. Hundreds of people were evacuated. The blaze wasn't the first time the lodge was destroyed. In September 1932, just five years after it opened, lodge employees and residents watched as a kitchen fire grew and overtook the structure, according to the park service. It was rebuilt in 1938. Sutton, the retired park service historian, and others are optimistic the Grand Canyon Lodge will get a new life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I suspect it will regenerate, he said. ___ Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) is one of the 13 Best Japanese Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On July 2, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) announced that it has started building new amenities worth over $50 million at its Arizona Proving Grounds. These new facilities will be used for vehicle and automotive technology testing and development. The new construction will bring in many improvements, including a 5.5-mile oval track, an off-road park, and new surfaces for ride and handling tests. Most of the work is expected to be finished by the end of the year. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) is also planning to build a new facility focused on developing advanced driver assistance technology. Was Jim Cramer Right About Toyota Motor Corporation (TM)? Workers assembling a car in a modern manufacturing plant, emphasizing the company's sense of progress. The site, known as the Arizona Mobility Test Center at Toyota Arizona Proving Grounds, has been open for use by various companies as a vehicle testing resource since 2021. Site updates will make it even more attractive for testing new vehicle features. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) also plans to use the site to develop its North American vehicle models. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) is a Japanese multinational car manufacturer. While we acknowledge the potential of TM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Best American Semiconductor Stocks to Buy Now and 11 Best Fintech Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Jul. 14GRAND FORKS A Grand Forks man waived his Monday, July 14, preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty to three felony charges arising from an April incident when he allegedly abducted a man from the grocery store. Abdi Ahmed Ali, 43, is charged with Class B felony kidnapping, Class B felony robbery and Class C felony terrorizing. The robbery charge was previously filed as a Class C, but has since been changed to a Class B felony, which has a maximum 10-year sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each charge involves allegations of using a weapon. A man called 911 on April 21 to report that a man later identified as Ali approached him in the Al Amiin Grocery & Halal Meats parking lot, located at 1448 S. Washington St., and pointed a gun at him, demanding that he exit the vehicle. This is according to an affidavit of probable cause summary filed in the case, as well as previous WDAY reporting. The man said that when he refused, Ali got inside the back of his vehicle, then forced him at gunpoint to take him to the Islamic Center, located at 2122 17th Ave. S., according to the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they arrived, Ali left the vehicle and walked into the building; the man immediately left and called 911. Law enforcement detained Ali when he left the building and, reviewing the reporting party's dash camera footage, they were able to determine Ali's appearance was consistent with the man seen approaching the vehicle, the affidavit said. A weapon, determined to be a BB or pellet gun replica of an actual firearm, was found inside a trash can in the main entrance of the Islamic Center, according to the affidavit. Law enforcement said someone who lacks knowledge of firearms wouldn't be able to tell that it was a replica. When Ali appeared in court two days after his arrest, his bond was set at $10,000 cash or surety. He remains in custody, and his next court appearance a final dispositional conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 9. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Grand Rapids annual art and environmental activism event Pleasant Peninsula is returning for its fourth year with 21 new murals, a speaker series, kids activities and more. Eddie Chaffer an ArtPrize award winner, founder of Son Visual Company and event organizer for Pleasant Peninsula has been known for large, colorful murals depicting aquatic life in Michigan for some time. How ArtPrize turned Grand Rapids into an art-filled city Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We started in 2022 with a mural that I installed down in Rosa Parks Circle, Chaffer said. That first mural, titled Seeking A Pleasant Peninsula, told a story about lakeshore and river ecology in Michigan, as well as the conservation success story of the sturgeon, which was once at risk of extinction. 2024s Pleasant Peninsula art and activism mural festival in Grand Rapids. 2024s Pleasant Peninsula art and activism mural festival in Grand Rapids. 2024s Pleasant Peninsula art and activism mural festival in Grand Rapids. Since then, its grown into this whole monster of a thing, Chaffer said. Now, weve got 21 muralists coming this summer from around the country, and well be installing 21 new murals in downtown Grand Rapids. Muralists from across North America will be arriving July 21 to begin work on 21 murals, each one displaying a unique endangered or at risk animal from the West Michigan area. Each artist has also been paired with a local ecology expert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We selected the 21 that will be coming to town next week based on their style and their willingness to work collaboratively with an educator, Chaffer said. Everybody has been super great about really putting the goals of the project first, which is to essentially educate folks about whats so unique about Michigan. Baby sturgeon found in Grand River, a research breakthrough Many of these endangered species depicted in Pleasant Peninsulas murals may be already familiar to most folks like the sturgeon, loon or lynx. Others, however, are much more obscure but, Chaffer said, equally as deserving of our attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a couple different insects featured that are incredibly unique and specialized to this area, Chaffer said. A couple plants, like the Pitchers thistle and the Michigan monkeyflower. Chaffers personal favorite is the snuffbox mussel, a species that plays an important role in the Grand River and keeping its ecosystem healthy. 2024s Pleasant Peninsula art and activism mural festival in Grand Rapids. 2024s Pleasant Peninsula art and activism mural festival in Grand Rapids. 2024s Pleasant Peninsula art and activism mural festival in Grand Rapids. Its a tiny, palm-sized mollusk, Chaffer said. Being able to highlight this tiny, tiny creature that nobody would see unless they were at the bottom of the Grand River is so exciting and so important. On July 26 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., community members can visit Pleasant Peninsulas all-day celebration and grand reveal of the finished murals at the 52 Front Avenue underpass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An advocates and educators speaker series will take place, and kids activities will occur between 10 a.m. and noon. Big animatronics at John Ball Zoo highlight programs to protect small species Live music, an interactive mural tent and animals from the John Ball Park Zoo will also be present for visitors to enjoy. For more information on Grand Rapids mural festival, visit the Pleasant Peninsula website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. A Jewish student on Tuesday achieved a partial victory in a discrimination case against the Free University of Berlin. The Berlin Administrative Court said it would continue proceedings to determine whether the university failed in its duty to protect Jewish students, with a decision due by October. The student, 32-year-old Lahav Shapira, accused the university of failing to tackle anti-Semitic discrimination after he was attacked by a fellow student in central Berlin in February 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His lawyer, Kristin Pietrzyk, saw the judges' decision as a "great success." "The court has made it clear that the university must explain itself," she said. Shapira said he was "glad that something is finally happening" and hoped the university would stop making "empty promises." The student argued in court that pro-Palestinian groups had held anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic events on the FU campus, creating an atmosphere that led to discrimination against Jewish people. "In order to attend seminars, you have to allow yourself to be insulted," Shapira said in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Numerous protests have taken place on Berlin campuses since the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel sparked the war in Gaza. A further trial involving Shapira is set to begin in the German capital on Thursday, with a 32-year-old man accused of denying Shapira access to a lecture theatre in December 2023 during a pro-Palestinian occupation of the room. The accused allegedly grabbed the Jewish student, pushed him and insulted him in an anti-Semitic manner. GREENE COUNTY, Mo. Greene County has announced the passing of a former commissioner on Monday, July 14. Roseann Bentley, photo courtesy of Greene County, Missouri According to a Greene County, Missouri social media post, former Greene County Commissioner Roseann Bentley passed away at the age of 89 on Monday, July 14. Bentley served 12 years on the Commission from 2004 to 2016 in steering resources for childrens services and public safety initiatives, the post says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roseann Bentley served our community with grace, style and effectiveness on both the Springfield and Missouri Boards of Education, in the Missouri Senate and on the Greene County Commission where she championed the betterment of childrens education, lives and futures, said the Greene County Commission. We remember her today with affection. We honor her example and accomplishments, and we surround her family with love, gratitude and prayers as they mourn. Bentley is credited with multiple accomplishments made during her lifetime: She is credited as the first woman elected to the Missouri Senate from southwest Missouri, serving District 30 from 1995 to 2003. She provided bipartisan support for the Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start and gifted education programs. She helped the Junior League bring Ozarks Public Television to Springfield during the 1970s. She was a founding board member and was later president of the Community Partnership of the Ozarks and co-created United Ways Day of Caring. The Springfield Public Schools administrative center on Sunshine Street and the interactive Roseann Bentley Musical Playground in Phelps Grove Park are named after Bentley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The Grand Rapids Fire Department celebrated the retirement of a history-making member: Deputy Fire Chief Eric Freeman, who is the first African American deputy fire chief in the departments history. Freeman joined the department in 1991 and has held every rank on his way up through the operations department. GRFD welcomes first black battalion chief During Mondays sendoff, over 150 friends, family, city officials and fellow firefighters attended. Every person News 8 spoke with sang Freemans praises and his long history of service to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharing the moment was Freemans father, Norman Hobson, a 22-year member of the department. You always want your kids to do better than you have done and achieve more than you have, Hobson said. So Im proud of him he did it. He went to the top and there it is. Freeman said that despite making history as the first African American deputy fire chief for the department, he felt like he was just doing his job and was proud to be qualified for the role. Now, hes thinking about his mentors and those who have followed him. I was very fortunate to have mentors, African American people in the department that brought me up and showed me things I had to be successful. Ive had people say that to me, and that resonates. To know that you have been able to make a difference and give them something to shoot for, and theres people out there that will go higher than me. Because once you start, that record will be broken. Somebody is meant to come by and do better than you are, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A large group of people pushing what they call a Moral Monday Movement delivered a message to United States Senator Bill Hagerty on Monday. The group met in front of city hall in downtown Memphis, carrying coffins, saying impacts to southern states from the expected cuts in the recent passing of President Trumps Big Beautiful Bill will be deadly to many people. Photo by WREG Photo by WREG Photo by WREG Photo by WREG A large group of people led by Bishop William Barber II and Repairers of the Breach met in front of City Hall and the federal building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have come today to Memphis and 11 other Southern states to dramatize the devastating impact that this bill, the US Congress recently passed, will have on poor and low-income communities, said Alvin ONeal Jackson, Repairers of the Breach. Memphis city councilwoman eyes TN governors seat Speakers talked about the impact of recent immigration raids and what they believe will be the health effects of the recent passage of President Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill. Closing rural hospitals, taking Medicaid away from people, taking SNAP and free lunch programs, said Jackson. And were here today with these coffins in the background to demonstrate that people will die as a result of this bill having been passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group marched with the coffins to the federal building, planning to deliver a report from the Institute of Policy Studies showing the impact of the new budget bill to Senator Bill Hagerty. While the coffins were not allowed inside, WREG was there as the group announced a delegation took a note and report to the senators office. And we will stay on this, were not giving up, we will stay on this even though the bill has passed, said Jackson. WREG reached out to Senator Hagertys office for a comment and is waiting to hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A local group is one step closer to getting a levy to fund a new public hospital in West Dayton. The Clergy Community Coalition has collected enough signatures for the Dayton City Commission to consider the petition. The group says the project is now more possible than ever. Community brings West Dayton hospital petition to commissioners CCC organizers say they have already proven that citizens want the project to happen, but a statement from the city says at this point, it is not clear if city commissioners will vote to approve the ordinance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not an unrealistic goal. Its a very realistic goal. Its a very achievable goal, and it just requires cooperation, said Bishop Richard Cox, CCC president. Cox says if citizens and leaders work together, he believes plans for a public hospital in Dayton could be successful. The CCC says several state officials and other private donors have pledged financial donations toward the hospital being build and the cost of its maintenance. But without full support from city officials, these conversations are being put on hold until they know what the next steps will be. Dayton City Commission is set to review the groups petition for an ordinance that would generate more than $20 million over ten years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CCC says they have adequate financial backing for the public hospital to be built, and if the levy passes, they say it could be at least a year until groundbreaking on the facility. City leaders say the commission must still vote on the issue before voters will have the chance to decide. In a statement to 2 NEWS, Deputy Director John Musto for the Dayton Law Department said, in part, This agreement does not mean that the City Commission will vote to approve the ordinance to be placed on the ballot this fall. Pursuant to Dayton Charter Section 26, the Commission may accept, reject, or fail to take action on the ordinance. Dayton City Commission is scheduled to meet on July 23 to vote on this citizen-initiated ballot issue. If they deny it, the group can still collect more signatures for the issue to be presented to voters in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group says they will continue working toward their mission, no matter what. If they turn it down, then were determined to go out and get 2,500 votes and put it on the ballot and go around the city commission, said Cox. Thats not going to deter all these people that worked so many years to make this a reality. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Progressive groups are launching a last-ditch effort to tank one of President Donald Trumps most controversial judicial nominees. Two dozen organizations are sending a joint letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee urging members to reject Emil Boves nomination to the US Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit. His nomination threatens the foundational principles of judicial impartiality and the rule of law, the groups including the SEIU, Demand Justice, and Human Rights Campaign write. They cite new whistleblower allegations and Boves order halting New York City Mayor Eric Adams prosecution for alleged corruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has doubled down: Trump is committed to nominating constitutionalists to the bench who will restore law and order and end the weaponization of the justice system, and Emil Bove fits that mold perfectly, spokesman Harrison Fields said. Justice Department spokesman Gates McGavick called Bove highly qualified. The Judiciary panel appears to have the votes to advance Boves nomination Thursday. US-based insurance brokerage Trucordia has acquired Fuhriman Insurance, which is based in Boise, Idaho, for an undisclosed sum. Fuhriman offers insurance solutions such as auto, home, commercial, life, umbrella, renters, workers compensation, toys, and pest control. The company offers clients with research and to compare quotes from various carriers. The acquisition is in line with Trucordia's growth strategy, which aims to partner with businesses that align with its commitment to client service, operational excellence, and community impact. Trucordia CEO Felix Morgan stated: We are thrilled to welcome the Fuhriman Insurance team into the Trucordia family. Their dedication to client education and their reputation for building deep relationships with their clients make them invaluable partners as we continue to deliver exceptional experiences and innovative solutions across insurance markets. In June 2025, Trucordia completed a debt refinancing process to refine the its capital structure and underpin its growth strategy. The refinancing arrangement comprises a $1.94bn first lien term loan B and a $548m second lien term loan B, both facilitated by Blue Owl Capital. In addition, Trucordia established a $400m revolving credit facility to support its future investment plans. It also secured a $1.3bn investment from the private equity firm Carlyle, following which the valuation of the insurance brokerage reached $5.7bn. Trucordia was formerly known as PCF Insurance Services and was rebranded in October 2024. "Trucordia acquires Fuhriman Insurance " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. TULSA, Okla. A Grove man who pleaded guilty to possessing and producing child sexual abuse material was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in federal prison. Dakota Austin Clark, 24, will also be on 15 years of supervised release, and upon his release, Clark will also be required to register as a sex offender. According to court records, in February 2023, Clark began communicating with a 14-year-old through social media. The investigation also showed Clark coerced and enticed the minor child to produce sexually explicit photos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clark also possessed hundreds of images that contained the sexual abuse of minor children. As part of Clarks plea agreement, the remaining two counts of possession of child pornography, two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor, one count of production of child pornography, and attempted sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country were dropped. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Former national security adviser Mike Waltz took a page out of Donald Trumps handbook Tuesday as he presented a wild scapegoat for his involvement in the Signalgate scandal. During his confirmation hearing to become the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Waltz was asked about the fallout of mistakenly adding the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic to a Signal group chat where several high-ranking Trump Cabinet members openly discussed highly sensitive war plans. Were you investigated for this disclosure of sensitive operational information on Signal? asked Connecticut Senator Chris Coons, who noted that it was common wisdom that the app was not an appropriate, secure means of communicating highly sensitive information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you Senator, and that engagement was driven by and recommended by the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency, by the Biden administration CISA guidance, Waltz stammered, peppering his response with several uhs that have been removed for clarity. Im sorry, Coons cut in. Was the use of secure information on Signal The use of, no excuse me, the use of Signal is not onlyas an encrypted appis not only authorized, it was recommended in Bidens, the Biden era CISA guidance, Waltz continued, somehow finding a way to blame former President Joe Biden for his own egregious gaffe. CISA best practices guidance released in December 2024 recommended the use of Signal for highly targeted individuals seeking end-to-end encryption and protection against cyber attacks. It doesnt note how to prevent adding journalists from top secret group chats. A 2023 memo from the Department of Defense, however, prohibited the use of Signal and other unmanaged apps to discuss non-public DoD information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey Senator Cory Booker took Waltz to task over another of his weak attempts to pin his enormous fumble on Goldberg. Waltz had previously claimed that the editors phone number had been sucked in to his phone by somebody elses contact. Waltz also claimed he didnt know Goldberg and called him the bottom scum of journalists. You said this journalist intentionally infiltrated that Signal chain. You said that he was sucked in. You denied, deflected, and then you did something that really, to me, really lacks integrity, is that you sought out to demean and degrade that very journalist in crass and frankly cruel ways that made him a target, Booker said. Thats not leadership, when you blame people that tell the truth. Thats not leadership when you cant say the words, I made a mistake. Guest Column: Inside the Avant-Garde Genius at Paris Haute Couture Week originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Julia Comil began her career in corporate finance before pivoting to a life of fashion. Based in Los Angeles since 2016, the French-American content creator and art director has fostered a global audience thanks to her refined eye for style, leading her to regularly attend international Fashion Week events and partner with the likes of Fendi, Dior Beauty and Max Mara. Here, Comil takes us on her July adventure through Paris Haute Couture Week Fall/Winter 2025-2026. Julia ComilNadia Krawiecka As a French woman based in Los Angeles, returning to Paris is always special, and even more so when I get to attend the most dazzling week in the city: Haute Couture. I always think of Couture in early July as a summer treat, one that brings together heritage, innovation and artistry at its highest level. This season, I had the opportunity to attend and support some of the greatest talents in the industry, as well as discover new maisons for me, such as ArdAzAei and Rami Al Ali. My week began on July 6 with the Patou show, one that I always look forward to. Creative director Guillaume Henry presented a collection with a focus on romantic silhouettes and a vibrant palette of pale yellow, black, pink and white. The many references to the 80s such as the polka dot motif are reminiscent of the effortless Parisian Patou girl. PatouJulia Comil Next up, Rahul Mishras Becoming Love collection is a journey into love and inspired by Sufi mysticism and the seven emotional stages of devotion. Fusing Gustav Klimts opulent aesthetic with traditional Indian embroidery techniques, the couturier presented gilded heart motifs, black roses, gold and pearly silhouettes, poetically representing the stages of romance. Rahul MishraJulia Comil A black and white palette forms the foundation of Yanina Coutures tribute to artistic heritage, blending archival silhouettes with modern craftsmanship and intricate techniques, like Richelieu cutwork. Each look evokes a goddess-like presence with chic reinterpretations of royal robes and baroque ornamentation, oozing femininity, quiet strength and timeless elegance. Yanina CoutureJulia Comil Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conceptual Japanese designer Yuima Nakazato expressed a theme of protecting the body through his couture collection. Inspired by a trip to frozen Finland, Yuima channels the humans need for protection through sculpted silhouettes, bold metallic accents and diagonal cuts and layers; garments become metal armors that safeguard the body. Yiuma Nakazato Julia Comil Yiuma NakazatoJulia Comil At ArdAzAei, couture is inspired by the sea and its elements. Intricate pleating, layered fabrics and flowing silhouettes made of light, luxurious materials are shaped to resemble corals, seashells and jellyfish, creating soft, sculptural textures with delicate touches of pearls and embroideries on corsets, dresses and headpieces. ArdAzAeiJulia Comil ArdAzAeiJulia Comil Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peet Dullaerts sculptural silhouettes were nothing short of captivating stones elegantly contour the body, while soft ruffles introduce a romantic tension to the razor-sharp tailoring. The absence of music nodded to the shows silent symphony theme. Peet DullaertJulia Comil Peet DullaertJulia Comil Closing couture week with Rami Al Ali was a study in modern elegance, showcasing the Syrian designers signature textile layering technique. Fusing tradition with contemporary design, the collection emphasizes sculptural volumes and structures, seen through the use of pleats, fringes, embroidery and beading work on a lot of dresses that have entered my personal wish list. Rami AlaliJulia Comil As a stylist and digital creator, I view fashion as a form of self-expression rather than just clothing. For the shows, I curated looks that blend everyday wearability with elegance and sophistication, anchored in summer ease and effortlessness and elevated by thoughtful accessories and delicate jewelry. Fendi Peekaboo ISeeU Small Canvas bag with coral bandana embroideryNadia Krawiecka Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nadia Krawiecka Beyond the runways, its not Haute Couture without Haute Joaillerie. As always, renowned maisons such as Boucheron, De Beers, Chopard, Chaumet, Messika, Damiani and Tasaki presented spectacular, one-of-a-kind creations that lit up Paris with brilliance and artistry. Messika Terres d'Instinct Fauve banglesJulia Comil BoucheronJulia Comil Nature in all its forms and a palette of colored stones emerged as running motifs across this seasons high jewelry collections. From journeys through Africa, Italy and Japan to poetic interpretations of trees and blooms, each maison translated its inspiration into exquisite, wearable art. It was a kind celebration of nature. Diamonds may be eternal, but nature is our fleeting miracle: precious, fragile and worth protecting. A bientot! This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared. A suitcase of human remains wrapped in Saran Wrap left a quiet North East, Maryland, community heartbroken in June. Darrian Randle initially told cops her 3-year-old daughter was kidnapped at gunpoint, but after an investigation, she fessed up to the unthinkable. After an Amber Alert was issued for Nola Dinkins, authorities went to the home of Cedrick Britten, Randles boyfriend. There they did not find missing Nola, but they did notice the odor of cleaning products, specifically bleach, and a childs blanket with a reddish-brown smear consistent with blood in his car. Randle initially made numerous false and misleading statements, according to reports, before admitting she struck her daughter approximately 15-20 times with a belt at Brittens home. Per authorities, an unresponsive Nola was wrapped in Saran Wrap, placed inside a suitcase, and discarded in a vacant lot near Brittens house. The suitcase was found after Britten drew a map for investigators, and the remains was identified as the toddler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, there was a years-long custody battle over Nola between Randle and the girls father. CBS News reports, per their custody agreement, Nola was to spend four weeks of this summer with her father after he petitioned to keep her in their home state of Indiana. The parents eventually agreed to share custody of Nola, but court document names Randle as Nolas custodial parent. In June 2023, Randle filed a notice of relocation to take Dinkins out of Indiana. Its unclear whether Nolas father knew she was in another state. Nola Dinkins/WBAL-11 On June 11, the Maryland State Police announced Randle, 31, was taken into custody. She was charged with first and second degree murder, first degree child abuse resulting in death of a minor under 13, and other charges. Her boyfriend was charged as an accessory to first and second degree murder and other charges. Britten, 44, was released on a $75,000 bond and is confined to home detention. Three Jamaicans are dead and a Bahamian national is in custody in Haiti after a historic drug bust Sunday off the countrys northwest coast led to the seizure of more than 1,000 kilos of cocaine worth tens of millions of dollars in the United States. Haitian authorities said the men were killed during a joint police operation that triggered a firefight on the high seas. There were two people who died at sea in an exchange of gunfire, and there was another who did not die on the spot but died later, Jeir Pierre, the government prosecutor for Port-de-Paix, confirmed to the Miami Herald. Pierre said the three dead were Jamaicans, while a fourth suspected drug trafficker who was shot and transferred to a hospital is a native of The Bahamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pierre did not have the names of the suspects but Haitian police identified one of the deceased as Jimmy Antony. The incident unfolded near the island of ile de la Tortue on Haitis northwest after police spotted two boats in Haitian waters. While one of the boats managed to escape, a blue-and-white boat with three engines was intercepted. It had 40 packages of powder that tested positive for cocaine. Police said the boat carried 1,045 kilos of the drug, which has a street value of $32 million in the U.S. The drugs are believed to have been destined for the Dominican Republic, a popular transit route for cocaine bound for the U.S. and Europe. The seizure is a major victory for Haitian authorities, who last saw a haul of that magnitude in 2015, when the Panamanian-flagged MV Manzanares, dubbed the sugar boat, transported between 700 to 800 kilos of cocaine and 300 kilos of heroin, with an estimated U.S. street value of $100 million, into Port-au-Prince. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The seizure, which later became part of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration whistle-blower complaint, was bungled by DEA officials. Before that, the last major drug bust was in in the Port-de-Paix region, when police seized 400 kilos of cocaine. At the time, Haitis northwest region was notoriously known as a transshipment route for smuggling people as well as drugs. In recent years, it has regained its reputation as a jumping off point for desperate migrants trying to make it to Floridas shores. READ MORE: The journey behind the story Haitis island without hope Sundays seizure underscores what United Nations experts have been warning: As Haitis criminal groups take near-total control of Port-au-Prince and rapidly expand into other regions, the deteriorating security landscape poses a serious threats for the rest of the Caribbean and Latin America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, which has been investigating the connection between Haitis armed gangs and migrant-trafficking routes being used by gangs to smuggle marijuana and possibly weapons to other countries. In one incident, they highlighted how a string of migrant landings over four days in the Turks and Caicos Islands led to the seizure of more than $2 million in marijuana. Grown in Jamaica, the drugs made it to the British dependent territory in boats that left Haiti with undocumented migrants. In a report released this month, the U.N. agency detailed several other trafficking incidents that had effects beyond Haiti. They include a major drug seizure by Dominican law enforcement agents in May of more than 2.6 metric tons of marijuana and 11 kilos of suspected cocaine near the southern border of Haiti. Ongoing investigations suggest that the shipment was part of a wider transnational drug trafficking operation exploiting maritime and land routes connecting the Caribbean and Hispaniola, the report said. Haiti police say they seized 1,045 kilos of cocaine on Sunday, July 13, 2025 off the countrys northwest coast. The drugs have a street value of $32 million in the United States. A week later in the Nippes region, also located in the south, Haitian police and agents with the anti-drug trafficking unit, arrested two people suspected of trafficking 44 kilos of marijuana in Saint Michel du Sud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also highlighted a recent high-profile arms trafficking incident involving smugglers operating across the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the U.S. to emphasize the transnational nature of weapons and ammunition flows. The so-called Mirebalais case revealed how a firearms trafficking supply chain can depend on multiple people across several jurisdictions, as well as the dramatic aftermath, the U.N. said. After the shipment was intercepted by Dominican customs during a routine X-ray inspection, the owner of the hotel in Belladere was arrested in Hinche, a city in Haitis Central Plateau that is currently under gang threat. Two days later, Haitian police apprehended two suspected weapons purchasers at the international airport in Cap-Haitien as they attempted to flee to Miami. Two other individuals suspected of being involved in the case were also later arrested. The Mirebalais prison, where suspects were being detained, was later attacked by heavily armed men affiliated with the Viv Ansanm organized crime coalition. The incident reflects international impacts of weapons trafficking but also the strategic expansion of gang operations beyond Port-au-Prince and the direct targeting of State institutions, the U.N. report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police sources have told the Herald that while gangs are involved in gun-running, they are also involved in drug trafficking. But it is unclear how deep the ties run between drug traffickers and gangs. Despite the trends and growing concerns about gangs collaboration with South American and Mexican drug cartels, the countrys ability to investigate is weak. The DEA last year listed its Haiti field office among 14 foreign operations targeted for closure, along with offices in The Bahamas and Nicaragua. A DEA spokesperson told the Herald at the time that the decision to close the offices was made following a thorough review of foreign operations. There is still no DEA presence in Haiti. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A 78-year-old Hamburg man was arrested and charged after he sent a threatening email to a member of Congress in June, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. It is alleged that Gerald Przybylski sent an email to U.S. Congressman Nick Langworthy on June 13 in part saying, You should be afraid for your life!!! The email also allegedly read, You are obviously unaware of the movement to execute Trump and all his Republican sycophants, not assassination but legal execution under the Constitution of the United States, which you, Donald Trump, and all your Republican colleagues have refused to honor, you have betrayed your oath of office and are a TRAITOR!!! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Przybylski was interviewed by law enforcement, he reportedly said, I was probably trying to scare him. Przybylski was charged by criminal complaint with transmitting in interstate and foreign commerce, specifically using the internet, communications that contained threats to injure a member of Congress. He was released on conditions and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Langworthy represents New Yorks sprawling 23rd district, which has a northern edge in Niagara County and includes the eastern and southern portions of Erie County, and then stretches across the Southern Tier from Lake Erie to Tioga County. He was first elected in 2023. Latest Local News Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) More people are riding the 757 Express Service thanks to an increase in service. Hampton Roads Transit just released details on the increase in ridership for May 2025. These 757 Express Bus Routes saw a significant increase in ridership: Route 112 Newport News: 73% increase between October 2022 and May 2025, with 45,000 monthly passengers. Route 114 Hampton: 55% increase between May 2023 and May 2025, with 29,000 monthly passengers. Route 20 Norfolk/Virginia Beach: 35% increase between November 2023 and May 2025, with 70,000 monthly passengers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funds established by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020 allow HRT to run high frequency routes every 15 minutes during peak times. HRT adds 12 new buses to 757 Express Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides services across the Hampton Roads area, including the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, and Smithfield. Interested in getting your hands behind the wheel? For more information visit their website: Hampton Roads Transit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Crews work to clean up electrical debris amidst homes in Ruidoso impacted by the July 8, 2025 flooding. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Emergency managers in Ruidoso reported three flash flood impacts Monday afternoon in the Ruidoso area following a new round of warnings and evacuations in the region still reeling from deadly floods last week. Around 2 p.m. meteorologists and local officials urged the public to seek higher ground in Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the South Fork Fire burn scar until 4 p.m., saying slow-moving thunderstorms had formed over the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Echoing the warning, the Village of Ruidoso Facebook page told residents that This is a dangerous and life threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order. The impact of the flash floods remained unclear as of Monday afternoon.. NWS data shows emergency managers reported three separate roads were flooded or covered in debris between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., including Cedar Creek Drive and Main Road and a third, unspecified road in the southern part of town that had to be closed due to debris. The village also announced that gates to Gavilan Canyon were closed due to the floodwaters, and they warned the public that rapidly rising floodwaters were reported in the Upper Canyon and Brady Canyon areas. In addition to Ruidoso, Mescalero officials reported flooding at the tribes community center, tribal store, gas company and the empowerment complex, a community hub for resources. The tribe ordered everyone there to evacuate immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Services flash flood warning expired at 4 p.m., though recent forecasts predict isolated flash flooding across most of Southern New Mexico until sunset at 8:21 p.m. on Monday. The floods come after three people were killed and homes destroyed in the latest round of post-fire flooding to hit the area since the South Fork and Salt fires last summer. The beleaguered village remains on high alert due to its already-saturated ground and the threat of post-fire flooding and debris flows. In addition to the three people killed, hundreds were displaced and swift water teams conducted 65 rescues. Earlier Monday, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the state is sending a 10-person support team to help New Mexico and Texas deal with the floods. This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Hanoi may be Vietnams capital, but Ho Chi Minh City isnt your ordinary second city. Its appeal for travellers is on a par with Hanois, but the two cities have a very different atmosphere. Since Ho Chi Minh Citys name was changed from Saigon following the countrys reunification after the Vietnam War, its evolved and grown exponentially. While Hanoi, in the north, is on the doorstep of popular attractions like the Sapa hill tribes and Ha Long Bay, southerly Ho Chi Minh City is a gateway to the mighty Mekong Delta. Which one suits you best? Hanoi Population: 8.6 million Key experience: Catching a mua roi nuoc (water puppetry) show Climate: Subtropical, with cool winters (17C in Jan) & hot summers (29C in Jul) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city vibe is cultural, historical and traditional. Hanoi is Vietnams capital, a sophisticated, thousand-year-old city whose heartbeat emanates from the Old Quarter. Here, 19th-century teak-beamed Chinese shophouses shelter cafes with French names and traditional music mingles with the sound of millions of motorbikes. Amid the bustle, a source of calm is Hoan Kiem Lake, a serene body of water on the edge of the Old Quarter. If you like museums, Hanoi is home to many of Vietnams finest. Highlights include the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which showcases the countrys 54 ethnic groups, and the Vietnamese Womens Museum, which explores folk religion and features exhibits about wartime heroines. There are always long lines at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh district, where the embalmed body of Vietnams greatest national hero, communist leader Ho Chi Minh, is on display. One legendary spot for pho is the no-frills Pho Gia Truyen restaurant. Photograph by Alamy If you want to explore architecture, youll find many elegant examples here. Perhaps the citys most iconic structure is Thap Rua, a weather-worn, moss-strewn tower on a tiny island in Hoan Kiem Lake. Also, dont miss the Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century to honour the Chinese philosopher Confucius. If youre hungry for pho, Hanoi is the home of this national noodle broth dish. Its said to have originated here in the 19th-century French colonial period and is served everywhere from street stalls to high-end restaurants. One legendary spot is no-frills Pho Gia Truyen restaurant, near Hoan Kiem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Go now because the city is easier to navigate on foot thanks to new hefty traffic fines, which are making the roads safer. The Hanoi Metro Line 3 opened in 2024, too, connecting the centre with the west of Hanoi. Ho Chi Minh City is a place of superlatives. Vietnam's largest urban hub, it's brasher, louder and more restless than Hanoi and it's growing at breakneck speed. Photograph by Alamy Ho Chi Minh City Population: 10 million Key experience: Discovering its street food and bars after dark Climate: Tropical, with highs of around 32C all year; the dry season is Dec-Apr The city vibe is cosmopolitan, vibrant and cool. Ho Chi Minh City is a place of superlatives. Vietnams largest urban hub, its brasher, louder and more restless than Hanoi and its growing at breakneck speed. If you like bars, Ho Chi Minh City is second only to Bangkok when it comes to Southeast Asian nightlife and there are countless voguish bars and cocktail clubs. Head for the rooftop bar of the five-star Hotel des Arts in District 3 for some of the best views of the city or book a cocktail tour with Secret Experiences to find hidden speakeasies. In Ho Chi Minh City, there are countless voguish bars and cocktail clubs. Photograph by Alamy If you want to explore art galleries, Galerie Quynh, in District 1, showcases cutting-edge sculpture and installations, while the Lotus Gallery in District 7 scours the country for the finest modern painters. Traditional Vietnamese lacquer and silk painting can be found at District 1s Museum of Fine Arts, housed in a 1930s French villa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre hungry for street food, Ho Chi Minh City brings the countrys best dishes together in one place, with some great markets and a number of stall-lined food streets famed for particular specialities. Feast on crab and sea snails, washed down with local beer, on raucous Nguyen Thuong Hien Street in District 3, or head to Co Giang Street in District 1 for delicious com tam (broken rice with grilled pork and spring onions). Highlight markets include Ben Thanh Market and Ben Nghe Market, both in District 1. Go now because Ho Chi Minh City is at the heart of Vietnams economic boom, but still retains the traditional spirit and bustle of its street food markets, Chinese temples and stately French squares. December 2024 also saw the opening of Ho Chi Minhs first Metro line, making it easier to get around. Published in the July/August 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only). Thousands of protesters gathered at the Colorado Capitol carrying anti-Trump signs during the Denver No Kings protest, June 14, 2025. (Delilah Brumer/Colorado Newsline) FRISCO, Colo. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado was headed out of a fundraiser here Friday evening, on his way to a town hall with U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, when he was asked by Newsline to respond to criticism that he has not been tough enough on the Trump administration. Anybody who has watched me lead the fight against (Health and Human Services Secretary) Bobby Kennedy, lead the fight against (Director of National Intelligence) Tulsi Gabbard, lead the fight against the Secretary of Defense (Pete Hegseths) insane use of Signal for battle plans, would know that Ive been fighting this administration incredibly hard and will continue to fight them incredibly hard, Bennet said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Term-limited Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Bennets leading challenger in the 2026 Democratic primary race for Colorado governor, told Newsline before a fundraiser in Edwards on July 5 that his more than two dozen lawsuits challenging Trump make him uniquely qualified to stand up for the state as governor. Having been very supportive of a lot of the (Trump) nominees and having said when he announced that he thinks a winning strategy is to make nice with the Doug Burgums of the world is not going to look great in a primary where people believe this administration is lawless, reckless and harmful, Weiser said of Bennet, referring to the secretary of the Interior Department. (Voters are) going to look at whos actually standing up to this administration and whos essentially trying to make nice. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Bennet was first appointed to the Senate in 2009 to replace former Sen. Ken Salazar, who was chosen by the Obama administration to serve as Interior secretary. Bennet has since won reelection twice and is slated to serve in the upper chamber of Congress until early 2029. If he wins the June 2026 Democratic primary, Bennet would be a heavy favorite against a crowded Republican field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Bennet wins in November of 2026, he would have to resign his seat in the U.S. Senate to occupy the Colorado governors office, where current Democratic Gov. Jared Polis is term-limited. At that point, Bennet would then select his replacement in the Senate. Its the economy Bennet on Friday pushed back on the notion that opposing President Donald Trump is the biggest key to winning in Colorado. I think fighting the administration is only part of what we need to do, Bennet said. We need to have a positive vision for what this country is going to be. And the way were going to get there is by building an economy that works for everybody not just the people at the very top but especially the next generation of Coloradans. Bennet says young voters turned on Democrats across the country in 2024 at least enough to swing the election to Trump for a second term because of the economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres not a county in Colorado where people feel like their kids are going to be able to afford to live there, Bennet said. Thats where the seeds of Trumpism are sown, is in an economy where people feel like no matter how hard they work they dont have economic opportunities. Weiser, who announced his campaign for governor right out of the gate in January, argues Bennet is needed more in the Senate and that he should serve out the term he was elected to because his seniority there makes him an invaluable asset for Colorado in Washington. I know our state government inside and out, from every agency to every issue, Weiser said. I can hit the ground running. Michael Bennet will have a huge learning curve if hes to do this job. Bennet counters that he brings considerable experience in the private sector, where he was managing director of Anschutz Investment Company; experience in the public sector, as the superintendent of Denver Public Schools and three terms in the Senate; and relationships with leaders in and out of government all over the state all of which will help him make big changes in housing, health care and education in Colorado. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for picking his replacement in the Senate, Bennet did not name names, although he had high praise for House Assistant Minority Leader Neguse, who stopped into Bennets fundraiser before heading off to his nearby town hall. Theyre going to be bullies Asked about the suggestion that he clear the primary field in exchange for a nomination to the U.S. Senate, Weiser said that does not interest him. I dont want to be in the Senate, Weiser said. Ive said publicly that if that situation arises, Im not the right person. Theyre better people for the job. Pick one of them. Dont pick me. Weiser is adamant, nearly a year from the primary, about the right order of things in the state of Colorado: Michael Bennet staying in the Senate, me serving as our next governor. Thats the best move for Colorado. I dont think Michael Bennets the right person to be governor. Thats why Im in this race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bennet is not taking Weiser lightly in the primary contest. Im today more than 30 points ahead in the primary, but Im fighting like Im 30 points behind, which is what I always do, Bennet said. Referring to an internal Bennet campaign poll released last month and showing the senator with a more than 30-point lead over the attorney general as a static, one-point-in-time, year-before-an-election snapshot, Weiser said, What its not capturing is the building energy and momentum that is going to drive our campaign. The Bennet campaign on Monday reported raising more than $1.7 million in the second quarter, setting an off-year record in Colorado and ending the quarter with more than $1.3 million in cash on hand. The Weiser campaign on July 2 reported raising more than $1 million in the second quarter, which it ended with nearly $2.5 million cash on hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, Weiser not only wants to see Bennet stay in the Senate, he also wants all of the Democrats in the upper chamber, including Colorados junior U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, to fight harder against the lawless Trump administration. I would definitely urge senators to be more combative and not try to be accommodating with this administration, Weiser said. Accommodation is not a strategy thats going to work. This administration has shown time and again, theyre going to be lawless. Theyre going to be bullies. Weve got to stand strong and fight back, and senators have to find all the best ways to do that. Bennet says hes up for that fight but can more effectively wage it in Denver. I am extremely well-situated to be able to provide the leadership that Colorado needs right now at a moment when we are painting against a canvas that is what Donald Trump represents and the future that he represents, Bennet said. In Colorado, we can not only make sure that this place is a place that every one of our kids can call home and can thrive in and build their own lives here, but we can set an example for the rest of the country. And thats a valuable opportunity for us. Editors note: The headline on this story was altered at 9:35 a.m., July 15, 2025, to clarify the nature of the disagreement between the two candidates. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Photo via CNP/AdMedia/SIPA/Newscom Cronos, XRP and Solana have entered the chat. Trump Media filed last week with the Securities and Exchange Commission to launch a new fund, the Truth Social Crypto Blue Chip ETF, which would primarily hold Bitcoin but also Ether, Solana, Cronos and XRP. Its fees have not been disclosed, but the crypto exchange platform Crypto.com is slated to act as the funds digital custodian. The move is the latest foray by President Trumps media company into the increasingly deregulated, and saturated, world of crypto products. READ ALSO: What Crypto Week Means for ETFs and Here Are the Most Popular Active ETFs of 2025 Blue Chip Boom The filing taps into increased demand for cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin, said Bryan Armour, Morningstars director of ETF and passive strategies research. As more cryptocurrencies are approved for spot ETFs generally, I think there will be more appetite and significant product development around an indexed version of multiple cryptocurrencies, he said, so my guess is theyll appear in different ways. The problem is that Solana, XRP and Cronos arent yet available to trade as spot funds, which has slowed the launch of index-type crypto ETFs, Armour said. That leaves little room for Trump Medias other two ETFs to differentiate themselves from existing funds. Its only a matter of time until the SECs approval of additional currencies opens the door for new players, however. Its a more level playing field because theyll be starting alongside other asset managers and theres potential to differentiate, Armour said. [Cronos] has a significant overweight, but that might appeal to some investors to get that type of mix. Trump Media, which operates Trumps Truth Social platform, has now filed for three strategies with the SEC: The Truth Social Crypto Blue Chip ETF would have 70% of its assets allocated to Bitcoin, with 15%, 8%, 5% and 2% going to Ether, Solana, Cronos and XRP, respectively. The Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF would have 75% of its assets allocated to Bitcoin and 25% to Ether. The Truth Social Bitcoin ETF would be a spot Bitcoin ETF, aiming to serve as a Bitcoin reserve for the US government. The Blue Chip version will allocate about 5% of its holdings to Cronos a currency developed by Crypto.com, an affiliate of the funds custodian, Foris DAX Trust Company. Thats of particular note, Armour said, because the product should have a 1% allocation based on market cap. Name Brand? The main force behind Trump Medias crypto ETFs at present is the Trump name itself, which may not be enough, said Roxanna Islam, head of sector and industry research at VettaFi. They do appeal more to Trump fans or people that are anti-mainstream financial issuers. But that can only go so far, she said, adding that fees will also play a role. Will they even remotely catch up? Its hard to say, because theyre over a year behind. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive exclusive news and analysis of the rapidly evolving ETF landscape, built for advisors and capital allocators, subscribe to our free ETF Upside newsletter. KINGSTON SPRINGS, Tenn. (WKRN) The Harpeth River State Park is home to a centuries-old engineering landmark called the Montgomery Bell Tunnel. I look at it and I see history. I see the iron industry, Park Manager at Harpeth River State Park, Bill Morton, told News 2. I see well over 100 enslaved [people] that put a lot of hard, back-breaking labor into making this engineering marvel. The tunnel which spans through a solid limestone bluff is 15 feet wide, eight feet tall, and 290 feet long. Historians say it was built by enslaved people between 1818 and 1820 for Montgomery Bell, a manufacturing entrepreneur who was crucial to the economic development of Middle Tennessee. (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) News 2 On Tour | Explore the communities that shape Middle Tennessee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morton said the tunnel used hydropower from the Harpeth River to operate a forge. [Bell] would mine iron ore from all around the area, or have it mined, and then they would smelt it on site, putting it into charcoal furnaces, removing a lot of the impurities out of the iron Morton said. They needed to make it into wrought iron that they can, in turn, sell to blacksmiths to make pots, pans, tools, cannon balls any other implements out of iron that would have been used in the day. According to the Middle Tennessee Tourism Council, the tunnels the first full-scale, water diversion tunnel built in the U.S. using hand tools and gunpowder. From what we understand, [enslaved people] were using what they called hand drills. They would start making holes in the rock, and then they would get so far, and they would put the drill in the rock, start tamping the drill, turn it a little bit, tamp it some more, and then they would then, in turn, pack black powder into those holes, cover it with clay and blast it out, Morton said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The American Society of Civil Engineers has called the tunnel a guide to early American civil engineers and a precursor to later tunnelling accomplishments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very important to share this history, and its great local history here in Cheatham County, Morton added. The site is now a popular hiking spot for visitors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (WHTM) Tonights hometown heroes want kids to start school on the right foot. The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region is holding a Back to School supply drive. The nonprofit is asking for donations of new school supplies, including backpacks, notebooks, and highlighters. You can also donate a $40 voucher. That will provide each child with a new pair of shoes or a new outfit. We really think that having kids prepared is important, but having them feel confident and strong as they walk in on day one with the new pair of shoes and a new outfit, said Toni Lynn Mark of the Salvation Army of Harrisburg. We need them feeling good, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, the Salvation Army is supporting 400 children. Donations can be dropped off at its Harrisburg location, or they can be purchased from its online registry. The Back to school supply drive runs through August 8. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Hassan confirms U.S. Dept. Labor office in Manchester will stay open U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H, said the Trump administration has canceled plans to close the Wage and Hour Division Office of the U.S. Dept. of Labor in downtown Manchester. The Wage and Hour Division office for the U.S. Dept. of Labor in Manchester will remain open following a successful campaign by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan to convince Trump administration officials of its value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early on in President Donald Trumps second term, the Department of Government Efficiency under its former head Elon Musk had recommended closing the office. As the ranking Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee, Hassan warned that closing the office would reduce how much back pay New Hampshire residents would be able to obtain. The office investigates reports of workers not receiving the full pay that they are entitled to, and it has recovered nearly $8 million for almost 5,600 New Hampshire workers over the last five years more money per person than in 40 other states, Hassan said. I am pleased that the Manchester Wage and Hour Division office will remain open to continue serving Granite Staters, Hassan said in a statement to the Union Leader about the effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This office has delivered for New Hampshire workers by recovering wages that they have earned. We need to work together to eliminate waste and fraud in government in ways that help everyday people, not hurt them. DOGEs arbitrary cuts to offices that are effectively serving constituents do not make our government more efficient and this closure would have threatened the ability of hardworking Granite Staters to recover wages that they are owed. The office is in Suite 501 of 1155 Elm St., an office building in Manchesters downtown. At times, the office averaged recovery of nearly $2 million a year in back pay for New Hampshire residents, Hassan said. On its website, DOGE said the federal taxpayers would save $231,664 a year by closing the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effort to keep the office up and running had a positive development last month when Hassan secured a commitment from Andrew Rogers, the nominee to run the Wage and Hour Division, that he would review DOGEs decision to recommend closing the office. Since then, Hassan met personally with Rogers to again press New Hampshires case. Last month, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, on which Hassan was a member, voted along party lines 12-11 to advance to the full Senate a series of 21 Trump nominees, including Rogers, with all Senate Republicans voting for the group. The Department of Labor recently informed Hassan that the office will stay open and that the lease has been re-signed to run through January 2028, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After DOGE announced it planned to close the Littleton Social Security Office the only field program accessible to northern New Hampshire residents Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Hassan called on the leaders of the General Services Administration and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to halt those efforts. Hassan has also been critical of attempts at the SSA to cut back on other critical services that delay giving relief to Granite Staters who didnt receive their Social Security checks or to be responsive to consumers on agency hotlines. klandrigan@unionleader.com ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. A Hazelwood man was arrested over the weekend for allegedly shooting his cousin in a dispute over a video game. According to the Hazelwood Police Department, the shooting happened July 12 at a home on Ville Angela Lane. Police said Sean M. Harrold and his cousin, a minor, got into an argument while playing a game which escalated into a physical fight inside the home. After the initial argument, police said the cousin left the house and Harrold reportedly retrieved a firearm from a bathroom. When the cousin returned, the argument resumed, and Harrold allegedly shot him in the arm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Missouri law bans 6 invasive plants for sale Police said Harrold hid the firearm in the house and fled but returned later and was taken into custody. Police said Harrold admitted to the shooting during an interview and acknowledged that he had made a mistake. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Harrold with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. Harrold is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond. He has a hearing set for July 21. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BOSTON (SHNS) Gov. Maura Healey said Monday that she spent last week in the south of France, a family trip that had drawn criticism from one of the Republicans looking to unseat her in the corner office. In her first State House availability with reporters since her July 4 budget signature and bill-filing, Healey said she traveled to the Provence region with her partner, Joanna Lydgate, and family. My partner had spent time there as a young child on and off for many years, so it was a special family trip to take her dad and siblings back to see that part, Healey said. I missed the first week when they were in Paris, but I joined for the tail end and returned on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healey signed a $60.9 billion budget on the Fourth of July after only four days of review, faster than any other governor in at least the last 25 years. Her office then disclosed the following Monday that the governor would be away with her family for the week. Healeys team has a practice of not disclosing her out-of-state travel in advance. When the governor is outside Massachusetts, acting governor responsibilities fall to the lieutenant governor. The summertime travel drew criticism from Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve, who on Tuesday said he would disclose travel plans and apply the open records law to the governors office if elected, and from the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, a right-leaning watchdog group. This isnt about whether the Governor is allowed to take a vacation, its about transparency and accountability, MassFiscal Executive Director Paul Craney said Monday. Governor Healey left the country, traveled to another continent, and refused to tell the public where she was or when shed return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. BOSTON (SHNS) State fire officials are among those investigating what caused the smokey fire that killed nine residents of a Fall River assisted living facility late Sunday night, part of a state government response that also includes efforts to assure health care access for survivors. Gov. Maura Healey traveled to the site of the Gabriel House assisted living facility late Monday morning, after she had already announced that a full investigation is already underway. Saying she could still pick up the acrid smell of the smoke, Healey expressed her sympathies to the families of the deceased and thanked first responders. Its horrifying to think about what happened in the middle of the night, in the dark. People just scrambling as best they could to get out through windows, with firefighters coming up ladders, you know, hauling people down in any way possible to get them out of the building, the panic its so heartbreaking and so sad, and something you never want to see, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor added, This is government, though, at work. You know, the men and women who show up and answer the call in the middle of the night to put out a fire, to rescue people and to save lives just really, Nine Gabriel House residents died, guv credits responders for saving lives really struck by those acts of public service and just so grateful that the teams were able to act so quickly, so swiftly, and were it not for that, we would have seen an even far, an unimaginable loss of life here, given the vulnerability of this population. Healey continued, Thats what folks need to understand. This was not a situation where teams arrived and people were able to get out easily. All of these people needed assistance. As you saw, many were in wheelchairs, many were immobile, many had oxygen tanks. They were severely compromised individuals in this assisted living facility, which made it all the more challenging. And you can imagine a fire raging, youre dealing with a smoke inhalation but just how precarious this was with oxygen tanks, so many of them on, and the presence of fire, its unbelievable that there wasnt an even greater loss of life. The Fall River Fire Department responded to the Gabriel House assisted living facility on Oliver Street at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday, according to a release from the state Department of Fire Services. The first responding companies observed heavy smoke and flames at the front of the building with occupants trapped inside. The fire went to a five-alarm response, drawing about 50 firefighters to the scene, including about 30 who had been off duty. The state said firefighters entered the building and rescued multiple residents, but [t]ragically, several occupants were declared deceased at the scene. Local fire officials said during a news conference Monday morning that nine residents of the facility died and one was in critical condition at a hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 70 people lived at the facility prior to the fire and state officials said many were transported to local and regional hospitals in varying conditions. Five firefighters were also taken to be treated for injuries that were not life-threatening. When you pull up to a building, the first thing you see is the fire, but then you see the multiple people that are asking to be helped and begging to be helped out the windows. So thats where it complicates the scene and makes everything more difficult, Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said Monday morning. So that is something that none of us want to ever pull up to. And unfortunately, like I said, that that happened here last night, and we just pour our prayers out to the families of those who were hurt and killed. DFS said the origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by the Fall River Fire Department, Fall River Police, State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshals office, and State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorneys office. Code compliance officers from DFS are assisting. This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community, Bacon said. On behalf of the Fall River Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones who are grieving this morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Monday morning press conference, Bacon and Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said the fire was mostly contained to one wing of the building, and that the smoke was the main thing that affected the people inside the facility. Bacon said he could not say whether the assisted living facility had fire-suppression sprinklers or whether they activated Sunday night. The chief said anytime theres a fire in any facility, there are code concerns and said that was part of the ongoing investigation. Sen. Michael Rodrigues, who represents Fall River and chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee, called the fire a heartbreaking tragedy. The Fall River Fire Department and EMS personnel worked heroically to rescue people in the chaos of a fire of that severity, and first responders did a tremendous job to save many lives, he said. My House colleagues and I will do whatever we can at the state level to assist displaced individuals and families as they access the situation going forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healey spoke outside the fire scene late Monday morning and said all five firefighters who had been taken to the hospital had since been released. She said she planned to next head down to the shelter that had been established for survivors. The relationship between our administration and the city of Fall River is tight. Weve worked together on a lot of things. Weve worked together in good times on a lot of matters of economic development under Mayor Coogans great leadership and what I pledge is that well do whatever we can, Healey said at the fire scene late Monday morning. Ive been in touch with our secretariats of health and human services and of public safety. Right now, the first order of business is to make sure were assisting the city in any way possible in rehousing what is a vulnerable population. Healey said most, if not all of the residents at Gabriel House get health care through MassHealth and she was working with our agencies, and Ill see what we can do. Asked if the state was aware of any previous safety complaints related to Gabriel House, Healey said, Not at this time, but again, we havent had a full opportunity to look into everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabriel House of Fall River is certified by the Executive Office of Aging & Independence as an assisted living facility. To obtain certification, the state said facilities must provide a copy of all required current building, fire safety, and locally approved state sanitary code certificates and permits. A family notification center was set up at the chapel of St. Annes Hospital, which is just steps away from the Gabriel House. Families seeking information on residents can call 508-674-5741 or use the Emergency Room entrance to access the center, the governors office said Monday morning. CORRECTION: This article was updated to correct the state secretariat that certifies assisted living facilities. It is the Executive Office of Aging & Independence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Credit - Photo-Illustration by TIME (Source Images: Billion Photos, Faradillah Nurul Hikmah via Canva) MOBILE, ALA.Not long ago, Dr. Richard Menger, a neurosurgeon, was ready to operate on a 16-year-old with complex scoliosis. A team of doctors had spent months preparing for the surgery, consulting orthopedists and cardiologists, even printing a 3D model of the teens spine. The surgery was scheduled for a Friday when Menger got the news: the teens insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, had denied coverage of the surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt particularly surprising to Menger, who has been practicing in Alabama since 2019. Alabama essentially has one private insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, which has a whopping 94% of the market of large-group insurance plans, according to the health policy nonprofit KFF. That dominance allows the insurer to consistently deny claims, many doctors say, charge people more for coverage, and pay lower rates to doctors and hospitals than they would in other states. It makes the natural problems for insurance that much more magnified because theres no market competition or choice, says Menger, who in 2023 wrote an op-ed in 1819 News, a local news site, arguing that ending Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabamas health insurance monopoly would make people in the state healthier. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama also has the largest share of individual insurance plans in the state, according to data from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services. Perhaps not coincidentally, Alabama also had the highest denial rates for in-network claims by insurers on the individual marketplace in 2023, according to a KFF analysis: 34%. Neighboring Mississippi, where the majority insurer has less of the market share at 81%, has an average denial rate of 15%. Read More: The Surprising Reason Rural Hospitals Are Closing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabama is an extreme case, but people in many other states face health insurance monopolies, too. One insurer, Premera Blue Cross Group, has a 94% share of the large-group market in Alaska, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming has a 91% market share in that state. In 18 states, one insurer has 75% or more of the large-group health insurance marketplace, according to KFF data. These monopolies drive up costs, says Leemore Dafny, a professor at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School who has long studied competition among health insurance companies and providers. More competitors tend to drive lower premiums and more generous benefits for consumers, she says. Theres a lot of concern from analysts like myself about concentration in a range of sectors, including health insurance. Read More: Americas Dental Health Is in Trouble Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bruce A. Scott, the immediate past president of the American Medical Association, has said that when the dominant insurer in his state of Kentucky was renegotiating its contract with his medical group, it offered lower rates than it had paid six years before. This same type of financial squeeze play is found nationwide, and its frequency has been exacerbated by health insurance industry consolidation, he wrote in The Hill in 2023. What happened to competition? There used to be a lot more regional health insurers, Dafny says. But as costs started to rise, they didnt have enough leverage to negotiate prices down with providers and stay profitable. As a result, many were happy to be acquired by larger companies. Then hospitals and doctors offices merged to get more leverage against the bigger insurers. Now, theres a lot of concentration among both provider groups and insurers. None of this had anything to do with taking better care of patients, she says. It had to do with trying to get the upper hand. In a statement to TIME, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama said that it was working to make the prior authorization process more transparent and reverse the requirement of prior authorization for certain in-network medical services. It will attempt to answer at least 80% of requests for prior authorization in near real-time by 2027, it says. (A coalition of major health insurers recently vowed to fix their prior authorization processes under pressure from the federal government.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The insurer also says it welcomes competition. We know Alabamians have a choice when it comes to choosing their health insurance carrier and we dont take that for granted, a spokesperson said in the statement. In the commercial and underwritten marketwhich represents the bulk of its businessBlue Cross Blue Shield Alabama competes with four other companies that sell individual, family, and group plans, the company says, and it competes with 68 companies who sell Medicare plans in Alabama. Its success in the state is partly because it sells policies in every county in Alabama, the insurer says, while others do not. Read More: When Fighting with Your Insurance Company Becomes a Full-Time Job Other casualties of such a concentrated health-insurance marketplace are rural hospitals and providers. Small rural hospitals are often independent and have not merged with other systems like many of their large urban counterparts, so they have an even harder time negotiating with the one big insurer in the state, says Harold Miller, president and CEO of the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, a national policy center that studies health-care costs. That means big insurers will often refuse to cover procedures or pay lower prices for services. Ive had rural hospitals tell me they cant even get the health plan on the phone, Miller says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past decade, the Department of Justice has stopped some mergers, but has not been very aggressive at stopping consolidation in the health-care industry, Dafny says. That may be in part because the courts require a high standard of evidence to block a transaction, and the government might have been worried it would have lost whatever cases it brought. A few factors prevent insurers with a monopoly from driving costs too high, says Benjamin Handel, an economics professor at the University of California, Berkeley who studies health care. One is a regulation called minimum loss ratio that essentially requires insurers to spend a certain share of what they earn from premiums on medical care. Another is that an insurer with a monopoly that angers consumers might attract attention from regulators, he says. Of course, theres not a whole lot regulators can do to make a marketplace more competitive. A state could try to incentivize more insurers to enter their states with tax breaks or other sweeteners, but its very hard to enter a market and offer low rates right away. The establishment of the health-care marketplaces in the Affordable Care Act allowed new entrants, Dafny says, but many of them did not survive. Menger, the Alabama doctor, says that he and his colleaguesand therefore their patientsare basically stuck. His staff has to spend 10-15 hours a week negotiating with the insurer to get prior authorizations that sometimes dont come, even while patients pay higher premiums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teenage boy eventually got approved for the scoliosis surgery, but not after the family went through a lot of stress with postponements and uncertainty. I think its pretty clear that the more competition, the better things are, Menger says. This prior authorization nonsense is really hurting patients. Contact us at letters@time.com. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) In May 2021, Governor Kay Ivey put her signature on a law authorizing medical cannabis in Alabama. More than four years later, medical cannabis remains unavailable in the state, but it appears the disputes that have led to delays and court fights may finally be addressed, once and for all. HH Health System seeks approval to build 2 free-standing emergency departments An administrative hearing process is set to be undertaken, led by Bernard Harwood, a former Alabama Supreme Court associate justice. No schedule for the investigative hearings has yet been announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commissions license awarding process has come under sharp scrutiny, and the commission voted three different times on license awards. Some companies that did not receive licenses have argued that the process was flawed and violated the law. The court challenges have been ongoing for years, but the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals ruled earlier this year that the license disputes should be governed by Alabamas Administrative Procedure Act, which includes a hearing officer and presentations and challenges to in this case license awards. Licenses for medical cannabis include testing, dispensing, transport, processing, cultivating and integrated facilities, which include each of those steps other than testing. Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission told News 19 it is looking into those investigative reviews taking place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabamas medical cannabis statute and administrative rules provide that any applicant preliminarily denied a license award by the Commission may request an investigative hearing, the commission said. Over the last 2-plus years, the Commission has consistently argued in the courts that the investigative hearing process is an adequate administrative remedy that must be exhausted. The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals agreed that the next step in the administrative process is the investigative hearings, which must be conducted with all the processes and procedures available in a contested case under the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act. A number of applicants have requested an investigative hearing. The Commission is anxious for applicants to have the opportunity to establish their suitability for a license in a contested case investigative hearing. Alabama Always, which is seeking an integrated facilities license, was among those who sued the commission and pushed for the Administrative Procedure Act to be followed. Since December 2023, we have been in court asking for the Commission to send these license issues to an Administrative Law Judge for a hearing, Alabama Always board member Ben McNeil told News 19. We have full confidence that Justice Harwood will conduct this hearing process with fairness, integrity, transparency and a commitment to doing what is right under the law. Justice Harwood has not set a schedule yet for the hearing process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Slow-moving storms dropped heavy rain across the Northeast on Monday, causing flash floods that submerged New York City subway stations, swamped roads and delayed or canceled hundreds of flights at multiple airports. Over 24 hours, there were nearly 100 flash flood warnings issued across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. On Tuesday morning, officials with the city of Plainfield, New Jersey, announced that two people died after a vehicle was swept away during the height of the storms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday's deaths come after severe storms claimed the lives of two others in the city on July 3. Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Map said, "To lose four residents in such a short span of time is unimaginable. We mourn with the families, and we remain committed to doing all we can to strengthen our emergency response systems and protect our residents from future harm. More than 2 inches of rain fell in about an hour in New York City on Monday evening. Dramatic video showed floodwaters roaring into multiple subway stations in Manhattan. Passengers shared video from inside trains as they watched platforms go underwater. As a result, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority suspended service on several lines. Above ground, Central Park recorded 2.64 inches of rain. Weather.com senior meteorologist Jon Erdman said that was their heaviest day of rain since March 23, 2024, when the area received 3.66 inches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erdman added that Mondays rainfall was also more than half of the city's average monthly rain for July. Flash floods shut down roads across all five boroughs of the city, but the flooding also extended much farther. Westchester County, north of the city, was hit hard and floodwaters got at least waist-high in some areas. Some drivers had to be rescued from vehicles inundated by water. (MORE: Soggy East Braces For More Flooding) The village of Elmsford declared a state of emergency after Mayor Robert Williams said the heavy rain caused damage to streets, homes and businesses. Planes were grounded and hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled at the region's three big airports: John F. Kennedy, Newark and LaGuardia. The delays and cancellations extended into early Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency after the northern part of the state got 4 to 6 inches of rain. Dozens of people in places such as New Providence, Plainfield and Scotch Plains had to be rescued, as floodwaters trapped and swept away vehicles. The mayor of North Plainfield told WABC that people were rescued from at least 30 homes and were sheltering at a community center overnight. In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the borough of Mount Joy declared a state of emergency, saying the area recorded more than 7 inches of rain in less than five hours. There were reports of more than 5 feet of water in some homes. The fire department said emergency responders performed 16 water rescues. For today, the main threat of heavy rain is for Washington, D.C., and parts of Virginia. However, a flood threat returns to parts of the Northeast by Thursday. MORE ON WEATHER.COM 'Not Again': Why Vermont Dreads July 10 Late Summer To Early Fall Outlook Texas River Rises One Week After Deadly Flooding A Sunday night fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River that took the lives of nine residents has left the dozens of the homes surviving residents in need of basic essentials, according to city officials. Multiple local organizations and businesses are collecting goods and money to help the approximately 60 former residents of Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence. Heres how you can help. Where you can donate goods: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River Located at 1600 Bay St. in Fall River, the charity is collecting clothing, shoes, toiletries and other household goods. It is not accepting medical equipment or furniture. Those looking to donate through the charity should call 508-674-4681 ahead of time and specify that the donation is for the victims of the Gabriel House fire. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. AlphaCare Home Health Agency Located at 1707 Grand Army of the Republic Hwy. in Swansea, this business is collecting non-perishable food, blankets, clothing, toiletries, adult briefs and medical equipment such as glucometers, walkers, canes, wheelchairs and supplies for those with diabetes. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Carver Police Department Located at 3 Center St. in Carver, the police department is collecting donations on behalf of The Action Team a local community service non-profit. The department is accepting donations of non-perishable food, blankets, clothing of all sizes and for all genders, toiletries, adult briefs and medical equipment such as glucometers, walkers, canes and supplies for those with diabetes. Donations can be brought to the departments lobby through Friday, July 18. Thrifty Tots Consignment Store Located at 36 Main Road in Tiverton, Rhode Island, this business is collecting clothing, toiletries and household items. It is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed on Sundays. How you can donate money: More News Read the original article on MassLive. Brandon Bell / Getty Images Kenvue owns brands including Tylenol, Band-Aid, Johnson's, Aveeno, Neutrogena, and Listerine Key Takeaways Kenvue CEO Thibaut Mongon has stepped down as the companys chief executive and departed its board of directors. The move comes after Kenvue appointed a new chief financial officer in May. The Tylenol owner is also considering streamlining its brand portfolio, its chairman said. The CEO of Tylenol maker Kenvue (KVUE) has left the company as part of an internal review of the companys operations. The company, which also owns brands including Band-Aid, Johnson's, Aveeno, Neutrogena, and Listerine, said Thibaut Mongon has stepped down as the companys chief executive and departed its board of directors. He has been succeeded in an interim capacity by Director Kirk Perry. Shares of Kenvue were down about 1% in recent trading Monday after jumping in premarket trading. The stock is roughly flat for 2025. As part of the ongoing strategic review, Kenvue previously replaced its chief financial officer in May. The company, spun off from Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) in 2023, is also considering streamlining its brand portfolio, Chairman Larry Merlo said. Meanwhile, Kenvue issued preliminary financial results for the second quarter ended June 29. The company expects to report adjusted earnings per share of 28 cents to 29 cents, which matches the consensus expectation of analysts tracked by Visible Alpha. Read the original article on Investopedia CLEVELAND (WJW) The FOX 8 I-Team has found what hasnt been revealed before about the Cleveland Browns moving to a dome. It comes on the day the city took a big step toward building something new on the lakefront. Mom calls police after toddler throws sand at Bay Village park The I-Team has learned the Browns have offered to do more than simply move out of their current stadium on the lakefront, leaving the city with an empty building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Browns plan to move to a dome in Brook Park in 2029. But the Browns told us on Tuesday theyve had direct discussions with the mayor and his office on numerous occasions regarding our willingness to assist with the demolition of the current stadium. Yet, the Browns said they were put off by the city. Last week, the I-Team caught up with Mayor Justin Bibb. At that time, he spoke about developing the lakefront, though he didnt talk about trying to keep the Browns or speak about getting offers from them. The Browns also said two months ago that the mayor had told them he wanted to wait before responding to their offer to help transform the lakefront. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Way back in March, we asked about any talks like this. In March, the mayor said, No conversations have reached us yet on that point not yet. Then in May, the mayor sat in the conference room at FOX 8. He didnt directly address offers or demands concerning the stadium if the Browns leave. Instead, he used phrases like, the Browns must do the right thing. The city cant be left empty handed. On Tuesday, the city issued a formal request, asking for developers to pitch ideas on reworking the lakefront no matter what happens with the Browns. We have up to 50 acres of really fun, incredible real estate available, said Jessica Trivisonno, senor advisor for major projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott Skinner, executive director of the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation, said, It means were looking for partners who share in our vision for developing the lakefront with a stadium, without a stadium, with an adapted reuse of the stadium, or a demolished stadium on the site as well. Mom, 2 kids rescued by jet skiers on Lake Erie The Browns plan to move to a dome after their lakefront lease runs out. But a statement from team spokesman Peter John-Baptiste said, We have always been willing to continue to invest in Cleveland and our region but it requires collaboration from all parties to arrive at the optimal solution. We remain ready to have those conversations with the mayor when hes willing and we are hopeful that begins soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve reached out to the mayors office for comment. In the meantime, the city wants a Cuyahoga County judge to stop the Browns from even planning to leave. The Browns are fighting back in federal court. Transforming the lakefront is expected to take many, many years to complete. City spokesperson Tyler Sinclair issued a statement about the first steps, saying in an email: The cost of the North Coast Connector which includes the land bridge and Shoreway conversion (i.e. from W. 3rd Street to just east of E. 9th Street) is estimated at $284 million and is already fully funded through federal/state grants and local sources. Of that $284 million, the cost of the land bridge is approximately $145 million, again fully funded, with groundbreaking scheduled for 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Henry County is warning residents and businesses to be aware that schemers are posing as Henry County employees in targeted phishing attempts. They are posing as county officials in an attempt to trick people out of their money and sensitive information. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The county says people shouldnt respond to unsolicited requests for money or personal information via email, phone calls or text messages. County employees wont ever request money, financial information or personal data this way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont make immediate payments, share financial assistance or personal data over the phone if someone you dont know requests it. Contact your local law enforcement and make a report if you believe youve been a victim of a scheme like this one. RELATED STORIES: Scammers threatening drivers with suspended registrations now a nationwide problem Hello, Medicare? Not exactly the warning from one man about the latest scam to get your money [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Neighbors in Florida are speaking out after helping to save four people, after the plane they were traveling in crashed into a tree and went up in flames. The small plane crashed in Pembroke Pines on Saturday, 1 mile short of a runway at North Perry Airport. The incident was caught on surveillance video and by neighbors, who were seen rushing to the scene. Courtesy of Giovanna Hanley - PHOTO: A small plane crashed on July 12 in a residential neighborhood in Pembroke Pines, Florida. One neighbor, TJ Jordan, told ABC News Miami station WPLG the plane's engine "was burning 25 yards from my house, my son's room." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency crews respond to deadly plane crash in Florida Resident Giovanna Hanley told ABC News she, her father-in-law and their neighbors didn't hesitate to help. ABC News - PHOTO: Giovanna Hanley speaks with ABC News and describes how she and her father-in-law worked on July 12 to help plane crash passengers in Pembroke Pines, Florida. "One [person] brought over an ax. We had two neighbors with a hose jumping in," said Hanley. "My father-in-law took the ax to the the window, starting to break it. Someone even brought over a fire extinguisher." Hanley and her father-in-law were two of the first people at the scene and worked to clear a path to get passengers out. Pilot rescued from plane crash on train tracks reunites with heroes who saved him "My father-in-law jumped into action not looking for any accolades or praise," Hanley said. "They did it because that's just the type of people they are." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four passengers were rescued and hospitalized following the plane crash. Residents tell ABC News they've experienced accidents like this before and they now live in fear that at any moment that their neighborhood, streets, and homes could become part of a landing strip. The National Transportation Safety Board has an opened an investigation into the incident. RACHEL AND JON Goldberg-Polin attend the funeral of their son, Hersh, on Tuesday, in Jerusalem. (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH 90) Jon Polin called on Netanyahus office to stop claiming that military and diplomatic pressure had caused the release of 205 hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should not take credit for the return of hostages murdered while in Gaza, the father of one of the most prominent in the group said on Sunday. Jon Polin, the father of murdered Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, called on Netanyahus office to stop claiming that military and diplomatic pressure had caused the release of 205 hostages, from a total of 255 held on Oct. 7, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This insensitive claim whitewashes the lives of the 20% of the 205 who were taken into Gaza alive, survived a period of torture, and were then killed in captivity, including my son Hersh, Polin wrote on Facebook, adding, Please do not take credit for achieving the release of Hersh. This is offensive to Hersh and to our family. Polin pointed out what has long been known: that a deal on the table shortly before Hamas murdered Goldberg-Polin and five other captives last year would have included his release. That deal fell apart after Israels top negotiator, at Netanyahus instruction, made new demands at a convening that was intended to finalize a truce. Jon (left) and Rachel (right,) parents of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, holding a sign of their son. Uploaded on 10/6/2024 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM) Criticism against Netanyahu and ceasefire deal Polins statement came amid mounting indications that Netanyahu might again be moving away from striking a ceasefire deal that would see the release of more hostages. Both US and Israeli officials last week said they believed most issues had been resolved in negotiations. But they have since been tripped up amid indicators that Netanyahu is trying to placate his far-right allies who want assurances that the war will not come to a permanent end with Hamas in place. That pattern was detailed in a major New York Times article published Friday that lays out a history of unachieved deals and makes the case that Netanyahu deliberately spiked some of them to retain power amid pressure from his far-right allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A speaker at the weekly demonstration to call for the hostages release in Jerusalem on Saturday night referred to the article, which Netanyahu contested in a lengthy public statement the one that Polin was responding to with his own comments. The weekly protests have shrunk as the number of hostages has fallen there remain 50, of whom 20 are thought to remain alive and other issues have ascended in prominence. But Israelis remain highly supportive overall of striking a deal that would release all of the hostages in exchange for ending the war. In Polins Jerusalem neighborhood, where posters of Hersh still line the streets and children can regularly be seen wearing shirts featuring his image, a smaller protest took place Saturday night outside the home of Ron Dermer, Netanyahus minister of strategic affairs who has been playing a lead role in negotiations. Three women wearing Bring Them Home T-shirts stood in the dark outside, exhorting him through a megaphone to make a deal. One read the list of deceased hostages, emphasizing Hershs name when she reached it, as a single man watched them. As they finished and began packing themselves into a hatchback stuffed with placards to head to the citys main protest, the man approached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he was a reservist who had served several stints in Gaza, including 100 days in Khan Younis. He said he shared the protesters goal of ending the war but said he believed that targeting Dermer and Netanyahu with protests strengthened Hamas and international criticism of Israel. Hamas is the enemy, we agree, one of the women said to him. (Both she and he declined to share their names.) But these are my allies. I can only speak to them. The next day, Israels Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu had assured two far-right ministers that if he reaches a ceasefire deal, he would resume the war at its end. And the Times of Israel reported that sources close to the talks now say they think Netanyahu is stalling to avoid reaching a deal until the Knesset begins its recess at the end of the month. The hostages have been in captivity for 647 days. Thousands of employees across US federal health agencies received an email Monday afternoon telling them they were out of a job as of the close of business. The firings were originally communicated April 1 for most of the included employees, but theyd been delayed as a legal battle played out. That culminated in a US Supreme Court decision July 8 that, the US Department of Health and Human Services said in the email, means the agency is now permitted to move forward with a portion of its [reduction in force]. You are hereby notified that you are officially separated from HHS at the close of business on July 14, 2025, read Mondays notice to dismissed HHS employees, according to copies obtained by CNN. Thank you for your service to the American people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HHS previously announced our plans to transform this department to Make America Healthy Again and we intend to do just that, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in an email to CNN after the Supreme Courts ruling last week. In a reorganization announced March 27, HHS eliminated 10,000 employees across agencies including the US Food and Drug Administration, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US National Institutes of Health; some have since gotten their jobs back, but the number losing employment Monday is in the thousands, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed. Some of those 10,000, though, are protected at least temporarily under a different court case, New York v. Kennedy, and are not being separated immediately, the spokesperson said. That includes employees at six units of the CDC the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention; the National Center for Environmental Health; the Division of Reproductive Health; the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; the Office on Smoking and Health; and the National Center for Birth Defects and Development Disabilities the Center for Tobacco Products at the FDA; the Office of Head Start; and the Division of Data and Technical Analysis under the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. All employees previously notified on April 1 have been separated, except for those to whom the temporary protection in New York v. Kennedy applies, the HHS spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that case, Judge Melissa DuBose of US District Court in Rhode Island granted a preliminary injunction request this month from a coalition of 19 states and the District of Columbia to halt the March 27 reorganization plan. Last week, the administration asked DuBose to narrow her ruling to the divisions cited by the HHS spokesperson, but the judge has yet to rule on that request. The layoffs will probably be challenged in court given that many HHS workers are still protected by DuBoses order, but the agency could argue that the Supreme Court ruling allows it to reduce staff, said Michael Fallings, a managing partner at Tully Rinckey who specializes in federal employment law. Also Monday, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to proceed with mass layoffs at another agency the Department of Education for now. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by a teachers union, school districts, states and education groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within two hours of that decision, the department sent notices to employees indicating that its immediately resuming its plans and that the workers would be let go on August 1. They seem to be emboldened by the recent Supreme Court decisions that have been green-lighting the Trump administrations actions that other courts have stayed, said Andrew Twinamatsiko, a director of the Center for Health Policy and the Law at the ONeill Institute at Georgetown University, of HHS proceeding with the layoffs. In last weeks Supreme Court ruling, the justices allowed federal agencies to proceed with their reduction-in-force, or RIF, plans, putting on hold a lower court order that had temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from taking those steps without approval from Congress. But the justices noted that we express no view on the legality of any Agency RIF and Reorganization Plan, leaving open the possibility that it could rule against a specific agencys layoff plan in the future if the reductions appeared to make it impossible for the department to carry out its obligation under the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Filed by a coalition of more than a dozen unions, nonprofits and local governments, that case stemmed from an executive order Trump signed in mid-February that kicked off the process of significantly reducing the size of federal agencies. CNNs John Fritze, Devan Cole and Sunlen Serfaty contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WINCHESTER, Ky. (FOX 56) The ex-girlfriend of Brian Epperson, the man court documents link to two suspicious deaths, reportedly found a hidden camera in her bedroom in late June. RELATED | Man seeks answers after girlfriend found dead in Winchester motel room She told officers that Epperson is the one who put it there, according to arrest records. Epperson was arrested on June 27 when Reacheal Dawson was found dead inside a motel room booked under his name. He faces numerous charges, including murder in connection with the death of Kristen Morris, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and the latest addition, video voyeurism, which was filed on Friday, July 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents said that officers interviewed a Winchester woman on June 30 as part of ongoing investigations at her home, where Epperson had previously lived with her. She said that hed bought her a digital clock and put it in her bedroom. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: But it wasnt a digital clock at all, according to investigators. Winchester officers found that it was equipped with audio and video ports, and court documents note that detectives recovered videos from the clock on Eppersons phone following a search warrant. Some of the videos were sexual, per an arrest citation, and were taken without her consent or knowledge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winchester police described Epperson as the victims previous live-in boyfriend, but hed not lived there for over a month. Court documents allege Winchester man tied to deaths of 2 women at motel, Airbnb Epperson is scheduled to be arraigned for the voyeurism charge on Wednesday, July 16. He remains in the Clark County Detention Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 56 News. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) A Centre County man was sentenced for his role in a high-level drug trafficking organization, moving drugs from New Jersey to State College, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced. After a three-day trial in May, 51-year-old Larry Brickhouse was found guilty of one count of possession with intent to deliver, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility. Brickhouse was sentenced July 11 to serve 15-30 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This defendant was a key player in a large-scale trafficking network that brought poisons to Commonwealth communities, Sunday said. I applaud the investigators involved in taking down this ring, and thank the jurors for their diligence in reaching a just verdict that ultimately closed this toxic pipeline. Brickhouse was a co-conspirator with Larry David, the leader of the network, in trafficking heroin/fentanyl and cocaine into State College from New Jersey, according to evidence the Office of Attorney General presented in the trial. Brickhouse was one of many who assisted in the transport of the drugs and further distribution around State College and surrounding areas. Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices. Sunday added that a total of 14 people were charged for their roles, including Brickhouse and David. Four are awaiting trial, and ten have already pleaded guilty. Sunday noted that the leader, David, is now deceased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. SALUDA, N.C. (WJW) A hiker has died after investigators said she fell about 75 to 100 feet from a waterfall in North Carolina over the weekend. The search started when Polk County Communications received a 911 call about someone falling from Big Bradley Falls in Saluda around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, county officials said in a press release. Big Bradley Falls in Saluda, NC (Getty Images) Rescue teams, firefighters and sheriffs deputies all responded to the scene at the Big Bradley Falls Trailhead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 16-year-old dies in drowning at Tuscarawas County lake Upon arrival, crews discovered that a mid to late 20-year-old female had fallen an estimated 75 to 100 feet, county officials said in the release. The victim died from her injuries. According to county officials, rescuers worked to recover the womans body. She was later identified as 29-year-old Astrid Angelina Madrid Ticas. As a community, Polk County extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Ms. Ticas during this difficult time, the release said. Officials reminded the community to exercise caution when visiting trails and natural areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A hiker who became separated from his group near Courtright Reservoir was found dead Monday. Deputies with the Fresno County Sheriffs Office were notified at 9 p.m. Sunday of the missing hiker. Deputies said they were told he was an experienced hiker with the necessary supplies for the elements. The search and rescue team worked throughout the night and all of Monday morning to look for the hiker, deputies said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 10 a.m. a hiker unrelated to the group, reported finding a man down. The hiker had a GPS device, which helped pinpoint coordinates, deputies said. The sheriffs helicopter responded and deputies were able to recover the mans body who matched the missing hiker. Sheriffs spokesperson Tony Botti said the hiker had no visible injuries, and could be a medical related death. Tyranna Resources is set to acquire a 70% interest in the Maongo copper-gold project, situated near the port city of Namibe in Angola. The move is part of the company's initiative to appraise projects with copper prospectivity and suitable for modern exploration techniques. Upon completion of negotiations with the Angolan National Resource Management (ANRM) authority, Tyranna will commence work to expand known targets. This includes geological mapping, soil geochemistry and geophysical surveys, with broader exploration programmes to follow. The deal includes an initial payment of Kz50,000,000 ($50,000) to the vendor, Exploracao Mineira (OCJAF), which grants Tyranna the exclusive right to complete the transaction after due diligence. Tyranna is responsible for covering any fees OCJAF incurs related to the application process. Upon the granting of the prospecting licence, Tyranna will owe OCJAF Kz150,000,000. Should the exploration yield positive outcomes, Tyranna is required to allocate shares valued at $200,000 to OCJAF. Angolan holding company Maongo LDA will become the registered owner of the project, with Tyranna's Angolan subsidiary holding a 70% stake and OCJAF retaining 30%. Tyranna managing director David Crook stated: The company previously flagged that it is actively looking for projects that would fit well with our broader strategy, targeting demand-driven metals in Angola. The Maongo project is the first to meet our criteria, where prospectivity for copper and gold is evident in an area with good access, in an uncomplicated operating environment. The sites of mining and treatment artifacts were confirmed by company field staff during our due diligence period, and concession approval documentation is currently being advanced with the Agencia Nacional dos Recursos Minerais (ANRM), Tyrannas 30% partner, OCJAF and the companys 70% Angolan subsidiary, Maongo, LDA. The concession is expected to be granted during the September 2025 quarter. "Tyranna to acquire 70% stake in Angolas Maongo copper-gold project" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. NEED TO KNOW A hiker has been missing in the Italian Alps after sending a text message to a friend telling them he was lost Matthew Hall was due to return home to the United Kingdom on July 12, according to his mom, who reported him missing after he did not pick up his phone Multiple friends have flown out to the area where Hall was last seen, joining multiple search teams that are looking for the missing hiker A British hiker has been missing in the Italian Alps after texting a friend that he was lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Hall, 33, of Hull, disappeared while hiking near Chiavenna, Lombardy, last week, according to The Nightly and the BBC. In his final text message, sent to a friend around 1:20 p.m., Hall wrote, I lost the path and stopped to rest, The Nightly reported. He has not been heard from since. A witness said they saw Hall in a beige t-shirt at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday as he was standing beside a large cross at a look-out point at the village of Daloo, according to The Times. Hall reportedly was due to return home on Saturday, July 12. Hotel staff grew concerned after Hall did not attend breakfast for days, and the owners began investigating after he did not check out on Friday, July 11, according to The Nightly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police began their search for Hall on Friday after his mom, Sara Foster, called authorities in the United Kingdom when her son did not pick up his phone, The Times reported. Foster told Hull Live that her son sent a friend a picture of a cross before he disappeared, which authorities used to pinpoint a starting location for the search. The Times also reported that Hall sent a selfie around 2:22 p.m. of himself with his back to a mountain. We have been able to tell exactly where he was standing from the photo, said a member of the search and rescue team. Foster, 62, said five of Halls friends have flown out to the area where her son disappeared to help look for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben Lee, one of the friends who traveled to Chiavenna to help look for Hall, said there are four teams and three helicopters scouring the area for the missing hiker, according to the BBC. Foster said Hall loves his trails and walking. She claimed his trip began on Saturday, July 5. "We'd got lots of photos from him from the Saturday to the Monday and then it seemed to be a blank," she explained. Foster then pleaded with the public for their help. "If you're walking around Chiavenna just keep an eye out, she said. We just want him to come home." 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. Foster also told Hull Live that she is grateful for the outpouring of support she has received both in person and online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats given us some hope and hes fit, hes resourceful, so thats whats keeping me positive, she explained. Hes well travelled, and a solo traveller. Hes a walker and has all the gear. We just need to find him and bring him home to safety." Read the original article on People A British hiker "sounded relaxed" prior to going missing in Italy, a friend has said. Matthew Hall, from Hull, was staying at the B&B Ploncher hotel when he disappeared from Chiavenna, Lombardy, on 9 July. In a last text sent to friend Jacob White on the day he went missing, Mr Hall had told him he thought he had taken "a wrong turn" on a trail and was "having a rest". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friends of the 33-year-old, including five of his colleagues from Quickline, a broadband provider in Willerby, East Yorkshire, have flown to Italy to join the search. Mr White said he received a text from Mr Hall at 13:37 BST on 9 July. He said Mr Hall "sounded relaxed" in the text and was asking him about his own holiday in Cornwall. Mr White added that his friend "sounded as if any danger he might have seen was over". Speaking from Italy, Mr Hall's close friend, Ben Lee, said: "We're here on the ground doing everything we can to help find him. "We spoke to the B&B owner who was really helpful and helped us narrow down the hiking routes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are now five main rescue teams and three helicopters searching for Matt." Friends said permission had also been granted for a drone to be used in the search. Mr Lee added that "everyone is working so hard" and "around the clock" and the "efforts haven't gone unnoticed". "We just want our friend found, we miss him and we aren't giving up. "His family are staying strong back home and we're in constant contact." Matthew Hall sent a photograph of the cross at Alpe Daloo, near San Giacomo Filippo, to friends on the day he went missing, his mother said [Submitted] Mr Hall has worked as an engineer for Quickline since January 2023. The company said he was a "well-liked colleague" and confirmed that five staff members had travelled to Italy to assist in the search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Quickline spokesperson said: "We remain in close contact with Matt's family and are doing all we can to support them during this incredibly difficult time. "Our thoughts are with Matt and his loved ones, and we are all hoping for a safe and positive outcome." A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British man missing in Italy and are in contact with the local authorities." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices More on this story Related internet links CARROLL COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) Police arrested a Hillsville woman in connection with a weekend fatal shooting. According to the Virginia State Police, the shooting happened in the early morning hours on Sunday at a residence on Water Plant Road. When law enforcement arrived on the scene, they discovered the body of Theodore Colna, 44. Driver in Pulaski arrested on gun, drug charges during traffic stop Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennie Carrico, 42, of Hillsville, was charged with second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and firing within an occupied dwelling.. Carrico is currently being held without bond at the New River Regional Jail in Dublin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) More than a year after Oscars Restaurant and Bar in Dublin permanently closed, the buildings owners are searching for new tenants. Several spaces inside the former restaurant at 84 N. High St. in Dublins historic neighborhood are now available for leasing, according to an online listing by Matt Cooper and Laurah Hallock from Equity Commercial Real Estate Solutions. Nationwide Arena eyes unclaimed funds in Ohio budget for $400 million renovation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The listing shows that the building has three first-floor retail units available, one at 951 square feet, another at 1,809 square feet and the third spanning 2,123 square feet. A lower-level 1,496-square-foot office unit is also available. Walking distance from a number of coffee shops, restaurants, bars and shopping, there is no shortage of things to do in the area, the listing states. Being right next to The Link, you have easy access to walking paths and many more shops in Bridge Park. The restaurant and bar at 84 N. High St. in Dublins historic neighborhood permanently shuttered in January 2024. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin) Cooper and Hallock boast the 5-mile radius around the building as featuring a population of 213,483 with 8,860 businesses, 122,329 employees and a median household income of $108,437. The property was home to Oscars for 30 years before the restaurant and bar shuttered on Jan. 27, 2024. An online auction listing posted at the time, which described the closure as sudden, showed that the eaterys furniture and equipment were sold to the highest bidders the following Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restaurant opened in the early 1990s and was acquired in 1995 by the restaurant group that also owned several Brazenhead Irish pubs and Tuccis, an upscale steak and seafood restaurant just a few blocks away from Oscars. Tuccis is the only restaurant remaining and completed a $2.5 million expansion in spring 2024. New Franklinton apartments preserve history, offer affordable housing Dwight McCabe, a Columbus-based developer, proposed the idea of opening a 127-room boutique hotel at the restaurants site. While McCabe told Dublins Architectural Review Board in 2022 that Oscars would close to make way for the hotel, the project never moved forward. Marketed as creative American cuisine, Oscars offerings included a light lunch menu with an extensive wine list and pastas, seafood and steak available for dinner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has called for a heightened federal drone defense strategy, following reports of drone sightings in the Northeast toward the end of 2024. I am writing to you with respect to the critical need for federal action regarding the threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, Hochul said in a letter to President Trump last week. As you are aware, late last year, the New York City area and the Hudson Valley experienced concerning UAS sightings that underscored the inadequacy of the federal governments posture and the constrained ability of state authorities to detect and mitigate these threats, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hochul wrote two letters, one addressed to Trump and another addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). Drone sightings rattled multiple Northeastern states, most notably New Jersey, in late 2024. Former President Bidens administration said in December the drones were not a national security or public risk. In early June, the Ukrainian military launched a successful surprise attack against Russian strategic air forces using drones, Hochul said in her letters. This serves as a stark reminder of the evolving and significant danger these systems present. An attack against strategic military and critical infrastructure in New York poses an urgent danger to the United States. I urge the Administration to proactively improve the UAS detection and mitigation posture in New York and for Congress to extend existing authorities and expand states abilities to detect and mitigate these threats themselves, the Empire State governor added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hill has reached out to the White House, Thunes office, Schumers office, Johnsons office and Jeffriess office for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK Zohran Mamdani has said Gov. Kathy Hochul appeases racists, is disgusting and demonstrates why people dont trust politicians. Now hes playing nice and so is she. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, tried to be a thorn in the moderate governors side during his four and a half years as a junior assemblymember in Albany. But after handily winning the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, he says hes excited to be her partner in government. Hochul for the moment appears to be on the same page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can tell you, just working with the governor, it would behoove him to have a constructive working relationship, as opposed to combative or antagonistic, said one former Hochul official, who was granted anonymity to speak freely. That just doesn't work for her, and I think we've seen that in the past. While Hochul and Mamdani have so far put aside their differences, their disagreement over raising taxes and a potential wave of primary challenges inspired by Mamdanis victory could threaten to upend their nascent, rosy relationship. If elected, Mamdani will ascend to City Hall as Hochul is gearing up a reelection run, and pressure from the left which Mamdani allies are poised to apply could complicate her chances of success. At the same time, Mamdani will be eager to score a policy win in his first year. And given the high price tag of many of his plans, hell need Hochuls buy-in to lock down tax revenue and state funding. The evolving dynamic between the two has far broader implications than Hochuls reelection and Mamdanis success, though. If Mamdani wins, it will serve as a test of the Democratic Partys ability to include their competing visions under a big tent, and with Hochul at the top of the ticket during the midterms, it also stands to threaten moderate Democrats efforts to win control of the House in 2026. After the citys June 29 pride parade, the two met in person and discussed the affordability crisis and areas of common ground on lowering costs, according to someone from the governors team who was granted anonymity to discuss the private meeting. That person said Mamdani credited the moderate governor for her work on child care and her broader affordability agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second person familiar with the meeting who was also granted anonymity said the two leaders spoke about previous disagreements and agreed to put the past behind them to work together in the best interests of the city. But significant differences remain. The governor has already staked out her opposition to Mamdanis proposal to raise the corporate tax rate to 11.5 percent and increase income taxes on those earning more than $1 million annually two funding measures hell need Albany to approve. Her early objection to raising taxes threatens the Queens lawmakers most prominent campaign promises, such as free child care, free buses and free college. With that tension already baked in, left-leaning groups are savoring the opportunity to turn Mamdanis win into a wave that ousts moderate Democrats next year, when Hochul and every state legislator is on the ballot. Were going to have to figure out ways to increase the pressure, change the political landscape in ways that make Governor Hochul responsive to our demands, said Grace Mausser, the co-chair of the citys Democratic Socialists of America chapter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jasmine Gripper, co-director of the Working Families Party, told POLITICO the group will immediately and aggressively launch a pressure campaign to force Hochul to raise taxes on the wealthy. Zohran Mamdani inspired a record number of voters by building a campaign focused on making New York more affordable, Gripper added in a statement. Voters are looking for leaders who are committed to making real change for working families. The WFP will decide who it will endorse for governor and other legislative races before January. Gripper said Hochul so far has under-delivered in leveraging her power to address the affordability crisis. Mamdanis spokesperson Lekha Sunder struck a less aggressive tone when asked whether he would play a role in left-leaning primary challenges, saying in a statement that the campaign is not spending any of our time contemplating hypotheticals or engaging in political gossip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both camps seem set on avoiding a dynamic similar to the combative relationship between former Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, which led to vaccine distribution holdups and a slowed rollout of universal pre-K. Hochul has enjoyed a publicly warm relationship with Mayor Eric Adams even as she fielded deafening demands to remove him from office throughout his criminal case. The former Hochul official pointed to her ability to navigate very tricky political waters in dealing with Cuomos mayoral primary bid, the indictment of Adams and insubordination from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, whos now challenging Hochul in the gubernatorial primary. Basil Smikle Jr., the former head of the state Democratic Party, said he thinks there is going to be a healthy tension between what Mamdani wants and what Albany thinks is doable and that the tension could lead to some good policy and hopefully some things that will really benefit New Yorkers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He knows that state politics and some of the institutional players in New York City are going to push to moderate his views, Smikle said. What we don't know is the extent to which he's going to press for a pure form of his proposals, or if he's okay with some kind of negotiation. Hochul has signaled she might be open to that path. Shes framed Mamdanis campaign and the wave of energy behind it as a welcomed, albeit different, version of her affordability-minded politics. I've been focused on affordability long before any recent election, Hochul told reporters two days after the election. That has been what Ive been championing and successful in getting major policies through the Legislature. In turn, Mamdani has publicly complimented Hochuls efforts to stand up to President Donald Trump and said she is laser-focused on affordability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zohran's focus as mayor will be delivering on his affordability agenda and he looks forward to working with Governor Hochul and leaders in the state legislature to do so, especially as they have led this same fight for years, said Sunder, Mamdanis spokesperson. Mamdani, though, has used his social media accounts to antagonize the governor in the past. In 2022, he used a Happy Black History Month! post to attack Hochul for allegedly pushing to gut funding for Black cultural institutions. The following year he said Hochul made a decision to put more poor black & brown NYers in jail and attack public schools in the state budget. Amit Singh Bagga, a Democratic strategist who previously worked for Hochul and has known Mamdani since he was elected as a state lawmaker in 2021, said the two may find common ground on issues like child care. In this years budget, Hochul fought to introduce a child tax credit of up to $1,000 for parents of young children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an election year, Bagga said Hochul will have to strike a careful balance between embracing Mamdanis focus on a less expensive city without alienating suburban and moderate voters outside the city a critical constituency in a statewide election. We can anticipate Republican attacks that will attempt to attach the governor to Mamdani, Bagga said. At the same time, the governor understands that in order to win a very competitive general election, shell need to generate a massive amount of enthusiasm among Democrats, who fed up with what they perceive as half-measures and half-hearted battles just propelled Mamdani to victory in New York City, which shell need to win resoundingly. Those are some narrow straits, but the governor has demonstrated an ability to navigate between Scylla and Charybdis, he added, likening her dilemma to what Homer described in the Odyssey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delgado, meanwhile, is already trying to harness the energy behind Mamdanis win to oust Hochul in next years June primary. Zohran cannot deliver bold change alone. He needs a Governor whos ready and willing to work with him, Delgado wrote on social media. As a staunch supporter of Israel who formerly represented a Hudson Valley swing seat in Congress, Delgado finds himself to the left of Hochul, but to the right of Mamdanis DSA base. Still, Mausser indicated the DSA is open to hearing him out and possibly backing him, especially if hes promising to raise taxes to the levels necessary to fund Mamdanis agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked generally about whether Mamdani would support the DSA primarying incumbents next year, Mausser recalled how it helped Mamdani, then a social justice organizer, win a 2020 primary against former Assemblymember Aravella Simotas, who had served in Albany for a decade. I know where he comes from, and I know what his organizing orientation is, she said. I think hell be strategic and thoughtful and collaborative when we're talking about primary challenges. Gripper didnt rule out the possibility that Hochul would come around to Mamdanis call for higher taxes, which could then spoil Delgados chances of getting lefty support in his primary battle. She noted Cuomo relented on raising taxes on the wealthy in 2021. The idea that a governor shifts positions is not impossible, Gripper said. We've done it before, and we can do it again. Kathy Hochul may hold a position now that she might shift as conditions change, as the public demand changes. Sam Haskell IV, the Hollywood scion accused of chopping up his wife and in-laws before tossing a disembodied torso into a dumpster, has died in a Los Angeles jail while awaiting trial, according to authorities. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman revealed in a statement that prosecutors had damning new evidence against him that was going to be made public at an upcoming preliminary hearing including that he was having an affair with a 27-year-old woman and had been arrested with a bloodsoaked knife containing the DNA of all three victims. Corrections officers found the 37-year-old dead from an apparent suicide in his cell Saturday, days before the hearing, where prosecutors were expected to outline the case against him. He previously pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyer For Hollywood Headless Torso Suspect Says His Client Is Being Forced To Show Up Shirtless In Court Sam Haskell, charged with three counts of murder in the killings of his wife, Mei Haskell, and her parents, appears for arraignment in Dept. 30 Criminal Courts on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 in Los Angeles, CA. "Instead of standing before a judge and answering for the crimes hes been charged with, the defendant managed to escape justice," Hochman said in a statement. "This is one last cruel act by someone who did the most horrific things for reasons we will never entirely know. A family that has been dealing with unimaginable loss now has been robbed of their chance to face him, hold him accountable for his barbaric actions, and openly share their grief and their cherished memories of their loved ones." Haskell's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He previously told Fox News Digital that the court's assertion his client was at risk of self-harm was "wild speculation" and condemned a judge's decision that forced him to appear shirtless or wear a protective vest at prior hearings. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hollywood Heir Sam Haskell's Tiktok Rants Emerge As Suspect In Headless Torso Case Heads To Court Haskell, who opted to face the court without a shirt, was facing three counts of murder for the Nov. 6, 2023 slayings of his wife Mei Haskell, 37, her mother Yanxiang Wang, 64, and her stepfather Gaoshan Li, 71, as well as additional special circumstance allegations. He would have faced life in prison without parole if convicted. "He was obviously an unhinged individual," said Joshua Ritter, a former Los Angeles deputy district attorney and a Fox News contributor. "The crime itself speaks to his mental unrest. Its not so uncommon that we see people commit murders based on financial or marital difficulties, but the idea of going as far as killing your in-laws and chopping their body parts up is very extreme." Hollywood Headless Torso Suspect Sam Haskell Paranoid Weeks Before Body Found In Dumpster, Friend Says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hochman's office released a summary of the evidence prosecutors planned to unseal at the hearing. After killing and dismembering all three victims, he allegedly paid $500 to a group of day laborers he asked to remove a series of heavy black trash bags from the home, where they all lived together, according to prosecutors. After picking up the bags, one of the workers looked inside and saw human remains. The day laborers gave the money and the bags back to Haskell and called police. Investigators previously said that by the time officers arrived at his house, Haskell and the bags were gone. Fox News Digital also reported that surveillance cameras at a gym in Encino showed him placing a heavy bag in the dumpster outside. A homeless man looking through the trash made the gruesome discovery and called 911. Police found his wife's car, which had her stepfather's blood inside, Hochman's office revealed Monday. They tracked Haskell to an Airbnb nearby, which investigators allege he had rented for himself and the children he shared with Mei Haskell after the murders. A general view of the home in Tarzana, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, where Sam Haskell Jr. lived with his wife, Mei Haskell, and her parents Yanxiang Wang and Gaoshen Li. When police arrested Haskell, he was carrying a pocket knife and a Home Depot receipt from a few days earlier listing plywood, a moisture barrier, coveralls and diamond saw blades, Hochman's office said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his rented SUV, he had a loaded .357 revolver, 32 rounds, a blood-covered knife, the family's passports and a one-way ticket to Japan, according to authorities. They separately seized $67,000 cash during a search on his office. DNA testing on the knife matched blood to all three victims, according to prosecutors. "You do have to take into account the timing of all of this," Ritter told Fox News Digital. "Hes been in prison for some time. I imagine he had opportunities for this kind of action before now. But it does seem interesting that it would come on the eve of a date that would expose all of the horrible things that hed been up to." A general view of the dumpster area off of Ventura Boulvard in Encino California, Friday, Nov.10, 2023, where Sam Haskell Jr. is alleged to have dumped his wife, Mei Haskell's torso. Police later recovered eight more bags containing bloody evidence, but not the remains of his in-laws and they said that "large amounts of blood" had been cleaned up at the family home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Haskell's alleged 27-year-old mistress, authorities say she told them Haskell told her in October 2023, shortly before the murders, that his parents would be taking over care for his children. Then he invited her on a trip to Japan. In addition to the one-way ticket he had, prosecutors say he bought her a round-trip ticket. Sam Haskell appears in court for a preliminary hearing at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles, California on Friday, Feb.16, 2024. Haskell took his own life before facing trial on three counts of murder in the deaths of wife Mei Haskell and parents Goashan Li and Yanxiang Wang. "Its interesting to me that, heres a guy looking at life in prison without parole, multiple murders, its as bad as its going to get," Ritter said. "Theres a strong likelihood that he will never see the outside of the prison again, but he is such a narcissist that he is more concerned with the embarrassment of perhaps his extramarital affair becoming exposed than he is with life in prison if that is what motivated this." Click To Get The Fox News App The remains of Mei Haskell's parents have not been found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haskell's parents, Hollywood producer Sam Haskell III and beauty queen and actress Mary Donnelly Haskell, are known for a series of Christmas movies. His father was also a former talent agent who represented George Clooney and Dolly Parton, among other A-list stars. He declined to comment. Original article source: Hollywood heir accused of beheading wife, in-laws dies in custody days before release of key evidence HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) has been nationally recognized for its high-quality stroke care once again. Holyoke man arrested for allegedly robbing, attacking victim HMC has received the American Heart Associations Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Award, the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Award, and the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Award. The center has been recognized with Get With The Guidelines Stroke awards since 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stroke remains the fifth cause of death and disability in the United States. It occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching brain cells. Early intervention is crucial for minimizing the long-term impact of a stroke, including death and severe disability. The awards reflect HMCs commitment to rapid stroke treatment, which is key to improving patient outcomes. Get With The Guidelines helps to put the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, ensuring patient care is aligned with the latest research and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines Stroke is an in-hospital program that helps to improve stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and can even prevent death. The center met specific criteria to reduce the time between an eligible patients arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy to qualify for the American Heart Associations Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite award. The Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award aims to make sure patients with Type 2 diabetes receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke. HMC continues to lead in the field of stroke care, providing life-saving treatments and educating patients to improve long-term health outcomes. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. More women than men are working from home in the U.S. despite return-to-office initiatives incentivizing employees to ditch remote work styles through promised bonuses and advancement opportunities. As corporate America doubles down on return-to-office mandates, a new gender divide is emerging in the workforce. More women than men are choosing to work remotely, raising fresh questions about gender equity, career advancement, and the future of work in the country. According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, 36% of employed women reported working from home in the past year, a figure in line with the year prior. Meanwhile, 29% of employed men said they worked from home in 2024, down from 34% the year prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the rates of women working from home remained consistent, there are more women today in the workforce than nearly ever before, with 77.7% of prime-age women participating in the labor force. The surge of women, especially mothers, in the labor market began during the popularization of hybrid and remote work models following the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, data from the Brookings Institution show that remote work is most common for parents, both women and men, with children under five. And mothers of young children have the highest rate of fully remote work across the board. Working mothers advocate and former operations manager Paige Connell says that the popularity of remote work among women, particularly mothers, comes from the disproportionate caretaking and domestic burdens placed upon women that add to their pre-existing work responsibilities and the unaffordability of childcare. If I had a traditional 9-to-5 or 8:30-to-5:30 job and I had to be in the office, it wouldnt be possible. Id be paying for before-school care. Id be paying for after-school care. It just wouldnt logistically work, she told Fortune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, she and fellow advocate Paula Faris who runs CARRY Media see these hurdles as the driving force behind working women seeking out flexible work styles. Survey data from Stanford University and the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico appears to back up their observations with women consistently reporting more of a desire to work from home, by an average margin of 5 points, in the past five years. While flexible work modes appear to be preferable to working women and parents, in particular mothers, return to office mandates and in-office incentives pose a renewed threat to women looking to advance in their careers. Dozens of big companies including Apple, Meta, Google, and JPMorgan Chase have all issued mandates to bring employees back to the office. And aside from these initiatives, a recent KPMG survey found that 86% of CEOs say theyll reward employees who come into the office with favorable assignments, raises or promotions. Theres a gender gap for remote workers, too: Women who work remotely receive less feedback on their work and less mentorship compared to men who do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faris sees employers favoring in-person workers as furthering the pre-existing gender divide in the workforce by keeping women from rising to leadership positions, earning bonuses, or staying in the workforce all together. A lot of mothers may have no choice but to stay home because they cant find or afford childcare, she told Fortune. And of course, its the woman thats going to have to stay home because shes making less compared to working fathers. Thats the motherhood penalty. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Officers from the Department of Homeland Security who arranged the arrests of foreign university students over their pro-Palestinian speech claimed that the orders they received were so unusual, they werent sure if they were legal, Politico reported Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Willliam Young heard testimony from four veteran DHS officers as part of a lawsuit alleging that the Trump administration is implementing a policy of ideological deportation, violating the First Amendment rights of non-citizens in the United States. Across the country, federal judges have ordered the release of multiple students and faculty detained as part of Donald Trumps crackdown on pro-Palestinian speech. Darren McCormack, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, said orders to arrest Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University grad student and green card holder, came from the very top. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somebody at a higher level than the people I was speaking to had an interest in him, said McCormack, who oversaw Khalils arrest. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had attempted to justify Khalils months-long detainment and pending removal by claiming he was a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests because he would create a hostile environment for Jewish students. McCormack said hed been instructed to surveil Khalil ahead of his arrest, leading McCormack to consult with ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations office in New York, which typically handles deportation arrests. We historically in recent times had not enforced those laws, McCormack said. I wanted to confirm there was a legal basis for arrest. When asked why ERO wasnt responsible for carrying out the arrest, McCormack said he didnt have an answer. I wondered why HSI was effecting this arrest and not ERO, he said. I still dont know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Cunningham, an assistant special agent at HSI in Boston, said there had been a lot of hands in the fishbowl regarding the horrific arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk, the Tufts University grad student who was swarmed by six masked plainclothes officers on the street in Somerville, Massachusetts. Cunningham also said the orders for that arrest came from somebody high up. I cant recall a time that its come top-down like this with a visa revocation, under my purview anyway, he said. I did contact our legal counsel to make sure that were on solid legal ground. The operation kind of developed pretty quickly, he added. Ozturk was detained over an op-ed shed written for the school paper that advocated for the school to make good on student resolutions to acknowledge the genocide in Gaza and to divest from Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cunningham, who said that hed skimmed the op-ed, testified that he didnt see anything in the op-ed that suggested shed committed a crime. He admitted he didnt have much experience, if any with conducting a deportation arrest. Most of my career as an agent and as a supervisor has been in enforcement of drug laws, drug smuggling, money laundering, Cunningham said. Thats changed recently, he added. He said that shortly after Trump entered the White House, HSI had several meetings about prioritizing immigration enforcement. Inside ICE, staff members from the HSI division, which typically focuses on transnational crime, are now being moved to ERO, in what some perceive to be a retaliatory move for HSI distancing itself from the agencys deportation arm. The UKs HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has reported that US companies may have underpaid taxes amounting to 8.8bn ($11.8bn) in the previous financial year, according to UHY Hacker Young, a national accountancy firm. This figure marks a 57% increase from the estimated 5.6bn underpayment recorded the year before. US corporations represent the largest share of tax underpayment among foreign entities, contributing to 46% of the total 19bn in tax underpaid by all international companies operating in the UK. In light of these findings, HMRC has intensified its scrutiny of major US firms, particularly those in the technology sector. Some analysts have suggested that these companies are minimising their tax obligations in the UK by reallocating profits to jurisdictions with lower tax rates, such as Dublin. UHY Hacker Young pointed out that a prevalent strategy used by these firms is known as transfer pricing. This involves transactions between subsidiaries, where one entity compensates another for goods and services, including intellectual property rights, potentially leading to reduced taxable income in the UK. The US government has expressed concerns regarding what it perceives as unfair taxation practices imposed by other countries on American businesses. The UKs implementation of a diverted profit tax and a digital services tax has previously been identified by the US as examples of such unfair measures. UHY Hacker Young partner and tax head Phil Kinzett-Evans said: The amount of tax owed that HMRC suspects that US companies owe is continuing to grow at a scale that HMRC knows it cant ignore. HMRC is under a lot of pressure help fill the shortfall in tax revenues by cracking down on large companies. However, that conflicts with the need to keep the US government onside but not to be seen as too aggressive towards US companies. HMRC needs to tread carefully as it faces the challenge of ensuring the UK keeps a good relationship current US administration whilst also investigating US companies for underpaying tax. The less tax collected from US companies, the more has to be paid by other taxpayers. "UK HMRC estimates US firms underpaid 8.8bn in taxes last year" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A Honduran national pleaded guilty to child pornography charges on Tuesday. According to the acting United States Attorney Ellison Travis, 22-year-old Olvin Rodriguez-Inestroza, of Honduras, entered a guilty plea and admitted to using internet-based accounts and mobile applications to share child pornography. He also had at least 205 videos and 325 photos of child porn on his smartphone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State law says that child pornography crimes are punishable by between five and 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and registration as a sex offender. Rodriguez-Inestroza would also be subject to deportation from the U.S. after completing his sentence. Baton Rouge woman charged after 3-year-old found with cocaine in their system Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. Hong Kong leader John Lee threw his weight behind a bill recognising limited rights for same-sex couples on Tuesday, despite fears that opposition from pro-Beijing parties could sink it. Lee's administration proposed legislation this month to recognise some rights for same-sex partners whose marriages are registered abroad. Despite LGBTQ activists arguing it does not go far enough, the proposal drew near-universal criticism from the pro-Beijing politicians that dominate Hong Kong's legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clash pitted Lee against conservative lawmakers from his own camp and led some to fear the proposal might be pulled. The city's top court ordered Hong Kong's government to create an "alternative framework" for LGBTQ couples when it quashed a bid to recognise same-sex marriage in 2023. Lee said on Tuesday the government "must not act in violation" of the Court of Final Appeal's judgement. "Otherwise, it will be against the rule of law... Violating the rule of law will mean serious consequences," he told reporters. The government will respect the legislature's final decision, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, the court unanimously defined marriage as "confined to opposite-sex couples" -- a stance Lee reiterated on Tuesday. LGBTQ activists say the bill -- which only covers "rights related to medical matters" and "right to handle after-death arrangements" -- fails to satisfy the court's framework requirements. China is not among the countries around the world that have legalised marriage equality since the Netherlands became the first to do so in 2001. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China with its own legislature and a mini-constitution that guarantees a "high degree of autonomy". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pro-Beijing firebrand lawmaker Junius Ho earlier floated the idea of asking Beijing's top legislature to overrule Hong Kong's apex court to "protect traditional family values". Support for same-sex marriage in Hong Kong has grown over the past decade and hit 60 percent, according to a 2023 survey. hol/reb/rsc LODA, Ill. (WCIA) A man from Hoopeston was arrested in Loda last week after the Iroquois County Sheriffs Office said they found him driving a stolen car. Officials from the Sheriffs Office said in a news release that deputies were dispatched to Loda on Friday for a disturbance. After several more calls for assistance were made, deputies eventually made contact with 33-year-old Skylar Cannon. They also found a car that witnesses said Cannon had been driving. Onarga teen arrested, accused of attacking paramedic Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A computer check revealed that the car had been reported stolen, officials said. Cannon was then arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and booked at the Iroquois County Jail but was released with a notice to appear in court. Officials did not say when Cannon will appear, and Iroquois County court records do not provide any information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. The James River in Richmond after a storm. (Sarah Vogelsong / Virginia Mercury) Public officials are advising locals to avoid the James River in Hopewell and Richmond, after a weekend wastewater treatment plant malfunction released raw sewage into the waterway. They also said the regions recent heavy rains play a part in pollution in the river but dont expect long-term effects. On Friday night, the Hopewell Wastewater Plant lost power and deposited about a million gallons of raw sewage into the James River. The most affected areas were Gravely Run Creek and sections of the James from the Old City Point Waterfront Park in Hopewell downstream to the Berkley Plantation areas local and state officials have advised people and pets to steer clear of for the time being. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As long as there is no additional discharge, (Virginia Department of Health) expects to lift the advisory on Friday after the river system has time to flush out the sewage through dilution and degradation, Brookie Crawford, risk communications manager with VDH, said Monday. Crawford also recommended that people practice safe food handling if consuming fish theyve caught and pointed to VDHs fish consumption advisory dashboard. As of Monday afternoon, there was no fish consumption advisory in place near Hopewell. A Hopewell communications worker also confirmed that a permanent repair at the plant is expected to be done by the end of the week. WTVR first reported that faulty wiring at the water treatment plant had caused a power outage which led to the overflow. Residential sewage and drinking water were not affected, but untreated sewage flowed unabated into the James River during the incident. The plant was fully operational by Saturday, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Environmental Quality is investigating the incident. They visited the facility on Saturday and will be working with the plant to find solutions to ensure another leak wont happen again. A DEQ spokesperson said the sewage that entered Gravelly Run and the James River would have mixed in the water, making it impossible to clean up. Bacteria will die off over the next several days. The swim advisory area is not expected to be expanded as the sewage moves downstream; DEQ believes it will be diluted and degraded. Recent heavy rains have led to more turbulent waters, which can also help with the breakdown of the sewage. If the plant remains operational, the swim advisory is anticipated to be lifted on July 18. There are no long-term effects expected to impact the waterways. However, DEQ and VDH stress that people should not drink any untreated water, should shower after swimming, and should avoid swimming for three days after any significant rain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, heavy rain poses additional health risks around Richmond since the city uses a combined sewage-overflow system. This means that heavy rains can allow a mix of stormwater runoff and sewage to become present in the river. Richmond has seen heavy rains most nights in recent weeks. Heavy rain picks up anything it comes in contact with, including germs from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water, and runoff from land, Crawford said. If a river or lake has a green film, a chemical odor, appears cloudier than usual or has multiple dead fish, Crawford said its best not to get in. State lawmakers have tried unsuccessfully for years to earmark $50 million in the state budget to overhaul the system, though it survived negotiations earlier this year. Regions previous water woes Hopewells wastewater treatment incident is the latest central Virginia municipal water issue this year. Richmond faced two water boil advisories in January and May as its water treatment plant also faced a power outage, and later, filter clogs. Richmond residents were without safe drinking water for nearly a week in early January following a power failure that signaled overdue maintenance repairs for the plants infrastructure. Residents in Richmond and Henrico County had to boil their water before consuming it, while those without pressure took advantage of a recent snowfall to melt and boil snow for use. Some residents also sought out natural springs in the area. The state penalized the city for the crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By April, the installation of a new pump led to increased fluoride levels in local drinking water, but officials said it was still safe for consumption. Then in May, clogged filters prompted a water boil advisory for parts of the city and requests for conservation in others. In late June, officials from Richmond and Henrico County, which taps into part of Richmonds water, held a water summit to dissect what went wrong and brainstorm plans for future collaboration on water infrastructure. Editors note: This story has been updated to clarify that the power outage that triggered a release of raw sewage occurred at the Hopewell Wastewater Plant, not the Hopewell Water Plant as previously stated. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX OTTUMWA Hospice House has now permanently closed, and the nonprofit that ran it along with in-home services may shutter as well without an immediate cash infusion of at least a half-million dollars. Tara Conley, executive director of Hospice Serving Davis and Wapello Counties, told The Courier the nonprofit urgently needs donations in the next 30 days to remain operational. She said a phased approach is planned to eventually find a new home and grow the service area to build a sustainable future for the organization, which has served the region since 1982. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for now, the group is calling on the community for help. We have weathered many storms over the years, but the current financial challenges we face are unprecedented, Conley said. Without immediate and ongoing support from our community, we cannot guarantee that our community-based hospice services will remain available in our area in the future. Conley said the number of patients being served began to drop in December. That, combined with cuts to national, state and local funding, has contributed to the organization's bleak financial picture. Medicare and Medicaid are the organization's primary sources of revenue, followed by private insurance for those patients who have it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the short term, Conley said the organization hopes to liquidate its current facility, raise at least $500,000 from the community and partners, and begin reorganizing and rebuilding to sustain operations long term. Currently, nine staff members serve patients. While the in-patient Hospice House, which could care for up to six individuals, is permanently closed, the organization is still striving to provide care through skilled nurses, aides and counselors. Donations can be made online at hospicewdc.org. Checks payable to Hospice Serving Davis and Wapello Counties may be mailed to 927 Pennsylvania Ave., Ottumwa, IA 52501. Donations are also accepted via Venmo at @Hospice-WDC. For more information, contact the organization at 641-682-0684. Jul. 15MOSES LAKE While the winds are forecast to die down Tuesday, hot summer temperatures and increased fire danger will be sticking around. Jeremy Wolf, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane, said temperatures will increase again after today. "(Temperatures) will be rebounding back up for the middle to the end of the week," Wolf said. The high temperature Thursday is forecast to be 97 degrees, Wolf said. That follows a substantial period of dry weather which is still ongoing which increases the possibility of fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The high wind warnings issued for the Columbia Basin and other parts of Eastern Washington expired Monday night, but Wolf said it'll still be windy through Tuesday afternoon. Dry vegetation and winds are a combustible combination, and Heather Kok, CARES coordinator for the Moses Lake Fire Department, said fire danger is very high. "Everything is highly flammable," she said. "Extreme fire danger weather." Grant County instituted a burn ban in June, prohibiting all open fires; some agricultural burning is allowed, but only with a permit from the Washington Department of Ecology. The county burn ban doesn't apply to incorporated areas, but Kok said the MLFD is advising people against any kind of open fire, even in a green backyard. Sparks and embers can travel, especially on windy days, and there is plenty of unimproved land with dry vegetation within the city limits. Hot temperatures also carry health risks. The Washington Department of Health had some suggestions for staying cooler when the weather approaches triple digits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People should stay hydrated, the DOH press release said, and stay inside, preferably in an air-conditioned building. If the building doesn't have air conditioning, people should close the blinds and keep the windows shut; windows can be opened when it cools off. A fan can be used to circulate air indoors. A cooling center is an option where they're available. Heat can be a problem for people with preexisting conditions, seniors, children and pregnant women, the DOH release said. People should check on family members, friends and neighbors, especially when they live alone or have health conditions. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Houchin Community Blood Bank partnered with Wienerschnitzel to encourage Kern County residents to donate blood for National Hot Dog Day. The event will last through July 19, according to organizers. All successful donors at any Houchin location or mobile blood drive will receive a free hot dog voucher that can be used at participating Wienerschnitzel locations, while supplies last. Houchin said donors with O-negative and O-positive blood types are especially needed after the Fourth of July holiday weekend as they are the universal donor type. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ridgecrest native Christina Appleman takes command of USS Mustin Fourth of July Weekend is a high demand time for emergency blood (namely O blood type), because of the number of fireworks and festivity-related accidents that happen during this time, Shane Hubbard, Manager of Marketing and Communications at Houchin, said in a press release. We are dangerously low on O-negative blood and need generous blood donors to give the gift of life to continue to save lives in Kern County. Blood donors must be in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 16 years old with parent or guardian consent, according to organizers. Appointments can be scheduled here or by calling Houchin at 661-323-4222. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome, organizers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Ind., has voted against forcing a full House vote on whether U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi should release any records related to Jeffrey Epstein. Houchin, whose 9th District includes Bloomington, serves on the U.S. House of Representatives Rules Committee. She was among seven Republicans who voted against a motion that would have compelled the full House vote. U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin For years, members of President Donald Trump's inner circle have called on federal officials to release their files on Epstein, a disgraced financier and convicted sex offender who died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, according to USA Today, a sister publication of The Herald-Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI and the Justice Department said this month their investigation concluded Epstein died by suicide. The agencies provided a link to video footage from the common area of the Special Housing Unit where Epstein was housed at the time of his death, though, based on time stamps, the footage appeared to be missing a minute. Bondi said the missing minute stems from the Bureau of Prisons practice of resetting the video every night since it is an outdated 1990s-based system, USA Today wrote. According to Wired magazine, the videos metadata shows the raw video footage likely was manipulated, though the magazine said, There is no evidence the footage was deceptively manipulated, but ambiguities around how the video was processed may further fuel conspiracy theories about Epsteins death. The Associated Press on July 12 reported the Justice Department and FBI were struggling to contain the fallout from (last) weeks decision to withhold records from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation, which rankled influential far-right media personalities and supporters of President Donald Trump. Access Bloomington news anywhere with the Herald-Times app Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move, which included the acknowledgment that one particular sought-after document (an Epstein client list) never actually existed, sparked a contentious conversation between Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino at the White House this week, the AP wrote. Trump takes to Truth Social on the Epstein files Trump on Saturday took to his Truth Social platform to suggest the Epstein files had been created by his political opponents. They created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier that they used on me, Trump said. The Steele Dossier is a collection of memos from a former British intelligence officer that implied Russia had some compromising information with which to pressure Trump, though, according to the Washington Post, the memos contained only raw intelligence or essentially high-grade gossip, without the expectation it would be made public unless it is further verified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the House Rules Committee voted on a motion by U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., who introduced an amendment from U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, D- Calif., which would have forced a vote by the full House on whether to compel Bondi to preserve and release any records related to Jeffrey Epstein. The committee has 13 members, including nine Republicans and four Democrats. All Democrats voted in favor of the motion, while all Republicans, except two, voted against. U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. voted with Democrats. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, did not vote, according to the committee's official record. Houchins press secretary, Parker Armstrong, did not immediately reply to an email Tuesday requesting an interview with Houchin or an explanation for her vote. Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: U.S. Rep. Houchin votes against forcing vote on release of Epstein files In a late night vote at the Capitol on Monday, House Republicans blocked a Democratic effort to unseal documents related to the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Republicans have long stoked conspiracies about the disgraced financiers death, voted against the resolution in the heat of a MAGA civil war over the Trump administrations backtracking on the release of the files. The House Rules Committee voted down a bid by Democrats to attach an amendment to the GENIUS Act a controversial piece of cryptocurrency legislation currently making its way through Congress that would have allowed Congress to vote on whether to compel the Justice Department to make public documents and information related to the case. The vote failed 6-5, with only one Republican joining Democrats to vote in favor of the amendment. Last week, the Justice Department shocked the MAGA media universe by releasing a memo announcing that they are closing the investigation into Epstein, that Epstein died by suicide, and there is no incriminating client list of people who potentially participated in Epsteins sex trafficking ring that merits further inquiry. The memo contradicted preaching from prominent figures within the administration including Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel about the need to expose the real circumstances surrounding Epsteins death, and bring justice to victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rolling Stone reported that the administration knew the memo would cause a revolt within their base. Now that the administration is struggling to put the lid back on the conspiratorial Pandoras box, Democrats are making a point to egg on the strife on the other side of the aisle. Why are the Epstein files still hidden? Who are the rich & powerful being protected? Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who introduced the failed amendment, wrote Saturday night on X. On Tuesday, Im introducing an amendment to force a vote demanding the FULL Epstein files be released to the public. The Speaker must call a vote & put every Congress member on record. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) even composed a parody song to the tune of Jason Isbells Dreamsicle, in which he mocked Republicans for telling us youd release the files. Youve had plenty of time/Youre in control/But now you say/You will withhold the Epstein files, Johnson sang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week the Democratic National Committee launched an automated X account dubbed the TrumpEpsteinBot. Every day the bot, with the name Has Trump Released the Epstein Files, posts the word no. Wow who would have thought that electing a rapist would have complicated the release of the Epstein Files? Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), wrote last Friday on X, referencing longstanding allegations of sexual assault against President Donald Trump. For his own part, Trump is trying to combat the fallout with a conspiracy theory of his own: that the Democrats actually created the files. Were on one Team, MAGA, and I dont like whats happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and selfish people; are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. For years, its Epstein, over and over again, he wrote Saturday on Truth Social. Why are we giving publicity to Files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration, who conned the World with the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, 51 Intelligence Agents, HE LAPTOP FROM HELL, and more? They created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier that they used on me, and now my so-called friends are playing right into their hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Epstein died in 2019, in the middle of Trumps first presidency. The governments files on the matter will apparently remain hidden through the course of his second. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A Republican-led congressional committee grilled City University of New York Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez on Tuesday over rising antisemitism on its campuses, leveling their most pointed attacks against faculty members. The CUNY leader joined by the heads of Georgetown and UC Berkeley struck a conciliatory tone with the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, as he conceded the citys sprawling university system was not immune to increased hate toward Jewish people during Israels deadly war in Gaza. Still, he repeatedly emphasized antisemitism has no place at CUNY. Although our response has not always been perfect, our commitment to this important work has never wavered, Matos Rodriguez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing, which lasted more than three hours, was the latest in a string of episodes criticized by Congressional Democrats, who have accused the committee of using the guise of combating antisemitism to attack higher education. While prior convenings purported to be about college presidents handling of antisemitic incidents, the latest hearing was billed as focused on sources of Jew hatred on university campuses. According to Tim Walberg, R-Mich., chair of the committee, those include include faculty groups, foreign funding, and diversity, equity and inclusion policies. In one heated exchange, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-New York, questioned Matos Rodriguez over CUNY CLEAR, a legal clinic representing Columbia graduate and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. Its founder, a professor at CUNYs law school, is a public face of Khalils legal defense team and recently secured his release from ICE detention on bail. Is this acceptable that the legal defense fund for Mahmoud Khalil is the head of CUNY CLEAR? Thats acceptable under your watch, Stefanik said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matos Rodriguez did not defend Khalil, who did not attend CUNY, or his representation at CLEAR but said those decisions are made by clinics and on individual campuses. The congresswoman, who is expected to run for New York governor, responded, It goes up to you. You are the chancellor. I take responsibility for any behavior of our faculty, Matos Rodriguez said. The chancellor also attempted to distance himself from the hiring of a chief diversity officer who worked at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nations largest Muslim civil rights organization, and CUNYs faculty union, which earlier this year narrowly passed a resolution in support of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel. The Professional Staff Congress later voted to rescind the measure, but backlash persisted. The PSC does not speak for the City University of New York. Weve been clear on our commitment against antisemitism and against BDS, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement after the hearing, union president James Davis accused GOP lawmakers of using anxiety about rising antisemitism to attack higher education. Davis said PSC members and leaders have differing perspectives on Israel and Palestine, and the union does not have a position on BDS. The MAGA Republicans on the House Education and Workforce Committee got their facts wrong today in their attempt to smear CUNY and our union as antisemitic, Davis said, adding that he rejected the false premise underlying the hearing that any pro-Palestinian campus activism is antisemitic. Davis also lent his support to the legal clinic representing Khalil. All of CUNY should be proud that faculty working at our university are a part of the legal team defending our constitutional rights and the rights of Mahmoud Khalil, who was abducted for his political speech, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CUNY has been a hub of pro-Palestinian activism since before Hamas Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel, though the public university system has faced heightened scrutiny in its aftermath, including a state-ordered probe on campus antisemitism. Matos Rodriguez said CUNY has embraced the recommendations that came from the report, including a constructive dialogue school initiative and a central team responding to discrimination and harassment. Across its campuses, CUNY logged 68 antisemitism complaints in 2024 and 16 so far in 2025, the chancellor testified. Student protesters and their allies, who pitched a tent demonstration on CUNYs Harlem campus, City College, in spring 2024, have accused the university system of conflating antisemitism with pro-Palestinian advocacy. Rep. John Mannion, D-New York, called on House Republicans to hold those in their own party accountable and approach the issue of campus antisemitism more thoughtfully. In particular, he pointed to committee members who supported the Trump administrations gutting of the U.S. Education Departments civil rights office, which previously conducted anti-Jewish discrimination investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The majority of this committee are set on repeatedly singling out higher education, and attacking university presidents and labor unions that represent their faculty, Mannion said, while refusing to pursue serious, comprehensive solutions. _____ NEW YORK (Reuters) -A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday put on temporary hold a judge's order that Argentina turn over its 51% stake in oil and gas company YPF to partially satisfy a $16.1 billion judgment. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan gave Petersen Energia Inversora and Eton Park Capital Management, which won the judgment, until July 17 to oppose Argentina's bid for a longer stay while the country appeals the turnover. Argentina has until July 22 to reply, and the matter will be reviewed by "the next available" three-judge panel, the appeals court said. The dispute stemmed from Argentina's 2012 seizure of the YPF stake from Spain's Repsol without making a tender offer to Petersen and Eton Park, which had been minority shareholders. Those shareholders are represented by litigation funder Burford Capital, which has said it expected to receive 35% and 73% of Petersen's and Eton Park's respective damages. Argentina has warned its economy could be destabilized if it gave up its controlling stake in YPF, the country's largest energy company. The country had faced a July 14 deadline for the turnover, but U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska in Manhattan agreed to delay enforcement so Argentina could seek relief from the appeals court. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York) Housing advocates are criticizing state officials for diverting money from a fund intended to produce affordable housing. (Courtesy of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs) Housing advocates are urging New Jersey lawmakers to return to Trenton this summer to replenish a fund intended to help produce affordable housing. The $58.8 billion budget lawmakers passed on June 30 includes a diversion of $125 million away from that fund, leaving just $5 million an amount advocates say is insufficient to address the states affordable housing shortage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edward Bethea is chair of the nonprofit Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, a statewide association of community development corporations. This could be reversed immediately, Edward Bethea told reporters Monday. And it should be reversed immediately so that we can get back to the business of building these units and changing family lives. New Jersey faces a deficit of as many as 300,000 affordable housing units, according to Staci Berger, the networks president and CEO. Matthew Hersh, its vice president of policy and advocacy, said that the decision to redirect funds will have a significant impact on New Jersey. The work is about affordable home production, but also about stabilizing neighborhoods and creating other services centered around housing that can help create a community development ecosystem, Hersh said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State officials defended the move to divert the funds from the affordable housing fund, noting that the money instead is being used for other housing-related programs, like a down payment assistance program, supportive housing, Medicaid housing assistance, and more. The down payment assistance program will get $40 million in the new budget. Tyler Jones, a spokeswoman for Gov. Phil Murphy, said the new budget builds on the governors prior efforts with the funding of several initiatives creating pathways to affordable housing. Over the past seven and a half years, the Murphy Administrations Department of Community Affairs has invested almost $250 million into housing production, supporting the construction of nearly 1,600 affordable housing units. The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency has also created and preserved more than 30,000 additional affordable housing units, Jones said. Criticism remains. Scott Millard, CEO of Passaic County Habitat for Humanity, said the funding diversion will halt previously funded housing development projects, including 144 homes from Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berger said affordability will be a central concern for voters as they determine who will become our next governor when Murphy leaves office in January (he cannot seek a third term in November). A new Rutgers-Eagleton poll found that 85% of residents are dissatisfied with the states approach to affordability and the cost of living. It defies logic and explanation that the Legislature and the governor would take funding that is directly connected to and supportive of creating more affordable homes, Berger said. We dont know why they did this, but we know they are going to hear from us. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Ryan Trout, running for Frederick City Council District 5, said he has a track record of pushing for policies to improve housing affordability. Trout is the director of housing and community development in the city of Rockville. He has worked on housing-related policies in Frederick. He is competing against sculptor Sarah Hempel Irani in the Democratic primary for City Council District 5. The district takes up the northwestern part of the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Retired Washington, D.C. fire official Rob Callahan is running in the district on the Republican side. The challenging part about affordable housing is that if there was an easy solution, we would have already done it, Trout said. There is no silver bullet. One of his priorities would be to preserve the citys current stock of affordable housing. Both local and federal programs, like the federal governments low-income housing tax credit program, encourage the development of affordable housing. The federal program grants tax credits to developers of housing for low-income people. The federal government has covenants on the sale of these properties, requiring them to stay affordable, but federal restrictions can expire after a minimum of 40 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City regulations mandate that 12.5% of new housing developments be moderately priced, meaning they are priced in relation to the countys median household income. Covenants associated with moderately priced units created because of the city ordinance last 40 years. Affordability covenants expire, meaning that they could then become market rate in time, he said. We need a strategy for that. The citys moderately priced dwelling unit ordinance also allows developers to pay a fee rather than meet the 12.5% requirement. Other candidates for City Council have raised the idea of eliminating this fee, which some have described as an out for developers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trout, who helped Frederick County revise a similar ordinance in 2022, said the fee helps fund various programs related to affordable housing like the Frederick County Homebuyer Assistance Program. Funds raised from the citys ordinance have been used to help pay for new developments. One of the changes was to base the fee on the square footage of developments rather than a flat fee. The goal of revising the ordinance was to strike a balance between enough developers paying the fee to fund county programs and encouraging them to build the units. Now, as a council person, I think I would want to see a plan for how that money is spent, Trout said. I wouldnt want to meddle in the work of the housing department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trout also wants to increase the amount of local small-scale developers working in the city. Many of these developers, he argued, could contribute to the local economy. The city could encourage the creation of many of these kinds of developers by making it easier to construct things like accessory dwelling units. Accessory dwelling units are additional residential units typically built on the same property as a single-family home. When development is done by small developers creating two or three additional residential units at a time, its done in a way that doesnt overload our school system, because its done in an integrated matter, not one large development coming in and causing a stir, he said. He is an advocate for what he described as outcome budgeting, which he said would involve setting goals for how city dollars are spent and checking in on those goals at the end of a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This would help encourage transparency with taxpayers and provide the council with more concrete information on how to move forward with city programs, he said. Trout said he also wants to address affordable childcare in the city. His website references streamlining the permitting process for those looking to create childcare spaces, providing grants to expand childcare services, and more. Trout also said he wants to improve parks and expand public art throughout the city, which could engage residents and encourage business. And I dont just mean large parks on the Golden Mile or Baker Park, but I mean our pocket parks, our neighborhood parks, he said. Making sure that they have updated equipment, that they have sun shades, that theyre safe, theyre vibrant, fun places for our families to go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trout ran for a Maryland House of Delegates seat representing the city in 2018, but he lost in the Democratic primary. Following charter changes passed in September 2024, the City Council will have seven members starting in December 2025, after elections. This is up from the councils current five members, who all represent the city at large. Five council members will represent districts and two will remain at-large representatives after elections. The citys primary election is set for Sept. 9. The general election is set for Nov. 4. Paul Schendel, a 52-year-old father of three from Houston, died of a heart attack just one day after Wells Fargo told him he likely wouldnt get back the $6,800 he lost in a scam. According to his sister, Karen Schendel, Paul was disabled from a back injury and had long struggled with serious health issues, including complications from diabetes. But Karen believes the sudden loss of his life savings and the hopelessness that followed pushed him over the edge. I have no doubt it contributed, she told FOX 26 Houston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul was one of several recent victims of an increasingly sophisticated bank impersonation scam. His family now hopes others will recognize the warning signs. Don't miss How the scam played out The scam started when Paul received a phone call from someone claiming to be with Wells Fargo. The caller already knew information about his account and warned of fraudulent activity. Later, a woman showed up at his front door. Paul handed over his card, watched her cut it up, and take the pieces with her. But when Paul went to a Wells Fargo branch the next day to request a new card, he learned it had all been a scam. They bank told him they dont call customers, and that it was unlikely hed be reimbursed his life savings were gone. He suffered a heart attack and died the following day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pauls case is one of at least three similar scams recently reported on by FOX 26 Houston involving fraudsters impersonating Wells Fargo employees and visiting victims at their homes. Scams like the one Paul experienced are on the rise across the U.S., and they often feel terrifyingly legitimate. According to the FDIC, bank impersonation scams increased twentyfold between 2019 and 2022. Scammers spoof phone numbers, provide private account details, and may even send people in person to collect cards or payments. Victims arent just losing money; theyre often left feeling ashamed, anxious and overwhelmed. Read more: Americans are revenge saving to survive but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. Heres how to quickly earn 280% more on your cash How to cope after losing money to a scam Losing a large sum of money can be devastating, especially when youre already dealing with chronic illness or limited resources. Financial stress has even been linked to high blood pressure, anxiety, depression and in extreme cases, cardiac events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While nothing can undo a scam once it has happened, it is possible to protect your mental health in its aftermath. If youve lost money to fraud, these steps may help: Talk to someone you trust: Whether its a family member, a therapist or a support group, dont suffer in silence. Contact your bank and the FTC : Even if recovery seems unlikely, reporting the fraud may help others and initiate the claims process. Focus on small wins: Creating a plan, even one as simple as updating passwords or setting up a new savings goal, can help restore a sense of control. Don't blame yourself: Scams are designed to fool even the smartest people. This wasnt your fault. Get smart: Learn the signs and common strategies fraudsters use so you don't fall victim again. * According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), common signs of a financial scam include someone pretending to be from an institution you trust, like your bank or the Social Security Administration who: Insists there's a problem, such as a fraud alert or back taxes Pressures you to act quickly Tells you how to pay, often with unusual payment methods, like crypto or a gift card. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Schendels story is heartbreaking and, sadly, not unique. As bank scams grow more convincing, awareness may be the only real defense. If something feels off, it probably is. And if youve been scammed, know that help is available for your finances and your health. What to read next Money doesnt have to be complicated sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called on the country to probe the killing of a Palestinian American man visiting family in the West Bank. I have asked @Israel to aggressively investigate the murder of Saif Mussallet [sic], an American citizen who was visiting family in Sinjil when he was beaten to death, Huckabee wrote in a post on X Tuesday. There must be accountability for this criminal and terrorist act. Saif was just 20 yrs old. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Musallet, a native of Florida, was beaten to death by Israeli settlers on Friday, according to the Associated Press. But an ambulance was blocked from coming to his aid, his father said in an interview with CNN that aired this week. Musallet died before he reached the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas and two-time presidential candidate, is a staunch supporter of Israel. Hes visited the country more than 100 times. Huckabee has a long history of promoting Israeli settlements in the West Bank. There is no such thing as a West Bank, its Judea and Samaria, he said in a January 2017 visit to Israel. There is no such thing as a settlement, theyre communities, theyre neighborhoods, theyre cities. During his 2008 presidential run, Huckabee drew criticism for saying theres really no such thing as a Palestinian. In June, he suggested Muslim countries could part with land to build out a state for Palestinians. And hes enjoyed a warm relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who cheered when the Senate approved Huckabees nomination for the ambassador post in April, writing on X that this is a great day for the Israeli-American alliance. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, on Tuesday called on Israeli authorities to "aggressively investigate" the killing of Sayfollah Musallet, a 20-year-old Palestinian-American who was reportedly beaten to death by a gang of extremist settlers in the West Bank village of Sinjil on Friday. "I have asked Israel to aggressively investigate the murder of Saif Mussallet, an American citizen who was visiting family in Sinjil when he was beaten to death," Huckabee wrote on X. "There must be accountability for this criminal and terrorist act. Saif was only 20 years old." According to the family, Musallet was visiting the West Bank from Tampa, Florida, to reconnect with relatives and visit family-owned farmland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel Admits Idf Likely Killed Al Jazeera Journalist 'Accidentally' "This is an unimaginable nightmare and injustice that no family should ever have to face," the family said in a statement. "We demand the U.S. State Department lead an immediate investigation and hold the Israeli settlers who killed Saif accountable for their crimes." Israeli military officials said the confrontation began when Palestinians threw rocks at settlers, lightly injuring two. IDF forces were deployed to the area and used non-lethal crowd control methods, the army said. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, no Israeli suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings. Two Israeli minors detained on Friday night for suspected involvement in public disturbances were later released to house arrest. A reserve soldier questioned by the military police over the shooting during the incident was also released. Biden Sanctions Israeli Settlers In West Bank After Shooting Of Us Teen Mourners pray during the funeral of Sayfollah Musallet and Mohammed al-Shalabi in the West Bank village of Al-Mazraa a-Sharqiya, Sunday, July 13, 2025. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Musallet was fatally beaten during an attack by settlers in the area. Another man, 23-year-old Mohammed al-Shalabi, was shot in the chest and also killed during the same incident. Sources in the Israeli police told Haaretz newspaper that the lack of an autopsy and the fact that the bodies were not transferred to Israeli authorities may complicate the investigation. Mourners gather around the graves of Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet, 20, and Mohammed al-Shalabi during their funeral in the West Bank village of Al-Mazraa a-Sharqiya on Sunday, July 13, 2025. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Musallet was killed in an attack by Israeli settlers and al-Shalabi was shot in the chest. A military court also released Abdullah Hamida, a Palestinian resident arrested during the settler raid, criticizing police conduct. During the hearing, the police representative admitted he was unaware that any Palestinians had been killed, and incorrectly claimed the only wounded were settlers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Department acknowledged awareness of the incident but declined further comment, Reuters reports, citing "respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones." Original article source: Huckabee demands Israel 'aggressively investigate' murder of Palestinian-American killed in 'terrorist act' The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Chicago office will now oversee 65 public housing authorities in Wisconsin because of staffing shortages in the agencys Milwaukee office. This represents a roughly 62% increase in the number of public housing authorities the Chicago office is responsible for holding accountable to their missions, potentially stretching staff thin amid national cuts. The office had previously been limited to the oversight of Illinois 105 housing authorities. Those public housing authorities budgets combined, according to HUD, are more than $1.9 billion in federal dollars. The increase comes as the Chicago offices public housing division is now the largest in the country after massive downsizing at other agency offices, including New York and Puerto Rico, Chicagos division director said at a recent public meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we move forward, unless we are able to hire, there are offices that will pick up more (of our) mission as we start to move on and continue to become more regionally focused, said William Dawson III, HUDs Chicago public housing office director, at a recent Housing Authority of Cook County board meeting. President Donald Trumps administration has upended federal agencies such as HUD since his return to the Oval Office in January, slashing funding and staff. As Trump, Department of Government Efficiency workers and HUD Secretary Scott Turner tout the importance of cracking down on fraud, waste and abuse, public agency employees are having to do more work with fewer staff members. Former HUD staffers told the Tribune that agency workers were already overburdened prior to Trumps cuts. Housing advocates and local and state officials fear the reduction in force at HUD will do the opposite of what Trump and DOGE set out to do. HUD did not respond to a list of questions by the Tribunes deadline. Locally and nationally, HUD has seen numerous employees retire early, with others being laid off or taking the federal governments deferred resignation program. As of May, HUD had about 6,000 workers after a reduction of approximately 2,300 employees, said Antonio Gaines, president of AFGEs National Council 222, the group that represents 40 local HUD unions nationwide, at a spring meeting with local union leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turner announced in a video on social media in February that a DOGE task force had launched at HUD. That same week, a document circulated among HUD workers that was reported on by national news outlets and obtained by the Tribune showing HUDs workforce could be halved. It indicated that the total agency head count as of Jan. 21 was about 8,300, with some departments slated for more drastic staff reductions than others. People arent going to be able to get their questions answered, said U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, a Chicago Democrat, in a recent interview with the Tribune. Programs arent going to be publicized, and people wont know they exist. Chicagos public housing division shrunk from 24 employees to 17, mainly stemming from the resignation programs, Dawson said at the board meeting. New Yorks public housing division, previously the countrys largest, Dawson said, now employs 14 staffers from a peak of 40. Milwaukees public housing division stands at four employees. HUD did not respond when asked how many Milwaukee workers have left since the inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kristin Faust, executive director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority the state agency in charge of financing affordable housing, including by administering the federal tax credit program that is the primary mechanism for developing affordable housing in the U.S. told the Tribune that the authority is expecting response rates from HUD to slow. Thus far, we havent seen that a lot, but I have had individual conversations with HUD staff and my sense is that a lot of them feel like they are doing two to three peoples jobs, Faust said. They are very motivated and that is not sustainable. Trump has proposed a roughly 43% budget slash to HUD programs, as well as a shake-up in the funding structures of the programs. In his first term, Trump also proposed sweeping cuts to HUD, but did not achieve them. The House appropriations subcommittee on HUD will meet Monday to hash out specific agency appropriations packages after the passage of Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Illinois Housing Development Authoritys board, which is bipartisan, approved a resolution at the end of last month objecting to the proposed HUD cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quigley, a member of the House appropriations subcommittee that manages HUD funding, pressed Secretary Turner in a June meeting to provide details on how cutting HUDs budget so drastically will lead to more efficiency. In an exchange between Quigley and Turner, Turner brought up his Christian faith, did not provide the requested details and said, We look forward to working with you. It is not just words. There is a thoughtful middle ground to being frugal and efficient in government, and its not this proposal, Quigley told the Tribune. Housing authorities across the country are facing serious budget shortfalls. The Housing Authority of Cook County is facing a potential multimillion-dollar funding shortfall that could have repercussions throughout the real estate market as the struggling agency looks to cut costs, possibly leading to greater expenses for its housing voucher holders and a decline in the number of the people it serves. The agency attributes the shortfall to an increase in its voucher usage rate and rising rents, which eat into its limited dollars allocated by HUD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago-area housing organizations are also facing funding cuts from HUD, with some receiving termination notices for grants in March, while others are in limbo as they wait for overdue contracts or to see what happens with expected awards. Some renovation projects aimed at preserving and greening existing affordable housing properties are on hold in Chicago as well, as the Trump administration takes aim at the program. At a recent Housing Authority of Cook County board meeting, Dawson told the board he was heartened to be with them to lead a refresher training on their responsibilities as commissioners. But he wasnt physically there. His face showed up in a small box in the corner of a screen in a housing authority conference room while he sat in his office, four blocks away. The Trump administration enforces new procedures that limit federal government employees travel. HUD had not approved Dawsons in-person attendance, which required a roughly eight-minute walk. A single piece of property, perfect for ranching and larger than some small towns in Oklahoma, has been listed for sale for $47.27 million in southeast Oklahoma. Near the town of Atoka, Oklahoma, abutting McGee Creek State Park and the McGee Creek State Wildlife Management Area, is what a news release calls one of the largest privately owned ranches in Oklahoma history, DOK Ranch. Encompassing an impressive 10,504 acres, the ranch is the largest listing that Ranchman Properties has ever brought to the market. "As a lifelong cattle rancher, I know the DOK is ideal for livestock," Jason Trosper, co-owner of Ranchman Properties, said in the release. "With a holding capacity of 2,500 yearlings, or 800-900 cow/calf pairs, this ranch can meet all a cattlemans needs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fellow co-owner of Ranchman Properties, a farm and ranch real estate team serving Texas and Oklahoma, Ben Clark said it's the largest ranch on the market right now in Oklahoma. Here's what to know about why the property is special. What to know about the DOK Ranch, listed for $47.27 million Ranches of this size rarely go on the public real-estate market, Clark said. "With over 17 miles of creeks, 60-plus ponds, and tons of wildlife, DOK Ranch is truly one of a kind," Clark said. This 10,500-acre property, perfect for ranching or a variety of other uses, has been listed for sale at $47.27 million. Found east of Atoka, Oklahoma, the property sits alongside McGee Creek State Park. Here are some other features of the property, including possible uses: It's located within a two-hour drive of Dallas-Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa. There are more than 2,500 acres of mature timber. Home to a range of wildlife including dove, ducks, hogs, small game, turkey and whitetail deer. The more than 2,500 acres of current forest canopy offsets more than 12,600 tons of carbon monoxide annually. There are also more than 7,000 acres where reforestation is possible. More than 3,800 acres of gently rolling pastureland, perfect for grazing livestock. Plus, there are 9,988 buildable acres for solar leases with strong wind production potential. Where is the $47.27 million DOK Ranch? This 10,500-acre property, perfect for ranching or a variety of other uses, has been listed for sale at $47.27 million. Found east of Atoka, Oklahoma, the property sits alongside McGee Creek State Park. The ranch can be found east of Atoka and the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and State Highway 3, 144 miles from Oklahoma City. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: DOK Ranch, larger than some Oklahoma towns, is for sale. See how much President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act may be branded to inspire pride, but the contents tell a different story one that includes the largest health care cuts in U.S. history, with over $1 trillion slashed from Medicaid over the next decade. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the ripple effect of this bill will leave at least 17 million Americans without health insurance in the next 10 years. Nearly 11.8 million Americans are projected to lose coverage immediately, and on top of that, over 4 million could become uninsured as pandemic-era Affordable Care Act (ACA) credits expire. And who carries the heaviest burden? States like ours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Washington Post reports that the bulk of the cuts will come from Medicaid, which is jointly funded by states and the federal government. In Tennessee, we call it TennCare. When federal support is withdrawn, services shrink, hospitals lose funding, and patients often our most vulnerable neighbors are the ones left behind. When people lose coverage, they dont stop needing care. They just lose access to it. That means hospital emergency rooms become the last line of defense. They fill up. They go unpaid. And in rural counties, they start to close. TennCare gives recipients independence and productivity Gerald Christian, associate director of the Disability and Access Center at Middle Tennessee State University, shares his story of becoming paralyzed after a car wreck as a teenager and how he overcame the difficulties that his disability brought at the National Disability Employment Awareness Month conference Oct. 29, 2024, in the Sam H. Ingram Building on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Dr. Gerald Christian, a faculty member at Middle Tennessee State University, relies on Medicaid every day. Paralyzed from the armpits down since age 16, he told reporters that without Medicaid, paying for medical necessities like his $6,000 wheelchair, a $100,000 accessible van, and $50,000 in yearly home health care would be impossible. These arent luxuries theyre the foundation of his independence and productivity. And as he states, Theres no way you can take away billions without just impacting more than the scammers. And Dr. Christian is just one example. Across Tennessee, hospital systems like HCA and nonprofit providers employ thousands. Shrinking Medicaid reimbursements put jobs, essential services, and lives at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Health and Value Strategies program at Princeton University estimates that hospitals could see an 18% loss in Medicaid funding nearly $665 billion nationally over the next 10 years. Add to that the CBOs finding that the law adds $3 trillion to the national debt while doing little to stimulate economic growth, and it becomes clear: This bill is neither financially sound nor ethically defensible. Heres whats most frustrating it didnt have to be this way. Better ways to saving money in health care system There are more responsible paths to saving money in the health care system. We could rein in the excess profits of private insurers, negotiate pharmaceutical prices at the federal level, or invest in preventive care that reduces long-term costs. Instead, this bill pulls away support from those who need it most and places a heavier burden on already overextended state and local governments. If this is what making America great again looks like, who exactly is it great for? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt about partisan posturing its about protecting the dignity and well-being of our constituents. Its about recognizing that the health of our people is not a political game, but a moral responsibility. This bill doesnt reflect Tennessee values. It doesnt value life, access, or fairness. And it will cause lasting damage if we dont speak up. To my fellow leaders in Tennessee and beyond: We can and must do better. Because whats happening now isnt just fiscally irresponsible its morally indefensible. Bob Freeman State Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Nashville, represents House District 56 in the Tennessee General Assembly. Bob Freeman is also the President of Freeman Webb Company, a full-service real estate investment and management firm that specializes in the acquisition, management and rehabilitation of multifamily residential and commercial properties. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why the Big Beautiful Bill fails Tennessee families | Opinion BOSSIER CITY, La. (KMSS/KTAL) A local business is bringing unique foods to Bossier City. The Humpty Dumpling food truck provided an inside look at how their dishes are prepared. Its traditional food at its base. Chef Jenny Rucker rolls out the dough and begins folding each dumpling individually. In north China many families will do this for holidays, weekends or whenever they have time. We call it in Chinese, Jiaozi, said Wei Robbins, friend and translator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their menu features cuisine that dates back throughout Chinese history particularly around holiday celebrations. Especially during Chinese New Year people gather around, people stay around just chatting and working, Robbins said. They are using the ancient techniques with modern cooking tools. The traditional use is a pot, Robbins said. With each one made from scratch. How did Jenny learn how to do this? Alexandra Meachum asked. Parents, Robbins translated on Jennys behalf. Almost all the older girls will know how to make Jiaozi. We learn as teenagers and most of the girls will know what to do, Robbins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenny Rucker is from north China. From Shijiazhuang. Its a big city in north China, Robbins said. She brought her knowledge and love for cooking to Bossier City. People in north China enjoy anything made of dough or flour. South China likes rice with dishes, Robbins said. Jenny is learning English with help from Robbins who insists she is just the translator and Jenny is the master chef. Oh no leave me alone. Im too lazy! This is more skillful. I cannot make them that fast. I just know how to eat them, Robbins said. Jenny is making dumplings in all forms. These are not boiled. They are fried, Robbins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenny and Wei both have immigrant stories of how they got to America. Wei is also from north China and vividly remembers the Cultural Revolution. They prosecuted my parents who are intellectuals. So I didnt know anyone. I just came here in 1991 as a student, Robbins said. Both Robbins and Rucker impressed with the attitudes of Americans. She likes people here. They are very kind with a big heart, said Jenny Rucker, Humpty Dumpling chef and owner. Jennys talent for delicious dumplings inspired her husband, Tom Rucker to start a food business. Jenny was cooking so much food at home and we had such a high volume of traffic, we looked like drug dealers. So I recommended we do a restaurant or a food truck, Tom Rucker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together they open the Humpty Dumpling food truck where Henny is bringing the skills her parents taught her to customers throughout northwest Louisiana. Her parents said oh you conquered the appetite of Americans! Robbins said on behalf of Jenny. Their main dish Baozi is hard to make along with being time-consuming. Use only two fingers! Dont use too many fingers! Robbins told Meachum. My hands feel stupid, Meachum replied as Jenny and Wei tried to teach how her to fold Baozi. It really does take a skill and a technique. Theres an artistry to it. Thats really cool, Meachum said. Jenny makes dumplings by the thousands sharing her labor of love with the community each time their food truck opens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She prepares all this after we get there, Tom said. The Humpty Dumpling food truck features dumplings galore plus interesting Chinese dishes. Its food from the heart, rich in unique flavor, skillfully created using knowledge passed down by the generations. Oh my god thats so good! Meachum said as she tried the freshly-made dumplings. Customers can find the Humpty Dumpling food truck every Saturday at the Bossier Farmers Market. Plus Sundays at the Barksdale Farmers Market. Tom said they are looking into ways to expand to a brick and mortar location as well. Follow Humpty Dumpling on Facebook where you can request an order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. STROUD, Okla. (KFOR) Several Oklahoma animal rescues helped rescue dozens and dozens of dogs from an Oklahoma home. According to Oklahoma Representative Jim Shaw, Credit must be given to the Skiatook Paws & Claws Animal Rescue, the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals and the Oklahoma Westie Rescue for their diligence on bringing attention to this terrible situation. LOCAL NEWS: Oklahoma man arrested in St. Louis after 4 dogs found dead, 7 critical condition Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stroud Police say Jerry Hine has been arrested for felony animal charges. He is being held in the Lincoln County jail. The case will be turned over to the District Attorneys office. The Stroud Police, Lincoln County Sheriff, and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to name a few, are involved in the case, and Stroud Police say they are investigating the situation. All of the rescued dogs are in the Tulsa area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. By Nupur Anand, Tatiana Bautzer and Saeed Azhar NEW YORK (Reuters) -Large U.S. banks expressed optimism about the investment banking outlook for the rest of the year after dealmaking rebounded in the second quarter, as they reported in earnings on Tuesday. Yet lenders stayed cautious about the uncertain economic environment and U.S. tariff policies, weighing how consumers might react to a potential surge in prices. As tariff announcements roiled markets last quarter, banks' trading desks cashed in. JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and Wells Fargo beat profit expectations on Tuesday, backed by the financial health of consumers and businesses. "The capital markets are finally exhaling, and for the big money center banks, that means a significant rebound in fee income," said Laurent Birade, Moodys banking industry practice lead. "The real story for the big banks this earnings season will be the resurgence of their investment banking and trading engines, poised to drive double-digit fee growth through 2025." On Wednesday, Goldman Sachs , Morgan Stanley and Bank of America will report results on Wednesday. JPMorgan's investment banking fees came in higher than their earlier guidance, growing by 7% to $2.5 billion. Troy Rohrbaugh, co-CEO of JPMorgan's commercial and investment bank, had said in May fees could fall by a mid-teens percentage. Investment banking revenues at the largest U.S. lender were helped by higher debt underwriting and advisory fees, while equity underwriting fees dropped. Citigroup also reported a 15% jump in investment banking revenues to $981 million. It was buoyed by momentum in mergers and acquisitions, mainly in healthcare and tech, and strength in convertibles and IPOs. CEO Jane Fraser Jane Fraser told analysts the bank's M&A pipeline is "excellent," with the bank working on most of the biggest transactions of the year. "There is, in general, more growing familiarity with how to deal with uncertainty and volatility and the impact of tariffs, even if uncertainty persists," Citigroup Chief Financial Officer Mark Mason told journalists on a conference call. "The general sentiment has improved a bit." Wells Fargo reported an 8% uptick in investment banking revenue to $463 million. "It certainly seems like volumes are picking up," Wells Fargo Chief Financial Officer Mike Santomassimo told reporters on a conference call. While mergers and acquisition ground to a halt in April after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on numerous countries, optimism has picked up. Nearly 600 California red-legged frog tadpoles that were raised at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach were released into streams in the Santa Monica Mountains, marking a hopeful step in restoring a threatened species once believed extinct in the area. The tadpoles were rescued in March after late-winter storms damaged the frogs fragile breeding sites, aquarium officials said. Biologists release hundreds of endangered frog tadpoles in the Santa Monica Mountain range streams in July 2025. (National Park Service) Biologists from the National Park Service salvaged the egg masses and brought them to the aquarium, where staff hatched and raised them over several months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The emergency intervention is the latest in a decade-long effort to reestablish the federally threatened species in its former range. The California red-legged frog is also designated as a Species of Special Concern by the state. This project has had its share of ups and downs over the years, said Katy Delaney, an ecologist with Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. But with committed partners like the aquarium, were writing another hopeful chapter in the comeback story of the California red-legged frog. Close-up imagery of endangered red-legged frog tadpoles provided by the Aquarium of the Pacific. Close-up imagery of endangered red-legged frog tadpoles provided by the Aquarium of the Pacific. Since reintroduction efforts began in 2014, biologists have worked to create self-sustaining populations in the mountains, where the species had not been seen since the 1970s. This years release is one of the largest yet and offers a boost after wildfires and severe weather disrupted earlier breeding efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are so proud to be able to support the National Park Service in their work to help local populations of California red-legged frogs, said Erin Lundy, conservation manager at the aquarium. Its incredibly meaningful to be able to play a role in the important work that they do. NPS biologists plan to monitor the release sites over the summer to track the tadpoles development into juvenile frogs and evaluate the success of the emergency response. Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Zoo, in partnership with the Aquarium of the Pacific, released hundreds of endangered yellow-legged frogs in the San Gabriel Mountain range. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Protestors blocked all traffic on Forbes in Oakland on Tuesday afternoon, as they made their way from Pitts campus toward Carnegie Mellon University Hundreds of people first gathered in the morning near the Cathedral of Learning, where they pushed back against President Trumps visit to CMU. He was briefly in town for the Technology and and Innovation Summit. RELATED COVERAGE >>> Trump and Sen. Dave McCormick team up to promote energy and tech investments in Pennsylvania Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are a lot of beautiful people here. Its a diverse crowd of people who are standing for everything they believe in, and protesting and exercising their American rights, protester Michael Bennett told Channel 11. Protestors spoke out against President Trumps policies, specifically mentioning earlier this year, when ICE revoked several visas from CMU undergrads and graduate students. RELATED COVERAGE >>> 2 students, 5 recent grads from Carnegie Mellon University have visas revoked I felt it was right to come out and stand up for our international student community and the immigrant community that is under threat right now, protester Daniel Curtis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When protestors got closer to CMU, they were met with mounted patrols and officers dressed in riot gear, who stopped them from reaching campus. However, Channel 11 did see people who were supporting Trumps visit to Pittsburgh, and are excited about what this summit could mean for our citys future. Its wonderful. The jobs that were going to get. The young people are going to stay here now. They go to our universities, and when they graduate, they leave because they cant find jobs here. Maybe now theyll stay, Linda Mazur told Channel 11. Late this afternoon, Mayor Ed Gainey released a statement saying he stands with the peaceful protestors. He added that we need to make sure the benefits of economic growth are felt broadly across the region, and that Pittsburgh deserves federal leadership that invests in people, not just profit. You can read his full statement below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, President Donald Trump visited Carnegie Mellon University as part of a summit on artificial intelligence and energy. As Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh, I want to emphasize while we will do our part to ensure safety and civility during the Presidents visit, we cannot ignore the real harm caused by his administrations destructive policies that threaten the well-being of our residents. Pittsburgh is a city built on hard work, mutual care, and a deep belief that everyone deserves a fair shot no matter their income, background, or ZIP code. Cruel policies like slashing health care, reducing access to food assistance, and making it harder for people to live safely and affordably in their own neighborhoods have no place in our city. Pittsburgh and Southwest Pennsylvania are at the leading edge of the development and application of artificial intelligence. The promise of these technologies and the infrastructure needed to scale them have the ability to transform our local economy, and the way that we manage that transformation will determine whether that change benefits or harms our communities. We must work to ensure that this growth does not come at the expense of our environment, the privacy of our people, and the values and morals we hold dear. There are many experts and voices nationally and locally calling attention to these issues and we need to listen to them. We also need to make sure that the benefits of economic growth are felt broadly across our region. Our communities have heard too many promises about prosperity only to face deeper hardships and inequities. Our city deserves federal leadership that invests in people not just profit. That protects working families not just corporate interests. That listens to everyday Americans not just the wealthiest and most powerful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many in our community spoke out during the Presidents visit. Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, and I stand firmly with those raising their voices for justice, fairness, and real opportunity for all. We will always defend the right to speak truth to power. In Pittsburgh, we know what progress looks like: affordable health care, safe housing, strong public schools, and an economy that puts people first. Thats the future were building no matter who sits in the White House." Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has announced that on 16 July, Budapest will propose EU sanctions against Ukraine over the alleged fatal beating of a Hungarian citizen by Ukrainian military enlistment office staff in Zakarpattia Oblast (Transcarpathia) in Ukraine's west. Source: Szijjarto, speaking on Tuesday 15 July after the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda, citing Hungarian news portal Telex Quote from Szijjarto: "The fact is that in Ukraine, people are hunted on the streets under the pretext of forced conscription and people die from the brutality of military enlistment officers because they do not want to go to the front." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: He added, "A Hungarian citizen has fallen victim to this brutal manhunt". Szijjarto said that during the EU Council meeting, he declared: "We will officially initiate sanctions against all Ukrainian military leaders and officials responsible for the death of a Hungarian citizen due to beating." Background: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has previously urged the European Union to impose such sanctions. Last week, Hungary summoned Ukraines ambassador to protest the supposed death of a Hungarian citizen in Zakarpattia Oblast at the hands of military enlistment office staff. Ukraine clarified that the deceased was a Ukrainian citizen and a forensic medical examination concluded the cause of death was a pulmonary artery thromboembolism. Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Hungarys attempts to exploit individual mobilisation cases for political purposes harm Ukrainian-Hungarian relations. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) From new bathrooms to new food and drink options, and even a more streamlined security process, a lot is in the works at Huntsville International Airport. Airport officials tell News 19 that with summer travel in full force, it has been busy. HH Health System seeks approval to build 2 free-standing emergency departments Weve seen a really busy summer here at Huntsville International, said Mary Swanstrom, Public Relations Director for the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the airport set a new monthly passenger record in May of this year, with just under 157,000 passengers. With all of those passengers going through security, she said a change in TSA guidelines might help speed up the process. Earlier this month, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that passengers will no longer have to remove their shoes when going through a TSA checkpoint. Passengers are able to leave their shoes on, Swanstrom said. Maybe itll help them get through the line a little bit quicker. Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App Swanstrom also told News 19 that so far, there havent been too many issues with REAL ID or STAR ID for Alabamians, compliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said that if youve already gone to the DMV and gotten a paper copy, but are waiting on your permanent ID to arrive in the mail, not to worry. If you have a paper STAR ID, then make sure that you bring the hard copy of your old ID with you so you have both forms of identification, She said. Travelers will also notice some new changes in the terminal. A new sink inside the renovated bathrooms at Huntsville International Airport. Last week, construction wrapped up on the bathroom renovation in the main concourse. It doubled the number of stalls in both the men and womens restrooms. The airport also added a separate room for nursing moms. Its a quiet place thats not a restroom, its adjacent to the ladies restroom mid-concourse, Swanstrom said. Theres a comfortable seat in there, a little rocking chair, theres a sink in there for washing up any equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will miss it forever: Huntsville restaurant closing its doors after two years Theres also a changing table and a toddler safety seat to help if youre traveling with more than one child. Swanstrom said the airport is also making good progress on its food and drink upgrades. She said they hope to get the Starbucks Coffee near Gate 10 open by the end of the summer. The master plan also includes adding grab and go food options, a bigger restaurant in the terminal, and a full revamp of flooring an seating. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Providence police released body-worn camera video from one of officers that responded to a car crash involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. ICE pursued a suspect and ended up outside of a home on Alverson Avenue to try and arrest a known MS-13 gang member in Providence on Sunday. ICE spokesperson James Covington told 12 News the agency arrested Ivan Rene Mendoza Meza, 27, a Honduran national who Covington said is a self-admitted member of MS-13 in his home country. He has committed crimes on behalf of the gang, Covington said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a news conference on Monday, Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez addressed a viral video that circulated over the weekend which showed federal immigration officers and Providence police officers at a home on Alverson Street. Some local and state leaders posted on social media that Providence police had helped ICE make an arrest, which Perez said wasnt true. (Courtesy: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) On Tuesday, 10 members of the Providence City Council called on the Providence External Review Authority a civilian oversight board that looks into allegations of police misconduct to review the incident. The presence of Providence Police officers next to ICE agents during the detainment has deeply disturbed the community, city councilors wrote to Perez in a letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council President Rachel Miller said in an unrelated news conference on Tuesday that its important for people to feel like they can go to the police for help without their status being questioned. That is a full city public safety concern, Miller added. I have serious concerns, even of the perception that Providence police is partnering, working with, [or] in any way, supporting the activities of ICE, and Im going to keep working with my colleagues and with the mayor and public safety to make sure that our city ordinance is followed, which explicitly prohibits Providence police from doing exclusive immigration enforcement action. Perez said officers were called to the scene after they got a report of a motor vehicle accident involving an unmarked vehicle driven by ICE. Perez said the federal immigration agents were in pursuit of a suspect, Mendoza Meza, and crashed into that car, plus another parked car on Alverson Street. Our officers remained at the scene to ensure the safety of residents and to maintain order, Perez said. Let me repeat that: to ensure the safety of residents and to maintain work consistent with our responsibility to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Brett Smiley characterized the incident as complex, but said that the incident remains under review. Im interested in making sure that our community knows that Providence police are there to protect them, that they will not cooperate or serve as immigration agents, and that preliminarily, we believe that policy was followed in that instance, although it certainly was jarring video that I saw, Smiley said at an unrelated news conference on Tuesday. But upon closer review and understanding the full context of the circumstance, it feels like it seems like at the initial outset, that Providence police acted in accordance with our existing policy. Miller said she appreciated that there is a review underway, but added that she wanted PERA to examine the incident because they are a third-party in the situation. Its not that Im saying, Oh, the city wont conduct a thorough investigation. Im saying that we should not be under any obligation to police ourselves, Miller explained. A third party is the right entity to look at what happened objectively and to make a decision and make a course of action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the media received a roughly 30-minute body-worn camera video from Sgt. Peter Salmons, who responded to Alverson Avenue after officers had already been called there for the crash. What do you guys need from us? Salmons asked a masked ICE officer. The federal immigration officer explained that they were waiting for a warrant to search the home they believed someone they were after ran into. After that, Providence police officers are seen trying to gather more information about the crash. About ten minutes of the video goes silent, but the audio returns when police ask neighbors to clear the area as they put up police tape to secure the perimeter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors try to stay in the area, but are eventually ushered away by police. Once Salmons returns to the home, he is heard asking Lt. William Brown if he should knock on the door of the home to see if Providence police can help getting people out of the home who are not involved in the federal investigation. Brown tells him thats okay, and Salmons knocks on the door. How you doing, maam? Im sorry to ruin your Sunday, Salmons said. My concern is separate from everybody else. I just want to make sure that theres no people in this apartment building or the house that might get hurt if it turns violent. The woman, who is also the landlord of the home, is heard telling Salmons that there are young children in the home and they want to leave to go to church, but she doesnt want ICE breaking down her doors. Salmons explains that his concern is for the safety of people in the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yeah, well Im glad that at least you guys worry about it, because as soon as I walked in here, he pointed the [expletive] shotgun at me, the woman said of the federal agents on scene. Work with us, were here to work with you guys. Alright? Theyre separate, Salmons explained. When Salmons asked how many people were in the home, the woman explained there was another person on the third floor of the home. Salmons is heard telling ICE officers about the man, and said the woman said the one youre looking for is upstairs. You want me to go in there with Jose and just knock to see if theres anybody in the building? Salmons asked Brown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean thats fair. Yeah, Brown said. Just make sure we record it. Obviously, were just trying to get people out, so nobody else is injured. Brown is then heard telling ICE officers to go to the door. If he comes out this door, I want your people grabbing him, ok? Well help you, right? Brown said. The residents in the home are seen coming to the door, and the woman is heard telling officers not to hurt the man on the third floor, who is about to come out. Maam, your safety and your kids safety is way more important, Salmons said. I am recording, I am recording, you are fine. Okay? Go inside with your children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last two minutes of the video, the suspect, later identified as Mendoza Meza, emerges from the home. The video shows that Salmons begins to pull the man out with one hand, but a second later, ICE takes hold and puts him in handcuffs. Court records show Providence police arrested Mendoza Meza on Aug. 18, 2023, for manufacturing, possessing or selling fentanyl related charges, plus conspiracy and keeping or maintaining a common nuisance. He was initially held without bail. Federal immigration officials lodged a detainer against Mendoza Meza with the R.I. Department of Corrections six days after his arrest, but court records show he was released on $50,000 surety bond a few days later with conditions he surrender his passport and firearms. Covington said because the state did not cooperate, officers had to arrest Mendoza at large in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Rhode Island federal judge ruled in 2014 that ICE detainers violate civil rights, and since then the state has required a judicial deportation or removal order not just an ICE detainer before state officials can hold someone in custody. The policy was established that year by then-Gov. Lincoln Chafee. Immigration officials said Mendoza Meza illegally entered the United States near San Ysidro, California and was arrested by United States Border Patrol in May 2019. Though was returned to Mexico a few days later, officials said he illegally re-entered the country on an unknown date. Federal immigration records showed Tuesday that Mendoza Meza was being detained at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls. Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Ray Baccari and Ted Nesi contributed to this report. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. The Brief ICE arrested 1,361 immigrants in the Houston area in June who had been convicted of or charged with a criminal offense, officials say. They were arrested as part of routine immigration enforcement activities. Among them were reportedly 32 people convicted of child sex offenses and nine convicted of homicide-related offenses. HOUSTON - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the arrests of more than 1,300 immigrants in the Houston area last month who were charged with, or have been convicted of, a criminal offense after illegally entering the U.S. 1,300+ arrests in Houston area in June According to ICE, the arrests were part of the ICE Enforcement Removal Operations Houston field office's routine immigration enforcement activities, which are conducted daily throughout Southeast Texas alongside other agencies. By the numbers According to ICE, 1,361 were arrested in June alone. Of them, 32 were convicted of child sex offenses, nine were convicted of homicide-related offenses and 16 were documented members of a transnational gang or drug cartel, officials say. What they're saying "Despite attempts by some to undermine our mission by spreading false and malicious rumors, the brave men and women of ICE continue to work tirelessly around the clock targeting dangerous criminal aliens to restore integrity to our nations immigration system and bolster public safety in our communities," said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston acting Field Office Director Gabriel Martinez. "The number of dangerous criminal aliens that they removed from local communities across Southeast Texas last month is just another example of their selfless and unyielding efforts to return our local communities to places where we can all raise our families without having to worry about child predators, gang members, or other violent criminal aliens preying on our loved ones." Deportation officers from ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office arrest David Antonio Lazo-Alvarenga, a 42-year-old criminal alien from El Salvador, June 12, in Houston. According to ICW, Lazo-Alvarenga has illegally entered the U.S. four times and has been convicted three times for driving while intoxicated and once for illegal reentry while in the country illegally. (Photo: ICE) Who was arrested? Dig deeper According to ICE, the following people were arrested in June by the ICE ERO Houston Field Office: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adermis Wilson-Gonzalez, a 56-year-old criminal alien from Cuba, arrested by ICE June 29, who was convicted in 2003 of hijacking an airplane traveling from Cuba to Key West, Florida. Arnulfo Olivares Cervantes, a 47-year-old criminal alien from Mexico and former Mexicles gang member, arrested by ICE June 13, who has illegally entered the U.S. six times and been convicted twice for trafficking cocaine, and once for attempted murder, evading arrest, illegal entry, and drug possession. Luis Pablo Vasquez-Estolano, a 29-year-old six-time deported criminal alien from Mexico, arrested by ICE June 10 who has been convicted of homicide, aggravated robbery, burglary of a vehicle, and drug possession. Jose Meza, a 40-year-old criminal alien from Mexico, arrested by ICE June 24 who has illegally entered the U.S. four times and has been convicted of sexual assault of a minor and theft. Javier Escobar Gonzalez, a 51-year-old criminal alien from Mexico, arrested by ICE June 23, who has been convicted of sexual indecency with a minor, criminal trespass with a deadly weapon, driving while intoxicated, and unauthorized use of a firearm. The Source The information in this article comes from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Las Vegas man and are reportedly seeking to deport him to Iran, a country he hasnt lived in for more than 50 years. David Charles Bunnell, 65, is currently at Nevada Southern Detention Correction located in Pahrump after federal agents arrested him on June 24, according to his family. We were all devastated like, they just kidnapped my husband, Elizabeth Bunnell said. Everything happened so fast that I was just asking them for their name and badge numbers. They refused to tell me. They were like, we dont have to tell you that information.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICE agents eventually relented and gave her their badge numbers. According to ICE, an immigration judge in 2012 ordered Bunnells removal from the United States after he was convicted of domestic violence in Clark County in 2010 and spent almost two months in prison. Theres so much uncertainty that we dont know whats going to happen next, Elizabeth Bunnell said. David Bunnell owns a small business. His wife asked me not to disclose the name of his business and what he does as a precaution. People are scared these days, Elizabeth Bunnell said. She was told that the federal government is seeking to deport her husband to Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My husband does not have family in Iran. Hes been here since 1977, and all his family and everyone else resides here, Elizabeth Bunnell said. ICE sent the following statement to 8 News Now on the matter: Bunnell is an Iranian national who claims to have entered the United States sometime in 1974. Bunnell has a lengthy criminal history from 1984 to present with the most serious conviction for domestic violence where he received a 48-month prison sentence. An immigration judge ordered Bunnell removed Jan. 18, 2012, and he will remain in ICE custody pending removal from the United States. He also has eight misdemeanor convictions, with the most recent one in 2008, records showed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to federal data, Nevada has seen a 289% increase in ICE arrests this year compared to 2024. Elizabeth Bunnell told 8 News Now her husband has set out to atone for his mistakes. Whatever we do in the past, thats in the past. He completed everything he needed to do. He did his classes and everything, she said. You know, hes regretful for that. The family hasnt had any luck in getting an immigration attorney to help them due to the judges deportation order from 2012. Federal records showed ICE has arrested at least 2,000 people in Nevada since September 2023. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. ICE detained an expectant father in Washington state just months before his wife is scheduled to give birth. On Friday morning, Guilherme Lemes Cardoso E Silva was on his way to pick up his daughter in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, about 100 miles north of Seattle, when multiple unmarked ICE vehicles containing masked agents stopped him on a private road near his home, according to his wife, Rachel Leidig. Silva, originally from Brazil, is a 35-year-old visual artist currently based in Washington state. Photos posted to his Instagram account show some of his colorful work that can be seen across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Department of Homeland Security, Silva was in the U.S. on a B2 Visa a nonimmigrant visa issued primarily for tourism that was issued in 2016 and expired in 2017. "He did not board his departure flight in March of 2017 and instead chose to illegally remain inside the U.S. He was arrested on July 11, 2025," a DHS spokesperson told NBC News over email. Rachel Leidig and her husband, Guilherme Lemes Cardoso E Silva. (Courtesy Rachel Leidig) Silva and Leidig met in 2023 at a Flaming Lips concert in San Francisco. The couple married in April and are expecting a baby boy in October. Silva or Gui, as Leidig calls him was meant to move to Sausalito, California, at the end of the month to be with Leidig. "Hes just one of those people who it's like, when you meet him hes just so loving and warm and kind," Leidig said. "Anyone that genuinely knows Gui knows that he's an amazing person." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silva has no criminal record or outstanding warrants, Leidig said. Silva and Leidig were working with an immigration attorney and in the process of submitting an application to legalize his residency status in the U.S. when Silva was detained. After his detainment, Leidig submitted an I-130 form, or a "petition for alien relative." He was also in the process of renewing his work permit, Leidig said. According to Leidig, Silva told her that the ICE agents who detained him were rough with him and refused to show him a warrant. One agent confiscated his phone when he began recording the incident and others were making jokes during his arrest, she said. "They were behind him laughing and making jokes, saying they were glad they didn't make the news this time," Leidig said. Silva told Leidig that he was held in a holding cell for 38 hours in Ferndale where "the conditions were terrible" and he was given food that made him sick. He was also told to show his tattoos and asked if he had ever been affiliated with a gang, which he said he has never been. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A GoFundMe that was created by Leidig's friend to help support Silva's family and raise money for legal fees has amassed over $56,000 as of Tuesday afternoon. Silva is being held at a detention center in Tacoma, Washington, according to online records. Leidig says he has a court hearing at the end of the month, and she hopes he will be released then. "I just want him home, I want him to come home to me," Leidig said in tears. "We've been trying to do this legally and I want him to be here for the birth of our child, and I want him to be there for me and his son and for his daughter." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leidig says when Silva gets out, he wants to use his experience and law degree from Brazil to help others who are in his position. "He wants to make this a bigger purpose of helping other people," Leidig said. The Department of Homeland Security is encouraging anyone in the U.S. illegally to take advantage of the country's offer of $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport. "We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right, legal way to live the American dream," the DHS spokesperson said. "If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Immigrants can be deported from the United States to countries other than their own with as little as six hours notice or no notice at all, according to a recent memo from a top official in Donald Trumps administration. The memo, from Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director Todd Lyons, follows a Supreme Court decision that opens the door for officials to immediately begin deporting immigrants to so-called third countries, potentially uprooting thousands of people and sending them to countries where they do not have citizenship, family or any connection whatsoever. Immigrants sent to countries where foreign officials have not provided the U.S. with diplomatic assurances that they wont face torture or human rights abuses must be provided 24 hours notice, the memo says. Or, in exigent circumstances, only six hours notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Countries that do provide those assurances could be deported without any advance notice, according to the memo, which was first reported by The Washington Post. If the State Department believes those assurances are credible, then ICE may deport someone to that country without the need for further procedures, the memo says. ICE is expediting the removal of immigrants in the United States to so-called third countries that arent their own with as little as six hours notice, which critics fear is not enough time to mount a challenge (REUTERS) ICE is expediting the removal of immigrants in the United States to so-called third countries that arent their own with as little as six hours notice, which critics fear is not enough time to mount a challenge (REUTERS) This is the same operation we had in the past, that people can go to third countries, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox News Sunday as she defended the incredibly important memo to ensure we get these worst of the worst out of our country. Many times, if other countries arent receiving their own citizens, other countries have agreed that they would take them in and take care of them until their home country would receive them, she said. Thats what this memo was confirming, and thats all been negotiated with that country through the State Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Targeted immigrants are likely to include thousands of people with final orders for their removal who are not able to be deported to their home countries because immigration judges have determined they face threats of violence or imminent danger there. Other immigrants may not be able to return to their home countries because those governments such as Cuba do not cooperate with U.S. deportations. In March, lawyers for a group of immigrants filed a lawsuit arguing that the government violated federal law by failing to let them challenge their removal to countries where they could be harmed or killed. Massachusetts District Judge Brian Murphy ordered the government to give those men meaningful notice and opportunity to challenge their deportation orders. But on June 23, the Supreme Courts conservative majority blocked the judges decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ramifications of Supreme Courts order will be horrifying; it strips away critical due process protections that have been protecting our class members from torture and death, read a statement from Trina Realmuto, executive director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance. The Supreme Court ruling followed a legal challenge surrounding eight deportees sent to war-torn South Sudan. After a weeks-long legal battle, the men landed in the country before midnight on July 4. South Sudans government said the men, all of whom were convicted of crimes in the U.S., were under the care of the relevant authorities but did not disclose their whereabouts, condition or what will happen to them. None of their family members have heard from them since they arrived there, according to attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a lengthy dissent blasting the conservative majoritys abuse of the courts authority to consider yet another emergency request from the president. The court is rewarding lawlessness, she said. In matters of life and death, it is best to proceed with caution, she wrote. In this case, the Government took the opposite approach. Administration officials quickly celebrated the Supreme Court ruling. Fire up the deportation planes, Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote on X. Noem posted a GIF of Trump dancing. Since taking office, the Trump administration has held hundreds of immigrants at the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and deported dozens of alleged Venezuelan gang members to a brutal maximum-security prison in El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents revealed El Salvadors government told the United Nations that deportees from the United States held inside that country are the responsibility of the U.S. government contradicting statements from Trump administration officials. A group hired by the U.N. accused the administration of state-sponsored enforced disappearances. BOSTON U.S. immigration officials may deport migrants to countries other than their home nations with as little as six hours' notice, a top Trump administration official said in a memo, offering a preview of how deportations could ramp up. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will generally wait at least 24 hours to deport someone after informing them of their removal to a so-called "third country," according to a memo dated Wednesday, July 9, from the agency's acting director, Todd Lyons. ICE could remove them, however, to a so-called "third country" with as little as six hours' notice "in exigent circumstances," said the memo, as long as the person has been provided the chance to speak with an attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo states that migrants could be sent to nations that have pledged not to persecute or torture them "without the need for further procedures." The new ICE policy suggests President Donald Trump's administration could move quickly to send migrants to countries around the world. The Supreme Court in June lifted a lower court's order limiting such deportations without a screening for fear of persecution in the destination country. Following the high court's ruling and a subsequent order from the justices, the Trump administration sent eight migrants from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Sudan and Vietnam to war-torn South Sudan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration recently pressed officials from five African nations Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Gabon to accept deportees from elsewhere, Reuters reported. Migrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and law enforcement officers board a plane after being transferred from an ICE detention facility, at Gary/Chicago International Airport, in Gary, Indiana, U.S., June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez The Washington Post first reported the new ICE memo. The administration argues that the third-country deportations help swiftly remove migrants who should not be in the United States, including those with criminal convictions. Advocates have criticized the deportations as dangerous and cruel, since people could be sent to countries where they could face violence, have no ties and do not speak the language. Rainstorm clouds are seen behind an official plane for U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at the La Aurora International Airport on June 26, 2025 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Trina Realmuto, a lawyer for a group of migrants pursuing a class action lawsuit against such rapid third-county deportations at the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, said the policy "falls far short of providing the statutory and due process protections that the law requires." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Third-country deportations have been done in the past, but the tool could be more frequently used as Trump tries to ramp up deportations to record levels. During Trump's 2017-2021 presidency, his administration deported small numbers of people from El Salvador and Honduras to Guatemala. Former President Joe Biden's Democratic administration struck a deal with Mexico to take thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, since it was difficult to deport migrants to those nations. The new ICE memo was filed as evidence in a lawsuit over the wrongful deportation of Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador. Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston and Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Diane Craft This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ICE may deport migrants to countries other than their own In February 2024, Burlington resident Mark, 54, accepted a Facebook friend request from an impersonator claiming to be NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin. Over several weeks, the impersonator claimed that a briefcase full of prize money was stuck in customs and that his documentation for entering the United States had expired. Trusting his new friend, Mark bought six $500 gift cards. When that didnt free the briefcase, the scammer urged him to tap his savings. Mark withdrew from his IBM 401(k) and took additional loans against a second 401(k) with GlobalFoundries. He sent funds by cashiers check. By the time doubts crept in, he had lost more than $100,000 in savings. It was only later that Mark realized hed been duped. Don't miss From devastation to a rebuilding roadmap Once he recognized the scam, Mark contacted the U.S. Secret Service, filed a complaint with the FBI and alerted multiple state and local agencies. Despite his efforts and the help of an attorney, law enforcement determined the funds were irretrievable. The chances of getting that money back are very, very, very slim. John Deloney lamented. Today, Marks 401(k) balance is $146,321 down from an estimated $200,000 before the fraud. Earning $60,000 annually, he maintains a lean budget: $1,000 monthly rent (including utilities), $60 for phone service, $50 for internet and no credit-card debt and $22,000 in 401(k) loans. Somebody weaponized what I think is the most sacred thing, and thats a relationship. And inside that relationship somebody asked you for help, and youre the kind of guy that helps. And that hurts, man. Hosts George Kamel and John Delony laid out a disciplined recovery plan: Immigration and Customs Enforcement has ushered in a policy that will render undocumented migrants ineligible for bail hearings, meaning they could be detained for months or years as their case plays out, according to a memo. The Trump administrations policy seeks to supercharge the administrations already sweeping campaign of arrests and deportations, immigration attorneys say, as ICE has received billions of dollars to increase the number of migrants in detention. Previously, migrants were typically allowed to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. But the Department of Homeland Security has revisited its legal position on detention and release authorities, acting ICE director Todd M. Lyons announced in a memo dated July 8, the Washington Post first reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Migrants who entered the U.S. illegally should be detained for the duration of their removal proceedings, Lyons said in the memo. Undocumented migrants are not eligible for bond hearings and should be detained for the duration of their removal proceedings, according to an ICE memo. (AP) Undocumented migrants are not eligible for bond hearings and should be detained for the duration of their removal proceedings, according to an ICE memo. (AP) The policy will apply to millions who have lived in the U.S. for decades and many of them will have children who are American citizens, immigration attorneys said. Migrants may not be released from ICE custody except in rare instances where an immigration officer releases them on parole. That decision will not be made by a judge, Lyons wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE expects to face legal challenges to the move, Lyons added in the memo. The recent guidance closes a loophole to our nation's security based on an inaccurate interpretation of the statute, an ICE spokesman said in a statement to The Independent. It is aligned with the nations long-standing immigration law. All aliens seeking to enter our country in an unlawful manner or for illicit purposes shall be treated equally under the law, while still receiving due process. The policy change comes as President Donald Trumps spending package has significantly increased ICEs detention capacity, handing the agency $45 billion to detain migrants over the next four years. The Trump administrations policy seeks to supercharge the administrations already sweeping campaign of arrests and deportations, immigration attorneys say. (AP) The Trump administrations policy seeks to supercharge the administrations already sweeping campaign of arrests and deportations, immigration attorneys say. (AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal officials plan to use the ICE windfall to roughly double the nations immigration detention capacity, bringing the total to between 80,000 and 100,000 detention beds. Tom Jawetz, a former DHS official in the Biden administration, told Reuters that the policy change was a radical departure that could explode the detention population. Immigration attorney Aaron Korthuis said the policy is looking to supercharge detention beyond what it already is. Federal officials plan to use the ICE windfall to roughly double the nations immigration detention capacity, bringing the total to between 80,000 and 100,000 detention beds. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enf) Federal officials plan to use the ICE windfall to roughly double the nations immigration detention capacity, bringing the total to between 80,000 and 100,000 detention beds. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enf) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other immigration attorneys and advocates said that denying migrants a bond hearing will make it more challenging to fight their case as they wait in detention facilities where communicating with clients is a problem, such as Floridas Alligator Alcatraz. I think some courts are going to find that this doesnt give noncitizens sufficient due process, immigration attorney Paul Hunker, a former ICE chief counsel in the Dallas area, told The Post. They could be held indefinitely until theyre deported. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security justified the move by blaming the Biden administration for unleashing millions of unvetted illegal aliens into the U.S. President Trump and Secretary Noem are now enforcing this law as it was actually written to keep America safe, said assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin. Politicians and activists can cry wolf all they want, but it wont deter this administration from keeping these criminals and lawbreakers off American streetsand now thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill, we will have plenty of bed space to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigrants were being denied bail hearings in more than a dozen courts across the U.S. since the memos were issued last week, the American Immigration Lawyers Association told the outlet. This is their way of putting in place nationwide a method of detaining even more people, Greg Chen, senior director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, told the outlet. Its requiring the detention of far more people without any real review of their individual circumstances. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has declared undocumented immigrants ineligible for bond hearings, thus opening the door to the indefinite detention of millions of immigrants while their deportation proceedings are underway. Previously, an immigrant facing detention who did not have a serious criminal history could request a hearing in which an immigration judge would consider various factors, such as flight risk and potential danger to the community, before deciding whether to release them on bond while their case progressed. But now, in a stark departure from precedent, the agency will suspend bond hearings, per a July 8 memo obtained by The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the memo, ICE acting Director Todd Lyons ordered the detention of undocumented immigrants for the duration of their removal proceedingspotentially months or years. Lyons justified the change in policy in light of Trumps Justice and Homeland Security departments having revisited [their] legal position on detention and release authorities and determining that such immigrants may not be released from ICE custody barring rare exceptions. Already, the American Immigration Lawyers Association informed the Post of denied bond hearings in over a dozen DOJ-run immigration courts in states such as New York, Virginia, Oregon, North Carolina, Ohio, and Georgia. The new policy is based on a peculiar interpretation of a law stating unauthorized immigrants shall be detained after their arrests, which has, per the Post, historically been applied only to immigrants whod recently crossed the U.S.-Mexico border, rather thanas it now willto those who have lived and worked in the country for decades, many of whom have children who are U.S. citizens and may have strong legal cases against deportation. As such, Lyons acknowledged in the memo that he fully expects the policy to face legal challenges, writing, per Reuters, that the change is likely to be litigated. If this new policy stays in effect, it will staggeringly balloon the population of immigrants detained under inhumane conditions at ICE facilities across the country. A reported immigration enforcement incident at a Home Depot in Dallas was flagged on July 14 by a mobile app that tracks federal agents in real-time. The app, ICEBlock, showed a 2:26 PM alert for activity near 11682 Forest Central Drive, the location of a Home Depot store in North Dallas. The Dallas Express reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its Dallas Field Office for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication. The app allows users to report and view real-time sightings of ICE agents within a five-mile radius. It bills itself as a community-driven app that promotes awareness while protecting user anonymity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, ICEBlock has drawn criticism from federal officials and Republican lawmakers, who allege it compromises immigration enforcement and endangers federal agents. House Small Business Committee Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX) and Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) recently led a letter signed by five other Republicans demanding an immediate investigation into whether ICEBlocks developers violated federal law. The development and use of this app is not simply neighborhood awareness; it is a blatant interference with agency operations that has the potential to put government agents in danger and even cost them their lives, the lawmakers wrote. The lawmakers addressed their concerns to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has echoed the alarm. Bondi warned the apps creator, Joshua Aaron, to watch out, stating, We are looking at him, and he better watch out, because thats not a protected speech. That is threatening the lives of our law enforcement officers throughout this country. Aaron has defended the app, telling Los Angeles Magazine that it was designed to help people avoid the situation altogether during immigration operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imagine youre walking down the street, and a notification comes up that says, ICE spotted four blocks ahead Instead of continuing down that path, you can turn left or turn around, Aaron said. A disclaimer within the app states that it is for information and notification purposes only and instructs users not to interfere with or incite violence against law enforcement. Opponents argue the app hinders law enforcement and may aid individuals seeking to evade arrest. The Trump administration asserts that ICE agents are experiencing a 700% increase in assaults, attributing this rise to Democrats and their dangerous, inflammatory rhetoric aimed at immigration officials. No details have been confirmed about the nature or scope of the reported action in Dallas. ICE has not stated whether the location was targeted in connection with any specific investigation. ICEBlock remains available on the Apple App Store as of July 14. Iconic Drive-Thru Chain Returns to Major Midwest City After 40-Year 'Hiatus' originally appeared on Parade. A celebrity-favorite fast food chain, known for pioneering the drive-thru, is opening up shop in a major Midwest city for the first time since the 1980s this week. The news is the type of positive update fans hope forand it couldn't have come at a better time, offering not only the return of its distinctive menu items but also a refreshing reprieve from the recent trend of more difficult announcements within the industry and from the company, which confirmed dozens of store closures this past April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Monday, July 14, Jack in the Box is back in the Chicago Metro area, with one storefront already serving residents out of its new restaurant located at 2101 Route 59 in Plainfield, Illinois. Related: Jack in the Box Launches Sour Power Drink Menu for a Limited Time To make up for what it called a "40-year hiatus" from dishing up burgers, tacos, chicken sandwiches, milkshakes, breakfast items, and late-night options in Chicago, it's doubling down and making sure fans can access their favorite bites and sips with dine-in, drive-thru and mobile ordering supported around the clock with 24-hour operations. The grand opening of its Plainfield location marks the first of eight total stores planned across the Windy City, according to a statement from the brand, and if all goes well, the chain hinted that more restaurants could open in other "potential trade areas" it identifies for "future corporate and franchise development throughout the region." Next:KFC Is Hoping for a Big Comeback With Limited-Time Offer, New Menu Item Iconic Drive-Thru Chain Returns to Major Midwest City After 40-Year 'Hiatus' first appeared on Parade on Jul 15, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared. The Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission approved a grant to move the state's decades-old analog 911 infrastructure to a secure, digital network called Next Generation 911. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images) The Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission on July 10 approved a $15 million grant to modernize the states emergency response system. The money will go toward moving Idahos decades-old analog 911 infrastructure to a secure, digital network called Next Generation 911, according to a press release from the Office of Emergency Management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are proud to have been part of the process in developing a strategy to bring Next Generation 911 to Idaho, Commission Chairman and Payette County Sheriff Andy Creech said in the release. This transition will save lives and strengthen the connection between 911 callers and our law enforcement, fire and EMS teams. Its a major step forward in ensuring every Idahoan has access to fast, reliable emergency response. The more-advanced system will allow dispatch centers to receive real-time mobile location data, text messages, photos, videos, and live call transcription, the release said. The system would also include the technology and connectivity needed to route calls based on an exact location, including specific rooms in large buildings. The system, called NG911, is built to handle call surges during disasters, the release said. The grant will go toward a phased implementation to bring online the 42 of Idahos 44 counties that are participating in the grant program. Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission 911 Program Manager Eric Newman told the Idaho Capital Sun that the implementation should take about 18 months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding comes through the Emergency Communications Grant Fee, a 25-cent surcharge on phone bills. The commission also approved a $1.33 million grant to support Geographic Information System projects in communities across Idaho to help integrate with NG911. The funds will help create a four-person team to work directly with counties throughout the state, including the 32 that do not have a GIS professional on staff, the release said. The commission and the Idaho Office of Emergency Management will work closely with counties and emergency response partners to support implementation, training, and public education throughout the rollout process. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Idahos opioid settlement money is funneled three ways: 40% goes to the state, 40% goes to counties and cities, and 20% goes to public health districts. (Darwin Brandis/Getty Images) Idaho is on track to receive up to $2.6 million more in settlements with opioid manufacturing companies, the Idaho Attorney Generals Office announced Tuesday. The new funds are part of roughly $720 million in nationwide settlements with eight drug companies that allegedly contributed to the countrys opioid crisis. Idahos share is based on local data for opioids shipped and distributed and the prevalence of opioid use disorder. These companies have prioritized profits over the lives of Idaho families, and were holding them accountable for that, Labrador said in a statement. Since taking office, weve secured nearly $60 million for Idaho from opioid manufacturers. These settlement funds will be distributed to Idahos opioid fund, local governments, and health districts to support our ongoing fight against this devastating crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idahos opioid settlement money is funneled three ways: 40% goes to the state, 40% goes to counties and cities, and 20% goes to public health districts. The Idaho Behavioral Health Council recommends to the governor how the state should spend its share. The council is accepting recommendations until July 31, the Idaho Capital Sun reported. Seven of the eight companies part of the settlement cant market opioids and must create a system to monitor and report suspicious orders. Another company part of the settlement, Indivior, can keep selling and marketing medications to treat opioid use disorder but cant make or sell opioid products for the next decade. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Firefighters work along Idaho Highway 21 west of Stanley to fight the Wapiti Fire on Aug. 26, 2024. (Courtesy of U.S. Forest Service/Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1) The state of Idaho has spent almost $9.2 million fighting wildfires this season as state officials prepare for the potential for above normal wildfire activity for most of Idaho through the remainder of the summer. So far, fewer acres of land in Idaho have burned this year compared to the same time period a year ago, Idaho Department of Lands Deputy Director Bill Haagenson told Gov. Brad Little and members of the State Board of Land Commissioners during a fire season briefing Tuesday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX But with above average temperatures and below average precipitation levels that have stretched from April into July, Haagenson said the potential for wildfire is significant. The significant wildland fire potential outlook for July through September shows above normal fire potential for most of Idaho, Haggenson said. To prepare for this years wildfire season, Idaho legislators set aside $40 million to pay for wildfire suppression, which was less than $58 million the state spent fighting wildfires last year, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. Little had requested even more money to fight wildfires, and last month the Land Board gave the state the approval to pay all of the bills for fighting wildfires even if expenses surpass available funding provided by the Idaho Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far this year, the state has spent almost $9.2 million on things like use of a helicopter, water scoopers, engines, supplies and teams fighting the Old Greer and Nettleton Gulch fires that started near Orofino and Coeur dAlene. The state anticipates being able to recover about $1.9 million of that amount for reimbursable expenses, such as sending resources to support fires the Idaho Department of Lands is not responsible for. Reimbursable costs would bring the states net costs to about $7.2 million so far this fire season, officials said. New wildfire reported outside of Deary, Idaho Even though fewer acres have burned, the state has reported 139 wildfires so far this year, state records show. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US On Sunday, the Clover Fire burning near Naples in Boundary County threatened structures and led to evacuations that affected about 30 residences, the Idaho Department of Lands wrote in a bulletin issued Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Monday, crews reported making good progress on the Clover Fire, with power being restored to the area and residents being allowed to return home. A new wildfire, the Cherry Fire, was reported Monday night about a mile northeast of Deary, Idaho Department of Lands officials said. Deary is located in Latah County, east of Moscow. As of Tuesday morning, about 70 people were fighting the Cherry Fire, including two 20-person handcrews, with six engines, a helicopter, two dozers and additional equipment, state officials said. Once again this year, a troubling wildfire trend appears to be continuing in Idaho. Year-to-date, 125 of the 139 fires the Idaho Department of Lands staff has tracked have been caused by humans, compared to just 14 fires caused by lighting, according to documents provided to Little and the Land Board on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State officials urge the public to make sure all campfires are doused with water and stirred repeatedly until they are dead out. Officials also ask the public to avoid parking vehicles on dry grass or other vegetation and to remove any chains that may drag behind a vehicle or trailer and could throw off a spark. As of Tuesday, there are no fire restrictions in place in Idaho, Haagenson said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The identities of two people who died in a two-vehicle crash early Monday morning were released by St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. Monday evening. Dye said the victims are Brenden Colvin, 26, of 1200 block of Columbia Road in Dupo and Heather N. Jones, 41, of the 2300 block of Old State Road in East Carondelet. Both were pronounced deceased at the scene at 1:48 a.m., Dye said. Their identities had been withheld until family could be notified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cahokia Heights Police Chief Thomas Trice said police received a call reporting the crash Illinois 3 and Ruby Lane early Monday. The two vehicles involved, a Kia SUV and a GMC pickup truck, were both traveling south on Illinois 3. Colvin and Jones were in a Kia SUV and attempted to pass a GMC pickup truck, but clipped the front end. Neither were wearing a seat belt and both were ejected from the Kia, Trice said. Police are not sure who was driving the Kia. We are waiting on Illinois State Police accident reconstruction team to further the investigation, Trice said. Trice said speed is presumed to be a factor in the accident. No one in the pickup truck was injured, police said. IDF soldiers destroyed a Khan Yunis terror tunnel complex approximately 3.5 km long, which contained several tunnels, including sleeping quarters for terrorists. Soldiers from the IDFs Givati Brigade, under the 162nd Division, as well as the 646th and Northern Gaza Brigades, under the 99th Division, operated in Gazas Beit Hanun, killing dozens of terrorists and dismantling terror infrastructure, the military confirmed on Tuesday. Givati Brigade soldiers, along with IDF Combat Engineers, dismantled a launcher used by Hamas terrorists to fire rockets towards Israel, the military added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 646th Brigade reservists located an explosives site and coordinated with an Israel Air Force aircraft to strike and dismantle it, the military confirmed. Northern Gaza Brigade soldiers also coordinated with the IAF to kill an armed terrorist carrying weapons in Beit Hanun. Additionally, soldiers from the IDFs Kfir Brigade and Yahalom Combat Engineers, operating under the IDFs 36th Division, mapped and destroyed a terror tunnel complex in the Gaza Strips Khan Yunis, the military confirmed in a separate statement on Tuesday. The tunnel complex was approximately 3.5 km long and contained several tunnels, which included sleeping quarters for terrorists, the military noted. Kfir Brigade soldiers also destroyed an explosive storage facility and located weapons in the area, seizing them, the military added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further, the IDF published footage of IAF fighter jet pilots conducting strikes against terrorists from Hezbollahs Radwan Force in south Lebanons Bekaa Valley earlier on Tuesday. The targets struck included training camps and ammunition storage centers, The Jerusalem Post previously reported. Additionally, the IDF published video footage showing strikes conducted on Syria's security forces amid clashes with the Druze population in Sweida, southern Syria. Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report. Following intelligence failures around October 7, 2023, the IDF is mandating that all intelligence personnel undergo training in both Arabic and Islamic cultural studies. The IDF Intelligence Directorate is implementing sweeping reforms to its Arabic language and Islamic cultural studies programs, following the intelligence failures around October 7, 2023, the IDF has confirmed toJNS. According to Army Radio military correspondent Doron Kadosh, the overhaul is one of several major initiatives ordered by Aman chief Maj.-Gen. Shlomi Binder. Under the new directive, all intelligence personnelincluding those in technological roles traditionally unrelated to Arabic or Islamic studieswill be required to undergo training in both fields. Details of the new directive JNS reported that intelligence research staff will now be expected to attain proficiency in Arabic as part of their basic training. The long-term goal is for future commanders to be fluent in Arabic and well-versed in Islamic culture, significantly strengthening their analytical capabilities. By the end of next year, 100% of Aman personnel will have received training in Islamic studies, and 50% will undergo Arabic language training, representing a significant increase compared to previous years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kadosh shared further details on social media, including plans to establish a new department dedicated to the teaching of Arabic and Islam. The program will also include specialized training in the Houthi and Iraqi dialects, reflecting growing intelligence needs in those regions. IDF soldiers engage in operational activities in relation to Israel-Gaza violence. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) As part of the reforms, the IDF will also reopen the TELEM, which had previously promoted Arabic and Middle Eastern studies in Israeli middle and high schools. The department was shut down six years ago due to budget cuts, resulting in a significant drop in Arabic-language education. It had operated educational programs such as pre-military seminars and cultural workshops aimed at deepening students understanding of theArab world. Goals of the language and cultural training JNS also reported that all IDF intelligence personnel will now undergo training in Arabic language and Islamic culture, with a long-term goal of ensuring that every brigade and division-level intelligence officer becomes fluent in Arabic and gains a deep, working knowledge of Islam. This training is being integrated into the core curriculum of Amans instruction pipeline, from pre-service programs to advanced officer courses. According to Army Radio, Arabic and Islamic studies will now become mandatory for all Aman personnel. By next year, 100% of intelligence soldiersincluding cyber specialists from Unit 8200will receive Islamic studies training, while 50% will undergo Arabic language instruction. These numbers represent a dramatic increase from previous years and reflect a fundamental cultural shift within Israeli intelligence education. Current challenges One notable challenge that has emerged in recent years is the difficulty intelligence personnel face in deciphering Houthi communications. The problem, according to sources, stems in part from the Houthis' frequent use of qata mild narcotic plant chewed socially in Yemen and other parts of the Arab world, which affects speech clarity. In June, an Israeli attempt to assassinate the Houthi military chief reportedly failed because he was attending a social gathering centered around qat chewing, according to the tweet by Army Radio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To address this, Aman is launching new courses focused on the Houthi and Iraqi Arabic dialects, aimed at deepening language analysts' familiarity with region-specific nuances. Instructors from relevant communities have been recruited to provide authentic training. A senior Aman officer told Army Radio: "Until now, we havent been good enough in the areas of culture, language, and Islam. We need to improve in these areas. We wont turn our intelligence officers and soldiers into Arab kids who grew up in a village, but through language and cultural studies, we can instill in them doubt and deep observation." Vincitore Realty, a designer and developer in the United Arab Emirates, has awarded a Dh2bn ($544m) contract to Luxridge Building Construction to execute its latest collection of luxury real-estate projects in Dubai, according to a report by TradeArabia. This strategic partnership highlights Vincitore Realtys strategy to collaborate with reputable, quality-focused contractors, according to the company. By selecting Luxridge, Vincitore aims to strengthen investor trust in anticipation of several high-profile project launches. Vincitore Realty founder and chair Vijay Doshi said: "Vincitore Realty is committed to crafting more than just architectural icons; were building trust, value, and enduring legacies. This Dh2bn partnership with Luxridge represents our unwavering commitment to executional excellence. "Together, we are shaping the future of luxury living in Dubai - landmarks that will inspire generations and stand the test of time. Luxridge brings extensive regional expertise and an engineering approach tailored to Dubais urban landscape. Its proprietary CORE Quality Framework ensures adherence to global standards, from planning to completion, aligning with Vincitores vision of delivering lifestyle-centric developments, according to Doshi. The contract not only solidifies Luxridges position as a partner for premium projects but also signals a broader industry shift towards prioritising reliability and transparency over scale. Furthermore, the collaboration cements Dubais status as a hub for design-driven, investor-secure real estate, where partnerships yield both economic benefits and architectural excellence, the report stated. Luxridge Building Construction COO Pankaj Sharma said: "This partnership reflects the trust we've earned through precision, accountability, and unwavering quality. Backed by proven processes and a committed team, we are proud to be awarded these landmark projects and are looking forward to delivering them with the highest standards, reinforcing Dubai's global reputation for excellence." "Vincitore awards $544m contract to Luxridge for real-estate projects in Dubai" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. Dozens of Palestinian vehicles were set on fire in the village of Burqa, near the Tzur Harel outpost, on Monday night. Hilltop youth reportedly prevented security forces from carrying out operational activities on Monday night, including blocking the evacuation of an illegal outpost in the Binyamin area of the West Bank, Army Radio said on Tuesday. According to reports, IDF and Border Police soldiers prepared to evacuate the Tzur Harel outpost, located near the Givat Assaf junction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security sources told Army Radio that this outpost has been a source of clashes recently, and that they received reports that hilltop youth were planning to attack Palestinians in the area, leading to evacuation for security purposes. Army Radio noted that in such cases, the military does not require prior approval from the political echelon; rather, the Central Command chief has the authority to order the evacuation. The report said that the planned military operation was leaked hours in advance, allowing the hilltop youth to call for reinforcements, where they gathered to resist the evacuation. According to reports, dozens of Palestinian vehicles were set on fire in the village of Burqa, near the Tzur Harel outpost. Israeli security forces seen during an operation in the Tulkarem refugee camp, West Bank, July 6, 2025. (credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90) Over the course of Monday night, the IDF held a security assessment and decided that due to the preparation by hilltop youth and desire to limit violent confrontations, the evacuation would be postponed to another time. Evacuation postponed to limit confrontation, IDF reportedly says Security forces told Army Radio that the decision to postpone the evacuation was because "it would not be wise to do this through confrontation and force." The report also cited the IDF as saying that they would investigate the leak. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir with the IDF Northern and Home Front Commands, Depth Corps, Planning Directorate, Military Colleges, and Technological and Logistics Directorate were among the positions with new commanders appointed. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir completed a revamp of the IDF's General Staff on Tuesday night. All members of the General Staff, except Zamir, hold the rank of major-general, with new members being promoted to this rank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the most important change. Zamir appointed IDF Home Front Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Rafael David "Rafi" Milo as the new IDF Northern Command chief, replacing Maj.-Gen. Uri Gordin. Gordin had already completed a standard three years in his post, had requested to move on, and after vanquishing Hezbollah in September 2024 and much of Assad's Syrian weaponry in December 2024 has achieved a unique high status within the military. The switch will take a few months, and after that, Gordin is expected to spend time in military academic studies awaiting an appointment either to head IDF intelligence, currently run by Maj.-Gen. Shlomi Binder, or an appointment as IDF deputy chief of staff, currently held by Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai. Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir held a situational assessment with members of the General Staff Forum June 22, 2025 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Gordin, Yadai, Milo, and Defense Ministry Director-General Maj.-Gen. (res) Amir Baram may all compete to replace Zamir at the end of his term or to replace his replacement in two terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, 91st "Galilee" Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Shai Kalper, a top commander under Gordin on the northern front, was appointed as the next Home Front Command chief, and will be promoted to major-general. Maj.-Gen. Dan Goldfus, who previously headed the IDF's Northern Corps Reserve Command, will become the new head of the IDF's Depth Corps, responsible for coordinating the IDF's long range operations and operations deep in enemy territory. In turn, Judea and Samaria Division chief, Brig.-Gen Yaakov "Yaki" Dolf, will replace Goldfus and be promoted to major-general. Maj.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman, who previously served as the IDF's defense attache to Washington, as well as IDF spokesperson, will be the next head of the IDF's Planning Directorate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brig.-Gen. Dan Noyman will take over the IDF's Military Colleges and be promoted to major-general. IDF Ground Forces Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Rami Abudraham will take over the Technological and Logistics Directorate and be promoted to major-general. Zamir's previous appointments to IDF General Staff Previously, shortly after Zamir took office in March, he had appointed Yadai to replace Baram as IDF deputy chief of staff, Yaniv Asor to replace Yaron Finkleman as Southern Command chief, Yitzhak "Itzik" Cohen to replace Oded Basiuk as Operations Directorate chief (though due to the Israel-Iran War, this change was delayed for a few months), and Brig.-Gen. Efi Deffrin to replace RAdm. Daniel Hagari as IDF spokesperson. Given that there are under 20 members of the IDF General Staff, Zamir has now personally appointed a majority of the current members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The major long-standing and powerful members who still have not moved from their posts are Air Force Chief Maj.-Gen. Tomer Bar, Navy Chief VAdm. David Saar Salama, and Military Advocate-General Maj.-Gen. Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi. Binder and Central Command chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth have both only been in office for around one year. It remains unclear if the event was an attempted suicide or an accident. An IDF soldier was seriously injured earlier on Tuesday after apparently suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It remains unclear if the event was an attempted suicide or an accident. The soldier, who is a recruit in the IDF's Paratroopers Brigade on the brigade's training base in the south of Israel, was evacuated to Soroka Medical Center, Beersheba, for medical treatment, and his family was notified. Military Police have opened an investigation into the incident. This is a developing story. An attack on mere Hezbollah infantry training camps, which lack threatening weapons, shows how up against the wall Hezbollah is. The IDF on Tuesday attacked Hezbollah Radwan training camps around 100 km. deep into Lebanon in the Bekaa Valley, showing that it is now ready to attack the group anywhere in Lebanon, even if high-quality weapons are not in play. After the November 27, 2024, ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israel and the IDF primarily relegated any attacks to keeping Hezbollah forces out of southern Lebanon enforcing the letter of the law of the ceasefire deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, as weeks and months passed since the ceasefire, Israel started to occasionally target specific Hezbollah sites in Beirut or deeper into the country, where the Lebanese terror group was starting to try to restore or reposition its remaining high-quality missiles and rockets. Tuesdays attack was unusual because it did not involve southern Lebanon and did not involve any high-quality weapons. Rather, the IDF said it had attacked Hezbollah's Radwan special forces training camps and their storage centers for ammunition. The IDF noted that the threat was not theoretical Located over 100 km. away, these camps and their regular ammunition present no immediate or even medium-term threat to Israel, given that they would need to try to return to southern Lebanon, which Hezbollah has failed to do to date, before they could even try to conceive of invading Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite these facts, the IDF stated that the sole reason for the existence of these camps was to train for invading Israel at some point, and as such, it was in Israels interest to disrupt the training. Also, the IDF noted that the threat was not theoretical, as Radwan is the special forces whose primary goal for years had been to invade the Galilee and conquer portions of it, in a nightmare scenario that could have been worse than Hamass October 7 invasion. Next, the IDF recalled that in September 2024, it had managed to kill almost all of Radwans senior commanders, but that IDF intelligence had detected attempts by Radwan to remake itself in these Bekaa Valley camps. Likewise, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel will strike any attempt by Radwan or other Hezbollah forces to try to rebuild capabilities for invading the Jewish state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this takes place as Hezbollah is at a low point in its power militarily and politically in Lebanon versus the other ethnic groups in the country, which also have stakes in aspects of state power. Israels periodically hitting its capabilities and mid-level commanders from the air, its loss at least for now of Iranian financial support due to Tehrans need to recover from its own war with Israel, and the loss of the alliance with the Assad regime in Syria, have left Hezbollah hounded on several fronts simultaneously, and other Lebanese groups vying to reduce its control over the state. Donald Trump has said that he is disappointed but not done with Vladimir Putin, in an exclusive phone call with the BBC. The US president was pressed on whether he trusts the Russian leader, and replied: "I trust almost nobody." Trump was speaking hours after he announced plans to send weapons to Ukraine and warned of severe tariffs on Russia if there was no ceasefire deal in 50 days. In an interview from the Oval Office, the president also endorsed Nato, having once described it as obsolete, and affirmed his support for the organisation's common defence principle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president made the phone call, which lasted 20 minutes, to the BBC after conversations about a potential interview to mark one year on since the attempt on his life at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Asked about whether surviving the assassination attempt had changed him, Trump said he liked to think about it as little as possible. "I don't like to think about if it did change me," Trump said. Dwelling on it, he added, "could be life-changing". Having just met with Nato chief Mark Rutte at the White House, however, the president spent a significant portion of the interview expanding on his disappointment with the Russian leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said that he had thought a deal to end the war in Ukraine was on the cards with Russia four different times. When asked by the BBC if he was done with Putin, the president replied: "I'm disappointed in him, but I'm not done with him. But I'm disappointed in him." Pressed on how Trump would get Putin to "stop the bloodshed" the US president said: "We're working at it, Gary." "We'll have a great conversation. I'll say: 'That's good, I'll think we're close to getting it done,' and then he'll knock down a building in Kyiv." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has intensified its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, causing record civilian casualties. It launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour in 2022. Putin has insisted he also wants peace but has said what he calls the "root causes" of the war must be resolved first. He argues that the war is the result of external threats to Russia's security from Kyiv, Nato and the "collective West". The conversation moved on to Nato, which Trump has previously criticised as "obsolete". He said he did not think that was still the case as Nato "is now becoming the opposite of that" because the alliance was "paying their own bills". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said it was "amazing" that Nato leaders had agreed to ramp up defence spending to 5% of their economic output. "Nobody thought that was possible." He said he still believed in collective defence, because it meant smaller countries could defend themselves against larger ones. Trump said that the leaders of countries including Germany, France and Spain, had come to respect him and his decision making, partly because world leaders believed that there was a "lot of talent" in being elected to the presidency twice. When asked whether world leaders were at times "obvious in their flattery", Trump replied that he felt they were "just trying to be nice". President Trump was also asked about the UK's future in the world and said he thought it was a "great place - you know I own property there". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if he thought the UK had made the most of Brexit, he said "no", adding: "I think it's been on the sloppy side but I think it's getting straightened out." The president also said of Sir Keir Starmer: "I really like the prime minister a lot, even though he is a liberal", and praised the UK-US trade deal. He said he had a "special bond" with the UK and that was why he had made a deal with the country - "for the most part, in terms of your competitors and in terms of the European Union I haven't made a deal". He spoke about how he was looking forward to an unprecedented second state visit to the UK in September this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On what he wanted to achieve during the visit, Trump said: "Have a good time and respect King Charles, because he's a great gentleman." He said he would not want the UK parliament, which is not sitting during his September visit, to be recalled so he could give a speech there, saying instead that MPs should enjoy their time away: "I think let them go and have a good time." The president also said he had not been concerned by Charles's speech at the opening of Canada's parliament, in which the British monarch - who is Canada's head of state - stressed its sovereignty after Trump had suggested the US could annex the country. "They're wrapped up with Canada so what's he gonna do, you know, he has no choice," the president said, adding: "I thought he was very good, very respectful." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the US was "negotiating with Canada right now" and it was going to "work out very well". Turning to his domestic agenda, the president said he had done a "great job" on one of his key election pledges - tackling illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border, which have dropped to record lows in the first months of his second term. "I've done actually more than the promises that I've made," he said. His administration has now shifted its focus to the identification, detention and deportation of migrants across the US who are in the country illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pushed on what level of deportations would represent a success, Trump said he would not "put a number" on it, adding: "I want to get the criminals out quickly, and we're doing that." "We're bringing them to El Salvador, lots of other places," he said, referring to the controversial deal which saw the deportation of people the White House called gang members to a prison in the central American country. As for the action by some courts to halt aspects of his deportation policy, he said: "We've won all these cases in appeal. We've had some judges that are radical left lunatics, and every case has been overturned." The Trump administration has had some success on this front, including a recent Supreme Court ruling allowing it to deport migrants to third countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president also praised his landmark tax and spending bill - "the one big beautiful bill" - which extends 2017 tax cuts from Trump's first term, as well as creating new tax breaks on tips and including steep cuts to Medicaid, the state-provided healthcare scheme. "We have the largest tax cuts in history," he said. Asked what he thought would define his legacy as president, he said: "Saving America." "I think America is now a great country and it was a dead country one year ago." Jul. 14GRAND FORKS A Grand Forks man accused of attempted murder has been ordered to return to the North Dakota State Hospital to be treated in hopes that he can properly communicate with his attorney and his criminal case can proceed. Moses Garang Ayom, 45, is charged with five felonies and two misdemeanors. His charges include Class A felony attempted murder with a dangerous weapon, Class B felony theft between $10,000 and $50,000, Class C felony aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, Class C felony fleeing a police officer, Class C felony reckless endangerment showing extreme indifference, Class B misdemeanor reckless driving and Class B misdemeanor injuries to highways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attempted murder charge has a maximum 20-year prison sentence. The alleged crimes occurred in November. Ayom is accused of stabbing a man repeatedly with a pocket knife in a bathroom of Northlands Rescue Mission and fleeing in a stolen truck. Ayom was ordered the following month to undergo an evaluation to determine his fitness to proceed. During a review hearing Monday, July 14, Ayom's attorney Stormy Vickers said his client has not been taking his medication, which the state hospital says is necessary to restore Ayom's ability to work alongside his attorney to effectively defend himself if the case goes to trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vickers and the prosecution agreed it would be appropriate for Ayom to return to the state hospital. Rachel Egstad, representing the prosecution in lieu of Sarah Gereszek, requested forced treatment. Ayom said he is unable to sleep while taking his prescribed medication. "I also know that I'm not crazy," he said. "I'm not sick." Judge Kristi Venhuizen told Ayom no one was saying he's crazy. She agreed he should return to the state hospital, where he can communicate with staff regarding his medication concerns. She explained this was necessary because Vickers said it has been difficult to communicate with Ayom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ayom said he had no minutes on the jail phone and was unable to communicate, but Venhuizen clarified that Vickers was unable to understand him clearly. Venhuizen explained Vickers will be able to meet with him in person once the state hospital determines Ayom is fit to do so. Police were dispatched to Northlands Rescue Mission, located at 420 Division Ave., on the morning of Nov. 1, for a reported stabbing, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in the case. The man who was stabbed suffered two wounds, including a stab wound to the back that punctured his lung, according to the affidavit. Medical personnel said the injuries were life-threatening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses said Ayom and another man were arguing in a bathroom and, shortly after, Ayom used a folding pocket knife to stab the man multiple times from behind, the affidavit said. Ayom allegedly tried to continue stabbing the man after he was on the ground, attempting to get away. Ayom then fled the scene in a stolen Dodge Ram 3500 pickup, according to the affidavit. Law enforcement from four different agencies pursued him through two counties before they were able to apprehend him. Booked into the Grand Forks County Correctional Center, Ayom allegedly admitted to the stabbing, saying it was unprovoked but he did it because the man is white. He said he felt pressured by then-President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, due to a recent Biden statement in which he referred to "them" as "trash," the affidavit said. Ayom also allegedly said the U.S. is at war. Impossible situation: Fall River chief reflects on response to deadly fire at assisted-living home Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon joined Boston 25 Morning News on Tuesday and answered questions from anchor Nicole Gabe about Sunday nights fire at an assisted-living facility that claimed the lives of nine residents and left dozens of others hospitalized. What challenges did firefighters face? Bacon said the conditions first responders faced at Gabriel House were incredibly difficult. Firefighters had to use ladders to rescue many residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crews were faced with an incredibly difficult situation. A fire is a difficult situation, a rescue is a difficult situation, Bacon said. When you combine the two at the level this call asked for, it was almost an impossible situation. Is the Fall River Fire Department adequately staffed? A firefighters union said inadequate staffing hindered the response to the blaze and contributed to the death toll. Bacon acknowledged the concerns but questioned the timing of raising the discussion. This is an issue that Fall River is not alone in. I would say municipal fire chiefs across the Commonwealth and probably across the nation in communities like Fall River have been fighting this battle for years, Bacon said. Adequately staffed and staffed to standards are two different conversations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bacon added, These are conversations that are important. I question the timing of it without really affecting my relationship with the union, which is really good at this point. Are you aware of any past complaints or coding issues at Gabriel House? Gabriel House opened in 1999 and has 100 units, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence. Its website promotes studio apartments for those seniors who cannot afford the high-end of assisted living. Bacon said his department wasnt immediately aware of any issues over the last year. We have a guy coming in today to pull all the records from our end on this, Bacon said. Theres none that any of us could think of, certainly over the last year. But were going to look back three years to make sure there werent any violations. How deadly can smoke really be? Firefighters battling the blaze were met with heavy smoke. Some residents were left disoriented and couldnt navigate through the thickness of the smoke to get to emergency exits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire damage was contained to one wing in the building, but there is smoke damage throughout the facility, according to Bacon. Fire prevention is certainly important, but smoke safety has to go hand-in-hand with that. With todays combustibles being almost everything in our house, everything we wear, everything around us is petroleum-based, Bacon said. That creates a dark, thick, dense, deadly black smoke that spreads rapidly. It not only causes panic, it could kill you with just a couple of breaths. Bacon also reminded the public of the importance of having working smoke alarms. Im not suggesting the people, based on their mobility issues, could have escaped given the situation, but for anybody else, that lesson is when you hear those smoke detectors going off, theyre going off for a reason, Bacon said. The most important thing you can do is get yourself to safety. What is the Fall River Fire Department doing to check in on the mental health of firefighters? Mental health is everything. I think that in the past, firefighters, certainly in public safety, have had harmful ways of dealing with mental stress, Bacon said. Im committed to making sure we give them healthy avenues to relieve that stress, to make sure that theyre OK knowing that they can talk about these issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bacon continued, Ive been in mental health counseling for 15 years. A lot of it is because of the things Ive done and seen on this job, and Im happy to talk about that with anybody. My message to the firefighters before they left the scene was to go back to the station and talk about this. What comes next for the fire department and the city? Officials say that although the investigation remains ongoing, the cause does not appear to be suspicious. Were still waiting for results on this investigation. Its an extremely thorough investigation and extremely sensitive given the fact that nine people died, Bacon explained. We owe it to everybody to get this investigation done quickly, but we need to do it right. So, thats really where we are right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bacon added, Were going to look at what we need to change, what we did right. We did a lot of things right at that fire, a lot of things right. I think 39, 49 fatalities was there when we pulled up. Its a miracle and a testament to the fact that public safety in Fall River, between police, fire, and EMS, was able to save that many lives. RELATED DA identifies victims of fire at Fall River assisted-living home as community mourns tragedy 25 Investigates: Gabriel House owner paid $950k settlement to state over kickback allegations Fall River mayor responds to allegations of inadequate staffing during deadly fire response Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Survivors of deadly fire at Fall River assisted living facility recall terror Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Voters hoping to open up Pennsylvania's closed primary system to independents asked the state Supreme Court on Tuesday to declare the current system violates the state constitution's right to free and fair elections. Four independent voters asked the justices to take up the case directly, arguing that in many districts and in many races, including for the great majority of legislative seats, the primary elections among Republicans and Democrats are the only real contests, not the fall election. There are relatively few swing districts in most parts of Pennsylvania, one party or the other predominates. Exclusion from primary elections is the functional equivalent of losing the right to vote in those districts, they argued in a 51-page petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of State was named as respondent to the lawsuit along with the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Secretary of State Al Schmidt, who serves under Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. A department spokesperson said Tuesday that the lawsuit was being reviewed. It might be suggested that (the) petitioners have brought exclusion on themselves by choosing to not identify as members of a political party, the four voters argued in the lawsuit. They said that ignores how the state constitution's Free and Equal Elections Clause is designed to equalize voters' power regardless of their faction (or lack thereof) and regardless of their individual political-viewpoints. Jeremy Gruber, senior vice president with New York-based Open Primaries, a group that campaigns for more open primaries among the states, says Pennsylvania is among 14 states with closed primaries. New Mexico this year passed a law allowing voters with no party affiliation to vote in primary elections without changing their nonpartisan status. Lawsuits are pending in Wyoming, Oregon and Maryland, Gruber said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's unclear when the Supreme Court will rule on the request that it take up the case directly. Three of its seven justices, all Democrats, face up-or-down statewide retention votes this fall, with voters deciding whether they should get additional 10-year terms. When an open primary bill was passed in May by the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee, all Democrats were in favor and all Republicans opposed. It remains pending in the House. I've always said, the primary's not the election the primary's the nomination, House Republican Leader Jesse Topper of Bedford County said in the Capitol on Tuesday. Topper left the door slightly open on the topic, saying he is always willing to give it a fresh set of eyes. The sponsor of the House bill, state Rep. Jared Solomon, a Philadelphia Democrat, said unaffiliated voters pay into the system, prop up the election system and get zero in return, and no vote. It is not a partisan issue at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania's nearly 8.9 million registered voters include some 3.8 million Democrats, 3.6 million Republicans and about 1.4 million others. The four voters who sued are broadcaster and political commentator Michael Smerconish; grocery story owner Jeffery Doty; physical therapist Rachel Shanok; and David Thornburgh, son of former Republican Gov. Richard Thornburgh and head of Ballot PA Action, a group that advocates for open primaries. India has ordered its airlines to examine fuel switches on several Boeing models following last months deadly Air India crash. Indias Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Monday said it asked the airlines to investigate fuel switch locks on several Boeing models, including 787s and 737s. The precautionary moves by India and several other countries came despite the plane maker and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) telling airlines and regulators in recent days that the fuel switch locks on Boeing jets were safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The locks have come under scrutiny following the June 12 crash of an Air India jet, which killed some 260 people the worst such disaster on Indian soil. A preliminary report on the crash by Indian authorities did not offer any conclusions or apportion blame for the disaster, but indicated that one pilot asked the other why he cut off fuel, and the second pilot responded that he had not. The report noted a 2018 advisory from the FAA, which recommended, but did not mandate, operators of several Boeing models, including the 787, to inspect the locking feature of fuel cutoff switches to ensure they could not be moved accidentally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent days, the Air India Group started checking the locking mechanism on the fuel switches of its 787 and 737 fleets and has discovered no problems yet, a source familiar with the matter told the Reuters news agency on Monday. About half the groups 787s have been inspected and nearly all its 737s, the source added, speaking on condition of anonymity since the source was not authorised to speak to the media. Inspections were set to be completed in the next day or two. Precautionary checks The Air India crash preliminary report said the airline had not carried out the FAAs suggested inspections, as the FAAs 2018 advisory was not a mandate. But it also said maintenance records showed that the throttle control module, which includes the fuel switches, was replaced in 2019 and 2023 on the plane involved in the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an internal memo on Monday, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the preliminary report found no mechanical or maintenance faults and that all required maintenance had been carried out. Some airlines around the world have been checking relevant switches since the 2018 advisory, including Australias Qantas Airways and Japans ANA. Others said they had been making additional or new checks since the release of the preliminary report into the Air India crash. Singapore Airlines said on Tuesday that precautionary checks on the fuel switches of its 787 fleet, including planes used by its low-cost subsidiary Scoot, confirmed all were functioning properly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flag carrier Korean Air Lines also said on Tuesday it had proactively begun inspecting fuel control switches and would implement any additional requirements the Ministry of Transport may have. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was headed to London from Ahmedabad in western India when it crashed, killing all but one of the people on board as well as 19 people on the ground. NEW DELHI (AP) India's aviation regulator ordered on Monday airlines operating several Boeing models to examine fuel control switches, days after an investigation into last month's Air India plane crash found they were flipped off, starving both engines of fuel. Indias Directorate General of Civil Aviation stated the directive would apply to Boeing 787 Dreamliners and select Boeing 737 variants and that airlines must complete inspections and submit their findings to the regulator by July 21. A preliminary report into the Air India crash that killed 260 people in the northwestern city of Ahmedabad found that the switches shifted within one second of each other, cutting off fuel supply to both engines. The report, released last week, did not offer any conclusions as to why the plane crashed. It also did not say how the switches could have flipped from run position to the cutoff during the flight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The movement of the fuel control switches allows and cuts fuel flow to the planes engines. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed on June 12 shortly after takeoff. It killed all but one of the 242 people on board as well as 19 people on the ground. The report, issued by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, noted a 2018 advisory from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, recommending airlines operating Boeing models to inspect the locking feature of fuel cutoff switches. According to the report, cockpit voice recordings captured a moment of confusion between the pilots, with one asking the other why he cut off the fuel. The other pilot responded that he did not do so, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some aviation experts in India speculated the crash was caused due to human error based on the preliminary report. At least two commercial pilots associations have rejected such claims. The Indian Commercial Pilots Association in a statement on Sunday said it was deeply disturbed by speculative narratives ... particularly the reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson on Monday said the preliminary report into the crash of the London-bound plane found no mechanical or maintenance issues with the aircraft and its engines. In an internal memo to airline staff seen by The Associated Press, Wilson said the report stated that all mandatory maintenance tasks of the aircraft had been completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no issue with the quality of fuel and no abnormality with the take-off roll. The pilots had passed their mandatory pre-flight breathalyser and there were no observations pertaining to their medical status, he said in the note. After the crash, Indian authorities ordered deeper checks of Air Indias entire Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet to prevent future incidents. Air India has 33 Dreamliners in its fleet. A subsidiary of Greeces Vivartia Group has sold the dairy business Dodoni to another local peer Hellenic Dairies. The transaction was initiated by Nutrico Food Group, which is part of the parent companys Vivartia Investments vehicle, according to a brief statement from Vivartia Group. Vivartia Group did not reveal the financial terms of the deal with Hellenic Dairies but said the acquisition is subject to approval by the competition regulator in Greece. Local law firm KBVL, which advised Hellenic Dairies on the transaction for feta cheese maker Dodoni, provided more detail. KBVL said in a LinkedIn post: This is the largest M&A transaction in the Greek dairy sector in the recent years, with a total deal value of approximately 205m ($239.4m), and marks a transformational moment for the industry. Upon completion, Hellenic Dairies will become the largest dairy company in Greece, enhancing its domestic footprint and expanding its global reach. Just Food asked Trikala-headquartered Hellenic Dairies for comment on the acquisition but had not received a response at the time of writing. The company produces a range of dairy products such as cheese and feta, along with yogurt, butter and milk. Hellenic Dairies also supplies fruit juices and soft drinks. Dodoni, meanwhile, is known for its feta cheese, yogurts and halloumi. Set up in 1963 in Loannina, part of the Epirus region, the company also has a vegan Plantd range based on coconut oil. It sells into 50 countries, mostly in Europe but also further afield to the US and Australia, according to the Dodoni website. In the year to the end of December 2023, the latest financial data available on its website shows Hellenic Dairies booked an annual turnover of 600m, a 21.3% increase from the previous 12 months. EBITDA climbed 44.7% to 94.1m, while net profit after tax was up 3.4% at 27.3m. Vivartia Group claims to be the largest food company in Greece, posting revenue of 930m in 2023. It has Delta Foods under its wing, which supplies dairy products such as milk and yogurt, along with juices and iced tea. Hellenic Dough is also part of the group, producing both branded and private-label frozen bakery products for retail. It also caters to the foodservice channel. Private-equity firm CVC Capital Partners acquired Vivartia Group in 2020 for 175m. The investor also then took a majority interest in Dodoni the following year. Just Food has asked CVC Capital to clarify the status of those investments in the context of the Dodoni sale to Hellenic Dairies. "Vivartia sells Dodoni dairy business to Greeces Hellenic Dairies" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. Relatives of an Indian nurse on death row in war-torn Yemen are racing against time to commute her death sentence, in a case that has gripped Indias media. Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death for the murder of her former business partner, a Yemeni national, whose body was discovered in a water tank in 2017. Her execution was initially scheduled for Wednesday, but Indian government sources said on Tuesday she had been given a last minute reprieve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was given the death penalty by a court in capital Sanaa in 2020 and her family has been fighting for her release since, complicated by the lack of formal ties between New Delhi and the Houthis, who have controlled the city since the countrys civil war broke out in 2014. Indias media has devoted significant coverage to the case and human rights groups have called on the Houthis not to carry it out. Amnesty International on Monday urged the Houthis to establish a moratorium on all executions and commute (Priyas) and all existing death sentences as first steps. It added: The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Priyas mother Prema Kumari, a domestic laborer from Kerala, who sold her home to fund her daughters legal fees, has been in Yemen for more than one year to facilitate negotiations for her release. She last saw Priya on June 18, she told CNN. She looked tense, Kumar said through tears. In accordance with Yemens Islamic laws, Priya could be given clemency if the victims family pardon her and accept her familys donation of diyah, often dubbed blood money, according to Samuel Joseph, a social worker assisting her family in the case. I am optimistic, said Joseph, an Indian who has lived in Yemen since 1999. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im spiriting the efforts here, and by gods grace, we got people who are helping. The government of India is directly involved and theres nothing more I can say at this point of time, he told CNN. The Indian government sources said Tuesday the government has made concerted efforts in recent days to seek more time for the family of Ms. Nimishapriya to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party. Despite the sensitivities involved, Indian officials have been in regular touch with the local jail authorities and the prosecutors office, leading to securing this postponement. Priya allegedly injected her business partner with a fatal overdose of sedatives, Joseph said. Her family maintain she was acting in self-defense and that her business partner was abusive and kept her passport from her after the countrys civil war broke out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her trial was held in Arabic and she was not provided with a translator, Joseph said. A group of activists and lawyers founded the Save Nimisha Priya Action Council in 2020 to raise money for Priyas release and negotiate with the victims family. Negotiations have been a challenge, said Rafeek Ravuthar, an activist and member of the council. The reality is that there is no Indian embassy, there is no mission in this country. Rafeeq said about five million rupees (nearly $58,000) has been raised so far. In recent days, politicians from her home state of Kerala have requested Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and help secure Priyas release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Considering the fact this is a case deserving sympathy, I appeal to the Honble Prime Minister to take up the matter, Keralas chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote in a letter to Modi. In February, Kirti Vardhan Singh, Indias Minister of State for External Affairs told the upper house of parliament that the government accords the highest priority for the welfare of Indians abroad and provides all possible support to those who fall in distress including in the instant case. He added: Government of India is providing all possible assistance in the case. The matter regarding any consideration towards the release of Ms. Nimisha Priya is between the family of the deceased and Ms. Nimisha Priyas family. CNN has contacted Indias foreign ministry for comment. View of Sanaa skyline, Yemen - Jeremy Woodhouse/Digital Vision/Getty Images Move to Yemen Priya first arrived in Yemen in 2008, joining the ranks of more than two million people from Kerala who have sought better livelihoods across the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She found work as a nurse in a local hospital, nurturing hopes of establishing her own clinic and building a more secure future for her young daughter and husband, according to campaigners from the Save Nimisha Priya Council. Yemeni regulations, however, required foreign nationals to partner with a local to open a business. With the support of her husband, Priya borrowed from family and friends and in 2014 opened a clinic in Sanaa. We lived a normal happy married life, her husband Tomy Thomas told CNN. My wife was very loving, hardworking and faithful in all that she did. But her aspirations were soon overshadowed by the political conflict and turmoil that has beset Yemen for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same year, Houthi rebels seized the capital, ousting the internationally recognized Saudi-backed government. By 2015, the unrest had escalated into a devastating civil war, leaving the country fractured and unstable. For foreign nationals, the deteriorating security situation made Yemen an increasingly perilous place to live and work. Many chose to evacuate, but Priya decided to remain. Those supporting her family say that she stayed on, determined to salvage the life and business she had worked hard to build. India does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with the Houthis, nor does it have an operational embassy in Yemen. All consular and diplomatic affairs related to the country are instead handled through the Indian Embassy in Djibouti, across the Red Sea. CNN has contacted the Indian embassy in Djibouti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those working to save Priya, that meant navigating complex communication channels and facing additional hurdles in seeking help, legal aid, or protection while stranded in a nation still wracked by conflict and instability. Yemen was among the top five countries in 2024 with the highest number of executions, according to Amnesty International. Amnesty said it confirmed the Houthis carried out at least one execution in areas they control in 2024 but added that it was possible more took place. Priyas mother, Kumari, said she was grateful for everyones support, adding she is happy has been able to see Priya over the course of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Priyas husband and daughter remain in Kerala, hopeful for her release. My wife is very good, she is very loving, Thomas said. That is the sole reason I am with her, supporting her and will do so till the end. CNNs Deepak Rao, Anna Verghese, Aishwarya S Iyer and Kunal Sehgal contributed reporting For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (COLORADO SPRINGS) The flavors, sounds, and styles of India are set to take center stage as the Indian Food Festival returns for its third year on Saturday, Aug. 2 at Lewis-Palmer High School in Monument. Polka Dots and Curry, an Indian culinary school run by Monika Celly, is hosting the event. It will feature a lively mix of food, fashion, and cultural performances. She, along with some of the others helping to put the event on, such as Vicky Kumar and Bobby Singh from Pakwan Indian Restaurant, and event emcees Lata Reddy and Urvashi Bhatt, joined Loving Living Local for an interview to share what attendees can expect. They talked about the festivals exciting highlights, including a Curry Cook-Off showcasing regional dishes, a Saree-themed fashion walk that explores the rich history of Indias traditional garment, and a variety of Indian folk and classical dance performances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The festival also offers free mehndi (henna) tattoos and raffle prizes, making it a full cultural experience. General admission is free from 12 to 3 p.m., with early access available for ticket holders starting at 11 a.m. Due to last years sell-out crowd, pre-registration is encouraged. For more details and tickets, visit indianfoodfestival.co. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. A state senator emphasized that a new Indiana law changes how schools report chronic absenteeism data but does not alter local attendance policies or penalize families for excused absences. (Getty Images)) A new Indiana law to address chronic absenteeism in K-12 schools is now in effect, but Hoosier education officials and at least one state senator say online misinformation has mischaracterized what the policy actually does. Senate Enrolled Act 482, which took effect July 1, seeks to improve how schools report student absences to the Indiana Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law also requires IDOE to publish clearer statewide attendance definitions and guidance for monitoring student participation, as well as a new list of best practices for local districts to employ. But Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington, emphasized Tuesday that the new law does not change how local schools define or enforce their own attendance policies, nor does it expand the states authority to penalize families. Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington, on Organization Day 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) A series of highly-circulated social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and X claim the law strips away protections for vulnerable students. The posts suggest that schools can report students as habitually truant regardless of circumstance, and that families affected by homelessness, chronic illness or trauma could be referred to the local prosecutor or child protective services if a child misses at least 10 days of school excused or unexcused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zay said that description isnt accurate, however. There has been a great deal of inaccurate information spread about this bill online in recent weeks, Zay said in an email to his constituents. It is important to know local school districts are retaining their flexibility to decide what counts as an excused or unexcused absence for their students, he continued. SEA 482 merely improves the way school administrations report absentee data to the state so policymakers can get a better idea of why students miss school, which is very important since one in five Hoosier students are chronically absent and missing 10% of the school year. What the new law does The law directs schools to more consistently track and report data related to absenteeism so state officials can better understand and respond to the problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the law, chronic absenteeism is now clearly defined as missing at least 10% of instructional days in a school year for any reason, regardless of whether it is excused. Thats equal to about 18 absences per school year. But local discretion also hasnt changed. School districts still largely determine where absences fall within three official categories: Excused absences include illness with a note, funerals, religious observances, college visits, court appearances, and other reasons permitted by district policy. Schools set their own specific policies but must document these absences with appropriate verification, per IDOE guidelines. Unexcused absences include skipping school, family vacations not approved in advance, or failing to provide documentation for otherwise excusable reasons. These absences count toward truancy thresholds and may trigger attendance interventions. Exempt absences are those required or protected by state or federal law and do not count against a students attendance record. These include jury duty, election service, military obligations, foster care court proceedings, or serving as a legislative page. House Enrolled Act 1660, passed during the 2025 session, further excuses student absences for participation in educational events organized by Future Farmers of America or 4-H. If a student is expected to miss at least 20 instructional days in a school year due to a medical condition or injury, Indiana law additionally requires the school to provide instruction but only if a parent submits documentation from a licensed healthcare provider. Schools use that information to develop an educational plan for the student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a student has a documented disability, the team responsible for Individualized Education Programs IEPs determines how services should be provided during absences. IDOE recommends tracking all students attendance monthly, with intervention triggers at five total absences, excused or unexcused. Suggested supports include attendance contracts, staff mentoring, family outreach, and referrals for addressing barriers like transportation or health care. More interventions with parents encouraged The new law allows local prosecuting attorneys to hold intervention meetings with parents to help improve a students attendance before any legal action is taken, but theyre not required to do so. Zay clarified, though, that the law does not require a parent meeting for students with excused absences, and county prosecutors are not notified about a students absence if they are excused. Thats different from cases of habitual truancy, which was already defined in Indiana law as 10 or more days without an excuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State statute requires superintendents or attendance officers to report a student who is habitually absent from school to the local prosecuting attorney. Prosecuting attorneys must then notify parents if an affidavit of habitual truancy is filed with their office. Until July 1, 2026, K-8 students also cant be expelled solely because the student is chronically absent or habitually truant. After that date, however, students could be removed from school once again if they miss too many days of class. Hoosier education officials have flagged chronic absenteeism as a growing, statewide concern in recent years and especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Roughly one in five Indiana students roughly 219,00 kids were chronically absent during the 2023-24 school year, with higher rates among students of color, students with disabilities, and those from low-income families, according to the most recent IDOE data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New statistics for the 2024-25 academy year are expected to be released this fall, along with additional IDOE guidance for schools to prevent chronic absenteeism and promote attendance. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX As a first-time mom, I took a deep breath of relief at my daughters 1-year-old birthday party as she dug into a giant chocolate cupcake. A maternal health researcher and anxious new parent, I had lived the past year constantly checking for breath and movement while she slept, and her first birthday signaled an end to the anxiety of monitoring for sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. But more than 500 Hoosier mothers a year never get to experience that sigh of relief; their babies dont make it to their first birthday. Although preliminary data suggests a decrease in Hoosier infant mortality, current trends in public health funding endanger this recent progress. The Indiana Department of Health has released provisional infant mortality data, showing infant deaths in Indiana decreasing from 6.6 out of every 1,000 live births in 2023 to 6.3 infant deaths out of every 1,000 live births in 2024. Assuming a birth rate similar to 2023, we can guess that about 16 fewer Hoosier babies died in 2024 than in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Understandably, the dedicated public servants that comprise IDOH celebrated their hard work over the last decades, and especially since the inception of the pandemic, lauding the lowest infant mortality rate since the 1900s. Opinion: Indiana misses out on good ideas by caring more about politics than results We wont know how Indiana ranks nationally until the CDC releases all states 2024 data, but with a rate still well above the national average of 5.6 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, we can expect that Indiana has not solved the crisis that left us ranked 45th for infant deaths as recently as 2022. And while saving 16 babies should most certainly be promoted as a success of our state and local public health agencies, current public health funding in Indiana will not sustain these gains. When preventing infant deaths, many think of safe sleep practices, timely pediatric care and vaccinations. But, in reality, most infant deaths are due to prenatal influences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost 75% of infant deaths result from congenital conditions (like birth defects), conditions of preterm birth, low birth weight and maternal pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia. Some of these are unpreventable, like congenital conditions that disallow a baby from developing the organs needed to sustain life. Many others are preventable through early and consistent prenatal care, quick referral to specialists, and early medical intervention. IDOH and local health departments provide programs to new moms that offer these preventive measures. But the most recent state budget and a series of other legislative actions endanger these programs. Projected shortfalls attributed to economic uncertainty led to the decimation of historic public health funding supported by the Holcomb administration, leaving just $40 million for Indianas 92 counties, down from $100 million in previous budgets. Opinion: Nurses are drowning while Braun ignores Indiana's health care crisis Add that to the nearly $40 million in federal public health dollars lost from cancellation of COVID-era funding for myriad public health programs, and programs that support healthy pregnancies and healthy babies are in grave danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And when Hoosier babies do make it past infancy, public health funding clawbacks and policy changes in the last six months wont bolster efforts to Make Indiana Healthy Again. Cuts to programs such as Indiana Immunization Coalition in the midst of a (now-ended) measles outbreak and ongoing COVID threat, policies privileging business growth over environmental regulations that protect lung and heart health, and the elimination of critical reproductive health services across the state leave vulnerable Hoosiers in a state of precarity. To be sure, even one fewer Hoosier infant death should be celebrated. But when that celebration is not backed by sustainable policy, we will soon find ourselves seeking solutions that take years to rebuild. Now that my daughter is an energetic 6-year-old, my worries about SIDS and lethal respiratory viruses have been replaced by new concerns. But regardless of standard parental anxiety, I consider myself lucky to have to tackle these challenges as she grows. For years, Indiana has trended in the right direction for public health. Indiana should support the systems that allow all Hoosier infants to grow into healthy kids and adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jill Inderstrodt is a maternal and infant health researcher in the Center for Biomedical Informatics at the Regenstrief Institute. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana infant deaths fall but health funding faces new cuts | Opinion July 15 (UPI) -- An Australian federal court ruled Tuesday that Indigenous residents of the Torres Strait Islands are not owed environmental protections from the nation's government. Justice Michael Wigney said in his dismissal that "changes wrought by the escalating impacts of global warming and climate change in the Torres Strait have had, and continue to have, a devastating impact on the traditional way of life of Torres Strait Islanders." However, he concluded that the case brought by island community elders Pabai Pabai and Paul Kabai "failed because the law in Australia as it currently stands provides no real or effective avenue through which the applicants were able to pursue their claims." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wigney further explained that current common Australian law is not written in a way that the plaintiffs could seek relief in regard to what they considered a failure of the federal government. The elders, Pabai Pabai and Paul Kabai, launched legal action in 2021 against the government for allegedly failing to protect the Torres Strait Islands from the impact of climate change. The plaintiffs charged that governmental negligence interfered with the completion of Ailan Kastom, customary practices unique to Torres Strait Islanders that relate to a spiritual connection to the islands and surrounding waters. "I thought that the decision would be in our favor, and I'm in shock," said Kabai Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My heart is broken for my family and my community," said Pabai. There are around 4,000 residents of the Torres Strait Islands, with 90% who identify as Indigenous. Wigney concluded his ruling with a notation that any future, similar lawsuits will also fail "until the law in Australia changes." He then added that until it does, "the only recourse that those in the position of the applicants and other Torres Strait Islanders have is recourse via the ballot box." Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen released a joint statement with the Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy Tuesday in regard to the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release noted ways the current government has attempted to deal with climate change, and that it "remains committed to both acting to continue to cut emissions and adapting to climate impacts we cannot avoid." As for Tuesday dismissal of the case brought by Pabai and Kabai, it concluded that "As the Commonwealth is carefully considering the detailed judgment, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific findings while this occurs." Hundreds of shirts, pants, shoes and every clothing item in between will be donated to Utahs homeless, courtesy of South Jordans Indy Clover store in an initiative packed with heart. From Aug. 2 through Aug. 16, all unsold clothing items with permission from sellers will be donated to Road Home resource shelters. With Indy Clovers unique business model, which features individuals selling clothing in a personal booth, the store is expecting thousands of unique items to be donated. I heard about the Road Home growing up. I knew it was a family-oriented homeless shelter in Salt Lake City and I volunteered there a few times, said Chloe Johnson, brand experience coordinator for Indy Clover. When I started working at Indy Clover, I knew that we took our leftover items and donated them to the D.I. (Deseret Industries) at the end of the week. I thought it would be such a good opportunity if we could partner with a charity to help do good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson and Ashlee Exon, owner of the South Jordan location, began working with representatives from the Road Home to bring the vision to life. The donation partnership hits close to home for Exon. That has actually been a dream of mine, to help people with the transition period. Being a single mom myself, that transition of going from married to unmarried is difficult, Exon said. After their week-long booth selling period, sellers will have the option to donate their unsold clothing. The donations will be collected and delivered in one large shipment to the shelters. They will then be sorted out for families and individuals. With over 1,550 people visiting the shelters on any given day, the clothing is expected to have a huge impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This transition period can happen to anyone. Helping them get from Point A to Point B with dignity is so important because its a humbling time, Johnson expressed. Being able to provide help in a way through nice clothing can help them feel great about themselves, get their feet on the ground and still feel empowered. In addition to helping families and individuals, the donation will also help to encourage sustainability and align with Indy Clovers mission of reusing clothing and reducing waste. Those interested in becoming a seller or being a donor can find more information on Indy Clovers website. The South Jordan location, 10372 S. Redwood Road, will be running the promotion for two weeks in August. A man hiking in the Idaho wilderness says he was mistaken for fugitive child murder suspect Travis Decker, who has been on the run since May 30. Decker is accused of killing his three daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5 who were found at Rock Island Campground on June 2 after their mother reported them missing three days earlier, when they did not return home from a court-mandated custody visit with their father. U.S. Marshal Supervisory Deputy Michael Leigh said the USMS Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force on July 5 received a tip from a family in the Bear Creek area of Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho reporting the sighting of a man "consistent with the description of Travis Decker." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The person believed to be Travis Decker was described as a white male, 58"-5"10 wearing a black mesh cap, black gauged earrings, cream colored t-shirt, black shorts, long ponytail, black Garmin style watch, beard and mustache overgrown, wearing a black Jan Sport backpack and either converse or vans low top shoes," the USMS said in a July 7 press release. Manhunt For Suspected Washington Killer Dad Goes Cold In Idaho After False Alarm Sighting Travis Decker is accused of killing his three daughters before disappearing into the Washington wilderness. Days later, a Reddit user took to social media saying he was mistaken for Decker over the 4th of July weekend. The user said he and a friend went hiking on July 4, but his friend had to leave, so he went to hike the 889 Bear Creek trail alone the next morning at around 10 a.m. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Made it home safely on Sunday and my friend sent me a news article on Monday about the Decker sighting. We thought we stayed in the area with a killer," the user wrote. "On Tuesday the dots started connecting as news developed with better detail and I realized someone reported me as Decker." Manhunt For Alleged Killer Dad Reignited After Campers Report Possible Sighting Over Holiday Weekend The hiker, identified only as Nick, told local news outlet Idaho News 6 that he had been unaware that authorities were searching for Decker in the area where he had been camping and hiking until he returned home. "Everything seems normal until my friend who was up there with me sent a text saying, 'Bro, there's a manhunt for a killer that was in the campground with us, my God we spent the night next to the murderer that is frightening,'" he told the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trail Grows Cold In Manhunt For Survivalist Father As Authorities Reach Breaking Point: 'I'm Still Angry' Travis Decker was believed to be living out of his pickup truck. Nick soon realized he matched the description of the suspect and contacted authorities, who met him at his workplace the following Wednesday. "They friendly interrogated me for half an hour," Nick told Idaho News 6. Manhunt For Father Accused Of Killing 3 Daughters Takes Grim Turn In Wilderness Travis Decker is wanted for his alleged involvement in the murders of his three daughters in Washington. He added that those who reported him in the Sawtooth National Forest did what they were supposed to do in an ongoing search for a dangerous fugitive. "In my opinion, I don't realistically look like that guy. [But] they saw me from a distance," Nick told Idaho News 6. "But be careful because this has been a little tumultuous for me and people around me. It's been disruptive at work, but I would encourage people to do that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Guard Deployed In Manhunt For Survivalist Accused Of Killing His Three Young Daughters Multiple local and federal agencies are involved in the active search for Decker. He drives a 2017 white GMC Sierra with the Washington license plate D20165C, according to authorities. A Chelan County sheriff's deputy found the truck around 4 p.m. on June 2 at the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Washington. They found all three girls' bodies between 75 and 100 yards away, down an embankment, according to court documents. Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X Each one had a plastic bag over her head, and "their wrists were also zip-tied or showed signs of being zip-tied," according to the affidavit. Deputies found two bloody handprints on the pickup's tailgate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities warn that Decker should be considered armed and dangerous but insist they have no reason to believe he is a threat to public safety. He is charged with three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and kidnapping. Sign Up To Get The True Crime Newsletter The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $20,000 reward for any information leading to Deckers arrest. Fox News Digital's Julia Bonavita, Michael Dorgan and Michael Ruiz contributed to this report. Original article source: Innocent hiker mistaken for fugitive dad accused of killing his three daughters At the end of this decade, sub-Saharan Africa will reach a grim milestone. For the first time, non-communicable diseases will become the leading cause of death. Cancer, diabetes and heart disease will overtake malaria, Aids, tuberculosis and starvation as the biggest killers, claiming around 3.8 million lives every year and soaking up more than a quarter of all health spending. This shift in the burden of disease has already occurred elsewhere in the developing world, driven by rising incomes, booming populations, and an explosion in rates of smoking, drinking and the consumption of processed foods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, major foreign donors are slashing aid budgets. The recent cuts to USAID alone punched a $70 billion (52.1 bn) hole in Africas annual health funding a gap experts warn could cause 14 million additional deaths over the next five years. In response to these two crises, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a major push to introduce so-called sin taxes in developing countries with the aim of easing the burden of non-communicable disease and softening the blow from the downturn in global aid spending. The plan, called 3 by 35, aims to raise the price of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks in developing countries by at least 50 per cent by 2035. Similar levies have for decades helped cut lung cancer and heart disease rates while raising tax revenues across Britain, Europe, and the United States. Alcohol giants have tapped the booming market in Africa - Kevin Sutherland/ 2015 Bloomberg Finance LP The idea is that higher prices mean people buy less of what makes them sick. Under the WHO plan, when people do buy alcohol, cigarettes or junk food, the money is to flow directly to vital services related to HIV, nutrition, and maternal and child health that were once funded by foreign aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WHO estimates that a 50 per cent price hike on these products could prevent more than 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years across the developing world. Critically, it could also generate at least $1 trillion in public revenue for developing countries by 2035, offering what the health agency says is a sustainable solution to the current aid funding crisis. If rolled out across the globe, the tax increase could generate $3.7 trillion in new revenue within five years, or an average of $740 billion annually, according to a recent analysis by the Bloomberg Task Force on Fiscal Policy for Health. Foreign aid has historically covered around 30 per cent of health spending in the developing world. While declines were expected by 2050, the region was unprepared for a staggering drop from $80 billion in 2021 to now just $24 billion in 2025 a number that is expected to fall further as more countries cut aid spending in favour of defence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With global aid cuts increasing, more and more countries [are coming] to the WHO saying, how do we fund health now? And so this is a direct response to that, said Jaimie Guerra, a WHO spokesperson. Its a win, win, win policy, she told The Telegraph. Sudanese refugees clamour for US-supplied food, Adre transit camp, Chad. Trumps shuttering of USAID has left a $70 billion yearly budget hole in Africa. - Simon Townsley/Simon Townsley Developing countries can optionally sign up to the programme in exchange for technical support from the WHO, World Bank, and other partners. Several African, Asian, and Latin American countries are expected to announce their intentions to implement 3 by 35 at the United Nations General Assembly in September. Strong like a lion Advocates believe the plan could be most effective in Africa, where cigarettes and booze are marketed and priced like they were in Britain in the 1950s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alcohol companies like Diagaeo a major British alcohol retailer which owns brands including Johnnie Walker and Guinness have been squeezed by advertising crackdowns in Europe. But they have found new opportunities in cities like Lagos and Nairobi. Turn on the spirit of luxury this season, boasted one billboard advertising scotch to commuters on a busy motorway running through the Kenyan capital. Another billboard selling a German pilsner read Imara Kama Simba (Strong like a lion), echoing Guinness adverts that once hailed the drinks restorative properties. A Guinness advert from the 1930s. Adverts like these are still a common sight in Africa - Advertising Archives/Advertising Archives Tobacco giants, eager to offset falling sales in the West, have spent decades shifting aggressively into African markets, where smoking rates continue to rise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In many parts of Africa it is possible to buy a packet of 20 cigarettes for well under a dollar. By 2030, an estimated 107 million people across Africa will smoke a 40 per cent increase from 2010. Currently, nearly 800,000 people die each year on the continent as a direct result of smoking. Big Food, too, has benefited from Africas rapid population growth and looser regulations. Fizzy drinks companies in particular have exploited weaker restrictions on artificial chemicals that enhance flavour and addictiveness. In 2017, a Nigerian court ruled that Fanta and Sprite could be poisonous when consumed with vitamin C after tests revealed high levels of additives that would breach UK and EU standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All this excess is contributing to a spiralling problem with non-communicable disease in the developing world, and sub-Saharan Africa is being hit particularly hard. More than three quarters of all deaths to NCDs are in low- or middle-income countries, according to the WHO. A landmark 2015 study looking at the whole of Africa found that NCDs cost the continent an estimated $1.1 trillion in productivity losses, representing 37.12 per cent of the total cost of disease and injuries. It is hoped that sin taxes may help to turn the tide, and evidence of their effectiveness is growing. In Britain, taxes on alcohol, tobacco and sugary drinks added over 20 billion to the national balance sheet last year and advocates say the health outcomes have been significant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tobacco duties which currently add around 54p to the cost of a pack of 20 cigarettes have been credited with cutting smoking rates and related deaths in the UK. In 2009, smoking caused an estimated 84,000 deaths. By 2023, they had fallen to 72,000 and continue to decline. The Soft Drinks Industry Levy, introduced in Britain in 2018, also led to a sharp drop in sugar consumption and childhood obesity rates, particularly among young girls. Research shows sugar intake from soft drinks among children has halved since the levy was announced. In Mexico, a sugary drinks tax introduced in 2014 led to a drop in consumption of nearly 10 per cent within two years, especially among low-income households. Tax revenue was directed towards clean drinking water in schools and obesity prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Philippines, the 2012 Sin Tax Reform Law generated $2.4 billion in revenue used to fund universal healthcare in its first two years. Norway, South Africa, and Chile have all implemented similar taxes, with varying success in reducing sugar intake and improving health outcomes. Villagers drink homemade beer in a rural Rwandan bar - Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images Contributor Some critics argue that sin taxes are regressive, and make the poor poorer. The average Briton spends 1,286 per year on health levies roughly 11.4 per cent of disposable income for the UKs poorest households, according to the Institute of Economic Affairs. Critics also say that sin taxes fuel illicit manufacturing and the black market potentially introducing dangerous, home-brewed booze and cigarettes into the supply chain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in Africa and other developing nations, proponents of the plan say its one of the best and most sustainable ways to raise revenue quickly while protecting the continents health. At a time of growing pressure on health systems and budgets, taxing harmful products, such as tobacco, is a no-brainer, said Dr Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control at the WHO. The 3 by 35 Initiative is about immediate and long-term health benefits turning todays deadly consumption into tomorrows life-saving investment for health, he told The Telegraph. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Whether youve invested in cryptocurrency or youre simply interested in what happens to it, youve probably been following Bitcoin in the news. Chances are youve even seen predictions about a major crash on the horizon. Discover More: 13 Cheap Cryptocurrencies With the Highest Potential Upside for You Find Out: 3 Reasons Retired Boomers Shouldn't Give Their Kids a Living Inheritance (And 2 Reasons They Should) Despite these predictions, Bitcoin has thus far avoided a crash. In fact, it continues to go up. Why is this? Heres what Andrei Jikh, a finance YouTuber and investing educator, said could be the reason in a recent video. Bitcoins Performance as an Alternative Investment For many, alternative investments like cryptocurrency are riskier than traditional asset classes. However, Bitcoin has skyrocketed in value since its inception back in January 2009. In just the last year, its value has increased by roughly 76.7%, according to TradingView. Its all-time value has increased 1.01 million times over. Not only that but Bitcoin has performed surprisingly well compared to more traditional options, like gold or stocks. To illustrate this point, consider how Bitcoin has performed over time in comparison to gold and the stock market. Try This: 12 Best Safe Investments To Grow Your Money in 2025 At the start of January 2011, Bitcoin had a $0 value while gold was valued at $1,423 and the S&P 500 was at 1,272. By Jul. 2, 2025, Bitcoin was trading at $108,955, gold was trading at $3,349 and the S&P 500 was sitting at 6,227. All three assets have risen, but Bitcoin in particular has surged. So, why has Bitcoin done so well, even amidst economic turbulence? It Could Be Decoupling From the Stock Market Bitcoin has long been considered a correlated asset, meaning it moves in the same direction as something else. In this case, it tends to move with the stock market and tech stocks. But back in April 2025, the S&P 500 took a sharp nosedive a result of President Donald Trumps tariff policies and their impact on the world at large. Many stocks, including those in the tech industry, fell. Despite this, the value of bitcoin rose from $85,162 on Apr. 1 to $94,208 on Apr. 30. So, what does this all mean? According to Andrei Jikh, Bitcoin could be breaking free from the stock market for the first time in history. If it continues to move independently of stocks, Bitcoin could become a real uncorrelated asset. For investors, this means that including Bitcoin in their portfolio could help reduce volatility and boost diversification. Portfolio diversification has long been a key strategy in protecting ones investments. The last thing investors want is for all their assets to move together. If one thing falls, then so would everything else. Ideally, something will still be making money even if other things arent. LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) The Longview Police Department is looking for information regarding a shooting on Monday night that led to a teenager being transported to a local hospital. AFFIDAVIT: Man arrested after punching 10-year-old in face multiple times near Tyler church The Longview Police Department said officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Debra Drive in Longview around 10:03 p.m. in response to a shooting. Once officers arrived, they found a teenage victim at the scene. The Longview Fire Department took the teenager to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upshur County drug dealer gets 35 years after officers find nearly 50 grams of meth during traffic stop Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Longview Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 903-237-1199 or the Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP. Callers have the option to remain anonymous during the phone call. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) The city of Fall River is still searching for answers after nine people were killed in a fire at an assisted living facility over the weekend. Firefighters rushed to the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility on Oliver Street Sunday night after receiving several 911 calls from inside the building. They were immediately met with thick black smoke, roaring flames and trapped residents hanging out of windows. RELATED: 9 dead, 30+ hospitalized after fire at Fall River assisted living facility Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than half of the facilitys 70 residents couldnt escape the burning building on their own and needed assistance getting out, according to the fire chief. Most of the residents that firefighters rescued were brought to nearby hospitals to be treated for various injuries. Nine residents were pronounced dead, including the following: Rui Albernaz, 64 Ronald Codega, 61 Margaret Duddy, 69 Robert King, 78 Kim Mackin, 71 Richard Rochon, 78 Eleanor Willett, 86 A 70-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man also died, but their names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Fall River left reeling after deadly fire at assisted living facility The victims lived in rooms throughout the building, according to Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon, but were mainly in the east wing. Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan told 12 News some of the surviving residents are staying with family, while others were transferred to nearby facilities. Dozens of residents were brought to the Timao Center in the immediate aftermath of the fire, where they were given food, clothing, hot showers and medication. Coogan said the city is finalizing plans to move the residents who are still at the Timao Center to other facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exact cause of the fire is under investigation, but it does not appear to be suspicious at this time. Bacon expects the investigation into the fires origin to take quite some time due to the severity of the fire. It was a very time-consuming process the night of the fire to interview all the witnesses, Bacon said. Thats the very first stage of the investigation. SEE ALSO: Firefighters union decries staffing after deadly Fall River fire Bacon wouldnt comment Tuesday on whether the sprinkler system was effective since the investigation is still ongoing. He added that sprinklers are not designed to put fires out, but rather hold them at bay until firefighters arrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire chief plans to hold regular briefings at 1 p.m. weekdays to share any updates on the investigation and the displaced residents. How you can help The Firefighters Wives Association has set up a GoFundMe page for those affected by the fire. Catholic Charities is also collecting donations for impacted residents, including clothing, bedding, toiletries and other essentials. Donations can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The city has compiled a list of residents specific clothing and mobility needs for those who want to donate but are unsure what to bring. Watch Tuesdays full news conference below: Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran said it will hold talks with its main Asian partners, Russia and China, on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on Tuesday, as Tehran looks for support following a 12-day air war with Israel last month. We will have bilateral meetings with the Chinese foreign minister, which naturally has its own importance in the current situation, as well as with the Russian foreign minister, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Telegram. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a 10-nation Eurasian security and political grouping whose members include China, Russia, India, Pakistan and Iran. Tianjin in northern China is hosting the 25th SCO Foreign Ministers meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities which they said were part of a nuclear programme geared toward weaponisation. Tehran denies having any such plans. Since the re-imposition of American sanctions on Iran during U.S. President Donald Trumps first term, Tehran has deepened ties with both Moscow through a 20-year strategic pact and Beijing, which buys as much as 90% of Iranian oil exports. The SCO is gradually opening up its place in the global arena, meaning it is gradually going beyond the regional arena, and it has many different issues on its agenda, including in the economic, political and security fields," Araqchi wrote. (Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Andrew Heavens) BAGHDAD (AP) An oil field in Iraq 's Dohuk province was set ablaze Tuesday after being struck by a drone. It is the latest in a series of similar attacks launched recently against oil facilities in northern Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack came the same day Iraq signed an agreement with the oil field's operator, U.S.-based HKN Energy Ltd., for investment in a field at another location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HKN Energy confirmed in a statement that an explosion occurred Tuesday morning at one of its production facilities in the Sarang field in Dohuk province. All personnel have been safely accounted for, and no injuries have been reported, it said. However, the facility remains on fire, and emergency response teams are actively working to contain the situation. It said the cause of the explosion was under investigation and that operations were suspended. The recent attacks have heightened tensions between the central government in Baghdad and regional Kurdish authorities. The strikes have caused material damage but no casualties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kurdish region's Ministry of Natural Resources said in a statement that Tuesday's explosion was caused by a drone strike and that it came after an attack on the Khurmala oil field, in Irbil province, on Monday. The ministry said it "strongly condemns and denounces these acts of terrorism against the Kurdistan Regions vital economic infrastructure. The Kurdish regional government urged the federal government to take all urgent and necessary measures to prevent the repetition of such attacks, identify the parties responsible, and hold them accountable. The U.S. embassy in Baghdad also issued a statement condemning the recent attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Government of Iraq must exercise its authority to prevent armed actors from launching these attacks against sites within its own territory, including locations where Iraqi and international companies have invested in Iraqs future, it said. Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani met with the vice president of HKN Energy on Tuesday during the signing of a preliminary agreement for investment in the Hamrin oil field, in Salahuddin province. Earlier this month, the Kurdish regional government accused the Popular Mobilization Forces a coalition of Iran-allied militias that are officially under the control of the Iraqi military of carrying out drone attacks. The Iraqi army said the accusation was issued in the absence of evidence and said it could provide hostile parties with justifications to undermine Iraqs stability. Iran-backed armed groups have periodically attacked U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria. During last month's Israel-Iran war some of them threatened to target U.S. interests and bases in the region if Washington got involved. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The 2026 political season has started for the local races. Last week, while some potential candidates were trying to decide if they were in or out of the mayors race, former City Manager Isaiah Hugley filed paperwork declaring his intention to run for mayor. Hugleys attorney said repeatedly that the former city manager is likely to take legal action against the city councilors who fired him. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Former Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley files paperwork to run for mayor On May 27 when Columbus Council fired Hugley, he told the council they had not seen the last of him. He didnt say at the time what he meant, but now hes running for mayor and could be suing the city for wrongful termination at the same time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hugleys attorney Scott Grubman of Atlanta responded late Monday, saying that Hugley would file an EEOC complaint against the city as early as Tuesday. Heres how former Mayor Teresa Tomlinson, an attorney, sees that. As a matter of law, these employment lawsuits are as much injunctive or equitable, if you will, as they are monetary. They send messages as to the use of employment and firing as governmental power or retaliatory acts, Tomlinson said. Tomlinson points out that other officials have filed lawsuits against the city. This has been done before. Weve had both the current sheriff, the former sheriff, a clerk of court, and a clerk of municipal court sue the city and all run for election. And the voters take things into consideration and make their decisions, said Tomlinson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of those were elected officials suing based on some issue with their offices. One political consultant, who has been on the winning side of the last two mayoral elections with Skip Henderson, acknowledges it could be problematic for Hugley. RELATED: Second candidate files paperwork to run for Columbus mayor Its not going to help him in his campaign. Certainly, thats one of the things that I dont know whos running and against as they are running for mayor or not running against or running for mayor. But that is a huge negative that whoever is running will put that out, said John Stacey, political consultant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the citizen, Marvin Broadwater, Sr., who is closely following council at each meeting, has considered what it would mean if Hugley was suing the city and running at the same time. You know, I have mixed feelings about that. I really do, Broadwater said. Im not sure what hes going to do. I havent asked him. I think he does have a legitimate complaint when it comes to hostile work environment. I told the council that two years ago, they were creating whats called a hostile work environment. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: City Council votes 7-3 to terminate City Manager Isaiah Hugley seven months before his retirement Qualifying for the city elections will be in early March of next year. The election is set for May 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And it promises to be a highly charged political season. The elections that are coming up will be the closest elections that weve ever had in this city, Broadwater said. Part of the intrigue is Hugley will be running for mayor after more than four decades working for the city, the last 20 years as city manager. Right now, Hugley and four-time failed sheriff candidate Mark LaJoye are the only two, who have filed an intention to run with the Muscogee County Elections office. They mayors race is going to unique, Broadwater said. I think you are going to have a couple of more candidates get into the race. It is going to be a unique year from now until May 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stacey says a high-profile candidate could be reason for concern for Hugley. That could be an issue for him, Stacey said. High profile candidate. Could there be an issue? You always you always look for the opponents negatives. You know, if hes got negatives, shes got negatives. And thats one of the things you go after. In addition to the mayors race, four of the seven councilors who voted to fire Hugley will have their seats on the ballot. Thats going to prevent them from going out and talking about a candidate or calling for a candidate, Stacey said. You know, theyve got their own campaign to run. Theyve got their own sandbox to play in and not anybody else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Broadwater has another concern. Councilors Byron Hickey and John Anker were appointed to fill the unexpired terms of Pops Barnes and Judy Thomas. Ive asked both of them, are they running? Broadwater said. And I have not received an answer. I think that they owed it to the constituents. I think if anyone else is running for mayor, they owe it to the constituents. Our charter was established in 1972. No opponent official, a no appointed council member has ever run. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. This matters because if ISIS is on the rise in parts of Syria, then it will require coordination between Damascus and the SDF. The SDF controls a third of Syria. A terrorist attack in eastern Syria this week targeted members of the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish). The attack killed five of the security forces. Asayish provides internal security for eastern Syria and is linked to the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF has played a key role in defeating ISIS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not clear if the attack was carried out by ISIS, but it would be the likely culprit. This leads to concerns about a growing threat from extremist groups in eastern Syria at a sensitive time. Currently, the SDF is supposed to integrate with the Damascus governments new security forces, which have been rebuilt since the fall of the Assad regime. US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack has encouraged the SDF to integrate and move faster in terms of coming to an agreement with Damascus that builds on an SDF-Damascus agreement in March 2025. This matters because if ISIS is on the rise in parts of Syria, then it will require coordination between Damascus and the SDF. The SDF controls a third of Syria. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, attends an interview with Reuters in Shaddadi, Syria, June 13, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Orhan Qereman) The new Syrian government of Ahmed al-Sharaa reportedly wants to exert more control over Arab areas around Deir Ezzor, near the Euphrates River valley. The SDF has apparently been reticent about this move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISIS has cells in the Syrian desert in this area, and they could exploit any power vacuum. Recent fighting between the Syrian government and Druze in Sweida also means it is difficult to imagine how the Syrian government will easily move into eastern Syria. In an official statement, Asayish said: Terrorist groups carried out coordinated attacks on two of our positions in the city of Tabqa, resulting in the injury of two personnel. The security forces said it was a treacherous attack. The incident occurred near Shaddadi in eastern Syria. This area was liberated from ISIS in 2015. US will be looking closely at east Syria's security situation The US has forces in eastern Syria and will be looking closely at the security situation now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These actions, aimed at destabilizing the region and spreading chaos, will not deter us from fulfilling our duty to protect our communities and maintain public security, Asayish said. Many members of Asayish and SDF are Kurdish. Tabqa and Shaddadi are governed by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). This is the civilian arm of the SDF. Like the SDF, it will need to be integrated into the new Damascus government if things go as planned. So far, it is unclear whether things are going as planned. Terrorist attacks would derail any attempt at a smooth transition. The authorities in eastern Syria said the attack would not undermine stability. Investigations are underway to see who is responsible. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it believed ISIS was behind the attack. It has documented 126 ISIS operations in eastern Syria this year, it said, adding that a total of 51 people have been killed, including 34 SDF fighters. Indiana State Police said its troopers are investigating an accident Sunday that took a life at East Springhill Drive and McDaniel Road in Vigo County south of Terre Haute. About 10:30 a.m., a Chevrolet passenger vehicle driven by Rickie Killion, 70, of Sullivan was westbound on Springhill Drive. Killion failed to stop at the red traffic signal at the intersection and attempted to turn south on McDaniel Road, according to a news release from the ISP Putnamville post. Killions vehicle was then struck by a Ford pickup traveling north on McDaniel Road and driven by Kenneth Sullivan, 67, of Citrus Heights, California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The momentum of the collision caused Killions vehicle to make one complete rollover, coming to a stop on its wheels. Both vehicles came to a final stop at the intersection. Sullivan and two other individuals were transported to a local hospital in Terre Haute for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Killion also was transported to the hospital, but he died of his injuries. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be contributing factors. Israels intervention escalated with more airstrikes and officials' comments, raising questions about what might come next and if the limited intervention will help the Druze. Violence continued in southern Syria on Tuesday. Syrian government forces and local tribes clashed with Druze fighters in the city of Sweida. Israels intervention also appeared to escalate, with more airstrikes and comments from officials. This leads to the question of what might come next and whether Israels limited intervention will help the Druze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Druze region in Syria is complex, and the people there are divided. Some appear to back Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a Druze spiritual leader who has opposed the new government in Damascus. Others back other factions and may prefer more accommodation with Damascus. None of them want to see their area overrun by extremists and enemies. The Druze are in a precarious situation. Their community is armed, and many of the men have military training from having served in the army. They have a long tradition of seeking to have some autonomy in their region. They also likely understand that the new government in Syria wants to control their region and limit their independence. The question now is whether the government can come to an agreement that leads to peace, or whether this smoldering conflict will merely see the can kicked down the road until the next round. Members of Syrian security forces patrol after being deployed in the village of Al-Soura al-Kubra, following clashes between Sunni Islamist militants and Druze fighters, in Sweida province, Syria, May 2, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/KARAM AL-MASRI) There have already been at least three rounds of serious clashes with the new authorities in Damascus. Usually, these are fueled by local squabbles, and each side blames the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also extremist voices in Syria who are against the Druze and threaten them. At the same time, the Druze may also be involved in provoking some of these clashes. In a conflict, it is not always a simple story, and Syria is a complex mosaic of groups and interests. What is Israels interest in this? Israel has a large Druze community. Protests broke out in northern Israel on Tuesday. Clearly, Israeli Druze do not want to see their comrades harmed in Syria. Do they want more intervention than just airstrikes? Might they prefer a back-channel discussion with Damascus to ease tensions? In the past, other Druze leaders have tried to help the Syrian government of Ahmed al-Sharaa come to an agreement with leaders in Suwadya, the capital of the Druze area in southern Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walid Jumblatt from Lebanon is one example of a foreign Druze leader who might be able to help. Can Israel also assist? Perhaps. Will airstrikes stop the forces from Damascus? The Syrian government has been told by Israel since early this year that Israel wants southern Syria demilitarized. This means any tanks and armored personnel carriers may become targets in southern Syria. The Syrian government doesnt have many armored vehicles. It does have more and more trained forces, including several divisions of troops. It also has some armed gangs that back the government but have previous affiliations with extremist groups. These groups tend to be what could be described as jihadists, and they tend to be Sunni extremists. They dislike the Druze when they feel the Druze are not obeying the state or are just appearing to submit to Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a sensitive time in Syria. Many countries want to invest in Damascus, including Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Azerbaijan, and the US. European countries want a stable Syria after 14 years of civil war. Its unlikely anyone wants to see more clashes in Sweida. As long as some Druze factions feel they can use arms to get what they want, however, and they have Israels backing, its unlikely that the clashes will end. At the same time, the government in Damascus may become angrier at Israel if it feels Israel is stirring up sectarian tensions or providing a kind of air force for the Druze. That means Israels policy could backfire and lead to more resentment. On the other hand, the policy could also work and deter Damascus from unleashing extremists. Damascus is on notice not to do what it did in Latakia, when it sent gangs to attack Alawites. Will airstrikes weaken the right units of the government? The question for Damascus is whether the Israeli airstrikes will weaken the right units of the government. Will the airstrikes embolden the extremists, who arrive in civilian-style vehicles that Israel would likely be less keen on using airstrikes against? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Basically, its easier for an air force to strike tanks and APCs than random trucks with guys in them. Israel cant really conduct an air war in Syria against the Syrian government. Eventually, this would likely cause the Trump administration to try to cool things down. This is because the White House wants to see a stable Syria. US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack has sought to bring Syria in from the cold and help it integrate into the region. As such, clashes in Sweida are always a setback. The Druze leader Hijri has accused the government of breaking promises. The Syrian government wants a ceasefire. To all units operating inside the city of Suwayda, we announce a complete ceasefire after the agreement with the citys dignitaries and notables, with response only to sources of fire and dealing with any targeting by outlaw groups, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, the death toll has reportedly risen to 100. The Druze fear they may face attacks, ethnic cleansing, or worse. Some Druze want to see international intervention. Others seem to hope the government may help reduce tensions. Earlier, the Druze leadership had issued a statement calling on fighters in Sweida to cooperate with incoming regime forces and stop clashes to protect civilians and state institutions, Rudaw media, based in northern Iraqs autonomous Kurdistan Region, reported. The statement welcomed the deployment of forces from Syrias interior and defense ministries and urged a ceasefire until a civilian safety agreement is reached. Israel was more outspoken on Tuesday as well. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement, and the IDF said it had carried out airstrikes against what it termed the Syrian regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regime was the term once used for the Assad regime. Since last December, when the Assad regime fell, Israel has been more aggressive in Syria. The airstrikes against forces linked to the new government are an example. During Israels campaign between the wars in Syria, when it struck Iranian assets in Syria, the IDF rarely targeted Syrian regime forces. This is a major contrast. Najat Rochdi, the UNs deputy special envoy for Syria, expressed deep concern over reports of violence and abductions in the Druze region. She called on Damascus to protect civilians and restore calm, Rudaw reported. The death toll had reached almost 100 people, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported earlier in the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, news of a ceasefire in Suwadya was greeted positively in Lebanon by Jumblatt. He praised reaching a lasting solution within the framework of the state. Jumblatt called for incitement to end. He also said outlaw groups in Sweida must hand over weapons to the state. Israel wants to fuel the fighting in Syria, he added, according to Syrias official Syrian Arab News Agency. Three weeks after the Israel-Iran War ended, Khamenei expelled the IAEA, refused US nuclear talks, and appears undecided on reconstituting nuclear and missile programs. From June 13-24, Israel devastated Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missile program, its anti-aircraft defenses, top military and nuclear chiefs, and symbols of the IRGC and Basij militia's oppressive rule. But after all of that, to date, there has been zero progress to set future limits on Iran's nuclear or ballistic missile programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was hope that after setting back Tehran's nuclear program by a number of years and harming its ballistic missile program substantially, that the ayatollahs would finally sign a tougher nuclear deal that would really keep them away from nuclear weapons. Also, there was a stretch to hope that the Islamic Republic would even modify its ballistic missile program to stop adding missiles that could reach Israel, settling for medium-range missiles. Three weeks after the Israel-Iran War ended, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expelled the IAEA from his country, refused to talk with the US about his nuclear program, but also seems undecided as to whether he will push forward to reconstitute his nuclear and ballistic missile programs. IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER Abbas Araghchi speaks at a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Tehran on Saturday. Israels most pressing strategic challenge today is Iran, states the writer in his open letter. (credit: Iranian Foreign Ministry/West Asia News Agency/Reuters) On Tuesday, Iran was expected to hold meetings with Russia and China to better size up both how much these countries are willing to help Khamenei. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The laundry list is long. Iran wants to rebuild its nuclear program Iran wants their help to rebuild what it has lost in the nuclear and ballistic missile arenas, as well as help to rebuild its anti-aircraft defense systems and possibly provide new offensive weapons, like more advanced aircraft. But to date, the Islamic Republic has been thoroughly disappointed with its big brothers who stayed completely out of the war. And in recent days, reports leaked that Russian President Vladimir Putin told Khamenei that he should accept a new nuclear deal without enrichment. While Kremlin spokespeople deplored the report as "defamation," they also notably did not deny its substance, and, since the war, Putin himself has not backed Iran's position publicly of continuing to enrich uranium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jerusalem Post has also been told in the past by a wide variety of sources in multiple countries that neither Russia nor China wants Iran to get a nuclear weapon. Their rationale is that they only support Tehran on a transactional basis when convenient, but that they are fearful of what the messianic ayatollahs might do with nuclear weapons. So if Iran is still sorting out its game plan as it talks with its allies and sorts through the rubble of its once proud nuclear facilities to see how bad things are, what are all the other key parties' game plan while Iran stonewalls? In the worst case, with no IAEA inspectors in the country, it is easier for Khamenei to secretly move many different key aspects of Iran's nuclear program to new concealed locations in order to try to sneak out quietly to a nuclear weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At most, Iran seems ready to allow a limited return of IAEA inspectors, but not to any of the sensitive nuclear sites regarding which the world most wants to know the status of. In some ways, Israel is the party that is most in the driver's seat. The imminent threat of a nuclear Iran has been removed by kinetic military force. And Iran has zero air defense now, and probably for a period of several months if not longer. E-3 threats of snapback sanctions So in the near term, Israel could attack again if it sees Iran doing something it does not like note the recent Defense Ministry announcement that Israeli satellites took tens of millions of photos of Iran leading up to and during the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is the E-3 of England, France, and Germany, who really have the toughest decision. On October 18, the main limits on Iranian centrifuges for enriching uranium drop, and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal mechanism to automatically snap back global sanctions on Iran for nuclear violations will expire. The E-3 had been saying for several months that if Iran does not agree to a nuclear deal by the start of August, in two weeks, they would activate the snapback sanctions. Iran had counter-threatened to kick out the IAEA inspectors and possibly to pull out of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its nuclear limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But all of that was before Israel removed Iran's nuclear threat for a period of a couple of years, if not more. Does the E-3 need to snapback sanctions now if Iran is not a near or medium-term nuclear threat? Conversely, might the E-3 now be more emboldened to snap back sanctions when Iran pulls out of the NPT with no current functioning nuclear program, would not mean much, and when they have already kicked out the IAEA nuclear inspectors? The Trump administration has not said much about Iran nuclear negotiations other than they hope they happen, but has not imposed any deadlines on Tehran to act. Mostly, the Trump administration is still trying to glory in its role dropping bombs on three nuclear sites, including one under a mountain and a hard-to-hit site, Fordow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So there could be significant action in a couple of weeks regarding snapping back sanctions, and there could be a flurry of diplomatic activity to avert the Israel-Iran ceasefire breaking down. Or Israel and the West could decide that the snapback is less important in the new post-war reality, and instead sit back and relax, while using their own clandestine spying methods to watch whether Iran starts to rebuild its nuclear program, and wait to make threats until that issue is clearer. LandBridge Company LLC (NYSE:LB) is one of the 11 Hot New Stocks to Invest in Now. On June 27, analyst Roger Read of Wells Fargo maintained a Buy rating on LandBridge Company LLC (NYSE:LB) with a price target of $93. Roger Read recognized that LandBridge Company LLC (NYSE:LB) is known for its distinctive position in the market, with growth prospects that set it apart from peers. The analyst believes that the companys ability to generate significant free cash flow from surface and subsurface assets is underappreciated by the market. Moreover, its valuation is linked to an Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust, using multiples of adjusted funds from operations. Read believes that this highlights the companys ability to generate steady cash and investment appeal. Wells Fargo Maintained a Buy Rating on LandBridge Company (LB), Kept the PT Unchanged A drilling rig manned by engineers and oil field workers preparing to explore a new petroleum reservoir. Analyst Read also likes the companys substantial presence in the Permian Basin, which provides it a competitive edge in water disposal services. The sector is expected to grow alongside increased shale oil production. In addition, LandBridge Company LLCs (NYSE:LB) extensive land assets position it to benefit from datacenter infrastructure and renewable energy projects. LandBridge Company LLC (NYSE:LB) owns and actively manages approximately 273,000 surface acres primarily in the Delaware sub-basin of the Permian Basin. While we acknowledge the potential of LB as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Israel says it has bombed Syrian government forces around Suweida, as they entered the predominantly Druze city following two days of deadly sectarian clashes. At least 200 people have been killed since the fighting between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes erupted on Sunday, UK-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), reported. Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered strikes on forces and weapons in the Suweida area because the government "intended to use [them] against the Druze". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria has condemned Israel's involvement and said the strikes had resulted in the deaths of members of the armed forces and civilians. This is the first time that Syrian government forces have been deployed to Suweida since Islamist-led rebels overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December. Many minority communities - including the Druze, whose religion is an offshoot of Shia Islam with its own unique identity and beliefs - are suspicious of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government despite his pledges to protect them. Until now, the province of Suweida had remained largely under the control of Druze militias which resisted calls to join the security forces. Netanyahu has said he is committed to preventing harm to the Druze in Syria because of their deep ties to those living in Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria's foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that Israel holds full responsibility for the latest attacks on southern Syria and the consequences. The Trump administration has now asked Israel to cease its strikes on Syrian military forces, US news outlet Axios reported, citing a US official. Israel reportedly said it would stop the attacks on Tuesday evening. Earlier on Tuesday, Syria's defence minister announced a ceasefire in Suweida, saying an agreement had been reached with local dignitaries for security forces to deploy there. However, one Druze spiritual leader urged local fighters to resist. Following the deployment of Syrian forces, SOHR accused government forces and their allies of the summary executions of at least 19 Druze civilians, including 12 at a family guest house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SOHR further said members of the ministry of defence had carried out "systematic acts of vandalism targeting civilian homes and property" including "stealing the contents of homes, smashing doors and windows, and then setting fire to some of them". Men in military uniform were seen burning and looting homes and shops, Reuters news agency reported. Syrian authorities did not immediately responded to the allegations. A Suweida resident told BBC Arabic the situation in Suweida was "catastrophic", with indiscriminate shooting prompting people to "flee towards the countryside" despite a curfew declared by Syrian authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fighting between Bedouin tribes and Druze militias in Suweida was reportedly sparked by the robbery and abduction of a Druze merchant on the highway to Damascus last Friday. On Sunday, armed Druze fighters reportedly encircled and later seized the city's al-Maqwas neighbourhood, which is inhabited by Bedouin. The clashes soon spread into other parts of Suweida province, with tribesmen reportedly launching attacks on Druze towns and villages on the city's outskirts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the death toll reached 30, Syria's interior ministry announced that its forces and those of the defence ministry would intervene and impose order, saying the "dangerous escalation comes in light of the absence of relevant official institutions". There was a brief period of calm on Sunday night, after mediation between Bedouin and Druze leaders resulted in the release of people kidnapped by both sides, according to activist-run news outlet Suwayda 24. But on Monday, it said the fighting had resumed in the countryside west of the city after drones attacked villages at the same time as government forces deployed in nearby areas of eastern Deraa province. Later, Suwayda 24 reported that villages in the area were also hit by mortar fire and that dozens of dead and wounded had been brought to local hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it had struck several government tanks to prevent them advancing towards Suweida city. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strikes were a "clear warning to the Syrian regime". [BBC] Among those killed in the fighting are children, Druze, Bedouin and Syrian security forces personnel, according to the SOHR. The BBC has been unable to independently verify casualty figures. On Tuesday morning, the Druze spiritual leadership said they had agreed to allow government forces to enter Suweida province in order to end the bloodshed and called on all armed groups there to co-operate and hand over their weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But hours later, influential Druze Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri posted a video calling on Druze fighters to "resis[t] this brutal campaign by all available means", accusing government forces of bombarding Suweida city in violation of a ceasefire agreement. As security forces entered the city, Defence Minister Maj Gen Murhaf Abu Qasra announced a "complete ceasefire", saying an agreement had been reached with "notables and dignitaries". "Suweida neighbourhoods will be under the control of Internal Security Forces as soon as combing operations are completed in order to control the chaos, secure return of residents to their houses," he added. Early on Tuesday afternoon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said they had directed the Israeli military to immediately attack Syrian forces and weaponry sent to the Suweida area "that the regime intended to use against the Druze". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They accused the Syrian government of contravening "the demilitarisation policy they decided on" and of endangering Israel by deploying forces there. The Syrian Observatory shared a video that it said showed at least one member of the security forces who was killed in an Israeli strike on a convoy. There was no immediate response from the Syrian government. Earlier this year, Netanyahu warned that he would not "tolerate any threat" to Syria's Druze and demanded the complete demilitarisation of Suweida and two other southern provinces. He said Israel saw interim President Sharaa's Sunni Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as a threat. HTS is a former al-Qaeda affiliate that is still designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN and UK, but no longer the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military has already carried out hundreds of strikes across Syria to destroy the country's military assets since the fall of the Assad regime. And it has sent troops into the UN-monitored demilitarised buffer zone between the occupied Golan Heights and Syria, as well as several adjoining areas and the summit of Mount Hermon. Israeli forces have continued to pound the besieged Gaza Strip, killing at least 78 Palestinians, including several aid seekers, as ceasefire talks stall amid a deepening fuel and hunger crisis. An Israeli attack near an aid distribution point in Rafah in southern Gaza killed at least five people who were seeking aid on Monday, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. The killings raised the death toll of Palestinians killed near aid sites run by the controversial Israeli and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to 838, according to Wafa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Khan Younis, also in southern Gaza, an Israeli strike on a displacement camp killed nine people and wounded many others. In central Gazas Bureij refugee camp, four people were killed when an Israeli air strike hit a commercial centre, Wafa said. Israeli forces also resumed stepping up attacks in northern Gaza and Gaza City. Israeli media reported an ambush in Gaza City, with a tank hit by rocket fire and later, with small arms. A helicopter was seen evacuating casualties. The Israeli military later confirmed that three soldiers were killed in the incident. Al Jazeeras Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah, said Israeli forces responded with massive air strikes in the vicinity of [the] Tuffah and Shujayea neighbourhoods, levelling residential buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wafa news agency said at least 24 Palestinians were killed in Gaza City and dozens more were wounded. The attacks come as UN agencies continue to plead for more aid to be allowed into Gaza, where famine looms and a severe fuel shortage has brought the already battered healthcare sector to its knees. Gazas water crisis has also intensified since Israel blocked nearly all fuel shipments into the enclave on March 2. With no fuel, desalination plants, wastewater treatment facilities and pumping stations have largely shut down. Egypts foreign minister said on Monday that the flow of aid into Gaza has not increased despite an agreement last week between Israel and the European Union that should have had that result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing has changed [on the ground], Badr Abdelatty told reporters ahead of the EU-Middle East meeting in Brussels. A real catastrophe The EUs top diplomat said on Thursday that the bloc and Israel agreed to improve Gazas humanitarian situation, including increasing the number of aid trucks and opening crossing points and aid routes. When asked what steps Israel has taken, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar referred to an understanding with the EU but did not provide details on the implementation. Asked if there were improvements after the agreement, Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi told reporters that the situation in Gaza remains catastrophic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a real catastrophe happening in Gaza resulting from the continuation of the Israeli siege, he said. Meanwhile, stuttering ceasefire talks entered a second week on Monday, with mediators seeking to close the gap between Israel and Hamas. The indirect negotiations in Qatar appear to still remain deadlocked after both sides blamed the other for blocking a deal for the release of captives and a 60-day ceasefire. An official with knowledge of the talks said they were ongoing in Doha on Monday, the AFP news agency reported. Discussions are currently focused on the proposed maps for the deployment of Israeli forces within Gaza, the source reportedly said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mediators are actively exploring innovative mechanisms to bridge the remaining gaps and maintain momentum in the negotiations, the source added on condition of anonymity. Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who says he wants to see the Palestinian group destroyed, of being the main obstacle. Netanyahu is skilled at sabotaging one round of negotiations after another, and is unwilling to reach any agreement, the group wrote on Telegram. Netanyahu is under growing pressure to end the war, with military casualties rising and public frustration mounting. He also faces backlash over the feasibility and ethics of a plan to build a so-called humanitarian city from scratch on the ruins of southern Gazas Rafah to house 600,000 Palestinians if and when a ceasefire takes hold. Israels security establishment is reported to be unhappy with the plan, which the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said amounts to plans for a concentration camp. The longer al-Sharaa acts on big issues and Israel intervenes in questionable matters not clearly threatening Israeli interests, the faster Israel may lose the key cards it holds in Syria. These are wild times between Israel and Syria. And in these wild times it is unclear whether Israel's attacks on Syrian regime forces on Monday and Tuesday - even if it is to protect some Syrian-Druze who the Jewish state has good relations with and even if the Syrian forces are in part of Israel's self-declared buffer zone will stand unchallenged or lead to major strategic fallout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only a few months ago, every top Israeli political official in public statements and pretty much all top Israeli defense officials in private statements, including some exclusive statements to the Jerusalem Post, were warning that Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa is a "wolf in sheep's clothing." Their point was to caution that though he now wears suits and ties and speaks in measured tones about peace that the West loves to hear, that underneath it all, he remains the same dangerous al-Qaeda jihadist which he once openly was in the not-so-distant past. But then US President Donald Trump decided that al-Sharaa was a legitimate partner, repealed all American sanctions, and told Jerusalem to get with the program and make nice with him. SAUDI CROWN PRINCE Mohammed bin Salman is flanked by US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, in May. A realistic analysis suggests that full normalization with Israel could harm Sharaas legitimacy, says the writer. (credit: SAUDI PRESS AGENCY/REUTERS) Trump did this based on his own judgment of character, but also under pressure from the Saudis who want to strengthen al-Sharaa's rule so as to prevent any Alawite-Syrian or Iranian resurgence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also concerns about al-Sharaa's connections with Islamist Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and concerns about the massacre of as many as 1,500 ethnic minority Alawites (some of his security forces were also killed and are part of the tally), which he allowed to occur in Syria in the Latakia area in March. But Trump knew about these issues and gave al-Sharaa a clean slate anyway. Israel did eventually get on board, and Mossad Director David Barnea, the IDF, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and National Security Council Chief Tzahi Hanegbi have communicated with Syria, with both sides talking about a possible new armistice deal and maybe eventual normalization. Several top American officials have met with al-Sharaa and declared their support for him as a reformed man who will bring about peace with Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this could mean Israel needing to withdraw, even if it might be gradual over an extended period, from its buffer security zone it created in southern Syria in December 2024 upon the fall of the Assad regime. One of the big questions is how long Israel can convince Trump to allow it to stay in the Syrian buffer zone. The question is relevant both as a matter of addressing security concerns with whether al-Sharaa can restrain some of his jihadists from invading Israel as well as using the bargaining chip of withdrawing from those areas to get normalization with Syria or at least promises of a large demilitarized zone. If in December 2024 and the early months of this year, the IDF could take almost any action it wanted to in Syria against perceived security threats because al-Sharaa was still in the sanctions dog-house, all of that has either already changed or could change soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imminently or in the medium term, Trump may bar Israel from such actions, or worse, such continued actions could eventually lead Trump to demand Israel leave its Syrian buffer zone sooner, undermining its strategic leverage. Part of how all of this will turn out depends on how one views the latest incident. From the outside, it seems like a minor incident of some Bedouin-Syrians kidnapping one Druze-Syrian led to rival tribes falling into a much larger multi-village conflict. However, all of this was still a local Syrian affair, which would not seem to implicate Israeli security or justify Jerusalem ordering an intervention. Unclear if IDF supports current intervention in Syria In fact, it is unclear whether the IDF supports the current intervention or may view it as an error strategically, but is following orders from the cabinet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What brought Israeli interest was when the government forces announced they would intervene in order to end the tribal gang fighting which has already led to between 30-100 deaths. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said they were worried that the government forces, with more serious weaponry like tanks, would overpower and start slaughtering the Druze-Syrians. They also said that Syrian forces could not enter the buffer zone. But if al-Sharaa is becoming accepted, how often can Israel prevent the current Syrian regime from intervening to resolve internal chaotic conflicts between tribes? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eighth months into his rule, there has been no hint that al-Sharaa would threaten Israel, let alone any concrete move to do so. Of course, all of this could be just because he has been too weak to do so to date, and given a few years to build his power, he could be a true threat down the line. But al-Sharaa and Trump may tire sooner of giving Israel a free hand in Syria on issues that really matter if it continues to intervene on so many gray issues, which could easily be reframed as an "occupying" power denying a legitimate government from restoring order in its territory. If al-Sharaa or his government forces really do start to oppress the Druze-Syrians or try to creep closer to the border with Israel, then Jerusalem might get a more sympathetic hearing in Washington. But the longer al-Sharaa behaves on the big issues and the more Israel intervenes on issues which could be framed as questionable and not clearly threatening Israeli interests, the quicker the Jewish state may lose the cards it holds in Syria, which really matter. Hundreds of people have been killed in days of violence in southern Syria which began with clashes between members of the Druze minority group and Bedouin tribes and drew a military intervention from Syria. The Syrian government has declared a ceasefire in the area and sent in troops but has been struggling to restore order. Heres what to know. Who are the Druze? The Druze are an Arab religious group of roughly one million people who primarily live in Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Originating in Egypt in the 11th century, the group, which is internally divided into two branches, practices an offshoot of Islam which permits no converts either to or from the religion and no intermarriage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Syria, the Druze community is concentrated around three main provinces close to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in the south of the country. More than 20,000 Druze live in the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau that Israel seized from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967, before formally annexing it in 1981. Druze share the territory with around 25,000 Jewish settlers, spread across more than 30 settlements. Most of the Druze living in the Golan identify as Syrian and rejected an offer of Israeli citizenship when Israel seized the region. Those who refused were given Israeli residency cards but are not considered Israeli citizens. Unlike the Syrian Druze, the Druze living within Israels borders who lack a unifying figurehead are largely loyal to the state, with some serving in high-ranking positions in the Israeli military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In southern Syria, where the Druze form a majority in the Suwayda province, the community was at times caught between the forces of the former Assad regime and extremist groups during Syrias ten-year civil war. Why are Syrian forces clashing with them? After overthrowing longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa - a former jihadist - pledged inclusion and vowed to protect all of Syrias diverse communities. But the Druze remain cautious. They have expressed concerns over the exclusion of some of their leaders from al-Sharaas national dialogue processes and limited representation in the new government, which includes only one Druze minister. And Sunni extremist forces loyal to him have continued to violently confront religious minorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, hundreds of people were killed during a crackdown on the Alawite sect to which Assad belonged in the western city of Latakia, and in April, clashes between pro-government armed forces and Druze militias left at least 100 people dead. The latest clashes erupted over the weekend when Syrian government forces intervened following attacks between the Druze and local Bedouin tribes. There are credible reports of widespread violations and abuses in the province during the clashes, including summary executions and arbitrary killings, kidnappings, destruction of private property and looting of homes, according to UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk. That, in turn, triggered Israeli airstrikes, with Israel citing a commitment to protect the Druze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following discussions involving the US, Syrias government agreed to withdraw its troops and announced a new ceasefire with Druze militia Wednesday. Then on Friday, a separate ceasefire was agreed between Syria and Israel. The deal was announced by US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who said it was embraced by Turkey, Jordan and other neighboring countries. On Saturday, after violence continued in the area, Syrias presidency declared what it called an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire between armed groups in the entire Suwayda province and that it would be sending its forces back in. Both Bedouin and Druze groups issued statements indicating they were prepared to down weapons. Why did Israel intervene? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country - which attacked Syrian government forces and struck the defense ministry - was committed to preventing harm to the Druze in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are other factors at play, with Israel keen to protect its borders as it expands its military presence in Syria. Netanyahu has previously referred to the new Damascus government as an extremist Islamic regime and a threat to the state of Israel. The Israeli government had also unilaterally declared a demilitarization zone in Syria that prohibits the introduction of forces and weapons into southern Syria, according to the Israeli Prime Ministers office. The Syrian government has rejected Israels declaration of a demilitarized zone and has, along with the international community, repeatedly called on Israel to cease military actions that violate its sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Israel has both seized more territory in Syria and repeatedly launched strikes on the country, with the stated aim of preventing the reconstruction of military capabilities and rooting out militancy that could threaten its security. The Israeli attacks came despite its closest ally, the United States, pushing for Israel to normalize relations with Syria now that it is under the control of a new government. What happens now? It is unclear whether the ceasefire will last. Syrian security forces have been moving into the area, the countrys interior ministry said, with the primary goal of protecting civilians and restoring order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there continue to be reports of clashes and of residents too scared to leave their homes in Suwayda city, where Syrian forces so far to have been unable to deploy. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said that events in Suwayda had marked a dangerous turning point in Syrias security and political landscape. The violence underlines the challenges al-Sharaa faces trying to consolidate authority over the Syria, which is still recovering from more than a decade of civil war. He must find a way of overcoming deep mistrust among Syrias diverse ethic and religious groups as he ends the countrys long international isolation. Al-Sharaa also referred to the Israeli airstrikes in Suwayda and Damascus last week, which he said had reignited tensions, pushing the country into a critical phase that now threatens its stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Israels Netanyahu welcomed an earlier ceasefire while also warning that Israel will continue to act as necessary. Should Israel continue with its strikes, Al-Sharaas efforts will only be more complicated. This story has been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Israel launched military strikes in southern Syria in what it says is a move to protect the Druze community following the deployment of Syrian government forces in the majority-Druze city of Sweida. In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the action was taken to prevent the Syrian leadership from harming the Druze and to ensure the demilitarization of the area located near Israel's border. They described the presence of Syrian troops and weapons as a security threat. Israel's military said it targeted Syrian military vehicles and access roads to disrupt a convoy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intervention follows deadly clashes between Druze residents and Sunni Bedouins in Sweida. In response, Syrian government forces entered the area, saying their goal was to end the violence. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over 100 people have been killed in the fighting since Sunday. Damascus has since announced a ceasefire. The Druze are a religious minority found across the region. In Israel, many Druze serve voluntarily in the military, and the community is viewed by the Israeli state as a key ally. Netanyahu had previously called for a ban on Syrian troop deployments in areas south of Damascus, including Sweida. The latest strikes follow Israeli attacks on Syrian tanks in the region on Monday. Israel said it struck tanks in southern Syria after fighting broke out between rival groups and the new Damascus regime. Clashes between Bedouin tribespeople and Druze militias claimed dozens of lives, with reports saying that Syrian forces backed the Bedouins. Israels defense minister said it destroyed the tanks as a warning to Damascus that it would not allow harm to the Druze, many of whom live in Israel. Since the fall of the Assad regime, Syrias leaders have been keen to portray the country as modern and inclusive, and major powers have sought to support its transition from autocracy Gulf nations are helping pay for reconstruction, and London reestablished official ties this month but deep sectarian divisions remain. Israeli air strikes have killed at least 12 people, including five Hezbollah fighters, in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese state media reports, in what Israel said was a warning to the armed group against trying to re-establish itself. Eight other people were wounded on Tuesday in the Israeli air strikes that hit the Wadi Fara area in the northern Bekaa Valley, including a camp for displaced Syrians, Lebanons National News Agency said. The Israeli military said its air strikes targeted training camps used by elite Hezbollah fighters and warehouses the group used to store weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The air strikes were the deadliest on the area since a United States-brokered ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel last November a truce repeatedly violated by Israel, which has carried out near-daily strikes across parts of the country. Bachir Khodr, governor of the Bekaa region, said seven of the dead were Syrian nationals. Israel dealt Hezbollah significant blows in last years war, assassinating its leader Hassan Nasrallah along with other commanders and destroying much of its arsenal. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesdays strikes sent a clear message to Hezbollah, accusing it of planning to rebuild the capability to raid Israel through the elite Radwan force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel will respond with maximum force to any attempt at rebuilding, he said. He added that strikes were also a message to the Lebanese government, saying it was responsible for upholding the ceasefire agreement. There was no immediate public response from Hezbollah or from the Lebanese government to the latest Israeli strikes. Under the November ceasefire deal, Hezbollah was to pull its fighters back north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border, leaving the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeepers as the only armed parties in the region. Israel was required to fully withdraw its troops from the country, but has kept them in five places it deems strategic. The US has submitted a proposal to the Lebanese government aimed at securing Hezbollahs disarmament within four months in exchange for Israel halting air strikes and withdrawing troops from the positions they still hold in south Lebanon. The Israeli military on Tuesday said it attacked Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Fighter jets targeted military sites in the eastern Bekaa Valley, which the Iran-backed militia used for training purposes, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. "The military compounds that were struck were used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization for training and exercising terrorists to plan and carry out terrorist attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel," the IDF stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As part of the terrorists' exercises and training at these military sites, the terrorists carried out drills for gunfire combat and the use of various weapons," it added. The Israeli military said "the storage of weapons and the activities of the Hezbollah terrorist organization at these sites constitute a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon." Lebanese security sources said that Israeli warplanes flew more than 10 attacks in several eastern locations early on Tuesday. According to residents, loud explosions could be heard in the region. The area is known as a Hezbollah stronghold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel and Hezbollah agreed on a ceasefire in November 2024 after more than a year of mutual shelling. Nevertheless, the Israeli military continues to attack targets in Lebanon. Both sides accuse each other of violating the agreement. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Malnutrition rates among children in the Gaza Strip have doubled since Israel sharply restricted the entry of food in March, the U.N. said Tuesday. New Israeli strikes killed more than 90 Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, according to health officials. Hunger has been rising among Gazas more than 2 million Palestinians since Israel broke a ceasefire in March to resume the war and banned all food and other supplies from entering Gaza, saying it aimed to pressure Hamas to release hostages. It slightly eased the blockade in late May, allowing in a trickle of aid. UNRWA, the main U.N. agency caring for Palestinians in Gaza, said it had screened nearly 16,000 children under age 5 at its clinics in June and found 10.2% of them were acutely malnourished. By comparison, in March, 5.5% of the nearly 15,000 children it screened were malnourished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New airstrikes kill several families One strike in the northern Shati refugee camp killed a 68-year-old Hamas member of the Palestinian legislature, as well as a man and a woman and their six children who were sheltering in the same building, according to officials from the heavily damaged Shifa Hospital, where the casualties were taken. One of the deadliest strikes hit a house in Gaza Citys Tel al-Hawa district on Monday evening and killed 19 members of the family living inside, according to Shifa Hospital. The dead included eight women and six children. A strike on a tent housing displaced people in the same district killed a man and a woman and their two children. The Israeli military did not comment on the strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gazas Health Ministry said in a daily report Tuesday afternoon that the bodies of 93 people killed by Israeli strikes had been brought to hospitals in Gaza over the past 24 hours, along with 278 wounded. It did not specify the total number of women and children among the dead. The Hamas politician killed in a strike early Tuesday, Mohammed Faraj al-Ghoul, was a member of the bloc of representatives from the group that won seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council in the last national elections, held in 2006. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas. But daily, it hits homes and shelters where people are living without warning or explanation of the target. Malnutrition grows Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNICEF, which screens children separately from UNRWA, also reported a marked increase in malnutrition cases. It said this week its clinics had documented 5,870 cases of malnutrition among children in June, the fourth straight month of increases and more than double the around 2,000 cases it documented in February. Experts have warned of famine since Israel tightened its lengthy blockade in March. Israel has allowed an average of 69 trucks a day carrying supplies, including food, since it eased the blockade in May, according to the latest figures from COGAT, the Israeli military agency in charge of coordinating aid. That is far below the hundreds of trucks a day the U.N. says are needed to sustain Gazas population. On Tuesday, COGAT blamed the U.N. for failing to distribute aid, saying in a post on X that thousands of pallets of supplies were inside Gaza waiting to be picked up by U.N. trucks. The U.N. says it has struggled to pick up and distribute aid because of Israeli military restrictions on its movements and the breakdown in law and order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has also let in food for distribution by an American contractor, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. GHF says it has distributed food boxes with the equivalent of more than 70 million meals since late May at the four centers it runs in the Rafah area of southern Gaza and in central Gaza. More than 840 Palestinians have been killed and more than 5,600 others wounded in shootings as they walk for hours trying to reach the GHF centers, according to the Health Ministry. Witnesses say Israeli forces open fire with barrages of live ammunition to control crowds on the roads to the GHF centers, which are located in military-controlled zones. The military says it has fired warning shots at people it says have approached its forces in a suspicious manner. GHF says no shootings have taken place in or immediately around its distribution sites. No breakthrough in ceasefire efforts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest attacks came after U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held two days of talks last week that ended with no breakthrough in negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release. Israel has killed more than 58,400 Palestinians and wounded more than 139,000 others in its retaliation campaign since Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Just over half the dead are women and children, according to the ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its tally. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after its attack 21 month ago, in which militants stormed into southern Israel and killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 others, and the militants are still holding 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive. U.S. calls for probe into killing of Palestinian-American Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate development, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee called on Israel to investigate the killing of a 20-year-old Palestinian-American whose family said was beaten to death by Jewish settlers over the weekend in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. There must be accountability for this criminal and terrorist act, Huckabee wrote on X. Seifeddin Musalat, born in Florida, and a local friend were killed Friday. Musalat was beaten to death by Israeli settlers on his familys land, his cousin Diana Halum told reporters. The family had called on the U.S. State Department to investigate his death and hold the settlers accountable. The Israeli military said a confrontation erupted after Palestinians hurled stones at Israelis in the area earlier in the day, lightly wounding two people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huckabee, like many in the Trump administration, is a strong supporter of Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal by most of the international community and seen by the Palestinians as a major obstacle to peace. Israel strikes Lebanon's Bekaa Valley Also on Tuesday, Israel launched a series of strikes in Lebanons eastern Bekaa Valley, targeting what the military said were compounds of the Hezbollah militant group. Lebanons state-run National News Agency said that one of the strikes hit a Syrian refugee camp, killing seven Syrians. Altogether, the strikes killed 12 people and wounded eight, it said. Hezbollah said one of the strikes hit a rig used to drill water wells. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has continued to carry out near-daily strikes in Lebanon since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement nominally brought an end to the latest Israel-Hezbollah war in November. Some 4,000 people were killed in Lebanon during the war and more than 250 since the ceasefire. ___ Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Key Points Investors may need to wait a few years before nuclear start-up stocks begin earning profits. NuScale Energy expects to have its first nuclear power module operating by 2030. Stock analysts think 2030 will also be the first year NuScale earns a profit. 10 stocks we like better than NuScale Power President Donald Trump wants to quadruple nuclear power output in the U.S. by 2050, from 100 gigawatts to 400 GW -- and NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) wants to help. Taking as its ticker the abbreviation for small modular (nuclear) reactors -- or SMRs -- NuScale has built a business now possessing not the only one, but the only two small modular reactor designs certified for use by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It hasn't actually built any SMRs yet, of course. Indeed, NuScale's business model doesn't actually envision ever building reactors. Rather, the company plans rather to license its designs and technology to other companies that will build and operate them. And the company plans to get started with all this in about five years. So let's see where the business could be by then. Image source: Getty Images. NuScale has a plan NuScale originally intended to have its first "module" operational at the Idaho National Laboratory by 2029. Its original timeline has since shifted to 2030, but at least the company says it is "on track" to hit this new objective. In a May 2025 investor presentation, NuScale described its modular system as a 15' by 76' reactor design encapsulating a reactor core fueled by conventional low-enriched uranium (LEU), a pressure vessel containing light water, steam generators, a pressurizer, and containment system. Each module will generate 77 megawatts of electrical output, and modules can be grouped in sets of up to 12 reactors to create a linked system generating just under 1 gigawatt of power. Manufacturers such as NuScale's Korea partner Doosan Enerbility can build its reactors at one site, then ship them to power plants where they will operate, similar to how manufactured housing units are built in a factory and then shipped to their destination rather than being built on-site. The company begins booking revenue from partners wishing to operate its reactors approximately five years before COD (commercial operation date), and begins module production three years before COD. In line with this plan, NuScale says Doosan is already in the process of building 12 modules for future customers. NuScale by the numbers So NuScale has a plan to begin commercial operations. And yet NuScale is curiously quiet in its investor presentation on what kinds of numbers it expects to produce once it reaches COD, discussing neither profit nor revenue projections. BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 15 (UPI) -- Twelve people, including five Hezbollah fighters, were killed and eight others wounded Tuesday in Israeli strikes on the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, security sources and the official news agency reported. Israeli warplanes carried out a series of strikes on areas near the city of Baalbeck in the northern Bekaa, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky. The official Lebanese news agency reported that the strikes targeted Wadi Faara, where a camp for Syrian refugees was hit. The agency said 12 people, including seven Syrians, were killed and eight others injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the killed were five Hezbollah fighters, according to security reports. Tuesday's attack was the deadliest since the Nov. 27 truce accord ended 14 months of a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has kept on striking southern Lebanon and other Lebanese areas, including Beirut's southern suburbs, since the cease-fire went into effect Feb. 18, killing more than 200 Hezbollah mid-level commanders and followers, as well as civilians. Hezbollah denounced in a statement the "horrific massacre committed today by the Zionist enemy" in Wadi Faara, saying the air strike targeted "a water well drilling rig and claimed the lives of Lebanese and Syrian civilians." The Israeli English-language Ynet website confirmed the "unusually extensive wave of airstrikes" deep inside Lebanon and quoted an Israeli Army spokesman as saying that they targeted Hezbollah's elite Radwan Forces in the Bekaa Valley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesman said the strikes focused on weapons depots and military camps used by Hezbollah for "conducting training and preparation of terrorists," with the aim of blocking the group's attempts to rebuild. The Israeli Army said in a statement that the storage of weapons and Hezbollah's activities at these sites "constitute a blatant violation of the understandings" between Israel and Lebanon and "a future threat" to Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that strikes were "a clear message to Hezbollah, which is plotting to rebuild Radwan Force's raiding capabilities against Israel." Katz said it also was a message to the Lebanese government that Israel will "thwart any threat" and "will respond with maximum force" against any Hezbollah attempt to rebuild its capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In line with the cease-fire agreement brokered by the United States and France, the Lebanese Army has taken control of most of Hezbollah's positions and military facilities, pushing the militant group away from the border with Israel and preventing it from having a military presence south of the Litani River. Israel insists on fully disarming Hezbollah, which has refrained from retaliating to Israel's continued aggressions and violations of the cease-fire accord. In a separate development, Lebanon's central bank has issued a directive prohibiting banks, financial institutions and investment entities from dealing directly or indirectly with a number of unlicensed and internationally sanctioned organizations, including Hezbollah's financial institution, Al Qard al-Hassan. Al Qard al-Hassan was founded in 1983 as a charitable organization, with the stated aim of providing interest-free loans and social financial services to the Shiite community in Lebanon, particularly in underserved areas. It is, however, not licensed by the central bank and functions outside the formal banking system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The association, which has grown significantly over the years, has been sanctioned by the United States and other international bodies for allegedly supporting Hezbollah's activities, including money laundering and terrorism financing. Hezbollah has denied the charges. Despite international pressure, Al Qard al-Hassan continues to operate openly in Lebanon. In November, several of its branches were targeted by Israeli strikes as part of the war against Hezbollah. The Central Bank's directive, issued Monday, comes as part of Lebanon's efforts to tighten financial controls and address international concerns over illicit financial activity. It was also an indication of Hezbollah's reduced influence over state institutions since its devastating war with Israel. According to the directive, the ban covers financial services, money transfers, leasing, lending and any activity that facilitates access to the Lebanese banking system in any currency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It warned that "dealing with unlicensed and sanctioned entities exposes the licensed sector to significant legal and reputational risks." The decision was seen as a direct response to Lebanon's inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force gray list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring. The central Bank warned that entities violating the new directive will face harsh penalties, including suspension or withdrawal of their operating license, freezing of their accounts and assets, and referral to the Special Investigation Commission. U.S. Special Envoy to Lebanon Thomas Barrack said the Central Bank's decision was "a step in the right direction" by the Lebanese government in harnessing the flow of Hezbolah finances that had been directed through al-Qrad al-Hassan. "Transparency and alignment of all financial intermediaries in Lebanon under the supervision of the Central Bank is a valued and necessary accomplishment," Barrack said in a post on X. By Steven Scheer and Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) -A religious party has quit Israel's ruling coalition in a dispute over military service, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a razor-thin majority in parliament but still enough political support to secure a potential Gaza ceasefire. Six members of United Torah Judaism (UTJ) handed in resignation letters overnight from posts in parliamentary committees and government ministries, in protest against lawmakers' failure to guarantee future exemption from military conscription for ultra-Orthodox religious students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shas, a second ultra-Orthodox party closely allied with UTJ, may follow and leave the government with no parliament majority. The UTJ lawmakers said their walkout would come into effect after 48 hours, giving Netanyahu two days to try and resolve the crisis which has dogged his coalition for months. Even if that fails, parliament goes on summer break at the end of July, which would give the prime minister a further three months to seek a solution before any loss of his majority could threaten his position. Netanyahu is also facing pressure from far-right parties in his coalition over ceasefire talks underway in Qatar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indirect negotiations between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas aim to halt fighting in Gaza for 60 days to allow half of remaining hostages held by Hamas to be released and aid to flow into the battered enclave. It would also open a further phase of talks on ending the war entirely. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich want Israel to press on with the war, but Netanyahu would still be likely to have enough cabinet votes to secure a ceasefire without them. "As soon as the right deal is on the table, the prime minister will be able to pass it through," a close aide to Netanyahu, Topaz Luk, told Army Radio on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MILITARY EXEMPTIONS Israelis have become increasingly weary of the 21-month war in Gaza, which began with a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023 that led to Israel's single deadliest day with 1,200 killed and 251 taken hostage by the Palestinian militants. Israel's subsequent offensive against Hamas has since killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, displaced almost the entire population of Gaza, led to a humanitarian crisis and left much of the enclave in ruins. It has also exacted Israel's highest military death toll in decades, with around 450 soldiers killed so far in Gaza combat. This has added fuel to an already explosive debate over a new conscription bill at the center of Netanyahu's political crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultra-Orthodox seminary students have long been exempt from mandatory military service. Many Israelis are angered by what they see as an unfair burden carried by the mainstream who serve. Ultra-Orthodox Jewish leaders say full-time devotion to holy scriptures study is sacrosanct and fear their young men will steer away from religious life if they are drafted into the military. Last year the Supreme Court ordered an end to the exemption. Parliament has been trying to work out a new conscription bill, which has so far failed to meet UTJ demands. (Reporting by Steven Scheer and Maayan LubellEditing by Stephen Coates, Crispian Balmer, Peter Graff) Israels ultra-Orthodox party, United Torah Judaism (UTJ), has announced it is quitting the countrys fractious right-wing coalition due to a long-running dispute over mandatory military service, threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus hold on power. Six of the remaining seven members of UTJ, which is comprised of the Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael factions, wrote letters of resignation, Israeli media reported late on Monday. UTJ chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf had resigned a month ago. A spokesperson for Goldknopf confirmed that, in all, seven UTJ Knesset members are leaving the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Degel HaTorah was quoted by news reports as saying the decision was made in accordance with the directive of the groups spiritual leader, Rabbi Dov Lando. Degel Hatorah said in a statement that after conferring with its head rabbis, and following repeated violations by the government of its commitments to ensure the status of holy yeshiva students who diligently engage in their studies [its MKs] have announced their resignation from the coalition and the government. The decision would leave Netanyahu with a razor-thin majority of 61 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, or parliament. It was not clear whether Shas, another ultra-Orthodox party, would follow suit. Ultra-Orthodox lawmakers have long threatened to leave the coalition over the conscription bill. They argue that a bill to exempt yeshiva or seminary students from conscription was a key promise in their agreement to join Netanyahus coalition in late 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, on the eve of Israels war with Iran, the coalition barely survived after governing lawmakers reached a deal with ultra-Orthodox parties regarding exemptions to the mandatory military service. The ultra-Orthodox have long been exempt from military service, which applies to most other young Israelis. But last year, the Supreme Court ordered the Ministry of Defense to end that practice and start conscripting seminary students. Netanyahu had been pushing hard to resolve the deadlock over the new military conscription bill, which has led to the present crisis. He is under pressure from his own Likud party to draft more ultra-Orthodox men and impose penalties on dodgers, a red line for the Shas party, which demands a law guaranteeing its members permanent exemption from military service. Netanyahus coalition, formed in December 2022, is one of the most far-right governments in the countrys history. "This was an intimate gathering aimed at discussing regional developments and exploring how the EU could help promote cooperation, Regev explained. The Ambassador to the European Union, Haim Regev, said that he could not recall the last time an Israeli foreign minister was in the same room as those of Lebanon and Syria. The foreign ministers of Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, and Morocco sat in the same room. This is something that has happened before. However, this time, the Syrian and Lebanese ministers also joined in. The very fact that they were sitting there sends a message, Regev told The Jerusalem Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was referring to a recent meeting on Monday between the EUs foreign ministers and their Mediterranean counterparts, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Im not talking about the kind of forum you see at the UN, where nearly 200 countries sit together. This was an intimate gathering aimed at discussing regional developments and exploring how the EU could help promote cooperation, Regev said. When asked whether this meeting signaled a breakthrough in relations between Israel and these two countries, he replied: We shouldnt exaggerate, but it is certainly another sign of the shifting dynamics in the region, particularly in relation to Syria and Lebanon. Saars visit to the EU comes at a time when several countries in the European Union are promoting initiatives against Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are countries like Spain and Ireland that are obsessively anti-Israel and have called for a review of EU-Israel cooperation, including the Association Agreement that serves as the foundation of that collaboration, Regev told the Post. On the other hand, there are countries like Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Italy that stand by Israel and work to prevent any further deterioration in relations. For better or worse, the EU is made up of 27 countries, and decisions require consensus. Calls for reassessing EU-Israel relations emerged in response to Israeli military actions in Gaza, prompting the Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, to launch an inquiry titled: Is Israel Violating International Law in Gaza? Ensuring Israel's interests are protected In recent weeks, Saar, Regev, and other Foreign Ministry diplomats have been engaged in numerous meetings and discussions to ensure that Israels interests are safeguarded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Saar and Kallas announced a new agreement under which the EU will play a more active role in addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza. There will be additional EU aid trucks entering Gaza, increased access to food distribution through bakeries and public kitchens, and other efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave all of which have been approved by Israels cabinet, Regev said. When you take such steps and demonstrate a willingness to improve the situation, it empowers Kallas to return to her colleagues and say, Theres constructive dialogue, and were seeing progress, Regev said. This helps to ease tensions. Some countries are already saying, If theres movement, theres no need for punitive measures against Israel. By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) -An Israeli scheme to move hundreds of thousands of already uprooted Palestinians to a so-called "humanitarian city" in Gaza has led politicians to spar with the defence establishment, but officials say a practical plan has yet to be crafted. Even without a clear blueprint, opposition critics have denounced the proposal, with some likening the suggested site to a "concentration camp", which could lead to ethnic cleansing in the coastal enclave devastated by 21 months of conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration has defended the project, saying it would offer civilians a safe haven while further weakening Hamas militants' grip on Gaza, but it remains unclear whether it is a concrete government policy. The idea was floated by Defence Minister Israel Katz earlier this month and Netanyahu convened minister and defence officials to discuss it late on Sunday. The military had been asked to put together a detailed proposition, but Netanyahu dismissed it as far too costly and complicated, two Israeli officials who were present said, and ordered them to come up with something cheaper and faster. An Israeli military source said it was a complex initiative that required intricate logistics for infrastructure such as sewage, sanitation, medical services, water and food supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Planning was in a very initial phase only, the source said, and the goal was to help Palestinians who do not want to live under Hamas rule. Hamas did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Some commentators have suggested the real aim of floating the plan was to increase pressure on Hamas during ongoing ceasefire talks, while also appeasing right-wingers in the cabinet who oppose any truce. Netanyahu's office and the Israeli military did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. THE PLAN Katz outlined the plan on July 7 at a briefing with Israeli military correspondents. It followed a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump, which was publicly embraced by Netanyahu but widely criticised abroad, for Gazans to move to third countries while the battered enclave was rebuilt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost all of Gaza's population of more than 2 million people has already been uprooted during the conflict, which was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack on Israel. Katz said last week that around 600,000 people would be moved to the new encampment, to be built in southern Gaza abutting the Egyptian border where Israeli forces have gained control and which, like much of Gaza, now lies in ruins. The new zone, in Rafah, would be free of any Hamas presence and run by international forces, not Israeli ones, Katz was quoted by both Israel public broadcaster Kan and Army Radio's military correspondents as saying at the July 7 briefing. He was also quoted as saying that the people who chose to move there would not be free to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katz's spokesman declined to comment. Zeev Elkin, an Israeli minister who sits on Netanyahu's security cabinet, told Kan the plan aimed to weaken Hamas' power in Gaza. "The more you separate Hamas from the population, the more Hamas will lose. As long as Hamas controls the food, the water and the money, it can go on recruiting militants," Elkin said. Asked about concerns the relocations there would be forced and whether the new zone was meant to serve as transit camps with the ultimate aim of expelling Palestinians from Gaza, the military official who spoke with Reuters said: "that is not our policy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about the plan, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said: "As we've said multiple times, we firmly stand against any plan that involves forced displacements of civilians in Gaza or forces (them) to make impossible choices." 'MAINLY SPIN' Since Katz's briefing, Israeli media has been awash with leaks. Left-leaning Haaretz newspaper, on July 9 citing senior military officials, said the plan had met resistance from the military because of its legal and logistical challenges. On Sunday, Israel's N12 News said the military objected to the plan because it could scupper ceasefire talks in Doha, while the Ynet news site cited officials as saying it would cost 10 billion to 15 billion shekels ($3 billion to $4.5 billion). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report drew a rebuke from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said that some people in the defence establishment were trying to sabotage the plan by presenting inflated budgets. "Preparing a protected area for the population," Smotrich's office said, "is a simple logistical operation that costs only hundreds of millions an amount that the Ministry of Finance is willing to transfer." After Sunday's discussions, hardline national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir dismissed the controversy as a smokescreen to distract from concessions Israel may be willing to make in the ceasefire talks with Hamas. Ben-Gvir, like Smotrich, wants Israel to press on with the war, Palestinians to leave Gaza and Jewish settlements that were dismantled there two decades ago to be rebuilt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The debate surrounding the establishment of the humanitarian city is mainly spin aimed at concealing the deal that is brewing," Ben-Gvir posted on X. He said there was no way it could be built during the proposed 60-day ceasefire. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said on Monday the plan was dangerous and would not materialise. "Will the residents of this city be allowed to leave it? If not, how will they be prevented? Will it be surrounded by a fence? A regular fence? An electrical fence? How many soldiers will guard it? What will the soldiers do when children want to leave the city?" he said at Israel's parliament. (Additional reporting by Steve Scheer in Jerusalem and Michelle Nichols in New York; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Alex Richardson) PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Two members of the Illinois State University Police Department rode 390 miles across Illinois to honor fallen police officers. Police Chief Aaron Woodruff and Detective Matthew Hice took to the highways and byways of Illinois as part of Cycle Across Illinois. They started in Champaign and ended a few days later in Chicago. Their goal? To show respect to officers who lost their lives while on duty, according to a post on the ISU police departments Facebook page. The ride benefits the group, Illinois Concerns of Police Survivors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, there were 162 law enforcement officers and 20 police dogs who died nationwide in the line of duty. In Illinois, nine officers and three police dogs died, according to the groups website. Woodruff said it meant a lot to him to be able to participate, since one of their officers died in the line of duty back in 2005. The purpose of the ride is to honor, remember, and support our fallen and support those survivors that are left behind. And so it means a lot to us to be able to continue to support this organization, both in Illinois and nationally, he said. The chief said each year, the route can change to include communities who lost an officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, the ride began in Champaign to honor Illinois State Police Trooper Corey Thompsen, who died when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle while he was conducting a traffic stop. Bicyclists then rode through Springfield, Bloomington/Normal, Dekalb, Downers Grove, before finishing at the Chicago Police Headquarters. The other eight officers who were honored during the ride were Sgt. Andrew Faught, Deputy Sheriff Christina Musil, Trooper Clay Carns, Deputy Sheriff Rafael Wordlaw, Det. Allan Reddins, officers James Crowley, Luis Huesca and Enrique Martinez. Three police dogs were also listed as those who died in 2024, including K9s Nyx, Dax and Odin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More on those who died in the line of duty in 2024 can be found on the events website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. A planned concert by Kremlin-backed star conductor Valery Gergiev in southern Italy has sparked sharp protests, including from the Italian Culture Ministry and the widow of late Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. The close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to conduct on July 27 at the Royal Palace of Caserta near Naples as part of a music festival organised by the Campania region. "Ukraine is an occupied country," Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that Gergiev's performance could turn the music event "into a mouthpiece for Russian propaganda." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 72-year-old, who has led the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg for years and has also directed the prestigious Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow since 2023, has long been a prominent supporter of Putin. After the start of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2022, numerous international cultural institutions, including the Munich Philharmonic and La Scala in Milan, ended their collaborations with him due to his refusal to distance himself from the invasion. Yulia Navalnaya, whose husband Navalny died last year in a Siberian prison, appealed for the concert to be cancelled. In a guest article for the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, she described Gergiev as "a promoter of Putin's criminal policies, his accomplice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pina Picierno, vice president of the European Parliament, also demanded the concert's cancellation. Gergiev is not on an EU sanctions list and the president of the Campania region, Vincenzo De Luca, defended the decision to invite him. "Culture is a tool to keep dialogue open, even with those who do not think like us," he said in a statement. He noted that Israeli conductor Daniel Oren had also been invited. By Alvise Armellini and Angelo Amante ROME (Reuters) -A concert in Italy by a top Russian conductor shunned in the West since the invasion of Ukraine could send the wrong message, the Italian culture minister said on Tuesday, stopping short of asking organisers to cancel it. Valery Gergiev - regarded as close to Russian President Vladimir Putin - is expected to lead a local orchestra and soloists from St Petersburg's Mariinsky Orchestra on July 27 at the Reggia di Caserta palace near Naples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event has drawn protests from Italian politicians and international activists, including the wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who have all urged Italy to cancel it. "There is a big problem" with the festival, Yulia Navalnaya wrote in an op-ed on Tuesday's la Repubblica newspaper, calling Gergiev a "conscious and active accomplice of Putin's regime". Gergiev, 72, did not immediately comment. Italy's Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said in a statement: "Art is free and cannot be censored. Propaganda, however, even if done with talent, is something else." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minister said that the concert could "turn a high-level but objectively controversial and divisive musical event into a sounding board for Russian propaganda". Giuli added that the centre-left regional authority of Campania, which organised and paid for the "Un'Estate da RE" festival, was free to choose which events to host. The president of Campania, Vincenzo De Luca, rejected criticism, telling reporters that blocking cultural exchanges "does not help peace, but only serves to fuel the rivers of hatred". De Luca, a critic of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, said last week Gergiev had been invited, along with Israeli conductor Daniel Oren, to keep "channels of communication open even with those who do not think like us". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italy's right-wing government has supported Ukraine and international sanctions against Moscow. In 2022, several Western cultural institutions, including Milan's La Scala, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and New York's Carnegie Hall, severed ties with Gergiev over his failure to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A year after, he was made director of Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre, despite being banished from many international concert halls. Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation wrote last week to the Italian interior minister, urging him to deny entry to Gergiev, and to the culture minister and the director of the Reggia di Caserta asking them to cancel the concert. (Reporting by Alvise Armellini and Angelo Amante; Additional reporting by Giulia Segreti; Editing by Keith Weir and Alex Richardson) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has noted the shift in US President Donald Trump's rhetoric regarding Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Source: Meloni in a statement on Tuesday 15 July during a meeting with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, as reported by European Pravda, citing Italian news agency ANSA Quote from Meloni: "Russia continues to attack civilians using increasingly brutal methods, thereby demonstrating how little interest Moscow has in establishing the peace we all seek, despite the Trump administrations willingness to dialogue, which Putin has decided not to accept." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Meloni said Rome welcomes the shift in the US position. Background: On 14 July, Donald Trump once again expressed his disappointment with Russia and promised to impose very severe tariffs if a peace agreement is not reached in the near future. Trump has also announced an agreement between the US and NATO under which European allies will pay for American weapons supplied to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! PLAINFIELD, Ill. (WGN) Jack in the Box made its return to the Chicago area Monday after a decades-long absence from the region. The West Coast fast food chain, which announced a 12-unit franchising deal throughout the Chicago area in September 2024, with the first wave of locations set to open throughout 2025, officially marked its homecoming Monday, July 14, with the grand opening in southwest suburban Plainfield. Fast food chicken restaurant Zaxbys coming soon to Chicago Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new location at 2101 Rt. 59, will include 24-hour operations featuring dine-in, drive-thru, and mobile ordering capabilities, as well as a full menu with Jack in the Boxs signature burgers, tacos, chicken sandwiches, milkshakes, breakfast items, and late-night dining options. Jack in the Boxs new Chicago area location at 2101 Rt 59 in Plainfield. (Photo provided) Jack in the Box first opened in the Chicago area in the late 1960s and then relocated to the southwestern United States in the 1980s to focus on expansion. AEW to hold three-week residency to Chicagos Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom According to Jack in the Boxs website, in addition to Plainfield, other Chicago area locations opening soon include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carol Stream Opening: August 2025 Address: 441 E. Genena Rd. Chicago Opening: September 2025 Address: 7807 S. Cicero Ave. Countyside Opening: July 2025 Address: 5656 S. La Grange Rd. Lake in the Hills Opening: September 2025 Address: 320 N. Randall Rd. Naperville Opening: August 2025 Where: 1600 E. Ogden Ave. New Lenox Opening: August 2025 Where: 672 E. Lincoln Hwy Tinley Park Opening: September 2025 9550 179th St. Nominations open for Little Sleepies teacher wish list $1K giveaway Jack in the Box has more than 2,200 locations nationwide. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Key Points Shares of the tech giant rose on news that Nvidia would begin selling H20 chips to China again. Nvidia is a major customer of TSMC, and the news could signal a broader thawing in U.S.-China relations. TSMC is set to report second-quarter earnings on Thursday. 10 stocks we like better than Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) were moving higher as the chip manufacturing giant seemed to benefit from a broader tailwind in the semiconductor industry after Nvidia said it regained approval to sell its H20 artificial intelligence (AI) chip in China. The H20 is a less powerful version of the AI chips it sells in the U.S. and to other allies. Nvidia is one of Taiwan Semi's biggest customers, and the news set off a broad rally in the sector, with Advanced Micro Devices shares jumping as well. As of 10:44 a.m. ET, TSMC, as the company is also known, was up 3%. Image source: Getty Images. China is back open In a blog post last night, Nvidia said that CEO Jensen Huang met with President Trump and other policymakers in Washington and received assurance that the company would be granted a license to sell the H20 again to China. That is big news for both the semiconductor industry and U.S.-China relations. Nvidia stock plunged in April when it said it would take an estimated $5.5 billion write-down after it lost the license to sell H20s, dragging the rest of the chip sector down with it. Nvidia is one of TSMC's biggest customers, and a bellwether for the industry, so the reopening of the Chinese market bodes well both for it and the leading chip manufacturer. What's next for TSMC? Taiwan Semi is set to report second-quarter earnings on Thursday, which could prove to be another leg up for the stock. The company has already reported monthly revenue, which was up about 38% in New Taiwanese Dollars in the second quarter, and analysts are expecting earnings per share to rise $1.48 to $2.28. If the company can top that number, the stock, which is already hit an all-time high today, could make another move higher. Should you buy stock in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing right now? Before you buy stock in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $680,559!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,005,670!* The Brief A Jacksonville man has been arrested for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Nosiah Santos at a Marion County gas station in May. Deputies say Henry Jonathan Valencia shot Santos during an argument, then struck him several times before fleeing the scene. Valencia was arrested Friday and is being held without bond on a charge of second-degree murder. ORLANDO, Fla. - A Jacksonville man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old at a Marion County gas station, authorities announced Monday. What we know Henry Jonathan Valencia, 23, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Nosiah Santos, according to the Marion County Sheriffs Office. He was taken into custody Friday by a Major Crimes detective and is being held at the Marion County Jail without bond. The backstory Deputies responded to the Petro gas station near Highway 318 and Interstate 75 around 2:24 p.m. on May 30 following reports of a shooting. When they arrived, they found Santos suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported by Marion County Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said Valencia and Santos, who were in a relationship, arrived at the gas station together. An argument broke out after Valencia became upset that Santos had been communicating with other men, according to witness statements and evidence gathered by detectives. SIGN-UP FOR FOX 35'S BREAKING NEWS, DAILY NEWS NEWSLETTERS Valencia initially drove away from the pump, leaving Santos behind, but returned on foot and confronted him several times. Detectives said that when Santos appeared to walk away from the argument, Valencia pulled out a firearm and shot him. He then reportedly struck Santos multiple times in the head before fleeing the scene and returning to Jacksonville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valencia was identified as the suspect during the investigation and arrested without incident. The Source The information in this article comes from a report shared by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. DISCLAIMER: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Shreveport Police have arrested a man who they believe stabbed his mother to death. Caddo Parish Coroners Office said her death was the 20th homicide in Shreveport in 2025. Men arrested after victim beaten with baseball bat at Castlewood Apartments Police were called to the 3000 block of Dallas Street on Saturday, July 12, when they located 63-year-old Debbie Jones deceased with multiple stab wounds. Officers quickly launched an investigation and identified the victims son, 33-year-old Jacoby Page, as the primary suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Page had fled the scene after the incident but was later detained by authorities in Canton, Mississippi. Shreveport detectives interviewed Page in Mississippi and gathered enough evidence to arrest him on one count of second-degree murder. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne spoke on the situation, Im proud of the professionalism and persistence shown by our team in resolving this case so quickly. Police have yet to release a motive. Caddo Parish Coroners Office says the death remains under investigation by the Shreveport Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Jul. 15JAMESTOWN A 30-year-old man who was arrested after an hours-long standoff on June 18 was sentenced recently on four felony charges in Southeast District court in Jamestown. Jacob Lee Schmitt, Jamestown, pleaded guilty to child neglect, preventing arrest or discharge of other duties, prohibited acts A/controlled substances and prohibited/possess firearm, Class C felonies. Schmitt was accused of being a parent, adult family or household member, guardian or other custodian of any child and failing to provide proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law or other care or control necessary for a child's physical mental or emotional health or morals; creating substantial risk of bodily injury to a public servant or to anyone except himself or employing means justifying or requiring substantial force to overcome resistance affecting an arrest or discharge of the duty; possessing methamphetamine with previous convictions in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021; and possessing and/or controlling a firearm and has been convicted of a felony in the past five years in 2021 on June 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Troy LeFevre sentenced Schmitt to 13 months in the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation with credit for 21 days served. LeFevre placed Schmitt on 12 months supervised probation and ordered him to pay a $400 criminal administration fee, $100 defense/facility administration fee, $35 indigent defense application fee, $300 indigent recoupment, $500 restitution and a $25 victim-witness fee. A Class C felony is punishable by five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The Jamestown Police Department was dispatched to a residence in Western Park Village at about 2 a.m. on June 18 on a report that a female resident wasn't feeling safe in her home, The Jamestown Sun reported. The woman indicated a man, identified as Schmitt, was inside the residence using drugs and yelling at her. Schmitt threatened to kill the woman, The Sun reported. The woman also told police that Schmitt refused to leave the residence with multiple firearms that the man had access to, said Maj. Justin Blinsky, Jamestown assistant chief of police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmitt refused to speak with law enforcement and retreated further inside the residence, barricading himself in a back room, Blinsky said. Blinsky said four occupants were evacuated from the home but Schmitt took a 2-year-old child with him to the back room. The James Valley Special Operations Team was later activated. The Jamestown Police Department asked residents of Western Park Village to shelter in place, which was lifted after Schmitt was arrested. TOKYO Japan raised strong caution against Chinas rapid acceleration of military activity in extensive areas from its southwestern coasts to the Pacific, describing the moves as the biggest strategic challenge. Chinas growing joint operations with Russia also pose serious security concerns to Japan, along with increasing tension around Taiwan and threats coming from North Korea, the Defense Ministry said in an annual military report submitted to Cabinet on Tuesday. The international society is in a new crisis era as it faces the biggest challenges since the end of World War II, the report said, citing significant changes to the global power balance while raising concerns about an escalation of the China-U.S. rivalry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The security threats are concentrated in the Indo-Pacific, where Japan is located, and could get worse in the future, the report said. Japan has accelerated its military buildup on southwestern islands in recent years, preparing to deploy long-distance cruise missiles, as it worries about a conflict in Taiwan, which China claims as its territory to be annexed by force if necessary. Taiwan launched 10-day, annual live-fire military exercises last week intended to guard against Chinese threats to invade. Japan tested a short-range, surface-to-ship missile at home earlier last month. Chinese warships advance in the Pacific has steadily increased, with the frequency of their passage off southwestern Japan tripling in the past three years, including in waters between Taiwan and its neighboring Japanese island of Yonaguni, the 534-page report said. The report comes days after Japan demanded China stop flying its fighter jets abnormally close to Japanese intelligence-gathering aircraft, which it said was happening repeatedly and could cause a collision. Beijing, in return, accused Japan of flying near Chinese airspace for spying purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two earlier close encounters in June occurred over the Pacific Ocean, where Japan spotted two Chinese aircraft carriers operating together for the first time. Chinas increasing dispatch of aircraft carriers in the Pacific underscores the countrys attempt to advance its sea power in distant waters, the report said. It said Chinas frequent dispatch of bombers for long-distance flights in the Pacific by more sophisticated flight routes and fleet organization is seen as Beijings attempt to show off its presence around Japan and to further advance its operational capability. The Defense Ministry noted two cases last year a Chinese warplanes brief violation of Japanese airspace over waters off islands near Nagasaki and an aircraft carriers entry into a zone just outside of Japans territorial waters further southwest of the Nansei island chain, which stretches from the southern coast of Kyushu to Taiwan. With President Donald Trump focusing on the strengthening of the U.S. economy and security, Japan and other U.S. allies face expectations to play a greater role for peace and stability in the region, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korea poses an increasingly serious and imminent threat for Japans security, the report said, noting the Norths development of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads into Japanese territory and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach the U.S. mainland. Russia maintains active military operations around Japan and violated the countrys airspace in September, the report added, saying its increasing strategic cooperation with China has posed strong concern for Japans security. Connie Mendel, Louisvilles chief health strategist, discusses Jefferson County's measles case. (Screenshot) Jefferson County has a confirmed case of measles, which is unrelated to the Central Kentucky outbreak, Louisville officials announced Tuesday. Kentuckys 13th case this year is in a child who recently traveled internationally to a country that is known to have an outbreak of measles, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said during his weekly press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Louisville Health Department is in the process of tracing contacts with anyone who may have been exposed to the highly contagious disease and will ask those people to isolate in order to prevent spread. Its unknown if the child was vaccinated against measles, said Connie Mendel, Louisvilles chief health strategist. Eleven of the states other 12 cases are in people unvaccinated against measles, Greenberg said, and the 12th is in a person who got only half the recommended vaccine series. The increase in prevalence of measles, once thought eliminated, comes amid a nationwide decline in routine vaccination. We acknowledge that there are people in our country that dont want to get vaccinated, Greenberg said. I would encourage every parent to just follow the evidence. Look at the facts, follow the advice the strong, overwhelming advice of the medical profession, and I hope that will lead them to the conclusion to get their children vaccinated. Measles is extremely contagious and spread through the air from coughs or sneezes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One infected person can infect 9 in 10 unprotected people around them, the CDC says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash. The CDC recommends the measles vaccination series at 12-15 months and then at 4-6 years old. Mendel said its especially important to get the full measles vaccination series as schools prepare to open again for the new school year. Mendel said anyone who is symptomatic of measles and seeking medical care should call ahead of time and let the medical facility know so they dont spread the disease to others. Your medical provider can make special arrangements for you to be seen outside of the general public within a medical facility, she said. We would go even further, and the patient would come into a side door because it is that infectious. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Palm Beach Post has won a Southeast regional journalism award for its coverage of the newspaper's nearly five-year quest to uncover what really happened when a grand jury in 2006 charged Jeffrey Epstein with only one count of solicitation of prostitution what a john might face despite dozens of victims discovered by police. The Green Eyeshade Award honors Holly Baltz, investigative editor at The Post; former Post courts reporter Jane Musgrave; current courts reporter Hannah Phillips; and Palm Beach Daily News reporter Kristina Webb for first place in the Crimes, Courts and Law reporting category. Had Epstein been convicted of the crimes for which Palm Beach police had gathered evidence, he likely would have spent decades in prison instead of 13 short months in jail gleaned from a "deal of the century" in 2008. Epstein pleaded guilty to two prostitution-related felonies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the years that followed his stint in the Palm Beach County Jail, Epstein was free to abuse hundreds more girls all over the world until he was arrested by federal authorities in 2019 on sex trafficking charges. He died in his jail cell weeks after he was arrested. More: Jeffrey Epstein 2006 grand jury documents are public. Read for yourself what happened Why Jeffrey Epstein faced only prostitution-related charges in Palm Beach County Palm Beach County State Attorney Barry Krischer declined to charge Epstein directly in 2006 and tanked his own case before a grand jury, sources told The Post in its 2019 investigation, "Jeffrey Epstein, the first failure." So The Post sued in November 2019, seeking to make public the details of the grand jury's confounding results under a facet of state law that allows the grand jury documents to be made public in "furtherance of justice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The details in the transcripts, finally revealed in July 2024 after a change in state law prompted by The Post's reporting, were stunning. Prosecutor told victims they'd committed a crime Former State Attorney Barry Krischer and former Assistant State Attorney Lanna Belohlavek were the first prosecutors on the Jeffrey Epstein case. Belohlavek presented the case before the grand jury, which indicted on only one charge: what a john soliciting an adult sex worker would face. (2004 Post file photo) The suvivors who testified only two were chided by grand jurors as if they were wayward teens putting up their bodies to get extra cash to spend at the mall. Rarely was there any focus from prosecutors on the fact that the teens were underage, many living in poverty, when a man in his 50s sexually abused them. Nor did prosecutors state the number of victims police found and the fact that the girls all told similar stories. The questioning presumed that the girls were lying, something a defense attorney might do during cross-examination in a trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lanna Belohlavek, chief of the crimes against children unit at the State Attorney's Office, in essence called the only two victims to testify prostitutes in front of the grand jurors, who picked up on her theme and questioned one girl on whether she had thought about their reputation. The girl, who was 14 when she went to Epstein's mansion, was questioned about what type of underwear she was wearing. Belohlavek also questioned her about her MySpace pages, focusing at one point on the fact that she had posted $250,000 in income. The teen explained that it was a joke. "Okay so it's not like you're making money elsewhere ... doing similar activity?" the prosecutor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You aware that you've committed a crime?" the prosecutor went on. "Now I am," the victim said. "I didn't know it was a crime when I was doing it." Belohlavek told the other survivor that "you understand that you in effect were committing prostitution yourself?" She said yes but that she was not any longer. Minors cannot consent until age 18 in Florida Under Florida law, then and now, the girls could not consent to sex because they were under 18. Krischer himself had charged girls as young as 14 with prostitution because that law contradicted the age of consent. Later the prostitution law was changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Belohlavek questioned Palm Beach police detective Joseph Recarey and he described one girl being raped, the prosecutor honed in on how much she was paid. She also asked Recarey whether any of the girls had told Epstein they were underage or even lied to him. Florida plainly states that not knowing a minor's age or even being lied to about it is not a defense for attacking a minor. Reporters covering The Palm Beach Post's coverage of the Jeffrey Epstein grand jury (clockwise from left): Holly Baltz, Hannah Phillips, Kristina Webb and Jane Musgrave. Dave Aronberg, then state attorney, and Clerk and Comptroller Joseph Abruzzo vociferously opposed The Post's quest to let the public and most importantly, the victims, see for themselves what had happened. They each moved for The Post to pay their attorneys fees, claiming the lawsuit was frivilous. Abruzzo intially hired Shane Vogt, a Tampa attorney who had sued the New York Times claiming defamation against former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, and paid him nearly $33,000 in taxpayer money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Aronberg nor Abruzzo was successful in making The Post pay their attorneys fees and granting their request for the judge to impose sanctions against The Post's attorneys. Judge Donald Hafele, in denying the request to make the Epstein transcripts public noted The Post's "vibrant and sincere arguments for seeking disclosure as a matter of public interest." After Vogt made his case in court for the clerk, Abruzzo, a former state senator, announced that he would be seeking a legislative solution to allow the release of the documents. The bill was passed by the legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it in 2024, paving the way for the documents to be released as part of The Post's lawsuit. Holly Baltz is an editor at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hbaltz@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jeffrey Epstein grand jury case: Palm Beach Post wins journalism award Multiple federal law enforcement officials who spoke to Rolling Stone on the condition of anonymity say that Jeffrey Epstein hired private investigators to follow, intimidate, and surveil FBI special agents investigating allegations that he paid underage women for sex. The FBI declined Rolling Stones request for comment. These new allegations about the pressure exerted on the FBI come after internal divisions in Donald Trumps administration exploded into public view last week over its handling of files and information pertaining to the disgraced financier and accused sex trafficker. Reports across several media outlets describe a tense meeting among deputy FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and other officials. According to reports, that meeting ended with Bongino storming out. Bongino is now reportedly considering resigning from his post at the FBI. Years after his death in prison during Trumps first presidency, Epsteins case continues to sow division at the highest levels of Trumps second administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump officials confessed to Rolling Stone last week that the Department of Justices unwillingness to further release Epstein-related documents would inflame an already impatient and riled base. Theyre going to be so mad at us, one official said. Trumps pledge to release Epsteins so-called client list was an oft-repeated campaign promise picked up and amplified by MAGA social media influencers like Tim Pool and Laura Loomer. Those same influencers are now enraged at the DOJs apparent stonewalling. The Justice Department attempted to dispel conspiracy theories that Epstein was murdered by releasing 11 hours of video footage from inside the deceased financiers jail cell last week. But the release quickly stoked even more conspiracy theories after it was discovered that the video released by the administration was missing a minute of tape. (Bondi has said the video gets reset nightly and is missing a minute at the same time every day.) Trump, for his part, encouraged his supporters to stop inquiring about the Epstein disclosures, writing on Truth Social, Were on one Team, MAGA, and I dont like whats happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and selfish people are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. On Saturday, FBI Director Kash Patel appeared to back Bondi and Trump in a post on X, writing: The conspiracy theories just arent true, never have been. Its an honor to serve the President of the United States @realDonaldTrump and Ill continue to do so for as long as he calls on me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a report by NBC News, both Patel and Bongino have become increasingly distraught with Bondi over issues beyond the Epstein disclosures, and they have registered their discontent to Justice Department leadership. While the FBI is often first to claim credit for sweeping law enforcement operations, the bureau investigates cases at the behest of DOJ prosecutors who call the shots and define the scope of criminal charges. This often leads to tension between case agents eager to make arrests, and DOJ officials who are forced to navigate political and procedural pitfalls. The same tension pitting Bongino and the FBI against Bondi, the attorney general, runs through a 348-page investigative report compiled by the Department of Justices Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) regarding the circumstances around Jeffrey Epsteins 2007 plea deal. In 2018, one year after the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Alexander Acosta, was appointed as Trumps secretary of labor, The Miami Herald began publishing a sweeping series of investigations alleging that Acosta had engineered an unprecedented and illegal plea deal for Epstein, using emails between Acosta and Epsteins attorneys to detail how a confounding light sentence came to pass. Acosta denied these allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deal, which Epstein took, allowed him to plead to state charges of soliciting and procuring a minor and paved the way for him to serve time through a work-release program, thus evading a potential life sentence and federal charges. He also secured a nonprosecution agreement that barred Epsteins victims from bringing claims against him while simultaneously shielding his coconspirators from prosecution. After the Heralds report, congressional pressure and public discontent led to Acosta resigning from his post as labor secretary, and the Department of Justice opened an investigation into the circumstances around Epsteins plea deal. According to the OPR report, special agents assigned to investigate Epstein were repeatedly frustrated with Main Justices refusal to arrest and prosecute the now deceased criminal. The FBI had wanted to arrest [Epstein] in [the] Virgin Islands during a beauty pageant where he [was] a judge. The case agent recalled that she and her co-case agent were disappointed with the decision, and that the Supervisory Special Agent was extremely upset about it, the report found. OPR investigators also detail how Maria Villafana, the assistant U.S. attorney overseeing the prosecution, was blocked from moving forward with a planned arrest of Epstein. Villafana had coordinated with the FBI to take Epstein into custody on May 15, 2007, and the FBI had scheduled a press conference for the same day. But according to the report, DOJ managers in Miami prevented her from moving forward with the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the many months that followed, Epsteins legal team would chip away at the prosecutions efforts to seek justice, investigating DOJ officials family members in an attempt to surface conflicts of interest, filing legal briefs from world-renowned legal experts attempting to undermine the charges, and appealing to top DOJ officials in Washington to throw out the case. But the intimidation did not stop there. As part of its investigative series on Epstein, The Miami Herald reported that Epstein hired private investigators to tail and investigate the Palm Beach police officers who first brought Epstein to the attention of the FBI. Among them was Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter. Police reports show that Epsteins private investigators attempted to conduct interviews while posing as cops; that they picked through Reiters trash in search of dirt to discredit him; and that the private investigators were accused of following the girls and their families, the Herald reported. In one case, the father of one girl claimed he had been run off the road by a private investigator, police and court reports show. Two law enforcement officials who spoke with Rolling Stone confirm that the same tactics were used against FBI special agents assigned to investigate Epstein. They put surveillance on them, they tailed them, pulled their trash, they hired private PIs to investigate the investigators, one official says, adding that a special agent eventually moved to a gated community in an effort to reduce the constant harassment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Epsteins efforts to kill the investigation were so extreme that prosecutors attempted to bring obstruction of justice charges against him during his first prosecution in 2007. The Justice Departments OPR report records that Villafana had assembled evidence to bring two federal obstruction charges against Epstein, and that his lawyers considered accepting a plea that included them. At one point, Villafana wrote after months of stonewalling that I am left with victims, and agents all demanding to know why we arent presenting an indictment. A special agent working the Epstein case also described his efforts to delay the eventual plea deal that barred victims from seeking further reprieve. Despite his efforts to convince prosecutors to hold out on giving Epstein a sweetheart deal granting him immunity from further prosecution, the agent says he told DOJ investigators that his effort was pushed under the rug by senior officials at the Miami U.S. attorneys office. A similar sentiment was relayed in the testimony of Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who in 2016 testified under oath that one of the original FBI agents that interviewed her in 2006 told her five years later that he wanted to continue investigating Epstein, but that his hands were tied by the chain of command and that it didnt look like the investigation would be going anywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to outstanding discrepancies with the 2006 investigation into Epstein and his subsequent plea deal, questions remain about the FBI raid on his Manhattan townhouse in 2018 and the voluminous records that were seized there. Those records remain under seal, and current DOJ leadership signaled in a memo last week that they will make no further effort to share more evidence or documentation on the Epstein case. As tensions flared through the Department of Justice last week, Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for multiple Epstein victims, told News Nation, Whats really just astonishing about this recent disclosure from the government is that they know they are sitting on a treasure trove of information, and theyre not turning it over. And Ive worked on these cases for over 10 years now theres a plethora of information that the public has not been able to see relating to Epstein and his coconspirators. Reiter, the former Palm Beach police chief who first alerted the FBI about his own departments investigation into Epstein, was unsurprised to hear that FBI agents were intimidated alongside Palm Beach cops during the investigation into Epstein. This kind of stuff goes on more than people realize, picking through trash, constant surveillance, Reiter says. Does it surprise me that this also happened to FBI agents? Not at all. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. AUSTIN (Nexstar) As Texas Republicans are set to begin their effort to redraw the states congressional maps, Texas Democrats said all options are on the table when deciding how to push back. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a media conference Tuesday, joined by senior members of House leadership and the Texas Democratic congressional delegation, answering questions about how Democrats may counter this effort to redistrict mid-decade. Jeffries made clear that this effort to redraw the maps amidst the states recovery from devastating July Fourth weekend flooding, which killed over 130 people, is something Democrats should push back against aggressively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of addressing the serious crisis that has affected tens of thousands of lives in unthinkable Ways, Donald Trump, House Republicans here in Washington and Gov. Abbott are conspiring to rig the Texas congressional map as part of an effort to disenfranchise millions of people in Texas, Jeffries said. The redistricting plan initially broke in June, after reports that President Donald Trump was pushing congressional Republicans to have the Texas Legislature redraw the states districts. The move is intended to counter expected GOP losses in the 2026 midterm elections. Reports from after the news broke of a meeting at the White House said that GOP congressmen from Texas were reluctant to move forward. This was an order from Donald Trump. You didnt hear the people of Texas saying, Please redraw the maps, wanting to see big change, especially right now, what youre seeing is Republicans scared that theyre going to lose the majority, said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Washington, and chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Greg Abbott added redistricting to the special session agenda July 9, though no bills on the matter have yet been filed. New reporting from Punchbowl News Tuesday morning said Trump was reportedly pushing the GOP to draw five new Republican seats, which was corroborated by Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin. The governors office did not answer whether Abbott would move forward with that suggestion. While partisan activists focus solely on political issues, Gov. Abbott is dedicated to delivering results on issues important to Texans, such as flood relief, property tax cuts, and the elimination of the STAAR test, Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris said. Drawing five additional seats on top of the 25 Republicans already control would be a tall order. Republicans currently represent nearly two-thirds of Texas congressional seats, despite Trump receiving just 56% of the vote in 2024. Five additional GOP districts would bring the share of seats Republicans control to nearly 80%. If Texas does draw those additional seats, it could potentially endanger Republican incumbents whose districts may become less Republican as the maps draw out Democrats. Michael Li, senior counsel in the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice, previously told KXAN this move might backfire if the GOP goes too far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question really is are [Republicans] really willing to have a much more competitive map for the rest of the decade, Li said. DelBene said the DCCC will go after GOP incumbents who might become vulnerable under new maps. This scheme to rig the maps is hardly going to shore up their majority; its going to expand the battleground in the race for the majority, DelBene said. Make no mistake, the DCCC will recruit aggressively to unseat any and all newly vulnerable Texas Republicans that go along with this corrupt ploy. But before Democrats let new maps take effect, they are reportedly considering options to stop the Republican redistricting plan. The Quorum Report reported Tuesday that Jeffries was encouraging Democrats to flee the state and break quorum, preventing the legislature from meeting and passing new maps. Democrats did so back in 2003, when Republicans last redrew the maps mid-decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Ken Paxton posted to X Tuesday, saying Democratic lawmakers who fled the state should be arrested. If Democrats ignore their duty to their constituents by breaking quorum, they should be found and arrested no matter where they go, Paxton wrote. My office stands ready to assist local, state and federal authorities in hunting down and compelling the attendance of anyone who abandons their office and their constituents for cheap political theater. One other possible hurdle for new maps is legal challenges. Most of the Democratic seats that could be redrawn are in Black or Latino communities, and breaking up those districts could violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965, leaving the maps tied up in court. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston, and chair of the Texas Democratic delegation, said Democrats will bring legal challenges to new maps. We will fight this redistricting effort in every way we can, Fletcher said. We will fight it in the halls of Congress we will fight this in the courts as we can and we will fight it in our communities across Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One other way Democrats could counter attempts to redraw maps in Texas is by redrawing maps in large states of their own, like New York or California. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has floated the idea in recent days, even suggesting in a post on X Tuesday that he could move forward with the plan, replying Two can play this game to the Punchbowl News report. Jeffries would not comment on suggestions to redraw maps in those states, saying he would leave it up to their governors. With respect to what happens in other states, I think that Ill let Gov. Gavin Newsom, Gov. Hochul and others continue to speak for themselves on this issue, Jeffries said. Stay tuned. It is not immediately clear how California would redraw its maps mid-decade. The state is only allowed to draw maps every 10 years, after the Census is released, and they are drawn by a bipartisan independent commission. New York also has a commission draw its maps, and they were already redrawn mid-decade, ahead of the 2024 election. The legislature could order the commission to redraw the maps at any time, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as national Democrats encourage partisan gerrymandering on their side in response, Texas Democrats maintained that they care about fairness. I wont be asking them to protect my seat, nor should any member of this delegation, Doggett said. What we will be doing is asking them to protect democracy, because thats whats at stake. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Miller Value Partners investment chief Bill Miller IV has questioned the governments right to tax Bitcoin. "If you think about why you pay taxes in society, its to enforce property rights," the son of legendary investor Bill Miller III told Bitcoin educator Natalie Brunell on a "Coin Stories" podcast episode released last week. "And so the government, when you say buy or sell a house, all that recordation tax, all those taxes go towards keeping track of who owns what." Miller said taxing Bitcoin did not feel right because the blockchain handled these administrative tasks. "For them to reach their hand in there, It doesnt make a ton of sense," he said. Don't Miss: Miller made these remarks in defense of long-rumored plans of the Trump administration pushing for zero capital gains tax for cryptocurrencies, a move that, if it happened, could put the U.S. on par with cryptocurrency hubs such as Dubai, Singapore and the Bahamas. "Whether or not that ultimately happens ... it is very cool that theres still no wash sale rule on Bitcoin," he said. The wash sale rule prevents investors from claiming tax deductions on artificial losses from securities. It prohibits investors from claiming a loss when they sell a security at a loss and purchase it again within 30 days. The rule does not apply to cryptocurrencies in the U.S. because the IRS classifies cryptocurrencies as property, not securities. This allows cryptocurrency investors to employ tax loss harvesting strategies to reduce tax burdens. Trending: The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. See which asset class has outpaced the S&P 500 (1995-2024) and with near-zero correlation. U.S. cryptocurrency investors face capital gains taxes of up to 20% in the status quo. While a zero capital gains policy for cryptocurrencies remains only a rumor in the U.S., there is at least one piece of legislation seeking to lower the tax burdens of cryptocurrency users. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) last week introduced legislation to address several cryptocurrency tax concerns in the U.S. For example, the bill aims to prevent the inclusion of transactions below $300 in tax calculations with an annual cap of $5,000 to allow people to engage in small day-to-day transactions like payments without worrying about capital gains. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Monday the Trump administration should release all of the files related to the disgraced late-financier Jeffrey Epstein, and Congress should intervene to force that release if the administration doesnt act on its own. Jeffries said theres no good reason for the Justice Department to keep those details under wraps unless officials have something to hide a veiled nod to speculation that Trump, who had crossed paths with Epstein in years past, is in the files. The American people deserve to know the truth, he told reporters in the Capitol. What, if anything, is the Trump administration and the Department of Justice hiding? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Epstein died in 2019 in a Manhattan prison cell, where he was awaiting trial after his arrest for the sex trafficking of minors. But his case has been a rallying cry for right-wing conspiracy theorists many of them avid Trump supporters who have alleged the government is in possession of Epsteins client list but hasnt released it to protect powerful elites in high places of government and business. Some of those voices have since been promoted to powerful posts in the Trump administration including Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel leading to high expectations from the MAGA faithful that Trump would release the full trove of Epstein files in his second term. In February, Bondi fueled those hopes when she said she had Epsteins client list on her desk right now and was ready to release it. Last week, however, the DOJ issued an unsigned memo asserting the agency has no evidence that Epstein kept a client list or attempted to blackmail powerful figures who might have engaged in illegal sexual activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties, the memo reads. The DOJ also stuck by its earlier assessment that Epstein died by suicide another detail that angered many of Trumps supporters, who have suspected there was foul play to silence Epstein. The memo infuriated many of Trumps supporters and severed a MAGA movement thats practically defined by its steadfast loyalty to the president. Jeffries said only two scenarios surrounding the Epstein saga are possible: Either Trump and some of his most prominent supporters including Bondi and Vice President Vance intentionally lied to the American people for years to bolster their warnings that sinister elites run the country. Or the DOJ is now concealing evidence of that plot to protect the presidents interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Option 1: They lied for years. Option 2: Theyre engaging in a cover-up. At this point. it seems reasonable that it can only be one of the two things, Jeffries said. And so its Congresss responsibility, in a bipartisan way, to ask the questions and try to get answers on behalf of the American people. Trump has sought to defuse the internal MAGA outcry, defending Bondi and urging his supporters to move on, while also falsely blaming Democrats for fueling the conspiracies surrounding Epstein. Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration, who conned the World with the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, 51 Intelligence Agents, THE LAPTOP FROM HELL, and more created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier, Trump posted Saturday on Truth Social, the media outlet he owns. Jeffries rejected that argument on Monday, noting the Epstein conspiracies have long been a celebrated cause of the right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats didnt put the Jeffrey Epstein thing into the public domain, he said. This was a conspiracy that Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, and these MAGA extremists have been fanning the flames of for the last several years, and now the chickens are coming home to roost. Several Democrats on Capitol Hill have already introduced legislation designed to force the administration to release all of its Epstein files. Jeffries said he hasnt examined those resolutions, but voiced strong support for the concept. I think transparency and sunlight for the American people is always the better course of action, he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A former aide to Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop says he was fired in part for blowing the whistle on unethical behavior. Fulop says that's false. (Reena Rose Sibayan for New Jersey Monitor) Jersey City attorneys want a judge to dismiss new claims in a lawsuit filed by an employee who was fired last year during a dust-up over his sisters controversial campaign to become Missouris secretary of state. Jonathan Gomez Noriega, a former aide to Mayor Steve Fulop, has made new allegations that his firing was in part because he blew the whistle on what Gomez Noriega calls Fulops improper push to invest retirement funds in cryptocurrency. Attorneys for Fulop and the city called those allegations entirely threadbare and implausible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under even the most liberal construction, the activities Plaintiff describes do not constitute protected whistleblowing activity, city attorneys wrote in a 65-page brief filed last week. Fulop, a Democrat, has said Gomez Noriega was fired because he supported his sisters controversial political campaign. Valentina Gomez, who is known for her anti-LGBTQ+ stances and rhetoric attacking undocumented immigrants, lost her election in Missouri last year and now says she is seeking a House seat in Texas. The federal judge overseeing Gomez Noriegas suit in April dismissed four of the original six counts, then allowed Gomez Noriega to amend his complaint over the citys objections. The new allegations claim Fulop improperly made a unilateral announcement to invest city retirement funds with cryptocurrency without informing members of the board overseeing the retirement system. Gomez Noriegas new complaint notes that Fulop and a super PAC supporting his failed bid to become governor this year received $77,000 from the vice president of a cryptocurrency trading platform. The campaign donations might reasonably be expected to impair (Fulops) objective or independence of judgment, the new complaint says, and could constitute a breach of state ethics law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fulops team calls those allegations nonsensical. Fulops announcement was simply that the city was updating the paperwork it needed to invest in Bitcoin funds, not that there would be investments in cryptocurrencies, city attorneys say. They also note that the political contributions were made over an eight-year period, and Gomez Noriega provides no allegations that might suggest that these donations had a corrupting influence on Mayor Fulop. That is exactly the kind of unsubstantiated logical leap that federal courts routinely object, attorneys said in the filing. An attorney for Gomez Noriega did not immediately respond to a request for comment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NORTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. (PIX11) Firefighters of a New Jersey town had to battle flames after treading through flooding in the streets Monday night. Members of the North Plainfield Fire Department responded to a reported explosion at a house on Parkview Avenue around 11:30 p.m. on Monday. More Local News The house was fully involved in a structure fire by the time first responders got to the scene, according to Fire Chief Will Eaton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters had to traverse through almost two feet of water in the street, Chief Eaton said. After treading through the water and 15 minutes of battling the flames that engulfed the wood-framed house, firefighters were able to contain and put out the fire before it spread to neighboring homes. Eaton said the people who lived there were not home at the time, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, according to Eaton. Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons on Tuesday forcefully defended his university against accusations that it has tolerated antisemitism as Republicans on a congressional education committee grilled him and two other university leaders. All three top administrators pushed back on assertions that they have not done enough to stop anti-Jewish hatred. Lyons, whose campus is under multiple Trump administration investigations over accusations that it has violated the civil rights of Jewish students and faculty, appeared alongside leaders of the City University of New York and Georgetown University. At times tense, the hearing was the latest in a string of high-profile clashes between universities and the GOP over the campus climate for Jewish students amid a surge of activism and hate incidents after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack in Israel that precipitated the war in Gaza. In a particularly pointed exchange, Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) asked Lyons whether Jewish students feel safe at UC Berkeley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: UC Berkeley chancellor heads to D.C. for congressional grilling on campus antisemitism Most Jewish students feel safe on our campus, Lyons said. She pressed further, asking him to why at least some did not feel safe, accusing him of "avoiding the question." Lyons said antisemitism was not unique to higher education. "Public universities are reflections of society, and I believe that the antisemitism in society is present on our campus, he said. She then asked whether he believed "actions that you or your staff or faculty members take have influence on that." "Yes," Lyons responded. "I would agree," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican members of the House Education & Workforce Committee focused largely on faculty members accused of antisemitism, demanding to know how they were investigated and disciplined or why they weren't fired. They also accused leaders of not being transparent about universities' foreign funding. It was the ninth hearing of its kind since explosive testimony in December 2023 contributed to the resignations of the Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania presidents after they declined to say that calls for the genocide of Jews violated school policies. Democrats, a committee minority that includes California Reps. Mark Takano of Riverside and Mark DeSaulnier of Concord, criticized the hearing. They accused Republicans of using antisemitism to advance political goals to punish liberal universities while ignoring campus complaints of rising anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents. "This is yet another hearing to demonize Muslims and their religion, to demonize Palestinians ... students, activists and faculty who are determined to stand up against human rights violations," Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also lashed out against Trump administration actions that have led to significant cutbacks to the Office for Civil Rights within the Education Department, which is responsible for investigating discrimination on campus. In opening remarks, Lyons stressed the importance of free speech at a campus where the movement was born. "As a public institution, Berkeley has a solemn obligation to protect the quintessential American value of free speech," Lyons said. "This obligation does not prevent us, let me repeat, does not prevent us from confronting harassment and discrimination in all its forms, including antisemitism." Lyons, a longtime Berkeley faculty member and administrator before his promotion to chancellor a year ago, faced repeated questions over an endowed program and chair in Palestinian and Arab studies launched in September. Led by history professor Ussama Makdisi, it was funded by $3.25 million in anonymous donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Under Trump pressure, UC says student governments are banned from boycotting Israel President Trump and Republicans have accused Berkeley of not following U.S. law that requires educational institutions to annually disclose gifts valued at $250,000 or more. The campus has responded that it abides by legal requirements. During an exchange, Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.) pressed Lyons to disclose any foreign funding to Berkeley. Lyons refused. "You would commit to full transparency of foreign spending on your campus?" Baumgartner asked. "As a public university, I am not ready to commit to that on the fly. There are different donors to the university who request anonymity.... I'd be very, very happy to be very transparent about exactly what is our process for vetting those things," he said. "We say no to a lot of foreign money." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked to give an example of foreign money that was refused, Lyons declined. Multiple Republicans also grilled the chancellor about Makdisi, largely singling out a post on X the professor made on Feb. 5, 2024. It said, "I could have been one of those who broke through the siege on October 7." The post linked to an article written by another author at Mondoweiss, a pro-Palestinian news website, that had a headline with the same words. Lyons declined to condemn Makdisi. The professor is a "fine scholar. He was awarded this position by his colleagues," the chancellor said, referring to the endowed chair role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another part of the hearing, McClain, the Michigan congresswoman, sat in front of an enlarged, printed image of the tweet. She asked Lyons, "What did he mean by that? referring to Makdisi. "I believe it was a celebration of the terrorist attack on October 7," Lyons said. Read more: Under Trump pressure, UC says student governments are banned from boycotting Israel Lyons also faced questions about UAW 4811, the 48,000-member UC-wide academic workers union that last year called for a strike in support of pro-Palestinian encampments and divestment from Israel. The chancellor, who in his role does not handle labor negotiations with the union, said he opposed its position. The UC Office of the President, which is based in Oakland and oversees matters related to all campuses, handles labor relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is the stated policy of the University of California that we do not boycott countries. We have specific rules for when divestment can be considered, and we're very systematic about how we apply those rules," Lyons said. The University of California has said it opposes the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. Ahead of the hearing, leading Jewish faculty voiced support for Lyons in a letter to the committee. Signed by 82 professors, the letter said that despite "moments of unease and, at times, physical threats" against Jewish community members in recent years, the Bay Area campus was overall safe for Jews. "As Jewish faculty who frequently engage with campus leadership and remain vigilant about the well-being of the Jewish campus community, we reject the claim that UC Berkeley is an antisemitic environment," the letter said. "We write to affirm that we feel secure on campus and support the administrations efforts to balance safety with respect for free speech." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was organized by Ken Goldberg, professor of industrial engineering and operations research, and Ethan Katz, associate professor in the history department and the Center for Jewish Studies. The signatories included some of the campus' best-known scholars, among them Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of Berkeley Law and a 1st Amendment expert. Separately, a UC union and faculty association released a joint statement Monday condemning the hearing as an attempt by Trump administration allies to "limit free speech." "The hearing is the most recent in a series of attacks that are part of the MAGA agenda to defund higher education and limit free speech on campuses across the country," said the statement from University Council-American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT) and the Council of University of California Faculty Assns. UC-AFT represents 6,800 lecturers, part-time faculty and librarians across the university system. "The Trump administration is cynically targeting higher education at every level. The freedom of both faculty and students to teach, write, and research is a cornerstone of the U.S. university system and must be defended," the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pro-Palestinian faculty from the universities that are subject to the hearing also released a statement Tuesday. "These congressional hearings are not about actually addressing antisemitism in higher education. Rather, their agenda is to bring the higher education sector to heel," said the statement signed by faculty and staff for justice in Palestine groups at CUNY, Georgetown and UC Berkeley as well as the Georgetown American Assn. of University Professors and the Jewish Voice for Peace Academic Council. They called on university leaders to "oppose the weaponization of antisemitism through the equation of Jewish safety with the silencing and exclusion of those who speak up for Palestinian freedom and an end to genocide." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Plaintiffs Lisa Sobel, right, Sarah Baron, center, and Jessica Kalb, left. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd) A Court of Appeals panel has ruled that one of three Jewish women suing the state has standing the right to challenge Kentuckys abortion ban. Chief Judge Larry E. Thompson and judges Susanne M. Cetrulo and Jeff S. Taylor all agreed on Friday: two of the three women Lisa Sobel and Sarah Baron dont have standing, while the third, Jessica Kalb, does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is because Kalb has nine frozen embryos right now that shes paying to preserve as part of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process and doesnt know how she can proceed with the process under the states restrictions on abortion and definition of life. Kalb also canceled having an embryo implanted in 2022 due to her uncertainty surrounding Kentuckys abortion laws, according to the ruling, shared with the Lantern by the womens lawyers. The case now returns to Jefferson Circuit Court, where Judge Brian Edwards can rule on its merits rather than the issue of standing. Standing is the question of whether plaintiffs circumstances meet legal standards entitling them to challenge the law. In 2023, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that abortion providers could not challenge the ban on behalf of their patients. The U.S. Supreme Court, too, has avoided ruling on the merits of abortion bans and instead focused on standing. One of the lawyers, Benjamin Potash, said the womens legal team doesnt agree with the decision that Sobel and Baron dont have standing, but were happy to move forward with what weve got. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think what weve got now is a very solid chance of clearing up this ambiguity in the law and making this law a little bit fairer for everyone involved, Potash said. In a statement shared with the Lantern, Kalb said I need to call on everyone who stands for religious freedom, womens rights and those who believe medical decisions should happen in the sacred space between a doctor and their patient to stand with us as we try to explain why these laws are unjust. I want so badly to grow my family. The current (presidential) administration has claimed to support IVF without understanding how limiting my access to reproductive healthcare is damaging, Kalb said. The fact that lawmakers who dont understand healthcare or my religious beliefs have more rights to my body than I do is sickening. Attorney General Russell Coleman, who is a defendant in the case, said in a statement that Kentucky law is clear on this issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Access to IVF is fully protected for Kentuckians hoping to grow their families, Coleman said. We are confident the circuit court will agree once again. Not a speculative issue Kalb previously told reporters that she has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can cause cysts to form in the ovaries and lead to infertility. This condition also means her pregnancies are more likely to end in miscarriage and that she might need an abortion or other complicated interventions. Under the state abortion ban that took effect in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion, a patient must be at risk of death or the permanent impairment of a vital organ. Meanwhile, Ms. Kalb is paying money to keep the embryos frozen, the appeals court ruling states. Should she continue to do so in perpetuity because the government will not clarify what she can and cant do with them? No. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She needs the court to clarify her rights, the ruling states. This is not a speculative issue because these embryos currently exist, and Ms. Kalb is entitled to know her options without fear of potential legal peril, the judges wrote. As to Sobel and Baron, there is no impending threat. Sobel said she has mixed feelings about the ruling that she and Baron lack standing to challenge the abortion ban. On the one hand, I am glad that the case is moving forward, and I can understand why they supported Jessica in having standing because she does have frozen embryos currently, she told the Lantern. On the flip side, though, it feels like they dont fully understand how the process of IVF works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sobel is 41 and wants another child, but attempting to have one is a gamble, she said. During her first round of IVF, she got four embryos, none of which were viable, she said. In her second round, she got two embryos. I transferred both of those, and only have one living child, she said. Knowing that I create non viable embryos more so than I create viable embryos, I dont want to start down that financial and emotional burden until I understand what the law truly means for somebody like me. Sobel said the ruling that she doesnt have standing to continue in the case leaves a big hole in her community. She is hoping the remaining defendants case can proceed quickly and offer her clarity. We hope that (Edwards) will feel pressure to give us a ruling sooner, because our lives are on hold, Sobel said. Im not getting any younger. Im 41 now, and through the miracles of science, I can probably have a child up until Im 50. But we know that that brings extra complications to it, just because of pure biology. Preference to Christian values Attorneys Aaron Kemper, left, and Ben Potash, speak with media after oral arguments in their case. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd) The women have argued that Kentucky, in heavily restricting abortion, has imposed and codified a religious viewpoint that conflicts with the Jewish belief that birth, not conception, is the beginning of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, the appeals court said, they allege the state is giving preference to Christian values to the detriment of their Jewish faith. The attorney generals legal team argued in court that since Kentuckys law defines pregnancy as a fetus inside a woman, disposing of embryos created during the IVF process doesnt fall under abortion purview. The womens lawyers, on the other hand, contend that isnt clearly defined in the law. In the coming months, Potash said, the team will need to clear procedural hurdles and eventually hold oral arguments again focused on the merits of the case, not standing. Meanwhile, hes happy the appeals panel found very little nuance in Kalbs standing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did not have a liberal panel; we did not have a conservative panel. We had a little bit of everything: we had a woman judge; we had two men judges, Potash said. We had liberals, we had conservatives. And what it boiled down to is that they studied the law and they got it right. And you cant ask for more from judges than that. Even though she doesnt have standing to continue in the IVF lawsuit, Sobel said she will stand shoulder to shoulder with Kalb as the case progresses. The IVF community is waiting, she said. The Jewish community is waiting to know how this lawsuit will pan out, and we deserve a ruling. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com A protest targeting a major tech company occurred outside the Fairview Market Hall in Seattle. Banners inside the hall displayed remarks against Palantir, a software company based in Denver that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to build digital infrastructure for data-driven operations and decision-making, according to Palantir. The rally is taking place at 400 Fairview Avenue N. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palantir is contracted with Israel, providing AI technology to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Anti-tech protest in Seattle Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) posted a form on its website providing protest details, including that the meeting took place in South Lake Union on Monday from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join us as we rally to demand our government and elected officials divest from genocide! JVP wrote. Our target is a tech company that actively supports the genocide in Gaza and enables ICE kidnappings here in the U.S. The signage inside the Market Hall contained the words, Palantir Tracks and Palantir Surveils. Additionally, protesters outside of the building held a large sign which said, Washington State out of genocidal tech, and several protesters wearing shirts that read, Jews say let Gaza live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Seattle Police Department (SPD) responded with units nearby. The website also stated that, Together, well make it clear that Seattle wont stand for U.S. complicity in Israels oppression of Palestinians. Jewish Voice for Peace spokesperson Michael Grant Today, we had hundreds of Jews and allies at the Palantir office; we shut down business as usual to demand that Palantir divest from genocide, Grant told KIRO Newsradio. We had about 120 people blocking entrances and elevators, and a rally where we were chanting and singing for more than two hours. According to the Jewish Voice for Peace website, the JVP is the largest Jewish anti-zionist organization in the world, with a vision of justice, equality, and dignity for all people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were here to draw attention to Palantir, as well as call on our elected officials to divest from this corporation thats causing havoc, like Patty Murray, who has received campaign contributions from Palantir, Grant said. and the Washington State Investment Board, whose pension and investment funds are tied up with Palantir. Grant further explained the technological strengths that Palantir has and claimed how the advanced tech has aided the Israel-Iran war. Palantirs technology is being used to target and surveil both the population in Gaza, aiding Israels genocidal campaign against the Palestinians, as well as being used to data mine and target immigrant families in Seattle and beyond, enabling Trumps mass deportation agenda, Grant said. A significant portion of funding inside the big, beautiful bill is set to fund ICE, which likely gives the tech giant a portion of $700 million dedicated to information technology investments to support enforcement and removal operations, according to TechPolicy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palantirs technology allows Israel to target clearly marked aid vehicles, journalists, and refugee camps in both targeted assassinations and huge, devastating bombings that weve seen for almost two years, Grant said. This technology has really disastrous consequences, and we dont want it in our city. It has no place in our city. Palantir protest in Denver A similar protest happened in Denver outside the Tabor Center, where Palantirs headquarters are located, on July 4. Terry Burnsed, a member of the JVP, provided comments on the Denver protest against Palantir. Palantirs commodities are diligently identifying, targeting, filtering, prioritizing, assigning, and firing. And Palestinians die. And die and die, Burnsed said, according to Fight Back News! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palantir relocated to Denver in Aug. 2020, and FBN claimed that the tech company has links to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). FBN also claimed that Palantirs AI technology is used to expedite both the mass deportations of immigrants under Trump, as well as the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Manufacturing systems to surveil us is not acceptable. Assisting ICE to arrest, detain, and deport our neighbors is not acceptable. Not in our backyard! Immigration Protection Team member, Gina McAffe, said. Additionally, FBN contended that Palantir is guiding the development of mass surveillance and drone warfare. FBN mentioned that Palantir is developing a surveillance platform, ImmigrationOS, that can track the movements of immigrants across the country. The Brief "Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit" is a new documentary on the disappearance of the Iowa news anchor thirty years ago. A recent 20/20 episode on the disappearance led to a new tip that led to a search in Minnesota last year. The documentary will take a look at Huisentruit's life and career, including access to her Mason City station's archive. (FOX 9) - A new three-part documentary on the disappearance of news anchor Jodi Huisentruit thirty years ago is set to debut this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The documentary, titled "Her Last Broadcast," will take a look at the case, including a new tip that led authorities to search a property in Minnesota last year. Jodi Huisentruit disappearance The backstory Huisentruit went missing in the early morning hours of June 27, 1995. On that morning, Huisentruit, an anchor at KIMT in Mason City, was running late for work. She called a coworker around 4 a.m. to let them know she was on her way. She never made it to work. At her apartment, police found signs of a struggle, including a bent key outside her car. Her disappearance was quickly ruled an abduction. Huisentruit was declared legally dead in 2001. Over the last three decades, authorities have been unable to find her or recover her remains. Jodi Huisentruit documentary debuts What we know The new documentary is being produced by ABC News Studios and came about because of a 20/20 episode on the case in 2022. The filmmakers say that the episode led to a new tip on the case, which revealed a "secret clue" that led authorities to search property in Winsted, Minn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said no human remains were discovered during the search. Officers didn't say what led them to search the property, or if they found any new evidence. Huisentruit's connection to the Winsted property also remains a mystery. ABC News Studios says the documentary will also include interviews with family, friends, and former coworkers. The series will also include a look at Huisentruit's life and career, including "rare access to KIMT-TV, where Huisentruits abandoned desk remains untouched." What's next "Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit" will debut on Hulu on Tuesday, July 15. Former CIA director John Brennan, who is being investigated over his handling of the 2016 Russia probe, played a key role in pushing Russiagate and other anti-Trump conspiracies as an MSNBC contributor. Justice Department sources told Fox News Digital on July 8 that current CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred evidence of wrongdoing from Brennan along with former FBI Director James Comey to current FBI Director Kash Patel for potential prosecution, citing Brennans handling of the 2017 Russia collusion investigation as an example. Brennan was appointed by President Obama and served as the director of the CIA from March 2013 until President Trump took office in 2017. Brennans final year on the job was a busy one, as he helped launch the "Crossfire Hurricane" investigation into the Trump campaigns alleged ties to Russia during the 2016 election cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Says Brennan, Comey 'Crooked As Hell' Amid Fbi Probe, May Have To 'Pay The Price' John Brennan landed a cushy gig as an MSNBC and NBC News analyst following his stint as CIA director. Brennan made notable appearances on both CNN and MSNBC throughout 2017 until he was announced as an MSNBC and NBC News paid contributor in March 2018. He also penned an August 2018 New York Times op-ed that mirrored much of his cable news rhetoric. Brennans piece, "President Trumps Claims of No Collusion Are Hogwash," insisted a criminal conspiracy was a legitimate possibility. Read On The Fox News App "The only questions that remain are whether the collusion that took place constituted criminally liable conspiracy, whether obstruction of justice occurred to cover up any collusion or conspiracy, and how many members of Trump Incorporated attempted to defraud the government by laundering and concealing the movement of money into their pockets," Brennan wrote. Brennan penned an op-ed for The New York Times in August 2018 calling President Trump's claims of no collusion between his campaign and Russia as "hogwash." The investigation was taken over by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who ultimately concluded in March 2019 that there was insufficient evidence of a criminal conspiracy between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brennan then appeared on MSNBC to declare, "I don't know if I received bad information, but I suspected there was more [evidence of collusion] than there actually was." Fbi Launches Criminal Investigations Of John Brennan, James Comey: Doj Sources According to Brennan's own notes, cited in Special Counsel John Durham's report on the origins of the FBI's Russiagate investigation, he briefed Obama and other national security officials on intel that "alleged approval by Hillary Clinton on July 26, 2016 of a proposal from one of her foreign policy advisors to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by Russian security services." He then briefed Comey about his meeting with Obama the day prior but told investigators he did not think he presented the intelligence regarding what Durham dubbed the "Clinton Plan" to the FBI director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days later, he met with Obama, then-Vice President Joe Biden and other top officials, including then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch, briefing them all about the "Clinton Plan intelligence" among other material pertaining to Russian interference in the 2016 election. Despite his public acknowledgments in 2019 and his private knowledge of Clinton's scheme during the 2016 election, Brennan regularly fueled the legitimacy of Russiagate as the Mueller investigation was ongoing. In March 2018, after Trump accused the Obama administration of starting an investigation into his campaign "with zero proof of wrongdoing" before the election, suggesting it was to help Clinton win, Brennan told him his social media post was "a great example of your paranoia, constant misrepresentation of the facts, and increased anxiety and panic (rightly so) about the Mueller investigation." Days later, Brennan suggested Trump's congenial relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin was because Russia "may have things that they could expose and reveal" about him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brennan called Trump's "SpyGate" accusations a "mischaracterization and dishonesty" in May 2018. Lisa Boothe Points To 'Clear Example' Of Comey, Brennan's 'Collusion And Corruption' Fox News Digital learned that ex-CIA Director John Brennan is being investigated by the Trump DOJ over alleged wrongdoing in the Russia probe. Brennan also threw around the term "treason," which allowed mainstream journalists and pundits to echo the claim on a regular basis under the guise that it came from the intelligence community. "That was Brennan who said it, the former CIA director; it wasnt the media it was the former CIA director," then-CNN host Chris Cuomo insisted in 2018 after a guest said the media was pushing the term "treason." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many believed the failure to find collusion marked the end of Brennans time as a political pundit, but he has maintained a regular presence on MSNBC. But it was hardly the only time Brennans credibility faced scrutiny. In October 2020, Brennan was one of 51 former senior intelligence officials who signed a letter insisting Hunter Bidens scandal-plagued laptop had "all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation," which was quickly used by legacy news outlets to dismiss the laptop altogether. The laptop has since been verified as authentic, another anti-Trump talking point pushed by Brennan that failed to live up to liberal expectations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Trump Campaign Advisor Says His Life Was 'Completely Destroyed' By Doj's Spying The Brennan investigation comes after Ratcliffe declassified a "lessons learned" review of the creation of the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) earlier this month. The 2017 ICA alleged Russia sought to influence the 2016 presidential election to help then-candidate Donald Trump. But the review found that the process of the ICA's creation was rushed with "procedural anomalies," and that officials diverted from intelligence standards. It also determined that the decision to include the Steele dossier, a now-widely discredited anti-Trump document, "ran counter to fundamental tradecraft principles and ultimately undermined the credibility of a key judgment." Records declassified as part of that review further revealed that Brennan did, in fact, push for the dossier to be included in the 2017 ICA. Brennan testified to the House Judiciary Committee in May 2023, however, that he did not believe the dossier should be included in that intelligence product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day after the investigation was reported, Brennan appeared on MSNBCs "Deadline: White House" with Nicolle Wallace to downplay the ordeal. "Im really shocked that individuals are willing to sacrifice their reputations, their credibility, their decency to continue to do Donald Trumps bidding, on something that clearly is just politically based," Brennan told MSNBC viewers. Original article source: John Brennan emerged as prominent anti-Trump media figure long before latest DOJ probe into Russiagate origins John MacArthur, the longtime pastor of Grace Community Church and one of the most influential figures in American evangelicalism, has died at age 86. His death was confirmed Monday evening by his teaching ministry, Grace to You, just days after he was hospitalized with pneumonia. Our hearts are heavy, yet rejoicing, as we share the news that our beloved pastor and teacher John MacArthur has entered into the presence of the Savior. This evening, his faith became sight. He faithfully endured until his race was run, Grace to You posted on X. MacArthur is survived by Patricia, his wife of more than 60 years, along with four married children Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda and 15 grandchildren. It is already strange to live in a world without MacArthurs steady convictional presence, wrote theologian Owen Strachan. Pray for his family, his church, and the many who mourn him. Rest in peace, lion of faith. A Towering Evangelical Voice John Fullerton MacArthur Jr. was born June 19, 1939, in Los Angeles. A distant relative of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, he graduated from Azusa Pacific University and earned his Master of Divinity from Talbot Theological Seminary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1969, shortly after graduating, MacArthur became pastor-teacher at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. His verse-by-verse exposition of Scripture became the signature of his ministry. Under his leadership, the churchs two Sunday morning services routinely filled the 3,500-seat sanctuary, and thousands participated in training and fellowship programs. MacArthur founded The Masters Seminary in 1986 to train men for pastoral ministry. He also served as president of The Masters University, a four-year Christian liberal arts school, beginning in 1985. He was best known to millions through his Grace to You media ministry, which he led as president and featured teacher. His sermons aired more than 1,000 times daily in English and Spanish, and all 3,000+ are freely available online. MacArthur authored nearly 400 books and study guides, including The Gospel According to Jesus, Strange Fire, Slave, and the MacArthur New Testament Commentary series. His MacArthur Study Bible, translated into over two dozen languages, remains a cornerstone of his ministry. Courage in Conviction Throughout his ministry, MacArthur remained known for his unapologetic commitment to Scripture often taking stands that drew both praise and criticism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, he hosted the Strange Fire conference and published a book by the same name: Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship. Both sharply critiqued aspects of the Charismatic movement, urging Christians to pursue doctrinal clarity and avoid what he described as counterfeit spiritual practices. The response was mixed. Some praised the boldness of his warnings, while others, including Rev. Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, criticized MacArthurs approach as divisive and overly broad In 2019, MacArthur famously challenged the idea of women in pastoral roles, emphasizing what he saw as the clear teaching of Scripture. His position drew strong responses from both supporters and critics, but he never wavered in his convictions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, MacArthur took a stand for religious liberty by reopening Grace Community Church in defiance of Californias worship restrictions. Never before has the government invaded the territory that belongs only to the Lord Jesus Christ and told us we cant meet, he told Fox News in 2020. MacArthur and the church ultimately prevailed in court, with California agreeing to an $800,000 settlement to resolve the case. Final Years and Farewell MacArthurs health declined in recent years, including several hospitalizations and surgeries beginning in 2023. He briefly returned to the pulpit in late 2024 and shared a message of gratitude. God has purposes that we wouldve never been able to fulfill if we werent put into some kind of stress, he told his congregation at Thanksgiving. In one of his final public appearances, he addressed the 2025 Shepherds Conference by video. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to "come forward and explain" the Trump administration's handling of Jeffrey Epstein files. In an interview with podcaster Benny Johnson, the speaker urged Bondi to further clarify her past comment about reviewing Epstein's alleged "client list." "Pam Bondi, I don't know when she originally made the statement. I think she was talking about documents, as I understood, that they were on her desk. I don't know that she was specific about a list or whatever, but she needs to come forward and explain that to everybody," Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I like Pam. I mean, I think she's done a good job. We need the DOJ focusing on the major priorities," Johnson said during the interview. J. Scott Applewhite/AP - PHOTO: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson arrives for a news conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on July 15, 2025. Bondi came under fire over her comments to Fox News in February when asked about Epstein's alleged "client list." She told the outlet at the time, "It's sitting on my desk right now to review." After the Justice Department and FBI last week stated they found no evidence the deceased financier kept a "client list" of associates whom he blackmailed or conspired with to victimize dozens of women, Bondi said her comments to Fox News were simply referring to a "file" on Epstein. That explanation, though, has done little to quell outrage from MAGA supporters on the administration's handling of Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump says Bondi should release 'whatever she thinks is credible' on Epstein Johnson also weighed in on growing calls from Republican lawmakers to have Epstein's convicted associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, testify before Congress. "I'm for transparency. We're intellectually consistent in this" Johnson said when asked about Maxwell potentially testifying before Congress. Johnson said while he is not "privy to facts" and "this isn't my lane," he also said "we need to put it out there." Annabelle Gordon/Reuters, FILE - PHOTO: Sen. Josh Hawley speaks to the media, while he exits a Senate GOP lunch, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., June 28, 2025. "We'll see what happens. I do trust the president. I know his heart and head is in the right place. I don't question that at all. I am convinced they are going to sort this out," the speaker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett told ABC News he is "not happy" with how Bondi has handled the Epstein matter. Like Johnson, he called on Bondi to explain her past comments on the "client list." "You know, I know it's the 1,000-pound gorilla in the room, but I'm not happy. Nobody's happy about it. Nobody knows what's going on," Burchett said. Later in a letter sent Tuesday, Burchett called on House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer to invite Maxwell to testify in a public hearing. "Should Ms. Maxwell refuse the invitation, I encourage you to use subpoena powers," Burchett wrote in the letter, saying the American people have "questions" about the Epstein case. "It is well beyond time those questions are answered," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said the Epstein files should be made public and directly called for Maxwell to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee. "I think all this stuff ought to be public. I mean, I think all of the all the documents, should all be public," Hawley said. "I think we'd all ought to be out in the open. I'm a big fan of declassifying-- I think this isn't technically classified. It's just, you know, close hold for prosecution, but I think we ought to put it all out there." "I think it's reasonable for the American people to ask who he [Epstein] sex trafficked these young women to -- if anybody besides himself," added Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy. "And if there were others involved, why haven't they been prosecuted? That's a perfectly understandable question, and I think the Justice Department is going to have to answer it." Late Tuesday afternoon, Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie said he plans to pursue a procedural gambit to trigger a House vote on legislation that would force the release of the "complete" Epstein files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massie plans to offer a discharge petition, which requires 218 signatures and allows the majority of the chamber to circumvent GOP leaders. There would only be floor action if the resolution receives enough support. A waiting period of seven legislative days kicks off once the petition has enough signatures, so this could become a headache for GOP leaders after August recess. "We all deserve to know what's in the Epstein files, who's implicated, and how deep this corruption goes. Americans were promised justice and transparency. We're introducing a discharge petition to force a vote in the US House of Representatives on releasing the COMPLETE files," Massie said in a post on X. GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, also speaking to the podcaster Benny Johnson in a separate interview, said she would support creating a special counsel to investigate the Epstein matter. "There has to be a special investigation into this if we aren't going to be provided information," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boebert also had a suggestion for who should lead the probe. "Matt Gaetz as a special counsel? Absolutely," she said. Gaetz, a former GOP congressman from Florida, was once the subject of a multiyear federal sex-trafficking investigation. Gaetz had long denied any wrongdoing and the probe ended with no charges against Gaetz. Meanwhile, Democrats in the House on Tuesday tried to force a vote and debate on California Rep. Ro Khanna's amendment that would have demanded the release of all the Epstein files. Their effort failed by just one vote after a nearly 45-minute vote. House Judiciary Democrats penned a letter to committee chairman Jim Jordan on Tuesday demanding a hearing with Trump administration officials from the DOJ and FBI on the Epstein files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan, though, publicly expressed unwavering support "I have total confidence in President Tump and his team," Jordan told ABC News when asked if he had any questions regarding the Epstein case or if Bondi mishandled the situation. A rundown office building will soon be transformed into more than 30 small apartments. Under plans submitted to the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, which issues building permits, the building located at 125 N. Parkside Drive will be turned into 32 new apartment units. The remodel and redevelopment of the dilapidated 35,000-square-foot building comes as the Colorado Springs apartment market appears to be in a healthy spot, according to previous coverage by The Gazette. It will be a nice infill project to clean up an old building that appears to be in rough shape," the building department said last week on social media. "We havent permitted a lot of renovations like this, but its a growing trend nationwide. Denver, for example, has a lot of unused offices being turned into apartments." The project, headed by Colorado Springs-based Solon Homes, capitalizes on an approach that has worked in large and small, though expensive markets, like New York, San Francisco and Minneapolis, according to Multi-Housing News. Where "micro-apartments" are about 200 square feet, the new units planned in Colorado Springs may be significantly larger. Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings A 2025 report from the building agency suggests the project at Parkside Drive will cost $2.2 million. According to staff with the city of Colorado Springs, the location is zoned for both residential and mixed-use development. The entire building is 35,000 square feet, though one of the levels is a garage. Assuming the levels have an equal amount of space, that leaves roughly 23,300 square feet for developing the 32 units. Divided evenly, that means each unit will have roughly 730 square feet. This does not take into account hallway spaces, elevators, building utility rooms, and other apartment necessities. The average size of an apartment in Colorado Springs is 670 square feet, according to Apartments.com. Solon Homes and contacts listed in planning documents did not respond to multiple requests for comment ahead of this story. Jon Stewart said on the Monday night episode of The Daily Show that MAGA is in open revolt against Donald Trump over his failure to deliver the long-awaited Jeffrey Epstein files. The FBI and the Department of Justice issued a statement earlier this month saying the Epstein files do not exist despite Pam Bondi, Trumps attorney general, declaring in February that she had been given Epsteins client list from the FBI. Bondi said at the time that Americans have a right to know about the files. MAGAworld, for the first time in memory, isnt just slavishly acquiescing to Trumps reality distortion field, Stewart noted about the rare MAGA backlash against Trump. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Show host provided video evidence of how Trump misled his supporters, throwing to clips of JD Vance, Kash Patel and Bondi all talking about the Epstein files. These are all people who work for Trump that set the expectation, Stewart said. In a few months time, we went from the Epstein files will expose the Democrats, to the Epstein files were written by the Democrats and therefore cant be trusted, so lets move on. But many Trump supporters are not moving moving on. Stewart showed videos of MAGA crowds booing the news that the Epstein files allegedly do not exist. In another clip, Trump supporters are seen burning their MAGA hats. Even prominent Hollywood conservatives like Roseanne Barr have openly criticized Trump for failing to make good on his promise to release the Epstein files. Barr told the president on X: Read the damn room. MAGAworld is now in open revolt, Stewart said. Clearly telling your base to just forget about Epstein isnt working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart also called out Trumps attempt to distract from his fanbases outrage by saying he is thinking about revoking Rosie ODonnells citizenship. The television icon moved to Ireland after Trump won the election. Because of the fact that Rosie ODonnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship, Trump wrote on Truth Social. She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA! Given that Trump cannot revoke the citizenship of someone born in the U.S., his post is all smoke and mirrors. As Stewart told his audience: That wont be enough to quell MAGA outrage over the Epstein files. Trump is lying? Dismissing reasonable concerns as bad faith whining? Attacking anyone who disagrees? Stewart told MAGA. The Trump that youre just experiencing now, to your deep disappointment and dismay, is the dude weve been dealing with the whole fucking time Trumps MAGA base always benefits from favorable treatment, except now. Theyre finally understanding what its like to be the target of his hostility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch Stewarts full segment from The Daily Show in the video below. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Jordanian spokesperson reiterated Jordans support for the Syrian governments efforts to rebuild the country on foundations that guarantee its security, stability, unity, and sovereignty." The Kingdom of Jordan said it welcomed a ceasefire in the southern Syrian area of Suwayda after days of clashes between the Syrian government and the Druze minority. The clashes started when Druze fought with local Bedouin tribes. Jordan has a complex relationship with Syria. It wants stability, but its unclear whether the Kingdom will do much to support that goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jordanian foreign ministry welcomed Tuesday the ceasefire decision in the province of Sweida, southern Syria, affirming its support for the Syrian state in preserving its sovereignty, Syrias state media noted. Jordanian state media Petra News noted that the foreign ministrys spokesperson, Ambassador Dr. Sufian Qudah, emphasized the need for calm, restraint, to prevent further bloodshed, enforce law and ensure that the Syrian state exercises full sovereignty over its territories. SANA state media in Syria noted that the Jordanian spokesperson reiterated Jordans support for the Syrian governments efforts to rebuild the country on foundations that guarantee its security, stability, unity, and sovereignty, while preserving the safety, rights, and security of all Syrians. Illustrative image of a Syrian domino falling followed by a Jordanian domino. (credit: Dall-E) These are very general comments, indicating that Amman is reticent to say much about what is happening right across the border. Its important to understand the context here. Northern Jordan is populated by many people who have larger tribal connections to southern Syria. This is particularly true in Irbid, Ramtha, and other areas near Syrias Daraa province. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the Syrian civil war, many hundreds of thousands of Syrians fled to Jordan. They were welcomed to some extent. Some ended up in large refugee camps such as Zaatari. When the Syrian regime pushed Syrian rebels out of Daraa in 2018, there were calls for the refugees to go back. Some of them went back and then found themselves forcibly recruited to the army of the Syrian Assad regime. In December 2024, the Assad regime fell. Jordan had backed Syrian rebels linked to the southern front in Daraa. The group that came to power in December 2024 was linked more to northern rebels in Idlib. As such, Jordan didnt know who would come to power in Damascus or if they could deal with the new rulers. Ahmed al-Sharaa has tried to smooth things over with Amman. However, Amman has a long history of suspicions with Syria. Back in 1918, Arab rebels sought to expand their control to Syria after the British-backed Arab revolt spread from Mecca to Jordan. The family of the rulers of Jordan briefly took Damascus before being pushed out to Iraq and back to Jordan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As such, Syria was suspicious of Jordans ambitions. Later, Syria threatened Jordan in the 1970s. During the civil war, the Jordanians did intervene slightly by backing rebels, but after 2018, their main concern was Assad-backed drug traders destabilizing the Jordanian border. What comes next with the Syrian conflict Now Jordan wonders what comes next. The conflict in Suwadya is unlikely to spill over because there is no large Druze community in Jordan. If anything, the Jordanians likely back the Bedouin tribes who clashed with the Druze. However, Jordan doesnt want any radicalization. Jordan has also backed US troops and other western countries in the region. The US still has a role at Tanf in southern Syria near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders. The Tanf garrison of US forces supports the Syrian Free Army, a small group that now calls itself Division 70 of the Syrian army. Since June, the SFA hasnt appeared to do much, leading to questions about what its role is and what will happen to the Americans based at Tanf. WASHINGTON In a head-spinning move on Tuesday, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced legislation that would repeal cuts to Medicaid he helped make possible only two weeks ago. The bill would restore funding that states rely on to finance Medicaid, which Republicans put on the chopping block by passing President Donald Trumps so-called big, beautiful tax and spending law. The measure passed on a party-line vote after months of debate and hand-wringing about taking health insurance away from vulnerable Americans including voters who supported Trump in the 2024 presidential election. President Trump has always said we have to protect Medicaid for working people. Now is the time to prevent any future cuts to Medicaid from going into effect, Hawley said in a statement released by his office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawleys bill also includes an additional $50 billion in support for rural hospitals up from the $50 billion already included in Trumps massive tax package. Rural hospitals are expected to bear the brunt of the cuts to Medicaid, most of which are scheduled to begin in 2028. Lawmakers often introduce standalone bills to address pet issues that dont make their way into big spending packages like the one Republicans approved earlier this month. Its rare to see a member of Congress trying to undo something they voted for, especially if they had the power to change it before it squeaked by in a 50-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie in its favor. Hawley defended the move, however, pointing to other aspects of the bill he supported, like the extensions of the 2017 Trump tax cuts and support for victims of nuclear radiation. You cant get everything you want in one piece of legislation. I like a lot of what we did. I dont like some of it, the senator told reporters on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans delayed implementation of new work requirements for Medicaid in the bill until 2027 and the changes to how the program is funded to 2028, which, at least in theory, will help them avoid a voter backlash in the 2026 midterm elections. However, Democrats argue that the negative consequences of the legislation are already being felt, citing the expected closures of rural hospitals across the country. At least 300 rural hospitals are at immediate risk of closing because of this bill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Tuesday. Not two years from now. Now, this week. Two weeks after the bill passed. Hospitals in Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina and Maine have already announced that theyre closing or in serious danger of closing not in 2027, not in 2028, but soon, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some conservative lawmakers in the House and Senate have also talked up an opportunity to pass another bill later this year under the same reconciliation process that requires only 51 votes in the upper chamber with even bigger cuts to Medicaid, including by limiting the expansion of Medicaid under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. What they are doing, that is just the start, Schumer said. Republicans have made it clear: They want even deeper cuts to Medicaid. Demarest Councilman David Jiang, who finished just 137 votes behind his closest competitor in the 39th District Assembly race, is getting a machine recount of the contest. (Courtesy of Jiang's campaign) A Superior Court judge partially approved a recount request filed by an Assembly candidate in Bergen County who finished less than half a point behind his closest opponent but the candidates request to inspect ballots was denied. Demarest Councilman David Jiang, a Democrat, finished third in a four-person race last month for two spots on the November ballot in the 39th Legislative District, which covers a northern swath of Bergen County. Jiang ran 137 votes behind former Woodcliff Lake Councilwoman Donna Abene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Kelly Conlon approved Jiangs request to rerun machine vote totals but denied his push to hand review all ballots, meaning the review will be limited to in-person machine votes cast on or before election day. Mail ballots will be processed through tallying machines but wont be subject to a hand review, said Michael Ash, who represented Jiang. This recount is vital in order to ensure that the voters of District 39 have properly had their votes counted, their votes exercised, and making sure that the right individual was elected to the seat, Ash said during arguments Tuesday. He told the New Jersey Monitor the decision marked a good day for the checks on Democratic processes. Jiang ran on a two-person slate of Assembly hopefuls backed by Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who lost his bid for the Democratic nod for governor on June 10. Jiangs running mate, former Dumont Mayor Andrew LaBruno, finished in first place. Their two opponents ran with the backing of Bergen Countys Democratic Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Statewide, nine Assembly candidates backed by Fulop won their contests last month and will be on the ballot in November, though only one LaBruno won in a district where two party-backed candidates were also seeking the nod. The 39th District is currently represented by two Republicans in the Assembly. Jiang in court filings argued differences between the sum of district vote totals and contest-wide tallies justified a recount, even if that difference was far too small to change the races outcome. Contest totals showed Jiang with one more vote than the sum of district totals (Abenes count was eight votes higher). He also questioned whether the thousands of undervotes suggest errors in the vote-counting process. Undervotes happen when a voter leaves some portions of their ballot blank, such as by voting for only one candidate in a race for two seats or by voting for no candidates at all for a given office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy Attorney General Charles Shadle, who represented the Bergen County Board of Elections, said there were processes to ensure machine ballots were properly scanned and tabulated, even in the case of over- and undervotes. He added that New Jersey law, which contains no automatic recount provision, does not entitle candidates to a recount unless they show an error was made and the error was large enough to shift election results. Jiang had not done so, Shadle argued. The Bergen County Clerks Office did not oppose the recount request. We have found the elections in Bergen County have been fair, and we have no issue with transparency, said Paul Kaufman, an attorney for the clerk. Shadle said he expects the review to take two or three days to complete and could be started within the next week. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX More than 100 people march outside of the Idaho State Capitol in Boise holding Mexican flags and signs protesting President Donald Trump's immigration policies on February 7, 2025. (Mia Maldonado / Idaho Capital Sun) A federal judge on Tuesday extended a temporary legal block, preventing Idaho from enforcing a new state law meant to prevent unauthorized immigrants from accessing publicly funded assistance in a federally funded health program. U.S. District Judge Amanda Brailsford extended a temporary restraining order after hearing oral arguments in a lawsuit that challenges the Idaho Department of Health and Welfares plans to require citizenship status reviews for an HIV treatment program under the new law. The judge granted preliminary class-action status in the lawsuit, which blocks the new law from denying HIV treatment to any immigrant patients who are or could benefit from the program in the future, ACLU of Idaho spokesperson Rebecca De Leon told the Idaho Capital Sun after the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit argues Idahos law would deny immigrants life-saving health care that prevents HIV transmission. The order blocks the new Idaho state laws enforcement in the program for about two weeks, until the judge decides on whether to grant a preliminary injunction, which could block the laws enforcement while the lawsuit proceeds. Lawsuit targets new Idaho law denying public benefits to immigrants without legal status Before Idahos new law, House Bill 135, took effect this month, the ACLU of Idaho and other legal groups sued state officials, alleging the law is unconstitutional by violating equal protection, that it conflicts with federal laws and that it even denies federal funds to people eligible under federal law. The legal groups are representing in the lawsuit five unnamed immigrants who rely on the program and an Idaho doctor who cares for dozens of patients in the program. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within days of Idahos new law taking effect, the judge issued a temporary restraining order. The law cuts the few publicly funded services that unauthorized immigrants can receive in the state. Joanna Cuevas Ingram, an attorney for the National Immigration Law Center, called the case straightforward. She argued Idahos new law is preempted by federal law and violates the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution because federal law defines eligibility for federal public benefits. Idahos new law requires immigrants prove their lawful presence to receive public benefits. But that term has different meanings in different laws, ACLU of Idaho attorney Emily Croston told the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representing state government officials who were sued over the new law, David Myers, a deputy attorney general, argued the suing patients and doctor lacked a right to enforce federal law themselves. And he pointed to recent and historical legal guidance from the federal executive branch, arguing that extra eligibility requirements can be added to public benefits. Last week, the federal U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, announced it revoked a Clinton-era legal interpretation that HHS says improperly extended certain federal public benefits to illegal aliens. Idahos law applies to a range of public benefits, beyond the HIV treatment program. ACLU is considering legal challenges for other programs affected by the law, Croston told the Sun. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A federal judge further extended until Friday a block on U.S. Department of Defense funding cuts that were slated to cost the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other research universities millions. The ruling, issued Tuesday, is the second time that a temporary restraining order was extended on an announced Department of Defense limit on facilities and administrative reimbursements to a 15% cap for all research grants. MIT joined a group of 11 other universities, including Brown University in Rhode Island, and three higher education organizations that filed a complaint against the DOD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy initially issued the temporary restraining order on June 17, and extended it on July 1 until July 15. Tuesdays order further extends the temporary restraining order through Friday. DODs latest action would have an immediate and dire effect on our national security by disrupting research designed to help our military, the group of those suing said in a statement released in June. Judge Murphy set several deadlines in his order on Tuesday July 18 The Department of Defense must produce an administrative record July 28 The universities must file a motion for summary judgment Aug. 7 The Department of Defense must issue its cross-motion for summary judgment Aug. 14 The universities must issue their response Aug. 21 The Department of Defense must issue their response Sept. 4 An in-person hearing on the motions will be held Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MIT received $107 million in funding from the Department of Defense in the 2024 fiscal year, according to court filings. The institution estimates that a 15% cap on facilities and administrative expenses by the DOD would result in an estimated loss of $21 million annually. MIT has expressed it intends to apply for new funding awards from the DOD in addition to pending funding proposals. MIT is also involved in lawsuits against other federal agencies over cuts to indirect costs in other departments, namely the National Institute of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Science Foundation. More Higher Ed Read the original article on MassLive. July 15 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from stripping deportation protections from thousands of Afghans in the country. The unsigned order from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia came Monday, the same day about 11,700 Afghans in the United States were to lose their Temporary Protected Status. The order maintains TPS for Afghan migrants until July 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling came in response to a request by CASA, an immigration advocacy group. President Donald Trump won re-election following a campaign that used derogatory rhetoric and misinformation about migrants, while vowing to conduct mass deportations. Since returning to office, he has used his presidential powers to deport migrants and limit immigration, including ending TPS for migrants from Afghanistan and Cameroon on April 12. The next month, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the designation for Afghanistan would be terminated on July 14. "We've reviewed the conditions in Afghanistan with our interagency partners, and they do not meet the requirements for a TPS designation," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move has attracted criticism because many of the Afghans with TPS protection were permitted to enter the United States following the U.S. military withdrawal from the war-torn country in 2021. It has since returned to Taliban rule. Prior to the order on Monday, the National Immigration Forum warned that ending TPS designation for Afghanistan would disrupt thousands of lives, harm their U.S. communities and remove essential workers from the workforce. "These individuals are not only our allies, but our friends, employees and neighbors," Jennie Murray, president and CEO of the National Immigration Forum, said in a statement. "Since so many of those losing their protections served alongside U.S. forces, we should honor that service by upholding our promise to provide safety and ensure that they have an opportunity to thrive here." The Trump administration has also sought to end TPS designations for Haiti, Venezuela, Nepal, Nicaragua and Honduras. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A U.S. judge has ordered the release of a transgender asylum seeker from Mexico who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents last month. The 24-year-old woman who goes by OJM, was at a hearing for her asylum case in Portland on June 2 when ICE officials asked the court to dismiss her case and detained her. In response, attorneys at the Portland-based Innovation Law Lab said they filed an emergency petition, arguing ICE used deceptive and unethical practices to detain her and strip her of her due process rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to OJMs attorneys, after she left the courtroom, ICE agents arrested her in an attempt to end her asylum claim, transfer her, and rapidly deport her. Second court challenge filed after ICE arrests another asylum seeker in Portland This is a dangerous attempt by ICE to circumvent due process, speed up deportations, and eviscerate the right to asylum, said Innovation Law Lab Attorney Jordan Cunnings after OJMs arrest. This unethical behavior goes against the values we hold as Oregonians, ensuring that everyone is welcomed and included in our state. According to court documents, Judge Amy Baggio claimed that OJMs was erroneously deprived by the Government without procedural due process through the series of Government actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OJM was abducted and raped in Mexico because of her gender identity and sexual orientation at the hands of a dangerous cartel, OJMs attorneys said, noting she fled to the United States for safety. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. OWASCO, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)A New York State Supreme Court judge has ruled that the states Health Department must work with local leaders in Auburn and Owasco to update long-overdue rules meant to protect Owasco Lake. The Finger Lakes supply drinking water for over 40,000 Cayuga County residents. Owasco Town Supervisor Ed Wagner has been pushing for change for nearly a decade, stating, This is our liquid gold, water is a resource we can never get back and we need to protect it. The court found the Department of Health acted improperly when it dismissed a locally driven initiative to update its watershed rules that would limit pollution from sources like farm runoff, septic systems, and waste storage. Those pollutants can fuel harmful algal blooms, which have already threatened the lakes water quality in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She took what weve been saying for nine years and summed it up perfectly: its common sense, Wagner added. We need rules that protect water quality. The proposed rules, introduced in 2020, aimed to tackle pollution at its source by limiting nutrient runoff from farms and imposing stricter limits on activities near the water. But by 2023, the state backed off and pulled away. Auburn Mayor James Giannettino said that after years of working together, the Department of Health pulled its support at the last minute. They encouraged us to create new rules, Giannettino said. But halfway through the process, in the 11th hour, they did an about-face and told us it was no longer necessary. The new decision orders the state to go back to the table and work with Auburn, Owasco, and its watershed association to finalize stronger, science-backed protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a drinking water issue. Its an economic issue, Wagner said. Without clean water, we cant exist. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Though it wasn't gone for too long, Del Taco is returning to Colorado's Front Range. The Southern California-based fast food chain has begun phased reopenings of 17 Del Taco restaurants in Denver and Colorado Springs, the company said in an email Wednesday. The locations will reopen one by one over the summer, months after all but one location in the state abruptly and indefinitely closed in late February. One of three Colorado Springs locations, at 1645 Space Center Drive near the intersection of North Powers and Palmer Park boulevards on the city's east side, reopened Sunday. Sole Del Taco locations in Firestone and in Lone Tree have also reopened this week, northern Colorado radio station Retro 102.5 and users of the social media website Reddit reported. The restaurant at 3465 N. Salida St. in Aurora will not reopen, Del Taco said in its Wednesday email. A company spokesperson did not immediately respond to The Gazette's request for more information on that store's closure. Franchisee Newport Ventures in February indefinitely closed the 18 locations it had run in Colorado after its lender rescinded financial support. Newport Ventures filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October after Del Taco terminated its franchise agreements. Del Taco said in court documents it found Newport Ventures in default of several terms of its franchise agreement, including failure to pay $125,000 by Oct. 17 to develop 10 additional restaurants. Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings One location in Grand Junction, owned and operated by a different franchisee, has remained open. The 17 reopened restaurants on the Front Range will now be owned and operated by Del Taco corporate, and many of the employees who worked for the previous owner were re-hired, the company said in its email. It was unclear Wednesday when the other 14 Front Range locations plan to reopen, including two more in Colorado Springs: at 8020 N. Academy Blvd. near the Chapel Hills Mall, and farther south at 4310 N. Academy Blvd., inside the Marketplace at Austin Bluffs at the intersection of Academy and Austin Bluffs Parkway. Updates will come for specific locations as reopening dates are finalized, the company said. Del Taco was founded in 1964 in San Bernardino County, Calif. The fast food chain has grown to almost 600 restaurants in 18 states, and is preparing to open a location in Pueblo next month, according to its website. It began operating in Colorado in 2003. Del Taco is known for its offerings of tacos, burritos and quesadillas as well as burgers, fries and desserts, including shakes and miniature churros. A federal judge barred the Trump administration from using its ban on travelers from some countries to keep 80 already-vetted refugees from entering the United States. In a decision late Monday, U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead in Seattle said President Donald Trump's June order banning the entry of people from 12 countries expressly states that it does not limit the ability of people to seek refugee status. The order, dubbed Proclamation 10949Restricting The Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats," includes a provision that says nothing in it shall be construed to limit the ability of an individual to seek asylum, refugee status, withholding of removal, or protection under the CAT, consistent with the laws of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his ruling, Whitehead said by its plain terms, the Proclamation excludes refugees from its scope." Barring refugees from entering the U.S. would limit their ability to seek refugee status and therefore run counter to the Republican president's order, the judge added. He ordered the administration to immediately resume processing 80 presumptively protected refugees that were rejected based on the travel ban. The State Department did not immediately have comment Tuesday. Whitehead also laid out a process for the government to vet refugees from the countries covered by the travel ban and other countries who were denied entry when the president suspended the nations refugee admissions program within hours of taking office on Jan. 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision left thousands of refugees who had already gone through a sometimes years-long vetting process to start new lives in America stranded at various locations around the world, including relatives of active-duty U.S. military personnel and more than 1,600 Afghans who assisted Americas war efforts. Under a framework established by an appellate court, those refugees should be admitted if they had previously been cleared for travel to the U.S., had arranged and confirmable travel plans and had taken steps such as selling property or giving up their home that showed a reliance on the U.S. government's assurance of their refugee status. The administration has previously said 12,000 people had been approved and booked for travel as refugees before it suspended the refugee program. Many of those cases will now have to be examined individually to see whether they meet the appeals court's criteria for entry. The lawsuit Whitehead is overseeing was filed in February by some individual refugees along with refugee aid organizations who said the administration froze their funding. The plaintiffs later asked the judge to make the case a class-action lawsuit so that the rulings could apply to other refugees facing similar circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitehead said the suspension likely amounted to a nullification of congressional will, since Congress created and funded the refugee admissions program. He issued a preliminary injunction barring the federal government from suspending refugee processing and refugee aid funding. But the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put most of that decision on hold in March, finding the administration was likely to win the case because the president has broad authority to determine who is allowed to enter the country. The appeals court later set out the criteria for admitting some of the refugees. [Source] A federal judge on Thursday blocked President Donald Trumps executive order ending birthright citizenship from taking effect nationwide, using class action procedures after the Supreme Court restricted judges authority to issue broad injunctions. Irreparable harm U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante in New Hampshire granted class action status to a lawsuit protecting babies who would lose citizenship under Trumps Jan. 20 executive order. The ruling covers all current and future children born to parents who lack U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, preventing the policy from taking effect nationwide on its scheduled July 27 implementation date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laplante, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, called the decision to issue an injunction not a close call, explaining that citizenship deprivation constitutes irreparable harm. Thats irreparable harm, citizenship alone, he said during the hearing. It is the greatest privilege that exists in the world. The judge provided a seven-day stay to allow the Trump administration to appeal, which Justice Department lawyers indicated they would pursue. Why this matters The ruling represents a key test of how courts can challenge federal policies after the Supreme Courts June 27 decision that restricted nationwide injunctions. The high courts 6-3 ruling had narrowed three previous nationwide blocks of Trumps order, potentially allowing partial enforcement in some states. However, Justice Amy Coney Barretts majority opinion preserved class action lawsuits as an alternative route for broad relief. Trending on NextShark: Search underway for Asian American veteran accused of ambushing Texas ICE facility Since the Supreme Courts decision, parents have lived in fear and uncertainty, wondering whether they should give birth in a different state, whether their newborns would be subject to deportation, and what kind of future awaits their children, said Aarti Kohli, executive director of the Asian Law Caucus. This courts injunction protecting birthright citizenship for all affected children is a major victory for families across this country and for all Americans. This ruling reaffirms that constitutional rights cannot be stripped away by executive decree. The big picture Trumps order challenges the 14th Amendments citizenship clause and the 1898 Supreme Court precedent in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which established birthright citizenship for nearly all U.S.-born children. In a previous interview with The Rebel Yellow, Rahat N. Babar, deputy executive director and general counsel of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), argued that the Trump administration mistakenly analogizes Wong Kim Arks parents to modern day green card holders while ignoring the historical context of Chinese exclusion. Babar also emphasized that much of this nations foundational immigration case law has been established by Asian American legal pioneers who faced widespread and systematic violence and lynchings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 150,000 newborns would be denied citizenship annually if Trumps order takes full effect, according to court filings. The White House criticized Laplantes ruling as an obvious and unlawful attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court's clear order, with spokesperson Harrison Fields vowing vigorous appeals. Trending on NextShark: Judge shields 150,000 newborns from Trumps birthright citizenship crackdown The case will likely return to the Supreme Court for final determination on both the procedural questions surrounding class actions and the constitutional merits of birthright citizenship restrictions. This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: From soy sauce to science: Remission Biotech joins NextShark Ventures to advance cancer research Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: Legendary Korean actor Yoon Je-moon joins the cast of Stem, a film inspired by a real-life scientific scandal. Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Monday added more endorsements in her campaign for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Dick Durbin, with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch and a number of other state lawmakers announcing their support. Backing for Stratton from the Democratic Party of Proviso, a political operation headed by Welch, comes as no surprise. Welch, of Hillside, and Stratton served together as rank-and-file lawmakers in the Illinois House, and Welch said he knocked on doors for Stratton ahead of her election to the House in 2016 when she defeated longtime state Rep. Ken Dunkin of Chicago. In declaring his support for Strattons U.S. Senate run Monday morning, Welch described the lieutenant governor as a proven leader who, as a House member from January 2017 to December 2018, stood up to former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner during a two-year budget impasse that decimated state services and brought hardship to Illinois economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes already proven to us who she is. Shes already proven to us what she stands for. And she did something about it. She ran. She won, Welch, flanked by several state and municipal elected officials, told the crowd at the Ironworkers Local 63 offices in suburban Broadview. And I was proud to stand with her on the House floor in the end of the Republican budget crisis. Stratton, who is from Chicagos South Side, served in the legislature at a time when the tide turned in Illinois for Democrats, Welch noted. The state House went from a 65-51 Democratic majority during the 2017-2018 legislative term to a 74-44 Democratic majority in the 2019-2020 term. Rauner ended up losing by a landslide in his 2018 reelection bid to JB Pritzker, who chose Stratton as his running mate. Welch also appeared to draw a parallel between Rauner, a wealthy hedge fund executive, and Republican President Donald Trump a frequent target of criticism for Pritzker and other Democrats over policies that include the sweeping tax breaks and spending cuts under a bill the president signed July 4 that could negatively impact Illinois residents who rely on Medicaid and other public assistance. We faced a billionaire Republican who wanted to cut this state to the bone. We faced a billionaire Republican who tried to cut health care for seniors, for veterans and for families in need. We faced a billionaire Republican whose only agenda was to give special deals to his ultra-wealthy friends. Does that sound familiar at all to you all? Welch said, drawing a few groans of agreement in the room without having to mention Trumps name. She knows how to fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her remarks, Stratton took a more direct swipe at Trump and his big beautiful bill. What were living through now is truly unprecedented. Donald Trump has ignited a five-alarm fire and the chaos has reached a fever pitch. Attacks on the rule of law. Attacks on the Constitution. Attacks on our neighbors, Stratton said. Just look at what he did (earlier this month). Cutting health care for millions of Americans, ripping food out of the mouths of hungry children, raising costs for middle-class families. And he had the audacity to call it beautiful. Well, I call it despicable. And its also dangerous. Strattons remarks come as Pritzker, who threw his support behind her Senate campaign shortly after she announced in late April, issued an executive order directing state agencies to evaluate the scope and impact of Trumps tariffs on how they would affect key economic sectors in Illinois. The governor is asking state agencies to look into the industries and economic development regions most affected by trade-related disruption and to check on supply chain disruptions of medical supplies and disruptions that could adversely affect food assistance programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those at the event to endorse Stratton were Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford of Maywood; Assistant House Majority Leader Bob Morgan of Deerfield; Assistant House Majority Leader Camille Lilly of Chicago; state Rep. Norma Hernandez of Melrose Park; and state Reps. Mary Beth Canty and Nicolle Grasse, both of Arlington Heights. Previously announced support came from the states other sitting U.S. senator, Democrat Tammy Duckworth. While a larger field is expected, Strattons major announced Democratic opponents so far are U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, whose campaign on Monday announced a slew of endorsements from local officials for his candidacy. With backing from Pritzker, a billionaire and heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, Stratton has the potential to raise big money before the March primary. But Krishnamoorthi has also proven to be an able fundraiser. Through March, his campaign raised about $19 million, federal elections records show. Asked about Krishnamoorthis fundraising ability, Stratton said she instead sees more momentum of my campaign. While the latest true accounting of Krishnamoorthi and Strattons campaign coffers wont be available until later in the week, Stratton said she was able to raise more than $1 million through grassroots support. I started from scratch when I ran for this federal race, and the fact that we were able to set a goal of a seven-figure dollar amount and exceeded that, I think it shows the strength of my campaign, she said. And remember, I also made the commitment to not accept any corporate PAC (political action committee) money. UNICOI, Tenn. (WJHL) Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has declared July as Beef Month in the Volunteer State. His reasoning for the declaration boils down to the fact that the beef industry is a significant contributor to the states economy, making its name as the second-highest-grossing farm commodity. During July, Tennesseans are encouraged to show their support for local farmers by firing up the grill and choosing beef as the centerpiece of their summer meals, according to the Governors office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For recipes and cooking tips, click here. Gracie and Levi Shults, who are heavily involved in local 4-H programs, sat down with the Good Morning Tri-Cities team to further discuss the importance of beef in Tennessee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) Residents will get a unique opportunity for an up-close and personal look at two of the city's iconic landmarks this month. St. Joseph architect and historian Max Guenther is offering two immersive programs in July to get acquainted with St. Joseph's City Hall and Missouri Theater in anticipation of their upcoming centennial in 2027. The first is July 22 at The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art during Museum After Hours, followed by July 26 at The Downtown Public Library as part of Local History Week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both programs are free and open to the public. The Architecture of the Missouri Theater Max Guenther will focus on the beautiful Missouri Theater from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, in the auditorium at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum, located at 2818 Frederick Ave. It was designed by The Boller Brothers Architects (St Joseph natives) and ornamented by the 22-year-old sculpting prodigy, Waylande Gregory. This beautiful atmospheric theater stands as a lasting legacy to its creators and a testament to the value it represents to generations of townspeople who have saved it, restored it, supported shows in it and continue to advocate for its preservation and use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's a work of art inside and out. While at the museum, be sure to seek out the mini-exhibits highlighting works by architect Edmond Eckel in the Barclay Gallery and the ceramic work of Waylande Gregory near the Salon Wall. This display offers a glimpse into the larger Gregory exhibition that will open Nov. 15, 2026, and run through Jan. 11, 2027. City Hall and the City Beautiful Movement Take an in-depth look at this grand civic landmark and the optimism in 1920s St Joseph. Designed by St Josephs master architect, E.J. Eckel, and built by Lear Construction Co., City Hall remains as stately and as busy as it was intended to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The young artist, Waylande Gregory, ornamented the interior with sculpted plaster work, with the mayors office receiving special treatment. Take a deep dive with Max Guenther on the work that influenced City Hall and how City Hall became just one of the landmarks to embody the City Beautiful Movement from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the St Joseph. Downtown Public Library, located at 927 Felix St, in the Owen Meeting Room, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Max M. Guenther is a licensed architect with a specialty in luxury residential design. His residential work has received numerous design awards and has been published in Interior Design, Honolulu, Professional Builder and Island Home magazines. Mr. Guenther was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. Together with his wife Tammy, he is currently developing an art center in downtown St. Joseph at the Artcrafts Building on South 8th Street. These programs are presented in cooperation with the Centennial Celebration Series in anticipation of the 100th Anniversary of City Hall and the Missouri Theater in 2027 and are organized by the CCS Committee of The Friends of the Missouri Theater. For more information, email CelebrationSeries2027@gmail.com or phone Committee Chair, Lori McAlister, at 402-802-2099. Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchells trial began on Monday July 14, 2025, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, at the Becker County District Courthouse. (Photo by Jerry Holt/Minnesota Star Tribune pool photo) DETROIT LAKES During jury selection for the felony burglary trial of Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, the Becker County prosecutor asked just a few questions of the 23 potential jurors as he sought to forecast who might be most receptive to his arguments. Among them: Would you agree that how the person was dressed is relevant to their intentions? Brian McDonald asked. Many of the potential jurors nodded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the night she was arrested at her stepmothers home for an alleged botched burglary, Mitchell was dressed in black clothing and a black hat, police say. The detailed questions from McDonald and Mitchells attorney Bruce Ringstrom, Jr. underscored the importance both sides place on jury selection, which can often determine the outcome of a case before it even starts. First, though, Seventh Judicial District Chief Judge Michael Fritz, presiding over the first floor courtroom, sought to determine if the prospective jurors could rule fairly. In a move befitting a case thats been widely covered across the state, Fritz asked the prospective jurors to raise their hands if they have heard of the case against Mitchell. Of the 23 prospective jurors sitting in the jury box who were being questioned, 15 raised their hands in the affirmative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case has garnered statewide media coverage since Mitchells arrest in April 22, 2024, after police say they found her in the basement of her stepmothers Detroit Lakes home at about 4:45 a.m. Police say she told them during her arrest that she was attempting to retrieve some of her late fathers possessions*, according to the amended criminal complaint. Fritz conducted his own questioning to determine what the potential jurors had heard of the case and whether that would bias them for or against Mitchell. Fritz called each of the 15 jurors who raised their hands into the courtroom to face individual questioning, asking whether they could issue a verdict based on evidence in the case, not what theyve watched on the news or read on social media. You understand that the news isnt evidence and you understand you must rule based on what you hear in trial? Fritz asked each of the 15 jurors. All said they understood, and they could do that. Its been on the news a lot, one juror told the judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ringstrom, Mitchells attorney, asked in a follow-up question whether the juror believed Mitchell could receive a fair trial in Becker County or whether she would hold it against the defense that they didnt attempt to move the trial. Given the news coverage, Im not sure anywhere in Minnesota would be better than Becker County, she responded. The trial could test jurors ability to set aside partisan identities. Mitchell, a suburban Democrat, is being tried in a county that went for President Donald Trump last year by 33 percentage points. Ringstrom spent nearly four hours questioning the jurors. He asked whether theyve been the victim of a burglary, what burglary meant to them and whether they knew anyone with dementia or Alzheimers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense plans to argue that Carol Mitchell, Nicole Mitchells stepmother, has a deteriorating memory and is an unreliable witness. In the days following her arrest, Nicole Mitchell said she drove up to Detroit Lakes to conduct a welfare check on Carol Mitchell, but she startled her stepmother, who she says has Alzheimers and related paranoia. Have you ever had the experience of someone very convinced of a memory that wasnt true? Ringstrom asked one juror who said she worked with dementia patients. He also asked whether the prospective jurors would look unfavorably upon Ringstrom if he aggressively cross-examined a person who does have or probably does have dementia, alluding to the fact that he intends to ask tough questions of Carol Mitchell and her memory of the alleged break-in. Im afraid youre going to hold it against Nicole Mitchell if I ask questions too aggressively, Ringstrom told the prospective jurors. Multiple prospective jurors said that it depends on the circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the questioning, Ringstrom asked the jurors to raise their hand to indicate whether they believe politicians should be held to a higher standard compared to regular citizens. Is there any reason that someone facing a criminal accusation should have a higher burden on them if theyre a politician rather than a citizen facing the same charge? Ringstrom asked. Multiple jurors said no, and that they believe the law should apply to everyone uniformly. McDonald, the Becker County Attorney, asked the potential jurors fewer questions, including whether anyone had been involved in a disagreement over an inheritance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roderick Mitchell, Nicole Mitchells father, died without a will in 2023, according to the criminal complaint. A probate court awarded Carol Mitchell 100% of Roderick Mitchells estate. McDonald, building upon Ringstroms questioning about whether politicians should be held to a higher standard, asked the jurors whether they believed lawyers were in a better position to know the law. Multiple jurors nodded their heads. This is relevant because Nicole Mitchell is an attorney. McDonald asked jurors whether the time or day or night is relevant as to why a person allegedly broke into a home. Multiple jurors said yes. Finally, he asked about Mitchells black garb, which internet cutups have compared to that of a cat burglar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the day Monday, the prosecution and defense seated 15 jurors 10 men and five women. Only 12 jurors are going to deliberate a verdict; the remaining three are alternates. Mitchell has pleaded not guilty to first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. If convicted, Mitchell faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. If found guilty of possession of burglary tools she faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison. Opening statements are expected to begin Tuesday morning. * Correction: Previous versions of this story incorrectly stated Mitchell sought her late fathers ashes. The incorrect information came from law enforcement. The Justice Department has fired at least a dozen employees in recent weeks who at one time worked with former special counsel Jack Smith, ranging from a senior ethics official to low-level support staff, sources familiar with matter tell CNN. The firings indicate that the Trump administration is still searching high and low for any person who had a hand in the special counsels work, which resulted in two federal indictments against Donald Trump. Both cases were dismissed once he was reelected. Trump has long said that Smiths investigations amounted to a political witch hunt, and vowed to go after anyone who led or helped in that effort. Several career prosecutors on the cases have already been fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joseph Tirrell, who until last week was responsible for advising Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche directly on ethics matters, posted a short letter advising him of his dismissal that did not provide a rationale for the termination. Tirrell had been director of the departmental ethics office since July 2023, according to DOJ. Until Friday evening, I was the senior ethics attorney at the Department of Justice responsible for advising the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General directly on federal employee ethics, Tirrell wrote on LinkedIn. I was also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the ethics program across the Department. He added: My public service is not over, and my career as a Federal civil servant is not finished. I took the oath at 18 as a Midshipman to support and defend the Constitution of the United States That oath did not come with the caveat that I need only support the Constitution when it is easy or convenient. Former Department of Justice ethics official Joseph Tirrell posted a letter to LinkedIn advising him of his dismissal. - From Joseph Tirrell/LinkedIn The Justice Department and Tirrell have not responded to CNNs requests for comment. CNNs Evan Perez contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Kansas City Police Department is searching for a missing 12-year-old girl. DeMariana Johnson was last seen near 37th Street and Askew Avenue on Tuesday at 1 a.m. According to police, she is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs around 150 pounds. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Police say she was wearing a white tank top, jean shorts, and black and white shoes with light-up soles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you see DeMariana, please immediately call 911, or the KCPD Missing Persons Unit at 816-234-5043. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Shawnee County District Judge Jessica Heinen sentenced Mickel Cherry, 27, to a pair of life terms requiring 50 years in prison before being considered for parole. He confessed to sexually assaulting and murdering 5-year-old Zoey Felix in October 2023 in a homeless encampment in Topeka. (Pool photo by Evert Nelson/Topeka Capital-Journal) TOPEKA A perpetually homeless man abused by his parents and shuffled as a youth among more than 17 foster homes and two psychiatric hospitals received a life sentence in prison Tuesday without possibility of parole for half a century in the rape and murder of a Topeka preschool girl entrusted to his care. Shawnee County District Judge Jessica Heinen ordered Mickel Cherry, who admitted to smothering 5-year-old Zoey Felix in 2023, to serve consecutive life sentences requiring incarceration for a minimum of 50 years before being evaluated for possible release. Defense counsel recommended their developmentally disabled client serve the pair of life sentences concurrently so parole could be an option after 25 years. The prosecution argued the extreme depravity of the crimes necessitated at least 50 years behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cherry pleaded guilty to both offenses in exchange for the district attorney not pursuing the death penalty. The evidence shows you violently, forcibly and inhumanely raped Zoey, Heinen told Cherry at close of a heart-wrenching two-day hearing. You then murdered Zoey. Heinen, who had the authority to order concurrent or consecutive life sentences, said her decision reflected Cherrys attempt to conceal his involvement by blaming an imaginary Mexican man and lying repeatedly to Topeka law enforcement officers. In a police station interrogation on the day of Zoeys death, Cherry confessed and has remained at the Shawnee County Jail for the past 650 days. The judge asked Cherry if he wanted to make a statement to the court, and his response No, Maam frustrated some family members looking for a glimmer of remorse. They had spent two days studying his mostly blank expression and tendency to bury his chin in his chest. He spoke periodically to his attorneys, but made few hand gestures given that his wrists were handcuffed to a chain linked to ankle shackles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zeke Felix, Zoeys father, said in an interview that he wasnt content with the decision of District Attorney Mike Kagay to set aside the capital punishment option. He understood there were potential legal complications with seeking the death penalty because of Cherrys diminished mental capacity, but thought an attempt should have been made to achieve what he viewed as full justice for his daughter. Im not content, but satisfied, said Zeke Felix, who sat during the proceeding in the front row behind prosecutors. The death penalty was off the table. Mickel Cherry, a homeless man who pleaded guilty to rape and murder of a Topeka girl, was ordered to serve consecutive life sentences of at least 50 years in prison before eligible for parole. Defense attorneys sought concurrent life sentences with a minimum 25 years in prison before review for parole. (Pool photo by Evert Nelson/Topeka Capital-Journal) Conscious decision Kagay, who handled the sentencing phase with two colleagues from the district attorneys office, said there was no easy way to talk about what the defendant did to the victim. He said in most criminal cases there were thin slices of humanity or fractured pieces of a puzzle to provide context or explain the horror. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not here, he said. Not in this case. Kagay said it was outrageous that Cherry, while divulging how he squeezed the life from Zoey, informed a Topeka police detective that sometimes a good person such as himself committed senseless crimes. Mickel Cherry made the conscious decision to kill Zoey. Why? In a failed attempt to avoid responsibility, Kagay said. The most egregious crimes demand the heaviest penalties. Each of these crimes call out today for justice. The district attorney responded to defense witness testimony and court filings dedicated to outlining how Cherry emerged from a Texas childhood marked by abuse and mental instability to land in an isolated Kansas tent encampment where Zoeys life ended. Kagay conceded state foster care systems allowed children to fall through the cracks, but he rejected that required mercy beyond setting aside the death penalty for Cherry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law has already shown him clemency, Kagay said. There is no question who is to blame here. No failure of any system caused him to rape and murder Zoey Felix. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay persuaded a district court judge to impose two consecutive life sentences requiring a minimum of 50 years in prison before defendant Mickel Cherry could be considered for parole after pleading guilty to the murder of Zoey Felix, 5, of Topeka in 2023. (Pool photo by Evert Nelson/Topeka Capital-Journal) Heart of the issue Defense attorney Peter Conley, who is the states deputy capital defender, presented evidence Cherry endured persistent abuse while a minor. There were Texas reports showing his mother put a lit cigarette to his head, leaving a permanent scar. Domestic violence was a routine occurrence in his parents home, reports showed. He was beaten with sticks, fists and even a hammer by adults in his life. The large but incomplete file on Cherrys upbringing indicated he lived in places where adults required disobedient children to stand in a cold shower all night or remain crouched in stress positions for hours. Elsewhere, he was forced to spend long periods of time in a yard with a dangerous dog. He was adopted at age 14, but was subsequently left on his own at 18 without the skills to live independently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The system failed him utterly and completely, said Beth Robinson, a professor at Colorado Christian University who was the first Texas counselor Cherry encountered when taken from his parents at age 5. He needed a whole different type of therapy and intervention. She testified for the defense that one-third of children who spent extended time in foster care ended up homeless and about half eventually found their way into criminal entanglements. Conley said it was important the sentencing judge in Kansas respond to the odious offenses committed by Cherry by imposing a life sentence. It was equally significant for the court to factor into the equation the role of a dysfunctional Texas foster care system as well as the Kansas Department for Children and Families failure to sufficiently respond to reports Zoey was being neglected, he said. That history argued for a sentence that provided Cherry a thin but reasonable hope of walking out of a prison in something closer to 25 years instead of 50 years, Conley said. The heart of this issue is DCF had information about unsafe environments for Zoey Felix and didnt do enough about it, Conley said. Actions have consequences. Mickel needs to be punished. Inaction also has consequences. One of Colorado Springs' last remaining Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom locations has closed. "Guests, friends and neighbors: It's so hard to say goodbye. We have made the difficult decision to close this location permanently. It has been our pleasure to serve you," read a notice, in part, taped to the doors and windows of the Old Chicago at 7115 Commerce Center Drive on Tuesday. The location, known as the Skokie location, is near Woodmen Road and Interstate 25 on the north side of the city. A single Old Chicago restaurant remains open in Colorado Springs, at 1579 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., according to the brand's website. That location was the Springs' fifth when it was built in 2015. "After close evaluation of the market, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close the Skokie location as of June 15," Old Chicago said in a written statement Tuesday. "We sincerely thank the community for their support over the last 35 years and look forward to continuing to serve our loyal guests at our locations across Colorado. We value the dedication and hard work of every team member. Employees were offered transfer opportunities to nearby locations." On Tuesday, the restaurant's logo and sign had already been removed from the two-story, 9,140-square-foot building El Paso County land records show was built in 1983. A regional manager with Houston-based Old Chicago owner SPB Hospitality, who was on site, declined to comment. It is the second Old Chicago location to close down in Colorado Springs in about two months, and the fourth in recent years. Most recently, the longtime restaurant at the First & Main Town Center on the city's east side permanently closed in early April. SPB Hospitality previously told The Gazette it also closed that location "after close evaluation of the market." Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings Another longtime location at Academy Boulevard and Austin Bluffs Parkway closed in April 2023. SPB's Senior Director of Communications and Marketing Ryan Russell said, at the time, that the company's restaurant closures "are influenced by everything from real estate, new restaurant decisions and lease-negotiation strategies." The closure of this location, he previously said, came "down to lease and real estate," though he did not elaborate. A downtown location that operated for years at 118 N. Tejon St. closed in 2016. Old Chicago representatives said back then they couldn't come to a new lease agreement with the building's owner. Old Chicago's latest shuttering in Colorado Springs comes at a time when casual chains are struggling; some others have shuttered their doors across the city in recent months. Among them are Hops n Drops, a casual sit-down burger chain that closed its sole Colorado Springs location at Stetson Hills Boulevard in April; and Hooters, known for its chicken wings and scantily clad waitresses, which closed its location inside The Citadel mall in March. Chains like Hooters, Red Lobster, TGI Fridays and Buca di Beppo have all filed for bankruptcy in the last year. Known for its vast menu of specialty pizzas, burgers, calzones, pasta, salads, beer and other offerings, Old Chicago was founded in Boulder in 1976. It is one of 10 restaurant brands SPB Hospitality operates, its website states. The restaurant operator took over Old Chicago from previous owner Craftworks Holdings, which filed for bankruptcy at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. SPB previously also operated Rock Bottom Brewery, which has a Springs location at the First & Main Town Center. Industry reports show SPB sold Rock Bottom and four other brewery brands and specialty concepts at the end of 2024. EDITORS NOTE: A previous Missouri Casenet entry had stated a 999-year sentencing; however, Burleson has received a life sentence. Burleson will be eligible for parole, but must serve at least 25.5 years. GALENA, Kan. A Galena man has been sentenced to death for his role in a Jasper County stabbing last year. Today, Judge Dean Dankelson sentenced Scott Burleson, 31, to life in prison, for the killing of 36-year-old Seth Langford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of todays sentencing Burlesons family and friends told the court that Burleson was a good person and never meant to kill anyone. The victims family then talked about its effect on them, losing Langford, and spoke about what they have left: their memories. Seth Langford Prosecutors dropped two counts of armed criminal action and one count of first-degree robbery against Burleson as part of his plea agreement. Langford was stabbed to death in March last year at a residence in rural Jasper County near the Missouri-Kansas state line. A second man charged in the case, Paul Phillips Jr., was given a 10-year suspended sentence and five years supervised probation as part of his plea agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. KANSAS (KSNT) Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said the Sunflower State will be included in a $720 million opioid settlement with drug manufacturers. The attorney generals office issued a press release on Tuesday, July 15 announcing that eight drug manufacturers will pay states due to the nationwide opioid crisis. Kansas is due to receive $5.7 million of the $720 million settlement. We are holding these companies accountable for the human suffering caused by years of their illegal marketing practices, Kobach said. These dollars will help save lives, because the funds will be used to prevent and treat drug addiction throughout Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How do wages in Topeka and Manhattan compare to the nation? The eight drug companies and the amount they will pay to address the opioid crisis as part of the deal are: Mylan (now part of Viatris): $284,447,916 paid over nine years. Hikma: $95,818,293 paid over one to four years. Amneal: $71,751,010 paid over 10 years. Apotex: $63,682,369 paid in a single year. Indivior: $38,022,450 paid over four years. Sun: $30,992,087 paid over one to four years. Alvogen: $18,680,162 paid in a single year. Zydus: $14,859,220 paid in a single year. Several of the settlements allow states to receive free pharmaceutical products instead of cash, according to the press release. Seven of the companies sued will be prohibited from marketing opioids, opioid products, making any product that contains more than 40mg of oxycodone and are required to implement a monitoring and reporting system for certain orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. KCMO councilmember neutral on 2 Missouri Royals sites KANSAS CITY, Mo. Monday, a councilman in the city made it clear he wants the Royals to stay in Missouri. FOX4 talked to Councilman Nathan Willett and Wes Rogers that afternoon. In late March, Royals CEO John Sherman told reporters he wanted to talk more about the stadium in June or July. In a nearly 15-minute interview with FOX4 Monday, Willett said he was Team Missouri a number of times. He added that he wants whatever works for the Royals. Kansas City man arrested, charged after high-speed boat chase at Lake of the Ozarks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Willett said he believes Washington Square Park, just east of Union Station, is an option for the team. FOX4 asked him if he wanted the ballpark in Washington Square Park over a once proposed ballpark for the Royals in North Kansas City at 18th and Fayette. North Kansas City is a separate city from Kansas City, Mo. I think its fair to say I want it in Missouri, Willett said in response. I am neutral between the two sites. I think its whatever works for the Royals and works for the taxpayers who are going to be asked to help out. Willett is running for Republican State Senator Tony Luetkemeyers seat in the Missouri state legislature, so right now, hes not running for re-election on KCMOs city council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX4 asked Willett if hes concerned that being neutral to two Missouri stadium locations would make Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas or other Kansas City council members upset with him. I think its Team Missouri, he responded. You dont know whats a legit option or not a legit option. Right now, you have two Missouri options, and I think you have one or two Kansas options. At the end of the day, the deal has to make sense for both the taxpayers. You have to have that benefit to it, but we cannot let Kansas continue to grow and Missouri just to sit back. Youre seeing a lot of growth happening, more and more south on the other side of state line. I think if a stadium went down there versus whether it be downtown or north of the river, youre going to see the continued concentration of economic development around there. Late in June, fellow KCMO Councilman Kevin ONeill told FOX4 that Kansas Citys parks department board needed to quickly approve moving rights over to Port KC or the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC). Three weeks later, that special meeting hasnt happened yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Port KC Board of Commissioner and fellow KCMO Councilman Wes Rogers was with Willett Monday at Northland Neighborhoods Inc. This is a years long project, Rogers said when asked if he was concerned that that the parks department special meeting hasnt happened yet. Theres no doubt in my mind that the city will figure out how to do this. Willett added that if the Royals chose to play in KCMOs city limits, the taxpayers should be able to weigh in on it. Jackson County Executive Frank White pitches Gov. Kehoe adjusted approach to sales tax extension Mayor Quinton Lucas has said the opposite though, that if the Royals built at Washington Square Park, the citys taxpayers may not have to weigh in on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the Royals chose Clay County and North Kansas City, that would require a vote of the people of that county to tax themselves via a sales tax. A Kansas ballpark for the Royals would take advantage of Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds. That would not require a vote of taxpayers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed 11 more bills into law Monday, ranging from public safety to real estate to agriculture. Kehoe was greeted by scores of farmers as he visited the Missouri Farm Bureau to sign Senate Bill 79. The soon-to-be law will allow the Farm Bureau to sell health insurance to its customers. This is an affordable option for people who are in that hole, said Barry Bean, a farmer from southeast Missouri. Between needing insurance and being able to afford insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri temp tag and car sales tax changes: What to know The Republican governor also traveled to the nearby Missouri Soybean Association to put his ink on Senate Bill 82, a targeted measure that puts restrictions on water being exported to another state. Under the legislation signed by Kehoe, anyone who attempts to move water to another state would need to get a water exportation permit issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Kehoe also signed nine other bills into law Monday: House Bill 147 House Bill 225 House Bill 262 House Bill 595 House Bill 596 Senate Bill 105 Senate Bill 133 Senate Bill 145 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 271 In addition to these measures, Kehoe has already signed dozens of bills into law this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kelsey Fitzsimmons worked her way up to police officer. One night in June, that all changed Back in September, Kelsey Fitzsimmons was among five female officers recognized by the North Andover Police Department. On National Police Womens Day, the department lauded Fitzsimmons and other women as excellent role models in the community. They all demonstrate leadership and a strong desire to help the citizens and visitors to the town of North Andover each and everyday, the department shared in a Facebook post on Sept. 12, 2024, alongside a photograph of Fitzsimmons, standing at attention in her police uniform with her right hand raised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are also excellent role models for the youth of our town and build lasting relationships between the department and the community, the post said. Fast forward to this week, when a state commission announced that Fitzsimmons has been suspended as a police officer. Her suspension came two weeks after Fitzsimmons was shot in the chest by one of her colleagues at her home. On Thursday, Fitzsimmons, who is facing criminal charges in the matter, broke her silence about the night on June 30, when her life as a police officer, and citizen, all changed. Through her attorney, Fitzsimmons released her version of events that night, saying in one harrowing moment, she had pointed her gun at her temple with the intent of killing herself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats when, according to Fitzsimmons, another officer shot her in the chest. I am in trouble and have a gunshot wound to my chest because in that awful isolated moment, I no longer had the will to live, Fitzsimmons said in her first public comment on the incident, adding that she was diagnosed with postpartum depression soon after giving birth to her son in February. Fitzsimmons, 28, was off-duty and on administrative leave when three of her male colleagues came to her North Andover home to serve a restraining order to her. The order, obtained by Fitzsimmons fiancee and the father of their four-month-old baby, came by surprise in an ex-parte fashion seeking to take the child away from her, her attorney, Tim Bradl, said this week. Prosecutors said an armed confrontation ensued. Fitzsimmons was shot by police once in the chest in the incident on Phillips Brooks Road around 6 p.m. on June 30, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker and her attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When one of the officers was escorting Ms. Fitzsimmons during the service of the court order, an armed confrontation took place, Tucker said shortly after the shooting. One of the standard boxes to check is the retrieval of any firearms in the home. Fitzsimmons was flown to a Boston hospital. She said she has had two surgeries since the shooting. Here I am today, two surgeries later, bedridden, and trying really hard to heal from these significant injuries, said Fitzsimmons. I am facing felony charges for a halfhearted attempt to take my own life. Her attorney said this week that Fitzsimmons was in grave condition. HAPPIER TIMES Fitzsimmons had worked her way up the ranks to become a law enforcement officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She began her career working part-time for the Fisher College campus police, according to her LinkedIn page. While a student, she worked security for the Boston Red Sox and also as an intern for the Methuen Police Department. She received a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Fisher College in 2020. That same year, Fitzsimmons also began study at the Massachusetts School of Law. After college, she worked as a legal assistant at a Lawrence law firm. In September 2021, Fitzsimmons secured her first full-time job in law enforcement, working as a correctional officer for the Essex County Sheriffs Department for just over two years. She began work as a full-time officer at the North Andover Police Department in November 2023, according to her LinkedIn page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fitzsimmons also had plans for her personal life. She and her fiancee, North Andover firefighter Justin Aylaian, had planned a wedding in Maine for this fall, according to an online wedding registry that has since been taken down. Several photographs of the couple had been posted to the registry site, including one of the couple smiling and showing her engagement ring. We wish you both a lifetime of happiness, the North Andover Fire Department said in a Facebook post last fall, after the couple became engaged. Their wedding date had been set for Oct. 4. In February, she and Aylaian celebrated the birth of their child, a boy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple was among several new parents connected to the North Andover Fire Department. Eight of the departments firefighters welcomed nine babies in the past nine months, according to an online report. SUSPENDED, CRIMINAL CHARGES Days after the shooting, on July 3, criminal charges were lodged against Fitzsimmons, who had been with the North Andover Police Department for over a year and a half when the shooting happened. Fitzsimmons is facing one count of assault to murder and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, according to the clerks office at Lawrence District Court. It was unclear Thursday when Fitzsimmons would be arraigned on the charges. No date has been set for her arraignment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fitzsimmons said she never pointed my firearm at the officer who shot her. That officer was not just a colleague; he was my friend, said Fitzsimmons. Last summer, she and the officer responded to a call together. When they walked into a local home, they saw a horrific scene: a murder-suicide of a mother and her infant. Fitzsimmons was 20 weeks pregnant at the time. The officer that shot me experienced this call with me, she said. To this day, his support during that hard time is something I am still grateful for, regardless of this recent incident that occurred. This traumatic murder-suicide call was the catalyst for my mental health complications, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, Fitzsimmons was suspended as a police officer by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. Fitzsimmons suspension is effective immediately, Commission Executive Director Enrique Zuniga wrote in his order on Monday. While the reason for her suspension was redacted from the document, Zuniga wrote the Commission has received sufficient evidence for the action. Fitzsimmons is hereby directed to surrender, and the Respondents agency is directed to collect, without delay, any agency-issued credentials and equipment that promote and support the performance of functions associated with service as a law enforcement officer, Zuniga wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This includes any uniform, badge, firearm, assigned cruiser, and use-of-force instruments, such as tasers, Zuniga wrote. THE SHOOTING On June 30, around dinner time, Fitzsimmons said she was sitting on my couch feeding my baby boy when I got a knock on my front door. She said she was very confused to see 3 of my colleagues. I open the door and I am told the following: your fiance has filed a restraining order against you, he will be taking your son away with no contact allowed, your firearms license that was just returned is gone again, and oh yeah, that career you worked so hard for and love, that you were just cleared to return to, that will be taken away too, Fitzsimmons said. She said she then packed bags containing baby food, clothes, diapers, and toys for my son to be taken away from me. I passed my son off to a fellow police officer, and I went into my bedroom, Fitzsimmons said. Thats when the unthinkable happened, she said: She wanted to end her life. Fitzsimmons on Thursday said she would never harm her child or another officer. As a police officer myself, I would never even think to intentionally hurt another police officer, she said. I see everyone in uniform as my brothers and sisters. Officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons Of the officer who shot her, she said, I especially would never hurt my friend. My friend who has a loving wife and children. I just would NEVER. My firearm was NEVER pointed in any direction other than my temple. When I pulled the trigger, my gun did not fire, Fitzsimmons said. However, I immediately got shot in chest, by my colleague and friend. She said, I am extremely grateful for two things: that God protected me from my attempt of taking my own life, and protected me by millimeters from dying from that gunshot wound to my chest. North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray has declined to discuss why Fitzsimmons was on leave from the department at the time of the shooting, calling it a personnel matter. Its a critical incident, and like a lot of critical incidents the police officers deal with, we all have our own way of getting through it, whether together or by ourselves, Gray said shortly after the shooting. POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION Central to this case is Fitzsimmons role as a new mother, and the postpartum depression she was experiencing when she was shot, according to Fitzsimmons and her lawyer. She needed help. She needed compassion, said Bradl, her attorney. What she got instead was gunfire and now, an appalling campaign to criminalize her in order to deflect accountability from the agency responsible for this botched response. Instead of de-escalation, she was met with deadly force, Bradl said. Fitzsimmons said she was diagnosed with postpartum depression in March, three weeks after giving birth to her son. She said she immediately sought help from medical professionals. I have actively been in treatment since the day of my diagnosis and was eager to heal and feel like myself again, Fitzsimmons said. Unfortunately, healing a sickness does not happen overnight. A spokesman for Tucker, the district attorney, declined to discuss the case in detail this week. The facts in support of the charges that were issued out of Lawrence District Court will be detailed at the arraignment in open court, the spokesperson said. Bradl said he intends to fight these charges with every legal resource available. We will demand full transparency, and follow every lead where it takes us, Bradl said. We will call out every contradiction and expose every lie. Her attorney said the shooting in late June changed Fitzsimmons life in an instant. She was confronted by three men from her department, and in an instant her baby, her job and her future with her fiancee were all taken from her, Bradl said. Tucker, in speaking to reporters after the shooting, noted the difficulties facing law enforcement officers in their line of work. We worry deeply about the mental health of our officers, Tucker said at the time. These are humans, these are police officers who have to make quick decisions. This should not go unnoticed or unappreciated by the public. Boston 25 News reviewed the restraining order filed by Aylaian against Fitzsimmons. It outlined allegations of domestic abuse. Fitzsimmons said in her statement on Thursday that she was failed by so many. She said the North Andover Police Department has released a narrative about the incident that is vague and noncommittal for a reason. If body cameras were worn by my department, I would not be in a position where I am wrongly accused of pointing my gun at this officer. I know the truth will prevail, Fitzsimmons said Thursday. Boston 25 reached out to North Andover Police for comment. The department directed inquiries about the matter to Tuckers office. Fitzsimmons, meanwhile, said her infant son gives her reason to live. I will survive and thrive. I know I need to be on this earth for many reasons, but most importantly- my beautiful son, Fitzsimmons said. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW PIEDMONT Kevin McCord, a longtime Piedmont resident and graduate of Piedmont High School, will run unopposed for District 2 on the Piedmont City Council. McCord, 57, works at the Honda Alabama Auto Plant as the assistant manager of production quality within the vehicle quality department. In that role, he oversees regulatory compliance and provides technical and quality engineering leadership. McCords duties also include training and skill development for his co-workers, maintaining clear communication, reporting systems as needed, and taking part in business and budget planning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although he has never held elected office, McCord said the decision to run for a council seat stems from a desire to grow personally and to serve the community. He views public service as an opportunity to listen, learn and interact, and to encourage commitment from the citys residents. The first and most fundamental project I want to undertake as an elected City Council member is to gain a robust, nuanced understanding of our citys budget, McCord said. Before launching bold initiatives or advocating for sweeping changes, it is imperative to comprehend the intricate flows of revenue and expenditure that shapes what is possible for our community. McCord emphasizes the importance of several core values in his approach to governance. These include acting with integrity, maintaining transparency, and making decisions that serve the communitys greater good even when those decisions are difficult. I approach every responsibility with a sense of duty and a willingness to go the extra mile for Piedmont and its wellbeing, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also plans to welcome others perspectives from across the community and encourage them to engage in meaningful conversations regarding the city. He said he likes to solve problems and come up with solutions. McCord sees government matters on two levels, long-term and present day. While he wants to make decisions which lay the foundation for a prosperous future for the city, he also seeks honest and creative ways to govern in the present day. He plans to focus on building trust, engaging with residents, and aligning his work with the broader goals of the city. Actor Kevin Spacey wants the Jeffrey Epstein files released. Release the Epstein files, Spacey wrote on social media early Tuesday morning. All of them. For those of us with nothing to fear, the truth cant come soon enough. I hate to make this about me but the media already has. Epstein, a financier, died in prison in 2019 while awaiting his trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Spacey, along with other Hollywood celebrities, was named in unsealed documents released in 2024 as part of the trial against Epsteins longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though Spacey and others are mentioned in the unsealed documents, the actor hasnt been accused of facilitating Epsteins alleged child sex trafficking ring. Separate from Epstein, however, Spacey was accused of sexual misconduct by several people in 2017, but he was acquitted of charges in 2023. Theres renewed interest in the Epstein files after billionaire Elon Musk said President Donald Trump was listed in them. The White House promised in February to release the files, but most of the information that came out did not contain anything new. Democrats now want a House vote that would force Attorney General Pam Bondi to release any and all information the government has on Epstein. Bondi told Fox News in February that Epsteins list was sitting on her desk. However, the Justice Department and FBI said in a July memo that there was no evidence of an Epstein client list and that Epstein really did die by suicide in his jail cell in 2019. Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson, among others, has accused Bondi of covering up Epsteins alleged client list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is salacious... people have followed it for years, the president promised to reveal the truth about this. Pam Bondi... went on television [and] said, We have the truth and were gonna give it to you, Carlson said on his show last week. I think this is kind of, I think, this is a big deal. Its a really big deal. So there are really only two potential explanations that I can think of, maybe youve got another, he said. The first is that Trump is involved, that Trump is on the list, theyve got [a] tape of Trump doing something awful. Related... Speaking at a press conference at Morse High School in Bath on Thursday afternoon, Gov. Janet Mills unveiled the state's updated climate action plan. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star) Environmental advocates secured several key victories in Maines latest legislative session, including the establishment of a state energy department and a new clean power goal. But some priority climate bills were voted down or left unresolved until next year. Still, advocates said there are several policies to celebrate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the beginning of the legislative session, a statewide alliance of 39 conservation, climate action, and public health organizations known as the Environmental Priorities Coalition highlighted its nine priority areas with corresponding legislation for this year. In a post-session look back, Maine Conservation Voters, which is part of the coalition, and the Maine Labor Climate Council also highlighted other key pieces of legislation related to labor, climate action and a responsible transition to clean energy. The last six months of advocating in Augusta were not without some nail-biting moments and disappointments, but the overall results for people and nature were positive and a testament to the hard work of legislative champions, strong coalitions, and the advocacy and activism of Maine people who care deeply about protecting the Maine we all love, said Nick Janzen, director of policy and partnerships for Maine Conservation Voters. Heres a closer look at the wins, losses and whats yet to be determined. Environmental wins Lawmakers approved LD 1270, which will transition the current Governors Energy Office into a cabinet-level Department of Energy Resources. The new department will oversee the planning and coordination of state energy policy, as well as gain the authority to conduct competitive energy procurements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maine families and businesses deserve access to energy they can count on and afford and establishing the Maine Department of Energy Resources is an important step toward an energy future that works for Maine people, said Gov. Janet Mills after signing the bill into law. The department is expected to formally launch later this year and will be led by a commissioner appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature. Mills also signed LD 1868, which enshrined a goal she set in 2023 of 100% clean electricity by 2040 into law. These bills passed at a moment when the federal government is actively undermining entire clean energy industries and putting skilled tradespeople out of work, said Francis Eanes, executive director of the Maine Labor Climate Council. Together, these ambitious bills put Maine on a pathway to energy independence and affordability, and will create thousands of good-paying Maine jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill signed into law earlier this month phases out clean energy tax credits while making it cheaper to drill and mine for fossil fuels on federal land. As the state works toward its clean energy goal, there may also be a new database of clean energy construction projects to identify trends, improve interagency coordination and increase public transparency. Lawmakers passed LD 1850 directing the Governors Energy Office to compile such information, but Mills wont decide on that legislation until January. Though opponents saw another bill as an affront to supporters of a 2021 transmission line referendum, some environmental advocates were pleased Mills signed LD 810 into law. They argue it will streamline the approval process for transmission lines that may be necessary for the buildout of clean energy. Advocates also celebrated passage of LD 1619, which will establish a commission to look into bringing a thermal energy networks program into Maine. Thermal energy networks use shared underground water-filled pipes to more efficiently distribute heating and cooling across buildings or a community. Priorities voted down There were two key climate priorities that lawmakers voted down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though it passed in the Senate, LD 1138 didnt garner enough votes in the House of Representatives. That bill laid out a series of provisions that sought to reduce air pollution from the states transportation sector. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Maine, with most of it coming from personal vehicles. Lawmakers in the lower chamber also rejected LD 1940, despite support from the Senate. That bill was seen as a way to ease the administrative burden on municipalities in growth management and comprehensive land use planning. Bills carried over Since lawmakers were juggling a difficult budget season, there were a number of climate-related bills that went unfunded and will be carried over to the next session, which starts in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This includes LD 646, which seeks to study the effects of stormwater pollution on waterways in the state. Additionally, there were multiple bills that passed but were ultimately not funded by the budget committee to bolster the Land for Maines Future program, which keeps forests, farmlands and working waterfronts open for natural and recreational use. Advocates will also have to wait until next session to learn the outcome of LD 1870, which would establish a superfund for large fossil fuel companies to pay for infrastructure repairs, resiliency efforts and other costs in the rural and low-income communities disproportionately affected by flooding and other climate-related disasters. Since other states have found themselves in a federal legal battle for passing similar legislation, lawmakers opted for more time to see how those pan out. LD 1949, which was a late session bill that seeks to address the twin challenges of high energy costs and harmful fossil fuel emissions, was also left undecided. It passed the Senate 22-13, but did not receive a vote on the House floor so it was carried over to next year. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The statement described the letter as a conflict whose primary battlefield is not border zones, but public perception and the realm of awareness. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office responded to an open lettersent by former defense minister Yoav Gallant to Iran's leader on Tuesday, calling it a full-scale psychological operation and propaganda, Iran International reported. The response from Khamenei's office dismissed Gallant's statements of the Israeli military's prowess and superiority in intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement described the letter as a conflict whose primary battlefield is not border zones, but public perception and the realm of awareness. What unfolded in June 2025 was not merely a military campaign. It was the strategic collapse of a system you spent four decades constructing, Gallant wrote about Operation Rising Lion. As defense minister, I was responsible for turning decades of Israeli intelligence, air force capabilities, and strategic doctrine into a single, coordinated military plan. The plan that cut through your 'Ring of Fire' like a hot knife through butter and ultimately caused it to collapse, he said. Yoav Gallant speaks at Reichman University on February 25, 2025. (credit: ALON GILBOA) According to Gallant, the plans he created as defense minister culminated inOperation Rising Lion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Gallants words, what mattered more than the physical damage dealt was the intelligence Israel gained. We see everything. We hear everything. We are everywhere, he wrote. We knew your schedules. Your sites. Your communications. Your conversations with your closest allies, most of whom are no longer with you, in Beirut, Damascus, andTehran. Your timelines. Your fallback plans. And your blind spots. In more ways than one, we knew more about you than you knew about yourselves. Colorado's second-highest court last week overturned a jury's roughly $4 million award to an elderly Denver woman who was subject to a SWAT raid on her home after police believed, incorrectly, a stolen iPhone would be found inside. Tennessee lawmakers recently passed a law to provide more recess time for K-5 students. (Photo: Getty Images) As a former Metro Nashville Public School teacher, I know firsthand what it is like when children do not get enough time to play. I still remember my days as a middle school teacher, watching students attention spans (and attitudes) deteriorate after hours of sitting in class. The attitudes and attention spans would drastically improve after they came back in from playing. It seemed like a reset button had been pressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why Tennessees new bipartisan recess law, which requires 40 minutes of daily unstructured play for K-5 students, is such a victory for our children. This unstructured time, which the law prioritizes to be taken outside, will truly be beneficial to our Tennessee students. This is a change from the current law, which states that elementary schools must have 130 minutes of recess a week. After revising the original bill from 60 minutes a day to 40 minutes a day, the law was approved by every legislator except one. As someone who studies the cognitive development of young children, I am extremely happy about this bill. The benefits range far beyond just offering more time for students to run around; it will also give them the time they need to develop self-regulation, a crucial life skill that will pay dividends far beyond elementary school. Self-regulation is the ability to manage ones thoughts, feelings, and actions. Its what helps a child stick with a tough math problem instead of giving up. Its what allows them to calm down when a friend hurts their feelings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research shows that children with strong self-regulation skills do better academically and have better mental health. While children begin developing this skill prior to kindergarten, the elementary school years are crucial. In fact, a childs self-regulation in elementary school has been linked to reduced unemployment, mental health concerns, and criminal behavior 30 years later. This brings me back to the playground, the kingdom of movement and play. On any given day, its where you will see self-regulation in action. When playing freeze tag, a child must stop and no longer run until they are unfrozen. That ability to freeze and follow the rules teaches them impulse control. When playing four-square with others, they learn cooperation and conflict resolution. Self-regulation in children shows up as not having a tantrum after being eliminated and cheering on their friends from the sidelines instead. This shift is connected directly to play and is why recess is such an important component of early childhood education. Tennessees extended recess is thanks to dedicated parents in Clarksville who first pushed their local school district to expand recess and then decided to head to the state to make a change to benefit all students. As parents, they saw firsthand the need for play in their children. They formed the Say YES to RECESS Tennessee group to help advocate for more recess across the state. With the passage of the bill, they are already hearing some struggles with schools that have to make changes to a packed daily schedule. Rachel Bush, with the group, says, Were not talking about cutting math and reading in half, but really just looking at shaving a little bit here and there to increase recess to then help every other subject in the classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group succeeded where teachers have struggled since No Child Left Behind the law intended to improve education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds slashed recess time in 2002. For two decades, weve prioritized test scores over play, and our children have paid the price. Teachers are speaking out on the behavioral issues that are happening in schools across the country. Many of these issues stem from poor self-regulation kids who never learned to manage their impulses through play. Theres a chance that this recess bill could shift the states focus back to teaching the whole child. As children play more this upcoming school year, I hope legislators are looking for more ways to include play within the school day. How can parents and community members continue to support extended recess and integration of play-based learning? Contact your school board members to ask for more play in school. Support teachers who incorporate play into lessons. And most importantly, celebrate when your child comes home tired and happy from a full day of learning and playing. Its good for their health and yours. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." For the first time since the dawn of his second term, Donald Trump will visit the British royal family alongside his wife, Melania, from September 17 to the 19. The trip will coincide with a recess in the House of Commons, per CNN, which quells fears from certain members of British government that the U.S. president might try to address a joint session of parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a report from The Times, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, pushed forward with the state visit, despite doubts from King Charles III about Trumps relations with Canada. (Trump triggered tensions with Canadaa longtime U.S. allyby saying he wanted to make it the 51st U.S. state.) The U.K. remains one of the United States closest allies. WPA Pool - Getty Images The invitation for Trump to visit the U.K. was first extended in February, with the original intention being for the president to arrive in the summer for an informal stay, followed by an official state visit later on in his term. However, People learned that due to both parties busy schedules, this plan was not possible. The U.S. president will visit Windsor Castle this September, and he follows in the footsteps of French president Emmanuel Macron, who visited with wife Brigitte earlier this month. While international guests are usually housed at Buckingham Palace, the residence is currently undergoing renovations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, Charles signed a manu regia (a formal document that initiates a state visit) and had it hand-delivered to the White House for Trump. Governmental sources told The Times that Charles was hesitant to extend the offer. However, in light of the new schedule, the palace issued a statement that read: His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the first lady later this year. ALASTAIR GRANT - Getty Images An official statement was also shared to the royal familys social media accounts, which said: The President of the United States of America, President Donald J. Trump, accompanied by the First Lady Mrs. Melania Trump, will be hosted by His Majesty The King for a State Visit to the United Kingdom from 17th September to 19th September 2025. Further details are soon to follow. The occasion will mark an unprecedented second state visit for a president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last time Trump visited the royal family was in 2019, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Then, there was plenty of back-and-forth surrounding the timing of his arrival, due to a fear of protests against him. You Might Also Like DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A Houston County man is behind bars after investigators claimed they found explicit photos of children during the search of a home. A statement from the Houston County Sheriffs Office says 32-year-old Jordan Brazell was taken into custody after investigators raided a home in the 700 block of Watson Bridge Road in Kinsey on Saturday. Deputies say electronic devices were seized from the home, and during the investigation, Brazell was arrested and charged with three counts of dissemination of child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brazell was booked into the Houston County Jail on a combined $75,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) Firefighters and police officers in Wethersfield worked together to rescue a kitten from a storm drain in front of Corpus Christi School on Tuesday morning. According to the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, the kitten was successfully rescued by the quick teamwork of police and firefighters. It was also the second animal rescue of the week performed by firefighters and police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connecticut State Police announce passing of K9 Tipo On Sunday morning, Wethersfield police and firefighters found a group of ducklings in Mill Woods Park, which had become separated from their mother. Wethersfield firefighters said the ducklings were safely removed from the drainage brook and reunited with their mother in the pond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) Governor Tony Evers announced that Klein Hall, a program that helps veterans in Chippewa Falls, will close by the end of September. Klein Hall is a veterans housing and recovery program that provides temporary housing, training, and supportive services to military veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs said the news is disappointing, as there were plans to improve the facility. WI VA Assistant Deputy Secretary, Joey Hoey, explained, It was in desperate need of replacement. Weve been, I would say, band-aiding for a number of years. The Wisconsin VA says 23 veterans are currently living at the Chippewa Falls facility. They will be offered alternative placement options and will continue to receive assistance through supportive services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 & WIProud. Gregory Kline, 63, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a Kansas City, Kansas, hospital. He was born Nov. 17, 1961, in St. Joseph. Survivors include wife Tammy; sons, Michael, Mitchell, and Matthew; a sister, Jennifer; and a brother, Randy. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, with funeral services to be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Rupp Funeral Home, the interment will full military honors under the auspices of the United States Army at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Full obituary, online condolence, and public livestream log in at www.ruppfuneral.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press. The parents of a 17-year-old boy who was stabbed to death at a party have met the King and prime minister at a summit in London. Martin and Tara Cosser, from Milford, Surrey, set up the charity Charlie's Promise following the death of their son Charlie in Warnham, West Sussex, in July 2023. They attended a youth opportunities summit at St James's Palace on Tuesday along with other knife crime campaigners, including actor Idris Elba. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Cosser, who met King Charles for the first time, said: "I want actions to come out of today's summit." The campaigner said Tuesday's summit "included a lot of talking about knife crime". As a member of a government taskforce on the issue, Mr Cosser was meeting Sir Keir Starmer for the second time. "You are inspirational," the Prime Minister told Mr and Mrs Cosser. "I find it really humbling that people that have been through some of the most horrendous ordeals are able then somehow to turn that around and channel it into work to help other people that they will probably never meet and never know," Sir Kier said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I often ask myself, because we've got a 17-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, how would I react? "And I'm not sure I would have the courage and resilience that you have to do what you do for other people." Martin and Tara Cosser (4th row, 2nd and 3rd from left) attended the summit at St James's Palace [Aaron Chown/PA Media] Mr Cosser said about meeting royalty and politicians: "These people are highly respected and highly influential. "What I want to know is what they can do in the fight against knife crime and youth violence. "I gave Idris Elba my business card and said 'I want to hear from you'," Mr Cosser said. "He promised he'd come back to me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Cosser has delivered more than 200 awareness talks in schools, and more than 10% of the students he addressed were at primary school. Martin Cosser (right) has been campaigning on knife crime since Charlie's death [Martin Cosser] Mr Cosser is calling for compulsory knife crime education. He said: "The biggest tool we have against knife crime is education. "We need to raise the voice of our young people. "I'm convinced my little boy's legacy has already saved lives and will continue to do so, and that's through the power of education." The government has said it is committed to halving knife crime over the next decade. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More on this story Related internet links A year from now, Colorado's 2026 general election ballot will be set, and the primary winners will be embarking on their four-month sprint to November. Phoenix area residents and the rest of America will have the opportunity to make their voice heard at protests that will speak out against recent Trump administration policies. The protests set for July 17, dubbed "Good Trouble Lives On," will take place on the five-year anniversary of the death of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis. Lewis was a civil rights activist who dedicated his life to fighting for equality and voting rights, according to the Good Trouble Lives On website. He helped organize the 1963 March on Washington and the 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. The violent "Bloody Sunday" march helped the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to gain support, according to the website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went on to represent Georgia for 33 years in Congress. Good Trouble Lives On is a day of action to respond to what it says are "attacks on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration," the website said. The name takes inspiration from Lewis' term "Good Trouble," which is the action of coming together in peaceful, non-violent protesting. John Lewis Day is led nationally by Transformative Justice Coalition, Black Voters Matter, Indivisible, Declaration For American Democracy and Public Citizen. Here's what to know and where to find events in metro Phoenix. Where are the events in Greater Phoenix? More than 10 events will take place across the Valley on July 17, according to the website. Some events have private addresses that will be made available after RSVPing. To see a full list of events and RSVP, visit the Mobilize website. Anthem Intersection of Anthem Way and Gavilan Peak Parkway, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Apache Junction 185 W. Apache Trail, 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Goodyear Rep. Paul Gosar's office, 9 to 11 a.m. Mesa Intersection of Dobson Road and Southern Avenue, 8 to 11 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outcry from the state: Arizona sues Trump administration to secure over $100M for schools Phoenix Arizona Capitol, 9 to 10 a.m. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Phoenix Field Office, 7 to 8 a.m. Intersection of 35th Avenue and Deer Valley Road, 9 to 11 a.m. Overpass on Interstate 10 at the intersection of 91st Avenue and McDowell Road, 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Scottsdale 14500 N. Northsight Blvd., 8 to 9 a.m. Tempe Cole Park pedestrian bridge, 6:30 to 9 a.m. Intersection of Rio Salado Parkway and Mill Avenue, 7 to 9 p.m. Event follows "No Kings" protests The John Lewis Day protests come just about a month after the June 14 "No Kings" protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the event, organizers said the momentum from the event would be continued with "Rush-Hour Resistance" rallies, national resistance leader training and the upcoming day of action. Like the No Kings protest, the Good Trouble Lives On event will protest policies recently enacted by the Trump administration, such as the SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship for voting. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Good Trouble Lives On' protests coming to Phoenix area SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Here are the top headlines from this morning. The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors and the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) Authority released a letter detailing more than $6.6 million in damages caused by the three major companies on the project. Letter outlines $6.7 Million in damages from LEC Architect and Construction companies errors Boaters at the Sioux City Marina have noticed that the gas pumps are not working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When will Sioux City Marina gas pumps work again? Its county fair season! Find out when and where fairs will take place across Siouxland. Its time for the 2025 county fair season! A list of Siouxlands county fairs Check out these headlines and more in the video above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Questions and finger-pointing have increased in the days since a fire at a Massachusetts assisted-living facility killed nine and hurt dozens, as some residents had to hang out of windows screaming for help. Union officials say the city didn't staff enough firefighters to rescue all the residents trapped in the blaze, and the facility's owner had a previous citation for failing to report numerous health and safety incidents. The tragedy has also called attention to the minimal regulations that govern assisted-living facilities. Heres what to know about the blaze, its victims, and how authorities and residents have reacted in the aftermath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No foul play is suspected, but the cause is still unknown The fire started in a room on the second floor on the east side of the Gabriel House facility, but details about the exact origin and cause are under investigation, and the Bristol County district attorneys office said the cause does not appear to be suspicious. The city's fire chief teared up Wednesday as he described the chaotic scene his crew faced when they arrived at around 9:50 p.m. Sunday, finding heavy smoke and flames at the front of the building. "They described seeing faces in windows, Chief Jeffrey Bacon told reporters, choking back tears. And having to decide who to rescue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A firefighter hoisted six residents, one by one, over his shoulder and carried them to safety. The smoke was so thick on the second floor that two other firefighters couldn't see their hands in front of their faces. Another dragged a resident down the hall to a waiting colleague. That wing had nobody who could escape on their own, he said. Status of the victims Two of the roughly 30 injured people were in critical condition on Wednesday, Bacon said, up from just one person a day earlier. Gov. Maura Healey has described the facilitys residents as a vulnerable population with many in wheelchairs and having oxygen tanks. Those who died ranged in age from 61 to 86, Bacon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tension over fire preparedness and response A day after the fire, the firefighters union said inadequate staffing hindered the fire response and contributed to the death toll. One fire captain said breathing equipment was unavailable when he arrived, so he searched door to door without an air tank until the smoke got to him. We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough, said Michael OReagan, president of the Fall River firefighters union. About 50 firefighters responded to the scene, including 30 who were off-duty. Police helped break down doors and carried about a dozen residents to safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Wednesday, city officials said they had figured out a plan to add more firefighters to each shift, initially via overtime and eventually by hiring new staff. The cost for the additional staffing is estimated to be nearly $1.5 million, Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said. Home to around 94,000 people, the city in southern Massachusetts is one of the poorest in the state. A growing outcry The blaze in Fall River is the states deadliest fire since 1984 when 15 people were killed in a rooming house, according to the state Department of Fire Services. Richard Moore, a former head of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association and a former longtime state senator, called on the attorney general to investigate. Moore said he'd heard reports of insufficient fire drills and an owner who was indicted in 2012 on medical assistance fraud and kickback charges that were dismissed three years later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis Etzkorn, the facilitys owner, has declined to comment. What is known about Gabriel House The assisted-living facility was cited for failing to report more than two dozen health and safety incidents within a day after they occurred, as required by state law, according to regulators most recent review of the facility. The Gabriel House website promotes studio apartments for those seniors who cannot afford the high end of assisted living, as well as group adult foster care within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and churches. It has three floors with 100 units and opened in 1999, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who live alone in studio apartments, arranged around a central courtyard area, pay between $1,850 and $2,400 monthly, depending on their level of services, according to the website. The residence also offers a basic living plan that includes shared studio apartments, but doesn't specify a price. If an emergency occurs, no matter the time, there will be someone ready to help, the website states. ___ Contributors to this report include Associated Press writers Michael Casey and Kimberlee Kruesi in Fall River, Massachusetts; Michelle R. Smith in Providence, Rhode Island; and Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire. The Perseids meteor shower begins this week and is expected to offer one of the best shows in the sky of 2025. The event is considered the best meteor shower of the year, according to NASA, and is also the most popular. When is the 2025 Perseid meteor shower? The shower begins on Thursday, July 17, and will continue for several weeks, until at least Aug. 23, according to NASA and the American Meteor Society, a nonprofit organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meteor shower is expected to peak from Aug. 12-13, although moonlight will impact meteor visibility. The moon will be 84% full during the peak. Where and how to view the Perseids NASA says the best time to view the Perseids is early in the morning, before dawn, in the Northern Hemisphere. Sometimes, however, the meteors can be seen at night as early as 10 p.m. "The Perseids are one of the most plentiful showers with about 50 to 100 meteors seen per hour," NASA says. "They occur with warm summer nighttime weather allowing sky watchers to comfortably view them." Perseids often leave long "wakes" of color and light when they move through Earth's atmosphere. NASA notes they are also known for their fireballs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Fireballs are larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak," the space agency says. "This is due to the fact that fireballs originate from larger particles of cometary material. Fireballs are also brighter." What causes the Perseids meteor shower? The meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through an area of space debris left by a comet coming around the sun. Debris interacts with Earth's atmosphere and disintegrates, resulting in colorful lines in the sky, according to NASA and the American Meteor Society. "The pieces of space debris that interact with our atmosphere to create the Perseids originate from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle," which last visited the inner solar system in 1992, NASA says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swift-Tuttle takes 133 years to orbit the sun, NASA said, and in 1865, Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli became the first person to determine this comet was the source of the Perseids. When looking at the Perseids, they appear to come from the constellation Perseus, which is why this meteor shower has its name. But as NASA explains, the meteors don't actually originate from the constellation. Son of man who was violently detained by ICE reacts after release Mike Johnson breaks from Trump, calls on DOJ to release Epstein files 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits southern Alaska Donetsk Oblast Defence Council has banned civilian traffic on the Kramatorsk-Dobropillia motorway due to frequent Russian first-person view (FPV) drone attacks. Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; local news outlet Vilne Radio (Free Radio) Quote from Filashkin: "From 16 July 2025, a temporary restriction (ban) will be imposed on the movement of citizens, foreigners, stateless persons and civilian vehicles along the section of the public motorway of state importance T-05-14 Dobropillia-Lyman between Kramatorsk, Serhiivka, Andriivka and Dobropillia (km 5+850 to km 49+615)." Kramatorsk-Dobropillia motorway Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Screenshot: Vilne Radio Details: The decision was made by Donetsk Oblast Defence Council on Tuesday 15 July in response to an escalation in Russian FPV drone strikes targeting this stretch of the motorway. Law enforcement and specialised services will monitor entry and exit points along this section of the road. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A Kremlin spokesperson called on July 15 U.S. President Donald Trump's warnings of "severe" tariffs "serious" but said Moscow needs time to analyze the message from Washington. Trump's remarks came during a July 14 White House press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, where the U.S. president threatened to impose 100% "secondary tariffs" on Russia if a peace deal in Ukraine is not reached within 50 days. "This statement from the U.S. president is quite serious. Some of what he said appears to be addressed personally to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Russian state-controlled news outlet RBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We undoubtedly need time to analyze what was said in Washington. If and when President Putin considers it necessary, he will comment on it." Trump expressed frustration with Putin's actions, saying he had expected an agreement months ago. "I speak to Putin a lot about getting this done, and then missiles are launched into Kyiv or some other city," he said. In recent weeks, Russia has significantly intensified its air attacks on Ukrainian cities, targeting civilian infrastructure and causing numerous civilian casualties. Russian Security Council Deputy Chair and former President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed Trump's warning as a "theatrical ultimatum." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn't care," Medvedev wrote on X. During their joint conference, Rutte and Trump also unveiled a NATO-coordinated plan to purchase and deliver advanced U.S.-made weapons, including air defense systems, to Ukraine. Trump said NATO allies would fully finance the deliveries, which could be redistributed from European stocks and replaced through U.S. sales. Rutte said Ukraine would receive "massive numbers" of air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition. Top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas welcomed Trump's tough rhetoric but criticized the timeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On one hand, it is very positive that President Trump is taking on a strong stance on Russia... On the other hand, 50 days is a very long time if we see that they are killing innocent civilians," she said. Read also: Trump reportedly asked Zelensky if Ukraine could strike Moscow Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin said on Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump's recent statements, including a threat of sanctions on buyers of Russian exports, are serious and require analysis. In a major policy shift underscoring his growing frustration with President Vladimir Putin, Trump on Monday announced new deliveries of weapons to Ukraine and warned that buyers of Russian exports could face sanctions unless Russia agrees to a peace deal on Ukraine. Trump, who has said he wants to be remembered as a peacemaker, later told the BBC, referring to Putin: "I'm disappointed in him, but I'm not done with him. But I'm disappointed in him." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about Trump's recent statements, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The U.S. president's statements are very serious. Some of them are addressed personally to President Putin." "We certainly need time to analyse what was said in Washington. And if and when President Putin deems it necessary, he will definitely comment." Peskov continued, apparently referring to news of fresh weapons deliveries to Kyiv: "Decisions which are being made in Washington, in NATO countries, and squarely in Brussels, are perceived by the Ukrainian side not as a signal for peace, but as a signal to continue the war." He reiterated that Russia was ready to continue direct negotiations with Ukraine and was still waiting for a signal from Kyiv on when the next talks could take place. (Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Gleb Bryanski) NEED TO KNOW Krispy Kreme announced a summer special in celebration of the company's 88th birthday The hot and ready doughnut company is offering a dozen doughnuts for just 88 cents with the purchase of any regular priced dozen The deal is available at participating locations and only while supplies lasts on July 18 The melt-in-your-mouth treat that calls for a celebration! Americas hot and fresh sweet treat is turning 88 this Friday. Its only natural that Krispy Kreme is celebrating by offering their dedicated doughnut fans an extra sweet deal to commemorate the companys milestone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Eighty-eight has never felt and tasted so great, Krispy Kreme said in a statement. Its a real joy every year celebrating Krispy Kremes birthday with our fans and treating them to a special deal. Were so grateful for their love and loyalty. The company announced they will offer a dozen doughnuts for just 88 cents with the purchase of a dozen at regular price, on July 18. Brandon Bell/Getty Krispy Kreme birthday special Krispy Kreme birthday special The deal is only available July 18 and is limited to two dozen when purchased in stores or through one of their drive throughs. Customers ordering online can redeem their Krispy Kreme birthday celebration treat by using the code BDAY at checkout. Purchases made online for pickup or delivery are limited to one dozen for the birthday promo. The deal is available at all participating Krispy Kreme shops in the U.S. while supplies lasts. 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. The history of the company dates back to 1937 when Kentucky man, Vernon Rudolph, founded the company. Rudolph opened his first doughnut shop in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he sold mostly to convenience stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However the irresistible smell of the fresh baked goods made its way into the streets and soon passersby were inquiring of Rudolph how to purchase the hot and fresh bakery treats. The founder decided to cut out a window in the side of his shop making a counter for customers to conveniently order the Original Glazed doughnuts right from the sidewalk. Brandon Bell/Getty Krispy Kreme offers birthday special Krispy Kreme offers birthday special The PEOPLE App is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Today, the company prides itself on continuously adding to their menu with interesting doughnut variations and collaborations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the while, the Original Glazed doughnut remains just as a melt-in-your-mouth experience as delicious and iconic as ever, enjoyed by all generations especially when the brands beloved Hot Light is on, Krispy Kreme wrote in a statement. Doughnut fans are encouraged to share how they are celebrating the companys 88th birthday by using the #KrispyKreme and tagging @krispykreme on social media. Customers can also check Krispy Kremes website to see the nearest participating shop and birthday deal details. Read the original article on People Editor's note: This story is being updated. The Kyiv Pechersk District Court ruled to place Vitaliy Shabunin, head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center's (AntAC) executive board, on a personal recognizance until Aug. 20, according to a Kyiv Independent journalist present at the hearing. Personal recognizance, also known as "own recognizance" or "release on recognizance," is a legal term that refers to a defendant's release from custody without the need to post bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shabunin, who is a current member of the country's Armed Forces, was charged on July 11 with evading military service and fraud an accusation he and his team reject. Judge Svitlana Hrechana of Kyivs Pechersk Destrict court during a hearing on the preventive measure for anti-corruption activist Vitaliy Shabunin in Kyiv, Ukraine, July 15, 2025. (Linda Hourani/The Kyiv Independent) Shabunin is one of Ukraine's most influential anti-corruption crusaders. He told the Kyiv Independent in May that three criminal cases had been opened against him since the start of the full-scale war. Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) said that the new charges are linked to a criminal case involving Viktor Yushko, a serviceman and former commander of the 207th battalion of the Kyiv territorial defense, where Shabunin served at the beginning of the full-scale war. Yushko is under investigation for alleged abuse of power, accused of authorizing fictitious business trips for military personnel, including Shabunin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yushko is suspected of approving Shabunin's business trip to the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), allegedly allowing him to avoid combat duties. According to the bureau, Shabunin stands accused of taking a monthly military allowance of Hr 50,000 ($1,200) while absent from his unit. Read also: Ukraines top anti-corruption activist faces charges that his team calls political vendetta Serhii Rokun, Shabunins lawyer, described the charges as "absolutely unfounded" and said they are considering an appeal. Shabunin said he believed the cases against him to be politically motivated and linked to the President's Office Head Andriy Yermak and his controversial Deputy Chief of Staff Oleh Tatarov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tatarov, a powerful but divisive figure in Ukrainian politics, was charged with bribery before joining the presidential administration, but law enforcement agencies obstructed the corruption case against him and eventually dropped it. "(The President's Office), through the Tatarov-controlled State Bureau of Investigation and anonymous Telegram channels, seeks to turn Vitaliy Shabunin into a 'tax evader' and 'swindler,'" AntAC said in a column published in the Ukrainian media. The Kyiv Independent has previously reached out to the President's Office but have not received a comment. "Im convinced this is an attempt to use me as an example to show all whistleblowers and critics that (President Volodymyr) Zelensky and his team can do whatever they want, to whomever they want, whenever they want," Shabunin said in the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If convicted, Shabunin can face up to 10 years in prison. Thank you for reading this article and staying informed. The Kyiv Independent operates without a wealthy owner or a paywall, relying solely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Consider joining our community today. Read also: Editorial: Right now, Ukraines democracy risks a Russian-style backslide Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Federal prosecutors said two former Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies admitted Monday that they committed criminal acts while working side hustles as private security for a Southern California crypto mogul who referred to himself as the Godfather. David Anthony Rodriguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy against rights, according to a Monday statement by the office of the U.S. attorney for the Central District of California. Christopher Michael Cadman agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy against rights and subscribing to a false tax return. Rodriguez, 43, of La Verne, said in a plea agreement that in 2022 he lied to a judge to improperly obtain a search warrant for a victims GPS location for a client who hired him for private security, the U.S. attorney's office statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 'A thief and a crooked cop': L.A. deputy committed crimes for crypto mogul, feds say Rodriguez shared the victims location with Eric Chase Saavedra, 42, of Chino, another deputy who operated a private security business and pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy against rights and subscribing to a false tax return. The federal prosecutor's office in Los Angeles said deputies and others who were in on the scheme used that location information to harass, threaten, and intimidate the victim. Rodriguez will face a maximum of 10 years in federal prison at his Nov. 10 sentencing hearing. Cadman and Rodriguez are former employees of Adam Iza, 24, a Beverly Hills and Newport Beach businessman who pleaded guilty in January to charges of conspiracy against rights, wire fraud and tax evasion. Iza has been in federal prison since September, with a sentencing hearing slated for this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cadman, 33, of Fullerton, and a deputy referred to as LASD Deputy 6 in court filings intimidated and threatened a victim who was one of Izas adversaries in August 2021, according to the U.S. attorneys statement. During a meeting in Izas Bel-Air mansion, LASD Deputy 6 held the victim at gunpoint, the statement said, after which the victim transferred approximately $25,000 from his bank account to Izas bank account in response to the threat and demand. Read more: Crypto mogul known as 'The Godfather' used L.A. deputies for extortion, feds allege The following month, Cadman and other officers orchestrated a traffic stop in Paramount to arrest the same victim, Cadman admitted in his plea agreement. He also admitted that he received payments in cash while he was employed by Iza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cadman also admitted to receiving at least $40,500 in income that he knowingly failed to report on his federal 2021 tax return, the U.S. attorneys office wrote. He will face up to 13 years in federal prison after he pleads guilty. The Sheriff's Department said in a statement that it has cooperated with the federal investigation and that Rodriguez and Cadman were "relieved of duty" in October 2023 and October 2024, respectively. "These alleged actions, as detailed in federal court documents," the statement said, "are deeply disturbing and do not reflect the values of our Department or the dedicated work of the vast majority of our deputies who serve with integrity." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Colorado Parks and Wildlife posted this image of a wolf release that took place recently in either Pitkin or Eagle counties. LAKE BUCHANAN, Texas (KXAN) As flood gates opened at Buchanan Dam for the first time in six years, locals gathered to watch as water from Lake Buchanan rushed into Inks Lake. Theres still a lot of water coming down the Colorado River. I think theyre doing everything they need to to keep the people safe up there, said Nick Zackoff, president of the Lake Buchanan Conservation Corporation. The group, which helps maintain Lake Buchanan as a recreation spot, is taking action to help people recovering from the floods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were blessed and didnt have any problems, Zackoff said, but they plan to help out. The group has partnered with Lowes and Ark of the Highland Lakes to provide gift cards and a discount at Lowes stores. The goal: to help people rebuild in Burnet and Llano counties. The group is accepting donations to help pay for the cards through their website. Additionally, theyre hosting a meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to discuss further ways they can help. That meeting will be held at Hill Country Hall, 15675 E. State Hwy 29 at Buchanan Dam. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. The Lake County Board of Elections asked its attorneys to review information presented by Lake County Republican Party Chairman Randy Niemeyer with two concerns. Niemeyer, who is also a Lake County Councilman, presented concerns Tuesday that Democratic employees set up for the partys caucus during work hours in February, and some poll workers were paid for training they allegedly didnt attend. In regard to the caucus, Niemeyer said that at least two Democratic employees were setting up for the caucus, which was held March 1 at the Lake County Government Center, during work hours on Friday, Feb. 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the May special Crown Point and Hobart school referendum elections, Niemeyer previously said he was concerned about inspectors and students being paid for training, which they have to attend by law, but records indicate that some didnt receive training. Niemeyer told the election board members that Indiana Code allows the board to adopt a waiver of election training if certain circumstances are met. The purpose of this presentation is not to go on some sort of a witch hunt or to look for problems where they dont exist. Its where we have procedural issues, we want them corrected, Niemeyer said. The goal of this is not to see punitive measures taken against individuals. Its to correct a problem. Board member Michael Mellon asked staff if the boards policy is that employees cant walk into a political, partisan situation during work hours. Lake County Board of Elections and Registration Assistant Director Jessica Messler said the employee handbook states that is against the rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lake County Clerk Michael Brown said the election boards attorneys should review the information Niemeyer submitted to the board to determine how the board should move forward before asking questions. I dont think this is an appropriate time to start questions and answers, Brown said. We will make decisions based on what our attorney tells us and whatever we need to do to correct it, so it will be corrected, but it has to be done the right way. This is not the right way. Lake County Board of Elections and Registration Director Michelle Fajman previously said employees did not set up for the caucus during business hours. The voting machines and tables were delivered that Friday, she said, but all setup was done Saturday morning. Fajman previously said some employees couldve walked into the auditorium to see if the equipment was in the room, ready to be set up the next day. Employees like to walk the government campus during their breaks, so its possible some employees couldve walked by the auditorium, she said, but no setup was done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fajman said that special elections are paid for by the entity holding the election, so all payments of election workers would be paid for by the school districts. Initially, the money comes out of the countys general fund, and then the schools reimburse the county for the elections. Under Indiana law, clerks and judges can complete election training online or in person, Fajman said. Inspectors have to do training in person, she said. Further, Indiana law dictates that students have to attend a training, Fajman said, so they can pick in person or online. Fajman said when election workers go to training, they show their drivers license and check in on a poll pad against voter registration data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because some students arent old enough to vote yet, Fajman said they are checked in manually. To get paid, students on Election Day sign a pay claim and mark on the claim that they attend training. Inspectors could have a discrepancy in training attendance because there could be situations where an inspector had to back out of working the election, but remains on the record, and another inspector fills in, Fajman previously said. The election office has been working toward coming up with a system to better track attendance and payments, Fajman previously said, and hopes to launch it by the next general election. Right now, theres no foolproof method that we have, but were looking into it right now, Fajman previously said. akukulka@post-trib.com The fraught relationship between social media and hospitality hit a new high point in June 1,500 feet above sea-level in fact when a rumour got out that Cumbrias highest pub, the Kirkstone Pass Inn, had been turned into a stag and hen party venue. What have you done to this historic and beautiful pub, bewailed @ramblingartist on Instagram. Seeing this saddens me. Youve ruined an historic building and beautiful listed pub, complained @pippin_hort. Lost forever, its horrible and not in keeping at all with the ethos. Wheres your planning application? Im so upset. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so on, and so on in the long scroll of angry comments in the feed belonging to Supreme Escapes, the lettings company credited with or damned for the refurbishment. The pictures show fairly innocuous interior decor. Its not bare stone walls, four-posters and sheepskin rugs, for sure; but nor is it a blinged-up eyesore. Jerry Huppert, a partner in Supreme Escapes, told a local radio station that the building was being sensitively renovated and the firm had already spent about 3 million on the project. The pub was very, very tired, almost derelict beyond repair, he said. Although our company generally specialises in holiday lets, we have recently moved into a new business model of boutique hotels and this is our first one. Will this reassure ramblers in the Lake District? Will they book in to find out for themselves? Can even a Wainwright superfan, who walks in vintage wear and flat cap, not put aside their prejudices for one night and experience a more contemporary inn? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Probably not because there appears to be a certain mindset among the middle-class walking contingent that doesnt allow for any change. It amounts to a convenient blurring of thoughtful conservationism and mindless conservatism that would keep the Lakes trapped in a kind of developmental aspic, as if the only thing Cumbria existed for was to satisfy the firm, bellowed demands of the weekend walker. The struggle Lets consider a few facts. The centuries-old former pub stands at 1,481ft (451m) above sea level, on an exposed hillside above Ambleside. Before the pandemic, it was used by drivers and hikers who made it up the Kirkstone Pass, the Lake Districts highest road pass with a gradient approaching one in four in some sections. Closed when it snows, it is known locally as the struggle. Given the location and antiquity, its perhaps not surprising that when the Kirkstone Pass Inn was put on the market in 2021, there were no buyers and it sat empty for years. The Kirkstone Pass Inn was put up for sale in 2021, but remained unsold for a year - Shutterstock By now, we all know how hard it is to run a pub profitably in towns and cities; rural pubs are far more difficult prospects. More than 300 pubs closed in the first three months of 2025, according to the Campaign for Real Ale and that was before they were hit with a raft of extra costs from April. A Cumbrian campaign group recently warned that rural communities will find it increasingly difficult to save their local pubs from closure after the Government axed the Community Ownership Fund scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who, then, is going to invest in a remote, seasonal property and ensure it works as a business in the long term? Long-standing local objections The Lake District has a long history of refusing to belong to the modern world. Is then no nook of English ground secure from rash assault? asked William Wordsworth in 1841, protesting against plans for the construction of the Kendal to Windermere railway. Victorian conservationists, including John Ruskin and Hardwicke Rawnsley, invoked the spirit of Lakelands famous poetic protector in subsequent campaigns against railways. To this day, getting around the region is often difficult, and the private car is, consequently, king. Wainwright, originally from Blackburn, imbibed the local spirit. Of a popular route up the Old Man of Coniston, he wrote: This is the way the crowds go: the day trippers, the courting couples, babies and grandmothers, the lot. On this stony parade, fancy handbags and painted toenails are as likely to be seen as rucksacks and boots. The lines are accompanied by a sketch of a lone walker looking to the fells while a crowd stares in the opposite direction, trying to spot Blackpool Tower. I hope the irony that he had inspired legions of walkers was not lost on him. Coniston Water with the Old Man rising up behind - Alamy Last year, the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) refused a planning application to construct a 118-foot communications tower near Patterdale, though it would have offered improved emergency service and commercial coverage for the area. Current plans to build a mosque near Dalton-in-Furness have been met with general outrage. One local condemned the proposal (put forward by local doctors, who are Muslims) as a monstrosity. No doubt plans for, and objections to, significant structures need to be carefully weighed, but some of the uproar smacks of paranoia. A national park, for everyone Many of the views expressing distaste about a modern hotel taking the place of a run-down traditional one spring from visitors rather than locals. Some British middle-class city and town residents want their countryside to remain the same, untarnished, untainted by progress. They also want to only bump into people like themselves. Who hasnt overheard a fluorescently-garbed silver-haired hiker lamenting the fact that they just bumped into two idiots who were in the completely wrong clothes for the locale? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While sometimes this is a common-sense observation, more often than not it reflects a class-based disdain for those who are new to the outdoors. We saw a lot of the same stereotyping at the height of the pandemic, when, desperate for a change of air and scenery, urban working-class families took themselves to beauty spots. Of course, their noisy barbecues were not good for ponies or peewits but we were in the middle of a global health crisis. The Lake District has a long history of refusing to belong to the modern world - getty The virtue-signalling hiker class rarely put their money where their opinions are. Many Lake District youth hostels have been shuttered and sold off in recent decades. Camra reported last year that two Cumbrian pubs were closing every month. Jamie Shail, managing director of the luxurious Rothay Manor country house in Ambleside, told this newspaper that getting staff and chefs for Lake District hotels was a challenge and that a north-south divide drives prices down even as costs are soaring. If he is unable to redecorate the property, its not because of conservation sensitivities, but down to money. The refurbishment of the Kirkstone Pass Inn has modernised existing rooms and turned the old keepers house into holiday accommodation, but will keep the bar area unchanged and open to the public, with or without reservations. Frankly, in my opinion, any project that keeps rural inns, restaurants and other services going, keeps them alive. Far better a contemporary-looking bolthole than none at all. A supreme escape for a certain kind of nostalgist is one that reminds them of the one they experienced last year. And the year before. And in 1955. But the Lake District is a national park, for everyone, including hens, stags, young people and owners of footwear other than sturdy boots. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Juan Sanchez's son and grandson in November 2016 helped reseed by hand part of the lands burnt by the Dog Head Fire, after the Natural Resources Conservation Service masticated 80 acres of burned forest. (Photo courtesy of Juan Sanchez) An often-overlooked part of recovery from a wildfire, which lasts for generations, is the series of emotions that come with witnessing the destruction, says Juan Sanchez, president of La Merced del Pueblo de Chilili, a land grant in the Manzano Mountains in central New Mexico. After the Dog Head Fire in June 2016, when Sanchez drove up the mountain and saw the wreckage, the sadness was overwhelming, even tear-inducing, he said, because your mountain is gone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then comes the anger, which leads to asking why a fire happened, he said. Third and finally is the grief for that part of nature that is lost. That motherland of yours, your mountain, its something that your grandkids will never get to see, he said. What I have seen, what my ancestors have seen, how we use the mountain and how we lived in it before the fire. Other people representing land grant communities, local water systems and the states emergency management agency told lawmakers on Tuesday that more recent disasters have had similar lasting impacts. At the interim legislative Land Grant Committee meeting in Las Vegas, they asked for reforms they say would help them prepare for and recover from disasters like wildfires and flooding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeremy Klass, who leads the recovery and mitigation program at the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency management, asked the committee to build capacity and increase funding for his agency, which leads disaster response in the state. Klass said disasters are becoming more common as are cascading events like flooding federal programs are not structured to address those after-effects in a post-fire landscape. The department is sorely understaffed and underfunded, Klass said. While he has 84 people on staff who are managing $2 billion in disaster funding, he said, he has hired an additional 144 private contractors, whose expertise will not stay in New Mexico once their contracts end. When these disasters go away, that capacity is gone, he said, adding that the department needs that expertise on staff for future disasters. I cant do that without an increased budget and staffing, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee on Tuesday also heard from the New Mexico Acequia Association, whose members told lawmakers earlier this month about the challenges volunteer-run acequia organizations face trying to rebuild after wildfires and floods. Eddie Quintana, president of the Los Vigiles Land Grant-Merced, asked the committee for legislation to make it easier for land grants to gain easement rights to travel through private property. Quintana said private buyers often buy properties surrounding them, resulting in a landlock that blocks their access. The land grants use easements to care for their common lands, said New Mexico Acequia Association Executive Director Paula Garcia. For example, Sanchez said in 2014, two years before the Dog Head Fire, his land grant had used access roads to thin out parts of the forest, which protected those areas from the blaze, while areas they had not thinned were devastated. He shared photos showing the difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that thinning responsibility can actually decrease the likelihood of a catastrophic fire, Gerald Romero, manager of the Tierra y Montes Soil and Water Conservation District, told the committee. Central Florida U.S. Rep. Cory Mills could face eviction from a luxury Washington, D.C., penthouse after his landlord sued and accused him of failing to pay tens of thousands of dollars in rent. The Republican congressman owes about $85,000 in missed rental payments from March until this month, Bozzuto Management Co. alleged in a lawsuit filed in D.C. Superior Court. The posh penthouse just a few miles from the U.S. Capitol rents for $20,833 a month, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Independent journalist Roger Sollenberger first reported on the suit, which was filed on July 9. Mills, who represents Seminole and parts of Volusia counties, did not respond to a request for comment from the Orlando Sentinel. In a post on X, he said he had difficulty with a faulty payment system, posting screenshots of emails from June and July asking for payment links. You can see Im repeatedly asking for payment links and again as I tried with management today, it failed to process, he wrote in the post Monday night. A lawyer representing the management company did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Mills post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A document attached to the suit shows that Mills applied for the apartment in June 2023 and was late on his rent more than a dozen times. An attached photo shows a notice of intent to file a lawsuit taped on the apartments door in late January. The buildings sky suites and penthouses are billed as offering captivating views of the city, along with private elevators for discrete comings and goings. Mills has an estimated net worth of about $24 million, according to the investment research platform Quiver Quantitative. First elected in 2022, Mills co-founded several defense contracting and security companies. He earns $174,000 a year as a member of Congress. In February, the Metropolitan Police Department opened a probe of Mills following a report of an alleged assault at the penthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills, 45, vehemently denied any physical altercation occurred, and the 27-year-old woman listed as the victim by police denied an assault occurred in a statement to the Orlando Sentinel and other media outlets. Police sent an arrest warrant to the U.S. Attorneys office for consideration, but that investigation was closed after it was returned unsigned, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. A spokesman for interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, declined to comment about the case, saying it was handled by her predecessor, Ed Martin. Martin, who referred to himself as President Donald Trumps lawyer, exited the post in May and was replaced by Pirro, a former Fox News host and New York prosecutor. The House Ethics Committee is scrutinizing Mills business dealings and financial disclosure statements, including whether Mills benefited from federal contracts while serving in Congress. Mills has denied wrongdoing. One of Donald Trumps closest allies in Congress has called on the US president to release the Epstein files. Mike Johnson, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, has become the most high-profile figure to break with the president and demand his administration release everything on Epstein to the public. Mr Trump is facing a major backlash from Maga loyalists who fear a cover-up after the Department of Justice concluded earlier this month that the paedophile financier had no client list and died by suicide, not murder, in a Manhattan jail in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im for transparency, Mr Johnson told Benny Johnson, a podcast host and conservative commentator. Its a very delicate subject but we should put everything out there and let the people decide it. Disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epstein died in a Manhattan jail in 2019 - REUTERS Mr Johnsons demand puts him at odds with White House officials, who have ruled out releasing further records related to Epstein and claimed there is no conspiracy surrounding the sex offenders death. But Mr Trump appeared to row back on Tuesday when he said that Pam Bondi, the attorney general, should release any credible Epstein files following the backlash. Speaking outside the White House, the president said he had received a very quick briefing on the Department of Justice review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if his name appeared in any files, Mr Trump responded no, no, shes shes given just a very quick briefing before claiming the files were created by the Democrats. And in terms of the credibility of the different things that theyve seen, and I would say that, you know, these files were made up by Comey, they were made up by Obama, they were made up by Biden, he said. Weve gone through years of it, but shes handled it very well, and its going to be up to her, Mr Trump said of his attorney general. Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release. The row has caused splits in Mr Trumps Maga base and threatens to shake the Republicans grip on the House of Representatives at next years mid-term elections, where they maintain a tiny majority. Credit: Reuters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of Mr Trumps allies have turned on Pam Bondi, the attorney general, for over-promising how much information would be disclosed, arguing she was either lying when she drummed up anticipation for the release of the files or is now withholding details. Ms Bondi claimed in February that Epsteins client list was sitting on my desk, only to later backtrack, with the White House claiming she was referencing the entirety of all of the paperwork in relation to Jeffrey Epstein. Mr Johnson said the attorney general needs to come forward and explain the apparent discrepancy. I like Pam, I think shes done a good job but we need the DoJ [Department of Justice] focusing on the major priorities, he said. Im anxious to put this behind us. More transparency is needed Also on Monday, Lara Trump, the presidents daughter-in-law, waded into the row, calling for the White House to release additional documents from its investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do think that there needs to be more transparency on this, and I think that that will happen, she said during a podcast with Benny Johnson. I believe that there will probably be more coming on this. And I believe anything that they are able to release that doesnt, you know, damage any witnesses or anyone underage or anything like that, I believe theyll probably try to get out sooner rather than later. Lara Trump, the US presidents daughter-in-law, has significant influence in Maga media circles Mrs Trump, a former co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee who is hotly tipped to run for Senate in North Carolina, sought to placate dissent among Maga supporters, claiming there was no great plot. To everybody out there whos all worked up about it, theres no great plot to keep this information away that Im aware of, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maga hardliners including Laura Loomer warned on X that the lack of results at the DoJ and lack of transparency could cost the GOP House and Senate seats in next years midterm elections. Lt Gen Mike Flynn, Mr Trumps national security adviser from his first administration, also wrote on the platform that the Epstein affair is not going away. In a bid to clamp down on dissent, the president called Charlie Kirk on Monday after the prominent conservative activist expressed frustration with Ms Bondi. Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, has come under scrutiny for over-promising how much information would be disclosed - Ken Cedeno/REUTERS Following the conversation, Mr Kirk told viewers of his show, Real Americas Voice, that he is done talking about Epstein for the time being and would trust the administration to solve it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources close to the administration have said that Mr Trumps team is planning to offer half-measure concessions to contain the fallout. Options under consideration include removing redactions from previously released documents, appointing a special counsel to review the case and petitioning courts to unseal records, Axios reported. Republican lawmakers have sought to distance themselves from the scandal, with John Thune, the Senate majority leader, telling reporters: Ill leave that up to DoJ and to the FBI. I think thats in their purview. I think the presidents expressed his views on it and so Ill just leave it at that, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if the justice department should provide more information about Epstein-related documents, GOP senator Chuck Grassley told The Hill: I think Ive said all I should say. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Lara Trump, President Donald Trumps daughter-in-law and former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, said the White House needs to show more transparency in its handling of the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The presidents handling of the Epstein case has roiled his political base after top Justice Department officials reneged on commitments to release investigation files. The rift threatens to alienate supporters who have clamored for the documents. Lara Trump said in a podcast interview that she believes the administration will release additional documents from the Epstein investigation, and hopes it will happen soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do think that there needs to be more transparency on this, and I think that that will happen, she said on a podcast hosted by conservative commentator Benny Johnson. I believe that there will probably be more coming on this. And I believe anything that they are able to release that doesn't, you know, damage any witnesses or anyone underage or anything like that, I believe they'll probably try to get out sooner rather than later, she added. Her statement has echoes of previous comments by Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, who repeatedly promised to release investigation documents after joining the Trump administration. The Department of Justice has since announced the closure of the Epstein case and their earlier remarks have been widely circulated online by critics. Many ardent supporters of the president have expressed skepticism about the earlier DOJ conclusion that Epstein killed himself while in federal custody during Trump's first term. They also have called for the release of a supposed client list that administration officials now say does not exist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump supporters at this weekend's Turning Point USA conference, including Trump allies Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk, repeatedly called on the administration to release the Epstein investigation files, despite the president repeatedly downplaying the issueand Patel saying the conspiracy theories just arent true. Trumps comments come as Republicans await to hear whether she will run for Senate in North Carolina, her home state. Many Republicans see her as a top candidate to replace Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced his retirement last month after breaking with Republicans on their domestic policy agenda bill. Despite Trump indicating she believes the White House will make the files public, some legal experts have argued the DOJ may be unable to share additional information because of the sensitive nature of the case. Democrats have sought to capitalize on the uproar. Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas introduced a resolution on Monday calling for the release of the files. Rep. Ro Khanna of California is expected to introduce a related amendment in the House Rules Committee Tuesday. The Democratic National Committee launched an account on X on Thursday dedicated to demanding the release of the files, joining a chorus of Democratic lawmakers criticizing the White House for the lack of transparency. LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KTSM) A 40-year-old man believed to be responsible for a stabbing that occurred last month has been charged with attempted murder in what is an apparent carjacking attempt, the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) said on Tuesday, July 15, in a news release. Las Cruces Police seek info on man seriously hurt in stabbing LCPD said Jeffrey L. Cruickshank, 40, is charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators obtained information that identified Cruickshank as the suspect and petitioned for an arrest warrant. He was arrested on June 23 on unrelated charges, and the warrant was served on June 30 while he was in custody, LCPD said. LCPD said Cruickshank is being held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center. As we previously reported, the incident occurred shortly after midnight on June 14, along the 200 block of East Idaho Avenue. The victim, a 39-year-old man, told officers he was sitting in his car when the suspect approached and demanded the keys to his vehicle. The suspect began stabbing the victim after the request was denied, LCPD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LCPD said the victim was able to escape and ran to the Walgreens store on El Paseo Road before being airlifted to a hospital in El Paso. The victim has since been released from the hospital. Police investigators also learned that Cruickshank tried to kill the victim by stabbing him in the neck and arm. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A local hospital is now offering a free support group for parents who have experienced the death of a young child. Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center announced on Tuesday that it would be offering a free monthly support group for grieving parents. The Infant Bereavement Support Group was created to help support those whove experienced the death of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospital wants to walk with families as they navigate the unimaginable. Grieving the loss of a baby is an unimaginable pain, the hospitals website reads. Were offering a safe, compassionate place to share, listen, and heal. According to the hospital, there are more than 21,000 stillbirths in the United States each year, as well as more than 3500 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) deaths. Additionally, there are more than 1 million miscarriages in the U.S. every year, the hospital said in a release. The group will meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every fourth Tuesday of the month, starting on Tuesday, July 22, at the Southern Hills Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The support group is completely free; however, registration is required. Those who wish to register can do so at this link. The website also added that anyone was welcome, no matter what their relationship to the child was or what gestational age they were lost. Our purpose is to help each other cope with grief, but we are each on our own journey and those differences must be respected. Meetings will be held in the education room across from the cafeteria. The hospital is located at 9300 West Sunset Road. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man who killed his grandmother, her boyfriend and a maintenance man at a Las Vegas apartment complex will serve the rest of his life in prison, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned. Spencer McDonald, 32, killed Dina Vail, 80; Andrew Graden, 43; and Chris Brassard, 45, on June 27, 2023, at the Rancho De Montana Apartments on Flamingo Road near Durango Drive. In court Tuesday, McDonald pleaded guilty but mentally ill to three counts of murder with the use of a deadly weapon. As part of the plea agreement, McDonald will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. As part of the deal, prosecutors dropped the possibility of the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonald told police that he entered Vails bedroom with a cosplay sword and a large kitchen knife during the early morning hours and attacked her, according to grand jury testimony. McDonald said that he waited for Graden to return home and then attacked and killed him, according to police. McDonald also described continuing his weekend activities like going to the gym and getting coffee while the bodies remained in the apartment, police said. Brassard was one of two maintenance workers who went to Vails apartment to check on her after a friend said he could not reach her for several days. A second maintenance worker survived after McDonald attacked him with a knife, investigators said. In several court hearings, McDonalds family said he struggled with his mental health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Nevada, a plea of guilty but mentally ill requires a defendant to provide documentation of a mental illness. In similar cases, judges will often order mental health treatment for prison inmates. McDonald will be formally sentenced on Aug. 26. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. James Craig was leading a double life balancing his wife of 23 years with his mistress of 23 days, prosecutors said during opening statements in his murder trial Tuesday. They contend that the defendant poisoned Angela Craig to get her out of the way. In their opening statement, defense attorneys admitted that Angela Craig had poison in her system but had no explanation as to where it came from. What were disputing is how, said defense attorney Ashley Whitham, who asked the jury to not speculate on what happened. 18th Judicial Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley gave jurors a roadmap of the evidence they planned to submit during the expected three-week trial in District Judge Shay Whitakers courtroom. As Whitaker read the initial instructions to the jury before the proceedings began just after 9 a.m. Tuesday, Craig slightly rocked back and forth in his chair and stared at the jurors who will decide his fate. Brackley described Angela Craigs last days of increasing dizziness and fainting spells as she and her doctors frantically tried to explain her mysterious illness. He said that when Craig entered the hospital room where his wife lay in a coma, he wore medical scrubs so that he looked familiar in a clinical setting and injected her with a fatal dose of poison. Craig didnt go into that room to save Angelas life, he said. He didnt go into that room to fight for her or support her. He went into that room with a fatal dose of cyanide. Brackley told the 15-person jury that Craig had two motives to kill his wife: His dental practice was spiraling down financially and he had met a new love. At one point, prosecutors showed a photo of Angela Craig attached to ventilators in the hospital during her final few days Twelve jurors will decide the case once testimony has concluded, and three are alternates for the trial expected to last three weeks. In her opening statement, Whitham admitted that the couples 23-year marriage was over, but said Angela Craig was struggling. Further, Whitham said, Angela Craig knew about the dental offices financial problems. She loved to spend, Whitham said. She spoke of trips to Disney World, loving texts between the two of them and called Craig a doting husband. As Whitham said this, Craig looked down and wiped eyes which appeared to be puffy and watery. A few minutes later, as Whitham said that one of Angelas daughters would describe her as manipulative and wanting attention, a red-haired woman in the gallery, her mouth agape in an apparent expression of shock, turned around to look at others before fiercely whispering to two people sitting on either side of her. In a nod to Angela Craig, some family and friends wore purple Tuesday her favorite color. Even Craig wore a purple tie with his dark suit. His graying hair often pulled back in a bun throughout the years is now cut short. He smiled at his children, some of whom sat in the front row on the prosecutions side and others who sat behind him. Angela Craigs sisters and her brother sat behind the Craigs children and Craigs parents sat behind him. After opening statements, seven medical personnel from AdventHealth Parker hospital were called to the stand to describe their treatment of Angela Craig. All of them saw Craig when she was admitted to the hospital on two occasions March 6 and March 9, 2023. Several nurses testified that she complained of dizziness, weakness and a feeling of heaviness on March 6. When she returned three days later, she told the staff members that she had fainted and that her symptoms were getting worse. Featured Local Savings Drug screens did not show anything unusual present in her system, medical personnel testified. Angela Craig told several admitting nurses during required psychology assessments that she felt safe at home, did not wish she was dead and did not have thoughts of harming herself. Dr. Arthur Levene, an AdventHealth Parker cardiologist, noted that her demeanor was one of concern, and that she mainly wanted to get better so that she could go home to her six children. During cross-examination, Whitham noted that these psychological assessments are administered routinely and quickly. Craigs murder trial was rescheduled three times and almost suffered a fourth delay when one of the defendants attorneys allegedly tried to burn his own house down. Craig, 47, went through three attorney teams since he was arrested a day after his wife was taken off of life support in March 2023. Prosecutors said in previous hearings and court documents that Craig had multiple affairs including one with a Fort Collins single mother of three whom he met on a sugar daddy website. Further, several former inmates who were housed with Craig are expected to testify that the former dentist tried to get them to help him cover up the alleged murder of his wife once they were on the outside. Craig stands accused of trying to convince one of his own children to plant evidence, according to court documents. I love you (name removed). Im sorry to ever have to ask you this, Craig wrote his daughter. Prosecutors said she turned him in. The father of six faces six felony counts: murder in the first degree; two counts of solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence; and three counts of solicitation to commit perjury in the first degree. He faces life in prison without parole should he be convicted of the most serious first-degree murder charge. Angela Craig, 43, died March 18, 2023 at University Hospital from lethal doses of cyanide, arsenic and tetrahydrozoline, which is found in over-the-counter eyedrops. Tetrahydrozoline is the chemical which gets the red out, according to testimony from Arapahoe County Coroner Kelly Lear, who conducted Angela Craigs autopsy. In the week before she collapsed, Angela Craig had four visits to emergency rooms complaining of everything from dizziness and vertigo to lightheadedness. Prosecutors said that James Craig switched her medication with toxic pills, which she took thinking they would alleviate her symptoms of dizziness and nausea. Instead, Angela Craigs condition worsened. On March 15, 2023, she was rushed to the University Hospital emergency room, lost consciousness, was put on a ventilator, and was pronounced brain dead that night. She was taken off life support on March 18. It was during his final visit, prosecutors said Tuesday, that Craig administered the dose of poison which he hoped would rid him of what he referred to as his problem. The arrest affidavit reported that James Craigs dental business was spiraling downward and he was starting up a relationship with a Texas orthodontist. That woman, Karin Cain, will testify during the trial that she fell in love with Craig after just three weeks, but that he lied to her about his marriage. Craig was arrested early on March 19, 2023, on a charge of first-degree murder after deliberation in connection with Angela Craigs death. Courtroom 201, Arapahoe Countys largest, was chosen to accommodate Craigs high-profile murder trial. It has attracted national media, including several crime shows and podcasts. It seats 160 people at a time and is the same room where the 11-week Aurora theater shooting trial was held in the summer of 2015. Denver Gazette reporter Michael Braithwaite contributed to this story. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The man who killed his neighbor for blocking part of his driveway and shot another person in an earlier, once-unsolved parking-related shooting could serve the rest of his life in prison, a judge ruled Tuesday. In November 2022, police arrested Robert Salone, 43, for the October 2022 killing of Christopher Dice Allen, 33. The shooting happened on Tipper Avenue near the intersection of Hacienda Avenue and Nellis Boulevard in the southeast valley. The men lived across the street from each other. Before the shooting, Salone and Allen were arguing about Allens car partially blocking Salones driveway, police said. Allen called 911 around 12:40 p.m. on the day of the murder, saying someone shot him. Salone drove off after the shooting. An evidence photo of Robert Salone taken after his arrest on Nov. 22, 2022. (KLAS) He had no right because he was having a bad day and couldnt control his damn temper to decide, Today, Ive had enough,' said Allens mother, Kathryn Carter. I cant speak of justice, because for me, justice would be getting my son back. And now, thats not possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, Salone entered an Alford plea to charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder, records said. An Alford plea means the defendant does not admit guilt but agrees prosecutors have enough evidence to convince a jury to convict him. As part of the deal, Salone agreed to serve at least 21 years in prison. It wasnt planned, Salone told the court before Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny sentenced him to 21 years to life. I am remorseful. I think about it every day. Should the Nevada Parole Board ever grant Salone parole, he would remain under the supervision of a probation officer. In November 2022, police arrested Robert Salone, 43, for the October 2022 killing of Christopher Dice Allen, 33. (Credit: Stacie Owens) The attempted murder charge stems from an incident in Henderson in August 2021, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported. In that case, a person who took up two parking spaces at a Henderson apartment complex also became Salones victim, prosecutors said. That person, a young man visiting friends at the complex on Whitney Ranch Drive near Russell Road, told police he double parked in a covered-parking area, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. About a half-hour later, the man returned to his car, finding another vehicle parked within inches of his door, documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man, who detectives and prosecutors said was Salone, was also there, arguing with the visitor about his parking job, documents said. Detectives in Henderson believe Salone fired three shots at the driver, who said the man shot at him as he was leaving the complex, documents said. It was not until the bullets in the two crime scenes matched in a police database that police tied Salone to the two parking-related crimes. Documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained reveal the August 2021 parking-related shooting was labeled gang-related. Detectives also said the victim was not forthcoming with information and later recommended the case be closed. Ive never heard of someone who became so enraged about a person, let alone two people, double parking, that he would resort to gun violence, Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner said. Salone has remained in custody since his 2022 arrest on more than $1.1 million bail. With credit for time served, Salone would be in his 60s if the Nevada Parole Board grants him release after 21 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A reduction in tourism in Las Vegas is hitting small businesses hard. The owner of Naked City Pizza, a popular local joint twice featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, says he's seen a significant drop in business lately. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is just a lot less tourists in town and a lot less business," Christopher Palmeri told News 3 Las Vegas in a story published June 27. On a recent Monday, Palmeri stated that he filled only seven orders a significant decline from the typical 60 to 80 pizzas his shop would normally sell. Naked City Pizza isn't the only local business suffering. Drop in tourism Visitor numbers fell 6.5% in May compared to last year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Hotel occupancy also declined 3.1% year over year. "We've made great efforts relative to economic diversification, but we're still more dependent on travel and tourism than any other major market in the U.S.," Jeremy Aguero, principal analyst at Applied Analysis, told News 3 Las Vegas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem extends beyond Las Vegas. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), international visitor spending in the U.S. is projected to fall to just under $169 billion in 2025, down from $181 billion in 2024. Thats a loss of $12.5 billion in a single year. "The world's biggest travel and tourism economy is heading in the wrong direction, not because of a lack of demand, but because of a failure to act," WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said in a news release. "While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the U.S. government is putting up the closed sign. In fact, the U.S. is the only country among the 184 economies analyzed by the WTTC forecasted to experience a drop in international spending this year. Read more: Americans are revenge saving to survive but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. Heres how to quickly earn 280% more on your cash Weathering the storm For small businesses like Naked City Pizza, fewer tourists can mean a direct hit on revenue. That's especially true for establishments in tourism-dependent cities like Las Vegas. But there are steps business owners can take to soften the blow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strengthen local customer engagement: Run promotions aimed at locals like loyalty cards or neighborhood discounts. Consider partnering with schools or charity groups for fundraisers. Partner with adjacent businesses or events: Ask if your to-go menu can be left at the front desk. Offer packages, special menus or cross-promotions that entice visitors to stop by. Get good at marketing: Maximize your online presence by joining local review sites and social media. Visitors may check your business on Google, Yelp and Instagram. Consider whether paid ads make sense for your business. Look for ways to diversify your revenue streams: Consider delivery, catering or selling branded merch. If your goods ship well, consider offering options for customers outside of your city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finding ways to adapt now could be key to surviving long-term. What to read next Money doesnt have to be complicated sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Las Vegas police released footage of suspects after a dead dog was found in a crate next to a dumpster east of the downtown area. On Friday, July 11, at around 6:20 a.m., officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to the 2600 block of Valley Street after an animal complaint. The person reporting told responding officers that they found a dead dog inside of a kennel next to a dumpster on North 27th Street, near Eastern and Sunrise avenues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Las Vegas police are asking for the publics help to identify two people they said were involved in the incident. Video surveillance from Thursday, July 10, at around 11:45 p.m. showed two men pushing a kennel to the dumpster, according to a release from the LVMPD. The men then continue walking north on 27th Street, then east on Sunrise Avenue. Police siad it appeared the dog was already dead before it was dumped by the two men. We have processed the kennel and swabbed for DNA and fingerprints. Officers are doing an extensive canvass for video, Lt. Monique Bulmer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bulmer said it could be a case of inappropriately disposing of the animal or a possible animal cruelty case, depending on what the investigation finds. Makenzie, a child on summer vacation who lives nearby, said her dad saw the dog when he was leaving for work in the morning, and made the call to metro police. She stepped out of her house and into the investigation, seeing the partially covered kennel. On its arm, there was blood, but especially on the sheet, Makenzie said. There was a lot of blood, and theres, like, flies everywhere. But it smells so bad out here. Like, its honestly kind of hard to be out here, and especially because theres little kids around that come and play. The LVMPD Animal Cruelty Detail is leading the investigation with help from the Clark County Animal Protection Services and community partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you or anyone you know has any information related to the crime, please call Crimestoppers at 702-385-5555. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LASD Deputies Who Worked as Muscle for Crypto Crook Adam Iza Plead Guilty originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Two former LASD Sheriffs agree to plead guilty to working a side hustle as muscle for a crypto crook known as 'The Godfather,' federal prosecutors say Getty Images Two former Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies agreed to plead guilty on Monday that they committed criminal acts while working as muscle for a Southern California crypto king who referred to himself as the Godfather," federal prosecutors say. The Godfather was crypto titan Adam Iza, 25, who had mansions in both Bel Air and Newport Beach and a coterie of dirty LASD badges - like theirs - on his payroll. Prosecutors say he used the proceeds of his alleged financial crimes for his wildly indulgent luxury life that included rent on a $28 million Bel Air mansion, a fleet of Lamborghinis, and "cosmetic surgery to extend the length of his legs." But, according to prosecutors, he also lined the pockets of dirty cops. On Monday, two of them admitted to their wrongdoings as part of their plea agreements with federal prosecutors. Ex-deputy sheriff David Anthony Rodriguez, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiracy against rights, while his LASD colleague Christopher Michael Cadman, 33, agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy against rights and subscribing to a false tax return. The two deputies allegedly helped track, threaten and intimidate people in a beef with Iza, prosecutors say. In August 2021, Cadman and an unidentified deputy allegedly held a man at gunpoint during a meeting at Iza's Bel Air mansion until he wired about $25,000 to Iza, prosecutors said. About a month later, Iza allegedly paid Cadman to pull over and arrest the same victim in Paramount, federal prosecutors say. In July 2022, Rodriguez allegedly lied to a judge to obtain a search warrant that allowed him to track another victim's cell phone location via GPS, according to federal prosecutors. Last year a judge allowed Iza - who is facing decades in prison and stashed away untold millions in cryptocurrency - to travel from a federal lockup to Las Vegas in the company of U.S. Marshals so that his surgeon, Dr. Kevin Debiparshad, whose catchphrase is "step into a taller tomorrow," could remove his leg implants. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared. EDITORS NOTE: This story has been corrected, after including the arrest of a person not named in the federal indictment. BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) At least two law enforcement officials have been arrested as part of a federal investigation, and more arrests are expected, sources have told KLFY. Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle and Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon are both in federal custody on unspecified charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oakdale is in Allen Parish and Forest Hill is in Rapides Parish. The U.S. Attorneys Office has confirmed that there is a law enforcement operation being conducted in the area involving Homeland Security, the FBI and IRS investigators. Lester Duhe, press secretary for Attorney General Liz Murrill, said state authorities are also involved in the investigation. Chad Doyle Agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation are assisting federal agents with court-authorized activities today, Duhe said. Law enforcement officers were seen at the Oakdale Police Department and ICE and FBI agents were seen entering the home of Doyle, KPLC-TV in Lake Charles reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further details were released. The U.S. Attorneys Office has scheduled a press conference for 10 a.m. Wednesday to address the issue. That press conference will be livestreamed on klfy.com and on KLFY+. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Latest news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nativism, the idea that government must guard native-born Americans from various threats posed by immigrants, has a long history in the United States. Today, the Trump administration is citing the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, a restrictive measure written by nativist members of Congress decades ago when fears of communism were rampant, to sharply restrict the rights of noncitizens. Under this law, also known as the McCarran-Walter Act, federal agencies have arrested and detained noncitizens associated with pro-Palestinian protests, reintroduced immigrant registration requirements, and imposed a new travel ban that affects 19 nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the 1950s, Congress has removed some of this sprawling federal laws most discriminatory features, such as racist national origins quotas. But other key provisions remain on the books. Now they are the primary legal basis for some of President Donald Trumps most controversial immigration crackdowns. Foreign policy trumps free speech In March 2025, the White House invoked the McCarran-Walter Act to justify arresting and deporting Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident who had participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. Officials pointed to Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the law, which states that any alien whose presence or activities in the United States the Secretary of State has reasonable ground to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States is deportable. This has been tried only once before. In 1995, the Clinton administration unsuccessfully sought to use the provision to deport a former Mexican official, Mario Ruiz Massieu, to face charges in his homeland for extortion and obstructing a murder investigation. Ruiz Massieu was later indicted in the U.S. on money laundering charges and died by suicide shortly before his arraignment. The Trump administration cited the same provision to justify detaining Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk in March. Ozturk came under government scrutiny because she co-authored an op-ed in the Tufts student newspaper criticizing the universitys position on the Israel-Gaza war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance footage of a terrified Ozturk being arrested by masked Immigration Customs and Enforcement agents on a street in Somerville, Massachusetts, drew criticism from government officials and civil liberties advocates. In response, Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleged that Ozturk had harmed U.S. interests by supporting movements that are involved in doing things like vandalizing universities, harassing students, taking over buildings, creating a ruckus. Khalil and Ozturk both were released after weeks in detention, pending final resolution of their cases. Their lawyers argue that their clients treatment violates free speech protections and that the defendants were punished for expressing their political beliefs. Monitoring noncitizens The McCarran-Walter Act also authorizes intrusive registration and tracking requirements for noncitizens who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or longer. On Jan. 20, 2025, Trump issued an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to enforce an alien registration requirement. The agency issued a final rule in April requiring all noncitizens over the age of 14 to register and be fingerprinted. Parents or guardians must register noncitizen children under age 14. The rule also requires adult noncitizens to carry evidence of registration at all times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such policies arent new. Noncitizen registration was codified in the Alien Registration Act of 1940, on the eve of U.S. entry into World War II. The law was designed to regulate the foreign-born population and encourage eligible noncitizens to join the U.S. armed forces. Its requirements were written into the McCarran-Walter Act. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration created the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, which targeted noncitizen males age 16 or older from 25 Muslim-majority countries. It required registrants to submit biometric information, check in regularly with immigration authorities and use specific ports of entry for travel. The Obama administration suspended this system in 2011 and permanently dismantled it in 2016. Today, Trump administration officials say they are simply enforcing long-standing legal authority. A federal judge agreed, ruling on April 10 that the Homeland Security Department could require noncitizens to register and carry documentation. Travel bans redux On June 2, Trump announced a new travel ban on foreign nationals from 12 countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East. The ban draws its authority from the McCarran-Walter Act. Two days later, Trump claimed the same legal discretion to exclude Harvard Universitys international students from the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first term, Trump invoked these sections of the law to justify a travel ban on seven predominantly Muslim countries. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately upheld this action in 2018 by a 5-4 vote in Trump v. Hawaii. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts stated that the travel ban was well within broad powers over immigration granted to the president under the McCarran-Walter Act. He added that the court had no view on the soundness of the policy. Trumps new ban is more carefully crafted than earlier versions and more likely to withstand legal challenges. But his efforts to use the McCarren-Walter Act to ban international students from attending Harvard University face stiff legal headwinds. On May 22, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem notified Harvard officials that the agency was revoking the schools certification to participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which grants visas to international students to come to the U.S. In a June 4 proclamation, the White House claimed that foreign students at Harvard had behaved in ways that threatened U.S. national security. A federal judge in Boston quickly blocked the revocation, holding that it violated core constitutional free speech rights. The governments misplaced efforts to control a reputable academic institution and squelch diverse viewpoints seemingly because they are, in some instances, opposed to this administrations own views, threaten these rights, wrote Judge Allison D. Burroughs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest step came on July 9, when the Trump administration subpoenaed Harvard for information on its foreign students, including their disciplinary records and involvement in campus protests. Broad power over noncitizens Ironically, congressional sponsors of the McCarran-Walter Act were at odds with the White House when the law was enacted in 1952. They overrode a veto by President Harry S. Truman, who thought the laws nativist ideas were unfitting for a nation of immigrants and global defender of democracy. However, the expansive executive powers created by this law have endured largely unaltered over time, through waves of immigration reform. Now they are a boon to the Trump administrations ambitious immigration crackdown. Its a telling reminder that repressive old laws can come back to life even when they dont reflect the current views of many Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: Daniel Tichenor, University of Oregon Read more: Daniel Tichenor does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. The United States is changing fast. Lawmakers are being forced to grapple not just with timeless questions of governance, but often with novel and rapidly-changing policy issues ranging from cryptocurrency regulation to tech monopolies to app-based labor. That quickly shifting landscape has some doubting whether the country's aging lawmakers are up for the increasingly complicated task. The issue is stark, with a larger percentage of Congress over the age of 70 than ever before, and a long string of incidents causing constituents to question whether their elected officials are suffering cognitive decline in office. In response, one House democrat is proposing what Axios calls a "radical solution" to those concerns: mental fitness exams for lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal is being raised by Democratic representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who was elected in 2022 to represent the 3rd district of Washington State. Last month, Perez tried to pass an amendment to require the Office of Congressional Conduct to produce a cognitive test to assess members' "ability to perform the duties of office unimpeded by significant irreversible cognitive impairment." Go figure, the proposal was widely unpopular with the House Appropriations Committee that voted on it but Perez is using the momentum to continue pushing the issue. "What I've heard from my neighbors, my community is this idea that this place is being run by a bunch of staffers," Perez told Axios, referencing elderly figures like Joe Biden and Dianne Feinstein, who leaned heavily on support staff to function while in office. "We're seeing a very real decline in confidence in Congress." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Pew Research Center, the median age of a sitting US congressperson currently stands at 64.7 years old. Though Baby Boomers which Pew defines as the generation born between 1946 and 1964 no longer have the monopoly on congressional seats they once did, they still hold 60 of the 99 Senate spots, and 39 percent of the House. Congress is getting so old, in fact, that eight sitting members of Congress have died in office since 2022, including 75-year old Democrat Gerry Connolly of Virginia in May, which allowed House Republicans to pass Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill by just a single vote. 81-year-old Texas Representative Kay Granger, meanwhile who once sat on the Appropriations Committee currently roadblocking these kinds of checks was found to have been admitted to a retirement home last year with six months left in her term. "Its clear people want systemic reform," said Perez. "They want accountability." More on politics: Nancy Pelosi Invested in a New AI Stock That's Spiking in Value Lawmaker calls for hearings after deadly Gabriel House fire Following a deadly fire at the Gabriel House assisted living home in Fall River, a state lawmaker is pushing for hearings to examine the incident and the regulatory requirements for assisted living centers in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville) is advocating for hearings once more details emerge from the ongoing investigation into the fire, her office told 25 Investigates. Investigative reporter Ted Daniel explained where assisted living ranks in terms of regulations: Think of assisted living residences like apartments with basic health services. At least thats what theyre supposed to be. They do not have the same level of care or oversight as hospitals or nursing homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent fire has intensified scrutiny on the assisted living industry. The Assisted Living Residences (ALR) Commission, already established last year to examine the current landscape of assisted living residences to ensure the sector meets the evolving needs of our aging population, is now refocusing its efforts in the wake of Sundays tragedy. MA Senator Mark C. Montigny (D-New Bedford), Chairman, Joint Committee on Healthcare and (ALR) commission member, expressed his long-held belief that regulations need to be stronger. I think we need to be far more stringent with regulations of this industry. And I thought that long before this fire. So I will hope that this fire will only serve to do what we should have done 10 years ago, Senator Montigny stated. 25 Investigates obtained the most recent certificate from Fall River Inspectional Services, which showed Gabriel House was certified in October 2024 and that the certificate was valid through October of this year. However the state also inspects Assisted Living Residences. Governor Healeys Office of Aging and Independence oversees the industry, requiring inspections every other year. The last state inspection of the Gabriel House in October 2023 found seven deficiencies, according to documents reviewed by 25 Investigates, most were related to record-keeping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Lanzikos, founder of Dignity Alliance and a leading elder care advocate said, They were significant, but I wouldnt say in them serious. However, Lanzikos highlighted a critical gap in state regulations: Massachusetts has no direct care staffing requirements for assisted living facilities, nor does it mandate emergency evacuation drills. They very well could be at the discretion of the local fire authorities, Lanzikos said regarding the drills. I think many assisted living residents do that, but clearly not all do. One commission member involved in the discussions acknowledged the need for change. I think there is a lot of improvements that we can make that may help prevent something like this from happening, they commented. The commission is expected to issue a report next month, though there is now discussion about extending its work or initiating a new study to address issues brought to the forefront by the Gabriel House fire. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma state senators will discuss 74 interim studies during the fall at the State Capitol. At least two senators have requested to discuss ways to eliminate property taxes. Tax reform was a hot topic at the Capitol during the session. Recent legislation led to cuts to state income and grocery taxes. Senators David Bullard (R-Durant) and Shane Jett (R-Shawnee) have requested interim studies to evaluate ways to reform the tax, which funds schools, law enforcement, and roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers agree on Oklahoma budget, could see income tax cut Were looking at what is a sound and meaningful way to make sure that were protecting the property owners and were also properly investing in the services that they care about, said Jett. Bullard said he has already started collecting data on ways to replace property taxes. He said one idea would be with a consumption tax, which is a tax that a person pays when they spend money, rather than when they earn it. With a consumption tax, if we can move that way when the economys up, theres no end to how much they could get in revenue coming in, said Bullard. The problem is going to be what do you do when its down. Bullard said there would be a risk because of the ebb and flow of that type of tax as a solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Tax Foundation, in 2024, Oklahomans paid an average of $914 in state and local property taxes per capita. It was among the lowest in the nation. New Jersey had the highest property taxes, with people there paying $3,539 per capita. Democratic Senator Julia Kirt (D-Oklahoma City) questions why the state would want to eliminate a reliable form of funding for something that was uncertain. Tell me the five-year plan. Tell me the 10-year plan, because we better be looking down the road, said Kirt. What are [Oklahomans] willing to give up? Are they willing to give up having a county jail? Are they willing to give up having sheriffs if they need help in rural Oklahoma? I dont think they are. Interim studies at the Capitol are expected to get underway in the coming weeks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Lawmakers are hoping to put the brakes on a Defense Department initiative moving toward privatizing retail programs on military bases, such as commissaries, exchanges and other retail outlets. Theyve asked for a report on DODs plans by March 31, 2026, as part of the House draft on the annual defense authorization bill today. Lawmakers want details on plans for maintaining the current benefits for service members and their families. The committee is concerned that privatization of retail programs could result in disruptions to benefits and productivity without providing substantial improvements, stated the amendment adopted by the House Armed Services Committee. So they direct the Secretary of Defense to submit the report to the House and Senate armed services committees on the plans and processes being used for evaluating whether to privatize the retail programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The provision will have to survive negotiations over the next few months before the final compromise bill is settled. Lawmakers are responding to an April 7 memo from Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg on restructuring the DOD civilian workforce, which stated, All functions that are not inherently governmental (e.g. retail sales and recreation) should be prioritized for privatization. Other information lawmakers would require include the feasibility of privatizing retail programs at remote and overseas locations. Critics of privatization have said that while private entities might be willing to operate large stores in the U.S. such as those at Fort Belvoir, Va., and San Diego, it would be less financially viable to operate stores overseas and in remote areas. Lawmakers want details on the anticipated benefits of privatization, to include savings and operational efficiencies; an analysis of key challenges associated with privatization; effects on current appropriated-fund employees of the programs; and effects on contractors supporting the retail programs, such as those supplying groceries sold in commissaries and the items sold in military exchanges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre also asking for an assessment of the disruption to the benefits and workflow of retail programs during transition. Various groups within and outside the Defense Department have proposed commissary privatization over the past several decades, eyeing the billion-plus dollars of taxpayer money used to operate the stores, but those proposals have been rejected as advocates defended the benefit. Defense officials kept commissaries open during the COVID-19 pandemic, deeming them mission essential. By law, commissaries must provide an average overall savings of 23.7% compared to civilian grocery stores. To provide the savings, the stores rely on the annual appropriation of more than $1.4 billion in taxpayer dollars for the costs of operations, including employee salaries. In 2022, then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin directed DOD to fully fund commissaries in order to cut costs at the register in an effort to help families with the rising costs of food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, military exchanges dont use taxpayer dollars for their operations. They provide department-store goods at varying discounts. They also operate gas stations, convenience stores and liquor stores. Eateries ranging from Burger King to Panera Bread also have agreements with the exchanges to operate on many military bases. Military exchanges are also tasked with operating the school meal programs for school-age children at DOD schools on overseas military bases. Deputy editor Leo Shane III contributed to this report. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. Right now, it feels like America is being held together with duct tape. We're living through a steady drumbeat of instability. And in all that chaos, one quiet crisis continues to unfold, largely ignored but deeply damaging. America has a diaper problem. Nearly half of all families with young children can't afford enough diapers to keep their babies clean, dry and healthy. And when diapers run out, the consequences are immediate and compounding: Babies sit in dirty diapers, rashes turn into infections, day care turns kids away, and parents miss shifts and risk losing their jobs. Diaper insecurity is pushing families into impossible trade-offs and deepening cycles of stress and shame. And yet, our nation's primary response diaper banks was never designed to meet a crisis of this scale. Diaper banks are run by tireless, mission-driven leaders doing essential work under impossible constraints, but the model itself, rooted in outdated charitable logistics and limited supply, cannot carry half the nation on its back. If we're serious about ending diaper need in America, we must stop patching holes and start building infrastructure. The diaper bank model has reached its limit. Diaper banks were built on the food bank blueprint. But while food banks are part of a larger system that leverages surplus from grocery chains and government funding, diaper banks don't have access to a similar supply stream. Diapers don't expire and aren't overproduced. There is no massive waste pipeline waiting to be diverted. Instead, diaper banks are dependent on donations, of money and product. Much of their inventory comes from one major manufacturer that has heroically provided millions of diapers to many diaper banks nationwide. This generosity helps keep operations running, but it also creates a systemic dependency on a single brand and limits flexibility for families and providers. Meanwhile, other major brands have opted out of participating, in part due to competitive concerns. The result? Potential donations are left on the table, and families are often offered what's available, not what they actually need. That's not a scalable or equitable solution. At its core, the current diaper bank system is structured around warehouse distribution. That means donated diapers are trucked to storage facilities, sorted and handed out at community events or through partner agencies. Families, many without reliable transportation, must find their way to these distribution points, which sometimes are open only a few hours a month. The diapers they receive are typically rationed 20, maybe 50, per month. That's enough for a few days. And even then, there's no guarantee that parents will get the right size or the brand that works for their baby, the one that won't leak or cause a rash. There's no consistency. No ability to plan. Diaper insecurity isn't just an inconvenience. Children will sit in soiled diapers for too long and develop painful rashes or infections. Mothers experience anxiety, shame and depression. And for many families, especially single parents, diaper shortages mean they can't send their children to day care because providers require parents to supply a day's worth of diapers. If they can't, they miss work. If they miss enough work, they lose their jobs. This is happening every day. By continuing to pour resources into a system that is outdated, inefficient and unsustainable, we're holding ourselves back from real progress. The good news? We don't need to completely reinvent the wheel we've already seen what could work. A growing number of states are adopting practical solutions that meet families where they are. In Illinois, the state is embedding a monthly diaper stipend into Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinics, using public health infrastructure to get diapers to families quickly. California's CalWORKs program offers a diaper benefit to help parents stay in the workforce by ensuring they're never turned away from child care for lack of diapers. And in a groundbreaking move, Tennessee recently made diapers a covered Medicaid benefit for infants treating diaper access not as charity but as public health policy. These aren't pilot programs. They're real, effective and already reaching families. Diaper access keeps babies healthy, parents employed and families afloat. But as Congress moves forward with tax changes and benefit cuts, the most vulnerable families are being left behind again. Diapers were never covered, so they're not being cut. But everything around them is. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Medicaid. Child care. And when those supports disappear, families already stretched thin are pushed past the breaking point. We don't need more warehouses and ration lines. We need a 21st century system that treats diaper access as the public health and economic issue it is. That starts with reimagining the central strategy. Diaper banks can and should still play a role as emergency backstops, such as in disaster relief. But they cannot be the front line of a national solution. We need to: Adopt a universal diaper benefit, an electronic benefit transfer-style stipend parents can use anywhere. Integrate diaper support into existing programs such as WIC, SNAP and Medicaid. Use retail infrastructure for distribution no new logistics required. Focus on choice and dignity, allowing parents to buy what their children need, when and where they need it. It's time to stop mistaking stopgaps for solutions. Charity is important and noble. But charity shouldn't be the foundation of a nation's child care infrastructure. If we want to reduce diaper need in America, we need to let go of what feels familiar and invest in what actually works. What's missing is the courage to act. Let's care louder. Amy Kadens is founder of the nonprofit initiative Diaper Dollars. (COMMENT, BELOW) The city of Manitou Springs is making cuts and shifting funds in its mid-year projected budget to offset marijuana sales tax losses, while a court case continues over its budget appropriation decisions. The city is expecting to lose about $3.2 million from its "other" sales tax column this year, Finance Director Rebecca Davis said. The majority of the loss can be attributed to the city's two dispensaries. The city halved its marijuana sales tax to come in line with Colorado Springs, which voted to allow recreational sales this spring. Davis said the changes have prompted a "re-examination" of the budget from City Council and department heads. "They were looking for reductions due to our new reality," she said in a meeting with City Council last week. Manitou Springs was the first municipality in El Paso County to allow recreational marijuana sales in 2014, leading to a significant jump in revenue for the mountain town west of Colorado Springs. With its metro neighbor adding recreational sales this spring thanks to a successful ballot measure, the Manitou Springs City Council decided earlier this month to drop the city's marijuana-specific sales tax rate from 10% to 5%. The city has long anticipated budget ramifications from Colorado Springs' recreational marijuana decision, including in an all-day City Council executive session in early May. "At this point weve spent quite a bit of time working on this," said Mayor Pro Tem Natalie Johnson. Davis said the city was able to reduce expenses by about $659,000 a reduction she called "a good start." Featured Local Savings The amended budget shifts $400,000 from the city's Mobility & Parking Enterprise fund to the general fund for street maintenance costs from the Public Services Department. It also reduces the general fund transfers for capital improvements by rolling over unspent funds from previous projects. Davis said unspent money included $51,000 for a fire training tower completed several years ago. "Were pretty sure thats not going to be needed," she said. The end result, Davis said, puts the city in cautiously good financial standing, with over $1 million more than previously anticipated in December 2024 for its unassigned general fund balance. The balance will spend down by about $1.2 million. "It's a good, healthy fund balance, but we do have to practice fiscal responsibility to make sure it is used in a good manner and not for things that aren't totally necessary," she said. Manitou Springs is facing legal pressure over its unassigned general fund balance from the Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway Co., which is claiming in a lawsuit that the city breached contract in December by failing to appropriate $638,536 in reimbursement funds to the company that operates the cog railway. The railway is owned by Denver-based Anschutz Corp., whose Clarity Media Group owns The Gazette. The city had a previous agreement to reimburse the company excise tax revenue above $500,000 until 2067 in exchange for payments totaling $1.25 million while the railway was closed for reconstruction. Manitou Springs maintains the reimbursements do not need to be made in any particular year. An El Paso County District Court judge denied a motion from the city to dismiss the case on June 18. The Manitou Springs City Council will next review the budget at a public hearing expected to be set for Tuesday. Republican Representative James Comer, who is leading the House Oversight Committees investigation into former president Joe Bidens use of autopen, has used a digital signature on letters related to the probe, according to NBC News. Comer has utilized the tool, akin to the autopen, that allows staffers or assistants to place his signature on an official document without requiring a wet signature, one physically made with ink on paper, NBC News first reported Tuesday. Using Adobe Acrobat, the outlet reviewed the metadata of several letters and subpoena notices that Comer sent to various individuals requesting their compliance with the investigation. Several showed the use of a digital signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comer using an autopen to investigate an autopen is just so James, Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz of Florida wrote on X. Thats what we love about him, his attention to detail. However, Comer did appear to use a wet signature on the actual subpoena. House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer used a digital signature to sign correspondence related to his investigation into Joe Bidens use of the autopen (Getty Images) House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer used a digital signature to sign correspondence related to his investigation into Joe Bidens use of the autopen (Getty Images) In response to The Independent, Comers office sent a link to an X post made by the House Oversight Committee chairman which showed NBC reporter Ryan Nobles, an author of the original story, with clown make-up super-imposed on his face. Theres still time to delete this, Ryan, Comer wrote on X, in an apparent reference to the NBC news story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House Oversight Committee has sent letters to at least eight people connected to the Biden administration, including his former physician, requesting interviews to determine Bidens cognitive state while serving as president. President Donald Trump and other Republicans have accused Biden staff of making decisions on behalf of the former president, by using the autopen when he was unaware. Trump has called the allegations a tremendous scandal and claimed that Biden knew nothing about what he was signing. Trump and others have theorized that Bidens frequent use of the autopen, a commonly used practice among presidents and officials, is directly correlated to his alleged mental decline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden has denied the allegations. The former president told the New York Times over the weekend that he made every decision but used the autopen to sign off on certain documents, such as clemency and pardons issued at the end of his term. Using an autopen or digital signature is legally binding. However, Comer has said he believes it is inappropriate when used on legal documents. President Donald Trump and other Republicans have accused Biden staff of making decisions on behalf of the former president, by using the autopen when he was unaware. (AFP via Getty Images) President Donald Trump and other Republicans have accused Biden staff of making decisions on behalf of the former president, by using the autopen when he was unaware. (AFP via Getty Images) Earlier this month, Comer told Newsmax that he and other lawmakers, along with Trump, use an autopen when signing correspondence due to the high volume of messages they receive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But no one uses an autopen for legal documents. I cant use an autopen to sign subpoenas. Thats my legal document subpoenas. I have to fly back to Washington, D.C., just to sign one piece of paper, Comer said. A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee told NBC News: Using digital signatures for official correspondence is a common practice for both Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives. Chairman Comer has never hidden the fact that he uses a digital signature when appropriate, and he approves all official correspondence that is signed digitally. The committee spokesperson said that any legally binding subpoenas issued by Comer always bear a wet signature. Comparing Chairman Comers use of digital signatures for letters to the unauthorized use of an autopen in the Biden White House for legally binding executive actions is absurd and misleading. The two are not even remotely comparable, the spokesperson added. SUNBURY After more than three decades of guiding Valley leaders, Leadership Susquehanna Valley will transition its operations from the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce to the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit. Leadership Susquehanna Valley works with professionals from more than 100 different organizations, empowering them to take meaningful action in their communities. A regional education service agency, the CSIU supports 17 public school districts, career and technical centers and countless nonprofit and workforce partners across central PA. The CSIU will broaden its efforts in education, workforce development and community engagement by supporting Leadership Susquehanna Valleys mission, according to a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katherine Vastine, CARES Leadership Coordinator at CSIU and a 2008 graduate of Leadership Susquehanna Valley, will serve as the new executive director. News that the operations contract for Leadership Susquehanna Valley (LSV) has transitioned from the chamber to the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) is very welcome, Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Garrett said. As one of the four founders of this incredible program, I believe this move is both wise and forwardlooking, giving LSV now in its 32nd year tremendous potential for growth and expanded impact. ANNA WIEST Freeholders have launched a legal challenge against the Government over claims that leasehold reforms breach human rights law and will leave them millions of pounds worse off. Landowners including two charities who own the freeholds of thousands of flats on Tuesday told the High Court that plans to abolish marriage value and ground rents could cost them millions of pounds. The six claimants said the measures contravened freeholders rights to enjoy private property, as enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act (LAFRA) reforms were introduced under the previous Conservative government and passed into law last year. The legislation made it cheaper and easier for homeowners in England and Wales to extend their leases or buy freeholds, banned new leaseholds and effectively abolished ground rent for new leases. The reforms also introduced a ban on marriage value to make it cheaper for leaseholders to extend short leases. Marriage value is the increase in a propertys worth when a leaseholder buys the freehold or extends its lease once there are fewer than 80 years left on it. Under previous rules, leaseholders would pay half of the increase in the value of their property to the freeholder at the point of extending the lease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the landowners argued that the measures could cost them hundreds of millions of pounds, and that they were not receiving adequate compensation for the shortfall. Among the claimants, which included property firms Cadogan Group and Grosvenor Group, was John Lyons, a youth charity. The company said it relied on revenue from its leasehold properties, and that the reforms had put the charitys future under threat. The London-based charity said: [This case] is really critical to our asset base and our grant-giving. Were the largest funder of childrens and young peoples charities in London this means that 10pc of our grant-making (1.4m) will have to be cut back if this legislation goes through, and were not exempted. Were not a typical freeholder we dont make profits. All freeholders are being lumped together, as if we all have the same characteristics we dont.` Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaseholders, who can face uncapped service charges and the threat of removal from their property if they do not pay ground rent alongside expensive lease renewal costs, have been desperate for major reform for decades. But campaigners now fear that the hearing could significantly delay further changes promised by the Government as part of its election-winning manifesto. As well as a ban on new leasehold flats and marriage value, the Government said it would strengthen leaseholders rights to buy their freehold, make commonhold the default tenure for homeownership, cap ground rents and remove the threat of forfeiture which can see leaseholders removed from a property if they do not pay ground rent. There are currently around 4.8 million leaseholders in England, the majority of whom are flat owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry Scoffin, founder of campaign group Free Leaseholders, said: Its outrageous. They bang on about human rights, but these guys are big corporations, trying to prop up a system destroying leaseholders human rights. Its an affront to democracy an elected Conservative government got this through with cross-party consensus. They are also trying to get the Government to back down on their manifesto commitment to end the leasehold system. This is about letting people own their homes outright, and not be at the behest of a landlord no other country practices leasehold. Mr Scoffin along with other leasehold campaigners said the case could end up in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which could mean years of delays before a verdict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who are struggling to pay their service charges are not going to be happy if they hear about leasehold reform delays, he added. Labour will struggle to keep promises Significantly reforming or abolishing leasehold was always going to be an enormously challenging endeavour due to age-old legislation, issues that lenders have with commonhold the proposed alternative homeownership model to leasehold and a lack of guidance and clarity. Experts have warned that the Government may have bitten off more than it can chew, and will struggle to keep its promises to millions of leaseholders. Samuel Hughes, of think tank Centre for Policy Studies, said: It is lawful for the state to expropriate private property sometimes in the public interest, such as when it uses compulsory purchase to build a railway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Normally, however, property owners receive compensation equivalent to at least the market value of the property that has been seized. The unusual thing about this Act is that it forces freeholders to sell assets for less than their market value, meaning that they might receive less compensation when their assets are expropriated than they paid themselves when they originally bought the assets consensually. It is hardly surprising that they see this as violating their private property rights. The Courts decision will have significant implications for how we understand the rights of the British people against expropriation in the years to come. Reema Chugh, a partner at law firm Hodge Jones and Allen, previously told The Telegraph: Retrospectively removing contractual rights is likely to be very challenging. The mechanisms to do it are really unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ground rents are also often tied up in investment products [such as pensions]. If they retrospectively remove it, compensation schemes could be required, at a huge cost to taxpayers. On Monday, Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, told MPs: This week, the High Court will be hearing challenges to some of the [2024] Act enfranchisement reforms, and well be robustly defending those challenges, and well await the courts judgment. Grosvenor Group and Cadogan Group declined to comment. The Government said it was unable to comment on ongoing litigation. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A 53-year-old Middletown man who pretended to be a teenager online and coerced numerous girls including a 10 year old into creating sexually explicit images and videos has pleaded guilty to federal charges, officials said. William Scott Elam is 5-foot-7 and 125 pounds. He has graying hair and a long, mostly gray beard. William Scott Elam. But beginning in at least 2022, according to court documents, Elam used online messaging apps like Discord to coerce, or try to coerce, the girls into engaging in sexual acts on live video calls with him. He often would not show his face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement has identified at least 10 victims in seven states, officials said. In an interview with investigators, Elam estimated that he had chatted with 50 females on Discord, including about 20 who were under the age of 18. One of the girls believed that he was a 14-year-old boy named "Scott Jackson." The girl, who was 12, told investigators that he would force her into performing sex acts on live video by telling her that he would "log off Discord and cut himself," court documents say. He also threatened to show the girl's mom their sexually explicit chat conversations if she didn't perform additional sex acts on live video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say Elam instructed another girl who told him about her history of self-harm to cut herself on video. In one chat included in court documents, Elam tells the girl: "Maybe cut ya thigh for me." Elam pleaded guilty July 15 in federal court in Cincinnati to 11 child exploitation counts. The plea agreement includes a recommended sentence of 26 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Middletown man, 53, coerced girls into online sex acts At least four firefighters have been injured over the last week while battling three wildfires in Northern California forests that are burning amid extreme heat in steep, bone-dry terrain, fire officials said Monday. One firefighter combating the barely contained Green fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest sustained a blunt force trauma wound while working on the fire line Saturday, said Deanna Younger, a spokesperson for California Interagency Management Team 10, the incident command team overseeing the fire response. Another firefighter suffered a heat-related injury Sunday, she said. Both were treated at a hospital and released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two firefighters working on the Orleans Complex two blazes burning in Del Norte and Siskiyou counties were stricken with heat illness amid temperatures that have topped 110 degrees in recent days, said Paul Meznarich, a spokesperson for the multiagency team coordinating the response to those fires. "Everyone is very mindful of the heat effects," Meznarich said. With nearly 700 firefighters working for multiple days in triple-digit temperatures, crews are "managing the heat well under the circumstances," he added. For those fighting the blazes which, combined, have charred more than 21,000 acres of forest since July 1 the conditions have been extremely challenging, fire officials said. The remote areas are steep, thickly forested and bone-dry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is very, very dry right now, and we're still around 100 degrees," Younger said of the Green fire region Monday morning. "We are not getting good humidity recovery at night." The Green fire burning on the eastern side of Shasta Lake near the Pit River between Interstate 5 and Highway 299 was sparked by lightning the evening of July 1, according to the U.S. Forest Service. It had burned 13,366 acres and was 5% contained as of Tuesday. On July 1 and 2, the Shasta-Trinity National Forest saw more than 3,100 lightning strikes, which sparked more than two dozen fires, most of which were small and quickly extinguished by firefighters who had been "positioned throughout the forest in anticipation of wildfires caused by lightning strikes," according to the Forest Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Forest Service was able to catch all of them except this one," Younger said of the Green fire. "That's because this one was so inaccessible." Firefighters are gaining access to some areas that are unreachable by vehicle or foot by taking boats to more accessible areas and climbing in with their gear, Younger said. Fighting the blaze by air, she added, has been complicated because there is a thick tree canopy, and water cannot reach the fire burning in vegetation close to the ground. Planes also have not been able to fly amid heavy smoke, fire officials said. More than 1,400 firefighters were assigned to the blaze as of Monday. Two so-called Super Scooper airplanes each of which can hold 1,600 gallons of water arrived from Canada on Sunday, according to the Forest Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Super Scoopers, which require a mile of open water to refill their onboard tanks, are expected to use multiple arms of Shasta Lake, which fills with recreational boaters during the peak summer tourist season. The physics involved in the contest between a fully loaded plane and recreational watercraft are unfortunate at best, the Forest Service said in a statement asking boaters to avoid areas where firefighting aircraft were operating. To the west, two blazes the Butler and Red fires were being managed by the same incident command team as the Orleans Complex fire. The Butler fire, which was reported amid a lightning storm July 3, had burned roughly 8,156 acres in the Six Rivers and Klamath national forests and was completely uncontained as of Tuesday afternoon, Meznarich said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire was burning between the tiny towns of Orleans and Forks of Salmon, the latter of which was, on Monday, under an evacuation warning issued by the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office. It was burning within the 2024 Boise fire, the 2020 Salmon fire and the 2013 Butler fire footprints, according to the Forest Service. Firefighters, some patrolling on boats, were working to keep the fire from jumping the Salmon River because areas east of it had not recently burned and had more dense vegetation, Meznarich said. The 116-acre Red fire, which was 95% contained on Tuesday, was burning in the Siskiyou Wilderness in Del Norte County, Meznarich said. It started July 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In rural San Luis Obispo County, the massive Madre fire the largest in California this year was 91% contained as of Tuesday. The Central Coast blaze began July 2 east of Santa Maria near the town of New Cuyama and has burned nearly 81,000 acres. As of Tuesday, 336 firefighters were battling the blaze. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Nashville police are investigating the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old man in the parking lot of an Antioch business. Police said shots rang out in the parking lot at 5300 block Hickory Hollow Parkway around 4:20 p.m. on July 14, killing Jeremiah Brown, of Antioch. Police said Brown was taken by a private vehicle to TriStar Century Farms' emergency room at 4:28 p.m. before being transferred to Skyline Medical Center, where he died during surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown was seen inside a vehicle with two other people before he got out of the vehicle, police said. A witness said there was yelling before shots were fired, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7563. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville cops: Clues sought in teen's fatal shooting near business RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) North Carolina, joined by 24 other states, is suing the U.S. Department of Education over its sudden freeze of $165 million in federal education funds, a move officials say could devastate school programs and staff just weeks before the new school year. The lawsuit seeks to unblock the money and argues the freeze is unlawful. Chief Legal Analyst Khalif Rhodes joins us to explain the legal arguments at play and what happens next. READ MORE | Unlawful and unconstitutional: NC joins lawsuit to challenge Trump administration over frozen education funds Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. An application for economic assistance from programs managed by the South Dakota Department of Social Services. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Starting in August, low-income South Dakota families participating in a welfare program will receive less money to spend on necessities such as gas, groceries, utilities and rent. The benefit cut is the beginning of more reductions planned in the next few years. Lawmakers on the legislative Rules Review Committee voted 4-2 on Tuesday in Pierre to support the state Department of Social Services plan to reduce Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits by 10%. Recipients will lose anywhere from $32 to $136 a month in benefits, depending on the size of their family. The average household will lose $51 a month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state will save about $1.5 million annually. It distributed $15.3 million in TANF benefits last fiscal year. TANF is a federal-state program most commonly used to provide financial assistance to low-income families with children, on the condition that the caregiver searches or trains for a job. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The two Democrats on the committee, Rep. Erik Muckey and Sen. Liz Larson, both from Sioux Falls, voted against the cut. They argued lawmakers were not aware of the reduction in benefits when they prepared the states budget earlier this year, and that the plan was a misrepresentation of legislative intent. Muckey said he and other legislators on the budget committee believed the $5.3 million state funding cut would be replaced with unspent TANF funds from previous years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, the departments plan is to use $3.8 million of unused TANF funds and the 10% benefit reduction to cover the $5.3 million cut. The department plans to gradually reduce benefits each year, said Department Secretary Matt Althoff, cushioned by some unused TANF funds, until South Dakota reduces benefits to the minimum state contribution needed to receive federal funding. South Dakota Department of Social Services Secretary Matt Althoff speaks at a public hearing regarding cuts to TANF benefits at the Sioux Falls One Stop on June 20, 2025. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) A 35% reduction all at once is a lot more devastating to a household than is the 10% on a strategic glide or slope, Althoff said. Gradual cuts until the state reaches a 35% reduction add up to the average household eventually losing $180 a month in benefits. Republicans on the committee approved the plan, saying it was up to the department how to deal with the reduction in state funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In appropriations we do not get down into the most minutia of running programs, said Sen. Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City. We have to leave those to the agencies to a certain degree. Althoff told lawmakers many TANF recipients receive other support: 99% of TANF households are enrolled in Medicaid, 97% receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds, 57% live in subsidized housing and 15% are enrolled in the state Child Care Assistance program. TANF is not something that makes households whole, Althoff said. Cathy Brechtelsbauer speaks during a public hearing to cut TANF benefits for South Dakota recipients on June 20, 2025, in Sioux Falls. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Two people spoke against the benefit cut Tuesday, including Cathy Brechtelsbauer. She opposed the proposal during its earlier public hearing in Sioux Falls as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont go through the whole budget process during the state Legislature and then show up in the summer and say, Oh, we want to cut money and take it from children, Brechtelsbauer said. The rule change also removes TANF eligibility for families who take in child relatives in situations when theyre removed from their homes by the states child welfare system. That change incentivizes caregivers to become licensed kinship caregivers with the state, Althoff said during an earlier public hearing. The current foster and kinship subsidy rate for a child in South Dakota is between $22.85 and $27.43 a day, depending on their age. That would be roughly $685.50 to $822.90 a month, per child. Lawmakers approved rule changes in May to create the licensed kinship foster care pathway, as required by the federal government. Caregivers must meet training requirements to become a licensed kinship home, similar though less intensive than traditional foster care requirements. There are no such requirements for TANF money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the department, 184 cases per month managed by the department involving families eligible for TANF could be eligible for kinship subsidies. Families who take in kin and apply for TANF use the side door to receive state and federal support, Althoff said. Eliminating TANF eligibility encourages families to come in through the front door. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors and the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) Authority released a letter detailing more than $6.6 million in damages caused by the three major companies on the project. On July 3, attorneys for the county and the LEC authority in a letter to the counsels for Hausmann Construction, Goldberg Group Architects (GGA), and Introba regarding the cost of design and construction errors and delays. There are three categories of damages outlined in the letter. First, the damages caused by Hausmann Construction errors the LEC Authority was subject to. Second, the damages the Authority experienced caused by GGA and /or Introba. Third, the damages the Authority incurred as a result of both Hausmann and GGA. In total, the letter claims that the damage amounts to more than $3.5 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Story continues below The letter also includes Woodbury Countys lost revenue due to the year-and-a-half delay for the LECs completion. It states that the Sheriffs Department accounted for revenue from housing federal inmates in the new facility. The letter totals the revenue lost, plus other damages to the County, at $2.8 million. The LEC was set to be completed on April 1, 2023, but the completion date was pushed back several times. It was declared substantially complete in September 2023. The letter states that many issues persist to this day, and the project is not fully complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the letter, attorneys for the county and the LEC authority state they seek voluntary mediation with all the parties. In a statement, representatives from the LEC and Woodbury County said, At this point, the Authority and Countys focus is on a possible amicable resolution to all disputes with the various parties without the need for timely and expensive litigation. However, attorneys for Woodbury said if Hausmann, GGA, and/or Introba do not agree, then a lawsuit will be filed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Police accountability leaders have mounting questions following the release of body cam footage showing the death of a man in Portland police custody. It happened in the Kenton neighborhood last month. Police placed the three officers involved on leave before releasing the video per standard protocol. Cram Fire in Jefferson County prompts Level 3 Go Now evacuations Police are still not saying why they entered the mans room, why they placed him under a police hold, or had him face down for more than three minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The death of Damon Lamarr Johnson comes 12 years after the City of Portland entered a settlement agreement with the Department of Justice, which found Portland police had a pattern of using excessive force against people with mental illness. Portland police released body-worn camera footage of a police welfare check which resulted in the death of Damon Lamarr Johnson on June 27, 2025. (PPB) An older picture of Damon Lamarr Johnson when he was in the Navy. (Courtesy: Teri Johnson) Now the Mental Health Alliance is calling for increased transparency in a letter to city leaders titled, All we asked was that you not kill us. A Navy veteran, 52-year-old Johnson had reportedly been experiencing a mental health crisis when three Portland police officers entered his apartment and handcuffed him on the ground. He became unresponsive minutes later before ultimately dying at the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jason Renaud with the Mental Health Association of Portland wants to know why groups like Project Response or Portland Street Response were not dispatched instead. We now have new services to do that, which dont use the sort of lethal force police use thats a danger to people with mental illness, and its not good for police officers, Renaud said. Become nearly impossible: Beloved Portland restaurant Higgins sends distress signal A letter from the Mental Health Alliance to City Councilors noted that Johnson had not committed a crime, was known to have mental illness, and did not make sufficient threats for 911 to send police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter demands the city to hire an independent investigator to make a public review of Johnsons death. Police Chief Bob Day said Portland Street Response couldnt respond due to the late call time and reports that Johnson had a knife. However, The Mental Health Alliance claims that the effective way to reduce misuse of force by police against people experiencing a mental illness crisis is to eliminate contact between police and those people in crisis. Odelia Zuckerman is the full committee co-chair of the Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing (PCCEP), an oversight group tasked in part with assessing the 2012 DOJ Settlement Agreement. Zuckerman told KOIN 6 News she feels its important for the public to be critical of the narrative from police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think there was any reason for officers to have entered, Zuckerman said. And I have a problem with how the police summarized their video of the body-worn camera footage, she said. They used a lot of phrases like, we were building rapport with Damon. They were trying to calm him down If you watch the raw footage, he was experiencing a crisis and he had force on him. He was being handcuffed onto the floor And so, youre telling someone to calm down in that situation thats not actually doing that. Zuckerman also said the timing of Johnsons death is challenging, as it comes as the settlement agreement is near compliance. Theres a major and continued pattern of excessive use of force against people in mental health crises and against black people in this city, Zuckerman said. So, I think theres a real question of whether we really should be ending that settlement agreement, and if we really are in compliance, if this is still happening. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A crash that occurred between an Amtrak train and truck closed several roads in Gilpin County Monday morning. On Monday, Amtrak Train 5 was traveling from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay at about 11:30 a.m. when it came into contact with a large vehicle west of Denver, the company said in a statement. According to Amtrak, aboard the train were a total 279 of people, including passengers and crew members. In a Facebook post from the Gilpin County Sheriffs Office, the office said the crash initially shut down South Beaver Creek Road, Pactolus Lake Road and Highway 72 in both directions. There were no fatalities in the crash, but the semi driver was taken to the hospital by a Flight for Life helicopter with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries. Featured Local Savings The driver was issued a citation alleging he failed to stop at a railroad crossing. South Beaver Creek Road and Pactolus Lake Road remain closed, however as of 11:38 a.m. Monday. Highway 72 has since reopened. Amtrak said it will work with local law enforcement to investigate the crash. According to the Sheriffs office, clean up on the train accident continues. Officials estimate that South Beaver Creek Road will remain closed for another three to five hours. A woman was rescued from Lake Erie after falling overboard near Presque Isle on July 6th, thanks to the quick response of the Lettie G. Howard crew. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. when a mayday call was received about a missing person in the water. The Lettie G. Howard, a historic schooner, was sailing off Dobbins Landing when it responded to the distress call. Captain Griffin Hayes led the effort to locate and assist the woman, who was eventually found a mile off Four Mile Creek. Erie County testing municipal disaster, storm sirens Tuesday Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a mariner, it is our responsibility and duty to assist when needed, as needed, to the best of our ability, said Captain Griffin Hayes of the Lettie G. Howard. Upon hearing the mayday call, Captain Hayes immediately directed the crew to head out to the lake, ensuring not to alarm the passengers on board. We motored out to the lake and set sail, he explained, describing the calm yet urgent response to the situation. Two lookouts were posted, one on the foremast with binoculars and another on the bow, to scan the waters for the missing person. Their efforts paid off when they spotted the woman in the water. Captain Hayes assisted the Coast Guard, providing them with the coordinates of the womans location. As the Lettie G. Howard crew prepared to launch a rescue boat, the Coast Guard arrived and took over the rescue, successfully pulling the woman to safety after she had been treading water for nearly an hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erie Fire Dept. helps save two pets during house fire Amy Kuvshinikov, a volunteer on the Lettie G. Howard, expressed her relief and satisfaction with the outcome. It was very rewarding to see her being pulled out of the water, she said, highlighting the collaborative effort that led to the womans rescue. Thanks to the swift actions of the Lettie G. Howard crew and the Coast Guard, the woman was safely rescued from Lake Erie, demonstrating the importance of vigilance and cooperation in maritime safety. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. Officers with the Lewisville Police Department arrested a suspect after a disabled 13-year-old girl disappeared this weekend. Lewisville police arrested 60-year-old Earl Wilder in the alleged kidnapping of Emerie Metcalf, a 13-year-old disabled girl, according to the Denton Record-Chronicle. Metcalf went missing Saturday, according to the Lewisville police department. Soon after police activated an AMBER alert, she was reunited with her family. Lewisville officers booked Wilder into the Denton County Jail on July 14. According to jail records, he faces a felony charge for enticing a child away from his or her custodian on July 12. Wilders listed address is in South Dallas, at 2755 E. Ledbetter Drive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before her disappearance, Metcalf was last seen near 1200 S. Highway 121 in Lewisville, at 11:35 p.m. on July 12, according to the citys police. She was wearing a white shirt, black pants with a butterfly pattern, and colorful shoes. The suspect in the abduction was described as a black male with a blue and gray polo shirt, with a drawstring backpack. Lewisville police posted the initial alert just after 5 a.m. on July 13. Then, just before 6:30 a.m., they announced Metcalf had been found and was being reunited with her family. LPD is still investigating, the department posted at the time. We appreciate the prompt assistance of the public. The Dallas Express requested a comment from the Lewisville Police Department. An officer stated that he was working on a statement but did not respond in time for publication. This article will be updated once the department has commented. Several liberal commentators, including ex-MSNBC host Joy Reid and Democratic strategist James Carville, have suggested in recent weeks that the 2026 midterms will be tampered with or outright canceled by President Donald Trump. During an appearance on " The Jim Acosta Show " earlier this month, Carville told the former CNN anchor he thinks theres a major risk of Trump tampering with votes in the 2026 midterm elections to make sure the Democratic Party can't oppose his second-term agenda. "In the short word, yes," Carville said in response to Acosta relaying a viewer question about whether they believe Trump will end up "tampering" with the midterm votes. "In the longer words, very," Carville added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I dont put anything past him nothing to try to call the election off, to do anything he can," the Democratic strategist continued. "He can think of things like that, that that, you know, we cant because were not accustomed to thinking like that. We always assume theres going to be an election." Joy Reid Floats Speculation That Her Race, 'Anxiety' Surrounding Trump Played Role In Msnbc Firing "I dont think Trump intends to leave office," Reid told far-left writer Wajahat Ali on his Substack on July 3. "Ive been very clear about that. I think he intends to stay in office like Putin till he dies." Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ali declared that Trump would declare martial law and not hold elections. "I am afraid, and I want your thoughts on this, that he is going to say, 'Folks, I'm the commander in chief. I have to protect you. We're getting attacked by Antifa, the Muslims, the invasion, El Salvadorans. I have to declare martial law and I have to punt. I have to punt the elections. But don't worry. I'll bring back elections when they're safe,'" Ali argued. Reid agreed and said she doesn't assume that there will be midterms in 2026. "I've been saying, whenever Democrats say to me, this is the reason we have to coalesce for 2026, I always add to the end of that sentence, yeah, assuming we actually have free and fair elections. I think it's insane, honestly, to just assume we're going to have normal elections next year. I don't assume that," she told Ali. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ex-liberal Cable Stars Jim Acosta, Joy Reid Float 2026 Midterm Conspiracies About Trump Joy Reid speaks onstage during the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Charlamagne Tha God argued during his "Breakfast Club" radio show on July 8 that the Republican-led "Big, Beautiful Bill" is so unpopular, Trump and the GOP must only be pushing it because they know the upcoming elections are rigged. Noting that the bill was criticized by Republicans and Democrats, the radio host suggested it must mean the elections are fixed. "But if the GOP doesn't seem to be concerned about that, then what does that tell y'all folks?" he asked. "The fight is probably already fixed, when it comes to the midterm elections, you know, and 2028." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just feel like, you know, if something is, you know, political suicide, if you're using that kind of language for a bill and you pass it anyway, then you know something that the rest of us don't know," the radio host suggested. "Or you know something that the rest of us do know, and we're just sitting around waiting for the inevitable to happen." He added, "Free and fair elections my a--." Succeeding Trump: 6 Republican Potential Presidential Hopefuls To Keep Your Eyes On In 2028 Former CNN commentator Angela Rye said last week that she believed Trump and the Republicans stole the 2024 election and are planning to steal the 2026 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think me and [Tiffany Cross] really might feel a way about telling y'all how many days are left till the midterms because I don't really know this things going to damn happen," Rye said on her " Native Land Pod " podcast. "Even if they are going to happen, are they going to cheat like they did, I still feel like they did, in the 2024 election? I don't have data. I got a gut feeling, but I'm going to tell you about the Black woman and the Holy Ghost. We be spot on," she added. Big Beautiful Bill Immediately Hits The Campaign Trail In Battle For Congress Failed Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacy Abrams alluded to not having elections at all during an interview on late-night TV last week, where she was asked on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to speak about a viral clip of her suggesting that the U.S. was on its way to becoming an autocracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Step nine, you start to encourage and incentivize private violence. You send the U.S. Marines into spaces they should not be. You send the National Guard in. You kidnap people off of the streets and pretend thats normal, because thats how you quiet dissent," she said. "And once youve done those nine steps, step 10 is easy. Thats when you decide there wont be new elections because everyone is either afraid, poor, broken, or complicit," Abrams told guest host Anthony Anderson. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Fox News' Lindsay Kornick, David Rutz and Alexander Hall contributed to this report. Original article source: Liberals float Trump will tamper with, cancel midterm elections DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) As the Miami Valley and beyond cope with the shocking death of 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum, Jr., many organizations have released statements. Creaschbaum had attended Ruskin Elementary School, a member of Dayton Public Schools. DPS Superintendent Dr. David Lawrence issued a statment about Creachbaums death. The Dayton Public School District is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a student at Ruskin Elementary, Hershall Creachbaum. Hershall was a valued member of both the Ruskin family and the broader Dayton Public Schools community. He will be greatly missed by students, staff, and all who knew him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the students family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. DPS Superintendent Dr. David S. Lawrence Staff and students looking for support are encouraged to contact the Montgomery County 24/7 Crisis Support Line at 833-580-2255. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PHOTOS: Bridge memorial for 7-year-old boy United Rehabilitation Services of Greater Dayton, which works to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities throughout the Miami Valley, posted a message on social media. Hershall Creachbaum was 8 years old. Non-verbal. Autistic. A child who shouldve been safe. His death is heartbreaking and a painful reminder that children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable in our communities. His life mattered. And we must all do better. At URS, we believe every child and adult with a disability deserves to be safe, valued, and treated with dignity. Our hearts are with all who are grieving this unimaginable loss. United Rehabilitation Services of Greater Dayton Father, community honor 7-year-old boy with bridge memorial Dayton Autism Society posted a statement on Sunday evening directed at parents, guardians and caretakers of children with disabilities. In light of yesterdays tragic news, I want to remind you that the Dayton Autism Society is here for you. We may not always have the answer or ability to respond immediately, but we will do our best to get you to the resource you need. Dayton Autism Society It wrote that help is available at the 988 mental health crisis hotline, as well as of Crisis Text Line accessible by texting 4HOPE to 741741. 2 NEWS is following this case closely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) A Pierre man has been sentenced to life in prison without the opportunity for parole after earlier being found guilty of second degree murder in the November 2023 stabbing death of Evie Maxey, 17, in Pierre. David Shangreaux, Jr., 25, was sentenced Tuesday in Hughes County Circuit Court. He had been found guilty in April by a Hughes County jury, according to a news release from the South Dakota Attorney Generals office. Arrest made after baby left in car for over 30 minutes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim, who was from Rapid City, was stabbed multiple times in the bathroom of an apartment in Pierre on Nov. 30, 2023. South Dakotas Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and Pierre Police Department investigated the case. The prosecution was conducted by the South Dakota Attorney Generals Office and the Hughes County States Attorneys Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Calls for sweeping AI regulation are growing louderfrom D.C. hearings to tech think tanks. But amid all this hand-wringing, we cant lose sight of what made America the global tech leader in the first place: freedom to innovate. That freedom doesnt need to be smothered with red tapebut it does need defending, especially from foreign threats hiding in plain sight, like Chinas DeepSeek. Congress had a golden opportunity to protect that freedom by halting the explosion of conflicting state-level AI laws. A simple moratorium in the Big Beautiful Bill would have stopped over 1,000 state bills cold. Instead, they dropped it. Now we face a patchwork of rules that threatens to kneecap our tech industry just when we need it firing on all cylinders. DeepSeek: A Friendly Face on a Serious Threat At first glance, DeepSeek looks like just another AI toolhelping write emails, debug code, or translate languages. But behind that friendly interface lies a direct pipeline to the Chinese Communist Party. To use DeepSeek, users effectively waive their privacy rights, opening the door for their data to flow straight to Beijing. Under Chinese law, companies like DeepSeek must turn over data to the government on demandno warrant, no notice, no appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt paranoia. Its how the CCP builds detailed profiles, crafts spear-phishing attacks, and plans broader cyber campaigns. Your resume, your companys budget draft, even a harmless meme sent by a state workerthese all become raw material for Chinas intelligence machine. Data isnt just personal. Its strategic. It feeds predictive algorithms, economic models, even war games. A students essay, a doctors notes, a journalists drafttyped into DeepSeek, they could all end up in a Beijing data warehouse. Thats not a privacy issue. Thats a national security crisis. America Must Win the AI Race Meanwhile, Chinese innovators like DeepSeek are sprinting ahead. China is closing the AI gap fast, if not already matching the U.S. in key areas. Massive Chinese investments in AI, quantum computing, and data centers should be a wake-up call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NVIDIAs CEO is sounding alarms. President Trump was right when he said China fears Google. Our tech giants are the front line in this race, and robust, innovative American companies are our best defense. Letting China pull ahead would mean ceding not just economic power, but also core values like free speech and individual privacy. The stakes couldnt be clearer. AI has the potential to add $22 trillion to the global economy each yearessentially dropping four and a half new Germanys into the world economy. The next hundred years will be defined by who leads in AI: us, China, or someone else. We cant let overregulation at home hand that future to Beijing. One Big Beautiful Missed Opportunity? Thats why Congress should have passed the moratorium on state-level AI laws. Right now, over 1,000 state bills are in playan unmanageable tangle that startups cant navigate and even the giants will struggle with. This kind of chaos drives companies offshore, just when we need them here. Worse, it fragments our national security response and exposes us to hostile foreign tech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last Congress put together an excellent framework for AI oversight: narrowly targeted rules, a light-touch regulatory approach, respect for existing laws, investment in workforce development, and global leadership. Instead of rushing to create a new federal AI agencylike Sen. Blumenthal wants, with all the inevitable DEI mandates and speech controlswe should stick to that proven model. More red tape means falling behind. Europes heavy-handed approach is a cautionary tale: since 2019, U.S. productivity is up 6%. Europes? A pitiful 0.6%. No surprise. The EUs regulatory swamp crushed its own tech sectorzero global tech champions call Europe home. We Cant Afford to Repeat Europes Mistakes We also cant afford to wage progressive antitrust crusades against our best tech companies right as China gains ground. The DOJs attempt to dismantle Googlestripping away Chrome, maybe even Androidis the equivalent of handing Beijing a gift. This is one of our nations most valuable innovation engines, leading in AI and quantum computing. President Trump was right to highlight how dangerous it is to undercut these champions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, data centerscritical to powering AIare delivering real jobs and economic gains here at home. In Virginia alone, data centers pump out 74,000 jobs and $9 billion in GDP every year. Googles Loudoun County investment added $1.1 billion and 3,500 local jobs. We need more of this, not less. States should smooth the path for data centers with tax parity, STEM education support, and clear, fast permittingbecause data is national security infrastructure. The Right Approach: Clarity, Not Chaos Americans want AI. But they also want guardrails that keep their data out of hostile hands. They dont want endless bureaucratic hoops that kill innovation. They want common-sense rules that stop bad actors, without smothering good ideas. Thats why the failure to include the state-level moratorium in the BBB was such a huge miss. Congress needs to fix thatfastand then get to work on a national AI standard rooted in permissionless innovation, narrowly tailored regulations, and the values that made America the tech powerhouse of the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont need to fear AI itself. We need to fear what our enemies will do with it if we get out of our own way. A light touch at home. A firm grip abroad. Thats how we secure American prosperity, security, and freedom for the next century. Andrew Langer is President of the Institute for Liberty. LINDEN, Texas (KETK) Linden-Kildare CISD will not continue their after-school program going into the 2025-2026 school year due to an unexpected loss of federal funding. Lawmakers to hear debate over massive groundwater extraction in East Texas We explored every possible avenue to secure alternative funding and continue the program, but regrettably, we were unable to bridge the gap in time for the new school year, Linden-Kildare CISD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CISD is one of many school districts that are seeing federal funding cuts throughout Texas and the nation. President Donald Trumps Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget indicates that millions of dollars are being cut across several Department of Education programs. The school district plans on finding a way to resume the after-school program that brings immense pride and joy to the community. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, after-school programs can help the development and welfare of students by providing academic support through enrichment activities, workforce development opportunities and mentoring relationships. SFA to receive six figure trail rehabilitation grant Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will continue to seek out new funding opportunities and explore potential partnerships in the hope of reinstating the program in the future, Linden-Kildare CISD said. We will keep you informed of any developments. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Middle and high school students in the Little Rock School District will be locking away their phones under a new policy tied to a statewide law. The change comes as part of LRSDs Sealed for Success campaign in compliance with Arkansas Act 122, officials said. Starting this fall, the District will require students to use Yondr pouches to store their cell phones from arrival until dismissal, a spokesperson announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little Rock School District sees positive outcomes in testing results According to a spokesperson, students will continue to use District-issued Chromebooks for academic activities, but wireless headphones and Bluetooth devices will no longer be permitted. This change is part of our commitment to improving academic focus, reducing cyberbullying, enhancing student interaction, and supporting mental health, said LRSD Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright. By limiting phone usage during the day, were creating a more productive and safer school environment. More than 20 states sue Trump administration over frozen after-school and summer funding Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elementary students are not required to use pouches but must keep devices off and hidden during school hours, according to LRSD. For more information, visit www.LRSD.org/SealedForSuccess. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Video: State Department official testifies before Senate on 2026 budget request President Trump announced $92 billion worth of investments in tech and energy projects on Tuesday in Pittsburgh at an summit organized by Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.). Pennsylvania is spearheading the charge for American energy and AI dominance, the senator wrote in an op-ed Tuesday for Fox Digital. The Senate is pushing up against a Friday deadline to approve a rescissions package from the White House. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday that he will press ahead with a vote, secure he has the number of votes to pass it. The White House said it would allow the exemption of PEPFAR from the cuts, which had drawn opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Tuesday, former national security adviser Mike Waltz, testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in his bid to become U.N. ambassador, stood by the use of Signal in a chat that discussed sensitive military details earlier this year. Waltz, under questioning from Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), said no disciplinary action was taken against him or others in the March chat. He said the use of Signal stemmed from a Biden-era recommendation for using an end-to-end encrypted chat. The two disagreed over the nature of the information that was shared in that chat and whether it was appropriate to discuss it there. Worth your time: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stick around here all day for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A ban on many hemp products is set to take place in Arkansas soon, which will impact businesses. The ban originates from Act 629 of the 2023 Regular Session; however, its enforcement has been held up in court as appeals make way. Now that a decision has been made, ruling in favor of the ban, mandated enforcement could come at any time. American Shaman in Rogers says products containing Delta-8 or hemp have already been removed from its shelves, which is making a devastating cut into its customer base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal court rules in favor of Arkansas delta-8 ban, lifts enforcement injunction I think we can probably still sell it until they tell us the mandates actually signed, but we actually took it out of here about a week ago, said Bill Gallea, owner of American Shaman in Rogers. As a store owner, Im not sure if Im going to keep the store open Last week we did $7,500 less in one week. Gallea says the products help people dealing with chronic pain, addiction recovery, anxiety, sleep and more. From the beginning, we tell all the customers, you dont have to get high to get help here, and people that are customers dont come in here to get high, they come in here for help, and were losing all that, Gallea said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says he fears that customers will now resort to other options to find relief, creating a new set of dangers. Theyre the ones that are going to be hurt the most, Gallea said. KNWA/FOX24 is working to find out when the mandate will begin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A local defense firm is preparing to move into its new headquarters in Moraine. Dayton-area defense contractor Hyphen Innovations will be moving into a newly remodeled 6,500-square-foot facility located at 3250 Kettering Boulevard in Moraine. Vietnamese restaurant eyes space near University of Dayton The facility will feature offices, a laboratory, manufacturing testing equipment and a soundproof demonstration room with an adjacent conference room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hyphen Innovations was founded in November 2022, specializing in concept-to-prototype manufacturing engines and parts for aerospace and defense customers, including the U.S. Air Force. With 13 employees at the moment, the firm says they have several defense contracts pending that will bring create a hiring need and further growth for the company. It will be fun to move into a space that was created with our operations in mind, said Onome Scott-Emuapkor, founder and CEO. The lab space is an open canvas for us to grow into for the foreseeable future. Scott-Emuapkor says renovations total an investment of over $500,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) The Vanderburgh County Fire Department is getting ready to say farewell to a four-legged team member. The fire department posted on social media that K9 Siren has lost her battle with a rapidly degenerative illness. Siren served as a firehouse Dalmatian to the community with quiet dedication, comforting presence and a heart full of love. Officials state Siren came to the department two years ago as a deaf rescue from the Vanderburgh Humane Society and bonded immediately with the crews. Officials say Siren quickly became a staple of the department, a steady companion during long shifts, a source of comfort after difficult calls and a natural fit for public outreach and community support efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials also say Siren played an active role in Fire Prevention activities, visited schools to help teach young children about smoke alarms and home safety and was often the first to greet families at PR events and station tours. Through the CARES Program, Siren joined team members on visits with patients throughout the service area, especially with elderly residents who no longer had pets of their own. Despite all, Siren was much more according to officials, More than a mascot, K9 Siren was a partner and a member of our firehouse family. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy will live on in the lives she touched. A brief memorial service to honor Sirens life and impact she made will be held on Friday at 12 p.m. at the shelter house in Scott Township Park. Department members, local first responders and the community are invited to attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). KANSAS CITY, Mo. On Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced the Graham Hoffman Act, increasing the penalties for crimes against first responders. The bill was proposed following the death of Kansas City firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman, 29, who was attacked and killed by a patient while in the line of duty on April 27. It aims to make assaults against first responders a federal crime. Graham Hoffman was a courageous firefighter-paramedic whose life was tragically cut short at the hands of a known criminal who had been released from custody shortly before the attack, Schmitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KC firefighters death highlights rise in violence against health care workers nationwide This tragic loss underscores the urgent need to protect our first responders, who put their lives on the line to serve our communities. This legislation, in honor of Graham, ensures that anyone who assaults or kills a first responder faces the full force of federal law. The bill states that individuals who are convicted of attempted assault or knowingly assaulting a first responder while in the line of duty and causing serious bodily injury could face up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine. Additionally, if the assault resulted in the first responders death and/or included attempted kidnapping, they could face life in prison in addition to a fine, as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For federal prosecution to be applied, the legislation says one of the four conditions must be met, including whether the assault happened across state and national lines, whether the defendant used a deadly weapon across state lines, whether the conduct interfered with commerce or economic activity, and whether the victim is a federal first responder. The Graham Hoffman Act defines a first responders as law enforcement officers, EMTs, ambulance crew members, and designated employees or volunteers from paramedic Advanced Life Support intercept services. Royals stadium standoff: Sources slam KC leaders over Lack of vision First responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, and they deserve our protection when they answer the call to help others. This bill honors the memory of fallen heroes by holding criminals that attack those who serve and protect our communities fully accountable for their crimes and sending a clear message that targeting and attacking first responders will not be tolerated, Hassan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Hassan and Schmitt, the legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO), Ashley Moody (R-FL), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN). For more information, click here to read the full text of the bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) An award-winning photographer and kids authors work will be highlighted at the Woodbourne Library from August 21 through September 24. David FitzSimmons is one of the only six Sigma Pro photographers in North America. He has a Ph.D. in English from Ohio State and was a professor at Ashland University, Ohio State University and Cornell University. He wants his writing and photos to encourage kids to explore the beauty of nature. For them to develop environmentalism and conservation habits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loud military training exercises scheduled at bases He has written over 20 childrens books, which have sold over 200,000 copies. Much of his collection is available at the library. FitzSimmons will host a meet and greet on Saturday, September 13, 1:30 p.m., at the Woodbourne Library. Then, the Ohio Wildlife Center will bring in their wildlife ambassadors. Registration is required to attend. The exhibit and program are made possible by the Dorothy R. Yeck Endowment for the Arts. DLMs roundtable for special needs families coming soon The Woodbourne Library is located at 6060 Far Hills Ave, Centerville. To learn more and to register, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Washington-Centerville Public Library asks that anyone who needs accessible services contact it here for a personalized approach to accommodation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Your furry friend could be on the next Migration Brewing label! The Oregon Humane Society is teaming up with Migration Brewing to raise money while finding the face for their upcoming Best Buds IPA label. Migration said they will donate one dollar to the Humane Society for every six-pack of the new beer sold. To get your pet in the running, you can submit a picture of them online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos can be submitted from now until July 28. The three photos with the most votes will be placed on two cans each in the new six-packs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. By Miranda Murray BERLIN (Reuters) -Berlin is not required to intervene in U.S. drone activities at the Ramstein air base in southwestern Germany, the country's top court ruled on Tuesday in dismissing a complaint brought by Yemeni nationals whose family members were killed in a strike. The constitutional court's ruling rejected the complaints of two men living in Yemen who lost two relatives - one an imam who had preached against al Qaeda and the other a police officer - in a 2012 U.S. drone strike. The men say they have since been living in fear for their lives and that Germany bears joint responsibility for the deaths because the drone missions were supported from Ramstein. At issue was the question of whether Germany had a responsibility to ensure a relay station at Ramstein that sends satellite data to drones did not violate international law. The court ruled that, while Germany did have a general duty to protect fundamental human rights including those of foreigners abroad, the conditions triggering that duty were not met. Berlin was acting within its purview on foreign and security policy when it accepted the United States' interpretation of what was allowable under international law, the court said. "It could not be established that the U.S. is applying unacceptable criteria for distinguishing between legitimate military targets and protected civilians in the conflict in Yemen," wrote one of the judges in the ruling. In a statement, the two Yemeni plaintiffs, Ahmed and Khaled bin Ali Jaber, criticized the ruling as "dangerous and shocking", saying it sent a message that states supporting the U.S. drone programme were not held responsible when civilians were killed. Germany's foreign and defence ministries welcomed the ruling as confirmation of the government's legal opinion. The judges confirmed that "the federal government has broad discretion in assessing the conformity of third countries' actions with international law". The Ramstein public affairs office was not able to comment on the court case. The German government had argued that Germany's ability to take part in military alliances would be jeopardised if it had to ensure operations conducted by foreign militaries abroad adhered to Germany's understanding of international law simply because they had a base on German soil. The United States and Germany are allies in NATO and Washington has had a military base at Ramstein since 1948. (Reporting by Ursula Knapp and Miranda Murray, editing by Kirsti Knolle, Madeline Chambers and Alex Richardson) July 15 (UPI) -- A tractor-trailer hauling a load of milk overturned in New York's Columbia County, resulting in what the local sheriff's office described as a "significant spill." Columbia County Sheriff Donald J. Krapf said in a social media post that investigators are probing the cause of the single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Gahbauer Road and State Route 217 in Claverack. "The tractor-trailer, which was hauling milk, overturned on its side, resulting in a significant spill," the sheriff's office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clean-up operation involved New York State Police, the Columbia County Haz-Mat Team, a Department of Environmental Conservation Response Team and the Mellenville and Ghent Fire Companies. The milk truck's driver was taken to Albany Medical Center for evaluation. Los Angeles (AP) A Los Angeles man accused of killing and dismembering his wife, her mother and her stepfather has died in jail while awaiting trial, authorities said Monday. Samuel Bond Haskell, 37, was found dead Saturday in his cell in a downtown Los Angeles jail and died by suicide, a statement from the LA County district attorney said. He was accused of killing his wife and the mother of his three children Mei Haskell, 37, along with her mother, 64-year-old Yanxiang Wang, and stepfather, 72-year-old Gaoshan Li. Haskell had pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder. His next pretrial hearing had been scheduled for Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haskell is the son of Emmy-winning television producer Sam Haskell, a former executive at the powerful William Morris talent agency. An email seeking comment from his attorney and family wasnt immediately answered. The attorney, Joe Weimortz, told NBC4 that Haskell had been willing to waive a preliminary hearing where evidence would be presented publicly and to waive a jury trial because of the effect it would have on his children. Weimortz said Haskell was not afraid of prison, but was afraid of an even larger media spectacle. He added that The Haskell family grieves every single life lost in this case. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement that by killing himself, Haskell had escaped justice and denied the victims relatives a chance to face him. Haskell had faced the possibility of life in prison without the chance of parole if convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their statement, prosecutors laid out the evidence they intended to present against Haskell. They allege that he killed the three victims on Nov. 6, 2023, in the house they all shared in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles. The following day, prosecutors say, he paid day laborers $500 to remove heavy plastic trash bags from the property. After driving away, they discovered body parts in the bags. They returned the bags and the money to Haskells house and called police, but no one was home and the bags were gone when officers arrived. Prosecutors said they obtained a video of Haskell putting a black plastic bag into a dumpster, and another of him transferring trash bags between his wifes Tesla and an SUV he had rented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later the same day, a man going through a dumpster discovered a beheaded torso later determined to belong to Mei Haskell. Samuel Haskell, who had been staying at an Airbnb with his children since the killings, was arrested on Nov. 8, 2023. From the family home, police recovered eight plastic bags whose contents included bloody bedding, towels, a large machine saw, a machete, a plywood board covered in blood and canes belonging to the older victims. The bodies of Wang and Li have not been found, but bloodstains on a gun and knife found in the rented SUV matched the DNA of all three victims, authorities said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LOS ANGELES (AP) A Los Angeles man accused of killing and dismembering his wife, her mother and her stepfather has died in jail while awaiting trial, authorities said Monday. Samuel Bond Haskell, 37, was found dead Saturday in his cell in a downtown Los Angeles jail and died by suicide, a statement from the LA County district attorney said. He was accused of killing his wife and the mother of his three children Mei Haskell, 37, along with her mother, 64-year-old Yanxiang Wang, and stepfather, 72-year-old Gaoshan Li. Haskell had pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder. His next pretrial hearing had been scheduled for Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haskell is the son of Emmy-winning television producer Sam Haskell, a former executive at the powerful William Morris talent agency. An email seeking comment from his attorney and family wasnt immediately answered. The attorney, Joe Weimortz, told NBC4 that Haskell had been willing to waive a preliminary hearing where evidence would be presented publicly and to waive a jury trial because of the effect it would have on his children. Weimortz said Haskell was not afraid of prison, but was afraid of an even larger media spectacle." He added that The Haskell family grieves every single life lost in this case. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement that by killing himself, Haskell had escaped justice and denied the victims' relatives a chance to face him. Haskell had faced the possibility of life in prison without the chance of parole if convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their statement, prosecutors laid out the evidence they intended to present against Haskell. They allege that he killed the three victims on Nov. 6, 2023, in the house they all shared in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles. The following day, prosecutors say, he paid day laborers $500 to remove heavy plastic trash bags from the property. After driving away, they discovered body parts in the bags. They returned the bags and the money to Haskell's house and called police, but no one was home and the bags were gone when officers arrived. Prosecutors said they obtained a video of Haskell putting a black plastic bag into a dumpster, and another of him transferring trash bags between his wife's Tesla and an SUV he had rented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later the same day, a man going through a dumpster discovered a beheaded torso later determined to belong to Mei Haskell. Samuel Haskell, who had been staying at an Airbnb with his children since the killings, was arrested on Nov. 8, 2023. From the family home, police recovered eight plastic bags whose contents included bloody bedding, towels, a large machine saw, a machete, a plywood board covered in blood and canes belonging to the older victims. The bodies of Wang and Li have not been found, but bloodstains on a gun and knife found in the rented SUV matched the DNA of all three victims, authorities said. Louisiana could lose up to $35 billion in federal Medicaid dollars over the next decade under the sweeping cuts to the program in the latest budget reconciliation law, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. (Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images) NEW ORLEANS Before Louisiana expanded Medicaid in 2016, DePaul Community Health Centers served about 20,000 patients, regardless of their ability to pay. As more Louisianians enrolled in Medicaid, the number of DePauls patients more than doubled, said Michael Griffin, DePauls president and CEO. Today, most of their 50,000 patients are covered by Medicaid. Medicaid funding has helped us to take care of more people, he said. More people had coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Louisiana could lose up to $35 billion in federal Medicaid dollars over the next decade under the sweeping cuts to the program in the latest budget reconciliation law, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Policy analysts with the nonprofit KFF estimate that more than 200,000 Louisiana residents could lose their insurance in the next decade as the provisions of the law unfold. Griffin and other community health providers in New Orleans worry there wont be enough funds to provide care when the number of uninsured patients starts to rise. We know that our uninsured population is going to go up, so how do we cover the cost of care for those individuals? Griffin said. We dont want them going to the emergency room, which is going to cost the whole system and the state more money. Community health centers aim to lower emergency room visits and increase access to preventative care by reducing barriers, such as cost, distance or language. They also help patients enroll in Medicaid or plans subsidized under the Affordable Care Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX After Louisiana expanded Medicaid eligibility, the number of uninsured people plummeted by 60% in the following four years. By 2023, more than a third of New Orleans residents were enrolled in Medicaid. Under the new law, Medicaid recipients will eventually be required to work at least 80 hours a month and verify their eligibility twice a year. Both provisions will steeply increase the administrative burden on both patients and community health care providers. Griffin said the paperwork requirements could lead to people losing their insurance, and he said New Orleans residents are especially vulnerable because of the sizable self-employed population. How do our musicians, our artists, our culture bearers, who work at their own rate and pace, prove that theyre doing work 20 hours a week? he said. Its very important that they stay healthy just like everyone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New Orleans Musicians Clinic, which has served artists and culture bearers for more than 20 years, is also bracing for the changes. Peggy Honore, president of the New Orleans Musicians Clinic and Assistance Foundation, said even the addition of $35 copay for some services another impending change to Medicaid could determine whether an artist can receive care. Its going to be an increased burden on us from a fundraising perspective to make sure that musicians continue to have access to health care, she said. Griffin said it isnt yet clear how to implement the laws provisions or how much funding community health clinics will receive to help with compliance. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is expected to provide guidance within the next six months. Although Congress has allocated $475 million to help with implementation of the work and eligibility requirements as well as $50 billion toward rural health, Griffin said that money wont be enough to offset $1 trillion of cuts to the program over the next decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the laws most significant changes to Medicaid, including the work and eligibility requirements, dont start until the end of 2026 or later. Meanwhile, SarahJane Guidry, CrescentCares policy and advocacy director, said the federally qualified health clinics team will focus on preparing their patients for the new requirements and training staff to work under the new system. Were preparing to make sure that that human impact and that burden is as small as it possibly can be, Guidry said. On Friday, top Democratic congressional leaders gathered in New Orleans at CrescentCare on Canal Street. U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, joined by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other representatives, said Democrats will try to use any legislative tool available to roll back changes to Medicaid, especially if they gain a majority after midterm elections in 2026. Were gonna find every opportunity to tweak, change and repeal, Carter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Congress works through a dozen appropriations bills for the next couple fiscal years, Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, who sits on the appropriations committee, said Democrats plan to propose amendments to reverse parts of the new law. But any such amendments would face an uphill battle in the Republican-led House and Senate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE This article first appeared on Verite News New Orleans and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Digital driver's licenses available through LA Wallet will now be accepted at airport security and federal agencies as photo identification. (Photo by Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) Louisiana residents will now be able to use the digital version of their drivers licenses from LA Wallet as identification at airport security checkpoints, U.S. government buildings and federal courthouses across the country. If you forget your wallet, no worries. You are never going to forget your phone, Gov. Jeff Landry said Monday in a video announcing the change that takes effect immediately. Launched in 2018, LA Wallet is a cellphone app that allows people to carry a digital version of their drivers license, Medicaid insurance card, vaccination status card, vehicle registration and various state permits, including those for fishing, hunting and concealed handguns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal government will now treat the LA Wallet photo identification just like it would a hard copy of a state drivers license for security screenings. Its important to Louisiana citizens because you always have your cell phone with you, Bryan Adams, commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, said in an interview Monday. In the video, Landry thanked U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, his political ally, for assisting with the change. Travelers must still have identification that satisfies federal REAL ID requirements to board an airplane, but the LA Wallet version can be used at airport security checkpoints if the driver has updated their license to meet the standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Transportation Security Administration accepts digital identification cards from 14 states, including Louisiana, and Puerto Rico. If they do not have a REAL ID, U.S. citizens can use their passport to travel domestically. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A Brusly woman is accused of shooting at her boyfriends vehicle as he was trying to drive away on Tuesday, July 15. The Brusly Police Department responded around 5:30 a.m. to a report of shots fired at the corner of St. John Street and Bourgeois Street. Brusly PD confirmed that two rounds were fired, and the investigation led to Barbara Hammond, 24, being arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder and possession of a stolen firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latter charge came after police confirmed that the gun used in the shooting was stolen from East Baton Rouge Parish. There were no reported injuries in connection with this incident. Hammond was booked into the West Baton Rouge Parish Jail. 3 arrested after multi-parish police chase, officials say Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. BUCKEYE LAKE, Ohio (WCMH) A small community is still in shock after a man was shot and killed at a Buckeye Lake bar Friday night. Friends and family remember Ben Hawk, 42, as a star in the karaoke community and someone who would help anyone. Ben Hawk was doing what he loved singing when a man walked up and shot him. Residents said the shooting has rocked this tight-knit community. Three hospitalized after Delaware County trench collapse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wish I just got the chance to say goodbye, Bens brother David Hawk said. Friends and family describe Ben Hawk as a shining light. He always had a way of lighting up a room, telling jokes, making people laugh, David Hawk said. He was always there for people. Even though he had his own demons he was fighting. David Hawk lives out of state. He said he found out about what happened to his brother through social media. Ive dealt with a lot of death in my life, but its always been an illness, someone we knew was coming, but to have someone just taken, it is a different, a different type of feeling, a feeling, a sense of anger, David Hawk said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus police search for person of interest in homicide investigation Ben Hawk was well known in the karaoke community in Licking County and surrounding areas. According to investigators, Ben Hawk was at Louies Corner House in Buckeye Lake Friday to sing karaoke. The bars owners said Ben Hawk had just started coming to sing there about a month ago. Authorities said that when it was Ben Hawks turn to sing, his alleged shooter, Richard Lindgren, followed him to the stage and shot him. Ben Hawks friends and court records allege Lindgren went to the bar specifically looking to harm him. Lindgren was arrested in South Carolina on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louies Corner House is the oldest family-run bar in the area. Its owners said nothing like this has ever happened, leaving the entire staff shaken. Central Ohio organization on edge after big, beautiful bill passes Life is too short, resident Baylee Klingel said. It is something that you see in movies. You dont think that its going to happen to you, let alone somebody so close to you and the community. Klingel met Ben Hawk through the karaoke community. He started singing, and I think we all kind of stopped in our tracks, Klingel said. She said everyone knew him and he went out of his way to make people feel safe. She said even his death is bringing people together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People I dont talk to you on the regular, like, Im now having conversations with and building relationships with and friendships with because he was such a big influence in everybodys lives, Klingel said. People from Mount Vernon, people from Buckeye Lake, and then youve got people in Newark; like, his impact was crazy. Ben Hawk has three daughters as well as a child who died at birth. The bar owners said they are planning a fundraiser to help his family. In the meantime, a GoFundMe to help the family has been set up. Ben Hawk had advanced to the karaoke state finals, where the winner would be sent to a national competition in November. The Ohio worlds team has named him an honorary member. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (KTLA) One of Hollywood Burbank Airports major airline partners is set for departure. On Monday, budget airline Avelo announced it would be shuttering its Southern California base, moving its planes to various hubs across the country and offering its California-based staff the opportunity to transfer elsewhere. For more than four years, Avelo has been operating out of the Burbank airport, establishing it as its West Coast base. The airline launched under its current brand name during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, a move that was deemed risky at the time by some industry analysts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ultra-low-cost carrier quickly expanded operations in Burbank, adding flights to various parts of Northern California, Oregon and, briefly, Montana. An Avelo Airlines aircraft is seen at Hollywood Burbank Airport on April 7, 2021. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Avelo) In 2023, the airline celebrated flying its 1 millionth passenger, and even described its Burbank flights as being among its most successful offerings, accounting for one-third of its total customers at the time. But airline officials say the company has been hit hard with new financial challenges that have made it increasingly difficult to provide service to its West Coast destinations. On Monday, CEO Andrew Levy confirmed that Avelo would be reducing its number of planes flying out of Los Angeles County to one by mid-August, before shutting the base down entirely on Dec. 2, 2025. That closure will coincide with Avelo ceasing all West Coast operations, company officials confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Levy described the decision as a difficult one, adding that theres no singular reason for Avelo ceasing operations with one of its longest airport partners. We believe the continuation of service from [Hollywood Burbank Airport] in the current operating environment will not deliver adequate financial returns in a highly competitive backdrop, he said. Avelo will relocate its current Burbank fleet to different locations where Levy says the company sees more efficient longer-term growth prospects, as it attempts to build out its East Coast operation. Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-800 prepares for boarding at Hollywood Burbank Airport on May 30, 2021 in Burbank, California. (Getty Images) All California-based employees will be given the opportunity to transfer to another Avelo base, Levy said, all of which are on the Eastern Seaboard, including Hartford, Connecticut; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Wilmington, Delaware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Passengers with existing flights can cancel their trips online and receive a refund. India orders airlines to inspect certain Boeing models after Air India crash In addition to flying ticket-purchasing passengers out of Los Angeles County, Avelo also received backlash and calls for boycott after it was announced that the airline had partnered with the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to provide charter flights to assist with its deportation efforts. Those flights were specifically operated out of the Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, but a push for a company boycott was widespread on social media. A spokesperson for the company denied that the decision to close its Burbank base was related to its charter program in Arizona, and said the company had invested significant time, resources and efforts that have not produced results necessary to continue its West Coast presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Request for comment from the Hollywood Burbank Airport regarding the news was directed back to Avelo. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lowes has agreed to pay more than $14,000 in lost wages to a Louisiana worker who said he was fired in retaliation for trying to start a union. The payment to Felix Allen was part of a settlement agreement between the big-box retailer and the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency that enforces union rights. The NLRBs prosecutor had accused Lowes of illegally surveilling pro-union employees, preventing them from passing out union literature and terminating Allen for his union activity. Allen, 28, was fired in June 2023 for what he claims were selectively enforced safety violations. Months earlier, he had been gathering signatures to hold a union election in hopes of creating the chains very first unionized store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Allen said he had considered fighting for reinstatement but decided it would take too long. Such cases often get bogged down for years on appeal as employers fight the charges, and Allen had filed the case as an individual without an attorney representing him. I understand the limitations of what were working with at the NLRB. I was surprised anything got done at all, particularly with this rolling into the Trump presidency, he said. It would have been nice to have the possibility to get reinstated, but I know that would have taken a year or two, if [it happened] at all. The settlement was reached in late May, but Allen waited to disclose it publicly until the check from Lowes cleared. As part of the deal, Lowes also agreed to inform workers at the store in writing about their collective bargaining rights under the law, and assure the company wouldnt violate them. Im glad to have it wrapped up, said Allen, who built store displays for Lowes and worked for the company for two-and-a-half years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lowes did not respond to requests for comment on the settlement. The chain has roughly 1,700 stores across the U.S., none of which are unionized. The union push by Allen and his co-workers was one of a handful of independent organizing efforts that took root at Lowes and Home Depot stores in 2022, as HuffPost reported at the time. The campaigns were driven in large part by the chains lean staffing practices. Customers often have a hard time tracking down employees as they search for products or advice, leaving the workers to deal with frustrated shoppers. Union supporters at a Home Depot in Philadelphia gained enough signatures to hold an election at their store, but ultimately lost 165-51. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen and his co-workers said they had rounded up signed union cards from around 40% of the workforce at their New Orleans store more than enough to trigger an election but were later forced to withdraw their petition. Because it was an independent effort, they had neglected to include a union name on their cards. Allen called it an extreme technical error. Allen said in affidavits submitted to the NLRB that he had never faced disciplinary action from Lowes until after he became the known leader of a union campaign. SOPA Images via Getty Images At the time, Allen told HuffPost that Lowes flooded the store with supervisors from other locations and corporate headquarters once the union effort became known. Clearly, if they can bring in that many people on short notice, they have plenty of money to adequately staff our store, he said then. Allen said in affidavits submitted to the NLRB that he had never faced disciplinary action from Lowes until after he became the known leader of a union campaign. His first infraction came when he climbed onto a merchandise shelf to hang a display, something he claims he did previously without issue. His second came when he was told to get on a forklift and move a pallet. It turned out the forklift he drove was tagged as out of service, although the key was still in the ignition. He says he was told the following week that his forklift license was being suspended and, later, that he was fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the turning point was after I filed the petition, he said in one affidavit. Allen said since losing his Lowes job hes been doing the work that brought him to New Orleans in the first place: drumming in the citys jazz clubs. Hes gotten enough work that he says he was able to share some of his Lowes settlement with old co-workers. He heard from a few after they received the letters from Lowes detailing their rights under the law, he said. Although the store isnt unionized, he still thinks the effort was worthwhile. No regrets at all, he said. Plant pathologist Raj Singh inspects pepper plants at Avery Island.(Piper Hutchinson/Louisiana Illuminator) Raj Singh administers a genetic test to a diseased patient, hoping to confirm the cause of death. He starts by carefully getting the sample before exposing it to the test strip, letting it lay under the bright white lights of his exam room while he waits for the result. Its inevitably positive. His patient has a pathogen thats sweeping through a rural South Louisiana community. Having confirmed his diagnosis, Singh stuffs his patient into a black trash bag and into a storage bin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His patient is #310, a tomato plant from the village of Washington, not far from Lafayette, where tomato plants far outnumber people. The specimen hes examining is already dead from a bacterial wilt pathogen, but his diagnosis can help farmers adapt and protect the rest of their crops. Raj Singh (LSU AgCenter Photo) Known as the Plant Doctor, Singh runs the Plant Diagnostic Center at the LSU AgCenter. He examines an estimated 1,200 specimens each year both samples sent to his lab and photos of sick plants texted to him by growers at all hours of the day. Singh scours the plant samples for signs of disease and advises farmers and other growers across Louisiana how to deal with the pathogens he discovers and how to keep their plants healthy in the first place. Its an important job in a poor, rural state that relies on agriculture and where farmers fight a hostile climate. Hurricanes and other severe weather events can stress plants, making them more susceptible to illness. Meanwhile, Louisianas warm and wet climate is particularly inviting to bacteria and viruses that can literally rot the roots of important crops and pass pathogens through plant systems, wiping out entire fields in the process. Plants cant talk, but they get sick, Singh said. Its more like detective work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an apt descriptor for the Plant Diagnostic Center. Singhs lab is a cross between the cluttered home of Sherlock Holmes and the high-tech exam room of Dr. Leonard Bones McCoy on board the USS Enterprise. Several refrigerators hum, carefully cooling his patients samples of sick plants sent to him by farmers across the state. Diagnostic equipment sits atop pristine black work benches where Singh and his students who he describes as doing their residency with him work to get to the bottom of whats harming the plants. It starts with an intake form, not unlike one used by a physician. It asks for the farmers name and the address for the field from where the sample was taken. It also includes checkboxes for different symptoms. Instead of coughing, sneezing and runny noses, the form asks whether the plant has spots, decay or wilting. Singh is able to identify most common pathogens within minutes using just a photo and information the grower provides. Rarer diseases require advanced diagnostics, such as molecular tests that can take days to get results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Singh finds certain diseases, quarantine zones must be set up. One is currently in effect in New Orleans, where violators could face penalties for removing certain plant material from the area, where several citrus-killing diseases have been found. Singh also makes house calls. He typically goes on 60-80 site visits a year, and other researchers in his lab make even more. One researcher, Cian Butler, visits Avery Island every other week to inspect the iconic Tabasco peppers for signs of southern blight and other diseases that could disrupt the creation of their internationally famous hot sauce. Raj Singh and Cian Butler visit Avery Island to inspect pepper plants for signs of disease (Piper Hutchinson/Louisiana Illuminator) The differences between a healthy plant and a diseased one are very subtle to an untrained eye, but Singh and Butler are able to stalk quickly through the rows to find evidence of disease: wilted plants, discoloration and spotted leaves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have to be like a detective when youre scouring these fields, Singh said. While Singh can sniff out diseases and prescribe changes for better plant health, hes unlike a medical doctor in one way he cant save his patients. They come to him dead, and even their plant relatives with the same diseases cant be cured. But his advice can help prevent future outbreaks that could harm Louisianas economy. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Daniela Desantis ASUNCION (Reuters) -Paraguay is preparing to receive Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te next month, President Santiago Pena said on Monday, meaning Lai will likely make sensitive transit stops in the United States that are bound to infuriate Beijing. Asked about the plans, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said that "transits of the United States by high-level Taiwan officials, including presidents, are in line with past practice, and fully consistent with our longstanding policy." "Such transits are undertaken with consideration for the safety, comfort, convenience, and dignity of the passenger," the spokesperson added. Lai has yet to visit the United States since U.S. President Donald Trump took office for the second time this year, though late last year Lai transited Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam while visiting the Pacific. Paraguay is one of only 12 countries to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, and the only one in South America. Visits by Taiwanese presidents to Central and South America always involve what are officially only stopovers in the United States given the distance from Taiwan, but are often the most important parts of the trip given Washington is the island's top international backer and arms supplier. Pena, speaking at a bilateral investment conference in the South American nation's capital, said Lai would visit Paraguay next month. "We are preparing anxiously and with much affection to receive President Lai in 30 days," Pena told the conference, which Lai's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung also attended. Belize will also host Lai during a planned visit to the region, a government official told Reuters, without giving a date. Taiwan has a handful of other allies in Latin America and the Caribbean, but several have cut ties in recent years in favor of relations with economic powerhouse China, which considers Taiwan a Chinese province. "This is to show the world that small countries have the capacity to become major global players," Pena added. Taiwan's presidential office declined to comment, saying that, as in the past, if it had anything to announce it would do so "in due course." It normally confirms such trips only shortly before they take place. China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday reiterated its opposition to what it called "sneaky visits" to the United States by Taiwanese leaders under any pretext. Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing that the United States must understand how sensitive the Taiwan issue is and act with the utmost caution. China strongly objects to any interactions between Taiwan and the United States and routinely denounces U.S. stopovers of Taiwanese presidents. Taiwan's government rejects China's territorial claims and says it has a right to forge ties with other countries and engage with the world. (Reporting by Daniela Desantis and Sarah Morland; Additional reporting by Jose Sanchez in Belmopan, Liz Lee in Beijing,Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee in Taipei and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle, Lincoln Feast, Rod Nickel) LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WMBB) Lynn Haven city commissioners convened a special meeting at 7 a.m. Monday, to discuss the growing controversy swirling around City Manager Vickie Gainer. Phoenix construction owner James Finch is suing the city and Gainer over a 2021 road project. Finch says Phoenix submitted the lowest bid, but Gainer threw them all out; they had the new bids wording changed so Finch could not win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lynn Haven City Manager Vickie Gainer suspended Roberts and Roberts won the new bid for $300,000 more than Finchs original bid. Finch says hed planned to subcontract the job to Roberts and Roberts if hed won the original bid. City engineer Chris Forehand was also named in Finchs lawsuit. However, Finch dropped Forehand of the legal action after he agreed to testify. In his deposition, Forehand claims Finch met all requirements for the job, but Gainer said she didnt want to work with him. As a public official, people say a lot of things that are untrue. They dont have the facts. They dont know the facts because I dont sit here and publicly admonish people during these meetings because they have a right to their voice and their opinion. It may not always be right, but they do have a right to that, just as I have a voice and to the things that concern this city, Lynn Haven City Manager Vickie Gainer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finch has been a vocal critic of Gainers in the past, calling for her removal from office. During the special meeting, Commissioner Jamie Warrick made a motion to terminate Gainer. I dont think shes the best person for the position. Ive found things where policies were not followed. I mean, I hate to bring things up in the past, but, you know, the whole thing happened with the police chief. We didnt hear about it for a month and a half, Lynn Haven Commissioner Jamie Warrick said. Commissioner Judy Tinder seconded the motion, who openly campaigned about her concerns over Gainer. I have other reasons to believe that its not just this incident, Lynn Haven Commissioner Judy Tinder said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motion to fire was withdrawn, but commissioners did vote 4-to-1 to suspend Gainer with pay while they investigate Finchs claims. Theyll interview employees and staff reportedly involved in the bid decisions, then reconvene Friday to decide Gainers future with the city. Panama City kicks off yearly school supply drive for students I believe that the city made a good choice at that matter. An investigation needs to be performed any time that you have allegations. Any time that theres even a question of impropriety, a commission should really, especially with the city manager, take the time to get the facts before they make a decision, resident Zack Detwiler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Jesse Nelson says Assistant City Manager Jennifer Hodges will take on the Gainers role for the time being. According to Police Chief Ricky Ramie, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has this situation under review. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Healey-Driscoll administration is investing nearly one million dollars in civics, teaching, and learning grants for school districts across the state. Western Massachusetts senator pushes back against housing discrimination Western Massachusetts will benefit from these grants. Springfield public schools will be receiving nearly $50,000, and Westfield about $30,000. These grants will expand access to high-quality civics education, including student-led projects and showcases. Governor Maura Healey says that by teaching students how they can make a difference by working together, we can create stronger communities and democracy. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) This week marks the beginning of the annual Madam President Camp here in St. Joseph. The camp offers middle school girls the opportunity to discover themselves and learn how to become authentic, powerful leaders in their lives. Madam President Camp has been held at Missouri Western State University for the past three years, receiving nothing but success and positive feedback from participants and the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From July 1416, middle school girls from St. Joseph can participate in hands-on activities, hear from guest speakers and take part in team-building projects. The camp runs for seven hours each day and prioritizes building confidence, engagement, communication skills, activism, self-discovery and public speaking. Volunteer Katy Schwartz Drowns shared the camp leaders' and organizers' hope in hosting this camp. We hope that these are ladies take what they're learning here at Madam President Camp and live it out. Whether that be in their home or in their families, in their role, in their careers," said Schwartz Drowns. "Especially as they go into high school and college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the hands-on activities include goal setting, mock campaigns and civic projects, such as starting a business or running for student council. Asaiah Foster has been attending Madam President Camp since it began in St. Joseph. Now entering her third year, she shared her favorite part of the experience. "I enjoy just seeing so many people that have been in the Missouri community and have made such a big difference, and shown that other girls can do the same thing, said Foster. One of the camps key features is its 5:1 mentor-to-camper ratio, giving girls the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with mentors who can guide and inspire them as they step into leadership roles. Founded in 2012 by Dr. Lee Smithson Burd, Madam President Camp continues to empower young girls across Missouri. The St. Joseph branch plans to return to Missouri Western next year with hopes of expanding the program. One exciting new addition being considered is a Career Day, which would showcase women from the local community working in a variety of fields. The Republican Partys preoccupation with Joe Biden is ongoing, with GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill investigating the former presidents mental acuity, and Donald Trump ordering the Justice Department to launch a parallel investigation into the Democrats use of an autopen. Its difficult to say with certainty what, exactly, Republicans expect to find, but the basic idea is that there was some kind of elaborate conspiracy, involving unnamed officials in or around the White House, who used the presidential autopen to engage in all sorts of mischief signing everything from executive orders to pardons while taking advantage of the fact that Biden was so completely incapacitated that he had no idea what was going on around him. The apparent partisan goal among GOP officials is to invalidate the documents the Democrat signed, opening the door to, among other things, prosecuting those Biden protected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is there any evidence to support the Republicans conspiracy theory? Well, no. In fact, the former president told The New York Times this week that while he utilized the autopen tool as other modern presidents from both parties have done he personally made every decision, and nothing was ever signed without his direct and express approval. But the GOP fishing expedition continues, led in large part by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, whos been overpromising and underdelivering on assorted partisan conspiracy theories for quite a while. Indeed, the Kentucky Republican has used his authority in recent months to send out all kinds of letters, subpoena notices and requests for information related to his investigation into the former president and the White House autopen. As NBC News reported, however, Comer apparently didnt put pen to paper before sending out that letters, subpoena notices and requests for information. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., has been leading the probe into Joe Bidens cognitive state during his presidency, with Republicans alleging that Bidens occasional use of an autopen to sign documents ... demonstrated that he wasnt fully in control or aware of what his administration was doing. But documents show that some of the letters and subpoena notices Comer has sent out in connection to his investigation have been signed using a digital signature not written by the congressman himself. NBC News scrutiny of Comers correspondence found that while his letters included his signature, a look at the metadata of the letters shows that they were created by someone besides Comer. And hovering over Comers signature in Adobe Acrobat shows that it is a digital image. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Oversight Committee responded to requests for comment with a statement that sounded quite a bit like the answers Biden and his team have also offered in response to the entire misguided conspiracy theory. Comers spokesperson said, for example, that committee chairs from both parties have routinely used digital signatures, which is true though its also true that presidents from both parties have routinely used autopens. The spokesperson also said Comer personally approved the materials that were signed digitally, which is true, though according to Biden, he also personally approved the materials that were signed with an autopen. The spokesperson concluded that the two stories are not even remotely comparable, though thats a debatable point: When the congressman who has accused Biden of failing to personally sign important documents fails to personally sign important documents, its tough to say that there are no relevant parallels. Comer using an autopen to investigate an autopen is just so James. Thats what we love about him, his attention to detail, Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida told NBC News sarcastically. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Congressional Democrats have traditionally taken little interest in the Jeffrey Epstein saga, but as Donald Trump and his team struggle to defend their handling of the matter, and the presidents base expresses outrage, the party appears now to be operating under the axiom when your foes are drowning, throw them an anvil. NBC News reported on the first Democratic effort to force the release of the investigatory files surrounding the late millionaire pedophile. On Monday night, Democrats offered an amendment in the House Rules Committee to require a floor vote on releasing the Epstein files. Republicans, who control the Rules panel, voted it down 7-5. Notably, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, voted for the Democratic amendment. And another HFC member, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, didnt vote. Less than 24 hours later, as The New Republic noted, it happened again, this time on the House floor. House Republicans on Tuesday blocked a rule to release the Epstein files, with zero Republicans supporting the measure. The final vote was 211 to 210. One Republican with a spine would have tipped the scale and given the American people greater transparency on the Epstein saga. Democrats attempted to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files, after Republicans struck down an amendment in the House Rules committee on Monday evening. The procedural maneuver, which would have triggered a vote on the amendment requiring Trumps Justice Department to release the files within 30 days, was rejected yet again with all 211 no votes coming from Republicans. Its worth noting that eight House Republicans chose not to participate in the vote: Barry Loudermilk and Buddy Carter of Georgia; Monica De La Cruz, Wesley Hunt, Morgan Lutrell and Michael McCaul of Texas; Kentuckys Thomas Massie and Tennessees Andy Ogles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern, the ranking member on the House Rules Committee, told Axios, These guys have [trafficked] in conspiracy theories for as long as I can remember, and its coming home to bite them in the a--, and they dont know how to deal with it. The Massachusetts congressman added that additional votes like these are probably on the way. That was probably not the last time that youre going to see us deal with this issue, McGovern said after Tuesday afternoons close vote. Or put another way, as many congressional Republicans suggest theyd like to see more meaningful transparency related to this debacle, theyll have other opportunities to prove they mean it. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com By any fair measure, the past few months have been difficult for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. She recently fired the leaders of the National Intelligence Council, for example, because it dared to produce accurate information Donald Trump didnt like. That coincided with reports of a member of Gabbards team trying to politicize intelligence, the release of a weird Gabbard video that even Republicans found bizarre, reports that the DNI has been left out of important strategy sessions and briefings, and allegations in a Washington Post report that she created a special team in the hopes of using artificial intelligence tools to monitor agencies, looking for communications that the administration deems as efforts to undermine its agenda. Things went from bad to worse when Trump was asked for his reaction to Gabbards recent testimony on Irans nuclear program and the president explicitly said, more than once, that he didnt care what his own handpicked director of national intelligence said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as it turns out, the beleaguered DNI isnt quite done undermining what remains of her credibility. The Washington Post reported: Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, is criticizing President Donald Trumps national intelligence director, Tulsi Gabbard, for speaking at a political event over the weekend. Gabbard spoke Saturday at a Turning Point USA conference in Florida and criticized the deep state, claiming anti-Trump bureaucrats are continuing to fight hard every single day. Warner, who hasnt exactly earned a reputation as a knee-jerk partisan who takes cheap and unnecessary shots, issued a written statement in response to Gabbards remarks. What we have here is a Director of National Intelligence willing to break decades of precedent to attack her own workforce and weaponize American intelligence at a political rally, the Virginia Democrat said. Director Gabbard is unable to adhere to her oath. Her claims that she cares about depoliticizing intelligence are incompatible with reality. When will my Republican colleagues, who claim to care about national security, finally speak up? Our intelligence community deserves better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warners point obviously has merit. During her Senate confirmation hearing, Gabbard told senators, under oath, You have my commitment to be completely objective, unbiased and apolitical. At the same hearing, she vowed, Ill work to end the politicization of the intelligence community. Roughly five months later, she accepted an invitation to deliver political remarks at a far-right political event an unprecedented move for someone in her position. Plenty of other Republican politicians spoke at the same gathering, but therein lies the point: They serve in partisan offices and never swore under oath to be completely apolitical. Retired Gen. Michael Hayden, who led the CIA and the National Security Agency, recently co-authored a report with David Gioe, a former CIA analyst and operations officer, writing in Foreign Affairs about how dangerous it is to see Trump, Gabbard and their colleagues politicize the entire American intelligence system. The piece came to mind anew watching the director of national intelligence criticize the deep state while on stage at a far-right political event. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Donald Trumps first term was filled with scandals, failures and tragedies, but the president managed to complete one of his most important goals: Working with a Republican-led Senate, he successfully stacked the federal courts with young, far-right ideologues. By the time Trump left office, hed installed 234 federal judges including a third of the U.S. Supreme Court which created a dynamic Americans will be forced to live with for a generation. Looking back, however, the president and his team arent altogether satisfied. The problem, evidently, is that some conservative, Trump-appointed jurists many of them handpicked by the conservative Federalist Society are not quite radical enough. Some have even had the audacity to issue rulings that Republicans didnt like. For Team Trump, this became a learning experience of sorts. Sure, his other successful judicial nominees were conservative, but not enough of them were knee-jerk conservatives who could be counted on to deliver for the right reflexively and without a lot of fuss or forethought. As NBC News reported last month, the president settled on a new approach to selecting judges in his second term, departing from his first-term formula of younger up-and-comers, elite credentials and pedigrees in traditional conservative ideology and instead leaning toward unapologetically combative, MAGA-friendly nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its precisely why Team Trump decided that the Federalist Society simply wasnt MAGA-aligned enough. In fact, a year before Election Day 2024, The New York Times reported that Team Trump had begun looking at Federalist Society members as squishes. And this week, Senate Republicans, voting along party lines, confirmed Whitney Hermandorfer, who served as director of the strategic litigation unit in the Tennessee attorney generals office, marking the first judicial confirmation of Trumps second term. The Times reported: She clerked for Justices Samuel A. Alito and Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court and for Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh when he sat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. At age 38, she is part of an effort by both parties to place younger judges on the bench, where they can serve for decades given their lifetime tenure, as opposed to the previous tradition of choosing lawyers with more extensive careers. Her legal background drew criticism from Democrats. It did, indeed. Hermandorfer, who rose to public prominence defending a Republican abortion ban and challenging a Biden administration prohibition on discrimination against transgender students, only has six years of actual legal practice and as my MSNBC colleague Lisa Rubin recently explained, thats roughly half of what the American Bar Association considers necessary to be qualified for a federal judgeship. During an exchange with Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware during her confirmation hearing, Hermandorfer conceded that shed never served as sole or chief counsel in any case, tried to a jury verdict; never served as sole or chief counsel in any case tried to a final judgment; never personally engaged in direct examinations in federal court; never personally engaged in cross-examinations in federal court; never taken depositions; and never defended depositions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Jane Stranch, whom Hermandorfer was tapped to replace, had 31 years of legal experience before she was nominated for the appellate bench. Hermandorfer, in contrast, graduated from law school 10 years ago, has six years of legal experience, and no background doing the sorts of things one might expect a federal appellate court judge to have done. Thats precisely why Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, described her lack of qualifications as shocking. But in our post-qualifications era, Trump didnt care, and Senate Republicans, including ostensible moderates such as Maines Susan Collins, played their role and rubber-stamped Hermandorfers nomination. She is the first far-right judicial confirmation of the presidents second term, but she wont be the last. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com To Donald Trumps frustration, the controversy surrounding his administrations handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case has not gone away, and new details continue to emerge. NBC News reported, for example, on the president making an acknowledgement that he hadnt made before. Asked whether [Attorney General Pam] Bondi had told him if his name appeared in a file related to Epstein, Trump said no, adding that Bondi has given us just a very quick briefing. Trump claimed that the files were made up by his predecessors, though previously he has discussed the files, and his allies have called for their release. By all appearances, the president has lost control of the entire story, and these latest comments didnt do him any favors. Asked whether the attorney general briefed him on the Epstein case, Trump conceded that this did, in fact, happen, though he characterized it as a very quick briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was notable in its own right, in part because it was a new acknowledgement and in part because it raises a variety of related questions. Why did he receive a briefing on this case, as opposed to the countless other matters that cross Bondis desk? What did Bondi tell him? What did he say in response? Did he give her any directions about how to proceed? Was this the first conversation the two have had about the late millionaire pedophile, or the latest in a series? As part of the same brief exchange at the White House, the same reporter pressed further on whether the attorney general told him about his name appearing in the files. No, no, Trump replied, before quickly shifting to a different conspiracy theory related to the underlying conspiracy theory. These files were made up by Comey; they were made up by Obama, they were made up by the Biden you know, we went through years of that with the Russia Russia Russia hoax. So, a few things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, the idea that Barack Obama and former FBI Director James Comey made up the so-called Epstein files is demonstrably ridiculous. It was the Trump administration that investigated, arrested and charged Epstein. It was in 2019 during Trumps first term when Epstein, facing sex trafficking and conspiracy charges, died while in custody, and a medical examiner ruled his death a suicide. Obama and Comey couldnt have manufactured files even if they wanted to: Not only did they have no incentive to fabricate fake evidence, they were also nowhere near the levers of power in 2019. (In an earlier iteration of the same silly theory, Trump included Hillary Clinton and former CIA Director John Brennan for reasons unknown.) Second, if nefarious Trump foes had made up these files, wouldnt they have included Trump in them to make him took bad? Should we assume, in light of comments like these, that the files do make him look bad? Third, Trumps Russia scandal was quite real, no matter how many times he lies about it or how many times he tries to rewrite recent history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And finally, if the Republican president is hoping these bizarre comments are going to make the broader controversy go away, hes likely to be disappointed. For her part, Bondi was asked about the matter soon after Trumps odd exchange with reporters. The attorney general refused to comment. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Last summer, roughly five months before Election Day 2024, Donald Trump sat down for one of his many Fox and Friends interviews, which didnt generate a ton of headlines at the time. (One of the hosts asking the Republican questions at the time was, oddly enough, future Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.) But the interview resurfaced this week because of Trumps comments about the so-called Epstein files. At the time, Fox News Rachel Campos-Duffy (wife of Trump's current transportation secretary, Sean Duffy) began by asking the then-candidate whether he would declassify government files related to 9/11, and Trump said he would. She then asked about declassifying John F. Kennedy assassination files, and he again said he would. The co-host went on to ask, Would you declassify the Epstein files? referring to the federal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the late millionaire pedophile who was arrested during Trumps first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What viewers saw at the time was Trump replying, Yeah, I would. But what those who tuned into the interview didnt see was the rest of his answer. In a video that resurfaced in light of the ongoing controversy surrounding his teams handling of Epstein-related documents, Trump, after saying he supported access to the files, quickly added, I guess I would. I think that less so because, you dont know, you dont want to affect peoples lives if its phony stuff in there, because its a lot of phony stuff with that whole world. But I think I would. Asked if such a move would help restore public trust, he added, Yeah. I dont know about Epstein so much as I do the others. Certainly about the way he died. Itd be interesting to find out what happened there, because that was a weird situation and the cameras didnt happen to be working, etc., etc. But yeah, Id go a long way toward that one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be sure, this isnt altogether new information. In fact, Semafor had a good report on this last summer. (Fox News did not respond to the outlet's request for comment at the time. That said, the full video was featured on the Fox Nation streaming service and on Will Cains radio program.) But its returned to the fore for a couple of reasons. First, the comments Trump made last summer are newly relevant given his administrations efforts to make this ongoing fiasco go away. In fact, it seems likely that many who want the White House to follow through on its earlier commitments will take a keen interest in this year-old appearance. Second, the fact that Fox News edited the interview this way also seems newly significant given that the president has been quite hysterical for months about CBS News 60 Minutes including some benign edits in a pre-election interview with Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, the Republican was so outraged or at least pretended to be outraged by the edits that he recently accused the news magazine of fraud, airing defamatory segments, illegally intervening in the last presidential election, corruptly changing major answers to Interview questions and being a Political Operative that has engaged in unlawful and illegal behavior. He added that CBS should lose its broadcast license and pay a big price, while calling on the FCC to impose the maximum fines and punishment. Whether the president would expect Fox News to face similar penalties or endorse Harris filing a $20 billion lawsuit against the network, which was the amount of the since-settled civil suit he filed against CBS and its corporate parent remains unclear. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * In the Middle East: A wave of deadly Israeli airstrikes targeted government forces in Syria and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon on Tuesday, escalating what Israel said were efforts to secure its northern border. The strikes in Syria were a rare attack on forces of the new government, which is led by Islamist former rebels who toppled the dictator Bashar al-Assad in December. * Waltzs testimony was far from impressive: President Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Waltz, was pressed by Democrats on Capitol Hill on Tuesday but did not acknowledge any wrongdoing related to a sensitive group chat on the commercial messaging app Signal in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Since the administration needs more immigration judges, not fewer, these firings are tough to understand: Seventeen immigration court judges have been fired in recent days, according to the union that represents them, as the Trump administration pushes forward with its mass deportations of immigrants in the country. * A policy shift with potentially dramatic consequences: The Trump administration has declared that immigrants who arrived in the United States illegally are no longer eligible for a bond hearing as they fight deportation proceedings in court, according to documents reviewed by The Washington Post. * A lawsuit worth watching: A group of 24 states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration Monday over its withholding of nearly $7 billion in education funding for after-school care, English-language learning, teacher training and other programs, asking a federal judge to force the federal government to release the money. * Just one week after Grok was endorsing Adolf Hitler, this report reached the public: The Defense Department will begin using Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot built by Elon Musks start-up xAI, the company said in a post Monday. ... In a news release, the Defense Department said the contract award is worth up to $200 million. The department issued similar awards to Google, Anthropic and OpenAI, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * A story weve been following: A county official in New York on Monday rejected for a second time efforts by Texas to enforce a $100,000 judgment against a New York doctor accused of violating Texas ban on abortion by sending abortion pills to the state, further escalating an unprecedented interstate conflict. * If this reporting in The Atlantic is correct, its unforgivable: Five months into its unprecedented dismantling of foreign-aid programs, the Trump administration has given the order to incinerate food instead of sending it to people abroad who need it. Nearly 500 metric tons of emergency foodenough to feed about 1.5 million children for a weekare set to expire tomorrow, according to current and former government employees with direct knowledge of the rations. Within weeks, two of those sources told me, the food, meant for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan, will be ash. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com EXCLUSIVE New bipartisan legislation set to be filed Tuesday by Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and first previewed by the Washington Examiner would elevate certain attacks on first responders to a federal crime, likely accompanied by harsher prosecution and stiffer penalties. The Graham Hoffman Act comes in the wake of several first responders being killed in the line of duty this year. It is named after the Kansas City paramedic-firefighter whom a patient fatally stabbed in April. This legislation, in honor of Graham, ensures that anyone who assaults or kills a first responder faces the full force of federal law, Schmitt said in a statement. Hoffman, 29, was allegedly stabbed by 38-year-old Shanetta Bossell in the heart as she was being transported via ambulance. She was arrested days prior for biting a police officer and was released on bond. Graham Hoffman was a courageous firefighter-paramedic whose life was tragically cut short at the hands of a known criminal who had been released from custody shortly before the attack, Schmitt said. This tragic loss underscores the urgent need to protect our first responders, who put their lives on the line to serve our communities. The measure is cosponsored by several Republicans and one Democrat, raising its chances of receiving floor time or being included in other broader legislation. Its backed by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Ted Cruz (R-TX). Featured Local Savings Attackers would be subject to federal crimes if they assault a first responder engaged in their duties or any individual assisting such a first responder, and if the alleged attacker traveled across state lines, used a weapon that traveled in interstate or foreign commerce, affected interstate or foreign commerce, or if the victim is a federal first responder. Two Idaho firefighters were killed and a third was seriously injured during an ambush by a lone gunman on fire crews last month while responding to a brush fire. Frank Harwood, 42, and John Morrison, 52, were killed. Dave Tysdal, 47, was seriously injured but survived. FIREFIGHTERS AMBUSHED BY SNIPER IN IDAHO: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT DEADLY SHOOTING The alleged shooter, 20-year-old Wess Roley, was found dead at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and started the fire to lure first responders, according to authorities. Attacks that result in death or offenses that include kidnapping, attempt to kidnap, or an attempt to kill would be subject to life in prison. Lesser offenses would be subject to up to 10 years of imprisonment. The News MAGA may be starting to move on from its infighting over Jeffrey Epstein. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who didnt show up for work on Friday after a fight with Attorney General Pam Bondi and weighed resigning in protest of the administrations handling of the Epstein case, spoke to President Donald Trump over the weekend. He subsequently returned to the office on Monday though it remains unclear whether he will stay on at the FBI long term, two sources familiar with the situation told Semafor. And while several prominent Trump-aligned pundits continued to air frustrations with the Justice Departments decision to effectively declare the Epstein matter closed, one of them TPUSA co-founder Charlie Kirk said Monday he wouldnt be commenting further. Notably, he also spoke with Trump this weekend, as CNN first reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Epstein flap, as of Monday night, now appears to be the latest example of a second Trump term thats been defined by the presidents ability to bend GOP lawmakers and his base to his will. Trump made clear that he wants to get past the circular firing squad that the conservative movement descended into last week over Epstein documents. So far, with only a few exceptions, hes getting what he wants from his party. A reprieve from the Epstein files would be welcome news for Republicans who want to limit the fallout from the accused sex traffickers case, a conspiratorial focus on the right since his 2019 death while awaiting trial. For quite a few in the GOP, an Epstein fight between leadership at the FBI and DOJ is nothing but an unwelcome distraction. Its all National Enquirer stuff, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., told Semafor. Everybodys had their speculation of who did what and why they did. We got so many more things up here that we got to do other than worry about that. Now, if [theres] something out there, I think they should put it out. But its obvious theres nothing there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuberville added that Bondi might have misspoken a couple times and said there was a list, and she probably should have said, There are a bunch of files on my desk and weve got to go through it. Know More Bondi added fuel to the years-long firestorm among conservatives about Epsteins powerful network of friends in politics and business. She told Fox News in February that a list of Epsteins clients was sitting on my desk right now to review, raising the expectations of Trump diehards, and is now seen by critics as overpromising in public remarks (Bondi later said she was referring to documents in general). There is no evidence that the alleged client list exists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi also angered conservative pundits after they were invited to the White House and given an Epstein Files: Phase 1 binder that turned out to be largely already-released details. Throughout it all, disagreements between the FBI and DOJ grew over the handling of the Epstein documents only for the two agencies to release an unsigned, two-page memo last week declaring that no further disclosure of documents would be necessary. Its turned into something between a letdown and a sideshow for Republicans who were bracing for more. Im kind of surprised, because I was led to believe there was more there than whats indicated, Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told Semafor. I cant draw any more conclusions, just that Im surprised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My strongest feeling is: Im glad I have nothing to do with it, said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Room for Disagreement Not everyone in the party is willing to move on. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, asked his followers on X on Monday afternoon about Epsteins alleged fixer: Would you like to see Ghislaine Maxwell testify before Congress about everything she knows about Jeffrey Epstein? Then theres right-wing agitator Laura Loomer, who is calling for a special counsel in the Epstein case. It seems theres a portion of the base who isnt willing to follow Trump on this particular issue and that could be a lasting issue for the president, who clearly doesnt want to hear the name Epstein again. Over the weekend, the Student Action Summit held by Kirks group put members of the administration and frustrated MAGA influencers on the same stage at a high-tension moment. The three-day Tampa conference was thick with criticism of DOJ and disbelief that the president could have let so many people down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is it about Jeffrey Epstein thats so infuriating to people, so infuriating that its actually causing seismic political problems? asked Tucker Carlson on Friday. Its the frustration of normal people, watching a certain class of people get away with everything every single time. Megyn Kelly also bemoaned Bondis actions to Kirk. Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon urged the president to appoint a special counsel to examine the Epstein information, even as some in the movement pivoted to other stories. The View From Democrats Congressional Democrats have written to the White House and Republicans for weeks, demanding more Epstein disclosure, often citing Elon Musk when they asked for it. Once they saw MAGA commentators arguing about the DOJ memo, they started trying to remind Trumps voters that the president had also socialized with what DNC strategist Tim Hogan called notorious sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. On Thursday, the DNC created @TrumpEpsteinBot, an X account with daily updates on how the Epstein files hadnt been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the lead Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, told Semafor that his party wants to know exactly what Donald Trump is hiding. He vowed to ask for Epstein documents to be declassified, and to pursue that outright in 2027 if Democrats retake the House. Clearly, when the Attorney General says that she has the files on her desk and then tries to run away from that statement, we need to find out why, Garcia told Semafor. That was a shift from how Democrats talked about the Epstein story after his death in prison as a Republican fixation. Shelby, Burgess, and Davids View One key question: What does Bonginos future look like after all this? On Sunday, Trump confirmed hed spoken to the FBIs No. 2, telling reporters he thinks Bongino is still in the role and that hes a very good guy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He sounded terrific, actually, Trump said. No, I think hes in good shape. But its still not clear whether Bongino wants to stay at the FBI, or whether the rift between him and Bondi can be repaired. And while Trump publicly praised Bongino, he historically doesnt appreciate being publicly pushed to make a decision (in this case, to fire Bondi, whom hes openly defending). As a media personality, Bongino spent years cultivating an impressive following on the right, many of whom remain behind him in this current fight. If he leaves the FBI, will he return to his successful conservative podcasting sphere? And, perhaps more importantly, will Trump let him go without a fight? Notable SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A Pierre mail carrier admits stealing letters so he could cash in on other peoples Menards rebates. Court documents say Nicholas Travers looked for mail being sent to the companys rebate center in Elk Mound, Wisconsin. Man sentenced to 3 years for bunker machine gun Hed then fill out new forms and send them in with the stolen receipts, so that he would receive the rebates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travers entered a guilty plea Monday. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. KELOLAND News first reported on Travers in November of 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., is pictured on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) I am the founder of Planson International Corporation, a family business based in New Gloucester. We supply computer equipment to the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations that support education, health, agriculture, food security, development, and emergency response. Our technology directly supports children impacted by natural disasters and conflicts and our work is being threatened by efforts to block congressionally approved foreign aid spending. Companies build market diversification into their business model to survive and grow. Federal investments in foreign aid broaden revenue sources for American businesses. These revenue streams are currently at risk as the U.S. Senate on Tuesday is set to advance a so-called rescissions package that would block billions in spending. This package would drastically cut foreign aid that Congress has always supported. It would weaken the position of the United States in export trade and be detrimental to local economies and small businesses. We must stop this package from becoming law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our workforces expertise and ingenuity deliver lifesaving humanitarian aid, while creating jobs and strengthening local economies here at home. Thanks in part to sustained government investment in organizations like UNICEF, my company has grown revenues, expanded our workforce, and developed new products including Plansons eMITS kits, which were deployed by the UN for several years to set up mobile IT and communications outposts in global emergencies. Contracts with UNICEF and other agencies support Planson jobs for 25 Mainers plus employees in other states. For decades, America has flexed its technological strength, setting the global pace in innovation and economic growth. My local business proudly contributes to our countrys success. We have improved the speed and efficiency of humanitarian aid delivery systems in many of the hardest-to-reach places on the planet. We will continue to do so if America maintains its support for foreign aid. Americans rightly demand that the federal government spend resources efficiently and effectively. Taxpayers want to ensure that their hard-earned tax dollars are invested in American interests. Investments in foreign aid generate a substantial return for American taxpayers. For example, every dollar invested by USAID drove nearly $5 toward the private sector, according to the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. Of the top 15 export markets in America,13 were once recipients of U.S. foreign assistance. This means foreign aid helps open new markets for American businesses. Last year, humanitarian aid organizations like UNICEF invested $770 million in American businesses across 37 states to procure life-saving medicine, ready-to-use therapeutic food, and humanitarian supplies. This created thousands of jobs right here at home. Without these foreign aid outlays, companies across the country would have lost sales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reducing our nations traditionally strong foreign aid investments would diminish Americas economic strength, put American jobs at risk, and harm American businesses like Planson International and communities like New Gloucester. For these reasons, Maines members of Congress should reject the Trump administrations rescissions package and reaffirm its support for small businesses and local economies. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The number one key factor to dental health is routine, said Dr. Matthew Carraway, a dentist with Basin Pediatric Dentistry. Especially in the summer, parents kids, everybody, gets out of their normal routine, and we just see the oral hygiene, just take a nose dive, and the cavities go up, said Dr. Carraway Cavities are the most common chronic disease of childhood in the U.S., shared data from the Center for Disease Control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the summer months it can become habit for kids to fallout of regular dental hygiene routines, but Dr. Carraway said there are simple solutions. In our case what we usually recommend is just get eyes on the kids, and actually make sure they are brushing, he said. Dr. Carraway also said he typically encourages parents to take their kids to the dentist twice a year, especially if their child is venerable to cavities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. Mallorca hoteliers are putting up posters around the island welcoming tourists, following a series of overtoursim protests with signs telling visitors to go home. Campaign groups in Mallorca have been urging tourists to stay home and not overwhelm the Spanish island, especially in the peak summer season, as they say it is damaging to infrastructure and detrimental to their daily lives. The anti-overtourism attitudes have resulted in large-scale protests, such as one in the city of Palma in June, which saw thousands of residents take to the streets calling for limits on visitors and a better tourism strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signs and slogans such as tourists go home and no to mass tourism are often displayed during demonstrations. Hotels in Mallorca have now taken a stand against what they describe as tourismophobia, with an initiative welcoming visitors to their holiday hotspot. The group will encourage other people in the industry to use the posters to show they welcome tourists (The Mallorca Hotel Business Federation) The group will encourage other people in the industry to use the posters to show they welcome tourists (The Mallorca Hotel Business Federation) The Mallorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM) has launched a series of posters on billboards and digital banners, and is encouraging other tourism companies and industry workers to use them. The posters include slogans such as Tourist, go home happy. Be happier returning to Mallorca soon, a play on words of the anti-tourist signs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tourist, go home safe and come back soon as well as tourist, dont go home, stay longer with us, have also been used. The billboards will be up for two months over the busy summer season, as many tourists will start to flock to Mallorca for beach holidays. The federation says that they are using the new slogans to remind tourists that the island is hospitable and proud of its tourism industry, in contrast to the rejectionist rhetoric and actions that attempt to damage the image of tourism and its contribution to Balearic society, it said. The hotel group claims that the hostility towards visitors comes from a vocal minority that does not represent the rest of the Balearics. Members of the Mallorca Platja Tour association demonstrate against the tourist saturation on the beach of Palma de Mallorca last August (Getty Images) Members of the Mallorca Platja Tour association demonstrate against the tourist saturation on the beach of Palma de Mallorca last August (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, FEHM says it advocates for getting the balance right between tourism, infrastructure, sustainability and a peaceful coexistence with residents something that the campaigns against overtourism say they have also been fighting for. One of the main driving points behind the initiative is to protect employment, as FEHM notes that tourism provides jobs for more than a third of the Balearic Islands' working population. It adds that the hotel sector is working to modernise its operations to improve its impact on society, with a 13.5 per cent wage increase over three years. FEHM President Javier Vich emphasised that "without tourists, there are no jobs, and we must all take care of tourism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, campaigners against overtourism, such as Menys Turisme Mes Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) take a different stance, claiming that the tourist industry impoverishes people, makes it hard to access housing and diverts focus from the public sector. The group said it stands in solidarity with hospitality workers in negotiations for better working environments during the high season, as there is usually an exploitation of the working class during this period. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani fundraised off a new campaign video from former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as the two are set to battle in the general election later this year. Only 13 percent of New Yorkers voted in the June primary. The general election is in November, and I am in it to win it. My opponent, Mr. Mamdani, offers slick slogans, but no real solutions, Cuomo said in a campaign video, which was posted Monday on the social platform X. In response to the earlier campaign video Cuomo posted on X, Mamdani posted a link to donate money to his campaign. Mamdanis response had earned 95,000 likes by later Monday night, with Cuomos original video at 2,900 likes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdanis recent win in the Democratic primary shocked the political world, with a mostly previously unknown democratic socialist taking down Cuomo, a notable political heavyweight. Cuomo has formally announced he is running as an independent in the Big Apples mayoral race later this year. Cuomo joins Mamdani, Mayor Eric Adams, who is also running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the general election race. Former Obama staffer Dan Pfeiffer, also a co-host of the Pod Save America podcast, slammed Cuomos Monday ad by saying there was no charisma in it. This is one of the least compelling campaign videos that I have ever seen. No message. No charisma. No compelling visuals, Pfeiffer said in a post on X in response to the Cuomo video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a visibly annoyed man wearing an ill-fitting shirt saying things he clearly doesnt believe, he added. When reached for comment about Pfeiffers remarks earlier Monday, Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi told The Hill that If we upset the pod guys, we must be on the right track. The Hill has reached out to a spokesperson for Cuomo for further comment on Mamdanis post. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is taking steps to connect with Washingtons political class amid signs of division within the Democratic Party over his insurgent mayoral bid. Mamdani, who won the Democratic nomination for mayor in an upset against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) last month, is planning to take part in a Wednesday breakfast with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in Washington. Later in the week, hes expected to sit down in Brooklyn with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who has not yet endorsed him. The meetings come as Democrats grapple with how the democratic socialist fits into a party that remains bitterly divided over how to move forward in the wake of its devastating losses in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As long as he continues to build up his political coalition, reinforce his allies, make new allies and friends, hes on a path to win the general election, said New York Democratic strategist Trip Yang. For him to shore up his congressional allies is really smart. It doesnt hurt him from an electoral standpoint, in terms of winning an election in November. But what this really does is build relationships when he does become mayor in January. Mamdani pulled off a stunning win in the late June primary in the race to replace embattled Mayor Eric Adams (D). A little-known state legislator, Mamdanis momentum surged as he snagged support from high-profile progressives, including Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and the Working Families Party. While Mamdani will be the November favorite in the heavily Democratic-leaning city, he is facing opposition on multiple fronts, making the race potentially more competitive than usual. Adams is running a long-shot bid for reelection as an independent, while Cuomo announced Monday he would continue with his campaign, also as an independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani is now running in a five-way race, which also includes GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa and another independent, Jim Walden. Early polling has shown the progressive ahead but with less than a majority of the vote, and some of Mamdanis critics have called for the other candidates to coalesce behind one candidate who has the best chance to beat him. The Democratic dissent is driven largely by voices fretting that Mamdanis socialist platform poses a threat to the partys chances of winning, as well as about Mamdanis positions on hot-button issues like the Israel-Hamas war. Against that backdrop, Mamdani is expected to be in D.C. on Wednesday for a breakfast with Ocasio-Cortez at the National Democratic Club. Checking in with one of your top surrogates that you share a base with thats just smart politics, Yang said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Lange, a political strategist whos written extensively about the mayoral race, predicted the congresswoman will help Mamdani make connections with key leaders as he works to make certain elements of the Democratic establishment less nervous about him, to see him not as an ideologue but someone committed to governing, despite what their top donors might say or think. The Hill has reached out to Mamdanis team for additional details about the progressives plans in Washington. Jeffries, who has not yet endorsed Mamdanis campaign, said Monday hes scheduled to meet with Mamdani at the end of the week in Brooklyn. Lange pointed to Mamdanis primary successes to suggest endorsements from Washington veterans like Jeffries or New York Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand arent likely to make a big difference in who wins the general election. But either way, Mamdani will want to build relationships with party leaders to alleviate tensions and lay the groundwork for governing later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are Zohran, you want to play nice with these various leaders, but I dont think you should lose sleep trying to win them over, Lange said. Jeffries has previously said the mayoral hopeful needs to reassure Jewish New Yorkers he plans to prioritize their safety if elected in November, telling Punchbowl News he expects Mamdanis refusal to condemn the phrase globalize the intifada will be part of our discussion. At the same time, some of Mamdanis far-left allies have reportedly floated primarying Jeffries and other incumbents. Meeting with Jeffries is a smart, strategic move to try and calm down the leadership, said New York Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf, who is not supporting Mamdanis bid. He speculated, though, that Jeffries will more likely be looking for the democratic socialist to answer the question why should I help you? Mamdanis momentum has been a cause for celebration among progressives, and hes argued his platform could be successful outside the Big Apple. But other Democrats have been wary about the party turning to Mamdanis playbook as the party fights off accusations of being too far left following the 2024 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some folks think his policies arent what the party should advocate for, but if we want to win in different places, its OK for someone in NYC to be different than someone in West Virginia, said Democratic strategist Eddie Vale. Also as a New Yorker, everyone thinks the world revolves around us but just as stupid as it turned out to be that Eric Adams was the brand and savior of the Democratic Party nationwide, it is similarly not going to rise or fall on what Mamdani says about rent control. One Democratic strategist disagreed, saying the party isnt learning its lesson if it backs Mamdani. Do we ever learn anything? If people think this guy represents the future of the party, they are fing kidding themselves. Supporting him would be like going backward, and Republicans are right to use him as a foil because he is exactly why we lost in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another strategist concurred. He is not the solution, the strategist said. He talked about issues that we should all be talking about like affordability, but thinking that he is the answer to all our problems couldnt be farther from the truth. Yang acknowledged the concerns from other Democrats but stressed the big picture as well. One, it is rational for Democratic leaders who are not familiar with Zohran to be a little bit apprehensive: Is this 33-year-old unknown socialist going to hurt our partys chances in the midterms and beyond? Yang said. Two, he actually polls really well. And as he does outreach, hell naturally win more fans from the Democratic coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amie Parnes and Jared Gans contributed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A former intern for New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani appeared in a resurfaced video calling activism "jihad" while encouraging protesters to get suspended or arrested in defiance of "settler colonialism." The footage of Hadeeqa Malik shows her calling out Muslims who haven't taken to the streets. "The true believer knows that none of this is in vain, that this is all Jihad," said Malik in the recently resurfaced video, using the Muslim term for holy war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani's Father Sits On Council Of Anti-israel Group Tied To Terror, Legitimizes Role Of Suicide Bombers New York Mayor candidate Zohran Mamdani and Hadeeqa Malik, who served as an intern in his state assembly office. "So, the conversation of doxing, the conversation of getting arrested and suspended, I think its time for Muslims to start to say, 'All right, all right, so what? Do what you want. I'm going to do what I got to do,'" she added. Malik served as a communications, outreach, policy, and constituent services intern at Mamdani's state Assembly office during the summer of 2024. Read On The Fox News App A photo shows the pair smiling for a selfie. Her profile also said she recently began work as an outreach coordinator for the Counsel on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also served as the president of City College of New York chapter for Students for Justice in Palestine from June 2024 to June 2025, her profile states. Unearthed Mamdani College Newspaper Writings Promote Anti-israel Boycott, Rail Against 'White Privilege' New York mayoral candidate, State Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) speaks to supporters during an election night gathering at The Greats of Craft LIC on June 24, 2025 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough in New York City. Over the more than two-hour video during a webinar, Malik responded to concerns about protesters possibly getting doxed, suspended and arrested. "How gangster are you?" she asked. "And I know everybody has their own families and has an education and everything. Its just a question." She noted that getting suspended or doxed is "bound to happen when youre doing something for the sake of Allah here in the West it will never, ever be in vain, and the true believer does not fear that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another video, Malik was seen screaming at a reportedly Muslim New York police officer at an anti-Israel protest. "Lets read the badges of the pigs," she said, as she read the names of the officers aloud. The composed Muslim officer was singled out as she appeared to say he brought shame on his name. "To the pigs who can call themselves by the name of Islam, put some respect on their names!" she said. Fox News Digital has reached out to Mamdani's campaign and attempted to reach out to Malik. Original article source: Mamdani's former intern called activism 'jihad' and confronted police officers as 'pigs' MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man accused of dragging a woman with a moving truck down the street of a Frayser neighborhood is now in jail. Monterrio Beasley, 31, is charged with especially aggravated robbery. He is currently held in jail on a $190,000 bond. On April 10, around noon, officers say they responded to a robbery call in the 3100 block of Mensi Street. A woman was found at the scene lying on the ground suffering from multiple injuries to her arms, back, and hip. She was then taken to Regional One Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While at the hospital, police say the woman gave a statement saying that when she pulled up to her home, she saw a man dumping TVs and TV boxes in her front yard. The woman says she then started recording him on her phone, but that the man grabbed the phone and pushed her away. He is then accused of getting into a moving truck and driving away with her phone. Man accused of killing roommates puppy As the woman tried to get her phone back, she claims the man grabbed her arm, and she got hung up on the drivers side door. Police say that at that time, the man drove away from the scene while dragging the woman down the street. The woman reportedly fell off the door and hit the curb, causing multiple injuries and broken bones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, officers say they were able to locate an address on the TV boxes and latent prints from one of the TVs that came back linked to Monterrio Beasley. Beasley was identified in a six-person photo lineup as the man responsible for taking the womans phone and dragging her down the street. Monterrio Beasley is due in court on Tuesday morning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A California man accused of "barbarically" killing and dismembering his wife and her parents died by suicide while in custody on murder charges, prosecutors said Monday. Samuel Haskell Jr., 37, was found dead in his cell on Saturday -- two days before he was scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing after being charged with three counts of murder -- according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. His death was reported at approximately 4:20 a.m. at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, authorities said. The incident remains under investigation, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Man arrested in connection with dismembered torso found near dumpster: Police Haskell, the son of a once-prominent Hollywood agent, is accused of murdering and dismembering his wife and his in-laws in the Tarzana home they shared in November 2023, prosecutors said. The beheaded torso of his wife -- Mei Li Haskell, 37 -- was found in a trash bag by a person looking through a dumpster in Encino on Nov. 8, 2023, prosecutors said. The couple had three children, who are now living with a relative, prosecutors said. The remains of his wife's mother -- Yanxiang Wang, 64 -- and stepfather -- Gaoshan Li, 71 -- have not been found, prosecutors said. Pool via ABC News - PHOTO: Samuel Haskell appears in Los Angeles Superior Court, Dec. 8, 2023. The district attorney's office said prosecutors planned to present evidence at Monday's preliminary hearing showing that Haskell "brutally" killed the three victims and, before his arrest, planned to travel to Japan accompanied by a woman with whom he had been having an affair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motive is not fully known, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Hochman. "The full motive for an individual to so violently and barbarically kill three people and chop up their bodies -- Mr. Haskell has taken that motive to the grave with him," Hochman told ABC Los Angeles station KABC. MORE: New book on University of Idaho murders sheds light on Bryan Kohberger's potential motive According to prosecutors, Haskell hired several day laborers to remove heavy black plastic trash bags from his home on Nov. 7, 2023, the day before the gruesome discovery of his wife's remains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After driving away from the home, the workers opened one of the bags and saw human body parts. The workers returned the bags and money to Haskell, took pictures of the defendant, the bags and the front of the residence, then alerted police," the district attorney's office said in a press release. "When police responded to the home to conduct a welfare check, no one was there and the bags were gone." Video showed Haskell disposing of a large trash bag from the trunk of his Tesla into the Encino dumpster later that day, according to prosecutors. KABC - PHOTO: Police respond after human remains were found near a dumpster in Encino, California, Nov. 8, 2023. When Haskell was arrested on Nov. 8, 2023, a Home Depot receipt for "plywood, canopy, moisture barrier, coveralls and diamond-saw blades" purchased the previous month was found in his wallet, prosecutors said. Inside an SUV he had rented earlier that month, police found "a .357 loaded revolver inside a holster, 32 rounds of live ammunition, a blood-encrusted military-style knife, a headlamp and firearm sight and passports for himself, his wife Mei and their three children," the district attorney's office said. Blood on the knife was matched to all three victims, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bloody bedding, a large machine saw, diamond-saw blades, a machete and canes belonging to Wang and Li were also among the items recovered from the garage and backyard of the family home. The residence had been cleaned of "large amounts of blood evidence," and the victims' blood was found on some of the items, prosecutors said. KABC - PHOTO: Investigators search a home in Tarzana, California, in connection with a homicide investigation, Nov. 8, 2023. Additional cellphone evidence showed that Haskell had been having an affair with a 27-year-old woman, who was interviewed by law enforcement, prosecutors said. A month before the murders, he told the woman that his children "would soon be living with his parents," the district attorney's office said. He had purchased a one-way ticket to Japan and a round-trip ticket for the woman in October 2023, prosecutors said. Haskell had pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder as well as the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders. He faced life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted. "Instead of standing before a judge and answering for the crimes he's been charged with, the defendant managed to escape justice," Hochman said in a statement. "A family that has been dealing with unimaginable loss now has been robbed of their chance to face him, hold him accountable for his barbaric actions, and openly share their grief and their cherished memories of their loved ones." Indias Directorate General of Civil Aviation ordered inspections on several Boeing plane models after the Air India crash on June 12 that killed over 200 people. The order comes after Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau found that the fuel switch of the Boeing 787 moved from run to cutoff, which caused the plane to descend suddenly. The plane crashed into a medical college and hospital hostel shortly after takeoff, killing 261 people, including all but one passenger and over a dozen people on the ground. Airlines will have until July 21 to inspect their Boeing 787 Dreamliners and select Boeing 737 models, according to the order. Boeing has been under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board for recent incidents. Investigations ranged from an Alaska Airlines door plug flying off mid-flight to a United Airlines plane losing one of its tires shortly after takeoff. Last August, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg replaced Dave Calhoun following allegations of safety violations. FUEL TO ENGINES CUT OFF BEFORE AIR INDIA PLANE CRASH THAT KILLED OVER 200, REPORT SAYS At the time, Boeing had just received an audit from the FAA in June. The administration found the company failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements on more than one occasion. More recently, Boeing settled with the Department of Justice over its role in two fatal crashes that killed over 300 people in Indonesia and Ethiopia. The aviation company paid $444.5 million to compensate the victims families on top of a $243.6 million fine. Jul. 15A Cincinnati man who allegedly ran a chop shop in Dayton as part of a multi-state car theft ring has pleaded guilty. Kahrese Tracey Scott Lee, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport stolen vehicles in interstate commerce and to knowingly operating a chop shop, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Ohio. Lee is facing up to 15 years in prison. He's scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He's one of seven people accused of participating in a car theft ring in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. Other defendants include Courage Wolugboms, Jamarkiss K. Weaver, Quintin Clemons Jr., Deareion Jamar Clay, Andrew J. Placke Jr. and Stephen Dallas Wilhite. Weaver submitted a guilty to plea to one count of knowing possession of a stolen vehicle earlier this month, according to federal court records. He's scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 16. The scheme reportedly took place from November 2023 through October 2024. Lee is accused of operating a garage in Dayton and receiving dozens of stolen vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May 2024 alone, his Dayton chop shop housed more than half a million dollars in stolen cars and vehicle parts, according to the U.S. Attorney's Ohio. He reportedly disassembled stolen vehicles and removed parts for resale or to be used in other vehicles. "As part of this process, defendant Lee trained defendants Weaver, Clemons and Clay how to use certain electronic devices to start vehicles without a key," an indictment read. Weaver, Clemons and Clay would reportedly steal vehicles and then present them to Lee or Wolugboms for payment. If they didn't want the vehicles, the others would either find another buy or drive the vehicles until they crashed or were found by law enforcement, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee reportedly occasionally stole vehicles himself or worked with others to steal vehicles. During one incident Lee and others went to an auto lot in Indiana and stole a Dodge Viper, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger with a collective value of more than $200,000, according to court records. Law enforcement found Lee and others with the stolen vehicles in Alabama where Lee was planning to create a new garage, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The vehicles were returned to the Indiana dealership. Lee and other defendants reportedly put a tracking device on one of the vehicles and tracked it. Lee went back to Indiana and attempted to steal the vehicle again, but was apprehended by law enforcement, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. An Ohio man recently admitted to operating a $1.5 million chop shop conspiracy in Dayton, according to a spokesperson with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Kahrese Tracey Scott Lee, 28, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport stolen vehicles in interstate commerce and to knowingly operating a chop shop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee, also known as Reese Lee and Bennett Jones, could face up to 15 years in prison. From October 2023 to October 2024, Lee knowingly operated an interstate stolen car ring, the spokesperson said. TRENDING STORIES: Lee had a garage in Dayton, where he received dozens of stolen cars. The spokesperson said that in May 2024, Lees Dayton chop shop housed more than half a million dollars in stolen cars and parts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee often disassembled stolen cars and removed the parts for resale or to place in another vehicle, according to court records. He also received, traded, and sold cars out of state, the spokesperson said. Sometimes Lee stole cars himself or worked with other people to do so. Court documents indicate that during one planned theft, Lee and others went to Indiana and stole three cars valued at more than $200,000 from an auto lot. Authorities eventually found Lee and other individuals with the stolen vehicles in Alabama, where they planned to create a new garage. The spokesperson said officers returned the cars to the Indiana dealership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee and his accomplices put a tracking device on one of the stolen cars and tracked it back to Indiana, according to court documents. Lee traveled back to the Indiana dealership and attempted to steal the vehicle again; however, law enforcement apprehended him as he attempted to do so, the spokesperson said. Six other people were charged alongside Lee in a federal indictment in November 2024. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 41-year-old man has been arrested and charged with assault/family violence after what Horizon City Police are calling a domestic disturbance over the weekend. At about 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, Horizon Police responded to the 14100 block of Warren Belin Dr. Man arrested for DWI after crash in Horizon City Upon arrival, officers talked with the victim, who told them that Eduardo Alfredo Robles had assaulted him during an argument, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers did a warrant check for Robles who had an outstanding warrant with the El Paso County Constables Office for Precinct 6, Horizon Police said. Robles was arrested and transported to the El Paso County Detention Facility. He was booked under the charge of assault/family violence and for the outstanding warrant for a total bond of $7,818. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (CANON CITY, Colo.) The Canon City Police Department (CCPD) said police arrested a suspect in an alleged arson after a reported bush fire at the Canon City Museum in the overnight hours of Tuesday, July 15. According to CCPD, on Tuesday at around 12:42 a.m., police were called to the Canon City Museum about a reported brush fire. When police arrived, they were able to suppress the fire with fire extinguishers until the Canon City Fire Protection District arrived to put out the fire. Police reviewed the museums video footage and saw a man allegedly setting the fire along the south fence. Due to an earlier call involving the man, police identified the suspect as 34-year-old Charles Fenstermacher of Canon City. Charles Fenstermacher, Courtesy: Canon City Police Department While police were investigating, they got a call about another fire at the Happy Endings Caboose Cafe in the 400 block of Water Street near the Canon City Downtown Historic District. Police arrived and were able to use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, which was contained to the upper patio area of the cafe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fenstermachers description was shared with the Colorado Department of Corrections Search Team, who were in the area conducting training. At around 2:30 a.m., the search team spotted Fenstermacher on foot at 15th Street and Royal Gorge Boulevard. Fenstermacher was taken into custody without incident and taken to the Fremont County detention Center. Fenstermacher is being held without bond, pending court advisements, and is facing charges of Second-Degree Arson between $2,000 and $5,000 and Second-Degree Arson under $300. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. A man in California has been arrested after police say he staged a "macabre teddy bear" made to look as if it were constructed from human flesh at a petrol station. Hector Corona Villanueva, 23, is accused of planting false evidence and causing an emergency by leaving the bizarre creation at an AMPM service station on Sunday afternoon in the city of Victorville. The bear's discovery led to a police investigation and a coroner's examination of the item, while the petrol station was closed as a sense of unease spread in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the sheriff's office ruled the bear wasn't made of any human body parts and dubbed the toy a "prank". Mr Villanueva was identified and arrested on Monday. It is unclear whether he has hired a lawyer who can speak on his behalf. The gruesome discovery in Victorville, 80 miles (130km) northeast of Los Angeles, had locals worried about a possible serial killer on the loose. The item was found around midday on Sunday at the filling station on Bear Valley Road when a witness called police to report that "a teddy bear made of what looked like human flesh was left in front of the business". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video posted online shows police responding to the scene as a glove-clad official from the coroner's office examines the object and places it into an evidence bag. A statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's office on Monday did not mention a potential motive, and said the "investigation into who left the teddy bear at the business is continuing". "Incidents such as this take up valuable emergency resources and put the public at risk, possibly delaying response time to legitimate calls for service," the statement said. "We would like to thank those that reported information that was helpful during the investigation of this case." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Carolina artist Robert Kelly has taken credit for creating the object, telling US media that he recently sold the figure to a buyer in Victorville. "Our work is pretty easily recognisable, and people were sending the articles (about the petrol station) left and right. I looked, and sure enough it was the bear I sent out last week," Mr Kelly told People magazine. "Every artist wants credit [for] their work, so I said 'I made that', and haven't been able to catch up with messages since." In a post to Facebook on Sunday, Mr Kelly denied having any knowledge of what the buyer intended to do with the bear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No I did not have any knowledge of the [buyer's] intentions nor was I involved in a prank on the other side of the nation from me," he wrote. Mr Kelly, who sells his work through a shop on the website Etsy, specialises in horror creations for Halloween displays and films. Other items are also made to resemble construction from human body parts, similar to the bear. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a break-in over the weekend at Radford School in Central El Paso, El Paso Police said. Radford School in Central El Paso suffers break-in Christopher Sledge, 29, was arrested on Saturday, July 12 and is facing a charge of criminal mischief and criminal trespass with bonds totaling $2,250. Police said they responded to the 2000 block of Radford on Saturday morning about a burglary in progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived on the scene, they found a man inside the property, who was later identified as Sledge. Police did not identify the business that was broken into, but Radford School confirmed that it suffered a break-in after-hours and that the police were called out to investigate. Sledge was taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 57-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly was involved in a crash and showed signs of being intoxicated, Horizon City Police said. Horizon Police said he had at least three prior convictions for DWI. At about 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12, officers with Horizon Police responded to reports of a crash in the areas of Kenazo and Peter Noyes Drive. Man arrested for assault after domestic disturbance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers found the driver, identified as Bernardo JR Carrasco, who showed signs of intoxication, according to Horizon Police. Carrasco was taken to the El Paso County Detention Facility, where he was charged with driving while intoxicated with three or more convictions and collision involving damage to a vehicle with bond totaling $61,500. Assistant Police Chief Jose Kluge said: Driving while intoxicated is a serious offense which places our community in danger. Please ensure you use a ride share or make other arrangements for transportation if you are away from home and plan on drinking. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 53-year-old man has been arrested on an active warrant for disregarding a courts order and failing to pay child support. Constables Office cracking down on failure to pay child support El Paso County Constables Office for Precinct 3 said it arrested Raul Guevara, 53. According to the Constables Office, he failed to appear at a court hearing and disregarded the courts child support orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guevara was located along 14700 block of Truscott and taken into custody, the Constables Office said. He was booked into the County jail without further incident. The Constables Office for Precinct 3 said it would be cracking down on people with criminal warrants for failure to pay child support, saying these type of warrants are often overlooked. Tips may be submitted by calling the Constables Office for Precinct 3 at (915) 273-3590 or by calling Crime Stoppers of El Paso at (915) 566-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. The Democratic National Committee announced it is unloading $1.5 million into its Virginia operation Tuesday. Virginia will hold several statewide elections in 2025, including a gubernatorial race and for seats in the House of Delegates. The state is one of two in 2025, along with New Jersey, that will hold critical elections during the off-year. Virginia is expected to be the more competitive of the two states. The DNC said the investment "is one of the largest and earliest initial investments the DNC has ever made to the Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign in an off-year election cycle." "Donald Trump and Virginia Republicans have betrayed the commonwealth," DNC chairman Ken Martin said in a statement. "From Elon Musk destroying the livelihoods of thousands of Virginians through DOGE, to Donald Trump and Virginia Republicans kicking 323,000 Virginians off their health insurance, to Glenn Youngkin and state Republicans leading Virginia to fall in the rankings of the top states for business, Republicans have utterly failed the commonwealth," he added. "This investment will aid strong Democratic leaders like Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, and Jay Jones and turbocharge organizing efforts while building Democratic infrastructure that will help support Democratic victories all across the ballot. The money will go toward helping to hire organizers and other staff, funding "early persuasion" programs designed to shift voters, and to test "new tactics and tools to ensure our message is resonating with voters across the commonwealth." The DNC is also hoping to expand its reach among minority groups like black, Latino, and AAPI voters, whom they lost ground with in the 2024 elections. "The DNCs investment will help us reach every corner of the Commonwealth with a clear message: Democrats are fighting back against Donald Trumps reckless and extreme agenda. As he attacks our jobs, tanks our economy, and attempts to dismantle our public schools, the only leaders who are standing up for Virginians are Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, Jay Jones, and our 100 House of Delegates nominees," Democratic Party of Virginia chairman Lamont Bagby said in a statement. "They are the firewall Virginia needs, and with the continued support of our partners, were ready to win. Most of the attention will turn to the state's gubernatorial race between former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Some view the race as a barometer for voters' feelings about President Donald Trump. Virginia could retaliate against the administration if the federal government employees who live in the state, many of whom were fired or laid off due to the administration's cost-saving efforts, vote for Democrats. As the state prevents its governor from running for consecutive terms, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) was not eligible for reelection, opening the state up to a more likely Democratic flip. Featured Local Savings There's concern about Earle-Sears competing with Spanberger. She has fundraised about $9.1 million, compared to Spanberger's $22.2 million, and has made controversial statements such as her condemnation of DEI, saying, Slaves did not die in the fields so that we could call ourselves victims now in 2025." A lot of the traditional financial supporters in the business community are not yet convinced that Sears can win, and theyre not going to give her money until they are," former Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling told the New York Times. A lot of them dont view her as a serious candidate. Earle-Sears's office is also up for grabs, along with the attorney general position and dozens of House of Delegates seats. Republican radio host John Reid is running against Democratic state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi for lieutenant governor, and Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares is running for reelection against Democrat Jay Jones. Democrats currently have a three-seat majority in the House of Delegates. Republicans held the chamber for two decades until Democrats captured two out of the last three election cycles. Republicans have had their share of spending in Virginia, too. REPUBLICAN GROUP DUMPS $2 MILLION INTO VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE The Washington Examiner exclusively reported last week that the Republican Attorneys General Association is pouring $2 million into the Virginia attorney general race between Miyares and Jones. Miyares likely remains the best shot at retaining a statewide office after the 2025 elections, as he's the only Republican incumbent running for statewide reelection. MEMPHIS, Tenn. One of three men arrested in a Memphis shooting that led to a police chase into Southaven, Mississippi, is now being held on a $325,000 bond. Hmaida Saleh, 26, was charged with especially aggravated robbery following the incident on July 7 at the Smile Mart on Waring Road. Hmaida Saleh (SCSO) According to investigators, two victims came to the Smile Mart to buy drugs. They said the victims were lured inside by the suspects, and one of the suspects pointed a gun and demanded a bag that the victims were carrying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3 arrested in Berclair shooting, Southaven chase A fight ensued, and one of the victims was shot. According to MPD, officers located the suspects vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop, and officers began a pursuit that led across state lines into Mississippi. The vehicle came to a stop in the 8600 block of Swinnea Road in Southaven, MPD said. Officers detained the suspects. Saleh is scheduled to be back in court for a preliminary hearing on July 25. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. The man busted for knifing a dozing 56-year-old Manhattan subway rider in the head during an unprovoked, blood-soaked attack had just been arrested for slashing his mother three days earlier, prosecutors said Tuesday. Suspect Geovalny Alcantara, 20, was covered in blood and had the knife in his hand when cops saw him leaving a No. 1 train at the 145th St. station in Harlem Monday at 6:15 a.m., prosecutors said. An officer was in the next train car when he was alerted to the attack and saw Alcantara get off the train. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alcantara is accused of stabbing the sleepy straphanger seated next to him repeatedly in the head and face. The victim told police he woke up to find Alcantara yelling at him. A few seconds later, the man began stabbing him. Prosecutors said the attack was unprovoked. He stabbed the victim multiple times about the head and face on the subway, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Anjali Puri said during Alcantaras arraignment Monday evening. When the officers in the next car saw Alcantara, he had blood on his pants, sweatshirt and hands, Puri said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [He] proceeded to drop a knife to the ground after an eyewitness pointed the defendant out as the perpetrator, the prosecutor explained. The victim lost a great deal of blood and was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he needed stitches and staples to close his wounds, plus a transfusion, Puri said. On July 11, just three days before Mondays attack, Alcantara was arrested on misdemeanor assault charges for slashing his 40-year-old mother three times in the left arm during a dispute in the Bronx, cops said. He was released after his arraignment in that case since none of the charges he faced were bail eligible, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alcantara has two other arrests for weapons possession and fare evasion, cops said. After Mondays arrest, cops charged Alcantara with attempted murder and assault. A judge ordered him held on $50,000 bail. A call to his attorney, Daniel Lynch, for comment wasnt immediately returned. MADISON COUNTY, Ill. Prosecutors have charged a man in connection to a fatal shooting that happened on July 13 outside of a bar near Alton, Illinois. Joseph A. Torres, 24, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the death of Malcolm D. Woodhouse-Alexander. The Sheriffs Office said the shooting occurred at 3rd Chute Bar & Grill II in the 2200 block of Fosterburg Road. According to officials, the victim and suspect had an ongoing dispute that turned physical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News At some point during the night, the alleged suspect left the area and returned to the bars parking lot around 12:15 a.m. In his return, Torres reportedly fired one shot into the air. The suspect would then leave the area again and return around 1 a.m., which is when detectives say the fatal shooting occurred. Officials say Torres re-entered the bar and began fighting with Woodhouse-Alexander and employees. Because of his behavior, Torres was escorted out of the bar. While Torres was outside near his car, Woodhouse-Alexander left the bar and approached him, and another altercation ensuedthis time fatal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this dispute, Torres grabbed his gun and fired multiple shots at Woodhouse-Alexander. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the victim deceased in the parking lot. Torres was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm in addition to first-degree murder. He remains held at Madison Countys Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (KRON) A man stands accused of committing a hate crime for allegedly threatening a person with a knife on a BART station platform in the East Bay while shouting go back to your country, Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dicksons office announced Monday. Republic Services garbage strike stretches into second week The man, 45-year-old Michael Eugene Sprague allegedly threatened the waiting BART rider on July 10 while brandishing a knife in a rude, angry, or threatening manner, the DAs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint contains a hate crime enhancement, which alleges that Mr. Sprague committed the alleged crime because of the victims actual characteristics and perceived characteristics with respect to race and ethnicity, the DAs office said. SJPD: Father stabbed son to death in San Jose park before police shooting Sprague is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. on July 15 at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) One of the men charged in connection to the mass shooting in downtown Jackson has filed a motion for a preliminary hearing. According to court documents filed on July 14, Marquavius McLeod requested that the Hinds County Court schedule a preliminary hearing date within the next two weeks. Third suspect arrested months after mass shooting in downtown Jackson Marquavius McLeod was charged with one count of murder and six counts of aggravated assault in connection to the shooting. He is being held in the Hinds County Detention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Accused believes that a preliminary hearing would show that the charges upon which he is being detained are baseless, the documents stated. Marquavius-McLeod-motion-for-preliminary-hearingDownload The shooting occurred hours of the Hals St. Paddys Parade and Festival on March 22 after police said two groups got into a fight. The deceased victim was identified as Cortez George, 21, of Jackson, by the interim Hinds County coroner. George was shot multiple times. Bailey Martin, press secretary for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS), previously announced that Michael McLeod, who was a law enforcement officer at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), and Marquavius McLeod were both arrested in connection to the shooting. Marquavius McLeod (Courtesy: Hinds Co. Detention Center) Michael McLeod (Courtesy: Hinds Co. Detention Center) Kayne Davis (Courtesy: Mississippi DPS) UMMC officials said McLeod, who served as a police officer with UMMC Police and Public Safety Department for about a year, was fired on March 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capitol police announced Kayne Davis, 18, was arrested on July 10 in connection to the shooting. They said Davis fled the state after the shooting on March 22. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted with the arrest. Davis was charged with one count of murder and seven counts of aggravated assault. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. NEED TO KNOW A 42-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter over the death of a baby boy who drowned at a park in Australia The 7-month-old child was found "unresponsive" in the water and later died in hospital on Saturday, July 12 The suspect, who is known to the child, was arrested on Tuesday, July 15 A 42-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a baby boy who was found unresponsive in a lake in Queensland, Australia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 7-month-old baby boy was found unresponsive at a park off Gympie Curra Road near the small town of Chatsworth, where he had been staying overnight with his parents, at around 10:40 a.m. local time on Saturday, July 12. He had drowned, according to Queensland Police. A man known to the child was arrested in the Brisbane suburb of Bundamba, more than 124 miles south of the campsite, on Tuesday, July 15, the police confirmed in a statement on Tuesday, July 15. He was charged with manslaughter (domestic violence), the release added. The man is due to appear at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 26. The suspect and child have not been identified at this time. The infant had been staying at a campsite around 164 feet from the water at the park with his parents on Saturday, before they planned to travel back to their home in north Queensland, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported. The child was pulled from the lake by his mother, local outlet 7News reported. Campers performed CPR on the baby boy until paramedics arrived, per 9News and ABC. The baby was then transported to Gympie Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several campers who were staying in the area at the time have been questioned by police. "They picked us up, they took us in couple by couple, they brought us back. That's all, so we're just waiting," camper Anthony Ellul told ABC ."The police won't say anything to us because, of course, it's an ongoing investigation at this time, but we know that the child has passed away It broke my heart so much. Wide Bay-Burnett police Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield previously said, per ABC, "There's missing parts leading into [the death] that we need to try to establish. We've got some support from the child trauma unit and homicide investigation group working with the local detectives." We've had a lot of campers staying there overnight and we've also had a lot of people popping in to use the facilities and the park, Inspector Mansfield continued. "We're aware that some people have left at the time of the drowning of this infant child. 7NEWS Australia/Youtube A seven-month-old baby boy drowned in lake during family camping trip in Queensland, Australia, on July 12 A seven-month-old baby boy drowned in lake during family camping trip in Queensland, Australia, on July 12 ABC initially reported that the baby boys death was not being treated as suspicious. The local child trauma unit and homicide investigation squad are supporting detectives with their investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police are continuing to urge anyone with any information on the incident to contact them on Policelink. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. PEOPLE has reached out to the Wide Bay-Burnett Police for comment but did not immediately hear back. Read the original article on People AUSTIN (KXAN) The man accused of setting fire to a Wimberley bar and restaurant will now face a murder charge. Aiden Lane Dwyer, 24, has been charged with murder after 23-year-old Zachary Salley died Sunday from injuries investigators believe were caused by the fire, Hays County said. Affidavit: Man arrested after ignitable liquids found at burned-down Wimberley bar Dwyer, a restaurant employee, was originally charged with arson in connection with the late June fire at Savages Hill Country Bar and Grill. The establishment was set to permanently close just days after the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hays County Fire Marshal Steve Seddig previously told KXAN two people were injured in the fire Dwyer and another bar employee who was hospitalized. According to court documents, investigators found ignitable fluids throughout the building and that the fire alarms and security cameras were turned off before the fire. According to the arrest affidavit, investigators spoke with Dwyers roommate, who said Dwyer previously talked about burning the restaurant and bar down. Dwyer was arrested in Jasper County, which is in southeast Texas, on June 30, the Jasper County Sheriffs Office said. He remains in custody at the Hays County jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A Kent man is accused of shooting and injuring two people outside a motel in Fife on Thursday. Prosecutors have charged Xaeyante Chamar Owens, 27, with two counts of first-degree assault. A plea of not guilty was entered on Owens behalf during his arraignment Monday afternoon. Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner Barbara McInvaille set bail at $10,000, court records show. Fife officers were dispatched at 1:17 a.m. to a Motel 6 in the 5200 block of 20th Street East for a shooting. The person who reported the incident told dispatch her boyfriend was involved and a hotel clerk. A Shot Spotter device also detected eight gunshots in the area, according to charging documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers learned two males who wore hoodies ran from the scene along the west side of the motel. Several shell casings were found in the area, documents show. Through security footage, it appeared there was an altercation between several people in a parking lot where the shell casings were found, documents show. A person fired a gunshot at two people, both males, who then ran off and drove away in a white vehicle. Documents say Tacoma police officers later found the two injured inside a vehicle on Puyallup Avenue. They were taken to a hospital and underwent emergency surgery, documents show. Both were in stable condition Monday, according to a Fife police spokesperson. Documents show a witness told police the alleged shooter and an associate ran through the motel after the shooting and entered Room 252. The room was registered to Owens and another male. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers later tracked the alleged shooter and an associate who ran to Room 203, where they remained. Police secured the room and instructed the people inside to exit. Owens was one of the two people to exit first. Documents show that Owens appearance matched the alleged shooter in the surveillance footage. Five people, including Owens, were detained. He was the only person to be arrested, according to a News Tribune report. Owens allegedly told officers he had a handgun in his pocket, which officers suspected is the same caliber as the shell casings found in the parking lot, documents show. Police took Owens to the Fife Police Department for an interview, documents show. Owens allegedly admitted to shooting both victims, claiming it was self-defense. He also allegedly acknowledged that neither victim was armed or threatened him, according to charging documents. Records show Owens has been arrested in Louisiana and Washington but has not been convicted. July 15 (UPI) -- A 37-year-old California man accused of murdering and dismembering his wife and her parents has died by suicide while in police custody, according to state prosecutors and authorities. Samuel Haskell was found dead in his cell on Saturday, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement Monday, which was the same day that Haskell was scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing. "Instead of standing before a judge and answering for the crimes he's been charged with, the defendant managed to escape justice," Hochman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is one last cruel act by someone who did the most horrific things for reasons we will never entirely know." Haskell is the son of Emmy-winning film producer and agent Sam Haskell III. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement that detectives responded to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility to at about 4:20 a.m. PST Saturday to investigate Haskell's death. "The cause of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office," it said. Haskell died while facing life in prison without the possibility of parole on three counts of murder for the November 2023 deaths of his 37-year-old wife, Mei Li Haskell, her mother, Yanxiang Wang, 64, and her stepfather, Gaoshan Li, 71. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested Nov. 8 and accused of killing them two days earlier at the Tarzana, Calif., home they all shared. According to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, the day after his family was killed, he paid day laborers $500 to remove heavy black trash bags from the home. The crime was discovered when the workers opened the bags on leaving the house and saw human body parts. "The workers returned the bags and money to Haskell, took pictures of the defendant, the bags and the front of the residence, then alerted police," the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office said, adding that when officers arrived to perform a welfare check, neither Haskell nor the bags were to be found. That same day, Haskell was seen in surveillance video transferring black bags from a Tesla registered to his wife to a rented SUV, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 6 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2023, a person searching through a dumpster in Encino found a trash bag containing the beheaded torso of Mei inside. Haskell was arrested that same day while driving the rented SUV, inside of which police found a loaded .357 revolver, 32 rounds of ammunition, a blood-stained military-style knife, a headlamp, a firearm sight and passports for himself, his wife and their three children. The district attorney's office said a DNA analysis of the blood on the knife matched all three victims. A search of the home uncovered eight trash bags filled with bloody bedding, a large machine saw, a machete, and canes belonging to Yanxiang Wang and Gaoshan Li. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement searched Haskell's phone and learned that he was having an affair with a 27-year-old woman, whom he had asked on Nov. 2 to accompany him on a trip to Japan. The bodies of Yanxiang Wang and Gaoshan Li have not been found. Haskell was being held on $2 million bail. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A federal court will decide at a later time what to do with a parolee who was recently convicted of sexual battery. Brandon Turjonis, 37, pleaded guilty last week in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to one count of sexual battery, a third-degree felony, involving a teen girl. Additional charges of gross sexual imposition were dismissed in the plea deal, according to court records. Sentencing is set for Aug. 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turjonis was arrested after prosecutors say he violated a 2024 no-contact order with the teen. He was originally convicted of a weapons charge in 2020 when police arrested him after a standoff on Youngstowns South Side. He was sentenced to just under four years in federal prison but received credit for the time he served prior to sentencing and was ultimately released on parole. Turjonis will also be sentenced in federal court for the parole violation. Those proceedings will occur following his August sentencing in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Michigan Supreme Court provided the Republican National Committee with a victory in a battle over election integrity on Monday. the court ruled that Michigans state GOP had standing to file a lawsuit against a board of election commissioners for not hiring enough Republican poll workers in the 2022 elections. The state Supreme Court ruling reversed a decision by a lower court preventing the lawsuit. The matter stems from the 2022 elections in which the Board of Election Commissioners in Flint, Michigan, did not hire an adequate number of Republican poll worker inspectors. Michigans GOP claimed this violated Michigans state election laws, specifically citing Michigan Election Law Act 116 of 1954. The board of election commissioners shall designate one appointed election inspector as chairperson, reads the law. The board of election commissioners shall appoint at least one election inspector from each major political party and shall appoint an equal number, as nearly as possible, of election inspectors in each election precinct from each major political party. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley touted the ruling as a victory in the fight for fair elections and a major win for election integrity in Michigan. This is a major win for election integrity in Michigan, Whatley said in a press release about the courts decision. Featured Local Savings "The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the RNC has standing to hold Flints Board of Election Commissioners accountable for violating state law, he said. Every voter deserves transparency and fairness and that starts with equal representation among poll workers. The RNC will keep fighting and winning to secure honest elections across the country," Whatley added. SUPREME COURT ALLOWS TRUMP PLAN TO CUT FEDERAL WORKFORCE The courts ruling was the second such ruling in Michigan within the last nine months. Previously, the city of Detroit was found to be in violation when it did not hire a sufficient number of Republican election workers, including inspectors. During the August 2024 primary, there were reportedly hundreds of locations without Republican election workers and inspectors. In some instances, there were seven times as many Democrats hired than the number of Republicans. As a result, the city reached a settlement in October 2024 to change its processes and protocols to adhere to state law implemented during the 2024 presidential election. Thanks to the efforts of the RNC and Michigan GOP, Detroit will now change its election processes so that Republican poll workers will be allocated to all voting locations and, as nearly as possible, an equal number of Republicans will be hired this November, Whatley said at the time. This will bring much-needed transparency and accountability to Detroits election system and ensure that a more equal number of Republicans and Democrats work Detroit's polls -- our election integrity operation will continue to fight and win for our countrys most important election. CENTREVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) A man convicted of sexually abusing a relative in St. Joseph County decades ago is headed to a state prison. Geral Whitney, 69, of Harrison, was sentenced Friday to between 20 and 30 years in prison. Whitney was charged in 2023 and convicted in May of two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree CSC. The abuse happened about 20 years ago, prosecutors say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This significant sentence sends a clear message that no matter how much time has passed, justice is possible for sexual assault survivors, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a Monday statement. My office will continue to work with courageous victims and local prosecutors to ensure cases like these are prioritized and offenders are held accountable. The AGs Office handled the case at the request of the St. Joseph County prosecutor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Wayde Allan Lloyd Shankle was indicted last week on four counts of rape, first-degree felonies, and one count of gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony. A press release from the Ohio Attorney Generals Office claims Shankle, 35, abused residents of an assisted living facility where he worked as a nurses aide. The indictment claims the incidents occurred in February and June 2024, and involved two separate victims. The case was investigated by the Ohio Attorney Generals Medicare Fraud Control Unit, the Conneaut Police Department and the FBI, according to the press release. It is being prosecuted by the Ashtabula County Prosecutors Office. A man who shot a man and woman to death outside a bar in Moncrief as part of an attempted revenge killing was executed on Tuesday evening. Michael Bernard Bell, 54, received a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. He was convicted in 1995 and sentenced to death for the murders of Jimmy West and Tamecka Smith. Bell is the eighth person put to death in Florida this year, with a ninth scheduled for later this month. The state executed six people in 2023, but carried out only one execution last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty-five men have already been executed in the U.S. this year, tying last years total. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Florida has executed more people than any other state this year, while Texas and South Carolina are tied for second place with four each. Alabama has executed three people, Oklahoma has killed two, and Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee each have killed one. In December 1993, Bell spotted what he thought was the car of the man who fatally shot his brother earlier that year, according to court records. Bell was apparently unaware that the man had sold the car to West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bell called on two friends and armed himself with an AK-47 rifle, authorities said. They found the car parked outside a liquor lounge and waited. When West, Smith and another woman eventually exited the club, Bell approached the car and opened fire, officials said. West died at the scene, and Smith died on the way to the hospital. The other woman escaped injury. Witnesses said Bell also fired at a crowd of onlookers before fleeing the area. He was eventually arrested the next year. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Bell was later convicted of three additional murders. He fatally shot a woman and her toddler son in 1989, and he killed his mothers boyfriend about four months before the attack on West and Smith, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for Bell filed appeals with the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. The lawyers argued in their state filing that Bells execution should be halted because of newly discovered evidence about witness testimony. But justices unanimously rejected the argument last week and pointed to overwhelming evidence of Bells guilt in a 54-page opinion. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Bradley Murdoch, an Australian man who murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio in 2001, has died from throat cancer. Murdoch, 67, was serving a life sentence at a prison in Alice Springs, in Australia's Northern Territory. He never revealed the location of Mr Falconio's body. The victim's parents, Joan and Luciano Falconio, said they were relieved that the killer was dead, but they had hoped that Murdoch would one day reveal where their son's body is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Even now we still hold out hope that his remains will be found," they said in a statement. The Northern Territory Police Force said: "It is deeply regrettable that Murdoch has died without, as far as we are aware, ever disclosing the location of Peter Falconio's remains." Murdoch died in the Alice Springs hospital's palliative care unit on 15 July, a day after the 24th anniversary of the killing, the Department of Corrections told the BBC. His death will be investigated by the coroner. The murder of Peter Falconio remains one of Australia's most high-profile cases. It attracted worldwide attention and partly inspired the 2005 horror film Wolf Creek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The backpacker was shot dead on a remote stretch of highway near the Northern Territory town of Barrow Creek, about 300km (186 miles) north of Alice Springs in July 2001. The 28-year-old and his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, who were both from Yorkshire, were travelling around Australia at the time of his murder. Murdoch, who was 43, pulled up beside their vehicle, claiming to have seen sparks coming from the camper van he was driving. He shot Mr Falconio in the head as he inspected the car, before taking 28-year-old Ms Lees, into his car and binding her wrists with cable ties. She managed to escape by hiding in outback scrub for several hours before she was able to wave down two men driving a truck. Bradley Murdoch never revealed the location of Peter Falconio's body [Getty Images] The police investigation was enormous - there were 600 persons of interest at one point. The case sparked a media frenzy, with British and Australian media fixating on Joanne Lees and treating her as a suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2005, Murdoch was convicted of murdering Mr Falconio and of the attempted kidnap and assault of Ms Lees. Her hair elastic, which was found tied around Murdoch's gun holster, proved to be the vital piece of evidence that would seal his fate. "I think it was a trophy but no-one will ever know," lead investigator Colleen Gwynne told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). During the eight-week trial, prosecutors said Murdoch was likely to have disposed of Mr Falconio's body in the wilderness between Alice Springs and Broome, a distance of nearly 1,600km (1,000 miles). [BBC] In 2016, the Northern Territory introduced "no body, no parole" legislation, meaning he would not have been eligible for parole in 2032 if he did not reveal the location of the remains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murdoch had always maintained his innocence, despite DNA evidence linking him to the crime, and unsuccessfully appealed to overturn his convictions twice. Mr Falconio's parents said that upon hearing of Murdoch's death, their "first feeling was of relief, it's like a weight that's been lifted... We don't want to let him ruin our lives more than he already has." Joan and Luciano Falconio added that they are instead focusing on their other children and grandchildren. "The awful thing is our family's future with Peter was cruelly taken away." Ms Gwynne told the ABC that it was a "sad day" for Mr Falconio's family, and that "an enormous opportunity" to find his remains had been lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "[Murdoch's] silence has denied the Falconio family the closure they have so long deserved," the police statement said. The police said in the statement that they remain "committed to resolving this final piece of the investigation", and reiterated that a reward of up to A$500,000 (240,000) is available for information leading to the discovery of the remains of the murdered British backpacker. Acting Commander Mark Grieve told a press conference in late June that police had "made numerous approaches" to Murdoch, but that "unfortunately... on all occasions he has chosen not to engage with police". A statement released by Murdoch's family after his death said that he had always denied responsibility for the crimes "from his arrest until his death", and added that "he was much more than the headlines". Additional reporting by Tiffany Wertheimer [BBC] Get our flagship newsletter with all the headlines you need to start the day. Sign up here. DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) A man has been sentenced for his involvement in a 2024 shooting incident that took place near a baby shower. According to police, the exchange of gunfire took place just outside a building in Decatur hosting the event and involved multiple people firing at each other. 28-year-old Wakil Oneal was sentenced to 18 months in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Changing story on Decatur shooting ends with three charged Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the incident took place on Nov. 17, 2024, near the intersection of Cantrell and Jasper Streets. Officers responded around 6:30 p.m. after reports of gunshots; when police arrived, they found that the building housing a baby shower had multiple bullet strikes. A car parked outside had also been hit. According to a sworn statement from the Decatur Police Department, video surveillance footage outside the building aided officers in their investigation. Police said 12 people were standing in the parking lot when an unknown shooter(s) began to fire in their direction. Then, three people in the parking lot began to shoot back. Police said four others present were armed during the incident. Police later identified one of the subjects who had come under fire and then shot back as Oneal. After the shooting, police continued to investigate. In total, they found over 130 fired cartridge cases and another three unfired cartridges. Some homes were hit by gunfire, police said, and a few were occupied at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deadly Springfield shooting ruled self-defense, States Attorney says Police added that the area the incident took place in is residential and mainly consists of single family homes. There would be no reason for someone to believe the residences in this neighborhood would be vacant and/or unoccupied, the Decatur Police Department wrote in a sworn statement. Oneal was previously facing several other charges, including possessing a firearm while being a member of a street gang. Those charges were dismissed after Oneal pleaded guilty on June 4. Previously, a pre-trial hearing had been set for July 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oneal was sentenced to 18 months in prison but was given credit for 16 months already served in custody. Following his sentence, he will have up to six months of mandatory supervised release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. The man convicted of shooting two people, killing one, outside of a Clifton motel in 2023 was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison. Demarco Smith, 37, was convicted of murder in the killing of 34-year-old Antonio Smith and other charges for severely injuring another man, George King, during a nighttime May 15, 2023, shooting. Cincinnati police had responded around 10:40 p.m. that night for a report of a person shot in the 3300 block of Central Parkway, near the Budget Host motel, according to a news release at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they arrived, they found Smith with gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital and later died of his injuries. King arrived at the hospital a short time later by his own means with severe injuries, prosecutors said, but survived. A third person who police said was caught in the crossfire also transported themself to the hospital after the shooting, but Demarco Smith was acquitted on a felonious assault charge of shooting him. Hamilton County Common Pleas Visiting Judge Robert Ruehlman handed down Demarco Smith's sentence on July 15, noting that he had an extensive juvenile record and has been in and out of prison as an adult. Ruehlman said a lengthy sentence was necessary because Antonio Smith "died a very painful, horrible death," and Demarco Smith poses a threat to society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the sentencing, Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Elyse Deters described how the fatal shooting has had a effect on several other people in Antonio Smith's life, including his mother, who suffers from seizures as a result of stress from her son's death. "This murder took one life, but destroyed six others," Deters said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Demarco Smith sentenced for fatal shooting outside Clifton motel ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A key figure in a Sinaloa Cartel-linked drug and firearms trafficking ring tied to white supremacist gangs was sentenced for his role in distributing drugs and guns in Albuquerque, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico announced Tuesday. James Casady Cangro, a former member of the Soldiers of Aryan Culture prison gang, pled guilty to two counts of possession of body armor by a violent felon, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, two counts of possession of unregistered firearms, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An 18-month FBI investigation that launched in 2021 revealed Cangros involvement in trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl sourced from Arizona, as well as illegal firearms possession and trafficking. In September 2021, U.S. Probation Officers searched Cangros home in southeast Albuquerque and found a ballistic vest, methamphetamine pipes, anabolic steroids and handcuffs. In April 2022, the FBI executed multiple search warrants, seizing over 35,000 fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, nine firearms, and other illegal items, according to the DOJ. Surveillance later tracked Cangro to northeast Albuquerque, where he continued to sell guns and drugs, the DOJ said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cangro was arrested in California later that month and had 45 fentanyl pills and methamphetamine in his possession during a strip search. Another search of his Albuquerque home uncovered 11 firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun, additional drugs, and a ballistic vest. Cangro, 45, was sentenced to 11 years in prison. When he is released, he will undergo five years of supervision. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. A man was shot on the Near North Side Monday about two years after he was released from a 100-year prison sentence for his part in the April 2014 killing of 14-year old Endia Martin, according to police sources. Late Monday afternoon, Near North (18th) District police officers were dispatched to find Donnell Flora in the 900 block of North Dearborn Street, where he said he had been shot near Clark and Division streets, according to police sources. Flora uses a wheelchair to get around after a 2010 shooting left him paralyzed from the waist down. A police report describes Flora giving conflicting statements to police and paramedics: he allegedly told officers that someone he didnt know came up to him, demanded an item he didnt have and shot him. But he told paramedics someone had been attempting to rob him and shot him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was taken in good condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, police said. Detectives were looking into the possibility Flora mistakenly shot himself, according to preliminary case paperwork. No one was in custody in the shooting, police said. Flora, 36, was found guilty of murder and attempted murder in 2016 after giving his niece, who was also 14, a .38 Special to confront a onetime friend over a feud about a boy. Endia Martin was running back inside her cousins home in the Back of the Yards neighborhood when she was fatally shot. At the time, Judge Thaddeus Wilson ripped Flora saying, There is no excuse or rationalization for giving a child a gun to take to a ridiculous fight about a boy none. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flora took a bus to meet his niece after she had requested a gun to use in a fight, prosecutors said, and handed her the loaded handgun near the scene of the shooting. The teen was sentenced in 2018 to up to two more years behind bars, having already served four in the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. A panel of appellate judges in 2020 reversed Floras conviction and recommended a new trial, state court records show. The panel found that prosecutors statements and the judges rulings on objections to those statements led the jury to misunderstand what the requirements were to find him legally responsible for his nieces actions. After a second trial, court records show Flora in March 2021 pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Flora was released from the Robinson Correctional Center in August 2023, state prison records show. Chicago Tribunes Sophie Levenson contributed. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man is suing Attorney General Pam Bondi and the head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives [ATF] to have his gun rights restored. DeAndre Brown is the executive director of Shelby Countys Office of Reentry and founded the nonprofit, LifeLine to Success, which helps former inmates re-enter society. Brown pleaded guilty decades ago to conspiracy to defraud First Tennessee Bank. He received an 18-month sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2023, Brown received a pardon for state crimes from Governor Bill Lee. Now, at the age of 50, Brown says he needs a firearm for self-defense, but is prevented from having one under federal law despite the pardon. Governor pardons 4 locals, including county director of re-entry Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A Missouri man is accused of throwing a woman off a boat before leading state troopers on a high-speed boat chase at the Lake of the Ozarks Saturday evening. Loren Michael Peters, 39, of Sunrise Beach, was charged with one felony count of resisting arrest and misdemeanor counts of boating while intoxicated. Prosecutors also charged Peters with reckless operation of a motorboat, failure to register a vessel and failure to display navigation lights. The Morgan County Sheriffs Office confirmed Monday afternoon that Peters was released after posting a $50,000 bond. Domestic violence charges have not been filed as of Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Peters led troopers on a nine-minute chase that began on the water and continued on foot into the surrounding woods. On July 12, 2025, at approximately 8:19 p.m., Troop F Radio was advised of a domestic assault involving an adult male throwing an adult female off a vessel in Davey Hollow Cove at Lake of the Ozarks, the Highway Patrol reported. While on their way to the scene, troopers noticed the boat, an orange 2023 Hayaari Marine H44Z, at the 10-mile mark of the main channel. The boat sped away as troopers tried to conduct a stop, according to authorities. The boat entered Mill Creek Cove and docked near Walleye Drive. After abandoning the boat, the suspect then led troopers on a foot chase through a nearby neighborhood and into the woods before being arrested without incident at 8:43 p.m. Details of boat chase and arrest The Morgan County charging documents filed on Sunday include a signed statement by Trooper Caleb Hirner recounting the pursuit and arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Hirner, when police first encountered Peters, he was operating the boat a large orange vessel with four outboard motors in a reasonable manner. Hirner says that changed when he and his partner attempted to make contact with the suspect. While attempting to overtake Peters, the vessel rapidly increased speed and began gaining separation. I activated my patrol vessels emergency lights and sirens, Hirner wrote. Peters continued and began operating his vessel in a careless and imprudent manner by operating at high rate of speed around other vessels. During this time, the vessel was not displaying navigational lights when required. The trooper said that Peters sped into the Gravois Arm, entered Mill Creek Cove and ditched the boat before fleeing on foot. Peters eventually complied with troopers commands and was taken into custody, according to court records. Hirner said he spelled alcohol on Peters and noticed that his eyes appeared bloodshot and his speech was delayed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the trooper, Peters refused to submit to a breathalyzer test. If convicted, Peters could be sentenced to seven years in prison for resisting arrest and be ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. Each misdemeanor conviction carries up to an additional year in the county jail and multiple $1,000 fines. Prosecutors outlined 19 prior convictions that Peters racked up between 2003 and 2024 in Missouri and Kansas. Many of the past convictions are for minor vehicle infractions. Peters was also found guilty in Johnson County last July of criminal damage to property without consent, which is considered a domestic violence offense in Kansas. Peters could not be reached for comment on Monday. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) said there were no immediate plans to vote on Russian sanctions, indicating the matter would be postponed until after the August recess. "Not right now," he told Politico when asked if there were immediate plans. However, he also tacitly approved President Donald Trump circumventing a sanctions bill and acting unilaterally instead. If anybody's going to be able to get Putin to the table to finally agree to peace, it's President Trump, he said. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) proposed a bill that would apply a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that purchase Russian oil, gas, and uranium, such as Brazil, India, and China. Trump's proposal, announced Monday, to place 100% secondary tariffs after 50 days of continued conflict in Ukraine appears to have taken the wind out of the proposal, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) suggesting it was no longer necessary. However, he suggested that it could change based on Trump's thinking. Featured Local Savings It sounds like right now the president is going to attempt to do some of this on his own, Thune told reporters. If at some point the president concludes that it makes sense and adds value and leverage that he needs in those negotiations to move the bill, then well do it. Well be ready to go. TRUMP SETS 50-DAY DEADLINE FOR RUSSIA-UKRAINE DEAL, OR NEW TARIFFS WILL KICK IN Trump's U-turn on Russia came after months of frustration over deadlocked negotiations. Im disappointed in President Putin because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesnt seem to get there, Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. So, based on that, were going to be doing secondary tariffs. If we dont have a deal in 50 days, its very simple, and theyll be at 100%. A man was chased by a masked stowaway who hid in his car as part of a failed kidnap attempt, a court heard. Daniel Algar, 41, was in a relationship with Gary Leggate's wife, Lucy Leggate, when the botched abduction took place. Lincolnshire Police were called to the incident on the A52, near Boston, shortly after 22:00 BST on 22 September 2022. Both Mr Algar, of Second Avenue, Spalding, and Mrs Leggate, 35, of Church Green Close, Fishtoft, deny a charge of attempted kidnap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jurors heard Mr Leggate set off in his car at about 22:00 after leaving work at the nearby Reflex Labels printers. A witness described how the car stopped suddenly on the wrong side of the road before Mr Leggate and a man wearing a mask both got out of the vehicle. The man "appeared to run after" Mr Leggate before changing direction. In her statement, which was read out in court, she said she was "immediately concerned" for Mr Leggate and had asked him if he was ok, to which he replied "someone was in my car". "He was in a right state," the court was told. Mr Leggate told the witness he knew the man was having an affair with his wife, jurors heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When police arrived at the scene they confirmed Mr Leggate appeared "very shaken and upset". 'Boyfriend and girlfriend' The jury was shown CCTV footage of a hooded figure walking near Mr Leggate's car minutes before he was due to finish work. Police found no DNA evidence of Mr Algar being in the rear of the car but there were polyester fibres present, which were similar to his work trousers, the court heard. Jurors were told mobile phone records showed Mr Algar had made two short calls to Mrs Leggate on the morning of the attempted abduction. A longer call of 42 minutes was also made by the mother-of-four to her lover about half an hour before the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During police interviews following his arrest, Mr Algar described his relationship with Mrs Leggate as "boyfriend and girlfriend" but he denied being the man in her husband's car, the court heard. The trial continues. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices Related internet links ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A man and a woman were arrested after a crash in Marion left a motorcyclist seriously injured. The crash happened on the evening of June 23, around 10:20 p.m., on Walworth Marion Road. The motorcyclist sustained serious injuries to her right forearm, right femur, spine, and ankle. According to the Wayne County Sheriffs Office, they were led to believe that 38-year-old Anna Parker was the one driving the vehicle that struck the motorcyclist. It was alleged that 35-year-old Chad Dier was the one driving and was intoxicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both suspects were arrested and charged with fifth-degree conspiracy and providing a false written statement. Dier was also charged with second-degree vehicular assault, second-degree assault, tampering with evidence, DWI, leaving the scene of a crash, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, improper left turn, and operating an unregistered motor vehicle Dier was arrested on Monday and taken to the Wayne County Jail. Parker was released on an appearance ticket and must return to Marion Town Court on August 6. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A man was fatally shot and a woman wounded Monday afternoon at the Drew Hamilton houses in Manhattan, cops said. Hamid Thomas, 32, was sitting on a bench near the rear of the housing complex around 2:37 p.m. near Frederick Douglass Blvd. and W. 142nd St. in Harlem when a gunman dressed in all black walked up to him and opened fire, hitting him in the abdomen and left arm, police sources said. A 40-year-old woman running away from the gunfire was grazed in the lower back, cops said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are lot of shots, at least five and six, one witness said. I saw the guy on the side, he was hit in the stomach, he was over there by the bench when they put him on the stretcher. EMS transported the victims to Harlem Hospital, where Thomas died of his injuries. The 40-year-old woman was in stable condition. Cops recovered 10 shell casings from the scene. There were no arrests in the incident. Police believe Thomas was the intended target in the shooting as they look to track down the gunman, sources said. Its not the first time, it happens all the time here, the witness said. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Two of the biggest health care systems in New Hampshire are getting into the baby-delivery business together with the hope of providing better services for the Manchester area, hospital officials said. Elliot Health System and Dartmouth Health announced Tuesday that they began their collaboration July 1. Theyre combining their respective clinical powers with Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics in Bedford and Manchester and Elliot Hospital in Manchester. Patients get the expertise of DHs obstetricians and midwives to deliver babies and the inpatient reproductive services of a large regional medical center, said Dr. Greg Baxter, president and CEO of Elliot Health System. We are pleased to add obstetric providers from Dartmouth Health, building on our longstanding relationship with them. We have expanded our capacity to support this new activity, adding to The Elliots service which was already the busiest in New Hampshire, Baxter said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 2,200 babies are born at the Elliot every year while DH delivers an average of 800 babies in southern New Hampshire, officials said. The new collaboration in neonatology will allow each provider to care for the smallest, sickest and youngest preterm infants because Dartmouth and the Elliot both have advanced neonatal intensive care units, officials said. The Elliot offers the only Level III NICU in southern New Hampshire, providing 32 specialized beds. The Childrens Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon has an intensive care nursery, which is a highly specialized, 30-bed, Level IV NICU serving all of the state and much of Vermont. The right move Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know this is the right move for our patients, who deserve world-class care in their community. We have long partnered with the Elliot in many clinical areas, and this initiative builds upon our existing collaboration, said Maria D. Padin, Chief Medical Officer of Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Southern Region. The two health care systems will align their approaches to care and pool data, enabling families to get a higher quality of care closer to home, officials said. Elliot providers will now have access to the full suite of pediatric subspecialty expertise at Dartmouth Health Childrens. Earlier collaboration The clinical collaboration is built on a common vision and deep commitment of both organizations to provide high-quality, compassionate care, and expand access to this essential care for all who need it, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to caring for babies and moms together, Elliot and Dartmouth doctors already work together in the areas of ear, nose and throat care, have a combined weight loss surgery program, and a number Dartmouth clinic staff have been part of the Elliot care team for decades, said Kelly Scargill, spokesperson for SolutionHealth, Elliots parent company. dpierce@unionleader.com PERINTON, N.Y. (WROC) With orders to move out in 11 days, residents at The Northfield assisted living facility in Perinton had a chance Monday to address members of the non-profit organization that owns the facility. People here are very, very angry and hurt, said Barbara Weeks, who lives at The Northfield. She and others have lived there with the help of the Enriched Housing Program, or EHP, which is provided by the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family Service of Rochester, which owns The Northfield, was contracted by the state health department to run the program at several locations in the Rochester area. Earlier this year, with little notice, state inspectors found problems with how Family Service of Rochester was running the program at two other facilities, Danforth and Hudson Ridge Towers in Rochester, and the non-profit told the state it did not have the money to address the issues, which led to dozens of residents being told they had to leave their homes in a matter of days. The Rochester Housing Authority, which runs those towers, managed to keep many of the residents in place, and the state moved many others to different facilities. The Northfield is a different story because its owned by Family Service of Rochester, the group that says they cant pay the bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, those who attended the meeting Monday night, like Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart, a Democrat, asked why they didnt try to raise money to keep the facility open until the planned sale to CDS Monarch went through. In addition, Barnhart says that the purchase, which the county helped to facilitate through a grant, likely gave some local leaders insight into the impending financial implosion of Family Service of Rochester. Its completely unacceptable that residents have been left in the dark for months while Monroe County, CDS Monarch, Family Services, and New York State knew what was in the works here, she said. News 8 reached out to Monroe County regarding Barnharts claims. The county responded by saying that Barnharts accusations were not true. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family Service of Rochester board members told the crowd Monday that the state forbade them from alerting residents sooner than they did. Youre telling me you cant tell residents about fundamental things that are going to impact their lives until the state gives the OK? Barnhart asked before going on to question whether that request, if made at all, is even legal. Weeks says many of her neighbors are now desperately seeking a new place to live while holding out hope the state will do what it did for the Danforth and Hudson Ridge residents and find a place for them. More time, Weeks says, would have at least tempered the blow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I find that board, in my opinion, to blame for this happening so quickly, she said. Theyve been receiving financial statements every month; this has been going on for a very long time. The downhill slide didnt just happen overnight. Why didnt they address this a couple of years ago? Family Service of Rochester once again declined News 8s request for an interview. Here is what they sent to the newsroom earlier this month: For several years, Family Service has explored multiple alternative and additional sources of funding, including applying for grants and actively seeking out management companies and non-profit organizations to partner with in an attempt to bolster its income, without sufficient success. As a result of the limited income and rising costs of providing services, Family Service must close all of its residential programming. CDS Monarchs CEO Andrew Sewnauth released a statement in response to all this that says: CDS Monarch has been working on a rehabilitation project with The Northfield for over nine months, with support from local and state leaders. We have not been involved in decisions about resident discharges or the facilitys closure, and the Family Services board member has not participated in our project discussions. We are currently awaiting regulatory approval to complete a transfer of ownership. Once finalized, CDS Monarch will be able to take a more active role in supporting residents. In the meantime, were coordinating with all involved parties and exploring ways our affiliate organizations can assist to ensure residents are supported throughout this transition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FLORIDA (WMBB) The United States Attorneys Office announced on Tuesday that a Marianna man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. According to a news release, 70-year-old Lorenzo Heatrice was found guilty of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 5 and 50 grams of methamphetamine. In June 2023 through early 2024, Heatrice and others reportedly sold multiple ounce quantities of methamphetamine in Jackson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson County man sentenced for meth distribution, faces prison The U.S Attorneys Office said that the evidence collected pointed to Heatrice distributing at least 850 grams of methamphetamine to other dealers who then resold the drugs. This sentencing reflects the hard work of the DEA and the Jackson County Sheriffs Office in this joint investigation, DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter said. This partnership resulted in one less meth distributor poisoning our communities. The Jackson County Sheriffs Office had a joint investigation with the DEA that led to the conviction and sentence of Heatrice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. A federal appeals court has delivered a partial legal victory to former Baltimore City States Attorney Marilyn Mosby by overturning one of three of her federal convictions. In a 2-1 decision issued on July 11, the panel ruled the jury was given the wrong instructions regarding the mortgage fraud case. The panel upheld her two perjury convictions. After testifying in her own defense, Mosby was convicted by a jury in February 2024 for falsely claiming financial hardship during the pandemic in order to withdraw $50,000 from her own retirement account. She used the funds to purchase a condo in Longboat Key, Florida, in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capital B has reached out to Mosby for comment. She has declined to comment, a spokeswoman for Mosby told Capital B. The appellate court kicked Mosbys case back to the district court for further proceedings. A date has not been set. In the 48-page decision out of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the judges cited the lack of evidence solidifying what actually happened, where, or when Mosby finalized a mortgage application that was the root to the allegations of the indictment. She had been traveling between Maryland and Florida at the time. This error could have been remedied by direction from the district court that the jury could establish venue by finding that an element of the crime was committed in Maryland, Judge Stephanie D. Thacker wrote in the decision. But that is not what the jury was told. Instead, both the district court and the government told the jury, The government need not prove that the crime itself was committed in this district [to establish venue]. Because the jury wasnt shown how any part of the crime was carried out, the court said, the judges couldnt tell how the jurors decided where the case should be tried. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are thus left to conclude that the error was sufficiently prejudicial to warrant reversal, Thacker wrote, and Judge G. Steven Agee concurred. Mosbys legal team argued her appeal in January 2025. This ruling allows Mosby to keep the $476,000 condo the government tried to force her to forfeit after her conviction, according to the decision. In a dissenting opinion, U.S. Appeals Court Judge Paul V. Niemeyer said he would have upheld Mosbys convictions. There was ample evidence for the jury to conclude that Mosby both prepared and transmitted the false gift letter in Maryland and that venue in that forum was therefore proper, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When a federal grand jury indicted Mosby in 2022, she was known as the youngest person in the U.S. ever elected to lead a prosecutors office. That same year, she lost her bid for reelection. Mosby had held the position since 2014, gaining national attention after the police-custody death of Freddie Gray and the subsequent acquittals and case dismissals involving six Baltimore police officers. Ahead of her sentencing in May 2024, Mosby faced up to 40 years in federal prison. In an interview with Capital B, she said that all she felt she had left were her two daughters and her grandmother, Marilyn Thompson, who raised her. The six-hour sentencing hearing, held in a packed Greenbelt, Maryland, courtroom, featured statements from Mosbys supporters and the reading of prewritten appeals for leniency addressed to Judge Lydia K. Griggsby, who presided over the case. Griggsby spared Mosby from prison, sentencing her to time served and ordering her to perform 100 hours of community service. With her two daughters at her side, Mosby walked out of the courthouse. Just a month into her court-ordered year of home confinement which required wearing a location monitoring device her grandmother, Thompson, who was in hospice care, passed away. The post Marilyn Mosby Scores Partial Victory, Has One Federal Conviction Overturned appeared first on Capital B News. BENTON, Ky. (FOX 56) According to a Monday news release, a Marshall County School resource officer is under investigation for alleged harassment. Kentucky State Police said the Marshall County Sheriffs Office asked for help investigating 47-year-old Deputy James Steven Oakley. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oakley allegedly sent inappropriate messages to juvenile students at Marshall County High School, according to the news release. On July 11, a grand jury returned an indictment and charged Oakley, of Benton, with harassment. Kentucky State Police said Oakley has served as a school resource officer since being hired back by MCSO in November 2022, after previously retiring in December 2020 after 20 years of service with MCSO. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 56 News. MARSHALL, Texas (KETK) As the City of Marshall continues to repair its damaged water transmission line, the city has extended its Stage 1 water shortage. City of Marshall announces Stage 1 water shortage after line break The damage to the line was reported on June 25 and was caused after a contractor accidentally struck the line while boring a fiber optic line off State Highway 134. The damaged line was initially installed in 1949 and serves one of two transmission lines that deliver raw water from the pump station to the Caddo Jr. Reservoir. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Permanent repairs to the line are expected to begin on Thursday and are believed to take one to two days. During the repairs, comprehensive testing will be done to ensure there are no leaks in the system. While the city remains under a stage 1 water shortage, residents are asked to do the following: Taking shorter showers Running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads Postponing non-essential outdoor watering Fixing any leaks promptly Using water-efficient practices Updates will be provided through the Citys website, social media channels, and emergency notification systems as repair work progresses, The City of Marshall said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information, people are asked to contact the City of Marshall Public Works Department at 903-935-4487. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. EXCLUSIVE Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel strongly implied he would run for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination and previewed a rough and tumble campaign based on candor in an interview with the Washington Examiner. Emanuel, the former Illinois congressman who served in three presidential administrations, suggested his Rahm-bo reputation could cut through with voters amid criticism of former President Joe Biden's administration and doubts that Democrats can overcome fundraising and enthusiasm gaps with President Donald Trumps base. "People that just do talking points and look and sound like regular politicians, that's passe," Emanuel told the Washington Examiner. "People don't want that." Much like how Trump built a following based on his no-holds-barred style, Emanuel suggested his bluntness could translate to retail politics in early voting states. He cited his six-for-six election record and "an appetite for candor, authenticity, and straight talk." In a wide-ranging interview, Emanuel contended that his reputation for "being direct" resulted in him receiving the call while he was in the White House for former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, "when you needed somebody to do the hard things." "When somebody had to take on the Washington gun lobby to pass the assault weapon ban, Mr. Rough-and-Tumble was the direct line. When somebody had to take on the insurance companies to make sure 10 million kids got health insurance, right here, I got the phone call. When you had to pass reforming the banks and regulations around the banks, I got the call," he said. "So, yeah, I don't shy away from fights. If you think the Oval Office is a place for easy, for going along and getting along, I'm not your guy. But trust me, that's a business of rough and tumble. I played it, I know it, and I know how to take on the very people that have been giving people the shaft around here." Emanuel's "Rahm-bo" reputation started early in his political career when, for example, he sent a dead fish to a pollster who did not report their findings on time. He also repeatedly plunged a steak knife into a table as he shouted "death" during a celebratory dinner after the 1992 election to underscore his displeasure with Democrats he considered to have "betrayed" Clinton. But in a sit-down with the Washington Examiner, Emanuel remained adamant that his "direct" approach to politics demonstrated as a White House senior adviser to Clinton, Obama's first White House chief of staff, and, most recently, Biden's ambassador to Japan, among others could be an advantage on the campaign trail. "How do you know that people don't like that?" he asked. "You'll go on the campaign trail, and we'll see whether just reading talking points with no heartfelt, real commitment to it versus somebody that's going to tell you the truth. Now, you could argue, sometimes I'll tell you my opinion, even when you don't ask for it. That's fair. But here's the thing: nobody walks away from a meeting saying, 'I don't know what his position is.'" Emanuel is not wrong. At least related to Biden, a Fox News poll conducted last month found that even one in five Democrats supported investigating whether there was a cover-up of the former president's physical and mental decline, while about one in four were for inquiries into his use of an autopen and his decisions. Two and a half years before the first votes are cast in the 2028 primaries, Democratic contenders are already delivering keynote addresses and traveling to early voting states, including Emanuel, who is expected to be in Iowa for a fish fry in September. But Emanuel is not the only Chicago Democrat contemplating a presidential campaign. The other is Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL), despite the billionaire announcing last month that he would seek reelection as Illinois' chief executive. Emanuel maintained that there was enough room in the hypothetical primary for two Chicago politicians, but he had the edge in real White House decision-making. "J.B. and I are friends. It'll be awkward. But you know the question isn't whether there's enough room. The question is, do you have enough ideas? Do you have the record and the strength to have not just the ideas, but the ability to execute and see it real?" he asked. "A president has to be comfortable in the family room and understand the issues that are pressing on families, comfortable in the classroom and making sure that our education system meets its goals, comfortable in the boardroom and creating jobs, comfortable in the Situation Room for the crisis, and periodically be comfortable in that emergency room. If you haven't done those, you're not ready for it." spillover in New Jersey Throughout his career, Emanuel has advocated for more centrist Democratic politics, endorsing centrist candidates as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and championing a more incremental approach to healthcare reform rather than the Obamacare law passed by Congress. He has reiterated his stance since last year's election. Simultaneously, Emanuel downplayed concerns that the likes of New York Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, is undercutting Democrats more broadly as Republicans criticize him for his policies, from fare-free city buses to city-owned grocery stores. "If you asked me what I was worried about, I'd be less worried about that than the spillover of his race into the New Jersey media market, of the northern part of New Jersey, impacting, I don't think it's happened yet, but could be impacting the New Jersey gubernatorial race," he said. "I know what [President Donald Trump's] people are doing, but I know what matters." Featured Local Savings New Jersey and Virginia's off-year elections will complement New York's mayoral contest this November. For Emanuel, Mamdani experienced "a perfect storm" because his opponent was disgraced former New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and his campaign was "disciplined" concerning his "message of affordability." Cuomo announced on Monday an independent campaign to become New York City mayor. "He made the message of affordability feel, sound, and look like change," Emanuel said. "So he fused both affordability and change at a time when people are pretty angry at the establishment, and the opponents played establishment pretty, they played their role that made his message sharper." To that end, Emanuel insisted that there is "agreement" among Democrats, regardless of whether they are centrists or of the left-wing, that the American dream is currently a "struggle" when it should be "a shot." "The system is rigged against people's success," he said. "The critique is uniformity. The solutions is where there's disagreement." Midterm strategy When it comes to next year's midterm elections and Democrats' chances of claiming control of one chamber of Congress, Emanuel advised Democrats to emphasize Trump's "big, beautiful bill" and not "shiny bauble" distractions, including the Trump administration's mismanagement of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Eighteen months before the midterm elections, Democrats have an average two-point edge over Republicans in generic congressional ballot polling, 45%-43%, according to RealClearPolitics. "In that bill is the road map for the midterms," he said. "This bill is the case you want to take to the public, and you want to make it about the fact that the Republicans are rubber stamps to Donald Trump. The one thing you can see very clearly among independent voters: they do not like an untethered, unchecked, unmoored Donald Trump. The Congress is playing a supplicant role when they should be playing something else, and that's our opportunity." Emanuel similarly dismissed Republican attempts to remind the public about Biden with congressional investigations into his administration's alleged cover-up of his acuity, along with his autopen use. "The counter on that is they want to look backwards. We want to look forward. They don't want you to know about all the cuts in healthcare," he said. "Republicans decided to make it harder to get cheaper energy, and I think that's another argument to be made, and they don't want you to see that. They want you to focus on the last election, and we want to focus on you and your family's future." At the same time, Emanuel issued a warning to Democrats about fundraising, coinciding with second-quarter disclosure deadlines, after Trump operatives last month confirmed the president had raised $1.4 billion in commitments since last year's election. "The party has done well historically on the fundraising," he said. "I saw the other day that Trump's PAC has like $1.6 billion in it. I do believe we'll have the resources we need. It's whether you have the resources you need based on what the other side also has." As Emanuel reemerges in Democratic politics, so has his former boss, Obama, after last year's election. Obama last weekend addressed a Democratic National Committee fundraiser attended by Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), who is the New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial nominee, who Emanuel is concerned could be affected by Mamdani's campaign across the Hudson River. During his remarks last Friday, Obama implored Democrats to "toughen up" and "stop looking for the Messiah." "I haven't been surprised by what Trump's done," Obama said. "What I have been surprised by is the degree to which I've seen people who, when I was president, progressives, liberals, stood for all kinds of stuff, who seem like they're kind of cowed, and intimidated, and shrinking away from just asserting what they believe, or at least what they said they believe." During his interview with the Washington Examiner, Emanuel sidestepped a question about whether Obama expressed any concerns to him about Biden before former Vice President Kamala Harris replaced the then-president as the 2024 Democratic nominee. "First of all, no. Second of all, if he did, I wouldn't tell you," Emanuel quipped. MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa The actions of a Marshalltown police officer who hit an armed subject with a patrol vehicle on July 4th have been deemed legally justified under Iowa law by the Marshall County Attorney. The Marshalltown Police Department said the incident in question happened around 5:11 a.m. on July 4th when officers were called to the 1000 block of Washington Street. As they investigated, they found a male, later identified as 22-year-old Zannah Towah, believed to have been involved in an assault, walking westbound in the 1100 block of Washington Street. Zannah Towah An officer turned on the emergency lights on their patrol vehicle to talk to Towah, but he kept walking. A short time later, he stopped and turned, displaying a handgun and began turning toward the officer who was sitting in their patrol car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer drove forward and struck Towah with the car, disarming him. Towah was transported to UnityPoint Hospital and treated for minor injuries before being released to the Marshall County Jail. No officers were injured in the incident, and there was minimal damage to a patrol vehicle. Passenger killed when vehicle pulls out in front of semi in Buena Vista County, ISP says The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa State Patrol assisted MPD in the investigation. Following a review of the incident, Marshall County Attorney Jordan Gaffney said the use of force was legally justified under the circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Towah has been charged with assault on persons engaged in certain occupations and domestic abuse assault with intent or display of a weapon. The investigation remains open. If you have information to share with investigators about the incident you can call the Marshalltown Police Department at 641-754-5725 or leave an anonymous tip with Marshall County Crime Stoppers at 641-753-1234. Iowa news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Maryland joined nearly two dozen states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump administration for withholding $6.8 billion in previously authorized education grants intended for K-12 and adult education programs. According to the Maryland Attorney Generals Office, the federal Department of Education notified states on June 30 that it was rescinding the money for six formula programs. That, the attorneys general argue, violates various federal laws and regulations as well as the Constitutions separation of powers doctrine. Statewide, $110 million is on the line nearly $99 million anticipated by the Maryland State Department of Education and $11.49 million for adult education programs, according to state schools officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit, filed in the federal District Court of Rhode Island, seeks a ruling that declares the funding freeze unlawful and makes the funds available to the states again. This reckless funding freeze is directly harming Marylands students by taking more than $110 million from Maryland K12 schools and adult education programs, which has jeopardized teacher training, thrown essential special needs services into chaos, and left families scrambling to find childcare before the start of a new school year, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a statement Monday. The federal Department of Education traditionally makes about a quarter of these funds available for states around July 1 each year, according to the attorney generals office. But this year broke the trend, as the education department says it is aligning spending with the executive branchs priorities. The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the Presidents priorities and the Departments statutory responsibilities, the Department of Educations June 30 notice to the Maryland State Department of Education said in part, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the attorneys general argue it wasnt up to the Trump administration, stating in court filings that Congress designated the funding streams as formula grants, which the government is obligated to disperse to the states. The frozen funding does not derive from discretionary or competitive grant programs. Formula funds are calculated automatically using specific formulas written into the law and administered by [the Department of Education], State Superintendent of Schools Carey Wright wrote in a court document. The Maryland State Department of Education is still working to understand the full effects of the funding freeze, which might result in layoffs, she wrote. Maryland school districts have already created budgets for the upcoming school year that assumed they would receive the formula funding, according to Wright. And some Maryland school districts have active summer programming that is funded in whole or [in] part by the funding that is currently being withheld. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives from the Maryland State Department of Education declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation. Instead, the department released a statement: We are committed to supporting our school systems, students, and families as the uncertainty of the federal funding landscape for many programs continues. Our state is not deterred from our focus on maintaining high standards and accountability that drives student success. Baltimore City Public Schools is losing more than $11 million in funding that was meant to support 29 full-time positions, critical contractual support, instructional materials and other resources, Kimberly Hoffman, executive director of data monitoring and compliance for the district, wrote in a court filing. Hoffman listed programs such as professional development, teacher recruitment, English education for multilingual learners and AP classes as items the now-withheld federal money contributed to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked for comment, Baltimore City Public Schools referred The Baltimore Sun to a portion of Hoffmans court declaration. Because these federal funds have been withheld, City Schools will face challenges in ensuring that staffing, materials, and other resources will be fully in place for the start of the 2025-2026 school year, Hoffman wrote. As a result, [the Department of Educations] actions threaten to undermine the carefully planned and targeted interventions and supports that City Schools has invested to continue its recognized progress in student growth. Anne Arundel County will lose $4.2 million if the funding is not reinstated. More than 28,000 Maryland adult learners, including those learning English and those working toward their high school diplomas, are served by education department formula grants authorized under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Erin Roth, assistant secretary of the Maryland Department of Labors Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning, wrote in court filings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AEFLA money supports nine full-time Adult Education and Literacy Services employees, 100 subgrantee employees, more than 1,000 part-time subgrantee instructors, instructional materials, educational software licenses and assessments for adult learners, Roth wrote. Cuts to adult learner programming concretely limit[s] their economic mobility, as those without a high school diploma in Maryland in 2023 earned about 20% less than those who have one, Roth said in the filing. The Department of Education said last week it was ending taxpayer subsidization of illegal aliens in career, technical, and adult education programs under AEFLA and other statutes. The state Department of Labor declined to comment due to the ongoing litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Education is even making cuts to itself, as the president and Education Secretary Linda McMahon work toward their goal of dismantling it. The Supreme Court greenlit layoffs of nearly 1,400 of the departments employees on Monday. We will carry out the reduction in force to promote efficiency and accountability and to ensure resources are directed where they matter most to students, parents, and teachers, McMahon said in a statement Monday after the decision came down. As we return education to the states, this Administration will continue to perform all statutory duties while empowering families and teachers by reducing education bureaucracy. The governments deadline to respond to the lawsuit is July 28. Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks. For nearly a decade, there were hopes that a new FBI headquarters would spur a significant expansion in real estate projects and revenue in the Greenbelt area. Now, the location is once again in limbo, launching another round of the waiting game. When a commitment is made, that has impacts, said Greenbelt Mayor Emmett Jordan. The back-and-forth just creates this uncertainty. Federal, state and county officials are pushing for any path forward for the bureau to land in Greenbelt after the Trump administration changed course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A parcel of land, 50 feet from the Greenbelt Metro Station, was announced as the new site for the FBI headquarters in November 2023 after years of studies and competition from other regional bidders. Being next to the Beltway, a MARC train and a Washington, D.C., metro stop made the location accessible for commuters and federal workers who live in Prince Georges County. As a result, Greenbelt and other neighboring jurisdictions prepared for a massive influx of federal workers expected to work, shop and possibly move to the area. But on July 1, the General Services Administration announced that the FBI, currently housed in the aging J. Edgar Hoover Building in downtown Washington, D.C., would instead be moved blocks away to the existing Ronald Reagan Building. The building currently houses other federal agencies and event spaces. The Trump administration said this was an effort to save taxpayer money, as the Greenbelt campus was expected to cost the government billions. Wasted time, wasted resources Greenbelt city budgets that date back to at least fiscal year 2017 highlighted efforts to attract the FBI headquarters and how it could transform the area. Budgets also mentioned the possibility of mixed-use developments adjacent to the eventual bureau, allowing employees to live and shop nearby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The headquarters was projected to bring 7,500 employees to the Greenbelt area and billions in revenue to the region. One development plan approved by the countys planning board, Jordan said, would have built a mixed-use development with a hotel and retail spaces next to the possible headquarters, but approval lapsed during the lengthy process nearly a decade ago. Other nearby improvement proposals were put on hold to meet the needs of the would-be FBI location, Jordan said. This included a redesign of the Beltway Plaza Mall and another corporate plaza renovation. A plan to make a bike path connecting one Greenbelt neighborhood to the metro would also change should the bureau come to the once-promised area. Projects have been on hold, on again, off again, Jordan said. Its just wasted time, wasted resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The back-and-forth also impacted other neighboring cities, like Berwyn Heights and northern College Park, whose mayors say could benefit from federal workers shopping or living in the community. Berwyn Heights recently commissioned an economic study from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to help understand how the small town can develop, especially along Greenbelt Road. Berwyn Heights Mayor Tiffany Papanikolas said this and the towns ongoing move of their police station to this major road was done to prepare for the FBI Headquarters. When the FBI headquarters was awarded to Greenbelt, Papanikolas saw the county and other local jurisdictions begin to plan new developments and some retail spaces start long-planned renovations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, she hopes the site will return to help businesses and fill existing homes in her town. There have been a lot of ideas, but not a lot has been done, Papanikolas said. When a town or region stagnates, its just as bad as going backwards. Bordering the Greenbelt metro station is a suburban area of College Park, which Mayor Fazlul Kabir said could see a real estate boom if the FBI plan comes to fruition. For a city budget that relies on real estate taxes, this could help the city improve its services, he said. The influx of FBI employees year-round could also help College Park businesses that face revenue drops during summer and winter breaks at The University of Maryland. Kabir also sees an opening for the FBI to collaborate with the universitys research facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a growing sense of frustration among officials that the recent switch has undermined the work done to secure the 2023 approval. This includes a perception that the federal government has historically not placed major federal facilities in Prince Georges County, particularly when compared to those in Virginia. The area has also been hit by cuts to the federal workforce. Maryland politicians use leverage Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, added a provision to an appropriations bill that would reserve $1.4 billion for a new FBI headquarters in Greenbelt. But it stalled the appropriations bill from moving out of the full committee when all Republicans flipped their vote against the bill, upset at the inclusion of the provision. Van Hollen argued that using funds intended for the Greenbelt location to support the newly announced Ronald Reagan Building location sets a precedent of presidential overreach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans on the committee, including Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, argued that this is not unusual and has happened to other federal projects. Prince Georges County Executive Aisha Braveboy, a Democrat, said the county can wait out the president and that the county is also considering legal options to keep the Greenbelt plan. After the Obama administration initiated the process to build a new FBI headquarters, the first Trump administration canceled the effort in 2017, before the Biden administration restarted the site search. His tenure will end, but the FBI and the opportunities will still be there, Braveboy told The Sun. It was a fair process and one that resulted, obviously, in the Greenbelt coming out the victor. So were going to always fight whats fair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Greenbelt campus was set to start construction in 2029 after Trumps current term ends. The possible cancelation of the Greenbelt headquarters comes two months after announcements that the county would lose the Washington Commanders and a Six Flags location. Maryland budgeted $200 million for the Greenbelt FBI headquarters from the fiscal years 2024 and 2025 budgets, and it has seven years to disburse the money for this project. Funds would return to the state if the Board of Public Works votes to cancel. Democratic members of the Maryland congressional delegation have promised to fight changes to the FBI headquarters plans. Well fight this just like we did last time, said Rep. Glenn Ivey, who represents the district. -------------- Guns for sale at Casos Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor) The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semiautomatic rifles into machine guns in Maryland and 15 other states where they are illegal under state law. Maryland led the lawsuit last month against the administration plan to return nearly 12,000 previously confiscated devices like forced-reset triggers installed on rifles that allow them to shoot up to 900 rounds per minute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The planned return of the devices followed a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives settlement of a Biden-era lawsuit that claimed forced-reset were illegal. But in a court filing late last month, after the states sued, the ATF agreed it would not directly return the triggers to their owners in states where theyre illegal. It is unfortunate that litigation was necessary when the federal government could have made these commitments much earlier, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said in a statement Friday. But I will do everything possible to keep Washingtonians safe from dangerous machine-gun conversion devices. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said that when the states filed their suit, in U.S. District Court for Maryland, his office warned that thousands of forced reset triggers would flood our streets and leave Marylanders vulnerable to more senseless gun violence. Our case led the federal government to block their redistribution into Maryland and other states where theyre banned, Brown said in a statement Friday. This victory protects Maryland families from the devastation these dangerous devices have been used to inflict in our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other states on the lawsuit were California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont. The District of Columbia is also a plaintiff. Most of the states have laws banning forced reset triggers. They argued the proliferation of these conversion devices in recent years has led to an increase in crimes committed with machine guns. The Biden administration filed lawsuits against manufacturers and gun sellers and seized the devices from gun stores and individuals. The administration decided forced reset triggers were basically machine guns that are prohibited under federal law. But last year, a federal judge in Texas disagreed, and ordered the Biden administration to return some of the conversion devices. The administration was complying but declined to send the triggers back to states where theyre illegal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump accelerated that work, settling with manufacturers and agreeing to return the seized or surrendered devices to their owners across the country, including those convicted of felonies, the states lawsuit filed last month noted. The states argued this would lead to more gun violence and force them to expend resources to confiscate the devices again. This would result in added costs for police and health care. Gun violence killed 737 Marylanders in 2023, according to federal data. In a court filing, an ATF official wrote that there would be two notices for device owners. One will go to those in states where forced reset triggers are legal explaining how to get them returned. The second, for those in states like Washington where theyre illegal, will give owners three options. They could request the ATF make the transfer to them in a state where its legal, request transfer to a third-party in a legal state or abandon the device. If an owner does not want a device returned, the federal government would destroy it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The triggers also wont be returned to people prohibited from possessing firearms. Rare Breed Triggers, a main manufacturer and seller of forced reset triggers, also committed in court papers not to sell or ship its returned products into states where theyre illegal. The companys president estimated the ATF took custody of at least $2.5 million worth of Rare Breed products. Because of these commitments, on Friday, the states dropped their request in Maryland federal court for a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administrations return plans. This article first appeared in the Washington State Standard, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com. BOSTON After the state voted against a ballot question in November that would have legalized and regulated some psychedelic substances, theres new and more narrow proposed legislation that seeks to decriminalize psilocybin, the active ingredient in so-called magic mushrooms. The Joint Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony Tuesday afternoon about the proposals. Specifically, House and Senate legislation would ban any civil or criminal penalties for possession of one gram or less of psilocybin. Graham Moore, of Mass Healing, a nonprofit group advocating for psychedelics, said he worked on the rejected state ballot campaign last year and spoke to many voters. He thinks the measures meet the public where they are at. People dont want lives ruined over simple possession, Moore said, but they also dont approve of an unlimited and broad use of psychedelics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation is related but different from the ballot question that voters turned down, which would have legalized psilocybin and psilocin, which are found in mushrooms, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), mescaline (peyote), and ibogaine, which are found in plants. It would have also allowed licensed facilities to sell them for use under supervision of a licensee and for people to grow and share them. About 57% of Bay State voters cast their ballot against the measure. Legislators also took comments Tuesday on a bill that would create an interagency task force to examine the public health and social justice effects of possible legalization of psilocybin and other psychoactive plants and fungi. Dr. Jhilam Biswas, president of the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society, said she supports decriminalization and the creation of the task force. We are encouraged by the growing body of rigorous research exploring psychedelics, including psilocybin, in treating resistant types of mental illness. ... We believe the momentum in psychedelic research deserves to be supported, she said. Decriminalization under specific and cautious conditions, like those outlines in these three bills, reflects an evidence-based humane approach that aligns with our values as medical professionals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Growing research indicates some psychedelics show promise for helping treat mental illnesses, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, but many questions remain for researchers. Not all speakers supported the bills. Caroline Cunningham told the panel that she has family members with mental illness, including PTSD. This does not help that problem. This is dangerous for many reasons, including the inevitable black market," she said. She worried about an increase in emergency room visits and car accidents. Drunk driving is already a problem here. The legislation was submitted by residents Timothy Morris and Henry Morgan. State Rep. Homar Gomez, D-Easthampton, presented the House bill upon request of a resident, but is not sponsoring the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are several other psychedelic-related bills that are making their way through the Legislature but were not heard by the panel Tuesday. That includes a proposal that would create a pilot program to use psychedelics in treatment at licensed facilities. There already have been some local efforts to decriminalize the substances, including in Somerville and Northampton, where the latters City Council voted in 2021 on a resolution that public employees, including police, should deprioritize enforcement of psychedelics possession. Read the original article on MassLive. A motorcyclist was killed in a crash with an SUV in Walpole Monday morning, according to the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office. Franklin resident Spencer Reid, 25, died of his injuries following a crash at the intersection of East Street and Tanglewood Road around 6:50 a.m., the district attorneys office said in an email. Firefighters rushed him to a nearby hospital where he was later declared dead. The district attorneys office and Walpole and Mansfield police crash reconstruction experts are investigating, the district attorneys office said. No charges were immediately filed in connection with the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further information has been released. More News Read the original article on MassLive. A Raynham man suspected of fleeing from several police agencies in the last several weeks faces charges in connection with a pursuit with Massachusetts State Police, ending in a crash on Tuesday, a State Police spokesperson said. Michael Howard, 25, faces charges of failure to stop for police, leaving the scene of property damage, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, reckless operation, and other offenses. He is scheduled to appear in Quincy District Court on Tuesday for his arraignment. At around 1:30 a.m., a trooper was conducting a property check at Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Drive when he saw several illegally parked cars facing Quincy Shore Drive, spokesperson Tim McGuirk said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trooper looked up one particular license plate for a 2025 Kia K5 and saw that the cars registration was revoked and that the owner had a suspended licnese, the statement read. The trooper also saw that the driver "had fled several police agencies in the last several weeks," McGuirk said. Not long after, several people walked toward their cars, which prompted the trooper to ask them to leave the area in compliance with signs posted nearby prohibiting any overnight parking, the statement read. When the driver of the Kia, Howard, entered his car, the trooper followed him until Howard drove out of the troopers line of sight. Troopers then saw Howard drive by them at a high rate of speed, McGuirk continued. Troopers tried to conduct a traffic stop, but Howard continued driving and ran a red light at the intersection of Billings Road and Hancock Street. The Kia struck another car, which propelled the Kia into a business on the street. Howard left the car and went north on Hancock Street, leaving troopers to chase him on foot, McGuirk said. He was arrested and received first aid from Quincy EMS for a cut to his head. More local crime stories Read the original article on MassLive. A Tewksbury man was arrested Saturday after he took photos of a woman under a bathroom stall door as she used the toilet at a local business, according to police. Prajwol Chaulagain, 23, pleaded not guilty to charges of photographing an unsuspecting nude person and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident during his arraignment in Lowell District Court on Monday, according to court records. On July 12, Tewksbury police were called to a business on Main Street for a report of a man taking photos of a woman in the womens bathroom around 7:15 p.m., Tewksbury police said in a press release. Officers arrived to find a distraught victim and several witnesses who reported that a man had held a camera under a stall in the womans bathroom and taken photos of the victim as she used the toilet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect fled the bathroom when the victim screamed, police said. Officers on-scene investigation identified Chaulagain as the suspect. He remained at the scene and was arrested without incident. No further information has been released. More local crime stories Read the original article on MassLive. A Dracut woman has agreed to plead guilty to sharing information previously given to a grand jury with unauthorized individuals, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said Tuesday. On Friday, Jessica Leslie, 34, was charged with one count of criminal contempt. She will make her initial federal court appearance in Boston at a later date, with a plea hearing yet to be scheduled. Leslie has agreed to plead guilty, Foleys office said in a statement on Tuesday. A plea agreement was filed on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On different dates between Aug. 11, 2022, and March 4, 2024, Leslie shared sealed information to people who were not part of a grand jury, according to court filings. This information included the names of various witnesses appearing before the grand jury and the substance of their testimony and other evidence presented to the grand jury, all while said information was under seal and not subject to disclosure, court documents read. The charge of criminal contempt provides for a sentence of any term of years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. More local crime stories Read the original article on MassLive. Gabriel House had seen better days, but for residents and their families, it was the center of a caring community. The 100-unit assisted-living facility that burned Sunday night, killing nine people, opened in 1999 in Fall River, Massachusetts. Some photos on its Facebook page show neat rooms but older-looking carpeting and furniture. However, the facility had been repeatedly cited for tardiness in reporting potential health and safety incidents, according to regulators most recent review. Displaced residents and relatives also have told of substandard conditions, but they say it was a place where people from difficult circumstances found each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some say Gabriel House was emblematic of Fall River a fiercely proud city despite a yearslong downturn. The city of tight-knit neighborhoods has been shaped by immigrants, including a large population of Portuguese descent, who came to work in textile mills, many of which are long shuttered. Fall River rallies around Gabriel House A memorial of candles and balloons grew at the site Tuesday and Wednesday. People held a vigil there, and attendees talked about the importance of community. Krista Cormier, a Fall River resident, said the fire has been heavy on my heart all week." Anytime something happens, people just come together just because of this, Cormier said, beating on her heart. This city is full of love and support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there were notes of discord. Gabriel House owner Dennis Etzkorn has said he is cooperating with investigators, but Mayor Paul Coogan said he should have been at the memorial and has criticized him for being hard to reach in the aftermath of the fire. To me, he should be down here every day, Coogan said. A long history of tragedy Fall River has endured tragedy and controversy, from officials accusing Lizzie Borden of killing her father and stepmother with an ax in 1892 to convicting wunderkind former Mayor Jasiel Correia of fraud in 2021. The Gabriel House assisted living facility opened on Oliver Street nearly a century after the coastal city nicknamed Spindle City roared with roughly 100 textile mills and a population of 120,000. Most of those mills were silenced by the Great Depression, while the city declared bankruptcy in 1931. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These days, Fall Rivers population is about 95,000, census figures show. The citys median household income of nearly $53,000 is a little more than half the states median, while the 24% poverty rate is more than double that of Massachusetts state. The city is trying to revitalize its downtown and waterfront while local and state officials are working to bring in more affordable housing. Gabriel House was home to beloved family members Her granddaughter didnt like the assisted-living center, but 86-year-old Eleanor Willett wanted something that left her money to play the slots at a casino. She earned too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford a higher-priced assisted-living facility, Holly Mallowes told The Associated Press on Tuesday. She said, I dont need much, but a roof over my head and someplace to put my sewing machine, Mallowes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Massachusetts native, Willett spent more than 20 years as a secretary and even worked briefly as a cocktail waitress, her granddaughter said. Her home was always a base for everyone in her family, Mallowes said. My mom worked a lot, and Grammys was always a place we called home, said Mallowes, 45. We lived with her often. She was very strong. She outlived two husbands and raised five children. She was absolutely a joy. Kim Mackin, 71, was a violist who performed in Boston-area orchestras, according to her nephew, Austin Mackin. She was described in a statement from family members as gifted beyond words. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will all miss Kimmy, the statement read. Beyond being exceptionally kind, few knew that she was a brilliant musician. Mackin received a full scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music and after graduating, toured the world as first chair viola. Breonna Cestodio described her 78-year-old uncle, Richard Rochon, as a very quiet guy, yet a great guy. He kept to himself, she told reporters. He was a sharpshooter in the Army. He loved getting visits from all of his nieces and nephews. Rochon moved into Gabriel House about a year ago. Cestodio had little good to say about the facility, remarking that it always seemed hot inside the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A history of hard times and fires The city motto, Well try, dates to the Great Fire of 1843, which destroyed much of the center of town. Other large fires altered the city forever in the 1920s and 1940s. The Gabriel House fire is the latest disaster for the city to navigate, and it will, said Frank Sousa, director of the Saab Center for Portuguese Studies at University of Massachusetts Lowell. These are people who had tough lives and in Fall River found new opportunities, he said. This 10 years from now, 20 years from now will just be one of the many things that have happened in the city that have required resilience. ___ Previous versions of this story misspelled the last name of former Mayor Jasiel Correia and the name of Oliver Street. ___ Associated Press writer Mark Scolforo contributed. Eric Sondermann is a Colorado-based independent political commentator. He writes regularly for ColoradoPolitics and the Gazette newspapers. Reach him at EWS@EricSondermann.com; follow him at @EricSondermann FITCHBURG, Mass. (WWLP) A Massachusetts resident won two $1 million Powerball prizes in the same drawing last week. The Massachusetts State Lottery says Paul Corcoran of Fitchburg initially thought he had missed the drawing on one of his tickets, which led him to buy another multi-draw ticket for the same drawing. Lifelong western Mass. Navy veteran celebrates 80th birthday The multi-state game drawn on Wednesday, July 9th, featured a $217.1 million jackpot. The winning numbers were 5 9 25 28 69 (Powerball = 5). Paul matched the first five numbers on both of his tickets. He claimed his prizes on Friday at the lotterys headquarters in Dorchester. Paul Corcoran of Fitchburg is the winner of two Powerball prizes in same drawing (Massachusetts State Lottery) There were a total of eight $1 million winners, including the two tickets in Massachusetts, two in California, two in Illinois, one in Florida, and one in Nebraska. Since there were no Powerball jackpot winners, the next drawing held on Wednesday, July 16th, has an estimated $264 million prize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The winning tickets were bought at Market Basket in Fitchburg and Country Farms in Leominster, each store will receive a $10,000 bonus for their sale of the winning tickets. Corcoran has not yet decided what he will do with his winnings. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Following a tip provided by Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), the Henderson County Sheriffs Office busted a large illegal cockfighting event near Athens, Texas, according to a joint press release from three animal welfare activist groups. Authorities disrupted the gathering, attended by an estimated 200300 people, many of whom fled into nearby woods. The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 25 vehicles, 89 live roosters, two deceased birds, and a significant amount of cash. The bust began around 12:15 p.m. on July 13 in the 7500 block of County Road 3918, following a tip that alerted deputies to the suspected activity. Investigators discovered a fighting arena and sharp metal gaffs used in the matches, along with evidence of ongoing cruelty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Henderson County Animal Control assisted, and a search warrant enabled further investigation. Nine individuals Jesus David Garza, Carlos Estrada-Guerrero, Christy Nikol Bass, Victor Hernandez Flores, Juan Carlos Flores, Thomas Urbano Flores, Shannon Dean Kellis, Otis Darren Thomas, and Allan Joseph Jernigan were arrested and booked into the Henderson County Jail on cockfighting charges. This cockfighting pit in Henderson County is just the tip of the iceberg, said Steve Hindi, president of SHARK. Its part of a sprawling, interstate animal fighting syndicate that traffics birds domestically and internationally. The bust follows recent efforts by Animal Wellness Action and SHARK, who have infiltrated a dozen fighting pits across Texas and Oklahoma counties, including Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Titus, Kaufman, and Martin. On July 4, their undercover video near Mt. Pleasant in Titus County led to the arrest of cockfighting figure Tim Thompson. In March, evidence from the groups led to 21 arrests in Hunt County, according to a press release by SHARK, Animal Wellness Action, and the Center for Humane Economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation extended into Oklahoma, where operatives filmed Anthony Devore and Blake Pearce, co-founders of the United States Gamefowl Commission, participating in illegal cockfights in McIntosh County. The pair also led the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission. They supported the Texas Gamefowl Breeders Association, which, along with the organization, advocates for weaker anti-cockfighting laws, despite claiming no involvement in such activities. The activist organizations alleged in the press release that the United States Gamefowl Commission serves as a front group for cockfighters. No arrests have been made at this point in the investigation, but the groups demand action, and the Oklahoma Ethics Commission is now probing the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission. We want to thank the Henderson County Sheriffs Office for taking immediate action to stop this barbaric animal cruelty, said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. The cockfighting corridor that stretches from Tulsa to Dallas is rife with cockfighting pits and illicit gamefowl operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organizations, joined by the Center for a Humane Economy, are urging Congress to pass the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act (HR 3946 and SB 1454), backed by the National Sheriffs Association, the Sheriffs Association of Texas, and local sheriffs. Cosponsors include Texas Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D), Lance Gooden (R), and Troy Nehls (R), and Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R), alongside a bipartisan group led by Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and John Kennedy (R-LA), and Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Andrea Salinas (D-OR). MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) The water in Mattoon is back for safe use just in time for people to hit the pool. Lytle Pool opened back up on Monday after being closed since Friday due to the citys unsafe water alert caused by an algae bloom. Since then, theyve been cleaning their water and taking samples for testing. READ MORE: Some things we could do better: Mattoon officials talk improvements after unsafe water issue Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pool goers were excited to be back. Amazing. I mean, this pool is really just a gem for Mattoon, and the fact that weve had hiccup after hiccup last year with a whole motor breaking, as well as this year following into now this pool being shut down for a few days, said head lifeguard Ethan Schmohe. Our biggest goal is just to make sure that we dont have to close any more this season. And the fact that were back and were up and running Im ecstatic to see it. SEE ALSO: We can survive this: Mattoon community reflects following days without tap water Schmohe said theyre still in contact with the countys health department just in case they need to tweak anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Yet another legendary downtown Los Angeles landmark is shuttering. In a post to Instagram Monday morning, management at The Mayan Theater, located at 1038 S. Hill St., announced plans to close beloved nightclub and music venue after a 35-year run in its current iteration. It is with heavy yet grateful hearts that we announce The Mayan will be closing its doors at the end of September, after 35 unforgettable years, read a statement from the venues Instagram page. To our loyal patrons, community and friends: thank you for your unwavering support, your trust and the countless memories weve created together. You made every night truly special. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opened in Aug. 1927, Francisco Cornejo, a Mexican sculptor and anthropologist, helped the buildings architects deliver designs based on pre-Columbian American societies, the Los Angeles Times reported. The venues exterior is adorned with huge bas-relief depictions of the Maya god Huitzilopochtli atop earth monsters. A Mayan ruin on Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula from AD 800 serves as the inspiration for the tapered pillars, while the theaters chandelier is a replica of the Aztec calendar stone located near Mexico City. The Mayan Theater, seen in this undated photo from the L.A. Historic Resources Investory. The exterior of The Mayan Theater in downtown L.A. seen in this Feb. 12, 2014 photo. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) The theaters first performance featured the Broadway musical Oh Kay by George Gershwin, according to The Times. Amid the Great Depression, the venue operated as an Actors Workshop theater under the Works Projects Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrest made in macabre human flesh teddy bear prank in Southern California Under new management in the late 1940s, The Mayan offered up Spanish-language performers and film screenings but had changed hands again by the 1970s and was serving pornographic movies. In 1989, The Mayan was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. Just a year later, it came under its current management who transformed the theater into an incredibly popular music venue drawing artists like Jack White and bands like Panic! At the Disco and Muse among many others. The theater also kept in touch with tawdry history, offering themed events like the Bondage Ball, burlesque nights and Lucha Libre shows. It has also been the backdrop for several films. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the farewell post on Instagram, the venues management encouraged patrons to enjoy the theaters dance floor every Saturday night through Sept. 13 before its final curtain call later that month. After that, the historic locations future is currently unknown. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New York Citys Campaign Finance Board on Tuesday again denied Mayor Adams public matching funds for his reelection effort but the panel switched up the reason for depriving him of the critical cash after a key judicial ruling. Since December 2024, the board has withheld more than $3 million in matching funds for Adams campaign, in large part due to his federal indictment, which accused him of taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish government operatives in exchange for political favors. The indictment was dismissed in April at the behest of President Trumps Department of Justice in a highly controversial deal that many believe has left Adams compromised. Despite the dismissal, the CFB has since April at several board meetings continued to cite the corruption case as grounds for denying Adams matching funds, arguing it provides reason to believe he broke city campaign finance laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, last week, a Brooklyn Federal Court judge ruled in response to a lawsuit from Adams campaign that the board couldnt withhold matching funds from Adams due to the indictment, given that it has been dropped. The judge did rule, though, that the board could deny Adams matching funds because of his campaigns long-running failure to respond to its requests for various documentation, including records related to donors mentioned in his indictment. In a meeting Tuesday morning, Frederick Schaffer, CFBs chairman, acknowledged the judge called into question its reasoning on the corruption case. Still, he said the board is continuing to deny Adams matching funds because of the outstanding document requests, delivering a blow to the mayor as he faces a difficult path to reelection, running as an independent in Novembers general election. Because the documents and information requested from the Adams campaign are still outstanding and have been outstanding since last November, the board determines today that Mayor Adams campaign has failed to demonstrate to eligibility for public funds payments at this time, Schaffer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schaffer also said the boards independent investigation into Adams and his campaign remains ongoing. As part of that probe, the board recently requested a slew of records related to individuals and fundraising events referenced in his indictment. Frank Carone, Adams reelection campaign chairman, said hes hopeful the mayor will get matching funds at the boards next meeting. He also thanked the Brooklyn Federal Court judge for ruling that the reason to believe standard CFB previously cited in denying Adams funds was arbitrary and unconstitutional. Without that arbitrary standard, all that we must do is comply with what remains from CFBs document request. Therefore, we are confident now that Mayor Adams will receive matching funds, Carone said in a statement. Also at Tuesdays meeting, the board approved about $1 million in new matching funds for Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor whos leading in the polls of Novembers election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani raised $853,018 from over 10,300 donors during the latest fundraising period, too, per filings released Tuesday with 96% of that cash coming in after the primary. His contributors included Lindsey Boylan, one of Cuomos sexual misconduct accusers, who maxed out her contribution to Mamdani the day after the election. Mamdanis campaign spent $2,612,683 in the same period, which stretched from mid-June to mid-July, including $13,000 on security the week of the primary. Around that time, Mamdani spoke publicly about death threats he and his loved ones received. The board on Tuesday also awarded about $135,000 in new matching funds for Jim Walden, a lawyer mounting a longshot independent bid for mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walden received $59,257 in the latest fundraising period and spent nearly $790,000. Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whos also running as an independent in Novembers mayoral race, didnt apply for Tuesdays matching funds payout, according to his spokesman Rich Azzopardi. Cuomo still netted $80,000 in the latest filing period. That cash came from just 307 donors, and 40 of those contributions came in after primary day, when the former governor was still mulling a general run. His campaign spent $3,513,181, mostly in the final stretch of the primary race. In light of his Monday announcement that he will stay in the November race, Cuomo plans to apply for funds at next months board meeting, Azzopardi added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa didnt apply for Tuesdays payout, either, but his spokesman Daniel Kurzyna said he plans to do so at the August meeting. Sliwa received $168,889 in the fundraising period, $105,103 of which came from outside New York City. His donors include Scott Lobaido, a conservative artist and activist who chipped in $2,100, and Republican Councilman David Carr, who gave $250. Adams latest fundraising filing wasnt made available Tuesday as his campaign didnt submit it before the boards final upload in the early evening. The CFBs board meetings are typically dry, pro forma affairs. But before Schaffer started reading his statement about denying Adams funds, the meeting was disrupted by a small group of protesters angry about the CFBs flubbed rollout of its 2025 primary elections voter guide, which included a number of errors, resulting in the board having to spend millions of dollars to correct the pamphlet and mail out new ones to city residents. Seven million dollars down the drain, the protesters shouted before being escorted out of the room. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Several communities across the Mid-South are turning their attention to trash concerns. Many people in Memphis are reporting issues with 311 and on-time debris pickup. Just over the bridge in Earle, Arkansas, is a push from city leaders when it comes to fighting blight. Last month, there was a clean-up campaign in the Crittenden County community. Mayor Jaylen Smith sent more than 100 certified letters to owners of troubled properties that were becoming eyesores in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earle, AR focuses on economic growth amid blight issues On Monday, Mayor Smith called a special meeting with the city council to discuss new changes regarding how trash pickup will be handled moving forward. Starting on July 21, he says, during regular trash collection, trash not placed in bags will not be collected. He also reminded residents of city ordinances, stating there will be fines if they do not bring their garbage bins off the street after pickup within three days. Mayor Smith is now working with county, state, and federal agencies to transform the trajectory of the city. You know, I always say only Earle can save Earle. No one else can say the city of Earle, he said. In order to attract people, you have to have cleanliness. You can have your houses up, you have clean lots. And so were trying to do that. But we cant do that alone as a city. I dont have the staff as far as my public works, but Ill have five employees to really, help the entire city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ordinances are listed below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. CHICAGO (WGN) Tuesday marked one year since the start of a program designed to cut down on gun violence in Chicago. City officials held a meeting with Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Groups at Farragut Career Academy in Little Village, where they announced data and statistics collected from a program known as Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago (SC2). According to CPD crime data, several crime statistics have experienced a notable drop year over year through mid-July. Shootings in the city are down 39%. The number of shooting victims is down 40%. Gun violence deaths are down 32%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shootings and homicides are down 80% since last year in Little Village, said Matt DeMateo, CEO of New Life Centers of Chicagoland. SC2 was announced in February 2024 during a meeting for CVI groups at the South Shore Center. Since its official implementation in July 2024, the program has expanded into eight Chicago neighborhoods based on gun violence statistics, with CVI groups now doing similar work in 27 different neighborhoods across Chicago. A growing body of research is showing us that we do make a difference with individuals, said Susan Lee, Executive Director of SC2. Public and private entities have come together to fund the program, with upwards of $400 million being put toward SC2 in hopes of reducing the citys gun violence problems. How does SC2 work? A central point of SC2 and other programs like it is the use of peacekeepers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peacekeepers are community members who are trained in violence intervention strategies and tactics found useful in trying to de-escalate situations where gun violence is likely to occur. Its about getting them to put down their guns, get some treatment, go back to school and get a job, DeMateo said. Carlos Robinson is one of those community members recruited to be a peacekeeper. Robinson told WGN-TV he served time in prison when he was younger, and these days, he wants to help forge a new path toward peace in the neighborhoods where he and those he cares about live. Its important because I dont want to keep seeing Black on Black crime, Robinson said. I dont want to see these kids going through what we went through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who work to train peacekeepers said the programs that train them are worthy of expansion too. You need lived experience so they understand the challenges that individuals in the community face, said Domonique McCord, Chief Program Officer of the Metropolitan Peace Initiative. They know what it means to want to live a dignified life and recover from the things that people judge you by. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) Lafayette Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet has been selected for the ninth class of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, joining 47 mayors from 17 countries for an intensive executive management training program designed to strengthen city halls and improve quality of life for residents. Its an honor to represent Lafayette in a program designed to help cities lead smarter, plan better and deliver results that improve lives, said Boulet. Were working every day to build a government that is responsive, resilient, and prepared for the future. The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative was established by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard Business School as a first-of-its-kind program to help close the executive development gap in the public sector. It provides mayors and senior municipal leaders with the tools, data and global best practices needed to solve complex local challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program is housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University and includes nine months of classroom, virtual and field-based training led by Harvard faculty and global experts. The curriculum helps cities strengthen decision-making, data use, cross-sector collaboration and performance. Two senior members of the Boulet Administration will also begin their participation in the program this August. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest The four-day kickoff session is being held in New York City and features instruction from world-renowned leaders in government innovation and management. Since its launch in 2017, the Initiative has served 359 mayors and more than 635 senior officials in 41 countries. Notable alumni include the mayors of Charleston, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, San Antonio and Shreveport, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full list of participating cities and more information about the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative are available here. Courtesy of the Lafayette Consolidated Government Latest news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is at stake as the Trump administration threatens federal funding from cities that do not comply with a recent interpretation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In response, Mayor Keith Wilson says Portland has to wrestle with a difficult question due to the citys $387 million in active federal grants that are now at risk. About 90% of these grants support the City of Portlands transportation and housing programs. Cram Fire in Jefferson County prompts Level 3 Go Now evacuations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among these programs under threat is the Albina Vision Trust, which remains in jeopardy following the Trump administrations $450 million funding pullback for the Federal Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program. But those funds would go away if city officials do not agree to certify compliance. If lost, the funds that keep our roads safe and our neighbors housed will be sharply felt, Wilson said in a statement on Monday. The consequences for accepting grants without compliance are severe, including the possibility of both civil and criminal penalties against anyone who signs for the funds. The mayors concerns come after Portland City Administrator Michael Jordan laid out the issue in a statement last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like local governments across the United States, Portland is facing challenging decisions about how to respond to the Trump Administrations demands that cities eliminate some policies and programs designed to help Portlanders who are people of color, women, and other oppressed groups overcome hundreds of years of systemic discrimination, Jordan said. In response, city leaders are now looking at viable paths forward for securing those funds as Portland enters a new fiscal year and federal grant cycle. Though its not entirely clear what decisions will be made and what their effects may be, Jordan and Wilson have promised to remain transparent. There are at least 13 key roles in Portlands Office of Equity and Human Rights. However, the open Chief Equity Officer Position, paying up to $229,000 per year, is now on pause. Become nearly impossible: Beloved Portland restaurant Higgins sends distress signal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Wilsons full statement can be read below: I have difficult news to share. The Trump administration has recently issued a $450 million rescission, or funding pullback, for the Federal Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program. The move impacts the Albina Vision Trust, an ambitious, community-driven initiative to reconnect and rebuild a historically Black neighborhood torn apart by past wrongs. I support Albina Vision Trust as they explore their options amidst this potentially painful setback in our reimagining of the Rose Quarter. The Rose Quarter isnt alonethe federal administration is poised to disrupt years of promising development across Portland as part of a larger federal campaign against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Heres what you need to know: nearly all federal grant funding, including critical funding Portland depends on, requires a certification of compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits race-based discrimination and preferences for any programs that receive federal financial assistance. The City of Portland has $387 million in active Federal grants at risk. The vast majority of locally allocated federal funds go into the Portland Bureau of Transportation and the Portland Housing Bureau. If lost, the funds that keep our roads safe and our neighbors housed will be sharply felt. The consequences for accepting grants without compliance are severe, including the possibility of both civil and criminal penalties against anyone who signs for the funds. This move is already impacting our budget. We have $31 million in already-awarded funds we cannot receive until we verify compliance. Well continue to fight for our values, and we are actively considering our options. Portland must now wrestle with a difficult question. Weve committed to rejoining neighborhoods, lifting communities, creating opportunity, and righting past wrongs. We must now reevaluate many of our leading initiatives and programs, or forgo the federal funding that makes many critical programs and services possible. We are a better city for our diversity, equity, and inclusion. Weighing yesterdays wrongs against todays very real harms is a difficult task. Together, we must show that our commitment and resilience remain more powerful than any executive order forced upon us from afar, and that our values remain the foundation on which we will repair, restore, and revitalize Portland. Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The sun sets as the Colorado Springs Philharmonic plays at the Ford Amphitheater on the opening night of the new venue. Jul. 14A social media statement posted by Mayor Tim Keller announcing his intention to keep the public better informed about federal immigration enforcement actions prompted an angry reaction Monday from his mayoral opponent, who called the practice "dangerous." Keller announced Friday that the public can call the Albuquerque Police Department "to verify if federal immigration agents are operating in our city." APD followed up the announcement by issuing a statement saying the federal officials have agreed to share more information with police about immigration operations in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Darren White, who opposes Keller in the Nov. 4 mayoral contest, responded by asking U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Ryan Ellison to investigate whether the city's initiative violates federal law. Disclosing information about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations could endanger federal agents and the public, White contends. "I'm very concerned about the police department establishing some type of a tip line for people to call to verify whether (ICE) is working in certain neighborhoods," White said Monday in a phone interview. "You are providing information about legitimate law enforcement operations," he said. "That could be dangerous." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White, a former secretary of the state Department of Public Safety and Bernalillo County sheriff, was responding to a message posted Friday on Keller's Facebook page saying that the public now can call APD to learn about federal immigration raids in the city. Keller's statement said that APD is taking steps "to bring more clarity around immigration enforcement. That's why we've created a new way to verify if federal immigration agents are operating in our city," the post said. "You can now call APD." APD issued a statement Monday clarifying that the public can call 242-COPS APD's non-emergency number to inquire about "a specific presence in the city and whether that is an ICE operation." "Our dispatchers can call ICE and verify whether that is the case, and the dispatcher can relay that verification to the caller," APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said in the statement. "We will not know or pass along any operational details to members of the public." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The process is similar to that used in SWAT activations in the city, Gallegos said. "Darren White should be asked to be specific about why he thinks an open line of communication would endanger law enforcement and the public," the statement said. "As it stands, it sounds like he is promoting secrecy and keeping the public in the dark about what's happening in their own community." APD Chief Harold Medina said in a statement issued Friday that he has communicated with Homeland Security Investigations, which oversees ICE, about public concerns. "While APD does not enforce federal immigration laws, Chief Medina emphasized to federal law enforcement leaders that there must be more transparency around their operations in Albuquerque," the statement said. "As a result, federal officials have agreed to share information with APD when people have questions about operations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medina also said that federal agents must wear markings identifying themselves as law enforcement officials. "APD is not in the business of immigration enforcement," Chief Medina said in the statement. "At the same time, I want to keep lines of communication open to avoid misunderstandings. We want the community to be safe and trust that we are looking out for them." In a letter to the U.S. Attorney's Office, White said that the city's action "creates a dangerous situation" for federal officials and the public. "It risks compromising sensitive operations, places federal personnel in imminent danger, and could even endanger the public," White wrote. "Moreover, this policy may have the unintended effect of aiding illegal immigrants, involved in criminal activity, who are actively attempting to evade lawful apprehension." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White also called on Albuquerque officials to reestablish access for federal officials at the city's Prisoner Transport Center at Fourth and Roma NW to check on the immigration status of people arrested by APD. "We just let (federal officials) set up a laptop and they could check people who were coming in," White said of the former practice, which ended sometime after Keller was elected mayor. "Some of these people are being charged with very serious felony crimes, violent crimes. It makes no sense to me that we wouldn't want ICE to apprehend them and have them deported once they serve their sentence." APD officials responded Monday that ICE officials rarely used their access to the Prisoner Transport Center when it was available to them. "Medina said he recalls that ICE had a desk in the (Prisoner Transport Center) several years ago under a different administration, but rarely staffed it," Gallegos said in the statement. "ICE currently does not have access to the Prisoner Transport Center, where we are focused on arresting and booking people who break local and state criminal laws." MBTA commuter rail service disrupted after teen crashes Tesla into train Service on an MBTA commuter rail line was disrupted on Tuesday afternoon after a teenager crashed an electric vehicle into a train, officials said. The driver of a Tesla drove around closed crossing gates and struck a commuter rail train on Summer Street in Hingham around 1:30 p.m., a Keolis spokesperson and the Transit Police Department told Boston 25 News. A 17-year-old driver of a private motor vehicle intentionally entered into the opposite lane, drove around the safety devices, and drove into the side of an oncoming MBTA commuter rail train, Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver, whose name hasnt been released, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. It wasnt immediately clear if they would face charges. As a result of the crash, Keolis said service on the Greenbush Line was temporarily replaced by shuttle buses between East Weymouth and Greenbush stations. Video from the scene showed the smashed-up Tesla stopped near the tracks as investigators searched the vehicle. The crossing gates and warning system were functioning as intended at the time, Keolis confirmed in a statement. The Tesla was later towed away from the scene. An investigation is ongoing. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW NEED TO KNOW Afeni Badu Muhammad, 26, was charged with first-degree murder after being accused of fatally stabbing her manager at McDonald's, Jennifer Harris A drive-thru customer attempted to stop the attack by firing at Muhammad Muhammad's bond was set at $25 million A 26-year-old woman from Michigan is accused of fatally stabbing her manager at McDonalds after she was told to leave her shift early following an argument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Afeni Badu Muhammad, of Eastpointe, Michigan, was arraigned on July 11 and charged with first-degree premeditated murder and a carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, according to a statement from the Macomb County Prosecutors Office. On the morning of July 11, prosecutors say, Harris sent Muhammad home before her shift ended; Muhammad allegedly later returned to the McDonalds through the employee entrance, wearing a mask, and stabbed Harris multiple times, per the prosecutors office statement. Prosecutors said a customer at the drive-through window then tried to stop the stabbing by shooting his legal weapon through the window, but Muhammad was allegedly able to escape to her car. The customer followed her and held her at gunpoint until police arrived. Harris, the McDonalds manager, was 39 years old and a mother of six, according to the prosecutors office. She had worked at McDonald's for 15 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is deeply troubling that we continue to see violence used as a response to conflict, the prosecutors office wrote in their statement. How have we reached a point where, for some, the solution to a disagreement or problem is to pick up a weapon instead of finding a way to resolve differences peacefully? Hundreds of people gathered outside of the McDonalds on Monday afternoon to release balloons in honor of Harris, CBS News reported. It hurts so bad that my mama is not here, Harris daughter, Anttenisha Griffin, told the outlet. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. A GoFundMe was started by Divine Restoration Ministries in Detroit, in partnership with Harris family, to provide support for her six children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through this fund, Jennifers legacy of strength, compassion, and dedication will continue to guide and uplift her children, the GoFundMe post read. Resources from the trust will be used to support their educational journeys from early learning through higher education as well as their overall well-being and personal development as they grow into adulthood. Muhammads bond was set at $25 million and she is set to be brought before a judge on July 23. Read the original article on People The Brief Jennifer Harris, a single mom of 6, was killed last week at the Eastpointe McDonald's. Authorities said Harris sent an employee home for not doing her job duties and that worker returned and killed the 39-year-old woman. A vigil is being held Monday evening and the McDonald's franchise owner is paying for her funeral. EASTPOINTE, Mich. (FOX 2) - Jennifer Harris, the Eastpointe McDonald's manager who was allegedly stabbed to death by an employee she sent home, is being remembered for her dedication to her six kids and her job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The single mom of six was killed last week at the McDonald's on 9 Mile after she sent an employee home for not performing job duties. The backstory According to investigators, 26-year-old Ifeni Muhammad was sent home Thursday morning for not performing her work duties. A few minutes later, authorities said she came back with a knife and stabbed Harris to death. Muhammad was held at gunpoint by a customer who was in the drive-through and intervened by firing a single shot. She then tried to flee the scene, but the customer chased after her and held her at gunpoint before police arrived. Muhammad was arraigned last week and held on a $25 million bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 39-year-old Harris left behind six kids. What they're saying Monday evening, a vigil is being held to honor Harris at the McDonald's where she worked. Her family members are there, as is franchise owner Yusef Alcodray, along with Eastpointe Mayor Michael Klinefelt, and Dr. Tenisia Evans, Senior Pastor of Divine Restoration Ministries. "We are devastated by this senseless tragedy and are standing with the family and community to grieve and heal," said Alcodray. "This vigil is about honoring a life lost too soon and showing Jennifers family they are not alone." Alcodray is paying for Harris' funeral and is working with Divine Restoration Ministries to establish the Jennifer Harris Legacy Fund to help her six children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A GoFundMe has been established where donations are being collected. Dig deeper Judge Kathleen Galen gave Muhammad a $25 million cash bond after considering her a high flight risk and a danger to the community. According to witnesses, when she arrived at the restaurant, she wore a mask and assaulted the manager. One person who saw the assault told FOX 2 on Thursday she knew who the individual was based on her hands. Her defense attorney said she was a high school graduate who was taking online classes for physical therapy. What's next The preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 30 while Muhammad's probable cause conference is July 23. The Source Details from previous stories on FOX 2 Detroit were used in this report. FOX 2's Camille Amiri spoke with family members and supporters on Monday, July 14. (NewsNation) With outbreaks of previously eradicated measles leading the news for months, more epidemics may be in store for the U.S. As vaccination rates among children continue to plummet, concerns are rising over the potential for infectious disease to spread rampantly in the coming years and decades. Research published in JAMA suggests a continued decline could lead to millions of infections from diseases currently considered under control or eradicated. Moderna gets full FDA approval for kids COVID-19 vaccine Measles: Worst year in decades; Schumer responds The impact of declining vaccination rates is already becoming visible. As of the middle of 2025, the U.S. is having the worst year for measles in over three decades. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported 1,288 confirmed cases in 38 states as of July 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asking him to declare a health emergency over the recent measles outbreaks. RFK Jr. adviser denies being anti-vaccine, cites career developing vaccines Schumer blamed the administration for the worst measles outbreak in 33 years, citing cuts to disease experts, halted grants and politicized vaccine policy. To prevent this historic record high spread from reaching further and to save lives, you should immediately declare a Public Health Emergency for measles, said Schumer. If vaccination rates continue at the same pace, researchers predict 851,300 cases of measles over the next 25 years. Additionally, if rates were to fall by even 10% cases would shoot up to 11.1 million over the next 25 years. Rubella: Pregnant women at risk Rubella, or German measles, is another previously eradicated disease in the U.S. that could see heightened levels of infection if vaccination rates remain the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New CDC vaccine panel bans thimerosal-based flu shots According to the World Health Organization, before the introduction of the vaccine, up to 4 babies in every 1,000 births were born with rubella. The condition remains the leading cause of vaccine-preventable birth defects worldwide. Pregnant women are unable to get the vaccine because it contains the live virus. So, as community immunity weakens, the risk of rubella resurging grows, placing unborn children and expectant mothers in preventable danger. Polio could return Polio, a disease that once paralyzed and killed thousands of children across the U.S., could also reemerge if vaccination rates continue to fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 50% of Americans disapprove of RFK Jr.s vaccine panel decisions Though declared eliminated in the country in 1979, the virus still exists in parts of the world and can be reintroduced through international travel. With polio vaccination rates declining in 30 states, the risk of outbreaks grows, potentially leading to thousands of cases in the coming decades. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Michigan Economic Development Corporation in Lansing. | Photo by Jon King Updated at 9:11 a.m. July 15. An attorney representing the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on Monday appealed an Oakland County judges decision to let the state retain evidence taken during a June raid, which sought information on a controversial $20 million grant. Gerald Gleeson of Miller Canfield, representing the MEDC in the fight over documents seized by the Michigan Department of Attorney General last month, filed the appeal on Monday afternoon. Oakland County District Court Judge James Brady gave the MEDC until Friday, July 11 to notify the attorney generals office that it would be seeking an appeal, which it did on Friday before filing an appeal Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Attorney General executed the search warrant after it claimed in court that MEDC stonewalled an ongoing investigation into Global Link International and its owner, businesswoman Fay Beydoun. No charges have been filed against Beydoun, but it is alleged that Beydoun may have misused funds from a legislative grant issued in 2022. The department of attorney general also raided Beydouns residence on June 18, in addition to its search warrant executed on the agencys offices. Court documents indicating that the appeal had been filed were provided to Michigan Advance on Monday, but the documents do not include a motion or a brief explaining the MEDCs arguments as to why the attorney generals office should not keep the seized documents. The agency in court earlier this month told Brady that it believed many of the seized documents were protected under attorney-client privilege and must be returned. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of Bradys original July order denying the MEDCs motion to quash the search warrant executed on MEDCs Lansing office was that the attorney general could begin reviewing the documents for privilege through the use of an independent taint team. Brady gave the MEDC until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 11 to determine whether it would file a claim of appeal before the office could commence reviewing three boxes of documents and an MEDC laptop. In the days leading up to the July 11 deadline, MEDC was silent on whether it would seek an appeal. The MEDC, through Gleeson, filed a claim of appeal on Monday afternoon. Court documents also show that the appeal was served to the attorney generals office Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Otie McKinley, spokesperson for the MEDC, asserted that the economic development arm of Gov. Gretchen Whitmers administration has been cooperating with Attorney General Dana Nessel and her team as they continue to investigate Global Link. McKinley also noted that the grant to Global Link with the amount, the recipient and the disbursement schedule set forth in past budget boilerplate language was appropriated by the Michigan Legislature and not MEDC alone. MEDC strives to administer these pass-through grants in such a way that we can appropriately balance clear legislative intent with stewardship of tax dollars, McKinley said. That continues to be our guiding principle. On the materials seized, McKinley said the MEDC still holds that Nessels office took privileged materials without any allegations of wrongdoing on the part of the agency, and that the office had stated in court that the MEDC was not a suspect or under investigation in the Beydoun matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This sets a dangerous precedent for attorney and client relationships with implications significantly broader than this specific case, McKinley said. Even as this appeal moves forward, we continue to cooperate with the Attorney Generals office on their investigation into Global Link. This story was updated to clarify the timeline of the appeal process. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) With questions remaining about how many people will be affected by Medicaid cuts, a representative of Nevadas smallest hospitals sees some good news. The doomsday that would have come with a major change to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) has been avoided, Blayne Osborn, president of Nevada Rural Hospital Partners told 8 News Now. That change would have presented a state budget nightmare for Nevada, historically one of the states with the highest rates of people with no health insurance. FMAP determines how much the federal government pays for the cost of Medicaid patients care. It varies by state, but it is capped at 83%. In Nevada, recent data shows the federal government paid $4.3 billion of a total $5.6 billion, or about 77%. On a May 2025 fact sheet, the Kaiser Family Foundation reports that 738,000 children and adults are enrolled in Nevada Medicaid. About 40% are children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State health officials focused on a change to FMAP when they were asked to predict a worst-case scenario for the Legislature in March, but the cuts took a different form in the reconciliation bill the Big, Beautiful Bill passed in Washington, D.C., on July 1. Certainly not anywhere near as bad as what we were anticipating or what was potentially being talked about earlier this year, Osborn said. But there are still many unknowns. Osborn said its too early to tell how many people will lose Medicaid coverage or feel an impact in some other way. There are moving pieces in the puzzle, and deadlines that kick in across a span of years. That means mid-term elections and actions in the Nevada Legislature could play some role in changes for hospitals and patients. Blayne Osborn, president of Nevada Rural Hospital Partners. (KLAS) A big factor will be work requirements that will take effect at the end of 2026. To qualify for Medicaid, a person will be required to work 80 hours per month. Some exemptions are allowed, including school and volunteer work. The work requirement applies to able-bodied 19- to 64-year-olds, an expansion that changes the age range to include older workers. People who are unable to work because of special needs, such as a disability, arent going to be disenrolled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaiser estimates that a third of Nevada adults on Medicaid are not working. So what is that going to do? Weve seen a lot of projections that put about 100,000 Nevadans who are current Medicaid recipients. Thats the projection that would be taken off those Medicaid rolls if and when work requirements go into effect, Osborn said. That, I think, may be overstated a little bit, he said. Democratic Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto has said 114,000 people will lose Medicaid. She has also warned that the cuts will have a ripple effect that will raise insurance premiums. Another area that is expected to affect rural hospitals is funding from a program that was put in place just two years ago. The Nevada Private Hospital Assessment & Payment Program provided significant funding when it was implemented in 2023. Osborn said 49 of the 50 states rely on programs like this for additional funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a provider tax that critics say is used by states to receive federal matching funds without spending any of their own money. The reconciliation bill puts restrictions on states use of that tactic. Nevada law excludes illegal immigrants from receiving Medicaid, and a tighter federal limit that applies to legal immigrants will kick in starting Oct. 1, 2026. That change will restrict the definition of qualified immigrants rather than each state having a different rule. Osborn said theres potentially some relief in the bill that could make a big difference for rural hospitals. Theres a part of the bill that includes a brand new rural transformation fund, where Congress has set aside about $50 billion over five years to be distributed we think equally across all 50 states, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is a provision that Senate Republicans included, recognizing that some of the cuts to Medicaid in the bill would put rural hospitals in a precarious position. And so, that is their attempt to offset some of those losses or costs there, Osborn said. The task ahead involves sorting through the cuts and how officials can adjust to provide the best care possible for Nevadans. In June, weeks before the final version of the bill was passed, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and three other Democratic senators sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Republican leaders predicting the impact of Medicaid cuts on rural hospitals. The letter identified 338 rural hospitals that could close because Medicaid changes made them unprofitable. Two Nevada Northern Nevada hospitals were on that list: Battle Mountain General Hospital and Humboldt General Hospital in Winnemucca. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Osborn said state officials reviewed the report, and there were questions about the methodology used. Democrats spotlighted hospitals that were in the top 10% Medicaid payer mix of rural hospitals nationwide and had a negative profit margin in each of the past three years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. (COLORADO) Non-emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) provider MedRide has reached a settlement agreement with the State of Colorado after having its Medicaid contract terminated in February. The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) said MedRide can now continue serving Medicaid patients, but only if the company meets state-outlined requirements. This includes employing a compliance officer to ensure MedRide follows regulations. We are pleased to have reached this agreement so both MedRide and HCPF can focus our time and resources on providing safe, affordable transportation services to eligible Colorado Medicaid members, said Medicaid Director, Adela Flores-Brennan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE: MedRide contract terminated The company was originally accused of failing to complete required criminal background checks for more than 200 drivers. Also among the reasons for the termination was MedRides alleged failure to ensure proper safety inspections and registrations for vehicles used to transport Health First Colorado members. The conditions of the settlement stipulate that MedRide must: Maintain all required documentation to achieve successful credentials that verify driver and vehicle safety and fitness prior to transporting Health First Colorado members Create and administer a driver training program to ensure compliance with the Medicaid NEMT program Reinforce processes to ensure that the customer is eligible for Medicaid coverage and that the trip is eligible for Medicaid NEMT reimbursement Employ a compliance officer to ensure MedRide operates in compliance with regulations and guidance intended to protect members Contract with a third-party auditor to screen MedRides claims to ensure completion and compliance prior to submission for reimbursement Limit the number of rides MedRide can provide to Medicaid members until program compliance is established and maintained Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The settlement agreement was effective June 10, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and former Russian president, has responded to US President Donald Trump's ultimatum to impose tough sanctions against Russia if no peace agreement is reached within 50 days. Source: Medvedev on X (Twitter) Details: Medvedev believes that Trump has issued a "theatrical ultimatum" to the Kremlin. "The world shuddered, awaiting the consequences. Militant Europe was disappointed. Russia was indifferent," he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to this, in June, Medvedev was criticised by Trump, who expressed dissatisfaction with a comment about nuclear weapons in Iran. There, Trump said, "Did I hear Former President Medvedev, from Russia, casually throwing around the N word (Nuclear!), and saying that he and other Countries would supply Nuclear Warheads to Iran?" In response, Medvedev began to justify himself, saying that he condemns the US strike on Iran, but Russia does not intend to supply nuclear weapons to Iran. Background: On 14 July, US President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Russia's actions and said that the United States would impose tough sanctions on Russia if no peace agreement was reached within 50 days. The US president confirmed that he intends to send various types of weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot missiles, which will be fully paid for. On Monday 14 July, Donald Trump announced an agreement between the US and NATO under which European allies will pay for the supply of American weapons to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Commentators Megyn Kelly and Ben Shapiro sparred on Monday over Jeffrey Epsteins files and theories regarding his death. Kelly said sources have confirmed to her that Epstein did not kill himself but was targeted while working as an agent for the Israeli government, while Shapiro said unnamed whistleblowers were unreliable. I can claim that he was working for a cadre of space aliens who are blackmailing high-profile Americans in order to protect from a future invasion. And theres just about as much evidence for that as many of the claims that were being made on the other side, Shapiro said during a Monday appearance on the Megyn Kelly Show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he said he trusts the findings outlined by Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel released in a memo July 7 declaring there was no evidence to suggest Epstein was killed and ultimately no record of a client list. Kelly pushed back on Shapiros comments, alleging that administration officials didnt directly respond to evidence published by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI. Trump hasnt specifically weighed in on that specific aspect of it. Weve all seen the limited things that Trump has said and tweeted on this. And JD Vance was calling for transparency and suggesting otherwise prior to taking office. He hasnt commented on this so far, so hes not one of your sources, Kelly said. Youve got Kash, youve got Dan [Bongino], and youve got Pam, and weve already discussed that memo in full detail. Im talking about people behind the scenes who, prior to this, to Trump taking office, Im not going to get too specific, but trust me, I have high-level sources who have said they dont believe any of that, any of that, she added, noting that she didnt have the authorization to name her sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Shapiro said instead of being outed, whistleblowers should name themselves, because otherwise they are being complicit in one of the greatest cover-ups in the history of the American republic. Thats easy for you to say, Ben. Thats very easy for you to say, OK, Kelly responded. Because youll have your job, and youll have your millions, no matter what they do. But Shapiro said those who step forward with proof to counter the governments findings would make millions. Megyn, give me a break. If somebody came out today and they were a whistleblower on the greatest scandal in the history of the American republic, they would make more money tomorrow than in their entire life working for the FBI, he said on the Monday show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OK, there are reasons not to cross the people who are in charge and thats all Im going to say, Kelly responded. The pairs conversation represents a broader spectrum of views on the Trump administrations handling of the Epstein files. Some, including Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, have said they will trust the White House at their word, while others, such as Steve Bannon, said the gesture could cost the GOP 40 House seats in the midterm election cycle. But President Trump said he will not allow outside clamor to divide Cabinet members in his administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were on one Team, MAGA, and I dont like whats happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and selfish people are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein, Trump said in a Saturday post on Truth Social. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Several wildfires continue to eat their way through western Colorado's mountainous terrain, with one growing more than 6,000 acres overnight and another crossing over from Utah, according to emergency officials. The scorching weather and "extreme" drought conditions still fan the blazes' flames as firefighters try to navigate steep, jagged terrain and fight back the four wildfires that prompted Gov. Jared Polis to issue a disaster declaration Sunday. More than 50 miles southwest of Grand Junction at Unaweep Canyon, the Turner Gulch fire in Mesa County has grown to 12,488 acres with zero percent containment as of Tuesday, according to government website InciWeb. The fire grew more than 6,000 acres Tuesday evening. "We expect this wildfire to be on the landscape for the foreseeable future," said Jesse McCarty, a spokesperson for Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1, which is leading the operation for the wildfire. Expected storms on Thursday and Friday could produce winds up to 30-40 mph, which McCarty said will make the fire grow more than they'd like. Smoke will be on the landscape for a while, and the winds will likely push the smoke farther east. McCarty said the dry climate has made vegetation in the area "ripe for ignition," a component fire officials said has fed the other three wildfires. On Monday, firefighters made progress in securing a portion of a fire line on the Turner Gulch fire's west side. McCarty said that side is along Colorado 141 and has homes, powerlines and other infrastructure that firefighters are working to protect. Four firefighters from the Colorado Springs Fire Department were deployed to assist in managing the blaze, which was sparked by a lightning strike Thursday. No structures have been lost at this time, McCarty said. On the other side of the canyon, the complex incident management team is assessing the Wright Draw fire, which has grown to 437 acres. Crews are working to keep it on the mesa and to protect "values at risk," which McCarty said are any assets, resources or areas that are in a fire's path. Evacuations for private properties along mile markers 120 and 131 along Colorado 141 are still in place. Evacuees can go to Clifton Community Center. Featured Local Savings "Please make space for firefighters to do their jobs by not going down Highway 141 if you aren't a nearby resident," McCarty said. Farther east, the South Rim fire in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park rages on, growing to 3,988 with zero percent containment since Monday, according to a Tuesday news release from emergency officials. Sparked by lightning strikes that set two areas on fire Thursday, the wildfire was the first of the four to grow to more than 1,000 acres. Incident commanders have not provided estimates for when the South Rim fire could be contained. Aircraft continuously dropped water over the fire's northwest side for five hours Monday, giving fire crews the opportunity to build fire line while air tankers dropped retardant after winds from Sunday pushed the fire west of the northern perimeter. Weather continues to stay in the mid- to high 80s with relative humidity. Afternoon thunderstorm activity accompanied by winds up to 15 mph are expected to make the fire more active. Evacuations remain for the Bostwick Park community in Montrose County. Sowbelly fire The Sowbelly fire, west of Delta and Olathe, has grown slightly to 2,274 acres since Monday, according to fire officials. Similar to the other wildfires, high temperatures, low relative humidity and evening winds have complicated firefighting activities. Smoke from the wildfires are expected to creep into the Colorado Springs area Wednesday as winds pick up and weather conditions remain unstable. Deer Creek fire The Deer Creek fire, west of Montrose County in Utah, grew to 12,905 acres with 7% containment as of Tuesday evening and expanded into Colorado. Officials reported several hotspots with the fire that began Thursday. President Trump moved to a more aggressive footing with Russia on Monday, promising to funnel weapons through NATO allies to Ukraine and threatening to hammer Moscows trading partners with sanctions. Even though there is a lengthy hiatus of 50 days before those sanctions would take effect, its still a notable shift from the president. Trump had long been skeptical of the pace and scale of U.S. aid to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has been only a little more than four months since he and Vice President Vance had a famously fractious meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. In the aftermath of that meeting, where Zelensky was assailed for his supposed ingratitude and the weakness of his bargaining position, it seemed like the choking off of U.S. military aid to Kyiv was near-certain. That, in turn, would make a Russian victory in the war begun by President Vladimir Putins February 2022 invasion equally inevitable. Now, the picture looks very different. Trump for reasons that appear personal as much as strategic has become increasingly irritated with Putins refusal to bring the war to an end. On Monday, meeting at the White House with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump complained that he enjoys very pleasant phone calls with Putin only to see Russian missiles go off that night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The accusation of double-dealing or disingenuousness on the part of Putin has become more of a centerpiece of Trumps rhetoric recently. On Monday, he contended that Putin didnt fool him, even as he held that the Russian leader had pulled the wool over the eyes of past Presidents Biden, Obama and George W. Bush. Just last week, Trump made a similar point in even more pointed terms, saying, We get a lot of bulls thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth. Hes very nice all the time but it turns out to be meaningless. Now, of course, the question is how meaningful Trumps own shift will be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most obviously substantive move is the provision of weapons notably Patriot air defense systems. The deal by which those, and other weapons, will be bought by European NATO members and then transferred on to Ukraine seems to resolve one central tension in the conflict. It enables Trump to vastly reduce the cost to the U.S. Treasury Department and thus to U.S. taxpayers of military aid to Ukraine, while bolstering Ukraines defenses and ameliorating the panic from U.S. allies in Europe that Trumps isolation would invite greater Russian expansionism. Referring to NATO allies, Trump said Monday, We are going to be sending them weapons, and theyre going to be paying for them. Were not buying it, but we will manufacture it, and theyre going to be paying for them. The Wall Street Journal, citing two unnamed sources familiar with the upcoming weapons transfers, reported that the package could be worth about $10 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of State says the United States has provided almost $67 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since Russias invasion. The sanctions element of Mondays proposal was a bit more vague. Trump initially used the word tariffs to describe what he had in mind as a tactic to deepen Russias economic isolation. But it fell to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to clarify that Trump was in fact suggesting the imposition of economic sanctions on Moscows trading partners. Those sanctions are supposedly going to take effect if a peace deal is not arrived at within Trumps 50-day time frame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are a few obvious caveats. The most obvious is whether Trump will follow through given his propensity to move in unpredictable ways. A second is whether Putin would try to persuade the president, during that period, that it is actually Ukraine that is being the more stubborn party. A third mixed signal came even Monday, when Trump appeared lukewarm about the proposed congressional legislation that would ramp up sanctions on Russia directly. Even so, its notable that the more hawkish members of the GOP, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), have been vocally enthusiastic about Trumps apparent shift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are, too, some in Republican circles who believe Trumps instinctive isolationism has been diluted somewhat by the perceived success of the recent U.S. airstrikes against targets in Iran strikes that resulted neither in any casualties for the U.S. nor created any serious danger of getting sucked into a longer war. The American public also seems to have an appetite for tougher economic measures against Russia. An Economist/YouGov poll last month found that 44 percent of Americans surveyed favored increasing sanctions on Russia and 19 percent wanted to maintain sanctions at their current level, while only 15 percent wanted to reduce or eliminate sanctions. Much remains uncertain, including how Putin will react to Mondays announcements. And, of course, the biggest vexing question is how many concessions either Russia or Ukraine are willing to make to end the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump, long derided by critics for his softness on Putin, is this time taking a harder line than he ever has before. The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Memorial grows outside Gabriel House while affected residents moved to nearby assisted living homes A growing memorial now sits outside the Gabriel House in Fall River days after a fire killed 9 peopled and injured 30 others. One person remains in critical condition, according to officials. More than 60 residents were displaced following the raging inferno, and 7 residents are were being assisted and transferred from the Timao Center on Tuesday. Fall River assisted-living home cited for late reports of safety incidents years before deadly fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the phone with that making sure we have their prescriptions, some people we heard, I have a 30 day prescription, its the second day how do I get the other 28. Were doing our best to accommodate all of them, working with our pharmacies and our local providers, that will be our focus, said Mayor Paul Coogan. Flowers and candles sit in front of the Gabriel House assisted living home, where a fire on Sunday killed several people, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi) A lot of prayers, our heart goes out to them more than anybody involved in this, said Coogan. Impossible situation: Fall River chief reflects on response to deadly fire at assisted-living home Robert Albernaz gazed up at the window of the room where he says his 64-year-old brother, Rui Albernaz, lived at Gabriel House. Their family is now planning for funeral services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert says Rui was a light. Its a lot to take in... its a lot to take in, he told Boston 25 News. Mayor Coogan says the city hopes to work with partners on the state level to turn several of the nursing homes who have stepped in to help into long term facilities. Coogan says the city is working on returning personal belongings, medication and keeping health at the forefront. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW LONDON (AP) Men who cut down Englands beloved Sycamore Gap tree sentenced to more than 4 years in prison. LONDON (Reuters) -Two men were each jailed for over four years on Tuesday for cutting down Britain's 'Sycamore Gap' tree, a much-loved and well-known global landmark whose dramatic silhouette had featured in a Hollywood movie. The sycamore, estimated to be almost 200 years old, stood at the centre of a dramatic dip in the landscape alongside the historic Hadrian's Wall in northern England, making it a popular spot for photographers, hikers and even marriage proposals. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were found guilty last month of travelling from their homes in the middle of the night in September 2023 to deliberately cut it down with a chainsaw. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They filmed what prosecutors described as a "moronic mission" on Graham's mobile phone and later bragged about it, before the pair's friendship descended into acrimony as the widespread anger at their actions became clear. Both had denied any involvement in the felling of the tree, which featured in the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and also damaged part of Hadrian's Wall, built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Graham and Carruthers did, however, accept their responsibility when speaking to probation officers, their lawyers said. Carruthers' lawyer Andrew Gurney described it as "drunken stupidity". Sentencing them to four years and three months in prison, Judge Christina Lambert told the men they had cut down the tree out of "sheer bravado". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Trust, a heritage conservation charity which looks after the site, said last August there were signs of life at the base of the tree, giving hope it might live on. Last week, the Northumberland National Park said the largest part of the tree would go on display in an installation located not far from where it once stood. (Reporting by Michael Holden and Sam Tobin; Editing by Sachin Ravikumar) London Two British men were sentenced to more than four years in prison on Tuesday for cutting down one of the most iconic trees in England, the Sycamore Gap Tree. The pair were found guilty in May of what a judge called a "deliberate and mindless" act of felling the tree as an apparent joke. Justice Christina Lambert sentenced both Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers to four years and three months in prison during a hearing at the Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday. The tree stood for nearly 200 years in a picturesque valley in northern England, right next to the remnants of Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The stone wall was constructed by Britain's Roman occupiers almost 2,000 years ago as a defensive structure, and the portion of the wall where the tree stood featured in a scene of the 1991 Hollywood blockbuster "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," with Kevin Costner, bringing the bucolic spot and the grand tree some degree of international fame. A jury at the same court had convicted the former friends on two counts each of criminal damage for their 2023 nighttime felling of the tree, for damaging both the sycamore maple tree and the Roman wall. They had faced a possible maximum sentence of 10 years in jail. The Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian's Wall was chopped down overnight on September 28, 2023. / Credit: Jeff Mitchell/Getty Reacting to the guilty verdict in May, the National Trust conservation organization said the "needless felling" of the tree had "shocked people around the country and overseas." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was felt particularly deeply here in the northeast of England where the tree was an emblem of the region and the backdrop to many personal memories," said a spokesperson. Prosecutor Richard Wright told the court that the pair drove to the site, near the town of Hexham, in Graham's Range Rover and felled the tree on the night of September 27, 2023, slicing through the trunk with a chainsaw in "a matter of minutes." "Having completed their moronic mission, the pair got back into the Range Rover and traveled back towards Carlisle" where they lived, he said. The pair were jointly charged with causing 622,191 ($832,821) of criminal damage to the tree and 1,144 of damage to Hadrian's Wall, which once stretched across the country from northwest to northeast England. The Sycamore Gap tree near Hadrian's wall is seen before it was chopped down in a The sycamore was a symbol of northeast England and a key attraction photographed by millions of visitors over the years, winning the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year in 2016. Efforts are underway to see if it can be regrown from its stump or seeds. The National Trust, which owns the wall and the tree, said it has grown 49 saplings from the sycamore's seeds, which will be planted this winter at sites across the U.K. A section of the trunk that's over six feet long now forms the centerpiece of an art installation on permanent display at a visitor center near to where the Sycamore Gap Tree stood. People can see and touch part of the trunk, and "can once again gather, sit, and reflect," according to the visitor center. Trump pushes senators to make $9.4 trillion in spending cuts Congressman scolds protester at college antisemitism hearing: "Shut up and get out of here" Mike Waltz questioned about Signal chat scandal during confirmation hearing ENTERPRISE, Miss. (WJTV) Prosecutors said two men, with ties to the Venezuelan organized crime syndicate Tren de Araqua, pled guilty to bank theft in Mississippi. According to court documents, Jesus Rene Cabrera Tobias, 25, and Darwin Javier Delgado, 46, pled guilty after being indicted by a federal grand jury for bank theft. On August 8, 2024, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office said Tobias and Delgado stole $21,500 from an ATM machine in Enterprise by hacking the ATM operating system and disabling the ATM security features by installing a foreign device that allowed them to assume control of the ATM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance footage recovered by FBI on the night of the theft captured Tobias unlock the ATM and open the machine to access the internal system that controlled the ATM operating system and security features. The footage showed that after manipulating the ATM, Tobias returned to their vehicle and retrieved a small electronic device to install within the ATM. Body of man wanted in Mississippi triple shooting found near scene After a brief period of manipulating the ATM, prosecutors said the ATM then emptied by continuously producing United States currency from the cash tray. Tobias collected the cash as it was disbursed from the ATM and transferred it to another individual in the vehicle. Investigators identified the suspect vehicle and its owner through the surveillance footage. The registered owner of the vehicle was Delgado. Surveillance footage from a nearby store captured Tobias and Delgado traveling in the suspect vehicle and shopping within the store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vehicle was stopped the next day in Texas by officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Delgado and Cabrera were found in the vehicle and arrested. Tobias is scheduled to be sentenced on September 10, 2025. Delgado is scheduled to be sentenced on October 7, 2025. They both face a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment followed by possible deportation. The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Clarke County Sheriffs Office, Meridian Police Department, Decatur Police Department, Enterprise Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Bavarian Premier Markus Soder on Tuesday welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to a session of the Bavarian Cabinet held on the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. The visit to Garmisch-Partenkirchen marks the start of Merz's tour of Germany's 16 states. The conservative politician was sworn in as chancellor in May. Bavarian mountain rifle companies, wearing traditional green costumes and hats adorned with flowers, greeted Merz at the base station of the Zugspitze cable car - complete with ceremonial rifle salutes fired into the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a group photo with Cabinet members, Merz and Soder took the gondola up to the 2,962-meter summit, where they were welcomed by a performance from a troupe of Bavarian Schuhplattler dancers. In the high-energy traditional folk dance, performers rhythmically slap their thighs, knees, and soles of their shoes with their hands. Before the Cabinet meeting, Soder announced that, alongside ceremonial gifts, the Bavarians also had several demands for the chancellor, including on matters of energy, technology, and rail and transport links. Conservative-led Bavaria is the largest German state by area and home to major companies like BMW and Siemens, giving it political clout and a key role in shaping industrial policy. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged the European Union to suspend implementation of a global minimum corporate tax, arguing the plan is no longer viable without US participation. Speaking after a meeting with Bavaria's state Cabinet atop the Zugspitze mountain, Germany's highest peak, Merz said that continuing with the 15% minimum tax in Europe would put the continents economy at a disadvantage. "The Americans have withdrawn, and this concept no longer has a future," Merz said, adding that the federal government in Berlin would now take up the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 15% minimum tax is part of a global corporate tax reform endorsed by around 140 countries after years of talks. The aim is to ensure big companies pay a fairer share of tax. The tax, which is at various stages of implementation depending on the country, hits multinational companies with annual revenues over 750 million ($871 million), regardless of where their profits are generated. The policy's future was thrown into doubt after President Donald Trump declared it unenforceable in the United States. Washington has argued that the global agreement infringes on its fiscal sovereignty. A recent G7 compromise allows US companies to be exempt from the global minimum tax as long as they remain subject to a domestic US tax regime. Canada, which holds the G7 presidency, said the deal still represents progress in the fight against profit shifting and tax avoidance. KANSAS CITY, Mo. As of Tuesday morning, the I AM Foundation has $74 in the bank but thats not stopping founder and CEO Elijah Dormeus from moving forward with his mission to help at-risk youth in underserved communities. The I AM Foundation is a non-profit organization setting out to lead, encourage, and motivate students to see themselves as greater than their circumstances. Dormeus started the organization in his hometown of Harlem, New York, where his own childhood experiences fueled his passion to help others succeed. KCMO to decide on $1 million purchase of blighted shopping center Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His journey included attending and graduating from Morehouse College in Atlanta where he continued to grow the I AM Foundation before making a pitstop in Dallas and finally bringing it to Kansas City. Over the years, Dormeus says he fostered relationships with others who also overcame setbacks as they pushed toward realizing their dreams and having a strong sense of identity was the common ground that inspired them to keep going. No matter what community I was in Atlanta, New York, or even Dallas, Texas it was the same message, he said. Every student needed to find their I am.' Dormeus believes students knowing who they are on the inside is the beginning of helping them discover who they want to become and what they want to do with their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers introduce Graham Hoffman Act for crimes against first responders The I AM Foundation offers year-round programming to help students along their journey, but it also helps them navigate hardships that often cause students to lose their way. The organization saves lives with suicide prevention, helps parents of homeless students pay for hotels, feeds kids who dont know when theyll eat again, and provides transportation to get participants to and from events and activities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) A federal operation unfolded across Alabama Tuesday morning, with agents raiding multiple businesses, including at least two restaurants in Lee County, as part of a sweeping investigation into COVID loan fraud, drug trafficking, gun crimes, and immigration violations. At the center of the case is 52-year-old Cesar Campos Reyes, a Lee County man previously wanted by federal authorities. Officials say Reyes is accused of defrauding COVID relief programs and misusing more than $225,000 in funds intended to help small businesses survive the pandemic. Reyes self-surrendered late Tuesday and is now in federal custody. He will likely make his initial appearance in federal court in Montgomery on Wednesday. Reyes was indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts of bank fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to prosecutors, Reyes submitted false information to obtain multiple loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Both were created by the CARES Act to help small businesses stay afloat by covering payroll, rent, and other operating expenses. Authorities say Reyes used the money for unauthorized purposes. Federal agents executed 14 search warrants across Lee, Macon, Elmore, Autauga, Crenshaw, and Baldwin counties. Locally, raids were carried out at El Jefe, a restaurant near the Auburn Mall, and El Patron, located in Tiger Town. Agents also raided residences and properties in Lee and Macon Counties that were affiliated with this case. Officers with ICE, the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals, and several local police departments took part in the operation. During the searches, agents recovered distribution quantities of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, assorted pills, more than $100,000 in cash, and at least 20 firearms. Authorities say more than 40 individuals believed to be in the U.S. illegally were also detained and are now undergoing deportation proceedings. Investigators could not say if the 40 or more individuals were involved in the alleged criminal enterprise or workers who were performing their duties at the time of the raids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three people were taken into federal custody. Two are expected to be charged with harboring undocumented individuals, and one is being charged with drug distribution. More arrests and charges are expected as the investigation continues. Outside El Jefe, community members gathered to watch the raids. Mary Jo Thompson, a local advocate with Indivisible Auburn, shared her emotional reaction as she watched agents move in. Im shaking. My hearts broken, Thompson said. You see this happening everywhere else, but now its here in our own community. Thompson said she and others had heard something was coming and were checking on local businesses and families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are not the bad guys. These are not rapists. These are not the drug cartels, she said, holding back tears. These are families trying to live the American dream. Their kids go to school with our kids. We eat here. We are friends. These are kind people. The charges against Reyes are part of a broader federal initiative called Operation Take Back America, which aims to dismantle criminal networks involved in fraud, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration. If convicted on all counts, Reyes faces up to 30 years in prison and large fines. There is no parole in the federal system. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle R. Turner and John J. Geer, III. Watch the full press conference where authorities explain the execution of the search warrants below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled on Monday that sex offenders in New Mexico are not automatically off the hook if the parole board misses deadlines for parole hearings. Two sex offenders had insisted that they be let off parole, because the state failed to hold mandatory hearings on their status. Both sex offenders had served their sentences and were out on parole. New Mexico Supreme Court Rule of Law Program is headed to Farmington The state was supposed to hold a hearing five years after they were released to determine if they could be let off parole, but more than a decade passed without the parole board holding a hearing. The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that the delay did not give the convicts the automatic right to be let off supervision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Michael Bernard Bell is scheduled to be executed Tuesday, July 15, for the 1993 revenge killings of 23-year-old Jimmy West and 18-year-old Tamecka Smith, gunned down outside a Jacksonville bar during a violent rampage with an AK-47 assault rifle. Bell's execution by lethal injection will mark the 50th carried out in Duval County since 1924. His execution will also mark the eighth in Florida this year, which has only happened twice in the last five decades: in 1984 and 2014. How many inmates has Florida executed? Since 1924, the state has executed 309 inmates. In 2025, Florida is on pace to tie the record for most executions in the state for one calendar year eight in 1984 and 2014. How does Florida execute people? Gov. Ron DeSantis ramped up the number of Florida executions in 2025 with seven murderers already executed and two more death row inmates, including Bell, scheduled to die in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida also recently added new options for methods of execution that take effect for death warrants signed after July 1. What methods of execution are used in Florida? Florida uses two methods of execution today: lethal injection and electrocution, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. The choice is up to the inmate. "Both Florida and Tennessee explicitly authorize lethal injection and electrocution, but state that, if those methods are found unconstitutional, prisoners may be executed by any constitutional method of execution," the Death Penalty Information Center said. However, as of July 1, a new law makes it legal for Florida to use firing squads, hanging, and nitrogen gas as methods of execution. What's the main method of execution in the US? Hanging, electrocution, gas chamber, firing squad, and lethal injection have been the main methods of execution in the United States, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sixth and newest method officially adopted by the U.S. is nitrogen hypoxia. "The Supreme Court has never found a method of execution to be unconstitutional, though some methods have been declared unconstitutional by state courts," the organization said. Lethal injection is the preferred means of execution in all states, although drug manufacturers resist providing the drugs needed. For that reason, "some states now allow the use of alternative methods if lethal injection cannot be performed." What to know about the death penalty in Florida Capital felony convictions are eligible for the death penalty in Florida. A judge can impose a death sentence after at least 8 of 12 jurors recommend it. Florida allows lethal injections as an alternative to the electric chair; this was implemented in January 2000. Executions are carried out in the execution chamber located at Florida State Prison in Raiford. Death row inmates can request a last meal. The food must be purchased locally and cant exceed $40. The executioner is a private citizen who is paid $150 and can remain anonymous. What does HB 903 Corrections do? The bill from Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, passed by the legislature and signed in to law this eyar, allows the state to use any method of execution at all provided it has not been deemed unconstitutional if: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Electrocution or lethal injection are found to be unconstitutional, or The acquisition of chemicals necessary for lethal injection becomes impossible or impractical Several states have turned to using nitrogen gas as access to the drugs required for lethal injections has become limited. Some pharmaceutical companies have either stopped production or refused to provide them for executions. While the new Florida law doesn't include the words "firing squad," "hanging," or "nitrogen" anywhere in its text, any of them or other methods would be allowed under state law. A similar Senate bill, SB 1604, specified that alternative methods may not be deemed unconstitutional or "cruel and unusual." That language does not appear in the new Florida law. How does lethal injection work? According to Death Penalty Florida authorizes lethal injection, threedrug protocol (Etomidate, Rocuronium bromide, Potassium acetate). In one-drug executions, the prisoner is given a large dose of pentobarbital, which causes death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In multi-drug executions, the process starts with a sedative. In January 2017, Florida abandoned its use of midazolam as the first drug in its three-drug protocol and replaced it with etomidate, to make the prisoner unconscious. A second drug, usually rocuronium bromide, is then used to paralyze the body and stop breathing. The final drug, potassium acetate, stops the heart. Death results from an anesthetic overdose and respiratory and cardiac arrest while the condemned person is unconscious. Who administers the lethal injection? The executioner is a private citizen who is paid $150 per execution. State law allows for his or her identity to remain anonymous. How does execution by nitrogen gas work? Under a nitrogen gas execution, the inmate is forced to breathe pure nitrogen, resulting in suffocation by nitrogen hypoxia as the inmate's brain and body are deprived of oxygen, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Execution by nitrogen gas was legal in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Arkansas made it legal in March and the legislatures of Ohio and Nebraska reintroduced similar legislation this year. How does firing squad work? According to Death Penalty, the prisoner is typically bound to a chair with leather straps across his waist and head, in front of an oval-shaped canvas wall. The chair is surrounded by sandbags to absorb the prisoners blood. A black hood is pulled over the prisoners head. A doctor locates the prisoners heart with a stethoscope and pins a circular white cloth target over it. Standing in an enclosure 20 feet away, five shooters are armed with .30 caliber rifles loaded with single rounds. One of the shooters is given blank rounds. Each of the shooters aims his rifle through a slot in the canvas and fires at the prisoner. The prisoner dies as a result of blood loss caused by rupture of the heart or a large blood vessel, or tearing of the lungs. The person shot loses consciousness when shock causes a fall in the supply of blood to the brain. If the shooters miss the heart, by accident or intention, the prisoner bleeds to death slowly. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Michael Bell's Florida execution: How lethal injection works Michael Kirk, who has died aged 87, was a leading figure in the refined and tradition-bound world of English boarding schools. Between 1983 and 1995 Kirk was headmaster of the Royal Hospital School (RHS), at Holbrook, near Ipswich a school with strong naval traditions which, on his foundations, has achieved an international reputation. During his 12 transformative years at the RHS he oversaw the construction of the Prince of Wales block, which included a new library, staff common room, and six classrooms. His proudest achievement was the introduction of co-education, along with the meticulous building alterations this required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He expanded the design and technology department to incorporate art and home economics, and he significantly upgraded the boarding houses. These ambitious projects were achieved through two five-year plans. Kirk with Queen Elizabeth in 1994 when she reviewed the whole school drawn up in divisions to mark the 300th anniversary of the founding of Greenwich Hospital, the schools parent charity Ever self-effacing, Kirk believed the next phase should be left to a new headmaster with fresh ideas and energy. Born in Grappenhall, Cheshire, on January 25 1938, Michael Allen Barker Kirk attended Malvern College as a boarder. His National Service (195658) was spent with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, serving as a highly efficient education officer in Malaya, where he achieved the rank of lieutenant. Inspired by his father, who had helped to design the floating Mulberry harbours developed by the Admiralty for use on the beaches of Normandy in June 1944, young Kirk read engineering at Clare College, Cambridge (1958-61). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it was in teaching, and in mathematics in particular, that he found his calling. After a year at the family-run Ramillies Hall prep school, he joined Stowe School, where he taught for 15 years, the last six as housemaster of Walpole. Among his notable pupils were the business magnate Sir Richard Branson, whom Michael Kirk reputedly advised to forgo university, and the future Admiral Sir George Michael Zambellas, whose naval career he followed and encouraged with pride. Revisiting Walpole House, Stowe, where he was housemaster Mike was endlessly supportive of all his pupils, and particularly kind to my brother and me, in loco parentis whilst my parents were in Rhodesia, Zambellas recalled. He enjoyed my technical inquisitiveness, driving my home-built racing kart round the house with gusto. Kirk later served on the Admiralty Interview Board, central to the officer selection process for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went on to be headmaster of Gordons School in Woking from 1978 to 1983; while there he gained a BA (Open) in mathematics and music and developed a lifelong interest in the life and legacy of Major-General Chinese Gordon, before moving to the RHS. While at RHS, Kirk was part-time chairman of the Boarding Schools Association, and from 1996 to 1998 served as its secretary. Boarding schools, he believed, needed the BSA to have a more coherent voice, and he became that voice; he also promoted proper training and accreditation for those in pastoral roles in boarding schools. By the sea in North Wales In retirement, Kirk turned with the same quiet but unwavering dedication to his many passions: he read and reread with equal gusto the novels of Anthony Trollope and Patrick OBrian, sang in the choir, played the bassoon in chamber groups and orchestras, visited family in Australia, walked in Snowdonia and collected vintage cars. Kirks legacy lies not only in the buildings he helped to shape or the institutions he guided, but in the countless lives he quietly influenced, students, colleagues, and friends alike. He combined intellectual rigour with human warmth, a deep sense of duty and a quiet sense of humour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who knew him speak of a man who led by example, who believed in the capacity of education to shape character as well as intellect, and one who listened more than he spoke. In the end, it was this rare blend of gentleness, principle, and quiet resolve that made him so admired and loved. In 1962 he married Margaret Dawson, who survives him with their two painter daughters, and a son who is a specialist in drone camera work. Michael Kirk, born January 25 1938, died July 6 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Federal agents descend July 7 on MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. (J.W. Hendricks for CalMatters) An effort is being co-led by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to urge passage of legislation that seeks to generally prohibit federal immigration agents from wearing masks to conceal their identity and requiring them to show their identification and agency-identifying insignia. The coalition of 21 attorneys general sent a letter Tuesday to members of Congress, expressing concern over escalating incidents involving masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers dressed in plainclothes and driving unmarked vehicles detaining people on streets and at homes, workplaces, and courthouses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have watched these detentions with alarm, as the imagery evokes comparisons to repressive tactics that have no place in a free country, the letter says. ICE officers now routine practice of carrying out arrests in public spaces through masked agents who do not identify themselves as law enforcement has the effect of terrorizing communities rather than protecting them. The legislation the coalition is supporting includes the Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement, or VISIBLE, Act of 2025, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin. In a video, Nessel addressed the dangers of immigration enforcement being conducted by agents without identification. Weve already seen cases where bad actors are simulating this behavior to apprehend whomever they want and its only a matter of time before an officer is seriously hurt by a good guy attempting to stop what appears to be a kidnapping right before their own eyes, Nessel said. In a press release, Nessel also noted that the current ICE tactics contradict Michigans resisting and obstructing statute, in which a person is only guilty of those crimes if they knew, or had reason to know, that the individual issuing a command was a police officer. Similarly, officers executing home search warrants are typically required to announce their presence to prevent unnecessary escalation and ensure the safety of both citizens and law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the coalition acknowledged that there may be certain limited instances in which it might be appropriate for federal agents to conceal their identities, they warn in the letter that widespread, unchecked use of masks and plainclothes enforcement undermines democratic principles, erodes public trust, and invites civil rights abuses. Joining Attorney General Nessel in signing the letter were the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. This article was originally published by Michigan Advance, a part of States Newsroom. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Brief The Michigan Department of Natural Resource's annual land auction is set up with hundreds of properties available. They include lakefront and riverfront property, an island, and massive tracts of remote land up for grabs. The auction takes place throughout August and the beginning September. (FOX 2) - Who wants to own an island in Michigan? Among the hundreds of parcels of land available for auction listed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is a tiny plot less than an acre big, right splat in the middle of a Genesee County lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are some rules around the land, just like all that's available to purchase. The DNR Land Auction Big picture view Every year, the DNR lists land for auction with a staggered schedule of when it is available for bidding. Lakefront and riverfront property are sometimes the most desired. But others can be dozens of acres big. Everything up for grabs was selected by the DNR after deeming they don't fit the department's mission of "conservation, recreation and economic development." "Before parcels ever get to public auction a management tool the department has used for several decades weve already evaluated all other options, whether its a land exchange for land thats a better fit, or perhaps a situation where it makes more sense for another governmental agency or conservation group to hold the property," said Scott Whitcomb, director of DNR's office of public lands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some of the highlights of the land up for grabs: Waterfront, lakefront, and Islands for auction Frontage on Long Lake: A 12-acre plot of land worth $63,000 in Barry County, located in Hope Township, is available. It includes 20 feet of shoreline property along Long Lake. Described as "an irregularly-shaped vacant 12-acre parcel" with two private landowners as neighbors. It's located along M-43 and S Shore Drive. Find it under Lot # 10048. Frontage on Long Lake. Lot # 10048. Island in Genesee County In the middle of Ponemah Lake, located in Fenton Township is a small slice of land less than an acre big. It's approximately. 3.5 miles northwest of Fenton, Michigan. While the parcel of land is zoned for a single family home, it's too small to legally build on the lot. That means no building structures on the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidding starts at $3,750 under Lot # 10049. An island containing 0.7 acres of land in the middle of Ponemah Lake. Lot # 10049. 700 feet of frontage on John Ford Lake In Newaygo County is 18 acres of land on John Ford Lake in Brooks Township, which is just north of the Muskegon River. Most of the land available for auction is south of the lake. There is also no legal road access. Bidding starts at $42,000. Look for Lot 10080 for those interested. Waterfront property in Newaygo County. Lot # 10080. Upper Peninsula lakefront land In Gogebic County in the far west end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a 2.1-acre-sized parcel of vacant land on Duck Lake. For those familiar with the area, it's about as remote as one can get without hopping on a boat. It's under lot # 10050. Duck Lake in Gogebic County. Lot # 10050. 80-acre property in Oceana County Another plot of land is 80 acres in Oceana County. Bidding starts at $180,000 on a forested vacant parcel of land near U.S. Forest Service land. It has legal road access on W Jefferson Road, approximately 7.5 miles east of Pentwater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Find it under Lot #10099. Located in Weare Township in Oceana County, these 80 acres is adjacent to US Forest Service land. Thunder Bay River frontage In Montmorency County in Northeast Michigan there is 14.74 acres worth $55,000. It's alongside the Thunder Bay River, which meanders through the region. It includes vacant riverfront property and is T-shaped. Look for lot #10076. A 14-acre-plus, forested parcel in Briley Township, Montmorency County, with approximately 2,000 feet of frontage on the Thunder Bay River. (Title-Check Lot #10076) When can I buy land? There are 11 scheduled auction dates up for grabs. They happen online and feature land parcels by county with the first auction on Aug. 1. Friday, Aug. 1 Kent and Oceana counties. Monday, Aug. 4 Grand Traverse, Lake, Manistee and Wexford counties. Thursday, Aug. 7 Lapeer County. Monday, Aug. 18 Alger, Luce and Schoolcraft counties. Tuesday, Aug. 19 Gogebic and Marquette counties. Thursday, Aug. 21 Washtenaw County. Friday, Aug. 22 Mecosta, Midland and Newaygo counties. Tuesday, Aug. 26 Barry County. Wednesday, Aug. 27 Allegan County. Thursday, Aug. 28 Ogemaw, Missaukee and Montmorency counties. Friday, Sept. 5 Genesee County. How bidding works Those interested in bidding can preregister to get more information about the upcoming schedule by going to tax-sale.info. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Absentee bids can be made up to 30 days before an auction while an interactive portion begins at 10 a.m. on the auction date. Current bids for each parcel will be visible to those looking to purchase. Bids can be posted until 7 p.m. when it closes. Find out more on the DNR's web page here. The Source A press release and auction page from the Department of Natural Resources was cited for this story. The Brief A Chelsea man died after falling off the tailgate of a pickup truck in Jackson County. Police said the victim and two other people were riding on the tailgate in a storage facility when he fell. GRASS LAKE, Mich. (FOX 2) - A man riding on the tailgate of a pickup truck suffered a fatal head injury over the weekend after falling from the vehicle at a Michigan storage facility. Michigan State Police said troops were dispatched around 11:45 p.m. Sunday to Clear Lake Storage in Jackson County's Grass Lake after a 22-year-old Chelsea man fell out of a truck. When troopers arrived, they learned that someone had taken the victim to a hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, a 21-year-old Grass Lake man was driving with two passengers in the cab and three people, including the victim, were riding on the tailgate when the victim fell off and suffered severe head injuries. The victim was pronounced dead at a hospital. An investigation is ongoing. Police said it is unclear if drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash. The Source This information is from Michigan State Police. Surveillance footage of an attempted firebombing of the Dickinson County Republican Party headquarters in Iron Mountain, Mich. The incident allegedly occurred on Saturday, July 12, 2025. | Screenshot An attempted firebombing of the Dickinson County Republican Party headquarters on Saturday has led to the arrest of a 19-year-old Iron Mountain man, who Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad on Tuesday called a liberal Antifa scumbag while reacting to the incident. The Iron Mountain Police Department on Monday said that they arrested Zayn Edward Arcand on charges of arson and manufacturing and possessing a Molotov cocktail after receiving a report of a suspicious person in the area of 617 N. Stevenson Ave., which is the location of the Dickinson GOP headquarters. The caller observed the individual attempting to light a rag sticking out of a glass bottle, then throwing the unlit bottle at the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video surveillance footage of the incident shows that the suspect, later determined to be Arcand, could not get the bottle to light and instead threw it at the building, causing it to shatter. Police identified Arcand, visited his home and interviewed him. He told police that he made the bottles in his driveway and threw them at the building to send a message against corruption, police said in a news release issued Monday. Runestad told Michigan Advance on Tuesday that it was his hope that law enforcement and the courts continue to go after violent offenders with political motives. He also noted that there were two shattered Molotov cocktail devices found at the scene. So often I see them treat them with kid gloves, Runestad said. This kind of violent extremist action has got to be made an example of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On social media, Runestad was less diplomatic with the alleged offender. On Saturday, a liberal Antifa scumbag threw a Molotov cocktail at the Dickinson County Republican County headquarters. Fortunately, the beta scumbag didnt have enough arm strength to get his bomb through the window, he wrote Tuesday on X. The business next door caught the scumbag in the act, and he was arrested and is now facing charges. This is the kind of violence the [political] left is generating across the board with their absolute intolerance of any view that doesnt adhere to their dogma. On Saturday, a liberal Antifa scumbag threw a Molotov cocktail at the Dickinson County Republican County headquarters. Fortunately, the beta scumbag didnt have enough arm strength to get his bomb through the window. The business next door caught the scumbag in the act, and he pic.twitter.com/wjcx0n5vWz Jim Runestad (@RunWithRunestad) July 15, 2025 Runestad also posted surveillance footage of the incident to his X account. The Dickinson County Republican Committee said the attempted attacks folly was due to the incompetence of the suspect and no significant damage was done. We are grateful to God that no one was injured and continue to pray for all involved, the party wrote in a news release issued Sunday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) With Michigan under an air quality alert, health officers are urging residents to be cautious. Smoke from Canadian wildfires has caused the air quality in Michigan to be deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups. 6 News spoke with several people spending time outside today, and an expert about the conditions and their level of concern. Well, being a parent, Im always kind or mindful about those kinds of things, but have I felt any type of difference physically? No, said Crystal Cook. She clarified that she has no underlying health issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ethan Goedee and Matthew Strasberger expressed a similar sentiment. The two were outside today, eating lunch and enjoying the sunshine on the capital lawn. Strasberger did not notice much of a haze, but recalls that Last year when the wildfires were happening, or maybe it was 2 years ago, you know, we were very concerned about the air quality. You know, the smoke, you could see it everywhere. Aaron Ferguson, a member of the climate and tracking unit at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, says when the air quality reaches an unhealthy level, everyone should take precautions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, even if you consider yourself a healthy person. When the air quality reaches that red or that purple levels. Especially, it can affect you. You should reduce the amount of time outdoors. Ferguson says if you must be outside when the air quality reaches red or worse levels, wear an N95 face mask to protect yourself from fine air particles. He added that those most affected by poor air quality include the elderly, children, pregnant people, and those with preexisting health issues. Officials say that if you have underlying health issues, breathing in air particle pollution from wildfire smoke can cause wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. The Druze are a prominent religious community of more than a million people spread across Syria, Lebanon and Israel, who for centuries have sought to preserve a distinct identity. In Syria, Druze fighters have clashed both with neighbouring Bedouin tribes and with forces loyal to the Islamist government, as they have struggled to find their place in the new order ushered in by the December overthrow of longtime president Bashar al-Assad. Israel's bombardment of government forces deployed to the community's Sweida province following the latest unrest has further complicated Druze relations with the ruling Islamists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel says it is acting to protect the minority community, a claim challenged by most Druze outside Israel as well as the Damascus authorities. Here is a brief look at Druze beliefs and history: - Religion and customs - The Druze emerged in Egypt in the early 11th century as a branch of the Ismaili sect of Shiite Islam. They are monotheistic and call themselves "muwahhidun", or unitarians. The sect is highly secretive and includes mystical elements like a belief in reincarnation. It does not allow new converts and marriage outside the community is strongly discouraged. A source familiar with Druze rituals, requesting anonymity to discuss matters considered sensitive, said the faith's emergence was influenced by other religious and philosophical teachings, including those of Greek philosopher Plato. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Druze religious occasions align with those of other Islamic sects. Traditional Druze garb is black, with men wearing white caps or turbans and women covering their heads and part of their faces with a flowing white scarf. - Where are they? - "The Druze don't really recognise borders," said Makram Rabah, assistant professor of history at the American University of Beirut. "You have marriages and you have standing relationships between the Druze across the region," he said, adding that "clerics play a very important role in keeping this relationship alive." Before civil war erupted in Syria in 2011, the community was estimated to number around 700,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to "The Druze Faith" by historian Sami Makarem, Druze have been migrating to southern Syria since the 16th century, to an area now known as Jabal al-Druze, meaning Druze Mountain, in Sweida province. Syria's Druze are now mainly concentrated in their Sweida heartland, as well as nearby Quneitra province, with smaller pockets in the Damascus suburbs, notably Jaramana and Sahnaya, which saw sectarian violence earlier this year. In Lebanon, an estimated 200,000 Druze are concentrated in the mountainous centre as well as in the south near Israel and Syria. In Israel, some 153,000 Druze are Israeli citizens, living mainly in the north. Unlike other Arab Israelis, Druze serve in the Israeli army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, seized from Syria in 1967, more than 22,000 Druze hold permanent resident status. Only around 1,600 have taken up the offer of Israeli citizenship. The rest maintain their Syrian identity. Some Druze from southern Syria have settled in neighbouring Jordan, where the community is estimated to number between 15,000 and 20,000. Two delegations of Syrian Druze clerics have made pilgrimages to a holy site in Israel this year. Outside the Middle East, there is a Druze diaspora, particularly in North America and Australia. Well-known Druze include prominent human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Leading role - Despite their minority status, Druze "have filled an important and sometimes a leading role in the political and social life" of the Middle East, according to historian Makarem. In Syria, Druze Sultan Pasha al-Atrash led a nationalist revolt against the French mandatory power which had established a Druze statelet in southern Syria during the 1920s and 1930s. In Lebanon, Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt played a key role in politics from the 1950s until his assassination in 1977, and his son Walid is a powerful politician. In April, Jumblatt urged Syria's Druze to reject "Israeli interference", after Israel warned the Islamists who ousted Assad against harming the minority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Druze leaders have declared their loyalty to a united Syria, though some have called for international protection. Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif has urged Israel to protect Syria's Druze. Rabah said there was a Druze "power struggle across three states", adding that he believes Syria's community does not aspire to statehood. The Druze largely stayed on the sidelines of the Syrian civil war, focusing on defending their heartland. Most Druze armed groups have yet to reach a settlement with the new authorities. kam-kir/dcp MIDWAY, Ky. (FOX 56) First responders like police have to face a lot of mental trauma on the job, and with Sundays shooting in Lexington, law enforcements mental health is a big topic of discussion. RELATED | Lexington shootings near airport, church leave 3 dead, 3 hospitalized including trooper Dr. Blake Jones is a therapist and co-owner of The Compass Center in Midway. Jones has a lot of experience helping first responders through any emotional and/or mental trials they face on the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This thing that happened the other day is kind of their worst nightmare, Jones said. In Sundays shooting, the department said officers shot Guy House when they caught up to him at Richmond Road Baptist Church after he had already shot four people. While the threat was neutralized, Jones said this is a very last resort decision to make. RELATED | Kentucky State Police to investigate Lexington shootings near airport, church Ive worked with a number of officers that have been involved in officer-involved shootings, and that truly is the very last thing that they want to do. They are trained to try everything else, and then when nothing else works, they have to do what they have to do, Jones said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First responders, like officers, are put in situations that some may never face, and when it comes down to mental health, Jones said its important for them to admit that they need help. Were all humans, and theyre humans doing a job that is hugely difficult. I tell them theyre not robots; were not robots. Were not meant to go through this life just pushing our feelings down, Jones said. RELATED | Police foundation accepting donations to help family of trooper shot near Lexington airport The public can also play a big role by showing support, something that possibly saved a troopers life when witnesses came to help him after he got shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a media conference, Kentucky State Police Sgt. Matt Sudduth said this act likely saved the troopers life. He is in stable condition at a local hospital. He suffered serious injuries and without the assistance of several Good Samaritans, this likely could have been a very life-threatening injury, Sudduth said. Jones said first responders are notorious for putting others above themselves, but hes encouraging them all to serve themselves so they can serve others. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do annual wellness visits with several different agencies. I want the culture of mental health to be talked about in first responder agencies. I dont want it to be a stigma or a bad thing to talk with a counselor. I want that to be a good thing, Jones said. For more information on the Compass Center, visit compasscenterky.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 56 News. Former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is poised to face members of the Senate Tuesday to get the ball rolling on his nomination to represent the U.S. at the United Nations. Waltzs appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee comes months after he exited his job at the White House amid controversy surrounding his role in a Signal group chat with other top administration officials. Waltz is expected to call for reforms at the U.N. and is expected to say that it's time to redirect the organization's focus back to peacekeeping, according to his opening statement shared exclusively with Fox News Digital. Waltz's statement says that the U.S. has footed the bill for missions that have endured for decades, and amount to nation-building rather than peacekeeping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Likewise, Waltz is expected to promise to turn up the heat on countering China and vow to work with the State Department to mitigate Chinese influence. "Countering China is critical," a draft of Waltz's statement says. "Its absurd that the worlds second-largest economy is treated as a developing nation throughout UN agencies that gives China favorable status." Waltz's prepared remarks also urge weeding out "pervasive" antisemitism in the U.N., and claims that the U.N. passed "154 resolutions against Israel versus 71 against all other nations combined." Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Waltz's statement calls for slimming down the U.N. with staff cuts, due to an overlap in missions and "wasteful" resources throughout the U.N.'s more than 80 agencies. "Its worth remembering that, even with cuts, the US is by far the most generous nation in the world," Waltz's draft statement says. Democrats vowed to grill Waltz during his confirmation process in the aftermath of the Atlantic magazines reporting about a Signal group chat that his team had set up to discuss strikes against the Houthis in March. Even so, the tough questioning from Democrats on the so-called "Signalgate" issue isnt expected to derail Waltzs confirmation to the post, given that Republicans hold a 5347 majority in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its all theater you know hes going to get confirmed," a GOP foreign relations source told Fox News Digital. "If Signalgates a big thing against him, it wasnt enough to get anyone else fired or impeached or anything like that." Senate Democrats Predicting Brutal Un Ambassador Confirmation Hearing For Mike Waltz Then-National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, left, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speak as President Donald Trump meets French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24, 2025. Waltz, a former congressman who represented Floridas 6th congressional district, is a retired Army National Guard colonel and former Green Beret. During his time in uniform, he served four deployments to Afghanistan and earned four Bronze Stars the fourth-highest military combat award, issued for heroic service against an armed enemy. Waltz and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth were both entangled in the Signal chat that Waltzs team created where members of the Trump administration discussed strike plans against the Houthis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz in March said he took "full responsibility" for the Signal group chat, and the Trump administration has maintained that no war plans were shared in the chat. The Atlantic published the full exchange of messages, which included certain attack details such as specific aircraft and times of the strikes from Hegseth. On May 1, President Donald Trump announced Waltz's departure from his role as national security advisor and hours later unveiled the former Florida congressmans nomination to represent the U.S. at the U.N. Democrats called for Hegseths resignation as a result of the chat and warned that Waltz would face the heat during the confirmation process for U.N. ambassador. Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois said in a May interview with CBS News that Waltz could count on a "brutal, brutal hearing" from senators, and described his nomination as "failing up." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He's not qualified for the job, just by nature of the fact that he participated in this Signal chain," Duckworth, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CBS News. Duckworth, who served in the Illinois Army National Guard as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot and lost both of her legs during a 2004 deployment to Iraq, told Fox News Digital Monday that Waltz's involvement in the group chat should disqualify him from serving as U.N. ambassador. She also said that every official included in the chat should be fired. "As a retired Soldier, Waltz should have shut the unclassified chain down as soon as he saw Hegseth share such classified information that couldve gotten our pilots killed," Duckworth said in a statement. "Its clear Waltz cannot be trusted to make critical and sensitive national security decisions, and I look forward to pressing him on his conduct and holding him accountable." Next Us National Security Advisor? Here's Whom Trump Might Pick To Replace Waltz Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said that Mike Waltz's involvement in the Signal group chat leak should disqualify him from serving as U.N. ambassador. Duckworth has pinned most of the blame on Hegseth for Signalgate. Prior to Trumps announcement on Waltzs U.N. ambassador nomination, Duckworth said in a May post on X that of "all the idiots in that chat, Hegseth is the biggest security risk of all he leaked the info that put our troops in greater danger." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Waltz and Hegseth, administration officials including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe were part of the group chat. Additionally, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Chris Coons, D-Conn., said that Waltz could brace for a meticulous confirmation hearing before the committees members. "I look forward to a thorough confirmation hearing," Coons said in a post on X in May. A spokesperson for Coons did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Mike Waltz, Other National Security Council Staffers Out In Latest Trump Purge Following Signal Chat Leak Ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Chris Coons, D-Conn., said that Mike Waltz could brace for a meticulous confirmation hearing before the committees members. The GOP foreign relations source described the fallout from Signalgate a "huge nothing burger," and pointed out that Democrats previous efforts to use Signalgate against Waltz and Hegseth have proven unsuccessful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If this was their deathly bullet, it would have killed Hegseth, and it would have killed Waltz, but theyre both left standing," the source told Fox News Digital. A Senate aide told Fox News Digital that while Waltz took the brunt of the blame for Signalgate because his team created the chat, Democrats expected questioning of the group chat during the hearing is actually about finding a new avenue to go after Trump. "I dont think hes the target. Hes just the mechanism to go after the target," the Senate aide said. "At the end of the day, Democrats want to criticize and go after the president, so these guys are just a mechanism to get there." Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have voiced support for Waltz, with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, calling him a "great choice" for the position in a post on X in May. Additionally, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said at the time that the Senate would "for sure" confirm Waltz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Some things I know for sure: the sun rises in the East, sets in the West and Mike Waltz will be confirmed as the next UN Ambassador," Graham said in an X post in May. "He is highly qualified, well-positioned, and will be a strong voice for our nation at the UN." Since Waltzs departure as serving as national security advisor, Rubio has stepped in to fill that role. Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2025. Trump previously nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., to represent the U.S. at the U.N. However, her nomination was pulled in March, and Trump claimed at the time that the House could not give up another Republican seat with its slim 220212 Republican majority. If confirmed as U.N. ambassador, Waltz would be responsible for representing U.S. interests at the U.N.'s New York headquarters, weighing in on resolutions, treaties and other global matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz could not be reached for comment by Fox News Digital. The 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly is scheduled for Sept. 9, providing a window of time for Waltzs nomination to make it through the entire confirmation process beforehand. "The hope is to have him in place before the U.N. General Assembly is in session," the GOP foreign relations source told Fox News Digital. Original article source: Mike Waltz gears up for post-Signalgate brutal grilling from Dems in UN ambassador hearing Donald Trump's former national security adviser Mike Waltz has faced scrutiny from US senators over his role in a sensitive Signal group chat in which officials discussed war plans. Waltz appeared before a hearing on Tuesday seeking Senate confirmation as Trump's nominee for ambassador to the United Nations, following his removal from his former post in May. Under questioning from Democrats, Waltz maintained he did not share classified information in the chat, which accidentally included a journalist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The March incident, which became known as "Signalgate", threw the White House into turmoil and sparked a debate about the administration's cybersecurity. Waltz convened the group chat on Signal that also included Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as several other top administration officials to discuss an imminent strike on the Houthi rebel group in Yemen. The editor-in-chief of the Atlantic magazine, Jeffery Goldberg, was also added to the highly sensitive chat and ultimately reported on his participation, and the chat's contents. Amid the fallout, Waltz appeared on Fox News to take "full responsibility" for building the group chat, adding that it was "embarrassing". Waltz and the White House have maintained no classified information was shared in the chat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz was removed from his post in May by Trump who nominated him for US ambassador to the UN. Despite opposition from some Democrats, he will likely be confirmed since Republicans hold a majority in the US Senate. At the hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, said he hoped to hear Waltz express "regret over sharing what was very sensitive, timely information about a military strike on a commercially available app." Signal was not "an appropriate, secure means of communicating highly sensitive information," Senator Coons said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That engagement was driven by and recommended by the Cyber Security Infrastructure Security Agency, by the Biden administration," Waltz responded. He argued that the use of Signal was "not only authorised" but "highly recommended." "This was demonstrably sensitive information," Senator Coons said, and asked Waltz if he was investigated for the expansion of the Signal group to include a journalist. "The White House conducted an investigation and my understanding is the Department of Defence is still conducting an investigation," Waltz responded. Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, also asked Waltz whether the Pentagon investigations into Secretary Hegseth were ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz responded that he should not, and could not, comment on an ongoing investigation but maintained no classified information was shared. In contrast, Waltz's fellow Republicans on the committee largely avoided the Signal matter, instead focusing on US funding to the United Nations and asking how he would engage with China's rising influence. Senator Rick Scott, a Florida Republican who once served alongside Waltz in the US House of Representatives, called him a "man of integrity, grit, and principle." Waltz's nomination to be the US's lead envoy at the UN comes amid international uncertainty about America's role on the world stage and the strength of its commitments to foreign allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The position would play a key role in representing US interests abroad at a time when the Trump administration has slashed billions in foreign aid and fired thousands of staffers at the State Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID). Senator Mike Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican, asked Waltz about his "commitment to reviewing every dollar going to the UN to ensure our taxpayer dollars are being used wisely." In response, Waltz listed a series of international organisations and projects that he said the US helped fund that he believed deserved review, including several climate-focused entities like the UN Environment Programme, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, and more. "I think it is incumbent on this administration to say, what's it doing, is it making us safer, stronger, and more prosperous, and are we getting enough bang for our buck," Waltz said. Washington Mike Waltz, President Trump's former national security adviser, testified Tuesday at his Senate confirmation hearing to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, where he fielded questions about the administration's foreign policy and his plans for the role if he is confirmed. The hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was the first opportunity for lawmakers to publicly question him about his role in a Signal chat in which top administration officials inadvertently disclosed sensitive details about a military strike in Yemen. In the weeks following the scandal, Democrats said they expected the hearing would be "brutal" for Waltz, but the Signal controversy did not come up until more than an hour into the hearing, which focused mostly on the administration's approach to China, Israel and the work of U.N. agencies around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The role of U.N. ambassador the last of Mr. Trump's Cabinet to be confirmed has been vacant for six months, leaving the U.S. without a top representative on a major world stage as several international crises play out. Waltz is likely to be confirmed, given Republican control of the Senate. Waltz would take the position as Mr. Trump's frustrations increase with Russia over its refusal to end its war in Ukraine and as the U.S. seeks to manage tensions with China and Iran. The hearing Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah introduced Waltz as "one of the most well-qualified U.S. ambassador nominees to the United Nations ever," calling him a "seasoned policy mind" and "skilled negotiator." "With Waltz at the helm, the U.N. will have what I regard as what could and should be its last chance to demonstrate its actual value to the United States," Lee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans used the hearing to criticize the U.N., accusing it of being politicized and working against the U.S. and its allies, despite the U.S. being the largest donor. Earlier this year, Mr. Trump ordered a general review of U.S. funding and involvement in the global body. "You've got a heavy lift here," said Republican Sen. James Risch of Idaho, the chairman of the committee. Waltz agreed that the U.N. needs "major" reform, but said there's "good and meaningful work to be done." "We should have one place in the world where everyone can talk, where China, Russia, Europe, the developing world, can come together and resolve conflicts," he said. "But after 80 years, it's drifted from its core mission of peacemaking." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Democrats argued that a pullback would be at odds with U.S. interests because it would give China more influence. "China is all too eager to take advantage of our disengagement at the U.N. and around the world. And while we may not all like what some U.N. institutions do, if we aren't at the table, we can't influence the agenda," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the top Democrat on the committee. Waltz responded that it was "absolutely critical" for the U.S. to be at the table to counter China's growing influence. Republicans also accused the U.N. of being a "hotbed of antisemitism" and asked Waltz if he would commit to vetoing "one-sided anti-Israel resolutions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Yes, I'll make that commitment," Waltz said. Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware was the first to question Waltz about the Signal scandal, scolding him and the Trump administration for its handling of sensitive details about a military strike. But Waltz maintained that there was no classified information shared in the chat and defended the use of the app as "not only authorized, it's still authorized and highly recommended." Waltz told Coons that no disciplinary action had been taken by the White House, while the Department of Defense is still conducting its investigation. "There's been no consequences, and yet the president continues to denounce those who leak information," Coons said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey called on Waltz to take accountability for the disclosure, telling him that he showed "profound cowardice" in how he handled the incident. "I cannot support your nomination," Booker said. "That's not leadership when you blame people that tell the truth. That's not leadership when you can't say the words, 'I made a mistake. I could have done better. I learned valuable lessons from this experience.' Instead, at a moment where our national security was clearly compromised, you denied, you deflected and then you demeaned and degraded those people who objectively told the truth and criticized your actions." The Signal chat Waltz was ousted as Mr. Trump's national security adviser in May, weeks after the editor in chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed that he had unexpectedly been added to a group chat on the encrypted messaging app by a user with Waltz's name. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive details of an upcoming military operation in the chat, which included others like Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story ricocheted through Washington, with Democratic lawmakers demanding an investigation into why highly sensitive information was being discussed on a commercially available messaging app, rather than secure government channels. Administration officials acknowledged the conversation was "sensitive" but denied that the operational details shared in the chat were classified. Waltz admitted that he created the chat, but denied knowing how Goldberg's contact information got into his phone. Sources previously told CBS News that Waltz's nomination for the ambassador role, a high-profile post in New York, was a last-minute decision by the president, and that the Signal controversy was one of the factors that led to his departure from the National Security Council. On Tuesday, Waltz denied being fired from the national security role and said he was kept on at the White House as an adviser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Trump named Waltz as his national security adviser, a position that does not require Senate confirmation, days after the Florida Republican was reelected to a fourth term in Congress. The pick cut into Republicans' narrow majority in the House and Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, pleaded with Mr. Trump not to poach any more members for administration roles. The slim majority stalled Mr. Trump's first choice for U.N. ambassador, Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York. When nominating Waltz, Mr. Trump said he had asked Stefanik to remain in Congress, where she could help advance his legislative agenda. Trump pushes senators to make $9.4 trillion in spending cuts Waltz faces questions about Signal group chat leak in confirmation hearing for U.N. ambassador Watch: Trump takes questions on Pam Bondi, the Epstein files, inflation, Russia and more Muhammadu Buhari's life tracked the dramatic changes in politics in Nigeria over the last five decades and he was often at the centre of events. The former Nigerian president, who died on Sunday at the age of 82, became the country's military leader after a coup, was imprisoned by a new junta, then reinvented himself decades later to win the presidency in a democratic election. Often pictured in dark glasses or thick, black-framed spectacles, traditional zanna cap and sporting a broad smile, much of Buhari's life was played out in public. [AFP via Getty Images] Buhari - pictured here in 1977 with the then-King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf and Saudi Arabia's Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani in 1977 - began his military career straight out of school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time this picture was taken, Buhari had risen to become a regional military commander. A few years later, in 1983, soldiers overthrew elected President Shehu Shagari. [Sygma via Getty Images] Although Buhari took the role of military ruler, he denied having plotted the coup, saying he was simply installed by senior commanders who needed a figurehead. Other accounts describe Buhari as playing a more active role in the takeover. After two years of iron-fisted rule, characterised by a crusade against corruption and various human rights abuses, Buhari was himself ousted. The new junta placed him under house arrest for three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2003, following decades away from politics, Buhari decided to have another go at leading the country. This time, he bid for the top job through a democratic election - running for the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). [AFP via Getty Images] Here he can be seen on the right, with his running mate Chuba Okadigbo on the left and ANPP chairman Don Etiebet. Buhari was well beaten by Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003, and he made two other unsuccessful runs for the presidency in 2007 and 2011. Despite these failed bids, he accumulated supporters, including disaffected youngsters, with his pledges to fight corruption and insecurity. [AFP via Getty Images] [AFP via Getty Images] [AFP via Getty Images] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [AFP via Getty Images] Buhari was particularly popular in Nigeria's north, the region in which he was born. [AFP via Getty Images] Here, a sign displayed in the city of Kaduna during the 2015 election, tells passers-by that locals will only vote for "Baba [Father]" Buhari. Buhari was eventually elected in 2015, besting incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. He made history, becoming the first ever opposition candidate to win a general election. The historic moment in which Jonathan called Buhari to concede was captured on camera. [Red Media Africa] But after finally taking office, Buhari's first term was rocky. The economy entered a recession for the first time in a decade and security crises piled up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Buhari's wife - pictured below - publicly criticised his administration, the president sparked outrage by saying she belonged to the kitchen. [AFP via Getty Images] Despite the challenges of his first term, Buhari was re-elected in 2019. As the president of one of Africa's largest economies, he travelled the world, attending high-profile summits and meeting his fellow heads of state. [John Stillwell/Getty Images] Buhari was greeted by Queen Elizabeth at a Commonwealth leaders gathering in 2015. [AFP via Getty Images] Earlier in 2015, he was welcomed to the White House by then-US President Barack Obama. [Getty Images] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in 2018, Buhari was the first leader from sub-Saharan Africa to meet President Donald Trump in Washington. [Hindustan Times via Getty Images] In 2015, Buhari travelled to India for an India-Africa summit and was greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following his death at a clinic in London, Buhari is being remembered by some as a man who broke his campaign promises and crushed dissent. By others, as champion of order who tried his best amid a dysfunctional political system. In a tribute to his former rival, Jonathan described Buhari as someone who "was selfless in his commitment to his duty and served the country with character and a deep sense of patriotism". [Reuters] You may also be interested in: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts The Brief A 7-year-old Milwaukee boy's uncle is now charged following his abduction as questions still remain regarding what happened. Many are questioning why it took several hours before an Amber Alert was issued. The boy had been last seen near 61st and Hustis on Friday night before being found on Saturday. MILWAUKEE - A 7-year-old Milwaukee boy's uncle is now charged following his abduction as questions still remain regarding what happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It should be noted that he was not charged with his disappearance. What we know 27-year-old Jamel White is charged with two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety. Prosecutors say he fired shots on Hustis Street on Saturday, July 12, right where the boy was abducted. Jamel White Somebody called 911, and local journalists working in the area told police they also saw him shooting. When the police arrived, they found White. Police say he told them he was scared for his family. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android No one was injured in the shooting. What we don't know A lot of questions remain in the case; the 25-year-old arrested in connection to the kidnapping still hasn't been charged, and Whiles family said they're thankful for his safe return on Saturday, but they also question why it took several hours before an Amber Alert was issued. The backstory Police said the boy was taken at gunpoint outside his home near 61st and Hustis around 7 p.m. on Friday. The Milwaukee Police Department issued a critical missing alert just before 9:30 p.m. Then, hours later, an Amber Alert at midnight. Criminal charges for the 25-year-old have been referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office. Dig deeper Lt. Joshua Hecker of the Kenosha Police Department said while every department is different, they all must go through a similar process in order to meet the criteria for an Amber Alert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From start to finish, from when we first get on scene to the point where we determine there is an Amber Alert required, there can be some delay," Hecker said. "If the officers determine yes this is in fact a serious situation where we may need to get an Amber Alert out to the public those officers would contact a supervisor." SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News He said the supervisor then has to send a form to the hub of Amber Alerts in Wisconsin. What they're saying "Once that communication has been established, then we determine whether or not an Amber Alert, the criteria is met," Hecker said. "If it is, then the Dane County Communications Center will send out that information to the state." Hecker said that although the process can take quite some time, there is a reason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's kind of like the boy cried wolf scenario where we dont want to resort to an Amber Alert every single time we get a phone call theres a missing child," he said. "[t] would negate the entire purpose of the Amber Alert." The Source The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News. The Brief On Wednesday, city council members will review a research presentation about municipal grocery stores. The council is trying to address the problem of food insecurity. As of 2023, the five-mile radius around the Cedar Riverside neighborhood had the highest food insecurity in the nine-county region. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Last November, the Minneapolis City Councils Public Health and Safety committee asked city staff to explore the idea of government-owned grocery stores as a tool to combat the citys problem of food insecurity and food deserts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, on Wednesday, city leaders are prepared to review a research presentation on the subject. Ward 2 council member Robin Wonsley is open to the idea of municipal grocery stores in the city. Wonsley says its clear the private market is not meeting the citys needs. "We want to see what options are ahead of us, and how we can leverage every tool we have at the city to make sure our residents have access to fresh produce," Wonsley said. "The research that we received is very exploratory and provides examples of where other cities have stepped up to provide food resources for their residents where there was an absence of a grocery store; so well learn what other peer cities have done." Minnesota Grocers Association takes a stance Meanwhile, the president of the Minnesota Grocers Association, former Republican state representative Pat Garofalo, is weighing in. "This is the exact opposite of what the city of Minneapolis needs right now," Garofalo said. "They are sending the message that anyone who comes to Minneapolis now has to compete with the government. Its a horrible idea." What they're saying Garofalo says, in an industry with notoriously small profit margins, he is skeptical that government-run stores will be able to succeed, while wary of privately-owned businesses that would have to compete against a publicly subsidized government entity. "I just know that weve seen it from other communities that Ive tried this. This is a bad idea thats going to make the problem worse, not better, and its going to be very expensive," Garofalo said. "Other cities that have done this, the most common outcome is that they dont work, theyre expensive and they close." Minneapolis officials to consider Northside amphitheater plan Tuesday originally appeared on Bring Me The News. A longstanding effort to build an 8,000-seat amphitheater on the riverfront in north Minneapolis could take a major step forward this week. The Business, Housing and Zoning Committee of the Minneapolis City Council will be asked to consider 16 items related to the proposed redevelopment Tuesday, including the authorization of a $12.5 million state grant, the appropriation of funds related to design and construction, and several long-term leases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 1:30 p.m. meeting will include a public hearing, giving the community a chance to share their thoughts on the project with city officials. Ariel rendering of the Community Performing Arts Center at Upper Harbor Terminal via city of Minneapolis. What's included in the Upper Harbor plan? The Upper Harbor Terminal project has been transforming a 53-acre former shipping terminal along the Mississippi River since 2022, following the approval of a concept plan back in 2019. According to the city, the "once-in-a-generation" project aims to create a vibrant new community space with housing, small businesses, a health and wellness hub and a 20-acre regional park surrounding the amphitheater. The amphitheater, known as the Community Performing Arts Center at Upper Harbor, will be managed by First Avenue in partnership with the African American Community Development Corporation and the Minnesota Orchestra. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Jacob Frey has called the project a "game-changer for the Northside." The local partnerships forming around this development project will prove to be good not only for the Northside, but for the entire arts community in Minneapolis leading to a final, community-minded space," Frey stated in 2023. You can watch Tuesday's meeting live here: This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared. The Brief The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled the states new aiding and abetting felony murder statute is constitutional. The law redefines the role of a "major participant" in a murder conspiracy case, allowing for retroactive application for those already convicted. The Scott County Attorneys Office argued the new law was unconstitutional and led to inmates getting out of prison early. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled the states new aiding and abetting felony murder statute is constitutional over the objections of some prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FOX 9 Investigators have been actively tracking the impact of the 2023 law change. The Scott County Attorneys Office had argued the new law, applied retroactively in closed murder cases, was letting criminals out of prison early. Appeals court rules in 2 murder cases What we know In a pair of rulings from the Minnesota Court of Appeals related to the Scott County cases on Monday, the court concluded the states new aiding and abetting felony murder statutes are constitutional when applied retroactively. Both cases involved defendants serving long prison sentences for their roles in felony murder conspiracies. Both men were ultimately re-sentenced on lesser charges in district court after the adoption of the new law in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new statute reserves the most serious charges and penalties for those who are major participants in the murder plot and act with "extreme indifference to human life." Prior to the amendment, the court writes, "a person could be found guilty of aiding and abetting any crime, including felony murder, if the person intentionally aids, advises, hires, counsels, or conspires with or otherwise procures the other to commit the crime." RELATED: New felony murder law in MN reopening old wounds for loved ones New, reduced sentences stand Dig deeper Mondays ruling allowed the newly reduced sentences to stand in both cases under appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the case of Justin Watson, that meant his 216-month prison sentence for aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder in a deadly 2013 Shakopee shooting was reduced to 81 months on a charge of first-degree aggravated robbery. Watson was allowed to leave prison based on the amount of time served when his new sentence was imposed. First life sentence vacated The backstory Rosalyn McDonald-Richards was convicted of aiding and abetting first-degree murder after a customer was killed during a Richfield pawn shop robbery in 2009. Malcolm Cowens, a local boxer, was shot in the back while attempting to flee when the gunman opened fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actual shooter received 33 years in prison as part of a plea deal. But McDonald-Richards was sentenced to life in prison. After the law changed, she successfully petitioned to have her conviction vacated. Hennepin County Chief Judge Kerry Meyer re-sentenced the 72-year-old on lesser charges of robbery and aggravated assault. With credit for time already served, McDonald-Richards walked out of the Shakopee prison in May 2024. "She got re-sentenced for the crime she did actually aid in, instead of being punished for life for something somebody else did," said Pete Johnson, one of two attorneys representing McDonald-Richards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the reduced sentence outraged the Cowens family. "There will be no forgiveness or forgetting," Cowens twin sister Christina Fontanarosa said during last years court hearing. "Rosalyn McDonald-Richards knew what she was doing. This was free will, including the knowledge of firearms and the potential high-risk outcomes." By the numbers At least 11 offenders have had their original sentences vacated under the new law. Anders Erickson represents 10 individuals who have been re-sentenced for lesser crimes, including McDonald-Richards, as well as the two men at the center of Scott Countys appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told FOX 9 Investigators, "The legislative branch has the power to make policy determinations, amend criminal laws and, importantly, apply amendments retroactively. And a county attorneys office must execute the law even if it disagrees with the law." Erickson has championed the new law in how it accounts for individuals who may be less culpable in a murder case and thus, should not have to face the same harsh consequences. "The Legislature made the policy determination that there are Minnesotans who were punished excessively, not for their conduct, but for the conduct of their codefendants," explained Erickson. "And individuals still being punished under the prior law should be held accountable only for their conduct and not the unintended consequences of the conduct of their codefendants." What's next The Scott County Attorneys Office can petition the Minnesota Supreme Court to review the decisions. Hocevar did not respond to the FOX 9 Investigators' request for comment on Monday. READ MORE: Prosecutor fighting new Minnesota law on aiding and abetting murder A missing hiker was found dead Sunday in Sequoia National Park, rangers said Monday. The hiker was identified as 36-year-old Drew Hall of Visalia. Rangers said Hall was active and fit but was hiking in rugged terrain in the Mineral King area of the national park located in Central California. According to rangers, Hall separated from his group earlier Saturday. He planned to meet with the group later in the day but didnt show. Family reported him missing to park rangers on Saturday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Park rangers and agencies searched for Hall on Sunday morning. His body was found below Sawtooth Peak at 3 p.m. by friends and family who were searching the area on foot. Recovery efforts were completed Monday afternoon. Rangers said Sequoia and Kings Canyon emergency personnel have been activated for 60 search and rescue (SAR) incidents this year, five of which occurred over this past weekend. It was the fifth fatality to occur within the parks in 2025. LAWRENCE COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) The Lawrence County sheriff announced a body, believed to be a missing woman from Kansas City, has been found. Lawrence County Sheriff Ryan Everett said authorities have been search for LaDatra Williams for nearly two months. After eight hours of interviewing Charles Matthew Sims on July 14, the sheriff said Sims told investigators that he would lead authorities to Williams. Body of man wanted in Mississippi triple shooting found near scene Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 2:00 p.m. on July 14, Sims, Everett and a deputy sheriff entered a wooded area in the southeastern portion of the county. Sims, who had been in custody since July 11, gave them details and led them to an area where he claimed to have buried Williams. The sheriff said authorities exhumed a shallow grave around 11:30 p.m. and recovered a deceased female. He said DNA testing will be utilized to make a positive identification. LaDatra Williams (Courtesy: Family of LaDatra Williams) Charles Sims (Courtesy: Lawrence County Sheriffs Office) Please remember the Williams family in your prayers as they deal with this senseless tragedy, Everett said. Williams, 26, had been missing since May 20, according to her family. They said she was last seen in Silver Creek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Williams family, she was visiting her husband in the area. At some point during the trip, she stopped responding to calls and messages. The sheriff said Sims was charged with felony for taking a motor vehicle. He is expected to be charged with murder as early as July 17. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. The Mississippi River bridge connecting Lansing, Iowa, with Wisconsin's Crawford County will be demolished this fall, far earlier than initially planned, Iowa Department of Transportation officials announced July 14. The Black Hawk Bridge is a key link for its surrounding communities because it is the only way to cross the river between La Crosse and Prairie du Chien, which are nearly 60 miles apart. Many residents live on one side and work and play on the other. Construction on the Lansing bridge over the Mississippi River is shown from Mount Hosmer in July 2024. Construction began in 2023 on a new bridge just north of the existing one, which was built nearly a century ago and has been deteriorating. The new bridge is not slated to open until 2027. Residents had hoped the existing bridge could stay open until just before the new one was ready for traffic, a goal transportation officials shared when the project began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, residents will likely be without a bridge in the area for more than a year. More: Their towns are connected by an iconic Mississippi River bridge. Its closure has thrown them off balance. More: Iconic Mississippi River bridge connecting Wisconsin, Iowa reopens after three-week closure The bridge's troubles emerged last year, when officials were forced to close the bridge for about two months in February 2024 after two of its support piers shifted. It closed again May 17 when another pier shifted. Project engineers said it was likely construction on the new bridge that caused the shifting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officials reopened the bridge June 9, they acknowledged it would close again so "certain construction activities" on the new bridge could occur. They aimed to push the closure off until after summertime, the region's critical tourism season. In a news release announcing their plans for the bridge's final closure and demolition, officials said the decision came after extensive discussion. "While recognizing the impact to the communities, this plan ensures safety for motorists, construction workers, rail traffic, and Mississippi River traffic," the release said. An exact date for the closure and demolition has not been announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During previous closures, Iowa DOT paid for a water taxi service to shuttle people from one side of the river to another. Officials will explore re-upping the water taxi as well as other options to help people cross the river, according to the release. Residents and business owners on either side of the Mississippi describe the bridge as a lifeline. They previously expressed significant concern that a closure could happen in the winter, when the river freezes and could make a water taxi service difficult or impossible. Laurie Janzen, who runs Lansing Hardware Hank with her husband Dave, said she was still processing the news that the bridge's next closure would be permanent. About half of the hardware store's customers come from across the river. She said she hopes Iowa DOT will set up a car ferry to shuttle people back and forth. Still, she said, she's trying to be optimistic that the communities around the bridge will be able to support each other through what will surely be a difficult time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its going to hurt," Janzen said. "But I think well get through one way or another. About the historic Black Hawk Bridge Long adored for its design, the Black Hawk Bridge is referred to as a "singing bridge" because of its metal grate flooring that makes a humming sound when vehicles drive across it. It also crosses over one of the tightest turns on the entire Mississippi River, which is challenging for barges to navigate, resulting in collisions with the bridge in the past. Its age, narrowness and deteriorating structural condition made it a priority for replacement. The $140 million new bridge will mimic the look of the original bridge, although it will have a concrete deck instead of steel grate flooring. More: Where does the Mississippi River start, where is it deepest, answers to key questions about one of Wisconsin's most important waterways Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madeline Heim covers health and the environment for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at 920-996-7266 or mheim@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mississippi River bridge at Lansing to be demolished this fall JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. The Missouri Attorney General has announced that his office has filed a petition to remove Benton County Treasurer Richard Renno from office due to felony charges against him. According to a Missouri Attorney General press release, Andrew Bailey has filed a petition of quo warranto to immediately remove Renno from office. According to previous Ozarks First coverage, Renno was first charged with attempted enticement of a child and sexual misconduct involving a child under 15 on June 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement first began an investigation into Renno on April 24 following a report made on Aug. 26, 2024. Renno was reported to be using Grindr to speak with a 14-year-old child. He was reported to have sent a nude photo that was sent from his account. Renno later admitted to using the social media application for ten years and had spoken to minors under the age of 18-year-old two or three times. Laclede County sheriff asks public to ID suspects The petition by the Missouri Attorney General outlines gross misconduct and violation of Missouri law that outline Renno as unfit to serve in the public office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When a public official cant even continue to show up for work because they have been arrested for sex crimes, I will take immediate and permanent action, said Attorney General Bailey. Individuals sexually preying on children must be held accountable and removed from public office. The people of Benton County deserve better, and I will use every legal tool at my disposal to hold corrupt officials accountable and restore public trust. Bailey says the Benton County Commission has no authority to remove an elected county treasurer under Missouri law, and the prosecutor could not proceed with a removal due to legal duties. The people of Missouri expect their leaders to serve honorably, said Bailey. There is no place in public service for child sex predators. We will continue to act decisively whenever an elected official abuses their power or abandons their post. Renno is currently scheduled for a hearing on Sept. 22, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Missouri is one of the states most impacted by vandalism on fiber optic cables, telecommunications company Charter Communications said Monday, calling such attacks acts of domestic terrorism. According to a news release, internet and cable provider Spectrum, which is owned by Charter, has seen a 200% yearly increase in felony attacks on its network through July. The Kansas City metro has had several vandalism incidents where Spectrum and Google Fiber lines were cut this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attacks affect many establishments, including local emergency services, cell towers and healthcare facilities. There have been 148 Spectrum outages in Missouri this year, according to the release. Our teams work tirelessly to provide the highest level of service and reliability to our customers and these felony, criminal attacks cause outages that go far beyond the inconvenience of lost connectivity, said Charter executive vice president of field operations Tom Monaghan in the release. This criminal activity must not be allowed to continue, he said. We need the continued support of law enforcement, an increased commitment to prosecuting the criminals behind these attacks and help from the public by reporting suspicious activity when they see it. Last year, there were 5,770 intentional incidents of theft and vandalism between June and December 2024, according to a report from the Internet & Television Association, an industry lobbying group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of those, 305 incidents happened in Missouri and 22 in Kansas during that period. The group blamed the incidents on the rising value of copper as a factor, even in incidents where there is no copper. Damage to these lines can disrupt means of communication for many in our community, Kansas City police spokesperson Sgt. Phil DiMartino said. The consequences go far beyond just the immediate damage it does to the property. Anytime cables are cut, it could affect critical infrastructure such as phone lines, which could be someones only lifeline for emergency services. Often there is an attempt to sell cut cables as scrap metal, DiMartino said. The small return is not worth risking injury, jail time, or even death as a result of one wrong move around the power lines. Detectives are pursuing all leads to hold these offenders accountable. The Federal Bureau of Investigations Kansas City field office is also investigating several incidents of fiber optic line cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement is still trying to determine the facts of these incidents, but the impact on public safety remains the same: disrupting access to emergency services creates potentially life-threatening situations, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus said in a statement. We urge the public to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement regarding these incidents, Cyrus said. Missouri and 27 other states have passed legislation that deems attacks on critical communications infrastructure a felony. Damage to a critical infrastructure facility is a class D felony in Missouri. But Charter called for stronger actions against offenders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [M]ore support is needed both in those states yet to act and in Congress, which needs to make attacks on critical infrastructure a felony crime across the country, the release stated. As these criminals are found and arrested, it is vital that they are prosecuted fully for their crimes that put the public and the country in danger. Stricter penalties are a necessary deterrent to this growing problem. Spectrum is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information related to the attacks that lead to an arrest. Anyone with information can contact Spectrum at 833-404-TIPS (8477) or reach out to local law enforcement. MISSOURI & ILLINOIS Missouris Task Force One has deployed 35 additional members to support ongoing efforts in Texas, following its historic flooding that has claimed over 130 lives. The personnel departed from St. Louis Lambert International Airport this morning, heading to San Antonio, Texas. Upon arrival, the team will rent SUVs and a bus to travel to Kerr County, where they will join the rest of Task Force One. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois has also deployed a search and rescue team to Texas. The Urban Search and Rescue team consists of 39 rescuers from fire departments to assist in ongoing efforts. Their team is expected to remain in Texas for up to 14 days All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. LOUIS Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed several bills into law last week. One you may not have heard a lot about is House Bill 754. The bill establishes the Missouri Electronic Wills and Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act. I think you should be very proud, not only that youre on the cutting edge, I think of this and using technology, but there are so many people that will benefit from it, said Craig Parker, Assistant General Counsel at Trust & Will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Parker says the bill would allow Missourians to securely create, sign and store important documents entirely online, making estate planning convenient. Seventy percent of adults have nothing. They have not even a basic will. And so I think we need to change that, Parker said. And if you look into groups that live in more rural areas, its even worse. And if you look at groups who are minority groups and others, very few of them have any kind of estate planning documents. Starting Aug. 28, Missouri will become the fifth state to offer complete digital estate planning and the 15th to recognize electronic wills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike DiSalvo, founder of Purpose Path Capital, agrees the digital access will help remove geographic barriers but recommends working with a professional to develop your plan. A lot of times we have areas that might be blind spots that we dont even realize we have, DiSalvo said. More information about the bill can be viewed here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Elijah Bluhm got into business early. When he was around 13 years old when other kids are using their money to buy things like bicycles he spent $500 to start his own sales business. Now, Bluhm has started a new business aimed at supporting other new businesses. On April 10, Entrepreneurs of Iowa officially launched. Its actually been something that Id been thinking about starting for a couple of years now, Bluhm said. It wasnt something I wanted to do originally I had a lot of reluctance but a bunch of entrepreneurial friends and clients of mine and colleagues pushed me and encouraged me to do it. Business Bluhm, a 2020 graduate of Osage Community High School, saw opportunity in rural Iowa. ... Serving entrepreneurs that maybe arent Main Street USA, Bluhm said. That maybe dont fit too well in chambers (of commerce), that arent super big businesses. Were talking startups, were talking tech entrepreneurs, solo entrepreneurs, maybe not retail or your typical business venture. I see how theyre underserved in the state of Iowa. Even though were a great state to live in, and were a cheap state to live in, were also a state thats really tough to grow a business in," he said. A lot of Iowa just isnt set up to support those types of businesses." Bluhm once considered moving from his home of Mitchell County to Iowa City. Instead of moving down there or to a larger city outside the state, I thought, Why cant we bring a little bit of that to rural Iowa?' he said. Entrepreneurs of Iowa was in an extensive planning phase. We delayed it, he said. We probably thought too much about it. But then we just pulled the trigger at the launch event in Osage. The organization already has 50 members. Thats just going to continue to grow, Bluhm said. Were going to have hundreds, if not thousands, of Iowa entrepreneurs over time. That comes from helping and servicing our entrepreneurs. Were all benefiting each other. Its a lot. Just in the past 60 days since our launch, our groups been able to what gets measured gets done at monthly member meetings to see what we did last month, and what well do next month, and Entrepreneurs of Iowa has been able to provide around $30,000 worth of services and benefits to its members in those 60 days. Weve launched four businesses in that time. And then we also track $9,000 worth of money exchanged in sales between our members. Starting young Bluhm grew up in Osage. His father was also an entrepreneur. Bluhm is a seventh-generation Iowan. His family founded the small town of Toeterville 20 years after Iowa became a state. I tell people thats probably why I wont be able to move out of here, he said. Its in my DNA to live in Mitchell County and North Iowa. When he was growing up, he either wanted to be the president of the United States or a businessman. His first entrepreneurial experience was when he was around 13. He joined a network marketing company, selling skin care products to women four times his age. That didnt go well, he said. I learned what failure felt like. I also learned how to sell. Its a hard environment to make phone calls, hold meetings and face rejection. A lot of our members are younger entrepreneurs thats a really important part of all this, is being able to deal with rejection and people saying no. I put in every dollar I had at the time. People said, Were going to end up working for you one day. His father was an inspiration. All of my siblings grew up not having a sense of doubt, Bluhm said. My dads probably the biggest factor in why I was able to start and keep going. When Bluhm was 17, he launched a marketing business. I got my first client. I did a $750 website," he said. "My second client was a $5,000 or $6,000 website for a company in Charles City, and then I was off to the races. In high school, Bluhm was part of a program called Iowa BIG, which is now the LEAD program at Osage. I was the first student ever to start their own project through that program, he said. Its programs like that that can really benefit kids, show them whats possible. Its a good steppingstone. Bluhm did not go to college, instead he headed straight into the business world, starting a marketing agency with another Osage graduate, Jacob Potter. It was called 38th Floor Marketing, which later became Edge Digital. They worked together for almost four years. Afterward, Bluhm left to start Entrepreneurs of Iowa. It was great, Bluhm said of Edge Digital. It was a blessing. We were able to work with hundreds of businesses, but its just not something we wanted to keep on doing. Im very passionate about the new stuff Im doing. Im still advising different businesses, but Im no longer officially running the agency. Im a big believer that you cant do multiple things to a very high level. Someone said at one of our events that you have to burn the boats and just move forward. Entrepreneurs Bluhm said that Entrepreneurs of Iowa has hit the ground running since conceived of it two years ago. Ive been really supportive of things in Osage like the Chamber and Economic Development, he said. They do a great job in the areas that they do. One of Entrepreneur of Iowas members is Todd Leet, former president of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce. Its one of the best chambers in the entire country, Bluhm said. Theyve won awards for being the best chamber. Todds a part of it. Hes excited about Entrepreneurs of Iowa. A lot of entrepreneurs around here kind of feel alone, Bluhm said. They dont have what they would have somewhere else. When I find those people, they join ... I want to serve thousands of entrepreneurs across out state. They form an LLC, they open up a bank account, and then their first purchase is they become a member of Entrepreneurs of Iowa." The more members we get, the more benefits we have, the more discounts we can give, its similar to a buy-in group in the circular economy that we create. Our founding teams goals is to create an environment where members are saving money by joining. Its a net positive. Its not a cost. Its already benefiting them immediately. Our goal is to transform the business environment in our state. Its going to take time." BAY VILLAGE, Ohio (WJW) Police were called to a local playground last week after a dispute broke out between parents. According to Bay Village Police, officers were dispatched to Play-in-Bay playground just after 2:30 p.m. on July 7. Popular yogurt recalled; could contain sharp plastic pieces: FDA A woman reported that her 2-year-old child had thrown sand into the air, some of which blew into the face of another child nearby, according to a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reporting mother told officers she was already speaking with her child about the behavior when two other mothers approached and allegedly scolded her, saying she needed to better supervise her child. The woman said she felt insulted by their comments and called police. Mom, 2 kids rescued by jet skiers on Lake Erie Police said the other two women expressed frustration with the incident but did not wish to escalate matters. Officers advised all parties to keep to themselves while their children continued to play. No charges were filed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. UNION, WV (WVNS) As EMS services throughout the Mountain State face financial hardships and the threat of shutting down, one local community realized just how important medical services are. One person injured after reported shooting in Mercer County The people of Union and surrounding areas invested in the new Union Community Volunteer Emergency Medical Response program. A huge Hollowell Grant from out of Lewisburg also helped fund this EMR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklin Campbell is one of the EMTs. He extended his thanks to the local community. First responders have always been big in Union and Monroe County itself in general. They have always tried to do what they could to help out fire departments or EMS, even. So, for this county and this town alone to step up, it just shows how big an EMS company or first responder company is needed in rural areas such as this, said Campbell. Campbell explained one of the ways they help in the event of an emergency. If someone is having chest pain or shortness of breath, they will get a baseline set of vitals for the ambulance that is on its way. This EMR will service Union and the surrounding areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 9 dead in fire at Massachusetts assisted living facility This all began as a collaborative effort between EMT Logan Evans and EMT Seth Havens. Logan Evans is heading up this new service, as well as an EMT. He said that while this EMR is now taking calls they need help. This crew only has 8 people, all of whom are volunteers, who also have full time jobs. [We] get toned out [and] they are coming from wherever the house, here in town, or wherever we are at. [We] come in here to pick up this vehicle or the other vehicle that we have certified through the [West Virginia] state office of EMS to go run the calls. We would love to have more people come out, said Evans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If anyone is interested in signing up, they hold their meetings every Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Union Community Volunteer Fire Department location and the EMR bay next door. Trump threatens severe tariffs on Russia if no Ukraine ceasefire in 50 days They are looking at holding some classes for those interested, but uncertified. Those courses would be offered free of charge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. NORFOLK Last year, Jackie Meeks was in the hospital while her friends and family members worked a lemonade stand to raise money in her honor. This year, the 11-year-old cancer survivor is leading the fundraising charge to help other kids. On Friday, Jackie hosted her own LemonAid stand outside of Childrens Hospital of The Kings Daughters, where she was a patient. She is aiming to beat her loved ones $22,000 in fundraising last year as Team Apple Jackie. She collected over $11,000 in donations on Friday and raised $20,130 by 5:45 p.m. Sunday. Im doing this because I know how the kids feel in there, Jackie said. Ive been in there, and I know they need it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 70 children, on average, are diagnosed with cancer each year at CHKD. Anthem LemonAid is a fundraising campaign supporting CHKDs Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Childrens Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University. Community members, families and organizations sign up online to receive free supplies to host stands where they choose through Aug. 3. Jackie, who lives in Portsmouth, is CHKDs LemonAid ambassador this year. In addition to lemonade, cookies and friendship bracelets, Jackie sold stickers with her softball number: 78. Her friends had displayed her jersey number for their stand last year. After feeling unwell during a softball game, Jackie was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, last July. Following six rounds of chemotherapy, she rang the bell on Nov. 18 to signal she was in remission. A cookie with Jackie Meeks softball number is for sale at her lemonade stand outside Childrens Hospital of The Kings Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 11, 2025. Meeks was playing in a softball game when her parents noticed she was not feeling well. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot) Beaded bracelets are displayed at Jackie Meeks lemonade stand outside Childrens Hospital of The Kings Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 11, 2025. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot) Patrons wait at Jackie Meeks lemonade stand outside Childrens Hospital of The Kings Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 11, 2025. She wanted anyone looking out the window to know she was there for them, Katie Meeks, Jackie Meeks mother, said. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot) Jackie Meeks fills up lemonade orders for customers at her stand outside Childrens Hospital of The Kings Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 11, 2025. Meeks is 8 months cancer-free and hopes to beat her Team Apple Jackie's previous year earnings of $22,000. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot) Show Caption1 of 5Jackie Meeks hands lemonade orders to customers at her stand outside Childrens Hospital of The Kings Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 11, 2025. Over 70 children are diagnosed with cancer in Hampton Roads each year, according to Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at the Childrens Hospital of The Kings Daughters. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)Expand Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the CHKD effort raised roughly $90,000 through around 180 stands, said Lisa Coleman, executive director of The Kings Daughters, the fundraising arm for the hospital system. This year, the goal is $100,000 through more than 200 stands. CHKD is a very special place, and CHKDs cancer center is equally special, Coleman said. Seeing photos of last years stand from her hospital bed played a large role in Jackies decision to run one of her own, mother Katie Meeks said. Being on the outside now and going through all that the communitys support is huge, Meeks added. Meeks said her daughters team of doctors and nurses at CHKD are like family. Inspired by one of her nurses a cancer survivor diagnosed at age 20 Jackie now hopes to become a pediatric oncology nurse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to help other kids who are up there, Jackie said. Hopefully, I work up there, and then I can help them more because I understand how they feel. Maddie Mohamadi, madeleineleila.mohamadi@virginiamedia.com How to help Register to host a LemonAid stand through Aug. 3 to raise money to support childhood cancer treatment programs at give.chkdlemonade.com. The steps of the Maryland State House. (Photo by Danielle E. Gaines/Maryland Matters) Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) has tapped a Republican Carroll County commissioner and former Fort Meade commander to be the next head of the Department of Veterans and Military Families. Ed Rothstein takes over as secretary on Aug. 1 from Acting Secretary Ross Cohen, who has been serving since the May departure of former Secretary Anthony C. Tony Woods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore said in statement announcing the appiontment that Rothstein has dedicated his career to serving this country and the people of Maryland, and that he was honored Rothstein stepped forward to be the next secretary of Veterans and Military Families. Eds track record as a distinguished Army veteran and a devoted public servant demonstrates his commitment to live mission first, people always. During this next critical phase of our work, he will help lead our efforts to build a state that is safer, more affordable, more competitive and one that leaves no one behind. Carroll County Commissioner Ed Rothstein (R) has been tapped to be the states next veterans secretary. (Photo courtesy Carroll County Commission) Moore also thanked Cohen for stepping up to serve as acting secretary during the interim. Cohen is expected to return to his previous role as deputy secretary once Rothstein comes on board, Moore said. Rothsteins appointment drew praise from local and federal officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is a mission-driven strong leader who puts people first over bureaucracy, former U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D) said in a statement. Having served in the military for over 30 years, he knows military life and its impact on families. In my experience he knows how to make the policy and projects to ensure our military and veterans have what they need to lead their best lives. In addition to his assignment as a military intelligence officer, Rothstein served two years as garrison commander at Fort Meade. Ed Rothsteins background to include his service to both this nation and Maryland make him the quintessential secretary to lead DVMF forward, serving Maryland veterans and families, Del. Mike Rogers (D-Anne Arundel) said in a statement. Following his departure from the military, Rothstein was president and CEO of the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation. Later he was the executive director of the BWI Partnership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rothstein was elected to the Carroll County Board of Commissioners in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Carroll County Administrator Roberta Windham praised the appointment in a statement. His dedication to veterans and his passion for service is evident in everything he does. Carroll Countys Commissioners and I wish him all the best in his new role, Windham said. If confirmed by the Senate next year, Rothstein would become Moores second secretary for the agency, after Woods, who left the job in May to take a position with a private-sector technology startup. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The East and West Midlands have officially entered drought, joining the North West and Yorkshire, after yet another hot and dry spell of weather. The Environment Agency announcement follows England's driest start to the year since 1976, leaving many rivers across the Midlands at extremely low levels. Declaring a drought is a public sign that water companies might introduce restrictions on water use if they aren't already in place. That can involve hosepipe bans, which have already started for millions of people in Yorkshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Droughts are driven by natural weather patterns, but climate change and our growing use of water are raising the risks of water shortages, the Environment Agency says. Most of the rest of the England is in a status of prolonged dry weather - the category below drought - except for parts of the South West, East and South East. There are no official droughts in Northern Ireland or Wales, although Mid and South Ceredigion in west Wales is in "developing drought". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scotland does not declare droughts but monitors "water scarcity". Parts of eastern Scotland are in "moderate" scarcity the second most extreme category which means there is "clear" environmental impact. In England there is no single definition of drought, but it is ultimately caused by a prolonged period of low rainfall, which has knock-on effects for nature, agriculture and water supplies. England had its driest spring in more than 100 years, followed by its warmest June on record. Some areas experienced three heatwaves in quick succession in June and July, with the intense warmth drawing more moisture out of the soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So while it may be raining where you live today, it's unlikely to be enough to bring water levels back to normal across the country. The dry conditions can even be seen from space, with much of England much browner than usual. [BBC] That parched ground can have serious impacts on nature and farming. Standhill Farm in Derbyshire has seen the lowest rainfall for a quarter of a century. The farmer, Robert Thornhill, has been taking meticulous readings of precipitation and grass length across his dairy farm for the last 24 years. "It has been by far the driest spring by a long way," says Mr Thornhill. "The first quarter of this year was 50% drier than the next driest measurement I've taken." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Less precipitation means less grass growth," he adds. In fact, there is now so little grass he can only let his 250-strong herd graze overnight, he says. During the day they've been eating silage fermented grass he cut on the farm last year. That would normally be used as winter feed so he's eating into his reserves but at least it means the cows can shelter in a barn out of the sun. But as a result, Mr Thornhill says the milk yield is down almost 10% - a big hit in terms of revenues. 'Deteriorating' conditions The National Drought Group which manages preparations for dry conditions in England met on Tuesday morning and announced that it had "stepped up" its response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said that conditions in the Midlands had deteriorated since early June. The River Derwent in the East Midlands is at its lowest level ever recorded. That river provides water for three million people, though this doesn't mean households will be without water. The National Drought Group is made up of the Environment Agency (EA), government, Met Office, water companies and others. The EA declares droughts in England based on reservoir levels, river flows and how dry the soil is, alongside long-term weather forecasts. England is in a better place than it was in the infamous drought of 1976, which was preceded by a dry 1975. This year, by contrast, was preceded by a wet 2024, which left water levels in a healthier state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in a "reasonable worst-case scenario" - where regions get 80% of their long-term average rainfall - another five regions across central and southern England could enter drought status by September, joining Yorkshire and the North West, according to the EA. Current long-term forecasts suggest roughly normal levels of rainfall over the next few months, however. If further droughts are declared, it does not automatically mean that hosepipe bans will be put in place, but these can often follow. Hosepipe bans have already started for millions of people in Yorkshire. Bans in other regions, such as parts of Kent, Sussex and the Thames region, will come into effect in the second half of the month, but these places are not in drought status at the moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without further "substantial" rain, some water companies may need to implement further drought measures, including more hosepipe bans, according to evidence given to the National Drought Group. The group adds that the public can play an important role by reducing water use in homes and gardens, while water companies need to take action to reduce leaks. "It's about everyone playing a part, whether that's members of the public [or] water companies, everyone working together to deal with this, because we have had one of the driest starts to the year in 50 years," said Water Minister Emma Hardy. Hosepipe bans can often follow official drought declarations [Getty Images] The EA warned last month that England's water supplies could face a shortfall of six billion litres a day by 2055 without dramatic action, driven by rising temperatures, population growth and other factors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Climate change is expected to lead to drier summers on average, while more intense heatwaves mean more water can be lost via evaporation. Map by Jess Carr [BBC] Sign up for our Future Earth newsletter to keep up with the latest climate and environment stories with the BBC's Justin Rowlatt. Outside the UK? Sign up to our international newsletter here. New Mexico issued its K-12 AI guidelines in May, 2025. Agencies in at least 28 states and the District of Columbia have issued guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in K-12 schools. More than half of the states have created school policies to define artificial intelligence, develop best practices for using AI systems and more, according to a report from AI for Education, an advocacy group that provides AI literacy training for educators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexicos Public Education Deaprtment published its K-12 AI guidance in May. Our vision is to bring AI into New Mexico classrooms and to do so in a way that puts students and educators at the center of this digital transformation, PED Secretary Mariana D. Padilla writes in the guides introduction. AI can enrich the learning experience, but it is human oversight, inquiry and reflection that ultimately drive meaningful education. The guide spotlights the Gadsen Independent School District, which it says has adopted AI tools to support teachers with administrative tasks, lesson planning and communication, while also equipping students with valuable skills in utilizing AI ethically and productively. The guide says AI literacy for students K-5 should focus on foundational concepts that include explanations, discussions, simulations and modeling that are online and unplugged,' and then build and grow in complexity for students in grades 6 through 8. AI literacy for high school students should focus on deeper technical understanding, critical evaluation and real-world applications of AI, while encouraging ethical reasoning and innovation. These strategies may prepare students to think critically about AIs role in society and explore its career pathways. Despite efforts by the Trump administration to loosen federal and state AI rules in hopes of boosting innovation, teachers and students need a lot of state-level guidance for navigating the fast-moving technology, said Amanda Bickerstaff, the CEO and co-founder of AI for Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What most people think about when it comes to AI adoption in the schools is academic integrity, she said. One of the biggest concerns that weve seen and one of the reasons why theres been a push towards AI guidance, both at the district and state level is to provide some safety guidelines around responsible use and to create opportunities for people to know what is appropriate. North Carolina, which last year became one of the first states to issue AI guidance for schools, set out to study and define generative artificial intelligence for potential uses in the classroom. The policy also includes resources for students and teachers interested in learning how to interact with AI models successfully. In addition to classroom guidance, some states emphasize ethical considerations for certain AI models. Following Georgias initial framework in January, the state shared additional guidance in June outlining ethical principles educators should consider before adopting the technology. This year, Maine, Missouri, Nevada and New Mexico also released guidelines for AI in schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the absence of regulations at the federal level, states are filling a critical gap, said Maddy Dwyer, a policy analyst for the Equity in Civic Technology team at the Center for Democracy & Technology, a nonprofit working to advance civil rights in the digital age. While most state AI guidance for schools focuses on the potential benefits, risks and need for human oversight, Dwyer wrote in a recent blog post that many of the frameworks are missing out on critical AI topics, such as community engagement and deepfakes, or manipulated photos and videos. I think that states being able to fill the gap that is currently there is a critical piece to making sure that the use of AI is serving kids and their needs, and enhancing their educational experiences rather than detracting from them, she said. Stateline reporter Madyson Fitzgerald can be reached at mfitzgerald@stateline.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Isolated showers and storms have been developing across New Mexico this afternoon. Some of these storms turned severe, dropping hail, heavy rainfall along with damaging winds. A Flash Flood Warning was also issued for the South Fork Burn Scar along with other areas around Ruidoso. These showers and storms will continue through the evening. Flash flooding will remain a concern. Through the middle of the week we will see isolated showers and storms continuing across parts of New Mexico each afternoon and evening. This is due to high pressure sitting over western parts of the state. This will keep the flash flooding threat possible throughout as well. By the second half of the week a more traditional monsoon pattern will set up across the desert southwest. Low pressure to the west, along with high pressure to the east will allow for more tropical moisture to move into New Mexico. This will bring more scattered showers and storms across the state through the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough went on an eight-minute rant against Pro-Trump commentators and social media influencers for dropping their years-long crusade to expose the Epstein Files, now that President Trump has said there is nothing more to the story. The movement that is built on not trusting the government built on building up bulls conspiracy theories about everything, about everything... now were saying I trust the government and I will ask no more I cant even say it I will ask no more questions. It is painful, Scarborough said. More from TheWrap Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: This is a complete and total capitulation on an issue that they claimed to be a moral crusade against a corrupt government cover up thats been going on for years. You can watch his full rant, which starts at about the 5:20 mark below: The MSNBC hosts scathing remarks came after Morning Joe showed conservative commentator Charlie Kirk saying he was done talking about Epstein for the time being and that he was going to trust my friends in the [Trump] Administration on his show on Monday. Epstein had been a hot topic at Kirks Turning Point USA Conference in Florida over the weekend, where commentators like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly shared their thoughts on the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are really only two options, Kelly said on X following her appearance at the conference. 1. Theres no huge undisclosed there there on Epstein, Bondi misled on it (until she didnt) & Trump is quick to forgive a loyal soldier for being desperate to get on TV; or 2. There is a scandal thats being covered up & its at his direction. On Saturday, President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said commentators who were still talking about the Epstein Files, after his administration said there was nothing more to the story a week earlier, were playing into the hands of the anti-MAGA crowd. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and selfish people are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein, the president posted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday morning, Morning Joe played a clip of Fox News host Laura Ingraham saying it was time to move past the story as well. Ingraham, in a clip from her show on Monday night, said conservative commentators were eating their own over Epstein. Scarborough said it was like magic pixie dust had been suddenly sprinkled over all the pro-Trump commentators. Scarborough added that, in the news business, sometimes you get things wrong. He pointed to himself saying President Biden was the best Biden ever, months before dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, as one example. But this aint that, Scarborough said it is a capitulation to what the White House wants to hear. The post Morning Joe Goes on 8-Minute Rant Over MAGAs Epstein Flip-Flop: A Complete and Total Capitulation | Video appeared first on TheWrap. By Leonardo Benassatto and David Latona TORRE PACHECO, Spain (Reuters) -Moroccan community leaders in the Spanish town of Torre Pacheco called for calm following four nights of clashes between North African migrants and the far-right, in some of the worst such unrest in the country in recent times. Police have detained at least 14 people so far over the clashes that flared up on Friday after an attack last week on a local man in his 60s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Far-right groups have called for anti-migrant protests on Tuesday and over 120 Civil Guard officers have been deployed to maintain security in the town, a government spokesperson for the region said. Authorities said three Moroccan citizens suspected of involvement in the assault have been apprehended, including a 19-year-old alleged to be the main perpetrator. He was detained on Monday evening in northern Spain on assault and battery charges. A spokesperson for the central government's office in the Murcia region said none of the suspects lived in Torre Pacheco. After xenophobic messages on social media to "hunt down" residents of North African origin, leaders of the local Moroccan community urged calm and advised younger members to remain in their homes after dozens took to the streets over the weekend and on Monday, clashing with far-right groups and police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We want peace ... We don't want criminals, we don't want violence or people who come from outside to make trouble here," Abdelali, an informal spokesperson for the Moroccan community who has lived in the town for 25 years, told reporters. Police arrested three people overnight after a confrontation with dozens of young men in the San Antonio neighbourhood, home to a majority of the town's first- and second generation migrants who represent nearly a third of the town's population of 40,000, according to local government data. Reuters footage showed some of the protesters, mostly masked, lobbing fireworks at officers clad in riot gear, who responded by firing rubber bullets. HATE CRIMES INVESTIGATION Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spain's top hate crimes prosecutor, Miguel Angel Aguilar, told SER radio on Tuesday that his office was investigating the events in Torre Pacheco, as well as social media messages inciting violence towards migrants. He also confirmed regional prosecutors were looking at statements by the leader of far-right party Vox in Murcia, Jose Angel Antelo, who is accused by Spain's ruling Socialist Party of linking immigration to criminality in speeches, media appearances and posts on X. Late on Monday, the messaging app Telegram shuttered a channel named "DeportThemNowSpain" for "inciting violence". Reuters reviewed dozens of messages in the channel that included expletive-laden calls to attack Moroccans residing in Torre Pacheco or set fire to their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Spanish Interior Ministry said police in Mataro, near Barcelona, had arrested an unnamed leader of supremacist movement "Deport Them Now Europe" suspected of inciting hatred and seized two computers. (Reporting by Leo Benassato and Violeta Santos Moura in Torre Pacheco and David Latona in Madrid; Writing by David Latona; Editing by Andrei Khalip, Alexandra Hudson) CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) Kids and adults are lining up for the latest toy crazethe Labubu. But what exactly is a Labubu? Labubu is a plush toy part of The Monsters collection sold by Pop Mart and has begun to gain popularity in the U.S. They are colorful figures, complete with wide, toothy grins, large eyes, and fuzzy bunny outfits. Who created Labubu? In 2015, Hong Kong-born author and illustrator Kasing Lung began producing a story series known as The Monsters. Those characters are collectively known as The Monsters, but the most prominent is Labubu herself. This image, provided by Pop Mart, shows Labubu, the plush toy from Chinas Pop Mart. (Pop Mart via AP) In 2019, Pop Mart made a deal with Lung to sell figurines from the series. Within the last year, the Labubu franchise gained popularity in the U.S. Revenue from Pop Marts plush toys soared more than 1,200% in 2024, nearly 22% of its overall revenue, according to the companys annual report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part toy, part fashion, the arrival of the viral Labubu was a long time in the making The Labubu dolls are one singular character that has several different versions, including Exciting Macaron, Have a Seat, and Big Into Energy, which feature different color schemes and poses. Based on Google Trends, wildcasino.ag tracked search interest for each state. Most popular Labubu by state The most popular search of Labubu revealed Lychee Berry in 13 states, followed by Toffee in 12 states, including Massachusetts. Most popular Labubu by state (Courtesy: iGaming site wildcasino.ag Pop Mart says its planning multiple new Labubu releases tied to seasonal moments and holidays throughout the rest of the year. There are no Pop Mart locations in Massachusetts; the closest are in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. If you dont have a Pop Mart near you, you can still shop The Monsters online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed to this report. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) Three Bristol, Virginia businesses announced closures within days of each other in mid-July. On Monday, one of those former business owners spoke out on the decision to close their doors. Three Bristol, Va. restaurants have closed or are closing Steven Pierce co-owned Mother Chuckers for almost three years with his best friend, Javon Martin, and son Joshua Pierce. On Thursday, they announced the axe-throwing business would be closing its doors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We still currently have a lot of jobs that we do as well within a community, Steven Pierce said. Its a lot of time consuming that goes into actually [owning] a business that stays operational every single day. Pierce said in addition to the time commitment, economic factors also played a role in the decision to close. Im in a high-yield savings account; Im making 5% and I can invest it and make 9%, it just makes more sense to do it that way, Pierce said. So, its really more about its the opportunity to provide better for our families. Pierce said the building will not sit empty for long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We decided to list for sale, and our real estate agents found somebody that was potentially interested in purchasing it, Pierce said. Then after discussions, basically they just decided that, hey, theyd like to lease it for a year first and then purchase it after that. Employees of the new business told News Channel 11 they could not release any information about the business on Monday. Pierce said he and his business partners will begin looking in the future at other properties to invest back into the community. What were going to be doing in the future, I think, is more of a passive approach where we dont have to handle day-to-day operations, but maybe just sit back and help somebody else invest as were just collecting a little bit of passive income in a way, Pierce said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News Channel 11 did reach out to the owners of two other businesses who announced their closure last week. The owner of Union 41 declined comment, and the owner of French Magnolia said they were not available Monday but will release a statement in the near future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The mother of an 8-year-old boy who was murdered and found in the attic of a northeast Columbus home has changed her plea. NBC4 reports that Lashanda Wilder has pleaded guilty for her role in the murder Martonio Wilder, whose discovery prompted a statewide Amber Alert for his brothers on June 28, 2024. Wilder pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, felonious assault, endangering children, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. However, during a status hearing Tuesday, she changed her plea to guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 40-plus cars broken into outside Columbus hotel A Franklin County Court of Common Pleas judge agreed to a joint recommended sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years after Wilder pleaded guilty to Murder. Wilder also pleaded guilty one count of gross abuse of a corpse and one count theft, for which she received 12 months in prison apiece. All other charges were dismissed and the sentences are to run concurrently. It was Lashanda Wilder, who called 911 on June 28, 2024 to report Martonio missing from her home on Olmstead Avenue. Court records, however, said she became uncooperative with arriving officers and left the scene with her two other children, ages 9 and 3 at the time. Columbus police found the boys body in a garbage bag inside of another sleeping bag cover and hidden in the attic of the Milo-Grogan home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 911 recording uncovered that Wilder said Martonio ran away and that it had happened before. But police found Martonio body at around 6:30 p.m. that evening. According to the Franklin County Coroners Office, Martonio Wilder died from deep neck compression. An Amber Alert was issued a few hours later for the other children, but they were soon located at the home of an acquaintance of Johnna Lowe, who pleaded guilty to murder and gross abuse of a corpse in June 2025. Wilder (left) and Lowe (right) are facing murder charges in the death of 8-year-old Martonio Wilder. The women, who turned themselves in on June 29, 2024 reportedly came up with a plan to say Martonio ran away then waited to call police. The women also admitted to assaulting the boy other times in the past and choking him by the neck. Lowe was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility for parole after 15 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OLIVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) A motorcyclist was taken to the hospital after hitting a deer Tuesday morning in Olive Township, deputies say. It happened just before 6 a.m. on Polk Street near 108th Avenue. The motorcyclist, a 29-year-old man from Holland, was heading east when he hit a deer that was in the road, according to the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office. Deputies say the man suffered injuries to his arms and legs that were not considered life-threatening. He was taken to the hospital to be treated. The crash remains under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Marjorie Taylor Greene says the Trump administrations mishandling of the Jeffrey Epstein files has crossed a red line for even staunch MAGA supporters like herself. Speaking to CNNs Manu Raju on Monday, the Georgia congresswoman admitted the conservative blowback over the FBI and DOJ backflips on Epsteins alleged client list had been pretty big. I have to be honest, Greene said. Its just a red line that it crosses for many people: Jeffrey Epstein is literally the most well-known, convicted pedophile in modern-day history. This is something thats been talked about by many people serving in the administration, myself and many others on the right and the left, of there needing to be transparency of the rich and powerful elites that were in his circle while he was just one of the worst serial abusers of young women. Marjorie Taylor Greene said the blowback against the decision not to release the Epstein files was But Donald Trump has turned nuclear at any mention of his former associate, throwing his support behind Attorney General Pam Bondi, as she tries to shut down the Epstein controversy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi told Fox News in February she was reviewing the client list of the convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. But earlier this month, the FBI and Justice Department released a memo confirming that Epsteins death was by his own hand and that their investigation found no list of his clients existed. That finding has been questioned by many, especially in conservative quarters. This week, Bondi has been in the firing line of a series of high-profile conservatives. Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly posted on X, Im sure its a relief for Pam Bondi to hear the president is still in her corner. Unfortunately, huge swaths of the party are not. She repeatedly misled on Epstein. The Trumps partying with Epstein and his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, at Mar-a-Lago in 2000. / Davidoff Studios Photography / Getty Images FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino had threatened to resign after clashing with Bondi over how she handled the Epstein case. Prior to being appointed to his FBI role, Bongino had spread conspiracy theories about Epstein being murdered and his list of powerful clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the weekend, Trump posted on Truth Social, Were on one Team, MAGA, and I dont like whats happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and selfish people are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. Despite the presidents claims, Greene said the Epstein issue has been very serious for the Trump administration and frustrated conservatives were speaking out about it online. A lot of people in MAGA, they really want to know more information about the people that were involved with Jeffrey Epstein, Greene said. And is there a blackmail list? And theres nothing wrong with people continuing to ask that. The Republican backed up her stance on her X account on Monday: The line is drawn with anyone who abuses children and vulnerable innocent people. When George Santos is going to prison for 7 years but Epstein only served 13 months, our justice system is CORRUPT!!! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Warren Davidson, the Ohio Republican, appeared on CNN on Monday to argue that Epstein had not been acting alone. Davidson, who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, said he wanted prosecutions over the Epstein case. Davidson said, Weve got a long history of things that are public about Jeffrey Epstein and frankly, Ghislaine Maxwell is not in jail for nothing, right? I mean, she was doing some illegal activity and shes in prison for it. He continued, So I think, look, we should have transparency and we should have accountability. And whomever is prosecuted, if you trafficked children, if you were a client of people who were trafficking children, you need to go to jail. When asked if he would want to see Maxwell, Epsteins consort who is serving 20 years in jail on sex trafficking crimes, testify in Congress, which could lead to other potential arrests, Davidson said, Yeah, I mean, I know thats in the news lately. I dont know that we want to chase the headlines or anything, but we do want to follow the money wherever it leads. HUNTINGTON Sidney Strause, a doctoral student in the biomedical research Ph.D. program at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, has been selected to receive the highly competitive Porter Physiology Development Fellowship from the American Physiological Society (APS) for the 2025-26 academic year. The Porter Fellowship is awarded annually to outstanding underrepresented graduate students pursuing full-time study toward a Ph.D. in the physiological sciences. The fellowship aims to encourage diversity in the physiological sciences and to support the academic and professional development of future researchers. This is a well-deserved recognition of Sidneys talent and potential, and a testament to her hard work and dedication at the bench, Sandrine Pierre, Ph.D., professor at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Strauses mentor, said. The Porter Physiology Development Fellowship is one of the most prestigious trainee awards presented by the APS. Throughout its 50-year history, it has recognized 169 underrepresented doctoral students throughout the country, many of whom have achieved the highest levels of success and leadership in professional settings ranging from academia to industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strauses research at Marshall University explores how the cardiac Na+/K+-ATPase a vital membrane protein regulates heart cell metabolism and signaling under stress. Her work aims to uncover new pathways that could inform therapies for heart disease and related conditions. The one-year APS fellowship provides a stipend, research support and professional development opportunities, including attendance at the APS annual meeting and access to mentoring networks within the society. Strause, a Parkersburg, West Virginia, native, said she is beyond grateful for the opportunity to be part of the APS Porter Fellowship community. This fellowship not only supports my research at a critical stage but also opens the door to lasting collaborations with scientists and mentors who are shaping the future of physiology, Strause said. Its a profound honor to represent Marshall, to give back to the scientific community, and to carry forward a shared commitment to improving human health. The American Physiological Society, established in 1887, is one of the oldest and most respected organizations in the biomedical sciences. It supports research and education in physiology and related disciplines. CHATHAM A 10-year contract for Pittsylvania Countys new administrator was crafted to provide stability to the position after a somewhat revolving door in recent years. Its an unusual step that provides Vincent Shorter, who officially stepped into the position July 1, with a lump sum of two years of salary should the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors terminate his employment without cause. His yearly salary is $220,000. Without cause excludes things like willful misconduct, conviction of a felony, violating a rule or law related to the position, or dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation in connection with job duties or the county, according to the contract obtained by the Register & Bee via the Freedom of Information Act. Pittsylvania County hasnt had a full-time administrator since April 2024. Thats when Stuart Turille Jr. suddenly submitted his resignation after only being in the job for a year. Turille took over for former Pittsylvania County Administrator David Smitherman, who was terminated from his position during a reorganizational meeting for supervisors in January 2022. Shorter served as interim county administrator for 10 months from July 2024 through April. This Agreement is drafted by the County with the express intent of providing long-term stability to the position of County Administrator and is to be construed in favor of the County Administrator to that extent, the contract states. Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chair Robert Tucker said he would take the heat for pushing for the 10-year stipulation in the contract that passed with a 6-1 vote last month. Ken Bowman, the supervisor for the Chatham-Blairs District, voted against the motion that appointed Shorter under the terms of the contract during a special-called meeting. Im not in agreement, as you all know, weve discussed this and Ive pointed out some issues in that contract that came to light, Bowman said prior to the vote. Im just not comfortable with that. Tim Dudley, who represents the Staunton River District, also had an issue with the contract. I had talked to Vincent and told him hes got my support, Dudley said at the June 12 meeting. There are some things in the contract that we all stumbled on and had some heartburn, but I do support him. Although not agreeing with the contract, Dudley said he would support Shorter and voted for the motion to name him as the administrator. Tucker explained Thursday evening that any future board can change leadership if new members desire. But I wanted to put teeth in the contract to deter that type of decision, because even though the boards are in control of the county ultimately, supervise the county administrator, he told the newspaper. Boards can make a decision and in four years they are gone, but we still have to have the same continuity within the county. Vic Ingram, who represents the Tunstall District on the board of supervisors, pushed for Shorter to be administrator when he was chair in 2022, but sadly it just didnt work out, he said Thursday. Ingram was pushing for three years of severance instead of just the two in the final contract. But the contract we ended up with and settled on, he was very happy with, Ingram said. And to have him for 10 years, and thats the way we have to look at it, we are just ecstatic. Shorters contract goes through June 30, 2035. His salary will be raised with any cost-of-living adjustment provided to other county workers. Also, the board will review Shorters work annual and may award him a merit-based salary increase over the cost-of-living raise, according to the contract. Shorter receives the same health, dental and vision insurance coverage entitled to other employees. His contract gives him four weeks of paid vacation each year that can be rolled over. He also gets 96 hours of sick time each year that also can be folded into subsquent years. Hell receive credit under the Virginia Retirement System for the 10 months when he was in the interim role. The county will provide Shorter a vehcile for business and incidental personal use, including driving to and from his home. Hell also get things like a cellphone, tablet, laptop and desktop computers. If the board decides to terminate Shorters contract without cause, he will receive a lump payment of two years of salary and benefits. Hell have the option of receiving the lump sum or getting payments over time. He would also be able to keep insurance coverage for a year or be paid the value of the coverage, the contract states. He also would be awarded compensation for unused vacation or sick time in either a lump sum or paid payments. Id say for the last nine of 10 years theres been quite the revolving door, Shorter said of the top leader for the county when asked about his 10-year contract. What Im hoping for is to instill the confidence in the staff that there is going to be some long-term stability. With that kind of stability, he said the county can start making long-term strategic plans. And those are the two greatest benefits Ive been getting feedback from employees, is now we finally have stability, he told the newspaper Thursday. They can kind of not wonder what tomorrow brings type of thing. Also, being in the role for 10 months, he hopes he brings a level of comfort, and the employees know what to expect. So, there are no surprises, I would hope, in their eyes, he said. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) All eyes are on the nations capital after the D.C. Council blocked proposed changes for tipped workers minimum wage. During a meeting on Monday, July 14, councilmembers took the first vote on the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget, which included Initiative 82, a voter-approved ballot measure from 2022 that gradually increases the base minimum wage for tipped workers to the citywide minimum wage of $17.95 per hour. DC Council turns down compromise for Initiative 82 repeal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following months of back and forth on how much restaurant workers should get paid, the Council voted to block the wage increase, leaving the minimum wage for tipped workers at $10. What is the minimum wage in DC? Effective July 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Washington, D.C. increased to $17.95 per hour. The living wage rate also went up 45 cents from $17.50 to $17.95. According to officials, on July 1, 2025, the rate was to increase for all workers, regardless of the size of the employer. But, for tipped employees, the pay rate remained at $10. Officials noted that if an employees hourly tip earnings (averaged weekly), added to the base minimum wage, do not equal the Districts full minimum wage, the employer must pay the difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the minimum wage for tipped workers standing still, the average rent per month in D.C. is about $2,548, according to Zillow, as of July 13. This is about 20.59% higher than the national average. Zillow showed that the average rent in D.C. has increased by about $48 in the last month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A longtime downtown Dayton restaurant/bar has set its final day for normal service, but its not going away entirely. Mudlick Tap House, 135 E. Second St., announced on Facebook that it would be ceasing operation as a normal gastropub after Sunday, July 20. However, the location will continue to be available for private events and parties. The owners of the Mudlick are in the final stages of preparing a new location at 110 W. Franklin St. in Uptown Centerville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Demonstrators in Chapel Hill on Saturday July 12 held a vigil for humanitarian relief in Gaza. (Photo: Ahmed Jallow) With temperatures edging past 90 degrees by midday, faith leaders and community members gathered outside Binkley Baptist Church on Saturday in Chapel Hill, holding signs and silent prayers as part of a statewide solidarity fast to demand humanitarian aid for Gaza. They stood beneath the July sun as an act of moral witness, urging U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis to help ensure aid reaches civilians in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory, where United Nations officials say Israeli restrictions have allowed only a fraction of necessary food and medical supplies to enter. Mark Davidson, executive director of Voices for Justice in Palestine (Photo: Ahmed Jallow) Palestinians say despair is betrayal, said Mark Davidson, executive director of Voices for Justice in Palestine and one of the events organizers. When we give up because it seems hard or depressing or hopeless, were abandoning people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vigil marked the 35th day in a rolling statewide fast led by Jewish Voice for Peace-Triangle and supported by groups like Durham Friends Meeting, Bullhorn Arts and Education, and the NC Environmental Justice Network. Members fasted for 24-hour shifts in rotation, abstaining from food and water in symbolic solidarity. Were not called to be successful, were called to be faithful, Davidson said. Do the right thing, and amazing things can happen. The gathering comes as the war in Gaza has left large parts of the territory flattened, and nearly 60,000 Palestinians killed, the majority of them civilians. Israel launched its military response following the October 7 Hamas attack that killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel, according to Israeli authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Human Rights Watch have accused Israeli officials of using starvation as a weapon of war, a claim Israel denies. Participants echoed those concerns. They called for Tillis, who co-chairs the Senate Human Rights Caucus, to back restoring U.S. funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and to push for halting additional weapons shipments to Israel. Kate Lindrum, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace-Triangle. (Photo by Ahmed Jallow) I would love for us to actually put that funding to the aid were claiming to try to put in, said Kate Lindrum, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace-Triangle. No matter how governments or politicians may want to spin it, people are out here, and you cant just tell them to not believe their eyes. Organizers framed the event as both a spiritual act and a political one. Rev. Dr. Marcus McFaul, Binkley Baptists senior minister, described the vigil as an extension of the churchs core mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having food, shelter, and dignity is a moral issue, McFaul said. Churches deal in moral concerns and moral ethical issues. Binkley Baptist Church Senior Minister, Marcus McFaul (Photo: Ahmed Jallow) The event was notably multifaith, bringing together Christians, Jews, and secular activists. Organizers said Binkley Baptist is the largest faith community yet to join the NC to Gaza Solidarity Fast. Other participating groups include Makom Triangle, Farm Church, and Durham Community Fridges. Davidson reminded those gathered of words from Nelson Mandela: Its impossible until it is done. The group plans to continue fasting in shifts throughout the summer, aiming to sustain public pressure and attention. This isnt just for a week, its not even for a month, its not even for a year, McFaul said, quoting late civil rights leader John Lewis. Its for the long haul. QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) Several subway lines ran with severe delays as crews addressed flooding in stations in Queens on Monday. Downtown E trains ran with severe delays, as flooding caused a signal problem at Queens Plaza. The F and R trains also ran with delays as a result. More Local News Service on the Nos. 1, 2, and 3 lines was temporarily suspended in Manhattan. At 9:26 p.m., the MTA announced that service on the Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and Metro-North Railroad trains was severely disrupted due to the flooding, especially between the Bronx and Manhattan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos shared with PIX11 News show floodwater cascading into subway stations. Additionally, the Staten Island Railway didnt run between Huguenot and Tottenville in either direction on Monday due to flooding, according to the MTA. The agency advised commuters to take S78 buses instead. Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. A dental hygienist who called for Massachusetts to join an interstate compact intended to ease licensure requirements for dentists and hygienists garnered swift pushback Monday from other providers who argued the framework poses safety risks for patients. A dozen states have already joined the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which allows providers to practice in other participating jurisdictions without needing to deal with the administrative and financial burdens of maintaining multiple licenses. Amanda Berthiaume, a dental hygienist and assistant professor at Springfield Technical Community College, touted the compact featured in first-time legislation from Rep. Bud Williams and Sen. John Cronin (H 2563 / S 1494). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike similar bills, this compact was carefully developed by the Council of State Governments, in partnership with the Department of Defense, the American Dental Association and the American Dental Hygienists Association, Berthiaume told the Public Health Committee on Monday morning. It was intentionally designed to respect and incorporate existing accredited education and various accrediting bodies, but left broad on purpose, as we do not back a specific examiner group in pursuit of income, she continued. By contrast, the competing legislation being considered has been promoted by groups including the American Dental Examination Committee and certain board organizations, whose revenue models depend on requiring their proprietary examinations. Berthiaume told the News Service the competing compact bills from Rep. Ted Philips and Sen. Paul Mark (H 455 / S 257) would require that dentists and dental hygienists pass the ADEX licensure exam that was developed by the American Board of Dental Examiners. Those proposals are awaiting a hearing before the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. Pat Connolly-Atkins, a dental hygienist and past secretary to the Massachusetts Board of Dental Examiners, called the compact on Mondays hearing agenda dangerous for the safety of the citizens of Massachusetts. She stressed the importance of evaluating clinical skills -- specifically hand skills that are needed to perform complex surgical procedures -- through exams like ADEX. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cannot determine competency of these clinical skills by administering a didactic test alone, but that is exactly what the CSG compact proposes, Connolly-Atkins said. Massachusetts, along with 46 other states, does require a hand skills assessment for licensure. The ADEX exam is one of the exams that is comprehensive with a strong hand skills component. Berthiaume disputed that claim, telling the News Service that every state that has joined the compact requires that licensed providers pass a hand skills exam in addition to written assessments. Berthiaume added the hand skills test is done on a mannequin, which she said is not even a very good gauge of skills and that there is a push to get rid of the hands-on exam. Dr. Mina Paul, dental director at NeighborHealth and former chair of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry, sounded the alarm about the proposed compacts governing body. The compact establishes an unaccountable multistate commission that makes binding rules over Massachusetts licensees, stripping away your authority as legislators and the boards authority as our regulator, Paul said. This is not theoretical. Similar concerns have led to lawsuits in Virginia, amongst other states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge in Richmond dismissed a lawsuit on Dec. 5 from Virginia dentists challenging the states participation in the compact. The dentists had argued the compact had inappropriately given state power to a non-state entity, according to the news site of the American Dental Association. Those dentists filed an appeal Dec. 30, according to the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which says the complaint is based on a mistaken belief about the purpose, function, and practical application of the Compact. More on Politics Read the original article on MassLive. Computer searches for the phrase "where on the head is a knock fatal?" were made on the same day a couple were decapitated, dismembered, and dumped in suitcases, a murder trial has heard. Yostin Mosquera, 35, a Colombian national, denies murdering Paul Longworth and Albert Alfonso on 8 July last year at their flat in London, where he was staying. On Tuesday, Woolwich Crown Court heard how "hammer killer" was also typed in, and repeated searches were made for chest freezers in the lead up to the killings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the searches were in Spanish, some used Google translate and were also made while Mr Mosquera was the only person in the house, the jury heard. WARNING: This article contains material that some people may find distressing. Mr Mosquera has admitted the manslaughter of Mr Alfonso by way of loss of self-control. He is accused of stabbing him in the torso, face and neck during a recorded sex session at a flat in Shepherds Bush on 8 July 2024. Footage of the moment was played to the jury, with Mr Mosequera repeatedly asking his victim "do you like it?" At another point he sings and dances in the aftermath of the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also accused of attacking Mr Longworth with a hammer earlier the same day, shattering his skull before hiding his body in a divan bed. The men's partial remains were found in suitcases on the Clifton Suspension Bridge [BBC] The prosecution alleges that Mr Mosquera then "decapitated and dismembered" the two men and left their heads in a freezer before travelling to Bristol. Their partial remains were later found in suitcases on Clifton Suspension Bridge. Mr Mosquera denies murdering either man, and insists Mr Alfonso killed Mr Longworth. He told the jury he saw Mr Alfonso's dismembered body and decided to copy it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Mosquera, who does not speak English, first came to the UK from Colombia in June 2024 on the promise of English lessons and financial support from Mr Alfonso, whom he had met years earlier through webcam sex websites. On Tuesday, it was suggested Mr Mosquera made the ominous search on the morning of the murders because he had already hatched a plan to kill. Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said the ambush "probably" happened around the time the curtains were seen closing inside the flat. CCTV images captured Mr Longworth still alive in the flat window at the time those searches were made about potentially fatal blows to the head [PA] "You closed the curtains at 12.30pm and open them at 1pm," she said. "I suggest that this is the time you took a hammer and hit Paul Longworth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You approached him from behind and you hit him on the head with the hammer. You did so repeatedly." Mr Mosquera flatly denied the allegation and said: "No". A white plastic bag which had flaky and dried blood inside it was found to contain Mr Longworth's DNA. Ms Heer asked Mr Mosquera: "Did you put that bag over Mr Longworth's head before you hit him with the hammer?" He replied: "No." Paul Longworth (L) and Albert Alfonso (R) both suffered multiple "defence-type" injuries on their hands, the coroner said [Metropolitan Police] Mr Mosquera has previously told the jury he feared for his own life and believed he was about to be killed when he stabbed Mr Alfonso - who he claimed had already killed his own partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also alleges to have been thinking about the threats Mr Alfonso had made to him and how he had been treated. Referring to his defence statement outlining how he felt at the time of the killing, Ms Heer told Mr Mosquera: "You thought that your head would blow up like a balloon. "You could hear the blood pumping in your body and you could hear a constant beep. "This happened to you a few minutes before you killed Mr Alfonso." The trial continues. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Related Internet Links DENVER (AP) A dentist on trial for allegedly killing his wife by poisoning her protein shakes had fallen in love with another dentist, was in financial straits and had bought various poisons in the lead up to her death, prosecutors said in the trial's opening statements on Tuesday. Craig, 47, allegedly used cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, an ingredient in over-the-counter eye drops, to kill his wife of 23 years, Angela Craig, two years ago in suburban Denver. In a nearly full courtroom, Craig sat in a dark suit as Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley laid out the case against him and pointed out that Craig may have been motivated by the payout from his wife's life insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angela Craig, 43, who had six children with James Craig, had gone in and out of the hospital over several days. Her worsening symptoms, including dizziness, vomiting and fainting, perplexed doctors. Craig gave his wife a final dose of poison after she had already been admitted to the hospital, Brackley said. He went in that room to murder her, to deliberately and intentionally end her life with a fatal dose of cyanide," Brackley said. She spends the next three days dying." After his arrest, Craig tried to conscript a fellow inmate and others into covering his tracks. That included requests to create false testimony and kill the lead investigator on the case in exchange for money, Brackley said. Craig, who shook his head at times when Brackley spoke, has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including first-degree murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craig's attorney, Ashley Whitham, said they aren't disputing that Angela Craig was sick, hospitalized or that poison was found in her system. But Whitham argued that the evidence didn't show that he poisoned and killed her. Whitham seemed to suggest Angela Craig may have taken her own life. Whitham repeatedly described Angela Craig as broken," partly by Craig's infidelity and her desire to stay married, since they were part of The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints. Hospital staff had said Craig had been caring and doting while Angela Craig was in the hospital, said Whitham. The police's investigation was inadequate, said Whitham, and had been biased against Craig from the beginning. Investigators hadn't taken Angela Craig's laptop or found her journal in the search of the couple's home in Aurora, said Whitham, adding that only parts of the journal were later turned over to investigators. Whitham said the prosecution overdramatized Craig's financial problems. She refuted prosecutors' suggestion that Craig was so enamored with one of the women he had an affair with a fellow dentist from Texas that he was motivated to kill Angela Craig. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's simply not the case," Whitham said, adding that Craig had many affairs over the years that his wife knew about. He was candid with Angela that he had been cheating. Prosecutors said Craig searched Google for how to make a murder look like a heart attack and is arsenic detectable in an autopsy, and that he tried to make it appear his wife had killed herself. Angela Craig was hospitalized several times. After the first time, she can be seen on home surveillance video accusing her husband of implying to medical staff that she was suicidal. Its your fault they treated me like I was a suicide risk, like I did it to myself, and like nothing I said could be believed, she said to her husband on the video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Craig's arrest in 2023, prosecutors alleged that he sent a letter to his daughter, offered a fellow jail inmate $20,000 to kill the case's lead investigator and offered someone else $20,000 to find people to falsely testify that Angela Craig planned to die by suicide. Whitham told the jury to consider the credibility of those witnesses, calling some jailhouse snitches. In addition to first-degree murder, Craig has pleaded not guilty to the other charges, including solicitation to commit murder and solicitation to commit perjury. Craig remains in custody, according to jail records. The City of Muscatine will temporarily close the downriver boat launch and adjacent parking lot near the Iowa Avenue entrance to Riverside Park on Tuesday, July 15, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. to accommodate the arrival of the American Serenade, a river cruise ship operated by American Cruise Lines, a news release says. (American Cruise Lines) The American Serenade is scheduled to arrive in Muscatine around 10 p.m. on Monday, July 14. Passengers will disembark the next morning to explore the community between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., with the ship set to depart at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. This stop is one of several planned visits by American Cruise Lines to Muscatine during the 2025 river cruise season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the downriver launch will be closed during the ships visit, the upriver boat launch will remain open to the public, ensuring continued access for boating and fishing enthusiasts. Residents are encouraged to extend a warm welcome to the cruise guests and take pride in sharing Muscatines charm, attractions, and hospitality. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Music teacher accused of molesting students on 2 different occasions, Jacksonville police say Gregg Gafford, a 42-year-old former music teacher in Duval County, was arrested for lewd and lascivious molestation, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office announced Tuesday in a news release. Gafford was taken into custody by JSO Special Assault Unit detectives in connection with two separate sex crimes cases. He was working at St. Matthews Catholic School in 2023 when a child reported that he groped them during an after-school club, JSO said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JSO said detectives also uncovered that another student had accused Gafford of sexual abuse back in 2011 while he was teaching at Normandy Village Elementary School. On Friday, JSO District 5 Task Force Officers located and arrested Gafford on two outstanding warrants. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Morris Postell is a father of 6 and lives just feet away from St. Matthews Catholic School. All I can say is thats bad and thats horrible, and I have kids myself. So I have no more questions for that because that makes me kind of angry, he told Action News Jax. The local father said he was shocked to hear the news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have kids, you feel me? Thats just nasty, you know? I dont have no respect for people like that, Postell said. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The Diocese of St. Augustine sent Action News Jax the following statement in response to Gaffords arrest: In July 2023, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office notified the school that Mr. Gafford was under investigation and advised he should not be permitted on school property. Although the nature of the investigation was not disclosed, the school took immediate and proactive steps to ensure student safety by placing him on administrative leave. Mr. Gafford subsequently resigned. His last day on campus was July 13, 2023. St. Matthew School and the Diocese of St. Augustine continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement and remain committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for every student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Action News Jax reached out Duval County Public Schools to learn more about Gaffords employment with the district and received the following information: Was hired 8/17/2009 Resigned 6/14/2016 From 2009-2012, he served as an itinerant music instructor; not assigned to a specific school. During the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years, he was assigned to Normandy Village Elementary. During the 2015-16 school year, he was assigned to Neptune Beach Elementary. DCPS said the allegations against Gafford are upsetting and that the district is fully cooperating with JSOs investigation. JSO said detectives are looking into whether Gafford may have committed additional offenses against other students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JSO urges anyone with information to contact them at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. JSO is reminding the public that in Florida, it is legally required for anyone who knows or suspects that a child or vulnerable adult has been abused to report it to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. A seafood restaurant on the Greek island of Mykonos has once again been skewered by online reviewers, with one diner claiming they were charged 1,000 for just three dishes. Holidaymakers who have eaten at DK Oyster near Platys Gialos Beach in recent months have criticised the eatery for charging extortionate prices for food. One recent reviewer on TripAdvisor warned other patrons that she was charged 350 (300) for a whole fish, while three dishes in total cost then 1,000 (868), stating it was the worst experience we had in Mykonos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another visitor to DK Oyster said the restaurant and beach bar enticed her party in with an offer of free sunbeds and were offered drinks, but without a menu or any mention of prices. At one point, a staff member also brought over an additional, unrequested drink as a gift for someone in the group, yet this later appeared on the bill. When we asked for the total, we were presented with a bill just under 400 (347) for a handful of drinks, the reviewer wrote. We were shocked to discover we were charged for more drinks than we had actually ordered, including the so-called free one. Even soft drinks like Coca-Cola, we were told, were also 35 (30) each. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they arrived back at their hotel, the party spoke to the staff and quickly learned that overcharging at DK Oyster is a well-known issue. While charging high prices is not illegal in Greece, EU regulations require that restaurants advertise the total cost of goods before they ask for payment. TripAdvisor now places a safety alert on DK Oysters page, which says: TripAdvisor has been made aware of recent media reports or events concerning this property, which may not be reflected in reviews found on this listing. Accordingly, you may wish to perform additional research for information about this property when making your travel plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The owner of the restaurant, Dimitrios Kalamaras, said claims on TripAdvisor are false, according to Metro, and added that customers should ask for a manager to discuss the price before they order, stating it would be ridiculous for him to explain the menu to every customer that enters. Unfortunately, all of us who work in the hospitality sector have been approached by notorious influencers who, instead of making their living by advertising products and services to their audience, put pressure on certain businesses for exorbitant fees and free meals. In DK Oyster, we have advertised in the ways we consider suitable for our restaurant, and we will not succumb to the influencers who have been attracted to the beautiful island of Mykonos, he said, according to the publication. The tourist reviews have made headlines dating back to 2019, when an American tourist was left shocked after being presented with an 836 (738) bill for some calamari and beers, branding the establishment a rip-off and warning travellers to AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, a reviewer said she was charged 690 for two drinks, calling the place a total rip-off. The Independent has contacted DK Oyster for comment. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. Democrats have a Mammy problem. The solution lies in the GOP playbook, if they are smart enough to open it. Democrats seem puzzled about how to handle their nominee for mayor of New York, State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. I call him Mammy, for short. The Ugandan-born, ethnically Indian 33-year-old is almost a Chat GPT-generated far-Leftist designed by GOP prompts as a too-good-to be-true political rival. Mammy is hard on private property and soft on Big Government. He promises to be even softer on criminals. Prison cells? Who needs 'em? "The entire carceral system is an unreformable public health hazard," he announced via social-media. "Defund & dismantle." If you like free stuff, you will love Mayor Mammy. He promises free rides on city buses. Child care? Also free! Mammy makes Nancy Pelosi look like Marjorie Taylor Greene. Mammy calls himself a "democratic socialist." However, his "end goal" (on video, no less) involves "seizing the means of production." This is lifted directly from V.I. Lenin's The State and Revolution. Zohran Mamdani is a Marxist-Leninist. Rather than run like hell from Mammy, Democrat Al Sharpton invited him to address his National Action Network. Attorney General Letitia James (D - New York) marched with Mammy in last month's Gay Pride parade. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D - New York) sang Mammy's praises before he won the nomination. She continues to do so. Capitol Hill's two top Democrats House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, both also New Yorkers serve delicious word salads about Mammy, rather than denounce him as a committed Commie. Senator John Fetterman (D Pennsylvania) has expressed some opposition to Mammy. But no other prominent Dem has stood up and simply said: "I am a Democrat. Zohran Mamdani is a Communist. I believe in regulating companies. He believes in seizing them.' I want to tax rich people. He wants to tax whiter areas.' I believe in Food Stamps. He believes in government-run grocery stores. I love our Jewish brothers and sisters. He will not condemn the global Intifada.' I want to see Democrats win, but not at this price. I urge Democrats to vote against Mamdani in huge numbers this November. Big government? Hell Yes! Havana on the Hudson? Hell No!" Democrats should study how Republicans behaved when an equally venomous snake slithered into their big tent. In 1991, the Louisiana gubernatorial race came down to incumbent Democrat Edwin Edwards versus David Duke, the former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, then a GOP state lawmaker. Republicans did not salivate over the prospect of winning the governor's mansion. Instead, they unloaded on Duke from the commanding heights to the grassroots. "When someone has a long record, an ugly record, of racism and bigotry, that record simply cannot be erased by the glib rhetoric of a political campaign," then President George Herbert Walker Bush declared. "So I believe David Duke is an insincere charlatan. I believe he's attempting to hoodwink the voters of Louisiana. I believe he should be rejected for what he is and what he stands for." Local Republicans endorsed Edwards, a flamboyantly corrupt politician. This spawned America's greatest bumper of all time: "Vote for the Crook: It's Important." My old friend Quin Hillyer is a lifelong Republican who savors oxygen slightly less than GOP victories. And yet he manned his Howitzer and blasted Duke relentlessly. "Duke's anti-Semitism made him even more dangerous than a redneck racist," Hillyer told me. "The organized GOP and its top state and local officials strenuously blocked Duke at every turn." Democrat Edwin Edwards won re-election, largely thanks to Republicans who wanted nothing to do with an anti-Semitic extremist. New York Republicans just launched SaveNYC, as a pest-control effort to stop Mammy. Conversely, Democrats are in no rush to stomp on the snake in their own tent. This suggests that, deep down, they find his smooth, Marxist-Leninist skin kind of sexy. 2025 Deroy Murdock A decade? Already? It doesnt seem possible that 10 years 12 actually when two lost to COVID are factored in have passed since a handful of local volunteers staged the first Purple Heart Dinner to honor area veterans wounded in combat. Yet here we are a month before the little nonprofit founded to keep it going celebrates a milestone. More than 150 Purple Heart recipients, Gold Star families and their loved ones will gather on Aug. 16 in what has become an annual tradition. Not that members of the Northwest Piedmont Purple Heart Foundation were thinking about that when they pulled off the first one in 2013. We were too busy trying to get those first ones done to even think about that, said Ginger Amos, the president of the foundation. Time-consuming task The first Purple Heart Dinner was organized by a statewide organization called the N.C. Purple Heart Foundation led by a man named Michael Johnson. The idea, then and now, was to set aside a few hours for veterans whod received the Purple Heart and Gold Star families, the survivors of those who did not come home, with a dinner to honor their sacrifices. (Recipient is the correct word. Nobody wins by getting wounded, one veteran told me years ago. Nobody wants to join that club.) Johnson reached out to American Legion posts, VFWs, the Marine Corps League and anywhere veterans gathered across the state. Not surprisingly, it wasnt a hard sell. Local volunteers stepped forward in more than a half-dozen cities and towns. Perhaps because it was new, sponsors werent hard to find. Walmart paid for catered meals for Purple Heart recipients and commemorative gift bags. Calvary Baptist Church opened its doors to serve as host. In the end, 117 Purple Heart recipients (and their families) turned out. Twelve families of men who had been killed in combat came, too, as did nine families representing Purple Heart recipients who had died. Want to help? The Northwest Piedmont Purple Heart Foundation gratefully accepts donations through various sponsorship levels. Members of the public may attend for $25. For more information, email nwpiedmontpurpleheart@gmail.com or call Steve Amos at (336) 462-2024. This is outstanding, Johnson said in August 2013 at the first dinner. It was worth every minute. The challenge, though, came in keeping it going. The state organization provided the blueprint but always intended for locals to run with it if there was enough interest. Ginger Amos and husband Steve Amos, a Marine and Vietnam veteran, joined with a close-knit committee covering 16 counties in Northwest North Carolina and eagerly accepted the challenge. They found it difficult but rewarding. The group is basically having to start from scratch every year, raising the $35,000-$40,000 it takes to cover expenses. Advertising, postage, printing, insurance and feeding more than 800 people at a banquet doesnt come cheap. The hardest part throughout was getting word to Purple Heart recipients and their families. Medical privacy concerns prevent the Veterans Administration from sharing information about former service members. Word of mouth was the only way. And even then, volunteers encountered some resistance from veterans who were either uncomfortable in the spotlight or hesitant to relive difficult experiences. We spent a lot of time just finding them, Steve Amos said. Younger generations not joiners The COVID pandemic proved to be particularly problematic. The foundation didnt hold dinners in 2020 or 2021. By the time they were ready to resume, sifting through the 600 or so names and addresses theyd collected ate up a lot of time. People move, some go to (assisted living) or pass away, Steve Amos said. Still, the volunteer committee plugged away. Having the support of NASCAR legend Richard Childress, who has provided a massive meeting room in his large Davidson County facility since the third year, is a huge boost, Ginger Amos said. And as a complicated milestone approaches 2025 is the 11th dinner but the 10th for the Northwest Piedmont Purple Heart Foundation volunteers have encountered another formidable obstacle in Father Time. Weve lost a lot of older veterans from World War II, Korea and now Vietnam, Ginger Amos said. In fact, the way the RSVP list is shaping up, 2025 will be the first year we wont have any World War II veterans, Steve Amos said. And reaching out to younger veterans from recent wars is easier said than done. Theyre not joiners, not yet, Steve Amos said. Theyre busy with careers and raising families. Between jobs, Little League and things for kids, there are just so many hours in a week. So, joining the VFW isnt a priority. That wont always be the case.When some time frees itself up, volunteers will be hard at work to honor these worthy veterans. We (Vietnam veterans) didnt have parades or people clapping in airports when we came home, Steve Amos said. We just want to remember the sacrifices. Not just the people who went but their families, too. A lot of times people forget that (veterans) left families at home who had to take up the slack. Roy Neidorf, 31, from Magen Yavne, was employed as an inspector at the Population and Immigration Authority. The identity of a former Ben-Gurion Airport employee, accused of using his position to sexually assault foreign nationals seeking entry to Israel, has been cleared for publication, according to the State Prosecutor. Roy Neidorf, 31, from Magen Yavne, was employed as an inspector at the Population and Immigration Authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictment, filed in June with the Central District Court in Lod by attorney Shahar Katz-Daniel of the Central District Prosecutors Office, details the actions of Neidorf during an interrogation of a Brazilian citizen at Ben-Gurion Airport. According to the charges, Neidorf used the Google Translate app to communicate with the woman, instructing her to wait near a restroom after granting her entry into Israel. Fearing that her entry would be canceled by Neidorf, she followed his request. Once she arrived at the restroom, Neidorf is alleged to have sexually assaulted her in the baggage halls restroom. An illustrative image of an individual with handcuffs. (credit: INGIMAGE) Separate incidents of assault In two additional incidents, Neidorf allegedly committed similar acts during interrogations of two Spanish nationals and one Romanian citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In these cases, he reportedly also used a translation app to communicate inappropriate requests, including one that read, If I let you pass, I want us to meet outside, and another that said, If you are generous with me, I will be generous with you. Neidorf faces charges of bribery and committing indecent acts. After the indictment was filed, the court upheld the prosecutions request to publish Neidorfs name. His attorney appealed the decision to the Supreme Court. However, following the recommendation of Justice Noam Solberg, the appeal was withdrawn. Suspected of committing serious sexual offenses In June, Israel Police reported that Neidorf was suspected of committing serious sexual offenses against several women seeking entry into Israel, The Jerusalem Post previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation into Neidorf was initiated as part of a broader inquiry linked to a nationwide sex trafficking ring that had been facilitating prostitution services across the country. Police described this as a shocking case involving a suspect who allegedly acted systematically, using improper means and exploiting his position and authority to carry out his actions against innocent women in this illegal manner," the Post quoted. A Nantucket family is suing their neighbor for damages, claiming that he cut down trees on their property that were worth nearly $500,000 without their permission to enhance the ocean view from his home. The lawsuit, which was filed on June 23 in Nantucket Superior Court, accuses Jonathan Jacoby, of 3 Tautemo Way, Nantucket, of cutting down over a dozen trees and other vegetation earlier this year on a property owned by the Belford family at 1 Tautemo Way, Nantucket, without their consent. The suit includes counts such as trespassing and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Nantucket police opened an investigation into the matter, but the lawsuit does not mention any charges being filed against Jacoby. Nantucket police did not respond to a request for a copy of the police file in the case on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jacoby also did not return a request for comment from MassLive on Monday afternoon, but The Boston Globe reported receiving a Sunday night email from him stating, I wasnt trespassing, I was clearing out her crappy trees. How the trees were cut down Jacoby cut down 16 cedar, cherry and Leyland Cypress trees that the Belford family had planted on their property in the 1970s and maintained ever since, according to the lawsuit. It alleges that he did not obtain or try to obtain permission from the family or anyone legally authorized to endorse the tree cutting before removing them. In a voluntary written statement to Nantucket police that was included in the lawsuit, Jacobys former landscaper states that Jacoby contacted him during the last week of February and asked him for help with some tree work on his property. The landscaper told Jacoby he wasnt on the island, but Jacoby said hed do the cutting himself, and the landscaper agreed to help him haul away the debris when he returned. When the landscaper followed up on March 2, Jacoby told him hed cut down trees on both his and the Belfords property, according to the statement. The landscaper told Jacoby he could not do work on another persons property without permission from the property owner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jacoby assured the landscaper he had obtained prior permission to do tree work on the Belfords property, according to the statement. Jacoby also agreed to the landscapers request that he send the landscaper an email attesting to this. The landscaper began the cleanup on both properties on March 3 and took photos of the properties before clearing away the debris, according to the statement. As the landscaper was finishing the work on March 5, the caretaker of 1 Tautemo Way came over to talk to him and informed the landscaper that he had no idea that tree work was being done on the property. The landscaper explained the situation and facilitated a phone conversation between Jacoby and the caretaker before leaving the property, according to the statement. Why the trees were cut The caretaker contacted Nantucket police after discovering the trees had been cut down, according to the lawsuit. Investigators ultimately concluded that Jacoby entered the property knowingly and willfully and cut the trees for his own personal benefit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One officer documented that Jacoby failed to produce any legitimate documentation of consent and determined that the cutting was done in a targeted fashion to expand views from the upper story of Jacobys house, according to the lawsuit. The extent and location of the cutting, many feet away from the parties shared property line, demonstrates this was no mistake, the lawsuit reads. ... Jacoby has since listed 3 Tautemo Way for sale, boldly boasting its sweeping view of the Atlantic Ocean, a description conspicuously missing from the propertys prior listings. An active Zillow listing for 3 Tautemo Way shows an asking price of nearly $10 million for the four-bed, seven-bath property, which includes a pool with a hot tub and a separate pool house. After last being sold in 2009 for a little over $1.8 million, it was next listed on Zillow for nearly $11.5 million in August 2024 before being offered for its current price in two different listings that were posted over the past year. Why the Belfords are suing Many of the trees that were cut down were over 30 feet tall and had served for decades as a natural buffer and privacy screen between the Belford home and neighboring parcels, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complete removal of the trees destroyed the Belford Propertys only natural buffer to Hummock Pond Road, the lawsuit reads. As a result, the Belford Property is now exposed to full view from the street, and occupants are subject to significantly increased road noise, light, and privacy intrusion. The Jacoby family planted the trees in the 1970s and cared for them over the following decades, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs estimate the cost of replacing the trees to be more than $486,000. Jacobys actions were not only economically damaging but also emotionally devastating for Belford, the lawsuit reads. The family viewed the trees as part of their home and history. Their removal was deeply distressing to Belford and the Belford family. More News Read the original article on MassLive. In a reversal, NASA no longer plans to publish a major climate report whose previous website was scrubbed by the Trump administration. The report in question, known as the National Climate Assessment, was previously housed on globalchange.gov. After the Trump administration eliminated the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) website, NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said that all preexisting reports will be hosted on the NASA website, ensuring continuity of reporting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But those plans have changed. Stevens appeared to indicate in a statement to The Hill on Monday that NASA no longer plans to host the information on its website. The USGCRP met its statutory requirements by presenting its reports to Congress. NASA has no legal obligations to host globalchange.govs data, Stevens said. The announcement comes amid a broader effort by the Trump administration to downplay or deny climate changes existence and its impact on extreme weather. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for example, has said it wants to reconsider its finding that climate change poses a threat to the public. It has also dismissed all of the scientists who were set to work on the next version of the climate assessment, the completion of which is mandated by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2023 version of the climate assessment can still be downloaded from online government archives as of Tuesday, or it can be viewed using the Wayback Machine internet archive. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Tennessee attorney and Nashville native has been confirmed as President Donald Trump's first judicial nominee of his second term in office. The U.S. Senate voted 46-42 along party lines on July 14 to confirm Whitney Hermandorfer to the bench on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Confirmation of the conservative judge to the seat of Obama-appointee Jane Branstetter Stranch shifts the balance of the appellate court, which handles cases from Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan. Hermandorfer is a graduate of Nashville's Harpeth Hall School, Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn said ahead of the Senate's vote. She has led the the Tennessee Attorney General's Office's strategic litigation unit since 2013, leading challenges against federal actions and defending state laws in court, like Tennessee's abortion ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hermandorfer, who graduated from George Washington University Law School in 2015, has Republican bona fides, including clerking for three conservative Supreme Court justices. She has earned the praise of Congressional Republicans. Republican Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley praised Hermandorfer's qualifications in a statement after the vote and said Republicans will forward Trump's other nominations despite "obstruction" by Democrats, Reuters reported. Ahead of the vote, Blackburn said of Hermandorfer, "there is no one more qualified." Democrats have roundly denounced Hermandorfer's nomination, however, particularly because of her relatively short time as a legal professional. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a post to X after the vote that Hermandorfer has made her career attacking "reproductive rights, trans rights, and anti-discrimination policies. "Her only qualification is fealty to Donald Trump," Schumer said in the post. Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin criticized her as "inexperienced and partisan." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Things could have gone differently for Senate Democrats, though, if all members of their caucus had voted no. Professor Carl Tobias, the Williams Chair in Law at the University of Richmond School of Law, noted in an email that Hermandorfer would have lost 47-46 if the the five Democrats who did not vote had voted against her. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti praised her confirmation. "We are so proud of this incredible accomplishment and know she will serve with distinction," Skrmetti said in a post to X after the vote. More: Nashville lawyer nominated by Biden to federal bench won't get vote after late-night US Senate deal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hermandorfer, whose appointment to the appellate bench is for a life term, will fill the seat of fellow Nashvillian, Circuit Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch. Hermandorfer's confirmation comes months after an unsuccessful attempt by Democrats to fill Stranch's seat with a more liberal appointee. President Joe Biden nominated Nashville lawyer Karla Campbell to the seat in May 2024, but the Senate failed to confirm her before the end of Biden's term. After graduating from Harpeth Hall, Hermandorfer graduated from Princeton and finished at the top of her class at George Washington University Law School, Blackburn said. Hermandorfer clerked for Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett and clerked for Justice Brett Kavanaugh while he was a judge on the circuit court of appeals in D.C., according to George Washington Law. Her confirmation marks Trump's 235th judicial appointment of his two terms, tying former President Joe Biden's total. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have questions about the justice system? Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him with questions, tips or story ideas at emealins@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville lawyer Whitney Hermandorfer confirmed to US appeals court NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A man wanted for sex crimes against a minor and featured on the police departments list of Most Wanted fugitives has been arrested by Metro Nashville police. Brandon Williams, 37, was featured on the MNPD Criminal Warrants Divisions list of Most Wanted fugitives list the first two weeks of July for sex offenses against a minor. He faces two charges of statutory rape, according to MNPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an arrest affidavit from MNPD, Williams was involved in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female. A detective assigned to the case reportedly saw images from a text exchange between Williams and his victim that confirm at least two sexual encounters between the two. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee The images not only show the two hugging and discussing previous sexual encounters, but they also revealed Williams was aware of the victims age, according to police. During the course of the investigation, the detective reportedly spoke with the victim, who confirmed Williams was the suspect in the case and was aware of her age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams is currently incarcerated at the Downtown Detention Center on a $15,000 bond for the two felony counts of statutory rape, according to Davidson County Sheriffs Office records. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When Sue Fritzke was the superintendent of Capitol Reef National Park, her employees performed additional duties beyond their job description. In the years that she managed the park from 2018 through 2023, workers said they were stretched thin, requiring cross-team work. Fritzke said this multitasking of additional responsibilities was called collateral duty. You had people that were a park ranger and collateral duty EMT, collateral duty firefighter, collateral duty everything-else-that-you could-possibly-think-of, even search and rescue, Fritzke said. Capitol Reef National Park is pictured Oct. 20, 2013. | Chuck Wing, Deseret News When something came up, everyone chipped in. The people paving the roads would help with wildfires, while educators or rangers at the welcome center would help with medical emergencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight members of her team got EMT certified, just because it was helpful for the range of responsibilities required within the park. The employees were paid to do the additional voluntary hours of work, Fritzke said, but it wasnt really voluntary. It also competed with the jobs each was hired to do. Youre stretching the ability of those staff with all of that collateral duty because, ultimately, they need to be focused on their core duties, whether its law enforcement, fire management, protecting the parks resources or educating the public about a particular park, Fritzke said. All of a sudden now, you just dont have that depth of staffing to be able to do that. Fritzke was referring to staffing cuts made to the National Park Service earlier this year by the Trump administration and executed by the Department of Government Efficiency team in a broader effort to shrink the federal work force. Probationary employees were laid off, hiring was frozen and according to former NPS employees, conservation advocates and multiple national outlets including Politico some staffers took a given option to retire early as others left voluntarily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is the total workforce reduction? A deer walks across the meadow of the orchard and camp ground inside Capitol Reef National Park Sunday afternoon Oct. 20, 2013. | Chuck Wing That remains unclear, due to a Department of the Interior policy that prevents anyone at the agency from discussing staffing levels. No one is allowed or willing to publicly discuss park staff at all. Generally, questions from the Deseret News were met with defensive responses from staffers who declined to comment, highlighted that their particular parks services were fully operable or redirected the query to a different office. Grand Teton National Park, however, did confirm that their staffing numbers remained the same from 2024 to 2025. Across multiple requests, the answer from the individual parks, the national communications team, straight through to Interior Secretary Doug Burgums public affairs team was essentially the same: It is department policy that we dont comment on personnel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Parks Conservation Association, a conservation advocacy group, pulled data from the Department of the Interiors workforce database and published a report July 3 that found that since January the National Park Service has lost 24% of its permanent staff. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum speaks to attendees at the Western Governors Association meeting in Santa Fe, N.M., Monday, June 23, 2025. | Eddie Moore It also found that, of the 8,000 seasonal staff that Burgum pledged to hire this year, 4,500 were brought on. Within the 433 individual park units and 63 national parks that represent an area larger than 85 million acres that the Park Service manages, it employs just over 20,000 people. Those seasonal employees are a large percentage of the overall team. Its critical that the public understands that these staffing losses are not just deep, but theyre also incredibly indiscriminate, said John Garder, the senior director of budget and appropriations for the National Parks Conservation Association. He said it found that archaeologists, historians, wildlife experts, air- and water-quality experts, but also more than 100 superintendents think of these like park CEOs have left the service this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were concerned about not just what it looks like this summer the challenge is far greater than that but about what this means for the long-term capacity for the park service to meet its basic mandate to ensure the protection of these incredible natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources, Garder said. So, front-facing to the public, it looks like everything is fine. Everythings not fine. There are people who are cleaning toilets, who really need to be going out and collecting data about whats going on with resources. Sue Fritzke, former superentendant of Capitol Reef National Park Neither the National Park Service nor the Department of the Interior would confirm or comment on those staffing numbers, which could not be independently verified by the Deseret News. One long-tenured National Park Service employee from a well-known park in the Intermountain West spoke under condition of anonymity. The person said the cuts vary tremendously from park to park, unit to unit, making it difficult to draw broad conclusions about how the parks are doing. That person added that for their park, at least, overall things are pretty normal this year. Will the parks be improved? Visitors watch the sunrise inside Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 8, 2018. | Chuck Wing, Deseret News No parks have been permanently closed or lost conservation protections this summer. And, while some have had to alter hours of operation, the institutions are open, even if at lower or more efficient staffing levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same day that the National Parks Conservation Association report was published in early July, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks. The order stipulates the administration will preserve opportunities for American families to make great memories in national parks by increasing entry fees for foreign tourists, improving affordability for United States residents and expanding opportunities to enjoy Americas splendid national treasures. The order is primarily focused on revenue generation, but it also addresses the lingering issue of deferred maintenance that the parks have navigated for years. Billions of dollars in maintenance projects have been left unaddressed due to decades of limited budgets across administrations of both political parties within the park system. Trumps order requires the Interior secretary to take all appropriate action to fully implement the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund established in the Great American Outdoors Act. That action alone will release $1.3 billion a year for the next five years for the park service to tackle lingering issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More broadly than this one agency, among Trumps campaign promises was one to reduce the federal work force. Culling employees from massive governmental bureaucracies in 2024, the NPS had more than 20,000 permanent staff and over 138,000 volunteers is considered one way to rein in federal spending, another key promise of Trumps presidential campaign. The effort to limit government spending was the reason Trump created DOGE in the first place. A black bear climbs over the rocks inside Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 8, 2018. | Kate Wing, Deseret News It was DOGE that, in February, cut the first 1,000 employees from the National Park Service as part of that larger effort to slim down the federal government. The Department of the Interior offered deferred retirements (buyouts) which many took. Some were exempted from the offer, according to the Associated Press. Those were wildland firefighters, law enforcement officers, those in aviation jobs and cyber security positions, but it applied to all other positions within the park from custodians, rangers and scientists to historians managing the second-largest archaeological collection in the U.S. By May, the conservation association determined that the National Park Service had lost 16% of its personnel. Then came the July assessment, which increased the figure to 24%. In those months, some of the park employees who were fired had been rehired, but who and how many were permanently let go remains unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The One Big Beautiful Bill Act that Trump signed on July 4 removes $267 million of funding committed to the park service. It was far less than the $900 million originally suggested by the Trump administration, now representing 8% of its budget. It is department policy that we dont comment on personnel. Secretary Doug Burgum's Public Affair's office Were the parks overstaffed? Bryce Canyon National Park on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Phil Francis was part of a National Park Service restructuring and staff reduction that took place in the early 1990s. The regional office where he worked in Santa Fe was closed, but that was far from the end of his time in the national park system. He found another position within the service and his career wound up spanning more than 40 years, until his 2013 retirement. He spent the last several years as the deputy and acting superintendent of Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Francis is now board chair for the Coalition to Protect Americas National Parks, a group of former national park employees who leverage their experience to advocate for the park service (Sue Fritzke is also a board member). I actually have experienced a reduction in force, he said. Although I think today is even worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats because he watched staffing numbers and budgets decline over the years while park visitation steadily increased. In the 1990s, most of us felt the budgets were too small to handle the responsibilities that we were given and given to serve the public, Francis said. So every year, every budget was passed, we saw small reductions. But cumulatively, those reductions became pretty huge. In the early 1990s, the parks had between 255 million and 274 million visitors a year. Last year, the parks had their largest number of visitors ever with 331 million people. Yellowstone National Park just recorded its busiest May ever. From Franciss perspective, the National Park Service begins each year in a huge deficit because of dollars not allocated the year before (the deferred maintenance issue). Since the start of his career, weve continued to see deficits as enlarging. So given where we are today where the idea is to cut the National Park Service employees by some 30% or so thats on top of having to absorb the costs of the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NPCAs Garder said staffing requirements had steadily eroded since 2010, under a Democratic administration. The workforce capacity fell by over a fifth in the last 10 years, Garder said. The collateral duty Fritzke described is rather ubiquitous and far-reaching, Garder said. You have archaeologists who are cleaning bathrooms because they lost their janitorial staff. Youve got law enforcement officers who are parking cars because theyve lost their visitor services people, Garder said. People who are working two, sometimes even three jobs, because the parks didnt have the funding to hire the colleagues that they used to have. According to Garder, it means park employees are all working in visitor-facing roles to keep up the facade that the parks are not experiencing any impact from staffing or budget cuts. Bison walk across a boardwalk inside Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 5, 2018. graze as tourists stop to watch from a boardwalk inside Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 5, 2018. | Chuck Wing, Deseret News What is the National Park Services mandate? The first national park was Yellowstone, founded in 1872, but it was not until 1916 that the National Park Service was officially formed. The Organic Act of 1916 which was cosponsored by Utah Sen. Reed Smoot gave the NPS the mandate to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. That unimpaired mandate is something national park employees reference as a guiding principle. It requires that parks or historical sites must be conserved and maintained for future generations, and that through that conservation, they provide enjoyment for Americans. But in the midst of the staffing and budget cuts this year, Burgum signed a secretarial order on April 3 titled, Ensuring National Parks Are Open and Accessible. The order makes it clear that parks are to prioritize being available to visitors, stipulating that any park closure or change of operational hours would require director-level review. It sent the parks scrambling to make sure visitor-facing elements were fully operational and staffed. Even if that meant back-office personnel whose jobs were to support visitor services and maintain conservation efforts were not doing their primary roles. National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst, said Wallace Stegner, the late novelist and conservationist. We may not know exactly what the job-related stress points are at the national parks, but, according to Fritzke, it is a good time to emphasize gratitude toward national park employees. People need to be patient because I think the morale of the National Park Service has never been great, but now it is in the toilet, she said. People just need to say thank you because right now they are not being thanked by the administration. That long-tenured employee did have something else to say. Parks employees are doing the best they can. They are stressed but they are committed to doing what they do. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the White Houses decision to sell weapons to NATO countries for distribution to Ukraine was a "significant" moment for Europe amid stalled peace negotiations to end Russias war. Rutte met with President Donald Trump Monday in Washington, D.C., where the commander-in-chief announced the sale of billions of dollars worth of weapons, including Patriot air defense missile systems, and threatened 100% secondary tariffs on countries that trade with Russia if a deal isnt made within 50 days. "This is significant," Rutte said on "Special Report." "So today, if you are in Beijing, or in Delhi, or you're in Brazil and you know that this is coming to you, you might want to call Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and say, Hey, friend, we are still buying stuff from you, but you have got to get serious when it comes to these negotiations on the ceasefire or a peace deal, or otherwise we get hit by the secondary sanctions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's Bold Pivot On Ukraine Sends Major Signal U.S. President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (L) in the Oval Office at the White House on July 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said China, India and Brazil buy oil and petroleum products from Russia, helping prop up its war machine. Trump has held off on imposing additional sanctions on Moscow, preferring to wait and see if his diplomatic efforts will bear fruit. He has grown frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has refused to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by the United States and its European allies earlier this year. Read On The Fox News App "If we don't have an agreement in 50 days, that's what we're doing, secondary tariffs, and they're biting. And I hope we don't get to the point where we do, but I've been hearing so much talk. It's all talk. It's all talk, and then missiles go into Kyiv and kill 60 people. It's got to stop," Trump said Monday from the Oval Office. A police officer at the site of a Russian air strike which hit a residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Putin has escalated attacks on Ukraine in recent months, targeting Kyiv with large-scale missile and drone attacks. The Russian strongman has stuck to his maximalist demands during two rounds of peace talks in Istanbul that have failed to produce much other than prisoner of war exchanges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rutte told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier that the weapons sales send a clear message to Putin about the unity between the United States and Europe and how the two will "do whatever it takes for Ukraine." "If I was in the Kremlin today, I would not be too happy because this is a clear signal that President Trump is serious. He wants peace. He hates the fact that so many people lose their lives in Ukraine," said the former prime minister of the Netherlands. Smoke billows above the city's buildings following mass Russian drone and missile strikes in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on July 12, 2025. Senate Moves To Reign In Trump Administration's Fluctuating Ukraine Policy Trump has set multiple two-week deadlines for Russia to advance peace talks with Ukraine, but theyve repeatedly expired without significant progress or consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Trump last month to reshuffle three things to revitalize the negotiating process: sticks, carrots and the pressure of time. Kuleba said Trump created the pressure of time by stating he could end the war in 24 hours and calling on both sides to sit down and negotiate. "What happened next is that all sticks went to Ukraine and all carrots went to Russia. It has never worked like this centuries ago in the history of diplomacy. It doesn't work like this, and it's not going to work like this, OK, because the right way to do it is to create a pressure of time to avoid endless deliberations and to find the right balance of sticks and carrots for each side," he said. Original article source: NATO chief praises Trump's weapons sales to allies as 'significant' move that could force Putin to negotiate By Patricia Zengerle and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) -NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned on Wednesday that countries such as Brazil, China and India could be hit very hard by secondary sanctions if they continued to do business with Russia. Rutte made the comment while meeting with senators in the U.S. Congress the day after President Donald Trump announced new weapons for Ukraine and threatened "biting" secondary tariffs of 100% on the buyers of Russian exports unless there is a peace deal in 50 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My encouragement to these three countries, particularly is, if you live now in Beijing, or in Delhi, or you are the president of Brazil, you might want to take a look into this, because this might hit you very hard," Rutte told reporters, who met with Trump on Monday and agreed the new steps. "So please make the phone call to Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India and on China in a massive way," Rutte added. Republican U.S. Senator Thom Tillis praised Trump for announcing the steps, but said the 50-day delay "worries" him. He said he was concerned that "Putin would try to use the 50 days to win the war, or to be better positioned to negotiate a peace agreement after having murdered and potentially collected more ground as a basis for negotiation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So we should look at the current state of Ukraine today and say, no matter what you do over the next 50 days, any of your gains are off the table," he added. Rutte said Europe would find the money to ensure Ukraine was in the best possible position in peace talks. He said that under the agreement with Trump, the U.S. would now "massively" supply Ukraine with weapons "not just air defense, also missiles, also ammunition paid for by the Europeans." Asked if long-range missiles for Ukraine were under discussion, Rutte said: "It is both defensive and offensive. So there's all kinds of weapons, but we have not discussed in detail yesterday with the president. This is really being worked through now by the Pentagon, by the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, together with the Ukrainians." (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and David Brunnstrom; Editing by David Gregorio) It was disappointing to read the recent opinion piece from Walnut Way, which disregarded the facts surrounding the Public Service Commission of Wisconsins approval of two new natural gas plants in Oak Creek and Kenosha County. In its unanimous decision, the PSC highlighted the role these plants will play to provide customers with reliable energy every day and every season. This decision followed a thorough 15-month regulatory process, including public hearings and thousands of public comments in support of the projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PSC and its expert staff evaluated the data, considered community input and reached a conclusion grounded in evidence: These facilities are essential to maintaining reliable, affordable power for Wisconsin families and businesses. Opinion: 5 (bad) things every We Energies customer should know about natural gas plants Meanwhile opponents continue to use inflammatory language and discredited claims to mislead the public. That helps no one. Lets stick to the facts. Natural gas plants will meet all local, state and federal regulations These new natural gas plants will meet all local, state and federal environmental and health regulations. Some critics have pointed to a so-called health study to oppose the project. What they dont mention is that one of the authors of that study admitted under oath at a March 13 Public Service Commission hearing to citing incorrect data, one of many errors that rendered the report unreliable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These approved projects are part of our common sense approach that is focused on reliability and affordability. The Oak Creek and Paris plants along with other proposed natural gas investments will ensure we can meet energy demand in every season, during every kind of weather. Opinion: We Energies natural gas plants will help power data centers driving job growth Beyond reliability, these facilities will support new jobs, economic growth and continued investment in southeastern Wisconsin. We are making the grid cleaner and greener while ensuring the lights stay on no matter the weather because we know thats what matters most to our customers. Mike Hooper is president of We Energies. Mike Hooper This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New WI natural gas plants will meet all health regulations | Opinion Minnesotans will soon no longer need to leave the state to return their remains to nature by converting them into nutrient-rich soil. As of July 1, human composting also known as natural organic reduction is legal in the state. But it likely will be another year before the process becomes available locally. At least one company plans to open a facility in the Twin Cities metro by next summer. Legalization of the process comes after a push at the state Capitol to allow the emerging green burial option, which still currently requires a trip to another state to complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was the case for Steve Wheeler, a longtime social studies teacher at Mahtomedi High School, who died in September 2023 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Wheeler, who had multiple sclerosis, started searching for burial options with his wife after learning he had a terminal diagnosis. Hed kind of always known that he didnt traditional burial and he didnt want cremation, because those things are just so incredibly bad for the environment, said Katie Wheeler, Steves wife. He didnt want to leave, you know, such a large negative mark on the world, on the environment, in his death. Truly green option The couple had some initial frustration finding what they felt was a truly green burial option. Some funeral homes allowed for the burial of un-embalmed bodies, but still provided protective burial vaults something the Wheelers felt ran counter to a truly environmentally-friendly burial. Vaults are typically made of inorganic materials like concrete. Eventually, they found an ideal option, human composting, a process where a body is placed in a ventilated container with organic materials like alfalfa, straw, and sawdust and allowed to naturally decompose over 60 days or so until it becomes soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steve was excited about the option, Katie said, but there was one problem the practice was illegal in Minnesota. Only a handful of states have legalized human composting 13 as of 2025. Washington was the first to do so in 2020. The Wheelers eventually found a way forward. Mueller Memorial, a White Bear Lake-based funeral home, had recently started working with a provider of natural organic reductions in Washington. Return Home in Auburn, Wash., a Seattle Suburb, had a well-established operation and was able to accept remains from other states. The process Other green burials, which avoid embalming chemicals and use biodegradable caskets, already are legal in Minnesota. Human composting is a different, newer process. Green burial, quite honestly has been has been around since people have died, said Scott Mueller, funeral director and owner of Mueller Memorial. Though in recent years, more people have been seeking environmentally friendly burials, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are really looking for more sustainable options in every way that they live, and now theyre looking at it in how they die as well, Mueller said. So, what happens when a body goes under natural organic reduction? Remains are placed inside a vessel made of insulated plastic along with biodegradable materials. The container is well ventilated and about twice the size of a refrigerator, said Mueller. What then starts is a roughly 30-day process where the body naturally decomposes and becomes nutrient-rich dirt. Airflow is pumped through the vessel, which becomes warm to the touch as its temperature reaches around 130 degrees Fahrenheit, Mueller said. Once the temperature decreases, its a sign that the primary decomposition is complete. Remaining bones are pulverized and mixed with the compost, which is then put in another vessel and allowed to sit for another 30 days or so. The compost continues to produce heat at this point, Mueller said, and the vessels temperature can reach 80 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mueller said he visited a site where 60 bodies were undergoing the composting process and there was no hint of the scent of decay or decomposition. Instead, the facility had the smell of earth. Families are free to visit during the process, and the funeral home provides live streams of the containers. After around 60 or 65 days, all that remains is 230 to 260 pounds of compost. Families have the option of receiving all the compost in about a dozen bags, distributing it in a woodland area managed by Return Home in Washington, or keeping some of the compost. Katie Wheeler decided to keep about 20 pounds of her husbands compost. At first, she kept the bag at home. Last summer, she spread some at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, one of Steves favorite places, and used it to plant two trees. She still has two or three pounds left. Steve Wheeler wanted to testify before the Legislature to advocate for legalizing natural organic reduction and recorded a video outlining his reasons for choosing the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this act, I can at least go out on a high note and say I have left the world just a little bit better than when I found it, he said. Bill passed last year State lawmakers passed a bill legalizing natural organic reduction during the 2024 legislative session and it went into effect this July 1. The Minnesota Funeral Directors Association had initially opposed the bill because it had concerns about unlicensed and untrained people performing natural organic reduction. In testimony on the bill in 2024, the association said it had concerns about health, safety and dignity. Lawmakers addressed their concerns about human composting by including licensing requirements in the bill, according to Funeral Directors Association Executive Director Miki Tufto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The association is completely in support of options for disposition for families in Minnesota, she said. The Minnesota Catholic Conference testified against legalizing human composting at a 2024 House hearing. They raised concerns about dignity and compared the practice to treating human remains like fertilizer. Mueller, himself a Catholic, said he believes views will shift over time. The Catholic Church opposed cremation until 1963, but now allows for remains to be burned, though with a strong preference for the burying of ashes. Mueller Memorial has sent seven bodies from Minnesota to Washington since it started working with Return Home. About 900 bodies have undergone composting at the facility since it first opened earlier this decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natural organic reduction costs around $5,000 to $7,000. Its more expensive to fly remains out of state. Return Home, for instance, charges a base rate of about $5,500 and $2,500 more for transporting remains from out of state. Return Home said it hopes to open a facility for natural organic reduction by next summer. Related Articles (Guam Boonie Stompers) REMINDER! We no longer meet at Chamorro Village. We meet at the trailhead. Every Saturday, Guam Boonie Stompers offers public hikes to a variety of destinations such as beaches, snorkeling sites, waterfalls, mountains, caves, latte sites, and World War II sites. We meet at the trailhead on Saturdays at 8 AM. Directions to the trailhead will be posted on the Guam Boonie Stompers Inc Facebook page. The cost is $5.00 for hikers over 13. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Hikers should provide their own transportation. Guams trails are not developed. Weather conditions can make the hikes more difficult than described. No reservations required. 7/19 Libugon Radio Station to Fonte Dam/Swim Hole (M) 7/26 Korean Airline Memorial(E)/ Hidden Bunker(M)/Charlie Corn (D) 8/02 Taguan (1000 Steps) (E-M) 8/09 Asmafines Falls (M)/Lofan Falls (D) 8/16 Asan Falls/Tonys Falls (E) 8/23 Lower Sigua Falls (D) 8/30 Tinago Falls (M) 9/06 Southeast Coast (Talofofo Bay to Inarajan) (D) 9/13 Waterfall Valley (M) 9/20 Ritidian to Falcona Beach (D) 9/27 Fintasa & LaoLao Falls (M) *Difficulty levels- E (easy) M (medium) D (difficult) VD (very difficult) Frustrated Minnesota residents are seeking urgent solutions to pollution in a local lake, which sees around 14,500 pounds of bird poop fall into it per year. Lake Augusta, located in the city of Mendota Heights, becomes a haven for migrating cormorants each fall due to the dead trees that line the shore. Though the birds are a native species, protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a recent report from the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization found them to be the estimated largest contributor of phosphorus to the lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seabird droppings, often referred to as guano, are a well-known source of phosphorus. Cormorants in the trees lining Lake Augusta in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Residents are frustrated with the high volume of bird droppings that are polluting the waters (Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization) Cormorants in the trees lining Lake Augusta in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Residents are frustrated with the high volume of bird droppings that are polluting the waters (Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization) Fourteen thousand five hundred pounds of bird poop is a lot of bird poop," Joe Nunez, a resident right on the water, told KARE 11. The report from LMRWMO outlines possible ways to address this specific issue with pollution. Suggested solutions include hazing or harassing with the use of loud noise, strobe lights, fireworks, or other methods. It has also been suggested that portions of the cormorant population be culled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, experts told the Star Tribune the birds would adapt quickly to such deterrents and that interfering with them could prove problematic should the colony migrate towards a nearby airport and collide with planes. LMRWMOs report also notes that management of bird populations by a watershed management organization is uncommon, if not unprecedented, to improve water quality of a lake. Dead trees lining Lake Augusta are popular nesting spots for the birds. Town officials have suggested that cutting down the trees may help solve the pollution problem being caused by the birds excrement (Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization) Dead trees lining Lake Augusta are popular nesting spots for the birds. Town officials have suggested that cutting down the trees may help solve the pollution problem being caused by the birds excrement (Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization) Ryan Ruzek with the Mendota Heights Public Works Department told KARE 11, the city was not looking to use such methods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another suggestion is the removal of trees surrounding Lake Augusta to deter the cormorants, though again, the impact is unknown, may be ineffective, and/or may have unintended consequences, per the report, and funding for such removal may be difficult to obtain. The city is also considering other solutions that would have little impact on the cormorants, including the building of a separate outlet to help clean the water and remove the phosphorus caused by the droppings. A Mendota Heights city hall meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss possible solutions. Italy's culture minister joined the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Tuesday in condemning an invitation for maestro Valery Gergiev to perform near Naples, saying it risked being propaganda for Moscow. Russian conductor Gergiev, a personal friend of President Vladimir Putin who has since December 2023 led Moscow's world famous Bolshoi Theatre, has been shunned by the West since the start of the Ukraine war for failing to denounce Russia's invasion. But he has been invited to conduct what organisers described as an "unforgettable symphony concert" on July 27 at the former royal palace of Reggia di Caserta, near Naples in southern Italy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation has called for the concert to be cancelled and his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, pressed the case in an editorial on Tuesday in Italian daily La Repubblica. "Any attempt to turn a blind eye to who Valery Gergiev is when he's not conducting and to pretend that this is merely a cultural event with no political dimension... is pure hypocrisy," she wrote. Just hours later, Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli issued a statement warning the concert "risks sending the wrong message". "Ukraine is an invaded nation and Gergiev's concert could transform a high-level... musical event into a platform for Russian propaganda," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For me, this would be deplorable." - Stand-in for Putin - Giuli is a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's hard-right government, which has strongly backed Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022. He noted the concert was part of a programme of events promoted and paid for by the region of Campania. Campania regional leader Vincenzo De Luca, from the centre-left Democratic Party, has defended the concert, saying that "culture is a tool to keep dialogue open". On social media on Friday, he noted an Israeli conductor was also on the programme, adding: "We don't ask those men of culture to answer for the political choices of those who lead their respective countries." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He repeated his position on Tuesday, condemning Putin's actions in Ukraine but saying that refusing to engage in dialogue "only serves to fuel the rivers of hatred". But Navalnaya, whose husband died in an Artic penal colony last year in what she and his supporters say was a killing on Putin's orders, was scathing. "As Putin's cultural ambassador, Valery Gergiev implements Russia's soft power policy. One of his current goals is to normalise the war and Putin's regime," she wrote. She described the Caserta concert as a "test balloon" for boosting Putin's image in Europe and noted it was being praised by Russian authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Forgive me, but if the Kremlin is happy with you in 2025, then you are definitely doing something wrong," she wrote. Other members of the Democratic Party have called for the concert to be cancelled, as have other cultural figures outside Italy. Peter Gelb, general manager of New York's Metropolitan Opera and a staunch supporter of Ukraine, told AFP that Gergiev "is no less than an artistic stand-in for Putin". He added: "There can be no 'cultural exchange' with mass murderers and kidnappers of children, which is the current modus operandi of the Russian regime." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gergiev has stood by Putin's policies for more than two decades and performed propaganda concerts in honour of Russian military victories in the past. In one of his most criticised moves, Gergiev conducted a concert in the ruins of Syria's Palmyra after Moscow's intervention in the country on the side of dictator Bashar al-Assad. He also conducted a triumphant concert in Georgia's Tskhinvali region after the Russian invasion in 2008, just a few metres (feet) from a detention centre where Georgian civilians were being held. bur-ar/ide/gil By Leila Miller BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -The Supreme Court official had a secret to share when he called Eliahu Hamra, the rabbi of Argentina's main Jewish community center, one night around the turn of the year. The court had found a dozen boxes of Nazi documents in its basement archive containing photos of Hitler as well as thousands of red Nazi labor organization membership booklets stamped with the swastika of the Third Reich. Silvio Robles, chief of staff to the court's president, wanted the rabbi's advice about how to handle the discovery, Hamra recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was an uncomfortable subject for Argentina, home to Latin America's largest Jewish community, but also notorious for giving refuge to dozens of Nazi war criminals after World War Two. Hamra said he told Robles the court could face awkward questions about how the Nazi material came to be in its basement. "I warned him to take into account that this could leave a stain on them," Hamra said in an interview with Reuters. The conversation with the rabbi was an important early step in a coordinated effort between the Supreme Court and Jewish community leaders to bring the trove of documents to light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The find surfaced at a time when Argentina is demonstrating new readiness to look back at its complicated history with Nazis in the war era. President Javier Milei, who has shown a personal interest in Judaism and strong support for Israel, in April opened up access to Nazi documents, uploading hundreds of de-classified documents online. "The Argentine government is committed to bringing these issues to light," said Emiliano Diaz, a spokesperson for Milei's government. Argentina remained neutral during the conflict until March 1945 when it declared war on Germany. After the Allied victory, many Holocaust survivors emigrated to Argentina. So did Nazi war criminals Adolf Eichmann, the chief organizer of the massacre of Jews during the Holocaust, and Josef Mengele, an Auschwitz death camp doctor who performed experiments on prisoners, granted entry by the Juan Peron government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even decades later, this history made the Supreme Court tread carefully around the discovery. It declined to answer written questions from Reuters on the finding or to allow the news agency to see the booklets. The court has said it discovered the boxes during preparations for a new Supreme Court museum. But the Nazi documents had been seen sporadically in the court's archives since the 1970s, according to interviews with three judiciary employees and a private attorney with direct knowledge of the matter. Reuters could not determine why the trove of documents was not made public until now. "Nazis in Argentina set in motion many feelings," said Argentine historian German Friedmann. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'DON'T TOUCH' The basement archives housed in the large stone building of Argentina's Supreme Court contain hundreds of thousands of legal case files. It's easy to imagine that something could get lost. The Nazi materials were rediscovered in a room storing broken furniture, according to two judiciary officials. Robles, alerted to the find, then reached out to Hamra, the rabbi. And on May 9, Hamra, Jonathan Karszenbaum, the director of the local Holocaust museum and himself the grandson of survivors, and Horacio Rosatti, the president of the court, gathered in a judge's chamber to watch workers pry open the wooden crates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I couldn't register even my own sensations because of the strangeness of the moment," said Karszenbaum. The court announced the find two days later. It later said the discovery included 5,000 membership booklets from the German Labor Front and the German Association of Trade Unions, both Nazi labor organizations. But some people who worked in the archives have long known about the boxes of Nazi material. One archive employee said he saw the boxes in the same storage room about a decade ago, and caught a glimpse of booklets with German names in a partially opened box. In the early 1970s, Alberto Garay, now an attorney and constitutional law expert in Buenos Aires, was visiting a friend who worked at the archives. He spotted a pile of red notebooks, imprinted with swastikas and bundled together with string, on the floor, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was surprised and said, 'what do you have here?'" Garay recalled. "He said, 'don't touch'". A SHIP AND A RAID According to the Supreme Court, the material arrived in Argentina in 1941 aboard a Japanese vessel, part of a shipment of 83 packages from the German embassy in Tokyo. The cargo was impounded by customs agents because of concerns it could damage Argentina's war neutrality, the court said. But for local historian Julio Mutti, whose work focuses on Nazis in Argentina, that sounded implausible. In a May 15 article, Mutti suggested the court had conflated two events that occurred a month apart: the arrival of the Japanese ship and a raid on underground Nazi organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Argentina was home to about 250,000 German-speakers at the outbreak of World War Two. When Hitler annexed Austria in 1938, more than 10,000 people filled a Buenos Aires stadium to celebrate, causing alarm among locals. In 1939, Argentina's president dissolved the local branch of the Nazi party. Two years later, in 1941, Argentina's congress created a commission to investigate Nazi activities in the country. When the Nan A Maru docked in Buenos Aires, the commission asked the foreign ministry to intervene, according to a Reuters review of reports in La Prensa, a popular Argentine daily at the time. Inspectors opened five packages, finding propaganda, La Prensa reported. Searches of the remaining 78 packages revealed mostly children's books, magazines and envelopes with war photographs. There was no mention of membership booklets. Reuters was unable to determine what happened to the impounded cargo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around this time, the commission was also investigating whether the banned Nazi party and the German Labor Front were continuing to operate underground. On July 23 a month after the arrival of the Japanese ship the authorities raided the offices of the German Association of Trade Unions and the Federation of German Beneficence and Cultural Clubs, fronts for the banned Nazi labor organization and party, seizing thousands of red membership booklets, according to La Prensa. The booklets were stored in the Supreme Court, La Prensa reported. Mutti, who learned about the raids through archival research in 2016, had searched for the notebooks in the court building, eventually concluding they had been incinerated to make space in the archive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When news broke of the discovery of the red booklets in the basement, "I immediately realized where they came from," he said. In June, the Supreme Court said it was digitizing and cataloguing the materials, and released photos of workers in masks and hairnets poring over the find. For now, it's unclear what the rediscovered booklets will reveal. Four historians told Reuters it's unlikely the notebooks will yield information not already uncovered by the wartime commission. Holger Meding, a historian at the University of Cologne, didn't expect the booklets would radically change historians' understanding of Nazi activities in Argentina. But, he said, "for historians, every piece of the mosaic is important." (Reporting by Leila Miller; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Suzanne Goldenberg) BUENOS AIRES, July 15 (Reuters) The Supreme Court official had a secret to share when he called Eliahu Hamra, the rabbi of Argentinas main Jewish community center, one night around the turn of the year. The court had found a dozen boxes of Nazi documents in its basement archive containing photos of Hitler as well as thousands of red Nazi labor organization membership booklets stamped with the swastika of the Third Reich. Silvio Robles, chief of staff to the courts president, wanted the rabbis advice about how to handle the discovery, Hamra recalled. It was an uncomfortable subject for Argentina, home to Latin Americas largest Jewish community, but also notorious for giving refuge to dozens of Nazi war criminals after World War Two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamra said he told Robles the court could face awkward questions about how the Nazi material came to be in its basement. I warned him to take into account that this could leave a stain on them, Hamra said in an interview with Reuters. The conversation with the rabbi was an important early step in a coordinated effort between the Supreme Court and Jewish community leaders to bring the trove of documents to light. The find surfaced at a time when Argentina is demonstrating new readiness to look back at its complicated history with Nazis in the war era. The IMF reaches a deal with troubled Argentina on a $20 billion bailout Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Javier Milei, who has shown a personal interest in Judaism and strong support for Israel, in April opened up access to Nazi documents, uploading hundreds of de-classified documents online. The Argentine government is committed to bringing these issues to light, said Emiliano Diaz, a spokesperson for Mileis government. Argentina remained neutral during the conflict until March 1945 when it declared war on Germany. After the Allied victory, many Holocaust survivors emigrated to Argentina. So did Nazi war criminals Adolf Eichmann, the chief organizer of the massacre of Jews during the Holocaust, and Josef Mengele, an Auschwitz death camp doctor who performed experiments on prisoners, granted entry by the Juan Peron government. Even decades later, this history made the Supreme Court tread carefully around the discovery. It declined to answer written questions from Reuters on the finding or to allow the news agency to see the booklets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court has said it discovered the boxes during preparations for a new Supreme Court museum. But the Nazi documents had been seen sporadically in the courts archives since the 1970s, according to interviews with three judiciary employees and a private attorney with direct knowledge of the matter. Reuters could not determine why the trove of documents was not made public until now. Nazis in Argentina set in motion many feelings, said Argentine historian German Friedmann. DONT TOUCH The basement archives housed in the large stone building of Argentinas Supreme Court contain hundreds of thousands of legal case files. Its easy to imagine that something could get lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nazi materials were rediscovered in a room storing broken furniture, according to two judiciary officials. Robles, alerted to the find, then reached out to Hamra, the rabbi. And on May 9, Hamra, Jonathan Karszenbaum, the director of the local Holocaust museum and himself the grandson of survivors, and Horacio Rosatti, the president of the court, gathered in a judges chamber to watch workers pry open the wooden crates. Polish prosecutors investigate far-right lawmaker for comments on Auschwitz I couldnt register even my own sensations because of the strangeness of the moment, said Karszenbaum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court announced the find two days later. It later said the discovery included 5,000 membership booklets from the German Labor Front and the German Association of Trade Unions, both Nazi labor organizations. But some people who worked in the archives have long known about the boxes of Nazi material. One archive employee said he saw the boxes in the same storage room about a decade ago, and caught a glimpse of booklets with German names in a partially opened box. In the early 1970s, Alberto Garay, now an attorney and constitutional law expert in Buenos Aires, was visiting a friend who worked at the archives. He spotted a pile of red notebooks, imprinted with swastikas and bundled together with string, on the floor, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was surprised and said, what do you have here?' Garay recalled. He said, dont touch'. A SHIP AND A RAID According to the Supreme Court, the material arrived in Argentina in 1941 aboard a Japanese vessel, part of a shipment of 83 packages from the German embassy in Tokyo. The cargo was impounded by customs agents because of concerns it could damage Argentinas war neutrality, the court said. But for local historian Julio Mutti, whose work focuses on Nazis in Argentina, that sounded implausible. In a May 15 article, Mutti suggested the court had conflated two events that occurred a month apart: the arrival of the Japanese ship and a raid on underground Nazi organizations. Roman-era mosaic panel with erotic theme that was stolen during World War II returns to Pompeii Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Argentina was home to about 250,000 German-speakers at the outbreak of World War Two. When Hitler annexed Austria in 1938, more than 10,000 people filled a Buenos Aires stadium to celebrate, causing alarm among locals. In 1939, Argentinas president dissolved the local branch of the Nazi party. Two years later, in 1941, Argentinas congress created a commission to investigate Nazi activities in the country. When the Nan A Maru docked in Buenos Aires, the commission asked the foreign ministry to intervene, according to a Reuters review of reports in La Prensa, a popular Argentine daily at the time. Inspectors opened five packages, finding propaganda, La Prensa reported. Searches of the remaining 78 packages revealed mostly childrens books, magazines and envelopes with war photographs. There was no mention of membership booklets. Reuters was unable to determine what happened to the impounded cargo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around this time, the commission was also investigating whether the banned Nazi party and the German Labor Front were continuing to operate underground. On July 23 a month after the arrival of the Japanese ship the authorities raided the offices of the German Association of Trade Unions and the Federation of German Beneficence and Cultural Clubs, fronts for the banned Nazi labor organization and party, seizing thousands of red membership booklets, according to La Prensa. The booklets were stored in the Supreme Court, La Prensa reported. Mutti, who learned about the raids through archival research in 2016, had searched for the notebooks in the court building, eventually concluding they had been incinerated to make space in the archive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When news broke of the discovery of the red booklets in the basement, I immediately realized where they came from, he said. In June, the Supreme Court said it was digitizing and cataloguing the materials, and released photos of workers in masks and hairnets poring over the find. For now, its unclear what the rediscovered booklets will reveal. Four historians told Reuters its unlikely the notebooks will yield information not already uncovered by the wartime commission. Holger Meding, a historian at the University of Cologne, didnt expect the booklets would radically change historians understanding of Nazi activities in Argentina. But, he said, for historians, every piece of the mosaic is important. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, chair of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee. May 12, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Nebraska ended fiscal year 2024-25 about $86 million below its expected tax revenues, further cementing the budget challenges state lawmakers will face next session. On Tuesday, Nebraskas Department of Revenue released the states June tax receipts, revealing net receipts for the month were down about 0.5% from what the states forecasting board predicted in April. That drop equates to about $4 million in less revenue headed into Nebraskas general fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement June was the last month of the fiscal year, which spanned from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Overall, Nebraskas net receipts for the year were 1.4% down from the forecast, equating to a $86 million drop in expected revenues. Legislative Fiscal Analyst Keisha Patent said the receipts mean Nebraska is effectively back in a budget deficit, though the exact number has yet to be determined. Budget implications Lawmakers grappled all session with a projected deficit that fluctuated, growing as high as $432 million. Senators, until the latest update, landed with a budget plan that would have ended the current biennium with a $4 million surplus. Senators drafted the budget based on projections from the forecasting boards latest meeting in late April. Following that meeting, Nebraskas May tax receipts came in more than 14% below their projections, equating to $82 million in less revenue going to the state. A photo illustration of money. (Getty Images) That, combined with the June receipts, led to the $86 million drop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While these receipts put Nebraskas budget balance back in the red, Patent said it isnt so simple as subtracting $86 million from the $4 million surplus. Patent said she would have an update on Nebraskas financial status at the states Tax Rate Review Committee meeting next week. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Biggest factors The biggest contributors to Junes lower-than-expected receipts were individual and corporate income tax revenues coming in below forecasts, continuing a trend from May. Individual income tax collections were about $30.3 million short, or 11.7% below projections. Corporate income tax collections were $9.6 million short 6.7% below projections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Patent and Appropriations Committee Chair State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood said the lower individual income tax revenues are likely due to Nebraskas pass-through entity tax law (PTET). PTET impacts taxes for pass-through entities like S Corps and some LLCs. However, it does not impact Nebraskas tax liability, nor the states net general fund receipts, according to the Department of Revenue. It only changes the timeline of when the state is paid, basically which fiscal years see the revenue. Multiple other factors could have contributed to Nebraskas corporate income taxes coming in below forecast, Patent said. Corporate taxes are affected by each corporations expected profits and other tax benefits, she said. Both Patent and Clements said Nebraskas phased decreases to its individual and corporate income tax rates also could have contributed to lower revenues, though they noted that the forecasting board accounted for the decreased rates in the groups revenue projections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One category of revenue that increased was miscellaneous taxes, which Patent said includes a number of sources, including the states alcohol and cigarette tax. Miscellaneous tax revenue came in $33.3 million higher than expected in June, a 51.3% increase from the latest forecast. While miscellaneous taxes have remained relatively stable, Patent said the increase is likely explained in a different way. The transfers lawmakers approved this session from various cash funds to bolster the budget were included in the category, because those dollars added to the states general fund, she said. Whats next Compared to Mays receipts, Clements said Junes receipts being comparatively on par with the forecast was an improvement. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen addresses the Nebraska Legislature on the final day of the 2025 legislative session. June 2, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) In his closing remarks of the session, Speaker of the Legislature John Arch of La Vista warned lawmakers that their biggest challenge in 2026 would likely be balancing the budget. The top concern prompting that warning was uncertainty about possible budget cuts from the federal level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, passage of the federal budget reconciliation bill has prompted some concerns over whether Gov. Jim Pillen might call a special session to adjust Nebraskas budget. So far, Clements said he hasnt heard of any federal changes significant enough to warrant a special session, nor has he heard any talk of the governor calling one. The Governors Office had no immediate comment Tuesday on whether Pillen might be considering a special session. Even factoring in the latest tax receipts, Clements anticipates no need to make new budget adjustments ahead of the next regular session. Theres no cause for alarm at this point, Clements said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CAMERON, Mo. A weekend house fire turned deadly in a small town north of the Kansas City metro. Around 4 p.m. Sunday, neighbors in Cameron said they heard a loud explosion at the home, which alerted homeowners near 5th and Nettleton streets. According to Cameron Police, the fire killed one person on Sunday. Jackson County Executive Frank White pitches Gov. Kehoe adjusted approach to sales tax extension Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortunately, one neighbors quick response saved the life of a 10-year-old boy. Mark Dahse, 63, was watching TV on Sunday afternoon, when the blast of an explosion shook his quiet neighborhood. The house across the street was on fire. Dahse said he didnt hesitate, despite flames and smoke. He said the house was burning on one side more than the other, so Dahse tried the houses backdoor. When that didnt work, he and a neighbor used a hammer to break a side window and pull the child to safety. When I got him out, he was saying, shes still in there, his aunt. I just told him, theres nothing we can do. The fires already engulfed the house. Theres nothing we can do,' Dahse said on Monday. Deadly house fire in Cameron, Missouri, on July 13, 2025 Deadly house fire in Cameron, Missouri, on July 13, 2025 Deadly house fire in Cameron, Missouri, on July 13, 2025 Deadly house fire in Cameron, Missouri, on July 13, 2025 Deadly house fire in Cameron, Missouri, on July 13, 2025 Deadly house fire in Cameron, Missouri, on July 13, 2025 Deadly house fire in Cameron, Missouri, on July 13, 2025 Deadly house fire in Cameron, Missouri, on July 13, 2025 Dahse said he wishes he could have done more to rescue the woman trapped in the burning home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont consider myself a hero at all. I dont. Its just something I would hope anybody would do, Dahse said. Savannah Hahn, a neighbor, said the community support has been amazing to see. There were actually a lot of people out here supporting the family that lived there, which is amazing, Hahn said. I have four young kids, so I dont know if thats something that I would risk doing, but I think its very noble for someone else to do that. Police and fire departments in Cameron havent released the names of the people in Sundays fire. The state fire marshal is leading the investigation. We extend our deepest condolences to the family affected by this tragic event and express our gratitude to the first responders and citizens who acted heroically in the face of danger, the Cameron Police Department said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an ongoing investigation; FOX4 will provide updates as theyre made available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Springfields citywide storm debris clean-up day is this Thursday, July 17. Volunteers will go and help those who need assistance dragging any limbs to their curb. After the volunteer day on July 17, the city will begin to pick up the curbside debris in phases. Public Works will start sweeping the city by council zone. Zone One: July 21-25 Zone Three: July 28 August 1 Zone Two: August 11-15 Zone Four: August 18-22 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday, July 14th, is the last day you can request assistance. To request help to get the limbs to your curb click here. There are a lot of old folks that really cant even get stuff dragged through the front yard, said Robert Jones, who lives in the Tom Watkins neighborhood. So they really need a lot of help. I think its a good deal. Jones was able to get the limbs to his curb but not haul them off on his own. If my ex in-laws would come and get it, then, you know, theyre going to, Jones said. But I dont know when theyre going to be able to. He says they own a tree-trimming business and have been busy these last few months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So if they dont get it in time then the city can get it if they want to, Jones said. The neighbors tree fell on our house, said Linda Eggers. And we had the Missouri Baptist Relief Center, we were blessed they came and took it down for free. Linda Eggers says some of that debris from the tree falling down is still in her backyard. Volunteers for the clean-up day on Thursday will rally at one of 14 parks across town for a morning or afternoon shift. Anyone who signed up to volunteer with the city will be matched up with someone who requested assistance. Its amazing, Eggers said. Especially at a time like this, we all help each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones tells Ozarks First he would be open to volunteering to help drag limbs. I cant do a whole lot, Jones said. I mean, Ive had two strokes a couple of years ago. I do what I can, though. This volunteer day and clean-up sweep will only be for people inside Springfield city limits. Right now, theres not any plans for outside the city limits or out into the unincorporated areas of the county, said Greene County Emergency Management Director Larry Woods. A lot of those areas have already had significant progress towards cleanup in the last couple of months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. (Fish n Fins) Mission Brief - Welcome to Natures Most Classified Operation Your mission briefing never covered this - 1,500 species of fish, 700 types of coral, and marine encounters that make classified intel look boring. While youve been analyzing satellite imagery and tracking enemy movements, theres been a theater of operations running 24/7 just a few hours south of your base - and its been classified as the worlds most spectacular underwater battlefield. Forget everything you think you know about marine life from those sanitized documentaries. Palau isnt just another tropical dive destination - its natures equivalent of a multi-theater combat zone where apex predators, massive aggregations, and tactical maneuvers happen on a scale that would make any military strategist take notes. (Fish n Fins) (Fish n Fins) Target Assessment - Palaus Marine Biodiversity Arsenal The raw intelligence is staggering. Were talking about operational zones where lemon sharks patrol like sentries, bull sharks move through like heavy armor, and tiger sharks command respect like flag officers. But heres where it gets interesting - these arent just random encounters. Were talking about hundreds of reef sharks operating in coordinated formations that would make your squadron jealous. (Fish n Fins) Seasonal Intelligence Reports November to January - Operation Manta Romance: The giants are gathering. Manta rays, some with wingspans reaching 20 feet, converge for their annual mating rituals. These creatures move through the water with the grace of stealth aircraft, and watching them perform their courtship dances is like witnessing a classified aerial demonstration. January to March - Shark Mating Offensive: This is when things get serious. Hundreds of reef sharks gather in what can only be described as the oceans version of a massive military exercise. The aggression levels spike, territorial behaviors intensify, and youre witnessing natures own version of combat training - except these participants have been perfecting their tactics for millions of years. March/April - The Moorish Idol Massacre: Heres where the intel gets truly spectacular. Thousands of moorish idols gather in spawning aggregations that create underwater clouds visible from the surface. But heres the kicker - hundreds of sharks know this timing better than any operations calendar. Every dive becomes a front-row seat to coordinated hunting operations that would make any tactical team envious. Lunar Operations - Full and New Moon Fish Aggregations: Before every full and new moon, Palaus reefs transform into something that exists nowhere else on the planet. Fish aggregations so dense they create their own weather patterns underwater - thousands of fish gathering for synchronized spawning operations. And like any good intelligence operation, the sharks have cracked the code. They position themselves strategically around these mating aggregations, picking off distracted targets with surgical precision. (Link to Spawning Events: https://fishnfins.com/index.php/dive-palau/spawning-dives) Operational Zones - Premier Dive Sites Blue Corner - The Command Center: This isnt just a dive site - its where all marine life converges like a joint operations center. Strong currents create a natural amphitheater where sharks patrol the perimeter while smaller species navigate the middle ground. Youll hook into the reef and watch natures most sophisticated military operation unfold before your eyes. (Link to Blue Corner: https://fishnfins.com/index.php/dive-palau/dive-sites-palau/ngemelis-dives/152-blue-corner-palau) German Channel - The Highway: Think of this as the main supply route for marine life. Manta rays use the channels cleaning stations like scheduled maintenance stops, while sharks patrol the area like military police. The strategic positioning gives you unobstructed views of operations from multiple angles. (Link to German Channel: https://fishnfins.com/index.php/dive-palau/dive-sites-palau/ngemelis-dives/150-german-channel) (Fish n Fins) (Fish n Fins) Ulong Channel - Coral and Shark Paradise: This is where the real action happens. A coral paradise that serves as both hunting ground and sanctuary, where shark populations thrive in numbers that defy imagination. The channels unique topography creates perfect ambush points and hiding spots - natural tactics that any infantry unit would recognize and respect. (Link to Ulong Channel: https://fishnfins.com/index.php/dive-palau/dive-sites-palau/ulong-dives/151-ulong-channel) Field Reconnaissance - What Youll Actually Witness Forget the sanitized nature documentaries. In Palau, youre not watching marine life - youre embedded with it. Gray reef sharks patrol in formations that would make any squadron leader proud. Whitetip sharks demonstrate stealth techniques that special forces would study. Blacktip sharks execute precision strikes that showcase tactical excellence. The macro operations are equally impressive. Nudibranches conduct reconnaissance missions across coral formations. Pygmy seahorses demonstrate camouflage techniques that would make any sniper envious. And the coral formations themselves represent engineering marvels that rival any military construction project. When the pelagic units arrive - tuna moving like fighter jets, barracuda schools forming defensive walls, eagle rays gliding through like reconnaissance aircraft - you realize youre witnessing combined operations on a scale that makes human military exercises look like training drills. (Fish n Fins) Intelligence Gathering - Your Personal Documentation Every dive becomes an intelligence-gathering mission. Youll be building your own marine life database, documenting behavior patterns, understanding predator-prey relationships, and analyzing territorial boundaries. The photography opportunities arent just about pretty pictures - theyre about capturing evidence of tactical behaviors that most people will never witness. Mission Planning - Fish n Fins vs. Ocean Hunter Operations Daily Operations (Fish n Fins): Perfect for flexible deployment schedules. You can adapt to different experience levels, return to base each night, and maintain communication with your unit. Professional gear provided, no need for personal equipment transport from your stationed base. (Link to Fish n Fins: https://fishnfins.com - Link to Ocean Hunter: https://oceanhunter.com) Extended Deployment (Ocean Hunter Liveaboards): Multi-day missions that reach remote operational zones inaccessible to day boats. Youre talking about sleeping above some of the planets most pristine reefs, waking up to dive sites that see fewer humans in a year than your mess hall sees in a day. After Action Report - Why This Intel Changes Everything The stress relief alone justifies the mission. After months of analyzing real threats and managing operational pressure, theres something profoundly therapeutic about observing marine ecosystems where the only thing you need to worry about is your air supply and camera settings. But its more than just R&R. Understanding these ecosystems builds appreciation for environmental security - a growing concern in military strategic planning. The conversations youll have with family and friends back home wont be about classified operations you cant discuss - theyll be about incredible encounters youll want to share in detail. Youll develop new skills and knowledge completely outside your military expertise. Navigation underwater, buoyancy control, marine species identification, underwater photography - these arent just vacation activities, theyre additional capabilities that broaden your skill set and confidence. Mission Authorization - Making It Happen Proximity Advantage: For service members stationed in Japan, Korea, or Guam, Palau is closer than home leave. Two hours from Guam, direct flights from major Pacific bases, and youre in a completely different world. Cost Analysis: Comparative to other R&R options, especially when you factor in the unique experiences you simply cannot get anywhere else. Group rates available for unit coordination - imagine your entire squad sharing these encounters. Timing Coordination: Work with your duty schedule to hit those optimal seasons. Miss the moorish idol spawning in March, and youll wait a full year for the next opportunity. Miss the shark mating aggregations, and youve missed one of natures most spectacular displays. Deploy to Paradise - Your Orders Heres your bottom line - every documentary youve watched, every nature program youve seen, every marine life encounter youve imagined - theyre all preliminary intelligence reports compared to what youll experience in Palau. The lemon sharks are bigger than you expect. The bull sharks are more impressive than any video suggested. The tiger sharks command respect in ways that photos cant capture. And when youre surrounded by hundreds of reef sharks during mating season, or watching thousands of moorish idols create underwater storms while sharks execute coordinated hunting operations, youll understand why military personnel whove been there say the same thing: There is no better dive spot than Palau. Period. Contact Fish n Fins for daily operations or Ocean Hunter for liveaboard deployments. Your next leave just became a lot more interesting. Some of the best intel youll ever gather doesnt require security clearance - just a willingness to dive in. Mission Status - Ready for deployment. Your underwater intelligence awaits. The Brief Major Chad Dickerson of the Pierce County Sheriff's Office is under investigation for vehicular assault and DUI after a crash in Graham. Dickerson allegedly failed to stop, colliding with a family's SUV, injuring several, including three children. He is on administrative leave and out on bail, with WSP leading the investigation. GRAHAM, Wash. - A Pierce County Sheriff's Office major is under investigation by the Washington State Patrol (WSP) for vehicular assault and DUI after allegedly crashing his truck into a family's SUV in Graham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, WSP identified him as Major Chad Dickerson. It happened in a rural area. Neighbors said the boom from the crash was so loud, many thought a large tree had fallen over until they heard yelling and screaming coming from the intersection and ran over to the scene to assist. "Just behind his front wheel is where he got hithis wheel was just hanging on," said a neighbor who rushed out to help at the crash scene. "There was broken glass, plastic, everywhere." He and others say that the deep grooves in the dirt help to tell the story of what happened there on July 12. The Washington State Patrol says Major Chad Dickerson from the Pierce County Sheriff's Office failed to stop as he traveled north on 132nd, crashing into a family of six in a white Ford Expedition on 288th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They went that way and made him turn this way," said a neighbor, explaining how the crash unfolded. Residents say the family's SUV hit a utility box after impact, veering to the right, where it rolled on its side. The major's truck then traveled to the left of the pole, hitting the ditch head on. "The kids were crying," said the neighbor. WSP says three kids, ages 8, 4 and 3, were in the SUV along with a pregnant 27-year-old mom and a 30-year-old dad and the kids' grandmother. "One lady was hurt, it was an older lady that was in really bad shape," said a neighbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man named Chris, who declined to do an interview Monday, ripped out the shattered windshield to help the family escape. He passed the three young kids out of the SUV to their parents, and other neighbors and went inside the vehicle to help carry out the grandmother. "He did a great job," said a neighbor. "Carried her right over there and laid her down." Neighbors say Dickerson did offer assistance, but the dad declined. "He was trying to help, but they didnt want to accept his help," said a neighbor. FOX 13 was in court when Dickerson was wheeled in by a wheelchair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriff's office says he was in his personal truck at the time of the crash and was seriously hurt, along with another person in the SUV. According to court papers, the sheriff's office initially responded and once they realized Dickerson was part of their department, they requested WSP take over. Troopers suspect he was driving under the influence and failed to stop. The state patrol says when they interviewed Dickerson at Urgent Care. He allegedly smelled of alcohol. They also say he also admitted to drinking earlier in the day, but he refused a sobriety test. As of tonight, he's on administrative leave, and according to the Pierce County Jail roster, he's out on bail. The Source Information in this story came from probable cause documents from the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Washington State Patrol, and original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews. MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE Ongoing Mount Rainier seismic swarm now surpasses 2009 event Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Marshals call off search for Travis Decker in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest Crews battle fire at mill in Tacoma, WA Woman fatally shoots intruder in Skyway, WA Family of missing Snohomish County man hopeful after possible Kirkland sighting Court docs: Video shows man swinging PVC pipe before Renton, WA transit station shooting No charges for King County, WA Assessor accused of stalking ex-partner Seattle is the most expensive DoorDash market. It's about to get even pricier To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Former Rhode Island Foundation CEO Neil Steinberg is stepping down as board chair at a quasi-public state agency that aims to build up the life sciences sector in Rhode Island. Steinberg sent a three-page letter to Gov. Dan McKee on Tuesday informing him he would step down as inaugural chairman of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub effective Sept. 30 at the latest. He expressed confidence that he had established a solid foundation for the agency going forward. His decision was first reported by The Boston Globe. Now, two years into my retirement from the Rhode Island Foundation, I would like to spend more time with family and traveling, Steinberg wrote. I also look forward to working on other key Rhode Island priorities that are aligned with my interest and experience, including public education, health care and housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor thanked Steinberg for stepping up to serve as the first chairman. His dedication helped us establish a strong foundation for this growing industry, supporting efforts like our administrations work to bring Organogenesis a major, job-creating company to Rhode Island, McKee said, referring to a company that is spending roughly $100 million on a manufacturing facility in Smithfield. The Life Science Hub has also committed $10 million toward Ocean State Labs, a biomedical incubator space that will be housed in the same I-195 District building as the new state health laboratory. Construction is targeted to be completed by the end of this year. The Life Science Hub was established by the General Assembly in 2023 using $45 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act money. The initiative is a key priority for House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, who has argued there is opportunity for the state to capture a share of the bioscience sectors expansion as space grows more limited in Greater Boston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Shekarchi said he was disappointed by Steinbergs decision to step aside, though he said he understood it and felt the agency was in strong shape. He credited Steinberg as the inspiration for creating the hub, citing a study he commissioned when he was still leading the Rhode Island Foundation that laid the groundwork for the effort. I told him, Im only going to do it if you agree to be chairman, Shekarchi recalled. Mark Turco who was hired last December to be the first president and CEO of the Life Science Hub described Steinberg as indispensable to bringing the concept to reality through his hard work, relationships, vision, and leadership. McKees office plans to begin a process to find a qualified candidate to replace Steinberg, who previously led the Rhode Island Foundation for 15 years and had earlier been chairman and CEO of Fleet Bank Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Life Science Hubs other appointed board members are Patrice Milos, Ernie Almonte, Brian Britson, Edwin Ted Carr, Kelly Evers, Armand Sabitoni and Chris Thanos, according to its website. The heads of Brown University, Browns medical school, the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, Brown Health and Care New England are on the board as ex officio members. 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, Bluesky and Facebook. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Federal agents descend on MacArthur Park in Los Angeles on July 7, 2025. Photo by J.W. Hendricks for CalMatters An effort is being co-led by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to urge passage of legislation that seeks to generally prohibit federal immigration agents from wearing masks to conceal their identity and requiring them to show their identification and agency-identifying insignia. The coalition of 21 attorneys general sent a letter Tuesday to members of Congress, expressing concern over escalating incidents involving masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers dressed in plainclothes and driving unmarked vehicles detaining people on streets and at homes, workplaces, and courthouses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have watched these detentions with alarm, as the imagery evokes comparisons to repressive tactics that have no place in a free country, the letter says. ICE officers now routine practice of carrying out arrests in public spaces through masked agents who do not identify themselves as law enforcement has the effect of terrorizing communities rather than protecting them. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The legislation the coalition is supporting includes the Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement, or VISIBLE, Act of 2025, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin. In a video, Nessel addressed the dangers of immigration enforcement being conducted by agents without identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve already seen cases where bad actors are simulating this behavior to apprehend whomever they want and its only a matter of time before an officer is seriously hurt by a good guy attempting to stop what appears to be a kidnapping right before their own eyes, Nessel said. In a press release, Nessel also noted that the current ICE tactics contradict Michigans resisting and obstructing statute, in which a person is only guilty of those crimes if they knew, or had reason to know, that the individual issuing a command was a police officer. Similarly, officers executing home search warrants are typically required to announce their presence to prevent unnecessary escalation and ensure the safety of both citizens and law enforcement. While the coalition acknowledged that there may be certain limited instances in which it might be appropriate for federal agents to conceal their identities, they warn in the letter that widespread, unchecked use of masks and plainclothes enforcement undermines democratic principles, erodes public trust, and invites civil rights abuses. Joining Attorney General Nessel in signing the letter were the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Edelstein called on haredi politicians to exhibit national responsibility and refrain from toppling the government over their insistence to exempt at least half of eligible haredim from IDF draft. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered the leaders of the haredi parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, that he would fire Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein, as a compromise to hold together the coalition, a source confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday. This comes after Edelstein called on haredi politicians to exhibit national responsibility and refrain from toppling the government over their insistence to exempt at least half of eligible haredi men from IDF service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the time to dismantle the right-wing government. The future of the state is not a political game, especially when the security challenges we face are more serious and existential than ever, Edelstein said. Edelstein's press conference came after haredi representatives on Monday rejected Edelsteins proposal for a new bill, arguing that the proposal contradicted agreements that were reached on June 12, a day before Israels attack against Iran. Haredi parties are concerned over the attempts to push a haredi draft bill through the Knesset. Eliav Breuer contributed to this report. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) An urgent need for qualified court interpreters exists in Nevada as the demand for language services grows. Nevada courts handled more than 3,100 cases in 2024 that relied on interpreters to help participants understand and engage in legal proceedings, according to a Tuesday news release. The Supreme Court of Nevada invites bilingual individuals to explore opportunities in the justice system as certified court interpreters. Registration for the Fall 2025 Certified Court Interpreter Exam is now open. The deadline to register for the Oct. 20 exam is approaching: Sept. 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most requested languages last year were Spanish, Tagalog, Cantonese and Vietnamese. Court officials said Nevada had only 79 certified Spanish court interpreters, with an urgent need for more. Court interpreters make the justice system accessible for thousands of Nevadans, Amanda Walker, Language Access Program administrator, said. Were asking bilingual residents to be part of this essential public service. Interpreters licensed in other states may be eligible. Oral exams are scheduled in Las Vegas (Nov. 3-7) and in Carson City (Nov. 10, Nov. 12). Written exams are scheduled on Nov. 7 in Las Vegas and Nov. 10 in Carson City. Find more information and a self-assessment tool online to evaluate your readiness before registering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To become a certified court interpreter in Nevada, applicants must complete an online Written Orientation Workshop, available mid-July. This virtual workshop introduces candidates to Nevadas judicial system, court interpreting standards, and interpreter ethics. Applicants must also pass the written exam with a minimum score of 80 percent. The test is two hours and 15 minutes long and includes 135 multiple-choice questions that cover language proficiency, legal terminology, and professional conduct. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. 27,350 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? 27,350 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? Never seen anything like this: Rats infiltrate longtime South Boston homeowners property A longtime South Boston resident is at wits end with unrelenting rats that have infiltrated his property and taken over the backyard. Kevin Conroy has lived at his home on West Eighth Street for 30 years and has resided in South Boston for more than 50 years. He describes the rodent invasion as a new issue that is turning into a second job. The rodents have burrowed into multiple spots in his yard and have even crawled up onto his back porch on many occasions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'It's just disgusting!': New video shows rats running rampant in broad daylight in Boston Its getting to the point where we cant even use our yard or have people over, Conroy told Boston 25 News. My wife wont even sit out there. Its very bad. Conroy has increased visits from a pest control company. Theyve pumped carbon monoxide and poison powder into burrows and dispersed a half dozen bait stations across the property. They started coming up out of the holes. They were dealt with as they came out of the holes, he said. Ive never seen anything like this. Rodent complaints are on the rise in his South Boston community despite the neighborhoods use of trash bins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What theyre doing now, its not working, added Conroy. This is unacceptable. Rat 311 complaints appear to be even more frequent in neighboring South End, which doesnt use trash bins. Boston 25 News captured rats scampering down Montgomery Street for hours in broad daylight last Thursday. One rat crawled up into a vehicle from underneath, and another gnawed into a trash bag full of food scraps. District 2 Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn has called for a hearing after renewing his push for a dedicated rat czar and a standalone pest control department in Boston. Mayor Wus administration told Boston 25 News its already adapted its approach to handling rat hotspots in specific neighborhoods this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This summer, we are coordinating across departments to deploy several innovative, neighborhood-specific measures to address rodent hot spots. The City will continue to partner with community members to address activity quickly and improve their quality of life, said a statement from a City of Boston spokesperson. People from across Boston have been pitching different ideas in hopes that the City of Boston will consider new strategies aside from trash disposal education. Some have pointed to other programs used in certain cases elsewhere. That includes rodent killing dogs, based in the Washington DC area, and Cats at Work in Chicago, which adopts out feral cats that help deter rodents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston 25 News spoke with Somervilles rat czar about efforts that have been effective in that community. Were trying to test as many things as possible for efficacy because rodent control doesnt have a one size fits all, said Somerville rat czar Colin Zeigler. Zeigler said Somerville is focused on educating people about proper trash disposal followed by enforcement. He said abatement is used as a last resort. Somerville now offers two months of pest control through a third-party company and is making carbon monoxide and dry ice available. Carbon monoxide and dry ice are direct measures that can be taken and are very effective for spaces experiencing a lot of burrowing and activity, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zeigler said human behavior is driving a large portion of the recent increase in rodent activity. He said 723 individual properties were enrolled in Somervilles rodent control program last year. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said that media reports on the recent conversation between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding a potential strike on Moscow were taken out of context. Source: Leavitt in a comment to US news magazine Newsweek, as reported by European Pravda Details: Financial Times and The Washington Post wrote that during a recent conversation with Zelenskyy, Trump asked whether Kyiv could strike Moscow and St Petersburg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A source told the FT that the US president urged Ukraine to "make them [Russia] feel the pain" and push them towards peace negotiations. According to The Washington Post, Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine could strike the Russian capital if provided with the necessary weapons. Commenting on these reports, Leavitt accused the Financial Times of "taking words wildly out of context to get clicks". "President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing. He's working tirelessly to stop the killing and end this war," she added. Background: On 14 July, Donald Trump once again expressed his disappointment with Russia and promised to impose very severe tariffs if a peace agreement is not reached in the near future. Trump has also announced an agreement between the US and NATO under which European allies will pay for American weapons supplied to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! SENECA, Mo. The Newton County Assessor says she wont abide by a request from the Missouri Tax Commission. During a public meeting Monday night (7/14) at Seneca City Hall, Newton County Assessor, Cheryle Perkins says shes not signing a letter of understanding asking her office to raise county property tax valuations by 13%. Missouri temp tag and car sales tax changes: What to know Perkins says Newton County Residents cannot afford such a steep increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Missouri Tax Commission is asking county assessors across the state to increase property assessment values to become compliant. Missouri law says assessments must fall within 90-to-110% of market value. Newton County is currently at 77%. Perkins says the Missouri Tax Commission is now threatening to remove her from office. So if I dont do it, then they go to the Board of Equalization, then theyre going to withhold my money, then theyre going to have the prosecuting attorney and the attorney general remove me office, and then theyre going to, if that doesnt all work, theyre threatening to hold the sales tax from the county, so the county has no income coming in, said Perkins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those in attendance tonight voiced strong support for Perkins. Perkins says Newton County along with many other Missouri counties fell out of compliance during COVID, when home prices sky-rocketed. Perkins says she wants Newton County to be compliant with state laws but believes the increase should be gradual. Missouri State Senator, Jill Carter and Missouri State Representative, Dirk Deaton were at Monday nights meeting. Senator Carter says the legislature is looking to cap the increase in property assessment values at 5% a year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. The Brief Billboards advertising nicotine pouches have appeared on Minnesota highways, avoiding restrictions on tobacco advertising because they're not tobacco, just the addictive chemical from tobacco. Early research indicates nicotine pouches may not be quite as dangerous as cigarettes and chewing tobacco, but many of them have cancer-causing chemicals. They're also highly addictive and known to create other health risks. One state senator who helped get tobacco advertising removed in 1998 is considering a push to restrict the billboards. (FOX 9) - Tobacco billboards disappeared from the Minnesota landscape 27 years ago, but nicotine is speeding back into sight on the highway. Nicotine ads Avoiding restrictions Ads for nicotine pouches are popping up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least for now, the billboards get around the tobacco advertising ban because its not tobacco. Its just the addictive chemical from tobacco. Kid-friendly nicotine? Appealing, addictive, alarming A new craze for kids comes in brightly colored cans with flavored little white pouches you put between your cheek and gum. "They are easy to use, they're flavored, they are easy to hide, to be discreet, and they give you a big bang," said Pat McKone of the American Lung Association. Nicotine pouches deliver the equivalent of at least three cigarettes. Early research shows they may not be as bad as cigarettes or chewing tobacco, but a lot of them contain cancer-causing chemicals and theyre highly addictive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They can cause lung and stomach problems, increase blood pressure and heart rate, and narrow arteries, which can lead to heart attacks. But by 2023, more than 5% of Minnesota high schoolers reported using nicotine pouches, the number rising to 7% outside of the Twin Cities Metro. "They're very popular with youth," McKone said. "And that doesn't just happen. A product like that needs clever, appealing advertising." Product placement 'Should've seen it coming' Social media is where a lot of kids first found brands like Zyn, made by Philip Morris, and Loon, which is a Minnesota product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These days, Loons advertising is out in the open as youre driving along 494 or 280. "The idea that we're selling people addictive, highly addictive products," said Sen. John Marty, (DFL-Roseville). "We're marketing it in ways that are attractive to kids, that's a big problem." State Sen. John Marty has pushed to curb tobacco smoking and advertising since he joined the legislature in 1987 and hes partly responsible for the 1998 tobacco billboard restriction. "Absolutely interested in this," Sen. Marty said. "It's not a surprise they'll stoop to any level to and addict more people and they continue to do it. And I guess we should have seen this one coming, but I think we should be trying to get rid of this as well." In defense of pouches The other side Loon didnt respond to FOX9 requests for comment Monday, but people in the industry have previously defended the products by saying they help people quit more dangerous products like cigarettes and chewing tobacco. Nicotine pouches are a fast-growing source of nicotine poisoning in young children, according to a new study. Researchers at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Ohio analyzed more than a decades worth of data, examining over 134,000 cases of children under 6 who accidentally ingested nicotine through products like vapes, gums, and lozenges. Most types of exposures fell after 2016. But one delivery method nicotine pouches shot up, rising more than 760% between 2020 and 2023. Its a high-concentration nicotine product, and it tastes good, said Dr. Natalie Rine, director of the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Childrens Hospital and co-author of the study, published Monday in the journal Pediatrics. Theres nothing telling the kid, this is bad, you should spit it out and thats where you get into trouble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The miniature white packets that users tuck between their lip and gum hit US shelves in 2014. They dont contain tobacco but are instead filled with nicotine, either synthetically or naturally derived, along with flavorings and sweeteners. The discreet, sweet and smokeless nature of nicotine pouches has raised concerns among public health advocates, who are closely watching their rising popularity among teens and young adults. Theyve become the second most-used nicotine product among young people, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Youth Tobacco Survey found that nicotine pouch use among teens doubled between 2021 and 2024. Still, the overall user base remains small. Just 0.5% of Americans use nicotine pouches, compared with 9% who smoke cigarettes and 3% who vape or use e-cigarettes, according to US Census Bureau data. In January, the US Food and Drug Administration gave marketing authorization to certain nicotine pouches for the first time, allowing sales of 10 flavors of popular brand Zyn to help adult smokers quit or cut back on their tobacco use. The agency said the Zyn products contain fewer harmful ingredients than cigarettes and some types of chewing tobacco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDA noted at the time that overall youth use of nicotine pouches was low, at just 1.8% of middle and high school students. Levels of nicotine in pouches can vary from 3 to 12 milligrams per pouch. At their lowest doses, they deliver more of the stimulant than a cigarette, and even small amounts of nicotine can be dangerous for small children. Ingesting just 1 to 2 milligrams less than whats inside a single regular-strength pouch can cause nausea, vomiting and tremors, among other serious symptoms, according to the National Library of Medicine. The study found that nicotine pouches were associated with a 150% greater risk of serious medical effects and were twice as likely to lead to hospitalization than other smokeless nicotine products swallowed by children, like gums, lozenges, e-liquids, tablets and powders. Although the vast majority of pediatric nicotine ingestions resulted in little to no harm, more than 1,600 children had serious medical outcomes, the study found. Two children died after ingesting liquid nicotine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Philip Morris International, which owns Zyn through its company Swedish Match, said in a statement Monday that each can of nicotine pouches includes a warning about keeping the product out of the reach of children, and that the packaging is designed be child-resistant. Rine recommends that parents avoid using nicotine pouches in front of children to keep them from imitating potentially risky adult behaviors. She also suggests keeping nicotine products physically out of kids reach and to have conversations with other caretakers, like babysitters and extended family, about doing the same. If a child may have ingested a nicotine pouch, Rine says, the best first step is to call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Trained staff can guide caregivers based on a childs symptoms and help them decide if emergency care is needed. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Nigerias former President Muhammadu Buhari was buried in the backyard of his home in Daura, a town in the northern Katsina state, as supporters climbed trees and shouted Sai Baba to bid farewell to the 82-year-old. A military parade and 21-gun salute honoured the former president on Tuesday at the airport before his body was transported 80km (50 miles) to Daura, where crowds surged to catch a final glimpse as the casket was lowered into the ground. Buhari died on Sunday in a London hospital following an undisclosed illness. His coffin, wrapped in Nigerias green and white flag, was flown into Katsina and met by President Bola Tinubu, senior government officials, and mourners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buhari, who first seized power in a 1983 military coup and ruled for less than two years, returned to lead Africas most populous country as a civilian after defeating Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election. He served two terms until stepping down in 2023. President Tinubu declared seven days of national mourning and a public holiday to honour Buharis legacy. While Buharis presidency saw some achievements in infrastructure and anti-corruption efforts, his time in office was also marked by economic downturns, worsening insecurity, and a prolonged crisis in Nigerias oil sector. Still, many in northern Nigeria viewed him as a principled and austere leader who tried to steer the country through turbulent times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters, some in tears, chanted as the casket disappeared from view, marking the end of an era for a man both revered and criticised. Buhari leaves behind a mixed legacy Known for his austere style and fiery rhetoric against corruption, Buhari was seen by his supporters as a reformer. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody, he often declared, seeking to position himself above Nigerias entrenched political factions. Yet his presidency struggled to contain rising insecurity. While he promised to defeat Boko Haram and restore order, armed violence spread far beyond the northeast. Gunmen, separatists, and criminal groups operated with impunity across large parts of the country by the end of his tenure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Buhari leaves behind a legacy as a symbol of democratic change in Nigeria, even if the transformation he promised remained incomplete. Speaking to Al Jazeera from London following Buharis death over the weekend, Alexis Akwagyiram, managing editor at Semafor Africa and a longtime observer of Nigerian politics, said Buhari will be remembered for achieving what many thought impossible: winning power as an opposition candidate. He was the first opposition candidate since the return to civilian rule to win at the ballot box, Akwagyiram said, referencing Buharis 2015 victory over Jonathan. History will remember him favourably for that. Yet Akwagyiram was blunt about the failings that marked Buharis time in office. He described the former general as very ineffective in managing Nigerias economy, citing his insistence on maintaining a strong naira, which led to a convoluted system of multiple exchange rates and two recessions during his tenure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the criticisms, Akwagyiram highlighted why Buhari resonated so strongly with many Nigerians. He had the personal brand of integrity and honesty, he said. In a political climate renowned for corruption, that was appealing. Buharis austere image and northern support base helped him build a national coalition that twice propelled him to the presidency, a rare feat in Nigerian politics. He didnt try to enrich himself, Akwagyiram said. Thats something history will look on favourably. By Anna Mehler Paperny TORONTO (Reuters) -A group of Canada's First Nations has launched a constitutional challenge to recently passed laws that would fast-track approval of infrastructure projects like mines and oil pipelines, arguing the measures violate the government's obligations to Indigenous people. The two new laws -- one in the province of Ontario and one at the federal level -- represent a clear and present danger to the Applicant First Nations self-determination rights" and violate the government's obligation to reconcile with Indigenous peoples, according to a notice filed in Ontario Superior Court on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nine First Nations involved in the lawsuit are located across Ontario and comprise Alderville First Nation, Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, Aroland First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Oneida Nation of the Thames and Wabauskang First Nation. Parliament passed the federal legislation speedily late last month. It would let the government select infrastructure and resource projects in the "national interest and then decide whether some laws apply to them. Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney aims for the law to fulfill a campaign promise to speed up approvals of what he calls nation-building projects, including mines and oil pipelines. The Ontario law, passed in early June, allows the government to declare "special economic zones" that make some projects exempt from other provincial laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmentalists oppose both laws, saying they sidestep legislation meant to mitigate ecological harms while Indigenous groups argue they run roughshod over their rights to self-determination and the government's duty to consult. The national law lets Canada unilaterally ram through projects without meaningful engagement with First Nations, the court filing reads. Canada is committed to upholding its commitments and obligations to Indigenous peoples, a spokesperson for Canada's Privy Council Office wrote in an email, adding that Carney will meet with First Nations, Inuit and Metis in coming weeks. "Canada's goal is to pursue projects in the national interest in partnership with Indigenous Peoples," the email said. "Indigenous equity participation in major projects is a central focus of this initiative." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ontario government said it has begun talks with First Nations aligned with its economic development goals and will continue consultations this summer. (Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny in Toronto; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Cynthia Osterman) At least two people were killed in New Jersey after flash flooding swept away their vehicle during a storm that pounded the Northeast with heavy rains, authorities said Tuesday. The two deaths happened in the northern New Jersey city of Plainfield, when the rushing waters of a brook carried away their vehicle during the height of the storm, city officials said. Their names were not immediately released to the public. In one flooded North Plainfield neighborhood, a house caught on fire and collapsed, possibly due to an explosion, not long after the family inside had evacuated, authorities said. No injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest flash flooding deaths follow two other deaths that happened in Plainfield during another severe storm on July 3. New Mexico Flooding Leaves 3 Dead As Fast-moving Water Sweeps Through Mountain Resort Town Streets flooded in Plainfield in New Jersey on July 15, 2025 after torrential rain pushed Governor Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency. "All of Plainfield grieves this latest loss," said Mayor Adrian O. Mapp. "To lose four residents in such a short span of time is unimaginable. We mourn with the families, and we remain committed to doing all we can to strengthen our emergency response systems and protect our residents from future harm." Read On The Fox News App A flooded street in Plainfield, New Jersey after heavy rain cause flash floods on July 15, 2025. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency on Monday night due to flash flooding, urging residents to stay off the roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Were not unique, but were in one of these sort of high humidity, high temperature, high storm intensity patterns right now," Murphy told reporters after touring storm damage in Berkeley Heights. "Everybody needs to stay alert." Emergency response vehicles attending to a car submerged in water after flash floods hit Plainfield, New Jersey on July 15, 2025. Relentless rain inundated parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania with over six inches of rain in a short period of time Monday night into Tuesday morning, according to Fox Weather. The resulting floods stranded numerous vehicles and made roads impassable. Emergency water rescues took place to help those trapped in the floodwater. Flash Flooding In Central North Carolina Forces Residents To Flee Homes Fox Weather Meteorologist Haley Meier was on the scene in North Plainfield as residents began digging out from the flood damage. Meier reported that floodwaters were estimated to have risen as high as four feet in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With isolated and scattered showers and thunderstorms forecast for the coming week, Meier said the current humidity, heat and ground saturation remained a concern that could lead to additional flooding and storm damage. Emergency teams continue rescue efforts after torrential rain caused flash floods in Plainfield in New Jersey, United States on July 15, 2025. Dozens of flights were delayed or canceled at area airports Tuesday, including 159 total cancelations at Newark Liberty International Airport, according to FlightAware data. Most flash flood watches and warnings had expired in parts of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania as the rain moved on. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: NJ flash flooding kills at least 2 after surging waters sweep up vehicle Gov. Phil Murphy visited flood-damaged Berkeley Heights on July 15, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the governors office) Gov. Phil Murphy said his office has communicated with White House officials about the flash flooding New Jersey experienced on Monday, floods that led to the deaths of at least two people and caused extensive damage in the region. Last night we got crushed, Murphy told reporters while visiting Berkeley Heights. The White House has been in touch this morning, which is a good sign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor said state and local officials will assess the damage and then decide whether to seek federal aid. The storm brought 6 inches of rain in just two and a half hours, flooding numerous roadways including the New Jersey Turnpike, and forcing parts of Routes 22 and 28 to close. Two people in Plainfield died after they were trapped inside a vehicle as it was swept away in floodwaters. Those deaths follow two deaths in Plainfield during a storm on July 3, according to the citys mayor, Adrian O. Mapp. All of Plainfield grieves this latest loss, Mapp said in a statement Tuesday. To lose four residents in such a short span of time is unimaginable. We mourn with the families, and we remain committed to doing all we can to strengthen our emergency response systems and protect residents from future harms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor described the flooding as part of a pattern of increasingly intense and frequent storms, worsened by climate change. Thats the new reality, and were getting dragged by this, Murphy said. Mother Nature calls the shots here at the moment. The storm came the same day the Murphy administration announced it may loosen proposed flood regulations that have drawn criticism from business groups and some Jersey Shore officials. The rules would mandate, among other things, that new and some improved construction be elevated four feet. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX RATON, N.M. (KRQE) New Mexico State Police are asking for the publics help in identifying a woman found dead at a rest area near Raton in 1989. NMSP officers found the woman on July 3, 1989, with no identification. They believe she was transient, and no missing persons reports at the time matched her description. She died of natural causes. A northern New Mexico university looks to get youth interested in social work She was described as: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approximately 50 years old Eyes: Blue Hair: Brown, worn in a long braid Height: 54 Weight: 123 pounds Clothing: White shirt and black pants Glasses: Orange, aviator-style She had several bags of personal belongings, a cardboard sign that said Raton, and a Texas travel handbook, which led police to believe she was hitchhiking. Anyone with information is asked to call NMSP Agent Nathaniel Garcia at 505-425-6771. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (NewsNation) Jeffrey Epsteins former attorney told CUOMO there is no such thing as an Epstein client list. Alan Dershowitz, who previously said he knows the names in the Epstein files, also doesnt believe the government is hiding information about the investigation. There is no client list and never has been a client list, Dershowitz told NewsNation. A client list suggests that Jeffrey Epstein made a list of people to whom he trafficked women. What there is is a redacted FBI affidavit from accusers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are several of them from accusers that accuse Jeffrey, that accuse various people of having improper sex, and that has been redacted. The names of the people accused have been blacked out. Democrats call for more Epstein evidence Dershowitz helped secure a plea deal in 2008 for Epstein, who pleaded guilty to state charges of soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution. Epstein avoided a possible life sentence and served 13 months in a work-release program. As for the names in redacted files, Dershowitz says they are not world leaders like many believers of the conspiracies think. Because I was the lawyer and I did all the investigations, I know who all these people are. I could figure out, based on everything that I saw, who Mr. X is, Mr. Y is and Mr. Z, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can tell you right now, none of them are public figures who are currently in office. Some of them were previously in office. Some of them are dead, but there is no client list. Dershowitz said the redactions could be removed through the courts and insisted it is not the Trump administration suppressing information but two Manhattan judges who are trying to protect accusers. FBI deputy director back at work after reports he threatened to quit The judges have issued orders which is why I cant disclose things Id love to disclose saying that you cant disclose this information, he said. But Pam Bondi and the Justice Department and Donald Trump are not responsible for that. I dont know of any information that they could disclose that they havent disclosed. Maybe there is some but Im simply not aware of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its important to place the blame where the blame deserves to be placed. He went on to say if all the redacted files were released, you would be shocked how few names are there that havent already been disclosed. Dershowitz also rebuked theories of Epstein having videotapes of prominent people in illegal or compromising sexual interactions. There is a videotape, maybe several videotapes. Epstein was robbed by one of his employees of money and of a licensed gun, and he called the Palm Beach police, and they installed video cameras, not in the bedrooms, but in the living room, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And those video cameras recorded some people, but theres no sexual allegations there, so theres nothing to that. He also addressed Tucker Carlsons claim that Epstein was a Mossad intelligence agent, calling it absurd. Immigration raid at California cannabis farm included violent felon I asked him about everything, including whether he had any contacts with intelligence agencies, Dershowitz said. If he had, he would have been dying to tell me that, because I could have used that to get him a better deal. If he had worked with the Mossad or the CIA, that would have been golden for me. I can tell you with absolute certainty he had no connections to Mossad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the notion that Epstein was murdered and did not kill himself, Dershowitz rejected that theory but said he believes it was an assisted suicide. It was not a suicide that he could have committed alone. I think the jailers had something to do with his cellmate being dismissed, with the cameras being turned off, he said. So there are things that can be hidden, but theres no smoking gun here, and theres no fault on the part of this administration, as far as I can tell. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Italian is the native tongue of Dante, Petrarca and Machiavelli and a linguistic gateway to the world of opera, literature, history and cuisine. Some even call Italian the language of love. But Italian apparently isnt feeling much amore from high school students. According to College Board, the not-for-profit organization that coordinates the popular Advanced Placement tests for college credit-seeking high schoolers, AP Italian language and culture is ranked the least satisfying course in the AP lineup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AP offers 40 academic subjects, ranging from STEM and humanities subjects to a variety of world languages. At the end of the 2024-2025 school year, AP students were asked to report their course satisfaction on a 1-10 scale. The world language courses took the largest hits. Italian language and culture topped the least satisfying list with an average rating of 3.68, according to College Board. Italian was followed on the dissatisfied list by Japanese language and culture (4.07), German language and culture (5.68), French language and culture (5.92) and, finally, Latin (5.98). Its estimated that almost a third of American students battle math anxiety. But angst for all things computation and calculation is apparently not shared by AP math students worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AP calculus BC which covers advanced math topics such as sequences, differential equations and parametric functions topped the most satisfying list with an average participant score of 8. Calculus BC was followed on the most satisfying chart by United States government and politics (7.91), AP calculus AB (7.77), European history (7.76) and United States history (7.68). Spikes in AP participation Overall, student participation in AP courses and exams grew by 7% from 2024 to 2025 increasing in 36 AP courses, while declining in four, according to College Board. The five AP courses with the largest growth this year were AP precalculus, U.S. government and politics, AP seminar, AP world history and AP biology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, student AP participation declined in AP art history, AP computer science A (Java), AP computer science principles and AP music theory. It was a historic school year for College Board, which has operated the AP program since 1955. The 2025 AP exam administration was the first in which students took AP end-of-course exams in most subjects solely on Bluebook the College Boards digital testing platform. The transition to digital testing was designed to prevent theft and disclosure of paper exam questions a growing problem in recent years. This year, not a single digital exam was compromised before exam day, College Board reported. Digital exams are only accessible within a secure, proctored testing environment. And students cannot access their test materials until they log in on test day, eliminating the risk of early exposure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cellphones were prohibited in AP exam rooms but College Board reports that some students were caught cheating. A number of proctors this year detected students attempting to use cellphones to look up answers to test questions or to photograph exam questions. These students scores were canceled. So how did AP students perform in 2025? The AP program is designed to provide high school students with college-level course work and most American colleges award credit for qualifying AP scores. AP exams are graded on a familiar 1-5 scale with an exam score of 3 considered to be a passing mark. In 2025, the AP exam subjects with the highest percentage rates a 3+ score included Chinese language and culture (89%), AP research (88%), AP seminar (86%) and Spanish language and culture (85%). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of note: Despite reported high levels of course dissatisfaction, 75% of students who took the Italian language and culture AP test received scores of 3 or higher. This years AP exams with the lowest passing rates included Latin (59%), statistics (60%), music theory (60%), art history (65%) and human geography (65%). Utah kids enjoying AP success Utah reflects the upward trend of high school students enrolling in AP courses. According to College Boards 2023-2024 report, over 113,000 11th and 12th grade students were enrolled in Utah public schools. Of that demographic, in 2024, approximately 34,000 Utah students were enrolled in at least one AP course and over 72% received exam scores of 3 or above. Utahs higher education institutions generally grant college credit for AP exams although each school has their own credit policy. U.S. President Donald Trump squashed rumors on Tuesday that he would provide Ukraine with long-range missiles. His comments to reporters come after speculation that Kyiv could receive munitions with a greater range than those Ukraine currently possesses. A recent report stated that Ukraine could receive missiles able to strike Moscow, some 300 miles from the border. One such munition is the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), which could be used to equip Ukraines F-16s. We raised the possibility this could happen more than two years ago, but deemed it highly unlikely. Another is the ground-launched Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) short-range ballistic missile, which is brand new to the U.S. inventory. No, were not looking to do that, Trump exclaimed when asked if he would give these kinds of missiles to Ukraine. "No, were not looking to do that," Trump said when asked if he's willing to give long-range missiles to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/8zkysw6Eai Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) July 15, 2025 Trump also urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to refrain from striking the Russian capital. Ukraine has launched long-range drones toward Moscow and has talked about using indigenous long-range missiles as well. In June, Yehor Chernev, the chairman of Ukraines delegation to NATO, announced that Ukraines Hrim-2 missile is nearly ready to be used. The Hrim-2 has enough range to strike Moscow, Ukrainian officials claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, he shouldnt target Moscow, the U.S. president cautioned Zelensky. I am not on the side of Ukraine or Russia, I want to stop the killings, Zelensky should not target Moscow, Trump. He added that he does not plan to supply Ukraine with long-range JASSM missiles. pic.twitter.com/9Wo3eeuAV1 MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) July 15, 2025 The discussion about weapons for Ukraine follows the announcement Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made yesterday that Kyiv will receive additional Patriot air defense batteries it badly needs to fight off Russian aerial threats. Trump said that several European nations will pay for the batteries and that, in some cases, those systems will be shipped from existing European stockpiles to be back-filled by new ones from America. You can read more about that in our recent report linked here. Trump also said he would impose new secondary sanctions on Russia if its president, Vladimir Putin, did not agree to stop attacking Ukraine within 50 days. The White House announcement is part of a much larger deal to arm Ukraine. The U.S. will sell around $10 billion in weapons to NATO allies in the first wave, including missiles, more air defenses and artillery shells, Axios reported on Monday, citing an informed source. Though Trump said that long-range missiles were off the table for Ukraine, the president did suggest that a small batch of additional U.S.-made MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles could be used to strike deep inside Russia, according to Washington Post columnist David Ignatius. Some variants of these missiles, which were provided to Ukraine, have a maximum range of about 200 miles, much less than the aforementioned JASSMs or PrSMs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Biden administration, the use of ATACMS inside Russia was limited to sections of Russias Kursk and Belgorod regions close to the Ukrainian border. Ukraine used these weapons to good effect in Russia and occupied territory. Im told by a source involved in the decision that this is likely to include permission to use the 18 long-range ATACMS missiles now in Ukraine at their full range of 300 kilometers (about 190 miles), he suggested. That wouldnt reach all the way to Moscow or St. Petersburg, but it would strike military bases, airfields and supply depots deep inside Russia that are now out of range. The package might also include more ATACMS. U.S. President Donald Trump may allow Ukraine to fire ATACMS short-range ballistic missiles deep inside Russia. (DoD) DoD Beyond JASSMs and PrSMs, there was more fanciful discussion about how to arm Ukraine. Ignatius and others said that at one point, Trump was considering providing Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles. Those were most recently used by the U.S. last month against Irans Isfahan nuclear facility during Operation Midnight Hammer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a range of about 1,000 miles, Tomahawks could easily hit Moscow or St. Petersburg. They were included in discussion as late as Friday, Ignatius explained. But the Tomahawks are off the delivery list for now, Im told. They could be deployed later if Trump wants even more leverage. However, launching Tomahawks would require Ukraine to have ground launchers based on the U.S. Typhon system, making this an even more challenging decision to reach. The idea that the U.S. would supply such a heavy hitting long-range weapon to Ukraine would be a drastic escalation, to say the least. This is something we questioned yesterday. Im very skeptical of these JASSM for Ukraine reports via the US, TWZ editor-in-chief Tyler Rogoway suggested on X. Possible euro users could give them some and US sells replacements to backfill maybe. Its possible. Lots of claims. Im very skeptical of these JASSM for Ukraine reports via the US. Possible euro users could give them some and US sells replacements to backfill maybe. Its possible. Lots of claims. Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) July 15, 2025 The Latest On the battlefield, fierce fighting continues with no real territorial gains or losses for either side. Ukraine, however, has made some small advances in the eastern region of Donetsk, while both sides are making pushes in the western part of Zaporizhzhia. Here are the key takeaways from the latest Institute for the Study of War assessment: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kursk: Russian forces continued offensive operations in unspecified areas of Kursk Oblast on July 13 and 14 but did not advance. Sumy: Russian forces recently advanced in northern Sumy Oblast. Geolocated footage published on July 14 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced in western Yunakivka (northeast of Sumy City). Kharkiv: Russian forces continued offensive operations in northern Kharkiv Oblast on July 14 but did not make confirmed advances. Luhansk: Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Borova, Kupiansk and Velykyi Burluk directions on July 14 but did not make confirmed advances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donetsk: Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Novopavlivka and Siversk directions, while Russian forces advanced in the Pokrovsk and Toretsk directions. Russians continued offensive operations in the Chasiv Yar and Velyka Novosilka directions on July 14 but did not advance. Zaporizhzhia: Both Ukrainian and Russian forces recently advanced in western Zaporizhia Oblast. Kherson: Russian forces continued limited attacks in the Kherson direction on July 13 and 14 but did not advance. NEW: US President Donald Trump announced largescale and rapid military aid supplies to Ukraine via NATO and possible future secondary tariffs against Russia. Additional Key Takeaways: Trump is acting upon the reality that successful US efforts to bring Russian President pic.twitter.com/3EEvJty0JJ Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) July 15, 2025 In his evening message on Sunday, Zelensky claimed Russias summer offensive into the Sumy region has been a failure so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a meeting with military leaders on July 13, Zelensky said that the Russian army has significantly fallen behind the expectations of its command for this summer. Our units will continue to destroy the occupier and do everything to transfer the war to Russian territory. We are preparing our new long-range strikes. We will also respond invariably harshly to every Russian strike on Ukrainians. As we previously reported, Russia has amassed about 50,000 troops in an attempt to wrest control of Sumy, which borders Russias Kursk and Belgorod regions. Sumy served as a staging ground for the Kursk offensive. Russia's summer offensive has fallen 'far short of expectations,' Zelensky says.https://t.co/k9DRtGEDIV The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) July 13, 2025 Zelensky also said Ukraine is preparing our new long-range strikes. While he did not elaborate, Ukraine has repeatedly attacked military targets deep inside Russia. BIG NEWS "We are preparing for long-distance strikes. We will do everything possible to bring the war onto Russian territory." Volodymyr Zelensky. pic.twitter.com/OoGbn8IABP Visioner (@visionergeo) July 13, 2025 Meanwhile, Zelensky is shaking up his government, replacing the prime minister, defense minister, and ambassador to the U.S., among other moves. The shuffle is aimed at increasing domestic weapons production, improving the situation on the battlefield and maintaining better relations with Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said he had submitted a resignation letter. On Monday, Zelensky nominated him to become the next defense minister, replacing Rustem Umerov. Umerov, meanwhile, will be tabbed as the new ambassador to the U.S., replacing Oksana Markarova. Zelensky also nominated close ally and technocrat First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to replace Shmyhal as prime minister. All these moves are pending the approval of Ukraines parliament. Zelensky confirms Shmyhal will be Ukraine's new Minister of Defense: Denys Shmyhals vast experience will certainly be valuable as Ukraines new defense ministerthis is where the countrys maximum resources, challenges, and responsibility are concentrated right now. pic.twitter.com/kNwIW948X6 NOELREPORTS (@NOELreports) July 14, 2025 Russia is increasingly using chemical weapons in Ukraine, Europes top diplomat Kaja Kallas told reporters on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking after a gathering of foreign ministers in Brussels, Kallas cited German and Dutch intelligence reports showing that Moscow has used chemical weapons at least 9,000 times since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and was now ramping up their use, Politico noted. As the intelligence services are saying this is intensifying, I think its [Russias use of chemical weapons] of great, great concern, Kallas said. It shows that Russia wants to cause as much pain and suffering so that Ukraine would surrender. And, you know, its really unbearable. Most countries around the world, including Russia, have signed a 1993 international convention banning the use, production, development or stockpiling of chemical weapons, the outlet added. Russia is one of 65 countries to have not only signed the Chemical Weapons Convention, but also ratified it. Russia has used chemical weapons 9,000 times in Ukraine and is escalating attacks, EUs Kaja Kallas confirmed, citing Dutch and German intelligence. https://t.co/rmCCEvBQAT UNITED24 Media (@United24media) July 15, 2025 A plant that makes batteries for Russian weapons was reportedly struck by Ukrainian drones early on the morning of July 15. Smoke was seen rising near Russias Energia plant in the city of Yelets in Lipetsk Oblast following the attack, according to the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The facility reportedly manufactures batteries for missile guidance and glider modules, including for the Iskander system and cruise missiles, which Russia has been increasingly using to target Ukrainian cities, the publication reported. Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Counter-Disinformation Center at Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, has previously called Energia one of the most critical targets in Russia. Lipetsk Oblast Governor Igor Artamonov confirmed an attack against the region, saying that a drone fell in the industrial zone of Yelets, injuring one person. The independent Russian media outlet Astra reported that smoke was visible near the Energia factory, which has been targeted in previous drone attacks, though the exact site of the fire remains unclear. Russias Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 55 drones overnight across multiple regions, including 32 over Belgorod Oblast, 12 over Voronezh Oblast, three over Lipetsk Oblast, one each over Rostov and Kursk Oblasts, and six over the Black Sea. Smoke rising near Russian battery plant amid reported Ukrainian drone attack. The facility reportedly manufactures parts for the Iskander system and cruise missiles, which Russia has been increasingly using to target Ukrainian cities.https://t.co/xKFYPT4U54 The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) July 15, 2025 A Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian city of Voronezh early Tuesday morning wounded at least 22 people, the Moscow Times reported, citing local officials. Voronezh region Governor Alexander Gusev said a teenager was among those wounded in the attack, with 17 people being hospitalized overall. You can see part of that attack in the following video. The moment of strike in Voronezh, Russia! pic.twitter.com/v5xz0aaxAP MAKS 25 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) July 15, 2025 A young Russian let loose a string of invectives as he reportedly watched a Russian helicopter fire into residential neighborhoods in Voronezh in an attempt to down Ukrainian drones. A young Russian narrator uses every curse word in the book to describe the scene of a Russian helicopter freely firing into a residential area in attemot to shoot down a Ukrainian drone. Votonezh, Russia. pic.twitter.com/T38zRXgFRH Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) July 15, 2025 Meanwhile, Russian forces injured five people, including a 14-year-old girl in attacks on Sumy and Donetsk oblasts overnight on 15 July, according to Euromaidan Press, citing regional authorities. Kharkiv region. In the Kupyansk district, two houses and four outbuildings burned down as a result of a UAV attack. One person was injured. In Chuguev, attack drones caused fires in two buildings and in an open area. Sumy region. Russian terrorists struck a hospital in the pic.twitter.com/pKLLBlgbXI The Ukrainian Review (@UkrReview) July 15, 2025 During a pitched battle near the Donetsk Oblast city of Toretsk, Ukrainian soldiers fought to clear Russian troops from a bunker where they were hiding. The following video shows one of the Ukrainian soldiers tossing grenades into the bunker as the other laid down covering fire. Clearing operation in Toretsk, straight from the front line. Infantry from the Special Forces Khyzhak Brigade moved inRussians were dug in but refused to surrender. Grenades settled the issue. pic.twitter.com/7tE2Q2pObw NOELREPORTS (@NOELreports) July 14, 2025 Russia now has 700,000 troops fighting Ukraine, an increase of about 60,000 troops since May, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). Those figures were released to the Ukrainian LIGA media outlet. The most recent tabulation also represents a huge leap of about 120,000 troops that were deployed as of November 2024, LIGA reported. Russia is concentrating the largest number of its forces around the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. There are about 110,000 Russian troops there, LIGA claimed. Ukraines Foreign Intelligence Service says that Russias force deployed against Ukraine has more than 700,000 personnel. https://t.co/30eWMjfBat https://t.co/HGItbfaic7 pic.twitter.com/jkJASB7jZQ Rob Lee (@RALee85) July 12, 2025 North Korea is continuing to support the Russian war effort. Pyongyang provided Moscow with more than 12 million rounds of 152 mm shells, the South Korean Yonhap News Agency reported. The outlet cited South Koreas military intelligence authorities. North Korea is believed to have provided around 28,000 containers containing weapons and artillery shells to date, according to a report by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) submitted to a lawmaker of the main opposition party, Yonhap explained. If calculated with 152 mm single shells, (the number of supplied shells) are presumed to have reached more than 12 million, the DIA said. North Korea continues to supply artillery shells to Russia and has already provided more than 12 million 152 mm caliber shells, South Korean intelligence reports. According to intelligence, North Korea has provided around 28,000 containers with weapons and artillery shells. pic.twitter.com/xwCA2hDsQN UkraineWorld (@ukraine_world) July 14, 2025 Faced with an increasing onslaught of Russian drones and missiles, Ukraine has contracted to obtain tens of thousands of interceptor drones, Ukrainian Defense Procurement Agency Director Arsen Zhumadilov, said in an interview published on July 14. Zhumadilov told the Ukrainian Babel news outlet that interceptor drones have now entered mass production. The technology is critical for Ukraines air defense as Russias aerial attacks have escalated significantly over the past few months. During just the last week, Russia launched over 1,800 drones against Ukraine, Zelensky said on July 13. Tens of thousands (drones). This is what we have already contracted and will continue to contract. Our contracting now, on the one hand, depends on the manufacturers capacity, and on the other hand, on the state budgets capacity, Zhumadilov said. We will definitely contract everything that the state budget can afford, he added. Ukraines Defense Procurement Agency has already contracted tens of thousands of Shahed-interceptor drones, with more to come, said agency head Arsen Zhumadilov in an interview with Babel. He noted that procurement depends on both state budget capacity and the manufacturers pic.twitter.com/uMS9Mihb5r NOELREPORTS (@NOELreports) July 14, 2025 Ukraines Brave1 defense technology incubator is touting what it calls the success of a thermal imaging camera that debuted at one of its demonstrations. The Oko Camera, which secured a Brave1 grant and won the Defense Tech Startup Competition in 2024, is now installed on more than 50 aerial, ground and naval drones, according to Brave1. It is a thermal imaging camera allowing operators to see at night and through fog and rain. A video produced by Brave1 shows the camera and some of the video collected through its use. Ukrainian-made thermal imaging camera for unmanned systems. Once a fantasy, now these high-precision cameras power 50+ types of UAVs, UGVs, and naval drones on the front. "Oko Camera" secured Brave1 grant and won the Defense Tech Startup Competition in 2024. Check out the video. pic.twitter.com/uPhWN1Pw4N BRAVE1 (@BRAVE1ua) July 14, 2025 The Ukrainian Defense Ministry (MoD) released a video showing its German-donated Skynex air defense system destroying Russian drones with volleys from its 35mm main gun. Made by Rheinmetall, the Skynex system comprises a 35mm anti-aircraft turret firing AHEAD ammunition based on an HX 66 truck chassis and integrated with an X-TAR3D acquisition radar and the Skymaster battle management system. Target hit. Target destroyed, a Ukrainian Skynex operator repeated as the mobile gun made contact with at least seven Russian Shahed-type drones, the Kyiv Independent noted. The Air Force praised the ability of Skynex to defend Ukraines skies, calling its results inspiring. Rheinmetalls Skynex anti-aircraft artillery complex in service with the Air Force shows impeccable results in destroying enemy strike UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), the Air Force wrote via Telegram. Invest heavily in cannon-based counter-drone systems, not electronic warfare. That's the tweet. https://t.co/3EmwvQT43N Mid-Career Army Officer (@MidOfficer) July 12, 2025 An increase in Russian GPS jamming of military systems, as well as civilian aviation and maritime traffic across Europes eastern flank, is raising concerns about a potential disaster. Should that happen, the response could be a NATO attack on the Russian electronic warfare systems located in its Kaliningrad exclave. Civilian aircraft flying over these regions are regularly forced to switch to backup systems, and in more severe cases, divert or abort landings altogether, with Finnair already canceling all flights to Estonia for over a month due to safety concerns, Euromaidan Press reported. Disruptions have been traced back to military installations in Kaliningrad, including the Okunevo antenna and jamming systems such as Borisoglebsk-2 and Murmansk-BN, also used in Ukraine. If hundreds of civilians die in a GPS-jamming-related crash, NATO could potentially target Kaliningrads jamming installations directly, the publication suggested. Kaliningrads jamming systems might be targeted through cyberattacks or covert sabotage of the electronic warfare nodes with secret operatives. In a worst-case scenario, NATO countries could take direct individual military action to eliminate the Russian GPS jamming threat, Euromaidan Press posited. These measures remain unlikely for now, but they are no longer theoretical, as Russia is operating near the line, and every near miss brings the region closer to a tipping point. NATO warns commercial aviation crashes from Russian GPS jamming could trigger military retaliation. Officials say casualties would be treated as "deliberate escalation" potentially leading to strikes on Kaliningrad sites or increased weapons to Ukraine."https://t.co/dg0S9g2dQZ Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 14, 2025 Belarus shot down a Russian strike drone in its airspace during an attack on Ukraine over the weekend, a source in Ukraines Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) told the Kyiv Independent on Monday. At least three Russian drones were flying over the country at the time, the publication said its source told them. A Belarusian Mi-24 helicopter on an airspace control mission detected and destroyed one of the drones. It is reported that the wreckage of the downed (drone) fell in the Homel region, the GUR sources added. Russian Shahed-type drones regularly breach Belarusian airspace as they fly towards Ukrainian cities during mass attacks, which have escalated significantly over recent weeks. One of Russias closest allies, Belarus has allowed Moscow to use its territory for military operations against Ukraine. Belarus shoots down Russian drone, Ukraine's HUR claims. Russian Shahed-type drones regularly breach Belarusian airspace as they fly towards Ukrainian cities during mass attacks which have escalated significantly over recent weeks.https://t.co/dButddGnHx The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) July 14, 2025 There are claims that Russia downed and captured a British jet-powered naval target drone converted into an attack or decoy weapon. The drone is claimed to have a nearly 18-pound warhead, travel at a maximum altitude of about 300 feet and can reach speeds of up to about 140 mph in its terminal phase. Ukraine is using these drones to attack Russian targets as well as overwhelm enemy defenses, according to the Russia News X account. The War Zone cannot independently verify these details. Last year, a British-designed Banshee jet-powered naval drone, or a design identical to it, appeared in the conflict in Ukraine for the first time. BREAKING AND UNUSUAL A crushing blow to Britain: Russian fighters managed to shoot down, dismantle, and seize a British drone flying over Russian territory. It has been handed over to the specialized inspection centers "Bars-Sarmat." pic.twitter.com/ApMX7uIa9t RussiaNews (@mog_russEN) July 14, 2025 An upgraded Russian BTR-80 armored personnel carrier equipped with a new Boomerang-Burevestnik remotely operated weapon system (RWS) was destroyed by Ukrainian first-person view (FPV) drones, according to the Defense Blog. The vehicle was reportedly undergoing field trials at the time. The Boomerang-Burevestnik RWS featured a 12.7mm NSVT Utyos heavy machine gun and advanced optics, Defense Blog stated. [New loss detected] Destroyed Russian BTR-80 with BM 32G01 "Bumerang-Burevestnik" somewhere on the front From closed channel pic.twitter.com/SR1xm4IRI0 LostWar Bot (@LostWarBot) July 12, 2025 More than two years after being captured by Russia, the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region remains a rubbled ruins. Bakhmut fell into Russian hands on May 21, 2023, after a long battle with heavy casualties on both sides. Bakhmut now. The Russian occupier drives through the destroyed city and demonstrates what the occupation army has done to it. The ruins well explain the true goal of Putin's war to capture in order to destroy @small10spacepic.twitter.com/pl6nP6w1Pv The Ukrainian Review (@UkrReview) July 15, 2025 Wild new video emerged of a Ukrainian MiG-29 Fulcrum lobbing GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) toward a Russian drone control center in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The video shows the Fulcrum zooming low over the ground to avoid radar detection before swiftly increasing altitude to lob the munitions. The video then cuts to a drone view of the claimed Russian drone control center in a forest belt being destroyed. Moment of the GBU-39 launch, POV of Ukrainian pilot. https://t.co/Hpy4bLkokH pic.twitter.com/n1aTkfImce Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) July 13, 2025 The Air Fighter Telegram channel also released video of another Fulcrum SDB attack. GBU-39 air strike by the Ukrainian MiG-29 on Russian positions https://t.co/5FWhbhGsCv pic.twitter.com/g1QP0nys35 Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) July 9, 2025 Throughout the course of this all-out war, Russia has used a variety of vehicles to battle Ukrainian forces. Now it appears they are turning to American ones. Images have emerged of Russians using U.S.-built Dodge pickups to launch Shahed-type drones. Russian troops are utilizing American Dodge trucks to deploy Shahed drones against Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/nruwHJ4Wdc Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) July 10, 2025 And finally, Russian soldiers unsuccessfully tried to shoot down a thermite-spewing so-called dragon drone hovering over their position. However, as you can see in this video below, the drone was unaffected by the small arms fire and continued dropping its load. Thermite is a combination of oxidized iron and aluminum that burns at about 4,440 degrees Fahrenheit. The drones attack by dispersing the compound over tree lines and other foliage under which Russians seek cover, as well as into trenches. Burning growth away reduces where the enemy can hide, increasing their exposure, and deploying it where troops are hiding, including into trenches, can kill anything exposed inside and can choke off oxygen to and burn those not directly in contact with it. The dragon drones first emerged on the battlefield in September 2024. One Ukrainian drone commander told us that these weapons have limited value because of the small amount of thermite they can carry. Still, they can cause a great deal of fear among those on the receiving end, that commander noted. Russian soldiers attempt to shot down a Ukrainian FPV drone burning their positions with molten thermite. The drone was apparently able to fly away unharmed after dropping all of its payload. pic.twitter.com/ae3Pwwn90J Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) July 15, 2025 Thats it for now. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com A German law professor whose nomination to the country's top court was postponed last week has rejected portrayals of her "ultra-left" views, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his coalition would take time to resolve the dispute over her candidacy. "We are talking calmly in the coalition about how we can solve this," Merz told reporters on Tuesday at a meeting of the Bavarian Cabinet on Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze. The comments came after Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, who was backed by the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) to join the Karlsruhe-based Constitutional Court, said in a letter that the depiction of her character as "ultra-left" and "radical left" was "defamatory and unrealistic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter, seen by dpa, accuses German media of "inaccurate and incomplete, unobjective and non-transparent" reporting over her candidacy. Brosius-Gersdorf had been due to be elected to the court on Friday, but the vote was postponed after Merz's conservative bloc withdrew its support for her, citing a plagiarism allegation that surfaced hours before, her pro-choice views on abortion, and her alleged support for mandatory vaccination. The professor said the media scrum over her candidacy was "not fact-orientated, but was guided by the aim of preventing the election." "If you categorize my academic positions in their political breadth, a picture of the democratic centre emerges," she argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brosius-Gersdorf insisted that claims she supports legalizing abortion up until birth was inaccurate and disparaging, while also slamming reporting on her views on a headscarf ban and gender balances in the German parliament. The row led to dramatic clashes within Merz's coalition government, which only took office in May, and fears over the damage done to the integrity of the country's top court. The opposition Greens have called for a special parliamentary session to be convened to hold the election as soon as possible. However, the coalition partners have sought to calm tensions and emphasize the need for internal discussions as lawmakers head for their summer recess. Medimaging Integrated Solution Inc. (MiiS) An innovative approach to wound management was presented by Medimaging Integrated Solution Inc. (MiiS). The company, best known for their AI-enhanced retinal image analysis system HorusScope, gave visitors an overview of their MPD100 Wound Care System. The handheld device is equipped with three cameras, explained MiiS President and Chairman Stefan Cheng, PhD: in addition to the regular camera for wound status documentation, the system features dedicated cameras for thermal and 3D imaging. Thermal information is particularly useful in examining diabetic patients, he said. Reduced circulation is an early warning sign for diabetic foot syndrome. This results in a lowered temperature, which can be picked up by our system, to detect the condition before it has serious effects. The handheld design also makes the device an ideal fit for GPs visiting patients in remote areas. Relevant information on the patient and their wound can be entered directly into the system, facilitating documentation. https://www.miis.com.tw/index.php?lang=us A brown trout was caught in the Flathead River this summer. FWP courtesy photo State wildlife officials on Monday confirmed the presence of a non-native brown trout in the Flathead River basin, according to a press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. An angler caught a brown trout in the Flathead River upstream of Pressentine Fishing Access Site in early June, and the department is encouraging anglers to report any additional brown trout caught in the drainage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protecting our native trout populations is a priority, FWP Regional Fisheries Manager Mike Hensler said in the press release. Brown trout pose a threat to native species in the Flathead drainage, and we need the publics help to manage this invasive species. Brown trout can harm native trout species, such as bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout, by outcompeting them for resources and preying on juvenile fish. Montana FWP is deploying environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling technology to assess the extent of brown trout presence in the Flathead River and tributaries. This method will help identify areas where brown trout may be present, guiding future management actions. FWP strongly urges anglers who catch a brown trout in the Flathead River or its tributaries to kill the fish immediately and report the catch to the FWP Region 1 office at 406-752-5501. Anglers are asked to provide the fish as well as the location and date of the catch to assist in monitoring efforts. The species can be identified by their golden brown to yellow-brown color, with dark spots often surrounded by lighter halos, and sometimes with red or orange spots. In Montana it is illegal to relocate live fish from one waterbody to another, and doing so can result in fines or imprisonment, as well as forfeiture of fishing and hunting licenses. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Its often thought of as some of the hardest and most short-staffed work in New Mexico. But a state university said its breaking through in getting younger generations interested in social work. More than a dozen Albuquerque high school and college students are taking part this month in a summer bridge program through New Mexico Highlands and the group Future Focused Education. The group is aimed at exposing students to the wide range of jobs in behavioral health, where the state desperately needs more professionals. Federal data shows New Mexico needs around 70 more mental health providers to meet the states estimated demand for services. What really interested me that I havent seen before is an eating disorder specialist, a lot of people struggle with that, said Jaide Rivera, a University of New Mexico sophomore. I think that was helpful to see thats a job option. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While also hoping to bridge more students to higher education, program organizers are telling students, often for the first time, what social work means today. I think being a social worker is acting as a bridge between people and resources and figuring out the gaps in systems that maybe werent necessarily made for every group of people, said Esme Phillips, Early College Academy student. Some students say its helped them envision a path for their own career, like Kaecyn Lackey, who wants to be a childrens therapist. Ive struggled with mental health a lot in the past; its been a defining part of growing up. And I just want to be able to help other people because it feels nice, and I dont want people to feel alone like I did, said Lackey. New Mexico Highlands surveyed nearly 800 social workers across the state last year, finding around 91% of those in the profession felt their work was making a difference, but around a third of workers also emphasized feeling overwhelmed by their caseload. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President Donald Trump on Monday went further than he ever has in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia, greenlighting a European purchase of Patriot missile defense systems and other weapons for Ukraine. That doesnt mean he thinks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy holds the cards. Trump still believes Moscow has the upper hand, according to a senior White House official. But as his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin has grown, he is more willing to take part in a conflict he insisted he could settle quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president's view is Russia is going to win, it's a matter of how long it takes, said the senior White House official, granted anonymity to discuss the presidents thinking. Russia has the bigger economy, has the bigger military, has more than enough bodies to throw into the meat grinder, and just doesn't care. And although they are making slow progress, they are still making progress. The president just wants to stop the killing. Even as Trump wants to up the pressure on Moscow, bucking the isolationist wing of the MAGA movement, he is insisting that this latest move aligns with his America First strategy and fits into a decades-long view that America has been ripped off by allies and that Europe, in particular, has gotten a free ride on defense. Trump, during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday, exaggerated how much money the U.S. has already spent on aid to Ukraine and emphasized that Europeans would finally pay their fair share. We're not buying it, but we will manufacture it, and they're going to be paying for it, Trump said, referencing very rich European allies. They feel very strongly about it, and we feel strongly about it too, but we're in for a lot of money, and we just, we don't want to do [it] any more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagons top policy official, Elbridge Colby, posted his support on X soon after the announcement, emphasizing the America First aspect. Central to President Trump's common sense, America First message is that our alliances have to be fair and equitable for them to be sustainable, Colby wrote. This is eminently reasonable but was treated for many years as heresy. Yet now with the historic NATO commitment we see that it can work and will leave not only Americans but our European allies better off. But two senior administration officials, granted anonymity to discuss the presidents turnabout on Ukraine, said Trumps response is largely a reaction to Putins indifference to attempts to broker a peace deal. Some of the recent Russian attacks have been the worst attacks yet, the senior White House official said. And its grown more indiscriminate lately and the President is not appreciative of that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two administration officials also acknowledged that European leaders have strategically placated Trumps demands for the continent, specifically to spend billions more on their collective defense. Trump specifically pointed to last months NATO meeting, during which nearly all members pledged to increase spending on defense, as helping justify his decision to provide greater support to Ukraine. The president also alluded to his view of the conflict during Mondays meeting, praising the courage of Ukraine before nearly repeating his refrain to Zelenskyy some months ago that it doesnt have the cards against Russia in the long run. They continue to fight with tremendous courage, but they don't have they're losing on equipment, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But many in the MAGA movement remain wary and confused by how quickly the president went from berating Zelensky as ungrateful to holding the Ukrainians up as a model of courage. The European money mitigates it, said one former Trump campaign official and longtime ally, granted anonymity to discuss internal conversations. But we still hate it. This is not our war, and escalation isnt in Americas interest. Steve Bannon, the former Trump senior adviser, blasted the announcement on his War Room podcast on Monday, suggesting that Zelenskys number one priority was drawing Trump deeper into the conflict. "Were about to arm people we have literally no control over, Bannon said. "This is not [the] global war on terror. This is old-fashioned, grinding war in the bloodlands of Europe and were being dragged into it. A White House official disputed that the presidents political base opposed his moves, pointing to a recent Echelon Insights poll showing that nearly two-thirds of Trump voters support continuing to send arms to Ukraine. The person, granted anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly, pointed to social media posts from pro-Trump figures crediting him for NATOs new spending pledge and getting Europe to fully subsidize new weapons for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anna Kelly, the White House deputy press secretary, dismissed the remarks. The MAGA base and the over 77 million Americans who voted for President Trump arent panicans like the media, she said. They trust in Trump, and they know that this president is restoring peace through strength. Paul McLeary contributed to this report. Some conservative members of Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" movement have reacted angrily to the president's plans to sell weapons to Nato, arguing it is a betrayal of his promise to end US involvement in foreign wars. On Monday, Trump said he would send weapons to Ukraine via Nato, while also threatening Russia with more tariffs if a deal to end the war is not reached in 50 days. Republican Congresswomen Marjorie Taylor Greene, a key Trump ally, and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon are among those who have criticised the decision, with Bannon telling his podcast listeners that Ukraine is a "European war". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has emphasised that Europe will pay for the US-made weapons. In an interview with the New York Times, Greene - an isolationist member of Congress from Georgia who has been one of the most loyal Trump supporters on Capitol Hill - said the move was at odds with what she had promised voters on the campaign trail. "It's not just Ukraine; it's all foreign wars in general and a lot of foreign aid," she said. "This is what we campaigned on. This is what I promised also to my district. This is what everybody voted for. And I believe we have to maintain the course." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump sought to emphasise that the weapons would be paid for rather than given as direct aid, saying on Monday: "We're not buying it, but we will manufacture it, and they're going to be paying for it." But in a rare public disagreement with the president, Greene expressed scepticism that US taxpayers would ultimately avoid bearing any cost and, in a post on social media, criticised "backdoor deals through Nato". "Without a shadow of a doubt, our tax dollars are being used," she told the New York Times, arguing that indirect costs such as US training missions and contributions to Nato qualify as US involvement. "I said it on every rally stage: no more money to Ukraine. We want peace. We just want peace for those people," she said. "And guess what? People haven't changed." 'We still hate it' One former Trump campaign official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to Politico, said Europe's purchase of the weapons "mitigates" the anger from Trump's isolationist supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But we still hate it," the official said. "This is not our war, and escalation isn't in America's interest." Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Trump, said on his War Room podcast that "Ukraine is getting so dangerous". "It's a European war. Let Europe deal with it," he said. "They have the resources. They have the manpower." "We're about to arm people we have literally no control over," Bannon said of Ukraine. "This is old-fashioned, grinding war in the bloodlands of Europe - and we're being dragged into it." Marjorie Taylor Greene said she opposed "backdoor deals through Nato" to arm Ukraine [EPA] In a statement quoted by Politico, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said that Trump's MAGA base "aren't panicans like the media". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They trust in Trump, and they know that this president is restoring peace through strength." The BBC has contacted the White House for comment. A White House official who spoke to Politico on the condition of anonymity disagreed that the president's base opposed his moves. They pointed to one recent poll that suggested nearly two-thirds of Trump voters support continuing to send arms to Ukraine. Officials in the Trump administration have also defended the president's decision, with Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby writing on X that Trump's "America First message is that our alliances have to be fair and equitable". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is eminently reasonable but was treated for many years as heresy," he added. "Yet now with the historic Nato commitment we see that it can work." That recent commitment from Nato leaders to ramp up defence spending to 5% of their economic output was praised by Trump supporters on Monday, who argued that even with the new weapons deal Europe was taking on more responsibility for its defence. And in an exclusive interview with the BBC on Monday, just hours after he met Nato chief Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump said the alliance was now "paying its own bills". He affirmed his support for the organisation's common defence principle, and said he was "disappointed but not done" with Russia's Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president said that he had thought a deal to end the war in Ukraine was on the cards with Russia four different times. President Donald Trump seems to be rattled after realizing the Epstein scandal wont go away that easily, author Michael Wolff told the Daily Beast Podcast on Monday. The Trump biographer told Daily Beast Executive Editor Hugh Dougherty that the president was happy to ignore the long-running controversy surrounding disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epsteinuntil his own people began hyping up the release of the notorious Epstein files. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News in February that she had a list of Epsteins clients sitting on her desk. FBI Director Kash Patel also told Republican lawmakers in a 2023 interview to put on your big boy pants, and let us know who the pedophiles are. His deputy director, Dan Bongino, has similarly said theres a reason theyre hiding the client list, which conspiracy theorists believe includes high-profile names in politics and business. They were going to expose Epstein with no understanding that if they expose Epstein, it is very likely they are going to expose Donald Trump, Wolff said. So therefore they made a mistake by announcing that they were going to do this. Then Trump got p---ed at them for this. Then they tried to cover over their mistake by saying, No, theres nothing here. Pay no attention. And now we are where we are with this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MAGAworld erupted in outrage earlier this month after the FBI announced in a memo that there is, in fact, no client list, and that Epstein indeed died by suicide in detention in 2019. Trumps base was quick to demand Bondis head for failing to deliver the files that she had been talking up for months. But she brushed off the criticism in a recent Cabinet meeting: My response [to Fox News] was, Its sitting on my desk to be reviewed, meaning the file, along with the JFK, MLK files as well. Thats what I meant by that. I think for one, truly hes at war with his own Justice Department, Wolff said of Trump. This is a problem of their own making. And I think that Trump has been determined to ignore the subject of Epstein for years and years and years. Trump and Epstein were good friends for over a decade. Epstein told Wolff in a 2017 interview: I was Donalds closest friend for 10 years. The president similarly told New York Magazine in 2002: Ive known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of what ultimately happened to Jeffrey Epstein and what ultimately he became and what ultimately he became a symbol of, [its] a very precarious thing to be Jeffrey Epsteins closest friend, which Donald Trump is, Wolff said. So he wants to ignore this. He wants to just push this away. The friendship between these two men ended in 2004 but has never been fully explored. / Davidoff Studios Photography / Getty Images Over the weekend, Trump poured more gasoline into the Epstein fire by publishing a lengthy Truth Social post that downplayed the scandalclaiming that the notorious files were made up by prominent Democrats like Barack Obama and Hillary Clintonwhile congratulating Bondi for doing a fantastic job at the Justice Department. Were on one Team, MAGA, and I dont like whats happening, he wrote. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and selfish people are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. For years, its Epstein, over and over again. The post did little to quell MAGA fury over the flop, with popular right-wing influencers like Nick Fuentes burning their Make America Great Again hats in protest. "We need to burn our MAGA hats, that's the only language Trump will understand. He needs to be abandoned at this point." - Nick Fuentes pic.twitter.com/KHul2GGpWL Fuentes Updates (@FuentesUpdates) July 9, 2025 Wolff said Trump has been wondering why his own supporters are still talking about the Epstein files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His mood is pure denial. Why are people talking about Epstein? Theres nothing there. Im not a part of this. This happened a long time ago. And so, again, denial, denial, denial. And, you know, Trump is very good at that, he said. Some of Trumps biggest mouthpieces, however, have agreed to tone down their criticism of the administration over the flub. Conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk told his audience that he was done talking about Epstein for the time being after Trump reportedly gave him a call on Saturday. Im gonna trust my friends in the administration, Im gonna trust my friends in the government to do what needs to be done, solve it, balls in their hands, he said. New episodes of The Daily Beast Podcast are released every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Follow our new feed on your favorite podcast platform atbeast.pub/dailybeastpodand subscribe onYouTubeto watch full episodes. The Chair of the National Security Council, Zvika Fogel, raised a plan to stop detained terrorists from being treated in public hospitals. "We are not going to reward terrorists," he said. Israels National Security Council announced a plan to stop detained terrorists from being treated in public hospitals, said the council's Chair, MK Zvika Fogel, after raising the issue during a meeting this Tuesday. We want to see terrorists behind bars, not roaming the corridors of hospitals, said Fogel during the meeting, and added: We are the most moral people in the world, but that doesnt mean we are going to reward terrorists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MK Yulia Malinovsky from Yisrael Beytenu, who originally pushed for this initiative to be discussed, stressed: There is no doubt that we must provide medical treatment to terrorists, even if it greatly frustrates us. The question is: what kind of treatment, in what order, and in what frameworks? If practical measures are not implemented, we will need to promote legislation," she emphasized. According to Fogel, although Israel is obligated to uphold international conventions that define terrorists medical rights, ways must be found to minimize treatments conducted outside prison walls. Requesting Qurans, food at a ''reasonable level,'' and 24-hour access to warm water. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) Dr. Yosef Wolfish, Chair of the Ethics Bureau of the Israeli Medical Association, clarified that a doctor is obligated to treat every person equally, regardless of their identity: "A doctor is not supposed to know whether someone is a terrorist or not; he provides the best possible care." The plan to stop terrorists from being treated in public hospitals The Health Ministry explained that treatments provided to terrorists in hospitals are given under the responsibility of the detaining authority, the Israel Prison Service or the IDF, depending on the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authority that determines when a prisoner is transferred to a hospital is the detaining authority, according to its protocols, considerations, and capabilities, they clarified. Aviv Israeli, lawyer for the National Security Ministry, stated: The Prison Service makes every effort to keep medical treatment within prison walls. A prisoner is only transferred to a public hospital when absolutely necessary, and always with proper security escort. In the same line, Lt. Col. Eilon Raz, Head of Medics and Paramedics Division at the Prison Service, added: We intend to expand some of the clinics in prisons to include specialists. In many cases, we conduct video consultations between prisoners and specialist doctors. Think youre hearing about more flooding than before? You arent wrong. The National Weather Service has issued more flash flood warnings than in any other year in more than a generation. 2025 has now eclipsed 1998 for the most warnings of any year since 1986 through July 15. Some areas have been hit harder than others. Of the 3,000 warnings issued this year, the Appalachians, Ozarks and Southern Plains are bull's-eyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Raleigh office of the NWS has now issued the highest-to-date number of warnings for their area. But the number of higher-end flood events is much higher than typical, too. (MORE: For even more granular weather data tracking in your area, view your 15-minute details forecast in our Premium Pro experience.) Flash Flood Emergencies Through July 15, 2025 ranks second for the number of flash flood emergencies across the country in any given year. Kerrville. Ruidoso. Davenport. Petersburg. These are just some of the 47 flash flood emergencies that have been issued so far this year. Only 2016 had more flash flood emergencies by this date, with 51 such warnings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2015, though, Texas once again bore the brunt of these most severe warnings. In May, a stagnant pattern caused the Blanco River, not far from Austin, to rise 20 feet in an hour. Weve heard a lot of similar stats from the Texas Hill Country this year. Then, in October, another major flood event with emergencies occurred just before Halloween. From the Hill Country to Houston, 12 flash flood emergencies were issued from January to July. Reports Of Flooding July has started with a flurry of flood reports from the mid-Atlantic to the Appalachians and across Texas. More than 1,200 reports of flooding that range from ponding to water up to the top of dwellings have been sent to the NWS. Thats 75% above the early-July average. Jonathan Belles has been a digital meteorologist for weather.com for 9 years and also assists in the production of videos for The Weather Channel en espanol. His favorite weather is tropical weather, but also enjoys covering high-impact weather and news stories and winter storms. He's a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St. Petersburg College. ALBANY, N.Y. (PIX11) Several New York lawmakers are pushing legislation to ban U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal enforcement agents from wearing face coverings and plain clothes during immigration enforcement. The Mandating End of Lawless Tactics Act, co-sponsored by Senator Patricia Fahy and Assemblymember Tony Simone, would require ICE agents to wear visible uniforms with name badges and agency-identifying apparel. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When agents of the federal government are operating like masked militias, weve crossed a dangerous line by turning immigration enforcement into a paramilitary secret police force that should shock the nations collective conscience, said Senator Fahy. This goes beyond immigration enforcement; its intimidation and it echoes authoritarian regimes, not the United States of America. There has been a mounting push by lawmakers to bring what they call more transparency and accountability to immigration enforcement. Senators Cory Booker from New Jersey and Alex Padilla from California introduced a new bill on Tuesday called the Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act. The measure would force ICE agents, as well as other immigration enforcement officers, to display legible identification, including their agency name or initials and either their name or badge number, in a manner that remains visible and unobscured by tactical gear or clothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, agents would be prohibited from wearing non-medical face coverings such as ski masks that obscure their identity. The lack of visible identification and uniform standards for immigration enforcement officers has created confusion, stoked fear, and undermined public trust in law enforcement, Booker echoed. The senators say that the bill will help prevent exploitation of panic and confusion caused by unidentifiable immigration enforcement agents. Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A New York man is accused of stealing gold bars worth over half a million dollars from a resident in Lancaster County, Pa., using a scam that authorities say is becoming increasingly common nationwide. The victim, described as an elderly woman by police in Ephrata, contacted authorities in April to report that someone stole $555,892 worth of gold bars. Investigators said that the suspect, 44-year-old Zhong Ren, of Brooklyn, N.Y., first gained access to the womans computer in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ren allegedly convinced her that someone was trying to access her life savings, and the only way to keep the money safe was to convert it into gold bars and turn them over to federal employees. These supposed federal employees would purportedly keep the gold safe in Philadelphias Federal Reserve vault. Where tick-related ER visits are spiking this summer Investigators said people claiming to be government employees showed up twice in April at the womans Ephrata address, ultimately leaving with $555,892 in gold. A complex investigation led investigators to Ren, who was charged Thursday with theft by unlawful taking, criminal conspiracy of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, criminal conspiracy of theft by deception, and impersonating a public servant in connection with the crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents show Ren did not immediately post bail and was being held at Lancaster County Prison. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 18. What to know about the scam The FBI and local police across the U.S. have been warning Americans, especially seniors, about the con. In June, police in California warned that gold bar scams were becoming prevalent nationwide, and described how the criminal strategy often works: Initial contact: Criminals contact victims by phone, email, or text message, often pretending to be from a trusted source like the government, a bank, or a tech company. False urgency and fear: They create a sense of urgency, claiming the victims financial accounts are compromised or vulnerable to hacking. Conversion to gold: Victims are instructed to withdraw their money and convert it into gold bars. Courier collection: A courier is sent to the victims home to collect the gold bars, promising they will be stored securely or used for a legitimate purpose, such as protecting the victims assets. The scam: Instead of protecting the gold, the courier steals the gold bars, and the victim is left with nothing. El Cerrito Police Dept. In January, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions issued a similar warning and reminded consumers that no government agency will ever ask you to buy gold or use a courier to collect your money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To protect yourself against gold bar and other scams you should hang up immediately if someone requests that you buy gold or take out money, according to the Department, which offered the following tips: Dont click on links in emails or texts if they appear in any way suspicious. Never share personal information or agree to meet with a stranger. Beware of anyone who makes you feel pressured by phone, email or in person. Reach out to your bank or a government agency directly using official contact information to verify any claims. If you feel youve been targeted by scammers, report it to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A new New York-style pizza shop is coming to Dayton. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Mikeys Late Night Slice is moving into the former site of Local Cantina on E. 1st Street near Day Air Ballpark. As News Center 7 previously reported, Local Cantina abruptly closed in March. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This marks the tenth location for the Columbus-based pizza chain and the first in the Dayton area. Mikeys will feature a full-service restaurant and a full bar. Itll have 18-inch New York-style pizzas that will be available by the slice or the whole pie. Mikeys will be a wonderful complement to the vibrant establishments located within the district, including the recently opened Pins Mechanical Co., Foundry rooftop at the AC Hotel and Day Air Ballpark, Zach Graham, Senior Vice President of Commercial Real Estate and Leasing at Crawford Hoying, co-developer of Water Street District, said. Construction will begin soon, and officials expect a grand opening in late 2025. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The New York City Council passed a resolution Monday ordering the citys Department of Investigation to probe what information the city had on Ground Zero toxins after the 9/11 attacks and when they had it. The resolutions passage, in a unanimous vote, comes after a yearslong fight to find out what the city knew about dangerous chemicals in the air after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The Adams administration as well as its predecessors have refused to release those documents, claiming they couldnt find them and that the documents could lead to a barrage of lawsuits from survivors and first responders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This legislation is about responsive, transparent, and accountable government. The remaining residents and survivors of the September 11, 2001 attacks are deeply interested in what the city knew about the hazards of that period, and when, said Gale Brewer, chair of the Councils Oversight and Investigation Committee. Resolution 560-A will provide answers that are 20 years overdue. The legislation marks the first time a provision of the City Charter allows the Council to order the DOI to undertake an investigation with a bill. Despite lawsuits and multiple Freedom of Information Law requests, mayoral administrations since Rudy Giuliani have refused to release the documents. This bill directs the DOI, which has independent oversight over the city, to investigate what past administrations knew about environmental toxins produced by the terror attacks and to submit those findings to the Council in a report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOI will be required to produce biannual updates, with a final report due at the end of the two-year probe. Spokespeople for the mayor did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This resolution would finally reveal what city government knew about environmental toxins produced by the September 11 attacks, and when. This transparency is particularly relevant in this moment when trust in government is severely lacking, Brewer said. About 137,000 first responders and survivors are enrolled in the U.S. Center for Disease Controls WTC Health Program to get treatment and medication due to Ground Zero toxins. Around 7,000 have died. Some advocates have estimated there are more than 10,000 potential liability claims. NEW YORK New York Citys Campaign Finance Board on Tuesday again denied Mayor Eric Adams public matching funds for his reelection effort but the panel switched up the reason for depriving him of the critical cash after a key judicial ruling. Since December 2024, the board has withheld more than $3 million in matching funds for Adams campaign, in large part due to his federal indictment, which accused him of taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish government operatives in exchange for political favors. The indictment was dismissed in April at the behest of President Donald Trumps Department of Justice in a highly controversial deal that many believe has left Adams compromised. Despite the dismissal, the CFB has since April at several board meetings continued to cite the corruption case as grounds for denying Adams matching funds, arguing it provides reason to believe he broke city campaign finance laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, last week, a Brooklyn Federal Court judge ruled in response to a lawsuit from Adams campaign that the board couldnt withhold matching funds from Adams due to the indictment, given that it has been dropped. The judge did rule, though, that the board could deny Adams matching funds because of his campaigns long-running failure to respond to its requests for various documentation, including records related to donors mentioned in his indictment. In a meeting Tuesday morning, Frederick Schaffer, CFBs chairman, acknowledged the judge called into question its reasoning on the corruption case. Still, he said the board is continuing to deny Adams matching funds because of the outstanding document requests, delivering a blow to the mayor as he faces a difficult path to reelection, running as an independent in Novembers general election. Because the documents and information requested from the Adams campaign are still outstanding and have been outstanding since last November, the board determines today that Mayor Adams campaign has failed to demonstrate to eligibility for public funds payments at this time, Schaffer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schaffer also said the boards independent investigation into Adams and his campaign remains ongoing. As part of that probe, the board recently requested a slew of records related to individuals and fundraising events referenced in his indictment. Frank Carone, Adams reelection campaign chairman, said hes hopeful the mayor will get matching funds at the boards next meeting. He also thanked the Brooklyn Federal Court judge for ruling that the reason to believe standard CFB previously cited in denying Adams funds was arbitrary and unconstitutional. Without that arbitrary standard, all that we must do is comply with what remains from CFBs document request Therefore, we are confident now that Mayor Adams will receive matching funds, Carone said in a statement. Also at Tuesdays meeting, the board approved about $1 million in new matching funds for Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor whos leading in the polls. It also awarded about $135,000 in new matching funds for Jim Walden, a lawyer mounting a longshot independent bid for mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whos also running as an independent in Novembers mayoral race, didnt apply for Tuesdays matching funds payout, according to his spokesman Rich Azzopardi. In light of his Monday announcement that he will stay in the November race, the ex-governor plans to apply for funds at next months board meeting, Azzopardi added. Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa didnt apply for Tuesdays payout, either, but his spokesman Daniel Kurzyna said he plans to do so at the August meeting. The CFBs board meetings are typically dry, pro forma affairs. But before Schaffer started reading his statement about denying Adams funds, the meeting was disrupted by a small group of protesters angry about the CFBs flubbed rollout of its 2025 primary elections voter guide, which included a number of errors, resulting in the board having to spend millions of dollars to correct the pamphlet and mail out new ones to city residents. $7 million down the drain, one of the protests shouted before being escorted out of the room. _____ ILION, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) New York State Police are asking for the publics help in identifying a person who stole a large amount of money from an elderly victim. Troopers are investigating a grand larceny and identity theft case in the village of Ilion. An unknown suspect is being accused of using the debit card of an 86-year-old victim. According to police, the people pictured below withdrew approximately $10,000 using the debit card at multiple ATMs. New York State Police have obtained surveillance photos of the suspect, which are shown above and below. Police are asking for the publics assistance in identifying the individual. Photo provided by the New York State Police Troop D Photo provided by the New York State Police Troop D Photo provided by the New York State Police Troop D Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who can identify the female is asked to contact the New York State Police at 315-366-6000. When you contact officers, you are asked to reference case number NY2500454523. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. The investigation concluded that the tenacity and courage of the soldiers and commanders from the Golani Brigade, and reinforcements who arrived to assist, were noteworthy. The IDF on Tuesday released its findings from an investigation into the fierce battle that took place at the Mop Darom base (Negev Research and Development Center), near Nir Oz in the Eshkol Regional Council, during the October 7 massacre. The investigation paints a complex picture: a surprise attack by at least 35 terrorists led to the collapse of the camps defense systems and the temporary capture of the facility by Hamas. Poor positioning and inadequate protection were exploited, allowing terrorists to gain control of key areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the report highlights the high level of readiness shown by the Golani Brigade, alongside the bravery of the soldiers and commanders. Despite suffering casualties, they displayed exceptional determination and led from the front. The investigation concluded that the tenacity and courage of the soldiers, commanders, and reinforcements who arrived to assist were noteworthy. Their leadership throughout the battle, especially after the injury and death of the platoon commander, who led with distinction, was deserving of special commendation. At least 35 terrorists infiltrated the camp, and 10 of them were killed by IDF forces during the fighting. Prior to the attack, Golanis 51st Brigade had been stationed at the camp. A graphic depicting the data from the battle at the Mop Darom base. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) At 5:30 a.m., the brigade prepared for "dawn readiness" according to the orders and situation assessment at the time. An hour later, at 6:29 a.m., Hamas launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel, with terrorists infiltrating through multiple routes by vehicles, motorcycles, and on foot. Within minutes, the brigade soldiers were facing an organized assault, with the enemy holding a significant numerical advantage. Phase 1: Terrorists infiltrate the camp, fight rages on in bunker and dining hall 06:29 As red alert warnings of rockets sounded, the soldiers and platoon commanders moved into protected areas. Most entered the companys dining hall, while others sought shelter in bunkers and the command post. Several mortar shells and drones exploded inside the camp during this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 06:31 Reports from the lookout indicated the infiltration of over 100 terrorists across 10 entry points in the camp. 06:35 Despite lookout reports of increasing terrorist activity, a battalion operations officer assured in a WhatsApp group that everything inside the camp was operational. Meanwhile, IDF forces at a lookout point saw 20 terrorists on motorcycles approaching the camp. 06:47 Dozens of terrorists infiltrated the camp through openings in the armored vehicle gate and main entrance. 07:00 Upon realizing most of the soldiers were inside the dining hall, the terrorists began firing at them using small arms, shoulder-fired missiles, and machine guns, and throwing grenades. Simultaneously, fighting broke out between terrorists and soldiers who were inside the bunkers and the command post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two commanders, Captain Shilo Rauchberger and the platoon commander, ordered soldiers in the dining hall to defend both the front and back entry points. This critical decision prevented a massacre in the dining hall and led to a prolonged battle lasting for approximately three hours. 07:15 Terrorists continued their intense fire, attempting to break into the dining hall by throwing grenades and starting fires. Despite the heavy assault, the soldiers, including Rauchberger, fought valiantly from inside. During the battle, an unknown number of terrorists were killed, and others were repelled. Seventeen soldiers, including both officers and enlisted personnel, were injured, but they continued to fight until they required medical attention. 07:30 The platoon commander and another soldier stopped an infiltration attempt at the back entrance, despite being hit by a shoulder-fired missile. The platoon commander, though injured, continued to lead the defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simultaneously, Sergeant Amichay Rubin was seriously injured while blocking the main entrance alongside Captain Rauchberger. Rubin succumbed to his injuries three days later. Rauchberger continued fighting until his own injuries took their toll, and he was killed. Sergeant Shlomo Reshetnikov, a lone soldier who immigrated from Russia, was also killed while defending the dining hall. While the fighting unfolded in the dining hall, terrorists targeted nearby bunkers, attempting to breach the doors with shoulder missiles, explosives, and gunfire. The soldiers inside repelled the attacks, using their bodies to block the doors. 08:15 The terrorists planted explosives on the south bunker door. Sergeant Dvir Haim Resler was killed while holding the door, preventing the terrorists from breaching it and saving the lives of two other soldiers. The explosion damaged the locking mechanism, but the terrorists ultimately withdrew. Phase 2: Arrival of reinforcements, terrorists withdraw 09:00 A five-soldier patrol vehicle arrived and found no terrorists inside the camp. They rescued two soldiers from the north bunker and conducted a search of the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By evening, a special entry kit was used to open the damaged south bunker door. The force commander set up a casualty evacuation point and organized the remaining uninjured soldiers into medical and security teams. The terrorists withdrew from the camp, setting up ambushes along the access routes. Phase 3: Fighting outside the camp, reinforcements arrive 13:51 Four urgent casualties were evacuated on stretchers. On their way to the evacuation helicopter, the IDF forces came under fire from two points. Two soldiers were injured, but the forces returned fire. Two attack helicopters joined the communication network for support. The platoon commander, hearing the bursts of gunfire, instructed his team to return fire and maneuver toward the camp to flank the terrorists. The helicopters engaged the terrorists but were unaware of the platoon commanders force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 14:03 The platoon force identified three terrorists at a range of 50-70 meters, killed them, and continued fighting. Four additional terrorists were killed by forces in APC (armored personnel carrier) positions. 14:15 The attack helicopters ceased fire after identifying the platoon commanders force. 15:40 An evacuation helicopter landed and evacuated five injured soldiers. 17:00 The platoon commander coordinated with the former Golani Brigade commander and arranged for reconnaissance teams to protect surrounding settlements. 19:00 Another helicopter evacuated the remaining casualties. 21:00 Reinforcements arrived and reinforced the camps defenses, enabling the platoon to organize for further operations. A graphic depicting the troops who fought in the battle at the Mop Darom base. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Conclusions of the investigation The enemys attack, which included heavy fire and multiple infiltration points, neutralized the camps defenses and pinned down the defending force for several hours. Despite lookout reports of infiltrations across several sectors, the defense forces inside were unable to assist the surrounding settlements in time. The camps vulnerability was compounded by poor location, inadequate preparation, and a collapsed defense posture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite these challenges, the soldiers bravery and tactical decisions significantly reduced the number of casualties. The actions of commanders, soldiers, and reinforcements, who fought even after being injured, saved many lives and prevented terrorists from entering vital areas like the dining hall and bunkers. Special recognition must be given to the tactical college officer who arrived and assumed command, saving lives and ensuring the continued function of the camps forces. The air forces also conducted life-saving evacuations under fire, demonstrating professionalism and coordination with ground forces. Ultimately, the lack of prior warning and the camps unpreparedness contributed to its initial collapse. However, the courage of those who fought, led by the commanders, was pivotal in turning the tide of battle. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- There is a new way for our community to come together and support the families devastated by the recent flooding in the Hill Country. The Odessa Chamber of Commerce is working alongside the Odessa Community Foundation to help families who lost loved ones- including two of our own. The Odessa Community Foundation originally created in the wake of the August 31st mass shooting, is once again stepping in to help during tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time, the foundation will be used to collect donations for the family of officer Bailey martin, his girlfriend Jayda Floyd, his stepmother Amanda, and his father Bobby Martin. All of whom tragically lost their lives in the flooding. People just want to be able to physically hand something to donate, Craig Stoker at-large Odessa said. I had a discussion with Renee at the Chamber and trying to decide if there was a way for the community foundation to accept donations. Craig Stoker worked with the Odessa Chamber of Commerce to set up the donation platform, ensuring the community has a trusted and secure way to give back. Certainly everybody was on board and I want to thank OPD and the county and the Chamber of Commerce for all working together very quickly to make sure that the link got activated and updated, Stoker said. Its a lot of moving parts to get something like that coordinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any funds raised beyond the familys final expenses will go toward helping other Odessans affected. So I appreciate the feedback that people are getting, the information they need to feel like they have given back, Stoker said. To feel like they have played a role in supporting the Martins and the Floyds and really the other Odessans. Stoker also urges anyone looking to donate through other organizations to double-check that they are legitimate before giving. To donate here is the link: https://odessachamber.com/odessa-flood-victims-donation/ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. An impending signage change on U.S. Highway 169 will allow motorists to drive a notch faster past the Oologah schools. As drivers approach the Oologah-Talala Public Schools campus now, a white sign with a yellow accent mandates a 25 mph speed limit when the lights are flashing. The Oklahoma Transportation Commission, with approval from Oologah's town board, moved July 7 to swap the white sign with a yellow one when the new school year begins. The number on the sign will climb from 25 to 30 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Oologah Police Department Chief Rusty Davis said the color change weakens the sign's authority. Instead of making an enforceable demand, it offers a suggestion. Even when the lights are flashing, Davis said, police can't force drivers to travel under 30 mph. The 45 mph speed limit for that stretch of road still applies. "There's nothing we can do about that other than try and find some other reason to pull them over," Davis said. "Honestly, I don't think that's appropriate ... when ODOT is taking away a regulatory sign and putting up a sign with a suggested speed, 30 mph, in a school zone that gets pretty congested [with] traffic coming and going from that school during those hours." Marty Harris, state highway safety engineer for ODOT, told News on 6 few kids who attend Oologah walk or cross the road to get to school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ODOT spokesperson TJ Gerlach said the department has replaced school zones with yellow warning signs near other school campuses with little foot traffic. Davis said some kids do walk along Highway 169, but the bigger issue is that a higher speed limit makes it harder for drivers to transition safely from campus to the highway. "You've got a lot of inexperienced drivers coming in and out of that parking lot," Davis said. "You've got parents coming in and out of that parking lot dropping off their children. It gets very congested, and so if you keep the speed limit at 45, that's definitely not going to mitigate that issue." Oologah's town board approved the change in January, said Mayor George Peters. But he said the board members did not realize they were doing away with the 25 mph limit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We only approved, 'Installation of advanced school warning signs with flashing beacons along US 169,'" Peters said. "This is the exact wording from the agreement with ODOT and why we were surprised by the proposed speed limit change." Peters said though the signs can't obligate drivers to stay under 45 mph, they will be larger and more visible. They will also appear about 150 feet earlier to warn drivers to slow down. The mayor said he doesn't oppose the 30 mph figure on the sign, but he is lobbying ODOT to keep it white. Gerlach said Thursday ODOT still plans to replace the regulatory signs with yellow advisory signs. Ofcoms chairman has hit back at claims of an Orwellian online crackdown after Donald Trumps White House accused the agency of stifling free speech. Lord Grade, the former Channel 4 chief executive and ex-chairman of BBC and ITV, said new laws aimed at stamping out criminal material and protecting children from online harm did not conflict with freedom of expression, which was the beating heart of Ofcom regulation. The watchdogs tougher policing of online material has attracted the ire of Mr Trump, who has long been a vocal supporter of free speech. During meetings earlier this year, officials in the US state department reportedly raised concerns with UK representatives that the new laws could amount to censorship. Donald Trumps White House has accused Ofcom of stifling free speech - Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images However, Lord Grade said the watchdogs decision to investigate, fine or even ban online services which did not comply with the new rules were not Orwellian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are tackling criminal material, such as terrorist content or child sexual abuse. And we are getting the tech companies to protect children both from the illegal, and from content that poses serious risks of harm to their physical or emotional health, he said in a speech at a Kings College on Tuesday, Now if anyone believes that either of those aims is misguided, I really cannot agree. Neither one, to my mind, is in conflict with free expression. Domesday for broadcasting He said Ofcom assessed 10,000 pieces of TV and radio content last year and only 33 breached its rules. Ofcom has adopted new powers as Britains first internet regulator as part of sweeping laws aimed at tackling material. As part of the powers, new rules forcing tech firms to boost child safety measures will come into force next week. Reddit this week announced new age verification processes to stop under-18s from accessing inappropriate posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new rules, which could lead to heavy fines for US tech giants, have taken on extra significance as Britain sought to avoid Mr Trumps tariffs. Sir Keir Starmers Government has denied they were up for negotiation as part of trade discussions. In his speech, Lord Grade took aim at tech bosses, who he said placed a premium on revenue growth but failed to give enough attention to safety. He added: No one, least of all the tech sector, should be surprised that a situation like this has brought about a societal, political, regulatory and global response. But it has. And now, change is happening. Lord Grade also warned of a Domesday scenario for British broadcasting as they face growing competition from streaming rivals such as Netflix and Disney, as well as TikTok and other social media apps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said traditional TV channels would have to fight even harder to stay relevant by creating moments of essential, national viewing. There are some things that regulation, no matter how modern, cannot do. It cant make people watch what they dont want to watch, he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. BEAVER, Pa. (AP) An off-duty police officer who struck a bystander in the chest and knocked him to the ground as the man tried to give police information about a shooting outside in Pennsylvania has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the mans death. John J. Hawk, 38, was sentenced Tuesday to five years of probation after entering the plea after jury selection in his scheduled trial in Beaver County, about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. He also pleaded guilty to assault and reckless endangerment in the November 2022 attack on Kenneth Vinyard, 48, outside a Walmart. At the sentencing, Vinyards family described the man as the family glue, according to Attorney General Dave Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This sworn officers actions contributed to the death of a man who was not a threat to anyone at the scene of this shooting, Sunday said in a statement. Hawk, an officer in Center Township, was in civilian clothing when he confronted the victim as he spoke to police, Sunday said. He died upon arrival at a hospital. A medical examiner found the blunt force trauma and related stress contributed to his death. Hawk apologized to the victims family at his sentencing. His lawyer, Stephen Colafella, said his client had been grappling with Vinyard's death before deciding to enter a plea. I think a lot of people got closure today, Colafella said Tuesday evening, noting that Hawk and the victim's fiancee embraced in court. A related civil suit in the case has settled, and Hawk is no longer on the Center Township police force, he said. I hope that he can move on and have a good life with his family, fiancee Marcy Beatty told WTAE-TV. Ours is broken, and it will take a long time for that to heal. One person suffered a gunshot wound in the Walmart shooting, authorities said at the time. STONINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) The Office of Inspector General deemed that the fatal shooting of a man in Stonington in 2023, where a K-9 was also shot and killed, was justified. The report said the use of deadly force by Connecticut State Police Sgt. Sean Paddock and troopers Christopher Church, Jared Bolduc and Gregory Fascendini was justified. Preliminary report released on fatal shooting that killed suspect, K-9 in Stonington Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 21, 2023, police were serving an arrest warrant for Vaughn R. Malloy, 42, who was accused of assault in connection to a shooting in April 2022. Bodycam footage showed police outside Malloys home on Mechanic Street giving orders to come out of his home to surrender. Malloy did not surrender and a tactical unit used a ram attached to an armored vehicle to breach the door. Malloy ran out the back door, and police followed him, deploying a K9, Broko. Officers shot less than lethal impact munitions at Malloy, which knocked him to the ground. Malloy then shot at Broko multiple times. Broko died due to the gunshots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K-9 Broko was the first police dog shot and killed while in the line of duty in Connecticut. K-9 Broko honored in senate after sacrifice in line of duty Gunshots hit a police vehicle and then Malloy. Four officers then shot at Malloy who died later at the hospital. In their statements, the four troopers who fired their weapons expressed their perception of this threat and their belief that it posed a grave risk of harm, the report wrote. The report said Malloy had 13 gunshot wounds and nine bullets were recovered. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) An officer, who was off-duty at the time of a shooting at a Pennsylvania Walmart in 2022, pleaded guilty in the death of an innocent bystander, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced. John J. Hawk, 38, was a Center Township police officer in Beaver County when a shooting happened in the Walmart parking lot. Hawk, although off-duty, was at the scene when an innocent bystander, Kenneth Vinyard, approached officers with what he thought was evidence they should have. Hawk, who was in street clothes, confronted Vinyard and pulled him away. Shortly after, Hawk struck Vinyard in the chest while performing a leg sweep, knocking him to the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vinyard was pronounced dead when he got to the local hospital. The medical examiner determined that the blunt force trauma and accompanying stress inflicted by Hawk contributed to the death. According to Sunday, a jury trial was set to start when they were informed Hawk wished to enter a guilty plea. Sunday noted that there was no agreement between his office and the defense regarding the sentence. This sworn officers actions contributed to the death of a man who was not a threat to anyone at the scene of this shooting, Sunday said. My team was fully prepared to try this case, but, after selecting a jury on Monday, we were informed the defendant wished to plead guilty. Beaver County Judge Richard Mancini sentenced Hawk to five years of probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday added that Vinyards family described him as the glue that held their family together during Hawks sentencing. Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices. The Office of Attorney Generals investigation included a presentment from a Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. Officers shoot and kill suspect during armed standoff at Fall River apartment building, DA says A man who was experiencing a mental health crisis was shot and killed by responding police officers during an hourslong standoff early Tuesday morning, according to authorities. Fall River Police say they received several 911 calls around 1:30 a.m. from concerned family members that 38-year-old Domonick Knight was making self-harm statements while armed with a gun. Responding officers evacuated the Langley Street duplex, as well as family members from the same home as Knight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just before 2:30 a.m., a trained Crisis Negotiator arrived on scene and initiated multiple attempts to communicate with Knight, according to police, though their attempts were unsuccessful. At 2:42 a.m., police say a decision was made to breach the front entry and re-establish communications. According to police, at 3:15 a.m., officers breached the front door and were fired upon by Domonick. Body camera footage shows the chaotic scene on the second floor landing. According to police, Domonick was located at the top of the stairs with a short-barrelled rifle and a handgun. During an ensuing exchange of gunfire, Domonick was shot in the side of the head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers requested medical assistance and Domonick was transported to an area hospital, where he later died. An autopsy along with other forensic testing is pending. The incident remains under investigation by the Bristol County District Attorneys Office, in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police. No further information was immediately available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Jul. 15Lawyers from the Ohio Attorney General's Office have filed an appeal of a ruling by a Miami County judge that overturned guilty verdicts for former West Milton police officer Kevin Wright on three felony rape charges involving a minor, granting him a new trial. The state's challenge was filed in Ohio's 2nd District Court of Appeals. Wright, 38, was found guilty by a jury in 2021 of three counts of rape of a girl under the age of 13 and was sentenced by Judge Stacy Wall of Miami County Common Pleas Court. Wright received three prison sentences, one for each count of rape, of 10 years to life with each sentence to be served consecutively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a series of appeals, Wall held up a portion of Wright's petition for post conviction relief. Wright was released July 10 by Wall on house arrest with GPS monitoring and ordered to have no contact with the victim or her siblings. Wright will be allowed to leave the house to attend court and attorney appointments. In the ruling, Wall found that "on a cumulative basis the trial counsel's performance was deficient, and the deficient performance prejudiced the defendant. This means there is a reasonable probability that, absent errors (of counsel), the factfinder would had a reasonable doubt respecting guilty" on the following grounds: inadequate investigation and trial preparation; DNA evidence; and failure to consult and call a forensic cell phone expert. The counsel was Jay Lopez of Troy. He could not be reached for comment. Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, left, and state Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, right. (Photos by Morgan Trau, WEWS.) Ohio House Republicans plan to override Gov. Mike DeWines vetoes on provisions they say would provide property tax relief but that public school advocates say come at the expense of education. It is expected to be a tight vote. Many teachers were relieved when DeWine vetoed several school-related provisions in the state budget, ones that Cleveland Heights School Board Member Dan Heintz said would harm public education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would have been a race to the bottom, Heintz said. It would have put school districts around the state in a constant levy cycle. DeWine vetoed restrictions on the ability to put emergency levies on the ballot or request an increase to a current levy. That provision would have eliminated levy replacements on property taxes for all political subdivisions. For schools, it would have prohibited them from imposing a fixed-sum emergency levy, a substitute emergency levy, and a combined school district income tax and fixed-sum property tax levy. He also removed a provision that would have allowed county budget commissions to unilaterally take money away from passed school levies if they find it reasonably necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor vetoed another that would have required that emergency and substitute tax levies, incremental growth levies, conversion levies, and the property tax portion of combined income tax and property tax levies be included in the 20-mill floor calculation for school funding purposes. But the relief that educators felt didnt last long, as Ohio House Republicans announced their intention to override the governor. To make sure that our taxpayers across Ohio see some type of decrease or prevention of the spikes that will happen, we have to override the governors veto to essentially be effective for Nov. 1, state Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, said Friday. Thomas and House GOP leaders have asked lawmakers to come back from their summer recess and override the three school-specific vetoes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Im hearing constantly from my taxpayers is that they need decreases and they need tax reform now, Thomas said. But not every Republican is on board, like former House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, who said this will hurt schools more than it will help. An override its a big deal, Stephens said. My concern is if the legislature overrides these particular vetoes, its really not going to do that much to lower peoples property taxes. Stephens isnt coming back for the override session. Weve confirmed that at least three other GOP lawmakers arent returning or are voting no. Several others who had previously told OCJ/WEWS they were no votes could not be reached on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The summer is busy, Stephens said. To override the governor takes 60 votes. With only 65 Republicans, Thomas can only afford to lose six people. I would say that members who are saying theyre not coming back its our job, its our duty as elected representatives of the taxpayers of Ohio to make these votes and to do whats in the best interests of our residents, Thomas said. On Thursday, we asked the governor for his thoughts. They have every right to come back and make their decision, DeWine said. In an attempt to prevent an override, the governor created a new property tax working group to evaluate the best solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to give them some relief, at the same time, we have to balance this so that we continue or able to fund our schools, DeWine said. The working group will be run by former Cincinnati Republican lawmaker Bill Seitz and Ohio Business Roundtable CEO Pat Tiberi. Seitz said that he is helping to point out to lawmakers that the vetoed provisions could be improved by changing their language. Heintz said he hopes that the lawmakers will listen to the governor, Seitz, and Tiberi. We stretch every dollar we have, Cleveland Heights School Board Member Heintz said. This can be done without the micromanagement of Mr. Thomas and the Ohio legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vote is set to take place on July 21, with the Ohio Senate following that day or later that week. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook. This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Adult websites will soon be required to confirm that Ohio users are over 18 years old before granting them access to explicit content. A provision in the states two-year operating budget, signed by Gov. Mike DeWine in June, will require pornography platforms and any website that hosts content that is obscene or harmful to juveniles to verify their visitors are adults. How a typo could mean Ohios state tree isnt the buckeye Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Users in Ohio will have to prove their age by uploading a copy of a government-issued photo ID or other personal identification, such as proof of a mortgage or employment. Purveyors of online pornography would be required to immediately delete such documents after the verification is complete, unless a user maintains an account or subscription. To ensure Ohio users ages are verified, adult websites will be responsible for using technology to monitor the location of their visitors. The Ohio Attorney General will hold the sole authority to enforce the new law, which takes effect in late September, by filing civil lawsuits against companies that do not comply. The provision in the state budget follows multiple similar legislative efforts, including a bill introduced in 2024 and another earlier this year called The Innocence Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 40+ cars in Columbus for car show broken into Rep. Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.), who introduced both previous bills, argued at a hearing earlier this year that age-verification measures would protect minors from harmful content. In Ohio, businesses that primarily sell or rent adult content are legally required to verify the age of their customers, Demetriou said. The Innocence Act brings this commonsense safeguard into the 21st century. The lawmaker cited multiple studies, including a 2010 study in the scientific journal Aggressive Behavior, that found exposure to violent X-rated content led to an increase in self-reported sexually aggressive behavior. He also pointed to studies that linked pornography to heightened feelings of social isolation and sexist attitudes toward women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill drew support from the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, the Center for Christian Virtue, Catholic Conference of Ohio and Collaborative to End Human Trafficking. While the age-verification bill introduced this year did not progress to the point of receiving opponent testimony before the states new law was passed as part of the budget, the 2024 bill did. Central Ohio organization on edge after big, beautiful bill passes Gary Daniels, a lobbyist with the American Civil Liberties Union, was the only person to speak out against the bill. He said historically such laws have been weaponized against movies, magazines, video games, sex education and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is something to be said about parental control and not involving government, law enforcement, courts, and incarceration, Daniels said. Software that filters and/or blocks online content is widely available and inexpensive, much of it free. This allows parents to limit or block access for their own children without requiring the same be done for all minors and without burdening adults. Currently, 21 states have laws in effect that require age verification to access online pornography, according to the Free Speech Coalition. Four more states including Ohio, Missouri, Arizona and North Dakota have passed laws that are set to go into effect in the future. Some adult websites, including PornHub, have completely blocked access to regions with age-verification laws on the books. While the Free Speech Coalition filed lawsuits against multiple states with age-verification laws, the United States Supreme Court ruled in June that a Texas age-verification law could stand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. If you're planning to book a cruise vacation, you probably arent thinking about what would happen if you had a medical emergency at sea, but maybe you should. Mohammad Hamza from North Olmsted, Ohio, learned this lesson in the most devastating way possible when his wife, Julia, died after suffering heart attacks during their Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple had boarded the vessel for what should have been a relaxing getaway. However, on the second day of their trip, Julia began feeling nauseous and dizzy before collapsing on the floor. It was her first-ever heart attack. The doctor immediately said shes going to have another episode of cardiac arrest. She needs to be transported now, Hamza shared with News 5 Cleveland. What happened next highlights a serious concern that many cruise passengers may not consider until it's too late. Immediate assistance costs $15,000 When Julia needed urgent medical assistance, Hamza claims he was asked to produce $15,000 in cash. This, as you might imagine, left Hamza incredulous as he couldn't understand why anyone on the ship would carry that amount of cash on them. After finally arranging payment with his credit card, Hamza said his wifes evacuation was then repeatedly delayed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, wheres the jet?" Hamza asked the medical team on the ship. "Coming in a half hour, coming in two hours, coming in three hours" is what he was reportedly told. Meanwhile, hours went by, and it was during this critical waiting period when Julia suffered a second heart attack. "She wanted to say something," Hamza recalled. "I told her to squeeze my hand. She squeezed my hand." According to Hamza, his wife experienced a third heart attack that proved to be fatal while on the transport boat headed for the medical jet. And while Royal Caribbean declined to speak with News 5 Cleveland, the company did provide a statement: "The safety and well-being of our guests is always a top priority. In Mrs. Hamza's situation, the shipboard medical team responded quickly to her medical needs and worked continuously to stabilize her condition in preparation for her transport to a shoreside hospital. Our thoughts continue to be with Mr. Hamza during this difficult time." Read more: Americans are revenge saving to survive but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. Heres how to quickly earn 280% more on your cash How medical care works on international waters Jamie Barnett, president of the International Cruise Victims Association, wasn't exactly surprised by Hamza's story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I thought, oh, no. Here's another one," said Barnett, whose daughter needed emergency assistance during a cruise in 2005. A defibrillator reportedly took 30 minutes to arrive, and that delay had cost Barnetts daughter her life. What a lot of travelers may not be aware of is that major cruise lines sail under the flags of different countries, known as "flags of convenience," which means American medical standards don't often apply to international cruise ships. Emergency care in the U.S. is governed by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, which requires hospitals to provide emergency care regardless of the patients ability to pay. However, this law does not apply in other countries or on international waters, where cruise ships operate. "And that's one of the first and foremost things that I wish people knew," Barnett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This jurisdictional issue creates a situation where American cruise passengers may not receive the same level of medical care they expect at home. And that, unfortunately, is something Barnett knows firsthand. How to protect yourself before setting sail If you're planning a dream cruise vacation in the near future, there are several precautions that you may want to consider. Bill Coyle from KHM Travel Group in Brunswick, Ohio, shared some tips for cruise travelers with News 5 Cleveland: Make sure you're healthy enough for the trip. Bring documentation about your medications and medical history. Consider comprehensive travel insurance that explicitly covers emergency evacuation. Booking with a premium travel credit card can also be beneficial in expensive medical scenarios. Premium credit cards typically offer several medical protections when used to pay for travel, including cruises. These protections can include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency medical and dental coverage (typically $2,500-$10,000). Emergency evacuation and transportation (typically $50,000-$100,000, with some cards offering unlimited coverage). Travel accident insurance (typically $250,000-$1,000,000). However, these benefits may need to be approved by the card issuers administrator. Additionally, coverage may only apply when you're at least 100 miles from home. Because of this, before you click "book now" on that cruise deal, take some time to understand exactly what medical resources will be available if there's an emergency and make sure you're properly insured. What to read next Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Money doesnt have to be complicated sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A Cincinnati man has pleaded guilty in relation to a $1.5 million chop shop conspiracy. According to the U.S. Court Southern District of Ohio, Cincinnati native Kahrese Tracey Scott Lee, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiring the transport of stolen vehicles in interstate commerce and for running a chop shop. The court referenced documents that noted that these incidents reportedly happened between at least Oct. 2023 and Oct. 2024. The documents also allege that Lee went by Reese Lee, and Bennett Jones, when working with others in the stolen car thefts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He operated a garage in Dayton, where several stolen cars were housed. In May 2024 alone, the garage allegedly held more than $500 thousand in stolen cars and vehicle parts. Man facing 20 years in prison for drug trafficking conspiracy Lee reportedly disassembled the vehicles, removed their parts and either resold them or placed them onto different vehicles. He also received, stole and traded vehicles out of state. One instance saw Lee and others journey from Ohio to Indiana, where they procured three vehicles valued at a total higher than $200,000. Lee eventually ended up in Alabama, with intentions of opening a new garage. Police located him there in possession of stolen vehicles. The vehicles were rerouted by officers back to their original dealership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee attempted to reacquire one of the vehicles, thanks to a tracker placed on them, but was taken into custody by police. Lee and six others were charged by a federal indictment in November 2024. Lee is facing a 15-year prison sentence for the charges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Lac du Flambeau tribal officials are calling on people to help stop potential mining in Wisconsins Northwoods. We are asking all of those water protectors to take action, read a July 7 post on the tribes official Facebook page. The post asks people to contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Forest Service to explain "the importance of clean water to our people. Drilling equipment at the Bend Deposit site in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest where Canadian-based Green Light Metals plans to conduct exploratory drilling operations to look for gold and silver ore. The DNR and U.S. Forest Service recently approved plans for Canadian-based Green Light Metals to drill eight mineral exploration holes up to 1,350 feet deep each on 40 acres in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Taylor County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second phase of the project, which is yet to be approved, includes drilling another 15 holes up to 2,000 feet deep each on 559 acres surrounding the first eight holes. The tribe called on supporters to visit the site on July 11 to witness alleged code violations, and send thousands of emails and make phone calls to the DNR and to U.S. Forest Service regulators to voice their concern. The tribe alleges the projects are based on faulty plans that regulators already approved. These poorly regulated projects are doing irreversible harm to the water and environment, the post read. Poorly regulated sulfide mining projects will result in water contamination and environmental contamination across northern Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drilling is being done at whats known as the Bend Copper-Gold Deposit at the headwaters of the Chippewa River, according to the DNR. The deposit of mostly copper-bearing sulfides was discovered in 1986. The deposit is estimated to contain 4.23 million tons of ore with significant amounts of gold and minor amounts of silver. Aquila Resources conducted exploratory drilling operations in 2012 at the site. Aquila has since been acquired by Green Light Metals. Steve Donohue, a member of the board of directors for Green Light Metals who lives in De Pere, said the Lac du Flambeau Tribe has not reached out directly to the company, but tribal members did visit the site with Green Light officials through its arrangement with the DNR and U.S. Forest Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donohue said company representatives are aware the tribe has concerns about how their exploration and mining might affect the environment. As we continue to explore in Wisconsin, and look to the day when we permit a new modern and environmentally protective mining operation, we will continue to engage with local communities and Native American interests to discuss our plans and address local concerns, he said in an email. All of our activities will be completed in accordance with state and federal environmental protection requirements and oversight. Donohue, a licensed hydrologist in Wisconsin with 35 years of experience working on environmental issues associated with metallic mines, said the drilling methods being done at the Bend site are similar to whats used for water well drilling. He said Green Light has an open door policy and will meet with anyone concerned who reaches out through its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the Wisconsin chapter of the American Indian Movement have been at the site monitoring operations since work started in mid-June. Andrew Waupekenay (Menominee), director of the AIM group, said it is opposed to the drilling and wants to know how contractors working for Green Light are going to operate. Tribes in Wisconsin have had some success in recent years in blocking mining projects they believed could harm waterways in northern parts of the state. The Mole Lake Ojibwe and Potawatomi tribes purchased a site in 2003 near Crandon that Exxon discovered contained an estimated 55 million tons of ore containing zinc, copper, lead, gold and silver. The Crandon Deposit was discovered in 1976 and the tribes had been trying to block the mining for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in 2023, a site in Michigans Upper Peninsula known as the Back 40 Deposit was placed on the National Register of Historic Places giving it an extra layer of protection from development and mining. The site also is the ancestral homeland of Menominee and the tribe worked to get the designation approved. Sign up for the First Nations Wisconsin newsletter Click here to get all of our Indigenous news coverage right in your inbox Frank Vaisvilas is a former Report for America corps member who covers Native American issues in Wisconsin based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact him at fvaisvilas@gannett.com or 815-260-2262. Follow him on Twitter at @vaisvilas_frank. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ojibwe push back against mining project in Wisconsin national forest OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The chair of the Oklahoma House committee on tourism says she believes the operator of restaurants in state parks can be successful after a state arrangement to get a payment dispute sorted out. On July 8, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation [OTRD] announced it was suspending restaurant operations at all six of the Lookout Kitchen restaurant locations in state parks. The department said it was because operators of the restaurants had repeated failures to make monthly payments. Tourism department suspends restaurant operations at state parks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lookout Kitchen took over after the state removed Swadleys Foggy Bottom Kitchen restaurants from Oklahoma parks and launched an investigation into the business, claiming it took millions of dollars from the state. Those claims are a part of ongoing litigation. OTRD attorneys sent a letter to Lookout Kitchen in May. It said the company had until July 7 to meet its contractual financial obligations. The letter claimed the department was owed $254,943.52 in past due monthly payments and another $500,000 for a letter of credit. The state said the restaurant failed to meet that deadline. However, the Lookout Kitchen responded on social media July 8 and said it was greatly disappointed in OTRD and said it fully complied with OTRDs request. On July 14, OTRD announced that it and Lookout Kitchen had reached a conditional agreement to reopen the restaurants. A spokesperson for Lookout said the Lake Murray State Park location would reopen July 15 at 8 a.m., with full breakfast service available. The spokesperson said additional Lookout Kitchen locationsincluding Beavers Bend, Quartz Mountain, Robbers Cave, and Roman Nose state parkswould reopen on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OTRD said in its announcement that the agreement puts in place monthly payments between July 28 and November 15 to pay off a $274,585.88 balance. OTRD said Lookout Kitchen made one payment of $65,000 on July 14. OTRD did not elaborate on whether there are any additional safeguards in place for non-compliance. It is our hope and our belief that they will be fiscally responsible in the future, and we want them to be successful, said Rep. Tammy Townley (R-Ardmore), who chairs the House committee on tourism. There was not anything that was nefarious or unkind in their negotiations. You know, things happen, business happens, and I think that were on a different trajectory with this restaurant group. Paycom to retire arena naming rights in 2028, Thunder seek new partner for future downtown OKC arena Townley said she believes that everything is being done to make sure Lookout Kitchen is successful, and that it doesnt fall back into a future financial challenge. OTRD Executive Director Sterling Zearley also weighed in, in a statement Monday: This agreement to reopen Lookout restaurants inside our state parks is a positive development for our park guests as we work to minimize disruptions to park operations. This agreed upon payment plan gives Lookout a pathway to compliance, while also providing a valuable amenity to state park visitors. OTRD Executive Director Sterling Zearley News 4 reached out to a Lookout Kitchen spokesperson for comment and received the following news release: The Lookout Kitchen is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) to reopen all Lookout Kitchen restaurant locations at Oklahoma State Parks. The first location to reopen will be Lake Murray State Park, beginning Tuesday, July 15 at 8:00 AM, with full breakfast service available. Additional Lookout Kitchen locations including Beavers Bend, Quartz Mountain, Robbers Cave, and Roman Nose State Parks will reopen on Wednesday at 11:00 AM. As a proud Oklahoma-owned small business, The Lookout Kitchen remains deeply committed to the communities we serve across the state. Were grateful to resume operations and get back to doing what we love serving great food, supporting local parks, and providing jobs for fellow Oklahomans. We made sure all of our team members were taken care of during this downtime, and were excited to get everyone back in the restaurants doing what they love. We love being a part of these amazing parks and local communities, and we cant wait to welcome everyone back. Guests are invited to come out, enjoy a delicious meal, and celebrate the reopening with the same warm hospitality and friendly faces theyve come to expect from The Lookout Kitchen. Lookout Kitchen Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners is looking for a licensed private practice attorney to appoint to the Board of Trustees, Okaloosa County Law Library. The Law Library is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of elected officials, practicing attorneys, and judges. Its purpose is to prescribe rules and regulations as to its function, organization, use, maintenance and operation. The appointee will serve a two-year term which is set to begin immediately upon appointment. Applications must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. CST on Thursday, July 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minimum requirements for this role are outlined in Laws of Florida, Ch. 67-1787(1), as amended by Ch. 89-416(1), and by the Board of County Commissioners policy. Practicing attorneys in Okaloosa County who wish to be considered for this appointment are encouraged to visit the county website to review the policy, complete an application and begin the background check process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. Oklahoma City residents will head to the ballot box on October 14 to vote on the biggest bond issue in the city's history. The historic $2.718 billion bond would earmark funds for about 547 projects in 11 areas of city services. Half of that amount, $1.35 billion, is slated for streets and sidewalks, which will include resurfacing, widening, street enhancements and sidewalks, according to planning commission documents. Voters passed the last bond issue in 2017. It paved the way for Better Streets, Safer City, which featured a 10-year, $967 million investment in streets, parks, police and fire facilities. OKC Mayor David Holt previously told The Oklahoman the new bond is timed to follow the payoff of prior bonds and will not result in an increase in property taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The council unanimously voted to put the bond to a public ballot during its Tuesday, July 15 meeting. Voters can expect to vote on each proposition individually, meaning there will be 11 categories requiring a yes or no vote. At a previous council meeting, Planning Director Geoffrey Butler said the bond is the citys main source of revenue for capital improvement projects. Oklahoma City has a population of nearly 1.5 million people in the metro area and about 745,000 people outside of the metro area, he told the Oklahoma City Planning Commission at the Thursday, June 12, meeting. The Oklahoma City Council is pictured during an April 2025 meeting. The council on Tuesday voted to put $2.7 billion worth of bond projects to a public vote in October. In the most recent resident survey, which received over 5,600 online responses, top priorities included streets, bridges and traffic control; parks and recreation facilities and sidewalks, trails and bicycle infrastructure. Other priorities included police and fire facilities; economic development; public transit, drainage control, libraries and city facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the $52 million allocated for libraries and learning centers, a new library would be built in west OKC, the Ralph Ellison library would be expanded and the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center would receive about $10 million. Specific details are not yet known. The bond could also bring an expanded police facility to provide more space for programs, a laboratory and a parking garage that would include public parking, which is in short supply for people going to the municipal court building and police headquarters. The estimated $70.6 million project would come at the cost of tearing down the 1930s-era former police headquarters and jail. McKinley Park could see a new community event center with an estimated project budget of $4.93 million. It would replace the existing community center, which has been unused for several years and is in tough shape, Parks Director Melinda McMillan-Miller said. More infrastructure and services slated to receive money Streets : $1.35 billion Parks and recreational facilities : $414.2 million Economic and community development : $175 million Drainage control system : $140.4 million Fire facilities : $130 million Transit and parking system : $129.6 million Police, municipal courts and family justice center : $107.3 million Bridges : $90.5 million Traffic system : $81 million Libraries and learning centers : $52.4 million City maintenance, data and municipal services support facilities: $47 million See a specific list of projects here. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC voters to decide fate of biggest bond in city history: What's in it A farmer in Jones, Oklahoma, was fatally attacked by two water buffalo he had purchased just a day prior, police reported on Tuesday. Bradley McMichael, 45, died Friday night from severe injuries sustained on his family farm, located about 20 miles from Oklahoma City. Jones police responded to an emergency call around 8:35 p.m., with officers arriving to find McMichael trapped by the aggressive animals. First responders were initially unable to reach the victim due to the aggressive behavior of the animals, Jones Police Chief Bryan Farrington said in a statement, per NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a brief delay of about three minutes, officials shot one water buffalo to secure access. McMichael had suffered multiple deep lacerations and was pronounced dead at the scene. As investigators processed the area, a second water buffalo grew increasingly agitated, posing a threat to emergency personnel. Police killed the second animal to ensure safety. A preliminary investigation suggests McMichael became trapped while tending to the animals, possibly preparing water, according to his fiancee, Jennifer Green. He wouldnt have been casual he was very experienced, Green said, per NBC. The stock tanks were not full of water yet. So were not sure if he was dumping them out to fill them with fresh water before he left. But thats when it happened. McMichael had acquired the water buffaloes at a livestock auction on July 10. His ex-wife, Amy Smith, described his lifelong dedication to farming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cattle farming, thats his thing, she told Oklahomas News 4. Hes been here his whole life, and hes done that his whole life. So, hes an experienced cattle handler and a farmer. Green added, per NBC, His farm was his dream, and I had the privilege of helping him with it for a little while. The property, home to cattle, lambs, and goats for at least three generations, was McMichaels passion. Farming, our son, and the community of Jones meant everything to him, Smith said, NBC reported. He leaves behind his 21-year-old son Rylan, a sister, his mother, and his grandmother. Green noted the outpouring of support from Jones residents, telling NBC News, I dont know if [McMichael] knew that people loved him as much as they do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most water buffalo have a docile and placid nature, not aggressive toward humans, according to a report by the Western Sydney Institute of TAFE. If a buffalo feels threatened, however, it may charge and thrash its head from side to side, posing a potential danger. Regardless of temperament, risks are still present, for example, accidental crushing, horn impaling, etc., and the animal should never be regarded as harmless. In 2015, a water buffalo rampaged through the streets of a city in Vietnam, injuring ten people, before it was gunned down at a kindergarten. DECATUR The Decatur man who murdered a 2-year-old girl by allowing her to freeze and starve to death in a filthy and unheated room has lost his latest appeal against his conviction and 30-year sentence. This was Anthony Myers third attempt to claim his innocence or argue for conviction on a lesser offense in the Feb. 11, 2019 death of TaNaja Barnes. Her blanket-wrapped body was found lying in a carpet of human waste and garbage in the frigid bedroom of a house in the 1800 block of East North Street that Myers shared with his girlfriend, the childs mother, the then 22-year-old Twanka L. Davis. She had pleaded guilty to helping to murder her daughter through cruel neglect and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The childs terrible fate had shocked public opinion in Illinois and prompted sharp criticism of both the Department of Children and Family Services and the Decatur-based social service agency now known as Webster Cantrell Youth Advocacy that had intervened at one stage to provide foster care for the child. Recommendations from Webster Cantrell staff had seen DCFS allow TaNaja to be returned to Davis and Myers in the months leading up to the childs death. In August of 2019 Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law House Bill 1551, later named TaNajas Law, which mandated stricter home inspection standards be carried out by DCFS caseworkers. It also stipulates that at-risk children must receive a minimum of six months of aftercare services when they are returned to homes where there has been a history of trouble. Myers, now 31, who was sentenced in October of 2020 following a jury trial in July of that year, first filed a motion to reconsider his sentence that was denied by Macon County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Thomas Griffith in November, 2020. Reasonable doubt The defendant then tried an appeal to the Appellate Court for the Fourth District arguing there was insufficient evidence to support his first degree murder conviction beyond a reasonable doubt. He asked the appellate judges to reduce his conviction to one of endangering the life or health of a child; the judges refused and reaffirmed the murder conviction. Myers latest appeal to the Appellate Court for the Fifth District argued this time that he was innocent and his defense lawyers had been ineffective. He said, among other claims, his defense should have pursued records showing TaNaja had a history of poor weight gain. He also said he was denied a fair trial due to pretrial publicity about the notorious case. In a recently released ruling, however, the Fifth District appeals judges rejected all of Myers allegations. They said he had presented no new evidence to support a claim the trial jurors were wrong in concluding he knew the little girls health was being compromised by terrible suffering. And the courts 18-page unanimous judgement sets out in harrowing detail the police and medical evidence showing that both Myers and Davis allowed the child to slowly succumb to malnutrition and, ultimately, both freeze and starve to death. The judges noted, for example, how Davis had made statements saying TaNaja was not behaving normally: We knew something was wrong because she didnt ever eat, she is reported to have told TaNajas biological father. She stayed up all night and she always just would stand by the window and look out the window. The judges, noting testimony from previous appeals, said this view of a listless, ailing fading away child matched post mortem findings which showed TaNaja had not had much to eat in at least several weeks to possibly a month. Quoting the words of the Fourth Appellate Court justices in their earlier rejection of Myers appeal to them, Fifth Appellate Court Justice Amy Sholar said the trial jury that tried Myers concluded he must have known TaNaja was being cruelly abused. That this state of affairs escaped the defendants attention could have struck the jury as implausible, quoted Sholar. Compounding Myers guilt, Sholar said, was the fact the only heat source a space heater in the bedroom where TaNaja slept alone had been removed. The heater was moved to a separate bedroom Myers shared with Davis and a baby boy that Myers was the father of. That child was so well-nourished that Davis had testified he had the nickname Chunky Baby. In stark contrast, TaNajas body weighed 21 pounds at death which the pathologist who examined the remains, Dr. Scott Denton, described as being in the fifth percentile for her age. He also said the body was covered in scars indicating a history of nonaccidental injury. Letter Myers latest appeal had been bolstered from a letter sent to the appeals court by Davis from her prison cell in the Logan Correctional Center. She told the justices that she now puts all the blame for TaNajas death on herself: I sent non-guilty man to prison; his name is Anthony Myers, she wrote. I used to beat and starve and leave (the child) in a dirty room I never cleaned. I used coke all day, and I got super high and super (drunk). Anthony knew nothing about this I turned off the heat. I beat her all the time. I hated her dad for leaving me to raise her on my own. She looked up to him, I hated that. I did everything and she hated me, so I beat her. He (Myers) is not guilty. I lied. Please help him. The Fifth District appeals judges said some of this came out at trial but nothing Davis is saying now makes the case look any better for Myers, who must have known what was going on. The judges agreed with earlier findings by their colleagues in the Fourth District that, whether Myers caused the neglect or only ignored it, he would be seen as just as guilty in the trial jurys eyes because his failure to help TaNaja created a strong probability that (the victim) would suffer death or great bodily harm. As for Myers claims about his defense attorney failing, among other issues, to argue claims about the child having a history of not properly gaining weight, the appeal judges said official records in the case say otherwise. (She) steadily gained weight while in DCFS custody but lost four pounds (more than 20% of her body weight) while in the custody of the defendant and Davis, said Sholar. Finally, the justice and her two fellow judges also rejected Myers allegations that pretrial publicity tainted the jury pool against him. The judges said he presented no specific details to back up his claim and legal precedent says an impartial jury is simply one willing to decide the case on the facts before it. There is no requirement that jurors be ignorant of the facts and exposure to pretrial publicity alone does not demonstrate prejudice, Sholar said. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma Grand Jury ruled to take no action in a use-of-force case of an Oklahoma City police officer in a June fatal officer-involved shooting. On Wednesday, June 4, just before 6 a.m., officers were serving a search warrant related to sex crimes at a home in southeast Oklahoma City for 40-year-old Jose Martinez, who was accused of sexually assaulting a juvenile and an adult. RELATED: Police release information on SE OKC fatal officer-involved shooting Suspect killed in officer-involved shooting. Image KFOR. Officials say investigators had been searching for Martinez for over a week, concerning arrest warrants issued for him for three counts of first-degree rape and one count of forcible oral sodomy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, Martinez was said to have armed himself with a gun and fled from the home into a wooded area. An officer had found Martinez after he had thrown his firearm over a fence and hopped over, while in the process of retrieving the weapon. The officer ordered him to stop, but Martinez ignored the commands and proceeded to reach down for the firearm before the officer shot him. RELATED: OKCPD release new video of deadly SE OKC officer-involved shooting Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene, and no one else was injured during the incident. The Grand Jury reviewed the evidentiary items, which included body-worn camera footage, photographs from the scene, a recorded interview with the officer involved, and testimonies from detectives regarding the search warrant, arrest warrant, and interviews conducted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oklahoma County District Attorneys Office announced on Tuesday that the Grand Jury, after reviewing evidence and hearing the testimonies, found that the officer involved in the shooting should not face charges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. EL RENO, Okla. (KFOR) El Reno Public Schools notified parents and guardians that students will no longer be permitted to use personal electronic devices throughout the entire school day. In a release, Matt Goucher, the Superintendent for El Reno Public Schools, says that with Senate Bill 139 passing through the Oklahoma Legislature, students are prohibited from using personal electronic devices during the school dayfrom first bell to the last bell. The new law is set to take place during the 2025-2026 school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New bill would ban phones bell-to-bell for middle and high school students Cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and similar devices will not be allowed to be used, accessed, or displayed by students during the entire school day, including class time, passing periods, and lunch. El Reno Public Schools is expected to implement a new district-wide policy, known as the Wireless Telecommunication Devices Policy. It is important to understand that this new policy is not about punishmentit is about creating the best learning environment possible for all students. Reducing distractions in the classroom supports academic success, student engagement, and stronger social connections. We also understand that staying connected with your child is important. In the event of an emergency or urgent need, please contact your schools main office. Students will continue to have access to school phones and staff support when necessary. We appreciate your support in helping us follow this new law and foster focused, productive learning environments. If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to reach out to your school principal. Matt Goucher, Superintendent of El Reno Public Schools Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. NOBLE, Okla. (KFOR) A man from Noble was arrested in St. Louis, Missouri, and is facing over a dozen animal cruelty charges. St. Louis prosecutors charged 38-year-old Robert Peters on Saturday with 16 counts of animal abuse, nine of them being felonies. On Friday, Peters showed up at a St. Louis crematorium, asking to cremate four dogs. While its not uncommon to request a pet to be cremated, staff said it was unusual to show up with that many at the same time, they became suspicious and called the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He died doing what he loved: Family shares story of man tragically killed by two water buffalo Police arrived at the scene to Peters in his box truck and asked him to see inside it. Officers found dog crates stacked on top of each other, many of the dogs were covered in their own feces and urine, and a sawdust-like powder. They also looked lethargic due to the high temperatures in the back of the truck. Officers asked Peters why he had so many dogs in his truck, and Peters said he and his wife owned a transportation business for animals, which they ran out of their home in Oklahoma. Police contacted St. Louis Animal Control, which has the dogs now, and will complete a status report for each dog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gone Rogue Girls Rescue in New Jersey had a dog they were awaiting that was being transported, named Captain. Captain. Image courtesy of Brooke Thompson. It went silent and we were, you know, pretty concerned, hadnt received anything, so thats when we turned around and we were like, all right, somethings going on, said Brooke Thompson, president and founder, Gone Rogue Girls Rescue. But then Thompson heard the news. Weve never actually dealt with anything like this, and weve seen horror stories, but we never actually considered that it would happen to us, said Thompson. Fortunately, Captain is still alive, and Thompson is now looking at taking legal action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want everything to the fullest extent for the justice of not just Captain, but all of the dogs, said Thompson. Peters is being held in St. Louis without bond. Hes expected in court Tuesday afternoon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. People pick through the wreckage from devastating floods on the Rio Ruidoso on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Photo by Danielle Prokop/Source NM) OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma has sent a support team to New Mexico to help with recovery from flash flooding that occurred last week. The state also sent more swift water rescue teams to Texas to help that state recover from deadly flooding. The personnel will join two other Oklahoma teams and human remains detection dogs that are already working in Texas Hill Country where 10 inches of rain fell July 4, causing the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet. Officials said over 130 people died in the flash floods, and at least 100 remain missing, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New Mexico support team consists of 10 people that will aid the State Emergency Operation Center with incident management. The team is expected to be deployed for seven days. Two additional personnel from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety were also sent to New Mexico Tuesday, said Keli Cain, a spokesperson for the state Department of Emergency Management. According to officials, monsoon rains caused the Rio Ruidoso to rise to more than 20 feet. The Ruidoso mountain village received about 3.5 inches of rain. Officials said all who were missing are now accounted for. Of the three people who have died during the flooding, two were children. About 200 Ruidoso homes were damaged by the flooding, officials said. Support teams deployed Monday to aid in incident management. The team consists of personnel from the state Department of Emergency Management, the Office of Homeland Security, and from the Oklahoma City Fire and Tulsa Police departments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahomans know what it means to stand beside our fellow Americans in times of need, Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a statement. We will continue to serve our neighbors with strength and compassion, because thats who we are. My prayers are with families who continue to recover from these tragic events, as well as the responders from Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and dozens of other states who are heeding the call to help. The two additional teams sent to Texas include personnel from the Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Verdigris and Mustang fire departments and the Grand River Dam Authority. The teams are expected to be deployed for 14 days. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A 19-year-old was arrested Saturday in connection with the July 5 shooting in Boynton Beach after he voluntarily went to police and said that while he was at the Peace in the Hood event and did pull out a gun, he wasnt one of the people to shoot, according to court records. At least 500 people gathered at Sara Sims Park for the unpermitted event, where rival gang members started shooting at each other about 8 p.m., Boynton Beach Police previously said. Three women were struck when bullets flew in the large crowd, which included children, along with multiple occupied and unoccupied cars. The police department previously said within two days of the shooting they had multiple persons of interest, though no one had been arrested as of Friday. Jamarion Petty went to the police station on Saturday after he saw a be-on-the-lookout alert with his information on it, according to a probable cause affidavit for his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance cameras in the park recorded the moment gunfire erupted between members of the 16th Ave Boys and the Cherry Hill Boyz gangs, the affidavit said. Members of 16th Ave Boys were standing next to a fence on the south side of the park while members of the rival gang were across the street next to the Community Deliverance Church in the 200 block of Northwest Ninth Avenue. Multiple people from both groups pulled out guns and started shooting as there were hundreds of innocent bystanders, including numerous children, walking through the area, the affidavit said. The gunmen continued blindly shooting without aim, even as they were running away from one another, and at least five cars were shot, the affidavit said. Diamond Delk, one of the injured, told police a man standing near her on the south side of the park was the person who started the shootout, aiming toward the church parking lot, according to the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delk was struck in her hip, fracturing her leg, and now has severe mobility issues, her attorney, Richard A. Ryles said at a news conference last week. He filed a notice of claim with the city on Thursday, blaming the city and the police department for not shutting down the unsanctioned event before the shooting unfolded. The police department in response to questions last week said that the shooting didnt happen on city-owned property. The events organizer, who lives in Lake Worth Beach, applied for a special-event permit on June 17 to use the park as the venue for the Stop Violence Awareness rally with 50 to 100 people until about 8:30 p.m., according to emails the police department provided to the Sun Sentinel. The permit was denied, but the event went on anyway. At the police station on Saturday, Petty said he was at the event alone when he heard gunshots, according to the affidavit, so he took out a small gun and ran toward a house but was adamant that he did NOT shoot it. Petty identified himself in a photo from the parks surveillance cameras. A detective showed Petty video allegedly of him running alongside someone while shooting his gun, with smoke visibly coming out of the end of the barrel, according to the affidavit. While at the police station, Petty was apparently wearing the same Nike sandals he was seen wearing in the surveillance video. They were taken into evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petty was booked into the Palm Beach County jail on Saturday and faces charges of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and discharging a firearm in public, court and jail records show. He has not yet entered any plea. He is held without bond. The police department as of Monday has not released information about the arrest or its investigation. We do still have multiple persons of interest, spokesperson Chelsea Sanabia said. We hope to have more information in the next few days. As the multi-state worker strike approaches the two-week mark, the garbage collection company involved in the unrest is being urged by state leaders across the country to finalize a contract and restore services. Republic Services told Fox News Digital that they are "working to resume regular trash collection as quickly as possible." "A work stoppage does not benefit our employees or the communities we serve. We empathize with customers who have been impacted by the Teamsters decision to stop work," a spokesperson for the company shared in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company added that its customers will be notified via text, phone and email with any updates. Philadelphia Workers And City Reach A Deal To End Strike That Halted Residential Trash Pickup BOSTON - FEBRUARY 24, 2015 : Trash piles up amongst the snow banks in the neighborhoods of Boston. Despite the involvement of a federal mediator, recent negotiations between Republic Services and Teamsters, the union representing the garbage collectors, have ended without resolution. Read On The Fox News App Last week, Teamsters General President Sean OBrien escalated tensions by threatening to disrupt waste collection operations across multiple states. The strike has disrupted trash collection in 14 Massachusetts communities served by Republic, primarily along the North Shore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OBrien declared "war" on Republic Services, warning that the union plans to "flood the streets and shut down garbage collection in state after state." "Republic Services has been threatening a war with American workers for years and now, theyve got one," OBrien said in a statement. "Republic abuses and underpays workers across the country. They burn massive profits and funnel money to undeserving, corrupt executives." Trash Piles Up Around Philadelphia As City Worker Strike Reaches 1 Week BOSTON, MA- August 29, 2019: A rental truck drives past piles of trash on Linden Street before move-in day in Allston in Boston, Massachusetts. O'Brien said the Teamsters "have had it with Republic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will flood the streets and shut down garbage collection in state after state. Workers are uniting nationwide, and we will get the wages and benefits weve earned, come hell or high water." Teamsters claimed that Republic Services had refused to settle fair contracts, despite months of negotiations in cities around the country. "Republic Services doesnt run without its hardworking Teamsters. This strike forced on workers by the multibillion-dollar corporation is resulting in trash pileups and collection disruptions for scores of people across the country," the organization wrote in a post on X. "But Teamsters at Republic will not back down until theyve gotten the fair contracts theyve rightfully earned." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, numerous Massachusetts towns and businesses are facing mounting piles of uncollected garbage. Republic claimed the union wasn't negotiating in good faith, while the Teamsters accused the company of abandoning talks and refusing to continue over the weekend. "Unfortunately, the Teamsters did not take the negotiations seriously and refused to make any meaningful progress," the company told Fox News Digital. "Today, we made a formal proposal that included a nearly 16% wage increase immediately and an approximate 43% pay increase over five years for our Greater Boston employees. Contrary to the many falsehoods the Teamsters are spreading, our offer outpaces competitors." Another round of discussions is set for Tuesday as workers are calling for better wages, improved benefits and enhanced job protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationally, over 2,000 Teamsters are either actively striking or observing picket lines. The Republic Services Teamsters began striking on July 3 on the East Coast. Teamsters Boss Praises Trump Foreign Film Tariff, Condemns Hollywood's 'Un-american Addiction To Outsourcing' The company said it is facing union-related work stoppages at six locations, including two business units in Boston and four additional sites in Cumming, Georgia; Ottawa, Illinois; Manteca, California, and Lacey, Washington. The Teamsters union has also expanded picketing to several other locations, with many employees at those sites honoring the picket lines, the company said. While the company claims that garbage pickup is continuing in all affected areas, many residents and businesses report delays and inconsistent service. Republics commercial clients, such as restaurants, are also grappling with waste collection issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin sent a formal letter Friday to Republic Services President Jon Vander Ark, criticizing the company for halting active negotiations and imposing hardship on communities. In the letter, obtained by Boston.com, Galvin called for more intense efforts to reach a deal and suggested that the situation might require greater government oversight of the waste management sector. He emphasized that essential public services like trash collection shouldnt hinge on the strategies of a private corporation, and questioned whether oversight of such services should remain in the hands of private firms. Boston City Councilors Erin Murphy, John FitzGerald and Ed Flynn echoed these sentiments in a separate letter to Vander Ark. The trio, who spearheaded a City Council resolution supporting the Teamsters, said the unions demands were fair and accused Republic of failing to meet fundamental labor standards. Republic countered that it had proposed a nearly 16% immediate pay raise and a total increase of around 43% over five years. The company accused the union of spreading misinformation and asserted its wage offers exceed those of competitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Dont believe the unions false narrative 45% of our Greater Boston drivers represented by the Teamsters earned more than $100,000 last year, based on W-2 data," the company said. "If the Teamsters accepted the offer we made today, drivers would make approximately $140,000 per year, by the end of the contract." In addition, the company claimed that they "pay 100% of the health and welfare premiums for our Greater Boston employees" and ensured that they have a comprehensive health and welfare plan. The company said that the mediator requested both sides return to mediation on Tuesday, July 15, and both parties agreed. "We are confident that our most recent proposal meets all of our employees demands, and we expect the Teamsters to bargain in the best interest of our employees." Original article source: Ongoing trash strike draws pressure from officials as communities struggle with waste build-up ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)- Onslow County Schools is looking to hire 70 bus drivers to be fully staffed. This is the same number the district found themselves at last year. Director of Transportation James Haas says drivers are doubling routes to compensate for the shortage. We have some schools that let us drop off a little bit earlier, Haas said. We are getting everybody to school on time and then in the afternoons. They do have stay at school a little bit longer, but we get everybody home safely. Just be patient with us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district is still offering a $2,500 sign on bonus for new drivers where half is paid upfront and the rest after a driver has been on a permanent route for three months. The current starting hourly rate is $17.47. The shortage is also allowing drivers to get enough hours to qualify for health care benefits and retirement. Its a nationwide problem. Ive been to a couple of conferences and its just not Onslow County. Its North Carolina and its nationwide, Haas said. Im not sure why. The district offers online training classes every two weeks through the DMV. This is a very rewarding job. Youre the first face that the children see in the morning. Youve set the mood for their day, Haas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district is taking applications online through this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) Police say an alleged attempted robbery suspect was shot and killed by a homeowner during a home invasion in Opelika and now, the two men who were his alleged accomplices are facing charges in his death. Investigators believe one of the suspects is related to the man who was killed. Police say evidence indicates the homeowner fired in self-defense. At this time, the homeowner has not been charged, but the investigation remains active. On July 10, 2025, around 10:40 p.m., Opelika Police responded to the 700 block of Herndon Street. Multiple people had been shot during what investigators say was a robbery attempt at the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 20-year-old Deon Monzel Daniel was pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to the hospital. Police believe Deon Daniel was shot by the homeowner. The homeowner has not been charged in the death, but Daniels alleged accomplices have. Police say Deon Daniel, along with 18-year-old Kentravious Rashaun Lark and 35-year-old Maturius Maurice Daniel, attempted to rob the residence when the homeowner opened fire. Shots were exchanged between the resident and the suspects. Deon Daniel was killed in the gunfire. Lark and Maturius Daniel are both charged with murder, in addition to attempted murder, first-degree robbery, and first-degree burglary. Under Alabama law, a person can be charged with felony murder if someone dies during the commission of a violent felonysuch as robberyeven if the death is caused by someone else. In this case, the murder charges stem from Deon Daniels death, which occurred during the alleged crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators also say Maturius Daniel may be related to Deon Daniel, but have not confirmed their exact relationship. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Opelika Police at (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) A case making national headlines with a lot of twists and turns before the opening gavel is finally set to get underway Tuesday in Arapahoe County Court. Local dentist James Craig is accused of killing his wife by poisoning her protein shakes. National Weather Service confirms landspout in Franktown On Monday, the jury was selected. Christopher Decker, FOX31s legal analyst, said in a trial that lasts this long with dramatic facts such as these, it could often take more than a day to select a jury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury selection today, I mean, they did it in one day. Thats pretty good, said Decker. That indicates to me there were not too many people that had to be removed, that there were sufficient numbers in the jury panel to choose 12 or 13, depending on the number of alternates for a very long three-week trial. He says this process happened relatively quickly. With the opening statements tomorrow, were going to be looking for the defense to say this was a biased investigation, said Decker. Its a circumstantial case with no direct evidence. Theyre going to be pointing out the fact that when they tested the protein shake containers, they did not have the presence of poison. Theyre going to have to distance themselves from the jailhouse informant, the snitch and suggest to the jury that they shouldnt believe his testimony. Last year, jury selection began, but new charges were brought up against Craig for allegedly trying to get a detective on his case killed, while also having two of his attorneys withdraw from the case has delayed the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the prosecution, were looking for them tomorrow to weave together an enormous amount of circumstantial evidence and to do that in an efficient and persuasive way, said Decker. They are going to have experts come in and testify about the forensics, the toxicology and all of that. The Arapahoe County coroner ruled that his wife, Angelas, 2023 death was caused by poisoning from cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, something found in over-the-counter eye drops. Theyre also going to have to come up with a plausible explanation for why Dr. Craig was ordering these particular poisons and explain some of the forensics on his phone. So, thats what were looking for in the defense, Decker said. He says he has been talking about this case all week, and everyone he has talked with is excited to see this prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6 Nuggets players feature on Bleacher Reports Top 100 Players Ever list Its got Hollywood facts and the tragic death of a wife and a parent and a murder attempt from the jailhouse if you believe the prosecution, said Decker. If you believe the defense, its a man who is wrongly charged with the murder of his own wife. This is big stakes for a very dramatic set of facts and I think a very difficult case for the defense. Well see tomorrow how they will open up on their case. The high-stakes murder trial is expected to last about three weeks. FOX31 will provide updates on the latest developments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Colorado dentist James Craig fatally poisoned his wife in 2023 because of his growing financial troubles and his affair with another woman, prosecutors alleged in opening statements of his murder trial Tuesday. Prosecutor Ryan Brackley said the evidence will show Craig, 47, poisoned his wife, Angela, in March 2023 with a mix of arsenic, cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a medication commonly found in eyedrops. Once she was in the hospital, he filled a pill with cyanide and made sure she took it, killing her, according to the prosecution. He didnt go into that room to save Angelas life, Brackley said. He didnt go into that room to fight for her life or support her. He went into that room to murder her, to deliberately and intentionally end her life with a fatal dose of cyanide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, defense attorney Ashley Whitham said investigators had tunnel vision and argued the case against him was based on speculation and assumptions. Craig had multiple affairs throughout their 23-year marriage, she said, so the prosecutions motive did not make sense. You may not like him, you may not think hes a good husband. But thats not what youre here to decide, Whitham said. She also noted Angela Craig had said she was broken and struggling, implying to the jury that her death may have been a suicide. The opening statements in Craigs trial come more than two years after Angela Craig died on March 18, 2023. She had been admitted to local hospitals three times in 10 days leading up to her death. She was 43 years old, and the couple had six children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arapahoe County coroner ruled her cause of death was acute cyanide and tetrahydrozoline poisoning, with subacute arsenic poisoning listed as a significant condition. Prosecutors have also accused Craig of plotting to kill four others, including the lead detective investigating his wifes death. Craig has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, solicitation to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence and solicitation to commit perjury. After opening statements, the first two witnesses in the trial testified for the prosecution Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Ashley Peko, a physician who treated Angela Craig, testified that she performed a suicide screening on her in the hospital and she was negative for concerns for suicidality. Prosecutors say three timelines converged in death In opening statements, Brackley walked jurors through three key timelines he said converged in the case. One focused on Angela Craigs health issues and the multiple hospital trips from March 6, 2023, until her death about two weeks later. A second timeline looked at Craigs growing romantic relationship with a Texas woman named Karin Cain. Craig met Cain at a dental convention in February 2023 and he told her he was amid a divorce, she previously told ABC News. If I had known what was true, I would not have been with this person, Cain said. The third timeline examined Craigs alleged orders of poisonous materials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said Craig began to carry out a plan to end his wifes life shortly before her first hospitalization. A 2016 Facebook photograph shows Angela and James Craig at Stratford-upon-Avon in the United Kingdom. - Obtained by CNN Craig created a new email account on February 27, 2023, from a computer in an exam room at his dental office, a probable cause affidavit states. He used the account that same day to order arsenic on Amazon after conducting searches including how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human, and Top 5 Undetectable Poisons That Show No Signs of Foul Play, the document says. A delivery confirmation shows the arsenic arrived at the Craig home on March 4. Two days later, Angela was admitted to a hospital complaining of dizziness, an inability to focus her eyes and sluggish physical responses, according to the affidavit. She was discharged the same day. Text messages between the couple, included in the document, show Angela told her husband the only thing she had consumed that morning was her protein shake. She denied feeling nauseated when he asked, and texted him, I feel drugged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given our history I know that must be triggering, Craig wrote back. Just for the record, I didnt drug you. The message was an apparent reference to an incident years prior when Craig allegedly drugged his wife to prevent her from stopping his attempt to commit suicide, one of Angela Craigs sisters told investigators, according to a probable cause affidavit. Angela was hospitalized again from March 9 until March 14 and appeared to have consumed another protein shake before that hospitalization, text messages from the affidavit indicate. In a text conversation on March 10, James Craig told a family friend, Yesterday, the only thing she had was a protein shake in the morning which she threw up, along with soup for dinner which she also vomited, screenshots from the court document show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 13, while Angela was admitted for her second hospital stay, investigators allege an online order of potassium cyanide was delivered to Craigs dental practice. Craig told the company from which he placed an order that he needed it for a complex surgical procedure, but he told an office manager he would be receiving a personal package and not to open it, the affidavit says. The office manager told investigators the package was inadvertently opened by another employee and she saw a packing slip labeled potassium cyanide before resealing the box, according to the document. Investigators also uncovered sexually explicit email exchanges between Craig and Cain, who traveled from Texas to Colorado to visit Craig while his wife was hospitalized, the affidavit says. Angela was admitted to the hospital for the final time on March 15. About three hours after arriving, she had a seizure and unexplained rapid medical decline, which led to her being placed on life support in the hospitals intensive care unit, the affidavit says. She was pronounced dead three days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brackley, the prosecutor, said in opening statements the government was not required to prove the motive for the jury to reach a guilty verdict. Jailhouse plot to kill 4 While Craig was in jail awaiting trial in his wifes death, prosecutors say he plotted to kill four people, including the lead detective investigating her death. Craig tried to convince a fellow inmate to kill the detective, another unidentified law enforcement officer and two other inmates, prosecutors said during a February preliminary hearing introducing two additional criminal charges. Craig also allegedly wrote letters to the inmates ex-wife, trying to convince her to fabricate evidence, prosecutors told the court. In one of the letters, Craig indicated he believed his case hinged on being able to find someone to say Angela was suicidal, an investigator testified. This undated booking photo provided by the Aurora Police Department shows James Craig. - Aurora Police Department via AP Law enforcement intercepted two letters to the woman offering her money to manufacture texts, phone records and photographs to back up a story about her being friends with Angela Craig a story prosecutors say he wanted to sell to both the district attorneys office and Craigs own defense attorney at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That attorney, Harvey Steinberg, had abruptly withdrawn from the case last November, the day jury selection was set to begin. At the time of his withdrawal, Steinberg cited two rules of professional conduct, according to prosecutors. The first states, The client persists in a course of action involving the lawyers services that the lawyer reasonably believes is criminal or fraudulent, and the second says, The client insists upon taking action that the lawyer considers repugnant or with which the lawyer has a fundamental disagreement. Steinberg has not responded to requests for comment. A look at the defense strategy Craig had told several people Angela was suffering suicidal ideations leading up to her death, according to the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craigs dental partner, Ryan Redfearn, told investigators when he brought up the potassium cyanide purchase, Craig initially denied it, then recanted, but claimed Angela asked him to order it, the affidavit says. Craig told Redfearn he didnt think (Angela) would actually take it, according to the affidavit, at which point Redfearn told him to stop talking and get a lawyer. A case worker with child protective services described a similar conversation to investigators, the document says. Craig told her Angela had been suicidal for some time, and he believed she had been intentionally overdosing on opioids and another unknown substance, according to the document. The social worker told investigators the statements were concerning because Craig never reported the incidents nor tried to get medical help, and none of the couples six children mentioned their mother suffered from depression. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com During his first term, President Trump memorably declared that we more and more are not wanting to be the policemen of the world. Were spending tremendous amounts of money for decades policing the world, and that shouldnt be the priority. His MAGA base may justifiably have thought that America, loaded shotgun in hand, was going to hunker down behind its border wall and tariff barriers during a second Trump term. It hasnt worked out that way so far. Instead, Trump is doing what U.S. presidents have done since the end of World War II policing the world. In just six months, American diplomats helped to negotiate a peace agreement in the decades-long conflict between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, claimed credit for preventing and ending a war between India and Pakistan and are trying to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump ordered a devastating attack on Irans nuclear facilities, which even internationalist presidents like Obama and Biden had refrained from doing, and a military operation against the Houthis in Yemen to protect shipping in the Red Sea. In 2022, then-Senate candidate JD Vance (R-Ohio) staked the isolationist flag by saying, I dont really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other. Trump just announced that were sending weapons to Ukraine in connection to funding from NATO, an organization Trump is suddenly warming to. Its not a rip-off, the president added. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, suddenly sounding like a Cold War internationalist, reassured Americas Asian allies at a security forum in Singapore that, No one should doubt Americas commitment to our Indo-Pacific allies and partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Trump just took his global police role to another level by attempting to modify how a major economic power conducts not its foreign policy, but its internal affairs. He threatened Brazil with 50 percent tariffs unless it dropped criminal charges against far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro over his alleged attempt to overturn the 2022 election. This isnt to say that Trump is an effective global policeman or is even acting in the national interest. Iran may still possess the ability to build a nuclear weapon despite Trumps boast of having caused complete and total obliteration. Wars still rage in Gaza and Ukraine, and the Houthis are still sinking ships in the Red Sea. The Brazil tariffs also defy economic logic the U.S. runs a trade surplus with Brazil and appear driven by Trumps inexhaustible sense of grievance over his own criminal indictments. Meanwhile, your Starbucks order may soon have a surcharge because the chain imports 20 percent of its coffee beans from Brazil. Nor is there any assurance that this outburst of internationalism is here to stay, because Trumps policies often have the shelf life of yogurt. Flattery from that foreign leader or a lack of gratitude from this one, and presto a new policy. If Trump resumes pressure to annex Greenland and the Panama Canal, hell look more like a 19th-century imperialist than a 21st-century internationalist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can an American president be an effective global leader, whose power depends heavily on building and maintaining alliances, while conducting a tariff war against American allies? Twice in the previous century America looked inward as successive world wars broke out. Twice it was forced to send millions of U.S. soldiers overseas to fight anyway. Until Trump came along, every president since 1945, Democrat and Republican, recognized that, to quote President John Quincy Adams, while the U.S. should not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy, there will always be monsters on the prowl for us. Whether Trump understands that is the question of the day. Gregory J. Wallance was a federal prosecutor in the Carter and Reagan administrations and a member of the ABSCAM prosecution team, which convicted a U.S. senator and six representatives of bribery. He is the author of Into Siberia: George Kennans Epic Journey Through the Brutal, Frozen Heart of Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Summer only just began last month, yet 96 percent of the U.S. population has already faced at least one extreme weather alert this danger season the warm months when climate-driven weather extremes in the U.S. tend to concentrate and do greatest harm. Simultaneously, during last months Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach urged Congress to rewrite the Clean Air Act to block states from regulating fossil fuel emissions. Kobach also joined a group of 16 state attorneys general on a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi asking the Department of Justice to create a liability shield exempting fossil fuel companies from being held accountable for their deliberate climate deception and the worsening climate crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All signees are members of the Republican Attorneys General Association, to which the American Petroleum Institute is a top 10 donor. These blatant attempts to grant polluters nationwide immunity show just how far some officials will go to deny communities their day in court. In recent years, dozens of climate cases have been filed in the U.S., as litigation has become an increasingly important pathway for holding the fossil fuel industry accountable. As climate accountability campaign director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, I have spent years documenting Big Oils Decades of Deceit, which is the title of our May report. Currently, one in four people in the U.S. resides in a city, state or Tribal Nation suing fossil fuel companies for climate deceit, disinformation or damages. These cases threaten the fossil fuel industrys business model, and Big Oil knows it. Thats why they are seeking to undercut the judicial system and evade legal responsibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt the first time fossil fuel companies and their allies have sought legal immunity, but the stakes are higher than ever, given their undue influence within Congress and the White House, as well as the number of active climate accountability lawsuits across the country. President Trumps recent executive order attacking states power to protect their residents from the climate crisis is a troubling development, as are Justice Department lawsuits preemptively seeking to block climate litigation or roll back four states Superfund-style laws. Our Decades of Deceit report underscores why fossil fuel companies fear legal accountability and have used procedural tactics to delay these lawsuits for years. The report paints a damning portrait of corporate malfeasance and emphasizes the need for Congress and the Trump administration to preserve state-level policymaking and protect access to justice through state courts for those harmed by fossil fuel industry misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of lawsuits cite our organizations analyses in arguing to hold companies like ExxonMobil, Shell, BP and Chevron accountable for climate disinformation and ensuing damages. Underpinning these cases is robust evidence highlighted in our report, which reveals the extent to which major fossil fuel companies have misled people and sowed doubt about relevant science to delay climate action while continuing to profit at the publics expense. By the early 1980s, these companies understood climate change impacts could be catastrophic. They knew to a high degree of accuracy the danger their products posed to people and the planet. For example, a confidential 1988 Shell report warned that By the time the global warming becomes detectable it could be too late to take effective countermeasures to reduce the effects or even to stabilize the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of changing course, these companies planned, funded and continued to engage in deliberate disinformation campaigns. In 2021, former ExxonMobil Senior Director of Government Affairs Keith McCoy admitted the company used front groups to aggressively fight against climate science. Now, as people and communities seek accountability, the industry is pleading for an escape hatch. Big Oil doesnt want this damning evidence to be presented in court. Thats why it is seeking help from several states highest law enforcement officials, who are attempting to create an extrajudicial avenue for their allies while sacrificing their own constituents ability to access justice. As our work illustrates, these companies cannot be trusted to do the right thing. Just as the U.S. needs laws to protect public health, it needs to be able to enforce laws when corporations knowingly cause harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given dangerous backtracking by the Trump administration and delayed, insufficient climate action by Congress, the courts are an increasingly important avenue for communities seeking redress for damages caused by climate disinformation. Our elected representatives must stand strong against liability waivers and preserve the rights of states and communities to make polluters pay. Kathy Mulvey is the accountability campaign director for the climate and energy team at the Union of Concerned Scientists. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Congressional hearings come and go, but some are supremely useful in terms of casting light on egregious efforts at ideological circumvention or subversion of democratic processes. One such important hearing occurred last month in the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, titled Enter the Dragon China and the Lefts Lawfare Against American Energy Dominance. In the words of the subcommittee chairman Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the problem is a systematic campaign against American energy, driven by a coordinated assault by the radical left backed and paid for by the Chinese Communist Party, to seize control of our courts, to weaponize litigation against U.S. energy producers, all in order to undermine American energy dominance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cruz explained that foreign money from entities tied to Chinese Communist Party fund efforts by climate advocacy groups to litigate against American energy producers. This litigation is pursued by activist lawyers filing lawsuits designed to bankrupt energy producers and to dismantle energy infrastructure through sheer attrition. Cruz argued as well that the judiciary is being quietly captured and brainwashed as left-wing nonprofits host closed-door training that indoctrinates judges to adopt the ideological goals of the climate lawfare machine. Cruz narrower argument about judiciary being captured has a few holes, in that the climate lawfare campaign is in a slow-motion collapse. Such litigation has been rejected in courtrooms virtually without exception in a Bucks County, Pa. Court of Common Pleas decision, a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, a dismissal by New Jersey Superior Court Judge Douglas Hurd, a dismissal by Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Steven Platt, a dismissal by Judge Videtta Brown of the Baltimore City Circuit Court, a dismissal by Delaware Superior Court Judge Mary M. Johnston, the dismissal of the San Francisco and Oakland case, and in a unanimous dismissal by the U.S. Supreme Court in American Electric Power vs. Connecticut. But the nearly universal failure of the climate lawfare campaign in court is not for want of trying, and this poses problems all of its own. Consider the Climate Judiciary Project of the Environmental Law Institute. No objective reading of its legal theories and propositions could fail to conclude that their efforts represent a blatant ideological campaign of litigation against fossil energy producers. Their climate science arguments presented as settled science to judges are uniformly alarmist, ignoring the evidence on climate phenomena, the failure of the climate models to predict the temperature record, the impossibility of the assumed greenhouse gas scenario, the distinction between natural and anthropogenic influences on climate phenomena, and much more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the view of the Climate Judiciary Project, it cannot hurt to keep trying in particular given that its funding stream from various foundations is substantial. Who knows? at some point some judge might rule in its favor, and then who knows what the appellate courts might do? Cruzs larger argument about the perverse nature of the lawfare waged against U.S. energy producers is correct and crucial. His sheer attrition point is illustrated well by the longstanding leftist effort to block the construction of new pipelines and other energy infrastructure, in substantial part by suing on grounds based in the National Environmental Policy Act. NEPA, as applied by the courts, has been deeply perverse for decades, although a recent decision by the Supreme Court narrowed it somewhat. Cruzs warnings about the lawfare campaign against U.S. energy producers and its connections to the Chinese Communist Party remain highly relevant, as detailed in the hearing testimony by Scott Walter, president of Capital Research Center. Americas enemies, especially Russia and China, are pleased when we hobble our energy sector, Walter said. They want to be in a stronger economic position, whether selling Russias natural gas in Europe or selling Chinas green technology in America. This fact shouldnt be controversial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walter continued: Many environmentalist groups funded by the multitude of left-wing billionaires have disturbing foreign ties. For example, the Rocky Mountain Institute, best known for its notorious study attacking gas stoves, now has a China program set up by its current CEO. The California China Climate Institute is another troubling environmentalist group, he said. Housed at UC Berkeley, [it] partners with the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development at Chinas Tsinghua University, the alma mater of Xi Jinping. Nor is it only the Chinese, whether directly or indirectly, that fund the energy lawfare campaign. American taxpayers are doing so as well. In earlier testimony before the House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, Walter had noted that the Environmental Law Institute has received awards from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. This public funding is utterly perverse, both directly and because taxpayer dollars ought not be used to bias the ongoing development of climate science. In the larger context, it represents an attack on our democratic institutions, as a political movement attempts to attain through litigation what it cannot achieve in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even more fundamentally, it represents an assault on the Constitution, which is a framework to protect unpopular individuals, groups, and businesses from the whims and passions of ideological attacks. The climate litigation game thus represents a real pollution, so to speak, of our constitutional principles. Benjamin Zycher is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The News in Brief Tuesday, July 15, 2025 A residential building near Station Square in Tbilisi collapsed, resulting in the death of two person and injuries to another, who is currently receiving treatment at a clinic, officials confirmed."Unfortunately, an accident occurred, as a result of which one person died, and one was injured, who is receiving appropriate treatment in the clinic," said Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze during a statement on Monday.According to Kaladze, the building had been officially categorized as fifth-degree dilapidated and was not eligible for rehabilitation. He said residents were informed of the condition and offered participation in the city's replacement program, which would have involved dismantling the building and constructing a new one."As for the building itself, it was damaged. It was classified as a fifth category of dilapidation, which was not subject to rehabilitation," Kaladze said. "The local population knew about this. A meeting was held at the Didube district administration."He explained that the replacement program requires unanimous consent from all residents. "An offer was made to participate in the replacement program, through which we would ensure the dismantling of the building in question and the construction of a new building. You know that the implementation of such a program requires 100 percent consent of the population, which unfortunately could not be achieved," Kaladze noted.While several families agreed to relocate and were provided with rent support, others declined, preventing the program from moving forward.Emergency services were deployed to the scene shortly after the collapse. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the structural failure.A joint statement by the foreign ministers of 17 European countries and the EU's High Representative drew sharp criticism from Irakli Kobakhidze, who called the document "saturated with disinformation" and accused European institutions of being manipulated by informal power structures."The statement is saturated with disinformation in all directions," Kobakhidze said in response to the letter, which raised concerns over the arrest of political figures and the state of democracy in Georgia. "As for the arrest of politicians, the assessments we read in this letter are absolutely untrue. The same applies to the imprisonment of perpetrators. The relevant passage is also absolutely saturated with disinformation, which is unfortunate."Kobakhidze expressed regret that such accusations came from high-ranking officials. "We are talking about the foreign ministers of 17 states, we are talking about the high representative of the European Union, and when a letter saturated with such disinformation is published with the signatures of such people, of course, it is very regrettable," he said.He claimed that informal governance is growing within European institutions and that moral standards have deteriorated. "Informal governance is strong in European structures, in the European bureaucracy, and in such times, unfortunately, all moral boundaries are erased. Any lie can be written even in such a high-level letter."Kobakhidze alleged that a so-called "Deep State" is working through European and British bureaucracies to undermine Georgia. "The Deep State was based on three main centers - the former US administration, the British bureaucracy, and the EU bureaucracy," Kobakhidze said. "Today, a struggle is taking place in the US between the new administration and the Deep State, and in such conditions, the Deep State is primarily using the European bureaucracy and Great Britain to implement its vicious goals."He argued that Georgia is being targeted as part of this broader agenda. "We see that the European bureaucracy and the British bureaucracy are being used most actively for attacks against the Georgian people. We hope that ultimately the gap will be narrowed and relations between Georgia and European structures will improve," he concluded. Last month, the Supreme Court limited the ability of federal courts to issue universal preliminary injunctions, temporary rulings that prevent the government from enforcing a challenged law or policy against anyone until the litigation is fully resolved. The decision should be viewed in the context of a larger problem that the Supreme Court found concerning and was attempting to address: In recent years, litigants have been able to increase their odds of success by handpicking the forums and sometimes even the judges for their lawsuits. But the courts ruling is not the way to solve this problem. A newly published analysis from NYU School of Laws Institute for Policy Integrity (we are among the co-authors) examines every legal challenge to a federal major rule since 1996, when the Congressional Review Act established the major rules definition. The study reveals that forum shopping is indeed playing an increasingly large role in the fate of major federal policies. And it is a problem that has vexed presidents of both parties. The trend reached its apex during the Biden administration. The study finds that 40 percent of the challenges to the governments major rules were filed in the conservative-leaning Fifth Circuit, the federal courts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. This circuit had never seen more than 10 percent of such challenges in any prior administration. The Biden administration won only 21 percent of these challenges filed in the Fifth Circuit, while it won 68 percent of such challenges filed elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Litigants do not always have a choice of forum for their lawsuits. For example, most environmental regulations with nationwide impacts must be challenged in the D.C. Circuit. But many challenges can be brought nearly anywhere in the country. Under former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, nearly two-thirds of challenges to major rules were still filed in the D.C Circuit. This fell to half of such cases under former President Barack Obama, and dwindled to just over one-third under President Trumps first administration. The figure continued to decline under President Biden. So where are the cases going instead? As the Fifth Circuit example suggests, litigants are shopping for results. During the first Trump administration, litigants challenging major rules favored the liberal-leaning Second and Ninth Circuits which are headquartered in New York and California nearly a third of the time. And the first Trump administration saw imbalanced results in these circuits, too. Its win rate in the Second and Ninth Circuits was 28 percent, compared to 54 percent in all other courts. Excluding these circuits would have increased the Trump administrations 45 percent overall win rate by 8 percentage points. While forum shopping is a game that both sides play, the effects are not symmetrical. For example, the Biden administrations overall win rate in challenges to major rules was 45 percent effectively the same as the Trump administrations but it would have risen to 68 percent if the Fifth Circuit had been excluded. This 23 percentage point difference is significantly larger than the 8 percentage point decrease for the first Trump administration if the Second and Ninth Circuits were excluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also an increased trend of judge shopping. There are over 1,000 federal district court judges. But of the 130 major rules challenged under the Biden administration, a whopping 16 percent were challenged before just two jurists: Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk and Judge Reed OConnor of the District Court for the Northern District of Texas, both appointed by Republican presidents. By filing in a particular subdivision of the Northern District of Texas, litigants could effectively choose these judges. Similar judge-shopping did not occur in challenges against the first Trump administration, largely because such loopholes do not exist in courts perceived as favorable to challenges to Republican administrations. It is rational for litigants to play this game. But a system that encourages this kind of behavior and especially one that produces asymmetrical effects for one side of the political aisle undermines faith in the fair and even application of law, and thus faith in the judiciary. There is no perfect answer here. But, as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted in her dissent, changing the rules determining which courts hear disputes may better address some of the policy concerns underlying the Supreme Courts ruling than limiting universal injunctions. One solution would be to channel more cases back to the D.C. Circuit, where nearly two-thirds of challenges to major rules used to be filed. Another would be to reduce litigants ability to select the forum. For example, some challenges filed in multiple courts are already assigned to one of the courts using a lottery system. Another solution may be to assign challenges to major rules (or some other category of federal actions) randomly to a court across the country, regardless of where they were initially filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eliminating universal injunctions may dampen some of the effects of forum shopping. (We say dampen because the ruling does not prevent courts from striking down a federal regulation entirely or providing class-wide relief.) Different courts will continue to decide issues of nationwide import differently, and litigants will continue shopping for results. And the Supreme Courts partial fix comes with enormous downside, as it removes a critical check on unlawful executive actions. Whatever the ultimate solution, the status quo is untenable. Extensive forum shopping undermines faith in the judiciary and the rule of law. Ideally, the trends highlighted in the study will prompt scholars, practitioners and lawmakers to give this question serious thought, and identify bipartisan reforms that still ensure meaningful ways to challenge unlawful executive actions. Don Goodson is the executive director of the Institute for Policy Integrity at NYU School of Law, where Bridget Pals is an attorney. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Military life means constant change. For more than 1 million school-aged children in military families, this often means moving six to nine times before graduating high school switching schools mid-year, leaving friends behind, and catching up academically in new classrooms. These frequent relocations disrupt not only education but also social and emotional well-being. Recognizing these unique challenges, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths recent directive to explore homeschooling options for military families is both timely and essential. Hegseths call reflects a growing recognition of what many military parents already understand: The traditional school model doesnt always accommodate the unique demands of military life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With homeschooling rates among military families nearing 13 percent, more than double the national average, its clear these families seek stability, flexibility and, most importantly, continuity in their childrens education. But homeschooling alone isnt enough, as families face state-by-state regulatory hurdles, overseas restrictions, deployment unpredictability and a lack of local support networks. This is why expanding educational choice through nationwide online charter and magnet schools designed specifically for military children could be transformative. Military kids move frequently, which disrupts friendships, academic progress and emotional well-being. A 2021 Blue Star Families Survey found that 75 percent of active-duty families with school-aged children reported that at least one child had been homeschooled to maintain stability. A 2019 Military Child Education Coalition study further reveals that 34 percent of military children face academic setbacks due to relocations and often struggle to align with new state standards or curricula. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One military parent, Katie Rackley, discussed how homeschooling helped her family after her husbands move from a National Guard reservist to active duty moved their family to an Alabama base. Because we were homeschooling this huge transition was made easier on our daughter who was six and a half at the time, she wrote in a family blog. She was able to focus on and enjoy learning a new area, home, church, and lifestylebut not become stressed over a new school, teachers, peers and academics. Organizations such as the one where I am a visiting fellow have long championed educational systems that serve the individual needs of children and families, rather than forcing them into a one-size-fits-all structure. For military families, flexibility is not a luxury but a lifeline. Now is the time to expand educational choice by designing systems that adapt just as we do. Imagine a nationwide, asynchronous online school tailored to military life, accessible anywhere, anytime, with a curriculum aligned to U.S. academic standards and staffed by certified teachers who understand military childrens unique needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Programs like Time4Learning, Power Homeschools Acellus and K12 are already making strides, offering self-paced learning and military discounts. Still, much more can be done. The Department of Defense and federal agencies should partner with these and other such innovators to launch dedicated online charter schools for military families, repurposing the Department of Defense Education Activity infrastructure for counseling, testing and guidance. Redirecting just 1 percent of the Department of Defense Education Activitys $2 billion annual budget could fund pilot programs serving thousands of military students, offering affordable, high-quality options regardless of rank or income. Such schools wouldnt just offer academics, theyd offer grounding and continuity amid constant change, giving kids something familiar to hold onto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At its core, this effort isnt just about education. Its about giving military kids something familiar and steady to hold onto while everything else shifts around them. As one expert said, Maintaining normal routinesgives children a sense of stability during times of transition. An online charter school built for military families would offer more than just academic content, it would offer grounding, continuity, and a sense of belonging. Roughly 1 million school-aged children grow up in U.S. military families, and tens of thousands already homeschool. These families arent chasing a dream, theyre responding to a real need. Flexible, high-quality education isnt optional. Its essential. Secretary Hegseths initiative is more than a policy tweak. It offers a chance to reimagine educating military children in a way that honors their sacrifice and supports their resilience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victoria Kiper is a visiting fellow with EdChoice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Having covered several administrations, I know from my own experience that theres one common complaint among White House reporters, no matter who is president: Lack of access. Why isnt he more available? Why wont he take our questions? Thats not true of President Trump, though. Hell stop and take questions anywhere, anytime, on any topic. Well, almost any topic. As we discovered last week, hell take questions on any topic but one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? Trump exploded to a reporter who asked about Epstein at a July 8 Cabinet meeting. This guys been talked about for years. And people are still talking about this guy, this creep? Trump doesnt want to talk about Epstein for a couple of reasons. For one, hed rather brag about his One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act that recently passed. For another, hed rather forget about a convicted sexual predator whom, years earlier, he once described to New York Magazine as a terrific guy and a lot of fun to be with. But people are still talking about Epstein and, to Trumps dismay, will continue talking about him. Trumps problem is that its not Democrats who are talking about Epstein but his MAGA base, who are angry at the way they believe Trump has sold out on the Epstein scandal. Trump begged MAGA supporters not to waste any more time on Epstein. Hes even tried to blame it all on Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Barack Obama. But many of his MAGA supporters arent buying it. Why? Because, ever since his apparent suicide in a federal prison cell in August 2019, MAGA commentators, with Trumps blessing, whipped up a conspiracy that the Biden Justice Department was lying about Epsteins suicide and covering up his client list to protect the elites who allegedly took part in Epsteins sexual depravity and promised that, under a Trump Department of Justice, the sordid Epstein files would be released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2023 interview with right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson, for example, MAGA activist Kash Patel accused Congress of blocking the release of Epsteins purported client list because of whos on that list. On his own podcast, Dan Bongino repeatedly questioned the handling of the Epstein investigation. What the hell are they hiding with Jeffrey Epstein? he asked in 2023. But now Patel is director of the FBI. Bongino is his deputy director. Pam Bondi, another Epstein conspiratorialist, is attorney general. And, after Bondi told Fox News in February that the Epstein list was sitting on my desk right now, the Justice Department and FBI released a joint statement that contradicted everything Patel, Bongino and others had claimed for years: There is, in fact, no evidence that Epstein was murdered or kept a client list. That abrupt reversal, attempting to bury the whole Epstein matter, has inflamed the presidents MAGA base against Bondi and Trump himself. In effect, they now accuse him of selling out and demand Bondis resignation. It was the main topic of conversation at last weekends conservative Student Action Summit in Tampa. I dont think theyre telling us the truth about Epstein, podcaster Brandon Tatum told the assembled crowd of 7,000 student activists. Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly asked the crowd a simple question: Who do you believe? Bondi or Bongino? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bongino! they roared in response. Former Trump senior adviser Steve Bannon accused Trump of not being as transparent as he promised and urged him to name a special counsel to take over the Epstein case. And, in a post, former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn warned Trump: Please understand the EPSTEIN AFFAIR is not going away. The irony is that Bondi is probably right. Most likely, Epstein did commit suicide and did not keep a client list. But Trump and others did such a good job of selling MAGA leaders the lies about Epstein that its now impossible to sell them the truth. This split in the MAGA world is entirely of Trumps own making. Starting with the Obama birther movement, Trump has long thrived on conspiracy theories. Now he is paying the price. If theres a lesson to be learned, its this: Be careful of the monsters you create with your conspiracy theories, because they might come back to haunt you which is exactly what Epstein is doing to Trump now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill Press is host of The Bill Press Pod . He is the author of From the Left: A Life in the Crossfire . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. While those who love America spent the Fourth of July weekend celebrating the countrys freedom and independence, those who hate America spent that same weekend in Chicago (where else?) decrying that freedom and wishing everyone was more dependent on government handouts, socialized medicine, environmental mandates and price controls. Welcome to the Socialism 2025 annual conference. The only thing missing was a keynote speech by New York Citys Democratic candidate for mayor, Zohran Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Maybe hell do it next year, when hes mayor and the event might even be in the socialist paradise of New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unofficial theme of this years conference was probably best stated by University of Minnesota professor Melanie Yazzie, who told the conferees, I hope to dismantle the United States. I hope you seek to dismantle the United States. The audience applauded. Gotta say, the socialists have made significant gains dismantling the country over the last decade or two. But they hit a wall last November. Even so, socialism is having a moment. A recent survey conducted by YouGov for the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute found 62 percent of Americans under the age of 30 have a favorable view of socialism, and 34 percent have a favorable view of communism. An estimated 2,000 participants attended the conference at the Haytt Regency McCormick Place hotel even socialists like to plan their revolution in style. And there was no shortage of issues to discuss at the conference. By my count there were about 160 sessions over the four-day event (full list here). Had you been there you might have attended: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the River to the World For the past few years weve heard protesters chanting From the River to the Sea, described by the American Jewish Committee as a phrase that can be used to call for the elimination of the State of Israel and/or ethnic cleansing of Jews living there, to be replaced with Palestinian control over the entire territory from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. Apparently by substituting the word world, the socialists think many pro-Palestinian protesters need to be more ambitious. Marxism Education Series The agenda described this session as a cluster of courses on Marxist theory and history designed to introduce and deepen the understanding of Marxism for activists and organizers. Defeating the End Times Triad: Christian Zionists, Christian Nationalists, and Technofacists Five panelists discussed how our dystopian conjuncture [of] Christian Zionism, Christian nationalism and End-Times technofascism work together to further genocidal aggression in Palestine alongside the entrenchment of authoritarian repression in the US and worldwide. I probably would have attended just to find out what End-Times technofacism is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deny, Defend, Depose: Health Struggle After Luigi Most people were horrified when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot, allegedly by Luigi Mangione. But some Americans, especially younger adults, cheered Mangione as a hero. The Cato Institute survey mentioned above also reported, Notably, a majority (54 percent) of strong liberals believe that violence against the rich is sometimes justified, compared to 9 percent of strong conservatives. In this session a three-person panel described what the fight for health communism may look like under this new [Trump] regime. Apparently, the speakers werent renouncing Mangione-type violence as part of their fight. DIY Abortion and if that sounds dangerous, it is. Interestingly, the conference had a code of conduct where organizers pleaded with conference attendees to behave themselves better than they do during street protests. There would be no Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning speech, or Real or implied threat of physical harm, and no Sustained disruption of talks or other events. That last one is odd, since disrupting talks is one of the lefts standard practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And just to make sure everyone is safe, theres this: Attendees are required to wear a mask (N95 or K95) over their mouth and nose while indoors at the conference. While much of what went on at the Socialism 2025 conference would strike most Americans as extreme, even fringe, socialist sympathizers in Congress Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) are the real energy and drive behind todays Democratic Party. And now add Zohran Mamdani. If youre sorry you missed this years Socialism 2025 conference, take heart. Youll have another chance to sip fine wine with the socialists. The Democratic Socialists of America, boasting 90,000 members, will have their biennial convention Aug. 8-10 in Chicago (where else?). Merrill Matthews is a public policy and political analyst and the co-author of On the Edge: America Faces the Entitlements Cliff.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Donald Trumps about-face on releasing federal records on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has drawn rebuke from even some of his most stalwart allies. But Trump, whos declared himself the most transparent president in history, has received far less criticism for the ways in which his administration has sought to block public access to records that Americans have long been able to secure. Every day, journalists like me, along with scholars at think tanks and campaign researchers, file public records requests to see how the government is working or not working. These records often serve as the basis for investigative journalism, academic papers and even campaign ads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While statistics are not yet available on Trumps second term, its already clear anecdotally that his administration does not take seriously its legal requirement to release public records. This is a far cry from the image Trump likes to project. On the campaign trail he promised to release government records on Epstein, the assassination of John F. Kennedy and even UFOs. To his credit, Trump released the long-sought JFK files, although his administration failed to take some basic measures to protect the privacy of still-living Americans named in them. But just as he reversed himself on the pledge to release any Epstein files, Trump also seems to have reneged on leading what the White House this year declared is the most transparent administration in history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During my 25-year reporting career, Ive filed public records requests at the local, state and federal level hundreds of times, including dozens since Trump returned to the White House in January. Taken together, the responses from federal agencies so far this year are unlike any Ive ever received. Amid indiscriminate staffing cutbacks due to Elon Musks DOGE effort, some agencies have acknowledged that they are understaffed and wont be able to help anytime soon. Others have said they currently have no dedicated, full-time officials to handle public records requests. And some have waited months to even respond to my inquiries, despite federal law mandating they initially respond within 20 days. Thats if they respond at all some have not so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An example: the U.S. Agency for International Development, which Trump has sought to dismantle, rolling its remnants into the State Department. I filed a Freedom of Information Act request in November seeking records that would shed light on post-election discussions among top officials about how the agency would change under a second Trump administration. USAID acknowledged my request on Nov. 26. Shortly after Trump took office, USAID underwent massive layoffs and operational closures. Following my usual routine, I sent emails prodding the FOIA officer to provide an update or even just acknowledge my request is being processed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 23, after nearly five months of radio silence, a USAID staffer emailed a pro forma apology which said the agency has limited capacity to respond to records requests. Some of these records might be helpful for Trump to make his case against the agency, as they would show what staffers were thinking about him before he took office. Some might be damning. But the public doesnt know because I have yet to receive a single document. In years past, a delay of eight months for a relatively straightforward request like this wouldve been wildly abnormal. Now, its increasingly commonplace. I also filed FOIA requests with several agencies in January seeking records surrounding Trumps directive to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. One such request, which I sent to the U.S. Geological Survey, yielded some documents that I used to write a story about the brouhaha. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USGS then said it had more records and would send them no later than April 14. When they didnt send them, I asked for an explanation, and officials then said April 25. Later they pushed it to May 19. Then June 20. Then July 7 or possibly sooner. Then mid-July. Well see. Then theres the Bureau of Land Management, which took six months to even acknowledge a public records request and then it was to say they simply couldnt look for the records. When I reminded them they can be sued if they dont produce records under the law something Ive done several times they changed their tune. Though I still dont have the records, they at least now say they are looking for them. I tried to ask the White House to discuss their stance on FOIA. In keeping with the theme, they didnt respond. Neither did the Office of Government Information Services, a division of the National Archives that helps resolve FOIA disputes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please note we are experiencing an increase in our inquiries received and are working to respond as soon as possible, an automated email from the Office of Government Information Services read. Next I turned to the Department of Justice, which is supposed to enforce the Freedom of Information Act, the law that allows access to public records. A department spokesperson who declined to be identified by name, which is ironic under the circumstances emailed a statement: This year the department has seen a historic increase in the number of FOIA requests received and is adding resources to meet those increased demands. The department also continues to encourage compliance with the FOIA by providing agencies with guidance, conducting regular trainings for agency personnel, and offering legal counsel to agencies seeking advice on their work to implement the FOIA. For me and advocates of open government, this is hardly convincing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOIA is not dead but it is certainly on life support, said Lauren Harper, who works on government secrecy issues for the Freedom of the Press Foundation. David Cuillier, an expert on freedom of information laws at the University of Florida, said public records laws are currently mired in a tar pit and are functionally useless for most Americans. To be fair, this is a bipartisan failing. His analysis of the Department of Justices internal data on FOIA response rates found that the full release of records has declined from 38% in 2011 during the Obama administration to 12% in 2024 under President Joe Biden. Meanwhile, the average response time nearly doubled, from 24 to 44 days. And that was before Trump returned to office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Harper and Cuillier say federal courts are the last place where Americans can still consistently secure public records, as government agencies generally respond to court orders. This means FOIA, which was designed for any American to use, only works for people or organizations with deep enough pockets to take the government to court. The basic idea of the Freedom of Information Act is that government records belong to we the people. But its increasingly clear the Trump administration doesnt see it that way. Subscribe to the Project 47 newsletter to receive weekly updates on and expert insight into the key issues and figures defining Trumps second term. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Legendary CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow lambasted his own industry in a 1958 presentation that has famously been labeled the Wires and Lights in a Box speech. Presciently, he warned the broadcast journalists of the Radio Television News Directors Association about the dangers of letting corporate and special interests get in the way of solid reporting. Murrow exhorted his colleagues to present the news fairly and calmly, even on controversial topics, saying the public appreciates such efforts to illuminate rather than agitate. Failure to execute this important responsibility of journalism, Murrow warned, relegates broadcasting to wires and lights in a box. How sad it is today to see CBS, the news organization Murrow helped mold, so diminished that it would cave to political pressure and pay $16 million to settle a nuisance lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBSs once-proud 60 Minutes bungled its interview last fall with presidential candidate Kamala Harris, engaging in questionable editing practices and then sandbagging when asked to explain what happened. As could be expected, Donald Trump filed a $20 billion lawsuit claiming election interference in favor of his political opponent. The money will be paid by Paramount, the parent company of CBS. The settlement was cleverly announced by CBS News just before the Fourth of July holiday, a move clearly designed to hide the surrender from Americans who were traveling, cooking hotdogs and watching fireworks. The announcement made a point to indicate that CBS made no apology as part of the settlement. So, apparently, CBS just randomly hands over millions of dollars when it has done nothing wrong. CBS also claimed in the announcement that the lawsuit was completely without merit. CBS is quite right in that contention; journalists have broad First Amendment protections when it comes to broadcasting and editing interviews. There is virtually no chance Trump could have won this case in court. But CBS caved anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One reason for the surrender might be that Paramount wants to clear the decks and calm things down with the Trump administration before the Federal Communications Commission rules on a proposed $8.4 billion media merger between Paramount and Skydance Media. Another reason could be that CBS just didnt want to risk whatever skeletons might fall out of the closet should the lawsuit get to more formal proceedings. Neither of these explanations excuse a major news organization from standing up for its free press rights. Even though CBS has settled this legal hassle with Trump, the network still faces an FCC inquiry about its management, or lack thereof, of the Harris 60 Minutes segment. It will look awkward for CBS now to go in front of the FCC acting righteous after wiping the egg off its face from the $16 million settlement. The CBS-Paramount payout to Trump is chump change by the standards of big media corporations. But the size of the payout is irrelevant. That CBS would sell its First Amendment rights for any amount of money is humiliating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Employees of CBS News are understandably outraged by the corporations legal surrender. But these reporters and editors should also be concerned about the activist journalism culture they themselves have helped create. The AllSides Media Bias Chart lists CBS News as left of center. The First Amendment allows for biased and even unprofessional journalism, but some introspection at CBS might be helpful to see if the network is living up to the standards established years ago by Murrow. There was a time when CBS would fight the establishment over its journalistic rights. In 1972, CBS President Frank Stanton stared down a congressional committee, refusing to discuss or provide materials about the CBS telecast Selling of the Pentagon, other than what was actually aired. He stood on First Amendment grounds, saying any government intervention would ruin investigative journalism. There was also a time when CBS produced news to support an informed citizenry, not just to cash checks. Long-time CBS Chairman William Paley met with news personnel in the early 1960s, exhorting them with his ambitious news coverage plans. When Paley was asked by veteran correspondent Charles Collingwood how the network would pay for such news operations, he replied, You guys cover the news: Ive got Jack Benny to make money for me. Theres a reason why the network of Murrow, Walter Cronkite and Eric Sevareid was for years known as one of the medias most enduring brands, often referred to as the Tiffany Network. CBS is crumbling before the nations eyes. A media brand that wont stand on principle will always be suspect, even if big mergers eventually get approved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffrey McCall is a professor of communication at DePauw University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Im going to sit down right here and I want you to explain this to me real slow. Like Im an idiot, OK? Please tell me how fanning the flames of the Jeffrey Epstein controversy is, as some vocal opponents of Donald Trump seem to believe, in any way going to help us weaken or politically hurt the president. Then, while youre at it, explain to me how it is anything other than a distraction from the real catastrophic mayhem that is going on all around us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Go on. Ill wait. Its not that I havent given this some thought. I wish I hadnt, believe me. Because it is a repugnant story. Epstein was a criminal pig. He abused many women and girls. Those women and girls certainly deserve justice. But they never got it because the rich and the powerful around Epsteinpigs themselveshelped him dodge accountability for years. Once he could no longer be fully protected, they worked hard to cover up the details. Jeffrey Epstein is pictured at a restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts on September 8, 2004. / Rick Friedman / Corbis via Getty Images One of those rich and powerful people, a friend and a champion of Epstein, is President Trump. There is a ton of evidence supporting this. Trump has also been accused by dozens of women of sex abuse; a jury in 2023 found him liable for having committed such an actand then having lied about it and defamed his victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it happens, Trump is also a convicted fraudster, was impeached twice, has sold out the country to our enemies, has screwed his base with policies that will cause deep pain to tens of millions of them, has stolen and mishandled national secrets, has gone bankrupt half a dozen times, has been involved in literally thousands of law suits and is currently publicly engaging in the most egregious corruption and abuse of power in American history. He is perhaps the best known of all the piggish pigs who ever snorted their slop from this countrys political or celebrity troughs. But hes impossible to taint. Accusations and proven crimes bounce off him like bullets off the chest of Americas most famous comic book immigrant, Superman. So, lets just imagine the worst case for Trump. The Epstein files are discovered in his bathroom at Mar-a-Lago. They include photos of Trump with Epstein and underage girls; tapes of Trump praising Epstein and making light of his predilection for pederasty. They detail ties linking Epstein to former members of the Trump cabinet. They even show Trump offering a cabinet job in his last administration to one of the prosecutors who helped bury the Epstein case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, and? We already know all that stuff. Its all in the record. What else could be there? Maybe the files show that powerful men tried to use their influence to help cover up the Epstein case. Maybe they show Trump doing just that. Maybe this whole current controversy proves it. (Which, lets face it, it probably does.) But is it any more serious than any of Trumps other giant lies? Portions of a transcript from the deposition that British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell gave in 2016 relating to her dealings with the late Jeffrey Epstein, addressing her alleged awareness of Epstein's sex crimes. / CARLO ALLEGRI / REUTERS What if there was some doubt surrounding Epsteins suicideand powerful people were implicated. Who was president when Epstein died? Yes. It was Trump. Do you think for a minute that if it came out Trump had personally ordered someone to sneak into Epsteins cell and strangled him with his bare hands, that it would actually damage him in some real way? The Supreme Court has already opined that, if he did so while president, he probably has immunity. His supporters have already shown that they will stick with him after crimes, after convictions. He was re-elected president after leading a coup! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But sure, Epstein. Yeah, thats whatll get him. So then, how? Hes not running for office again? Hes shown he can rule by executive order and ignore laws he doesnt like and no one will challenge him. They cant touch him. Just maybe, maybe you think this will make him less popular. Well, hes already incredibly unpopular. His signature initiatives are so far underwater that itll take some combination of Jacques Cousteau and the Little Mermaid to report on future developments concerning them. Would it be good to blow the whistle on our corrupt system of justiceone that has let people like Epstein and Trump get away with horrible stuff for decades? Yes. Would it be good for the girls who suffered to get their day in court? Yes. Will it happen as a result of revealing whatever it is might be in the Epstein files? No. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not going to happen. President Donald Trump speaks with the press upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on July 13, 2025 after attending the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. He has been credibly called a racist, a misogynist, a traitor and one of the most vile human beings in humankinds long history of vile humans, writes David Rothkopf. / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images The only way to achieve that would be to actually elect political leaders who are not tools of the rich and powerful in this country. To elect leaders, rather, who would stand up to them. And thats a tall order in a country where capitalism is, as we have discovered, so much more important than democracy. In fact, the reality is, it was protecting the rich and powerful that was the main reason Trump was supported and funded to win election again. Any way you look at it, the Epstein problem and the Trump problem are the same problem. And by that I am not referring to their vile track record with women. Rather, I mean the issue at the core of this case is the impunity of the rich. This is an issue that sets off MAGA faithful, but in order to fix it, they would have admit they were duped by Americas oligarchs, toss their God-king into a cell, andlets face it, theyd probably have to elect Democrats. Which is a sweet lovely fairy tale but it aint going to happen. (Whatre they going to do, turn to the other MAGA leader? Wait. What? There isnt one. Well, that is a problem, isnt it?) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, while were spinning our wheels, were ignoring that the president has lost his marbles, is destroying the world economy with tariff policies that are literally insane, is kicking Americans off healthcare, shutting down or gutting every part of the U.S. government designed to protect us, sending innocent people to rot in foreign jails without due process, attacking our education system, sapping away our national power and systematically destroying our democracy in ways that are putting us all, daily, at great and ever greater risk. In other words, were already in a world of hurt. Spending even one additional second thinking about Epstein is not going to help us solve any of the gigantic problems with which we are confronted in this moment. But, please, do go on. What have I missed? President Trumps announcement on Monday morning in the White House Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was good in that the President has finally come to realize that Russian President Vladimir Putin first talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening. Trump yet again said he is not happy with President Putin at all and that the White House gets a lot of bulls thrown at us by Putin. Also good is that Trump confirmed a deal with NATO allies to sell them weapons and munitions to arm Ukraine. On July 8, Trump had stated, Were going to send some more weapons. We have to they have to be able to defend themselves. However, a list of the weapons and munitions was not provided during the meeting. But Trumps announcement was not so good in that he gave Putin an additional 50 days to agree to a cease-fire deal, or else face very severe secondary tariffs and sanctions. Trump said the tariffs would start at about 100 percent, a stark contrast to the 500 percent tariff in the sanctions bill authored by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Russian oil imports, which targets not only Russia but also nations such as China, India, and Turkey that continue to purchase its energy resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since July 4, Russia has launched relentless and unabated aerial bombardments of Ukrainian cities, with scores of ballistic missiles and 500 to 700 drones every evening specifically targeting civilians. In June alone, Russia launched over 5,438 drones. Ukraine can ill-afford 50 more days of days of aerial strikes and a likely ground offensive in the Sumy region. It is, in effect, giving Putin a 50-day license to continue targeting Ukrainian civilians men, women and children alike. Seventeen new Patriot missile batteries, while welcomed, will not stop Ukrainians from being killed and maimed by daily large-scale drone and ballistic missile attacks. While they are a necessity to interdict Russian missiles, they have no effect on Russian drones. Nor do they have any effect on Russian ground forces staging in Russia and fighting in Ukraine, which according to Putin number 700,000, nor on the 30,000 North Korean soldiers preparing to deploy to Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Mondays announcement is a step in the right direction, at first glance, it seems to be more of former President Joe Bidens overly reactive and defensive just-enough-not-to-lose strategy for aiding Ukraine, which already failed. Significantly, the word win was not spoken during the Oval Office meeting between Trump and Rutte. Biden could not say win either and two-and-a-half years into the war, he too was solely playing for the tie in Ukraine while Putin was playing to win. Nothing has changed since 2023. As we warned Saturday, Putin still believes he can win his war against Ukraine and he has no intention of stopping. And as Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, stated, He will not sacrifice his goals in Ukraine for the sake of improving relations with Trump. Team Trump needs a winning strategy. Defending is not winning but rather just prolonging the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Gen. George Patton once put it, Nobody ever defended anything successfully. The second half of the quote there is only attack and attack and attack some more is what is missing in Trumps response to Russia. If Trump really wants peace, Putin is going to need a good punch to the face first. Absent a defining blow, Putin will never give up on conquering Ukraine. Yet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stands ready to throw that punch just as Israel did in Iran if greenlighted and fully equipped by NATO. That is the only way Putin will be made to understand that he cannot win. Yet Trump, like Biden before him, appears to be playing for a tie. Team Trump continues searching for that ever-elusive deal that Putin legitimately does not want. In doing so, the White House is effectively punting to our European NATO partners the problem of deterring and containing Russia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Putins army last month seized control of a key lithium field in eastern Ukraine. If this gain is not reversed, it will negatively affect Trumps much-vaunted mineral deal. The field is believed to be one of Ukraines most valuable lithium deposits. Given Trumps 50-day reprieve, Putin also has a 50-day license to steal still more Ukrainian territory and to eat into the U.S. rare earth minerals pact. Trump, as he did again during his meeting with Rutte, often says that the war in Ukraine is not his war, but that of the Biden Administration. Maybe so, but it is now Trumps war to win or lose. Renewing arms shipments to Ukraine through NATO cannot not be the only tool in his kit. It needs to be coupled with the proposed Senate sanctions bill and a willingness to use $5 billion in frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine. Why wait 50-days to deploy this one-two punch of instruments of military and economic national power now? Putin will not wait and, most assuredly, many more innocent Ukrainian civilians will die at the hands of his military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The time has come to stop playing for a tie and stop taking 50-day time outs. The U.S. and NATO must enable Ukraine to win this war with offensive weapons, munitions, and intelligence. Deep strikes and interdiction are essential to isolating and removing Russian forces from Ukraine. Defeating Russias ability to produce and deploy drones is essential as well. No more sanctuary can be afforded to Russia by Western weapons and their munitions. Otherwise, the blitz of ballistic missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities reminiscent of Operation Linebacker II, designed to bring North Vietnam back to the negotiation table will continue unabated. Lets build on the good part of this plan and immediately revoke Putins 50-day license to kill. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Sweet served 30 years as an Army intelligence officer. Mark Toth writes on national security and foreign policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PALO PINTO County commissioners named a successor for a retiring judge on Monday. Lyle Campbell will serve through 2026, completing the term of Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Charlie "Coppy" Hodgkins Jr. "It's just time to let somebody else have it and enjoy life a little bit," Hodgkins said of his retirement, which starts July 31. "I'll be lacking nine days of working 46 (years)." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County Judge Shane Long has said Hodgkins, to the best of his knowledge, is the longest serving Justice of the Peace in the state. Messages left Monday with the Texas Justice of the Peace and Constables Association seeking verification of Hodgkins' tenure did not receive a reply. Attempts to reach Campbell, a Gordon native and husband of school superintendent Holly Campbell, were not successful. The court on Monday also joined Parker and Hood counties in a Foreign Trade Zone based at DFW International Airport. "It's a way to bring in manufacture jobs," Nate Dyher, director of community development for Mineral Wells, told the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Foreign Trade Zone, common to larger airports, provides a mechanism for delaying taxes on parts or raw materials until they are part of a final product. For example, Dyher said a computer chip from a foreign country remains tariff-free until it is installed and the new product is taxed. Dyher said two companies have sent requests for information to Mineral Wells. "When they bring in these raw materials, they need a place to put them," he said, describing one company as a Turkish stainless steel maker. "And they specifically said it needs to be in a Foreign Trade Zone. So it's an opportunity that we hope we can take part in." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palo Pinto becomes the third of five eligible counties joining the zone. Wise and Jack counties also could join, Dyher said. The court on Monday also took the following actions: Kept the burn ban off, after Fire Marshal Chad Jordan reported the county registering low numbers on the 0-800 drought scale. "We're in pretty good shape, we've got parts of the county below 84 now," Jordan said. "We've seen more moisture content in the morning dew on the ground." Approved a $17,200 change order at the wastewater treatment plant expansion project at Palo Pinto. The additional expense occurred after contractors realized the plant's existing blowers, which shoot air into the wastewater to feed microbes that clean the water, could not be retrofitted to the expanded plant. Attorney General Pam Bondi has fired the ethics director at the Department of Justice in a four-sentence letter that misspells his name, marking the latest departure from the agency during a mass exodus of career prosecutors under Donald Trumps administration. A letter to Jospeh Tirrell sent on July 11 and seen by The Independent notes his termination is effective immediately but does not state a reason why he was abruptly fired. Joseph Tirrell, who had served as the director of the Justice Departments ethics office since 2023, was responsible for reviewing financial disclosures and other matters related to the attorney generals office and other top law enforcement officials. He led a team of roughly 30 people to ensure government lawyers and other officials adhered to ethical guidelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My public service is not over, and my career as a federal civil servant is not finished, he wrote Monday on LinkedIn. I took the oath at 18 as a midshipman to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. I have taken that oath at least five more times since then. That oath did not come with the caveat that I need only support the Constitution when it is easy or convenient. Tirrells firing follows Bondis purge of roughly 20 Justice Department employees involved in former Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigations into the former president. Tirrell had reportedly approved Smiths receipt of $140,000 in pro bono legal fees from the firm Covington & Burling before his resignation. It is unclear whether Tirrells firing is related. Pam Bondi abruptly fired the director of the Justice Departments ethics office on July 11 as career prosecutors quit the agency in droves (AFP via Getty Images) Pam Bondi abruptly fired the director of the Justice Departments ethics office on July 11 as career prosecutors quit the agency in droves (AFP via Getty Images) Shortly after taking office, the president dismissed the governments top ethics watchdog, sparking a legal battle that reached the Supreme Court. That independent Office of Government Ethics would regularly consult with Tirrells team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tirrells sudden firing also shines a bright spotlight back on her own glaring ethical conflicts and how shes handled major DOJ decisions involving her former clients, including the government of Qatar and Pfizer, according to Jon Golinger with democratic advocacy group Public Citizen. The question this drastic firing raises is: are there even worse ethics problems Bondi is trying to hide? Career prosecutors are also quitting the agency in droves since Trumps election. More than 100 lawyers at the Justice Departments federal programs bench, which defends the presidents policy actions in court, have left their positions in recent months. Roughly 250 attorneys at the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division accounting for 70 percent of the lawyers there also quit the agency within the first few months of the Trump administration. The latest shakeups at the Justice Department also arrive as the administration fumbles for answers about investigations into Jeffrey Epstein, as MAGA loyalists turn on the president, Bondi and other top law enforcement officials over the administrations failure to release more information about the sex offender and his alleged client list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department last week said Epstein, who was facing charges of sex trafficking, did not leave behind such a list, though Bondi in February suggested it was on her desk. She later said she was referring to the overall case. But the Justice Department ultimately concluded that public disclosure of such materials would be inappropriate and remain under seal by a federal judge, frustrating the presidents supporters and conspiracy theorists who have linked the Epstein case to allegations of a wider corruption and sex abuse scandal involving minors and powerful figures. The Independent has requested comment from the Justice Department. Even after President Donald Trump publicly gave her the go-ahead, Attorney General Pam Bondi desperately skirted questions about the release of additional files on Jeffrey Epstein. Last week, the Department of Justice published a two-page memo declaring that the alleged sex trafficker kept no incriminating client list, despite Bondi previously claiming that shed been in possession of such a document. After months of being promised answers on Epsteins clients, Trump supporters are outraged, with some even calling for Bondi to resign. During a press conference Tuesday about steps the agency was taking to combat drug trafficking, Bondi refused to answer questions about Trumps statement saying that the attorney general should release whatever she thinks is credible from the files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This today is about fentanyl. This is about a wall of people right outside this room who have died fromI appreciate your questionbut this today is about fentanyl overdoses throughout our country, and people who have lost loved ones to fentanyl. That is the message that were here to send today, Bondi replied to a reporter asking if she would release more files. Nothing about Epstein. Im not going to talk about Epstein, Bondi said. She continued to urge reporters to ask questions only on topic. Yet another reporter asked about Trumps comment. The president said today you would release credible files related to Epstein. Are you prepared to do that, and when would you do that? they asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our memotoday our memo speaks for itself, Bondi said. Well get back to you on anything else. I havent seen all of his statements today. How do you respond to the MAGA base that has expressed a lot of frustration about Epstein? the reporter pressed. Were going to fight to keep America safe again and were fighting together as a team. Thats whats so important right now, Bondi said. Meanwhile, Trump has taken to bullying his allies into line. Kansas and Panasonic leaders perform a traditional Japanese ceremony called Kagami-biraki, where a sake barrel is opened with mallets. It symbolizes opening the door to happiness, unity and prosperity. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) DE SOTO, Kansas Hundreds from around the world gathered Monday to celebrate the grand opening of the Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto and tour the 4.7 million-square-foot facility that claims the tag of the states biggest economic development project ever. The Japanese ambassador to the United States, Panasonic leaders, and local, regional and national elected officials praised the partnership required to bring the project to fruition. Panasonic is expected to invest $4 billion in the plant, and the Kansas Department of Commerce estimates it will bring $2.5 billion to the states economy annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state offered $829 million in incentives to Panasonic through the Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion Act, or APEX. Just two and a half years ago, November 22, we stood on this very ground, said Allan Swan, president and chief operating officer of Panasonic Energy Corp. of North America. At that point, it was just a big open field, but we had a whole vision to build a world-class facility that would power the future of clean transportation, create thousands of jobs, new high-quality jobs, and serve as the catalyst for economic growth in Kansas and across the region. Today, he said, that vision is a reality. One week ago, the first production line began operating, and it will take three to four months for it to achieve full capacity, Swan said after the ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By early January, Swan said, three additional lines will be operating and construction will begin on a second wing of the building, which is expected to house an additional four lines in about 18 months. Currently, the plant makes about 50,000 battery cells per day at a rate of about 70 per second and employs 1,100 people, Swan said. It is expected to employ 4,000 people when at full capacity. Reports by international media that decreased Tesla sales will delay the move to full capacity are just part of being in a new business, Swan said. Were in a brand new industry, he said. That industry is going to ebb and flow a little bit as she grows, and she will grow, and were clearly growing in one direction. Its not going to change. The beauty of Kansas is we can build these lines out. Weve got customers that want them, so we should be in a good place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Batteries wont begin to ship out to customers for three or four weeks because of rigorous safety and quality testing, Swan said. Visitors to Panasonics De Soto plant were able to see how the process of building electric car batteries works through multiple viewing stations of the plant floor. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) The marketplace Customers who will use the electric vehicle batteries in their products were in attendance, including representatives from Lucid Motors, Toyota, Harbinger Motors and Tesla. Nick Twork, spokesman for Lucid, said they were pleased to see a new plant built. Its really great because obviously it allows us to have a domestic supply chain for battery cells, he said. This facility will start supplying us next year, and well ship batteries to our factory in Arizona. Upcoming changes to U.S. policies, like eliminating tax credits for buying electric cars, arent really something that concerns Lucid, Twork said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As long as its a level playing field, thats the most important thing, he said. Obviously thats going to affect the marketplace, so well adapt as necessary. Were an agile business, and well do what it takes. Twork said he wasnt willing to comment on any acrimony the public is feeling about Tesla products and reports the companys sales are down. From our standpoint, weve had six consecutive quarters of record growth for the company, he said. We keep selling more vehicles, so more and more customers are finding out about what Lucid has to offer. Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran speaks at the grand opening of the De Soto Panasonic Energy Corp. of North America battery plant. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) Supply chains U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran spoke at the ceremony and afterward said trade negotiations need to take place to get rid of barriers that keep U.S. products out of international markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as Ive indicated to the ambassador today, were going to do everything we can to make sure that the outcome of those conversations between Japan and the United States are beneficial to both countries, Moran said. The federal government wants supply chains brought home, he said. This is an example of where business that was being done outside the United States will now be done in the United States, he said of the Panasonic plant. Swan said Panasonic is working to bring more suppliers to locate in the United States. Three already have space in the De Soto plant. Its an ongoing process, and well keep working with our suppliers who already exist to see whether we can get them here to the United States, or find another way of creating a stronger supply chain, Swan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are still 6,000 acres near the plant that could be used for expansion or where suppliers could build. Swan said the company would like to see that developed and is working with the state of Kansas to bring suppliers as close as possible. Swan praised the De Soto plant as the largest plant his company has built with top-of-the-line manufacturing capabilities. We built the first one with Tesla over in Nevada, so thats their factory. This is our factory, he said. Weve redesigned it to make it quite more productive. There is roughly 10% less machinery here and a lot more automation, so thats where the innovation comes in. The lines here are the fastest lines that weve ever had. The labor-saving production lines are expected to achieve approximately 20% higher productivity compared to the Nevada factory, a press release said. Workforce training All of those who spoke Monday highlighted the partnerships that it took to make such a large project successful. Speakers repeatedly mentioned the collaboration with local community colleges to help the company train the workforce it needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greg Mosier, president of the Kansas City Kansas Community College, said new programs at the school train Panasonics entry level skilled maintenance technicians and advanced engineering technicians. The program is a mix of schooling at the community college and working at the Panasonic plant, he said. We developed it in partnership with Panasonic, and then its also 16 credit hours, so they get a college certificate with it as well, Mosier said. Its an apprenticeship model, so they are on the regular 16-week schedule. They do two days at the college, three days at the factory. In response to a Panasonic request, the community college was able to condense the program to eight weeks, he said. After completing the course and working full time at Panasonic, Mosier said, students are earning $50,000 to $60,000 per year. Allan Swan, president and COO of Panasonic Energy Corp. of North America, speaks at the grand opening of the De Soto plant. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) Japanese investment The investments Panasonic is making in Kansas will strengthen the states economy and do much more, said Yasuaki Takamoto, CEO of Panasonic Energy Corp. of North America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happens here is just the first step in building a stable and secure domestic supply chain, one thats becoming a reality thanks to our ongoing investment and partnership, he said. We are supporting domestic production with critical EV components, strengthening North Americas manufacturing ecosystems and helping America maintain its competitive edge. Takamoto said that selecting Kansas for the plant meant choosing the community and the workforce they believed in. Since then, we built relationships that will last for years to come, he said. Japanese ambassador Shigeo Yamada highlighted the strong relationship between the United States and Japan, saying Japan has been the strongest investor in the United States in the past 50 years and has created 1 million jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japanese investment in this country is about much more than just dollars and cents, he said. By working hand-in-hand with local communities, Japanese companies are building enduring ties and a sense of trust with their peoples. These personal ties connections form the very foundation on which the bilateral relationship is built and allowing us to collaborate, not just as allies, but as trusted friends. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Daniela Desantis ASUNCION (Reuters) -Paraguay is preparing to receive Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te next month, President Santiago Pena said on Monday, meaning Lai will likely make sensitive transit stops in the United States that are bound to infuriate Beijing. Asked about the plans, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said that "transits of the United States by high-level Taiwan officials, including presidents, are in line with past practice, and fully consistent with our longstanding policy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Such transits are undertaken with consideration for the safety, comfort, convenience, and dignity of the passenger," the spokesperson added. Lai has yet to visit the United States since U.S. President Donald Trump took office for the second time this year, though late last year Lai transited Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam while visiting the Pacific. Paraguay is one of only 12 countries to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, and the only one in South America. Visits by Taiwanese presidents to Central and South America always involve what are officially only stopovers in the United States given the distance from Taiwan, but are often the most important parts of the trip given Washington is the island's top international backer and arms supplier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pena, speaking at a bilateral investment conference in the South American nation's capital, said Lai would visit Paraguay next month. "We are preparing anxiously and with much affection to receive President Lai in 30 days," Pena told the conference, which Lai's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung also attended. Belize will also host Lai during a planned visit to the region, a government official told Reuters, without giving a date. Taiwan has a handful of other allies in Latin America and the Caribbean, but several have cut ties in recent years in favor of relations with economic powerhouse China, which considers Taiwan a Chinese province. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is to show the world that small countries have the capacity to become major global players," Pena added. Taiwan's presidential office declined to comment, saying that, as in the past, if it had anything to announce it would do so "in due course." It normally confirms such trips only shortly before they take place. China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday reiterated its opposition to what it called "sneaky visits" to the United States by Taiwanese leaders under any pretext. Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing that the United States must understand how sensitive the Taiwan issue is and act with the utmost caution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China strongly objects to any interactions between Taiwan and the United States and routinely denounces U.S. stopovers of Taiwanese presidents. Taiwan's government rejects China's territorial claims and says it has a right to forge ties with other countries and engage with the world. (Reporting by Daniela Desantis and Sarah Morland; Additional reporting by Jose Sanchez in Belmopan, Liz Lee in Beijing,Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee in Taipei and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle, Lincoln Feast, Rod Nickel) WESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) Two people who are accused of leaving firearms in reach of a small child, resulting in the child suffering a critical gunshot wound to the head, have been indicted by a grand jury. Caleb Heckert, 29, and Corinda Heater, 30, both of Buckhannon, were arrested in March after their 3-year-old son reportedly shot himself in their home. According to a criminal complaint filed at the time of their arrest, Heater said that the child suffered the gunshot wound while she was in the bathroom. Corinda Heater Caleb Heckert While driving the child to the hospital, Heckert allegedly crashed the vehicle. The child was later transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital in critical condition where he had emergency surgery, according to the West Virginia State Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a search of the home where the shooting took place, troopers found multiple guns, bows, knives, rusty tools and adult toys within reach of the child, according to the complaint. Both Heater and Heckert have been indicted on two counts of gross child neglect creating substantial risk of death, according to a press release from the Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney. Former pastor indicted for allegedly sexually abusing 8 child victims in West Virginia Dakota Cabic Multiple other people were also indicted on charges related to neglecting children during the July 2025 term of the Lewis County Grand Jury. Dakota Cabic, 30 of Weston, and Brianna Alderman, 34 of Weston, were each charged with four counts of gross child neglect creating substantial risk of death or serious injury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cabic was arrested in February after children were found living in a home without any heat or electricity. According to a criminal complaint filed at that time, Cabic would punish the children if they ate food in the evenings, even though all the food in the house was spoiled. Lindsey Riggs and Seth Ruble were also each indicted on one count of child neglect creating risk of serious injury. Another notable indictment was John Cole, 45 of Camden, who was indicted on one count of drug delivery resulting in death. Several people were also indicted on charges related to sex crimes against children; click here to read more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. WASHINGTON, July 15 (UPIU) -- Republican lawmakers alleged Tuesday that Democratic leaders have funneled hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars to nonprofit organizations run by political allies, advancing what they called a "radical agenda" without public accountability. Democrats fired back, calling the hearing a partisan distraction aimed at vilifying groups that serve vulnerable communities. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight's hearing, titled "How Leftist Nonprofit Networks Exploit Federal Tax Dollars to Advance a Radical Agenda," drew sharp partisan lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The subcommittee chair, Chair Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, R-N.J., said nonprofits that receive federal funds through agencies like USAID and the Justice Department are enacting policies Americans haven't voted for, accusing Democratic leaders of "abuse of power." Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, passionately disagreed, arguing the hearing was designed to advance President Donald Trump's political agenda, while ignoring pressing civil rights and public safety issues. U.S. Rep Jefferson Van Drew, R-N.J., chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight, said at a hearing Tuesday that nonprofits receiving federal funds through agencies like USAID and the Justice Department are enacting policies Americans havent voted for, Photo courtesy of U.S. Rep Jefferson Van Drew "This committee is spending its time holding a hearing with a title that sounds like it was ripped from a conspiracy law," Crockett said. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, echoed the committee chair's concerns, calling several taxpayer-funded initiatives under the Biden administration "stupid," including spending on public broadcasting, diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and federal education grants. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, argued the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight hearing Tuesday was designed to advance President Donald Trumps political agenda, while ignoring pressing civil rights and public safety issues. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI Democrats, however, argued that the hearing lacked substance and accountability. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., criticized the proceeding as a "waste of time," as it focused on grievances rather than governance, and that the committee did not call a single official from any of the groups allegedly advancing a radical agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If our motto is going to be finger-pointing for losers, then this hearing is for losers," Raskin said. Hen added that Republicans have been failing to address systemic challenges like gun violence and climate change, and that none of the groups mentioned has been involved in illegal actions, but instead the Republicans simply do not like what certain groups are doing. For example, Raskin cited the mass firings of Justice Department attorneys who prosecuted Americans for their involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. "Due process is what separates our freedoms from arbitrary state power," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the hearing continued, Raskin was the first to bring the Jeffrey Epstein files into the conversation, questioning the Trump administration's sudden lack of commitment to transparency by not releasing the information. "Remember that they said this would be the most transparent administration in the United States," he said. Witnesses invited by Republican lawmakers argued that taxpayer dollars are being funneled into politically motivated organizations that push divisive agendas. Tyler O'Neil, senior editor at The Daily Signal, singled out a $2 million grant to the nonprofit Vera Institute of Justice for immigration-related services, calling it part of a broader "immigration industrial complex." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement O'Neill also criticized federal support for the ACLU and the AFL-CIO, arguing that union dues from federal employees were indirectly subsidizing left-leaning political causes. Insha Rahman, vice president of advocacy and partnerships at the Vera Institute, told UPI, "Today's congressional hearing was a distraction from the honest debate the American public deserves about the solutions that work to prevent crime, respond to crisis, and stop violence. "The Department of Justice's abrupt and illegal terminations of $820 million in grant funding to hundreds of organizations, including Vera, jeopardizes programs and services across the country -- including in suburban and rural jurisdictions -- that save lives and make communities safer." Scott Walter, president of the Capital Research Center, attempted to redirect the conversation. He said that while he personally supports conservative organizations, like the Heritage Foundation, he would oppose federal funding for any ideologically driven group -- including those with whom he agrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He argued that taxpayer dollars should only go to feeding the hungry and clothing the poor -- actions he associated as biblically related good doings -- but not socially controversial issues. Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and contributor to the conservative blueprint Project 2025, testified in a personal capacity and criticized USAID's funding decisions under Ambassador Samantha Power, suggesting it began the pathway for the agency to prioritize progressive global initiatives over national interest. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., and Gonzalez got into an escalated exchange when Gonzalez confronted Democrats about so-called "dark money" -- where the source is not disclosed to the public -- for groups tied to liberal causes. Johnson fired back, pointing to the Heritage Foundation's own opaque funding sources and ties to conservative megadonors like billionaire Charles Koch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A last minute addition to the witness list was Luis CdeBaca, a former U.S. ambassador and anti-trafficking expert. CdeBaca defended the work of civil society organizations, arguing that they provide critical services to vulnerable populations -- often filling gaps left by under-resourced government programs. He warned against politicizing federal grantmaking, which he said should be based on impact, not ideology. Rahman reacted similarly to Vera's work, defending that "The DOJ grants Vera received supported our evidence-based work with correctional staff across the country to improve prison operations, training, and culture for both officers and people incarcerated; expand access to counseling and treatment for people in mental health crisis; and support police and law enforcement to better serve deaf survivors of domestic violence." The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has made major changes to rules governing Australias SMS ID Register in an effort to eliminate scam messages, which will take effect from 15 December 2025. In the interim, the ACMA is seeking comments on the amended rules by 13 August 2025, and will make the rules that will support the register by 30 September 2025. The ACMA says Any organisation that has not adapted to the new Sender ID rules will not be able to get their SMS and MMS messages with sender IDs through to customers after 15 December 2025. The new proposed rules focus on arrangements to ensure international entities and entities without an Australian Business Number (ABN) can participate in the register. The ACMA is also seeking feedback on expanding these rules beyond telcos to capture electronic messaging providers that send SMS or MMS on behalf of businesses and other organisations. Under the proposed new ACMA rules: unregistered sender IDs will be over-stamped with the word Unverified from 15 December 2025. This means that all unregistered messages will appear in a single Unverified message thread on mobile phones international entities and Australian entities without an ABN will be able to register sender IDs directly with telcos certified by the ACMA, and telcos not approved to participate in the scheme will not be allowed to carry SMS or MMS using sender IDs. ACMA Chair Nerida OLoughlin said that feedback on its draft Standard identified critical changes needed to make sure the Register would be effective in stopping scam traffic while allowing legitimate SMS traffic to be delivered. These arrangements will directly affect how telcos and message service providers operate," OLoughlin said. "They will also require every business or agency seeking to use a sender ID to register it and prove they have a valid reason for its use. This is a call to action for all organisations who use sender IDs including banks, retailers, utilities and not-for-profits. "You need to start preparing now to be able to continue to use this method to contact your customers from mid-December this year. Organised crime syndicates are now impersonating respected brands to scam Australians. "Our ultimate aim is to help to restore consumer confidence that the brand identified in an SMS sent using text-based sender IDs is legitimate and can be trusted. Onboarding of telcos will commence from 15 October 2025 and entities will need to register their IDs with telcos from 30 November 2025. The consultation package is available here and submissions close on 13 August 2025. More information about the SMS sender ID register can be found here. Patrick Golling yanked the pull cord, and the Honda engine roared to life. Seconds after it began sucking water out of his fathers pool, a powerful stream erupted from an agricultural irrigation nozzle fixed atop a bright red pole a few feet away, connected with a fire hose. In a minute flat, the system meticulously jerked across the landscape, drenching the ravine in 50 gallons of water. The demonstration on a hot July afternoon left the blackened sticks below the property once trees before the Palisades fire ripped through dripping with chlorinated water. The contraption is the brainchild of Golling and Arizona engineer Tony Robinson. After a TV interview where Golling discussed a cobbled-together version of the tech that he says saved his father's home from the Palisades fire, Robinson cold-called him, and Realize Safety was born. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the two talk of ambitious visions where entire neighborhoods living amid Californias rugged brush-covered landscapes band together to create a community defense network of automated firefighters. Realize Safety's defenders use an agricultural irrigation nozzle to spray 50 gallons of water per minute on surrounding vegetation. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Their system is the latest entrant in a growing group of often-expensive, high-tech sprinkler systems designed to protect homes in high fire hazard areas. But while a blue-ribbon commission after the January fires recommended L.A. adopt exterior sprinkler technology, some fire officials warn theres limited evidence that these elaborate and flashy systems work. Instead, they say the systems distract from less-glamorous but proven measures to protect homes, such as brush clearance and multipaned windows, while encouraging residents to risk their lives by staying back during an evacuation to protect their homes. Good solutions dont pop up overnight, said David Barrett, executive director of the Los Angeles Regional Fire Safe Council. There is no silver bullet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Especially for a vicious blaze such as the Palisades fire. Given the extreme weather conditions winds over 80 mph, incredibly dry vegetation there was very little firefighters, let alone home defense systems, could do, Barrett said. It doesn't matter what youve got in your pool, he said. Nothing is going to stop an urban wildfire from progressing if its wind-driven sorry. Thats the end. Asked whether the system saved his father's home, Golling did not mince words: Absolutely. Patrick Golling of Realize Safety adjusts the nozzle on one of the company's defenders. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) After Golling got word of a fire developing in the Palisades on Jan. 7, he immediately thought of the gas pump and irrigation sprinkler system his father had bought just months before to protect his home in the Palisades Highlands. Golling rushed to his fathers house and spent the next two days working alongside his two brothers to deploy the system throughout the neighborhood and put out spot fires that threatened the development. Golling said firefighters encouraged him to keep up the work as they struggled to contain monster blazes one neighborhood over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the smoke settled, most of Gollings neighborhood remained standing. But little data exist on the effectiveness of home defense sprinklers. Wildfire researchers often use large datasets of destroyed and standing homes after devastating fires to compare the success of the various home hardening strategies they used. But scientists have yet to identify and analyze fires where sprinkler systems were widely used. Some anecdotal evidence has suggested that these systems provide some protection. An analysis of the 2007 Ham Lake fire in Minnesota found that of 47 homes identified with functioning sprinkler systems, all but one survived. Meanwhile, only about 40% of the 48 homes without the systems remained standing after the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typical home defense sprinkler systems work by drawing water from utility systems, and using it to wet the exterior of a house and create at least theoretically another barrier from fire. Realize Safetys goal is to prevent the fire from even reaching the house by dousing nearby vegetation in water and creating a mist to dampen any embers that could ignite the home. To do it, they're tapping into an underutilized source of water: pools. Barrett said that, without a doubt, firefighters could put pool water to better use than these systems. Firefighters, he said, already have all the equipment they need to utilize pool water, and all residents have to do is install a clear sign out front letting firefighters know they have a pool. But as Golling looked at the view of the Palisades from his fathers backyard in early July, he counted eight destroyed homes with still-full pools. We think that had they had a system in place like the one were talking about they could have saved their homes, Golling said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utility water sources are not designed to handle large-scale urban fires. During the Palisades fire, the chief engineer for the citys water utility told The Times that the system saw four times the normal water demand for 15 hours straight. Its in part why, when an independent 20-member Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery recently issued dozens of recommendations for rebuilding and recovery, it called for prioritizing additional water storage capacity in neighborhoods and encouraging the development of standards for and the installation of systems that draw on water stored in pools or cisterns, with external sprinklers to douse homes. Using a 20,000-gallon pool, Realize Safetys system can run for over six hours, with refueling required roughly every hour and a half. (The two are working on expanding the engine's fuel reserves for customers outside California where doing so is allowed so frequent refueling isn't required.) Unlike many traditional water defense sprinklers, it is not dependent on the house having electricity and access to utility water systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reliability is paramount for Robinson, who has spent much of his engineering career working on airplanes and satellites where failure is synonymous with catastrophe. The same is true for wildfire defense. In the Ham Lake fire, the researchers also counted nine residences where home defense sprinklers failed. Eight of them burned. Realize Safety's system pulls water from residential pools, a widely untapped source of water during urban fires. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) In the quest for reliability, Golling and Robinson have made significant improvements on the unwieldy system Golling used in January (where, after some time, the generator cart rattled itself straight into the pool it was drawing water from). With a sturdy generator cart and sprinklers that are firmly anchored into the ground, the two are confident that residents can trust it long after theyve evacuated. But Barrett credits success stories such as Gollings not to specific technology, but instead to the dangerous practice of ignoring an evacuation order to protect a house. He worries systems such as Realize Safety's that essentially give residents all the tools they need to try their hand at firefighting instead of evacuating could encourage more people to stay behind, as Golling did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem with that is people then stay behind putting their lives and the lives of firefighters at risk, when theyre not trained in firefighting, he said. A comprehensive 2019 study from fire researcher Alexandra Syphard found that, in previous Southern California wildfires, a civilian staying behind to protect a house reduced the chance of a home burning by 32% more than every other factor studied, including defensible space, concrete roofs and even the presence of the fire department at the property. (The study did not evaluate the effectiveness of sprinkler systems, which were not widely used in the fires analyzed.) However, fire officials across the state in no unclear terms strongly discourage this practice. It endangers human life, and when a manageable fire fight suddenly becomes unmanageable for a homeowner, rescue efforts can redirect essential resources that are desperately needed elsewhere. Some fire safety advocates also worry flashy and unproven tech could distract from well-tested home-hardening methods, such as clearing flammable debris from the yard and roof. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barrett recalled visiting a house about a year ago to inspect the resident's home-hardening efforts and provide feedback. The person had spent $50,000 on a sprinkler system, but he had overgrown branches hanging onto his roof and the rain gutters were all full of needles, he said. Barretts blunt personal assessment: This house is going to burn down." "Chopping those branches and clearing the needles out would have cost $1,000 or less, he said. Golling and Robinson say theyre focused on providing the cheapest, most reliable tech they can. They see their home defenders as another, relatively affordable, tool in the arsenal to increase the odds their customers homes survive a fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fully operational, autonomous system starts at $3,450, which Golling said is cheaper than what he spends on defensible-space lawn maintenance in some years. "We did the brush clearance. We have the water pump. We're going to do the ember-resistant vents and home hardening," Golling said. "You've got to really do it all." Times staff writer Ian James contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Cars are flooded following flash flooding in Petersburg, VA on July 13. (Photo courtesy Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services) On Tuesday outside city hall, Petersburg officials said yet another night of intense, dangerous rainfall led to major flooding for the third time in a week in the city. While providing updates on the safety concerns and the additional storms rolling in, city leaders explained how the Appomattox River is playing a role in the ongoing overflows. Meanwhile, legislators are touting state-level solutions to manage the recurrent flooding. We had Saturday and Sunday, probably what I would venture to say would be 100 year storms, both days leading into last night, said Petersburg City Manager John March Altman. Last night, we probably received probably about 10 inches of rain last night. So this is overwhelming the system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service reported that the city has received nearly 8 inches of rain since Saturday morning. On Monday night, rain inundated the region and triggered multiple flash flooding warnings. WRIC reported that some Central Virginia residents had over a foot of water in their backyards and some emergencies required water rescues. Petersburg Mayor Samuel Parham placed blame not only on the heavy rains, but also on aged water systems that cant keep up with demand, and lack of dredging in the Appomattox River that allows water to pool in portions of the city. The silt filling the river has been an issue for decades. The last time the river was partially dredged was in the 1990s, but the process had to stop partway through near Petersburg once contaminates were found. What we are seeing now are definitely the horrific effects of the many decades of neglect of Petersburg not being able to get the necessary funding to dredge the Appomattox River to prevent a lot of this flooding that youve seen pictures of down on Bank in Bollingbrook Street, Parham said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parham said the silt buildup in the harbor area forces water to rush in from the surrounding creeks during these rain events, preventing them from flowing out into the river as they should. There is less movement in the river in these silty spots that makes more parts of town prone to flooding, the mayor suggested. So regardless of what we do internally until we can get that water to flow out of that into the Appomattox, its going to be a continuous problem here, Parham said. So were looking at bringing on some public and private partners to hopefully work with the (Army Corps of Engineers) in order to get some funding there to get this dredging done. Altman said between the dredging and the water drainage needs, it could take 10-20 years to fully catch up on projects, if they had all the money and resources readily available. There has not been a line in the state budget directly dealing with dredging the river in over 20 years, when an amendment failed to make it into the final draft in 2005. However, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation this month awarded the city of Petersburg over $2 million to study sediment dredging impacts on the harbor. The city is working to engage the Army Corp of Engineers to finish the 1990s dredging project that left off the critical portions of the river that could help stem the flooding in Petersburg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More recently, DCR has invested an additional $4 million to remove silt and replace infrastructure around the stream gates work that is essential to improving water flow from the Petersburg Harbor into the Appomattox River, thus mitigating flood risk, said state Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, in a statement. City officials reiterated Tuesday that removing some of the harbor silt will help, but the major Army Corps of Engineers project needs to be finished to see even more significant flood mitigation. It is decades worth of projects that have built up over time, and now were in a position where we need to address those, and were going to move forward with a positive plan to address those coming into the future, Altman said. The city has declared a state of emergency as more rain is anticipated Tuesday afternoon. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BUSRA AL-HARIR, Syria (AP) Injured government soldiers and civilians were treated after clashes broke out between Druze militiamen and Sunni Bedouin tribes in Syria's southern Sweida province, threatening to unravel the countrys post-war transition. Thousands of people remained displaced by the violence and the United Nations has been unable to bring in much-needed humanitarian and medical aid. The conflict had drawn airstrikes by neighboring Israel in defense of the Druze. In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Druze developed their own militias during Syrias nearly 14-year civil war, and some of them have had tense relations with Syria's new government after the fall of former President Bashar Assad in a lightning rebel offensive in December led by Sunni Islamist insurgent groups. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. As temperatures in our region rise, some people in Pierce County are being asked to avoid watering their lawns on certain days to help conserve water. On Monday, Washington Water Service issued notices for customers in their Artondale, Cedar Crest, and Kopachuck water systems. The notice asks customers to avoid outdoor irrigation from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. and on Fridays. The notice also asks residents to use the following watering schedule: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Water on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday if your address ends in an odd number. Water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday if your address ends in an even number. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience. We will update you when you can resume normal water use, the alert states. Customers with questions or concerns can call (877) 408-4060 or email customerservice@wawater.com. The four people who were quickly rescued by good Samaritans from the small plane that crash landed Sunday on a Pembroke Pines neighborhood street were a family returning from a trip to a Caribbean island, an incident report released Tuesday shows. Carlos Balza Cardenas, 58, of Weston, was flying the six-seat 1976 Cessna T337G, approaching North Perry Airport about 8 p.m. when it crashed into a tree in the 6800 block of Southwest 14th Street and smashed on the ground in a tangle of branches. A fire erupted in the engine compartment, filling it with heavy smoke, as the pilot and passengers were stuck inside, leading neighbors to bash the windows with a sledgehammer and spray the wreckage with a hose and fire extinguisher as multiple other neighbors called for help, according to the incident report and 911 calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Balza Cardenas, who is the registered owner of the plane, told Pembroke Pines Police they were returning from a trip to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and had stopped for fuel in Puerto Rico, according to the incident report. Before trying to land at North Perry Airport, he said he had lowered his landing gear and went to add throttle but there was no thrust and the plane lost altitude and crashed. Balza Cardenas declined to speak with a reporter when reached by phone Tuesday. In several 911 calls released Tuesday, the group of four good Samaritans could be heard banging on the windows and shouting direction to one another as witnesses described to dispatchers a screaming woman trapped inside the plane and their efforts to remove her and the others. In the front passenger seat, 54-year-old Fancly Maurettes legs were pinned, the incident report said. She was the most difficult for the group to free, Antoinette Proffitt, who lives in the neighborhood near where the plane crashed, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carol Balza, 16, and Nicole Balza, 13, were the other two passengers in the second row. The girls, Maurette and Balza Cardenas all live at the same home in Weston together, the incident report shows. A 911 dispatcher told one woman who called for help to keep bystanders away from the area and not to approach any dangerous or hazardous areas. Theres plenty of people in a hazardous, dangerous area right now, the woman said. In another call, one of the men who intervened could be heard asking another bystander if he had a hose. Another man in the background could be heard telling someone to get away from the window, followed by the sound of a hammer banging on the glass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were trying to get em out the plane, the caller told the dispatcher. Grab him and pull him out! a man shouted in the background. I got you, I got you, I got you, I got you, a man repeated to apparently one of the four they rescued. About 10 seconds later, a child could be heard crying. Resident Tekisha Jordan told the Sun Sentinel hearing the young girls screaming and crying was the most alarming part. I saw the flames. One of the neighbors had a fire extinguisher. All of a sudden you hear screams or yells coming out of the plane. I saw them pick up a little girl, Jordan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All four people on the plane were taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood with minor injuries and were in stable condition, the incident report said. Since the crash, Pembroke Pines Mayor Angelo Castillo has called for Broward County to conduct what he called a comprehensive independent safety analysis aimed at reducing the number of accidents that take place around the airport. Citing figures he obtained from Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue service calls, Castillo said Sundays accident was the 36th associated with the airport in five years. Broward County Aviation Department spokeswoman Paris Tyburski provided different numbers: 13 accidents involving property damage, injury or death, and another 20 involving mechanical failures between 2020 and 2024. The Florida Department of Transportation reviews the safety protocols at North Perry Airport every year, and North Perry has received a perfect score with zero discrepancies or issues to correct in 25 years, she said Tuesday. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. The agency is still working to confirm details of the flight, and the wreckage will be taken to a facility in Jacksonville to be examined, a spokesperson said Tuesday morning. Sun Sentinel staff writer Rafael Olmeda contributed to this report. ASHLAND, Ohio (WJW) A co-defendant in a case in which a 6-year-old boy was handcuffed for discipline and attacked by a family dog has been sentenced. The incident happened on August 17, 2024, at a Savanna, Ohio, home in Ashland County. I-Team: Investigation into an alleged Cleveland City Hall ghost employee According to prosecutors, the childs mother, her boyfriend and uncle handcuffed the boy by the ankles and wrists as a form of discipline since the child refused to clean up after the dog. From left to right: Robert Michalski, Angelina Williams, Taylor Marvin-Brown (Ashland County Sheriffs Office) At some point, the boy slipped and the dog attacked, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashland sheriffs department video (as seen in the video player at the top of the story) shows deputies providing first aid to the child after the incident. The child was bitten on the neck and ear and taken to the hospital by helicopter. Taylor Marvin-Brown is the latest to be sentenced in the case. Mom calls police after toddler throws sand at Bay Village park Marvin-Brown was sentenced on July 14 on one count of obstructing justice and three counts of complicity in the commission of an offense. Marvin-Brown will serve a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 15 years in prison. Marvin-Brown will remain in the custody of the Ashland County Sheriffs Office while waiting to be taken to a state penal receiving institution, court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The childs mother, 28-year-old Angelina Williams, was sentenced earlier this month to 20-plus years in prison after pleading guilty to seven felony charges, including child endangerment, kidnapping and obstructing justice. The other defendant and owner of the dog, Robert Michalski, will be sentenced on July 21, court records show. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. On Friday, 30 fighters from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) threw their weapons into a bonfire at a meeting in Sulaimaniyah, a city in the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. After hiding out in Iraqs Qandil Mountains for three decades, where they reportedly trained for combat and planned attacks against Turkiye, they were now renouncing their armed struggle. The symbolic gesture is the first phase of disarming the PKK as part of a rejuvenated peace process with Turkiye, which could end a 40-year conflict that has killed some 40,000 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the process unfolds, a question arises about how this may affect the broader region, including the autonomous Kurdish areas in Iraq and Syria. Lack of transparency In February, jailed PKK leader Abdulla Ocalan called on his fighters to fully disarm, saying the time for armed struggle was over and Kurds could now realise their rights through politics. Senior PKK leaders heeded the call in April and agreed to a new peace process with Turkiye. The success of the peace process largely hinges on reintegration and the political and cultural rights Turkiyes President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will confer on Kurds, according to Gonul Tol, an expert on Turkiye and the PKK with the Middle East Institute think tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Erdogan and his far-right coalition partner, Devlet Bahceli, support the new process, the implementation remains shrouded in secrecy, say analysts. They believe the government is wary of disclosing details to avoid public backlash from some nationalist quarters, who may see any concessions as rewarding the PKK for armed rebellion. The process will likely entail a general amnesty for PKK fighters and giving Kurds the political and cultural rights they have long demanded, which would allow disarmed PKK fighters to return to Turkiye from northern Iraq, Sinan Ulgen, an expert on Turkiye and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, said. Only senior leaders would continue to live abroad, without fear of being targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he added, there has been no public discussion of how the government plans to reintegrate former PKK fighters into civilian life. The lack of transparency raises the question over how much public support there is for this initiative, Ulgen told Al Jazeera. Nurettin Ucar cries over the coffin of his daughter Yagmur Ucar during the funeral of people killed in an explosion in Istanbul on November 14, 2022, that Turkiye blamed on the PKK [Yasin Akgul/AFP] According to Tol, Kurdish politicians are expecting Erdogan to make some political concessions to the Kurds through the recently established Turkish Parliamentary Committee. Failure to do so, she warns, could collapse the peace process. How Iraqs Kurdish region factors in the process The exact number of PKK fighters is unknown, but rough estimates suggest there are between 2,000 to 5,000 in the Qandil Mountains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the 1990s, the PKK has reportedly plotted attacks against the Turkish state from these mountains with no real resistance from Iraqi authorities. This dynamic continued after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, which officially brought about an autonomous Kurdish region in the north. Turkiye has on many occasions bombarded PKK positions in the mountains, often relying on jets, artillery and helicopters. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which governs the Kurdish autonomous region, has never interfered in the fighting, noted Nazli Tarzi, an independent analyst on the Middle East and North Africa, with expertise on Iraq Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, she said Iraqs Kurdish parties, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), may now try to exploit the peace process if it succeeds. They could exaggerate their role in the process to attract voters in the upcoming national elections in November, she added. Things always heat up during an election cycle, and they could use the [disarmament] as a point-scoring exercise, Tarzi told Al Jazeera. The other scenario, said Tarzi, would see a resumption of conflict between Turkiye and the PKK in the Qandil Mountains. She added that the KRG has strong commercial and economic ties with Turkiye and will likely remain quiet and in the peripheries if the peace process collapses and conflict resumes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of that, she explained, the KRG cannot assist Turkiye with such a complicated military operation. They dont have the capacity for a scheme of that scale, and it would be quite costly. Also, I dont think Turkiye would want to outsource. They would want to call the shots, she said. The PKKs incentives The PKK has its own reasons to lay down arms and see through the peace process, analysts told Al Jazeera. Salim Cevik, an expert on Turkiye and a non-resident fellow at the Arab Center Washington DC, noted that the group is militarily weak after being driven out of Turkiye in 2016. During that period, the PKK in Turkiye was trying to carve out an autonomous region which would link up with its counterpart, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Kurds from Syria and Turkiye were joining the fight against ISIL (ISIS) with US support, while expanding their control over majority-Kurdish and Arab regions in northern Syria. But since March 10, the YPG has been negotiating its own deal with Syrias new authorities a close ally of Turkiye that came to power after toppling former President Bashar al-Assad in December. Syrias interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, right, shaking hands with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi after signing an agreement to integrate the SDF into state institutions, in Damascus on March 10, 2025 [SANA/AFP] Analysts previously told Al Jazeera that any agreement between Syrias new authorities and the YPG would lead to some limited form of Kurdish autonomy in Syria, but with greater oversight and control from the central government. PKK expectations seem clear that Turkiye will stop trying to undermine Kurdish autonomy in Syria [as part of the peace process], said Cevik. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Tol said Turkiye still worries that PKK fighters could mobilise in Syria if the peace process suddenly collapses, referencing the close ties between the two Kurdish factions. The Turkish government must be thinking that they are going to have thousands of YPG fighters right on their border if this thing doesnt work out, she told Al Jazeera. Splinters and national security Although analysts believe disarmament should go smoothly, some PKK fighters could refuse to disarm if they are unhappy with the process or believe that Ocalan, who has been in Turkiyes custody since 1999, is out of touch, said Ulgen. Turkiye is relying on Ocalan to steer the entire PKK conglomerate whether they will all listen remains an open question, Ulgen told Al Jazeera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their cooperation will hinge on how soon Turkiye will confer fundamental rights on Kurds, he added. Burcu Ozcelik, a security expert on Turkiye and the PKK with the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), believes a splinter is very unlikely. She explained that Ocalan has remained influential in the ideological evolution of the group and that he has retained the loyalty of PKK fighters since he was captured. In addition, she said, Turkiye appears to view the rejuvenated peace process, the disarmament of PKK fighters and their reintegration into civil life as imperative for national security. She referenced Turkiyes historical and increasingly truculent relationship with regional powers such as Iran and Israel. Israel, in particular, appears to view Turkiyes regional influence as a threat to its power and agenda in the region. Turkiye may be concerned, said Burcu, that Israel may therefore attempt to instrumentalise Kurdish armed groups to thwart what they perceive to be Turkiyes influence, regionally. In the aftermath of Assads fall in Syria, Israeli government officials were very vocal of the Kurds being a natural ally to Israel and that Israel should support Kurdish autonomy, she told Al Jazeera. This possibility is incentivising Turkish ministers to reach a deal with the PKK to thwart the possibility of foreign meddling. I think Turkeys assessment is that if it cant conclude the conflict on its own terms, then there will be other actors looking to spoil the strategic dynamic for their own favour, she added. Pneumonic plague killed a resident of northern Arizona, who died in the emergency room at Flagstaff Medical Center. No information on age, gender or other demographics was provided by Coconino County Health and Human Services. The notice said the risk of human-to-human transmission is extraordinarily low, according to the National Institutes of Health. The New York Times reported the recent death is the first from this plague in Coconino County in nearly 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pneumonic plague is a terrible lung infection that, like bubonic plague, is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, which is carried by rodents. Rodents like rats and prairie dogs in the West may carry the bacteria, but human infection is quite rare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said plague is endemic in the Southwest and most cases are in northern Arizona, southern Colorado and New Mexico. The other region with significant plague potential is California, southern Oregon and far western Nevada. Plague infections Pneumonic and bubonic plague are transmitted differently and have different symptoms. Bubonic plague usually comes from a flea bite or being exposed to infected material, which leads to miserable, swollen lymph nodes. The Associated Press reported that the plague can also spread to humans if they touch infected bodily fluids, so health care experts suggest being particularly careful if you must handle dead or sick animals. Pets can also carry the infection. Cats are especially susceptible to plague. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pneumonic plague is even more serious than bubonic. It happens when the bacteria are inhaled into the lungs. It can also result from untreated bubonic plague. Although it killed millions and millions of people in the 1300s, plague in humans is now treatable, but antibiotics have to be administered early in the infection. The CDC reported that 80% of U.S. plague cases have been bubonic. Per the CDC, In recent decades, an average of seven human plague cases have been reported each year (range: 017 cases per year). Plague has occurred in people of all ages (infants up to age 96), though 50% of cases occur in people ages 1245. It occurs in both men and women, though historically is slightly more common among men, probably because of increased outdoor activities that put them at higher risk." About plague and how to avoid it Humans infected with the bacteria can develop symptoms in one to eight days after being exposed. Per the Arizona health officials, symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, weakness and muscle pain. Some individuals may also develop swollen lymph nodes (called buboes), most commonly in the groin, armpits or limbs. The disease can become septicemic (spreading throughout the bloodstream) and/or pneumonic (affecting the lungs) but is curable with proper antibiotic therapy if diagnosed and treated early. The inhaled, pneumonic version is deadliest and easiest to spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arizona health agency offered tips to prevent exposure to plague: COMPANY NEWS: Wavelink, an Infinigate Group company and leader in technology distribution, services, and business development in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), has signed a distribution agreement with Penguin Solutions , a global provider of high-availability computing and edge infrastructure solutions. This partnership expands Penguin Solutions reach into the ANZ market and provides partners with access to its robust portfolio of fault-tolerant computing solutions, designed to enhance operational resilience, uptime, and continuity across a wide range of critical environments, including but not limited to operational technology (OT) settings. Wavelink will distribute Penguin Solutions key offerings, with a particular focus on the Stratus ztC Edge and Stratus ztC Endurance platforms. These high-availability hardware solutions are built for continuous operation in critical environments. Penguin Solutions, which acquired Stratus Technologies in 2023, continues to offer the Stratus brand as a globally recognised and trusted product line known for delivering always-on infrastructure for more than four decades. Wavelink will also offer Stratus everRun, a software-based option suited to deployments where dedicated hardware is not required. All three solutions integrate seamlessly with leading cybersecurity technologies from Fortinet and Claroty, further strengthening Wavelinks comprehensive OT stack. Hayden Thorogood, country manager, Australia and New Zealand, Penguin Solutions, said, Penguin Solutions is excited to partner with Wavelink to expand the reach of our Stratus solutions across ANZ. Wavelinks deep OT expertise and its proven channel capabilities make it an ideal distribution partner. Together, Penguin Solutions and Wavelink are well-positioned to deliver always-on infrastructure that meets the reliability and security demands of modern industrial organisations. Ilan Rubin, chief executive officer, Wavelink, said, Stratus solutions have a strong global reputation for delivering fault-tolerant infrastructure, and Penguin Solutions continued investment in this technology aligns well with Wavelinks OT strategy. This agreement strengthens our cybersecurity and networking portfolio with proven hardware and software, empowering Wavelinks partners across ANZ to deliver more resilient and secure OT environments. The partnership also supports Wavelinks OT Masters initiative, an ongoing program that brings together leading OT vendors to deliver integrated, outcome-driven solutions. Penguin Solutions joins an established portfolio that includes Claroty, Fortinet, Garland Technology, and Swimlane. Collectively, these vendors form a cohesive ecosystem that helps industrial organisations address security, visibility, and infrastructure needs through a single, unified channel. Wavelink will execute this agreement by offering channel enablement services, including pre- and post-sales support, technical training, business development programs, and go-to-market guidance. Partners can capture new opportunities in edge computing and critical infrastructure protection by leveraging Infinigates global backing and Wavelinks deep local knowledge. Ilan Rubin said, This partnership reflects Wavelinks continued investment in OT and commitment to delivering complete, integrated solutions that meet the evolving needs of industrial customers. Adding Penguin Solutions to the OT Masters initiative strengthens the value Wavelink offers to partners supporting critical industries. Its another important step in building the most connected and capable OT ecosystem in the region. About Penguin Solutions The most exciting technological advancements are also the most challenging for companies to adopt. At Penguin Solutions, we support our customers in achieving their ambitions across our computing, memory, and LED lines of business. With our expert skills, experience, and partnerships, we turn our customers most complex challenges into compelling opportunities. For more information, visit https://www.penguinsolutions.com. About Wavelink Wavelink, an Infinigate Group company, is a leading technology distributor in ANZ, specialising in channel services and business development with a strong focus on advanced cybersecurity, mobility, networking, and storage solutions. We empower our channel partners with the support and technical expertise they need to succeed while building strategic channels for our vendor partners. Wavelink stands out in the ANZ distribution market due to our specialised expertise in vertical and operational technology, providing unparalleled depth to our technologies and services. Our deep understanding of customer needs lets us connect vendor technologies with the right partners and end customers. This is reinforced by our comprehensive services portfolio, designed to drive partner success at every opportunity. For more information, visit www.wavelink.com.au. South of Interstate 4 in far eastern Hillsborough County, the rain fell. And it fell. And it fell. From about 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, showers and thunderstorms dumped 9 inches of rain over a pocket of Plant City. The National Weather Service has deemed the rainfall totals a 1-in-1,000-year event, meaning the probability for Plant City to see that much rain in that period of time is just 0.1%, said Stephen Shiveley, a meteorologist for the National Weather Services Tampa Bay office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that area, its very rare to see that much rainfall that quickly, Shiveley said. Mondays showers and thunderstorms stemmed from a low pressure system on Floridas east coast. More rain is expected in Tampa Bay as the system moves west across the state. A flood watch was in effect Tuesday, and some rivers could see minor flooding later this week. Hurricane forecasters said the system could develop further once it reaches the Gulf of Mexico. Heres a breakdown of Mondays weather and what to expect over the next few days. A 1-in-1,000-year rainstorm Around 4:45 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for Plant City. About 45 minutes later, officials issued a flash flood warning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that point they had received 4 to 6 inches, and we were expecting another 1 to 3, Shiveley said. A band of showers and thunderstorms had pushed through Tampa Bay on Monday afternoon. But in Plant City, the line of storms did not budge. Instead, it sat for hours, dropping a deluge of rain. Shiveley said that in about six hours, the area saw nearly a foot of rain. Flooding appeared worst at the south end of Plant City near Coronet. In a series of videos posted to X by tropical weather tracker Mike Gagliardi, about 6 inches of water overtopped both lanes of Trapnell Road at Howell Branch Creek east of Smith Ryals Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other roads appeared impassable due to the flash flooding, which submerged surrounding farmlands, another video taken in Coronet by Gagliardi shows. The weather service had not received reports of injuries or damage as of Tuesday morning. While much of Tampa Bay saw rain Monday, Plant City far outpaced any other area. In Tampa, a rain gauge recorded 1.5 inches for the entire day. In St. Petersburg, less than an inch fell. Shiveley said anticipating extreme rainfall in such a small area is nearly impossible. High-resolution models break down areas into squares as small as about 3 miles wide, he said. Additionally, the rarity of the rainfall a 0.1% probability would make forecasting that much rain almost irresponsible, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According Jeff Berardelli, WFLAs chief meteorologist and climate specialist, extreme rainfall events are becoming more common as the planet warms from human-caused climate change. As the planet warms, the atmosphere can hold more moisture. In Tampa Bay, storms are about 15% wetter than 50 years ago, according to Climate Central, a nonprofit that researches climate change. More rain expected Tuesday The National Hurricane Center is continuing to watch a low pressure system east of Florida. Tuesday morning, forecasters said the system was churning out disorganized showers and thunderstorms. The system was expected to move west over Florida on Tuesday and reach the Gulf of Mexico by Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The system could become a tropical depression while moving over the Gulf and approaching the coast of Louisiana on Thursday. Even if it does develop, it is going to be moving away from us thats the good news for us, Shiveley said. Tuesday morning was generally dry because moisture was being sucked up by the system moving across the state, Shiveley said. But by the afternoon, showers and thunderstorms are likely to return, with rounds of storms through Wednesday. Over the next few days, the weather service is expecting 2 to 4 inches of rain in Tampa Bay with locally higher amounts possible. Much of central Florida, including Tampa Bay, is under a flood watch through the evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weather service warned that creeks and streams may rise out of their banks, and flooding in poor drainage areas is possible. The warning stated that residents should monitor forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Flood warnings are in effect from Wednesday morning to Friday afternoon for the Alafia River and the Little Manatee River, both in Hillsborough County. The rivers are expected to peak at a minor flooding stage on Thursday, and then begin to fall. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that the flash flooding occurred south of Interstate 4 in Plant City. An incorrect location was previously provided by the National Weather Service. Times staff writer Jack Prator contributed to this report. The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Floridas most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by clicking here. What is a journalist? Thats a question that is increasingly being asked in the digital age, as Tucker Carlson interviews world leaders and anyone with a smartphone can take video and share it on social media. Last week, Carlson released on X a half-hour video of a conversation he had with Masoud Pezeshkian, the president of Iran. As when he interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin a year ago, the former Fox News host was accused of platforming Americas adversaries; some have gone so far as to call this traitorous. Others have praised Carlson for being willing to talk with Pezeshkian and Putin, saying that what he is doing is basic journalism that people working at legacy news outlets are unwilling to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Journalism 101 requires covering and talking to the major players in any given conflict, Jack Hunter wrote for the Quincy Institutes Responsible Statecraft. Why wouldnt an American political pundit or stateside journalist of any kind do this?" he asked, citing journalists interviews in the past with Irans leadership and with Putin and Fidel Castro. Carlsons interviews, and those conducted by podcasters like Joe Rogan, are part of what is called the new media, ascendant at a time in which legacy publishers are exploring nontraditional lanes to augment revenue and attention. Consider The New York Times acquisition of Wordle, which prompted one commentator to call the Times a games company with a newspaper side hustle. A recent Semafor podcast explored the question Is journalism bad for The New York Times business? and it wasnt just a quip. Semafor Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith, speaking with The New York Times CEO, Meredith Kopit Levien, said he believes the adversarial, tough journalism of years past has been abandoned by several major news outlets because its seen as bad for business and media owners are trying to find ways to steer away from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Carlsons interview with Pezeshkian cant be defined as adversarial or tough either; one critic pointed out how much tougher he was on Texas Sen. Ted Cruz than he was on the president of Iran. Watch the unbelievable contrast between Tucker Carlson's interview with Sen. Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) vs. the President of Iran. pic.twitter.com/zzDC7nkdUN Nathan Livingstone (MilkBarTV) (@TheMilkBarTV) July 9, 2025 Whether we see Carlsons interviews as platforming or journalism may depend, in part, on how we feel about him. As for what constitutes journalism, even those who have been in the industry for decades say its tricky to define. The line between where journalism stops and becomes another form of media is not a bright line, said Joel Simon, founding director of the Journalism Protection Initiative at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at City University of New York and the author of The New Censorship: Inside the Global Battle for Media Freedom. What Tucker Carlson said about Iran Prior to releasing the interview with Masoud Pezeshkian, Carlson said he knew that it would be controversial, but that he believes Americans have the constitutional right and the God-given right to learn all they can about an issue that affects them and make up their own mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If their country is doing something with their money in their name, they have a right, an absolute right, to know as much about it as they can, and that would include hearing from the people theyre fighting, Carlson said. He added, Can you believe everything you hear from the president of Iran? Probably not. But thats not the point. The point is, you should be able to decide for yourself whether you believe it or not. Detractors complained about softball questions and noted that Carlson was one of the rights loudest critics of military action in Iran. Anticipating the pushback, Carlson acknowledged the limitations of an interview done remotely through a translator and said he kept his questions simple because on some, such as whether Irans nuclear program was disabled by the U.S. bombs, he knew he could not get an honest answer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Again, the purpose of this was not to get to the absolute truth thats impossible in an interview like this the purpose of the interview was to add to the corpus of knowledge from which Americans can derive their own opinion. Learn everything you can and then you decide. Thats the promise of America." Tucker Carlson will get a lot of heat for his interview with the President of Iran, but he is doing what every journalist should have been trying to do for decades. It reminds me of when @TheOliverStone released his interviews with Putin from 2014-2017. At the time, CBS pic.twitter.com/nkz37QYHLM Liam McCollum (@MLiamMcCollum) July 5, 2025 Erik Wemple, media critic for The Washington Post, noted that despite the constraints of the interview, Carlsons interview made news and was covered by The Wall Street Journal, the Guardian, Reuters and the Financial Times, among other publications. Carlsons detractors snickered at him for his interview with Pezeshkian, the Iranian president. Perhaps they missed the American tradition of grilling pariahs, dictators and sworn enemies of the United States, Wemple wrote. Certainly many other examples can be raised, including Sean Penns interview with a drug kingpin. Was that journalism? If not, what is it? What is a journalist? Ben Smith, the former media columnist at The New York Times who co-founded the global news site Semafor, said in an email, The definition has always been contested, and when I was coming up, alternative newspapers, columnists, then bloggers were on the receiving end of questions over whether they were real journalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But before the growth of digital media, the power of distribution basically settled the question: Journalists were people with access to broadcast towers and printing presses, effectively. But as trust in media has declined and new forms of media compete for attention, journalists dont have the power to compel a leader who doesnt want to talk to them to talk to them, Simon said. The power dynamic is different. If you were Fidel Castro, and you sat down with Barbara Walters, everybody was going to watch that. Today, securing a big get interview, whether a world leader or a celebrity, is more complicated, as subjects can choose interviewers they think will be more sympathetic to them, or people that have a specific audience they want to reach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fernanda Camarena, a journalist who once worked for NBC and now teaches at the Poynter Institute, said in an email that depending on the circumstances, an interview of a world leader can be journalism, political theater or propaganda. Are you holding power to account? Are you verifying allegations or information presented to you? Are you challenging falsehoods? Are you adding context so the audience can better understand the nuances of an issue? Or did you stray outside the bounds of a true interview, like, for example, giving the subject your questions or topics in advance to have them approved and prepare the source? said Camarena, who specializes in leadership, ethics and journalistic standards. If someone is simply offering a megaphone, especially to leaders who use disinformation or propaganda, youre not doing journalism, youre just spreading their message, youre more of a PR representative than a journalist, she said. Is any interview off limits? Of course, even if something qualifies as journalism, that doesnt necessarily make it good journalism, Simon pointed out when writing for Columbia Journalism Review in 2016 about Sean Penns interview with Joaquin Guzman Loera, the drug kingpin known as El Chapo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While many journalists found the interview reprehensible, Simon pointed out that Penn, best known as an actor, was on assignment for Rolling Stone and he was there to get information that he intended to disseminate to the public." The final product, however, amounted to an exercise in myth making and read like a celebrity profile, he concluded. Even veteran journalists come under fire for their choice of interview subjects, as when Megyn Kelly, then at NBC, interviewed Alex Jones in 2017. Although she opened the segment saying Jones has spent nearly two decades on the fringe, shouting his conspiracy theories into any microphone he could get in front of, many people were outraged that she would platform him. Simon told me its fair to question whether an interviewer has asked appropriate questions and withstood manipulation by the subject of the interview, but the issue of platforming is a critique of journalism that I dont accept. Over the years, he noted, journalists have interviewed people from Pol Pot to Osama Bin Laden and met criticism for doing so. Smith, at Semafor, said much the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I reject the idea that you shouldnt interview a person for pretty much any reason though I did get accused of platforming Tucker at one point, he wrote. I think you can be better or worse prepared, ask better or worse or more challenging or more sycophantic questions; but theres no doubt that its useful and interesting to hear from Russian and Iranian leaders, and even the places where those interviews went off the rails in particular, Putins long lecture on Russian history (to Carlson) was incredibly revealing. On the Semafor podcast, the CEO of The New York Times said that the job of journalists remains to hold power to account which Smith phrased another way: to ask hard questions of people in positions of authority. I dont really think I have any questions for (Alex) Jones right now, but if I did Id call him up, Smith said. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)- The man charged in a 2013 double-homicide case out of Franklin County and received two 35-year sentences, but only has to serve 14 years on both, totaling a 28-year active sentence. Daniel Duncan, 44, pleaded guilty on Monday to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Ricky Dodson, 54, and Vicky Purdy, 53. All other charges were dropped. Duncan is eligible for parole with lifetime good behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several family members of both Purdy and Dodson spoke before the court as well, asking for justice, but ultimately, the judge stuck to what was in the plea deal. Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Ashley Neese provided a written statement after the sentencing, expressing her satisfaction with the resolution, given how old the case was. The Office of the Commonwealths Attorney for Franklin County is extremely pleased to be able to finally bring justice for the families of Vicky Purdy and Ricky Dodson, whose lives were taken more than eleven years ago, Neese said in the statement. We would like to thank the members of the Franklin County Sheriffs Office, as well as the other agencies involved, for their hard work and dedication throughout the years. Family members in attendance and the defense team declined to speak following the sentencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duncan was scheduled for jury trial in September. He was arrested in October 2024, eleven years after the deaths of Dodson and Purdy. According to investigators with the Franklin County Sheriffs Office, Purdys body was found October 3, 2013, in a burned vehicle in the 200 block of Philpott Road, near the Henry County line. She was reported missing three days prior. Autopsy results determined Purdy died from a gunshot wound to the head. Dodsons remains were discovered on December 5, 2013, in a wooded area along Johnson Hill Road, less than a mile from where Purdys body was found. Investigators said the deaths were related. Purdy and Dodson were apparently in an on-and-off again relationship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duncan is currently being held in the Western Virginia Regional Jail without bond. PREVIOUS ARTICLES: North Carolina man extradited to Virginia faces charges in 11-year-old double homicide Arrest made in 11-year Franklin County double homicide case from 2013, sheriff says Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Jul. 15State Rep. Phil Plummer, R-Butler Twp., has announced he will run for the state Senate seat held by term-limited Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Troy. This means Plummer will face off in the 2026 GOP primary against state Rep. Rodney Creech, R-West Alexandria, to represent the district covering all of Preble and Miami counties and parts of Butler, Montgomery and Darke. Plummer is also term-limited in the House and cannot run for reelection. Creech, serving his third term in the Ohio House, opted for a Senate run instead of running for reelection in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Creech announced his candidacy in early May, shortly after the Dayton Daily News requested comment from him regarding a previously unreported state criminal investigation that concluded with no charges. Plummer spoke to state investigators in 2023 as part of the state probe, saying Creech made "appalling" comments about the sexual imposition allegations against Creech. Creech told this outlet in May that he considered Plummer's cooperation to be politically motivated, though Plummer said he had not yet decided whether to run for Senate or some other office. To state investigators, Plummer said there was a chance he'd run against Creech in 2026, but denied that his involvement in the state's investigation was politically motivated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm not doing this for political motivation. I'll beat him any day of the week," Plummer told state investigators. "He ain't even on my radar." Plummer v. Creech Creech, a farmer, started this year as chair of the House Agriculture Committee, though he was stripped of all his committee assignments by Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, shortly before the Dayton Daily News first reported on the state's criminal investigation. In his candidacy announcement, Creech characterized himself as a "rock solid, America First conservative who will fight to bring our values to Columbus." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Creech also aligned himself with Ohio's leading Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. He vouched for ideas such as eliminating the state income tax, "putting an end to DEI," and creating an Ohio "Department of Government Efficiency," which Ramaswamy helped champion at the federal level. Plummer, a longtime Montgomery County sheriff, aligned himself more directly with President Donald Trump and his supposed mandate to "restore America." Plummer said there was work to do on growing jobs, stabilizing the economy and alleviating property taxes. "I'm running because results and integrity matter," Plummer said. "The citizens of the 5th Senate District deserve no less. Getting results, serving with integrity that's what I have done throughout my career and that is how I will continue to lead in the state Senate." Neither lawmaker, nor any other would-be candidate, have turned in the necessary forms to become an official candidate just yet, according to Montgomery County Board of Elections Director Jeff Rezabek. The filing deadline is 90 days before the May 5, 2026 primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ------ For more stories like this, sign up for our Ohio Politics newsletter. It's free, curated, and delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday evening. Avery Kreemer can be reached at 614-981-1422, on X, via email, or you can drop him a comment/tip with the survey below. Loading... Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski believes that US President Donald Trump's recent statements show he recognises that Russia does not seek peace in Ukraine. Source: Sikorski in a statement after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Tuesday 15 July, as reported by European Pravda, citing the Polish news agency PAP Details: On 14 July, Trump warned that if Russia does not agree to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days, the United States will impose "very severe tariffs" on Moscow and its trading partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Sikorski: "We hope that this 50-day period before the introduction of possible American sanctions is a time to increase pressure on the Russian Federation to make it finally come to its senses." More details: Sikorski welcomed the fact that Trump has reached the same conclusions as the EU countries. Quote: "Namely, that Putin does not want peace. Ukraine agrees to an unconditional ceasefire and the only language Putin understands is the language of pressure." Background: Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, previously described Trumps 50-day ultimatum to Russia as "very long". Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and former Russian president, has dismissed the US presidents threats of sanctions and tariffs as a "theatrical ultimatum" that Moscow ignores. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski has commented on a US-NATO agreement to supply US weapons to Ukraine. Source: Sikorski following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Tuesday, as reported by European Pravda, citing the Polish news agency PAP Details: Sikorski said he had discussed US President Donald Trump's proposal to sell American weapons to Ukraine with his EU counterparts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I asked my fellow ministers who should pay for this equipment European taxpayers or, preferably in my view, the aggressor using frozen assets," he said, referring to the frozen Russian assets held in Europe. Background: On Monday 14 July, Trump announced an agreement between the United States and NATO under which the supply of US weapons to Ukraine will be financed by European allies. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that same day that Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and Canada all want to be part of the initiative. Germany and Sweden have confirmed their readiness to join Trump's scheme. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has welcomed the initiative but said Finland has not yet decided whether to participate. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! GUEST OPINION: Artificial Intelligence Appreciation Day celebrates the way AI has changed our lifes for the better. This year, we speak to AI leaders to analyse what the next wave of innovations have in store for us and its transformative impact on various industries worldwide. Bernard Montel, EMEA Technical Director and Security Strategist, Tenable As we approach AI Appreciation Day, it's clear that artificial intelligence has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, from personalised recommendations and GPS navigation to predictive text and advanced medical diagnostics. In cybersecurity, AI is proving invaluable, analysing vast datasets to distinguish threats and automating repetitive tasks to maintain secure infrastructures. To truly harness the power of AI in our computing environments, organisations must champion AI as a tool for augmentation, not replacement. This means designing systems where AI handles repetitive tasks, freeing humans to focus on complex problem-solving, innovation, and ethical oversight. Prioritising human creativity and judgment is paramount as AI continues to advance. Alongside AI literacy, educational initiatives should emphasise critical thinking and adaptability. However, the rapid advancement of AI also presents multifaceted cybersecurity threats. We're seeing everything from sophisticated AI-generated deepfakes designed to trick employees into making fraudulent bank transfers, to simplistic AI-generated malware leveraging known flaws through phishing attacks. The most effective approach to defending against and mitigating these threats mirrors current cyber defence strategies: preemptive exposure management to address vulnerabilities before they're exploited, and robust employee education on suspicious requests, no matter how compelling they may seem. Call to Action for Organisations: On AI Appreciation Day and beyond, we urge organisations to take a proactive stance: Invest in AI for Augmentation: Prioritise AI implementations that enhance human capabilities, empowering your workforce to focus on high-value, creative, and strategic tasks. Strengthen Cyber Defences: Implement robust exposure management strategies and ongoing cybersecurity training to protect against AI-driven threats. Champion Ethical AI Development: Foster a culture that prioritises the ethical implications of AI, ensuring its responsible and secure deployment. By embracing these principles, we can unlock AI's full potential while safeguarding our digital future. Daniel Hein, Field CTO, Informatica Asia Pacific & Japan On AI Appreciation Day, we recognise AIs transformative impact, particularly in APAC, where the transformative potential of Generative AI is becoming increasingly evident as the region surpasses its global counterparts in implementing GenAI into their business practices. AI goes beyond just a tool its a vital resource. It supports smarter adaptation measures, accelerates resilience planning, and fosters inclusive innovation that transcends industries and national boundaries. From advancing complex automation with Agentic AI to harnessing the power of Generative AI for breaking down knowledge barriers, we are experiencing a new era of innovation. Particularly, Agentic AI drives optimised decision-making in sectors like energy and finance, while Generative AI democratises problem-solving by empowering non-technical users. Continuous retraining, reskilling, and upskillingwith a focus on AI literacyhave become essential across all roles, from entry-level positions to senior leadership. While the above holds true, AIs effectiveness will hinge on a robust data foundation that enables advanced analytics and reliable model performance. Investing in strong data infrastructure and continuous upskilling is critical to fully harness AIs capabilities and future-proof organisations Daniel Hein, Field CTO, Informatica Asia Pacific & Japan. Philippe Deblois, VP, Global Solutions Engineering, Dynatrace AI is already reshaping how businesses operate by freeing up teams, reducing complexity, and creating space for innovation. But the real opportunity lies in using AI not just to automate tasks, but to build resilience and deliver lasting business value. That is where many organisations struggle. Gartner predicts that over 40% of agentic AI initiatives will be cancelled by the end of 2027. That stat is not about technology limitations; it is about a misalignment between ambition and execution. In my role, I work closely with global customers, and the most successful ones treat AI as a strategic enabler, not just a tool. They start with a sturdy foundation built upon trusted data, defined by clear goals, and are commitment to measurable outcomes. Then they focus on applying Agentic AI to solve specific, high-impact problems. Agentic AI has enormous potential to autonomously optimise systems, reduce operational burden, and accelerate innovation. But to get there, organisations need to start with purpose, not just pressure. The AI projects that succeed will be the ones built on trust, transparency, and a sharp focus on business value. Helen Masters, Managing Director, APJ at Smartsheet "As we mark AI Appreciation Day, it's clear we've moved beyond the novelty stage. Today's conversation focuses on how effectively we can integrate AI into our everyday lives. Across Australia, businesses are rapidly adopting AI not as a standalone solution, but as a strategic enabler, one that alleviates the burden of repetitive tasks and empowers people to focus on high-value, impactful work. The result? A measurable lift in productivity, with teams working smarter and achieving more in less time. At Smartsheet, we're witnessing this transformation unfold in real time. By embedding AI directly into our platform, we help teams surface insights faster, streamline operations, and make more informed decisions. However, realising AI's full potential depends not only on functionality but also on its intuitiveness, transparency, and ease of adoption. As AI evolves to become more agentic and autonomous, it's imperative for leaders to ensure its application is guided by purpose, transparency, and humanity. The future of AI won't be defined solely by its advancements but by the wisdom with which we choose to utilise it." Andrew Kay, Director Systems Engineering, APJ - Illumio AI Appreciation Day is the perfect time to reflect on the impact of AI on the businesses we all rely on. When it comes to cybersecurity there are big gains, but drawbacks too. On one hand, AI is increasingly being used by threat actors to ramp up their attacks. Todays threats are not only becoming more sophisticated theyre also becoming more accessible, allowing even novice cybercriminals to carry out highly effective attacks. AI threats arent just a talking point for cyber experts theyre real and impact everyday workers. A finance worker at a multinational Hong Kong bank, for example, transferred $25 million after attackers used a Zoom deepfake scam to pose as the companys chief financial officer. On the flip side - AI is enhancing cybersecurity technologies in new and exciting ways too. AI cloud detection and response (CDR), for example, is a new tool that identifies lateral movement risks, detects attacks, and contains breaches instantly all at cloud scale. AI is powering security graphs so organisations can visualise risk and get an unparalleled view of their hybrid cloud attack surface. This kind of visualisation and observability is incredibly important for organisations to identify unusual patterns and behaviours of attackers that otherwise largely go undetected. With AI-powered attackers constantly scanning for gaps and adapting their techniques to evade defences they discover, prevention isnt enough. Organisations need to meet fire with fire. They need containment, with AI-driven context and visibility, to block lateral movement and limit the blast radius when something breaks through. Laura Ellis, VP of Data & AI at Rapid7 "AI has completely changed how businesses operate. It streamlines processes and helps teams make smarter decisions, leading to better outcomes for customers. However, it is important that every day, not just on AI Appreciation Day, we honour the people who tirelessly dedicated their time, knowledge, and drive to building and leveraging these technologies. Their work not only ensures that AI is a tool for efficiency, but also a force that can make the world a better place. It is now our responsibility to use this technology with intention, keeping it human-centric, transparent, and ethical, so it can continue to drive meaningful impact." George Moawad, Country Manager Oceania, Genetec AI continues to attract interest, with the Genetec 2025 State of Physical Security Report finding 42% of security decision-makers expressing a keen interest in AI-driven solutions. However, concerns about privacy, ethics, and data bias remain pivotal. Businesses now are increasingly focusing on responsible AI adoption, emphasising transparency, governance, and adherence to ethical standards. Today, theres a dual focus on AI's potential for operational efficiency and the need for stringent governance protocols. For example, AI-powered analytics are enhancing situational awareness and reducing response times, however organisations demand assurances that such tools respect privacy and comply with regulatory frameworks. AIs role in security extends beyond analytics. Predictive modelling, for example, enables systems to anticipate and prevent potential threats before they materialise. However, AI Appreciation Day is a good opportunity for Australian enterprises to be advised that this capability also raises concerns about over-surveillance and potential misuse. As a result, companies should establish AI oversight committees and protocols to address these challenges proactively. David Lloyd, Chief AI Officer, Dayforce Now is the time for HR to lead in driving AI adoption and change management by taking a key strategic role at the executive table. HR stands at a pivotal moment to redefine its role as a leader in business transformation. With AI reshaping how businesses operate and succeed, HR has the opportunity to spearhead strategies that build an adaptable workforce ready to harness these powerful capabilities. Beyond workforce readiness, HR can become the driving force behind ethical and trustworthy AI adoption, shaping how organisations align technology with values. This is HRs renewed opportunity to lead the AI transformation strategynot just support itand solidify their role as a catalyst for innovation and change. The growing interest in agentic AI is bringing new opportunities for HR teams. Traditionally, HR has used AI mainly for tasks like answering questions and summarising information. However, with AI agents now integrated into Human Capital Management platforms, AI can automate processes, proactively anticipate scenarios, and handle complex, high-volume tasks. Unlike basic AI assistants that respond to questions, AI agents can ask follow-up questions to better understand tasks. This advancement will improve efficiency for HR professionals, allowing them to focus on strategic planning, change management, and enhancing employee engagement. Justin Hurst Chief Technology Officer APAC at Extreme Networks Across Australia, organisations are evaluating how much and how quickly they should lean into AI. Ignoring the trend is not an option, but jumping in without a plan is not viable either. Over the next year, businesses will need to set realistic, outcome-based goals for how AI-powered solutions and platforms will be deployed. At the same time, IT leaders need to think beyond isolated tools and take a more holistic view, taking a strategic approach that combines talent development, infrastructure modernisation, and cultural transformation. For example, training in areas such as data literacy, AI systems, and network automation should be treated as a strategic priority, not an afterthought. It is also worth remembering that AI is not just about squeezing out more efficiency. When implemented thoughtfully, it can create a feedback loop for continuous improvement. But this only works in environments where teams have the freedom to experiment, iterate, and occasionally fail without penalty. The future of network engineering is not about replacing people with AI, but about enabling them to work smarter and more strategically. Enterprises that embrace this shift will be well-positioned to achieve greater agility, sharper competitive advantages, and faster innovation in an AI-driven world. Simon Wistow, Co Founder, Fastly With Australias largest publicly listed companies now required to report on greenhouse emissions to the ASX, increasingly businesses may look to their IT departments to ensure that their consumption of AI is sustainable. To tackle the AI energy problem, we need to admit it does have a real environmental cost. Gen AI isnt just some magical cloud outputting poetry and code, its millions of GPUs crunching vectors and consuming serious power, and most people dont even realise how much. Indeed, AI efficiency can be engineered at many layers, from the model architecture to the infrastructure beneath it. Organisations, for example, can work on research to make it so that large language models are more efficient to run. If they're based on integers rather than floating point that should help reduce energy usage. Another opportunity to achieve more sustainability would be the use of shared or standardised models that companies or public sector agencies could collaborate on, so were not all reinventing the wheel. This could involve reducing work between models or having a standard common model funded by a consortium of companies or governments or science institutions. Innovation and sustainability arent mutually exclusive, but right now were very much leaning towards camp innovation and experimentation, no matter the cost. But there will come a point of diminishing returns. Training these models is incredibly expensive, so the industry will naturally shift toward optimisation, and companies focus on smaller, more efficient models instead of giant, general-purpose ones. Survey data backs this up. Fastlys 2025 AI Energy Pulse Check found that almost 45% of global respondents say they would prioritise energy-efficient models if the cost of AI use was linked to energy consumption. Some companies are also beginning to factor energy use into infrastructure decisions when choosing between edge and cloud deployments. Ultimately, we need transparency in the industry so that collectively we can all work harder together to reduce the energy cost of training models and perform techniques like semantic caching to make querying much more efficient. The aim is not to duplicate work but to share effort and work on research so that LLMs are more efficient to run and we can reuse work between models. We all need to start thinking about AI and the internet as something physical because it is. It uses real resources, generates emissions, and has real-world consequences. Its time for companies, developers and policymakers to take responsibility. That means optimising infrastructure, pushing for stronger regulation, and holding ourselves accountable. Because lets face it: keeping this planet healthy is a lot easier than trying to terraform a new one. Matthew Hardman, APAC Chief Technology Officer, Hitachi Vantara The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that AI could contribute $19.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030, reshaping international trade dynamics and transforming the way we work. At the same time, company boards are increasingly prioritising the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and setting higher expectations for its governance and implementation. However, the recent Hitachi Vantara State of Data Infrastructure Survey data also reinforced the critical role that data infrastructure and data management can play in terms of overall data quality and the ability to drive positive AI outcomes. It found that good project management and governance was the most common reason provided for why AI projects were successful in Australia, with 43% of Australian respondents in agreement. At the same time, 35% of respondents cited the use of high-quality data as critical for AI project success. Indeed, AI relies on high-quality, comprehensive data to deliver accurate results. Poor data can compromise its effectiveness while implementing AI within hybrid or outdated infrastructure can be resource-intensive and complicated, requiring careful planning and execution. By addressing these challenges and taking notice of boards and regulators demanding an enterprise-wide framework to oversee AI models, spanning their development, deployment, and ongoing management, todays businesses can unlock AIs transformative potential to strengthen their resilience enhance compliance, and enable more efficient operations. Patrick Harding, Chief Product Architect, Ping Identity AI Appreciation Day is a timely reminder of the incredible promise and growing complexity that AI brings to our digital world. From deepfakes to autonomous agents, AI has transformed the landscape of identity-based cyber threats, making it increasingly difficult to verify who, or what, is behind a digital interaction. Without the right safeguards, these technologies risk eroding the trust that underpins everything from financial services to healthcare. Yet AI is also a powerful tool for defence. When deployed responsibly, it can enhance real-time risk detection, behavioural analysis, and adaptive authentication, helping organizations prevent fraud while improving the user experience. As AI continues to evolve and agents become more autonomous, now is the time for organisations to rethink identity models, ensure secure delegation, and prepare systems to recognize and authenticate not just people, but the intelligent processes acting on their behalf. Building and maintaining trust in every digital interaction is more essential than ever, and organisations must ensure their identity strategies evolve in lockstep with the technology driving todays transformation. Shaun Leisegang, General Manager Automation, Data and AI, Tecala Each year, AI Appreciation Day invites us to pause and reflect, not just on how far artificial intelligence has come, but on what its actually for. Its a timely reminder that the real power of AI lies in what it enables people to do. AI is not a replacement for human potential, but rather a partner in unlocking it. Its not about machines taking over, its about people stepping up. As organisations increasingly adopt AI across their operations, the conversation is shifting from efficiency to empowerment. The best applications of AI arent those that eliminate roles, but those that eliminate friction - freeing people to do more meaningful, creative, and strategic work. The future of work isnt just about automation - its about meaningful augmentation. Rather than replacing people, AI agents are creating the conditions for people to focus on what humans do best: creativity, strategy, and complex problem-solving. AI Agents embodies such approach. These prebuilt agents are designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday workflows - handling tasks like expense claims, leave approvals, and email triage. Delivered through a flexible Automation-as-a-Service model, they help businesses move beyond pilots and proofs-of-concept, embedding automation where it matters most. On AI Appreciation Day, its worth remembering that the value of AI isnt in the code - its in what it unlocks for people. The real opportunity lies in redesigning work so that human talent is no longer wasted on low-value tasks. Les Williamson, Regional Director ANZ Check Point Software Technologies The boom in AI, including generative, investments within heavily regulated industries including financial institutions has unlocked immense opportunities for innovation, but it has also introduced new risk surfaces, particularly concerning data security, risk scoring, auditing, and regulatory compliance. Cybercriminals are quickly adapting, exploiting vulnerabilities in AI-driven processes. These include attacks such as data poisoning, manipulation of machine learning models, or the use of AI to conduct highly sophisticated cyberattacks. Furthermore, integrating AI tools into hybrid architectures can lead to inconsistencies in security protocols if not carefully governed. A well-governed AI can revolutionise cyber security, streamline auditing processes, and ensure regulatory compliance across industries. This is all important in the light of a recent Check Point AI Security Report which found that AI services are used in at least 51% of enterprise networks every month. In addition, the report shows that 1 in every 80 prompts (1.25%) sent to GenAI services from enterprise devices was found to have a high risk of sensitive data leakage, and an additional 7.5% of prompts (1 in 13) contained potentially sensitive information. Here at Check Point, weve been using AI in our solutions for the last decade way before it became popular with our ThreatCloud AI acting as the central nervous system for our security solutions keeping organisations both secure and productive without unnecessary disruptions. Effectively communicating complex AI risks to business leaders and boards is essential. IT and cyber security risks, including those associated with AI, are no longer optional considerationsthey are strategic imperatives. By analysing risks from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives, business leaders can better understand and weigh security risks against financial benchmarks. This approach helps justify security investments based on clear financial principles. At the same time, adopting a proactive, preventive approach is critical for building trustworthy AI systems and avoiding costly retrofits or compliance failures down the line. Many AI risk frameworks emphasise embedding security and privacy measures "by design" during the AI development lifecycle. By addressing foreseeable privacy and ethical concerns early in the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and implementing robust protective mechanisms, organisations can prevent unauthorised access and misuse of data and models from the outset. Taking these steps allows businesses to manage AI risks effectively while fostering innovation and trust. Pieter Danhieux, CEO and Co-Founder, Secure Code Warrior The past three years have seen some remarkable progress in the AI space, with unprecedented implementation of the technology across multiple sectors. Developments in agentic AI tools represent a new frontier for productivity and automation, but the real magic lies in how skilled humans utilize them to reach new heights in their roles. By freeing up repetitive tasks in well-tested, secure environments, everyone from software engineers to academic researchers can use their precious time more effectively to innovate and create. With that in mind, it is imperative we continue to place value in human expertise, experience and critical thinking, especially when it comes to secure navigation and implementation of these tools. Hallucinations and AI-borne vulnerabilities remain a chief concern, and it's AI-savvy humans applying their knowledge that will unlock the productivity gains many promise, with the safety and nuance required to truly move the needle. Gareth Cox, Vice President Sales, APJ, Exabeam As AI technologies continue to evolve, security teams must approach AI-specific risks with a multifaceted approach. The risks associated with overreliance on AI can be addressed through the following security tactics and methods: A strategy of knowledge management: To maximise the effectiveness of AI while minimising risks, businesses should focus on knowledge management strategies that customise AI systems to their specific problem domains. This can be achieved by employing Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to integrate domain-specific knowledge bases or by fine-tuning models to align with organisational needs. UEBA Detection: User entity and behaviour analytics (UEBA) can identity a legitimate user account exhibiting anomalous behaviour by using behavioural profiling and analysis to provide insights. It can also view multiple systems as a whole and identify the anomalous activity as it moves laterally across the network. Overall, it improves the speed of threat detection and response, making cybersecurity more effective and efficient in a rapidly evolving threat landscape. 24/7 monitoring: To detect and respond to threats as they happen, security teams should prioritise continuous, real-time monitoring. Additionally, employing bias detection and mitigation techniques can ensure fairness and reliability in AI results. Staff training: Awareness of the limitations and best practices for AI use is crucial. This includes training users to cross-verify AI outputs while remaining sceptical of overly confident responses. By utilising a cautious and innovative security plan, businesses can maximise the potential of automated technology without jeopardising sensitive information or negatively impacting business operations. Ezzeldin Hussein, Senior Director, Solutions Engineering, SentinelOne On this World AI Appreciation Day, we pause to reflectnot just on how far weve come, but on the limitless future ahead. A decade ago, artificial intelligence was largely experimental, often misunderstood, and cautiously adopted. Today, it shapes our everyday livesfrom personalised healthcare and smarter cities to securing cyberspace and decoding complex global challenges. What once seemed like science fiction is now the pulse of progress. AI no longer just analyses data; it reasons, predicts, and adapts. It collaborates with humans, augments our creativity, and even safeguards our digital and physical environments. In cybersecurity, for instance, AI has shifted the balanceempowering defenders with predictive insights and autonomous threat response. Yet this is only the beginning. The next frontier lies in ethical, responsible AIwhere transparency, fairness, and human oversight are embedded into every algorithm. We are stepping into an era where AI becomes not just a tool, but a trusted partner. As we appreciate what AI has already enabled, lets also imagine what it can doif guided by human values, inclusive design, and bold innovation. The future is not about AI replacing us, but AI elevating us. Audrey William, Founder and Principal Analyst, CrayonIQ What we are starting to see with Voice AI is just the beginning and will surpass what we have witnessed with Conversational AI and IVR systems. Having a system that can talk to you as you self-serve and give you the right answers, suggestions, and also think about how to solve the problem is starting to take off with actual deployments. Customers today are looking for change and wont want to be transported back to the old age of ineffective chatbots and IVRs. These have been time consuming and have often not allowed customers to proceed with what they are actually after. For a Voice AI solution to be truly conversational there has to be significant allowance for the AI to understand at what point should the AI just jump in when the customer has finished speaking. Understanding the pauses, the silences, turn detection, agentic features and others are small nuances that are important when buyers are looking to invest in a solution. Truly understand which vendors can do this effectively or are they just offering a basic Voice AI solution. Todd Gorsuch, CEO, Customer Science Group AI Appreciation Day is a great time to reflect on how AI is changing our world for the better. Indeed, businesses should look beyond the hype and focus on the benefits of AI and ensure that innovation progresses rapidly yet responsibly. Here are six AI wins for enterprises: Better services for us all Those horrific transfers in contact centres where youre asked to repeat the reason for your call, provide your identity again and then spend over an hour on a call to answer simple questions - AI will be our champion to put these days behind us. Those challenging issues staff face pushing processes and being compliant can now be released to accelerate ideas and solve problems faster to help customers. By adopting AI, team members can be recognised for success, rather than having to apologies for policies. Managers drudgery through spreadsheets and justifications can be peeled away by using AI allowing for real time insights and immediate action that showcases their talents, making workplace conversations one of optimism. Better business What takes days empowering business with a vision and innovation will now be assisted with AI to ensure that solutions get to market faster. Transformational services are driving real competitive advantage to first movers in AI. Your brand can now deliver its message clearer with the use of personalised experts able to review every transaction and input and the appointment of writing experts to drive AI chatbot eloquence and be purpose driven to deliver upon your business objectives Better for me Side kick AI services have grown to bring my ideas to life faster and be far more robust. It doesnt mean I dont use experts. In fact, I use them more. It just means I can progress a conversation faster and be rewarded with a valuable outcome from everyone we work with. Theres no doubt that, smartly implemented, AI-powered programs and platforms can enable businesses to achieve all of these ends. Ultimately, however, adopting a proactive, preventive approach is critical for building trustworthy AI systems and avoiding costly retrofits or compliance failures down the line. Rob Newell, Group Vice President Solutions Consulting, Asia Pacific & Japan, New Relic On AI Appreciation Day, it is important to celebrate the significant progress made in recent years but also recognise that the AI race is far from over. APACs emerging leadership in AI adoption and investment means that AI is weaving its way into our everyday lives and systems. Organisations are using large language models (LLMs) and generative AI (genAI) to optimise operations, and AI agents promise to reshape our most common digital experiences. The value that organisations receive by augmenting human capabilities with AI are clear: theres significant cost and productivity efficiencies that help businesses unlock new frontiers of innovation. For organisations to integrate these AI tools and realise their potential, they will have to fundamentally rethink their technology architectures. Regardless of the size, all companies are facing the same harsh reality: AI tools are expensive to use, and the costs of building new AI-backed technologies are unpredictable. Organisations that win in our inevitable AI-enabled future wont necessarily be the ones with the best ideas; instead, the winners will be those that have figured out how to effectively balance cost, value, and performance. Despite the rapid evolution of generative AI technology, the fundamental questions underpinning the cost of AI are simple: How often do companies query an LLM and how much do those queries cost? By controlling these queries effectively and getting the most out of every call by adopting AI-supportive techniques such as retrieval augmented generation (RAG) and agent frameworks, companies can more reliably predict and lower their AI expenses. Historically, observability has offered organisations the ability to detect and respond to anomalies in their systems and optimise performance. But with AI driving a revolution in processes and architectures, observability needs to evolve to keep pace and continue providing users with a window into their own systems and processes. Organisations need intelligent observability to rise and meet the challenge brought by AI. This next phase of observability will be preventive, self-healing, and autonomous, so that it can surface the right insights to the right person at the right time. AI monitoring tools give companies end-to-end visibility into their AI-integrated workflows, but more importantly real-time insight to troubleshoot, compare, and optimise approaches to using LLMs to improve their features or offer brand new experiences. This allows companies to adjust when necessary to manage costs, improve performance, and reduce common issues that can cause costly hiccups. In the long term, AI will truly become ubiquitous when we can reliably achieve the right balance between cost, performance, quality, value, and reliability. Companies developing AI features need to identify the right use cases to get the most out of those LLMs while still delivering value and innovation to their customers. Observability helps companies maintain reliability, quality, and efficiency throughout all components of the AI technology stack, alongside services and infrastructure, so that they have the data they need to make decisions that limit expenses, maximise ROI, and accelerate business outcomes. POND CREEK, Okla. (KFOR) The Postal operations at the Pond Creek Post Office have been suspended temporarily. The Postal Service says the building has sustained damage, making it an unsafe working environment. All operations, including the P.O. Box service, have been moved to an alternative location: Medford Post Office 115 W. Cherokee St. Medford, OK 73759 The Postal Service apologizes for the inconvenience, but the safety and well-being of postal employees and customers are important to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. As much of world celebrated the 80th anniversary of V-E Day on May 8, white smoke emanated from the Sistine Chapel, marking another momentous occasion: The Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the 267th pope becoming the first American to fill the role. It was not the first time a member of the Prevost family was part of history in the making. Among those men who gave us entrance into Europe in 1944 was Louis M. Prevost, Pope Leo XIVs father. At 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 140 pounds, the diminutive 23-year-old was serving aboard LST-286, tasked with landing the 5th Special Engineer Brigade and the 16th Infantry of the 1st Infantry Division at Omaha Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Men and equipment were flowing from England in such a gigantic stream that it made the waste on the beachhead seem like nothing at all, really nothing at all, famed war correspondent Ernie Pyle would later write about the Omaha beachhead in Brave Men," his account of soldiers who fought in World War II. But there was another and more human litter, he continued. It extended in a thin little line, just like a high-water mark, for miles along the beach. This was the strewn personal gear, gear that would never be needed again by those who fought and died to give us our entrance into Europe. The 48-star American flag flown by LST-286 during the D-Day invasion. (Heritage Auctions) LST-286 was among the hundreds of Landing Ship, Tanks that helped to deliver such men and materiel to the shores of Omaha Beach. LST-286 would make several hazardous journeys through the Channel waters throughout the morning and afternoon of June 6, 1944, and helped transport over 850 wounded back to England by days end. According to Prevosts commanding officer, the sailor handled his duties very satisfactorily on the day of the landings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Born on July 28, 1920, the Chicago-native attended Central YMCA College, where he studied political science before applying in 1942 to join the U.S. Navys V-7 accelerated training program. The program would allow Louis Prevost to enter the Navy as an officer upon his graduation the following year. One of his letters of recommendation for the program from his pastor at St. Thomas Apostle Church in Chicago called Prevost a good Catholic and a young man of good character and steady habits. The father of the future pope received his commission as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on Nov. 24, 1943, and was ordered to report for duty aboard LST-286. A little over a month later, Prevost left the port of New Orleans, bound for Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the hard-earned success of D-Day, LST-286 pivoted to take part in the landing in the south of France in August 1944. Operation Dragoon (or Anvil) put ashore two allied armies the 7th U.S. and French Army B (later redesignated as the 1st French Army). The two armies eventually comprised the 6th U.S. Army Group under General Jacob L. Devers. During Dragoon, the Allies managed to seize the port of Toulon and the critical port of Marseille. Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Andrew Medichini/AP) According to military historian Rob Citino, Dragoon resulted in far more pressure being put on the Germans than could have been applied by the Overlord landing alone fewer people want to read about a battle that was more about logistics than heroism. But an absence of blood doesnt mean it was any less important. The port of Marseille account[ed] for 25% of all Allied tonnage shipped into the European theater it is also a number that represents a logistical triumph of the first magnitude, in a war where supply was the principal limiting factor on Allied operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A May 13, 1945, Chicago Herald article reported that Prevost had been promoted to command LCI(L)-188, a Landing Craft Infantry (Large) vessel operating in the Mediterranean Theater that had previously saw action during the June 1944 invasion of Elba. Postwar, Prevost remained an officer in the Naval Reserve until 1956. He continued to serve his community as an educator, working as a longtime public-school administrator. Prevost died on Nov. 8, 1997. Danone U.S., the maker of YoCrunch, is recalling the yogurt product due to the potential presence of plastic pieces in the packaging's dome topper, according to federal health officials. In an alert, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the plastic pieces, which were discovered after reported consumer complaints, could potentially cause a choking response if eaten. "The plastic pieces are transparent, may have sharp edges, and could present a risk to consumers because some pieces are between 7 and 25 mm in length," the FDA noted. "The issue is isolated only to the separately packaged topper and does not impact the separately packaged yogurt." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This recall applies to all flavors and sizes of YoCrunch products currently in market at retail stores nationwide, including those with toppers containing granola, cookie dough, Oreo, M&M, Snickers and Twix pieces. A full list of impacted product names and code dates is on the FDA's website. "The company is working swiftly with retail partners to remove the impacted product from shelves," the FDA said. For information on refunds, consumers can contact the YoCrunch consumer care line at 1-877-344-4886. Son of man who was violently detained by ICE reacts after release Mike Johnson breaks from Trump, calls on DOJ to release Epstein files Details on Israeli strikes against Syria DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A Dothan man who police claim sodomized and killed his ex-girlfriends teen daughter could be put to death if he is found guilty during his eventual trial. District Attorney Russ Goodman revealed to WDHN that prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Minh Thanh Nguyen. Nguyen was arrested just days before Christmas 2023 and charged with the murder of 17-year-old Duong Thi Thuy Troung. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troung was found by her mother and sister earlier that month, lying face up on her bed in her Hartford Highway home, severely injured. She died after being rushed to a Dothan hospital. According to an autopsy report, Truong had been strangled and sodomized by a two-foot-long yoga pole. The report shows she also had bruising on her throat, arms, and face. Dothan Police investigators said Nguyen and Truongs mother had previously been in a relationship and lived in Mississippi before moving to Dothan. The couple later broke up, allegedly because Truong and her two sisters disliked Nguyen. Dothan Police claim that on the day of the murder, Nguyen was seen on camera leaving M3 Nails in Dothan, his place of work, and was seen walking towards Truongs home in the 100 block of Sedona Lane. The house is less than 600 feet from the salon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late 2024, Nguyen pleaded not guilty to his charges, claiming he had a mental disease or defect. A trial date has not been set. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. Nearly 50 cities in Florida will host events protesting the Trump administration under the name Good Trouble Lives On." The nation's fourth wide-scale protest of the year was announced by a coalition of the organizations behind the No Kings protests in June, according to USA TODAY. "The civil rights leaders of the past have shown us the power of collective action. Thats why on July 17, five years since the passing of Congressman John Lewis, communities across the country will take to the streets, courthouses, and community spaces to carry forward his fight for justice, voting rights, and dignity for all," the website states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since President Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, there have been monthly nationwide protests since April. Here's all you need to know about "Good Trouble" protest locations in Florida. What are the 'Good Trouble' protests? When are the protests? Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of action in response to what organizers say are attacks on civil and human rights by the Trump administration. We are facing the most brazen rollback of civil rights in generations, a graphic on the Good Trouble Lives On website says. Whether youre outraged by attacks on voting rights, the gutting of essential services, disappearances of our neighbors, or the assault on free speech and our right to protest this movement is for you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The "Good Trouble" protests will take place on Thursday, July 17, 2025. This is the same day that Rep. John Lewis died five years ago in 2020. He was a major leader in the 1960s civil rights movement he was an original Freedom Rider and an organizer of the March on Washington in 1963. "Coined by civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis, 'Good Trouble' is the action of coming together to take peaceful, non-violent action to challenge injustice and create meaningful change," the website states. The website notes that it expects all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with its values and to act lawfully at these events. They advise that weapons should not be brought to the protest. Anti-Trump protests near me; see FL 'Good Trouble' protests by city list According to the Good Trouble website, 49 protests (including multiple in the same city) are planned across Florida as of Tuesday, July 15: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See photos of June 'No Kings' protest in Florida What to know before attending any protests in Florida Human Rights Campaign has tips for those participating in a peaceful protest to help ensure their safety and well-being: Properly prepare: Dress for the weather, pack the necessary supplies (cash, water, extra battery, etc), have at least one emergency contact, and plan to share your status throughout the protest. Know the environment: Research the location beforehand and have an offline-accessible map to reference if the service is spotty. Have multiple routes into and out of the protest area. Stay Aware: Maintain 360 situational awareness always know what is happening around you. If you see something, say something. Observe, Orient, Decide, Act : The OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) is a helpful framework to stay calm and make decisions during high-stress situations: Observe: Identify the source of danger and your surroundings Orient: Determine where you are and where you need to go Decide: Choose a course of action that minimizes risk Act: Implement your decision and stay aware of changes in the environment This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 'Good Trouble' in Florida: Nearly 50 protests across state on July 17 SPRINGFIELD Residents have an opportunity to learn more about a major interstate improvement project during a public meeting hosted by the Missouri Department of Transportation tonight. Tuesdays meeting is open to the public and will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Crossway Baptist Church, located at 2900 N Barnes Avenue in Springfield. The event is informal and come-and-go in style, with no formal presentation planned. Attendees can speak directly with MoDOT staff, ask questions, and review preliminary project materials. The meeting will provide an overview of the Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvements Project, which spans from Newton County to Laclede County and includes work in Greene County. The $472 million project aims to enhance several sections of I-44 through a design-build approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because a contractor has not yet been selected, final designs and plans are not currently available. More meetings will be scheduled once design proposals are developed. MoDOT expects to award the contract in spring or summer of 2026, with construction anticipated to begin that fall and wrap up by late 2031. Those who cannot attend tonights meeting can access project information and exhibits online at www.modot.org/southwest. MoDOTs Southwest District Communications office can be reached at 417-895-7600. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Children walk through Carter Traditional Elementary School in Louisville, Ky. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images) Across the country, public school enrollment has failed to rebound to pre-pandemic levels and data suggests the decline is far from over. According to projections from the National Center for Education Statistics, public K-12 enrollment peaked at 50.8 million students in autumn 2019, but is expected to fall by nearly 4 million students to 46.9 million by 2031, a 7.6% nationwide drop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The steepest enrollment losses are in elementary and middle grades, with districts in the Northeast, West and Rust Belt most affected. When public school enrollment fell by 3% in 2020, it was the largest single-year decline since World War II. The NCES 2024 December report, which accounts for fall 2023 data, found that 18 states saw public school enrollment declines of more than 4%. Ten states California, Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and West Virginia declined more than 5%. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A new study from Boston University found that high-income districts and middle schools in Massachusetts were especially vulnerable, with middle grade enrollment in fall of 2024 down almost 8% and the most significant losses concentrated among white and Asian students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public school enrollment in Massachusetts was down 2% from pre-pandemic trends for the fall 2024 school year, while private school enrollment rose 14% and homeschooling surged 45%. Long-term demographic shifts such as falling birth rates, domestic migration and a post-COVID shift toward school choice are also a factor in public school enrollment declines. Parents increasingly opt for private, charter or homeschooling models options that expanded rapidly during and after the pandemic. A February Gallup poll showed that dissatisfaction with the U.S. public education system is rising, with the percentage of adults who report feeling satisfied about public education falling from 37% to 24% between 2017 and 2025. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools reported a net gain of 400,000 students over five years, offsetting some of the 1.8 million student losses from traditional districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public school funding, often tied to enrollment, is also shrinking. According to the Reason Foundation, 98 public schools closed in 2023-24 across 15 states, with significant losses in California, Colorado, Florida and New York. Districts are facing tough decisions around school consolidations, staffing and infrastructure. ProPublica reported that shrinking enrollment left roughly 150 Chicago schools operating at half-capacity this past school year, with another 47 at one-third capacity. However, some researchers offer a more nuanced view. A Kennesaw State University researcher notes that declining enrollment can lead to higher per-student funding. Since districts often retain funding for students whove left, those resources can be reallocated to support remaining students, improving staff compensation and access to teachers and other support services. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Children walk through Carter Traditional Elementary School in Louisville, Ky. According to projections from the National Center for Education Statistics, public K-12 enrollment peaked at 50.8 million students in autumn 2019, but is expected to fall by nearly 4 million students to 46.9 million by 2031, a 7.6% nationwide drop. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images) Across the country, public school enrollment has failed to rebound to pre-pandemic levels and data suggests the decline is far from over. According to projections from the National Center for Education Statistics, public K-12 enrollment peaked at 50.8 million students in autumn 2019, but is expected to fall by nearly 4 million students to 46.9 million by 2031, a 7.6% nationwide drop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The steepest enrollment losses are in elementary and middle grades, with districts in the Northeast, West and Rust Belt most affected. When public school enrollment fell by 3% in 2020, it was the largest single-year decline since World War II. The NCES 2024 December report, which accounts for fall 2023 data, found that 18 states saw public school enrollment declines of more than 4%. Ten states California, Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and West Virginia declined more than 5%. A new study from Boston University found that high-income districts and middle schools in Massachusetts were especially vulnerable, with middle grade enrollment in fall of 2024 down almost 8% and the most significant losses concentrated among white and Asian students. Public school enrollment in Massachusetts was down 2% from pre-pandemic trends for the fall 2024 school year, while private school enrollment rose 14% and homeschooling surged 45%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Long-term demographic shifts such as falling birth rates, domestic migration and a post-COVID shift toward school choice are also a factor in public school enrollment declines. Parents increasingly opt for private, charter or homeschooling models options that expanded rapidly during and after the pandemic. A February Gallup poll showed that dissatisfaction with the U.S. public education system is rising, with the percentage of adults who report feeling satisfied about public education falling from 37% to 24% between 2017 and 2025. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools reported a net gain of 400,000 students over five years, offsetting some of the 1.8 million student losses from traditional districts. Public school funding, often tied to enrollment, is also shrinking. According to the Reason Foundation, 98 public schools closed in 2023-24 across 15 states, with significant losses in California, Colorado, Florida and New York. Districts are facing tough decisions around school consolidations, staffing and infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ProPublica reported that shrinking enrollment left roughly 150 Chicago schools operating at half-capacity this past school year, with another 47 at one-third capacity. However, some researchers offer a more nuanced view. A Kennesaw State University researcher notes that declining enrollment can lead to higher per-student funding. Since districts often retain funding for students whove left, those resources can be reallocated to support remaining students, improving staff compensation and access to teachers and other support services. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Pulse Memorial to begin construction in less than a year A major move at City Hall on Monday, city leaders have now decided who will be handling the construction of the Pulse Memorial. City Commissioners and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer voted unanimously to allow Gomez Construction Company, based out of Winter Park, to lead the project. As always, Orlando has responded with love and compassion and unity, and today we take two more steps in recognizing what happened that day, said Mayor Dyer during the city council meeting. The memorial has been surrounded by controversy for years; it will feature a reflection pool and a walkway with 49 columns representing the victims. The design, approved by an advisory board, will now be turned over to Gomez Construction to become a buildable project. Today the city voted to consummate the shady behind-the-scenes, said Matt Zaccarino, chair of Citizens Against Public Corruption, during the public comment session at the city council meeting. Gomez Construction is no stranger to large projects across Central Florida. On their website, there are several projects led by Gomez Construction, including schools, streets, and even the Orlando International Airport. We reached out to the company for comment, but they had no statements the share at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City leaders also voted to acquire the property next to the site for a million dollars, and the move is facing some backlash. The land is not worth by any stretch of the imagination, said Zaccarino. Broker price opinion, any appraisal, will never show that what the city is paying for the land is actually worth. Mayor Dyer, however, confirmed the price was exactly what it was supposed to be. There are some proponents that dont want the pulse memorial, so they come up with something new every turn the wheel, Dyer said. In this case, we are paying exactly what the individual paid for the One Pulse Foundation for the property. Construction should start in June of 2026, and the actual memorial should be done by 2027. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. In the quiet village of Siyathi in Himachal Pradesh, a small dog made an extraordinary difference, according to The Hindu. When devastating cloudbursts unleashed flash floods and landslides across India's Mandi district on the night of June 30, a sleeping puppy became an unlikely hero. By simply listening to his instincts and letting out a howl that roused the entire neighborhood this 5-month-old dog, reportedly named Rocky, helped save more than 60 people from being buried under rubble. According to The Hindu, the region experienced 10 cloudbursts that triggered a chain of deadly events. At least 15 people died, five were injured, and 27 remain missing. Entire homes were flattened. Over 1,100 houses were damaged, nearly 800 livestock were killed, and essential infrastructure including roads, water lines, and transformers crumbled in the storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But amid the chaos, a moment of precision: A family dog, on the second floor of a home, began barking and howling uncontrollably. Awakened by the commotion, his owner, Narender, got up to investigate and found a massive crack in the wall, with water beginning to seep through. Narender wasted no time. He ran to alert his neighbors, urging everyone to evacuate. Just moments later, a landslide ripped through the area, destroying much of what had stood just minutes before. Thanks to Rocky's warning, dozens of villagers made it out alive. This remarkable story reminds us that resilience and sometimes even lifesaving support can come from unexpected places. Dogs are known to detect subtle environmental cues, including shifts in air pressure, ground vibrations, and scents, long before humans can. While not every pet will save a village, this moment underscores the very real connections among animals, humans, and the ecosystems we share. As climate-driven disasters grow more frequent and intense, such stories highlight how early warnings whether from sophisticated tech or a howling pup can mean the difference between life and loss. They also emphasize the importance of community readiness, resilient infrastructure, and disaster planning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Union Minister J.P. Nadda, who visited the site shortly after the disaster, affirmed that the government is committed to supporting affected families. According to his remarks, over 2,000 crore was released to aid in ongoing relief efforts, and more support is on the way. But for the people of Siyathi, the most immediate and unforgettable help came from one furry friend. While the recovery process will take time, this community with the help of one very good dog is already a symbol of hope, quick action, and the strength it takes to move forward. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. 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. The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. Updated at 11:47 a.m. ET on July 15, 2025 President Donald Trump is finally taking the fight to Vladimir Putin. Sort of. For now. Trumps deference to Russias authoritarian leader has been one of the most enduring geopolitical subplots of the past decade. But his frustration with Putin has grown. Last week, the president said the United States was taking a lot of bullshit from Putin. Today, he authorized a significant shipment of U.S. defensive weapons to Ukraine via NATO and threatened Russia with new tariffs if the war does not end in 50 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The change, though, is not reflective of Trump adopting a new strategic worldview, two White House officials and two outside advisers to the president told me, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. Trump did not develop a new fondness for Ukraine or its president, Volodymyr Zelensky. He did not abruptly become a believer in the traditional transatlantic alliances prized by his predecessors as a counterweight to Moscow. Rather, Trump got insulted. By ignoring Trumps pleas to end the war and instead ratcheting up the fighting, Putin has made Trump look like the junior partner in the relationship. The Russian leader has really overplayed his hand, one of the officials told me. The president has given him chance after chance, but enough is enough. Trump came into office believing that he could deliver a lasting truce between Ukraine and Russia within 24 hours, banking on his relationship with Putin, which he considered good. For months, he largely sided with Moscow in its war against Ukraine, absolving Russia for having started the conflict and threatening to abandon Kyiv as it mounted a desperate defense. He upbraided Zelensky in the Oval Office in February and briefly stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine. He believed that he could, in addition to working with his Russian counterpart to end the war, reset relations and forge new economic ties between the two countries. He even envisioned a grand summit to announce a peace deal. But Putin rejected repeated American calls to stop his attacks. Russias talks with Trumps emissary, Steve Witkoff, went nowhere. Trump pulled back diplomatic efforts. In recent weeks, Trump has grown angrier with Putin and ended a brief pause by the Pentagon in sending weapons to Ukraine. Zelensky, meanwhile, has worked on repairing his relationship with Trump and agreed to a U.S. cease-fire proposal. In Trumps own words, Putin began tapping him along by spurning that same deal while unleashing some of the biggest bombardments of the war. Trump and Putin have spoken a half dozen times in the past six months, and Trump has grown steadily more frustrated, the four people told me. He told advisers this spring that he was beginning to think Putin didnt want the war to end, an assessment that U.S. intelligence agencies reached more than a year ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Read: Trump hands Putin another victory] When Trump recently intensified his calls for a cease-fireat one point writing on social media, Vladimir, STOP!Putin chose to defy him by escalating attacks on Ukraine yet again. The president was disturbed by his most recent call with Putin, held earlier this month, in which the Russian leader reiterated his goal to liberate Ukrainian territory that he believes belongs to Russia, one of the White House officials told me. The conflicts front line remains largely frozen, but U.S. and European officials believe that Putin is planning a summer offensive and will launch more attacks on civilians in Ukraines cities. With Putin continuing to ignore his pleas for a deal, Trump has felt humiliated, fearing that he appears weak, one of the officials and one of the outside advisers told me. I speak to him a lot about getting this thing done. And then I hang up and say, That was a nice phone call, and the missiles are launched into Kyiv or some other city, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office today, referring to Putin. And then after that happens three or four times, you say the talk doesnt mean anything. Trump announced today that he would authorize a number of American weapons to be sent to the battlefield, including as many as 17 Patriot missile batteries, which will dramatically bolster Ukraines ability to shoot down incoming Russian missiles and drones (and were long sought by Zelensky). Seventeen would be a tall order; so far, the United States has provided two such batteries in three years of war. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, after meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon today, told reporters that Germany would engage in talks with the United States to purchase two Patriot missile batteries to pass on to Ukraine. But Ukraine would likely not receive the systems for months, Pistorius said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measures announced today will likely not alter the overall trajectory of the war, and they fall short of what some hoped Trump would authorize. But they could blunt Russias momentum in the conflict and, in turn, its desire to prolong the war. The moves also offered reassurances to Ukraine and Europe that Washington could still be a partner in their fight; NATO allies will finance the purchase of the American-made weapons, Trump said while sitting next to the alliances secretary general, Mark Rutte, in the Oval Office. Its not my war, and Im trying to get you out of it. We want to see an end to it, Trump said to Rutte. Im disappointed in President Putin because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesnt seem to get there. Axios reported that Trump might also send some offensive, long-range weapons to Ukraine, but the president made no mention of that today. Since Inauguration Day, two competing camps have pressured Trump on Ukraine and Russia. Isolationists such as Vice President J. D. Vance and Steve Bannon, Trumps longtime adviser, have pushed the president to walk away from Kyiv; more traditional Republicans, including the Trump-whispering Senator Lindsey Graham and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have pushed Trump to be tougher with Moscow. People who have previously been deeply critical of the presidents fealty to Moscow saluted his latest moves. Trump can make a very strong statement and make the decision to help Ukraine, not because he cares about Ukraine, but because he is made to look humiliated, Garry Kasparov, the Russian political activist and chess grand master, told me. (Kasparov is also the host of the second season of Autocracy in America, a podcast from The Atlantic.) I think Trump taking on Putin and showing his strength is good even if for the wrong reasons. [Read: Is Trump falling out of love with Putin?] This being Trump, there are caveats. The fact that the United States isnt sending the weapons directly to Ukraine allows Trump more wiggle room with the isolationist members of his MAGA coalition. U.S. officials did not indicate whether more weapons would be transferred in the future, and much of Trumps baseand many Republican House membersfirmly oppose legislation that would send additional military or financial assistance to Kyiv. That uncertainty will complicate how Zelensky and Europe plan for Ukraines future defense. Do I think Trump is now pro-Ukraine? Please. Not at all, Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA operative who has been critical of Trumps handling of the war, told me. This is good news. But Europe needs to still plan with the idea that the U.S. is not a reliable ally, because Trump can still change his mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has also declined so far to support a bipartisan bill that would impose tough new sanctions on Russia, as well as 500 percent tariffs on countries that do business with Moscow. Graham, a co-sponsor of the bill, which has more than 80 supporters in the Senate, has said repeatedly in recent days that Trump was willing to back it. But White House advisers told me last week that Trump is not yet willing to take that step, in part out of fear that it could spike energy prices or anger nations including China and India as he tries to negotiate separate trade deals with them. The secondary tariffs that Trump proposed today, if Putin doesnt agree to a cease-fire after Trumps 50-day deadline, would be much lower: 100 percent. Trump also threatened a tariff on Russian goods, but the U.S. does little trade with Moscow. Im not sure we need it, but its certainly good that theyre doing it, Trump said of the sanctions bill. Setting tariffs at 500 percent is sort of meaningless after a while, he added, arguing that 100 percent is going to serve the same function in damaging Moscows economy. Trump, as is his custom, took questions in the Oval Office from reporters, and grew visibly more frustrated when repeatedly pressed on the state of the conflict. Finally, when asked what he would do if Putin escalated the violence further, Trump refused to answerand, perhaps tellingly, snapped at the reporter. Dont ask me a question like that. Nancy A. Youssef contributed reporting. This article has been updated to correct Garry Kasparovs chess title. Article originally published at The Atlantic Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to publicly respond to the 50-day ultimatum President Donald Trump issued him, though one top official on Tuesday suggested that Moscow "didnt care." Deputy Chair of Russias security council and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took to X to express the Kremlins first reaction to the joint announcement by Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that Putin has 50 days to end its war in Ukraine or face 100% tariffs. President Donald Trump, right, and Mark Rutte, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, shake hands during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, July 14, 2025. Trump, Rutte Announce 'Really Big' Nato Arms Package Amid New 50 Day Deadline To Putin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences," Medvedev said. "Belligerent Europe was disappointed. "Russia didnt care," he added. Reactions to Trumps latest frustration with Putin were mixed, as Rutte championed the move as "logical," though top European Union officials suggested the move lacked teeth this far into the war. Read On The Fox News App "On the one hand, it is very positive that President Trump is taking a strong stance on Russia. On the other hand, 50 days is a very long time if we see that they are killing innocent civilians, also every day," the EUs chief diplomat Kaja Kallas told reporters from Brussels when asked about the presidents announcement. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and then Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev arrive to the Red Square Victory Day Parade on May 9, 2019 in Moscow. "It is clear that we all need to put more pressure on Russia so that they would also want peace," she added. "It is good that the Americans are making the steps, and I hope that they are also giving military aid like Europeans are giving." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Reveals Melania's Key Role In Dealing With Putin On Ukraine War Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko also questioned the effectiveness of the move and told German news outlet ARD that "Im happy about the wave of support from the U.S." "But on the other hand, I do not understand why Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is being given 50 days," he added, according to a translation by Ukrainian media outlets, Kyiv Independent. "In 50 days, many more people could be killed in the capital and, throughout Ukraine, many more buildings could be damaged," he said. "Therefore, why such a delay?" Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko holds people away from a five-story residential building that partially collapsed after a shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 18, 2022. Trump told reporters on Monday that he was frustrated by Putins lack of action when it came to stopping his war in Ukraine despite four separate occasions when the president thought a deal had been reached with the Kremlin chief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I speak to him a lot about getting this thing done, and I always hang up saying, Well, that was a nice phone call, and then missiles are launched into Kyiv or some other city, and I'd say 'strange,'" Trump said, recounting his conversations with Putin. "And after that happens three or four times, you say, the talk doesn't mean anything." Original article source: Putin mum on Trump's 50-day ultimatum, Kremlin officials claim Russia 'didn't care' The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. Donald Trump seems poised to change his approach to the Russia-Ukraine war. The United States, he told the press after his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte yesterday, will sell weaponsincluding Patriot air-defense systems and missilesto NATO, which will then transfer them to Ukraine. He also promised to impose so-called secondary tariffs of 100 percent on Russia if Vladimir Putin did not agree to a cease-fire within 50 days. Trump didnt offer many more details, and the Department of Defense seems still to be working up options for arms sales. The secondary tariffs appear to mean penalties on India, China, Brazil, and other countries that trade with Russia. How these levies will fit in with Trumps trade talks with those countries is an open question. Trump is unlikely to allow Indias policy toward Ukraine to determine the future of a U.S.-India deal or a thaw in trade tensions, for example, and likewise with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Trumps announcement appears to mark a major shift in strategy on Ukraine, or at least in his intent. The shift needs to be real and lastingand not just a symbol that the U.S. president took some action after Putin repeatedly spurned his efforts to bring the war to an end. That means Trump needs to change the dynamics on the battlefield so Putin cant win. Doing that will require him to overcome his administrations internal resistance by setting up a mechanism that can be laser-focused on getting this done, has real muscle, and functions with the presidents blessing. Its important to remember how we got to this point. Trump proposed a peace deal heavily tilted in Russias favorone that included freezing the battlefield lines, recognizing some of Russias gains, lifting all sanctions, and ending U.S. support for Ukraine. But even that was not enough for Putin. [Jonathan Lemire: How Putin humiliated Trump] The Russian president will not accept a sovereign, free, and independent Ukraine. He wants a neutered Ukraine with strict limits on its military capabilities and a pliant government in Kyiv. In recent months, Russian officials have demanded that Ukraine give up territory that it currently controls, and Putin reiterated his belief that Ukraine is part of the Russian nation. Ukrainians understand themselves to be facing an existential threat, with no option but to continue to fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin may well anticipate that if Western support diminishes, ultimately Ukraine will break. Perhaps Russia will finally gain air superiority over Ukraine, or maybe Ukrainian forces on the front will dissolve, allowing for more rapid Russian territorial gains. Russian forces may pay a tremendous pricetheir casualties have now surpassed 1 millionbut Putin is not fazed by that. The Trump administration has surely understood these dynamics since late spring, but it hadnt chosen a course of action. The president kept saying that he was assessing Putins moves and would respond in two weeks if Russia did not change course. The two-week deadline kept rolling over. In the meantime, the Department of Defense pursued its own foreign policy, halting deliveries of weapons to Ukraine that the Biden administration had already paid for and set in motion. This caught Trump unaware and forced him to decide what to do next. If he fell in line with the Department of Defense, he would increase the chance of a Russian victory in the war and be blamed for it. Europe would do its best to help Ukraine, but it lacks certain weapons that Ukraine desperately needs, including air defense systems, mid-range rockets, and air-delivered weapons. Selling Europe weapons to give to Kyiv helps keep Ukraine in the fight, but it needs to be part of a broader strategy to compel Russia to accept a sovereign Ukraine and bring the war to an end. The only plausible way to do this is to convince Putin that he cannot make any meaningful gains on the battlefield, that Russia is being weakened by its losses there, and that the war will continue as long as Putin sticks to his maximalist goals. Neither new arms sales, mainly of air defenses, nor sanctions will suffice to convince Putin of this. Conditions on the battlefield have to make such a conclusion unavoidable. That will require a concerted effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has made clear that he does not want to own this war, but he will own Ukraines defeat if his inaction allows Russia to win a protracted fight. He can present his policy as one of creating the battlefield conditions necessary to facilitate a peace deal. To do that, he should empower a small team in the White House expressly dedicated to helping Ukraine improve its position in the war. I was part of the effort to help Ukraine during the Biden administration, and I saw how important the White Houses day-to-day engagement was in generating options and solving problems. In January 2023, when I was serving on the National Security Council, the administration estimated that for a major counteroffensive, Ukraine would need about 750,000 rounds of 155-millimeter artillery. The problem was that the United States did not have anything close to that. The U.S. was producing only about 14,000 rounds a monthenough for a couple of normal days in the war. The National Security Council set up a small unit to find a solution. It quickly zeroed in on South Korea, which had a robust defense industry and large stockpiles of munitions in case of conflict with North Korea. But there was a hitch. South Korean law does not allow the government to transfer these munitions to Ukraine. They would have to be given to the United States, which would then transfer them to Ukraine. The South Koreans were worried about how Russia would see their role in such a scheme. At one point Seoul told the Biden team that it would transfer the munitions to the United States, but the U.S. military would need to scratch the Korean markings off every single roundlabor that would take months. Eventually the Koreans dropped that demand. Transporting the material to Ukraine also posed problems that Bidens small group was able to solve Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukraine team, which met daily with the national security adviser, surmounted other obstacles, too. Israel agreed to donate a retired Patriot air-defense battery to Ukraine in exchange for Washingtons fast-tracking the delivery to Israel of a more advanced system. A separate arrangement allowed Ukraine to jump the line of customers who had bought air defenses from the United States, with the exceptions of Taiwan and Israel. At the same time, the United States secretly helped kick-start Ukraines production of attack drones. One problem Trump has is that his Defense Department is a conscientious objector to his new policy and will almost certainly drag its feet. His Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, is based at the State Department and focuses more on diplomacy with Kyiv than on shaping the battlefield. Kelloggs team could be given this new rolebut there is another option. A number of pro-Trump and pro-Ukraine America First proponents remain outside the government, despite having wanted to join the administration. Factions inside the administration, led by Vice President J. D. Vance, favored a foreign policy of restraint and likely excluded these figures. Now could be a time to bring some of them in. [Andrew Ryvkin: Putin isnt actually enjoying this] If Trump had a small team dedicated to strengthening Ukraines negotiating position, it could hash out an air-defense megadeal that Trump may have alluded to yesterday: Europe would agree to buy a number of Patriot systems from the United States, on the understanding that these orders would jump to the front of the line when the systems are produced. Then the Europeans would immediately give the Patriot systems they already have to Ukraine. The Trump administration could figure out which of the weapons that Ukraine most needs can be provided in sufficient volume only by the United States. Europe would reimburse Washington for sending those to Ukraine as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington could strike an agreement with Kyiv, trading, say, U.S. access to the intellectual property for Ukraines new drone technology for Ukrainian access to designs for older American weapons and air-defense systems. The U.S. and Ukraine could then co-produce the dronesincluding in factories in the United States. The Trump team could bring South Korea back into the mix and ask Seoul to indirectly assist Ukraine with artillery rounds in exchange for Ukrainian assistance on counter-drone technology. (The U.S. could benefit from Ukrainian counter-drone expertise, too.) The Trump administration has eased some sanctions on Russia and failed to update others in ways that keep them effective. A dedicated team could put pressure on the Treasury and Commerce Departments to properly enforce the sanctions already on the books and intensify sanctions on Russias energy sector. It could also work closely with Europe and Ukraine to figure out how to hold Russia off for the next couple of years if necessary. Europe would be the lead partner for Ukraine, but U.S. support would be helpful. Trump is not going to get an immediate deal to end the war, but if he steps up support for Ukraine, he could still secure the peace later in his term. Putin wants what he wants in Ukraine, and he will stop only when hes fully convinced that what he wants is unattainable. The sooner Ukraine and its partners can demonstrate that to the Kremlin, the sooner this war will come to an end. Article originally published at The Atlantic Moscow An American who spied on Ukrainian troops to help Moscow's military offensive in the country has been granted Russian citizenship, Moscow-installed authorities said Tuesday. Daniel Martindale spent two years in Ukraine after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, transmitting coordinates of military facilities to Russia's secret services, according to reports in Russian state media. "By decree of our President Vladimir Putin, a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation was awarded to Daniel Martindale," Denis Pushilin, the head of the Russian-occupied part of Ukraine's Donetsk region said on the Telegram messaging app, adding that Martindale had "long since proven with his loyalty and actions that he is one of us." "He spent more than two years in the territory under enemy control. And not only did he survive he helped. He supported our guys, passed on important information to our special services, risked his life," he added. A man identified as U.S. national Daniel Martindale is congratulated on his new Russian nationality and passport by Denis Pushilin, the head of the occupying Russian administration in Ukraine's Donetsk region, in an image taken from video posted by Pushilin on Telegram, July 15, 2025. / Credit: Telegram/Reuters Martindale received his passport from interior ministry officials at a ceremony in Moscow, according to state media and a video published by Pushilin. Martindale thanked Russia for "accepting me," and said becoming a Russian citizen was a "dream." "Russia is not only my home, but my family," he said in Russian on the video. After two years spying on Ukraine, he was extracted in "a complex evacuation operation" after Moscow started to fear his life was in danger if he stayed any longer, Pushilin said. In November 2024, state media reported Russian security forces had taken him to Russia and Martindale lodged his application for Russian citizenship. A Telegram account purporting to be his posted that same month: "Hello, I'm Daniel Martindale, the guy that Russian soldiers risked their lives to evacuate from the village where I had lived for two years." Around that same time, Martindale told pro-Russian bloggers that he had arrived in Ukraine shortly before Russia launched its invasion, hoping to reach the Ukrainian border region of Donetsk. Martindale told the bloggers he had contacted Russian intelligence services on his own initiative and was told to go to the city of Vuhledar and wait for Russian forces to arrive. He said he remained in the city, pretending to be a missionary, until the fall of 2024, when Russian troops seized the city after a protracted battle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian journalists have found some evidence to suggest that Martindale may have been recruited by Russian agencies years earlier, as he visited Russia between 2016 and 2019, taking university courses. According to some reports, he was deported from Russia in 2019 for violating labor laws. Trump pushes senators to make $9.4 trillion in spending cuts L.A. Mayor Karen Bass says National Guard deployment in city was "a misuse" of soldiers Mike Johnson breaks from Trump, calls on DOJ to release Epstein files Vladimir Putin will keep fighting despite Donald Trumps threats of tougher sanctions and extra weapons for Ukraine, sources close to the Kremlin said. The Russian president believes his economy is strong enough to withstand the pressure of 100 per cent tariffs against Moscows main trading partners, which the US president threatened to impose on Monday. Putin thinks no one has seriously engaged with him on the details of peace in Ukraine including the Americans so he will continue until he gets what he wants, one of the sources told Reuters. A new type of international relations Earlier today, Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, publicly dismissed Mr Trumps tariff threat, saying Moscow had been through all of that before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifty days, then before that 24 hours, then 100 days weve been through all of that, Mr Lavrov said. The foreign ministers comments came shortly after he met, Xi Jinping, Chinas president, in Beijing. Mr Xi expressed support for Russia, saying that relations between Beijing and Moscow had deepened and that the two were setting a model for a new type of international relations. Chinas foreign ministry said it firmly opposed all illegal unilateral sanctions by the US. There are no winners in a tariff war, and coercion and pressure will not solve problems, it added. Dmitry Medvedev, a senior Russian security official, dismissed Mr Trumps threats as a theatrical ultimatum. Long-range strikes on Russia Putins demands for peace include international recognition of four eastern territories illegally annexed in 2022, a ban on Ukraine joining Nato and limits on Kyivs armed forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second source told Reuters that Putin views his goals in Ukraine as more important than any potential economic losses and that he could expand his territorial aims to include the entire country. Russia will act based on Ukraines weakness, a third source said, though added that Moscow might halt its offensive after conquering the four eastern regions of Ukraine if it encounters stiff resistance. But if it falls, there will be an even greater conquest of Dnepropetrovsk, Sumy and Kharkiv. Reports emerged on Tuesday that Mr Trump had privately encouraged Ukraine to increase long-range strikes on Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US president was said to have asked his Ukrainian counterpart if he could hit Moscow and St Petersburg if Washington provided the weapons to do so. Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons, Mr Zelensky was said to have replied in the phone call on July 4. 04:10 PM BST Todays live blog has ended Todays live blog has ended. Heres a round-up of the main events: Putin vowed to keep fighting despite Trumps threat to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Russia and its allies China expressed deeper trust and support for Russia and accused Trump of coercion Donald Trump asked Volodymyr Zelensky if it was possible for Ukraine to strike Moscow, to which he replied: Absolutely. If you give us the weapons. The US has considered sending long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine Trump said he is disappointed but not done with Putin and thought he had a deal done four times Denys Shmyhal, Ukraines prime minister, resigned as part of a governmental reshuffle and will rejoin as defence minister 03:36 PM BST Ukraine lifts ban on landmines Ukraines parliament has passed a bill that will allow its military to use landmines against Russian troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation suspends Kyivs participation in the 1997 Ottawa Treaty, which aims to eliminate the use of landmines as they can kill or injure civilians long after a war has ended. The treaty has been signed or ratified by more than 160 countries. Justifying the decision, Volodymyr Zelensky said: Russia has never been a party to this convention and uses anti-personnel mines extremely cynically. Thanks to steps regarding the use of certain types of weapons, particularly anti-personnel mines, we will be able to achieve at least parity in forces and means necessary to defend against Russian aggression. 03:12 PM BST Lavrov: Russia wants to see what the US actually wants Russias foreign minister said the Kremlin wants to see what the US actually wants before deciding if it will continue talks with Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about Donald Trumps threat to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Russia if a peace deal is not signed within 50 days, Sergei Lavrov said: Wed like to see whats behind that statement. Now its 50 days, it used to be 24 hours, weve heard 100 days before. Weve been through it already. We want to see what the US actually wants. Lavrov said there was an enormous amount of pressure coming towards Washington from European and Nato leaders. Theres a saying we have: Dont dig a hole for someone else or youll fall into it, he said. The sanctions being prepared in Brussels by the EU and this sanctions funnel that already exists, they want to put the US into it as well. 02:54 PM BST Ukraines prime minister resigns Ukraines prime minister has resigned from his role as part of Kyivs largest wartime governmental reshuffle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denys Shmyhal, who has been in his post since March 2020, submitted a resignation letter earlier today. He is expected to be appointed as the countrys new defence minister, Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday. Mr Zelensky nominated Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraines first deputy prime minister, to replace Mr Shmyhal yesterday. We are preparing the initial steps of the renewed government, Zelensky said. 02:19 PM BST Putin vows to keep fighting despite Trump threats Vladimir Putin will keep fighting despite Donald Trumps threats of tougher sanctions and extra weapons for Ukraine, sources close to the Kremlin have said. The Russian president believes his economy is strong enough to withstand the pressure of 100 per cent tariffs against Moscows main trading partners, which Donald Trump threatened to impose on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin thinks no one has seriously engaged with him on the details of peace in Ukraine - including the Americans - so he will continue until he gets what he wants, one of the sources told Reuters. 01:52 PM BST Sweden will contribute to new Ukraine arms shipment Sweden will do its part to boost arms supplies to Ukraine via Nato, the countrys defence minister has said. We welcome the American decision to make possible increased sanctions against Russia and to pave the way for the delivery of Patriots and other weapon systems to Ukraine, Pal Jonson said in an emailed comment to Reuters. Sweden will contribute. 01:30 PM BST Republican dissent over Ukraine Angry Republicans have turned on Donald Trump over his decision to send over $10 billion in weapons to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president on Monday pledged to send billions of dollars of military equipment to Kyiv in a deal paid for by other Nato countries. He also threatened to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Russian trading partners if Vladimir Putin does not sign a peace deal to end the war in 50 days. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a firebrand Republican and Trump ally, harshly criticised the deal saying it goes against the presidents campaign promise to avoid the US becoming involved in foreign entanglements. MAGA did not vote for more weapons to Ukraine, she wrote on X, in her strongest rebuke of the president to date. MAGA voted for no more US involvement in foreign wars. Ms Taylor Green argued that by funnelling aid to Ukraine, Mr Trump is turning his back on the America First principles that got him elected. 01:07 PM BST Ukraines plan to win the war with or without Americas help Denial, bargaining, anger, depression. European leaders ran through the full gamut of emotions before they, last week, finally accepted the grim truth: the war in Ukraine will not stop this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has now reached the same conclusion. On Monday, he vowed to send additional Patriot defence systems to help repel large-scale Russian air attacks, and even to supply long-range missiles. He reportedly asked Volodymyr Zelensky to hit Moscow, to force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. I thought we had a deal done four times, and then you go home and you see [Putin] just attacked a nursing home or something in Kyiv, Trump said as he set a 50-day deadline for the Russian president to agree to peace. It is a big moment, as Nato chief Mark Rutte observed. But Ukrainian and European officials know the shift of mood in Washington cannot be taken for granted. Just a week ago, the Pentagon suspended deliveries of crucial ammunition, citing its own dwindling stockpiles. American support could be withdrawn again at any moment. So what should Ukraine do if Putin ignores Trumps ultimatum? One Kyiv defence think tank believes it has found the answer. Andriy Zagorodnyuk and Alina Frolova, two former defence ministers who run the Centre for Defence Strategies (CDS), have spent the past few weeks lobbying Western officials to pursue what they call strategic neutralisation. 12:36 PM BST Trump still believes Russia will win Donald Trump believes Russia will eventually and inevitably emerge victorious in the war in Ukraine, a White House official has said. The presidents view is that Russia is going to win. Its a matter of how long it takes, the senior official anonymously told Politico. The official noted that Russia has a larger economy, a bigger army, more than enough bodies to throw into the meat grinder, and simply does not care. And although they are making slow progress, they are still making progress. The [US] president just wants to stop the killing, the official said. 12:17 PM BST US citizen who spied for Russia awarded honorary citizenship A US citizen who helped Putins war efforts from inside Ukraine has been rewarded with a Russian passport in Moscow. Russian state television shows Daniel Martindale, a man in his early 30s who grew up in New York and India, smiling as he receives the documents. Martindale aided Russia by sending Ukrainian military coordinates to pro-Russian forces via Telegram. The belief that Russia is not just my home, but also my family - I am extremely glad that this is not only in my heart, but also by law, Mr Martindale said in Russian on TV. I, Daniel Richard Martindale, voluntarily and consciously, accepting the citizenship of the Russian Federation, swear to observe the constitution. Daniel Martindale (left), a US citizen who spied for Russia from inside Ukraine, is awarded a passport by Denis Pushilin - REUTERS/REUTERS 12:03 PM BST Britain is now in a pre-war situation against Russia People in the UK should be under no doubt that president Putin is directing his ire towards the UK through espionage, sabotage and cyber-attacks. This is especially true now, as Donald Trump finally appears to put the boot in: US missiles and heavy sanctions appear to be heading Moscows way any time soon. Trumps friendship with the Russian tyrant seems to have run its course, and even the American president now realises that Putin has no interest in peace and will keep marching west until stopped. Putin may well reassess his stance with the US, now that the American president has confirmed that long range sophisticated missiles are on their way to Ukraine, which will bring Moscow and most strategic sites in Russia very much in range. However, Putin cant afford those 100 per cent sanctions Trump has at last threatened, so will likely hold off attacking the US, whilst doubling down attacks on the UK. We must heed these warnings and become more resilient to all these Grey Zone type attacks. 11:40 AM BST Trump considered sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine Donald Trump has considered sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, according to reports. Tomahawks are strike cruise missiles that can hit targets 1,600km away, which would allow Ukraine to strike Moscow. They are not currently earmarked for Ukraine but could be deployed later if Mr Trump decides he wants more leverage to force an end to the war, the Washington Post reported. 11:24 AM BST Russia needs time to respond to Trumps serious demands Russia has said it needs time to respond to Donald Trumps serious demand that Moscow end the Ukraine war within 50 days or face 100 per cent tariffs. President Trumps statement is very serious. We certainly need time to analyse what was said in Washington, Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, told reporters. The Kremlin added that it is ready to enter new round of negotiations with Kyiv. Russia and Ukraine have so far held two rounds of talks with no progress made towards a ceasefire. 11:07 AM BST Pictured: Russias foreign minister in Beijing Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, has met with Xi Jinping in Beijing this morning. The two leaders had been scheduled to meet after Mr Lavrov travelled to North Korea over the weekend. Earlier today, China accused Donald Trump of coercion after he threatened to impose tariffs on Moscows trading partners, which includes Beijing. Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, shakes hands with Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister - Russian Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, meets with Xi Jinping in Beijing - Anadolu/Anadolu 10:42 AM BST China vows deeper support for Russia after Trump threat China vowed to strengthen its support for Russia after Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Moscows trading partners. Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, said the two countries should strengthen mutual support on multilateral forums after meeting Russias foreign minister in Beijing. The US president on Monday threatened to hit Russias main trading partners, including China, with 100 per cent tariffs if Putin does not sign a peace deal in 50 days. Mr Xi said following his meeting with Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday that trust between China and Russia had deepened, and the two states were setting a model for a new type of international relations. Beijing, a diplomatic and economic ally of Moscow, claims to be neutral in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Chinas foreign minister said it cannot afford for Russia to lose the war because it fears Washington would then shift its focus to Beijing, according to leaked reports of a meeting with EU officials. 10:17 AM BST Trump asked Zelensky: Can you strike Moscow? Donald Trump asked Volodymyr Zelensky if he could strike Moscow as he encouraged Ukraine to increase long-range strikes inside Russia, according to reports. The US president told his Ukrainian counterpart that he wanted Ukraine to make them [Russians] feel the pain and force Putin to the negotiation table, sources told the Financial Times. Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow?... Can you hit St Petersburg too? the US president asked on the July 4 call. The Ukrainian president replied: Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons. Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump meet at the Nato summit in The Hague - AFP 09:39 AM BST Two sworn enemies unite against Putin The collapse of relations between Russia and Azerbaijan came in a series of quick-fire blows. It began with the arrest of seven nationals from the former Soviet republic last month in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. They were held as part of an investigation by Moscow into mafia-style killings dating back 25 years. Within days, two suspects both ethnic Azerbaijanis died in custody. Others appeared in court visibly bruised and beaten. Azerbaijan responded with fury. Russian cultural events were cancelled, the Baku bureau of the Kremlin-owned Sputnik news agency was raided, and a group of Russian IT workers was arrested and accused of drug-trafficking and cybercrime. Then came the threat, on Russian state TV, that Baku could be taken in three days, echoing rhetoric used before the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. War is unlikely. But the rift is real and dangerous for Moscow because Armenia, after fighting a series of brutal wars with Azerbaijan over 30 years, is aligning with its old enemy to push Putin out of the South Caucasus. 09:17 AM BST Trump disappointed but not done with Putin Donald Trump said he is disappointed but not done with Vladimir Putin after promising to send more weapons to Ukraine and threatening Russias trading partners with tariffs if a peace deal is not agreed. The US president expressed his dismay that despite appearing close to a resolution on multiple occasions, Russian strikes on Ukraine continued. I thought we had a deal done four times and then you go home and you see he just attacked a nursing home or something in Kyiv, Mr Trump told the BBC. Im not done with him, but Im disappointed in him. The US president was pressed on whether he trusts the Russian leader, and replied: I trust almost no-one. 09:05 AM BST Senate delays sanctions bill The US Senate has delayed moving forward with a major sanctions bill after Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Russias main trading partners. John Thune, Senate leader, told Politico that Mr Trump is now able to move forward with tariffs alone. It sounds like right now the president is going to attempt to do some of this on his own, he told reporters. If at some point the president concludes that it makes sense and adds value and leverage that he needs in those negotiations to move the bill, then well do it. Well be ready to go. 08:40 AM BST China attacks Trumps tariff threats The Chinese foreign ministry said it firmly opposed all illegal unilateral sanctions by the US, which Donald Trump threatened to impose if Vladimir Putin does not agree to peace in Ukraine. There are no winners in a tariff war, and coercion and pressure will not solve problems, a foreign ministry spokesman said. 08:10 AM BST Lavrov meets Xi in Beijing after Trump threats Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, met with Chinas leader Xi Jinping this morning, Moscow has said. Xi received Lavrov in the Chinese capital as part of his participation in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Russias foreign ministry said in a statement. The leaders met after Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Russias trading partners, which includes China. Beijing, a diplomatic and economic ally of Moscow, claims to be neutral in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. But China has never denounced Russias more than three-year military campaign nor called for it to withdraw its troops, and many of Ukraines allies believe that Beijing has provided support to Moscow. 07:36 AM BST Five killed in overnight Russian strikes Russian strikes killed at least five people and injured 53, including four children, across Ukraine, according to local authorities. Strikes were launched in Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Russia launched a fresh drone attack on Kharkiv - Ukrainian Emergency Service 07:19 AM BST Medvedev dismisses Trumps theatrical ultimatum Russia does not care about Donald Trumps theatrical ultimatum, Dmitry Medvedev, a senior Russian official, has said. Medvedev, who sits on Russias security council and was once the countrys president, said: Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didnt care. Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn't care. Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) July 15, 2025 07:09 AM BST Which weapons will Ukraine receive? In addition to threatening major tariffs against Russias main trading partners, Donald Trump also unveiled a plan to send weapons - both defensive and offensive - to Ukraine. It is a major shift for Mr Trump, who had previously been reluctant to send any weapons to Kyiv. The weapons will be sold to Nato allies, including Germany and the UK, before being sent on to Ukraine. This includes Patriot missiles, which are crucial for defending the skies against relentless Russian aerial assaults. Im grateful to our team and to the United States, Germany, and Norway for preparing a new decision on Patriots for Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky said last night, adding that: We are also working on major defence agreements with America. A person familiar with the shipments told CNN that Ukraine could also receive short-range missiles, Howitzer rounds and medium-range air-to-air missiles. Matt Whitaker, the US ambassador to Nato, said: All weapons are both offensive and defensive. Obviously an air defence system is important and critical for the situation, but at the same time were not taking anything off the table. 06:57 AM BST What Trump must now do to force Putins hand If Donald Trump is serious about imposing punitive sanctions on Russia, there is one immediate diplomatic move that he could make. He could dispatch an envoy not to Moscow but to Beijing to warn Chinas leaders that they are only 50 days away from US tariffs of 100 per cent unless they stop buying Russian oil. Xi Jinping might then turn to his junior partner, Vladimir Putin, and suggest that Russia avoids this outcome by agreeing to a ceasefire in Ukraine. But there is no public sign of anything like this happening and the danger remains that after the 50 days have elapsed, Mr Trump will fail to act on his words. The war on Ukraine will go on as before, with Putin escaping the heaviest sanctions that America can enact. We have, after all, been here before. Mr Trump has often criticised Putins intransigence and threatened more sanctions. 06:52 AM BST Trump thought he had a deal with Putin four times Donald Trump has said he thought he had a deal with Vladimir Putin on ending the war four times but would then see Russia ramp up attacks against Ukraine. I thought we had a deal done four times and then you go home and you see he just attacked a nursing home or something in Kyiv, the president told the BBC. Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks in May and June but failed to make any meaningful progress beyond prisoner exchanges and repatriating the dead. Mr Trump has also held a number of phone calls with Putin but has grown increasingly frustrated with the Russian leader in public in recent weeks, describing him as crazy. 06:50 AM BST Welcome to our live coverage Good morning and welcome to our live coverage. Well bring you the latest after Donald Trump threatened to impose major tariffs against Russias trading partners if Vladimir Putin does not agree to a peace deal in Ukraine. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Any upgrade to animal rights should be welcome Tuckahoe, N.Y.: How sad that the Daily News chose to take aim at a court decision that might have significantly helped the plight of animals, who are the victims of our greed, cruelty, neglect and avarice (When the law goes to the dogs, editorial, June 22). Its not a surprise The News is the only paper that proudly supports the corrupt, cruelty-laden carriage horse industry. The News will defend the rights of criminals, illegal aliens, riots disguised as peaceful protests, etc., but damn those folks politely seeking change for the littlest of us those who cant speak but have the right to live in peace. You could have chosen to say nothing and let this issue play out in the courts, but why not contribute to even more vitriol instead, since the animals cant defend themselves against it? Your editorial didnt go far enough. You should go after the few pitiful laws that barely protect these innocents. You can torture and kill farm animals with almost zero penalties, and the few laws enacted to protect companion animals still grant most abusers leniency. And of course, the wildlife management agencies run by hunters for hunters based on laws enacted almost 100 years ago guarantee that its open season on wildlife everywhere. Contrary to your pseudo-cutesy headline, the law didnt go to the dogs, it went away from them sent them back to cower fearfully in front of abusers who know theyll get a slap on the wrist if caught; even though the courts have concluded that companion animals are members of the family. A grant of personhood might not stop the abuse, but it would help. Kiley Blackman Poison uncontrolled Brooklyn: Between 83rd St. and 84th St. on the Fort Hamilton Parkway overpass in Brooklyn, as well as other areas, there are baited area poison control signs. Did the city ever consider that besides rodents, birds, squirrels and wandering cats or dogs may also eat that poison? If any of these creatures eat it, the poison could be transferred when a hawk or any other bird of prey eats the animal that digested it. So, besides the rodents, it could spread to the animal/bird chain. Maybe the city should consider another form of safer rat control that wouldnt be harmful to other animals/birds. Perhaps try using environmental traps that once you enter, you dont come out. We can do better. Lets keep our animals and birds safe. Clare Mazza Toll tyranny Bronx: Gov. Hochul stated that she wanted to set a goal of $15 billion to upgrade our NYC subway system. Well, when and how do we know when that goal is met? Or do we just keep paying tolls, like on all of our bridges, until the end of time? Im really tired of this constant abuse of using drivers as ATMs every time some idiot comes up with a plan to raise money for the city. If you want to keep pounding us for cash, lower insurance rates. Carmelo Burgos Ease of travel Manhattan: To Voicer Thomas Bower: Why yes, in fact, I have seen improvements in my commutes since congestion pricing began. It takes me fewer minutes to get where I want to go, especially when going crosstown, the bane of city traveling. I certainly hope nothing happens to this policy. Michael Udolf Proper protocol East Rockaway, L.I.: Regarding Voicer Susannah Bianchis letter criticizing four NYPD officers handling of a 75-year-old woman who had to be taken to a hospital for a psychiatric examination. The woman was walking in the middle of Third Ave. and almost got hit by a bus. She complained that the larger cop handcuffed her, which Bianchi apparently felt was unnecessary, and she asked one of the cops why they couldnt give the woman a warning. What could possibly go wrong? Handcuffs are used for both the cops and the person being cuffeds protection to prevent a possible further physical altercation. Imagine if the cops gave the woman a warning and left her there, and a half-hour later she again goes into traffic and gets struck by a bus and killed. I would guess Bianchi would have written a letter complaining that the cops did nothing. Bill Regan Ahead of Alzheimers Manhattan: The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first blood test that can help doctors diagnose Alzheimers in some patients. The test, called Lumipulse, can detect abnormal clumps of protein known as amyloid plaques in the brain. These disrupt brain cell function and are a hallmark of Alzheimers. Lumipulse requires only blood-draw from patients 55 or older who are showing signs or symptoms of the disease. The tests manufacturer, Fujirebio Diagnostics, a Japanese company, has not put a price tag on it. But agency approval opens the door for insurance coverage and more widespread use. Alan Lehrer Darkness descends Brooklyn: I read with interest Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavys op-ed (Upset by Mamdani? Come North to Alaska, July 14) in which he touts the virtues of doing business in Alaska. The governor correctly notes that the sun shines 24 hours a day there. While that is certainly true in June and July, he conveniently ignores the fact that its dark 24 hours a day in December and January. Ira Cure Back out Richmond Hill: Why dont Mayor Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo swallow their pride and do the right thing for New York City? They could flip a coin or cut cards, and whoever loses would support the other if they truly want to prevent this communist, antisemitic, Israel-hating, terrorist-supporting, anti-police and police-defunding, soft-on-crime economic disaster candidate who is supported by the dumbest of our city from becoming mayor and completely destroying our city. We all must do everything we can to keep this dangerous person out of the mayors office. We will not be able to survive his administration! Please, Adams and Cuomo, we beg you stop this man! Joseph Napoleone Granted autonomy Bayside: To Voicer Jim Carney: My original letter was regarding support of Zohran Mamdani and the threat of antisemitism. However, there are a couple of points that must be made in response to yours. Israel did not control the Gaza Strip after it removed all settlers and withdrew its military in 2005. It continued to send food, fuel and water to Gaza, most of which was stolen by Hamas, who then built tunnels under schools and hospitals rather than spending its money to provide quality health care, education and housing for the people. There was no starvation before this war was started by a violent Hamas invasion on Oct. 7, 2023. Dale Herman Dead either way Providence, R.I.: Here is a Bibi Netanyahu theme song in reference to 31 killed seeking help (July 13), which says, At least 31 Palestinians were fatally shot on their way to an aid distribution site in the Gaza Strip on Saturday. We shoot them if they come for food / We starve them if they refrain / We think our game plan is quite shrewd / Their loss is clearly our gain. Felicia Nimue Ackerman Stuck on Trump Glendale: Re What a peace of (column, July 13): Its quite obvious that Leonard Greene has no interest in being thought of as a rational person. His column reeks of hypocrisy whenever given the opportunity to write about being on the wrong side of history. He should consider being the poster child for Trump Derangement Syndrome. The only joke occurring in New York is related to the different ways people perceive reality when it comes to their allegations against President Trump. Those inclined to drink the Kool-Aid suffer from delusional thinking that requires an army of psychiatrists to analyze. A special wing of mental hospitals awaits them. Jonathan Kiddrane Thats your money Manhattan: With their One Big Beautiful Bill, Trump, JD Vance and the Republicans in Congress have just taken out a large loan in your name, which you will be paying interest on for the rest of your life. And a big chunk of your loan is a reward to private prison companies that gave money to Republicans campaigns. They will build large prisons across the country to lock up whoever Trump and Stephen Miller want to lock up with no due process destroying thousands of hard-working families every single week. Lynn Caporale Kids love 3-day weekends off from school, and as a parent, there are also some advantages (like getting to sleep past sunrise). However, there are some downsides, both academic and practical. This year, as many more school districts adopt a 4-day week, more parents will experience the practical effects firsthand, and this could provide the nation with guidance on whether this schedule could work for more students across the country. For many parents, a lack of childcare is the prominent concern, but other concerns, including teacher retention and academic success, may also figure into future practicality. Where Are 4-Day School Weeks Being Implemented? Photo by Dmyrto_Z on Deposit Photos Hundreds of districts across the U.S., totalling thousands of schools, have already experimented with cutting a school week to 4 days. A University of Oregon study examined schools that tried out the practice in Oregon, Oklahoma, and Colorado, and to a lesser extent, in Kansas, Montana, Idaho, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada, and Wyoming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Texas alone, more than 100 districts have implemented 4-day schedules, according to KXAN, and others are using hybrid schedules that include 4-day weeks part of the year. Typically, these are school districts that find the cost of operating burdensome and hope that shortening the school week will help reduce teacher burnout and bring budgets to sustainable levels. In other words, theyre mostly rural districts, where schools are already struggling. How Does A 4-Day School Week Affect Students? For students suffering burnout or bullying, the benefits of fewer school days are evident. Journalists Resource reported last year that one study found bullying decreased by about 40% with a shorter school week. There were also fewer fights, although no decrease was tracked in weapons incidents or vandalism. Perhaps counterintuitively, truancy also did not decrease. Academically, its a mixed bag. In rural schools, K12Dive reports that a University of Oregon study measured dips in math and reading scores for younger students, but that high school students had improved math scores and better on-time graduation rates. (In non-rural schools, the effects were more negative in all respects, but most schools implementing these shortened schedules are rural.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Researchers theorize that part of the effect may hinge on what kids are doing with that extra day off. Notably, researchers in a 2023 study found that higher-performing students were more negatively impacted by fewer instructional hours compared to lower-performing students. They theorized that this may be due to the loss of specialized instruction time. Ultimately, theres no clear-cut, singular answer to the question of whether Fridays off are better for students it varies widely depending on several factors. How Does The Shortened Week Affect Families? Photo by monkeybusiness on Deposit Photos Many parents immediate response is to question what theyll do for childcare on the fifth day of the week. Relying on the school system as childcare is clearly a flawed setup to begin with. Its one reason kids are going to school while sick with contagious illnesses, and it already leaves parents struggling on teacher workdays and school holidays. However, for many families, its the option available, and one or both parents often plan their work schedule around their childrens school hours. For those families, losing a school day means losing a workday, and losing income needed to keep the family afloat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, when a day off is positive for kids (such as those struggling with mental health due to bullying, or to school burnout) thats great for families, too. For families with the resources to enjoy the extra day, a shortened week means more opportunities to travel together or enjoy other shared activities. How Do These Schedule Changes Affect Teachers? Some school districts cited teacher retention as a reason to try a 4-day week, in the hope that it would reduce burnout and help keep teachers engaged. This may be effective in some cases, and it seems that the extra time for planning, addressing personal needs, and rest may help retain teachers in certain situations. However, there are a few drawbacks. Many teachers will still leave these districts for districts with a full-length week and higher salaries. Additionally, cutting school days doesnt mean reducing the curriculum, so teachers must still plan to fit the same lessons into fewer days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Council on Teacher Quality reported in 2023 that shorter work weeks were appreciated most by teachers in districts where their workday included a longer commute, but on the whole, they were still more likely to seek positions in a different district. What Should Parents Consider? Photo by monkeybusiness on Deposit Photos Even if your district is not planning a schedule change this year, parents should consider the possibility and effects. Keep an eye on school board meeting agendas and community forums, and watch for local and state legislation that could affect school schedules. When and if it does come up, attend meetings and listen to the proposals, the reasoning behind them, and the expected effects. Ask questions if you have them. If you have input, it may be welcomed at board meetings, or your district may prefer to receive letters or calls. Be sure to spread the word so that other parents arent caught off guard! You can ask about the options available to support students who are negatively impacted by the extra days off and how it will affect extracurricular activities, which contribute positively to student mental health. Ask how it will affect assignments and school support. If your district transitions to a shorter school week, its best to start planning for childcare, adjusting work schedules, and addressing other needs sooner rather than later. Organizations like your church, community center, or YMCA may step up to offer childcare or classes to cover the shortages. They may provide a limited number of sliding-scale spots based on income or membership. So, ask early, as delays may leave you scrambling. As federal aid ran out, advocates called on lawmakers to fund the Child Care Counts program using state dollars, as Evers proposed. (Baylor Spears | Wisconsin Examiner) This summer Democratic and Republican legislators along with the Gov. Tony Evers participated in closed-door negotiations to come up with the 2025-27 state budget. All of the parties involved are touting the budget as a historic advance for children and patting themselves on the back for compromising with each other and the work they accomplished. In other words, they played well in the sandbox together. While yes, the state budget has never included funding for child care in its history, as we were one of only six states that didnt, crowing about it now is kind of like touting the fact that youve just changed a diaper for the first time when your child is 2 years old. Its not something to brag about, and the new state budget is nothing to brag about either. On the surface, as you read the claims about historic investments in child care and K-12 schools, you might think the budget really solved some big problems. Take Evers statement celebrating Over $330 million to support Wisconsins child care industry and help lower child care costs for working families, a third of which is in direct payments to providers. That means only $110 million is to continue the direct investment to all 4,700 eligible regulated child care programs. The original amount for this program was $480 million. Child care is receiving less than 25% of the requested amount. You might have surmised from Evers victorious statement that parents will see a decrease in tuition costs with the new budget. However, the opposite is going to be occurring, and tuition increases will start in August. The $110 million will cause child care rates to increase next month because the new state investment is less than a third of what Child Care Counts, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, originally provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purpose of that money was to stabilize a field that had been declining for decades. It increased teachers wages while holding down tuition costs for parents. It worked. The data showed a decline in closures and it raised the average child care educators wage from $11 an hour to $13 an hour in Wisconsin. (In our state, over 50% of early child care teachers have some college education or degree, with an average of 10 years experience.) This month the ARPA funds run out, and for the past few years, knowing the federal funding would be ending, families, child care providers, and businesses have been advocating for the state to fill the gap and to subsidize child care. We know that for every $1 a state invests in early childhood education, the rate of return is between $10-$16. Not only does quality early child care give children an opportunity for greater success as adults, it also supports our workforce, families and the economy. Regardless of the research and well-being of children, the gatekeepers of our tax dollars on the Legislatures Joint Finance Committee deleted Evers $480 million direct state investment budget request for child care. Instead, child care funding was determined behind closed doors with Senate Minority Leader Diane Hesselbein and Evers in one corner and Rep. Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin Lemahieu in the other. It should be noted that no one in that space is considered an expert in child care policy. What came out of this room was a compromise for the sake of compromise. The $110 million for child care wont come from state dollars. Its the interest that has accrued on the federal ARPA funds. It will be allocated directly to child care providers over the next 11 months, until June of 2026. It comes to about 70% less than the original amount paid through CCC. This is why, starting in August, there will be significant closures of child care centers and home daycares in rural areas of the state already considered a child care desert. Tuition will increase at the child care operations that try to stay open. So no, working families will not see a decrease in childcare costs as stated by Evers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And when the $110 million ends next year, there is nothing to replace it. The Wisconsin Legislature will gavel out in March and not gavel in until January of 2027, as legislators will be campaigning the rest of 2026. There wont be an opportunity to pass emergency legislation funding child care. Rates will increase again and closures will continue. The remainder of the $330 million in child care funding in the new state budget is for several new programs. A $66 million state investment for 4-year-olds to access school readiness in their child care program. This will help parents as the state will pay for their preschool time, but it replaces tuition for part of the school day. Child care programs that have school districts with all-day, free 4K will likely find it almost impossible to compete with public schools when they still need to charge for the remainder of the day plus wrap-around care. In addition, there is a $28 million pilot project to deregulate the child care field, which ends in July 2027. This move comes directly from the Republicans playbook. The pilot project will incentivize providers to increase their ratios, meaning more children per teacher, lower quality and safety for children and more stress on teachers. Another harmful policy in the new budget is that 16-year-olds are now allowed to be assistant teachers and count as adults in the ratio. Coupled with the pilot project mentioned above, this means a classroom of 14 toddlers can be supervised by one 18-year-old and one 16-year-old. This reduces the quality, safety, care and education for the children in our programs. Recall that while these decisions were being made behind closed doors, there were no experts in child care policy in the room. This policy was made without consideration of our state accreditation program, YoungStar, and our national accreditations. Any program that participates in the pilot project will no longer qualify to be accredited. And in Wisconsin, accreditation is not just a certificate to state you are following high safety standards, but our YoungStar program is tethered to our Wisconsin Shares (subsidy for child care). Programs with a five or four-star rating receive a bonus subsidy rate. It can mean a considerable loss of funding for providers to participate in the new pilot project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The politicians who wrote the budget deal behind closed doors neglected to consider the increased cost or loss of insurance for providers when we increase the teacher-to-child ratio and when we allow 16-year-olds to count as adults. The same group of non-experts also decided to allow policies that, in 2023, were already proposed and had failed to become law due to the overwhelming outcry from families, providers and the medical field against a policy that reduces quality and safety for our children. The state is throwing millions of dollars in the garbage for these policies, which wont benefit child care programs and will cause actual harm to Wisconsin children. Enacting policies like these without holding hearings raises the question: Who is representing us? The public already overwhelmingly said no to these policies two years ago. Furthermore, funding for child care is one of the top priorities that the JFC heard from voters throughout the state at budget listening sessions. Surveys show that the majority of both Republican and Democratic constituents support funding early child care. The only real compromise made in this budget was the compromise of safety and quality of our youngest children in the state. Wisconsins K-12 budget So how did school-age children fare in the state budget? Again, we are reading about record-setting investments in schools, along with the biggest investment our state has ever made for children with disabilities. Evers proclaimed that the new budget secures the largest increase to special education reimbursement rate in state history. You might think, great, finally children with disabilities will receive the support and resources they need. But you would be wrong. Evers budget request was for a 60% reimbursement for children with disabilities. After all, 90% reimbursement is the amount that Wisconsin voucher and charter schools have already been receiving for children with special needs. Unfortunately, the new budget allows public schools a maximum of 42% in 2026 and 45% in 2027 reimbursement, which is a far cry from the 60% request the rate of the 1980s. Yes, the increase in this budget is technically the largest increase in recent years, but it is still miles away from the finish line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To make matters worse, the budget also provided a $0 per-pupil increase in general aid funding to public schools; however, a provision was placed in the budget paperwork that guaranteed voucher and charter schools would receive additional funding for their general aid in the budget. I cant recall a year when no new general funding was provided in a budget to public schools in Wisconsin. Last year Wisconsin saw a record number of public schools go to referendum to squeeze additional funding from their communities to compensate for the lack of state and federal funding. Under the new budget, we will see another record number of schools going to referendum next year. We will also likely see more schools close, specifically in rural, poorer areas where the communities cannot be squeezed any more than they already have been. As you can imagine, this budget will only continue to widen the education gap in quality between the wealthy and the poor. Not to be all doom and gloom, there was one category of children that fared quite well with the new budget: our juvenile offenders. The budget will invest $1 million per juvenile offender. Yes, $1 million per kid. Remember when it was mentioned that investing in our youth early on saves us tenfold later on? The children in our juvenile justice systems are children who were not given the opportunity for quality early child care, children who were raised in poverty, children who have been abused, children who experience trauma, children with mental health issues. The children in our juvenile systems are those who have been failed by our state. Their families could not afford child care, so they were shuffled from one person to another. They lived with violence and addiction in their homes. And when they got to school at age 5, they were already on a trajectory of despair; the school systems cannot afford to provide all the services and support these children need, especially for those who have suffered trauma at an early age. Our new state budget only prioritizes these children once they are ready to be locked away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately the hype about Wisconsin making record investments in our children is terribly overblown. Instead, the truth of the matter is that we are putting in the minimum, and this budget keeps us on the lowest tier as a state for investment in our public schools and our young children compared to other states. Meanwhile, we continue to be among the biggest spenders on our juvenile offenders. Our political leaders have misled us. I dont think most Wisconsinites care whether their representatives can compromise or not. I think we would all rather have elected politicians who will actually represent us with integrity. Represent us with values that prioritize our children, families, workforce and our economy. This is our common humanity. We can stop generational poverty. We can stop children from going hungry, we can support children who have been abused and neglected, and we can give children a chance in life. But we just made the choice not to do that. Correction: An earlier version of this commentary misstated the amount of Gov. Tony Evers budget request as 90% instead of 60%. We regret the error. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The planned removal of two of Guernsey's yellow phone boxes has sparked debate among locals. Telecommunications company Sure said the structures at the bus terminus in St Peter Port town centre were "beyond repair" and had seen "very little use in recent years", adding their removal would "better reflect how people communicate today". Reflecting on the removal, some islanders said the brightly coloured phone boxes were part of the island's history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others said they thought it was time for the boxes to go and their removal was "inevitable". Islander Brandon Taylor said the saved funding could be used to benefit the company's network instead. "I think it's actually beneficial because Sure will get to reuse that amount of resources elsewhere," he said. "To keep spending money on boxes that I'm sure don't even pull an actual revenue, there's no need for them really." Ben Jenkins said the phone boxes were not used as much as they used to be [BBC] Niall, who relocated to the island, said he liked that the phone boxes in Guernsey were yellow in comparison to the traditional red in the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think it's sad because it's what makes it special here since I moved here, the yellow colour of it," he said. Ben Jenkins said the removal of the phone boxes was "inevitable". He said: "They're in pretty poor shape - I come to terminus quite often just to get the bus and I walk past them and they're just peeling and nothing's been done with them really. "A lot of people have phones now and they're not really in use. "Whilst it's a shame because they're quite unique and I've heard quite a few visitors like to get photos with them, I think it's about time because nothing's really been done with them." 'They're traditional' Pam Gidney said the phone boxes could be turned into "something to make people smile". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said: "I think it's a shame to take them down, and they're traditional... what's left of our history? "It would be like taking all of the post boxes away, it's just something that people look and say 'oh look, there's a yellow phone box'. "It's only a little thing, but I think it would make a difference for visitors and I think it's good for us to remember." Alistair Beak, group chief executive of Sure, said he appreciated the "community's fondness for these iconic structures". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: "While we appreciate the heritage value they hold, we must also balance this with practical considerations around maintenance and usage. "We are living increasingly digital lives, and Sure is focusing investment on infrastructure and services that better reflect how people communicate today." Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. More on this story Related internet links AUSTIN, Texas (KETK) This is probably one of the largest fights we will ever have, Cody Harris (R) of Palestine said. Continuing the fight against Red Town Ranch holdings production permit for 21 high-capacity groundwater wells in Anderson County, Texas, lawmakers are gearing up to hear from experts at Tuesdays natural resources committee meeting in Austin. Texas hearing to examines impacts of potential groundwater transfer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has applied between the two properties for test well drilling permits with the Nature and Trinity Valley Groundwater Conservation District to drill these wells with the intent of pumping nearly 50,000-acre feet of water per year out of the Carrizo Wilcox aquifer, which services almost all of East Texas, Harris said. Harris said this is where the majority of East Texans get their drinking water. The permits have caused immense community backlash, which led him to call for the committee meeting. Somebody who isnt from here wants to come in, put in dozens of water wells that pump 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and ship that water out to some other area of the state, all for his own profit, Harris said. During the meeting, Harris said he and several Texas lawmakers will hear from over 30 expert witnesses, including industry leaders and local officials, about how this will impact East Texas and its main water supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My intention is to identify what legislation at the state level needs to change through this hearing, Harris said. Other Texas lawmakers have already shown their support for Harris and his effort to protect the East Texas water supply. State Representative Jay Dean of Longview said in a statement hes ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Harris and the rest of East Texas. Meanwhile, state representative Daniel Alders of Tyler said hes ready to dive deeper into protections that already exist. There are areas where we need to continue to look and see, do we have the laws in place, the regulations in place to protect those vital resources, state Rep. Daniel Alders (R) of Tyler said. Harris said after the committee meeting, he plans to speak to Governor Greg Abbotts team about future legislation, and to ask if it can be added to the upcoming special session, all in the fight to protect the livelihood of East Texans now and in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) is sounding the alarm over what he calls the horrible conditions at Floridas new immigrant detention center, which members of President Donald Trumps administration have callously promoted and dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. Frost and other state lawmakers were given a guided tour Saturday. Last week, they were denied access to the facility, leading them to sue Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis for what they called in a joint statement deliberate obstruction meant to hide whats really happening. Frost shared his findings on social media Sunday and on The Rachel Maddow Show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont need Ron DeSantis permission, he told the MSNBC host Monday. I dont need anybodys permission to pull up to an immigration detention center and do my job, which is to go and conduct oversight and tell the public about whats going on. Frost confirmed on Instagram after his visit that the facility holds 32 people per cage and that theyre forced to drink water from spigots attached to the only three toilets in each cell. He called the conditions horrible. These people are being caged, he said. You know, when I went in and we were standing at that door, looking at the cages, looking at the hundreds of men in there, I saw myself in those cages. I saw people were my age, people who looked exactly like me, the Florida congressman told Maddow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought when we were walking out of those doors of the internment camp, I thought, Im one of the only people that looks like me, and thats my age, thats going to actually walk out of this place without being deported or without being a staff member, he added. The Miami Herald reported Sunday that over 250 people held in the Everglades facility are listed as having no criminal convictions or pending charges in the U.S., and were only detained on immigration violations. On Monday, Frost firmly called it an internment camp. Maddow played an excerpt of his social media video in which Frost said the detainees were sweating, in cramped conditions and yelling, Help me, help me. He doubled down Monday and said: The conditions were horrible, and its nothing less than what I called it. Frost, seen here speaking during a news conference outside the facility over the weekend. Alexandra Rodriguez/Associated Press And Id like to be very clear about things, because we have too much BS in this world and this politics, where people want to sanitize stuff, he continued. We cant sanitize whats going on in the Everglades because its going on around the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE reportedly announced Monday that its declared millions of undocumented immigrants ineligible for bond hearings, meaning anyone who ever entered the U.S. illegally can now be held for the duration of their immigration proceedings which could take years. Frost called it a complete perversion of the law, as immigrants detained in the U.S. used to be legally allowed to bond out, return to their families and continue to work while the legal process pertaining to their potential deportation continued. He noted that 1996 laws changed this by introducing mandatory detention for those who committed a crime or are considered a flight risk, but that the Trump administration is now arguing it applies to everyone. Frost said it doesnt, and that theyre completely wrong. But this points to something bigger, he added. They want more people behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They want to incarcerate more people, and they want to ethnically cleanse this country of certain types of immigrants, because, heres the thing theyre not going for every person here thats undocumented, Frost continued. Because when I was in that internment camp in the Everglades, I didnt see any Europeans who overstayed their visa. I saw nothing but Latino and Haitian men that look like me. Watch the full interview here: Related... Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, speaks to a person on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on March 5, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The New York native announced Monday night that he will not seek reelection in the 2026 midterms.(Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Rep. Philip Ensler, D-Montgomery, announced Monday night that he will not be seeking reelection for the House District 74 seat next year and plans to move back to his home state of New York. My dad who lived in New York, passed away two years ago, and ever since then, it certainly has been tugging at my heartstrings, Ensler said in an interview Tuesday. Just the thought of being closer to other family has certainly weighed on me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ensler won the seat in 2022 against Republican Charlotte Meadows with 60% of votes, according to election results. The seat had been held by Republicans since 2002, according to election records. It was the first Democratic flip of a Republican-held seat in the Alabama Legislature since 2010. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Ensler, who plans to finish his current term in the House, said that he is most proud of working with other House Democrats to fight for voting rights and rights of minorities in the state. Even though the majority has still passed a lot of what I think are really harmful bills, its important that on our side of the aisle that weve stood up against some of those attacks on peoples fundamental and basic rights, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Tashina Morris, D-Montgomery, said in an interview Tuesday afternoon that she has loved working with Ensler and will miss the asset that he is to the Montgomery community and the state. I definitely understand his decision to not seek reelection, but he was an asset to our party, she said. Ensler said he was proud of fighting to make possession of Glock switches a state crime over the last three years. A version of the bill sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, became law in the spring as part of Gov. Kay Iveys public safety package. The bill, banning the possession of devices that can turn semi-automatic firearms into automatic ones, was the first firearm restriction legislation to pass the Alabama House of Representatives since 2010. I think it really demonstrates the ability to not give up on a really tough issue, and to work well across the aisle and build a really strong coalition of Democrats, Republicans, community groups and law enforcement, he said.I realize that getting any sort of gun legislation passed is a challenge, and recognize that it took a lot of work, but will certainly be worth it for peoples lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also is proud that funding for mental health in public schools made it into the fiscal year 2026 Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget, which takes effect on Oct. 1. The pilot program will get $2.5 million for the fiscal year. To have that support for our young people and to focus not just on the academics, which of course is so important, but to be able to support the whole child, he said. Ensler plans to bring back a bill that would make it a Class B misdemeanor to confine a dog for an unreasonable amount of time and establish guidelines for such. Its a little bit of a niche issue, but its really important, he said. There are just horrible stories of dogs who are abused and subjected to really cruel conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the gun violence side, Ensler hopes to bring a bill for hospital-based intervention of gun shot victims and one that would require gun owners to carry their ID so that police can identify them, should they get pulled over. Morris said she loved how Ensler has been present in his community throughout his tenure, which is what Ensler said hed miss the most. Hes always very supportive and understanding the needs of the community when it comes to gun violence prevention, she said. Ensler said he enjoyed interactions with people in his district the most. I love bumping into constituents in the grocery store, getting coffee and visiting the schools in the district and throughout Montgomery, seeing our teachers and students firsthand, it is always really rewarding, he said. Im going to miss that a lot. Report: Michael Bell is one of 50 sent to infamous state reform schools who ended up on death row A Jacksonville man is set to be executed Tuesday, but his time at an infamous state-run reform school as a child has some calling for mercy. Michael Bell was convicted of the 1993 murders of Jimmy West and Tamecka Smith. Bell claimed he believed the car the couple was driving in belonged to the man who killed his brother earlier that year. Bell was subsequently convicted of three additional murders, including the killing of a mother and her toddler in 1989 and his mothers boyfriend four months before the murders of West and Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bells execution has garnered special attention due to the fact he was sent to the infamous Dozier School for Boys when he was 15 years old. Bell, like many of those sent to Dozier, claims to have been beaten during his time at the state-run reform school. The State of Florida put him there. I mean, they put him in that space where he committed this crime and now theyre going to take his life, said Maria DeLiberato, Executive Director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] New reporting from the Marshall Project found Bells case is not unique. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit identified at least 50 people who attended Dozier and Okeechobee, a similar state-run reform school, who ended up on death row. In total, the Marshall Project found people who were sent to Dozier and Okeechobee have been held responsible for the death of 114 people. This trauma profoundly impacts people, and if its untreated and not addressed, it is not surprising that it leads to criminality, said DeLiberato. The State of Florida formally apologized for the atrocities at Dozier and Okeechobee in 2017. Last year, lawmakers approved $20 million for victims of the schools and just last week, $21,000 checks began hitting survivors mailboxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They authorized compensation for the trauma that those men suffered, and at the same token, were about to execute one discounting the fact that untreated trauma had on their ability to be a productive and law-abiding citizen of the rest of their life, said DeLiberato. Bell was not eligible for compensation from the state. He attended Dozier in the 80s, and only victims who were at the school between 1940 and 1975 were allowed to apply. Bell is set to become the second person who attended Dozier to be executed just since last August, when convicted murderer and rapist Loran Cole was put to death. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Students gathering after dismissal at an Albuquerque school on Sept. 7, 2023. (Photo by Anna Padilla for Source New Mexico) School districts in New Mexico are doing a much better job at maintaining their school buildings compared with 15 years ago, a state official told lawmakers on Monday. Larry Tillotson, deputy director for operations, outreach and quality assurance at the state Public Schools Facilities Authority, said more than $3.1 billion in state funding has gone into school maintenance in the past 23 years, resulting in reduced health and safety issues and improved staff morale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our facilities managers are taking better care of their investments; theyre taking better care of the educational environments across the board, Tillotson told the interim legislative Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force on Monday. Every five years, the Public Schools Facilities Authoritys assessors inspect every school building across 91 school districts in the state, totaling more than 62 million square feet of building space. They find problems like broken fire alarms; clogged air filters that havent been switched out; leaking swamp coolers; or potholes in parking lots, Tillotson said. They follow up with school districts over the following two months to encourage them to fix problems, he said. Their findings go into a Facilities Maintenance Assessment Report, which scores the district on a scale from 0% to 100%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School districts must achieve a 70% rating to receive funding from the Public Schools Facilities Authority, Tillotson said. That rating indicates that districts are maintaining their building systems at a level that keeps them running through their expected useful life, he said. Reaching a higher rating means those systems will last longer than expected, he said. Tillotsons presentation to the task force shows, at this point in the inspection process, the average rating across all school districts lies at over 76%. In the first five-year inspection period that began in 2011, the average rating was 57%, putting the average New Mexico school district in the poor category, the presentation states. At that time, the majority of school districts were failing to maintain their buildings, Tillotson said. Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) told the committee on Monday she was thrilled to hear the report, and that she was shocked to see the improvement since 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been waiting for this for years, she said. Weve been so bad at maintenance. The districts in the marginal and poor categories lack the staff needed to manage their buildings, or dont have supervisors in their maintenance departments, Tillotson said. In the current assessment cycle, nine districts fell into the marginal category, including Taos, Tularosa and Loving; and three ranked as poor: Questa, Hagerman and Pojoaque Valley. Many of our school districts are just not there yet, Tillotson said. In the latest round of inspections, Hobbs Municipal Schools scored the highest, at over 97%, putting it in the outstanding category. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What that tells us is theyre taking extreme care of the educational environment, Tillotson said. Across the board, theyre doing a wonderful job. Other districts with ratings similar to Hobbs include Farmington, Clovis and Central Consolidated Schools in Shiprock, the presentation states. Tillotson said Hobbs school officials even went so far as to ask other districts how they could help them improve their scores. The high score also means Hobbs will save money on maintaining its school buildings after it became the first school district ever to achieve exemplary maintenance, Tillotson said. This unlocked a 5% reduction in how much money Hobbs must pay to match maintenance funding from the state, Tillotson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Good maintenance efforts are critical to ensuring the delivery of good quality educational environments for our students and staff, and to provide those safe, functional learning and teaching environments, Tillotson said. Sen. Bill Soules (D-Las Cruces) told the committee that when education is generally underfunded, district-level officials have to decide whether to pay for a teacher in the classroom or a maintenance worker. Hiring teachers, social workers, counselors, educational assistants all of those are part of the decision, as well as the maintenance portion of it, he said. We need to make sure that districts have the financial resources to do both, and not have to make those terrible decisions. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The city of San Diego may be on the hook to refund nearly $200 million in development impact fees due to not following state guidelines on how to spend and track that money properly, according to a recently published San Diego grand jury report. Its a year of our lives that we pour into these reports and we hope they make a difference, said jury foreperson James Tuck. The grand jury is calling into question the citys collection of development impact fees meant to go toward things like new parks, fire stations, libraries, and roads to offset the impact of new development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuck explains why so much money is at stake. Because the city has not reported out and met its reporting requirement since 2021, it could be at risk of having to return this $178 million thats been languishing in DIF accounts for more than five years back to current property owners. That money could be required to be returned under the state Mitigation Fee Act, if someone challenged the city. However the title of this report is Never Been Challenged. Its a significant chunk of money. We feel like this is a red flag for the city. We just closed the $250 million budget shortfall to turn around and have to pay another $178 million out should be a red flag for the city council and for the mayor, said Tuck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mitigation Fee Act took effect in 1989 and applies to all local agencies, giving them the ability to charge development impact fees. However, it also lays out rules for what that money can be spent on, the time frame it should be spent in, and timely requires annual reporting. The grand jury found $178.8 million went unspent for the five-year limit without proper reporting or justification from the city of San Diego. The reason it was set that way so that the municipalities would use the money or refund it. If it turns out, you dont need it and you dont need it to mitigate the impact of the development whatever it was, then you give it back, said Madison Spach, partner at Frost Brown Todd. Spach won a case (Walker v. City of San Clemente) dating back to 2015 in San Clemente where fees were promised for extra parking at the beach that never came to fruition. A court ruled the money be returned to property owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you do need it, you spend it, but what you shouldnt do is let years and years go by or in some case of decades go by without using the money for the purpose for which it was collected. Its not a tax, its a fee, said Spach. The San Clemente case from 2015 and a more recent 2023 case out of Palo Alto (Hamilton & High v. City of Palo Alto) are both mentioned as precedent-setting for the concerns being raised here in San Diego. Dave Lanferman, who worked on the Palo Alto case, echoes the implications highlighted in the grand jury report. If the fees are imposed and paid, they are supposed to go to a public purpose to provide some infrastructure that the public needs and wants. If the fees are not being used or accounted for then the current owner of record five years down the road is eligible to get a refund, explained Lanferman, Partner at Rutan & Tucker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meantime Tuck says concerns over the development impact fees were first raised as far back as 2011, more recently in a 2022-2023 grand jury report, and again in this most recent report. Paying out the $178 million to the property owners was a recommendation laid out in the 2022-2023 grand jury report. The grand jury also included a list of 14 recommended actions for the city to remedy the issues. Additionally, the jury points out more than $720,000 that was reportedly incorrectly transferred from legacy DIF accounts into a new city-wide account with the adoption of Build Better San Diego. They claim this is also in violation of the state Mitigation Fee Act requirements. This is what the grand jury does. It is here for government oversight. Were here to make government work better for the people the citizens of San Diego, said Tuck. The city declined an interview until it has completed its formal response to the grand jury, which will also need city council approval before being issued. The city has until Sept. 30 to respond or request an extension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. WASHINGTON (AP) Senate Republicans on Tuesday advanced President Donald Trump's request to cancel some $9 billion in previously approved spending, overcoming concerns from some lawmakers about what the rescissions could mean for impoverished people around the globe and for public radio and television stations in their home states. The Senate vote was 50-50, with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie. A final vote in the Senate could occur as early as Wednesday. The bill would then return to the House for another vote before it would go to Trump's desk for his signature before a Friday deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans winnowed down the president's request by taking out his proposed $400 million cut to a program known as PEPFAR. That change increased the prospects for the bill's passage. The politically popular program is credited with saving millions of lives since its creation under then-President George W. Bush to combat HIV/AIDS. The president is also looking to claw back money for foreign aid programs targeted by his Department of Government Efficiency and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. When youve got a $36 trillion debt, we have to do something to get spending under control," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. The White House tries to win over skeptics Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans met with Russ Vought, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, during their weekly conference luncheon as the White House worked to address their concerns. He fielded about 20 questions from senators. The White House campaign to win over potential holdouts had some success. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., tweeted that he would vote to support the measure after working with the administration to find Green New Deal money that could be reallocated to continue grants to tribal radio stations without interruption. Some senators worried that the cuts to public media could decimate many of the 1,500 local radio and television stations around the country that rely on some federal funding to operate. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting distributes more than 70% of its funding to those stations. Maine Sen. Susan Collins, the Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said she was particularly concerned about a lack of specifics from the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rescissions package has a big problem nobody really knows what program reductions are in it," Collins said. That isnt because we havent had time to review the bill. Instead, the problem is that OMB has never provided the details that would normally be part of this process. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said she didn't want the Senate to be going through numerous rounds of rescissions. We are lawmakers. We should be legislating, Murkowski said. What we're getting now is a direction from the White House and being told: 'This is the priority and we want you to execute on it. We'll be back with you with another round.' I don't accept that. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Collins and Murkowski joined with Democrats in voting against the Senate taking up the measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McConnell said he wanted to make clear he didn't have any problem with reducing spending, but agreed with Collins that lawmakers didn't have enough details from the White House. They would like a blank check is what they would like. And I dont think thats appropriate," McConnell said. But the large majority of Republicans were supportive of Trump's request. This bill is a first step in a long but necessary fight to put our nations fiscal house in order," said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. Democrats warn of the consequences Democrats warned that its absurd to expect them to work with Republicans on bipartisan spending measures if Republicans turn around a few months later and use their majority to cut the parts they dont like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It shreds the appropriations process, said Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine who caucuses with Democrats. The Appropriations Committee, and indeed this body, becomes a rubber stamp for whatever the administration wants. Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that tens of millions of Americans rely on local public radio and television stations for local news, weather alerts and educational programs. He warned that many could lose access to that information because of the rescissions. And these cuts couldn't come at a worse time, Schumer said. "The floods in Texas remind us that speedy alerts and up-to-the-minute forecasts can mean the difference between life and death. Democrats also scoffed at the GOP's stated motivation for taking up the bill. The amount of savings pales compared to the $3.4 trillion in projected deficits over the next decade that Republicans put in motion in passing Trump's big tax and spending cut bill two weeks ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Republicans are pretending they are concerned about the debt," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. So concerned that they need to shut down local radio stations, so concerned they are going to cut off Sesame Street. ... The idea that that is about balancing the debt is laughable. What's ahead in the Senate With Republicans providing enough votes to take up the bill, it sets up the potential for 10 hours of debate plus votes on scores of potentially thorny amendments in what is known as a vote-a-rama. The House has already shown its support for the presidents request with a mostly party line 214-212 vote, but since the Senate is amending the bill, it will have to go back to the House for another vote. Republicans who vote against the measure also face the prospect of incurring Trump's wrath. He has issued a warning on his social media site directly aimed at individual Senate Republicans who may be considering voting against the rescissions package. He said it was important that all Republicans adhere to the bill and in particular defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement, he said. ____ Congressional correspondent Lisa Mascaro and staff writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Stephen Groves contributed to this report. Republicans have turned on Donald Trump over his decision to help supply Ukraine with billions of dollars worth of military equipment. In a surprise move on Monday, the US president pledged to sell a full complement of weapons to Nato allies, which will then be turned over to Ukraine. They include Patriot air defence missiles and batteries, as well as short-range missiles and Howitzer rounds in a deal worth as much as $10 billion (7.4 billion). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a further sign of his frustration with the Kremlin, Mr Trump threatened to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Russian trading partners if Vladimir Putin does not sign a peace deal to end the war in 50 days. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a firebrand Republican and Trump ally, criticised the deal and said it went against the presidents campaign promise to avoid the US becoming involved in foreign entanglements. Maga did not vote for more weapons to Ukraine, she wrote on X in her strongest rebuke of the president to date. Maga voted for no more US involvement in foreign wars. Ms Taylor Greene argued that by funnelling aid to Ukraine, Mr Trump was turning his back on the America First principles that got him elected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just Ukraine its all foreign wars in general and a lot of foreign aid, she told The New York Times. This is what we campaigned on. This is what I promised also to my district. This is what everybody voted for, and I believe we have to maintain the course. Under the terms of the deal, announced in the Oval Office alongside Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, Mr Trump said that European nations would purchase top of the line weapons from the US and then transfer them to Ukraine. In some cases, Nato countries would immediately send supplies already in their arsenals to Ukraine and purchase arms from the US to backfill them. However, Ms Taylor Greene remained unconvinced, claiming US taxpayers would end up footing the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without a shadow of a doubt, our tax dollars are being used, and so it is US involvement, the Georgia representative said. She argued that US troops would need to provide training on the weapons being sent and, given that America is the biggest contributor to Nato, US citizens would indirectly be burdened with the cost. Marjorie Taylor Greene accused the US president of turning his back on the America First ideals he promoted during his election campaign - Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Mr Trumps more bellicose foreign policy stance of late, firstly towards Iran and now Russia, has rankled with isolationists in his Maga base who have called for the US to withdraw from overseas conflicts. In his inaugural address, Mr Trump cast himself as a peacemaker and pledged to end the war in Ukraine on day one of his presidency. I said it on every rally stage: No more money to Ukraine. We want peace. We just want peace for those people, Ms Greene told The New York Times, highlighting the extent to which this message resonated on the campaign trail. And guess what? People havent changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addressing the concerns of people in her district, Ms Taylor Greene said the Ukraine deal risked perpetuating a sense of working class voters being overlooked by Washington elites. No ones walking around thinking about Ukraine. No ones walking around thinking about Russia. Theyre just not, she told the newspaper. They walk around and all they think about is their bills, their problems and the road that may look like crap in front of their house or they cant buy a house. Mr Trumps shift in stance has been driven by his frustration with Putin, whom he suggested was all talk about ending the war. However, a significant portion of his Maga supporters remain bewildered by the speed with which Mr Trump has transitioned from berating Volodomyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, for being ungrateful to approving new weapons to support his war effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One former Trump campaign official told the Telegraph that Maga supporters hate the deal. The European money mitigates it, they said. But we still hate it. This is not our war, and escalation isnt in Americas interest. Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser and host of the War Room podcast, condemned the announcement, claiming that Mr Zelenskys number one priority was luring Mr Trump deeper into the conflict. Were about to arm people we have literally no control over, he said. This is not [the] global war on terror. This is old-fashioned, grinding war in the bloodlands of Europe and were being dragged into it. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. LONGMONT, Colo. (KDVR) It is becoming a dangerous July for Colorado as water and land rescues surge. Larimer County first responders have already conducted more than 50 rescue missions this year, including 10 in July. Many tourists and first-time outdoor enthusiasts head into what can be challenging territory. 6 Nuggets players feature on Bleacher Reports Top 100 Players Ever list A really good way to stay safe is to always bring a friend and to never go off trail, said one hiker at Horsetooth Reservoir. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several water rescues and recovery efforts have taken place at area reservoirs. A man was found dead at Barker Reservoir in Nederland on July 6. The next day, a father drowned while paddle boarding with his children on Chatfield Reservoir near the swim beach. Any time that you are recreating in water is a dangerous time in Colorado because in early summer and late spring you have water temperatures that are cooler so when you go into the water it can be kind of a shock to your system and then later throughout the year its just hot and then there are currents and even if youre a strong swimmer swimming is tiring in a reservoir and it can be tough to save yourself Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose told FOX31. The Larimer County Sheriffs Office encourages all boaters and hikers to be prepared by planning trips responsibly, bringing proper supplies and hydration and having a way to communicate if problems arise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are lost and stranded hikers people who are out in the mountains and find that theres either a medical condition or the conditions exceed their abilities and they need to call for help, theyre not able to get out on their own, said sheriffs office spokesperson Kate Kimble. First responders operated three rescue missions at Crosier Mountain, Grey Rock and Corral Creek areas in one week. We had somebody who was experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness and was not able to get out and so they were able to reach out for help and there was a huge coordinated effort of a lot of partner agencies and the Colorado National Guard, said Kimble. Kimble reminds hikers that anyone who needs help should contact authorities immediately, and there is no charge for search and rescue operations outside of actual ambulatory service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Weather Service confirms landspout in Franktown The sheriffs office says its important to closely monitor weather conditions, choose trails that match your physical ability and if in a group, consider everyones ability. Utilize a safety check-up system. Hikers will need enough energy and supplies to get back down the trail as well. Hiking areas can be remote and physically demanding, so proper planning can mean you make it back home in time to share all of those precious memories. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A Rochester man has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to arson. 38-year-old Jermaine Fields learned his fate in a courtroom Tuesday afternoon. On April 17, Rochester Fire Department responded to an alarm call at Abundance Co-Op Market on South Avenue for a fire in the mens bathroom. The firefighters found no active flames but burn marks on the wall and floor around the back of the toilet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After reviewing security camera footage, prosecutors said Fields could be seen entering and exiting the bathroom seconds before the fire alarm triggered. He was then arrested several days later. Oddly, Fields also admitted to lighting papers on fire in a stairway of the Hall of Justice on Exchange Boulevard on April 5, 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jul. 14ROCHESTER A Rochester Police officer was taken to a hospital for possible fentanyl exposure Sunday evening after responding to a call for a possible overdose. Police were called to the Circle K at 400 Fourth St. SE for a report of a man possibly overdosing. A 43-year-old man with an outstanding arrest warrant was being treated by Mayo Clinic Ambulance Services when police arrived at the Circle K around 9 p.m., according to Rochester Police. While police searched the man's belongings before taking him into custody, they found drug paraphernalia. Although police were using personal protective equipment, according to reports, one of the officers began experiencing symptoms of fentanyl exposure. The officer was given Narcan and taken to Mayo Clinic Hospital-St. Marys and released later, according to the Rochester Police Department. ROCKVILLE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The Rockville Rotary Club held its normal Monday evening meeting at the 105th Parke County 4-H Fair. They held the meeting at the REMC Pavilion and hosted Fair Board Officers, the fairs queen and princess, and office staff from the Parke County Purdue Extension. Over 40 members and guests attended to hear the highlights of the ongoing fair. The Rotary Club of Terre Haute gives Paul Harris Award to husband and wife duo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rockville Rotary Club is one of 45,000 worldwide that states its mission is to promote community service, peace, and understanding. To find a meeting for the Rockville branch, the normal time and location are Monday evenings at 5:30 p.m. at the Thirty-Six Saloons family room. You can find more information on the Rockville Rotary Club at their Facebook page. The 105th Parke County 4-H Fairs activities will continue through July 19, closing out with a demolition derby that starts at 6 p.m. For a full list of fair activities, click this link. You can also follow the action at the 105th Parke County 4-H Fair by checking their Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. Russian leaders responded flippantly Tuesday to the Trump administrations threat of severe tariffs if Moscow doesnt quickly come to a peace agreement with Ukraine. Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, wrote in a post on the social platform X. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didnt care, Medvedev, who also previously served as president and prime minister of Russia, added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has upped his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent days, saying Monday he was very unhappy with the leaders continued onslaught in Kyiv. Trump has sought to pressure Russia to come back to the negotiating table through the threat of potential sanctions including a 100 percent tariff on countries that trade with Moscow and by arming Ukraine. Were very, very unhappy with [Russia], and were going to be doing very severe tariffs if we dont have a deal in about 50 days, the president said during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House. I will tell you that Ukraine wants to do something, Trump said later, arguing the Eastern European conflict has been one of the few he has not been able to help settle. Its all talk, and then missiles go into Kyiv and kill 60 people, he continued. Its got to stop. Its got to stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) took a victory lap Monday after Trump threatened tougher sanctions on Russia. The duo cosponsored legislation earlier this year to impose primary and secondary penalties on Moscow if it does not agree to long-lasting peace. Investors, however, have also largely brushed off the ultimatum. The Moscow Stock Exchange grew by 2.7 percent as of Tuesday morning, signaling a lack of concern that Trump will follow through on his threat. The nations likely to be hit hardest by an increase in tariffs are China, Brazil and India, which rely heavily on Russian oil. Graham lauded Trumps moves as the administrations commitment to defund Putins war machine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you keep buying cheap Russian oil and gas to fund Putins war machine, President Trump is going to put a 100 percent tariff on all of your products coming in the United States if you dont change your behavior, the South Carolina senator said during a Monday appearance on Fox News. And Im going to make a prediction, they will, he added. Theyre going to go to Putin and say, enough, get to the table. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russia has rejected President Trump's "ultimatum" for Moscow to sign a ceasefire deal to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days on Tuesday as "unacceptable," calling for continued negotiations and insisting that the invasion ordered by President Vladimir Putin would continue until its goals are achieved. In response to President Trump's threat to impose 100% secondary tariffs on countries that do business with Russia if Putin's government does not agree to a deal to end the war in that timeframe, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Tuesday that "any attempts to make demands, especially ultimatums, are unacceptable to us," according to Russia's state-run TASS news agency. "We need to focus on political and diplomatic work. The President of the Russian Federation has repeatedly said that we are ready to negotiate and the diplomatic path is preferable for us," Ryabkov was quoted as saying. "If we cannot achieve our goals through diplomacy, then the SVO (war in Ukraine) will continue This is an unshakable position. We would like Washington and NATO as a whole to take it with the utmost seriousness." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov separately called Mr. Trump's announcement "quite serious." "Some of it is addressed personally to (Russian) President Putin. We definitely need time to analyze what was said in Washington," Peskov said during his daily briefing on Tuesday. "If and when President Putin deems it necessary, he will definitely comment on it. I would not want to get ahead of ourselves, so let's wait for Putin's decision on whether he will comment on it himself." Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev, who is close to the Kremlin, called Mr. Trump's remarks "a theatrical ultimatum" in a post on social media, adding that "Russia didn't care." On Tuesday, Mr. Trump said "at the end of 50 days, if we don't have a deal, too bad." Mr. Trump said at that point, "the tariffs are going to go, and other sanctions" but he added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "shouldn't target" Moscow. President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office at the White House on July 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. / Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Speaking Monday in the Oval Office alongside visiting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Mr. Trump said: "We are very unhappy, I am, with Russia." He also announced a deal for the U.S. to sell additional weapons to its NATO allies, with the understanding that they will then send the weapons to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're not buying it, but we will manufacture it, and they're going to be paying for it," Mr. Trump said. "This is really big," Rutte said. "And the decision is that you want Ukraine [to have] what it needs to have to maintain, to be able to defend itself against Russia, but you want Europeans to pay for it, which is totally logical." Mr. Trump again expressed his frustration with Putin, whom he recently called "absolutely crazy" for ordering strikes on civilian areas in Ukraine. On Monday, Mr. Trump suggested the Russian autocrat had a habit of saying one thing and then doing another. "I always hang up, say, 'Well, that was a nice phone call.' And then missiles are launched into Kyiv or some other city and I say, 'That's strange.'" Mr. Trump said. "After that happens three or four times, you say, the talk doesn't mean anything." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked in an interview with CBS News partner BBC News if he was done trying to deal with the Russian leader, Mr. Trump said: "I'm disappointed in him, but I'm not done with him. But I'm disappointed in him." In a social media post on Monday, Zelenskyy said he had spoken with Mr. Trump and thanked his American counterpart, "for the willingness to support Ukraine and to continue working together to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with the President Trump in Vatican City, Vatican, April 26, 2025. / Credit: Ukrainian Presidency/Anadolu/Getty "It's important that we have such a good relationship, and that the Alliance countries are working to increase defense spending," Zelenskyy said, adding that he and Mr. Trump had made plans to speak again. "We agreed to catch up more often by phone and coordinate our steps in the future as well," he said. "Thank you, Mr. President! Thank you, America!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The attack, involving tens of thousands of uniformed soldiers and barrages of missiles, came after Russia unilaterally annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula after backing separatist forces in the region. While Russia has maintained control over Crimea and installed its own administration there along with a huge swathe of eastern Ukraine seized over the last three years its dominion over those regions is not recognized by the U.S., the United Nations, or the majority of the international community. One of Putin's key demands for a ceasefire in the ongoing war is that Ukraine, and its international backers, should recognize Russian ownership of at least some of that occupied territory. Trump pushes senators to make $9.4 trillion in spending cuts L.A. Mayor Karen Bass says National Guard deployment in city was "a misuse" of soldiers Mike Johnson breaks from Trump, calls on DOJ to release Epstein files Russia has continued its nightly bombardment of Ukraine after President Donald Trump announced his decision to supply Ukraine with new military equipment and the White House's threats of further economic measures against Moscow. Officials in Kryvyi Rih, in central Ukraine, reported approximately 20 hits on the city overnight into Wednesday. Strikes were also reported in Kharkiv and Kramatorsk. Those come after Ukraine's air force said Russia targeted several regions overnight into Tuesday with 267 drones, of which around 200 were Shahed attack drones and the rest decoys. The air force said it shot down or otherwise suppressed 244 drones. Twenty-three drones impacted across seven locations, with falling debris reported in nine locations, the air force said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said its forces downed at least 70 Ukrainian drones overnight into Tuesday morning. Among the areas targeted was the southwestern Voronezh region, which borders northeastern Ukraine. At least 24 people were injured there, Gov. Aleksandr Gusev said on Telegram. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin would make a decision about how to respond to Trump. "The U.S. president's statements are very serious," Peskov told reporters during a daily briefing. "Some of them are addressed personally to President Putin. We definitely need time to analyze what was said in Washington." Nathan Howard/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump is pictured in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 14, 2025. Dmitry Medvedev -- the former Russian president and prime minister now serving as the deputy chairman of the country's Security Council -- was more forthright, writing on social media that the Kremlin was unmoved by what he called Trump's "theatrical ultimatum." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The world shuddered, expecting the consequences," wrote Medvedev, who, during Moscow's full-scale war on Ukraine, has become known as a particularly hawkish voice within Putin's security establishment. "Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn't care." The Kremlin also on Tuesday dismissed reports -- first published by The Washington Post and Financial Times -- that Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy if Ukrainian forces could strike Moscow and St. Petersburg. The White House, though, confirmed to ABC News that the matter was discussed. "President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. "He's working tirelessly to stop the killing and end this war." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavitt said the reports took the discussion "wildly out of context." MORE: Trump sending weapons to Ukraine, threatens 'severe tariffs' against Russia if ceasefire deal not reached in 50 days Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday that he would impose "severe tariffs" -- though it was not entirely clear if the president was referring to tariffs, sanctions or both -- against Russia and its trading partners if a ceasefire deal is not reached in 50 days. Trump reiterated that deadline on Tuesday, telling reporters, "At the end of 50 days, if we don't have a deal, it's going to be too bad," saying that "tariffs and other sanctions will go on." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't think 50 days is very long -- and it could be sooner than that," he added. Trump also said Monday he had approved a new tranche of weapons to Ukraine worth "billions of dollars." But details of what Trump called a "very big deal" remain unclear. Two U.S. defense officials told ABC News on Monday that the Pentagon was still working on exactly what military aid could be sent to Ukraine. The defense officials said 17 Patriot surface-to-air missile systems that Trump mentioned would come entirely from European allies, who would then purchase new replacement systems from the U.S. The Patriot systems -- of which Ukraine currently has at least six, two of which were provided by the U.S. and four by other NATO allies -- have become a key in Ukraine's defense against Russian drone, missile and airstrikes since they arrived in the country in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're going to have some come very soon, within days," Trump said when asked how long the new batch of American weapons would take to arrive. On Patriots specifically, the president said, "They're going to start arriving very soon." Trump's announcement came after months of rising frustration in the White House over Russia's intensifying bombardments of Ukraine and its failure to commit to a full ceasefire. Speaking on Sunday, Trump said of Putin, "He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening. There's a little bit of a problem there." But questions remain about Trump's threat to impose 100% "secondary tariffs" on nations doing business with Russia. The US has negligible imports from Russia, which account for around 0.2% of U.S. imports, according to Census Bureau data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threat of secondary tariffs or sanctions on Russia's trading partners appears more significant, though may prompt retaliatory measures against the U.S. China and India, for example, are among Moscow's customers for its fossil fuel exports. Despite the open questions, Zelenskyy said he had a "very good conversation" with Trump on Monday. "Thank you for your willingness to support Ukraine and continue to work together to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace," he wrote on social media. AP - PHOTO: In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters try to put out a fire following a Russian attack in Kharkiv region of Ukraine, on July 15, 2025. "We discussed with the president the necessary means and solutions to provide more protection for people from Russian attacks and strengthen our positions," Zelenskyy continued. "We are ready to work as productively as possible to achieve peace." Oleksandr Merezhko, a member of the Ukrainian parliament representing Zelenskyy's party and the chair of the body's foreign affairs committee, told ABC News he was "cautiously optimistic," hoping that Monday's news indicated the beginning of a "maximum pressure" campaign on Putin by Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The whole situation is a win-win-win situation for Trump, Ukraine and Europe," he said. "However, the 50-day deadline is of some concern, because Putin might take it as a green light to intensify offensive operations." Russia's summer offensive is already underway, according to the Ukrainian military, with Moscow's forces pushing for more territory all across the front. Russian efforts are particularly concentrated in the eastern Donetsk and Sumy regions, Kyiv has said. "To prevent it from happening it is crucially important to provide Ukraine without delay, now, with the maximum military assistance," Merezhko said, "including offensive weaponry like long-range missiles, for instance Tomahawks." MORE: How Trump's threats to abandon Ukraine war pose battlefield conundrums for Kyiv Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian backers in the Senate also urged Trump to build on Monday's announcement. "This announcement, by itself, will not be enough to bring Putin to the negotiating table and finally end this war," Senate Foreign Relations Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said in a statement sent to ABC News. "President Trump needs to commit to a sustained flow of security assistance to Ukraine over the long-term," she added. "And we must move immediately on the tough sanctions package in the Senate, which has overwhelming bipartisan support and will make it harder and harder for Putin to prop up his economy and sustain his illegal war." That bipartisan Senate proposal -- fronted by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. -- proposed secondary sanctions of up to 500% on nations doing business with Russia, though according to Graham it will include an option allowing Trump to waive sanctions on individual nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post to X, Graham said Trump "put the countries who fund Putin's war machine on notice: stop financially supporting the war in Ukraine or face 100% tariffs. If I were them, I would take President Trump at his word." Tetiana Dzhafarova/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Civilians take part in a military training organized by Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv region on July 12, 2025. MORE: Russia launches largest drone attack on Ukraine as Kyiv pushes US for air defense aid Asked on Monday whether he would adopt the Senate's blueprint, Trump told reporters, "We could do secondary tariffs without the Senate, without the House. But what they're crafting also could be very good." ABC News' Luis Martinez, Anne Flaherty, Zunaira Zaki, Soo Youn, Shannon K. Kingston and Michelle Stoddart contributed to this report. After U.S. President Donald Trump on July 14 threatened to impose severe tariffs on Russia in 50 days if there is no peace deal with Ukraine, the highly-anticipated statement was met largely with indifference and even relief among Russian commentators. In the first response from a senior Russian official, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, dismissed the announcement on X. "Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin," the former Russian President wrote on July 15. "The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didnt care." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across various platforms, pundits and bloggers rejected the idea that the ultimatum could result in a peace deal by Trumps 50-day deadline. In the hours following the July 14 announcement, Russias Moscow Exchange rose 2.7%, according to Reuters, indicating that investors were optimistic about how Trumps actions would affect Russia and had been expecting far harsher action from the White House. The Kremlin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov took a tougher stance towards Trumps comments, calling the threats serious, according to Russian state-controlled news outlet RBC, but said Moscow needs time to analyze the message from Washington. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov laughs in Moscow, Russia, on June 23, 2025. (Pavel Bednyakov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images) Trump has so far resisted pressure from Ukraine and its allies as well as some of his political allies in the U.S. to impose harsher sanctions on Russia. A bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate would allow Trump to levy a 500% tariff on imports from countries doing business with Russia, but Trump has so far declined to publicly endorse it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The editor-in-chief of the magazine "Russia in Global Affairs," Fyodor Lukyanov, described Trumps announcement as "moderate" in comments published in the major Russian newspaper Kommersant. "If you squeeze the essence out of Donald Trump's speech in the White House," Lukyanov said, "this is what you get: He still really doesn't want to become a party to the conflict in other words, to get involved in a full-fledged confrontation with Russia at full capacity." "We get a lot of bullsh*t thrown at us by Putin." Lukyanovs view reflects a belief among many Russian pundits that the lengthy delay in imposing tariffs extends the ongoing hesitancy from Trump to crackdown on Russia and gives ample time for him to change his mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Republican, for his part, is avoiding making drastic decisions regarding Moscow and, accordingly, does not want to provoke a mirror response from the nuclear power," wrote Kommersant columnist Dmitry Drize. Similar views were published by pro-Russian military bloggers, the highly-influential nationalist voices that share insider war coverage and analysis of events in Russia, primarily on Telegram. The most prominent of these social media personalities can have followers in the hundreds of thousands and have played a key role in shaping public perception within Russia. In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russias President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting on social issues in Moscow, Russia, on July 14, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel / POOL / AFP via Getty Images) "The biggest chatterbox of the planet talked a lot and was engaged in self-promotion," wrote a blogger known as "Two Majors" to his more than a million and a quarter subscribers. "Well, in 50 days he will be so angry he might even write a post on social media." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, some pointed out that Trumps stance towards Ukraine has shifted in recent weeks, as he increasingly lashes out against Russian President Vladimir Putin for his continued refusal to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Last week, Trump made some of his harshest comments yet about the Russian leader. "We get a lot of bullsh*t thrown at us by Putin," he said at a cabinet meeting. "He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless." Despite this, in a phone interview with the BBC published on July 15, Trump said he is "disappointed but not done" with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is noticeable that the hardening of the American position is happening gradually," Russian columnist Drize wrote. "This is what its like now, in 50 days it may be different." Hi, Im Andrea Januta, thank you for reading our latest piece from Kyiv. We believe that now, more than ever, the world needs access to reliable reporting from the ground here in Ukraine. To keep our journalism going, we rely on our community of over 20,000 members, most of whom give just $5 a month. If youd like to support the Kyiv Independents work, please consider supporting us by becoming a member. Read also: Trump reportedly asked Zelensky if Ukraine could strike Moscow Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) -Russia, Iran and China are behind a growing number of life-threatening operations in Britain including attacks and kidnappings, often deploying criminals and sometimes children as proxies, two senior British police officers said on Tuesday. The British authorities in recent years have repeatedly voiced concern at what they said was malign activity by the three states in Britain, ranging from traditional espionage and actions to undermine the state, to sabotage and assassinations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those accusations have been rejected by Moscow, Beijing and Tehran, which say they are politically motivated. On Tuesday, the two British officers said told reporters there had been a fivefold increase in hostile state activity since the Novichok nerve agent poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in 2017, which London says was carried out by Russian spies. Dominic Murphy, who heads up London's Counter Terrorism Command, said the breadth, complexity and volume of hostile operations from Russia, Iran and China had grown at a rate neither they nor their international partners nor any intelligence community had predicted. "We are increasingly seeing these three states ... undertaking threat-to-life operations in the United Kingdom," he told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In most instances, proxies, usually criminals acting quite often for small amounts of cash, were carrying out the states' work for them, said Vicki Evans, the Senior National Coordinator for UK Counter Terrorism Policing. The proxies also included vulnerable people or those who felt disenfranchised, with those aged in their mid teens among those arrested or under investigation. "We are concerned that they might find themselves in an online environment where they're encouraged or egged on to do something and don't understand what they're being asked to do," said Evans, adding they were less concerned that the children were ideologically motivated. Earlier this month, three men were convicted over an arson attack on Ukraine-linked businesses in London, which police said had been ordered by Russia's Wagner mercenary group. Their ringleader had earlier admitted plotting to kidnap a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the head of Britain's domestic spy agency MI5 said that, since January 2022, there had been 20 Iran-backed plots to kidnap or kill British nationals or individuals based in Britain who Tehran regarded as a threat. "We know that they are continuing to try and sow violence on the streets of the United Kingdom, they too are to some extent relying on criminal proxies to do that," Murphy said of Iran. (Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Aidan Lewis) Russian forces conducted a strike on the Shostka hromada in Sumy Oblast on the night of 14-15 July. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] One person has been injured and damage has been recorded, including to a medical facility. Source: Oleh Hryhorov, Head of Sumy Oblast Military Administration; Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne, citing Mykola Noha, Head of the Shostka hromada Quote from Hryhorov: "Early reports indicate that one person has been injured. They are receiving medical treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A medical facility building, high-rise buildings and houses have been damaged in the strike." Details: Hryhorov added that information on the scale of destruction is being confirmed and the aftermath is being dealt with. Updated: Noha reported that the Russians had attacked the Svesa Psychiatric Hospital. A hospital building was destroyed and 11 high-rise buildings and over 10 houses were damaged. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Four civilians have been injured in a Russian strike on the city of Rodynske in Donetsk Oblast using Smerch multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) on the night of 14-15 July. Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office Quote: "The Russians attacked Rodynske with Smerch MLRS at 00:30 on 15 July. A residential area came under fire, where four civilians were injured in their homes. Two men aged 37 and 53 and two women aged 54 and 69 have been taken to hospital." The scene of the attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office Details: They suffered blast injuries, a closed rib fracture, shrapnel wounds, lacerations, multiple abrasions and a concussion. Shattered windows Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office High-rise buildings and outbuildings were damaged in the Russian attack. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! RUTLAND, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Rutland City police said that heavy police presence near Shedd Place in Rutland early Monday was due to a burglary investigation. According to authorities, a call came in around 2:00 a.m. for a burglary at the TenneyBrook convenience store and Mobil gas station across the street on U.S. Bus Route 4. Police then reportedly executed a search warrant at a residence on Shedd Place. Rutland City Police remind owners to keep dogs on leash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A suspect in the burglary has not yet been located, but police say there is no threat to the community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. The 150-year-old chapel on the north side of F Street Neighborhood Church sat unused for decades. That was until Jean Stryker, a resident artist at the church, wanted to find a way to revive the space. In collaboration with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Architecture, the chapel has been transformed into a community arts center. "The goal is for this to become sort of a community gathering place," said Stryker, a resident artist at the F Street Church, during a Monday unveiling of the space known as the Art Chapel. "We hope that people will begin to find a place of belonging here, a place where they can just safely explore their creativity without judgment." The Art Chapel, 1302 F St., was designed and renovated by College of Architecture students under the guidance of Jeffrey L. Day and Jason Griffiths, design-build instructors at the college. It will offer classes, exhibitions, open studio time and a space for worship, according to a UNL news release. The project began with a meeting between the F Street Church and UNL in spring 2019. Later that fall, Griffith's design-build studio, Plain, began the design process. In the spring of 2020, Day's FACT studio, an interdisciplinary, design-build studio that works with nonprofits, joined to start work on the construction phase. The renovation was put on hold during the pandemic, but both studios resumed work in the fall 2022 semester. About 20 students were involved throughout the process, with some working on the project for nearly three years. "To see a building through from creating stages to completion is a really important aspect of our department," Griffiths said. "It's also an important way in which we fulfill a land-grant university mission, by trying to allow the students to have an impact on the communities they come from." The project offered students an experiential learning opportunity where they could work in the community and learn how to problem-solve under real-life challenges, such as material shortages and budget restrictions, while working to meet the needs of the client. "Ultimately, this project is about relationship to the community and serving the needs of the programs that happen here," Day said. "It's not about expressing itself as some grand vision." Preserving the original structure of the building was a major aspect of the design plan. The original flooring was kept intact, as well as the siding on the exterior of the chapel. New windows and doors were installed, but in the same location as in the original building. "This was never an effort to get back to a pure history," Day said. "It was just letting the building live on to its next life." One of the chapel's most unique features is the sliding wall that opens facing 13th Street. "We're very inspired by the way in which the church worked with the community," Griffiths said. "They have a very subtle way in which they invite members of the community to be part of the congregation, to be part of the community programs that they run here." The wall also plays into another one of the project's main goals: to help heal a disadvantaged community. The open wall welcomes people of any status to come in and enjoy the space, the instructors said. Once a week, the F Street Church hosts CenterPointe residents. Over the course of the sessions, Stryker said she's seen many residents develop a love of art. "It just was great to see, over several weeks' time, the transformation in individuals from being kind of closed off to becoming open and joyful," Stryker said. The Art Chapel also organizes gallery shows and art-related events for the public, and has free open studio time every Monday from 6-9 p.m. The chapel also host classes on Saturday afternoons from 1:30-3 p.m. for a $5 fee. Registration for classes and more information about their programs can be found at artchapellnk.org. (WHTM) Congressman Scott Perry (R-Pa.) reported Tuesday that his campaign raised $885,000 during the second quarter of 2025. Perrys campaign says they have more than $1.2 million on hand ahead of whats expected to be another contentious 2026 campaign. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania Todays report is yet another clear indication that the People of the 10th congressional district want Congressman Perry to continue fighting for them in Washington, said Matt Beynon, Patriots for Perry spokesman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the first quarter of 2025, Perrys campaign reported more than $565,000 in contributions, as well as more than $242,000 transferred from other committees. He received more than $130,000 from Grow The Majority, a Political Action Committee (PAC) announced by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in 2023. Front plates in Pennsylvania? State Senators bill would require them The House Speaker visited Cumberland County last year to campaign with Perry. The Perry campaigns announcement comes a day after Democrat Janelle Stelson announced her candidacy in Pennsylvanias 10th District. Perry narrowly defeated Stelson in 2024 by about 5,100 votes, the closest a Democrat has come to unseating Perry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 10th District covers all of Dauphin County and parts of Cumberland and York counties. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DOLTON, Ill. (WGN) At first glance it may not look like it, but the seeds of hope and faith are starting to grow in Dolton. There are signs that better days are just around the corner on 141st Place. The Village of Dolton recently closed on the property that was the childhood home of Robert Prevost, now knowns to the world as Pope Leo XIV. More: Dolton purchases Pope Leo XIVs childhood home Pope Leo was born and raised in Dolton in the small brick home. Born to Louis Prevost and Mildred Martinez on Sept. 14, 1955. He is the youngest of three siblings, alongside brothers Louis and John. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after the village purchased the property, a modest structure of three bedrooms and three baths that was recently renovated, Dolton trustees Kiana Belcher and Brittney Norwood got their first inside look at the home. They brought WGN News along for the tour. The Dolton leadership team considered gaining ownership by way of eminent domain village attorney Burt Odelson was able to negotiate a purchase price with the previous owner of $375,000. WATCH: Pope Leo XIVs video message to Chicago They are now working on getting landmark status. In time the home will be open to the public for tours. And only three blocks away is St. Marys of Assumption church and school, sold by the archdiocese several years ago. It is now abandoned and in disrepair, but the non-profit Preservation Chicago is working with the current owner to obtain landmark status as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Special Section: Chicagos Pope All of which will bring the faithful who will spend time and much needed money to the south suburb. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (WHTM) President Donald Trump and Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) announced they will showcase more than $90 billion in private-sector investments that aim to create thousands of jobs and position Pennsylvania as the leader in artificial intelligence, energy, and innovation. Trump and McCormick are announcing the investment at the inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, which they said is the largest private investment in the Commonwealths history. One thing that bridges the red-blue divide is green, and the promise of investment in Pennsylvania. As the nations second-largest energy producer and a global nuclear power leader, Pennsylvania is uniquely positioned to deliver the abundant, affordable energy that growing AI and advanced manufacturing sectors demand, McCormick said. We have the skilled workforce to build and operate this critical infrastructure, world-class universities driving innovation, and strategic proximity to over half the countrys population. I am proud to partner with President Trump and the business leaders here today to drive a new era of industrial growth that helps make America energy dominant while creating jobs and opportunities for working families across Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its going to be important for them to figure out a way to go from a press release today to actual job creation tomorrow, added Gov. Josh Shapiro (D). Leading on AI is also important, and AI needs lots of power, said David Sacks, Trumps AI czar. We have to drill, baby, drill. We have to build, baby, build. We have to keep building new power and new energy, said Sacks. That means all of the above, including nuclear. Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said Penn State, home of the first campus nuclear reactor, is poised for the next step. Penn State is working with Westinghouse and the NRC to see if we can be the first university to also get the eVinci into the micro nuclear reactor, said Bendapudi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High-tech students and highly skilled laborers are key, said TV star Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs. Rowe said too few of us are willing to get our hands dirty. If I had a bell, Id ring it now, for the last 12 years, for every five tradespeople who leave the workforce to come in five out to two. Its been going on for a long time, and the math is against us, said Rowe. But working for Pennsylvania, officials said, its energy resources, its low-cost energy and its welcoming atmosphere are evidenced by a summit like this. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts Sen. McCormick released a fact sheet detailing the investments announced at the summit: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anthropic committed $1 million over three years to support the PicoCTF program that provides cybersecurity education to middle and high school students. In addition, they announced $1 million over three years to support energy research at Carnegie Mellon University. Blackstone announced a $25 billion investment in data center and energy infrastructure development in Northeast Pennsylvania, along with a new joint venture with PPL Corporation for power generation. This investment is expected to create 6,000 construction jobs along with 3,000 new permanent jobs. Brookfield announced a 20-year, $3 billion deal with Google to repower two hydropower facilities and generate 670 megawatts of power. Brookfield estimates 300 new jobs to be protected. Capital Power announced $3 billion over 10 years to upgrade and expand a gas facility in Shamokin Dam, PA, including $2 billion of Pennsylvania gas purchases. More than 30 full-time jobs are expected to be created as a result of this investment. Constellation Energy will create 3,000 jobs per year as a result of a $2.4 billion investment to uprate the Limerick nuclear power plant. As a result, Pennsylvania should receive an additional 340 megawatts of power capacity, contingent upon customer commitments. CoreWeave announced a $6 billion investment to develop an up to 300-megawatt data center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This new data center is expected to create 600 new construction jobs and 175 full-time operational jobs. Energy Capital Partners announced a $5 billion plan to develop a data center at the York II Energy Center. This project is expected to create 2,500 new construction jobs. In addition, Energy Capital Partners plans to develop 51 community solar projects designed to power 24,000 homes. Energy Innovation Center Infrastructure Academy plans to build a first-of-its-kind regional training facility for energy and AI infrastructure workers with the potential to impact more than 7,000 jobs across southwest Pennsylvania. Enbridge will invest $1 billion to expand its gas pipelines into Pennsylvania, with projects to be announced over the next six to 18 months. Equinor announced an investment of $1.6 billion, generating 1,000 direct and indirect jobs per year, to boost natural gas production at Equinors Pennsylvania facilities and explore opportunities to link gas to flexible power generation for data centers. First Energy will invest $15 billion to expand power distribution, strengthen grid infrastructure, and operate the enhanced grid, supporting 56 of the 67 Pennsylvania counties. In partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, First Energy will also expand an apprenticeship program, creating opportunities for more than 40 new hires across dozens of Pennsylvanias counties. Frontier Group announced plans to invest $3.2 billion to transform the former Bruce Mansfield coal power plant into a natural gas power station in Shippingport, Pennsylvania. This project is expected to create 15,000 construction jobs and over 300 permanent jobs. GE Vernova announced up to $100 million of investment in Pennsylvania facilities, including creating 250 new jobs by expanding a power grid equipment manufacturing plant in Charleroi, PA. Google announced a new 20-year deal with Brookfield to repower two hydropower facilities, Safe Harbor Hydro Facility and Holtwood Hydro Facility, resulting in 670 megawatts of power generation to support the state. Google has also launched a new AI Works for PA initiative offering free training for one million Pennsylvania small businesses and Pittsburgh residents and awarded a grant to the Electrical Training Alliance to train electrical workers and new apprentices using AI through an AI-integrated curriculum. Homer City Redevelopment announced an agreement in principle to purchase $15 billion of Pennsylvania natural gas to support over 4 gigawatts of power generation at the Homer City Redevelopment site. This project is expected to create 1,000 onsite jobs in addition to 10,000 new construction jobs. Meta announced $2.5 million as part of a partnership program with the Schwartz Center for Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University to support startups in rural Pennsylvania communities in addition to community accelerator training for small businesses. PA Data Center Partners and Powerhouse Data Centers revealed plans to develop a $15 billion, 1.3 gigawatt, three-campus data center hub near Carlisle, Pennsylvania. PPL Corporation will invest $6.8 billion through 2028 to expand grid capacity and modernize transmission across multiple Pennsylvania counties to support the growing power demand of data centers. The projects are expected to create 3,400 new jobs in Pennsylvania. PPL also announced a joint venture with Blackstone to develop, own and operate combined-cycle gas generation capacity. TC Energy announced plans to invest $400 million to modernize its gas pipeline network in Pennsylvania. Westinghouse Electric Company is working to have 10 new, large nuclear power plant reactors under construction by 2030, generating what is currently estimated to be $6 billion in economic impact and 15,000 new jobs in southwest Pennsylvania. This is our moment as a nation, and Pennsylvania once again is at the crossroads of this opportunity, Shapiro added. How we address that is going to define the next 50 years in America and maybe longer. There is a vision for Pennsylvanias energy future, but it will take a lot of energy, political, financial, and technological power to make those visions a reality. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell, flanked by her attorneys Dane DeKrey, Matthew Keller, and Bruce Ringstrom Jr. listens to Seventh Judicial District Chief Judge Michael Fritz during her trial at Becker County District Court in Detroit Lakes, Minn. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Mitchell stands accused of breaking and entering into her late father's Detroit Lakes home where her stepmother lives. (Photo by Jerry Holt/Minnesota Star Tribune pool photo) DETROIT LAKES The prosecution and defense in the felony burglary trial of Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, made opening statements Tuesday, but the most influential moments for jurors may wind up being the imperfect memory of the cases key witness: Carol Mitchell, stepmother of the accused and owner of the home allegedly burgled. Nicole Mitchell has pleaded not guilty to first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools, after police say she broke into her stepmothers home on April 22, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicole Mitchell has said her stepmother suffers from Alzheimers, and after not hearing from her for weeks, was conducting a welfare check. Carole Mitchell struggled to recall basic information throughout her testimony Tuesday. Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald began his direct examination of Carol Mitchell by asking her what year she met Nicole Mitchells father, Roderick. Im bad at that, Carol Mitchell said, referring to her struggle with specific dates. Nicole Mitchells father Roderick Mitchell died in 2023. When McDonald asked Carole Mitchell what year he died, Carol Mitchell said that he passed in 1983 1993. After a lunch break, Carol Mitchell was asked again, and she said he died in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She couldnt remember the names of Nicole Mitchells sons her step-grandsons who Mitchells attorney says have spent significant time with Carol Mitchell. Carol Mitchell is a 75-year-old retired graphic designer who has long grey-brown hair and glasses. Several of the jurors appeared visibly uncomfortable during the prosecutors direct examination of Carol Mitchell. Some furrowed their brows when McDonald attempted to jog Carol Mitchells memory about issues like how often Nicole Mitchell would visit her Detroit Lakes home. Carol Mitchells inability to recall specific dates, names and events could undermine her credibility and bolster the defenses argument that her memory had declined so much that Nicole Mitchell made a reasonable choice to drive to the Detroit Lakes home for a welfare check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 22, 2024, Carol Mitchell called the police after Nicole Mitchell was arrested and the officers had left to inform them that she found a blue crowbar near the window Nicole Mitchell allegedly used to break into the home. The crowbar is a key piece of evidence for the burglary tools charge. McDonald presented Carol Mitchell with the crowbar Tuesday, which appeared to be a small prybar, and asked her if she recognized it. No, Carol Mitchell replied. The one she found was much larger than that. A light lavender color, she said. Body cam footage later revealed that the prybar was bright blue and less than a foot long. Carol Mitchell told McDonald that the police pulled the person out of the egress window and later called her to tell her that the person was Nicole Mitchell. This testimony was incorrect, however, according to police. Nicole Mitchell was found by police in the basement bathroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carol Mitchell was present for the arrest, according to body cam footage, and when Nicole Mitchell addressed her Carol, its Nicole Carol Mitchell said, Its Nicole? in a surprised tone. Carol Mitchell during the arrest told police that Nicole Mitchell and her aunts wanted to steal her money. Bruce Ringstrom Jr., Mitchells attorney, was gentle in his cross examination of Carol Mitchell, telling her to take her time and that it was okay if she couldnt remember something. Ringstrom asked Carol Mitchell whether she had told police that I feel like she (Nicole Mitchell) wants to take me out. Carol Mitchell said she did tell police that because she thought the person who was in her bedroom was looking for the pistol she kept there, and she thought the person on the bedroom floor was planning to shoot me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defenses cross examination of Carol Mitchell made her appear like a sympathetic, elderly woman who was suffering from Alzheimers-related paranoia and had an imperfect memory about an event that startled and disturbed her. Bodycam footage was shown during the trial for Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell at the Becker County District Court on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Detroit Lakes, Minn. The video was shown as Detroit Lakes Police officer Joseph Sternhagen testified. Mitchell stands accused of breaking and entering into her late fathers Detroit Lakes home where her stepmother lives. (Photo by Jerry Holt/Minnesota Star Tribune pool photo) Body cam footage McDonald showed the jury several body cam videos, including two that were each 40 minutes long, from cameras worn by the officers who were on the scene during the arrest. When the first officer arrived on the scene that night, he walked past Carol Mitchell, who was wearing a white bathrobe, and went into the basement. The footage showed Nicole Mitchell, dressed in a black stocking hat with her braid tucked into it, a black shirt, black leggings and black socks. The footage showed her come out of the basement bathroom with her hands up. Officers told her to get on the ground on her stomach. They handcuffed her on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carol Mitchell could be seen on the basement stairs watching the arrest. Nicole Mitchell identified herself to Carol, who told Nicole, You had your aunts do it and told police Shes trying to get my money. Nicole Mitchell said she didnt steal anything and nothing was on her. Throughout the video footage and her arrest, Nicole Mitchell told police that Carol Mitchell has severe Alzheimers and that she was paranoid remarks that were left out of the criminal complaint by police. She told police that Carol Mitchell has gotten progressively more paranoid. When Becker County Deputy Sheriff Ethan Wothe was questioning Nicole Mitchell, she offered to show text messages evidencing the paranoid delusions. Wothe responded: Its not a reason to break into anybodys house, according to the body cam footage shown in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know if it means anything but shes a state senator, Wothe told another officer on the scene. Wothe interviewed Carol Mitchell, who said she believed Nicole Mitchell broke into her house looking for a tin box that contained legal and bank documents. Carol Mitchell testified on Tuesday that she believed Nicole Mitchell stole her laptop the prosecution and defense agree that Nicole Mitchell did not steal her laptop and that someone was trying to get money out of her account. Carol Mitchell said her bank had notified her that someone was trying to get into her account. Because of that, she said she believed Nicole Mitchell was after her money. Bruce Ringstrom Jr., a defense attorney for Nicole Mitchell, delivers his opening arguments during Nicole Mitchells trial at the Becker County District Court on Tuesday July 15, 2025 in Detroit Lakes, Minn. Mitchell stands accused of breaking and entering into her late fathers Detroit Lakes home where her stepmother lives. (Photo by Jerry Holt/Minnesota Star Tribune pool photo) Opening statements Carol Mitchells apparent confusion may not be enough to save her stepdaughter from a conviction, however, especially given the statements Nicole Mitchell made to police on the night of the arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know I did something bad. These were some of the many words of Sen. Nicole Mitchell in the early morning hours of April 22, 2024, McDonald began in his opening statement to the jury. McDonald told the 14-member jury that Nicole Mitchell broke into a basement window, wearing all black and her own words make it clear that she was there to take items, and under the law, that is all theres required to prove burglary unlawful entry with the intent to commit a crime inside. McDonald in his 10-minute opening statement told the jurors that Nicole Mitchells reason for being in the home doesnt matter. When the judge instructs you on the law in this case, youll learn that any why wont amount to a legal excuse. That is because no amount of grief or frustration can justify a home break-in, McDonald said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Ringstroms opening statement, he offered a defense of Nicole Mitchell the public hasnt heard. Ringstrom said Nicole Mitchell had a key to the Detroit Lakes home, but Carol Mitchell had started barricading the doors. Nicole Mitchell had seen signs of Carol Mitchells decline, so she wanted to take action to ascertain her condition and get her help, he said. Nicole Mitchell parked on a side street. She made a point to drive to the house when it was still dark outside, wearing dark clothing. When youre checking on a paranoid loved one and hoping they dont notice, you take great pains to leave unnoticed, Ringstrom said. Ringstrom said the defense wouldnt dispute that she entered without permission. Nicole Mitchell wouldve pleaded guilty to a trespassing charge, he said. But what matters is her intent, and Mitchell entered the home to check on Carol Mitchell, Ringstrom argued, not to steal. On Tuesday morning, the judge informed the prosecution and defense that one of the jurors selected Monday had been excused because of health reasons. The jury panel now includes 10 men and four women in a county that voted for President Donald Trump last year by 33 percentage points. If convicted, Mitchell faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. If found guilty of possession of burglary tools she faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison. Jul. 14Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Albuquerque, will host his 13th job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Rio Grande High School. The annual event features over 100 employers and will offer more than 3,000 jobs, Padilla said. Available positions span experience and skill levels. Padilla was elected to the Senate as the housing bubble burst ended in 2013, he said. At that time, he added, his district, 14, was "ground zero" for home foreclosure rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So, what I thought was, 'Why don't I bring the employers to the unemployed, and bring stability to my district?'" he said. Various oddities over the event's tenure, like an Elvis impersonator and sheriff department helicopter sightings, have allowed the event to "take on a life of its own," Padilla said. Previous years saw the event at Harrison Middle School, but due to construction, the fair will be hosted at Rio Grande. Companies attending include the State of New Mexico, Albuquerque Public Schools, Dion's, Jaynes Corp. and more. Each employer receives a table and chairs and can bring any displays they want, Padilla said. He encourages job seekers to wear their "Sunday best" and bring plenty of resumes, as some companies may interview and hire on the spot. "There's something for everybody at this job fair," Padilla said. "If folks are really serious about looking for employment, they can find something for themselves here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, there were 2,400 jobs available at the job fair. The event continues to grow from its first year when there were 26 employers and 500 attendees. Padilla estimates that about two-thirds of attendees come from his district, while the other third travel, some from up to hundreds of miles away, to pursue positions. He said he's tracked more than 10,000 new hires over the event's 12 years. "I really hope that people will find a home for themselves in some sort of a role," Padilla said. "And I hope that employers will see the value of these really great people." For nearly a decade, anti-vaccine activists and film producers have been collecting tragic, mostly unverifiable stories from parents accounts of deaths, injuries and autism allegedly caused by vaccines. On Tuesday, several of those activists served as witnesses inside the U.S. Senate for a hearing before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The hearing was punctuated by misinformation, conspiracy theories and genuine grief, as witnesses shared personal tragedies and an understandable search for causality an emotional series of statements that drew expressions of compassion from both Democrats and Republicans on the subcommittee. Led by Covid vaccine misinformer Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., the Voices of the Vaccine Injured hearing featured a witness list pulled straight from the anti-vaccine movements leadership roster: two senior employees of the Robert F. Kennedy Jr.-founded nonprofit Childrens Health Defense (CHD) and parents featured in Vaxxed, the documentary-style film that helped launch the current anti-vaccine era. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Holland, president of CHD, sat with members of her staff in the front row, in a section cordoned off for witnesses guests. Anti-vaccine attorney Aaron Siri took photos with supporters in the audience. As Johnson entered, a portion of the room a little over half-full at that point applauded. The purpose of the hearing was very simple, Johnson said, to give a platform to those individuals and families who have been abandoned; their injuries and suffering, dismissed and forgotten. Johnsons hearing isnt the first to amplify anti-vaccine activists. Indiana Republican Rep. Dan Burton, a Clinton body count conspiracy theorist, chaired several investigatory hearings in the 00s. And Johnson has hosted a number of panels on purported harms from Covid vaccines, including one in May before the same subcommittee. But Tuesdays hearing is the first to target childhood vaccines long proven very safe since Kennedys appointment as health secretary. And with Kennedy in power, Tuesdays hearing is more than just spectacle: It could inform policy and provide cover for the Trump administrations broader campaign to dismantle federal vaccine programs and gut public health agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under President Barack Obama and now head of a nonprofit focused on global health policy, Resolve to Save Lives, described the hearing as part of a concerted attack on vaccines. He echoed recent warnings that Kennedys moves at the Department of Health and Human Services including the firing of the CDCs vaccine advisory panel and defunding the international vaccine organization Gavi have weakened U.S. public health and endangered millions of children globally. Frieden said parents watching the hearing and listening to stories from its witnesses should suspend their belief. Bad things happen. Sometimes they happen after vaccination, he told MSNBC. That doesnt mean they were caused by vaccination. One thing we do know that is caused by vaccination is protection against illnesses that could harm or kill your kid. The safety of vaccines has been studied extensively likely more than any other medical treatment or product and continues to be rigorously monitored. Hundreds of large, long-term studies involving children around the world have found that childhood vaccines are very safe, do not cause autism or sudden infant death, and have saved millions of lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear what, exactly, the hearing was meant to investigate. Hours before the hearing, the subcommittees ranking Democrat, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, said as much at a news conference with families affected by vaccine-preventable diseases, including a Massachusetts woman whose baby died of pertussis. I hope nothing comes of this hearing, Blumenthal said. I hope people dont pay attention because it isnt deserving of credibility and attention. While it centered on stories of alleged harms, the hearing offered no clear legislative or investigative agenda. Two of the witnesses claims had already been adjudicated through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP), a federal court designed to compensate individuals for rare vaccine-related injuries, where the burden of proof is lower than in civil court (often described as 50 percent and a feather). One witness was awarded compensation on appeal; anothers was rejected. Earlier this month, Kennedy said he planned to revolutionize the program. Brian Hooker, chief scientific officer at Childrens Health Defense, testified that his son has suffered a cluster of debilitating health conditions, including autism since receiving vaccines as a child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A chemical engineer by training, Hooker is the father of an adult son whose autism he believes was caused by vaccines. Hooker is the architect of the movements foundational CDC whistle-blower conspiracy theory, an unfounded claim spun from a series of surreptitiously taped conversations with a senior CDC scientist, William Thompson, that posited government epidemiologists had buried evidence of a link between vaccines and autism. Hookers allegation didnt hold up to scrutiny but became the central premise of Vaxxed, a propaganda film directed by Andrew Wakefield, the British gastroenterologist and author of a retracted paper in the Lancet medical journal that linked autism to the MMR vaccine and sparked a worldwide panic. Hookers 2014 paper supporting the theory, which suggested the MMR vaccine disproportionately harmed Black boys, was also retracted that same year. Hookers original claim filed in 2002 under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was rejected by the courts special master who dismissed Hookers theory that mercury in vaccines caused his sons autism as having already been disproven and described Hookers experts as unqualified, sometimes scandalously so. Still, Hooker continued his activism. In 2023, he co-authored a book with then-activist and now HHS Secretary Kennedy that argued unvaccinated children are healthier than vaccinated ones. The book relies on cherry-picked, unreplicated studies, including Hookers own retracted research, while ignoring decades of rigorous scientific evidence. Johnson asked Hooker to repeat an unfounded claim that federal health officials in the 2000s destroyed evidence of a link between vaccines and autism. They literally all brought the evidence and they destroyed it together, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, Sen. Blumenthal expressed sympathy for Hookers vaccine court failure. Im heartbroken to hear these stories, Blumenthal said. It makes me want to do something. The audience applauded. He quickly added, I cant promise anything. Polly Tommey, CHDs programming director, told the panel about her son and her belief that an MMR vaccine had caused his autism. Since moving to Austin, Texas, from England, Tommey has been documenting the stories of thousands of other parents who believe vaccines harmed their children. A longtime friend of Wakefield and producer of Vaxxed and its 2019 and 2024 sequels, Tommey has spent years traveling the country in the so-called Vaxxed bus, collecting stories for her films. We saw so much death, so much death, Tommey said in her testimony. Two of her subjects, featured in CHDs video projects, also appeared as witnesses Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Tarsell said that speaking about her daughter Christina, who died suddenly in 2008, gave her purpose. Im trying to make her death matter, Tarsell said. A medical examiner could not determine the cause of Christinas death, but Tarsell believes the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, is to blame. Her initial vaccine court claim was denied, but years later on appeal, a special master ruled that she had met the programs low burden of proof. (More than 160 studies have shown Gardasil to be safe and effective at preventing cancers caused by HPV, according to the CDC.) Krystle Cordingley, a self-described wellness practitioner whose infant son died 14 hours after a flu shot, claimed, without offering evidence, that she believes doctors hid the cause of death from her and that an independent investigator revealed vaccines were to blame. Democrats invited no scientists or medical experts to testify, calling just two witnesses: Serese Marotta and Eric Stein, whose son and sister, respectively, died of complications from flu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the hearing wound down, Stein and Marotta attempted to fact-check some of the false claims from the other parents seated alongside them. Im not here to debate the science, Marotta said. The science is clear. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Pediatrician Daniel Johnson discusses his article, From isolation to innovation: the power of learning communities in health care. He reflects on the collaborative, case-based learning that makes medical training exciting and contrasts it with the professional isolation many physicians experience after graduation. To combat this, Daniel champions Project ECHO, a global telementoring model that creates virtual learning communities. He describes ECHO as hospital rounds on Zoom, where an all teach, all learn, all support environment connects community practitioners with specialists to solve real-world patient cases, from the early days of AIDS to modern challenges like pediatric obesity. The conversation serves as a powerful call to action to formally integrate this model into the entire medical education system, ensuring clinicians remain part of a supportive, collaborative community throughout their careers. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nations largest health care hiring network, were your partner in shaping health cares future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Daniel Johnson. Hes a pediatrician. Todays KevinMD article is From isolation to innovation: The power of learning communities in health care. Daniel, welcome to the show. Daniel Johnson: Thanks a lot, Kevin. I appreciate being here. Kevin Pho: All right, so tell us a little bit about your story and what led you to write this article in KevinMD. Daniel Johnson: Im a professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago. I was a general pediatrician very early in my career, but for nearly all of my career, I have been a pediatric infectious disease specialist and, very importantly, a program builder. My programs focus is on capacity building and workforce development with the goal of increasing services for underserved and under-resourced communities. First, this was focused on HIV; then I focused on communities on the south and west side of Chicago, and now my work has moved beyond those geographies as well. ADVERTISEMENT I think the most important thing about me is that Im a native Chicagoan. I grew up on the southeast side of Chicago. I was raised in a Jewish household and the Hebrew termare you familiar with it? Tikkun olam? Kevin Pho: I am not. Daniel Johnson: Have you ever heard of that? Kevin Pho: No. Daniel Johnson: So, it means healing the world or repairing the world. Its really about social action and the pursuit of social justice. The goal is that we will all work together through ethical behavior and positive change to make the world a better place. That was really heavily emphasized during my youth and my years of entering into my career, and thats really what has led me to the place I am at. I started as an engineering student and thought I wanted to do automotive design. But then I took a class on transplant materials, got interested in biomedical engineering, and was advised to go to medical school. There I discovered the joys of medicine and direct care of children and families. Taking care of kids is fun. You can really goof around with them, but you get to see the joy of children and their recovery. My background led me to ask a lot of questions, and thats really what led me to develop what is now ECHO-Chicago, or a Project ECHO program. Id be happy to tell you more about that if youd like. Kevin Pho: Absolutely. Tell us about Project ECHO and your KevinMD article for those who get a chance to read it. Daniel Johnson: Back in 2009, I first learned about this Project ECHO program. In fact, its kind of funny. A friend of mine went to Truth or Consequences, New MexicoI just love that name. In Truth or Consequences, she was talking to a friend and was telling her all about this program called Project ECHO. When that friend of mine got back to Chicago, she told me about it. I contacted Dr. Sanjeev Arora, who was leading the program, and he said, Come on down to New Mexico, and Ill teach you what Im doing. He was focused on rural New Mexico, and what I could see was that this could be applied to urban America and, in particular, Chicago. So, what is ECHO? ECHO is recurring sessions. Theyre roughly an hour long, so its a small amount of learning that occurs frequently. In our case, we do them weekly. Its also what learning theory says you should do to learn. Its done in a group setting with some didactics, but its heavily focused on case-based learning. The success of ECHO led me to focus on why it has been proven to be one of the strongest tools for medical learning. Its really about sharing data-driven information, sharing experience through case-based learning, and coupling it with active listening and participation. That should sound familiar to anybody who is a doctor because thats basically what rounding is. Anybody who has watched a doctor show gets to see rounding, but of course, we live through it. We know that people cant learn everything from a book. Think about how we learned to drive. I taught my kids how to drive. Would I have been happy with my kids just reading a book about how to drive and then just going out there and driving? Of course not. They needed to learn under the tutelage of someone who could give them direction and ideas. Well, thats what rounding really is: the opportunity to do that. But driving is a static process. Once you learn to drive, you really know how to drive. But not so with being a medical provider. Medicine is constantly evolving, and so we need to constantly be learning. What ECHO is, is an all-teach, all-learn, all-support system for knowledge transfer. Its good throughout a persons career, not just during their training. I wanted to share that thought, and thats what led me to write the article. Its important that we not stop that process of rounding and learning when we finish our training. The way most medical providers careers evolve is they go out into practice and they dont get that opportunity to participate. Thats what weve done with ECHO: weve brought that opportunity to them. And it makes a difference. ECHO has been proven to reduce cost, increase quality of care, improve provider and patient satisfaction, and even help to build communities by keeping patients local. It helps to strengthen communities. By keeping providers happy with their job, they stay in those communities, so it strengthens both rural and urban neighborhoods. It needs to be part of the ongoing process of peoples careers, and the medical education system needs to recognize that and support it. Kevin Pho: So tell us what a typical session would look like for a practicing clinician. Daniel Johnson: Usually there are somewhere between 20 and 30 people who are willing learners, and the sessions are led by facilitators and subject matter experts. They last about an hour. We do them weekly. We pick a time that works well for the group. In truth, most of the time thats eight oclock in the morning because thats when providers have some control over their day. The beauty of it is that you get on a videoconference setting just like this one, so all the time is spent learning rather than on travel or coming together. Because you can do it frequentlyand again, learning theory has taught us that people learn best when they learn small amounts frequentlythats what were doing with that session. The first 20 minutes are usually didactic, helping to build foundational knowledge. The remainder of the time is case-based and HIPAA-protected, so no personal health information is shared. Providers bring their cases, so its real-world learning. They share them just like on rounding, and then theres a conversation. You probably remember from rounding that it wasnt just the attending, the most senior person in the room, who was sharing knowledge; it was everybody. That knowledge comes together to produce a plan for the care of patients. In this way, it builds capacity, expands the workforce, and increases the availability of services at the community level. We did it in our training in a hospital setting. This is being done in an outpatient setting, almost exclusively. The goal then is to strengthen outpatient care so that patients can stay in their medical home, dont have to leave their community for care, and are able to get high-quality service at their place close to home. Kevin Pho: Now, what kind of topics or specialties are typically offered? Daniel Johnson: You name it; we may have done it. Weve done over 50 different topical areas. When we first started, we started with resistant hypertension in adults. But, you know, Im a pediatrician, so I then said to my partners in thisbecause we use the cues from the primary care providers out in the community to tell us what they needI said to them, What about pediatrics? So we then did obesity and ADHD, and then weve expanded. Weve done a focus on just patient type, so adolescent medicine, geriatrics, and womens health. We do very specific diseases like the ones Ive already mentioned, but add to it hepatitis C and diabetes. There are so many different topical areas, but whats critical to the topic selection is that it needs to be of a major concern to the provider and to the patient population that theyre taking care of. It should have public health consequences, and it should be teachable through an algorithm or some type of protocol so that those primary care providers can follow and learn a protocol and algorithm that will help them deliver the care their patients need. It also builds community because now these providers, who are often isolated in their own practices, come together and meet each other remotely. They develop relationships. They also develop relationships with the subspecialists, the subject matter experts who lead the sessions. Now youve got this community that grows, helps to combat professional isolation, and builds a team that can provide the care that patients need. Kevin Pho: It almost sounds like virtual grand rounds, so to speak. Daniel Johnson: You could really say that, but its much more heavily focused on the interaction between the learners and the subject matter experts. Kevin Pho: Is there CME offered for these sessions? Daniel Johnson: CME is offered, but whats interesting is that only about half the providers actually access the availability of the CME, which Ive always thought was kind of interesting. It just shows how satisfied they are with the opportunity and how that is driving them to the table over and over again to want to do this. Kevin Pho: What is the cost, if any? Daniel Johnson: We dont charge. Weve made that a rule of thumb. So how do we underwrite it? Thats always been the challenge. Our ECHO program started in 2010, so weve been funding this for 15 years. We did it originally through some internal funding at the University of Chicago. We then found foundations who felt this was a great way to support it, then federal money, and city and state money. Thats how we have done this year after year. But its part of the reason why I feel we need to incorporate this into the medical education system so that the medical education system will support this. Its the reason why the article, in part, focuses on introducing the concept of ECHO during peoples education so that they will come to expect, want, and demand it after they finish their training because of the strength that ECHO will bring to their practice. Kevin Pho: If Im a physician listening to you for the first time and am interested in taking the first steps and participating in an ECHO session, what are some initial steps that they can take? Daniel Johnson: Well, you need to identify an ECHO program. There are over 1,500 ECHO programs around the world now, and most of them are in the U.S. Almost every state now has ECHO programming. Part of the reason why its best to join an ECHO program in your own state is because there are unique aspects of care that relate to how care is delivered in your locality, in your geography. Although our program, for example, does nationwide ECHOs on occasion, most of our ECHO programming is directed at people in Illinois because of some of the unique aspects of care delivery in Illinois having to do with reimbursementrules of the road, so to speakthat need to be appreciated and followed. But of course, there are aspects that are applicable no matter where youre at. First, you have to find that ECHO program. Then look at the list of what theyre offering or even contact them and say, Can you develop an ECHO program in a particular area? When I first started, I wanted to focus on hepatitis C; Im an infectious disease specialist. But my providers in the area said, No, no, no, were not interested in that. Three years later, they came back to me and said, Please develop a program in Hepatitis C because we now recognize the pandemic around hepatitis C, and we need help. We went to the CDC; they provided funding. We did a five-year project that trained over 350 primary care providers and made a huge difference in the availability, diagnosis, and treatment of Hepatitis C in the Chicagoland areasomething that we proved and published after doing that project. Kevin Pho: Were talking to Daniel Johnson. Hes a pediatrician. Todays KevinMD article is, From isolation to innovation: The power of learning communities in health care. Daniel, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience. Daniel Johnson: Thank you for that. I would say that my biggest lesson learned is first, never give up. One person can do a lot, and so its worth working hard to do that. But one of the big lessons Ive learned is that a team can do even more. Ive built a team around this ECHO concept, and we believe in the all-teach, all-learn, all-support model. That really has proven to me over and over again that teams make a difference. Bringing people together for learning is critical. The other is that we need to be committed to repairing the world through our actions. Its, in essence, making the world a better place for ourselves and others. Finally, what I want to say is that we have to all work now to rebuild the system that our government, unfortunately, has worked recently to dismantle. We have to rebuild the faith of people in science, in medicine, and in the medical community. I believe that the sharing of knowledge, the democratizing of knowledge, the movement of knowledge, is key to making sure that were able to do that. Kevin Pho: Daniel, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks again for coming on the show. Daniel Johnson: Thanks a lot, Kevin. I appreciate it. This past weekend, my wife and I made our way to Winnipeg, a sleepy town nestled in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The occasion? A family celebration. My niece and her husband had just welcomed a beautiful baby girl, and they insisted, almost reverently, that my wife become the godmother. It was a request we could not, and frankly, did not want to, refuse. Winnipeg, or Winterpeg as some Canadians jokingly call it, is cold enough to make you question global warming, even in the summer. But despite the chill, we were warmed by the lavish hospitality of our hosts. For a few days, we were indulged and pampered, made to feel like visiting royalty. The trip also happened to coincide with my wifes birthday, so if youll allow the cliche, we managed to kill two birds with one stone. And my wallet, thankfully, caught a break. The return leg of the journey, however, was less than regal. What was meant to be a five-hour layover in Minneapolis inexplicably stretched into eight. Frustration simmered, and I could feel the familiar dread that accompanies long airport delays beginning to rise within me. My years of frequent travels had conditioned me to equate extended layovers with psychological warfare. But my wife, ever composed, turned to me and said, Maybe this delay is a blessing in disguise. Who knows? She pulled out her phone and started searching for nearby attractions. Her calm acceptance, her ability to pause and wonder instead of complain, was for me, the first lesson of the day. Thats how we ended up at the famed Mall of America in Bloomington, just four miles from the airport. Towering and audacious, the Mall of America is the largest shopping complex in the Western Hemisphere. It is a spectacle of commerce and leisure, retail stores, amusement rides, even an aquarium. Yet, what stayed with me was not the grandeur of the mall, but something deeper: a reminder that not everything that appears inconvenient is misfortune. There is an ancient Chinese tale: the parable of Sai Weng and his horse. In the story, Sai Wengs prized horse ran away. His neighbors, quick to empathize, lamented his misfortune. But the old man, with a curious calm, replied, Who knows if its good or bad? Days later, the horse returned, this time with a wild stallion in tow. The neighbors celebrated his good fortune, but again, he responded, Who knows if its good or bad? Eventually, Sai Wengs son tried to ride the stallion, only to fall and break his leg. More condolences followed. But when the emperors army arrived to conscript able-bodied young men for a distant war, his injured son was spared. And once more, the refrain: Who knows if its good or bad? This story is more than folklore. Its philosophy. A profound reminder that we are often too quick to judge our circumstances, too eager to classify events as blessings or curses without the clarity that only hindsight provides. We live in a world of immediate reactions. We want to know right now: Was this good or bad? A win or a loss? Success or failure? But life doesnt operate on such binary terms. What looks like a curse today might be tomorrows saving grace. This idea is echoed in whats now known as The Nova Effect, a modern retelling of the same ancient truth. The Nova Effect teaches us that we simply dont know what the future holds, and that lifes seemingly random, even painful disruptions often serve a higher, if hidden, purpose. Its a lesson that comes up again and again, not just in fables or philosophy, but in real life. ADVERTISEMENT Ive lived this truth myself a couple of times in the past. Of course, when were confronted with an unwelcome outcome, disappointment is only natural. We lack the foresight to see the larger picture, only the sting of a door slammed shut. But with time, as it so often does, clarity emerges: not every disappointment is a denial. Some are simply detours, unseen mercies disguised as misfortune, guiding us toward something better than we could have planned. This isnt to romanticize pain. Betrayal hurts. Loss wounds. Rejection stings. But what if these experiences arent punishments? What if theyre protections? How often have you looked back and realized that the job you didnt get, the relationship that ended, the person who walked away, all those losses you once grieved, were actually gifts in disguise? Maybe that job wouldve drained your joy. Maybe that relationship would have eroded your peace. Maybe that friend was more weight than wings. We tend to see pain as an end, but often its a beginning. The worst thing that happens to you may be the best thing that ever happened for you. You just dont know it yet. This is the essence of living life the Nova way: resisting the urge to label every event, to declare every twist as good or bad. Its about trading control for curiosity, and certainty for openness. Its about trusting that life, even in its chaos, may be unfolding exactly as it should. Stoic philosophy echoes this wisdom. Epictetus taught that we should focus only on what we can control, and let go of what we cannot. Painful outcomes? Other peoples choices? Delays, detours, heartbreaks? Theyre often beyond us. What remains within our power is how we respond, whether with bitterness or with grace. In the end, we must make peace with the truth that we wont always understand the purpose of every event as its happening. The dots only connect when we look back. That missed flight, that lost opportunity, that broken relationship, they might be the very things that shaped our resilience, rerouted us to safer paths, or brought us to deeper joy. So the next time life throws you a curveball, the job falls through, a friend disappears, the plan goes off course, dont be too quick to judge it. Dont rush to call it a failure or a misfortune. Instead, remember Sai Weng. Remember Nova. And say quietly to yourself: Who knows if its good or bad? Because maybe, just maybe, its life doing what life does best: taking away what you thought you needed, so it can give you what you truly do. Osmund Agbo is a pulmonary physician. China reports surge in foreign tourists as summer vacation begins Xinhua) 08:11, July 15, 2025 Inbound passengers line up for documents checking at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport in southwest China's Chongqing, July 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- China is experiencing a surge in foreign tourist arrivals as the summer vacation season kicks off, with increasing numbers of international travelers drawn to the country's unique blend of ancient culture and modern vitality. Thomas Watts, a short video creator from the United States, said he invited friends to Chongqing this summer after seeing numerous online posts highlighting the city's steep hills and bold flavors. "It reminds me of San Francisco, but with spicier food and a spectacular neon-lit skyline. I came to experience it and film it myself," he said. He is not alone in choosing China as a summer destination. Kittiphume Pannil, a university student from Thailand, arrived in China for the first time last week and plans to spend his summer break on an exchange program at a local university in Chongqing. "When I saw Chongqing from the plane, it looked like a city of dazzling lights and towering skyscrapers, like something straight out of the future," Pannil said. Official data showed that in the first half of 2025, Chongqing's border checkpoints handled more than 1.14 million inbound and outbound travelers, a 35 percent year-on-year increase. Among them, over 330,000 were foreign nationals, setting a new record for the city. The country's capital is also drawing a growing number of international visitors. According to official data, Beijing's ports of entry handled over 640,000 inbound and outbound travelers from July 1 to 10, including 171,000 foreign tourists, marking a 22.1 percent year-on-year increase. Among the newcomers is Robert Alex Barbender, a traveler from the Netherlands. "A friend told me Beijing is beautiful, and now with the visa-free policy, I thought why not come and have a look?" he said. "Honestly, it feels like I've stepped into a video game, everything is busy and crowded, but still runs in perfect order," he added. Other major cities are also welcoming record numbers of international visitors. According to official data, a total of 2.56 million foreign travelers entered China through Shanghai's Pudong and Hongqiao international airports in the first half of this year, marking a 44.7 percent year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, Xi'an, a cultural hub known for its Terracotta Warriors, has welcomed more than 135,000 foreign visitors this year, a 124 percent jump from the same period last year. Notably, over 100,000 of them arrived under visa exemption policies, including unilateral and mutual visa-free entry as well as the visa-free transit policy, marking a staggering 290 percent surge compared to 2024. To meet the growing demand, immigration authorities at major border checkpoints have introduced a range of measures to reduce waiting times and improve the travel experience. Tourism destinations across the country are also tailoring experiences for international visitors. In Beijing, the Palace Museum offers foreign-language tours focusing on the architectural significance of the landmark spots. In Xi'an, tourists can immerse themselves in China's rich history by dressing in traditional Tang Dynasty costumes. This significant rise in inbound tourism this summer is no coincidence. Summer is traditionally a major vacation season for travelers from Europe, North America and Southeast Asia, leading many to choose China as their preferred destination during these months. The surge has also been driven by China's continued easing of entry policies for foreign visitors. As of now, China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy applies to 55 countries, while nationals from 47 countries are eligible for unilateral visa-free entry. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) CCTV: Cooperation between China and ASEAN countries has made good progress recently. The smart port at Friendship Pass on the border between China and Viet Nam started joint commissioning and testing. Chinese company completed the Genting Tunnel on the East Coast Rail Link in Malaysia. Some media, however, said that Southeast Asian countries, including ASEAN countries, face a China Shock, which could disrupt local economic and social development. Whats your comment? Lin Jian: China and ASEAN countries have similar development philosophies and goals and shared interests. In designing cooperation with ASEAN countries, we always make sure that it responds to their desire of growing the economy and delivering better lives for their people, and that our cooperation is always based on equality and mutual benefit. Recent years have seen many cooperation highlights in emerging sectors such as e-commerce and digital tech. China and ASEAN countries have also achieved a lot in advancing regional economic integration and facilitating cross-border travel. China and ASEAN have affirmed the completion of consultations on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0. The two sides are engaged in high-quality implementation of RCEP, and expanding the common market. Chinese cross-border e-commerce platforms are working with their Southeast Asian counterparts to introduce more competitive products to the market. Chinese businesses are building 5G networks, bringing fiber optics to households and enabling digital transformation in Southeast Asian countries. With the Lancang-Mekong visa and the ASEAN visa coming into effect, travel is further eased between China and ASEAN countries. With Chinas well-established industrial chain in manufacturing, it has kept the global industrial and supply chains stable, cut local production and living costs and turbocharged technological advancement and industrial upgrade in Chinas partner countries through industrial cooperation. China has a mega-sized market. We are implementing the strategy of expanding domestic demand and special initiatives to boost consumption. The vast potential of domestic demand will be unleashed, bringing more opportunities for our neighborhood and the rest of the world. At the recently concluded China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, ASEAN countries said they have the most dynamic and fruitful cooperation with China. Not only is this a recognition of the cooperation, but also an echo of Chinas commitment to fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and a vision for a shared future. China will continue to work with ASEAN countries for robust momentum for common development and prosperity. Reuters: Paraguays president has said that the country is preparing to receive Lai Ching-te next month. Lai is also expected to visit Belize. He could very well make stopovers in the United States during his transit. Has China already warned the U.S. not to allow Lai to transit and if so, what was the U.S.s response to that? Lin Jian: On the so-called diplomatic ties between Paraguay and Chinas Taiwan region, China has made its position clear more than once. The one-China principle is a basic norm in international relations and an international consensus. Upholding the one-China principle is the right thing to do. It is where the arc of history bends and public opinion trends. People from various sectors of Latin American countries, including from Paraguay, have visited China in recent years. There is a widely shared view among them that Paraguay needs to stop turning its back on China, stop being an outlier of the international community, and recognize the one-China principle and make a change in its relations with China sooner rather than later. We urge the current administration of Paraguay to stop going against the trend of the times, and reject being manipulated and used by Taiwan independence forces. It needs to listen to the aspiration of the people of Paraguay, and make the right choice that truly serves the fundamental and long-term interests of its people at an early date. We also hope that relevant Latin American and Caribbean countries will see the prevailing trend, act prudently on Taiwan-related issues, and join the big family of China-LAC friendship and cooperation at an early date. Regarding the possible stopover in the U.S. you mentioned, China firmly opposes any form of official interactions between the U.S. and Chinas Taiwan region. We oppose any visit to the U.S. by leaders of the Taiwan authorities for whatever reason or under whatever pretext. The U.S. should not in any way aid or abet Taiwan independence separatists and their separatist activities. The U.S. needs to fully understand the high sensitivity of the Taiwan question, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and handle the Taiwan question with extra prudence. RT TV: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is paying a visit to China. Could you brief us on his visit? Whats your comment on it? Lin Jian: President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi have met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov respectively, and the readouts have been released. China and Russia maintain close and smooth communication at all levels, which is conducive to the timely implementation of the common understandings reached by the two presidents, promoting each others development and revitalization and jointly addressing the challenges in this volatile and changing world. Global Times: Its reported that on July 11, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on social media sanctions against Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Defense Minister Alvaro Lopez Miera and Interior Minister Lazaro Alvarez Casas for human rights violations, and their access to visas will be restricted. This is the first time that the U.S. sanctions Miguel Diaz-Canel. Whats Chinas comment? Lin Jian: We noted relevant reports. China firmly opposes the U.S. using human rights as a pretext to wrongfully impose unilateral sanctions, and interfere in Cubas internal affairs. Over six decades of sweeping U.S. blockade and sanctions have devastated the lives of the Cuban people. The sanctions should be lifted at once, not redoubled. China firmly supports Cuba in pursuing the development path suited to its national conditions and safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity. We urge the U.S. to immediately lift the blockade and sanctions on Cuba, and remove it from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Let me stress that if the U.S. truly cares about human rights, it should reflect on its own human rights violations at Cubas Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere in the world. AFP: Japan said yesterday that Chinas military activity in the region could seriously impact Japans national security. Does China have a response to this comment? Lin Jian: I think you are referring to the Defense of Japan 2025 that was just released. The white paper reflects a wrong perception of China, interferes in Chinas internal affairs and peddles the false China threat. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this, and has protested with Japan. Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory. The Taiwan question is purely Chinas internal affair, and how to settle it is a matter for the Chinese ourselves. China is committed to peaceful development. Chinas national defense policy is defensive in nature, and our defense development and military activities are legitimate and justified. Chinas military cooperation with other countries is fully consistent with international law and international practice. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. We urge Japan to deeply reflect on its historical crime, draw lessons from history, and stop finding pretexts for its military buildup by talking up tensions in the neighborhood and issues related to China. It needs to avoid further losing the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community. Reuters: U.S. President Trump has threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on Russian goods and also secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian oil unless Russia agrees to a peace deal within the next 50 days. Does the ministry have any comment on this? American Senator Lindsey Graham has threatened China and other countries with 500 percent tariffs and other punitive measures if they continue trading with Russia. Are you concerned about the pressure from Washington? (Similar question from RT TV) Lin Jian: Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We always believe that dialogue and negotiation is the only viable way out of the crisis. China firmly opposes any illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. Tariff wars have no winners. Coercion and pressuring will lead nowhere. We hope parties will help create the atmosphere and conditions for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and act in ways conducive to promoting talks for peace. RIA Novosti: A follow-up on the Japanese defense ministry report. It also says that Tokyo is deeply concerned about Russias military activity in the Far East and its strategic partnership with China. The Ministry particularly noted the growing frequency of military interaction between the two countries, including joint exercises and joint patrols. Whats Chinas comment on this? Lin Jian: I just made clear Chinas position on Japans defense white paper. Let me reiterate that China is committed to peaceful development. Chinas national defense policy is defensive in nature, and our defense development and military activities are legitimate and justified. Chinas military cooperation with other countries is fully consistent with international law and international practice. Reuters: The European Commissions VP Teresa Ribera has told journalists that China said it is committed to a new climate target that is comprehensive, and that China will come up with concrete updates on that this autumn. Could we confirm if China has set such a timeline for finalizing its climate targets? Also, just following up on the dialogue with the EU on climate that just concluded, about the joint declaration that the EU mentioned, are China and the EU on track to have a joint declaration during the summit of the leaders? Lin Jian: You mentioned the visit to China by Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Teresa Ribera. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang held the sixth China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue jointly with Teresa Ribera. The readout has already been released, which you may refer to. I would like to stress that China actively implements the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement. We are fully committed to green and low-carbon development. No matter how the world may shift, or how other countries may adjust their policy, China will not deviate from its goal of carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. President Xi Jinping stated at the Leaders Meeting on Climate and the Just Transition in April this year that China will announce its 2035 NDCs covering all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belem. Id refer you to competent authorities for specifics. On the China-EU Summit, I have no information to share at the moment. Bloomberg: Today NVIDIA announced that it will be allowed to start selling its lower-grade AI chips to China because the U.S. government will allow them to do so. Can you respond please? Lin Jian: Usually, we do not comment on business activities. I would like to point out that Chinas opposition to politicizing, instrumentalizing and weaponizing tech and trade issues and malicious attempts to blockade and keep down China is consistent and clear. These actions will destabilize the global industrial and supply chains, and serve no ones interests. On 14 July Mexicos government led by Presidentrejected a decision by the US administration of Presidentto impose 17.09% anti-dumping duties on fresh tomatoes imported from Mexico as unfair. End of preview - This article contains approximately 401 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 14 July the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) extended the mandate of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (Binuh) until 31 January 2026. End of preview - This article contains approximately 600 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 14 July Ecuadors Interior Minister John Reimberg said that Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, alias Fito, who was the countrys top fugitive until his arrest on 25 June, could be extradited to the US within 15 days. End of preview - This article contains approximately 369 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options People trying to defame kanwar Yatra, says UP CM day after kanwariyas attack jawan > < 23:58 Bihar police set up dedicated cell to maintain database of contract killers File image The Bihar police has set up a 'cell' to maintain a database of contract killers operating in the state with a view to keep a tab on such criminals. The new cell has been constituted under the Special Task... Read more > 23:42 Odisha: 3 leopard skins seized, teacher among 7 arrested Three leopard skins were seized and seven persons, including a government teacher, were arrested for trading in wildlife body parts in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, a senior forest officer said.Acting on a tip-off, officials of the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) conducted raids at Kutling village... Read more > 23:33 We're very close to a trade deal with India: Trump US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that Washington is very close to a trade deal with India. We're very close to a deal with India, where they open it up, Trump said in the Oval Office while talking to reporters during a bilateral meeting with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of... Read more > 23:05 Modi calls on President Droupadi Murmu File image Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Wednesday, her office said. It also shared pictures of the meeting in a post on X. Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the post... Read more > 22:52 IndiGo Goa plane makes emergency landing in Mumbai File image Just In: IndiGo plane from Delhi to Goa has made emergency landing at Mumbai airport due to engine failure, said sources. More details soon. -- PTI Read more > 22:46 UIDAI deactivates Aadhaar of deceased person to prevent misuse, disables 1.17 cr ids The UIDAI has started deactivating Aadhaar of deceased persons to prevent misuse of their identity proof, and disabled over 1.17 crore such unique 12-digit numbers till date, an official statement said on Wednesday.As part of initiatives, the Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI) has started... Read more > 22:23 Pahalgam terrorists identified, they won't....: J-K LG Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday that the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack have been identified and will soon be dealt with. While delivering a lecture on Jammu and Kashmir: Towards Peace at the Gandhi Smriti, Sinha emphasised that any... Read more > 22:02 Army conducts successful trials of Akash Prime air defence system in Ladakh File image In a significant development, the Indian Army on Wednesday conducted successful trials of the indigenously developed Akash Prime air defence system at over 15,000 feet altitude in the Ladakh sector. The trial were carried out by the Army Air Defence along with senior officials of... Read more > 21:52 Emirates Mumbai-Dubai flight delayed by 3 hours due to technical glitch File image A Dubai-bound Emirates flight from the city was delayed for nearly three hours on Wednesday after the aircraft developed a technical glitch, which forced the passengers to return from the aerobridge and go through the security checks and immigration again, according to a source. The flight,... Read more > 20:47 3 killed, 7 injured in firing on passenger bus in Pakistan's Balochistan File image Three persons were killed and seven others injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a passenger bus in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Wednesday, a senior official said.The vehicle was going from Karachi to provincial capital Quetta when it came under attack in the Kalat area of... Read more > 20:29 BIS raids Amazon hub in Andhra, seizes uncertified goods File image The Vijayawada branch of the Bureau of Indian Standards raided e-commerce giant Amazon in Andhra Pradesh's NTR district and seized a consignment of uncertified consumer products, including electronics, utensils, toys, fans, footwear, and more, an official said on Wednesday. The raid on... Read more > 20:12 Pune Congress ex-president Sanjay Jagtap joins BJP Days after resigning as Pune district president of Congress, former MLA Sanjay Jagtap on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. The former Purandar MLA joined the saffron party with his followers in the presence of Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan at Saswad in the... Read more > 19:48 Rupee falls 18 paise to close at 85.94 against US dollar The rupee declined 18 paise against the US dollar to close at 85.94 (provisional) on Wednesday, tracking a strengthening American currency against major crosses overseas amid uncertainties over the India-US trade pact. However, renewed foreign capital inflows and sliding global crude prices... Read more > 19:29 Back from space, what awaits Shubhanshu at home ISRO astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla smiles and waves after exiting the Dragon spacecraft/Axiom Space/YouTube/ANI Photo Home cooked meals, quiet family time and sharing stories from earth and beyond' that's the kind of homecoming Kamna Shukla has planned for her astronaut husband Shubhanshu Shukla, the toast of the nation and only the second Indian to go up in space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, or Shuks... Read more > 19:09 Defamation case against Nirmala Sithraman: Court slaps Rs 5k fine on complainant Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman A Delhi court on Wednesday imposed Rs 5,000 fine on Lipika Mitra for being absent in the hearing over her criminal defamation complaint against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Mitra is the wife of former AAP MLA Somnath Bharti. Additional chief judicial magistrate Paras Dalal said,... Read more > 18:35 Telangana, Andhra agree on key water-sharing measures, says Revanth Reddy Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday said the Centre has agreed to several crucial proposals aimed at resolving long-pending water-sharing disputes between the state and Andhra Pradesh, including setting up telemetry systems and river management boards. Speaking to... Read more > 18:10 Trump hints at Indonesia-style trade deal for India US President Donald Trump has said that the proposed trade deal with India would be on the lines of what America has finalised with Indonesia on Tuesday. Under the US-Indonesia trade pact, the Southeast Asian nation will provide complete access to its market to US products, while... Read more > 17:55 Heavy rains continue across India Two well-marked low-pressure areas -- one over northwest Rajasthan and its neighbourhood and another over southwest Bihar and adjoining eastern Uttar Pradesh -- are currently influencing weather conditions across large parts of India. These systems are likely to sustain heavy to very heavy... Read more > 17:47 Teacher apologises, explains reason behind Kanwar song A teacher in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district has issued a video statement expressing regret after a police case against him over a song referencing the ongoing Kanwar yatra. Rajneesh Gangwar, who teaches at MGM Inter College, claimed that he is neither anti-religion nor anti-government,... Read more > 17:19 The big gainers today Among Sensex firms, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tech Mahindra, State Bank of India, Infosys, Adani Ports and ITC were the major gainers. However, Eternal, Sun Pharma, Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Bajaj Finance and Bharat Electronics were among the major laggards. Read more > 17:17 Stock markets edge up amid weak global market trends enchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty closed marginally higher on Wednesday as investors stayed on the sidelines amid weak global market trends and tariff-related uncertainty. Rising for the second day in a row, the 30-share BSE Sensex edged up 63.57 points or 0.08 per cent to settle at... Read more > 17:07 Salman sells 1,300 sq ft Bandra apartment for... Bollywood actor Salman Khan has sold a 1,318 square feet apartment in Bandra (West), Mumbai, for Rs 5.35 crore, according to Square Yards. In a statement on Wednesday, real estate consultant Square Yards said it has reviewed the property registration documents of the deal by Salman Khan.The... Read more > 16:56 Eknath Shinde test drives the Tesla Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde test drives the Tesla outside the Maharashtra Assembly today, a day after Tesla officially launched its Model Y electric midsize SUV in the Indian market. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis yesterday inaugurated the 'Tesla Experience Centre in Bandra... Read more > 16:48 Your CM is scared he will go to jail: Rahul in Assam Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday claimed that the people of Assam will put Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in jail for corruption, though he thinks he is a 'raja'. Sarma and his family will be held accountable for corruption, Gandhi said while addressing a party meeting in... Read more > 16:10 Gokarna cavewoman's ex-husband seeks child custody Days after Russian woman Nina Kutina was taken into custody for living in a cave deep inside the forest in Karnataka's Gokarna with her two daughters, her ex-husband, an Israeli citizen, is demanding shared custody of their daughters, saying he wants to be a father to them.I just want to be able... Read more > 15:55 Why is Yogi Govt Acquiring 13,240 Acres? Uttar Pradesh will acquire more than 13,240 acres along expressways for industrial clusters, in a bid to achieve its $1 trillion economy goal. The land will be earmarked for industrial and logistics hubs in the vicinity of five expressways: Bundelkhand, Ganga (under construction), Gorakhpur... Read more > 15:53 ISI, Jaish, LeT to use more of these in terror missions... Drones have emerged as the new Over Ground Workers (OGWs) for terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir, causing concern among security agencies as this shift from human networks to unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance and logistics marks a new frontier in the region's security landscape, officials... Read more > 15:38 Thousands of Kanwariyas collect holy water at Har Ki Pauri Thousands of Kanwar pilgrims collected the holy water during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra at Har Ki Pauri here on Wednesday. The Kanwar Yatra began on July 10. During the annual pilgrimage, Kanwariyas collect holy water from rivers and carry it over hundreds of kilometres to offer it at Lord... Read more > 15:09 Fight till last breath, papa: Girl who immolated herself The father of the 20-year-old college student, who immolated herself in protest over alleged sexual harassment by her teacher, on Wednesday vowed to fight till his last breath for justice.He also demanded that the government conduct a screening test before hiring someone as a... Read more > 14:56 Shiv Sena ties up with Republican Sena for civic polls Maharashtra Dy CM Eknath Shinde With elections to local bodies in Maharashtra looming, Shiv Sena, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Wednesday announced an alliance with Republican Sena led by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson Anandraj Ambedkar. The move is expected to consolidate Dalit votes in urban... Read more > 14:46 Sebi F&O Intervention Marks 20% Decline In Individual Investors The results of the Securities and Exchange Board of India's interventions in the futures and options (F&O) market are beginning to show.The total number of unique traders in the F&O segment has declined by 20 per cent to 6.7 million, according to a study released by Sebi. This count is... Read more > 14:24 Man kills parents with hammer, spends night with bodies A drunk auto driver allegedly killed his parents with a hammer in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, and spent the night with the bodies lying in a pool of blood, police said on Wednesday. The chilling incident happened in Dhonapal village in the Baisinga police station area on Tuesday night.... Read more > 14:11 Will hold press conference: Raj on MNS-UBT alliance Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday lambasted the media for wrongly attributing words to him during an informal conversation with reporters over the question of possible alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)... Read more > 13:55 Is it 'Randeep Raj' in Karnataka, as BJP alleges? Randeep Surjewala As AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, continued to hold one-on-one meetings with several ministers on Wednesday, opposition BJP and JD-S took a dig at the ruling Congress, calling him super CM. They also asked whether Randeep rule has been imposed in the... Read more > 13:37 SC relaxes Ashoka Prof's bail conditions, grills SIT The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the line of investigation adopted by Haryana SIT in the case of Ashoka University professor booked for social media posts on Operation Sindoor saying 'it misdirected itself'.A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi asked the Haryana SIT headed... Read more > 13:22 Chappal row: Prada sends its experts to Kolhapur A team of experts from Prada visited Kolhapur to interact with artisans and assess the local footwear manufacturing process, days after the Italian luxury fashion brand was accused of appropriating the region's famous flat sandals. Following the row, Prada had acknowledged that the sandals... Read more > 13:12 100 displaced Manipuri people stopped from returning homes Displaced Manipuris have been staying in camps for two years now Security forces on Wednesday stopped nearly 100 internally displaced people in Manipur from returning to their villages in Dolaithabi in Imphal East district, police said. As a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident, they were stopped from going back to their native places, a... Read more > 12:57 Saw on news I ran over Fauja Singh: NRI who hit runner Fauja Singh A Canada-based man arrested for allegedly running over Fauja Singh has told the police that he didn't know the victim was the world's oldest marathoner, sources said on Wednesday, reports NDTV.The accused, Amritpal Singh Dhillon, said that he learnt about the death of 114-year-old... Read more > 12:50 Gopal Khemka murder: SHO suspended for dereliction of duty The Bihar Police on Wednesday suspended a station house officer (SHO) for dereliction of duty in connection with the murder of Patna-based industrialist Gopal Khemka. The order of suspension of Gandhi Maidan Police Station SHO Rajesh Kumar was issued by Central Range (Patna) Inspector... Read more > 12:45 SC defers 'Udaipur Files' hearing till July 21 The Supreme Court on Wednesday deferred for July 21 hearing on the film 'Udaipur Files - Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder', and asked the filmmakers to await a decision of the panel appointed by the Centre to hear objections against the movie. The panel is scheduled to meet at 2:30 pm on... Read more > 12:33 SBI Cuts Short-Term Retail Deposit Rates State Bank of India, the country's largest lender, has cut interest rate on short-term retail domestic deposits by 15 basis points across tenors effective July 15. The rate cut, the third such instance in the current financial year (FY26), comes in the backdrop of improved liquidity... Read more > 12:28 Companies Affected In IPR Cases Can Press Criminal Charges: SC The Supreme Court has held that a company can be called a 'victim' under the Code of Criminal Procedure and it can file an appeal against an acquittal order in criminal cases, including violations of intellectual property rights. This means that corporate entities affected by violations of... Read more > 12:18 Kolhapuri chappal row: HC dismisses PIL against Prada Prada is retailing the chappals for Rs 1 lakh The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) against Italian fashion house Prada for its alleged unauthorised use of the famous Kolhapuri chappals. A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne questioned the locus and statutory right of... Read more > 12:13 How Much Does Kia's 1st Made-In-India EV Carens Clavis Cost? Kia India on Tuesday launched its first made-in-India electric vehicle, the Carens Clavis EV, starting at 17.99 lakh. The vehicle is offered with two battery pack options: a 42kWh variant promising a 404 km range, and a larger 51.4kWh battery offering up to 490 km (MIDC) on a single... Read more > 12:11 28% GST On Online Money Gaming Flawed, Firms Tell SC Online real-money gaming companies on Tuesday opposed in the Supreme Court the imposition of 28 per cent goods and services tax on their services, arguing that the levy was fundamentally flawed and contrary to the legal framework. Appearing for the online gaming companies (petitioners),... Read more > 12:01 Akbar brutal but got Gita translated: NCERT textbook Akbar's reign was a blend of brutality and tolerance, while Aurangzeb was a military ruler who banned un-Islamic practices and reimposed taxes on non-Muslims -- this is how the new NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook presents key Mughal emperors. The book, to be introduced in schools from... Read more > 11:45 Maha Oppn stages 'banian-towel' protest against Sena MLA Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad Legislators of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday staged a banian towel protest outside the Vidhan Bhavan to condemn the assault of an MLA hostel canteen employee by Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad.Clad in banians and towels above their dress, the legislators shouted slogans against... Read more > 11:28 PM has to answer in Parl: Cong on Trump's ceasefire claims The Congress on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to answer to President Donald Trump's India-Pakistan ceasefire claims in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during the forthcoming Monsoon session of Parliament.Tagging a post carrying Trump's latest remarks referring to the trade... Read more > 11:02 'It might hit you very hard': NATO chief's warning to India Echoing United States President Donald Trump's stance on imposing economic sanctions against countries maintaining trade ties with Russia if Moscow doesn't put an end to the conflict in Ukraine, North Atlantic Treaty Organisaiton (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday (local time) urged... Read more > 10:50 BJD observes Balasore bandh over college student's death Markets were shut, schools and colleges were closed, and vehicles largely remained off the roads as a bandh, called by the opposition Biju Janata Dal, was underway in Odisha's Balasore district over the death of a college student.The second-year B.Ed student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College... Read more > 10:28 Class 9 girl raped by boys from school at her flat A class 9 student was allegedly raped inside her house in Ghaziabad by four boys -- three of them known to her from school, with the police launching an investigation into the matter, officials said on Wednesday.The girl was alone in the house when the incident took place on Sunday morning in a... Read more > 10:19 Four Delhi schools get bomb threat A bomb threat received through email triggered panic across four private schools in Delhi on Wednesday morning, prompting authorities to immediately evacuate the premises for a thorough check, a Delhi Fire Services official said.This was the third consecutive day that education institutes in the... Read more > 09:41 Mamata to lead march over 'harassment' of Bengalis West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will lead a protest march in Kolkata on Wednesday over alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states.The march will begin at College Square around 1 pm and conclude at Dharmatala in the heart of Kolkata.Senior... Read more > 09:21 RBI's VRRR sees weak demand The Reserve Bank of Indias three-day Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction got a tepid response on Tuesday, with the central bank receiving bids worth Rs 57,450 crore only, against the notified amount of 1 trillion. Market participants said that banks were reluctant to park higher... Read more > 08:41 Govt to table 8 new bills in monsoon session For the monsoon session of Parliament, which begins on July 21, the government has listed eight new Bills, including the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions), Taxation Laws (Amendment), and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bills. The session is also set to see the Opposition... Read more > 08:40 RBI Governor hints at allowing foreign banks to own... The interest rate cuts since February have been transmitted well to lending rates, and any future reduction in policy rates will depend on the growth and inflation outlook, Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Tuesday. He also indicated that the regulator might allow... Read more > 08:26 Fauja Singh hit-and-run case: SUV driver arrested The driver of the SUV which ran over and killed Fauja Singh, the world's oldest marathoner, has been arrested, sources said on Wednesday.They said the accused has been identified as Amritpal Singh Dhillon (26), a resident of Dasupur in Kartarpur.His vehicle has also been seized.Dhillon was going... Read more > 00:05 Don't demolish Satyajit Ray's ancestral home: India to B'desh India on Tuesday called on Bangladesh to reconsider its decision to demolish the ancestral property of noted filmmaker Satyajit Ray and offered help to preserve the iconic building as it symbolises Bangla cultural renaissance. Describing the move to demolish the landmark... Read more > 00:04 Landslide hits Malshej Ghat in Maharashtra; highway traffic disrupted A sudden landslide triggered by heavy rains struck a section of Malshej Ghat on the National Highway 61 in Thane district on Tuesday afternoon, causing disruption to vehicular movement for a few hours, an official said. The landslide hit the Kalyan-Malshej... Read more > On June 11, 2025, President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso respectively sent congratulatory letters to the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and extended warm congratulations to the convening of the meeting. Xi Jinping pointed out that since its establishment 25 years ago, the FOCAC has strongly driven the flourishing development of China-Africa cooperation and become a model for solidarity and cooperation in the Global South. Xi Jinping recalled that in September last year, at the FOCAC Beijing Summit, he and African leaders unanimously agreed to jointly advance modernization that is just and equitable, open and win-win and eco-friendly, puts the people first, features diversity and inclusiveness, and is underpinned by peace and security, and to take ten partnership actions, steering China-Africa relations into a new stage of building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Thanks to the concerted efforts of both sides, the implementation of the outcomes of the Summit has already yielded a number of encouraging early harvests. The two sides have also reached a consensus on organizing the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges in 2026. Xi Jinping expressed the belief that this will inject new vitality into China-Africa friendly cooperation. Xi Jinping emphasized that the current international landscape is marked by intertwined changes and turbulence. China remains committed to creating new opportunities for the world through the new achievements in Chinese modernization, and providing new momentum for Africa and other Global South partners through China's big market. Through the entry into agreements on economic partnership for shared development, China implements zero-tariff measures of granting 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, and facilitates greater access for exports from Africa's least developed countries to China. China is ready to work with the African side to further implement the ten partnership actions, strengthen cooperation in key areas such as green industries, e-commerce and payment, science and technology, and artificial intelligence, deepen cooperation in such fields as security, finance, and the rule of law, and jointly promote high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation. Xi Jinping pointed out that openness and cooperation are the right path forward, and mutual benefit is the shared aspiration of the people. Joint efforts by China and Africa to advance modernization will strongly promote solidarity and cooperation in the Global South and open up brighter prospects for the cause of peace and development around the world. He expressed hope that both sides will continue to advance the implementation of the outcomes of the Summit with solid efforts, carefully plan the future development of the FOCAC, and work hand in hand to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, contributing the strength of China and Africa to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. In his congratulatory letter, President Denis Sassou Nguesso said that since the convening of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, Africa-China strategic and practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results. This Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the FOCAC. He pledged to make all-out efforts and work unwaveringly with President Xi Jinping to make greater progress in building an Africa-China community with a shared future and to enhance the well-being of the people on both sides. As the African co-chair of the FOCAC, the Republic of the Congo is will work with China and other Global South countries to strengthen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, jointly build a multipolar world free from unilateralism and protectionism, and usher in a new era of universally beneficial and inclusive globalization. Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace has been shot dead on the steps of his Miami mansion. The incident happened shortly before 0900 local time (1400 GMT) as the 50-year-old designer returned from the fashionable News Cafe where he bought breakfast and Italian newspapers. Witnesses described a white man in his mid-twenties taking a gun from a backpack and shooting Versace twice in the back of the head as he unlocked the gates to his Ocean Drive home. A gun was found with discarded clothes in a red Chevrolet pick-up truck abandoned in a car park. Police have traced the weapon to Andrew Cunanan, 27, a gay prostitute with an affluent clientele. He is already on the FBIs most wanted list in connection with four other murders all of the victims were, like Versace, homosexual. Miami police chief Richard Barreto described Cunanan as the sole suspect, but he did not know if he had any relationship with Versace. Hundreds of people have gathered opposite Versaces three-storey, Mediterranean style home, the only residential building in the art deco section of Ocean Drive. Police have sealed off the area round the blood-stained steps to the house Casa Casuarina where Versace lived most of the time with his friend Antonio DAmico. Around the world Versaces stores have been closing as they received news of the tragedy. Tributes are pouring in from the many rich and famous friends who enjoyed wearing Versaces flamboyant designs. Amongst them Princess Diana has issued a statement saying she was devastated at the loss of a great and talented man. Versace had just released his new winter collection and a glamorous television launch planned for the Spanish Steps in Rome has been cancelled. With the help of his sister Donatella and his brother Santo, Versace transformed the family firm into a multimillion-dollar fashion empire. Courtesy BBC News In context Following Americas biggest manhunt, detectives traced Andrew Cunanan to a houseboat three miles from the murder scene on 25 July 1997. After a five-hour siege a swat team stormed the boat and found Cunanan dead. He had shot himself in the head with the gun he used to kill Versace. His motive and any clues to his links with organised crime went with him to the grave. There were some press reports which suggested he had been diagnosed HIV-positive, but a post mortem examination showed this was not the case. Versace was his fifth victim, at the end of a killing spree which began in April 1997. Versace launched his fashion label in 1978 and the year before his death made pre-tax profits of 60m from a global turnover of 300m. The label has continued under the direction of Donatella and Santo Versace. The largest-ever war-fighting drills in Australia, Exercise Talisman Sabre, are underway and expected to attract the attention of Chinese surveillance ships. Australia launched missiles from its M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS, yesterday during live-fire exercises at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, a 4,500 square kilometer Outback expanse in Queensland state. The HIMARS launchers were recently bought from the United States. Today was the first time the Australian Army has live-fired our long-range, multi-domain platforms being the HIMARS, o it is a remarkable day, Brig. Nick Wilson told reporters. Talisman Sabre began in 2005 as a biennial joint exercise between the United States and Australia. This year, more than 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations, including Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and the United Kingdom, will take part over three weeks, Australias defense department said. Malaysia and Vietnam are also attending as observers. The exercise will also take place in Papua New Guinea, Australias nearest neighbor. It is the first time Talisman Sabre activities have been held outside Australia. Chinese surveillance ships have monitored naval exercises off the Australian coast during the last four Talisman Sabre exercises and were expected to surveil the current exercise, Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said. The Chinese military have observed these exercises since 2017. Itd be very unusual for them not to observe it, Conroy said. Well adjust accordingly. Well obviously observe their activities and monitor their presence around Australia, but well also adjust how we conduct those exercises, Conroy added. Conroy said the Chinese were not yet shadowing ships as of Sunday. The exercise officially started on Sunday with a ceremony in Sydney attended by Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific Lt. Gen. J.B. Vowell and Australias Chief of Joint Operations Vice-Adm. Justin Jones. The exercise, showcasing Australias defense alliance with the United States, started a day after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began a six-day visit to China, where he is expected to hold his fourth face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing today. Albanese said Chinese surveillance of Talisman Sabre would not be an issue raised with Xi. That would be nothing unusual. That has happened in the past and Ill continue to assert Australias national interest, as I do, Albanese told reporters in Shanghai yesterday. Albanese also noted that while he had visited the United States as prime minister five times, he had only been to China twice. The Australian leader has been criticized at home for failing to secure a face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. I look forward to a constructive engagement with President Trump. We have had three constructive phone conversations, Albanese said. MDT/AP The Judiciary Police arrested four mainland men for loan sharking and unlawful confinement after allegedly detaining a gambler who borrowed HKD1 million at a Cotai casino. Charged with HKD800,000 in interest after losing, the victim was held in a hotel room and had his ID seized. He alerted casino staff while calling for help, leading to his rescue. One suspect remains at large. Police said such illegal lending and detention will be prosecuted to protect public safety. Related Lawmaker Lam Lon Wai has expressed concerns that students take advantage of the school summer break to engage in illegal activities, including cross-border contraband. Lams concerns were raised in a spoken inquiry delivered at the Legislative Assembly before the agenda for the Wednesday plenary session. In the inquiry, Lam remarked that recently, two students, one aged 13 and the other 16, were intercepted by Customs Services for trafficking and smuggling old mobile phones across the border. This case deserves deep reflection by society as a whole, to see if there is room for improvement in young peoples guidance and legal education, and in organizing activities during the holidays, Lam said. The lawmaker added that according to a study titled Research Report on the Characteristics of Young Offenders and studies on youth trends, during long vacations, due to a lack of appropriate activities, it is easier for young people to exhibit behavioral deviations, become addicted to electronic devices, or even break the law. He claimed that many students spend a lot of time on their cell phones, viewing harmful content on the internet, and may be induced to participate in illegal activities such as trafficking and theft. Furthermore, he said that due to their young age, they are unaware of the consequences, which can lead them down the wrong path. Lam said that Macau must continue to improve the legal education of young people and fill the gaps in guidance, starting with preventive intervention, guidance, and communication, to create a more comprehensive support system for the summer holidays. The lawmaker wants authorities, schools, companies, and associations to work together to promote vacation activities with diverse themes, including sports, culture, science and technology, civic education, and volunteer work. He also proposed providing a subsidy and a participation certificate to those joining to increase their motivation and recognition. The Legislative Assembly (AL) yesterday detailed the passage of the Public Procurement Law, aimed at enhancing fairness, transparency, and procurement procedures, while also establishing a public procurement website and an official registration database. However, during the legislative debates, some legislators expressed concerns that fully waiving the requirement to publish procurement information after the fact compromises the principles of openness and fair competition. The First Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly convened earlier this month to finalize discussions on the draft Public Procurement Law, subsequently signing a statement of opinions. Compared to the original draft, the bill replaces existing legal procedures for procuring goods and services, which have been in place for over 30 years, and introduces significant improvements. Both the structure and content of the bill have been substantially revised, resulting in clearer provisions, with the number of articles increasing from 109 in the original draft to 152. The new content includes a dedicated chapter on procurement procedures, which outlines the specific steps and requirements for various types of procurement. This addition aims to enhance the structural rationality and completeness of the bills content. The new law introduces additional administrative penalties for anti-competitive conduct, with fines ranging from 5% to 10% of the estimated value of the procurement contract, aimed at enhancing the laws deterrent effect. A public procurement website will be established, mandating the disclosure of information such as notices, bidding rules, and evaluation results to improve transparency in public procurement. The bill explicitly designates the Financial Services Bureau (DSF) as responsible for establishing a supplier database, ensuring that the information is open and accurate, thereby promoting fair competition. Another significant amendment is the specific regulation of competitive negotiation and consultation procedures, which seek to enhance their fairness and transparency, ensuring equal opportunities for all participants. At yesterdays detailed review meeting, lawmaker Ron Lam underscored the principle of openness and transparency. He acknowledged that the government had revised the wording of the bill to exempt certain parts from legal application, viewing this as a positive step forward. However, he pointed out that the text does not clearly articulate a commitment to transparency. He emphasized that the government should disclose information after decision-making, unless confidentiality is warranted, highlighting the critical role of such disclosure in ensuring effective oversight. What I want to emphasize is that, except in cases involving confidentiality and national security, this information should be made public. Post-disclosure is an effective means of oversight, he said. In response, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Anton Tai, clarified that the Public Procurement Law primarily regulates government public entities. He noted that public capital enterprises are already governed by relevant regulatory agencies and operate under a market system, which differs from the operational model of public departments. We do not rule out the possibility that public capital enterprises may refer to the principles of fairness, impartiality, and transparency outlined in our Procurement Law when managing their daily operations. Furthermore, he highlighted that the government has opened investment opportunities, particularly in the financial sector, to local institutions and encourages their participation based on market dynamics. In cases of public disasters, the government underscores the importance of swift action and commits to publicly disclosing the procurement process afterward to ensure transparency. However, concerning the public works contracting system, there is a proposal to review the engineering contracting framework alongside the Public Procurement Law. In this context, Tai stated that the government will adopt a two-step approach: First, complete the legislative work on the Public Procurement Law, and then the Public Works Bureau (DSOP) will assess and implement measures to optimize government procurement. Supplementing Tais remarks, the bureau emphasized that while the current public works contracting system is specialized and remains in effect, it will undergo a comprehensive review and revision in the future, guided by the implementation of the Public Procurement Law. Also yesterday, the AL voted on the Investment Fund Law bill and the Medical Device Regulatory System bill. Lawmaker Lei Chan U used his floor time ahead of the agenda at yesterdays Legislative Assembly (AL) plenary session to reflect on his eight-year tenure, delivering what served as a farewell speech. He said he had focused his work on proposals aimed at improving the quality of life for Macau residents during his two terms in office. Macau is in a crucial phase of economic restructuring, with an uneven recovery, external uncertainties, and growing factors of instability. We cannot ignore the risks and challenges, nor the new demands and expectations of the residents for a better life. All of this requires courage and commitment from the government, Lei remarked. For a government, there is no greater virtue than loving the people, and no worse action than harming the population, he added, emphasizing that the government must never remain still, nor act slowly, blindly, or falsely. Instead, the lawmaker said the government must act with determination and ambition, to achieve, with the support of all sectors, a new leap forward and splendor for Macau. The current legislative session is ending, and I will be stepping down from my role as a legislator. In this journey, it was impossible to achieve perfection, but I did my best and everything within my power, so I have a clear conscience, Chan said. In the future, no matter what role I play, I will never forget my initial intention and will always keep in mind my mission to contribute, as always, with my suggestions, to improving labor rights and interests, raising the quality of employment for residents, and appropriately diversifying Macaus economy, he said in a message to the AL president and fellow lawmakers. I have so much in my heart, but silence will speak for me, he concluded. As the Times previously reported, Lei is not on the two lists representing the Work Sector that have been presented to run in the AL elections in September. Lei has been replaced on the list running for the Indirect elections by Kong Ioi Fai, currently the vice chairman of the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM), which continues to be headed by the current lawmaker and FAOM vice chairman, Lam Lon Wai. It is also the first time the FAOM has presented two separate election lists, with four names currently running for two seats. The second list also includes two other vice chairmen of the FAOM, headed by Leong Pou U, and has Choi Kam Fu as the second candidate. This years wealth-sharing cash handouts will distribute payments to eligible Macau residents today through bank transfers and checks, with details available via the Macao One Account and its official website. The 2025 Wealth Partaking Scheme will grant eligible permanent residents MOP10,000 and non-permanent residents MOP6,000. According to the Policy Address, the scheme aims to ensure that Macau residents benefit from economic development while addressing local livelihood needs. In this context, the Times yesterday conducted interviews with several locals in the city center, most of whom voiced strong objections to any potential changes the government might make to the cash handout policy. A buffer period is needed for any adjustments Ng, a local resident in her sixties, told the Times that while many young people tend to spend their MOP10,000 cash handout on travel, she uses it more practically, especially during the summer holidays. However, she has different priorities for the money, especially during summer vacation when she enjoys taking her family members to nearby destinations for fun. When discussing travel preferences, Ng mentioned that many people opt for Guangdong Province or Southeast Asia, particularly Taiwan, and she believes that MOP10,000 is generally sufficient for such trips. Addressing the familys financial situation, she clarified that not everyone contributes to the travel expenses, and she is willing to cover the costs herself. Regarding the value of MOP10,000, she remarked, This amount is acceptable, but expressed concerns that this year feels less favorable than previous ones, particularly following the governments recent restrictions. She emphasized the need for a more thoughtful approach, stating, They should have provided a buffer period. On the topic of local residents, Ng believes that those born in Macau deserve support, while individuals who obtained Macau ID cards but subsequently left should not be entitled to excessive subsidies. She firmly stated that those who have not contributed to the community should be excluded from the subsidy program. Finally, when asked about her preferences, Ng expressed her hope that the government will continue to distribute MOP 10,000 in cash, rather than reallocating those funds to other social welfare measures. She articulated that everyones needs are different, and having cash on hand can be crucial for medical expenses or household needs. No one ever thinks its too much money Asked about the upcoming cash handout, the Lous, a couple in their 60s, said they plan to set the money aside for daily expenses, such as water and electricity bills. They also noted that the funds would cover smaller everyday costs, like buying coffee and paying management fees. When asked about the significance of the MOP10,000, the wife remarked, No one ever thinks its too much money, emphasizing that the cash handout would be particularly beneficial given the rising prices, which have made grocery shopping more expensive. Regarding future government subsidy policies, the couple expressed a desire for the government to continue distributing the MOP10,000 rather than reallocating these funds to other social welfare measures. The husband highlighted that during the pandemic, many individuals in need, including housewives and the elderly, did not receive adequate support. He firmly believes that subsidies should be designed to benefit everyone rather than target specific groups, as this could create a sense of favoritism. Its better than nothing Choi, a local man in his 30s, said he plans to use the cash handout to cover daily expenses such as electricity bills and internet fees. Choi noted, While this amount isnt enough to sustain us for a long time, it can cover several months worth of expenses, especially since internet fees are now quite high, costing nearly MOP900 per month. Choi acknowledged that the MOP10,000 cash handout may not seem substantial, but he remarked, Its better than nothing, expressing gratitude to the government for the distribution. He hopes the policy will not be discontinued, stating, At least this money is useful. When asked about future assistance, Choi expressed a desire for the government to continue providing the cash handout, assuming the fiscal situation remains stable. However, he recognized that if the economy encounters difficulties, there may be little that can be done. He believes that direct cash assistance is more effective than other forms of welfare, as cash can be used for various needs, whereas other types of support may not offer significant help. Choi once again emphasized that cash distribution is the most direct and effective method of assistance. Consumption cards to stimulate economy A 20-year-old local man, Chan, told the Times that his typical travel expenses amount to about MOP10,000, often supplemented by extra personal funds. He added that if managed carefully, this sum could cover a months basic living expenses. When asked about the significance of this amount, he noted that if used wisely, it could cover a months basic expenses. Chan plans to save the cash handout, considering it for travel or purchases, while also setting aside a portion for emergencies. He emphasized that although he would contemplate using this money for daily expenses, he intends to be cautious with his spending. Regarding future government subsidy measures, Chan expressed a preference for converting cash handouts into consumption cards if the government aims to stimulate Macaus economy. He believes that consumption cards could more effectively encourage spending and boost local economic activity. U.S. President Donald Trumps special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, was in Kyiv yesterday, a senior Ukrainian official said, as anticipation grew over a possible shift in the Trump administrations policy on the three-year war. Trump last week said he would make a major statement on Russia today [Macau time]. Trump made quickly stopping the war one of his diplomatic priorities, and he has increasingly expressed frustration about Russian President Vladimir Putins unbudging stance on U.S-led peace efforts. Trump has long boasted of his friendly relationship with Putin, and after taking office in January repeatedly said that Russia was more willing than Ukraine to reach a peace deal. At the same time, Trump accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war and called him a dictator without elections. But Russias relentless onslaught against civilian areas of Ukraine wore down Trumps patience. In April, Trump urged Putin to STOP! launching deadly barrages on Kyiv, and the following month said in a social media post that the Russian leader has gone absolutely CRAZY! as the bombardments continued. I am very disappointed with President Putin, I thought he was somebody that meant what he said, Trump said late Sunday. Hell talk so beautifully and then hell bomb people at night. We dont like that. European Union cant buy Patriot missiles Russia has pounded Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv, with hundreds of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles that Ukraines air defenses are struggling to counter. June brought the highest monthly civilian casualties of the past three years, with 232 people killed and 1,343 wounded, the U.N. human rights mission in Ukraine said. Russia launched 10 times more drones and missiles in June than in the same month last year, it said. At the same time, Russias bigger army is making a new effort to drive back Ukrainian defenders on parts of the 1,000-kilometer front line. Trump confirmed the U.S. is sending Ukraine more badly needed Patriot air defense missiles and that the European Union will pay the U.S. for the various pieces of very sophisticated weaponry. While the EU is not allowed under its treaties to buy weapons, EU member countries can and are, just as NATO member countries are buying and sending weapons. Germany has offered to finance two new Patriot systems and is awaiting official talks on the possibility of more, government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said yesterday in Berlin. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was traveling to Washington to meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Germany has already given three of its own Patriot systems to Ukraine, and Pistorius was quoted as saying in an interview with the Financial Times that it now has only six. Trump ally says war at inflection point A top ally of Trump, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said Sunday that the conflict is nearing an inflection point as Trump shows growing interest in helping Ukraine fight back against Russias full-scale invasion. Its a cause that Trump had previously dismissed as being a waste of U.S. taxpayer money. In the coming days, youll see weapons flowing at a record level to help Ukraine defend themselves, Graham said on CBS Face the Nation. He added: One of the biggest miscalculations Putin has made is to play Trump. And you just watch, in the coming days and weeks, theres going to be a massive effort to get Putin to the table. Kirill Dmitriev, Putins envoy for international investment who took part in talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia in February, dismissed what he said were efforts to drive a wedge between Moscow and Washington. Constructive dialogue between Russia and the United States is more effective than doomed-to-fail attempts at pressure, Dmitriev said in a post on Telegram. This dialogue will continue, despite titanic efforts to disrupt it by all possible means. NATO chief visits Washington NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was due in Washington today. He planned to hold talks with Trump, Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as members of Congress. Talks during Kelloggs visit to Kyiv will cover defense, strengthening security, weapons, sanctions, protection of our people and enhancing cooperation between Ukraine and the United States, said the head of Ukraines presidential office, Andrii Yermak. Russia does not want a cease fire. Peace through strength is President Donald Trumps principle, and we support this approach, Yermak said. Russian troops conducted a combined aerial strike at Shostka, in the northern Sumy region of Ukraine, using glide bombs and drones early morning yesterday, killing two people, the regional prosecutors office said. Four others were injured, including a 7-year-old, it said. ILLIA NOVIKOV, KYIV, MDT/AP We, the representatives of the Peoples Republic of China, 53 African countries and the African Union Commission, guided by the consensus reached by our leaders during the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), gathered in Changsha to advance the full implementation of the Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era. I. We agree that the rise and growth of the Global South represents the trend of the times and the future of development. China and Africa are both important members of and staunch forces in the Global South. We call on all countries, especially countries in the Global South, to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. We commend the initiative of jointly building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era for its positive significance in safeguarding solidarity and cooperation of the Global South and defending multilateralism. II. We agree that the frequent occurrence of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying has created severe difficulties for the economic and social development and the improvement of livelihood in African countries and other developing countries. This is a pressing challenge that members of the Global South including China and African countries must address. III. Given that certain countries attempt to disrupt the existing international economic and trade order by tariffs undermines the common good of the international community, we call on all countries, the United States in particular, to return to the right track of resolving trade disputes through consultation based on equality, respect and mutual benefit. The international community should give prioritized attention to the economic difficulties and development challenges faced by African countries. Development assistance to African countries should be effectively increased, not unilaterally slashed, to provide continued support to help African countries improve peoples livelihood, reduce poverty and boost economic and social development. IV. The African side commends Chinas courage and resolve to defend international equity and justice and safeguard international economic and trade order. China highly commends African countries commitment to the basic principles of sovereignty, equality and justice and to upholding a common position in the face of external pressure. Unilateral concession cannot earn mutual respect. We resolutely oppose any party reaching a deal of compromise at the expense of the interests of other countries. V. We call on the international community to uphold true multilateralism in accordance with the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, safeguard the U.N.-centered international system, defend the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, mutually beneficial and balanced, so as to foster a better trade, investment and financing environment for the Global South. VI. We will join hands in cementing the foundation of sovereign equality, maintaining that all countries, regardless of their size or strength, are equal members of the international community, and resolutely upholding international justice and order. We will continue to safeguard each others legitimate rights and interests, stand side by side with mutual understanding and support amid chaos and changes, stabilize this uncertain world with the certainty of the China-Africa relationship, establish a benchmark for sincere friendship and equality in the Global South, and advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world. VII. We will unite to support and put into practice the vision of openness, cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, stay committed to the six-point proposition on the joint endeavor to advance modernization, make solid progress in implementing the ten partnership actions for modernization, and support the implementation of the Second Ten Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 of the African Union. We will build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, set an example of solidarity, cooperation, independence and self-reliance of the Global South, and call for a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. VIII. China is ready to, through negotiating and signing the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, expand the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to all 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China, or all African countries except Eswatini, to welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market. For the least developed countries in Africa, on top of the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines announced at the 2024 Beijing Summit of FOCAC, China will roll out measures on market access, inspection and quarantine, and customs clearance to boost trade in goods, enhance skills and technical training, and expand the promotion of quality products. IX. China is ready to work with Africa to deepen the implementation of the ten partnership actions for modernization, prioritize cooperation in such key areas as green industry, e-commerce and e-payment, science and technology, and artificial intelligence, and enhance cooperation in security, finance and the rule of law, so as to promote high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation. X. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has become a fine example of solidarity and cooperation of the Global South. The List of the Outcomes of the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation provides a comprehensive, quantitative and tangible presentation of progress achieved. China and Africa will carry out the plans outlined in the Concept Paper of 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges to contribute to the solidarity of the Global South. DAP to join PH allies in rejecting Nick Adams as US ambassador, says Loke PETALING JAYA, July 15 DAP will soon join its Pakatan Harapan coalition partners in voicing their concerns, urging the Malaysian government to reject the appointment of American conservative figure Nick Adams as the US ambassador to Malaysia. Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who is also the partys secretary-general, said the party will be issuing a statement on its stance in due time. I have instructed our international secretary to prepare the statement, he told reporters after officiating Malaysia Maritime Week 2025 at Sunway Resort Hotel here. PKR and Parti Amanah Negara, both coalition partners of DAP, have recently decried Adams appointment, which is seen as an insult to the countrys dignity. ADVERTISEMENT Former Umno minister Khairy Jamaluddin previously said Malaysia has a right to reject a foreign ambassador under Article 4 of the Vienna Convention. Adams is a well-known supporter of US President Donald Trump, often vocal on social media about his admiration for the US president. While he has no formal diplomatic experience, he has frequently appeared at Trump rallies and has been a vocal critic of liberal policies and figures. His alignment with Trumps political ideology has made him a controversial but steadfast supporter of his administrations policies. Despite his high-profile media presence, Adams does not hold traditional diplomatic experience. He is particularly active on X, where his posts frequently draw criticism especially for espousing toxic masculine views. His social media presence has also been marked by Islamophobic remarks. Support Local News Reporting Journalists at the Yakima Herald-Republic bring you timely, in-depth and credible local news. Your generous donation supports their work. Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley. Steve Lopez is a California native who has been a Los Angeles Times columnist since 2001. He has won more than a dozen national journalism awards and is a four-time Pulitzer finalist. Its a surprise: Govt chief secretary says Anwars secret announcement will bring joy to Malaysians, civil servants KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar today said that the upcoming announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to bring joy to Malaysians, including civil servants. According to a report in Harian Metro, Shamsul declined to elaborate further, saying the initiative was a surprise and fully under wraps. If its for the public, theyll be happy. If its for civil servants, theyll be happy too, Allah willing, he was quoted as saying. Yesterday, Anwar hinted on Facebook that a special appreciation for the people would be announced soon. The post included the slogan Bersama Malaysiaku (with my Malaysia). No official date for the announcement has been shared. VAN PAK LEN, Laos Rising from the muddy fields on the Mekong riverbank in Laos, a lotus tops a casino in a sprawling city which analysts decry as a centre for cybercrime. Shabby, mismatched facades - including an Iberian-style plaza replete with a church tower, turrets and statues stand alongside high-rise shells. - Advertisement - The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone is the most prominent of more than 90 such areas established across the Mekong region in recent years, often offering people reduced taxes or government regulation. Traffic signs in the GTSEZ are in Chinese script, while everything from cigarettes to jade and fake Christian Dior bags are sold in Chinas yuan. Analysts say the towers are leased out as centres operating finance and romance scams online, a multibillion-dollar industry that shows no signs of abating despite Beijing-backed crackdowns in the region. The GTSEZ was set up in 2007, when the Laos government granted the Kings Romans Group a 99-year lease on the area. Ostensibly an urban development project to attract tourists with casinos and resorts, away from official oversight international authorities and analysts say it quickly became a centre for money laundering and trafficking. The city has now evolved, they say, into a cybercrime hub that can draw workers from around the world with better-paying jobs than back home. Laundry hung out to dry on the balconies of one high-rise building supposed to be a tourist hotel, while the wide and palm-lined boulevards were eerily quiet. It is a juxtaposition of the grim and the bling, according to Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group. The renovated Citadel and the area around the the Statue of Liberty overlooking the Danube from Gellert Hill set to open next spring will be a "worthy refurbishment of a national memorial site that has been neglected for decades", a state secretary at the construction and transport ministry said. Rego Lanszki said on Facebook that the cross erected at the base of the Statue of Liberty represented the nations shared remembrance, its struggles and "the national community built with faith". He said the cross "fits organically into the composition that evokes our history and values". "The history of Hungarian freedom is inseparable from Christian statehood," the state secretary said. "Those who deny this arent defending freedom but falsifying history." In a statement on the ongoing renovations, Varkapitanysag Zrt, the company in charge of the revamp, said the renovated Citadel will be "freer and greener", the one-time Habsburg military fortress becoming a friendlier environment with flowers and greenery climbing its walls. Visitors will be able to enter the fortress courtyard and the park from the Statue of Liberty overlooking the Danube from Gellert Hill. New observation terraces have also been created, among multiple changes, the statement said. Meanwhile, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony said: "The one who forced the cross into the Statue of Libertys pedestal does not respect, but is merely using this symbol." "The cross cannot be a political cudgel," Karacsony said on Facebook. He said the decision to erect the cross there without the consent of the city and the estate of the monuments designer constituted a "desecration of a symbol thats important to many of us". Karacsony said the city council had taken all the legal steps it could in the matter, but the district had rejected its request for property protection. Also, the heirs of designer Zsigmond Kisfaludy Strobl protested the erection of the cross, "but once again, the government wants to be Christian by ignoring everyone, abusing a symbol and changing a work of art for political reasons of the moment", the mayor said. "The problem is not the cross but the abuse of the cross," Karacsony said. "And the disruption of the unity of a clean work of art that has become a symbol of the city ... by tinkering with it afterwards. And this is true even though I condemn as firmly as possible any effort that seeks to mutilate public works by removing religious or civilisational symbols." Source: MTI Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent. Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media. XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop: As an independent portal were grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here. Air India has partially restored its international flight schedule that was temporarily reduced or paused for 'safety checks' following the tragic crash in Ahmedabad on June 12. In a statement, Air India said that during the pause, it performed additional precautionary checks on its Boeing 787 fleet. The airlline has suspended several international flights amid increased scrutiny and safety concerns over its Boeing fleet. "Air India today announced the partial restoration of schedules that were reduced pursuant to its 'Safety Pause', taken following the tragic accident of AI171 on 12th June 2025. That Pause enabled Air India to perform additional precautionary checks on its Boeing 787 aircraft as well as accommodating longer flying times arising from airspace closures over Pakistan and the Middle East," said the airline in a statement. The airline added that the partial resumption will see restoration of some frequencies from 1st August, relative to July, with full restoration planned from 1st October 2025. "From 01 August to 30 September, Air India will operate 3x weekly flights between Ahmedabad and London (Heathrow), replacing currently operating 5x weekly flights between Ahmedabad and London (Gatwick)," said Air India. It further detailed flight restoration as follows: Flights To Europe * Delhi-London (Heathrow): Reinstated two weekly flights previously curtailed, with all 24x weekly flights operating from 16 July onwards * Delhi-Zurich: Increased from 4x weekly to 5x weekly, effective 01 August Flights To Far-East * Delhi-Tokyo (Haneda): Reinstated two weekly flights previously curtailed, with all 7x weekly flights operating from 01 August onwards * Delhi-Seoul (Incheon): Reinstated two weekly flights previously curtailed, with all 5x weekly flights reinstated from 01 September onwards Flights To Europe * Bengaluru-London (Heathrow): Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 6x weekly; will further reduce to 4x weekly, effective 01 August 2025 * Amritsar-Birmingham: Remains reduced from 3x weekly to 2x weekly until 31 August; to operate 3x weekly, effective 01 September * Delhi-Birmingham: Remains reduced from 3x weekly to 2x weekly * Delhi-Paris: Reduced from 12x weekly to 7x weekly, effective 01 August * Delhi-Milan: Reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly, effective 16 July * Delhi-Copenhagen: Remains reduced from 5x weekly to 3x weekly * Delhi-Vienna: Remains reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly * Delhi-Amsterdam: Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 5x weekly; to resume 7x weekly, effective 01 August Flights To North America * Delhi-Washington (Dulles): Remains reduced from 5x weekly to 3x weekly * Delhi-Chicago: Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 3x weekly (to operate 4x weekly in August) * Delhi-San Francisco: Remains reduced from 10x weekly to 7x weekly * Delhi-Toronto: Remains reduced from 13x weekly to 7x weekly * Delhi-Vancouver: Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly * Delhi-New York (JFK): Reduced from 7x weekly to 6x weekly, effective 16 July * Mumbai-New York (JFK): Reduced from 7x weekly to 6x weekly, effective 01 August * Delhi-New York (Newark Liberty): Reduced from 5x weekly to 4x weekly, effective 16 July Flights To Australia * Delhi-Melbourne: Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 5x weekly * Delhi-Sydney: Remains reduced from 7x weekly to 5x weekly Flights To Africa * Delhi-Nairobi: Reinstated services, operating 3x weekly until 31 August; to be suspended from 01-30 September TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ROUTES UNTIL 30 SEPTEMBER * Amritsar-London (Gatwick) (AI169/170): 3x weekly flights * Goa (Mopa)-London (Gatwick) (AI145/146): 3x weekly flights * Bengaluru-Singapore (AI2392/2393): 7x weekly flights * Pune-Singapore (AI2111/2110): 5x weekly flights "As the schedule reductions taken as part of the Safety Pause had been implemented until 31 July 2025 and the restoration to full operation is being phased, some services initially planned to operate between 1 August and 30 September 2025 will be removed from the schedule. Air India is proactively contacting affected passengers to offer re-booking on alternative flights or a full refund, as per their preference. Air India apologizes for the inconvenience," said the Air India. It further added that with the partial restoration, Air India operate more than 525 international flights per week on 63 short, long and ultra long-haul routes. New Delhi: Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that a shareholder vote will be held to decide whether the automaker should invest in his artificial intelligence startup xAI. His comments followed a Wall Street Journal report that Musk's rocket company SpaceX will invest $2 billion in xAI. Tesla shareholders vote on xAI investment Writing on his social media platform X, Musk said that there would be a vote among Tesla shareholders to decide whether the automaker can invest in xAI. "If it was up to me, Tesla would have invested in xAI long ago," the billionaire owner of both companies Musk, said. We will have a shareholder vote on the matter, the world's richest man said. What is xAI? xAI is the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk in 2023. The company has since launched its Grok AI chatbot, which recently received an update to the Grok 4 models. xAI competes directly with ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude. xAI acquires X xAI acquired Musk's X in a $33 billion deal earlier this year. This acquisition valued the combined group at $80 billion at the time. Musk shared the news on X, saying, The combination values xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion ($45B less $12B debt). xAI and Xs futures are intertwined. Today, we officially take the step to combine the data, models, compute, distribution and talent, Musk added. SpaceX to invest $2 billion into xAI The Wall Street Journal has reported that Elon Musk's SpaceX will invest $2 billion into xAI as part of its $5 billion capital raise. Responding to an X user who cited the WSJ's report, Musk said that "it would be great" but would depend on "board and shareholder approval." New Delhi: Nvidias CEO Jensen Huang has announced that the company got the green light from the Trump administration to sell its advanced H20 computer chips, key for artificial intelligence, to China. This is a big turnaroundjust a few months ago, the government had blocked these chips from China as part of its ongoing tech restrictions meant to limit China's access to the most powerful AI technology. The approval follows intense lobbying by Nvidia, which warned that the ban would cost it an extra $5.5 billion and cut it off from a huge chunk of its business in China and Hong Kong (which brought in nearly $17 billion in sales last year). The U.S. move is also seen as a response to worries that companies outside the U.S. might fill the gap and that American companies like Nvidia could lose their competitive edge globally if they lost China as a customer. Jensen Huang, now in Beijing to meet Chinese officials and attend a supply chain expo, said the company has already started the process to file for licenses and hopes to start shipping H20 chips soon. He stressed on Chinese state TV that China is highly innovative and that its important for American tech giants to be able to serve this market. Ever since the export ban was announced in April, Nvidia designed the H20 chip specifically to fit within U.S. rules, but still had its shipments frozen. Now, with the approval, Nvidias stock shot up nearly 5 percent in early trading as investors cheered the return to the Chinese market. This reopening is good news not just for Nvidia, but for many Chinese tech firms waiting for these chipsespecially as rivals like Huawei try to catch up in AI hardware. However, the back-and-forth shows just how uncertain the tech business can be when global politics are involved, and both U.S. and Chinese companies are watching closely to see what happens next. Kerala Plus 2 SAY Exam Results 2025: The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE), Kerala, is likely to release the Plus Two Save A Year (SAY) exam results for 2025 soon on its official website. Students who appeared for the exam will be able to check their results on the official website keralaresults.nic.in. The online result will show subject-wise qualifying status along with detailed marks. To access the result, students must enter their roll number in the login window. According to media sources, the digital mark sheets are expected to be available by July, although the board has not yet provided any official confirmation regarding the result date. The Kerala Plus Two SAY (Save A Year) exams were conducted from June 23 to 27 in offline mode at various centres across the state. This supplementary examination is organised for students who were unable to achieve passing marks in the regular Kerala Class 12 board exams. Kerala Plus 2 SAY Exam Results 2025: Websites to check result keralaresults.nic.in result.kite.kerala.gov.in dhsekerala.gov.in Kerala Plus 2 SAY Exam Results 2025: Steps to download here Step 1: Visit the official DHSE Kerala result website keralaresults.nic.in. Step 2: Click on the link that says DHSE SAY/IMP EXAM RESULTS 2024 on the homepage. Step 3: Youll be redirected to a new page where you need to enter your login details. Step 4: Enter your Roll Number as requested and click on the Submit button. Step 5: Your Kerala Plus 2 SAY 2025 result will appear on the screen. Step 6: Download or print a copy of your result for future use. Clearing the DHSE Kerala Plus 2 SAY exam in 2025 requires a minimum score of 30% in each subject and overall. Students who fall short in even one paper will be marked as failed. Those dissatisfied with their results may apply for revaluation. The answer scripts will be reviewed again, and any mark changes will be updated in the revised result. Revaluation outcomes are generally released within two to three weeks after the application is submitted. Los Angeles: The work on Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is in full-swing. Recently, Matt Damon, Tom Holland and Zendaya returned to filming for the movie. Matt Damon, 54, Holland, 29, and Zendaya, 28, were each seen spending time on set of The Odyssey in Scotland, reports People magazine. While engaged couple Holland and Zendaya arrived separately off a small boat not in costume, Matt Damon, who is playing the movie's lead character Odysseus, waved to photographers as he arrived wearing his full costume, which included dark boots, an ancient Greece-style tunic and cattle armor, as well as a long dark green cape that billowed out behind him. Idk who needs to hear this...But, Putting The Odyssey Tickets on sale a year in advanced isn't cute or funny it just comes off as desperate. No one knows where they will be a Year from now. No one should have to make that commitment for a Movie that isn't even finished filming. pic.twitter.com/IBcgcmA6kB Charles Fernandez ___ #StanJosephineLangford (@movie_charles) July 15, 2025 As per People, Matt Damon, Holland and Zendaya's arrival in Scotland marks the first time the group of actors have been photographed filming the movie on location in recent months. Tom Holland photographed in Scotland on his way to a filming location for 'THE ODYSSEY' pic.twitter.com/YTnF176Jrn best of tom holland (@thollandrchive) July 14, 2025 Zendaya on set of Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' in Scotland. pic.twitter.com/5q4XSyWwji Zendaya Updates (@Zendaya_Updated) July 14, 2025 The group were seen in Favignana, Italy, back in March, where Damon was first seen showing off his impressive physique to portray the ancient Greek hero. An initial teaser for the movie released exclusively in theaters ahead of Jurassic World Rebirth. It featured Holland's character Telemachus, Odysseus' son, speaking with a character portrayed by Jon Bernthal, as well as the voice of John Leguizamo, who holds an as-of-yet undisclosed role in The Odyssey. Leguizamo, 64, recently told People that working with filmmaker Nolan on the project "was like being with a visionary, like what I imagine it must have been like to work with Stanley Kubrick. "We were in amazing locations. It's seven countries, Leguizamo said, while otherwise discussing season 2 of his MSNBC travel documentary series Leguizamo Does America. "They're in Morocco, Greece, Sicily, back to L.A., and (Nolan is) bringing work back to L.A. and to America, which is incredible. The Odyssey is set to release in theaters on July 17, 2026. Washington DC [US], July 15 (ANI): The much-awaited fourth Spider-Man movie starring Tom Holland seems to be taking shape finally. According to Deadline, Holland, during a new chat with the YouTube series Flip Your Wig, opened up about the next instalment titled 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day.' The actor said he's excited to return as Peter Parker and revealed that the movie will use a more "old-school" style of filmmaking, with real locations and practical effects. "I'm obviously over the moon and so excited. Playing Spider-Man is like hanging out with an old pal. I think we were really restricted with what we could do in the last movie because of COVID; we shot the entire film on stages." "Now, we're really gonna lean into that old-school filmmaking and shoot in real locations, which is why we're starting in Glasgow. We're gonna use the streets of Glasgow to build this massive set-piece we're putting together. So, it's gonna feel like making [2017's] Spider-Man 1 again. It's been such a long time since I've done it, it's gonna feel like a breath of fresh air, and I think the fans are going to be over the moon with what we're putting together," he continued. As per the publication, 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' will hit theatres on July 31, 2026, with filming set to begin once Holland and co-star Zendaya finish working on Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. The movie will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Amy Pascal and Marvel boss Kevin Feige will produce the film once again. Actors Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) and Liza Colon-Zayas (The Bear) will join the cast; however, their roles have not yet been disclosed. The last Spider-Man movie, No Way Home (2021), became a huge hit and earned nearly $2 billion worldwide, as per Deadline. The film ended with Peter Parker erasing his identity to save the world, setting up a clean slate for Brand New Day. NEW DELHI: With ten more days left for the last date of submission of the filled Enumeration Forms (EFs) in the ongoing Bihar SIR out of the 7,89,69,844 electors in Bihar, Enumeration Forms (EFs) of 6,81,67,861 or 86.32 per cent have been collected, a press release said. According to a press release by the Election Commission of India (ECI), accounting for the deceased, permanently shifted, and people enrolled in more than one place, the EF collection phase of the SIR has covered 90.84 per cent of the nearly 7.9 crore strong electorate in Bihar. Only 9.16 per cent of electors remain to submit their filled EFs before the July 25 deadline. Sparing no effort to ensure that all eligible electors are included in the draft electoral roll, the third round of household visits by the nearly 1 lakh BLOs will soon begin to collect the filled Enumeration Forms (EFs) of the remaining electors in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. The BLOs shall again visit those households where the electors were temporarily absent in the previous visits. Special camps have been established in all the 5,683 wards of` all 261 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Bihar and newspaper advertisements issued to ensure that the remaining electors fill their EFs well in time and have their names also included in the Draft ER to be published on August 1, 2025, the press release said. Such electors are also being encouraged by the BLOs to fill up their forms online (as per para 3(d) of SIR guidelines) using their mobile phones through the ECINet App or through the online form on voters.eci.gov.in. Through ECINet, the electors can also fill their EFs online and search for their names in the 2003 ER wherever applicable. The electors can also connect with their election officials, including their BLOs, using the ECINet App. Uploading of forms on ECINet has further picked up with over 6.20 crore Enumeration Forms uploaded in the platform as at 6.00 PM today. A new module to check the status of submission of their EFs will be live tonight on voters.eci.gov.in. The BLOs are being supported in their efforts by the 1.5 Lakh BLAs appointed by all political parties, each one of whom can certify and submit up to 50 EFs per day. To ensure that no eligible urban voter is left out the ER, special camps are also being set up in all the 5,683 wards of all 261 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Bihar, the release said. Something strange is racing toward us from the vast darkness beyond our solar system, and its moving at a jaw-dropping speed of 135,000 miles per hour. Discovered on July 1, the object, now named 3I/ATLAS, has already sparked an intense debate among scientists: Is it just a comet, or could it be an alien spacecraft? NASA and researchers across the globe are tracking this high-speed interstellar traveler, which is expected to swing by the inner solar system later this year. But not everyone agrees on what it actually is, or where it really came from. What Exactly Is 3I/ATLAS? Spotted zooming through the outer solar system earlier this month, 3I/ATLAS is only the third known interstellar object to ever enter our cosmic neighborhood, after 1I/Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019). What makes it unique? 1. Its traveling on a highly elliptical orbit, indicating it came from beyond the gravitational grip of our sun. 2. At its closest approach on October 30, it will pass 130 million miles from the sun and 150 million miles from Earth. So no, its not a threat. But its speed, trajectory, and peculiar behavior have caught the attention of astronomers and cosmic sleuths alike. Harvard Professor Thinks It Might Not Be Natural Enter Professor Avi Loeb, a Harvard physicist and outspoken advocate of not ruling out alien tech too quickly. According to Loeb, 3I/ATLAS might not be a regular comet at all, but a possible spacecraft sent by an advanced extraterrestrial civilization. Loeb argues that if its not made of ice (as comets are), it would be nearly impossible for it to make its current solar-bound journey naturally. He draws comparisons to Arthur C Clarkes sci-fi classic Rendezvous with Rama, where a mysterious object entering the solar system is revealed to be a massive alien ship. It could be following a programmed path, Loeb suggested, challenging the notion that every fast-moving object in space is just a rock or a frozen snowball. NASA and ESA: It's Probably a Giant Comet Not everyones buying the alien angle. Both NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) suggest 3I/ATLAS is most likely an interstellar comet. Heres their reasoning: 1. As it gets closer to the sun, heat will cause any ice on it to vaporise, creating a glowing tail of dust and gas. 2. This evaporation reflects sunlight, making the object appear bright and bigger than it actually is. Still, there's a twist: scientists cant measure its true size directly because its too far away. Based on the light it reflects, they estimate it could be 20 to 24 kilometers long, much larger than Oumuamua, which was only about 100 meters. Experts Still Unsure What We're Dealing With While the comet theory seems more grounded, Loeb and others remain cautious. The object's size, shape, and seemingly deliberate movement are unusualespecially for something not bound by gravity within our solar system. Loeb emphasised that objects this large rarely travel this close to the sun from beyond the Milky Way. That alone, he says, is worth more scrutiny. So, is 3I/ATLAS just a massive comet playing cosmic tourist, or a messenger from civilizations unknown? The world will be watching as it makes its historic flyby in October. Whats Next? Scientists across the globe will continue to observe 3I/ATLAS over the coming months as it nears its closest point to the sun. High-powered telescopes will track its brightness, trajectory, and tail formation, if any. Whether it turns out to be a natural wonder or something weve never seen before, one things clear: were just beginning to understand whats out there. FAQs 1. Is 3I/ATLAS dangerous to Earth? No. It will stay 150 million miles away, far beyond any threat range. 2. Is 3I/ATLAS an alien spaceship? Some scientists like Avi Loeb think it could be, but theres no concrete proof yet. 3. How fast is it moving? Its traveling at around 135,000 mph, faster than most natural solar system objects. 4. When will it reach its closest point? October 30, 2025, near the sun. 5. How big is it? Estimated to be 2024 km long, much larger than previous interstellar objects like Oumuamua. A 38-year-old woman was arrested by the Assam Police for allegedly murdering her husband and burying his body inside the premises of their house at Pandu area in Guwahati. The woman has reportedly confessed to the crime. The incident took place at the Joymoti Nagar area of Pandu in the state. ANI reported, citing the police, that the victim was identified as Sabial Rahman, a scrap dealer. He was murdered by his wife, Rahima Khatun, on June 26. Assam Man Murdered By Wife? Padmanav Baruah, DCP (West) of Guwahati city police, has informed that Rahima Khatun came to the Jalukbari police station and told police that her husband, who was missing, was already dead and confessed to murdering him. According to the top cop, on the night of June 26, there was a fight between the couple inside their house, and Sabial Rahman was in an intoxicated state and died due to injury. She allegedly buried his body inside the house compound. ANI quoted DCP (West) Baruah as saying, "On July 13, a woman named Rahima Khatun came to the Jalukbari police station and told police that her missing husband, Sabial Rahman already died and that she had murdered her husband. On June 26 night, there was a fight between them inside their house, and Sabial Rahman was in an intoxicated state and Sabial died due to injury. She buried her husband's body inside the house compound." "We suspect that 2-3 more people are also involved because it is not possible for a lady to dig a pit and to bury the body," he added. A senior police official has also informed that, after June 26, she told her acquaintance that her husband had gone to Kerala for work, but the victim's brother reached the police and registered a complaint about Sabial Rahman being missing on July 12. Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case This case comes just weeks after the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi came to light in Assam's neighbouring state, Meghalaya. He was killed during his honeymoon, and after an investigation, a team from Shillong Police seized a CCTV DVR from the Indore residence of Shilom James in connection with the murder case. Shilom James is a property dealer who had reportedly rented out a flat to the accused Sonam, Raja Raghuvanshi's wife, who was arrested on June 21. The Shillong court sent the accused Shilom James to 14 days of judicial custody. Two other accused, builder Lokendra Tomar and watchman Balveer Ahirwar (also known as Billa), were sent to 7 days of judicial custody after their earlier 6-day police remand ended. (with ANI inputs) That Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's Interim Government, continues to be suspicious of the civil society in the country has been proven once again with the arrest of reputed fellow economist, 71-years-old Professor Abul Barkat. A former Chairman of Janata Bank, Barkat was arrested by the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police in connection with a corruption case on July 10. His bail plea was rejected as Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said that Barkat, arrested in connection with a 297 crore Taka embezzlement case involving Annontex Group, might go into hiding or influence witnesses and disrupt the investigation, if granted bail. Barkat has been one of the few sincere advocates for minority rights in Bangladesh's history. Unlike many who only spoke about minority issues, he provided detailed research exposing the injustices faced by the minorities. Analysts reckon that this may be the reason behind the actions taken against him. In his publication titled 'Political Economy of KHAS Land in Bangladesh' published in January 2001, Barkat's research revealed how the Enemy Property Act was and is still used to seize properties of the minority Hindu population in the country. In his study 'The Political Economy of Agricultural, Land, and Water Reforms in Bangladesh', he further detailed that over 11.3 million Hindus were forced to leave the country from 1964 to 2013. He highlighted that on an average, as many as 2,30,612 Hindus left Bangladesh each year (632 daily) and, if the trend continues, the Hindu community in Bangladesh may disappear within the next two decades. Barkat has also been an unflinching critic of radical Islam and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). He was arrested on the basis of a fabricated case filed with the ACC, now a blueprint of Pakistan's ISI. Notably, the research by Barkat found varying daily disappearance rates of Hindus during different periods: 19641971 (705 per day), 19711981 (521 per day), 19811991 (438 per day), 19912001 (767 per day) and 20012012 (674 per day). Barkat had alerted that there would be no Hindus in Bangladesh in the coming 30 years if the current level of exodus continued. The Bengali book by Abul Barkat on Political Economy of KHAS Lands in Bangladesh - 'Bangladeshe Khasjami-Jala: Daridra-Boishommyo Bemochener Rajnoitik Orthoniti' (The Khas Land in Bangladesh: Political Economy of Inequality and Poverty Alleviation) - published in March this year is a comprehensive research work on the subject. Besides Barkat, it has been authored by eminent economists like Sheikh Ali Ahmed, Faisal M Ahmed, and Muhammad Sazzadul Karim. The book attributes that today, around 4.5 million people in Bangladesh remain landless, often entrapped in poverty and social marginalisation. Though the government has introduced land distribution initiatives, complex legal frameworks and systemic corruption is causing much damage and delay. Now, identification and management of 'Khas Land' (Government Land) and water-bodies, distribution of the same to the landless and poor people, retention of such land and water-bodies by the landless, and pertinent rules and practices within the prevailing socio-politico context of Bangladesh constitute prime issues of agrarian reform. Sadly, 2.6 million acres of the original ownership of the Hindu community has been occupied by the rich segments of the Bangladeshi society who are an integral part of the power structure. Yunus is using the ACC to mount arrest on intellectuals, supporters of the Awami League, religious minorities and on common Bangladeshis. The desperate attempts seem similar to those made in the West Pakistan just before the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. Yunus is deliberately doing this to keep himself at the frontline. He has a total control of the media and continues to engage in political repression by suppressing dissent. Yunus has now also figured out well how to control the masses. It is pertinent to point out that Barkat has repeatedly received death threats from extremist outfits since 2004 because of his research and writings on the economics of fundamentalism in Bangladesh. Deeply hurt and outraged, every conscientious citizen of Bangladesh fears that his arrest without a warrant is an attempt to enable those crimes to be carried out under state custody. Statistics reveal that 136 people have been murdered in Dhaka alone from January to April, this year. Nationwide, the number exceeds 1200. In contrast, during the same period, the murder count in Dhaka was 55 (2021), 54 (2022), 51 (2023) and 47 (2024). On July 10, the world witnessed the brutal murder of Lal Chand, a local businessman, with the perpetrators not only crushing his body and head with stones but also dancing on his corpse. Bangladeshis are fighting for survival in Yunus's totalitarian regime - this was certainly not the 'change' the student-led movement wanted for common people of the country with no past to mourn and no pride to defend. Barkat has been arrested by the Bangladesh authorities for speaking up for the minorities and exposing land grabs and attacks on Hindus by extremists. In today's Bangladesh, the illegitimate, unelected, non-transparent interim administration of Yunus - backed by the Pakistani and Chinese intelligence through the JeI - has made defending human rights a punishable offence. In a shocking development, two lecturers and their friend allegedly raped and blackmailed a student. The two teachers and their friend have been arrested for raping the student on multiple occasions. The accused have been identified as Physics lecturer Narendra, Biology lecturer Sandeep and their friend Anoop, who worked at a private college, according to media reports. According to the complaint filed by the student with the Bengaluru police, the girl alleged that Narendra texted her first on the pretext of sharing academic notes. The two gradually built a friendship through constant chatting. The student alleged that Narendra then called her to Anoop's room in Bengaluru, where he raped her and threatened her with consequences if she spoke about the incident to anybody, said media reports. The student alleged that Narendra's friend Sandeep approached her days later while demanding sexual favours but when she resisted, he blackmailed her by claiming that he had photos and videos of her with Narendra. Then, Sandeep also raped her at Anoop's residence. Anoop then also blackmailed and threatened the student with CCTV footage of her entering his room and sexually assaulted her, said reports. The student was shellshocked and could not share the grief with anyone. She was traumatised but when her parents visited her in Bengaluru, she confided in them and narrated her ordeal. Her family then first approached the Karnataka State Women's Commission and then they filed a complaint at the Marathahalli Police Station. The two lecturers and their friend has been arrested and further investigation is in progress. Notably, the incident comes in the backdrop of the self-immolation of a school student in Odisha after the Principal demanded sexual favours. These incidents have put a spotlight on the vulnerability girls face during their educational journey. The Revolutionary Communists of America reject Trumps cynical efforts to make the workers of the world pay for the crisis of American capitalism. Like a crazed wizard, the president imagines that by waving the menacing wand of tariffs, the rest of the world will fall into line, and the insoluble contradictions of his system will be magically resolved. [Originally published at communistusa.org] However, after promising 200 amazing trade deals, he has negotiated only three, was forced to extend his hard deadline, and has issued significant exemptions to avoid an all-out economic catastrophe. Far from trembling, US imperialisms rivals are circling the wagons, and the worlds masses are indignant at the blatant imperialist bullying that menaces their livelihoods and futures. In the latest example of arrogant grandstanding, Trump has promised 50% tariffs against Brazil, citing the ongoing legal proceedings against its former president, Jair Bolsonaro. Along with an ongoing dispute over media technology rights, this is certainly one of the reasons for his strongarm tactics. There is however, an even more important reason: Latin Americas largest economy has strengthened its economic ties with China in recent years and is an integral member of the BRICS. Unnerved by rising Chinese and Russian imperialism and the emergence of BRICS, Trump is lashing out with politically motivated threats of intensified economic war. After floating 100% tariffs on BRICS countries, if they move forward with a currency alternative to the US dollar, he now threatens them with 10% tariffs across the board. Unnerved by rising Chinese and Russian imperialism and the emergence of BRICS, Trump is lashing out with politically motivated threats of intensified economic war / Image: Kremlin.ru, Wikimedia Commons Trump understands the danger: BRICS was set up to degenerate our dollar and take our dollar take it off as the standard. As he put it, losing the US dollars role as the worlds reserve currency would be like losing a war, a major world war. We would not be the same country any longer. All of this has enormous implications for the situation here at home. The relatively high quality of life enjoyed by US workers in the decades following World War II was predicated on the USs global dominance. Now that that epoch has ended, there will be even fewer crumbs for the workers, and the result will be an intensification of the class struggle. As we have explained on many occasions, tariffs will not bring back millions of jobs or Make America Great Again. The decline in American manufacturing ultimately stems from automation, financialization, and capitalisms drive to maximize profits, which ultimately drives trade policies. Trumps economic nationalism offers no real solutions to the systemic problems facing American workers. American workers have nothing to gain from his efforts to pit workers from one country against workers from another. Labor leaders supporting Trumps tariffs are mistakenly embracing a nationalist approach that fails to address the fundamental class issues facing workers around the globe. The path forward lies in organizing workers across borders to confront the world capitalist system that exploits all workers, regardless of nationality. Only through united class struggle, not tariffs, can the working class defeat those who exploit and oppress us. The solution is not trade wars between nations, but a class war between classes. Workers of the world, unite! The 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election is scheduled for OctoberNovember 2025, although the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet announced the official dates. The Bihar Assembly consists of a total of 243 seats, with 122 required for a majority. In recent elections, three major parties have maintained a strong presence in the state: the BJP, JD(U), and RJD. Currently, the BJP and JD(U) are part of the NDA alliance, while the opposition alliance, known as the Mahagathbandhan, includes RJD and Congress. There are also several smaller parties expected to play a significant role in the upcoming election, such as Jan Suraj and AIMIM. In preparation, ECI launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls on June 24, 2025. Voters were required to submit updated documentation by July 25, and 86 per cent of enumeration forms were submitted by midJuly. Section 21 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act empowers the Election Commission (EC) to conduct a special revision of the electoral roll at any time, provided it records the reasons for doing so. The ECI discovered fake voters on the rolls, which triggered political controversy. The opposition is opposing the implementation of SIR while the BJP supports it. Additionally, urban and migrant voters are expected to play a pivotal role. The NDA has promised multiple benefits to win the election, including 35 per cent reservation for women in various sectors, aiming to garner support from key demographics. The Bihar Legislative Assembly has changed since its inception. After India's independence, the assembly first convened in 1952 with 331 members. Today, it comprises 243 members, known as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). From the above context answer the following question. Q: How many assembly seats does Bihar have? A: Bihar consists total of 243 seats. Q: When was the first Bihar assembly formed after independence? A: The assembly first convened in 1952 with 331 members. Q: When is the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election scheduled? A: October-November 2025 Q: How many seats are required for a majority in the Bihar Assembly? A: 122 seats. Q: Which parties are part of the NDA alliance in Bihar? A: BJP and JD(U). Q: What is the name of the opposition alliance in Bihar? A: Mahagathbandhan consists of RJD and Congress. Q: When did the ECI launch the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls? A: June 24, 2025. Q: Why did ECI launch the SIR process? A: To identify Fake voters on the rolls. Q: What percentage of reservations for women has the NDA promised? A: 35 per cent St. Thomas School in the Dwarka area of Delhi and St. Stephen's College of Delhi University have received bomb threats on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police Bomb Squad, Dog Squad, Delhi Fire Brigade team, and Special Staff team are on the scene. The threat was reportedly given through mail. ANI reported, citing Delhi Police, that St. Thomas School and St. Stephen's College have been evacuated, and so far, the authorities have not found anything suspicious at either place. Delhi | St. Thomas School in the Dwarka area of Delhi and St. Stephen's College of Delhi University receive bomb threats. Delhi Police Bomb Squad, Dog Squad, Delhi Fire Brigade team, and Special Staff team are on the spot. St. Thomas School and St. Stephen's College have been ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025 Further details are awaited on the bomb threat. BSE Bomb Threat Bombay Stock Exchange on Tuesday received an email threatening to blow it up. The bomb squad and police reached the spot but nothing suspicious was found. The threatening email was received from an email ID named Comrade Pinarayi Vijayan. The email threatened that 4 RDX IED bombs have been placed in the tower building of the BSE and would explode at 3 pm. As per ANI, a case has been registered against an unknown person in Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg Police Station under sections 351(1)(b), 353(2), 351(3), 351(4) of BNS, and further investigation has been initiated. School Bomb Threat In a separate incident, two schools in Delhi, one in Chanakyapuri and another in Dwarka, received bomb threats via email on Monday. However, no explosives were found in the combing operation. According to ANI, the police have informed that there were anti-Tamil Nadu government messages in the email sent to Chanakyapuri School. CRPF School Bomb Threat About the bomb threat e-mail received at a CRPF school, Dwarka, DCP Ankit Kumar Singh said that the Bomb Disposal Squad reached there with sniffer dogs and the premises were checked. The CRPF school in Dwarka received an email early in the morning, which mentioned a bomb threat. The Bomb Disposal Squad reached there with sniffer dogs. The entire premises were checked. No suspicious article was recovered. Cyber Teams and Special Task Teams are working on the email and its source, the top cop said. (with ANI inputs) New Delhi: On a warm day along Indias eastern coastline, a new chapter in maritime defence began. A grey and sleek silhouette stood docked at Visakhapatnam, drawing attention without making noise. The Indian Navy had just commissioned its newest frontline asset, INS Arnala. Built indigenously, designed for one of the most complex challenges in modern naval warfare, anti-submarine operations close to shore, this vessel is a signal. Indias naval command views the waters around it not merely as transit lanes but as lifelines. Nearly 95% of the countrys trade by volume moves via sea. This reliance has made coastal and blue water security an economic imperative. INS Arnala fits into this context with precision. It is compact, highly manoeuvrable and equipped to hunt stealthy threats hidden in shallow waters. Unlike larger destroyers or frigates, Arnala is a specialised guardian. Six decks make up its structure, connected by narrow staircases, with sensors and control systems packed into every corner. This is not Indias first ship with this name. Decades ago, an earlier INS Arnala was part of the fleet, named after a coastal fort near Vasai, Maharashtra. The new Arnala carries forward that legacy but does so with sharper teeth. At 77 metres in length, its radar signature is modest, but its presence is strategic. The commanding officer of the vessel described the arsenal multiple sonar systems allow it to detect enemy submarines even in low-depth zones, indigenous rocket launchers, torpedo tubes and anti-torpedo decoy systems provide both offensive and defensive capability. If an enemy submarine locks on and fires, Arnala can dodge and strike back. The ships power comes from its engine too. Using diesel and waterjet propulsion, it moves quickly and silently that is critical for sub-surface detection. One of the crew members explained the advantage speed, manoeuvrability and reduced acoustic signature. That means the enemy might never hear it coming. Beyond the steel and software, Arnala houses more than a hundred sailors and officers. Living conditions are tightly planned but offer comfort and resilience. Every deployment and every shift prepare them for a theatre that remains invisible to the naked eye the undersea domain. INS Arnala is the first of 16 ships being built under a strategic initiative to strengthen coastal defences. Eight will be positioned along the western coast and eight on the eastern. The Defence Ministry has invested over Rs 12,000 crore in this programme. Construction is split between Kolkatas GRSE and Kochis shipyards under a public-private model. Chinas growing footprint in the Indian Ocean has catalysed this build-up. With over 370 warships and submarines, China operates the worlds largest navy. Pakistans fleet is also expanding, partly due to Beijings support. Eight submarines were contracted by Islamabad in 2015 alone. Indias maritime thinkers remember history too well. In 1971, a Pakistani submarine named Ghazi was found off the coast of Visakhapatnam. It was a reminder that conflict can arrive unannounced from beneath. Former naval experts say anti-submarine warfare is one of the most intricate forms of combat. Submarines near a coast pose threats not only to warships but to cargo vessels and ports. Dedicated ships like Arnala offer a counterforce without diverting larger battle fleets. If these ships do their job well, the rest of the navy can move. If these ships stay invisible, Indias coastline stays safe. By 2029, 15 more Arnala-class vessels will join this force. India is building a wall beneath the waves. And this time, the first brick is already in place. In a rare move, the ruling Communist Party in China has expressed its willingness to work closely with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the ruling party of India, in a bid to improve bilateral relations. During a meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee Liu Jianchao said that the sound and steady development is in the interest of the Global South. "Communist Party of China stands ready to enhance exchanges with the BJP to help accumulate favourable conditions for improving bilateral relations...For the two neighbouring major developing countries and two major emerging economies, the sound and steady development of China-India relations is conducive to advancing their respective modernisation drive, serves the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries, and meets the shared expectations of the Global South," said Jianchao. This comes hours after Dr S Jaishankar raised the issues of terrorism and extremism during the SCO meeting of foreign ministers. Notably, the BJP and the Communist Party of China have not shared cordial relations, especially in the wake of border skirmishes, including Galwan valley clashes. During the SCO meet, Jaishankar not only raised the Pahalgam terror attack but also reminded the SCO nations about their shared responsibility against terrorism. "The three evils that SCO was founded to combat were terrorism, separatism and extremism. Not surprisingly, they often occur together. Recently, we in India witnessed a graphic example in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. It was deliberately conducted to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir, while sowing a religious divide," said Jaishankar. The EAM further added, "The UN Security Council, of which some of us are currently members, issued a statement that condemned it in the strongest terms and underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. We have since done exactly that and will continue doing so. It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge." Jaishankar also urged the SCO members to take everyone on board, especially in the time when the world is today moving towards greater multi-polarity. "The world is today moving towards greater multipolarity. This is not just in terms of the redistribution of national capacities, but also the emergence of effective groupings like the SCO. Our ability to contribute to the shaping of world affairs will naturally depend on how well we come together on a shared agenda. That means taking everybody on board," said Jaishankar. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday stressed the importance of taking an uncompromising stance against terrorism, citing the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack in India, which was condemned by the UN Security Council during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin. He highlighted three evils - terrorism, separatism and extremism, which often occur together in his X post. He said, "Recently, we in India witnessed a graphic example in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. It was deliberately conducted to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir, while sowing a religious divide. The UN Security Council, of which some of us are currently members, issued a statement that condemned it in the strongest terms and "underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice". We have since done exactly that and will continue doing so. It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge." He highlighted India's commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and bringing them to justice. Jaishankar emphasised the need for SCO member states to work together to stabilize the global order, mitigate risks, and address longstanding challenges that threaten collective interests, amid rising conflicts, competition, and economic instability. "In the last few years, we have seen more conflicts, competition and coercion. Economic instability is also visibly on the rise. The challenge before us is to stabilize the global order, de-risk various dimensions and through it all, address longstanding challenges that threaten our collective interests," the EAM posted on X. Jaishankar underscored the need for cooperation within the SCO to be based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and adherence to territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states. He also mentioned India's initiatives in areas like startup innovation, traditional medicine, and digital public infrastructure. "India has taken several initiatives in the SCO in domains ranging from startup and innovation to traditional medicine and digital public infrastructure. We will continue to positively approach new ideas and proposals that are genuinely for our collective good. It is essential that such cooperation is based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and in accordance with territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states," said Jaishankar. Jaishankar emphasised the importance of addressing current issues, such as the lack of assured transit within the SCO space, to deepen collaboration and promote economic cooperation. He also highlighted the potential of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to boost regional connectivity. "Deepening collaboration within the SCO naturally requires more trade, investment and exchanges. For that to move to the next level, it is imperative that we address some current issues. One of them is the lack of assured transit within the SCO space. Its absence undermines the seriousness of advocating cooperation in economic areas. Another is to ensure the promotion of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). We are confident that it will continue to gather momentum," he added. Jaishankar stressed the need for the international community, particularly SCO members, to provide development assistance to Afghanistan, while ensuring regional stability and concern for the well-being of the Afghan people. "Afghanistan has been long on the SCO agenda. The compulsions of regional stability are buttressed by our longstanding concern for the well-being of the Afghan people. The international community, particularly SCO members, must therefore step up with development assistance. India, for its part, will certainly do so.," added Jaishankar. He noted the emergence of effective groupings like the SCO in a multi-polar world and emphasised the importance of coming together on a shared agenda to contribute to shaping world affairs. "The world is today moving towards greater multi-polarity. This is not just in terms of redistribution of national capacities, but also the emergence of effective groupings like SCO. Our ability to contribute to the shaping of world affairs will naturally depend on how well we come together on a shared agenda. That means taking everybody on board," said Jaishankar. EAM Jaishankar held several high-level interactions on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers' meet. He met his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)'s Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Tuesday. In a post on X, Russia's Foreign Ministry shared, "Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of External Affairs of India @DrSJaishankar hold a meeting on the sidelines of the #SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting." He also met Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting in Tianjin, China. Jaishankar shared the update on X, he wrote, "Good to catch up with FM @araghchi of Iran, this time on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin." Jaishankar is on an official visit to China to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He arrived in Beijing after concluding his trip to Singapore. This is also his first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, which severely strained ties between the two countries. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar, along with other SCO foreign ministers, met Chinese President Xi Jinping. His visit comes shortly after recent visits to China by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, both of whom attended SCO-related engagements in June. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also expected to visit India next month to meet NSA Ajit Doval. The meeting will be part of the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue mechanism, aimed at resolving the long-standing boundary dispute between the two countries. The Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll, being done by the Election Commission of India, has raised several eyebrows, not only in opposition but among the ruling coalition as well. Smaller regional parties are concerned about the implications of the voter roll revision and fear disenfranchising of lakhs of voters. After the opposition parties, now the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has written to the Election Commission seeking clarity over the issue. A delegation of the TDP leaders led by its State president Palla Srinivasa Rao met the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi in New Delhi and shared their concerns related to the SIR. In its letter, the TDP has sought clarity from the EC on 'the scope of the exercise' while urging the EC to make it clear that the SIR is not related to citizenship verification. CEC Gyanesh Kumar and ECs Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi had an interaction with a delegation from the Telugu Desam Party led by its State President Shri Palla Srinivasa Rao and received their suggestions at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi today. pic.twitter.com/PgKOZsNAA6 Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) July 15, 2025 The scope of the SIR must be clearly defined and must be limited to electoral roll recorrection and inclusion. It should be explicitly communicated that the exercise is not related to citizenship verification, and any field instructions must reflect this distinction, reads the TDP letter to the ECI. The TDP also urged the ECI not to conduct the SIR within six months of the polls. To ensure voter confidence and administrative preparedness, the SIR process should be conducted with a sufficient time lead, the letter reads. According to an Indian Express report, the TDP also urged the EC not to force voters included in the electoral rolls to re-establish their eligibility 'unless specific and verifiable reasons are recorded'. Notably, the TDP's letter comes after the ECI ordered Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all states to begin preparations for a Bihar-like exercise with January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date. Notably, the voter list revision in Bihar has sparked a huge protest from the opposition parties with the case moving to the Supreme Court. The SC has permitted the ECI to carry out the exercise but imposed some riders to address the concerns raised by the political parties. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to return to Earth on Tuesday, concluding his historic mission under Axiom Spaces Ax-4 program. His return is a proud moment for India and a significant step in the countrys growing presence in global space exploration. Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS). Here are the key points from Shubhanshu Shukla's trip to ISS: 1- After an 18-day stay aboard the orbital laboratory, Shukla and his three international crewmates are scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 pm IST (4:31 am CT). 2- Shukla, along with astronauts Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), boarded SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft "Grace" at 3:30 am CT (2 pm IST) on Monday. 3- The spacecraft undocked from the ISSs Harmony module at 4:45 pm IST (7:15 am ET). 4- NASA had confirmed that the hatch closure occurred at 5:07 am EDT, and SpaceX announced Dragon separation confirmed shortly afterward via the social media platform X. "Dragon is GO to undock from the Space Station," SpaceX informed in a post. "Dragon separation confirmed!" the post added. 5- This marks the completion of a nearly 23-hour return trip to Earth. 6- Upon splashdown, the crew will be retrieved by recovery teams, and Shubhanshu Shukla will then begin a 7-day rehabilitation protocol to readjust to Earths gravity. 7- Shubhanshu Shuklas mission originally spanned 14 days but was extended to 18. This allowed additional scientific research and collaborative work aboard the station. 8- In a touching farewell message from orbit, Shukla described his experience as an incredible journey, expressing deep gratitude to ISRO, NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX. India still looks better than the whole world, he remarked, gazing down from the cupola of the ISS. 9- The live coverage of the event is likely to be broadcast on Axiom Space's official X handle and NASA's YouTube channel. 10- Union Minister Jitendra Singh in a post on X wrote, "Welcome back Shubhanshu! The entire nation eagerly awaits your arrival back home...as you begin your return journey, after successful undocking of #Axiom4." On Sunday, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla delivered a farewell speech from the ISS and said, "Aaj ka Bharat abhi bhi saare jahaan se acha dikhta hai" (Today's India is still more splendid than the entire world)." Shubhanshu Shukla's participation in the Axiom-4 Mission made him the second Indian astronaut to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharmas mission in 1984. (with IANS inputs) When you're living aboard the International Space Station (ISS), every task becomes an experiment in adaptation. Forget spa days, bubble baths, or even a quick rinse under the shower, theres no running water in space. So what happens when astronauts need to wash their hair? Turns out, even 250 miles above Earth, hair care remains an essential part of daily hygiene. Especially for astronauts with long locks like Karen Nyberg and Sunita Williams, maintaining a clean scalp in microgravity takes creativity, careful planning, and some truly science-defying hacks. Lets dive into the fascinating and gravity-free world of hair washing in outer space. The Zero Gravity Hair Wash: Step-by-Step Breakdown 1. No Showers? No Problem. Meet the No-Rinse Shampoo In space, water behaves like floating blobs that drift around unpredictably. Because of this, astronauts dont use traditional showers. Instead, they use no-rinse shampoo, a special kind of cleanser that doesnt need to be washed out. Astronaut Karen Nyberg, during her 2012 mission aboard the ISS, demonstrated the process in a now-viral video. Armed with a towel, no-rinse shampoo, warm water in a squeeze bottle, and a mirror, she gave the world an intimate peek into space hygiene. 2. Squirting Water, Carefully! Nyberg begins by squeezing small amounts of warm water directly onto her scalp. This sounds simple, but in microgravity, every drop behaves like a little jellyfish, floating unless caught. Sometimes the water gets away from you, she said in the video, so you try and catch as much as you can. She massages the water gently through her hair, making sure to work it all the way to the tips. 3. Time for the Magic Shampoo After wetting the hair, astronauts apply a pea-sized blob of no-rinse shampoo to the scalp and distribute it evenly. Because the shampoo doesnt require rinsing, it absorbs oils and dirt while keeping hair fresh and odor-free. 4. Wipe It Down Instead of rinsing off, astronauts use a towel to rub through the hair, soaking up any excess water and grime. It may not feel like a luxury spa treatment, but its effective. 5. The Final Step: Ventilation & Evaporation Heres the science twist: the ISS has a robust air ventilation system. As the water evaporates from the hair, it gets pulled into the air filtration system, condensed, and then recycled as drinking water. Yes, you read that right, todays hair wash could be tomorrows hydration in space. Why Do Astronauts Leave Their Hair Loose? You might have noticed that many female astronauts, including Sunita Williams, float around with their hair beautifully puffed up and loose. Here's why: 1. No Gravity Means No Hair Ties Needed: With no gravity to pull hair down, there's no need to tie it back. 2. Easier Hair Washing: Loose hair makes it easier to apply water and shampoo. 3. Faster Drying: Ventilation systems dry free-flowing hair faster. 4. Aesthetic Bonus: Many astronauts enjoy the unique look and feel of their hair floating like a halo in space. Sunita Williams, who has spent over 300 days in space, often let her hair float freely. Not only does it look cool, but it also reduces tangling and allows for quicker hygiene routines. Earth vs Space: Why Hair Care Matters More Up There On Earth, a greasy ponytail might go unnoticed. In space, personal hygiene is taken seriously. With a closed environment, any odor, bacteria, or debris can affect not just comfort, but equipment and crew health. Hair that isnt cleaned properly can shed particles that float into electronics or filtration systems. So keeping it clean isnt vanity, its protocol. Karen Nybergs Viral Haircare Moment In 2013, while serving aboard Expedition 36, Karen Nyberg became a social media sensation after sharing her hair-washing video. She said she received countless messages asking, How do you wash your hair in space? Her honest, meticulous tutorial struck a chord worldwide, not only because of its novelty, but because it reminded us of the everyday human rituals that continue even in the most extraordinary settings. She even joked about having "squeaky clean hair" thanks to her unique space routine. From squeezing floating droplets to catching escaping bubbles, its clear that every step of the process demands precision, patience, and practice. Here's how netizens reacted to her hairwash video: Latest from the ISS: Shubhanshu Shuklas Historic Return In equally stellar news, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla just returned from his 18-day mission aboard the ISS as part of Axiom-4: 1. He completed over 60 microgravity experiments, spanning plant biology, human physiology, and robotics. The Dragon capsule Grace splashed down off San Diego around 3 PM IST on July 15. 2. Prime Minister Modi welcomed him home, calling his contribution a milestone for Indias space ambitions. 3. His success directly supports ISROs Gaganyaan program, creating momentum for Indias future crewed missions. 4. Shukla is the first Indian astronaut to live and work aboard the ISS, a trailblazing moment for the nation. Hygiene In Space Is Human Hair washing in space may sound like a small thing, but its a powerful reminder: astronauts dont leave their humanity behind when they leave Earth. They still brush, wash, eat, and sleep, just in ways that defy gravity. Whether its Karen Nyberg catching blobs of shampoo midair or Sunita Williams embracing the elegance of loose, floating hair, these routines reflect the ingenious adaptations of humans in space. And the next time you grumble about washing your hair on Earth, just remember, it could be harder, but also cooler in orbit. Watch her video here: FAQs 1. What shampoo do astronauts use in space? They use no-rinse shampoo, which cleans without needing to be rinsed off. 2. Can astronauts take showers in space? No. There are no showers or running water aboard the ISS. 3. What happens to the water after washing hair? It evaporates, gets captured by the air system, and is recycled into drinking water. 4. What did Shubhanshu Shukla do on the ISS? He completed 60+ experiments on plants, microbes, muscle health, and robotics aboard Axiom4. 5. Whats next for Shukla? His ISS mission strengthens ISROs upcoming Gaganyaan crewed space mission planned for around 2027. 6. Why do astronauts keep their hair loose in space? Loose hair floats freely in zero gravity, making it easier to clean and dry. 7. Who shared the viral space hair wash video? NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg shared it during her 20122013 mission. India-China Relations: External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, along with fellow Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers, called on Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday. During the meeting, EAM apprised the Chinese President of the recent development of bilateral ties. In a post on X, Dr. Jaishankar stated that he also conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Chinese President. Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister @narendramodi. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard, he wrote. Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister @narendramodi. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of pic.twitter.com/tNfmEzpJGl Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 15, 2025 S Jaishankar In China Dr. Jaishankar arrived in China after concluding his visit to Singapore. He is on an official visit to China to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting. On Monday, Jaishankar held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and spoke about the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties and building a stable and constructive relationship. In a post on X, Jaishankar had informed that he held detailed talks with Politburo Member and FM Wang Yi in Beijing and discussed the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties and establishing a stable and constructive relationship. Incumbent on us to address aspects related to the border, normalising people-to-people exchanges and avoiding restrictive trade measures & roadblocks. Confident that on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, ties can develop along a positive trajectory. Look forward to attending the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin tomorrow. India is committed to ensuring good outcomes and decisions, he had posted on X earlier. Dr. Jaishankar also met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Monday and noted the improvement in bilateral ties. Jaishankar expressed confidence that discussions during his visit will maintain that positive trajectory. He expressed India's support for China's Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Presidency. Defence Ministers SCO Meeting In China This trip of EAM Jaishankar follows visits by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, who had travelled to China in June for the SCO meetings. According to ANI, Wang Yi is also expected to visit India next month to meet NSA Doval, as part of a planned round of dialogue under the Special Representatives (SR) mechanism aimed at resolving the decades-old boundary dispute. Galwan Valley Clashes 2020 This is the External Affairs Minister's first visit to Beijing since relations between the two nations soured after the 2020 military clash in Galwan. The standoff between India and China was the worst border clash in over 40 years, resulting in deaths on both sides. The decision to revive the SR dialogue and other dormant channels was reportedly taken during an exchange between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit in Kazan, Russia, in October last year. (with ANI inputs) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had admitted to an intelligence failure in the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Abdullah emphasised that someone must be held accountable for the lapse. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah said, Who is responsible for this failure of Pahalgam attack? If it is an intelligence failure, then who is responsible for this? It is not possible that 26 people lost their lives and there is no response from our side. Now that we know that there has been a failure in security and intelligence, someone must be held responsible. Abdullah's remarks came in response to comments made by Lieutenant Governor Sinha, who acknowledged a security lapse during the incident. The Chief Minister expressed frustration over the delay in recognising the lapses that led to the attack. Abdullah added, "Better late than never after 80 days, acknowledging the failure in security and intelligence is just the first step; now, it is crucial to identify those accountable for the oversight. The Pahalgam attack, which targeted tourists, has raised serious concerns about safety and security in the valley. With the Lieutenant Governor's public admission of a security and intelligence lapse, the call for fixing responsibility has grown louder, with both government and opposition parties demanding accountability. In recent months, left-wing figures have made headlines around the world. From Zohran Mamdani and Bernie Sanders in the US, to Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana in Britain, outspoken self-described socialists are capturing significant attention with their claim to be able to find simple solutions to the problems the working class face. Yet this phenomenon is not new. Reformism the idea that the horrors of capitalism can be eliminated without the system being overthrown has long played a lamentable role in the workers movement internationally. All communists must understand the limits of reformism, but beyond this, we must be able to expose them in the eyes of workers and youth who currently follow reformist leaders. This is the question taken up in the editorial of issue 50 of In Defence of Marxism magazine, which we publish below. The new In Defence of Marxism magazine, with articles themed around the struggle between reformism and revolution, is out now! The central thread of our lead article in this issue, Lessons from Greece, is the problem of reformism: the belief that the ills of society, such as war and poverty, can be eliminated gradually, without the revolutionary overthrow of the capitalist system. This most commonly expresses itself in the argument that the workers movement should limit itself to fighting for whatever is most immediately achievable. With each small victory, it is argued, the working class becomes both better off and more powerful, passing slowly but surely along the road towards its emancipation. Any discussion of the final goal of the movement, such as socialism, thus becomes academic. To many, this appears as a more realistic and practical alternative to fighting for socialist revolution. After all, it promises change without the risk of violence or instability of any kind. At times these arguments may even have a ring of truth to them. During periods of substantial capitalist upswing, the bosses have been able to afford a number of significant democratic and social reforms, at least in the advanced capitalist countries. The period of the rise of Social Democracy, leading up to the First World War, was one such period. As was the so-called glorious thirty years that followed the end of the Second World War. But history shows that peaceful and gradual progress is impossible under capitalism. Periodical slumps throw the whole system into crisis. And in the period of capitalisms decline, these slumps have become deeper and longer-lasting. Crisis The twentieth century revealed how quickly reformism turns into its opposite. In Europe, the birthplace of Social Democracy, the period of prosperity was eventually replaced by mass unemployment, civil war and, in many places, fascism in the period leading up to the Second World War. By binding the aims, the methods, and even the outlook of the workers movement to the structures of capitalism, the reformists were unable to defend past gains, let alone win new ones. Worse, many collaborated in imperialist wars and attacks on workers to maintain the stability of their own capitalist states. Trotsky wrote in 1935: Without reforms there is no reformism, without prosperous capitalism, no reforms. The right-reformist wing becomes anti-reformist in the sense that it helps the bourgeoisie directly or indirectly to smash the old conquests of the working class.[1] Today, the crisis of capitalism also expresses itself as the crisis of reformism. Since the end of the post-war boom in the 1970s, the gains of the working class have been slowly and painfully stripped back all over the world. Reform has turned to counter-reform. The same Labour Party that introduced cradle to grave welfare in the 1940s is now trying to slash 5 billion in disability support payments. In the wake of the 2008 crisis, millions of workers and youth turned to the left, spurring the rise of new movements across the world. Syriza in Greece, Podemos in Spain, Corbyn in Britain, Melenchon in France, and Sanders in the US all attracted mass support by calling for radical change often invoking socialism. Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden, October 2024 / Image: public domain However, all shared the illusion that capitalism could be fixed through clever policies and state intervention. Despite their socialist rhetoric, their aim was to regulate capitalism, not abolish it. Austerity was, and is, seen as a choice, driven by nasty neoliberal ideology, not as the necessary result of capitalist crisis. None have delivered a single meaningful reform. In Britain, Corbyn capitulated to right-wing pressure on antisemitism and Brexit, leading to the destruction of his movement. Sanders has endorsed every candidate put forward by the Democratic establishment since 2016, in the name of keeping out Trump. In Greece, Syriza won a historic mandate to oppose austerity, only to capitulate to the demands of international finance capital, with horrifying consequences for the Greek masses. In every case, faced with serious resistance from the ruling class, the left reformist leaders retreated. As a result, the left has been completely discredited. But the rage at the base of society has not disappeared. Instead, a significant section of the working class has therefore turned to figures like Trump, Reform UK, and Alternative fur Deutschland, in the hope that they will offer a way out of the crisis. Betrayal Why did this happen? The reason can be summed up in the words of Trotsky: Whoever worships the accomplished fact is incapable of preparing the future.[2] The outlook of all reformists is characterised by the crudest form of empiricism. Indeed, the reformists themselves proudly boast of their pragmatism. They take as their starting point the immediately available facts, and then base their entire strategy on this foundation. The ownership and control of the economy by the capitalist class is an undeniable fact; the existence and power of the bourgeois state is, likewise, a fact. In the so-called liberal democracies, the passage of legislation through parliament, universal suffrage, trade unions and so on, are all a part of the facts of life. That the working class exists is something that most reformists would acknowledge as fact. But the idea that the working class could replace the bourgeois state and run society by itself is rejected as utopian. Why? Because the workers are not already doing it. Accordingly, the bourgeois state becomes the state in general; bourgeois democracy becomes democracy in general; capitalist relations become the economy in general; the ideological principles of the ruling class, such as its moral code, become universal values and morality in general. In short, to the reformist the capitalist order is order itself the only order that exists, and the only that can exist. Therefore, anything that threatens the collapse of this order is unthinkable. This is why reformist leaders often fear the very movements they unleash. For them the working class is not a revolutionary force to be mobilised to topple the existing order; it is a mass to be represented. Mass mobilisations and strikes therefore amount to little more than bargaining power in perpetual negotiations with the bosses. As soon as the foundations of the system are threatened, the reformists retreat in panic. With leaders such as these , the working class can expect nothing but defeats in the present period. Sectarianism Through the scientific study of the class struggle throughout history, Marxism has established that the evils of capitalism cannot be done away with without the conscious overthrow of capitalism by the working class. A rally in support of Gustavo Petro in Bogota, Marc 2025 / Image: AP, Alamy Therefore, the first duty of genuine communists is to fight for the class independence of the workers movement. This includes the need to expose and resist all attempts to bind the movement to the capitalist system and its institutions, like the bourgeois state. This is the first letter of the communist alphabet, to use Trotskys expression. But, as a child of six could tell you, there are other letters in the alphabet. And it is necessary to draw a clear distinction between the reformism of the leaders of the working class, and the striving for reform on the part of the workers themselves. Often the two will coincide. Reformists will offer reforms, and workers will follow their lead in the hope of achieving tangible improvements. Some Marxists might be tempted to dismiss the reformist illusions of the masses. Their solution is to inform the workers that they are making a mistake, that their leaders will betray, and that they should not waste their time electing reformist politicians. This is all well and good in the abstract. After all, such an argument would be based on a profound truth that reformism in a period of capitalist crisis cannot provide the reforms demanded by the masses. But it would still be utterly self-defeating and false, precisely because it is so abstract. To simply lecture the working class on the need to overthrow capitalism, without connecting this general truth to the concrete demands of the living movement, is the hallmark of sectarianism. As Trotsky explained: The sectarian looks upon the life of society as a great school, with himself as a teacher there. In his opinion the working class should put aside its less important matters, and assemble in solid rank around his rostrum: then the task would be solved.[3] Consciousness It is not enough to assert that workers must become revolutionary. It is necessary to understand how revolutionary consciousness actually develops. And it develops dialectically, in dramatic leaps, driven by the struggle to change society in practice, not in theory. This is especially the case in moments of crisis, when capitalism cannot afford even basic reforms. In 1922, the Communist International observed: Given the general situation of the workers movement today, any serious mass action, even if it starts with only partial slogans, will inevitably bring to the forefront the more general and fundamental questions of revolution.[4] Four years later, more than 3 million British workers participated in a general strike, under the slogan: Not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day. What began as a defensive struggle against the onslaught of the bosses became a direct confrontation between the working class and the full force of the British state, in which the workers could have taken power. The potential for similar leaps exists in abundance all over the world today. In Colombia, millions of people elected Gustavo Petro as the countrys first ever left-wing president on the promise of a series of reforms to working conditions, healthcare, pensions and more. Petro has made it clear that he wants to establish a form of human capitalism in Colombia, not socialism. Nevertheless, millions of workers support his government and its reform programme, because they see it as an attempt to meet their urgent demands for a better life. The problem is, Colombian capitalism is incapable of meeting these demands. Therefore, the ruling class has fought a furious rearguard battle, in the media, Congress and in the courts, to block and frustrate the reforms. When Petro called for mass mobilisations to support a referendum, or consulta popular, on a number of his reforms, he had absolutely no intention of going beyond the limits of bourgeois democracy. Rather, he hoped to use the pressure of the masses to force a compromise from the ruling class. But Petros intentions are not necessarily the same as those of the workers and youth. Spurred by Petros call, popular assemblies called cabildos were formed to organise the movement. The most militant layer in the assemblies has begun calling for an indefinite Paro Nacional (national strike), echoing the insurrectionary movement that defeated the right-wing government of Ivan Duque in 2021. Fearing the potential for a mass revolutionary movement, the Colombian ruling class has made a temporary retreat, allowing Petros labour reform bill to pass through Congress in June. But as the crisis of capitalism deepens in Colombia, the manoeuvres of the ruling class will continue, and the radicalisation of the masses could easily grow setting them on a collision course with the limits of Petros reformism. There are points in the class struggle when the workers say, We will not back down! Lenin identified this as one of the essential conditions for a revolution. Such a point was reached in Greece in 2015. When the Syriza government called a referendum on the austerity package demanded by the countrys creditors, all of the demands of the Greek masses became concentrated in a single word: Oxi! [No!] What the leaders had intended as a simple vote to strengthen their position in negotiations brought the masses to their feet in a movement that could have broken with capitalism entirely and sparked a revolutionary wave in Europe. But it is precisely here where the question of leadership becomes decisive. As in Greece, a reformist leadership can offer no way forward. The contradiction between the words and deeds of reformists is raised to an unbearable pitch, and the movement is thrown into crisis. The role of communists One might ask, if the workers have been so radicalised by this point, why dont they just dismiss their leaders and take power themselves? Petrograd, April 1917 the Bolsheviks' slogan 'All Power to the Soviets!' can be seen carried by workers / Image: public domain If the workers could just improvise a revolutionary leadership then a revolutionary party would be unnecessary, and frankly we would already be living under socialism. The role of the revolutionary party is not to oppose revolution to reform; it is to provide the bridge between the two. As Rosa Luxemburg explained in her pamphlet, Reform or Revolution: Between social reforms and revolution there exists for [Marxists] an indissoluble tie.[5] But in order to pass from words to deeds the party must be able to win the confidence of the majority of the working class. Questions of strategy thus flow into problems of tactics. Communists must be able to see the world through the eyes of the working class. We must take as our starting point the consciousness of the masses as it is now, including any illusions they might have in reformist leaders, democratic demands, the national question, etc. and connect these with the need for the working class to control society. If communists consider that the masses are mistaken in their demands or choice of leaders then we must tell them the truth. But not by lecturing from the sidelines. First, we must demonstrate that we are prepared to fight alongside them on whatever ground they choose to fight. This was the approach put forward by Marx and Engels; this is what Trotsky argued for throughout his life, above all in The Transitional Programme; and it was this approach that allowed the Bolshevik Party to carry out the greatest revolution in history, in October 1917. In the spring of 1917, the majority of workers looked to reformist parties like the Mensheviks. Rather than simply telling workers to abandon the reformists, Lenin announced publicly that these parties should take power themselves, but reject any collaboration with the ruling class and its agents. This was very effective because it reflected exactly what most workers wanted at that time, and it showed that the reformists could not fulfil the workers demands in practice. Likewise, the Bolsheviks demands for a Constituent Assembly and the distribution of land to the peasants were not socialist demands at all; they were drawn directly from the demands of the masses. But the Bolsheviks gave them a revolutionary, transitional character when they explained that the only way these demands could be achieved is if the workers and peasants took power through the soviets (councils) they had created in the struggle, and carried them out themselves. Lenins advice to the Bolsheviks was: Patiently explain! In this way, the workers drew their own conclusions, and turned to the Bolsheviks as the only party that could actually deliver the reforms they were fighting for. Without this, the October Revolution would never have taken place. Our task The coming period will contain many opportunities for revolutionary communists, but it will also contain stern tests. Lenin and Trotsky, May 1920 / Image: public domain If we are unable to attract the most advanced workers and youth to our banner then any claims to be a revolutionary alternative to the present leadership will be exposed as hot air. The struggle against reformism today is nothing other than the struggle to overcome our own isolation. In countries where revolutionary communists are only just beginning to organise, the task of winning the vanguard of the working class remains only a future prospect. But even here we must train well-rounded Marxist cadres, real communists, who are not only able to identify the errors of the workers leaders, but grasp the feelings of the workers themselves. It is only in this way that we can truly strengthen the forces of communism worldwide. To understand the relationship between the struggle for reforms, reformism, and revolution, is the touchstone of any revolutionary tendency. Any that fails to understand this can at best play the role of a communist propaganda society, but never that of a party of proletarian revolution. This is our task. If we are to succeed, we must absorb the lessons of the past. References [1] L Trotsky, Once More on Centrism, The Militant, Vol. 7, No. 16, 1934, pg 3 [2] L Trotsky, The Revolution Betrayed, Wellred Books, 2022, pg xviii [3] L Trotsky, Sectarianism, Centrism and the Fourth International, New Militant, Vol. 2, No. 1, 1936, pg 3 [4] Theses on the United Front, Resolutions & Theses of the Fourth Congress of the Communist International, The Communist Bookshop, 1922, pg 36 [5] R Luxemburg, Reform or Revolution, Pathfinder, 1970, pg 5 The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on pleas challenging the directive to shopkeepers to put up QR codes at their eateries along the route of Kanwar Yatra, which could be scanned to reveal the names and details of the owners, according to ANI. The plea was filed by academician Apoorvanand Jha and others, contending that displaying QR codes on restaurants and dhabas along the Kanwar Yatra route, revealing the names and identities of the owners, is a breach of privacy rights. As per IANS, it added that such discriminatory profiling had previously been upheld by the top court on the ground that the display of personal identity was neither backed by law nor necessary for the purpose of public order or food safety compliance. SCs Previous Order Last year, the Supreme Court had stayed the operation of controversial directives issued by the UP and Uttarakhand governments requiring all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of owners and workers. Issuing notice on petitions challenging the nameplate directives, according to IANS, a Bench headed by Justice Hrishikesh Roy had remarked that the devotees may be served with food of their choice, maintaining standard hygiene. As per the plea, despite the above order, the UP administration and other authorities are circumventing the interim stay order of the SC by reintroducing the same directive this year in the form of the QR codes display. It referred to a press note issued by the Chief Minister's office on June 25, which reflects renewed administrative support for name displays and expressly calls for "shopkeeper names to be clearly displayed" during the Yatra. The plea contended that the state action, neither authorised by statute nor necessary for a legitimate purpose, is wholly disproportionate in its discriminatory and stigmatising effect. (with agencies' inputs) Mumbai is having a classic monsoon day today, with normal rains expected all over the city and pleasant temperatures, as per information gathered from AQI.in. This pattern of weather marks the onset of an important seasonal change in the climate of the city. Temperatures in Mumbai are expected to range between 26.8C and 29.1C, with a high humidity of 78% and a 98% chance of rain. Visibility across the city remains at 8.8 kilometers. The day started with temperatures at 26.8C and is expected to gradually increase to a high of 29.1C. Rainfall levels are anticipated at 11.52 mm, making the day likely to be one of the wettest of the week. Wind speeds at 23.4 km/h will bring a cooling effect, particularly in the evening hours, with rainfall intensity surging in the late afternoon. Advisory For Residents Since the weather will be wet, people are cautioned to make necessary precautions: Bring Rain Gear: Umbrellas, raincoats, and waterproof shoes are highly recommended. Travel Safely: Public transport is recommended as a safer mode of travel because the roads are likely to get wet and slippery. Plan Outdoor Events: Proper planning needs to be done for any outdoor activity, especially in the late afternoon when rain will pick up. Careful Driving: Less visibility of 8.8 km requires additional care on the part of the drivers. Indoor Activities: One should engage in indoor activities during the maximum rainfall hours. Weekly Outlook The monsoon pattern will continue to hold ground for the week: July 16: Patchy rain is expected with a slightly elevated temperature of 29.9C and an 89% chance of rainfall. July 17 & 18: A slight decrease in rain is expected, but chances of precipitation will still be high at 88% and 86% respectively. July 18 could provide comparatively better weather with a high temperature of 30.3C. July 19 & 20 (Weekend): The weather forecast shows unabated patchy rain with chances of showers at 89% and 85% respectively. Temperature & Humidity: The temperatures will predominantly range between 28-30C for the week, and humidity levels will remain between 70% and 74%, leading to a heavy atmosphere around the city. This sustained monsoon activity is consistent with Mumbai's usual seasonal behavior, providing relief from pre-monsoon heat and compelling the residents to get used to the persistent moisture. KOZHIKODE: The Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram said that he spoke to scholars in Yemen to urge them for the release of 37-year-old Nimish Priya, convicted of murder and set to be executed. The Grand Mufti claims that after his talks, the news of the execution being postponed also came in. "In Islam, instead of killing, there is also a practice of giving Diya (compensation). I requested them to accept Diyaat as the party is ready here for it. There are talks going on about whether my request has to be accepted. The date of execution was tomorrow, but it has now been postponed for some days," the Grand Mufti told ANI. The Grand Mufti said that he is not considering the religion of Priya, but rather her humanity as he requested for her release. "We have demanded this as human beings. If such a demand is accepted, then it will be very easy for Muslims in India. Muslims and Hindus all live on the same platform here," he said. Earlier, Congress leader KC Venugopal also hailed the postponement of the execution, saying that "whoever is involved," in saving the Kerala nurse's life is appreciated. "We got the information that Nimisha Priya's death sentence has been postponed. We all requested the Central government to intervene in the matter, but we got the information that Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram has intervened. Whosoever is involved in saving the human life of the woman of Kerala is welcome," Venugopal said. The Mufti's remarks come after sources told ANI earlier that the execution of the 37-year-old nurse from Kerala was postponed following the "concerted efforts" by the Government of India. The execution was earlier set to happen on July 16. According to the sources, the postponement provides additional time for her family to negotiate a mutually agreeable solution amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts by Indian officials as they maintained regular communication with Yemeni jail authorities and the prosecutor's office while navigating the sensitivities of the situation to secure this reprieve. "In the case of Ms. Nimisha Priya, it has been learnt that the local authorities in Yemen have postponed the execution scheduled for July 16, 2025," the sources stated. On Monday, while giving the Union Government's submission on the case in the Supreme Court the Attorney General of India (AGI) stated that the Indian government is making every possible effort to help Priya. He further informed the Court that talks are ongoing with Yemeni authorities, including the public prosecutor handling Priya's case, to secure a suspension of the execution order until negotiations can be pursued. In a dramatic turn of events, the execution of Nimisha Priya, a Kerala nurse on death row in Yemen, scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, 2025, has been postponed by local authorities. This last-minute reprieve follows intensive diplomatic and religious interventions, offering a glimmer of hope for her life. Nimisha Priya is currently imprisoned in Yemen, facing the death penalty for the alleged murder of her former business partner, Talal Abdo Mehdi, in 2017. Her death sentence was upheld by Yemen's Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023. Sources indicate that frantic negotiations are currently underway involving influential figures, including the local Chief Justice of the Yemeni court, a senior cleric from the powerful Shoora Council, and members of Mehdis family. These discussions aim to persuade Mehdi's family to accept "blood money" (diyah), a form of financial compensation permissible under Islamic law that could lead to a pardon or deferral of the execution. Efforts gained significant momentum thanks to the intervention of Keralas Grand Mufti, Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, who reportedly contacted a friend in Yemen's Shoora Council to mediate. A close relative of the deceased, who also serves as the Chief Justice of the Hodeidah State Court and a member of the Yemeni Shura Council, has reportedly travelled to Dhamar to participate in these critical talks. Kerala Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar also intervened, speaking with officials from the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday to press for urgent action. Philanthropic support has emerged, with Kerala billionaire M.A. Yusuf Ali expressing his willingness to contribute financially to secure Priya's release. The case has drawn widespread concern across India and internationally, highlighting the precarious situation of Indian migrant workers in conflict-ridden regions. Nimisha Priya's mother, Prema Kumari, has been at the forefront of the campaign to save her daughter, even traveling to Sanaa, Yemen, to attempt direct negotiations with the victim's family. She is supported by the 'Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council.' On Monday, the Supreme Court of India heard the matter, with the Attorney General conveying that while the Government of India was making "utmost possible" efforts, its options were limited due to the complex and unrecognised diplomatic situation in Houthi-controlled Sanaa where Priya is incarcerated. The court noted the "very unfortunate" situation but acknowledged the government's limitations. Nimisha Priya moved to Yemen in 2008 for work. In 2017, she allegedly administered sedatives to Talal Abdo Mehdi in an attempt to retrieve her confiscated passport. The sedatives, however, proved fatal. She was arrested while attempting to flee and was convicted of murder in 2018. The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear the matter again on July 18, awaiting further updates on the ongoing negotiations. A 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha, who had attempted self-immolation, succumbed to her injuries late on Monday night. She had allegedly set herself on fire after facing prolonged sexual harassment by the Head of Department at her college. The case findings have revealed that despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the Principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the incident. Taking action on the matter, Odisha Police arrested the Fakir Mohan College suspended Principal, Dilip Ghose. According to ANI, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed the death of the student. The Department of Burn Centre, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said in a statement that the patient was brought to the casualty on July 12 and was referred from Balasore District Headquarters Hospital to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. She was admitted to the Burns Centre ICU. The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated, and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14, the statement read. Govt Vows Stringent Action In a post on X, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the demise of the Balasore student and assured that the guilty individuals will face punishment as per the law. I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite the government's fulfillment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim's life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss, he wrote in Odia. I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family, he added. Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) July 14, 2025 Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida arrived at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Monday night and met the family of the student. She asserted that the government will take stringent action against those who were involved in the crime. Speaking to ANI, she said, She (victim) died around 11:45 pm. I have met her family members. The doctors were trying their best to save her for the last 3 days. The government will take stringent action against those who are involved in this. Both the accused are in jail. The government is serious in this case. The facts that have come out regarding students and teachers are very sad, and strong action will be taken. Meanwhile, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers staged a protest as the mortal remains of the deceased student were being taken to the postmortem centre of AIIMS. The incident has sparked outrage, with many demanding action against the accused and accountability from the college administration. (with ANI inputs) Eight Opposition political parties, including the Congress, on Tuesday called for 'Odisha Bandh' on July 17, 2025, in protest against the death of a student of Balasore Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, who had set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by the Head of Department of her college. Despite lodging a formal complaint with the principal, her pleas were ignored. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. The 20-year-old student succumbed to burn injuries late last night despite a 60-hour treatment effort at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The state Congress President Bhakta Charan Das also demanded the resignation of the Odisha Education Minister, local MLA, and MP after the tragic incident. Speaking to ANI, Das said, Our demand is that the Education Minister, the MLA, and the MP--all three--should resign, and their party should expel all three... On the 17th, we have called for an Odisha bandh, and we appeal to all sections to support it. The Odisha Congress Chief noted that the victim, even after complaining at multiple forums, did not get justice. The student knocked on every door for justice and even got an FIR registered... but she did not get justice... She even went to the MLA. The MLA could have ensured justice for her, but he did not do so... The MP also did not take this matter seriously... Was it not their responsibility to take this matter seriously? ... If even a little action had been taken, the situation would not have come to the point where that student had to take her own life... The government did not even realise that this is their responsibility, he added. Rahul Gandhi On Self-Immolation Case Earlier, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, called the death of the Balasore student an organised murder by the BJP's system, accusing the saffron party of failing to protect the victim. In a post on X, LoP Gandhi wrote, "The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment, but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her." CM Announces Financial Assistance Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced financial assistance of Rs. 20 lakh to the family of the Balasore student. He also expressed deep sorrow over her passing away of the student and assured that all guilty will be strictly punished. (with ANI inputs) US President Donald Trump came forward to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Trumps plan includes a 50-day deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt all military aggression in Ukraine. If Russia fails to comply, Trump has warned of imposing a 100 per cent tariff on all Russian exports. This tariff would also apply to any nation continuing trade with Russia. The warning comes on top of existing US sanctions, which have already limited Russias global trade including oil and gas, forcing Moscow to lower prices significantly. In today's DNA, Zee News Managing Editor Rahul Sinha analyzed the ongoing situation between the US and Russia over the conflict with Ukraine. Will the tension between Trump and Putin impact their relationship? Watch DNA's Full Episode: The implications of this threat are vast. Analysts believe that such aggressive economic measures could trigger a Cold Warlike scenario, with NATO nations aligning behind Trump and the BRICS nations led by Russia and China forming a counter-economic front. Trump, meanwhile, has strengthened ties with NATO by approving fresh arms packages for Ukraine, signalling a clear strategic push. However, the situation on the ground tells a different story. Russia currently controls about 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory, including key regions like Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and parts of Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv. In contrast, Ukraine's gains have been limited and temporary. This territorial dominance gives Putin a strong hand in any ceasefire negotiations. Russia has officially rejected Trumps 50-day ultimatum, calling the conditions unacceptable but expressing willingness to consider parts of the plan. China has publicly backed Russia, denouncing the US warning as hegemonic. As the world watches this complex chessboard unfold, its clear that global powers are inching toward a Cold War 2.0, where economic and strategic alliances will determine the next chapter of international order. United States President Donald Trump reiterated his claim on Monday (local time) that he stopped the escalation of the recent India-Pakistan conflict after the Pahalgam terror attack. Trump made these remarks during his meeting with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte. "We have been very successful in settling wars, India, Pakistan... India, by the way, Pakistan would have been a nuclear war within another week, the way that was going. It was going very badly," Trump stated. He pointed to his strategy of using trade as leverage, stating, "We did that through trade. I said, we are not going to talk to you about trade, unless you get this thing settled, and they did." In June, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, "You know, I did something that people don't talk about, and I don't talk about very much, but we solved a big problem, a nuclear problem potentially with India and with Pakistan." "I spoke to Pakistan, I spoke to India, they have really great leaders, but they were going at it, and they could have gone at it nuclear," he added. Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for stopping hostilities between India and Pakistan after New Delhi's effective response to Islamabad's aggression following precision strikes on terror infrastructure. However, India refuted the claims made by the US President, reiterating its policy that India and Pakistan bilaterally address any matter related to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. "As you are aware, we have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed. As you are aware, the outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian Territory by Pakistan," the Ministry of External Affairs stated. The MEA further stated that the "issue of trade" did not come up between Indian and US leaders since the commencement of 'Operation Sindoor' and the cessation of hostilities. "From the time OPERATION SINDOOR commenced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on 10th May, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions," MEA further stated. India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. India repelled subsequent Pakistani military aggression and pounded its airbases. India and Pakistan agreed to a cessation of hostilities following a call made by Pakistan's DGMO to his Indian counterpart. After a conflict with Israel and the US, Iranian administration spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani on Tuesday stated that Iran has not initiated any wars in modern history and isn't seeking conflict, but will stand firm against coercion and bullying. While addressing the weekly press conference, Mohajerani said that the administration has recently delivered this message to the world through different channels, including diplomatic meetings and interviews. We do not seek war, but we do not surrender either to bullies, she said, Islamic Republic News Agency reported. The spokesperson emphasised that the administration's goal is to ensure that the people enjoy the best life possible, and they will continue to work towards this objective. Mohajerani praised the Iranian nation's resilience during the recent 12-day Israeli-U.S. aggression, attributing their strength to their deep-rooted values. She noted that despite frequent attacks due to Iran's strategic location, the nation has consistently defended its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani highlighted President Masoud Pezeshkian's message to Iranians abroad, emphasising that they are the true owners of the country. She noted that despite facing psychological and economic pressures, the world witnessed remarkable unity among the Iranian nation. Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday paid his respects to legendary actress B Saroja Devi, who passed away at the age of 87 and announced that her final rites will be performed with full state honours. In a statement to the media, Siddaramaiah remembered meeting the actress several times in the past and spoke about her warm and kind nature. He praised her long and successful career in Indian cinema and acknowledged her contribution to the film industry across multiple languages. "I had met her several times in the past. Wherever we met, she always spoke with great affection and warmth. She was an actress with a wonderful personality. May her soul rest in peace. She acted in numerous films. There is a proposal to name 11th Cross in Malleswaram after B. Saroja Devi. Discussions will be held regarding that. Instructions have been given to conduct her final rites with full state honours," he said. Saroja Devi got her big break with her Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955). She made her Telugu film debut with Pandurang Mahathyam (1957) and acted in several successful films until the late 1970s. The Tamil film Nadodi Mannan (1958) established her as one of the top actresses in Tamil cinema. After her marriage in 1967, she remained the second most sought-after actress in Tamil films until 1974, while she continued to be a top actress in Telugu and Kannada cinema from 1958 to 1980.She also acted in Hindi films, starting with Paigham (1959) until the mid-1960s. She acted in 161 consecutive films as the female lead between 1955 and 1984. Sarojadevi was awarded the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1992. She also received an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University and the Kalaimamani Award of Tamil Nadu. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.Known for her work in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi films, Saroja Devi's demise has left the industry in shock. A digital radio country station that started out in the owners bedroom in Marion has now garnered more than 650,000 listeners and nationwide recognition. Kickin Kountry 101 is a country music radio station that was started in Marion. But you wont find it on the FM or AM dial. Instead, it is a digital station that is an affiliate of iHeartRadio streaming platform. It has its own app and is also available on Alexa and Apple Music, according to its owner and founder Shannon Steele Pyatt. The 51-year-old Pyatt, who goes by Shannon Steele on the radio, has a long background of working in broadcasting. Growing up in Marion, he was working at WBRM AM 1250 when he was just 15 years old under owner Annette Bryant and alongside announcers Sam Paul Combs and Van McKinney. He said announcer Dave Thomas would take him to his station in Shelby, where he also got more on-air experience as a youth. The young Pyatts goal was to work at as an announcer on a station in Myrtle Beach, S.C. By the time he was 21, he got a job working at that station. He continued to work at various radio stations in a variety of formats: top 40, rock and country. He received a job offer to work at a country station in Columbus, Ohio, where he hosted the afternoon show and served as program director. He later went to work for iHeartRadio, but became disenchanted because the music was all being programmed by someone else in Los Angeles or some other location, he said. So, Pyatt walked away from the radio business and got a real estate license. He proved to do quite well in real estate by selling big, expensive homes along the shores of Lake Norman and he brought eXp Realty to Marion. He said he is still working in real estate and is a business partner with longtime broker Steve Jones. But after doing real estate for 20 years, he realized that radio was still in his blood. He was approached by someone to build a new radio station from scratch. It started as Power Country and he had employees working for him at this new station. However, Pyatt said he found out he was being scammed with this setup. So what happened was there was a man in Los Angeles that wanted to start a country station, said Pyatt. I went through the process of getting it all set up on the air with the air talent and everything and he assured me that I would be paid a nice salary and that I would be reimbursed for the studio setup. This man never paid Pyatt or his employees. I went to my employees and told them that we had been scammed and that I did not know when they would be able to get paid, said Pyatt. But if they wanted to stick around and believe in the vision of the radio station, that this is what we could do, and thats how Kickin Kountry was formed. We took over the signal from the guy that scammed us and the rest was history. On Saturday, July 1, 2023, Kickin Kountry 101 was inaugurated. At first, it was located in his bedroom where he set up a small studio. Pyatt said he faced a lot of challenges getting acknowledged by the record labels and artists were reluctant to get involved with such a new digital platform. We definitely had some struggles, he said. We were told that because it was digital and not FM that it would never make it. I was especially told this by folks in Nashville and well you see what all weve done. Through his determination and contacts in the country music industry, his persistence paid off. The new station on iHeartRadio has gained a devoted audience of listeners and Pyatt began conducting interviews with some of the hottest talent in Nashville. This station is not owned by iHeartRadio but is rather an affiliate of the digital streaming platform, said Pyatt. Jess Price, owner of the Roaming Buffalo Outpost store, started construction of a new and bigger location on the five lane for her successful business. She had a space in her larger building which would provide a new and better studio for Kickin Kountry 101. You will usually find the distinctive Kickin Kountry 101 truck parked out front of the Roaming Buffalo Outpost. It has become a traveling symbol for the station and can be seen whenever it does live remotes. The big sign inside the studio was made by C&E Customz in Marion, which also did the artwork for the truck. In one corner of the store, the Kickin Kountry 101 studio broadcasts todays hit country music right from Marion to listeners all over the nation. But Pyatt doesnt do this alone. He has employees who also host country shows on Kickin Kountry and they are located all over the United States. Jason Murphy hosts the Murph in the Morning show and he broadcasts out of Charleston, W.Va. Hes got a 30-plus share in the broadcast ratings and hes on Kickin Kountry from 6-10 a.m. during the weekdays. Amber Rainey comes next with the midday show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. She is a former midday announcer for station KSON in San Diego, Calif. Then, Pyatt, working under the name Shannon Steele, is live on the Kickin Kountry broadcast direct from Marion starting at 2 p.m. and lasting until 6 p.m. during the weekdays. On the weekends, Cornbread & Honey, a husband-and-wife team from Kansas City, Mo., can be heard on Kickin Kountry from 6 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and then Cody Donn of Austin, Texas, takes over from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays. Starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays, the program Backroad Breakouts (independent artists new music showcase) can be heard. Kickin Kountry 101 also has a show called Breakin Indies Country Countdown hosted by announcers Maddye Trew of American Idol and Jeff McMahon. McMahon is the former keyboardist for country star Tim McGraw for 20 years and is now the keyboardist for country artist Chris Cagle. It is exclusive to this station, said Pyatt. On Sunday mornings from 6 a.m. to noon, you can hear Kountry Faith (six hours of Christian country artists like Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Cody Johnson, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton). Although it is a small station based in a small town, Kickin Kountry 101 has gained a mighty following among listeners nationwide and has been noticed by the country music industry in Nashville, Tenn. It has more than 650,000 nationwide listeners and of those, 70% are here in western North Carolina. Pyatt said his station is the very first all-digital and non-Nashville based station to be recognized in Nashville Voyager magazine. He is a member of the Country Music Association and has done interviews with the top country stars backstage at the CMA Awards show during a program called Music Row Live. Hes talked with big names like Cody Johnson, the Oak Ridge Boys, Shenandoah, Chris Janson, Zach Top, Old Dominion, Riley Green, Dustin Lynch and Ella Langley. Country Air Check magazine has featured this station 10 times and the Country Music Hall of Fame advertises on Kickin Kountry. Even more significant, some of todays up-and-coming country artists are traveling to Marion, where they will do an interview with Pyatt at his studio at the Roaming Buffalo Outpost. They include Ashley Ryan, a new artist whos toured with Keith Urban, and Randy Cobb, who has a song in the Billboard top 100. So in this way, Kickin Kountry 101 is bringing Nashville to Marion. Pyatt also said Jacquie Roar from season 24 of The Voice on Team Reba McEntire and Grammy Award-winning husband wife duo Thompson Square have both agreed to come to Marion from Nashville to do an in-person interview and meet and greet at Kickin Kountry on a date to be determined. Thompson Square is not only Grammy Award winners but their song Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not went multiplatinum. So this is a big deal for Marion, he said. Pyatt is especially proud that he has been invited to be an announcer at the legendary Grand Ole Opry in September. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Oprys founding. Most of all, he is still incredulous how this Marion station, which started in his home, has become so widely recognized in just two years. Its crazy how all this started in my bedroom. Its insane, he said. To find Kickin Kountry 101, go to www.iheart.com/live/kickin-kountry-101-wkck-9903/. For more information, you can visit https://kickinkountryradio.com/ or see the Facebook page www.facebook.com/wkck101. New Delhi: Samuel Bond Haskell IV, also known as Sam Haskell Jr - son of Hollywood's top shot Emmy-winning producer Sam Haskell has died by suicide in the jail reportedly. Sam Haskell Jr was accused of murdering and dismembered his wife and her parents before disposing of their bodies in a landfill. He was 37. Who Is Sam Haskell Jr? ABC News reported that Haskell IV was charged in the 2023 triple killings of his wife, Mei Li Haskell, 37, and her parents, 64-year-old Yanxiang Wang and 72-year-old Gaoshan Li. Meanwhile, Lt. Michael Modica of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told KABC that Samuel Bond Haskell IV has died just hours before his scheduled court appearance on Monday. The reason of his death is yet to be revealed by the authorities. Mei Li Haskell and her parents were last seen alive on Nov. 6, 2023. How Did Sam Haskell Jr Plan The Murder? Haskell allegedly paid four day laborers to remove several large black trash bags from his home on November 7, 2023. One of the workers opened a bag and discovered what appeared to be human remains, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The workers immediately returned the money, left the scene, and called cops, reportedly. His father Sam Haskell represents well-known clients like Dolly Parton, George Clooney, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Whoopi Goldberg. The Hollywood Reporter quoted District Attorney Nathan Hochman saying in a statement on Monday, "Instead of standing before a judge and answering for the crimes hes been charged with, the defendant managed to escape justice." Assam Police has arrested a woman (38) for allegedly murdering her husband and burying his body inside the premises of their house at Pandu area in Guwahati. Rahima Khatun has also reportedly confessed to killing her husband. The Government of India may make any claims regarding relations with China, but the truth is that it does not matter to China, whose government is in India. He continues the work of occupying the land of his neighbors under the One China Policy. India has made its stand regarding LAC clear in a strict tone. But soon after this, China released such a map, due to which India is angry. China has described Aksai Chin and Arunachal as part of China in this map. Toronto rapper Top5 was reportedly stabbed in the neck while greeting fans at a London music festival, according to multiple media reports. Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Return: Indian astronaut and Indian Air Force test pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has successfully piloted his Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew back to Earth, with their spacecraft splashing down off the coast of San Diego at 3:01 PM IST (2:31 a.m. PT). Shubhanshu Shukla, along with his three Ax-4 crewmates, has completed a landmark 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). With this historic feat, he becomes the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). Earlier, SpaceX announced that the Dragon spacecraft was set to splash down off the coast of California after the nosecone of Grace was closed and secured for reentry. The crew returned to Earth approximately 22.5 hours after departing the ISS. On Monday, the Ax-4 spacecraft successfully undocked and began its journey back, as confirmed by Axiom Space and NASA. In a mission update blog, NASA stated that the Dragon spacecraft undocked at 7:15 a.m. EDT (4:45 p.m. IST) from the space-facing port of the ISSs Harmony module, completing Axioms fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory. During a live session on X, Axiom Space noted that the Ax-4 mission included over 60 scientific studies and more than 20 outreach events. List Of Commanders The Ax-4 crew comprised Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz Suave Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and HUNOR astronaut Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The team actively engaged in scientific research and outreach activities during their 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). According to NASA, the Dragon spacecraft returned with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission. Axiom Mission 4 Launch Axiom Mission 4 lifted off on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft docked with the International Space Station on June 26 at 4:05 p.m. IST, ahead of schedule, attaching to the space-facing port of the Harmony module. (With ANI Inputs) New Delhi: An eerie silence hangs heavy over Southeast Asias dense border forests. The trail that once welcomed casual travellers and cross-border traders has turned still. At one end, Cambodia tightens its boots. On the other, Thailand holds its breath. The decades-old tension between the two neighbours has taken a turn and now, the signs are pointing toward a potential military showdown. Cambodia has made a move few expected in 2025. Prime Minister Hun Manet stood before a military training centre this week and made an announcement that sent waves across the region. He said from next year, all Cambodian civilians between the ages of 18 and 30 will be mandatorily drafted into military training for 18 months. The decision is not new on paper. A law mandating this very draft had been passed back in 2006, but until now, it had only existed as ink. Now, it is real and happening. This turn of events follows a violent incident that occurred on May 28, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in an exchange of gunfire near a disputed section of the Thailand-Cambodia border. The aftermath was immediate. The once-open passage between the two countries was sealed shut. And trust, already fragile, began to fracture further. Cambodia did not stop at only closing its borders. It went to the International Court of Justice, hoping to draw global attention to what it claims are repeated violations. Meanwhile, trade has taken a hit. Imports coming in from Thailand have been halted by Phnom Penh. In Bangkok, the tension has started to rattle the political corridors. The Thai government suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra after a private conversation between her and Cambodias former strongman, Hun Sen, leaked into the public domain. The contents of the conversation remain murky, but the political fallout has been swift and public. The numbers paint a grim picture. Cambodias armed forces currently stand at an estimated 200,000 troops, according to CIA World Factbook figures. Thailands force is bigger, at over 350,000 troops. But sheer numbers do not always tell the whole story. Cambodias leadership now wants more. Hun Manet has urged the nation to boost its military budget, signalling that the government sees the standoff as more than just a passing crisis. The military buildup also has another shadow, China. Beijing has established a large naval base inside Cambodia, adding to its growing military presence in the region. Chinese weapons have also found their way into Cambodian arsenals. With China standing close, the stakes grow higher. In his speech, Hun Manet framed the present situation as a turning point. A moment for his countrys forces to reassess, reorganize and prepare. The mood in Cambodia is shifting. The government is laying foundations for long-term militarisation. The calls for restraint still echo, but action on the ground suggests otherwise. Young men across Cambodia now await call-up orders. Families prepare for months of absence. On the border, the soil grows more tense with every sunrise. No one has spoken of war openly. But no one is ruling it out either. Pastor John MacArthur, the leader of Grace Community Church of US' California, died at the age of 86, reportedly after being hospitalised with pneumonia. In a post on X, Grace to You, the media ministry he founded, informed on Tuesday (IST) about the demise of the Pastor. "Our hearts are heavy, yet rejoicing, as we share the news that our beloved pastor and teacher John MacArthur has entered into the presence of the Savior. This evening, his faith became sight. He faithfully endured until his race was run," the post read. Our hearts are heavy, yet rejoicing, as we share the news that our beloved pastor and teacher John MacArthur has entered into the presence of the Savior. This evening, his faith became sight. He faithfully endured until his race was run. 2 Timothy 4:1-8 pic.twitter.com/5JplmC0Dvp Grace to You (@gracetoyou) July 15, 2025 Who Is John MacArthur? According to the website of Grace To You, John MacArthur was the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. He was also an author, conference speaker, chancellor of The Masters University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the media ministry. After graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church in 1969. In 1985, he became the President of The Masters College. In 1986, the Pastor founded The Masters Seminary, a graduate school dedicated to training men for full-time pastoral and missionary work. He has authored hundreds of study guides and books, including The Gospel According to Jesus, Our Sufficiency in Christ, Strange Fire, Ashamed of the Gospel, The Murder of Jesus, The Prodigal Son, Twelve Ordinary Men, and The Truth War. John MacArthur is survived by his wife, Patricia, four married children, and fifteen grandchildren. John MacArthurs Health According to a report by the Mint, John MacArthur has undergone multiple heart surgeries and lung procedures since 2023. In January 2023, the Pastor began experiencing difficulty breathing after he delivered a sermon. Later, he was hospitalised and had three heart procedures plus lung surgery. He stayed at the hospital for seven weeks. New Delhi: Some victories dont need noise. Just precision. And patience. Operation Sindoor proved that. Somewhere over hostile skies, the Indian Air Force pulled off one of the most poetic military deceptions in recent memory. Pakistan was convinced it had hit a Rafale. Missiles were fired. Celebrations had started. But what actually fell was not a jet. It was something else. Something smaller. Something smarter. A device. About 30 kilograms. Tied to the belly of a Rafale by a fiber-optic cable, stretching nearly 100 metres. Always dangling. Always following. They call it X-GUARD. Inside the Indian Air Force, they also call it Latkan Baba. Pakistans air command had locked onto the signal. Their radars had read it as an incoming fighter. The system was fooled. So were the missiles. The X-Guard was doing its job. Imitating speed. Mimicking movement. Copying the radar footprint of an actual aircraft. The deception was complete. What got destroyed was a decoy. The real Rafale returned unharmed. And its payload had already done its job deep inside Pakistani territory. There had been no official Indian statement. But back in Pakistan, ministers, generals and television anchors had already declared a triumphant hit. They said they had shot down a Rafale. But there was no proof. There never is when you have only hit a ghost. Behind the success lies Israeli engineering. The X-Guard is designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, one of Israels top weapons firms. The tech was built for electronic warfare. To mislead. To mask. To mess with the minds and machines of any enemy bold enough to fire first. The X-Guard lives and thinks. With AI running its responses, it creates a convincing illusion. It mimics the signature of a real jet. It creates the same Doppler echo that radars look for. It moves like a pilot would move. It responds like a threat. And it dies like bait. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan was not the only one watching. China too had eyes in the sky. Its homegrown radar systems, J-10C, were embedded in Pakistans defense net. Missiles, too, made in China. The PL-15E a sleek, long-range and high-tech killer. Locked in. Launched. Missed. Those same Chinese systems had tracked Indian jets. They had done their job. Or so they thought. The targets were identified. Missiles had been fired. But they never hit a Rafale. They hit the decoy. The Latkan Baba. Indian defense experts have quietly celebrated the win. But it was not only them. Former U.S. Air Force pilot Ryan Bodenheimer, who once flew the powerful F-16, shared his take. He said he had never seen an electronic warfare move like this. He called the Indian AI-decoy operation a turning point. He said it was brilliantly executed. That Pakistan never saw it coming. According to Bodenheimer, this was not only about protecting one aircraft. This was about using decoys so effectively that the real fighters slipped through the enemys air defense like wind through mesh. The Indian jets flew in. Hit military targets. Flew back. Unharmed. Pakistans systems had been looking in the wrong direction. The operation has become a textbook example of what 21st-century warfare looks like. A silent weapon. No gunfire. Just data and deception. And while the enemies fired in joy, the real work had already been done. India had outsmarted them. Quietly. Elegantly. And while Pakistan cheered for what it thought was a kill, the actual victory had already returned home without a scratch. In a dramatic change in US policy toward the Russia-Ukraine war, President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States would be sending a large new consignment of arms to Ukraine, including sophisticated Patriot Missile Defense Systems. It follows as Trump spoke of great frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that while phone calls with Putin are "nice," he always "turns around and begins bombing Ukraine very badly." Trump's action is a landmark event in the current war, with his previous efforts within the first few months of his tenure to arrange a truce with Putin coming to nought time and again. With this new policy, America will provide the weapons, with the funds coming from the member nations of NATO. The first shipment is likely to comprise a large amount of heavy artillery, including the very capable Patriot Missile Defense Systems and batteries. The Patriot Missile Defense System, official name Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT), is a sophisticated mobile surface-to-air missile system of the United States. It was originally produced by Raytheon and introduced in the 1980s. Its main role is to counter airborne threats like hostile aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles or drones, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles. The system can also detect short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) and certain hypersonic missiles, such as Russia's Kinzhal missile. Major Features Of The Patriot System Radar System: Its powerful phased-array radar is capable of tracking more than 100 targets simultaneously, allowing for accurate missile targeting. Launchers: A single Patriot battery has 4-8 launchers, which can fire various types of missiles. Missiles: Different interceptor missiles are used in the system: PAC-2: Developed with an explosive warhead for larger targets. PAC-3: Utilises "hit-to-kill" technology for smaller, quicker, and more precise targets. Command And Control Center: The brain of the system that processes radar information and manages missile fire. Range & Altitude: PAC-3 missiles operate around 20-35 km, while PAC-2 missiles have a range of 70-160 km. They can attack targets at altitudes of up to 24 km. Speed: PAC-3 missiles have a speed of up to Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) to reach targets. Automation: The system can function in automated or manual mode to provide fast response capabilities. Ukraine has repeatedly asked its Western allies for additional air defense systems to defend its key infrastructure and civilian zones against Russian missile and drone attacks. Though effective against missiles and planes, employing Patriots to intercept cheaper drones is a costly endeavor. However, Ukrainian officials contend that they are necessary for protecting important locations from Russia's increasing long-range attacks. Russia, meanwhile, sees the delivery of Patriot systems as a direct provocation. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in May that sending additional systems to Ukraine would reduce chances of peace. Ceasefire Prospects Diminish Trump's promise to deliver Patriot missiles deeply pessimises the possibilities of a ceasefire in the three-year war. Ukraine is not ready to accept Russia's terms for a ceasefire, including withdrawal of the military from four areas and Crimea, the distancing of itself from NATO, and the protection of the Russian language and culture. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already turned these down, calling for a full and unconditional ceasefire, the withdrawal of Russian forces in its entirety, and the investigation of war crimes. President Trump in May 2025 made a statement that Russia and Ukraine would forthwith initiate ceasefire talks, but Putin insisted on not establishing a timeline, citing the need to put an end to the "roots of the war." Trump later admitted by July 2025 that nothing had been achieved, admitting that Russia's conditions were as good as Ukraine surrendering. The incessant drone attacks from Russia and retaliations by Ukraine have further intensified the tension. As both sides are confronting opposing demands and a deep-seated lack of confidence, the prospect of a ceasefire seems ever further away. TAIPEI: Taiwan's Armed Forces shut a key bridge in Greater Taipei on Tuesday for a military drill, simulating Taipei's effort to stop Chinese forces from moving towards the capital city, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. The Wanban Bridge, which links New Taipei's Banqiao District to Taipei's Wanhua District, was entirely shut down from 11 pm (local time) on Monday to 6 am (local time) on Tuesday to facilitate the drill. Troops constructed a four-tier blockade on the 690-meter span within two hours, demonstrating Taiwan's rapid response capability against potential Chinese ground incursions. The blockade combined military fortifications with civilian resources, layered roadblocks, barbed wire, city buses, and newly acquired Hesco bastions, modern wire mesh barriers used in war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. The exercise simulated a People's Liberation Army (PLA) attempt to breach the bridge using disguised military vehicles, a plausible "gray zone" tactic often employed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to blur the line between war and peace. Early this morning, the ROCMP simulated the defense of Wanban Bridge, which connects Taipei's government center to New Taipei City. The bridge was barricaded and defended using anti-tank equipment, including Javelin missile systems. Source & MND/MNA pic.twitter.com/GH69hyRyrc Taiwan Security Monitor (@TaiwanMonitor) July 14, 2025 Military police deployed drones to detect the simulated enemy before engaging in a defensive firefight. In the scenario, PLA units broke through three of the four barricade layers before being neutralised by Taiwanese snipers and armoured "Clouded Leopard" vehicles. The operation concluded with full bridge clearance and spot checks. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence emphasised that the drill is part of a broader campaign to strengthen urban warfare readiness and prevent enemy advances toward critical government and infrastructure hubs like the Presidential Office Building. Tuesday marked the seventh day of Taiwan's longest-ever live-fire phase of the Han Kuang exercises, which run through July 18. This year's extended duration, double that of previous drills, underscores Taiwan's growing sense of urgency amid China's escalating military coercion. The bridge drill served as both training and deterrent, a reminder to Beijing that Taiwan's defences are vigilant, resilient, and prepared to fight for their freedom. On June 10, the final of the 24th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College StudentsSierra Leone Divisionwas successfully held in Freetown. Chinese Ambassador Wang Qing, Minister of Technical and Higher Education Dr. Wurie, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone Professor Lebbie, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Fourah Bay College Dr. Mansaray, along with over 200 Chinese language enthusiasts attended the event. The event featured a video message by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for the global celebrations of the first UN International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations. H.E. Ambassador Wang Qing congratulated the finalists for their achievement. Amb. Wang pointed out that Chinese is a bridge of cognition that decodes Chinese civilization, a bridge of cooperation that deepens China-Sierra Leone friendship, and a bridge of mutual learning that connects Chinese and African civilizations. He hoped all contestants and Chinese learners would use the Chinese language as a Bridge, to get closer to China, to understand it, to work together to create an even brighter future for China-Sierra Leone and China-Africa relations. Hon. Minister Wurie commended the vital role of the Chinese Bridge competition in enhancing mutual learning between civilizations, deepening practical cooperation, and strengthening the traditional friendship between Sierra Leone and China. She urged the participants and young Sierra Leonean students to continue contributing to the people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Al-Shabab fighters have captured the key town of Tardo in central Somalias Hiiraan region, triggering the displacement of over 12,500 families and escalating an already volatile insurgency. The town fell on Sunday (13 July) after government-allied clan militias were overrun, military officials confirmed. Tardos location as a crossroads between major urban centers makes its fall a significant gain for the al-Qaeda-linked group, which has waged a deadly insurgency since 2007 in a bid to topple Somalias internationally recognized government and impose strict Sharia rule. The offensive comes just days after al-Shabab seized the nearby town of Moqokori, and the group is reportedly advancing deeper into the region. Somali forces have responded by deploying 100 soldiers to support a counterattack alongside local militias known as Macwiisleey. The group is advancing to other areas after the fall of Tardo, said Major Mohamed Abdullahi. A regional lawmaker warned the humanitarian toll is mounting rapidly, with displaced families facing dire conditions and aid access severely disrupted. Although Somali troops recently reclaimed villages near Mogadishu, al-Shababs ability to regroup and capture new territory highlights the persistent threat it poses. Aid agencies warn of a deepening crisis as conflict zones expand and essential services collapse. With no end in sight, civilians remain caught between advancing militants and a fragile government response. The US Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to move forward with its plan to dismantle the Department of Education after pausing a preliminary injunction issued by a US district judge in May. In a 6-3 emergency ruling, the Supreme Court lifted the district judge's order to reinstate employees terminated in mass layoffs, Xinhua news agency reported. On May 22, Boston-based US District Judge Myong Joun ordered the Trump administration to reinstate nearly 1,400 workers affected by mass layoffs at the department. US District Judge Myong Joun in Boston stated that the layoffs "will likely cripple the department." This marks the second significant victory for Trump from the Supreme Court within a week. Last week, the Court paved the way for Trumps extensive plan to reduce the federal workforce, overturning lower court rulings that had temporarily blocked the initiative. The dismantling of the education department is part of the US President's plan to reduce the federal government's role in education and increase state control. A group of 21 Democratic attorneys general, along with school districts and unions, has filed two legal challenges, asserting that Trump's efforts to shut down the Department of Education could hinder its ability to fulfill its essential responsibilities. Established by Congress in 1979, the Department of Education has several key roles, including administering college loans, monitoring student performance, and enforcing civil rights in schools. Additionally, it provides federal funding to support underfunded districts and assist students with disabilities. New Delhi: As explosions tore through the Middle Eastern night and cities braced for what might come next, Russia stood still. A country once quick to assert itself in global crises now watched in silence. Twelve days of relentless fighting between Iran and Israel, triggered further by a U.S. strike, left Moscow unmoved, at least on the surface. The question lingers what held Russia back? The answer lies in decades of tangled history, shifting alliances and geopolitical compulsions that run far deeper than any war headline. For Russia, the Middle East has always been more than a distant battleground. It is close, geographically and strategically. The region holds keys to energy access, influence over global trade routes and a chance to counterbalance American power, especially in the western Indian Ocean. And therefore, Russia has long sought a seat at the table of power in the region. But when Tehran and Tel Aviv exchanged firepower, Moscow found its hands tied. The Kremlins official response followed a familiar script. It condemned both the United States and Israel for violating international law and the UN Charter. But beyond that, no military moves, no real intervention. Just words. Russias war in Ukraine has drained its bandwidth. Its global image is bruised. At the same time, it has been quietly strengthening economic ties with Israel trade, technology and people-to-people links run deep. In such a landscape, coming out strongly in Irans favour risks unravelling other strategic threads. And so, Moscow remains cautious. Even diplomacy has hit a wall. Russia once offered to mediate between Iran and Israel, but that proposal was brushed aside by U.S. President Donald Trump. With Washington calling the shots, Moscows room to maneuver keeps shrinking. This conflict has peeled back the layers on Russias limitations. Its much-touted military partnership with Iran looks fragile under real stress. And its hopes of positioning itself as a regional balancer are faltering. History has not made this easy either. Soviet-Iranian ties were always complicated. While the USSR was one of the first to recognise the Islamic Republic after 1979, distrust never really left the room. Moscows invasion of Afghanistan did not help. Tehran saw it as a threat to its neighbourhood. A negative image of the Soviet state began to take hold in the minds of Irans leaders, scarring cooperation efforts for years to come. Still, Russia tried to find common ground. In 1995, it signed a deal to help build a light-water nuclear reactor at Bushehr. Iranian engineers trained in Russian nuclear centres. That move rattled the Americans, but Moscow pushed forward. At least, for a while. By July of that same year, under U.S. pressure, Russia made a quiet pivot. It halted the sale of conventional weapons to Iran. That single decision spoke volumes. Moscow had to pick its battles and its business partners. Today, that tightrope walk continues. Russia needs Iran for influence. It needs Israel for trade. It cannot afford to lose either. So while the region burns, Moscow stays behind the curtain. Watching. Calculating. Waiting. The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI have reportedly cleared a key hurdle in Ghanas request to extradite former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, currently residing in the United States. According to sources at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, American authorities have concluded that the legal case against Ofori-Atta does not amount to political persecution or a witch-hunt. Ofori-Atta, declared wanted by Ghanas Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in February 2025, is the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice. He faces multiple investigations related to high-profile financial decisions and public sector contracts during his tenure. These include the controversial Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd contract, the termination of an ECG-BXC technology agreement, the National Cathedral project, ambulance procurement deals, and the management of the GRA tax refund account. In addition to the OSP, Ghanas Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) are also investigating him for alleged corruption and procurement infractions. While Ofori-Atta maintains that the charges are politically motivated, U.S. officials have found no basis for such claims. Their backing strengthens Ghanas case for extradition, though the legal process may remain lengthy and complex due to diplomatic and judicial procedures. The case now moves forward under the purview of the U.S. Attorney Generals office. President Faustin-Archange Touaderas push for a controversial third term is intensifying political unrest in the Central African Republic (CAR), as foreign backers from Russia and Rwanda entrench their influence and opposition activists ramp up resistance. On 4 April, hundreds rallied in Bangui to protest what they call an anti-constitutional power grab following a 2023 referendum that removed presidential term limits. More demonstrations are planned this month, despite increasing repression. Two brothers of opposition candidate Henri-Marie Dondra were arrested in January for allegedly plotting to poison the president an allegation critics say is politically motivated. Russias Wagner Group and Rwandan troops remain central to Touaderas strategy. Wagner, led in CAR by Dmitri Sytyi, secures mineral-rich zones and provides personal protection for the president. Rwandan forces, deployed under UN peacekeeping mandates, focus on stabilizing urban areas and expanding economic ventures. Despite early turf tensions, both foreign partners now operate in coordinated zones. While Wagner trades combat risks for mineral access, Rwanda exercises soft power through infrastructure, business, and symbolism such as organizing genocide memorials and investing in local industries. Meanwhile, the CAR has postponed long-awaited local elections last held nearly 40 years ago until December. Originally scheduled for August, officials now plan to hold them alongside legislative and presidential polls, raising concerns about logistical overload and democratic accountability in a nation already grappling with political instability. Though Touadera has not formally declared his candidacy, most observers say his re-election in December is virtually guaranteed. But critics like opposition leader Martin Ziguele warn, This fight is a fight for the republic a fight for respect for the Central African. Nigeria has declared Tuesday, 15 July 2025, a national public holiday to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away at the age of 82 in a London clinic, following years of declining health. According to the Minister of Interior, the holiday offers an occasion for citizens to reflect on the legacy and leadership of the former Head of State. Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, who returned from London after visiting Buharis family, announced that the burial would take place on this Tuesday afternoon in Daura, Buharis hometown, located 80 kilometres from the Katsina state capital. Despite his status as a former president, Buhari will not be accorded a state funeral. Islamic cleric Abdullahi Garangamawa explained that in keeping with Islamic customs, Buhari would be buried promptly in a simple ceremony. His remains will be flown directly from London to Katsina airport before being transported to Daura for interment. Mourners have already gathered at his residence, while logistical delays shifted the funeral from its initially expected Monday schedule. Tributes have poured in from across Nigerias political spectrum. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a week of national mourning, including the lowering of all national flags to half-mast. In his tribute, Tinubu lauded Buharis service to the country and commitment to principle. Former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Ibrahim Babangida also eulogised him, with Jonathan calling him selfless and patriotic, and Babangida describing him as a moral compass who maintained modesty even in retirement. Buharis political life was defined by two major leadership rolesfirst as a military ruler in the 1980s and later as Nigerias democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023. He made history in 2015 by becoming the first opposition leader to unseat a sitting president through the ballot box. As Nigeria prepares to lay him to rest, his legacy as a soldier, statesman, and austere reformer continues to stir reflection across the nation. A political storm has erupted in Lesotho as opposition Member of Parliament Dr Tshepo Lipholo faces multiple criminal charges, including sedition and undermining the monarchy. The charges stem from his public claims that King Letsie III and the Lesotho Government had effectively ceded national sovereignty by turning the country into a 10th province of South Africa. The state alleges these comments, made between April and June 2025 on social media and radio, were not only seditious but also incited public unrest and sought to undermine the dignity of the royal household. Dr Lipholos bail hearing, initially scheduled for this week, has been postponed until 25 July 2025, and he remains in police custody. Dr Lipholo, who leads the Basotho Covenant Movement (BCM), has previously stirred controversy by demanding the return of several South African provinces he claims were historically inhabited by the Basotho people. These include the Free State, parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Northern Cape. His argument hinges on a 1962 UN resolution supporting self-determination for the people of Basutolanda colonial-era name for Lesotho. The provocative declarations have not only landed him in legal trouble but have also drawn sharp criticism for allegedly destabilising national unity and insulting the monarchy by declaring himself the paramount chief of the country. The unfolding case has also implicated others, including retired military officer Major General Samuel Makoro, who was arrested for allegedly supporting Dr Lipholo and leaking sensitive national information. Meanwhile, South Africas foreign affairs ministry, referencing the 1964 Cairo Declaration, has firmly dismissed any suggestion of border redrawing, reaffirming the African Unions stance that existing post-colonial borders must be preserved to prevent continental discord. Regional analysts say Dr Lipholos campaign is largely symbolic and lacks both domestic and international support. Despite his party holding only one seat in Lesothos parliament, Dr Lipholo continues to court attention by expressing his intention to bring the matter before the British Parliament, citing the UKs colonial legacy and the 1966 granting of independence to Lesotho without correcting historical territorial imbalances. Legal experts and political commentators believe his assertions, while emotionally resonant for some Basotho, remain legally and diplomatically untenable under current African and international norms. 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 The United States could safely drop tetanus and diphtheria booster shots for adults and save an estimated $1 billion a year, according to a new review led by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University. The safety and savings depend on maintaining strong childhood vaccination rates, researchers emphasized. "By maintaining high childhood vaccination coverage, we not only protect kids, but we may actually be able to reduce adult booster vaccinations," said lead author Mark Slifka, Ph.D., professor of microbiology and immunology in the OHSU School of Medicine and the Oregon National Primate Research Center. "That would save $1 billion a year in the U.S. while maintaining the safety and protection of the general population." Slifka noted that dropping the 10-year schedule for adult boosters would more closely match guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization. The review bolsters previous OHSU research in 2016 and in 2020 that concluded the combined vaccine produced at least 30 years of immunity, well beyond the current recommendation of every 10 years for adults from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccine is usually given as a combined tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine, known as DTaP. In the U.S., childhood vaccinations are recommended six times, from infancy through age 12. The new review suggests doing away with adult boosters altogether, as long as childhood vaccination rates remain high and the vaccine remains available on a case-by-case basis. For example, it may be necessary for someone injured in a workplace accident or car crash to receive a tetanus booster. A natural experiment in the U.K. and France Published in the journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews, the review highlights a comparison between two industrialized countries just 21 miles across the English Channel: France and the United Kingdom. Both countries have excellent childhood vaccination coverage, similar to the U.S. "This represents sort of an experiment of nature," Slifka said. "We have one country with over 60 million people that for decades has continued to vaccinate adults throughout their lifetime, and another nearby country that also has over 60 million people, but over the past 50 years, they have never recommended adult booster vaccinations. "The question we asked is, 'What happens if we don't vaccinate the adults? Are there more cases of disease, or are these people protected after completing their childhood vaccination series?'" Similar to the United States, France has a recommended booster vaccination schedule for adults. In contrast, except during pregnancy or for wound management, the United Kingdom hasn't recommended boosters for tetanus and diphtheria beyond age 14 since the 1950s. Yet, despite decades of adult booster vaccination, the review found that France had virtually no advantage over the U.K. in the rates of tetanus or diphtheria. In fact, the review found that the UK had a slightly lower rate overall. In addition, "herd immunity" held strong even in 2022 when the U.K. reported an outbreak of 73 imported diphtheria cases among immigrants seeking asylum. This spike in cases was almost equal to the total number of diphtheria cases reported in the entire country over the previous 20 years combined. "Remarkably, despite this proportionally large influx of imported diphtheria cases, there was no evidence of transmission reported among other asylum seekers who arrived by other routes or among staff or health care workers," the authors write. The U.K. Health Security Agency concluded that the country's current childhood-focused vaccination program is sufficient for preventing the spread of diphtheria and that the risk to the general UK population remains low. Strong rates of childhood vaccination are critical The findings highlight the remarkable durability of protection following childhood vaccination against a pair of diseases that were once all but a death sentence. In 1948, the U.S. mortality rate for tetanus was 91%. Before the introduction of antibiotics and vaccines, the mortality rate for diphtheria was roughly 50%. To this day, diphtheria kills roughly one out of 10 people who aren't vaccinated against it. Today, the public health threat is diminished thanks to childhood vaccinations as well as booster shots recommended in pregnancy. "Thanks to childhood vaccinations, these diseases are incredibly rare," Slifka said. "In fact, you're 10 to 1,000 times more likely to be struck by lightning than to be diagnosed with tetanus and diphtheria in the United States." In addition to Slifka, co-authors include Archana Thomas and Lina Gao, Ph.D., of OHSU; Ian J. Amanna, Ph.D., of Najit Technologies, and Walter A. Orenstein, M.D., of the Emory Vaccine Center at Emory University. More information: Lessons learned from successful implementation of tetanus and diphtheria vaccination programs, Clinical Microbiology Reviews (2025). DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00031-25 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The machine learning model was able to predict the aggressiveness of certain types of tumors based on specific proteins. Credit: Tathiane Malta / USP As cancer cases have increased worldwide, the disease has become more complex, presenting challenges to scientific advances in diagnosis and treatment. In this context, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a valuable tool for predicting and detecting cases. A tool developed by Brazilian and Polish researchers may contribute to this process. Their research is published in the journal Cell Genomics. The machine-learning model can predict the aggressiveness of certain tumors by identifying specific proteins. It generates a stemness index ranging from zero to one, with zero indicating low aggressiveness and one indicating high aggressiveness. As the index increases, the cancer tends to become more aggressive and resistant to drugs and more likely to recur. The degree of stemness indicates how closely tumor cells resemble pluripotent stem cells, which can transform into almost any type of cell in the human body. As the disease progresses, malignant cells become less and less similar to the tissue from which they originated. These cells self-renew and exhibit an undifferentiated phenotype. The scientists developed the tool using data sets from the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) for 11 types of cancer. They then developed the protein expression-based stemness index (PROTsi). They analyzed more than 1,300 samples of breast, ovarian, lung (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma), kidney, uterine, brain (pediatric and adult), head and neck, colon, and pancreatic cancers. By integrating PROTsi with proteomic data from 207 pluripotent stem cells, the group identified proteins that drive the aggressiveness of some types of these tumors. These molecules may be potential targets for new general or specific therapies. Thus, the tool contributes not only to advancing the clinical development of treatments but also to the personalization of cancer therapy. "Many of these proteins are already targets of drugs available on the market for cancer patients and other diseases. They can be tested in future studies based on this identification. We arrived at them by associating the stemness phenotype with tumor aggressiveness," explained Professor Tathiane Malta, of the Multiomics and Molecular Oncology Laboratory at the Ribeirao Preto Medical School of the University of Sao Paulo (FMRP-USP) in Brazil, speaking with Agencia FAPESP. Malta is the corresponding author of the article, along with Professor Maciej Wiznerowicz from Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland. The professor was one of the winners of an award in 2022 that aims to promote and recognize women's participation in science, in recognition of her work over the years. In 2018, she was the first author of an article published in Cell, the result of her postdoctoral research. In the article, her group developed a stemness index that can objectively measure the similarity between tumor samples and pluripotent stem cells. "At the time, we developed the machine-learning-based algorithm using the public tumor database maintained by the Cancer Genome Atlas in the United States. We relied on gene expression data, quantifying RNA, and epigenomics data, with DNA methylation. Now, we're working with the CPTAC database, based on proteomics, and we've updated our work with analyses of protein, a functional molecule that can be applied to treatment possibilities and clinical application," adds Malta. Based on the results obtained thus far, PROTsi has a positive correlation with stemness scores derived from previously published transcriptomes, including the 2018 model. PROTsi was more effective in distinguishing between tumor and non-tumor samples, for example. Renan Santos Simoes, Malta's advisor and co-first author of the article with Iga Koodziejczak-Guglas from the International Institute for Molecular Oncology in Poznan, Poland, says that the progress made in characterizing stemness and considering protein levels and their modifications paves the way for a deeper understanding of tumor progression and mechanisms of resistance to current therapies. "Science advances slowly, carefully, and is built by many hands. It's gratifying to realize that we're contributing to this process. That's what motivates us: knowing that what we do today can make a real difference for patients, improving treatments and quality of life," says Simoes. Brazilian researcher Emerson de Souza Santos, who is also a student of Malta, participated in the research as well. On the last World Cancer Day on February 4, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that 40 people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer every minute and require treatment. Tumors are one of the leading causes of death and affect the young population the most. A 2023 study published in BMJ Oncology revealed that the incidence of early-onset cancer in adults under 50 increased by 79% between 1990 and 2019, along with a 28% rise in cancer-related deaths. The study analyzed 29 types of cancer in 204 countries. The National Cancer Institute (INCA) in Brazil estimates that there will be 704,000 new cancer cases per year during the period from 2023 to 2025. According to the 2023 EstimateCancer Incidence in Brazil, the most common malignant tumors are non-melanoma skin cancer (31% of total cases), followed by breast cancer in females (10.5%), prostate cancer (10%), colon and rectal cancer (6.5%), lung cancer (4.6%), and stomach cancer (3%). During the validation process, PROTsi demonstrated consistent performance across multiple data sets. It clearly distinguished between stem and differentiated cells, with different tumors falling at various intermediate levels. PROTsi demonstrated predictive ability in cases of uterine and head and neck cancer, for example. Additionally, the tool was more effective at differentiating higher-grade tumors in adenocarcinoma, uterine, pancreatic, and pediatric brain cancer samples. "We sought to build a model that can be applied to any cancer, but we found that it works better for some than for others. We're making a data source available for future work," says Malta. According to the professor, the USP group is testing additional computational models in an effort to improve predictions. More information: Iga Koodziejczak-Guglas et al, Proteomic-based stemness score measures oncogenic dedifferentiation and enables the identification of druggable targets, Cell Genomics (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2025.100851 Journal information: Cell Genomics , Cell 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: Michelle Peace, Ph.D., wants consumers to be informed about what they are putting into their lungs when they use vaping and cannabis products. Credit: Nathan Hanger, Enterprise Marketing and Communications What's really inside those vapes that are marketed as safe and sold on every corner? Michelle Peace, Ph.D., a forensic toxicologist at Virginia Commonwealth University, is exposing the dangerous chemicals that lurk in vaping and cannabis productsand the lack of oversight protecting the public. Her research has uncovered everything from deadly synthetic cannabinoids to brake cleaners, which are inhaled by teens and adults alike. "It all started when a student walked into my office and said, 'I think you need to look at these,'" Peace recalls. It was 2013, and the student had just returned from studying abroad. During an advising session, she mentioned a strange new product that she'd noticed was gaining popularity in Europe: vapes. For Peace, that moment launched a decade of research that now informs national policy and fuels grassroots efforts across the country. She has testified before lawmakers, advised the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and helped schools uncover what students are actually inhaling. "There's no such thing as a safe vape," Peace says. "Consumers have no idea what they're putting into their lungs." From classrooms to Congresswhether she is educating, advocating or consulting global public health officials in places as far away as New ZealandPeace's mission is clear: Arm communities with science, hold industries accountable, and protect the next generation. The video below shares the story of an uncommon hero working to expose the real ingredients in the thousands of unregulated vapes and cannabis products, so that consumers, particularly youths, can make informed decisions. Michelle Peace views herself as a scientist, advocate and translator - We have to take the science and make it make sense to the public. "Be savvy about what you put in your body," Peace says. "It's the only one you get." Michelle Peace views herself as a scientist, advocate and translator"We have to take the science and make it make sense to the public." 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: Atopic dermatitis (AD) was associated with an increased risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in an Asian population, according to a study published online July 10 in the Journal of Dermatology. Hsi-Chih Chen, from the Tri-Service General Hospital at the National Defense Medical Center in Taipei, Taiwan, and colleagues conducted a nationwide, longitudinal study to examine the correlation between AD and the risk for CKD using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. A total of 15,179 individuals with AD were identified and compared to 60,716 age- and sex-matched individuals without AD. The researchers found that after adjustment for potential confounders, patients with AD had an elevated risk for CKD compared with the non-AD comparison cohort (adjusted odds ratio, 1.30). In both men and women and in all age groups, the association between AD and an increased risk for CKD was evident. There was a trend toward increasing odds ratios seen with increasing frequency of clinical visits for AD. "Our findings remained robust in subgroup analyses, which demonstrate that a positive association exists between AD and CKD risk in both genders and in all age groups," the authors write. "The clinical implications of the present study merit further investigation." More information: HsiChih Chen et al, Increased Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease in Atopic Dermatitis: A Nationwide, PopulationBased Cohort Analysis, The Journal of Dermatology (2025). DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.17841 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. 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: Laboratory setup with far-UVC LED chip consisting of tens of thousands of 235 nm micro-LEDs emitting into a glass fiber. Credit: P. Immerz Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are a major challenge in everyday medical practice, as they often cannot be treated with antibiotics. According to the Robert Koch Institute, there are 400,000 to 600,000 infections with hospital germs in Germany every yeararound 10,000 to 20,000 people die from them. Alternative treatment options are therefore needed. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) from the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH), which emit light in the far-ultraviolet (UV) spectral range, are opening up new opportunities. The far-UVC wavelength range below 235 nanometers (nm) is highly interesting for medical applications. Due to the high absorption at these wavelengths, the light does not penetrate the living layers of the skin and therefore causes less damage than a sunburn. Far-UVC LEDs thus achieve what antibiotics do not always succeed in doing: killing harmful microorganisms, especially MDROsexperts refer to this as eradicationwithout developing resistance. Dr. Sven Einfeldt, research group leader at the FBH, who has many years of experience in the development of UVC LEDs for medical applications, explains, "With these very short-wave LEDs, we were able to demonstrate international record values in terms of efficiency and performancea real breakthrough. Together with partners, we now want to take the next step from the laboratory to practical application with a prototype." The Berlin-based institute has already successfully developed 233 nm UVC LEDs and used them to construct panel irradiation systems that have been applied directly to human skin. Extensive studies conducted within two projects at ChariteUniversitatsmedizin Berlin and Universitatsmedizin Greifswald have confirmed the effectiveness of the treatment and that it does not cause any lasting damage to the skin. Vision nasopharyngeal irradiation system to combat pathogens where they appear However, these irradiation systems only reach affected areas on the outer skin. That is why the vision of the medical professionals was even more ambitious during the tests at the time. "Small LED irradiation sources with an output power of around one milliwatt that we can insert directly into the nose or throat would be ideal," says Prof. Dr. Martina Meinke, head of the Center for Skin Physiology at Charite's Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology. "This would allow us to inactivate MDROs in their habitats, which have been difficult to reach until now. After disinfecting the entire body with special washing lotions and mouthwashes, it would be possible, for example, to completely eliminate MRSA bacteria." Such a nasopharyngeal endoscope, which reduces germs within clinically relevant timeframes, is no longer a distant vision. The Ferdinand-Braun-Institut has further developed its UVC LEDs so that they deliver the required output power. When integrated into an endoscope, the required irradiation times of around five minutes could be achieved without significant heat generation. 235 nm UVC LEDs with international record values for medicine and sensor technology Far-UVC LEDs are technologically demanding due to the aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) material system usedyet they have not delivered the performance required for commercial applications. Driven primarily by the work of Dr. Jens Rass, the FBH has now succeeded for the first time in exceeding the important threshold of 1 milliwatt output power with far-UVC light in continuous wave (CW) operation from a single fiberan international record that was recently presented at a conference. This milestone opens up applications in antiseptics and sensor technology. The breakthrough was achieved using 235 nm UV micro-LEDs arranged in a dense array. This allows five times more light to be coupled into the fiber than with conventional far-UVC LEDs. The micro-LEDs themselves, of which up to 125,000 are arranged on a chip measuring one square millimeter, are extremely compact with diameters of only around 1.5 micrometers. This not only allows more light to be coupled out of the individual chip, but also makes it more directionaland therefore very precise. Thanks to their compact design and high performance, such fiber-coupled light sources would be ideal for eradicating multi-resistant germs and for disinfection in body cavities. The vision of a light source for disinfecting the nasopharyngeal cavity is thus within reach. On May 13, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Wang Qing handed over a batch of school items donated by Jiangxi Province of China to Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. Ambassador Wang reviewed the "Hundred Schools and Thousand Students" donation plan, which was agreed upon during the visit of Sun Hongshan, Vice Governor of Jiangxi Province, to Sierra Leone last year. He also briefed on the latest progress in practical cooperation between China and Sierra Leone in various fields, stressing that China attaches great importance to developing friendly relations and cooperation with Sierra Leone and stands ready to further deepen practical collaboration in areas such as sub-national exchanges, education, and mining, which will inject new momentum into the traditional friendship between the two countries. Vice President Jalloh, on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Jiangxi Province and the relevant donating institutions in China. He noted that China's generous donation will benefit numerous schools and young students in Sierra Leone. He looked forward to further strengthening cooperation with China in human resources development, trade, and other fields. The donated items mainly include desks and chairs, blackboards, stationery, solar lamps, and fire extinguishers, among others, and will benefit multiple schools and social institutions in Sierra Leone. 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: MoGLo-Net tracks the motion of the ultrasound transducer using tissue speckle data without the need for external sensors, creating a clear 3D ultrasound volume for accurate visualization of bodily structures, enabling more efficient and safe medical treatments. Credit: MinWoo Kim from Pusan National University, South Korea Ultrasound (US) imaging is a widely employed diagnostic tool used for real-time imaging of various organs and tissues using ultrasonic sound waves. The waves are sent into the body, and images are created based on how the waves reflect off internal tissues and organs. It is used for guiding many medical procedures, including biopsies and injections, and is important for dynamic monitoring of blood vessels. When the US is combined with photoacoustic (PA) imaging, where laser light pulses are used to produce sound waves in tissues, the resulting technique, called PAUS imaging, offers enhanced imaging capabilities. In PAUS imaging, a doctor holds a transducer, responsible for emitting US or laser pulses, and guides it over the target region. While this configuration is flexible, it captures only a small two-dimensional (2D) area of the target, offering a limited understanding of its three-dimensional (3D) structure. Though some transducers offer complete 3D imaging, they are expensive and have a limited field of view. An alternative method is the 3D freehand method, in which 2D images scanned (obtained) by sweeping a transducer over the body surface are stitched together to create a 3D view. A key challenge in this technique, however, is the precise tracking of transducer motion, requiring expensive and bulky external sensors that often provide inaccurate measurements. To address this issue, a research team from Korea, led by Associate Professor MinWoo Kim from the School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering and the Center for Artificial Intelligence Research at Pusan National University, developed a deep learning model called MoGLo-Net. "MoGLo-Net automatically tracks the motion of the ultrasound transducer without using any external sensors, by using tissue speckle data," explains Prof. Kim. "This model can create clear 3D images from 2D ultrasound scans, helping doctors understand what's happening inside the body more easily, and making better decisions for treatment." Their study was published in the journal IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging on 13 June, 2025. MoGLo-Net estimates transducer motion directly from US B-mode image sequences. It consists of two main parts: an encoder driven by the ResNet deep learning framework, and a motion estimator, powered by the Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) neural network. The ResNET-driven encoder consists of special blocks that can extract the correlation between consecutive images based on tissue speckle patterns, a technique known as correlation operation. This helps capture both in-plane and out-of-plane motion. The information is fed into a novel self-attention mechanism in the encoder that highlights local features from specific regions in images, based on global features that summarize information from the entire image. The resulting final features are passed on to the LSTM-based motion estimator, which estimates the motion of the transducer over time, leveraging long-term memory. Furthermore, the model employs customized loss functions that ensure accuracy. The researchers tested MoGLo-Net in diverse conditions using both proprietary and public datasets and found that it outperformed state-of-the-art models on all metrics, producing more realistic 3D US images. In a first for the field, the researchers also combined ultrasound and photoacoustic data to reconstruct 3D images of blood vessels using this model. "Our model holds immense clinical potential in diagnostic imaging and related interventions," remarks Prof. Kim. "By offering clear 3D images of various bodily structures, this technology can help make medical procedures safer and more effective. Importantly, by removing the need for bulky sensors, this technology democratizes the use of ultrasound, making it accessible to clinics where specialists may not be available." This innovation marks a major milestone in ultrasound imaging, paving the way for more accurate, efficient, and affordable health care for all. More information: SiYeoul Lee et al, Enhancing Free-hand 3D Photoacoustic and Ultrasound Reconstruction using Deep Learning, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging (2025). DOI: 10.1109/TMI.2025.3579454 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: Andy Barbour from Pexels A Sydney-based study of 69 young people seeking mental health care found almost a quarter showed disrupted body clocks that showed signs that looked like jet lag, despite not having traveled across time zones. The University of Sydney researchers suggest the finding could lead to new ways to treat and study mental health conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder. The study, led by Dr. Joanne Carpenter and Professor Ian Hickie from the University of Sydney, is the first to look simultaneously at three key measures of body clock regulation in people with mental ill-health. "We analyzed participants' core body temperature, cortisol levels and melatonin levels, which we know play important roles in how our bodies manage the circadian rhythmour 24-hour cycles which regulate things like wakefulness and sleep," said Dr. Carpenter, a Research Fellow at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Central Clinical School and member of the Brain and Mind Center's Youth Mental Health and Technology Group. Melatonin is a hormone that signals to our bodies that it's time to sleep, while cortisol is a hormone that is found at its highest levels in the morning shortly after waking up. Our body temperature also goes through a daily cycle of rising and falling that is closely aligned with sleep. "When we looked at these three measures in young people who presented to mental health services, we found that 23% of patients were experiencing a kind of physiological jet lag." "Our findings suggest we might need to think differently about what kinds of treatments we're giving people with mood disorders, and whether we should be targeting body clocks as another option for managing these conditions." Comparing sleep cycles The study, published in the Journal of Biological Rhythms, comprised two groupsthe first, young people between the ages of 16 and 35 who presented to mental health clinics in Sydney for treatment; the second, young people who had no prior history of mental illness. The participants in the two groups were monitored overnight in a chronobiology lab to measure their sleep and body clockrelated hormones in the lead up to sleep and in the hours after they woke up. Their body temperatures were recorded continuously using a sensor that was swallowed by participants. A chronobiology lab allows scientists to carry out research into sleep and circadian rhythms. The lab is a controlled space where factors that influence our circadian rhythms like light, activity and posture can be tightly managed to rule out external influences. "We were able to measure melatonin and cortisol levels using saliva samples in the lead up to sleep and after participants woke, which is the first time these key markers of the circadian rhythm have been combined with body temperature to study how circadian rhythms might be misaligned in people with mood disorders," says Dr. Carpenter. "We found that 23% of patients had at least two of these circadian rhythm measures out of sync with each other. This is similar to the disruption we see when traveling across time zones or undertaking shift work, when the body clock becomes out of sync with the external environment. However, what we are seeing here is circadian rhythms being out of sync with each other within a person's body, a kind of 'internal jet lag'. "While we do see teenagers sleeping later because of normal developmental shifts in the body clock to later timing across adolescence, what we are seeing here is a more extreme kind of circadian disruption where the clocks are not just delayed but not lining up with each other." "We also found a correlation between how out of sync patient's body clocks were and the severity of their depressive symptoms," said Dr. Crouse. "In particular, higher depressive symptoms were linked to core body temperature cycles that were running on an earlier clock than other rhythms and sleep-wake patterns." The researchers note that the study doesn't establish internal jet lag as a cause of mental ill health, and that further research is needed to fully understand the link between body clock and mental health, as patient data was collected over a single sleep cycle. It will be important to follow young people with mood disorders over time to see whether body clocks and mental health change together. A small number of people in the control group also exhibited signs of body clock misalignment, which the researchers say could be useful for assessing someone's risk of developing mood disorders in the future. "This strong early evidence opens up exciting new ways we can study and potentially treat common mental health disorders and hopefully improve the lives the thousands of young Australians living with depression anxiety," says Dr. Carpenter. More information: Joanne S. Carpenter et al, Evidence for Internal Misalignment of Circadian Rhythms in Youth With Emerging Mood Disorders, Journal of Biological Rhythms (2025). DOI: 10.1177/07487304251349408 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: NeuroImage: Clinical (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103273 In a remarkable achievement that is already impacting how we detect and diagnose disease, UK Biobank has completed the world's largest whole body imaging project, scanning the brains, hearts, abdomens, blood vessels, bones and joints of 100,000 volunteers. These scans, on this scale, show us what is happening in people's bodies as they age so we can understand how, why and when we get sick. Since 2015, UK Biobank's imaging data have been released in batches and scientists around the world are using these data to develop better diagnostic tests for life-altering conditions such as heart disease, dementia and cancer. Soon, approved researchers will have access to over one billion de-identified images from 100,000 volunteers. Used alongside UK Biobank's existing information on lifestyle, medical history, genetics and blood proteins collected from the same volunteers over the past 15 years, these imaging data allow researchers to see, in ways that were previously impossible, how all aspects of our lives influence our health. So far, over 1,300 peer-reviewed scientific papers have been published based on UK Biobank's imaging data. Results from these are already improving patient care in the NHS and beyond. For example: NHS memory clinics across the UK now use processes developed from UK Biobank to analyze brain magnetic resonance (MR) images, helping to more accurately diagnose dementia. Cardiac care has been improved in over 90 countries as clinicians use an AI tool, developed using UK Biobank data to analyze heart scans in less than a secondwhere it used to take nearly a quarter of an hourallowing them time to focus on the cases that require most care. After 11 years, 100,000 imaging appointments lasting around five hours each, and over 60 million investment, UK Biobank has reached this momentous milestone. "The unprecedented scale of this imaging projectmore than 10 times bigger than anything that existed beforemakes it possible for scientists to see patterns of disease that just couldn't otherwise be seen," said Professor Sir Rory Collins, Principal Investigator and Chief Executive of UK Biobank. "Collecting scans from 100,000 volunteers seemed to be a pipe dream some experts even asked if we'd included an extra zero by mistake! This massive imaging project is making the invisible visible. What's more, by combining these images from different parts of the body with all the genetic and lifestyle information from our volunteers, scientists are getting a far better understanding of how our bodies work." During each appointment, over 12,000 MR images from the brain, heart and abdomen were collected per person, as well as whole-body scans that measure bone density and body fat, and an ultrasound of the carotid arteries. Each volunteer also provided the same detailed data as when they first signed up to UK Biobank around 15 years ago, including lifestyle information, physical measures (like height, weight and grip strength), and a blood sample. "I signed up to my imaging appointment because I want to help create a healthier future for all of us to enjoy. That's why I first volunteered to be part of UK Biobank over 15 years agoto be of use to scientists who are working hard to help future generations," said Alison, a member of UK Biobank's Participant Advisory Group. Imaging data on this scale provides more information on rare diseases and the different stages of common diseases. Scientists can also better compare healthy bodies to ones with multiple conditions, ultimately leading to researchers finding more powerful markers of disease. "UK Biobank's imaging study has transformed the landscape of biomedical research forever. The sheer volume of data propelled major advances in computerized image analysis. Now researchers can measure the size, shape, and composition of nearly every organ and tissue in the body in seconds, rather than hours per person," said Professor Louise Thomas, Professor of Metabolic Imaging at the University of Westminster. As well as providing impacts which are benefiting patients right now, these imaging data are driving discovery science, which should lead to new diagnostic tests and treatments. These include: Developing an AI model that creates a personalized version of a healthy heart (based on the individual's age, sex, weight and height), that could be used to pinpoint the differences between a patient's real heart and its healthy model and catch potential signs of heart diseases early. Revealing how our organs can be biologically older than our chronological age, so that doctors might be able to look at someone's body scan and clinical data to see what organs are at risk of developing disease, and find ways to prevent it, ultimately extending lifespan. Uncovering new ways in which the heart and brain are connected. For example, how structural changes to the heart cause an increased risk of psychiatric disorders, including depression. This is crucial for our understanding of brain diseases. Highlighting how an invasive surgical procedure can be replaced with an MRI scan to diagnose and monitor a common condition called fatty liver disease. Predicting the early onset of 38 diseases by combining MR images with other health data and using AI, showing the power of advanced technology to foresee health risks well before symptoms appear. Showing how consuming one to two units of alcohol per day is linked to potentially harmful reductions in brain size and brain structure11, which is likely to lead to an increased risk of memory loss and dementia. Revealing that people with the same BMI can store fat in very different ways based on their genessome which raise the risk of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and others in a protective way. Using DEXA scanning to identify that one in 10 middle-aged people, with no other symptoms, have calcification in the abdominal area of the aorta (main blood vessel of the body), a largely under-diagnosed lethal condition. Data on this scale are unlocking opportunities to use machine learning to help predict disease years before symptoms start to appear. "The beauty of UK Biobank is the breadth of the data collected from the generous volunteers, and the imaging scans add another layer of exquisite detail," said Professor Paul Matthews, Chair of the UK Biobank Imaging Working Group. "One recent study used the brain imaging data from 20,000 participants, along with activity monitoring and genetic data, to develop an AI tool to predict who may go on to develop Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. I can't wait to see what imaging data on 100,000 individuals will reveal." This project has also led to a global democratization of access to imaging data, by turning the MR images into data that are usable by researchers outside the imaging field, including those in less wealthy countries. "We've had such incredible feedback about how researchers across the world are using findings from the imaging project in areas of science that would not have ever considered using body scanning information before," said Professor Naomi Allen, Chief Scientist at UK Biobank. UK Biobank's imaging project was piloted in 2014 with over 7,000 volunteers scanneda record-breaking number at that time. The main phase started in 2016, welcoming 100,000 of UK Biobank's 500,000 volunteers to a five-hour imaging appointment at one of four dedicated imaging centers across the country. The project is continuing to invite UK Biobank's volunteers to imaging appointments beyond the 100,000 target. A second phase of the imaging project was launched in 2022, aiming to perform repeat imaging on 60,000 of these 100,000 scanned participants, at least two years after their first imaging appointment. This project is ongoing and expected to reach completion in 2029. UK Biobank data are made available to approved researchers in staggered releases via the secure cloud-based UK Biobank Research Analysis Platform (UKB-RAP). Imaging data from all 100,000 participants are expected to be made available to researchers by the end of 2025. Provided by UK Biobank 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: Sue holds Rosie's hand at the end of Rosie's life. Credit: Sue Pavitt. Penicillins are first-choice antibiotics for many common infections, but more than one in 15 UK adults have a penicillin allergy label on their medical records. In the event of an infection, they will be prescribed alternative antibiotics which can be less effective or have more side effects. This can result in several prescriptions being issued to control the infection, which affects well-being and contributes to antimicrobial resistance. But the results of the largest UK clinical trial of its kind, published in The Lancet Primary Care, showed that almost nine in ten (88%) patients with a penicillin allergy label were not truly allergic after allergy testing and had their allergy label safely removed. More than 800 patients were included in the trial. Allergy mislabeling can happen when infection symptoms are mistaken for allergies, or when true allergies disappear over time. Verifying the accuracy of penicillin allergy labels could help patients to access more effective antibiotics, which is crucial as the threat of antimicrobial resistance to public health grows. The ALABAMA (ALlergy AntiBiotics And Microbial resistAnce) trial, coordinated by the University of Oxford Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit, was created to help find solutions for this issue. To mark the publication of the results, joint lead author Sue PavittProfessor in Translational and Applied Health Research in the School of Dentistry at Leedsis speaking publicly for the first time about her mother Rosie, who died aged 91 of an antimicrobial resistant infection after having a penicillin allergy on her records for decades. Rosie Woollard had a penicillin allergy label added to her medical records in 1956. She was prescribed penicillin as a result of mastitis, a common breastfeeding infectionbut when she developed a rash, she was told to avoid penicillin. Her daughter, Professor Pavitt, said, "My mum was vigilant and avoided taking penicillin from that day, but her allergy was never checked. It may have been a simple reaction to the other substances used in manufacturing the tablet or her rash was just a consequence of the infection." Joint Lead author Dr. Jonathan Sandoe, Associate Clinical Professor in Microbiology in the University of Leeds School of Medicine and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said, "Antibiotics have been life-saving drugs since the late 1930s, but we are now in an era where microbes are evolving to resist the effects of current antibiotics. The global challenge of antibiotic resistance is causing people to die of common infectionsso it is vital to find ways to improve how antibiotics are used. Assessing people with penicillin allergy labels is one way we can achieve this." Rosie's research legacy Professor Pavitt said, "Mum was always interested in my researchworking with Jon Sandoe and me since she was in her 80s. Antibiotic allergy and resistant bugs are complex concepts to understandshe was our barometer to see if we were explaining things clearly. "She was also instrumental in making the ALABAMA trial open to older people with multiple long-term conditions, a group that is often excluded from research but important to reach. "This research is in part her legacy and shows the value of preserving antibiotics, so that we can keep fighting infections with these important medicines." Bernard Woollard, Rosie's son and Sue's brother, added, "My eldest daughter also has a penicillin allergy label. I am delighted that in the future she may gain real help as a direct result of the ALABAMA trial." Rosie (center) with her children Bernard (left) and Sue (right) on Rosie's 91st birthday. Credit: Credit: Bernard Woollard. Widespread testing needed Penicillin allergy testing is not yet widely available across the NHS, but the research team are working with colleagues in the NHS to plan how to widen access to penicillin allergy assessment for patients. If patients need treatment for an infection and have a penicillin allergy label, they should speak to their GP about the best treatment. Although the findings show that penicillin allergy testing is cost-effective, there are limited numbers of immunology and allergy specialists available to carry it out on a wider scale. This means it would be almost impossible to check all patients with penicillin allergies within the NHS at the moment. Dr. Sandoe added, "This research shows that removing incorrect penicillin allergy labels has the potential to improve patient experiences, reduce health costs and tackle bacterial resistance. Now, we need to work together with policymakers and patients to help the NHS to address this issue." Rosie was a patient public contributor for ALABAMA, helping the researchers to make the trial more accessible to potential participants. Reducing preventable harm The 823 patients included in the trial had no history of serious adverse reactions to penicillin. Participants were recruited from 51 general practices in four regions of England, and testing was carried out at four NHS hospital trusts. They were randomly assigned to be part of the allergy checking group or the control group, who continued with regular care without having an allergy check. Participants who underwent penicillin allergy checks received fewer antibiotics overall. When patients had their allergy label safely removed after allergy testing, GPs were five times more likely to prescribe them a first-choice penicillin antibiotic when they needed treatment for common infections. To test participants' allergies, they either had a dose of penicillin by mouth or first had a small injection of penicillin under the skin and then had a dose of penicillin. If there was no immediate reaction, patients then took three days' worth of penicillin at home, and were monitored by the research team for delayed reactions. 8% of participants had a positive test and kept their penicillin label, but none had a serious reaction. Co-author Christopher Butler, Professor of Primary Care in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford, said, "This innovative and timely study proves the principle that there are feasible, implementable ways of having people safely delabelled as penicillin allergic, and that this means they are able to receive more appropriate care when they next get an infection. "It's this kind of research question that has a huge impact on improving care for individuals, improving the cost-effectiveness of what we do as clinicians, and helps us preserve the precious shared resource of antibiotics for all of us and to future generations." The ALABAMA (ALlergy AntiBiotics And Microbial resistAnce) trial was coordinated by the University of Oxford Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit. More information: Penicillin allergy assessment pathway versus usual clinical care for primary care patients with a penicillin allergy record in the UK (ALABAMA): an open-label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial, The Lancet (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.lanprc.2025.100006 Journal information: The Lancet 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: Anna Tarazevich from Pexels Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australia, with about 26,000 men diagnosed per year. The majority (more than 85%) are aged over 60. Prostate cancer kills around 3,900 Australians a year. Yet most prostate cancers progress very slowly and many men die "with" and not "from" prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is currently detected with a blood test. This measures the amounts of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood, a protein produced by the prostate gland. But while an elevated PSA can indicate prostate cancer, other non-cancerous conditions, such as prostate enlargement or inflammation, can also increase PSA levels. New draft guidelines aim to provide clearer recommendations about the role PSA tests should play in detecting prostate cancer. Life-saving treatment vs. harmful overdiagnosis Early detection of prostate cancer by PSA testing is important. It allows for timely treatments such as prostate removal surgery, radiation or hormonal therapy. But despite their effectiveness, these treatments can cause problems such as erectile dysfunction. Urinary incontinence issues occur in up to 14% of patients. Therefore, if the prostate cancer is considered low-risk and has not spread outside the prostate, the clinician may recommend "active surveillance" to closely monitor the cancer for signs of progression. If the low-risk prostate cancer doesn't progress, treatment and its associated side effects can be delayed or avoided. The controversy around PSA testing is it can over-diagnose low-risk prostate cancers that would never become life-threatening. PSA tests may also give false positive results when someone doesn't have cancer. Such scenarios cause harm to men who are over-treated for prostate cancer solely based on elevated PSA levels. In a decades-long clinical study involving 182,000 men, PSA testing reduced prostate cancer deaths by 20% compared to men who didn't undergo testing. But a trade-off was having to over-treat around 48 men to prevent one prostate cancer death. We need to find the balance between enabling early life-saving detection and preventing harmful over-treatment of men with low-risk prostate cancer. What do the draft guidelines say? The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has released new draft clinical guidelines for the early detection of prostate cancer for public consultation. The following recommended changes aim to reduce over-treatment and minimize harm. 1. Offer all men a 'baseline' PSA test at 40 All men would be offered an initial PSA test at age 40 to provide a baseline PSA measurement to compare against follow-up tests. A baseline PSA measurement would enable the calculation of PSA doubling time: the number of months taken for PSA level to double from baseline. Aggressive fast-growing tumors tend to have shorter PSA doubling times, so this would enable early detection of high-risk prostate cancer for prompt treatment. Such a change could improve prostate cancer risk classification and spare more men from unnecessary harmful treatment side effects. 2. GPs offer men aged 5069 PSA tests every two years The draft guidelines recommend GPs offer PSA testing every two years for all men aged 5069. For men over 70, PSA testing would be recommended based on clinical assessment by GPs. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer at an advanced age. So as they get older and have a shorter life expectancy, the harms of treatment are more likely to outweigh the benefits of early detection. This recommendation could reduce over-diagnosis by considering individual life expectancy, overall health and potential treatment harms. 3. Target populations at greater risk As with other cancer types, prostate cancer is a disease caused by gene malfunctioning, leading to tumor growth. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are around three times more likely to develop and die from prostate cancer due to their genetic susceptibility. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men have a higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to non-Indigenous men. This may be due to delayed diagnoses and limited access to prostate cancer treatment options in remote areas. For these men with higher prostate cancer risk, the draft guidelines recommend earlier and more frequent PSA testing, starting at age 40. This change could prioritize and serve targeted, high-risk populations of men who would benefit most from more regular PSA testing. No more 'finger up the bum' Previously, men with high PSA levels were referred for needle prostate biopsies, which involve invasive insertion of needles into different areas of the prostate to remove tissue samples for lab analyses. Needle biopsies are painful and come with risks of bleeding or infection. So, it's helpful to use additional prostate cancer testing approaches to guide who is referred for a biopsy. The new draft guidelines no longer recommend the use of digital rectal examination, the dreaded "finger up the bum," to screen for signs of prostate cancer together with PSA testing. Men find this unpleasant and embarrassing. Instead, clinicians can turn to advanced imaging. Medicare rebates have been available for magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose prostate cancer since 2018. Medical specialists often order a multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) following elevated PSA levels to determine if biopsies are required. This is a specialized MRI that uses strong magnets and radio waves to construct a detailed three-dimensional image of the prostate from different angles and identify suspicious-looking areas. The draft guidelines recommend mpMRI to supplement PSA testing to better determine if a biopsy is needed. This saves men from unnecessary invasive procedures and reduces health-system costs. The information gathered from the public consultations will inform the final draft prostate cancer early detection guidelines. The final recommendations will then be sent to the National Health and Medical Research Council for approval, before becoming clinical practice. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Kindel Media from Pexels An estimated one in four Americans suffers from chronic pain. For one in 10 of those sufferers, their pain is so intense, it impacts their ability to work or take part in other life activities, leaving them feeling isolated, anxious or depressed. It is also a health issue so challenging to manage, many are prone to substance use disorders. In response, a pair of researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus are part of a movement focused on rethinking the problem and its treatment approach. The two scientists believe there is an overlooked part in managing chronic pain: the brain itself. "We don't want people to spend yearsor decadesin pain," said Yoni Ashar, Ph.D., assistant professor of internal medicine and co-director of the Pain Science Program at the CU School of Medicine. "The more people believe that they're stuck in their symptoms, the less motivated they will be to engage in any kind of active treatment. We need to change that paradigm." Pain specialists are making great strides in diagnosing and working with patients, said Joseph Frank, MD, MPH, an associate professor of medicine and co-director of the Pain Science Program. "What's exciting for me as a physician in this field is that there have been important advances in how we begin to more precisely diagnose the cause of a person's pain symptoms. We're also learning how we communicate that to them so they better understand why they hurt," said Frank, who also works at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center-Denver as part of its Chronic Pain and Wellness Center. In the following Q&A, Ashar and Frank discuss how we define chronic pain, how it can grow into other conditions and whether chronic pain can exacerbate substance use disorders. How do you define chronic pain? Where does it come from? Frank: It's an umbrella term. Pain can come from a variety of different causes. This includes tissue damage such as an injury that resulted in a fracture or sprain, but also infections or inflammation. It becomes chronic pain when pain lasts beyond when an injury was expected to fully healtypically at least three months. For many people, the pain persists for longer than three months. We've seen patients with chronic pain that has lasted for years or decades, well after those structural changes have healed. We also see patients living with chronic pain who might not have those initial injuries. Ashar: What we've been learning is that changes in the brain itself can be a major cause of chronic pain. Someone could have an injury, the injury could heal, but the pain persists because the brain's pain processing pathways have sensitized: the brain has learned the pain. It is living on the loop in these brain pathways after the injury is healed, creating a very real and deep memory of pain. That's what we think is often a major cause of chronic pain. How can chronic pain lead to other health conditions? Ashar: Chronic pain can cause fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Those can circle back and amplify pain as people become less active or more worried about their pain. Frank: It is very common that chronic pain interferes with people's ability to do the things they want to do. People become less active, less connected with important people and activities in their lives. When people start to lose meaning and purpose in their life because of their chronic painand become more focused on looking for ways to hurt lessthat's when people are at risk of other chronic health conditions. It becomes a tough cycle to break. Our health care system can do a better job of helping them see those connections and find off-ramps to break those cycles. Can chronic pain exacerbate substance use disorder? Ashar: Yes, people will use substances to try and manage their pain, which can lead to substance use disorders. And, there can also be a third factor driving both chronic pain and substance use disorders: emotional dysregulation. When life feels unsafe and chaotic or relationships are conflicted, those factors will drive both pain and will drive substance use disorders. What do you think, Joe? Frank: Yoni, I really like thinking about shared upstream causes. For many people, there's initially something good about substance use, providing a semblance of relief. However, that quickly leads to more and more negative impacts on health and relationships. I'll say in terms of the treatment of chronic pain, it is challenging when a person has dutifully participated with all the treatment options that have been recommended by their health care team and continues to hurt. At that point, they may look for something that might appear to be more helpful. "I'm not getting better, so I'm going to see if alcohol or other substances can offer some short-term relief." If we had a highly effective and reliable treatment for chronic pain, we'd likely see less of this thinking. 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: Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels This spring, as part of a sabbatical project, I had the privilege of visiting school food programs and meeting with school food researchers in six cities in France, England and Scotland. I got to eat school lunches, visit central kitchens in two cities where meals are prepared for thousands of children, visit school kitchens and discuss school food with the countries' leading experts. This visit intersects with my research with colleagues on promising food programs across Canada. This research offers insights for consideration as regions navigate the federal government's first National School Food Program and National School Food Policy. Government announcements about the program and policy were followed by negotiations with the provinces and territories, all of which have since signed agreements for a portion of the funding. In most parts of Canada, officials are just beginning to plan for new approaches to school food (with a few exceptions especially in Atlantic Canada where school food programs have been transforming much more quickly). Based on my research about international food programs, here are four key things Canadians should pay attention to: 1. In Canada we need to shift from thinking of school lunches as a safety net for kids living in poverty to thinking about them as benefiting the health and well-being of children and their families. In France, this shift in thinking is particularly clear. School lunches in France are about teaching children about food and culture and all kids are encouraged to eat together with an adult facilitator who teaches them about the components of the meal and creates a family-meal context at each table. By contrast, if you ask many parents in Canada what school meals are for, they will tell you they are for kids living in poverty to make sure they have food to eat at school. If Canada wants a national school food program that achieves the benefits of the best programs in the world in the areas of education, well-being and the economy, we need to think of school meals as supporting young people to be the best students they can be. 2. One important benefit of school food programs globally is to encourage picky eaters to try new foods due to the social pressure of all kids eating the same foods together. In three cities in France I visited, and one in England, school lunches look like home-cooked meals. One main dish with meat is served (and in England, a vegetarian alternative), and kids can choose if and how much of the side vegetables and fruit to take. In Canada, following a similar practiceone main and a vegetarian alternative when meat is servedmight work well. But it's also important that in developing a menu, the cultural diversity of Canadian school communities is reflected in the food on offer. In the other two locations in England and Scotland, kids choose from multiple main dishessomething that adds cost to the program and does less to encourage kids to try new foods, given one choice is always something basic like a cheese sandwich. Kids need to have some autonomy when it comes to eating, but school food programs should not be facilitating eating the same food every day. Nor should school food programs aspire to a model where broad choice is afforded from a large menu. 3. With care, planning and sufficient resources, centralized kitchens can prepare thousands of servings of a main dish daily. The French central kitchens I visited prepare 6,000 to 10,000 servings a day of high-quality food following strict food safety protocols. I ate two simple yet delicious meals cooked in municipally owned central kitchens. In the three cities in France that I visited, they used central kitchens where main dishes were prepared and chilled to be delivered for heating at the school level. Central kitchens also delivered the salads and sides (like chopped veggies, bread, cheese and fruit) and dressings. In the small school kitchens, the salads were dressed, and the cheese and fruit were cut for service. The central kitchens were also used in at least one city to prepare food for daycares and for seniors who were home-boundsomething to consider for Canadian cities. Centralizing kitchens can reduce costs and provide a way for high-quality food to be produced from basic ingredients without commercial kitchens in every school capable of preparing meals for hundreds of children at a time. 4. When designed with requirements for purchasing foods from local farmers and other Canadian producers, school food programs can benefit the agricultural sector and multiply their benefits to communities beyond direct school food jobs. In France, for example, there are specific percentages to be purchased from local and sustainable sources. Percentage requirements for local and sustainable purchasing should be enacted now in Canada as its program establishes itself, perhaps beginning with 20% and growing over time. I have many more reflections from my visits, both positive and negative, but the four I have discussed are important for Canada to learn from as it begins to design the National School Food Program to meet the needs of diverse communities from coast to coast to coast. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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 Some patients with highly drug-resistant tuberculosis could benefit from a shorter treatment with fewer drugs, while others may warrant more aggressive therapy, according to the findings of a new study led by an international group of researchers, including scientists from Harvard Medical School, and conducted across six countries in Asia, Africa, and South America. The study is the first-ever clinical trial to focus exclusively on people with pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (pre-XDR-TB), a hard-to-treat form of the disease that is more challenging to cure than multi-drug resistant TB but not as extremely impervious to medicines as the most dreaded form of the infection known as extensively drug-resistant TB. Pre-XDR-TB is resistant to rifampinthe most potent first-line drug used against TBand fluoroquinolone, which thus far has been the most potent second-line TB drug. The findings, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, highlight the importance of individualizing therapy to account for patient-to-patient differences and give each infected person a treatment regimen that is the most effective and least toxic for them, the researchers noted. "This shorter regimen is not a surefire cure for everyone. The big takeaway is that we might need a more tailored approach to treatment of this kind of resistant TB," said study TB expert Carole Mitnick, professor of global health and social medicine in the Blavatnik Institute at HMS. Mitnick was co-senior author on the study and a member of the endTB project, spearheaded by Partners In Health, Medecins Sans Frontieres, and Interactive Research and Development and done in collaboration with researchers and clinicians worldwide. In recent years, researchers have increasingly found that shorter, less harsh drug regimens benefit certain patients, Mitnick added, but she cautioned that more research is needed on how to select the right patients who would benefit the most, while ensuring that more severe and more drug-resistant forms of the disease do not go untreated or suboptimally treated, leaving patients with lingering or re-emerging disease that is dangerous to their families and communities. More than 80 years after the first patients were cured of TB using antibiotics, tuberculosis remains the leading infectious cause of death worldwide, killing close to 1.5 million people a year. The disease has a global reach, including in the United States, where more than 500 people have perished from TB per year for the last decade and cases are on the rise. One reason for this is drug-resistant strains of the disease. Another is that many common regimens are difficult for patients to complete, due to the number of pills required, the length of treatment, and the severe side effects of many established therapies. This means that treatment is cut short in some patients, allowing the infection to roar back. The aim of the endTB-Q trial was to test whether a shorter, likely better tolerated treatment would be effective against pre-XDR-TB. The trial compared an experimental regimen that used a combination of four drugs (bedaquiline, delamanid, clofazimine, and linezolid) for six or nine months with a long regimen based on the standard of care recommended by the World Health Organization, which included four to six drugs taken for 18 to 24 months. The results of the trial showed that the shorter regimen might be a promising alternative for many patients with pre-XDR-TB. A favorable outcome was established by two consecutive cultures negative for the TB bug late in the 17-month period of post-randomization follow-up or by favorable bacteriological, radiological, and clinical evolution throughout this follow-up. By this standard, the shorter regimen was 87% effective while the longer therapy was 89% effective. Both groups of patients received social support including access to nutritious food and transportation, shown to help patients complete TB treatment. The research was designed to measure "non-inferiority," a technical term that describes when an experimental treatment is good enough to replace an existing standard of care. In this study, the shorter regimen did not meet that standard across the full study population. But not all patients responded the same way to the shorter regimen. Those with more advanced lung damage, for example, did not fare as well as those with less advanced disease. For these individuals, the shorter regimeneven delivered for nine monthswas not always sufficient to prevent relapse. These patients benefited more from the longer regimen. This could mean treatment needs to be longer in that group or treatment needs to be reinforced with more drugs, the researchers said. Mitnick noted that other studies of shortened regimens that have included people with this type of drug-resistant TB in their study population did not have enough statistical power to measure the effectiveness of the regimens on people with pre-XDR-TB or to differentiate between those with different degrees of symptoms. The researchers note that recent guidance from WHO and from North American and European experts, which came out after the endTB-Q trial was underway, recommends six-month regimens irrespective of disease severity. Given the findings of the endTB-Q trial and similar results from other studies, the researchers said, the guidelines should be updated to include consideration of stratified approaches to care based on resistance pattern and extent of disease. "After millennia of fighting this complex, constantly evolving disease, we know that we need to approach it with great caution and attention to detail," Mitnick said. "Instead of focusing on the 'prize' of shortened treatment, we need to keep our eyes on the true goal of curing as many people as we can." More information: Bedaquiline, delamanid, linezolid, and clofazimine for rifampicin-resistant and fluoroquinolone-resistant tuberculosis (endTB-Q): an open-label, multicentre, stratified, non-inferiority, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, The Lancet Respiratory Medicine (2025). doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(25)00194-8 Journal information: Lancet Respiratory Medicine This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A new study has revealed promising progress in developing a non-invasive sampling method to detect early signs of Parkinson's diseaseup to seven years before motor symptoms appearby analyzing the chemical makeup of skin. The research, published today in npj Parkinson's Disease, demonstrates that compounds or "volatiles" found in sebumthe oily substance produced by our skinhold key biomarkers for identifying Parkinson's in its earliest stages. Using a technique known as Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), scientists at The University of Manchester, in collaboration with Salford Royal NHS Trust and University of Innsbruck, analyzed skin swabs from participants with Parkinson's, healthy volunteers, and those with a sleep disorder called isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD)a known early warning sign of Parkinson's disease. The results showed that people with iRBD had distinct chemical profiles in their sebum that were different from healthy individuals, but not yet as pronounced as those with established Parkinson's disease. This supports the idea that Parkinson's disease leaves a detectable trace on the body well before physical symptoms appear. Joy Milnethe "super smeller" who inspired the researchwas also able to distinguish swabs from people with iRBD from the control group and Parkinson's patients. Intriguingly, she was able to detect both diseases in two of the swabs that came from iRBD individuals, who were later diagnosed with Parkinson's at their next clinical appointment, after sampling. Professor Perdita Barran, Professor of Mass Spectrometry at The University of Manchester, said, "This is the first study to demonstrate a molecular diagnostic method for Parkinson's disease at the prodromal or early stage. It brings us one step closer to a future where a simple, non-invasive skin swab could help identify people at risk before symptoms arise allowing for earlier intervention and improved outcomes." The study involved more than 80 participants, including 46 people with Parkinson's, 28 healthy controls, and nine with iRBD. They found 55 significant features in the sebum that varied between the groups. Those with iRBD often showed levels that sat between the healthy controls and the Parkinson's group, reinforcing the possibility of detecting the disease in its early phase. Dr. Drupad Trivedi, a researcher from The University of Manchester, built a model that examined the markers in a longitudinal sampling study. He collected samples from Parkinson's patients over a three-year period and found patterns that suggest this method can also be used to map the progression of the disease, which could have use in refining treatment options and improving patient outcomes. Sebum is also easy to collect using gauze swabs from the face or upper back, making it ideal for non-invasive routine screening and regular monitoring. Previous research by the team has also shown it does not need to be stored in the same cold conditions as other biofluids, such as blood, reducing associated costs. The research is inspired by the observations of Joy Milne, who detected a unique scent in individuals with Parkinson's disease, prompting researchers at The University of Manchester to explore sebum as a source of diagnostic biomarkers. By using mass spectrometry, a technique that measures the weight of molecules, they have found that there are distinctive Parkinson's markers in sebum, which has led them to develop this non-invasive swab test. These findings have recently been validated in another paper, published today in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, where trained dogs were able to detect Parkinson's in the patients recruited by Prof Barren and Dr. Trivedi with remarkable accuracy by smelling skin swabs. Now, the researchers are continuing to develop and improve the sebum-based testing to eventually use as a practical tool in real-world clinical settings. Dr. Drupad Trivedi, Lecturer in Analytical Measurement Sciences at The University of Manchester, said, "Our goal is to develop a reliable, non-invasive test that helps doctors detect Parkinson's earlier, track its progression, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. "We're also keen to hear from other hyperosmic individuals, potential 'super smellers' like Joy, whose remarkable sense of smell could help extend our work to detect other diseases with potential odor signatures." 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: Anna Tarazevich from Pexels Thousands of women who undergo radiotherapy for low-risk breast cancer could be spared some of the side effects of treatment after a study confirmed that more targeted treatments are just as effective at controlling the disease in the long term. Findings of the IMPORT LOW trial, led by researchers at the University of Cambridge and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, showed that limiting radiation to only the tumor area is just as effective as treating the whole breast, therefore reducing radiation exposure. At the 10-year follow-up mark, the team showed that recurrence rates for the less aggressive techniqueknown as partial breast radiotherapywere 3%, the same as for whole breast radiotherapy, according to findings published in The Lancet Oncology. Partial breast radiotherapy, which has been shown to reduce long-term changes in breast appearance, has now been adopted widely across the NHS and internationally. It is hoped that more than 9,000 women a year in the U.K.1 in 4 patients who require radiotherapy for breast cancerwill benefit from the more personalized treatment, along with many tens of thousands of patients around the world. More than 37,000 women have radiotherapy for breast cancer in the U.K. each year. The procedure is given after a tumor is surgically removed and is aimed at eradicating all remaining cancer cells. Side effects of radiotherapy include changes in breast size or shape, swelling in the arm or breast due to fluid build-up, as well as pain or breast hardness. IMPORT LOW was co-led by Professor Charlotte Coles from the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Professor Judith Bliss, Founding Director of The Institute of Cancer Research Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU). Professor Coles, Chief Investigator of the study, said, "The IMPORT LOW trial has transformed how we treat early breast cancer, offering women a safer and effective option while significantly reducing some side effects. By targeting the area around the tumor, rather than the whole breast, we have demonstrated that patients can achieve the same outstanding long-term outcomes with fewer complications. "This approach is now widely adopted across the NHS, sparing thousands of women from unnecessary radiation exposure. The results of this study have not only shaped U.K. clinical practice but also informed international guidelines, ensuring that women worldwide benefit from this personalized, evidence-based treatment." The IMPORT LOW trial, which was managed by the ICR-CTSU, compared three radiotherapy approaches: whole-breast radiotherapy, partial-breast radiotherapy and partial-breast radiotherapy with reduced-dose to the part of the breast that was distant from the primary cancer. It involved more than 2,000 women at 30 radiotherapy centers in the U.K. who were monitored for 10 years after treatment. The researchers found no difference in rates of cancer recurrence with either of the less aggressive approaches, and patients reported significantly lower side-effects. Patients who received partial-breast radiotherapy were significantly less likely to experience long-term changes in breast appearance. Only 15% of patients reported noticeable changes at five years, compared to 27% in the whole-breast group. Experts estimate that between 25% and 30% of patients who have radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer are eligible for partial breast radiotherapy, due to their cancer being low risk and, to date, around 74,000 women have benefitted from the gentler technique. Following the trial's success, partial-breast radiotherapy has been integrated into NHS treatment guidelines and endorsed by the Royal College of Radiologists and Association of Breast Surgery. The IMPORT LOW trial has also changed clinical practice worldwide, informing the 2022 European Society of Radiation Oncology guidelines, and 2023 American Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology (ASTRO) partial breast irradiation guidelines. Since 2020, partial breast radiotherapy has been carried out in five sessions of radiotherapy instead of 15making it cheaper for the NHS and less burdensome for patients. First author Dr. Anna Kirby from The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research said, "The long-term results of this study confirm that a less aggressive approachlimiting radiotherapy to the part of the breast where the tumor wasis just as effective as traditional whole-breast radiotherapy. Patients receiving partial breast radiotherapy experience fewer side effects while maintaining excellent cancer control." Dr. Fay Cafferty, also from The Institute of Cancer Research, said, "This latest analysis confirms that partial breast radiotherapy remains a safe and effective treatment option, supporting its continued adoption as the standard of care in the UK and globally. Along with the parallel reduction in the number of radiotherapy sessions now required, the approach provides significant advantages both for patients and health care systems, helping to optimize resources while ensuring excellent long-term cancer control." Dr. Dani Edmunds, Research Information Manager at Cancer Research UK, said, "This study shows that we can safely reduce the amount of radiotherapy we give to many women with early breast cancer without increasing the risk of the disease coming back. "This means people experience fewer long-term side effects, like changes in how their breasts look or feel, making the treatment kinder." Hilary Stobart, now 70, was diagnosed with ER-Positive breast cancer in December 2008 which revealed a 2-centimeter tumor in her left breast. Hilary, then aged 54, underwent wide local excision surgery and was then offered the chance to take part in the IMPORT-LOW trial. She was treated with partial breast radiotherapy as part of the trial. She says, "I had three weeks of radiotherapy, but suffered no side effects, other than some soreness in my breast and nipple in the first few weeks. "Ten years on, I am doing fine. I have no side effects and no recurrence of disease. For me personally, I am very thankful to have received the lowest dose of radiotherapy. While I may have had some niggling worries in the early days, having seen the results of the trial, I feel positive and optimistic now. I know that I was lucky enough back then to have had the best treatment, a treatment that other women will be routinely offered now. "I am excited to have been part of a trial that has made a noticeable difference to the way in which breast cancer patients are treated now and in the future." More information: Anna M Kirby et al, Partial-breast radiotherapy after breast conservation surgery for women with early breast cancer (UK IMPORT LOW): 10-year outcomes from a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3, non-inferiority trial, The Lancet Oncology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00194-9 Journal information: Lancet Oncology By Elnur Enveroglu Since the end of the conflict and Armenian occupation of Garabagh, the first ever bilateral meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Abu Dhabi in July 2025 marks a significant step forward in the search for a comprehensive peace agreement between the two South Caucasus neighbours. Facilitated under the diplomatic auspices of the United Arab Emirates, a rising mediator in global conflicts, the talks have generated cautious optimism among regional watchers and international stakeholders alike. Central to the discussions is the long-disputed Zangazur Corridor, a proposed transport route that has drawn in not only Azerbaijan and Armenia, but also the United States, Russia, Iran, Turkiye, and the European Union. At its core, the Zangazur Corridor represents more than a logistics route linking Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan through southern Armenia. It is a strategic artery that could reshape connectivity across Eurasia, reinforce energy security for Europe, and redefine power alignments in the post-Soviet space. In Abu Dhabi, for the first time, the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders discussed third-party management of the corridor, most notably, a US proposal to control the corridor for 100 years, a move that underscores Washingtons growing interest in countering both Russian and Iranian influence in the South Caucasus. The Zangazur Corridor, if realised, would dramatically shorten trade routes between Central Asia and Europe via the Caspian, South Caucasus, and Turkiye. For Armenia, however, the corridor has become a symbol of lost leverage and a domestic political liability, which Pashinyans government has tried to rebrand as a "transit route under Armenian sovereignty", resisting the "corridor" terminology altogether. After the bilateral Abu Dhabi meeting, the reported American proposal for long-term corridor oversight reflects a deepening of security measures. According to diplomatic leaks, the US offered to manage the Zangazur route as an international transport corridor under a 100-year administration model, similar to the historical Panama or Suez Canal arrangements. The proposal is driven by a single factor: ensuring the uninterrupted flow of goods and energy from Central Asia and the Caspian to European markets. This overture, however, risks intensifying the Russia-Iran alignment, both of which view the corridor through the prism of geostrategic encirclement. Russias traditional role as regional arbiter has diminished following its military overreach in Ukraine, but it still maintains military bases in Armenia. Moscow views the US-led control of the Zangazur Corridor as a direct threat to its "near abroad" and influence over Yerevan. Iran, meanwhile, sees any extraterritorial corridor through Armenian territory as a red line, fearing it would cut off its access to the Caucasus and enable a permanent NATO-aligned presence on its northern border. Despite all this, from both the Iranian and Western perspectives, the significance of the Zangazur Corridor is not limited to Eurasia alone; it also creates a favourable environment for the safe use of the corridor by Russia and Iran (for civilian commercial purposes) in the future. The Brussels Pivot: Pashinyans Calculations and Macrons Agenda Against this backdrop, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's recent visit to Brussels and his private meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and EU leaders signal Yerevans westward shift. Publicly, the visit was framed as an effort to deepen EU-Armenia political and economic cooperation. However, behind closed doors, Pashinyan reportedly sought guarantees of European support for Armenias sovereignty, territorial integrity, and resistance to "corridor language" in any future agreement with Azerbaijan. France, under Macron, has emerged as Armenias most vocal European backer, supplying limited arms, training, and consistent diplomatic support. However, Macrons agenda is not solely humanitarian. France sees the South Caucasus as a front line in the wider geopolitical contest between Western liberal democracies and revisionist autocracies, especially given its deteriorating ties with Turkiye and desire to constrain Russian influence. For Macron, backing Armenia also offers a way to reassert French influence in a region where its presence has traditionally been symbolic at best. There are, however, limits to this strategy. Brussels remains reluctant to militarise its engagement and is cautious about alienating Azerbaijan, a critical energy partner for the EU. Pashinyan's overtures to Macron and European leaders thus walk a fine line between seeking protection and not pushing the EU into open confrontation with Baku or Ankara. The EU is more likely to invest in connectivity and peacebuilding projects than support Armenia in resisting transit arrangements that align with broader regional economic integration. Peace by the end of 2025? Realistic or wishful thinking? The most immediate question is whether a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia is achievable by the end of 2025. Optimists argue that the recent flurry of diplomacy points to a narrowing window of opportunity. The withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers, the stabilisation of borders, and the relative calm since late 2023 have created conditions for finalising a treaty that normalises relations, delimits the border, and opens transport links. However, substantial hurdles remain. First, domestic political resistance in Armenia, fuelled by nationalist opposition and diaspora lobbying, continues to pressure Pashinyan against making concessions on Zangazur. In particular, the tensions between the Church and the Pashinyan government, the mobilisation of pro-Russian oligarch Samvel Karapetyan and his pro-Republican Party entourage against the authorities, and the artificial escalation of unrest in the country are all obstacles preventing Armenia from taking direct and decisive action. Second, external interference, whether through Irans threats, Russias passive-aggressive manoeuvring, or Frances moral posturing, could derail progress. Third, lingering mistrust between Baku and Yerevan, particularly regarding the implementation of agreements and security guarantees, continues to haunt negotiations. Nonetheless, the broader regional and global incentives for peace are strong. The South Caucasus stands at the intersection of multiple transport, energy, and communication projects that hinge on stability. Azerbaijan has positioned itself as a reliable energy partner and logistical hub; Armenia, though late to pivot, now sees the economic and political benefits of breaking out of its regional isolation. If the US and EU can synchronise their approaches, and if Iran and Russia are kept at bay diplomatically, a peace deal is achievable by early 2026, or perhaps even the end of 2025, but only if compromises are reached on the Zangazur Corridor and border recognition. 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: Mpox Virus Particle Colorized transmission electron micrograph of an mpox virus particle (yellow and red) found within an infected VERO E6 cell (blue), cultured in the laboratory. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID/CC0 Public Domain A University of Manitoba expert is a vital part of an international team of scientists studying the alarming changes in the spread of mpox across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to better understand the rapidly evolving virus. "The expansion of this virus is concerning. Viruses don't have passports. They don't respect international borders. We need to get things under control," said team member Dr. Jason Kindrachuk, UM Canada Research Chair in molecular pathogenesis of emerging viruses and associate professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases at the Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. One of the research team's studiesfeatured on the cover of The Lancet earlier this yearanalyzed 13 years of data and found that mpox has expanded to nearly every region of the DRC. The number of provinces reporting cases has increased from 18 of 26 in 2010 to 24 of 26 in 2023. "The spread of mpox has changed rapidly over the last couple of years. Cases had been fairly focused within specific regions that were largely rural. Now mpox is a much broader problem across most of the DRC in both urban and rural locations," said Kindrachuk, an international leader in mpox research who travels regularly to Africa. Until 2023, Kindrachuk said that most mpox cases were linked to people having contact with wildlife, most likely rodents. The virus also had the greatest negative impact on those under 15 years old, he said. In a second study published earlier this year in The Lancet, the researchers observed something different in the province of South Kivu. They saw the emergence of a new type of mpox virus, called subclade Ib, which shifted toward sustained human-to-human transmission and an increase in cases among people aged 15 to 34 years old. Kindrachuk, also a researcher with the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, said that among those adults, they had high number of skin and genital lesions, which give the researchers a stronger indication that the cases are likely related to sexual contact. He said many of the people identified as sex workers or those who partake in sex work. The study also found that the overall disease severity was relatively low in South Kivu. They saw two deaths out of 403 hospitalized patientsa fatality rate of less than one percent. "The reality is that what we were seeing in South Kivu among those cases was actually different than what we've seen historically," Kindrachuk said. Looking back in the past, he said there typically weren't many mpox cases in Kinshasa, the capital of DRC with a population of 17 million. This also changed. "It's concerning because our research that was published last week in The Lancet shows that it's spreading in Kinshasa. This becomes an even bigger predicament in terms of response efforts because you're not only dealing with spread across the majority of the country, but you also now have it embedded in this very large metropolis that is a major network for many other countries in Africa," Kindrachuk said. In a fourth study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in June, the research team found that in three women, mpox was transmitted between mother and baby in utero, resulting in pregnancy loss or infection. The findings support the significance of preventive interventions, including vaccinations, in pregnant individuals, Kindrachuk said. "We now need to conduct large-scale studies to better understand the outcomes associated with mpox in pregnancy and to help guide clinical management," he said. "For us, the complexity is increasing, but all the data that we are identifying in our studies helps inform our response and certainly the actions of other international individuals, organizations and the Congolese on the ground who are leading the response efforts." More information: Eugene Bangwen et al, Suspected and confirmed mpox cases in DR Congo: a retrospective analysis of national epidemiological and laboratory surveillance data, 201023, The Lancet (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)02669-2 Isabel Brosius et al, Epidemiological and clinical features of mpox during the clade Ib outbreak in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a prospective cohort study, The Lancet (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00047-9 Tony Wawina- Bokalanga et al, Epidemiology and phylogenomic characterisation of two distinct mpox outbreaks in Kinshasa, DR Congo, involving a new subclade Ia lineage: a retrospective, observational study, The Lancet (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00294-6 Emmanuel Hasivirwe Vakaniaki et al, Three Cases of Vertical Transmission of Clade Ib Mpox Virus, New England Journal of Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2503347 Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine , The Lancet 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 For many people who have a serious mental illness or are recovering from one, trying to get or keep a job may be overwhelming and exhausting. Finding out that you need a job in order to keep accessing your mental health care can feel insurmountable. Yet that may soon be the case for nearly half a million Washington residents. Under a new rule in President Donald Trump's recently passed "One Big Beautiful Bill," Americans on Medicaidthe nation's largest provider of mental health insurancewill be required to prove they are working, studying or volunteering a minimum of 80 hours a month in order to remain covered. The bill states there will be exemptions to the work requirement for people who meet a variety of criteria, including those who are participating in substance use disorder programs, parents or caregivers of a dependent child or disabled individual, or "medically frail" individuals, which includes people with "disabling" mental disorders. But mental health advocates worry that, given the complexity and invisibility of many mental health conditions, it could be difficult for people to prove they qualify. About 40% of Americans covered under Medicaid receive mental health or substance use disorder treatment. In Washington, 25% of the state's 1.9 million Medicaid enrollees received behavioral health services in 2024. According to a report from Apple Health, Washington's Medicaid system, the proposed work requirements and other changes from Trump's bill would cut Medicaid coverage for between 200,000 and 320,000 Washingtonians. The program is expected to lose nearly $6 billion in federal funding over the next nine years. The bill, which offers major tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans, also proposes significant reductions to other social programs that serve some of the country's poorestincluding SNAP benefits, or food purchasing financial assistance. Republicans in Congress who pushed the bill forward say the work requirements won't hurt those who need the insurance coverage. Instead, they say imposing work requirements will weed out those who are defrauding or abusing the program. Many specifics about how the work requirements will be enforced remain unclear, and that portion of the new bill isn't slated to go into effect until 2027. But the new rules will likely place a big burden on people with severe mental illness to try and prove that they qualify for exemptions, mental health advocates say. "Getting the right paperwork submitted at the right time, navigating complex online systems, especially when someone is in psychosis or recently was, and is at an acute place in their recovery, I think it's going to be really challenging for a lot of folks," said Summer Starr, the interim director of Washington's National Alliance on Mental Illness chapter. "Taking away people's health care when they're in one of the most vulnerable states of their lives is just going to exacerbate things for individuals and families." Vanessa Saavedra, a senior attorney with Northwest Health Law Advocates, said another challenge may be simply making sure everyone who's currently on Medicaid or Apple Health understands whether the new rules apply to them or not. The work requirements would only apply to those who received Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion, which allowed people to qualify for the program based on income rather than a disability diagnosis. That expansion made it easier for people with mental health conditions to receive care. "It's far more difficult to get the word out than you might think," Saavedra said. Saavedra also said if people lose mental health services as they're dropped from Medicaid, they'll likely rely more on crisis centers and emergency roomsincreasing the pressure on those already-overwhelmed systems. "We know people with serious mental illness will fall through the hole this is creating in the safety net," she said. "When people are unstable and having to rely on the ER and crisis care rather than seeking care before, that's a major societal problem." Starr said as people lose mental health coverage, the pressure on caregiversespecially unpaid ones, such as family memberswill also increase. "Imagine being a family member supporting a loved one who has no access to insurance and you aren't able to get them the care they need," Starr said in an email. "The family members then also become responsible for navigating the system on behalf of their loved ones. This really puts more burden on unpaid caregivers. It emphasizes that as a society we do not value the caregiving field, the need for caregiving and those whose time and energy is dedicated to this on behalf of loved ones." Starr said more people may also end up in the jail system as a result. Since the 1970s, she said, the U.S. has removed more support services for people with mental illnesses. Many people who don't have access to treatment instead end up in the criminal system, and increasingly, jails and prisons have become the default providers for mental health treatment. "This is just another layer of removing support systems that will get transferred into potentially that other system," she said. As state lawmakers and mental health advocates await information from the federally-run Centers for Medicare and Medicaid on how the work requirements will be enforced, they're considering the potential impact on those who need coverage, and the medical and social systems that are trying to support them. Rep. Nicole Macri, D-Seattle, said before the Affordable Care Actthe 2010 bill that increased health care coverage for the uninsuredpeople who were on social programs like Supplemental Security Income, a federal program for low-income people, were eligible for Medicaid, but others were not. Currently, to qualify for SSI with a mental health-based disability, you must have very low income and assets, and the government has a detailed list of requirements for each medical condition. Macri said the federal government could go back to using enrollment in that program as a measure of whether someone has a "disabling" mental health condition. "If that's the standard, then we could see people lose their coverage, and lose access to their medications and access to their mental health centers," Macri said. She said the federal government may ultimately come up with different standards, but said it was "hard to imagine" how people will demonstrate disability without being on SSI. Some clinicians think Medicaid decisions could be made more specifically based on a person's diagnosiswhich could also leave people out whose conditions are not as straightforward. Sarah Kopelovich, an associate professor at the University of Washington's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, said it's not yet clear what behavioral health diagnoses will exempt someone from the work requirements. In the mental health field, the term "disabling mental condition" typically refers to primary psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, and major mood disorders, like bipolar disorder. But so far, she said, there's less clarity around things like post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder. Kopelovich said she's concerned the rules won't account for people whose conditions are not linear. "Most of these mental health conditions that fall under this umbrella are episodic in nature," Kopelovich said. "They will have periods of remission, but they may also have periods of worsening symptoms, and it's very difficult if you don't have the right work conditions where you have an employer who's able to make accommodations to retain positions when you're experiencing an episode." Macri said state agencies will be able to do some rule-making, but much of the regulations will come from the federal level. The losses in federal funding will likely be so significant that she said it's unlikely the state can make up the difference. "A lot of it is about where we invest our money," she said. "It's in what choices we make, but there's a lot competing with that." She cited public education and health care as the state's top two priorities for investment. The state has made some investments in behavioral health care, Macri said, trying to reduce the number of times people need to be hospitalized. But she said the rule changes will likely set the system back. "I think we'll go back to just having a greater number of people with disabling conditions, who don't have any health insurance," Macri said. "And I think that's the designthat's how it saves money." Kopelovich said tying people's right to health care to their ability to work contradicts the original goals of Medicaid. "My concern is that this health care coverage, which is primary for this very vulnerable, high-risk population, is at stake right now in the interest of productivity," she said. "We're really working against our own interests if we're not helping people to recover and then get the supports in place they need to be successful in the workplace." "We need to address some of the systemic challenges that our folks will face when they return to work," Kopelovich said. "Otherwise, we're at risk of destabilizing them, and it's counterproductive, both from a social level and also at an individual level." 2025 The Seattle Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Homeland Security Investigations agents, dressed in plain clothes, aimed assault-style rifles at two Tucson, Arizona humanitarian-aid volunteers, and detained and handcuffed them along the border-wall road east of Sasabe, Arizona in March, a claim filed against the federal government says. Tucson Samaritans Gail Kocourek, 74, and Evan Spry, 22, are alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault and false arrest/false imprisonment, according to two notices of claim filed against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, HSIs parent agency, on Friday. The claims are precursors to filing a lawsuit against the U.S. government, which will happen if the parties cant come to a settlement agreement, said Tucson attorney Paul Gattone, who is representing the migrant-aid volunteers. Theyre each seeking $543,750, including attorneys fees, for pain and suffering following the March 12 incident along the U.S.-Mexico border, about 70 miles southwest of Tucson. This was outrageous conduct on the part of these federal agents, Gattone said in a Friday interview. It is disturbing that this seems to be a developing trend among federal agents and federal officials ... to be threatening excessive force against people who have done nothing against the law. An ICE spokeswoman said Friday the agency does not comment on pending litigation. On March 12, Kocourek, Spry and one other volunteer were traveling along the border road, east of the border town of Sasabe, Arizona, a trip that Kocourek makes about three times per week. All were unarmed, the claim said. The border-wall road here is understood to be a public-access road thats routinely used by migrant-aid volunteers and ranchers in the area, the claim said. During these regular border trips, Kocourek drives a four-wheel-drive truck marked Samaritans with a Red Cross-style logo on the side. While driving toward the end of the border wall, south of Ruby, Arizona, the Tucson Samaritans saw three men, one of them holding an assault-style rifle, standing next to an unmarked sports-utility vehicle. None wore a uniform. At the time, Kocourek and her fellow volunteers believed the armed men to be among the vigilantes who have been harassing migrants and humanitarian workers along the border, the claim said. The vigilantes are often affiliated with right-wing militias and the Samaritans had recently received a report that vigilantes had vandalized a humanitarian water station in the area. Kocourek, who was driving, drove past the men before later turning around and heading west on the border wall road, back toward Sasabe and Highway 286. But the unmarked SUV was now positioned lengthwise across the road, in an apparent attempt to block the Samaritans truck. Several men exited the SUV as Kocoureks truck approached and aimed their weapons at the Samaritans, according to a brief video recording shared with the Arizona Daily Star. Believing her life to be in danger, the claim said, Kocourek drove around the unmarked SUV, which began pursuing the Samaritans truck. There were no emergency lights, sirens, or anything to indicate the pursuing SUV was law enforcement, the claim said. The pursuit continued for several minutes at a high rate of speed along the dirt road until (Kocourek) spotted a marked Border Patrol vehicle perched on the side of the road. (Kocourek) stopped and the passengers hastily told the agent that armed men were in pursuit. The Border Patrol agent spoke into his radio, and only then did Kocourek and Spry learn that the armed men were federal agents. Later, they learned the agents were with Homeland Security Investigations, the investigative arm of ICE. When the agents caught up, they aimed their guns at the Samaritans again, and handcuffed and detained them, which the tort claim alleges exceeded federal agents authority. As federal agents are not peace officers under Arizona law, they generally cant make arrests for violations of state law and had no reason to believe the Samaritans violated federal law, the tort claims said. Despite this, they (the HSI agents) determined it necessary to block the road in the most threatening manner imaginable, according to the claim. Well-known at the border Kocoureks claim notes that she is among the most well-recognized migrant-aid volunteers on the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona, which she visits usually three times a week to bring water, food and medical supplies to those who might be in need of assistance. During busy times in this area of the border, the Samaritans often waited hours with asylum seekers who wanted to surrender to Border Patrol, and reported migrants presence to agents in the area. Kocoureks presence in these unforgiving lands has led to a friendly, respectful rapport with Border Patrol agents, the claim said. It is not uncommon for a Border Patrol agent, upon learning that he will soon be transferred or promoted, to share their news with Claimant (Kocourek) as one would to a coworker. Kocourek has told the Star that shes intentionally tried to forge a warm rapport with border agents whom she regularly encounters during her volunteer work, making sure to greet them and offer information about the status of migrants and asylum seekers in remote areas of the borderlands. That collaboration has been particularly needed along the steep border-wall road east of Sasabe, where border agents vehicles often struggled to reach hundreds of asylum seekers who were seeking to surrender to Border Patrol in late 2023 and early 2024, shes told the Star. Kocourek and other Samaritans say border agents often welcomed the information Samaritans shared with them about the number, and health status, of arriving asylum seekers in the remote area. The amount of damages sought is the average of the amount awarded in four comparable cases cited in the tort claims, said attorney Billy Peard, who is also representing Kocourek and Spry. This amount is also reasonable in light of comparable settlement amounts by other law enforcement agencies within the Ninth Circuit where law enforcement officers pointed their firearms at civilians without provocation or justification, according to the claim. That includes a 2020 case in which the City of Phoenix agreed to pay $475,000 during settlement discussions, after one of its officers approached a family sitting in their parked car with his gun drawn. Peard said its still not clear why agents affiliated with ICE, which typically operates in the interior of the country, were on the border-wall road that day in an area typically patrolled by Border Patrol. He said the agents actions that day were unjustified and needlessly threatening. Our clients were traveling in a lawful manner, in a lawful place, Peard said. Their purpose was widely understood in the region by federal authorities. But a federal agency, that typically is not seen in this region, for some unknown reason chose to operate in plainclothes, in unmarked vehicles and for some unknown reason decided to instigate (an interaction with) a clearly marked humanitarian vehicle, using incredibly alarming tactics that had only one interpretation threatening to kill. The Delhi High Court on Monday denied bail to a man accused of being part of a fraudulent cryptocurrency racket through a platform called Pluto Exchange, while observing that cryptocurrency has profound implications on the country's economy (Umesh Verma vs State). Justice Girish Kathpalia observed that investments in cryptocurrency may lead to recognised money disappearing into unknown channels. Such economic crimes lie on a different footing when it comes to the grant of bail, the Court said. Economic offences constitute a class apart and need to be visited with a different approach in the matter of bail. For, economic offences, unlike most conventional bodily offences, are committed with elaborate planning and expertise. Especially, dealing in crypto currency has profound implications on economy of our country by way of dissolution of recognised money into the dark unknown and untraceable money," the July 14 ruling said. In the present case, the High Court noted that, prima facie, the accused had duped 61 gullible investors by painting a rosy picture that they would get 20-30 per cent returns on their investments in cryptocurrency on a monthly basis, even after the derecognition of cryptocurrency in India. This showed his malafide intent, the Court opined. It also rejected the accused man's contention that he was not a flight risk and his argument that he was trying to settle the matter by paying back investors in full. Notably, the Court concluded that the accused bail applicant had been trying to drag out mediation proceedings initiated to settle the investors' claims, so that he could continue to remain on interim bail. "I find substance in the argument of learned prosecutor that the accused/applicant used the mediation process as a tool to create artefact of bona fide, which led to his interim bail and thereafter he continued to ensure that the settlement process goes endlessly and he evergreens the interim protection," the Court said. The case concerned a complaint filed with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) against Umesh Verma and others who operated a crypto exchange platform named Pluto Exchange. The accused persons were alleged to have lured several victims into investing in a Dubai-based company named Bharat Umesh General Trading LLC, which dealt in cryptocurrency. Based on this assurance, the complainant invested 5 lakhs, which was ultimately not returned to him. Upon enquiry, the complainant learnt that the accused persons had shifted to Dubai. Umesh Verma was arrested in 2020 in this case. He approached the High Court for bail in 2022, after a sessions court rejected his plea. He also urged the High Court to quash the case against him. During the High Court proceedings, he proposed to pay back investors in full, adding that he never had any dishonest intentions in his activities. In 2023, a settlement was reached with a few investors through the Mediation Centre of the Delhi High Court. Based on this settlement, the accused was released from prison on interim bail, on the condition that he settle payments due to all remaining investors. Such an arrangement was allowed when the matter was being heard by another High Court Bench. However, the matter was later posted before Justice Kathpalia, in April this year. Justice Kathpalia opined that bail proceedings could not be turned into money recovery proceedings, and ordered the accused and the State to address the Court on the merits of the bail plea. "My decision to switch over from the said piecemeal settlement proceedings to adjudication of this bail application on merits is fortified by plethora of judicial pronouncements to the effect that the bail courts are not forum for recovery of money; and that the economic offences constitute a class apart, so need to be visited with a different approach in matters of bail," he reasoned. Further, Justice Kathpalia also took critical note that several duped investors claimed that the accused had not paid them back. It was found that 38 defrauded investors, out of 61 investors, were not paid their money back. Moreover, the number of investors who came forward to claim that they had been duped rose from 48 to around 61 during the High Court proceedings. That State added that there were 13 more such additional victims. The allegations against the accused/applicant in this multi-victim scam are quite serious, more so in the light of his antecedents of involvement in as many as 13 more cases of similar nature, list whereof is on record and not challenged by the accused/applicant, the Court stated. The Court, therefore, decided to reject the bail plea considering the complexity and expanse of the economic crime, the accused's decision to continue collecting crypto-investments even after it was de-recognised in India and his "blatant misuse of the mediation system." The Court also factored in that the accused appeared to be a flight risk and that the investigation had led to more victims coming forward claiming that they too had been duped. The accused/applicant, who is on interim bail granted by the predecessor bench, shall surrender before the IO or the trial court forthwith, the Court ordered, after rejecting the accused man's bail plea. In a sweeping crackdown on illegal financial activity, the directorate of enforcement (ED) on Tuesday conducted raids at four locations in Mumbai as part of a money laundering investigation into a high-value dabba trading and online betting syndicate. The operation, which is still ongoing, led to the seizure of Rs3.3 crore in unaccounted cash, along with luxury watches, high-end vehicles, foreign currency, jewellery and cash-counting machines. According to media reports, the investigation centres around several mobile and web-based platforms suspected of operating illegal trading and betting networks under white-label arrangements. The platforms under scrutiny include VMoney, VM Trading, Standard Trades Ltd, IBull Capital, LotusBook, 11Starss and GameBetLeague. The case, initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, is based on a first information report (FIR) registered at Lasudiya police station in Indore, which invokes provisions under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Reports say these platforms used white-label applications, where control rights, referred to as 'admin rights', were bought and sold or shared on a profit-sharing basis. These arrangements allowed operators to run illegal betting operations under the guise of legitimate trading services, completely outside of regulated financial systems. One of the key individuals identified in the probe is Vishal Agnihotri, allegedly the beneficial owner of VMoney and 11Starss. He is said to have initially acquired admin access to the betting platform LotusBook under a 5% profit-sharing model. Mr Agnihotri later transferred 4.875% of the profit share to Dhaval Devraj Jain, retaining 0.125% for himself. Further, Mr Jainalong with his associate John States, also known as Pandeyreportedly developed a customised white-label betting platform. This platform was later supplied to Mr Agnihotri to operate 11Starss.in, one of the portals now under investigation. Another central figure named by investigators is Mayur Padya, alias Padya, a known hawala operator. He is suspected of managing substantial cash-based transactions and fund transfers for the betting syndicate. ED officials believe his involvement was crucial to the functioning of the cash-intensive operation. The agency has recovered a range of digital and financial records which are now being analysed to trace the flow of illegal funds. The documents, along with data retrieved from seized electronic devices, may lead to the identification of additional players involved in the operation in India and abroad. The seized cash includes a significant amount of foreign currency, highlighting the cross-border nature of the transactions. Investigators are also probing possible hawala routes used to move money between betting agents, app operators and end users. Dabba trading, the central activity under probe, is an illegal form of off-market trading conducted outside of authorised exchanges like BSE and NSE. These transactions are, typically, settled in cash and offer no legal recourse to investors in case of fraud or dispute. SEBI has repeatedly warned investors against participating in such schemes, classifying dabba trading as unregulated and unlawful. In contrast to grey market tradingwhich involves unofficial deals in actual securitiesdabba trading creates fictitious bets on price movements, with no underlying asset ownership or official trade execution. This makes it a prime vehicle for money laundering, tax evasion and financial fraud. ED says the raids are part of a broader investigation and further actions are expected. Several individuals, including suspected fund handlers, app developers and investors, may be summoned for questioning in the coming days. The agency is working with other law enforcement and regulatory bodies to ensure that the entire networkspanning financial, digital and hawala routesis dismantled. Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) last week issued a damning preliminary order against Jane Street, a New York-based trading firm, accusing it of orchestrating large, synchronised trades across cash, futures & options markets to manipulate equity index levels. The trades allegedly profited Jane Street handsomely while inflicting losses on Indias ever-hopeful retail investors. In righteous indignation, SEBI declared that the integrity of the market and the faith of millions of small investors... can no longer be held hostage to the machinations of such an untrustworthy actor. SEBI has banned Jane Street from Indias securities markets and impounded Rs4,843 crore in alleged unlawful gains. We will watch with interest how the case progresses. The Indian judicial system is notorious for routinely letting "untrustworthy actors' escape due punishment. But what does the episode reveal about Indias derivatives market itself? Popular reformist responses to the Jane Street saga are both predictable and misdirected. Suggestions include beefing up surveillance, raising margin requirements, curbing expiry-day trades and educating retail investors about the risks of options trading. Foreign and domestic traders should be treated equitably in tax matters. All sensiblebut peripheral. Cui Bono? Asking, as Romans would, in a similar situationCui bono (who gained an advantage which can help to identify suspects or motives)the answer becomes clearer. Remember, we have been here before. SEBIs own study from 2025 laid bare a sobering statistic: over 91% of individual traders lost money trading futures and options (F&O) in FY25 The regulatory response? Pop-up warnings on trading platformsa useless daily irritation while logging in. I had mentioned then, nothing will really change for investors because whether traders win or lose, one group always gains: the rent collectors of the stock market system, who also happen to be the rule-makers. The answer to cui bono is in plain sight, not even hiding. According to SEBIs 2023 analysis, in FY21-22, over and above the net trading losses incurred, losers in the group of active traders were out of pocket by an additional 28% of net trading losses as transaction costs. Even active traders making trading profits incurred 50% of such profits as transaction costs! Transaction costs for traders are, in turn, revenues for three entities. Apart from the smart high-frequency traders like Jane Street, this trinitystate, exchange, and regulatorfeeds off the steady churn of hopeful punters in the derivatives market. There are no incentives for meaningful reform. The Central Government: Securities transaction tax (STT) revenues have exploded, from just Rs6,426 crore in FY14-15 to an estimated Rs55,000 crore in FY24-25. More than 40% of this likely stems from F&O trading. That is a compounded annual growth of 24%! Whether a Jane Street games the system or not, or whether 90% of F&O traders lose money or not, the government has been the biggest beneficiary of the F&O casino. The Exchanges: Derivatives are also the golden goose for Indian exchanges, with almost all the money going to the National Stock Exchange (NSE) due to its near-monopoly status. NSE began offering colocation services to high-frequency traders in 2009 and now rakes in colossal revenue from derivativesestimated at Rs15,000 croreRs16,000 crore in FY24-25, accounting for 90% of its total income. Its March-quarter net profit jumped 47%; its dividend, an eye-watering 3,500%. Operating margins stand at a near-cartelistic 78%. In 2015, NSE was racked by a co-location scam and in 2025 it had to be goaded to send a warning letter to Jane Street by SEBI. This Is No Surprise: NSE has every incentive to expand the casino, not regulate it. It has even less of a motivation than ministry of finance (MoF) to cut down on F&O. SEBI: Even the regulator has a stake in the status quo. In FY23-24, SEBI earned Rs1,851 crore from regulatory fees and subscriptions. Of this, Rs1,066 crore came from turnover-based feesdriven largely by the F&O segment which accounts for roughly 90% of total trading turnover. So, the real problem statement is Venture capitalists often ask start-up founders for a crisp 'problem statement' or 'what is the problem you are going to solve?'. What is the problem statement then afflicting the F&O market? It is not how to prevent Jane Street-type of market manipulation, or how to 'protect' innocent traders from losing money. It simply is: what is the socio-economic benefit we are deriving from the current derivatives market? SEBI claims that F&O enables efficient price discovery, improved market liquidity and permits investors to manage risk. I humbly state that it does not do any of this. The cash market runs parallel to the F&O market and, hence, does not aid in price discovery or liquidity and only a small number of investors use F&O for hedging. The rest is socially harmful, speculative froth. In July 2023, stock derivatives volumes were 422 times that of the underlying cash market. In F&O, India has created a standalone, highly speculative market which has catapulted India to the top of the global league tables: NSE is now the worlds largest derivatives exchange by volume; in early 2024, perhaps 84% of all index options trading was occurring in India, according to the Futures Industries Association. Thats a peculiar badge of honour for a poor country where 800mn (million) or 57% of the citizens receive government food rations every month. One might forgive sceptics for wondering if India has built the worlds most energetic casino in the name of financial development. Until India honestly confronts the question of who benefits from its frenzied F&O market, the answer to what to fix will remain elusive. For now, the wheel spins on. (This article first appeared in Business Standard newspaper) The national consumer disputes redressal commission (NCDRC) has ordered Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd, Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt Ltd and the carmaker's Pune-based dealer BU Bhandari Automotive Pvt Ltd to jointly pay Rs10 lakh as compensation to an Aurangabad-based businessman for failing to resolve persistent defects in his high-end Volkswagen Phaeton luxury sedan. In a detailed 55-page order on 14 July 2025, the commission found merit in the complaint filed by HG Jain, who purchased the German marquees luxury model for Rs90.80 lakh in April 2011. The car, touted as Volkswagens answer to Bentley-level comfort, soon began exhibiting serious technical issues, including water leakage from the sunroof and failure of electronic control modules (ECMs). "A customer having purchased a high-end vehicle does expect reasonably good performance and not to visit the garage with the vehicle time and again. It is for this reason that the opposite parties immediately offered a 65% discount on the repair and labour costs. To maintain their own reputation, the opposite parties therefore having come across the defects did attempt to rectify the errors but could not successfully do so. We therefore find that the defects continued as narrated and this deficiency to that extent deserves to be compensated," the NCDRC bench of justice AP Sahi (president) and member Bharatkumar Pandya says. Mr Jain alleged that his Phaeton was sold with glitzy marketing claims and a complementary Volkswagen Beetle (or a credit note of Rs31.6 lakh), but basic functionalities like Bluetooth, navigation and electronics were dysfunctional from the outset. Matters worsened in July 2014 when the car mysteriously started making loud noises on its own, failed to unlock and the engine would not start. Upon inspection, engineers found water had entered the vehicle's floorboard, damaging the ECM located under the passenger side. The car had covered just 17,000km by then. Volkswagen's service teams made multiple failed attempts to repair the car. Despite being under extended warranty, the car remained non-functional for weeks. Mr Jain was eventually told to bear Rs1.8 lakh out of a Rs4.8 lakh repair bill, even after a 'goodwill' discount. Yet, the same issue recurred in January 2015, when water was again found pooled inside the cabin. Volkswagens engineers admitted water leakage through the sunroof due to blocked drainage channels, a known issue in various models globally. The car, which had already spent over 148 days in the workshop, was returned with assurances that the problem had been resolveda claim later disproved by continued technical malfunctions. The NCDRC bench accepted that the Phaeton suffered repeated defects that were never fully resolved, despite repairs and replacements. Though Volkswagen denied a manufacturing defect, it failed to present any expert opinion or counter-evidence. The dealer itself admitted the water leakage through the sunroof, citing dust-clogged drainage. The bench rejected Volkswagens claim that the buyer mishandled the vehicle or delayed maintenance. It held that: A high-end vehicle like the Phaeton is expected to perform well, particularly during its warranty and extended warranty period. The persistent failure in ECMs due to water leakage, poor service response, and continued inconvenience constitute deficiency in service. Mr Jain also accused Volkswagen of selling a 2009-manufactured car as a 2011 model, citing the print date of the owner's manual and vehicle identification number (VIN). However, the commission ruled that since Mr Jain had access to these documents at the time of purchase and accepted a massive credit incentive, he could not claim deception on this count. The bench stated, The purchase of the vehicle was a conscious decision. The allegations about old stock do not stand since the complainant had received the manual with manufacturing details at the time of delivery. Given that the model is no longer in production and the complainant has used the vehicle for over a decade, the commission ruled that replacement was not feasible. However, it directed the opposite parties to jointly and severally pay Rs10 lakh for the harassment, defective performance, and inconvenience suffered. The verdict brings closure to a decade-long legal battle, originally filed in April 2015. (Consumer Complaint NoNC/CC/284/2015 Date: 14 July 2025) Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has directed Heet Manish Bapna, also known as Heet Manish Bafna, proprietor of Standard Chartists, to refund Rs1.11 crore collected from client-investors for offering unregistered investment advisory services. He has also been barred from accessing the securities market for a period of one year. In his order dated 14 July 2025, N Murugan, the quasi-judicial authority of SEBI, underlined that investor confidence is crucial to the functioning of the securities market. He stated that unauthorised investment advice not only harms individual investors but also undermines systemic trust, discourages future participation and obstructs the regulators investor protection framework. The order stems from SEBIs investigation into a complaint filed on 17 November 2021, which alleged that Mr Bapna operated without valid registration and falsely projected Standard Chartists as a SEBI-authorised intermediary. The probe revealed that he had raised funds from clients under the guise of providing advisory services, violating multiple provisions of the SEBI Act, 1992, including those related to fraudulent and unfair trade practices. Initially, SEBI ordered Mr Bapna to refund more than Rs1.94 crore, levied a penalty of Rs5 lakh, and banned him from the market for three years. He challenged the decision before the securities appellate tribunal (SAT), which upheld SEBIs findings but directed the regulator to reassess both the refund amount and the period of debarment. Pursuant to SATs directions dated 10 March 2025, SEBI reviewed the case and issued a fresh order. During the reassessment, Mr Bapna claimed that many bank credits were unrelated to advisory activities and instead pertained to personal or business transactions. SEBI accepted some of his explanations, including Rs2.97 lakh in cash deposits and Rs18.91 lakh in non-cash family transfers. However, a substantial number of claims were rejected due to inadequate documentation. His claim of Rs18.77 lakh in cash from friends and family was dismissed for lack of names, PAN details, or transaction proof. Several declarations were found unreliable as they were notarised in cities where the declarants did not reside. Mr Bapna also failed to substantiate Rs57.22 lakh in online transfers allegedly from friends. Claims of income from online gaming apps were mostly unverifiable, with only Rs8 lakh being accepted as traceable in bank statements. Assertions of Rs8.20 lakh in professional income and Rs2.78 lakh in client advisory fees were largely rejected for inconsistencies and insufficient records. SEBI, however, accepted Rs13 lakh as legitimate loan repayments and Rs74.65 lakh as miscellaneous credits such as interest income and mutual fund redemptions, based on clearly identifiable bank entries. However, Rs1.21 lakh received via Paytm and several other unverified credits were included in the final refund amount as Mr Bapna failed to justify them. Taking all findings into account, SEBI reduced the refund amount to Rs1.11 crore and lowered the market ban to one year. The regulator reiterated that offering investment advice without proper registration is a serious violation of securities laws and advised investors to avoid dealing with unauthorised entities. After nearly five decades of armed insurgency, the PKK has officially ended its armed strugglea turning point not only for Turkiye, but for the entire region. The symbolic arms-laying ceremony held in Sulaymaniyah under the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, where 30 PKK members15 women and 15 menburned their weapons, including Kalashnikovs, RPGs, and other military hardware, signals the beginning of a long-awaited and potentially transformative era. Among them was Bese Hozat, a senior figure and co-chair of the KCK Executive Council. The move came after a direct call from the PKKs founding leader, Abdullah Ocalan, and represents the first concrete step toward closing one of the most violent chapters in Turkiyes modern history. With the guns silenced, attention is now turning to what comes nextpolitically, economically, and socially. A window for peace and development This disarmament opens the door to a new Turkiye, one less burdened by domestic terrorism and more capable of focusing on economic development, reconciliation, and regional diplomacy. As it is often stated, "A Turkiye free from terror." The shift from security-dominated politics to a broader agenda focused on social peace and constructive dialogue marks a significant evolution in national policy. Turkiye, now free from the internal destabilization that plagued it for decades, stands to gain enormously. Delayed infrastructure, energy, and trade projects are expected to accelerate. As terrorism-related risks decline, foreign investment could increase and credit rating agencies may begin to reassess Turkiyes economic stability and growth potential more favorably. In effect, the countrys long-tarnished imagecolored by years of attacks and political volatilitycould transform into that of a secure and promising market. Theres also the potential for a reversal of the brain drain that has long plagued Turkiye. Skilled professionals who once saw no future at home may now reconsider returning, especially if incentives and support are provided. The perception of Turkiye as a place people leave behind could finally be replaced with a vision of a country where young minds can thrive. But peace on paper is not peace in practice. The success of this transition hinges squarely on the political processand on the governments willingness to engage with legitimate Kurdish political demands. The disarmament is not the end of the story; it is the beginning of a fragile and complex transition from violence to dialogue. At the heart of the matter lies the Turkish constitution, which still defines every citizen as Turk regardless of ethnic or cultural identity. This clause has long been a source of contention, particularly for the Kurdish population, who see it as a denial of their identity. Any discussion of autonomy, quotas, or constitutional amendments will inevitably face stiff opposition from nationalist segments of the political spectrum. Nevertheless, a real political settlement is not optional; it is essential. Without it, the risk of backsliding into violence remains. The transformation of the PKK from a banned armed organization into a political entity depends on whether legitimate grievances can be addressed within the framework of law and democratic norms. In this context, the role of the DEM (Democracy and Peoples Equality Party) becomes critical. Their political maneuvering, outreach, and ability to channel Kurdish aspirations into peaceful reform could define the outcome of this transitional phase. Regional dynamics Regional developments, especially in Syria, will also play a pivotal role. If Syrian Kurds are able to reach a stable agreement with the emerging authorities in Damascus, that could ease concerns in Ankara and reduce cross-border tensions. Conversely, instability in northern Syria could once again provide fertile ground for armed groups to resurface, undermining progress made domestically. President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has consistently emphasized the need for a new constitutionone that could, theoretically, lay the groundwork for addressing not only the Kurdish issue but also broader governance challenges. If the promise of such reform materializes, Turkiye could emerge as a stronger, more unified republic. But if it stalls, or worse, is derailed by populist nationalism, the consequences could be severe. The PKKs disarmament is both a victory for peace and a cautionary milestone. It offers a unique opportunity to build a better, more inclusive Turkiye. But it also demands political maturity, legal reform, and an honest reckoning with the past. The fight may be over, but the work is only just beginning. The burden of proof now lies with politics. The possibilities are limitless. While the main focus was to enter a transitional phase, it has now occurred. We should praise this progression. However, caution is necessary in all forms. Kenyas creative community woke up Tuesday to heartbreaking news: Zakaria Kariuki, the quick-witted impressionist better known as KK Mwenyewe, died Monday night while receiving treatment at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital. Friends say the 20-something comedian had been admitted only hours earlier after falling ill. Details of the illness remain private, but his collaborator Kafengo confirmed the loss on Facebook, urging supporters to keep the family in your prayers. We are heartbroken to announce the sudden demise of Zakaria Kariuki a.k.a. Mr KK Mwenyewe. He passed away yesterday evening while undergoing medical attention at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital. During these sad moments, we ask for support and prayers, Kafengo wrote. KKs rise was meteoric. Armed with little more than a phone and a knack for mimicry, he perfected Deputy President-turned-ex-DP Rigathi Gachaguas cadence, turning low-budget skits into viral gold in 2022. He was then a student at Kisii University. Fans loved that the jokes punched up without malice, poking fun at political theatrics while spotlighting everyday struggles. Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah led the tributes, calling the performer a cultural commentator and a brave young patriot. In a Tweet, Omtatah added, Through satire and art, Mr KK courageously held a mirror to society, using humor not to divide, but to awaken, educate, and unite. I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Zakaria Kariuki, popularly known as Mr. KK Mwenyewe, a young and talented comedian whose voice resonated with the spirit of a generation. Through satire and art, Mr. KK courageously held a mirror to society, using humor not to pic.twitter.com/gEtFWyAPjJ Okiya Omtatah Okoiti (@OkiyaOmtatah) July 15, 2025 Fellow comedians recalled a humble talent who never let popularity overshadow craft. KK Mwenyewes death silences a voice that, even in parody, captured the political moment and spoke to a restless generation. Plans for his burial and a public memorial are expected once the family issues a formal announcement. May his light continue to inspire courage and creativity in those he leaves behind, Omtatah wrote. For thousands who laughed along, that legacy is already secure. High Court Judge Chacha Mwita has rejected an attempt by London-based activist Eliud Matindi to stop Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Eliud Kipkoech Lagat from returning to office or carrying out his official duties. Matindi had filed a petition seeking conservatory orders to block the DIG from resuming his role until the court hears and determines the case. He also asked the court to stop Lagats personal assistant, Patrick Tito, from stepping in to handle the DIGs responsibilities during his temporary absence. The activist argued that it was unlawful for DIG Lagat to delegate his duties to Tito through a letter dated June 16, 2025, following the death of blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang. In his sworn affidavit, activist Matindi argued that the Constitution allows for only one Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Kenya Police Service at any given time, whether permanently appointed under Article 245(3) or temporarily in an acting capacity under Article 246(3)(a). Matindi also seeks a court order to bar Patrick Tito, Lagats personal assistant, from performing any functions of the DIG as outlined in Section 23 of the National Police Service Act. He referenced a letter dated June 16, 2025, issued by DIG Lagat, which authorized Tito to step in during his absence. Pending the hearing and determination of this application, an order be issued prohibiting the 2nd interested party, Patrick Tito, from carrying out any functions of Deputy Inspector General, Kenya Police Service (NPS), as set out in Section 23 of the National Police Service Act, the petition reads. Matindi maintains that the letter unlawfully delegates the powers and responsibilities of the DIG, directly contradicting provisions of the National Police Service Act. Justice Mwita Orders DIG Lagat and AG to Respond to Petition Within 7 Days On Monday, July 14, 2025, Justice Mwita directed DIG Lagat, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to file their responses to the petition within seven days. However, DIG Lagat, through his lawyer Cecil Miller alongside the Attorney General and the NPSC, requested an extension, asking the court to grant them 14 days to submit their responses. They also urged the judge to hold off on issuing any conservatory orders until they had fully responded to the claims raised in the petition. Justice Chacha Mwita rejected the request for more time, insisting that all parties had been properly served with the petition. He pointed out that activist Matindi had already effected substituted service by publishing a notice in a local newspaper on July 4, 2025. You cannot say you (the AG) have not been served with the pleadings in this suit, yet there was an advertisement made in a local newspaper on July 4, 2025, the judge stated. Justice Mwita made it clear that all respondents must file their responses before the court can take any further steps. He scheduled the next directions on the matter for July 23, 2025. Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi has presented himself as the solution to Kenyas deep-rooted problems, declaring that the country has grown weary of constant political theatrics. During a live television interview on Monday, July 14, 2025, Matiangi stated that he was ready to roll up his sleeves and repair broken systems. His eyes fixed on the presidency in the 2027 elections, he declared that tangible change is possible if leaders regain trust and stay focused on serving the people. He added that Kenyans are now more mature and are willing to entrust leadership to people who have a record of delivery. I believe we have come to a point where Kenyans are tired of this drama. Its time to get some work done, and if people are looking to get some work done, honestly, I am the guy to get things fixed. I am the guy to do the work. Lets get to doing now and fix things, he stated. The former powerful CS under President Uhuru Kenyattas administration called for a radical shift in leadership culture, urging a return to trust, integrity, and service delivery. Matiangi said Kenya needs leaders who are committed to honest governance and meaningful action. What this country needs is a trust in leadership and honesty in the delivery of services. Kenyans are ready to build a team and work with people who can deliver. I am all about delivery and ensuring that when we wake up in the morning, we deliver to the people. I am about better and honest management of our country, he remaked. Matiangi Identifies Politicisation of Public Services as Key Problem Matiangi at the same time decried the politicisation of public services and the chaos within institutions tasked with serving Kenyans. He argued that many of the countrys challenges stem not from a lack of funding, but from poor decision-making and weak leadership. The challenge we face is the politicisation of services and disorganisation of people tasked with offering services, and the infiltration of politics in these areas. Half of our problems have nothing to do with budget and resources, but with decisions and management. I believe if we bring Kenyans together and build trust with them, there is nothing we cannot achieve, he stated. Matiangi also addressed claims that he is harsh, explaining that he is a results-oriented leader which is often misconstrud wrongly. I acknowledge that when you are in public life, then citizens see and know you and are well placed to make judgments on someone. So I will not fault the people saying I am a harsh leader, he opined. Matiangi Slams Kenyas Talk-Heavy Politics, Vows Results-Driven Leadership He says that, unlike many leaders who abound in empty talk, commitment to the course is his modus operandi. Matiangi lambasted Kenyas talk-centric leadership culture where the country has been accustomed to leaders who make grand promises but do not deliver. He added that people who prioritize action and delivery are often and unfairly labeled as tough. But in Kenya, for a long time, we have become used to leaders who talk a lot. Those leaders who stress delivery and getting work done are perceived as harsh. For me, I am that person. If we are working on something, then we have to do it, and the result of the work is seen, he stated. He added leadership has to be measured on solid results, not rhetoric. He cast himself as someone who stays focused on the task at hand, unflappable in the face of distractions or personal attacks. Sometimes leadership is all about getting results. You can stand and say, While was there, I did this. So I am a person who focuses on the job. If it is about being harsh, it is because I always insist on results. If it is about being proud, I dont know about that. I only know I am not easily distracted, he added. The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) intends to raise Kenyas legal drinking age from 18 to 21 in an effort to stem the rising tide of alcohol and drug misuse among the youth. This fresh development is contained in the newly signed 2025 National Policy on Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse, adopted by the Cabinet on June 24. The policy provides for a string of wide-reaching reforms to enhance control over access, marketing, and sale of alcohol in the country. Nacada revealed that the new plan is intended to steer a coordinated and organized national response to addressing the growing substance abuse problem. The proposal to raise the legal drinking age to 21 is a well-informed prevention strategy grounded in scientific research, public health best practices, and evidence from global success stories, NACADA explained. Nacada backed its proposal to raise the legal drinking age with research showing that delaying alcohol use among young people significantly lowers the risk of addiction, brain damage, and risky behaviour. The brain continues developing until the mid-20s, the Authority noted. The authority also cited foreign models, mentioning countries like the United States with a 21-year-old legal drinking age as examples. These countries, Nacada clarified, have lower rates of underage drinking, fewer drunken-driving deaths, and less alcohol-related harm than countries with lower drinking ages. Online Alcohol Sales, Celebrity Ads Banned Under a nationwide crackdown on underage drinking, the government will ban all online purchases of alcohol, from buying it from mobile apps and dispensing machines. Home delivery of alcohol will also be outlawed, a move Nacada says targets one of the biggest avenues minors use to access alcohol. The online space has become a loophole. Teenagers are ordering alcohol from their phones and getting it delivered to their homes. This must stop, Nacada stated. The new policy will also introduce strict zoning laws to minimize alcohol availability in sensitive areas. Under the proposed rules, no bar or liquor store will be allowed within 300 meters of schools, churches, or residential neighborhoods. Additionally, the policy takes aim at alcohol marketing. Celebrities will be banned from advertising or promoting alcohol brands, and alcohol adverts will not be screened during childrens television shows, school events, or national holidays. Celebrity endorsements have a big influence on young people. We are removing that pressure and glamorisation, Nacada emphasized. To ensure the reforms take root, Nacada will engage with the county governments, police units, and local leaders to roll out the changes across the country. This is not just a policy on paper. It is a call to action at all levels, Nacada emphasized. We are losing too many young people, and these reforms are necessary to save lives. The policy comes in response to alarming statistics from Nacadas 2025 national survey, which revealed that around 13 percent of Kenyans aged 15 to 65, an estimated 4.7 million people, consume alcohol. The highest rates were recorded among young adults aged 18 to 24. Even more concerning, the survey found that 87.3 percent of university students in Kenya use alcohol, with many accessing drugs through friends, campus canteens, and neighborhood bars. Authorities in India have arrested a Kenyan woman for allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine into the country. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested the 43-year-old woman Sunday. The woman had ingested six tablets containing cocaine that she was to handover to someone in the city before she was apprehended by DRI. An official said the accused, identified as Florence Indangasi, was flying from Nairobi to Mumbai and reached Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Friday morning when she was apprehended based on intelligence. The DRI conducted searches in her baggage and clothes. However, nothing was found. DRI officials said that on interrogation she said she had consumed six tablets containing narcotics following which she was admitted to the JJ hospital after authorities got permission from Esplanade court. A total of six capsules in pellet form were retrieved from her digestive system with analysis confirming that the capsules contained a total of 665.5 grams of cocaine in powder form. Indangasi was booked under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and placed under arrest. An official said they are now trying to find out who was to receive the particular consignment from her. It appears she was a part of a wider drug smuggling racket operating from Kenya, the official added. This comes barely four months after another Kenyan woman was arrested in India at the same Mumbai airport for allegedly smuggling 1.7 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated value of Ksh268 million. Political commentator Willis Otieno has taken a direct swipe at Kenyas veteran political class, saying the country must move on from legacy politicians. In a Monday, July 14, 2025, comment, Otieno described the veteran leaders as a drag on the country, accusing them of decades of betrayal, corruption, and rhetoric. Legacy politicians are the dead weight holding this country back. Theyve recycled themselves through every regime, switching parties like underwear, clinging to power with nothing to show but scandals, land grabs, and broken promises, he said. Otieno called for a clean break with the past, arguing that real progress will only be achieved when new, accountable leadership takes the reins. The outspoken lawyer dismissed the notion that veteran politicians offer valuable experience, arguing instead that their so-called expertise lies in looting, lying, and exploiting tribal divisions to maintain power and relevance. They speak of experience, but its experience in looting, lying, and manipulating tribal divisions. They had their time. They built nothing. Now they want to block the future too. We owe them nothing ; not loyalty, not silence, not another minute, Otieno said. Youth Must Reject Political Rot He opined that Kenyas political rebirth cannot be founded on waiting for natural attrition or graceful retirements. Instead, he posited, it needs decisive action to break the stranglehold of a generation that has failed to deliver tangible change. Willis urged Kenyas youth and progressive elements to rise up and reject the political establishment, not just at the ballot, but in public debate and day-to-day activism. If Kenya is to rise, the era of legacy politicians must end. Not politely. Not gradually. But decisively, at the ballot, in the streets, and in the minds of a new generation that refuses to inherit rot, he declared. He also warned that the greatest threat to democracy isnt always the old political elite, but the unchecked nature of power itself even when held by former liberators. The danger with revolutions is not just the old guard; it is that todays liberator can become tomorrows tyrant. History is replete with movements that removed oppressive regimes only to replicate the same structures of domination under new names and fresh faces, Otieno cautioned. After talks with Pashinyan in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron staged a show of positivity. His Twitter feed became a celebration of peace, love, and friendship: Macron expressed support for peace between Baku and Yerevan and spoke about "a new page in the history of the region." "The signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan as soon as possible will open a new chapter for all countries and peoples of the region and beyond," Macron wrote. But not a word about how he previously disrupted these negotiations how he provoked Baku and put that very "new chapter" at risk. Lets be clear: it was without intermediaries, especially Macron, that Azerbaijan and Armenia made real progress. In fact, it's ONLY possible to negotiate WITHOUT intermediaries. The moment "helpers" like the French president stepped away, talks began to move forward. And every time so-called "moderators" who claimed to care about the regions future got involved, the negotiations stalled. Now, with Baku and Yerevan close to finalizing an agreement, political outsiders like Macron are trying to insert themselves into the process. To Macron and others: if you truly want to help stay quiet and dont get in the way. Former Interior CS Fred Matiangi weighed in on the recent wave of protests and violence across the country, claiming that elements within the government maybe fueling the unrest. Speaking during a live interview with Kameme TV on Monday, July 14, 2025, Matiangi said he has credible information suggesting that some of the individuals behind the chaos are being sponsored by government leaders. The information we have is that some of the goons were probably planned by leaders from the government. I was an interior minister for five years, and I am not speaking in jest. I know and understand the government like the back of my hand, having been in there for some years, he said. Matiangi challenged the government to take responsibility and act decisively instead of engaging in a blame game with the opposition. This chaos we are witnessing of people going around and terrorising Kenyans, you cannot tell me the government doesnt know what is happening. Which government can say it doesnt know what is happening? For a long time in Kenya, we have been saying the government has a long arm. Where has it gone now? he posed. Matiangi Rejects Railas Conclave Plan The 2027 presidential hopeful at the same time dismissed Raila Odingas proposal for a national conclave, cautioning that any dialogue will be meaningless unless it genuinely addresses the frustrations of Kenyas youth. In a candid assessment of the Gen Z-led public outcry, Matiangi said the younger generation has spoken with clarity and consistency, accusing President William Rutos administration of ignoring their voices and failing to confront what many see as a deepening national crisis. For any democratically elected government, they have to listen and robustly engage the youth, Matiangi said during a live interview. While he acknowledged that a national dialogue would not be a bad thing, he made sure to point out that the essential question is if the government is actually ready to do something that will lead to real change. The youth are saying that your government has not listened. These are not just complaints; these are cries rooted in economic hardship, systemic neglect, and exclusion, he stated. Matiangi pointed to the 2024 Gen Zled protests as as a clear indication of the widening rift between President Rutos administration and the youth of the country. He described the Parliament storming on June 25, 2024, as an avoidable outcome of a system that failed and poorer engagement with the youth. If you were to write a manifesto out of the Gen Z uprising, you would outline several things; one is that Gen Zs voice is not being heard, he said. He argued that the crisis would not have occurred during his tenure in office, laying the blame on government failure due to weak state intelligence and a lack of forward-thinking youth inclusion. How Many Lives Must Be Lost? Matiangi Presses Ruto on Youth Demands Matiangi also criticized the manner in which the government reacted to the aftermath of the demonstrations. He recalled President Rutos second public address following the mayhem, which was one of hope and a call to conciliation, and the promises and an open discourse. The presidents second speech was hopeful, but it hasnt happened, and we had another riot, he said. Matiangi also warned that the failure by the government to honor its own promises, particularly those made after the Gen Z protests, has further deteriorated the publics distrust and solidified the growing perception that the government is out of touch with citizens. He called on the government to move beyond tokenism and make a commitment to real, inclusive dialogue. Ma cautioned that the proposed national conclave will be a failure if it does not incorporate real youth voices and lacks a visible path to real reform. He also put forward the point that the unrest transgresses party politics, calling on leaders to act with humanity, not partisanship. Whatever side of the political divide you are on, these issues need to be addressed. This is not about parties. It is about people, he said. Matiangi appealed to the state to uphold the right to protest and urged security forces to handle demonstrations with restraint. Please do not turn your weapons on your fellow citizens exercise restraint and sobriety, he pleaded. The former Education CSalso made a direct appeal to President Ruto and his closest circle to relax their positions and heed the peoples growing demands for justice, reforms, and accountability. I urge the government not to harden its heart but to genuinely listen to the citizens cry for justice and reform, he said. Matiangi warned that continued political deafness would come at a steep cost. How many lives are we going to lose before we start listening to each other? he posed. He insisted that unless the government rebuilds trust and adopts inclusive, responsive governance, Kenya could face a prolonged period of unrest, disillusionment, and missed opportunities for national progress. Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU) and DCI Changamwe detectives arrested two suspects in Mombasa for child exploitation and online solicitation. Following intelligence leads, police officers nabbed 41-year-old Regina Kauli Munyoki who had allegedly been using a dating website AfroIntroductions operated by Cupid Media to market her three children aged 13, 7, and 4 years old (two girls and one boy) for sexual exploitation. Investigations revealed that Regina was making money by uploading sexually explicit content with her children and selling them to willing customers for money. Disturbingly, it was also established that her husband, Isaiah Owala Gura, 52 years old, had been serially defiling their 13-year-old daughter since she was 11 years old. Through forensic leads, the suspects were tracked and arrested. They were later produced before Mombasa Law Courts, where Regina was freed on a Ksh1 million bond, with two sureties of the same amount. Isaiah remained in custody at Shanzu Prisons awaiting a ruling for a bond today, July 15, 2025 Motorists using Jogoo Road and Nyasa Road in Nairobi will experience a four-day traffic disruption from this Friday when the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) begins necessary drainage improvement works. In a public notice issued on Monday, July 14, KURA announced that both roads will be temporarily closed from 10:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18, to 11:00 p.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025. The closure will allow for the installation of a culvert, a key part of the authoritys ongoing efforts to modernize Nairobis road infrastructure and improve urban drainage. KURA is appealing to drivers and road users to exercise caution, obey road signs, and adhere to the instructions of officers on site during the construction period. Kenya Urban Roads Authority seeks to inform the general public of a temporary traffic disruption along Jogoo Road and Nyasa Road from 10:00 PM on Friday, 18th July 2025 to 11:00 PM on Monday, 21st July 2025, read the notice. To ease traffic flow and reduce inconveniences, KURA has deployed police officers and traffic marshals to guide road users and divert them through diversion roads. The authority once again confirmed that safety is always paramount and encouraged the public to report any issues through its official channels. Motorists are advised to exercise caution when approaching the affected section and to follow all road signs provided. Police officers and traffic marshals will be on site to ensure a smooth flow of traffic, the Authority said. KURA also highlighted the importance of such infrastructure projects in line with Nairobis rapid urban growth, saying they are essential for easing congestion and ensuring safer roads. As the city continues to expand, KURA reaffirmed its commitment to delivering reliable, efficient, and sustainable urban transport solutions to meet Nairobis growing mobility needs. By Akbar Novruz The Baku Court Complex has commenced hearings on the criminal case of Ruben Vardanyan, who faces multiple charges, including violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, and financing terrorism. The trial is being presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev of the Baku Military Court. Victim testimonies in the case were heard during the previous session. Vardanyan stands accused under a broad range of articles in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including: Article 100 Planning and waging a war of aggression Article 107 Deportation or forcible transfer of population Article 109 Persecution Article 112 Deprivation of liberty contrary to international law Article 113 Torture Article 114 Mercenarism Article 115 Violation of the laws and customs of war Article 116 Violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict Article 214 Terrorism Article 214-1 Financing of terrorism In addition to these, Vardanyan is also charged with: Article 218 Creation of a criminal association (organization) Article 228 Illegal possession and trafficking of weapons and explosives Article 270-1 Acts threatening aviation safety Article 278 Forcible seizure and retention of power, attempts to alter the constitutional order Article 279 Creation of illegal armed groups Article 318 Illegal crossing of Azerbaijans state border The charges stem from his alleged actions during the period of Armenias occupation of Azerbaijani territories. The trial is expected to continue with the presentation of further evidence and witness accounts in the coming sessions. From peasant uprising to industrial revolution: hero's hometown revived Xinhua) 08:22, July 15, 2025 An aerial drone photo shows Peng Pai's former residence at Shanwei, a coastal city in south China's Guangdong Province, May 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo) GUANGZHOU, July 14 (Xinhua) -- When tourists arrive at Shanwei, a coastal city in south China's Guangdong Province, they quickly notice that red is everywhere. In what is known as the city's red block, the upper facades of street-side shops selling fish maw, eyeglasses and savory Chinese pancakes are painted in red, accented with touches of yellow -- echoing the colors of the flag of the Communist Party of China. Shanwei is a famous "red land." It is the birthplace of China's first Soviet government, the Hai-lu-feng Soviet, established in 1927, and also the hometown of Peng Pai, a Communist hero who led the founding of the government, hailed by Mao Zedong as the "king of peasant uprisings." Today, locals still recount the stories of Peng. Despite being born into a wealthy landowning family, he burned the land deeds to give his lands to farmers after he accepted Marxism. He mobilized countless peasants to join the revolutionary cause before his execution at the age of 33. Peng's rebellion and boldness are regarded as a reflection of the Shanwei people's fearless spirit and strong perseverance. "Peng's dream was to build a new world where the country would become strong and the people could live a happy life. As offspring, we have inherited his legacy," a senior official of the Shanwei government told Xinhua. One example is the achievement of Peng Shilu, the son of Peng Pai. He was arrested after his father's death, but was rescued and sent to the revolutionary base in Yan'an for education. Later, he was sent to study in the Soviet Union. After returning to China, Peng Shilu devoted his life to the nation's nuclear enterprise and was eventually hailed as the "father of China's nuclear submarines." Another prominent Chinese nuclear submarine designer, Huang Xuhua, was also born in Shanwei. Before his passing in February 2025, Huang's story had been widely covered by the media, including a TV drama adaptation that aired in 2021. However, despite being located in the economically developed province of Guangdong and adjacent to the bustling city of Shenzhen, Shanwei struggled to reach such lofty development heights, and historically had a high concentration of underprivileged residents. Until December 2013, there was not even a railway leading to the city. In order to realize Peng Pai's dream, Shanwei's officials went above and beyond painting the streets red, and worked hard to develop the economy. "We have accelerated industrial project implementation and construction by offering proactive, service-oriented governance," said Chen Jianhua, director of the municipal development and reform bureau of Shanwei. He noted that Shanwei has benefited from high-tech business production transferred from bigger cities, adding that the city had been focusing on the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, attracting upstream and downstream enterprises to establish itself as a major hub for NEVs. One notable example is the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone, established in 2011 under the cooperation between Shanwei and Shenzhen. Located in Shanwei, the zone has become a key hub for the NEV industry, with Shenzhen-based NEV giant BYD and around 30 companies in the NEV supply chain. According to the official Shenzhen Special Zone Daily, BYD's auto industrial park within the zone had secured total contracted investment exceeding 31.5 billion yuan (about 4.4 billion U.S. dollars) as of February 2025. Following the signing of a construction agreement for the park's fourth phase in November 2024, its total annual output value is projected to exceed 200 billion yuan once all four phases are fully completed and operational. Previously, some investors doubted Shanwei's ability to complete the construction in the industrial park within the specified time. But the hard-working local people completed the task ahead of the scheduled deadline. At the same time, Shanwei has developed itself into a major clean energy supply hub for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area through the development of wind power. The city has the world's largest 18-megawatt offshore wind turbine and the largest 16-megawatt floating offshore wind turbine. By the end of 2024, new energy accounted for nearly 30 percent of the city's total installed power generation capacity, reaching 9.17 million kilowatts. The city has also upgraded its ports to accommodate large container ships. The development of new energy and new ports has therefore attracted more partners who hope to export their products to the European Union to invest in the city. Between 2020 and 2024, Shanwei recorded an average annual GDP growth rate of 5.5 percent, outperforming any other city in the province during the period. Chen said the city was evolving into a key focal point on China's eastern coastline. "With its tradition of bold innovation, Shanwei is striving to transform from a revolutionary base area into a modern industrial stronghold," he added. This also reflects the changes happening in China, a country that is striving for modernization. The economic boom has drawn back many Shanwei natives, who had once left to seek opportunities elsewhere, with renewed hope. Liu Dejiang, 37, came back to Shanwei to open a coffee shop in 2022, after closing a clothing business that he had run for over 10 years in Guangzhou due to market changes. Now he owns eight outlets in operation or under preparation in Shanwei. The first outlet was constructed on the site of an abandoned abalone farm at a beach in Shanwei's Red Bay. Liu named it "Floating Sun Hideaway," inspired by its impressive sunset view. What happened next, Liu describes, was a "breakout." Young people flocked in to take pictures to share on social media, attracting more visitors to check in. Some even came from as far away as Beijing or Chongqing. "We have benefited from Shanwei's rural revitalization efforts that have renovated the environment of villages in the city's suburbs," Liu said. To attract vacationers, the local government has removed a number of aquaculture farms, set up water purification facilities, launched regular cleanups of coastlines, and invited artists to create paintings on the facades along the seaside street, incorporating ocean-themed elements such as whales and sailboats. At a corner of the Red Bay beach, a stone monument inscribed with the words "Beautiful Red Bay," penned by nuclear submarine designer Huang Xuhua, is a tourist's photo favorite. Indeed, Red Bay has made a name for itself among the younger generation. "I decided to come here after reading some reviews of this place on 'rednote,' and I found it to be super photogenic. I will definitely come again," said Cai Jinhan, a 20-year-old female who traveled to Red Bay from another city in Guangdong. "It's hard to imagine how far young people today are willing to go just to capture the perfect photo," Liu said. In 2024, Shanwei received over 9.5 million tourist visits, a 15.1 percent increase from the previous year, with its tourism revenue exceeding 10 billion yuan for the first time. Meanwhile, the city's permanent population increased by nearly 10,000 from 2023, marking the second consecutive year of positive population growth. Liu has become the chairman of the newly established Shanwei Young People Entrepreneurship Association, which has over 80 members, all of whom are Shanwei natives returning to start businesses, ranging from tourism to fruit processing. It provides regular entrepreneurship counseling services and gives lectures in local colleges. "With an improving business environment and more support for businesses in Shanwei, we hope to work together to contribute to rural revitalization and achieve further development," he said. Peng Pai's statue is pictured at Shanwei, a coastal city in south China's Guangdong Province, May 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo) Tourists relax at a coffee shop in the Red Bay beach of Shanwei, a coastal city in south China's Guangdong Province, May 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) By Akbar Novruz United States President Donald Trump could allow Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles for strikes deep into Russia's territory, the Washington Post reported, citing people familiar with his plans. According to the source, Trump's newly announced military assistance to Kiev will be worth $10 billion and may include authorization to use the 18 ATACMS missiles already in Ukraine at their full range of 300 kilometers, as well as more ATACMS missile supplies to Kiev. On Monday, Trump announced that the US will send Ukraine Patriot missile systems that will be funded by NATO. However, as the source said, Tomahawk missiles are not yet included in the list of supplies. They may be delivered later if Trump wants to have even more leverage. The source said that Trump's determination to pressure Putin was conveyed in a conversation last week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump asked Zelenskyy why he had not struck Moscow. "We can, if you give us the weapons," Zelenskyy replied. Trump said that Ukraine should put more pressure on Putin, targeting not only Moscow but also St Petersburg. Discussions at the White House also touched on the fact that military aid could also include permission for some new, powerful offensive weapons. The source said that this likely includes permission to use 18 long-range ATACMS missiles, which are currently in Ukraine, with a full range of 300 kilometres. They will not reach Moscow or St Petersburg, but they can strike military bases, airfields and supply depots deep inside Russia that are currently out of reach. The package may also include a larger number of ATACMS missiles. Pentagon officials have been calling for deeper strikes against Russia using ATACMS for several months. Every time the range limit was increased, the Russians simply moved their aircraft and other equipment beyond the reach of the Ukrainians. Trump decided to escalate for three reasons, according to a source familiar with the discussions within the administration. First, he believed that Putin did not respect him, imitating a willingness to make peace but ignoring the US president's call for a ceasefire. Second, he saw the effectiveness of the US military force in the use of B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles against Iran. And third, he believed that Putin would only agree to negotiations under the threat of greater force. As the Russians like to say, Trump decided to "escalate to de-escalate". Tesla is all set to mark its official entry into the Indian market with the launch of its first showroom in the country. The electric vehicle (EV) giant will open its India showroom on Tuesday morning at the Maker Maxity Mall in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai. https://x.com/Tesla_India/status/1943709271859806465 Earlier, Tesla on Friday through its India-focused X (formerly Twitter) handle posted a teaser that read "Coming soon," along with a graphic that indicated Tesla''s presence in India would begin this month, July 2025. While there has been much speculation around Tesla''s plans for India, Union Minister for Heavy Industries, H.D. Kumaraswamy, had earlier clarified in June that Tesla is currently not interested in manufacturing vehicles in India. "They want to sell their car in India. There is no further development about Tesla," Kumaraswamy had said during a media interaction. He confirmed that Tesla is only interested in opening showrooms in India for now. Earlier reports had suggested that Tesla was keen to import its vehicles into the country and sell them through its showrooms, rather than establishing manufacturing facilities. However, the company has maintained a quiet stance about its detailed operational strategy for India. In a significant move earlier this year, Tesla began its hiring process in India, indicating the company''s preparations for entering the domestic market were gaining pace. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had previously expressed interest in investing in India, but he had also pointed out that high import duties were a major hurdle. However, India''s new EV policy, which was announced recently, offered reduced import duties and additional incentives to attract global EV manufacturers, potentially paving the way for Tesla''s entry. In April this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Elon Musk and discussed opportunities for collaboration in technology and innovation. PM Modi had also met Musk earlier in February during his visit to the United States. With the launch of its first showroom in Mumbai, Tesla is expected to test the Indian market and build a base for its premium electric vehicles in one of the world''s fastest-growing automobile markets. (ANI) India's export data for the month of June 2025 will be released later in the day. Amid Iran-Israel hostilities that ended in a ceasefire, uncertainties on US tariffs and a relative spike in global crude prices are likely to have an impact on June trade data. In May 2025, India's overall exports, merchandise and services combined, were reported at USD 71.12 billion, marking a 2.77 per cent rise on a yearly basis. The total exports in May 2024 were pegged at USD 69.20 billion. Exports of merchandise goods declined from USD 39.59 billion to USD 38.73 billion, but services exports rose from USD 29.61 billion to USD 32.39 billion in May 2025. However, India imported goods and services worth USD 77.75 billion in May 2025, down from USD 78.55 billion in the same month last year. The trade deficit in May narrowed to USD 6.62 billion from USD 9.35 billion same month last year. So far in FY2025-26, April-May, India's total exports stood at around USD 142.43 billion, up 5.75 per cent year-on-year. The country's imports also increased year-on-year in April-May, up by 6.52 per cent. Overall imports, both merchandise and services combined, during April-May increased from USD 149.81 billion to USD 157.57 billion. India's merchandise imports stood at USD 60.61 billion in May 2025, according to official data. As of approximately 8:45 am on July 15, a Probo event contract tracking June's merchandise imports figures--featuring over 2,300 active traders--assigns a 40 per cent probability that merchandise imports for June 2025 will be USD 60 billion or more. India's total exports have touched an all-time high of USD 824.9 billion in the recently concluded financial year 2024-25. This marks a yearly growth of 6.01 per cent over USD 778.1 billion exports in 2023-24, setting a new annual milestone. Among various steps the government took to increase exports include the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in 14 sectors, including electronic goods, telecom, EVs battery to name a few. The PLI scheme was launched to make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investments, enhance exports, integrate India into the global supply chain and reduce dependency on imports. These seemed to have reaped dividends for rising exports. The government has set a target of USD 1 trillion of exports in the current financial year 2025-26. The government is signing free trade agreements (FTA) with various countries to boost exports. The most recent FTA was signed with the United Kingdom and the UAE. Speaking at the CII Summit on Monday, Commerce and Industry Secretary Sunil Barthwal said that government's priority is enabling global capability centres (GCC), and FTAs will play a major role in that. "Manufacturing comparative advantage is no longer the benchmark for trade among nations. With the service sector expanding its niche and GCC's becoming a hub for providing services to manufacturing companies, FTAs have become a very critical enabler of the GCC ecosystem". Reiterating the importance of FTAs, Barthwal noted that the "India-UK" FTA has a special chapter on Innovation, thereby strengthening innovation corridors between partner countries. He further added that FTAs ensure regulatory practices and institutional mechanisms between two sets of partners that can be harmonized and sustained. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], July 15: Florian Spa N Salon, founded by Dr. Archana Jain, is a renowned beauty and wellness center offering a wide range of services for hair, skin, and body. With multiple locations in Mumbai and Chennai, the salon provides top-notch beauty services, including massages, makeup, and hair care, catering to both men , women and kids. Services and Features: * Hair Care: treatments, styling, and colouring* Skin Care: facials, waxing, and other treatments* Body Care: massages, body wraps, and more* Makeup: services for special occasions and everyday looks* Body Spa & Massages: designed to release tension, improve circulation, and promote deep relaxation* Revitalizing Facials: utilizing natural ingredients and innovative techniques to brighten complexion and restore skin's natural radiance. What Sets Florian Spa N Salon Apart - * Authentic Spa Experience: therapists trained in traditional and western techniques using Essential oils and natural ingredients* Holistic Approach: treatments designed to promote overall wellness, addressing physical and mental well-being* Personalized Treatments: bespoke services tailored to individual needs and concerns* Variety of Services: offering different ranges of services with a range of products Unique Services * Skin Treatments: RF Omega light, Peel off mask, Charcoal Bamboo Facials, Facial shots, etc.* Hair Treatments: Protein lust treatment, Argan oil Hair Botox, Range of Hair spa, etc.* Manicure and Pedicure: Wine, Pina Colada, Candle, Dark Chocolate, etc.* Fire Haircut: for those who want to try something adventurous Benefits of Visiting Florian Spa N Salon * Stress Reduction: relaxing therapies to improve mental clarity* Boost Confidence: enhance natural beauty and boost self-confidence* Improved Well-being: regular spa treatments can significantly improve overall well-being, leading to increased focus and productivity. Locations and Contact : * Mumbai: Sion Circle, Sion (East), Near Movie Max Cinema - Contact: 02235115813* Chennai: No. 222/14, Plot No. 20, G.S.T. Road Near By Sangeetha and Honey Spice Restaurant Upstairs of Dominos, Urapakkam - Phone Number: 096772 88988 (Chennai), 022 2409 3855 (Mumbai)* Website: https://www.florianspansalon.com/ Franchise Opportunities : Florian Spa N Salon offers franchise opportunities for those looking to expand their wings in the wellness industry. If you're interested in being part of a bright future industry, you can get in touch on 9029302333. Customer Reviews : Florian Spa N Salon has received positive reviews for its excellent service, hygienic environment, and polite staff. Overall, the salon has a rating of 4.5 stars on various platforms. Whether you're looking for a relaxing massage, a rejuvenating facial, or a complete transformation, Florian Spa N Salon is an excellent choice for those seeking a holistic approach to beauty and wellness. So, explore the rejuvenating world at Florian Spa N Salon and experience the best of beauty and wellness under one roof. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday inaugurated the 'Tesla Experience Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai and welcomed Tesla's arrival to India.The minister said, "I welcome Tesla here in Mumbai. Tesla has opened an experience centre here, and it is a statement that Tesla has arrived and it's a statement they Tesla has arrived in the right city and right state." "It is a matter of great joy for us that Tesla has launched its first experience in India in Mumbai. Tesla is establishing a logistics and servicing system here. Four big charging stations are also being established by them. I am happy that Tesla chose Maharashtra as the state has become a leader in electric mobility. Tesla is launching its Model Y in India. Maharashtra has the most dynamic electric mobility. policy...I believe Maharashtra will be a preferred destination when they decide to do manufacturing in India," he added.During the inauguration of the Tesla Experience Centre, Devendra Fadnavis also highlighted the company's global recognition. "Tesla is not just a car or a car company, it is all about design, innovation and sustainability, for which Tesla stands as a testament, and I think that is a one and only reason it is loved globally," he said.The Chief Minister also mentioned the rising demand for electric Mobility in Maharashtra and India. He noted, "We have now in India and especially in Maharashtra, a very big and robust market for electric mobility, we are also a manufacturing hub of electric mobility now, but I think Tesla is going to change the entire market."Towards the end of his speech, the CM assured that "Mumbai and Maharashtra are going to treat Tesla well.... consider us as partners of your (Tesla) journey." Earlier reports had suggested that Tesla was keen to import its vehicles into the country and sell them through its showrooms, rather than establishing manufacturing facilities. However, the company has maintained a quiet stance about its detailed operational strategy for India. In a significant move earlier this year, Tesla began its hiring process in India, indicating the company's preparations for entering the domestic market were gaining pace. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had previously expressed interest in investing in India, but he had also pointed out that high import duties were a major hurdle.However, India's new EV policy, which was announced recently, offered reduced import duties and additional incentives to attract global EV manufacturers, potentially paving the way for Tesla's entry.In April this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Elon Musk and discussed opportunities for collaboration in technology and innovation. PM Modi had also met Musk earlier in February during his visit to the United States.With the launch of its first showroom in Mumbai, Tesla is expected to test the Indian market and build a base for its premium electric vehicles in one of the world's fastest-growing automobile markets. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], July 15: FNP (Ferns N Petals), India's most loved gifting brand and the undisputed leader in Rakhi retail, proudly announces the launch of its 2025 Rakhi collection - a thoughtfully curated showcase of tradition, innovation, and heartfelt storytelling. Every year, FNP sets the benchmark for festive gifting, and this year's Rakhi range is no exception. Featuring thousands of designs, the 2025 collection includes everything from timeless classics and elegant Kundan work to quirky, Gen Z-inspired creations, personalized rakhis, and even jewellery-style rakhis that double up as keepsakes -- all crafted to offer the best of value in a premium package. "Our 2025 Rakhi collection is designed to reflect the evolving ways siblings express love today - sometimes with a laugh, sometimes with nostalgia, but always with emotion," said Pawan Gadia, Global CEO & Director, FNP. "With 30+ years of experience and a pulse on consumer sentiment, we've built a range that is both beautiful and deeply personal." What's new this year? Designer Collections: From Polki and Pearl finishes to dome-style spiritual rakhis and kids' toy rakhis New-Age Formats: Rakhi-cum-jewellery, magnetic rakhis, and keepsake trinkets Family Combos: Bhaiya-Bhabhi sets, Kids Rakhis, and multi-rakhi family packs Personalised Touches: Name-engraved rakhis, photo gifts, message cards, and custom hampers Gourmet Gifting: Curated hampers featuring artisanal sweets, dry fruits, chocolates, and global flavours Ready-to-Celebrate Gifting: Complete, pre-curated sets with Rakhi, sweets, and messages -perfect for busy consumers FNP continues to empower siblings across the globe to celebrate their bond, no matter the distance. With international rakhi delivery available to over 100 countries - including the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and the UAE - and reliable same-day and 30-minute express delivery across key Indian cities, FNP ensures your love reaches right on time, no matter where your sibling is. The brand's expansive logistical network makes it easier than ever to choose thoughtful, trendy, and personalised gifting solutions that delight. Whether you're looking for something traditional, contemporary, quirky, or heartfelt, FNP's Rakhi 2025 collection -- a curated selection of latest designs crafted for modern relationships -- is live now on www.fnp.com For a visual feast of gifting inspirations, follow FNP on Instagram at @fernsnpetalsindia. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], July 15: In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining industries and job markets, Be10x stands out as a pioneering ed-tech platform dedicated to equipping Indian professionals and youth with essential AI skills. Founded by IIT Kharagpur alumni Aditya Kachave and Aditya Goenka, Be10x is more than just a learning platform, it's a movement to empower India's workforce, giving them a competitive edge over global peers. This Be10x review explores how the brand is reshaping AI education, its innovative offerings, and its profound societal impact. A Vision to Upskill India for the Global Stage Aditya Kachave and Aditya Goenka launched Be10x with a clear mission: to bridge the gap between traditional education and the practical skills demanded by today's AI-driven world. Their goal is ambitious yet grounded--to upskill Indian professionals and students not only to meet international standards but also to surpass them. "We want Indian talent to lead the AI revolution," says Goenka. "By mastering AI skills, our learners gain a serious advantage over their peers, positioning India as a global powerhouse in technology." This vision stems from their own experiences as students and professionals, where they noticed a disconnect between academic learning and real-world needs. Be10x addresses this by focusing on accessible, hands-on AI education that empowers learners to excel in a rapidly evolving job market. Innovative Learning for Real-World Impact Be10x sets itself apart with a dynamic and practical approach to education. Unlike conventional platforms that lean on theoretical lectures, Be10x mastery course blends live, interactive sessions with on-demand video lessons. This hybrid model enables learners to engage with instructors in real-time while retaining the flexibility to revisit material at their own pace. The platform's flagship offering, the Be10x AI Tools Workshop, teaches participants how to leverage AI technologies like Prompt Engineering and ChatGPT. From automating repetitive tasks to enhancing productivity, the curriculum emphasizes real-world applications. Weekly doubt-solving sessions further enhance the experience, providing personalized support to ensure no learner is left behind. A standout innovation is Be10x's use of AI-generated content to enrich its courses. By integrating cutting-edge tools, the platform demonstrates how AI can streamline workflows and spark creativity, skills that learners can immediately apply in their careers. "We don't just teach AI; we show how it can transform your work," explains Kachave. Empowering Indian Youth and Professionals Be10x is committed to preparing India's youth and workforce for the future. With AI poised to disrupt millions of jobs globally, the platform offers a lifeline, equipping learners with skills to stay ahead of the curve. Whether it's a student aiming to break into tech or a professional seeking to future-proof their career, Be10x courses deliver tangible value. "Our students don't just learn, they thrive," says Goenka. Alumni have reported career boosts, from promotions to launching AI-driven ventures. By fostering a generation of AI-literate individuals, the Be10x workshop is helping India claim its place as a leader in the global tech landscape. Founders' Dedication to Continuous Improvement What truly drives Be10x is the founders' relentless commitment to excellence. Kachave and Goenka view themselves as lifelong learners, a mindset they instill in their students. They continuously refine the curriculum, incorporating the latest AI advancements to keep the content relevant and impactful. "We're obsessed with making the course better," Kachave admits. "Feedback from our learners is invaluable, it shapes everything we do." This dedication extends to offering lifetime access to course materials, ensuring participants can stay updated as AI evolves. Their passion for education isn't new. Both founders have been teaching since their college days, and that experience informs Be10x's student-centric approach. From interactive workshops to responsive support, their focus is on creating a learning environment where everyone succeeds. Voices of Impact: Student Testimonials The true measure of Be10x's success lies in its learners' stories. Here's what some participants have said: -Priya Sharma, Working Professional: "The practical tools I learned saved me hours at work. The Be10x workshop gave me skills I could use instantly." -Rahul Bose, Student: "The live sessions were a game-changer. I understood complex concepts and even started a side project using AI." -Anita Shukla, Entrepreneur: "This workshop was worth every penny. It's not just education, it's empowerment." With an average rating of 4.92/5 from over 24,563 participants, Be10x has earned its reputation as a transformative force in ed-tech. A Legacy of Societal Good Beyond individual success, Be10x is contributing to society by democratizing AI education. By making high-quality learning accessible and affordable, the platform is leveling the playing field for Indian youth and professionals. Its impact--over 50,000 upskilled learners and counting, signals a brighter, tech-savvy future for India. As Kachave puts it, "AI isn't just a skill, it's an opportunity. We're here to ensure every Indian can seize it." Through innovation, dedication, and a focus on real-world value, Be10x is not only educating individuals but also uplifting a nation. Visit their website to start your AI journey today! Company: Be10x Website: https://be10x.in/ Email ID: hello@be10x.in Contact No.: +91-9147330989 (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) India to become a global employment epicenter as the global labour market is undergoing rapid transformation, with rising demand of skilled workers across economies as ageing population in many countries and businesses are adopting digitisation, according to a report by Crisil Intelligence. "The global labour market is undergoing rapid transformation, with demand for skilled workers rising sharply across advanced as well as emerging economies because of ageing population in many countries and businesses looking to adopt and scale up digitalisation." noted the report The report also highlighted that while some countries are witnessing rising unemployment, many employers across the world continue to face challenges in finding skilled workers. It stated "India to become a global employment epicenter..., the global labour market is undergoing a contradictory situation, where some countries are experiencing rising unemployment even as employers struggle to find skilled workers". The primary reason for this paradox is the growing demographic divergence. High-income countries are experiencing rapid population ageing due to sustained decline in fertility rates and rising life expectancy. This has resulted in a high dependency ratio of elderly people in the working population, further deepening the skills shortage. On the other hand, lower- and middle-income countries are seeing a demographic expansion, with a rising number of young individuals entering the workforce. According to the International Monetary Fund's World Economic Outlook, by 2050, these countries are expected to contribute nearly two-thirds of the global workforce entrants. The report also mentioned that India, with 65 per cent of its population under the age of 35, finds itself in a unique position to bridge this global skill shortage. The country has the potential to supply surplus labour and fill the talent gaps in high-income nations. However, Crisil's report also cautioned that India's labour market faces serious challenges, particularly in the form of under qualification and widespread skill gaps. As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey, less than half of India's graduates are considered fully employable, and only 4.4 per cent of the workforce has received formal vocational training. This indicated that despite having a large workforce, the issue of inadequate skill development has become endemic in the country. The report outlined that India must urgently address the structural gaps in its skilling ecosystem. By doing so, the country can not only improve domestic employment and productivity but also contribute to bridging the global skills shortage. (ANI) NewsVoir Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], July 15: With growing scrutiny around the quality and reliability of generic medicines in India, Medkart, Gujarat's largest generic-first pharmacy chain, is stepping forward to assure patients that affordability does not mean compromise. In response to increasing consumer concerns, the company has reinforced its Medkart Assured program--rooted in audit-based sourcing, Schedule M compliance, and continuous recertification. "Price matters--but quality is non-negotiable. Medkart ensures every medicine on our shelves not only saves you money but also meets India's highest manufacturing and safety standards," said Ankur Agarwal, Co-founder of Medkart. The Generic Dilemma: Cost vs. Confidence India's generic drug market, valued at over USD 24 billion as per Invest India, continues to face consumer trust issues domestically. A 2025 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology reported that patients often harbour doubts about the safety and effectiveness of generics, particularly in oncology and cardiovascular segments. The study emphasizes that inconsistent communication by healthcare providers and a lack of robust manufacturer-level visibility are key barriers to trust. Moreover, WHO-backed reviews have highlighted that enforcement of quality regulations--especially in smaller manufacturing units--is uneven, contributing to a fragmented trust ecosystem. These systemic challenges, combined with low awareness and historical overreliance on branded drugs, reinforce the incorrect perception that affordability comes at the cost of efficacy. What Is Schedule M--and Why It Matters To combat this, Medkart has aligned all its procurement processes with Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act--a stringent regulatory guideline that specifies Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for pharmaceutical production. Schedule M, as outlined by the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (Schedule M-1 Guidelines), covers standards for equipment, hygiene, storage, testing, and documentation--ensuring that every medicine manufactured is traceable and safe for consumption. Medkart Assured: Going Beyond Certification Medkart's multi-layered quality assurance process includes: - Plant Audits: Medkart independently conducts regular plant audits of all partnered manufacturers to ensure international quality norms. - Compulsory Dual Testing: Quality checks are run twice on all products at NABL accredited third-party labs to monitor consistency. - Medkart Assured Tag: Only after passing all quality thresholds is a product marked "Medkart Assured" in-store and online. "We've built Medkart Assured so patients never have to choose between affordability and safety," said Parasharan Chari, Co-founder of Medkart. "Our commitment to Schedule M compliance, independent audits, and third-party testing gives consumers confidence that every medicine they take is backed by rigorous validation." Raising the Bar on Public Trust In an ecosystem where trust is as important as pricing, Medkart's dual focus on education and assurance is helping reshape public opinion. The Medkart app includes a powerful Medicine-to-Medicine comparison tool, enabling users to make informed decisions with ease. Pharmacists are trained not just to dispense but to explain quality differences and clear doubts. Download With Confidence Patients deserve affordability without anxiety. Visit www.medkart.in or download the Medkart App on-Play Store or App Store to compare medicines, upload prescriptions, and order Medkart Assured medicines--generic, yes, but never second best. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri emphasised that sufficient energy resources are available globally, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions that traditionally impact crude oil prices. Speaking on the sidelines of a national seminar on school education organised by the Council for Social Development, Puri addressed concerns about energy security amid global uncertainties. "There are many things that have an impact on crude prices. People say that if there is military conflict somewhere, it will have an impact, but there are many military conflicts, but prices are still between $65 and $70 per barrel," Puri stated. "My view is that there is enough energy available in the world," he added. The minister highlighted India's expanding role in global energy forums, particularly noting the country's recent participation in the OPEC seminar for the first time. "It's basically a meeting of the OPEC countries. Considering that we are now one of the largest consumers of crude oil in the world, it makes sense for us to be there," he explained. Puri recently completed a productive tour covering Austria, Iceland, and Norway, focusing on strengthening energy partnerships and exploring new opportunities in the sector. During his visit to Iceland, Puri emphasised the potential for geothermal energy collaboration. "Iceland is very strong on geothermal, and we have ongoing collaborations with them. The advantage of going and talking to the private sector there is identifying future work that can be done," he noted. The minister expressed his personal interest in incorporating geothermal energy into India's energy portfolio, particularly through the India Energy Week platform. Puri highlighted the remarkable growth of India Energy Week, which was launched three years ago and has now become the second-largest energy platform globally after ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi. "ADIPEC deals with oil and gas, whereas we deal with all forms of energy, including biofuels and green hydrogen," he explained, noting plans to expand the platform to include geothermal energy. The minister reported significant progress in domestic exploration efforts, with ONGC having drilled over 500 wells, the highest number in 37 years. He acknowledged the substantial costs involved in exploration, citing the example of Guyana, where 47 wells were drilled at $100 million each before a successful discovery. "We are digging more wells. I am only reporting to you the 18 wells on which, under our law, if somebody who is doing exploration and production finds some oil, they have to report to the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons," Puri stated, emphasising the regulatory framework governing energy exploration activities. (ANI) For the first time, Azertexnolayn LLC, a resident of the Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park managed by the Economic Zones Development Agency (EZDA) under the Ministry of Economy, has successfully exported dual-head irrigation hydrants to Greece, Azernews reports. In the initial phase, the company shipped products worth over 100,000 manats to the Greek market. Registered as a resident of the Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park in 2013, Azertexnolayn specializes in the production of various diameter steel pipes, high-pressure hydro-technical equipment, and specialized polyethylene pipes. Currently, the company manufactures more than 60 different types of products. Azertexnolayn's products are not only supplied to the domestic market but are also exported to more than 25 countries worldwide. India PR Distribution Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 15: Estaa Sweets, a seven-year-old Bangalore-based sweets and savouries brand known for its pure ghee sweets and palm oil-free snacks, has recently launched its sixth outlet in Choodasandra, Hosa Road. With a growing retail presence and rising demand for traditional Indian sweets, it continues to strengthen its position as one of the best sweets shops in Bangalore. Since its inception, the brand has focused on purity and authenticity in Indian mithai. Each sweet is crafted using 100% pure ghee, and all namkeen items are prepared without palm oil -- a commitment that has helped earn the trust of sweet lovers across the city. Recipes are rooted in tradition and prepared with consistency, giving each item a rich, homemade feel. With over 100 varieties of sweets and 40+ types of namkeen, the company offers something for every taste. The product range includes Ghee Sweets, Dry Fruit Sweets, Andhra Sweets, and Bengali Sweets, ensuring something for everyone -- whether it's for everyday enjoyment, festive gatherings, or thoughtful gifting. Most ordered sweets include Mysore Pak, Motichur Laddu, Ajmeri Kalakand, Kaju Katli, Chocolate Almond Bar, Pootharekalu, and Kaju Pakam. On the savoury side, favourites include Khara Mixture, Butter Murukku, Chekkalu, and more -- all made using traditional techniques and premium ingredients. "With each new store, we're able to connect with more families and communities across Bangalore. The response at Choodasandra has been extremely encouraging and inspires us to serve our customers with even more care and commitment," said Rajesh Mandadapu, Managing Partner of Estaa Sweets. Now Available at These Locations in Bangalore: * Sarjapur Road * Whitefield * HSR Layout * Marathahalli * Electronic City Phase 1 * Choodasandra, Hosa Road Choodasandra Outlet Address: KMP Galleria, Meenakshi Layout, Near Police Quarters, Amrutha College Road, Parappana Agrahara, Hosa Road, Bangalore - 560100 Since the recent launch, the Choodasandra outlet has welcomed strong footfall from local residents and working professionals. The store offers a full range of sweets, savouries, and gifting options, all under one roof. Festive & Corporate Gift Boxes / Hampers The brand is also well-known for its premium gift boxes and festive hampers, which are curated year-round for occasions such as Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi, weddings, birthdays, and corporate gifting. Each gift box combines ghee sweets, dry fruit creations, and savouries -- beautifully packaged to create a memorable gifting experience. These hampers are available at all outlets and are a top choice for customers looking for high-quality traditional gifts with premium presentation. It also handles bulk and corporate gifting orders, making it a preferred option for companies and families celebrating in style. Shop Online for Handpicked Favourites For added convenience, the brand offers a curated selection of sweets and namkeen online via its official website. www.estaasweets.com Whether you're planning a celebration, sending a thoughtful gift, or just craving something delicious, the online store is a simple way to enjoy authentic Indian sweets online -- with a focus on purity, tradition, and flavour. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Twelve Indian states raised a total of Rs 26,900 crore in the latest auction of State Government Securities (SGS), according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). All participating states accepted the full amount they had notified for the auction. Maharashtra led the fundraising drive, mobilising Rs 6,000 crore through four securities. The state offered yields of 7.12 per cent for a 22-year security, 7.13 per cent for a 23-year security, 7.15 per cent for a 24-year security and 7.16 per cent for a 25-year security. Following Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh raised Rs 3,600 crore through two securities of Rs 1,500 crore and Rs 2,100 crore against a lower yield of 6.87 per cent and 6.88 per cent for tenures of 8 and 9 years, respectively. Uttar Pradesh raised Rs 3,000 crore through one security at a yield of 6.86 per cent for a tenure of 8 years. Uttar Pradesh is followed by Telengana and Punjab, both of which raised Rs 2,500 crore each. Punjab also gave the highest yield on its security of 7.19 per cent for a tenure of 24 years. Telangana's Rs 2,500 crore was through three securities, two of Rs 1,000 crore each, the first at a yield of 7.10 per cent for 32 years and the second at a yield of 7.09 per cent for a tenure of 35 years. The third security of Rs 500 crore was raised by the state for 38 years at a yield of 7.09 per cent. West Bengal, Gujarat and Bihar raised securities worth Rs 2,000 crore each. West Bengal at a yield of 7.07 per cent for a tenure of 12 years, Gujarat with a yield of 6.80 per cent for a tenure of nine years and Bihar with a yield of 6.90 per cent for a tenure of 10 years. Other participants in the auction included Odisha, which raised Rs 1,500 crore through two securities of Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 500 crore. First at a yield of 6.98 per cent for a tenure of 12 years and second at 6.13 per cent for a tenure of three years, respectively. Tamil Nadu raised Rs 1,000 crore through a security with a yield of 6.82 per cent for a tenure of 10 years. Goa raised Rs 100 crore at 6.89 per cent for a tenure of 10 per cent. RBI conducted this yield-based auction as part of its regular borrowing calendar for states, helping them meet their capital expenditure and fiscal needs. The data showed that investor demand remained strong across different tenors, and all states managed to raise their intended amounts without any under-subscription. These auctions are a key for states to fund infrastructure and development projects while maintaining fiscal discipline under the broader macroeconomic framework set by the central bank. (ANI) SMPL Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], July 15: Infopercept, a global platform-led managed security services provider (MSSP), is set to host a high-impact webinar titled "Cybersecurity in BFSI: Staying Resilient Against Financial Threats in 2025" on 17th July 2025 at 4:00 PM IST. This virtual panel discussion aims to address the complex cybersecurity challenges including how BFSI can tackle: Security with AI, Security of AI and Security from AI and regulatory demands confronting India's Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector. The event is part of Infopercept's flagship thought-leadership series, 'CISO Trusted Strategies for Cybersecurity,' and will bring together leading voices from the cybersecurity and regulatory ecosystem to offer practical, strategic, and forward-looking insights. A Strategic Dialogue on BFSI Cybersecurity The webinar will delve into how a triad of strategies--offensive cybersecurity, defensive security postures, and compliance frameworks--can be seamlessly integrated to safeguard critical financial systems. Mr. Jaydeep Ruparelia, CEO of Infopercept, noted, "The BFSI sector is undergoing rapid digital transformation, but that progress is shadowed by ever-evolving cyber threats, including the new AI-based threat landscape. This webinar is designed to help BFSI leaders understand how they can future-proof their infrastructure through a 360-degree cybersecurity approach that aligns with India's regulatory landscape." Ms. Jhilmil Kochar commented, "The huge proliferation of digital banking, online transactions, and use of cloud technologies has significantly increased in the BFSI industry, contributing to an ever-expanding threat landscape and making robust cybersecurity essential. The key lies in building resilience from within. Through robust defense and real-time threat intelligence, financial institutions can mitigate cyber threats, safeguard customer data, maintain regulatory compliance, and uphold customer trust." Mr. Antony Prakash added, "The BFSI sector is a prime target for cyberattacks due to its reliance on digital systems and sensitive customer data. Cybersecurity in this sector focuses on protecting financial operations, preventing fraud, and ensuring data privacy through advanced defensive strategies. Aligning cybersecurity practices with RBI, SEBI, UIDAI and NPCI Regulation/frameworks is critical for maintaining operational integrity and customer confidence." Esteemed Speakers Include: * Ms. Jhilmil Kochar - Former MD at CrowdStrike & Cybersecurity Thought Leader * Mr. Antony Prakash - Ex-CISO NPCI, Cybersecurity Advisor to SIDBI-NISG * Mr. Jaydeep Ruparelia - CEO, Infopercept These experts will lead focused sessions on: * Identifying and mitigating cyber threats with defensive security strategies * Employing offensive testing techniques such as ethical hacking and red teaming * Achieving regulatory alignment with frameworks from SEBI, RBI, and NPCI * Real-world case studies from BFSI environments * Open interactive Q&A session to engage directly with the speakers Key Highlights: * Emerging threat vectors in digital banking, insurance, and fintech * Building compliance-ready security infrastructures * Bridging the gap between cybersecurity strategy and regulatory enforcement * Insights from decades of experience in BFSI technology leadership This session is especially recommended for CISOs, CIOs, Risk Managers, Compliance Officers, and Technology Leaders in the financial sector. Event Details: * Date: 17th July 2025 * Time: 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM IST * Mode: Online Webinar * Registration: www.infopercept.com/events For media inquiries or further information, please contact: Mr. Jitendra Bulani Chief Marketing Officer Infopercept Consulting Email: jitendrab@infopercept.com About Infopercept Consulting: Infopercept is a global platform-led managed security services provider with deep expertise in offensive, defensive, and compliance cybersecurity solutions. Infopercept is one of India's fastest-growing Platform-Led Managed Security Services Companies, providing comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to global clients. The company's flagship platform, Invinsense, integrates various tools such as SIEM, SOAR, EDR, Deception Techniques, Offensive Security, and Compliance Measures with dedicated teams of experts, ensuring organizations receive 24/7 support for their cybersecurity operations. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) The ongoing bilateral trade talks (BTA) negotiations by India and the United States (US) are progressing as per the decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, said the government officials on Tuesday. "Our team is back in the US for carrying out the fifth round of negotiations on the bilateral trade agreement, so that agreement is progressing as per the decisions of our leaders and as per the terms of reference decided between the two countries," the government officials told ANI. The officials stated, "We have held our narrative from day one that the joint statement on 13th February 2025, between the leaders, provided that both countries will negotiate a bilateral trade agreement, the first tranche of which will be by fall of 2025 in that quest, we have started trade negotiations." The first round of negotiations took place when the US team visited India in the last week of March. The officials asserted that they had finalised the terms of reference (ToR) thereafter, and the negotiations have been going on. Two rounds of discussions were held during India's visit to the US in April, May, and June. "Again, the United States team came to India, and we had a fourth round of discussions and negotiations on the bilateral trade agreement," the officials stated. Meanwhile, on tariffs, sources stated that while global tariff concerns have been widely discussed, actual implementation remains at the announcement stage, with no new tariffs coming into effect yet, except in the case of China. As a result, the relative competitive position of Indian exports has not shifted significantly, the sources said. They further added that despite the uncertainty, India's export performance continues to improve, indicating that government policies are having a positive impact. However, once differential tariffs are enforced, they may create varying effects across sectors, prompting the government and industry to remain in a wait-and-watch mode for now, the sources further added. A high-level team from India's Commerce and Industry Ministry is in Washington DC, to take forward crucial negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States. This round of negotiations will continue for four days, an official told ANI on July 14. Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Negotiator and Special Secretary of the Commerce Ministry, will join the scheduled discussions on Wednesday. India and the United States have agreed to expand bilateral trade to reach USD 500 billion by 2030, including through the conclusion of a Bilateral Trade Agreement. By far, representatives of India's Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative have held several rounds of talks to conclude a trade agreement. (ANI) In the letter, ISMA emphasised the critical role of the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) in promoting clean energy and uplifting Indian farmers. ISMA highlighted that the government's clear policy direction, anchored in the National Policy on Biofuels (2018) and supported by the DGFT notification of August 21, 2018, which categorised ethanol imports for fuel as 'restricted,' has been instrumental in building a self-reliant domestic ethanol economy. Interest subvention schemes and a supportive regulatory environment have spurred the establishment and expansion of indigenous ethanol capacities across India. These interventions have achieved multiple national objectives, including ensuring timely payments and enhanced incomes for sugarcane farmers, reducing India's dependence on imported crude oil, and promoting clean and sustainable biofuels. As a result, India's ethanol production capacity has surged by over 140 per cent since 2018, with investments exceeding Rs 40,000 crore. Ethanol blending has already reached 18.86 per cent, and the country is on track to achieve the 20 per cent blending target within the current Ethanol Supply Year (ESY), ahead of the initial 2025-26 ESY target. ISMA cautioned that opening up fuel ethanol imports could disrupt farmer payment cycles due to the close tie between ethanol prices and sugarcane FRP. It could also dilute gains in domestic capacity building, investment, and job creation, potentially leading to underutilization of Indian ethanol plants and undermining national energy security and self-reliance in green fuels. In light of these concerns, ISMA requested the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to maintain the current restriction on ethanol imports for fuel blending, continue supporting a self-reliant indigenous ethanol economy, and reassure stakeholders on policy stability to encourage continued investment and farmer-centric development.The association expressed confidence that the government would continue to prioritise national interest, safeguard farmers' welfare, and reinforce India's global leadership in sustainable bioenergy. (ANI) PNN Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 15: Phantom Digital Effects Limited (NSE: PHANTOMFX), one of India's fastest-growing and globally recognized VFX studios, is pleased to announce the successful completion of its Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP). The company has raised 59.99 Crore through the issuance of 23,43,600 equity shares at 256 per share (including a premium of 246 per share), reflecting a discount of 4.78% (i.e. Rs.12.85/- per Equity Share) to the floor price of 268.85 per share. This fundraise comes at a transformative time for PhantomFX, as it accelerates strategic investments across creative infrastructure, talent acquisition, and international operations, including its recent acquisition of Oscar winning Tippett Studio. Allotment Details - Major Investors (more than 5% allocation in QIP): In a recent Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), several major investors were allotted more than 5% of the total securities. Vikasa India EIF I Fund, Moneywise Financial Services Private Limited, and Beacon Stone Capital VCC - Beacon Stone I each received 1,95,300 shares at a price of 256 per share, amounting to 4,99,96,800 each, accounting for 8.33% of the total QIP allocation individually. UNICO Global Opportunities Fund Limited was allotted 1,75,800 shares for a total of 4,50,04,800, representing 7.50% of the QIP. Shine Star Build Cap Private Limited emerged as the largest investor with 2,73,300 shares, totaling 6,99,64,800 and accounting for 11.66% of the allotment. HDFC Bank Limited also participated significantly, receiving 1,36,800 shares worth 3,50,20,800, representing 5.84% of the QIP allotment. Commenting on the QIP, Mr. Bejoy Arputharaj S., Managing Director of Phantom Digital Effects Limited, said, "This fundraise is not just about capital, it's a testament to confidence. The enthusiastic participation of leading institutional investors is a clear validation of PhantomFX's vision, our consistent execution, and our positioning as a global creative force. It reflects the industry's recognition of our unique blend of innovation, storytelling excellence, and international scalability. We are not simply growing a business we are shaping the future of visual storytelling by building a future ready powerhouse that seamlessly integrates cutting edge technology, artistic brilliance, and cross border capabilities. With the backing of this QIP, we are now better equipped to fast track our expansion into key international markets, further integrate iconic entities like Tippett Studio, and invest in infrastructure, talent, and AI driven creative workflows. Our roadmap is bold and purposeful focused on delivering unmatched value to our clients, nurturing long term partnerships, and raising the global benchmark for VFX excellence. This is a defining chapter in our journey and for PhantomFX, the most exciting phase is only just beginning." Global VFX Industry on the Rise: India's Strategic Role and PhantomFX's Impact The global VFX market is witnessing rapid expansion, projected to grow fromUS$ 15 billion in 2023 to US$ 30 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 10.7%. Closer to home, the Indian VFX industry is estimated at 11,400 crore (US$ 1.38 billion) in 2023, with visual effects alone contributing 5,400 crore (US$ 647 million). Backed by over 4,000 studios, strong government incentives, and rising global demand, India is emerging as a global powerhouse for high quality VFX services. (Source: IBEF) At the forefront of this transformation is PhantomFX, a studio delivering acclaimed work for titles like Ayalaan, Salaar, RRR, Leo, and The Flash. Recognized as the first Indian studio to create an entirely VFX-driven alien character, PhantomFX brought "Tattoo" to life in Ayalaan a landmark moment in Indian cinema, PhantomFX has executed over 500 projects, employs 650+ artists, and posted 102 crore in revenue for FY25. With cutting edge infrastructure and a fast-growing global presence, PhantomFX is helping define the future of India's VFX leadership on the world stage About Phantom Digital Effects Limited PhantomFX (NSE: PHANTOMFX) is a full-service creative studio specializing in high-end Visual Effects (VFX) for films, television, commercials, and streaming platforms. Headquartered in India, the company operates four state-of-the-art facilities across Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore, supported by a team of over 500 highly skilled artists. PhantomFX continues to expand its global footprint through strategic growth initiatives, with operational hubs now established in the USA, Canada, UK, China, and Dubai. The company holds TPN Gold certification and has a strong legacy of delivering end-to-end VFX solutions to major global production houses. In a major milestone, PhantomFX has successfully acquired Tippett Studio, an Oscar-winning American VFX company headquartered in Berkeley, San Francisco. This strategic expansion positions PhantomFX at the forefront of the global VFX industry, enhancing its creative capabilities and service reach. Financial Highlights (FY 24-25) * Total Income: 104.37 Crore * EBITDA: 39.69 Crore * Net Profit: 20.20 Crore Disclaimer Certain statements in this document that are not historical facts are forward looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties like government actions, local, political or economic developments, technological risks, and many other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements. The Company will not be in any way responsible for any action taken based on such statements and undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 15: eSearch Logix has officially introduced its highly anticipated SEO platform, RanksPro. This all-in-one SEO toolkit is set to revolutionize how agencies, marketers, and businesses oversee and scale their SEO strategies. The experts at eSearch Logix kept their focus on precision engineering while crafting this efficient, user-friendly SEO tool. RanksPro combines a complete suite of SEO features under a single dashboard, simplifying accessibility for the users. It minimizes the handling of multiple subscriptions and brings workflow automation and data-driven insights right where you need them. Behind the Build: Addressing the Real Needs of SEO ProfessionalsWith more than a decade working on global SEO projects, the team at eSearch Logix recognized a persistent challenge: most SEO tools are scattered, have complex pricing packages, and honestly, they just don't keep up as your business expands. "We built RanksPro to address what agencies, freelancers, and business owners need. Juggling multiple tools and dealing with disconnected data is a real productivity killer," quoted by Alekh Verma, CEO & Founder of eSearch Logix and RanksPro. "RanksPro offers a unified, AI-powered platform that handles everything--from keyword research to generating polished, client-ready reports." RanksPro isn't just another tool in the market. It's a comprehensive SEO solution designed to make advanced strategies both accessible and scalable, no matter the size or style of your business. RanksPro - Key Features at a Glance1. Rank Tracking One of the key features of RanksPro is rank tracking, which helps in monitoring the performance of your website, pages, and its content on top search engines like Google. It offers a complete visualization of data, showcasing top pages ranking for targeted queries, location-wise positioning, key SEO ranking metrics, and monthly ranking progress data. This feature also comes with a local rank tracker to analyze your performance on specific locations, and a map rank tracker to check if you're appearing on Google Maps for targeted keywords. 2. Keyword Research The keyword research feature of RanksPro helps to search for keyword ideas and analyze their variations. This feature is very helpful to find which queries can help you rank on Google by monitoring their search difficulty, competition, search volume, and cost per click (CPC). It also allows you to group keywords and create multiple lists to refine your SEO strategy. 3. Website Audit Website audit is another crucial feature of RanksPro, which helps in finding key issues with the website. These issues hurt rankings and overall website performance on Google. It also provides in-depth details of each SEO issue, providing the exact information on what needs to be optimized. 4. Competitor Analysis Finding out what your competitors are up to is necessary to stay ahead of them. RanksPro's competitor analysis feature does this pretty well. It tells their monthly traffic, ranked keywords, total backlinks, and much more. You can also track keywords that are helping your competitors appear in AI overviews. 5. Backlink Analysis The backlink analysis feature in RanksPro helps to analyze your gained and lost backlinks over time. It also tells about the referring domains and the domain rank earned through the links. In addition, the tool also provides in-depth insights about the anchor text distribution, targeted links, and spam score of the domain. Businesses can also analyze the backlinks of their competitors in the same way quite easily. 6. AI Overview Tracking Appearing in AI overviews is becoming increasingly important day by day in the world of SEO. This AI overview tracker helps to track your website's visibility for top search queries in Google AI overviews. You can also analyze how your competitors are appearing in AI overviews and for which keywords. 7. AI Writing Assistant RanksPro offers a reliable AI writer that is very useful to generate SEO-friendly content for various purposes, such as articles, blogs, web pages, and meta tags. Marketers and businesses can also use it for generating captions, video ideas, product descriptions, Quora answers, and email copies. 8. White-Label SEO Reporting This feature is perfectly crafted for agencies that are looking to expand their offerings for their clients. RanksPro provides a complete white label SEO platform along with customizable and transparent reporting. This feature allows companies to establish themselves as SEO experts for their clients. Why RanksPro Stands Out?Unlike many SEO platforms that focus narrowly on one area, RanksPro was engineered to serve as a complete SEO command center. From strategy to execution, it helps users with: * Tracking and analysis in 150+ countries * Intelligent automation and all-in-one interface * Complete visibility into website performance * Improve reporting transparency with clients * Regular performance updates * Smarter and faster, data-driven decisions Whether you're managing a single brand or 50 clients, RanksPro scales with your business needs. About eSearch LogixeSearch Logix is a globally recognized digital marketing agency, headquartered in Noida. It offers digital marketing solutions, specializing in SEO, website development, and digital marketing. Having over a decade of experience, they successfully delivered 10000+ projects with proven results. With a client retention rate of 99%, they have more than 1000 global clients across industries in the US, UK, Australia, UAE, and beyond. The company blends technology with strategic thinking to deliver measurable growth. Known for innovation, client success, and a performance-first mindset, eSearch Logix is now extending its value to the wider digital community through tools like RanksPro, built to simplify digital success at scale. Know more about the tool: https://www.rankspro.ioAbout the company: https://www.esearchlogix.comMedia Contact: info@esearchlogix.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) India is making efforts to diversify its supply on rare earth materials and also establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical minerals, which are crucial for the clean energy technology and for electronics sector, sources said. India is not only looking to expand its cooperation with African nations in critical minerals but also countries in South America. It is actively pursuing free trade agreements (FTAs) with resource-rich nations like Chile and Peru to secure rare earth supplies. Simultaneously, the government is pushing for the development of indigenous processing technologies to tap into domestic rare earth reserves, aiming to build a more resilient and self-reliant value chain, the sources said. India has finalised Terms of Reference for negotiating the India-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was signed on May 8, 2025. The next round of negotiations is expected in July/August 2025 and will be preceded by intersessional discussions through virtual conferences to address outstanding issues in advance of the upcoming meeting. Both countries have recognised the strategic importance of critical minerals for emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy transitions. Both countries have agreed to accelerate collaboration in exploration, mining and processing along with research and development to promote investment across the entire critical mineral value chain for mutual benefit. They stressed the need for building trusted and resilient supply chains, including for critical minerals and advanced materials. The two sides agreed to work together on initiatives to strengthen supply chains and local value chains by fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and understandings in mining and minerals, including the possibility of a long-term supply of minerals and materials from Chile to India. India has also engaged with Peru for Trade Agreement. Peru has emerged as the third-largest trading partner of India in the Latin American & Caribbean Region. In the last two decades, the trade between India and Peru has increased from USD 66 million in 2003 to around USD 3.68 billion in 2023. The trade agreement under negotiation shall play a pivotal role in future collaboration in various sectors, creating avenues for mutual benefit and advancement, sources said. The central government has earmarked Rs 1,345 crore to incentivise rare earth magnets production in India, aimed at building domestic capacity amid reports of global short supply. "Some progress is going on (on the rare earth magnet production front). We have already allocated Rs 1,345 crore (for subsidy). We are on course to select the manufacturers," Minister for Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy told reporters at a press conference last week. The move is significant, as China in April this year announced a decision to implement export controls on certain rare earth-related items, pushing a supply shortage across the world, including India. China's overwhelming control of global rare earth processing - commanding over 90 per cent of the world's magnet production capacity - has created significant vulnerabilities for industries worldwide. These materials are critical across multiple sectors, including automobiles, home appliances, and clean energy systems. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the setting up of the Critical Mineral Mission in the Union Budget for 2024-25. The Union Cabinet in January 2025 approved the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with an expenditure of Rs 16,300 crore and an expected investment of Rs 18,000 crore by Public Sector Undertakings. NCMM has been launched to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. Under this mission, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been tasked with conducting 1,200 exploration projects from 2024-25 to 2030-31. (ANI) The eight-episode series will explore a major moment in American history: the 17 days in April 1865 that began with the surrender at Appomattox and ended with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Baldwin, who also serves as executive producer, said in a statement, as per Variety: "This is one of the most extraordinary American stories ever told, and one that still echoes through our country's political DNA. It's a privilege to bring these voices -- and this chaos -- to life." The series is written and produced by Branden Morgan, the creator of The Devil Within. According to Variety, Morgan praised Baldwin's involvement, saying, "I'm thrilled to join forces with Alec Baldwin. He's a pioneering voice in the podcast industry, and his work on this show is extraordinary. This series is bold, cinematic, and full of the emotional weight this moment in history deserves." The Ides of April uses immersive sound design and dramatic narration to take listeners back to a time of national crisis and conspiracy. It was recorded at CDM Studios in Manhattan, with sound by Zach McNees. The project is produced by Evio Creative, a new storytelling studio, and also involves executive producers Matt DelPiano, Branden Morgan, and Baldwin himself. Ad sales for the podcast are being handled by Ben Watson's Impressions.FM, according to Variety. The series, set to release on July 23, will be available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (ANI) The actor offered his personal view on the debate, saying that language should never be a reason for "conflict." Addressing a media event, Rana said he believes that language is a way to communicate and connect, not something to fight over. "Mera personal jo maanna hai, woh yeh hai ki bhasha jo hoti hai, woh samvaad ka vishay hoti hai; bhasha kabhi bhi vivaad ka vishay nahin hoti......Toh Bharatvarsh jo hai, woh itna paripakv aur itna adbhut desh hai, jahan par isne saari cheezon ko sweekar kiya hai aur samvaad mein vishwas rakhta hai. Bharat kabhi bhi vivaad mein vishwas nahin rakhta. (My personal belief is that language is always a subject of communication, never a subject of conflict....That's why our country, India, is such a mature and wonderful place, where it has accepted everything and believes in dialogue and trust. India has never believed in conflict.)" His remarks come amid growing tensions over the three-language policy that has sparked a political row in Maharashtra in recent days. In recent developments, tensions have escalated between the Marathi and Hindi-speaking communities in the Mira-Bhayandar region. These circumstances have prompted extensive protests and marches, fostering a climate of stress and animosity in the area, according to an official press release. The actor was speaking at the launch event of the trailer for 'Heer Express', a family drama set to release on August 8 this year. The film features a mix of new and experienced actors including Divita Juneja, Pritt Kamani, Gulshan Grover, Sanjay Mishra, and Meghna Malik. (ANI) By Nazrin Abdul Vaccination offers not only health benefits but also significant economic returns. According to data shared at a recent media briefing, for every $1 invested in vaccination programs, approximately $52 is returned. Likewise, investments in assistive technologies are seen as highly valuable from both social and economic perspectives. Every $1 spent on assistive technologies returns around $9 to families and society, helping improve quality of life and reduce long-term care costs. In the lead-up to National Press Day on July 22, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Azerbaijan hosted a morning meeting with national media representatives. The goal was to strengthen health communication, share information on ongoing public health initiatives, and explore new opportunities for collaboration with the media. Journalists from various media outlets joined staff from the WHO Country Office in an informal, open-dialogue setting. The gathering provided updates on WHOs key focus areas in Azerbaijan, including: Building climate-resilient health systems; expanding access to assistive technologies; supporting immunization efforts; promoting mental health; preventing and managing noncommunicable diseases. Advancing the WHO World Health Emergencies Programme Working with the media to ensure the public has access to accurate and timely health information is a key priority for us, said Dr. Hande Harmanci, WHO Representative and Head of the Country Office in Azerbaijan. At WHO, we view you as key partners in promoting public health, and we deeply value this collaboration. A healthier society is only possible with your involvement. Throughout the event, journalists engaged directly with WHO experts, asked questions, and discussed potential areas for future cooperation. Dr. Harmanci also responded to questions from the media, reinforcing WHOs commitment to transparent and ongoing communication. The meeting fostered a space for open and constructive dialogue. The active participation and thoughtful contributions from journalists once again highlighted the essential role of the media in shaping informed public discussion on health. The event was viewed as a positive step toward continued partnership between WHO and the national press. Director Pa Ranjith extended his condolences to the family of stunt artist Mohan Raj after he lost his life on the sets of the film 'Vettuvam' in Nagapattinam District in Tamil Nadu on Sunday. Taking to his X handle, Pa Ranjith opened up about the unexpected death of the experienced stunt artist Mohan Raj on the sets of his film 'Vettuvam' during the shoot. Titled 'Neelam Production Condolence Note', Pa Ranjith expressed his sorrow on the passing of Mohan Raj in a lengthy social media post. "On the morning of 13th July, we lost unexpectedly a talented stunt artist and a long-time colleague, Mr. Mohan Raj, on the sets of our film 'Vettuvam' in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. Our heart is broken for his wife, children, family, and all who knew and loved Mohan Raj Anna as a colleague and a friend," wrote Pa Ranjith. The 'Kabali' director further opened up about the unfortunate incident, calling it a day "that started with detailed planning, caution and clarity in execution" but ended up in the loss of stunt artist Pa Ranjith. "A day that started out with detailed planning, caution, clarity in execution, prayers, and all our goodwill, as it does on every film set that stages crash sequences, ended up in his unexpected death. This has sent us all into shock and heartbreak. Mohan Raj Anna was valued and respected by his colleagues in the stunt team and all of us in the crew. He was a veteran in performing stunts whose planning, clarity, and execution we all relied on," wrote Pa Ranjith. Pa Ranjith claimed that they followed the safety protocols for the stunts under the "expertise" of stunt director Dilip Subbarayan. "We relied on the expertise of our Stunt Director Dilip Subbarayan and followed every protocol, every detail that was needed to make this safe. That inspite of all of our preparations and precautions, we ended up losing a man who had unparalleled experience and achievements, who made his family, colleagues, and Directors proud with the quality of his work, has affected us deeply," wrote Pa Ranjith. The 'Kabali' director shared the lengthy note on his X handle. https://x.com/beemji/status/1945003776584163743? Raju was well-known in the Kollywood industry for his daring stunts and had been a part of several films. (ANI) Mumbai, July 15 (ANI/ARAB NEWSWIRE): One year ago, India played host to a wedding that captured not only the nation's imagination but also the world's attention. The marriage of Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani in July 2024 was more than a union of two individuals; it was a powerful assertion of India's cultural identity, spiritual depth, and global reach. In a world where weddings often lean toward the performative, the Ambani-Merchant nuptials were a conscious reassertion of meaning--where tradition, ritual, and modern diplomacy converged on an unprecedented scale. Millions around the world tuned in via mainstream and social media to witness a celebration that was simultaneously deeply intimate and globally resonant. A Sacred Commitment Beyond Ceremony At its heart, the wedding celebrated the essence of Hindu matrimonial tradition--a sacred, lifelong commitment deeply rooted in dharma (duty), family, and society. Unlike many contemporary Indian weddings, the Ambani family adhered closely to age-old Vedic customs. Every ritual was observed with precision and purpose, guided by spiritual leaders and Hindu dharmagurus. This dedication to authentic tradition not only honored ancestral heritage but also communicated a message of reverence to a global audience. In doing so, it reminded the world that Indian weddings, at their core, remain profound spiritual journeys. India's Soft Power on Full Display Set against the backdrop of India's rising global influence--in finance, technology, and geopolitics--the Ambani wedding subtly but powerfully reaffirmed the country's image as the world's spiritual and cultural nerve centre. The guest list alone made headlines. It was a veritable who's who of international politics, business, and culture--underscoring India's India's expanding global footprint. Notable political figures included: * John Kerry (United States)* Tony Blair and Boris Johnson (United Kingdom)* Matteo Renzi (Italy)* Sebastian Kurz (Austria)* Stephen Harper (Canada)* Carl Bildt (Sweden)* Mohamed Nasheed (Maldives)* President Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania) From global boardrooms to Silicon Valley, the business world responded with equal enthusiasm: * Amin Nasser (Aramco)* Khaldoon Al Mubarak (Mubadala)* Murray Auchincloss (bp)* Shantanu Narayen (Adobe)* Emma Walmsley (GSK)*Jay Lee (Samsung)* Igor Sechin (Rosneft)* Dilhan Pillay (Temasek)* Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (WTO)* Michael Klein, Lim Chow Kiat, Bader Al-Saad, and many more. Pop culture icons such as Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, and Jay Shetty added amodern flair to the otherwise spiritually charged setting. The Largest Spiritual Assembly in Wedding History One of the most remarkable aspects of the wedding was the presence of over two dozenrevered spiritual leaders--an unparalleled assembly at any private celebration in recentmemory. Among them: * Swami Sadananda Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Dwarka* Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, Joshimath * Gaur Gopal Das, Radhanath Swami, and Gaurang Das Prabhu from ISKCON* Pujya Rameshbhai Oza, Swami Chidanand Saraswati* Baba Ramdev, Swami Rambhadracharya*Avdeshanand Giri, Swami Kailashanand, and Shri Devkinandan Thakurji Maharaj This gathering was symbolic of India's spiritual pluralism and the reverence still afforded todharma, yoga, and the vedic worldview--even among today's global elite. A Grand Humanitarian Undertone Yet, perhaps the most striking quality of the wedding was its humility. True to the ethos of"Manav Seva hi Madhav Seva" (service to humanity is service to God), the celebrations beganwith a mass wedding ceremony for 50 underprivileged couples. Hosted at Reliance CorporatePark, Navi Mumbai, this was a powerful reminder that even amidst opulence, compassion neednot be forgotten. Additionally, the Ambani family organized a three-week-long community kitchen (bhandara),serving over 1,000 meals daily marking a rare confluence of social outreach and private festivity. Rituals Rich in Heritage The wedding included a sequence of culturally rich pre- and post-wedding ceremonies: * Mosalu - A Gujarati ritual with gift-giving from the groom's maternal side.* Valley of Gods - A devotional dance performance led by Nita Ambani in Jamnagar.* Sangeet - A night of music and celebration, including performances by the bride's andgroom's families.* Grah Shanti - A Vedic puja for cosmic harmony, invoking blessings from Lord Ganeshaand the nine planets.* Haldi/Peethi, Bhajans, and Shiv Shakti Puja added layers of spirituality and joy.* The main wedding ceremony, conducted before sacred fire and sages, broughtcenturies-old traditions alive in the 21st century.* Multiple receptions followed, including one for the family's householdstaff--acknowledging every individual who contributes behind the scenes. A Living Tribute to Banaras The design and theme of the wedding day, "An Ode to Banaras," recreated the spiritualatmosphere of the ancient city within the ultra-modern Jio World Centre in Mumbai. From theghats to the crafts, cuisine to chants, guests were immersed in the cultural depth of Varanasi,often referred to as India's eternal city. Adding to the immersive aura was the dress code: "Resplendently Indian." Guests from aroundthe globe donned traditional Indian attire, turning the venue into a kaleidoscope of regionalweaves, embroidery, and handcrafts. This sartorial celebration served as a tribute to India'sartisanal brilliance. A Cultural Milestone, A Global Moment Twelve months later, the wedding of Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani is remembered notsimply as a high-profile affair, but as a pivotal moment in global cultural diplomacy--one wheretradition met modernity, faith embraced futurism, and hospitality merged with humanitarianism. In a fragmented world, the Ambani wedding was a rare display of continuity, cohesion, andcelebration--of India, of culture, and of humanity. This press release is issued through Arab Newswire (www.arabnewswire.com) -- a press release distribution service for the Arab World, Middle East and North Africa (MENA). (ANI/ ARAB NEWSWIRE) The late actor Michael Madsen delivered one of his final performances in 'Concessions', a comedy drama about the closing night of a movie theatre, reported Variety. The director, 'Mas Bouzidi' calls the film a tribute to Madsen. As per an unreleased clip of the movie, obtained by Variety, showcases Madsen as Rex Fuel, a former stuntman attempting to charm his way into a free ticket to see his old movie and relive his glory days at the Royal Alamo Cinema. The film is set to premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August. The feature showcases Madsen as Rex Fuel, a former stuntman "Working with Michael Madsen was one of the greatest privileges of making 'Concessions,'" said Bouzidi, director of the upcoming comedy drama 'Concession'. "He was the last of his kind, owning the camera and commanding the audience with nothing but a squint and a sly grin. I still remember the joy I'd get from watching him through the eyepiece. The way he walked across the frame to toss a bag of popcorn in the trash was more interesting than what 99% of other actors would have ever come up with," added Bouzidi as quoted by Variety. According to the outlet, the film marks the feature directorial debut of 23-year-old Bouzidi, who filmed and edited the entire movie at age 22. Drawing from his seven years working in New York theaters, Bouzidi crafted an ensemble piece about employees, outcasts, and oddballs crossing paths during the cinema's final night. 'Concessions' was shot on 16mm film and will be presented on a 35mm print at Edinburgh. The cast includes Steven Ogg, Josh Hamilton, Lana Rockwell, Ivory Aquino, Rob Riordan, and Jonathan Lorenzo Price. Actor Michael Madsen, who is known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino films including 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2' and 'Reservoir Dogs', passed away on July 3 at the age of 67, reported Variety. As per the outlet, Madsen was found unresponsive in his Malibu home, according to his representative, who said the cause appeared to be a cardiac arrest. (ANI) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is gearing up for the new season of his popular game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'. On Tuesday, the makers shared an interesting promo for the 17th season. https://www.instagram.com/p/DMIAnBAvWXa/ Amitabh Bachchan's son and actor Abhishek Bachchan reshared the promo and expressed excitement about the show, calling his dad "boss". "Boss!! He's back," Junior B captioned the post. The new season of 'KBC' will kickstart from August 11 on Sony TV. Recently, the 'Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC)' completed 25 years. The show first aired on July 3, 2000, and quickly became one of India's most popular TV programs. Marking this special occasion, Amitabh, who has been the face of the show since its beginning, shared an emotional message. While preparing for the new season, the 81-year-old actor took a moment to reflect on the show's long journey. "T 5430 - Today 3rd July, 2025, as I work on this year's season KBC prep, I am told by the KBC team - 3rd July 2000, the first broadcast of KBC happened. 25 years, the life of KBC!," read his X post. Bachchan also took to his blog to speak about how the day began like any other, and he had no idea it was such a big milestone until the team informed him. "Jaldi so jao kaam pr jaana hai; kaam bhi jaldi aarambh hoga, samay pe jaana hai. (Go to sleep early, have to go to work; work will start early too, have to be on time.) at work, on shoot for KBC work, July 3, 2025, Thu 5:30 pm, did not realise. just came to know from the KBC team that. TODAY, 3rd July 2025, 25 years ago. On July 3, 2000. the very first broadcast of KBC took place. goodness 25 years. just went by. Kuch pata hi nahi chala, aur 25 varsh, saal guzar gaye (Didn't even realise, and 25 years just went by), read his blog post.KBC started as the Indian version of the British show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. It was also Amitabh Bachchan's first TV appearance and gave new life to his career." Over the years, KBC became more than just a quiz show. With touching stories from contestants and Bachchan's famous line "lock kiya jaye," the show became a part of people's lives. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various health projects at King George Medical University and said that the time has come to provide medical facilities to areas outside the metropolitan facilities. Speaking on the occasion on Monday, CM Yogi said, "Disease is neutral. Wherever there is a gap, it will attack and engulf you. We used to see the same situation in Uttar Pradesh when people used to get easily affected by the disease. But now, as you have seen, it has been raining for the last month. Yet there is no such situation of any communicable infection anywhere." "We had permitted KGMU to set up a satellite centre in Balrampur. They will start a medical college in this or the next session. The time has come to provide medical facilities to areas outside the metropolitan facilities. Today in nursing and paramedical, new Nursing colleges are being set up in UP," CM Yogi emphasised. He further said that in the last 11 years, India's progress has been admired in the world. CM Yogi Adityanath also held a meeting with officials of the Higher Education Department. "Today, there are 23 AIIMS in the country. AIIMS is not only a medical centre and educational institution but also gives pace to the progress in the health sector. KGMU is also moving ahead in that direction. Today, in the 75 districts of the state, we are moving forward for the " one district, one medical college vision," he added. Earlier on Monday, CM Yogi Adityanath chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the Kanwar Yatra during the sacred month of Shravan. Emphasising the significance of the pilgrimage, he directed officials to stay alert, sensitive, and proactive to ensure a peaceful, secure, and dignified environment for devotees. Stating that the safety and convenience of devotees are the top priorities of the state government, the Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure adequate arrangements along the Yatra route, including cleanliness, medical services, drinking water, canteens, rest areas, and toilets. He laid special emphasis on the safety and comfort of women Kanwariyas, directing the effective deployment of women police personnel. (ANI) Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida met the family of the 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who succumbed to her injuries after self-immolation. Speaking to ANI, Parida expressed her grief at the demise of the Balasore student, asserting that the government will take stringent action against those who are involved in this heinous act. The Odisha Deputy CM arrived at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Monday night. She said, "She (victim) died around 11:45 pm. I have met her family members. The doctors were trying their best to save her for the last 3 days. The government will take stringent action against those who are involved in this. Both the accused are in jail. The government is serious in this case. The facts that have come out regarding students and teachers are very sad, and strong action will be taken." Earlier, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed the death of the 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation. The Department of Burn Centre, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said in a statement that the patient was brought to the casualty on July 12 and was referred from Balasore District Headquarters Hospital to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. "She was admitted to the Burns Centre ICU. The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14," the statement said. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief and assured the family of the deceased that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. In a post on X, CM Majhi said, "I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite the government's fulfilment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim's life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss." "I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family," the Odisha CM emphasised. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers staged a protest as the mortal remains of the deceased student were being taken to the postmortem centre of AIIMS. A 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. Meanwhile, Odisha Police has arrested the Fakir Mohan College suspended principal Dilip Ghose in the Balasore self-immolation case, said officials on Monday. "FM College suspended principal Dilip Ghose has been arrested," said Balasore Police. The incident has sparked outrage, with many demanding action against the accused and accountability from the college administration. (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has paid tribute to Swami Kalyandev Maharaj Ji on his 21st death anniversary at his Samadhi located in Shukdev Ashram, Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also unveiled a statue of Swami Kalyandev Ji Maharaj. Addressing the gathering of devotees on Monday, CM Nayab Singh Saini said, "Today we have assembled on the sacred land of Maharishi Shukdev, situated on the holy banks of Maa Ganga. Bhagwat Peeth Shri Shukdev Ashram holds a special place in our hearts. This ashram is not only a spiritual center but also a symbol of education, service, and culture. The statue of Swami Ji will serve as a lasting inspiration, reminding future generations of his noble deeds, principles, and ideals." CM Saini said that Swami Omanand Ji Maharaj is carrying forward the rich tradition of this ashram and, by following the path shown by Maharishi Shukdev Ji, is engaged in selfless social service with a spirit of devotion. Under Swami Ji's guidance, the ashram has made remarkable contributions in the fields of education, healthcare, and rural development. He further said that it was on this very land, thousands of years ago, that Maharishi Shukdev Ji Maharaj guided King Parikshit towards salvation by narrating the sacred Bhagwat Katha. "Saint Kalyandev Maharaj dedicated his entire life to upholding and preserving the sanctity of this great pilgrimage site," CM Saini said. Although born into a humble family, Swami Kalyandev Ji Maharaj's thoughts and actions were extraordinary. He renounced worldly attachments at an early age and embraced a life of spiritual pursuit. This sacred land is the Tapobhoomi (land of penance) of a great saint, visionary educator, and social reformer. The Chief Minister stated that Swami Kalyan Dev Ji dedicated his 129-year-long life to the pursuit of knowledge, education, and selfless social service, which he regarded as his true religion. This revered saint attained samadhi in the year 2004. "Throughout his life, he established numerous schools, colleges, and Gurukuls to promote education. In addition to his contributions to education, Swami Ji actively opposed untouchability, caste discrimination, and other social evils, spreading a powerful message of love, equality, and brotherhood. In recognition of his exceptional and selfless service to society, the Government of India honoured Swami Kalyandev Ji Maharaj with the Padma Shri in 1982 and the Padma Bhushan in 2000," he said. The Haryana CM said that the Swami Kalyan Dev Seva Trust has been established within the ashram to carry forward the legacy of service and compassion. "Through various welfare initiatives, the trust extends support to the poor, the sick, and the underprivileged. It is actively engaged in the fields of education, healthcare, and social upliftment," Nayab Saini said. CM Saini urged everyone to take a pledge to contribute towards building the India envisioned by Swami Ji. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also released an Odia book on Shukdev Tirtha. He also announced a grant of Rs 11 lakh for the construction of Haryana Bhawan at Shukdev Tirtha. On this occasion, Swami Omanand Ji Maharaj, in his address, praised the humble nature and compassionate approach of CM Saini. He said, "The Chief Minister shares a long-standing association with Shukdev Ashram. Swami Ji reflected on India's rich saintly tradition, stating that saints have played a pivotal role not only in awakening spiritual consciousness but also in advancing education, healthcare, and social upliftment across the country." He said that the life of CM Saini is a reflection of strong moral values and unwavering dedication to public service. Citing the inspiring lives of Lord Buddha and Swami Vivekananda Ji, Swami Omanand emphasised that their devotion to the service of humanity should serve as a guiding light for all of us. He urged everyone to draw inspiration from their ideals and incorporate their values into daily life. On this occasion, Haryana Cabinet Minister Dr Arvind Sharma, Chairman of Shukdev Ashram Trust and former Health Minister ML Ranga, Rajya Sabha MP Ramchandra Jangra, MLA Mithilesh, along with the officials of the trust of the ashram, leaders and devotees from different places of the country were also present. (ANI) Security forces have apprehended 10 cadres from the hill and valley-based groups in Manipur and recovered 35 weapons, 11 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), grenades, ammunition and war-like stores, said the Indian Army. "In a series of operations, Indian Army and Assam Rifles formation under Spear Corps launched intelligence-based operations in the hill and valley districts, namely Kangpokpi, Bishnupur, Tengnoupal, Imphal West and Imphal East between 07 Jul - 14 Jul 25 in coordination with Manipur Police, CRPF, BSF, and ITBP," said the army in a press release. "The operations resulted in apprehension of 10 cadres from the hill and valley-based groups and recovery of 35 weapons, 11 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), grenades, ammunition and war-like stores," it added. Based on specific intelligence of presence of arms and ammunition in general area between Bijang and Pholjang, Kangpokpi district, Assam Rifles launched an operation on 08 Jul 25 and recovered 18 weapons comprising one 5.56 mm Insas Rifle one .303 Rif, five Bolt Action Rif, three Single Barrel Rif, two Pull Mech Rifle and six Improvised Mortars, ammunition and war like stores. Acting on specific inputs about the presence of a cache of weapons between Uyungmakhong and Trongloabi, in Bishnupur district, a joint team of the Indian Army and Manipur Police launched an operation on 09 July 25 in Uyungmakhong forest. It recovered three weapons comprising one AK-56 rifle, one .303 rifle, one double-barrel rifle, ammunition and war-like stores. During a routine patrol by the troops in the T Bongmoi village, of Tengnoupal district, Assam Rifles searched and recovered three weapons comprising two double-barrel guns, one single-barrel gun, grenades, ammunition and war-like stores. On the same day, based on input about movement of miscreants near Dopkon, Bishnupur district, joint columns of the Indian Army, Manipur Police, and CRPF conducted a search operation and recovered three weapons comprising one .303 LMG, two Single Bore rifles, four IEDs weighing 3.9 kgs, ammunition and war-like stores. On 11 July, an intelligence-based operation launched by the Indian Army and Manipur Police in Imphal East district resulted in the recovery of two weapons, comprising one pistol, a single-barrel rifle, grenades, ammunition and war-like stores. On 12 July, based on credible intelligence about the presence of armed cadres in Laikhong, Imphal East District a search operation was launched by a joint team of Indian Army and Manipur Police which led to the recovery of six weapons comprising one AK 47, one Carbine machine gun, two pistols, two single barrel rifles, grenades, ammunition and war like stores. Similarly, based on specific intelligence inputs, the Assam Rifles, in coordination with the Manipur Police Team, carried out a thorough search near T Minou on 12 July 2025 and recovered seven IEDs. The Bomb Disposal team destroyed all IEDs in situ. Intelligence-based operations in hill and valley regions also resulted in the apprehension of six cadres. The apprehended cadres and the recovered items have been handed over to the Manipur Police. These coordinated efforts by security forces highlight their unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and security in Manipur, said the army. (ANI) In a significant development in the assault case of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath, a fresh petition has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court over the alleged inaction of Chandigarh Police in arresting the accused Punjab Police officers, despite the dismissal of their anticipatory bail pleas. After listening to the matter on Monday, Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj questioned the Chandigarh Police for the delay in making the arrests. Questioning the intent behind the inaction, Justice Bhardwaj said that such conduct was setting a wrong example and appeared to be aimed at shielding the accused. The court directed Superintendent of Police (SP) Sheoran to appear before it on July 16 and submit a written explanation regarding the reasons for the delay in arrest and lack of seriousness shown in the matter. Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on April 3 directed the Chandigarh Police to investigate the assault case of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath. The directions came on a petition by Col Pushpinder Singh, who has accused 12 Punjab Police personnel of assaulting him and his son over a parking dispute. He sought a probe by a CBI or an independent agency. "Our plea to the court was to shift the investigation from Punjab police to an independent body like CBI and this has been authorised. Now Chandigarh police will be investigating the case without the interference of Punjab police," Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath's lawyer Bisman Maan told ANI." The specific instructions are to submit the report within four months. None of the Punjab police personnel will be a part of the investigating team... This was the final order on this petition," she added. Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath's wife Jaswinder Kaur Bath expressed satisfaction over the court's order. "I am happy with the Court's order. We had two demands - an independent investigation or CBI. The court has ordered an independent investigation in which no personnel of Punjab Police will be involved... When the CM gave assurance, I believed him, but later, he did a kind of 'comedy' with me. I did call him many times but didn't receive a single call back... I will ask Bhagwant Mann to teach basic courtesy to his officials and not to do things just to show off," she told ANI. Col Bath approached the High Court last week seeking an independent investigation into the incident. He was "assaulted by Punjab Police personnel" outside a dhaba in Patiala on the night of March 13, leading to the registration of an FIR and a police inquiry. The officer was initially taken to a civil hospital for treatment before being shifted to the military hospital. He received further treatment at the Command Hospital in Chandimandir. On March 21, an FIR was registered at the Civil Lines police station based on the complaint lodged by Col Bath. The statement of Col Bath named the police officials who assaulted him. On March 22, four Patiala police officers were suspended and a SIT was also formed to probe the incident. (ANI) A petition was filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani before the Delhi High Court seeking a ban on the Hindi movie "Udaipur Files", which is based on tailor Kanhaiya Lal Teli's murder in Udaipur. The film was scheduled to be released on July 11. A day before its release, the Delhi High Court stayed the release of the film 'Udaipur Files' till the Centre decides the revision plea of the petitioners, including that of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President challenging the grant of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certification. Following the High Court's direction to file an appeal regarding the stay on the screening and reconsideration of the certificate issued by the Censor Board, Maulana Arshad Madani's lawyers on Monday submitted an appeal before the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It is expected that the Ministry may hold a hearing on this application in the coming days. Meanwhile, the film's producer, Amit Jani has challenged the Delhi High Court's decision in Supreme Court of India. On the request of the film producer's lawyer, Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi assured that the petition will be heard. Maulana Arshad Madani also filed a caveat in Supreme Court. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, will represent Maulana Arshad Madani in Supreme Court. In the petition submitted to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on behalf of Maulana Arshad Madani, it has been stated that films like "Udaipur Files" promote division within society and that the promotion of such a film will tarnish India's image globally. The petition further states that Hindus and Muslims have lived together peacefully in our country for centuries, and therefore, the screening of such films could pose a serious threat to communal harmony. It is emphasized that the entire film is based on hatred, and its exhibition could disturb the peace and harmony of the nation. The Government of India has also been reminded that in the past, India faced international embarrassment and condemnation due to the remarks made by Nupur Sharma. At that time, the Government of India had issued a diplomatic statement affirming that India respects all religions and communities and removed Nupur Sharma from her position as spokesperson as a consequence of her remarks. It was due to these actions that some of the mistrust toward India on international platforms was reduced, and the country's image saw a relative improvement. The Government of India has also been informed that the past and present conduct of the filmmaker, Amit Jani, is filled with instances of incitement and disruptive behavior. Secondly, the film presents fabricated content that has no connection with reality. It also depicts the character of Nupur Sharma, whose controversial statement sparked nationwide protests and international outcry. The petition further states that despite the removal of 55 scenes, the film still appears largely unchanged. It is argued that the promotion of this film could incite violence in the country. The petition emphasizes that this film is not in the national interest, and therefore, the certificate granted for its screening should be revoked. As per the Delhi High Court's directive, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting must hear Maulana Arshad Madani's appeal and deliver a decision within one week. In the meantime, the ban on the film's release will remain in effect. (ANI) By Nazrin Abdul The Baku Network Analytical Center successfully organized, for the first time in Europe, an exhibition dedicated to Azerbaijani journalists martyred during the First and Second Garabagh Wars. The exhibition, held in Paris a city known for its staunch support of Armenia faced several artificial obstacles and difficulties before coming to fruition. Sahil Karimli, Program Director of the Baku Network, spoke at the event commemorating journalists brutally killed by Armenian occupiers during the conflicts. The exhibition is dedicated to the memory of Azerbaijani journalists who were mercilessly murdered by Armenian forces during the First and Second Garabagh Wars, Karimli said. While their sacrifices have been individually recognized at various times, we decided to broaden this mission by creating a photo exhibition featuring all the martyred media representatives. Each photo includes detailed information in French and English. Additionally, brochures with these photos were printed and distributed to exhibition attendees. Karimli emphasized the difficulties faced in hosting the exhibition in France, a country that consistently pursues a pro-Armenian policy and defends the occupation. Organizing such an exhibition in Paris posed significant challenges and obstacles. Transporting the exhibition materials and printed products across the border involved considerable risks. Nevertheless, we overcame these difficulties and successfully achieved our goal. The event coincided with the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, during which the 25th anniversary of the inclusion of Icherisheher (the Old City of Baku) on the UNESCO World Heritage List was commemorated. Booklets honoring the martyred journalists were distributed to participants of the session. During the exhibition, the attention of attendees was drawn to Armenias brutal crimes against civilians and journalists during both the First Garabagh War and the 44-day Patriotic War. Several journalists featured in the exhibition lost their lives when a helicopter carrying state and media officials was shot down over Garakend, then Azerbaijani sovereign territory, during the First Garabagh War. Among the victims were Fakhraddin Shahbazov and Ali Mustafayev, who died in this tragic attack. Other journalists, such as Salatin Asgerova and Chingiz Mustafayev, were also killed by Armenian forces, Karimli noted. He further explained that following the 44-day Patriotic War, employees of AzerTac news agency Maharram Ibrahimov and Azerbaijani Television cameraman Siraj Abishov fell victim to Armenian mine attacks a grave war crime. Tragically, alongside many civilians, our colleagues became victims of these crimes, Karimli said. Other journalists remembered at the exhibition were also killed by Armenians at various times. We hope that, even briefly, we have conveyed these harsh truths to you. At the end of my speech, I invite you to explore the exhibition in more detail. Karimli expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations, the Azerbaijani Embassy in France, and other partners who supported the event. Thanks to their support, we were able to bring Azerbaijani truths to the world and expose Armenian atrocities. It is worth noting that the Baku Network Analytical Center is the first organization in Europe to bring attention to the topic of Azerbaijani journalists killed as a result of Armenian aggression, conducting a series of related events. The Paris exhibition presented materials about the martyred journalists to the public, attracting representatives of French society as well as French and international journalists. The event took place at the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Paris within the framework of Baku Networks project titled Analysis of Hybrid and Ideological Threats Against Azerbaijan. The exhibition was organized with support from the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Embassy in France. Booklets commemorating the martyred journalists were also distributed to guests attending a presentation at UNESCO headquarters dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Icherishehers World Heritage status. The presentation was held as part of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee. A prisoner in Tihar Jail's hospital died by suicide by hanging himself from a window, informed the Tihar Jail officials in the early hours of Monday. The prisoner was an under-trial inmate, namely Ramesh Karmakar, who was lodged in Jail Number 4 but was undergoing treatment at the jail hospital in Jail Number 3 since May 28. Karmakar's body was found hanging from a window late on the night of Sunday, and the jail authorities were informed on the early morning of Monday. In another such case, an accused named Saquib Nachan in connection with the terror group Islamic State (ISIS), died in Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital, informed sources said on Saturday. He has been in judicial custody in Tihar Jail since 2023 and was admitted to the hospital a few days ago, they said. Saquib was convicted for his involvement in the bomb blasts in Mumbai in 2002 and 2003. In line with the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Saquib Nachan, a habitual offender in many previous terror cases, was also a self-styled Amir-e-Hind for ISIS in India. Earlier in June 2024, the National Investigative Agency (NIA) had chargesheeted Nachan along with 16 hardcore agents of a proscribed global terrorist network, in a conspiracy involving the recruitment and radicalisation of youth and the fabrication of improvised explosive devices in the Delhi-Padgha ISIS terror module case. The accused were chargesheeted under various sections of IPC, UA(P) Act, Arms Act and Explosive Substances ACt, were found to have been engaged in a massive ISISI conspirancy involving recruitment, training and propagation of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) ideology among gullible youth, along with fabrication of explosives and IEDs are fund-raising for the banned outfit. Its investigation had subsequently led to the seizure of several incriminating documents and data relating to the manufacturing of explosives and the fabrication of IEDs, along with propaganda magazines like 'Voice of Hindi', 'Rumiyah', 'Khhiafat', 'Dabiq', published by IS. (ANI) Tensions flared outside AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Tuesday morning as Congress workers staged a protest following the death of a 20-year-old student from Balasore who had attempted self-immolation. The protesting Congress workers were detained by police. Earlier on Monday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed the death of the 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation. The Department of Burn Centre, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said in a statement that the patient was brought to the casualty on July 12 and was referred from Balasore District Headquarters Hospital to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. "She was admitted to the Burns Centre ICU. The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14," the statement said. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief and assured the family of the deceased that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. In a post on X, CM Majhi said, "I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite the government's fulfilment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim's life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss." "I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family," the Odisha CM emphasised. (ANI) Amidst the ongoing turmoil in Manipur, displaced families are beginning to find relief as they move into newly constructed homes in the serene Sharon Hills, marking a hopeful step after nearly two years in cramped relief camps, Taipei Times reported. Since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, over 50,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Manipur have faced severe hardships, including poor living conditions, health challenges, and financial distress. The government, under President's Rule, has launched a three-phase rehabilitation plan aimed at closing all 350 relief camps and resettling IDPs by December 2025. This effort is supported by NGOs and community organisations working in collaboration with local leaders. The land for these makeshift homes was generously donated by the Churachandpur MLA, while the Vaiphei Baptist Church Association (VBCA) funded the construction. This partnership offers a strong example of community compassion and cooperation. Speaking from Sharon Hill, Nengcha, an IDP resettled in the new homes, said, "Living here is far more relaxing and refreshing than staying in the relief centre. We now have the freedom to cook what we like and carry out daily work, which was impossible in the cramped camps." Mangpi, another displaced resident from Kangpokpi district, expressed hope that the village development would promote harmony and progress for all inhabitants. Health remains a pressing concern. District Family Welfare Officer Dr. Kholi Sania Monica confirmed ongoing medical support, including regular check-ups, immunisations for children, and mental health counselling since the conflict's onset. "Our health teams have been doing their best to support those in relief camps despite numerous limitations," she said. However, financial insecurity persists. Kakai, in charge of the Tuibong relief centre, emphasised the lack of economic support: "When we fall ill, help is available, but the biggest challenge is no steady income. Without earning, we struggle to survive." While the new homes bring dignity and hope, the path to full recovery remains challenging. Continued coordinated efforts and compassion will be critical to restoring livelihoods and long-term stability for Manipur's displaced families, Taipei Times concluded. (ANI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi and held detailed discussions about strengthening air connectivity in the state. The Chief Minister urged the Union Minister to operate Delhi-Shimla-Dharamshala and Dharamshala-Shimla-Delhi flights on a daily basis, highlighting that at present, these flights were operational only three days a week, causing inconvenience to the tourists. He also requested the commencement of night landing facilities at Dharamshala airport. Sukhu apprised the Union Minister about the status of the Kangra airport expansion and sought special assistance for the land acquisition process, citing its high cost. He mentioned that the issue had also been raised with the Prime Minister during a previous meeting and sought the continued support of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, emphasising that this would accelerate the region's development. The Chief Minister also requested the construction of four new heliports to strengthen air connectivity further and boost tourism in the state. Discussions were also held regarding the expansion of Shimla airport. The Chief Minister urged the Union Minister to extend the operational watch hours beyond 1 p.m. at Shimla airport and also proposed the operation of Dornier-type aircraft at Shimla, following the example of the northeastern states. He emphasized the need to encourage additional operators to start flight services to Shimla. Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Principal Resident Commissioner Sushil Kumar Singla and senior officers of the Ministry of Civil Aviation were also present during the meeting. Earlier, Sukhu called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and apprised her of the financial situation of the state, and called for increasing the state's borrowing limit. He informed about the massive losses incurred due to recent heavy rains and flash-floods in the state and urged the Centre to provide assistance to the state, an official release said. He also held detailed discussions about issues concerning the Ministry. Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena and Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister, Ram Subhag Singh, accompanied the Chief Minister. (ANI) Niti Aayog's newly released report also highlighted West Bengal's "positive standing in several other areas such as literacy rate, education outcomes, life expectancy, sex ratio, she said Writing on X, Mamata Banerjee highlighted that state's unemployment stood at just 2.2 per cent, 30 per cent lower than national average of 3.2 per cent. "Pleased to share that NITI Aayog has officially recognised West Bengal's strong performance across key socio-economic indicators--most notably in employment. The State's annual unemployment rate for 2022-23 stood at just 2.2 per cent, which is 3o per cent lower than the national average of 3.2 per cent," she said. Focusing on other positives mentioned in the report, The West Bengal CM said state's literacy rate stood at 76.3%, above the national average of 73% (as of 2011). Mamata Banerjee pointed that state's average sex ratio in the State stood at 973 female births per 1,000 male births--significantly better than the national average of 889. "Infant mortality rate: 19 per 1,000 live births (2020), and Total fertility rate: 1.6 children per woman (2019-21), both better than national averages," she said. She also focused on the education outcome, pointing that state had lower school dropout rates and higher pass percentages in Classes X and XII compared to national averages "Quality of life: The report notes steady improvement, including higher-than-average household access to drinking water," she said. CM Mamata Banerjee said that these achievement reflect West Bengal's continued commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. The West Bengal CM skipped the last NITI Aayog meeting in Delhi and has been a critic of the policy think tank. Days ago she expressed strong disapproval over a glaring error in a NITI Aayog report, where Bihar was wrongly shown in place of West Bengal on the map meant to represent the state. (ANI) After the death of a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore who had attempted self-immolation, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Sulata Deo on Tuesday accused the government of being "against Dalits and tribals." She questioned the timing of the postmortem and alleged that it was conducted at night to suppress public attention. Speaking to ANI, Sulata Deo said, "This government is against Dalits and tribals...Why was the postmortem done at night? The body was brought at night so that no one would come to know..." The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers staged a protest as the mortal remains of the deceased student were being taken to the postmortem centre of AIIMS. Earlier on Monday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed the death of the 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation. The Department of Burn Centre, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said in a statement that the patient was brought to the casualty on July 12 and was referred from Balasore District Headquarters Hospital to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. "She was admitted to the Burns Centre ICU. The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14," the statement said. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief and assured the family of the deceased that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. (ANI) Ahead of the splashdown of the Dragon spacecraft, Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla's father Shambhu Dayal Shukla expressed his happiness on his son's return. Speaking to ANI, Shambhu Dayal Shukla said that the splashdown would be noted down in history. "We are very excited that our son is returning from the mission and landing on Earth. He had made us so proud. It will be noted down in history... We are waiting for his safe landing. It is a day of joy for the entire nation. I thank the entire nation for their prayers... He is our son, but he belongs to the entire nation... We prayed and remembered God..." the father said, speaking to ANI. Notably, Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla spent almost 20 days in space with almost 19 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission (Axe-4), and has marked history by becoming the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. The team is set for a splashdown on Earth off the coast of San Diego, California, at around 3 pm IST today. According to a post on X by SpaceX, the crew, aboard its Dragon spacecraft are on track to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, with their arrival to be announced with a "brief sonic boom" ahead of their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. "Dragon and the Axiom Space Ax-4 crew are on track to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and splash down off the coast of San Diego at ~2:31 a.m. PT tomorrow. Dragon will also announce its arrival with a brief sonic boom prior to splashing down in the Pacific Ocean," SpaceX stated. The crew currently aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, Grace, are on their return journey, which will take approximately 22.5 hours back to Earth from the ISS. Earlier, on Monday, the Ax-4 successfully undocked and marked their way back to Earth, as observed by Axiom Space and NASA. In an informative blog about the mission updates, NASA informed that the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked at 7:15 am EDT or 4:45 pm IST from the space-facing port of the International Space Station's Harmony module, completing the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4. (ANI) Following the death of a Balasore student, who attempted to self-immolate, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Leader Ipsita Sahoo said that the Higher Education Minister. Suryabanshi Suraj must resign. "Why are BJP leaders allowed inside the hospital, but we (BJD) are not allowed even outside it. Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj must resign," said Sahoo, speaking to ANI on Tuesday. In addition to this, another BJD leader, Elina Dash, on Tuesday accused the state government and police of covering up the incident, claiming the student had died earlier than officially declared. Speaking to ANI, Dash said, "They officially declared at night that she is no more, but we knew she had died when she was 95% burnt. They staged the entire drama because the President was going to come. They had a plan to take the body discreetly during the night." Adding further she said, "We are fighting for justice. We will not leave until she and her family get justice. We will not leave until she and her family get justice. The police are the partner in rime and are protecting them in everything. We will not let them take the body away till the Higher Education Minister and the Chief Minister resign. There will be protests in every district and village. The Department of Burn Centre, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said in a statement that the patient was brought to the casualty on Saturday and was referred from Balasore District Headquarters Hospital to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. "She was admitted to the Burns Centre ICU. The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible support management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on Monday," the statement read. The 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore district set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of the Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid homage to freedom fighter and Congress leader K Kamraj on his birth anniversary and said that his noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly. Taking to X, PM Modi said, "Paying homage to Thiru K. Kamaraj Ji on his birth anniversary. He was at the forefront of India's freedom struggle and provided invaluable leadership in the formative years of our journey after Independence. His noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1944961516995813617 Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to K Kamraj, calling him "a true son of India." "Today, we pay our sincere homage to K. Kamarajar, a true son of India, revered by the people of Tamil Nadu for his pioneering social welfare initiatives," Kharge wrote on X. Highlighting Kamraj's active role in the freedom struggle and his "transformative impact" in nation building after independence, Kharge said, "One of the Independence movement's towering figures, a Former Congress President, and a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, Kamarajar was a tireless champion of social justice. His visionary Mid Day Meal scheme stood as a powerful catalyst, breaking down barriers and bringing education within reach for the disadvantaged." Kumaraswami Kamaraj was born humble and poor in a backward area of Tamil Nadu on July 15, 1903. His schooling lasted only six years. At the age of twelve, he was already working as a shop assistant. He was barely fifteen when he heard of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which was the turning point in his life. Kamaraj was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1937, unopposed. He was again elected to it in 1946. He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1946 and later to Parliament in 1952. He became the Chief Minister of Madras in 1954. In 1963, he suggested to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, that senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts to take up organisational work. This suggestion came to be known as the 'Kamaraj Plan'. He was honoured posthumously with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1976. (ANI) According to statement from DRI, specific intelligence developed by officers of DRI Mumbai indicated that one female Indian national, coming from Doha to Mumbai on July 14 would be smuggling narcotics into India. Acting on the said intelligence, DRI Mumbai officers intercepted the female passenger upon her arrival at Mumbai Airport on July 14. A thorough examination of her baggage led to the recovery of six oreo boxes and three chocolate boxes. On opening, all nine boxes were found to contain capsules filled with a white powdery substance purported to be Cocaine. A total of 300 such capsules were recovered, DRI said All capsules were individually tested using the field test kit, which showed positive result for Cocaine. Total 6261 grams of Cocaine with an estimated value of Rs 62.6 crore in illicit market was recovered and seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. In addition, the said passenger was arrested. Further investigation is in progress. Earlier on June 22, DRI Mumbai arrested a male passenger who had arrived at Mumbai Airport from Sierra Leone after 1,139 grams of cocaine, valued at Rs 11.39 crore in the international illicit market was seized from him. According to DRI Mumbai, upon questioning, the passenger admitted to having ingested capsules containing narcotic drugs for smuggling into India. He was then immediately admitted to a nearby government hospital. On June 20, acting on specific intelligence, DRI Mumbai, intercepted a Nigerian woman suspected of transporting narcotic substances from Delhi to Mumbai by bus. The operation, conducted late at night, involved a 50-kilometre surveillance trail before the woman was stopped and her baggage checked. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) stands at the forefront of combating drug trafficking in India, playing a pivotal role in intercepting illicit narcotics, dismantling trafficking networks, and safeguarding national security. (ANI) Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday called the death of the 20-year-old Balasore student an "organised murder by the BJP's system," accusing the BJP of failing to protect the victim. Gandhi alleged that the student, who set herself on fire after facing sexual harassment, was subjected to repeated threats, torments and humiliation instead of receiving justice. In a post on X, LoP Gandhi wrote, "The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment, but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her." https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/1944972620924911929 The LoP accused the BJP government of shielding the accused and called on Prime Minister Modi to break his silence, ensuring safety and justice for the daughters of India. "As always, the BJP's system continued to shield the accused and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire. This is not suicide; it is an organised murder by the system. Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur, the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you? You remain silent. The country doesn't need your silence; it needs answers. India's daughters need safety and justice," the post reads. Earlier in the day, the Congress workers staged a protest outside AIIMS Bhubaneswar following the death of a student from Balasore who had attempted self-immolation. Police later detained the protesting workers. On Monday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed the death of the 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation. The Department of Burn Centre, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said in a statement that the patient was brought to the casualty on July 12 and was referred from Balasore District Headquarters Hospital to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. "She was admitted to the Burns Centre ICU. The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14," the statement said. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. (ANI) The Fall Armyworm pest has wreaked havoc on the maize crops in Udhampur's Mansar Panchayat, causing huge losses to farmers in the district. The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous insect that feeds mainly on maize and more than 80 other crops, including wheat, sorghum, millet, sugarcane, vegetable crops and cotton. FAW is a global threat to food security, impacting food production and rural livelihoods. Chief Agricultural Officer Harbans Singh stated that the effect of the Fall Armyworm on the crop was also the result of the late sowing of the crop. He advised farmers to sow their crops early, further stating that pesticides had been spread on 3,000 hectares of land to prevent any further infestation. "Maize is cultivated across 26,000 hectares in the district. Fall Armyworm has been infesting here for 2-3 years, primarily due to the late sowing of the crop. I would hence advise early sowing of crops, rotation of crops... Nearly 3,000 hectares have been infested, and our teams are going into the field for investigation. We are spreading information on the pesticide and measures for preventing infestation..." Singh told ANI. Maize farmer Karnail Singh expressed his plight on the loss of the crops and appealed to the government to conduct an inquiry into the situation. "Most of our crops have been destroyed by worms... The government should conduct an inquiry on why this is happening... Our income will be affected by this much destruction..." Singh told ANI. Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, ultra-high density apple farming has transformed the horticulture sector. The initiative, launched under centrally sponsored schemes, aims to boost apple production and double farmers' income. Farmers in Rajouri's Thanamandi block are experiencing significant income growth due to high-quality apple production. The shift to ultra-high-density apple farming has provided employment opportunities and better livelihood options for the local poor. Farmers are being trained in modern horticulture practices, enabling them to optimise yields and improve quality. The program is being implemented in several blocks, including Thanamandi, Dharhal, Kotranka, Budhal, and Manjakote. High-tech nurseries have been set up in the Saaj and Budhal areas to support the initiative. Abdul Razak, who is in charge of Nursery Saaj, informed that they grow apples, plums, walnuts and apricot plants from seed in the high-tech nurseries and then plant them after grafting. He said that after the government initiative, people are profiting. "We have five high-tech nurseries. These are very useful as plants get prepared fast and are ready to be planted outside....We have so many orchards here and in the Mandi region as well. " (ANI) Mortal remains of the student, who died after setting herself on fire following alleged inaction by the authorities of her college in Odisha against her sexual harassment complaint against an assistant professor, were brought to her native village in Balasore district for the last rites on Tuesday. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored leading to her taking the drastic step inside the campus of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College on Saturday. Yesterday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed that the student had succumbed to her burns. She was first admitted to the Balasore district hospital before being moved to AIIMS. Opposition parties staged protests demanding justice for the deceased student and strict action against those involved. Fakir Mohan (Autonomous ) College Education Head of Department Samira Kumar Sahu and Principal Dilip Ghose have been arrested in the case. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief and assured the family of the deceased that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. In a post on X, CM Majhi said, "I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite the government's fulfilment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim's life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss." "I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family," the Odisha CM emphasised. Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati also expressed deep sorrow over the death of a woman student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore who had attempted self-immolation. Kambhampati called it a tragic loss and said those responsible will face strict punishment. He also offered condolences to the student's family. In a post on X, Kambhampati wrote, "Shattered to learn of the untimely loss of a young student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Her passing is not just a tragedy,it is a stark reminder of the urgent need to safeguard our campuses." "The law will take its toughest course. Those responsible will face uncompromising punishment. My heart goes out to the grieving family. May they find strength in this hour of unbearable pain.Sadgati Praptirastu," the post reads. (ANI) Odisha State Congress President Bhakta Charan Das on Tuesday called for a statewide "bandh" on July 17 in protest against the death of a student of Balasore Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, who self-immolated herself in protest over sexual harassment by her teacher. The 20-year-old victim succumbed to burn injuries late last night despite a 60-hour treatment effort at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Das demanded the resignation of the State Education Minister, local MLA and MP over the death of the Balasore student. "Our demand is that the Education Minister, the MLA, and the MP--all three--should resign, and their party should expel all three... On the 17th, we have called for an Odisha bandh, and we appeal to all sections to support it," Das told ANI. The Odisha Congress Chief noted that the victim, even after complaining at multiple forums, did not get justice. "The student knocked on every door for justice and even got an FIR registered... but she did not get justice... She even went to the MLA. The MLA could have ensured justice for her, but he did not do so... The MP also did not take this matter seriously... Was it not their responsibility to take this matter seriously? ... If even a little action had been taken, the situation would not have come to the point where that student had to take her own life... The government did not even realise that this is their responsibility," he added. Earlier, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, called the death of the 20-year-old Balasore student an "organised murder by the BJP's system," accusing the BJP of failing to protect the victim. In a post on X, LoP Gandhi wrote, "The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment, but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her." "As always, the BJP's system continued to shield the accused and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire. This is not suicide; it is an organised murder by the system. Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur, the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you? You remain silent. The country doesn't need your silence; it needs answers. India's daughters need safety and justice," the post reads. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. (ANI) Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, on Tuesday, expressed deep sorrow over the death of a student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore who had attempted self-immolation. Kambhampati termed it a tragic loss, assured that those responsible would face strict punishment. He also offered condolences to the student's family. In a post on X, Governor Kambhampati wrote, "Shattered to learn of the untimely loss of a young student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Her passing is not just a tragedy; it is a stark reminder of the urgent need to safeguard our campuses." https://x.com/DrHariBabuK/status/1944978034324595023 "The law will take its toughest course. Those responsible will face uncompromising punishment. My heart goes out to the grieving family. May they find strength in this hour of unbearable pain. Sadgati Praptirastu," the post reads. Meanwhile, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, called the death of the 20-year-old Balasore student an "organised murder by the BJP's system," accusing the BJP of failing to protect the victim. Gandhi alleged that the student, who set herself on fire after facing sexual harassment, was subjected to repeated threats, torments and humiliation instead of receiving justice. In a post on X, LoP Gandhi wrote, "The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment, but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her." The LoP accused the BJP government of shielding the accused and called on Prime Minister Modi to break his silence, ensuring safety and justice for the daughters of India. "As always, the BJP's system continued to shield the accused and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire. This is not suicide; it is an organised murder by the system. Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur, the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you? You remain silent. The country doesn't need your silence; it needs answers. India's daughters need safety and justice," the post reads. On Monday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed the death of the 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. (ANI) Eight Opposition political parties, including the Congress, on Tuesday unitedly called for 'Odisha Bandh' on July 17 over the death of a 20-year-old girl student from Balasore, demanding the resignation of the State Higher Education Minister and a judicial investigation. "Joint opposition has resolved that Odisha will be closed on 17th July," CPI(M) leader Suresh Panigrahi told ANI. "The victim girl appealed to the Odisha government, the local MP and MLA, Principal, District Collector, SP and the Higher Education Minister of state and centre, but nothing happened... We demand a strict judicial investigation of the whole incident, the Higher Education Minister should resign, and some action should be taken against the local MLA and MP," he added. On Monday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed the death of the 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation. She set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. Meanwhile, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday called the death an "organised murder by the BJP's system," accusing the BJP of failing to protect the victim. Gandhi alleged that the student was subjected to repeated threats, torments and humiliation instead of receiving justice. In a post on X, LoP Gandhi wrote, "The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment, but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her." "As always, the BJP's system continued to shield the accused and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire. This is not suicide; it is an organised murder by the system. Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur, the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you? You remain silent. The country doesn't need your silence; it needs answers. India's daughters need safety and justice," the post read. Earlier in the day, the Congress workers staged a protest outside AIIMS Bhubaneswar following the death of the student. Police later detained the protesting workers. (ANI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh to the family of the Balasore student, who self-immolated herself in protest over sexual harassment by her teacher. Chief Minister Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the passing away of the 20-year-old Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student and assured that all guilty will be "strictly" punished. "Hearing the news of the demise of the victimised student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, the Honorable Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep sorrow and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul. The Honorable Chief Minister has directed that a proper investigation of the incident be conducted and that all the guilty be punished strictly in accordance with the law," Odisha CMO wrote in a post on X. Additionally, he has announced the provision of financial assistance of 20 lakh rupees from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the closest relatives of the deceased student's family," Odisha CMO added. Earlier in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the death of the 20-year-old Balasore student an "organised murder by the BJP's system," accusing the BJP of failing to protect the victim. Gandhi alleged that the student, who set herself on fire after facing sexual harassment, was subjected to repeated threats, torments and humiliation instead of receiving justice. In a post on X, LoP Gandhi wrote, "The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment, but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her." On Monday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed the death of the 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation. The Department of Burn Centre, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said in a statement that the patient was brought to the casualty on July 12 and was referred from Balasore District Headquarters Hospital to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. (ANI) On Tuesday, the Delhi Police arrested two robbers named Vikas alias Jacky and Ankit alias Kekkad, who have been previously involved in over 45 cases of robbery, theft, burglary, Arms Act and NDPS Act. According to Delhi Police one complainant, a Rapido driver, has stated in his complaint that around 2:30 AM, when he was going to drop a passenger from Moti Nagar to Sultan Puri, when he reached near the Ordinance Depot, two persons came on a scooty and stopped him, under the pretext of asking for an address. The case was registered, and an investigation was initiated when the robbers stopped the complainant and pointed a pistol at him. They ran away from the spot after robbing the complainant's motorcycle. The Delhi Police team gathered CCTV footage from over 500 cameras along the accused's escape and back routes, gathering crucial information about the suspects. Based on this intelligence, the accused, Vikas alias Jacky and Ankit alias Kekkad, were apprehended with the stolen motorcycle. During the arrest, an illegal firearm (Desi Katta) with two live cartridges was recovered from Ankit alias Kekkad's possession. Further investigation led to the recovery of the scooty used by the accused during the crime, based on their disclosure. Further investigation is underway to trace the source of the illegal weapon. Ankit has previously been involved in 12 Cases of Robbery, Arms Act, NDPS Act and Vikas (25) has previously been involved on 35 Cases of theft, Burglary and Arms Act. Earlier on July 13, The Crime Branch of Delhi Police achieved a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat crime in the city. A dangerous day burglar gang was smashed, and two individuals, including a major burglar, were apprehended. The Crime Branch of Delhi Police apprehended two accused, including a Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) and a 22-year-old identified as Aftab alias Sukha, from the Sector 10/11 area near Japanese Park in Rohini. 53 high-end phones were recovered from the possession of the accused, along with house-breaking tools were seized from the accused, indicating their involvement in various crimes. According to a Delhi Police, both apprehended were found to be involved in several cases of burglary, phone theft & other similar offences. The arrests were made by a team from Northern Range-I of the Crime Branch under Sections 35(1)(c) and 106 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). During interrogation, the duo confessed to carrying out several thefts and break-ins in areas including Chirag Delhi, Saket, Mehrauli, and Dwarka. Acting on their disclosures, police recovered 53 high-end mobile phones from their possession. So far, 30 of these devices have been linked to First Information Reports (FIRs), eFIRs, and lost phone reports registered across Delhi NCR. (ANI) St. Thomas School in Delhi's Dwarka and St. Stephen's College of the University of Delhi received bomb threats on Tuesday. The threat was sent to the Delhi Police via email today at 7:15 AM. In the case of St. Stephen's College, the mail stated that a bomb had been planted in the library. Both locations have been evacuated, and the Delhi Police Bomb Squad, Dog Squad, Delhi Fire Brigade team, and Special Staff team are on the spot. It was cordoned off, and a thorough AS check is being conducted. So far, nothing suspicious has been found, claims Delhi Police. The Delhi Police further said that no other college has given any such information to them till now. On Monday, two schools in Chanakyapuri and the Dwarka area of Delhi also received bomb threats via the Delhi Police's mail. No explosives were found in the combing operation. The police stated that there were anti-Tamil Nadu government messages in the email sent to Chanakyapuri School. The police added that they are investigating the threats. Moreover, the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) said in a police complaint that the Golden Temple in Punjab's Amritsar also received a bomb threat yesterday. Amritsar Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar has stated that the police received a complaint via email threatening a blast in the Golden Temple. He added that they are taking the help of the state cybercrime and other agencies. He further added that the police will solve the case and ensure security. The Amritsar police have filed an FIR in the matter and launched an investigation. According to Amritsar police, bomb disposal squads (BDS), SGPC force and additional security forces were deployed around the premises. They also assured the public that all the necessary precautions are being taken to ensure safety and security. Commissioner Bhullar also said that the police have urged the public to remain calm and immediately report any suspicious activity. (ANI) An individual named Chandu Naik was shot dead by some unknown people in Shalivahana Nagar, Hyderabad in the early hours of Tuesday, the Malakpet Police said. Naik was out for a morning walk at the park when he was shot at and was found dead by the police. The body has been shifted to Osmania General Hospital, and the case is being registered. More details are awaited, said the police official. Meanwhile, another such case was reported from Patna, Bihar on June 10 when unidentified assailants gunned down a lawyer in the Sultanganj area on Sunday, informed the police. The victim, identified as Jitendra Mahato, aged around 58, succumbed to his injuries during treatment at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). This killing comes close on the heels of the recent murders of prominent businessman and BJP leader Gopal Khemka and another individual in Patna's Ram Krishna Nagar area, intensifying opposition criticism against the Nitish Kumar-led government over rising crime in the state. About the incident, SP Patna East, Parichay Kumar, said that the man identified as Jitendra Mahato was shot dead by the unidentified criminals in Patna, and succumbed to his injuries. Police recovered three bullet shells from the scene and are investigating the motive and identities of the assailants. FSL teams have been deployed, and CCTV footage is being examined. "Criminals shot a person named Jitendra Mahato. He was taken to the PMCH hospital for treatment, where he died. The family said that he used to come here every day to drink tea. Today (Sunday), he came here to drink tea and was shot while returning. Three bullet shells have been recovered from the spot. The identities of the criminals and their motives behind the incident are being investigated. FSL teams, local police, and the SDO were called after I learned about the incident. All the CCTV cameras in the vicinity are being examined. The case is being investigated from every angle," said Kumar. Preliminary information suggests the deceased was a lawyer who had not practised for the last two years. The case is under thorough investigation, as stated by SP. "Based on preliminary information, we got to know that the accused was a lawyer, but was not practising for the last two years," he said. On the pertaining law and order situation, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday claimed there was no organised crime in the state, adding that "it is a bit difficult for the government to stop" murders stemming from personal disputes. "There is good governance in Bihar, there is no organised crime," Choudhary told ANI. "If a murder is taking place due to some personal dispute, it is a bit difficult for the government to stop it. But no organised crime will be allowed to take place in Bihar. This is clear," he added. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking to de-register the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Musalimeen (AIMIM) as political party by the Election Commission of India. A bench of Justices Justice Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, however, allowed petitioner to withdraw the plea and granted liberty to file fresh plea raising larger issues seeking reforms in the affairs of political parties. The apex court refused to interfere with the Delhi High Court's judgment, which had rejected the plea filed by one Tirupati Narasimha Murari, against the registration of AIMIM as a political party under the Representation of the People Act. "Counsel for the petitioner seeks permission to withdraw the present petition with liberty to file a fresh writ petition in which he wishes to raise larger issues - for reforms in respect of the political parties on different grounds. Permission granted," the bench stated in its order. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, appearing for the petitioner, contended that as a political party, AIMIM constitution intended to further the cause of only one religious community, i.e., Muslims. He, therefore, argued it was against the principles of secularism which every political party must adhere to under the scheme of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act. Hearing the case, Justice Kant, pointed out that the Constitution itself specifically granted protection to minorities, and that a declaration to work for the interests of minorities may not be objectionable. In 2024, the Delhi High Court rejected the plea saying that AIMIM fulfilled the legal requirement that the constitutional documents of a political party should declare that it bears true faith and allegiance to the Constitution. Earlier on July 15, party President Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the authority of the Election Commission of India to determine citizenship of Indian nationals, accusing them of doing "NRC through back door" over the poll-body's decision to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls ahead of the Bihar Assembly election. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday accused the Trinamool Congress of portraying his government's firm stance against illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi Muslims as anti-Bengali. He said the alleged attempt is nothing but a desperate ploy to shield Muslim infiltrators from the neighbouring country. "Assam has been waging a relentless war against illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi Muslims for several decades," Sarma said in a post on X. "The recent attempt by the @AITCofficial to distort my media remarks and portray our stand as anti-Bengali is nothing but a desperate ploy to shield Muslim infiltrators from Bangladesh--whose very presence threatens to alter the demographic fabric of our nation. Let it be made absolutely clear: in Assam, every Indian citizen--including Bengali-speaking people--fully understands our position and supports our uncompromising stand against illegal Muslim immigration from Bangladesh," he added. On July 12, the Trinamool Congress slammed the remarks by Sarma that "writing Bengali as mother tongue in the Census documents will quantify the number of foreigners in Assam". "Bengali is the 7th most spoken language in the world. Yet, under @BJP4India's rule, Bengali-speaking Indians are subjected to racial profiling, targeted harassment, and systematic persecution," Trinamool Congress' X handle had posted on X. "By branding Bengalis as "illegal Bangladeshis," @himantabiswa has disgraced the very office he holds. He must apologise immediately," the party added. Meanwhile, Assam Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Numal Momin has claimed that 15 districts of the state have become Muslim-majority. He alleged that the Congress's motto, motive and vision were to make Assam an Islamic state. "As of now, 15 districts have become Muslim majority. At the time of independence, there was not a single district with a Muslim majority. It is a very alarming situation in Assam," Momin told ANI in an interview. "Very scientifically and tactically, infiltration is going on from Lower Assam to Middle Assam and Upper Assam. When I was a child, in that time, my neighbouring district, Golaghat, an area called Sarupathar, had only 60-70 Muslim houses. Now the figure has gone upto 6000-7000 households. This simple example is very much evidence that Muslims are migrating slowly from Lower Assam to Middle Assam and Upper Assam. It is not only demographic changes, but also a serious threat to the Indigenous Assamese people in Assam," he added. (ANI) In a significant development, India on Monday received the second GE-404 engine from the US for the LCA Mark 1A fighter jet aircraft programme, Defence officials said. The engine has been received by the Public sector firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and it is expected to receive 12 more GE-404 engines by the end of this financial year. The engines will be fitted on the LCA Mark 1A fighter jets. The delivery of the engines had been delayed by more than a year due to supply chain issues faced by the American engine manufacturing firm. Indian Air Force has placed orders for 83 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets and a proposal to buy 97 more of these planes is at an advanced stage after the clearance from the Defence Ministry, officials said. Earlier this year, GE Aerospace delivered the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL for the Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A fighter jet. The HAL is planning to integrate the engines with the Mark1A fighters and supply over 10 of these planes to IAF. Recently, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister PK Misra had visited the HAL facilities in Bengaluru and received the LCA Mark 2 project along with the Mark 1A programme. The LCA Mark 2 project is expected to be the replacement for the aging fleet of Mirage 2000, Jaguar and MiG-29 aircraft around the year 2035. Over 400 indigenous LCA aircraft are expected to be built by India with the American GE engine variants in the next over 10 years. More than Rs 9000 Crore have been sanctioned for the development of LCA Mk 2, an updated and more lethal version of LCA Tejas. To further promote indigenisation, including of the aircraft engine, Transfer of Technology for manufacturing of the GE engine in India was negotiated with GE during Prime Minister's visit to the US in June 2023. In the coming years, Tejas would be the largest fleet of fighter aircraft to be operated by the Indian Air Force. (ANI) BJP MP from Balasore, Pratap Chandra Sarangi, on Tuesday called the incident "unprecedented" following the death of a 20-year-old student who had attempted self-immolation. Sarangi said the student had visited him on July 2 along with friends to report the issue. He claimed he had spoken to the college principal and police, asking them to file an FIR and take action. He further added that the principal and a professor were suspended within 12 hours of the incident and those raising questions are just trying to mislead. Speaking to ANI, Pratap Chandra Sarangi said, "This incident is unprecedented. On 2nd July, this girl and a few of her friends came to me. Soon after, I spoke to the college principal and SP. The SP said police have asked the college to file an FIR. I also asked them (Police & College authorities) to file an FIR. The principal said that he was dealing with this case internally, and a decision will be made within a week. I had even requested HoD Sameer Babu to be sent on leave. I got information that she had attempted suicide before...Within 12 hours, the college principal and professor were suspended. Those raising questions are only trying to mislead..." Meanwhile, Odisha State Congress President Bhakta Charan Das has called for a statewide "bandh" on July 17 in protest against the death of a student of Balasore Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, who self-immolated herself in protest over sexual harassment by her teacher. Das demanded the resignation of the State Education Minister, local MLA and MP over the death of the Balasore student. "Our demand is that the Education Minister, the MLA, and the MP--all three--should resign, and their party should expel all three... On the 17th, we have called for an Odisha bandh, and we appeal to all sections to support it," Das told ANI. The Odisha Congress Chief alleged that the victim, even after complaining at multiple forums, did not get justice. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to her taking the drastic step inside the campus of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College on Saturday. Yesterday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed that the student had succumbed to her burns. She was first admitted to the Balasore district hospital before being moved to AIIMS. Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College Education Head of Department Samira Kumar Sahu and Principal Dilip Ghose have been arrested in the case. (ANI) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday paid homage to freedom fighter and Congress leader K Kamraj on his birth anniversary, calling him a "true people's leader and tireless champion" In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "Remembering Bharat Ratna and former AICC President Thiru K. Kamaraj on his birth anniversary. A true people's leader and tireless champion of the marginalised, whose integrity, humility, and service continue to inspire generations." Earlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage to K Kamraj on his birth anniversary and said that his noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly. Taking to X, PM Modi said, "Paying homage to Thiru K. Kamaraj Ji on his birth anniversary. He was at the forefront of India's freedom struggle and provided invaluable leadership in the formative years of our journey after Independence. His noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly." Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to K Kamraj, calling him "a true son of India." "Today, we pay our sincere homage to K. Kamarajar, a true son of India, revered by the people of Tamil Nadu for his pioneering social welfare initiatives," Kharge wrote on X. Kamaraj was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1937, unopposed. He was again elected to it in 1946. He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1946 and later to Parliament in 1952. He became the Chief Minister of Madras in 1954. In 1963, he suggested to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, that senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts to take up organisational work. This suggestion came to be known as the 'Kamaraj Plan'. He was honoured posthumously with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1976. (ANI) In the Pune Porsche crash case, the Juvenile Justice Board on Tuesday rejected the Pune City Police's request that the CCL (Child in Conflict with Law) should be tried as an adult. The teen, who was driving the car that killed two people on May 19 2024, will now face trial as a minor. The incident occurred in the early hours of May 19, 2024, when a luxury car, driven by the accused juvenile, collided with a motorcycle near Kalyani Nagar in Pune. The crash resulted in the untimely deaths of two young individuals, identified as Ashwini Koshta and Aneesh Awadhia, both from Madhya Pradesh. The juvenile driver was apprehended but later given bail by the Juvenile Justice Board. The minor driver was allegedly served alcohol at a restaurant and bar despite being underage. The incident sparked widespread outrage and controversy over the leniency shown to the accused and the influence of political connections. Also, the parents of the juvenile driver allegedly bribed the doctors to swap his blood samples with those of his mother and similarly, Singh had been accused of replacing the blood samples of his son in connivance with the doctors at the government-run hospital. On April 22 this year, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to the mother of the teenage main accused in the Pune Porsche case after she arrested for allegedly tampering with evidence by swapping her son's blood sample in an attempt to shield him from legal consequences. The case against the main accused, a minor, is ongoing before the Juvenile Justice Board. A case was registered by the Pune crime branch unit after the accident against the parents of the accused minor and doctors of Sassoon Hospital, including two others. They were booked for allegedly conspiring to tamper with evidence and manipulating the blood sample. Last year, on September 26, Pune Police submitted a supplementary report before the JJB and added charges of destruction of evidence against the juvenile accused. Earlier, the police had charged the juvenile accused with Culpable Homicide not amounting to murder. (ANI) The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Tuesday wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking his immediate intervention in an incident of alleged religious discrimination faced by Kashmiri female students at a nursing college in Bengaluru. The students, who wear the hijab or burkha in accordance with their religious beliefs, have reportedly been barred from attending classes and threatened with expulsion by the management of Sri Soubhagya Lalitha College of Nursing, affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS). In its letter, the Association expressed deep anguish over the harassment and humiliation allegedly inflicted upon the students, who were denied entry into classrooms and practical sessions for the past several days. "These Kashmiri female students have been systematically targeted, humiliated, and denied their fundamental right to education solely because they choose to wear the burkha or abaya, an expression of modesty, dignity, and identity rooted deeply in their religious and personal beliefs," the letter stated. National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said that a disturbing incident occurred in which the college chairman stormed into a classroom and ordered hijab-wearing students to leave immediately. When the students asked for clarification based on this directive, they were reportedly told, "This is our college; only our rules apply." The chairman and principal allegedly threatened to terminate the students and withhold their academic records if they continued to wear their religious attire. The students were warned that they would not be permitted inside the college unless they removed their hijabs, despite no official or legal policy existing to support such a ban. "They were told to follow so-called university rules, which prohibit hijab and burkha, though no such official regulation exists under Indian law," he said. Further compounding the matter, the college administration allegedly justified the ban by claiming that other students had objected to the presence of hijab-wearing students. The chairman is also reported to have stated that "hijab and pardah are not allowed for medical students anywhere in the country, not even in Kashmir," and added, "no article or fundamental right is applicable in our college." Calling these justifications "absurd, Islamophobic stereotypes," Khuehami condemned the use of such discriminatory practices and language, noting that this is a "direct and dangerous violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India." The letter cites Articles 25 (freedom of religion), 15 (prohibition of discrimination), and 21A (right to education), stating that forcing students to choose between their faith and education is both "unconscionable" and "unconstitutional." Highlighting the psychological and emotional toll on the affected students, He said that, "It is heartbreaking and enraging in equal measure that students from a conflict-affected region, who left their homes and came to Karnataka in pursuit of higher education and opportunity, are now being subjected to such humiliation and trauma." The association stressed that the implications of this incident stretch beyond the four students directly affected, warning that it sends "a chilling message to every girl from a minority background that her religious identity makes her unwelcome in educational spaces." The association called upon Karnataka's progressive legacy of pluralism, referencing the reformist tradition of Basavanna, the leadership of Devaraj Urs, and the inclusive vision of poet Kuvempu. "This incident, if left unaddressed, risks undermining that very legacy. It threatens to turn institutions of learning into spaces of exclusion, intolerance, and fear," the letter warned. The letter further pointed out that hundreds of Kashmiri students are enrolled in colleges across Karnataka and have chosen the state for its academic excellence, cultural tolerance, and safety. It said that such incidents not only traumatise individual students but also shake the trust of the entire student community. The association demanded that the Chief Minister take swift and decisive action. "These young women must be allowed to resume their education without any coercion to compromise their religious beliefs. The concerned authorities, including the Education Department, RGUHS, and the Minority Commission, must be directed to conduct a thorough investigation, hold those responsible accountable, and issue clear instructions to all educational institutions that such discrimination is unconstitutional and unacceptable," Khuehami added. The association emphasised that this was an opportunity for Karnataka to reaffirm its values of justice and inclusivity. "At a time when our national discourse is increasingly polarised, Karnataka has the opportunity to rise above narrowness and reaffirm the principles on which this country was built: liberty, dignity, fraternity, and justice," it said. "The students of this state, whether from Bengaluru or Baramulla, must feel safe, valued, and protected." The association Urged Chief Minister to direct the Education Minister, RGUHS, and the Minority Commission to investigate the matter urgently and ensure that the students are allowed to attend classes immediately without the condition of removing their religious attire. The association also called for strict disciplinary action against the college officials found guilty of violating the students' rights. (ANI) On Tuesday, Arvind Kejriwal on X called out the BJP governement in Delhi as "a four-engine government have completely failed" after the continuous bomb threats received at educational institutions on two consecutive days in Delhi. Kejriwal took to X and said, "What's happening in Delhi? Yesterday, two schools received bomb threats, and today, another school and college got threats. Children are scared, parents are extremely worried. BJP's four-engine governments have completely failed." AAP leader, Atishi, also shared on X, "The continuous bomb threats to schools and colleges in Delhi are extremely terrifying and worrisome. Children are scared, parents are distressed - the BJP's four-engine governments have proven incapable of even providing security. Does the safety of children hold no importance for them? Law and order have completely collapsed." Today, Delhi's St. Thomas School in Delhi's Dwarka and St. Stephen's College of the University of Delhi received bomb threats. The threat was sent to the Delhi Police's mail at 7:15 AM stating that a bomb had been planted in the college's library. After the evacuation of both locations and a thorough AS check by the Delhi Police Bomb Squad, Dog Squad, Delhi Fire Brigade team, and Special Staff team, nothing suspicious was found, according to the Delhi Police. On Monday, two schools in Chanakyapuri and the Dwarka area of Delhi also received bomb threats via Delhi Police mail. All of them turned out to be hoaxes as no explosives were found in the combing operation, the Delhi Police claims. The police further said that there were anti-Tamil Nadu government messages sent to Chanakyapuri school via email. The police added that they are investigating these threats. Earlier on July 10, Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP) Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj and other leaders took to X, shared images of waterlogged streets and slammed the BJP for its alleged failure to tackle flooding, even with all four 'engines' in power. Sharing photos of waterlogging in Lutyens' Delhi, AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "This is Lutyens' Delhi. Just an hour of rain, and this is the state of the road near the official residence of PWD, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Verma." Alleging failed promises from teh BJP, Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "BJP's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, and other ministers and leaders made tall claims that Delhi won't drown this year. They said all necessary preparations had been made to prevent waterlogging. If everything was in place, then why did Delhi flood after just one hour of rain?" (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin paid tribute to K Kamaraj, the former Chief Minister and Congress President, on his 123rd birth anniversary. Stalin highlighted Kamaraj's significant contributions to the education sector, particularly his initiative of introducing the mid-day meal scheme in schools. In a post on X, Stalin said, "That day, what was served in schools was not just lunch; it was the foundation for a century-long dream of education! Thankfully, there were no self-proclaimed geniuses back then saying, "Schools should only provide education; are they hotels to serve food?" That's why Tamil Nadu reaps so many benefits today! Salutations to the great leader Kamarajar, who opened the eyes of education!" In a video posted on X, CM Stalin paid floral tributes to K Kamaraj's portrait and interacted with the school children present. The post caption read: 'Wearing a khadi shirt, the karmaveerar who performed the duties of a black-shirted worker! A true Tamilian who governed under the guidance of Thanthai Periyar! A great leader who boldly declared that talent does not come from birth but can be achieved by anyone given the opportunity! On his birth anniversary, I pay my respects to him, who lived as a simple leader among the people, and launched the project to reach out to the people. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Ministers Sekar Babu, Anitha Radhakrishnan, Chennai Mayor Priya paid floral tribute to Former TN Chief Minister and Congress National President K Kamaraj's statue and portrait at Chennai Anna Salai. Additionally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi remembered Kamaraj as a true people's leader and a tireless champion of the marginalised. In a post on X, Gandhi said, "Remembering Bharat Ratna and former AICC President Thiru K. Kamaraj on his birth anniversary. A true people's leader and tireless champion of the marginalised, whose integrity, humility, and service continue to inspire generations". Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage to K. Kamaraj on his birth anniversary. "Paying homage to Thiru K. Kamaraj Ji on his birth anniversary. He was at the forefront of India's freedom struggle and provided invaluable leadership in the formative years of our journey after Independence. His noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly," PM Modi said in a post on X. Kumaraswami Kamaraj was born humble and poor in a backwards area of Tamil Nadu on July 15, 1903. His schooling lasted only six years. At the age of twelve, he was already working as a shop assistant. He was barely fifteen when he heard of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which was the turning point in his life. Kamaraj was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1937, unopposed. He was again elected to it in 1946. He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1946 and later to Parliament in 1952. He became Chief Minister of Madras in 1954. In 1963, he suggested to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, that senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts to take up organisational work. This suggestion came to be known as the 'Kamaraj Plan'. He was honoured posthumously with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1976. (ANI) The first Make-in-India cost-effective advanced Carbon Fibre Foot Prosthesis, indigenously designed and developed by DRDO's Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) and AIIMS Bibinagar, Telangana, was unveiled at AIIMS Bibinagar, Telangana, on July 14, 2025, according to the Ministry of Defence. AIIMS Bibinagar - DRDL, DRDO Indigenously Developed Optimised Carbon Foot Prosthesis (ADIDOC), a major breakthrough under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, was launched by Distinguished Scientist & Director, DRDL, Dr GA Srinivasa Murthy and Executive Director, AIIMS Bibinagar, Dr Ahanthem Santa Singh. ADIDOC is biomechanically tested to loads up to 125 kgs with a sufficient factor of safety. It has three variants to cater to patients of different weights. This foot is designed with the goal of offering a high-quality and affordable solution accessible to a larger population in need, while delivering performance at par with available international models. It is expected to significantly reduce the cost to as low as Rs 20,000 in production, compared to the current imported similar products that cost around Rs 2 lakh. Hence, this innovation is expected to significantly improve accessibility to high-quality prosthetics for low-income group amputees in India, reduce dependency on imported technologies, and support broader social & economic inclusion for people with disabilities. Earlier, DRDO handed over six strategic indigenously designed and developed products against the Naval Staff Qualitative Requirements (NSQR) to the Indian Navy, officials said in a statement. Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO handed over these products to Rear Admiral Sriram Amur ACNS( SSP), Naval HQ at a special ceremony held at Defence laboratory JodhpuThe six indigenously designed products include Gamma Radiation Aerial Surveillance System (GRASS), Environmental Surveillance Vehicle (ESV), Vehicle Radiological Contamination Monitoring System (VRCMS), Underwater Gamma Radiation Monitoring System (UGRMS), Dirt Extractor and Cross Contamination Monitor (DECCOM) and Organ Radioactivity Detection System(ORDS). (ANI) Rashid has sought interim bail or custody parole to attend the upcoming Parliament's Monsoon session starting from July 21. Rashid is in judicial custody in a terror funding case linked to Hafiz Saeed. Special Judge Chander Jit Singh reserved order after considering the submissions of NIA and counsel for Engineer Rashid was represented by Advocates Aditya Wadhwa, Vikhyat Oberoi and Nishita Gupta, who argued that he should be granted interim bail, and in the alternative, should be allowed to attend parliament in custody (without payment of travel cost). It is also argued that the trial court has granted interim bail to him on 10.09.2024 for state elections campaigning, which was extended thrice. Hence, he cannot be considered a security threat. Moreover, the Delhi High Court had allowed him to attend parliament in custody twice vide order dated 10.02.2025 and 25.03.2025, during which he duly participated, the counsel submitted. NIA opposed the plea, submitting that an interim order should not be granted. If he is allowed to attend in custody, he should pay travel expenses. Counsels for Rashid are opposed to paying any travel expenses, as he is seeking to attend Parliament as his public duty and not for his personal work. On earlier occasions also Engineer Rashid was granted permission to attend parliament sessions and to take oath. (ANI) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday called on Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and held a "fruitful" conversation regarding the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament. In a post on X, Kharge reiterated that the Opposition wants a "productive" Rajya Sabha session and emphasised that a number of issues of great public concern are needed to be debated and discussed. "The Opposition wants a productive Rajya Sabha session from July 21st. For that to happen a number of strategic, political, foreign policy and socio-economic issues that are of great public concern need to be debated and discussed. Today, I called on the Hon'ble Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and had a fruitful conversation," Kharge said. https://x.com/kharge/status/1945012303474127170 The Monsoon Session of Parliament is set to be held from July 21 to August 21. There will be no Parliament sittings on August 13 and 14 due to Independence Day celebrations. Earlier, top leadership of BJP held a meeting at the party president JP Nadda's residence in the national capital. Many other BJP Union Ministers, including Amit Shah, were also present at the meeting. The Central government will convene an all-party meeting on July 19, ahead of the Monsoon Session 2025, said Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju earlier. Rijiju said, "The central government called an all-party meeting on July 19 regarding the monsoon session of Parliament. The monsoon session of Parliament is starting from July 21 and will run till August 21." There will be no Parliament sittings on August 13 and 14 due to Independence Day celebrations. Announcing the Monsoon Session, Rijiju wrote on X, "The Hon'ble President of India has approved the proposal of the Government to convene the Monsoon Session of Parliament from 21st July to 21st August, 2025. In view of the Independence Day celebrations, there will be no sittings on the 13th and 14th of August." The upcoming Monsoon session will be the first Parliament session following Operation Sindoor, which was launched by India on May 7 in response to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. (ANI) Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday reached the MP-MLA court in Lucknow to appear in a defamation case related to allegedly making a controversial remark against the Indian Army. UP Congress President Ajay Rai said, "Rahul Gandhi has come to Lucknow today, as he has to remain present before the Court. He will return to Delhi after that..." Earlier in the day, the LoP in the Lok Sabha called the death of the 20-year-old Balasore student an "organised murder by the BJP's system," accusing the BJP of failing to protect the victim. Gandhi alleged that the student, who set herself on fire after facing sexual harassment, was subjected to repeated threats, torments and humiliation instead of receiving justice. In a post on X, LoP Gandhi wrote, "The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment, but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her." The LoP accused the BJP government of shielding the accused and called on Prime Minister Modi to break his silence, ensuring safety and justice for the daughters of India. "As always, the BJP's system continued to shield the accused and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire. This is not suicide; it is an organised murder by the system. Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur, the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you? You remain silent. The country doesn't need your silence; it needs answers. India's daughters need safety and justice," the post reads. The Congress workers staged a protest outside AIIMS Bhubaneswar following the death of a student from Balasore who had attempted self-immolation. Police later detained the protesting workers. On Monday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed the death of the 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation. (ANI) In another significant step towards restoring peace and security in Manipur, many operations were conducted in the early hours of Tuesday by Security Forces (SFs) in the valley districts namely Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur. Acting on specific intelligence about a large cache of arms, ammunition, and warlike materials concealed at various locations, coordinated operations were launched simultaneously at multiple sites in the peripheral and suspected areas. Joint teams, comprising the Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and the Army and Assam Rifles, recovered the following arms, ammunition, explosives, and other warlike stores. As per the release, a total of 86 weapons were recovered, including five AK series rifles, three INSAS rifles, sixteen self-loading rifles (SLRs), and five .303 rifles. Additionally, nineteen pistols, two carbines, sixty other rifles, sixteen single-barrel breech-loading (SBBL) or bore action guns, two anti-riot guns, one Joint Venture Protective Carbine (JVPC), one double-barrel breech-loading (DBBL) gun, six bolt-action guns, and one two-inch mortar were also seized. In terms of ammunition and explosives, authorities recovered a total of 974 rounds of live ammunition. This included 526 rounds of 7.62 mm, 226 rounds of 5.56 mm, 190 rounds of .303, seven rounds of 9 mm, and four rounds of .32 mm ammunition. Additionally, six high-explosive (HE) mortar shells, two tube launchers, and four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found. Other recoveries included nine grenades, forty-one assorted magazines, and six wireless handsets. These continued intelligence-led operations represent a major accomplishment for the Manipur Police and Security Forces in their continued mission to restore peace, uphold public order, and safeguard the lives and property of citizens. Security forces urged the public to cooperate with them and to promptly report any suspicious activity or information related to illegal arms to the nearest police station or the Central Control Room. Senior police officials remain in close coordination with all security stakeholders to ensure that such operations continue in a sustained and focused manner, aimed at restoring normalcy, maintaining public order, and safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens. (ANI) Himachal Pradesh is looking forward to receiving a major relief package from the Central Government in the wake of widespread destruction caused by torrential rains and flash floods, with the Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital on Tuesday. Confirming the scheduled meeting, Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan, told ANI in Shimla that apart from the Union Home Minister, he is expected to meet the vice chairman of Niti Aayog and also the Road and Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari. "After the expected meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Himachal Pradesh is hopeful of receiving a major relief package. The situation post-disaster, particularly the series of cloudbursts in the Siraj region of Mandi district, where 8 to 10 incidents occurred in a single day, has caused severe damage. People have lost their lives, livelihoods, and homes," he said. "Entire villages have been washed away. Farmlands have vanished. Roads have been destroyed. The situation remained grim for almost a week. The Chief Minister personally visited the affected areas twice and stayed among the people for three days. The PWD Minister and Deputy CM were also sent to help restore the road, water schemes and electricity supply. But this is just emergency relief. The real damage is far greater and requires long-term planning and substantial resources." Chauhan said. On the state government's efforts, Chauhan said that the CM has assured support to the affected villages. "The CM assured the affected people in the villages of continued support. As per the revised Disaster Relief Manual amended by the state in 2023, 7 lakh will be given per damaged house. However, challenges like a lack of land for rebuilding homes are grave. Special permissions must be granted for forest land use, and a special package is urgently needed." He said. Chauhan further noted that the CM had met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday and sought a relaxation in the state's borrowing limits. "He requested an enhancement in the borrowing limit (FRBM) so that more help can be extended to the people. The focus remains on a special package, particularly for the Siraj region of Mandi district," he said. The damage across the state is already estimated at over 1,000 crore, with monsoon expected to last another month. "The loss figure will rise," Chauhan warned. The Chief Minister is also expected to meet Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari later today. "The widening of national highways like Mandi-Pathankot, Parwanoo-Shimla, and others has led to property loss. The CM will raise concerns about compensation for people whose homes are at risk or were lost due to construction-related activities," Chauhan said. During the PWD Minister's visit, road cutting activities were halted temporarily. We are demanding a scientific review and appropriate compensation through NHAI for the affected people," he added. Highlighting the CM's proactive approach, Chauhan said: "The CM will meet several other Union ministers and also the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog during his Delhi visit. His goal is to ensure timely help and support for the people of Himachal during this crisis. Our entire administration, from Deputy Commissioners and SDMs to police and Home Guards, is on high alert throughout the monsoon. We are closely monitoring all weather warnings from IMD." Chauhan also flagged the urgent need for scientific research into cloudburst patterns. "The recent cloudbursts are a major concern. The CM believes there must be research into the causes and impacts. Every department is on alert, and the administration has even cancelled leaves of key personnel to ensure preparedness," he said. "This is a major crisis for our people. The CM is committed to ensuring that every affected person receives timely help. Special permissions, packages, and relaxed borrowing limits are essential to deal with this calamity," he said. The Chief Minister is expected to stay in the national capital till Tuesday evening to meet key Union ministers across portfolios. (ANI) The Delhi High Court has restrained 56 rogue websites from illegally streaming the newly released films Maalik and Sarbala Ji, owned by Tips Films Limited. The court passed an ad-interim injunction in favour of the film production company in a copyright infringement suit filed against the unauthorised streaming platforms. The bench of Justice Amit Bansal on July 11 directed that all listed websites be prohibited from hosting, streaming, or distributing any copyrighted content belonging to the plaintiff without appropriate authorisation. The court stated that failure to act swiftly would lead to "irreparable harm or injury" to the intellectual property rights of Tips Films. The next hearing is scheduled for November 17, with pleadings and service to be completed by September 15. The film company had approached the court, citing the imminent threat of online piracy, particularly as Maalik premiered on July 11 and Sarbala Ji was slated for release on July 18. The plaintiff company asserted that the defendant's websites not only facilitated illegal access to copyrighted films but also shielded their identities using domain privacy services to evade detection. After examining the evidence, the court found these actions to be a prima facie violation of Sections 51(a)(i), 51(a)(ii), and 51(b) of the Copyright Act, 1957. As a result, several directions were issued to curb further infringement. Internet Service Providers across India were instructed to block access to the 56 websites immediately. Domain Name Registrars were ordered to suspend the domain registrations of the listed platforms and disclose registrant details, including names, emails, phone numbers, IP addresses, and payment methods, to aid Tips Films in pursuing legal remedies. Furthermore, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) were directed to issue official notifications and provide ongoing support in future piracy cases. In clarification, the court permitted any website wrongly blocked under the order to approach it with a formal undertaking not to stream unauthorised content belonging to the plaintiff. Tips Films was also allowed to report additional infringing websites in the future, with a streamlined mechanism established for swift action. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla upon his return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), saying he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication. The PM termed the achievement a significant step towards India's Human Space Flight Mission Gaganyaan. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote,"I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India's first astronaut to have visited the International Space Station (ISS), he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit." He added, "It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan." SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, marking the safe return of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew, including pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). The splashdown, confirmed by SpaceX, concludes a nearly 19-day mission aboard the ISS, fulfilling a significant milestone in Indo-US space cooperation. "Splashdown of Dragon confirmed - welcome back to Earth, @AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz, and Tibi!" in a post on X. The Axiom-4 crew returned to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) after almost 20 days in space. The re-entry was done following the completion of the deorbit burn and the jettisoning of the trunk, as confirmed by SpaceX. "Dragon's nosecone is closed and secured for reentry. Splashdown in ~26 minutes," SpaceX stated in a post on X. "Dragon's deorbit burn is complete and the trunk has been jettisoned," stated another post. The crew returned to earth in approximately 22.5 hours from the ISS. Earlier, on Monday, the Ax-4 successfully undocked and was making their way back to Earth, as observed by Axiom Space and NASA. In an informative blog about the mission updates, NASA informed that the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked at 7:15 am EDT or 4:45 pm IST from the space-facing port of the International Space Station's Harmony module, completing the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4. Axiom Space, in its live session on X, noted that the Axiom-4 mission saw over 60 scientific studies and more than 20 outreach events. The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz "Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu, had been actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS as part of the mission during the past 18-days. As per NASA, the Dragon spacecraft returns to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission. Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday informed that a total of 1,19,548 bighas of land have been freed from encroachers in the ongoing eviction drive in the state. Assam CM said, "After we formed the government, so far 84,743 bighas of land in forest and national park areas have been freed from encroachers. A total of 1,19,548 bighas of land have been freed from encroachers." Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday accused Trinamool Congress of portraying his government's firm stance against illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi Muslims as anti-Bengali. He said the alleged attempt is nothing but a desperate ploy to shield Muslim infiltrators from the neighbouring country. "Assam has been waging a relentless war against illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi Muslims for several decades," Sarma said in a post on X. "The recent attempt by the @AITCofficial to distort my media remarks and portray our stand as anti-Bengali is nothing but a desperate ploy to shield Muslim infiltrators from Bangladesh--whose very presence threatens to alter the demographic fabric of our nation. Let it be made absolutely clear: in Assam, every Indian citizen--including Bengali-speaking people--fully understands our position and supports our uncompromising stand against illegal Muslim immigration from Bangladesh," he added. On July 12, the Trinamool Congress slammed the remarks by Sarma that "writing Bengali as mother tongue in the census documents will quantify the number of foreigners in Assam." "Bengali is the 7th most spoken language in the world. Yet, under @BJP4India's rule, Bengali-speaking Indians are subjected to racial profiling, targeted harassment, and systematic persecution," Trinamool Congress' X handle had posted on X. "By branding Bengalis as "illegal Bangladeshis," @himantabiswa has disgraced the very office he holds. He must apologise immediately," the party added. Meanwhile, Assam Legislative Assembly's Deputy Speaker Numal Momin has claimed that 15 districts of the state have become Muslim-majority. He alleged that the Congress's motto, motive and vision were to make Assam an Islamic state. "As of now, 15 districts have become Muslim majority. At the time of Independence, there was not a single district with a Muslim majority. It is a very alarming situation in Assam," Momin told ANI in an interview. "Very scientifically and tactically, infiltration is going on from Lower Assam to Middle Assam and Upper Assam. When I was a child, in that time, my neighbouring district, Golaghat, an area called Sarupathar, had only 60-70 Muslim houses. Now the figure has gone upto 6,000-7,000 households. This simple example is very much evidence that Muslims are migrating slowly from Lower Assam to Middle Assam and Upper Assam. It is not only demographic changes, but also a serious threat to the indigenous Assamese people," he added. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian and lifted the country's aspirations to new heights. "Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted India's aspirations to new heights. His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone, it is a proud stride for India's growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours," the Defence Minister wrote in a post on X. https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1945058361613107259 SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' successfully landed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on Tuesday, marking the safe return of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew, including pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). The splashdown, confirmed by SpaceX, concludes a nearly 19-day mission aboard the ISS, fulfilling a significant milestone in Indo-US space cooperation. "Splashdown of Dragon confirmed - welcome back to Earth, @AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz, and Tibi!" SpaceX said in a post on X. Earlier, SpaceX stated that it was set for a splashdown on Earth off the coast of California, as the nosecone of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' has been closed and secured for reentry. SpaceX made the announcement of the mission in a post on X, as the mission marks the final stages of the crew's return from the International Space Station (ISS) after almost 20 days in space. The re-entry was done following the completion of the deorbit burn and the jettisoning of the trunk, as confirmed by SpaceX. "Dragon's nosecone is closed and secured for reentry. Splashdown in ~26 minutes," SpaceX stated in a post on X. "Dragon's deorbit burn is complete and the trunk has been jettisoned," stated another post. The crew returned to earth in approximately 22.5 hours from the ISS. Earlier, on Monday, the Ax-4 successfully undocked and was making their way back to Earth, as observed by Axiom Space and NASA. In an informative blog about mission updates, NASA announced that the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked at 7:15 a.m. EDT (4:45 p.m. IST) from the space-facing port of the International Space Station's Harmony module, completing the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4. Axiom Space, in its live session on X, noted that the Axiom-4 mission saw over 60 scientific studies and more than 20 outreach events. The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz "Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu, had been actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS as part of the mission during the past 18 days. As per NASA, the Dragon spacecraft returns to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission. Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module. (ANI) Tamil Maanila Congress President GK Vasan on Tuesday slammed the DMK goverment on the birth anniversary of K Kamaraj, the former Chief Minister and Congress President, describing his tenure as the "golden rule" during which new schools were opened from cities to villages. "Kamaraj was a role model for public life. His rule as Chief Minister was called the golden rule. He opened new schools from cities to villages. He wanted all children to study, so he arranged for free meals," Vasan told ANI in his tributes on the birth anniversary of K Kamaraj. He predicted that the next party (coming to power) is AIADMK, BJP and its allies. The Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu are scheduled in 2026. Vasan also blamed the DMK government for allegedly "deteriorating" the quality of education during their tenure and attacked the government for "burdening" the people with taxes. "During the DMK government, the condition of education has deteriorated due to the presence of TASMAC shops near schools and colleges. DMK should now close them all. The anti-incumbency wave against DMK is at its peak, and the next party is AIADMK, BJP, and its allies. We will have more parties in the coming months. We will be the next choice of the people. DMK has only created chaos and confusion and burdened people with taxes." Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin paid tribute to K Kamaraj and highlighted Kamaraj's significant contributions to the education sector, particularly his initiative of introducing the mid-day meal scheme in schools. In a post on X, Stalin said, "That day, what was served in schools was not just lunch; it was the foundation for a century-long dream of education! Thankfully, there were no self-proclaimed geniuses back then saying, "Schools should only provide education; are they hotels to serve food?" That's why Tamil Nadu reaps so many benefits today! Salutations to the great leader Kamarajar, who opened the eyes of education!" In a video posted on X, CM Stalin paid floral tributes to K Kamaraj's portrait and interacted with the school children present. Kumaraswami Kamaraj was born humble and poor in a backward area of Tamil Nadu on July 15, 1903. His schooling lasted only six years. At the age of twelve, he was already working as a shop assistant. He was barely fifteen when he heard of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which was the turning point in his life. Kamaraj was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1937, unopposed. He was again elected to it in 1946. He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1946 and later to Parliament in 1952. He became Chief Minister of Madras in 1954. In 1963, he suggested to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, that senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts to take up organisational work. This suggestion came to be known as the 'Kamaraj Plan'. He was honoured posthumously with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1976. (ANI) The Congress leader was shot allegedly by unidentified persons at 8:30 pm on Monday near Varikuntam X road, police said According to Sub-Inspector Mohd Ghouse of Kolcharam, the deceased had a real estate business, and he may have been involved in some land litigation with the accused. Marelli was followed from Hyderabad, and later his vehicle was stopped, and the accused fired at him, the police official said. A case has been registered, and the efforts continue to trace the accused, Sub-Inspector Ghouse stated. The body has been shifted to the hospital and sent for a post-mortem examination. Further details are awaited. (ANI) Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, said that education must remain the central focus as the country progresses. He made the remarks while speaking at a seminar titled "School Education in India: Towards Equitable Access to Quality Education for All," organised by the Council for Social Development on Tuesday. Stressing that education is fundamental to the nation's growth, Puri underlined that India's journey from a $4 trillion economy today to a $35 trillion economy by 2047 rests on nurturing a generation of responsible and productive citizens through universal, high-quality, and inclusive education. Highlighting the transformative policy milestones in the last two and a half decades, the Minister noted that in 2002 during Vajpayee government, the Constitutional foundation of the Right to Education (RTE) was firmly laid through the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, which guaranteed free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years by making it a Fundamental Right under Article 21A. This decisive step shifted elementary education from a Directive Principle to an enforceable right, eventually leading to the enactment of the RTE Act in 2009. The momentum of this historic reform has been strengthened under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014 through focused implementation and flagship programmes. Citing pre-RTE and post-RTE data from UDISE and ASER reports, Puri shared encouraging outcomes that underline the success of sustained efforts under Modi Government in the education sector: the youth literacy rate has reached nearly 97 per cent; the gender literacy gap has narrowed significantly, supported by initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan; and enrolment rates have witnessed remarkable growth--with primary enrolment rising from 84 per cent to 96 per cent, and upper primary enrolment from 62 per cent to 90 per cent. Equally notable are improvements in educational infrastructure and teacher resources: the teacher-pupil ratio has improved from 42:1 to 24:1, the proportion of schools with separate girls' toilets has surged from 30 per cent to 91 per cent, and those with electricity have increased from 20 per cent to 86 per cent. Meanwhile, the dropout rate has seen a sharp decline from 9.1 per cent to 1.5 per cent. Reflecting on India's broader educational journey, he pointed out that literacy at the time of independence stood at 17 per cent, which has now advanced to around 80 per cent according to NSSO data, an achievement that paves the way for universal education as the next frontier. Puri emphasised that education must be viewed as a national priority, transcending political ideologies, as it directly shapes the country's developmental aspirations. While acknowledging that he is not a specialist in education policy, he reiterated his conviction that robust educational reforms and inclusive learning are essential to realise India's demographic dividend. The seminar paid tribute to the vision and legacy of Prof. Muchkund Dubey, in whose honour the Muchkund Dubey Centre for Right to Education has been instituted at the Council for Social Development. The Minister expressed gratitude for the opportunity to inaugurate the first event of the Muchkund Dubey Centre for Right to Education, honouring Prof. Muchkund Dubey's enduring legacy. Remembering him as a mentor and an exceptional diplomat, scholar, and public intellectual, Puri highlighted Prof. Dubey's lifelong commitment to ensuring equitable and quality education for every child in India. (ANI) In a significant push toward achieving self-reliance in defence technologies, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) in collaboration with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), is organising a Workshop and Exhibition on Indigenisation of critical components currently being imported from foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) in the areas of UAV & C-UAS at New Delhi's Manekshaw Centre on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday. The event comes in the backdrop of recent India-Pakistan hostilities, including Operation Sindoor, which highlighted the strategic importance and operational effectiveness of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS). "These systems played a vital role in enhancing situational awareness, enabling precision targeting, and reducing risks to human personnel-demonstrating the maturity, dependability, and value of India's indigenous defence technologies during real-time operations," according to a press release. Recognising the importance of reducing the dependency on Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for critical UAV and C-UAS components, the upcoming workshop-cum-exhibition aims to bring together all relevant stakeholders, including defence experts, policymakers, military leaders, scientists, and private industry, to develop a strategic roadmap for indigenisation. The event is expected to serve as a catalyst for innovation, knowledge sharing, and long-term capability building in unmanned systems. "The initiative aligns with India's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, aiming to bolster national security, enhance defence preparedness, and transform India into a global hub for advanced military technologies. The workshop will feature talks by prominent experts, live demonstrations of indigenous technologies, and discussions on overcoming existing challenges in domestic production," the statement read. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest. Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will deliver the closing address, summarising the deliberations and presenting the expected outcome, a strategic policy document focused on the indigenisation of UAV and C-UAS systems and their critical subcomponents. (ANI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) sought time on Tuesday to respond to a plea moved by Tahawur Rana, who is seeking regular telephonic conversations with his family. Jail authorities have filed their response. Earlier, he was allowed to talk to his family. Special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh listed the Matter for hearing on July 25. Meanwhile, the court has allowed a plea of Rana seeking a direction to provide a bed and a mattress in Tihar Jail. The jail authorities had opposed the plea, submitting that, according to jail rules, inmates aged 65 or older can be provided a bed. Rana has not attained the age of 65. On the other hand, it was submitted on behalf of Rana that he is 64 years 6 months and has medical issues. After considering the submissions, the court allowed Rana's plea. Additionally, the NIA informed the court that it has provided the complete medical history of Rana to the Jail authorities. Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on July 9 filed a supplementary charge sheet against Tahawur Rana in the 26/11 Mumbai terror case. The court had extended the judicial custody of Rana till August 13. This supplementary charge sheet contains procedural documents, including arrest memos, seizure memos, and other relevant documents, Rana's counsel, Piyush Sachdev, told ANI. The main charge sheet was filed by the NIA in December 2011. On June 9, the Court had granted Tahawwur Rana permission to make a single phone call to his family for the time being. The call was strictly conducted in accordance with jail regulations and under the supervision of a senior official from the Tihar jail authorities. Recently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) collected voice and handwriting samples from Rana, who was extradited from the United States. The NIA had previously informed the court that Rana was confronted with substantial evidence related to the 26/11 attacks. The agency argued for further custody, citing his evasive behaviour during questioning and lack of cooperation. Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan and Special Public Prosecutor Narender Mann represented the NIA in the proceedings, while Advocate Piyush Sachdeva defended Rana. A 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, Rana, was extradited recently in connection with his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The devastating attack, orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed over 170 lives and left hundreds injured. (ANI) The family of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla exuberated happiness and celebrated the moment as he and the entire crew returned to Earth after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Speaking to ANI, Shukla's mother expressed her happiness at the return of his son to the Earth. "I don't have words to express my happiness...PM Modi also congratulated him..." said Asha Shukla. "Excitement is endless and we are very proud. We were afraid at first... The upcoming generation should take inspiration and move ahead as well..." she added. Expressing his happiness, his father expressed his urge to meet his son as soon as possible. "Now we want to meet him as soon as possible...We were praying for his safe return to earth..." Shambhu Dayal Shukla stated. "We thank god for the safe landing of Shubhanshu Shukla...Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also blessed Shubhanshu Shukla and extended best wishes to us..." he added. His sister, Shuchi Mishra, said, "I am so happy that PM Modi congratulated him. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla deserves all the praise...We are very relaxed and happy as he has returned to earth safely" The Dragon spacecraft piloted by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla splashed down with grace, completing its mission after 18 days on the ISS. Waving to the camera, a smiling 'Shux' egressed from the Dragon spacecraft which he had piloted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla upon his return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), saying he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication. The PM termed the achievement a significant step towards India's Human Space Flight Mission Gaganyaan. SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' successfully landed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, marking the safe return of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew, including pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). The splashdown, confirmed by SpaceX, concludes a 18-day mission aboard the ISS, fulfilling a significant milestone in Indo-US space cooperation. Earlier, SpaceX stated that it was set for a splashdown on Earth off the coast of California, as the nosecone of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' has been closed and secured for reentry. SpaceX made the announcement of the mission in a post on X, as the mission marked the final stages of the crew's return from the International Space Station (ISS). The re-entry was done following the completion of the deorbit burn and the jettisoning of the trunk, as confirmed by SpaceX. "Dragon's nosecone is closed and secured for reentry. Splashdown in ~26 minutes," SpaceX stated in a post on X." The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz "Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu, had been actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS as part of the mission during the past 18-days. As per NASA, the Dragon spacecraft returns to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission. Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that someone has to be held responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, following religious profiling. "Who is responsible for this failure? If it is an intelligence failure, then who is responsible for this? It is not possible that 26 people lost their lives and there is no response from our side. Now that we know that there has been a failure in security and intelligence, someone has to be held responsible," CM Omar told reporters while calling for fixing accountability for the deadly attack. On July 10, LG Manoj Sinha said that Jammu and Kashmir was witnessing a transformation that, according to many, is unprecedented even in the past fifty years and is a precedent to the fact that "terrorism will not sustain here." He said, "A significant and profound transformation has taken place in Kashmir. I have completed five years, but people say that even in the last fifty years, such a change has never occurred. On April 22, when innocent civilians were targeted in Pahalgam, the way Kashmir rose against the barbarism, against terrorism, against Pakistan, I believe such a moment has never occurred in history. This clearly shows us that terrorism will not be able to sustain itself here." On April 22, terrorists attacked a group of tourists in the scenic town of Pahalgam in south Kashmir. India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. India repelled subsequent Pakistani military aggression and pounded its airbases. India and Pakistan agreed to a cessation of hostilities following a call made by Pakistan's DGMO to his Indian counterpart. (ANI) RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday slammed Nitish Kumar government, questioning the promise of 19 lakh jobs and criticizing the state's deteriorating law and order situation. Yadav expressed frustration over the government's inability to fulfill its promises. "They promised 19 lakh jobs..what happened to those? Has Nitish Kumar ever spoken about this publicly? What's the point of making grand announcements if they can't face the people and explain? With elections around the corner, they'll say anything, but their time is up, and this government will go," Yadav said. Tejashwi Yadav claims the Nitish Kumar government is copying RJD's employment agenda, with Nitish Kumar announcing one crore government jobs and employment opportunities over the next five years. Yadav questions the feasibility of these promises, pointing out that Nitish Kumar had previously criticised RJD's promise of 10 lakh government jobs as unrealistic Yadav also echoed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's concerns about Bihar's law and order, referring to the state as the "crime capital" of the country and urging a focus on positive change and highlighted the state's increasing crime rate, citing recent incidents of murder, loot, and violence. "The media is reporting the rampant crimes,...murders, shootings, kidnappings, and rapes happening daily. Everyone knows what's going on, but who is being held accountable?" he asked, pointing to the rising incidents of violence and lawlessness across the state. He pointed out that in the past six months, nine prominent businessmen have been murdered in Bihar, emphasizing the need for accountability and action. Earlier today, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the Bihar government is unable to control law and order, with criminals becoming more brazen and citizens feeling unsafe. Addressing reporters in Patna, he questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the issue, asking if he will ever express concern or just deliver speeches. Yadav urged PM Modi to "leave his teleprompter and speak his mind" about the situation in Bihar, suggesting that the Prime Minister is more focused on scripted speeches than addressing the state's real issues. The Bihar LoP described Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as being in an "unconscious state" and unable to handle the administration of Bihar, with the Prime Minister allegedly controlling the state remotely. He accused the Chief Minister of failing to take action against criminals, allowing them to thrive in the state, claiming that the government is protecting criminals, emboldening them to commit crimes, and that the situation in Bihar is "terrifying." The reaction comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, which are expected to be held later this year in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced an official date. While the NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will once again seek to continue its stint in Bihar, the INDIA bloc, comprising the RJD, Congress, and left parties, will aim to unseat Nitish Kumar. In the current Bihar Assembly, comprising 243 members, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) consists of 131 members, with the BJP having 80 MLAs, JD(U) having 45, HAM(S) having 4, and the support of 2 Independent Candidates. The Opposition's INDIA Bloc comprises 111 members, with the RJD leading with 77 MLAs, followed by Congress with 19, CPI(ML) with 11, CPI(M) with 2, and CPI with 2. (ANI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the three students who drowned in an 'aahar' (pond) in Bihar's Gaya. According to a press release by Bihar CMO, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed deep condolences on the death of three students due to drowning while bathing in a pond in Kosdihra village of Magadh Medical Police Station area of Gayaji district. The Chief Minister has described this incident as very sad. The Chief Minister has directed that an ex gratia grant of Rs 4 lakh each be given to the dependents of the deceased. The Chief Minister has prayed to God to give strength to the bereaved families to bear with patience in this hour of grief, the press release said. Mourning the death of the students, CM Kumar wrote in an X post, "The death of three students due to drowning while bathing in a pond in Kosdihra village under the Magadh Medical Police Station area of Gaya district is tragic. Instructions have been given to provide a compassionate grant of 4 lakh rupees each to the dependents of the deceased. I pray to God to grant strength to the bereaved families to bear this hour of grief." The incident occurred when three children drowned in a pond after returning from school on Monday. The father of the deceased told ANI, "I was working at my shop. I received a call from the house and rushed. The people in the family said that the children went to take a bath after coming back from school. One was my son, and two were my younger brother's children." The father of two of the deceased, Mohammad Imtiaz Alam, said, "He (one of the deceased) was my elder brother's son. The women in the house called and said such an incident had occurred, and I rushed to the hospital. My children were 14 and 15 years old. They were returning from school. There was a big ditch." (ANI) According to a press release, during the meeting, CM Dhami requested an expansion of the AIIMS Rishikesh-operated air ambulance service, along with the provision of an additional helicopter dedicated to emergency operations in Uttarakhand's difficult and remote mountainous regions. He also urged the Centre to increase the per-family central contribution under the Ayushman Bharat scheme from Rs 1,052 to Rs 1,500 for SECC beneficiaries and expressed gratitude for the participation of AIIMS specialists in the Char Dham Yatra, suggesting that travel duty be included in travel residencies for postgraduate medical residents. Chief Minister Dhami further highlighted the rapid construction of two new medical colleges - Jagjivan Ram Medical College in Pithoragarh and Pandit Ram Sumer Shukla Medical College in Rudrapur, and requested the Union to approve their academic launch for the 2026-27 academic session. He also sought expedited permissions for the Tehri Medical College, which is being developed in collaboration with THDC, the press release stated. Additionally, he appealed for immediate central assistance to establish a modern trauma centre at Srinagar Medical College, emphasising its vital role in serving local communities, pilgrims of the Char Dham Yatra, and tourists in the surrounding Himalayan area. Union Minister JP Nadda assured CM Dhami of the Union Government's full cooperation in all requested initiatives. According to the release, this meeting highlights the collaborative efforts between the Centre and Uttarakhand to strengthen health infrastructure, enhance emergency care in remote and pilgrimage-heavy areas, and support the state's ongoing expansion of medical education. (ANI) Delhi Home and Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood also attended the meeting, which comes a day after a separate review session on the provisions of the MPD-2041 was conducted at the Delhi Secretariat. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had submitted the draft of the master plan to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in April 2023. However, the plan is still awaiting final approval. It may be recalled that the draft MPD-2041 had earlier received the nod of Delhi's Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who also serves as the chairman of the DDA, on February 28, 2023. (ANI) Former Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), William Selvamurthy, hailed the return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow Axiom-4 crew members, calling it a proud and historic moment for India and its 1.4 billion citizens. Speaking to ANI, Selvamurthy said, "Welcome back, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, and also the other three crew members of the Axiom IV. It's a great moment for us, the 1.4 billion people of our country, welcoming the news with cheers and jubilation." He added that Group Captain Shukla's journey has deeply inspired the country's youth and will serve as a driving force in pushing India's space ambitions to greater heights in the years ahead. "It's a very historic moment today, after completing the historic milestone of spending eighteen days in the International Space Station, being the first Indian to be in the International Space Station and also the second Indian to be in space after the late Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma," he said. "He has also piloted the entire Axiom IV program. This is yet another pinnacle for India--that our Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has piloted the Axiom IV mission, which has been completed," he said. He further added that the mission's objectives were successfully accomplished and confirmed the crew's safe landing off the southern coast of California. "We are all looking forward to seeing him soon and learning more about his experience," Selvamurthy added. Meanwhile, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft 'Grace', piloted by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, splashed down smoothly in the Pacific Ocean, completing its 18-day mission aboard the ISS. Waving to the camera, a smiling Shukla, nicknamed 'Shux', was seen exiting the spacecraft he piloted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla upon his return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), saying he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication. The PM termed the achievement a significant step towards India's Human Space Flight Mission Gaganyaan. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote,"I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India's first astronaut to have visited the International Space Station (ISS), he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit." He added, "It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan." SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, marking the safe return of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew, including pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). The splashdown, confirmed by SpaceX, concludes a nearly 19-day mission aboard the ISS, fulfilling a significant milestone in Indo-US space cooperation. "Splashdown of Dragon confirmed - welcome back to Earth, @AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz, and Tibi!" in a post on X. The Axiom-4 crew returned to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) after almost 20 days in space. The re-entry was done following the completion of the deorbit burn and the jettisoning of the trunk, as confirmed by SpaceX. "Dragon's nosecone is closed and secured for reentry. Splashdown in ~26 minutes," SpaceX stated in a post on X. "Dragon's deorbit burn is complete and the trunk has been jettisoned," stated another post. The crew returned to Earth in approximately 22.5 hours from the ISS. Earlier, on Monday, the Ax-4 successfully undocked and was making its way back to Earth, as observed by Axiom Space and NASA. In an informative blog about mission updates, NASA announced that the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked at 7:15 a.m. EDT (4:45 p.m. IST) from the space-facing port of the International Space Station's Harmony module, completing the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4. Axiom Space, in its live session on X, noted that the Axiom-4 mission saw over 60 scientific studies and more than 20 outreach events. The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz "Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu, had been actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS as part of the mission during the past 18-days. As per NASA, the Dragon spacecraft returns to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission. Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module. (ANI) Justice Saurabh Banerjee passed aninjunction on July 10, restraining the alleged infringers from manufacturing, selling or advertising the products with Reliance and Jio trademarks. The Court said that they cannot use Reliance's artistic work because the infringing trademarks portray a picture that the products have been manufactured by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). "Moreover, the product of defendant nos.1 to 21 are sold through online e-commerce platforms where consumers rely on brand name and logos to identify the origin of goods, in such circumstances, if any confusion between such products, if allowed to continue, could risk consumer safety. Therefore, in such a circumstances, this Court has to adopt a more cautious and stringent approach for judging the likelihood of confusion and to exercise greater care," the Court noted. Justice Banerjee passed the order on a suit filed by RIL alleging that several sellers on e-commerce platforms are selling fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products using the trademarks of Reliance. It was stated that Reliance is also involved in the FMCG business, selling fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and other everyday groceries through both online and offline channels. The use of Reliance and Jio trademarks without authorisation is likely to deceive and confuse members of the trade and the public at large, it was stated. The Court agreed with RIL's submissions and passed the injunction order. Reliance Industries Limited was represented by Advocates Ankit Sahni and Kritika Sahni (Partners), Chirag Ahluwalia (Senior Associate), and Mohit Maru (Associate) of Ajay Sahni & Associates). Advocates Naman Joshi, Priya Goyal and Aakash Deep Singh appeared for one of the defendants. Advocates Akshay Maloo and Rashabh Rao represented another of the defendants. Advocates Vivek Ayyagari, Mishthi Dubey and Abhay Aren appeared for another defendant. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Police on Tuesday launched a 15-day statewide anti-drug awareness campaign "Nashe Se Doori - Hai Zaroori" aiming to make the public aware about the effects of drug abuse, according to an official release. Director General of Police (DGP) Kailash Makwana formally inaugurated the campaign by unveiling the campaign poster and reading out a message issued by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at the Police Headquarters in Bhopal on Tuesday. The campaign will run from July 15 to July 30 across all districts of the state, it added. Speaking at the launch, DGP Makwana said that the initiative, inspired by the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, is being run by the state police to prevent drug addiction in society. "The word 'drugs' brings to mind a weak body, intoxicated eyes, and darkness. Drug addiction is destroying the young generation and their families. The top political leadership of the country and the state is also concerned about the serious problem and is making efforts to resolve it," the release read. "It is our moral responsibility to protect adolescents and youth by raising awareness about its consequences and keeping them away from drugs. 'Our message is - Madhya Pradesh should be drug free'," the DGP added. The statement further added that the campaign will feature daily activities across the state, which include broadcasting through local radio and FM channels, banners, posters, hoardings at public places and distribution of pamphlets. Also, video messages will be conveyed through digital screens at bus stands and major intersections. Additionally, information about the harmful effects of drugs will be announced through PA systems installed on garbage collection vehicles. Extensive public messages will also be broadcast on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp through hashtags #naash_se_duurii_hai_jruurii, #Say No To Drugs, #NashamuktMP etc. A "selfie point" related to de-addiction will be set up at each event location to encourage the public participation. Helpline numbers 1933, 14446 and website https://ncbmanas.gov.in will be widely publicized for narcotics-related complaints and counselling. Along with this, promotional material like caps, wrist bands, badges, posters and banners will also be distributed. The public awareness campaign is aiming to serve as a strong and coordinated effort across the state to build public opinion against drug abuse and to play a significant role in moving towards a drug-free, healthy, and safe society, it added. Under the campaign, awareness programmes will be run in schools, colleges, slum areas, religious places, markets, and industrial establishments. Along with this, messages from senior officers, athletes and public figures will be played in public areas and shared on social media. Motivational stories of former addicts who overcame addiction will also be highlighted. (ANI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal welcomed back Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who piloted Axiom-4's 'The Dragon' spacecraft from the International Space Station (ISS) back to Earth earlier today. "Welcome back, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. India is proud of your courage, dedication, and service to the nation. Jai Hind," Kejriwal posted on X. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed astronaut Shukla back to Earth, highlighting how the Air Force officer has been an inspiration to "a billion dreams," with his dedication, courage and spirit. Shukla is the first Indian to visit the ISS, marking yet another milestone towards India's ambitions of carrying out its human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. "I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India's first astronaut to have visited the International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan," the Prime Minister posted on X. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also posted on X, "Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted India's aspirations to new heights. His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone, it is a proud stride for India's growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours." The Dragon spacecraft piloted by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla splashed down with grace, completing its mission after 18 days on the ISS. Waving to the camera, a smiling 'Shux' egressed from the Dragon spacecraft which he had piloted. The spacecraft successfully landed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, marking the safe return of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew. The splashdown, confirmed by SpaceX, concludes a nearly 19-day mission aboard the ISS, fulfilling a significant milestone in Indo-US space cooperation. SpaceX made the announcement of the mission in a post on X, as the mission marks the final stages of the crew's return from the International Space Station (ISS) after almost 20 days in space. The re-entry was done following the completion of the deorbit burn and the jettisoning of the trunk, as confirmed by SpaceX. The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz "Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu, had been actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS as part of the mission during the past 18-days. As per NASA, the Dragon spacecraft returns to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission. Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday spoke to Shambhu Dayal Shukla, the father of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, following the latter's successful return to Earth after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission - 4. During the telephonic conversation, the Defence Minister expressed happiness over Shubhanshu's safe return and said the entire country is proud of his achievement. "We thank god for the safe landing of Shubhanshu Shukla... Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also blessed Shubhanshu Shukla and extended best wishes to us," Shambhu Dayal Shukla told ANI later. In a separate statement posted on X, Rajnath Singh said, "Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted India's aspirations to new heights. His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone, it is a proud stride for India's growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours." The Dragon spacecraft piloted by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla splashed down with grace, completing its mission after 18 days on the ISS. Waving to the camera, a smiling 'Shux' egressed from the Dragon spacecraft which he had piloted. Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Shubhanshu Shukla upon his return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), saying he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication. The PM termed the achievement a significant step towards India's Human Space Flight Mission Gaganyaan. (ANI) Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's family on Tuesday expressed happiness and gratitude that they got to witness the safe return to Earth of the Axiom-4 mission from the International Space Station. Shukla successfully piloted his Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew members back to Earth as the Space X Dragon spacecraft named 'Grace' splashed down off the coast of San Diego at 3.01 p.m. IST (2:31 a.m. P.T). The crew had commenced their Earthward journey after completing their mission to the ISS after 18 days, leaving the orbiting laboratory on Tuesday (July 14, 2025). Group Captain Shukla became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, said that he is happy to see his son represent the nation. Shukla is soon set to be a 'Gaganaut,' being one of the astronauts chosen for India's human space flight mission Gaganyaan. "We are feeling great, that my son landed properly. He also came out of the dragon, this is a really good thing. Not only us, but for the whole country , he went on behalf of the country. Prime Minister has given him blessings and what is there for him has been only through the PM's efforts. I express my gratitude and thank him for this," Shambhu Dayal Shukla, the astronaut's father told ANI as they watched a livestream of he landing in Lucknow. He mentioned how multiple leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, and multiple other leaders congratulated them, and blessed Shukla for his space journey. "Yogi Adityanath also blessed my child, Defence Minister also congratulated us and blessed our child. Everyone congratulated us and blessed him," Shambhu Dayal Shukla said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his welcome message for Group Captain Shukla upon his return to Earth said he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication. The PM termed the achievement a significant step towards India's Human Space Flight Mission Gaganyaan. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said earlier in a post on X, "Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted India's aspirations to new heights. His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone, it is a proud stride for India's growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours." SpaceX made the announcement of the mission in a post on X, as the mission marks the final stages of the crew's return from the International Space Station (ISS) after almost 20 days in space. The re-entry was done following the completion of the deorbit burn and the jettisoning of the trunk, as confirmed by SpaceX. "Dragon's nosecone is closed and secured for reentry. Splashdown in ~26 minutes," SpaceX stated in a post on X." "Dragon's deorbit burn is complete and the trunk has been jettisoned," stated another post. Apart from Shukla, the Ax-4 crew comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz "Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu had been actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS. As per NASA, the Dragon spacecraft returns to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission. The mission was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module. (ANI) Telangana Shiv Sena President Tirupati Narasimha Murari has on Tuesday withdrawn his plea from the Supreme Court that sought to remove the registration of Asaduddin Owaisi's party, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), by the Election Commission. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymala Bagchi refused to entertain the plea and granted liberty to the petitioner to file another plea on a wider issue of bringing reforms in respect of the functioning of political parties in general. "File a petition that doesn't name any particular person/party. Let's not confine it to the question of some communal parties. Regional Parties also sometimes do such things...They bank upon caste considerations. That is equally dangerous. There is a larger and wider issue of reforms in the principles and commitments of political parties", Justice Surya Kant said to Murari's counsel before suggesting him to file another plea with wider issue", Justice Surya Kant said. Murari had moved the top court challenging the decision of the Delhi High Court in dismissing his plea. During the hearing today, Murari's counsel argued that the constitution of the AIMIM party itself is against the principles of secularism. It is for the benefit of a particular community, which is the Muslim community, it was contended. Questioning this line of argument, the top court stated that certain rights are guaranteed to the backwards communities under the Constitution of India, and there is nothing wrong in working for the benefits of backwards persons regardless of which religion they belong to. The counsel for Murari also contended that religious texts are being promoted by AIMIM and are being taught to people. However, the Court rejected this argument and stated that there's nothing wrong with the reading or teaching of religious books, literature or historical texts. The Court, however, acknowledged the fact that political parties in general need to bring reforms in their functioning. It thus suggested that the petitioner file a fresh plea on the wider issue of bringing reforms in the functioning of the parties. Following the Court's suggestion, the counsel for Murari withdrew the plea. (ANI) BRS Working President K Taraka Rama Rao has expressed deep anguish over the recurring alleged "food poisoning" incidents and student deaths in Telangana's Gurukula (residential) educational institutions, a release said. He strongly criticized the government, stating that over the past year, more than a thousand food poisoning cases have been reported, affecting thousands of students and leading to the tragic deaths of over 100 students -- all due to the criminal negligence of the state government, it added. KTR demanded that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy take full responsibility for the food poisoning and student deaths in these institutions. Despite these heartbreaking incidents, neither the state government nor Education Minister Revanth Reddy has conducted even a single review, which KTR termed as a glaring example of their inhuman and authoritarian rule, the release stated. "If such incidents happen once or twice, they may be considered accidental," KTR said. "But when over a thousand incidents occur and children are falling like birds, the government is still in deep slumber," as per the release. The release further said that KTR appealed to Revanth Reddy to at least think like a father, if not as a Chief Minister. "If the government were to serve poison instead of food to your own children, would you remain silent?" he asked. "If Revanth Reddy's own children were living in such dangerous and horrifying conditions, would he still turn a blind eye or would he act?" KTR, urged Revanth Reddy to immediately take this issue seriously. He recalled that the Chief Minister had once asked "who should be held responsible for student deaths, who should be hanged?" -- and now, KTR demanded an answer to that same question from Revanth Reddy himself, as per the release. He pointed out that BRS had repeatedly brought the issue of food poisoning and student deaths to the government's attention. Yet, every time the issue was raised, ministers resorted to superficial actions and diversionary tactics, the release added. While students were dying from poisoned food, the government tried to politicize the matter and downplay the seriousness of the situation, KTR said in harsh criticism,as per the release. He concluded by demanding that the state government immediately wake up from its indifference and take firm action to stop the horrors happening in Gurukul hostels. Otherwise, he warned, the BRS will continue its struggle on behalf of the people,it added. (ANI) The Golden Temple in Punjab's Amritsar received another bomb threat on Tuesday. The dog squad has been deployed at the Golden Temple premises as part of a security check. The holy site for Sikhs received a bomb threat via e-mail for the second consecutive day. Pratap Singh, Secretary of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), demanded strict action against the miscreants. Pratap Singh told reporters, "Golden Temple is the centre of faith of the world, and we received an email threatening a blast in the Golden Temple. It is the responsibility of the police officials to take strict action against those involved in it." He added that the committee wrote a letter to the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Deputy General of Police (DGP). "We received an email threatening a blast in the Golden Temple yesterday. Also, we have written a letter to the Punjab CM and DGP also," Singh said. He asked devotees not to panic amid such threats. "Devotees are coming in the same number as before, and are not frightened. I would request all the devotees in India or outside, there is no need to panic," Pratap Singh said. Earlier, the Golden Temple received a bomb threat on Monday, the SGPC said in a police complaint. Amritsar Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that the police received a complaint regarding an email threatening a blast in the Golden Temple. "We received a complaint from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) authorities that they have received an email threatening a blast in the Golden Temple...We are taking the help of the state cybercrime and other agencies," the Police Commissioner told ANI. He added that the police will crack the case and ensure security. Commissioner Bhullar said, "We are hopeful that we will crack the case soon. We are taking this case very seriously. We are ensuring foolproof security. There is no need to get panicked." The police have registered an FIR in the matter and launched an investigation. According to Amritsar police, bomb disposal squads (BDS), SGPC force and additional security forces have been deployed around the premises. Authorities have assured the public that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure safety and security. Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that the police have appealed to the public to remain calm and report any suspicious activity immediately. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday extended a warm welcome to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla upon his return to Earth following the successful completion of Axiom-4 mission, describing the achievement as a significant milestone for India's growing presence in space exploration and international scientific cooperation. In a post on X, President Murmu wrote, "A hearty welcome to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he comes back on Earth after his space journey. His role in piloting of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station has created a new milestone for India's space exploration as well as for international collaboration in science and technology. My congratulations to everyone involved in this mission." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla upon his return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), saying that he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication. The PM termed the achievement a significant step towards India's Human Space Flight Mission Gaganyaan. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote,"I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India's first astronaut to have visited the International Space Station (ISS), he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit." He added, "It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan." Meanwhile, the Dragon spacecraft piloted by Group Captain Shukla splashed down with grace, completing its mission after 18 days on the ISS. Waving to the camera, a smiling 'Shux' egressed from the Dragon spacecraft which he had piloted. SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, marking the safe return of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew, including pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). The splashdown, confirmed by SpaceX, concludes a nearly 19-day mission aboard the ISS, fulfilling a significant milestone in Indo-US space cooperation. "Splashdown of Dragon confirmed - welcome back to Earth, @AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz, and Tibi!" in a post on X. The Axiom-4 crew returned to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) after almost 20 days in space. The re-entry was done following the completion of the deorbit burn and the jettisoning of the trunk, as confirmed by SpaceX. "Dragon's nosecone is closed and secured for reentry. Splashdown in ~26 minutes," SpaceX stated in a post on X. "Dragon's deorbit burn is complete and the trunk has been jettisoned," stated another post. The crew returned to earth in approximately 22.5 hours from the ISS. On Monday, the Ax-4 successfully undocked and was making their way back to Earth, as observed by Axiom Space and NASA. In an informative blog about the mission updates, NASA informed that the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked at 7:15 am EDT or 4:45 pm IST from the space-facing port of the International Space Station's Harmony module, completing the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4. Axiom Space, in its live session on X, noted that the Axiom-4 mission saw over 60 scientific studies and more than 20 outreach events. The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz "Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu, had been actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS as part of the mission during the past 18-days. As per NASA, the Dragon spacecraft returns to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission. Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module. (ANI) This initiative aims to encourage minority youth to develop innovation, entrepreneurship, and social construction skills. Under the leadership and guidance of BJP Minority Morcha National President Jamal Siddiqui and National General Secretary and Morcha's National Incharge Dushyant Kumar Gautam, the program will honor minority youth who have started their own ventures and set inspiring examples in society through their innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. A national meeting of state presidents and state in-charges will be held on July 16, 2025, to discuss the program's preparations. A social media workshop will be conducted on July 17, 2025, to promote the event and facilitate nominations. The detailed schedule of programs are as follows -- July 16 to August 3, 2025: Application/nomination collection August 3 to August 6, 2025: Nomination shortlisting August 6 to August 9, 2025: Invitation to selected participants, August 12, 2025: Main program (Delhi). Minority community youth entrepreneurs can apply through the official website of the BJP Minority Morcha. The web page link and QR code will be shared on the Morcha's social media platforms to facilitate the nomination process. Participants can submit their nomination forms directly through the website or by scanning the QR code. Meanwhile, as per the instructions of Dushyant Gautam, BJP National General Secretary and Minority Morcha Incharge, a review meeting of the national office-bearers, executive members, state presidents, state general secretaries, and state media in-charges of the Minority Morcha will be held on July 16, 2025 (Wednesday) at 11:00 AM at the BJP Headquarters, Delhi. The meeting will be chaired by Jamal Siddiqui, National President of Minority Morcha, to discuss preparations for the "Kalam Ko Salam" campaign. (ANI) Pithoragarh Superintendent of Police (SP) Rekha Yadav confirmed the incident and stated that a rescue operation is currently underway. "Eight people died after a vehicle carrying 13 people crashed near the Suni bridge in Muwani town. The police officials have reached the spot and rescue operations are underway," SP Yadav said. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. The Chief Minister has directed the district administration and relief and rescue teams to expedite the rescue operation. He has asked to ensure that proper and free medical facilities are provided to the injured on time, the Chief Minister's Office said in a statement. Further details are awaited. (ANI) Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthiran on Tuesday hit out at Chief Minister MK Stalin's 'Ungaludan Stalin' outreach scheme, saying that there were 500 and more election promises made by the Stalin government and alleged that most of the DMK's poll promises remained unfulfilled. "There were 500 and more election promises made by Stalin and he claims he has fulfilled 90 percent of the election promise, which is not right," said Nagenthiran, slamming the DMK-led government for what he called poor governance. He also expressed confidence that the BJP-AIADMK alliance will sweep all 234 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and said, "We BJP-AIADMK alliance will win all 234 seats in 2026 assembly election in Tamil Nadu." Joining the attack on the outreach programme launched by the DMK government, PMK leader K Balu said, "The name of the scheme is itself illegal. People's money is being used for the scheme... The name should be immediately removed or we will file a petition before the high court to remove the name... DMK has never completed any promise given before elections..." He also dismissed the DMK government's performance and said his party was fully united ahead of the 2026 elections, saying, "Initially there were some differences, but now all the party cadres know that the future of the PM can be only protected by PMK, so we are all together... We look forward and only PMK alliance will win in 2026 elections... The DMK government has to go." Earlier in the day, CM Stalin said that as long as the DMK-led alliance stands united, no "Delhi force" can succeed in the State. He was speaking after launching the Ungaludan Stalin (Stalin with you) programme in Chidambaram in Cuddalore district. "I firmly believe that as long as we (the DMK alliance) stand united, no Delhi force can succeed here (in Tamil Nadu)," Stalin said, in an apparent reference to the BJP's effort to become a potent political force in the State. According to the officials, under the Ungaludan Stalin programme, 43 services from 13 departments would be offered in urban areas and 46 from 15 departments would be offered in rural areas under the programme. (ANI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday expressed relief and optimism over the postponement of the execution of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse sentenced to death in Yemen. He described the development as "comforting and hopeful," noting that it provides additional time to secure the termination of her sentence. Vijayan attributed the decision to the persistent efforts and intervention of Kanthapuram AP Abubacker Musliyar and others, including the Action Council, who have been working tirelessly to seek justice for Nimisha Priya. "This decision reflects the tireless efforts of compassionate individuals driven by humanity and brotherhood. I congratulate Kanthapuram and everyone, including the Action Council, who are working hard to get justice for Nimisha Priya," the Chief Minister said in a statement. The execution of 37-year-old nurse from Kerala, Nimisha Priya, which was scheduled for July 16 in Yemen, has been postponed, following "concerted efforts" by the Government of India, sources told ANI on Tuesday, citing local authorities. According to the sources, the postponement provides additional time for her family to negotiate a mutually agreeable solution amid ongoing diplomatic efforts by Indian officials. These officials have maintained regular communication with Yemeni jail authorities and the prosecutor's office, while navigating the sensitivities of the situation to secure this reprieve. "In the case of Ms. Nimisha Priya, it has been learnt that the local authorities in Yemen have postponed the execution scheduled for July 16, 2025," the sources stated. "GOI, which has since the beginning of the case been rendering all possible assistance in the matter, has made concerted efforts in recent days to seek more time for the family of Ms. Nimisha Priya to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party. Despite the sensitivities involved, Indian officials have been in regular touch with the local jail authorities and the prosecutor's office, leading to securing this postponement," it added. The 37-year-old nurse from Kerala was set to be executed on July 16 after a trial court in Yemen convicted her of killing a Yemeni national, a decision that the country's Supreme Judicial Council upheld in November 2023. Earlier on Monday, while giving the Union Government's submission on the case in the Supreme Court, the Attorney General of India (AGI) stated that the Indian government is making every possible effort to help Priya. He further informed the Court that talks are ongoing with Yemeni authorities, including the public prosecutor handling Priya's case, to secure a suspension of the execution order until negotiations can be pursued. The court will continue to hear the case on July 18. (ANI) With ten more days left for the last date of submission of the filled Enumeration Forms (EFs) in the ongoing Bihar SIR out of the 7,89,69,844 electors in Bihar, Enumeration Forms (EFs) of 6,81,67,861 or 86.32 per cent have been collected, a press release said. According to a press release by the Election Commission of India (ECI), accounting for the deceased, permanently shifted, and people enrolled in more than one place, the EF collection phase of the SIR has covered 90.84 per cent of the nearly 7.9 crore strong electorate in Bihar. Only 9.16 per cent of electors remain to submit their filled EFs before the July 25 deadline. Sparing no effort to ensure that all eligible electors are included in the draft electoral roll, the third round of household visits by the nearly 1 lakh BLOs will soon begin to collect the filled Enumeration Forms (EFs) of the remaining electors in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. The BLOs shall again visit those households where the electors were temporarily absent in the previous visits. Special camps have been established in all the 5,683 wards of` all 261 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Bihar and newspaper advertisements issued to ensure that the remaining electors fill their EFs well in time and have their names also included in the Draft ER to be published on August 1, 2025, the press release said. Such electors are also being encouraged by the BLOs to fill up their forms online (as per para 3(d) of SIR guidelines) using their mobile phones through the ECINet App or through the online form on https://voters.eci.gov.in. Through ECINet, the electors can also fill their EFs online and search for their names in the 2003 ER wherever applicable. The electors can also connect with their election officials, including their BLOs, using the ECINet App. Uploading of forms on ECINet has further picked up with over 6.20 crore Enumeration Forms uploaded in the platform as at 6.00 PM today. A new module to check the status of submission of their EFs will be live tonight on https://voters.eci.gov.in. The BLOs are being supported in their efforts by the 1.5 Lakh BLAs appointed by all political parties, each one of whom can certify and submit up to 50 EFs per day. To ensure that no eligible urban voter is left out the ER, special camps are also being set up in all the 5,683 wards of all 261 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Bihar, the release said. (ANI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday claimed that if the Centre had not debated on customs duties, the Tesla showroom in Mumbai would have opened in 2021. Speaking to reporters, Thackeray said, "It's a good thing that an electric car showroom is being opened. If the central government had not debated the customs duty, then the showroom would have opened in 2021 only." He added that it is due to the policy for electric vehicles (EVs) made by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in 2021 that the EV companies are coming to Maharashtra. "The EV policy that we made gives EVs major support in Maharashtra, and due to this, many companies are coming here," Aaditya Thackeray said. The MVA government passed an EV policy in 2021, which was replaced by the Devendra Fadnavis government in 2025. Earlier today, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the 'Tesla Experience Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai and welcomed Tesla's arrival to India. The Chief Minister said, "I welcome Tesla here in Mumbai. Tesla has opened an experience centre here, and it is a statement that Tesla has arrived and it's a statement they Tesla has arrived in the right city and right state." "It is a matter of great joy for us that Tesla has launched its first experience in India in Mumbai. Tesla is establishing a logistics and servicing system here. Four big charging stations are also being established by them. I am happy that Tesla chose Maharashtra as the state has become a leader in electric mobility. Tesla is launching its Model Y in India. Maharashtra has the most dynamic electric mobility policy. I believe Maharashtra will be a preferred destination when they decide to do manufacturing in India," he added. During the inauguration of the Tesla Experience Centre, Devendra Fadnavis also highlighted the company's global recognition. "Tesla is not just a car or a car company, it is all about design, innovation and sustainability, for which Tesla stands as a testament, and I think that is a one and only reason it is loved globally," he said. The Chief Minister also mentioned the rising demand for electric Mobility in Maharashtra and India. He noted, "We have now in India and especially in Maharashtra, a very big and robust market for electric mobility, we are also a manufacturing hub of electric mobility now, but I think Tesla is going to change the entire market." Towards the end of his speech, the CM assured that "Mumbai and Maharashtra are going to treat Tesla well.... consider us as partners of your (Tesla) journey." (ANI) Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh (Retd) attended the award ceremony as the chief guest under the "TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan" organised by the National Health Mission, Uttarakhand at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday, said the statement. On this occasion, the Governor honoured 13 Nishchay Mitras who adopted TB patients and helped them recover by providing regular monitoring and mental support. The statement said that he also honoured 13 treatment supporters by giving them mementoes, who worked at the ground level, regularly monitored the treatment of patients and took proper care of them. During this, the Governor also honoured the districts of Dehradun, Champawat and Rudraprayag for doing excellent work towards TB elimination. He also honoured the 'TB Champions' who recovered from TB disease and provided nutrition kits to the adopted TB patients. During the occasion, the Singh stated in his address that TB elimination is not possible solely through government efforts; public participation and collective resolve are also necessary for this goal. He said that people who have recovered from TB are real warriors and can become an inspiration to society. Uttarakhand Governor appreciated the efforts of all the people working in the field of TB eradication, including NGOs and the Health Department, and said that due to the hard work of all these individuals, our state is among the leading states. The Governor informed that he too has the privilege of becoming a Nishkashaya Mitra, and to date, he has adopted 75 TB patients, out of which 62 patients have fully recovered. He appealed to the capable people of society to also come forward and become Nishkashaya Mitras, giving momentum to this campaign. The government urged the Health Department to ensure that no patient is deprived of treatment due to a lack of information. It should be ensured that the campaign reaches its full extent and every patient receives proper care and treatment. The Governor expressed hope that with the combined efforts of all, we will be successful in making the state TB-free in 2025. The Governor expressed hope that with the combined efforts of all, we will be successful in making the state TB-free in 2025. On this occasion, Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said that our goal is to make Uttarakhand completely TB-free by 2025 and to play a leading role in this national effort. We are committed to achieving this goal and are making every effort to do so. The governor said that a comprehensive campaign will be launched across the state from August 01, 2025, to make the state TB-free. Under this campaign, special camps will be organised in the wards of all Nagar Panchayats and all councillor wards of Municipal Corporations. The objective of these camps will be to identify TB cases at the community level, ensure their treatment and spread awareness. (ANI) A delegation of Kashmiri Pandits met with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Minister for Home, Power, and Urban Development Ashish Sood in their office in New Delhi, according to an official statement. The meeting focused on problems related to Kashmiri pandits regarding AMR, Cash assistance that has been stopped for more than a year because of certain anomalies. Kashmiri migrants in Delhi receive Ad-hoc Monthly Relief (AMR) as part of the Security Related Expenditure (Relief & Rehabilitation) scheme. This scheme, introduced in 1989-90, supports those displaced from Kashmir due to militancy. In Delhi, the relief is provided to families registered between 1990-93, with the Delhi government and the Central government contributing to the monthly payment. The relief amount was last increased in 2023 raising it to Rs 27,000 per month. According to the release, the group comprised of Ravinder Pandita, President AIKS ( All India Kashmiri Samaj), Padam Shri Ramesh Bamzai of KECSS, Sanjay Ganjoo of JKVM, Ashwani Chrungoo and Monika Pandita, BJP leaders, Ashish Zutshi and Ramesh Tikoo, activists. The Chief Minister assured the delegation that the issue would be resolved and asked the Divisional Commissioner of Delhi and other officers to place the case on the agenda for the next cabinet meeting, as per the release. Earlier, Ravinder Pandita of the Save Sharda committee greeted CM Rekha Gupta and Ashish Sood with Sharda shawls and invited them to Sharda Temple teetwal on the eve of the annual Sharda Divas falling on 31 August next month. This was the first such official meeting of Kashmiri Pandits with the new chief minister after coming to power a few months ago. (ANI) Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday visited IIT Bombay and praised India's early achievement of a key clean energy target, stating that the country had met its 50 per cent renewable energy capacity goal well ahead of the 2030 deadline. Speaking to mediapersons after the visit, Joshi said, "We have achieved 50 per cent of total installed energy capacity, 50 per cent by renewable energy. It has happened only yesterday that we were supposed to achieve it by 2030." Joshi highlighted India's global leadership in renewable energy, attributing the achievement to the vision and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "In Renewable Energy, under the leadership of PM Modi, India is also leading the world," he said. The minister also appreciated the role of IIT Bombay in energy research and innovation. He stated that the government was investing heavily in research to address key challenges in the energy sector. "The Indian government, under the leadership of PM Modi, is giving a lot of money for research. How to increase productivity along with grid stability, this is PM Modi's concern and he is working for it, we are working for it," Joshi added. Furthermore, explaining the reason behind his visit, the minister said, "That is why I came to IIT Bombay. It has done a very good job. I congratulate the entire team. I'm happy that funds have been well utilised for the research and development." Recalling the Prime Minister's earlier promise, he said, "In the non-conventional, the Prime Minister had promised the country that we will achieve 50 per cent by 2030, which has been achieved. Now we are marching well ahead of the time." Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, attended the IVCA Renewable Energy Summit 2025 as Chief Guest and delivered the Keynote Address. The event, hosted by the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), took place today in Mumbai. (ANI) In a significant breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state, as per the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Police has successfully foiled a targeted killing plot. The operation led to the arrest of five operatives linked to the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, which US-based handler Husandeep Singh was coordinating. Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said on Tuesday that the police also recovered two firearms, a PX5 pistol and a .32 bore pistol, from the possession of the arrested individuals. The Counter-Intelligence unit of Punjab and the district police of Amritsar Rural and Batala jointly conducted the intelligence-led operation. The statement highlights that those arrested have been identified as Lovepreet Singh, Sikandar Kumar alias Gola, and Onkarpreet alias Jashan, a trio residing in the village of Shahabad in Batala; Gagandeep alias Giani, a resident of Gandhi Camp in Batala; and Mehakpreet Singh, a resident of Amritsar. DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigations revealed incarcerated gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria currently lodged in Silchar Jail (Assam) had hatched a conspiracy to carry out a target killing of an alleged rival gang member to avenge the recent murder of his mother, an incident that has further intensified the turf war between rival criminal factions. As per the statement, DGP said that "Jaggu Bhagwanpuria had been conspiring to execute this killing through his US-based associate Husandeep Singh, who collaborated with ground handlers, including Lovepreet Singh, to mobilise shooters and execute the plan. Further investigations are underway to establish forward and backwards linkages in this case." The first breakthrough came when Amritsar Rural Police, led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amritsar Rural Maninder Singh, apprehended an individual identified as Mehakpreet Singh. On being interrogated, the latter disclosed that one Sikandar Kumar alias Gola, son of Sutresh Kumar, resident of Village Shahabad, PS Rangar Nangal, Batala, had crucial information about the shooters and the execution plan. Sharing operational details, SSP Batala Suhail Qasim Mir said that "Acting swiftly on this information, Batala Police traced Sikandar Kumar and apprehended him along with his aide, Onkarpreet alias Jashan. Further interrogation led to the arrest of another associate, Gagandeep alias Giani." He stated that during sustained questioning, the accused, Sikandar Kumar, revealed that he was being handled by one Lovepreet Singh, a key coordinator in this plot, who was eventually apprehended by the Batala Police in a separate operation. The SSP said that the accused, Lovepreet, disclosed that the entire plan was being orchestrated by Jaggu's close associate, Husandeep Singh, remotely from the USA. The objective of the plot was to eliminate an alleged rival gang member, he added. A case FIR No. 80/2025 has been registered under section 25 of the Arms Act and sections 61(2) and 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Rangar Nangal in Batala. (ANI) Feature: Chinese medics treat patients, empower locals in Benin 08:42, July 15, 2025 By Sun Yi, Si Yuan ( Xinhua A doctor of the 27th batch of the Chinese medical team to Benin (C) examines a patient at the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, Benin, on July 14, 2025. The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in January 2024, consisting of 22 members, including 18 medical professionals. They are stationed in Lokossa and Natitingou. Since their arrival, they have provided medical care to 15,382 patients, performed 2,758 surgeries, and organized 26 visits across Benin to provide locals with free consultation, treatment and, when needed, medication. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua) LOKOSSA, Benin, July 14 (Xinhua) -- When Yang Ping stepped back into the intensive care unit, a wave of relief washed over her: Beatrice Lawe, a 45-year-old patient once teetering on the brink of death, was breathing on her own, vital signs stable, after an emergency operation performed by Yang and fellow members of the Chinese Medical Team in Benin. "She really made it through," recalled Yang, a surgeon who leads the 27th Chinese medical team. Lawe had earlier undergone surgery for peritonitis and appendicitis at another hospital, but developed severe complications shortly after. When her condition suddenly deteriorated, she was rushed to the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, southwest Benin. Yang still remembers the moment of her initial assessment. "Based on clinical experience, the odds of her survival were almost nil," she said. Despite the grim outlook, Yang and her colleagues pressed on with emergency procedures, fully supported by the patient's family. Two weeks later, a miracle unfolded: Lawe regained consciousness with her condition stabilized. She was eventually discharged in good health and, six months later, underwent a successful second operation for colostomy reversal and digestive tract reconstruction, after which she fully returned to normal life. Her recovery became more than just a clinical success. It symbolized the deep trust and friendship between Chinese doctors and Beninese patients. The hospital where Lawe was cured has a longstanding bond with China. Built with Chinese aid and inaugurated in April 1997, the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center serves as a key regional medical center in Benin. Since 1978, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China has continuously dispatched medical teams to the West African country, a commitment that has remained unbroken for 47 years. The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in January 2024, consisting of 22 members, including 18 medical professionals. They are stationed in Lokossa and Natitingou. Since their arrival, they have provided medical care to 15,382 patients, performed 2,758 surgeries, and organized 26 visits across Benin to provide locals with free consultation, treatment and, when needed, medication. In a country with limited infrastructure, scarce advanced equipment, and a high prevalence of tropical diseases, the Chinese medical team often works under intense pressure. "Motorcycle-related trauma cases are especially frequent," Yang noted. "At peak times, we handle up to seven or eight severe orthopedic injuries a day." To help address these challenges, China and Benin signed a cooperation agreement in 2021, establishing a partnership between the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University and the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center. Through telemedicine consultations, academic exchanges, talent training, and expert visits, the program aims not just to heal, but to empower. "We are not only here to treat patients," Yang said. "We are here to leave behind skills that will stay on and benefit our Beninese friends for generations." Through case discussions, live demonstrations, and bedside teaching, the Chinese team helps local hospital staff improve their ability to independently manage situations such as emergency trauma, fracture reduction, and postoperative care. The resulting effects are evident to the Beninese crew. Head nurse Jacqueline Oussou, who has worked in Lokossa for 15 years, said she has seen an increase in patients coming specifically for Chinese doctors. "They are so dedicated, and they did an excellent job in surgery, obstetrics, otolaryngology and ophthalmology," she said. In the anesthesia department, nurse Elsie Tchenagni highlighted the importance of the new equipment and skills brought by the Chinese team. "They not only brought in new equipment, but also trained us patiently on how to use them," she said. "Now our procedures are much more precise. Even with language barriers, we have developed strong working chemistry." From emergency surgeries to daily rounds, from hands-on training to technology transfer, the Chinese medical team in Benin has become more than just a group of doctors. They are trusted partners in health and an embodiment of friendship. Over the past 47 years, successive generations of Chinese doctors have traveled from afar to serve in Benin, upholding the principle that "people come first, life comes first." Their unwavering dedication is reflected in the lives they save and the lasting impact they have on local healthcare. In every hospital ward and surgical theater, their presence tells a quiet yet powerful story -- one of humanity, perseverance, and a shared hope for a healthier future. A doctor of the 27th batch of the Chinese medical team to Benin (L) talks with family members of a patient at the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, Benin, on July 14, 2025. The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in January 2024, consisting of 22 members, including 18 medical professionals. They are stationed in Lokossa and Natitingou. Since their arrival, they have provided medical care to 15,382 patients, performed 2,758 surgeries, and organized 26 visits across Benin to provide locals with free consultation, treatment and, when needed, medication. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua) A doctor of the 27th batch of the Chinese medical team to Benin (1st R) talks with patients at the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, Benin, on July 14, 2025. The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in January 2024, consisting of 22 members, including 18 medical professionals. They are stationed in Lokossa and Natitingou. Since their arrival, they have provided medical care to 15,382 patients, performed 2,758 surgeries, and organized 26 visits across Benin to provide locals with free consultation, treatment and, when needed, medication. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua) A doctor of the 27th batch of the Chinese medical team to Benin (R) examines a patient at the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, Benin, on July 14, 2025. The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in January 2024, consisting of 22 members, including 18 medical professionals. They are stationed in Lokossa and Natitingou. Since their arrival, they have provided medical care to 15,382 patients, performed 2,758 surgeries, and organized 26 visits across Benin to provide locals with free consultation, treatment and, when needed, medication. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) "Rahul Gandhi appeared before the MP-MLA court in Lucknow today. We moved a bail application, which was accepted by the court on the condition of submitting two sureties of Rs 20,000 each," Mohd Yasir Abbasi, a counsel for Rahul Gandhi, told ANI. Asked about Gandhi's absence in previous hearings, the lawyer said they had submitted a proper justification before the court, citing Rahul Gandhi's responsibilities as the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. "The court accepted our explanation, which is why no warrant was issued against him at any stage and he appeared before the court on the issuance of summons," he added. The defamation case pertains to remarks allegedly made by Rahul Gandhi during the 2022 Bharat Jodo Yatra. The complainant alleged that these remarks insulted Indian Army soldiers. The petitioner argued that the comment was defamatory and had the potential to lower the morale of armed forces personnel. Taking cognisance of the complaint, the court had summoned Gandhi as an accused in the case. The matter has now been posted for next hearing on August 13, 2025. (ANI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against Dr Chitta Ranjan Deb, Senior Professor and Director IQAC, Dean of School of Sciences, Department of Botany, Nagaland University, for alleged corruption, a press release said. According to a press release by CBI, a case was registered on July 12 against the accused Sr. Professor & Director IQAC, Dean of School of Sciences, Department of Botany, Nagaland University, Lumani on the allegations that the said accused is indulging in various corrupt and illegal practices and with a predetermined intention to cause wrongful loss to Nagaland University and corresponding personal pecuniary gain to himself in the matter of favourable award of supply orders of scientific equipment, consumables etc., showing favour to different bidders/companies against obtaining undue advantage/bribe. Searches were conducted at different places, viz. Jorhat, Assam; Lumani, Nagaland and Agartala, Tripura on July 12 and subsequent dates, which led to recovery of incriminating documents relating to transaction of bribe as well as tender related documents from the offices of bidders and companies and accused, the release said. Investigation is underway. More details are awaited. (ANI) Critical commercial negotiations between India and the United States for the GE-414 jet engines are ongoing, and the project is expected to be finalised by March next year. The negotiations are ongoing, and we expect to sign the deal for the GE-414 engines by the end of this financial year, defence officials said here. The programme for getting the jet engines is part of the LCA Mark 2 project, which is planned to be inducted into the Indian Air Force in the next four years. The deal has been pending for a long time as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and American GE Aerospace have been discussing the project, which would see the engines getting manufactured in India, they said. Meanwhile, India received the second GE-404 engine from the US on Monday for the LCA Mark 1A fighter jet aircraft programme, Defence officials said. The engine has been received by the Public sector firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and it is expected to receive 12 more GE-404 engines by the end of this financial year. The engines will be fitted on the LCA Mark 1A fighter jets. The delivery of the engines had been delayed by more than a year due to supply chain issues faced by the American engine manufacturing firm. The Indian Air Force has placed orders for 83 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets, and a proposal to buy 97 more of these planes is at an advanced stage, following clearance from the Defence Ministry, officials said. Earlier this year, GE Aerospace delivered the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL for the Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A fighter jet. The HAL is planning to integrate the engines with the Mark1A fighters and supply over 10 of these planes to the IAF. Recently, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister PK Misra had visited the HAL facilities in Bengaluru and received the LCA Mark 2 project along with the Mark 1A programme. The LCA Mark 2 project is expected to replace the ageing fleet of Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 aircraft around 2035. Over 400 indigenous LCA aircraft are expected to be built by India, utilising American GE engine variants, within the next 10 years. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday congratulated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla upon his return to Earth following the successful completion of the Axiom-4 mission. The CM called the achievement a matter of pride for the nation and an inspiration for the youth. In a post on X, Chief Minister Dhami wrote, "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Group Captain of the Indian Air Force and son of Mother India, Shri Shubhanshu Shukla Ji, on the successful completion of his historic 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station." "Your remarkable achievement is not only a testament to India's growing prowess in the field of space science, but also a significant step towards unlocking the profound mysteries of the universe," he further added. Furthermore, calling the mission a milestone in India's space journey, Dhami said, "Your journey has inspired an entire generation of young Indians to dream beyond the skies and believe that with courage, discipline, and dedication, even the stars are within reach." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla upon his return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), saying that he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication. Meanwhile, the Dragon spacecraft piloted by Group Captain Shukla splashed down with grace, completing its mission after 18 days on the ISS. Waving to the camera, a smiling 'Shux' egressed from the Dragon spacecraft which he had piloted. SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, marking the safe return of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew, including pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). The splashdown, confirmed by SpaceX, concludes a nearly 19-day mission aboard the ISS, fulfilling a significant milestone in Indo-US space cooperation. Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module. (ANI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday attached six immovable properties worth Rs 4.18 crore owned by Spectrum Infraservices Pvt Ltd -- a company owned and controlled by former MP from Uttar Pradesh's Ghosi constituency, Atul Rai, and and Jitender Sapra, a close aide of slain gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, the agency said. The attached properties include one residential apartment in New Delhi, three residential plots in Varanasi, and two agricultural lands located in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. According to officials, Sapra, the aide of the late Mukhtar Ansari, is being accused and investigated by the ED for allegedly acquiring property worth crores through illicit means. ED's Allahabad Sub-Zonal office issued the attachment order as part of its money laundering investigation linked to Vikas Construction -- a company controlled by the late Mukhtar Ansari and others -- under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. ED initiated its investigation based on the First Information Report (FIR) registered at Dakshin Tola Police Station in Uttar Pradesh's Mau. "A review of the FIR revealed that Vikas Construction, Ghazipur, had encroached upon government land located in Raini Village, Mau, and illegally constructed a godown on it. Similarly, another godown was built in Ghazipur and leased to the Food Corporation of India (FCI), thereby generating Proceeds of Crime (POC) by making godown on govt land and receiving rent from FCI," the federal agency said in a statement. "The total rent received amounted to Rs 15.31 crore (approximately). Additional proceeds of Rs. 2.25 crore were obtained as a subsidy for godown construction from NABARD, Rs 3.10 crore (approximately) was illegally appropriated from former partners of Vikas Construction, and Rs 7.05 crore (approximately) was received by Atif Raza as handling and transportation charges from FCI. These transactions collectively constitute POC totalling Rs. 27.72 Crore (approximately)." ED investigation revealed that Vikas Construction was operated under the influence of late Mukhtar Ansari, with his close relatives and associates as partners, including Atif Raza (his brother-in-law), who held a 15 per cent stake in the firm. According to the dossier provided by police authorities regarding the late Mukhtar Ansari, a total of 49 criminal cases--pertaining to murder, extortion, and land grabbing--were registered against him in various police stations. Further investigation indicated that POC amounting to approximately Rs 8.49 crore, ED said, generated from Vikas Construction, was deposited in the bank accounts of Aaghaz Project and Engineering Pvt Ltd and Inizio Network Solution Pvt Ltd--both companies owned and controlled by late Mukhtar Ansari and his relatives and aides. "These funds were routed through business accounts under the pretext of routine expenses to integrate the illicit funds into the formal banking system and disguise their origins." Subsequently, the agency stated that the amount was transferred to bank accounts of Kusumvision Infra Private Limited, Spectrum Infraservices Private Limited, and Kusum Constructions and Telecom Services-- companies owned and controlled by Atul Rai, Ex-MP--as part of a business transaction arrangement that has now been established as part of a layering process. Additionally, ED mentioned, POC of Rs 1 crore was transferred to bank accounts of Jitender Sapra and his family members from Vikas Construction, Atif Raza (accused), Aaghaz Project and Engineering Pvt Ltd, and Inizio Network Solution Pvt Ltd. "Subsequently, this money was used for buying the immovable properties, which have now been attached. Total attachment in this case so far stands at Rs 6.40 crore," added the ED. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the state governments of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand seeking their responses to a plea challenging the mandate that requires shopkeepers along the Kanwar Yatra route to display QR codes, which could be scanned to reveal the names of the owners. The UP government had issued an order earlier this year, mandating eateries to display QR codes containing information on the shop owners. Subsequently, the Uttarakhand government also followed with a similar order. The mandate, now being challenged in the Supreme Court, is alleged to be violative of the fundamental rights of citizens. The plea further states that the direction requiring vendors to display their names and identities will lead to discriminatory profiling. It also notes that a similar mandate issued by the UP government last year was stayed by the Supreme Court. Thus, the plea seeks the respondent government to explain how the said mandate does not violate the constitutional rights of citizens and the interim stay order issued by the Supreme Court last year. The plea also suggests that such a mandate should be limited to standard licensing requirements, and vague directives requiring the display of names should be eliminated. After hearing submissions, the Court posted the matter to be heard next week. Meanwhile, in Uttarakhand, Haridwar Police arrested two Kanwariyas on July 14 after a group of Kanwariyas vandalised a shop following an altercation with the shopkeeper, a police official said. Superintendent of Police (SP) City, Pankaj Gairola, told ANI, "After an altercation between the Kanwariyas and the shopkeeper late last night, a group of Kanwariyas vandalised a shop near Shiv Ashray Grih Guest House in Haridwar." He added that two Kanwariyas were arrested after the incident, and a search is going on for the accused who have absconded. (ANI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital on Tuesday and apprised him of the extensive damage caused by flash floods and cloudburst in the state, amounting to around Rs 1000 crore, even as the monsoon has only just begun. According to an official statement, CM Sukhu informed Shah that precious lives had been lost and key infrastructure, including roads, bridges, buildings, irrigation schemes, water supply schemes and electricity supply systems, had been severely affected during this disaster. The statement further said that the Union Home Minister assured the Chief Minister of all possible assistance to the state. "The Chief Minister requested liberal support from the Central Government for relief and restoration works. He further said that natural disasters had become a recurring phenomenon since 2023 and the state had incurred cumulative losses of approximately Rs 21,000 crore over the last three years," the statement read. He added that the state government was making every effort to provide relief to the affected people through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). "However, due to the repeated occurrence of such disasters, it had become increasingly difficult for the state to undertake restoration works and rebuild infrastructure with its limited resources," the statement added. CM Sukhu also pointed out that the existing guidelines set by the Central Government regarding the sanctioning of relief and restoration activities were inadequate, considering the state's difficult topographical conditions. He strongly urged amendments to the existing norms, specifically raising the current limit from 10 per cent to 30 per cent, which would provide significant support to the state in its relief and restoration efforts. Earlier on July 14, the CM also met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and sought a relaxation in the state's borrowing limits. "He requested an enhancement in the borrowing limit (FRBM) so that more help can be extended to the people. The focus remains on a special package, particularly for the Siraj region of Mandi district," said the Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan. The damage across the state is already estimated to be over Rs 1,000 crore, with the monsoon expected to last another month. Chauhan also warned, "The loss figure will rise." (ANI) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to inspect officers at Tiruppuvanam Police Station in connection with the Ajith Kumar custodial death case. Two CBI officers, including Inspector Ramesh Kumar, visited the Tiruppuvanam Police Station and inquired the police personnel and investigators. The inquiry lasted for about 15 minutes, after which the CBI officials left the police station. Meanwhile, a team led by CBI DSP Mohit Kumar on Monday conducted inspections in various locations, including the Executive Office of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department at Madapuram, the areas surrounding the temple, and the tamarind grove behind the student hostel where Ajith Kumar was reportedly assaulted. CBI had taken over the probe upon receiving direction from the Madras High Court. Earlier today, Tamil Nadu Minister KR Periyakaruppan visited the family of Ajith Kumar, who died while in police custody, and handed over an ex gratia payment of Rs 7.5 lakhs on behalf of the state government. Accompanied by District Collector K Porkodi, the minister offered condolences to the family. Ajith Kumar, a security guard at the Madapuram Kaliamman temple in Tiruppuvanam in Sivaganga, was detained for questioning in connection with a theft. He later died, allegedly, while in police custody. The post-mortem report revealed 44 injuries on various parts of Kumar's body. As per the post-mortem report, the deceased Ajith Kumar sustained injuries to the forehead, right eyebrow, leg and wrist. Injuries on the left forearm, wrist and ankle were also reported in the Sivaganga custodial death case victim. Amid a political row over the case, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) staged a protest on Sunday, demanding justice for Kumar. Hitting back at TVK, DMK leader TKS Elangovan on Monday said that TVK president Vijay should understand basic politics, pointing out that the actor criticises both state and central investigations without consistency. Speaking to ANI, DMK leader Elangovan said, "We have handed it over to the CBI, and here police people were involved and they were arrested. So if the state police investigate, Vijay will say they are doing their investigation on their own, and if the CBI investigates, he will say why will the CBI investigate...he should know basic politics." (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday reserved order on Social activist Medha Patkar's revision against conviction in a defamation case. The Counsel for Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, VK Saxena, concluded his arguments today; thereafter, the court reserved order. She was convicted and sentenced in a defamation case filed by the incumbent LG, VK Saxena, in 2001. Justice Shalinder Kaur reserved the order after hearing arguements by advocate Gajinder Kumar on behalf of V K Saxena. Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh concluded his arguments with Medha Patkar on Monday. Advocate Gajinder Kumar argued that the admission made by Medha Patkar in an earlier petition is ample proof of her guilt, as already decided by the Magistrate court in the trial and Session court in the Appeal. Earlier, on April 25, the high court had deferred the order of sentence awarded to Medha Patkar and directed her release. She was arrested pursuant to a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against her for non-compliance with the court's order. The High Court, as interim relief, had directed her release on bail. She was convicted and sentenced to 3 months imprisonment in a Defamation case filed by incumbent LG V K Saksena in 2001. However, the appellate court had sentenced her and directed her release on probation for good conduct for one year and payment of compensation of Rs 1 lakh to Saxena. This order was challenged before the High Court by her. "As contentious issues have been raised on behalf of the parties with respect to the suspension of sentence, and that the learned Senior Counsel submits that the petitioner has been taken in custody in execution of the NBW, therefore, in these circumstances, by way of an interim means, the petitioner be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000/- with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned ASJ/Link ASJ/CMM/Duty Magistrate," Justice Shalinder Kaur ordered on April 25. Medha Patkar had approached the Delhi High Court to challenge the Trial court's order convicting and sentencing her. The Delhi Police arrested her on the morning of April 25. Thereafter, she was produced before the Saket court, which had issued NBW against her (on April 23, 2025) for non-compliance with the order. She was released after she furnished bond and submitted a compensation amount of Rs one lakh. The appellate court, while deciding her appeal on April 8, 2025, against Conviction and sentence by the Magistrate court, sentenced her and directed her release on probation of good conduct. The court had directed her to appear and furnish a probation bond, as well as deposit a compensation amount, on April 23, 2025. Earlier, she had approached the High Court seeking deferment. However, on April 22, the High Court had asked her to approach the appellate court at Saket. The Saket court had dismissed her application and issued an NBW against her. Last year, on May 24, the Magistrate court held her guilty of defamation. On July 1, 2024, she was sentenced to three months in prison. She was also directed to pay a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh to V K Saxena. She was granted bail to challenge the order. Subsequently, she had challenged the order before the appellate (Sessions) court. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Malviya on Tuesday took a sharp swipe at the Congress-led Karnataka government over the persistent traffic woes in Bengaluru, after EaseMyTrip Co-Founder Prashant Pitti offered to fund a project to identify the city's choke points using artificial intelligence and satellite imagery. Replying to Pitti's post on social media platform X, Malviya termed the situation "the most disappointing thing" and criticised the Congress-led state government for failing in its basic responsibilities. He further implied that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar should apologise to the people of the city and address the issue as an "urgent priority." In a social media post on X, Malviya wrote, "This is the most disappointing thing you'll see in a long time. The Karnataka government is simply not doing its job. And now, unicorn start-up founders have had to step in--taking it upon themselves to fund and execute what should have been a government responsibility. If @siddaramaiah and @DKShivakumar have even a shred of shame, they should apologise to the people of Bengaluru and address the issue as an urgent priority. Remember this: BJP is the natural party of governance. Even on its worst day, the BJP and its allies are a thousand times more competent than the Congress. Learn from Karnataka. Don't repeat their mistake. Never vote for the Congress. Ever." https://x.com/amitmalviya/status/1945052577306980736 The BJP IT cell head's remarks came after Prashant Pitti shared that he was stuck for over 100 minutes at a traffic choke point on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road, highlighting the lack of traffic lights or police presence at the location. To address the issue, Pitti committed Rs 1 crore to the initiative aimed at identifying traffic choke points in the city using Google Maps data, AI tools, and satellite imagery. He urged the Bengaluru Traffic Police and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to collaborate by providing raw data feeds and forming a dedicated team to act on the insights. Pitti wrote, "I am committing INR 1 Cr to find Bangalore Choke-Points via Google Maps & AL. 11 km 2.15 hours in Bangalore Traffic on Saturday late night! I was stuck at one choke-point at ORR, where I spent 100 mins struggling to understand why there is no traffic-light or cop here! But I don't want one more "Bengaluru Traffic Memes or Rant". I WANT TO FIX IT..." (ANI) The Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram said that he spoke to scholars in Yemen to urge them for the release of 37-year-old Nimish Priya, convicted of murder and set to be executed. The Grand Mufti claims that after his talks, the news of the execution being postponed also came in. "In Islam, instead of killing, there is also a practice of giving Diya (compensation). I requested them to accept Diyaat as the party is ready here for it. There are talks going on about whether my request has to be accepted. The date of execution was tomorrow, but it has now been postponed for some days," the Grand Mufti told ANI. The Grand Mufti said that he is not considering the religion of Priya, but rather her humanity as he requested for her release. "We have demanded this as human beings. If such a demand is accepted, then it will be very easy for Muslims in India. Muslims and Hindus all live on the same platform here," he said. Earlier, Congress leader KC Venugopal also hailed the postponement of the execution, saying that "whoever is involved," in saving the Kerala nurse's life is appreciated. "We got the information that Nimisha Priya's death sentence has been postponed. We all requested the Central government to intervene in the matter, but we got the information that Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram has intervened. Whosoever is involved in saving the human life of the woman of Kerala is welcome," Venugopal said. The Mufti's remarks come after sources told ANI earlier that the execution of the 37-year-old nurse from Kerala was postponed following the "concerted efforts" by the Government of India. The execution was earlier set to happen on July 16. According to the sources, the postponement provides additional time for her family to negotiate a mutually agreeable solution amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts by Indian officials as they maintained regular communication with Yemeni jail authorities and the prosecutor's office while navigating the sensitivities of the situation to secure this reprieve. "In the case of Ms. Nimisha Priya, it has been learnt that the local authorities in Yemen have postponed the execution scheduled for July 16, 2025," the sources stated. On Monday, while giving the Union Government's submission on the case in the Supreme Court the Attorney General of India (AGI) stated that the Indian government is making every possible effort to help Priya. He further informed the Court that talks are ongoing with Yemeni authorities, including the public prosecutor handling Priya's case, to secure a suspension of the execution order until negotiations can be pursued. (ANI) The two-day meeting of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) Advisory Council of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) began in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Among those present at the inaugural session were Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, former Chief Ministers Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan) and Bhupesh Baghel (Chhattisgarh), Congress leader Sachin Pilot, and several other senior party leaders. The advisory panel is scheduled to hold a press conference at 1 pm on Wednesday to share key takeaways from the meeting. Speaking to reporters after the session, CM Siddaramaiah said that the meeting would continue on Wednesday, during which detailed discussions and planning will take place. "Our national OBC leaders participated in the inaugural meeting today. This meeting will conclude tomorrow, and we'll hold a press conference and let you know about our programs and other issues," Siddaramaiah said. Today it's an incomplete meeting. Tomorrow at 10 am, the meeting will start, and we will discuss and let you know." "Mainly we discussed regarding the position of OBCs in the country and how to consolidate these groups because they are more than 90% of the total population...The BJP has never empowered the people...," he added. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar told ANI, "OBC Council has been formed. The country's agenda is to keep all sections of society together. The first meeting has been held in Bengaluru today. In the history of this country, Benagluru has taken major changes long back...The INDIA bloc was also born in Bengaluru. Today, all of us have come together to discuss the success of our country..." Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot also spoke about the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, saying, "A very favourable atmosphere is building up in favour of Congress and the INDIA alliance. We are hopeful that good results will come." Earlier in March, the Congress-led Telangana government had passed two bills, The Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (reservation of seats in educational institutions and appointments or posts in services under the State) Bill 2025 and The Telangana Backward Classes (Reservation of seats in Rural and Urban Local Bodies) Bill 2025. Both bills aim to provide 42 per cent reservation to Backward Classes, 15 per cent to Scheduled Castes, and 10 per cent to Scheduled Tribes in various educational institutions, local bodies, and government jobs. (ANI) Alleging that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has expressed "bonhomie" with China during his visit to the country to take part in the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting, Congress on Tuesday said Beijing had fully supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and instead of "a stern response", the Union Minister has "praised China". In a statement, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate accused Jaishankar of "insulting" armed forces with his remarks that the bilateral ties have been improving since October last year. "On July 14, 2025, during a meeting with the Chinese Vice President, Foreign Minister Jaishankar stated that India-China bilateral relations 'have been steadily improving since the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October.' One wonders in which world the Foreign Minister is living to make such a statement, and how much more will he insult our brave armed forces?" she alleged. She also referred to remarks of Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul R. Singh about China's support to Pakistan during the conflict. "It has been 85 days since the Pahalgam terror attack, and not a single terrorist has been arrested so far, in fact it seems not even one may have been identified so far. During this time, the Deputy Chief of our armed forces has clearly stated, without mincing words, that when we were teaching Pakistan a lesson, we were not fighting Pakistan alone; we actually fought Pakistan and China combined. This was the very issue Rahul Gandhiji had warned the government about in Parliament, but the consequences of ignoring it are now being borne by the entire nation," she said. "Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, Vice Chief of the Indian Army, stated that India fought three enemies during Operation Sindoor, including China. China provided Pakistan with 'live inputs,' meaning real-time intelligence. However, despite all this, instead of showing China a stern response, Modi's Foreign Minister is shaking hands, smiling and posing with the Chinese Vice President - as if nothing has happened at all, and he is in fact praising China," she alleged. Shrinate said Pakistan used network-based platforms in this operation, along with war systems and weapons such as J-10C fighters, PL-15E air-to-air missiles, and drones--courtesy China and Turkey. India had launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. India effectively repelled subsequent escalation by Pakistan and pounded its airbases. The Congress spokesperson said that China has significantly restricted the export of rare-earth minerals, special fertilizers, and tunnel-boring machines to India, which will adversely affect India's infrastructure. "During this period, India's dependence on China has been continuously increased, and now India's trade deficit has reached a record $99.2 billion. Meanwhile, China has consistently reduced its imports from India. Indian patrolling parties still require China's consent to reach their designated patrolling points in areas like Depsang, Demchok, and Chumar. Most buffer zones created in Galwan, Hot Springs, and Pangong Lake are within Indian territory, preventing our forces from accessing those areas. Even today, the status quo ante of April 2020 has not been restored," she said. "During this time, China has established 50 villages along the LAC. China has built permanent houses, electricity, water, internet, and roads in all these new villages, as revealed by satellite imagery," she added. She also referred to China attempting to change names of places in Arunachal Pradesh which India has categorically rejected. The Congress spokesperson accused Jaishankar of "sycophancy". "He himself said two years ago that China is a larger economy, while we are a smaller one, so how can we fight them?" she alleged. She said PM Modi has met the Chinese President 30 times, "swung on swings in Sabarmati" but China is openly siding with India's enemy. She said "while this bonhomie is being expressed with China, the families of 28 martyrs still await justice". "They want to know when will the terrorists be caught and how will they be brought to book. How did these ruthless terrorists so easily infiltrate 200 kilometers inside India's borders, and where did they disappear with such ease after the attack? Who helped them navigate the routes and provided them with the path?" she asked. Shrinate also asked "what has the government done against the traitors caught spying against India?" She said the government must provide clear information to the nation and the Parliament on all these matters. (ANI) Legendary athlete Fauja Singh, popularly known as the Turbaned Tornado, died at the age of 114 in a road accident on Jalandhar-Pathankot National Highway on Monday. He was hit by an unknown white vehicle while out on his routine walk and later succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The incident occurred on Monday around 3 pm, when Fauja Singh, a resident of Beas village under Adampur police station, stepped out for a walk after lunch. While he was walking alone towards the highway, a speeding vehicle hit him. He was immediately rushed to Shriman Hospital, but died during treatment at 7 pm, police said. "A CCTV footage has just surfaced, in which Bapu is seen walking alone," said his son Harvinder Singh. He added, "Police have got some CCTV footage. Another person has not yet returned home, and once he arrives, more footage will be reviewed." Harvinder Singh shared emotional memories of his father, saying, "Bapu used to keep a combination of clothes. He wore matching turbans and branded shoes, often costing more than Rs 10,000. He loved to dress well and always spoke about the price of his shoes in pounds." He further added, "Even at 114, he was fit and active. Principals used to give Bapu's example to children in schools. Despite having foreign citizenship, he preferred to stay in his country, especially during winters." Recalling his father's last wish, Harvinder said, "He wanted to spend his final days in his village." He also mentioned that discussions were underway with villagers about building a memorial in Fauja Singh's honour. "He was an inspiration for the youth, so we will soon place this demand before the administration," he said. Senior Superintendent of Police Harvinder Singh Virk confirmed that a case had been registered based on Harvinder Singh's statement. The police were analysing CCTV footage from nearby areas to trace the vehicle. "Different teams, including the CIA, are investigating the case. Parts of the broken bumper have been found at the spot. Mechanics are analysing them to identify the vehicle," SSP Virk said. He added that the initial investigation suggested the vehicle could be an Innova, Scorpio, or a Fortuner. The case is being investigated by various teams, including the CIA and police. The unknown vehicle is being investigated with the help of CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity. SSP stated that there was a significant amount of vehicle movement on the National Highway during the incident, so the teams are investigating the said vehicle. According to the people nearby, there is a possibility of Innova, Scorpio, Fortuner. Some parts of the broken vehicle bumper have been found by the police team on the spot. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested five accused including Deputy Chief Engineer, Gati Sakti Unit, Northern Railway (NR) Lucknow; Senior Selection Engineer (Drawings); Officer Superintendent (OS), NR, Lucknow and two private persons, employees of a private company, in a bribery case, the agency said in a release on Tuesday. According to the release, the case was registered by the CBI on Monday against the accused Dy. Chief Engineer, Gati Sakti Unit, Northern Railway; Senior DEN (Coordination), NER, Varanasi; Office Superintendent, Office of DRM, NER, Varanasi; SSE (Works), NER, Varanasi, Accounts Section Officer, NER, Varanasi, Senior Clerk, Office of AEN, NER, Varanasi, a private company, two employees of the private company and unknown others. During the investigation, it was revealed that the private company is a Railway contractor which has been awarded a work/tender under the Gati Shakti Project at Bhadhoi, Varanasi. The work comes under the supervision of the accused Dy Chief Engineer, the CBI said. The accused private person, an employee of the accused private company, was apprehended, and incriminating material was recovered from his possession, establishing that on Monday, he had delivered an undue advantage on behalf of the private company to the accused, it said. Subsequently, the accused Dy Chief Engineer was apprehended from his office, and the undue advantage of Rs 2.50 lakh, which was taken from the accused private person, was recovered from his possession. The bribe amount of Rs. 80,000 given by the accused private person to the accused Officer Superintendent was recovered from her possession. This money includes the bribe received by the accused, SSE (Drawings), through the accused Officer Superintendent, it added. (ANI) The Rouse Avenue Court on Tuesday granted permission to Delhi liquor policy case accused Gautam Malhotra to travel to Scotland from July 21 to July 29 for business purposes. Gautam Malhotra sought suspension of the Lookout Circular (LOC) and permission to travel to Scotland, United Kingdom. He had also sought the suspension/closure of the Lookout Circular (LOC). He is an accused in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi Excise policy. Gautam, the son of Former MLA from Punjab and liquor baron Deep Malhotra, is currently out on bail. Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh granted permission to Malhotra to travel to Scotland after hearing submissions of his counsel and for Enforcement Directorate (ED). "Accordingly, the application preferred by the applicant Gautam Malhotra is allowed and disposed of on the same terms and conditions imposed earlier, and the applicant is permitted to travel abroad to Scotland, United Kingdom between July 21, 2025, and July 29, 2025," the court ordered on July 15. The court directed that if any LOC is issued by the DoE, it shall remain suspended during the period of travel of the applicant as mentioned above. Gautam Malhotra had moved an application through advocate Vijay S Bishnoi. The Special Counsel for ED opposed the application, expressing apprehensions that permitting the applicant might frustrate and delay the trial, and that the applicant might tamper with the evidence. The agency also claimed that the offence involved is grave, being a serious economic offence. The court rejected the submissions and said that, admittedly, the applicant is on bail in the present matter and therefore it cannot be claimed that the applicant is a flight risk. He has roots in society, therefore, there is no force that the applicant may flee from justice. The court said that regarding the apprehension of the Prosecuting Agency as to the availability of the accused and the progress of the trial, adequate directions can be passed while allowing the application. According to the order on July 15, "The right to travel abroad has been considered to be an important facet of Right to Life and Liberty guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution of India, and there is no reason as to why the applicant should be deprived of that right, having considered all the facts and circumstances, including the fact of the applicant being on bail in the present matter." (ANI) Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Tuesday said that more than 60 per cent of Bihar's population desire change in the assembly polls to be held later this year. Speaking with ANI in Purnea, he said while Congress has "no presence" in the state, AIMIM is a Hyderabad-based party and option for people is between Nitish-BJP, RJD and Jan Suraaj. "More than 60% of people in Bihar want change, including improved education and employment opportunities, as well as a new system... RJD gets votes here because Muslims don't vote for BJP. Congress has no presence here, AIMIM is a Hyderabad-based party... these parties have no existence," he said. "In Bihar, only JDU, RJD, and BJP are the parties. One alliance is of BJP-JDU, and on the other side is RJD's alliance... so the people of Bihar have only three options. First, if they want the current system to continue, they should vote for Nitish-BJP; second, if you are fed up with this system, you have two paths--either bring back RJD's jungle raj, crime, and hooliganism, or join an honest and strong effort (Jan Suraaj)," he added. Kishor had on Sunday taken a dig at Election Commission over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and asked if voter list used for the Lok Sabha elections "included a large number of Bangladeshis or illegal people". Prashant Kishor asked ECI whether the Lok Sabha elections were held according to the voter list, which included the names of "Bangladeshis or illegal people." "The Election Commission has started the revision process. If they are saying that there are Nepalis and Bangladeshis here, then this is a matter of great concern. Is the Election Commission admitting that the voter list used for the Lok Sabha elections included a large number of Bangladeshis or illegal people?" Prashant Kishor told reporters. The Jan Suraaj Party founder further slammed the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government over the issue and also questioned the role of police. Kishor called for answers from Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and asked how "such people" were allowed to live in Bihar and avail themselves of the state facilities. (ANI) Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has attacked Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal alleging that he has "captured a Sikh college", has created a nexus and is exploiting people. Talking to ANI, Prashant Kishor also said that BJP has not responded to his charges made earlier against their state chief. "In Kishanganj and the Seemanchal area, Dilip Jaiswal has created a nexus. There is a mafia...has captured Sikh colleges . He has become the president of the Bihar BJP, but the BJP is not responding to it. I have released one instalment of his deeds in my press conference, and I will release the second instalment of his deeds before PM Modi arrives in Bihar on July 18. I am not scared of anything. It has been 10 days, but the BJP spokespersons have not responded to my questions," he said. Kishor said earlier that more than 60 per cent of Bihar's population desire change in the assembly polls to be held later this year. Speaking with ANI in Purnea, he said while Congress has "no presence" in the state, AIMIM is a Hyderabad-based party and option for people is between Nitish-BJP, RJD and Jan Suraaj. "More than 60% of people in Bihar want change, including improved education and employment opportunities, as well as a new system... RJD gets votes here because Muslims don't vote for BJP. Congress has no presence here, AIMIM is a Hyderabad-based party... these parties have no existence," he said. "In Bihar, only JDU, RJD, and BJP are the parties. One alliance is of BJP-JDU, and on the other side is RJD's alliance... so the people of Bihar have only three options. First, if they want the current system to continue, they should vote for Nitish-BJP; second, if you are fed up with this system, you have two paths--either bring back RJD's jungle raj, crime, and hooliganism, or join an honest and strong effort (Jan Suraaj)," he added. Kishor had on Sunday taken a dig at Election Commission over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and asked if voter list used for the Lok Sabha elections "included a large number of Bangladeshis or illegal people". He asked ECI whether the Lok Sabha elections were held according to the voter list, which included the names of "Bangladeshis or illegal people." "The Election Commission has started the revision process. If they are saying that there are Nepalis and Bangladeshis here, then this is a matter of great concern. Is the Election Commission admitting that the voter list used for the Lok Sabha elections included a large number of Bangladeshis or illegal people?" Prashant Kishor told reporters. The Jan Suraaj Party founder further slammed the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government over the issue and also questioned the role of police. Kishor called for answers from Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and asked how "such people" were allowed to live in Bihar and avail themselves of the state facilities. (ANI) In a strong statement addressing the growing discontent over ongoing National Highway widening works, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Anirudh Singh said he would meet Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on July 19 in Delhi to raise public grievances related to the four-laning projects. "I have been receiving regular complaints from the public, both directly and through social media, about damages caused to their homes, land, and farms due to highway widening works. Even Anurag Thakur has expressed concern, and I noticed that Gadkari ji himself seems to be receiving a wave of complaints online. I will seek an appointment with him and present a detailed report on the state of NH four-laning projects in Himachal," Singh said while speaking with ANI in Shimla on Tuesday. Referring to viral social media posts, Singh stated that there have been increasing complaints on social media regarding the injustice being done to the state and its people through four-lane widening projects by the NHAI. "I myself tagged the Prime Minister and the Union Minister in posts where people were seen submerged in water or walking through flooded sections. After these posts gained attention, central officers visited the site and got the matter rectified," he said. He reiterated his party and government's stand on infrastructure development but emphasised the need for fairness. "We fully support the construction of national highways. The State provides resources, land, stone, and soil from its own domain. People even suffer damages silently. But this doesn't mean injustice will be tolerated. Development must not come at the cost of justice." Singh said. Singh also welcomed the call for protest announced by the Himachal Kisan Sabha and other farmers' units here, which plans to demonstrate outside the National Highways Authority office on Wednesday. "Everyone has the right to fight for justice and raise their voice. Such protests are welcome and part of democracy," he remarked. Anirudh Singh joined the 'Organ Donation Drive' on Tuesday and said, "Even in Death, Let Life Continue". Singh pledged to donate his organs, becoming part of an organ donation campaign initiated by Dr Puneet Mahajan of IGMC Shimla's Surgery Department. "While we take great care of our bodies in life, the true meaning of life is to ensure our organs help someone after death. Whether it's the liver, cornea, or any transplantable organ, it can give not just one person, but an entire family, a new lease of life," Singh said. "After death, our bodies are cremated. I thought, why not let my organs help someone before that?" he added, confirming that he has already submitted his consent form to the hospital. Singh further revealed that around 750 proposals were received for new panchayats, mostly for areas with populations above 1,000 voters. However, the State's current financial situation makes it unfeasible to proceed. "Each new panchayat would cost a minimum of Rs 10 lakh annually to function. Moreover, Rs 1.14 crore is required for the construction of each new panchayat building. To meet the current demand, we'd need about Rs 75 crore for functioning expenses and Rs 750 crore for building construction. This is not possible at the moment," he said. Hence, the State Government has put on hold the creation of new panchayats for now, he added. (ANI) Tipra Motha Party Chief, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma, has raised concerns over Bangladeshi nationals allegedly buying tribal land in the north eastern state of Tripura, claiming that the state is losing "land inch by inch." The Tipra Motha party is currently in alliance with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the state, led by Chief Minister Manik Saha. While raising the issue of the alleged land sale, Pradyot Bikram hit out at both the Congress and the BJP, accusing certain people of doing politics for "short-term gains," while the state is losing land to others. "I have just got documents today to prove a Bangladeshi national has purchased a land in the tribal areas of Tripura and the property was mutated in his name. I am aware that when I raise these issues I am attacked by few of my friends from congress and also certain individuals who are today in BJP for personal gains. Should I stay silent and see our state lose land inch by inch while people do politics of short term gains?" he said. Deb also mentioned that he will be releasing the document proving the land sale on July 16. The Tipra Motha Party Chief's claims come amid his support for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls being carried out in Bihar, where the Election Commission said they found foreign nationals having Indian ID cards, including Aadhar card, domicile certificate and others. He has also called for a similar revision of electoral rolls in Tripura, saying that the poll panel is complicit in "wiping out our next generation of opportunities." "How does a illegal from Myanmar and Bangladesh enter Bihar when it has no boundaries with it ? We are the frontier states with less population and we have been raising this issue for years," the party chief wrote in a post on X. "ECI not taking action will wipe out our next generation of opportunities. A similar survey with our local indigenous officers should be conducted in our state and region as well," he added. (ANI) BRS Leaders Boinipally Vinod Kumar and Soma Bharat Kumar met the State Election Commissioner on Tuesday seeking deletion of certain identical symbols from the list of free symbols as they are similar, identical and look alike to the Election Symbol of 'Car' of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi. They submitted a request to remove symbols resembling the BRS party's "Car" symbol from the list of free symbols for local elections. The leaders explained the damage caused to BRS in the 2023 assembly elections by symbols resembling the car, such as the "Chapati Roller," "Camera," and "Ship." In a letter to the State Election Commissioner, the BRS stated, "We, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), a recognised state Political Party in Telangana, submit this representation regarding the misuse of identical symbols during Elections. Our party has been represented by the symbol 'CAR' for more than the last two decades and has successfully formed the Government in the State of Telangana twice since its formation on June 2, 2014. Over time, our party has earned the confidence and affection of the people through fulfilling promises made to the voters." "The present Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party was initially a Registered Party with Election Commission of India (ECI) as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). However, since the General Body of Telangana Rashtra Samithi party decided to change its name as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), we accordingly appealed to the ECI to change Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in its records," the letter stated. The letter stated that the change of name was initiated by the Party because it intended to go National by contesting elections across the country. "The BRS Party has been successful in fulfilling the promises made to the voters of the State and thus earned the confidence and affection of the people and voters of the State. Unfortunately, this situation made it possible for our opponents to employ dubious methods to damage our prospects in the Elections. In this process, the opponents of our party have taken advantage of such identical symbols, which are available in the list of free symbols, to confuse the voters in choosing and recognising the BRS Symbol Car on the Ballot Papers," the BRS said in its letter. "In view of the facts, circumstances and reasoning explained above and in lieu of the damage caused to the BRS Party, we earnestly pray your authority to immediately delete the above identical symbols to 'CAR' from the List of Free Symbols in-order to prevent using them in the upcoming Ordinary Elections to the MPTC/ZPTC Elections to be held in Telangana and other elections to State Legislatures and Parliament to be conducted throughout the country," BRS added in the letter. (ANI) Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D Raja condemned the death of a 20-year-old student in Balasore's college, after she succumbed to her injuries following a self-immolation bid and demanded strong action against the authorities and people responsible for the incident. Speaking to ANI, Raja termed the incident "shocking". "It is a very shocking incident. What is happening with the women across the nation, particularly in Odisha? How could such a heinous crime take place after repeated appeals made by the student? The authority and govt did not take any action? Our party condemns this and demands that the authorities must be made accountable for such crimes. The state government should take responsibility. How are they treating our female students in universities? We demand strong action against the authorities and people responsible for the incident," the CPI leader said. On the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Manan Kumar Mishra alleged that the opposition is engaging in politics over it. "This incident is very unfortunate, but it is also very sad that the opposition is doing politics on it. The police have taken action and the reasons for the incident are being investigated. The Principal and the professor has been arrested. Such incidents happen every day in West Bengal, but the opposition remains silent on these," Mishra said. Meanwhile, eight Opposition political parties, including the Congress, on Tuesday unitedly called for 'Odisha Bandh' on July 17 over the death of a 20-year-old girl student from Balasore, demanding the resignation of the State Higher Education Minister and a judicial investigation. "Joint opposition has resolved that Odisha will be closed on 17th July," CPI(M) leader Suresh Panigrahi told ANI." The 20-year-old student had allegedly faced prolonged sexual harassment by the Head of Department (HoD) at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore. Despite filing a formal complaint and seeking help from the college principal, her grievances reportedly went unheard, leading her to take the extreme step on campus last Saturday. She was initially admitted to the Balasore district hospital and later referred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar, where she succumbed to her burn injuries on Monday, hospital authorities said. In connection with the case, Fakir Mohan College's HoD, Samira Kumar Sahu, and Principal, Dilip Ghose, have been arrested. (ANI) A high-level meeting was held on Tuesday at the State Secretariat in Agartala under the leadership of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, where key decisions were taken regarding recruitment across several departments. The Chief Minister's cabinet meeting concluded successfully with major announcements aimed at strengthening the state's education and healthcare sectors. As per the cabinet decision, a total of 1,615 teaching positions will soon be filled across Tripura. The Teachers' Recruitment Board, Tripura (TRBT) will oversee the recruitment process. The breakdown is as follows: 915 Postgraduate Teachers (PGTs) will be recruited to teach classes 11 and 12, and 700 Graduate Teachers will be appointed to teach classes 9 and 10. This large-scale hiring initiative is expected to significantly improve the quality of education and address the teacher shortage in secondary and higher secondary schools across the state. In addition to the teaching sector, the Department of Health and Family Welfare will appoint six new Medical Officers, a move that will help boost medical services in rural and urban health centres. Furthermore, 37 faculty and teaching administrative positions will be filled at the National Law University, including posts such as Associate Professors and Assistant Professors. This recruitment drive reflects the government's commitment to strengthening key public service sectors and creating employment opportunities for qualified candidates in Tripura. Earlier, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha stated on Monday that the country's development is not possible without the development of the Janajati community. In view of this, he wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address some of the problems faced by the Bru people in the state. The Chief Minister made these remarks while addressing the District-Level Mega Campaign on Dharti Aaba Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan at the Gobinda Community Hall, Jirania Sub-Division. He criticised the previous left-front-led government of the state for using the Janajati community as a vote bank. "They (CPM led govt) used the Janajati community for vote bank politics. Now, the BJP government always thinks about the people and the development of the Janajati community by making them self-reliant. The way PM Modi connects with people through Mann Ki Baat, I doubt if any leader in the world connects like that. We are public representatives, but we must not forget who we are here for; we must work for the people," CM Saha said. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], July 15 (ANI/TPS): Seven senior Hamas terrorists who were released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange and deported to Gaza were killed in an Israeli airstrike last week, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Defence Forces announced Monday. The targeted operatives, all members of Hamas's Judea and Samaria "headquarters," were involved in recruiting terrorists and coordinating attacks from Gaza into Judea and Samaria. Among those killed were Riyad Asila and Bassem Abu Sanina, who carried out the 1998 stabbing murder of Israeli civilian Haim Kerman in Jerusalem. Both were sentenced to lengthy prison terms but were released as part of the deal in which Israel freed 1,027 security prisoners in exchange for captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. After their exile to Gaza, the two resumed operational roles in Hamas, with Asila later joining the group's "Jerusalem Department," responsible for recruiting terrorists in eastern Jerusalem. According to the Shin Bet, Asila helped direct terrorist activity from Gaza back into Israel, continuing "to promote terrorist operations against the State of Israel." Another key operative eliminated in the strike was Mahmoud Saria, who was convicted of killing IDF Staff Sgt. Ehud (Udi) Tal was in a stabbing attack at the Dotan Civil Administration centre in 1996. Like the others, Saria returned to terrorist activity after his release and exile to Gaza. The Shin Bet confirmed that all seven operatives killed had been convicted of involvement in deadly attacks during the Second Intifada and were serving life sentences before their release. "After their deportation to Gaza, they joined Hamas's West Bank Headquarters, operating in regional committees responsible for promoting attacks in Judea and Samaria, including by transferring weapons and funds to terrorists," the agency said. "The terrorists who were eliminated had a long record of murderous activity and had continued operating from Gaza, using their experience and connections to support Hamas's war efforts," the statement added. The airstrike also reportedly killed Muhammad Adin, commander of Hamas's Daraj Tuffah battalion, in an IDF strike northeast of Gaza City. Adin was said to be accompanied by other senior commanders. His death follows the recent elimination of three other top Hamas leaders, including Muhammad Sinwar, brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Rafah Brigade commander Muhammad Shabana, and Hakam al-Issa, who the IDF described as one of Hamas's founding figures and its head of combat support operations. At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 50 remaining hostages, around 30 are believed to be dead. (ANI/TPS) Secretary General of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Humaid Mohamed Ben Salem, said that he discussed various sectors of interest with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and agreed on having a special team from both sides to follow up on the interests with Madhya Pradesh. Both leaders discussed cooperation and partnership in various sectors, including clean energy, smart cities, infrastructure, agriculture, etc. Speaking to ANI, Salem said, "We discussed various sectors of interest in both the MP and the UAE. We agreed on having a special team from both sides to follow up on the interests." The discussion covered a range of sectors where collaboration is being considered, including clean energy, smart cities, infrastructure, agriculture, and pharmaceutical infrastructure. Ben Salem added, "We discussed cooperation and partnership in various sectors, including clean energy, smart cities, infrastructure, agriculture, pharmaceutical infrastructure, and other key areas important to MP and the UAE." "This discussion involved both the private sector of the region and the UAE. We promise that we will have a special private sector delegation to the region in the coming few months to explore the opportunities and to follow up on this meeting," he added. During his visit, CM Mohan Yadav held several meetings in the UAE for potential future collaborations, including meetings with the e& (formerly Etisalat), Director of LuLu Group International, Salim MA and Tata Group. Earlier in the day, Mohan Yadav emphasised that his entire day was dedicated to increasing trade between Madhya Pradesh and Dubai, adding that he expressed happiness that MP is moving towards "becoming one of the top states in the country." Speaking to ANI, CM Yadav said, "Today, the whole day was dedicated to increasing trade between Madhya Pradesh and Dubai." The Madhya Pradesh CM also had a "very positive interaction" with the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade during his second day in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "I also met Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, and we had a very positive interaction. I met people from many sectors like mining, green energy, food processing, and tourism...I'm happy that our Madhya Pradesh is moving towards becoming one of the top states in the country," he added. Notably, CM Yadav is scheduled to travel to Spain after concluding his visit to the UAE. The visit, from July 13 to 19, aims to bring global investment to Madhya Pradesh, encourage technology sharing, and create new job opportunities under the umbrella of "Global Dialogue 2025." (ANI) According to Taiwan's MND, 21 out of 26 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). In response to China's action, Taiwan's armed forces deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile systems to monitor the situation. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1944924884091723960 "26 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 21 out of 26 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," Taiwan's MND posted on X. On June 28, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te highlighted China's use of influence warfare and military intimidation aimed at annexing Taiwan as part of its broader "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" policy and expanding hegemony in the western Pacific, Taipei Times reported. He warned that this threat would persist regardless of changes in Taiwan's government leadership. While addressing DPP's national congress in his role as party chairman, Lai identified the greatest challenge in domestic politics as the opposition-controlled legislature has bypassed proper procedures, passed bills contradicting the Constitution, and undermined government operations by drastically cutting central government budgets. At the congress, held under the theme "Better democracy, better Taiwan," he emphasised that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) must stand united with the public in their mass recall movement to protect Taiwan's sovereignty and democracy, Taipei Times reported. Emphasising the vital role of civil society, Lai credited Taiwan's vibrant democracy to the enduring strength of its citizens, recalling movements like the Wild Lily protests in 1990 and the Sunflower movement in 2014, where Taiwanese rallied against policies perceived as pro-China and harmful to Taiwan's sovereignty. (ANI) US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100 per cent "secondary tariffs" on Russia if a deal on Ukraine is not reached within 50 days. During his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the White House on Monday (local time), Trump expressed disappointment with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin and threatened to impose severe tariffs if there is no deal within 50 days. He said, "We are very unhappy, I am with Russia. But, we will discuss that maybe a different day. But, we're very, very unhappy with them, and we're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs at about 100 per cent. You'd call them secondary tariffs. You know what that means. But today, we're going to talk about something else. And as you know, we've spent USD 350 billion, approximately, on this war with Russia and Ukraine and would like to see it end. It wasn't my war. It was Biden's war. It's not my war." "I'm trying to get you out of it. And we want to see it end and I'm disappointed in President Putin because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn't seem to get there. So, based on that, we're going to be doing secondary tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days. It's very simple and they'll be at 100 per cent and that's the way it is. It can be more simple. It's just the way it is. I hope we don't have to do it. But regardless, we are going to be, we make the greatest military equipment in the world, whether it's missiles," he added. Trump also unveiled a deal under which NATO will buy arms from the US and then distribute them to Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia. He said, "The only one we haven't been able to get to yet is Russia, and I'm not happy. And I will tell you that Ukraine wants to do something again. It's a war that should have never started. If I were president, it never would have happened. I used to speak to President Putin about it a lot. It was the apple of his eye. But once I saw what was going on, I said, they're going to they're going to have a war here. I was outside. Lecture was rigged and I was outside looking in and I said, you know, that thing's going to be a war. Couldn't believe it because what Biden said was the exact opposite of what should have been said and it started and it's a real mess. We're losing I guess they're losing five or six thousand people a day. It's actually now more." "I used to was saying 5,000 a day. It's actually more now, mostly soldiers but a lot of people in cities and towns that are getting blown up to it's a horrible war and it should be stopped. And so if it's not done, if we don't have an agreement in 50 days, that's what we're doing secondary tariffs and they're biting and I hope we don't get to the point where we do, but I I've been hearing so much talk. It's all talk. It's all talk and then missiles go into Kyiv and kill 60 people. It's got to stop. But, the purpose of this is to say that this is a very big deal we've made. This is billions of dollars worth of military equipment is going to be purchased from the United States going to NATO etc. And that's going to be quickly distributed to the battlefield, Ukraine will take it up," he added. Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he echoed US President Trump's "disappointment and frustration" at the lack of progress in peace talks during his meeting with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and expressed America's willingness to engage. Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur on July 10 after his meeting with Lavrov, Rubio stated that the US' strategy is to continue engaging all parties involved in finding an outcome to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Rubio described his talks with Lavrov as "frank and important." When asked about his message to Lavrov during the meeting, he said, "Our strategy is to continue to engage all the parties that are involved in finding an outcome to this conflict. We will engage anytime that we have an opportunity to do so, like we did today. I echoed what the President said - both the disappointment and frustration at the lack of progress in peace talks or in a path forward. So, we'll continue to engage." "We shared some ideas and comments, which I'll take back to Washington as early as this evening in terms of calls and reflected, and perhaps there's something to build on there. But, it was a frank conversation. It was an important one. We had it, and we talked about some other items as well unrelated to the war in Ukraine, but that was the - obviously, the first and foremost topic that we discussed. And look, the President's been pretty clear. He's disappointed and frustrated that there's not been more flexibility on the Russian side to bring about an end to this conflict. We hope that can change, and we're going to continue to stay involved where we see opportunities to make a difference," he added. Marco Rubio met Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur. The meeting between Rubio and Lavrov came just days after Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin for not engaging in peace talks regarding the Ukraine conflict. (ANI) Jaipur Foot USA, representing the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), said materials for more than 800 artificial limbs have been sent to support a humanitarian camp in Trinidad & Tobago. The initiative was announced by PM Modi during his address to a joint session of the Trinidad & Tobago Parliament, marking what organisers describe as a "historic" moment in bilateral relations. A team of 8-10 technical experts from BMVSS will arrive in Trinidad & Tobago to conduct the artificial limb fitting camp, according to the organisation's statement. The charity's founder, D.R. Mehta, who has been awarded the Padma Bhushan - one of India's highest civilian honours - is expected to personally attend the camp. Prem Bhandari, Chairman of Jaipur Foot USA, recently visited Trinidad to coordinate the initiative. He praised the Indian High Commission's role in facilitating the project, particularly highlighting the efforts of High Commissioner Dr Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit. The camp has been organised through collaboration between the Indian High Commission in Trinidad & Tobago and the local government. The initiative reflects India's broader humanitarian outreach efforts in the Caribbean region. Bhandari noted that several members of Jaipur Foot USA have expressed interest in participating in the camp following Modi's parliamentary announcement. The organisation described the project as part of India's commitment to global humanitarian service, citing the Sanskrit principle of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", meaning "the world is one family". BMVSS, the parent organisation of Jaipur Foot USA, has been providing artificial limbs and other mobility aids to disabled individuals for several decades. The charity operates on a model of providing free prosthetic limbs to those who cannot afford them. The Trinidad & Tobago camp is expected to restore mobility to hundreds of recipients, according to organisers, who describe it as strengthening ties between India and the Caribbean nation. The initiative comes as part of Modi's broader diplomatic engagement with Caribbean nations, emphasising India's role in South-South cooperation and humanitarian assistance. (ANI) The US has announced the withdrawal of the 2019 Agreement with Mexico, suspending the antidumping duty investigation on fresh tomatoes from the country, while ordering an antidumping duty of 17.09 per cent on most of its imports of tomatoes. As per the European Commission, dumping is a trade practise of exporting goods at a lower price than the domestic market in order to increase one's market share internationally, while anti-dumping duties are additional taxes imposed on the imported goods by a country to maintain the prices in the national market. In a statement on Monday (local time), the US Department of Commerce stated that the withdrawal of the almost three-decade-old agreement and imposition of the antidumping duty came after the US claimed that "Mexican tomatoes have been sold in the United States at unfair prices." "Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced it is withdrawing from and terminating the 2019 Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Duty Investigation on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico (the 2019 Agreement). Commerce is withdrawing under Section XI.B of the 2019 Agreement, which explicitly allows Commerce to take such an action with 90-days' written notice," the statement read. "Now that the 2019 Agreement is terminated, Commerce is issuing an antidumping duty order, resulting in duties of 17.09 percent on most imports of tomatoes from Mexico. Antidumping duties are calculated to measure the percentage by which Mexican tomatoes have been sold in the United States at unfair prices," it added. The move came days after the US announced a 30 per cent tariff on goods from Mexico starting August 1. US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick also confirmed that the withdrawal decision was taken in line with President Trump's "trade policies and approach with Mexico". "Mexico remains one of our greatest allies, but for far too long our farmers have been crushed by unfair trade practices that undercut pricing on produce like tomatoes. That ends today... This rule change is in line with President Trump's trade policies and approach with Mexico," Lutnick said as per the statement. As per the US Department of Commerce, since 1996, the US domestic tomato industry has sought protection from what it claims are unfairly priced or dumped Mexican tomato imports. Over the past 27 years, this has led to five suspension agreements--in 1996, 2002, 2008, 2013, and most recently in 2019. The 2019 agreement aims to eliminate the harmful impact of Mexican tomato imports on the US market and under this agreement, Mexican exporters committed to sell tomatoes at or above minimum prices and to reduce dumping by at least 85 per cent on each shipment. (ANI) The senior leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are divided over the timeline of the launch of the protest movement to secure the release of jailed leader Imran Khan, The News International reported on Tuesday. While addressing a press conference in Lahore alongside PTI leader Salman Akram Raja and other leaders, Khyberdo Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said, "We have to decide in 90 days whether to politics or not. The [protest] movement will be a do or die [in nature]." PTI Punjab Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza raised questions over the protest movement. She asked, "Will anyone shed light on this? What plan of action was announced yesterday or today for the release of PTI founder?" She asked, "Where and how will the PTI protest movement start?" She further questioned, "Where did the 90-day plan come from compared to the call for protest on August 5? If any of you have noticed anything, please guide me too." Gandapur's statement came a day after PTI formally launched its anti-government movement, set to reach its "peak" by August 5, after a high-level meeting in Lahore. The protest movement has been launched to secure the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, who is set to complete two years in prison on August 5. On Sunday, Gandapur said that the protest movement would be led by PTI founder Imran Khan. He said, "We are fighting a war for the people of Pakistan. A fascist campaign is being launched against us again and our constitutional right to protest is being taken away." Gandapur stated, "We will seek permission to hold a rally in Lahore tomorrow. Give me permission to hold a rally in Lahore and do not provide any facilities," adding that he would support anyone ready to hold a rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and would even provide facilities to them, The News International reported. He reiterated his message of the talks to "beneficiaries and hijackers" of the government. He warned it would be a real final show from the Imran Khan-founded party in the next 90 days. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM said, "Let's sit together, admit our mistakes, and fix things." He said, "State institutions are not meant to do politics," said Gandapur. He said that it is not the job of state institutions to engage in politics. "State institutions are playing a role in toppling and running governments." In response to a question, Gandapur stated, "PTI would go all out in this movement whether we remain in government or not as it doesn't matter to us. We will go to every corner of the country and mobilise the people." He accused state institutions of being part of activities that are not their responsibility. He asked, "Where are you trying to take this country?" He said, "I am the son and brother of soldiers. We must reform our own institutions," The News International reported. Ali Amin Gandapur said Imran Khan taught the party that "politics is not for personal gain but for the betterment of future generations." He said that Imran Khan always talked about bringing change within 90 days, and from today, those 90 days have started. In response to a question, he challenged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to contest the election from Dera Ismail Khan against his brother Faisal Gandapur. He said, "If my brother is defeated, I will quit politics." (ANI) The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for a series of coordinated attacks on Pakistani security forces and infrastructure in Balochistan's Kalat and Kharan regions, aimed at what it calls resisting "occupation and exploitation," The Balochistan Post reported. According to a statement released by BLA spokesperson Azad Baloch, fighters launched a blockade operation on July 11 on the strategic Quetta-Karachi RCD Highway near Dasht Goran, Kalat. The BLA reportedly halted traffic and controlled the area from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM. When Pakistani forces attempted to intervene, a gun battle ensued, leaving two soldiers dead and three wounded, The Balochistan Post reported. In a parallel strike, the BLA said it targeted vehicles and equipment belonging to a company it described as "exploitative," near Gidaan Hotel in Kalat. The group declared this action part of its broader mission to disrupt the economic exploitation of Balochistan's natural resources. The BLA also claimed responsibility for earlier attacks this month. On July 2, a sniper attack was carried out on a Pakistani post in Shah'e Mardan, killing one soldier. On July 5, five soldiers were killed and five injured during a heavy-weapons assault on a military outpost in Shekhari, Kalat. On the night of July 12, the BLA said it launched a pre-emptive strike in Bencha, along the RCD Highway. Fighters ambushed a military convoy from Khuzdar, reportedly killing three personnel and wounding others. The group stated it maintained "operational superiority" for four hours, using guerrilla tactics to hold strategic positions and block access routes. On July 13, the BLA conducted three bomb attacks targeting the DIG office of Rakhshan Zone in Kharan, accusing the official of collaborating with military efforts against Baloch nationalists. The BLA emphasised that their fighters adhered to the "Hit-and-Run Tactic" and the "Safe Engagement Doctrine", ensuring both their own safety and minimal civilian casualties during the operation. Azad Baloch reaffirmed the BLA's commitment to its campaign, declaring, "We will continue our struggle until the realisation of a free and independent Balochistan," The Balochistan Post reported. (ANI) Incarcerated Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Mahrang Baloch's sister has raised serious concerns regarding the treatment given to her sister and other detained BYC leaders, calling their recent transfer into different police stations a violation of constitutional and legal norms, The Balochistan Post reported. She urged Pakistan's judiciary, civil society, bar councils, and international human rights organisations to intervene in the matter to restore the rule of law and safeguard the fundamental human rights of the detained people. Following a court appearance last week, Mahrang Baloch, Beebow Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, Sabghatullah Shah Ji, and Beebarg Zehri were transferred to separate police stations, despite two lower courts having reportedly ordered that they be granted legal assistance and access to family to prepare their legal defence, The Balochistan Post reported. In a detailed statement, Baloch's sister alleged that police authorities have consistently denied these rights. She also claimed that legal paperwork is being deliberately delayed, with detainees often kept waiting for hours before being allowed to sign documents. Female detainees, including Baloch, are being held in a women's police station allegedly under the de facto control of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies, not the civilian police. The behaviour of staff at the station has reportedly been uncooperative and disrespectful, allegedly violating Articles 10 and 10-A of the Constitution of Pakistan. Particular concern was raised over the conditions of Sabghatullah Shah Ji and Beebarg Zehri, who are reportedly being held incommunicado at the Cantonment Police Station. Their families and lawyers have allegedly been denied any access, in direct defiance of court orders, which the sister described as "illegal detention," The Balochistan Post reported. The statement further alleged psychological harassment, denial of medical care, and threats against the detainees, all of which reportedly contravene Section 974 of the Police Rules of 1934 and Pakistan's obligations under international human rights law. Mahrang Baloch's sister also revealed that intelligence personnel appeared outside her home past midnight, in what she described as an attempt to silence her. (ANI) Nepal's Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Rajkumar Gupta, announced his resignation on Tuesday following a bribery scandal that sparked widespread public and political backlash. Gupta made the announcement via Facebook, days after an audio recording surfaced allegedly capturing him accepting a bribe in exchange for influencing political appointments and land-related decisions. "It is well known to everyone that my name has been continuously associated with bribery deals for the past few days. Sometimes it seems like I have become the victim for the incident where I have no role. I have now tendered my resignation from the post of Minister of General Administration to the Honorable Prime Minister so that he can help in investigating the allegations and bringing out the truth," Gupta stated. The leaked audio, reportedly recorded between late December, 2024 and January this year, implicates Gupta in a monetary deal related to the appointment of the Land Commission Chair in Kaski district. In the recording, Gupta--also a leader of the CPN-UML--is allegedly heard demanding NPR 7.8 million in exchange for a political appointment and the transfer of a civil servant in the district. Opposition parties strongly demanded his resignation and called for legal action, accusing the minister of breaching public trust and abusing his authority. Civil society organisations and members of the public also voiced outrage, calling for accountability and systemic reforms. Besides the bribery allegations, Gupta has also been accused of pressuring various land revenue offices to comply with his demands and of threatening inter-ministerial transfers for non-compliance. The scandal also put Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli under pressure. Lawmakers from both the ruling coalition and the opposition had demanded Gupta's resignation, but Oli initially remained silent. The issue was reportedly not discussed during Monday evening's cabinet meeting, which Gupta also attended. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Oli held separate discussions with Nepali Congress President and ruling ally Sher Bahadur Deuba, as well as Janata Samajbadi Party Chairman Upendra Yadav. Meanwhile, questions have also been raised about Minister for Land Management and Cooperatives, Balaram Adhikari, who is also affiliated with the UML. Addressing Parliament on Monday, Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal accused the government of shielding corruption and serving the interests of middlemen. He criticised the administration for politicising institutions and fostering a system that empowers brokers while sidelining official government mechanisms. (ANI) The Wanban Bridge, which links New Taipei's Banqiao District to Taipei's Wanhua District, was entirely shut down from 11 pm (local time) on Monday to 6 am (local time) on Tuesday to facilitate the drill. Troops constructed a four-tier blockade on the 690-meter span within two hours, demonstrating Taiwan's rapid response capability against potential Chinese ground incursions. The blockade combined military fortifications with civilian resources, layered roadblocks, barbed wire, city buses, and newly acquired Hesco bastions, modern wire mesh barriers used in war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. The exercise simulated a People's Liberation Army (PLA) attempt to breach the bridge using disguised military vehicles, a plausible "gray zone" tactic often employed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to blur the line between war and peace. Military police deployed drones to detect the simulated enemy before engaging in a defensive firefight. In the scenario, PLA units broke through three of the four barricade layers before being neutralised by Taiwanese snipers and armoured "Clouded Leopard" vehicles. The operation concluded with full bridge clearance and spot checks. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence emphasised that the drill is part of a broader campaign to strengthen urban warfare readiness and prevent enemy advances toward critical government and infrastructure hubs like the Presidential Office Building. Tuesday marked the seventh day of Taiwan's longest-ever live-fire phase of the Han Kuang exercises, which run through July 18. This year's extended duration, double that of previous drills, underscores Taiwan's growing sense of urgency amid China's escalating military coercion. The bridge drill served as both training and deterrent, a reminder to Beijing that Taiwan's defences are vigilant, resilient, and prepared to fight for their freedom. (ANI) As the tussle between Democrat mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and the Republican leaders intensifies, Ohio-based Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy also joins the chorus, using the issue to boost his campaign for Ohio Governor. Following Mamdani's win in the Democratic primary last month, he has been at the receiving end of severe criticism for his socialist and liberal politics from Republican leaders, including US President Donald Trump, who had called him a "lunatic". Ramaswamy, a staunch supporter of Trump, announced his candidacy to serve as the next Governor of Ohio after he pulled out as the co-head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Elon Musk earlier this year. The election for the Governor of Ohio is scheduled to take place in 2026. In a digital billboard paod by the Political Action Committee (PAC) of Ramaswamy, the Indian-origin bio-tech entrepreneur questioned if people are "Ready to Flee NYC?" and invited them to "Move to Ohio!" He further attacked Mamdani,the son of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, calling him a "radical socialist" while projecting himself as the protector of "freedom" According to the New York Post, the digital billboard was paid for by the PAC of Ramaswamy and shown in the iconic New York's Times Square. Ramaswamy also took to X, reposting the ad while quoting, "Capitalism defeats socialism. There's a better way: move to Ohio." Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump took a jibe against Mamdani, labelling him a "Communist Lunatic", vowing to prevent him from "destroying" the city. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared that he holds all the "levers" and "cards" in order to prevent Mamdani "destroy" New York. "As President of the United States, I'm not going to let this Communist Lunatic destroy New York. Rest assured, I hold all the levers and have all the cards. I'll save New York City and make it 'Hot' and 'Great' again, just like I did with the Good Ol' USA!" he wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump also threatened to have Mamdani deported if he blocks Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in New York. Mamdani also responded forcefully, stating, "The President of the United States just threatened to have me arrested, stripped of my citizenship, put in a detention camp and deported. Not because I have broken any law but because I will refuse to let ICE terrorise our city," as quoted by The Washington Post. "His statements don't just represent an attack on our democracy but an attempt to send a message to every New Yorker who refuses to hide in the shadows: if you speak up, they will come for you. We will not accept this intimidation," the 33 year old Democrat added. Mamdani officially won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor on July 1, after he crossed the majority following the tabulation of the city-ranked choice votes, as reported by CNN. Earlier on June 24, during the elections, Mamdani hadn't won a majority through first-choice votes but was leading after the votes were tallied. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo had conceded the Democratic mayoral primary to Mamdani after the first-choice votes were tallied. Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a New York State Assembly member and democratic socialist, born in Uganda. He is the first South Asian man to serve in the New York State Assembly, the first Ugandan, and the only third Muslim ever to be a member of the body. He was born to Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair and Indo-Ugandan professor Mahmood Mamdani. (ANI) The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the Saudi authorities for rescuing an Indian national who was aboard the merchant vessel Eternity C, which recently sank in the Red Sea after a hostile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The update was shared by the embassy in an X post (formerly Twitter), confirming that the Indian citizen, Augustin Dassayan, was safely brought to Jizan, Saudi Arabia, along with other survivors. "A team from the Indian Consulate in Jeddah met him, ensured his well-being, and facilitated his return to India," the Embassy said in the post. https://x.com/indianembriyadh/status/1945006913533444133?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw According to a Reuters report, the Greek operator of the vessel, Cosmoship Management, confirmed that 10 crew members have been rescued so far, while 10 others remain missing. The Eternity C was the second Greek-owned ship to be attacked and sunk by the Iran-backed Houthis last week. The attack is part of the group's continuing attempts to disrupt global shipping through the Red Sea, which is a crucial trade route for oil and other commodities. The Indian Embassy also noted that Dassayan was working as a security guard aboard the ship and he was safely evacuated thanks to the quick efforts of the Saudi authorities. As per Al Jazeera the incidents are a revival of a Houthi campaign launched in November 2023 after the start of Israel's war on Gaza. More than 100 ships have since been attacked in operations the Houthis say are in solidarity with Palestinians, the outlet reported. The Red Sea region has seen repeated attacks by Houthi militants in recent months, targeting vessels they claim are linked to Israel, the US, or allied nations.(ANI) The execution of 37-year-old nurse from Kerala, Nimisha Priya, which was scheduled for July 16 in Yemen has been postponed, following "concerted efforts" by the Government of India, sources told ANI on Tuesday, citing local authorities. According to the sources, the postponement provides additional time for her family to negotiate a mutually agreeable solution amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts by Indian officials as they maintained regular communication with Yemeni jail authorities and the prosecutor's office while navigating the sensitivities of the situation to secure this reprieve. "In the case of Ms. Nimisha Priya, it has been learnt that the local authorities in Yemen have postponed the execution scheduled for July 16, 2025," the sources stated. "GOI, which has since the beginning of the case been rendering all possible assistance in the matter, has made concerted efforts in recent days to seek more time for the family of Ms. Nimisha Priya to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party. Despite the sensitivities involved, Indian officials have been in regular touch with the local jail authorities and the prosecutor's office, leading to securing this postponement," it added. The 37-year-old nurse from Kerala was set to be executed on July 16 after a trial court in Yemen convicted her of killing a Yemeni national, a decision that the country's Supreme Judicial Council upheld in November 2023. Earlier on Monday, while giving the Union Government's submission on the case in the Supreme Court the Attorney General of India (AGI) stated that the Indian government is making every possible effort to help Priya. He further informed the Court that talks are ongoing with Yemeni authorities, including the public prosecutor handling Priya's case, to secure a suspension of the execution order until negotiations can be pursued. However, the AGI also admitted that the Indian government's ability to intervene is limited, describing it as "a very complex issue", adding, "there's no way we can know what's happening (in Yemen)." "There's nothing much that we can do... It's not like any other part of the world (where possible negotiations can be carried out)," the AGI stated. Hearing the Central government's submission, Justice Sandeep Mehta expressed deep concern and remarked that it would be "very sad if she (Priya) were to lose her life.". The court will continue to hear the case on July 18. (ANI) India has reduced the number of children who missed all vaccinations, also called zero-dose children by 43 per cent in just one year, according to new data released on Tuesday by WHO and UNICEF. As per the 2024 data, India brought down its zero-dose children from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024, a drop of nearly 7 lakh. "This is a proud moment for South Asia. More children are protected today than ever before," said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, while also stressing the need to reach the remaining children in remote areas. South Asia, as a region, achieved its highest-ever immunization coverage. In 2024, 92 per cent of infants received the third dose of the DTP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. This marked a 2 per cent increase from 2023 and even surpassed pre-COVID levels. Nepal also saw major improvement, cutting its zero-dose children by over half. Pakistan reached its highest-ever DTP3 coverage at 87 per cent. However, Afghanistan remains a concern with the lowest coverage in the region and a slight decline compared to last year. Measles coverage also improved. Around 93 per cent of infants received the first dose and 88 per cent got the second. Reported measles cases fell sharply by 39 per cent in 2024. Vaccination against HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which prevents cervical cancer, saw progress too. Bangladesh vaccinated over 7.1 million girls since starting its programme last year, while Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka also reported increases. India and Pakistan are expected to begin their HPV vaccination campaigns later this year. The WHO and UNICEF report praised strong leadership from governments, tireless work of frontline health workers, and better use of data and technology for this achievement. "It is heartening to see WHO South-East Asia Region reach the highest ever immunization rates, surpassing the pre-pandemic up-trend. We must build on this momentum and step up efforts to reach every child with these lifesaving vaccines. Together we can, and we must," said Dr Thaksaphon Thamarangsi, Director Programme Management, WHO South-East Asia Region. Still, experts warned that over 2.9 million children in South Asia remain un- or under-vaccinated and need to be reached to ensure full protection against deadly diseases. (ANI) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, along with this crew for the Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4), is set for a splashdown int eh Pacific Ocean off the coast of California as the nosecone of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' has been closed and secured for reentry. SpaceX made the announcement of the mission in a post on X, as the mission marks the final stages of the crew's return from the International Space Station (ISS) after almost 20 days in space. The re-entry was done following the completion of the deorbit burn and the jettisoning of the trunk. "Dragon's nosecone is closed and secured for reentry. Splashdown in ~26 minutes," SpaceX stated in a post on X. "Dragon's deorbit burn is complete and the trunk has been jettisoned," stated another post. According to SpaceX, the crew, aboard its Dragon spacecraft, announced their arrival with a "brief sonic boom" ahead of their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. "Dragon and the Axiom Space Ax-4 crew are on track to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and splash down off the coast of San Diego at ~2:31 a.m. PT tomorrow. Dragon will also announce its arrival with a brief sonic boom prior to splashing down in the Pacific Ocean," SpaceX stated. The crew currently aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, Grace, are on their return journey, which will take approximately 22.5 hours back to Earth from the ISS. Earlier, on Monday, the Ax-4 successfully undocked and was making their way back to Earth, as observed by Axiom Space and NASA. In an informative blog about the mission updates, NASA informed that the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked at 7:15 am EDT or 4:45 pm IST from the space-facing port of the International Space Station's Harmony module, completing the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4. Axiom Space, in its live session on X, noted that the Axiom-4 mission saw over 60 scientific studies and more than 20 outreach events. The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz "Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu, had been actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS as part of the mission during the past 18-days. As per NASA, the Dragon spacecraft will return to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission. Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module. (ANI) In a classic display of authoritarian double standards, China has launched an aggressive diplomatic protest against Japan's potential transfer of second-hand Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines, a move aimed at bolstering regional deterrence in the face of Beijing's continued maritime bullying, The Eurasian Times reported. According to The Eurasian Times, Japan has invited the Philippine Navy to conduct a joint inspection of the 109-metre-long destroyer escorts, which are expected to be decommissioned by 2027. The exploratory talks mark a significant shift in Japan's defence posture and its deepening security ties with Manila, a long-time victim of China's relentless aggression in the South China Sea. The prospect of a regional ally acquiring enhanced naval capability has rattled Beijing. In a defensive and historically revisionist statement, China's Ministry of Defense called on Japan to "reflect on its past" and accused Tokyo of rekindling wartime militarism, an absurd comparison intended to derail growing Indo-Pacific partnerships that challenge China's expansionism. The Eurasian Times noted that Chinese state media, including the Global Times, cynically equated the transfer of used Japanese destroyers with Japan's World War II-era atrocities. The invocation of the war appears politically timed ahead of the 80th anniversary of China's so-called "War of Resistance" and conveniently ignores the CCP's modern-day belligerence, from building artificial islands to ramming Philippine ships. For years, the Philippines has struggled to counter China's coercive actions in disputed waters. The potential acquisition of the Abukuma-class vessels, equipped with anti-submarine, anti-ship, and radar-evading features, could finally give Manila a cost-effective but formidable boost in defending its sovereign maritime claims. Japan, operating under its post-2014 export guidelines, is well within its legal and moral right to support partners facing China's expansionism. The Eurasian Times reported that upgrades to the vessels could promote regional interoperability and deter PLA naval incursions. Despite China's outrage, the message is clear: democratic nations are tired of appeasing Beijing. The Philippines, like others, is arming for peace, not war, and China's aggressive behaviour is the reason why. (ANI) The Philippines is quietly strengthening its defence ties with Taiwan amid growing concerns over Chinese aggression in the South China Sea and broader regional instability, Taipei Times reported. Philippine Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said in a recent interview that "it would be hiding from the obvious to say that Taiwan's security will not affect us." His comments reflect a shift in Manila's posture, even as it maintains its official diplomatic recognition of Beijing, as reported by Taipei Times. According to Philippine officials speaking on condition of anonymity, defence cooperation with Taiwan is "further along" than publicly acknowledged. This follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s new policy that has eased restrictions on exchanges with Taipei, allowing for more open military and academic engagements, Taipei Times reported. Earlier this year, Philippine academics with links to the defence establishment took part in security forums with top Taiwanese generals to better understand Taipei's strategic thinking. In a tangible display of cooperation, the Philippine Coast Guard and Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration recently conducted joint patrols in the Bashi Channel, a critical waterway between Taiwan and the Philippines, Taipei Times said. Taiwan also sent observers to the trilateral US-Philippines-Japan military drills held in the Batanes Islands, less than 200 kilometres from Taiwan. While Philippine authorities did not openly name China as the focus of the exercise, regional analysts cited by the Taipei Times believe the drills were intended to counter Chinese maritime assertiveness. A Taiwanese defence advisor told Taipei Times that although Taiwanese forces did not participate directly, the two sides are becoming "closer and closer" in defence cooperation. Meanwhile, China has reacted strongly. A spokesperson for its Ministry of National Defence accused the Philippines of becoming "a co-conspirator in destabilising the region" by aligning itself with the United States, Taipei Times reported. Philippine academics and security experts argue that the proximity of Taiwan, shared maritime boundaries, and the large Filipino population on the island necessitate deeper ties. "We'd be kidding ourselves not to see the necessity of working with Taiwan," one academic told Taipei Times. (ANI) As the Dragon spacecraft piloted by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla splashed down with with grace completing its mission after 18 days on the ISS. Waving to the camera, a smiling ''Shux'' egressed from the Dragon spacecraft which he had piloted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla upon his return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), saying he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication. The PM termed the achievement a significant step towards India''s Human Space Flight Mission Gaganyaan. SpaceX''s Dragon spacecraft ''Grace'' successfully landed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on Tuesday, marking the safe return of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew, including pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). The splashdown, confirmed by SpaceX, concludes a nearly 19-day mission aboard the ISS, fulfilling a significant milestone in Indo-US space cooperation. Earlier, SpaceX stated that set for a splashdown on earth off the coast of California in as the nosecone of SpaceX''s Dragon spacecraft ''Grace'' has been closed and secured for reentry. SpaceX made the announcement of the mission in a post on X, as the mission marks the final stages of the crew''s return from the International Space Station (ISS) after almost 20 days in space.The re-entry was done following the completion of the deorbit burn and the jettisoning of the trunk, as confirmed by SpaceX. "Dragon''s nosecone is closed and secured for reentry. Splashdown in ~26 minutes," SpaceX stated in a post on X." Dragon''s deorbit burn is complete and the trunk has been jettisoned," stated another post. The crew returned to earth in approximately 22.5 hours from the ISS. Earlier, on Monday, the Ax-4 successfully undocked and was making their way back to Earth, as observed by Axiom Space and NASA. In an informative blog about the mission updates, NASA informed that the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked at 7:15 am EDT or 4:45 pm IST from the space-facing port of the International Space Station''s Harmony module, completing the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4.Axiom Space, in its live session on X, noted that the Axiom-4 mission saw over 60 scientific studies and more than 20 outreach events. The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz "Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu, had been actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS as part of the mission during the past 18-days.As per NASA, the Dragon spacecraft returns to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission. Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA''s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station''s Harmony module. (ANI) Jaishankar shared the update on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, "Good to catch up with FM @araghchi of Iran, this time on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin." https://x.com/drsjaishankar/status/1945058388444111161?s=46 This is Jaishankar's first in-person meeting with Araghchi following the recent conflict between Iran and Israel. In June, the two leaders had held a telephonic conversation during which Jaishankar thanked Araghchi for facilitating the safe evacuation of Indian nationals amid the hostilities. Jaishankar is on an official visit to China to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He arrived in Beijing after concluding his trip to Singapore. This is also his first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, which severely strained ties between the two countries. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar, along with other SCO foreign ministers, met Chinese President Xi Jinping. His visit comes shortly after recent visits to China by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, both of whom attended SCO-related engagements in June. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also expected to visit India next month to meet NSA Ajit Doval. The meeting will be part of the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue mechanism, aimed at resolving the long-standing boundary dispute between the two countries. (ANI) In a significant policy shift, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced fresh military support for Ukraine and threatened sweeping tariffs on Russia's trading partners, in a bid to pressure Moscow into ending its war within 50 days, The Hill reported. According to The Hill, Trump unveiled the plan during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, stating that Europe would bear the cost of advanced American weaponry, including Patriot missile systems, which are vital to defend Kyiv from intensified Russian air assaults. "These weapons can move quickly to Kyiv," Trump said, while stopping short of offering specific timelines. The move follows NATO's recent decision to boost collective defense spending, the outlet noted. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, the United States has provided over $175 billion in aid to Ukraine--most of it during the Biden administration. The Hill reported that Trump, in contrast, had briefly halted intelligence sharing and suspended defensive weapons deliveries during his current term, raising questions about the consistency of US support. Despite previously calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "ungrateful," Trump appears to have shifted tone. On Monday, he sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of misleading American leaders and continuing attacks on Ukrainian cities. "I always hang up and say ... 'Well that was a nice phone call,' and then missiles launch into Kyiv or some other city," Trump told reporters. "That happens three or four times, you realize the talk doesn't mean anything." The Hill's Niall Stanage noted that Trump has recently intensified his rhetoric against Putin, labelling him a "tough guy" and expressing disappointment during an interview with the BBC. "I trust almost no one," Trump said when asked if he trusted the Russian leader. Meanwhile, Zelensky on Monday met with Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, in Kyiv. In a statement, Zelensky said he was "grateful to President Trump for the important signals of support," and added that Ukraine values the "support of the American people." Ukraine hawks within the GOP welcomed the announcement. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) described the weapons and tariff threats as a "turning point" in the war, according to The Hill. However, Trump's moves may face resistance from his own base. The Hill reported that parts of the MAGA-aligned GOP remain skeptical of US involvement in Ukraine, and Trump is already facing internal backlash over unrelated controversies involving the Justice Department and FBI. In Congress, bipartisan support for punishing Moscow is growing. A Senate bill proposing 500 percent tariffs on Russia and its allies has 85 co-sponsors. Trump said he discussed the legislation with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), but indicated he might not rely on it. "I'm not sure we need it, but it's certainly good they're doing it," he said. The Hill reported that Trump's own plan includes secondary tariffs--up to 100 percent--on Russian economic partners if a ceasefire is not reached within two months. The president warned the measures would severely impact Russia's already fragile economy. In response, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev mocked Trump's threat online, dismissing it as "a theatrical ultimatum" and claiming "Russia didn't care," The Hill reported. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday called on member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to provide greater development assistance to Afghanistan and collaborate in shaping a stable multipolar world. Speaking at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin, Jaishankar reiterated India's long-standing commitment to regional peace and the well-being of the Afghan people. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1945078290223653022 In a post on X, he said, "Participated in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting this evening in Tianjin. Highlighted that: Afghanistan has been long on the SCO agenda. The compulsions of regional stability are buttressed by our longstanding concern for the well-being of the Afghan people. The international community, particularly SCO members, must therefore step up with development assistance. India, for its part, will certainly do so." Connecting Afghanistan's future to broader shifts in global dynamics, Jaishankar underlined the growing significance of multilateral groupings like the SCO. "The world is today moving towards greater multi-polarity. This is not just in terms of redistribution of national capacities, but also the emergence of effective groupings like SCO. Our ability to contribute to the shaping of world affairs will naturally depend on how well we come together on a shared agenda. That means taking everybody on board," he added. His comments come as he undertakes an official visit to China for the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting--his first trip to the country since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, which severely strained ties between the two nations. Jaishankar arrived in Beijing after concluding his visit to Singapore. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar, along with other SCO foreign ministers, met Chinese President Xi Jinping. His visit comes shortly after recent visits to China by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, both of whom attended SCO-related engagements in June. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also expected to visit India next month to meet NSA Ajit Doval. The meeting will be part of the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue mechanism, aimed at resolving the long-standing boundary dispute between the two countries. (ANI) The United Nations has raised alarm over a massive surge in Afghan returnees, calling for urgent global support as more than 1.3 million people have returned to Afghanistan so far in 2025, Tolo News reported, citing a statement from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). During a visit to the Islam Qala border crossing, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) Roza Otunbayeva said, "What should be a positive homecoming moment for families who fled conflict decades ago is instead marked by exhaustion, trauma, and profound uncertainty." Tolo News reported that Otunbayeva expressed concern over the volume and speed of returns, many of which she described as involuntary. "The sheer volume of returns, many abrupt, many involuntary, should be setting off alarm bells across the global community," she warned. According to UNAMA, as quoted by Tolo News, Afghanistan--already battling drought and a long-standing humanitarian crisis--"cannot absorb this shock alone." The statement added that while UN agencies and local authorities are responding, "the pace and scale of returns are overwhelming already fragile support systems." Tolo News highlighted that 70% of Afghans are living in poverty, and the current influx is pushing the country's limited resources to the brink. The UN warned that women and children are among the most vulnerable, returning to communities where "access to basic services and social protections remains severely constrained." In addition to logistical challenges, Tolo News reported that UNAMA flagged severe underfunding in humanitarian operations. The agency stated, "Agonising choices between food, shelter, and safe passage are now unavoidable." Without immediate reintegration support--including employment opportunities and infrastructure development--UNAMA warned of "remittance losses, labour market pressure, renewed displacement, mass onward movement, and risks to regional stability," according to Tolo News. Appealing directly to international donors and neighbouring countries, Otunbayeva said, "Do not turn away. The returnees must not be abandoned. What we are witnessing are the direct consequences of unmet global responsibilities." Tolo News reported that the UN statement concluded with a call for an "integrated approach" that tackles both short-term humanitarian needs and long-term development in returnee areas. (ANI) Israeli air raids struck eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley and Syria's southern Suwayda region, as Israeli forces continued heavy bombardment across Gaza, Al Jazeera reported on Monday. According to Al Jazeera, Syria's national news agency confirmed that Israeli airstrikes had hit areas in Suwayda, while the Israeli military said it targeted the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. The escalation follows intensified Israeli operations in Gaza, where at least 78 Palestinians were killed on Sunday alone, Al Jazeera reported. Israeli attacks across multiple locations have continued with deadly force, adding to the already mounting death toll in the besieged territory. Al Jazeera cited figures from Gaza's Health Ministry, reporting that Israel's war on Gaza has now killed at least 58,386 people and wounded 139,077 since October 7, 2023. In Israel, approximately 1,139 people were killed during the Hamas-led attacks that day, and over 200 were taken captive. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers reportedly set fire to Palestinian property in the village of Burqa, torching land and vehicles. Al Jazeera noted the attack came just hours after church leaders and diplomats from over 20 countries gathered in Taybeh to appeal for an end to the violence. Meanwhile, the UN human rights office has documented at least 875 killings over the past six weeks at aid distribution points and convoy routes in Gaza. Al Jazeera, citing the UN, said most of the deaths occurred near sites operated by the US- and Israel-backed GHF, with 201 others killed along other humanitarian convoy routes. Al Jazeera reported that the rising civilian death toll and continuing strikes across multiple fronts are drawing fresh international concern, as conditions for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank grow increasingly dire. Amid the intensifying military campaign, seven senior Hamas terrorists who were released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange and deported to Gaza were killed in an Israeli airstrike last week, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Defence Forces announced Monday. The targeted operatives, all members of Hamas's Judea and Samaria "headquarters," were involved in recruiting terrorists and coordinating attacks from Gaza into Judea and Samaria. Among those killed were Riyad Asila and Bassem Abu Sanina, who carried out the 1998 stabbing murder of Israeli civilian Haim Kerman in Jerusalem. Both were sentenced to lengthy prison terms but were released as part of the deal in which Israel freed 1,027 security prisoners in exchange for captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. After their exile to Gaza, the two resumed operational roles in Hamas, with Asila later joining the group's "Jerusalem Department," responsible for recruiting terrorists in eastern Jerusalem. According to the Shin Bet, Asila helped direct terrorist activity from Gaza back into Israel, continuing "to promote terrorist operations against the State of Israel." Another key operative eliminated in the strike was Mahmoud Saria, who was convicted of killing IDF Staff Sgt. Ehud (Udi) Tal was in a stabbing attack at the Dotan Civil Administration centre in 1996. Like the others, Saria returned to terrorist activity after his release and exile to Gaza. The Shin Bet confirmed that all seven operatives killed had been convicted of involvement in deadly attacks during the Second Intifada and were serving life sentences before their release. "After their deportation to Gaza, they joined Hamas's West Bank Headquarters, operating in regional committees responsible for promoting attacks in Judea and Samaria, including by transferring weapons and funds to terrorists," the agency said. "The terrorists who were eliminated had a long record of murderous activity and had continued operating from Gaza, using their experience and connections to support Hamas's war efforts," the statement added. The airstrike also reportedly killed Muhammad Adin, commander of Hamas's Daraj Tuffah battalion, in an IDF strike northeast of Gaza City. Adin was said to be accompanied by other senior commanders. His death follows the recent elimination of three other top Hamas leaders, including Muhammad Sinwar, brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Rafah Brigade commander Muhammad Shabana, and Hakam al-Issa, who the IDF described as one of Hamas's founding figures and its head of combat support operations. At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 50 remaining hostages, around 30 are believed to be dead. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)'s Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Tuesday. In a post on X, Russia's Foreign Ministry shared, "Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of External Affairs of India @DrSJaishankar hold a meeting on the sidelines of the #SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting." https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1945048807881765258 The high-level interaction comes on the heels of the meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting in China's Qingdao in late June this year. The leader had discussed the supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and procurement of critical military hardware in expeditious timeframes, as noted by an official statement from the Ministry of Defence. https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1938101376007213449 Earlier in May, an-all party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, had visited Russia as a part of India's global outreach programme of Operation Sindoor. She had reiterated India's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. During the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting in Tianjin, China. Jaishankar shared the update on X, he wrote, "Good to catch up with FM @araghchi of Iran, this time on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1945058388444111161 Jaishankar is on an official visit to China to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He arrived in Beijing after concluding his trip to Singapore. This is also his first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, which severely strained ties between the two countries. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar, along with other SCO foreign ministers, met Chinese President Xi Jinping. His visit comes shortly after recent visits to China by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, both of whom attended SCO-related engagements in June. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also expected to visit India next month to meet NSA Ajit Doval. The meeting will be part of the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue mechanism, aimed at resolving the long-standing boundary dispute between the two countries. (ANI) External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday stressed the importance of taking an uncompromising stance against terrorism, citing the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack in India, which was condemned by the UN Security Council during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin. He highlighted three evils - terrorism, separatism and extremism, which often occur together in his X post. He said, "Recently, we in India witnessed a graphic example in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. It was deliberately conducted to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir, while sowing a religious divide. The UN Security Council, of which some of us are currently members, issued a statement that condemned it in the strongest terms and "underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice". We have since done exactly that and will continue doing so. It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge." He highlighted India's commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and bringing them to justice. Jaishankar emphasised the need for SCO member states to work together to stabilize the global order, mitigate risks, and address longstanding challenges that threaten collective interests, amid rising conflicts, competition, and economic instability. "In the last few years, we have seen more conflicts, competition and coercion. Economic instability is also visibly on the rise. The challenge before us is to stabilize the global order, de-risk various dimensions and through it all, address longstanding challenges that threaten our collective interests," the EAM posted on X. Jaishankar underscored the need for cooperation within the SCO to be based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and adherence to territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states. He also mentioned India's initiatives in areas like startup innovation, traditional medicine, and digital public infrastructure. "India has taken several initiatives in the SCO in domains ranging from startup and innovation to traditional medicine and digital public infrastructure. We will continue to positively approach new ideas and proposals that are genuinely for our collective good. It is essential that such cooperation is based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and in accordance with territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states," said Jaishankar. Jaishankar emphasised the importance of addressing current issues, such as the lack of assured transit within the SCO space, to deepen collaboration and promote economic cooperation. He also highlighted the potential of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to boost regional connectivity. "Deepening collaboration within the SCO naturally requires more trade, investment and exchanges. For that to move to the next level, it is imperative that we address some current issues. One of them is the lack of assured transit within the SCO space. Its absence undermines the seriousness of advocating cooperation in economic areas. Another is to ensure the promotion of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). We are confident that it will continue to gather momentum," he added. Jaishankar stressed the need for the international community, particularly SCO members, to provide development assistance to Afghanistan, while ensuring regional stability and concern for the well-being of the Afghan people. "Afghanistan has been long on the SCO agenda. The compulsions of regional stability are buttressed by our longstanding concern for the well-being of the Afghan people. The international community, particularly SCO members, must therefore step up with development assistance. India, for its part, will certainly do so.," added Jaishankar. He noted the emergence of effective groupings like the SCO in a multi-polar world and emphasised the importance of coming together on a shared agenda to contribute to shaping world affairs. "The world is today moving towards greater multi-polarity. This is not just in terms of redistribution of national capacities, but also the emergence of effective groupings like SCO. Our ability to contribute to the shaping of world affairs will naturally depend on how well we come together on a shared agenda. That means taking everybody on board," said Jaishankar. EAM Jaishankar held several high-level interactions on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers' meet. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1945078290223653022 He met his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)'s Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Tuesday. In a post on X, Russia's Foreign Ministry shared, "Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of External Affairs of India @DrSJaishankar hold a meeting on the sidelines of the #SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting." https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1945048807881765258 He also met Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting in Tianjin, China. Jaishankar shared the update on X, he wrote, "Good to catch up with FM @araghchi of Iran, this time on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin." Jaishankar is on an official visit to China to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He arrived in Beijing after concluding his trip to Singapore. This is also his first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, which severely strained ties between the two countries. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar, along with other SCO foreign ministers, met Chinese President Xi Jinping. His visit comes shortly after recent visits to China by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, both of whom attended SCO-related engagements in June. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also expected to visit India next month to meet NSA Ajit Doval. The meeting will be part of the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue mechanism, aimed at resolving the long-standing boundary dispute between the two countries. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday said that India has taken the lead in promoting innovation, startups, traditional medicine, and digital public infrastructure within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Sharing the highlights of his participation at the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting through a post on X, Jaishankar said India remains open to new ideas that genuinely benefit the region, but stressed that cooperation must be built on mutual respect, equal sovereignty, and territorial integrity. "India has taken several initiatives in the SCO in domains ranging from startup and innovation to traditional medicine and digital public infrastructure. We will continue to positively approach new ideas and proposals that are genuinely for our collective good," he wrote. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1945078290223653022 He also pointed out that deeper regional collaboration requires more trade, investment, and connectivity. However, he raised concerns about the lack of assured transit within the SCO region, calling it a major barrier to economic cooperation. He also pushed for promoting the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and said India is confident of its growing momentum. "Deepening collaboration within the SCO naturally requires more trade, investment and exchanges. For that to move to the next level, it is imperative that we address some current issues. One of them is the lack of assured transit within the SCO space. Its absence undermines the seriousness of advocating cooperation in economic areas. Another is to ensure the promotion of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). We are confident that it will continue to gather momentum, " the post read. Referring to the SCO's founding goal to fight terrorism, extremism, and separatism, Jaishankar cited the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, calling it a deliberate attempt to damage Jammu and Kashmir's tourism economy and create religious divisions. He noted that the UN Security Council had strongly condemned the attack and said India has acted firmly against those responsible. He urged the SCO to take an uncompromising stand against terrorism. In his tweet, Jaishankar also spoke about Afghanistan, stating that it remains a key concern on the SCO agenda. He said regional stability and humanitarian support must go hand in hand, and India will continue to do its part in helping the Afghan people. Jaishankar concluded by saying that the world is moving towards greater multi-polarity, and organisations like the SCO will play a big role in shaping global affairs. He stressed that to stay relevant, such groupings must come together on a shared, inclusive agenda.(ANI) On the third day of his visit to Dubai, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav held a significant meeting with senior officials of DP World and Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), where detailed discussions were held regarding the "Bharat Mart" project and its associated logistics possibilities. This meeting is being regarded as a historic initiative to connect India's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the global market, an official statement noted. As per the statement, Chief Minister Yadav described Bharat Mart as a "gateway to global trade" and said that this modern trade centre will provide direct access for Indian products especially those in food processing, agriculture, and handicrafts to major markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Bharat Mart is set to become operational in 2026 and will give new direction to the 'Local to Global' policy. Bharat Mart is a multi-dimensional international trade centre being developed in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Dubai, spread over approximately 2.7 million square feet. The foundation stone for the project was jointly laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in February 2024. The centre is being developed by DP World and will include over 1,500 showrooms, state-of-the-art warehouses, and office facilities, the statement noted. As per the statement, the project is being built to provide a global platform for Indian MSMEs, enabling them to export their high-quality products with ease. Bharat Mart will become a strong pillar in enhancing India's share in global trade. During the meeting, the proposed DP World rail terminal in Madhya Pradesh and the Ujjain-Nagda route were discussed as crucial enablers for seamless supply to Bharat Mart. This logistics connectivity will ensure fast, cost-effective, and smooth transport of goods from India to Dubai, directly benefiting exporters from the state. The statement noted that Chief Minister Yadav stated, "Our government considers this journey not just about trade, but as a foundation for the economic future of Madhya Pradesh. Through Bharat Mart, our state will become a strong link in the global supply chain." DP World is a leading global logistics and supply chain solutions provider based in Dubai, operating more than 100 terminals and ports across over 78 countries. With an annual handling capacity of 70 million TEU containers, it ranks among the world's largest port operators. According to the statement, in India, DP World operates six terminals across major ports such as Mumbai, Mundra, Cochin, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam. It also manages cold chain logistics, container freight stations, and export-import services. Signficantly, DP World has expressed strong interest in developing Inland Container Depots (ICD), Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLP), agri-logistics hubs, and dry ports in Madhya Pradesh. This aligns with the state's logistics and export policy and represents a significant step toward long-term infrastructure development through public-private partnership (PPP) models. (ANI) The Foundation stone has been laid for construction of a multipurpose building in Bhojpur District of Nepal which is being built in Indian assistance. Issuing a release, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Tuesday announced, "Foundation stone for the construction of Arun Multipurpose Foundation Building at Arun Rural Municipality, Bhojpur was laid today jointly by Mr. Shalikram Khatri, Chairman, Arun Rural Municipality, Bhojpur and Shri Avinash Kumar Singh, Counsellor, Embassy of India, Kathmandu." The Arun Multipurpose Foundation Building is being built with the Government of India's financial assistance of NRs. 31.88 million under 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation'. "The Government of India's grant is being utilised for the construction of three three-floor building with classrooms, teachers' room, meeting room, program hall, separate toilets for girls and boys and other allied facilities," the release added further. Construction of the multipurpose building is being taken up as High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) and is being implemented through Arun Rural Municipality, Bhojpur. Chairman, Arun Rural Municipality and political representatives appreciated the continued developmental support being provided by the Government of India for the growth and development of Nepal. The Arun Multipurpose Foundation Building would help augment the cultural and educational infrastructure of the region. Since 2003, the Government of India has taken up over 570 HICDPs in Nepal in various sectors. Amongst these, 93 projects are in Koshi Province. In addition to these, the Government of India has gifted 1049 ambulances and 300 school buses to various hospitals, health posts and educational institutions in Nepal. Amongst these, 7 ambulances and one school bus have been gifted in Bhojpur. As close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in empowerment of its people and augmenting infrastructure in priority sectors. (ANI) US President Donald Trump is under "improper pressure" from the European Union and NATO leaders to take a tougher stance on the Ukraine conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday, according to Russian state media outlet RT. Lavrov's remarks came during a press conference following a ministerial meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tianjin, China. The Russian minister responded to Trump's recent announcement on future deliveries of advanced weapons systems to Ukraine, which the US president said would be funded by European NATO members. Trump also issued an ultimatum threatening Russia and its trading partners with new economic sanctions unless the conflict is resolved within 50 days. "Clearly, [Trump] is under enormous - improper, I would say - pressure by the European Union and current NATO leaders," Lavrov said, as quoted by RT. He claimed the "regime" of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky continues to seek arms from the West "at the mounting expense of Western taxpayers." Lavrov also criticised the new wave of sanctions proposed by Trump, stating that they would likely backfire on the West. "Trump clearly explained that Europe will be paying for all of that," Lavrov said. "European economists and political experts who are objective acknowledge that this sanctions war is damaging the nations who initiated it. We are already dealing with an unprecedented number of sanctions, and I am certain we can handle more," he added, according to RT. The Russian foreign minister emphasised Moscow's long-standing position that NATO instigated the Ukraine crisis by threatening Russia's national security. "The West has pursued a containment strategy against Russia for decades and ignored repeated warnings from Moscow," Lavrov said, as reported by RT. He also noted that Russia has faced numerous ultimatums in the past, involving deadlines and demands that infringe on what it considers its core strategic interests in Ukraine. Lavrov downplayed the effectiveness of Western pressure, insisting that Moscow remains firm in its stance. His remarks came as US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100 per cent "secondary tariffs" on Russia if a deal on Ukraine is not reached within 50 days. During his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the White House on Monday (local time), Trump expressed disappointment with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin and threatened to impose severe tariffs if there is no deal within 50 days. He said, "We are very unhappy, I am with Russia. But, we will discuss that maybe a different day. But, we're very, very unhappy with them, and we're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs at about 100 per cent. You'd call them secondary tariffs. You know what that means. But today, we're going to talk about something else. And as you know, we've spent USD 350 billion, approximately, on this war with Russia and Ukraine and would like to see it end. It wasn't my war. It was Biden's war. It's not my war." "I'm trying to get you out of it. And we want to see it end and I'm disappointed in President Putin because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn't seem to get there. So, based on that, we're going to be doing secondary tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days. It's very simple and they'll be at 100 per cent and that's the way it is. It can be more simple. It's just the way it is. I hope we don't have to do it. But regardless, we are going to be, we make the greatest military equipment in the world, whether it's missiles," he added. Trump also unveiled a deal under which NATO will buy arms from the US and then distribute them to Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia. He said, "The only one we haven't been able to get to yet is Russia, and I'm not happy. And I will tell you that Ukraine wants to do something again. It's a war that should have never started. If I were president, it never would have happened. I used to speak to President Putin about it a lot. It was the apple of his eye. But once I saw what was going on, I said, they're going to they're going to have a war here. I was outside. Lecture was rigged and I was outside looking in and I said, you know, that thing's going to be a war. Couldn't believe it because what Biden said was the exact opposite of what should have been said and it started and it's a real mess. We're losing I guess they're losing five or six thousand people a day. It's actually now more." "I used to was saying 5,000 a day. It's actually more now, mostly soldiers but a lot of people in cities and towns that are getting blown up to it's a horrible war and it should be stopped. And so if it's not done, if we don't have an agreement in 50 days, that's what we're doing secondary tariffs and they're biting and I hope we don't get to the point where we do, but I I've been hearing so much talk. It's all talk. It's all talk and then missiles go into Kyiv and kill 60 people. It's got to stop. But, the purpose of this is to say that this is a very big deal we've made. This is billions of dollars worth of military equipment is going to be purchased from the United States going to NATO etc. And that's going to be quickly distributed to the battlefield, Ukraine will take it up," he added. (ANI) At least six people were killed and dozens injured in rain-related incidents across Punjab as widespread monsoon rains lashed most parts of the province on Monday, submerging low-lying areas and causing power outages, Dawn reported. According to Dawn, Lahore recorded 20.9mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, while Okara received 72mm, Sahiwal 66mm, Dera Ghazi Khan 51mm, Mianwali 38mm, Bahawalpur 36mm, Kot Addu 33mm, Gujranwala 30mm, Layyah 23mm, and Murree 22mm. Rain was also recorded in Rawalpindi, Attock, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, and Lodhran. In Okara, two farm workers were killed by lightning near the Haveli Lakkha area. Rescue 1122 told Dawn that 19 people were injured in separate incidents across the district. In Bahawalnagar, two students were killed and 12 others injured when the roof of a seminary-cum-mosque collapsed due to rain in Minchinabad on Sunday night, Dawn reported. In Sahiwal, a man died and two others were injured in separate roof collapse incidents in villages 147/EB and 14/SP in Arifwala tehsil. In another rain-related tragedy, a woman died while her husband and son were injured when the roof of their room collapsed in Nathowala village in Kasur, Dawn reported. A similar incident in Toba Tek Singh left four people critically injured, according to the report. Rain is likely to continue in most districts of Punjab over the next 24 hours. The third spell of monsoon is predicted to last till July 17, according to a weather advisory issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Dawn noted. Rain with thunder and scattered heavy to extremely heavy falls is expected in multiple areas including Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Kot Addu, and Layyah between July 14 and 17, Dawn reported. Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said the water flow in most rivers of Punjab was normal, adding that a moderate flood was reported at Taunsa in the Indus River. "The flow of water in Chenab, Ravi, Jhelum, and Sutlej is at normal level," he said, according to Dawn. "The flow of water in Rajanpur hill torrents is also normal. A high level of flood is passing through Dera Ghazi Khan's Vidor and Rudkohi torrents." "In view of the emergency situation, the district administration and related institutions must remain alert," Kathia said, warning of the possibility of further increases in river and stream water levels due to continued rainfall. The PDMA has issued a monsoon alert for the entire province. Thunderstorms and lightning are expected in most districts of Punjab from July 15 to 17, Dawn reported. Kathia also issued instructions to commissioners and deputy commissioners across Punjab to remain on high alert in light of rising water levels in rivers and adjacent streams. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], July 15 (ANI/WAM): The Board of Directors of the Financial Stability Council held its first meeting of 2025 virtually, chaired by Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs. The meeting was attended by Board members, including Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE); Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Securities and Commodities Authority; Ahmed Jasim Alzaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Global Market; Fadhel Al Ali, Chairman of Dubai Financial Services Authority; Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance; and Ebrahim Obaid Al Zaabi, Assistant Governor for Monetary Policy and Financial Stability at the CBUAE. The Board reviewed the topics on the meeting's agenda and the progress of implementing decisions and directives issued by the Board, as well as reports from the relevant financial regulatory authorities concerning financial stability, developments of the local and global financial system, and the status of financial markets in light of current conditions. The Board members also discussed the Financial Stability Council's work programme for 2025-2026, during which a decision was adopted to establish a Technical Advisory Committee responsible for overseeing technical matters related to financial stability. In addition, the formation of three working groups was approved. The Digital Innovation Working Group, mandated to monitor market developments, assess risks, and provide policy recommendations aimed at safeguarding financial stability, while preserving the gains of digital innovation. The Non-Bank Financial Intermediation Working Group, tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the non-bank financial intermediation sector to identify and study the current situation, assess systemic risks, and identify regulatory opportunities. The Data Development Working Group, responsible for reviewing data management practices, providing recommendations, and expanding the scope of data coverage related to financial stability. (ANI/WAM) Israel bombed Syrian government forces moving into the Druze-majority city of Sweida in southern Syria following days of deadly ethnic clashes, in a rare direct attack on forces loyal to Damascus' new leadership, according to Israeli officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that they had instructed the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to strike Syrian forces and weapons approaching Sweida "following the attack on the Druze," a day after Israel hit several Syrian tanks as a warning. The attacks occurred as Syrian forces entered Sweida to quell intercommunal violence between the local Druze population and Bedouin clans, reportedly leaving nearly 100 dead. Fighting also broke out briefly between government troops and armed Druze factions that control Sweida but distrust the country's new Islamist leadership. Syria's Defence Minister later declared a ceasefire. "To all units operating within the city of Sweida, we declare a complete ceasefire after an agreement with the city's notables and dignitaries," Murhaf Abu Qasra posted on X. Most Druze religious leaders had called on fighters to disarm and allow Syrian government forces to restore order. However, some Druze leaders remained wary of central control. "Israel is committed to preventing harm to the Druze in Syria due to the deep brotherly alliance with our Druze citizens in Israel, and their familial and historical ties to the Druze in Syria, and we are acting to prevent the Syrian regime from harming them, and to ensure the demilitarization of the area adjacent to our border with Syria," the statement from Netanyahu and Katz said. They emphasised that the entry of Syrian troops and arms violated the existing demilitarisation policy, which prohibits forces and weapons in southern Syria that could threaten Israel. The IDF confirmed it had targeted "several armoured vehicles, including tanks, armoured personnel carriers, multiple rocket launchers, as well as access routes, to disrupt their arrival in the area," after identifying an armoured column headed toward Sweida on Monday night. The military said the strikes were carried out "per the directives of the political echelon." An Israeli defence official described the strikes on Tuesday as "exceptionally large-scale," adding, "The State of Israel sees this as a test of its policy to demilitarise southern Syria and its commitment to the Druze." The violence in Sweida began on Sunday when Bedouin gunmen abducted a Druze vegetable vendor, prompting retaliatory kidnappings and clashes. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 99 deaths since the outbreak of violence, including 60 Druze, 18 Bedouin fighters, 14 Syrian security personnel, and seven unidentified individuals. These figures could not be independently verified. Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine Al-Baba told the Associated Press: "The real conflict is between the state and bandits and criminals, not between the state and any Syrian community. On the contrary, the state views the Druze community in Sweida as a partner in advancing the national unity project." Despite a general call for a ceasefire, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, one of Sweida's senior Druze spiritual leaders, opposed the entry of security forces and appealed for "international protection." In Israel, the Association of Druze Discharged Soldiers and Reservists urged Netanyahu to provide military and humanitarian assistance, citing "brutal attacks by extremist terror organisations." "There is an unending series of massacres, kidnappings, looting, and harm to innocent civilians -- women, children, and the elderly alike," the group stated. The fighting comes as interim Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who replaced Bashar al-Assad last December, faces concerns over the treatment of religious minorities under his Islamist government. Many Druze residents fear a repeat of earlier massacres targeting minorities. "We are not against the state, but we are against surrendering our weapons without a state that treats everyone the same," said Amal, a 46-year-old Druze woman in Sweida. (ANI) The business community across Pakistan has thrown its weight behind a nationwide shutdown strike set for July 19, protesting the "massive" new tax measures introduced in the Finance Act 2025-26, Dawn reported. In a joint press conference held at the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), President Fazal Moqeem Khan, Senior Vice President Abdul Jalil Jan, and members of the SCCI executive committee voiced strong opposition to the Finance Act, which took effect on July 1. They warned the protest could escalate into a prolonged agitation if the government failed to address their concerns, Dawn reported. "We have been left with no option but to take even more drastic steps, including suspending the filing of sales tax and income tax returns," Fazal Moqeem Khan said, according to Dawn. He noted that sentiments across the SCCI echoed a growing frustration and loss of faith in the economic environment under current government policies. He expressed solidarity with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which had earlier flagged 30 "harsh tax and customs measures" as threatening to business survival. "The SCCI stands shoulder to shoulder with all business organisations demanding the immediate reversal of these unjust laws," he added, as reported by Dawn. Fazal specifically highlighted Sections 37A and 37B of the Income Tax Ordinance, calling them "draconian and unprecedented." He also criticised a new amendment under Section 21(s) that disallows any cash transaction of Rs200,000 or more for tax deduction purposes. "If a customer pays a supplier in cash, even by depositing directly into the supplier's account, the supplier could be penalised by losing 50 per cent of the expense in tax calculations," he said. The SCCI president strongly objected to mandatory digital invoicing and e-bility systems. "Why are taxpayers being forced to perform the FBR's duties at their own expense? This will only widen the gap between the business community and tax authorities," he said, according to Dawn. He further accused the Federal Board of Revenue of ignoring the traditional consultative process followed before the passage of the Finance Bill. "These discussions are held with the participation of Member Inland Revenue, Member Customs, and eventually the Finance Minister and Chairman FBR," Fazal said. "This year, the process was unilaterally bypassed for the first time, leaving no room for dialogue or consensus." Fazal said multiple committee members had resigned in protest after the Finance Bill was rushed through Parliament. "Despite vocal objections from the business community and the parliamentary standing committees, the Finance Bill was rushed through the house," he said, urging the prime minister to withdraw several controversial sections, including 37A, 37B, 21(s), 40(c), and 8B of the Sales Tax Act. Meanwhile, the Swat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) announced plans to launch an anti-tax movement uniting political parties, trade federations, business associations, lawyers, journalists, and citizens on a single platform, as reported by Dawn. During a meeting chaired by SCCI President Noor Mohammad Khan, members condemned the imposition of a 10% sales tax and called for the reinstatement of the special status of Malakand Division. "If the government can't provide employment to youth, it must not impose taxes," participants said, citing widespread unemployment and past disasters, according to Dawn. They also criticised recent anti-encroachment operations, alleging misuse of power by local authorities. Participants demanded relief for affected individuals and formed a committee to evaluate the sale of land previously acquired for the chamber and to purchase more suitable property. (ANI) The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that an unprecedented funding shortfall is worsening the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, leaving millions vulnerable to hunger, poverty, and displacement. In its latest report, OCHA stated that for the 2024 fiscal year, only 53% of the $3.06 billion required for the Humanitarian Response Plan has been secured, leaving a gap of approximately $1.43 billion. The agency urged the international community to step up its support and warned that humanitarian efforts could collapse without swift intervention. OCHA's appeal comes amid growing distress on the ground. A young man in Kabul, Hussain Agha Haidari, described how a lack of employment has forced him to shine shoes for the past four years. "We tried hard to find a job, we knocked on many doors. When nothing worked out, we had no choice but to become cobblers. We earn 100 to 150 Afghanis a day, just enough to bring bread home in the evening," Haidari said. He added that he has not received any aid from any organization and called on officials to help him secure permanent work. According to OCHA, approximately 14.9 million people in Afghanistan -- about 67% of aid recipients -- have received food assistance, while 41% have received aid across multiple sectors. The agency emphasised that without adequate funding, it would be unable to continue its operations at the necessary scale. The Ministry of Economy has echoed these concerns, especially in light of the mass return of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries. "OCHA's report is being released at a time when Afghanistan is facing a large wave of returnees. We urge international organizations to accelerate and prioritize their assistance more than ever before," said Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy. Meanwhile, economic analysts have raised concerns about the long-term impact of humanitarian aid without sustainable development investments. "These are short-term aid efforts aimed at immediate relief. As we've mentioned before, to truly eliminate poverty in Afghanistan, this assistance must be invested strategically, in agriculture, infrastructure, and long-term development programs," said Mohammad Asif Stanekzai, an economic analyst. OCHA has reiterated its call for urgent international action to fill the funding gap, cautioning that the lack of resources could lead to a significant deterioration in humanitarian conditions across Afghanistan. (ANI) Gaza City [Gaza], July 15 (ANI/WAM): The UAE's ''Operation Chivalrous Knight 3'' has announced the launch of the largest desalinated water supply project from Egypt to southern Gaza, as part of its emergency response to the deepening water crisis in the Strip. At a press conference held at the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) headquarters in Deir al Balah, the operation revealed that a new 315mm water transmission line, stretching 6.7 kilometres, is now under construction. The pipeline will connect the UAE-established desalination plant on the Egyptian side to a displacement area between Khan Younis and Rafah governorates. The project is expected to provide 15 litres of desalinated water per person daily, benefiting around 600,000 residents in southern Gaza, where more than 80 per cent of water infrastructure has been destroyed due to the dire ongoing developments in Gaza Strip. Sharif Al-Nayrab, media director for Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 in Gaza, stated, "This new water pipeline is more than a rapid response to the urgent thirst crisis in Gaza; it is a continuation of the UAE's unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, particularly in the face of the humanitarian disaster caused by war." He added that the UAE has consistently led relief efforts in Gaza, from building desalination stations and delivering water tankers to drilling wells and maintaining water networks, culminating in this vital initiative aimed at securing safe drinking water for the most affected areas. Omar Shatat, Deputy Director-General of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility for Technical Affairs, expressed gratitude to the UAE, which has been on the frontlines of humanitarian support since the onset of the war. He noted that UAE-funded projects have helped municipalities and civil society institutions maintain essential services amid extremely challenging conditions. Khalil Abu Shammala, a representative of civil society in Gaza, praised the UAE's crucial role and the humanitarian projects implemented under the Operation Chivalrous Knight 3. He also emphasised that initiatives like this provide residents with access to safe and healthy water, strengthening their resilience in the face of persistent crises. This initiative marks a new chapter in Operation Chivalrous Knight 3's efforts to repair critical infrastructure in Gaza, particularly in the water sector, and is part of broader UAE-led humanitarian operations to mitigate the disaster and support the steadfastness of the local population. (ANI/WAM) Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, commenced his official visit to Tokyo, Japan, on Monday (local time) by paying floral tribute at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, highlighting the enduring relevance of Gandhiji's ideals of truth, non-violence, and compassion, the Ministry of Textiles said in a release on Tuesday. According to the release, Giriraj Singh visited the Embassy of India in Tokyo. He chaired a briefing by Ambassador Sibi George on India-Japan relations and opportunities in the textile sector. Following this, a strategic meeting was held with Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President and CEO of Fast Retailing Co Ltd, one of the world's leading apparel retail companies. The discussion focused on expanding Fast Retailing's sourcing, manufacturing, and retail operations in India. Giriraj Singh also met the leadership team of Stylem Co Ltd, a leading textile trading and OEM Company, and invited them to scale up their engagement with India through PM MITRA Parks and other government initiatives. In a key engagement, Giriraj Singh met with the Directors of Daiso Industries, who announced plans to open 200 stores and manufacture cotton products in India. The Minister encouraged them to leverage India's textile infrastructure and incentives, the official statement highlighted. The Minister also shared snippets from his visit on X, stating, "Met with President of Workman Co in Tokyo, Japan. Workman is one of the biggest companies in the field of workwear and functional apparel, casual clothing and protective gear. I told them about India growing manufacturing and industrial capabilities and and the kind of opportunities India offers to companies like workmen. Workman finds India as attractive business destination and are intrested in Setting up the manufacturing facilities at PM-MITRA parks. Also present are Indian Embessy officials and AS MoT." https://x.com/girirajsinghbjp/status/1945119384596300271 The day concluded with Shri Giriraj Singh chairing an interactive roundtable with CEOs of major Japanese textile and apparel companies, encouraging investments in technical textiles, fibre production, and textile machinery. Ambassador Sibi George delivered the inaugural remarks, and Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, Textiles, presented key government policies and emerging opportunities in the sector, as noted by the statement from the Ministry of Textiles. (ANI) Press Release July 15, 2025 EDCOM 2: Norzagaray, Bulacan: A model for the country in eliminating illiteracy in our schools In a striking reversal of national trends, schools in Norzagaray, Bulacan have successfully engineered a significant increase in student literacy, offering a powerful model of hope for the Philippine education system. Through targeted interventions, smaller class sizes, and outstanding support from the local government, these schools are proving that the country's learning crisis can be tackled effectively, according to findings from a joint consultation with the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) and the Department of Education (DepEd). Since 2023, Norzagaray has initiated Project BRIGHT (BRIdging Gaps through Helpful Tools), a collaboration between the DepEd schools, teachers, parents, and local government officials. Since then, their outstanding results-- eliminating illiteracy among their Grades 1 to 3 students, provide a compelling counter-narrative to the 2022 PISA results, where 75% of Filipino students were identified as low performers in core subjects, as well as the 2022 World Bank study that showed 91% of 10-year-old Filipino children could not read a simple text. "We are inspired by the success of Norzagaray, which shows us in no uncertain terms that every Filipino student can read and achieve their full potential ," affirmed Dr. Karol Mark Yee, Executive Director of EDCOM 2. "These schools we have visited here in Norzagaray prove that with determined school leaders and teachers, , strong community support, and a formidable partnership with the LGU, we can successfully tackle illiteracy, and secure a strong foundation of learning for our students.." DepEd's Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA) highlights the remarkable progress in Bulacan for Grades 1-3. The School District Office of Bulacan posted an average progress score of 23.72% in improving student reading profiles during the 2024-2025 school year, outpacing the national average of 20%. A standout achievement is that 60.73% of students in Norzagaray, Bulacan are now reading at their grade level, far exceeding the national average of 47.74%. The schools visited by EDCOM 2 and DepEd in Norzagaray exemplified this success. North Hills Village Elementary School achieved an exceptional 61.6% progress score, followed by FVR Phase 3 Elementary School (52.7%) and Norzagaray Elementary School (47.1%). Across the three schools in Norzagaray, teachers showcased their intentionality and creativity in coming up with programs that engaged students while improving their literacy. This included learning through play strategies, through games that focused on phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension, story reading during lunch breaks, one-on-one tutorials for students, and even songs and online games to continuously target learners that require further practice. "Di naman po pwedeng basa-basa agad ang bata...Dinadaan namin sa paglalaro, at may competency naman po na kasama sa learning through play", Norzagaray Public School District Supervisor Nora Manalo explained. Teachers also highlighted that small class sizes (a 1:31 teacher-pupil ratio at Norzagaray Elementary) and a 1:1 book-to-pupil ratio were crucial ingredients for success. Teachers consistently cited the unwavering support of the local government as a game-changer. Norzagaray Mayor Merlyn Germar's administration provided a Php 7,000 incentive to teachers for summer reading camps and ensured a quarterly supply of literacy materials. Norzagaray Mayor Merlyn Germar highlighted the local community's support as a key contributor to the success of the district's literacy remediation projects. She reaffirmed the town's commitment to the programs dedicated to fulfilling the goals under Project BriGHT, such as distribution of books and supporting reading camps initiated by the government. "Sa Norzagaray, naniniwala kami na ang edukasyon ay responsibilidad nating lahat...na ang pagbabasa ay hindi lamang kasanayan, kung hindi susi ng kinabukasan," Mayor Germar stressed. This combination of school-led innovation and robust local government partnership allowed educators to focus on teaching, not on resource shortages. DepEd Assistant Secretary Jerome Buenviaje noted that this model provides a concrete framework for the nationwide Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program. "Visiting your schools has given us an idea on how to truly concretize the ARAL Program," Buenviaje said. DepEd Undersecretary Malcolm Garma emphasized the importance of data-backed interventions in the schools' success. "This really proves that a program like this would be successful if we start to leverage the data. Because of the CRLA, mas targeted kayo, mas focused ang efforts to the learners who need it most", he said. Joining the EDCOM 2 team from DepEd are OIC Undersecretary for Operations Malcolm Garma, Assistant Secretary Carmela Oracion, and Assistant Secretary Jerome Buenviaje, together with directors and staff from DepEd's various offices. Bulacan Schools Division Superintendent Norma P. Esteban also joined, together with officers of the Schools Division Office. The consultations are part of EDCOM 2's ongoing mission to "fix the foundations" of Philippine education by focusing on nutrition and early-grade literacy. The Kremlin on Tuesday said it requires time to formulate a response to US President Donald Trump's warning of tariffs on Russia unless a peace deal is struck in Ukraine within 50 days, Al Jazeera reported. Responding to the remarks, top Russian security official and former president Dmitry Medvedev dismissed Trump's comments, stating that Moscow "didn't care" about the "theatrical ultimatum" issued by the US leader, Al Jazeera reported. Amid these developments, Trump also announced a deal to supply additional weapons to Ukraine and has threatened steep tariffs on Russian goods if a peace settlement is not reached within the stipulated timeframe. On the ground, tensions remain high as Russian regional authorities said that at least 18 people were wounded in overnight Ukrainian drone attacks across the regions of Voronezh, Lipetsk and Bryansk. Adding to the international pressure on Moscow, European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said that the bloc is "very, very close" to imposing a fresh package of sanctions on Russia. Echoing this pressure, US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100 per cent "secondary tariffs" on Russia if a deal on Ukraine is not reached within 50 days. During his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the White House on Monday (local time), Trump expressed disappointment with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin and threatened to impose severe tariffs if there is no deal within 50 days. He said, "We are very unhappy, I am with Russia. But, we will discuss that maybe a different day. But, we're very, very unhappy with them, and we're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs at about 100 per cent. You'd call them secondary tariffs. You know what that means. But today, we're going to talk about something else. And as you know, we've spent USD 350 billion, approximately, on this war with Russia and Ukraine and would like to see it end. It wasn't my war. It was Biden's war. It's not my war." "I'm trying to get you out of it. And we want to see it end and I'm disappointed in President Putin because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn't seem to get there. So, based on that, we're going to be doing secondary tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days. It's very simple and they'll be at 100 per cent and that's the way it is. It can be more simple. It's just the way it is. I hope we don't have to do it. But regardless, we are going to be, we make the greatest military equipment in the world, whether it's missiles," he added. Trump also unveiled a deal under which NATO will buy arms from the US and then distribute them to Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia. He said, "The only one we haven't been able to get to yet is Russia, and I'm not happy. And I will tell you that Ukraine wants to do something again. It's a war that should have never started. If I were president, it never would have happened. I used to speak to President Putin about it a lot. It was the apple of his eye. But once I saw what was going on, I said, they're going to they're going to have a war here. I was outside. Lecture was rigged and I was outside looking in and I said, you know, that thing's going to be a war. Couldn't believe it because what Biden said was the exact opposite of what should have been said and it started and it's a real mess. We're losing I guess they're losing five or six thousand people a day. It's actually now more." "I used to was saying 5,000 a day. It's actually more now, mostly soldiers but a lot of people in cities and towns that are getting blown up to it's a horrible war and it should be stopped. And so if it's not done, if we don't have an agreement in 50 days, that's what we're doing secondary tariffs and they're biting and I hope we don't get to the point where we do, but I I've been hearing so much talk. It's all talk. It's all talk and then missiles go into Kyiv and kill 60 people. It's got to stop. But, the purpose of this is to say that this is a very big deal we've made. This is billions of dollars worth of military equipment is going to be purchased from the United States going to NATO etc. And that's going to be quickly distributed to the battlefield, Ukraine will take it up," he added. (ANI) Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, participated in the inauguration of the 16th India Trend Fair in Japan on Tuesday and shared snippets from the event on his official account. In a post on X, he said, "Today, I participated in the inauguration of the 16th India Trend Fair, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. The fair gives one of the biggest platform to Indian exhibitors to showcase their products directly to Japanese buyers. This fair will strengthen the India-Japan textiles trade. Also present was Indian Ambassador to Japan @IndianEmbTokyo and MoT @kansalrohit69." In his speech during the event, the Union Minister brought to attention the various schemes such as labour subsidies, electric subsidies, and plug and play mode. "The Government of India has decided that for 2 years, on new employment, we will offer support to the industries." In his remarks, he highlighted the warm and friendly, longstanding ties between India and Japan, and cited Buddhism as a key area of linkage between the two countries. https://x.com/girirajsinghbjp/status/1945055726855999768 The Union Minister had commenced his official visit to Tokyo, Japan, on Monday by paying floral tribute at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, highlighting the enduring relevance of Gandhiji's ideals of truth, non-violence, and compassion. The details of his visit were shared by the Ministry of Textiles. As per the official statement from the Ministry of Textiles, Giriraj Singh visited the Embassy of India in Tokyo and chaired a briefing by Ambassador Sibi George on India-Japan relations and opportunities in the textile sector. Following this, a strategic meeting was held with Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President and CEO of Fast Retailing Co Ltd, one of the world's leading apparel retail companies. The discussion focused on expanding Fast Retailing's sourcing, manufacturing, and retail operations in India. Giriraj Singh also met the leadership team of Stylem Co Ltd, a leading textile trading and OEM Company, and invited them to scale up their engagement with India through PM MITRA Parks and other government initiatives. In a key engagement, Giriraj Singh met with the Directors of Daiso Industries, who announced plans to open 200 stores and manufacture cotton products in India. The Minister encouraged them to leverage India's textile infrastructure and incentives, the official statement highlighted. The day concluded with Shri Giriraj Singh chairing an interactive roundtable with CEOs of major Japanese textile and apparel companies, encouraging investments in technical textiles, fibre production, and textile machinery. Ambassador Sibi George delivered the inaugural remarks, and Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, Textiles, presented key government policies and emerging opportunities in the sector, as noted by the statement from the Ministry of Textiles. (ANI) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the United States is close to securing full trade access into India. He also announced a new trade deal with Indonesia, after which the latter will face a reduced tariff rate of 19 per cent. Announcing progress on the India part, Trump stated, "We're going to have access into India. And you have to understand, we had no access into any of these countries. Our people couldn't go in. And now we're getting access because of what we're doing with the tariffs." Trump said that the United States has reached a trade agreement with Indonesia after speaking with the country's President Joko Widodo, also known as Prabowo Subianto, as per CNN. Hours after announcing the agreement on Truth Social, Trump told reporters that it calls for Indonesia not to charge any tariffs on American exports, while the US will impose a 19 per cent tariff on Indonesian exports. "So we made a deal with Indonesia. I spoke to their really great president, very popular, very strong, and smart. And we made the deal. We have full access to Indonesia... As you know, Indonesia is very strong in copper. But we have full access to everything. We will pay no tariffs," he said. "So they are giving us access into Indonesia, which we never had. That's probably the biggest part of the deal. And the other part is that they are going to pay 19 per cent, and we are going to pay nothing. I think it's a good deal for both parties. But we will have full access into Indonesia. And we have a couple of those deals that are going to be announced," the US President added. Further, Trump emphasised that "Indonesia has some great products, and they also have some very valuable earths and various other materials, and they're known for is very high-quality copper, which the US will be using." In a subsequent post on Truth Social, he said the agreement was "finalised." However, the Indonesian government had yet to make any similar announcements on its end, as of Tuesday afternoon. According to CNN, Indonesia shipped USD 20 million worth of copper to the US last year, according to US Commerce Department data, that's far behind top suppliers Chile and Canada, which sent USD 6 billion and USD 4 billion worth of the metal to the US last year. (ANI) The incident occurred at approximately midday when Secret Service agents responded to reports of an object being hurled over the North Lawn fence. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed to reporters that "somebody threw their phone over the fence", prompting immediate security measures. Members of the press corps, who were waiting to speak with Education Secretary Linda McMahon during her Fox News appearance, were quickly escorted into the James S. Brady Briefing Room as agents secured the area. The Secret Service implemented a full lockdown of the White House grounds and temporarily closed Pennsylvania Avenue to traffic. The security measures were lifted by 11:56 am, allowing journalists to return to the North Lawn. By 12:20 pm, reporters, including ANI, had reassembled in the Palm Room ahead of President Donald Trump's scheduled departure for an event in Pennsylvania. The White House has not yet issued an official statement about the security breach. The incident represents the latest security challenge facing the Secret Service, which has experienced several breaches in recent months. In March, a Secret Service agent was forced to carry a young boy back to his parents after the child managed to breach the White House perimeter. The agency has faced increased scrutiny over security protocols following a series of incidents at the presidential residence. President Trump's schedule was not affected by Tuesday's lockdown, with his Pennsylvania event proceeding as planned. (ANI) Yadav and his delegation were received at the Madrid Barajas Airport by India's Ambassador to Spain, Dinesh K Patnaik. https://x.com/IndiainSpain/status/1945196636919226463 Sharing the pictures of the MP CM's arrival, the Indian embassy wrote, "High-level delegation led by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Mohan Yadav arrived in Madrid, Spain today. Ambassador Dinesh K Patnaik received the delegation at the Madrid Barajas Airport." CM Yadav concluded his three-day visit to the UAE on Tuesday. The visit, from July 13 to 19, aims to bring global investment to Madhya Pradesh, encourage technology sharing, and create new job opportunities under the umbrella of "Global Dialogue 2025." During his three-day visit to the UAE, Yadav held several meetings for potential future collaborations, including a significant meeting with senior officials from DP World and Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), as well as meetings with e& (formerly Etisalat), the Director of LuLu Group International, Salim MA, and the Tata Group. MP CM also met with the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. In a post on X, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Al Zeyoudi, highlighted the potential for enhanced cooperation in high-value sectors during his meeting with the MP CM on Monday. "The UAE enjoys productive trade and investment ties with every state in India. Today, I met Dr Mohan Yadav, CM Madhya Pradesh, to explore how we can strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and logistics," he stated in a post on X. The Madhya Pradesh CM, following his meeting with Al Zeyoudi, stated that both of them discussed the investment opportunities in the state under the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and I2U2 collaboration and stated that MP offers a suitable industrial base, policy support and necessary infrastructure for the UAE's investment in various sectors like textiles, pharma, smart manufacturing, renewable energy, and food processing. (ANI) NAGOYA, Jul 16 (News On Japan) - A growing number of consumers in Japan are falling victim to fake online ads that falsely claim endorsements from well-known companies and universities. In one such case, a licensed psychologist in Nagoya paid approximately 4,500 yen for an "AI robot dog" that turned out to be little more than a cheap toy resembling something from the Showa era. Psychologist Takeuchi Naruhiko said he was browsing YouTube in June when he saw a video advertisement featuring a lifelike robotic puppy. The ad promoted the product as "Japans first AI toy dog" that didnt require feeding and could be rapidly recharged. It also claimed the device could "read its owner's personality and gradually learn new tricks," prompting Takeuchi to make an instant purchase. However, what arrived a few days later was a crude toy that bore no resemblance to the advertised product. "It's not a pet at allyou can tell at a glance it's a toy," Takeuchi said. "Even a 3-year-old wouldnt enjoy this. Its like a toy from the Showa era." On social media, others echoed similar experiences. One buyer noted the product merely "barked noisily" and discovered many others had encountered the same scam. A key reason for the products appeal was the claim that it had been jointly developed by Sony and the University of Tokyo. Takeuchi said, "They said it was a collaboration between the University of Tokyo and Sony, so I thought it must be legitimate. I was impressedSony and the University of Tokyo together sounded serious." However, both institutions have denied any involvement. The University of Tokyo clarified that it does not even have a faculty of artificial intelligence, as claimed in the advertisement. Sony also denied any connection to the product. Experts suggest some parts of the advertisement may have used generated AI imagery, particularly the USB charging scenes. However, others, such as scenes featuring a white dog, appeared to use footage of a real animal. Fake ads are being discovered across a wide range of products. In the case of a falsely advertised air circulator, one victim attempted to negotiate a refund through LINE, telling the seller that the product was clearly a counterfeit. Although they were promised a refund of 1,000 yen, the payment never arrived. "I wasnt satisfied with just 1,000 yen, but I wanted to be done with it," the buyer said. Legal experts warn that engaging directly with such sellersoften overseas entities posing as Japanese companiescan be risky. Lawyer Kyorikawa Sho from Hashimoto Law Office advises victims to contact the police or a consumer affairs center rather than pursuing the matter privately, which could lead to further harm. Source: FNN OSAKA, Jul 16 (News On Japan) - Sexual deepfakes, created using generative AI, are rapidly emerging as a new form of digital abuse, with cases increasing across Japan. Without their knowledge, individualsespecially minorsare finding their photos misused to produce sexually explicit images or videos, often in under a minute. One disturbing trend involves photos of girls in school gym uniforms being digitally altered to depict nudity. In many instances, graduation album photos are exploited. "It looks like the clothes are stripped off," said one source familiar with how easily these AI tools operate. Unlike earlier years when celebrities were mainly targeted, more recent victims include ordinary middle and high school studentsand even elementary school children. According to a study by Hiiragi Net, which monitors digital abuse, there were 252 confirmed cases of sexual deepfakes involving minors between March and June this year. Many of the images were full-body nudes or manipulated to appear as though the children were engaging in sexual acts. Graduation season in March and April appears to be a peak period for these abuses. The moment schools distribute albums, perpetrators begin uploading the photos to apps or websites where generative AI strips clothing and alters body features. Some photos are even shared on social media platforms with tags like "graduation album," and sections labeled sotsu (short for sotsugyo, or graduation) containing multiple AI-altered images. In some cases, classmates themselves have requested nude edits of fellow students by submitting original photos to these platforms. The creation process is alarmingly easyusers simply upload a headshot, choose options like body size, click generate, and within about 30 seconds, a realistic fake nude image is produced. One journalist who tested a service described being shocked at the realism: "If I hadnt been told, I wouldnt have realized the photo had been created by AI. It looked completely natural." Hiiragi Nets representative Nagamori warned that once images are created and shared online, individuals have little control. "Graduation photos or event pictures are often beyond personal management. In truth, full self-protection is no longer realistic. The government must implement proper countermeasures." In response, some photo album publishers are beginning to change their practices. One Osaka-based company said it now considers omitting identifying details, or separating names from faces. However, security remains a major concern. In April, a printing company in Sendai reported a cyberattack that may have leaked the personal data of 173,000 students nationwide. The company says it now uses top-tier security systems to prevent recurrence. "We take pride in creating graduation albums as a cherished part of student life. But once the product leaves our hands, we have no control," said a representative of the company. Beyond graduation albums, other photos have also been targeted. In some cases, ID and password leaks from nursery school photo sites led to images being taken and manipulated. Even wedding photos shared on social media have reportedly been turned into deepfakes. Concerns about regulation are mounting. While Japan currently lacks laws specifically targeting sexual deepfakes, some local governments are taking action. Tottori Prefecture introduced an ordinance in April banning the creation and distribution of child pornography using generative AI, with penalties of up to 50,000 yen and mandatory deletion orders. From next month, those who fail to comply could face further fines or public name disclosure. Experts note, however, that national legislation is still absent, and global enforcement is complicatedparticularly when the offenders or hosting services are overseas. In contrast, the European Union is moving to regulate AI more broadly, including imposing penalties on companies that produce tools used in human rights violations. "In Japan, regulation must be implemented urgently before the harm spreads further," said Nagamori. "This is a terrifying new era where any childor adultcould have their image stolen, stripped, and turned into a deepfake in seconds." Source: KTV NEWS FUKUOKA, Jul 16 (News On Japan) - Japans first new luxury cruise ship in 34 years, the Asuka III, operated by the NYK Group, is 230 meters long and can accommodate up to 744 passengers, and made its inaugural port call at Hakata Port on Monday morning. The ship features amenities such as a casino and swimming pool, and all 385 guest rooms come with private balconies, offering a premium cruise experience. Ahead of its first commercial voyage, which begins on July 20th, the vessel docked at Hakata Port, where a welcoming ceremony was held at the Chuo Wharf Cruise Center in Fukuokas Hakata Ward starting at 10 a.m. Asuka III is Japans first cruise ship capable of operating on three types of fuelheavy oil, light oil, and liquefied natural gas (LNG)as part of efforts to reduce environmental impact. In another domestic first, LNG was supplied directly to the ship at sea from a dedicated bunkering vessel on the afternoon of July 14th. Kurose Kei, director of the Port Planning Division at Fukuoka Citys Port and Harbor Promotion Department, explained, "Because the fuel can be transported in large volumes by ship, were told it allows for faster supply compared to methods such as tank trucks." The Asuka III is scheduled to return to Hakata Port in September and will operate three cruise routes departing from Hakata, including itineraries to Jeju Island in South Korea. Source: KBC Why more people in 2025 are choosing lawful reinvention to begin a better life VANCOUVER, British Columbia For many people stuck in cycles of trauma, public shame, reputational ruin, or financial hardship, starting over isnt a fantasyits a lifeline. Legal identity change, once associated with witness protection or rare humanitarian cases, is now a viable option for people looking to leave behind a painful past and step into a future they can control. Amicus International Consulting, a global firm specializing in verified legal identity transformation, reports a record number of cases in 2025. Their clients range from domestic violence survivors to whistleblowers, bankrupt professionals, and privacy seekers. What they share is a common desire: to rebuild their lives using lawful methods that open doors, not close them. This press release explains how legal identity change enables individuals to start anew across borders, industries, and social systems, while remaining fully compliant with domestic and international law. It features real client stories, expert insights, and a comprehensive breakdown of how new names, clean documentation, and legal strategies create genuine opportunities. Why Legal Identity Change Matters More Than Ever in 2025 In a world where digital footprints, facial recognition, public databases, and AI monitoring systems track every move, escaping the past requires more than relocationit needs reinvention. People used to believe that if you moved to a new town and changed your phone number, you could start over, said a legal strategist at Amicus. But in 2025, your old name is everywhereon court filings, Google search, credit reports, facial recognition software. If you want a real reset, it needs to be legal, digital, and international. Legal identity change doesnt mean deception. It means navigating existing laws to change ones name, update official records, and protect oneself under the jurisdictional protections of international privacy, residency, and document laws. Step 1: Legal Name Change as the Gateway Every state in the U.S., as well as Canada and most countries worldwide, offers citizens the right to petition for a legal name change. Common reasons include: Safety from stalking, harassment, or abuse Gender affirmation or transition Religious or personal reinvention Dissociation from a disgraced or damaged identity Fresh start after bankruptcy or defamation Amicus helps clients select the proper jurisdictionsome allow sealed records, faster approvals, or minimal public disclosure. Once approved, the court order becomes the legal basis for changing every official document moving forward. Step 2: Full Document Synchronization After the legal name change is granted, Amicus coordinates updates across: Passport and national ID Social Security or tax number Drivers license and voter registration Employment, health, and insurance records Financial and educational accounts Every document must match, said an Amicus compliance advisor. If you apply for a residency or job abroad and your passport, tax ID, and LinkedIn dont align, youll get flagged. Amicus uses the Hague Apostille system and certified notarial chains to ensure global acceptance of name change documents. Step 3: Residency or Citizenship in a New Country For clients looking to start over outside their home country, Amicus helps lawfully acquire: Residency by Investment (Panama, Portugal, Paraguay) Second citizenship by descent (Ireland, Italy, Poland) Economic citizenship (Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Vanuatu) Humanitarian or privacy relocation (Uruguay, Georgia, New Zealand) These legal programs enable clients to obtain a new passport or national ID, often in a more privacy-friendly and lower-surveillance country. Case Study #1: From Bankruptcy to Business in Panama After losing his U.S.-based business in a public civil suit, a former tech CEO contacted Amicus for a complete reset. After a name change in Nevada, Amicus guided him through Panamas Friendly Nations residency. He re-registered his new business under his legal new name, opened banking and merchant accounts, and now operates across Latin America as a lawful foreign resident. His former digital footprint was entirely suppressed with GDPR-style requests and Amicuss digital scrub services. Step 4: Digital Erasure and Online Rebirth A new name means little if your old one still appears online. Amicuss privacy team helps clients: File GDPR, CCPA, and global data deletion requests Remove court filings from search engines (where permitted) Delete or rebrand social media, blog, and business listings Create new email, phone, and domain registrations under a new identity Monitor for resurfacing of old names in AI or public databases Without digital compliance, legal identity change is only half complete. Expert Interview: Legal Identity Consultant on New Opportunities We spoke with a senior advisor at Amicus who has managed over 800 global identity transitions. Q: Whats the biggest myth about starting fresh legally? A: That its fake. Its not. Youre not forging anythingyoure using the law to update who you are in the eyes of courts, banks, governments, and the digital world. Q: Who benefits most from identity change? A: People with reputational damage, survivors of public trauma, professionals needing a business reset, people whose safety is threatened. Our job is to help them do it legally and completely. Q: Is this like witness protection? A: No. Thats for federal witnesses under government protection. What we do is voluntary, civilian, and lawfuland can be more powerful because it lasts across borders. Case Study #2: American Woman Escapes Digital Harassment in Portugal After being targeted in a doxxing incident related to her work in public health, a 38-year-old American professional changed her name in California and relocated to Portugal under the D7 visa. Amicus helped her update all personal records, delete over 1,000 outdated search results, and rebrand her resume and business services under her new name. She now works remotely, legally and anonymously. The Power of a Legal Reset: New Identity, New Access With a verified new identity, Amicus clients gain access to: Reopened credit opportunities in a new country Professional rebranding without a trail of negative search results Safe travel under new documentation Banking and financial privacy using FATCA-compliant offshore tools Protection from data brokers, online harassment, and stalking Eligibility for new tax structures, businesses, and international residency benefits Weve seen people go from completely trappedsocially, financially, emotionallyto empowered, said the strategist. Its not just new paperwork. Its a new life. Case Study #3: Transgender Consultant Begins Again in Uruguay After facing harassment in Florida, a transgender IT consultant contacted Amicus. Within a year, she had legally changed her name and gender marker, updated her passport, and relocated to Uruguay under a digital nomad program. She now operates a consulting business with her new legal identity, and Amicus continues to monitor and protect her digital privacy. Who Amicus Helps Amicus does not work with fugitives or individuals attempting to evade lawful court obligations. Eligible clients include: Domestic violence and stalking survivors Individuals with damaged reputations or digital harassment Whistleblowers and journalists under political threat Transgender individuals facing discrimination Professionals restarting after bankruptcy or legal fallout People seeking long-term privacy and jurisdictional freedom Where Amicus Operates Globally North America: Canada, U.S. (state-by-state identity laws) Latin America: Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Mexico Europe: Portugal, Ireland, Poland, Georgia Asia-Pacific: Thailand (limited), New Zealand Caribbean: Dominica, St. Kitts, Antigua Africa: South Africa, Seychelles (residency only) Timeline for Legal Identity Transformation Stage Timeframe Name change and court filing 13 months Document realignment 24 months Residency or second passport 312 months Digital scrub and identity rebuild 36 months Full transformation 918 months Estimated Costs Service Cost (USD) Name change + filings $2,000$5,000 Full document synchronization $5,000$10,000 Digital privacy and erasure $5,000$15,000 Residency relocation setup $10,000$30,000 Second citizenship (optional) $100,000+ Full package $30,000$150,000+ Conclusion: A New Identity Is a New Beginning In a world that never forgets, legal identity change is the modern tool of personal freedom. With the proper guidance, a new name and passport are more than symbolsthey are keys to opportunity, safety, and peace. Amicus International Consulting empowers individuals to start over without fear, stigma, or illegal shortcuts. In 2025, freedom begins with identity, and identity starts with the law. Contact Information Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402 Email: info@amicusint.ca Website: www.amicusint.ca Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter/X | Facebook | Instagram How citizens worldwide are lawfully changing identities across Asia-Pacific jurisdictions VANCOUVER, British Columbia In a world of rising surveillance, escalating social pressures, and increasing personal risk, people are searching for legal, legitimate ways to start over. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Asia-Pacific region, where a growing number of individuals are lawfully creating new lives using court-sanctioned name changes, second residencies, and privacy-forward citizenship programs. From New Zealand to Thailand, from the Philippines to Vanuatu, the Asia-Pacific is emerging as a favoured destination for identity reinventionwithout deception, without crime, and entirely within the law. Amicus International Consulting, a global leader in verified legal identity change, reports a sharp uptick in demand for identity transformation services focused on Asia-Pacific jurisdictions. Their clients include abuse survivors, whistleblowers, privacy advocates, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs, all seeking to sever damaging ties to the past while lawfully building a new future. This release provides a comprehensive guide to the legal pathways for identity change across Asia-Pacific nations, offering expert insights, real-life case studies, and the essential legal frameworks that govern safe and compliant personal reinvention. Why Asia-Pacific Nations Are Attractive for Legal Identity Change The Asia-Pacific region offers a unique combination of affordable residency programs, flexible laws regarding name changes, emerging digital privacy protections, and access to favourable tax environments. Many countries in the region provide legal avenues for: Confidential or low-profile name changes Permanent residency with minimal physical presence requirements Dual citizenship or fast-track nationality options International banking under new legal identities Digital privacy protections are not available in Western nations People are not seeking to vanish illegallythey want lawful options to protect themselves and create new beginnings, said a senior legal strategist at Amicus International Consulting. The Asia-Pacific region offers some of the most underused but legally sound pathways in the world. Step 1: Name Change Under Local Civil Laws Several Asia-Pacific nations allow foreigners and residents to change their names through court systems or administrative processes legally: New Zealand : Citizens and residents can change their name through the Department of Internal Affairs, provided they have a sealed record in cases of safety concerns. Thailand : Legal name changes are available to citizens, and foreigners on long-term visas can change their names in their home country and have the change recognized locally. Philippines : Republic Act No. 9048 permits administrative name change petitions for valid reasons, such as ridicule or safety concerns. Malaysia and Singapore : Name change allowed via deed poll for residents, often used by those undergoing religious conversion or gender transition. Australia : Name changes can be made via the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry, subject to public notice requirements, although exceptions apply to victims of family violence. Amicus guides clients through these processes, helping them select the jurisdiction with the most privacy and legal alignment. Step 2: Establishing Residency in Privacy-Friendly Countries The cornerstone of identity reinvention often involves lawful relocation. Asia-Pacific offers multiple options: New Zealand : Resident visas through skilled migration, investor programs, or humanitarian channels. Name changes and legal documents are recognized internationally. Thailand : The Thailand Elite Visa (5 to 20 years), digital nomad visa pilots, and BOI investor visas enable long-term stays without the requirement for Naturalization. Philippines : The Special Resident Retirement Visa (SRRV) offers permanent residency without requiring the renunciation of prior citizenship. Vanuatu : Residency through Investment and citizenship options, offering international banking and tax-friendly regimes. Malaysia : Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program grants long-term residency with broad legal protections. Indonesia (Bali) : Second home visa options under recent regulatory reforms, allowing legal stays up to 10 years. Case Study #1: From U.S. Bankruptcy to Thai Business Owner A former business executive in Florida, overwhelmed by bankruptcy and social media harassment, reached out to Amicus. Through a sealed name change in Nevada and Thailands Elite Visa program, he legally rebuilt his identity. Today, he runs a hospitality business in Chiang Mai, operates banking under his new name, and remains fully compliant with both U.S. and Thai law. Step 3: Citizenship by Investment or Naturalization Asia-Pacific nations offer select citizenship options for high-net-worth individuals or those with ancestral ties: Vanuatu : Offers one of the fastest citizenship-by-investment programs (within 90 days), enabling a new passport and legal identity under strict government vetting. New Zealand and Australia : Allow Naturalization after residency periods, with options for name change upon citizenship grant. Philippines : Naturalization is available after continuous residency, with constitutional recognition of dual nationality in some instances. Singapore : Stringent but available through long-term residency and contribution schemes, with name change recognized upon citizenship approval. Amicus assists qualified clients in pursuing these legal pathways, ensuring proper due diligence, government approval, and alignment of documents. Step 4: Digital Privacy Reset in Asia-Pacific Jurisdictions Asia-Pacific nations like New Zealand and Australia have GDPR-equivalent digital privacy laws, allowing clients to: Request data deletion from companies and platforms Suppress outdated search results Shield new personal data under privacy principles Rebuild online businesses, brands, and identities under new credentials Amicus combines legal identity transformation with digital footprint management to ensure seamless transitions. Expert Interview: Amicus Explains Asia-Pacific Identity Options We spoke with a legal identity consultant at Amicus International Consulting. Q: Is it common for clients to use Asia-Pacific countries to start over? A: Yes, especially among entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and people needing long-term lawful protection. Many dont realize how accessible legal options are in this region. Q: Can people change their legal identity without fraud? A: Absolutely. Every name change, residency, and passport we handle is court-approved, government-issued, and internationally verifiable. Q: Is Asia-Pacific better than the Caribbean for identity change? A: It depends. The Caribbean offers faster passports, but Asia-Pacific offers more lifestyle diversity, affordable costs, and legal protections for everyday living. Case Study #2: Australian Domestic Abuse Survivor Starts New Life in the Philippines A woman in Melbourne endured years of domestic violence and online abuse. After a name change in Australia and enrollment in the SRRV program, she relocated to the Philippines. Amicus assisted her in rebranding her online presence, securing banking under her new name, and achieving peaceful anonymity within a supportive expat community. Timeframes for Legal Identity Change in Asia-Pacific Process Typical Timeframe Name change via local court/registry 13 months Document synchronization (passport, ID, tax) 24 months Residency approval (e.g., Thailand Elite, SRRV) 16 months Citizenship by Investment (Vanuatu) 24 months Full digital identity reset 36 months Total transformation for qualified clients can often be completed in 918 months. Case Study #3: European Tech Worker Rebuilds in Vanuatu Facing reputational damage after a failed startup, a tech entrepreneur relocated to Vanuatu via its citizenship-by-investment program. Amicus facilitated his legal name change, international document realignment, and offshore business restructuring. Today, he operates fintech services in the Pacific under a fully lawful, internationally recognized new identity. Estimated Costs for Identity Change in Asia-Pacific Service Estimated Cost (USD) Name change legal filings $2,000$5,000 Residency applications (Thailand, Philippines) $10,000$30,000 Citizenship by Investment (Vanuatu) $130,000$150,000 Digital privacy erasure $5,000$10,000 Complete package (legal, residency, digital) $30,000$200,000 Who Amicus Assists in Asia-Pacific Professionals recovering from financial hardship Domestic violence and stalking survivors Entrepreneurs needing brand and reputation resets Whistleblowers and journalists under political pressure Transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals in unsafe jurisdictions Privacy advocates are escaping mass surveillance systems Amicus refuses services to fugitives, financial criminals, or those under active criminal prosecution. Clients undergo strict vetting before acceptance. Where Amicus Operates Across Asia-Pacific New Zealand : Legal name change, residency, naturalization Thailand : Residency through Elite Visa, business reinvention Philippines : SRRV residency, business setup, and privacy Vanuatu : Fast-track citizenship by investment Australia : Full legal identity change for qualified citizens/residents Malaysia : Long-term residency via MM2H Indonesia (Bali) : Second-home visa and business pathways Singapore (limited) : Long-term residency and name changes Conclusion: A Lawful Fresh Start Is Within Reach The Asia-Pacific region is rapidly becoming one of the worlds safest and most accessible destinations for lawful identity change. With favorable legal systems, supportive residency programs, and modern privacy protections, it offers a path to personal reinvention without crime, fraud, or illegality. Amicus International Consulting remains the trusted global leader in helping clients transform their livesturning court-approved documents into passports, digital records into privacy shields, and distant dreams into new realities. Contact Information Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402 Email: info@amicusint.ca Website: www.amicusint.ca Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter/X | Facebook | Instagram Press Release July 15, 2025 PANGILINAN CALLS FOR STRONGER PROTECTION, BETTER CONDITIONS FOR OFWS AND SEAFARERS Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Tuesday called for urgent and concrete government action to ensure the safety and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), following alarming reports of violence and unsafe conditions affecting Filipino workers abroad. "Our OFWs are modern-day heroes. They endure separation from their families, unable to go home even for the holidays and special occasions, to provide a better future for their loved ones and to support our national economy. It is our moral and constitutional obligation to protect their rights and ensure their safety wherever they are in the world," he said. His remarks came after the death of 49-year-old Leah Mosquera, who succumbed to the injuries she sustained from an Iranian missile attack in Israel last month. He also lamented the fate of the 21 Filipino crew of MV Eternity C, which sank in the Red Sea last week after being attacked by Houthi rebels days before. Only eight of the 21 Filipino crew have been rescued so far. "We cannot afford to be reactive. The government must be proactive in ensuring the safety and security of our workers abroad," Pangilinan stressed. The senator underscored the need for strengthened diplomatic efforts, improved bilateral labor agreements, and increased funding and legal assistance for OFWs. He is also pushing for a review of current policies and regulations on the deployment of migrant workers, and for real-time monitoring of land-based and sea-based Filipino workers in high-risk regions. "The dangers our kababayans face abroad further underscore our need to strengthen our economy, so they can have the option of returning home and staying with their families. This is a challenge to us, as legislators and public servants. We need to build a country where staying is a viable option for everyone," Pangilinan said. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) showed that there are some 2.2 million Filipinos working abroad, contributing billions of dollars in remittances each year. However, many remain vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, conflicts, and neglect in foreign labor markets. Africas cultural and natural heritage gained significant recognition at UNESCOs 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris, with five new sites inscribed and three historically threatened locations successfully removed from the danger list after decades of conservation efforts. The rescued sites demonstrate remarkable resilience through targeted interventions. Madagascars Atsinanana Rainforests, endangered since 2010, achieved restoration of 63 percent of lost forest areas and dramatically reduced lemur poaching through satellite surveillance and anti-trafficking measures. Egypts Abu Mena early Christian site, threatened since 2001, was saved through innovative hydraulic engineering that controlled groundwater levels. Libyas Ancient Town of Ghadames overcame post-conflict challenges with community-based restoration focusing on traditional infrastructure. The five new African inscriptions showcase innovative sustainability models blending cultural heritage with biodiversity. Cameroons Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains features sixteen archaeological sites integrating agricultural terraces with Mafa cultural traditions. Malawis Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape honors sacred values of the Yao, Manganja, and Lhomwe peoples. Sierra Leones Gola-Tiwai Complex protects 1,000 plant species including 113 endemics, positioning itself for carbon compensation mechanisms. The transboundary iSimangaliso-Maputo Park extension between Mozambique and South Africa creates a precedent for regional cooperation across 397,471 hectares. Guinea-Bissaus Bijagos Archipelago coastal ecosystems shelter 870,000 migratory birds and endangered green turtle nurseries. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay praised these achievements as evidence of successful synergy between preservation, international cooperation, and local development. The recognitions transform heritage sites into economic drivers through sustainable tourism, research opportunities, and community empowerment, demonstrating that cultural preservation can catalyze tangible economic benefits. Moroccos microfinance sector faces significant transformation as proposed regulations dramatically increase lending limits and introduce new deposit frameworks, positioning microfinance institutions as crucial intermediaries for small business financing. The draft decree, implementing Law 50-20 on microfinance, establishes differentiated credit ceilings based on institutional structure and client profiles. For associative microfinance institutions serving low-income populations, limits range from 50,000 dirhams for basic economic activities to 150,000 dirhams for formalized businesses or agricultural ventures, marking a 25 percent increase from previous limits. The most dramatic change affects microfinance institutions structured as joint-stock companies (IMF-SA). Their lending ceiling jumps sixfold to 1.2 million dirhams, transforming them into vital bridges between traditional microfinance and commercial banking. This positions IMF-SA as essential financing sources for emerging small and medium enterprises previously underserved by conventional banks. A significant innovation introduces deposit limits for IMF-SA, allowing them to receive up to 10 million dirhams from formal businesses and cooperatives, while individual savings accounts are capped at 400,000 dirhams. This dual credit-deposit capability significantly enhances operational autonomy for small businesses preferring institutions closer to their operational realities than traditional banks. The regulations incentivize formalization by offering higher credit limits to registered businesses, auto-entrepreneurs, and cooperative members. Informal activities, while excluded from higher IMF-SA credit tiers, gain access to secure deposit services up to 2 million dirhams, reducing dependence on non-banked systems. Industry observers note these changes acknowledge microfinance sector maturity and segmentation, creating robust frameworks that strengthen financial inclusion while managing risks through differentiated approaches based on institutional capacity and client needs. The French Embassy hosted a vibrant celebration on the occasion of Frances National Day, marking not just a historic date but a renewed chapter in French-Moroccan relations. Held at the French Residence, the event welcomed some 2,500 guests, including high-ranking Moroccan officials, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the French community in Morocco. The evening was filled with music, cultural exchanges, and heartfelt speeches that underscored the deepening ties between the two nations. Frances ambassador to Morocco, opened the evening with a powerful message: Together, Morocco and France, we are not afraid of ambition. We are determined to think big. In a world in crisis, in a region searching for direction, we are going to build something truly unique, he said. In the Sahara, France has matched words with action across all areas of cooperation: education, culture, economy, development projects, and visas. Starting this year, residents of the southern provinces will have access to the same services and support from us as those in other Moroccan regions, he said. He reiterated Frances recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the southern provinces or the Sahara and underscored the Kingdoms role as a bridge between Africa and Europe. Dialogue between Africa and Europe can only be achieved through Morocco, he said. What is being written with Morocco is, indeed, Frances most important commitment with another nation, beyond the framework of the European Union, he said. South African car exports to the United States have plummeted dramatically, falling over 70% in the first quarter of 2025, and tumbling further to 80% in April and 85% in May, 2025, following the imposition of steep tariffs by US President Donald J. Trump. The automotive industry, which relies heavily on the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), now faces a growing crisis. The tariffsinitially a 25% duty on cars and now extended to auto partshave struck a critical blow to one of South Africas key export sectors. Industry body Naamsa described the situation as a looming socio-economic catastrophe, warning that the fallout could endanger thousands of jobs and devastate industrial towns such as East London, where the automotive sector forms the economic backbone. In 2024 alone, the industry accounted for 64% of South Africas AGOA trade, generating over 28 billion rand in revenue. The country had proposed a trade package to the USincluding a duty-free quota of 40,000 vehicles per yearbut this appears to have been overshadowed by Trumps broader global tariff strategy. Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa cautioned that the damage may be irreversible in the short term, as global competitors fill the vacuum left by South Africa. Local manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz, now face the dual burden of absorbing rising export costs while reassessing future production and investment plans. While diversification is essential, Mabasa stressed it cannot be achieved overnight, and urgent policy and diplomatic efforts are needed to prevent widespread industrial decline. https://x.com/DCP_Haddadi/status/1944424998443053178/photo/1 https://x.com/_AfricanUnion/status/1944696253532582081/photo/3 On Monday, July 14, 2024, Ghanas President John Dramani Mahama has renewed calls for reparations from nations historically responsible for the trans-Atlantic slave trade and colonisation of Africa, underscoring the urgent need to restore the continents full human dignity. Speaking in his capacity as the African Unions Champion for Reparatory Justice, Mahama delivered a progress report at the AUs seventh Mid-Year Coordination Meeting held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. He described Africas call for reparative justice as a collective demand rooted in historical truth and moral responsibility. Mahama stressed that the global community must stand with Africa in its pursuit of a more just and equitable world. In a statement shared on his official platforms, he declared, Africas demand for reparative justice is no longer a mere murmur, highlighting its transformation into a unified and resolute campaign for dignity. He further urged international actors to recognise and respond to Africas call, aligning development with identity and justice. The Ghanaian leader also linked reparations to the broader African struggle for unity and identity, stating that true progress cannot be achieved without addressing the historical injustices that fractured the continents heritage. He advocated for stronger global partnerships and unified advocacy to position Africas voice firmly on the international stage. Mahamas remarks reinforce a growing continental momentum toward reclaiming dignity and historical redress through reparatory justice. Suriname's success in the oil sector will depend on its ability to develop robust regulatory institutions, build local capacity, and establish a long-term fiscal framework to manage oil revenues effectively. Despite promising geology, Suriname faces challenges with deepwater exploration risks, as evidenced by the relinquishment of Block 59 by major operators due to technical uncertainties and costs. Suriname is poised to become a significant offshore oil producer, with the Gran Morgu project in Block 58 leading the way and production expected by 2028. As Guyana consolidates its position as a global offshore heavyweight, attention is shifting across the maritime border to Suriname. The geology is familiar, the operators are credible, and the development timelines are beginning to crystallize. What remains unclear is how far and how fast Suriname can go, and whether it intends to follow Guyana's high-volume path or chart a more calibrated trajectory. Guyanas offshore story began in earnest with ExxonMobils Liza-1 discovery in 2015, followed by first oil in 2019. Today, production from the Stabroek Block exceeds 660,000 barrels per day (b/d), with output forecast to surpass 1.3 million b/d by 2027. Reserves are estimated at 11 to 13 billion barrels. ExxonMobil, alongside partners Hess and CNOOC, has rapidly deployed a fleet of floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) units, transforming Guyana into a top-tier producer in just a few years. The economic impact has been profound. Oil revenues have funded infrastructure, raised public sector wages, and launched diversification efforts. Nonetheless, regulatory institutions are still maturing, and the development of domestic technical capacity remains a work in progress. Then, we have Suriname. Geologically, Suriname shares the same hydrocarbon-rich basin as Guyana. Offshore exploration began later, but since 2020, attention has concentrated on Block 58, operated by TotalEnergies and APA Corporation. Their Gran Morgu project is now Surinames most advanced development, with a final investment decision confirmed in late 2024 and production expected in 2028. Gran Morgu is projected to produce between 200,000 and 220,000 b/d at peak, with reserves around 700 million barrels. Staatsolie, the state oil company, holds a 20% stake. Other prospects have proven more challenging. In July 2025, Hess exited Block 59 following earlier withdrawals by ExxonMobil and Equinor, citing exploration risks and technical uncertainty. Block 59 has consistently tested the risk appetite of major operators. With water depths ranging from 2,700 to over 3,500 meters, this is among the deepest frontier zones explored anywhere in the Atlantic Margin. Despite early enthusiasm and large-scale seismic surveys, partners like ExxonMobil, Equinor, and finally Hess all withdrew, citing both technical uncertainty and the disproportionate cost of drilling relative to commercial expectations. The block has since been returned to Staatsolie, underscoring how far below the confidence threshold this acreage currently sits. While Suriname shares the broader Guyana-Suriname Basin, not all acreage benefits equally from the basins underlying petroleum system. Gran Morgu, in Block 58, lies within the central corridor where trap structures, source rock maturity, and charge timing align favorably. In contrast, areas like Block 59 appear to straddle a geologic margin, where the risk of incomplete charge, failed migration, or leaky traps increases. This edge-of-sweet-spot position makes the petroleum system less predictable, despite surface similarities to Stabroek. Shells re-entry into the Araku Deep?1 prospect in Block 65, for instance, delivered a useful, if sobering, outcome for Surinames deepwater ambitions. Drilled in water depths of approximately 960 meters, the well failed to encounter commercial reservoir-quality rocks and was ultimately plugged and abandoned. While the result was a setback, analysts noted its strategic value as a calibration point for future drilling. Rystad Energy characterized Araku as a data-gathering opportunity that would help refine subsurface models across the deeper, less-defined portions of the basin. Rather than a clear endorsement or rejection of deeper plays, the well has reinforced the need for tighter seismic interpretation and more cautious step-outs beyond the proven corridor of Block 58. Despite the risk and uncertainty, industry analysts maintain a cautiously optimistic view. Rystad Energy forecasts up to 10 wells drilled in Surinames offshore sector by the end of 2026, and basin-wide potential remains significant. Suriname is attracting substantial capital. TotalEnergies and APA expect to invest approximately $9-10 billion in the Gran Morgu development. For a country with modest historical oil production, the implications are considerable. Staatsolie has taken early steps to expand local capacity through training programs and academic partnerships. TotalEnergies has also committed to supporting domestic supplier development. However, the scale-up required in engineering, logistics, and regulatory capability isnt exactly trivial. And there is plenty of politics to wade through. During his presidency, Chan Santokhi introduced the "Royalties for Everyone" initiative, proposing to distribute $750 savings bonds to citizens from future oil revenue. While the move signaled a populist intent to share benefits broadly, Suriname has yet to establish a formal sovereign wealth fund or long-term fiscal framework. In contrast, Guyana has implemented the Natural Resource Fund Act and Local Content Act, providing more structured mechanisms to manage its oil windfall. Suriname will need to follow suit if it hopes to avoid the pitfalls of boom-and-bust resource cycles. Surinames May 2025 elections resulted in a narrow victory for the National Democratic Party (NDP), leading to the appointment of Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as Surinames first female president. Her administration has signaled continuity in energy policy and emphasized social investment priorities. Thus far, the operating environment remains stable. Suriname's exploration outlook is still evolving. The relinquishment of Block 59 underscores the challenges of deepwater drilling in frontier conditions. While Block 58 has produced commercial results, not every lead has translated into viable reserves. The geological risk profile remains a factor in capital allocation decisions. Nevertheless, the underlying resource potential is drawing continued attention. With a focused drilling program over the next two years, additional discoveries could shift the trajectory of Surinames upstream sector. While Suriname is unlikely to match Guyana in production scale or reserve size in the near term, it is on track to position itself as a competitive regional producer. The years leading up to first oil in 2028 will be decisive. Institutional readiness, infrastructure planning, and public engagement will all play critical roles in determining whether Suriname's oil ambitions are realized in full. The geology is only one part of the equation; the rest will depend on choices made in Paramaribo. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A growing share of the global economy is increasingly committed to large-scale, complex, and expensive undertakings involving massive infrastructure development and technological advancements, aka megaprojects. Annual worldwide spending on megaprojects such as high-speed railway systems, international airports, hydroelectric dams, motorways, power plants, wind and solar farms, as well as large public ICT systems to digitize tax, health, and pensions is estimated at between US$6 and US$8 trillion, or 8% of global GDP. Unfortunately, it has become a well established fact that megaprojects--defined as projects with budgets in excess of US$1billion--consistently fail to be delivered on time or on budget. Indeed, a study by Oxford Universitys Said Business School found that less than 3% of megaprojects are delivered both on budget and on time. Megaprojects are, by their very nature, often pioneering and difficult to manage, with high early-stage sunk costs frequently creating project lock-in and subsequent cost overruns. Egypts Suez Canal took this to the extreme, with a cost overrun estimated at 1,900%, or 20 times the original budget. Here are six large-scale energy megaprojects that experienced significant budget overruns but remain relevant today either because of their long-term output, strategic value, or lessons learned. Source: Said Business School Kashagan Oil Field (Kazakhstan) Initial est. $10bn Final cost ~$55bn Long delays, technical problems (H?S corrosion), but now a major contributor to global supply The Kashagan Oil Field was discovered in 2000 in Kazakhstan in the northern region of the Caspian Sea. The field has recoverable oil reserves estimated at 19- billion barrels, making it one of the largest fossil fuel discoveries over the past four decades. A consortium of seven companies was formed in order to develop the reserves, with Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM), Shell Plc (NYSE:SHEL), Eni S.p.A (NYSE:E), TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) and Kazakhstan's KazMunayGas each owning a 16.8% stake in the project while China National Petroleum Corporation and Japans Impex owned 8.4% and 7.6% share, respectively. Project development kicked off in 2001 with an expected completion date of 2005. The initial allocated budget for the venture was US$10 billion, which was viewed as a reasonable figure to help generate considerable income for the young country. Unfortunately, the project fell eight years behind schedule and ended up costing $55 billion, more than five times the original budget. To add insult to injury, operations had to be shut down shortly after the project went live in 2013 due to a damaged main pipeline leaking dangerous and corrosive hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas into the atmosphere. The consortium burned off the gas as an emergency measure, releasing toxic sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere. Nevertheless, the Kashagan Oil Field has been an economic success, contributing significantly to the Kazakhstan economy by being a major source of oil production and export revenue. According to Offshore Technology, Kashagan accounts for ~19% of Kazakhstan's 1.9 million barrels in daily oil output, translating into significant revenue for the country through taxes, royalties, and other payments. Gorgon LNG (Australia) Original est. ~A$37bn Final ~A$54bn Execution challenges on Barrow Island; still key to Asian LNG trade The Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Western Australia is not only the countrys biggest single resource natural gas project but also one of the largest natural gas projects in the world. The Gorgon gas field was first discovered in 1980 by West Australian Petroleum (WAPET) before Chevron Corp. kicked off oil and gas exploration at the field in 1999. Chevron owns 47.3% stake in the project while Exxon Mobil and Shell own a 25% share apiece. Construction on the project began in 2009 and was completed in March 2016, making Gorgon the fourth LNG export development in Australia. Gorgon comprises three LNG trains, each with a capacity of 5.2 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). Similar to the vast majority of megaprojects, Gorgon LNG experienced significant delays and cost overruns. Initially estimated to cost $37 billion, the project ultimately cost $54 billion mainly due to logistical challenges of building on the remote Barrow Island, making the project Australias largest single private sector investment in history. Further, the project missed its delivery date by two years due to weather delays, staffing and skill requirements, high wages, low productivity and logistical challenges. However, it was well worth it because the Gorgon LNG project remains a pivotal player in the Asian LNG trade, with its large production capacity and strategic location in Western Australia making it a crucial supplier to the Asia-Pacific region. Tapi Pipeline (TurkmenistanAfghanistanPakistanIndia) Political risks and delays; cost ballooned from ~$7bn to over $10bn Still relevant to Central/South Asian gas integration The TAPI Pipeline, or Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline, is a project with a long and complex history, dating back to initial discussions in the 1990s. The pipeline is designed to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, aiming to address energy needs in the region. Despite its potential benefits, the project has faced numerous delays and challenges throughout its development. TAPI is poised to be a game changer in Central Asias energy landscape. The US$10 billion pipeline will cover more than 1,800 km and transport up to 33 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas from the Galkynysh Gas Field in Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India via Afghanistan. Pakistan and India are slated to receive 14 bcm via the natural gas pipeline while Afghanistan will receive 5 bcm. The Galkynysh Gas Field is the worlds second-largest gas field in terms of gas reserves. Construction of TAPI began in 201 but was soon halted due to security reasons after workers were killed by unknown assailants. However, the gas pipeline has once again become the focus of attention following the exit of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021. Still, China remains hesitant to engage directly in the project due to security risks. Trans Mountain Expansion (Canada) Estimated at ~$5.4bn in 2013 ~$30.9bn by 2023 Continues to shape Canadian export politics and oil sands economics Back in 201, the Canadian government bought and nationalized the existing Trans Mountain Pipeline from a unit of Kinder Morgan Inc. (NYSE:KMI) in a bid to ensure that the expansion would be built. In effect, the federal government acquired its corporate owner, Trans Mountain, which became a federal Crown corporation with Ottawa framing this decision around the desire to secure a key Canadian asset. TMX ended up witnessing massive cost overruns, with the project costing C$34 billion, more than six times the original estimate. TMX is expected to triple the flow of crude from landlocked Alberta to Canada's Pacific coast to 890,000 barrels per day (bpd). The pipeline is viewed as a boon to Asian refiners since it provides them with an opportunity to diversify their imports while also giving Canadian producers more access to U.S. West Coast and Asian markets. TMX crude exports are expected to clock in at ~350,000-400,000 bpd, and compete with heavy grades from the Middle East and Latin America. Cold Lake crude is about $10 per barrel cheaper than Iraq's Basra Heavy for deliveries to China. Mingyang Qingzhou 4 Offshore Wind (China) Cost overruns linked to subsea transmission and turbine scaling Now a test case in high-capacity wind integration The Mingyang Qingzhou 4 offshore wind farm project is part of a larger development by Mingyang Smart Energy in the waters off the coast of Guangdong, China. This project is focused on utilizing deep-sea floating wind turbine technology to harness wind energy in the area. The 16.6 MW floating wind platform is the largest single-capacity floating wind power platform in the world. The floater is capable of generating ~54 GWh annually, enough to power 30,000 homes. The Mingyang Qingzhou 4 offshore wind farm project has faced significant cost overruns due to hthe igh costs of its giant turbines. Ichthys LNG (Australia) Est. ~$20bn Final ~$45bn Long lead times, offshore-to-onsite complexity; critical to Japans gas supply Discovered in 2000, Australias Ichthys offshore LNG field covers ~800km off the northern coast of Western Australia. The giant Australian LNG project is estimated to cost ~$45 billion, more than double its initial budget of $20 billion, and produces 8.9 million tonnes (Mt) of LNG annually, 100,000 barrels of condensate a day and and 1.6 Mt of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) per year over its 40 years of operational life. The project includes 50 subsea production wells; a floating, production, storage, and offloading facility (FPSO) and a semi-submersible central processing facility. This megaproject is owned by its operator, Japans INPEX (66.245%), while TotalEnergies owns a 26% stake. Ichthys is critical for Japans energy sector: Approximately 70% of the LNG produced by the Ichthys project is shipped to Japanese buyers, equating to about 10% of Japan's total annual LNG import volume. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: From Dutch Disease to German De-Industrialization, the energy transition is no longer a distant threat but a pressing issue already impacting the Dutch economy. Europes ongoing energy transition, driven by the need to reduce dependence on risk-prone suppliers like Russia, the Middle East, and Africa, continues to receive support from the European Union and its member states. The push for more renewablesespecially offshore wind, solar, and increasingly biofuelsis not only reducing CO? emissions but also threatening the manufacturing and production base of European countries. After years of deindustrialization in Germany, another major economy is now showing signs of strain. The Netherlands, once known for its so-called Dutch Disease economy, based on vast natural gas reserves and revenues, is becoming a second Germany as its industrial base erodes due to high energy costs and a lack of investment. At the same time, with little media attention, Europes central refinery basinspanning Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Amsterdamis falling apart. An expanding list of divestments, closures, and bankruptcies is threatening not only fuel supplies but also Europes pivotal chemical industry. Related: Gasoline Prices Rise Despite Oil Benchmarks Falling Years of neglect, anti-hydrocarbon policies, and an almost religious belief in the makeability of the economy have led to high energy prices and dwindling investments. After years of industry pleas, Brussels is finally reacting. Last Tuesday, the European Commission presented an action plan to address the wave of chemical plant and refinery closures in the EU. While a positive step, it may already be too late for many companies, particularly in the Port of Rotterdam region, where closures and divestments are accelerating due to high energy prices and market volatility. EU Commissioner for Industry, Thierry Breton, stated that over 20 companies have closed in recent years. Brussels blames high energy prices, global overcapacity, and Chinese competition. Dutch downstream and chemical companies are hit particularly hard by this toxic mix, compounded by ESG regulations and ongoing conflict over nitrogen emissions, which hinder expansions and power grid access. It is unclear if Dutch sites like Moerdijk, Rotterdam, and Geleen will benefit from Brussels' action plan targeting critical complexes. Meanwhile, Europes playing field remains uneven. Chinese dumping and excessive EU bureaucracy add to the pressure. Yet bureaucracy alone isnt forcing companies to leaveits the sheer cost of operating, especially in the Netherlands. Dutch firms face the EUs highest energy prices, an unstable grid, and the real risk of winter blackouts. The sustainability pushseen by some as a "Holy Grail"is increasingly cited as a cause of deindustrialization. The Netherlands competitiveness, long its key attraction for global investors, is now eroding. The Trump Tariff Wars, rising global trade tensions, and domestic operational costs are major concerns. A recent Dutch Statistics Office (CBS) report noted that 95% of industrial exporters are worried about global trade policy over the next 12 months, up sharply from 41% in March 2023. The situation is now affecting even green-focused firms. Global Energy Storage Group (GES) is leaving the Netherlands for better opportunities in Asia. It sold its 212,000 m terminal in Rotterdam to French firm Tepsa. Gunvor is also shutting down its Rotterdam oil terminal, citing the unstable Dutch investment climate, alongside the closure of its refinery. Chemicals firm Vynova plans to close its PVC factory at the Chemelot site. Other closures in the past year include LyondellBasell, Tronox, and Indorama. This industrial unraveling threatens more than jobsit could undermine the EUs defense capabilities. The Netherlands is critical to Europes energy and security architecture, especially as a fuel supplier to NATO via Rotterdams infrastructure. Without robust in-house refining and chemicals capacity, both Europes industry and security are at risk. Dutch politicians would do well to recognize the scale of whats at stake. By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The OPEC+ producers pumped 41.559 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil in June, up by 349,000 bpd from May, but lower than the 411,000 bpd monthly increase under the alliances output hike plan. These production figures, reported by OPEC in its Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) out on Tuesday, suggest what market analysts have been saying for weeksthe actual monthly production hikes are lower than the headline quota number, which spooked the market, fearing oversupply when the output hikes were first announced. OPEC-only production from the 12 members of the cartel rose by 220,000 bpd in June from May, with Saudi Arabia boosting output by 173,000 bpd. The Saudi output of 9.356 million bpd, per OPECs numbers based on secondary sources tracking production and supply, was in perfect alignment with the Saudi quota. But in the table with self-reported figures, OPEC put an asterisk in a very unusual move next to the Saudi production number of 9.360 million bpd, explaining below that Saudi Arabia's supply to the market in June was 9,360 tb/d and production was 9,752 tb/d. This was likely to address speculation about Saudi production and compliance, following a report last week by the International Energy Agency, which estimated that the Kingdom hiked its June production by 700,000 bpd to 9.8 million bpd the highest level in more than two years. Saudi Arabia has acknowledged that it pumped briefly above quota for several days in June during the Israel-Iran war when the markets feared a disruption to supply. The overproduction didnt hit the market, the Kingdom claims, noting that the extra barrels went to storage. That could be a reason why OPEC assessed Saudi output by differentiating between supply to the market perfectly in line with the OPEC+ quota and the much higher production numbers. The OPEC report also showed that perennial quota busters Iraq and Kazakhstan behaved quite differently in June. Iraq, OPECs second-largest producer, saw production barely up despite the large increase it is entitled to, as it appears its trying to compensate for previous overproduction. Non-OPEC producer Kazakhstan, however, continues to hike production, and the June increase was 64,000 bpd to 1.847 million bpdwell above its June quota of 1.5 million bpd. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Financial analysts and civil society organizations warn that this lack of regulatory oversight could position Kyrgyzstan as a hub for illicit financial activities, jeopardizing its international reputation. Kyrgyz officials have offered little transparency regarding the oversight and licensing of Grinex and its affiliated companies, including A7A5, a ruble-pegged stablecoin. International concern is growing over a cryptocurrency exchange in Kyrgyzstan, Grinex, which reportedly facilitated billions in transactions, raising suspicions that it aids Russia in evading Western sanctions. Silence from Kyrgyz officials is adding to international concerns about alleged transactions worth billions of dollars on a cryptocurrency exchange registered in the Central Asia country. Grinex, the platform at the center of the controversy, reportedly facilitated $9 billion in transactions between January and April this year, primarily using a ruble-pegged stablecoin (a type of cryptocurrency) known as A7A5. These revelations, first brought to light by The Financial Times in late June, raise concerns that Grinex could be a crucial player in Russian efforts to circumvent Western sanctions imposed after Moscow launched its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Grinex was founded weeks after U.S. sanctions dismantled Russias Garantex platform, which is only sole exchange handling A7A5, considered the first stablecoin -- a cryptocurrency with an exchange rate stabilized by its ties to conventional assets such as currencies, gold, or oil -- pegged to the Russian ruble. The similarities in how the two platforms operate, coupled with the timing of its establishment, have raised suspicions that Grinex is the successor to Garantex and provides Moscow with a digital workaround on the biting international sanctions imposed on it. Adding to the intrigue is the involvement of Ilan Shor, a Moldovan oligarch and fugitive convicted of masterminding a $1 billion banking fraud in his home country. Shor, now reportedly living in Russia, is suspected of having ties to both A7A5 and Grinex through a network of companies stretching from Moscow to Bishkek. But when pressed about oversight of Grinex or its affiliated companies, Kyrgyz regulatory agencies and government ministries offered little more than deferrals and vague assurances. No Comment The Financial Market Regulation and Supervision Service (FMRS), responsible for implementing Kyrgyzstans 2022 Law on Virtual Assets, confirmed to RFE/RLs Kyrgyz Service that a company named Grinex is listed in its registry. However, FMRS official Chynara Baktybekova said the listing is in Russian and may not correspond to the international Grinex exchange currently under international scrutiny. We will respond to media inquiries within the timeframe prescribed by the law. We are not ready to comment at this time, Baktybekova added. When asked about the licensing status of Old Vector, the company behind the A7A5 token, Baktybekova stated that it is registered but does not require a full license, only a permit, as it issues tokens rather than operating an exchange. As for A7-Kyrgyzstan, the guarantor of the A7A5 token, Baktybekova advised RFE/RL to contact a different division within FMRS. However, repeated attempts to reach that division went unanswered. The Ministry of Finance and the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan both declined to comment, stating that oversight of crypto exchanges falls outside their jurisdiction. The Ministry of Economy and Commerce did not respond to multiple written and phone inquiries. A June investigation by the Center for Information Resilience, an NGO dedicated to exposing human rights violations and threats to democracy through open source investigations and research, that the A7 strategy is aimed at "moving money across borders" and is "likely to present a significant challenge to existing sanctions regimes." 'An Ideal Environment For Illicit Activities' The pattern of bureaucratic silence has frustrated journalists, financial analysts, and anti-corruption activists seeking clarity on how such large-scale transactions could take place in Kyrgyzstans nascent crypto sector. This lack of transparency creates an ideal environment for illicit financial activities, cautioned Aizada Abdyldaeva, a financial law expert at the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek. Kyrgyzstan is at risk of becoming a preferred jurisdiction for entities seeking to evade international controls. Temirlan Moldokulov, a Bishkek-based political analyst, echoed those concerns: If our regulators cant say whos moving billions through our system, how can we assure foreign partners we arent facilitating sanction evasion? The Grinex controversy follows weeks of speculation about Shors alleged involvement with Capital Bank, one of Kyrgyzstans commercial banks. Responding to those claims, President Sadyr Japarov publicly denied any foreign influence at the bank. Capital Bank is under state control. Dont believe such rumors, Japarov said in a televised interview in June. The banks profits go directly to the state budget. While the presidents remarks addressed Capital Bank specifically, they have done little to quell unease about broader vulnerabilities in Kyrgyzstans financial system. A Sanctions Backdoor? Kyrgyzstan is one of the few Central Asian countries to have enacted a legal framework for digital assets. The 2022 law introduced a licensing regime for exchanges and token issuers, a move hailed at the time as progressive. However, critics say the framework lacks teeth. The law looks good on paper, but enforcement is weak and registries are secretive, said Nurlan Aitkulov, an economist in Bishkek. Analysts caution that this regulatory void, combined with Kyrgyzstans proximity to Russia and its reliance on remittances from Kyrgyz workers in Russia, could entice malicious actors to exploit the country as a financial hub for circumventing sanctions. Western diplomats in Central Asia have privately expressed concern about Kyrgyzstans potential role in undermining international sanctions. A senior European official in Brussels, speaking on condition of anonymity, told RFE/RL that jurisdictions like Kyrgyzstan will come under increasing scrutiny. The U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has stepped up targeting of crypto-based sanction evasion networks globally. 'A Matter Of National Security' Kyrgyzstans financial system is no stranger to controversy. From the collapse of banks amid political upheavals to previous allegations of money laundering through the aviation fuel sector, the country has long struggled with corruption and weak institutions. The crypto boom has added a new layer of complexity to an already fragile system, said Aizada Abdyldaeva, the financial law expert. Without stronger oversight, we may see a repeat of past scandalsonly on a digital scale. Civil society organizations have called on the government to publish the whole registry of virtual asset service providers and clarify the legal status of Grinex and its affiliates. This is not just a matter for regulatorsits a matter of national security, said Aijan Akmatova, a researcher with Bishkek-based think tank Taza Koom. As international investigators dig deeper into Grinex and its network, Kyrgyzstans official silence is fueling speculation both domestically and abroad. This is a litmus test of Kyrgyzstans commitment to transparent governance and international collaboration, warned Moldokulov. The longer the silence persists, the more severe the potential repercussions could be. The Grinex episode has put Kyrgyzstans fintech ambitions at risk. If the country is perceived as a hotspot for sanctions evasion, it could face international backlash, jeopardizing its aspirations to become a regional leader in digital finance. The story of Grinex and A7A5 continues to unfold, with journalists and blockchain intelligence firms continuing to trace the money and the networks behind it. For Bishkek, the crossroads are clear: tighten oversight and restore trust, or risk being cast as a new epicenter in the shadowy world of financial crime. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Improved fuel margins and the end of spring maintenance boosted Chinas oil refinery throughput in June to the highest level since September 2023. Chinese refiners processed a total of 15.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil into fuels last month, up by 8.5% from a year earlier, and up from the lows seen in April and May, according to Bloomberg calculations based on official Chinese data released on Tuesday. Amid heavy planned seasonal maintenance, crude oil processing at Chinas refineries dipped by 1.8% in May from a year earlier, to the lowest level in nine months. In May, Chinese refiners processed a total of about 13.92 million bpdthe lowest level since August last year as several major state-run and private refiners underwent scheduled maintenance ahead of the peak driving season. The processing rates in May were also lower than the 14.12 million bpd of crude Chinese refiners processed in April. China accelerated crude oil imports in March and April, but the increased purchases this spring werent necessarily a sign of recovering fuel demand in the worlds biggest crude importer. Its more likely that Chinese refiners were aggressively stockpiling cheaper crude amid uncertainties about sanctioned barrels going forward. In June, refiners returned from maintenance, while Chinas crude oil imports jumped by 7.4% on the year to 12.14 million bpd, driven by a sharp rise in crude deliveries from Saudi Arabia and Iran. Chinese refiners began raising processing rates ahead of the expected peak demand in the third quarter despite generally slowing consumption of gasoline and diesel. Refiners sought to capture the higher margins, especially for diesel, in June. Analysts expect strong Chinese imports and refining output to continue into July amid peak travel season and state-held refiners rebuilding fuel stocks. Strong Chinese demand would be a bullish driver for oil prices in the coming weeks in a summer global market thats tighter than previously expected. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: ConocoPhillips has submitted a formal application to federal regulators seeking approval to drill four new exploratory wells and conduct seismic testing west of its $7.5 billion Willow oil development in Alaskas National Petroleum Reserve, Bloomberg reports. The proposal, filed with the Bureau of Land Management, would significantly extend the companys Arctic footprint and marks its most ambitious exploration effort in the region since 2020. The plan outlines new access roads, well pads, and 3D seismic surveys across the Bear Tooth Unit, a lease area directly adjacent to Willow. ConocoPhillips is betting on new reserves that could enhance Willows production corridor, though there has been no disclosure of projected volumes for the new block yet. The move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to promote increased domestic energy production, particularly in Alaska. Willow itself, approved in 2023 and now under construction, is expected to reach peak output of 180,000 barrels per day and remains one of the largest U.S. oil developments in decades. While the Trump administration has signaled regulatory openness, the new expansion will still require environmental reviews and permitting from federal agencies. No timeline has been released for the decision. ConocoPhillips has prioritized Alaska in its 2025 capital plan while trimming Lower 48 investments, betting that Arctic output will remain commercially viable amid fluctuating global prices and favorable federal policy. The Conoco filing also comes shortly after CNBC ranked Alaska as the worst state for doing business in America in 2025, due to the state of the economy as a result of high dependence on oil for revenues. The price of Alaska North Slope crude averaged $85.24 per barrel in the 2024 fiscal year, and the Alaska Department of Revenue projects the price to fall to $74.48/barrel for the 2025 fiscal year, and down to $67/ barrel in FY 2027. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Non-OPEC producer Kazakhstan, which is boosting its oil output in defiance of its quotas in the OPEC+ deal, doesnt plan to leave the alliance of producers, the countrys top officials said on Tuesday. Kazakhstan is not considering leaving the OPEC+ pact as it believes it helps stabilize the oil market, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said on Tuesday, as quoted by Russian news agency Interfax. We will do our best to fulfill our obligations, but well take into account national interests, the prime minister was quoted as saying. Oil production in Kazakhstan jumped by 11.6% in the first half of 2025 from the same period of last year, as international majors operating in the country are expanding major oilfields and boosting production. Exports are also expected to increase this year, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said on Tuesday. Kazakhstan has been a major headache for the other OPEC+ producers as it hasnt adhered to its quota. The country claims it cannot force the supermajors to cut production while higher output is in fact in its national interest. The other OPEC+ producers havent been happy with Kazakhstans overproduction, which exceeds its quota by hundreds of thousands of barrels per day. For example, OPECs monthly report out today showed that Kazakhstan continues to hike production, and the June increase was 64,000 bpd to 1.847 million bpdwell above its June quota of 1.5 million bpd. Kazakhstan has been openly defying the groups targets as it continues to raise production from projects involving international majors such as Chevron. Energy Minister Akkenzhenov confirmed in May that the republic has no right to enforce production cuts on foreign operators. Chevrons chief executive, Mike Wirth, told analysts at the supermajors Q1 earnings call that On OPEC plus in Kazakhstan, you know, really were not discussions of that. We dont engage in discussions about OPEC or OPEC plus. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Africas top oil producer, Nigeria, is seeking a production target under the OPEC+ agreement of 2 million barrels per day (bpd) for 2027, up from the current quota of 1.5 million bpd, Bashir Ojulari, chief executive of state-held oil firm NNPC, has told Argus. Nigeria has been pumping oil below its output quota for years, but has recently ramped up production, which now stands at about 1.4 million bpd, per Ojularis estimates. OPEC+ delegates have started talks about establishing the baselines for individual members production quotas for 2027. Nigeria will seek production capacity of 2.4 million bpd and a production target of 2 million bpd, including 1.7 million bpd of crude oil and 300,000 bpd of condensate output, Ojulari said. Earlier this year, Nigerias government urged the oil companies operating in the country to collaborate to increase oil output in the producer that hasnt been able to pump to its OPEC quota for years. Oil theft and pipeline vandalism have long plagued Nigerias upstream oil and gas industry, driving majors out of the biggest OPEC producer in Africa and often resulting in force majeure at the key crude oil export terminals. Nigerian authorities have been clamping down on oil theft and have been supportive of an increase in oil and gas output in recent months. Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has said that U.S. supermajor ExxonMobil plans to invest as much as $1.5 billion in deepwater oil and gas exploration and development offshore Nigeria. Moreover, supermajors Shell and TotalEnergies expect to raise oil and gas production over the next two years from projects they operate in Nigeria. Shell sees the start-up of the Bonga North deepwater oil and gas field by 2027, while TotalEnergies expects the Ubeta gas field to also begin production by that year, the top executives of the Nigerian units of the supermajor told an energy conference in Nigeria last week. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) One day after the rainy season was declared over in Okinawa, I was walking on the boardwalk by the Mihama American Village, still unable to embrace the unusually early arrival of the summer. However, having lunch at Pizzeria Bar Ariccia put me in the mood for a full celebration. Located in the waterfront area of the American Village, Ariccia is known for its impressive Neapolitan pizza its been serving here since 2017. In Okinawa, youll find a variety of pizza styles for every appetite, including New York, Californian and Hawaiian. During the summer, however, Im especially attracted to Neapolitan-style pizza, and Ariccia was the perfect place to ring in the hot season. On the outside, Ariccias white front adorned with charcoal-colored wooden boards was exuding a casual but chic mood. Inside, the spacious interior welcomed me with a relaxing atmosphere. What caught my attention first was a big brick pizza oven colored in vibrant red. (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) According to the True Neapolitan Pizza Association. or Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN), authentic Neapolitan pizzas have to be wood-fired between 430-480C (approx. 800 F to 900 F) for just 60-90 seconds. Looking at the big oven made my expectations soar. As I took a seat at a corner, I was impressed with the nice ocean view. Through the window, the color of the ocean and the sky looked very vivid. For lunch, Ariccia offered a variety of pizzas such as Margherita, Bianca, Rossa, Romana, Bismark and pepperoni, all of which were priced between 1,850 and 2,050 yen. I had a hard time picking one but decided to go with Marinara (1,980 yen, approx.$13.70), which came with a salad and a drink. When my freshly baked pizza arrived at my table, I was surprised at the large portions. According to the menu, the pizza was to be about 30 centimeters in diameter (close to the max size set by the AVPN at 35 cm), but I was shocked with this large pizza pie before me. With one bite of this simple giant, fresh sour tomato sauce, garlic and savory oregano flavor filled my mouth. The soft, chewy, and a bit crispy edge was a delight to chomp on. On the table, the restaurant also had a small bottle of spicy olive oil, which I used to give a generous kick to the pizza. Although the Italian-style dough was much thinner than that of American pizza, I was satisfied thanks to its size and rich flavor. When I finished, I felt fully charged and ready to enjoy the summer day. Ariccias pizzas are available for takeout, and their dinner menu has a wider variety of pizzas to choose from. The authentic Neapolitan pizzas, the nice ocean view and the comfortable mood will for sure take me back to Ariccia many times. Things to know GPS Coordinates: N 26.315799, E 127.753724 Hours: 11 a.m. 2:30 p.m. (Lunch), 2:30 p.m. 4 p.m. (Cafe, last order at 3:30 p.m.), 5:30 10 p.m. (last order at 9:30 p.m.) Website As World-Herald reporters document the latest updates on immigration enforcement in Nebraska, here's a Q&A on what's happened in recent weeks and where things stand. What happened last month at Glenn Valley Foods? Investigating identity fraud, agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided the Glenn Valley Foods meatpacking plant Tuesday, June 10. With a list of 107 people ICE agents wanted to screen, they arrived at the facility at 9 a.m. They arrested 76 people who ICE says are living in the country illegally. After the raid, detainees were initially taken to an ICE field office near Eppley Airfield. Where are the detainees now? From the ICE facility in Omaha, agents transported at least 63 detainees to the Lincoln County Detention Center in North Platte. Thirteen women interviewed by The World-Herald about their experience as detainees said they have been treated well and have their basic needs met. As of July 2, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office estimated that about 50 of those detainees remained in their custody. They said 14 had been released three were released on bail, and 11 were transferred back into ICE custody. Three people detained in the raid have been criminally charged: 1. Marvin Aleman Zepeda was charged for assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal officer or employee. 2. Guadalupe Cabrera Mejia was charged with false representation of a Social Security number to become employed at the plant. 3. Francisco Meza-Carmona was charged with reentry of a removed alien after having been convicted of a felony. Court documents indicate that Meza-Carmona entered the country illegally after previously being deported twice. In 2009, he was convicted of criminal threat, a felony in Ford County, Kansas. Of the remaining people arrested on June 10, some have been released, some face deportation and some have already been deported. On June 19, ICE spokesperson Tanya Roman said three people had "voluntarily returned to Mexico," and three Guatemalan nationals were transferred to a facility in Louisiana in preparation for deportation. Who did ICE arrest at Glenn Valley Foods? A World-Herald investigation found that fewer than 20 of the 76 people taken on June 10 had been charged with crimes in federal or Nebraska courts. Most of those who had criminal records were charged only with minor traffic infractions or misdemeanors. The World-Herald searched federal and Nebraska databases for court records of the 66 detainees whose identities were known. Of the 66, nine had criminal convictions prior to the raid. One person had been charged with felony criminal threat in Kansas in 2009. One woman from Mexico was fined $100 for misdemeanor shoplifting in 1996. A 26-year-old man from Mexico has been convicted of traffic-related misdemeanors and a DUI in 2022. He also has three open cases involving subsequent alleged DUIs. The remaining six people with criminal histories had minor traffic infractions and misdemeanors. What happens next for the detainees? HOPE-Esperanza, a North Platte organization that provides services to immigrants in the community, is working with detainees to help them understand their options and communicate with local officials. HOPE-Esperanza staff said all of the detainees in Lincoln County are working with attorneys. CIRA is providing legal services to most of them. The women interviewed by The World-Herald said they are awaiting further hearings and hoping for the opportunity to post bail. What's happening with the detainees' families? For family members affected by the ICE raid, they anxiously awaited to hear about the status of their relative. The Heartland Workers Center in Omaha helped track down and ensure the safety of the children of many of the detainees. Lina Traslavina Stover, executive director for Heartland Workers Center, said many of those taken were the breadwinners of their families, causing young adults to become the heads of their households when their parents were detained. Several mothers interviewed by The World-Herald said their children are struggling emotionally during their parents' detainment. What happened with the alleged MS-13 gang members? ICE arrested two alleged gang members of MS-13 in the Omaha area last week after a Douglas County Sheriff's Deputy pulled over one of them on July 6, which flagged federal officials. The deputy pulled over Rene Saul Escobar Ochoa, 30, on July 6 on Interstate 80 near the 42nd Street exit for merging without using a turn signal. The Sheriffs Office said the deputy felt something wasnt quite right during the traffic stop and ran Escobar Ochoa through a federal database that showed he was on an MS-13 watchlist. The Sheriff's Office relayed the information to the Nebraska State Patrol and federal law enforcement. The deputy had to let Escobar Ochoa go because he didn't have the legal authority to arrest him. That ultimately led to ICE agents arresting Escobar Ochoa in North Omaha and Melvin Varela Perez, 50, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Wednesday. Escobar Ochoa is wanted in El Salvador for allegedly giving orders to fellow gang members to commit a variety of crimes, including multiple homicides, extortion, imprisonment and drug trafficking. Described as an "MS-13 kingpin," federal authorities say that Varela Perez is one of the 100 most-wanted fugitives in El Salvador and that hes wanted in that country on charges of aggravated homicide of five victims, attempted aggravated homicide, deprivation of liberty and terrorist organization affiliation. Varela Perez admitted to being an MS-13 gang member and crossing the border illegally in September 2016, according to court documents obtained by The World-Herald. ICE said both Salvadorian nationals are in the country illegally and are coordinating with El Salvadoran authorities to deport them. What happened to Fernandos? Fernandos Omaha temporarily closed both its restaurant locations on Monday due to a staffing shortage after receiving a request for worker documentation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The subpoena from Homeland Security resulted in the departure of some valued employees. In response to comments left on the Facebook page, the restaurant said that it was not raided and that no employees were arrested. For anyone that had provided us documents that did not pass the subpoena, by law we were forced to terminate their employment. They reopened their restaurant at 114th and Dodge Streets on Tuesday, but their location at 75th and Pacific Streets remains closed. What's next for immigration enforcement in Nebraska? In a statement to The World-Herald, a White House spokesperson said Trump "remains committed to carrying out the largest mass deportation operation in history by removing dangerous, violent criminal illegal aliens from American communities and targeting the sanctuary cities that provide safe harbor to criminal aliens." This has been the largest ICE raid in Nebraska since the Trump administration has taken office. With a goal to round up dangerous individuals, The World-Herald found that fewer than 20 of the detainees had been previously criminally charged in Nebraska before the raid. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump threatened Russia on Monday with steep tariffs and announced a rejuvenated pipeline for American weapons to reach Ukraine, hardening his stance toward Moscow after months of frustration about unsuccessful negotiations for ending the war. The latest steps reflect an evolving approach from the Republican president, who promised to swiftly resolve the war started by Russian President Vladimir Putin when he invaded Ukraine three years ago. Trump once focused his criticism on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he described as unwilling to compromise, but more recently has expressed growing irritation toward Putin. "My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night," Trump said. He complained that "it just keeps going on and on and on." Trump said he would implement "severe tariffs" unless a peace deal is reached within 50 days. He provided few details on how they would be implemented, but he described them as secondary tariffs, meaning they would target Russia's trading partners to isolate Moscow in the global economy. In addition, Trump said European allies would buy "billions and billions" of dollars of U.S. military equipment to be transferred to Ukraine, replenishing the besieged country's supplies of weapons. He made the announcement in the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. US pledges more support for Ukraine; Sinner wins Wimbledon Included in the plan are Patriot air defense systems, a top priority for Ukraine as it fends off Russian drones and missiles. Doubts were recently raised about Trump's commitment to supply Ukraine when the Pentagon paused shipments over concerns that U.S. stockpiles were running low. Rutte said Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark would be among the buyers to supply Ukraine. He said "speed is of the essence here," and he suggested that some weapons would be rushed to Ukraine and later replaced with purchases from the U.S. Later Monday, Zelenskyy posted about having spoken with Trump by phone and said he discussed the necessary means and solutions with the President to provide better protection for people from Russian attacks and to strengthen our positions. Zelenskyy added that Trump had agreed to catch up more often by phone and coordinate our steps in the future. Trump exasperated with Putin Trump has long boasted of his friendly relationship with Putin, and he repeatedly asserted that Russia was more willing than Ukraine to reach a peace deal. He also accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war and called him a "dictator without elections." But Russia's relentless onslaught against civilian areas of Ukraine wore down Trump's patience. In April, Trump urged Putin to "STOP!" launching deadly barrages on Kyiv, and the following month said in a social media post that the Russian leader "has gone absolutely CRAZY!". While Rutte was in Washington, Trump's special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Zelenskyy said he had "a productive conversation" with Kellogg about strengthening Ukrainian air defenses, joint arms production and purchasing U.S. weapons in conjunction with European countries, as well as the possibility of tighter international sanctions on the Kremlin. "We hope for the leadership of the United States, because it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its ambitions are stopped by force," Zelenskyy said on Telegram. Patriot missiles Russia has pounded Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv, with hundreds of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles that Ukraine's air defenses struggle to counter. June brought the highest monthly civilian casualties of the past three years, with 232 people killed and 1,343 wounded, the U.N. human rights mission in Ukraine said. At the same time, Russia's bigger army is making a new effort to drive back Ukrainian defenders on parts of the 620-mile front line. Trump confirmed the U.S. is sending Ukraine more badly needed Patriot air defense missiles and that the European Union will pay the U.S. for the "various pieces of very sophisticated" weaponry. A senior Russian lawmaker, Konstantin Kosachev, said Trump's plan had "only one beneficiary the US military-industrial complex." Germany has offered to finance two Patriot systems, government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said Monday in Berlin. The country has already given three of its own Patriot systems to Ukraine. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was traveling to Washington on Monday to meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. 'Record level' A top ally of Trump, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said Sunday the conflict is nearing an inflection point as Trump shows growing interest in helping Ukraine fight back against Russia's full-scale invasion. Though Trump previously dismissed the effort as a waste of U.S. taxpayer money, Graham told CBS' "Face the Nation" that "you'll see weapons flowing at a record level." "One of the biggest miscalculations Putin has made is to play Trump," he said. "And you just watch, in the coming days and weeks, there's going to be a massive effort to get Putin to the table." Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's envoy for international investment who took part in talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia in February, dismissed what he said were efforts to drive a wedge between Moscow and Washington. "Constructive dialogue between Russia and the United States is more effective than doomed-to-fail attempts at pressure," Dmitriev said in a post on Telegram. "This dialogue will continue, despite titanic efforts to disrupt it by all possible means." China expresses condolences over passing of Nigerian former President Buhari Xinhua) 08:52, July 15, 2025 BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- China expresses deep condolences over the passing of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday. "China expresses sincere sympathies to the Nigerian government and people, as well as to former president Buhari's family," Lin told a daily press briefing. Lin said that former President Buhari was an important leader of Nigeria, leading the Nigerian people to achieve remarkable accomplishments on the path of its national construction, adding that he was also a good friend of the Chinese people who had made significant contributions to promoting China-Nigeria relations and the mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation between the two countries. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 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: This diagram shows the trajectory of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passes through the solar system. It will make its closest approach to the Sun in October. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech A team of international astronomers, including a University of Michigan doctoral student, were the first to publish the discovery of just the third known interstellar object to visit our solar system on July 3. Now, two of the researchers involvedAster Taylor of the U-M Department of Astronomy and Darryl Seligman of Michigan State Universityhave authored a new study starting to characterize this far-flung object, dubbed 3I/ATLAS. Interstellar objects are born outside our solar system and cruise through it without falling into a stable orbit around the sun. 3I/ATLAS and its two predecessors have opened rare, invaluable opportunities for researchers to learn new things about distant parts of our galaxy. "This is what we're here forfinding objects like this, making the public aware of them and generating excitement," said Aster Taylor, a Fannie and John Hertz Fellow in the U-M Department of Astronomy. That public excitement, in turn, keeps momentum going for funding and the new tools to enable future discoveries. For example, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, came online this summer. Although it did not discover 3I/ATLAS, it's projected to find one or two new interstellar objects per year, Taylor said. "It's an auspicious time to find cool objects," Taylor said. "We're excited about three, but if we can get to 10 or more of these things, then we'll have a reasonable sample and we'll be really excited about that." Both reports are available as preprints on arXiv. Taylor and Seligman also authored an op-ed about the discovery for Space.com. Tale of the tape The discovery of 3I/ATLAS was made possible by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System. ATLAS consists of four telescopestwo in Hawaii, one in Chile and one in South Africathat automatically scan the whole sky several times every night looking for moving objects. ATLAS's name hints at one of the most pressing factoids about this object: It's not going to make terrestrial impact. That is, it won't crash into Earth. In fact, it won't get any closer to us than we are to the sun. Also, it's likely a comet, Taylor said. It's enveloped by what's known as a coma, a fuzzy cloud of gas and dust around its rocky nucleus. As 3I/ATLAS nears the sun, that coma will likely evolve and reveal interesting clues about its composition. "3I/ATLAS likely contains ices, especially below the surface, and those ices may start to activate as it nears the sun," said Seligman, a postdoctoral fellow at MSU. "But until we detect specific gas emissions, like H 2 O, CO or CO 2 , we can't say for sure what kinds of ice or how much there is." Over the coming months, space telescopes like Hubble and JWST will be able to zoom in on 3I/ATLAS to probe these and other questions about its size, spin and how it reacts to being heated. "We have these images of 3I/ATLAS where it's not entirely clear and it looks fuzzier than the other stars in the same image," said James Wray, a professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology who was involved in the discovery. "The object is pretty far away and, so, we just don't know." Still, the researchers were able to work out some important characteristics from their initial observations. Specifically, 3I/ATLAS is faster, larger and older than its predecessors, 1I/'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov. This animation shows the observations of comet 3I/ATLAS when it was discovered on July 1, 2025. The NASA-funded ATLAS survey telescope in Chile first reported that the comet originated from interstellar space. Credit: ATLAS/University of Hawaii/NASA 3I/ATLAS has a hyperbolic velocity of just under 60 kilometers per secondroughly 130,000 miles per hourcompared to 26 for 'Oumuamua and 32 for Borisov. The diameter of 3I/ATLAS is currently estimated to be as much as 10 kilometers, or 6 miles, which would be 100 times that of 'Oumuamua and 10 times that of Borisov. But Taylor is confident those numbers will shrink as astronomers get better observations of 3I/ATLAS. Such a large size would imply galaxies are way more efficient at making these kinds of objects than is physically possible. Finally, 'Oumuamua and Borisov have ages measured in millions of years, while 3I/ATLAS appears to be between 3 billion and 11 billion years old. "It's a wide range," Taylor said. "But 11 billion years is pretty old. It's about as old as the galaxy." This is another number that Taylor suspects will ultimately turn out to be toward the smaller end of the range. But it will be interesting regardless because it can provide more clues about how our galaxy was forming stars, planets and other objects earlier in its history. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The discovery Taylor was recruited for the project while traveling to help confirm 3I/ATLAS was an interstellar object and make early characterizations. And there was a time crunch. If the ATLAS team had noticed 3I, odds were other astronomers had, too, and the team wanted to confirm its suspicions and get the news out first. "I was fully on vacation in Fiji with my family when this was announced. When I heard, I just thought, 'All right. Well, that's my next two days,'" Taylor said. "It's very exciting, but it's also more stressful than you might think." Seligman had a little bit more notice, but not much. News started to spread within the group on July 1. "I heard something about the object before I went to bed, but we didn't have a lot of information yet," Seligman said. "By the time I woke up around 1 a.m., my colleagues, Marco Micheli from the European Southern Observatory and Davide Farnocchia from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, were emailing me that this was likely for real. I started sending messages telling everyone to turn their telescopes to look at this object." Larry Denneau, a member of the ATLAS team, reviewed and submitted the discovery observations from the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile shortly after it was observed. "We have had false alarms in the past about interesting objects, so we know not to get too excited on the first day," Denneau said. "But the incoming observations were all consistent, and late that night it looked like we had the real thing." John Tonry, another member of ATLAS and professor at the University of Hawaii, was instrumental in the design and construction of ATLAS, the survey that discovered 3I. "It's really gratifying every time our hard work surveying the sky discovers something new, and this comet that has been traveling for millions of years from another star system is particularly interesting," he said. Once 3I/ATLAS was confirmed, Seligman and Karen Meech, faculty chair for the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii, both managed the communications flow and worked on getting the data pulled together for submitting the paper. "Once 3I/ATLAS was identified as likely interstellar, we mobilized rapidly," Meech said. "We activated observing time on major facilities like the Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope and the Gemini Observatory to capture early, high-quality data and build a foundation for detailed follow-up studies." More information: Aster G. Taylor et al, The Kinematic Age of 3I/ATLAS and its Implications for Early Planet Formation, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2507.08111 Journal information: arXiv 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 One hundred years after a Tennessee teacher named John Scopes started a legal battle over what the state's schools can teach children, Americans are still divided over evolution. Scopes was charged with violating Tennessee law by teaching evolution, in a highly publicized July 1925 trial that led to national debate over evolution and education. The trial tested whether a law introduced that year really could punish teachers over evolution lessons. It could and did: Scopes was fined US $100 (74). But here's the weird part: while Americans remain deeply divided about whether humans evolved from earlier species, our British predecessors largely settled this question decades before the Scopes trial. According to think tank Pew Research Center data from 2020, only 64% of Americans accept that "humans and other living things have evolved over time." Meanwhile, 73% of Brits are fine with the idea that they share a common ancestor with chimpanzees. That nine-percentage-point gap might not sound like much, but it represents millions of people who think Darwin was peddling fake news. From 1985 to 2010, Americans were in what researchers call a statistical dead heat between acceptance and rejection of evolutionwhich is academic-speak for people couldn't decide if we were descended from apes or Adam and Eve. Here's where things get psychologically fascinating. Research into misinformation and cognitive biases suggests that fundamentalism operates on a principle known as motivated reasoning. This means selectively interpreting evidence to reach predetermined conclusions. And a 2018 review of social and computer science research also found that fake news seems to spread because it confirms what people already want to believe. Evolution denial may work the same way. Religious fundamentalism is what researchers call "the strongest predictor" of the rejection of evolution. A 2019 study of 900 participants found that belief in fake news headlines was associated with delusionality, dogmatism, religious fundamentalism and reduced analytic thinking. High personal religiosity, as seen in the US, reinforced by communities of like-minded believers, can create resistance to evolutionary science. This pattern is pronounced among Southern Baptiststhe largest Protestant denomination in the USwhere 61% believe the Bible is the literal word of God, compared to 31% of Americans overall. The persistence of this conflict is fueled by organized creationist movements that reinforce religious skepticism. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Brain imaging studies show that people with fundamentalist beliefs seem to have reduced activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortexthe brain region responsible for cognitive flexibility and analytical thinking. When this area is damaged or less active, people become more prone to accepting claims without sufficient evidence and show increased resistance to changing their beliefs when presented with contradictory information. Studies of brain-injured patients show damage to prefrontal networks that normally help us question information may lead to increased fundamentalist beliefs and reduced skepticism. Fundamentalist psychology helps explain the US position in international evolution acceptance surveys. In a 2006 study of over 33,000 people from 34 countries, only Turkey ranked lower than the US, with about 27% accepting evolution compared to America's 40% at the time. Among the developed nations surveyed, the US consistently ranks near the bottoma pattern that persists in more recent international comparisons. Research shows that political polarization on evolution has historically been much stronger in the US than in Europe or Japan, where the issue rarely becomes a campaign talking point. In the US, anti-evolution bills are still being introduced in state legislatures. In the UK, belief in evolution became accepted among respectable clergymen around 1896, according to church historian Owen Chadwick's analysis of Victorian Christianity. But why did British religious institutions embrace science while American ones declared war? The answer lies in different approaches to intellectual challenges. British Anglicanism has a centuries-old tradition of seeking a "via media"a middle way between extremesthat allows church leaders to accommodate new ideas without abandoning core beliefs. Historian Peter documented how British religious leaders actively worked to reconcile science and religion, developing theological frameworks that embraced scientific discoveries as revealing God's methods rather than contradicting divine authority. Anglican bishops and scholars tended to treat evolution as God's method of creation rather than a threat to faith itself. The Church of England's hierarchical structure meant that when educated clergy accepted evolution, the institutional framework often followed suit. A 2024 paper argued that many UK church leaders still view science and religion as complementary rather than conflicting. A different approach The British experience proves it's possible to reconcile science and faith. But changing American minds requires understanding that evolution acceptance isn't really about biologyit's about identity, belonging, and the fundamental question of who gets to define truth. People don't reject evolution because they've carefully studied the evidence. They reject it because it threatens their identity. This creates a context where education alone can't overcome deeply held convictions. Misinformation intervention research suggests that inoculation strategies, such as highlighting the scientific consensus on climate change, work better than debunking individual articles. But evolution education needs to be sensitive. Consensus messaging helps, but only when it doesn't threaten people's core identities. For example, framing evolution as a function of "how" life develops, rather than "why" it exists, allows people to maintain religious belief while accepting the scientific evidence for natural selection. People's views can change. A review published in 2024 analyzed data that followed the same Gen X people in the US over 33 years. It found that as they grew up, people developed more acceptance of evolution, though typically because of factors such as education and obtaining university degrees. But people who were taught at a private school seemed less likely to become more accepting of evolution as they aged. As we face new waves of scientific misinformation, the century since the Scopes trial teaches us that evidence alone won't necessarily change people's minds. Understanding the psychology of belief might be our best hope for evolving past our own cognitive limitations. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Rosenstiel School scientists outplant the first "Flonduran" elkhorn corals. Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School In a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind milestone for coral restoration, scientists from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, Tela Marine and The Florida Aquarium have outplanted elkhorn corals onto a Miami reef that were produced by breeding elkhorn parents from Florida with elkhorn parents from an unusually warm reef in Honduras. These "Flonduran" elkhorn corals could hold the genetic keys to increase the diversity of Florida's remaining elkhorn coral gene pool, while also potentially enhancing their heat tolerance and overall resilience. "Elkhorn coral is a critically endangered species and one of the most important reef-building corals in the Caribbean," said Andrew Baker, Professor of Marine Biology and Ecology at the Rosenstiel School and director of the Coral Reef Futures Lab. "Its large, branching structure creates vital habitat for marine life, helps reefs grow, and acts as a natural barrier protecting coastlines from storms." Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) populations have declined by more than 99% since the 1980s due to disease, warming oceans, and other stressorsmaking it a key focus of coral restoration efforts. In June 2024, a research team led by Baker collaborated with Tela Marine in Tela Bay, Honduras, to conduct genetic sampling and collect spawning-sized fragments of the unusually resilient corals of Tela Bay. Tela Bay's reefs thrive despite unusually warm water temperatures, low visibility, and agricultural fertilizer runoffconditions that typically devastate coral ecosystems elsewhere. Baker's lab collected hundreds of DNA samples from 10 coral species from Tela Bay to investigate genetic traits that can provide clues to their ability to withstand heat. They also transported 13 Elkhorn coral fragments to Miami with the aim of crossbreeding them with Florida elkhorn colonies to boost thermal resilience. Shortly after their arrival, seven of the Honduran elkhorn coral colonies were transported to The Florida Aquarium's Coral Conservation and Research Center in Apollo Beach, Floridathe first facility in the world to successfully induce elkhorn coral to spawn in a laboratory. In July 2024, the colonies were successfully spawned at the Rosenstiel School and The Florida Aquarium. "At the Aquarium, the corals from Honduras spawned on the same nights as Florida's elkhorn corals, allowing us to create more than 200 Flonduran coral babies," said Keri O'Neil, Senior Scientist and Director of the Coral Conservation Program at The Florida Aquarium. "After nearly a year of careful care, the first 35 Flonduran babies and 35 Florida elkhorn coral babies have returned to the ocean off Miami to help rebuild and strengthen future reefs. We're hopeful these babies will lead to stronger, more resilient coral populations across the Caribbean." "Corals don't know international boundaries," said Baker. "By working together across borders, we're helping these critical reef-builders strengthen the entire Caribbean population. This outplanting is also an important pilot to see how these babies fare as water temperatures start to warm this summer, informing our next steps for coral restoration." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Baker views this collaboration as a pivotal moment in global coral conservation, demonstrating the power of scientific and regulatory partnerships that can transcend borders to preserve biodiversity. By fusing genetic material from resilient coral populations in Honduras and Florida, researchers aim to restore not only the structural integrity of reefs but also their ecological functions across the Caribbean. "The successful spawning and outplanting of Flonduran coral babies underscore the importance of combining innovation with international cooperation in combating the increasing threats faced by coral ecosystems," Baker added. "Tela Bay's reefs have shown us that corals can survive and even thrive in challenging, warm-water environments," said Antal Borcsok, CEO and co-founder of Tela Marine. "By sharing this resilience and collaborating across borders, we are giving elkhorn coral a better chance not just in Honduras, but across the Caribbean." This historic step mixes two coral populations mirrors natural processes in the wild and is critical to the species' survival. "Restoring Florida's elkhorn coral will take a coordinated genetic-rescue effortmuch like the successful Florida panther recoverycombining legacy Florida colonies with carefully selected, genetically compatible non-local colonies from the western Caribbean," said Mike Tringali, FWC's Senior Research Scientist. "The benefits outweigh the genetic risks." "NOAA was proud to support this work and partner with the University of Miami to advance technologies that strengthen Florida's coral reef resilience," said Jennifer Koss, director of NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. "This effort stems from a National Academies study we commissioned on coral interventions, and we're excited to see how quickly these innovations are being put into action." The remaining parent colonies at The Florida Aquarium and the Rosenstiel School continue to thrive, ensuring the ability to produce more Flonduran babies in future spawning seasonshelping to rebuild and strengthen coral reefs across the Caribbean for years to come. 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: Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science PhD student Tianzheng Liu, left, and Department of Biomedical Engineering Professor Sha Jin have developed a method to turn food waste into biodegradable plastic. Credit: Jonathan Cohen According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 30% to 40% of the nation's food supply ends up being wasted. That adds up to billions of pounds every year rotting in landfills and emitting greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide. Plastic is also piling up around the globe, with disintegrating bottles and bags leading to increasing fears about microplastics getting into our water supplies and our bodies. Imagine if even a fraction of our food waste could be turned into biodegradable plasticsolving two problems and making our planet healthier in the long term. A team at Binghamton University is doing pioneering research on this idea, and they recently published a paper in the journal Bioresource Technology offering fundamental findings for any company interested in scaling up the process. Tianzheng Liu, who is receiving his Ph.D. this fall, led the project with faculty support from Professor Sha Jin and SUNY Distinguished Professor and Chair Kaiming Ye from the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science's Department of Biomedical Engineering. "Being published quickly speaks to the importance of this research," Jin said. "The reviewers commented that 'the manuscript demonstrates significant scientific merit, novelty and environmental relevance.'" Jin first became interested in food waste in 2022, and began to explore the issue. "We can utilize food waste as a resource to convert into so many industrial products, and biodegradable polymers are just one of them," she said. "We're aiming not only to valorize food waste but also to reduce the manufacturing cost of this eco-friendly polymer. There are also different options, like generating biofuels and biochemicals." Current biodegradable plastic production can be costly because it relies on refined sugar substrates and pure cultures of microorganisms. As part of this research, the Binghamton team fed Cupriavidus necator bacteria with lactic acid fermented from food waste (which served as a necessary carbon source) and additional ammonium sulfate (as a nitrogen source). The bacteria synthesize polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) plastic as a means of storing carbon and energy. About 90% of the PHA that the bacteria make can be harvested and shaped into biodegradable packaging and other products. Before joining this project, Liu's biomedical experience centered on stem cell research, so finding the right elements in the correct proportions for success proved to be "full of challenges." "The bioconversion of food waste into organic acids was a relatively easy one. Cultivation of the plastic-producing bacteria was hard, because at the beginning I didn't have experience with bacteria fermentation for producing biopolymer," he said. "At every move, I felt like something was not what I expected." Jin is grateful to Sodexo and Binghamton University Dining Services for supplying the food waste used for the experiments. "I talked to the sustainability officer at the university and learned that SUNY doesn't allow landfill food wastethat's the policy," she said. "Each campus is expected to solve the problem. At Binghamton, the dining halls give wasted food to farmers to feed their livestock. I thought maybe we could try to directly convert that food waste into biodegradable plastics. There was little information from research publications about the feasibility of this idea, so we felt like maybe that was the gap we could work on." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The Binghamton team answered a few questions critical to the food-to-plastic process. For example, food waste can be stored for at least one week without any adverse effects to the bioconversion process, which offers flexibility for collection on an industrial scale. The team also determined whether the bioconversion depended on any specific food type, and how to deal with the different kinds of waste that a collection center would get. "We discovered that the process is very robust, as long as we have different types of food mixed in at the same ratio," Jin said. "We control the temperature and the pH during fermentation, and those conditions encourage organic acid-producing bacteria to grow." She even has plans for the solid residue left over from the fermenting process. It looks like a paste, and the team is developing it into an organic fertilizer as a better alternative to the standard chemical mix. For the next step, Jin would like to scale up the process to make sure it continues to perform as expected with expanding plastic production. That means seeking more grant funding or teaming up with an industrial partner. More information: Tianzheng Liu et al, Global transcriptomics reveals carbon footprint of food waste in the bioconversion of ecofriendly polymers, Bioresource Technology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132719 Journal information: Bioresource Technology 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: Ben Mack from Pexels Researchers at La Trobe University, Australia, and the University of Utah, U.S., report that recent DNA findings challenge claims of a 65,000-year-old human arrival in Sahulthe ancient paleocontinent that existed during the Pleistocene ice age, made up of present-day Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. Science tends to be irreverent of preexisting beliefs. Overturning the Earth-centric universe with one that centers around the sun upset thousands of years of well-reasoned observations and mythical contemplations. Later discoveries showed that the sun itself moves along a rural stretch of a spiral arm amidst hundreds of billions of stars in the Milky Way, in a universe brimming with trillions of galaxies, firmly upending any concept of humanity being at or even near the center of anything. Archaeological anthropology has gained an especially irreverent reputation, as there is scarcely an origin story of any culture on Earth that has not been amended or refuted by its findings. That irreverence also applies to the field itself when evidence emerges to question long-accepted interpretations, including those once presented as prevailing frameworks. Human migration into Sahul is a pivotal event in understanding the global dispersal of current modern humans. Earlier archaeological work proposed dates as far back as 65 kya, and with good supporting evidence. Mololo Cave on Waigeo Island, immediately west of New Guinea, holds a resin artifact dated to 51.1 2.7 kya. Sulawesi cave art on an Indonesian island dates to approximately 51.2 kya, supporting human presence along a possible northern migration route. At the Madjedbebe site in Northern Australia, multiple dating techniques present evidence of 65 kya stone tools and other human activity. With such convincing evidence of early human population presence in ancient Oceania, it is easy to see how an over 50 kya timeline for arrival in Australia was reachedbut there is a problem. Two studies recently published in Nature and Science both find that Neanderthal interbreeding with anatomically modern humans occurred only once, in Europe, between approximately 43.5 kya and 51.5 kya. Previous evidence shows that all current modern humans outside of Africa carry approximately 2% Neanderthal DNA in their genomes. If the Neanderthal DNA in indigenous Sahul populations matches that of other populations, it could place a hard limit on when their ancestors made the journey. In the study, "Recent DNA Studies Question a 65 kya Arrival of Humans in Sahul," published in Archaeology in Oceania, researchers conducted a comparative analysis of Neanderthal and Denisovan genetic signatures in living Sahul populations to determine whether they align with other non-African populations. Evidence shows that living Sahul populations carry approximately 2% Neanderthal DNA in their genomes, with no dilution of Neanderthal ancestry in Sahulians compared to other non-African populations has been observed. Denisovan ancestry in Sahul ranges between 2% and 5%. No substantial admixture is detected from Homo erectus, Homo floresiensis, or Homo luzonensis. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Researchers conclude that genetic evidence does not support a timeline earlier than approximately 50 kya for human settlement in Sahul. Findings suggest a scenario in which modern humans dispersed rapidly eastward after Neanderthal interbreeding, later acquiring Denisovan genetic signatures during movement through Asia. While genomic evidence supports this less than 50 kya scenario, it leaves looming large questions about the evidence showing much older occupation. It could be evidence of an earlier expansion of current modern humans who either died out, avoided Neanderthal admixture out of Africa, or only minimally contributed to current population genetics. Not covered in the current study is the possibility of a non-current modern human presence. The recent genomic identification of a Homo longi skull from the 146k-year-old "Dragon Man" from Harbin, northeastern China, along with even older evidence from Tibet show that Denisovans have a long history across East Asia, inhabiting a wide range of habitats. If there were Denisovan populations in Sahul or in the greater Oceania island region, it might explain some of the earliest site evidence. Some previous research has already found that the indigenous Ayta Magbukon people in the Philippines, who retain the highest levels of Denisovan gene admixture in the world at up to 9%, were found to have experienced an independent Denisovan admixture event than the next highest group, Australians and Papuans (at up to 6% Denisovan admixture). Regardless of the next prevailing framework that emerges from the inclusion of new genome-based tools and improved site-dating methods, the history that people write for themselves based on science or myth will likely be overturned a few more times by the irreverent research of archaeological anthropologists. Written for you by our author Justin Jackson, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Andrew Zininthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you. More information: Jim Allen et al, Recent DNA Studies Question a 65 kya Arrival of Humans in Sahul, Archaeology in Oceania (2025). DOI: 10.1002/arco.70002 Journal information: Science , Nature 2025 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Offshore wind farm. Credit: Thunen Institute/Vanessa Stelzenmuller A cooperation between the Thunen Institute of Sea Fisheries in Bremerhaven and the offshore wind farm operator Northland Power provides insights into the fish communities of a wind farm in the southern German Bight for the first time. During a research trip to the Nordsee One wind farm north of Norderney, scientists investigated which fish species are present at the wind turbines and how the composition of the existing species differs from other wind power sites. For their investigations, the researchers used a combination of fishing and underwater cameras. "This allowed us to record a particularly wide range of fish species that reside in and around the foundations of the wind turbine," explains Vanessa Stelzenmuller from the Thunen Institute of Sea Fisheries, who led the study. Many fish species find a new home between the components and stone fills. "But we cannot take samples there with the usual fishing methods such as trawling," says Stelzenmuller. The investigations at the Nordsee One wind farm are not the first. Earlier studies by the Thunen Institute near Heligoland had shown that different fish species settle depending on the construction method and foundation of the wind turbines. The new studies now show that the composition of the fish community does not only depend on the type of foundation. In the southern German Bight, they differ significantly from those in Heligoland. In the wind farms there, the researchers caught mainly cod (Gadus morhua), mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and wood mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and detected pollack (Pollachius pollachius), for example, through underwater images. In the southern wind farm, on the other hand, French cod (Trisopterus luscus) and dwarf cod (Trisopterus minutus) were the main targets, along with mackerel and wood mackerel. Another interesting finding is that the researchers encountered the striped blenny (Parablennius gattorugine), a species typically found on rocky seabeds. In addition to the already known occurrence of crabs (Cancer pagurus), velvet crabs (Portunus puber) were detected within the wind farm. This substantiates the thesis that the artificially created structures and especially the scour protection, which was installed from stones around the foundations, create a reef effect. Credit: Thunen Institute/Vanessa Stelzenmuller Why the fish communities in the southern and northern German Bight differ has not yet been conclusively clarified. One assumption is that, in addition to different water mass characteristics, even small differences in the diameter of the stones used for scour protection play a role. Managing Director Till Frohloff of the Nordsee One wind farm says, "It was very important to us to actively support the scientific investigations in the wind farm. This is the only way we can gain reliable insights into how our plants influence the marine ecosystem. The results of this research are of great value to us. We will use them in a targeted manner to ensure that our impact on the existing ecosystem remains as minimal and sustainable as possible in the future after dismantling has been completed." The study shows that offshore wind farms not only help to secure the energy supply, but also influence the marine ecosystem with their structures. From the perspective of both scientists and operators, these effects should be taken into account in the context of land development planning with regard to land planning, construction, operational extensions and dismantling of offshore wind farms. More information: Impact of the use of offshore wind and other marine renewables on European fisheries. www.thuenen.de/en/institutes/s n-european-fisheries Provided by Johann Heinrich von Thunen-Institut 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: Conceptualization of Nankoweap landslide that brought down large boulders of Kaibab Limestone from the cliffs at left and created a geologically short-lived paleolake in Grand Canyon. Credit: Karl Karlstrom Geology is full of detective stories about the Earth's history, and a new paper in Geology by University of New Mexico Distinguished Professors Emeritus Karl Karlstrom and Laurie Crossey, along with their coauthors, links two iconic geologic landmarks of the American Southwest: the Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater. The article, titled "Grand Canyon landslidedam and paleolake triggered by the Meteor Crater impact at 56 ka," highlights the striking coincidence in the geologic ages of a meteor impact and a landslide dam that blocked the Colorado River, forming a paleolake in the Grand Canyon about 56,000 years ago. The study also includes a compelling backstory involving multiple generations of scientists, advances in scientific methods, and an international team of collaborators. "It would have required a tentimes bigger flood level than any flood that has happened in the past several thousand years. Or maybe they are very old deposits left as the river carved down, or maybe they floated in from a paleolake caused by a downstream lava dam or landslide dam? We needed to know the age of the cave deposits," said Karlstrom. In the mid 1960's, Karlstrom's father, Thor, was in the cave as part of crossdisciplinary geologyarcheology research. They found evidence of species that went extinct in the Grand Canyon, like the California condor and Harrington's mountain goat; they also found split twig figurines made 3,0004,000 years ago by the ancestors of tribes that lived around the Grand Canyon. The driftwood was dated to be greater than 35,000 years, which was near the limit of the radiocarbon dating method at the time; this age was recalculated in 1984 to 43,500 years. The new paper, using new methods and analyses from two labs in New Zealand and Australia, reports a date of 56,000 years old. The coauthor team involved Chris Bastien, who serendipitously was working on the Stanton's driftwood collections housed at the University of Arizona Tree Ring laboratory, and David Kring, who was science coordinator for Meteor Crater and who had been working to recalculate Meteor Crater ages (53,00063,000 years old by different methods). When coauthor Jonathan Palmer from the Australian lab was on a road trip to the U.S., he visited both Meteor Crater and Bastien at the UA lab and noted the striking coincidence of ages that set this paper in motion. "From numerous research trips, Karl and I knew of other highlyaccessible caves that had both driftwood and sediment that could be dated," said Crossey. Jason Ballensky explores lake sediment deposited in Marble Canyon caves the alternating sandsilt deposits resemble those of the delta forming in Lake Mead today. Credit: Karl Karlstrom They sent another driftwood sample to the Australia and New Zealand labs, and sediment samples to Tammy Rittenour at Utah State University (USU). Having two dating methods was a key part of this study. Both came back with statistically indistinguishable 55,600yearold dates. In the 1980s, Richard Hereford of the USGS in Flagstaff proposed that there was a rockslide near Nankoweap Canyon at RM 52, about 22 RM downstream of Stanton's Cave, that might have formed a dam and a paleolake that backed up water and that allowed driftwood to float into Stanton's cave. This hypothesis now came back into the limelight with the additional 56,000yearold samples from different caves high above the river. Grand Canyon caver Jason Ballensky had even seen beaver tracks way up and way back in Vasey's Paradise caves, in a place that would be inaccessible to beavers. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Their combined results, of how deep and long the paleolake is thought to have been, are shown in the Colorado River Profile graph. Findings reported in the Geology paper are as follows. Driftwood and sediment are found in many caves as high as 940 m elevation such that the lake backed up water above Lees Ferry, where boating trips launch the paleolake hypothesis seemed to be "holding water." There are two places where the reddish chaotic dam material at Nankoweap Canyon is overlain by rounded, fartraveled and identifiable river cobbles, suggesting there was a dam there that got overtopped and deeply eroded, likely within less than 1000 years based on analogies to modern concrete dams are filling up with sediment. so the landslide dam idea was "falling together". Was the Meteor Crater impact enough to cause such a landslide? Kring has written about the physics of this and other impacts and has calculated that the impact would have set off a magnitude 5.4 earthquake (or even M6 using different assumptions) and that the shock wave would still have been ~M3.5 after traveling (in seconds) the 100 mile distance to Grand Canyon. So, the impact could have "shaken loose" the steep cliffs of Grand Canyon that were "waiting and ready to go" as shown by numerous rock falls that happen in Grand Canyon. "The team put together these arguments without claiming we have final proof; there are other possibilities, such as a random rockfall or local earthquake within a thousand years of the Meteor Crater impact that could have happened independently," explained Karlstrom. "Nevertheless, the meteorite impact, the massive landslide, the lake deposits, and the driftwood high above river level are all rare and unusual occurrences. The mean of dates from them converge into a narrow window of time at 55,600 1,300 years ago, which gives credence to the hypothesis that they were causally related." More information: Grand Canyon landslide-dam and paleolake triggered by the Meteor Crater impact at 56 ka, Geology (2025). doi.org/10.1130/G53571.1 Journal information: Geology 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: Apollo-12 astronaut Alan L. Bean operating on the lunar lander. Credit: NASA When the first astronauts walked on the moon as part of the Apollo Program, the concept of lunar habitats ceased being the stuff of science fiction and became a matter of scientific study. With several space agencies planning on sending crewed missions to the moon in the coming decade, these plans have become the subject of scientific interest again. Structures that will enable a "sustained program of lunar science and development" is the long-term aim of NASA's Artemis Program. China and the ESA have similar plans with the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) and the Moon Village. To limit the amount of materials that need to be launched for the moon and reduce reliance on Earth, these plans will incorporate local resources for building materials and resourcesin-situ resource utilization (ISRU). In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers from Poland and the U.K. proposed a developmental pathway for a lunar habitat that begins with a dome built using a regolith-based geopolymer. This dome would enclose a 17-meter (~56 ft) diameter crater in the Mare Tranquillitatis region that would house all the necessary buildings for a lunar base. The research was led by Magdalena Mrozek, a Research Assistant with the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, Poland. She was joined by Dawid Mrozek and Mateusz Smolana, also researchers from the Silesian University of Technology, and Lorna Anguilano, a Senior Research Fellow with the Brunel University London, and the Assistant Director of the Wolfson Center for Sustainable materials development and Processing. The concept outlined in their paper represents a simplified concept for a lunar base that would leverage ISRU and the production of geopolymers on-site. The site location also offers several advantages, not the least of which is protection from meteoroid impacts and the ejecta these produce. They also selected a mare region, which are lower in elevation than highland terrains and have a higher crater density. In addition, the Mare Tranquillitatis region near the Apollo 11 landing site (0.67 North by 23.47 East) was selected because of the sample data provided by moonrocks brought back by the Apollo-12 astronauts. As Mrozek told Universe Today via email: The authors analyzed the concept of a covering lid for their hypothetical lunar crater, which measures 17 meters (~56 ft) in diameter and 6 meters (~20 ft) in depth. This is consistent with craters in the Mare Tranquillitatis region, which average about 20 meters by 8 meters (65.5 by 26.25 ft). The next step was to conduct a numerical analysis to identify the appropriate dimensions and shapes for a lunar structure that could handle the load transfers and maintain an Earth-like atmospheric pressure (1,013.25 millibars or 1 bar) within. The next step was to select building materials that could handle the internal stress distributions and be produced on-site using local resources. Ultimately, they selected lunar regolith-based geopolymers (GP), which consist of synthetic, inorganic monomers primarily composed of aluminum and silicon and have distinctive mechanical properties analogous to cement concrete. This is advantageous given that lunar regolith contains an average of 45% silicon oxide (SiO) by weight. The geopolymer they created consisted of a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, sodium silicate water glass (NaO x nSiO x nHO), and the lunar highlands regolith simulant LHS-1 produced by Exolith Lab. Location of the site for the analyzed structurea hypothetical crater near a 0.67 latitude North and a 23.47 longitude East within the selenographic coordinate system. Credit: NASA "The creation of building materials from original lunar regolith is not a viable option; therefore, one of the available lunar regolith simulants on the market must be used," said Mrozek. "We selected LHS, produced by Space Resource Technologies. Utilizing this material, we developed a geopolymer, which was subsequently tested to obtain the strength parameters that were input into the numerical model. The forces acting on a lunar structure differ significantly from those experienced on Earth; consequently, we needed to abandon certain methodologies applicable on Earth and re-examine the problem from a novel perspective. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The curing conditions for the samples were subjected to were selected to simulate lunar conditions in the Mare Tranquillitatis region. While temperatures range from 120C during lunar day and -180C during lunar night (248 to -292F), they do not drop below 60C (140F) for seven terrestrial days, which is conducive to the geopolymerization process. With these considerations in mind, the team cured their samples in a thermal vacuum chamber at 60C and a pressure of 50 hPa (50 millibars), consistent with the near-vacuum conditions on the moon. After a total curing period of 28 days, the materials were subjected to bending and compression tests and analyzed using electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These tests revealed that their regolith-based geopolymer had strength and elasticity comparable to masonry cement-sand calcium-silicate. The geopolymer and the design they selected could very well enable the construction of lunar bases in cratered mare regions, thus realizing a key goal of NASA's Artemis Program. Said Mrozek: "We are civil engineers, which is why our paper concentrates on this specific area of inquiry. However, we are currently collaborating with a diverse range of specialists from various countries in disciplines such as architecture, physics, geology, and chemistry. We are currently engaged in preparations for the initiation of a project of a lunar base, which will be significantly more complex and detailed." More information: Magdalena Mrozek et al, Concept and preliminary structural analysis of a crater-covering dome for future lunar habitats, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-07901-x Journal information: Scientific Reports This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Extension of the MaxwellBoltzmann distribution to real gases Credit: Authors own work, pictures of Boltzmann and Maxwell downloaed from Wikipedia, public domain The MaxwellBoltzmann distribution describes the probability distribution of molecular speeds in a sample of an ideal gas. Introduced over 150 years ago, it is based on the work of Scottish physicist and mathematician James Clerk Maxwell (18311879) and Austrian mathematician and theoretical physicist Ludwig Boltzmann (18441906). Today, the distribution and its implications are commonly taught to undergraduate students in chemistry and physics, particularly in introductory courses on physical chemistry or statistical mechanics. In a recent theoretical paper, I introduced a novel formula that extends this well-known distribution to real gases. Real gases are those that do not obey the ideal gas law, due to significant interactions between particles. These interactions result in a potential energy component in addition to the kinetic energy considered in the ideal case. Most theoretical models currently used to describe gases are valid only for ideal gases. Although several approaches exist to account for non-ideal behavior, none are universally applicable. My new work applies probability theory to derive a formula that generalizes the MaxwellBoltzmann distribution. Unlike the original, this extended distribution is not restricted to ideal gasesit can be applied to any gas sample. The core result is a mathematical proof built on a simple yet powerful observation: The physical properties of gases, whether ideal or real, are direction-independent. Although the original derivation of the MaxwellBoltzmann distribution is grounded in statistical physics and does not explicitly invoke direction-independence, its final form is nonetheless consistent with it. This new derivation asserts that direction-independence must also apply to non-ideal gases, imposing a strict mathematical constraint on the possible distributions of molecular speeds. An indirect proof shows that the components of a molecule's velocity in any direction must follow a normal distribution. Any alternative would violate the well-established central limit theorem, first formulated in 1733 by Abraham de Moivre (16671754). Using the rules for summing independent random variables, I derived the full three-dimensional speed distribution, which corresponds to a chi distribution with three degrees of freedom. The resulting generalized formula closely resembles the original one for ideal gases. However, instead of temperaturethe sole parameter in the MaxwellBoltzmann distributionthe new formula involves the product of pressure and molar volume. This product can be related to other thermodynamic parameters if the equation of state for the gas is known. This new, more general distribution offers straightforward methods for calculating average molecular speeds, collision frequencies, mean free paths, diffusion coefficients, and other key physical properties of real gasesquantities that were previously difficult or impossible to determine directly. These formulas can be systematically derived from textbook expressions for ideal gases by replacing the usual RT (gas constant times temperature) term with pV m , the product of pressure and molar volume. More broadly, the results highlight the potential of standard probability theory to enhance our understanding of other non-ideal systems as well. This story is part of Science X Dialog, where researchers can report findings from their published research articles. Visit this page for information about Science X Dialog and how to participate. More information: Gabor Lente, Direction independence as a key property to derive a particle speed distribution in real gases, Journal of Mathematical Chemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s10910-025-01742-9 Gabor Lente obtained his PhD from the University of Debrecen in Hungary in 2001. He is a full professor of chemistry at the Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science at the University of Pecs. His research focuses onmathematical reaction kinetics. He teaches advanced physical chemistry, analysis, geometry, and probability theory. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The "Distracted Boyfriend" meme has been one of the most popular of recent years. Credit: The Ohio State University Once upon a timeway back in the twentieth centurypeople got their laughs from reading comics in the newspaper. Today, many of us get our chuckles by seeing (and sharing) humorous memes online. But are these two cultural phenomena really that different? In a new article, comics scholar Michelle Ann Abate argues that memes are an important new type of digital comic. "Memes use a lot of the same visual and verbal elements that go into a comic, and those elements function in a very similar way. So yes, memes should absolutely be considered a type of comic," said Abate, a professor of literature for children and young adults at The Ohio State University's College of Education and Human Ecology. Abate wrote about memes as comics in the spring 2025 issue of INKS: The Journal of the Comics Studies Society. Abate said she started thinking about the connection between the two art forms when she noticed that she was sharing lots of memes in group chats with friends where she was also posting single-panel comics. "It occurred to me that they have that same interplay of visual and verbal elements," she said. In both comics and memes, the text and the image would not make much sense without the other. The elements work together to produce the humor. Of course, with comics, the artist normally produces both the drawing and the language. In memes, people use a base imageknown as an "image macro"and add their own commentary. Using a pre-existing visual as the basis for a meme is "akin to sampling in music," Abate said. "Someone takes that base content and repurposes it, reimagines it, and develops it into an original piece of art." Some of those base images have been used many thousands of times and become a cultural phenomenon: for instance, the "Distracted boyfriend," "Batman Slapping Robin" or "American Chopper." While memes are a relatively recent development, comics themselves have long used pre-existing images to provide others with the opportunity to add their own original language and create their own unique cartoon panel. The Caption Contest from The New Yorker embodies a well-known current example of this phenomenon. Launched in 1999, the magazine publishes a single-panel drawing each week that lacks any speech balloons or dialog boxes. Readers send in their ideas for the missing verbal element. "The New Yorker's caption contest is often framed as a type of crowdsourcing, but it is also kind of memeing," Abate said. "The platform may be a bit more highbrow, but the readers are really helping produce a meme." That said, memes and comics do possess some distinct differences. Because memes are created, read, and shared online, their panels are generally arranged vertically, rather than horizontally. That difference can be key, Abate said. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. She uses the example of the "American Chopper" meme that shows a series of five screenshots taken from an episode of the popular reality show by the same name. The meme sequence features the two main starsPaul Teutel, Sr. and his son Paul Teutel, Jr.in a heated argument. Many creators have used this meme to relay a cultural debate in which the two stars take a different side of the argument. The vertical format is perfect for reading on a smartphone or tablet where it is much easier to examine content by scrolling down rather than left to right, Abate said. But this spatial layout has another advantage in the "American Chopper" meme. Rather than reading continually from left to right, the placement of panels in a long vertical strip forces people to stop for a fraction of a second as their eyes move down to the next panel. "American Chopper" wants its readers to pause, just briefly, so they can consider the argument that has been made before they scroll down to the counterargument that appears below it. "It is that momentary delay that shifts the exchange from two people simply yelling at each other to two people debating each other," she said. "If the panels were arranged horizontally and the guys were side by side in each other's face, installments of "American Chopper' would come across very differently." That's just one illustration of how memes both mirror and modify comics, Abate said. Scott McCloud, in his book "Reinventing Comics," talked about digital comics as having an "infinite canvas" because they were no longer restricted to a certain size or shape, as they would have in a printed format. Online, a single comics panel can be as big as a city block; readers can use their cursor, arrow keys, or trackpad to explore it. Obviously, these dimensions would not work for a physical book. Memes embody this notion of "infinite canvas," but in a different way from what McCloud envisioned, Abate said. "The limitless nature of meme-based comics is not the boundless size of their panels," she wrote. "Rather, it is the inexhaustible reusability of their visual template." This infinite canvas of memes suggests they will be staying around, even as they evolve, Abate explained. "Memes have become such an important part of our lexicon in the 21st century. They are part of how we communicate, part of our sense of humor, and a key way that we connect with each other." More information: Abate, Michelle Ann. One Does Not Simply Overlook New Forms of Sequential Art: Memes as Fixed-Image Comics, Inks:The Journal of the Comics Studies Society (2025). muse.jhu.edu/article/960641 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a video update and press release on its study of Hurricane Maria's impacts on Puerto Rico. Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, 2017, was one of the most devastating and costly hurricanes in U.S. history. The storm caused nearly 3,000 deaths and more than $90 billion in damages. While nature cannot be controlled, communities can reduce the impacts of natural hazards by making their buildings and infrastructure more resilient, upgrading emergency preparedness plans for critical facilities, and strengthening evacuation and communication protocols. In 2018, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) launched an investigation into Hurricane Maria's impacts to learn what went wrong and to take steps to make Americans safer from future hurricanes. "Our goal is to learn from that event to recommend improvements to building codes, standards and practices that will make communities more resilient to hurricanes and other hazards, not just in Puerto Rico but across the United States," said NIST's lead Hurricane Maria investigator Joseph Main. The investigation has been an enormous undertaking. NIST experts have conducted hundreds of surveys and interviews, analyzed dozens of buildings, conducted laboratory experiments, and more. As NIST's National Construction Safety Team nears the end of its investigation, it has released a video update that highlights significant milestones and preliminary findings. What made hurricane maria so dangerous? Hurricane Maria set off a cascade of building and infrastructure failures across Puerto Rico that had lasting impacts on society, including health care, business and education. The storm itself was a Category 4 hurricane, with peak gusts as high as 140 mph over flat terrain, strong enough to topple trees and lift roofs off houses. The wind was even stronger along the ridges of hills and mountains, where power lines and cellphone towers were located. Those lines and towers were damaged or destroyed, knocking out electric, phone and internet service for almost the entire island. The steep mountains of Puerto Rico also intensified the rainfall, resulting in extensive flooding and more than 40,000 landslides. This destroyed roads and bridges, blocking routes to hospitals and shelters for those who badly needed them. The hospitals and shelters themselves were heavily damaged by the storm, lifesaving medical equipment was destroyed, and parts of the buildings became uninhabitable. Each of these impacts intensified others. For example, the loss of electricity made it more difficult to move patients and supplies within some hospitals because elevators stopped working. Why NIST? NIST has a long history of studying disasters and building failures. Under the National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Act, NIST is authorized to establish teams "to assess building performance and emergency response and evacuation procedures in the wake of any building failure that has resulted in substantial loss of life or that posed significant potential of substantial loss of life." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Additionally, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act gives NIST responsibility for "carrying out research and development to improve model building codes, voluntary standards, and best practices for the design, construction, and retrofit of buildings, structures, and lifelines" with the purpose of achieving "measurable reductions in the losses of life and property from windstorms." Previous NIST investigations have led to building code improvements for tornadoes and fires that can save lives in communities across the country. Responding to Hurricane Maria, NIST created a team of experts in structural and civil engineering, public health, epidemiology, medicine, anthropology, communications, sociology and economics. These experts came from NIST, other federal agencies and universities, including outside experts based in Puerto Rico. "Having a local presence has been critical in carrying out this work, especially during the pandemic," said Maria Dillard, investigation associate lead. The investigation so far The investigation is wide-ranging and has included reconnaissance of the island, creation of a detailed map of wind speeds during the hurricane, long-term measurements of wind speeds at cell towers, and wind tunnel tests. The NIST team conducted hundreds of interviews with emergency communicators; family members of the deceased; hospital, school and shelter staff members; shipping and transportation sector representatives; infrastructure officials; and others impacted by the storm. They also surveyed more than 1,500 households, 450 businesses, 300 schools and 16 hospitals for the project. Understanding the impact on hospitals and emergency shelters was a high priority for the investigators, who conducted detailed evaluations of five hospitals and five shelter facilities. This information went into computer models to understand how the hurricane and the long recovery process unfolded. During the course of the investigation, Puerto Rico was buffeted by more disasters, including a series of earthquakes that started in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Hurricane Fiona in 2022, and Tropical Storm Ernesto in 2024. These events made the recovery from Hurricane Maria more difficult and presented additional challenges for the investigation. Preliminary findings The complete report will not be released until 2026, so these findings may change before the report is finalized. However, in the video Main and Dillard share the following major preliminary findings, which they anticipate will be included in the final version. While peak wind speeds over flat terrain reached as high as 140 mph (225 km/h), those winds were accelerated to over 200 mph (322 km/h) in some areas by the shape of steep hills and mountains. The mountains also intensified the rainfall. The most extreme rainfall reached 30 inches (76 centimeters) in some areas. A major challenge for the investigation was that many weather-measuring devices were damaged during the storm. Only three out of 22 weather stations were fully functional throughout the hurricane. A Doppler weather radar site was destroyed by high winds, and the majority of rain gauges failed during the storm. Surveys with family members of those who died in the two weeks following the hurricane showed that only about one-tenth of the deaths occurred on the day of landfall and that only a small fraction of the deaths were caused by storm-related injuries. Reduced access to health care was found to be a significant factor in the deaths that occurred. The most common causes of death were noncommunicable medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney disease, as those who suffered from these conditions had difficulty obtaining the medical care they needed. Landslides, collapsed bridges and fallen trees blocking roads kept people from getting help. Such road disruptions were estimated to have cut off hospital access for just over half of the population immediately following the hurricane. Many patients sought medical care at multiple places before receiving treatment. After arriving at hospitals, patients encountered additional disruptions in care from hospital buildings that were damaged, flooded and without electrical power. The investigation also found that 95.3% of schools lost power, for an average of over 100 days. Lack of potable water was also an issue for school recovery. One school emphasized that students needed to bring their own water because the school's water was not safe to drink. What were the hazards, and how severe were they across Puerto Rico? Peak gust wind speed with topographic effects (NIST wind-field model) Landslide density (Data source: USGS) Storm total rainfall (NIST Gaussian process model) Flood depth (Bristol University modeling) Success stories One important preliminary finding from the study is that emergency preparations work. Businesses, schools and hospitals that prepared before Hurricane Maria were able to resume operations more quickly afterward. Preparations included preestablished emergency plans, designated risk mitigation funds, and backup power sources. Preliminary findings also showed that financial assistance was effective. Statistically, businesses, schools and hospitals that received financial assistance were able to recover more quickly than those that did not. Anticipated Recommendations Through the National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Act, NIST has a responsibility to use investigation findings to create recommendations and help implement them. Recommendations from the Hurricane Maria Program are anticipated to result in: New building standards to account for faster winds caused by mountains and hills. New standards for storm shelters and refuge areas. Measures that will help hospitals and other critical facilities maintain services during and after hurricanes, such as requiring standby generators for elevators and air-conditioning. Guidance on recording damage to communications systems in a way that will prioritize recovery. More robust tools for measuring wind, rainfall and flooding. New standards for creating death certificates during an emergency. These changes will be important for hurricane-prone regions throughout the U.S., not just Puerto Rico. Hurricane Helene, which carved a destructive path from Florida through North Carolina in 2024, shared many similarities with Hurricane Maria, such as significant rainfall in mountainous areas that led to flooding and landslides; neighborhoods and communities being cut off from road access; massive infrastructure failure; and at least one hospital requiring evacuation. By applying the lessons of Hurricane Maria, this investigation can help the increasing number of communities that are experiencing intense hurricanes prepare for, respond to, and recover from them. This story is republished courtesy of NIST. Read the original story here. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A team of astronomers led by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian has discovered a rare object far beyond Neptune, from a class known as trans-Neptunian objects, that is moving in rhythm with the giant planet. This image shows the orbits of all of the objects discovered in the Outer Solar System Origins Survey. The orbit of 2020 VN40 is the thickest one, tilted up and to the left from the orbits of most of the objects. The orbits of the giant planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are the white circles. Credit: Rosemary Pike, CfA A team of astronomers led by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian has discovered a rare object far beyond Neptune, from a class known as trans-Neptunian objects, that is moving in rhythm with the giant planet. This object, called 2020 VN40, is the first confirmed body that orbits the sun once for every ten orbits Neptune completes. This discovery helps scientists understand how objects in the outer solar system behave and how they got there. It supports the idea that many distant objects are temporarily "caught" in Neptune's gravity as they drift through space. "This is a big step in understanding the outer solar system," said Rosemary Pike, lead researcher from the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. "It shows that even very distant regions influenced by Neptune can contain objects, and it gives us new clues about how the solar system evolved." The finding was published this month in The Planetary Science Journal. The discovery was made by the Large inclination Distant Objects (LiDO) survey, which searched for unusual objects in the outer solar system. This survey used the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope for the main survey operations, and Gemini Observatory and Magellan Baade for additional observations. The survey was designed to search for bodies with orbits that extend far above and below the plane of Earth's orbit around the sun, part of the outer solar system that hasn't been well-studied. "It has been fascinating to learn how many small bodies in the solar system exist on these very large, very tilted orbits," said Dr. Samantha Lawler (University of Regina), a core member of the LiDO team. The object's average distance is about 140 times farther from the sun than Earth and follows a very tilted path around the solar system. What makes 2020 VN40 even more interesting is how it moves compared to Neptune. Most objects with a simple ratio of the duration of their orbit compared to the duration of Neptune's orbit always come closest to the sun when Neptune is far away. In contrast, 2020 VN40 comes closest to the sun when Neptune is very close by, if you look at their positions from above the solar system. The tilt of 2020 VN40's orbit means that the objects are not actually close, because 2020 VN40 is actually far below the solar systemthey only appear close when flattened onto a map. All other known resonant trans-Neptunian objects orbit such that they avoid this alignment at their closest approach to the sun, even in the flattened view. "This new motion is like finding a hidden rhythm in a song we thought we knew," said Ruth Murray-Clay (University of California Santa Cruz), co-author of the study. "It could change how we think about the way distant objects move." These findings suggest that highly tilted orbits can lead to new and unexpected types of motion. The LiDO survey has already found over 140 distant objects, and more discoveries are expected from future surveys. With telescopes like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, scientists hope to find many more objects like 2020 VN40. "This is just the beginning," said Kathryn Volk of the Planetary Science Institute. "We're opening a new window into the solar system's past." More information: Rosemary E. Pike et al, LiDO: Discovery of a 10:1 Resonator with a Novel Libration State, The Planetary Science Journal (2025). DOI: 10.3847/PSJ/addd22 Journal information: The Planetary Science Journal 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 Gaining a better understanding of how romantic relationships develop over time is key to helping couples maintain a satisfying union and overcome challenges. Researchers and practitioners rely on theories to provide insights, and it's important that they are accurate and reliable. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign discusses how contemporary methodologies can be applied to common relationship theories in a more rigorous way. "How relationships change influences relational, individual, and broader family functioning," said lead author Jeremy Kanter, associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Illinois. "If we can refine and strengthen existing theories, we can move the field forward and help support relationship interventions for couples." To study relationship development, such as how relationship satisfaction changes over time, scholars often use Group-Based Trajectory Modeling (GBTM) in their studies. This approach groups individuals whose relationships change in a similar fashion across time together, facilitating a deeper understanding of the most common change patterns as relationships progress. For example, this approach has helped highlight that declines in marital satisfaction are not inevitable for most couples. Kanter and his colleagues suggest employing GBTM to more rigorously test relationship science theories. They provide examples of refutable hypotheses when using GBTM approaches that reflect core concepts in those theories and can be used to test their relevance and accuracy in empirical studies. The work is published in the Journal of Family Theory & Review. The researchers discuss five popular relationship theories: Enduring dynamics: A couple's experiences during courtship will largely determine how their relationship develops. Those who start out with high levels of relationship functioning will likely maintain these high levels over time, while couples that start out with lower levels will remain so, indicating a pattern of stability throughout a relationship. A couple's experiences during courtship will largely determine how their relationship develops. Those who start out with high levels of relationship functioning will likely maintain these high levels over time, while couples that start out with lower levels will remain so, indicating a pattern of stability throughout a relationship. Emergent distress: Most couples are relatively satisfied early in their union, but some couples will experience increased negativity and hostility over time, which can be detrimental to the relationship. Most couples are relatively satisfied early in their union, but some couples will experience increased negativity and hostility over time, which can be detrimental to the relationship. Gradual disillusionment: Some couples who have very high levels of initial satisfaction will have unrealistic expectations of their partner and eventually experience disappointment and disillusionment, leading to declining relationship quality over time. Some couples who have very high levels of initial satisfaction will have unrealistic expectations of their partner and eventually experience disappointment and disillusionment, leading to declining relationship quality over time. Vulnerability-stress-adaptation : Individual characteristics, stressful events, and couples' interaction patterns combine to influence relationship quality. As a result, most couples begin their union relatively satisfied, and changes in satisfaction depend on the broader context surrounding the couple. : Individual characteristics, stressful events, and couples' interaction patterns combine to influence relationship quality. As a result, most couples begin their union relatively satisfied, and changes in satisfaction depend on the broader context surrounding the couple. Relational turbulence: Couples tend to be the most vulnerable during transitional periods when partners are adapting to new roles and routines. Couples that struggle during these transitions may feel that the relationship is turbulent, resulting in later relational distress. "These different theories are going to have different foci of interventionwhether we should focus on supporting couples when they are dating, as newlyweds, or before a transition happens," Kanter said. Each theory also leads to a different set of hypotheses. For example, the enduring dynamics theory would predict significant differences between couples initially and stable satisfaction over time. The emergent distress model, in contrast, would predict initial similarities among couples, but significant differences in changes over time. "In the past years, we've had rapid advancements in methodology. Many of our theories were developed before we had the sophisticated tools to collect and analyze data that we do now. We want to ensure we're bringing our theories along as those innovations are happening within the research field," he said. For example, it's important to consider fluctuation patterns in relationship processes (non-linear ebbs and flows) and dyadic patterns (how each partner's changes affect the other) for a more comprehensive understanding of relationship development, Kanter noted. "Perhaps some of the theories should be modified or combined to better reflect current knowledge of relationship patterns. This will ultimately help practitioners develop recommendations for families at risk and provide suggestions for enhancing or maintaining relationship quality." More information: Jeremy B. Kanter et al, Using groupbased trajectory modeling to test theoretically driven hypotheses about relationship development, Journal of Family Theory & Review (2025). DOI: 10.1111/jftr.12632 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: Lyman Lake in Arizona stores water from the Little Colorado River. Pictured here in 2021, the lake was 30 feet below capacity. Credit: Ted Wood / The Water Desk The Southwest United States is currently facing its worst megadrought of the past 1,200 years. According to a recent study by the University of Texas at Austin, the drought could continue at least until the end of the century, if not longer. Although some scientists anticipate that natural climate variability will bring relief, new research suggests that ongoing warming could be disrupting the natural rhythm of an important climate cycle that brings needed rain to the region. Much like the seven-year El Nino and La Nina climate patterns, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) has been a dependable ocean climate cycle that alternately brings long phases of drought and rains to the Southwest U.S. every 20 to 30 years. However, a study published in Nature Geoscience that analyzed the area's climate record going back for millennia suggests that this is not necessarily the case. Researchers found that during the last period of hemispheric warming some 6,000 years ago, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation was forced out of rhythm, leading to a drought that lasted for thousands of years. Now, as the world warms under the effects of climate change, it appears to be happening again. Researchers came to this conclusion when they compared simulations of the ancient warming with climate projections for the future. The research was led by doctoral student Victoria Todd and Associate Professor Timothy Shanahan at UT's Jackson School of Geosciences. They began by digging into the pastliterally. Todd analyzed lake sediment cores collected in the Rocky Mountains, which preserve traces of ancient climate conditions. What she found was striking: about 6,000 to 9,000 years ago, the region went through a major drought, far worse than scientists had previously assumed. By studying the chemical makeup of the sediments, Todd estimated that precipitation dropped by around 20%, mostly due to a sharp decline in the winter precipitationthe kind that feeds major rivers like the Colorado that runs through Arizona and Nevada. To break this down, she built a statistical model to separate the impacts of summer and winter moisture. But the size of the drought didn't match what existing climate models predicted for the mid-Holocene. That changed when her co-authors ran simulations that included ancient shifts in vegetation across the globe. This tweak to the models showed a much drier Southwestaligning closer with Todd's findings. This swell of plant growth across North Africa, Canada and Eurasia darkened Earth's surface, causing it to absorb more of the sun's rays, warming Earth. This appears to have triggered a long-lasting shift in ocean and atmospheric patterns over the North Pacific, resembling the drought phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillationthe cause of the current megadrought in the Southwest. However, in the past, this drought didn't stick around for 20 or 30 yearsit dominated for thousands of years. "This is a drought related to the winter precipitation collapse," Todd said. "Then the question is, 'Well, what causes the precipitation to change?' That's where the PDO comes in." By definition, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation is a naturally occurring cycle that flips every 20 to 30 years, bringing shifts in precipitation across the western U.S. But the study shows that under certain warming conditions, the atmosphere and ocean can lock into a persistent drought-phaseand stay there. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. To test whether something similar could happen in the future, Todd and Shanahan teamed up with colleagues from the University of Colorado to explore climate model projections for the 21st century. When they averaged results from large sets of simulations, they saw the same kind of long-term North Pacific response and steady declines in winter precipitation. "If global temperatures keep rising, our models suggest the Southwest could remain in a drought-dominated regime through at least 2100," Shanahan said. That has major implications for water resourcesespecially the Colorado River in the Southwest, which has already been in steady decline for decades. "Many people still expect the Colorado River to bounce back," Shanahan said. "But our findings suggest it may not. Water managers need to start planning for the possibility that this drought isn't just a rough patchit could be the new reality." More information: Victoria L. Todd et al, North Pacific oceanatmosphere responses to Holocene and future warming drive Southwest US drought, Nature Geoscience (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-025-01726-z Journal information: Nature Geoscience 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: Example of double count of a marked river turtle in the resulting orthomosaic from drone surveys. Credit: Journal of Applied Ecology (2025). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.70081 A University of Florida research team has developed a more accurate way to count wildlife using dronesan innovation that helped confirm the world's largest known nesting site for a threatened turtle species. By combining aerial imagery with statistical modeling, the researchers documented more than 41,000 Giant South American River Turtles gathered along the Amazon's Guapore River. Their findings, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, offer a new tool for conservationists seeking to monitor vulnerable animal populations with greater precision. "We describe a novel way to more efficiently monitor animal populations," said lead study author Ismael Brack, a post-doctoral researcher within the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences' (UF/IFAS) School of Forest, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences. "And although the method is used to count turtles, it could also be applied to other species." The project began with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) researchers in Brazil, Colombia and Bolivia. One of the species the New York-based organization monitors is the Giant South American River Turtle, which is threatened by poachers who sell its meat and eggs. The turtles are exceptionally social creatures, and females congregate each year in July or August to nest in the Guapore River sandbanks between Brazil and Bolivia. Brack met WCS scientists at a conference, and they shared how they use drones to count the turtles, he said. They create orthomosaics, which are highly detailed, high-resolution composite images made by stitching together hundreds of overlapping aerial photographs. Counting the animals shown in orthomosaics is a quicker, more accurate and less-invasive approach than counting animals from the ground. The method alone, however, doesn't account for the fact that animals sometimes move during observation. Together, researchers from UF and the WCS developed a method that improves counting accuracy by eliminating multiple sources of error, including double counts (the same individual counted multiple times) and missed individuals. The team's drone footage of turtles along the Amazon's Guapore River, above, was not used to count the turtles. Credit: University of Florida Researchers used white paint to mark the shells of 1,187 turtles gathering on an island sandbank within the Guapore River, according to the study. Over 12 days, a drone flew overhead on a meticulous, back-and-forth path four times a day and snapped 1,500 photos each time. Using software, scientists stitched the photos together, and researchers reviewed the composite images. They recorded each turtle, if its shell was marked and whether the animal was nesting or walking when photographed. Equipped with this data, they developed probability models that account for individuals entering and leaving the area, observed turtle behaviors and the likelihood of detecting an identifiable shell mark. The models revealed several potential sources of error that could arise from traditional orthomosaic-based counts, according to the study. Only 35% of the turtles that used the sandbank, for example, were present during drone flights. And, on average, 20% of those detected walking appeared multiple times in orthomosaicssome as many as seven times. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Observers on the ground counted about 16,000 turtles, according to the study. Researchers who reviewed the orthomosaics but didn't account for animal movement or shell markings counted about 79,000 turtles. When they applied their models, however, they estimated about 41,000 turtles. "These numbers vary greatly, and that's a problem for conservationists," Brack said. "If scientists are unable to establish an accurate count of individuals of a species, how will they know if the population is in decline or whether efforts to protect it are successful?" The study describes ways to adapt and apply the approach to conservation efforts involving other species surveyed by drone-derived orthomosaics. Past monitoring studies, for example, have involved clipping seals' fur, attaching high-visibility collars to elk and marking mountain goats with paintball pellets to keep track of animal movement during counts. The research team plans to perfect monitoring methods by conducting additional drone flights at the Guapore River nesting site and in other South American countries where the Giant South American River Turtle gathers, including in Colombia and possibly Peru and Venezuela, Brack said. "By combining information from multiple surveys, we can detect population trends, and the Wildlife Conservation Society will know where to invest in conservation actions," he said. More information: Ismael V. Brack et al, Estimating abundance of aggregated populations with drones while accounting for multiple sources of errors: A case study on the mass nesting of Giant South American River Turtles, Journal of Applied Ecology (2025). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.70081 Journal information: Journal of Applied Ecology 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: Two-dimensional posterior probabilities obtained in our analysis of the SXS:BBH:0926 numerical relativity simulation. Credit: Nature Astronomy (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-025-02579-7 A new method to analyze gravitational-wave data could transform how we study some of the universe's most extreme eventsblack holes smashing into each other. Researchers from the University of Portsmouth, University of Southampton and University College Dublin have created a method to more accurately analyze gravitational waves, which are ripples in spacetime generated when massive objects like black holes collide. The approach, published in Nature Astronomy, doesn't offer new discoveries about black holes yet. But by improving how scientists compare gravitational wave data to existing models, it lays important groundwork for future breakthroughs. Ever since the Nobel-prize-winning detection of gravitational waves in 2015, the study of these ripples has revolutionized our understanding of the universe, driven largely by the detection of colliding black holes which are almost impossible to observe with standard optical telescopes. Dr. Charlie Hoy, a research fellow at the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, and lead author of this work, explained, "When a gravitational wave passes through Earth, we capture a brief signal. To figure out what caused it, we compare the observation against millions of possible theoretical gravitational-wave signals generated with different models. The challenge is that not all models are equally accurate" Typically, scientists use a technique known as Bayesian inference to analyze gravitational-wave signals. This technique is often performed multiple times with different models, and the results combined in different ways. The issue with combining results with existing methods is that it can overlook how faithful each model is to Einstein's theory of general relativityand risks misleading conclusions. "I've been thinking about how to incorporate model accuracy into gravitational-wave Bayesian inference for years, and it's very exciting to see our method come to life," added Dr. Hoy. "Directly computing gravitational-waves by solving Einstein's Field Equations is really hard. Many gravitational-wave models have been developed over the years, but they all have some degree of approximation. With our approach we are able to incorporate this uncertainty into gravitational-wave data analysis methods, and obtain tighter constraints on the fundamental properties of black holes as a consequence. "Gravitational-wave models are continually being developed and will likely improve in accuracy over the coming years. Our method is designed so that once these models become available, they can be incorporated into our algorithm. All models can then collectively help to obtain together constraints on the mass and spin of black holes." More information: Charlie Hoy et al, Incorporation of model accuracy in gravitational wave Bayesian inference, Nature Astronomy (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-025-02579-7 Journal information: Nature Astronomy 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 Air pollution across the UK dropped between 2015 and 2024, but dangerous levels are still reached too often, shows new research published in Environmental Science: Atmospheres. Scientists from the University of Reading studied pollution at more than 500 monitoring sites around the UK. They looked at three main types of air pollution that harm people's health. Two types of pollution improved over the decade. Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), which is mainly produced by traffic, fell by 35% on average at monitoring sites. Fine particles called PM 2.5 , which are small enough to get deep into the lungs, dropped by 30%. Despite these improvements, pollution still breaks safety limits too often. The average number of days each year when NO 2 exceeded World Health Organization targets fell from 136 to 40 days, while for PM 2.5 particle exceedances decreased from 60 to 22 days per year. In contrast to NO 2 and PM 2.5 , another pollutant, surface ozone (O 3 ) increased by 17% on average over the decade. The number of days when O 3 , which is formed when sunlight interacts with NO 2 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by traffic and industry, exceeded targets doubled from 7 to 14 per year. Dr. James Weber, lead author at the University of Reading, said, "The UK has made progress on air quality, but there is still a long way to go. Pollution from traffic is getting better, but we need both local action and international cooperation to improve all types of air pollution. The fact that O 3 is getting worse while other pollution improves shows we need to think carefully about how we tackle this problem and not focus on pollutants in isolation." Different approaches are needed to cut pollution The research highlights that different pollution types come from different sources. NO 2 pollution is mainly driven by local traffic, while PM 2.5 particles often blow in from other parts of the UK and continental Europe. Ozone pollution comes from both local and distant sources. These findings mean different approaches are needed to tackle each type of pollution. Cleaner vehicles can help reduce NO 2 from traffic, but cutting PM 2.5 pollution needs national and international efforts because it can travel long distances across borders from continental Europe. O 3 presents a complex challenge as its formation depends on the balance of certain gases in the atmosphere, their interaction with sunlight and temperature. In particular, as NO 2 decreases, O 3 will increase in most urban areas unless simultaneous efforts are made to reduce the VOCs which fuel its production, highlighting the need for multi-pollutant policies which span multiple sectors and countries. More information: UK air quality showed clear improvement from 2015 to 2024 but breaching of targets remains very common, Environmental Science Atmospheres (2025). DOI: 10.1039/d5ea00055f 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 Higher education institutions offer critical social infrastructure with untapped potential to contribute to more equitable and sustainable futures, according to new research. If universities were more accessible, connected and geographically distributed more like public libraries, higher education systems could help communities respond to intensifying climate disruptions and worsening economic vulnerabilities, according to the authors. The new study suggests most universities are ill-equipped to respond to the growing needs of communities facing intensifying crises. The paper says "many universities are increasingly fighting for their own economic survival" rather than supporting communities and wider society. This is because universities are operating in an increasingly financialized, neoliberal, competitive underfunded environment, which forces them to "prioritize their own survival and success". This disincentivizes academic work focused on the public good, community needs, and climate action. It also fuels mistrust of universities among the public. Underfunded universities are, for example, more likely to accept donations from fossil fuel interests (constraining the effectiveness of climate action). Over-stretched and overworked academics have less time to engage in climate-related work, and many fee-paying heavily indebted students need to worry more about their individual financial futures than about the future of the planet. Underfunded universities also have less time and space to engage with communities and respond to community needs. The research finds that universities are an underleveraged resource to reduce injustices and vulnerabilities during this time of increasing ecological disruption and economic inequities. The paper says that "the multiple impacts of financialization severely undermine the ability of universities to address structural changes" that are needed to effectively fight climate change. The paper, titled "Universities, polycrisis and regional redistribution: The need for radical transformation" is co-authored by Dr. Martin Sokol, Associate Professor of economic geography in Trinity College Dublin and Professor Jennie C Stephens, Professor of Climate Justice at the ICARUS Climate Research Centre, Geography, National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Dr. Sokol says, "For many universities, their position in international rankings is often more important than the fate of local communities within which they operate." Professor Stephens says, "We can't continue this way if we want healthy sustainable future societies." The researchers, who between them worked in universities in Ireland, the UK, and the U.S., call for increased public investment in higher education. This would allow for more spatially distributed higher education institutions, moving away from universities being increasingly concentrated in large urban centers or economically prosperous regions. To reclaim a focus on the public good, a spatial redistribution of universities is needed to facilitate more place-based, community-engaged learning and research, the authors suggest. They propose a new vision of climate justice universities that enable co-creation of knowledge that meets the urgent needs of local and regional communities. This alternative vision of climate justice universities prioritizes very different features than the current dominant model of financialized universities. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Instead of being individualistic, profit-seeking, exclusive institutions, climate justice universities would become institutions with a collective, inclusive, public good mission. They would be committed to co-designing and co-creating social change in collaboration with local and regional communities. This involves moving away from tuition fees toward free public education, shifting the focus from technological innovation to social innovation, and instead of maximizing university revenue, they could shift their focus on community well-being. This first-of-its-kind analysis is published in the journal Review of Regional Research as part of a special issue on "The changing role of universities in the context of regional sustainability transformations." Sokol's and Stephens' research suggests more attention is needed to ensure investments in universities are aligned with the public good and a more equitable and stable future. "The structure and financing of universities has a big influence on what society prioritizes and how we collectively prepare for an increasingly disruptive future," said Professor Stephens. "Right now, too many universities seem to be pretending that things are not as bad as they are. Systemic change is urgently needed in society, and restructuring higher education is a prerequisite for thatotherwise universities will continue to reinforce the status quo." Dr. Sokol says, "In the age of polycrisis, where multiple crises are unfolding simultaneously, reinforcing each other, we need a bold vision going forward. Universities, by adopting a 'climate justice' lens, can be part of that vision. Properly funded and spatially restructured universities can become a game-changing resource to support resilient regional economies and thriving local communities." "New investments in spatially distributed higher education would be of critical importance to households and communities in climate-vulnerable regions." More information: Martin Sokol et al, Universities, polycrisis and regional redistribution, Review of Regional Research (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s10037-025-00245-z 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 How many board seats is too many for one director? That's the question on many investors' minds, as they confront the possibility of "overboarding"directors being spread too thin to do their work effectively. BlackRock, for example, voted to oust one of Twitter's board members in 2022 because he sat on the boards of six other companies. However, new research led by Sebahattin Demirkan, associate professor of accounting in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University, suggests there may be upsides to board directors holding multiple seats at the same time. His paper in the Asian Review of Accounting finds that deeply networked boards are more flexible and creative when it comes to a key competitive area: open-ended strategic alliances. The paper's co-authors are Robert Felix of The Catholic University of America and Nan Zhou of the University of Cincinnati. The researchers used a metric called "board centrality" to quantify the total social capital held by a company's board of directors. "Centralized directors are leaders who have been in the industry a long time," says Demirkan. "They sit on multiple boards. And they are deeply connected within an industry, such as if Nvidia and Intel have a relationship and that person is working as a board member for both." The researchers used the SDC strategic alliances database to capture new alliances formed during the period 19982011. Their dataset included 18,412 firm-year observations. First, they divided the alliances into joint ventures and incomplete contracts. Joint ventures, which involve setting up an entirely separate business entity, entail much less complexity and uncertainty than do contractual alliances, which by definition cannot account for all the surprising challenges that may lie ahead. The paper finds that centralized boards were more likely to embark upon both types of strategic alliances, but the effect was strongest for contractual alliances. Demirkan stresses that the two types aren't mutually exclusive; a contractual alliance can be a precursor to a successful joint venture. "I always use marriage as a comparison Some cultures do arranged marriage because families know each other very well, because they were neighbors and so on and so forth. It's trial and error, but you don't want to make too many errors because these arrangements may hurt your parent company business," he says. "That's where board capital comes in. Centralized board members know which strategic alliances will work for this particular company." Further, centralized boards took on more strategic alliances when their CEOs were relatively new, underscoring boards' customary advisory role. Similarly, diversified firms, which normally require more guidance from the board, saw a stronger relationship between board capital and propensity for strategic alliances. The same was true of firms with more intangible assetsin other words, innovative companies engaging in heavy R&D. The researchers also looked into whether the enhanced alliance activity paid off for these firms. Their analysis confirmed that the special ability of centralized boards to form successful strategic alliances was associated with higher market performance, steadier returns and lower audit fees. This strikes an interesting contrast with some of Demirkan's earlier publications on similar topics. For example, a 2014 paper in Journal of Business Research found that firms with contractual alliances suffered from lower earnings quality, making them a riskier bet for investors. A 2015 paper in Contemporary Accounting Research linked contractual alliances to higher audit fees. "The market doesn't like companies with contractual alliances," Demirkan says. "It discounts their stock prices, because the information environment is not good; it's quite complex and the boundaries are not well defined." However, the new paper indicates that centralized boards act as a reassuring signal to capital markets that offsets some of the inherent risk of contractual alliances. "Boards with high social capital may manage this better, because they are much more knowledgeable," Demirkan says. "They know which contractual alliances are good, and the market also trusts them to pick these alliances wisely." More information: Sebahattin Demirkan et al, Board capital and strategic alliances, Asian Review of Accounting (2025). DOI: 10.1108/ARA-10-2024-0332 Journal information: Journal of Business Research Van Drew turning his back on us We are lucky to live in New Jerseys 2nd Congressional District. From the boardwalks to the farm stands, our community is beautiful. We are diverse and resilient and welcoming. We have been through major storms, political shifts and public health crises, and we are always stronger for it afterwards. Despite political differences, we always look out for each other. The strength and beauty of our community is exactly why watching U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew turn his back on us is so painful. I have seen our community come together over the past six months, imploring him to just listen. He showed us who he is when he switched political parties, choosing donors over constituents. He showed us who he is when he refused to hold a town hall and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman visited us in his stead. He showed us who he is when his vote prioritized party politics over the needs of his constituents. He keeps showing us who he is. It is time we believe him. The cuts in the Big Ugly Bill are real cuts that will harm real people. On top of slashing Medicaid and SNAP benefits, the bill hands over $75 billion to ICE. Our immigrant communities are the backbone of South Jersey. Immigrant families power our small businesses, restaurants and farms. The campaign against immigrants from this administration has little to do with deporting criminals and everything to do with racism and hatred. Our immigrant community deserves dignity, not increased surveillance and intimidation. We deserve a representative who understands that access to health care, food and safety are fundamental rights, not partisan luxuries. We deserve a representative who will fight like hell for our shared future. We know what makes South Jersey great, and it isnt cruelty and division. We know that we rise when we lift each other up. Van Drew has shown us his priorities. Its time we show him ours. We will organize, educate and vote to protect the heart of South Jersey and make sure it is a place where every person has value and everyone thrives. Alice Carcilli Group leader, Indivisible: Empathy United Brigantine Coverage and comments on Atlantic Club aren't helping, Galloway letter writer says The Press' recent coverage of the Atlantic Club redevelopment collapse and the Facebook comments that followed say all too much about the state of civic discourse. Dont shut out news I am very alarmed at the never-ending threats this administration poses to our fragile democracy. Our government is sliding into fascism and authoritarianism. Within months, the current administration has worked to dismantle our federal institutions, laying off thousands of workers, given away our personal information to Elon Musk, imposed tariffs on our allies, destroyed environmental protections, withdrawn military support from Ukraine and is trampling on the human rights of our immigrant community and putting people in concentration camps right here on American soil. It is chilling to see many of the anti-democratic policies from Project 2025 being implemented. I watch in horror as our system of government and We the people are being destroyed from within. Many people who feel as I do are fearful and nervous. Many tell me that they no longer watch the news to preserve their peace of mind. My ask is this. Please find the courage and fortitude to keep yourself informed. For a democracy to survive, we must have an educated and informed public. The fourth estate of news media and the press acts as a watchdog to hold the government accountable. If you watch just a fraction of the videos taken of families and individuals being beaten and disappeared by masked men, you will feel the necessary outrage to do something. That action may be to join a protest, contact a member of Congress or simply speak out at a gathering. We are running out of time for good people to act. In a dictatorship it is illegal to speak against the ruler, leading to arrest or worse. With a Republican-controlled Congress that just voted to cut taxes for billionaires and fund ICE, that day will arrive sooner than we think. Yes, watching or reading the news can be painful. I assure you, what is happening to many citizens and immigrants who are being interred in prison camps without due process is much worse. Dont wait until something negative affects you and your family. It will. Practice empathy. Its time to educate yourself and pick a side. Janet Yunghans Upper Township The FBI wont say it, but others will: Stanley Meador, who headed up the Richmond FBI operations for four years, appears to have been quietly sidelined from his prominent position as top cop of the bureaus Richmond field office. Reached for comment, the agencys local spokesperson, Leslie Chappell McLane, could only say that the FBI does not comment on personnel matters. But other signs confirm an exit that was first reported by The New York Times in June. The New York Times credited anonymous sources, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch has not been able to independently confirm their report. Meador is said to have upset conservatives with a 2023 memo issued by the Richmond field office. The so-called Richmond Memo discussed the threat of domestic terrorism from radical-traditionalist Catholics and was inspired by a case investigated in Henrico County. Gone is Meadors name from the FBIs local website, as well as from regular news releases published by the Department of Justice. One of Meadors deputies, Stephen Farina, has been elevated to oversee the office, according to the site. And Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards acknowledged his departure in a crime briefing last week, saying Meador was special. He was a great public safety partner, said Edwards. That is a loss. Meador was appointed in 2021 by former FBI Director Christopher Wray. In announcing his appointment, the agency lauded a decorated career investigating public corruption in Las Vegas as well as managing offices in the Middle East and legal attaches in Asia. Some of that work was done while Meador battled colon cancer. Meador, who grew up in Galax, Virginia, gave an interview to a Roanoke TV station in which he shared suspicions of a link between his cancer and the eight days he spent sifting through the rubble at the Pentagon in the wake of 9/11. In a recent post on LinkedIn, Meador said the department was particularly focused on solving cold-case murders, breaking up drug rings and dismantling human trafficking networks. Meador highlighted the case of a Chesterfield gas station where owners forced a victim to work long hours while withholding immigration paperwork. His office also dug up paycheck protection program fraud in Roanoke and resolved the 1996 murders of Laurie Winans and Julianne Williams in Shenandoah National Park. The FBI never gives up, and we will continue to seek justice for victims, no matter how old the case, Meador said in a video recapping the Richmond offices achievements in 2024. Meadors political troubles began shortly after the arrest of Xavier Lopez, a 25-year-old who encouraged violence against police officers in online postings on Gab, a right-leaning social media platform. The postings also encouraged violence against minorities and exhortations to make firearms with 3D printing devices. Police arrested Lopez at his aunts home in Henrico, where they discovered eight Molotov cocktails and gun-making equipment. Investigators looking into Lopez found that hed been attending a traditionalist Catholic church in Henrico. Citing two other similar cases one in Portland and one in California analysts out of the Richmond FBI field office hashed a memo that suggested keeping a watchful eye on similar churches, particularly in the run-up to the 2024 election. Domestic terrorists could use these churches as a locale to quietly proselytize for their cause, the memo stated. The author proposed outreach to three Virginia traditionalist churches. Could parish leaders keep an eye out for suspicious activity on that agencys behalf? The memo, produced in January 2023 and distributed to field offices across the country, became ammunition for Republican legislators several weeks later. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley described the report as the Biden FBI anti-Catholic memo. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, the son of Cuban immigrants, attacked the memo for labeling Americans as violent extremists because of how they worship. The leaked memo from our state capitals FBI office is unacceptable, unconstitutional and un-American. Frankly, its what I would expect from Communist Cuba, Miyares said. It also bothered Virginias Catholic diocese. Richmond Bishop Barry C. Knestout called the memo troubling and offensive to all communities of faith, as well as all Americans. An internal review from the Justice Department found that the analysts were not motivated by bias, but that the FBI had instituted some corrective measures in the aftermath of the memos leak. On June 3, Grassley revived his probe into the Richmond Memo: Richmond analysts had solicited help from other field offices, a sign of wider anti-Catholic sentiment among the FBI, Grassley alleged. He urged the FBIs new director, Kash Patel, to dig deeper. Im determined to get to the bottom of the Richmond memo, and of the FBIs contempt for oversight in the last administration, Grassley said. Four days later, the Times reported that Meador was put on administrative leave and was expected to retire. Meadors actual level of involvement in the production of the memo is unclear. Richmond law enforcement spoke highly of Meador upon hearing news of his departure. We have always appreciated the strong and collaborative relationship with the FBI under (Meadors) leadership and look forward to continuing that same level of partnership with his successor, said Hanover County Sheriff David Hines. Chesterfield Police Chief Frank Carpenter said Meador was instrumental in connecting area law enforcement agencies, often at Richmond FBI headquarters. He was a tremendous relationship builder, unlike any Ive seen before him, said Carpenter. He was a visionary, and he was all about collaboration and learning from local jurisdictions, as well as us learning from the feds. Dana Schrad, executive director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, called Meador an excellent partner to our police chiefs. He always made a strong effort to support the needs and priorities of our law enforcement agencies to achieve the common goal of crime reduction, said Schrad. He will be missed. Edwards remarked that Meador was a kind support figure in his early days at the helm of the department which came shortly after the sudden resignation of Richmonds former police chief. He assured reporters that collaborations with the FBI would proceed unaffected. I just got a call from their assistant special agent in charge this morning about an operation were working on together, Edwards said last Thursday. We still have that partnership. But Stanley was special, I really enjoyed working with him. The Virginia Retirement System expects to adopt comparable rates for state agencies and school divisions to pay for their employees long-term pension benefits in the next two-year state budget, even though the systems investment returns were lagging its benchmark target through March 31. The retirement system, with more than 380,000 active employees and almost 250,000 retirees, has not released its rate of return on investments in the fiscal year that ended on June 30, but those investments were earning a return of 6.3% in the first nine months of the fiscal year below its benchmark of 7.9% and the annual targeted return of 6.75%. But VRS officials told state legislators on Monday that they expect no major changes in the contribution rates the board of trustees will adopt in October for the two-year budget proposal that Gov. Glenn Youngkin will present in December and the General Assembly will consider in the 60-day legislative session that will begin in January. We anticipate those rates to be comparable to the current budget cycle, said Sandy Jack, director of policy planning and compliance at VRS. VRS appears optimistic about the performance of its investments in the final quarter. It began with a severe market downturn after President Donald Trump announced his Liberation Day tariffs on April 2 and led to a significant rebound in June despite mixed signals from the White House over threats to the United States trading partners across the world. The states retirement trust fund exceeded $118.2 billion on March 31, but VRS Chairman Scott Andrews estimated its total value at $120 billion in a presentation to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. VRS said his estimate was preliminary but confirmed that investment returns in June increased the trust funds value. VRS investment returns matter to state lawmakers, who have to make up for losses in the state budget. Since adopting major reforms to the retirement system in 2012, the General Assembly and four governors have committed to providing the money that VRS says it needs to pay for ongoing retirement benefits and reduce unfunded long-term liabilities. Those changes addressed long-term state underfunding of public employee pensions, especially after the Great Recession hammered the trust fund in 2009. Still, the retirement systems unfunded liabilities range from $16 billion to $18 billion, depending on whether it counts their current market value or the actuarial accounting it uses to smooth out gains and losses, and to set rates. Currently, the state pays 12.57% of payroll for state employee pension benefits and the state and local school divisions pay 14.21% for teachers, who represent the largest portion of the 857,643 current or former employees that the system covers. Employees also pay 5% of their wages into their pension accounts. The VRS Board of Trustees has come under criticism for not always matching the performance of indexed stock and fixed-income funds but instead diversifying its investments and relying on a well-paid internal staff to manage one-third of them. But VRS officials say they focus on managing risks, as well as maximizing returns, after the losses during the Great Recession. Thats what were really focused on here is balancing risks and returns, Chief Investment Officer Andrew Junkin told legislators. The risks include Trumps shifting tariff threats, which intensified over the weekend and are probably changing while Im speaking, Junkin said. The markets, at the moment, seem to be shrugging all of that off after the initial reaction, he said. One of the risks for pension fund investments is countries that Trump has designated as foreign adversaries: the Peoples Republic of China, as well as its autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau; Russia; North Korea; Cuba; Iran; and the Maduro regime in Venezuela. Trump issued an executive order in February that targeted investments in those countries, but the VRS board had begun to discuss the issue shortly after the presidential election in November. The board directed Junkin to develop a policy on certain investments, which established a framework for the prudent mitigation of economic exposure to those countries that have been designated as foreign adversaries by the Office of the Secretary of Commerce, VRS spokesperson Virginia Sowers said. VRS believed that certain investment risks were not being fully captured by markets, with regard to geopolitical events. The board adopted its new policy in June to mitigate investment exposure to those countries where we believe investment risks are significantly higher than those being reflected by current markets or where international trade and investment are made more challenging by geopolitical concerns, Sowers said. This is not a divestment policy. As a result, VRS has changed three of its benchmarks for investments in China and Hong Kong to reflect economic exposure to sanctions or other potential U.S. actions. Were not eliminating exposure to China because its frankly impossible, Junkin said. We have mitigated it. Authorities collect evidence of illegal Chac Estuary filling to file official federal complaint Othon P. Blanco, Q.R. Governor Mara Lezama toured the Chac Estuary Monday after social media complaints of illegal filling. The estuary is connected to several important waterways and has raised environmental concerns about the surrounding wetlands. We are in the Chac Estuary immediately responding to a citizen complaint about possible environmental impacts in this important wetland area connected to the Bacalar lagoon system and the Hondo River, Governor Lezama reported from the site Monday. In coordination with specialists from the Quintana Roo Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (Sema), we conducted an on-site inspection to gather technical information that will allow us to file a formal complaint with PROFEPA. Lezama is working with state officials on collecting the necessary technical information required to file an official legal complaint. Over the weekend, the Citizen and Scientific Council for the Restoration and Preservation of Bacalar videoed the illegal filling being carried out in the Chac Estuary near Huay-Pix, which they said, jeopardizes the flow of water and the ecological balance in the natural channel that connects the Laguna de los Siete Colores with the Rio Hondo. On Monday, Governor Lezama toured the area and reported we are going to hand over everything immediately, today. Ill be speaking with Alicia Barcena (the Ministry of Environment) to hand over all the information. I want to make it very clear to everyone that in this government, no one is outside the law and absolutely no one is above the law. That is why the investigation, thats why the experts are conducting this investigation. Were here, were not sitting idly by. Rio Hondo, Estero de Chaac and the Bacalar lagoon system are essential, she explained. During the tour, a Sema biologist explained that the investigation, which included satellite images from years ago, confirmed that the area is located in a wetland and that there was landfilling and mangrove species, possibly red and white mangroves, that were affected without permission. What we need to verify is the impact on the ecosystem with this flooding and the possible impacts it could have on the Chaac Estuary, he explained. The Chac Estuary is a crucial waterway that connects the Bay of Chetumal, Rio Hondo and the Bacalar Lagoon. Governor Lezama did not say who is responsible for the illegal filling of the Chac Estuary or why it is was being filled. A doctor of the 27th batch of the Chinese medical team to Benin (C) examines a patient at the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, Benin, on July 14, 2025. The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in January 2024, consisting of 22 members, including 18 medical professionals. They are stationed in Lokossa and Natitingou. Since their arrival, they have provided medical care to 15,382 patients, performed 2,758 surgeries, and organized 26 visits across Benin to provide locals with free consultation, treatment and, when needed, medication. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua) by Xinhua writers Sun Yi, Si Yuan LOKOSSA, Benin, July 14 (Xinhua) -- When Yang Ping stepped back into the intensive care unit, a wave of relief washed over her: Beatrice Lawe, a 45-year-old patient once teetering on the brink of death, was breathing on her own, vital signs stable, after an emergency operation performed by Yang and fellow members of the Chinese Medical Team in Benin. "She really made it through," recalled Yang, a surgeon who leads the 27th Chinese medical team. Lawe had earlier undergone surgery for peritonitis and appendicitis at another hospital, but developed severe complications shortly after. When her condition suddenly deteriorated, she was rushed to the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, southwest Benin. Yang still remembers the moment of her initial assessment. "Based on clinical experience, the odds of her survival were almost nil," she said. Despite the grim outlook, Yang and her colleagues pressed on with emergency procedures, fully supported by the patient's family. Two weeks later, a miracle unfolded: Lawe regained consciousness with her condition stabilized. She was eventually discharged in good health and, six months later, underwent a successful second operation for colostomy reversal and digestive tract reconstruction, after which she fully returned to normal life. Her recovery became more than just a clinical success. It symbolized the deep trust and friendship between Chinese doctors and Beninese patients. The hospital where Lawe was cured has a longstanding bond with China. Built with Chinese aid and inaugurated in April 1997, the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center serves as a key regional medical center in Benin. Since 1978, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China has continuously dispatched medical teams to the West African country, a commitment that has remained unbroken for 47 years. The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in January 2024, consisting of 22 members, including 18 medical professionals. They are stationed in Lokossa and Natitingou. Since their arrival, they have provided medical care to 15,382 patients, performed 2,758 surgeries, and organized 26 visits across Benin to provide locals with free consultation, treatment and, when needed, medication. In a country with limited infrastructure, scarce advanced equipment, and a high prevalence of tropical diseases, the Chinese medical team often works under intense pressure. "Motorcycle-related trauma cases are especially frequent," Yang noted. "At peak times, we handle up to seven or eight severe orthopedic injuries a day." To help address these challenges, China and Benin signed a cooperation agreement in 2021, establishing a partnership between the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University and the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center. Through telemedicine consultations, academic exchanges, talent training, and expert visits, the program aims not just to heal, but to empower. "We are not only here to treat patients," Yang said. "We are here to leave behind skills that will stay on and benefit our Beninese friends for generations." Through case discussions, live demonstrations, and bedside teaching, the Chinese team helps local hospital staff improve their ability to independently manage situations such as emergency trauma, fracture reduction, and postoperative care. The resulting effects are evident to the Beninese crew. Head nurse Jacqueline Oussou, who has worked in Lokossa for 15 years, said she has seen an increase in patients coming specifically for Chinese doctors. "They are so dedicated, and they did an excellent job in surgery, obstetrics, otolaryngology and ophthalmology," she said. In the anesthesia department, nurse Elsie Tchenagni highlighted the importance of the new equipment and skills brought by the Chinese team. "They not only brought in new equipment, but also trained us patiently on how to use them," she said. "Now our procedures are much more precise. Even with language barriers, we have developed strong working chemistry." From emergency surgeries to daily rounds, from hands-on training to technology transfer, the Chinese medical team in Benin has become more than just a group of doctors. They are trusted partners in health and an embodiment of friendship. Over the past 47 years, successive generations of Chinese doctors have traveled from afar to serve in Benin, upholding the principle that "people come first, life comes first." Their unwavering dedication is reflected in the lives they save and the lasting impact they have on local healthcare. In every hospital ward and surgical theater, their presence tells a quiet yet powerful story -- one of humanity, perseverance, and a shared hope for a healthier future. A doctor of the 27th batch of the Chinese medical team to Benin (L) talks with family members of a patient at the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, Benin, on July 14, 2025. The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in January 2024, consisting of 22 members, including 18 medical professionals. They are stationed in Lokossa and Natitingou. Since their arrival, they have provided medical care to 15,382 patients, performed 2,758 surgeries, and organized 26 visits across Benin to provide locals with free consultation, treatment and, when needed, medication. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua) A doctor of the 27th batch of the Chinese medical team to Benin (1st R) talks with patients at the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, Benin, on July 14, 2025. The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in January 2024, consisting of 22 members, including 18 medical professionals. They are stationed in Lokossa and Natitingou. Since their arrival, they have provided medical care to 15,382 patients, performed 2,758 surgeries, and organized 26 visits across Benin to provide locals with free consultation, treatment and, when needed, medication. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua) A doctor of the 27th batch of the Chinese medical team to Benin (R) examines a patient at the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, Benin, on July 14, 2025. The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in January 2024, consisting of 22 members, including 18 medical professionals. They are stationed in Lokossa and Natitingou. Since their arrival, they have provided medical care to 15,382 patients, performed 2,758 surgeries, and organized 26 visits across Benin to provide locals with free consultation, treatment and, when needed, medication. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua) Cancun police arrest two of their own for extorting investigation victim in exchange for charges dropped Cancun, Q.R. Two Cancun police officers have been arrested for extorting a woman currently involved in an investigation. The two now-former officers, Armando Rene N and Mario Carlos N, were picked up on outstanding warrants Monday. According to local authorities, the detainees, acting as investigative police officers assigned to the hotel zone, went to the victims home on June 21 of this year, where they threatened to arrest her for allegedly having investigation files against her. However, to resolve the problem, Armando Rene N and Mario Carlos N demanded 250,000 pesos from the woman to stop the investigation and even delete all the files related to the complaint. Fearing arrest, the victim told them to give her enough time to raise the money, the State Attorney General (FGE) said. In the following days, the defendants sent intimidating messages to the victim via WhatsApp. Armando Rene N went to the workplace of the victims daughter where he threatened to force her mother to hand over the money or else he would have her fired from her job. Following a complaint, personnel from the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Combating Kidnapping and Extortion Crimes requested and obtained an arrest warrant for Armando Rene N and Mario Carlos N. The warrant was executed by members of the State Attorney Generals Investigative Police. Attorney General Raciel Lopez Salazar firmly reiterated the FGEs commitment to legality, transparency and justice, warning that no one, regardless of who they are, will be above the law. Lopez Salazar stated that the actions of the Attorney Generals Office are not driven by private interests or external pressure, but rather by the constitutional mandate to seek justice in strict adherence to the law and with full respect for human rights. This is an ethical and legal commitment. The law must be applied without distinction, without privilege and without fear. To those who still believe that impunity has a place in our state, we say clearly: that era is over, said Raciel Lopez Salazar. Former National Guard member arrested from Cancun home in stabbing death of wife Cancun, Q.R. A man reported to be a former member of the National Guard is in custody for the stabbing death of his wife. The man was taken into custody and his children removed from the home after 9-1-1 reports of a domestic dispute. The woman, who is reported to have been his wife and mother of his two children, died after being stabbed with a kitchen knife. The intense argument between the couple was reported by neighbors in SM 41 of Cancun Monday morning. Municipal police arrived at the at Piscis Street address along with paramedics and personnel from the Specialized Group for Attention to Domestic and Gender Violence (GEAVIG). Inside the home they found two injured adults inside a bedroom. One, the woman, was pronounced dead. The second, the man, was taken to hospital for a cut to his neck. It is not known if the cut was self-inflicted. In police custody is 33-year-old Felipe O who is accused of stabbing his wife with a kitchen knife during an argument. His wife, 35-year-old Sonia Vianey N, died as a result of a penetrating wound to the neck. Paramedics transported the alleged attacker to hospital for treatment for a seven-centimeter injury to his jugular vein. Two minors, aged five and 12, were removed from the home. During a press conference Monday, Quintana Roo Attorney General (FGE) Raciel Lopez announced that his office has opened an investigation. She was killed by her partner Felipe Octavio who was also injured with a knife and is now in custody. We will apply all protocols for femicide and we will work to ensure that he is brought to justice as quickly as possible so that he can face trial in prison, he reported. Royal Caribbean officially takes over cruise Port of Mahahual and surrounding land Mahahual, Q.R. Royal Caribbean has officially taken administrative control of the Port of the Grand Costa Maya. With this, the Mahahual cruise port will soon begin a revamp into the cruise companys Perfect Day Mexico. The ambitious tourism transformation project will position Mahahual as one of the companys global flagship destinations. The announcement was made July 11 by Jay Schnaider, the Director of Product Innovation for Royal Caribbean. He reported that the legal and financial transaction for the Royal Caribbean takeover had been finalized, allowing the company to formally assume operation of the port. We are now administrators of the port and have begun working on the development of Perfect Day Mahahual, said the company representative. According to Schnaider, the port of Mahahual will not be closed during the extensive two-year renovation process. The official takeover announcement was made July 11, 2025. Schnaider said that cruise ship operations will continue as usual while the construction is done to carry out the Perfect Day Mexico transformation. He also confirmed that as part of their agreement, the port will continue to accept all cruise lines, not only Royal Caribbean ships. In June, the financial transaction to buy the port of Mahahual was finalized. Royal Caribbean bought the port and 34 surrounding properties for $292 million USD. The deal includes the port and adjacent land. This initial investment will be accompanied by an additional $600 million, reaching a total of $821.3 million USD for the development of the ambitious Perfect Day Mexico project, the first of its kind in the country. The finished Perfect Day Mexico tourist complex at Mahahual will feature a large water park, pools, shopping areas, beach clubs, hotels and other attractions. The company plans to attract nearly 4 million tourists to the revamped port annually. In addition, the project will include a community center, local training programs and sustainable infrastructure and will be connected to the Maya Train, strengthening its potential as a regional tourism hub. In late June, a developer submitted environmental impact statements to the federal government for permission to construct 24 hotels in two projects outside the seaside town of Mahahual. Under the sun of the Dominican Republic and under the umbrella of Disney+, Spanish actors Silvia Alonso and Alex Gonzalez shine as high-class thieves in the new thriller Suspicious Minds, the new series of heists and passions that has just premiered on the platform. Two actors with distinct profiles, two energies that intersect to steal more than just gems: the viewer's attention. In an interview with ENSTARZ and The Latin Times , they reveal, amid laughter and unexpected confessions, how they built their characters, Rui and Amber, and what personal rituals allowed them to become the new Bonnie & Clyde of streaming. Alex Gonzalez sees it clearly: Rui is a methodical hedonist, a thief who enjoys every heist as if it were his last. "I always put together a playlist for each character. Rui is a joyful, bold, and seeks pleasure in everything," he reveals. It's his way of fine-tuning his attitude before filming. Silvia Alonso, on the other hand, preferred a more tangible ritual: perfume. "Amber would wear Jasmine Rose by Tom Ford. She likes good things, so I invested in a good perfume," she says, laughing. These are details, but they are also the gateways to the character. In Suspicious Minds, known in Spanish as Ladrones: La tiara de Santa Agueda, the two play an ex-couple forced to reunite to steal the legendary jewel of the title. But the real loot lies elsewhere: the tension between them, that mix of recriminations, chemistry, and memories that both actors exploit. "We want the audience to decide whether the story continues, but everything is already set up to continue," Gonzalez says. There's a potential franchise in the works. The subtitle betrays the strategy. "The tiara is just the first heist. Then there could be Pontius Pilate's diamond or St. George's clock," explains Alonso, who seems to enjoy imagining new robberies. And what would they steal in real life? Alonso answers without hesitation: "An entire library. And I'd open an animal rescue." Gonzalez, true to his character, seeks something less material. "I'd steal time. That's the real luxury," he admits with a smile. The shoot, directed by Inma Torrente and Alejandro Bazzano and produced by Plano a Plano, had the sophistication of a heist film and the intimacy of a romantic drama. Six episodes that blend visual splendor, action, and a touch of emotional danger. Because as Gonzalez summarizes at the end of the interview: "The real question is whether the loot is the tiara... or the other person's heart." It's now available on Disney+ and it's well worth watching, because in Suspicious Minds, Silvia Alonso and Alex Gonzalez don't just steal jewels. They steal the series. Originally published on Latin Times How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Jessica and Rich here. Its anonymous! Dear How to Do It, My girlfriend, Samantha, and I are in our 60s. Weve been dating/intimate for about one and a half years. It took us a while to get sex up and running (like two months). I really like giving oral, and I really like 69. But when I go down on her, I encounter something strange that I really cant handle. It tastes of urine. The smell is pretty whiffy, too. As a result, I havent been going down on Samantha. She doesnt crave receiving oral. She enjoys giving oral, and I like receiving it, so thats a positive in our sex life. Giving oral has been my most reliable way to get previous partners turned on, often helping them reach orgasm. Getting my partner excited gets me excited. Im more apt to come if she comes, or at least if she gets wet. Im discovering that Im coming less frequently from PIV sex, though it has happened occasionally over the last five years. The 69 position is the most reliable way for me to get off. My questions are: How do I broach the subject of the urine taste/smell with her? Ive never encountered this situation before. But this is the first time Im dating someone in their 60s, as Im just into my 60s myself. I will be deeply upset with myself if she feels embarrassed or ashamed by me raising this subject. Is this a common phenomenon for people in their 60s? Is it tied to some physiological condition separate from just getting old? Do people performing fellatio experience the same taste phenomenon? Also, do you have any suggestions for good books on sex in our 60s and 70s? Drip Happens Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear Drip Happens, From a purely strategic viewpoint, Samantha isnt particularly invested in receiving oral sex. So youre looking at asking her to address something that bothers you (but, apparently, not her) so that you can engage in a sexual practice that gets you off but doesnt hold any specific inherent appeal for her. Before you go into any kind of conversation about this subject, prepare yourself for the possibility that she determines this isnt worth attempting to solve. Take some time to consider how important giving oral sex is to you, and weigh that against everything else you appreciate about the relationship. As for the fact that giving your partners oral sex is how youve reliably turned them on in the past, spend some time thinking about how attached you are to the narrative of your prowess in that area and to the routine of having always done it this way. Are you open to figuring out what works best for this particular partner? It might look a bit different than what youre used to. Advertisement Theres no way to guarantee that you wont cause embarrassment or shame by broaching the subject with Samantha. And, while aging and physiological conditions are fairly entwined, I suppose you could say that the pelvic floor weakness likely causing the urine issue is more of a physiological condition. I would, however, caution you against going into the conversation with any feeling of certainty about what might be happening with Samanthas body. Do lead with the desire to let her know about something she may not have noticed, which could have one of a few different health implications. Basically, while she might have some uncomfortable feelings in response to you letting her know what youve noticed, she needs to know so she can see a doctor. This situation is similar to how she should let you know if she noticed a suspicious mole in the middle of your back, but with the added complications of the subject being something people are often ashamed of. Keep your focus on the facts of the situation, and leave the sexual implications out of it for nowtheyre likely to compound any reaction of shame and may serve as a distraction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether people who perform fellatio also taste urine is a more complicated question. Its a big, wild world out there, so yes, there are people whose penises taste like pee, and there are even people who enjoy penises that taste like pee. We can only hope they reliably find each other. There can be many types of smells or tastes that are broadly off-putting, fine, or even appreciated by one person and off-putting to another. If youre worried about whether your own body tastes and smells good to your partner, ask. Itll be in their best interest to tell you the truth, and if youre a bit whiffy yourself, you can make an effort to shower before intimacy. On the subject of guides to sex in your 60s and 70s, author Joan Price is a great place to start. She offers everything from personal stories and how-to books to erotica. Advertisement Get sex advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit Dear How to Do It, Im feeling kind of messed up about this: Are some people polyamorous, as an orientation? Are some people constantly sexually attracted to more than one person at once, in a way that makes it tough to remain monogamous, even in an ideal relationship with no dissatisfaction? And if yes what if I dont want to be? Advertisement Advertisement I want to be sexually monogamous with my husband. Our relationship is perfect for me, I am wildly attracted to him even after a decade. I know I would find sex lackluster with anybody else. Ive been crushing hard on a person for the last two years who is also crushing on me, but if the situation arose, Id turn down sex with them. Fantasizing about them is fun and brings me pleasure, but sometimes makes me feel disconnected from my husband. Advertisement With anybody else, Id ask for some version of an open relationship, but I dont want that here. But self-suppression seems dangerous. So, I need to strike a balance here and be mindful, but I dont even know what that looks like. Want My Cake and Not to Eat It Too Advertisement Dear Want My Cake, When were talking about polyamoryoften shortened to polyam and generally defined as relationship structures that foster significant simultaneous relationships that are sexual, romantic, and some degree of committedwe dont have nearly the same amount of serious theorizing, academic research, and lobbying for policy to lean on that we do for the concept of sexual orientation. Advertisement What I can say with certainty is that it operates in a similar way to sexual attraction. In the same way that a person of a given gender might be totally attracted to their opposites, attracted to people with the same gender, or have some combination of attractions (with varying degrees of pure lust, desire for significant romantic engagement, or life-building layered on top)people will have varying desires for how they set up their relationships. On one end of the spectrum, there are those who wish to have everything with and only with one person, and on the other, are people whod like to have everything unstacked, spread across, and mutually shared with several people. As much as theory is interesting, though, and as much as labels do have important uses, I think youre better served right now by looking at what you want and where your behaviors are out of alignment with those goals. Advertisement Severalmeaning probably a few months worth ofsessions with a mental health practitioner who is accepting of both monogamy and various non-monogamous frameworks would be ideal to help you sort through this stuff. The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists has the biggest database of likely providers. You can also look for local practices that advertise themselves as sex-positive. This kind of support is often out of reasonable budgetary reach, though, so Im sharing several prompts you can start working with on your own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You want to be sexually monogamous with your husband. Why? What are the specific reasons, and what kinds of beliefs and desires are they based on? What would hearing confirmation that polyamory is an orientation do for youhow would it change your view of this situation? And what would hearing denial of the concept of polyamory as an orientation do? What feels different about your situation from the well-circulated trope of default-monogamous humans with wandering eyes, seven-year itches, or simply libidinous impulses? If emotional commitment and boundaries around certain levels of flirting are part of your monogamous marriages explicit agreements or understandable assumptions, why are you two years into a mutual crush situation? How are you engaging in that while wanting to be monogamous with your husband? What worries you about the idea of what youre calling self-suppression, and where does that worry come from? What leads you to say that you dont want to ask for an open relationship in this situation, but that you would ask for one with anyone else? Lastly, what does perfect for you mean to you in the context of a relationship, and what are you missing that is resulting in the mutual crush and this letter? Advertisement Whether youre having conversations about these questions with yourself in your mind, talking them through with a trusted friend, or journaling (if the latter, make sure you dont leave any files or notes where your husband might stumble over them), take the questions one at a time and really think them over. Get some clarity about whats happening inside you. You need to gain an understanding of your situation right now and how you got here. Then youll know what to do next. Send Us Your Questions About the Workplace! The columnists behind our new advice column, Good Job, want to help you navigate your social dynamics at work. Does your colleague constantly bug you after hours? Has an ill-advised work romance gone awry? Ask us your question here! Advertisement Dear How to Do it, My husband, Matthew, and I are in our mid-40s, and for the last five months or so, I have felt no sexual desire whatsoever. Not for him or even any urge for masturbation. I still menstruate, so its not menopause. I go through the motions with Matthew in regards to sex because I understand he has needs, but I derive no pleasure from it. He knows whats going on and only has sex with me because I insist. However, hes starting to become more distant. Matthew has been more patient with me than I deserve. Hes tried various lubes, toys, and other things, but none of them have done anything for me. I hate the thought of losing him, but I want him to be happy and am considering telling him we should split. Is there some way I can bring my libido back from the dead? The Fire Is Out Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear the Fire Is Out, It absolutely might be the case that Matthew is becoming distant because youre no longer enjoying sex. If this is accurate, he might be pulling away so you dont feel obligated to have sex you dont enjoy, or out of a fear that hes going to lose you, so hes withdrawing in the hopes that a separation will hurt less if hes already less involved. There are also other possible reasons for his distance that have nothing to do with sex. Its conceivable that hes got some stuff going on at work thats shutting him down and hasnt shared that because he thinks youre already dealing with enough. Have a big talk about it. Let him know what youve written here about your appreciation for how patient hes been, your desire to stay together and how that conflicts with wanting to see him happy. Give him space to respond, and if he doesnt volunteer information about what would make him most happy and what amount of sex he wants, ask him for this insight. Once everything is out in the open, the two of you can make decisionsbased on all of the factsabout what seems worth trying. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate I Caught My Husband in a Lie Right After We Had Sex. We May Never Recover. Read More Some of that might look like permission for him to seek sexual interactions outside the marriage. Whether thats an option at all, and, if so, what shape that permission takes, will depend on whether he would want to do so and whether you think youd be able to handle the emotions associated with some version of non-monogamy. Even though your period is still regular, menopause is far from the only hormonal shift that can affect libido, so a visit to a gynecologist would be worth a try. You might bring it up to your primary care physician, in case they have ideas about possible physical causes other than hormones, too. Think back on what might have changed in your life or emotions five or so months ago or shortly before. Did you experience a shift in your mental health at all? If so, find a mental health practitioner who takes your concern seriously. Lastly, while adding props to your sexual interactions has proven fruitless, you might go the other direction on the spectrum of ways to touch each other and give the sensate focus technique a try. The explanation of sensate focus that I linked to explains one part of the process that I find is really crucial: Couples can repeat step one [non-genital touching] for a series of days, moving on to step two when both feel ready to do so. If you want to hang out on step one for several weeks, and your husband is interested in continuing to participate, that is perfectly OK. None of what Ive suggested is guaranteed to work. Whats most likely to set you up for success is open lines of communication and a spirit of curiosity and experimentation. Jessica More Advice From Slate My boyfriend and I are both in our mid-20s. After being together for three years, and after surviving the worst of the pandemic togetherincluding job loss, family illness, and the loss of his auntwe made the decision to move in together about four months ago. We have a great relationship, connecting intellectually, emotionally, and physically from the start. We even discussed marriage and kids down the road. Of course, I would not be writing into this column if there was no problem, so I will get straight to it. Our problem is that since Ive moved in, my boyfriend has experienced a condition that weve learned through online resources is referred to as sexsomnia, or sleep sex. This is part of Revenge Week, a series about how vengeance runs America, from the White House to cheating spouses to that bad boss who totally deserved it. A pod of killer whales disables the rudders of idling yachts in the Strait of Gibraltar, sinking three ships. A herd of elephants tramples a woman collecting water at a river and returns to her village the following day to further desecrate her corpse. An octopus becomes annoyed at an overhead light in a laboratory, jets it with water, and causes a buildingwide power outage. All of these stories are true, and all of them made headlines because they innervate an eternal human curiosity: Do the animals among usthe same ones that have been brutalized, subjugated, chased from their homes, and forced to live in a dystopia that is not of their own makingever take revenge? This is a complicated question. Most scientists agree that animals do not possess the multifaceted emotional capacity to plot out a highly specific saga of retribution, designed to inflict maximum pain or humiliation, in matters of the heart or the ego. Given this baseline understanding, any exhibitions you and I might perceive as revenge are usually dampened by zoological experts, who often categorize these occurrences as mundane instincts rather than the violent acts of retribution humans excel in. Still, there are some folks who believe that there is more going on in the gray matter of animals than we realize. And perhaps that means that these animals want us to pay for our sins. I think theyre certainly pissed off, Philip Hoare, an author who has penned a number of books about whales and the unique relationship they have with humans, told me. In 2023 Hoare was among the first writers to document those famed orca attacks off the Iberian coast. The incident provoked the global imaginationhe collected the flabbergasted accounts of the victimized sea captains, who watched helplessly as the leviathans rammed into their vessels until they stalled out in the unforgiving deep. (The headlines wrote themselves: Revenge of the killer whales?) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether or not it was a conscious act, those killer whales were nonetheless acting in their best interest. According to Hoare, nautical engines have a long history of bamboozling aquatic mammalsthey generate enough noise to disrupt migration patterns and sonar location, and there is some evidence that orca matrons are training their youth to interact with those yachts more forcefully. But would Hoare call those actions revenge? Again, its hard to say. When youre on the raw end of an orca interaction, you realize that if anything, theyre holding back, he said. If they wanted to take us on, they could, and there is a sense that they must be socially aware of the differences we have made in their environments. So I dont discount the notion that they are capable of exacting whatever it is that revenge means to them. Barbara King, an anthropologist who studies the inner workings of animal minds, tends to agree with Hoare. Im very convinced that animal joy, and animal grief, is real, she said. She cites a profound episode in 2018 when an orca named Tahlequah embarked on a long, dirgeful grief swim. One of her calves had died, and for 17 days Tahlequah carried its lifeless body on her back as she cruised through the waters of Vancouver Island. This is grist for Kings theory that animals are capable of experiencing sentimental resonance in a similar way to humans. Advertisement Advertisement Another example King cites in her work involves two ducks who were rescued from a foie gras factory in New York. They were bonded with each other, and when one of the ducks died a few years later, the other became consumed with sorrow. It was incontestable that the second duck was feeling the loss of his friend, said King. He would take himself to places around the sanctuary where they spent time together. He didnt interact with other beings. And he died relatively soon after. Im not saying grief was the sole cause, but I do think it was a contributory cause. Advertisement These are weighty expressions from a being so often reduced to protein. And while King does not expect a Birds-style assault on the nations foie gras producers, she is at least open to the idea that those emotions could add up to revenge. (After all, crows have been observed holding grudges and attacking specific people they dont like.) Still, King thinks she needs to see more evidence. Advertisement Animals have physical expressions around a corpse or a body that we can interpret as happiness or sadness, she continued. But with revenge, we need to grasp something about an animals internal motivations. We see the outcome. We see a consequence that looks like revenge. But how can we really know? I dont think its a frivolous question. The ambiguity is whether or not those animals can put together all of those capabilities with that motivation. Advertisement Advertisement It must be said that plenty of other thinkers in this field arent willing to even remotely entertain these conclusions. I reached out to Robert Pitman, a marine ecologist at Oregon State University who had his own dynamic encounter with an orca pod. They were hunting a seal left adrift on an iceberg, and at the very last momentwhen it appeared like dinner was about to be servedan enterprising humpback whale swooped in to make the rescue. (It warded off the orcas and carried the seal on its back to safer waters.) That certainly looked like benevolence between creatures, at least to the untrained eye, but Pitman throws water on that theory. When killer whales attack, they get quite vocal. And often when that happens, humpbacks come in and break it up. And sometimes, what they might be attacking could be a related creature, like a humpback calf, he said. Its not altruism, its inadvertent altruism. Advertisement Advertisement So what does Pitman think of those yacht attacks? Revenge is three-dimensional chess, and animals play checkers, he said. Those orcas in the eastern Atlantic disabling the rudderswhen you think about it, thats exactly how they attack larger whales. They ram them, quite often they break ribs, and often they grab onto the appendages. Its exactly what theyre doing to these boats. Its normal behavior. Hamlet does revenge, not humpbacks, he finished. There is only one tale in the canon of animal behavior that meets the criteria of true, cold-blooded revenge. In 1997 a poacher named Vladimir Markov was tracking a tiger in the eastern reaches of Russia. Markov shot and wounded the beast but couldnt secure a kill. Two days later, when Markov was returning to his cabin, that same tiger pounced on the unlucky woodsman. Markov, overmatched without his rifle, was dragged into the underbrush by the tiger, who ate him alive. Its a total biological outlier. The tiger internalized its quest for revengekept it central in its cognitionto the point of tracking the mans scent back to his home. In living memory, there was no record of an incident like this, of a tiger hunting a human being, said John Vaillant, who wrote a book about the killing, in an interview with NPR. This was a highly unusual circumstance, completely driven by human behavior. If the tiger hadnt been shot, there would be no story. Advertisement For as much as we might want to rationalize the actions of our fellow living creaturesto confine them to patterns of behavior that reinforce our status as dominant life formsthere might also be a carnivore lying in wait outside your doorstep, ready to settle a score. King notes that everyday people dont have a difficult time grasping this concept. Who hasnt watched a family dog snarl at a threat or had a disgruntled cat poop in their bed after being left alone for too long? Shes more concerned about the titans of industrymeat processors, pharmaceutical plantsthat fail to take the psychological welfare of their livestock into account. Advertisement I want to talk to the scientists who are keeping monkeys in biomedical laboratories, she said. I want to talk to the theme park owners who are still making orcas put on shows. Stuff like that is real, said King. We need to invest much more funding and attention to animal emotion and tie it to animal well-being. Frankly, thats the only thing anyone can say for certain about interspecies revenge. Call it an innate evolutionary reflex or a brief glimpse into an unseen culture, but we simply (still) dont know much about how animals think. Hopefully we figure it out before its too late. This is part of Revenge Week, a series about how vengeance runs America, from the White House to cheating spouses to that bad boss who totally deserved it. My ex-wife and I were in college together, and by all accounts, things were going great. I was plugging away at my studies, and she was finishing up her dissertation with a professor and mentor. We were all friends. Hed come over to the house and hang out with us, and I genuinely appreciated how much he seemed to be helping my ex-wife deal with the long hours of higher education. They were in a religious studies program, and during the semester, that group planned a trip to Jamaica to conduct some more research togetherand, I imagine, blow off some steam. I had no problem with that. The sooner we could get to the other side of this dissertation, the better. And if a quick vacation was what she felt like she needed? Go forth. After my ex-wife returned from Jamaica, one of the other students in the program told me that she was getting a little handsy with this professor while they were overseas. I didnt believe them initially. We had a great marriage, and I never noticed anything weird between the two of them. But the accusation started to eat at me the more I saw them together. Im not proud of this, but when she was away, I snooped through my ex-wifes phone. This was a long time ago2004 to be exactbefore texting was really a thing. However, I did find a voicemail left by this professor. I played it, and my heart sank. I never felt more lost than I did at that moment. It was clearly a romantic affair. This man was telling my ex-wife that he loved her, and couldnt wait to see her again. I found some other evidence on that phone where he was laughing at my expense. Stuff like, Wow, that was a close one, we almost got caught! It was a full-blown relationship outside of our marriage. My ex-wife and I hadnt been sleeping together as much because, I thought, she was stressed out over her studies, and I was working longer hours to bring more money home to keep us afloat while she finished up school. Little did I know that something else entirely was going on. But you know what the worst part was? Months before, I had made some homemade THC-infused lube for the both of us, just for a little extra fun in the bedroom. Its a simple processall it requires is some coconut oil and a cheesecloth. Once I learned that my ex-wife was cheating, I noticed that some of that lube had been used recently, and it certainly wasnt when we were getting intimate. So, not only are you scandalizing our marriage, youre also using our sex toys? I was furious, but thankfully, it provided inspiration for my revenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I remember sitting on our porch, stewing in my misery. It had been a few weeks since I initially discovered the indiscretion, and I didnt know what to do with myself. Should I confront her? Should I move out? Should I try to talk it over? None of those options felt especially satisfying. But then, I saw a bushel of poison ivy snaking around our backyard. It clicked in my head. Im going to make another batch of that weed lube, and when they use it, theyre going to be in for a nasty surprise. Ill never forget that moment of clarity. I grabbed some gloves and went to town. I snipped off about 15 leaves of that poison ivy and let it marinate with the weed. I decarbed it all together, and poured it in the lube bottle. Afterward, I waited for her to spring the trap. I tried to pick up some more shifts at work in order to not be around, and provide ample opportunity for her to rendezvous with her secret lover. A couple of days later I came home and saw that the lube had been used. Voila. Advertisement I grabbed her phone and replaced the professors contact information with my own number. Sure enough, the next morning she texts methinking its the professorthat shes feeling a little itchy down in her nether regions. I immediately wrote back and said that I had herpes, but didnt think I was in the middle of a flare-up. Oh well, I said, I guess you have it now, too. That was pretty mean, but in the moment, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. This all might sound horribly vindictive, and it was, but you need to understand the context. When I learned I was being cheated on, I entered such a dark place. I kept blaming myself for her infidelity. Where did I go wrong? And eventually, I began to realize that while I wasnt perfect, I was a good husband. I worked hard, I was emotionally available, and I provided for her. I think my relationship with my wife today is a testament to that. Advertisement Advertisement Thats not to say I dont have regrets, though. After receiving my text, she stormed off to confront this professorwho was completely clueless about the whole schemeand I went on her computer and deleted everything about her dissertation. Her thesis, her research notes, the whole deal. That stuff was unrecoverable. It amounted to years of work, immolated in an instant, which obviously is more damaging than a poison ivy rash. Before long, the professor and my ex-wife realized that they had been pranked, but by that point, I had already packed a bag and was out of the house. I got an apartment for myself, and I think I only interacted with my ex three times after that when we signed the papers at the attorneys office. She never admitted any wrongdoing. She even asked for custody of my dog. I told her to fuck off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have mixed feelings about the whole experience, looking back. Revenge was immensely satisfying, but was it really worth it? After years of therapy, I wish that I had just been an adult and played things straight with my ex. I could have just said, Look, I know you cheated, I dont want anything to do with you anymore, goodbye. I just have more respect for myself now, you know? Ultimately, revenge is a pretty juvenile instinct. I wouldnt stoop to that level today. Even though I most certainly got my moneys worth. Still, my revenge plot has given me a great story to tell, and I appreciate it for that. I also never learned whether or not that professor was using a condom while he was sleeping with my ex-wife. On the night they used the poison ivyinfused lube, I really hope he wasnt. Jessica Alba is "focused on herself and her kids" - rather than her love life. Jessica Alba announced her split in January The 44-year-old actress is "enjoying being single again" following her split from husband Cash Warren - but Jessica is "not interested in a relationship right now". A source told People: "Shes been getting a lot of attention since the divorce. Shes flattered and definitely enjoying being single again. Shes gone on some dates, but its nothing serious shes focused on herself and her kids. Shes not interested in a relationship right now." Jessica began filming The Mark, an upcoming thriller film, earlier this month, and the actress is now "doing what she loves". The insider explained: "Shes in a great place. Shes excited to get back to filming. Shes doing what she loves and keeping her circle tight." Jessica announced her split from Cash via a social media post in January. The Hollywood star explained at the time that she was ready to "embark on a new chapter of growth and evolution". Jessica said in her statement: "I've been on a journey of self realization and transformation for years - both as an individual and in partnership with Cash. I'm proud of how we've grown as a couple and in our marriage over the last 20 years and it's now time for us to embark on a new chapter of growth and evolution as individuals. "We are moving forward with love and kindness and respect for each other and will forever be family. Our children remain our highest priority and we request privacy at this time. (sic)" By contrast, in May 2024, Jessica took to social media to celebrate her wedding anniversary, admitting that she felt "proud of us for making it this far". The brunette beauty wrote on Instagram: "Im proud of us for making it this far. There is no real set of rules or guidance that can ever prepare you for what it means to commit to another person and choose to be family. "Through thick and thin we have continually found our way back to each other and have chosen one another. Cheers to us, I love you." Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. On July 6, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a public memo, in conjunction with the FBI, officially declaring that the notorious financial broker and serial pedophile Jeffrey Epstein had, in fact, died by suicide, contra the widespread assumption that hed been murdered. Further, the Department of Justice added, he kept no blackmail-ready client list of rich and famous friends, and no further disclosure regarding Epstein was warranted, since it was interspersed with sensitive information from the over one thousand victims whom Epstein had sexually assaulted or trafficked. What happened next was an unmitigated shit show for MAGA world. As some administration members had reportedly feared, these findings became an immediate source of high-octane controversy with influential far-right figures like Elon Musk and the MyPillow guynot least since Bondi herself had told Fox News, in late February, that the purportedly nonexistent client list was sitting on my desk right now to review. On Friday, the anti-Bondi and prowhite nationalist influencer Laura Loomer sent out a series of tweets on how the FBIs most senior officers, Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, were LIVID with Bondi over her handling of the Epstein matter, leading Bongino to take the day off work in frustration. Over the weekend, Donald Trump addressed the matter in a characteristically lengthy, and whiny, Truth Social post imploring followers to not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about. Trumps post quickly received a deluge of replies from his disaffected followers, undermining the case that nobody cares about Epstein and presaging a wider fissure that opened up between two sides of MAGA world: those, like Ben Shapiro, who either ignored the matter or reiterated Trumps point that the Epstein files were a nonissue, versus those, like Alex Jones, who view the DOJ memo as the greatest betrayal since Brutus. If youre puzzled by all of this, or wondering whether it really matters (spoiler: it does), heres a thorough breakdown of the ongoing mess known as the Epstein List. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were people really expecting Trump to release all the Epstein files? Isnt he kinda implicated, being an old Epstein friend and all? Advertisement Throughout his reelection campaign, Trump consistently distanced himself from his past associations with Epstein. That sufficed to clear him in the eyes of Epstein-curious right-wingers, who simply ignored allegations that Trump groped a model in front of Epstein in 1993 and had stayed close with the well-connected hedge funder long after his crimes started coming to light. Still, the deceased serial rapist remained a subject of fascination with Trumps base. Tucker Carlson repeatedly asked the candidate whether he thought Epstein could have been murdered, even as the former president demurred on a clear answer. On a Fox & Friends Weekend panel (which, incidentally, featured current Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth), co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy asked Trump whether he would restore trust in the FBI by declassifying the Epstein files; the president answered that I guess I would release more Epstein info but warned of the potential for phony stuff. Months later, Lex Fridman complained that the list of clients that went to the island has not been made publicreferring to Epsteins private properties near the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he allegedly trafficked young girlsand asked whether Trump would be able to fix that should he be reelected, which Trump said would be no problem. Advertisement Advertisement Campaign surrogate Don Jr. further stoked things by tweeting nonstop about Epstein, railing against the justice system for prosecuting his father while trying to protect those pedophiles on Epsteins list. Elon Musk, whod tweeted about the client list as far back as 2022, told Tucker Carlson that Trump opponents were driven by fear that the Republican would release that Epstein client list if reelected. And running mate J.D. Vance, whose belated conversion to the far right was accompanied by a flurry of Epstein-related tweets, said on Theo Vons podcast that the Epstein list was an important thing. Advertisement What specific client list is everyone talking about? Havent we already known that a bunch of celebrities were friends with Epstein? Indeed, weve known since at least 2015 that notable Americans like Trump, Bill Clinton, and Larry Summers had flown with Epstein on his private jet, thanks to flight logs that surfaced in various lawsuits from his accusers. More documents detailing Epsteins celebrity networklike his little black book, testimony from Epsteins pilot and from his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and federal court filings unsealed in 2019 and 2024have also surfaced publicly over the years. But theres something more specific that Epstein followers are looking for when they refer to the list: a thorough rundown of which people hadnt just associated with Epstein, but had raped or received massages from girls and women whom hed trafficked for their pleasure (and whose misdeeds hed then recorded for the purposes of blackmail.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the documents do contain specific sex-crime allegations against some of the many people mentioned within, they do not indicate that such a detailed and damning client list exists. Yet rumors to that effect have circled the web ever since the first set of publicized flight logs, and they were supercharged with the rise of QAnon, the conspiracy theory that Trump was first elected to crush a deep state cabal of pedophiles that was run by major figures from Hollywood and the Democratic Partyyou know, like the Clintons. So even though Epstein had plenty of conservatives in his circle (e.g., David Koch, Les Wexner), the troubling presence of various Democrats and celebrities across all the public documents (e.g., Clinton, Ted Kennedy, John Glenn, Kevin Spacey, Matt Groening) has always been proof positive for Q believers, like Kash Patel. (It should be noted that just about everyone named in these documents has denied participation in Epsteins crimes. In fact, Spacey demanded on Tuesday that the files be released.) Advertisement Advertisement In fairness to the keyboard detectives, the fact that so many powerful people have had such close associations with an ultrapredator like Epstein is quite disturbing. But after Trump left office, the fabled Epstein client list became the basis for some truly unhinged beliefs. In late 2022, Balenciaga launched an ad campaign featuring two photos of girls holding teddy bears in bondage gear; one of those pictures also happened to include a printout of a 2008 Supreme Court decision about child pornography. The backlash to the photos soon curdled into baseless claims that Balenciaga employees were on the Epstein client list. In subsequent years, out-of-context document screenshots and social media conjecture would lead the same conspirators to extend the rumored list of Epstein clientele to include Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks, among others. Well, I feel ill. And the Trump admin now agrees that the client list isnt a thing? Advertisement Indeed. And Bondi, Patel, and Bongino can only blame themselves for stepping into this, as they were fervent advocates for releasing the list long before Trumps reelection. Trump-nominated AG Pam Bondi says that anyone who is fighting to keep their name private on the Jeffrey Epstein documents has no legal basis to do so. pic.twitter.com/XsXfpEm8E6 Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 23, 2024 On Feb. 27, Bondi invited over a dozen far-right influencers to the White House and handed them yuge binders carrying the DOJ seal and the title The Epstein Files, Part 1. But it was all a nothingburger: Most of the information within the new files was already revealed in prior documentation, and the binder papers were heavily redactedhardly a declassification. Right-wingers were outraged, with Laura Loomer calling for the attorney general she nicknamed Blondi to resign immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi must have known that binder didnt have the Epstein list they were asking for, right? Presumably, though some right-wingers were more generous to her than Loomer. One of the binder recipients insinuated that the conspiracy was even deeper than imagined, and that shadowy forces had deceived Bondi and Patel and Trump. To stave off the heat, Bondi released a letter shed written to Kash Patel on the same date, accusing him of withholding files. In turn, Patel tweeted a pledge that There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents. Sounds like they were all trying to find the guy who did this. Indeed, and their job wasnt getting any easier. In May, Bondi made a cryptic remark about the DOJ investigating tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn, a statement that she refused to elaborate on. That same month, Patel and Bongino made a joint appearance on Fox News to gravely declare their newfound belief that Epstein was not murdered, by the Clintons or by anyone else. And in early June, Elon Musks falling-out with Trump led to his sensational accusation that the president is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. (Musk later deleted the tweet and apologized.) And then came the memo, which really tore the MAGA coalition apart. In addition to the client list debunking, the DOJ and FBI attached 10 hours of enhanced video recorded outside Epsteins jail cell on the night he killed himselfbut it didnt show Epsteins actual cell door, and it was missing a minute of footage from just before midnight. Naturally, this fueled even more memes and conspiracy theories across X. [Update, July 15, 2025, at 4:35 p.m.: After publication, Wired reported that metadata from the video file revealed that nearly three minutes of footage had been edited out of the tape released to the public. The FBI declined to comment.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a press conference, Bondi explained that the missing minute was the result of an automatic camera reset. Trump, who was clearly exasperated, blew up at a reporter who further pressed on the issue: I cant believe youre asking a question on Epstein at a time like this. Then came his limp kumbaya on Truth Social, in which he asked what was going on with my boys and, in some cases, gals, defended Bondi, accused that Democrats created the Epstein Files, dismissed the infighting, and insisted that Patel stick to relitigating the 2020 election. OK, yeah, it seems they kinda brought this upon themselves. What sides are MAGA voters taking here? There are myriad strains of right-wing cope and despair around this development. Ill classify a few of the major ones here: Caring about Epstein is soooooo 2019: These are the real Trump die-hardsthe people who may have previously raised a stink about the list, but are content with the Trump administrations explanation and think its time for everyone to move on. These true believers include Ben Shapiro, James Woods, conservative publisher Roger Kimball, and Charlie Kirk (who only backed down after getting a scolding phone call from the president, per CNN). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump needs to purge his team: This is basically the Loomer tackthat Bondi should be fired because shes withholding the truth from the FBI and the American people. That being said, some other folks in this camp, like conservative commentator Patrick Bet-David, also think Patel and Bongino are to blame. No matter what, Trump himself is off the hook. Subscribers include Catturd, Steve Bannon, Sean Strickland, Robby Starbuck, Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy, Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, and Epstein-binder recipients Liz Wheeler and Jack Posobiec.* Theres an Israeli connection: A longtime theory that Epstein formerly collected intelligence for Israels Mossad agency has flared up again, fueling speculation that the Trump administration is again covering for Israeldespite former Prime Minister Naftali Bennetts unequivocal denial. Truthers include Megyn Kelly, Benny Johnson, Tucker Carlson, and Alex Jones. Advertisement Trump let us all down: And for some MAGA types, this represents a wholesale disillusionment with Trump. Its not irreparable, but its close. These rebels include Elon Musk (whos also claiming that Bannon is in the Epstein Files), Joe Rogan, Mike Cernovich, X influencer David Freeman, Heritage Foundation fellow Michael McKenna, and tens of thousands of aggrieved Truth Social postersincluding a Jan. 6 participant. Advertisement Wow, OK. So what happens next? That likely depends on how things develop at the FBI and DOJ over the next few days. Bongino has reportedly returned to work after interventions from Trump and Vance, although his future with the department remains fuzzy. Meanwhile, TV host Lara Trump is attempting to keep the MAGA base mollified by promising yet more revelations to come. Alan Dershowitz, whod represented both Epstein and Trump as a lawyer, told a San Antonio news station this Sunday that Epstein never kept a client listonly to be reminded of the time he told Sean Spicer in March that he knew the names of the individuals on the list. Still, its not likely the Trump admin can evade this. Even Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trumps most reliable allies and attack dogs, is pissed, and she agrees with Bannon that this could wreak steep damage upon the Republican Party as a whole. Podcasters like Tim Pool are still posting frequent clips about the case. And House Democrats are now seizing upon the issue, having introduced an amendment (to a crypto bill) that would force the release of the Epstein files. Republicans on the Rules Committee killed it on Monday night, and no one in MAGA is happy about thateven if some, like Pool, think the Dems are just pulling a stunt. And yet, on Tuesday afternoon, House Speaker Mike Johnson told podcaster Benny Johnson (no relation), that while he thinks Bondi has done a good job, she needs to come forward and explain whats going on with the files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took years for the Epstein list to capture the MAGA imagination. And unfortunately for Trump, thats not going to dissipate. If he purges the DOJ and FBI, firing Bondi and maybe even Patel, that would please some of the conspiracists for a whilebut then they would still expect a transparent release of the Epstein list. The longer that list remains out of reach, the more disgruntled they will become, and the more his delicate coalition will splinter. This piece has been updated with new developments on the Epstein saga. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Anyone whos tired of centuries of two-party dominance in American politics has probably dreamed of something coming along to shake things up. And earlier this month, when Elon Musk capped weeks of mouthing off about the GOPs One Big Beautiful Bill by announcing the formation of a new America Party, it might have felt like a rare piece of good news for the left. Maybe democracys two greatest enemies would soon tear each other apart and absent-mindedly leave the door wide open for Democrats to walk back in from the wilderness next year. Well, not to be a buzzkill, but so far Musks party is just the latest iteration of a consistently unsuccessful effort to build a political movement around Third Waystyle austerity and other things people dont actually want. Musk adds little to that familiar, uninspiring recipe, aside from his increasingly virulent racism, which already has a very comfortable home in the MAGA-fied Republican Party. And austerity is what this is really all about. The worlds richest mans spectacular fallout with Trump happened not because the president and his allies just gutted several key pillars of the electric vehicle industry that helped make Musk the wealthiest person in the world, but because the GOPs big economic package didnt slash government spending enough. I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing, he told CBS in June. A normal person might have tried to quietly set up a meeting with Trump and Republican leaders in Congress, but Musk, who is very much not a normal person, dialed it straight to 11, eventually accusing Trump of being an Epstein Guy. Trump allies like Steve Bannon then floated the idea of deporting Musk, who is a naturalized U.S. citizen. And it didnt take all that long to move from this extremely ugly threat-hurling to Musks spitefully launching of a third party designed to humiliate the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But its much harder to go from announcing a new third party to becoming an actual force in American politics than Musk seems to think. The countrys third parties are almost all plagued by one of two distinct ideological problems, on top of the well-known systemic difficulties facing smaller parties in winner-take-all electoral systems like the U.S. and Canada. Many of the better-known third parties are so ideologically extreme in the context of U.S. politics that their appeal is limited. This has always been the main problem for the Green and Libertarian parties, whatever the merits of their policy infrastructure. Even when third parties successfully identify a policy that appeals to voters and isnt on the Donkey/Elephant menu, they often watch helplessly as Democrats or Republicans co-opt their ideas. Political scientists Shigeo Hirano and James Snyder argued convincingly in a 2007 paper that FDRs New Deal cut off growing left-wing third-party challenges at the knees by making muscular progressive policymaking part of the Democratic brand. Similarly, Gingrich-era Republicans defused the threat of Ross Perots anti-elite populism by making term limits and balanced budget amendments part of their Contract With Americawhile (shocker) never getting around to implementing them. Advertisement Advertisement Other challengers to the two-party system make the opposite mistake, trying to fill ideological space that is already occupied by one or both of the major parties. This was the biggest problem with No Labels, the hapless centrist organization that tried for years to get someone like former Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia to run for president. The organizations yearning for bipartisanship could have been borrowed from one of President Joe Bidens campaign speeches, and its fixation on deficit reduction and entitlement reform sounded as if it could have been masterminded by former GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan himself. Advertisement While neither party seems willing to pay the political price of balancing budgets once in power, it is nevertheless a message voters have been hearing ad nauseam from major-party figures for as long as most of us have been conscious, and at the end of the day, ordinary people couldnt care less about deficits. Similar problems have plagued Andrew Yangs rudderless Forward Party, which abandoned its only interesting ideas (like a universal basic income) when it merged with dull centrist organizations like the Serve America Movement, which function mostly as make-work programs for former elected officials, meaningless side projects for finance executives, and tax write-offs for rich people looking to Make a Difference without actually getting their hands dirty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk says he will focus on a handful of critical battleground-state Senate races and closely contested House districts rather than the presidency, but that is unlikely to increase his chances of success. While there are well-liked independents in the Senate, it has been decades since anyone was elected to the chamber under the banner of a legitimate third party (with apologies to Joe Liebermans 2006 operation Connecticut for Lieberman). And theres no particular reason to think that swing-district voters are more willing than anyone else to risk wasting their ballots on a third-party candidate, no matter how many ads they can afford to run. Yes, Musk will be able to focus his considerable financial firepower on a small number of races, but he will still ultimately face the same challenges as anyone else, including running headlong into what political scientists call Fennos Paradoxthe tendency of voters to disapprove of Congress but love their own representatives. The best-case scenario for Musk is seeing his candidates shaving off just enough from Republican margins to allow Democrats to retake the House, Senate, or both next year. But Republicans will see this threat from miles away and are likely to react accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not that theres no political opening here. The Trump administration is indeed doing a number of things that are profoundly unpopular, and political scientists Matthew Kerbel and John Kenneth White argue that third parties have won public support when voters found the major parties lacking in their responses to the major issues of the day. The percentage of Americans saying they want another option beyond the two major parties has reached near-century highs. But does Musk have any actual ideas to address the very real dissatisfaction with the status quo that has led voters to toss out the incumbent party in three consecutive presidential elections for the first time since the 19th century? If he does, he hasnt shared them with us, and thats almost certainly because they dont exist. According to a 2024 Chapman University poll, Americans are most worried about corrupt leaders (e.g., Trump), cyberterrorism, illness and death, nuclear war, and financial precarity. A platform that addressed growing fears about A.I.driven layoffs, mitigated ongoing frustrations with the cost of housing and health care, and promised to restore nonpartisanship in government might actually have legs, but Musk himself is almost uniquely unsuited to that role. He is one of Earths leading A.I. snake-oil salesmen, has used DOGE primarily to destroy the governments capacity to rein in corruption, and has never shown the slightest interest in Americas various affordability crises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, Musk has more liquidity than many medium-sized countries, and he owns his own propaganda website whose algorithms he can manipulate at will to signal boost whatever rancid conspiracy is on his mind. But while theres no denying that he commands a cult of credulous followers on X and can throw gobsmacking stacks of cash at his new project, the ideal third-party standard-bearer would probably not be a widely despised man with a not-so-secret drug problem, a lurid personal history that cries out for a Discovery Channel reality show, and a recent history of repulsing anyone who comes into contact with him. According to Nate Silvers tracker, Musks net favorability is pushing 22 points, making him less popular than Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and even reliably disliked congressional leaders like House Speaker Mike Johnson. Advertisement Despite all that, Democrats have little to lose by hoping that Musk can, against all odds, fracture the Republican coalition, or at least peel off enough of it to swing tight races over the next few cycles. Although most third-party candidates pull more evenly from Democrats and Republicans than you might think, polling suggests Musk and his party pose no threat at all to Democrats given his impressively thorough alienation of anyone to the left of Ted Cruz. So, by all means, throw some popcorn in the microwave and hope for maximum MAGA mayhemjust dont count on the America Party to be the pinch that wakes us up from our ongoing political nightmare. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is building a convincing case against the Supreme Courts conservative wing, and congressional Democrats could stand to learn from her. On this weeks Amicus podcast, Dahlia Lithwick talked with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island about what the high courts most junior justice is trying to teach us about the judiciary and institutions and naming the problem. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dahlia Lithwick: I wanted to ask you about the thread you posted to X and Bluesky about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson last week. I think its fair to say her dissents have become a defining theme at the end of this Supreme Court term? Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse: What struck me the most was Jackson pointing out some of the patterns at the Supreme Court. You and I have both been looking at this court for a long time, and we have noticed these patterns. For example, you can pretty much bet for sure whos going to win a case based on which side the fossil fuel industry is on, or which side has the usual suspects in the flotilla of front-group amici all showing upthey may not get everything they want, but you know where the decision is going to go in advance. If you look at whos behind those phony front groups and you start to look at how theyre funded, theres another pattern. And then you can look at the way the court doesnt do a good job with its own internal ethics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The right-wing justices want the court to be focused on the pure, narrow little specific legal issues within the four corners of the case. But Jackson has started to look around and put decisions in the context of other decisions and the patterns and predispositions the court has, and shes starting to call out those patterns and predispositions. The court has taken really unfair advantage of the Democratic appointees by expecting them to adhere to traditions of collegiality, even while their colleagues are violating serious judicial principles and practices. The conservative majority is expecting Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson not to call out what theyre seeing in front of them, because that would be uncollegial. Theres a flip side to the coin of collegiality: Youre supposed to behave in a sufficiently respectable way that youre not abusing or taking advantage of your colleagues collegiality. Advertisement Jackson is coming out of the box and starting to note those things in her decisions. That has set off the right wing big time, and it has started to annoy the conservative justices, but to me its the right thing to do. How long can you expect a Supreme Court justice to ignore whats happening right in front of them, right in their courthouse, and not write about it when it so evidently bears on outcomes? Advertisement One of the patterns is this statistical reading from Stanfords Adam Bonica, which shows that when lower courts block Trump administration policies, SCOTUS intervenes on the emergency docket in 77 percent of the cases, but for the Biden administration, that number is zero. There is a willful blindness from a court that says, We are just rendering a decision on the utility and constitutionality of universal injunctions, without looking at this pattern. If you are just looking at cases in isolation as though this is a chemistry lab, you are missing the patterns, and theres no institution that can hold the court to the patterns because Congress isnt doing the work. Advertisement Advertisement And yet there are plenty of cases brought in courts across the country where bias, prejudice, and discrimination are the actual subject of the case. Lawyers prove those cases with evidence of pattern. So in this big corporation, every time a white person applies for a promotion to this job, they get it 82 percent of the time, and when a Black person makes the same application, they get it 7 percent of the time. You take those facts of pattern to a jury, and you win based on pattern evidence, based on that demonstration that theres more going on here. You can conclude from patterns about intent and about bias. Thats a common litigation strategy upheld over and over and over and over again, so why not apply the same type of analysis to the Supreme Courts proceedings? Its exactly what you would do if the court were a corporation and you were bringing a case against the court for being biased, for having prejudice, for being discriminatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I also think what shes trying to do is to make that which is not visible visible. What shes trying to say is: Here are the patterns you dont see. One of the things that is so profoundly disturbing this term is that we have a shadow docket where unsigned, unreasoned decisions are coming down, judges are struggling to understand what the doctrine is, because all we have is an order. The Supreme Court still deftly stage-manages its performance of doing justice, leading many to believe that the term ended with finality at the end of June and that the last decision of any consequence was birthright citizenship. But the emergency decisions keep pouring out, without argument, without briefing, without reasoning of any sort, without knowing who is on what side. Thats part of what she is railing against. Its as if shes saying, I am pouring sunshine onto this institution because people say theres nothing they can do about it, or they dont understand it, because they cant see it. Advertisement Advertisement I think whats dangerous for the right-wing justices herethe Leonard Leo justices, the Koch brothers justicesis that theres a lot to look at. And once Jackson has pulled back to look at all this stuff outside the immediate four corners of the question in front of them, that could go a lot of places. Nobody knows this better than the court-packing crowdLeo and all the groups around him, the folks that have paid for all this. Everybody involved in that machinery must have alarm bells going off right now because Jackson has pulled back the curtain. Advertisement If the big takeaway of this past SCOTUS term was that it represented another victory for Supreme Court judicial supremacy, youre adding this important idea that this court refuses to be held in judgment by anyone else: It wont let you do it, and it wont let the public do it, and it wont let the academy do it, and it wont let journalism do it. Advertisement But now one of its own members is doing it, and the justices want that collegiality thingwhere you dont look up at the pattern, you dont look up at the bias. You just pretend that each one of these cases is its own isolated, solitary thing and theres no through thread, theres no narrative, and thats just preposterous at this point. So its not just a collegiality issue, as you are putting it. Its sort of magical thinkingpay no attention to the pattern behind the curtain. There isnt an institution that is able to hold it in judgment, and Jackson is breaking out from that. And what if she does more? What if she starts doing research back into doctrines like major questions, and who funded the right-wing think tanks where that doctrine was grown and fertilized and watered for all those years, until it got Federalist Societyed into briefs in the court and the court picked it up? What if she starts looking at the patterns of the flotillas of right-wing front groups and how frequently what they want is done by the court? What if she compares that to why the court isnt requiring those groups to disclose whos funding them, despite research showing that they actually have common funders? And you could actually look at this as being a violation of the courts rules against multiple amici all coming in without disclosing that theyre the same people. Maybe she looks at that next. Its hard to know where she goes nextand I think thats why theyre so spooked by her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate How a Bush-Appointed Judge Got Around SCOTUS to Protect Birthright Citizenship for All Read More Can we apply the same schema to whats happening in democratic politics? We have a lot of voters who are just angry that collegiality and the upholding of norms and protecting of institutions have become the endgame, as opposed to preserving democracy. Were seeing these reports of Democratic voters who are just really mad at their representatives for not bringing anything other than a tiny little cocktail napkin to a knife fight. It feels as if it maps directly onto this conversation were having about the courts, because it is this question of when you stop focusing on preserving the norms that are strangling you and when you just start to fight. I wonder how youre navigating that in terms of the sort of internal warfare happening right now on the Hill between tiny steps toward preserving institutions vs. recognizing that this is existential this time. Advertisement I think I come at this from a slightly different angle than most people on my side. I was clear with the Biden administration the entire time that they needed to have more fight in them. There actually are villains in this story, and they needed to describe them as villains. Something like billionaires capturing the United States Supreme Court is a pretty damn big thing to not take an interest in. The climate-denial operation blockading our solution to this crisis, which is fraud, is a damn big thing, and not taking an interest in that is really a mistake. The dark money enterprise that is corrupting our democracy badly needed to be tackled. They did none of that until that very last speech after hed lost. That was the moment he chose to let the American public know about these dangers. Thanks a bunch! Where the hell were you in your inaugural speech? Where the hell were you in your State of the Union speeches? Why wasnt that your campaign kickoff speech? What the hell? I think were having to kind of live that down now, and were also having to face the fact that the billionaires have built for the Republican Party a massive political infrastructure. There are 100-plus front groups, entire media outlets, devoted to propaganda. Its a whole apparatus, and we have basically nothing to go up against it. Advertisement Advertisement When we had the chance and we had the need to fight and the public wanted us to fight, we tried to Officer Friendly our way through the election, and it just completely didnt work. When youve lost the Supreme Court to creepy billionaires, when youve lost the climate fight to the polluters, and when youve lost the integrity of Congress to dark money operatives, those are three pretty horrible things to have lost. And so, yeah, there does need to be some accountability for that. But the way to go about doing that is to win back offices, pick those fightsthe public is behind usand build the infrastructure so that were fighting back. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. On Monday, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to move forward with its abolition of the Education Department by firing about 1,400 employees. Many of these workers performed critical tasks at the agency, distributing billions of dollars to schools and students while protecting civil rights and disability access in education. Much of that work will now grind to a halt. By law, the president has no authority to unilaterally restructure or dismantle a federal agency, like the Education Department, created and funded by Congress. The high courts conservatives allowed Donald Trump to do it anyway. They did not bother to provide a reason for their order. All three liberals dissented. Mondays decision in McMahon v. New York represents the courts latest intervention on the administrations behalf over its shadow docket, an act that has grown almost routine. The conservative supermajority has consistently exploited this process to hand Trump an unprecedented amount of power, usually without a word of explanation. But McMahon is arguably more radical than those past rulings. SCOTUS has now, in effect, allowed the president to destroy an entire agency by himself, an action that wouldve been unthinkable for most of history. The conservative justices are accelerating this administrations lawless seizure of duties and prerogatives that the Constitution expressly assigned to Congress. They are doing so after sharply limiting President Joe Bidens power to carry out responsibilities that are assigned to the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This split screen reveals an unseemly double standard: A Republican president gets to do pretty much whatever he wants, while a Democratic president must be constantly boxed in by the courts. And what is the basis for this discrepancy? Thanks to the shadow docket, the conservative justices dont even have to come up with one. Perhaps they refuse to justify these decisions in writing for the simple reason that they are unjustifiable. Advertisement McMahon is the latest proof that Trump is on an extraordinary winning spree at the Supreme Court. As Georgetown Law professor Steve Vladeck explained on Monday, the court has granted relief to the Trump administration in 100 percent of the 15 emergency applications it has filed since April. (It offered majority opinions in just three of those cases.) Just last week, SCOTUS allowed the government to begin implementing a mass-firing plan across many different agencies. Now it has rubber-stamped a more targeted attack on the Education Department, one with devastating consequences for millions of student across the country. Related From Slate How a Bush-Appointed Judge Got Around SCOTUS to Protect Birthright Citizenship for All Read More The administration has not kept its goals a secret. On the campaign trail, Trump promised to disband the department, calling it a big con job. His education secretary, Linda McMahon, promised to put herself out of a job by leading her departments final missionthat is, shutting it down. In March, the president issued an executive order directing the agencys closure; McMahon promptly announced that she would lay off more than 50 percent of its staff, calling it the first step toward a total shutdown. A group of plaintiffsblue states, schools, and unionsfiled suit, arguing that Trump and McMahon had no legal authority to demolish a whole federal department. The lower courts agreed and blocked the termination of more than 1,400 employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now SCOTUS has lifted that block, allowing the president to resume dismembering the agency. As Justice Sonia Sotomayor noted in a furious dissent joined by the other two liberals, the impact will be swift and calamitous. Trumps purge will shut down many offices within the agency and slow the work of others to a crawl. An office that oversees grants under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, which funds special education for 7 million students? Gutted. Another office that helps schools comply with IDEA requirements? Destroyed. An office that administers bilingual education programs? Gone. An office that certifies schools whose students are eligible for financial aid? Hollowed out. Most regional divisions of the Office for Civil Rightswhich investigates and adjudicates violations of students rightswill be shuttered. Departments that distribute billions of dollars to public schools and universities have been reduced to a handful of employees. Educational institutions around the United States are about to see massive delays in essential funding because there are just not enough employees left to keep the money flowing. Advertisement The Constitution does not allow for any of this. To the contrary, it empowers Congress to create and structure federal agencies like the Education Department, and it hands Congress control over staffing and budget decisions. The Constitution then instructs the president to faithfully execute the laws enacted by Congress. And Congress has not defunded or eliminated the Education Department. It has laid out procedures through which the president can seek congressional approval to withhold funds, transfer offices, or undertake a large reduction in force. But Trump has followed none of these rules. He has, instead, purported to assert his own executive authority to tear down an agency without the assent of Congress, eviscerating its ability to operate as intended by purging its workforce. Advertisement Advertisement And the Supreme Court has just let it happen, for reasons it did not see fit to share with the public. The result, as Voxs Ian Millhiser has observed, is a fundamental alteration of the balance of power between the president and Congress, awarding Trump authority to repeal duly enacted federal laws. It would be a mistake, though, to assume that the court will extend this new arrangement to all presidents, given that it frequently deprived Biden of the authority to carry out duties plainly assigned to him by the Constitution and Congress. The conservative justices, for instance, allowed a lower court to impose a universal injunction against Bidens student loan plan for months. It then declared the plan unlawful, in part because mass debt relief was a major question reserved to Congress. Now, not even six months into Trumps second term, these same justices have abolished universal injunctions and decided that the Education Departments termination is not a major question reserved to Congress. Could anyone really defend this partisan hypocrisy with a straight face? Advertisement Advertisement The pattern emerging here could not be more disturbing. First, the conservative supermajority rewarded Trump for breaking the law by firing leaders of independent agencies, erasing removal protections enacted by Congress. Then, the same justices allowed Trump to deport immigrants to random countries without due process, nullifying the Convention Against Torture and other limits imposed by Congress. Now this same clique has gone even bigger, letting Trump effectively kill off an entire agency, paralyzing dozens (perhaps hundreds) of statutory duties assigned to it by Congress. Is any law disfavored by a Republican president safe from this Supreme Court? Is it accurate to call the United States a nation of laws when our highest court will simply suspend laws disfavored by a Republican president? There are words to describe countries in which a strongman leader works with a captured judiciary to hobble the legislature, consolidate power, and declare himself free from legal restraints on his reign. Democracy is not one of them. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250715/chinas-victory-in-ai-race-to-shift-balance-of-power-in-unfavorable-for-us-way---sachs-1122446141.html Chinas Victory in AI Race to Shift Balance of Power in Unfavorable for US Way - Sachs Chinas Victory in AI Race to Shift Balance of Power in Unfavorable for US Way - Sachs Sputnik International China's possible victory in the AI race could significantly alter the global balance of power, creating unfavorable conditions for the United States, US... 15.07.2025, Sputnik International 2025-07-15T18:49+0000 2025-07-15T18:49+0000 2025-07-15T18:49+0000 world ai artificial intelligence (ai) china geopolitics economy https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/0c/1121632043_0:0:3170:1784_1920x0_80_0_0_193abcf7d3106f8c3fd38eedf144d22b.jpg Sachs acknowledged that China currently produces half of the world's AI researchers but emphasized that the United States can still compete and win in the AI race by establishing its technology as the global standard. Later on Tuesday, Trump is set to arrive in Pennsylvania to give a speech on AI and announce a $70 billion investment in new AI data centers and upgrades to the energy grid. Bloomberg reported earlier on Tuesday that Trump is set to deliver a key speech on artificial intelligence at an event on July 23, where he will outline his vision for US dominance in this domain. Following his return to office in January, Trump said that the United States' massive oil and gas reserves will allow it to become a manufacturing superpower and the world capital of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies. china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ai, artificial intelligence (ai), china, geopolitics, economy https://sputnikglobe.com/20250715/lavrov-conveyed-message-from-putin-to-xi-jinping-1122440640.html Lavrov Conveyed Message From Putin to Xi Jinping Lavrov Conveyed Message From Putin to Xi Jinping Sputnik International Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered a message from President Vladimir Putin during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry. 2025-07-15T05:16+0000 2025-07-15T05:16+0000 2025-07-15T05:27+0000 world sergey lavrov vladimir putin wang yi shanghai cooperation organisation (sco) russian foreign ministry china xi jinping https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/07/0f/1122440804_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_2cdf694e274d6b8e5c9a01e9e5bb1724.jpg "Lavrov conveyed friendly greetings and best wishes from Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Chinese leader. A number of issues of bilateral political contacts at the highest and high levels were discussed, including preparations for the visit of the Russian head of state to the People's Republic of China to participate in the SCO summit and celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Victory over militaristic Japan," the ministry said. The Russian side also touched on certain current topics on the international and regional agenda. Chinese President Xi Jinping received Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the Chinese capital of Beijing, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Tuesday.A meeting of the SCO foreign ministers is being held in Tianjin, China, on Tuesday. The Chinese president first held a meeting with all the ministers participating in the SCO meeting, and later met separately with the Russian delegation led by Lavrov.Lavrov arrived in China on July 13 to take part in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers Council, which is scheduled to be held in Tianjin on Tuesday. On Sunday, Lavrov held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250713/china-russia-relations-most-stable-mature-in-modern-world---foreign-minister-1122433929.html china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International putin to xi jinping, russian foreign minister sergey lavrov, president vladimir putin, russian foreign ministry https://sputnikglobe.com/20250715/lavrov-emphasizes-the-need-for-a-peaceful-resolution-to-irans-nuclear-program-crisis-1122442781.html Lavrov Emphasizes Need for Peaceful Resolution to Iran's Nuclear Program Crisis Lavrov Emphasizes Need for Peaceful Resolution to Iran's Nuclear Program Crisis Sputnik International Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized the importance of resolving the crisis over Iran's nuclear program through political and diplomatic efforts during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. 2025-07-15T08:39+0000 2025-07-15T08:39+0000 2025-07-15T10:59+0000 world sergey lavrov abbas araghchi donald trump iran israel russia russian foreign ministry israel-iran escalation: rising lion vs true promise 3 https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/19/1121929770_0:127:3189:1920_1920x0_80_0_0_1ddce65d32f34c416a7c3b9a786ea884.jpg "The sides continued to exchange views on issues of mutual interest on the regional and international agenda. The importance of resolving the crisis over the Iranian nuclear program exclusively through political and diplomatic means in accordance with the norms of international law was once again emphasized. The ministers agreed on upcoming contacts at various levels," the ministry said in a statement.On the night of June 13, Israel launched an operation against Iran, accusing Tehran of developing a clandestine military nuclear program. Iran denied the allegations and responded with its own attacks. Over the following 12 days, the two sides exchanged strikes. The United States joined the conflict by targeting Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22. In retaliation, Tehran launched an attack on the United States' Al Udeid airbase in Qatar. On June 23, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire, bringing an end to the hostilities. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250712/iran-has-not-stopped-cooperation-with-iaea-but-form-will-change--foreign-minister-1122431103.html iran israel russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International peaceful resolution, iran's nuclear program crisis, russian foreign minister sergey lavrov https://sputnikglobe.com/20250715/patriot-systems-delivery-to-ukraine-will-take-months---german-defense-ministry-1122441836.html Patriot Systems Delivery to Ukraine Will Take Months - German Defense Ministry Patriot Systems Delivery to Ukraine Will Take Months - German Defense Ministry Sputnik International German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the delivery of Patriot systems to Ukraine, following an agreement with the United States on their purchase in the coming days or weeks, will take months. This came after his meeting with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. 2025-07-15T05:48+0000 2025-07-15T05:48+0000 2025-07-15T05:48+0000 world boris pistorius peter hegseth ukraine russia germany defense ministry patriot us https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/0a/1117241728_0:0:3065:1725_1920x0_80_0_0_1cbfb798575283b7d74f2b871a8f372b.jpg "It is clear that Ukraine really needs them [Patriot systems], and we have seen this. But do not have any illusions the Patriot system, which we are talking about today that it should be sent to Ukraine, will take months to deliver. And it will take more days or weeks until a decision is made. But after that, everything will go quickly," Pistorius told reporters. The minister noted that the parties had decided not to report the number of systems being supplied, as discussions were ongoing on what exactly would be included in one unit of the system in terms of technical characteristics and the number of missiles. He estimated the cost of one battery at approximately $1 billion. Earlier, Pistorius said that the issue of a roadmap for ensuring the security of Europe by the United States would be discussed during the meeting. According to Pistorius, the ministers would also discuss the sale of two Patriot systems by the United States to Germany, intended for Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia. The Kremlin emphasized that pumping Kiev with weapons by the West would not contribute to the success of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and would have a negative effect.Boris Pistorius said that he had discussed with his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, the need to coordinate the possible reduction of US troops in Europe.We have discussed what to do if this happens We are speaking about how we step by step can coordinate the implementation of such decisions if they are made but they have not been made yet so that we together guarantee that there will be no dangerous gaps in the European security. So that we can avoid the situation when the United States withdraws something which we cannot replace in time, Pistorius told reporters after the meeting with Hegseth.On June 5, Hegseth said that the United States intended to review the deployment of its troops around the world and restore deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250702/us-suspends-deliveries-of-dozens-of-patriot-interceptor-missiles-to-ukraine---reports-1122376120.html ukraine russia germany Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International german defense minister boris pistorius, patriot systems to ukraine, agreement with the united states https://sputnikglobe.com/20250715/potential-implementation-of-30-us-tariffs-on-eu-will-hurt-all-parties-involved-1122441213.html Potential Implementation of 30% US Tariffs on EU Will Hurt All Parties Involved Potential Implementation of 30% US Tariffs on EU Will Hurt All Parties Involved Sputnik International Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that US President Donald Trump's plan to impose 30% tariffs on European Union goods will not benefit anyone. 2025-07-15T05:29+0000 2025-07-15T05:29+0000 2025-07-15T05:29+0000 world us import tariffs trump tariffs tariffs tariff war import tariffs petr fiala donald trump washington czech republic https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/07/0f/1122441052_0:130:3177:1917_1920x0_80_0_0_7b2f9db16bd1128d953c1c1b3213b2c6.jpg "The introduction of 30% tariffs by the United States on goods from the European Union will not benefit either the EU or the Czech Republic. As a supporter of free trade and duty-free zones, I believe that this will not benefit the United States either," Fiala was quoted as saying by the CTK news agency on Monday. He added that Europe should be prepared for a disappointing outcome of negotiations with Washington, but at the same time, continue to strive to reach an acceptable agreement with the US. Fiala noted that the impact of new tariffs on the Czech economy could be around several tenths of 1% of GDP, depending on the specific form of tariffs. On the same day, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic said that possible 30% tariffs are "absolutely unacceptable." "This is the level that it is absolutely prohibitive to any trade, so in this case we clearly would negotiate as intensely as required, and, of course, we will try to deliver results by the end of August," Sefcovic told reporters in Brussels. On July 12, US President Donald Trump announced that he would impose 30% tariffs on imported European goods starting August 1, while the previous sectoral tariffs would remain in force. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said over the weekend that the EU would continue negotiations with Washington, but warned that it was ready to introduce countermeasures. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250712/canada-drops-plans-to-double-metal-tariffs-in-hope-for-negotiated-trade-deal--reports-1122430006.html washington czech republic brussels Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International czech prime minister petr fiala, us president donald trump, european union goods https://sputnikglobe.com/20250715/russian-breakthrough-paves-way-for-safe-efficient-spent-nuclear-fuel-disposal-1122443089.html Russian Breakthrough Paves Way for Safe, Efficient Spent Nuclear Fuel Disposal Russian Breakthrough Paves Way for Safe, Efficient Spent Nuclear Fuel Disposal Sputnik International The issue of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) disposal continues to pose significant challenges globally. In Russia alone, approximately 650 tons of radioactive waste are unloaded annually from nuclear power plant reactors. 2025-07-15T12:11+0000 2025-07-15T12:11+0000 2025-07-15T12:11+0000 rosenergoatom russia fukushima rosatom nuclear waste nuclear nuclear sites nuclear technology nuclear reactor nuclear plant https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104412/72/1044127232_78:0:1842:992_1920x0_80_0_0_a14a92edd864aab6f129af65f8c22fad.jpg Most of this waste is simply buried, with only around 15% being reprocessed. However, scientists from St. Petersburg have developed a groundbreaking technology for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and deactivating nuclear power plant components, including irradiated reactor graphitea material that has become a significant global obstacle to the advancement of nuclear energy. To provide more insight, Dr. Anna Petrovskaya, a candidate of physical and mathematical sciences and the head of the research team behind this innovative technology, explained the details of the process.Tackling the Current DilemmaSpent nuclear fuel continues to pose a significant challenge for nations operating nuclear power plants. As Dr. Petrovskaya explains, one of the primary concerns is the staggering volume of SNF accumulated over the years, creating complex issues for safe management and long-term disposal.The existing technologies for reprocessing SNF, she adds, are inadequate, as the most commonly used radiochemical methods produce large volumes of secondary liquid radioactive waste and require multi-stage processes to separate up to 40 different chemical elements from the spent fuel. These processes are both costly and time-consuming.The Burial ProblemAlthough burial is often considered a solution, Dr. Petrovskaya argues that it is merely a "deferred problem." A Unique Solution: Ion-Plasma TechnologyThe breakthrough technology developed by Dr. Petrovskayas team is based on ion-plasma and ion-thermal reprocessing methods. This technology avoids the generation of liquid radioactive waste by atomizing spent fuel in an inert gas atmosphere using a shortened plasma discharge. The atoms are then separated based on differences in condensation temperature, achieving a remarkable efficiency of 99% in separating chemical elements like uranium and plutonium.The technology, she notes, is also highly cost-effective, with operational expenses estimated at only $20 per kilogram of fuel.Reusing and Reducing RadioactivityOnce separated, the fissile elements like uranium and plutonium can be reused to create new nuclear fuel. Other highly radioactive components, such as strontium-90, can be directed for "burning" in fast neutron reactors, transforming them into stable or short-lived isotopes and thereby reducing the overall volume of radioactive waste produced by nuclear energy. Petrovskayas team is also exploring the use of these elements in new types of beta-voltaic batteriesinnovative power sources that could provide "eternal" energy for applications such as pacemakers, space exploration, and even consumer electronics.What About Reprocessing Spent Nuke Fuel?Despite the technological breakthrough in Russia, Dr. Petrovskaya notes that globally, only a small percentage of SNF is reprocessed. However, she warns that without efficient reprocessing methods, closing the nuclear fuel cycle is impossible.As natural uranium-235 is expected to be exhausted within the next 40 to 80 years, closing the nuclear fuel cycle becomes increasingly critical. Fast neutron reactors, which Russia has a technological advantage in, are seen as a potential solution to this issue.Need for Fast Neutron Reactors and Effective ReprocessingRussia has made significant strides in this area, with prototypes of fast neutron reactors already built and new types of MOX and SNUP fuels being tested. But Dr. Petrovskaya stresses that even with fast neutron reactors, an efficient reprocessing technology is still required to close the fuel cycle. "Even in spent fuel from fast reactors, more than 20% of the essential fissile elements, like uranium and plutonium, remain," she explains.Russia's Technological LeadershipThe reprocessing technology from Dr. Petrovskayas team is unique. While other technologies, such as plasma centrifuges, have been developed to separate SNF into two fractions, Petrovskaya's method allows for the separation of each element individually. Furthermore, the technology is economically feasible, which makes it a game-changer for the nuclear industry.In addition to reprocessing SNF, the team has also developed methods for deactivating irradiated reactor graphite, a problem that has yet to be solved globally. The technology was patented in collaboration with Rosenergoatom and Rosatom and is seen as a potential solution for decommissioning reactors, particularly RBMK reactors, which are used in several Russian power plants.Global ImpactThe technology has far-reaching implications beyond Russia. Dr. Petrovskaya suggests that it could be particularly beneficial for dealing with the aftermath of the Fukushima-1 nuclear disaster, where massive amounts of radioactive waste need to be deactivated. "For Fukushima, existing technologies offer little help due to the damage caused by melted uranium," she says. "But with our technology, we could effectively address the deactivation of radioactive metal structures, which could be of great assistance to Japan."The Road AheadDr. Petrovskaya believes that closing the nuclear fuel cycle and developing more efficient reprocessing technologies is not just an issue for Russia but for the entire world. Russias leadership in developing advanced nuclear technologies, including the reprocessing of SNF and deactivation of irradiated materials, positions it as a key player in addressing the global challenges of nuclear waste management. As the world faces an increasing reliance on nuclear energy, such innovations may hold the key to a safer, more sustainable energy future. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/s-korea-sends-expert-group-to-fukushima-nuclear-power-plant-to-monitor-waste-water-release---1113486321.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/fukushima-very-dangerouscauses-genetic-damage-at-tiny-conventional-doses--1112839265.html russia fukushima Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International hundreds of thousands of tons of nuclear waste, spent nuclear fuel (snf), nuclear power plant reactors, When it comes to UV Rays and protection from them, I am serious. Best sunscreen for Black skin I have spent countless hours in store aisles and far too much money to find the SPF perfect for me and my skin. Bond Sands, Nivea, Garnier, French brands - you name it, I have tried it. There is nothing more disheartening than finding a sunscreen, putting it on and looking ashy. Now, after years of searching, I have a few trusted brands and SPF products that come in handy. So here are four SPFs every Black girl needs to know about. La Roche Posay Invisible Fluid/ Oil Control (8.5/10) The French brand is known for its dermatologically-led formulas, and its SPF is no different. La Roche Posays oil control is perfect for oily and acne-prone skin and a personal favourite of mine. Leaving the face looking dewy without producing extra oil, this SPF has become my go-to. While it does not leave a white cast, my advice is to test the product with your moisturiser to see if it mixes well. If not, my recommendation is to use the Invisible Fluid sunscreen from the same brand. Supergoop Invisible Sunscreen (9/10) Now available in Boots, Supergoop has some of the best sunscreens for Black skin. My personal favourite is the brands Unseen Sunscreen, and with different types of SPFs, including one with a glowy finish, Supergoop is perfect for darker skin. Having used this SPF, the only downside I found is that there wasnt enough of it for the price I paid. Comparing it to the La Roche Posay SPFs, you get twice as much product for less than half of the price. Between the two, I think it just comes down to preference in terms of texture, with the La Roche-Posay being more liquid than Supergoop products. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Africa to Global Sound: How Afrobeats Headlined Glastonbury Garnier Invisible Protect (7/10) More on the affordable side, Garniers Invisible Protect is the perfect starter sunscreen for someone new to skincare or children. Packaged in a spray bottle, this SPF is easy to reapply and perfect for days on the beach. If you are looking for a sunscreen for the body and do not want to break the bank, this is, in my opinion, one of the best and most affordable SPFs on the market that does not leave a white cast. Bondi Sands (6.5/10) Despite recent criticism over its effectiveness, Bondi Sands was the first ever sunscreen I bought that did not leave a white cast. While not the best in terms of protection, it is still good at fighting UV rays. However, I would not recommend it if you have oily skin because Bondi Sands is already a more oil-based product compared to other SPFs. MORE FROM VANELY BARUMIRE: Women Who Lift: More young girls are inspired to be beautiful and strong by Vanely Barumire for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on https://sputnikglobe.com/20250715/russias-game-shooting-down-us-made-missiles-with-ease-1122445452.html Russia's Game: Shooting Down US-Made Missiles With Ease Russia's Game: Shooting Down US-Made Missiles With Ease Sputnik International Donald Trump may let Ukraine strike deep into Russia with more ATACMS missiles. Is it another game changer? 2025-07-15T16:21+0000 2025-07-15T16:21+0000 2025-07-15T16:21+0000 analysis donald trump joe biden russia ukraine army tactical missile system (atacms) buk-m3 s-300 s-400 tor-m2 https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/05/19/1122128979_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_0b520a062d6563981c718dfe6e9bdffd.jpg Been There, Done That ATACMS missiles had already been supplied to Ukraine under former president Joe Biden and Russia knows how to shoot them down, Alexander Mikhailov, head of the "Bureau of Military-Political Analysis," tells Sputnik. What's ATACMS? Russian Interceptors The Right Tool for the Job Effective solution US Sinks Deeper Into Conflict US troops would be directly involved in launches of ATACMS, providing targeting and possibly remotely controlling missile systems, Mikhailov stresses. You Can't Scare Russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20250715/uss-new-assistance-to-ukraine-could-include-long-range-atacms-missiles-1122441982.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240502/modular-version-of-buk-m3-air-defense-to-hunt-down-western-missiles-1118221247.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova atacms, us-made missiles, trump may send more atacms to ukraine, russian air defenses, s-300, s-400, buk, tor, s-400 triumf, russian missile system Eight $136,986 Kentucky Sire Stakes (KYSS) finals for all two- and three-year-old divisions were contested at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Monday (July 14) and saw five track-record performances, the fastest of which came in a powerhouse romp by Erv Miller trainee Unreasonable to win the final for three-year-old pacing fillies in 1:49.4. Driver Marcus Miller motored Unreasonable (pictured above) to the top through a :26 first quarter and pocketed Reckless Abandon (driven by Todd McCarthy) moving past the grandstand for the first time. Odds-on chalk Odds On Chesapeake (Dexter Dunn) abandoned her leave attempt and landed fourth out of post seven, but tried to claw first over after a :55 half. Miller accelerated with Unreasonable up the backstretch and started to peel away from the competition through three-quarters in 1:22.1. Odds On Chesapeake retreated as the others fought to hold position in behind widening winner Unreasonable. She crossed the line under wraps and 4-1/2 lengths better than Reckless Abandon in second. Accede (Yannick Gingras) grabbed third while Caviart Delight (Scott Zeron) closed widest of all for fourth. Unreasonable, who matched the track record for three-year-old pacing fillies of 1:49.4 set by Charleston in 2023, won her third race from four starts this season and her sixth race from 15 starts in her career. Erv Miller trains the daughter of Huntsville for owners Ervin Miller Stable Inc. and David J. Miller. She has earned $354,834 and paid $6.52 to win. One race later, Caviart Daisy (Andy McCarthy) blew off the barn doors with a 13-1/2-length victory in the KYSS Two-Year-Old Filly Pace and also lowered the track record by a full second. McCarthy bided his time from fourth as Eternal Blush (Dexter Dunn) pushed through an early tussle to plant onto the lead after a :26.4 first quarter and :55.1 half. Caviart Daisy launched into action as proceedings settled on the lead, and she brushed forward with ease while opening a growing advantage on the charge to three-quarters in 1:22.1. McCarthy looked over his shoulder twice, and with nobody coming he began to race the clock to the finish. Caviart Daisy won by a chasm in 1:51, beating the previous mark of 1:52 set last year by Skywalker Sea, while Kissin In The Dark (Atlee Bender) scooted up the inside for second. Eternal Blush took third and Carolina (Todd McCarthy) finished fourth. Jamie Sullivan trains Caviart Daisy, an undefeated daughter of Sweet Lou, for owner Frank Chick. She has now banked $122,917 from three victories and paid $2.94 to win. Yannick G Kemp (Todd McCarthy) won the first KYSS final of the day, the KYSS Three-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot, in a track-record time with a surprise front-stepping performance at odds of 17-1. Having to return to the paddock before the race for a shoe repair, Yannick G Kemp came back to the track, went behind the gate and uncorked great speed to land on the point out of post six through a :27.3 first quarter. With his competition just trying to find a rhythm in behind, Yannick G Kemp coasted by a :56.2 half and through three-quarters in 1:24.1 with a strong lead coming for home. My Degenerate (Dexter Dunn), the 4-5 favourite, tried to rush first up late before losing stride, which left Yannick G Kemp alone to coast in a two-length winner in 1:52.3. Te Quiero Lindy (Andy McCarthy) sat a pocket trip for second with Big Shoes (Yannick Gingras) closing for third and Grande Via (David Miller) in fourth. Richard "Nifty" Norman trains Yannick G Kemp, a three-year-old colt by Walner, for owners Melvin Hartman of Ontario, Rojan Stables and Little E LLC. In winning his seventh race from 22 starts, Yannick G Kemp padded his bankroll to $295,732 while also lowering the track record for three-year-old trotting colts of 1:53 set by Brodeur in 2023. He paid $36.04 to win. Endurance (Andy McCarthy) beat his own track record that he set one week ago in winning the KYSS Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot at the end of the card. McCarthy plowed past San Patricio (Scott Zeron) through a :27 first quarter to lead the field through a :56.1 half and to three-quarters in 1:24.4. San Patricio trotted level for home, but Silverstein (David Miller) emerged out of third to take a shot at Endurance. McCarthy gave his charge a few taps of the whip and Endurance held by three-quarter lengths at the end of a 1:53.2 mile over Silverstein. San Patricio chased in third and Zephyr Kemp (Dexter Dunn) settled for fourth. Chris Beaver trains Endurance, a colt by Captain Corey, for himself and co-owners Bill Manes, Leo Fleming and Mark Moger. He collected his second win from three starts his first win in 1:54.3 beat the previous track record for two-year-old colts by a fifth of a second and has now earned $99,904. He paid $3.36 to win. The fifth track record of the day came at the start of the card in a KYSS consolation when Global Sensation (Dexter Dunn) swooped three wide around the last turn to win the $34,247 consolation for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings in 1:52. Marcus Melander trains the Chapter Seven gelding whose time bests the previous mark of 1:53 set earlier this season by My Degenerate. He paid $4.08 to win in collecting the second victory of his career in his 17th start. Global Sensation opened a wildly successful day for driver Dexter Dunn, who piloted five winners on the day. He teamed with Marcus Melander later in the card to win the KYSS Two-Year-Old Filly Trot Final with Setyoursightshigh in 1:53.3, which was just one-fifth of a second off the track record. Dunn powered the daughter of In Range first up after Avenzee (Andy McCarthy) cut early fractions of :27.1 and :57.1 and continued pressing for the lead marching to three-quarters in 1:25.3. Setyoursightshigh slid past Avenzee in the lane and strode home with ease to a 1-3/4-length win over Victorianas Secret (Scott Zeron) closing for second. Country Glide (David Miller) shook free from a pocket ride for third and Avenzee settled for fourth. Setyoursightshigh won her second race from three starts and has now accrued $183,543 in earnings for owners Heights Stable, Mantorp LLC, AMG Stable Inc. and K. Kjellgren Livs AB Inc. She paid $5.18 to win. Dunn and Melander also paired to complete a training hat trick for Marcus Melander with a shocking victory in the KYSS Three-Year-Old Filly Trot by Belmont in 1:54.4. Belmont landed last of the five fillies still trotting to a :26.2 first quarter, but found a helmet to follow into a :56 half from 2-1 favourite Clarissa W (Todd McCarthy) as she moved first over after tempo-setter Ms Prada (Yannick Gingras). Clarissa W locked into battle with Ms Prada in the backstretch figuratively, but then literally when the spokes of their racebikes hooked and caused the field to scatter. Dunn circumvented the confusion by launching Belmont three wide, and she got a sizeable jump on her rivals coming to three-quarters in 1:24.4. The cushion proved sufficient in the lane, and she crossed the line 2-1/4 lengths better than Admiring (David Miller) in second. Kngtstlkrs Pistol (Andy Miller) took third and Super Freak (Scott Zeron) recovered from an early break to finish fourth another 20 lengths behind. Belmont, a daughter of Gimpanzee, won her third race from 10 starts and has now earned $123,476 for owners S R F Stable and Holly Lane Stud East LTD. She paid $41.38 to win in her upset and capped four straight driving wins on the card by Dexter Dunn. Alongside Dunn's two victories in KYSS finals and his track record to open the card, he also won in two other KYSS consolations. He first guided Bourbon County (1:51.2 winning mile; $3.74 to win) to a pillar-to-post victory in the consolation for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings and followed that two races later with a win in the consolation for three-year-old pacing fillies by Hip Shot (1:51.3; $6.08). The only consolation not won by Dexter Dunn went to Scott Zeron as he piloted Heartofthesunrise (1:54.3; $7.68) to victory with a first-over push off fast fractions in the consolation for two-year-old pacing fillies. Funky Buddha (Todd McCarthy) proved supreme in the KYSS Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace Final with a first-over push to a 1:53 win, snapping driver Dexter Dunn's win streak on the card. McCarthy settled Funky Buddha in third while What Nooo Waaay (Yannick Gingras) rushed to the lead in a :27.2 first quarter before hitting the brakes to a :57 half. Despite the breather, Funky Buddha tipped outside and inched forward in a third-quarter sprint up the backstretch. What Nooo Waaay clocked by three-quarters in 1:24 but had little answer to Funky Buddha's challenge spinning for home. Funky Buddha pulled away and then held off a late bid from Prolific Blend (Scott Zeron) to win by three-quarter lengths in 1:53. What Nooo Waaay held third and Clouseau (Dexter Dunn) took fourth. Tony Dinges trains Funky Buddha, a colt by Sweet Lou, for owner Rick Berks. He won his third race from four starts, has now banked $117,327 and paid $3.64 to win. Falcon (Marcus Miller) pulled off the last upset of the day in the penultimate race on the card when he capitalized off of heated fractions set in front to win the KYSS Three-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace in 1:49.3. Favourite Harrisburg Heist (Yannick Gingras) set the stage when chugging forward on the rim through a :25.4 first quarter and :53 half to plant onto the point, and Ayeaye Captain Deo (Todd McCarthy) further intensified the tempo with a first-over bid out of third coming to three-quarters in 1:20.2. All the while Marcus Miller pivoted Falcon wider and wider to turn for home with clear sailing in the middle of the track. Falcon soared by weary rivals to win going away by 1-3/4 lengths. Captain Arturovico (Geremy Bobbitt) rallied off a second-over trip for second with Delray Beach (Dexter Dunn) skimming up a seam at the pylons for third and Handsome Stranger (Andy McCarthy) swooping from near last for fourth. Robert Taylor trains Falcon, a gelding by Captain Crunch, for owners Taylor Racing LLC and Tristan Taylor. He won his sixth race from 16 starts, has now earned $142,244 and paid $24.42 to win. Racing concludes at Oak Grove for 2025 on Tuesday (July 15), the 37th day of a record-breaking meeting. A $40,000 USD Open Trot in Race 2 headlines the 13-race card. First-race post time at Oak Grove is 1:25 p.m. (CDT). (With files from Oak Grove) They were hiding in a freezer on top of meat pallets so immigration officers couldnt see their feet. Thats when four women detained in an Immigration Customs and Enforcement raid last month in Omaha say they felt the temperature inside the freezers start dropping. The women, who were detained in a raid June 10 at Glenn Valley Foods, said they felt fans turn on and the air get colder as ICE agents waited on the other side of the freezer doors. The womens eventual exit from the freezer marked the beginning of a detainment that has continued for the past month in Nebraska. Theyre among 13 detainees, all women, who spoke to The Omaha World-Herald from the Lincoln County Detention Center in North Platte, where theyre being held. An interpreter with HOPE-Esperanza, a North Platte organization that provides services to immigrants in the community, helped translate the interviews. The accounts paint a picture of a traumatic stretch in which some detainees say they were taunted and misled by ICE agents allegations that an ICE spokesperson strongly denies. One woman said the cold made it difficult to tell how long they were in the freezers at Glenn Valley, a meatpacking plant that ICE said it targeted as part of an enforcement action centered on widespread identify theft. The woman said it could have been several minutes, but it felt like an hour had passed before she heard an agent yell, Come out, or well send the dogs after you. Another woman said she was hiding in a freezer for 10 minutes. Yet another said she was in there for more than an hour and a half. Some were able to walk out of the freezer to escape the cold. But one woman said the ones on top of the meat pallets were directly under the vents and became unable to move as the cold air blasted their faces. She said agents eventually entered and physically removed them. The women, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because of their pending immigration court cases and fear of retaliation, are mostly mothers in their 40s. They described a horrific ordeal during which they say they were pushed around, forcibly arrested, painfully shackled and mocked by ICE agents who loaded them into a van without telling them where they were going. An ICE spokesperson said agents did not lower the freezer temperature in order to force the detainees out. The illegal aliens who were detained following the June 10 targeted enforcement action at Glenn Valley Foods were treated with the utmost respect and within what is required by the 2025 National Detention Standards, Tanya Roman, an ICE spokesperson, told The World-Herald. The National Detention Standards outline requirements for the care, custody and treatment of immigration detainees to ensure they are treated humanely and able to access the rights to which theyre entitled. Two women said they are unsure how or why they got swept up in the raid. They said they have legal authorization to work in the U.S. They just didnt care The women said ICE agents burst in, shouting and shoving people about 9:30 a.m. on a Tuesday, just as people on break were returning to relieve their co-workers. Some thought there was a fire until those on their way to the breakroom came running back, shouting, immigration! One woman said the workers tried to explain to ICE agents that there was no need for the roughness that theyd cooperate. But she said they insisted on grabbing and pushing people. Two others said they witnessed a masked agent shove a woman, causing a pregnant woman to fall into a breakroom chair. A young woman said she took out her phone to call her brother when a male ICE agent ripped the phone from her hand and started grabbing at her legs without warning, asking, What else do you have on you? One woman said she notified the officers that she had a metal plate in her arm and had recently had surgery. She said the officer proceeded to grab her by her injured arm, using it to drag her into the kitchen. She said ICE agents later refused her medical care and medication, saying, were not doctors. She said shes still experiencing limited mobility and radiating pain. They just didnt care, a 43-year-old single mother said. A 46-year-old mother said she was hiding behind a curtain when a dog found her. One mother of three watched her co-workers run and hide. She said she wasnt afraid at this point and didnt run because she has a work permit authorizing her to work in the U.S. She said some of her co-workers tried to leave through emergency exits, but the whole place was surrounded. She said the fear didnt set in for her until she realized the agents didnt care that she had legal status. She said the agents told the people with valid documentation that they would be released but in some cases, thats not what happened. A second young woman who said she has a valid work visa said those with documentation were the first to be sectioned off, but they were treated just as poorly as the rest. She said the agents didnt check her status before arresting her. To this day, I dont understand why Im being detained, she said. Both women said they provided their valid identification to ICE agents. One said she also provided her Social Security card to the agents, but they were arrested anyway. An ICE spokesperson said no legal permanent residents were taken into custody. The accusations being made by these unnamed detainees are completely false and frankly do nothing more than contribute to the misinformation and propaganda being pushed to the American public that is fueling misguided, violent attacks on the hardworking and dedicated men and women of ICE during the course of their sworn duties, said Roman, an ICE spokesperson. This isnt Univision or CNN According to Roman, 76 Glenn Valley Foods workers were taken from the plant. They were restrained with zip ties and loaded onto a bus that transported them to an ICE field office near Eppley Airfield. The women interviewed said the harsh treatment continued once they were taken to the ICE facility. For the nearly three days they were in ICE custody, they were unable to shower, change clothes or access medication. Roman, the ICE spokesperson, said the detainees were allowed a blanket and change of clothes upon request, despite the law not requiring it. She said the temporary detention facility doesnt have showers because theyre not required under the 2025 National Detention Standards. She also said all detainees were provided basic hygiene items, including soap, toilet paper, feminine hygiene items and sanitary wipes. A 43-year-old woman told The World-Herald many of the detainees had headaches from the days events and asked for water and Tylenol. She said they were denied painkillers, and agents laughed as they threw water bottles at them. Another woman in her late 20s said some of the women required menstrual products, which the agents also threw at them while mocking them. An ICE spokesperson denied this, saying supplies may have been tossed to them, but nothing was thrown at the detainees. The women also said some of the agents were professional. The mother of three said an ICE agent intervened when another agent was harassing her. Another woman said an agent processed her without incident and told her she had the right to call three people. Two other women said they were allowed phone calls late at night. But a 43-year-old single mother said an agent got upset when she asked for a phone call, saying she had no rights because shes a criminal. Two other women said they were told that this isnt Univision or CNN, and the rights those organizations talk about arent true. They kept saying that we were immigrants and we didnt deserve rights, a 46-year-old mother said. But theres a God that sees us all as one, and we should be treated as such. The Glenn Valley detainees described their experiences at a time when the Trump administration is carrying out an aggressive campaign of immigration enforcement in Nebraska and elsewhere. On Wednesday a week after The World-Heralds interviews with the detainees ICE said it had arrested an MS-13 kingpin in the Omaha area who had been among the 100 most-wanted people in El Salvador. President Donald Trump has posted on social media about needing to make sure enforcement efforts dont harm the productivity of farmers, who often rely on labor from undocumented immigrants. But in response to a World-Herald question about the state of enforcement efforts in Nebraska and elsewhere, a White House spokeswoman said that Trump remains committed to carrying out the largest mass deportation operation in history by removing dangerous, violent criminal illegal aliens from American communities and targeting the sanctuary cities that provide safe harbor to criminal aliens. A World-Herald analysis found that most people arrested in the Glenn Valley operation had no criminal history, and the ones who did had mostly minor traffic infractions and misdemeanors. ICE officials have said everyone detained in the operation was using a stolen identity to work. Of the 76 people detained, one person has been charged with crimes related to identity fraud. You must sign According to a statement from the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, which provides legal services to many of the Omaha detainees, many of the Glenn Valley workers were held for days without being charged, and some signed their own self-deportation orders without the chance to speak to a lawyer. Veronica Cardenas, who served for 13 years as former assistant chief counsel for ICE and is now in private practice, told The World-Herald that detainees have the right to contact an attorney, but their attorneys have a difficult time getting in touch with ICE officials to get any information about their clients. Even though the person has the right to do that, its very difficult for some people to exercise that right, she said. Several women said agents presented documents in English, demanding they sign them despite not being able to read them. Cardenas said it is common for agents to be forceful while conducting intakes because their goal is to get people to leave the country. She said theyre required to translate the many documents detainees are instructed to sign during processing, but the documents dont have to be written in any language other than English the detainees often rely on ICE agents to interpret for them accurately. The nature of the documents the detainees were instructed to sign is unclear. Cardenas said detainees are instructed to sign many documents as part of the intake process. The mother of three whom The World-Herald interviewed said an agent told her shed face three to 10 years in jail if she didnt sign. She said they told her, you must sign this document. When she said she wanted to talk to a lawyer before signing, she said he told her she didnt have that right that shed been lied to about having any rights at all. When she said she was here on a work permit and had legal status, they told her shed be deported anyway, she said. A mother in her early 40s said an agent presented her with a piece of paper and demanded she sign over custody of her kids. He got really aggressive, she said. She said he told her that if she didnt sign, he would go to her house and pick up her children. A 46-year-old mom said agents pressed her for information and asked if she had children. When she said yes, she said they threatened to detain her 7-year-old daughter. A mother in her late 40s said an agent called her a disgrace when he discovered she had a son and asked if she had kids just to ruin this world. An ICE spokesperson denied that agents threatened detainees or their children, citing a policy to protect parental interests. The women said they were shackled in chains at the hands, waist and feet when it was time to leave the facility. The mother of three said they were shackled so tightly that many of them couldnt lift their legs to step onto the van, so the agents brought them a step stool. Even then, they had to help some people up into the van. She said it was a very long difficult drive full of desperation and tears. The detainees didnt know where they were going. A 45-year-old mother said the van was incredibly hot because there was no airflow. She said it wasnt until people started yelling that they couldnt breathe that the agents finally turned on the air. The ray of sunshine of Hope-Esperanza showed up At least 63 of those detained in the Glenn Valley ICE raid were taken to the Lincoln County Detention Center in North Platte. The Lincoln County Sheriffs Office said the number of Glenn Valley detainees in their custody still fluctuates. Last week, they estimated that about 50 of the original group of detainees remained at the detention center. They said 14 had been released three were released on bail, and 11 were transferred back into ICE custody. Two of the women said they had no idea where they were being taken until they arrived in North Platte about 4 p.m. on a Thursday. The mother of three said they hadnt had any food or water yet that day. Thats when the ray of sunshine of HOPE-Esperanza showed up, the mother of three said. HOPE-Esperanza has been helping the Glenn Valley detainees understand their options and communicate their needs with local officials. When these people showed up, they hadnt showered in three days, a HOPE-Esperanza interpreter said. They had no idea where they were. The mother of three said members of HOPE-Esperanza greeted them with beef jerky a snack shes usually not fond of but scarfed down gratefully nonetheless. She said the staff slowly gained their trust, and HOPE-Esperanzas presence helped them feel safe enough to relax. The women said the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office staff have been kind and attentive to their needs, and they are very grateful to HOPE-Esperanza for helping them navigate their situation. But while theyre now being treated well, they said they are still heartbroken and want to go home. While the mandatory sale of public lands in the West potentially including the Gifford Pinchot National Forest didnt make it into the final congressional reconciliation bill, an increase to timber-production on public lands was included. Under the new law signed by President Donald Trump July 4, timber sales in National Forest and Bureau of Land Management parcels across the country are now directed to enter longterm timber-sale contracts or to sell a total set amount. Federal leaders say the changes aim to expand American timber production by at least 25%. A state BLM spokesperson said it is unlikely any BLM land in Cowlitz County will be included in these changes, however the National Forest Services could not be reached for comment prior to deadline. The Trump administration and local pulp and paper mill leaders say the changes will not only grow the industry, but improve the forests resiliency and lower wildfire suppression costs, while public land advocates disagree with the latter. BLM The budget reconciliation bill requires at least 20,000,000 board-feet of timber sales more in Bureau of Land Management parcels sold each fiscal year compared to the year prior, from 2026 to 2034. Board-feet measures the lumber sourced, and not a geographic area. The bill also includes at least five long-term contracts on the land for no less than 20 years from 2025 to 2034. BLM manages seven Cowlitz County parcels, which are mostly small islands on the Columbia River. The parcels are about 0.2, 0.3, 6.1, 6.6, 20.7, 25.6, and 39.6 acres, according to the department. None of the seven parcels are contracted for timber sales today, or proposed to be part of timber sales, a spokesperson said. The representative said the land is so small it is unlikely the parcels would be included in sales. Revenue A May report from Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), who is also the chairperson for the House Committee on Natural Resources, says the Congressional Budget Office estimates the additional timber sales would generate more than $157 million in new revenue and savings. Scott Tift, president of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers Union, said the federal changes will also create more local family-wage jobs in the industry the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says had an annual salary of $61,920 in 2023. Our members and their communities rely on predictable, sustainable access to timber, Tift said. Public lands must be part of that solution. Richard Murray, president of the AWPPW local 633 at Nippon Dynawave which in Longview mostly makes packaging for milk and juice cartons agrees. We are for that, he said about the recent change. Anything that can get more pulp to the mills. Safety A July 3 notice from the White House states the increase in timber production will improve forest management, which will also strengthen the resiliency of forests and save billions on future wildfire suppression costs. Washington State Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Will Rubin specializes in forest resilience and health. He said there are more opportunities to thin federal public land in Washington state where he said the federal government is the largest landowner as long as the process is backed by science, not profits. Cutting down trees to meet a quota or sidestepping laws such as the Endangered Species Act wouldnt be part of the process, he added. When we do work on federal land, profit is not our primary objective, he said. DNR uses prescribed burning in central and eastern Washington to mimic the long-used tool by area tribes to manage land. Burning the forest floor clears overgrowth and underbrush which can help carry flames up forests canopies. Cascade Forest Conservancy Executive Director Molly Whitney said many forests in the wetter, western side of the Cascades often see little to no effect on fire risks when thinning trees. The Vancouver-based nonprofit says it monitors timber sales within Gifford Pinchot to ensure they are scientifically vetted and sustainable. Whitney added that logging the public federal forests west of the Cascades crest may only briefly reduce the possibility of a large fire. If a strong, east winddriven fire occurs, it will burn through grasslands, forests, and anything else in its path, regardless of how many trees were removed, she sad. Washington State Sierra Club Director Ben Avery agreed. Avery said prescribed burns and thinning small trees can help manage wildfires, but most of the countys old-growth trees are in National Forests. Wildfires are a growing threat that disrupt more lives every year, he said. But forcing logging on National Forests, especially where older, more fire-resilient trees grow, is the wrong approach. Bill changes The actual sale of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land was pulled on June 28 by Senate Energy Chairman and Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who proposed the mandatory sale of 2-3 millions of acres of public land in the West to make room for more housing. In his June 28 statement Lee says the federal government owns too much land, creating problems, specifically for Utahns, such as being able to build homes and raise property taxes for local schools. However, the bill wasnt able to ensure the land wouldnt be sold to foreign interests instead of the intended American families, so he said he withdrew the proposal. Federally protected land, such as the Mount St. Helens Volcanic National Monument, was always excluded from sales in the draft bill. Avery sees the change being caused more by the incredible unpopularity of this bill, rather than other issues. GOP senators in Montana and Idaho were also against the spending cuts and tax package with the addition of the public land sales. Allan Maddox, of Skagit Countys Fir Island, was camping at Seaquest State Park in late June before the public lands option was dropped. The veteran in his 70s said he tries to stay away from politics, but he couldnt stay away from this. As far as Im concerned, he said, we dont have enough public land to enjoy. Silver Lake Resort owner Ember Crippen said she doesnt want anything to destroy the beauty and quietness of the area where her resort is nestled in the shadow of Mount St. Helens. Thats why we like it here, she said. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Steven Weinberg for ChinaFile People have nicknamed the security system that monitors and controls internet traffic entering and leaving China "The Great Firewall of China." But a firewall is just the beginning of the Communist country's censorship system, new research from Northeastern University finds. "The image that people have now'The Great Firewall'is very evocative, but it isn't very accurate anymore," says Laura Edelson, assistant professor of computer sciences at Northeastern. "There is absolutely a system in place that just keeps foreign information out, but by itself, that system wouldn't be very effective. There are these other layers of the system in place." So, instead of a Great Firewall, Edelson calls a framework for understanding Chinese censorship "The Locknet" for its resemblance to water locks that can allow or stop the flow of information into and within the country. "I think about it like an artificial lake in the middle of the ocean," Edelson explains. "For the most part, the systems reinforce each other and they can maintain this little separate body of water, but it is connected, and just as sometimes the larger internet sloshes over, sometimes the 'Locknet' leaks out." It's no secret that Chinalike all countries, Edelson notescensors its internet. But while many Western democracies have clear laws outlining what is forbidden online, exactly how Chinese censorship operates, its effectiveness and how much that censorship alters the internet in the rest of the world isn't well understood. Edelson and a researcher on China's governance and society at online magazine ChinaFile sought to answer these questions and others in a yearlong investigation. They found that China has a dynamic, adaptable and multi-layered, self-reinforcing censorship system. The system works on three main levels. Network-level censorship is the so-called Great Firewall, blocking foreign content from coming into China at the country's borders. Service-level censorship exists on any platform or service offered inside the countryall of which must comply with Chinese censorship rules. Finally, self-censorship occurs on the individual level as citizens censor what they put online in order to comply with the state. But there are some key aspects of the censorship system that make it effective. First, the three levels of censorship reinforce each other. Service-level censorship forbids VPNs, certain apps and services like Meta, for instance, thereby limiting the foreign information reaching Chinese users and reinforcing network-level censorship. Second, enforcement is "intentionally intermittent" but consequential. Accessing banned content or posting criticism of the government canbut will not alwaysget a user "invited to tea," Edelson explains, where the user will be brought into a police station, questioned for hours, made to sign a confession andif said tea parties happen often enoughbe sent to jail. This encourages people to self-censor or "to stay within the lines," as Edelson says, comparing this intermittent but consequential enforcement to obeying the speed limit in a Western democracy. "Sometimes you can wildly violate the speed limit and drive 100 miles per hour down the highway and not get pulled over," Edelson says. "But most people don't because they know that if you drive 100 mph down the highway, you will eventually get caught and you could get caught at any time." What that results in, she explains, is a population that generally stays within boundssay at 5 mph above the speed limitbut could technically be pulled over at any time. Moreover, enforcement is often contracted out to individual companies whose success depends on remaining in Beijing's good graces. "They get instruction from the federal government, but they have a lot of leeway as to how they implement those censorship rules," Edelson says. "So, companies are truly compelled to follow these rules and, if they don't, those companies will cease to exist and their executives will go to jail." Which leads to the third point: the rules and regulations of what is censored are expansive, but vague and flexible. "What is banned changes day by day," Edelson says. "There are some things that they do say 'these things are banned," but then there's this whole other category of things that just disappear and that there's no public visibility, there's no transparency." Again, this vagueness encourages self-censorship and reinforces censorship at the company or service provider level (if in doubt, leave it out), and the network level. But with a global internet, Edelson says the Locknet is not just affecting users in China. "It is very appealing to systems makers to make a platform or a service that they can offer both inside China and outside China. And if they're going to do that, then they have to be subject to China's censorship," Edelson says. Edelson also cites the example of Chinese AI systems and tools, which may be cheaper, more efficient, publicly available and also likely trained according to Chinese censorship models or censored in some way. And while the internet was created by Westerners with Western democratic ideals in mind, that doesn't mean that future developments will be. "The thing to remember is that you can make a standard that is easier to surveil, easier to censor, and more efficient," Edelson says. "Chinese engineers are advancing standards that bring along privacy costs that I think would be unacceptable to most Americans and simply aren't unacceptable in China and, in fact, are a benefit to the Chinese government." More information: The Locknet: How China Controls Its Internet and Why It Matters. locknet.chinafile.com/the-locknet/intro/ This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu. Being stuck behind the wheel could be more than just a traffic headache - it might be making Brits lonelier. Lonely drivers A new study has found a correlation between car dependency and loneliness, especially in areas with poor public transport. The research by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) revealed that people who rely heavily on driving are more likely to feel isolated, with the problem hitting hardest in rural towns and villages. The SMF said: Our first-of-its-kind analysis shows a very clear and statistically significant link between car dependency and loneliness, with results indicating that loneliness increases by 5 per cent for every 20 per cent fall in satisfaction with public transport and active travel. Put another way, failing to provide alternatives to cars is making people more lonely and more isolated. While city-dwellers are less affected - thanks to more buses, trains and walking routes - the study suggests that across all UK regions, poor access to public transport is taking a toll on wellbeing. Author Gideon Salutin said the findings should be a wake-up call for politicians to improve non-car options in both towns and the countryside. The SMF said the governments 15billion plan for new transport projects could help fight loneliness in places that see the investment. But it warned thats not enough. Ministers are being urged to bring back lost bus routes in poorer areas and make sure new housing is built with proper transport links. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The Higashinaka Lab is developing AI-human dialogue systems designed to work alongside human operators. As part of their research, a guide robot was deployed at Osaka's NIFREL Aquarium to answer visitors' questions about marine life. Human operators could step in to provide help with complex questions. Credit: Higashinaka Lab, Nagoya University. Taken at NIFREL Aquarium, Osaka How do you develop an AI system that perfectly mimics the way humans speak? Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have taken a significant step forward to achieve this. They have created J-Moshi, the first publicly available AI system specifically designed for Japanese conversational patterns. J-Moshi captures the natural flow of Japanese conversation, which often has short verbal responses known as "aizuchi" that Japanese speakers use during conversation to show they are actively listening and engaged. Responses such as "Sou desu ne" (that's right) and "Naruhodo" (I see) are used more often than similar responses in English. Traditional AI has difficulty using aizuchi because it cannot speak and listen at the same time. This capability is especially important for natural-sounding Japanese AI dialog. Consequently, J-Moshi has become very popular with Japanese speakers who recognize and appreciate its natural conversation patterns. Prof. Higashinaka (right) and his team are collaborating on developing humanoid robots that combine speech, gestures, and movement to communicate naturally with people. Credit: Higashinaka Lab, Nagoya University Building a Japanese Moshi model The development team, led by researchers from the Higashinaka Laboratory at the Graduate School of Informatics, built J-Moshi by adapting the English-language Moshi model created by the non-profit laboratory Kyutai. The process took about four months and involved training the system using multiple Japanese speech datasets. The research is published on the arXiv preprint server. The biggest dataset was obtained from J-CHAT, the largest publicly available Japanese dialog dataset created and released by the University of Tokyo. It contains approximately 67,000 hours of audio from podcasts and YouTube. Additionally, the team used smaller but higher-quality dialog datasets, some collected within the lab and others dating back 2030 years. To increase their training data, the researchers also converted written chat conversations into artificial speech with text-to-speech programs they developed for this purpose. Ph.D. student Atsumoto Ohashi, the main developer of J-Moshi, demonstrates how the AI system mimics natural Japanese conversation patterns. He has been working on the optimization of task-oriented dialogue systems for his Ph.D. Credit: Merle Naidoo, Nagoya University Ph.D. student Yuki Zenimoto engages with a question-guiding dialogue system that elicits user healthcare information through casual conversation. Credit: Merle Naidoo, Nagoya University In January 2024, J-Moshi gained significant attention when demonstration videos went viral on social media. Beyond its technical novelty, it has possible practical applications in language learning. For example, helping non-native speakers practice and understand natural Japanese conversation patterns. The research team is also exploring commercial applications in call centers, health care settings, and customer service. They note that adapting the system to specialized fields or industries is challenging due to the limited availability of Japanese speech data compared to resources available for English. The research team's leader, Professor Ryuichiro Higashinaka, brings a unique perspective to academic AI research, having spent 19 years as a corporate researcher at NTT Corporation before joining Nagoya University five years ago. During his industry tenure, he worked on consumer dialog systems and voice agents, including a project to realize a question-answer function for Shabette Concier, a voice agent service by NTT DOCOMO. To further pursue research on human communication patterns, he set up his own lab at Nagoya University's Graduate School of Informatics in 2020. His 20-member lab now tackles challenges that bridge theoretical research and practical applications, from understanding conversational timing in Japanese to deploying AI guides in public spaces like aquariums. "Technology like J-Moshi can be applied to systems that work with human operators. For example, our guide robots at the NIFREL Aquarium in Osaka can handle routine interactions independently and easily connect visitors to human operators for complex questions or when specialized assistance is needed," Professor Higashinaka said. "Our work is part of a national Cabinet Office Moonshot Project that aims to improve service quality through advanced AI-human collaboration systems." Ph.D. student Sanae Yamashita (left) works on techniques that summarize conversations to help human operators step in when AI dialogue systems need assistance. Researcher Ao Guo (right) focuses on making mobile guidance robots more user-friendly using speech, gestures, and movement. Credit: Merle Naidoo, Nagoya University Opportunities and challenges for human-robot interactions Prof. Higashinaka explained the unique challenges facing Japanese AI research: "Japan suffers from a scarcity of speech resources, limiting researchers' ability to train AI dialog systems. Privacy concerns also need to be considered." This data shortage forced creative solutions, such as using computer programs to separate mixed voices in podcast recordings into individual speaker tracks needed for training. Currently, dialog systems have difficulty with complex social situations, especially when interpersonal relationships and physical environments need to be considered. Visual obstacles such as masks or hats can also impair their performance as important visual cues like facial expressions are covered. Testing at Osaka's NIFREL Aquarium showed that sometimes the AI cannot handle user questions and needs human operators to intervene and take over the conversation. While J-Moshi represents a significant achievement in capturing natural Japanese conversational patterns with overlapping speech and aizuchi interjections, these limitations mean it currently needs human backup systems for most practical applications. The researchers are working to enhance these human backup systems to mitigate these challenges.These include methods for dialog summarization and dialog breakdown detection systems that alert operators to potential problems so they can respond quickly. The lab's broader research extends beyond J-Moshi and includes multiple methods for human-robot interaction. In collaboration with colleagues working on realistic humanoid robots, they are developing robot systems that coordinate speech, gestures, and movement for natural communication. These robots, including those manufactured by Unitree Robotics, represent the latest advances in AI in physical form, where dialog systems must navigate not just conversational nuances but also physical presence and spatial awareness. The team regularly showcases their work during university open campus days, where the public can experience how AI dialog systems are evolving firsthand. Their paper on J-Moshi has been accepted for publication in Interspeech, the largest international conference in the field of speech technology and research. Professor Higashinaka and his team are looking forward to presenting their J-Moshi research in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, in August 2025. "In the near future, we will witness the emergence of systems capable of collaborating seamlessly with humans through natural speech and gestures. I aspire to create the foundational technologies that will be essential for such a transformative society," Professor Higashinaka said. More information: Atsumoto Ohashi et al, Towards a Japanese Full-duplex Spoken Dialogue System, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2506.02979 Listen to audio of J-Moshi here: https://nu-dialogue.github.io/j-moshi/ The codebase used for training J-Moshi is available here: https://github.com/nu-dialogue/moshi-finetune Journal information: arXiv This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A Nextdoor sign is shown on a window at an office in San Francisco on May 11, 2016. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File Nextdoor, the social media site that aims to create connections among neighbors, is trying to shake off an uneven past and a nagging sense it is being underutilized. How? It is turning to professional journalists for help. The company announced a partnership Tuesday with more than 3,500 local news providers who will regularly contribute material to the app. As part of a redesign, it is also expanding its ability to alert users about bad weather, power outages and other dangers, along with using AI to improve recommendations for restaurants, services and local points of interest. "There should be enough value that we are creating for neighbors that they feel like they need to open up Nextdoor every single day," said Nirav Tolia, the company's co-founder and CEO. "And that isn't the case today." The potential for Nextdoor to help itself and journalists at the same time is most intriguing. Nextdoor is carrying portions of local news stories from providers in the area where the user lives. If people want to learn more, a link to the news site is included. At launch, Nextdoor says it has more than 50,000 news stories available, representing just over three-quarters of the app's "neighborhoods." A future for news that never arrived When Nextdoor began in 2011, the local news industry was in the early stages of a freefall that continues today. The number of journalists in the U.S. dropped from 40 per 100,000 residents in 2002 to slightly more than eight today, according to a study issued this month by Muck Rack and Rebuild Local News. Nearly a third of the nation's counties have no full-time journalist. Into this tumult came an app with a promising premise and infrastructure, perhaps a template for local news of the future. Its usersNextdoor likes to call them "neighbors"were organized into more than 200,000 distinct neighborhoods, with the ability to start conversations once shared over back fences: Do you know a reliable babysitter? What's that building going up down the street? Who serves the best burger? Yet Nextdoor's developers knew technology, not the news business. They didn't see a role for professional journalists at the outset. "We thought in our early days that neighbors would take over, almost as citizen journalists or local reporters," Tolia said. "I think we've come to the conclusion that neighbors can only do so much." Nextdoor CEO Nirav Tolia poses for photos at his office in San Francisco on May 11, 2016. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File Even worse, the site became a magnet for racists and cranks, the kind of neighbors you try to avoid. Nextdoor became so filled with suspicionwhy is a person of a different color or nationality walking down the street?that its moderators had to spend considerable time rooting out racist posts and changing rules to prevent them. For some users, the negatives outweighed the positives. "Nextdoor has been a valuable resource for my family," Ralinda Harvey Smith, a woman from Santa Monica, Calif., wrote in the Los Angeles Times in 2020. "I found a nanny share for my kids on Nextdoor. When I posted looking for a mechanic to replace my car headlight, a neighbor offered to change it free of charge. When the pandemic struck and disinfectant wipes were impossible to come by, a woman on Nextdoor DM'd me offering to leave some on her porch." "Yet I've long seen remnants of racism across the site that have left me with a bad feeling not only about the app, but the city I love," Smith wrote. That made her log on less frequently. Trying to make Nextdoor essential for users Whatever the reasons, enough users consider Nextdoor inessential that its leaders were compelled to make the changes being announced now. The site has 100 million registered users, but only about 25 million are on the site at least once a week, Tolia said. Nextdoor, which went public in 2021 to attract a new round of financing, wants to see them more often. Nextdoor hired a former executive at The New York Times, Georg Petschnigg, as its chief design officer to oversee the changes. The company said its surveys found users wanted to know more about what was going on in their communities beyond the utilitarian information. Other social networks are similarly bringing in more outside material, Tolia said. "When you rely on user-generated content, it's kind of unpredictable in terms of quality, timeliness and relevance," he said. "If I were in their shoes, I'd be doing this. I don't know why they didn't do it sooner, but that's for them to answer and not me," said Chuck Todd, the former "Meet the Press" moderator who has taken an interest in local news since leaving NBC. Semafor this spring speculated Todd might be interested in buying Nextdoor. Todd wouldn't discuss that. He is waiting to see if Nextdoor has a real commitment to news or just to reaching more eyeballs. Cars and pedestrians move along crooked Lombard Street in San Francisco on Thursday, July 3, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File "It's an opportunity to do the one thing that Facebook could have done but chose not to," Todd said. "You don't want this to go down the road of just trying to get traffic for traffic's sake, because that's what happened to Facebook after it went public." The irony of engaging with professional journalists isn't lost. "It's like what is old is new again," said Sam Cholke, manager of distribution and audience growth for the Institute for Nonprofit News. Its hundreds of members include the Texas Tribune, the Plateau Daily News in Highlands, N.C., and the Daily Yonder in Whitesburg, Kentucky. Several of its participating news organizations are joining with Nextdoor, and "my hope is that our members see significant benefits from it," Cholke said. Hoping for mutually beneficial relationship The local news industry continues to suffer from the same problems that have led to its downfall the past two decades: a dwindling number of readers and advertisers. An offhand comment by Toliaabout how people used to pick up "a piece of dead tree" from their driveways to get their newsspeaks to fading prospects. Facebook's deemphasis of news on its platform and Google's increasing use of AI at the expense of referrals to news articles are adding to the death spiral, said Tim Franklin, head of the Medill Local News Initiative at Northwestern. "If Nextdoor is another vessel to get readers to news sites, and local news sites in particular, it would come at a real moment of vulnerability for local news organizations and would be a real opportunity," said Franklin, whose worry is that relying on third parties is unpredictable. Josh Schneps, who runs a series of local news operations in New York City and Long Island, like the Flushing Times and Park Slope Courier, has already had material appear on Nextdoor in a soft launch and is seeing an increase in traffic to the sites. "I feel like media is in a state of evolution and there's no playbook," Schneps said. "My goal is to get our content in front of as many people as possible. I'm more than happy to be the guinea pig" for Nextdoor, he said. An industryand a companyboth need help. Maybe they can help each other. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Spatial distribution of Solar PV. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61492-9 Europe has committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2050. But how can we get there in a way that's technically feasible, economically responsible, and fair to all member states? Researchers from Aarhus University and the Technical University of Denmark offer an answer in a new study published in Nature Communications. Using an advanced energy model of the entire continent, the researchers explored what happens if each country must be self-sufficient in energy on an annual basisthat is, producing as much energy as it consumes within its borders. Not as a form of isolationism, but as a principle of energy justice and resilience. The result is surprisingly positive. "Our study shows that climate neutrality doesn't have to come at the cost of energy fairness," says postdoc Parisa Rahdan, lead author of the article. "With smart technologies and a coordinated effort, we can shape a transition where all countries both contribute and benefit." The study demonstrates that Europe can achieve netzero emissions, a state where no more greenhouse gases are emitted than can be absorbed through reforestation, carbon storage, or technological solutions. This is essential for meeting the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming. And it can be done with an average cost increase of only 2.1% compared to the most costeffective scenario without selfsufficiency. For countries that are currently dependent on energy imports, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, costs may rise significantly, up to 150%, while others may save. But overall, this leads to a more balanced distribution of solar and wind installations and a fairer, more resilient transition. Solar power and cooperation are key One of the most important technologies in the scenario is solar energy, particularly new configurations of solar panels. The models show that singleaxis tracking systems, which follow the sun from east to west throughout the day, are costeffective across Europe. Moreover, underdimensioning inverters turns out to be a financially sound strategy, as solar panels rarely operate at full capacity. "Technologies once deemed too expensive have now become costeffective solutions because the price of solar panels has dropped dramatically," says Parisa Rahdan. "This includes inverter sizing and configurations where solar panels are tilted east and west." These solutions are especially valuable in densely populated or landconstrained countries, where they can maximize energy yield per area and support selfsufficiency. The researchers also stress that selfsufficiency does not mean isolation. Even as electricity production becomes more localized, countries will continue to trade synthetic oil, methanol, and hydrogen produced in resourcerich regions. The result is a picture of Europe's energy system as a green puzzle: a system where the pieces fit together precisely because every country contributesand receives support from neighbors. Political momentum A key question is whether the necessary scaleup of solar and wind is realistic. According to the researchers' analysis, it isbut only if many countries significantly ramp up development. Using historical data as a baseline, the study shows that required growth rates exceed past records in several countries, but not by an unattainable margin. "We need to raise our level of ambition," says Parisa Rahdan. "But we also see that technological development and political momentum are pointing in the right direction. The time to act is now." The study sends a clear message to national policymakers and the EU: Make room for new solar technologies in energy models. Promote global coordination. And remember that energy justice can be a strength in the transition, not a barrier. More information: Parisa Rahdan et al, Strategic deployment of solar photovoltaics for achieving self-sufficiency in Europe throughout the energy transition, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61492-9 Journal information: Nature Communications As part of their process to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the College Station City Council will host a budget workshop at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at City Hall. The council has been discussing various aspects of the proposed budget at recent meetings, including one on outside agency funding last Thursday. Based on the data from the outside agency presentation, the FY 2026 budget includes a total of $3.3 million in funding requests for a wide range of agencies. The presentation on the outside agencies was conducted by Mary Ellen Leonard, city director of fiscal services. Leonard laid out for councilmembers the amounts each agency requested and also explained to the council that the outside agencies provide services the city doesnt offer but that the city has a spot in each organization through either a city staff member or councilmember sitting on the respective boards. Outside agencies are also required to provide quarterly financial reporting. Contractual or legal obligations include supporting the Greater Brazos Partnership and the Brazos County Central Appraisal District. The GBP is requesting the same total as last year at $350,000. GBP board chairman Spencer Clements explained why the funding request was the same as last year as well as some of what the GBP does when asked by councilmember Melissa McIlhaney what kind of results it has had. We are happy to report that we are requesting the same amount we requested last funding cycle, Clements said. We have four major funding partners, both cities, the county and Texas A&M. Plus we have about 66 organizations that are contributing an equal amount to what this city is providing so its turned out to be a wonderful organization. ... I will say [GBP} is the only place where we get both mayors, the county judge, Texas A&M University and the [TAMU] System around the same table. Its a wonderful opportunity to have those parties around the same table working on these problems. The Central Appraisal District is asking for a 15% increase in funding of $128,979 to go from last years funding of $859,858 to a request of $988,837. According to state law, the city is required to pay the Appraisal District the requested amount as long as it has been approved by the Appraisal Districts board. Dana Horton, the Central Appraisal Districts chief appraiser, spoke before the council as to why they were requesting an increase. Part of it is to get additional appraisers. We are growing tremendously [in] Brazos County and so being able to keep up with all of the growth, Ive had to increase my staff and Im looking to increase it even more, Horton said. Also weve had some pretty big postage increases, so Ive had to do a pretty major increase in postal services. We value properties for property tax purposes and my appraisers are required to be certified and they have educational requirements and so the education is up as well for Fiscal Year 2026. The Brazos County Health District didnt request an increase, though director Santos Navarrette said with changes in federal funding they might need more local support on the FY27 budget. We lost some federal funding back in April. We lost $354,000 of federal funding that was our COVID money that was called back. Currently our state funding is about 30 percent, Navarrette said. With the new federal budget we have coming on board I dont know what cuts we are going to get. I know we received a 28% reduction on our public health preparedness funding. We are kind of sitting on pins and needles to see if were going to see any further reductions in our federal funding. We are going to have to be strategic for the next funding year [FY 2027] because were not going to be able to remain at level funding going forward after this year. Keep Brazos Beautiful, which is funded by the citys Solid Waste Fund, has requested a $1,000 increase in its funding for FY 2026. Keep Brazos Beautiful received $48,230 in FY2025. Executive Director Brooke Arrellano explained what Keep Brazos Beautiful is and the ways it benefits the city. Keep Brazos Beautiful was founded with the idea of we as citizens in our volunteerism need to work together to help clean up trash, to help plant things in the community, to make our areas that we live in and enjoy beautiful. Arrellano said. We have collected just from last year 2.25 tons of trash. That is the lions share of our volunteerism efforts. The vast majority of our volunteerism is people will call up and say wed like to clean up an area and so we provide all those supplies and then we also connect with the cities to coordinate when were going to pick up that trash and things of that sort. The Arts Council has requested an increase of $117,799 in funding from last year although all of that increase would come from hotel taxes. The portion of the Arts Council funded by the general fund, which is operations and local marketing, does not have an increase in funding request as it remains at $35,000. Arts Council CEO Leslie Bowlin explained to the council that the requested increase in funding would be used for affiliate grands and affiliate marketing, operations support, tourism marketing and public art. We have not had an increase in funding in quite some time, but the city has grown and visitorship has grown. We are working very hard to make this investment, Bowlin said. Really this helps the quality of life in the city. It enriches everything for everyone and it helps grow the hotel and occupancy tax revenue as well. We are hoping to go hand in hand with the growth of the city. Other agencies making requests included the Aggieland Humane Society, Amber Alert Network Brazos Valley, Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and the Brazos Transit District. AANBV and the Chamber of Commerce did not request increases in funding while Aggieland Humane Society requested an increase of $45,540 to go from $303,600 in 2025 to $349,140 in 2026. Brazos Transit District requested an increase of $66,800 for a FY 2026 total of $400,800. The Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial requested $30,000 from the Hotel Tax Fund to pay for a project that will include the installation of a monument to the Declaration of Independence in time for the bicentennial of its adoption next July as well as the addition of a U.S. flag monument in the War of 1812 portion of the memorial. No action was taken by the council. Mayor John Nichols suggested that the time for discussion on any issues from the outside agencies would be during the budget workshop scheduled for Wednesday morning. The next council meeting on July 24 will include a public budget hearing.